Guyana Times Daily

Revamped LEN brings new hope for Lindeners

thursday, January 30, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Hearing-impaired youths being turned away by employers – association

The Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) is calling for the implementation of a policy which will ensure employment for hearing-impaired people across the country, in the wake of reports of discrimination by some companies.

roads, because we have approached companies individually and they have employed deaf [persons] in very good situations,” she said.

McIntosh noted, however, that only a few companies within the private sector community have participated thus far. She is calling for more companies to get involved, as the hearing-impaired should be respected and treated as normal people, saying that with training, more companies can contribute in this area.

Three. The school is currently operating in a bottom house; however, plans are in place for the construction of a building to house the association. The school caters for deaf children between the ages of seven and 18.

Another laudable accomplishment was the association’s participation in CARIFESTA XI in Suriname in 2013. According to the president, hearts were warmed and tears flowed during and after the performances by the hearing-impaired students. The annual finger spelling bee competition was another success story for the institution.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Deaf Association of Guyana President Sabine McIntosh appealed to the relevant government ministries to consider providing training for hearing-impaired out-of-school youths.

ties for young people who are hearing-impaired and wish to enter the world of work.

body or board be put in place to deal with this issue directly.

This would counter lack of training and job opportuni-

“The employment for deaf out-of-school youths is a challenge. I don’t think the Disability Act has begun to make much of a difference there,” she said.

McIntosh suggested that a

In response to the challenges of hearing-impairedpersons finding jobs, she said the association took it upon itself to speak with several private companies about employment.

“We have made some in-

McIntosh disclosed that there has been much dialogue between the association; the education and culture, youth and sport ministries and the Guyana Football Federation for higher levels of learning for the hearing-impaired community, both academically and non-academically.

The association has had major success in this area.

One of the major achievements during 2013 was the establishment of the Deaf Special Needs School, which is located in Tuschen, West Coast Demerara, Region

For 2014, the association is planning to host a debating competition for members, since most of them are young people who have much to share towards the national development of Guyana.

McIntosh also disclosed that they are working to establish an impromptu speech activity, which will give members another opportunity to further express themselves openly and freely.

APNU concerned over Ramotar's non-assent of bills

Opposition Leader, retired Brigadier David Granger has called on President Donald Ramotar to assent to bills passed by the National Assembly, saying otherwise his party would have a hard time cooperating with the government in the House.

In a statement, the chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) recalled that, nearly two years ago, the president stated in his inaugural address to the 10th Parliament on February 10, 2012: “Indeed the make-up of this new Parliament dictates that we seek consensus and compromise, and we should resist the temptation to believe that any party can ride roughshod over another.”

The opposition leader expressed his dismay that the president had decided not to assent to several bills – the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2012; Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2013; Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013; and Local Government (Amendment)

Bill 2012 – which were passed by the National Assembly. He said the president’s decision was contemptuous of the authority of the National Assembly and injurious to relations based on consensus and compromise between the executive and legislative branches of government, which the president’s inaugural address promised.

Granger announced the decision of APNU, therefore, to withhold support for certain bills brought to the National Assembly by the executive until and unless the executive gives assurance that the bills already passed by the National Assembly will be assented to, or have their re-submission and passage facilitated in the National Assembly. He is also seeking to have the bills to which the president has already assented operationalised without delay.

The opposition leader expressed his willingness to meet with the president as early as possible to discuss, in the spirit of consensus and compromise, the issues arising from its concerns.

Hearing-impaired Guyanese students performing at CARIFSTA XI in Suriname, 2013

Opposition Leader David Granger

President Donald Ramotar

Govt mulls way to revive hydro project

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

With the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) signalling their intention to support the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, government is analysing possible avenues that can be taken to resuscitate the US$800 million project.

Before crumbling in 2013, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) was a private sector-led initiative, designed to be financed through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and China Development Bank (CDB) with equity from Sithe Global Inc and the government of Guyana.

The China Railway First Group (CRFG) was identified for the construction of the facility.

Drawing board

Addressing a Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Chairman Winston Brassington said the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration went back to the drawing board following the occurrences in the National Assembly in August 2013, with the hope of resuscitating the project.

According to Brassington, CDB has pledged to pump US$500 million into the materialisation of the project with remaining committed as well.

CDB has also indicated its willingness to pour more funds into the project to fill any gap.

Sithe Global had pulled out of the project in August 2013, two days after the National Assembly failed to meet consensus on legislative arrangements deemed necessary to move the project forward. The company had already expended approximately US$16 million on preparatory work.

On Wednesday, Brassington informed the natural resources sectoral committee that the IDB’s due diligence report was incomplete when Sithe Global pulled out. The due diligence report was funded by Sithe Global.

However, he disclosed that arrangements have been made to move the process forward, thereby having the report completed by the end of the first quarter.

“There are two possible parts: one, a Chinese led part where they step up and fill the gap, and the other, which is depending on a lot of things happening, trying to see a way to get the existing partners to resuscitate the existing arrangement,” said Brassington.

He said if at the end of the first quarter, options with existing partners are not available, other investors are showing significant interest.

“But recognising the sustainable level of work and level it has gone into preparing this project by the existing partners, they offer a better chance because anyone coming new would have to start afresh,” he explained.

Brassington made it clear that a large percentage of the information on the Amaila Falls project is owned by Sithe Global, even though it is in the public domain. “It is not automatic; you just can’t take that, so there are those sorts of nuances that need to be considered,” he said.

IDB report

APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon said the findings in the IDB report will determine whether the coalition will support the project, but expressed concerns over funding of the project by the U.S. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds explained that American executives holding positions at the IDB, the World Bank and/or the International Monetary Fund (IMF), or any multilateral financing institutions, have been instructed not to support large hydropower projects.

He said this is a concern to the Guyana government,

noting that the Amaila Falls project might not be an exception.

“I think Amaila may be caught in that number and that is a new situation… a matter of concern to us,” he stated. Nevertheless, he said government is heartened with the opposition’s move to support the hydro project. The project was designed to be constructed where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet. Electricity produced at the plant would have been delivered to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line. Government has always argued that the Amaila Falls project would produce reliable, affordable and clean energy.

Sithe Global will own and operate the project for 20 years, after which, the project will be transferred to GPL for free, through a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) arrangement.

Based on studies, an estimated 20 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs would be experience when the Amaila Falls project becomes operational, with residential consumers saving approximately $208.7 million monthly or $2.5 billion annually.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds sitting beside GPL Chairman Winston Brassington (second left) and GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal at the parliamentary sectoral meeting

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

Presidential example

The 10th Parliament will go down in our history as the “Chopping” Parliament: nothing like the other specifically named “Long Parliament” of the 17th century. There is no sign of any political geniuses in the opposition benches, which have allowed their control of the National Assembly by a single seat to go to their heads.

Rather than perform their constitutionally defined role to scrutinise the operations of the executive, they have embarked on a foolhardy mission to unilaterally extend their powers into the executive domain.

They have, for instance, insisted on not merely providing proposals for spending via the budget, but on playing a role in crafting that budget. Even when the courts, to which the executive was forced to seek recourse after the opposition chopped funds from constitutionally created offices, pointed out that this was an exclusive power of the executive, they repeated their excisions. The result of this opposition parliamentary arrogance in arrogating all powers of the government to themselves has led to the government’s developmental programme being derailed.

That programme had been designed to push the growth trajectory into another quantum level via the launching of several mega projects that would have provided employment for thousands and also initiate infrastructural innovations to remove several structural constraints to growth. It was mind-boggling that the opposition would use the threat of rescinding a contract between the government of Guyana and the contractor of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project.

In addition to Guyanese and foreign manufacturers being denied the opportunity to secure reliable and inexpensive electricity – the sine qua non of modern manufacturing – Guyana’s “political risk” factor was pushed into the stratosphere. If the insurance for such political risk before the threat was US$55 million, imagine what it will be when we attempt to secure new financing in the near future.

But the country cannot be held to ransom in this fashion – a perpetual tug of war in the Parliament. However, all is not lost and the president of Guyana has just been given a clear signal as how to proceed when an executive’s development programme is being stymied by an opposition-controlled legislature. Guyana’s governance system has been called a “hybrid” one, since it combined features of the Westminster system handed down by the British and the presidential one exemplified by the U.S. We have looked generally at British precedents in examining our governance structures, but perhaps it is time we look at the U.S. – especially when the situation is analogous.

In the last U.S. general elections, while President Obama won his re-election bid, his Democratic Party failed to secure control of the Congress, just as in Guyana. And also as in Guyana, the opposition Republican-controlled House attempted to stymie the president’s programme. In one case, the Republicans’ brinkmanship brought the entire government to a standstill because of their refusal to pass legislation on spending. President Obama, however, appears to have finally accepted that there is no reasoning with such implacable opposition.

Fortunately for him, and America, the U.S. president can take some actions without legislative approval, through the issuance of “executive orders”. Earlier this week, President Obama bluntly informed the joint session of Congress: “I’m eager to work with all of you, but America does not stand still – and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Interestingly, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mandate “executive orders”, but they are rather inferred from other explicit duties of the executive. It is analogous to what the courts have articulated here: the executive has the power to execute its programme as articulated in its manifesto and they should go ahead to do so regardless of what the opposition-controlled legislature chops.

As President Obama said, a country cannot stand still.

Bulkan, Palmer are unable to analyse GFC’s annual reports

Dear Editor,

Kindly permit me to respond to Part IV of Janette Bulkan and John Palmer’s critical review of the annual reports of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) submitted to Parliament and carried in another section of the press on January 30.

Bulkan and Palmer’s main objective in their so-called reviewing of the GFC’s reports submitted to Parliament is to deliberately find fault and more so, to criticise the reports which currently have no basis.

But the GFC is equipped with its own expertise to prepare its reports and does not need persons like Bulkan and Palmer to provide any public lecture on their annual report writing.

Bulkan and Palmer are so far in their fourth series of reviewing the GFC’s reports and to date, have not come up with anything substantial – only an accumulation of worthless claims being mere figments of their own imagination to bam-

boozle the unsuspecting reading public.

This is an indicator that Bulkan and Palmer are totally unable to professionally and technically analyse the GFC’s reports. But Palmer should know better as a British citizen how to conduct proper reviewing of reports in a sequential manner before they can become acceptable in the British parliament.

However, he failed miserably to commence his reviewing from the period 1964-1992 and then move on to 2005-2012 in relation to Guyana. The Queen of England will be very disappointed with Palmer and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (deceased) is no doubt turning in her place of rest knowing that a British citizen is an accomplice to unprofessional conduct where unacceptable accounting is concerned.

What Bulkan and Palmer can therefore do quickly is to lobby their People’s National Congress (PNC)/A Partnerhsip

for National Unity (APNU) coalition to move a motion in Parliament for the establishment of a special committee to review Guyana’s reports from 1964-1992 and then move onwards.

Certainly the PNC/APNU will identify both Bulkan and Palmer to serve on this committee, so as to produce an analysis or analyses of Guyana’s development performance for the periods mentioned.

But the problem with Bulkan and Palmer is their reluctance to acknowledge that in Guyana, there has been social and economic progress from 1993 to present under the current government which did not happen from 1964-1992 under the illegal PNC government.

Today they are totally ashamed and making claims that Guyana has not changed for the betterment of Guyanese, hence their so-called reviewing of reports, particularly those of the GFC.

My advice to Bulkan and

Palmer is to return to Guyana and find out about its economic growth and inflation rates, the number of titled Amerindian communities and the annual increases of the wages and salaries of public servants, to name just a few.

The reality is that Guyana is positioned for major social and economic transformations, where Bulkan and Palmer’s coalition, the PNC/APNC, is now calling for shared governance which was never offered to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) while being the government for 28 years.

Bulkan and Palmer, however, continue to spread misleading and malicious information about Guyana even though they have been calling for the freedom of information act. What they need to do now is to call for laws for the prohibition of persons spreading misleading information and the prosecution of such persons.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Incompetence at its best

Dear Editor, Throughout our country, there is a strong and growing concern that many aspects of our modern lifestyle are unsustainable and are taking a toll on our environment and will affect future generations. It is expected that the Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green makes amends and leads the way to re-examine the nature of garbage disposal. Make note, it seems as if the mayor is unable to perform his duties. Keep in mind that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), aka People’s National Congress Reform

(PNCR), has a history of corruption, mismanagement, lawlessness, and violence.

Our mayor was once an executive of the PNCR. Burdens putrefying, a stinking mountain of trash, the landfill has been poisoning local waters and sickening residents. With Guyana’s landfill city running out of options, the waste system may simply collapse. Georgetown, the capital of Guyana’s modern economy and home to many of its hightech workers, is drowning in its own waste. Vast mounds of garbage are scattered throughout what is known in

Guyana as the ‘Garden City’. Trash is one of Guyana’s plagues. It chokes rivers, scars meadows, contaminates streets and feeds a vast and dangerous ecosystem of rats, mosquitoes, stray dogs, monkeys and pigs. The ubiquitous garbage shows the incompetence of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the dark side of the country’s rapid economic growth.

Greater wealth has spawned more garbage, and the mayor’s recent pronouncements show that the M&CC is incompetent. Georgetown is now one of the filthiest cit-

ies and the garbage crisis is a stunning success. The stress in the waste system is at its breaking point. Now, all that groundwater contamination is going to come to us. The problem is getting out of hand, and eventually it will swallow us up. We have to do something, since the city’s atrocious stench of garbage and decay has made it unbearable for everyone, even the mayor. Obviously, he is unable to do his job or he’s adapted well to filth.

Sincerely,

Name withheld by request

The SnowCastle of Kemi, in Finland, is made entirely of compressed snow and has no support structures. It offers visitors a restaurant, chapel and hotel rooms, and even a children play area. The first SnowCastle, in 1996, earned its place in the Guinness Book of Records with 1100 metre (3680ft) walls. It was visited by more than 270,000 people (BBC News)

We hope our nation never relives the Lusignan Massacre

Dear Editor, The Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) expresses its solidarity and sympathy to the relatives of the victims of the Lusignan massacre as we observe the sixth anniversary of one of the most horrendous acts committed in our nation’s recent history.

We vividly recall the fear, outrage, and anger which this atrocity generated on that fateful morning of January 26, 2008 and the days immediately following. We hope that our nation and our people are never visited by such cruel and inhumane acts of violence.

