Guyana Times Daily

saturday, july 26, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

PNCR Biennial Congress...

Rumble in Sophia... Round 1

– Granger says “citizens yearn for

By Svetlana MarShall

mid high drama and open divisions between factions, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) opened its 18th Biennial Congress on Friday. Present Leader David Granger declared that the time has come for a government of national unity, while blaming the Government for allegedly stymieing efforts towards such.

Granger’s call comes even as a key partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, Professor Clive Thomas criticised APNU, under the leadership of Granger, for “disappointingly” failing to lead talks on an inclusionary government. (See other story on page 6)

Granger, who is facing a strong challenge for the leadership of the party, told the opening of the Congress that the PNC 50 years ago had entered Government as part of a coalition administration in December 1964, and started the transformation of colonial Guyana into modern statehood. He said the PNC led Guyana to Independence 18 months later, on May 26, 1966, under the inspirational national motto – “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. The PNC had formed a coalition with the United Force, UF, which it jettisoned four years later.

“We were committed then to make that motto a reality. We remain committed to making Guyana One Nation.” Granger said the PNCR today was the heir of those who fought for national independence. “We have a duty to actualise the vision of our nation’s founders by continuing their work to make Guyana One Nation. We cannot become One Nation if we are divided.”

“It was with that vision that our founder leader Forbes Burnham started talks with the People’s Progressive Party – PPP – in 1976 and resumed talks in 1984. His aim was to establish a government of national unity.” These talks were abandoned by Desmond Hoyte after Burnham’s death.

“It was with that vision that our second leader Desmond Hoyte invited members of civil society into our party and succeeded in changing our party’s name to PNC Reform. His aim was to promote national unity through shared governance. It was with that vision that our third leader Robert Corbin toiled to bring the joint opposition political parties together and forge the PNCR-One Guyana alliance. His aim was to create a coalition that would promote national unity.”

Inclusionary democracy

“It is with that vision that, today, as the fourth leader of our party, I am proud to continue the PNCR’s tradition of leadership in advancing the One Nation project and in reaffirming A Partnership for National Unity’s commitment to that objective. My mission is to lead the PNCR and APNU into the next elections and establish a government of national unity,” Granger said. Granger had spoken of a “national unity government” before elections, but abandoned this after the Opposition received a majority. This was the move criticised by Dr Thomas. He noted that the results of the November 28, 2011 general and regional elections should have made it clear that the majority of the Guyanese people want an ‘inclusionary democracy’ in order to promote national unity. “People, increasingly, are calling on the minority People’s Progressive Party – PPP – to abandon its “winner-takes-all” attitude to

inclusionary democracy”

governance and work with the majority to build ‘One Nation’. The people want greater inclusion, not exclusion.” The PPP has also called for “inclusionary government” since 2003, but asserted that a higher level of trust must be inculcated between the parties.

“The current ‘dispensation’ in the National Assembly requires consultation and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of Government instead of the current convention of confrontation favoured by the PPP,” Granger asserted.

He said his party was convinced that greater national unity will bring greater national benefits including: elimination of one-party domination of the Government; enhancement of local, municipal and parliamentary democracy; enlargement of multi-ethnic space and the elimination of ethnic insecurity; expansion of economic enterprise and development; and enrichment of cultural life, national consciousness, and pride.

“The PNCR made a contract with this nation 50 years ago. We, the heirs of that tradition, have a duty to transfer the injunction of ‘inclusionary

democracy’ from the dry pages of the Constitution to a living practice in every neighbourhood, every municipality, every region and into the National Assembly.” Granger did not allude to widespread calls that the PNC should “apologise” for various atrocities committed during its 28 years of rule.

Noting that the PNCR is an integral part of APNU, Granger said they would together continue to fulfil the obligation to the nation both through the legislative process in the National Assembly and in the country at large.” We shall continue to work with the major sections of society – including other political parties, trade unions, private sector, and civil society – to realise our common quest for consensus on a broad national programme to move the country forward. We shall continue to work to harness the talents of a broader constituency, to foster the conditions for social cooperation, to deepen the democratic process and to develop the economy.” Commentator Christopher Ram has recently accused the PNC of having only “paper” partners in APNU.

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com, letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Housing and socioeconomic change

Over the last five years, there has been massive transformation in the housing and construction sectors in Guyana, with hundreds of thousands of Guyanese benefiting directly from approximately 30,538 house lots distributed.

The transformation of these sectors has also seen some 6991 squatter settlements regularised throughout the country, albeit with varying levels of resistance from those who were ‘settled’ in squatting areas, primarily along Guyana’s coastal belt.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali himself spearheaded more than 59 one-stop shops, which gave thousands of Guyanese access to several distinct and core services at one venue or another. New housing schemes have been developed and existing schemes rehabilitated and enhanced.

Additionally, thousands of Guyanese have been relieved of the burden of paying exorbitant rent for housing in Guyana, as the Government continues to invest in providing easier access to low-income and middle-income homes. This means that the Housing and Water Ministry has been making a significant contribution toward improving socioeconomic conditions in Guyana.

The Ministry has utilised grassroots tactics in rolling out some of the most critical aspects of their work programme with little or no resistance from the populace, even when dealing with illegal land occupation and squatting. In 2009, 4377 lots were distributed while in 2010 6382 were allocated. 2011 saw 8895 being given out while in 2012, 5869 Guyanese benefited. In 2013, 5015 were distributed, despite a total of 6000 being available that year.

Figures for squatter settlement regularisation show that in 2009, 906 settlements were regularised, while in 2010, 1675 received the Ministry’s attention. For 2011, 2073 were regularised, while in 2012, 1737 were made legal. In 2013, some 600 settlements received the Ministry’s attention. Last year, the construction sector accounted for 9.87 per cent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product.

The country’s overall growth of 5.5 per cent was led by the construction and housing sector, which recorded 22.6 per cent growth between 2012 and 2013. This was a result of the expansion in private sector construction buoyed by the national housing drive and by commercial construction, including public sector construction projects.

These are remarkable achievements for any Ministry in Government. It is the people who are benefiting directly and there is a significant reduction in the poverty levels, while there is an unprecedented increase in the standard of living of the beneficiaries. The national housing programme therefore is an outstanding example of public policy and private sector support, brought together for the development of the country.

Additionally, banks are now able to offer lower interest rates to borrowers for low-income housing development, as a result of which, millions of dollars are lent to thousands of Guyanese, who in turn use these resources to build their homes.

The low-income window alone has seen billions of dollars injected into the Guyanese economy. In the first quarter of 2013 alone, 366 persons accessed this facility and a total of $690 million was disbursed under this facility alone. Cumulatively at the end of March, there were 3408 borrowers from the financial system and the total amount disbursed by the banking system was $9.3 billion.

The private sector must be lauded for its willingness to lend credit which has grown over the years, adding that for the first quarter of this year, private sector credit has grown.

In total, credit from the commercial bank to the private sector increased from $161.6 billion at the end of December to $163.5 billion at the end of March – a growth of 1.2 per cent in first quarter of this year, building on sustained growth year after year for the last several years.

Despite these gains, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) must continue to pursue a massive work programme in 2014 that would see more Guyanese benefiting from an improved land divestment policy, while at the same time being able to access affordable housing through strengthened partnerships.

ANSA McAL is dodging the issue

Dear Editor,

I would like to comment on the article “ANSA McAL questions exclusion from drug supply pre-qualification... says facilities not checked during evaluation process”. I am a Guyanese who spent some time in Trinidad and was employed in a pharmacy, as I am now, that I am back in Guyana.

First, I would like to say that over in Trinidad, the bidding is controlled by the National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC), with which all prospective suppliers have to register. Their registration form asks for the “nationality” of the company and every year, only Trinidadian forms are ac-

cepted to supply the pharmaceuticals for that country’s Health Ministry. This is the same for all of the countries in Caricom.

I hope that some of the Guyanese companies that I am sure placed bids for supplying those countries’ pharmaceuticals would raise their voices now. What is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander. While I am all for Caricom, I would give some priority to firms that employ Guyanese in the process or invest in the necessary infrastructure.

The second thing I want to say is that I wish the companies that lost out in the pre-qualification exercise would conduct themselves in a professional way. ANSA McAL, for in-

stance, claimed they have the “temperature controlled” warehousing for “some drugs”. It pointed out that it provides some internationally branded pharmaceuticals and they would not have gotten this prerogative if they couldn’t store the drugs.

But ANSA McAL is dodging the issue. The pre-qualification is not for “some drugs” but for ALL the drugs in the country. Would ANSA McAL say whether they have the temperature-controlled warehousing to have all the drugs before they are distributed to the Government??

As a person with some background in pharmacy, proper temperature regulated storage of all phar-

maceuticals, prolong their life and efficacy. The evaluators would have read in the application form the warehousing space that each company had in Guyana.

I wish that the “losing companies” would state honestly where they fell short in each of the criteria which make the process easy to compare. After all, they still obtain a substantial part of the pharmaceutical contracts through direct bidding. Pharmaceuticals are literally a matter of life and death and I hope that our Government doesn’t hold on to its stated open criteria.

Sincerely,

Suresh Ganesh

Amerindian residents need to be wary of scholarship offers

Dear Editor,

It was brought to my attention that an Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament had allegedly sponsored a group of hinterland Amerindian females to pursue professional nursing at the Georgetown School of Nursing at the cost of $20,000 per student, which is the stipend each nursing student receives for accommodation, meals, and travelling.

It is also alleged that

the MP instructs the sponsored hinterland nursing students to attend and participate in AFC’s political activities and should they refuse they are asked to “pack their bags and go”. One student has since left the nursing school. This is where Amerindian residents need to be very careful before accepting any offer/s from any person that visits their community and to firstly seek the advice of the Amerindian Affairs

Minister or her representatives which are the community development officers. Now where these allegations are concerned, I am calling on the Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai to urgently conduct investigations into the current welfare of the hinterland nursing students attending the Georgetown School of Nursing who are alleg-

edly sponsored by an AFC MP. Also, I wish that the Health Minister can use his ministerial office to ensure that one of the sponsored nursing students who has left the nursing school is returned to continue her nursing programme. Her parents and all her relatives would be very happy and grateful.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Members of a dance troupe that put on a performance for the opening of the People’s National Congress’ 18th Biennial Congress on Friday strike a pose outside Congress Place (Carl Croker photo)

TT cultural group observes 50th anniversary

Dear Editor,

The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) of Trinidad and Tobago celebrated its 50th anniversary since its founding in 1964, with a banquet and awards presentation recently at its headquarters, Diwali Nagar site. The organisation has been hosting Guyanese groups annually for its Diwali Nagar as well as other cultural events.

In attendance was Alvin Kalicharran and his wife who were special guests as well as several other Guyanese who have made Trinidad their home. Many Guyanese visited this Nagar site over the last two decades. Kalli was given special prominence at the dinner. The golden evening saw several prominent Trinis honoured through featured songs, dances, and melodies on instruments (including sitar) and saxophone.

Glowing tributes were paid to seven outstanding individuals for their contributions to NCIC and the national community. Those honoured were Hans Hanoomansingh, Bob Ramroop, Deokinanan Sharma, Kristendath Joe Ramkissoon, Richard Ramlakhansingh, Ralph Narine and Baldeo Maharaj.

President of the National Council of Indian Culture, Dr Deokinanan Sharma told the gathering that “Fifty years in the life of any organisation, particularly a voluntary one, is indeed cause for immense satisfaction and celebration. The NCIC is one such institution that has managed over the years since its founding to keep its head above water, and to survive and grow and develop into a formidable organisation, despite the many hurdles it has had to face and overcome”.

He added: “Odds were always stacked against it staying alive and vibrant, far less growing into one of dynamism, and of gaining national and international recognition for its work in

the preservation, promotion and development of the culture that was first brought here by our indentured forefathers some 169 years ago. That the organiaation has succeeded, to the extent that it has, is an indication of the persistence and dedication of its members since the organisation was founded in 1964.”

Dr Sharma debunked the belief that the NCIC is a recipient of Government largesse. He said “nothing can be further from the truth. All that has been developed at the Nagar was done without any substantive support thus far from Government. The development of the Nagar has been done through our own resources; through rental of the site, particularly the trade fairs; the generosity of some contractors, and some unsubstantial Governmental support.”

Dr Sharma called on the Government of TT to honour its promise to build a proper auditorium and Nagar site at the council’s head-

quarters in Charlieville, Chaguanas. Also addressing the gathering was Senator Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, representing the Honourable Prime Minister at the celebration, pledged his support to the NCIC.

PRO of the NCIC, Surujdeo Mangaroo, who served as Master of Ceremony for this event noted that the council has been able to reach out to artistes in other countries in the Caribbean.

There is an NCIC in Jamaica and councils in Guadeloupe, Suriname, Guyana, St Lucia and Martinique.

