Guyana Times Daily

Guyana cementing ties with BRICS

Pilot landed plane short of Monkey Mountain runway –GCCA

Corentyne man believed killed by falling tree IAC alarmed at population decrease

Teacher goes missing after basketball game AFC Councillor under fire for ‘naked protest’

Guyana cementing ties with BRICS

...eyes tapping of New Development Bank

BY JOMO PAUL

Guyana will be looking to broaden relations with the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) trade bloc when it takes part in the Sixth Annual Summit of the growing organisation.

This is according to President Donald Ramotar, who on Thursday related that Guyana will definitely be a part of the summit since the bloc is continuing to play “a bigger role” in world trade.

President Ramotar further pointed out that “it is important for Guyana to be there as part of the UNASUR and to broaden relations”, noting that the New Development Bank being developed will be of pivotal for Guyana, since it will be another developmental avenue.

“The bank will be very important because it will be an alternate resource.”

Ramotar will be accompanied to the Summit by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the BRICS Development Bank will open by 2016 and create an alternative to the International Monetary Fund to support the bloc’s economies.

The BRICS alliance had decided to create the bank in 2013, as they saw investors pull money away from emerging economies, hurting their currencies, amid expectations that the US would scale back its economic stimulus programme.

The move comes at a time when Moscow is facing antagonism in the West for the annexation of Ukraine’s region of Crimea and is in exile from the Group of Eight leading industrialised economies. Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov earlier this week said BRICS will make a decision on the creation of the bank at the summit. The entity will be called the “New Development Bank”.

The Bank will focus on BRICS infrastructure pro-

jects, but will be also open to new members from the United Nations, Siluanov said. Russia’s Finance Minister said each BRICS country will contribute US$2 billion to the bank’s funds from their budgets over the next seven years. The bank’s maximum size, or so-called authorised capital, will be set at US$100 billion.

The bank’s headquarters will be located either in Shanghai or in New Delhi, Siluanov said, according to the Wall Street Journal article. The bank’s Governor will be re-elected every five years. BRICS will also consider creating a fund, which Siluanov dubbed a “mini IMF”.

China would contribute US$41 billion to this fund; another US$5 billion would come from South Africa, while Russia, Brazil and India would each provide US$18 billion from their foreign exchange reserves. The fund is designed to serve as an emergency coffer for BRICS if a member suffers from capital flight or the risk of currency depreciation. Currency

swap operations with the fund could be used as a precautionary measure or as an aid to deal with an economic crisis post-factum, Siluanov said.

Observers says with 43 per cent of the world’s popula-

tion and total foreign-currency reserves of US$4.4 trillion would provide BRICS the opportunity to reshape the present status quo of the world.

As part of a BRICS outreach strategy for develop-

ing economies, an operational session will be held on July 16 between the Heads of States of BRICS and their counterparts from the governments of South American nations, including UNASAR trade bloc, to which Guyana is a signatory. Under the theme, “Inclusive growth: sustainable solutions”, in this summit, BRICS will be placing emphasis on social inclusion and sustainable development.

There will be tangible initiatives launched, including a US$100 billion Contingency Reserve Arrangement (CRA) and the final details of the US$100 billion New Development Bank will also be unveiled. Other South American nations will also be exploring the creation of a communications system to limit US espionage in the South American region, which will include a call for an end on US spying.

India, Brazil and South Africa have also made calls for a permanent Security Council seat, while Russia and China endorsed their claim at the BRICS Summit in Sanya, China in 2011.

Autopsy reveals former nurse committed suicide

An autopsy on the body of Terron Watts who was found dead in the “Blacka” (Lama Canal) on Sunday morning revealed that he died from an overdose of tablets.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh on Monday. Coretta Eastman, an aunt of Watts, when contacted on Wednesday morning said she was not surprised, recalling that he had attempted

to commit suicide three years ago. The 25-year-old former nurse of New Amsterdam, the aunt added, might have taken his own life following problems at home with his mother and step-father.

Watts was fished out of the “Blacka” at D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown in a decomposing state. He left home on Friday and was discovered by a mentally ill man who went to the “Blacka” to take a swim. He resided at D Field Sophia with his mother up to the time of his demise.

According to information received, the man might have been having problems with his mother, Simone Mc Pherson, and his step-father over his smoking habits. Guyana Times understands that during studies at the

University of Guyana, he indulged in smoking marijuana, and it had become a habit.

The soon-to-be father was warned several times to stop smoking or he would not be allowed to stay in the house. His

parent’s threats did not deter him from smoking and ultimately he was kicked out. He stayed at his aunt at Norton Street for three months after which he contacted his mother and requested that she take him back. He was apparently hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital as a result of his constant use of marijuana.

After he was discharged, his mother took him home. However, he continued to smoke frequently. This led to several spats with his mother and step-father. On Friday last, there was an altercation during which he scaled the fence and ran away. Watts leaves to mourn his pregnant girlfriend, mother, and other siblings. He was laid to rest on Wednesday.

Teacher goes missing after basketball game

Ateacher attached to the St Stanislaus College, located on Brickdam, Georgetown has been reported missing since Sunday evening after leaving the National Sports Hall where she took her school’s team to participate in the Inter-Secondary School’s Basketball Championships.

Nyozi Goodman, 34, of William Street, Kitty was last seen sending off the basketball team on Sunday evening with another teacher. Relatives are holding out that the teacher will not disappear just like that. All her personal belongings are intact, except for her two mobile phones and her iPad.

The last time she used her mobile phone was about 23:00h on Sunday, her sister Nestor Thompson told Guyana Times. This information, she said would have been received from Digicel. The telephone company also said that the sim card was either destroyed or removed from the handset.

The worried sister who is also a teacher, told Guyana Times that she was at school when she received a telephone call from her mother, enquiring about the missing woman.

She immediately went to her sister’s home only to find her house tightly locked, but she requested a spare key from the landlord to enter the house where she found everything intact.

The woman said even if her sister was going out for the week, she would have taken her stuff. Upon inquiring from the landlord, she was told that her sister had a frequent visitor, but based on the description, he is not known to the family.

The family has since lodged a missing person’s report at the Kitty Police Station, but after they requested a letter be taken to Digicel to get a print out of her sister’s recent calls, they were directed to A Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken. Relatives want the Police to move with alacrity in investigating the matter. Goodman has been teaching at the St Stanislaus College for the past four years, but has been in the education system for quite a while. The sister is asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of the woman to contact her on telephone number 692-4526 or the nearest Police station.

Guyana will be looking to broaden relations with the BRICS trade bloc when it takes part in the Sixth Annual Summit of the growing organisation

Nyozi Goodman

Dead, Terron Watts

Sod turned for $11B Sun & Sand Hotel

By Vahnu Manikchand

The sod was turned on Wednesday for the construction of a US$54 million (G$11.1 billion) five-star hotel at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The Sun and Sand Hotel will add to the country’s tourism capacity, providing more accommodation to house the increasing influx of tourists. India-based Sun and Sand Group of Companies on Wednesday held a sod-turning ceremony at the hotel’s construction site. The Sun and Sand Hotel will include a casino, along with a commercial block and club house. It will contain 163 rooms and provide jobs for several hundred Guyanese.

The construction of the five-star hotel is expected to commence next month and last for approximately 18 months.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Donald Ramotar noted that with investments such as this ho-

tions in the interior goes to Kaieteur, but there are so many other beautiful places such as Orinduik,” he said.

Ramotar added too that the hotel will change the skyline of the country, as he highlighted the need for the expansion of the airport, given the fact that the country is attracting more airlines from around the world. This sentiment was echoed

the sustainability of the sector, but to ensure that the sector can attract the tourists and visitors needed to ensure success,” he stated.

The acting Tourism Minister also highlighted the need for the media to take the responsibility of portraying the country in a positive light. He criticised certain media entities for displaying “patriotic neg-

tel, the local tourism and hospitality sector will blossom and change the landscape of the country. He added that the fact that more international companies are investing in Guyana’s economy shows the potential the country has.

The Government is further looking to transform tourism in the interior in order to stimulate the sector there. “I envision that this investment will also stimulate more investments in the interior where we have tremendous tourist potential… most of the destina-

by acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who noted that major airlines such as Copa Airlines would not have invested in the Guyana market if they did not see the potential here. Ali assured the investors that Government is committed to ensuring that their investment is safeguarded. He went on to say that when Government invested in the Marriott Hotel, it stimulated a transformation in the sector.

“The Government envisions – strategised to build a tourism sector with the necessary infrastructure that is critical not only for

ativism” which is injuring Guyana’s image.

Meanwhile, Director of the Sun and Sand Group of Companies, Bhushan Chandna, thanked the Government of Guyana for its support, as he expressed

his company’s interest in expanding its services here.

The Sun and Sand Group of Companies specialises in real estate, housing projects, hotels, and casino construction as well as in metal and mining sectors.

Chandna said the main objective of his company is to provide direct and indirect opportunities that will benefit Guyana’s economy.

“In this country, many foreign companies are coming and exploring mining, but our company have diversified activities [that] will allow us to venture into other areas as well,” the Director told the media.

He disclosed that the company has already applied for a mining licence, but managed to secure a prospective licence for three years. Chandna said he cannot divulge any more information on that aspect of the investment, since it is not his sector.

He revealed that in terms of the hotel, equipment and materials will be imported along with a technical team of engineers and contractors; however, the company will contract a local company to build the facility. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

Among those present at the event were former President Bharrat Jagdeo, former Local Government Minister Harripersaud Nokta and former Tourism Minister Maniram Prashad

President Donald Ramotar and acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali being presented with a copy of the hotel plan

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com, letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

UG tuition fees

The recent announcement by University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi on the increase in tuition fees has met great resistance by the student population. This is in light of the dire financial situation the University has found itself, in largely due to poor management and lack of visionary planning by its administrators over the years.

