Guyana Times Daily

Tourism Development Fund being discussed P12

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2156 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Guyana seeks early settlement Monday, June 9, 2014

See story on page 3

… of maritime demarcation with Venezuela

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

East Bank Berbice P10 residents restive over poor state of access road

Police deny assaulting Timehri P11 woman Taxi driver shot in attempted P12 robbery

Teachers, Regional Education Officer Valika Jaikishun, and members of Berbice Shines showed their commitment to preserving the environment as they joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Environment Day on June 5

Govt pulls plug on Porn DVDs being rice cultivation pushed openly along Canje River … despite police “crackdown” See story on page 8

See story on page 2

GTM official critical after Highway P12 accident Benn silent P13 on new Habour Bridge location

2 news

monday, june 9, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Porn DVDs being pushed openly … despite police “crackdown”

BY GOMATIE GANGADIN

T

here are renewed calls for a crackdown on the open sale of pornographic DVDs on the streets.

Police a few years ago had announced a public campaign against the sale of such material, but that was short lived. Street vendors have been openly displaying their DVDs and some would even approach passersby with the lewd material.

Guyana Times took to the streets on Friday afternoon where it was observed by the reporter that there were several vendors along the pavement of Regent, Robb and Water streets and the popular Stabroek Market area, who had the DVDs displayed openly.

One concerned citizen noted that the “brazenness and shamelessness” of the vendors who are males in majority, has left her wondering what will become of society and youths since many young people, in and out of the school system, are seen frequenting the stall on a daily basis for DVDs, which are pirated and cheaply sold.

Lorraine Smith, 23, who spoke to this newspaper, related that the issue was not one of concern to her since she has no children, but not-

ed that if she was a mother, she would ensure that her children are not affected by the activity.

“I believe it has to do with upbringing. If you teach your children right from wrong, instil good moral values in them, they would not be going to these stalls. And so the issue doesn’t really affect me. It is an issue because parents aren’t instilling proper values in their children. Once they begin to do that, it won’t be a problem,” she opined.

Meanwhile, sharing her view on the matter, Jackie Adams, a mother of three, expressed that as a mother, especially to two young sons, she was especially concerned about the illegal activity which seems to have escaped the eyes of the authorities.

Police negligence

“I have seen the Police patrolling right along these streets, walking on the pavements and they cannot tell anyone that they don’t see this going on; they cannot say they are not aware of it, so I don’t understand why nothing is being done to address this issue. One time, I have ever seen the Police clamp down on this and that was about two years back.

Since then, nothing else…,” the woman lamented.

Adams also noted that more

and activities from very early and this is what is causing that… the access to these materials and so we need to be more vocal about it,” she lamented.

Zindal Glen, a social worker, who spoke to Guyana Times related that the issue was one of importance which should be addressed as soon as possible if the country is to have a youth population with good moral standards, and for several social issues to also be minimised.

Should be concerned

citizens, particularly parents should be raising their voices on the matter since it is the young children who are being caught up in the rush by vendors to make a profit.

“Parents need to become much more active in this matter because when you come around here, who you think you seeing the most? Is young, young children; I was even told that students come in their school uniforms and are able to purchase these DVDs but we are doing nothing about it… you see these school children behaving wild, eloping, getting themselves involved in sexual relationships

“Parents should be concerned about their children’s exposure to obscene content online.

Pornography has many different effects, but the central one that exists regardless of age – at its base, pornography commoditises the sexual act. It turns something that is intimate, human communication and intimate connection with another human into something which can be bought and sold. Studies show that young men repeatedly exposed to pornography are more likely to objectify women, and young women who view pornography are more likely to self-objectify and tolerate sexual harassment from men.

This can also lead to children becoming sexually active from vey young ages from wanting to recre-

ate what is being seen in the videos; it can lead to sexual harassment and even rape because of the stimulation which they may get from the videos,” Glen explained.

Glen also stated that parents should attempt to keep a tab on their children’s activities in order to monitor what they are watching and doing in their leisure time.

When contacted for a comment on the prevalence of the DVDs on the streets, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee questioned whether the reporter had seen the materials. Replying in the affirmative, the Minister then told the reporter that he requires pictures as proof since he is skeptical of the scenario which was painted.

He also stated that only when he would have received the pictures, then he would forward it to the Police for them to take action. Informed that the Police are aware of the activity and questioned why they are not clamping down on it, Minister Rohee replied: “I don’t know why they aren’t doing their job. You would have to ask the Commissioner of Police that.”

He, however, noted that the sale of pornographic material, particularly to minors is still illegal in Guyana and persons should report it to the Police if they have knowledge of such.

Public-Private Partnerships aid investment – President

G

uyana would find it difficult to get some types of investments were it not for the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) model, President Donald Ramotar said on Saturday at a media conference at State House.

“We would find it very, very difficult to get some of the investments we want, unless we use this kind of module to go with,” he said. He pointed to the Marriott Hotel and the Berbice River Bridge, which he observed were classic examples, “as far as infrastructure is concerned to mobilise some public funds and private funds to get it done”.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the President said with respect to the

President Donald Ramotar said Guyana would find it difficult to get some types of investments were it not for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), there is now an increase in the lands being leased to farmers in West Demerara to help it to be more effective.

“I am sure we have not closed our minds to go into a partnership for a refinery, for a distillery, and many of the other things that we are talking of added value,” he ob-

served.

He said it must be recognised that when other resources can be obtained to be put with local ones, “we can get a lot of these things much

faster than if we try to do all by ourselves”.

The President insisted that nothing is wrong with the PPP model and pointed out that objections are a result of lack of information.

Meanwhile, only last month, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington, told the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Board of Governors that there is recognition of the concession-type model as a useful mechanism to fund infrastructural development, aimed at reducing the eventuality of incurring fiscal risk of domestic public debt.

He pointed out that the benefits of the Berbice River Bridge for the country were

marked by the significant and essential assistance of the initiative in the reduction of transport time to cross the river, from three hours by ferry to three minutes using the bridge.

This commitment towards PPPs comes despite the objections of the Parliamentary Opposition which states that such a financing structure would allow Guyana little say in the management of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project which Government had said would have solved Guyana’s long-term power woes.

Similar financing regarding the Berbice River Bridge and the Marriott Hotel have also been objected to by the Opposition, along with the Specialty Hospital.

NEWS

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monDAY, june 9, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, June 9 from 14:00h-15:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, June 9 from 13:15h-14:45h

WEATHER TODAY

Guyana seeks early settlement … of maritime demarcation with Venezuela

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected during the day with light rain showers in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East north easterly between 4.47 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 1:10h and 13:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.38 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:12h and 19:32h reaching minimum heights of 0.80 metre and 0.81 metre respectively.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

By Vahnu Manikchand

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ome eight months after, Guyana and Venezuela are yet to meet on the maritime boundary issue arising out of the incident last October, where a research vessel in Guyana’s maritime territory was seized by the Venezuelan Navy.

Teams of technical experts from the two neighbouring countries were scheduled to meet on the issue and examine a way forward on the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela ; however ,this meeting never happened.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Times, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, said that because of the unrest in Venezuela, the scheduled meeting with the technicians had to be postponed.

“My colleague, the (Venezuelan) Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated to me some time ago that he was optimistic that we would be able to have the meeting within a month or so, but that month has passed, ” she stated. The interview was done days be-

fore the Minister departed for Paraguay to attend the 44th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly, where she had indicated that her Venezuelan counterpart, Elías Jaua, would also be present. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett had noted that she would discuss with him a possible meeting in the near future.

“It has been a while now and we are anxious to have this first meeting take place,” she said while adding that the earlier the meeting is held, the better it will be for Guyana. The Foreign Affairs Minister acknowledged that the longer it takes to resolve this maritime boundary issue, the longer Guyana would take to fully utilise its resources.

According to Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, while there are several options around whatever decision is taken, it would be within the confines of international law. “We have said that and Venezuela have said that as well so we hope that these meetings will be held under the umbrella of the international law and whatever settlement we have come to will be governed by the same laws,” she pointed out.

The Panama-flagged Teknik Perdana was carrying out a seabed survey for Texas-based Anadarko in conjunction with Guyanese authorities, when Venezuela’s navy boarded it and escorted it to Margarita Island. Reviving a century-old issue with Guyana, Venezuela accused the ship of violating its maritime territory. The government of Guyana, retorted that the ship was well within its territory and the seizure was an act of aggression. Both the Donald Ramotar administration and the main opposition coalition A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) condemned Venezuela. A Foreign Affairs Ministry statement at the time had

to the ministry’s statement, the Yekuma – an oceangoing offshore patrol boat that monitors the exclusive economic zone – trailed the seismic vessel before obstructing its path. Crew members were required to change their route and were directed to Margarita Island off Venezuela.

Guyana awarded Anadarko Petroleum, a deep-water exploration licence in June last year for a block named Roraima.

Venezuela and Guyana have long argued about the status of the Essequibo region; an area on the border about the size of the U.S. state of Georgia, and over rights to the ocean resources that lie offshore.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua

described the incident as “unprecedented in GuyanaVenezuela relations”. It insists that the seismic vessel, the RV Teknik Perdana, was in “Guyana’s waters when this regrettable incident took place”. The seismic vessel was contracted by Anadarko, one of the world’s largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, based in the United States. Anadarko has a petroleum prospecting licence to search for hydrocarbons in the Roraima block offshore Guyana. According

At the time of the incident last year, the two countries had issued a joint statement after a meeting between its respective foreign affairs ministers, which indicated that they ratified all the points of the Joint Declaration of September 30, 2011, in Port of Spain. It was recognised that the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between the two countries remains an outstanding issue and the foreign ministers agreed that such delimitation will require negotiations. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

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monday, june 9, 2014

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

Editorial

Bajan meltdown B

arbados is plunging inexorably into a financial meltdown that was signalled since the middle of last year when the international rating agencies began downgrading its once-stellar financial bona fides. In February, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that the island’s debt reached 94 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, up from 60 per cent in 2009. The economy shrank 0.7 per cent in 2012 following an average of 0.6 per cent per year since 2008.

The Government initiated a menu of measures that had been signalled earlier by the IMF and which included laying off some 3000 public sector workers and raising the excise and Value Added Tax (VAT). However, it appears that the Government’s programme might have been a case of “too little, too late”, since last week Moody’s Investor Service downgraded Barbados Bonds to “junk bond” status.

Two days later, the IMF swooped down on Little England and in a double whammy, confirmed that “real GDP is expected to decline by 0.6 per cent this year”. The IMF warned that more stringent measures will have to be taken.

Moody’s rating action has effectively closed the door on Barbados’ access to international private capital and on June 23, the Government is scheduled to meet foreign holders of US$0.5 billion in dollar and sterling bonds. With debt servicing tripling by next year, there is the distinct possibility of Barbados being pushed into default.

Late last year, the Government had to withdraw a US$250 million bond issue, because there were no takers on its first offer on junk credit. In contrast, even The Bahamas, which also has challenges, was able to raise more than double that amount three months later at a lower interest rate.

Part of the problem, which is almost certain to lead Barbados to enter into an IMF conditionality programme before year-end, is that the Government’s initiatives are selfdefeating. For instance, while seeking to reduce its deficit, it increased the Local Loans Limit to $4 billion and subsequently the Special Loans Act by $1 billion to $2.5 billion.

As even the World Bank now accepts, it is increased loans that lead to the creation of money in the economy. Bajans should not be surprised, therefore, that the Central Bank has had to keep the money printing presses rolling overtime and will be increasingly hard-pressed to keep its vaunted 2:1 exchange rate with the US dollar.

But while everyone has focused on the drop in tourism (which is not going to change dramatically soon, unless the Bajans start courting Chinese tourists) as the cause of the financial meltdown, there are other less proximate but no less significant precipitators. One of these is the unremarked status of Barbados as a tax haven for foreign, primarily Canadian funds.

There are more than 1000 Canadian companies with shell operations in Barbados that facilitate Canadian companies to reduce their tax rates from 23 or 24 per cent to two and a half per cent. With international moves to clamp down on these offshore activities, some of the money has moved out.

Banks have gotten jittery. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce warned last week that it will take a US$420 million charge to goodwill related to its subsidiary CIBC FirstCaribbean, which it blamed on “persistently challenging economic conditions and our current expectations for conditions going forward”. In addition, it took US$123 million of additional loan losses.

But Sir Frank Alleyne, the veteran economist who chairs the Barbados Government’s council of advisers, was candid: “What has happened in Barbados is that we have developed an entitlement society. Nothing is free in life. Education and the health-care services in Barbados have never been free, they have been tax-financed.... What I worry about is that those of us who have benefited from taxpayer-financed education feel somehow that the society owes them something.”

Will Bajans be able to face the real world while under the ministrations of the IMF?

Members of the National Dance Company team up with the Nrityageet dancers to perform the closing act at the Guyana Music Teachers Association Young Musicians on Stage production, held at the National Cultural Centre on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)

The Facebook group, the suicide epidemic Dear Editor, https://www.facebook. com/groups/suicideepidemic/ https://www.youtube.com/user/ab10460/ feed?view_as=public realises that there have been/ are quite a number of initiatives relating to suicide prevention that, if located in a national, sustainable framework, can significantly impact suicide prevention within a short span of time.

Perhaps the National Committee for the Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour (NCPSC) or the National Committee for Suicide Prevention (NCSP) that were launched in 2007 ought to be resuscitated or revitalised as the case may be.

We strongly suggest that such a body be headed by a mental health professional and comprise all possible stakeholders, including related Government agencies/ ministries and the political Opposition, as well as NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), especially those that are national in character and draw their membership from throughout the nation and/or those that have been doing significant work in suicide prevention and related social issues.

This central framework can also create a roster of all entities, locally and internationally, that are already working or desirous of working to address suicide and related social issues, and an annual calendar of related activities so as to ensure maximisation of efforts spread out as widely as possible.

Meanwhile, we applaud the move to set up a suicide hotline as recently spelt out

by the Police Commissioner (ag), and we sincerely hope that the logistics would be put in place to ensure that the hotline is always accessible and manned on a 24hour basis.

In this respect, we urge a reconsideration of the Gatekeeper’s Programme, which would create a national network of responders who can be accessed by those who call the hotline, as a follow-up to speaking with hotline counsellors. We understand that this programme, which was launched with quite a bit of fanfare, has been shelved even though it had begun to create an impact.

Additionally, we strongly suggest that the Cops and Faith Community Network (CFCN) initiative be extended to all Guyana as is being considered by the Government, especially given its possibilities for problem-solving and community building.

Furthermore, the Police Force’s plans to sensitise officers to domestic violence, gender-based violence, sexual offences, and trafficking in persons should also be ongoing and eventually encompass every officer. In toto, this approach will definitely reduce suicides, in addition to achieving other set goals.

Thirdly, in light of a number of incidents relating to orphanages and institutions that house the young, such as the New Opportunity Corp (NOC), we urge the relevant ministries to set up mechanisms to ensure both protection of these young people as well as fostering of the appropriate environments.

Perhaps setting up community boards or community-based committees/councils to oversee and assist these institutions might serve to ensure safe and nurturing environments and might also lead to garnering more resources to such institutions.

Fourthly, we applaud the various faith-based initiatives that have taken place recently, such as the ones held last month by Freedom Health Ministries and Bethel Gospel Hall. Ditto for the work of NGOs such as the Guyana Foundation and the Diaspora-based New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir (NJASM) Humanitarian Mission spearheaded by Pandit Suresh Sugrim and CADVA, spearheaded by Sukree Boodram and Dianne Madray (our apologies for not being able to tabulate a comprehensive list here).

While we note the presence of some Government involvement at some of these events, we believe that in the future all these initiatives should include the presence of related Government agencies not only for the purposes of coordination but also with respect to follow-up.

Fifthly, we hope that the Guyana Foundationfostered research by Ms Serena Coultress of Maastricht University in the Netherlands will be made public and used to drive planning and implementation, especially given that the stats we cited in our last letter were old, even though they were the only ones publicly available.

Finally, in keeping with the multi-sectoral approach outlined by Health Minister,

Dr Bheri Ramsaran, and adopted by the Police Force, we hope that sensitisation would be built into planning at all levels. For instance, local businesses and professionals in every community can help to underwrite billboards and banners created by artists and artisans within the communities themselves.

Also, through the auspices of the Education Ministry, schools can arrange workshops/seminars for parents and teachers, efforts that would supplement the Health and Family Life Education Programme currently in effect for students.

And through the efforts of central religious institutions such as the Guyana Council of Churches, the Dharmic Sabha and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, outreaches can be made to every church, mandir, and mosque.

We are quite willing to reach out to others and together provide what assistance is possible and we intend to touch bases with various government agencies in the near future to explore this possibility.