This dinner and awards function was part of a larger package of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NCIC. Other events include a three-day international Diaspora conference. Several Guyanese participated in that event.

Submitted by, Vishnu Bisram

Breaking the silence on the Palestinian genocide

Dear Editor, Loa Tzu once remarked, “Silence is a source of great strength”, a source of strength indeed for the Israeli Government and its devastating Army. For long, the State of Israel has capitalised on the silence of the world’s great powers and its Middle-Eastern neighbours to continue its murderous adventures in the occupied territories of Palestine.

Many pro-Israeli supporters, both within and outside the Israeli State, interpret this horrific global silence as consent, as support for the twisted logic of the Israeli narrative – “Israel has the right to be there”, Israel’s indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian territories, murder, ethnic cleansing and genocide are but mere acts of self-defence, to which Israel has the God-given right.

The Palestinians, on the other hand, find the world’s silence, especially that of their neighbours and coreligionists, screaming louder than the precision missiles that bombard their homes and make pieces of their children. And the message, for them, is clear – “we do not care about you, your blood is cheap and means nothing to us. And we have, for sure, abandoned you.”

Martin Luther King, Jr (who knows what it feels like to bellow for help amid oppression, only to have no one heed your call) put it well when he said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

Palestine and its people have witnessed over 65 years of complete dispossession, 45 years of brutal occupation, 20 years of failed (rather, false) Oslo peace negotiations, and

a seven-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Since the year 2000, an estimated 8000 Palestinians have been killed at the hands of Israel and countless others injured and maimed. In 2013, 20 years since the beginning of the Oslo peace process, Israeli settlements expanded in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, reaching over 720,000 settlers.

Israeli settlements, at that time, had control over 42 per cent of the West Bank. To expand its settlements, Israel demolished over 15,000 Palestinian structures and had, in 2013, 4500 more demolition orders pending execution.

All the while, Israeli settlement expansion remains illegal under international law. In the meantime, Israel revoked the residency rights of 11,200 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.

By 2013 (20 years since the Oslo Accord), Israel controlled 80 per cent of Palestinian water resources.

The unemployment rate in Gaza by the end of 2013 had risen to 32 per cent. In 1993, the year the first Oslo Accord was signed, the population density in Gaza was 1870 persons per km. In 2013, 20 years later, the population density of Gaza was 4657 persons per km.

The Palestinians have nowhere to go. In 2002, the Israeli Government began the construction of a 708km wall that aimed to cut Palestinians off from access to their agricultural lands and essential services.

Separated Palestinian families can only be together if approval is granted by the Government of Israel.

The economy of Israel over the 20-year period has

increased exponentially, while the once progressive Palestinian economy has horrendously diminished.

Since late 2012, Palestine’s state has been upgraded at the UN to a nonmember observer state, and has since garnered the support of 165 countries. This allows the State of Palestine the right and opportunity to take Israel to the International Criminal Court to be tried for war crimes it has committed against the Palestinian people.

Yet, this has changed nothing on the ground for the Palestinian people. We have, hitherto, seen no effort from the Palestinian authorities to pursue this line of action. For what reason, God knows best! All we know is that the Palestinian people continue to suffer at the hands of their heartless occupiers.

I referred to the Oslo peace initiative above as false not to under-appreciate the efforts of any of the negotiation teams or true brokers of genuine peace, but simply to highlight that using the word “negotiate” itself lends legitimacy to the Israeli occupation, treating them as an equal at the negotiation table, not as an invader, an occupier, a genocidal murderer.

I urge all human beings with a working heart, and a healthy moral conscience to take a stance against the injustices perpetrated by this barbarous State against the people whose lands they occupy; for, as Edmund Burke famously said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Sincerely,

Masood Yusuf

NCIC President, Dr Deokinanan Sharma and Trade Minister Vasant Bharath

saturday, july 26, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

PNCR Congress...

“We will rise again” – Basil Williams

BY JOMO PAUL

Addressing a scat-

tered crowd, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Basil Williams urged the 18th Biennial Congress of the party to make “the right turn”.

The three-day Congress being held at Congress Place, Sophia, Greater Georgetown will culminate with the party’s election on Sunday. PNCR stalwart Aubrey Norton is challenging incumbent David Granger for the leadership position of the party.

Norton will also go up against Williams, Sharma Solomon and a few other party members for the position of PNCR Chairman .

“It is apposite to note that on the occasion of this 18th Biennial Delegates Congress, we have now reached the turning point. It is up to this Congress to determine whether we will make the right turn,” Williams told the gathering which included several leading members of the private sector.

Norton had stated that no progress had been made under Granger’s stewardship, but Williams in his speech rejected this contention by Granger’s challenger. Williams said: “Once we make the right turn, like the Phoenix, we will rise again. We will regain the reins of Government with APNU and we will realise a Government of National Unity for the betterment of all Guyanese”.

According to the Deputy Speaker, the successes under Granger’s stewardship are insurmountable, noting that major changes have been achieved under his leadership in the National Assembly.

One of the successes, Williams posited, was the A Partnership For National Unity forcing the Government to “acknowledge the importance of transparency and accountability in the financial and other af-

fairs of the state”.

Another success posited by Williams was APNU causing the “Ministers to be more responsive and accountable when questioned by members of the Opposition in the National Assembly”.

In this regard, he gave the Granger-led Opposition an ‘A’ for their work in the past two years.

“Since our party as a major partner in APNU, reduced the PPP/C to a minority Government at the last General and Regional Elections in November, 2011, we undertook transforming the way Guyana had been governed for the previous 20 years.”

Further, Williams accused the ruling party of being “confounded and confused”. He noted that the party is afraid to call for elections, be it national elections or Local Government Elections.

Williams, who is also the PNCR’s representative at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, re-affirmed the party’s earlier position that the inquiry was nothing more than a smear campaign against the PNCR.

It is widely believed that the PNCR Burnham Administration was responsible for the death of the political activist.

He said when the inquiry reconvenes, “further malevolent attacks will be made on our founder- leader, the late First Executive President of Guyana, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham”.

from page 3

PNCR Biennial Congress...

Talking up the theme of “One Nation”, Granger said: “if gross disparities persist between the hinterland and the coastland and between the educated and a mass of semi-literates. Dark forces – poverty, oppression and hatred – threaten to pull us apart. A united nation ought to be one in which cooperation prevails over confrontation and national integration over communal disintegration.”

He charged that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has become Guyana’s political “troglodyte”. “It seems unable or unwilling to change its political posture in order to positively influence economic change and restore the sustainability of social policies. Such a change, inevitably, must be based on recognition

Norton says supporters disenfranchised

accuses Granger’s driver of calling one of his supporters a dog

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Facing a scattered audience, accusations of corruption and a demonstration at the entrance of the headquarters, the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) 18th Biennial Congress commenced on Friday under the theme “PNCR for National Unity, Good Governance and Development.”

From all indications, the Congress was not all unified, as the Linden, Region 10 delegation signalled their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs of the party.

Not far from the gate, inside the compound, barricades were erected, barring Region 10 PNCR executive member Vanessa Kissoon from entering the auditorium where the 18th Biennial Congress was in full swing.

“Let us cooperate for Guyana" Backed by more than 40 young PNCR members from the Mining Town, Kissoon sung lustily Guyana’s National Song, “Let us cooperate for Guyana, Let us cooperate for our Land, Let us resolve to fight together, See we do it right together, Can we do it? Yes, we can.”

A fierce altercation between Kissoon and the PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke landed her on the “suspension bench”. Kissoon’s suspension has resulted in her non-accreditation for the three-day Congress at the party’s Headquarters in Sophia.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon in passing told Guyana Times, that he was making representation on behalf of his people to ensure that access was granted. Minutes after, the Regional Chairman led his supporters into the Congress as they hoisted their placards.

As this unfolded, PNCR Former General Secretary Aubrey Norton, who is challenging Opposition Leader David Granger for the leadership of the party, said there is a high level of indecency within the party, which must be rooted out.

As he was swarmed by journalists, Norton complained bitterly that the Opposition Leader’s driver was verbal-

of the authority and autonomy of the National Assembly. There must be respectful relations between the executive and legislative branches of government and reverence for the institutions of the state. The President and the PPP/C must understand that the way out of the crisis is to promote national unity, ensure human safety and foster economic development. The PPP/C has demonstrated that, on its own, it is incapable of solving the country’s current crises.”

Granger told the Congress that the PNCR’s ‘One Nation’ approach could be the main means of combining the talents of a wider constituency and of creating the conditions for social cooperation and economic progress. He said the three-fold purpose of such a project would

be to reach a broad consensus on the goals of national development, to establish a sustainable institutional architecture, and to create effective policy instruments for the achievement of our common objectives.

Relevance

“Our One Nation project shows how our policy programme, once we return to Government, will be relevant to people’s everyday experiences and expectations. Our resilient and resourceful people and communities are eager to play their part in rebuilding our country as One Nation. Our One Nation project will be the basis for major sections of society – including the Government, political Opposition, trade unions, private sector and civil society – to come together to seek

ly abusive to a long-standing party member. “Mr. Granger’s driver called young Wayne Mason a dog… he said ‘you dog, get out of here’,” the main contender alleged, noting that a formal report was made to the party’s General Secretary. “If we are going to have a proper Congress, then there must be a

and I will fight the indecency in here.”

According to him, Opposition Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge’s supporters had in the past suffered from similar levels of abuse. “I am not Greenidge, I will not tolerate it.”

The main opponent for the PNCR leadership said too that he was working along with the General Secretary to resolve major issues relating to membership. According to him, a number of people who are entitled to membership have been disenfranchised. “It appears as though it is only my supporters are being turned away,” he said.

It was pointed out that the PNCR members who hail from Linden are suffering the worse, as their membership has apparently been denied.

“Region 10 has serious concerns about the attempt to disenfranchise them,” Norton told the press. According to reports, there are more than 30 persons who are affected.

Though the Region 10 Chairman deliberately avoid-

certain amount of decency and respect for what is happening.”

He added: “I will have to take a position on what is happening in this party. I have been a member of this party since 1972, and I have never seen this kind of behaviour before.” According to Norton, if the matter is not dealt with in a fair and transparent manner, he will have cause to revise his relationship with the party. “I does stand up and fight the PPP

agreement on a broad national programme to move our country forward.” Granger told the gathering that the results of the 2011 general and regional elections opened opportunities for real political, social and economic change, noting that APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) together polled 175,051 votes and the PPP/C, 166,235 votes. These results, he said, gave the combined Opposition a majority of one seat in the National Assembly. “The PPP/C, rather than pursue a consensual policy of “inclusionary democracy” and cooperation with the Opposition as prescribed in the Constitution, adopted a posture of confrontation. That approach, as you know, has failed. The fact is that Guyana is in a state of crisis. The governance

ed the press during the commencement of the 18th Biennial Congress, he issued a letter alleging that the party’s Constitution has been violated. Through letters and direct conversations, the Region 10 Chairman has reportedly lodged his complain at the General Secretary’s Office.

“Region 10 delegates are still to be duly accredited and members still await their membership card,” he said in a press statement issued hours before

crisis has been aggravated by the PPP/C’s reluctance to acknowledge its minority status in the National Assembly and to join the majority in the movement towards establishing a government of national unity,” Granger charged. Granger did not acknowledge President Donald Ramotar’s innovation of the “Tripartite Talks” which he and the leader of the AFC abandoned. He said the President’s refusal to assent to certain Bills passed by the Assembly has stuck like a bone in the throat of the Opposition. The President has asserted that the Bills are “unconstitutional” and that he could not sign such Bills. “The Minister of Finance’s management of the nation’s finances has been a major source of political contention. We shall soon

the opening ceremony.

According to Solomon on July 14, he received a letter advising him that only persons with both 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 membership would be eligible delegates at the Congress, but according to him, this contradicts Rule 15 (2) (A) which states that each group shall be entitled to send to Congress, one delegate for every 10 financial members.

“Region 10 has 11 groups and 950 members. Guided by Rule 15 (2), the region should be allotted no less than 96 delegates,” Solomon said in his quest to build his case.

Much to his surprise, the Regional Chairman was informed that there were four additional groups within Region 10. Solomon complained too that he was nominated for Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman and Committee Member, but a letter dated July 11, did not include Vice Chairman.

Transparency issues

“Mr Granger, this party in presently under your leadership and we cannot afford to project an image the party does not practise transparency, accountability and is incapable of running a credible election and leaders are foisted on the people and not elected by people.”

In response to the allegations levied against the administration of the party, the General Secretary told Guyana Times that issues relating to accreditation will be dealt with in a fair and transparent manner.

“I deal with every question that concerns delegates to congress in a very careful and constructive manner and that’s why when anybody comes to me and tells me something is wrong, I take my time and I examine what they are saying, before I give a response.”