According to reports, as of 2013, the income and expenditure of the University increased to $1.7 billion and $2 billion respectively, a deficit of some $300 million, leaving the institution with no surplus, no reserve funding, and insufficient funds to pay gross salaries to staff and to facilitate needed repairs and amenities for some faculties.

It is a travesty for an institution, which should really be a market place of knowledge, to struggle to manage its finances and depend heavily on Government’s subvention to stay afloat. Basic principles of management would tie these problems to poor decision-making; little, if at all, forward planning; and an absence of future targeted goals.

The issue of tuition increase, in the wider scheme of things, is really a non-issue, as managing the nation’s premier tertiary institution would require the generation of funds through various streams, including the offering of quality and internationally-accredited programmes.

The reluctance to increase tuition fees appears to be rooted in a political decision supported by both the Government and the Opposition, as it is an unpopular thing to do. This unpopularity would not hurt the image of the university; notably, the refusal to make tough decisions has, and certainly would have found some members of the University Council on the back foot.

There is nothing untoward in increasing the tuition fees for most programmes from $127,000 when US$1 was equivalent to G$127 in 1994 to G$210,000 when US$1 amounts to G$210 in 2014.

This should not have been a move to bail the University out of the financial snafu it has found itself in, but should have happened years ago. Students have reached a level of comfort where they believe that an increase in tuition is remote, as when the matter was raised several times before, it was drowned out by criticisms.

It goes without saying that it would be a mockery if the increase is not commensurate with an improvement in the quality of programmes offered by the University. Tuition fees should not have been a central issue of the University today. What should have been is the strategic focus of the institution to meeting the needs of the country.

More attention needs to be paid to the Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology, and Government should consider offering a limited number of scholarships to Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students willing to pursue studies in these areas.

Guyana is hoping to strike oil in the near future, so the University should have already been offering a programme in Petroleum Engineering and related courses that will provide the country with the wherewithal to manage the new development.

Attention should be placed on establishment of a business school, with focus on not only providing management and financial expertise for Government and the private sector, but also providing consultancy services to businesses, both local and overseas.

Greater attention needs to be paid to student exchange programmes and all lecturers should at least have a Master’s Degree. This will help to bolster the image and profile of the University.

Online degree programmes, research and publication should be an integral feature of the University, and every student leaving the school must have some practical experience in their respective fields. Voluntary community work and sport should also be a requirement for graduation.

All these would require a new level of thinking, less Government control and significant investments, with support from both the Government and the public sector. The University in this day and age cannot be operating as a service institution, but should be managed as a business, focused on creating a global image for itself.

Running of the Bulls

I do wish to heartily applaud those ‘patriotic’ Guyanese

Dear Editor,

The Education Minister, as a result of her presentation censuring the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Guyana, on his blatant intrusion into the domestic affairs of Guyana, should at this point and time, be adorned in the appropriate garb.

I do wish to heartily applaud those ‘patriotic’ Guyanese, who at that most auspicious occasion, thought it fit to boo and heckle her.

Further, plaudits must be given to the ‘sons and daughters’ of our country, who during the Ambassador’s tenure supported his blatant intrusion into Guyana’s domestic affairs. The statement, “juk gat juk back” must have encouraged him.

One must also ‘applaud’ the Ambassador on his effrontery in daring to dictate to the President of the Republic of Guyana, a Third World country, on how he should conduct the

affairs of the Republic.

Back to the past, that is Odo’s. Can one visualise during his lengthy tenure as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, any resident Ambassador behaving the way Mr Hardt did?

Can you conceptualise Guyanese supporting the Ambassador’s stance and horror of horrors booing and heckling President Burnham’s representative at any such forum?

I admire and respect Ms Manickchand. She calls a spade a spade. She is not hypocritical like many of those who attended that function. I recall her statement in the House concerning CN Sharma, it was most apt and to the point.

The Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Guyana came with his country’s vision of democracy, and some degree of arrogance.

He failed, like most American Ambassadors, accredited to the Third

World countries, to have a thorough knowledge of the country to which he is to be assigned.

The Ambassador should know that, even in a Third World country, there are diplomatic channels to convey one’s concerns about governance.

The Ambassador failed to do so, hence the Government’s response, at the time and place in which it was given. The Ambassador did cross the RED LINE.

Finally, the use of the words, “cuss”, “attack”, and “feral” to describe the Honorable Minister’s presentation is most unfortunate. I am most concerned, however, at the use of the word “feral”, which according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary refers to “an animal in a wild state after escape from captivity or domestication”.

With regards,

CS Vaugn, MSM Retired Major

Refrain from derogatory practice of name calling

Dear Editor,

Much has been said about the speech of Education Minister Priya Manickchand at the US Ambassador’s farewell reception on July 2. Regardless of the opinion taken on the Minister’s comments and the related issues, please permit the Women’s Affairs Bureau of the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry

to urge that persons and organisations commenting on the issue refrain from the derogatory practice of name calling.

Specifically, the Bureau is appalled at the reference by an Alliance For Change leader to the Minister. The connotation of this phrase is disrespectful to all women, as it implies if a woman is vocal about her opinion or

that of her interests, she is ill-mannered.

Had the message been read by a male representative of the Government, would the AFC’s choice of words be similar?

It would seem that the AFC’s sentiments about the Minister is premised on the fact that she is a woman and it certainly reflects the need for much more work to be

done in Guyana to erode the barriers of gender inequality. It is hoped that the AFC would see the logic in retracting this insulting reference to the Minister.

Yours truly, Women’s Affairs Bureau Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry

A runner watches a Victoriano del Rio fighting bull behind him as he sprints into the bullring, during the third Running of the Bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain on July 9 (Reuters/Joseba Etxaburu)

Fasting – the master key to self-conquest

Dear Editor,

To a sceptic, a fast is construed only magic or a fad. To an untutored, it’s conjectured deviation of a maverick. To a sensualist, it’s perceived self-torture of a masochist to thwart his sybaritic ways. To a hedonist or epicurean, it’s conceived denying pleasure of palate or starving.

But to fast is not to starve. Fasting is beneficial; starvation detrimental. The former is life enhancing; the latter is death dealing.

Ramadan’s four-week plus dawn-to-dusk self-imposed curfew is irreproachable. It’s not mere abstention from food and water; it transcends that. It’s the epitome of self control or self discipline. This fast, an irrevocable injunction, is enshrined within Al Quran’s imperishable revelation (2:183); hence its origin, authenticity and expediency.

Through its self-denial, something with us ought to be awakened as we become greater polarised to predicament of starving poor. When

the stomach is constricted, the heart is humbled and becomes an outlet for compassion. Brilliant philosopher Al Ghazalli’s words germanely give credence, “Fasting”, he affirmed, “does not make one heedless about the oppressed and hungry.”

The physiology of a fast is when food is withheld; the body expeditiously accomplishes the task best of detoxication. Its self purification excretory system shifts into the highest gear. Famous French scientist and Nobel Prize laureate Dr Alexis Carrel concisely confirmed: “‘Fasting purifies and profoundly modifies our tissues.” As a cleanser of cell and tissues, fasting is unsurpassed when properly executed; it’s nonpareil.

The metaphysics of the fast is that we are reminded of the all embracing truth only Allah is nourisher and sustainer. Its discipline subjugates body and life un-amenable to clamorus tyranny to satiate victuals.

The esoteric significance

of Ramadan’s fast is it appropriately depicts the axiom: “Cleanliness is next to godliness” and emphasises the irrefutable truth that in a state of utmost purity, we best glorify our Creator. So eloquently, had the Prophet (SAW) put it: “The key to paradise is prayer; the key to prayer is purification.”

Further, fasting fortifies the fact that purity is paramount prerequisite for possession of divine dignity. Pertinently, prior to attaining prophethood and recipient of Revelation simultaneously, Muhammed (SAW) in seclusion on Mount Hira was fasting and meditating.

Didn’t Moses (SAW) receive the 10 Commandments after fasting 40 days? And didn’t Jesus (SAW) deliver his ineffaceable Sermon on the Mount after a 40 day fast too?

Can the filthily polluted be designated purveyors of God’s pristine universal message of love, peace and fraternity and serve as paragons of excellence and nobility for

humanity? Never!

In the battle and bivouac of life, the indomitable is one who conquers self. Allah’s humble servant stated succinctly: “The champion isn’t one who has floored an opponent but one who has conquered himself.”

Man is moulded for mastery, not of fellow beings by mischievous Machiavellian might, but of himself through self conquest. Though there could be subsidiary boons to Ramadan’s fast, its additional prayers and meditation offer the greatest antidote against life’s stresses and strains linked with numerous ailments: “The ladies’ best beautifier, it remoulds their body contour” (Alan Cott MD) and “a recrudescence of vigor” (Edmond B Szekely).

Yet the ultimate unquestionably remains self restraint the quintessence of self control precisely the master key of self conquest.

Sincerely,

A A Zahoor

Courbane Park CPG and youth group assisting school dropouts

Dear Editor,

It’s very heart rending to see and hear that in an era where technology rules the employment opportunities for our younger generations, we still find hundreds, if not thousands of school drop outs. Children with great aspirations, who for some reason or another; haven’t completed their secondary school education.

We are all aware of the many reasons for school drop outs but the most prominent ones in Guyana are:

* children leave school because their parents can’t afford it, since there are more pressing expenses at home and

* peer pressure – in the sense that if they can’t compare their footwear, bags or

lunch money to that of others, it’s better to stay home and avoid confrontation.

These children need adults or even caring youths to talk to. People who will counsel them, find out what their problems are and help to fix them; people who will determine the areas of subject matter where a certain child is weak in and assist them through tutoring, etc.