Meanwhile, we laud the press statement on suicide put out by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on June 6 and hope that APNU too will become a significant stakeholder in the campaign to address this scourge that is destroying valuable human resource, especially our young.

Sincerely, Norkah Carter Devv-Ramdass Danile Judy Deveaux Annan Boodram

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 9, 2014

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PNC apology does not resolve ethnic security dilemma Dear Editor, Kindly allow me some space to share my views on APNU’s David Granger’s visit to New York. Mike Persaud must have had good intentions in hosting the PNC leader and some other community activists for dinner and drinks on May 31 at his house in Richmond Hill.

They chiefly wanted an apology from the PNC leader for nationwide PNC wrongs during their 28 years in Government. This included rigging elections, killing opponents, starvation, violence, raping of Indo-Guyanese women at National Service, discrimination, etc.

Granger replied that the PNC and its leaders had done nothing wrong and there were no grounds for giving an apology. The

PNC leader emphasised to his host and those present that his PNC party was multi-racial and rejected the opinion that Guyanese voted along race lines.

But a PNC apology in no way resolves anything for Guyana’s historic ethnic dilemma. No one in that meeting living in America for many years apparently polled Granger’s reaction for a decentralised federal system for Guyana.

Demanding and getting an abstract apology still leaves us with greater insecurities which fuel our conflicts.

The urgency which fuelled ethnic interests is simply because Guyanese want racial security in all its forms. It was a surprise that most of Mike’s invited guests meeting with Granger at his house

in Queens reportedly only concentrated their appeal for an apology.

Guyana’s ethnic, political and cultural problems will likely find easier resolution within decentralisation than by window dressing. In today’s Ukraine, its recently-elected President, with all his military fire power, is actively pursuing a system of decentralisation to meet ethnic needs.

It's time the leaders of Guyana entertain the concept of some kind of federal decentralisation. The idea of one people, one destiny, and one love was a failure in Trinidad. UNC party leader Basdeo Panday allowed ANR Robinson with only two Tobago seats to become Prime Minister in the NAR Government.

On taking office, Prime Minister Robinson com-

pletely isolated the UNC, forcing its pull-out and the coalition’s collapse. But Guyana already knows coalition governments, as in the PNC-UF huddle, do not work.

No doubt, Mike’s dinner meeting with Granger’s entourage has attracted a firestorm of protests within the ‘Little Guyana’ IndoGuyanese community in New York. Some residents have reportedly resolved to completely ostracise Mike’s family in the area.

Some are demanding that he relocate to Brooklyn and practise the racial message which he advocates. But this is not likely to happen in the near future.

During PNC rule in Guyana, prominent PNC supporter Pandit Gowkarran Sharma, as

well as a few New York Guyanese businessmen, was ostracised and some went out of business.

Mike sincerely believes Guyana’s race problems will be solved by placing an Indo-Guyanese as PNC leader and an AfroGuyanese as leader of the PPP/C. The problem with such a formula is both major political parties do not accept or recognise that there is an ethnic/racial interest, separate from the nationalist interest in Guyana.

Considering Mike spent his better days in New York City and has not experienced racism in other parts of America despite electing a black President, he has also been long isolated from Guyana’s political pulse and its growing ethnic insecurities.

One cannot afford to ignore that Guyana had a dominant multi-racial party fighting with a nationalist mission for national independence. As soon as independence became a reality, the national interests were replaced by racial and ethnic interests, which became paramount until it was changed in 1992.

The urgency of resolving Guyana’s problems is not one person’s, one race’s, or one political party’s duty. All Guyanese have such an obligation.

These problems will not go away by themselves.

Let’s have an honest approach to deal with Guyana’s ethnic problem as a priority.

Sincerely, Vassan Ramracha

Slaughterhouse One-week-old street riddled with potholes upsetting Bush Lot, WCB residents Dear Editor, After the rain finished falling on Friday, I decided to drive my car on the newly built Cotton Field street leading to the Anna Regina Multilateral School, Essequibo Coast, which was done by a contractor last week. I was surprises to see that the complete street was riddled with potholes after the sand was washed off from the street top.

This street is being constructed in front of my house, going east to west to the Multilateral School, a Region Two project that would cost millions of dollars. From all appearances, this is a colossal waste of taxpayers money – money which this and the future generations will have to

Dear Editor, It is with utmost disgust, and with no other means of getting a message across to the relevant authorities, that I am writing you this letter with the hope that something can be done about a prolonged problem we have been enduring for years now, with no apparent solution to be seen anywhere on the horizon.

In the midst of a new housing scheme in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB), a zinc structure was erected a few years ago to serve as a slaughterhouse for a prominent butchery in the village.

Everyone has to have a livelihood, but I don't think we should punish others while improving our life! The operations of this ‘slaughterhouse’ are not only environmentally unsafe, but also a noise nuisance to the persons living around it.

At night, in a neighbourhood where students and workers live, who have to sleep to return to their activities the next day, cattle can

be heard lowing for hours on end. Or when the owner locks up a cow in the zinc structure for slaughter on the other day, that poor animal bangs against the structure the entire night to get out!

How can anyone possibly get to sleep with all this ruckus? Moreover, when contacted about the noise nuisance and the stench of the stale stagnant blood in the gutters, the owner, who doesn't reside nearby, has the temerity to vulgarly insult anyone who dares to approach him!

On numerous occasions, community members have reported this problem to the relevant authorities in Berbice, but to no avail.

We are hereby pleading with the authorities to relocate this operation, since we don't want to take away a man's livelihood. This would return peace and tranquillity to Bush Lot. Thank you, A concerned citizen Name withheld by request

repay.

This street is apparently being constructed with substandard materials – tar, sand and stones. When the rain falls, all the materials are being washed away, leaving the covered potholes exposed.

This street, which is some 200 rods long, has been graded down to help construct the street. This destroyed a rock solid structure surface to build a porous street.

Looking at lessons from previous Region Two projects, one would see that consultation of the beneficiaries of the street is a very important factor.

In 1993, this said street had a number of substandard work done to it. I quick-

Berbice toll gates Dear Editor, The AFC, and its paramour, the APNU, can no longer fool the people of Guyana that their intention is to promote social and economic development by their nefarious budget cuts, their non-support of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, which is also vital for the social and economic development of this country, and their creation of public mischief by their motion to lower the Berbice Bridge fare.

I never cease to wonder at the tenacity of the AFC and APNU in their quest to make this country ungovernable by any means possible.

The Berbice Bridge Motion passed in Parliament is a direct act to get Berbicians to believe that the Opposition is doing something to benefit them.

They want to promote themselves as the champi-

ons for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden in Berbice. But the burning question is: Why the obscene haste to lower the Berbice Bridge fare when the same PNC in the 1970s had three toll gates in Berbice?

The PNC in its agenda to punish and chastise PPP/C supporters established one toll gate at Number 63 Village, one at Adventure, and one at Number 19 Village. All these toll gates were at strategic points to milk Berbicians bone dry of their already small incomes.

These toll gates created untold hardships on Berbicians at a time when they were severely malnourished and could hardly afford a decent meal.

This was in addition to the misery of the Berbice Ferry crossing. Can you imagine the heartless nature of the PNC regime? Yet today, MP Joseph Harmon, of the PNC, and the AFC vipers want to poison the minds of

ly wrote a letter to Dr Cheddi Jagan at the time. He sent a technical road building team to investigate my complaints and the team found that the mixture with the sand and loam was poor and there was no compaction. The contractor was ordered to rebuild the complete street.

When a bad decision is made, a decision that costs millions of dollars and nothing is being done to reverse or to rectify it, then that is a sad affair. Is this not what democracy and good governance are all about? We the residents and taxpayers will wait and see what penalty the Regional Administration institute.

It must be remembered that all monies borrowed or

spent from the Government’s treasury is being hung around the neck of the people like a millstone. There is no room for wasteful spending.

It is time now that we stop abusing the democracy that the people have entrusted us with. For progress to be made in the region, the desk attitude of most of the senior managers will certainly have to change.

Over the years, the Government has made massive investments in building roads and streets. We must ensure that we get real benefits for our hard earned taxpayers’ dollars.

Berbicians by telling them that they cannot afford to pay the Bridge fare.

When Berbicians were literally starving, they could have paid the three toll gates’ fare and the ferry fare, but now the combined Opposition claim that they cannot afford to pay the Bridge fare when the actual cost for a hire car is $275 and for a minibus $79. Of course, the hire car and minibus owners will add this to their regular fare.

But this is what hurts the most. The PNC never established toll gates in Demerara and the reason is quite simple. Demerara is where the majority of PNC supporters live. Berbice is where the PPP/C supporters live!

So one does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what the PNC is now trying to do. These people are so barefaced that it hurts one’s intelligence and sense of patriotism. Is the reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll more

vital to the development of Guyana than the AML/CFT Bill?

This is the litmus test if you really care for Berbicians and this nation as a whole!

Quit your hypocrisy and support the Bill. The people stand to suffer a lot more financially than the paltry fare to cross Berbice Bridge.

Do you think that Guyanese are penny wise and pound foolish?

If APNU and AFC love this nation, then they will, for once, address the vital nature of passing the Bill.

If Granger and Ramjattan are serious about the social and economic development of this country, then they should pass that Bill now and quit politicking with everything they could get their hands on! And I mean ‘everything’!

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor, Region Six

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Foundation

Parenting for success

Be careful when placing your children in other persons’ care – ChildLinK’s vision is a Guyanese society where every child enjoys the right to a childhood in a safe and caring family, free from poverty, violence, and exploitation

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r and Mrs Gordon live in an urban community with their six sons in a comfortable three-bedroom house. Their children attend schools within the community and neighbouring communities. The family is well-respected and known for being courteous and polite. Due to unfortunate events, the family began to experience financial difficulties in the home. Mr and Mrs Gordon were finding it hard to adequately provide for their children and pay their bills. They tried to supplement their income by doing odd jobs in the communities and selling ‘’pointer brooms’’ in their neighbourhood.

as they got work for the boy’s upkeep and the payment of bills. While they were away, they kept in contact with their children via telephone once a week.

At first, things were stable with the arrangement, but three months after there was a change.

Mrs Gordon called home to check in with the children and got no response; subsequently, the telephone was disconnected. This went on for several weeks.

Mrs Gordon then decided to make contact with one of her neighbours to enquire about the children and the home situation.

She was informed of shocking news: just one day prior, persons from the Child

Then one day, the parents decided that, in order to better their financial situation, they would both seek employment in the interior. After making this decision, Mr and Mrs Gordon contacted a relative who agreed to live with and care for the children while they were away. When everything was put in place, Mr and Mrs Gordon packed their bags, said goodbye to their boys and left for work in the interior. They promised to send money as soon

Welfare Department came to the home and took the children. This was after receiving a report stating that the children were not attending school and were left unsupervised while adults in the home would be smoking, drinking and partying. Mrs Gordon later made contact with the relevant authority to discuss the welfare of the children.

The children were temporally placed in an institution until their parents came from the interior.

Shocking treatment

During the discussion with the relevant authorities, Mr and Mrs Gordon was shocked, hurt and angry after hearing that their children were begging on the streets, not attending school and being beaten and put out of the home on several occasions. Mrs Gordon related that every month she sent money for the upkeep of her children and for the payment of the house bills. She became even more furious when she visited the home and saw that the light and telephone service were disconnected, valuable household items were stolen or broken, and strangers were occupying her home. “I left a furnished house and now I have to start all over again,” said Mrs Gordon.

After the discussion, the parents were advised that they need to put better systems in place if they want to travel to the interior for

work. It was pointed out that, while it is important to put food on the table and to ensure that all bills are paid, it is even more important to ensure that the children are safe, protected and benefiting from attending school regularly. Therefore, if proper arrangements cannot be put in place, it is not advisable that both parents be away for work.

Psychosocial support

A social worker from ChildLinK was assigned to provide psychosocial support to the family to ensure the children are being monitored and cared for adequately while the family recovers from the situation. Regular visits and sessions with the parents allowed them the opportunity to explore possible solutions that will ensure the children are supervised and they are earning enough finances to provide adequately. Regular visits were also made to the children’s school to assess their attendance and academic development.

Mr Gordon went back to work in the interior and supported his family financially every month. This income was not adequate to provide for all the family’s needs.

Subsequently, Mrs Gordon was able to secure employment in the city which allows her to be with the children to support and supervise them. This process of monitoring and support ensured that the children’s rights and safety were taken into consideration before a decision was made. Today, Mr and Mrs Gordon were able to save enough money to start a small business on their own and neither of them has to return to the interior to work. The children have been attending school regularly and their teachers reported improvement in the academic performances.

Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or at programmes.childlink@ networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and any other challenges that you may be experiencing with your children.

NEWS

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monDay, june 9, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

AML/CFT Bill still most important national issue – President Ramotar P

resident Donald Ramotar said the non-passage of the amended AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill is the “most important issue facing our country”.

Guyana has been referred to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) for its failure to pass the Bill.

During a media briefing on Saturday, the Guyanese leader said this and more was anticipated and predicted by Government, despite the views of the political Opposition which refused to support the Bill’s passage. He recalled some of the statements made that sought to downplay the effects of its non-passage. ‘“The Government is crying wolf was one statement appearing in the Stabroek News, Clive Thomas’s article.

You had some other comments.”’

Even if Guyana is found wanting in its assessment, ‘“There is absolutely no automaticity to sanctions… this was in the Kaieteur News by Dominic Gaskin”’.

The fact that the Bill resulted from an international process was reiterated by President Ramotar.

“This is extremely important and it calls for patriotism, it calls for love of people, love of country to avoid the worst form of this.”

President Donald Ramotar

The President explained that even if the Bill was passed and consented to almost immediately, it would not automatically make everything OK. “There are still some hoops that we would have to go through.”

Party before nation He posed this question to Opposition political leaders, “Why as national leaders do you want to expose people to the hardship and harshness that this can bring about? It is beyond me sometimes.”

He recalled that the Government, which was once in Opposition, supported the then People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration in the passage of nationally important bills without conditions. But now, “it seems to me that people are put-

ting narrow party agendas above our national agendas”.

He appealed for a sense of patriotism to prevail to let the Bill be passed in the National Assembly. “This is a bill that calls for patriotism, it doesn’t call for any kind of linkages, and we should pass this bill as early as possible so that we can minimise the length of time that Guyana will be hurting as a result of this.”

Asked about the possibility of Local Government and General Elections, to break the impasse, the President cited some uncertainty about the next move, particularly if the impact of Guyana’s blacklisting really starts to “hit home” very hard on the local economy. He stated that there is a possibility that Government may have to return to the polls,

but he is not desirous of that, at present.

“I would prefer to go to the Local Government Elections, but I can’t shut my eyes to the political reality that exists and make a bland promise that I will go to Local Government Elections tomorrow, as I would have done if we had the majority in the Parliament.”

CFATF has blacklisted Guyana, following its inability to pass legislation approved by the financial group. This move follows a high-level Plenary Meeting held May 26-29, in Miami, USA. The CFATF is now calling on its members to consider implementing further countermeasures to protect their financial systems from the possible ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana and has referred the country to its parent body FATF. New discussions Following a meeting between Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger it was decided that the legal minds on both sides of the National Assembly would meet to effect changes to the Local Government Bills that were rejected by President Donald Ramotar.

The agreement stemmed from discussions on the amended AML/CFT Bill. The A Partnership for National

Opposition Leader David Granger

Unity (APNU) has tied the passage of the Bill to the President’s assent of the Local Government Bills he had no approved.

Speaking at his Hadfield Street Office, Granger told media operatives that the coalition’s position was renewed during the meeting with President Ramotar.

It was during that meeting that the Opposition Leader proposed that Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and Shadow Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams consider the Local Government Bills that were considered unconstitutional by the Government.

With the bills returning to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Granger said it was important for the two parties to

“iron out” their differences before the bills return to the House. “We just need those two persons to agree on the text of the bills and have them brought back to the President for his assent,” Granger told reporters.

However, he was unable to indicate when Nandlall and Williams would commence consideration of the bills, but remained optimistic that the meetings would commence soon. If the Government and APNU fail to agree on the bills, it was proposed that the matter be taken to the court – a step the Opposition Leader is not willing to endorse. “Our business is to pass the bills as members of the National Assembly and the President’s business is to assent to the bills,” he posited.

The assenting of the Local Government Bills can move the country closer to the passage of the AML/CFT Bill. But in addition to the bills receiving the President’s assent, the Opposition is demanding that its three proposed amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering Act of 2009 be passed simultaneously with the AML/ CFT Bill of 2013. These proposed amendments are currently being dealt with by a Parliamentary Special Select Committee being chaired by Government’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira.