He confirmed that he is in receipt of a response to his objection regarding Linden. According to him, he will soon examine the response before making a decision. “I will do so before the congress, before the elections take place and I will make sure that the decisions that are made are understood by both parties.” Clarke made it clear that he will never attempt to disfranchise anyone from the voting process.

settle that,” he said. He added that President Ramotar’s ‘feral blast’ against the National Assembly suggested that the President was not au fait with the concept of cooperation. “He did not seize the opportunity to encourage party members to pursue a more collaborative approach with the parliamentary majority for the good of the nation.” The Government, on the other hand, has accused the Opposition of wanting to take over the powers of the Executive, which the PPP/C was voted into at the last elections. The Courts, which are the arbiter of the Constitution, have supported the Government’s position, by and large.

The empty chairs at Congress, even as the Linden, Region 10 supporters were awaiting entry

PNCR Chairman Basil Williams addresses the Congress

Former PNCR General Secretary Aubrey Norton vents his dissatisfaction during the 18th Biennial Congress

Lands Commission to crack down on squatting

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Within weeks, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission will commence a nationwide demolition exercise against squatting, Commissioner Doorga Persaud said on Thursday.

According to him, there has been an upsurge in squatting primarily on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Region Four and also in Region One, particularly in Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge. While some persons are squatting for residential purposes, Persaud said others are conducting commercial activities such as farming.

The Lands and Surveys Commissioner said too that legal action will also be taken against persons who are squatting on State lands. This act will be executed in keeping with Sections 35 and 26 of the State Lands Act, which provides the Commission with the power to arrest or summon anyone wilfully trespassing on, or un-

lawfully occupying State lands.

“The issue of squatting leads to occupation of road reserves and buffers because squatters do not have plans with definition of boundaries. Their structures make traffic impassable and planning for land allocation and lease issuance becomes burdensome and very challenging for legitimate applicants for land,” Persaud told the press.

He said too that persons or entities are illegally occupying portions of lands which have already been leased, delaying processing of land applications.

He made it clear that no new squatting settlement would be regularised. “No squatter could get any legal instrument to say that they own the land or they have access legally to the land,” he stressed.

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission’s

Delinquent taxpayers stymieing payment of refunds

Gross negligence on the part of a large number of taxpayers (employers and employees) to submit accurate tax returns to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to stymie the processing and payment of refunds.

According to the GRA in a release, Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur had reported that a large sum in the tune of hundreds of millions was allocated for the payment of refunds after authorisation was given to prioritise the processing of refunds to Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxpayers for the period 2007-2012 and subsequently 2013.

However, he said the GRA has been unable to process refunds as numerous employers either have failed to submit Forms 11 information or have not provided sufficient or accurate information, deeming employees ineligible for refund payments.

“Where amounts stated as PAYE deducted on the Employer’s Return (Forms 11) did not match the taxpayer’s declaration on their return, the refund could not be processed, Sattaur said. To date, approximately 15,820 refunds have been processed.

Based on data analysis regarding the Years of Assessment 2007 to 2013, over 81,000 taxpayers with refunds had no Forms 11 information submitted by their employers. Additionally, the analysis also revealed that for the period 2007 to 2013, there

were over 6308 taxpayers whose declarations showed that they were in a refund position of $1000 and over with a cumulative value of over $146 million. However, based on verification, these persons were not eligible for refund payment.

In a majority of cases, Forms 11 (Employers’ Returns) were either never submitted or were submitted, but flagged at the stage of lodgment for not corresponding with the return of the employee among other anomalies. For Years of Assessment 2007 to 2013, approximately 14,800 Forms 11 were outstanding. Meanwhile, there are approximately 2131 submissions for the Years of Assessment 2007 to 2013 that remain in the lodgment state pending further processing.

The Commissioner General continues to implore; taxpayers, particularly employers to honour their

statutory obligations to file their Forms II and/or remit PAYE in a timely manner.

The GRA has been publishing the names of persons eligible for refunds on its website and is working fervently to process pending transactions. The availability of refunds hinges on several factors, among them, assessments of the taxpayers’ returns and employers’ remittances, as well as corroboration and reconciliation of submissions by the employer and employee.

“Once eligible, the taxpayer is contacted to ascertain whether he/she wishes to visit the GRA to uplift the refund cheque or have it mailed. Cheques are also sent to regional offices to supplement the effort of fasttracking payments and to make it convenient for taxpayers to uplift same,” the revenue body said.

Over the years, the GRA has been hosting workshops and seminars at no cost to the taxpayer to educate them on the computation and filing of various tax returns including Forms 11 in an effort to foster better voluntary compliance.

Companies as well as sole traders are urged to seek the necessary assistance or advice on the computation and completion of the various Tax Returns from the trained and competent tax specialists, tax advisory services located at Lot 200 – 201 Camp Street, Georgetown. Persons are also urged to call the tax hotline 227-6060 extension 1201-1204.

Legal Officer Yolanda Lamott told media operatives that persons have been continuously warned against squatting yet they persist.

“For years, persons have been ignoring notices to quit, once officers go into the field and squatters are noted, they are given notice to quit and warning letters, but persons have been ignoring these warnings.”

Demolition exercise

As a result, she said the Lands and Surveys Commission has taken a decision to conduct a demolition exercise. A similar exercise was conducted last year. She reiterated that

the Commission would continue to summon defaulters to the Magistrate’s Courts over moves to illegally occupy State lands. “We will be summoning squatters to the Magistrate’s Court to answer for trespassing although the punishment for that is not very stringent and it is not sufficient for a deterrent factor,” she said, noting too that the Commission will also be moving to the High Court for the repossession of lands across the country. While there are a number of cases pending at the level of the High Court, Lamott was unable to disclose the number of cases before the Magistrates’ Courts and similarly gain-

ing the attention of the High Court. She said it is even ironic that squatters are even taking legal action against the Commission and legal owners of land. “Lots of times, they are a lot of persons claiming possession of State lands, a lot of time they are claiming against another trespasser, those matters cannot be dealt with in the court, they need to come into the Commission,” she further advised.

But she made it clear that “no one can claim possession of State land against the State, but a lot of persons are trying to do so. Even in the courts, their rights are not recognised.”

Nevertheless, persons are being urged to desist from squatting. Persons desirous of acquiring State lands are being encouraged to apply to the Lands and Surveys Commission. According to the Legal Advisor, the process involves five simple steps. Manager of Surveying at the Lands and Surveys Commission Rene Duesbury, and Senior Land Administration Officer Michael Hutson were among officials at the press conference. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

From right: Surveying Manager Rene Duesbury, Commissioner Doorga Persaud, Senior Land Administration Officer Michael Hutson and Legal Officer Yolanda Lamott

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

Suspected bandit remanded for robbery under arms

Denton Fraser of Paradise, East Coast Demerara, was on Thursday remanded to prison following a charge of robbery under arms. He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and entered a plea of not guilty.

The charge against him stated that on July 14 at

Saffon Street, Georgetown, being armed with a gun, he robbed Mark Davis of $166,000 cash.

According to the facts as read by the Prosecution, on the day in question, Davis was driving his motorcar towards Georgetown, when the defendant stopped him on the Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara and asked for a ride into the

city.

Fraser then pulled out a gun from a haversack which he was carrying and pointed it at the victim’s head. He then proceeded to relieve the complainant of the cash mentioned and made good his escape.

The matter was reported the defendant was arrested and placed on an identification parade and

was positively identified by the victim.

Police Prosecutor

Michael Grant objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence and the fact that a gun was used in the execution of the crime. The defendant was denied bail and will make his next court appearance on August 4 for the commencement of trial.

Father charged with threatening behaviour

Fifty-two-year-

old Silvan Niles of lot 22 Lamaha Street, Georgetown, on Friday appeared at the Georgetown’s Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond after he was charged for threatening behaviour.

The charge read that on July 24 at the defend-

ant’s residence, he made use of threatening behaviour to Tyron Glaslow.

Niles told the court that on the night in question, he was drinking and the complainant mother, Vanessa, and himself were engaged in an argument. He told the court that she called the virtual complainant (VC) to tell

him something.

Prosecutor Jomo Nichols told the court that the defendant is the father of the complainant. On the day in question, Silvan Niles demanded that the VC leave the home but he refused. The defendant became annoyed, went into the kitchen and armed him-

self with a knife. Upon seeing this, the complainant fled into a room.

Magistrate ChandanEdmonds asked Niles if he accepted the charge read by the Prosecutor. Niles pleaded guilty to the charge laid against him and begged the Magistrate to be lenient with him. He was granted $15,000 bail.

Eyew tness

IFat talk…

...from Dagger

n Guyana, everyone has a “false name”. Granger’s is “Dagger”. You know?... the thing you stab others in the back with. People know why they give folks “false names”. Overseas, people tend to be ironic, like calling the hefty fella, “Slim” ...but in Guyana, we’re very literal. Without fail, the hefty fella becomes known as “Fat Boy” ...No subtlety here!! And we come to “Dagger” in name and “Dagger” in deeds.

After Corbin’s reign over the PNC, even Corbin knew the party didn’t need another Corbin. The fellas figured the PNC needed a makeover – without having to say “sorry”. So they picked Dagger, with his hangdog look and “buttercan’t-melt-in-his-mouth” speech, figuring he’d be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Why, even the racist Indian wanker from Queens blurted out, “Dagger’s like one of us!!!”

Trouble was, Granger turned out to be more fox than wolf. He slyly manoeuvred to seize control of the PNC to buttress his own flaccid ego. Dagger began to do what comes naturally to daggers: backstabbing! Right off the bat, he bypassed the PNC party workers and embedded his old Army protégés to organise the last elections. ExLieutenant Harmon and Captain Mark Archer are his aidede-camp more than anything else.

How many years the late Debra Backer hadn’t held the PNC’s Security portfolio?? Why was she summarily shoved aside for Felix – apart from the fact he was a member of the Disciplined Forces and had done several courses under Dagger?? He boasts the PNC’s showing improved because of his Army squaddies. But when you look closer, the most significant change was in Linden where it was all due to old time PNCite – Aubrey Norton.

Norton is the quintessential “PNC man”: willing to mix it up on the streets – but taking time to take his “education” so that he could hold his own verbally. His expertise was in the foreign service. But did Dagger give Norton the foreign service “shadow” portfolios to reward him for services “above and beyond”?? That’s a silly question about a man dubbed “Dagger”.

NORTON WASN'T EVEN MADE AN MP!!! And some wet-behind-the-ears neophyte – whose name no one can recollect (quick..., can you?) was given the post. People like Granger, who’s always been appointed and can’t stand people who stand up to them – will always stifle talent –especially when their competitors have a base.

And that’s the surest way to kill any organisation.

...on PNC’s glory

In what could be his “famous last words”, Granger promised to “restore PNC’s former glory”. You heard right!! This from a man who promised to broaden the PNC’s “traditional base”. After all, what was the “PNC’s glory”?? Couldn’t be the bauxite industry...or the sugar industry...or the rice industry. These were all in ruins by the time the PNC got through with them.

Couldn’t be that new industries were created. Where’s the bicycle, glass, fabric, ceramic or leather factories?? And forget about the “Irish potatoes” that were banned. Couldn’t be the Mazaruni Hydro that never materialised, but into which Burnham pumped $400 million of money squeezed from the sugar industry?? But they say, “man doesn’t live by bread alone”, no? So let’s not talk anymore about the economy...but to the brave new world the PNC brought with “Cooperative Socialism”.

We guess the “glory” was that the “small man” was going to become “the real man”. Yep, he became real all right! Real ingenious to survive in the PNC Police State being described in the Rodney CoI’s hearings. It’s obvious Granger has a different idea of what’s “glory”.

...on Minister of Finance

The AFC wants to haul Ashni before the Police. The PNC wants to haul him before the parliamentary Privileges Committee. Why?? Because the man is doing his constitutional job. We think Ramjattan and Greenidge should “haul deh ass”!

GECOM not ready for Local Govt Polls – Dr Luncheon maintains

… challenges elections body to show evidence of readiness

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has issued a challenge to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to lay the evidence on the table to supports its claims that it is ready for the hosting of Local Government and General Elections.

According to Dr Luncheon at his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, the Government is yet to be convinced that the Commission is as ready for the calling of any of the elections, despite the many claims Chairman of the Commission, Dr Steve Surujbally has been making in the past months.

“Cabinet and Guyana have heard and we cannot be unmindful of the Chairman’s exhortations, but let us put our money where our mouth is and let GECOM submit a status report that it claims. The exhortations of the Chairman should now be matched by evidence. Let’s take it for granted and let’s take it a step further and bring the evidence. Let’s see what is it that gives them the confidence to face the Guyanese public and say that they are ready and you expect the Guyanese people to accept. Let us see the evidence of this readiness and that will satisfy even the most skeptical. Let them put their money where their mouth is,” Dr Luncheon said.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Cabinet Secretary noted too that concerns have been expressed over the Claims and Objections process, which the agency is scheduled to hold from August 4 to 31.

