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– 3000 public sector jobs on the line Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1988 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, December 20, 2013

Guyana’s strong macroeconomic performance has reduced public debt, poverty – IMF See story on page 17

Govt defers procurement bill after marathon debate – to return bill to House in six months See story on page 17

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh makes a point during the early debate on the Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2013. The bill seeks to modify section 54 of the Procurement Act of 2003, by deleting sub-section 6; doing so will ensure Cabinet’s involvement in the procurement process is retained

Public servants set for weeklong march See story on page 7

Gunmen grab $7.7M Public Works Ministry payroll See story on page 10

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Belle P Vue man shot dead

by CPG member 3

Guyana, P9 ALBA countries enter antihunger pact with FAO

Josiah to be laid to rest P10 on Saturday Former P11 Judge Winston Moore appointed ombudsman TT: Petrotrin oil spill spreads to P17 La Brea

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FriDay, december 20, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

3 Belle Vue man shot dead

by CPG member News

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, December 20 from 06:05h to 07:35h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, December 20 from 05:30h to 07:00h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Light rain showers are expected during the day and the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly at 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 06:00h and 18:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.49 metres and 2.59 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:46h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.

friDay, december 20, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

A

father of one was fatally shot on Wednesday evening by a man attached to the Community Policing Group (CPG) at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara.

Twenty-year-old Godfrey Jhaggroo, of Lot 31 Belle Vue, was shot at least three times in the back about 19:00h by the member of the CPG who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

According to information received, Jhaggroo was involved in an argument with his mother about 18:45h in his home over a broken DVD player and a neighbour, who operates an off-licence liquor store, intervened, and assaulted him with a piece of wood.

Verbal exchange

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ment said.

The body said members are also constantly reminded of the serious consequences of acting beyond the confines of the law and the SOPs.

By Bhisham Mohamed

This spurred a verbal exchange and the young man reportedly left and was on his way to the Wales Police Station to make a report when he was confronted by three men.

During the confrontation, the CPG member reportedly took a gun from his car and shot Jhaggroo to his back. After being shot, the young man attempted to escape thus running some distance before he collapsed next to a cane field.

He was then picked up by the same men, put into a car and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The three

Broken DVD player

Dead: Godfrey “Ojoo” Jhaggroo

men were subsequently arrested and are at the Wales Police Station assisting with investigations.

In a statement, the National Community Policing Executive (NCPE) said it is also conducting a probe into the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting of Jhaggroo.

“CPG members, particularly rural constables are all made fully aware of the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) in community policing and where their responsibilities and operational boundaries lie, in always acting and reacting within the permitting confines of the law and not against, especially, to always exercise the use of peaceful control approaches, and never to engage negative excessive measures that are beyond the standard operational procedures of community policing,” the state-

Babita Jhaggroo, mother of the dead man, related that her son had just returned from work and was going to play his music when he realised that the DVD player was broken. He started to quarrel and enquired who might have been responsible for breaking the equipment.

She added that a group of men who were drinking at their neighbour’s shop intervened and made provocative remarks. This resulted in an argument between the men when the owner of the shop approached Jhaggroo and dealt him one blow to his abdomen.

He reportedly fell to the ground and upon getting up, he picked up the piece of wood and threw it out of the yard, but it hit the shop owner’s daughter as she passed.

This caused the situation to escalate. The aggrieved mother stated that she telephoned the Wales Police Station to make a complaint, but she was advised to visit the facility to lodge the report.

“I tell meh son to walk up and I go follow you, so he went ahead… when he left now, some people ran and tell we that they hear gunshots and tell me to see if me son get shoot… when I

reach, I see them put he in a car and drive way,” she recalled.

She further said other CPG members were seen searching the scene for spent shells, retrieving at least three of them.

The distraught woman said she proceeded to the Wales Police Station where she related what transpired and was told that police ranks from the La Grange Police Station were heading to the scene.

In tears, Jhaggroo’s mother explained that she went to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she was not allowed to see her son but was instructed to return on Thursday. On Thursday, she was given the opportunity to identify her son’s body, which was covered in blood.

She added that her son, who worked as a construction worker on the East Bank of Demerara, was not someone who would trouble anyone.

Sabina, a friend of the deceased, said she was at his home on Wednesday when the argument started between him and his mother.

She revealed that the young man was struck to his abdomen by the shopkeeper after the piece of wood he threw out of the yard hit the shopowner’s daughter.

The post-mortem is scheduled to be performed today. Jhaggroo leaves to mourn his mother and eight siblings. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

Friday, december 20, 2013

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

Editorial

The opposition in 2013 2

013 is coming to a close and no doubt most Guyanese would be looking back at what they have accomplished over the past year and planning for the future – 2014 and beyond. Some who are also avid followers of local politics would no doubt be analysing what has been taking place in the country at the national political level, in particular as it relates to the happenings in the National Assembly.

Not only would 2013 be remembered as a year with the most drama among our politicians, but it would be remembered as perhaps one of the most unproductive years in the history of the country’s parliament.

In addition to the massive budget cuts which saw several work programmes being affected, this year saw the voting down of legislation for key development projects, which were in the making for a number of years now. Most of these, including the Amaila Falls and airport expansion projects, once realised, would have seen Guyana moving way up the ladder in terms of our developmental objectives.

These projects are likely to have a significant toll on the country in 2014 and beyond. For example, the Amaila Falls project would have ensured a reliable and affordable supply of electricity for both individual households and businesses.

Every country knows that without cheaper energy, it is difficult to be competitive on the international market.

The government was at pains to provide all the necessary documentation to the opposition parties to convince them to support these projects, but to no avail. In fact, many of us are still at a loss as to why an opposition that claims it is serious about moving the country forward would not support projects of such nature.

The opposition clearly did not deliver on its promise of helping to create a better life for every Guyanese. With its one-seat majority and a great section of the population behind it, it did not capitalise on the opportunity to prove to the nation that it is indeed serious about working with the government to develop our nation.

It is clear that it did not vote on bills based on merit, but on the basis of partisan politics. Guyanese who voted for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had high expectations that these parties would have used their parliamentary might to change all that was wrong under the governance of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), but this was not to be.

One letter writer correctly pointed out that the opposition must evaluate the needs of these development projects based on the larger vision of Guyana. It is perhaps a blessing that APNU Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence was absent when it was time to vote for funding for the Specialty Hospital.

Small, developing countries like Guyana will never be able to afford a hospital that can provide high-quality tertiary care services such as cancer treatment, heart and brain surgeries, transplants and other interventions.

In 2013 also, other projects that were supposed to be debated such as the long-awaited road to Brazil, which is likely to be the singular most important investment our nation can facilitate with our neighbour, did not take place.

Guyana certainly cannot move forward if our politicians, in particular those from the APNU/ AFC continue along this path.

If this continues, our country will remain on the fringes and be a laughing stock for other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries that are progressively moving forward. When there is an absence of political stability as we are seeing now, the entire country is affected as investors do not want to put their money into a country that is politically and socially unstable.

In 2013, we saw a lot of rhetoric, bluff and, in some cases, pure vindictiveness on the part of APNU/AFC, let us hope that in 2014, they would work more collaboratively with the government in moving the parliamentary agenda forward.

Early next year, the anti-money laundering bill is expected to be re-tabled.

This will be the first test in 2014 to see if these parties have the nation’s interest at heart.

Santa Claus presenting a gift to a child from the Pomeroon River, as the First Lady’s Foundation threw a Christmas party for the children of the region

Lawrence might be pulling a sleight of hand special Dear Editor, It looks like David Granger is steadily losing control of his party. One look at the last sitting of Parliament leaves a lot of speculation about his ability to control his party members. First, there was Volda Lawrence who claimed she was sick for one vote, abstained for another and then was unsure of her party’s position for yet another vote.

Then there is Carl Greenidge who took the position to vote against the funding for Amerindian projects despite his leader’s instruction to abstain.

Such public acts of insubordination are not typical of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and would have certainly never been

tolerated by either Forbes Burnham or Desmond Hoyte when they led the party.

Though Granger is fairly new to the leadership of the opposition, and there is much for him to learn on how to lead, it is disappointing to see him publicly humiliated by his own party members. If such insolence can be had at the parliamentary level, it does not require a stretch of the imagination to assume what would happen should one of the infamous PNC protests occur.

Can he control a crowd of protesters? If he cannot control the fairly educated parliamentarians in the House, then how can he be expected to control the multitude of ignorant followers that take to the streets ever so often?

Lawrence is now under “investigation” for breaking rank, but no word has been mentioned about Greenidge.

Is this Granger’s sexism on display for wanting to make a public spectacle of the woman and not publicly chide Greenidge for an equally heinous crime in the business of politics?

Lawrence is now insisting that she did not break rank and voted with her party but that the clerk did not hear her vote, hence it was never recorded. This sounds like a game of “catch me if you can” since the time for an appeal has long gone and if her fellow parliamentarians sitting immediately to her left and to her right did in fact hear her vote, knowing that she was unwell, I

am sure one of them would have brought the matter to the ever attentive clerk to set the record straight.

But since no one appealed the matter, it seems like Lawrence might be pulling a sleight-of-hand special.

Granger will soon enough realise that his weak leadership is being observed by his second-in-command Greenidge, who will run against him at the next congress. It would seem prudent for Granger to display his authority by publicly chiding the dissenters or face the consequence of being seen as a pushover and lose more than just two members to public opinion and rumour.

