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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1971 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

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Guyana Times launches Berbice supplement

See story on page 13

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Region Two P3 farmers complain bitterly about poor drainage

Rice production in Black Bush P3 Polder to double in 2014 Science, P10 technology sectors not properly harnessed in Caribbean – prime minister

Berbice will now have a greater voice with the launching of the Guyana Times Berbice supplement at the company’s office at LFS Burnham (Coburg) Street, in New Amsterdam on Monday. Inset is Mark Roopnarine, the keynote speaker at the launch. See more in Wednesday’s paper

Man, toddler hospitalised after coal pot explodes See story on page 11

Parenthood body wants healthy conversation on sexuality See story on page 7

Anna Regina Multilateral, Reliance P17 Nursery closed due to flooding

TuesDay, december 3, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

News

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, December 3 from 14:30h to 16:00h. The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, December 3 from 16:30h to 18:00h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected to prevail during the day and into the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East north-easterly between 2.22 and 2.5 metres per second.

High Tide: 16:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.88 metres. Low Tide: 10:13h and 22:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.51 metre and 0.32 metre respectively.

saturday, november 30, 2013

LOTTERY NUMBERS

TuesDay, december 3, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Rice production in Black Bush Polder to double in 2014

ice production in Black Bush Polder, Region Six, is expected to double next year, Rice Producers Association (RPA) President Leekha Rambrich said. He made the comment following the announcement by junior Agriculture Ministry Ali Baksh that a $1 billion project to improve drainage in the community is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2014. The project will see a new sluice and two drainage canals being constructed at Bengal Village on the Corentyne. Currently, some 22,000 acres of rice cultivated at Black Bush Polder. When the project is completed, a further 20,000 acres of rice land would be opened for cultivation. The four polders at Black Bush have three outfall channels: one at Lesbeholden another at Mibicuri and the other at Yakasary. According to Rambrich, during the rainy season, Johanna and Yakasary are inundated, making it almost impossible for farmers to plant.

Rice production in Black Bush Polder is expected to double next year, RPA President Leekha Rambrich said

“This project will link directly to Johanna and will drain the front lands within the Johanna area and as well as Johanna.” Some 15,000 acres on cash crop will benefit from the project. This year, the region produced in excess of 500 tonnes of rice, the RPA president said. Meanwhile, Region Six parliamentary representative Fizal Jafferally said the investments represent government’s commitment to agriculture. “We have made it in 2013. That tells us how important

the rice sector is to Guyana. I want to commend the farmers in Region Six for their enormous commitment to the agriculture sector, more particularly to the rice sector. This project at Bengal will only enhance the work of the farmers at Bengal and Black Bush.” Minister Baksh said the project aims to benefit primarily farmers at Black Bush Polder. “This will take care of not only the farming area but also the Yakasary Black Bush Polder, but also the Bengal housing area. It will not only

improve the rice sector but Black Bush is traditionally involved in a lot of other crops, so farmers generally will benefit tremendously.” Meanwhile, the sluice situated just about three miles off the Black Bush Polder main road is near completion. Resident Engineer Roberto Cocahanin said the two-door sluice will be supported by two pumps. “The benefit of installing two pumps is that it will assist in cleaning the outfall channel during the dry period.” He added that 159 poles, plus over $60 million worth in steel piles have been installed to fortify the structure. “In excess of 500 cubic meters of concrete was poured into the massive structure,” he said. The sluice is being constructed by Roopan Ramotar Investment to the tune of $400 million and is expected to be completed within two weeks, while the two canals and outfall channels are expected to be completed early next year.

Region Two farmers complain bitterly about poor drainage

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A flooded rice field at Three Friends on the Essequibo Coast

The sluice at Three Friends with the malfunctioning door

armers of Three Friends on the Essequibo Coast on Monday vented their frustration about poor drainage in their community when they met with junior Agriculture Minister Alli Baksh. The farmers complained bitterly that their rice fields are under water due to a malfunctioning sluice in their community. According to reports, one of the doors of the sluice is not working. The farmers, who have be-

Devonshire Castle are also complaining about excessive water in their rice fields. During an interaction with Baksh, the farmers said they have planted but are yet to see any sign of growth. One farmer said he is scared that the amount of water in his field will kill his crop. The farmers blamed the flooding on poor drainage and a faulty pump in the area. The minister, in responding to the farmers, said

gun sowing, said the current situation is unacceptable. Baksh, who inspected the sluice, told the farmers that the Agriculture Ministry is working feverishly to fix the problem. He said too that a pontoon with an excavator was sent to assist with drainage works in the area. Three Friends is predominantly a rice growing area, as some 3000 acres of rice lands are under cultivation. Meanwhile, farmers at

the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is working to fix the problem. Presently, an excavator mounted on a pontoon is doing work at Devonshire Castle, and Baksh said 10 tubes have been sent to Region Two to assist in the pumping of excessive water. Other areas that are flooded in Region Two include Capoey, Unu Creek and Itubursi. The region is working assiduously to drain the excess water off the land.

guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, december 3, 2013

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Two years on

he government has concluded two years in office after the 2011 general election. After the declarations of those results, many self-anointed political sages and the political opposition heralded these results with great celebration. They predicted that the parliamentary configuration which resulted would have produced miraculous results. “A new dispensation” was the label used to describe it. Two years hence, every objective mind will agree that it has been an unmitigated disaster. The government went to the electorate with a manifesto which captures the PPP/C developmental plan for the next five years. Significantly, when compared with the manifestos of the AFC and the APNU, there are great commonalities. Strangely, however, many of these same common programmes have been opposed and rejected by these two parties in the National Assembly. The national budget for both years has been unlawfully and unconstitutionally cut by the opposition. The 2013 budget was cut notwithstanding a ruling from the chief justice that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for this to occur. The consequences are that valuable time is wasted in getting these developmental projects off the ground without timely financing. All manner of mechanisms have been employed to have these monies restored. Valuable time is, however, lost in the process. Nineteen billion dollars was cut from the 2012 budget and thirty two billion from the 2013 budget. Government is still the largest spender in the Guyanese economy. Indeed, it is government’s spending that has the greatest impact on the economy. When government’s ability to spend is affected in such a massive way, economic inertia is the consequence. Every facet of life is affected. In addition, outside of the budgetary expenditure, large capital intensive projects like the Marriott Hotel and the hydropower project have been rejected by the parliamentary opposition. The president recently disclosed that the hydropower project was equal to 25 per cent to the country’s annual GDP. When such a blow is dealt to the economy, stagnation is the result. The bashing which the Marriott Hotel, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the Specialty Hospital have received at the hands of the opposition must have sent a most damaging signal to potential foreign investors. Recall that all these projects are done by foreign contractors and funded by external lending agencies. No foreign investor would find attractive such an antagonistic environment created by the opposition. Guyana was dealt yet another blow when the opposition voted down the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill causing Guyana to be blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. It is too early to predict the impact this will have on Guyana’s economic fortune. But what is certain is that nothing positive can come out of this. It is yet another disincentive for investment both local and foreign. Caricom has recently expressed its concern on the impact this will have on the region. Internationally, it is an unnecessary stain on Guyana’s image. In this politically toxic atmosphere, it is extremely difficult for the respective ministries to carry out their individual plans of development for any given year. Valuable time and energy are spent putting out political fires. For example, the important security reform plan put forward by the Home Affairs Ministry has been rejected by the opposition. The important Firearms Bill has been voted down in the National Assembly. This is done while the country continues to reel from attacks by criminals. A SWAT team proposed by the ministry has been rejected by the opposition even before its implementation. The country simply cannot continue along this path. The senseless approach of the opposition to oppose simply for the purpose of opposing must stop. Their role in Parliament is to oversee not to obstruct and transgress the functional responsibilities of the government. Their employment of ransom and blackmailing political strategies must cease. If there are no changes, then 2014 will be yet another year of economic stagnation.

Elite students Beaming: Some of the top performers of the regional examinations after touching down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) ahead of the annual governance meetings of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and an awards ceremony. Several events are scheduled to be held during the period December 2-6 at which time the awardees and other officials will be in the country

Every individual should be familiarised with relevant child right laws Dear Editor, I must commend several organisations, namely Rights of the Child Commission, the Child Rights Division, Childcare and Protection Agency, the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the commitment that they offer as it relates to promoting child rights in

Guyana. Knowledge is power and reading is one of the best ways to acquire knowledge. In this regard, the above mentioned bodies have made it possible for not only children, but for other individuals to read recently compiled booklets pertaining to the fundamental rights of a child. Each booklet captures relevant information on three recently updated

laws. These laws include the Adoption of Children Act (2009 and 2011), the Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Act 2011 and the Status of Children Act, Number 19 of 2009. These booklets basically summarise and simplify everything that both children and adults need to know about child rights. They are very informative and easy to read. Information is certain-

ly abundant in Guyana, but we must make the effort to keep ourselves informed. It is important that these booklets are distributed to as many individuals and places as possible. We must encourage each other, especially our children to read and keep abreast with current activities. Sincerely, Nandanie Gopaul

Nursery education should be made mandatory in Guyana Dear Editor, Children who encounter difficulty in learning and processing can be given the attention that they need. Implementing corrective actions at such an early age will ensure a more effective and meaningful chance of improving the overall learning and thinking ability of the child.

It is well established that if a child’s speech and behaviour is not corrected from a young age, it becomes increasingly difficult for adjustments and corrections to be made, particularly after the age of four. Two nursery schools were just recently constructed, one in Beterverwagting, on the East Coast of Demerara

and another in Diamond, on the East Bank of Demerara. The two schools are expected to incorporate a little bit of play, along with quite a few educational activities to boost a child’s thinking and learning capacity. Children will be exposed to rhymes, tables and other fundamentals of learning. A recent proposal was put

forward for nursery education to become compulsory in Guyana. This initiative is expected to allow us to identify learning problems and weaknesses in children at a young age. It should be pursued and nursery education should be made mandatory in Guyana. Sincerely, Mohan Prashad

Threats must be treated seriously Dear Editor, It is a serious offence for an individual to threaten someone’s life. A verbal or written threat implies great intention of an individual to commit an act and so should not be treated lightly. In some countries, this offence can result in as much

as 10 years imprisonment. Additionally, if the accused is found guilty as charged, he or she could face quite a hefty bail. Just recently in Guyana, a mechanic was charged on account of using threatening language. The individual was denied the privilege of see-

ing his daughter, and so proceeded to threaten to kill the mother of his child. His wife did not take the threat lightly and subsequently after, she made a report to the police. The accused was fined a minimum of three months imprisonment and placed on $25,000 bail, and though he

subsequently apologised for his inappropriate behaviour, as individuals we need realise that some people actually live up to their words and it is best to never take any threat lightly. Yours sincerely, Fabian Gonsalves

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, december 3, 2013

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

officers who break the law Guns are too easily Police should be disciplined accessible

Dear Editor, As people of Guyana, we should all be concerned of the fact that guns of all types are circulating and falling into the hands of people who have genuine and inhumane intentions to kill innocent civilians. It is imperative for the relevant authorities to address this issue immediately. We cannot continue to live our lives in fear of being victims of these hooligans. Just recently, two gunmen invaded the home of a 68-year-old businessman from Berbice. They managed to escape with $7000, a cellphone, a car key and a pair of hearing aids, subsequently after shooting the elderly man in his hands and feet. In another incident, a man accused of being involved in a $17.2 million payroll heist from the

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was confronted and detained by the police. During the time of the incident, the individual was shot by the police, but it is unclear as to what lead up to the shooting. One account stipulates that the man was on the verge of carrying out a robbery when the police confronted him; the other is that he resisted arrest for foregoing armed robberies and was subsequently shot. The number of ruth-

less criminals surging in Guyana is beyond disturbing and how they manage to get effortless access to guns and other ammunition is beyond me. Upholding the responsibilities and duties of a police officer is no easy task. Their lives are always at risk in their quest to protect the nation and for that, I will continue to favour the efforts of the police force. Sincerely, Arthur Jacobus

The GSPCA clears the air on the enforcement of animal welfare laws Dear Editor, Recent reports in the media on the issue of enforcement of animal welfare laws following the hacking to death of several penned dogs by vigilante members of the Ogle Street, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara community, including police officers, reflected conflicting opinions between an unnamed Guyana Police Force source and the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA). The GSPCA wishes to clearly state its position on the very important issue of the enforcement of

Guyana’s animal welfare laws at this particularly pertinent time. The GSPCA is a non-governmental organisation registered under the Friendly Societies Act. Contrary to the opinion expressed by the Guyana Police Force source, it has no statutory powers to prosecute breaches of animal welfare laws. The Guyana Police Force, however, has both the power and the responsibility to enforce these laws, and the GSPCA would draw their attention to the provisions relating to cruelty to animals in the Title 14 of the Summary Jurisdiction

(Offences) Act and to section 53 of the Act which states: Everyone who unlawfully and maliciously kills, maims or wounds any dog ... being ordinarily kept in a state of confinement or for any domestic purpose shall be liable to a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars nor more than twenty thousand dollars, and, on a second or any subsequent conviction for that offence, shall be liable to imprisonment for 12 months. Sincerely, GSPCA President Oliver Insanally

Guyana’s road network doesn’t allow for maximum vehicle capacity Dear Editor, Several accidents have occurred over the last week, each of them claiming the lives of those involved. I believe that it would be quite accurate to conclude that we have a significant crisis on our hands. These accidents have been allowed to become almost such a norm in Guyana, but this lawlessness has to stop. It is imperative for Guyana’s traffic department to intervene at this critical stage. Too many Guyanese have lost their lives to the

roadways. Additionally, Guyana’s road network does not cater for and cannot accommodate the many vehicles that traverse the roadways on a daily basis. Evidently, frequently traversed roads become prone to traffic congestions and bottlenecks. Drivers should at all times try to exercise patience, consideration and caution on the roadways. It is a lack of these qualities that often result in accidents of all kinds. Guyana is currently in

the process of expanding its road network, but until then, we must remain wellmannered responsible drivers. I commend the traffic department for streamlining trucks along the east bank corridor. However, it is pertinent that the same principles and restrictions be applied to push cart vendors and horse carts. Yours truly, Marilyn Cadogan

Dear Editor, Just recently, two traffic officers were remanded for not attending court; and several others were identified and arrested for being involved in a recent criminal activity. Many people are beyond disappointed when it relates to the involvement of Guyana’s police officers in unlawful activities. It perceives corruption and causes the nation to have very little faith and confidence in the police force. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell acknowledged the existence of police officers who err and stated that they had no tolerance for

those who failed to uphold the morals and ethics of the force. The two traffic officers remanded were scheduled to attend a court trial against a man convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. They were witnesses on behalf of the police force, in the preliminary inquiry. Failure to present themselves in court resulted in action being taken against them. Additionally, the recent multimillion-dollar gold

and cash heist that rocked Port Kaituma, North West District claimed the involvement of three policemen. In an ideal world, a police officer is a man of integrity. He is honest, trustworthy and often well respected by many. Officers who choose to tarnish the reputation of the police force should bear the consequences that they deserve. Respectfully, Cynthia Hinds

tuesday, december 3, 2013

Page

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Foundation

Better safe than sorry this Christmas season C

hristmas gets most children carried away – but overexcitement, unsuitable toys and even Christmas decorations can cause accidents. Follow these tips to keep your child safe for the season.