With these thoughts in mind, the Courbane Park Community Policing Group (CPG) recently launched a youth group, where youths of various ages along with members of the CPG are urging school drop outs to weigh the pros and cons of education by assisting them through tutoring and moral support.

The Education Ministry

is giving vouchers for school uniforms and the newly implemented $10,000 school assistance fund to assist with the financial aspect of diminishing school dropouts, but we all need to play a diligent role in keeping our young ones in school so that they will have a better life than that which our fore-parents and our parents endured.

How? Spend time with someone you know who may need that extra attention to read or write better; question school age children why they aren’t in school during school hours and try to assist them in whatever way you can.

I am sure that no parent today would want their child to face the trials of hard labour which they

Cervical cancer can be eliminated if caught in the early stages

Dear Editor,

Many persons now are aware that people suffering from autism are not mad or possessed with evil spirits and little by little attitudes towards this disease has been changing. Through education, we could significantly reduce the instances of this disease. It is caused by a malignant neoplasm arising from cells originating in the cervix.

One of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, while in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

Education is key to combating cervical cancer, which is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV infection appears to be involved in the development of more than 90 per cent of cases. HPV vaccines are effective against two to four of the high risk strains of this family of viruses.

Since the vaccines only cover some types of HPV, guidelines still recommend that women have regular pap smear screenings, even after vaccination. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, arising in the squamous (flattened) epithelial cells that line the cervix.

Cancer screening using the pap smear can identify precancerous changes in cervical cells. Treatment of high-grade changes can prevent the development of cancer in many cases. Treatment usually consists of surgery (including local excision) in early stages, and chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in more advanced stages of the disease.

have endured just to gain a roof over their head, food on the table and clothing on their backs. Yes, we want them to respect and appreciate what they came from but at the same time educate themselves in order to make a brighter future for themselves and future generations.

Sincere gratitude to the Chairman Rohan Persaud and the members of the Courbane Park CPG for working along with the youth group in trying to eradicate the darkness of ignorance and empowering these youths with the tools to a dynamic future! They lead by example!

Yours truly, Rose (only name given)

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common and the fifth deadliest cancer in women. Worldwide, in 2008, it was estimated that there were 473,000 cases of cervical cancer, and in 2010, 225,000 deaths. Approximately 80 per cent of cervical cancers occur in developing countries like Guyana.

The early stages of cervical cancer may be completely asymptomatic. Vaginal bleeding, contact bleeding, or (rarely) a vaginal mass may indicate the presence of malignancy. Also, moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are symptoms of cervical cancer. In advanced disease, metastases may

be present in the abdomen, lungs or elsewhere.

Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include: loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, swollen legs, heavy bleeding from the vagina and bone fractures.

Women who have many sexual partners (or who have sex with men who have had many other partners) have a greater risk of contracting cervical cancer. Guyana is in the forefront in the fight against this dreaded form of cancer and recognised throughout the Region as a leader in the research. Experts from as far as Dominica, Grenada and Belize come to Guyana to be trained in the detection and control of cervical cancer. This is done in conjunction with the Health Ministry and the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation. Cervical cancer can be eliminated if caught in the early stages and is the most effective way. Just recently, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) in collaboration with the Health Ministry launched what was referred to as a “low tech innovative approach” to the detection of cervical cancer: the Visual Inspection Acetic Acid (VIA) campaign for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

According to Dr John Varallo, of the Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, who is responsible for training both the local and regional participants in the VIA programme, “Guyana is truly a leader in the area of cervical cancer prevention, in light of the fact that Guyana has one of the highest rates of death by cervical cancer in the world.”

The VIA approach links screening with testing and is said to be accurate. Cervical cancer is a reality and it is time to set the inhibitions and fears that sometimes cause us to procrastinate when it comes to our health. Hesitancy and reticence could prove deadly. I would like to encourage women, especially those who are already sexually active: speak with your doctor to find out how often you should submit to a pap smear, and if you have not already had one, then you should do so as soon as possible.

Sincerely, Roshana Khan

These children need adults or even caring youths to talk to

Page Foundation

BY ALAIN JEHLEN

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. That dilemma has had teachers tearing their hair out since time immemorial. How can you get students to want to learn? Some students arrive at your door already eager, but what about the others?

Hundreds of strategies have been tried and there’s no consensus on the right path. But here are seven approaches recommended by accomplished teachers that you can try.

Build strong relationships

“If children like you, they’ll perform for you,” says Jim McNeil in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “Children know you can’t become too familiar with them, but let them see you as a human being.”

There’s no simple formula for getting your relationship with students right. “I’m respectful to my students,” says McNeil, “and in turn, they know that if they’re disrespectful, I’ll call them on it. Also, I use a lot of humour – that works for me.”

Tell them why it matters

“Tell your children why you’re doing what you’re doing, especially if you’re assigning something repetitious and tedious.” says Michelle Wise Capen, an elementary teacher who’s now a curriculum coach in Lenoir, North Carolina. “Even in kindergarten – a child will work harder at his handwriting if you sit down and tell him he’s building up his finger muscle strength. Make sure they understand you’re not just bossing them around.”

Many schools suffer from curricula that prescribe in great detail what must be covered, but you usually can

let students make some decisions about what and how they learn. They’ll work harder if they have a say. Oklahoma English teacher Kevin McDonald was teaching Othello to his AP students and his lower level class insisted on reading it. So he scrapped his plans for them. The language was tough, but “it’s about jealousy, revenge, cultural bias. These White children from rural Oklahoma could identify with a Black Muslim from Italy who gets

veys her students about their interests. Whenever possible, she writes those interests into her lesson plans, which can be as simple as using them in arithmetic word problems.

tricked.”

Make it fun

That’s not just for elementary school. In Pennsylvania, Jim McNeil had his seventh-grade students write their own obituaries. They could marry anyone they chose – many picked celebrities – but the exercise also got them thinking about where they had been and where they planned to go.

Make it relevant Los Angeles fifth-grade teacher Sharon Harrison takes her students to the grocery store to see decimals in action.

The better you know each student, the better you can apply this strategy. Every September, Harrison sur-

Make it real Plan lessons so that students accomplish something that matters to them. The National Writing Project, through which thousands of English teachers have improved their practice, recommends writing for real audiences, such as newspaper editors, parents, or public officials. History classes can build an exhibit on their neighbourhood’s history at a local community centre. Elementary school children can “publish” their own stories, complete with artwork, and read them to kindergarten students. In Phoenix, Arizona, Allan Cameron has led mostly low-income, immigrant high school students in national robot competitions. Many children have gone on to college and good careers. “[The robot competition] is a real task, not a worksheet,” says Cameron. “We’re counting on them. If someone puts the wheels on wrong, we all lose.”

Use technology

Renee Moore, who taught high school English in the Mississippi Delta, one of the poorest places in the country, says many students didn’t want their friends to know they were interested in school. But online, they were free of the peer pressure.

In 1994, she hooked up her class with a school in Soweto, South Africa. They discussed two novels, one South African and one American. (www.nea.org)

Implementation

* Explain what will occur. Explain the rules which include; contributing to the team effort; listening to teammates; helping other team members; and asking the teacher for help only if it is a question of everyone in the group. Previous to this, you should have devised a way to eliminate groans and complaints from high achievers and socially popular students who may not approve of the composition of their group. Arrange students into teams at tables or where desks have been pushed together.

* Present and clearly explain the assignment that will probably take several class periods to complete. For example, make a collage of items that start with the letter “M”; plan and act out a play demonstrating how Christopher Colombus might react if he were to be brought through time to see the Caribbean as it exists today; Using an unabridged dictionary, make a list of words which can’t be rhymed with other words etc). Emphasise that positive interaction and cooperation will result in a group reward, and that meeting a set standard of performance beyond expectations will result in bonus points. Perhaps those points can be awarded frequently during the activity to motivate further cooperation.

Cooperative interaction can be more fully assured by giving only one copy of materials to each group, or by assigning each student one part of the materials with each part being needed for completion.

Consider allowing groups that finish early to assist slower groups. This helpful support of other teams can be promoted through the understanding that if all groups reach a preset level, more bonus points will be given. The evaluation standard should be criterion referenced (judged against a certain standard reflecting degree of learning).

* Avoid the temptation to “lead” the groups. Your role has changed from transmitter of knowledge to mediator of thinking. Praising and encouraging the less academically skilled team members is still indicated however.

* Monitor and assist as needed. Move among the groups to assure that they are actively engaged in their roles and following designated procedures (unless freeform creativity is desired). Do not answer student questions unless the group members are unable to resolve the issue by themselves. Intervene as necessary to promote positive interdependence among group members. Frequently reinforce positive group interaction.

* Evaluate each group’s performance/product. Grades might be assigned based upon the average performance of the group (thus promoting positive interdependence) or the effort/ quality of performance of individual members in the execution of their duties.

In many cases, each group decides how it will demonstrate what has been learned. Each group’s work is judged on its own merit rather than in comparison with the outcomes of other groups.

If inter-group competition is involved, perhaps the winning and most improved teams will receive a prize. Recognition might also be given to groups that were the quietest, quickest, neatest, most creative, etc.

After implementation

* Have the learning groups assess how well they worked together and discuss how they can improve their functioning and performance.

(behavioradvisor.com)

Migration of graduates continues to worry business community

By Gomatie GanGadin

The Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have registered their concern over recent revelations that more than 80 per cent of the country’s graduates and skilled workers have been migrating out of the country.

The organisations noted that they were not only concerned but alarmed as well, since this would mean that the operations, expansion and growth of the private sector and subsequently the economy will be greatly affected since these workers are the most crucial ones for the development of the country.