To many of us, the heartwrenching images of young children whose bodies were riddled by the bullets of AK47 machine rifles in their beds, and the bodies of their parents, similarly savagely punctured with bullets, will forever be etched in our minds and memories.

It is imperative that we note that some of those who committed these gruesome crimes continue to walk free among us. It is equally imperative that we recognise that the intellectual authors of this murderous design are also still enjoying their liberty.

We must never turn a

blind eye to those who played a significant role in not only defending those charged with this genocide, but also the manner in which the legal process was manipulated in order to release them from the arms of the law. We warn that should we forget these lessons of history, we may be forced to repeat and relive them.

To the relatives of Clarence Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Ron Thomas, Mohandan Goordat, Seegopaul Harilall, Seegobin Harilall, Dhanwajie Ramsingh, Seecharran Rooplall, Raywattie Ramsingh, Shazam

Mohammed and Shaleem Baksh, we say that they are gone but will never be forgotten. Their lives must not go in vein.

We must use this occasion to renew our commitment, our energy and our will, not only to ensure that the perpetrators and those who encouraged and abetted them are brought to justice, but also that such atrocities never ever take place in our country again.

Sincerely,

PPP/C Freedom House, Georgetown

Rose was a man of multiple talents

Dear Editor,

No mercy! The gun has been once again raised against yet another citizen.

A young man, Trevor Rose, was the victim of a brazen attack by a shameless assassin who shot him several times at point blank range in the early morning of January 26 at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

A Guyanese of multiple talents is no more. He has gone to the great beyond for reasons still unknown.

Trevor, a popular costume designer, events coordinator and basketball player and administrator was brutally killed in the presence of his female companion and a taxi driver.

The culture and sport fraternities have lost a giant, who is not immediately replaceable. Trevor, who showed his likeness for art early in his life, was cut down at a young age. The circumstances under which Rose was murdered continues to be prevalent in our society. Guns seem to be

in the possession of anyone. No one seems to have value for human life, as the guns are used wantonly by those who are contracted to use them, or by the owners themselves.

Development needs people with the necessary and relevant skills and expertise, without which a country cannot progress. Killing will not help. Rose, like many others, contributed to the growth and advancement of this country in meaningful ways.

The agencies concerned must make every effort to ensure that a full investigation is conducted, and the perpetrators caught and brought to justice. Too many such activities are left unsolved. People are dying in their houses, business place and on the streets. The killers are walking freely and continue their programmes when called upon. Families and the nation as a whole are faced with the consequence of being deprived of valuable human resources.

Rose was a close friend of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and the National Sports Commission (NSC). His regular visits to, and discussions with me as director of sport, were valuable.

His willingness to organise programmes, especially for the youths was evident during his tenure with the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) and also the involvement of young persons in the construction of Mashramani costumes for schools and commercial companies.

The provision of the two backboards at the outdoor facility at Burnham Court and the improvement and development of the environment are examples of his commitment and dedication to the proper organising and efficient running of basketball in Georgetown.

His winning of the Best Costume Designer award at Mashramani, on several occasions, is a manifestation of his love for the art and the

Be informed!

Dear Editor, Let me make it clear to the public about the antimoney laundering bill, understandable in its simplest form – money laundering is the process of concealing sources of money.

Money laundering is the process of converting dirty money into clean funds by using various methods. Dirty money is that which was garnered through illegal means, such as high ranking employees in large corporations, diverting money to personal accounts, tax evasion, prostitution, or drug trafficking.

The most common ways to launder money are through the use of financial institutions (for example, insurance companies, banks, etc) or by setting up businesses and companies that serve as a front for receiving the illicit funds.

energies and dedication he brought to bear during the activities. Rose was always an adorable and loving individual. He demonstrated peace, kindness and respect.

His ability to lead and be a team person was obvious and was noted by all with whom he came into contact.

The entire nation mourns the loss of Rose, one who touched the lives of many in the art form and sport, and in other ways.

Sincere condolences are extended to his immediate and extended families, friends, fans, colleagues and all those who admired and supported him during his life on this earthly plain.

Neil Kumar, Director of Sport Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry

In many cases, these businesses are cash-only, allowing the owners to avoid a paper trail. Dirty money into such institutions requires that potential customers and businesses are heavily scrutinised. For example, if a customer suddenly begins depositing large, unexplained sums of money into their account, it will raise suspicion at the bank.

Keeping detailed records of all transactions makes it easier to catch money launderers. Power hungry politicians, as many of those in the opposition, corrupt the nation, no matter how much you sacrifice in your life over what you believe in. They succumb to this obsession to grasp power. They break promises, shatter your friendships, and lie in the face of your fellow comrades.

The opposition ruins your credibility, shatters your dreams of stepping into

a world where change can really be achieved. So much dirt surrounds the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Why are the opposition parties against the anti-money laundering bill?

Is it because of their own dark secrets of underground deals? Aren’t we in this way subjecting ourselves to certain ground rules which we know we can’t break? Don’t we become puppets, manipulated by others, pulled by the strings to the right and to the left, up and down?

Some would say, according to this definition, we were and still are being brainwashed! We can’t even recognise friend from foe anymore. And still, we fight among each other. How ashamed I am to be Guyanese when we cannot agree on one simple matter except to keep on agreeing over nothing! Support the anti-money laundering bill. Make Guyana a better and safer place to live.

Respectfully, Name withheld by request

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

Page Foundation

Dealing with your teen and sneaky deceit

By DENNIS AND BARBARA RAINEy

Often, a child will take advantage of you in any way he can to get to do what he wants. Just when you think you’ve told him what is expected of him, he comes back with statements like:

“I didn’t understand what you were saying. I thought you meant…”; “I forgot”; “I didn’t hear you,”; “You didn’t say that”.

The solid ground you thought you were standing on starts to shift, and as a parent you wind up thinking, "Was I unclear?" "What did I tell him, anyway?"

The first step in solving this problem is to write things down. As a mother of six children, I really can’t remember everything I say. When you’re giving directions to so many, you do forget. I don’t write down everything, but I have started a section in my notebook where I record penalties, disciplines, and rules on the issues that are very important.

All chores, for example, are written out and posted in the kitchen. I spell out what a clean kitchen looks like. This prevents our children from taking advantage of any fuzziness in our directions.

After establishing that foundation, challenge your teens when you think they are not being truthful: “Now, I know you heard me” or “I

think you selectively chose not to hear me. And I want you to know that’s a lie; that’s not the truth.” Discipline may be appropriate. You may also want to warn them that persisting in this behaviour will lead to bad consequences in the future: “When you are an adult, you can pretend not to hear, but it will get you fired from a job.”

Disciplining deceit

So what happens if you catch your child red-handed in a lie? Let’s say your daughter spent the night with a friend and told you the next day that they watched a clean family

movie. Then you learn that the movie was anything but clean and that she knew it all along.

After uncovering the lie, one of your assets as a parent is to delay punishment – not too long, but long enough to let the child’s imagination run a bit wild. Take a few hours or even wait overnight. Set your game plan. Stick your heads together and pray over your options.

When you meet with your child, first find out why he felt the need to lie to you. Is there something amiss in your relationship? Does he feel overly restricted?

Don’t let your child rationalise the deceit. He may

try to take the offence back into that gray area.

Then, choose a consequence that involves restricting something your child loves to do. On one occasion, we disciplined one of our boys by telling him he couldn’t be part of his baseball team for a game; he had to sit on the sidelines and watch, and he was their top pitcher. That was a memorable punishment for him. For our girls, grounding them from the phone, their favourite source of social interaction is a painful penalty. Recently, we’ve added email to the list of privileges to remove as a discipline.

Your discipline needs to match the level of deceit. If it really has been a crafty deceit, perhaps a con job perpetrated over a long period of time, the discipline needs to be more severe. It needs to imprint the lesson on your teen’s character.

Finally, let your child know that he will need to earn back your trust. When you deceive another person, it takes time for that relationship to be healed and for trust to be reestablished.

For the single parent

Truth more rewarding than lies, even in tricky situations

By JANICE WOOD

Anew study has found that it’s more rewarding to tell the truth than lie, even when deceiving others.

Being single-handed as a parent means that you need an even better network of spies and eyes looking out for the best interests of your child. Consider a number of parents who have children the same age as yours and commission them to help you catch your child doing things right or wrong.

Ask these friends to occasionally step into your child’s life to just see how he is doing. And if your child is going through a period where he or she is being deceptive, you might want to consider using these friends to intervene in your child’s life, to confront and rescue him or her from the trap of deception. (Power to Change)

“Our findings show that people typically find truth-telling to be more rewarding than lying in different types of deceptive situations,” said Kang Lee, PhD, from the University of Toronto.

The researchers conducted two studies using a new neuroimaging method called near-infrared spectroscopy, monitoring the brain activity of volunteers from China. Near-infrared spectroscopy is similar to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), but can scan only cortical tissue of the brain, not glucose levels as an fMRI does. Near-infrared spectroscopy, however, is

more portable, because it simply measures near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The studies explored two different types of deception. In the first, the recipient does not know the deceiver is lying. In the second, the deceivers are fully aware that the recipient knows their intentions, such as bluffing in poker.

The researchers said they were surprised to find that a liar’s cortical reward system was more active when a reward was gained through truth-telling than lying. This was true in both first – and second-order deception, they report.

They also found that, in both types of deception, telling a lie produced greater brain activations in the frontal lobe than telling the truth. This suggests lying is cognitively more taxing than truthtelling and uses more neural resources, according to the researchers.

The researchers said they hope the study will advance understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying lying, and help to diagnose pathological liars who may have different neural responses when lying or telling the truth.

Gold declaration reaches 28,000 ounces for January

Despite the challenges in the mining sector, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said he is optimistic that the sector will remain economically viable, as it holds tremendous promise.

Minister Persaud was at the time speaking at a press conference at his ministry’s Brickdam office, where he announced that the latest gold declaration was just over 28,000 ounces for January, which is about eight per cent above the same period last year.

“Our goal is to ensure that we have the sector being very aware of its environmental and social responsibility, and at the same time, being very strong economically,” Minister Persaud said.

In 2013, gold output in Guyana reached a record production of over 481,000 ounces; however, it was not a challenging year for persons involved in the sector because of the tremendous fall in the price of the mineral.

Minister Persaud said there has been some level of recovery in terms of the prices, thus far, for 2014. He anticipated that there will be conditions which would allow for a more prof-

itable mining sector, which also includes diamond, bauxite (which has also been doing well), and manganese. The overall goal, he reiterated is to ensure that the sector remains robust, because it contributes significantly to the country’s economic growth and development.

Minister Persaud said that there are short comings at the levels of the ministry, the relevant agencies and private sector. The minister explained that his ministry, along with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and

Diamond Miners Association (GDDMA) will be addressing more aggressively, social and environmental issues, and the issue of compliance and enforcement.

“There are short comings… but I think there is a collective way in resolving those shortcomings to make this sector work, and work well in the overall country’s interest,” he said

The ministry has also been moving to push “mercury-free” mining. Minister Persaud said there is some level of admiration for the willingness of the sector to embrace the use of mercuryfree technology.

The ministry has been engaging the commercial banks and requested proposals for them to manage a $1 billion mercury-free fund targeting small miners.

“If you are telling people about transitioning, the government is not naive to tell people to throw away what they have,” he added.

The ministry has also been seeking ways in which it can help the process, engaging miners, assisting to provide finances, and consulting other agencies for professional assistance in order to ensure that this technology is durable, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Anna Regina man jailed for larceny

Dennis Simon, 35, also known as “Wha Wha”, was jailed for 48 months after he pleaded guilty to the offense of larceny. Simon, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Tuesday, January 28 at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports, police alleged that Simon on Sunday, January 26, at Anna Regina, stole from Ravi

Ramroop, one gold band with 14 diamond stones valued $1.3 million.

Simon pleaded guilty to the charge and admitted to the prosecutions facts which stated that on the date in question, the virtual complainant and his girlfriend were at a bar in Anna Regina when the defendant snatched the band off the hand of the virtual complainant and made good his escape.

Simon was subsequently arrested and admitted to committing the crime. He then told police he gave the band to one Kevin Smith to sell.

A search was conduct on the home of Kevin Smith and band was retrieved. The court was told that Simon had already spent time in jail for similar offense.

He told the court he was sorry and begged for leniency.

No bail for Queenstown miner on cocaine charge

Rudolph Carrington, 42, a gold miner from Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast was remanded to prison for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Tuesday at the Anna Regina

Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on January 25, at Anna Regina, Essequibo, Carrington had in his possession two grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Bail was refused after he

Taxi driver granted bail for receiving stolen diamond band

Kevin Smith, 22, of 97 Back Street, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast was charged for receiving stolen property when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge of receiving stolen property and was granted $150,000 bail. According to the charge, it is alleged that on January 26, at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, the defendant received from Dennis Simon, one gold

band valued $1.3 million. The gold band, which is the property of Ravi Ramroop, contained 14 diamond stones.

He was represented by Attorney Latchmie Dindyal, who made an application for bail.

In his quest for bail, he stated that his client is 22 years old, single, has a permanent address and is not suffering from any sickness.

Bail was granted at a substantial sum by the magistrate and the case was adjourned for February 25 for statements.

Mocha residents learn about composting

The Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme has embarked on a communitybased outreach that seeks to educate residents about the benefits of composting, to both the environment and citizens.

According to waste management specialist attached to the programme, Rufus Lewis, the composting project kicked off in Mocha with theoretical discussions and will soon be followed by practical activities.

He said the stakeholders involved in the project include representatives from the neighbourhood democratic council, schools, farmers and householders.

Lewis said the participants are enthusiastic about learning the new techniques of gardening. Currently, they are constructing a tent to protect the compost materials from harsh weather conditions and levelling the ground.

Composting is the breaking down of organic biodegradable materials that are compiled and added to enhance the richness of soil for planting. The project encourages all participants to store up their kitchen and yard waste such as vegetable skins, dried leaves, weeded grass and animal manure.

This process ensures that residents do not dispose of organic waste into the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill site. Not only does it take up much valuable space at the site when it can be put to use, but organic waste in landfills also “generates methane gas, which is 21 times more injurious than carbon dioxide”, the waste management specialist pointed out.

it all together, especially if they have large-scale farms but farmers have a tendency of using too much fertilisers sometimes and these are leached into canals and drains, killing fish and contaminating the streams,” he said.