Your Christmas tree

• Make sure it’s flameproof If you’re purchasing an artificial tree, check the packaging to make sure it’s fire resistant; if you’re having a live tree, bear in mind that chemical sprays to prolong life may be flammable. • Position your tree carefully. When setting up a tree at home, place it away from any heat source. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and don’t block doorways.

Your Christmas lights

• Avoid lights on a metallic tree. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree – the tree could become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. • Use outdoor lights safely. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they’ve been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them. • Check all tree lights before hanging them on your

tree, even if you’ve just purchased them. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. • Use circuit breakers for all outdoor electric decorations to avoid potential

shocks. • Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house – there’s a risk they could short out and start a fire.

Your Christmas decorations

• Stick to flame-resistant decorations. Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. • Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders and place candles where they won’t be knocked over. • Keep them childfriendly in homes with small children. Take special care to avoid

decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to

eat them. • Remove wrapping paper, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child, or can cause a fire if near a flame. • Don’t burn giftwrap. A flash fire may result, as wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Toy safety

• Keep them age-appropriate. Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. • Read instructions care-

Out-of-the-box charitable things to do this Christmas fully before b u y ing a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy he has received as a gift. • Prevent burns and electric shock by not giving children under the age of 10 toys that are mains-operated. • Check for small parts. Children under three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. • Avoid choking hazards. Children under eight can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. • Police pullcord toys. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 25-30cm long – they could be a strangulation hazard for babies. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.

Happy visiting

• Clean up immediately after a holiday party – a toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco. • Check on childproofing. Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots. • Soothe seasonal stress. Travelling, visiting family members, getting presents and shopping can all increase your child’s stress levels. Sticking to her usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy Christmas and reduce stress. (Super Nanny)

By Lauren Rowland

hristmas isn’t always about those directly around us – though it can be hard to remember that in the hurricane of wrapping, baking and decorating leading up to the big day. So why not get charitable this Christmas? Not only will you be helping those in need, you’ll also sort your Christmas gift buying in a snap. Plus, you’ll also be teaching your little ones that giving gifts can bestow the warm ‘n’ fuzzies just as much receiving them! Here are some charity gift ideas:

Give a chicken

Help those who need it most by giving a charitable gift. From a pair of chickens, to a blackboard, to even a village water system – these charitable gifts help you get gifting while transforming the life of someone living in poverty. Your giftee will receive a heart warming card detailing their ‘gift’, a sense of goodwill, and won’t have another candle holder cluttering the house!

Paws for thought

While charity gifts are fantastic, there’s nothing worse than seeing your child’s face fall when they all they have to open is a card. So why not adopt them a four-legged friend from WWF? These gifts support the conservation of endangered animals and make perfect charitable gifts for children (and some adults!). Not only do all profits go to fund the care and protection of your chosen wild animal, your giftee gets their own ‘adoption’ papers AND a cuddly plush version too.

Operation Santa

Target’s Operation Santa is a fantastic charity initiative where you can play Santa to a child in desperate need of some Christmas cheer. Your children will love helping you pick out a present for another little one less fortunate than them and learning the importance of giving.

Festive fair trade gifts

If you want to give a physical gift while still doing some good, then do your Christmas shopping at the Oxfam Shop. You’ll find quirky and fun gifts to delight children, but also décor, accessories and even wine for adults. All Oxfam gifts are handmade, support fair-trade across the world, and have a unique charm.

Tie it with a pink ribbon

Want to give a mumfriendly gift with extra meaning? The National Breast Cancer Foundation has a cool range of charitable gifts and home wares, all promoting the awareness of breast cancer. With 60 per cent of the proceeds going directly to breast cancer research, not only are you giving a great gift – you’re contributing to breast cancer research for women.

Charity-friendly Christmas cards

Don’t forget to make your festive greetings a meaningful affair. Charity Christmas cards spread the love while raising much needed funds. Check out Charity Greeting Cards and Charity Christmas Cards to find a great range of charity cards. (kidspot.com.au)

news

tuesday, december 3, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Parenthood body wants healthy Whittaker blames City Hall for recent floods conversation on sexuality

he Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) is working to strengthen engagement with schools and community organisations to encourage a shift to a more healthy conversation on sexuality. The organisation in a release said it is seeking to promote age appropriate sexuality education, one that celebrates sexuality and fosters a sexual ethic, which is focused more on personal relationships and social justice rather than particular sexual acts. “One of the biggest misconceptions that people have of sexuality education is that if you provide this kind of education to an adolescent, they are going to want to have sex earlier. But this is not the case. Rather, it has been noted that adolescents and youths who are better educated on these issues are likely to delay their sexual initiation and be better able to make wise choices. They are also likely to not suffer the same consequences as those who lack this vital information and support,” GRPA Executive Director, Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth said. She expressed this view at the GRPA 40th Annual General Meeting held on Friday at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran congratulated the organisation which was as born out of the womb of the struggle for gender justice and equality, which began in the pre and early independent era in Guyana. He spoke about efforts made by the Health Ministry to address maternal mortal-

of some of the council not only to alter financial records to avoid family, friends and cohorts paying their lawful due rates and taxes, but also to have the records audited, to account for the unspent portion of the Japanese grant that is yet to be accounted for. The auditor general has tremendous difficulties accessing records.

Corruption

Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsammy with GRPA President Pamela Nauth and Human Services and Social Security Ministry Permanent Secretary Patrick Findlay cutting the 40th anniversary cake on Friday

ity and recognised the important role of civil society organisations.

Essential policy

The Health Ministry in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is developing a Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) policy for Guyana. SRH is fundamental to the health and well-being of all persons and essential to a fit and productive society. It is elemental to a healthy life and has an impact on sustainable development as it affects the most essential of a nation’s resources, its human capital, the GRPA said. There is a close link between SRH and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Dr Ramsaran called on the GRPA to expand its services to rural and hinterland communities and to engage in widespread, education and awareness on SRH and

GBV. The GRPA was established in 1973 with the primary aim of enabling women to have access to family planning information and services and to lift up this issue as important for Guyana. Its first executive director and founder, Olga Byrne, holds a significant place in the history of the women’s rights movement in Guyana. The GRPA has since expanded its focus to include a broader and more comprehensive approach to sexual and reproductive health. In October, the organisation launched the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) Vision 2020, which has 10 action points to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda. This includes recognising sexual rights as human rights and increasing access to family planning and SRH education.

unior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said City Hall must accept blame for the recent floods caused by heavy rainfall which left residents and businesses in millions of dollars in losses. Speaking at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic's (PPP/C) weekly press briefing at Freedom House on Monday, the minister said citizens of Georgetown should no longer fetch the burden of the City Council’s incompetence. “We have witnessed yet again the inundation of the city of Georgetown, may I add after a mere few hours of rainfall, that this is a consequence of the neglect of the City Council in ensuring timely servicing of its kokers and pumps; in ensuring timely cleaning of canals and drains; in ensuring timely collection and disposal of garbage in the city, no honest, no fair-minded Guyanese would deny.” Whittaker pointed out all this happened under Mayor Hamilton Green, who continues to wield control over the city for the past 19 years. He said City Hall has received billions of dollars in rates and taxes paid every year by the citizenry of

City Mayor Hamilton Green

Georgetown, yet garbage is everywhere, drains are blocked, parapets are in an unkempt manner and flooding takes place whenever there is excess rainfall.

Bailouts

Central government is regularly forced to pump millions of dollars into City Council annually to bail it out of their financial woes. For the years 2007 to 2013, to date, financial and other support to the extent of $337 million has been given to the City Council. “I have a breakdown here and this excludes a number of compactor trucks, a number of pickups, a number of garbage bins given to the council and this excludes also the several clean up campaigns which government at the level of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and at the level of the Ministry of Public Works have initiated and supported over the years, but, fellow Guyanese, ineptitude and inertia among those responsible for managing the affairs of the council and by extension the city is evident and apparent for all to see,” he said. The minister pointed out that corruption is rampant as evident from the attempt

“The corruption to which I speak became apparent when the town clerk took the brave step of dragging a few of them before the courts recently. They all claimed they had arrangements with the City Council to set off the millions of dollars which they owed dating back several years. The town clerk has disclosed that the financial records of the council do not support their allegations, none of them have been able to produce any credible document or evidence to support their contentions,” he said. Shockingly, the minister said, simple perennial tasks of preparing and approving budgets, annual estimates, cannot be done by the council, by the statutory date prescribed in the legislation. “Yet, we have not heard a single utterance from those who masquerade as crusaders against corruption. For example, one would have thought that the Alliance For Change, that the APNU, Transparency International, people of the likes of Mr Anand Goolsarran, Mr Lincoln Lewis would have been forthright in their condemnation of these acts of impropriety on the part of the Mayor and Council, but I say to you that the government continues to be blamed for the atrocities and the negligence which occur every day,” he said.

8 news

Tuesday, december 3, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Teen remanded for hotel owner’s death

ineteen-year-old Brian Leitch, also known as “Big Foot”, who is charged with murdering Joseph Jagdeo, the proprietor of South Central Hotel and Bar, made his first court appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday. Leitch stood silently before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry as he was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between November 13 and 14 at the South Road, Bourda hotel, he murdered Jagdeo, 62. The prosecution stated that the accused and a female were staying at the South Central Hotel and

Brian Leitch, also known as “Big Foot”

Bar, at the time of the incident. On November 13, the hotel proprietor discovered his cellphone missing and approached Leitch about it which resulted in him becoming annoyed. On the following day, the

hotel caretaker was about to clean the room when she realised the door was locked. She subsequently gained entry and found Jagdeo dead under the bed, tied up with pillow cases. According to reports reaching Guyana Times, the businessman was last seen alive on the morning of November 12 around 08:30h. When his body was discovered by the employee, it bore marks of violence and was lying in a pool of blood. The matter was reported to the police. Law enforcement officials used a tracking device to find the missing cellphone in the possession of a female who admitted that she bought it from the accused.

After a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest on November 30, Leitch was turned over to the police by his mother. Once in custody, he was told of the allegation and reportedly admitted to murdering Jagdeo. Police had said in a statement that, according to the post-mortem examination performed on the man’s body, he was strangled. An unrepresented Leitch told the court that he was a labourer and resided in Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The murder accused, who was remanded to prison, will make his next appearance on January 7 for report and fixtures.

Attempted robbery lands man in jail for 18 months

25-year-old man was on Monday sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of larceny. Kelvin Washington, of 43 Princes Street, Lodge, first appeared in court on

August 27 before Magistrate Faith McGusty in Court Eight and Nine where he pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on August 22 at Georgetown, he attempted to steal one shoulder bag and all its contents from Dawn Murray. Prosecutor Seon Blackman had objected to

bail. The matter was transferred to Court Three and Washington was placed on remand for the duration of his trial. According to the facts, on the day in question, the virtual complainant was walking in Georgetown when she felt a hand on her bag. She turned around, caught

the defendant red-handed, and raised an alarm. A police officer dressed in plainclothes gave chase and apprehended the suspect, who was told of the offence and denied it. He was found guilty by Magistrate Latchman and remained silent as his sentence was read to him.

Man refused bail on robbery under arms charge

n Monday, a 25-yearold man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry where he was slapped with a robbery under arms charge. Keon Kelvin, of Pocket Street, “C” Field, Sophia, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on October 31 at Georgetown,

being armed with a gun, he robbed Ann Welch of one shoulder bag, a BlackBerry cellphone, a bank card, and a quantity of cash, a total value of $235,000. According to Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question, Welch entered ScotiaBank and withdrew a sum of money. Kelvin, who was in a nearby pharmacy, had watched as the complainant walked by to go to

the bank. As she returned, he went up to her, pulled out a gun and demanded that she hand over her bag. Welch became afraid and complied. The matter was subsequently reported. Kelvin was represented by Attorney Paul FungA-Fat who told the court that there were no caution statements and the articles were not found on his client. Fung-A-Fat

also made an application for reasonable bail to be granted, Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence along with the fact that if granted his pretrial liberty, there was a likelihood the defendant would not return to court. Bail was refused and Kelvin was remanded to prison until December 18.

Fishing vessel stolen from Rosignol fishing complex

he police have launched a probe into the disappearance of a fishing vessel belonging to Claudette Kurtzious from the Rosignol Fishing Complex over the weekend. The businesswoman of Lot 8 Hosanna Street, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice reportedly left her boat with a 40-horsepower Yamaha engine intact on Saturday evening about 20:00h, but when she returned to the complex the following morning about 07:00h, she discovered the boat was missing. Kurtzious said the engine and boat cost some $1.2

million. Based on information received, the boat and the engine were tied with a green rope in the vicinity of the fishing complex protected by guards. The woman, after mooring her boat, went home, but when she returned, the boat and engine were not seen. Several persons in the area were contacted and questioned and based on information received, efforts were made to contact a man referred to as Tyson, but he was not seen in the area. The police are continuing their investigations.

Eyew tness Recalcitrant...