According to the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) Human Development Report of 2009, the migration of graduates and skilled workers had stood at 76.9 per cent but has rapidly increased over the years. A recently-concluded study conducted by Simona Vezzoli, a researcher from the International Migration Institute (IMI), Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford, England, revealed that about 80 per cent (8 of every 10) or 2 out of 3 of our university graduates and skilled workers leave for another country.

While Guyanese immigrants have moved to places such as the United Kingdom and the Caribbean islands, they are most abundant in the United States of America and Canada, with an average of 78.6 per cent of Guyanese emigrants living there.

Emigration rate

At present, Guyana has an emigration rate of close to 50 per cent with an approximately 780,000 Guyanese residing abroad, compared to the 747,884 which make up the country’s current population.

Among the 780,000 are, of course, the country’s top university graduates and skilled workers.

The PSC has noted that the situation is a “national emergency” and if it is not addressed as early as possible, social and economic catastrophe can result.

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud noted that this level of migration taking place in the country has affected

the availability and quality of skilled employees in Guyana.

“We are not getting the quality of employees we need,” Persaud said.

The Chairman said, however, that he understood that the salaries and opportunities present in the country for employees were not competitive enough to prevent migration and more incentives would have to be offered to reduce emigration.

Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Abraham Subnauth related that it was alarming to know that the country’s most educated and capable were migrating from the country.

Berbice

Subnauth noted that the migration of the trained and skilled labour force was tremendously affecting private operators in the country, particularly in Berbice.

He said while Guyana has, in recent times, experienced growth and has had numerous investors coming onboard, many more businessmen have expressed a willingness to invest and expand their businesses in Guyana but these plans have been hampered due to the lack of a substantial skilled and educated workforce.

“Even at a premium wage of $6000 a day you do not have people to work and it’s frustrating to those who have businesses. You cannot expand, because there is no one to fill the capacities you want filled. Growth is stifled,” Subnauth opined.

According to the GCCI’s Attitudinal Study which was conducted earlier this year, 36 per cent of entrepreneurs in Guyana disclosed that one of the biggest obstacles to their businesses’ success was the

Forensic lab for Monday rollout – Rohee

Ainability to source and keep skilled persons in their employ. All of these persons reportedly left the country for what they termed as “a better life” or “better opportunities”.

The two private sector officials posited that many were migrating to the continent of North American to live “the American dream” and if Guyana were to regain its citizens and more so, its graduates, the country’s leaders will have to step up to the mantle.

“The US have the “American dream” promises them a house, a car, a good job with a matching salary. What do we have here to encourage people to stay? The government can work on systems which can offer graduates a reason to stay here in Guyana. Someone graduates – jobs, maybe a duty-free concession or a house lot at an affordable cost. It will not stop migration but it can reduce it,” they noted.

Action plan

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Jacob Opadeyi, noted that the rate of migration among skilled workers and graduates was fast growing and an action plan was very much needed if Guyana were to move forward.

“It is time that we have our own specialists, have our own engineers to build and repair our bridges , Guyanese must be able to sustain their country by themselves, must be able to practise their training and skills here and something must be done about that,” Opadeyi said.

The men related too that there was a need for diversification in the country, since the time has long gone when basic agriculture and mining were enough to keep persons here.

fter a prolonged period of delays and setbacks, the first ever Forensic Laboratory in Guyana is expected to be commissioned on July 14. This comes some three years after the contract was initially signed for the construction of the laboratory, located at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Wednesday confirmed the date of the commission at the party’s weekly press conference.

Rohee told reporters that the state-of-art facility will not be a white elephant as he assured it will serve its purpose.

According to the General Secretary, staff has already been recruited and temporarily placed at the Citizens Security Programme building in Ogle, East Coast

Home Affairs Minister

Demerara, awaiting the completion of the laboratory to assume their posts.

Further asked about the criteria used to select the staff, the Minister explained that advertisements for the various ranks were placed in the newspapers and a panel was set up to interview the

applicants.

He added that the names of the selected candidates were sent to the Public Service Minister, along with details of their salaries and positions.

The commissioning of the $840 million laboratory was scheduled to be completed 12 months after the contract was signed in April 2011; however, it was pushed back and delayed on several occasions

The laboratory is a project under the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), initiated by the Government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This programme has three elements: Institutional modernisation of the Home Affairs Ministry, Community Action Component (CAC) and modernisation of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which includes strengthening of its forensic capability.

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

Clement Rohee

The Forensic Laboratory located at Turkeyen

Jury fails to arrive at verdict in Berbice murder trial

Amixed Berbice jury failed to arrive at a verdict in the Number 67 Village murder trial at the Berbice Assizes on Wednesday.

The accused Fazal “Mongoose” Mohamed, called “Boy” of Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice has been further remanded until the next sitting of the Assizes.

With curious eyes, the 23-year-old watched as the jury told the court that they could not come up with a verdict.

Justice Rabindranauth Singh enquired whether further direction or more time might assist them to reach a verdict, and they replied in the negative.

The State’s case was that Mohamed killed seven-year-old Saheed “Buddy” Muknauth called “Shiam” of Number 68 Squatting Area, Corentyne, Berbice on August 20, 2012.

Muknauth’s body was discovered in a pound at the

Fazal “Mongoose” Mohamed

back of a rice mill two days after he was reported missing. The body, which was hidden in a clump of bushes, lying face up, was in an advanced state of decomposition.

An on-the-spot post mortem preformed by Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.

State Prosecutor Renita Singh told the court that the child’s mother, Anita Persaud, had earlier in the day ingested kerosene and was admitted at the Skeldon Hospital, leaving her six children at home.

She had later in the afternoon taken self-discharge to be home with the children, who are between the age range of 12 years to two months, when she discovered Saheed missing.

Mohamed in his statement admitted to taking the seven-year-old boy to a secluded area and beating him on the day in question.

Justice Singh admitted the caution statement purportedly given by the accused as evidence during the lengthy trial.

In her evidence during the trial, Persaud, the mother of the dead child stated that on the day in question, when she returned home, she did not see her son and was told that he was seen with the accused.

Rice miller charged for assaulting farmer

A47-year-old rice miller from La Resource Village on the Essequibo Coast was charged for unlawfully assaulting a rice farmer on Friday.

The deceased’s now 14-year-old sister in her evidence, said on the day in question, she saw her brother Saheed in the company of Mohammed leaving and asked him to come back, but he refused.

Other witnesses also testified that the accused was the last person seen with the deceased. The State also called woman Detective Sergeant Joanne Johnson and Detective Corporal Dwayne Harvey, who both testified to the role they played in the investigations.

State appointed Attorney Raymond Ali is representing the accused.

Armed robbery suspects refused bail

Two men were arraigned for robbery under arms at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Lactchman on Tuesday.

He was placed on $20,000 bail and was told to return to court on August 5 for the commencement of his trial.

Wazeemul Hakh pleaded not guilty to the charge when he made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. According to Police, on July 4, Hakh unlawfully assaulted Bridge Lall on the Land of Plenty Public Road along the Essequibo Coast. The miller was not represented by an attorney.

Twenty-year-old Hakim Morgan, of Lot 156 Albouystown, Georgetown, and Raheem Benn, of Lot 142 William Street, Kitty, pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the charge, it is alleged that on July 3 at Albouystown, Virtual Complainant Julian White was riding his bicycle home when the two defendants, one being armed with half of a pair of scissors, held it to the victim’s neck while the other accused took away his cycle and $2000 from his pocket.

Police were patrolling the area at the said time and the defendants were arrested. A search was carried out and the weapon was found in a pocket of one of the defendants, along with the bicycle.

The men were refused bail. They are to return to the court on July 10.

Eyew tness

Building walls...

...around Buxton

We now have a “Buxton Support Your Own” movement. We’re sure the organisers have the best of intentions. Buxton isn’t doing that well economically and if Buxtonians “support their own” businesses, the money will circulate in the village and a virtuous circle will be created. Good economics, no? At least the theory sounds good.

But it’s a theory that’s long been discredited and discarded wherever it’s been tried. In economics it’s called “autarky” – that communities and even countries must be completely self sufficient. If communities could take care of all their needs, there’d be no need for outsiders. And it was done – during the Stone Age. Every group “hunted and gathered” on their own.

But the folks of Buxton don’t want to go back to the Stone Age, do they? Because it was tried and failed right there. Didn’t Ronald Waddell preach that brand of economics during the days of the “Buxton Uprising”? He even helped set up stalls so that Buxtonians wouldn’t have to go over to Annandale. Where are those stalls? And why did they disappear?? At that time, didn’t the PNC also establish some chicken farms – with the help of some businessmen?? Where are those chicken farms?

In one of the earliest statements of economic common sense by a fella named Ricardo, he postulated that if countries or communities produced goods in which they had a “comparative advantage” and they then traded their goods with communities that had a comparative advantage on other goods, everyone benefits in the end. Even in the modern world, while the theory has had to be tweaked for globalisation, the basic premises remain sound.

What does this mean in real life? Very simply, there will be a whole lotta goods Buxtonians can’t produce and will have to buy elsewhere. Even with the goods stocked in shops, they’ll not be able to stock everything. With the lack of competition, prices in Buxton will be higher than elsewhere. The lack of choice and the high prices are what destroyed Waddell’s project and will also doom the present initiative.

What Buxtonians should do is to focus on producing what they have a comparative advantage on. Buxton has land. Why can’t they cooperate, as their fore parents did, and start one or more “mega farms” and produce, for instance, vegetables such as lettuce and sweet peppers that we import or products like hot peppers that can be exported?

Tear down the walls going up around Buxton!!