Sincerely, Richard Paul

Granger should publicly apologise

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is claiming non-involvement in the decision taken by Volda Lawrence to abstain from voting on several key pieces of legislation in the Parliament last week. I watched the events unfold on television and the only summation I can make is that there is one woman who, like those before her, is forced to engage in trickery to manoeuvre the male-dominated Parliament

in order to accomplish what is best for Guyana.

I do not know if she had a legitimate illness and legitimately did not realise the position her party had taken when she chose to vote contrary to the other 25 members present that day. But it is suspicious the way the events unfolded.

Regardless, the attack being waged against her within her own party to suggest that she crossed the aisle in secret shows a lot of con-

tempt for the woman and disunity within the party. If Carl Greenidge is not equally scolded for his decision to vote contrary to his party on the funding of Amerindian community projects, why is Lawrence being made a spectacle alone?

Unless there is evidence that she crossed the aisle to support the position of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and thereby made her party lose critical leverage, then that evidence

should be made public to her constituents and she should be afforded the opportunity to explain herself.

But if this is not the case, then Granger should publicly apologise for damaging the integrity of a member of parliament and resign as leader for poorly representing his supporters, more so, a member of parliament.

Yours, Veronica Ally

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, december 20, 2013

5

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

Attacks on the mining sector must stop Dear Editor, I am now comfortable to write on the issuance of the Permission of a Geological and Geophysical Survey (PGGS) to Muri Brazil Ventures Inc, following several revelations by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and information provided by stakeholders within the gold mining sector.

As a medium-scale progressive miner, this matter has been of special interest to me, just as many other concerned Guyanese, particularly miners. At first, I thought that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the media, particularly Stabroek News, had a very good case as it related to the information that an APNU member and newspaper churned out.

However, despite the big hullabaloo by APNU and Stabroek News, the facts provided by the ministry; Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Private Sector Commission (PSC); miners; Muri Brazil Ventures Inc and other stakeholders involved decimated the sinister plan to implicate the minister and the GGMC in any wrongdoing or secret deal with the mining company as it was implied.

Despite the revelations that exposed APNU and Stabroek News, there have been no apologies or retractions for the disrepute and aspersions brought upon Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, the GGMC and the mining sector as a whole.

This is a flagrant dis-

regard for basic journalistic and professional ethics on the part of the Stabroek News and APNU’s Joseph Harmon, respectively. The recent episodes of sensational and scandalous writing and comments occur too often without any validation and as such those culpable should be sanctioned by the relevant authorities, legal or otherwise, or the same trend is bound to continue.

Stabroek News and APNU have been exposed for their unwarranted attacks on miners. The sector has taken note of these continuous attacks over the past few weeks and the facts and clarifications which adequately dispel the misinformation.

Sincerely, Mark Fraser

NCPE probing Belle Vue shooting Dear Editor, The National Community Policing Executive (NCPE) is also conducting a probe into the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Godfrey Jhaggroo of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara about 19:00h on December 18 at Belle Vue. The Community Policing Group (CPG) members, particularly rural constables, are all made fully aware of the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) in com-

munity policing, and where their responsibilities and operational boundaries lie in always acting and reacting within the permitting confines of the law and not against – especially to always exercise the use of peaceful control approaches and never to engage negative excessive measures that are beyond the SOPs of community policing.

They are also constantly reminded of the serious consequences of acting beyond the confines of the law and

out of the required SOPs in community policing.

So, on this premise with sincere regret for the unfortunate and unwanted loss of human life, the NCPE offers and conveys our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Godfrey Jhaggroo.

Yours respectfully, Edward A Persaud, Public Relations Officer, NCPE

There is need for some to sort their priorities sen high school to determine Dear Editor, Several incidents over her academic performance, the last couple of weeks have since the attack took place made me realise that some at the time when she was of us may need to rethink scheduled to sit the National our priorities. A few weeks Grade Six Assessment. The ago, maybe as a result of outcome of the matter is still carelessness on behalf of the yet to be known.

The second incident inparents, a child died after he fell through the flooring volved two pit bulls attackof the house that was occu- ing their female owner. Both pied by himself and his par- incidents resulted in joint ents. The incident left fam- attempts to slaughter the ily members distraught, and dogs. Pit bulls have been for some reason, the incident known for their unpredictreceived no word of commis- able and vicious attacks on innocent people, including eration or condemnation.

Not so long ago there their owners. We should not were two situations where need to await the response pit bulls attacked and of victims and relatives bemauled two individuals. fore we address this matter.

The relevant authorities Ironically, the slaughtering of the dogs seemed to garner must attend to the issue of much more attention than breeding these ferocious anithe death of the young child. mals. Also, it is only fair that In the first incident, a pit the owners of these dogs be bull attacked a young girl, disciplined on some account.

leaving her severely injured Sincerely, and disfigured. The child was Wayne Cummings subsequently placed at a cho-

6

friday, december 20, 2013

Page

Foundation

Getting in the W

e hear so much about holiday stress that it can be easy to lose sight of what the holidays really should be: fun, joyful, and a little big magical.

So how can we capture the excitement? One way is to think of holiday preparation as fun — something to be enjoyed as much as the actual holidays themselves.

guyanatimesgy.com

Preparation is about more than just planning and scheduling. It’s also about getting our spirits ready and open to the joy that’s possible, then creating that joy (for ourselves and others) through our actions.

Think holidays: Anticipate your holiday mood. . .

Looking forward to some-

thing fun — and getting caught up in preparing for it — is where good feelings begin.

Expecting good things puts us in a happy, excited mood. And when we feel happy and excited, we can actually create the good experiences we want.

It’s easy for positive emotions to build and grow. That’s one reason why the holiday spirit is so contagious. When one person is happy, it can lift the spirits of others. They in turn pass this happiness on, and it all keeps going like a game of happy tag. It’s no surprise that people say they wish the holiday mood could continue all year.

Being in a spectacularly great mood doesn’t mean there has to be a spectacular event to look forward to.

In fact, it’s often the simple things that are the most meaningful and create the

Holiday Spirit

most joy for people.

So what mood do you want to create this holiday?

Is it one of joy and fun? Peace and love? Giving and sharing? It’s time to think about what might make a special holiday season for you, your family, and friends.

Eco-friendly celebrations

As you get together with

friends and family for the holidays, why not celebrate the environment too? Here are some simple ideas for greening up your festivities.

As an added bonus, many of them are as kind to your wallet as they are to the planet!

Choose eco-friendly gifts.

Look for gifts made with the environment in mind (such as shade-grown chocolate or coffee; or items made with recycled glass, metal, plastic, or paper). Or give gifts that get used up, like soap, food, or candles.

You could also give gifts that help people cut down on waste. Reusable grocery or produce bags and refillable water bottles do more than just save landfill space — they also save the resources used in making and transporting the disposable versions.

There’s nothing to wrap or throw away when you donate to a person’s favourite cause. Making a gift donation in someone’s name is a good choice for parents or grandparents who don’t need more “stuff”. Or give the gift of your time, such as

coupons for babysitting or computer help.

Green up your gift wrap. Instead of spending money on store-bought wrapping paper that ends up in a landfill, make your own wrapping from newspaper, magazines, or catalogues.

Or use fabric items to wrap gifts, such as wrapping a cookbook in a dishtowel, or clothing in a scarf.

Reusable gift bags are another eco-conscious way to present gifts — they’re also easier to use than wrapping paper!

Decorate with the planet in mind.

Holiday lighting can be a big energy user, so try to find efficient lighting (such as LED lights). Turn outdoor lighting displays off when you go to bed or if you’re not at home. If you light candles, choose natural ones made with beeswax or soy instead of petroleum-based ingredients. Consider a live tree that can be replanted after the holidays.

Send greetings that really care. Create your own cards using your computer or art supplies and recycled paper. Some people keep old cards, cut the pictures out, and use these to make new cards or gift tags. Better still, go paperless with ecards.

Reuse and recycle. As you plan your event or celebration, keep in mind ways to reduce waste, such as using rechargeable batteries in electronic items. If you receive gifts you can’t return or use, pass them on to someone who can — or donate them to a charity. (You can also do this with any old items that this year’s gifts replace.) (kidshealth)

news

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friday, december 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Public servants set for week-long march W

ith support from the two parliamentary parties and the second largest umbrella trade union body, public servants are set to take to the streets today, beginning a weeklong protest march though the streets of Georgetown as they press government to increase the five per cent pay hike offered.

Today’s march will kick off around 11:00h, the workers’ union – the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) said in a statement. Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker confirmed that permission has been granted for the march.

“These protest actions/ marches are as a result of the arbitrary impositions of increases on salaries and wages of public servants from the year 2000 to 2013, which were all rejected,” the GPSU said.

Route The march begins at the GPSU’s headquarters, 160 Regent Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, Georgetown before heading up Regent Road, turning south into Vlissengen Road to Brickdam, then west into Brickdam to Brickdam and High Street, north along High Street into the western side of Avenue of the Republic, then Main Street to the junction of Main and Lamaha streets, then south into the eastern half of Main Street, then the Avenue of the Republic, to the junction of Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street, then east along Regent Street back to the GPSU headquarters.

Opposition Leader David Granger said the protest actions are justified since the government has failed to come to the negotiating table in accordance with the collective labour agreement.