8 News

monday, june 9, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Govt pulls plug on rice cultivation along Canje River ...as residents fume over water contamination

The two samples of water

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rastic action will be taken against rice farmers along the Canje River who continue to contaminate the River, Region Six Chairman, David Armogan has said.

The livelihoods of some Canje River residents have been threatened as a result of farmers trying to take advantage of the recent boom in the rice industry by cultivating more lands. They have taken up rice lands beyond Manarabisi in the Black Bush Polder at Bamboo.

Residents there use the water in the river for domestic purposes.

The farmers had been warned by Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy that they cannot disrupt the lives of residents and they had promised to ensure that the water from rice

fields will not be pumped into the Canje River, but they have not kept their end of the bargain and Armogan said firm action will be taken against the farmers.

The Chairman became aware of what is happening during a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting on Thursday. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor Corwin Crawford brought it to the attention of Councillors. Holding a bottle of the discoloured water which was obtained from that part of the river, Crawford said that the residents are suffering as they are forced to use the contaminated water. “I walked with a sample of water that the residents have to drink. This is the quality of water that rice farmers will have to reuse and I am sure that the next crop will be affected.”

Crawford noted that pump operators at Manarabisi are baffled as to whether they should pump the water inland so that farmers in the Black Bush Polder can use it. He noted that the residents have already prepared a petition as they seek to have the rice farmers discontinue their operations there.

The Councillor also showed the RDC meeting a bottle of water which was collected from about one mile farther up the river. The water was clear and bore no resemblance to the first bottle which had a close look to that of molasses. Armogan said that the pump opera-

Eyew tness

What’s going on...

...with the Rodney CoI ome young people may be wondering what’s the fuss all about over Rodney’s killing. And that itself is an indictment of the state of our society today. In any normal country, stories such as Rodney’s would’ve been used as object lessons to inspire youths. In the US, the ragsto-riches stories of Horatio Alder, apocryphal or not, has fired the ambitions of generations of youths.

If a country’s to develop, there have to be stories encapsulating the ethos of that country. Walter Rodney’s as good a candidate as any, for Guyana. And in this, he can be contrasted to Forbes Burnham, who can be seen as his dark doppelgänger – and as such, creatures inevitably are, Walter’s implacable enemy.

In the aftermath of slavery, African Guyanese saw education as their ladder out of the lives of desperation into which the powers-that-be were determined to keep them.

Both born into lower middle-class families – which meant, more or less, lives of genteel poverty – they won the most coveted prize in the Guyanese educational sweepstakes: places at Queen’s College. Patterned on the British Grammar School model, Queen’s was supposed to explicitly produce “Black Englishmen”, who would serve the local needs of the Empire.

They were both brilliant at Queens – but Rodney was the archetypical “Queen’s Boy” (it wasn’t co-ed then) who excelled both academically and in sports. And both exhibited superb oratorical skills. Born two decades apart, Burnham would win the coveted Guyana Scholarship the year Rodney was born. He would enter law and, guided by Machiavelli, be consumed by the pursuit of power.

Rodney, on the other hand, guided by Marx, would pursue the history of Africans and seek their emancipation from the vicissitudes of colonialism and capitalism. As a Marxist who looked at societies influenced by economic forces, he was yet appreciative of the influence of culture.

And therefore accepted ethnic identification subsumed within broad economic “classes”. He could, therefore, be a “Pan-African” and a “Guyanese”, without any contradiction.

The struggle between Burnham and Rodney was almost inevitable – with all the elements of a Greek tragedy in place. While Rodney avoided Guyana for the first decade of Burnham’s rule – his return in 1974 set them on their ineluctable historical clash. Burnham would use whatever means that were necessary to hold on to his personal, dictatorial power – while Rodney would do the same to return “power to the people”.

Burnham saw “emancipation” as the Black Man (him, specifically) replacing the White Man (the Queen). President for Queen. Rodney saw emancipation as allowing the Black Man and all other Guyanese to become free to let their human potential flower.

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Corwin Crawford addressing the RDC and displaying a sample of the water from the Canje River

tors at Manarabisi also provided him with the same information.

The operators were planning to close the Manarabisi Pump Station because they have no water to use for domestic purposes. Those pump attendants live in at the pump station. According to the chairman, members of the Youth Farmers Coop (YFC) which consist of several senior citizens have recommenced pumping their waste water into the Canje River. Armogan and Minister Ramsammy had visited the community after an article appeared in the Guyana Times highlighting the plight of the residents.

“The last time we went in was after the rice crop and so we couldn’t see the

nature of the problem at that time, “he told Regional Councillors noting that although the YFC gave their assurance that they will divert the waste water from their rice fields; this has not happened.

The farmers had promised to close the sluice that leads the water into the Canje River but have failed to do so. “It is clear that they

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

have not lived up to their promise and so action will now have to be taken to ensure that that area is closed completely” Armogan said.

Those farmers who started cultivating rice beyond Manarabisi in the Black Bush Polder have been indiscriminately releasing the toxic water from their rice fields into the Canje River, causing great inconvenience for the more than 40 residents who dwell in that community. Many of them have fallen ill, while five have died over the past year after developing conditions that were not known to those residents and whose names were not disclosed by doctors.

One resident, Alfred Shultz, who lives at Bamboo, explained to Berbice Times that when the rice farmers release the water back into the river, residents are unable to drink it.

“We use the water in the river for all domestic purposes. So when they start letting out the water, I have to travel about three miles up the river to get fresh water and it is not me alone…”

He said the cost for gasoline for his boat is very high and travelling that distance daily has taken a toll on him financially.

...with the buried skeletons We all hoped the testimonies at the Rodney CoI would clear up allegations in the public domain since Rodney’s demise. There is the role of David Granger. Granger has held himself out as purer than Caesar’s wife when it came to all the vile things committed during the Burnham dictatorship.

Even though it’d been clearly demonstrated to every Guyanese living that the Army was heavily involved in the “pacification” of the people – in their daily marches through villages, for one – Granger stonewalled. Well, here we have it from the horse’s mouth that he was doing the dirty – up to his neck.

But Guyanese have always been able to “pick sense from nonsense”. Why else would Burnham place him at the head of the GDF – removing two professional soldiers with higher rank – just after Rodney and other WPA members were charged with burning down Congress Place?

So now his immediate superior – appointed a month earlier – declared that Granger was the “liaison” between the Police and the GDF on the Rodney matter. What say Granger now? ...on AFC’s cricket?

How far will the AFC place their personal interests? How can they defend not making the GCB a corporate body?

news

9

monDay, june 9, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana ups fight against Chikungunya in Berbice – Region Six staff receiving training in use of fogging machines

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he Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Ministry of Health has commenced training for staff of the Region Six Regional Office in the area of functioning and correct usage of fogging machines along with troubleshooting.

According to the Director of VCS Dr. Reyaud Rahman, this initiative will see approximately 12 individuals undergoing training in this area. This is due to the fact that the VCS team that is currently in Berbice and have been doing fogging and spraying will conclude their activities in the region tomorrow.

However, after the team’s departure the responsibility of fogging and spraying of the area will be in the hands of the staff of the Regional office, hence the reason for the training.

In addition, the Ministry has also commenced training for individuals working with chemicals during fogging exercises in Regions Five and Six, due to the close relationship that they share, resulting in a more heightened approach to prevent the disease from spreading.

Employees of the Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Health Ministry during a fogging exercise

These include persons who will be involved in conducting spraying exercises, mixing of chemicals, along with any other functions related to this aspect of work.

The Ministry has also been working closely with the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and the Regional Executive Officers (REO)

in a collaborative effort to help prevent the disease from spreading.

There is also a very strong public awareness campaign, as representatives of the Ministry have been doing a lot of sensitisation on the disease countrywide and is in the middle of the process of creating new posters and flyers with the help of

China’s growth moderates with continued economic transformation – World Bank

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hina’s growth will moderate over the medium-term as the economy continues to rebalance gradually.

Growth is expected to slow to 7.6 per cent in 2014, and 7.5 per cent in 2015, from 7.7 per cent in 2013, according to the World Bank’s China Economic Update released.

“The rebalancing will be uneven reflecting tensions between structural trends and near term demand management measures,” said Chorching Goh, lead Economist for China.

China’s economic growth is gradually slowing as the structural transformation of the economy continues.

The slowdown in the first quarter reflected a combination of dissipating effects of earlier measures to support growth, a weak external environment, and tighter credit, especially for real estate.

However, economic activity, including industrial production, has shown signs of a pick-up in recent weeks. The recent accel-

eration, which is likely to continue into the next two quarters, reflects robust consumption, a recovery of external demand, and new growth supporting measures, including infrastructure investments and tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The China Economic Update, a regular assessment of China’s economy, identifies several risks to this gradual adjustment.

First, a disorderly deleveraging of local Government debt could trigger a sharp slowdown in investment growth.

Second, an abrupt change in the cost of, or access to, capital for such sectors as real estate could significantly reduce economic activity. Finally, the recovery in exports may not materialise if growth in advanced countries weakens.

The update notes that the policy responses to these medium-term risks should centre on fiscal and financial sector reforms, which were part of the Government’s re-

form agenda outlined in November 2013. These include effectively managing and supervising rapid credit growth, especially in the shadow banking system, and gradually reducing the local Government debt that has been accumulated through off-budget and quasi-fiscal activities.

“The proposed reform measures are structural in nature,” observes Karlis Smits, Senior Economist and main author of the update. “In the mediumterm, these policy measures will improve the quality of China’s growth – making it more balanced, inclusive and sustainable and lay the foundation for sound economic development.”

While these reforms may reduce growth in the short run, policies that promote competition, lower entry barriers to protected sectors and reduce administrative burden on businesses will help dampen the impact, and create a more market-oriented economy.

the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to further educate the public about the disease.

Last week, Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran reported that around 15 cases of chikungunya have been confirmed thus far. Dr Ramsaran said the discovery was made after 130 blood samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in Trinidad, for testing.

The samples were sent

after individuals showed signs of the illness.

He said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud has established a case definition for the illness based on which hospitals took samples of individuals who fit the case definition, and sent them to the institute to be tested.

An additional 82 suspected cases have been identified by the New Amsterdam Hospital as they suit the case definition. The 11 cases reported earlier from New Amsterdam and Port Mourant, indicated that the disease has now spread even further across the region.

Prior to this confirmation, two cases were found, one a toddler, and another a woman who is said to be in her 40s, from Cumberland and Canefield, Canje, Region Six. This resulted in the Ministry heightening its Vector Control Services (VCS) in the region, placing emphasis on fogging and spraying.

These efforts will now be further enhanced, through an expansion in the team and more work done with regard to spraying and fogging.

The Ministry has already identified the ports

of entry for strict monitoring. Health centres have been alerted and have available medication for the effective treatment of any vector-borne disease.

Dr Ramsaran said no trace of the disease has yet been observed in West Berbice, but Region Five is on alert and has shown great cooperation in the fight. Fogging exercises are currently ongoing in the capital city. Chikungunya is an arthropod-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by the virus-carrying Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is transmitted in similar manner to dengue fever and causes an illness with an acute febrile phase lasting two to five days.

It can result in some longterm effects, primarily joint pain, and causes moderate to severe illness. Depending on an individual’s body reaction after the incubation period, persons may experience pain even after seeking medical attention.

This period can last from two to six days with symptoms lasting four to seven days after infection.

Individuals experiencing any such symptoms are asked to visit a health facility as soon as possible.

Individuals are also asked to remove all containers that may retain water and breed mosquitoes.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

s aturday, june 7, 2014

News

East Bank Berbice residents restive over poor state of access road

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esidents of the East Bank of Berbice are again expressing their concerns over the state of the main access road, while vehicle operators are dissatisfied with the quality of maintenance work which is being carried out there.

The Ministry of Public Works has a continuous maintenance programme until the major works are carried out on the road.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan is also not satisfied with the road works, noting the problem is that roads does not hold for any particular time. “As soon as it is finished and you have a few showers of rain, what you find is that it begins to deteriorate almost immediately. So I think that we have reached a stage now where we have to be able to do it in a good way, because

Rupna Rain want Sober buddy guard

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The East Bank Berbice Road at Glasgow Village

plastering it all the time I think is wasting money, the Chairman told this publication in an invited comment.

Armogan says the time has come for a long-term road to be constructed on

Several heavy-duty vehicles constantly use the road

the East Bank, noting that the short-term measures that have been put in place have not been working anymore. “A lot of people have been saying to us that it is a waste of time and money and the only person that benefits is the contractor.

The people don’t get the benefits because soon after it becomes bad as it was before.”

The Chairman said the contractor H Nauth & Sons Civil Engineering Contractors has reported to Works Minister Robeson Benn that he does not think that the road as it currently stands can be repaired.

“Because even the contractor is taking licks and he

is getting a bad name. He is getting bad name for the king of work that he has been doing… but he told me that there is nothing that he can do because the road does not have a foundation anymore so when you fill the holes at the top it does not stay.”

Last year when residents and vehicle operators had closed the road in protest over its deplorable state, Minister Benn had promised residents that they would get a new road, but they had to wait until 2014 when a loan from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) would become available. During the 2014 parliamentary debate, he told the National Assembly that works on that road are likely to commence during the last quarter of 2014.

The chairman notes that we can only now hope that what Minister Benn said will happen, but has expressed some concerns.

“Remember the financing is going to come from the IDB and with this Anti Money Laundering Bill which has not been passed as yet, we are going to have some prolonged periods of discussions with banks dealing with financial assistance.

People don’t understand the implications of not passing the AML Bill… It has implication for the loans that we get from international institutions because the CFATF has already rejected us and has informed the FATF that they have to decide what to do with Guyana.”

Armogan is fearful that not only the East Bank Main access road, but all others that are for major upgrading will become in jeopardy.

“In as much as the Minister did say that it is going to start during the last quarter of this year, based on the stage of negotiations at that time when he made the pronouncement things might change dramatically.”

He explained to the Guyana Times.

e evil tings whah people do in de dark does come to light at some time. Even de good book seh so. But still de evil people does tink dem can hide and do evil tings and tink that dem same evil tings gon never come to light.

That is why Rum Jhaat does move in de night like Ninja.

Plus it gotta man in GT de garbage town near a market who know that very well. He try to plant pumpkin night time and it come to light. He thief from Gee-Pee-Hell and it come to light. He knock down people, then drive away and it come light.

De same man try not to pay de s.ity council taxes whah he owe fuh donkey years and it come to light. De other day he man-in-law bring in fancy vehicle duty free fuh he and every ting come to light till he had to pay.

A lotta tings whah people used to de in dark comin to light in de Rodney See-O-I too. Nuff people done dead and gone, but a lotta tings still comin to light. So although Burnt Ham dead and gone, long after he kill a good man tings still comin to light.

Burnt Ham friend Green Jah was hopin that tings wouldn’ta come to light. But Green Jah run night time till day ketch up wid he. And now de old soldier can run no more even though he still he legs still movin fast fast.

Another man who runnin becaue tings comin to light is Rupna Rain. And is not that he runnin fuh elections, which he can never win. At least, since he head didn’t get blow up, he still gotta chance to run. Now he actually runnin because he decide that he need a body guard fuh protect he head.

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

Rupna Rain run to every body who he know and decide he can’t trust no body to protect he head. Finally, he remember de Sober Woman, and decide to run to she fuh she buddy guard!

Legal practitioners benefit from UNLIREC training course

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egal practitioners in Guyana benefited from a Specialised Training Course (STC) on combating illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition and explosives. The STC brought together legal practitioners ranging from Judges, Prosecutors and Defence Attorneys to criminal case investigators.

It was also relevant for Government officials with legal responsibilities in the areas of crime scene management, military justice and control over the legal trade in firearms.

The Home Affairs Ministry, with invaluable support from the Legal Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force, facilitated the visit of a team from the United Nations Regional Centre on Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) for the STC. The three-day training saw local participants gain knowledge from professional international and local instructors in six modules, which included firearms proliferation and armed violence;

international instruments and legal frameworks; interinstitutional and international cooperation; basic concepts in firearms, ammunition and explosives; firearms crime scene management and chain of custody; and a practical exercise module, which saw the simulation of crime scenes and the presentation of cases by participants before Justice Claudette Singh, who gave comments on the participants’ performance.

Guyana had previously received missions from UNLIREC to assist in the country’s stockpile management and destruction with regard to firearms, ammunition and explosives.

The Home Affairs Ministry and by extension, the Government of Guyana, remain committed to cooperating with international partners on initiatives geared at enhancing the peace and security of the citizens of Guyana.

The training course, which was held at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Camp and Young Streets, Eve Leary, concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants.

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 9, 2014

Times Notebook Guyana demands respect from the WICB – Barbados must refuse to host third Test

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e noted the call by former Attorney General, SC, and current Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson, to ban West Indies Cricket board (WICB) President Dave Cameron from Guyana. We are not certain how possible that recommendation is, but we do take the point that Cameron is unequivocally disrespectful to Guyana.