...obstructionists e’ve long observed the rampant schizophrenia of the Stabber News editorial stringers. They just can’t seem to decide whether its APNU or AFC who’re the object of their affections. In their last editorial “Two years of stagnation”, they decided to play it safe and just do a hatchet job on the first two years of the Donald Ramotar presidency. But all that revealed is they can’t even count to two. Nitpicking that there wasn’t any “fanfare” about the November 28, 2011 elections, they were so eager to get on with their “cuss-down”, they missed the fact that the president took office on December 3! Today’s the anniversary, wankers!! Now, we’re not going to say that there’ve been no missteps in the last two years...but then again, last time we looked we’re not in that place where we’re all strumming harps while halos hover over our heads. But if they’re going to look back, does it have to be so lopsidedly one-sided? Jeez...you mean to say, in the last two years, Prezzie didn’t do a single thing right? His proposal for tripartite talks as an institutionalised vehicle to deal with the new electoral configuration wasn’t visionary? And its torpedoing by Ramjattan and later Granger wasn’t petty and vindictive? Not to mention downright incendiary – as proved by the tragedy at Linden? In fact, this Eyewitness took Prezzie to task when he made that move: we warned he didn’t fully appreciate the depth to which his opponents would go to seize power. And so said, so done. This opposition – formed by APNU and AFC who’re conjoined at the hips – has conducted a slash-and-burn operation against the economy of this country that is unmatched in our history. Starting from wildly chopping the budget – even after the courts pronounced this was unconstitutional! – it segued into ambushing every project that could take Guyana into the big leagues: AFHEP, the CJIA expansion, the Marriott Hotel, the Specialty Hospital. You name it and the opposition’s sandbagged it. And it didn’t stop there. It believes others are oblivious to the “go-slow” it launched in the public services from the moment the president took power. The present “protests” by those elements are simply the intensification of their two-year-old economic sabotage. Those who have eyes have seen. ...specifics The Stabber editorialist cherry-picked some examples to illustrate the claimed “stagnation”. Crime was one. That’s right; these shameless saboteurs have the chutzpah to say: “various periods of the PPP/C’s 21-year reign has been undermined by the ineffective response to crime”. They neglected to mention, of course, during those “various periods”, the opposition sponsored armed banditry – emanating from Buxton – against the police and citizens of this country. In a naked attempt to seize power through the barrel of a gun. The present upsurge in crime by mostly youthful perpetrators is the direct result of the tactic by the opposition’s bandits to recruit child soldiers during their reign of terror. The editorial also cites the travails of the sugar industry – which are acknowledged. But, surely, it should be also acknowledged that the PPP is a victim of its own success and of the opposition’s spitefulness. Wages in other sectors of the burgeoning economy (continued by Prezzie) have drained the industry of labour. And the opposition’s racist opposition to wage increases in this sector have only exacerbated the situation. They concluded that “the government is hobbled as a result of the lack of a parliament majority”, Well... excuuuuse me! Who’s been doing the “hobbling” if not Granger and Ramjattan? ...solution The editorial calls for the president to take charge. Here we agree: the courts have ruled the executive must execute. But not for the “dialogue” the opposition’s already slapped aside. Granger has been trained as a soldier: all he respects is greater and overwhelming force. Ramjattan? He’s just a water boy.

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tuesday, december 3, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

President commended for LIAT promises passengers smooth journey during Christmas season withholding assent to local govt bill L

eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee said the party commends President Donald Ramotar for withholding his assent to the Local Government Bill and returning it to the National Assembly in keeping with the law. Speaking at the party’s weekly press briefing at Freedom House on Monday, the PPP/C general secretary said he is now hoping that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will now seek the opportunity to undo the errors that they made in the bill so that the neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs) can benefit from the Local Government Task Force recommendations contained in the initial bill when it was laid in Parliament in 2012. “The party is cognisant of the contribution made by citizens during the countrywide consultations and we do not believe that these consultations should be thrown out of the window. Consultations are consultations; you cannot have consultations for one set of issues that satisfies one set of people and keep those consultations... consultations that satisfy another set of people but these issues are thrown out of the window for political purposes. The party is cognisant, therefore, that while these con-

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

sultations are important and were undertaken by the task force, they were included in the bill as presented to the National Assembly in the year 2012,” Rohee said. Meanwhile, the party said it has noted the current approaches taken by the various arms of the government and the state in fulfilling the respective constitutional and statutory mandates with regards to the preparation for the holding of local government elections. This, the PPP/C said is testimony of the president’s commitment on behalf of the party and government to hold local government elections soon.

Supportive

“The party continues to follow these developments, and is very supportive of the government’s efforts in this direction. The public aware-

ness information placed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in both the print and electronic media, as well as the distribution of sketch maps, description of boundaries and booklets on the new electoral system which will be used for the next elections are commendable,” the PPP/C said . The seminars and workshops which were organised and being held by the Local Government Ministry on behalf of the PPP/C is another initiative that is being monitored by the party. The PPP/C, like the other political parties which have seats on the regional democratic councils, have attended and participated in all of these seminars and workshops. “All councillors on the RDC who reside within the local authority area were invited to these seminars/ workshops by way of written invitations, similarly all councillors in each NDC and municipalities were invited to these seminars/workshops held in their cluster. Senior staff of municipalities and all staff of NDCs were invited to these seminar/workshops held so far in Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven. Based on information received, these activities for Regions One, Two, Nine and 10 will be held during the month of December, that is, this current month,” the party said.

IAT is promising customers that it is doing everything to make their journey during the busy Christmas season as smooth as possible. The company in a release confirmed that its fleet modernisation efforts are continuing with five new ATR aircraft being added so far and two more are due to arrive in January 2014. “Even as we continue the transition from the Dash 8 to the ATR aircraft, we are now in a better position to stabilise the schedule during the Christmas peak, traditionally one of the busiest periods for us,” Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julie ReiferJones said. She added: “We are determined to get all of our passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible over the holiday season.” The acting CEO said the company is also working with

external agencies as it endeavours to improve the level of customer service offered by its employees. And with the Christmas holidays approaching, LIAT is placing an embargo on excess baggage from December 3 to January 14, 2014. Reifer-Jones said high passenger loads during the Christmas season added to the space and weight limitations of both Dash 8 and ATR aircraft are key reasons for a return to the seasonal policy. She said that in order to make flying as easy as possi-

ble, passengers should adhere to LIAT’s baggage limits. “The free baggage allowance for all LIAT services is one piece at a maximum of 50 lbs or 23 kgs. In addition, passengers are allowed one piece of cabin baggage at a maximum weight of 15 lbs,” Reifer-Jones said. Passengers are reminded that they should arrive at the airport to check-in at least two hours prior to their scheduled time of departure and that check-in closes 45 minutes before the plane departs.

PPP/C to meet East Berbice residents on Saturday

he Central Committee of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will be meeting in East Berbice, Corentyne on Saturday for its third meeting since the convening of the 30th Congress in August 2013. Following the Central Committee meeting, the residents of East Berbice villages will have another opportunity for one on one interaction with party leaders who will fan out into several commu-

nities. The fan out exercise will include all members of the Central Committee, including President Ramotar, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and General Secretary Clement Rohee. The last Central Committee meeting was held at Enmore culminating with a highly successful walk about exercise, where party leaders addressed several concerns of residents of that East Coast community last

September. “May I make the point for those who are young and do not know about the history of the People’s Progressive Party: the PPP has never, ever held Central Committee meetings of this type in communities that I have just mentioned. Central Committee meetings have always been held at party headquarters and when the party was underground in the 50s, was held through various contacts,” Rohee said.

guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

News

Science, technology sectors not properly harnessed in Caribbean – prime minister

rime Minister Samuel Hinds on Friday expressed concern that the science and technology sectors are not being harnessed in the Caribbean. Speaking at the twoday Caribbean Science Foundation’s third annual science workshop held at the Grand Coastal Hotel, La Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, he noted that these sectors can be improved at several levels. The workshop was hosted in collaboration with the Education Ministry and the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation. Hinds expressed concern that while the Caribbean does not share enough of its education for the development of its people, this may be due to the system not being sufficiently harnessed to lead to the development of Guyana and the Caribbean. He urged that persons in the field engage in closer collaboration, and create improved networking between

Not even de flood coulda float away de mayor-fuh-life

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Professor Arnoldo Ventura at the Caribbean Science Foundation workshop

those at home and in the diaspora. The prime minister also observed that while the workshop would generate in students the realisation and challenge that their contribution would help them advance, there is potential in having revised methods in the presentation of education. Education Minister Priya Manickchand in her presentation noted that while Guyana is bringing home the science prizes at the re-

gional level, there is a lot more to be done locally and regionally. “As a region, we cannot be satisfied with the level of science, technology and mathematics education,” she said. She explained that in Guyana a larger number of students needed to be attracted to the field, to be able to accelerate national policy. Pointing out that science classes need to have the old traditional method of teaching replaced, the min-

ister said secondary school students lose their way because of the way the subject is taught.

Draft policy

She explained that this has been recognised in the draft national science and technology policy, and while initiatives have seen the introduction of the subject in grades five and six where great results have been recorded, the curriculum is also being reviewed to make improvements. Micro science kits are being used in 40 secondary schools, with the others slated to receive theirs by the end of 2015. She explained that for the policies drafted to be adopted and to be successful, partners are necessary. She noted that the workshop was taking place at an opportune time, bringing together experts in the various fields of science. “Power of collaboration will propel our development as a country, as a people and as a region,” she concluded. Professor Arnoldo Ventura, of Mico University, Jamaica, said the workshop will stimulate improved understanding, without which chronic and emerging problems will remain unresolved. He observed that while the workshop will provide methods and information that are appropriate in all jurisdictions, it will also focus on the Caribbean, because of its special culture and problems. The topics during the first day of the workshop will highlight science and technology in the region, math and science education initiatives, teacher training in the region, trends in modern biology, implications for the Caribbean and inquiry and project-based learning. Day two of the workshop will see the presentation of reports from the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation (CADSTI) branches within the diaspora, including the United Kingdom and the United States of America; and reports from the regional network of Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) which will include Guyana, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda.

e more yuh hear de mayor-fuh-life Green Ham mouth, is de more problems in de s*ity. De people by de big market decide to help clean up de road and de drains, but de mayor-fuh-life was no where to be seen. De deputy mayor Green Case was also no where to be seen. Even de actin town clerk Carol Sober was not around. Maybe she wasn’t too sober after all that day. Between de deputy and de sheriff – which is whah de mayor-fuh-life seem to wanna be – yuh hearin dem mouth more than de politicians these days. De politicians don’t even talk so much in and outta Parliament. And dem does get paid according to how much dem talk. That is why Rum Jhaat, Nagga Man de donkey, Green Jah and Jokey Harmon can’t keep dem mouth shut. Rum Sammy look like he on that list too, wid all dem wrong weather reports. De mayor-fuh-life musta been pressin he green shirt and polishin he kickers to go one of dem places wheh he does go steady, albeit in de official capacity of mayor-fuh-life. No wonder he don’t get time to pick up de garbage in de s*ity. Or to even help dem people who helpin out. And Green Case musta been tryin on one of she frock to go church and fool people that she gotta got a godly heart. De other day a mayor in Canada get ketch smokin drugs and he nearly lose he wuk. That is how tings does happen in nuff other countries. If yuh can’t do de wuk, yuh does have to leave de wuk. Is either de bosses gon fire yuh or yuh have to resign. But GT de garbage town got a mayor-fuh-life who ain’t goin no where. He ain’t doin de wuk and he ain’t resignin. And de guvament nor de council can’t even fire he. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De mayor-fuh-life navel string bury right at de s*ity council. Not even de garbage whah he don’t collect could cover he up. And not even de flood de other day couldn’t mek he float away.

Khan representing Guyana at international storytelling festival

ichael Khan, also known as “Ole’ Man Pappie”, is participating in the 16th annual international storytelling festival, GIMISTORY, in the Cayman Islands. Khan is representing Guyana at the festival which began on November 30 and ends on December 8. He will share and relive memories of childhood stories such “Brer Anansi tales”, “Ole’ Higue”, “Massacura Man”, “Dutch Man Killum”, “Indian Jumbie” and the “Legend of How the Cassava came to the Amerindian” and much more through dramatic storytelling, songs and dances, with the use of puppetry. The Cayman Islands international storytelling festival is acclaimed by many who have attended storytelling in North America, the UK and elsewhere, as being among the best in the world. The event brings together virtually every sector of the Caribbean’s multi-generational and multi-national community and has developed a following of visitors from abroad who return time and again. By its very nature, the festival celebrates the art of communication, of talking and listening, and of con-

Michael Khan

veying information, whether light-hearted or profound. During the day, storytellers visit schools, making special presentations to students. In an interview before departing for the festival, Khan said he will unleash the rich culture of Guyanese folklore at the event. The festival also serves as a fact finding mission for research in terms of how different storytellers portray their tales, myths and legends. GIMISTORY this year features dynamic storytellers such as David Bereaux, World Extempo Monarch Philip Murray (Blacksage), Barry Marshall, Jeri Burns and Amina BlackwoodMeeks.

nEWS

Tuesday, December 3, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Man, toddler hospitalised after coal pot explodes

man and his 18-month-old son are nursing burns about their bodies after a coal pot exploded as the father was about to cook dog food at their home at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara on Monday. Twenty-three-year-old Kevin Madramootoo and his son, Alex, were up to late Monday afternoon being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to information received, Madramootoo, a security guard attached to the Signature Hotel in Queenstown, Georgetown, was about to start cooking the dog food in the yard, with his son close by when the incident occurred. He reportedly used gasoline to start the fire and when he scratched the first match, the entire area exploded. Little Alex received burns to his head, back, and face, while his father was severely burnt on his legs. At the Madramootoo home, his reputed wife, Iyanaha Fernandes, explained that she was in the bedroom feeding her other child when she heard screams. As she ran out, the woman saw the injuries incurred as a result of the fire. She said that they were immediately rushed to the

Moblissa double murder

Relatives of murder victims to seek help from Amerindian Affairs Ministry

Kevin and his son, Alex

hospital. In tears, Fernandes disclosed that the father of her children would cook food for the dogs in the yard, but on the day in question, he ran out of the kerosene that he would use to light the coal pot, so he apparently used gasoline.

Hospital officials confirmed that the man and his son were taken to the medical facility about 14:00h and were being treated for firstdegree burns. The child, the official disclosed, is in a more serious state and is being monitored.

elatives of Molly and Aaron James of Moblissa, Linden / Soesdyke Highway, who were murdered by the woman’s 17-year-old brother on Sunday, have solicited the assistance of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to offset funeral expenses. Ignatius James, the father of the now dead woman, explained that he was advised to approach the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to seek assistance, but was unable to get any as he did not have the dead woman’s identification card or birth certificate to present to officials. He disclosed that the ministry promised to provide them with $50,000, for which he is grateful. He said the woman’s eldest daughter in Linden is expected to travel to Georgetown today with relevant documents. A date for the funeral has not yet been set, but it is likely to be held on Thursday in Moblissa. The aggrieved father further stated that he did not get the time to speak with

his grandparents to find out what exactly transpired on the bloody night. He added that his son, Orin James, who committed the act, is in police custody, and he did not get the opportunity to speak with him.

morning after Molly James, 34, and her son Aaron, 15, formerly of the North West District (NWD), were brutally killed by the young man who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

Post-mortem examination

As the news spread about the gruesome murders, relatives of the dead woman and residents rushed to the scene, and many wept at the sight that greeted their eyes. The quiet village was left in a state of shock. According to information received, the woman on Thursday reported to the police that the suspect had allegedly raped her 13-yearold daughter while she was washing clothes at a nearby creek. As a result, a report was made to the police, who went in search of the suspect, but he was not located. Upon learning of the complaint lodged against him, the young man went to the James’ home and fatally stabbed his sister. Her son reportedly went to his mother’s assistance and was also stabbed to death.

