Guyana Times Daily

Women share a hug as they celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Monday at the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown (Carl Croker photo)

tuesday, july 29, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Lindeners have no confidence in Granger’s PNCR

… Solomon says never seen such chaos

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

The recent events that have unfolded within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) have created a vivid picture of the major division that exists within the party, but Regional 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon said the district stands willing to resolve the long-standing issues.

Addressing reporters at the Critchlow Labour College on Monday, the Executive Member of the party said the PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress has left a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters, primarily in his district, but said supporters should not live in the past.

“The PNCR like any other political party or mass based organisation have had its share of glitches in previous elections, but never of such magnitude, never with such unresolvable grievances and such chaotic outcomes where the integrity of the entire process can be questioned or where almost an entire re-

gional delegates list was disenfranchised,” Solomon said as he registered his dissatisfaction.

According to him, the clear disregard of the party’s Constitution during the just concluded Congress had resulted in him being denied the opportunity to be accredited as a delegate.

Flaws

According to him, General Secretary and Chairman of the Accreditation Committee Oscar Clarke should be held responsible for the flaws that overwhelmed the electoral process during the 18th Biennial Congress that ended with David Granger being re-elected as the party leader.

“Those who accepted responsibility for matters must be held responsible. Mr Clarke is the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee and he was responsible to ensure that we had an election that people were satisfied with and I could say to you, the entire region was not satisfied.”

Nevertheless, he said Region 10, a district dominated by PNCR supporters, is stretching out its hands of cooperation to resolve the burning internal issues that have been on the table for the past two years, but exploded with the “illegitimate” suspension of Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon.

According to him, the concerns included the elec-

toral processes and other matters that gave rise to the chaos, long before Congress was convened.

“These are conditions that Region 10 perceived months ago and were desperately seeking to have addressed internally; with the avoidance of conflict through the party decision-making forums and the Accreditation Committee which was unfortunately never allowed to function effectively to produce credible end results.”

Internal issues

However, Solomon declined from divulging further details on the internal issues within the party when questioned by Guyana Times He would only say that the situation has worsened.

“This deterioration in governance is made worse with the recent denial of members’ right to vote in a fair, transparent and fearless process to elect a leader of their choice.”

Despite their dissatisfaction which the electoral process which led to the

return of David Granger as the leader of the PNCR, the party supporters in mining district said they are ready to move the party forward by mending the rifts, correcting the weaknesses and building on its strengths.

“Region 10 remains committed to leading this change and this effort to unify our party to achieve the goals that are necessary for our development and for the development of all other regions and the people of Guyana.”

The Regional Chairman further stated that the people of Region 10 should be part of the process to strengthen democracy within the party.

According to him, despite the challenges that prevailed at the moment, the PNCR remains the vanguard party where members are prepared to challenge their leaders and hold them accountable. He made it clear, that no member is above the Constitution of the party and therefore should comply with the Constitution or held ac-

countable.

“I am certain that Sunday’s incident will give considerable voice to those who are voiceless. Our party is a party that is prepared to lead Guyana and if we are prepared to do so, the same accountability we ask of the Government, we must be prepared in our party, to ask of our leaders.”

Though shaken by the recent chaos at the 18th Biennial Congress, he said the party will grow from its experiences. He made it clear that there is great belief in the foundation in which the party was built; hence, there will be no acts to jeopardise the internal structure of the party.

During the 2006 General Elections, some 6000 Lindeners voted for the PNC but in 2011, the number of voters jumped to 13, 000 due to a strong and aggressive campaign. Solomon has vowed to foster growth within the party, but maintained that the party’s Constitution must be upheld.

Police probing Congress Place gunshot Preparations heat up for Guyana Festival

The Guyana Police Force is now investigating the shooting at Congress Place during the People’s National Congress Reform’s chaotic elections that returned David Granger to the helm.

Police Crime Chief Leslie James said initial investigations of the shooting have commenced, but no one has been arrested. According to reports, an official Police complaint was filed at the Alberttown Police Station by a woman who said she was at the Congress when the single shot was fired by a man who was yet to be identified.

Granger had told a news conference Sunday evening that the internal security of PNCR was going to be investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

PNCR Chairman Basil Williams on Sunday said the shot was fired in the air after there was a “situation” at one of the poll stations. He said someone was in “danger” of being trampled; hence, the unknown individual fired a shot into the air to disperse the crowd.

GMoments after, former General Secretary Aubrey Norton pulled out of the leadership race, but not before condemning the shooting incident, saying that there were other ways to address the issue. Norton said he cannot recall during his tenure with the party that a gun had to be used to restore law and order.

“A gun should not have been used…not at all, you’re trying to say to me you need to shoot a gun to

Williams told reporters that the individual was in no way connected to the leadership of the PNCR. Guyana Times understands that the man was a member of the Returning Officer Team and was a licensed firearm holder. In responding to outcry, the guard whipped out his firearm and fired a single shot into the air.

restore order?” questioned Norton, adding that “there should be no shooting at Congress Place”.

Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Clarissa Riehl also criticised Granger for being aloof, as she noted that as PNCR Leader, he should have been able to calm the crowd. She said when the unrest was in full momentum at Congress Place, Granger was having refreshments with another senior member and a security official.

uyanese and visitors who want to be at the heart of the action this August should head to the inaugural Guyana Festival to enjoy three spectacular days of fun, entertainment, and food.

The countdown is on and with 11 days to go before the grand opening, festival fever is sweeping the country as more persons are clamouring to get a hold of their Festival Passports, which would guarantee them access to all three days and the chance to win a car.

The National Steel Orchestra, Woodside Choir, and Nyrityageet dancers are among the line-up for a star-studded National

Concert that will kick off a weekend of celebrations Guyanese Style come August 8 at the National Stadium.

The National Concert, to be held under the theme “Myths and Legends ...Sweet, Sweet Guyana”, is just one element of an action-packed August 8-10 weekend; a host of other events and attractions will be taking place at the Stadium, including live music, kids zone with complete with Coney Island, and daily displays of art and craft.

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali explained, “The concert is the headline event in an ex-

citing weekend of Guyana Festival celebrations, which will ensure that National Stadium in Guyana is the place to be!

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have attracted such a fantastic line-up. The sheer variety of performers is sure to appeal to family audiences; there’s plenty for younger concertgoers but also acts that their parents will enjoy.” Guyana Festival passports are available for the event, priced at $3000 each, and demand is high. They allow entry into all three days, include thousands of dollars worth of coupons, and give holders a chance to win a car!

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon addressing reporters on Monday

The man that allegedly fired the gunshot at Congress Place on Sunday

Preparations begin at the National Stadium with 11 days to go before the grand opening of the Guyana Festival

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Pre-qualification for Pharma supplies

ANSA McAL failed to provide manufacturer’s authorisation

....IPA warehouses deemed shoddy

Trinidad conglomerate ANSA McAL was disqualified from the Pre-qualification exercise to supply medical drugs to the Government of Guyana after failing to provide the authorisations of the manufacturers of drugs - a key criterion in the bidding exercise, the experts who evaluated the tenders have said.

This was a threshold issue that was not satisfied, so that there was no need for the evaluation panel to investigate further.

The company is one of two that have raised objections after failing to qualify during the exercise - the other being the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), which although meeting all the administrative requirements of the examination, failed miserably with its warehouses, which were described by the evaluators as “poorly ventilated”, with “boxes thrown about and not properly stored”.

NEW GPC INC was the only company to have prequalified and would now have to join a list of international agencies. These include the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Ever since the announcement that NEW GPC was the only company to have pre-qualified, there has been consternation the two companies, fuelled by skewed reports in some sections of the media.

Managing Director of ANSA McAl Beverly Harper had even argued that she was

surprised that her company did not qualify, saying that they satisfied all the criteria. But she was later forced to admit that they have neither the required warehousing area nor the requisite temperature controls.

As a letter writer had noted, “I wish the companies that lost out in the prequalification exercise would conduct themselves in a professional way”. ANSA McAl,

tually submitted bids. The eight include Western Scientific of Trinidad and Tobago, Telecom Solutions, Meditron Scientific Sales of Guyana, ANSA McAL Trading, IPA, Global Health Care Supplies, NEW GPC, Trading and Distribution Inc of Guyana, and A&S Enterprise of Guyana. Global Health Care Supplies is said to be owned by IPA.

According to the report, at the opening and examination of the eight bids, it was found that Western Scientific did not fill out the distributorship section, but referred to it in its bid. Besides, financial statements were required for five years, but only the years 2010-2012 were provided.

Additionally, the company submitted no copy of a bank statement, as was required, and no personnel, neither brokerage, again as was required. Copies of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were required, but this company

ments as required. It noted that Health 2000 applied for the documents, stating that it was desirous of being prequalified. Telecom Solutions eventually submitted a tender instead.

The report stated that it was the opinion of the evaluators that no further consideration for evaluation should be given to the company and as such disqualified it.

Meditron Scientific Supplies on the other hand, the report states, was registered in the name of Andrew Debiden, according to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and not Meditron Scientific Supplies. Besides, no SOPs were submitted, neither any bank statement.

Regarding Global Health Care, the report stated that a financial statement submitted was not signed and it was only for a period within a year. Besides, two of the manufacturers’ authorisations submitted, namely Emcure and Scientific Supplies are the same as

for instance, claimed they have the “temperature controlled” warehousing for “some drugs”.

According to the evaluators report, which was seen by this newspaper, 15 companies would have uplifted tender documents, but only eight ac-

only submitted summarised points and did not complete product information as was required.

As regards, Telecom Solutions, the report stated that based on the preliminary examination of the bids, the company did not apply for the bidding docu-

that of IPA. It has been claimed that Global Health is owned by the same principals as IPA. For its part, Trading and Distribution Inc failed to provide manufacturers’ authorisation for the products submitted.

Managing Director of ANSA McAL Beverly Harper

NEW GPC headquarters at Farm, East Bank Demerara

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

The great transformation

Now that market fundamentalism – which reigned supreme since 1980 with the advent of Reaganism and Thatcherism and found root here via the IMFdictated “Washington Consensus” – has crashed and burnt ignominiously since 2008, politicians and economists are floundering for an answer to the question of what is the proper balance and state to create a just and prosperous society.

Interestingly, the answer might have been here for quite a while, but was ignored – in the book by the unorthodox socialist Karl Polyani, “The Great Transformation: The Social and Political Origins of Our Time”, first published in 1944. The review below should be of interest to Guyanese politicians as they seek a new, sustainable path for Guyana’s development.

Right from the start of the book, Polanyi attacks market liberalism for what he calls its “stark Utopia”. Conservatives had long deployed the “utopianism” epithet to discredit movements of the left, but Polanyi was determined to turn the tables by showing that the vision of a global selfregulating market system was the real utopian fantasy.

Polanyi’s central argument is that a self-regulating economic system is a completely imaginary construction; as such, it is completely impossible to achieve or maintain. Just as Marx and Engels had talked of the “withering away of the state,” so market liberals and libertarians imagine a world in which the realm of politics would diminish dramatically.

At the same time, Polanyi recognises why this vision of stateless autonomous market governance is so seductive. Because politics is tainted by a history of coercion, the idea that most of the important questions would be resolved through the allegedly impartial and objective mechanism of choice-driven, free-market competition has great appeal.

Polanyi’s critique is that the appeal has no basis in reality. Government action is not some kind of “interference” in the autonomous sphere of economic activity; there simply is no economy without government. It is not just that society depends on roads, schools, a justice system, and other public goods that only government can provide. It is that all of the key inputs into the economy – land, labour, and money – are only created and sustained through continuous government action. The employment system, the arrangements for buying and selling real estate, and the supplies of money and credit are socially constructed and sustained through the exercise of government’s coercive power.

Polanyi effectively brings the role of government and politics into the centre of the analysis of market economies. If regulations are always necessary to create markets, we must not discuss regulation versus deregulation but rather what kinds of regulations we prefer: those designed to benefit wealth and capital, or those that benefit the public and common good?

Similarly, since the rights or lack of rights that employees have at the workplace are always defined by the legal system, we must not ask whether the law should organise the labour market but rather what kind of rules and rights should be entailed in these laws – those that recognise that it is the skills and talents of employees that make firms productive, or those that rig the game in favour of employers and private profits?

Implicitly, Polanyi offers an alternative to what he sees as the property-centric analysis of Marxism. He insists that since the economic order is constituted through political decisions, politics can effectively redefine the meaning of ownership. So, for example, in Germany’s current system of industrial relations that combines co-determination, works councils, and collective bargaining with unions, the relative power of employers and employees is very different than in comparable firms in the United States.

Polanyi recognises that these legal arrangements will periodically be contested as some employers yearn for more power and autonomy. But there is nothing that assures that such contestations will be successful; the outcome will depend on which side is able to mobilise more effectively in the political arena.

ANSA McAL has no reason to be peeved

Dear Editor,

It often amazes me what passes for news in Guyana. The Stabroek News somehow saw it fit to highlight the Trinidad and Tobago company ANSA McAL’s unsuccessful bid to become prequalified to supply medical drugs to the Government’s health sector.

Not surprisingly, immediately following that, the Kaieteur News picked up on that and ran their own story about ANSA McAL being peeved. But at least KN had the shame to publish a letter questioning the bona fides of ANSA McAL.

It is a known fact that every government in every country in the world seeks to protect its own local business community. It will, therefore, even pass laws to protect local investment as a whole. Further, every government will first look for local contractors or suppliers, whether they are for products or services, to award contracts.

Indeed, Guyana and any country

should welcome overseas investment, but such companies will have to at least make the necessary investments within Guyana and employ Guyanese nationals.

So why would a Trinidadian company even want to bid to supply drugs in Guyana and supply them from Trinidad? Can a Guyanese company do likewise in Trinidad? I think not. In fact, for a Guyanese company to supply pharmaceuticals in Trinidad is impossible!! Same in Barbados and every other Caricom nation.

I recall not too long ago the Trinidadian Prime Minister insisting, when her country was about to give funds for hurricane relief to two countries, that the contractors should be Trinis. She maintained her stance even when challenged, and that was a time of disaster for the two countries. Did the American Government hire contractors from anywhere else but the US when they were ‘rebuilding’ Iraq after the war? And this,

like the Trinidad case, involved work being done in the country which was benefiting from the assistance.

So, at one time, certain media houses are opposed to Chinese workers in Guyana, claiming that every effort should be made to employ a local workforce. Now the Government identified a local company which actually meets the stated criteria for a pre-qualification process, and there’s still a problem, at least with some media houses.

The Guyana Government should reconsider this opening up the spending of taxpayers’ money to foreign companies. And as a Guyanese, I see no reason why a Trinidad company should be peeved at not having won a local bidding pre-qualification process. Especially when they did not meet the requirements in the first place.

Sincerely, Annalisa Ally

Federalism keeps Guyanese united, embraces differences

Dear Editor,

While Georgetown gets worse, our better educated do no favours by adding to the street pileup. But freedom of the press still allows M Maxwell as if in contempt, to easily toss federalism over his shoulder. “This is nonsense,” he said in his letter.

Mr Maxwell travelled an entire circular route to arrive exactly where he started, ie the status quo is perfectly acceptable, as is, for him. He prefers to ignore the Ethnic Security Dilemma (ESD), which birthed partition and power sharing with all its repetitious violence targeting Indians.

Instead, Local Government Elections have now become the mismatched solution, for now, and there is much relief derived to give it support. Supposedly by local elections, the urgency to initiate the rapid ra-

cial balancing of Guyana’s armed forces and civil service will commence. Could it be the AFC’s bold intervention comeback in fulfillment of Guyanese high hopes and their endeavour to make a difference? Why is it kept a secret?

Whether Mr Maxwell’s letter is an endorsement or admonishment when he wrote that an “Afrodominated Government in Demerara could spur their breakaway from the rest of Guyana” is unclear. In other words, Mr Maxwell may be most concerned that even when all Guyanese graduate into peaceful coexistence within federalism’s tranquility, Afro-Guyanese will inevitably opt to destroy Guyana by breaking away.

It is of critical importance to spell out what lies beneath such a premise that (a) black people would

not want to empower themselves by their own multitalented magnificence, by remaining within symbiotic federalism in spite of demanding power by race and entitlement; and (b) the option of eventual full breakaway independence a la Mr Eusi Kwayana’s prophetic preference of partition is rather black people’s predominant priority with billions of dollars soon due from reparations.

Will that money be shared with all Guyanese by any “nationwide equality” similar to the PNC Government’s seizure of the Indian Immigration Fund to build the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown?

Even as one analyses Mr Maxwell’s whisper, something is definitely afoot for him to so quickly deploy the race card.