Most Guyanese feel the same way as Guyana’s former Attorney General. Cameron, the WICB, and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) are persona non grata. Cameron and the WICB are totally out of line and Guyana must stand as one in rejecting both Cameron and the WICB in denying our people of our right to cricket.

We do believe that we must be vocal and united in demanding an apology and in demanding that the WICB rescinds the decision to withdraw the third Test match from Guyana. We call on the West Indies Players Association to support cricket in the West Indies by standing in solidarity with Guyana.

The few persons that call themselves the GCB who are part of the decision of the WICB must recognise they are isolated in Guyana.

The Guyanese people see them as destroying our cricket and impugning our national pride. We see the GCB as charlatans and as traitors of our people. They stand in-

The WICB is on a path of destroying every boy’s dream of global accolades, because of his cricketing talent. The Providence Stadium remains empty of cricket lovers this New Zealand-West Indies series as the WICB shuns Guyana, and no matches will be played in one of the bastions of cricket in the Caribbean

dicted in the disrespect our people and our country have endured.

Scandal

As a Caricom country steeped in cricket and that has contributed so much to West Indies cricket, Guyana is being treated with disdain. We must stand resolute in condemning and in isolating those few individuals from the GCB who are perpetrating this scandal on the Guyanese people and on WI cricket.

But Caricom must not allow this situation to persist. Unless Caricom takes a position now, WI cricket has no future. The WICB has been the major reason for

the long journey to cricket’s bottom. The Region continues to produce cricketers of great talent, but our WI teams, one after the other, seem like a far cry from our glory days of cricket.

The WICB is on a path of destroying every boy’s dream of global accolades because of his cricketing talent. The decision to withdraw cricket from Guyana is an example of the gross mismanagement of cricket by the WICB. Barbados for one should refuse to host the Third test match between the WI and New Zealand.

Every other country in the Caribbean should stand in solidar-

ity with Guyana and refuse to host the Third Test match. It is our duty as citizens of the Caribbean and as Governments of the Caribbean to raise our voices and let the WICB know that they are not untouchable; and that they are not powers without duty and without obligation to the peoples of Caricom.

WICB flouting law

They are flouting the laws of our countries. Guyana is a democratic country and its Parliament makes the laws of the land. Guyana, as a sovereign country, has a legal system that all of us who operate in it must follow. The WICB is trying

to be super-powerful and outside of the jurisdiction of our courts.

The sad truth is that the WICB is not only denying Guyana cricket, this could very well be the last Test match in Guyana for Guyanese to go and personally watch their cricket hero Shiv Chanderpaul.

There is much more cricket in Shiv Chanderpaul. But we are aware that he is reaching an age where most cricketers will retire.

Shiv is not most cricketers and we are sure he will play a long time more and will make many more runs for the WI. But we are realistic and we would like to go and fill the Providence Stadium to ensure that Shiv Chanderpaul feels the pride of his Guyanese sisters and brothers. He and the Guyanese people are now victimised by the WICB. Mr Cameron and the WICB have denied us the chance to pay tribute to the greatest Guyanese cricketer and one of the best ever in the WI. In denying Guyana to host this match, the WICB is also disrespecting this great cricketer.

The President of Guyana, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) must stand together, representing the Guyanese people and ask the Governments of Caricom to stand in solidarity with Guyana.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail.com

Police deny assaulting Timehri woman H ours after another report of assault involving ranks of the Timehri Police Station surfaced, the Guyana Police Force unequivocally denied the allegation, claiming that it was the other way around.

The incident involving Vanda Thomas-Pitt was brought to light in one section of the media with photographs to complement the article.

The story told by the victim was refuted by the ranks involved, who claimed that they were the ones who were assaulted by the woman.

In an attempt to clear the air, Police Spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a release explained that about 14:30h on June 04, ranks from the Timehri Police Station went to the home of Wayne Pitt at Hyde Park, Timehri, to serve a summons for him to attend the Providence Magistrate Court, in relation to a child support matter.

He added that the Police had made several efforts earlier to serve the summons that was in the name of Wayne De Jonge, which

was his name before, and the name he was known by to the woman involved in the child support matter.

However, the ranks that turned up at the offender’s home were informed by his wife, Vanda Thomas-Pitt that he was not at home, and that the name on the summons was not that of her husband.

“The Police subsequently had the document amended and went back on June 04, 2014, to serve it. On their arrival, they again met Vanda Thomas-Pitt, who took the summons and, on seeing that it had been amended to the name of Wayne Pitt, began to abuse the Police ranks and behaved disorderly during which she assaulted Police Sergeant 12870 Moore,” the release added.

In retaliation, Sergeant Moore reportedly instructed Constable Griffith to arrest the woman, who allegedly took off her clothes and attacked Constable Griffith, whose uniform was damaged during the altercation.

Thomas-Pitt was however arrested and taken to the Timehri Police Station

where she reported that she had suffered a miscarriage during the incident. As a result, the Police took her to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she was medically examined.

Refusal

There, she reportedly refused take an ultra-sound test; however, the Police were informed by the medical authorities that ThomasPitt had not suffered any miscarriage.

She was subsequently taken back to the Timehri Police Station where she was placed on $10,000 bail, which was lodged the following day. While in custody at the station, the woman according to the Police was kept on a bench in the enquiries office and not in the lock-ups as was reported.

On the other hand, Thomas-Pitt accused Sergeant Moore of pushing his hand in her bosom, while a female officer and another male rank in plainclothes assisted in holding her down after she refused to collect the summons for her husband.

The woman also claimed

that during the commotion, the Sergeant slapped her.

Nevertheless, she was arrested and was not given a chance to change her damaged clothing. The Hyde Park Timehri woman said she was thrown into the lockups and left there for the night.

The incident came at

a time when the Guyana Police Force is dealing with several assault accusations, including the recent shooting incident of 15-year-old Alex Griffith of East La Penitence Squatting Area.

The rank in that case, Franz Paul, is expected to make a court appearance

today at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Another incident was that of Colwyn Harding, who was allegedly batonraped while in custody at the Timehri Police Station.

After seven months, two ranks were charged and have been granted bail.

12 News

monday, june 9, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Tourism Development GTM official critical after Highway Fund being discussed accident

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President Donald Ramotor with patrons at the reception

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cting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali has disclosed that the Ministry is presently holding talks with tourism operators to establish a National Tourism Marketing Fund, to support their work.

The Minister made this announcement at a cocktail reception held on Friday evening at Cara Lodge, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wilderness Explorers Tour operations in Guyana.

According to Ali, the idea was mooted some time ago, but the bigger plan was to establish a Regional Marketing Fund, which can benefit the entire Region since all countries in the Region are facing challeng pertaining relates to marketing of their tourism products.

He, however, stated that after it was realised that Guyana has huge potential in becoming a leading tourism destination and enough was not being done to market and compete with what is being offered on the regional and international levels, a National Marketing Fund was thought to be the best solution.

“The Caribbean had realised that it is nonsensical for every country to develop their own marketing budget. They cannot compete; there aren’t enough resources to do so and here in Guyana, again, we cannot compete as individual business operators as enough is not being done to market their businesses and so a National Marketing and Development Fund is the best idea. This can help the sector to continue in its growth to become the most dominant sector in Guyana,” he disclosed.

The Minister noted that

while the Government is committed to the development of the industry as it has the potential to become a leading income earner in Guyana, they alone cannot do everything, noting that cooperation is necessary among operators, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana

the Ministry is also looking to have a mechanism in place, which can offer incentives to those who are involved in pushing the industry.

He related that the mechanism, which is still in the discussion stages, will seek to offer incentives which can match the diversity of the products being

with THAG and the operators and a decision has been taken by the Government and the Ministry to have tax incentives made available to them, so that they can be better able to compete and market their products.

President Donald Ramotar also added his support to what was dis-

Demerara Trinidad Mutual Life Insurance Company Supervisor is in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital following an accident on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway on Saturday about 12:00h.

Derrick Osborne, 63, of Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, is nursing a fractured neck and other injuries. He is in the Intensive Care Unit of the medical facility. The man might have also suffered injuries to his spinal cord as a result of the accident.

According to information received, Osborne may have suffered a blowout while driving along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway in the vicinity of Splashmin’s Fun Park and Resort.

As a result of the blowout, he reportedly lost control of his motorcar and slammed into a motor lorry.

An eyewitness told Guyana Times that the driver of the lorry on realising what had happened, quickly pulled into the corner of the road, but due to the speed at which the vehicle was travelling, he ended up crashing into the truck.

He said the man was driving along the highway and suddenly, he saw the car swaying on the road.

Within a minute or two, the eyewitness said he saw the car crash into the heavy-duty truck that was parked.

Vilma Daly, the spouse of the injured man related that she was at work when she saw an incoming call from her husband, but upon answering, she realised that it was not him.

“The persons tell me, you husband just get in an accident… come down to the hospital,” she added.

The woman added that she immediately left work and headed to the city. While on her way down, she said the person who was using her husband’s phone was giving her updates. Osborne was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre but was immediately transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted.

While there, Daly added that she recognised that his right leg was bandaged and he was wearing a neck collar. He was slipping in and out of consciousness. Daly said she attempted to speak to her husband, but the only words that come out of his mouth were “I don’t know what happened”.

She said that the doctors are monitoring his condition, but from all indications, he is in a lot of pains.

Daly recalled that her husband had left home with the intention of going to the shop, but she did not know what had happened to him.

She thanked God that he is alive and is praying that he will recover soon.

Taxi driver shot in attempted robbery

A Persons interacting at the reception

Tourism Authority.

“The sector cannot move alone. Discussion between all parties is necessary and I would never engage any private business in the media. Meaningful conversations are necessary so that we can develop a common understanding for the sector to go forward,” Ali said.

Incentives being discussed Disclosing that he has made a commitment to have the Tourism Sector become the most dominant in Guyana within the next three years, Ali stated that

offered.

“If you are in Essequibo, you would know that that is mostly river/ waterbased tours, whereas in The Rupununi, you would know that you need the 4x4 jeeps to get access and the Caribbean is a whole different matter. So every place has their own uniqueness and their own features and so different incentives would have to be offered according to their products; what they have to offer,” he articulated.

He revealed too that the Ministry has held talks

closed by Ali. He stated that he understands that the tourism sector is growing and booming, and as such, his administration will be supporting it fully by helping out in whatever way it can to minimise the challenges confronting operators.

He noted too that while he will not be putting a timeline as the Minister did on the growth of the industry, he is optimistic that it will soon become the leading income earner for the country with Government’s support and commitment.

taxi driver was in the wee hours of Sunday morning shot during a robbery moments after disembarking a minibus at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Anthony Johnson, 33, of Friendship Squatting Area, EBD was shot to his right thigh about 02:45h after he was confronted by two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

According to information received, the young man was returning home from work, and as he disembarked the minibus, he was accosted by the two bandits who demanded that the he hand over his money and jewellery.

Johnson reportedly put up a fight, resulting in one of the men pulling out a handgun and discharging a round, hitting him in the thigh. The young man immediately raised an alarm,

which saw residents running to his assistance. The bandits subsequently relieved him of $7000 and a wrist watch.

The two bandits made good their escape by running towards the public road through the street.

It appears as though the two bandits were monitoring the young man’s movements, but from all indications, Police thought that they were waiting on the young man.

Guyana Times understands that Johnson would normally return from work around the same time on weekends. He does not go home with his car, this publication learnt.

The men were unable to carry out the robbery, but Johnson was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted. The Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

news

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monday, june 9, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Benn silent on new Hundreds benefit from medical outreach in Linden Habour Bridge location

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The team of medical personnel at the outreach

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ver 300 residents from within the Linden community benefited from a twoday medical outreach programme on Saturday and Sunday, organised by the US Embassy Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP).

The outreach, which was headed by Dr Errol Bassoo, was conducted at the Bayroc Community Centre, Wismar.

HAP Director Ross Mahne said he was pleased with the response by residents, which were catered for in the areas of Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Opthalmology (eyes), Obstetrics (pregnancy), General Medicine and Oncology (cancer), among others.

In addition, staffers of the Linden Care Foundation (LCF) were present and conducted free Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) counselling and tests.

Pharmacists were also stationed at the site to hand out prescribed medication to patients. The HAP has been conducting similar countrywide medical outreaches in Guyana over the past years.

Mahne said patients who had their eyes tested

and are in need of glasses are also set to benefit from a future donation of a hundred pairs of glasses under the programme’s first distribution phase.

“We’re trying to help the communities, to give them

a lot of people coming in to have their eyes checked. I think it’s been a good response so far. I’m very happy.... I’m glad because we really want to just help the community,” he said.

Bayroc Community

ore than five months ago, Transport and Harbour Minister Robeson Benn had announced that plans are moving apace for the relocation of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, but a suitable location is yet to be revealed.

Initially, the feasibility study was conducted at Versailles on the West Bank, to Houston on the East Bank, with the aim of determining the possible relocation.

It was subsequently disclosed that the site at Good Hope on the East Bank and Patentia on the West Bank, might be the most suitable locations.

Recently, there has been major works done at the Good Hope location and there is presently work done at Houston, but the Ministry remains mum on the issue.

Guyana Times later understands that the clearing at Houston is actually done

by Muneshwar’s Limited to construct a container house.

After several calls by this publication to subject Minister Robeson Benn went unanswered, his Public Relations Officer Aneka Edwards confirmed that the Minister is not yet ready to release any new information about the relocation.

Another issue with respect to the Demerara Harbour Bridge is funding, but it was stated that a

The Demerara Harbour Bridge

Public Private Partnership for the construction of the new bridge was being explored.

It was said that all arrangements of the reconstruction of the bridge will be handled by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and not the Public Works Ministry.

On this note, it was reported that the administration was in possession of a number of proposals for the construction of the new bridge and that these will be vetted in order to identify which is the best one to proceed with.

It was further reported that NICIL would have received 22 proposals for the construction of the new bridge, mostly consisted of Chinese and Indian companies.

However, the new bridge will be made of reinforced

concrete, have four lanes (some 20 metres wide) for vehicular traffic, a walkway for pedestrians, a cycle lane, navigational clearance (100 metres wide), navigational aids, and an estimated length of 2250 metres.

Meanwhile, it was reported that it will be more economical to move the bridge to a location where it is useful, rather than leaving it at its present location.

Hence, a freshwater environment was touted as the perfect habitat in which to relocate the current Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB). This was according to the Public Works Minister, who also suggested that the Kurupukari Crossing on the Upper Essequibo River is a likely candidate.

Other locations are still being considered and the process to an agreement is expected to last a few years.

Govt negotiating with Middle East airline Medical personnel consulting with a patient at the outreach

a hand up, that’s what our real focus is....We are targeting the entire country, we’re going to keep up the pace so that we can help all communities across Guyana. We had a lot of children come in and the Opthalmology area was very popular. There were

Residents at the medical outreach

Centre Secretary Wanda Richmond said the centre has also benefited from a building extension through the kind gesture of the HAP. Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon said the medical outreach formed part of a health programme, which is being promoted by the US Embassy.

“We have in fact been looking at cases where persons are becoming more ill due to non-communicable diseases, but we have been given an opportunity, through the American Embassy, which we have a very good relationship, to continue to promote health and education,” he noted.

Areas such as Corriverton, Kwakwani and Mabaruma have also benefited from similar outreach programmes.

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n the last few months, Guyana has managed to secure three airlines which will begin operations here soon; however, there seems to be negotiations in the pipeline for yet another airline.

This is according to Foreign Affairs Minster Carolyn Rodgrigues-Birkett, who did not reveal much detail about the airline, or the negotiations, but hinted that it is an airline from the Middle-East.

Only last Friday, a USregistered airline, Dynamic Airways, officially launched its services as it gears up to commence operations in Guyana on June 26.

The airline will be offering non-stop flights from Guyana to New York at an introductory price of US$565 and US$499 from New York to Guyana.

The flights will be four days a week; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and passengers will be allowed to carry two pieces of luggage at 55 pounds each, along with a carry-

on of 25 pounds. Dynamic Airways will be partnering with local airline, Roraima Airways, to provide its services to Guyanese.

Also partnering with Roraima, is another airline, Insel Air, which will commence operations in Guyana on June 18. The Curacaobased airline had announced its services from Guyana in April last. It will be operating flights to Miami and other destinations from Aruba and Curacao – its two main hubs.

The introductory fares for these routes is US$270 per roundtrip flight, which will in-transit at Aruba from Curacao, while the straight flight to Miami from Curacao will be US$345, tax inclusive on both prices.

Baggage allowances are 23 kilos per suitcase, 10 kilos for a carry-on and a fee of US$40 for any extra luggage that has a weight of 10 kilos.