Two central locations in Mocha and Mocha Arcadia have been chosen as training grounds to carry out composting activities and to teach residents new techniques.

Tools and materials, when needed, will also be provided to perform the composting activities. Other sessions are also being held in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and Caledonia, East Bank Demerara.

The Clean and Green Guyana is an initiative that falls under the purview of the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

made his plead and the matter was adjourned to February 18, for the commencement of trial. He was not represented by an attorney.

Lewis is also urging all farmers to reduce their use of chemical fertilisers on their crops and employ the method of composting, since fertilisers are harmful to the environment.

“They cannot stop using

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

Waste Management Specialist Rufus Lewis (far right) demonstrates the composting process as Mocha residents look on

Bumper rice harvest expected in Region Two

Despite the many challenges faced by Region Two rice farmers during the present spring crop, a bountiful harvest is expected throughout the entire region.

This is according to Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo who optimistically said the rice crop is blooming well under sunny conditions. Harvesting of the golden grains is expected to begin at the end of February.

In an interview, Samaroo said production is expected to surpass the set target of one million bags of paddy. Giving an update on the present crop, particularly in Region Two, Samaroo said approximately 37,120 acres of rice lands have been sowed.

The vice chairman said the region’s drainage and irrigation department is currently supplying water as needed to the fields through its various systems.

Samaroo explained that rice farmers have significantly increased the acreage under cultivation from 32,500 to 37,120. This is tes-

timony to the Agriculture Ministry’s massive investment in the drainage and irrigation network. He said millions were invested in the drainage and irrigation network, with the construction of concrete culverts, regulators, bridges and revetments, to provide an efficient and smooth flow of water. Monies are also being spent to upgrade dams in the backlands leading to rice growing areas, Samaroo noted.

He also commended the excellent work of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA), as much training and technical advice are provided free of cost to farmers.

GRDB works According to GRDB Regional Superintendent Deoram Prahalad, harvesting will commence in late February. He said sowing

has been closed off in the region and farmers between Hampton Court and Good Hope are presently involved in fertiliser application and weed control. Speaking about his technical team’s involvement, Prahalad said officers are presently selling fertilisers to farmers at a reduced cost. He noted that demonstrations on red rice, paddy bug, and schoonard grass control are being given to farmers in field schools. Inspection and millers’ licensing for the 2014 spring crop are also ongoing.

Meanwhile, several farmers who spoke with Guyana Times explained that they are still owed monies by two rice millers on the coast for the sale of paddy. Farmers said this has caused them to take loans to venture into their fields once more, since thousands are owed.

Nevertheless, the farmers said their crops are blooming and insect-free. To date, there has been no major challenge in cultivating the crop. With that, farmers extended “kudos” to the major rice stakeholders for their efforts.

Licence of Corentyne man suspended after fatal accident

The driver’s licence of Avinash Persaud, of Lot 246 Hampshire Village, Corentyne, Berbice was suspend-

ed after he was charged for the death of 12-yearold Kenroy Reynolds of Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice.

On August 23, 2013, a taxi, HG 171, driven by Persaud struck down Reynolds on the Number Five Public Road. Based

on police investigations, Persaud was heading west at a fast pace, when Reynolds, who had been standing on the corner of the road, allegedly ran across the roadway suddenly.

Persaud attempted to stop, but could not do so in time. Reynolds was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment. After the accident, Persaud was beaten by angry residents and then taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital in an unconscious state and was admitted.

He was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving. His driver’s licence will remain suspended pending the outcome of the matter.

Eyew tness

Re-circulating...

...the rotten apples

The minister of home affairs has obviously had it with the excuses from the police force brass on why the patent abuses by policemen aren’t being reduced but are actually rising. There are no excuses any more. The stations were run down, they’ve been all rebuilt. There was no transportation... there’re now official cars galore – in addition to duty-free cars for a whole lot of medium and top brass. There are new training schools in Berbice and Essequibo. And on top of it, there’ve been increased salaries.

Now, this is a sore point... we all know that in absolute terms, the salaries of everybody here are very low when you compare them with our neighbouring countries’. And the police are no exception. But they took the jobs, no? There are some members of the police force in Guyana, as in most Third World countries, who’ve got the wrong attitude about the authority and powers conferred on them to “protect and serve” the people.

The bad apples don’t see their jobs as “serving the people”, but as an opportunity to “fleece the people”. They want to live high off the hog... and rather than doing their jobs and waiting to get promoted and earn higher salaries, they take the quick and dirty route. Which Guyanese who drives a car or rides a bus hasn’t witnessed policemen shaking down drivers for a “raise”? If any official – including the minister – denies this, he’s gonna face a credibility gap. The police are perceived as bullies – with good reason because of the rotten apples – and they relish the role since it makes the fleecing easier.

Well, it appears the police might’ve taken the next step in their depredations on the hapless populace in Berbice. There are allegations of some police ranks – in one of the new vehicles – doing some fleecing at gunpoint in that neck of the woods. But while the minister reacted with alacrity to demand action from the police top brass – remember he can only “recommend” in “operational” matters – the said top brass has moved the accused ranks out of the station – pending an investigation. But we can’t stop here. That attitudinal change for the police to see their role as to “serve and protect” must be inculcated. But the opposition has blocked the legislation on even the name change to reflect this!

We hope the investigation is speedily and transparently conducted and action taken immediately. We need to start removing these bad apples – before the entire barrel becomes rotten.

Surely, we haven’t reached that stage as yet, have we?

...Power in cricket

There’s a whole lot of people who’re bent out of shape because of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) flexing its muscles in its grab for power. They see a great deal of hypocrisy in this move because only so recently when India were cricketing minnows, the BCCI used to whine about not getting any respect from the English and Australian boards in the ICC.

But the world does turn, doesn’t it... and so does the worm. It’s a sad but proven truth that abused children do become abusive parents. And it’s now clear that the same psychology operates with cricket boards. But the more expansive truth of the matter is that it’s all about power. And the money that India generates in cricket is being translated into power.

Just as it is in other forms of power – including the political realm – expect the hegemonic BCCI to insist in getting its way while mouthing platitudes about acting “in the best interest of cricket”.

Just like the U.S.’s LEAD programme, no?

...keeping grass illegal

Looks like we’ll be sticking to the straight and narrow when it comes to lighting up a spliff, according to the minister of home affairs. There was an old English king named Canute who said he’d roll back the tides, also.

Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo

GRDB Regional Superintendent Deoram Prahalad

Avinash Persaud

22 trained as emergency technicians

In an effort to improve emergency medical care, the Health Ministry through the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has launched the Ambulance Authority pilot project.

The project will see the implementation of the first ever emergency medical service (EMS) in Guyana.

To start the programme, 22 persons underwent a three-week training course where they were taught basic resuscitation methods and medical care when dealing with patients in emergency cases.

The training and implementation of the EMS is a collaborative effort between the Health Ministry, Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, U.S.A., and the John Morris Foundation.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, GPHC Accident and Emergency Ward emergency specialist, Dr Zulficar Bux, hailed the project as historic.

Dr Bux said plans are in the pipeline to create a National Emergency Medical System (NEMS), hence, the ambulance pilot project. The project is being spearheaded by him with support from professionals from Vanderbilt University.

“The plan is to start with two ambulances and a response system in Georgetown, once we see success and have the relevant equipment and personnel to expand, we will… we wanted to start small because it’s something new and we wanted to micro manage it,” he stated.

However, Dr Bux noted

New Peace Corps director calls on environment minister

New Peace Corps Country Director

Linda Arbogast paid a courtesy call on Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud during which they examined areas of potential cooperation on natural resources and the environment.

During the discussion, several initial areas of collaboration were identified. These include: en-

vironmental awareness activities in schools with an emphasis on waste management, strengthening the Three Parks Initiative Programme of the Protected Areas Commission, and monitoring and evaluating the natural resources and environmental sectors.

According to a release, the U.S. Peace Corps has expressed an interest in collaborating with the var-

ious environmental institutions of the ministry.

The Peace Corps provides assistance to developing nations in the form of technical support in various areas, such as education, health, and the environment. Its work in Guyana spans more than 40 years and currently there are volunteers stationed in Regions Two to Six, with more volunteers expected in April.

that the initiative is just a pilot project, as such, there will be challenges.

Long-term plan

“What we ask is for the public to cooperate and realise and understand that it is just a pilot project and something we looking at long term that will support the entire country. As it is right now, we will not be able to support the entire Georgetown, but we are trying to improve the system and save lives and it’s just going to take a little time,” the emergency specialist said.

Meanwhile, chief course instructor, Dr Shannon

Langston told the graduates to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Dr Langston, who has been practising in Guyana for the past four years, said efforts are in place to implement an emergency medical system in Guyana.

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran congratulated the 22 EMTs and cautioned them to take their new roles seriously and professionally.

EMTs, like paramedics, are first responders in medical care, but at a lower level. They are responsible for providing care to patients before they reach the hospital.

There are different types of EMTs. Basic ETMs like the ones who graduated; mediates and full technicians; however, after two years on the job, they can become paramedics.

The participants in the course responded to an ad in the newspapers. The batch of 22 includes five medex from the Guyana Defence Force. The requirements included a sound secondary education, inclusive of English language and a driver’s licence.

The 22 graduates are: Soniel Sampson, Mitchael Haney, Khemlata Shewram, Tricia Pindal, Ron Morris, Joseph Arjune, Naomi Klass, Candaice Shaw, Gary Anselmo, Alicia Garnette, Pablino Cupido, Sereste Frank, Jermaine Ifill, Julian Adams, Sandor Walcott, Ann Marks, Eon Goppy, Shauna Persaud, Stacey Parris, Joseph Paul, Decichelle Fernando and Rushell Lopez.

The minster assured the EMTs that there will be opportunities for them to grow in the profession as long as they excel in providing the best service to patients. Dr Ramsaran noted that the government through his ministry will be investing more to improve the state of medical care in Guyana.

The 22 emergency medical technicians with GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Khan; Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and GPHC Accident and Emergency Ward emergency specialist, Dr Zulficar Bux

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud and Peace Corps officials

GT&T contributed over B$51 to national coffers

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T)

Chief Executive Officer

Radha Krishna Sharma has disclosed that the telephone giant has paid over $51 billion to the National Treasury in revenues and has invested $58 billion in capital expansion programmes over the past 23 years.

Sharma explained that since the company started in 1991, its main objective was to modernise and expand the telephone network, in the interest of increasing both the access to, and the quality of, telecommunication services nationwide.

This, he noted has been achieved, and GT&T is now the country’s premier telecommunications provider.

The company has increased its landline service to customers from a mere 11,000 to a whooping 154,039 subscribers.

Cable system

“We invested $6 billion in the Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SGSCS) in 2010 that provides high speed Internet access across Guyana. We invested in excess of $1 billion on upgrading of the Americas II Cable in 2011.

"We increased the number of Earth stations from one to seven, and very importantly, we were the first to launch wireless services in Guyana along with continued deployment of cell sites

across the country,” he said as he listed some of the company’s major investments.

He emphasised GT&T’s commitment to the economic development of the country, touting its indisputable track record as a long-term, proven player in the industry.

The GT&T CEO said the company will continue to invest to further the growth, deepening and strengthening of the telecommunication sector.

Sharma also noted that GT&T recognises that telecommunication is the vehicle that facilitates Information Communication Technology (ICT) development and economic growth in Guyana, and as such, he noted that as a good corporate citizen, it takes its obligation and responsibility seriously and fully supports the liberalisation of the telecommunication sector.

“In fact, from the beginning of these discussions, GT&T and its parent company ATN, indicated a willingness to cooperate with the government to realise the government’s goal to introduce full competition in the provision of telecoms networks and services, with the caveat that we expect the new legislation and regulations to reflect a level playing field, the application of international best practices and a minimum of discretionary decision-making,” said Sharma.

He added that this must be seen within the context of the respect for their contractual rights as embodied in the company’s existing agreement with the government of Guyana.

Telecom legislation

On this note, he stated that GT&T is aware that the second draft of the Telecommunications and Regulations Bill has been sent to a special select committee and the company looks forward to contribute to the refinement of the legislation.

“We see within a liberalised sector tremendous opportunities as a changing local landscape affords GT&T the opportunity to accelerate planning, focus on business strategic decisions, inclusive of capital allocations,” he said.

Sharma sees GT&T as a prime player in the ICT are-

na and uniquely poised in the data/broadband space, inclusive of bundled offerings, since it has the largest existing local access distribution network in the nation.

He reiterated that the company’s network infrastructure will be used to increase mobile data access and penetration, both in the urban centres and rural clusters.

With respect to development, he disclosed that the targeted sites have been identified and studies on technical coverage are about to commence.

Stakeholder support

“Since we see the need for stakeholder support in their mission, critical operational need for broadband as an absolute necessity, our network rollout in the mining areas will not be limited to low capacity GSM sites, but fixed reliable broadband in addition to mobile voice and data based on stakeholders needs and requirements.”

Sharma further stated that marketing and field data studies are ongoing, based on changing demographics associated with housing developments in both the private and public sectors.

This is to ensure that they design a state-of-the-art access network using FTTX technology, to meet the ever increasing broadband demand and bundled offering requirements.

A mook and a crook all in one

The world got all kinda people. Guyana got all kinda people too. After all, Guyana is part of de world. But Guyana got de best combination of people in de world. This country got de best all in one mook and crook in de world.

If de Guinness Book of World Records and Grammy Awards used to recognise mooks and crooks, Guyana woulda win this every year since 1994. That is when a crook and a mook show up at de same time pun Saffon Street coming from de market side. And dem was de same person.

De crook run a man outta he own country from he own newspaper and tek every ting over from paper to press to people. De crook was accustom to runnin people outta de country anyway. But dem used to have to pay he fuh that.

It was de first time de crook end up payin some body to run dem outta de country. But then again, whah he had promise to pay, he didn’t pay. Only crooks does do that and don’t end up wid four concrete walls around dem with a lil iron grill window at de top.

Most people does focus on becomin one ting, or have one major goal in dem mind whah dem want to achieve in life. Every other ting does fall in behind. Is not a easy ting to be two people at de same time.