Isn’t this the precise

objective of partition and shared governance? Why is either choice better than federalism? Partition makes us permanent enemies. In shared governance or whatever, the current gridlock in Parliament would shift to the executive Cabinet beyond public scrutiny. It will result in merging the Executive and Legislature with the Judiciary outside but in greater gridlock …right now our leaders cannot even agree to confirm the Chief Justice and Chancellor because of ongoing gridlock.

If Mr Maxwell has inadvertently attempted to magnify any fears which he negatively links to the Federalist, proposal there should not be alarm. Federalism does not deny differences, which inclusive governance cannot even acknowledge as legitimate.

President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, Fazeel Ferouz greets Muslim brothers following a service to celebrate Eid early Monday morning at the CIOG Headquarters, Woolford Avenue

Speaker’s ruling raises challenges to the Constitution

Dear Editor,

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has noted the ruling of the Speaker, Raphael Trotman, dated July 24, to send the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to the Committee of Privileges for the second time for this year.

Ruling No 2 of 2014 issued to the National Assembly on February 14 by the Speaker was in response to Mr Greenidge’s motion of December 13, 2013, seconded by Mr Ramjattan, to send the Minister to the Privileges Committee on two matters.

The Speaker ruled that a prime facie case had been made by Mr Greenidge to send the Minister to the Committee of Privileges

with regard to one of the two issues, that is in regard to Resolution No 15 on Extrabudgetary Agencies but not on the second issue with regard to releases of monies to GINA and the NCN.

The second motion of Mr Greenidge, seconded again by Mr Ramjattan, was submitted on July 4, calling on the Speaker to send the said Minister to the Committee of Privileges for releases of monies to the GINA and the NCN after the budgetary cuts. The Speaker publicly advised the National Assembly on July 10 that he had received the submission by the members and would need time to consider same.

The Speaker’s Ruling, No 4 of 2014, concluded that a prima facie case had

been made and referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges. The Speaker is the Chair and the Opposition members are in majority in this Committee, as in all Committees.

When one examines the contents of these rulings, the PPP/C is confident that the arguments made by the Speaker to justify his ruling and decision to send the Minister once again to the Committee of Privileges raise major challenges to the Constitution, Standing Orders and parliamentary norms and practices.

Most notably absent in the Speaker’s arguments leading to his Ruling is any reference to the Chief Justice’s decision regarding Article 218 (3) (b) ex-

Federalism keeps...

Rather, Federalism embraces pacification, harmonises accommodation and guarantees diversity to all races and cultures. It permits all groups to maximise their potential without veto hindrance or perpetual dependency on the “other”.

Inclusive executive governance would not permit progress until all sides are in agreement to signal the other can proceed with their development. One side can hold the others hostage in perpetuity.

Federalism accepts those fears, defuses them and allows each to maximise their true worth unhindered by the other. Any reassurance which can address Mr Maxwell’s genuine concerns to prevent a breakaway rebel provinces would much depend on how he himself actually perceives black activists’ genuine commitment to establish black self-reliance by their own talent in harmony with others or not.

Whereas executive governance is premised on automatic entitlement to collect Guyana’s bounty after it is produced it can only result in contentious gridlock. Moreover it is not also clear if Mr Maxwell either (a) believes Indians are attempting to escape any dubious debts owed to Africans or (b) the Federalist proposal is nothing but unjustified Indian payback – maybe pacifist reverse racism, originating from constant victimhood imposed by black violence and calumny.

President Jimmy Carter was able to get the Palestinians to agree to Israel’s right to exist by abandoning their commitment to eviscerate Jewish territorial existence. Federalism would guarantee the right to exist and survival of its citizen’s diverse cultures. It can even begin tomorrow if there is joint agreement to publicly renounce racial violence, rapes and arson etc.

No minority group in Caricom can be expected to acquiesce in their complete extinction under any circumstances whatsoever. The

right to self defence is natural as it is legal worldwide with the GHRA indifferent about anything Indian.

Noticeable is black militancy’s relaxing refuge under silence’s canopy of quarantine by how Mr Maxwell quoted me. What governs the militant notable silence coming from their unusual shyness to not let their little light shine around – not even the fleeting gun flash of any loose cannon on deck?

Mr Maxwell certainly cannot be assumed to be speaking on behalf of everyone; yours sincerely absolutely does not. Whether black magnificence is possible or not, save by dependency on “others” in temporary “executive power sharing” has now apparently become an orphan in the morgue awaiting post mortem.

What now, that it has been rejected? Any percolating unease existing within entitlement may be sourced, and is to be solved, from the subliminal truth which lies beneath what Mr Maxwell has highlighted. He directs that “Those who can only see their own ethnic utopias through misguided lenses must learn to look around. Guyana is not ready for federalism”. Is he correct?

What insensitivity governs Mr Maxwell’s existence that he is completely oblivious to the plight of half his countrymen by such callous indifference that nothing they say or complain about has any meaning or significance? Power sharing or whatever, imposes perpetual racial dependency; federalism enables freedom to be all you can be within our common Guyana. Would black people face greatest misery within their own Federated province unless their leaders who constantly demand paramountcy for greater black empowerment are not fully equipped except by dependency on others for black economic success?

Such entitlement to racial dependency would require all black people as per Mr Maxwell’s thesis to au-

cept the inclusion of the words that “the National Assembly though aggrieved by the Chief Justice’s decision of January 29, 2014, sought to comply”. Thus the Speaker once again has thrown the Legislature on a collision course with the Judiciary, the body mandated by the Constitution as the sole authority to interpret any constitutional provision.

The PPP/C has paid special attention to this development and will be prepared to challenge this matter at the appropriate times and occasions. However, the PPP/C has found it of pass-

ing interest the difference in the treatment of the APNUAFC submissions to send the Minister to the Committee of Privileges with the treatment of the Government’s request to send two Opposition Members of Parliament to the Committee of Privileges.

The PPP/C, through its Chief Whip, has indicated by way of letter to the Speaker on July 15, 2014 of its intention to call for Mr Ramjattan and Mrs Cathy Hughes to be referred to the Privilege Committee for violations of privilege, namely conflict of interest and pecuniary interest in matters before

the House which they did not declare, with regard to the Specialty Hospital and the Marriott Hotel, and the Amaila Falls Hydro-Project Falls Inc, respectively. The PPP/C, through its Chief Whip, has not been contacted by the Parliament Office nor received any communication from the Speaker on the serious charges made against these Members of Parliament who are from his political party, the AFC.

Respectfully submitted, PPP/C Freedom House

In search of a past student of South East London College

From page 4

tomatically stop supporting both APNU and the AFC! Mr Maxwell can – kindly pardon me for writing it, – either cease or continue to unjustifiably target Indians by the usual slow fire with more fire certainly on standby to bear full responsibility for the fallout.

There certainly appears to be possession of ready licence to condemn his Indo Guyanese countrymen who are simply fighting for survival in a black sea to prevent their eventual ethnic cleansing and cultural miscegenation.

Mr Maxwell can hopefully also become an honest good friend of all who does not pretend to ignore, but will openly acknowledge incurable but understandable historical black rage. But this constant substitute violence on Indians for the white man’s burden has no validity because Indians did not enslave black people.

Violence many visitations on half his other countrymen cannot be justified or acceptable requiring a genuine commitment to its permanent termination sooner or later.

Indo Guyanese and other indentured descendants are not automatically at fault, or most guilty just because of their numbers, religions, thriftiness and economic success in a democracy.

Expecting Mr Maxwell’s ambivalences already at play to be further exacerbated with additional twisting and twirling is by no means humane nor should more and better be expected from him until he has recuperated. All the best to him.

In the meantime, Federalism remains the inevitably wisest preferable compromise for a unifying Guyanese future. But as now, only for now mind you, “Guyana is not ready for federalism” until Guyanese are fully and most ready for federalism. That future is today and counting.

Sincerely,

Sultan Mohamed

Dear Editor,

On behalf of Stephen Kerrigan of London, I am seeking any information about Cecil Sagar, born c1945 in Guyana. He studied Electrical Engineering in the 1960s at the South East London College in Lewisham, London SE4 from approximately 1963 to 1966.

Unfortunately, after leaving college, post 1966, contact with Cecil was lost and despite various efforts, including perusing the college alumni records and contact with past students, searching various directories and civil records, he has not been located.

It is likely, then, that Cecil returned to his home

country; also, it may be that the name ‘Cecil’ was a nickname or another version of his given name. Should any reader know or have any information at all concerning Cecil, please contact me at adrienne. roche@blueyonder.co.uk

With many thanks, Adrienne Roche

Monitors, PA systems at CJIA are functional

Dear Editor

Please permit me to thank the writer for a letter published on July 26. I wish to assure the public that the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) and the Public Address (PA) systems are functional at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The information displayed on the FIDS is supplied by the airlines and

inputted by the airport staff.

Quite often when there is a delay or flight cancellation, the airport corporation finds it very difficult to get accurate and timely information from the airlines to update these FIDS.

Unfortunately, despite several meetings and correspondence – the problem still persists.

CJIA notes the concerns

expressed by the writer and is grateful for the feedback. The corporation apologises to the travelling public and will strive even harder to work with the airlines to improve the timeliness and quality of information supplied to passengers.

Aneka Edwards, Public Relations Officer CJIA

Page Foundation

Tips to handle your child’s first crush

B y E liza BE th D anish

It happens so suddenly, you don’t even realise that the years have flashed by and your baby is no longer a baby. To you, they are still that squealing little bundle that the nurse handed you on the day they were born, but today, everything has changed. Today, your child has a crush. How in the world did this happen? And more importantly, what role do you play in the epic first crush? In the midst of deciding how to discipline, teach, and encourage our children, remembering to learn how to handle their first crush is something that the majority of parents overlook.

The signs

Not all children are going to come right out and start talking about the boy or girl (or teacher!) that they like. It’s also important to realise that first crushes don’t happen in the teen years; according to specialists, you should be ready for your child’s first crush when they are about five or six years old. Many children play coy instead of letting you know how they feel; they may by shy or

embarrassed, but there are a few tell-tale signs that you can look out for:

• The giggles: If your child is suddenly giggly around a friend of the opposite sex or even at the mention of them, it might be time to ask a few more questions. Also watch for signs of embarrassment or shyness when this friend is mentioned; if your little guy or gal’s cheeks turn tomato red, you’ve got a crush on your hands.

• Suddenly romantic: If your child is suddenly interested in the romantic stories in movies that you are watching or if they are suddenly reading every fairy tale book with a kissing prince and princess they own, they may be curious about the feelings that they are having. Take a subtle approach and try to answer their questions without prying until they are ready to talk.

sion 2.0: If your child’s game of “House” suddenly involves marriage, kiss-

es of thinking the opposite sex has “cooties,” so if they are suddenly getting

Feelings, feelings, and more feelings

• Playing house ver -

ing, and romance, it’s a good idea to find out what started it. Children go through several phas-

married 10 times a day, something (or someone) has caused the change.

While you may think that your child’s crush is absolutely adorable and you know that they will have at least 50 more before they reach marrying age, to them, it’s a serious matter. Your child is experiencing brand new feelings that he doesn’t understand and needs to be taken seriously. Do not tease your child; this will only result in hurt feelings and could keep your child from being open to talking to you about their crushes; now and in the future. As you listen to your child, don’t laugh or make light of their feelings; be on the same note and take the same tone as they do.

When your child expresses concern, let them know that having a crush is a wonderful thing and that they will probably have lots of them. Let them know that their feelings are normal, healthy, and perfect! Feelings will come

into play again if and when your child has his or her heart broken. While it may not happen with their first crush, it is bound to happen at some point in their life and they will not be prepared for it; you have to be. While it may seem like something small and trivial to you, for your child, their whole world has just fallen apart. Take their heartbreak seriously and do what you can to help them feel better. Remind them again that there will be lots of crushes and encourage them to realise that they are special and will find someone special to love them back one day. Don’t smother them, since this is something that they will need to be able to get through on their own. You can offer hugs and words of encouragement; a bowl of ice cream and a good movie also work wonders for a broken heart. Just be supportive in whatever way they need you to be, and remember not to make light of the situation.

Set boundaries now

Even though your child is still extremely young when the first crush hits, it’s never too early to start setting boundaries and letting them know what is and is not appropriate and acceptable. Let younger children know that kisses are only for mommy and daddy but that it’s okay to talk to their crush, make him or her cards, or hold their hand. TV and movies nowadays often lead even the youngest children to believe that the only way to let someone know that they care is by kissing; this is something you need to clarify right away.

Elementary school aged children should be talked to about what types of physical affection are appropriate and what is never allowed. Many children today also have cellphones at young ages so texting and appropriate conversation needs to be discussed as well. Once your child is old enough to start wanting to go to the movies and other things with friends, even more boundaries need to be set as to where they can go and what time they are expected to be home.

Setting rules and ensuring your child understands certain things from the very first crush will help with subsequent crushes as they grow up and even dating when they get into their teen years. (healthguidance.org)

Fishermen call for protection

...as two more bodies wash up

By Andrew CArmiChAel

Fishermen on the Corentyne Coast are calling on the authorities to provide more protection against the snares of armed pirates who recently attacked a vessel and reportedly killed all five crew members – the bodies of two of them were found on Monday.

The crew of five were reported missing last week. They left on July 11 aboard the fishing boat Miss Seema and were expected to spend 12 days at sea before returning. Their vessel was found on the Whim Foreshore, Corentyne on July 25.

Police said, in a release, that the decomposed body of Omesh Derhup, 36, of Skeldon, Corentyne, was found on the foreshore at Kildonan, Corentyne, Berbice. Then later, the decomposed body of Naresh Persaud, 22, of Number 72 Village, Corentyne, was found on the foreshore at Alness, Corentyne.

Multiple injuries

Post-mortem examinations were performed on the bodies by Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan who gave the cause of Persaud’s death as multiple injuries. He has not yet disclosed his findings in relation to h Derhup. The investigations are ongoing.

The body of Derhup was discovered on Sunday evening by fisherman Vishal Mangal. He told this publication that he became scared upon making the discovery. “Where me bin going in last night, me see the person an me run out back an me go to the Station and make a report.”

Mangal noted that on Monday he took persons to the location of the body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition. “He had mark on he skin and he one side foot come out.” The detached limb was found some distance away. The other missing crew members are the boat captain, called

“Rajin”; Ramesh Persaud also called “Papo”; and “Prakash”.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Derhup’s mother, Kamila Simon, said she had not seen her son for the past six months. On Monday, she received information that a body had washed up on the shore.

According to Simon, her son was never married and had no children. She said he had no enemies. “All body knew me pickney easy, he na tell nobody nothing.” Derhup leaves to morn his mother, four brothers, and six sisters.

The owner of Miss Seema, Beeram Persaud, explained that after the men did not return to shore as expected, he became worried and on Thursday, started a search for them. According to Beeram Persaud of Number 60 Village, Corentyne, he received assistance from Suriname authorities in the search, but no such assistance was forthcoming from Guyana. The senior fisherman was also unhappy that regional officials have in no way expressed concern.

The search commenced after Miss Seema was discovered without her crew. The boat’s registration and the missing men’s clothing, hats and haversacks were discovered inside the vessel. The engine was intact but no fish, seine or anchor was found. Beeram Persaud believes that the crew were victims of piracy. “Is five of me men loss and two is my nephews; the

ANSA McAL failed to...

Based on the administrative criteria it was then recommended that the NEW GPC and IPA be shortlisted for a physical inspection of their warehousing capacity, as required in the bidding documents.

According to the report as part of the inspection a physical inspection of the warehousing capacity was conducted by the evaluators on April 30 and it was the unanimous opinion of the committee that only NEW GPC met the total warehousing capacity, including cold storage requirements.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon in announcing that NEW GPC was the lone local prequalifier, had stressed the need to deal with reputable companies to avoid the problem

two just like my sons.”

He said Government needs to do more for fisherfolk. The boat owner, who was shot at his home in 2000 during a robbery attack on his family, said stiffer penalties are needed to deter acts of piracy. “We need it to be like in Suriname… If they catch you is 25 or 35 years you getting, but in Guyana they find a man with the boat engine in he house and they put he on $500,000 bail.”

According to Persaud, both Government and law enforcement agencies have to share the blame. “When you catch a pirate and the Police put them in the lockups, somebody calling the big ones in the Police and the Police at the station got to put them on bail and is done the story done there. These are things that the Agriculture Minister supposed to look into; not jus sugar an rice,” Persaud claimed.

Fisherfolk

He added that the way Government has been treating fisherfolk is one of the reasons many of them leave the industry. “The Suriname Government looking [out for] their people and have gun boats to look after their people. That’s what this Government needs to do, look after we own people first.”