He disclosed that he witnessed the post-mortem examinations on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital and said his daughter and grandson were stabbed in the region of their faces. He said the doctor revealed that they died as a result of haemorrhaging, which stemmed from the stab wounds. Meanwhile, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Guyana Times on Monday that the investigation was continuing into the murders. He could not say when the suspect would make a court appearance, since the case file must be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The small Amerindian community was plunged into mourning on Saturday

Gruesome

Guyanese give thanks in America children and Caribbean rum for the adults. For desert, there is black cake, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and Indo-Caribbeans throw in rasmalai, gulab jamoon, etc. And it is not unusual for them to substitute the turkey with curried duck, chicken, mutton, and goat, etc.

By Vishnu Bisram

n Thursday, Americans of all stripes observed the traditional Thanksgiving Day with family reunions, church services, feasts, and charitable offerings. And Guyanese Americans and other Caribbean immigrants were in the thick of the celebration giving it their own flavour with their ethnic foods, music, and drinks. Since their arrival in the U.S. and establishing enclaves, they have experienced a higher standard of living than in their home countries and they have ploughed some of their earnings into the poorer sections of American society. They used the Thanksgiving holiday to donate to food pantries. Many volunteered time feeding the poor or even cooking meals for the poor. Some even donated foods and cash to shelters like the Bowery in downtown Manhattan. Thanksgiving Day is a historical celebration in the U.S. going back to the 1600s since the early settlement of North America by Europeans. The holiday grew out of the harvest celebrations of England and is celebrat-

Giving back

By observing the festival, Guyanese and Caribbean people are participating in a mainstream American celebration in the same manner that they celebrate their own traditional festivals

ed in the fall, marking the end of harvest. The early English immigrants introduced it in the U.S. giving thanks for the harvest and the blessings of the past year. It is a national holiday, a kind of a spiritual day (without religious denomination) observed on the last Thursday of every November with businesses and schools closed for an extended weekend. The festival sets up a state of mind for the Christmas and Hanukah holidays. It is the busiest shopping period as well as the busiest

travel week in the year.

Ethnic flavour

Every wave of immigrants, including recent arrivals like the large Guyanese and Caribbean community settled in the NY metropolitan region, have joined in the celebration by adding their own ethnic flavour to the traditional cuisine, music, drinks, and entertainment. Caribbean people, as indeed most Americans, view Thanksgiving as an occasion for family reunions

and big dinners. Relatives normally take turn hosting dinner over the four-day period from Thursday to Sunday. Dinner normally includes the traditional baked or roasted turkey, pumpkin pie, sweet yams, corn, cranberry jelly, and salad (including sugar beets) with wine and other hard liquor. It is supplemented with traditional dishes including dhal puri, pachounie, phulourie, bara, fried rice, chowmein, and fried channa as snacks and their favourite drinks – mauby and sorrel for the

Giving is part of the Caribbean culture. And people donate food to shelters and host dinners for the unfortunate. Giving back to society is considered as part of their duty because the community has so much to be thankful for – for being healthy and alive and escaping the impoverishment of the Caribbean. They are a freely giving people, very kind-hearted, and compassionate. And they do not restrict their giving only to their own kind. Many used the Thanksgiving occasion to give generously to the charities of their choice, including the Red Cross and the American Cancer Institute in addition to their local mandir, masjid, and church. Others send money to friends and relatives in Guyana. To give thanks, some baked turkeys and cakes that

are donated to homeless shelters in Brooklyn and the Bowery in downtown Manhattan. Their assistance helps to ease social problems such as hunger, poverty, and homelessness in the city.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thanksgiving Day is usually celebrated with the largest parade in the nation on Fifth Avenue featuring all kinds of magnificent floats and balloons of cartoon characters and a host of Hollywood celebrities and sports stars. Most Guyanese were glued to the television sets broadcasting the parade. By observing the festival, Guyanese and Caribbean people are participating in a mainstream American celebration in the same manner that they celebrate their own traditional festivals such as Phagwah, Deepavali, Eid, Qurbani, Christmas, etc. They want to give thanks for the progress they have made in America, the land that has given them the opportunity to realise their dreams. They are helping to make America a better place to live, sharing their wealth and giving back to the society to which they owe their success.

12 news

Tuesday, December 3, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

London-based Guyanese artist passes on

Cécile Nobrega

ondon-based Guyanese scholar, musician, artist, text-book writer and poetess Cécile Nobrega has passed away at age 94. Nobrega was born Cécile Burgan – the daughter of the late Canon William Granville Burgan and Imelda Burgan. She grew up in Buxton village, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, where her father was the Canon of St Augustine’s Anglican Church for over 30 years, until he was transferred to St Paul’s Anglican Church in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara in the early 1950s. Her father used to write articles on life in the countryside for the Argosy newspaper under the pseudonym, “Rusticious”. Her mother, who learnt music while attending St Rose’s, was a popular singer of her day and a hit at music festivals.

Nobrega was formally educated at Bishops’ High School, Georgetown Gu yana; Hockerill College of Education, UK; the Institute of Education, London University and informally through one of her hobbies, which was travelling. While a member of the Women’s League of Social Service, she represented Guyana at The Conference of Caribbean Women’s Association held in Trinidad where she met and later got married in Trinidad (1943) to Romeo Anthony Nobrega, a Guyanese who was attached to the Caribbean Forces during the Second World War. Nobrega was a good ambassador of Guyana on many occasions, including representing Guyana at the International Children’s Theatre Conference held in London, 1964. As an educator, she was president of the Kindergarten Section of the Guyana Teachers’ Union and editor of YOU magazine for the Parish of St Sidwell’s in Lodge. She also taught music and language. Apart from her first collection published in Guyana, Nobrega has published other books of poetry including, Japan, The Butterfly. Nobrega was also featured in the first Guyanese anthology of stories, Stories From Guyana. Nobrega went on to write and compose songs, winning a few awards along the way. Her most popular song is “Twilight”. As one of the few women playwrights at the time, her play Stabroek Fantasy was quite an achievement. In 1968, she wrote a poem titled, “Bronze Woman”, which was published in her first book of vers-

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony

going to become business people, most of them said they are artists, how will

RNER

Workers dismissed for union activity…Ouch!

Mayan King Limited v Jose Reyes [2012] CCJ 3 (AJ) Reported by Christina Wallace-Whitfield, Eugene Dupuch Law School

D The Bronze Woman statue in South London

es, Soliloquies. This poem later led to the erection of a monument representing Caribbean women in South London. The Bronze Woman statue is the first public monument of a black woman in England, a symbol of the contribution of Caribbean, and all women to society and proof that people who have the courage to pursue their dreams can inspire others to great achievements. Cecile migrated to London in 1969. She will be interred on Wednesday.

25 artists trained to market their work

wenty-five young artists, who were schooled in developing cultural business entrepreneurship, were presented with certificates on Friday following the conclusion of a one-week workshop. The workshop was hosted by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in Collaboration with the Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV), which funded the sessions. MASHAV facilitator Shula Fardam, speaking at the closing ceremony said, “The first day when we told the participants that they’re

CCJC

this benefit them, now you were the ones who succeeded in completing this programme.” She encouraged the participants to continue to share their knowledge with the replication of similar workshops throughout Guyana. Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said the workshop was in the pipeline for some time, and more persons in the arts should get involved with the increasing network of young entrepreneurs. He told the participants to strive for success but be patient. “Once you know the

techniques of marketing and how to manage your business, then it’s not difficult to do.” Minister Anthony acknowledged that people in the arts are under paid, and the workshop presented an opportunity to showcase their talent and ideas, and with the marketing of their knowledge, they should be able to earn more. He commended the Israeli facilitators and stressed that the government is willing to partner with small business entities to grant loans for young entrepreneurs.

uring June 2001, several farm workers (the “employees”) were all fired from Mayan King Limited. (“Mayan”) is the owner of citrus and banana farms. One of the issues for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to decide was in a word, “Why”. Were they fired due to their involvement in trade union activity, as suggested by the former employees, or was it due to legitimate cost-cutting exercises, as suggested by Mayan? In May, 2001, the employees began actively promoting unionisation in their workplace. They highlighted unfair practices, held public meetings, encouraged employees to join the union and personally signed them up. Their promotion of the union was not done during working hours and their meetings were not held on Mayan’s property. By June, 2001, they were all dismissed from Mayan. They were all long-standing employees, ranging from six to 16 years with Mayan. They took legal action challenging their dismissal. They claimed that the only logical explanation for their dismissal was their involvement with the union. They stated that their dismissals violated the Trade Union and Employers Act 2000 (Belize) which was designed to protect employees from being discriminated against by their employers for involvement in trade union activities. If an employee could show that his/her dismissal was based on such involvement, the courts could direct that the employer do what is right or direct that the employee be rehired, if possible. The CCJ ruled in favour of the employees. They rejected Mayan’s excuse that the dismissals were part of a cost-cutting laying-off exercise. The court noted that the dismissed workers were “chief activists for the union” at Mayan’s farms; they were dismissed a few days after the company had received a letter indicating that 85 per cent of the workforce had joined the union and no evidence was presented to show why they and not more recently hired employees were being dismissed. The CCJ stated that the employees “were encouraged to embark on their union activities by their genuine belief that the very [law] that was violated by the company would protect them”. Mayan was accordingly ordered by the court to pay compensation to each of the former employees.

190 graduate from New Amsterdam Multilateral School

ome 190 students of New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) bid farewell to their teachers and friends when the school hosted its 26th annual graduation and prize giving ceremony on Thursday. The East Berbice, Corentyne secondary school performed exceptionally at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, obtaining an 84 per cent overall pass rate, counting grades one to three. NAMS Principal Narinedatt Dhanraj reported that the school recorded 481 grade one passes, including 183 distinctions, with 89 students securing passes in 10 or more subjects. The performance enabled NAMS to remain among the top secondary schools in the country, and the best in East

Michael Harris receiving his Best Graduating Student trophy from Education Ministry School Boards Coordinator Melcita Bovell

The New Amsterdam Multilateral School 2013 graduating class

Berbice/Corentyne, Dhanraj said. “This school has a proud history of committed staff, working to achieve the best results and with their support, we challenge the regional authorities to match this commitment with the much needed resources that we

regard, has been allocating huge sums to the education sector through its national budget. “Guyana cannot be developed in parts; it has to be developed holistically,” she said, urging the graduating students to further their studies, and contribute to the

crave and in return, we will provide the results that we know we can achieve.” Meanwhile, Education Ministry School Boards Coordinator Melcita Bovell said government recognises the importance of investing in the development of its human capital, and in this

development of their region, but more particularly their country. “The answers for many of the questions you have will determine the amount of effort that you are going to make in your lives; you are the people who are going to develop this country and we

need to be assured that our country is in good hands,” she noted. Michael Harris, who obtained 10 grade ones, including nine distinctions, was the best graduating student. He obtained distinctions in both English and mathematics.

news

tuesday, decEMBER 3, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana Times launches Berbice supplement

Regional officials after the launching of the Guyana Times Berbice edition at the company’s office at LFS Burnham (Coburg) Street, New Amsterdam on Monday

he Guyana Times daily newspaper has launched its Berbice supplement which will seek to highlight issues and events in the ancient county. The supplement titled Berbice Times is a weekly edition inserted in the Monday newspaper. With this development, the company has established a Berbice branch office. On Monday, Berbicians and Guyanese on the whole were introduced to the first edition of the Berbice supplement. Guyana Times is the sister company of Television Guyana (TVG) and Radio Guyana Inc (RGI), which also transmit news countrywide. The company will also be heading to Region Five to launch the Berbice Times there, and has expressed intentions of introducing an Essequibo and hinterland supplement, with the aim of highlighting national developments. Regional Chairman David Armogan welcomed the Berbice Times to the Ancient County, noting that the supplement will advertise Berbice to the wider population and called on its reporters to practise fair and balanced journalism. The regional chairman said he is not looking for praise, but criticism should be constructive.

Balanced reporting

“When we are doing reporting, we need to be extremely careful on what we are putting in the newspaper… people have a right to fair reporting so that is one of the first things I expect from this newspaper,” Armogan said. The regional chairman said there are a lot of things happening in Berbice that are not given sufficient prominence, and expressed hope that the Berbice Times will address this deficit. Berbice Chamber of Commerce (BCC) President Mark Roopnarine, who delivered the feature address, said the Guyana Times dai-

ly has already established a presence in Berbice, and with the introduction of the supplement; persons can look forward to in-depth coverage of the region.

Showcasing Berbice

“Now, for the first time Berbice will be placed under the spotlight and in detailed. I am sure that spotlight will shine bright to be much more focused on Berbice… it is going to reveal to Guyana and the rest of the world, the details of Berbice because Berbice is a place for investors and one could say it is a haven for commerce and trade,” Roopnarine stated. On that note, he contended that Guyana Times has created a positive impact on the local print media, calling it a “reader’s digest on larger pages”. Roopnarine also called for unbiased reporting on Berbice. “We would want to advocate that due diligence would be included in your reporting, in your research, in your publishing so that we don’t have issues of biasness and partiality.” He noted that the supplement will also benefit the corporate society in Berbice, and encouraged them to support what will now be their local newspaper.

Widest spread

Guyana Times Editor Nigel Williams explained that the supplement will cover all aspects of life in Berbice, pointing out that the company’s goal ever since its establishment has always been to provide the widest spread of news coverage on current affairs, features, sports, politics and business. “Through the Guyana Times, Evening News and most recently Radio Guyana Inc, we have been able to accomplish this task. But life is dynamic and as times change, we must also change and adapt to the changes. We recognised therefore that our current coverage of news in Berbice has been

at best routine and one way we thought we could bridge this gap is to dedicate a special supplement which will be produced by Berbicians, featuring Berbicians and designed for Berbicians,” he said. Williams noted that the company has a dynamic team of young, enterprising reporters who will ensure coverage of all the angles of developing stories, do the requisite follow ups and break new stories.