Old people does call that two face. De doctors does call that split personality. But some people tek two face and mek it a lifestyle and a career. Yuh don’t even know yuh talkin to two people at de same time.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But all crooks does have to operate like that. Dem does be one ting in de day and another ting in de night. People know whah de crook does do in de day. But ask de mook whah he does do when night come!

Businessman kills bandit

– two others escape with cash, jewellery

By Bhisham mohamed

Ateenage bandit was on Wednesday shot dead, while two of his accomplices escaped during a brazen daylight robbery committed on E Evans and Son’s Variety Store and Bar at Lot 851 Fourth Street, Dazzel Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara.

The bandit has since been identified as a 15-year-old of La Penitence, Georgetown who was recently fingered in a murder. He was reportedly shot at least six times by the businessman with his licensed .32 revolver.

The men reportedly went to the business place under the pretext of shopping for groceries. One of the men enquired about the price for a bag of sugar while the other two scaled a fence separating the shop from the house and made their way into the upper flat of the building where they demanded cash and jewellery.

Police stated that about 13:30h, the suspects, two armed with handguns and

one with a pair of scissors, entered the grocery and liquor store of businessman Eon Evans. The men held up Evans’ son and took an undisclosed sum of cash.

“While one of the men remained with the son, the two others went upstairs where they held up Eon Evans and his wife who was tied up and placed in a bedroom,” the release added.

Evans explained that the men also demanded that

he hand over his gun, but he replied that he did not have one. The bandits then took Evans’ gold band and demanded cash.

Gun point

Evans explained that he told the bandits he did not have money in the upper flat and that all the money was downstairs. He added that one of them continued to hold him at gunpoint and took him into the shop.

“As I enter the shop, I see another bandit with a gun to meh son head and he threatened to shoot if I don’t hand over the money… I seh ‘don’t shoot the youth man, just go in the box with the money and tek whatever you all want’…”

The still visibly shaken businessman stated that after two of the bandits collected what they wanted, they left and he thought that the ordeal was over. As he rushed back to the upper flat to check on his wife and baby, he was greeted by the

third bandit who was holding a pair of scissors to his wife’s neck.

“When I see this, I ask he what he still doing here and I tell he ‘look you two friends gone’… he still deh holding meh wife with the scissors and demanding money… so then I tell he again that he friends them gone and he should go as well…”

Evans said as the bandit turned around to leave, he collected his gun and shot him. The teenager ran through the back door but collapsed and died.

Evans noted that the other two were already on the road and he fired two shots at them, but they ran through the village discharging several rounds into the air. The police have since launched a manhunt for them.

Evans, who is thankful for his life and those of his family, said all of the action was captured by the surveillance cameras mounted around the building. The surveillance footage is being reviewed by police ranks.

GT&T CEO Radha Krishna Sharma

The business owned by Eon Evans

The crowd flocked the hearse as undertakers removed the body of the teenager

Designer shot five times – autopsy

… investigators to review CCTV footage

An autopsy performed on the body of slain Guyanese designer Trevor Rose at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary on Monday proved that he was shot five times with a 9mm pistol.

The post-mortem examination was performed by Guyanese pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage due to multiple gunshot injuries.

Nevertheless, as investigations continue into the mysterious killing of the designer, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud on Wednesday in a telephone interview with this newspaper said investigators are making every effort to retrieve the CCTV footage from the city cameras to determine whether Rose’s taxi was trailed on the day he was killed.

Tinted car

Persaud said from reports received, Rose, his female partner Latoya Towler and the taxi driver Troy Nieuenkirk were last seen leaving Jerries Bar on Waterloo Street and moments later, he was gunned down in Eccles, but the police cannot confirm if the heavily tinted car was trailing the trio.

He stated that investigators are in the process of acquiring surveillance footage from businesses in proximity to where the shooting took

place and those will be reviewed.

The deputy commissioner (law enforcement) said there is no CCTV camera installed at the traffic lights where the incident took place, which makes the investigation even more difficult.

He noted that based on information, one person was detained, questioned and subsequently released, but the police will from time to time continue to question persons and close associates of the designer for any clue that can lead to a break in the investigations.

In addition, Persaud confirmed that a statement was taken from Nieuenkirk, but nothing suggested that the designer knew his killer.

Lillian Browne, the mother of the dead designer, told Guyana Times that at no point in their investigations

Body of man who fell into Mazaruni River recovered

The body of Ryan Brown, 34, of Lot 122 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, who went missing on Sunday after he attempted to secure a boat to a nearby rock in the Mazaruni River, has been recovered.

According to information, the body was found on Tuesday clad in green sweat pants and a black vest about 100 metres below Itakie Falls. He was discovered braced to a rock bar between two islands in the Mazaruni River.

The body was transported to the Bartica Hospital by three ranks attached to the Bartica Police Station and a member of the community policing group. It was then transferred to the Lyken’s Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Additional information reaching this newspaper revealed that Brown was in the company of eight others and was heading up river to the Seamang area in the Mazaruni with a consignment of fuel when the tragedy occurred.

During their journey,

the boat apparently suffered mechanical problems, but due to the weight of fuel in the boat, the now dead man made a decision to jump into the water to tie the bow to a rock. He, however, hit a rock and did not surface. He was discovered dead on Tuesday.

Guyana Times understands that rather than rendering assistance, crew members went along their business. The police are now looking for the other crew members of the vessel as they make their way out from the interior location.

The relatives of the dead man suspect foul play and questioned the reason for Brown’s colleagues not rendering assistance to him.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Monday in a release stated that about 10:00h Sunday Brown was attempting to secure a boat to a nearby rock when he slipped into the water and went under. The boat was heading up river to Seamang with a consignment of cargo.

The maritime department has launched an investigation into the incident.

police questioned her about her son’s whereabouts on the night he was murdered.

She criticised the police force for what she described as lack of investigative skills, noting that her son is dead and the police have failed to visit her home, where her son spent the last few hours of his life.

Investigations

“I will not go to them to find out about investigations… I know how the police operate and if I go to them, it will add more pain…. My God knows who killed my son; saw who killed my son; and how they killed him and he is my judge and jury,” the mother stated, with sadness in her voice.

She noted that the family is currently making arrangements for the funeral

on Monday.

Meanwhile, Nieuenkirk told the media that on the day in question, Rose operated as though he knew the gunman and that he had ordered him to reverse the car during the confrontation.

Shooting

Recalling the shooting incident, the injured man who still has a bullet lodged in his left shoulder, said as he approached the Eccles Housing Scheme access road on the East Bank Demerara, the suspect who was driving a heavily tinted car, drove close to his window and accused him of driving recklessly.

Nieuenkirk said he told the man that he would ignore his comments, but at that time, he said Rose instructed him to reverse the car.

Before he could have complied, the man reportedly disembarked his car, pulled out a gun and shot him to his shoulder, he said.

After receiving the gunshot wound, he said he was unable to reverse the car, but soon after, the shooter started to discharge rounds at Rose.

“The way Trevor was behaving was as if he knows the man and I don’t think it was someone who get angry because of the way I de driving… after the man done shoot, he went back in his car and went left,” Nieunkirk explained.

Several attempts to contact Towler, the mother of Rose's youngest child, who was with him in the car at the time of the shooting, proved futile. She was also admitted a patient at the

Georgetown Public Hospital nursing a gunshot wound to her buttocks.

Rose was early Sunday morning gunned down after a man opened fire on the car in which he was travelling while in the vicinity of the traffic light at Eccles.

Rose, 32, of Lot 232 East Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was in the company of taxi driver Nieuenkirk and Towler at the time of his demise.

The father of eight was heading into the Eccles Housing Scheme to drop off Towler when the car was attacked by a lone gunman.

Police confirmed that a 9mm pistol and 19 matching rounds of ammunition were found at the scene, but there were reports that several .45 shells were also recovered.

Trevor Rose

thursday, january 30, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, january 30, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Consultations on youth policy going well – Dr Anthony

Consultations on the draft National Youth Policy (NYP) is still ongoing, and according to Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, the process is going well.

Minister Anthony told Guyana Times on Wednesday that a consultant is currently working on the policy document, incorporating comments from the ministry and stakeholder groups.

Dr Anthony said the approach used to develop the strategy is mainly to reflect the voices of young people from all administrative regions of Guyana.

“We have had consultations right across Guyana. We’ve done questionnaires. Literally, hundreds of questionnaires were distributed to young people, which they filled out to reflect on different issues and then those questionnaires were analysed and we were able to prioritise issues that they want to address,” Dr Anthony added.

The ministry also held focus group discussions across the country to validate some of the findings from the questionnaires distributed. Institutions that work in the area of youth have also been

included in the consultation and have provided useful data as it relates to activities of young people.

With all that information at hand, the ministry will then develop strategic interventions to address some of the challenges faced by youths and to see how government can create more opportunities.

Challenging work

“It is challenging work to develop a policy and one that would directly impact on young people, but I guess that is what we have to do and we will spend quite some time trying to get all these things in place. But the consultation, I think is an important one, that is why we are going back and forth, giving comments and people responding and so forth,” he said.

When asked whether there is a stipulated deadline for the completion of the policy document, Minister Anthony told Guyana Times that while there is a notional one, he has not attached any deadline to when it must be completed.

This is mainly because the ministry has plans to have another round of con-

sultations to facilitate more comments and reviews from young people. The ministry is now in receipt of a second draft of the National Youth Policy.

Government started to look at revising the policy since 2010. After the first document failed to meet the standards set out by the ministry, another consultant was sought to help in the compilation of the document. From the onset, the People National Congress Reform (PNCR) criticised the government for dragging its feet on the issue, and urged them

to develop a policy that is in line with new and emerging challenges facing youths here.

PNCR executive Lance Carberry had explained that juvenile crimes carry heavy economic costs, which include the direct financial costs related to public expenditure on security, policing, judicial processing and incarceration.

Missed opportunities

Added to this, Carberry noted, it also carries indirect costs linked to the inevitable earnings of the criminals. These also contribute to losses in tourism revenues and missed investment opportunities, due to investors’ reluctance to set up shop in an environment perceived to be unsafe.

A report released in 2010 revealed that on average, some 23 per cent of youths are unemployed in the Caribbean.

The report mentioned that the murder rate in the Caribbean, stand at 30 per 100,000 annually and is higher than in any other region of the world. Young people remain the primary perpetrators and victims of criminal violence.

Albouystown man jailed for cocaine trafficking

Albouystown resident Aubrey Reid was on Wednesday sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 by Magistrate Ann McLennan after being found guilty of cocaine trafficking.

Reid, 44, had made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on January 15, and had pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that January 11 at Waterloo Street, he had in his possession two grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The court heard that a po-

lice patrol saw the defendant in Globe Yard on Waterloo Street and carried out a search on his person, which uncovered a film container with the illegal substance.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones called two persons as witnesses when he presented his case before the magistrate who subsequently found the man guilty as charged and handed down the sentence.

The man stood silently in the court dock as the sentence was read to him. He only opened his mouth to say, “Yes, ma Worship.”

Simple larceny accused on $45,000 bail

Aman who was recently released from the Camp Street jail was on Wednesday granted bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry charged with simple larceny.

The man had pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on January 11 at 111 Miles Potaro, he stole a quantity of items, including a cellphone valued $45,000 from Shondell Chesney.

The defendant related to the court that he sold a SIM

card to someone and the police subsequently arrested him, stating that the SIM belonged to Chesney. Moore added that he got the SIM card from someone who recently came out of prison.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grand made no objections to bail, but indicated that the defendant was recently released from prison after charges instituted against him were dismissed.

The defendant was placed on $45,000 bail and the matter transferred to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court for April 14.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

thursday, January 30, 2014|

National Assembly can’t cut budget – court rules

Nearly two years after government moved to the courts challenging the opposition cuts to the National Budget, acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Wednesday delivered a final ruling, declaring that the National Assembly has no right to cut the national estimates presented by the finance minister and can only approve or disapprove the budget in its entirety or sections within.

“The power of the National Assembly to approve (or not to approve) the minister’s estimates simply means that the assembly is conferred with a “gate-keeping” function by the Constitution and does not imply or involve a power to amend or to adjust the estimates presented by the executive minster,” ruled Chang.

He stated that if the opposition were to cut the budget then it would not be a final estimate from the minister but “estimates as fixed and determined by the assembly”.

In his 21-page ruling, he further explained that there would be no room for the finance minister to essay any amendments to the estimates to meet the concerns expressed during the debates or in the Committee of Supply.

“It is one thing to say that the assembly or the Committee of Supply can propose amendments to the estimates. It is quite another thing to say that the assembly can itself effect those amendments to the estimates. If the assembly itself were to effect amendments to

the estimates, that would be an end to the matter and the issue of the Cabinet accepting or rejecting those amendments would not and cannot arise,” the written ruling stated.

Standing orders

Addressing another argument that was proffered by Speaker Raphael Trotman regarding standing orders empowering the House with the power to cut the budget, the acting chief justice pointed out that standing orders are not laws but guides to the business of the House.

He noted that Section Nine of the Constitution, and not Article Nine of the Constitution (a schedule to the said act), did not convert

pre-existing standing orders from procedural rules of self-regulation into procedural rules of law.

“The fact that any standing order can be repealed or amended by the assembly itself without the need for any repealing or amending legislative provision is a clear indication that standing orders are not written law.”

In his ruling, Justice Chang noted that over the past year, the question of whether the National Assembly possessed the power to cut the budget, was not dealt with hence the cuts were repeated last year.

“In the circumstances, the court sees it fit to declare that the National Assembly, through the Committee of Supply, has acted

unconstitutionally in purporting to reduce or cut the estimates of expenditure of the minister of finance for the financial year 2012.

The court sees it fit to further declare that the power of the National Assembly is limited to giving or withholding its approval for the minister’s estimates when those estimates are laid before the assembly for its approval under Article 218 of the Constitution.”

After the decision was handed down, Attorney General Anil Nandlall told reporters that he was happy with the judge’s ruling since it concurs with the position taken by government from the onset

Nandlall said he hoped this judgment will guide future treatments of budgets so that the same unfortunate and unconstitutional position will not reoccur.

Scissors

“So those who feel they have a scissors, well, the scissors have been declared an unconstitutional instrument when it comes to cutting the budgets and I am personally happy, because as you know, I had been severely criticised when I first filed these proceedings,” he stated.