Meanwhile, Naresh’s brother, Arvin, who buried his younger sibling on Monday, said he was still looking for the other one. He noted that to date no one from Government has visited the family or offered any assistance in the search. Commenting on piracy, the grieving Persaud said systems must be put in place to have boats equipped with devices that can alert the Police as fishermen in Suriname have.

Fishermen at sea late Monday reported that a third body was discovered. Police are yet to confirm that report. However, Beeram Persaud says the source of the information is authentic.

from page 3

of fake drugs that plague the industry in Guyana. Last year, former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy warned, “We don’t want to buy medicine from companies that are manufacturing fake medicine. In the last five years, out of the 74 times that we went into the private sector to test malaria medicine, 54 times they failed, so we have to be careful.”

Ravie Ramcharitar, General Manager of NEW GPC had told Guyana Times that the company invested billions of dollars to create the proper storage for pharmaceuticals.

“It is not appreciated how complex was the infrastructural network to man the pharmaceutical supply chain for Government. We

Muslims urge peace to mark Eid

As Muslims around the world concluded Ramadan fasting activities and celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, a message of peace and generosity was delivered to Guyana’s own Muslim brothers and sisters at the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana.

Spiritual Advisor and Director of Education at CIOG, Sheikh Moeen ul Hack, who delivered the charge early Monday morning urged that the Islamic community continue in their established ways. “Our five daily prayers did not start with Ramadan and must not end with Eid,” said Hack.

Over the last decade and even more recently, several terrorists attacks in the United States, Middle East, the United Kingdom and parts of Africa have been blamed on the Muslim community, but ul Hack said although it was popular opinion that Muslims are a violent lot, it was up to the brothers and sisters to prove that this was not the case.

“We must promote love instead of hatred, unity instead of disunity, this behaviour is important at a time when there is so much

violence and killing and the Muslims are viewed as a people who are intolerant … it is incumbent on us to practise and promote Islam as the way of life that bring peace...there is no need to respond to the evil of man with anger,” he said.

hired hundreds of qualified Guyanese to create a worldclass manufacturing facility. We were the first in the Caribbean to produce antiretro viral drugs to fight HIV/ AIDS. The truth is we know we out-pointed all the others by the openly stated pre-qualification criteria because they were unwilling to make that investment,” he said.

Ramcharitar also pointed out that pre-qualified suppliers do not provide all the pharmaceuticals to the Health Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Under the rules, there is direct bidding that results in some of the companies, such as IPA, that failed to pre-qualify, winning hundreds of millions of dollars bids for pharmaceuticals and equipment.

He also urged that generosity be practised in is full capacity without hindrances. The CIOG official said unity must prevail despite the existing situations.

“Piety and righteousness implies that we must love the creation of Allah and respect the humanity of every individual, irrespective of their race or religion,” said the spiritual leader.

“The best human beings are those who are most beneficial to mankind, service to humanity is service to God Almighty... real charity is not to give when there is an excess but to give when there is more need for it.”

said the month of Ramadan should serve as a reminder to not only the community but also Guyana’s entire populace. Hinds said emphasis must be placed the ideals of unity and it must not be forgotten in pursuit of worldly riches. “The month of Ramadan reminds us that we must not become slaves to the material things for which we work,” the acting President said.

Meanwhile, Acting President Samuel Hinds

Spiritual Adviser and Director of Education at CIOG, Sheikh Moeen ul Hack greets a Muslim brother

Muslim brothers and sisters offering prayers to Allah

Dead, Omesh Derhup

Rohee dismisses PNCR sabotage claims

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has dismissed outright claims by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) that it tried to sabotage that party’s 18th Biennial Congress held over the weekend.

At the party’s weekly press conference on Monday, General Secretary Clement Rohee said there were more pertinent things to be dealt with than seeking to interfere in the politics of the main Opposition party. “We have other interest to pursue, our party’s interest, so why would the PPP want to... We must be a very influential and powerful party to sabotage a PNC Congress. I think that is just politics.”

Re-elected PNCR leader David Granger had told reporters minutes after the Congress on Sunday evening, that the ruling PPP/ Civic had made failed attempts to ruin the Congress. Despite a walkout by

Lindeners who attended the Congress, Granger insisted that the event was successful.

The Party Leader had hinted too that the PPP had its ways and means of influencing PNC supporters. In response, Rohee exclaimed:

“That is good news; that is wonderful news.” Rohee said he had also heard Granger saying that the PPP would have provocateurs infiltrate the party to create difficulty for the PNC. According to him, that is a “ruse”, as the PNC continued to claim that the PPP would use persons to engage in riots and looting. “That is nothing new,” Rohee said.

Ruse

Questioned on why the PPP has also demonstrated such innate interest in the PNC’s Congress, Rohee said that that party has been, for years, the major rival of his party, so it is obvious that an interest in what they are doing would be apparent.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

“The same way they would have an interest in what we are doing, the same way we would have an interest in them”.

Questions were also about the paid ads in the print media regarding the PNC Congress. However, Rohee denied that the PPP or the Government had any-

thing to do with those.

The advertisement placed in newspapers in the run-up to the Congress on July 25 urged PNC party members attending the event to question their leaders on their reasons for voting down many transformational projects in the National Assembly, wanting to close down the sugar industry and cutting budget allocations for the Amerindian Development Fund and the University of Guyana Students Loan Programme among other initiatives.

The 18th Biennial Congress of the PNCR came to an end Sunday evening amid claims that it was tainted by extensive deception, threats, and coercion. Granger returned to his post as leader after the two contenders Aubrey Norton and Sharma Solomon bowed out of the race. Basil Williams also reclaimed his position as Chairman.

Security guard, 67, on bail for unlawful wounding

A67-year-old security guard was placed on self-bail and a bond to keep the peace on Monday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with unlawful and malicious wounding.

Cecil Anderson, of Lot 56 La Penitence, Georgetown, is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wound-

ing Chandra Sukhram on July 21, on Croal Street, Georgetown. Anderson was not represented by an attorney and pleaded guilty to the charge.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry asked the defendant if he has ever come into conflict with the law previously and he replied in the negative. He was then granted bail. Anderson is expected to return to court on September 22.

ECD man charged with unlawful, malicious wounding

An East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry charged for unlawful and malicious wounding.

Karamchand Seetall, of Lot 263 Company Road, Buxton, ECD, on July, 22 at Kereru Landing, Cuyuni River, allegedly unlawfully and maliciously wounded Donald Jackson, also known as Rasta Man, causing actual bodily harm.

Seetall was unrepresented and told the court that he had never been in trouble with the law before. He then pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted $40,000 bail and was placed on a bond to keep the peace.

The next court hearing for this matter will be on September 22 at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

Eyew tness

What now??

...from PNC

No. Your Eyewitness isn’t going to say, “I told you so about the PNC leadership rigging!”. He’s not even going to gloat. What’s to gloat?? The tragedy and farce that simultaneously unfolded was positively Greek in its inevitability. How could it be otherwise? Your nature will come out, no matter how you try to hide it. No one could’ve expressed more pungently this truth than President Obama: you can put lipstick on a pig...but it’s still a goddamn pig.

The PNC will always be the party of intimidation and bullyism – and that’s why there’s no reason for any Guyanese to gloat. For good or bad, the PNC’s the party of African Guyanese. And for one section of our population to be continuously used as pawns – more like shock troops to intimidate the PPP/C and the populace – doesn’t bode well for Guyana.

More to the point, because he’s been exposed as totally alienated from the ordinary PNC supporter forming its base, Granger in the short term will whip them up into one adventure or another to prove he’s “their man”. And not the weasel he’s shown himself to be up to now. There’s no reason he would’ve allowed the Congress to descend into anarchy if he wasn’t sure he’d lose in “free and fair” elections.

So he’ll have to precipitate some kind of street protest or other – which is sure to plunge Guyana deeper into the coming conflagration. The “hard line” he’s taken on the AML/CFT Bill hasn’t resonated at the grassroots. For Granger and his inner circle of Army sycophants, they might argue they’ve laid siege to the PPP/C’s ability to govern as they strangle the financial system. But the grassroots PNCite wants an “action man”. And strangely for an Army man...this he ain’t.

Those who tried to fight the good fight – not to clean up the party...that’s for Hercules who took care of the Augean Stables after 100 years of horsesh*t – but to finally give the “small man, who never got a chance to be a real man”, they’ll have to move on. As Norton said quite openly, the PPP/C’s not an option, now that he’s been shown the door by Granger.

And of course, the same holds for Greenidge and Clarissa Reihl and others. There’s been talk of them joining the AFC...but that bunch’ll never let anyone into that right little circle. They’ll be back to square one.

If they had any sense, they’d get out there and form a movement that’ll finally place ordinary African Guyanese at the centre. And not as the elite’s house slaves.

...at the Rodney CoI

The Rodney CoI resumes today. The PNC – and their handmaidens in the WPA – had accused the Government of convening it to “sully” their name. The question, of course, is whether you can ever sully “mud”, since the PNC’s name’s been mud from the moment it was formed. Anyhow, that argument is academic right now. Even their worst arch enemies couldn’t have pulled off a stunt like the one that just happened at the Congress in Sophia that showed them to be nothing more than the worst low life.

So what’ll we hear at the CoI??? We hear that the soldiers will be testifying. We don’t know exactly who’ll be those soldiers – but the ones that should testify were all at Congress Place when bullets were flying on Sunday. The soldier who knows more than anyone else about Rodney’s death, of course, is the man who just rigged his way to the PNC’s leadership – David Granger, but was then head of the GDF!!

Burnham and Hoyte rigged national elections against the PPP. Granger topped them by rigging his own party’s election!!! Ow maan!!!!

...for Trotman

We wonder what the Donkey Cart economist, the Flower Boy, the Taxi Driver from Queens and Asquith are all now saying about their “Messiah for Democracy”, Granger?

PPP concerned by GECOM’s move to Claims and Objections exercise

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee said that Government has some profound concerns regarding the announcement by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that it was going ahead with its claims and objections exercise.

Noting that a number of persons are still to be properly registered, Rohee said this new development by GECOM is troubling. The PPP has been constantly complaining about thousands of persons who are still to be transferred after migrating inwardly.

GECOM recently announced that beginning August 4, citizens will be allowed to visit GECOM offices around the country to make their claims and objections known. This process should take some 21 days.

Rohee said the Party was concerned because Local Government Elections will only involve residents of voting age in the six municipalities and the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) around the country. In this situation, the concern of the PPPnominated commissioners of GECOM and the Party that 37,000 voters still have to be placed in constituencies must be publicly answered. “If the claims and objections period is in anticipation of the re-

gional and general election, the requirement of residency is not as stringent and absolute as in the case of Local Government Elections where voters must be registered and placed in a specific constituency,” he told reporters at the Party’s Robb Street Office.

Ramifications

He explained that before the closure of the Sixth Cycle of Registration, the Party had formally registered its concern to GECOM over the number of persons still to do transfers and had sought an extension of the cycle. However, that request was denied. He noted that the Party will be studying the constitutional ramifications of the announcement of the claims and objection period in the absence of any official indication from the Head of State for National Election or the Local Government Minister for Local Government Elections. GECOM, as provided for in the Constitution, manages the election, Rohee said, adding that the body does not have the mandate to summon an election. In this regard, the issue of the qualifying date of October 31 for any citizen who is 18 years of age begs the same question, he said.

“More disturbing is that no one is clear. Exactly a week before the commencement of GECOM’s claims and objec-

tives period, whether the activity is in anticipation of a general or regional election or Local Government Elections, the issue is of critical importance and GECOM’s silence is deafening. … they (residents) will be disenfranchised both as voters and as potential candidates for NDC or municipality if they desire”.

Rohee said the Party is also deeply concerned with the way in which staff for the claims and objections period in regions around the country are being hired without any public advertisement. “This is a complete departure from the manner in which registration and election staff has been handled and calls on the general public to take nothing for granted,” Rohee lamented.

The right to free and fair elections, he said, has been attained after a long struggle and must be preserved at all cost. Notwithstanding the concerns, the Party calls on every citizen of voting age to take advantage of the period of claims and objections to preview the preliminary voters list and make sure that everything is in order. “The first 21 (days) after August 4 will be assigned to claims. Eight days, including August 4, will be assigned for objections. Failure to take every precaution will cause persons to become disenfranchised,” he warned.

Granger's supporters claim they're satisfied with elections result

While some members of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) have openly expressed utter disgust at the party’ elections at the 18th Biennial Congress, some have said that they are satisfied with the process.

Party leader David Granger’s challenger Aubrey Norton had pulled out of the leadership race moments before the polling began on Sunday.

He had cited wrong doings as his reason for pulling out of the race. But Granger is challenging anyone with evidence of this to come forward.

Dissatisfied Lindeners, who contended that they have

had enough with the alleged shenanigans of the PNCR to ensure that Granger was reelected, were the highlight of Sunday’s Congress after they stormed through the gates, contending that they have had enough with the party.

They were supporters of Norton and were reportedly registered to vote but were not allowed to do so.

Former Speaker and long-serving PNCR Member Clarissa Riehl has since resigned from the party while Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSAM) National Secretary Adel Lilly promised to follow suit.

Guyana Times approached a few delegates as

they were leaving Congress Place for a comment, but they refused. The delegates were mainly Granger supporters. Some did speak with Guyana Times but on condition of anonymity.

One woman pointed out that she understands that the Lindeners have some issues with the process, but their storming out of Congress Place was not the way to solve a problem. But the Lindeners stormed out due to their dissatisfaction with the Voter’s List and the opening of firing after they became vociferous on the matter.

The others voiced satisfaction with the process.

Catholic teachers open regional conference

The Caribbean Association of Catholic Teachers (CACT) opened their 23rd Biennial Conference for regional Catholic teachers, under the theme “Catholic Educators as Agents of Change in the Caribbean”, on Monday at Marian Academy, the only Catholic school in Guyana.

The conference which will conclude on August 3, features teachers from several Caribbean regions, including Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and Guyana.

It will be held at the St Paul’s Pastoral Centre in Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara and will focus on the educational environment in general and the evolving role of Catholic educators.

Although the emphasis is on Catholic teachers and Catholic education, the sessions and workshops will be opened to interested nonCatholic educators, whether they work in public or private institutions of learning.

Caribbean Association of Catholic Teachers President Joan Walker stated that she was very grateful that despite the challenges the group faced, they were able to meet to plan and perfect the future of their organisation.

She told the conference’s participants that this occasion provided them with the opportunity, as Catholic teachers, to work in collab-

oration with the church in bringing about the change that they have been envisioning for years, and to revive proper morals and values in society.

Bishop of Roseau, mentioned that the churches of the Caribbean have made great efforts to educate their regions. He stated that this year’s theme was particularly apt to promote examination of the challenges faced by Catholic teachers.

The Bishop mentioned that it was most urgent for CACT’s discussions to assist the teachers on how they reflect on their own lives and to always view themselves in positive light as Catholic teachers. He also encouraged them to always be aware of the ones that may look up to them. Bishop Malzaire urged the teachers to continuously question what they are bringing to the table as it relates to the education of young minds. He believes the time has come for Catholic teachers to be the strongholds of the teaching systems in their countries. He said

Walker encouraged teachers to remain determined in their efforts for betterment and to not be afraid to step out of their comfort zones to accomplish a task, as they are to serve as role models to young people, and to educate the students about the Gospel.

Walker told the CACT members that she is committed to moving forward with them to bring about “the change that is desperately needed in today’s society, especially in his day and age”.

Bishop Gabriel Malzaire,

Catholic teachers cannot be a bystander, concerned only with the intellectual information that is required, but that they must also see themselves as a religious entity.

He expressed the hope that this year’s conference will provide them all with the opportunity to learn the means of what it takes to truly be considered a Catholic teacher.

CACT President Joan Walker giving her remarks

Bishop Gabriel Roseau speaking to participants of the conference

PPP presses Speaker on complaints against AFC MPs

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday said it was still awaiting a response from Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman about the conflict-of-interest claims involving Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and member Cathy Hughes.

General Secretary Clement Rohee said the PPP, through its Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, had written to Speaker Trotman, calling on him to refer both Hughes and Ramjattan to the Committee of Privileges over two matters of conflict of interest. According to Rohee, Hughes’ company was hired to handle the public relations of Sithe Global, a company working with the Government on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project., while her husband, Nigel Hughes, was employed as the Company Secretary on the same project. However, neither of these financial interests was voluntarily made public.

“Neither of these pecuniary interests were made public at the time of the debate on the first hydroelectric bill and the debt ceiling

Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader

motion which were defeated, nor on the second hydroelectric bill, which was passed as the debt ceiling motion, which was amended by the AFC.”