...to stay ignorant

This AFC’s Berbice lawyer, Charranrass weighed in on Manickchand’s defence of Guyana’s honour against the US Ambassador’s flagrant flouting of all diplomatic norms. All Charranrass showed was he’s aptly named. A real rass!! He either flunked or skipped “International Law” in law school. But that should be no excuse – his Professor Duke Pollard quoted the appropriate citations in the press to prove beyond a scintilla of doubt, the Ambassador was out of line.

And rather than receiving a tongue lashing, he could’ve been expelled as occurred in Bahrain when another US Diplomat committed a much smaller diplomatic faux pas. So what was Charranrass’ point?? None. The wanker just gets off on insulting women. The last time we heard from him, he had to apologise to a female doctor at New Amsterdam for saying “the girl is so fat, she could probably not fit in the front seat of her jeep”.

This time he insulted Ms Manickchand by saying her comments weren’t “ladylike”. If a man had spoken as she did, he would’ve been “strong” – but the wanker thinks women should be kept barefoot and pregnant. Charranrass should “carry ‘e rass”!!

...useless against blitzkrieg

In WWII, the German army perfected the “blitzkrieg” or “lightning war” tactic. It depended on surprise, speed and power. With their 7-1 drubbing of Brazil, blitzkrieg is alive and kicking.

Good thing the German Constitution forbids war!

NIS electronic system will eliminate errors – Dr Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday said the new electronic information system to be set up by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will go a far way in ironing out errors that may have occurred under the paper record system.

He said too that contributors who might have been cheated by the paper record system will be compensated.

Dr Luncheon was at the time responding to questions on reimbursement of funds, if any, to contributors, especially pensioners who would have been deprived by the system, while the insurance company makes the transition. The Cabinet Secretary said should the records after conversion show that there was any inaccuracy along the way, contributors will be so compensated.

“There is a certainty,” Dr Luncheon told his weekly post-Cabinet news conference, “that once the paper record exists and can

ing the factors which inspired the change by the Government and the NIS.

Dr Luncheon said, for example, if an individual had received an under-calculated pension benefit many years ago based on the paper record, then by the end of December this year, the insurance company would have the responsibility to contact that person and make the necessary repayment.

The Presidential Secretariat Head also informed that the insurance company is still seeking to meet its December 2014 deadline for the conversion of the records to the electronic system. While the data entry aspect has been completed, the verification process, which seeks to confirm the data stored, has become most tedious. This, he said, is being worked upon.

Dr Luncheon disclosed that the deficiency in the current system has brought some level of disfavour with the public, especially persons who have reached the

of the contributions made by persons, whether self-employed or employed, to the electronic system. The obvious reason behind this move was to ensure that contributors benefited from their

be converted electronically, whatever benefits accrue, no matter how long ago it was, those benefits would be made available to the contributor.”

He pointed to accuracy and accountability as be-

age of retirement and whose contributions are often missing.

Government in June had issued a deadline of December 31, 2014, by which time the NIS was expected to convert all records

contributions, Dr Luncheon disclosed.

The directives led the Scheme to prepare a work plan and a budget. The verification component is the more challenging of the two and Cabinet has realised that the Scheme will

Navin Chandarpal in critical condition

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon has confirmed reports that Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology, Navin Chandarpal medical condition is rapidly deteriorating. According to information emanating from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the long standing PPP/C member

who has been suffering from stomach cancer for the longest while, is said to be in a critical condition in the United States surrounded by his family members.

Dr Luncheon said that government was “hoping for the best and hopes that the recent developments in dealing with the cancer do not force us to act otherwise”.

Dr Luncheon also confirmed that the government will be paying the medical expenses.

thursDay, july 10, 2014|

Accused in 2012 strangulation case to know fate today

Murder accused Paul Lo Hing will know his fate today when the jury panel will deliberate on a verdict for the 2012 murder of his 23-year-old girlfriend, Shoala Gilgeous.

The State is alleging that Lo Hing strangled Gilgeous on August 6, 2012, during a heated argument at their Block E South Sophia, Georgetown, home.

The trial into the murder began late last week and after presenting several witnesses, State Counsel Natasha Backer closed her case on Tuesday.

Among those who testified during the trial were the brother and sister of the deceased, both of whom told the court that on the day in question, they both received a phone call from the accused, informing them that Gilgeous is unconscious and they should go check on her.

be hard pressed to meet the December deadline, the Cabinet Secretary said. “But Cabinet has been insistent, and has rejected any extension, any idea, and has resolved to make available every resource for the successful completion of this mission.”

The verification process is ongoing at regional sugar estate offices, Dr Luncheon disclosed. Cabinet is looking forward to the completion of the project, he added.

The brother of the deceased said he took the Police and went to the house where he made the gruesome discovery.

However, when the accused was called upon to lead his defence on Wednesday, he denied in his unsworn statement that he made any calls to anyone.

“I didn’t call anyone…. I didn’t make any calls,” he maintained.

Lo Hing said on the day in question, he and his girlfriend were at home when she left to go out and never returned. Other witnesses

presented by the prosecution contradicted his claims, saying that they never saw the woman leave the house.

Attorney for the accused, Parag Hukumchand in his closing address, said his client is innocent and that the evidence presented was circumstantial and did not prove that the accused killed his girlfriend.

The Attorney also reiterated that his client never made any call to anyone as claimed by the witnesses.

On the other hand, State Counsel Backer argument in her submissions that it is strange the defence Attorney is now denying that his clients ever made any call when he had the opportunity to question the witnesses regarding this.

When the matter continues today before Justice Diana Insanally, the Judge is expected to sum up all the evidence presented in the case before the jury, while advising them on the rules of law they need to apply while deliberating a verdict.

According to the reports, the couple were together for about 10 months, but Gilgeous moved in with the accused six months before her death. Relatives claim that it was after the couple began living together that the relationship became abusive and the woman was constantly at the Police station filing reports against the accused.

Navin Chandarpal

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

National Insurance Scheme head office

PPP reiterates GECOM not ready for local govt poll

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should get its “act together”, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee said, as he again contended that the Commission was in no state to hold Local Government Elections, which were last held approximately 20 years ago.

Under the chairmanship of Dr Steve Surujbally, GECOM has publicly stated that it was in a state of readiness, but on Wednesday, during a weekly press conference at Freedom House, Rohee argued that there were many loopholes within the system.

The General Secretary explained that based on information emanating out of GECOM, 585 constituencies have been identified among the 71 Local Authority Areas; however, the Party believes that eligible voters might have been omitted from the voters’ lists. Rohee said the PPP was not confident that enough groundwork and consultation were done by GECOM to ensure that eligible voters would be correctly placed on their respective constituency list.

“It is our contention that GECOM should do physical verifications within the communities and invite the political parties’ representatives to ensure that everyone is placed on the respective list, thus allowing for a fair and transparent process whenever elections are called,” he suggested.

Disenfranchised?

According to Rohee, in 2010, GECOM had committed to divide the Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara into 14 smaller voters’ lists before placing voters into three constituencies due to the size of the eligible voting population, which totalled 4504 at the time.

But despite this promise, he said the plan was aborted on the request of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). According to Rohee, the PPP was reliably informed that the lists were compiled.

In the quest to further represent the current standing of the PPP, the General Secretary said it was clear that GECOM was in no position to facilitate Local Government Elections by August 1. He pointed out that in August,

the Commission will commence its claims-and-objection period, weeks after the conclusion of the Sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration.

In February, the Opposition capitalised on its one-seat majority to amend the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2014 to make it mandatory that Local Government Elections be held by August 1. The Bill was tabled by former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud. However, the Bill failed to gain the assent of President Donald Ronald. According to Rohee, with the exception of a “few misguided” persons in the

Opposition and members of the Diplomatic Corps, many Guyanese are in support of the President’s decision.

Rohee said GECOM should come clean on its state of readiness. “The PPP calls on GECOM to make a public declaration on this very sensitive issue, and to fulfil its constitutional mandate by ensuring that everyone eligible to vote is placed on the official list of electors and that no one be disenfranchised.”

Just a few weeks ago, the PPP wrote GECOM requesting an extension of the Sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration, saying that no one should be left behind. The Sixth Cycle concluded on Saturday June 21.

The ruling party said it has information suggesting that more than 8000 transfers are yet to be conducted due to the establishment of new housing schemes across the country, primarily in the coastal regions.

However, the Opposition with backing from the Diplomatic Community has been advocating for the holding of Local Government Elections, which were constitutionally due in 1997.

Nuff games playin and it ain’t sports

Sportsmen and sportswomen does play games fuh a livin. But it gotta lotta people who ain’t no sportsman or sportswoman and dem playin games in this country right now. And dem mekkin it into a big livin.

De US AmbASSador Ben Hard thought he coulda play hard ball wid Guyana and talk down to de Prezzi and to de Guvament. Well he end up gettin a Hard lesson that he gon remember fuh de resta he life. Some body seh Hard get soft when Manickchand talk like man to he. Now he colleague AmbASSador in Bahrain getta similar lesson.

Nuffa dem politicians playin games too, and dem ain’t gotta clue bout sports. Even de Sport Minister look like he sportin more than whah he lookin after sports. People playin football wid cricket and football gettin kick around de place.

Now de Prezzi playin cricket better than all he Ministers. And from whah some people seh who been to Albion to put on dem lights, de Prezzi could very well mek some of dem Waste Indians get drop fuh life.

Green Jah playin a different kinda game though. He playin politics wid he own party people and wid de whole country. When he get ready, he playin politics in Parliament. De other day Green Jah try to play politics with Oscar and Kissoon, but dem two wasn’t playin around.

Oscar like to bite, and some body seh Kissoon like to kiss, but not Oscar, and she don’t kiss *ss. Now de whole party got some people who can pelt a good bite when dem really get ready. Not to mention dem who does backbite.