Khemraj Ramjattan, who represented Speaker Trotman, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision. He said they will be appealing the decision as he believes that the chief justice erred, since Guyana has a Westminster parliament.

“We can amend budget allo-

cations, we can amend estimates and that is why in the Committee of Supply we do what we do. Each line item has to be approved and the yes vote and the no vote has to be made.

"So what we were doing there merely, if we were to take the logical conclusion, would mean that we are simply being a rubber stamp of the executive branch and so there is no check and balance… we are going to settle it right up to the highest court because it is a matter that must be settled once and for all,” he stated.

In signalling his disagreement on the status of the standing orders, Ramjattan said they clearly state that the National Assembly has the power to reduce the budget.

In April 2012, the combined parliamentary opposition used its oneseat majority to slash $21.9 billion from the proposed $192.8 billion national budget. The government subsequently took to the court to block the National Assembly from cutting the budget.

In a preliminary ruling, Justice Chang said the opposition can only approve or disapprove of the budget in its entirety, and not make any changes; however, the opposition argued that the ruling is not binding or final and shaved off more than $31.4 billion of the $208.8 billion 2013 budget.

The chaos deepened when the Speaker also proclaimed that the court had no oversight responsibility or powers over the legislature.

Revamped LEN brings new hope for Lindeners

By UtamU Belle

Small businesses in Linden have gotten a new lease on life after government finally appointed a seven-member board to run the affairs of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) on Wednesday.

After being in existence for approximately four years, LEN, the successor to the Linden Economic Advancement Project (LEAP), was inaugurated at an official ceremony in the mining town.

The board comprises Chairman Dunstan Barrow, Andrew Forsythe, Nolan Walton, Yolanda Hilliman, Tarachand Balgobin, Basil Jaipaul and Patrick Dublin. Valerie Patterson serves as coordinator.

The inauguration took place inside the Region 10 Business Centre, Macaw conference room. It saw the attendance of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister within the Finance Ministry Juan Edghill, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, Linden Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman Orrin Gordon and various stakeholders, among other special invitees.

In his feature address, Dr Singh stated that it is the hope of government that the resuscitation and appointment of the new LEN board will bring a reinvigorated micro enterprise lending and small business environment in Linden, from which members of the community will

benefit.

“I wish to assure you that government will remain committed to facilitating more inward investment in Linden.

"The long-term prosperity of Linden will not only come from external investors...but will also come from economic diversification...from investment by Lindeners themselves.

LEAF

“When LEAF (Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF) which ended in 2009) was conceptualised, this was precisely its intention, investment in infrastructure; investment in institutional capacity, that is the building capacity in the business organisation; business incubation... mentoring and encouraging small businesses to be established or to grow and expand their operations; and financing – micro credit, lending for business development...

“Under LEAF, more than $700 million was lent to Region 10 entrepreneurs, principally Linden.

"In fact, 701 entrepreneurs, would have benefited, loans would have been granted, totalling in excess of $736 million ...as a means of encouraging and promoting growth of these small businesses,” he noted.

Dr Singh further stated that the sectors were more varied and included agriculture; forestry; hospitality (small hotels, restaurants); manufacturing; mining; services; and vending. He

stressed that the amount of money was not insignificant and the intention at the time was that it would serve as a revolving fund.

The finance minister added that it was also intended that those who would have borrowed would either establish or expand their businesses.

LEAP

“Bearing in mind, these were small business ideas conceptualised by entrepreneurs in Linden... good business ideas conceptualised by Linden entrepreneurs that was intended to generate profit, create jobs; in fact, by our account, by account of the LEAP office, these 701 loans with a value of $736 million would have created 3095

jobs,” he stated.

The finance minister emphasised that the LEAP facility was intended to be selfsustainable, in that persons would continuously borrow and repay loans, thus graduating from the micro-credit sector into the formal banking system.

This would make it easier for them to acquire loans from banks in an effort to expand their businesses, even at the international level.

He pointed out that his ministry is convinced that micro enterprise and small business development is one of the most effective ways of improving lives and livelihood.

“Those of you who own a small business probably know this best – the independence that is afforded,

running your own business, the potential that you have to grow your business, the potential that you have to expand your business outside of your initial area. We would like to see this facility achieve its objective,” Dr Singh said.

LEN

He noted that LEN is not only about lending, but will also provide business incubation and business facilitation and advisory services which are very important. Lending for the purpose of small business development, he noted, is high on the LEN agenda.

While there were a number of good borrowers under the LEAP initiative, Dr Singh stated that regrettably it is no secret that there were also a number of bad ones who were

less enthusiastic about repayment of small business loans.

He also urged future and defaulting borrowers of loans to be responsible, so as to benefit from repeat loans and not deny others the same opportunity.

“If you took a loan under LEAP and did not repay, you are denying yourself the opportunity to borrow again and the truth of the matter is that to the extent if the fund does not revolve, you are also denying your fellow Lindeners an opportunity to borrow themselves... the fund is dependent on repayment.

"I wish to say to all the entrepreneurs of Linden who would have accessed these loans, do not deny yourself the opportunity to come again,” he stated.

Attorney Khemraj Ramjattan speaking after the ruling

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and his junior counterpart, Juan Edghill pose with members of the LEN board

Four NGOs get cash to fight HIV/AIDS

Four non-governmental organisations have received financial assistance to further boost their capacity in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the stigma attached to the dreaded disease, through a grant from the PANCAP Vulnerable Groups Project, a global fund organisation that fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Artists in Direct Support (A.I.D.S.); Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC); Youth Challenge Guyana; and the Society against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) were all recipients of a US$20,000 grant from the funding organisation.

At a press conference held at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) building on Wednesday, country coordinator for the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and Centre for Integral Orientation and Investigation (COIN), Zenita Nicholson said the project was recently expanded to include the vulnerable population of Guyana, Suriname, and Haiti. It was first introduced to the Caribbean region last year in Jamaica, Trinidad and The Dominican Republic. The project will run for five years in the region; however, funding received by the organisations will last for one year. Nicholson said although the

training will be provided through information and education which will in turn build their self-esteem.

SASOD Coordinator Joel Simpson said stigma and discrimination will forever be a part of society, and while little could be done to totally eradicate the ever-increasing problem, much can be done to alleviate its impact on those affected most.

SASOD, which has been in existence for more than 10 years, will be working to sensitise the public through the media.

thursday, January 30, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Girl, seven, perishes in Corentyne accident

Seven-year-old Talisha Persaud of Lot 40, Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and pupil of Number 70 Primary School, is the latest road fatality in the Ancient County.

organisations are unique in their operations, they all have a common interest in seeking to alleviate the stigma and discrimination attached to victims of HIV/AIDS and other social scourges.

New approaches Community mobilisation coordinator of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Nazim Hussein explained that the Health Ministry was pleased to be involved in the initiative. While congratulating the beneficiaries, he pointed out that they have all been working assiduously over the years in their effort to combat every social ill.

He said although the funding received cannot compare to the volume of work, recipients are encouraged to use the op-

portunity as a tool to further a good cause. “People who were once in the battle will have to go back in the battlefield with new approaches with smaller amount of money to see if we could address issues,” he said.

Hussein said no matter where a person stands politically, socially or spiritually, people should be respected for their personal preferences.

“We have to see people for who they are and treat them with respect,” he said, pointing out that special focus should be placed on “the issues that are presented to us”.

A.I.D.S. Project Coordinator Merica George said the organisation will be focusing primarily on young men between the ages of 14 and 24, the age range that is generally infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Life skills

Marginalised youths

VYC Executive Director Goldie Scott said the entity will be working with 80 marginalised youths in Georgetown, providing them with information on HIV/ AIDS prevention, income generation, and mentoring.

Youth Challenge Guyana has, over the years, been recognised as one of the key HIV education agencies in the country. It provides HIV and AIDS prevention outreach in three regions. It has also been providing HIV prevention education to sex workers in Guyana.

The organisation’s executive director, Dmitri Nicholson said the funding will go towards empowering sex workers on their human, sexual and reproductive rights.

Ramotar talks up peace at CELAC summit

Members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), on the final day of their second Summit in Havana, Cuba, unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring the area a zone of peace.

The proclamation reaffirms the commitment of member countries with the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations charter and international law, with a nod to the fact that prosperity and stability in the region contribute to international peace and security. This is according to the Government Information Agency (GINA).

The declaration is mindful that peace is a supreme asset and a legitimate aspiration of all peoples and

that preserving peace is a substantial element of Latin American and Caribbean integration, and a principal and common value of CELAC. The declaration also reaffirms that integration consolidates the vision of a fair international order based on the right to peace and a culture of peace, which excludes the use of force and non-legitimate means of defence, such as weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons in particular.

Zone of peace

President Donald Ramotar, who led Guyana’s delegation to the summit, said he was very happy with the declaration and noted that while the idea is nothing new, it was always a big effort by the region to declare itself as a zone of

peace. He emphasised that differences must be settled through discussions.

“It’s in all of the region’s interest; moreover, it is building on solidarity if we all commit ourselves to peaceful development. Without peace, you cannot have economic and social development. It is necessary, and for Latin America and the Caribbean to progress. Peace is essential,” he asserted.

In his address to the gathering of heads on January 29, President Ramotar urged that CELAC, following the declaration, must not allow itself to lapse in calling for complete nuclear disarmament in the world. He stressed that the example set by the declaration must be used to push for the promotion of world peace.

The declaration also re-

called the decision of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) heads of state, consolidating South America as a zone of peace and cooperation; the establishment in 1986 of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, and the commitment agreed in the declaration of the Summit of Unity of Latin America and the Caribbean on February 23, 2010 to promote the implementation of the region’s own mechanisms for peaceful conflict resolution. Further, the declaration reiterated the commitment to consolidate Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace in which differences between nations are peacefully settled through dialogue and negotiations or other means, fully consistent with international law.

According to reports, about 15:00h on Wednesday, the child was on her way from school when a motor vehicle HC 2120, owned and driven by Niroyon Ally Yacob, 33, of Lot 55, Number 67 Village, hit her down.

The child reportedly ran across the road, and in the process, came into contact with the vehicle, which was reportedly speeding.

The pupil was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital where she succumbed while receiving treatment. The accident reportedly occurred about 300 yards away from the pedestrian crossing.

However, according to an eyewitness, the student was walking on the side of the road on her way home when motor car HC 2120 swerved off the road and struck her.

The eyewitness alleged that the driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle, ending up in the path of the child.

The driver is currently in custody at the Springlands Police Station, assisting with investigations. The death of Persaud is the fourth fatal accident for the year in Berbice.

Two were caused by minibuses and the others by hire cars, with two being pedestrians, one a pedal cyclist and the other a motorcyclist.

B Division Assistant Police Superintendant Calvin Brutus said speed and careless use of the road in Berbice is the main cause for road deaths this year.

“This year there were four deaths on the roads in Berbice. That figure compares with one for the corresponding period last year is very disturbing. Two were pedestrians while one was a peddle cyclist and another motorcyclist,” he said.

He noted that Wednesday’s accident is perhaps an indication that the driver was not exercising caution on the roadways.

“The fact that it occurred 300 yards away from the pe-

Dead: Talisha Persaud

destrian crossing is evidence that the driver was travelling at a fast rate. It is a school area and he should be driving below the speed limit because there are small children on the road at that time,” he said.

On a different matter, the assistant superintendant said the police are still investigating the death of 59-year-old Kemraj Ramdeo of Waterloo Bath, West Coast Berbice.

“What we understand is that he was drinking in a bar and came out and just jumped into the path of the vehicle…,” he said.

Brutus noted that all fatal accidents in Berbice this year were caused by speeding. Two of the four deaths were caused by hire car and the others by minibus.

The department has embarked on a massive education programme targeting schools to raise road safety awareness.

“We have already visited all the schools on the West Berbice and have met with some of the schools on the Corentyne…,” said Brutus. He noted that some of the schools in the Number One sub-division have already been visited by the division.

“That is the New Amsterdam/Canje, East Bank Berbice area… we are hoping to have the Ministry of Education incorporate road safety in their curriculum," he added.

"It should be part of their examinations so that they will have to study it and hopefully in the long-term will get some results.”

Police arrested for allegedly sodomising teen

Less than three weeks af-

ter several police ranks were transferred and one placed under close arrest following allegations of sexual assault, three others are now in hot water for allegedly committing a similar act on a teenager in Georgetown.

The three ranks were placed under close arrest after allegations surfaced that they had sodomised a 16-yearold boy while he was in their custody at the Stabroek Police Outpost Sunday evening. According to information received, the teenager was arrested about 21:00h

on Sunday and taken to the Stabroek Police Outpost where one rank in uniform and two others in plain clothes committed the act.

The police in a release stated that investigations are being conducted into the report received on Tuesday.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that after the allegation was made, the teen was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday evening for a medical examination to confirm whether or not he was sexually molested. The teenager is believed to be a commercial

sex worker.

After being examined, the teenager was questioned by a social worker. A report is expected to be furnished to the police as early as today. The teenager was recently released from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Essequibo Coast, but while there he was reportedly scolded for his sexual misconduct.

An aunt of the teenager told media operatives that her nephew would leave home late at night and would visit a popular spot on North Road where male sex workers assemble.

She went on to say that after he did not return home on Sunday evening, she went in search of him and later found out that he was arrested for prostitution. She went to the Stabroek outpost, but when she arrived there, she was told that he had already been taken to Brickdam pending charges.

The woman stated that when she arrived at Brickdam Police Station, she was not allowed to see her nephew. He was subsequently released, but did not tell her what had transpired. The relative said the incident was brought to

her attention on Tuesday afternoon.

She immediately took her nephew to the police station where she made a report and the teenager was sent to the Georgetown Public Hospital to be examined.

This allegation comes just weeks after the Colwyn Harding story broke to much public outcry. Harding accused the ranks at the Timehri Police Station of sexual assault, saying the police used a baton.

The matter was investigated by members of the Office of Professional Responsibility

(OPR) and a report of the findings is with the Police Complaints Authority chairman, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Cecil Kennard. In an interview with this newspaper on Monday, Kennard said several recommendations have been made for disciplinary actions to be taken against the ranks, but there must be sufficient evidence before criminal charges are instituted. He is expected to give his recommendations by the end of the week and the file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

From left: Country coordinator for CVC Zenita Nicholson, A.I.D.S. Project Coordinator Merica George and SASOD Coordinator Joel Simpson at the press conference

SUDOKU

Put some extra time, effort and money into beautifying your home environment. Investments can be lucrative if you make careful choices. Don’t allow family members to upset you.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

You may feel depressed today if you allow unpleasant memories to keep you brooding. Don’t place limitations upon yourself by refusing to get involved in something new.