He said the concerns arose from the fact that the list is only valid for an approximate three months and it is Cabinet’s understanding that if the list is to be considered valid and used, then elections must be called within that timeframe.

Dr Luncheon described this development as a ploy, noting that it is intended to marginalise and generalise the role of the President in issuing the call for elections, whether it is Local Government or General Elections.

“After five rounds of continuous registration, there exists a list. A list which will be examined in a phase called ‘Claims and Objections’. There is a qualifying date which confers a specific time bound period of validity. With an October qualifying date, that list is not for all times. It can only be used within a period of its validity which is three months. This might be a march GECOM is putting on to set the elections date. If you want to use that list, you have to call elections at this time. It is marginalising the constitutional role of the President in making that declaration for elections,” he said.

Sinister consequences Dr Luncheon expressed fears that this move by the agency can have ‘sinister’ consequences.

He said too that Government was pushing for GECOM to prove its readiness and preparedness for the hosting of elections since there is fear which currently exists in the minds of

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

Guyanese that a dark time will descend if the process is not properly implemented and executed, while stating that the Government is open to working with the agency to patch any loopholes existing in the preparatory stages.

“It is Cabinet’s contention that prior to 1992; considerable amounts of energies and lives have been lost over matters of electoral management. After 1992, this has not been a feature of the electoral practices. A fear has risen that we could be referring to the period before 1992. Cabinet’s contention is fairly simple. GECOM should provide a timely and more exhaustive statutory report on its preparedness. If shortcomings and deficiencies are identified, let’s fix them, let’s fix them for the stakeholders, let’s fix them for the electorate and get on with the more important issues that impact the development of Guyana,” the Cabinet Secretary urged.

Questioned whether

GECOM’s alleged preparedness and readiness is connected to the Alliance For Change’s proposed no-confidence motion, Dr Luncheon debunked the claim, saying: “they are unrelated and unless I’m otherwise advised, let us ignore that for now”.

It was just recently that Dr Surujbally dismissed allegations that the entity is not adequately prepared to host Local Government or General Elections, amid the concerns which were raised by the ruling Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

When questioned on Thursday by Guyana Times on statements by the Government that GECOM is not ready to stage elections, the Chairman said, “and I am just as repeatedly saying we are ready”.

There has been resounding calls for Government to issue the order for the holding of Local Government Elections. These utterances have not been limited to the political Opposition parties as the Diplomatic Corps, the private sector and a plethora of other bodies have issued statements to that respect.

Regional social security heads discuss global crisis

The impact of the global financial crisis on social security institutions across the Region is at the top of the agenda as Caricom Heads of Social Security Organisations hold their 25th meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines this week.

The crisis has created pressure on the social security systems of member states as they struggle to respond to the challenge of providing social protection for their citizens in a difficult economic environment. The meeting is examining the impact of the crisis, how member states have responded to it and how to prepare for possible future crises.

Other issues being tackled include the status of social protection within the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the pooling of resources among member states

and advancing the Caricom social protection agenda.

A highlight of this threeday meeting is a discussion on the proposed implementation of a Caricom software platform for a Labour Market Information System (LMIS). With support from the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund, the secretariat plans to establish an LMIS that will contain statistical information on labour markets across member states. The aim of this initiative is to give member states and the community the statistical and analytical basis on which to make policy decisions to manage labour markets within the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). The LMIS will have particular significance to the operation of the Free Movement of Persons

and Skills Regime, which is one of the more advanced provisions of the CSME.

Accelerated implementation and use of the CSME is among the top priorities for focussed implementation under the recently approved Caricom Strategic Plan which seeks to improve the quality of life for citizens in the Region through concrete action on matters of direct relevance and benefit to all.

Other major stakeholders attending the meeting are officials of the International Labour Organisation, Dr Cleopatra Dumbi-Henry, Director of the ILO’s International Labour Standards Department and Dr Giovanni di Cola, Director of the ILO’s Decent Work Team and Office of the Caribbean will address delegates on critical matters of social security and protection.

Dr Ramsammy calls for establishment of agri bank

Agriculture

Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is calling for the establishment of an Agriculture Development Bank as a step toward alleviating some of the financial issues in the agricultural sector.

The Minister, who was speaking at the launch of the Ministry’s 2013-2020 Strategic Plan for the agriculture sectors, said that within the strategy, there are provisions for the continued advocacy in the establishment of such a bank to meet the needs of the sector.

The strategy also seeks to advocate for the establishment of a revolving fund to serve the needs of the rice sector, in particular.

“The strategy we described has advocated for financial arrangements such as an Agriculture Development Bank, I think that is necessary, but that is a policy direction that the Ministry of Agriculture can advocate, but cannot do. We need a revolving fund arrangement. We need crop insur-

ance, but these are easier said than done, because insurance implies premium payments and who will pay the premium... cause when things are going good, nobody wants to hear about a premium,” said Dr Ramsammy.

Recently, the Opposition parties, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) established the need for the development of an Agricultural Bank and a

revolving fund to meet the needs of the rice sector.

The calls by the parties came after there were widespread protests by farmers over the inability of millers to pay them monies owed for paddy purchases. The farmers had contended that it was illegal for the millers to owe them monies for such extended periods.

But the Minister on Tuesday said the inability of the millers to pay can be attributed to the increased production in the sector. Over the last three years, Guyana has seen consecutive increases in the tonnage of rice being produced each crop.

Trouble

Dr Ramsammy said because of this increase in production, millers are now saddled with the responsibility or paying billions more to farmers at the end of each crop when they at times do not have the financing available.

“This is an industry that is used to seeing cash flow of $10 billion-$15 billion... it has suddenly gone

to $23 billion in one crop and so by the end of this year, this industry will require a cash flow between $40 billion to 50 billion... that is a massive amount of financing.... Clearly, the resources of the millers and the bankers have stretched.”

However, the Minister maintained that the position of the Ministry is clear and farmers should be able to receive payments from the millers within the timeframe and under the conditions of the law.

Under the Rice Factories Act of 2007, millers are required to pay farmers half of the monies on delivery of the produce and are allowed an additional 42 days to complete payments.

If this timeframe is not heeded, the millers are afforded a conditional opportunity to complete payments. The condition stipulates that farmers will be paid with an interest rate that is two per cent higher than the going rate at the Bank of Guyana.

But this stipulation has since been rejected by farmers, who stated that it is disadvantageous.

Rum Jhaat gettin motion

One month ago Rum Jhaat and de KFC talk bout a no-confidence motion against de Guvament. Long ago, no body ever had any kinda confidence in Rum Jhaat, so now he tryin to tek out spite. Before that he was tinkin bout it fuh a whole year.

Rum Jhaat tell Nagga Man bout de same no-confidence motion. Well, both of dem get suspicious because dem ain’t got no confidence in one another. So that was a whole year of knockin glass just to tink and talk bout de motion.

Plus it had a lotta motion by de 7-owe-4 place whenever dem was talkin bout de motion. All de motion was into 7-owe-4 but it hardly had any motion outta 7-owe-4. So was a lotta commotion just fuh that one motion. Usually when dem done every night, none of dem had any motion.

Both of dem had a lotta de other kinda motion too. And nutten couldn’t help dem. Mainly because dem had no confidence in dem own motion. If any ting, de motion was only goin in one speed and one direction. Backward. After all, any ting to do wid back, just check out Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man. So after one year, up to this day is only now Rum Jhaat draft de motion. At least that is whah he seh. But he still ain’t show any body de motion. And this is a man who wanna run (down?) de country and he tek one year fuh do a motion. Is no wonder de Pee-P-P had put he on a fast motion outta de party.

Well, not too long ago he had run and tell Green Jah bout de motion. But was only when he talk to Green Jah he realise that de old soldier and he party was in slow motion. And now Green Jah gon have to deal wid a lotta commotion.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So in de end, Rum Jhaat can get confidence in he own motion, and Green Jah dealin with sheer demotion and promotion!

Police to host Musical Concert Sunday

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is continuing the celebration of its 175th anniversary, this time with a special musical concert planned for Sunday evening at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, Georgetown.

“Police in Concert” promises to be a packed show, with officers portraying their musical skills. The concert will begin at 19:30h and is expected to be two and a half hours of various genre of music from classical to chutney and calypso.

The three Police bands: Police Military Band, Police Steel Band and Police String Band, will be performing musical renditions of favourite oldies. In addition to music, the Police Choir will also be performing along with the groups from the social arm of the Force, such as

the Roseberry Lane Youth Group and the Police Scouts.

There will also be enactment of dramatic pieces and poem recitals at the event. According to Coordinator of the event and GPF Director, Assistant Commissioner Cecil Bovell, the show will be an action packed one, filled with “clean entertainment”.

Bovell explained that he is trying to portray the different variety of music at the show. The Music Director said that the concert will be a mixture of various instruments, including brass and steel.

“People need to come out and see for themselves and I’m sure they will be blown away with the amazing talent our Force members have,” he exclaimed.

The Director said from witnessing the rehearsals,

the officers are ready and excited about the concert. He noted that the Force usually hosts a Cultural Extravaganza Concert; however, given all the activities planned to celebrate this milestone, it was decided to host this music concert.

The anniversary celebrations saw events such as a church service, an award ceremony and march parades being held. On the other hand, the Police Force is also geared up to hosts the Police Annual Athletics Championships, beginning from today. Gymkhanna is another exciting event on the agenda for the Police Force.

Tickets for the music concert are on sale at the Guyana Police Force Officer’s Annex, Eve Leary and cost $1500 each.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The Police Band performing at the Band Stand on the Kingston Seawalls

Barticians plan massive protest over blackout today

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Even as Guyana Power and Light (GPL) struggles to repair two defective generators in Bartica, Region Seven, residents are beefing up their protest actions to register their dissatisfaction.

The power outage situation in the mining district has deteriorated over the past week. According to reports, all of Bartica was plunged into darkness since Thursday evening; until now power has not been restored.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Friday, Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford said a massive protest is set for today.

“Persons are suffering tremendously, the business community is frustrated because of the prolonged hours of power outages which are placing significant burdens on the people of Bartica. So their justifications are clear,” Bradford said in solidarity with his residents.

Unbearable

According to him, when the people of Bartica move to the streets in protest, it is clear that the issue has become unbearable. “I sympathise with them, but more importantly, I am happy that they are standing up for their rights,” he told this newspaper.

At the time, Bradford was speaking with Guyana Times from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Headquarters, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, even as residents were protesting.

The picketing exercises have been ongoing in front of the GPL, Bartica Branch at First Avenue.

As she picketed the GPL Branch Office along with 150 other residents, Elizabeth Moonsammy, a concerned citizen told Guyana Times that since 09:00h on Thursday, she has not received electricity. Moonsammy resides at Seventh Avenue, Bartica.

Bad to worse

“For the past five weeks, the light has been on and off, but within the last two weeks, the situation has moved from bad to worse,” she complained bitterly. Moonsammy said while some businesses can afford to switch on their generators at a costly price, the regular man in the street is feeling the squeeze.

“It is really bad; everybody cannot afford to have a generator. What about the small business people and the regular residents. People have been forced to throw away their fruits and vegetables, people’s equipment are damaging,”

she further complained.

In the heat of the protest, GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal explained that the power company was doing all in its power to resolve the issue. But Moonsammy said although Dindyal was attempting to reach out to residents, she claimed that he became disrespectful in the process.

Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes, who hails from Bartica, said she was saddened by the response of the CEO. Residents of Bartica have been protesting over the upsurge in power outages since Wednesday.

On Thursday evening, GPL Assistant Public Relations and Communications Officer Wadecia Donald said at 18:15h, a failed turbo charger caused the Number Nine Caterpillar Generating Engine to come offline. As a result of this, all of Bartica remains without electricity.

“A team comprising of MACORP and GPL per-

sonnel are currently working to assess the damages, replace the damaged turbo charger and restore power at earliest,” GPL had said.

Load shedding

But additional information reaching Guyana Times has indicated that instead of load-shedding, a technician on Thursday decided to “run the engine” during the peak period commencing at 17:00h. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the “power pack” has been damaged.

On Wednesday, GPL said it was rectifying the problem, but indicated that load-shedding would continue during the peak hours of 17:30h-22:00h. However, instead of loadshedding, the entire community was plunged into darkness the following day.

GPL had explained that the Number Eight and Number Nine Caterpillar

generating sets have been experiencing significant technical difficulties over the past week. Corrective works were done on the Number Nine set, allowing for the engine to remain in service, but it is underutilised. The power company explained on Wednesday that a defective switch stood in the way.

The Number Eight unit was placed in service for a short period on Wednesday night after repairs were effected to mechanical faults identified and the completion of checks on the alternator.

But the unit developed further mechanical problems. These repairs are scheduled to be completed by today.