He noted that it repeatedly and arbitrarily imposed wages hikes over the years in defiance of the requests of the GPSU for negotiations.

Granger told Guyana Times that the government has persisted in maintaining the policy of derecognising the union by not pay-

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

ing attention to its pleas.

He stressed that the public servants have been demotivated over the past decade, because they cannot survive on the salaries they are getting.

The APNU leader pointed out that the situation does not warrant a confrontation; as such, he called on both sides to go back to the negotiating table and resolve this matter.

Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan also pledged his support to the course of action taken by the union.

He noted that the government has enough money to pay public servants increases of approximately 10 to 15 per cent. The AFC leader made reference to Dr Cheddi Jagan’s struggle for better wages and working conditions for Guyanese, noting that this is what the GPSU is doing.

“There should be no repercussions for the public servants, because it’s a genuine cause they are fighting and we will support the GPSU and the public servants,” Ramjattan said.

Support The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said it stands prepared to lend its unwavering support to all workers in the struggle for human and workers’ rights, equality, and justice.

The umbrella trade union said under the laws of Guyana, all are equal and must be treated with identical respect and digni-

Opposition Leader David Granger

ty, and it is on this premise, our just expectations and demands are made.

“GTUC calls on every union, worker, employer, government and member of civil society to forge this culture for national unity and development," said the

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan

GTUC.

Budget

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, during last week’s sitting of the House explained that money allocated in the 2013 National Budget

for revised wages and salary can only cater for five per cent increase across the board to public servants.

He said this is because the budgeted allocation not only catered for annual increases, but also to offset all the new recruitments and other employment shortfall costs that are not budgeted for under the different agencies in the central government system.

The minister noted that the issue of the revised wages and salary was regrettably being manipulated and misrepresented by the opposition. He said, as a matter of policy, for each of the budgeted agencies, the amount made available for employment cost is what is required to cover those persons currently employed within the budgeted agencies.

Dr Singh pointed out that this means any new recruitment is funded under the revision of wages and salaries. He said this has been a practice enshrined in central government for a number of years, as it is difficult to predict which agencies would be recruiting, in what numbers and when.

He stated that the general practice has been for an allocation for revised wages and salary, which funds across the board salary increases, to reside in the Finance Ministry to cover the cost of any new recruitment, as well as other employment cost shortfall. He said the latter can arise, not only for recruitment, but also as a result of re-classification and promotion.

8 news

friday, december 20, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Vryheids Lust resident assaults police constable – court hears

A

20-year-old resident of 23 Vryheids Lust, East Coast Demerara appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, charged with unlawful assault of a police officer and disorderly conduct.

Cordell Small pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on December 16, at Regent

Street, he assaulted a police constable who was on duty at the time. He also pleaded not guilty to the disorderly conduct charge.

The accused was released on $10,000 bail per charge after the police prosecutor asked that bail be granted in a substantial amount.

The defendant is to return to court on January 15, 2014.

21-year-old charged with robbery

K

eiron Perreira, a 21-year-old sex worker, was Thursday charged with robbery after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Perreira was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 14, armed with an offensive weapon, he robbed Shazam Mohamed of a quantity of items, including a laptop and a BlackBerry smartphone.

On the said date, the virtual complainant had attended a function at the

Guyana Society for the Blind, departing around 21:30h. On his way to the minibus park, he was confronted by the accused and another man who proceeded to place a knife to his throat and relieve him of his valuables.

The accused was later arrested and admitted to the offence.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds that the accused will most likely not return to answer to the charge.

The accused was remanded and is to make a second appearance on January 22, 2014.

Eyew tness

Old-time story... ...about WPA It’s probably because we’re approaching the end of another year. People like to look back around now and remember old times. Some people go back to real old time... especially old people. The only problem is that when you get to that age, the mind begins to play tricks on you.

Sometimes you “remember” things that never happened.

Then again, some people believe because it’s “long time”, other forgot what really happened and they could rewrite history. Especially when the “rewriting” makes them look good.

So once again, we have two old men – Eusi Kwayana, who’s almost 90, and Ralph Ramkarran, who’s not too far behind, arguing who offered what and to whom 20 years ago between the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The truth is, who really cares? What’s the point?

They say, in life, everybody’s entitled to their 15 minutes of fame. And then, you’re yesterday’s news...history. And that’s really the story of the WPA. They had their 15 minutes in the spotlight back in the 1970s and once their leader Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated in 1980, their light hasn’t only dimmed but it’s “out”. And all we have left is a bunch of geriatrics arguing about “what if?”

In this case, what if Professor Clive Thomas had accepted Dr Cheddi Jagan’s 1992 offer to become “minister of development”. We don’t know why there’s any argument about the possible consequences if that scenario had played out.

Dr Thomas is a man who’s advocated severing all ties with the Western economies. What kind of role was this airy fairy theorist going to have when Dr Jagan and the government had inherited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its conditionalities from the People’s National Congress (PNC)?

And this kind of irrelevance was typical of the eggheads in the WPA. Look at the ones who’ve survived and found a home with the PNC. Can you, in your wildest dream, picture Dr Rupert Roopnaraine running anything? Certainly not the foreign service after he advocated abandoning any development of our New River Triangle because Suriname

(which would like to get its grubby fingers on it) would be “upset”!

Look at what the opposition has wrought in its quest for power – made Guyana a pariah in the international banking system. If the geriatrics want to make a contribution, why don’t they point out to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) that they can’t cut Guyana’s (economic) nose to spite its (developmental) face.

And please...enough with the old-time stories.

This time na lang time. ...about crime Sadly, it’s also the same old story on crime. Police confirmed that crimes committed with guns have increased.

No surprise there. The question, of course, and one that we’ve been raising over and over again, is what’re we gonna do ‘bout it? And by “we”, we don’t mean you and me: we mean the police, who’re getting paid to deal with the problem.

We’re sick and tired about hearing about why the police cannot take care of its business. First, the stations were run down. So they were fixed. Then it was the police didn’t have phones to take calls from beleaguered citizens. So they got phones.

Then when they could hear the citizens’ cries...they said they had no cars to respond. So, they were given cars. Lots of cars. Then they weren’t trained properly. So two new training centres were built. The excuse this year is there aren’t enough recruits to replenish the police quitting.

Funny, but we don’t seem to have any problems with staffing the police traffic department. But then again, those assignments have their own “perks”, don’t they? ...on Georgetown marches With the police complaining about understaffing, we hope they had someone manning the store and had the good sense to deny the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) permission to march up Regent Street. Otherwise by the time you read this, even though Georgetown was recently under water, the place will be jumping.

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friday, december 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana, ALBA countries enter anti-hunger pact with FAO

PNCR comes to aid of BV resident

President Donald Ramotar and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, among officials, at the PetroCaribe-ALBA summit

Doris Nero receives her television set from PNCR leader David Granger while MP Joseph Harmon looks on

uyana was among a group of South American and Caribbean countries that on Wednesday adopted a common plan of action to eradicate hunger and poverty, designed with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The agreement was announced during the Second Extraordinary Summit of the PetroCaribe oil bloc and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), which concluded on Wednesday in Caracas, Venezuela.

The plan aims to strengthen food and nutrition security in the PetroCaribe economic zone and in ALBA countries through national and regional hunger eradication projects. FAO will provide advice to governments in developing interventions.

During the summit, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro said, “The Action Plan ALBAPetroCaribe to free our territories from hunger seems fundamental for the future.”

he leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), retired Brigadier

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Hunger reduction

The plan reflects the priority that hunger reduction has been given by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Under the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative, the 33 countries of the region committed to eradicating malnutrition by 2025.

The ALBA-PetroCaribe Action Plan represents the most ambitious attempt to eradicate hunger in the history of the region.

Speaking at the summit, FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva said: “Latin America and the Caribbean are showing that across the entire region there is political will for and commitment to achieving hunger eradication.”

Venezuela supports the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative.

FAO and Venezuela’s government also signed an agreement to implement a Venezuelanled regional food and nutrition security and poverty eradication programme within the framework of the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative.

The Venezuelan programme will work on three tracks: strengthening leaders, producers and social organisations in rural areas; facilitating the commercialisation and trade of products from family farms; and supporting hunger eradication efforts in various economic integration zones in Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular in the PetroCaribe region.

The agreement between FAO and the government of Venezuela was signed by the Vice President for Social Matters of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hector Rodriguez, and the FAO director general. It involves an amount of US$12 million.

Fishing communities

In addition, Venezuela signed an agreement with the FAO to undertake a fisheries development programme with environmental and economic sustainability criteria, through which FAO will provide technical assistance and support the transfer of technology and good practices to fishing communities along the Venezuelan coast.

The US$7.8 million project will be funded

by Venezuela’s Ministry of Popular Power for Agriculture and Lands and will support more than 8000 fishing families. Several years ago, Venezuela banned industrial trawling in its waters, a measure aimed at maximising fishing’s benefits to local communities and minimising its environmental impacts.

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David Granger on Tuesday donated a television set to Doris Nero, whose house at Beterverwagting, East

Coast Demerara was recently toppled by high winds.

The 71-year-old also

received a cash donation from the party’s North American group, a release from the PNCR said.