Criminal matter

Rohee said the House and public have every right to be made aware of the pecuniary interest of Hughes as she had benefited financially from such an engagement. More than that, he said, the party takes note of such transgression by Members of Parliament (MPs), citing the Erskine May Parliamentary Practice, which states that

Alliance For Change (AFC) member Cathy Hughes

the offer of money to any parliamentarian for the promotion of any matter whatsoever to be transacted in Parliament is considered a crime.

In the absence of this public disclosure, Rohee said, Hughes should have recused herself from participation in the voting process.

Meanwhile, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan’s alleged conflict of interest is weighed in the level of support given to the Specialty Hospital. Rohee noted that Ramjattan’s client FeddersLloyd had placed a bid for the tender of the Specialty

Hospital in 2012. During that time, Ramjattan had supported the budgetary allocation for the hospital. However, in 2013, when his client lost the bid, he voted against the allocation for the hospital.

The General Secretary’s claim is that Ramjattan reportedly did not declare his interest in the project, and was, therefore, in violation of Standard 107. Ramjattan, he claimed, did not recuse himself from voting on the budgetary allocation on the Specialty Hospital.

The Party has also taken notice of the public declaration by the owner of the Pegasus Hotel that he was financier of the AFC during the 2011 General Election. Rohee said Ramjattan publicly declared that he was opposed to the Marriott Hotel. “Ramjattan has consistently tried to oppose the Marriott Hotel. This is a passing coincidence,” Rohee declared.

According to him, the PPP will move motions concerning these MPs in accordance with Standard Order 32:2, and looks forward to the Speakers’ support in sending the matter to the Committee of Privileges.

Body of man found in Mon Repos yard

The body of a man of East Indian descent in his mid-40s was discovered on Monday afternoon in his Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara yard.

According to information

reaching Guyana Times, the discovery was made sometime around 15:30h by a neighbour. The Police were immediately summoned and upon inspection, they found that the man was dead.

Reports reaching this newspaper revealed that the man, who is yet to be identified, lived alone in a shack, a short distance from where he was found.

Neighbours are unaware

of what might have caused the man’s death; however, they said that he was an alcoholic and did not seem to have a stable job.

According to reports, the man was married and has

Green Jah was a big boy in de Harmy

Guyana is a land of plenty tings, but it startin to look like a land of plenty abuse as well. Harding complain bout abuse, then he turn round and abuse some body in GT, plus rob dem same time. He gyal friend abuse some body and she end up inside four walls wid a small grill window in New Amsterdam.

De other day a man in Berbice abuse a lil gyal and get ketch. Now he end up fuh de next 25 years in one of dem same small room wid grill window like Hardin gyal friend. By de time he come outta deh, he gon deeply understand whah is abuse.

Over in de s*ity council, Sober and de Greens abusin one another every day. That is de first place ever call a press conference to show how some body can wine. Old Green he self didn’t know that de other Green and Sober had all dem movements. He ain’t want King Kong fuh Tongue Clerk no more.

A reporter seh when old Green see de movements, he remember young Green right away and smile. No wonder Green like de Mayor-fuh-Life wuk so much, even though he got to buy he own gas. Wid that kinda winin whah goin on in front of Green, he wanna wuk night and day plus whole weekend.

Now, Nutten (Green Jah seh so) complain that Green Jah abuse he. De Linden gyal and all de Linden people also complain how Green Jah abuse dem. Green Jah was, of course, a big boy in de Harmy and every body know whah dem big boys does do lil boys in deh. So abuse ain’t new to de Leader.

Oscar de bite man does look and learn from Green Jah, so he try to abuse de gyal from Linden. But de Linden gyal don’t tek last lick, so she lick back de bite man. Oscar admit he never know a lick could be as hard as a bite.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now that he know, Oscar gon lick more and bite less!

children; however, he and his wife separated a few years ago. Efforts by this publication to get the identity of the man proved futile.

The body of the man was picked up by porters from

the Lyken Funeral Parlour around 18:00h. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the body by Wednesday. The Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Barbados to host Tourism Ministers confab

Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and Barbadian Tourism and International Transport Minister Richard Sealy recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 22nd Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism.

The Caribbean country will host the event to be held on September 3-4 in Bridgetown, under the theme, “Tourism Competitiveness: An Essential Component of Sustainability”.

During the signing ceremony, Secretary General Insulza welcomed the support provided by the Government of Barbados for the realisation of the conference. He added, “The theme you have chosen is certainly in accordance with the times in which we live today in this industry where we need

to be competitive.” The head of the hemispheric institution particularly stressed that the next ministerial

meeting should help deepen cooperation and dialogue between ministers, the private sector, and academics in the

field. For his part, Minister Sealy said his country “is well-poised and ready to de-

liver the conference”. The Barbados Government representative stressed the importance of the next meeting, as tourism has become one of the most important industries in the world and is a significant economic force in the Caribbean. The Minister added that “tourism is not only an economic activity that generates employment, but is also a catalyst for achieving important strategic objectives: community development, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.”

The ceremony for the signing of the MoU was held at OAS Headquarters in Washington, DC. The meeting was attended by OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert Ramdin; the Chair of the Permanent Council and Representative of St Lucia, Ambassador Sonia Johnny; the Permanent Representative of Barbados to the OAS, Ambassador

John Beale; the coordinators of the regional groups SICA, Ambassador Nestor Mendez; ALADI [the Association for Latin American Integration], Ambassador Diego Pary; Caricom, Ambassador Deborah-Mae Lovell; and the Executive Secretary for Integral Development of the OAS, Sherry Tross. The Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism is the principal hemispheric forum for dialogue and policy development in tourism. The Congress serves as an important platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices, and provides a mechanism to sponsor technical studies, strengthen communication between Government agencies and the private sector, consider technical cooperation proposals, and support member states in their efforts to develop the tourism sector.

OAS SG José Miguel Insulza and Barbados Tourism and International Transport Minister Richard Sealy signing the MoU

Khemraj Ramjattan

Police outreaches yielding success – Commander Hicken

The Commander of A Division (Georgetown), Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken, said the community outreach programmes conducted by the Guyana Police Force are yielding much success, as the Force is striving to regain the confidence of the public.

Speaking to Guyana Times , Hicken explained that the Force is focusing more on intelligence-driven policing rather than proactive strategies such as roadblocks and patrols. As such, it has to work on rebuilding its relationship with the public and win back their confidence in order to keep intel coming in.

The Commander explained that through these initiatives, the Police are able to better interact with the Public and at the same time, determine what needs to be done to curb crime-related activities in communities.

Commander Hicken has been conducting a series of community outreaches with the most recent held in Diamond on Saturday. He disclosed that an analysis was recently conducted in Albouystown and it shows

that there was a “drastic decline” in crime immediately after the Impact Albouystown Project was launched in the community.

Additionally, he noted that the Police have also introduced the project in Agricola, but in the form of a patrol, and have seen a reduction in crime there also.

Hicken emphasised that he was focused on building and empowering youths because they are vulnerable and can be easily coerced into criminal activities

without proper guidance.

According to the A Division Commander, outreach exercises help him to identify the weakness within the Police Force and develop strength from those weaknesses. “We recognised that more people are coming onboard as against having a barrier between members of the public and Police. These outreach programmes also help us to understand what people are facing going into the stations,” HIcken said.

He noted that several hotline numbers were established for the public to make contact with the Divisional Commanders and senior officers when junior ranks behave unprofessionally and undisciplined. Hicken explained that by raising such issues with senior officers such as the Sub-Division Officer, the imperative will be on the Force to address those problems and improve its service towards the people.

The Commander stated that Police are supposed to work within a framework of professionalism and display a professional code of conduct at all times.

NOC receives $1M for re-tooling of catering class

The catering class at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) has received a considerable boost in the form of equipment that will enhance the delivery of the course at the institution.

The funding for the retooling of the catering class was donated by Eerepami, a German organisation.

Some of the items include a percolator, ice maker, kitchen scales, mixing and oven bowls, tawa, meat mincer, tea pots, pastry decorating set, cookie press and icing set, knife set, measuring spoons, stove, freezer, fridge, microwave, pressure cooker, juicer and other cook ware items.

This is not the first time the organisation has assisted the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry; a few years ago they helped with the water sanitisation system at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC), and with the development of the joinery, masonry and the establishment of the catering class at the NOC.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony noted that he is very pleased to partner with Eerepami and the other German donor agencies. He noted that the organisation has always been willing to step forth in challenging times.

Further, the students who benefited from the

support have graduated from their respective programmes and have moved on to be very productive individuals.

The Minister recalled that several years ago, the organisation gave assistance in a water supply system at KKTC, which had a positive impact on the lives of the students there. Another area of support resulted in the recreation of the Giant Slot at the National Museum.

The retooling of the catering class adds to the curriculum at the NOC, which was revised last year. This is also important because of the fact that most of the programmes offered at the institution are male oriented.

Eerepami representative Robert Spitzer recalled his days at high school where taking a home economics class was compulsory. He indicated

that being able to cook is an important life skill.

He noted that while the NOC has a central kitchen, it is also important for the students to have a separate classroom with the necessary tools to advance the catering class. Spritzer also commended the caterers at the institution.

The partnership between Eerepami and the NOC through the MCYS has been extended by another year, and it is hoped that it can extend further.

Acting Assistant Director of Youth Brian King explained that the items donated are just the start of more to come. He added that Eerepami will be helping with the establishment of two remedial classrooms and one dormitory.

Further, the Food for the Poor is also contributing one container of beds, furniture and other items.

tuesday, july 29, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Reflect on noble lessons learnt during Ramadan – IAC

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) is pleased to join with all Guyanese in extending Eid Mubarak to the Muslim Community.

As our brothers and sisters celebrate this great festival, which climaxes the end of the holy month of Ramadan, it is an appropriate time for us to reflect on the noble lessons learnt in Ramadan.

The IAC congratulates

all Muslims who gathered to pray and break fast at their mosques over the past month thus, strengthening their commitment to their faith and their covenant with their creator.

The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to remember those adherents of Islam, who are being oppressed, brutalised and killed in various parts of the world at this time.

The IAC stands ready to work with our Muslims brother and sisters to eradicate poverty by reaching out to the less fortunate in supporting all forms of charity. May the teachings of Ramadan encourage all Guyanese to build greater family values, promote peace, brotherhood and unity among our people.

Eid Mubarak

PPP extends Eid-ul-Fitr greetings

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends greetings to all Guyanese, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of Eid-ulFitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr brings to an end a month of fasting and worship in which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk which serves to reinforce the universal values of discipline, care, and compassion embodied in the teachings of Islam.

The PPP commends our Muslim brothers and sisters for reminding us, and the entire world, of the lessons of Ramadan – sacrifice, selflessness, reaching out to others, and the abandonment of greed.

The Party calls on all Guyanese to reflect on these values especially at this time when there are dark forces, which seek to divide us and disrupt the peace, progress and prosperity, which have now characterised our economic, social, and cultural life.

The PPP takes this opportunity to call for an end to the conflict and tension in the Middle East, more particularly an immediate and unconditional end to the killings of innocent men, women and children by the Israeli military in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. So far, over 1000 Palestinian lives have been lost since the bombings started a few weeks ago.

The PPP has taken note of the fact that the killings took place during the holy month of

Ramadan which speaks to the total lack of concern for the feelings and sensitivities of Muslims and for that matter, the global community as a whole.

Let us use this most important occasion to reflect on the deep meaning of sacrifice, love of mankind and working together for a better life for ourselves and our country. Once again, a happy and joyous Eid-ul-Fitr to all Muslims.

Eid Mubarak to all.

The Commander of A Division (Georgetown), Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken

Entrance to the New Opportunity Corps

President Ramotar in Caricom discussion with Japan

President Donald Ramotar and oth-

er Caricom Heads of Government on Monday met with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe where a number of issues to strengthen relations were discussed.

The meeting was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The forum, the first summit meeting of Caricom Heads of State and Government and their Japanese counterpart took place as the countries are celebrating in 2014 CaricomJapan Friendship Year, to mark 20 years since their first formal engagement in 1993.

The discussions centred on the vulnerabilities faced by Caricom member countries towards achieving sustainable economic growth, strengthening the relations between Japan and Caricom at the bilateral level and enhancing cooperation at the multilateral level.

In his intervention, President Ramotar expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Abe’s recognition of the developmental challeng-

es of Caricom member states, particular the issue of graduation which has seen those member states now qualified as middle or high income countries no longer being eligible for concessional loans and grants from international financial institutions.

He acknowledged Prime Minister Abe’s stated support to represent the position of Caricom member states on this issue in the forums of the developed countries.

President Ramotar highlighted financing for development as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals that was still to reach its target as very few developed countries had made good on the pledge of 0.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards developmental assistance to vulnerable countries. He requested Prime Minister Abe’s further support in advancing the need for this commitment to be met.

With reference to climate change, President Ramotar thanked Prime Minister Abe for his Government’s assis-

tance to Caricom member states in the area of humanitarian responses to natural disasters and in the promotion of measures to address adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.

In their bilateral meeting, the leaders of Guyana and Japan took the opportunity to reiterate their desire to enhance the relations of the two countries. President Ramotar referred to renewable energy, infrastructure and science and technology as areas where Guyana could benefit from Japan’s expertise and assistance. He also encouraged investment from Japanese companies particularly in the area of extraction of minerals. It was agreed that the two sides would pursue these and other areas of cooperation in the near future.

President Ramotar was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

Stronger minimum wage elusive in Caribbean – ECLAC forum told

Work is the master key for advancing towards greater equality in Latin American and Caribbean countries, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Antonio Prado said last week at an event organised by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Although important progress has been made in the last decade in the region with greater participation in the labour market, a stronger minimum wage and reduced unemployment and labour informality challenges remain in terms of income, the egalitarian participation of men and women, pension coverage, and the load of unpaid work, among other issues, the senior United Nations official contended.

Prado gave a conference during the first day of the International Forum of Trade Unions and Progressive Parties, whose motto is “Decent Work as a Prerequisite for Equality”.

The meeting, which first emerged in 2013, promotes dialogue between political and union leaders on the sustainability of the transformations that are being carried out in

ECLAC Executive Secretary Antonio Prado

the region.

During his presentation, the Deputy Executive Secretary unveiled the main conclusions of the institutional document “Compacts for Equality: Towards a Sustainable Future” introduced to the region’s countries at ECLAC’s 35th session, held in May in Lima, Peru. In that document, ECLAC proposes seven compacts or transformational pillars to achieve development with equality and environmental sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

One of those that stands out is a social and labour com-

Caribbean students being deprived of one day's teaching per week – World Bank

Every week, public school students in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are deprived of the equivalent of one full day of class, according to a new World Bank report.

Based on unprecedented research involving the observation of more than 15,000 classrooms in 3000 primary and secondary schools in seven Latin American countries, the report, “Great Teachers: How to Raise Student Learning in Latin America and the Caribbean”, describes how teacher absenteeism, poor preparation, low skill level and pay, as well as weak school leadership, all serve to cheat students. The report is a powerful contribution to the growing body of research on how to improve the quality of instruction and learning results.

The report comes as experts mull over just how Latin America will maintain levels of growth that made recent poverty and inequality reduction possible. Innovation, competitiveness, Government reform, and ed-

portant element to broaden opportunities for all Latin Americans than a quality education”, and he emphasised that “it is hard to think of a more significant player to raise educational quality than the region’s teachers”.

For a Region in need of enhancing student learning, this is a sign that much more needs to be done to recruit, groom and motivate great teachers.

Global research

According to global research, students with the best teachers advance 1.5 grade levels or more per year, while those with the worst teachers master 0.5 year of curriculum or less. That research also shows clearly that the economic and social benefits of national education spending depends on what students’ learn – and not how many years they stay in school. If Mexico raised its average student performance on PISA to Germany’s level, its annual long-term GDP growth could rise by two percentage points.

the Region appear trapped in a low-level equilibrium of low standards for entry into teaching, relatively low and undifferentiated salaries, weak instruction in the classroom, and poor educational outcomes,” according to Barbara Bruns, the author of the report, “Moving to a high-level equilibrium will be difficult but it is an effort that the Region can’t afford to postpone”. At a time of diminished public resources, the report makes a significant contribution in helping identify where priorities should be assigned. Among its striking findings is the fact that teachers in countries with the largest investment on “One Laptop per Child” initiatives actually spent the lowest share of total class time using information and communications technologies. Challenges ahead for the Region are mixed. Over the next decade, the declining size of school-aged population in about half of the countries in the region, notably the Southern Cone, could make it substantially easier

pact that would allow countries to take advantage of the state´s redistributive capacity in the different areas in which inequality manifests itself on the job market. The institutional role in labour must accompany, according to ECLAC, the process of productive transformation of the region’s economies, reducing gaps in terms of gender, productivity and distribution between capital and work.