Insel Air will also be offering a pre-clearance service with the US Customs and Immigration in Aruba, allowing passengers to clear customs in the Dutch coun-

try after which they will be flown to the US on a domestic flight and do not have to go through the tedious process there.

Then there is Copa Airline, which had announced its arrival in the local market in January and will commence flights from Guyana to Panama on July 11, twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The flight will stop at Panama then to the various Copa destinations, which includes several US cities; Toronto, Canada; and Mexico. Copa Airlines will also be flying to several destinations across the Caribbean and South America.

With the commencement of operations of these airlines, and maybe more to come, established carriers operating in Guyana such as Caribbean Airline will face “stiff” competitions regarding the fares, given that it had raised the prices of tickets after major carrier, Delta Airlines had stop operations in Guyana.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 9, 2014

Regional

Venezuela sacrifices to pay debt

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enezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is using the nation’s dwindling supply of dollars to pay off bondholders, as the country’s arrears to importers reach a record US$25 billion.

Venezuela, which imports just about everything, and its state oil producer have paid US$2.8 billion in interest to overseas creditors this year, according to Barclays Plc. Including debt principal, bondholder outlays will balloon to almost US$10 billion by year-end, the London-based firm estimates.

By putting off the local companies responsible for supplying everything from diapers to cancer medications, Maduro can preserve access to debt markets and protect oil shipments that would be vulnerable

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

to bondholder seizure, said Alejandro Arreaza, an analyst at Barclays. Even if that means fanning the world’s fastest inflation and inflaming protests over shortages that have left at least 42 people dead since February.

Two PSs take off in TT T

wo permanent secretaries have gone Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).

The Sunday Guardian has learned that Sport PS Ashwin Creed and Tourism PS Juliana Johan-Boodram have both left their ministries without following proper communication protocol and, as such, no one has been put in place to act on their behalf. The lack of communication means that there are no accounting officers on the job, leaving the ministries rudderless.

It also means that no payments can be authorised or approved.

The Sunday Guardian was informed that both Creed and Johan-Boodram could face disciplinary action from the Public Service Commission (PSC) for leaving the country without

proper authorisation. Creed has been absent from his job for almost a month. He was expected back on the job on May 26, as his authorised leave ended on May 23. Johan-Boodram, meanwhile, left the country to go to Argentina to watch the football match between TT and Argentina.

Up until the time the photographs of her surfaced on June 5, head of the Public Service/PS to the Prime Minister Reynold Cooper was unaware she was away from the job. Cooper was also in the dark as to whether Creed was back on the job or not. The Sunday Guardian checked with staff at the Ministry of Sport and was informed that Creed had not been back at his office for some time, and they were unsure when he would be returning. (Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

“The Government’s priority is to pay the sovereign debt,” Alejandro Arreaza, an analyst at Barclays Plc, said in a telephone interview from New York.

Venezuela’s dollar-denominated notes have re-

turned 13.2 per cent this year, 1.7 times the eight per cent return seen in emerging markets this year tracked

by JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s EMBIG Diversified Index.

Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez kept up payments to bondholders, allowing them to reap returns of 692 per cent during his 14year tenure.

Yields on the securities have fallen 3.1 percentage points to 12 per cent since anti-government protests broke out in Caracas on February 12.

The country’s debt to private companies rose nine per cent to US$25 billion in the first quarter, said Asdrubal Oliveros, director of Caracas-based Ecoanalitica. The amount now exceeds the country’s US$22.5 billion of foreign reserves. (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

US defeat on Cuba Issue stresses OAS Assembly

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he overwhelming defeat of a United States motion to exclude Cuba from the 2015 Summit of the Americas within the Organisation of American States (OAS) Assembly that concluded in Asunción, Paraguay last week was the most outstanding element at the summit for the politically-battered Organisation.

In fact, it might be said with all seriousness that the regional group, which is now engaged in major efforts to revitalise itself, had not expected the difficulties it would confront in Paraguay.

The first was a raucous discussion on Thursday over the simple fact that Brazil had introduced a resolution condemning all forms of discrimination based on gender, skin colour, economic status, or sexual preference.

The latter generated a series of homophobic expressions in the Congress, with a backdrop of demonstrations promoted by the Catholic Church that claimed the measure was an attempt to make abortion and gay marriage official, and that those sponsoring the measure even planned to enforce it through Police repression.

Finally, despite the undesirable disturbance that unfolded, the proposition was approved with some votes expressing reservations, among them those of Paraguay and the United States.

But later, the moment arrived to discuss the next Summit of the Americas scheduled for 2015 in Panama, where Washington wants to continue to exclude Cuba. (Excerpt from Prensa Latina)

São Paulo metro strike to continue

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etro workers in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Pãulo, have voted to remain on strike for an indefinite period despite an earlier ruling by a labour court calling on them to return to work.

The court said that the unions had abused their powers.

With most metro stations closed since Thursday, Sao Pãulo has experienced horrendous traffic jams. The dispute comes as the city prepares to host the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday.

Metro workers are demanding a pay rise of 12.2

The strike affected millions of people and created traffic chaos in São Paulo

per cent; the state owned company has offered 8.7 per cent.

The court in São Paulo said that the metro company had acted “in good faith”.

It also ruled that the workers broke strike rules

by not providing a minimum level of service.

At least 70 per cent of trains should have been running during the day, and 100 per cent during the morning and evening rush hours.

It ruled that the metro unions will have to pay 100,000 reais per day (US$45,000) for the first four days of strike and 500,000 reais (US$220,000) per day from today.

Hours later, the unions held a ballot and decided to carry on with the strike. Union members vote for strike in Sao Pãulo “Transport is not a commodity”: Union leaders have voted to go into strike for a fifth day The two unions negotiating with the company says that the strike will be called off if their demand is met.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica: Protest as cabbies charged for displaying dead colleague’s photo

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hree taxi operators were charged in Mandeville for displaying photographs of a dead colleague on their windshields.

Forty-nine-year-old taxi operator Rupert Taylor, better known as “Cat”, was stabbed to death at his home in Belretiro, Manchester, last Monday.

His fellow cabbies, mourning his loss, were reportedly charged J$2500 by the Police for having his photograph on their vehicles. The Police contended that displaying the pictures breached the Road Traffic Act. However, the incident sparked a protest by disgruntled taxi men, relatives of the deceased and other concerned people.

Among the protesters, was the dead man’s sister, Elaine Taylor, who declared that she was at a loss as to why taxi operators were

charged given that it was common practice for motorists to display photos on their vehicles.

“Everybody else picture guh on the cars and they don’t tear it off. As fi ‘Cat’ go on it, dem tearing it off (and charging taxi men).

Other people deh pon it til dem bury... It nuh right,” she said.

On the scene of the protest, which occurred in the vicinity of Willogate, the Jamaica Observer was told by a Police Officer that the taxi operators were charged as it was illegal for “PPV” (Public Passenger Vehicles) to have posters on the windshields, windows or the rear glass.

However, one taxi man said that he was not aware that he was breaking the law under such circumstances. He said he would not display pictures or posters on his vehicle again. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Colombian Govt and FARC rebels to set up truth commission

FARC leader Ivan Marquez spoke at a ceremony last month marking the 50th anniversary of the group

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he Colombian Government and the FARC rebel group have agreed to set up a truth commission to investigate the deaths of thousands of people in five decades of conflict.

They have agreed to hear the demands of victims, who will travel to Cuba, where the peace talks are taking place.

The announcement is being seen as a significant step towards peace. Some 220,000 people, many of them civilians, are estimated to have died in the conflict.

“The rights of the victims are non-negotiable,” says a statement released in Havana.

The document lays out 10 points that will be the basis for discussions in the next round of talks, focusing on the victims of the conflict.

It says that the “victims

must be recognised not only in their position as victims, but as citizens with rights”.

The “victims of human rights abuses” have the right to the truth, justice, compensation and the guarantee that such violations will never happen again, says the document.

Victims of the conflict and their relatives will go to Havana, apparently in the near future, to share their experiences.

The acknowledgment by the guerrillas that there were victims in the conflict has been seen in Colombia as a historic statement, says the BBC’s Arturo Wallace in Bogota.

The left-wing rebels and the Government have so far rejected allegations of human rights abuses and blamed each other for the deaths and the displacement of at least three million people. (Excerpt from BBC News)

15 Around the world monday, june 9, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Gunmen attack China’s trade surplus rises Karachi’s Jinnah to US$36B in May International Airport

China’s latest trade data adds to recent concerns of a slowdown

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H

Thick smoke could be seen above the airport

eavily armed gunmen have attacked Karachi international airport in Pakistan, killing at least nine people.

Hospital sources say three of the gunmen who attacked Jinnah International Airport’s old terminal have also been killed.

Security personnel have sealed off the airport and army commandos have been called in, with gunfire continuing.

All operations at the terminal have been suspended and all flights to the airport are being diverted. Staff members are being evac-

uated. At least 14 people have been wounded.

The dead terminal staff were said to be mostly security guards from the Airport Security Force (ASF) but also airline workers.

Dawn News said the gunmen had infiltrated from the Fokker Gate area.

Some reports said they had cut through a barbed wire fence. There is no indication yet who is carrying out the attack.

An ASF spokesman told Agence France-Presse that the gunmen had reached the runway and that a “gun battle is continu-

ing between terrorists and [armed] forces”.

An AFP reporter saw used gun magazines littering the engineering section where the first exchange took place and said that the previously heavy gunfire was now more sporadic.

However, the reporter later heard two huge blasts at the airport. Dawn reported that some attackers had managed to get inside a plane.

Hammad, a diplomat staying near the airport, told the BBC he had gone on to his rooftop and could see a plane on fire in the airport. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sisi promises to defeat ‘terrorism’ in Egypt

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bdel Fattah el-Sisi has used his first speech as Egypt’s President to promise to “defeat terrorism”, saying that security is a priority and that he has no time for reconciliation with opponents.

Hours after his inauguration on Sunday, the former Army General said there would be a new era for all except those who “turn to crimes and violence”.

“Defeating terrorism and achieving security is the top priority,” said Sisi, adding there would be “no leniency and truce with those who resort to vio-

lence”.

“I am looking to a new era built on reconciliation and tolerance ... except with those who committed crimes or used violence as a tool,” he said.

“I am saying clearly that those who shed the blood of the innocent and killed ... the sons of Egypt, they don’t have a place.”

Sisi rose to power after deposing the Brotherhoodbacked Mohamed Morsi from the presidency last year on a wave of popular protest. The Brotherhood has since been designated a “terrorist organisation” by

authorities.

Fawaz Gerges, a Professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, told Al Jazeera that the speech was clear in intent – Sisi would not entertain dissent.

“He started his speech by saying that he was the President of all Egyptians but he made it clear that there would be no reconciliation with groups who opposed him,” he said.

“He sent a message to the Muslim Brotherhood that he did not believe in reconciliation.” (Excerpt from Al

U

on Saturday conveyed the feeling that a line had been drawn under six months of unprecedented and bloody upheaval which toppled his predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych.

But behind the euphoria that Ukraine might now, at last, start to “Live in a new way”, as Poroshenko’s campaign slogan has promised, lies the reality of

the General Administration of Customs said.

The figures will add to recent concern about the state of the Chinese economy.

It has shown signs of weakness amid poor data from the manufacturing and retail sectors.

The country’s Commerce Ministry had hoped the trade picture would pick up in May. Some experts believe the weak trade figures are partly due to an unnatural com-

seething separatism in the east in which Ukraine sees Moscow’s hand, and Russia’s opposition to his plans to lead Ukraine into mainstream Europe.

Poroshenko’s blunt refusal to accept the loss of Crimea in a combative inaugural speech puts him further at odds with Putin.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

from BBC News)

Indian students swept away by water in Himachal Pradesh

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ome 24 students from a college in Hyderabad have been swept away by a sudden surge of water in Himachal Pradesh, officials say.

A search is on for the missing students following the surge of the Beas River in the Kullu valley. One state official said the surge was a result of water being released from an upstream

dam.

The students had reportedly left a bus to take photographs when the surge occurred.

The incident took place some 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the state capital, Shimla, as the students were travelling to the popular tourist resort of Manali.

The BBC’s Baldev Chauhan in Shimla says an-

gry locals and tourists have blocked traffic on the busy road, asking why there was no warning before the dam released the water.

Himachal Transport Minister G S Bali said: “Rescue teams are looking downstream for the missing in the dark. They are engineering students of the VNR college, Hyderabad. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Pope and Middle East leaders pray for peace

Jazeera)

Ukraine’s Poroshenko plans new team to take on Putin, build ties with West kraine’s newly-installed President Petro Poroshenko is set to remake a governing team which will handle the crisis with Russia, with talks on gas prices today providing an early test of his new relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Poroshenko’s swearingin as President at a pompfilled, but relaxed, ceremony

hina’s exports grew in May, but a drop in imports signalled a possible weakening of demand in the world’s secondlargest economy.

The country’s exports rose by seven per cent in May compared with 12 months before. But imports fell by 1.6 per cent on a year earlier.

It meant the nation’s trade surplus widened sharply to US$35.9 billion, from April’s US$18.5 billion,

parison with last year, when there was a glut of fake invoicing of exports as a way of getting around impending currency restrictions.

There has been a crackdown on such activities since May 2013.

“The data shows that the country’s exports growth has returned to a normal level and will continue to improve,” Customs Office Spokesman Zheng Yuesheng told state television.

Exports to the US were up by 6.3 per cent in May, down from a rise of 12 per cent in April. Shipments to the EU rose by 13.4 per cent, down from an increase of 15.1 per cent the previous month.

The Chinese Government is aiming for total trade to grow 7.5 per cent this year.

Last year, trade grew by 7.6 per cent, below the official target of eight per cent. (Excerpt

All three leaders called for dialogue

P

ope Francis has told the Israeli and Palestinian presidents that they “must respond” to their people’s yearning for peace in the Middle East and find “the strength to persevere in undaunted dialogue”.

The Pope made his appeal on Sunday to Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas during a prayer meeting among Jews, Christians, and Muslims

at the Vatican.

“Peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than warfare,” he said.

“Instil in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.”

Abbas said he asked God to “bring comprehensive and just peace to our country and region so that our people and the peoples of the Middle East and the whole world would enjoy the fruit of peace, stability

and coexistence”.

Peres said: “It is within our power to bring peace to our children. This is our duty, the holy mission of parents.”

Francis said he hoped the prayer meeting would mark “a new journey” toward peace in the Middle East.

The session, in the Vatican gardens, marked the first time the two presidents have met in public in more than a year.

The meeting was arranged on the second day of Francis’ visit to the Holy Land last month, where he called for Palestinians and Israelis to work together, saying a breakdown in talks was “unacceptable”.

The prayers from the world’s three main monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, focus on three themes: “creation”, “invocation for forgiveness” and “invocation for peace.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 news

monday, june 9, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

City Hall’s restoration to start this year

Ramotar, Ramsammy meet Mahaicony Creek residents to address farmers’ issues

– Watch Day Forum hears

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

T

hrough the efforts of the National Trust of Guyana, City Hall has been successfully selected for listing on its 2014-2016 World Monuments Watch List as a site at risk globally.

This enlistment aims to raise awareness at both international and global levels in an effort to promote and possibly aid in the safeguarding and long-term survival of this unique wooden historic structure.

The National Trust of Guyana, under the auspices of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, with support from the World Monument Fund (WMF), held a Watch Day Forum last week aimed at raising awareness of City Hall for protection and promotion of this historic building.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the WMF is a private, international, non-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention of historic architecture and cultural sites around the world through fieldwork, advocacy, grant marking and education.

The prestigious list offers recognition of the world’s most endangered sites. WMF will aid in its promotion as much as possible through international linkages and public awareness, through various mediums. Guyana is expected to raise local awareness among its stakeholders to ensure restoration of this site during and beyond the two-year listing period.

Speaking at the event which was held at the Umana Yana, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated that he was pleased that City Hall was selected out of the 248 applications which were submitted to WMF. This is the first

such listing for Guyana on this list.

Minister Anthony noted that City Hall was not even supposed to be selected, noting that this historic site should have been maintained. However, the site will be known globally, and will eventually have a positive effect on Guyana’s Tourism Sector.

Minister Anthony further noted that if this historic site disappears, it will be not only Guyana losing a valuable monument, but the entire world.

This year would mark 125 years since City Hall came into existence and over the years, this building would have provided a number of services to the people of the city and the country. Minister Anthony explained that the building had deteriorated, and last year, the TVA consultants came to Guyana and did a report, and from that report, a number of recommendations were made as it pertains to saving the building.

In this regard, this year Government announced its intention to invest $200 million to start the restoration work on the build-

before a gathering of 400 influential people, the new offices of the Council were declared open.