Granger extended words of comfort to Nero on behalf of the leadership and members of the PNCR. He also toured the site of the collapsed building. Both the PNCR and the North American Region (NAR) of the PNCR promised to donate additional household items, including a bed and microwave oven to the BV senior citizen.

After touring the wreckage where Nero’s house once stood, an official who accompanied Granger, said an important part of the PNCR’ s mission was assisting members of the community who had fallen on hard times or were victims of floods, fire, and other disasters. Brigadier Granger was accompanied by PNCR executive committee members Joseph Harmon, Member of Parliament, and Larry London.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Friday, December 20, 2013

News Josiah to be laid to rest on Saturday T

he Guyana Police Force on Thursday confirmed that the late Assistant Police Commissioner and A Division Commander, Derrick Josiah will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Josiah took his last breath on Friday last at the Woodlands Hospital, Waterloo Street, Georgetown after suffering cardiac arrest at about 15:30h.

According to reports, the assistant police commissioner was taken to the hospital for a routine check-up and suffered a seizure while being attended to by the doctor.

He was immediately taken to the Intensive Care Unit where he died shortly after. Prior to this, he had had no seizures. Josiah was involved in an accident about three weeks ago whereby his car slammed into a utility police at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara.

A release by the Guyana Police Force stated that his body will be set for viewing at Sandy’s Funeral Parlour, Lot 1 Chapel Street, Lodge, from

Late Assistant Police Commissioner and A Division Commander Derrick Josiah

09:00h to 09:45h thence to the “House of Mourning”, Lot 103 Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, for further viewing from 11:00h to 13:00h.

The body will then leave for the Maranatha Assembly of God Church, Uitvlugt Pasture, West Coast Demerara for a brief stop, thence to the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground for the funeral service commencing at 14:00h. Burial will take place at the Brethren Church Ground, Stewartville Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

Moments after his sudden demise, Josiah was described as a stalwart in the force and a man of integrity. He enlisted on August 22, 1985 as a constable and served in various capacities with distinction, the last being commander of A Division.

Josiah was a member of the Guyana Police Force Change Team, which is overseeing the modernisation of the force. At Change Team Meetings, which are chaired by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, he was very vocal on issues and made valuable contributions, which aided the modernisation process.

A wannabe man fuh life

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ome people never satisfy. No matter whah more dem get on top of whah dem already have, is de same ting. Dem still never satisfy. It got one man who doin backtrack fuh donkey years. He never satisfy. He still want tek more people money. Is de more he get, de more he want.

It got another man who drinkin soup fuh donkey years.

He never satisfy. He want more soup. When he talkin he dribblin soup. Front teeth done mek way fuh more soup.

Well, de soupaholic and de backtrackite wukkin together.

A junior up and comin soupaholic in de makin pun Saffon Street who leff de soup and go back to de soup seh dem wukkin one another.

De senior soupaholic and de backtrackite got one ting in common…dem never satisfy. People like dem belly does be full but dem eye never full. Dem like whah old people does call old higue. Young people does call dem vampire. Dem is suckers. Dem is one and de same.

Another man who eye never full is a sugar man. Or used to wannabe a sugar man. This sugar man eventually turn a TEE-VEE man. Or used to wannabe a TEE-VEE man. This TEE-VEE man also used to wannabe a RAY-dio man. This wannabe man used to wannabe every ting.

Well, this same wannabe man used to also wannabe a money man. So de wannabe man sell out every ting lock, stock and barrel fuh money. This wannabe man cash he cheque right away. But as usual, when money done, de fun done too. Wannabe man end up holdin wood. Plenty wood.

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

After all that, he wannabe a fish man. Wannabe man couldn’t do nutten good all he life even though he father bail he out. Now wannabe man tink he know bout every ting from sugar to TEE-VEE to RAY-dio to money to fish.

Wannabe man gon be a wannabe man fuh life. Just wait and see!

Gunmen grab $7.7M Public Works Ministry payroll

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p to late Thursday afternoon, investigators were questioning several persons after gunmen grabbed close to $8 million from two clerks attached to the Public Works Ministry.

The money, Guyana Times understands, was to be used to pay the five per cent retroactive increase. According to reports received, the robbery occurred about 12:00h in the compound of the Public Works Ministry, Kingston, Georgetown.

Further information gathered revealed that the payment clerks were returning from a city bank in the company of an armed security guard and were making their way into the building when the men carried out the brazen daylight robbery.

In a release, police confirmed that the robbery occurred about 11:55h on Thursday. Police investigations revealed that a female assistant account-

ant and a female accounts clerk attached to the Public Works Ministry, Fort Street, Kingston, were in the company of an armed private security guard when they were attacked and robbed by two men armed with handguns.

“The victims had just returned to the ministry after conducting business at a bank and as their motor vehicle entered the compound, the two armed men, who were in the compound, held them at gunpoint.”

The perpetrators took away the bags containing the money and the security guard’s .38 revolver with seven rounds of ammunition and escaped on a motorcycle. The men had pretended to be employees of the ministry to gain entry to the compound.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn confirmed that the robbery occurred, but could not comment further when contacted, since he was at a sitting of the National Assembly.

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, DEcEMBER 20, 2013

Former Judge Winston Moore appointed ombudsman person holding that office is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights.

Ombudsmen sometimes also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor

Former Judge Winston Moore

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ormer High Court Judge Winston Moore has been appointed the new ombudsman of Guyana – a constitutional position that had been vacant for many years.

The Office of the President said in a statement that Justice Moore, who is currently in private practice, will be sworn in January prior to assuming office at the Brickdam chambers of the Ombudsman.

An ombudsman is usually appointed by the government or by Parliament, but with a significant degree of independence. The

service or breaches of people’s rights. At the national level, most ombudsmen have a wide mandate to deal with the entire public sector, and sometimes also elements of the private sector. An ombudsman has the power to sanction if a citizen believes he or she has

been treated unjustly by a high-profile member of society, even a minister.

Back in October, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said while it has influence on government’s decisionmaking, it will not press the administration to appoint

an ombudsman. PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee had said that the administration was just as concerned as other political parties about the appointment of the ombudsman in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader David Granger

said the office of the ombudsman is still as important as it was at the time of the country’s independence. “We have expressed dismay that since the death of Justice SY Mohammed, the position has not been filled,” Granger had said back then.

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friday, December 20, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

News Man injured in Port Mourant crash

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20-year-old man is now nursing injuries after he lost control of his car and crashed into a culvert on the Port Mourant Public Road on Wednesday evening.

According to reports, Daniel Dass of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant, Berbice was proceeding west along the public road when a minibus swerved into his path and he lost control of his vehicle, as he veered away to avoid a collision. The vehicle then hit a culvert and catapulted in the air, before landing approximately 30 feet away on its side. The driver was trapped inside and could not get out.

When this newspaper arrived on the scene, the driver was still trapped inside the car while public-spirited citizens, who heard the sound of the impact and rushed to

The ill-fated car driven by Daniel Dass

the scene, were frantically trying to gain access to the unconscious Dass. They were finally able to gain access to him after ripping out the front windshield.

By that time, Dass had regained consciousness but was in a state of shock.

He was rushed to the Port Mourant hospital where he received medical attention.

According to eyewitnesses, the car, a peach Toyota Vios with registration PLL 8594, was speeding when the minibus, which was overtaking another, came into his lane, causing him to run off the road. The driver of the minibus did not stop to render

assistance.

One eyewitness, Kunatie (only name given) said: “I hear a loud screech and a few seconds later, a bang and all I see is an orange car fly up in the air and slam down. Me and me partner run to the scene and had to lash out the windscreen to get he out.”

According to his sister, Elena, Dass was heading out to get something after just returning from Georgetown.

She related that when they got news of the accident, they rushed over to the Port Mourant hospital where he was receiving medical attention.

UG honours long-serving staff

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mid celebrations of its 50th anniversary, the University of Guyana on Wednesday held a ceremony honouring longserving members of staff.

Thirty-three staff members were honoured and presented with tokens in appreciation for their long service.

Speaking at the ceremony, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster thanked the awardees for their continued service. She also reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with the university towards transformation. She noted that the University of Guyana is leading efforts to support the advancement of women.

Those awarded for 20 years of service include: Veronica Alexander, Ruslyn Alexander, Tarrah Bhookmohan, Holly Bowen, Joy Cheong, Simone Daniels, Roxanne Dowden, Gwyneth George, Roxanna Glen, O’Neil Greaves, Mark Harry, Njozi John, Devon Nurse, Doreen RichmondBenn, Bernadette Rohoman, Shamwattie Sarwan, Claire Watson, Clayrina Wickham, and Joy Williams.

Those awarded for 25 years of service are: Esdell Abrams, Registrar Vincent

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster

Alexander, Jolyon Boston, Lorraine Henry, Debra Layne, Fazleem Mohamed, Donna Morrison, and Dr Theodosius Velloza.

Four persons were also awarded for 30 years of service. These are: Claudette Austin, Khemnath Hoosner, Mark Marshall, and Erwin Williams. The awardees were all from different faculties and fields of work within the University of Guyana.

Offering thanks on behalf of the awardees was Registrar Alexander. It was well noted that the awardees have collectively served the institution for 745 years.

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Friday, december 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

16 news Barbados' pain is TT’s nightmare friday, December 20, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

3000 public sector jobs on the line

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he decision by the government of Barbados to retrench 3000 public sector workers by the end of the first quarter of 2014 has

caused almost as much shock and consternation in Trinidad and Tobago as in Barbados, a country that has attracted billions of dollars in investment

from TT companies.