ECLAC also proposes fiscal and investment compacts and other accords to improve the provision of public services, guarantee environmental sustainability, and promote the governance of natural resources and international cooperation beyond 2015.

“After years of prosperity, the region faces a more difficult external context with less economic dynamism, and therefore efforts must be redoubled. The state must continue to make fiscal policies and public spending more progressive, with strengthened institutions that promote equality in their various spheres,” Prado said. The President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) João Antonio Felicio and Uruguay’s Social Development Minister Daniel Olesker commented on the presentation by ECLAC’s Deputy Executive Secretary.

ucation are typically cited as the requisite economic engines for further prosperity. Yet on the OECD’s programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test in 2012, the eight participating LAC countries were at the bottom of the scale for middle-income countries – although a few countries, such as Chile, Brazil and Peru have made important gains from previous years.

Human capital

The report was launched on Thursday at the Regional Education Solutions Forum, held at the Catholic University in Lima, Peru and with the participation of Peru’s First Lady, Nadine Heredia. In her speech, the First Lady noted that “in the case of Peru, we need to find a way to make our growth sustainable, and to do that investing in human capital will be essential as it is the way to develop more innovation capacity, technology, research and productivity.’’

Jorge Familiar, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean said that “it is hard to think of a more im-

The report sheds important light on who Latin America’s teachers are today: Their pay incentives are low. Their monthly salaries in 2010 were between 10 and 50 per cent lower than salaries for other “equivalent” professionals and have been throughout the 2000s. They have more formal education than other professional and technical workers, but start out academically weaker than the overall pool of higher education students. Seventy-five per cent are women.

Students majoring in education are of lower socio-economic status and are more likely to be first-generation university students. The teaching force in the Region is aging. The average teacher in some countries is more than 40 years old.

While many countries in the Region are producing an excess supply of new teachers, it is still difficult to find adequate teachers for secondary level Mathematics, Science, and high quality bilingual teachers (Spanish/indigenous language) in rural areas.

“Virtually all countries in

to raise teacher quality; in the other half of the Region, especially Central America, the need for more teachers will make this harder to achieve.

Teacher quality

The report’s good news, however, is that most LAC countries are sharpening their focus on teacher quality. It distills the global research evidence and latest LAC experience with innovative programmes and major reforms in three priority areas: Policies to recruit better teachers; programmes to groom or develop the skills of teachers already in service and stronger incentives to motivate top performance, which will make the profession more attractive and selective over time. In analysing the design and implementation of major teacher policy reforms in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Mexico, the report chronicles the decisive role of teachers’ unions, the value of finding consensus solutions, and how to build the broad support of civil society that has underpinned successful and sustainable reforms.

Every week, public school students in Latin America and the Caribbean are deprived of the equivalent of one full day of class, a World Bank report says

President Donald Ramotar in discussion with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

GCAA warns airline operators on safety practices

Amid a series of aircraft accidents in the hinterland, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the country’s aviation watchdog has re-issued a notice to aircraft operators in accordance with the standards and recommended practices of the Convention on International Civil Aviation when landing on hinterland airstrips.

This notice was re-circulated as a precautionary measure, the GCCA said. “It was something that had to be done because we are very

concerned. Recently, several aircraft have encountered gusty winds and wind shear conditions that have resulted in damage to these aircraft,” disclosed Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said.

As per standard operation practice, pilots were reminded of the need to follow the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) procedurally when operating. “Each aircraft has its own peculiar reaction in response to crosswinds, but generally a good crosswind landing begins with a good

approach. This is taught to pilots and every opportunity must be taken to re-enforce this,” GCAA Director General Zulficar Mohamed emphasised in the bulletin.

Pointing to the fact that the landing phase is very demanding, operators are advised to have their pilots follow the approved procedures in order to maintain proper approach and landing. If these parameters are not achieved, a go-around or diversion is necessary.

The option of the goaround manoeuvre, an

aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach, was highlighted in the bulletin.

“This procedure should be a habit in everyday Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flying, so that a predetermined goaround plan is always fresh in the mind during the approach and can be executed at any time the approach is in doubt. Most importantly, in situations where meteorological conditions or terrain features would permit an approach but preclude a safe go-around, then that

Caricom leaders pleased with Japanese response on key issues

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) “were heartened” by their Japanese counterpart’s positive response to a number of issues raised during their one-day summit on Monday.

Speaking at a Joint Press Announcement in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago following the first ever Caricom-Japan Summit, Caricom Chairman and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said he and his colleague leaders “are heartened” by the response of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on a number of issues such as reform of international financial governance.

“The case therefore would need to be made to the international community by development partners such as Japan, for new alternative sources of development financing to be made available to Caricom states and other middle income countries with similar vulnerabilities,” he said.

This is of particular importance to Caricom countries faced with the loss of concessionary development financing due to their classification as Middle Income Countries which precludes them from access to such funding based on their per capita income. Prime Minister Browne said “we welcomed Japan’s support for including the issue of

vulnerability in this regard as a criterion”.

The regional leaders stressed to their counterpart that Japan’s support through using its influence in institutions where these determinations are made was needed.

“Caricom would welcome Japan’s assistance in advocating on behalf of the Caribbean Region in fora such as the United Nations, the G8 and G20, so that there could be a better understanding of the problems that these countries face,” the Caricom Chairman added.

The leaders discussed areas ranging from climate change through sustainable development and cooperation in the international arena. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan’s policy towards Caricom consisted of three pillars. These, he identified as cooperation towards

sustainable development, including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to small island states; deepening and expanding bonds founded on exchanges and friendship; and cooperation in addressing challenges of the international community.

Stressing Japan’s solidarity with the Caricom member states, the Prime Minister said Japan itself was a country that included small islands.

“Japan and Caricom countries are maritime island nations, surrounded by the ocean, enjoying its bless-

ings, and regarding the safety of the ocean as the safety of its own,” he added.

Japan, Prime Minister Abe said, looked “to dramatically expand” the reach of exchanges with Caricom,

which were already elevated through the Japan-Caricom Friendship Year 2014. The parties agreed that there should be regular meetings to further strengthen the relationship.

approach requires extra consideration and perhaps should not be attempted.

“Every pilot already knows that proper planning, making wise decisions, situational awareness, adherence to SOPs and having an alternate plan of action are all characteristics of good airmanship, which are es-

sential for a safe flight.

“It is important that pilots know not only the aircraft crosswind limits, but also their own personal limit and to recognise when these limits will be exceeded. The best option is to divert to another airstrip. Very often the limiting factor is related more to the pilot than the aircraft. It is therefore important to reiterate that the pilot must know his/her limits and operate within them,” Mohamed said.

Operators are also cautioned to ensure that young pilots be taught the necessary skills to operate safely into the hinterland airstrips. Pilots must be given the opportunity to practise and develop these skills, and must be comfortable operating into borderline aerodromes before they are required to operate into the aerodromes as pilot-in-command by their respective companies.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe discusses possible investments in TT

would include areas such as climate change, technical cooperation, trade and investment.

The Caricom Secretariat said that the half day summit is also expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on the upcoming Third United Nations Conference on Small Island States to be held in Samoa in September.

“The summit provides a timely opportunity to advance Caricom’s priorities in these areas and for fostering solidarity between Caricom and Japan,” the statement said.

Haiti’s President says carnival can bring social and economic benefits

Haitian President Michel Martelly said Haiti’s carnival is not only an adventure of popular rejoicing and competition among musical groups for best performances, but it is also an event that can bring social and economic benefits by attracting more tourists, promoting and bolstering the Caribbean country’s culture and image abroad.

As the country prepared to organise the Carnival of Flowers (Carnaval des Fleurs), Martelly explained that the event will attract a

lot people from the Haitian Diaspora and other foreign communities, who will likely serve as Haiti’s ambassadors when they return home after spending a great time in the country.

“It will be a moment during which we can have fun and forget our frustrations and above all this event brings an economic boost for the country,” Martelly told reporters this week.

“Another asset that the carnival brings is that it attracts tourists who spend their money in the country

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday began an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, holding talks with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

and they become ambassadors for Haiti,” he said. “So carnival is not only a question of people dancing and having fun and of (musical groups) competing,” he added.

Since Martelly’s inauguration in May 2011, the country has organised two carnivals a year, compared to one under past administrations. The main and traditional carnival is organised annually at the beginning of the year and used to take place in the capital Port-au-Prince. (Excerpt

Abe, whose first ever visit here, forms part of his trip to Latin America and the Caribbean, will also meet with Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders for talks that the Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat said

A statement issued afterwards said that the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including possible Japanese investment in the oil-rich twin island Republic and the possibility of Port of Spain opening an embassy in Tokyo.

Abe, who was met on arrival here by Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran, expressed his gratitude to the Trinidad and Tobago Government for its decision to waive entry visa requirements for Japanese nationals coming here to conduct business for a maximum period of 90 days. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, arrives in Trinidad

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist, has praised Trinidad for the stance taken on free education. Malala, who arrived on Sunday, said her ultimate goal is to ensure education is free.

“I heard children’s education is free and the BSc is free. This is how it should

be – 100 per cent education should be free. I will be happy to meet with the children and adults.”

Malala’s visit coincides with the tenth anniversary celebrations of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). She is accompanied by her parents and brothers Khan and Khushal Khan, along with Chairman

of The Malala Fund, Eason Jordan, will continue her activism with two speaking engagements on Wednesday and Thursday at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA).

Malala achieved international renown after she was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for education rights for girls and women.

(Caribbean360)

Former Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur resigns

ormer Prime Minister

FOwen Arthur Friday announced his resignation as a member of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which he has led as Prime Minister for 14 years.

He handed in his letter of resignation with immediate effect to the office of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party Friday morning.

Arthur, who led the party to defeat in the 2013 general election but retained his parliamentary seat in the constituency of St Peter, indicated that he will remain in Parliament as an independent member until his term of office comes to an end in 2018.

Arthur was Prime Minister of Barbados from 1994 to 2008, making him the longest serving Barbadian Prime Minister to date. He was also leader of the Opposition in Barbados from 2010 to 2013.

He led The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to victory in the 1994 general elec-

tion and also won the 1999 and 2003 general elections.

The David Thompson led Democratic Labour Party defeated the Barbados Labour Party in the 2008 general election, resulting in Owen Arthur stepping down as party leader, however Arthur remained Member of Parliament for the constituency of Saint Peter.

Arthur returned as BLP leader in 2010, however following the 2013 general

election defeat he was replaced by the current BLP Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley.

Arthur’s resignation from the BLP comes one day after thousands of Barbadians took to the streets to protest against the imposition of the Municipal Solid Waste Tax. However Arthur tried to distance himself from Solid Waste Tax issue as seen in this tweet from the local media company, Barbados Today. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Venezuela Socialist Party holds first post-Chávez congress

Venezuela’s governing United Socialist Party (PSUV) has begun its first congress since President Hugo Chávez died in March last year.

Party leaders have urged delegates to consider proposals that will help consolidate the programme of social reforms initiated by Chávez in 1999. The conference, which ends on Thursday, goes ahead after months of anti-

government protests across the country. The Opposition blames the economic crisis on failed left-wing policies.

The Government says the protests are part of a rightwing plot. “Neo-fascists are trying to take over power in Venezuela, Ukraine, Syria, Libya and Palestine.

But they won’t succeed,” President Nicolas Maduro said earlier this week.

Maduro was elected by

a narrow margin to succeed Chávez in April last year. Since then, Venezuela has become more politically polarised and the economic crisis has deepened. The 537 delegates gathered in Caracas until Thursday have been encouraged to be inspired by the left-wing ideas and determination of Chávez. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Japanese PM opens LatAm tour with Mexico energy deals

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe struck a series of energy deals with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the start of a five-country Latin American tour.

Abe, whose visit to the region comes on the heels of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s, met Pena Nieto at the presidential palace for talks that ended with the signing of a raft of deals.

The new agreements included one between Mexican state oil firm Pemex and Japan’s development bank, and another between Pemex

and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation.

With Japan on the lookout for new power sources after the Fukushima disaster forced the shutdown of its nuclear reactors, energy is high on the Prime Minister’s agenda for the trip.

Mexico is undergoing sweeping changes in its energy sector, with Congress poised to end struggling Pemex’s 75year monopoly and open up the oil and gas sectors to foreign investment.

Pena Nieto hailed the “bold transformations” of Abe’s fiscal stimulus and monetary easing programmes, while Abe drew parallels between their leadership styles, saying both saw reform as a growth strategy.

Travelling with a delegation of Japanese executives and his wife Akie, Abe received a red-carpet greeting at Mexico City airport from Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

The two leaders, both elected in 2012, took turns praising each other for the reforms they have implemented.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) began an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, holding talks with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Former Barbadian Prime Minister Owen Arthur

President Nicholas Maduro holds a picture of Hugo Chávez, who was in office for 14 years

France offers asylum to Iraqi Christians fleeing ISIS

Kerry to woo Modi’s India, but quick progress unlikely

rance announced

FMonday the country would welcome Iraqi Christians forced to leave their homes as ISIS continues to take much of northern Iraq.

In a joint statement, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve denounced ISIS and extended help to Iraqi Christians.

“France is outraged by these abuses that it condemns with the utmost firmness,” they said. “We are ready, if they so desire, to help facilitate asylum on our territory.”

The announcement followed a rally on Sunday in support of Iraq’s persecuted Christians, during which about 5000 people gathered outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Geneviève Jacques, President of France’s refugee NGO La Cimade, told France 24 that the country had to offer help as Iraq’s neighbouring countries like Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon have already been flooded by refugees.

“We are overjoyed that France has offered to open its doors to these populations,” she said. “Especially because there is little place

else for them to go.”

The Islamic State had ordered Christian families to convert to Islam or face persecution. Most left the city under threat of execution, and their abandoned property was forfeited to militants, the AFP reported. The United Nations Security Council had denounced the act, saying it condemned “in the strongest terms the systematic persecution of individuals from minority populations and those who refuse its extremist ideology in Iraq by ISIL and associated armed groups.” (Excerpt from MSN)

MH17 jet downed by missile shrapnel, says Ukraine

Security officials in Ukraine say the downed Malaysia Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine suffered an explosive loss of pressure after it was punctured by shrapnel from a missile.

They say the information came from the plane’s flight data recorders, which are being analysed by British experts. However, it remains unclear who fired a missile, with pro-Russia rebels and Ukraine blaming each other.

Many of the 298 people killed on board flight MH17

were from the Netherlands.

Dutch investigators leading the inquiry into the crash have refused to comment on the Ukrainian claims.

Heavy fighting has prevented an international Police Force composed of Dutch and Australian officers from reaching the crash site for a second consecutive day.

Ukraine’s Army said on Monday it had managed to capture two towns near the wreckage in its bid to win back territory from the hands of the rebels. The in-

ternational delegation was stopped in Shakhtarsk, a town some 20 miles (30km) away from the area where flight MH17 was brought down.

The town was reportedly struck by shelling, causing residents to flee in cars. “We are sick and tired of being interrupted by gunfights, despite the fact that we have agreed that there should be a ceasefire,” said Alexander Hug, the deputy head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) team in Ukraine. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Out of control fire threatens Tripoli

Ahuge fire engulfed

Libya’s biggest fuel storage facility in the capital city of Tripoli on Monday. Authorities have called for international assistance in fighting the “out of control” blaze.

The fire was sparked by fighting between rival militias that has driven the country to chaos three years after the NATObacked revolt that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

Combat over control of the nearby airport forced firefighters to withdraw, abandoning their attempts

to extinguish the blaze ignited by a missile strike that hit millions of litres of fuel.

Foreign governments have looked on powerless as anarchy sweeps across the North African oil producer. Western countries have urged their nationals to leave, shut their embassies and pulled diplomats out, after two weeks of clashes among rival factions of former rebels killed nearly 160 people in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi.

The Netherlands, the

Philippines and Austria on Monday prepared to evacuate diplomatic staff.

The United States, United Nations and Turkish embassies have already shut operations after the worst violence since the 2011 uprising.

Two rival brigades of former rebels fighting for control of Tripoli International Airport have pounded each other’s positions with Grad rockets, artillery fire and cannons for two weeks, turning the south of the capital into a battlefield. (Excerpt from France24)

US Secretary of State John Kerry visits India this week as Washington tries to revitalise ties it sees as a counterbalance to China’s rising power.

The visit by Kerry, and a trip by Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel next month, follow the resounding election win of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May and are meant to create a good climate for Modi’s planned visit to Washington in September.

Analysts say it is only once Modi meets President Barack Obama that the United States may have a more realistic hope for progress on big defence projects, on removing obstacles to US firms’ participation in India’s nuclear power industry, and for firmer statements of shared interests in Asia.