So by de time de Pee-N-C Congress come around, it gon be a whole lotta bitin and back bitin. That is why Oscar gon do well. And some body seh Kissoon might getta kick instead of a kiss.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now a Essequibo man thought he had more than *alls to play games. But when people tek a good look, that was all he had!

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

Pilot landed plane short of Monkey Mountain runway – GCCA

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Director General Zulficar Mohamed on Wednesday disclosed that an initial investigation revealed that the Pilot involved in the Monkey Mountain mishap landed short of the runway.

As a result, the landing gear of the plane was damaged and from there on, it was difficult to control the 10-seater Islander aircraft with registration number 8R-GGY. The aircraft subsequently veered off the airstrip causing extensive damage.

Mohamed further stated that the wrecked aircraft is beyond repair, but he was unsure if the operators will attempt to salvage what is left. The aircraft, owned by Domestic Airways, was piloted by Captain Orlando Charles.

On Sunday last, the twin-engine aircraft skidded off the Monkey Mountain Airstrip seconds after touching down. At the time of the accident, the Pilot and a lone passenger were on board. Neither of

the men was injured. Immediately after the mishap, a team of investigators had been dispatched to the location of the accident to assess the situation. They have since returned to Georgetown.

It was reported that the aircraft left Ogle International Airport on Sunday morning, made stops at Omai and Mahdia, before landing at Monkey Mountain.

At the time of the mishap, which occurred about

Corentyne man believed killed by falling tree

Family members are seeking answers to the circumstances surrounding the death of Krahton Amandeo of Rampoor, Corriverton.

Amandeo, 48, was killed when a tree fell on him during Sunday’s freak storm which hit sections of Essequibo and Berbice.

At the time of his death, he was in Suriname farming, along the Corentyne River.

Reports are that Amandeo was working with a Corentyne farmer at Allikuri Creek, 35 miles up the Corentyne River.

He had gone across to Suriname, where there was another farm, shortly before the storm.

The Suriname section of the farming operation is located in Lime Creek close to McLean Cock Crow Island also called “Jumbie Island”.

Guyana Times understands that Amandeo was on his way to secure a boat after the storm started when a falling tree landed on him.

10:00h, another aircraft that was in the area received the distress call via radio and alerted the officials who responded immediately.

In June, an Air Services Limited (ASL) plane skidded off the Paramakatoi Airstrip and crashed into a fence. It was reported that the Pilot tried to avoid a herd of cattle that was running across the airstrip as the plane was about to land.

The 8R-SUP Cessna 206 was shuttling food items from Mahdia when on approach to the airstrip, the Pilot encountered a strong cross-wind. There were no passengers onboard and the Pilot was not injured.

Devonshire Castle labourer gets community service for cannabis possession

Devonshire Castle labourer Harry Lallta will have to perform three months of community service at the Anna Regina Police Station after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis.

The 25-year-old was sentenced by Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna

Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. According to reports, on Sunday, July 6 around 01:00h, at Devonshire Castle Village, Essequibo Coast, Lallta was found with one gram of cannabis in his left shirt pocket during a Police patrol in the area. The drug was un-

earthed during a search of the defendant. He was told of the offence and was subsequently arrested.

Lallta, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, told the court he works as an operator with Ramlakhan Rice Mill. His community service will commence on July 13 from 09:00h.

Diamond man shot during row

An East Bank Demerara (EBD) man is nursing a gunshot wound to his left side after he was shot during an argument with a group of men on Tuesday evening.

The injured man has been identified as Dellon Frank, 29, of Diamond New Housing Scheme, EBD, and is presently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Hospital officials confirmed that he was taken to the medical facility on Tuesday evening about 20:00h. Frank is currently listed as stable. Attempts to get a comment from the injured man proved futile. In a release, Police stated that an investigation has been launched into the shooting incident.

The former GuySuCo worker had spent his last five years working with a Corentyne farmer and would return to his Corriverton home on month-end to his five children, spending a day with them.

Meanwhile, Suriname authorises are saying that Amandeo was in the country illegally when the incident occurred.

Sunday’s storm created havoc along the Corentyne River, uprooting trees, ripping zinc sheets off roofs and flattening a house during a 35-minute ordeal.

Several roadways leading to logging communities in the forest were blocked by fallen trees, forcing loggers who were returning to their camps to abandon their vehicles and walk the rest of the journey.

Many reached their destinations after midnight after having to walk for more than eight hours.

At Orealla, villagers the next day were cutting tall trees in proximity to their homes. However, no injuries were reported in the community.

The incident took place shortly before 15:00h and was reported to the Orealla Police Station, 15 miles away, about 20:00h. Police in Suriname were also contacted and visited the scene about 23:00h. They took away the body. A postmortem examination was expected to be performed on the remains of Amandeo on Wednesday.

GCAA Director General Zulficar Mohamed

thursday, july 10, 2014

IAC alarmed at population decrease

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) said it is alarmed that the preliminary census results, released recently, indicate that the population of Guyana has decreased from 751,223 in 2002 to 747,884 in 2012, a decline of 3339 persons.

The IAC in a statement said it is extremely alarmed with these statistics because they indicate, unmistakably, a high net migration outflow of between 15 and 20 per cent of the current resident population of Guyana between 2002 and 2012.

The IAC has recognised that this trend can be traced back historically for several decades when the population stood at 701,718 in 1970; 759,567 in 1980; and 723,673 in 1991. These figures indicate that migration outflows since 1970 probably, cumulatively, equal or surpass the total amount of persons now resident in Guyana in 2014.

The IAC, in light of statistics published by reputable international organisations, which place Guyana’s brain drain among the highest in the world, if not the highest, recognises that the current census figure strongly suggests that the brain drain from Guyana continues unabated in spite of the strength of Guyana’s economy which has witnessed 14 consecutive years of economic growth, according to GDP per capita statistics published by the International Monetary Fund: US$1417 in 1999; US$1512 (2000); US$1513 (2001); US$1544 (2002); US$1582 (2003); US$1654 (2004); US$1729 (2005); US$1915 (2006); US$2279 (2007); US$2509 (2008); US$2630 (2009); US$2904 (2010); US$3263 (2011); US$3581 (2012) and US$3729 (2013).

The IAC said it is alarmed that despite this prolonged period of economic growth, the migration outflows continue unchecked, and is of the opinion that Guyana’s post-independence economic history must be understood so as to place this population stagnation and decline in perspective.

“The IAC believes that

The IAC said it is alarmed that the preliminary census results, released recently, indicate that the population of Guyana has decreased from 751,223 in 2002 to 747,884 in 2012

comparative analysis of the respective economic growth patterns of Guyana and Singapore will shed much light on Guyana’s current predicament. According to IMF Statistics, the GDP (nominal) per capita in 1960 for Guyana was US$304 while that of Singapore was US$395. In 2013, the values were US$3729 for Guyana and US$54,776 for Singapore,” the release said.

Comparison

Comparison of the GDP (nominal) per capita between Guyana and Singapore illustrates that:

In 1975, Guyana was where Singapore was in 1968; in 1985, Guyana was where Singapore was in 1968; in 1992, Guyana was where Singapore was in 1969; in 1993, Guyana was where Singapore was in 1971; in 2006, Guyana was where Singapore was in 1973; and in 2013, Guyana was where Singapore was in 1979.

Between 1960 and 2012, the population of Guyana increased by a factor of 1.34, while that of Singapore increased by a factor of 3.22.

The IAC recognises that in relation to Singapore, which had almost continuous economic growth between 1960 and 2012, the economy of Guyana stagnated between 1975 and 1992 and grew slowly between 1993 and 2006.

The IAC is of the opinion

that the stagnation and slow growth of Guyana’s economy between 1975 and 2006, was the result of successive periods of political dictatorship and political destabilisation.

The IAC has computed, using statistics obtained from the IMF database, that to arrive at where Singapore’s economy stood in 2013, it would take Guyana 254 years (from 1960) or another 200 years from today.

The IAC, therefore, calls upon all political parties, all trade unions, all religious bodies, all cultural organisations, all non-governmental organisations and all of civil society to study these facts presented to them by the IAC and, taking the example of the people of Singapore, join together to combat divisiveness and to combine intellects and to plot a fresh economic development approach for Guyana.

The IAC strongly feels that a re-examination of the old initiative of shared governance is absolutely necessary if the deleterious effects of brain drain and increasing levels of crime are to be effectively combated, and result in a significant reduction of the unacceptably high levels of insecurity present in Guyanese society today. The IAC will continue to engage other likeminded partners in the diverse cultural landscape so as to foster deeper national unity and a sense of belonging.

Boy, 9, needs treatment for bone cancer

Amother is currently seeking financial assistance to help provide medical care for her nine-year-old son.

Javier Jamaine Anderson was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a common type of childhood-bone cancer in December 2013.

Lizanna Anderson stated that her son was at first distraught about his condition, but has managed to learn to accept his fate.

However, she is attempting to make life as comfortable as possible for him, as he has undergone several surgeries over the past few months.

The first being a biopsy, which was what determined his condition, followed by the removal of 10cm of bone from his left thigh, then a full amputation from the hip down, also known as a hip disarticulation (the surgical removal of the entire lower limb by transection through the hip joint).

To the happiness of the mother of the Grade Three student of North

Georgetown Primary School, the child’s disability did not hinder his performance at school or his self-esteem.

The funds that are currently being raised will go towards the fitting and purchasing of a prosthetic leg for the child, and to help pay the bills for his therapy sessions, all to be done in the US, hopefully by the end of August 2014.

The budding pilot is currently undergoing local ther-

apy to train his right leg to support his body and his new prosthetic leg. Lizanna said that they have already received sponsorship, and will be staying at her sister’s residence to cut down on extra costs, so that all funds provided will go towards supporting little Javier medical bills.