Among the local, publicly listed companies with large investments in Barbados are Neal & Massy, ANSA

The retrenchment of the 3000 Barbadian workers is expected to have a chilling impact on the demand for goods and services on the island

McAL, TCL, Republic Bank and First Citizens, while privately held companies like Associated Brands, Bermudez and the Mouttet group of companies supply food products worth millions of dollars a year to the

Caricom nation.

The retrenchment of the 3000 Barbadian workers is expected to have a chilling impact on the demand for goods and services on the island, as those affected slash their spending, restructure

debt obligations, draw down on their savings, and sell assets. As the retrenched Barbadian workers attempt to restructure their lives and their finances, financial institutions operating in Barbados are certain to feel the pinch.

One of those financial institutions is likely to be Republic Bank, whose single, largest shareholder is the Clico Investment Fund, which owns 40 million Republic shares. One of the options that the government is considering to recover its TT$20 billion from the CL Financial bailout is to divest all of the remaining shares once held by the collapsed group.

In May, Republic Bank announced that it had acquired the remaining 34.86 per cent shareholding in the former Barbados National Bank, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Port of Spain-based bank.

(Trinidad Guardian)

UNDP donation to speed up Parliament’s paperless push

UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa hands over the equipment to Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman while staff members of both the UNDP office and Parliament look on

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arliament’s goal of becoming a paperless legislature has been brought one step closer to reality with the handing over of 15 Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, five Dell Optiplex desktop computers, and one Dell laptop computer by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony, held in Committee Room Two of the Public Building, Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, explained that the Parliament of Guyana will be embarking on a Paperless Parliament Test Project (PPTP). According to a release, he said the Parliament has always recognised the UNDP as its biggest development partner and is pleased to be undertaking this project with the entity.

He further explained that the project will facilitate the enhancement and upgrading of desktop computers used by Members of Parliament in the Information Technology

Resource Centre, and upgrade the Parliament’s website to ensure that it is functional and effective in supporting the efforts of the Parliament to be more open to the people of Guyana.

“Undoubtedly, the time to begin to embrace and use modern technologies to aid in the work of the National Assembly is now,” Trotman said, noting that there has been an enhanced interest in the work of the National Assembly, thus requiring members to be more accessible to their constituents, citizens, and stakeholders.

UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa said the UNDP is happy to be able to contribute to the reduction of paper usage in the Parliament office and is committed to working together with the Parliament of Guyana to realise its vision of becoming a paperless parliament.

She encouraged the government and other developmental partners to assist in supplying all parliamentarians and the necessary

members of staff from the Parliament office with similar electronic devices.

The Parliament office will run a pilot project for four months in which the Speaker and a select group of parliamentarians and members of staff will commit to share all information electronically. While this is being done, the office will commit to conducting a study of the amount of paper and financial and other resources that will be saved by the office and the government, while acquainting MPs and staff of the benefits of the electronic sharing of information. Therefore, by a process of extrapolation, the true benefits to the National Assembly will be realised.

During this pilot project, all members involved will report regularly to a designated officer who will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the project and preparing regular reports for sharing with the Parliamentary Management Committee and the UNDP.

NEWS

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friday, December 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana’s strong macroeconomic performance Govt defers procurement has reduced public debt, poverty – IMF bill after marathon debate

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uyana’s strong macroeconomic performance has contributed to a reduction in public debt levels and sustained poverty reduction during the last decade. This is according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board report after the Article IV consultation with Guyana for 2013, which was concluded on December 9.

The economy has experienced seven years of uninterrupted growth, averaging about four per cent annually. The key pillars of the macroeconomic resurgence have been sustained reforms, in particular the implementation of VAT, favourable commodity prices, significant inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI).

Economic activity

Real economic activity expanded by 4.8 per cent in 2012 on the back of broadbased growth in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction, and other services.

Twelve-month inflation remained low at 3.4 per cent, notwithstanding higher energy and food prices. In fiscal year 2012, the overall fiscal deficit was 4.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), virtually unchanged from the 2011 outturn.

Central government revenues net of grants declined by 0.8 per cent of GDP, reflecting lower income and consumption tax receipts, and non-interest current expenditures rose by one per cent of GDP mainly on account of higher transfer payments to the electricity and sugar companies. The deterioration in the central gov-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

ernment balance was offset by improved performance of stateowned enterprises whose financial position shifted from deficit to surplus. The external current account balance was broadly unchanged from 2011 and gross international reserves stood at 4.2 months of imports.

Meanwhile, the banking soundness indicators have remained strong, with capital adequacy ratios well above the regulatory minimum requirement, non-performing loans (NPLs) between five and six per cent over the last three years, and provisioning for bad loans at comfortable levels.

The macroeconomic outlook is generally positive for 2013 and the medium term.

Growth is projected at 4.8 per cent in 2013, continuing the broad-based robust expansion in economic activity. Twelvemonth inflation is expected to remain low, around 3.5 per cent by year-end.

The revised 2013 budget envisages an overall fiscal deficit of 5.2 per cent of GDP, largely related to worsening performance of public enterprises, which are projected to return a deficit of 0.4 per cent of GDP compared to a surplus of 1.3 per cent in 2012. Higher VAT receipts are projected to raise central government nongrant revenue by 0.9 per cent

of GDP. Meanwhile, central government capital expenditure is projected to rise by 0.4 per cent of GDP, while the public wage bill as a per cent of GDP will remain broadly stable and transfers will decline by 0.7 per cent of GDP. The current account deficit is expected to widen to 16.8 per cent of GDP in 2013, driven by higher fuel imports, lower commodity prices, and lower remittances, which are projected to fall with slowing activity in major host countries. At the same time, with larger disbursements related to an ambitious public investment programme and resilient Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), gross international reserves are projected to remain adequate at 3.6 months of imports.

Policies and reforms The executive directors welcomed Guyana’s strong growth over the past several years, underpinned by favourable commodity prices and robust FDI. While the medium-term economic outlook remains positive, directors encouraged the authorities to persevere in their commitment to sound policies and reforms to strengthen policy buffers, promote more inclusive growth, and further reduce poverty.

Directors underscored the importance of prudent fiscal consolidation anchored in a medium-term policy framework that safeguards debt sustainability, bolsters fiscal and external buffers, and addresses unmet development needs.

Priority should continue to be given to implementing reforms to boost the efficiency of public enterprises and replacing universal subsidies with bettertargeted social assistance.

Acknowledging the potential benefits of a more stable and reliable source of energy,

directors encouraged the authorities to ensure that the large hydroelectric project under consideration remains financially and economically viable to curb fiscal risks. In this context, they saw merit in strengthening the project and debt management framework, and pursuing international best practices as regards public-private partnerships.

Directors considered that a modestly tighter stance of monetary policy and continued exchange rate flexibility would help safeguard international reserves, contain inflationary pressures, and reduce the current account deficit.

Although risks appear generally limited, directors recommended continued vigilance over the financial sector.

In light of rapid credit growth in recent years and high loan concentration, they advised frequent on-site inspections for larger banks and a better integrated supervision of financial business groups. It is urgent to address remaining gaps in the regime to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Directors commended the authorities for the progress so far in poverty reduction.

However, they considered that further efforts are needed to ensure a more even distribution of the benefits from economic growth. In this regard, efforts to lower the cost of energy, address skill mismatches, and improve the business environment represent important policy initiatives. Steps to increase productivity in traditional sectors, such as agriculture and mining, should also be part of a strategy to foster more inclusive growth.

Directors also encouraged further improvements in data provision and dissemination.

TT: Petrotrin oil spill spreads to La Brea Man found

The shoreline of Station Beach in La Brea is blanketed with oil after a spill that occurred in Point-a-Pierre on Monday, spread to other areas Wednesday

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undreds of La Brea residents were in some discomfort Wednesday night because of toxic fumes emanating from an oil spill which Petrotrin claimed to have contained the day before.

And residents are demanding answers from the staterun oil giant. A Petrotrin official Wednesday evening confirmed that based on reports they had received that day, a spill which they initially discovered in Pointe-

a-Pierre on Tuesday, and claimed to have contained there, may have affected the Point Fortin and La Brea communities because of the movement of the tide.

But this has offered little solace for irate resident Ashwain Modeste, who lives near Queen’s Beach, also known as the “D Coffee,” in La Brea, where the oil spill was most evident Wednesday. He expressed horror upon seeing the thick oil sludge that lined the shoreline. “They

(Petrotrin) say they have everything contained... look at that,” Modeste said when the Guardian visited, pointing to the thick pools of oil along the shore.

Modeste said the pungent smell of crude oil, which caused a nauseous feeling, was overwhelming and would have brought discomfort to his family last night. “I do not know how we going to make out with that here tonight (last night) and there is nothing that could be done now about it.

The tide high and the wind strong,” he lamented.

Petrotrin, in a release issued earlier in the day, had assured that “it has mobilised all available resources to manage the spill response efforts in an effective and efficient manner and the situation is under control.” However, it was clear to worried fishermen in La Brea that the oil spill was far from contained. Many fishermen Wednesday looked on helplessly as their boats, moored near the shore at “D Coffee,” became enveloped in the oily sludge.

dead with gunshot wounds to head

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olice are seeking the identity of a man who was found dead Thursday afternoon at Ruby, West Coast Demerara with gunshot wounds to his head.