Guest lecturer Lennox Hernandez, who gave an overview of the rich history and architect of City Hall, including benefits of its preservation, said that a determined effort to restore the building should be made as it is part of Guyana’s heritage.

He said that greater emphasis needs to be placed on the protection and maintenance of the country’s historic site and a national commitment is the key to doing so.

The architecture of City Hall is of the Gothic Revival style with features of the British Victorian era. It shows expert craftsmanship in the manipulation of wood, including the decorative use of iron at verandas and stairways.

Its architecture distinguishes it from all others in the country and regional neighbours. Historically, it is a source of 125 years of heritage and is at present being used as the office to carry out the duties of Mayor and City Council.

City Hall has been successfully selected for listing on its 20142016 World Monuments Watch List as a site at risk globally

ing. The National Trust will be spearheading the restoration of the building and Minister Anthony urged stakeholders to lend their support to the organisation in order to ensure this historic site is safeguarded.

City Hall was designed

by Father Ignatius Scholes.

He was born in London and was elected an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1856.

On December 23, 1887, under a tent, Governor, Sir Henry Turner Irving laid the foundation stone for City Hall. A mere 18 months later on July 1, 1889, under heavy rainfall

Head of State President Donald Ramotar addresses the Agriculture Community Meeting at the Karamat Primary School, Mora Point, Mahaicony River

H

ead of State, President Donald Ramotar and Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Sunday met with residents of Mora Point, Mahaicony Creek.

The meeting, which was held at Karamat Primary School, Mora Point, was well attended by residents and rice farmers. During the meeting the President spoke of the need for a cheap and reliable energy supply for millers, and for value-added products.

“Cheap energy can add value to products. We need cheap energy if we are going to be competitive in the rice industry.” While not narrowing the need for cheap energy to the rice industry, the President said cheap energy will do well for any country’s economy, as it will attract investments.

The administration over the years has been doing its best to subsidise the cost of electricity, more so for those in the manufacturing sector, but their efforts have been frustrated. The President however noted that the Government would remain committed to making the Amaila Falls Hydro Project a reality.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy told the farmers that the Ministry will be looking into a number of issues which have been affect-

ing the farming community in that region. High on the agenda for the Ministry, Dr Ramsammy said, is eliminating the issue of late payments to farmers from the millers.

The Minister promised that the issue would be addressed forthwith as he is scheduled to meet with millers and bankers today with the aim of working out a better system for timely payments. He however, lauded the combined efforts of rice farmers in Region Five, as they have contributed to making history in the rice industry.

According to Dr Ramsammy for the first crop of 2014, Guyana produced a total of 313,000 tonnes of rice. Region Five in recent years has been a star performer in the rice industry.

The Minister also spoke of efforts by the administration to make the rice industry more viable. Dr Ramsammy said not only has the administration been able to find new markets for Guyana’s rice, but it is working for the right price for the product as that is equally important.

The residents were told of plans for a recreational centre at Mora Point. The Guyana Rice Development Board and the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agriculture Development Authority, will undertake this project. In addition, the President and his team vis-

ited ongoing works at a several pump stations in the region. The team visited the Mora Point pump station, and the Jagdeo and Hyde Park canals. At Jagdeo Canal, a bridge is currently being built and when this is completed, one will be built across the Hyde Park canal.

The Agriculture Minister explained that currently, works are being done on an access road which will go past Gordon Table. The Minister said the road is needed, both on the right and left banks of the Mahaicony River. The team also visited the Paradise Pump Station and the President and the Minister expressed their satisfaction that the works are being done in keeping with the contract.

This pump will assist with drainage in surrounding communities, and will drain into the Atlantic Ocean, just as the Hope Canal when it’s completed. The Paradise pump is larger than the Kitty and Liliendaal pumps, and as such has a greater capacity.

Further, the Minister said the pump for the Paradise Station is currently at a location Strathspey, East Coast Demerara, Public Road as it has been moved from its original storage location because of work that is in progress at the pump station site. The team also checked on the works at the pump station at Pine Ground. (GINA)

IDB opens exhibition on economies, arts

T

he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will today open an exhibition “FLOW: Economies of the Look and Creativity in Contemporary Art from the Caribbean”.

This exhibit will be open to the public from June 9 to August 29, at the IDB Cultural Centre Art Gallery in Washington, DC. The exhibition displays works by 27 artists from various countries including Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica,

Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname represented in the IDB’s Art Collection as well as art loaned to the exhibition by private collectors, art galleries, and from the artists themselves.

The exhibit was curated by art historians Elvis Fuentes (former curator of Museo del Barrio in New York) and Meyken Barreto.

The exhibition explores the way in which creative popular expressions, often dismissed as minor arts, are employed by Caribbean artists to critically comment on

today’s image-driven cultures.

For the curators, the term “FLOW” highlights one of the most important trends in the Caribbean’s contemporary visual culture: the appropriation of elements of popular culture in relation to the economies of “the look”, which foster concepts of embellishment and image-making throughout the region and its Diaspora.

Changes in the global economy have significantly impacted the Caribbean in recent years, and Caribbean artists have been affected

by these dramatic economic and social trends.

FLOW offers a visual review of the dynamic stages of the creative economy (popularly known as the “Orange Economy”) — in terms of entertainment, fashion, beauty pageants, body modifications and cosmetic surgery, as well as in related industries, such as professional sports and music.

The Caribbean’s aesthetic diversity is reflected in the works of the region’s most outstanding contemporary artists, many of which are presented in this unique exhibition.

news

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monday, JUNE 9, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Completion of Forensic Lab “not too far W from now” – Rohee

Wilderness Explorers celebrates 20th Anniversary

H

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, said the Forensic Laboratory project will soon be completed, three years after the contract was signed for the facility to be constructed.

When asked by the Guyana Times for an update on the completion of the laboratory, the Home Affairs Minister said that it is “not too far from now”.

He noted that he could not give a specific date as they are still some “small technical work to be done” and he could not say how long it would take.

The commissioning of the $840 million laboratory was scheduled to be completed 12 months after the contract was signed in April 2011. However, it has been pushed back and delayed on several occasions. A new deadline was set in April 2013, one year after its initial deadline.

That new date for completion could not be met, since the contractor, Courtney Benn Contracting Services, had experienced some setbacks. Following this, there were several additional deadlines including four thus far for the year. One was in February; however, that deadline also could not have been met. Neither was the second in April, which was announced by Minister Rohee

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

during his presentation in the 2014 Budget Debate.

The Home Affairs Minister had stated that due to several technical delays, the laboratory was unable to be completed by late last year as was set.

Then when that timeline was not met, one was given in May but again it was not achieved, as such, what was supposed to be an ultimate deadline for the completion of the laboratory, a date of June 17 was given. From all indications, it seems highly unlikely that this would be achieved.

The equipment and furnishing for the building, which is located in the University of Guyana’s compound at Turkeyen, has been already procured and installed. In December

2012, a US$ 1.6 million contract was signed between the Home Affairs Ministry and Western Scientific Company for the supply of scientific equipment for the state-of-theart Police forensic laboratory.

Meanwhile, a Director has also been identified and several positions have been filled. Rohee had stated that a few months back that at least 31 applications had been received for the various positions, but only 21 positions were available and an interview panel was set up to select the best possible candidates. “The interview panel was set up because the competition is high [and] because we have received 31 applications and only have 21 positions available…,” the Minister had said.

The $840 million laboratory is a project under the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), initiated by the government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

This programme has three components: institutional modernisation of the Home Affairs Ministry, Community Action Component Plan, and modernisation of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which includes strengthening of its forensic capability.

ilderness Explorers Guyana Inc on Friday evening celebrated its 20th anniversary with a cocktail reception at Cara Lodge.

Present at the event were President Donald Ramotar; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and his wife Yvonne; acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali, former Tourism and Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir; Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Kit Nascimento and Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes, along with members of the diplomatic community and other members of the Tourism Sector.

Wilderness Explorers Managing Director Tony Thorne disclosed that when he arrived here 20 years ago, the country did not have as much potential as it does now and it was a struggle. He reflected, however, that despite the many challenges he faced and the many sacrifices he had had to make, the company is now thriving and it was indeed a pleasure to celebrate 20 years.

Delivering the first address of the evening, the THAG President congratulated Thorne on accomplishing 20 years in business, while noting that there was much more that can be done for the industry if the sector can receive support from the Government.

“Having established the fact that the private sector took risks to invest in the country, we look now to the Government to embrace those risks, to embrace that initiative, to embrace those risks by the private sector and to partner with us to

Wilderness Explorers Managing Director Tony Thorne sharing the limelight with President Donald Ramotar

put Guyana on the map,” Nascimento implored.

Tax incentives

However, Minister Ali, who delivered his address immediately after Nascimento, related that the Ministry and Government of Guyana have recognised the importance of tourism to the development of the country, and, as such, they will be assiduously working with the investors so that the challenges facing the industry can be tackled.

He related that coming out of discussions was the granting of tax incentives to tourism operators – an announcement which was greeted with loud applause.

Ali stated that as Minister of Tourism, he is working to ensure that the sector can soon become the country’s leading Gross Domestic Product contributor.

“I have promised the

President that within three years, the Tourism Sector in Guyana will become one to be reckoned with. We want it to become the leading revenue earner in Guyana,” Ali said.

In brief remarks, President Donald Ramotar related that he was exceptionally pleased to see that a tourism entity celebrating 20 years in Guyana.

He assured the operators and investors present that his Administration is willing to work with them at any time to ensure their challenges are minimised, so that the country can benefit and while he will not be as bold as to provide a timeline, the Tourism Sectorwill so become the country’s leading earner.

Meanwhile, all of the Wilderness Explorers staff were honoured with plaques and certificates for their dedication and years of service to the company.

OAS ends General Assembly with pledge to fight poverty

M

ember countries of the Organisation of American States (OAS) have pledged “their efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, in particular extreme poverty, combating inequity, inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion, and increasing equitable access to health services, as well as to quality and inclusive education” in the Americas.

The “Declaration of Asunción: Development with Social Inclusion” was approved unanimously by the member states at end of the 44th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly held in Paraguay. The Assembly called on governments to “strengthen the capacity of the countries to withstand external shocks so that the progress made in the region in terms of eliminating hunger and poverty, especially extreme poverty, is sustainable”.

The final declaration of the Assembly session also encourages the OAS

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza

General Secretariat to incorporate, as appropriate, the results of the post-2015 development agenda in its programmes, projects, and activities. The text also recognises that “social inclusion, equality of opportunity, equity and social justice are critical to democracy”.

Meanwhile, the General Assembly adopted by acclamation a “Declaration on the Question of the Malvinas Islands”, on a

proposal by Argentina, which reiterates the need for the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume, as soon as possible, negotiations on the dispute over sovereignty, so as to find a peaceful solution to this prolonged controversy. In the resolution, the General Assembly decides “to continue to examine the question of the Malvinas Islands at its subsequent sessions until a definitive settlement has been reached thereon”.

Argentine Foreign Relations, International Commerce and Worship Minister, Héctor Timerman, recalled that back in 1948, at the first OAS meeting, Foreign Minister Juan Gramuglia requested the Hemisphere’s support for the cause of the Malvinas.

“Gramuglia spoke of the loyalty and solidarity of the Latin American countries.

He also spoke of the need to place the law above the

Argentine Foreign Relations Minister Héctor Timerman

use of force. What today is the OAS was the first international forum to express solidarity with Argentina over the colonialist outrage of which we were and are victims,” said Minister Timerman.

After the voting, the Argentine Foreign Minister thanked the OAS member countries for their support, saying “they have answered us once more, as in 1948, with solidarity and loyalty”. For his part, OAS Secretary General José

Miguel Insulza emphasised that, for decades, the hemispheric institution has been appealing for a resumption of negotiations on the Malvinas Islands, “an appeal that is made by all the American peoples”.

The British Ambassador to Paraguay, Jeremy Hobbs, explained his Government’s position on the situation of the Malvinas Islands.

Ambassador Hobbs said: “There cannot and will not be negotiations on the sovereignty of the islands unless, and until, their residents express the wish for them.”

Minister Timerman replied: “I thank the United Kingdom for being so clear in its position, because once more it is demonstrating that it violates the resolutions of the United Nations and mocks those of us here, of the American Hemisphere, and those of us who defend the natural resources of the American Hemisphere as the property of its peoples, and who say we are not a source of nat-

ural resources for foreign powers outside the region.”

The head of the Argentine diplomatic corps added: “I ask the United Kingdom and the European Union to also allow us to go to the European Union and set out all the problems our countries have and sit at the table and have them listen to us, and we listen to the United Kingdom.”

At the fourth plenary session, elections were held for officers of organs, agencies, and entities of the institution. Elected as members of the Inter-American Juridical Committee were João Clemente Baena Soares (Brazil), re-elected; Joel Antonio Hernández García (Mexico); and Ruth Stella Correa Palacio (Colombia).

Elected to membership in the Justice Studies Centre of the Americas were Santiago Pereira Campos (Uruguay) and Pedro Bohomoletz de Abreu Dallari (Brazil), re-elected, and George Thomson (Canada).

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 9, 2014

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) A leadership position could be offered to you.

You have the ability to work under pressure, and your attributes will make you a strong candidate for advancement.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) You will face an unexpected turn of events.

Someone you trusted with your ideas and plans will disappoint you. Don’t be afraid to move forward on your own.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) A long list of chores will vanish if you implement good organizational skills. Focus on productivity first in order to make time for relaxation and celebration in the evening.

Peanuts

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

SUDOKU

You may be having a hard time staying within your budget. Confide in an older relative who can provide useful strategies for saving based on hard-won experience.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You’ll have trouble keeping your emotions under wraps. Deal with matters that you’ve been ignoring. Clear up any misunderstanding with a personal or professional partner.

CANCER (June 21July 22) Love and romance will brighten your day. If you let others see your affectionate side, you will meet someone new or improve your current romantic relationship.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Trying to get your own way by force will cause a rift with someone you have to deal with daily.

You will not gain support if you aren’t a team player.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Get together with people who have compatible goals. The resulting connections will be beneficial and could lead to prosperous joint ventures. Put together a work plan and divvy up responsibilities equally.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) The learning you’ve worked hard to acquire will now serve you well.

Draw from your experience to find solutions that will give you an edge over the competition.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Worry and stress will make it hard for you to get anything done. Let go of the past and remember what you are trying to achieve. Believe in your abilities.

Saturday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20)

SAGITTARIUS

Interviews, settlements, or investment opportunities will turn in your favor. Try using innovative methods to bring in extra cash. Take good care of your health and emotional well-being.

Your efficiency and capabilities are making a favorable impression on your colleagues. A surprising development will have a great impact on your future plans. Don’t hesitate to make a move.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

monday, June 9, 2014

International Volleyball Tourney...

Lack of indoor facilities sees Guyana return empty-handed as French Guyana wins

19

UG blow out GTI

– Saul dominates Bishops' High

Jonathan Pooran shoots a floater during his 17-point performance

By Treiston Joseph

The Guyanese team

F

rench Guiana has won the SixNation Men’s Volleyball International Tournament when they beat Suriname in the final by three sets to one (25-23, 25-18, 19-25, 2826) to cop the Ligue de Guyane de Volleyball 40th Anniversary trophy.

The Guyana senior men’s team returned home winless after participating in the tournament in Cayenne, French Guiana. The tournament, which was played at the Georges Donzenar Centre Sportif Departmental, saw Guyana being drawn with French Guiana and Brazil in Group A while Suriname, Trinidad and Martinique were in Group B. In the opening night of the tournament, the local boys went down to French Guiana three sets to nil (14-25, 18-25, 1525) and then surrendered to Brazil two night later (25-16, 25-19, 25-15).

When Brazil and French Guiana met to decide the winner of the group, the game was more competitive, with Brazil eventually getting, the nod, three sets to two ( 16-25, 25-21, 19-25, 27-25, 1512).

In Group B, Trinidad defeated Martinique three sets to one, while Martinique defeated Suriname by three sets to two and Suriname de-

feated Trinidad by three sets to two (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 32-34, 17-15).

In the semi-final match-up, Suriname, after dropping the first set, took control of the game against Brazil to win three sets to one (1725, 25-22, 27-25, 25-23), while French Guiana defeated Trinidad by a similar margin to win (24-26,21-25,25-22,2523,15-7).

In the play-off for third place, Brazil defeated Trinidad by three sets to one (25-22, 21-25, 2515, 25-15). The tournament was played between May 22 and June 1.

Valuable experience Coach of the Guyana team, Levi Nedd said the team learnt a lot from the experience. He pointed out that the Trinidad, Suriname, Brazil and Martinique teams were playing together for years and the French Guiana team was strengthened by the inclusion of four professionals from France.