20-March 20)

You can earn some extra money if you make intelligent use of your creative talents. Explore the possibility of a small business venture and consider looking for a partner.

(March 21-April 19)

You stand to make significant gains through a female contact. Travelling for business will be fruitful. You will communicate comfortably and effectively. Be ready to help children with any problems they might experience.

(April 20-May 20)

Estrangement from your lover is a strong possibility. Avoid involvement in secret affairs that may damage your reputation. Read personal papers carefully at this time.

(May 21June 20)

Your ability to communicate with charm will help you attract the partner of your choice. This is a good time to formulate and complete contracts and agreements.

A romance can develop through work-related functions or business trips. Be wary, as this connection may damage your reputation and set you back professionally.

(July 23Aug. 22)

Socialising and travel should be on your agenda. You will make a great impression if you turn on the charm and reveal your outgoing nature. Gambling for entertainment will be fun for you.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Real estate will turn out to be lucrative. You can make changes to your home that will increase its value. Take time to investigate an issue that may be causing anxiety in an older relative.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Catch up on email today. Discuss any personal problems that are bothering you with your relatives. Get involved in humanitarian groups that are important to you.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Professional advancement is on the horizon. Your consistent ability to finish work on time will enable you to set a good example, and you will receive recognition.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

It’s a good time to ask for favours. You should join a group with a humanitarian cause. Your reputation will grow based on the company you choose to keep.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

YELLOW PAGES

thursday, January 30, 2014

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

Driving School

Shalom Driving School. Lot 2 Croal Street. Call 227-3835, 227-3869, 622-8162 and enjoy 20% discount

EDUCATION

Music is fun! Register now and learn to play the Keyboard, Guitar, Drums and do Voice Training. Call Foundation 7 on 225-1151/617-4200.

One unfurnished three-bedroom flat concrete house with concrete fence at Parfaite Harmonie. Call 231-0821 or 643-4740.

EXECUTIVE 2 STOREY BUILDING; 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVENIENCES. MEADOW BROOK GARDENS. CONTACT MR. NARINE ON 696-8230

Two storey wooden building. Bayroot. Phone: 687-5653

Versailles, WBD: almost brand new five-bedroom house for sale, master room & all rooms self-contained with A/Cs & fans, open concept kitchen/ dining/living room, large pantry, office/library room and powder room. Beautiful landscape and wrap around patio. Priced to sell - $75M. Phone: 592-624-8704, 592-684-9203, 592220-7809.

We buy cash any land in Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 675-7292

Male and female bartenders, waiters, waitresses urgently. Call: 6773191

Male and female models urgently for upcoming shows. Call: 677-3191

GPL sweating over power theft, commercial losses

Operational and commercial losses continue to cripple the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds told the natural resources parliamentary sectoral committee on Wednesday.

However, the prime minister said he was pleased that there are other communities that are recording lower losses. Garden of Eden, Nandy Park, Edinburgh, Windsor Forest and Kitty were among these communities.

ritories such as South Africa, The Dominica Republic and Jamaica in tackling electricity theft. The implementation of the prepaid meter programme was based on a similar programme in South Africa.

Agricultural tractors and machinery; single and 4-wheel drive: Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deer, New Holland and Fiat. Also available spares parts for these machines. Phone: 619-4483, 601-7883, 2266325

Spare parts for 1-2-3-4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines for Lister, Pieter, Kobota, Perkins, Veutz, Fiat, John Deer, Case IH, Cummings, Bedford and Leyland Daf. Also all middles of diesel generators: super silence and open air from 3KVA- 600KVA. Contact Rams Auto Spares on telephone 226-6325, 227-1454, 6194483 and 685-3568

hEAlTh

Are you suffering from abnormal behaviors, addictions, stresses, or psychosomatic sickness? Feeling suicidal, low self-esteem, loneliness, unloved, anger, conflicts and relationship problems? For appointments call 592-621-0552 from12:00-18:00h Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

& Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315 Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 3393536,

Property for sale at 48 Light Street, Alberttown (between third and fourth streets) Contact Ram on telephone: 619-4483 685-3568 and 226-6325.

Get your home or business spiritually clean to enhance good luck and prosperity. Telephone: 687-5653

Suriname Astrology Palmist and Djuka Healing, the most powerful spiritualist in the world, are you suffering from the following problems (any religion) love, marriage, family, health business, husband and wife relationship, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking ? Also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah etc and give powerful protection. We also do upliftment for clearing of land, dredging operations strictly in the interior. For private and confidential service call 674-2112. Dutch Spiritual work. Unite lovers, get rid of evil, enhance prosperity, good luck baths and charm bowu guards, etc. Phone: 220-0708, 6126417, 687-5653

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 592-690-1824 from 10:00-16:00h Email:anew-life@live.com

EXECUTIVE 2 STOREY BUILDING; 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVENIENCES; FUNISHED/ UNFURNISHED. MEADOW BROOK GARDENS. CONTACT MR. NARINE ON 696-8230.

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA ALLION ; TOYOTA COROLLA AXIO; TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; BMW 318I; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; HONDA CRV; LAND CRUISER( FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; TOYOTA HILUX AWD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS- 3 RZ, 5L, SOLID DIFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 3,3.5 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TON DUMP TRUCK; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TON TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNIT S EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. PHONE : 6240762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST.

Toyota Hilux 4x4 Extra cab pickup. Excellent condition, $3M. Phone: 6490707 or 264-2682

Honda Jazz PLL Series. Phone 2273471, 614-1069

2004 Toyota Raum. Price $2.150M. Call 657-1796 or 626-9590

GPL is experiencing a 31 per cent loss in electricity owing to theft. This is a “great embarrassment,”

Prime Minister Hinds told the committee chaired by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian Rupert Roopnaraine.

Between Coldingen and Bygeval on the East Coast of Demerara, there is a 37.1 per cent loss in electricity, while from Sophia to Coldingen, there is a 43.9 per cent loss. In Sophia’s A to E Field, a 42.2 per cent loss in electricity was recorded at the end of March 31, 2013.

Collectively the communities of Tucville Well, Sophia Well, South Ruimveldt Park east of Penny Lane, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Roxanne Gardens, Guyhoc Park, and Ebenezer Drive accounted for a loss of 60 per cent, the highest recorded during that period.

According to Hinds, from the overall 31 per cent in losses, 17 per cent is commercial losses while an average of 14 per cent is technical losses.

He also contended that there is a loss of approximately five per cent due to the GPL staffers who aid in the theft of electricity or the loss of electricity.

Bypass

“Thirty-one per cent is loss both in transmission and all the other things that may be non-transmission from meters reading wrongly perhaps low, meters reading lower than they should, meters being doctored in any number of ways – bypass, multiplying factor being recorded, and there is direct connection to the network,” said Hinds.

GPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharat Dindyal said the company has been registering the experiences of ter-

Dindyal said when the prepaid meters were introduced during the period 2009-2012, GPL was convinced that the technology was working in the best interest of the company and consumers, but of recent, the company has been experiencing problems with residents attempting to bypass the system.

In 2009, losses peaked at 44.3 per cent; from 2010 to 2012, they remained at approximately 31 per cent. The Field Services Department has been executing a series of raids with thousands of illegal connections being detected. However, of the more than 2000 persons GPL had arrested over the past six years for illegal connections, approximately 1248 cases are still pending.

As a consequence of the lack of stern penalties, perpetrators reconnect their illegal electricity connections within one week of disconnection.

Caribbean urged to advocate for change in youth strategies

lems.”

CLand to buy in Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 675-7292 2

ulture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has urged youth leaders from across the Caribbean to advocate for a global change to youth policies, to help address issues affecting young people.

Minister Anthony said failure to do so means plans for youth development may not have any substantial impact in countries across the region. The minister made these comments on Wednesday during the opening of a two-day regional senior officials meeting hosted by the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre at Regency Suites, Georgetown.

Anthony said as delegates seek to chart a future for youths in the region, consideration must be given to the complexities of issues confronting youths in many areas. “In light of the challenges that young people face today… we are scaling back on what we do for young people around the world…We talk the right talk about youth and their potential, but when it comes to investing in young people, we don’t want to put the investment forward,” he stated.

Youth population

The minister noted that in 2015, the global youth population will increase to three billion, with 2.5 billion coming from developing countries, including the Caribbean region. According to Anthony, when looking at the structure of individual populations in developing countries, 25-30 per cent of their citizens will be young people.

While there has been much talk about the youth bulge and demographic dividends, investment is still lacking. This often times leads to many issues, such as high youth unemployment, violence, and crime. “Many of the gains young people would have benefited from are now scaling back and it is

something to think about and whether we want to go in that direction,” Anthony opined.

The issue of HIV continues to disproportionately affect youths. Most countries would have made strides, but young people continue to top the most-at-risk list. He noted that youths are confronted with many other growing challenges relating to intentional injuries, non-intentional injuries, homicides, and crime generally.

There are also many instances where youths are being diagnosed with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The youth minister said the region has not been talking about these issues, but must do so now. Many of these diseases are killing youths across the region. Dr Anthony urged the youth leaders present to ensure that during deliberations, they discuss these issues fully.

Anthony said, “You have people at a younger age getting the signs and symptoms of these diseases. And how are we going to change that? Again, I think we pay too much lip service to talking about programmes and identifying and we are not getting down to action. So, we need to do something about this and in crafting programmes and moving forward if we don’t address these big issues, then we’ll have prob-

With more young people being diagnosed with these diseases, it could affect the life expectancy and the quality of life of developing nations in the region.

Anthony said governments in the region need to review their relationships with the private sector and ensure it provides job opportunities for young people, especially since it is supposed to serve as a driver of economic growth. “We need to rethink that model and see whether that is what we want to do. These are big and challenging things we have to confront,” he stressed.

Male drop-outs As it relates to education, Anthony said he is of the view that this generation of young people may be among the most educated, but there are still some emerging problems. While in other parts of the world, girls are not getting access to education, in the Caribbean, girls are achieving and boys are dropping out of school.

“We would go and talk about male marginalisation and school dropouts, but we haven’t fashioned the programme yet to address these issues,” the minister added. Girls are now taking up top positions, as against boys, in the region. This, he said, is changing societies. Added to that the region is known for its brain drain and normally told remittances coming back would help to compensate, but Anthony said the loss of educated people who are supposed to be the drivers of a country’s development is not easily compensated.

This, he noted, is another area which needs to be addressed and unless these issues are discussed in depth and policies and strategies are put in place to tackle them, the region will not make any progress in youth development.

Youth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

Johnson, Haddin valued at top base price for IPL auction

Freshly-crowned Ashes

heroes Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin and Steven Smith are part of a group of 31 players that has attracted the highest base price of Rs 20 million (US$ 320,000 approx.) for the IPL player auction to be to be held in Bangalore on February 12 and 13. They are part of the 232-strong auction list of capped players from ten countries, which was finalised by the IPL last week and distributed to the eight franchises.

There are 46 Indians on the list including prominent players like Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Yusuf Pathan, all of whom have been listed at the top base price of Rs 20 million. Irfan Pathan, the allrounder, is not in the top bracket but has been valued at Rs 15 million.

One notable absentee is fast bowler Varun Aaron, who is back with the national team after a lengthy injury lay-off. It was initially thought that he had skipped the IPL, but it has emerged that he is still getting his paperwork in place.

Overseas players

Among the overseas players, some of the notable names missing are the Sri Lanka pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal, Australia’s Michael Clarke and Mitchell Marsh, England’s Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, and West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach. With Sri Lanka touring Ireland and England this summer players like Sangakkara - who also has a young family - are likely to have decided to cool their heels before the UK trip. However, Sangakkara’s team-mates Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews have decided to enter the auction even if they are bound to miss the business end of the IPL.

Among the first-timers, New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson tops the list and could likely be one of the most sought-after players. Anderson hit the fastest ODI century, in 36 balls, against West Indies. The 23-year-old, who is now the

fastest to register both a century and a five-for in an ODI career, has a base price of Rs 10 million. Anderson has been the best all-rounder in the ongoing one-day series against India, which New Zealand have won.

Alex Hales, currently the No. 1-ranked batsman in Twenty20 internationals, is also searching for a top-bracket deal after that became a clause in the agreement he made with his county Nottinghamshire to be allowed into the auction. Both Hales and Samit Patel will only be allowed to participate should they secure the most lucrative contracts available.

The biggest England name in the list is Kevin Pietersen who is a free agent again after Delhi Daredevils opted not to retain any players. Although England’s central contracts have clauses

juvenation of the Test side to be made a priority and both Broad and Stokes, who impressed in the Ashes, will be central to that. However, Ian Bell, who does not play T20 for England, has put his name forward.

Surprises

Perhaps a little more surprising is the absence of Jos Buttler, England’s explosive limited-overs wicketkeeper, who has a strong reputation in Twenty20. However, not joining the IPL means he will have an extended run of four-day County Championship cricket at the start of the English season to push his claims to be England’s Test keepera role that is now far more fluid following Matt Prior’s omission during the Ashes.

Once again Pakistan players will be not part of the auction although two Pakistan-born playersAzhar Mahmood (England) and Fawad Ahmad (Australia) - have been listed.

Jayawardene, Vithanage help SL surge to 498 lead

Individual milestones dominated the most onesided of the three days so far as Sri Lanka eventually declared after piling on a whopping 730 for 6, after Mahela Jayawardene reached his seventh doublecentury and Kithuruwan Vithanage scored his maiden century in only his third Test. By tea, Sri Lanka were already ahead by a healthy 370, but the captain Angelo Mathews held back the declaration till Jayawardene reached his milestone, giving Sri Lanka a seemingly unassailable lead of 498. Sri Lanka picked up a late wicket to cap another dominant day.