According to a police release, about 13:00h on Thursday the unidentified body of the man of East Indian descent was found in the vicinity of Ruby koker.

The victim appeared to have been in his late 30s.

He was fair in complexion, about 5’ 9” in height, with a tattoo “Rebecca” on his left hand and another tattoo “Love” on the right hand.

The body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, Best Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Investigations are in progress.

– to return bill to House in six months

By Svetlana Marshall

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he Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2013 will now be read for a second time within six months. The National Assembly took this decision late Thursday night following heated debate on whether the Procurement Act of 2003 requires an amendment.

The Procurement (Amendment) Bill was scheduled for a second reading on Thursday subsequent to the verbal battle fought by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU); and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

From all indications, the APNU and the AFC had no intention of supporting the amendment to the Procurement Act of 2003.

As a result, PPP/C’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira stepped in at the 11th hour, requesting that the bill be deferred.

This proposal was put to the House, seconds after Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh moved the motion for the bill to be read for a second time. With Teixeira’s intervention, APNU Member of Parliament Basil Williams uttered from across the room that he had made such suggestion to the PPP/C earlier.

While the opposition did not object to the bill being deferred, APNU’s Carl Greenidge said the coalition remains firm in its position regarding the amendment, and expressed the need for the nomination process for members of the Public Procurement Commission to continue. He stated clearly that the six months’ imposition must not be used as a delay tactic. The case put forward by the APNU was endorsed by the AFC. The PPP/C chief whip said while the six-month grace period opens avenues for negotiations, the parties, in particular the PPP/C, cannot preempt the outcome of the possible negotiations.

Contradiction

During the initial stage of the debate, the finance minister, who tabled the bill for the first time on December 12, told the House that Section 54:6 of the Procurement Act of 2003 contradicts the laws of Guyana. It was explained that within the Procurement Act, there is a clear contradiction between Section 51 which recognises Cabinet’s no-objection role in the procurement process and Section 54:6 which does not.

“By which subsection… are we to be guided?” Minister Singh asked the House.

Dr Singh recalled, prior to the passage of the act, there were five subsections within Section 54, and subsection six was incorporated on the floor.“In 2003, the Procurement Act sought to change Cabinet’s role of one

of approval to one of no objection and specified the circumstances under which Cabinet could express its noobjection.”

With the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which the AFC is pushing for, Section 54:6 will be instituted, removing Cabinet’s no-objection powers. In his lengthy debate the finance minister opined that Section 54:6 creates a fundamental issue.

He made it clear that the Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2013 does not seek to increase or expand the authority that is currently being enjoyed by Cabinet.

The finance minister said the constitutional role of the PPC is to monitor public procurement and proceedings, in order to ensure that the procurement of goods and services and the execution of work are conducted in a fair, equitable and transparent manner, thus effective according to the law.

Maintaining Cabinet’s no objection will not limit or hinder the function or responsibility of the commission.

No surprise

But AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan who sat in the National Assembly in 2003 when the original procurement bill was being debated, said it was the PPP/C who incorporated Section 54:6 into the article.

In subsection one, Cabinet has the right to review all procurement contracts valued more than $15 million.

“It is rather strange that we are hearing from Mr Manzoor Nadir, honourable member, that he does not understand at the end point of the debate, but I can tell you what had happened at the end point of the debate, the PNC was making some very serious attacks that they don’t believe that the minister should have such power and they were about to walk out of Parliament. Section 54:6 was passed only by PPP/C members,” Ramjattan said.

In 2003, there was a communiqué that was signed between the then leader of the opposition Robert Corbin and the then President Bharrat Jagdeo, that a Public Procurement Commission would have been established by the end of 2003.

He said, too, that the then Attorney General Doodnauth Singh had assured the House that there were no contradictions within the subsections.

Greenidge echoed similar sentiments: he said it was the Procurement Bill of 2003 that was endorsed by the House, hence the PPC should be established under the current legislation thereby absorbing the powers of the Cabinet.

18 news

friday, DECEMber 20, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Miners urged to remember social responsibilities

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he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) hosted its 32nd Annual Dinner during which miners were urged to recognise their civil responsibilities as they continue to further develop the mining industry and Guyana’s economy.

This encouragement came from President Donald Ramotar at the event on

Wednesday evening at the Savannah Suite at the Pegasus Hotel. He declared that gold is making a significant contribution to the development of Guyana’s economy, so miners should engage in environmentally-friendly operations while recognising their civil responsibilities.

“Mining is a finite operation and therefore, I will like to see us ensuring that the in-

vestments we get from mining go into developing our human capital. Concentrate on a lot of that, because I have mentioned on several occasions and at a lot of forums, that it is the quality of people that will ensure the quality and development of a country and therefore, I would like to see more money go into the development of the human capital,” the president stated.

Ramotar also urged the miners to take into consideration the environmental aspect of mining. “The questions of preserving our environment, preserving what we have... we also see that itself has great benefits for our people economically, but moreover it provides a service for the whole world as far as fighting climate change is concerned. We all know cli-

President Donald Ramotar delivering an address at the GGDMA's 32nd annual dinner

mate change is upon us and if we can make a contribution to slow it down or reverse it.

That will be important for us,” he noted.

Great achievement

The president further requested the miners to discharge their patriotic duty by paying their taxes which will go towards providing the best quality of education for the people so that they can go on and continue to build Guyana even after the mineral resources are exhausted.

Ramotar pointed out that the miners have made a great achievement by establishing a new record with regards to the production of gold in the country. He noted that these accomplishments are as a result of the use of technology.

The head of state added that gold has become the leading contributor to the economic development of Guyana, pointing out that the mining sector will see expansion in the future. “Mining in its sense has a great future and there are other types of mining that will come on stream soon. We know traditionally bauxite has played a big role in Guyana’s development and now we have the revival of the manganese industry and hopefully, we will have commercial operations soon. I know there are also very heartening signs of finding iron ore in commercial quantities that we can produce here,” the president stated.

GGDMA President Patrick Harding praised the work of the miners, saying that the most notable accomplishment for 2013 was recorded when the sector surpassed its target with the record-breaking production of 460,000 ounces of gold.

He did not fail to acknowledge the challenges faced in pursuit of that goal, as he congratulated the miners. “It was a mixed year for us, we made a historic achievement; however, we took a beating when the price of gold … dropped early in the year by almost 50 per cent,” he highlighted.

The GGDMA president acknowledged the contributions of President Ramotar and Minister Persaud, noting that their support has gone a long way in guiding the sector to success. Harding assured the miners that the association will continue to work along with them and together they will further develop the mining industry.

Major success

In his remarks, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said the mining sector has seen major success during the past year, but that success has been undermined and misrepresented. “There is absolutely nothing wrong in pointing out these challenges, there are many challenges and there are many issues the mining sector will have to confront, but that’s not to say we must discount successes and the progress made and, more or less, go into an over drive of misrepresenting what is taking place in the industry,” the minister said.

He also challenged the miners to be environmentally responsible in their operations. The gold production this year was the highest-ever with 461,000 ounces declared, surpassing the previous mark set more than a decade ago of 455,918 ounces – the combined declarations of Omai and small-scale operations.

guyanatimesgy.com

Friday, december 20, 2013

19

Entertainment ll roads will lead to the T u s c h e n Community C e n t r e Ground this Boxing Night for “Boxing Night Chutney Celebration”, which is being organised by Westsiderz Entertainment.

The event will feature live performances by Prince JP; Fiona Singh; Pooran Seeraj; Aamir Khan; Bunty Singh; Steven Ramphal and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Jingle Star, Halima Khan. There will also be performances by GT&T's other top five jingle stars.

The performers will be backed by the Shakti Strings Band, with lead keyboardist Avinash

W

Prince JP

Fiona Singh

Steven Ramphal

Halima Khan

Bunty Singh

Roopchand. The Ishara dancers, led by Shivanie Latchman, will also be present to spice things up.

Music will be provided by Power Sonic and 71

Sound System with emcee Deejay Golden Chyld.

Tickets for the event cost $1000 in advance and $1500 at the gate.

Advance tickets can be

purchased at Westsiderz Entertainment, Vreed-enHoop; Avon DVD Club, Uitvlugt; Caribbean Temptation and Lisa’s Beer Garden, Tuschen Scheme;

and Full Range Record Bar, Regent Street, Georgetown.

The event is exclusively sponsored by Carib Beer.

In addition, this Saturday, every purchase of $2000

guarantees a free ticket to “Boxing Night Chutney Celebration”. This offer is only available while stocks last.

ith just days to go before Christmas is here, Berbicians are on high alert, since one of the most fun- filled events of the season is heading their way today.

The “Christmas Carnival”, which ends on Sunday, is organised by Inspire Inc and is dubbed another out-of-the-box venture that will be clean, healthy fun for the entire family.

The carnival will be held at the Port Mourant Community Centre opposite the hospital. The action gets underway at 15:00h today and Saturday, while on Sunday, the gates will open at 14:00h. The fun will run until 22:00h and no alcohol will be permitted nor sold at the venue.

Children will experience an enchanted wonderland twinkling with lights, and full of joy, music, cheer and fabulous, breathtaking entertainment.

With Santa and his helpers expected to make a stop at the event, the magical blend of characters and activities for children of all ages will be impressive.