Voice for all

Guyana Times General Manager Daniel Singh pointed out that the company’s goal is to provide a medium using all three media outlets for the voice of Berbice to be heard nationwide. “We believe that Berbice has a lot to show and teach the rest of the country and a lot of opportunities for its business community, if the rest of the country can hear about them. I want to promise you that, notwithstanding what you might have heard, we are here to have all the voices from Berbice heard. There will be no ‘silencing’ of anyone,” Singh stated. Professor Daizal Samad, who will be spearheading the operations in Berbice, said while the supplement will benefit all of Berbice, the business sector will benefit more. He explained that when businesses place ads in the supplement, television and radio, it will not only reach those in Berbice, but throughout the Caribbean. Professor Samad encouraged the gathering to support the Guyana Times since it will only serve their interests. “I encourage and urge all Berbicians to write into this and to read on it because it is our work and while Guyana Times may sponsor it, I’m telling you, Berbicians will own it,” Samad said. Region Five Chairman Bindraban Bisnauth also spoke at the launch

tuesday, December 3, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Top CSEC/CAPE students arrive in Guyana

he first batch of the region’s top Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students, along with Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) personnel arrived in Guyana on Monday for the 2013 CXC Awards Ceremony and 45th council meeting . The regional top performers will join their five Guyanese counterparts who topped the Caribbean region at the 2013 CSEC/CAPE examinations. The delegates touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport just after noon on Monday. They were greeted by Education Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Genevieve Blackman and other personnel. Speaking to the media, the top performers said they are excited about being in Guyana, particularly since it is their first visit to the country. They explained that it took hard work and dedication to excel at the CSEC/ CAPE examinations. They encouraged students preparing for the next round of exams to remain focused and strive to make their parents and country proud. The delegates were

subsequently greeted by Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd, Superintendent of Examinations Sauda Kadir and other ministry officials, at the Pegasus Hotel, where they will be accommodated during their stay. While the main event during their visit is the much-anticipated awards ceremony, the students are also expected to be engaged in a number of other activities over the next five days. The regional top awardees, and a CXC delegation will also pay courtesy calls on President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Opposition Leader Brigadier (retired) David Granger. The CSEC awardees are Yogeeta Persaud, Rafena Mustapha, Cecil Cox, Sasha Woodroffe and Zimeena A Rasheed of Guyana; Nathaniel Adiah and Aimee De Montbrun of Trinadad and Tobago; and Ranolyn Hunt of Jamaica. The CAPE awardees are Dea Thomas and Tasanique Henry of Jamaica and Maryam Archie, Elise Francis, Shelemiah Peterkin, Zakiyah Ali, Brendan Hatch, Stephen Prince, Ronan Narine and Jean-luc Duval of Trinidad and Tobago.

Social genocide in Dominican Republic, says civil society group

(Left to right) Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, Haitian President Michel Martelly, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and current Caricom chair Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves

civil society group in Trinidad and Tobago has described as “social genocide” the recent court ruling in The Dominican Republic, which has left over 200,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent potentially stateless. In a message to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Bureau, a civil society delegation comprising Sunity Maharaj of Jouvey

Ayiti, Asha Cambon of Groundation Grenada, Mike James of the Caribbean Episcopal Conference, ambassador Reginald Dumas, and University of the West Indies Professor Norman Girvan, who led the group, said: “Members of the bureau: we cannot countenance, without the most vigorous opposition, the further institution of a state of social genocide and apartheid

tion of conflicts of interest; public procurement; the declaration of assets; the prevention and punishment of bribery and other acts of corruption and illicit enrichment; the protection of those who report such acts; international cooperation for the investigation thereof and extradition of offenders; and access to public information and mechanisms to encourage the participation of civil society in the fight against corruption. OAS Secretary General Jose Miquel Insulza speaking on the importance of the mechanism, said the MESICIC “helps our countries to strengthen their legal and institutional frameworks to address corruption more effectively, to make concrete recommendations so that they can benefit from the provisions of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption...” (Excerpt

from Antigua Observer)

to Caricom heads. The civil society delegation met with Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister and current chair of Caricom Kamla PersadBissessar, Haiti’s President Michel Martelly, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and Caricom Secretary General Irwin Larocque last Tuesday in Port of Spain.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Trinidad to set up task force to protect children following gruesome killing

ollowing the gruesome killing of sixyear-old Keyana Cumberbatch, the Trinidad and Tobago government is moving speedily to curb violence against children. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said her government will be creating a child protection task force (CPTF) to better safeguard the nation’s children from imminent danger; even

within their own homes. In a statement to the media, Persad-Bissessar said part of the duty of the task force is to make recommendations on how the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago can become fully empowered to carry out its mandate and to recommend “how emergency responses can be widened, accelerated and structured in a manner to immediately respond to the needs of children

Six Caricom countries among OAS member No need for a trade states reporting on war with Jamaica, TT corruption ix Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries have submitted reports to the Second Progress Report on Implementation of the Inter American Convention against Corruption. According to the Organisation of American States (OAS), member countries took an estimated 748 relevant actions to combat corruption in their countries between December 2010 and March 2013. The Inter-American Convention against Corruption and the FollowUp Mechanism for its Implementation (MESICIC) of the OAS said that Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, had indicated they had taken steps to deal with corruption. According to the OAS body, the countries took actions related to the preven-

in the heart of our own region.” “We cannot let down our brothers and sisters in The Dominican Republic, integral members of the regional family. The Caribbean Community has an historic opportunity to demonstrate its relevance to, and its caring for, the citizens of our region. We are sure you will not let them down,” the group added in a statement

foreign minister says

rinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Dookeran, Monday afternoon said that the immigration impasse between his country and Jamaica could be addressed without “a trade war developing”. Dookeran is in Jamaica at the invitation of his local counterpart Senator A J Nicholson to discuss the fallout following an incident in which some 13 Jamaicans were recently refused entry into the twin island republic. “I believe we can address the issues that have surfaced in recent times... it is of no benefit for us to allow a trade war to develop, both of our countries would suffer. Our future is bound together,” Dookeran told a press conference arranged by the Jamaica Foreign Affairs and

who are at risk”. The Child Protection Task Force will also be revamping intervention services of the state and nongovernmental organisations. “The Child Protection Task Force’s first task is to recommend measures aimed at overhauling and advancing protection, care and intervention services of the state and non-governmental organisations,” the prime

Foreign Trade Ministry in New Kingston. During the three-day visit Dookeran will meet with a number of other Jamaican stakeholders. (Jamaica Observer)

News Now)

Dominica wants Europe to lift Schengen visa requirement to stimulate trade

TT’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran

minister said. The Child Protection Task Force will complement the immediate emergency response units in the education and gender, youth and child development ministries. This week the Child Protection Task Force will meet with the nation’s top advocates to discuss the “rights, protection and wellbeing of children,” PersadBissessar said. (Excerpt from Caribbean

ominica says it is pursuing efforts to get the European Union to remove the visa requirements for nationals travelling to Europe, saying that it was important to stimulate trade under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed with Europe five years ago. Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Alvin Bernard said Dominica has joined several countries in making the request. ‘We have made some progress and we have had tremendous commitment from various representatives of the Council, but at the moment, the most recent report that we have received is that the Council is at the moment preoccupied with two other countries that have been included on

the negative list. “Apparently the consideration of the request from Dominica is still for consideration… but it has been delayed because of the countries from the Middle Eastern area included on the list”. Bernard said Dominica was pursing the initiative “because we see the lifting of the visa requirement for Dominica and other affected countries, particularly signatories to the Economic partnership Agreement as critical. Dominica and other countries of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) grouping signed the EPA in October 2008 that also provides substantial EU aid for trade. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

15 Around the world

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, dECember 3, 2013

UN implicates Bashar al- Madrassas in India attract Assad in Syrian war crimes Hindu students C lad in white and blue salwar kameez (traditional Indian dress) and translating an Arabic verse from her Islamic studies textbook into Bengali, 15-year-old Puja Kshetrapal could pass for a Muslim. But she, along with almost half of the 200 tenth graders in Chatuspalli High Madrassa in Orgram village in India’s West Bengal state, are Hindus. “Although it is called a madrassa (Islamic seminary), people in the area view it like a good regular

Navi Pillay is the first UN figure to directly implicate President al-Assad in alleged war crimes

he UN’s human rights chief has said an inquiry has produced evidence that war crimes were authorised in Syria at the “highest level”, including by President Bashar alAssad. It is the first time the UN’s human rights office has so directly implicated Assad. Commissioner Navi Pillay said her office held a list of others implicated by the inquiry. The UN estimates more than 100,000 people have died in the con-

flict. The UN’s commission of inquiry into Syria has produced “massive evidence... [of] very serious crimes, war crimes, crimes against humanity,” Pillay said. “The scale of viciousness of the abuses being perpetrated by elements on both sides almost defies belief,” she said. The evidence indicated responsibility “at the highest level of government, including the head of state”, she added. The inquiry has also previously reported it has ev-

idence that rebel forces in Syria have been guilty of human rights abuses. However, the investigators have always said the Syrian government appears to be responsible for the majority, and that the systematic nature of the abuse points to government policy. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad was dismissive of Pillay’s remarks. “She has been talking nonsense for a long time and we don’t listen to her,” he told AP. (Excerpt from BBC News)

school. So, my parents chose to send me to this institution,” Puja told Al Jazeera. Anwar Hossain, the headmaster of the Orgram madrassa located 125km north of the state capital, Kolkata, says that it is mostly its modern curriculum that has made the institution increasingly popular in the Hindu-majority society. “Ordinary people believe that a madrassa is a place where students are taught only religious subjects, and that it has no connection

with modern education,” Hossain said. “For some years we have been working to change their notion. We are teaching our students all general subjects as their counterparts are studying in regular schools,” he said. “After studying in our madrassa, children can plan their career in any field of their choice. This is the main reason why more than 60 per cent of more than 1400 students at the madrassa are non-Muslims now.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Australian spy agency offered to share data about ordinary citizens

ustralia’s surveillance agency offered to share information collected about ordinary Australian citizens with its major intelligence partners, according to a secret 2008 document leaked by the U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden. The document shows the partners discussing whether or not to share “medical, legal or religious information”, and increases concern that the agency could be operat-

ing outside its legal mandate, according to the human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC. The Australian intelligence agency, then known as the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD), indicated it could share bulk material without some of the privacy restraints imposed by other countries, such as Canada. “DSD can share bulk, unselected, unminimised metadata as long as there is no intent to target an

Australian national,” notes from an intelligence conference say. “Unintentional collection is not viewed as a significant issue.” The agency acknowledged that more substantial interrogation of the material would, however, require a warrant. Metadata is the information we all generate whenever we use technology, from the date and time of a phone call to the location from which an email is sent. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Crashed NY Metro- Ukraine protests seek to shake legitimate rulers North train was R “over speed limit” ussian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said protests in Ukraine against its decision to abandon a European Union integration pact were an attempt to shake its legitimate rulers. “This reminds me more of a pogrom than a revolution,” Putin told reporters on a visit to Armenia. Demonstrations in Kiev at the weekend, which saw violent clashes

with police, drew as many as 350,000 protesters rallying against President Viktor Yanukovich’s decision to abandon a trade pact with the European Union and seek closer economic ties with Russia. Ukrainian protesters blockaded the main government building on Monday, trying to bring down Yanukovich with a general strike in a nation where

many people want to join the European mainstream and escape Moscow’s orbit. “This is not a revolution but a very well prepared protest that in my view wasn’t prepared for today but... for the (Ukrainian) presidential election campaign in March 2015,” Putin said. “This is an attempt to shake the current and – I want to emphasise – le-

gitimate authorities in the country,” he said. Putin said to all appearances the protesters were “very well prepared and trained militant groups” – hinting that outside actors had been involved in training the demonstrators, an accusation he made against participants in Ukraine’s “Orange revolution” which overturned a stolen election nine years ago. (Excerpt from Reuters)

France arrests dozens Lebanese army to control troubled Tripoli in arms trafficking crackdown for six months

Investigators combed the site of the Metro-North train accident in New York’s Bronx borough for clues

train that crashed on Sunday in New York City was going 82mph (132 km/h) when it ran off the rails, investigators have said. Four people were killed and more than 60 injured in New York’s Bronx borough. The Metro-North train crashed about 07:30h local time (11:30h GMT) on a curve with a 30mph speed limit. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating whether a mechanical fault or human error led to the train’s high speed. NTSB board member Earl Weener said at a

news conference on Monday that investigators continue to study data from two event recorders recovered at the crash site, but could not yet determine what caused the accident. New York Senator Charles Schumer called the locomotive’s speed “frightening”. “The fact that it was going 82mph even before the curve raises so many questions, and it’s scary,” Schumer said, adding that the rail line’s tracks and signals appeared to have been in working order at the time of the accident. (BBC News)

he Lebanese government has told the army to take over security in the restive coastal city of Tripoli for six months, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday. Ten people were killed in weekend clashes between Tripoli’s Alawite minority, which supports Syria’s Alawite President Bashar al-Assad, and majority Sunni Muslims who back his foes. Violence in the northern city has killed more than 100 people this year and paralysed business activity there. Mikati, a Sunni from Tripoli, told Lebanon’s LBC television he had agreed with President Michel Suleiman and armed

forces commander General Jean Qahwaji to “put Tripoli under the complete supervision of the army” for six months. The conflict in Tripoli, 30 km (19 miles) from the Syrian border, reflects the sectarian gulf in Lebanon over Syria’s civil war. Some Lebanese Sunnis are fighting alongside anti-Assad rebels, while Lebanon’s Shi’ite Hezbollah militia is credited with helping Assad regain the military initiative. Sunni-Alawite tensions have festered in Tripoli since Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war, when Syrian troops then deployed in the country helped Alawites fight their Islamist rivals. (Excerpt from Reuters)

rench authorities have arrested 45 people across France and in French overseas territories as part of an operation targeting international arms traffickers, police said Monday. Thirty-eight people have so far been placed under formal detention and more arrests are expected, French police said in a statement. Some 300 officers were involved in the sweep, which targeted military-grade arms, ammunition and weapons parts trafficked into the country from the Balkans and Slovakia since 2009.

The investigation into a possible smuggling ring was launched after military-grade handguns and rifles were seized during an arrest in the Haute-Marne region in February 2012. The inquiry initially implicated a Slovak arms trafficking syndicate, with links later discovered to another smuggling group based in the Balkans. An influx of militarygrade weapons, particularly Kalashnikov assault rifles, has been blamed for a rise in gang-related shootings in the southern port city of Marseille in recent years. (France24)

Tuesday, DECember 3, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean

National Energy sponsors engineering prizes

n partnership with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of the West Indies (UWI), National Energy celebrated accomplishments in MSc Petroleum Engineering. The company sponsored two prizes valued at TT$5000 each awarded to the Best All-Round PartTime Student and the Best MSc Petroleum Engineering Project. Both awards were

granted to Naline Rambaran. A prize valued at TT$4000 was also awarded to Kavita Ramnarine-Ramsawak for the Best MSc Coastal Engineering Project. In a symbolic handing over ceremony at the university, National Energy president Dr Vernon Paltoo presented cheques in the sum of TT$50,000 and TT$120,000 to Dean in the Faculty of

Engineering, Professor Brian Copeland. This represents the company’s commitment to sponsoring these prizes over the next three to five years. Dr Paltoo said this investment in the field of engineering represents for National Energy, a small part of the company’s overall commitment to securing TT’s energy future. (Trinidad Guardian)

North America

Liberia needs more French investments

he internal affairs minister has called on the French Embassy in Monrovia to attract more French investment in the country as they were very important in helping Liberia’s quest for transformation. Internal Affairs Minister Morris M Dukuly said as Liberia recovers from the ravages of war, it needs more foreign investments, and France is expected to play a major role in the private sector.