According to GPL, the extended outages were unforeseen. “We wish to reassure the residents that we remain committed to restoring reliable power and to continuously improve our services.” It was pointed out that for the latter part of 2014, residents will witness the commencement of preparatory works for a new 3×2 MW HFO fired power station at Bartica. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

PPP Street Fair set for Sunday

The People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) grand Street Fair set for Sunday on Robb Street (between King and Wellington Streets) is expected to be one of the best summer events for all ages and interests.

According to a release, from the best local foods (complete with candy of course!) and drinks to top entertainment from Shakti Strings and special appearances by Chow Pow, the PPP Street Fair will offer wholesome family fun in the sun.

As part of the activity, there will also be booths set up along the way to offer patrons various ser-

vices, including free medical checkups; the Guyana Police Force and the Prison Service will also be on hand to welcome visitors to their booths.

One of the more popular attractions will be the Kiddies Corner, which will add excitement to the Street Fair and sporting enthusiasts will have another chance to watch replays of the FIFA Final Match and the CPL matches.

“Bring out the family and enjoy the PPP’s grand Street Fair which starts at 11:00h along Robb Street; this is the place to be this weekend – admission is free!” the release concluded.

Residents of Bartica picketing GPL Bartica Branch on Friday

saturday, july 26, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, july 26, 2014|

DNA test for decomposed body

– autopsy inconclusive

One day after the discovery of a human skeleton at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, suspected to be that of missing St Stanislaus College teacher Nyozi Goodman, one of her brothers failed to make a positive identification.

He told reporters at the scene on Friday that there was no flesh on the body and the only way the woman could be identified is by a bad tooth in her mouth. The woman’s remains were removed by undertakers attached to the Lyken Funeral Home.

He requested that the recently established forensic laboratory answer all their questions when it comes to proper identification of the remains, and more so, the cause of death.

Due to the state of the woman’s corpse, local Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh had to be taken to the scene to perform the post-mortem examination, but after more than 30 minutes of examining the remains, he declared the cause of death as inconclusive.

However, he report-

body was exposed to the elements.

At the scene, investigators retreived several condoms, hence they believed that the woman was raped before the perpetrator took her life. Also, the position of the woman’s skeleton would have suggested that she might have been raped.

Re-arrested

Meanwhile, a suspect whose last known address was given as Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was rearrested on Thursday

edly found signs that the woman might have been stabbed.

Samples of the woman’s remains are expected to be sent to Brazil for further analysis. The pieces of samples were placed in brown paper bags and taken away by members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

He said that Police retrieved an underwear and a green ladies top at the scene, suspected to be that of the woman.

A source said someone close to the woman will have to be called in to verify whether the pieces of garments belonged to her. Investigators were baffled at the condition of the remains, but noted that the

evening following the gruesome discovery.

A Police source told Guyana Times that the suspect was arrested a few days after the woman disappeared, but was subsequently released.

Guyana Times was told that the man was held on the basis of his relationship history. “He was dating a Policewoman who went missing and was never found… At the time of the teacher’s disappearance, he was dating her… so we are working along that line,” the Police stated.

The body was found on Thursday evening about 18:45h by a passerby. As he entered the bushy, dark area, he reportedly stum-

Clive Thomas "let down by APNU"

… says coalition failed to lead national unity talks

By Alexis Rodney

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive member, Professor Clive Thomas has expressed disappointment with the coalition- A Partnership For National Unity inability to lead talks on a national unity government.

bled upon the skeletal remains of the human body.

He immediately contacted the Police who rushed to the scene, cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. Persons in the area admitted that on arrival at the scene, they were greeted with a strong stench, and thought that it was some dead animal.

The 36-year-old woman was last seen on Sunday July 6, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, where she had accompanied her school’s basketball team to the National Schools Basketball Championships.

Goodman, of William Street, Kitty, was last seen sending off the basketball team with another teacher. At her apartment, all her personal belongings were found intact, except for her two mobile phones and iPad.

The last time she used her mobile phone was about 23:00h two Sundays ago, her sister Nestor Thompson said. This information, she said would have been received from Digicel. The telephone company also said that the sim card was either destroyed or removed from the handset.

Two weeks after her disappearance, a search party was established and searches were conducted in Le Repentir cemetery and in the Botanical Gardens, where a bag and an umbrella similar to the ones used by the woman were found.

At this time, relatives of the dead woman were sure that something terribly wrong had happened. The woman was described as a very good teacher, and someone who cared for all.

Thomas who is a key executive of APNU says at the time of the formation of the collation, the objective was to persuade the ruling People’s Progressive Party that a national unity government was the way to go. He said while the PPP has not latched on to this, the coalition has not been forceful enough to take this forward. “I personally had expected the APNU to spearhead the national Government talks, but the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has not joined in any discussions to take the idea forward,” Professor Thomas told Guyana Times in a recent interview. He said at its inception, the coalition’s aim was not to contest the PPP for power, but to encourage it to form a national government. “But there is a gridlock,” he said.

Professor Thomas said that although figures are showing that the country has been having good per capita growth and a good Gross Domestic Product (GDP), political bickering and gridlock have been preventing the country from achieving the growth rate that it would like to have. “I think the only way forward is more inclusive governance, and more attempts to encourage the development process from below the incorporation of all points of view and inference, status and position in the formulation of National development,” Dr Thomas said.

The University of Guyana Professor said no

one party should feel it is capable enough to govern the country on its own, since it is impossible. “We would only continue to struggle against ourselves and be our own worst enemies,” he posited.

Professor Thomas pointed out that achieving this goal does not mean the problems will disappear because the real concern by different forces in society is over the position that they hold. He said that will have to be resolved, although it needs a vision and foresight “for us to be able to transcend some of these and recognise that the growth and development of the economy, especially from the point of view of the working population, is not going to progress unless we bring all talents on board to try to promote the development of the country”.

Granger’s leadership

Meanwhile, regarding the leadership of the coalition, Professor Thomas said it has a responsibility to the APNU despite the criticisms brought against its leader David Granger by sections of the population. Professor Thomas said too that as far as he knows, the leader has been performing well and has not seen any evidence of the issues raised by outsiders.

What he has seen, how-

ever, are complaints of the collective leadership of all members of the coalition. According to him, no one has strikingly lay blame on any one individual, noting that it is certainly not the position of the WPA.

“We would share in the responsibility of any inaction or any lack of positive development and we will struggle within the organisation to improve on that. But this doesn’t mean that we don’t get our members telling us different things. But within the organisation, we accept the collective responsibility to the collective leadership of the coalition,” Professor Thomas said.

Observers have claimed that since taking the reins of leadership, Granger has been taking the party in the wrong direction. Concerns have also been raised that the leader has not been listening to the the views and advice of the WPA, and has not been taking the party seriously.

Numerous achievements

But Professor Thomas said since the establishment of the coalition in 2011, it has had numerous achievements. Among them, he pointed out, is the fact that the coalition was able to win 40.8 per cent of the votes at the last General Election. He considers that a remarkable achievement, especially when a comparison is made to the 30 per cent achievement of the People National Congress (PNC) prior to 2011. He said if the criticisms brought against the leader are true, then it will be up to party members to vote him out at the upcoming congress. Another success too is that the coalition was also able to establish a working relationship with the Alliance For Change (AFC), although not perfect.

Plumber charged with possession of ammunition

Calvin Kenneth Dover, 28, of Lot 14 Bent Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Friday, where he was charged for being in possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that on July 22, the defendant had in his possession two live rounds of ammunition.

According to the facts of

the charge, on the day in question, at 18:00h, a number of rounds from a firearm were discharged in the air. Police ranks who heard the gunshots arrived on the scene and took the individuals who were present in the area to the Alberttown Police Station. A search was conducted and the ammunition was found in Dover’s pants pocket. He was represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson who made an application for

bail. He told the court that his client is innocent and he subjected himself to the search since he had nothing to hide. He further added that the description of the man that fired the rounds does not match the description of his client.

Although Thompson requested bail for the defendant, the Magistrate denied the Attorney’s application. Dover will make his second appearance on August 13, when the trial is said to begin.

Professor Clive Thomas

Local Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh (centre) arrives at the crime scene to perform the autopsy

The skeletal remains of a woman are taken away by undertakers

saturday, July 26, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man gets 25 years for raping child

AWest Berbice man who had sexual intercourse with an eight-year-old girl was on Thursday jailed for 25 years.

Talbert McPherson also called “Tally” received the sentenced at the Berbice Assizes after a male majority mixed jury returned a guilty verdict.

Before handing down sentence to the Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice man for the incident which occurred between August 12 and 13, 2009, Justice Navindra Singh asked the 42-year-old man if he had anything to say and he replied: “Sir with all due respect, I am not a violent person. I did not take a life of a person and I am still in trou-

ble. I did not do it.”

Justice Singh said he found the response strange and asked the accused if he was sick. “I cannot imagine any person who would want to do something like that to an eight-year-old.” Responding to whether he had ever been charged before, McPherson said, “Sir these people are always after me...”

Presenting the case of the State, Attorney Renita Singh said the accused between August 12 and 13, 2009 committed the act after the victim was left with her grandmother for the night.

The accused lived in the same house with the grandmother and shares a relationship with the victim’s aunt. With a soft voice, the

victim now 14-years-old, recounted what transpired on that night. She said she and her brother were taken to their grandmother’s home to spend the night as her mother was going to a wake.

It was during that time that the man who she referred to as “Uncle Tally” committed the act.

She said she and her brother were on a mattress they had placed on the floor.

“I see a shadow and when I look, I see Uncle Tally coming through the door…. and he come an kneel down on the mattress next to me and take the pillow from under me head an put it behind me head…”

The teenager in recounting the incident which took

place five years ago, noted that after some of her clothes were removed, the accused placed his penis into her vagina and then into her anus.

“It hurt and I try to grab ma brother and a only hold he hand, but he role away.”

The teen told the curious jury that the entire incident lasted for about two minutes. She said that it was after she tried to get to her brother the incident stopped and Uncle Tally left the room.

According to the young lady, who cried as she spoke,

she did not sleep for the rest of the night in fear that Uncle Tally would return to her again.

The next morning she reported the matter to her mother, who called in the Police. She was later examined by a doctor.

A medical report indicated that there were bruises to her vagina and anus.

McPherson was charged for having carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 15.

The victim’s grandmother and mother were among those who gave evidence during the three-day trial.

Presenting the defences case, Attorney Raymond Alli said the accused had earlier in the day confronted the victim’s aunt and told her that he was no longer interested in her and was planning to get married to someone else.

This, the defence said angered family members who conceived a plan against him. In an unsworn statement, McPherson said he was innocent and was the victim.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Singh said justice had been served.

Miss Guyana World donates to Help and Shelter

Reigning Miss Guyana World Rafieya Husain on Thursday presented a cheque to Help and Shelter to assist in the fight against domestic violence.

In a simple handing over ceremony, Help and Shelter Coordinator Margaret Kertzious expressed gratitude for the donation and said it will help continue their efforts in eradicating domestic violence and giving support to victims.

Kosher also said that more young people with passion like Husain are needed in this fight.

Husain, whose platform at the local pageant was initial signs of domestic violence, noted that the cause is close to her heart since she was a victim herself.

She committed to the Coordinator that while this donation may be small, it is only the beginning as she is determined to use this platform to help people understand the seriousness of this social ill.

The young lady also pointed out that she will continue to seek help local-

ly and internationally to aid in the fight against domes

tic violence.

Miss Guyana World, is currently in Guyana for a number of outreach programmes as she prepares for the international Pageant later this year in London.

Miss World is the largest and longest running international beauty pageant. Launched in 1951, it has become one of the world’s most watched annual events worldwide with a viewing audience of over one billion people.

It is the only pageant that has a Beauty with a Purpose Competition, which is the name of a special annual award programme that singles out and recognises the Miss World contestant who has shown, through charitable works, to have made a real difference to people in need in her country.

The Guyana World organiser focuses on raising money for charities and mirroring the role and spirit of Miss World at a national level. Under new

Directorship since 2013, Miss Guyana World holds its annual pageant to identify young Guyanese women who exemplify beauty, talent, intelligence and compassion.

The organisation aims to create and empower role models who will serve as regional ambassadors, role models, charity representatives, enrich the perception of beauty, and enhance a new strength, energy and spirit for the advancement of women, while positively impacting their communities.

Miss Guyana World is not only the most holistic and aspiring job for any young woman but also one of the most prestigious titles to achieve as an accomplishment. The winner of Miss Guyana World represents Guyana along with over 130 other countries at the annual Miss World finals. Each year, Miss Guyana World entrants and finalists raise money for either chosen charities or projects supported through donations to local charities in need of assistance.

Reigning Miss Guyana World Rafieya Husain (fifth left) with representatives of Help and Shelter

GBTI’s half-year profit at $1.1B

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has recorded a whopping $1.103 billion profit after tax for the first six months for the financial year ending on June 30.

According to the bank’s Chairman Robin Stoby, the profits reflected that the bank was able to maintain its profitability. The unaudited report on the bank’s financial performance was approved by the Board of Directors on July 18.