Revellers can expect fun-filled rides, game stations, water slides, and two daily interactive stage shows featuring Dora The Explorer and her sidekick Diego, Barney, SpongeBob SquarePants, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger. There will also be Spiderman, Hulk, Batman, The Grinch, and the Disney princesses among others.

Admission to the event will cost $500 for adults and $300 for children. All-inclusive tickets, which give access to any of the activities, are available at a cost of $5000. Tickets will be available at the gates.

Persons who are driving to the event are advised to use the Babu John entrance where parking is available.

20

entertainment

YELLOW PAGES

Club Monaco presents

friDay, december 20, 2013

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

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

GOLDSMITH R.Sookraj & Gift Shop for the best in hand made jewellery ,(made to order) Phone: 612-2125/223-6156

FOR SALE Chicken Hatchery (Robbins), 28,000 eggs capacity fully ready, $ 5.5 million or CREDIT available TEL: 2273939 621-4000 Diesel Generator, 3 cylinder Lister pitter (England) key start, 15,000 watts $595,000 cash Tel: 227-3939, 621-4000 Generac Generator 15,000 watts , portable, $475,000 cash Tel 2273939, 621-4000 CLARKE forklifts 3 pcs - 2000, 3000, 4000 Lb, lifting capacity $350,000 AND UP TEL: 227-3939, 621-4000 DIESEL Generator silent 28,000 watts SDMO John Deere engine, missing Fuel Pump, Panel, Avr $850,000 cash 227-3939, 621-4000 TV SALE 40” TO 73” SOME WORKING AND OTHERS NEEDS CHECKING ALL, SOLD AS IS TEL 621-4000, 227-3939 Exercise equipment, Joe wilder total gym, $50,000, ad circle $30,000,nordi track $50,000 ad board, portable heaters, and more cheap 621-4000, 227-3939 60FT Antenna (Mass) for Radio, TV, Cellular, with cables, brackets, sky light $400,000 227-3939, 621-4000

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KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today. optician

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 3393536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 9431515 for the perfect trendy touch.

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Contact Ram on 619-4483, 6017883 or 227-1454, 226-6325.

One two storey house at lot 93 Atlantic Gardens, ECD; upperflat-3 bedrooms, kitchen and bath; lower flat-2 bedrooms, kitchen and bath.

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spirituality Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer. The most powerful spiritualist in the world. Are you suffering from the following problems? (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection. Private and confidential. Phone: 674-2112.

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationship, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 10am - 4pm. Tel: 592-690-1824.

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VEHICLES FOR SALE LEROY TRIDENT car 250 CC, 4 doors, power window, keyless entry $495,000 cash or credit TEL 2273939, 621-4000 HILUX SURF 4 DOORS, minor parts needed, sold as is $695,000 cash TEL: 227-3939, 621-4000 Nissan Maxima, fully powered needs repairs sold as is $300,000 cash 227-3939, 621-4000 Stretch limousine, Lincoln Town car, fully powered $6.5 million or credit available Tel 227-3939, 621-4000 7PCS Trike Can-Am style Motorcycle, 200cc new, unregistered $350,000 neg or credit, Wholesale.

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

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his Saturday come join with Club Monaco as it celebrates its second anniversary at “The Good Life Shutter Shades Edition with DJ Energy”.

Toast to great times with bottle specials all night. Buy one bottle get the other at half price. Everyone will receive complimentary shutter shades upon entry. Music will be provided by the 94.1FM best DJ Energy, Selector Carl, and Selector Diamond.

Ladies will be admitted free before

23:00h. Let’s kick off the Christmas season and toast to the good life. This is the first of many events at Club Monaco for the season and it’s sure to be a blast. Admission is $1500.

This event is sponsored by Tropiclistings. com, Electronics City, 94.1FM and HJTV. Come and celebrate “The Good Life” at Club Monaco this Saturday, and remember what happens in Club Monaco stays in Club Monaco.

Xmas tree light-up Saturday at Enmore H

istory will be created in the East Coast Demerara village of Enmore on Saturday evening when its first-ever Christmas tree light-up is hosted by the newly-formed Enmore Youth Development Group in collaboration with the churches within the community.

The Christmas tree lightup aims to promote culture and cohesion, as well as spread the joy and love associated with the season, while embracing neighbouring communities.

The activity is also geared to brighten the faces of the less fortunate and those who may have never witnessed a Christmas tree light-up.

Prior to the lighting ceremony at 20:00h, there will be a parade through the village between 14:00h and 17:00h.

Additionally, a Santa booth will be in operation from 14:00h to 21:00h, while a Christmas concert will be held from 18:30h.

Children will be given an opportunity to take photos with Santa for a minimal cost, while cartoon characters such as Spiderman, Dora The Explorer and Pooh Bear will grace the occasion.

Members of the Enmore Youth Development Group are urging residents of Enmore and neighbouring villages to come out and be part of history, while ushering in the season in grand style.

friday, december 20, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Woodpecker Products annual Christmas Badminton…

Ramdhani takes U-15 Girls Singles title

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Priyanna Ramdhani

he annual Woodpecker Products annual Christmas Singles Badminton tournament started on Wednesday with star player Priyanna Ramdhani copping the Girls’ Under-15 title at the Queens College Badminton Court.

Ramdhani completely

Narayan Ramdhani

outplayed Ambika Ramraj 21-9, 21-6 in the final to lift the title. She had earlier overwhelmed Siya Persaud 21-2, 21-3 in the semi-final, while Ramraj gained her spot in the final after defeating Abosaide Cadogan 21-15, 21-9 in the other semi.

Priyanna’s brother,

Narayan Ramdhani, and Noel Shewjattan have made it to the final of the Under-19 Boys’ Singles after winning their respective semi-final encounters.

Narayan defeated Sachin Ramdhani 21-7, 215, while Shewjattan got the better of Jonathon Mangra 21-12, 21-13.

In the quarter-finals of the Under-19 Boys’ Singles, Narayan Ramdhani had defeated Hemraj Beharry 21-2, 21-5, Mangra prevailed 21-4, 21-7 over Armand Ramdhani, Noel Shewjattan outplayed Josh Oudit 21-4, 21-3 and Sachin Ramdhani won 2118,17-21, 21-7 against Anil Alli.

The lone game in the first round of the Open Men’s Singles was won by Christopher Persaud, who got the better of Hemraj Beharry 21-8, 21-8.

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World Test Championship in doubt

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he future of the World Test Championship has been thrown into doubt after it emerged that broadcasters and sponsors still hold grave reservations over the value of the event and the various parties organising it have failed to reach any agreement over the format.

The inaugural Test Championship, which the ICC hopes will become the showpiece event in the Test schedule, is due to be staged in the UK in 2017. But, with only four teams due to compete - the top four in the Test rankings as of December 31, 2016 - doubts remain over its global appeal.

The key concern of the sponsors and broadcasters is the identities of the competing teams. If any of the major draws cards - especially India or England - should fail to qualify, the attraction and value of the event would fall markedly. England’s rapid descent in the world rankings has rendered this a real danger and could also result in some of the games being played in less-than-full stadiums.

The ICC’s current broad-

cast deal ends in 2015.

The last deal, agreed with ESPN Star Sports in 2006, was worth around $1.1 billion and helped fund a huge increase in funding for Associate and Affiliate nations. Any decrease in the value of the next deal, a genuine possibility bearing in mind broadcasters’ lukewarm response to the World Test Championship, will have serious consequences for the game at every level in most parts of the world.

Little progress has been made with the practicalities of the event, either. While a simple option would see the event consist of nothing more than two semi-finals and a final, there are doubts over what happens in the event of poor weather - hardly an unlikely event in the UK - and whether such a format provides enough cricket to capture the imagination of spectators and the interest of sponsors.

Any other format - such as round-robin - threatens to become too long, with at least three days rest required between games to ensure any sort of veracity in the event. The fact that day-

night Test cricket remains an unrealised dream - and, in England at least, may always do so - also compromises the ability to reach a global audience.

As a result, the ICC is under increasing pressure to rethink its commitment to the Championship.

The World Test Championship was originally scheduled to be held for the first time in 2013, but was postponed due to the reservations of broadcasters. The ICC had hoped it would replace the Champions Trophy but was unable to reach an agreement and the 50-over tournament was staged in the UK, with some success, instead. It was subsequently confirmed that the Champions Trophy would not be played again.

While the ICC remains committed to hosting one showpiece event for each format of the game - World Twenty20, World Cup and Test Championship - the fact is that the Champions Trophy was popular with broadcasters, spectators and sponsors. Its revival cannot be ruled out. (Cricinfo)

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guyanatimesGY.com

friday, december 20, 2013

Ramdin, Chanderpaul lead West Indies recovery V I

Philander leads fightback in Johannesburg

t is their collapses that are spectacular these days, and West Indies didn’t disappoint on that front again, losing 4-9 to convert a solid start of 77-1 to 86-5. But what followed was even more spectacular, and substantial. Denesh Ramdin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul stunned New Zealand with a sixth-wicket partnership of 200 that came at just over four an over. Ramdin’s exit late in the day after his fourth Test hundred gave New Zealand some respite, but Chanderpaul was closing in on his 29th century, and West Indies had two specialist spinners and two competent part-timers to exploit a slow pitch which afforded turn and bounce for slow bowlers even on day one.