This was good for Guyana in that they got to see different systems and techniques in action during the matches.

The long-serving coach said the local players are young and talented, but need exposure to get to the next level, adding that they only had two sessions as a team before

departing Guyana.

Nedd reiterated the call for indoor facilities for volleyball in Guyana. “Indoor facilities are needed for players to practise defence techniques such as skating, diving, and rolling which is very much basic in the modern game of volleyball, but none of the players from Berbice and West Demerara has such facilities available to them.”

Officials of the volleyball fraternity have recently gone public over the lack of indoor facilities for volleyball in Berbice. There are no indoor facilities for the playing of volleyball in Berbice.

President of the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA), Gregory Rambarran told this publication that the lack of such facilities is hampering the development of young talent.

He said there are many talented volleyball players in Berbice, but without indoor facilities, they will not be able to progress.

Teams from Suriname and French Guiana have refused to play on an outdoor court when in Berbice. The only indoor facilities in Guyana are in Georgetown.

Recently, the Brazilian Army announced that it is soon to provide the labour and materials for the construction of an in-

door multipurpose court at Albion. Berbice Times understands that officials from the BVA have held meetings with Director of Sport Neil Kumar to discuss the construction of the multipurpose court.

The officials also met with a high-level team from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to discuss the proposed plan.

GuySuCo will be supplying the land for the project while the Brazilian Army will fund the project. The Brazilians will only build the court on Government land. The Brazilian Army is also looking at constructing a similar court at Camp Ayanganna. Over the past 10 years, Berbice has had the top volleyball team in Guyana and has produced most of the country’s national players.

The Guyana team in French Guiana comprised: Jason Seelochan (Captain); Quacy Matheson; Creston Rodney; Luen David; Trevon McRae; Ian Bagot; Satesh Seenauth; Beepaul Bandoo; Kapildev Samaroo; Cleveland Peters; Shemroy Ross; and Yoganand Dhoray.

The officials were Coach Levi Nedd, Manager Godwyn Allicock and Referee Jadeshwar Doolchand.

Gregory Rambarran was the media personnel.

A

n evening of blowouts was the order of the day when the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) regional conference continued on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The University of Guyana (UG) has been a wrecking ball in the tournament running through each of their opponents with the Government Technical Institute (GTI) their latest victim with a 42-24 drubbing in the cross conference encounter.

UG played their typical run-and-gun style of offence as GTI could not match the energy level of the UG players.

GTI, much bigger in size, were unable to use their size advantage effectively failing to score efficiently around the basket which was their downfall, in spite of the fact that they were better on the offensive glass.

Jonathan had a game high 17 points, while Lashawn Hooper posted 12 points to lead the team dubbed the “Trojans” to the dominant win.

Plaisance Academy trampled all over Charlestown Secondary with a 59-19 routing in another cross conference match-up of the evening.

Charlestown simply could score the basketball which is the main objective of the sport, as they coughed up the rock a number of times that led to easy fast break opportunities for Plaisance.

Andrew Johnson was the high point man with 14

points while Kelvin Yorrick was a nightmare on defence picking up seven steals to go along with 11 points.

Bishops' High School took apart Brickdam Secondary in another blowout game that ended 49-28.

Marvin Durant was phenomenal once again with a game high 19 points.

Meanwhile, St Roses High defeated President’s College 48-44 in a close encounter that was dominated by Nathan Saul of St Roses.

Saul played like a man possessed on the offensive end of the court, scoring a tournament high 29 points thus far.

Shaquiille Adonis had a team high 14 points while Flexton Campbell had 13 in the the losing effort.

In the Corentyne conference, JC Chandisingh remained undefeated with a 40-22 blowout victory over Lower Corentyne.

Kelvin Deolall was the high-point man with 14 points, while Simeon Fraser had 11 points in the win. Kevon Wiggins had 12 points for Lower Corentyne.

In the Under-16 Category, Marian Academy blew away Bishops’ High School for a 34-21 win as Judah Stephney led all scorers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Timothy Thompson had a doubledouble of 12 points and 11 rebounds for Bishop’s.

The Under-14 Category saw Bishops’ High School defeating St. Roses High 15-11 to cap of the day’s schedule for the YBG conference games.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, JUNE 9, 2014

Bolt not ready to compete

S

Usain Bolt

ix-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has delayed his return to competition after falling behind in training because of a foot injury.

The world record holder has withdrawn from this month’s Ostrava Golden Spike and Paris Diamond League meetings.

Bolt, 27, said he was “100% healthy” and back in

full training after missing sessions in late March and early April.

But added: “Unfortunately due to the training that I missed I’m behind where I normally am at this time of year.”

The 100m in the Czech Republic town of Ostrava on 17 June would have been the Jamaican’s first race of the year. He had also received

top billing for the 100m in Paris on 5 July.

“I hope to be back in competition soon, but how soon will depend on my training in the next few weeks,” said the double world and Olympic champion.

“It is important for me to take my time this year as I have three tough years ahead in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as I attempt to defend my world and Olympic titles.

Usain is the current 100m and 200m world record holder after smashing both records at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009 “I definitely plan to compete this season and will continue to work hard with my coach who I have the utmost confidence in to get me fit and ready to compete.”

Bolt has yet to confirm whether he will compete in this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (BBC Sport)

Cameroon bound for WC after dispute settlement

C

ameroon’s players are finally on their way to the World Cup after initially refusing to board a flight to Brazil because of a dispute over bonuses.

The squad, including former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o, refused to fly to South America on Sunday morning.

But they eventually agreed a financial package with the nation’s football federation after an emergency meeting.

The squad will take off from Yaounde at 21:30 BST, 12 hours late, and should arrive in Brazil on Sunday

Samuel Eto’o

Ricciardo wins thrilling Canadian Grand prix

Ninth French open title for Nadal

Rafael Nadal celebrates

R

afael Nadal saw off the threat of Novak Djokovic for another year to win his ninth French Open title and a record fifth in succession.

The Spaniard, 28, coped better in hot conditions as he won 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4 in three hours and 31 minutes.

Nadal is the first man ever to win a major title nine times, taking his Grand Slam total to 14.

The victory also means he will remain world number one ahead of Djokovic.

“In matches like this every moment is crucial.

Playing against Novak is always a big challenge, I had lost against him the last four times,” Nadal said on court.

“I feel sorry for him today, he deserves to win this tournament.”

It is the third year in a row that Nadal has ended Djokovic’s hopes of winning the one Grand Slam title he lacks, with the Serb in particular struggling on a

stifling Parisian afternoon and ending with a double fault on match point.

“Congratulations to Rafa and his team, it is incredible to win this tournament nine times,” Djokovic said.

“It was an emotional day. I have tried with all my power, my strength, my capacities but Rafa was the strongest on court.”

Nadal extended his incredible run at Roland Garros to 66 wins and just one defeat in the last 10 years.

That record looked under threat when he dropped the first set as his usually fearsome forehand let him down, five errors handing Djokovic the initiative.

Both men were having to work hard in temperatures of around 27C, and Djokovic was the first to ask for iced towels to wrap around his neck at the changeovers.

Nadal finally made his move when he broke for 4-2, only to lose his advantage straight away as the nervous errors returned in the

following game.

Djokovic had won their last four matches but taking on Nadal in a five-set contest on Court Philippe Chatrier is a very different kind of test.

The 27-year-old Serb faltered badly with a tie-break in sight, offering up a double fault and a forehand error before Nadal smacked a forehand winner to level the score.

It was a huge blow to Djokovic’s hopes and he faded further in the third set.

After dumping a straightforward volley in the net to lose serve in game two, the second seed took some tablets at a changeover in an attempt to improve his condition.

Nadal scented victory once again, breaking twice on his way to the set and leaving Djokovic to stare in disbelief at coach Boris Becker in the stands after one error.

Another poor volley and a wild backhand into the tramlines saw Djokovic fall 4-2 down in the fourth, but Nadal was now having his own issues, bending over apparently in some discomfort and badly mistiming a smash to give the break straight back.

With cloud cover giving Djokovic some respite from the sun, he was showing signs of launching a renewed assault only to falter with his opponent under pressure.

A terrific backhand pass helped Nadal to match point and Djokovic, disrupted by a call from the crowd, fired his second serve long to leave the Spaniard on his knees in his familiar celebratory pose. (BBC Sport)

evening.

Team coach Volker Finke had said players were complaining that the £61,000 they were due to be paid for figuring in the World Cup was not enough.

After agreeing an end to the row, Cameroon Football Federation president Joseph Owona said: “Everything has been resolved.

“We have opted for transparency. There is no problem and I think the team needs to be mobilised for all to look in one direction.”

Cameroon are in Group A with the hosts, Croatia and Mexico. (BBC Sport)

Daniel Ricciardo crosses the line to take the Canadian Grand prix.

R

ed Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo passed Nico Rosberg’s crippled Mercedes with two laps to go to win a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix.

Rosberg held on to take second ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, helped by a last-lap safety car following a crash between Sergio Perez and Felipe Massa.

Rosberg’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton retired with a brake failure and is now 22 points behind in the championship.

McLaren’s Jenson Button stunningly took fourth with late charge.

The Englishman passed Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso on the penultimate lap.

It was a sensational end to a race that was full of incident and tension, as Mercedes’ early season domination of Formula 1 came to an end in the most remarkable of circumstances.

The first part of the race ran to form, with Rosberg narrowly ahead of Hamilton as the two Mercedes drove off into a race of their own.

Rosberg held on through the first pit stops but was quickly closed down by

Hamilton thereafter.

Both Felipe Massa (pictured) and Sergio Perez were taken to hospital for precautionary brain scans after sustaining impacts of 27G, but have since been discharged But just as the Englishman appeared to be setting up to pass his team-mate for the lead both cars suffered a simultaneous loss of hybrid power from the engine.

Hamilton took the lead during the second pit-stop period after Rosberg was delayed by a problem fitting a front wheel at his stop.

But on the very next lap Hamilton ran wide at the hairpin, a symptom of the total brake failure he was about to experience at the next corner.

That put Rosberg back into the lead and although Perez closed up, closely tracked by the Red Bulls, he was unable to pass, as he too was managing fading brakes.

But with Rosberg just managing to hold off Perez and the Red Bulls, Ricciardo began to apply pressure to the Mexican, and passed him around the outside into Turn One with four laps to go.

The Australian, who

joined Red Bull at the start of this season and has generally had the measure of his four-time world champion team-mate, quickly closed on Rosberg and passed him down the long final straight on lap 68 of 70.

“I’m still in shock.

This is ridiculous,” said Ricciardo. “The race really came to life the last 15, 20 laps. We saw Hamilton had a problem and then Rosberg was slow on the straights.

“I was struggling to get past Perez and we finally got a run out of the last chicane and got him into Turn One and then a couple of laps to go I found myself in the right spot to get the DRS. Amazing.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “Amazing, the boy’s driven brilliantly all year.

The move of the race was around the outside of Perez a few laps from the end.”

The race came to an abrupt end at the start of the final lap when Massa misjudged an attempt to pass Perez and his Williams crashed into the Mexican’s Force India as they braked for the first corner.

The two cars narrowly missed hitting Vettel’s Red Bull as they spun into heavy impacts with the tyre wall.

Both were taken to hospital for precautionary brain scans after sustaining impacts of 27G, but have since been discharged.

In the excitement, it was not immediately clear how Button, who was eighth with six laps to go, passed both Hulkenberg and Alonso for fourth.

Williams’ Valtteri Bottas took seventh, ahead of the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne, Kevin Magnussen’s McLaren and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.

(BBC Sport)

SPORTS

YELLOW PAGES monday, JUNE 9, 2014

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21

New Zealand lay solid platform on opening day against WI

T

he first Test match after two high-profile Twenty20 tournaments - the World T20 and the IPL - got off to a slow start at Sabina Park, as New Zealand’s run rate stayed below 2.65 an over throughout the day. The visitors, however, had the better time of it after Kane Williamson and Tom Latham adjusted to the pitch, whose strongest characteristic was its sluggishness, and put on a 165-run stand for the second wicket.

The spectators who came to the ground to see Chris Gayle bat in his 100th Test had to wait after West Indies’ new Test captain, Denesh Ramdin, lost the toss.

Instead, they were witness to the comebacks of four bowlers from layoffs of varying lengths, and the discipline of two young New Zealand batsmen, who played with a patience that is becoming increasingly rare in international cricket.

Jerome Taylor, whose last Test was in November 2009, opened the bowling with Kemar Roach, who had been out of action for more than a year. Neither bowler hit the speeds they used to before their injuries, but that was probably due to the pitch.

Moving the ball away from both the right and left-hand openers, Taylor was more effective than Roach, but on the whole they could have made the batsmen play more than they did. Their lengths too were shorter than ideal on this surface, whose slowness made it easy to play on the back foot.

New Zealand were cautious in the opening exchanges, with their newest opening combination Peter Fulton and Latham barely playing a forceful shot. Fulton was beaten by a couple of deliveries from Taylor that seamed away from off stump, and when one did not move as much, his poor footwork resulted in an edge to the wicketkeeper. It was the ninth consecutive innings in which Fulton had failed to pass 15.

In the 11th over, Ramdin made a surprising bowling change. Darren Bravo had never bowled in any form of international cricket - he had bowled only 100 deliveries in first-class cricket - and yet here he was bowling mediumpace in a Test. His lengths were horrible and the experiment lasted only one over.

Benn, playing his first Test since December 2010, came on in the 12th over and immediately found turn and bounce to keep his two slips alert. New Zealand scored only 22 in the first hour.

Shortly after drinks Ramdin deployed spin from both ends, but it was Marlon Samuels that he turned to and not the other specialist Shane Shillingford. Samuels thought he had Latham lbw first ball and reviewed the umpire’s not-out decision, only to find the ball had hit both the inside edge and then

Jerome Taylor celebrates his comeback with the first wicket of the match (Cricinfo pics)

the pad outside off stump.

Benn bowled five maidens in his first six overs and had a bat-pad appeal upheld shortly before lunch, but Latham successfully challenged it.

New Zealand went into the break on 62 for 1, scoring at just over 1.90 an over.

In the first over of the second session, Latham drove

tive overs either side of lunch, far more than any other bowler. When he had finished his 16th, Shillingford was coming on to bowl only his fourth.

Shillingford ripped an offbreak from leg and middle past Latham’s defensive prod but the batsman got to his maiden half-century a couple of balls later, off his 126th delivery.

Until the 54th over, not a single ball had been hit in the air, and then Williamson cut Roach over gully. He got to his half-century in the same over, by edging a drive through the same region.

By tea time Williamson and Latham were using their feet, and the depth of their crease, with ease. They had scored 102 runs in the second session.

The old ball began to do things after tea. Taylor reversed it a bit, but Shillingford got it to spin big. Latham, on 83, closed the face too early to an offbreak and the ball lobbed back to the bowler off the leading edge.

Kane Williamson attacks during his ton

loosely at a full and wide Taylor delivery and edged to Samuels at gully. He was on 39, and his partnership with Williamson was worth 55, but both received a lease of life when replays showed Taylor’s back heel was not behind the crease.

In the next over - the 34th - Williamson cut Benn for four to take the run rate above two for the first time. It had taken Williamson 84 balls to hit his first boundary. He and Latham swept the spinners when they bowled fuller lengths, and when it was short they had enough time to go back and play square of the wicket. Every now and then, though, the odd delivery spun sharply past the outside edge.

Benn bowled 19 consecu-

It could have been tricky for the new batsman but the hard toil told on the West Indies bowlers, whose line and length were shoddy.

Williamson moved into the 90s by cutting a short and wide one from Roach for four, but then stopped scoring for 33 balls. During that time, Taylor kept New Zealand going, and when West Indies took the second new ball in the 85th over, he cut three wide ones from Roach for boundaries.

Just when it seemed Williamson might go into stumps a few short of a century, he snapped out of his scoreless trance and late-cut successive deliveries from Benn to bring up his sixth Test hundred. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD New Zealand 1st innings TWM Latham c & b Shillingford 83 PG Fulton c †Ramdin b Taylor 1 KS Williamson not out 105 LRPL Taylor not out 34 Extras (b 5, lb 5, w 5, nb 2) 17 Total (2 wickets; 92 overs) 240 (2.60 runs per over) To batBB McCullum*, JDS Neesham, BJ Watling†, IS Sodhi,

TG Southee, MD Craig, TA Boult Fall of wickets 1-9 (Fulton, 8.1 ov), 2-174 (Latham, 70.2 ov) Bowling O M R W JE Taylor 17 7 22 1 KAJ Roach 17 4 56 0 DM Bravo 1 0 2 0 SJ Benn 28 8 75 0 MN Samuels 5 1 13 0 S Shillingford 24 3 62 1

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, JUNE 9, 2014

Courts renews Limacol CPL sponsorship deal

Gayle looking for big performance in 100th test

...Caribbean retail firm set to enjoy second year in partnership with the Biggest Party in Sport

C

ourts, the largest furniture, appliance and electrical retailer in the Caribbean, has renewed its sponsorship of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Courts was a key partner to the 2013 CPL, which was launched to sell-out crowds, with over 250,000 spectators attending matches across Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia, a statement from Limacol CPL said. Global stars including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan took part in the tournament, dubbed the Biggest Party in Sport, where franchise team shareholders included Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler. The competition is set to get even bigger in 2014, with the Caribbean’s finest players set to be joined by cricketing superstars like Kevin Pietersen and Mohammad Hafeez.

Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director, Caribbean Premier League, said: “Courts is one of the most recognisable brands in the Caribbean, and after a successful partner-

ship in 2013, we’re delighted to be renewing the deal.

There are some great ideas for 2014 that fans will love, and we’re sure our partnership will continue to raise awareness of the CPL and ensure stadiums are rocking for this year’s Biggest Party in Sport.”

Feisal Muradali, Regional Director of Marketing, Unicomer

Caribbean, parent company of Courts, said: “We are delighted to be associated with this thrilling event for a second year - the CPL is recognised globally as a showcase of exceptional cricket within a unique and vibrant Caribbean atmosphere. We’re excit-

ed to help CPL make this year even better, and we’re looking forward to provid-

ing lucky customers with a once in a lifetime game experience, so fans should watch this space for more news!”

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League returns in July and August 2014 when Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the St. Lucia Zouks, The Red Steel, Antigua Hawksbills, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents.

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.

The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport”, featured six teams competing throughout the Region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, and Antigua Hawksbills.

The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

The tournament returns in July and August 2014 when Jamaica Tallawahs will seek to defend their title.

Sharapova wins second French Open title

Maria Sharapova celebrates

M

aria Sharapova described winning a second French Open title as “amazing” after struggling on clay for many years.

The Russian, 27, beat Romania’s Simona Halep 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in just over three hours at Roland Garros.

“I didn’t grow up on clay; didn’t play on it,” she said.

“I just took it upon myself to make myself better on it.

“There is no one else that was going to do that for me.

I had to do the work and I

worked to get to this position.”

Sharapova won Wimbledon aged 17 and within four years had added the US Open and Australian Open titles, but in her early years she famously described her movement on clay as being “like a cow on ice”.

“You can’t go out there and just do it without putting in the effort, putting in the work,” she added.

“You’re not just born being a natural clay court player. OK, maybe if you’re Rafael

Nadal, but certainly not me.

“It’s really amazing. There is no substitute to these titles.”

Sharapova missed the second half of 2013 with a shoulder injury and will move back up to fifth in the rankings next week, with no points to defend for the rest of the year after Wimbledon.

Halep had been hoping to cap a remarkable 12 months that has seen her rise from outside the top 50 to a new high of three in the world next

week.

The 22-year-old broke down in tears at the end of the final, but was soon able to reflect on a breakthrough fortnight in the French capital.

“I was crying at that moment for a few minutes, and then I was smiling,” she said.

“Because it was my first Grand Slam final I have to be happy, to smile, because I did everything on court.

“I played very good tennis, so I’m really proud about these two weeks.”

Sharapova was warned for her pace of play between serves in the final set, a feature of her matches over the fortnight, but Halep played it down.

“It’s her style and I don’t want to say anything about this,” said the Romanian.

“It’s normal. She does this always, for me it wasn’t too bad, but sometimes I felt a little bit nervous during that moments.”

Sharapova, who also won the French Open in 2012, said: “I think the rules are a bit different at the Grand Slams, and I might have to speed it up a bit at these tournaments.” (BBC Sport)

Chris Gayle

O

n Sunday, should as expected, he play, Chris Gayle will become the ninth West Indies player to feature in 100 Tests, joining an elite club that includes Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Courtney Walsh, Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge and Carl Hooper.

Gayle is also within sight of another landmark - he is 67 runs shy of becoming the eighth West Indian to amass 7000 Test runs- and he admitted that he was raring to go on the “perfect occasion” in his hometown Kingston against New Zealand.

“This is a huge milestone, this is very special and something I’m really looking forward to,” Gayle said. “It all started in Rollington Town I used to play cricket on the street then I moved to Lucas Cricket Club and here I am today about to play my 100th Test match for the West Indies.

“Now I’ve reached my 100th match and it is special because it is at home. Sabina Park is my favourite ground.

It has changed a bit over the years and it’s very special to play cricket here at home with my family, friends and supporters in the crowd, I always love playing at home and Sunday’s match will have great significance for me.

“I’m looking forward to it and I also want to have a huge performance. I’m sure the fans will be thrilled to see this occasion on television across the Caribbean and around the world. They have been very supportive throughout the years when I have had my ups and downs.”

Gayle, however, insisted that the match was not only about him, and that West Indies looking to take an early lead against their opponents, having gone down 2-0 during their tour of New Zealand in December.

“Hopefully we can win this Test match and celebrate the occasion. I will look to contribute to the team and success,” he said. “The focus is on winning. It will be most memorable to get a win and start the series on a winning note. It is big not just for me but for the team as well - I

am sure everyone will be rallying around me.

“I have had my challenges coming up to my 100th Test match. To be able to stand here today I am very proud and I want to keep scoring runs and represent the West Indies for as long as I can.”

Gayle, 34, made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 2000, and though he has blown hot and cold over the years in the longest format, he has still enjoyed a productive career, collecting 6933 runs at 42.01 from 174 innings with 15 hundreds including two triple-centuries.

Those heights, however, had seemed a far-fetched dream during his first game, where Gayle admitted he “cried like a baby”.

“When I look back I have come a long way. In my first match I was a bit nervous, but then I had played a few ODIs before so I settled down pretty well. I remember it very well. I even shed tears.

“To share a dressing room with Ambrose and Walsh and being at first slip with the two big men bowling and hitting edges and me taking a few catches - was very good for me.

“When I batted in the first innings I was feeling really good and was looking for a big score. I got run out in a mix-up with Sherwin Campbell and I remember going back to the dressing room and I cried like a baby.

But I always knew I was going to get a ‘big one’. It was a special match and one I will remember for all times.”

In recent years, Gayle has developed a reputation of being only a Twenty20 specialist, but Denesh Ramdin, the captain, quashed such suggestions, insisting that any team would be happy to have him in their ranks.

“It’s great to have a player like that in the team who has achieved so much in his career, and he has no plans of retiring,” Ramdin said.

“He wants to carry on and score more runs and centuries. He’s a die-hard West Indies fan, and always wants to win. Any team in the world would love to have him, and I’m sure he’ll put up something special once he gets a chance.” (Cricinfo)

Monday, JUNE 9, 2014

Letter to the Dear All, We are at a crucial juncture at it relates to the administration and development of basketball in Guyana. The stage is set for the very best overseas based Guyanese to arrive in Guyana between June 8th and June 21st to attend National Squad Basketball Practice at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyanese will have the opportunity to see world class basketball players who were born in Guyana or who are Guyanese by heritage showcase their talents for selection to the National Basketball Team.

However, we have issues to resolve in putting

guyanatimesGY.com

SportEditor

Guyana First and respecting the statutes and responsibilities of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF): Key Press Release: The GABF letter to Mr. Neil Kumar included below – dated May 9, 2014 and attached with file name ”Letter from GABF in Response to NSC the letter”, - no response has been received from Mr. Kumar regarding the letter.

The NSC letter to the GABF, signed by Mr. Neil Kumar and attached is referenced as “Letter from NSC-Neil Kumar – Inter Guiana Games” We are now in the midst of preparing Guyana’s Men

and Women’s Team for participation in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation 2014 Championships. At substantial costs through donors and patriotic Guyanese we have secured world class players to represent Guyana Including former NBA player, Rawle Marshall (Flight itinerary attached) and currently playing in European Professional League. Other top players coming to compete for selection on the Guyana National Basketball team are Delroy James, Gordon Klaiber, Andre De Florimonte, Tyler Persaud, Steffon Farley and Keron McKenzie, among others – most of them pro-

fessional basketball players. Guyanese giants in size and basketball skills will be invading Guyana during June 2014 to ensure Guyana wins the CBC 2014 Championship.

It is an absurdity and an aberration that the GABF is currently paying (see receipt attached) fees to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for Guyana's National basketball squads to train at a state facility re: Cliff Anderson National Sports Hall. It is akin to His Excellency President Donald Ramotar paying to occupy the State House. We call on the Minister of Sport, Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony to ensure that this

23

Inter Guiana Games

irrational practice is discontinued, whereby the GABF is singled out to pay NSC for national squad training sessions at the National Sports Hall.

We have to honour our national Athletes and Ambassadors who seek to represent Guyana and proudly hold aloft the Golden Arrowhead. Their presence in Guyana over the forthcoming weeks requires all stakeholders on board to create a solid platform for success. We ask all in the sports community to pronounce on the myriad issues contained in this correspondence in an objective an thoughtful manner.

Even as we are very

appreciative of the G$2 Million from the Office of the President committed to fund Guyana’s teams to participate in the CBC 2014 Championships in Tortola, BVI, and we reach out to the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport for much needed additional funding; we feel it is vitally important now more than ever that we place principle first, especially principles that are consistent with Guyana’s national interest.

Yours sincerely, Nigel Hinds GABF President Editor's note: The letters referenced have already been carried by this publication.

Hikers playing well in Bryden’s Classic Sponsors put pressure

on FIFA into Qatar probe S

Some of the action during the night of hockey at the Gymnasium

By Treiston Joseph

T

he Dryden’s Classic Indoor Hockey tournament continued with some exciting action on Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

The Hikers men came out playing positive hockey taking down old foes Old Trafford 4-1in an encounter that seemed closer than the winning margin suggested.

Hikers went on the attack from the opening whistle looking to strike early with some nice offensive plays from the wing that had Old Trafford playing tentatively.

However, Michael Harding struck the back of the net first for Hikers in the fifth minute to the rejoicing of the crowd in attendance.

Two minutes after the opening goal C. Heywood made the score 2-nil for a clear advantage in the seventh minute as Hikers continued to play their attack-

ing style of hockey.

Old Trafford began to play more fluently producing some opportunities but were unable to finish, allowing Hiker to go on counter attacks.

Robert Brumell capitalized on a counter attack for Hikers and struck the back of the net in the 12th minute to give Hikers a commanding 3-0.

In the 22nd minute Roydon Ramroop added insult to injury by scoring down the middle to raise Hikers’ lead to 4-0.

Old Trafford would gain a consolation goal in the 27th minute from the stick of Mark Fraser during the game that was highly competitive.

Meanwhile, Spice trampled all over Old Trafford on the female side of things 21-0 in the routing, almost all the players on the Spice side scored during the encounter that was one of the most dominant of the tour-

nament.

Tigers defeated Hikers during a female encounter 6-0 with Sonia Jardine leading the way with three goals.

Tigers displayed their skill and coordination during the encounter and the ability to make good passes along the floor on their way to the win.

Trisha Woodroffe opened the scoring for the Tigers in the fifth minute as both teams searched for openings in each other’s defence.

However, it was Jardine who came charging in the 17th minute to score with a beauty of a strike before doubling in the 20th minute.

Princessa Wilkie then notched a goal in the 29th minute before Aliyah Gordon struck in the 33rd to give the Tigers a commanding 5-0 lead.

Jardine would then put the nail in the coffin for her third goal in the 35th minute that would end the match.

ponsors Adidas, Sony, Visa and Coca-Cola on Sunday called on soccer’s rulers to deal thoroughly with allegations of bribery to secure the 2022 World Cup for Qatar, an issue overshadowing this week’s kickoff in Brazil.

With its four yearly showpiece event only four days away, soccer’s governing body FIFA is on the defensive, conducting an internal investigation into the decisions to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 Cup in Qatar. Both countries have denied any wrongdoing.

Qatar’s bid has attracted controversy from the outset because of the extreme summer heat during the months when the Cup is played and the tiny country’s lack of domestic soccer tradition. If it goes ahead, the tournament is expected to be switched to a date later in the year, creating scheduling headaches for broadcasters and European soccer clubs.

The signs of unease from some of FIFA’s paymasters will raise pressure on the body, led by its 78-yearold Swiss president Sepp Blatter, to get to the bottom of the allegations and tackle underlying concerns about how it is run.

“The negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners,” said German sportswear company Adidas, which has signed up as FIFA sponsor until 2030, extending a partnership dating back to 1970.

Coca-Cola concurred.

“Anything that detracts from the mission and ideals of the FIFA World Cup is a concern to us,” a company statement read.

“But we are confident that FIFA is taking these allegations very seriously and is investigating them

thoroughly through the Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee.

“The FIFA World Cup is a platform that unites people all over the world, inspiring and celebrating the world’s most popular sport while creating memorable experiences for athletes and fans.

We believe that through our partnership and continued involvement with FIFA we can help foster optimism and unity, while making a positive difference in the communities we serve.”

Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper has over the last two weekends printed what it says are leaked documents showing bribes were paid to secure the event for Qatar, which Qatar denies.

Former U.S. prosecutor Michael Garcia, leading FIFA’s internal investigation, is due to report in July, around a week after this year’s World Cup final.

FIFA issued a statement from the body’s marketing director Thierry Weil as it sought to take heat out of the situation.

“We are in constant contact with our Commercial Affiliates including Adidas, Sony and Visa and they have 100 percent confidence in the investigation currently being conducted by FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee,” Weil said.

“Our sponsors have not requested anything that is not covered by the on-going investigation by the Ethics Committee.”

Payment card company Visa, which has a contract as a FIFA sponsor until 2022, said it was monitoring the progress of the Garcia investigation.

“We expect FIFA will take the appropriate actions to respond to the report and its recommendations,” it said in a statement.

Japanese consumer goods company Sony took a

similar line, saying said it expected the allegations to be “investigated appropriately”.

It is unusual for sponsors to say anything publicly on such a sensitive issue and the comments reflect concern over the knock-on effects on their image.

“This underlines that companies need to make sure that any high profile association enhances their reputation rather than damages it,” said Andy Sutherden, Global Head of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship at communications firm H+K Strategies.

FIFA, which Blatter has led since 1998, earned almost $1.4 billion last year, including more than $600 million from the sale of broadcasting rights and more than $400 million from sponsors and other marketing partners.

Sony, Adidas, Visa and Coca-Cola are among six main FIFA sponsors who collectively paid around $180 million last year.

Sony’s sponsorship agreement, which also included the 2010 World Cup, expires this year, giving it particular leverage as it negotiates a new deal.

Airline Emirates, whose sponsorship deal is also up for renewal at the end of the year, declined to comment, as did South Korean carmaker Hyundai/Kia. FIFA is now facing calls to strip Qatar of the World Cup should Garcia’s investigation prove that it bought the votes needed to host the tournament.

The United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea were the rivals who lost out to Qatar in the 2010 vote and are all safer choices as former hosts of major sporting events and developed markets for consumer brands. (Reuters)

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

monday, June 9, 2014

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Round of 16 provides exciting action

Some of the action during the night’s proceedings of the Mackeson “Keep Your Five Alive” (Marceano Narine photo) By: Treiston Joseph

T

he Mackeson “Keep Your Five Alive” tournament con-

tinued on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tarmac with some exciting street football.

In the first game of the

night, Melanie took down Parafaite Harmonie 1-nil to start the proceedings on a high note with some fast paced action that kept the

crowd buzzing.

Kellon Loncke scored the match’s only goal in the 18th minute as the Melanie side was able to fend off a

number of attacks from the west side team.

Texas-1 needled Albouystown 1-0 to move forward into the final eight of the tournament in a game that was played tentatively by both teams.

Alvin Chase notched an early goal in the 9th minute that would eventually turn out to be the game-winner as both team sshared possession for most of the encounter.

The Upsetters could not have pulled off an upset, falling to Alexander Village 2-3 in one of the most thrilling matches of the evening.

Upsetters drew first blood early in the match with Sukeo Browne scoring in the fourth minute to put his team up 1-0.

Eon Singh then equalized in the ninth minute

for Alexander Village before Shem Porter produced a quick double in the 14 and 15th minutes to push Alexander Village ahead 3-1 before switching to a containing style of football.

Eron Hayde would answer in the 18th minute for the Upsetters but their efforts in the final minutes would prove futile in producing an equalizer.

West Front Road and Sophia played to a stale mate with West Front advancing on sudden death kicks by a 4-3 margin.

Sparta Boss, North East La Penitence, Tigerbay and Albouystown ‘A’ all advanced to the quarterfinal round by defeating their respective opponents in sudden death kicks to end the night’s proceedings.

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