Stoby stated that along with the $1.1 billion profit, the board has also declared an Interim Dividend of $6.00 per share to shareholders. He noted the bank has taken a more conservative approach to lending, which saw its loan portfolio slowing down.

“We have continued with our plans for opening branches in unbanked or under-banked areas of our country, albeit in a more cost-effective way. Our Bartica Branch should be opened in September 2014 and we have completed the construction of our building in Port Kaituma and now offer our services from there,” Stoby pointed out.

Performance

The Chairman explained that the bank’s excellent performance is due to the gradual recovery of the global economy over the passing six months, and with it also came the strengthening of the US dollar. Nevertheless, he continued that because of the low price of gold on the world market, the bank is suffering due to the loss of gold hedge.

“This current low price of gold came at a time when our economy was being

boosted by record production of gold, so that starting in the second half of 2013 and into the first half of 2014, gold miners found their profits squeezed to the point where many miners exited the sector, either permanently or temporarily,” he said.

Stoby added too that the country’s economy continues to struggle in the face of a sugar industry that is underperforming; a rice industry that is heavily dependent on the Venezuelan market; and the high cost of energy that makes the manufacturing sector unable to compete with other Caribbean industries.

Deadlock

He went on to emphasise the deadlock in the National Assembly regarding the passage of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, mostly caused as a result of a minority Government.

The Chairman pointed out that with both Government and the Opposition holding strong-

ly to their respective positions, it seems unlikely there will be any compromise between them and this is worrisome to the business community.

“For the banking sector, the failure to resolve this issue is causing increased delays and difficulties in carrying out international payments on behalf of customers,” he disclosed.

The $1.1 billion recorded by the bank for the first half of this, comes two months after the bank revealed its annual profit for the 2013 financial year. In May last, GBTI revealed that it managed to rake in a $2.178 billion profit after taxation for the financial year ending December 31, recording a 20 per cent increased profit over the previous year. This came against a backdrop of challenges stemming from the new Core Banking Application at the beginning of 2013 and a slow economy.

The total assets at the end of 2013 were some $95 billion, which reflected an increase of $10 billion or 12 per cent from the previous

Labourer attacked by “piranhas”

Alabourer from Columbia Village on the Essequibo Coast his been seriously bitten by "piranhas" while cleaning a drainage and irrigation trench in Aberdeen, Essequibo Coast.

Asgar Ally was cleaning a trench next to a rice growing area when he was bitten on the leg.

The man, who was wear-

ing a pair of three-quarter pants at the time, related that the pain became intense and when he checked, he saw blood oozing from his right leg. The labourer said as he tried to come out of the trench, he was bitten again.

He managed to get on land where he saw the damage done.

The labourer was assisted by his wife to the

Colombia Health Centre where he was treated, and was subsequently transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital.

The labourer's left leg is currently bandaged. Ally is urging persons when cleaning trenches on the Essequibo Coast to wear proper protective clothing as they are infested with dangerous creatures.

year. The book value per share rose to $254.34 compared to $224.90 in 2012, and the bank’s shares were valued 2.36 times the book value on the local stock exchange.

The bank recorded an eight per cent increase of $6.3 billion in deposits.

GBTI’s Deposit Mix has remained consistent with previous years, while its share of the Total Bank Deposits in the industry rose to 25 per cent last year.

As it relates to the loan portfolio for last year, this sector continues to grow,

recording a 20 per cent increase of $7.5 billion from $35.3 billion in 2012. This figure had surpassed that of the banking sector; hence, its share of total loans in the sector was recorded at 24 per cent. GBTI’s credit to deposit ratio rose to 54 per cent in 2013.

Growth was also recorded in household loans, which accounted for 22 per cent of the total loans.

According to the CEO, the bank will continue to lend within its sectoral limits as the housing drive continues to expand.

Mango thief to spend two weeks in prison

– told court one month would do

Aman who admitted to stealing mangoes was on Friday jailed for two weeks after suggesting to the court that he should be sent to jail for one month for the offence.

Aruind Chand Archibald appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of prae -

dial larceny. The court was told that on July 11 at Hampshire Village, Corentyne, the accused went into the yard of Michal Douglas and stole the mangoes valued $5000.

Archibald, who pleaded guilty with explanation, told the court that he was told that no one lives on the property, and as a result, he went to pick the man-

goes. “So I go in the yard and start picking the mangoes an someone come out an start pelting me,” he said, as he tried to explain what happened.

Archibald told the court that he would like a onemonth sentence, but was relieved when Magistrate Weaver gave him two weeks instead.

Asgar Ally

Asgar Ally’s leg in bandage

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown

Antigua Hawksbills suffer 5th straight loss

– despite improved performance, Samuels' 50

The Antigua Hawksbills remain winless in this year’s Limacol Caribbean Premier League as they lost to the Barbados Tridents by 1 wicket and 2 balls remaining at the Kensington Oval on Friday.

Put to bat, Antigua Hawksbills posted 129-8 with a top score of 66 from Captain Marlon Samuels. Barbados Tridents preserved their unbeaten record at home when they achieved victory on 130-9.

This is the Antiguan side’s fifth defeat in this tournament, although this was by far the closest of any of those contests. Another excellent batting performance from Samuels was not enough to lead his side to victory as the bowling of Ravi Rampaul for the Tridents proved to be the most telling contribution.

Yet another top order collapse from the Hawksbills left them fighting against themselves to set a competitive total. The first over saw Danza Hyatt run out for a golden duck, his second blob of the tournament. It has now been four innings since the opener got into double figures. Ravi Rampaul’s first over saw another two wickets fall for the cost of just one run as the Antiguans

struggled to get off to a meaningful start once again. Ben Dunk departed flashing at a wide one and Devon Thomas mistimed a drive straight back into the waiting hands of the bowler.

The last ball of the Powerplay saw yet another batsman dismissed, this time Orlando Peters who was brilliantly caught by Rayad Emrit who took the ball over his shoulder running towards the boundary. Once again Rampaul was the bowler as he picked up three wickets for just 11 runs inside the fielding restrictions.

Samuels and David Hussey came together at the fall of Peters’ wicket, and they set about another rebuilding effort, a role the two men have found themselves in more often than any other in this year’s tournament.

A partnership of 51 steadied the ship before Hussey tried one shot too many. Attempting to hit against the wind, he was well caught on the mid wicket boundary by Jonathan Carter off the bowling of Ashley Nurse.

Captain Samuels has been the one bright spark for the Hawksbills this year. Despite his team not winning a single match,

he is the tournament’s top scorer. If he could have had better support from the rest of his top order, things may have been different for the side from Antigua. He batted brilliantly again in this match, scoring 66 runs before he was caught in the deep off the bowling of Kieron Pollard.

Some lusty late order blows took the score up to 129 but the target was never enough to defend. Despite the uphill struggle that they faced, the Hawksbills could not have asked for a better start.

A wicket maiden from Sheldon Cottrell in the first over of the Tridents innings will have given his side some hope - especially as the man to go was Dwayne Smith who scored a century for the Bajans in their last game.

When Shoaib Malik, the other hero from that victory against the St Lucia Zouks, also departed the Hawksbills may have even dared to dream.

Even though there were these early breakthroughs, the Hawksbills batsmen had never given their bowlers something to work with. Local boys Shane Dowrich and Jonathan Carter looked to be cruising to victory, with both men working the ball

around to keep the run rate under control. Almost inexplicably, Dowrich mistimed an innocuous delivery from Ben Laughlin to the man at short extra cover.

It was not until the 14th over that left arm wrist spinner, Brad Hogg, came into the attack. Straight away he got the ball to turn, bounce and spit. By the time he was introduced, the Tridents had all but secured victory.

With other teams showing the importance of spin options early in the innings, it is remarkable that Hogg has been introduced so late by Samuels throughout this competition. In this game, his bowling was almost enough to turn things around. With him so difficult to score from, the batsmen took extra risks against the other bowlers and with their running.

The chase appeared to be a formality with Carter at the crease. He had reached an excellent 35 before he took on Cottrell’s arm to find himself run out going for a second. When Jeevan Mendis also gave his wicket away run out, some life was breathed into this match as a contest.

A succession of poor decisions by the Tridents’ batsmen made it far closer than it should have been.

Rayad Emrit, Ashley Nurse and Jason Holder were all guilty of lapses in judge-

As a result of ongoing monitoring by representatives of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League and the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the International Cricket Council (ICC), three individuals have been arrested for suspicious behaviour at CPL games over the course of the tournament so far. As such, CPL management is highlighting its commitment to running a clean tournament and op-

ment when the team needed calm heads.

As it was, the home side snuck home in the last over to condemn the Hawksbills to yet another defeat. There were some positives for the Antiguans despite yet another loss.

Cottrell bowled with pace and control, Hogg can turn matches if given an earlier bowl, Samuels is in fine form. The concern is that qualification is fast becoming a mathematical impossibility. They can’t really afford to lose again.

SCOREBOARD

Antigua Hawksbills innings (20 overs maximum)

BR Dunk c †Dowrich b Rampaul 1

DP Hyatt run out (Hosein) 0

O Peters c Emrit b Rampaul 10

DC Thomas† c & b Rampaul 0

MN Samuels* c Nurse b Pollard 66

DJ Hussey c Carter b Nurse 24

CR Brathwaite c Emrit b Pollard 17

SS Cottrell b Rampaul 0

ML Cummins not out 3

GB Hogg not out 3

Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5

Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 129 (6.45 runs per over)

Did not batB Laughlin

Fall of wickets 1-1 (Hyatt, 0.3 ov), 2-9 (Dunk, 1.1 ov), 3-9 (Thomas, 1.4 ov), 4-24 (Peters, 5.6 ov), 5-75 (Hussey, 13.4 ov), 6-111 (Samuels, 17.1 ov), 7-120 (Brathwaite, 17.6 ov), 8-124 (Cottrell, 18.2 ov)

Bowling: JO Holder 4-1-18-0, R Rampaul 4-0-15-4, BMAJ Mendis

2-0-13-0, RR Emrit 3-0-21-0, AJ Hosein 3-0-22-0, AR Nurse 3-025-1, KA Pollard 1-0-14- 2

Barbados Tridents innings (target: 130 runs from 20 overs)

DR Smith c Brathwaite b Cottrell 0 SO Dowrich† c Hyatt b Laughlin 18 Shoaib Malik c Cummins b Brathwaite 18 JL Carter run out (Cottrell/†Thomas) 35 KA Pollard* c Hussey b Brathwaite 14 BMAJ Mendis run out (Hussey/ Laughlin) 6 JO Holder c & b Hogg 5 AR Nurse c Samuels b Cottrell 3 AJ Hosein not out 12 RR Emrit run out (Dunk/Hogg) 5 R Rampaul not out 0 Extras (lb 12, w 2) 14 Total (9 wickets; 19.4 overs) 130 (6.61 runs per over) Fall of wickets 1-0 (Smith, 0.5 ov), 2-36 (Shoaib Malik, 5.2 ov), 3-61 (Dowrich, 8.6 ov), 4-85 (Pollard, 12.3 ov), 5-103 (Carter, 15.4 ov), 6-105 (Mendis, 16.2 ov), 7-110 (Holder, 17.1 ov), 8-119 (Nurse, 18.4 ov), 9-128 (Emrit, 19.3 ov) Bowling: SS Cottrell 4-120-2, ML Cummins 2-0-150, CR Brathwaite 4-0-17-2 B Laughlin 4-0-34-1, MN Samuels 2-0-12-0, GB Hogg 3.4-0-20-1

erating within the set ICC rules and regulations.

In line with this commitment, CPL has ensured that its staff are well able to identify any instance of corrupt or illegal behaviour by providing extensive training to them on what to be aware of.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, comments; “We take our responsibility to ensuring that we protect and promote the integrity of the tournament and the

game itself very seriously.” He continues; “Put simply, we have a zero tolerance policy towards any forms of corruption or illegal activity and will deal with it quickly and effectively through the appropriate channels. We are working closely with all our partners – the ICC, the police and ground security in each of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League venues – and would like to thank them for their efforts on our behalf.” (cplt20. com)

Danza Hyatt is run out! The Antigua Hawksbills put on a better performance but it was not enough to get them over the line against Barbados Tridents.

Digicel Schools Football Semi-finals…

CWSS survive scare to reach third consecutive final

Waramadong squeeze past BV on penalties

By ReuBen StoBy

Defending champions Christianburg

Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) survived a scare to make it to a third consecutive final when they got past Bush Lot Secondary 3-1 on penalties in their semi-final match played at Burnham Park in New Amsterdam on Friday.

The scores were level at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Bush Lot missed four of their penalty attempts to hand CWSS what turned out to be an easy victory in the end.

The defending champions, playing for the first time in Region Six, got the first chance at scoring when Jashawn Moore forced goalkeeper Shane James to come off his feet to make a save. The play sent the small but vocal group of Linden supporters into a frenzy early in the game.