All persons interested in helping this young man, are asked to contact Lizanna on 223-1068 or 602-7631.

Guyana, Suriname leaders invited to meet BRICS leaders in Brazil

The leaders of Guyana and Suriname, Presidents Donald Ramotar and Desi Bouterse, are among other South American Heads of Government invited by Brazilian President Dilma Roussef to attend the seventh Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit in Forteleza from July 15-16.

The member countries of BRICS represent 40 per cent of the global population. Both Guyana and Suriname have large populations of people of Indian origin. These two Englishand Dutch-speaking countries are also keen to forge stronger economic and commercial ties with the BRICS group.

The summit will be attended by India’s new Prime Minister Narendra

Modi, who is calling for changes to the United Nations Security Council.

India, like Brazil and South Africa, all BRICS members, are seeking permanent membership in the

Man crushed by falling tree died from multiple injuries – autopsy

Apost-mortem examination performed on the body of Dexter Dey of Lot 52 D’Urban Street, Georgetown, who was killed when a tree limb fell on him at Frenchman Backdam on Sunday, gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.

The operation performed by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital confirmed that the 26-year-old man sustained a broken shoulder, feet and suffered severe internal bleeding.

This was according to the dead

man’s brother Clifton Dey, who for the first time broke his silence about his brother’s death during a telephone interview on Wednesday.

The aggrieved brother told Guyana Times that he was at home on Sunday evening when he received a call from one of his brother’s friends, who informed him of the tragic incident.

He said that information gathered suggested that his brother and another man were at the Creek when the upper half of a tree broke

and landed on his brother.

Dey said the incident happened suddenly; hence, his brother did not have time to react.

He was told that the area was experiencing high winds, which resulted in the tree breaking in half. After the incident, he said his brother’s bloodied body was picked up and rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dey confirmed that his brother left home about a month ago to work

with a close family friend unknowing to his family. It was while heading to the interior, he texted one of his sisters informing her where he was going.

The father of one worked at Banks DIH Limited and Carib Foods before going into the interior with the intention of making extra money to maintain his mother and daughter. Dey leaves to mourn his mother, daughter and siblings.

He is expected to be laid to rest on Monday.

Security Council. Russia and China are already permanent members.

Modi will hold a multilateral meeting with South American leaders, according to India’s Foreign Minister. According to Indian media, the agenda of BRICS will consider “social inclusion and sustainable development”. Asked whether the proposed BRICS Development Bank would come into being during the summit, and whether its headquarters would be Shanghai, Sujata Mehta, India’s Secretary of Economic Relations said to the Indian media that intense negotiations were underway on ‘’all aspects’’.

Argentina’s President Cristina de Kirchner will attend the special BRICS meeting with South American leaders in Brasilia, especially since her country wants to join the group. Its candidacy is supported by India, Brazil and South Africa.

BRICS and South American leaders may call for an end to mass surveillance by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

South American nations are also jointly exploring the creation of a communications system to curtail US spying in the Region.

In a related development, Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Argentina and Cuba before arriving in Brazil for the BRICS summit.

(Caribbean News Now).

Javier Jamaine Anderson

President Donald Ramotar

AFC Councillor under fire for ‘naked protest’

... APNU, PPP say rice payment protest uncalled for

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Region Two Councillor Wazir Latiff has condemned the “riotous” protest staged by rice farmers there last week.

Some 19 of the farmers, including Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Naithram were charged on Tuesday and granted $5000 bail.

During the all-day protest last Friday, the farmers burned tyres as well as blocked the roadways. Voicing his concerns at a recent statutory meeting, Latiff said he cannot find a reason the rice farmers would want to extend their protest into the night.

He described the protest staged by farmers of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association as “shameless” and “disgraceful”. The Opposition Councillor said he was reliably informed that the protest had become vulgar. He said if farmers wanted to protest, they should have done so in front of millers, who owed them huge sums of monies as opposed to blocking the roadways.

The APNU Councillor said rice farmers have an option to take the millers to court for their money through the free legal service offered by Government via the Guyana Rice Development Board, but they do not want to utilise the service.

The Councillor said the protest was uncalled for and there are other ways of addressing the issue of payment.

Unbecoming Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor Juilet Coonjah also condemned the behaviour of the AFC’s Councillor, who was accused by Police of stripping naked during the protest. She said his behaviour was unbecoming to say the least.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Saturday

had also strongly condemned the AFC for allegedly manipulating the plight and grievance of rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast, by encouraging them to block the public road there.

The Minister in a statement said the Ministry has advised and warned time and again that peaceful protest cannot mean blocking of public roads, thus preventing the right of others to proceed without let or hindrance.

“Public safety and security must be for all Guyanese and any attempt by a few to inhibit the peaceful and orderly life of law abiding citizens will not be tolerated. The Ministry has noted that over the past weeks, representatives of the AFC have been frequenting the Essequibo Coast encouraging their political activists imbedded in the rice farming community to engage in unlawful acts to disrupt the peace and good order on the Essequibo Coast,” the statement said.

Police for their part had clarified that on June 30, the Essequibo Paddy Farmers’ Association applied for approval to hold a protest march on July 4, commencing at 09:30h.The protest was expected to he held at the Bush Lot New Market,

following which a meeting will be held at the Anna Regina High Bridge. The protest march commenced at 10:00h, and proceeded peacefully with about 200 persons, mostly farmers. At the conclusion of the protest march and meeting, about 12:30h; most of the persons left, but some remained and began imbibing, the Police said.

Imbibing

At about 17:15h on Friday, those who were imbibing and some others including AFC Councillor Naithram, boarded their motor vehicles, including tractors and trailers, and proceeded to drive along the middle of the main roadway

Search intensifies for missing US-based Guyanese woman

Tin the vicinity of the villages of Reliance and Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast, at a very slow rate. This action, the Police said resulted in a back up of traffic as other motor vehicles could not pass, and they continued their actions despite efforts by Police to get them to drive on the left hand side of the road.

“On reaching a short distance before the Land of Plenty Bridge, at about 18:00h; the men continued breaching the laws by proceeding to block the entire roadway with the use of their motor vehicles that included tractors and trailers and to set fire to tyres and other debris that were thrown on the roadway. A utility pole was also used to block the roadway.

“By this time, the crowd had increased to over 400 persons and efforts by the Police to get them to remove the vehicles from across the roadway proved futile. Missiles comprising bricks, bottles and other articles were thrown at Police ranks in their attempt to remove the burning obstacles on the roadway, causing them to cease their efforts,” the Police said.

According to the Police, the Guyana Fire Service at Anna Regina could not reach the scene, owing to the blockages on the road. The release explained that the Police continued to appeal to the residents, but to no avail.

“The Police then arrested Naithram, who was leading the protest, at which stage a number of other persons surged forward and accosted the ranks and took him away from the Police. During this incident, his clothing was torn and several Police ranks were thrown into a nearby trench. Naithram then stood among the protestors and stripped himself, and several persons took his photograph. He then left the area and later returned dressed in a change of clothing.”

hree days after 27-year-old Chinelle Latoya Browne of 346 Sumpter Street, Brooklyn, New York disappeared, family members are keeping their “fingers crossed” that she is alive, although the body of an unidentified woman was found at Suttolk on Tuesday morning.

According to information, the partially dismembered body of a female was found in a parking lot in downtown Bay Shore by two people who were walking to the Fire Island ferry terminal on Maple Avenue.

They immediately called 911. The relatives of the missing woman have since contacted the relevant authorities with details about visible tattoos on the woman’s body, which is at Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the identity and cause of death.

However, the woman’s husband, Dale Browne in a telephone interview with Guyana Times said his wife is not someone who would suddenly disappear even if she is facing challenges. While he is in Georgetown, Guyana, his relatives have intensified their search in the US to locate the missing woman. The man said he has been in constant contact with New York City Police

Repairs

and the investigating detectives who are briefing him as they get information.

Browne explained that the last time he heard from his wife was on Saturday evening about 21:30h when she sent a text message, claiming that she was in Jamaica, Queens Hospital with a friend who had fallen ill.

Text message

Subsequently, he received another text message from his wife’s mobile on Monday morning from someone claiming that they found her phone in Manhattan. He immediately contacted his sisters-in-law in the US and requested that they go to her apartment and enquire about her whereabouts.

There, he added, the others who shared the apartment with his wife saw her with her laundry bag on Saturday evening, but the landlady is holding out that she last saw the missing woman on Monday.

Guyana Times was told that the missing woman and her landlady were heard engaged in several heated arguments after she would have made complaints against her. The landlady also reportedly admitted hitting the woman during an argument on Saturday.

Chinelle Browne, formerly of Lot 431 Baramita Street, South Ruimveldt Georgetown,

left Guyana on May 29, 2013 after securing her citizenship in 2008. She returned to Guyana in April this year and again left in May.

She has never had issues with her landlady until Friday evening following the fluctuation of the electricity supply to her building and that might have been the turning point in their relationship.

The missing woman’s husband is holding out that the landlady knew where his wife is, and believes that something has happened to his wife. He is also of the opinion that the woman is making up stories about his wife sending her messages asking for pardon and forgiveness for reporting her to the authorities.

“I saw the message that the woman claimed my wife sent her and based on the content and how it was written, I am sure that it is not my wife,” he added. She has a tattoo on her right arm with the name “Chinelle” and another on her right leg with the word “Angel”. He is asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of his wife to contact them on telephone numbers 908-269-8806, 646915-6684, 718-664-4452 in New York and 592-2181393, 592-655-0056, 592676-1429 or 592-660-7097 in Guyana.

to Saffon Street to be completed Friday

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) said repairs to Saffon Street will be completed by Friday, but commuters are of the opinion that the water company is taking too long to repair roads that were damaged during the execution of the US$10 million Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP).