He made the statement last week when the new French Ambassador to Liberia, Joel Godeau paid him a courtesy call at his office on Capitol Hill. Minister Dukuly described the European country, as an important partner in Liberia’s history, dating as far back as Liberia’s preindependence. He said ties between the two countries should be cemented at all levels, particularly in the areas of economic growth and agriculture.

The minister made specific reference to south-eastern Liberia, where according to him, there is great potential due to its border with La Cote d’Ivoire, a former French colony. Minister Dukuly was keen on agriculture and trans-border trade between the Republic of La Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia both of which share a common border, which he said will help stabilise Liberia, strengthen the economy. (allAfrica)

New BlackBerry boss John Chen Asia insists firm is “alive” China’s markets fall on new share sale guidelines B lackberry’s new boss John Chen insisted on Monday the troubled smartphone maker is still ‘alive’. In a letter to customers, he said that the company’s “for sale” sign has been taken down and “we are here to stay.” He also asked customers to remain patient as he tries to reposition the firm as more than a phone maker. BlackBerry, which was briefly for sale over the summer, recently announced

massive layoffs amid slumping sales. On November 4, the firm said it would accept a US$1 billion “strategic investment” from institutional investors. This meant abandoning a planned acquisition by Fairfax Financial, which had tried to buy BlackBerry for US$4.7 billion (£3 billion) before failing to raise enough funds. Fairfax, which owns 10 per cent of BlackBerry, said it contributed US$250 mil-

lion to the financing round. Shares in the smartphone maker plunged 16 per cent on that news, and they’re down more than 45 per cent for the year. As part of the financing deal, it was announced that Thorsten Heins would be replaced by Chen as chief executive. Since his appointment as interim boss, Chen has issued several “open letters” to BlackBerry’s customers, insisting the firm was still in business. (BBC News)

Europe

Audi adds baby sport utility model to SUV offerings

udi will add a baby sport utility vehicle (SUV) to its offerings in the fast-growing market as the Volkswagen-owned division fights German rivals BMW and MercedesBenz for the top spot in luxury sales. Premium sales number one BMW and Daimler’s Mercedes each plan to offer seven types of SUV by 2020 while number two in the mar-

ket, Audi, is aiming for six, European supplier sources said in September. Audi said on Monday it will assemble the Q1 SUV at its biggest plant in Ingolstadt from 2016. The company already makes the Q3 compact SUV, the Q5 and the sevenpassenger Q7. Nearly one in every four premium vehicles sold last year in Europe was an SUV, and the category continues to

grow despite concerns about size and fuel consumption, according to UK-based consultancy LMC Automotive. Audi, VW’s flagship division which contributes more than 40 per cent to operating profit at Europe’s number one vehicle maker, wants to increase its model range to more than 60 by 2020 from 49 as it aims to overtake global luxury sales leader, BMW. (Reuters)

Market statistics Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

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

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$336.50

$340.72

CAN

$192.88

$195.11

USD

$205.49

$207.93

U.S.

$1335.00

Cambio

$202.67

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

Indicators as on December 2, 2013 Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1219.30

$1220.30

Low/High

$1217.30

$1239.80

Change

-32.80

-2.62

USD GBP EUR

1237.50 754.30 913.08

1229.50 752.26 908.39

Nov 29

USD GBP EUR

1245.25 763.07 915.29

Price Silver

Platinum

London Gold Fix

Dec 2

Indicators Crude Oil

US$ per barrel $109.69

USD per Ounce

$19.21 $1340.00

Change %

-1.48 Change %

-0.73 -18.00

Last: 16008.77

1253.00 767.25 921.05 Changes: -77.64

Open: 16087.12

High:16098.00

% Change: -0.48 Low: 15986.23

% YTD: 22.17

52Wk Hi: 15721.00

52 Wk Lo: 12471.49

hinese stock markets fell on Monday after the regulators issued new rules for reforming the country’s share sale market over the weekend. The rules are likely to see listings resume next year, ending a freeze that has lasted more than a year. Analysts said investors were keen for the rules to be eased, but there were fears a slew of new listings might not leave enough cash in the market. The Shenzen stock index fell four per cent and the

Shanghai stock index dropped one per cent. Zhang Yanbing, an analyst with Zheshang Securities said the guidelines had “sparked worries that a flood of IPOs [initial public offerings] could divert funds from the secondary market”. However, he added that the rules “should be positive to the market in the long run”. The new guidelines were published by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) as part of reforming

the country’s stock market listing system. Among the key issues addressed by the new rules are limiting the government’s influence over the pricing of share offers and boosting transparency. According to the stateowned Xinhua news agency, the current system of approving a share listing “can take multiple rounds of reviews and several years before investors receive approval from the securities regulator”. (BBC

News)

Middle East

Bahrain’s Ibdar Bank eyes larger deals after three-way merger

ahrain’s Ibdar Bank hopes to leverage the combined expertise of its predecessor banks and a larger balance sheet to win business which its three legacy banks struggled to individually, its chief investment officer told Reuters in an interview. Ibdar was launched as a brand on Monday following the merger of Capivest, Elaf Bank and Capital Management House, after more than a year of negotiations between the Bahraini

lenders and authorities. Bahrain’s banking industry is streamlining, aided by a central bank policy encouraging mergers and acquisitions, after it struggled in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and political unrest which deterred some foreign investment. “2013 was a year we focused on integration, where we laid the foundations, 2014 is hopefully a fresh start for us,” said chief investment officer Mohamed Aljasim. The Islamic lender now

has US$300 million of paid up capital, US$329 million in equity and assets of US$360 million, which it hopes can help it win deals in its focus areas of capital markets, private equity and real estate. “There were a lot of opportunities that each of the legacy banks could not do individually, as it was too big or they couldn’t close the transactions. We now have a bigger balance sheet, it opens the door to greater opportunities for us.” (Gulf Business)

Investors' guide

Risks of alternative staffing (conclusion) Criticisms of alternative staffing

Many employee organisations, ie unions, are heavily critical of alternative staffing as they see it as companies simply trying to cut costs at the expense of employees. This is true in some cases, particularly with companies that employ less skilled labour. For those in the skilled

professional trades there is less criticism as many lawyers, accountants, and finance specialists greatly appreciate the flexibility and time freed up by working in alternative staffing environments. These people are higher earners, however, so they can afford working limited hours more than someone working at close to minimum wage.

So is alternative staffing a good fit for me?

Companies and individuals need to carefully weigh the benefits and risks outlined above in determining if an alternative staffing solution is something they want to pursue. For some this is a great fit while for others the risks may not be something they can tolerate or absorb. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Cyber Monday Refers to the first Monday following the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, and is considered a prime shopping day for online shoppers and retailers. Following Black Friday, retailers offer a number of specials that are only available to online shoppers.

news

tuesday, December 3, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

High Court trial for Soesdyke man who T killed his children

Alleged cocaine-in-boulanger supplier evading CANU he Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) has intensified its search for Lolita (only name given) of Grass Field, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, who has been identified as the supplier of the eggplants which were intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with at least 12 kilograms of cocaine. Guyana Times was told that several visits were made to the woman’s house but there was no sign of her. Her children are staying at a relative’s home in Annandale, East Coast Demerara. The drug enforcement body also explained that the shipper in custody has been cooperating and it is likely that he will not be charged since he claimed that he was not aware the bou-

wo years after a clothes vendor hacked his three children to death in their Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara home, John Blanchard was on Monday committed to stand trial in the High Court for the heinous crime. The preliminary inquiry was completed and the findings were read by Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before a packed courtroom. The preliminary inquiry saw 12 witnesses testifying against the man, including his wife and close relatives. During her ruling, Magistrate Daly told the murder accused that there was sufficient evidence as she consigned him for a High Court trial. An opportunity was granted to Blanchard to comment, but he told the magistrate that he will reserve them for the trial. Blanchard, who looked pale when he arrived at the court on Monday, remained silent and nodded his head while the magistrate made the committal. On October 13, 2011, Blanchard went berserk and chopped his two children and a stepchild to death. John Blanchard reportedly hacked the three children, two of whom died on the spot while the third remained critical until her death two days after the horrific act. The act was committed while they were asleep at their house at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. Dead were his stepdaughter Belika Blanchard Singh, 10;

Lolita, the woman wanted by CANU

langer contained cocaine. This publication was made to understand that the supplier would have cut open the vegetable, taken out the seeds and then filled it with the illicit substance. On Saturday, CANU in-

tercepted the cocaine in the eggplants moments before it was loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines Flight destined for Toronto, Canada According to information, the cocaine was detected during an inspection by a CANU official. Immediately after the bust, the shipper who exports vegetables was arrested. Hours after the bust, CANU issued a wanted bulletin for the Lusignan resident who was named as the supplier. Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the woman is asked to contact CANU headquarters on telephone number 227-3507 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Two arrested for possession of cannabis

John Blanchard and his family in happier times

his son Daniel Blanchard, four; and his daughter Joy Blanchard, six. The gruesome discovery was made at the family’s home located at Dr Charles New Housing Scheme commonly known as “Ivan’s Street”, Soesdyke. It was reported that the man and his family moved to Soesdyke three months prior to the fatal night. He was described as a dedicated worker who sold boiled corn at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and in the city to maintain his family. Blanchard was also de-

scribed by neighbours as a family-oriented man, although he seemed to have frequent arguments with his wife. Why Blanchard may have wanted to commit such heinous crimes is still to be revealed. This publication was reliably informed that his wife left their Soesdyke home to go into the hinterland and he did not approve of her decision. It was also reported that the man had made several attempts to save his marriage even after his wife admitted to having an affair with another man.

wo men are in police custody and are expected to be charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking after police unearthed a quantity of the illegal substance in their possession on Sunday evening. Based on reports received, police ranks were on road block exercise at the Fort Wellington Public Road, West Coast Berbice when they stopped a motor car bearing registration number HC 1648 driven by Devindren Balgobin. The car was occupied by four other passengers: Ravin Samaroo, Ganesh Arjune, Nanda Ramjatar and Aoraca McCordy. The constable, upon stopping the car, reportedly informed the driver and passengers that he would like to conduct a search on them.

As a result, the driver and passengers exited the vehicle which gave clearance for the police to carry out his duties. During a search on Samaroo, a compressed black taped parcel in a multi-colour bag was found in his pocket. The police rank immediately opened the said parcel in the presence of Samaroo and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was unearthed. Samaroo was told of the offence committed and was arrested. The substance tested positive as cannabis and was weighed in his presence; it amounted to 350 grams. Meanwhile, about 17:00h on the same day, ranks from the Anti Crime Patrol held a stop and search exercise on the Number 58 Public Road. During the exercise, they stopped a white Raum with

registration number PPP 2034. As the car came to a halt, one of the ranks saw the driver drop “something” between his legs. Upon checking, he noticed a parcel containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. The rank requested the substance and cautioned the suspect who was later identified as Marvin Samaroo, 45, of Adelphi Village, Canje. A search was conducted on the vehicle and a knife was found under the driver’s seat. The suspect was arrested and taken to the Number 51 Police Station where the substance confirmed as cannabis was weighed and amounted to half grams. Both men are expected to make a court appearance this week.

Anna Regina Multilateral, Reliance Nursery closed due to flooding

A parent points to the state of the Reliance Nursery School

ntense rainfall over the weekend has forced the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary and Reliance Nursery Annex in Region Two to close on Monday. According to reports, the water level at the schools was about nine inches high. According to Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School

headteacher Lalljeet Rooplall, the school’s population of 1155 students was forced to return home when they turned up to sit their Christmas term examinations. Rooplall said the school will be closed until Wednesday when the water is expected to drain off the land and the school thoroughly sanitised.

The flooded out Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary

The headteacher, along with junior Agriculture Minister Alli Baksh, early Monday morning inspected the flooded classrooms, dormitory and library. In 2005, the school was also forced to close due to flooding. The students housed in the dormitory were relocated to more comfortable homes,

the headteacher said, pointing out that students will be constantly updated about the situation. Baksh said he is optimistic that by Wednesday the situation will return to normalcy. Meanwhile, on a visit to the Reliance Nursery annex, parents complained to the

minister about the closure of the nursery school. One parent Govind Persaud told the minister that pupils from the Reliance Nursery annex were relocated to another nursery school, and this places a burden on parents to foot the transportation cost. He is pleading with the

Region Two administration to address the problem, and pointed out that the school’s compound is low and needs to be raised. Persaud said the situation is unacceptable and a delegation of parents will be visiting Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud to discuss the situation.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, december 3, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Partners may cost you more than you bargained for. Refrain from making promises that are hard to live up to. Your tendency to overindulge in all areas of life should be curbed.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Educational pursuits will help you get a better job. Making a career move will pay off. Problems with a friend or relative should be handled swiftly.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Delays due to red tape will be annoying. Leave plenty of time to sort through any problems that arise. Lowered vitality may result, leading to minor ailments.

CANCER (June 21July 22) Put your creative talent to work for you. A unique approach to something you already do well will give what you have to offer new life. Selfimprovement will boost your confidence.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Choose your path and stay on course. A change will inspire you to try something new. Don’t let someone’s demands get you down. Be courteous, but don’t neglect your needs.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) A responsible attitude will get you a lot in return. Romance is on the rise and will help you ward off a problem you might face if you aren’t attentive.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll enjoy all the options that come available to you. Embrace change and enjoy making new friends along the way. Simplicity and moderation should be enforced.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) A lack of sympathy will surface if you are stubborn. Use your skills diversely. This is an opportune time to show others what you are capable of doing.

Speak up. If you get your feelings out in the open, you will be able to deal with any problem you encounter. Take care of any legal, financial or medical matters.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Participate in seminars, trade shows or anything that interests you. You’ll be inspired by what you see and learn and will explore new possibilities when it comes to home, family and personal relationships.