“India will play a much greater role in Asia under the Modi Administration, but it will do so for its own reasons and under its own terms,” said Ashley Tellis of Washington’s Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank.

Four years ago, Obama declared the US-India rela-

tionship would be “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century” and last week the State Department called it one of “enormous strategic importance.”

The two countries are in many ways natural allies, as big democracies with shared concerns about Islamist militancy and the rise of China.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Children killed in Gaza playground shelling

Missiles have struck several sites in Gaza, including a park inside a refugee camp and an outpatient building of the strip’s largest hospital, disrupting a relative lull at the start of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Eight people, including seven children, died following missile fire on a park inside the Shati refugee camp on the edge of Gaza City, medics said. The children were playing on a swing when the strike hit the park, Ayman Sahabani, the head of the emergency

room at Shifa hospital, told reporters.

Munzer al-Derby, 35, who witnessed the strike, told Al Jazeera: “The kids were playing on the wheel... A rocket fell and cut them apart.”

“I know some of them. They were from Al-Helou family who left their homes in Shujayea (east Gaza city, where massive artillery fire destroyed neighbourhoods). They came here and rented an apartment last week.” al-Derby said.

The Israeli Army swiftly denied it was behind the

strike, tweeting that a misfired rocket from Gaza had hit the playground. “We had no activity in the area. We know it was launched from within Gaza and landed short,” Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, an Israeli army spokesman, said. However Hamas denied it had fired any rockets in the area and said it was “categorically an airstrike by Israel”. It said it had collected schrapnel from the scene that it could prove was from an Israeli munition. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ebola outbreak: Liberia shuts most border points

Most border crossings in Liberia have been closed and communities hit by an Ebola outbreak face quarantine to try to halt the spread of the virus. Screening centres are also being set up at the few major entry points that will remain open, such as the main airport.

Meanwhile, Nigeria largest’s airline, Arik Air, has suspended all flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone after a man with Ebola flew to Nigeria last week. The virus has killed at least 660 people in West Africa since February.

The outbreak began in southern Guinea and spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. It is the world’s deadliest so far. Nigeria has put all its entry points on red alert after

confirming that a Liberian man died of Ebola after arriving at Lagos airport on Tuesday last.

Ebola kills up to 90 per cent of those infected, but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment. It spreads through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.

Arik Air said it took the decision to halt flights as a precautionary measure and called for all inbound flights to Nigeria from Ebola-affected countries to be suspended. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iraqi Christians attend a mass in Baghdad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

tuesday, July 29, 2014

Govt still to determine cause for low gold declaration

– miners tie it to reduced production

Government is yet to determine the reason for the 16 per cent drop in gold declaration, but the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGMDA) maintains that the reduction is as a result of a decline in production.

The miners have mined out the areas that are accessible and are now looking to go deeper into Guyana’s interior in search of more precious minerals, President of the Association Patrick Harding has said. According to Harding, the drop is not because of hoarding, but it comes as a result of miners not producing the amount of gold that they previously would. Presently, gold prices are tumbling internationally and there is a practical standoff between the Government and local miners over the low declaration.

According to Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, for the first half of 2014, the Gold Board only recorded 233,305 ounces of the precious commodity being declared in comparison to 270,178 ounces last year, which would equal to the 16 per cent decrease in declarations.

The total gold declaration for January to May has been given as 165,595 ounces, while some 204,970.42 ounces were declared for the corresponding period last year. Persaud explained that the Ministry and Government

cannot point definitely to any cause of the decrease in gold declaration, but alluded to the fact that it may be because of environmental issues.

Albeit the declaration in the drop in gold prices, Persaud reaffirmed of Government’s commitment for expansion in the mining sector.

Persaud told reporters gathered at a press conference on Friday that there was a 68 per cent increase in mining activity. He pointed out too that there were 469 new mining permits issued which represents an 89 per cent increase for the same period of January to May last year. He added too that there was a 39 per cent increase in the amount of prospecting licenses being granted to miners. It was explained that the sector is expected to return to performances similar to last year by the end of 2014.

Persaud also pointed out that the Charity office of the Gold Board will soon be operated by a private businessman. Additionally, there will also be a new office in Port Kaituma, which will also be operated by a private businessman.

Auctions and lotteries

Persaud also related that the Ministry will be holding auctions and lotteries in August after a five-year hiatus. He explained that miners will be able to buy concessions at the lotteries and auctions, but they will also be able to access the geological data of the area.

The geological data would determine whether the possibility for gold and other mineral deposits in an area and in what amount.

To this direction, three major firms are expected to join the mining sector. Those companies include ETK Sand Springs, which according to its website is a Canadian-listed gold mining company. The other companies are Guyana Gold Fields Inc and Troy Resources Inc.

Persaud also articulated that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has taken additional steps to enhance existing infrastructure, roads in particular. He said some $1.5 billion has been allocated overall for the rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure.

“This is dedicated work being done for more mining access in mining roads, this isn’t taking into account what the Public Works Ministry will do,” the Minister said.

In the same vein, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)

Chairman Clinton Williams said the Commission is cognisant of the need for a more “holistic” approach to tackling the issues affecting the sector.

“We have concluded preparations and plans to launch auction… we have lotteries for the six mining districts and these lotteries are scheduled for the 18th of August so these two important activities will see hundreds of individuals… who currently do not have access to their own properties,” said Persaud. He explained too that the lotteries will give the smaller-scale miners the opportunity to access their own concessions.

To this end, he advised that the GGMC Board is looking to put in place a system of prequalified contractors. He explained that this venture will save time since it is a long process to acquire a contractor.

Man seriously injured in Timehri accident

Afather of three sustained serious injuries following an accident at Hyde Park, Timehri on Monday morning, relatives have confirmed.

Sydney Fredericks called “Skat”, 37, of Prison Area, Timehri, East Bank Demerara is reportedly in a serious condition, nursing several broken bones about his body at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to information received, Fredericks was travelling along the Timehri Public Road about 01:30h when the accident occurred. He was reportedly riding his CG motor cycle when a car that was heading in the opposite direction collided with him. Fredericks was reportedly flung off his motorcycle, landing heavily on the roadway.

Errol Greaves, a cous-

in of the injured man told Guyana Times that he had just dropped home a friend, and as he was heading back home, he saw the car and a motorcycle on the roadway, but passed straight.

“When I reached the airport, I turned and tell the guys that I passed an accident on my way home and it was this time they tell me ‘Skat’ just passed on his motorcycle… I immediately turned around,” he said.

When he arrived at the scene, he did not see anyone but after looking around, he saw his injured cousin lying on the corner of the road covered in blood. Greaves said he picked up the bloodied man, placed him into the car and drove to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. He said there was no porter and doctor at the hospital at the time to assist; hence,

he went straight to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated. He was examined and taken to the X-ray department and then straight to the theatre where he underwent emergency surgery.

He said the last information he received was that Fredericks was in stable condition, but would have sustained a broken right arm, a deep gash to his leg and severe head injuries. Greaves could not have confirmed where his cousin was heading at that time in the night.

The driver of the car, he noted was taken to the Timehri Police Station while the wrecked car was taken to the Madewini Police Outpost. At the scene on Monday morning, the mangled motorcycle was seen at the corner of the road with blood stains around it. Persons in the area recalled hearing a crashing sound in the wee hours of Monday morning and rushed out.

One man, Kevin (only name given) told Guyana Times that looking at the skid marks on the roadway, it is a clear indication that the car went into the lane of the motorcyclist. The car was towed away to the Police station and the driver was taken into custody.

Couple on bail for possession of cannabis

Aman and his reputed wife were on Monday each placed on $50,000 bail by Magistrate Alex Moore when they appeared before him at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, charged with possession of narcotics.

Roberto Sankar and Anisha Khemraj of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara were jointly charged for the possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking. They pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that

on Saturday, July 26, they had 73 grams of cannabis in their possession.

The couple reportedly told the court that the drugs did not belong to them and that there were other persons living in the same house. According to information received, Police ranks of C Division went to the home of the defendants and conducted a search based on a tip-off received.

During their search at the residence, the drugs were found hidden in black plastic bags in an oven. The cou-

ple was told of the offence, cautioned and were arrested. They were taken to the Sparendaam Police Station where the cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to 73 grams. The couple is expected to return to court on September 3 for commencement of trial. Recently, the Police of C Division have been conducting several operations along the East Coast of Demerara in an attempt to stop persons from indulging in criminal activities.

Woman found at Pattensen was stabbed to death – autopsy

An autopsy performed on the skeletal remains found at Pattensen, East Coast Demerara last week revealed that the unidentified woman was stabbed to death.

The initial post mortem performed by Dr Nehaul Singh on the remains on Friday morning came out as inconclusive but after a second examination, the pathologist gave the cause of death as incised wounds to the abdomen.

However, samples of the woman’s body are still to be further analysed to determine her identity since relatives of missing Saint Stanislaus teacher, Nyozi Goodman were unable to make a proper identification.

Investigators were on Sunday

forced to visit the woman’s apartment with the intention of finding any clues that would lead to a positive identification. This was done in light of the discovery of several pieces of ladies clothing at the crime scene suspected to be that of the missing school teacher. It was reported that Police retrieved a green ladies top and cream underwear along with a black belt at Pattensen aback the Caricom Secretariat annex.

They were however unsuccessful, and as such, contacts were made with the woman’s mother also with the aim of comparing the clothes found to the clothes in the woman’s wardrobe. Additionally, investigators are also questioning the woman’s landlord about her

disappearance. Nestor Thompson, a brother of the missing woman told Guyana Times that he recalled speaking to the landlord after the woman’s disappearance and he was very helpful and more so, he did not come across to him as someone who wanted to take advantage of his sister.

Fingers crossed Meanwhile, on the other hand, he said that despite the discovery of the human remains, the family is keeping their fingers crossed that the body is not that of his sister. One the day of the post-mortem examination at the scene, another brother was there but he claimed that the body was badly decomposed; hence, he could not

have made a positive identification.

The brother added that it has been over three weeks since his sister disappeared, and as such, they are bracing themselves for the worst news possible. In addition, he said that while several pieces of ladies garments were found at the scene, they cannot confirm what his sister was wearing at the time she disappeared. The body was found on Thursday evening about 18:45h by a passerby, who apparently went to relieve himself. As he entered the dark, bushy area, he stumbled upon the skeletal remains of a 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 heavy stench, and thought that it was a dead animal. 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.

The 36-year-old woman was last seen more than three weeks ago at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, where she had accompanied her school’s basketball team to the National Schools Basketball Championships.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

The mangled motorcycle belonging to Sydney Fredericks

GGMDA President Patrick Harding

Trans Guyana staff beaten, robbed in Diamond

ATrans Guyana staffer is nursing a fractured skull following an attack by two armed men last Thursday evening along 4th Avenue, Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

The teenager, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear, was beaten and robbed by two teenagers who escaped on a yellow bicycle. He recalled it was about 20:15h and he had just disembarked a vehicle and was walking home when the two men confronted him.

At the time, he was carrying his haversack with all his documents and salary. The two men, he said accosted him, resulting in him falling to the ground, hitting his head in the process. The attackers then whipped out their knives and demanded that he hands over all his valuables.

Despite him putting up a fight, he was kicked about the body and the men relieved him of the bag. He recalled having his driver’s licence, identification card, ATM cards and other important documents, along with some items he had collected that he had bought online as well as a quantity of cash that he had collected from someone who had borrowed it from him.

After the men carried out the attack, they left the young man on the road and rode off on their bicycle. He

was rescued by a resident in the area who took him home where he related the ordeal to his parents, who in turn immediately contacted the Police.

To their surprise, the Police did not “budge” or even attempt to search the area for the men who were described to them. One of the robbers reported sported a “Mohawk” hairstyle while the other had “Wax screw” hair do.

The young man was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and after spending more than five hours at the medical facility; he was given a few ibuprofen and sent away. He was still, however, crying out for headache and was subsequently taken the St Joseph Mercy Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured skull.

The teenager’s mother,

Did

you know?

Guyana is home to four of the world’s eight endangered species of marine turtles, namely; Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtle. In 1988, Audley

James established the Sea Turtle Conservation Programme to help in the preservation, protection and conservation of these beautiful and harmless reptiles of the sea.

Turtles are an importance part of the ecosystem. Many persons may wonder why so much effort to protect sea turtles and why they are important. There are several reasons why we should protect sea turtles from becoming extinct!

One of the oldest groups of animals

Sea turtles have been on the earth, more or less unchanged in form, since be-

who also spoke with Guyana Times, explained that this was not the first time people were robbed and beaten in the area. She recalled a few nights ago that a neighbour had left home to purchase Chinese food, but as he was returning home, he was allegedly robbed by the same two men who beat and robbed her son.

She is calling on the Police to make checks intermittently along the roads which may help in curbing the escalating robberies in the area.

Earlier in the month, Bharrat Pitamber called “Vickey” and “Tailor” of Lot 1401 Section C, Block Y, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara was on his way home when he was reportedly attacked and stabbed to death during a robbery.

It was reported that the father of one had sold a bird earlier in the day for $45,000 and had the money on him while he was returning home. He was riding along the Grove New Scheme Main Road just after crossing the “Achieduck” when he was confronted by the men in a dark corner.

The men proceeded to rob him, but he fought back, resulting in him sustaining cut wounds on his hands. His body also bore several stab wounds, including the fatal one to the heart. No one was arrested for the murder thus far.

Region 7 Chairman backs calls for new generators for Bartica

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford has endorsed calls by the people of Bartica for new generators to be installed at the power plant.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Bradford said Bartica has a history of power outages linked to the old generator sets that have clearly out grown their capacity to supply the growing population with electricity.

“We need new engines because when an engine has work out its life span and you start to repair it, ever so often it is down again and I want GPL to understand that,” Bradford said as he expressed growing frustration over the spate of blackouts.

Frequent blackouts

For the past six weeks, Bartica has experienced an upsurge in power outages with last week being the worst. According to reports, Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) has taken a decision to ration the supply of electricity after more than 22 hours of blackout, but Bradford said this is not enough.

“We hope that people would receive continuous

power and that GPL would work in the best interest of the people of Bartica, so that we can have power fully restored,” he said.

On Sunday, businesses in Bartica resumed to a level of normalcy as GPL continues the process of load shedding. But in recent days, the mining community has been the scene of a series of picketing exercises, particularly in front of GPL's Bartica Brach Office on First Avenue. In response to the power outages, GPL said it was rectifying the problem, but indicated that load shedding would continue during the peak hours of 17:30h-22:00h.

Corrective works

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 ef-

Turtles

fore the dinosaurs and are probably one of the oldest groups of animals on earth. In many cultures around the world, sea turtles play a significant cultural and spiritual role.

Important predators

Some sea turtles feed on sea grasses and coral and play an important role in keeping the animals and plants of the reef in check. Without them, some species of seaweed, coral, or sponge might grow too much and cause other species of reef animals or plants to die off.

One of the least aggressive forms of wildlife

Sea turtles provide a unique chance to see a large wild animal up close in its natural habitat, at a very vulnerable time. It is hard

to see most animals during their reproductive cycle, yet it is possible to watch turtles from the time their mother lays them as an egg, to the point where they hatch and run onto the beach. It is both an important educational tool and a strong attraction for people all round the world.

Enough is not known about sea turtles

Scientists all around the world are studying aspects of the biology of sea turtles from sight and hearing to metabolism and digestion, given their history of long life, they may hold the key in resolving some of the biodiversity survival issues.

Status of turtles

Turtles don’t only live in the sea but also in fresh-

water. There are only seven existing saltwater species, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), of which three are classified as Critically Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and three as Endangered. Of the 263 species of freshwater and terrestrial turtles, 117 species are considered Threatened, 73 are either Endangered or Critically Endangered and one is Extinct

Why are turtles rapidly disappearing? What are the concerns?

* Habitat loss and degradation

* Wildlife trade

* Collection of eggs and meat for consumption

* Incidental capture

fected to mechanical faults identified and the completion of checks on the alternator. But the unit developed further mechanical problems.

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)

* Climate change

* Pollution

How can we protect the remaining turtles?

* Don’t purchase a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it increases demand from the wild.

* Don’t remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured.

* Do not purchase turtle meat or eggs. This will discourage illegal hunters.

* Do not remove turtle eggs or consume their meat.

* Learn more about the importance of turtles and what you can do to help.