Just under half an hour of typical chaos after lunch when those four wickets fell seemed to justify Brendon McCullum’s decision to bowl.

But the relative comfort with which West Indies batted on either side of that short period showed that the Seddon Park pitch had been of little help to New Zealand.

There was some swing for large parts of the day, and the occasional seam, but under mostly bright sunshine, the surface lacked the bite that had been there in Wellington.

New Zealand weren’t as disciplined as they had been in the previous Test. Ramdin and Chanderpaul were never tied down, and hit boundaries freely, helped along by some uncharacteristically sloppy New Zealand fielding and catching.

Ramdin was put down twice on 57 and 92 at midwicket and short cover, and Chanderpaul escaped with several airy nudges that just beat leg gully. Both batsmen took their chances, and

Shivnarine Chanderpaul finished unbeaten on 122

prospered. Ramdin was imperious through cover and point, driving the fast bowlers at will for fours. The offside infield would think they had an opportunity, but by the time someone dived or stuck out his hand, the ball would have sped towards the boundary. Ramdin repeatedly unsettled the legspinner Ish Sodhi, slog-sweeping and pulling him powerfully.

Chanderpaul was troubled by Sodhi’s turn and bounce initially, the fielder at leg gully always in with a chance. But he survived, and drove the quick bowlers smoothly down the ground. New Zealand tried the short ball often against Chanderpaul, with a deep square leg, fine leg and leg gully, but he took them on, pulling confidently.

There was a flurry of boundaries just before and after the second new ball was taken, before Ramdin edged Corey Anderson behind in the 87th over to fall for 107. The previous wicket had gone 299 balls ago, when New Zealand had found themselves on top, out of nowhere.

West Indies showed again they could collapse regardless of the pitch, conditions or bowling. Kraigg Brathwaite, playing his first Test since April 2012 in place of Darren Bravo, had helped the visitors navigate the first session for the loss of only Kieran Powell, who had only himself to blame for trying an upper-cut while sway-

ing away from a bouncer.

Brathwaite, dropped on 13 and 15, and Powell had survived for more than an hour and put on 41.

It was Tim Southee who kickstarted the drama soon after lunch. Brathwaite had been tentative often but had survived through some pluck and some fortune to proceed to 45. But when Southee dug it in short, Brathwaite’s awkward style conspired to send the ball to gully. Southee was bowling some big outswingers now, and Kirk Edwards feathered one of them behind while trying to leave it, and was given out after New Zealand reviewed. Marlon Samuels flayed irresponsibly at his ninth delivery to edge to gully for a duck and Narsingh Deonarine missed a clip to be caught in front.

Yet again, it was down to Chanderpaul, and he wasn’t going to throw it away easily on such a pitch. Refreshingly, even Ramdin wasn’t willing to. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st innings KC Brathwaite c Williamson b Southee 45 KOA Powell c †Watling b Wagner 26 KA Edwards c †Watling b Southee 6 MN Samuels c Williamson b Anderson 0 S Chanderpaul not out 122 N Deonarine lbw b Anderson 2 D Ramdin† c †Watling b Anderson 107 DJG Sammy* c †Watling b Southee 3 SP Narine b Boult 2 V Permaul c Fulton b Southee 20 TL Best c †Watling b Sodhi 25 Extras: (b 2, lb 6, w 1) 9 Total: (all out; 116.2 overs) 367 Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-77, 3-78, 4-82, 5-86, 6-286, 7-296, 8-307, 9-332, 10-367

(At tea time on day two)

Bowling: TA Boult 26-2-84-1, TG Southee 28-3-79-4, N Wagner 21-4-67-1, Corey J Anderson 19-3-47-3, KS Williamson 5-017-0, IS Sodhi 17.2-0-65-1 New Zealand 1st innings PG Fulton c Sammy b Narine HD Rutherford c & b Sammy KS Williamson not out LRPL Taylor not out Extras: (b 4, nb 2) Total: (2 wickets; 31 overs) To bat: BB McCullum*, Corey J Anderson, BJ Watling†, TG Southee, IS Sodhi, N Wagner, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-43 Bowling: TL Best 5-1-7-0, DJG Sammy 10-5-17-1, V Permaul 11-1-34-0, SP Narine 5-2-14-1

11 10 34 15 6 76

ernon Philander helped South Africa fight back from a batting collapse on day two of the first Test with India.

The Proteas slipped from 130-1 to 145-6 in Johannesburg before an unbeaten 48 from Philander saw them recover to 213-6 at the close - 67 runs behind.

Ishant Sharma (3-64) and Mohammed Shami (2-48) did the damage for India.

Philander had earlier moved on to 99 Test wickets as he finished the pick of South Africa’s bowling attack with 4-61 as India were dismissed for 280.

The tourists had resumed on 255-5 following Virat Kohli’s century on day one, but could only add another 25 runs to their overnight total as Philander and Morne Morkel (3-34) ruthlessly polished off the tail.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla gave the hosts a solid

platform following the early departure of Alviro Petersen (21) as they added 93 for the second wicket.

But the loss of Amla, bowled by India paceman Sharma for 36 after he shouldered arms, sparked a toporder collapse as the Proteas lost five wickets in just 39 deliveries. Out-of-form Jacques Kallis, who averages 16 in Tests this year, went for a second-ball duck to Sharma lbw shortly afterwards.

India then got the key wicket of Smith (68) when he was trapped plumb in front to an inswinger from left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan, while rookie seamer Shami made his mark when JP Duminy edged to first slip while the dangerous AB De Villiers was given lbw two balls later.

All-rounder Philander steadied the ship, though, as he closed in on his third Test half-century and will resume on day three with Faf du Plessis (17 not out). (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD India 1st innings Vijay c AB de Villiers b M Morkel 6 Dhawan c Tahir b Steyn 13 Pujara run out (Tahir) 25 Kohli c Duminy b Kallis 119 Ro Sharma c AB de Villiers b Philander 14 Rahane c AB de Villiers b Philander 47 Dhoni c AB de Villiers b M Morkel 19 Ashwin not out 11 Zaheer Khan lbw b Philander 0 I Sharma b Philander 0 Mohammed Shami b M Morkel 0 Extras (2-nb, 14-w, 4-b, 6-lb) 26 Total (all out; 103 overs) 280 Bowling: Steyn 26-7-61-1, Philander 27-6-61-4, M Morkel 23-12-34-3, Kallis 14-4-37-1, Tahir 8-0-47-0, Duminy 5-0-30-0 Fall of wickets: 17 (Dhawan), 24 (Vijay), 113 (Pujara), 151 (Ro Sharma), 219 (Kohli),

264 (Dhoni), 264 (Rahane), 264 (Zaheer Khan), 278 (I Sharma), 280 (Ahmed) South Africa 1st innings Smith lbw b Zaheer Khan 68 Petersen lbw b I Sharma 21 Amla b I Sharma 36 Kallis lbw b I Sharma 0 AB de Villiers lbw b Ahmed 13 Duminy c Vijay b Ahmed 2 du Plessis not out 17 Philander not out 48 Extras (3-nb, 1-w, 4-lb) 8 Total (for six wickets, 66 overs) 213 Bowling: Zaheer Khan 224-72-1, Mohammed Shami 18-3-48-2, I Sharma 20-464-3, Ashwin 6-0-25-0 Fall of wickets: 37 (Petersen), 130 (Amla), 130 (Kallis), 130 (Smith), 145 (Duminy), 146 (AB de Villiers)

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friday, December, 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

friDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

TOP SCORES

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

CRICKET: WEST INDIES 289-6 V NEW ZEALAND; INDIA 280 V SOUTH AFRICA 213-6

GOA presents early Christmas gifts to affiliates

Members of the various associations pose with their cheques after receiving it at the cocktail event organised by the GOA. President of the GOA, K.A. Juman Yassin, is sitting third from left

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he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) shared some Christmas cheer on Wednesday evening by handing out over four million dollars to 15 of its sub-associations at the residence of GOA’s president, K.A. Juman Yassin.

According to Yassin, who was at the time hosting a cocktail reception for the associations, some associations will receive more money than others based on evaluations done by the GOA. The donation is geared towards the development of youths in the respective disciplines.

“I know you are pushing; you are saying that you don’t have facilities but you have to keep pushing and you can’t give up…but one of our problem is that you need to let the Ministry of Sport know your itinerary and let them know your plans, and most associations have not submitted their plans unfortunately,” Yassin stated. He added, “We at the GOA want to help and these contributions will be for the development of the youths that might be outstanding, because most times nothing is done for good prospects.”

Garfield Wiltshire, also apart of the GOA executive, reiterated the words of Yassin, noting that “it is important that our athletes are developed.”

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who is also the president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), thanked Yassin on behalf of all the associations in receipt of the donation stating that is was a “shot in the arm” for his association.

The associations to benefit were the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, Athletics Association of Guyana, Guyana Badminton Association, Guyana Boxing Association, Guyana Cycling Federation, Guyana Taekwondo Association, Guyana Squash Association, Guyana Table Tennis Association, Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association, Guyana Rugby Football Union, Guyana Hockey Board, Guyana Netball Association, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Guyana Karate Federation and the Guyana Volleyball Federation.

(Treiston Joseph)

World Test Championship in doubt See story on page

21

England’s defeat in Australia could threaten their top-four Test status

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