Bush Lot were not so impressive on the attack, however, in the 25th minute Marlon Nicholson, who was given the opportunity to take a free kick from about 20-yards out, sent the shot over the defensive wall that the CWSS defenders had created. The ball sailed, swung and then dipped, before finding the back of the net.

There were various chances created by

Nicholson’s witty plays but all of them were squandered. On the other hand, Donavon Francis and Shane Luckie kept James busy but the goal-keeper was always equal to the task.

Moments before the halftime whistle came, a shot from Adrian Price of Bush Lot went crashing into one of the uprights as the goalkeeper seemed to think the ball was heading outside of the goal and made no attempt to get it.

After surviving that scare, CWSS regrouped and used the wind to their advantage in the second half of the game. However, the defenders Collide Miller, Calvin Dorris, Ackeim Harry and Ruel Chester made it difficult for the defending champions.

As time started to run out and CWSS became desperate for an equaliser, the Bush Lot boys started to show signs of exhaustion. This CWSS took advantage of and almost kept the game to one side of the pitch. They were rewarded in the 73rd minute when Anthony Layne scored.

Duquan Hercules had earlier taken the ball from the left of the field to the right, going past three defenders in the process and then lobbing the ball back into the centre. The ball

landed in front of the goal and several players jostled for possession before Layne sent it past goal-keeper James.

The goal brought the few Linden supporters to life and when the fourth official indicated that there were two minutes added on time, Bush Lot seemed to be rejuvenated, but the time was too short and they had to go to the penalty spot to decide the winner.

Nicholson missed the first shot, hitting the cross bar. Three of his teammates also missed, with Doris being the only one to score. For CWSS, Amaniki Buntim, Nigel Caeser and Hercules all found the back of the net. The defending champions, who will for the third year meet Waramadong Secondary in the final, did not have to take a fifth penalty shot.

Meanwhile, the refereeing of the game left much to be desired. On several occasions, players from Bush Lot seemed to have assisted their play by using their hands but the whistle never went.

Referee Dwayne Johnson, who is a FIFAqualified referee, also allowed some of the players from Bush Lot Secondary to go unpunished for various violations. (Andrew Carmichael)

Rough day for Guyana at Commonwealth Games

– Fernandes among the casualties

World Number 19 Nicolette Fernandes crashed out of the quarterfinal round of the women’s squash singles on Friday in Glasgow, Scotland, after England’s Laura Massaro won the match 3-1.

Massaro won the first set of the game 11-7, while Fernandes looked good in the second with an 11-7 win to even the match at 1-1.

Massaro, who is number two in the world, then showed all of her experi-

ence against Fernandes who played like a champion too, but lost 11-4 and 15-13 respectively.

In Boxing, Imran Khan could not move past the first round of the Bantamweight class, losing to Kenya’s Benson Gicharu Njangira by way of unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, Eon Bancroft received a bye to the round of 16 in the Welterweight division and will now face Sri Lanka’s Maduranga Pathirage Don

on July 28.

In swimming, budding star Onika George was eliminated in the first round, finishing fourth with a time of 29.55s in the women’s 50 metres freestyle event.

Mariam Muhammad Ali of the United Republic of Tanzania was the winner of the heat in 29.16s.

The men’s table tennis players have now lost two out of their three matches, going down to India in three straight sets. (Treiston Joseph)

Last year’s finalists Waramadong Secondary were taken to the wire by Beterverwagting Secondary but survived the scare after winning the penalty kicks that ensued after a 2-2 score line in regulation time in their semi-final game of the Digicel Schools Football Tournament at the Beterverwagting Community Centre on Friday. The visitors emerged 4-3 winners in the shootout, with much credit going to their captain and goal-keeper Gerald Issacs who stepped up first to score, and then would later make a save.

A large crowd, mostly of BV supporters, had witnessed Beterverwagting come from 2-nil down to level the match.

Waramadong dominated the game in the first half with a goal in hand after Deon Rodrigues found the back of the net in the 19th minute. The visitors played a superior game of system football and it took some sturdy defending from BV to keep their opponents from Region Seven from scoring more goals.

In the second half, however, BV came out attacking and looked a much more confident bunch. In fact, they looked very threatening as

BV showed much determination and would be counting themselves unlucky not to have qualified for the final

they, spurred on by their home crowd, made some encouraging runs to the Waramadong goal but failed to get the most important shot off.

Waramadong, on the other hand, looked for the counter and found it in the 72nd minute after a cross from the left flank found the head of Uriah King.

BV looked down and out, but fortune suddenly smiled on them after Issacs conceded an indirect free kick after handling the ball when he had already thrown it on the ground for a kick.

The ball was passed to Paul Ringston (75th minute), who fired it in from close range as the Waramadong defenders momentarily lapsed.

The goal injected renewed strength and hope in the BV

players and they were suddenly putting the pressure on Waramadong. And then it came in the 83rd minute. Okerue Hoppie blasted a ball in from top of the 18-yard box and found Issacs off his line, the goal sending the home supporters in a frenzy.

Once the field was cleared of the ecstatic fans, the game continued and although both teams pressed for an equaliser, none found it.

Issacs would make up for his blunders by taking the first penalty kick and scoring and then making a save before their cause was further helped when one of the BV players found the woodwork.

Waramadong Secondary will meet Christianburg Wismar Secondary School in the final billed for August 3 at the National Stadium.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary School have qualified for the final yet again

Support pours in for August Games Anderson departs with hopes of becoming pro baseball player

DeSinco Trading and Woodpecker Products have thrown their support behind the staging of the August Games, set for August 23-30 at Maruranau, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine.

The one-week event, which was first staged in 1996, is being organised by Gary LaRose, who was on hand on Friday to receive two sets of sponsorship.

Both ceremonies took place at DeSinco Trading on Sheriff Street, where that company presented three footballs and two whistles to the organisers. The presentation was made by Human Resource Officer of the company, Gemma Williams

Woodpecker Products also made a donation to the event, sponsoring two trophies that will be at stake. The trophies were presented by Supervisor of the company, Maria Hintzen.

Both Williams and Hintzen expressed their companies’ pleasure at being able to support the event.

According to LaRose, there will be the traditional Amerindian activities to complement the on-field sporting action.

“The objective of this programme is to really and truly foster unity and to promote a strong family value and we’re heading somewhere with it. I would like to thank DeSinco Trading and

Woodpecker Products for supporting us in this venture,” LaRose said.

Six villages, consisting of a contingent of about 50 per village, will engage in male and female football, volleyball and softball cricket. Those villages are Maruranau, Shea, Awarewanau, Aishalton, Karaudarnawa and Achiwib. According to LaRose, Gunn’s Strip is also expected to participate, but that is yet to be confirmed.

This activity will precede Heritage Month activities in September, when a combination of players from each discipline will be named to take part in Heritage Month activities in Lethem.

Lindani Jamal Anderson will leave the shores of Guyana today to be a part of the Orioles Academy in Florida in an effort to become a professional baseball player.

Anderson was afforded such an opportunity when he was handpicked by Baltimore Orioles scout Fred Ferreira, who keenly observed Anderson both as a pitcher and strong hitter with the bat during the E-Networkssponsored Baseball Star reality show organised by the Guyana Baseball League (GBL).

Managing Director of E-Networks, Vishok Persaud, was pleased with the product and Anderson’s success, admitting that he has become a believer in the sport.

“We are happy to be associated with the Guyana

Baseball League, it was a project that was interesting because Guyana doesn’t know about baseball; but we at E-Networks wanted to be a part of something different and something special.

“We are in post-production of the show and when it is done and aired on E-Networks and local TV, we hope that it can inspire persons to be the best at what they do not necessarily in baseball, but with any sport or talent they have,” Persaud stated at a press briefing held on Friday at the E-Networks boardroom.

Anderson, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Administration from the Manchester Metropolitan University, was elated with the opportunity afforded him and noted that failure is

not an option.

“I know what it is to fail, I was a cricketer and was a net bowler in England for a couple clubs so I know what it is to fail and I don’t intend on failing.

“I think the transition will be easy for me because cricket and baseball have a lot of similarities so I don’t see a problem there; I’m looking forward to it…my family supports me and I’m positive,” Anderson mentioned.

President of the GBL, Robin Singh, believes that Anderson has what it takes to do well in the camp and wished the 6’ 8” behemoth the best in his quest to go pro. Meanwhile, Anderson will not be the last to go to the Academy, as four other players are scheduled to be a part as well in a staggered schedule.

Over 80 graduate from P&P tennis camp

Dozens of young persons are now better equipped to play the game of tennis following the successful completion of the 10th annual P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited tennis camp at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

At a simple closing ceremony on Friday morning, the youngsters, aged three to 18, received certificates of participation as well as tokens from the sponsor, who was represented by Varsha Panday, the daughter of proprietor of P&P Insurance, Bishwa Panday.

A total of 83 young boys and girls participated in the two-week programme, which was conducted by National Coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, with her chief assistant being Leyland Leacock.

According to DalyRamdyhan, the youths were tutored on the basics of the game, pointing out the sessions were an overwhelming success as the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) was able to spot talent that could be nurtured.

Junior Development

Officer of the GTA, Surendra Khayyam, said he was enthused by the turnout, as he offered words of encouragement to the youngsters. He urged participants to continue playing the game and lauded them for choosing tennis as their sport of choice.

Khayyam also commended the parents for in-

vesting their time in their children’s welfare, noting that they are helping to shape the future of tennis by having an avid interest in the well-being of the leaders of tomorrow.

Panday spoke of P&P Insurance’s commitment to the development of not just tennis, but sports in general. She said the entity is

pleased to once again help the youngsters achieve their dreams, and at the same time, help the GTA to promote and expand the sport.

Meanwhile, DalyRamdyhan further stated that the conclusion of the camp is not the end of the process, but rather the beginning, as the partici-

pants will be assigned to clubs once they display an avid interest in the game.

Quizzed on the success rate of the camp during the past decade, DalyRamdyhan pointed out that a perfect example of how the programme has served tennis is the progress made by Afruca Gentle over those years.

Gentle started out as a bubbly four-year-old when the programme was initially held and has evolved into one of the country’s top junior players. She is currently the reigning national Under-14 champion and has represented Guyana at several regional competitions. (Avenash Ramzan)

Supervisor of Woodpecker Products, Maria Hintzen (right), hands over the two trophies to Gary LaRose and Saydan Croft

Human Resource Officer of DeSinco Trading, Gemma Williams (right), presents the footballs to Gary LaRose, while Saydan Croft looks on

The participants proudly display their certificates and tokens following conclusion of the camp on Friday. Sharing the moment are officials of the GTA and P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited

Jamal Anderson (third from left) share a photo opportunity with Robin Singh (extreme left), Vishok Persaud (second left) and athletics trainer Leslie Black (extreme right)

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Annual Primary Schools Windball Cricket… Bohemia and Edinburgh take titles

Bohemia Primary school won both the boys and girls’ division for the Canje Zone in the 17th annual Primary Schools Windball Cricket Champions Trophy, while Edinburgh Primary boys retained the boys’ title in the New Amsterdam Zone.

In the Canje Zone girls’ final, Saint Patrick’s Primary batted first and scored 35-1. Bohemia replied with 36-1.

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Bowling for St Pactrick’s, Harrykhalah, Sadek Kmall and Giovan Hitnarine took two wickets each.

In the New Amsterdam zone, Edinburgh girls lost to defending champions St Therese in the semi-final. Batting first, Edinburgh made 37-4, with extras top scoring with 33. St Therese, in reply, scored 38-2, with Serena Cadogan hitting 13.

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In the boys’ division, Bohemia hit 63-5 with Sader Kmall top-scoring with 19 and Mohan Harrykhalah 16. Robert Sunthgotam took 2-15 bowling for St Patrick’s, who were then restricted to 51. Jamal Sinclair top-scored

St Aloysius got past All Saints Primary in their semifinal. Batting first, All Saints made 50-2 with Roetmoff Sonel scoring 13. St Aloysius achieved victory on 51-2.

In the final, St Aloysius hit 54-4 with Anetra Hamilton and Vanessa John each contributing 10.

In the final, Edinburgh posted 46-3 with Lloyd David hammering 16. All Saints in reply were restricted to 40-5.

The competition was organised by Sports Officer Allister Munroe.

EBFA/Stag Beer Senior and CULT U-17 Leagues resume this weekend

Following weeks of inactivity due to rain, football action is set to resume on the East Bank of Demerara this weekend with play in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Stag Beer senior league and CULT Under-17 competitions.

Players have been eagerly awaiting the resumption of action and fans are equally excited to see the teams in

competition mode again.

Today, the Under-17 players will take centre stage with two matches scheduled for the Grove ground. Herstelling, led by National Under-17 Goalkeeper Qauzim Yusuf, who is expected to be back from The Dominican Republic today, will take on Agricola in the day’s feature match from 15:30h.