Bangladesh had been on the field since the final session on the first day and the physical and mental fatigue was apparent with the way they carried themselves on the third day, as if waiting to be told when to head indoors and pad up. Their specialist seamers weren’t effective enough and their spinners too were at the mercy of Sri Lanka’s in-form batting lineup. There was little the parttimers could do. It’s normal for captains to give their bowlers at least an hour before stumps to nip out a few wickets, but Mathews adopted a more conservative approach and instead was happy to give the hosts nine overs. In that period, Bangladesh lost Tamim to a reckless shot.

Jayawardene surpassed Allan

time legspinner Marshall Ayub and followed it up with another boundary in the same region, off Robiul Islam. The seamer dished out a long hop down the leg side which Jayawardene pulled to fine leg to bring up his century.

to allow players a period at the IPL - a period that has been extended under the new deals - Pietersen’s IPL participation could well by a thorny issue again if there has been a breakdown in the relationship between him and England’s team director Andy Flower as has been suggested.

As expected, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes have not put their names forward for this year’s tournament even though both would have gathered significant interest. After the 5-0 Ashes whitewash there is a desire in English cricket for the re-

Australian chinaman bowler Brad Hogg, at 43, will be the oldest capped player in the auction and is listed at reserve price of Rs 15 million. Hogg was part of Rajasthan Royals till IPL 2013, though he played just the one match last season. The other 40-plus capped player is former Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharn (Rs 10 million), who was with Royal Challengers Bangalore last season.

Ryan ten Doeschate, who was with Kolkata Knight Riders till last year, is the solitary player form the Associates (Netherlands) and has a base price of Rs 10 million.

According to the new IPL player regulations, it has been decided that all players will be paid in Indian rupees from this year. Overseas players will be paid in the currency of their choice at the prevailing exchange rate on either the actual date of payment or contract due date, whichever is beneficial to the player.

(Cricinfo)

Placid conditions

Mathews had a chance to add to the centuries tally, before falling for 86. Jayawardene continued to milk the bowling in placid conditions and he brought out his signature late cut and paddle sweep against the spinners. Having begun his innings overnight, he brought up his fifty with an effortless cover drive off AlAmin Hossain. He moved to the 90s with an impeccable reverse sweep off Sohag Gazi that went for a boundary. He sped towards his century with a late cut off the part-

He barely gave the bowlers a chance, until he survived a close shout for lbw off Gazi on 119. Jayawardene attempted another reverse sweep and was struck adjacent to the stumps with the ball pitching in line with the stumps despite the round the wicket angle. Gazi was exasperated when it was turned down but it summed up Bangladesh’s day.

Mathews too survived, when on 68 he edged Ayub and was dropped by the wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

Mathews capitalised on Robiul’s poor length, pulling a short one down the leg side and driving the next one down the ground for consec-

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka 1st innings

FDM Karunaratne c Robiul Islam

b Shakib Al Hasan 53

JK Silva lbw b Shakib Al Hasan 139

KC Sangakkara c Nasir

Hossain b Al-Amin Hossain 75

DPMD Jayawardene not out 203

LD Chandimal† b Shakib

Al Hasan 40

RAS Lakmal c Nasir Hossain

b Sohag Gazi 0

AD Mathews* c Marshall Ayub

b Sohag Gazi 86

KDK Vithanage not out 103

Extras: (b 12, w 12, nb 7) 31

Total: (6 wickets dec; 187.5 overs) 730

Did not bat: MDK Perera, RMS Eranga, HMRKB Herath

Fall of wickets: 1-118 (Karunaratne), 2-273 (Sangakkara), 3-302 (Silva), 4-374 (Chandimal), 5-375 (Lakmal), 6-554 (Mathews)

Bowling: Robiul Islam 292-109-0, Al-Amin Hossain 32-3- 118-1, Rubel Hossain 20-0-84-0, Sohag Gazi 39-5130-2, Shakib Al Hasan 436-159-3, Mominul Haque 6-020-0, Nasir Hossain 10.5-0-600, Marshall Ayub 8-0-38-0 Bangladesh 2nd innings Tamim Iqbal c Perera b Herath 11 Shamsur Rahman not out 9 Marshall Ayub not out 11

Extras: (b 4)4

Total: (1 wicket; 9 overs) 35

To bat: Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim*†, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Robiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain

Fall of wicket: 1-15 (Tamim Iqbal)

Bowling: RAS Lakmal 3-08-0, RMS Eranga 1-0-5-0, HMRKB Herath 3-2-8-1, MDK Perera 2-0-10-0

utive boundaries. He had a century for the taking but chipped Gazi towards midwicket where Ayub took a sharp catch.

Vithanage made merry given the carefree situation and along with Jayawardene, helped take the score past 600. Vithanage made a fifty on debut, against the same team last year in a similar pressure-free scenario. His inclusion in this Test was due to Prasanna Jayawardene’s departure due to his father’s death. And Vithanage made good use of this unexpected opportunity.

The left-hander was busy at the crease, rocking back to cut the spinners through the off side when they dropped it short. He came down the track to the spinners and tonked two sixes down the ground.

New ball

The new ball didn’t give Bangladesh any respite as a couple of short balls were dispatched for fours behind square leg by Vithanage, who brought up his fifty with one of those. Luck was on his side as two outside edges by Vithanage found the third man boundary, one of which bisected the keeper and first slip, both of whom were unmoved.

Vithanage brought up his ton with a square cut for four off Nasir and at that stage, Jayawardene was still 17 short of a double-century. Jayawardene batted with greater urgency after tea, shuffling across his stumps to sweep the spinners and he raced to his double-ton in style, with two sixes over deep midwicket off Nasir. Jayawardene, in the process, overtook the Australian Allan Border’s tally of 11,174 runs and is now the sixth-highest run-getter in Tests. (Cricinfo)

Brad Haddin

Mitchell Johnson

Mahela

Border’s tally of 11,174 Test runs

Finch and White extend Australia’s mastery

More than 400 runs made for an entertaining start to the Twenty20 series - and a tough night for the bowlers - but Australia were more comfortable winners than the 13-run margin suggested in Hobart.

By the time Ravi Bopara went on a late six-hitting surge, England (who would dearly have loved one of those blows the other night in Adelaide) were out of contention although Australia will have been grateful that they had as many as 4 for 213 to work with.

Their total, on a pristine pitch and with one boundary of barely 50 yards towards the building site, was set up by an opening stand of 106 in less than 10 overs between Aaron Finch and Cameron White. Who needs David Warner?

Relief

For a while it looked like Finch would replicate his record-breaking hundred at the Ageas Bowl last year, when he slammed 156, so there will have been a degree of relief from England when he was cut-off for the small matter of 52 off 31 balls but considerable damage had already been done.

White top-scored on his return to the international scene with 75 off 43 balls to strengthen claims for a place in the World Twenty20 squad. He was given a life on 11, when Joe Root was late to react to a low edge at slip off Broad and went on to produce a crisp innings, including four sixes, with his driving over extra cover a particular highlight. Again, a simple fielding error hurt England badly.

England began positively through Alex Hales, who timed the ball beautifully square of the wicket and has good cause to be eyeing a topbracket IPL deal, but when

faced with a target over 200 every lean over sees the asking rate shoot up and the requirement to exploit the Powerplay comes with risks.

Moises Henriques, who is on a plane to South Africa tomorrow, put Australia on course for victory by removing Luke Wright and Hales in his first over. When Eoin Morgan gave himself too much room against Glenn Maxwell it was

free-flowing batsmen even more freedom.

Finch’s fifty came from 26 balls, the same number as it took him on that heady night in Southampton. Bopara’s first over cost 12 and Danny Briggs’ 14 as Broad’s plan to take pace off the ball had little effect. But it was not just bludgeoning, especially the way White played Briggs with deft deflections and

SCOREBOARD

Australia innings

CL White lbw b Wright 75

AJ Finch c Hales b Broad 52

GJ Maxwell c Bresnan b Bopara 20

GJ Bailey* c Bresnan

b Dernbach 14

CA Lynn not out 33

DT Christian not out 6

Extras (b 1, w 6, nb 6) 13

Total:(4 wickets; 20 overs) 213

Did not bat MC Henriques, MS Wade†, NM Coulter-Nile, JR Hazlewood, JM Muirhead

Fall of wickets 1-106 (Finch), 2-134 (White), 3-157 (Maxwell), 4-200 (Bailey)

Bowling: SCJ Broad 4-0-251, JW Dernbach 4-0-50-1, TT Bresnan 4-0-40-0, RS Bopara

3-0-26-1, DR Briggs 4-0-530, LJ Wright 1-0-18-1

England innings

AD Hales lbw b Henriques 22

MJ Lumb c Lynn b Coulter-Nile 9

quickly becoming a lost cause. It did not take long for Australia to get going after winning the toss. The first six of the innings went to White, when he swung Jade Dernbach over midwicket, but Finch’s soon followed and it was timing, as well as brute force, which allowed the ball to sail over long-on. After the six-over Powerplay, Australia were 0 for 52, which did not represent a disaster for England, but the major issue for them was the lack of wickets, which just gave already

Munroe eyes world title shot

Rendall Munroe expects to get a second world title shot after taking care of Lee Selby in Cardiff on Saturday night.

The Leicester veteran is on the comeback trail after temporarily calling it a day following defeat to Scott Quigg almost 18 months ago.

But Munroe, who took on WBC super-bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka in Japan in 2010, still believes he has what it takes to get to the top - this time as a featherweight.

British champion Selby stands in his way this weekend but with the vacant European belt also on the line Munroe is excited by his future prospects.

“I don’t think I ever stopped being at my best,” said Munroe. “The issue for

me was my weight, that was the thing letting me downtrying to make the weight all of the time.

“Sometimes it takes a bit of relaxation time to realise, and as my manager said to me recently, the best thing that happened was me retiring, getting my head clear and deciding what I wanted to do.

“I have shown the calibre of boxer I am and what type of character I am. I have said for a long time that I should have more than just the one world title shot that I had.

“There are others out there who get a few chances but I had one chance and everything went pair shaped for me after that.

“This is a step towards another world title fight. After I win this fight I will

Darren Bravo gives full support to Windies Under-19s at World Cup

West Indies batsman Darren Bravo has backed West Indies Under-19s to do very well in the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

After a week-long camp in at the Sagicor High Performance Centre in Barbados the young Windies arrived in UAE on Wednesday morning where they will have another camp at the Emirates Palace Ground in Abu Dhabi.

LJ Wright b Henriques 9

JE Root c Finch b Coulter-Nile 32

EJG Morgan b Maxwell 4

JC Buttler† c Muirhead

b Coulter-Nile 20

RS Bopara not out 65

TT Bresnan b Muirhead 11

SCJ Broad* b Coulter-Nile 13 JW Dernbach run out (Finch/†Wade) 5

DR Briggs not out 0

Extras: (lb 3, w 7) 10

Total: (9 wickets; 20 overs) 200

Fall of wickets 1-14 (Lumb), 2-44 (Wright), 3-45 (Hales), 4-51 (Morgan), 5-98 (Buttler), 6-100 (Root), 7-147 (Bresnan), 8-162 (Broad), 9-176 (Dernbach)

Bowling: GJ Maxwell

3-0-30- 1, NM Coulter-Nile 4-0-30-4, JR Hazlewood 4-046-0, MC Henriques 3-0-362, JM Muirhead 4-0-34-1, DT Christian 2-0-21-0

strong sweeping.

The hundred stand came up inside 10 oversAustralia’s sixth three-figure opening stand in T20s - and it ended as their third highest when Finch picked out deep midwicket.

White had plenty of time to reach his own hundred, but fell in a curious two-ball period against Wright which firstly involved being caught off a waist-high no-ball - checked lengthily by the third umpire - before he was pinned lbw next delivery. (Cricinfo)

Bravo, who topped both the batting and bowling averages for the West Indies at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia 2008, gave his full support to the class of 2014. Bravo scored 165 runs at an average of 55 and also took three wickets at an average of just seven with his swing bowling as West Indies played most of their matches in Kuala Lumpur.

“It’s an exciting time in anyone’s career to be a playing in an Under-19 World Cup. I totally enjoyed my time and I want to urge the West Indies team to pull out all the stops as they try to win the tournament,” Bravo said.

Focused

“I was in the nets recently with two of the players – Jeremy Solozano and Nicolas Pooran and they were very focused ready for the big tournament.”

Remembering his time at that event, Bravo recalled: “We had a wonderful time in Malaysia. Our team was a strong one, but we didn’t manage to win the tournament. I remember the opening ceremony, where all the teams were present and where we got to meet a lot of our opponents and ‘talk cricket’ – I made some friends that day and we remain good friends still.”

Since then, Bravo has gone on to achieve big things

at the senior level as well, posting the highest score by a West Indies batsman when following on in a Test match (218 v New Zealand in the first Test at Dunedin) late last year. He said the ICC U19 CWC helped prepare him for the big stage.

“It was a good eye-opener, and I was delighted to represent the West Indies for the first time. For most of my team-mates, it was the first time we were representing the people of our region,” Bravo said.

“So we got to understand how much it meant to the people and also what our responsibilities are. Significantly, we learned to enjoy the game and be good ambassadors,” added the left-hander who was a member of the West Indies team which won the World T20 back in 2012.

This year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup will be a 16-day tournament with 48 matches played across seven venues. The Windies have been drawn alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada in Group C. Their opening preliminary match is against the Proteas on Friday, February 14 at the Dubai International Stadium.

The second match is on Sunday, February 16 against Zimbabwe at the

be a two-weight European champion. The talk at the minute is that Selby is ready to challenge for a world title, so after I beat him does that not say that I will be ready for a shot at the world title?

“I had six European fights at super-bantamweight and this is number seven for me. I don’t know what will happen on Saturday, if I will have a few defences of the

European or get a world title shot straight away.”

Prepared Munroe expects his experience at the highest level to shine through against Selby, who has cleared out the domestic division in the last two years.

“Selby is coming to win and I am coming to win so this is his step to the next

chapter that he wants,” said Munroe. “He will come very prepared and really up for it.

“He’s got nothing that worries me, nothing. I’m world class and I think I’ve proved that. As for him being bigger, I’ve been sparring bigger lads since day one. I always have to get sparring partners who are bigger than me anyway because I’m a strong lad at the weight my-

Facilities

Stressing on the importance of the tournament for young cricketers, Bravo said: “The facilities in Malaysia were really good, as they usually are at an ICC U19 CWC.