* Report cruelty, entan-

glement or illegal sales of turtles or tortoises to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sources: http://www.nccbarbados. gov.bb/event/world-turtleday http://www.ecology. com/2012/05/23/world-turtle-day/

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com

Murdered in a previous robbery: Bharrat Pitamber

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford

GUYANA

Legendary Brian Lara hosts rap session with Limacol CPL players

Cricket legend, Brian Lara, who is also Caribbean Airlines’ Ambassador, recently hosted several players for a rap session as the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) is hosted in the Caribbean.

Joining the great cricketer were, Daniel Vettori, Jerome Taylor and Captain Chris Gayle of the Jamaica Tallawahs and Dwayne Bravo, captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

Lara told the cricketers that they have the unique opportunity to bring a new generation of fans into cricket as is seen in the matches that have already been played in various parts of the Caribbean.

However, in a release issued by the airlines, it said that when the six Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPLT20) teams meet in

high-energy 20/20 matches, they do so powered by travel with Caribbean Airlines, the official carrier of the series.

“As the Caribbean’s hometown airline, it is our honour to participate in the CPLT20, which is as much a celebration of the spirit of the Caribbean, as it is a world-class sporting cricket event,” said Alicia Cabrera, Senior Marketing Manager, Caribbean Airlines.

“We are excited that the fans who are following the series around the islands start their experience with Caribbean Airlines.”

As the official carrier of the Caribbean Premier League, Caribbean Airlines has taken the teams to matches in Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada. Additionally, Caribbean Airlines Facebook fans have the opportunity to

win match tickets to any of the airline’s North America destinations.

“When you look at the challenges of holding a major international sports league across the Caribbean Islands, it becomes obvious that the most obvious strategic partner for any such event is Caribbean Airlines. With that in mind we are delighted to have Caribbean Airlines onboard as the Official Airline of the CPL,” said Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of the Caribbean Premier League.

“Whether it be in terms of getting the players across the region as per of their hectic playing schedule, or making sure that fans can follow their teams as they progress, Caribbean Airlines is playing a vitally important role and we are delighted to have their support.”

Tridents salute Sir Garry

One of the Greatest of All Time has reached another landmark.

Sir Garfield Sobers, the greatest all-rounder the sport of cricket has ever seen, and Barbados’ only living National Hero, celebrated his 78th birthday on Monday.

Sir Garry got an early

birthday gift last Saturday, when the Barbados Tridents presented him with a special team shirt at Kensington Oval before their Caribbean Premier League match against Amazon Warriors.

Sir Garry, who attended all three of the team’s home matches, was all smiles

when he realised his shirt number was 365 – the world record score he made as a 21-year-old in 1958.

The legendary cricketer was presented with his shirt by team mentor and fellow West Indies legend Desmond Haynes and captain Kieron Pollard. (Nation News)

Children go free to Limacol CPL for Zouks first home game

The Government of St Lucia on Monday delivered some fantastic news for young cricket fans in the country after partnering with the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to give children under the age of 12 free access to the St Lucia Zouks first home game against Barbados Tridents on Thursday July 31 at Beausejour Stadium.

The initiative will allow the next generation of cricketers to watch their heroes in action, with global superstars including Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard, Roelof van der Merwe and Dwayne Smith all set to be on show.

At 20:00h on Thursday, the Zouks face a rematch against the in-form, Barbados Tridents, before taking on the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel on Saturday at 16:00h and the Antigua Hawksbills on Sunday at 16:00h.

Minister for Youth Development and Sports the Hon Shawn Edward, said: We’re delighted to be able to offer young St Lucians the opportunity to watch the Zouks opening home game free of charge. The CPL is a fantastic, vibrant tournament and hopefully this will help inspire the next generation of St Lucian cricketers.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO, Limacol Caribbean Premier League, said: It’s really important to us that the CPL plays a role in the future of West Indies cricket, so when the Minister came to us with this initiative we were on board straight away. Fans can be guaranteed thrilling cricket and a great atmosphere, so I’d urge everybody to show their support at the three games.

Children must be present at the stadium box office on match day to redeem their ticket, and they will then be directed to their designated stand.

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League runs from July 11 to August 16, with 30

St Kitts and Nevis, will host Beefy’s Bash, an all-star charity match featuring Sir Ian Botham, Brian Lara and Piers Morgan, as well as a concert by hip-hop megastar, Rick Ross.

matches taking place over 37 days. In addition, the final week of the tournament, in

Sir Garry got an early birthday gift last Saturday, when the Barbados Tridents presented him with a special team shirt at Kensington Oval before their Caribbean Premier League match against Amazon Warriors

Children under the age of 12 will get free access to the St Lucia Zouks first home game against Barbados Tridents on Thursday July 31 at Beausejour Stadium Darren Sammy

Blessing Okagbare storms to gold in the 100m

Nigeria’s Blessing

Okagbare set a new Commonwealth record of 10.85 seconds to win 100m gold and put her Jamaican rivals in the shade.

Okagbare produced a fine piece of relaxed sprinting to leave Veronica CampbellBrown in silver and Kerron Stewart bronze.

England’s Asha Philip produced a new personal best of 11.18secs to take fourth.

Compatriot Bianca Williams took sixth in her first major championships. Philip said: “Fourth is always the first loser, but there’s a lot more to come. I wanted a medal, but it’s my first ever Commonwealth Games. I’m really happy with that.”

Okagbare, who still has 200m and long jump gold to aim at in these Games, said: “A season’s best, a win - I’m just happy I was able to pull it off. After 70m it just felt easy.”

Sophie Hitchon, a ballet dancer turned hammer thrower, claimed Commonwealth bronze, the 23-year-old from Burnley hurling the hammer 68.72m.

“The first few rounds were a little jerky and I only got it together later on but I am amazingly pleased with a medal,” she said.

Canada’s Sultana Frizell took the gold in a Games record 71.97m, while England’s Sarah Holt was fourth with a season’s best 65.67m.

Scotland’s Libby Clegg, 24, earned the hosts their first Hampden Park gold with victory in the T11/12 100m.

The visually impaired 22-year-old and guide Mikail Huggins - who together won silver at London 2012crossed the line in 12.20 to emphatically claim the title by more than a second to the delight of a raucous full house. “It is a bit daunting when everyone wants you to win, but I didn’t feel the pressure too much,” said Clegg. “The crowd and atmosphere have been brilliant and to win gold is amazing.”

Laura Muir, one of Scotland’s leading hopes, also had the crowd at the national stadium off their seats as she cruised into the final of the 1500m. The 21-year-old will be joined in Tuesday’s fi-

nal by English trio Hannah England, Laura Weightman and Jemma Simpson.

Jamaica’s O’Dayne Richards took gold in the men’s shot put with a huge throw of 21.61m - a Games record.

Kirani James, the Olympic 400m champion from Grenada and one of the biggest names in Glasgow, looked in imperious form in qualifying for the final. England’s Michael Bingham, Martyn Rooney and Nigel Levine also made it through.

English trio Christopher Baker, Martyn Bernard and Tom Parsons, along with Scotland’s Raymond Bobrownicki, qualified for the high jump final. Dan Greaves struck gold for England with victory in the F42/44 discus. The 31-yearold, who took silver at London 2012, came out on top of his domestic duel with Wales’ Aled Davies, winning with a throw of 59.21m.

Wales’ Rhys Jones finished third in a men’s 100m T37 final won by South African Fanie van der Merwe in 11.65.

England offer support to Moeen Ali over proGaza Test wristbands

England have defended Moeen Ali for wearing wristbands showing support for Gaza during the third Test with India.

The Worcestershire batsman, 27, wore bands saying ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Save Gaza’ on the second day in Southampton.

International Cricket Council regulations state players should not wear messages relating to “political, religious or racial activities”.

The ICC is investigating but the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “Moeen has done nothing wrong.”

According to Rule 19F of the ICC Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations, players should not convey messages with their clothing unless approved in advance by the player’s official board, but

approval would not be granted for political messages. An

ICC spokesman confirmed: “We’re investigating and will report in due course.”

Monday witnessed an upsurge in violence in Gaza and southern Israel, three

weeks into an Israeli offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas. Before Monday, more than 1,030 Palestinians, mostly civilians, had been killed, along with 43 Israeli soldiers and three civilians in Israel.

Serena says woozy Wimbledon finish due to virus

Top-ranked Serena Williams, in her first tournament since looking weak in a disturbing Wimbledon exit, said her weariness was caused by a virus that had her bedridden for three days.

Williams, who will make her return Wednesday in a WTA event at Stanford University, said she is fine now and ready to begin working toward a third consecutive US Open crown and 18th Grand Slam singles title. “I feel very good,” she said. “I feel very happy to be here, so it’s good.”

WICB moving ahead with new first-class structure

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is moving ahead with its plan to implement a new structure for regional first-class cricket which will see the six regional sides being able to select players from across the region and further overseas.

WICB President Dave Cameron, speaking on the Line and Length programme on the Sportsmax TV Channel, said the changes are part of the Board’s attempt to transform the regional first class competition to a “franchise” structure much like the Limacol Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

“We are moving towards a structure where we are going to have players from all over the region playing for different teams,” said Cameron.

“Effective August and September we are going to have players from all over the region and potentially from outside the region who will be playing for these franchises and we are still going to call them Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad,” he

added.

The move Cameron said, was part of the process of professionalising the regional first class tournament and was also highlighted in the Pybus report.

In the Pybus report, WICB Director of cricket Richard Pybus outlined a structure which would see a player draft being held for regional first class cricket.

“The draft allows West Indies cricket to level the playing field in resourcing franchise-type teams, affording all the TB’s (territorial boards) the opportunity to broaden and deepen their squads,” the report stated.

The territorial boards will be allowed to retain and contract ten players with the rest of the players going into the draft from which teams will select five players to

But Williams admitted she was fearful herself after a bizarre end to her women’s doubles match with sister Venus at Wimbledon, which began with trainers examining Serena before the match. She struggled to bounce or toss the ball on serves, double faulting four times in a row in the third game before the match was stopped.

make up their 15-member squads.

“We have announced that coming this year with the new professional structure, teams will be able to select the best players from around the region. It is an interesting point however that these teams are going to fall directly under the auspices of the territorial boards,” said the WICB President.

He also noted that the players will be “at work” for 12 months of the year and that was one of the main reasons the Combined Campuses and Colleges team was cut from the competition.

“Our season starts November 1st and runs to March and we did not see how a university team could fit in to such a structure,” Cameron added.

“They just said I was really ill, and really under the weather and I just wasn’t doing very well,” Williams said. “I was really scared after because I didn’t realize how I felt until later and it’s just, you know, ‘Serena, keep your time, you will have the rest of your life to keep playing tennis hopefully.”

Williams said she had no idea her struggles had people worried, in part because by the time she learned of it she had put the event behind her. “I heard a lot of the response weeks and weeks later because I didn’t leave my house or my bed for a few days,” Williams said. “But by the time that happened when I read or heard about it from other people I was just like, ‘Oh really, I already moved on.’ I was

working out and starting to try to play again.” Williams also made the most of three weeks off with a vacation to help her recover from the virus. “After Wimbledon I stayed around in Europe because I was gonna play in Bastad, and I feel so bad about not being able to play there,” she said.

“I ended up going on what I called ‘vacation,’ which is like when you have fun in the sun but you practice in the day, in the morning. I tried to practice very early so I can have fun later.”

Williams, who has won at least two majors in four of the past five years, has not won one this season. The 32-year-old American made a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open, was ousted in the second round of the French Open and lost in the third round at Wimbledon.

Williams’ older sister Venus suffers from Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disorder that can cause weakness.

Moeen Ali, 27, wore bands saying ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Save Gaza’ on the second day in Southampton

(Trinidad Express)

US player Serena Williams serves to France’s Alize Cornet during their women’s singles third round match on day six of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2014 (AFP Photo/Carl Court)

WICB President Dave Cameron

Blessing Okagbare set a new Commonwealth record of 10.85 seconds to win 100m gold

Bell and Buttler help England dominate India

Ian Bell returned to form with a first hundred in almost a year as England dominated the second day of the third Test against India in Southampton. Bell made 167, sharing century stands with Gary Ballance and debutant Jos Buttler, who dazzled on the way to 85 from 83 balls.

When Buttler fell, England declared on 569-7, leaving India 14 overs to bat at the end of the day.

In that time, James Anderson removed Shikhar Dhawan to leave the tourists 25-1 and in severe danger of surrendering the 1-0 series lead they earned with victory in the second Test at Lord’s. Bell, like England captain Alastair Cook, was badly in

need of a score after passing 50 only four times in his previous 19 Test innings. That lean spell, going back to his last century in the fourth Test of the 2013 Ashes, had yielded just 476 runs at an average of 26.44. But, after Cook scored 95 on day one, Bell, who should have been given out lbw to Pankaj Singh on nought, cashed in to deliver a 21st Test ton.

Resuming on 16, the Warwickshire man scored all around the wicket on a good batting surface, showing deft touch to play his trademark late cut and dishing out some heavy treatment to Ravindra Jadeja. Three times, he danced down the track to loft the left-arm spinner for

a straight six, the second of which brought up his century.

Bell’s fluency was matched in the morning session by Ballance, who moved his first-day hundred on to 156. With the left-hander guiding to third man and clipping through the leg side, his dismissal came out of nothing in that it was both a surprise and a poor decision by umpire Rod Tucker.

Ballance was given out caught behind off Rohit Sharma when the ball had missed the bat and hit his back leg, with England gaining some consolation from the fact that the parttime off-spinner was able to find exaggerated turn and bounce.

India, using their pace trio of Pankaj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami in one-over spells, did check England with the wickets of Joe Root and Moeen Ali in the afternoon session. Root, perhaps frustrated after scoring only three from 43 balls, advanced to edge Kumar behind, while Moeen again fell to the short ball, toe-ending a hook off the same bowler to second slip.

The visitors will also feel that they should have had Buttler without scoring when the wicketkeeper, making his Test bow in place of Matt Prior, prodded Kumar to second slip. With the ball going low to Ajinkya Rahane, the on-field umpires could not confirm it had

Lewis Hamilton shocked at Mercedes team orders in Hungary

Lewis Hamilton was “very, very shocked” to be asked to let team-mate Nico Rosberg by in the Hungarian Grand Prix. The two drivers were on different strategies when Mercedes asked Hamilton to move over with just over 20 laps left.

Hamilton said: “If I let him past, then he could pull away and come back at me later. I was very, very shocked the team would ask me to do that.”

Rosberg refused to discuss the incident publicly after the race. “We have to discuss that internally and it would not make sense for me to speak about it now,” he said.

Hamilton ended up finishing third, one place ahead of Rosberg, after fending off the German on the final lap, following a sensational fightback that began from the pitlane, and included contact with the barrier on the first lap, as well as a brave pass around the outside of Jean-Eric

Vergne on a wet track. The result means Hamilton has reduced his deficit to his team-mate in the championship to 11 points.

Mercedes made the decision to ask Hamilton to move aside because Rosberg still had one pit stop to make, whereas Hamilton was racing to the end and they wanted to ensure Rosberg could score as many points

as possible by getting back to the pits more quickly. The Englishman was at the time in a battle with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso for second place behind Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Hamilton said of his decision to ignore team orders: “Obviously I am aware that I was in the same race as him. Just because he had one more stop than me doesn’t mean I am not in same race. “He didn’t get close enough to overtake, I was not going to lift off and lose ground to Fernando or Daniel, so it was a bit strange. I don’t know really if I was right or wrong. As far as I am aware I was racing him, and of course he had to do one more stop. If I had let him past, I am sure he would have finished ahead of me which would have been quite significant in the title race. But I am sure they will explain it to me.”

Hamilton had fought up to battle for the lead after starting from the pitlane following a fire in qualifying.

(BBC Sport)

carried and Buttler was reprieved when replays proved inconclusive. He scored his first Test runs from the next delivery and, after tea, took advantage of being dropped on 23 by Dhawan at first slip off Shami, producing the sort of strokeplay that brought him the fastest ever one-day international hundred by an England batsman against Sri Lanka in May.

Following Bell’s example by hitting Jadeja straight, Buttler also reverse-swept the spinner for four on the way to a maiden half-century.