Monday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Don’t mix business with pleasure. You’ll get more accomplished both at work and at home if you give your undivided attention to whichever happens to be your focus.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Participate in a worthwhile cause. Offer your services, and you will be appreciated and rewarded. It will be difficult to hide your feelings. Be honest but kind.

news 19

YELLOW PAGES

Rupununi stages 13th expo

tuesDay, december 3, 2013

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Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai (third left), Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Haralsingh (fourth left) and Regional Executive Officer Claire Singh (right) at the launch of Rupununi Expo 2013

merindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has commended the private sector and other stakeholders for their support in fostering the continuous development of Rupununi, Region Nine. Speaking at the opening at the 13th Rupununi Exposition on November 30, the minister said, “More and more, every year the RCCI (Rupununi Chambers of Commerce and Industry) has continued to put quite a lot of effort to ensure business opportunities and the potential of the Rupununi and Region Nine”. She said it was important to recognise such contributions since it is the stakeholders in the region who must, and have been taking up the mantle of leadership in moving the region to a greater level. In addition to identifying the RCCI’s role in promoting the region, the minister also praised the financial sector for its support, more so the

continued impact of the exposition that is annually facilitated by the RCCI with support from the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry. She pointed out too that “more and more items that are exhibited at the expo are generally from the Amerindian villages”. For this reason, the expo is critical since it provides a platform whereby small producers, (from the Amerindian communities) launch or gain new markets for their produce. Minister Sukhai committed to working more closely with the Amerindian communities towards making a greater input into expo. She handed over a cheque to the tune of $500,000 from the ministry in support of the event. Meanwhile, Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Haralsingh also praised the RCCI and other stakeholders for their continuous annual successful execution of the expo.

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services

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VEHICLES FOR SALE

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Classified Ads $5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai addressing Rupununi Expo 2013

banks for recognising the potential for economic activities and opening branches in the region. “Those are the initiatives which are evidence there is some level of confidence that the Rupununi has great economic potential, and more so, the government continues to support that view, continues to invest in making the environment, to take away some of the challenges to the economy of the region,” she noted. She spoke of government’s investments in the sectors such as water, electricity and roads that interface with the efforts of the private sector in the region. She also alluded to the

Haralsingh noted that the Rupununi is “the heart of Guyana’s tourism product” and has brought about a lot of recognition for Guyana, “A lot of interest actually in Guyana, and we are getting the recognition that we deserve, and a lot has to do with the contribution here in the Rupununi.” The expo is one that is looked forward to and the promised inaugural Rupununi Music and Art event set for February 2014 will break new grounds for the district. The Rupununi Expo affords Region Nine residents the opportunity to witness the creativity of the region, through showcasing its people’s culture, craft and food.

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesday, december 3, 2013

heroics lift Miami IPL likely to increase player Bosh’s past Charlotte, 99-98 retention, reduce salary cap – Durant has triple-double, Thunder beat Wolves

The wheels are in motion for the IPL auction in 2014 (Associated Press)

PL franchises are likely to have two options available to keep the core of their teams intact ahead of the 2014 season: the usual practice of player retention, and a new system of ‘right to match’ cards that can be used during the auction. A team is expected to be able to retain up to five players and the IPL has recommended three ‘right to match’ cards per franchise, which means up to eight players could be retained, salary cap permitting. The auction is likely to be held on February 12 and 13 at a yet-to-be-decided venue. The franchises were also informed that the 2014 general elections in India will have an impact on the venue for the tournament. Once the Indian government announced the election dates, the IPL will work out a feasible venue for next year’s edition, the franchises were told. The idea of the ‘right to match’ card was discussed during a two-day IPL workshop in Singapore on November 28 and 29 that was organised by the BCCI. A card would allow a franchise to buy back a player during the auction by simply matching the highest bid. For example, if two or more franchises were bidding for a player who had represented a different team in the 2013 season, then that team’s owners could buy back the player if they wanted to by matching the highest bid for him.

Auction

During the discussions in Singapore, one suggestion was to bring all the players back into the auction but the IPL was not interested in abandoning the retention policy. Although officials did not specify the reasons, the feeling was that a retention policy allowed certain powerful franchises to hold on to the players that formed the core of their side over the previous seasons. It is understood that the idea of a ‘right to match’ card was floated to offset the retention rule, which some franchises felt was detrimental to their chances. Before the 2011 auction, franchises were allowed to retain up to four players from their old squads, but for every player retained, the franchise

would lose a certain amount from the salary cap of $9 million available for spending at the auction. For the first player retained, $1.8 million was deducted from the salary cap, for the second player it was $1.3 million, the third $900,000 and the fourth $500,000. However, these were not necessarily the amounts paid by the franchise to the retained players. So a team that kept four players went into the auction with only $4.5 million to spend. “There were some franchises that did not retain any players, but still ended up paying more money [for four players in the auction] than a franchise that retained four players and paid just half the salary cap,” a franchise official said. “In fact these teams [which retained players] obviously paid more money although that was never made public. So that was a perfect way for teams to go to an auction with half the purse and also circumvent the salary cap.” Not all franchises were in agreement about the ‘right to match’ card, though. “It works for teams where players are asking for a big price [to be retained],” an official who did not agree with the concept said. He felt it was unfair that a franchise, which had not participated in the bidding for a player, could walk away with that player only because of a ‘right to match’ card, when there were other teams actively involved in the bidding. “If two franchises are locked in a bid to buy a player and then suddenly a third franchise comes and says he has the right to buy the player, you might end up paying more [in order to discourage teams from using the card].”

Salary cap

The salary cap for the 2014 auction is likely to be Rs 600 million (approximately $10 million) and is likely to increase by 10% each year. For the first time, the purse in is Indian Rupees and not dollars. If a franchise chooses to retain five players, it is likely to lose Rs 125 million from the purse for the first player, Rs 95 million for the second, Rs 75 million for the third, Rs 50 million for the fourth and Rs 40 million for the fifth - a total of Rs 385

million, leaving them with Rs 215 million for bidding during the auction. It is not clear at the moment whether there is a restriction on the number of Indian or foreign players that can be retained. “There is nothing definitive,” a BCCI official said. “All five can be Indians or all five can be overseas. Or there could be a mix of both.” According to the official, a higher purse was unhelpful for the smaller teams, as they had lesser money to spend compared to sides like Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings. With the 2014 purse likely to be capped at Rs 600 million, the playing field will be more level because that was the average expenditure of the smaller teams in terms of player payments and operation costs. The salary cap had been $12.5 million (approximately Rs 750 million at current exchange rates) in 2013. The contracts for players retained or signed at the 2014 auction are likely to be valid for three seasons, with the franchise holding the right to renewal at the start of each of season. The number of players in a squad is also likely to be reduced from 33 to 27, and the number of foreign players cut from 11 to nine per team. Another important change is that all Indian domestic players, who have either played first-class or List A cricket, will be eligible for sale at the auction. Previously only players who had played for India or played a certain number of games for their IPL teams could be auctioned. All these suggestions and recommendations will now be discussed by the IPL governing council, which has to ratify the changes for them to take effect. The Singapore meeting was the first gathering of IPL officials and franchises since the betting and spot-fixing scandal marred the 2013 season. Ravi Sawani, the head of BCCI’s anti-corruption unit, addressed the franchises and gave a presentation on the various corruption-related events in the past two IPLs. Sawani also spoke of the various measures his team would put in place to protect the integrity of both the players and the tournament.

IAMI - Chris Bosh watched his first 3-pointer bounce once, twice, three times, four times before finally dropping into the net. A threesome of 3-pointers - he had never made that many in an NBA quarter, say nothing of his 79-second span Sunday night - highlighted a run where Bosh scored 13 straight Miami points, and the Heat beat the Charlotte Bobcats 99-98 to extend their winning streak to 10 games. The Heat led for the final 1:20, the time remaining when Bosh’s third 3 put Miami up 93-91. Charlotte had held the lead for the previous 23:21. ‘’It kind of just happened,’’ Bosh said. ‘’I was wide open so I figured I would take a step back and in the words of our late teammate Mike Miller, ‘let it fly.’ That was really it.’’ LeBron James led the Heat with 26 points, Bosh

Chris Bosh

Miami 25-14 in the third quarter and led by 14 points with 9:14 left.

Kevin Durant

finished with 22, Dwyane Wade scored 17 and Mario Chalmers added 12 for Miami, which has beaten the Bobcats 14 straight times. Kemba Walker scored 27 points for the Bobcats. Gerald Henderson scored 17, and Al Jefferson finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds for Charlotte. ‘’It’s disappointing because I felt we had them. We outplayed them,’’ Henderson said. ‘’They just came up with the plays at the end of the game that championship teams tend to do.’’ The Bobcats outscored

And then Miami scored 34 points in the final 8:20, which works out to a 196-point pace over a full regulation game. The Heat made 11 of their final 13 shots, with Bosh’s 3s leading the way - Wade getting the assist on all three of them. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City may soon have to address the issue of slow defensive starts that lead to double-digit deficits. On Sunday, the Thunder just wanted to bask in another comeback win and another historical statistical performance by Kevin

Durant. Durant recorded his first triple-double of the season with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Thunder rallied for another fourth-quarter win, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103. Durant also added four blocked shots and four steals. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the first NBA player to record 30 or more points, 10 or more rebounds, 12 or more assists, four or more steals and four or more blocks in the same game since blocks and steals became official NBA stats during the 1973-74 season. Oklahoma City extended its winning streak to seven games, tops in the Western Conference, and moved to 9-0 on the season at home, matching the franchise’s longest home winning streak to open a season, set in Seattle in 2004. Kevin Martin, in his return to Oklahoma City after joining Minnesota during the offseason, led the Timberwolves with 24 points, while Nikola Pekovic had 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder have beaten Minnesota eight straight times at home, dating to the 2008-09 season, the franchise’s first in Oklahoma City. (AP)

Bolt, Calvert, Whyte top Racers club awards

I N G S T O N , Jamaica – Top Jamaican club Racers has named sprinters Usain Bolt and Schillonie Calvert as their most outstanding athlete of the year. Bolt was rewarded for Outstanding Performances in 2012 and 2013 at the Club’s Zenith awards at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel over the weekend. “I am fortunate to be here and be a part of this great club in the first place. It is wonderful to be a part of it, it’s just a great feeling,” Bolt told the Jamaica Observer. “I have put in the work for the club, and for them to

show that they appreciate it is always a good feeling.” Rosemarie Whyte, who ran 50.00 seconds in the 400m at Zagreg, was the Most Outstanding Performance for 2012. Calvert, 25, who was a part of the gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team at the 2013 Moscow World Championship, got the nod for the Most Outstanding Performance for 2013. “This means a lot to me because when you are acknowledged for your excellent work by those who are like family, words cannot explain how I feel,” said Calvert, speaking on behalf

of athletes at the second annual racers awards and fund-raising banquet. “This boosts my confidence, and right now I am overwhelmed. I am putting in the work for next season and the track and the clock will speak”. Coach Glen Mills was given a surprise award for his historic achievement for being the only coach to have three athletes on the podium at the London Olympics in the 200m -- Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir. The trio presented him with a plaque for guiding them and himself into the history books.

tuesday, DECEMBER 3, 2013

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schools football tourney Yaya Toure named 2013 BBC K&S receives more support African Footballer-of-the-Year

Trophy Stall lent its support to the Chico/Kashif & Shanghai Elite Next Generation Secondary School Football Tournament when they donated a trophy for the most disciplined school and 100 tickets for the finals to be given to school children. In photo owner of Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunich hands over to Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, UK-based Allan Tumazeri, originally of Linden. Tumazeri apart from donating the game balls for the tournament, will also be giving the goalkeepers of the schools participating in this year’s tournament a pair of gloves and the best player coming out of Linden will receive $30,000 to assist with extra lessons

aya Toure has won the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award. The Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, who had been nominated in each of the past four years, beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi and Jonathan Pitroipa to this year’s crown. The 30-year-old told BBC Sport: “I think I’ve been nominated for five years in a row and finally winning the award is amazing. “It’s a fantastic achievement because I don’t think there has ever been as many quality African players in top-level international football as there are now: Aubameyang, Pitroipa, Mikel, Moses, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho... we have fantastic players. “I also think African football is improving and that means a lot to us. And as an African, I’m very happy.” The shortlist for the award was drawn up by 44 football experts across Africa, who based their choices on players’ skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency and fair play. A record number of fans then voted for their favourite either online or by text message. And those fans have considered Toure to be the standout African player over the past year, in recognition of the Ivorian’s displays of power, pace, creativity and goals. Toure said: “Thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me. It shows how much fans love you and appreciate your job as well. “It’s something special because it’s not the vote of the manager or the club or the captain of the national

Yaya Toure

team, it’s just the fans. “When you have a lot of fans behind you, it’s always amazing. And I’m very happy as it is the fans who have given it to me - so I’m very appreciative.” While 2013 was not the most successful in terms of silverware for Toure - he did not manage to win anything with club or country - he still impressed hugely with his consistently high level of performances. And after the disappointment of failure to defend the Premier League title with City, Toure came back stronger at the start of the new season and has added a new dimension to his game in the form of free-kicks. He curled in a sublime effort against Newcastle United on the first day of the season and repeated the feat against Hull in his side’s next home match. Toure has scored four times direct from a set-piece so far in the league this term in a total of seven goals for his club. In 2013 to date, Toure has found the net 13 goals for club and country - a very respectable figure for a mid-

fielder. Allied to his clinical finishing, Toure’s drive and leadership have helped City to fourth in the league table. He was also a key figure in Ivory Coast’s successful qualification for next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil. The Elephants needed to shrug off a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations Campaign earlier in the year - they lost in the quarter-finals to eventual winners Nigeria - and Toure has been inspirational. Off the field, Toure has led the fight against racism after suffering abuse during a Champions League match against Russia’s CSKA Moscow in October - demonstrating a strength of character to match his sporting ability. The unsavoury episode might have affected the form of lesser players, but Toure has been exceptional ever since. And in the fifth consecutive year he has been nominated for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award, Toure has finally been voted the best player on the continent. (BBC Sport)

In photo is a representative of Wisburg Secondary, McKenzie High, Allan Tumazeri and New Silver City Secondary representative

Hope turned to despair when GCC/GFC... The academy could have been one of the institutions that would have provided the support and guidance to the many who are talented in the sports. The overall countrywide development of cricket and football would also have been facilitated. (4) The question of financing for the proposed stadium has been raised. The Limacol brand is proud that it put its money where its mouth was on the idea of professional T-20 cricket in the Caribbean. There were many who doubted the venture would be successful. We demon-

strated that the private sector could deliver a world class tournament second to none. Based on this demonstrated success, the financial community and CPL OPCO Guyana Inc have indicated that they stand ready to back the Limacol proposal. (5) In light of the misrepresentation of the proposal, the principals of Limacol have decided that they will not proceed further with its offer on the Bourda project. In the world of business, into which cricket had ventured in the present millennium, the issue of confi-

from back page

dentiality is crucial and it is evident that this requirement will pose a problem for any joint venture between the Limacol brand and the GCC and GFC. (6) Finally, the principals of the Limacol brand would caution those that would continually deride those from the business community that seek to develop their companies and in so doing benefit the country. The Bourda sports academy is an opportunity lost to all Georgetown, Guyana and to the country’s youths who are inclined toward sports.