Opening play at 13:30h

will see Kuru Kururu Warriors coming up against Timehri Panthers.

On Sunday at the same venue, the senior boys will come into focus when two potentially exciting matches will be contested. Opening at 13:00h will be Timehri Panthers and Diamond United with the main game at 15:00h bringing together Agricola and Grove Hi Tech.

Ramunas Navardauskas wins Tour de France stage 19

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ithuania’s Ramunas Navardauskas was the surprise winner of a rainy stage 19 of the Tour de France in Bergerac. The Garmin-Sharp rider broke clear with around 12km remaining and crossed the line seven seconds ahead of John Degenkolb and Alexander Kristoff.

A bunch sprint had been expected but a crash on the wet roads in the final 3km derailed the sprinters’ teams. Race leader Vincenzo Nibali avoided the crash to retain his seven minutes, 10

seconds lead over Thibaut Pinot.

Even if Italian Nibali had been delayed he would have kept his advantage because the accident happened in the final 3km and Tour rules state that on sprint finishes you will be credited with the time of the group you were riding with.

However, it was a stark reminder to Nibali that despite holding what appears to be an unassailable lead in the race for the yellow jersey, he still has to finish in Paris on Sunday.

Ravindra Jadeja fined over James Anderson clash

of the game”.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is “not satisfied with the verdict” and is considering an appeal. Anderson could face a maximum four-Test ban at his hearing on 1 August, for allegedly abusing and pushing Jadeja.

The England and Wales Cricket Board strongly denied the accusations and lodged its own counter-complaint against the Indian player.

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been fined 50% of his match fee following an altercation with England’s

James Anderson during the first Test. The International Cricket Council found the 25-year-old guilty of “conduct contrary to the spirit

After the first Test was drawn, the tourists won the second match at Lord’s, with India completing the win when Jadeja ran Anderson out with a direct hit.

Ramunas Navardauskas

Ravindra Jadeja and James Anderson shake hands during the second Test

Guyanese cricketer Baker enjoying second stint in Canada

By RavendRa Madholall in ToRonTo

Since his inaugural visit to Canada last year, Guyanese cricketer Elton Baker continues to be very impressive with his batting and is anxious to capture the attention of the national selectors back home for a spot on the Guyana team. The elegant right-hander has shown great consistency so far from six 50-over games at the Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite competition representing debutant club, Civics Cricket Club.

With three half-centuries (64, 58 & 86) and a few solid starts, the 26-year-old Baker is highly satisfied and is eager to make an impact as the season progresses.

Only two months ago, the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) cricketer completed his stint in Trinidad and Tobago with resounding success, recording 722 runs from nine twoday matches including a magnificent 179. Baker accumulated over 400 runs in 2013 for Civics, but at the Premier Division further demonstrated his natural batting talent and his desire to wear the Guyana colours at the highest level.

He fervently feels that hard work and total commitment are necessary if an aspiring cricketer wants to accomplish good things in the sport. Baker stated that he has an insatiable desire to play for his country soon, but is fully aware that only “big” scores can take him there. “I [am] fully committed and willing to make the sacrifice in order to play for my country at the regional level; I have scored consistently over the years in

Guyana, T&T and now in North America and it definitely boosts my confidence tremendously,” Baker related.

The occasional mediumpacer is always reflecting on his admirable performances too for GNIC, especially his memorable 168 against Ghandi Youth Organisation at the Demerara Cricket Club venue.

His representation for Demerara at all levels (Under-15, 17, 19 and senior inter-county) is always morale-boosting for him while being on the reserve list for Guyana’s T20 team in 2012 also gives Baker stronger hopes of playing for his native land sooner rather than later. “I still feel I can make a contribution for my country and that is one of the reasons I have been plying my trade on a regular basis; I am enjoying my game here in Canada and the backing from my fellow team-mates is also a wonderful way of playing the game competitively,” Baker stated.

He said he is very thankful to former Guyana and

Organisers of the inaugural ‘Cricket for Unity’ T20 match have advised that the game will now be played in the month of September on a date to be decided. Constant rain was responsible for the game being moved from its original date of July 5 at the DCC ground to July 26.

However, due to the current Regional Under-19 tournament being hosted in Guyana, the organisers have been forced to seek a new date for the game.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dexter Garnett, informed that the players for the two teams, Roraima Strikers and Kaieteur Thunders,

West Indies player Keith Semple, who has been playing a pivotal role in his continued cricketing development.

Similar sentiments were expressed to ex-Guyana players Kenneth Wong and Glen Robinson for their steady support on the field and, according to Baker, they have created a commendable impression with Civics as well.

“I have great respect for these guys; I think I am fortunate to play among them and the experience is fantastic and it brings great camaraderie to[the] camp which is very important for a team’s success,” Baker disclosed.

Baker spoke about the competitive nature of cricket in Canada and is always relishing the opportunity to improve his batting technique and by extension his game, generally.

He related that these games are very challenging, given the fact that there are a massive number of cricketers from the Caribbean who play frequently in North America and sometimes the weather plays a part.

Even his involvement with softball gives Baker some amount of delight to play the game. He is currently representing GT Bannas in the Ontario Softball Cricket League competitions and his performances are attractive as well.

Baker, whose favourite cricketers are Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene, West Indian Brian Lara and Indian Sachin Tendulkar, plans to be in Canada again next year after continuing his quest for national selection at the inter-county level later this year.

Kumar to Hinds: “We don’t need GABF’s permission” – to field basketball team for IGG

By Treiston Joseph

Director of Sport

Neil Kumar has declared that the basketball component of the Inter- Guiana Games (IGG) will go along as planned in spite of the President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds threatening disciplinary action against players, referees and officials if they participate in the IGG.

“We have decided that Hinds can do whatever he likes, we have spoken to everyone including the players and we have everything covered, we can’t deny those children to play.

“IGG is a governmental games and we don’t have to get sanctioning from the GABF…we don’t need their permission, we are the only persons with a nursery and a database of players and they (GABF) have nothing, so the IGG will be on,” Kumar told Guyana Times Sport via telephone.

Hinds, via email, made it clear on the stance by the GABF concerning the IGG basketball component of the tri-nation event among Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana slated to be held here during the first weekend of August.

The GABF boss noted

that “Under the statutes of the GABF and by extension FIBA, the approval of GABF is required for any basketball-related activities including clinics, workshops and tournaments in Guyana, or the use of any affiliated member/s to participate in basketball activities outside of Guyana. Such approval has not been given to the [National Sports Commission] NSC or any entity appointed by the NSC.”

Hinds also referenced a July 3 meeting in which the email claimed that an agreement had been reached among the persons involved for the GABF to pick the team with Chris Bowman, the Director of Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), to “advise the GABF on ar -

eas to be covered.”

Further, Hinds said he was informed that the decisions reached at the July 3 meeting were no longer being followed, which prompted the GABF to make the following declaration.

“All basketball coaches, officials, referees and players are asked not to participate in the 2014 Basketball component of the IGG. Any participation by coaches, officials, referees or players will be subject to disciplinary action from GABF. In addition, those who participate will likely not be supported by GABF for scholarships or participation in clinics, workshops and tournaments in Guyana or overseas.

Sponsors are respectfully requested not to play a role in undermining the opportunities for our youths through basketball. Parents and Head Teachers of Schools are hereby asked to ensure that extra-mural basketball activities obtain the approval of the GABF before having their kids participate in such activities.”

Meanwhile, Kumar has given the assurance that all arrangements for a successful hosting of the event are already in place for when the IGG begins in August.

Number 73 Cut and Load through to quarter-finals

Nare eager to get into the middle to show off their skills, but will have to wait a bit longer for the game to come off.

He also disclosed that corporate entities who have contributed to the game so far are assured that the game is on and all would be informed in due course of the new date.

umber 73 Cut and Load have become the latest team to reach the quarter-finals of the 2014 Elizabeth Styles Under-19, 50-over cricket competition in Berbice after gaining a walkover from Skeldon Community Centre, who failed to prepare its venue for the Zone ‘D’ (Upper Corentyne) preliminary match between the two teams.

Cut and Load, as a result, ended up runners-up of that zone with six points to Number 70 Young Star, who totalled eight. They therefore have advanced.

Meanwhile, debutant Sand Reef Twilight registered victories in their first two preliminary

matches in Zone ‘C’ (Lower Corentyne) to be equal with Albion Community Centre with four points after two rounds. Their opening batsman Rajendra Balkarran topscored with 78 (4x4s, 6x6s) to steer them to 190 in 24.4 overs against Chesney. Pacer Azim Paulall then took 4-10 from four overs to help rout Chesney for 40.

In the other match against Kendall Union, Balkarran again topscored but this time with 35 in their score of 168 in 28 overs. Kendall’s could respond with only 123.

Sand Reef and Albion are to clash to determine which of the two will win that zone to earn their

place in the quarter-finals.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At Chesney: Sand Reef Twilight beat Chesney by 150 runs. Sand Reef Twilight 190 in 24.4 overs (Rajendra Balkarran 78, Saif Baksh 29) Chesney 40 in 12 overs (Azim Paulall 4-10, Rajendra Balkarran 2-16).

At Number19: Sand Reef Twilight beat Kendall’s Union by 45 runs. Sand Reef Twilight 168 in 28 overs (Rajendra Balkarran 35, Farshad Asheem 32) Kendall’s Union 123 in 19 overs (Balram Mahadeo 42, Azim Paulall 2-15, Rajendra Balkarran 2-40).

Neil Kumar

Elton Baker

Demerara Life golf tournament set for today FIFA agent gives GFF President Matthias deadline for apology

– “for unprovoked attack on Golden Jaguars”

FIFA licensed football agent Faizal Khan has given Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Christopher Matthias until Monday July 28 at 15:00h to publically apologise for remarks made against senior male and female national team players.

According to a press release, Mr Matthias made the remarks during a television interview on NCN’s Sports Magazine which was aired on Wednesday July 16, in which he called the Guyana national team players “foreign” and blamed them for the non-development of football in Guyana.

Mr Khan led negotiations to identify and secure the addition of overseas-born Guyanese, professional football players with Premier League experience such as Leon Cort and Carl Cort, as well as Ricky Shakes, into

the Guyana national team, otherwise known as the Golden Jaguars.

Khan has also helped locally based Guyanese footballers gain professional football contracts outside of Guyana for over eight years now.

The FIFA agent responded to Mathias’s comments by saying: ‘’For you to have blatantly attacked, discriminated and segregated some of the Golden Jaguars and Lady Jag footballers publically, is totally out of order and not what I would expect from a leader of a national sport. Your comments are simply unacceptable and I will not allow such injustice to occur unchallenged or corrected’’[sic].

According to the press release, Mr Matthias’s comments can be found on YouTube by searching ‘’NCN Sports Magazine’’.

Lewis Hamilton fastest in Hungarian GP practice

TLop golfers from across the country will converge on the greens and fairways of the Lusignan Golf Course today for the annual Demerara Mutual Life sponsored tournament from 12:30h.

Brian Hackett, Maurice Solomon, and William Walker carted off the top

three positions in that order last year, while Fazil Haniff won Nearest-to-the-Pin and Walker won the Best Gross. These players will be among the leading candidates for top honours today.

It will not be an easy task though, as several other golfers are eyeing the top prize. A keenly contested

competition is expected, especially with the introduction of Flights in the play.

In Flight play, male golfers are grouped in three categories on the basis of their handicaps. Handicaps 0 to 9 are in one Flight; handicaps 10 to 18 in another Flight; and handicaps 19 to 28 in the third Flight. Playing by

Flights increases the competitiveness of the game and the demands on the players to perform at a higher standard.

While handicaps are an advantage given to players, grouping those advantages in similar categories places more work on the golfers to excel in their categories. National open competitions in the Caribbean and South America are played by Flights.

Depending on the number of ladies in the game, the female Flights are arranged slightly differently. At the LGC at the moment, while about 10 females practise the game, only four compete regularly.

Club President, David Mohamed, expressed his confidence that the growing enthusiasm of players in the game is going to contribute to a refreshing day’s play; there may even be some new records.

The public is invited to view the competition, which tends to last between four to five hours.

The LGC is encouraging the public to come out and witness an afternoon of golf at Lusignan

Faizal Khan (left) has helped to bring several overseas players to the Golden Jaguars

ewis Hamilton made a statement of intent ahead of Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix by beating Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in first practice.

Hamilton, who has won this race four times in seven years, is keen to eat into Rosberg’s 14-point championship lead before the summer break.

The two traded fastest times until Hamilton ended up 0.183 seconds ahead.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso were third and fourth, ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.

Lewis Hamilton has won this race four times in seven years

Hawksbills suffer

Ravi Rampaul (left) celebrates a wicket with his countryman Rayad Emrit

The victorious Waramadong Secondary team following their semi-final win on Friday