After Bell holed out to

mid-on off Kumar, Buttler opened his shoulders and received yet another letoff when Mahendra Dhoni missed a simple stumping off Jadeja. Twice Pankaj was belted for six to raise hopes of a debut hundred. But a slog at Jadeja was edged onto the stumps, immediately prompting Cook to declare and leaving the India openers the task of repelling the new ball in the gathering gloom. It was one that was beyond them as Anderson, from round the wicket, produced a beauty that had Dhawan fencing to Cook at

SCOREBOARD

England 1st Innings 569 for 7 declared (163.4 overs)

Cook c Dhoni b Jadeja 95

Robson c Jadeja b Shami 26

Ballance c Dhoni b Ro

Sharma 156

Bell c Singh b B Kumar 167

Root c Dhoni b B Kumar 3

Moeen c Rahane b B Kumar 12

Buttler b Jadeja 85

Woakes not out 7

Extras 0nb 2w 5b 11lb 18

Total for 7 (163.4 ovs) 569

Bowling: B Kumar 37-10101-3, Shami 33-4-1231, Singh 37-8-146-0, Ro Sharma 9-0-26-1, Jadeja 45.4-10153- 2, Dhawan 2-0-4-0

Fall of Wicket: 55 Robson, 213 Cook, 355 Balance, 378 Root, 420 Moeen, 526 Bell, 569 Buttler

Manchester City and Italy racism claims prompt Fifa interest

Fifa is investigating claims a Manchester City player was racially abused during a match in Croatia. World football’s governing body is gathering information after City alleged midfielder Seko Fofana, 20, was targeted during an Under-21 match.

Meanwhile, Fifa has also asked the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to investigate comments made by the favourite to become its next president. Carlo Tavecchio reportedly made racist remarks about African players.

A Fifa spokesman told BBC Sport they were aware of the alleged incident in Croatia, which saw City coach Patrick Vieira take his side off the field. He added: “We are in contact with the rel-

evant member associations to enquire and monitor the situation. We will be in a position to further evaluate the matter, once we gather all the relevant information.”

The Croatian Football Federation has already said it will investigate City’s claim.

With regards to Tavecchio, a Fifa spokesman added: “Media reports concerning alleged racist comments by one of the presidential candidates for the Italian FA have alerted Fifa’s Task Force against racism and discrimination and its chairman Jeffrey Webb. “As such, Fifa has written a letter to the Italian FA asking it to take the appropriate steps to investigate and decide on this matter and report to Fifa.” (BBC Sport)

first slip.

Limited-overs regular Buttler played some characteristic reverse sweeps on his Test debut

Lewis Hamilton

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St Margaret’s Primary students enjoying learning through athletics

Grade 5 students of the St Margaret’s Primary School are finding lessons at the school much fun as they have been engaged in a pilot project being run by qualified athletics coach and therapist Mr Wayne Walcott.

According to Walcott, some of the goals of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) approved project are to create a potential nation-

coordinate even in the day to day life. You need to have strength also to participate in sports as well as the daily chores at home and these are some of the words that we emphasise on so the children will understand clearly what they mean and the importance.”

During intervals, the children are engaged in physical exercise to develop certain bio-motor abilities and are told of the impor-

we are to make an impact at the higher level, we need to start at the youth level.”

Walcott is running the programme voluntarily at the St Margaret’s Primary School since he said he has three children attending there.

“I have learnt so far that we have to exercise to keep our body healthy and we have to work harder to improve our grades and get good schools. We also have

tance of such exercise and the need to continue to develop certain muscles if they wished to become successful athletes.

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al sports system that caters for the needs of the country’s talented athletes and young people; emphasise the careers related to sports and fitness; teaching life skills; and learning new words through physical exercise.

“For example, they have done coordination, the meaning of it and what it entails and that it actually comes over to one’s lifestyle because one must be able to

“My experience in sports and as coach and athletics therapist, I decided to design this programme because I realised over the years that Guyana has not been producing the calibre of athletes and we need to start at this level here if

Commonwealth Games 2014

I am enjoying the programme because it is fun and you have to exercise and learn many new things,” said Chris Lewis, who also noted that he would like to become a successful athlete someday.

The programme, now in its third week, will run for six weeks.

Bancroft reaches boxing quarter-final

– Thomas loses in Round of 16

Boxer Eon Bancroft has progressed to the quarter-finals in the Welterweight (65Kg) Division of boxing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Bancroft defeated Maduranga Pathirage of Sri Lanka in the Round of 16 on Monday. The judges scored it two rounds to one. The 25-year-old now faces Tulain Mbenge of South Africa in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Middleweight boxer Dennis Thomas, 25, got past

Jonathon Keama of Papua New Guinea with the judges giving him all three rounds in their Round of 32 encounter. Thomas, however, was stopped in the Round of 16 by Conner Coyle of Northern Ireland. All the judges scored in favour of Coyle. In swimming, Onika George failed to make a splash in her pet event, the 50 metres back stroke, as she finished 8th in her heat and 34th overall with her time of 34.64. She had earlier, failed to advance in the 50 metres freestyle and 100 metre freestyle.

Some of the participants of the pilot programme demonstrate some of the exercises taught

Wayne Walcott with some of the students of his programme. Right is head mistress of St Margaret’s Primary School Georgina Lewis

Eon Bancroft

WICB Regional Under-19 cricket…

Guyana register four-wicket win over Windward Islands

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Guyana made heavy weather of their 62run target for victory but were able to cross the line by four wickets on the final day of the second round game against the Windward Islands in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19, Threeday tournament.

Guyana were obviously delighted over the achievement of their bowlers, especially the spinners who took eight of the opponents second innings wickets at the Everest Cricket Club. Legspinner Steven Sankar was particularly lethal, having claimed 5-35 in 25.5 overs.

Windward Islands had begun the day 24 runs adrift the Guyanese first innings lead of 104.

Resuming at 79-4, Anson Latchman and Roland Cato stretched their fifth wicket stand to 47 before the visitors lost both overnight batsmen in quick succession.

Anson Latchman was run out for 12, while Roland Cato followed soon afterward, bowled by leg spinner Steven Sankar for a top score of 46.

Doran Edwards stay at the wicket was short after he was bowled by Sankar without scoring.

However, Ryan John made a fighting 21 before he and Vice-captain Kershaskie Jno Lewis (2) were dismissed by off spinner Sharaz Ramcharran. Windward Islands reached

lunch at 159-9, with a second innings lead of 55 runs.

Sankar took the final wicket of Deron Hypolite (20) immediately after the break. Ramcharran finished with 3-44, while Kemp Paul ended with 1-22.

Starting the modest chase, Guyana were in the middle of an incredibly tough situation on a pitch that helped both seam and spin.

They lost first innings’ centurion Shimron Hetmyer without scoring at 3-1 but fellow opener and West Indies Under-19 batsman Tagnarine Chanderpaul and captain Brian Sattaur dug in and pulled the hosts back with a 45-run stand.

But then Chanderpaul (10) departed and Guyana demonstrated a mini-col-

lapse from 48-3 to 56-6, losing Sattaur (31), Balchan Baldeo (5), Kemo Paul (1) and Sharaz Ramcharran (0).

For the visitors, the game was still on but Askay Homraj and Kemol Savory pulled their side out of the doldrums to ensure the win.

Ryan John (2-15) and Sherman Lewis (2-23) and Craig Phillip (1-21) were the successful bowlers.

The third and final round will begin on August 1. Guyana will play Trinidad and Tobago at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Barbados challenge Leeward Islands at the Enmore Community Centre ground and defending champions Jamaica oppose the Windward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium.

SCOREBOARD

Windward Islands 2nd Innings (overnight 79-4)

G. Pope c wkpr Savory b Paul 0 M. Gordon lbw b Ramcharran 17

T. Simon c Baldeo b Sankar 21 K. Jno-Lewis c Baldeo b Sankar 10

*R. Cato b Sankar 46

+A. Latchman run out 12

R. John c Chanderpaul b Ramcharran 21

D. Edward b Sankar 0

D. Hypolite c (sub Morris) b Sankar 20

S. Lewis b Ramcharran 2

C. Phillip not out 7 Extras (b6, nb2, lb1) 9

TOTAL (all out, 71.5 overs) 165

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-29, 3-48, 4-48, 5-81, 6-122, 7-128, 8-151, 9-155, 10- 165

Bowling: Paul 7-1-22-1 (nb1) Baldeo 10-3-30-0 Ramcharran 24-7-44-3 Sankar 25.5-6-

south africa

53-5 Waldron 4-2-5-0(nb1) Chanderpaul 1-0-4-0

Guyana 2nd Innings

S. Hetmyer c Gordon b Phillip 0

T. Chanderpaul c Jno-Lewis

b S. Lewis 10

* B. Sattuar c Edward b Hypolite 31

B. Baldeo c wkpr Latchman

b S. Lewis 5

K. Paul lbw b John 1

S. Ramcharran run out 0

A. Homraj not out 9

K. Savory not out 1

Extras (b 2, w5) 7

TOTAL (for six wickets, 15 overs) 64

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-48, 3-48, 4-50, 5-50, 5-56

Bowling: S. Lewis 6-1-232 (w1), Phillip 3-0-21-1, John 5-0-15-2, Hypolite 1-0-3-0

BBCI sponsors KMTC preEmancipation horse race meet

– registration closes Wednesday

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has thrown its support behind the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) post-Emancipation horserace meet. The meet is slated for August 3 at the club’s Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, race track with seven mouth-watering contests carded for the day.

Organiser of the event and President of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard, received a cheque for an undisclosed sum, which will go towards the prizes for the J3 Maiden event. The winner in that race will receive $150,000, while the second, third and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $75,000, $38,000 and $ 19,000 respectively.

The presentation took place on Monday in the company’s head office at Main Street, Georgetown. The sponsorship was well received by Kennard, who stated that the race meet will feature some of Guyana’s finest-bred horses.

“It’s important that we express our gratitude to Berbice Bridge Company for coming on board again, because as we all know, no sporting activity can be successfully promoted without sponsors,” he declared.

“I wish to thank Berbice Bridge Company once again and we are looking forward to their continued support in the future,” Kennard added.

He disclosed that the weather on the Corentyne is “excellent” and said the race meet is expected to be an en-

tertaining event. Further, Kennard said that more than 70 of the country’s top horses have already been entered.

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc, Omadat Samaroo, said that the company is pleased to once again support the Kennard Memorial Turf Club. “This is not our first sponsorship with the club; we supported the club on several occasions,” said Samaroo.

He added, “The sport creates great attractions not only to Berbicians, but those fans who come from as far as Linden and at times the West Coast of Demerara and even Suriname and other foreign countries to witness the events.”

The feature attraction is the A and Lower to be contest over a distance of one mile. The winner will cart off $1M, while the runner-up will win half that amount. The third and fourth place fin-

ishers will receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively. Several other events are slated for the day, with the D’3’ non-winner in 2014 and H and Lower Open over a distance of 1700 metres with the winner carting off $500,000.

The J ‘1’ will see the animals running over a distance of 1000 metres. The winner will receive $180,000. Other races include the J ‘3’& Lower, G ‘1’ & Lower, I & Lower and there is a race for K Class animals.

Meanwhile, Kennard revealed that registration closes on Wednesday. Further, the organisers wish to remind horse owners that the event is being conducted under the aegis of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and all the rules of the local governing body will be in effect.

Horse owners are asked to have their animals examined by the veterinarian by 11:00h on race day.

reclaim number one spot in test rankings

Lanka

South Africa have regained top spot in the world Test rankings after winning their series in Sri Lanka.

They drew the final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo to win the series 1-0 and regain the number one ranking from Australia.

Needing 369 to win on the final day, Hashim Amla’s side sealed the draw they required by finishing on 159-8.

Spinner Rangana Herath claimed 5-40 from 45 overs during a slow final day, which included 30 maidens.

South Africa entered the two-Test series level in the

rankings with Australia, but with the Aussies top by a fraction of a

South Africa 2nd Innings159 for 8 (111.0 overs)

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc, Omadat Samaroo, presents the sponsorship cheque to Cecil Kennard

The Proteas’ Test series win in Sri Lanka was their first since 1993

CP Got Even stuns field at PMTC horse race meet

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Despite losing a major sponsor, Sunday’s Port Mourant Turf Club one-day horse race meet was deemed a grand success by organisers.

“This race meet was great; it was a grand success for us despite the hiccups leading up to the meet. The support was great and overall we managed to run off another successful race meet,” PMTC Secretary, Chattergoon Ramnauth told Guyana Times Sport at the conclusion of the race meet.

Following the disclosure last month that separate horse-race meets would be held on July 27, Digicel announced that it had pulled the plug on its sponsorship deal with PMTC. Both PMTC and Budhan’s Memorial Sports Complex and Race Track had planned separate horse -race meets, but Digicel ended the partnership with PMTC, stating that as a corporate entity, the company wished to stay clear of conflicts.

Meanwhile, CP Got Even put in a superb performance to win the feature D ‘1’and Lower race.

Champion jockey Andy Ramnauth took control of the animal within 100 meters of the finishing line to win the one-mile event and first prize of $1 million dollars.

It was a total surprise for the packed turf club as the animal ruined the day of race favourite Jack In My Style, much to the delight of CP Got Even supporters.

The animals were off to an even break but as they approached the first turn

Champion jockey Andy Ramnauth piloted CP Got Even to a close finish in the feature D ‘1’ and Lower race

the lead was exchanging constantly. However, it was CP Got Even that had the final say as it pulled away from the bunch as the animals approached the homestretch.

Ramnauth used all his experience to ensure the horse gathered strength and speed to complete the race in a perfect photo finish.

Jack In My Style, Red and Lovely and Goodwill Boy finished in that order.

Other results are as follows:

J ‘1’ and Lower - The Road is Mine, Royal Intention, Smarty Light and Survival King.

E ‘3’ and Lower - Right to Rule, Fresh Again and The Message.

Two-Year-Old Guyana and West Indian BredStorm Bird, It’s My Choice and Keep On Swinging.

G ‘1’ and Lower - Another Jet, Rosetta, Traditional

Man and Weekend Surprise.

Three-Year-Old Guyana and West Indian - Quiet Dancer, Unsettled, Release The Beast and Settling Jet.

Commonwealth Games 2014…

Harris fast but not fast enough!

Guyanese sprinter Adam Harris clocked 10:23s, a faster time than his 10:45s that earned him qualification to the semi-finals, but it was not fast enough as he failed to reach the final of the men’s 100 metres at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Harris had placed second in his heat on Sunday, which gave him automatic qualifi-

cation to the semi-finals but was only able to place sixth on Monday.

Jamaica’s Kemar BaileyCole went on to win the gold medal ahead of England’s Adam Gemili. BaileyCole’s fellow Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade took bronze at Hampden Park, but it was the 20-yearold Gemili who celebrated with the most glee as his 10.10secs on a cool

Glasgow evening put him on a senior podium for the first time.

Guyana’s Jeremy Bascom had also competed in the men’s 100 metres but his run of 10.58s was not enough to get him past the first round.

Meanwhile, Winston George and Stephan James reached the semi-finals of the men’s 400 metres on Monday.

Black Hawks Martial Arts Club are the new champions of the Best of the Best Martial Arts School’s 2nd annual Mixed Martial Arts Championships, dethroning the hosts at the National Gymnasium on Sunday.

The competition, according to Professor and Founder of the host club Best of the Best Martial Arts Club, Quacuy A. Baveghems, was a keen one and expressed appreciation to the clubs that participated.

Those included IBE Karate Club, Rising Sun Alpha, Rising Sun Judo, National Martial Arts Association and Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Association.

“The competiveness from all the clubs was good, we had a good turnout, we had all the instructors from

the various clubs and they, along with the students, did really well.”

The members of the Best of the Best Martial Arts Club dropped in to Guyana Times Sport on Monday to proudly display their medals for our camera.

Among the medalists were Gabriella Kingston, Nigel Hunte, Roshanna Christopher, Quacy Baveghems Jr, Brandon Christopher, Nicholas Ramlall, Judah Ram, Clinton John and Trenton Coates.

Meanwhile, Baveghems ensured to thanked the supports of his club including RT Enterprise, Oasis Café and Digicom.

The young martial artists now focus their attention on the Pan-Caribbean Mixed Martial Arts Tournament to be held at the National Gymnasium next month.

Adam Harris, seen here winning the men’s 100 metres at the BVI Twilight Invitational in June, was eliminated in the semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Photo: Andre Dawson

Guyana made heavy weather of their 62-run target for victory but were able to cross the line by four wickets on the final day of the second round game against the Windward Islands in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19, Three-day tournament. Guyana were obviously delighted over the achievement of their bowlers, especially the spinners who took eight of the opponents second innings wickets at the Everest Cricket Club. Leg-spinner Steven Sankar was particularly lethal, having claimed 5-35 in 25.5 overs.

Part of the 2nd round action between Guyana and Windward Islands at Everest Cricket Club (Photo: Carl Croker)

Some of the martial artists of the Best of the Best Martial Arts Club display their medals won at the 2nd annual Mixed Martial Arts Championships on Sunday

Match Ready: Gabriella Gonzales, Flight Attendant; Daniel Vettori, Jamaica Tallwahs; Brian Lara, Caribbean Airlines Ambassador; Dwayne Bravo, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel; Chris Gayle, Jamaica Tallwahs; Melanie Williams, Flight Attendant