Windies U-19s arrive in Bangladesh

haka, Bangladesh - A 15-member West Indies U-19 cricket team arrived in Dhaka on Monday. They will face the Bangladesh U-19 in seven Youth ODIs during their 20-day tour. The last time the two sides met was in October in the Caribbean Islands in a seven-game youth ODI series and which Bangladesh won 4-3. Bangladesh U-19 skipper Mehidy Hassan Miraz informed the media that the team is ready to carry on from where they left off four months ago. “We had a very good tour, winning the series. I believe the good memories will give our confidence a boost and we’re look forward to the home series that starts in few days,” Miraz told the media yesterday. The six-day training camp that the 15-member Bangladesh squad have undergone will help the home side, thought Miraz.

“I think this was the first time that we had a camp as a squad. This allowed is to concentrate on areas that needed to be improved and also gel as a team. I hope this will have a positive effect in the series,” said the 16-year old right-arm all-rounder. The seven-match series will begin with the first ODI at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on December 6. The second game will take place at the same venue on December 8. The third ODI will be held either in Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar or ZACS on December 11. The fourth and the fifth ODI will be played on December 14 and 17 at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium and the sixth and the seventh games of the series will be played at Shere-Bangla National Stadium on December 19 and 20. (First published in the Dhaka Tribune)

A 15-member West Indies U-19 cricket team arrived in Dhaka yesterday

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tuesday, december 3, 2013

GCB annual awards PMTC 1 wins Balram Shane ceremony on tonight Memorial volleyball tournament T P ort Mourant Training Centre 1 (PMTC1) Volleyball Club maintained their unbeaten record this year when they carted off the first place trophy in the third annual Balram Shane Memorial volleyball competition that was played on Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex volleyball court. Ian Bagot, McRae, Quacy Matheson and Jason Seelochan were in brilliant form for PMTC 1 and they easily brushed aside Port Mourant Jaguars in straight sets, 21-16, 25-16, and 2520, despite good plays from Buddy Motiepersaud, Javed Motiepersaud and Safraz Hussain. The competition which was played on a round robin basis saw the teams battling in intense heat in the preliminary rounds, which were played on a two-bestof-three format. The competition was organised by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA)

The winning PMTC 1 team posed with the winning trophy

PMTC 1 captain Jason Seelochan (right) collects the winning trophy and cash from Deonarine Balram

and sponsored by Balram Shane General Store of Rose Hall, in memory of the late Balram Shane. At the presentation ceremony held after the competition, PMTC 1 captain, Jason Seelochan received the Balram Shane Memorial Volleyball Trophy and $25,000 cash prize while the losing finalist received $15,000 cash.

he 2013 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Awards ceremony is slated to commence at 19:00h tonight at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion. The awardees have not yet been confirmed, since according to the GCB secretary Anand Sanasie, they have to go through the arduous and complex process of nominations. Among the awards expected are: Guyana cricketer of the Year, female cricketer of the Year, Club of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Junior Cricketer of the Year, Senior Domestic cricketer of the Year, Senior Regional Cricketer of the Year, Emerging Cricketer of the Year, Regional under-15 cricketer of the Year, Regional under-17 cricketer of the Year and Regional under-19 cricketer of the Year, Trainer, Coach, Administrator, Curator, Umpire and Cricket Journalist. There will also be special awards for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of Guyana’s cricket, among others. The previous ceremony was back in 2011 that saw then West Indies leg-spin-

Anand Sanasie

ner Devendra Bishoo being named Male Cricketer-ofthe-year and West Indies fast bowler Sabrina Munroe taking the award for the country’s female cricketer-of-theyear, while Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) was awarded for the Club of the Year. A selection panel, led by the Chairperson Rajendra Singh, GCB Territorial Development Officer (TDO) Colin Stuart, national selectors Rayon Griffith and Nazimul Drepaul, along with GCB administrative personnel, will adjudicate to have the winners on the various criteria outlined by the board. Scores of cricketers from across the country, along with their respective clubs and executives, are expected to be on hand at the event.

Revamp, GCC Tigers and Hickers win DMW titles

Veterans champions Hickers with their title

anadian team Revamp Hockey Club completed their domination of the men’s division of the Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival on Sunday evening by beating Trinidad’s Queen’s Park 4-0 in the final at the National Gymnasium. In addition, the vociferous crowd was appreciative of the fact that local national champs, GCC Tigers, defeated Malvern of Trinidad in a more competitive and highly entertaining Digicel ladies’ final. In an all-Guyana Carib veterans’ final, Hickers outclassed GCC 7-4, leaving Guyana with two of the three grand prizes that were at stake. Most Valuable Player in the men’s division, Canadian international Jonathan Roberts, scored two of Revamp’s goals to lead his

side to the convincing victory over a young energetic Queen’s Park. Fellow international Micah Texeira opened Revamp’s account through a well-executed penalty corner in the first half. Roberts score his first of the match five minutes into the second half and went up by three when Jewan Bath found the back of the net with a penalty corner strike three minutes later. Queen’s Park were more competitive than the score suggests, but men’s goalkeeper-of-the-tournament Pradeep Koonar, thwarted several of their attacks to maintain a clean sheet. Roberts then sealed the deal for Canada with his second goal in the closing minutes. When Malvern and GCC squared off in the final, striker Kerensa Fernandes set the pace with a neat deflec-

Local side GCC Tigers after winning their title on Sunday nigh

tion off a penalty corner pass to score the first goal for the Tigers three minutes into play. Ladies’ competition leading goal-scorer Krezia Layne, managed to produce a rare penalty corner goal for Malvern against the tournament’s top goalkeeper and ladies MVP, Alysa Xavier in the sixth minute. GCC’s Trisha Woodroffe however answered one minute later with a similar penalty corner strike for GCC to maintain their one goal lead at the half. Five minutes into the second half, captain Sonia Jardine produced a moment of brilliance in eliminating the defence down the right flank before drawing the goalkeeper and sliding her pass to Fernandes, who scored her second of the match. At 3-1 down and time

against them, Malvern opted to withdraw their goalkeeper from the court in preference of an extra field player. The tactic changed the complexion of the game as the Tigers defence struggled with the additional pressure. The risk however, left Malvern vulnerable in defence. Aliyah Gordon, pounced on a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble to score her first goal of the match four minutes from full time. Layne managed to pull one goal back for Malvern in the dying minutes but it was too late as the Tigers would hold out for the 4-2 victory and fourth title of the Festival. The Carib veterans’ final saw the younger Hickers outrunning an aging GCC with the game all but decided at 4-1 by half time. The addition

of Jerazeno Bell to the defending champions, Hickers, side put the game beyond GCC’s reach as Bell himself would score two of his team’s first half goals while Amanda Garnett and James Mentore notched the other two. GCC’s Alan Fernandes was on target with the first goal of the game in just the fourth minute but it was all Hickers for the rest of the half. The second half belonged to former national captain and Hickers midfielder Devin whose athletic ability made him a menace for the GCC defence. Munroe would be first to score in the second half of play before GCC would finally come alive through a Damon Woodroffe penalty corner and a Philip Fernandes field goal. Munroe then scored twice more to complete his

hatrick before GCC’s Alan Fernandes scored his second of the match in the very final minute. The 7-4 victory saw the Hickers retain the veteran’s trophy. Canada’s Jonathan Roberts and Pardeep Koonar, both of Revamp HC, were voted MVP and best goalkeeper of the men’s competition while Queen’s Park’s Nicholas Wren was highest goal-scorer. GCC’s Alysa Xavier was the recipient of both the MVP and best goalkeeper awards for the women while Malvern’s Krezia Layne was highest goal-scorer. In the veteran’s competition, Jerazeno Bell, making his veteran debut was voted MVP with Azad DeAbreu also of the Hickers being selected as Best goalkeeper. GCC’s Philip Fernandes was the highest goal-scorer.

tuesday, DECEMBER 3, 2013

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Phillip George Legacy II…

Nets top Sonics on second night By Treiston Joseph

Hodayah Stewart left wide open for an uncontested three pointer that swishes the net (Treiston Joseph photos)

he Republic Bank Nets outplayed a cold Pepsi Sonics in a 55-43 win on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when the Phillip George legacy basketball tournament continued with its second night of action. Sonics had a rough shooting night, making less than 40 percent of their shots from the field as Nets rebounding and transition game ran them out of contention. Nets also passed the ball well, capitalising heavily on their mid-range game; they hit a high percentage of their shots from about 18 feet from the basket. Hodayah Stewart was hot from mid-range, hitting most of his 14 points from 17 feet out while initiating a number of fast break opportunities with outlet passes or running the break for the score as well. Drumson McAully had

12 points while Mortimer Williams had 11 and Fabian Johnson, 10 points in the win. Sonics’ only player in double figures was guard Jason Squires, who finished with 11 points, but shot a horrible percentage from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, in the earlier first division encounter Colts had a massive third quarter to rally get past Plaisance Guardians 91-83. Shelroy Thomas backed up his previous night’s game high 27 points with another dazzling display of 24 points to lead. Sheldon Thomas also had 18 points while Celbert Thornhill, Dave Causway and Nikkoli Smith scored 12, 11 and 10 points respectively to contribute to the win. Ron Campbell had a game-high 28 points in the loss while Trenton Woolford and Enoch Matthews had 22 and 21 points.

In the third division encounters Republic Bank Nets fell to Colts 60-53 with Kester Myers top scoring for the Nets while Evan Johnson had a team-high 15 points for the Colts. Lennon Thornhill also had 13 points in the win for the Colts. The Eagles walked away with a 57-47 win over the University of Guyana Trojans as Rolston Richmond and Kevin Higgins scored 13 apiece to lead the Eagles. On the other hand, three games faile to tip off due to walkovers. Plaisance got a walkover from Guyana Defense Force in the third division category, Ravens got a w/o from the Patriots and Pacesetters gained a w/o from the Panthers in the first division category. Play in the second edition of the Phillip George Legacy basketball tournament will continue this weekend at the CASH.

Jason Squires (# six) tries to drop a shot over some tough Nets defense during his 11-point performance for the Pepsi Sonics

Drumson McAully goes up for a contested two pointer during his leading role in the paint to help the Nets defeat the Sonics

Guinness Greatest in the Streets football…

Tournament resumes tonight at NCC tarmac

Part of the action on the second night of the competition last Thursday

he Georgetown leg of the sixth annual Guinness Greatest in the Streets football tournament will resume this evening at the National Cultural Centre tarmac. While, organisers have not confirmed the fixture, this publication understands that eight games are scheduled for the evening. The tournament commenced last week, which saw all 32 teams in action. Both nights were affected by rain, but that did not stop the matches from being played as large crowds turned up at Demerara Park last Tuesday and National Cultural Centre tarmac on Thursday to witness the best street teams in the city battle for supremacy. The Georgetown zone has at-

tracted 32 teams battling in eight groups of four. During the group phase, the teams will compete in a round-robin format with the top two advancing to the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. The champion team will receive $500,000, while the runner-up will collect $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000. All the other teams will receive participation stipends of no less than $10,000. The tournament will run until December 21 with the playing venues being Demerara Park, Albouystown Recreation Centre, National Cultural Centre tarmac, Burnham Court, California Square and the National Park for the final.

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013

TOP SCORES

Hope turned to despair when GCC/GFC merger was shelved, says veteran journalist – encourages NEW GPC INC/CPL OP CO not be deterred from providing alternative facility for youths

eelings of hope turned to despair when veteran journalist Alan La Rose learnt that the NEW GPC INC/ CPL OP CO withdrew its plans for the Bourda sports academy at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC)/Georgetown Football Club (GFC) due to misconceptions in a Kaieteur News article on Saturday. He indicated that the possible development for a sporting facility to “benefit inner city youths” resulted in the idea being shelved, due to reportage in a section of the press. In the interview with Guyana Times Sport, he also indicated that that it was heartening to see that Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, Executive Chairman of Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII), was pushing for this sort of developmental infrastructure, despite some disparaging comments lev-

eled against him in a section of the press. “It was a delight to see a Guyanese coming out in the wake of all that is being said and to see that he is still giving back. And in a day or two the hopes were dashed,” La Rose stated. He however suggested that if the Bourda sports academy does not materialise, Dr Ramroop should not be deterred from offering youths a facility that will aid in their development. “I am humbly suggesting to Dr Ramroop and his powers that be that he can still make that provision for inner city youths and Guyanese at another location. “It could provide so much for Georgetown residents. If you go in the morning to the Cuffy Square (1763 Monument site), for example, you will see the number of people there looking for an outlet to exercise, especially since

this government has been priding itself on healthy lifestyle living, and that is to provide facilities for citizens. "So maybe Dr Ramroop, in his wise mind, could look at another location which is ideally located to provide for inner city youths something that is long overdue,” the Masters footballer opined. La Rose however insisted that despite all of the opposition that Dr Ramroop has received, “none has come forward to offer any (facility for the youths). He believes that all should embrace the initiative of the NEW GPC/CPL OP CO, echoing the sentiments of legendary West Indies and Guyana captain Clive Lloyd, who spoke this publication on Sunday. La Rose also lamented the poor state of football in Guyana, stating that despite a yearly subvention from FIFA, there are no proper facilities for the sport to

ensure players excel beyond a certain level. Further, he stated that other facilities would have been built but football is without “a home”. “Football really needs this facility and I am pleading with Dr Ramroop to provide a facility for inner city youths and the citizens of Guyana, South Georgetown in particular, who really want to get up in the morning to get some exercise rather than going all the way to the National Park. So I think it will be an ideal area to set up this facility and it has the capacity,” he reiterated. Meanwhile, the principals of the NEW GPC INC/CPL OP CO had proposed a plan that addressed these issues: (1) The world class stadium, with all its amenities, would have returned international cricket and football to Georgetown along with an economic resurgence;

Alan La Rose

(2) The financial structure of the endeavour would have ensured that GCC and GFC share in the profits generated, which would have enabled these clubs to return to their glory years. (3) The principals of Limacol are particular proud of their proposed cricket and football academy. The youths of Georgetown, as with any city in the world, need positive outlets for their energy. Turn to page 21

INSIDE TODAY’S SPORT

Nets top Sonics on second night P23

Revamp, GCC Tigers and Hickers win DMW titles See story on page

Canadian side Revamp Hockey Club maintained their dominance to lift the DMW men’s title

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