“That helped me and my team-mates then – the likes of Adrian Barath, Kieran Powell, Devon Thomas, Veerasammy Permaul and Nkrumah Bonner – who like myself have gone on to play for the West Indies senior team.

“We had a great teamspirit, and were able to have a really enjoyable time, playing some good cricket and also getting to see a bit of the host nation,” added the 24-year-old. Full squad reads: Ramaal Lewis (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain/wicket-keeper), Fabian Allen, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Bryan Charles, Tristan Coleman (wicket-keeper), Jonathan Drakes, Shimron Hetmeyer, Jerome Jones, Ray Jordan, Brandon King, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Gudakesh Motie and Jeremy Solozano. (WICB)

self.

“I’m not getting any younger but I’m good enough, strong enough and I’ve proved I belong at that elite level.

“This is my chance to show Rendall Munroe has gone up a weight and to still show I’m world class. By beating Lee Selby I’ll be European champion which will get me fights and put me back in the frame to fulfil my dream of becoming world champion.

“I didn’t think a shot at the European would come so soon after the comeback but when you get those opportunities you have to make use of them. I was English champion when I fought for the European title at Super Bantamweight.

“I took that opportunity and that made me into who I was. Now, I have a vast of experience behind me and I have the opportunity to do it all again. I’m still seeing the lights; I want the lights and I want the belts.” (Sky Sports)

Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The third match is two days later against the Canadians at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery Ground 1.

Rendall Munroe: Looking to become European champion at two weights (leighdawneyphotography.com)

Darren Bravo

ICC revamp...

WICB projects 100 per cent rise in revenue if ICC revamp stamped

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)has said it expects its revenue to rise by “at least 100 per cent” over the next eight years if the “key principles” of the revenue sharing draft proposal of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are voted in.

The board issued a statement in support of the “key principles” put forward on day one of the ICC executive board meeting in Dubai, saying it had engaged in “extensive discussions” before concluding that several of the key principles could be beneficial to West Indies cricket.

Key principles

“After extensive discussions and careful consideration the West Indies Cricket Board joined with all other Full Members of the ICC in providing support for key principles relating to the future structure, governance and financial models of the ICC,” the release said.

The release listed the benefits the proposals could have for the game in the Caribbean, including the projected monetary benefits.

“Based on new proposed system of ICC revenue sharing for the upcoming eight year

cycle (2015-2023) WICB projects to receive at least 100 per cent increase on the previous eight year cycle (20062014),” the release said.

The annual Test Match Fund, which is to support Full Members other than India, England and Australia, will “allow the WICB a financial

Bassarath promises carnival of cricket

Chairman of the local organising committee in charge of the NAGICO Super50 cricket tournament, Azim Bassarath has reported that everything is in place for a great ‘cricket carnival’.

The tournament bowls off tomorrow with the Windward Islands meeting Jamaica at the Queen’s Park Oval from 2 pm. The TTCB president praised the West Indies Cricket Board for agreeing to bring the tournament to the twin-island republic for the next three years and promised a tremendous start.

“Kudos also to the marketing committee of the WICB for the work they have been doing. Let me also thank the government and the corporate world for their support and the board members of my organising committee for their co-operation and commitment to duty,” said Bassarath.

He promised that the T&TCB will do all in its power to make the Nagico Super50 a quality event and said their resources are ready for mobilisation.

“On the outside we are calm, but on the inside we are churning with enthusiasm and excitement as we work with the WICB to bring fruition the world’s greatest carnival of cricket for the enjoyment of all.”

He said it is the intention of the T&TCB to work with all

Azim Bassarath

the relevant national agencies to showcase T&T’s rich energy resources, its extensive industrial infrastructure, world class communication systems and the amazing investor readiness in multiple areas.

“We are well on track and the teams are currently arriving as we speak. Things are running smoothly at the airport and we are happy for all the corporation we have been receiving. Members of the organising committee held their final meeting last evening with authorities at the Oval. This inspection was the final one before the tournament gets going.”

Bassarath added that work is going on apace in Tobago and an official of the committee would fly across on the weekend to ensure that things are going according to plan. (WICB Media Release)

buffer in the hosting of Test cricket against unprofitable teams”, the release said.

Also, bilateral playing agreements, as opposed to the Future Tours Programme (FTP), would mean West Indies “will not be bound” to host those unprofitable tours, it said.

“West Indies will have an opportunity, through bilateral agreements, to increase the number of matches and series (Tests, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals) played annually by the West Indies men’s team against higher ranked opposition and against

teams, which are profitable to the WICB. These will include matches and series both in the West Indies and overseas,” said the release.

Moreover, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia “have all committed” to increased tours to the Caribbean over the next eight years, in addition to the current tours slotted into the FTP, the board said.

Originally proposed West Indies will not be affected by the originally proposed two-tier Test system, it said, since they are currently ranked seven on the ICC ratings; while the team is just a five points clear of eighth-placed New Zealand at present, there is a big gulf between eight and nine - Zimbabwe, at nine, are 53 points adrift of West Indies.

Also, the key principles on governance, the WICB said, will not have any negative effect on the board since its members are “not in any way excluded from membership or chairmanship of any committee of the ICC”. They will remain eligible to be elected to the presidency, vice-pres-

idency and chairmanship of the ICC, and chairmanship of the proposed Financial and Commercial Affairs and Ex- Co committees.

Following discussions in Dubai on Tuesday, the ICC board settled for a period of consultation between boards and discussion over a set of principles, which, if approved, will grant the BCCI, the ECB and Cricket Australia a bigger share of cricket’s global revenues and a bigger control of the game’s governance.

The matter was not put to vote, with four cricket boards - Cricket South Africa (CSA), Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) - showing opposition towards such a revamp. New Zealand Cricket (NZC), on the other hand, had earlier stated that it was not worried by the proposed changes.

The WICB had refrained from commenting on the draft proposal earlier, the release said, since it had wanted to “engage in discussions with fellow Full Members and receive a more detailed and thorough presentation at the ongoing ICC meeting” before reacting. (Cricinfo)

Berbice clubs receive massive assistance from BCB, RHTY&SC

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) with support from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) launched its 75th anniversary celebration by making a massive donation to 14 cricket clubs drawn from across the Ancient County.

The clubs benefitting from the donation that was made last Sunday at St. Francis Community Developers head office were Bush Lot, Blairmont, West Berbice, D’Edward, Edinburg, Police, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Chesney, Whim, Albion, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and Fyrish Strikers.

Each of the clubs received a special coaching kit for cricketers aged eight to

12 years, a $23,000 notice board, a score book, 12 knee wraps and a basketball for recreational warm-ups.

Chairman of the BCB’s Special Events Committee and the 75th anniversary committee, Hilbert Foster, hailed the presentation as the perfect way to launch a year-long celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. He stated that under the stewardship of president Keith Foster, the BCB has gone out of its way to assist clubs to fulfill their mandates and it would continue to do so in the future.

H. Foster, who is also the secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, urged the 14 cricket clubs to use the combined $500,000 for the intended purpose and to do ev-

erything in their power to unearth new cricketing talents for the country.

The BCB also expressed gratitude to the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. for donating the cricket kits at the cost of $100,000 and Feroze Barakat for the scorebooks. The cricket teams of the RHTY&SC contributed the notice boards, the knee wraps and the basketballs.

HIV/AIDS awareness

The 14 clubs also received a large collection of condoms as the BCB launched an HIV/Aids campaign as part of the Diamond Jubilee. Foster also disclosed that a special one day seminar would be organised by the Special Events Committee to educate young cricket-

ers on a wide range of topics, including HIV/Aids, peer pressure, the importance of education, drug abuse and suicide.

First vice-president of the BCB, Anil Beharry, expressed his pleasure that the board was able to assist the clubs. He praised the RHTY&SC for its efforts to obtain the donated items and thus allowing the BCB to assist. President of both the BCB and RHTY&SC, Keith Foster, warned that the donated items are meant for membership of the different clubs and are not for personal usage of a selected few.

The elder Foster noted with pride that the two organisations he had the privilege of heading have over the years developed a reputation of assisting others and this would continue in the future.

He urged the clubs administrators to place special emphasis on developing new talents, especially rightarm leg-spinners as there is a shortage of those in the county. Representatives of the 14 clubs expressed gratitude to the BCB for the support and pledged to work along to make sure that the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are a huge success.

The WICB says the new system, if voted in, will leave it with “no inflexible obligations to host tours during the height of the hurricane season”

The clubs’ representatives display their products

Beach volleyball course underway in Guyana

By Avenash Ramzan

“We must start thinking beach volleyball” is the message president of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Lennie Shuffler left with participants on Wednesday afternoon when a five-day beach volleyball course commenced at the Carifesta Sports Complex in Georgetown.

Delivering feature remarks at the opening of the course, which is being conducted by beach volleyball experts from Brazil- Fernando Marques and Roberto Rodrigues, Shuffler said the activity is of paramount importance for a Category One country as Guyana.

The long-serving GVF boss, who has racked up an astonishing 62 years as a national player and administrator, spoke glowingly of his federation’s ability to attract two instructors from the top volleyball nation in the world, Brazil.

“It is really great to have these two Brazilians here; Brazil as we know it is the leading volleyball nation in the world, and being a Category Five country we can understand the level they’re at,” Shuffler pointed out.

Scope for development

Shuffler, who turns 75 next Wednesday, said there is scope for the development of beach volleyball in Guyana, since it is a “low cost” form of volleyball.

“Two players, no footwear and you can create your own beach for such games. We must start thinking beach volleyball, but we should also not disregard the traditional form. The FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) is keen on developing beach volleyball in Category One and Two countries and we should grab that opportuni-

ty,” Shuffler reiterated.

Vice-president of the GVF, John Flores, who is coordinating the activity, said this is a follow-up to the initial course conducted by FIVB’s Instructor Mauro Hernandez of Venezuela with support from compatriots, Johan Gutierres and Leonardo Ojeda, last June at the same venue.

Last year’s course was in keeping with the direction suggested by the FIVB for Category One and Two countries to develop beach, school and community volleyball.

Flores indicated that upon completion of the course, the participants will be qualified to pass on knowledge on the intricacies of beach volleyball to their respective jurisdictions as there will be both theoratical and practical sessions.

Demanding

schedule

The GVF executives warned the participants to brace themselves for a “hectic and demanding schedule” as the instructors would be channelling a large volume of information for their consumption.

Marques, in brief remarks prior to the start of the sessions on Wednesday, lauded the GVF for having an avid interest in the growth and development of beach volleyball.

“We will try to stimulate you to think beach volleyball; to create your own methods, your own exercises and your own drills,” Marques said.

The instructor cautioned the participants against being late, noting that such a trangression will not be tolerated. Sessions will also be hosted at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The course will wrap up on Sunday when the participants, who meet the criterion set by the instructors, are certified.

BSA/Karibee Cup set to bowl off on February 2

With the aim to promote softball ball cricket countywide, the Berbice Softball Alliance (BSA) in collaboration with Nand Persaud and Company will be hosting their Inaugural Karibee Cup 15 overs-a-side competition on Sunday at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground.

The tournament aims at promoting consistent competition in both male and female categories of the softball fraternity across the country. It also seeks to expose more youths to a positive way in life.

T&T confirms participation in International Goodwill boxing

By Avenash Ramzan

Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday afternoon became the fourth country to confirm participation in the upcoming International Goodwill boxing championship, organised by the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

Billed for February 1416 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the three-day event has attracted boxers from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia.

President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, stated that boxers from Barbados were also invited to compete, but they opted out since two competitions are billed around the same time on that island.

The GBA boss indicated that each country was invited to produce a team of seven boxers, inclusive of one female to compete at the event.

To date, Trinidad and Tobago is the only team to name a female boxer in the line-up. According to Ninvalle, the Guyana team will be announced in the new week, and certainly female boxers who are currently in training will be part of that unit.

Ninvalle further divulged that the GBA will be using the event as prepara-

tion for the country’s boxers who would be competing at the South American championship, which is slated for March in Chile.

The Trinidad and Tobago contingent, which will arrive here on February 13, will comprise seven boxers and four officials, including a referee/judge.

The tournament will be held for one day with the first four teams competing namely, the Berbice Titans, Oldendorff Raiders, Whim Super Kings and Karibee Boys.

In addition to the male category, the female Karibee Strikers will battle the Mikes Wellwomen in a feature 10/10 match of the tournament.

A cash of prize of $200,000 has been donated by the sponsor Nand Persaud and Company Limited. The first ball is expected to bowl off at 9:00h and admission is free.

The boxers are Chimere Taylor (75kg), Akmal Stroude (52kg), Christian McDonald (56kg), Michael Alexander (60kg), JeanPaul Cooper (64kg), Akiel Outram (69kg) and Aaron Prince (75kg).

President of the St Lucia Boxing Association, David “Shakes” Christopher, will lead the St Lucia delegation that includes coach Conrad Fredericks, manager Brian McDonald, and boxers Arthur Nangillur (75kg), Ron Bastian (69kg) and Linden Micillen (64kg).

The Jamaican team, which is also expected to arrive in Guyana on February 13, comprises head coach Carl Grant, coach Godfrey Collins, lightweight Patrick Sahadeo, light welterweight Anthony Clarke, welterweight Kestna Davis and middleweight Michael Gardner.

The twin-islanders will be led by manager Cecil Forde, coaches Reynold Cox and Floyd Trumpet and referee/judge Codrington Joefield.

Steve Ninvalle

Beach volleyball course underway in Guyana

Seestory on page23

ore than 400 runs made for an entertaining start to the Twenty20 series - and a tough night for the bowlers - but Australia were more comfortable winners than the 13-run margin suggested in Hobart. By the time Ravi Bopara went on a late sixhitting surge, England (who would dearly have loved one of those blows the other night in Adelaide) were out of contention although Australia will have been grateful that they had as many as 4 for 213 to work with.

Robin Bacchus receives bat from NEW GPC INC

his cricket career and be a role mode.

Bacchus is the lone new face selected in this year’s Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) 14-man squad to contest the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) NAGICO Super50 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.

NEW GPC INC Finance Manager Dwayne Lovell (right) hands over new bat to Robin Bacchus

Spreading beach volleyball! From left: GVF president Lennie Shuffler, instructors Roberto Rodrigues and Fernando Marques of Brazil, and GVF vice-president John Flores (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Chris Lynn made a good impression on his Australia debut