In a press release on Tuesday, GWI apologised for any inconvenience caused by the road excavation, but said the excavation was necessary to attend to a broken distribution line.

It was explained that a deteriorated portion of the distri-

bution line broke on June 2, resulting in emergency work being executed in the area.

“After completing repairs, including restoring the excavated portion of Saffon Street, GWI was alerted to another breakage on the same distribution line which occurred on June 25,” the water company said.

Traffic cones erected GWI made it clear that after repairs were done, the Operations Team erected traffic cones and caution tape around the excavated portion of the road, but they were vandalised.

Materials left on Regent Street

APNU Councillor Wazir Latiff

PPP/C Councillor Juilet Coonjah

AFC Councillor Naithram

The erected traffic cones and caution tape that were replaced following vandalism

Bolivia passes child labour law

Bolivia’s Congress has passed legislation to allow children as young as age 10 to work as long as it does not interfere with their education and is done independently to help the child’s family make ends meet.

The legislation otherwise lowers the legal working age to 12 – again, as long the job does not interfere with the child’s education. A regional official with the UN International Labour Organisation, Carmen Moreno, said the legislation passed would make Bolivia the first country to make work by 10-year-olds legal.

Moreno called the legislation worrisome considering that Bolivia is a signatory on a UN convention that sets 14 as the minimum age for child labour.

Digicel returns VoIP services

Caribbean mobile provider Digicel on Tuesday agreed to allow its customers to access popular “free calls” applications Viber, Tango and Nimbuzz once again after the Telecommunications Authority of TT (TATT) started an investigation into complaints made about Digicel’s action.

In a release on Tuesday, Digicel said it made the decision after TATT confirmed it would investigate the company’s own complaint about

the use of number-based VoIP applications in the country.

It added: “Digicel has been engaged by the authority and has sought to relay its concerns relating to the use of these applications and the attendant impact they have on consumers in TT.

“Digicel shall continue to engage with the authority and very much welcomes the opportunity that has been provided to communicate its position and concerns.”

Pointing out that TATT

Authors of US report ‘interfered where they ought not’, says Bahamas PM

The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Perry Christie on Monday suggested that the authors of a US Department of State report that was critical of the Government went too far and it was a “mistake on their part” to do so.

However, former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette said if the Government doesn’t like what was contained in that report, it should make an effort to fix the problems.

Christie and Symonette were responding to questions related to a US Department of State report that highlighted the Christie Administration’s failure to fulfil many of its “ambitious campaign promises of economic and fiscal reform”.

Christie said the report delved into areas where it ought not to have gone. “I’m always surprised when [the Americans] set a standard that they would not want anyone else to go,” he told reporters.

“For example, should I be talking about how many failed promises President Barack Obama had? It just doesn’t make any kind of sense to me that I should go there.

“… I was astonished that they would allow themselves to go that far. And so I think the author was sort of personalising it. Whatever the author’s personal view was, he or she sort of put it there and that view was jaundiced…” the Prime Minister said. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Dominica will not accept or allow same sex marriage – PM Skerrit

he

TDominica Government says it will not accept same sex marriages, insisting the island will not follow other countries in doing so.

“I will make it clear that there are some things that this Government will not accept and we will never allow for the state to recognise same sex marriage in our country. If other countries want to do it, that’s a matter for them but there are certain guiding principles that we must follow,” Prime

Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said.

The local group, Minority Rights Dominica (MiriDom), has been calling on the Government to re-examine the Sexual Offense Act of Dominica as it relates to buggery, claiming that the legislation “discriminates against people because of their sexual preferences.”

“We are just asking that everybody be treated equally,” the group said, adding that it was still awaiting correspondence from Prime

Minister Skerrit on the issue. But Prime Minister Skerrit said while he is willing to meet with MiriDom to discuss issues, concerns and recommendation, “I don’t think any one group should impose any views on any other group.

“We are prepared to meet with MiriDom at any time. We will seek to contact them again and arrange for the Minister for Social Services and myself to meet and discuss with them.” (Excerpt from

Brazil World Cup fans burn buses in Sao Paulo

Brazilian fans and protesters, unhappy over Brazil’s 7-1 World Cup defeat against Germany, have taken to the streets of Sao Paulo and burned at least 20 buses, as Police ramped up security for Wednesday’s semi-final.

had asked that Digicel continue to provide the VoIP products to its customers while the investigation was going on, the company said:

“Digicel is willing, in light of the authority’s commitment to carefully review these matters in consultation with the industry, to accede, effective July 9, to the authority’s request in the interim period whilst preserving its rights in relation to the matter generally.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Throughout the night on Tuesday, Police and fire services reported several attacks on buses in the South American country’s largest city. Most were destroyed when a garage full of buses was set on fire in the southern area of Sao Paulo, the Reuters news agency reported.

According to local authorities, at least 20 buses were destroyed and others were damaged. Meanwhile, Sao Paulo Police increased security for the semi-final between Argentina and the Netherlands.

When Argentina played Switzerland on July 1 in

Jamaica to establish mutual accreditation policy

The Jamaican Government is moving to establish a mutual accreditation policy, which gives recognition to qualifications obtained in Jamaica, when the holders move away to other countries for work or to live permanently.

State Minister in the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry, Arnaldo Brown, said the policy aims to ensure that qualifications gained by Jamaicans are recognised in other countries, preventing them from having to re-qualify for jobs in their new country of residence.

Brown, who was addressing the 2014 graduation class of the Health Education and Counselling Institute (HECOIN), at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, said the policy comes against the background of a

recent position taken by the Canadian Government to protect the jobs of its citizens.

“The Canadian Government is trying to stimulate employment within their country and have taken the stance that they do not want people with no or low skills to be competing for jobs against Canadians, who are at the same level,” he said.

He argued that the only way for Jamaicans to overcome this hurdle is to become educated, trained and certified, as the stance taken by the Canadian Government could soon be adopted in other countries.

He noted, however, that the qualifications of Jamaicans are sometimes not recognised overseas and with the mutual accreditation policy in place, these issues will be addressed. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

At least 20 buses were destroyed and others were damaged

Sao Paulo there were isolated incidents of violence and rioting and Police were called in to respond. “Today [Wednesday] our squad has been increased 20 per cent because of today’s event and because of the high concentration of people during Argentina’s last game.

We boosted our detail and we will conduct ourselves in the best manner possible as we have in the last days,” Hernane Pereria Melete, the Police Inspector, said. Brazil were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in a record World Cup defeat, their first loss at home in 64 competitive matches since 1975. It was also the first time they had lost by six goals in any match since neighbouring Uruguay beat them 6-0 in the Copa America in 1920. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Wanted Trinidad Police Officer commits suicide after being placed on ‘Wall of Shame’

APolice Officer committed suicide hours after a photo of his appeared on a television programme hosted by a senior Police Officer that he was a fugitive from the law.

Constable Christopher Madeira, who had been on suspension from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), died after he ingested a quantity of weedicide on Tuesday.

His picture had been posted on the television programme “Beyond the Tape” co-hosted by Inspector Roger Alexander. Under his photograph, it stated he was wanted for two charges of misbehaving in public office, and failure to appear in court.

The charges alleged that he and another Police Officer, Corporal Lennox

John, knowingly and wilfully handed over a loaded firearm and a bullet-proof vest belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Madeira, who was last stationed at the Scarborough Police Station in Tobago, was also charged separately with handing over a loaded pistol and a bullet-proof vest.

He was released on TT$150,000 (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) bail, ordered to surrender his passport to the court and report to the Scarborough Police Station twice weekly.

Pathologist, Dr Valery Alexandrov, who performed the autopsy Tuesday, said that he found approximately 200 cubic centimetres of the substance in his stomach, which amounted to approximately a regular-sized glass.

(Excerpt from

The Bolivian legislation is expected to be signed into law shortly by President Evo Morales. (Excerpt from Belfast Telegraph)

Children as young as 10 will be able to work legally in Bolivia

Israel ‘to intensify Gaza attacks’

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “further intensify attacks on Hamas” in the Gaza Strip after talks with his defence chiefs. He said the Palestinian militants would “pay a heavy price” for their rocket attacks on Israel.

Israel’s military said Hamas had fired 72 rockets at Israeli cities on Wednesday, after dozens of overnight air strikes in Gaza. Some 40 Palestinians are reported to have died in the recent hostilities.

Gaza medical officials say half of the casualties were civilians, a number of them women and children. Hamas has warned that all Israelis are now targets, accusing Israel of violating the Egyptianbrokered truce that ended exchanges in 2012.

Netanyahu said his government’s campaign in Gaza would continue until firing against Israeli targets stopped.

Israeli President Shimon Perez told CNN that a ground offensive in Gaza “may happen quite soon”. Israel has already authorised the call-up of up to

40,000 military reservists.

The Israeli military said its Iron Dome missile defence system had intercepted 14 of 72 rockets fired on Wednesday, including three above Tel Aviv, three over Ashkelon and three

The town of Hadera 100km (60 miles) north of Gaza, was hit with an M-302 surface-to-surface rocket, the furthest target so far reached. (Excerpt from

India set to present federal budget

Measures aimed at reviving India's economy are set to be announced by the country's new Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in its federal budget on Thursday.

India's economy has slowed markedly, growing by 4.7 percent in the 2013-14 financial year which marked the second year of sub-5 percent growth. Modi's Government has promised reforms aimed at creating jobs. The budget is also expected to contain measures designed to slow inflation.

The Government has also spoken about its plans to introduce a general sales tax, simplify taxation, encourage foreign investment and speed up approvals for major business projects.

A Government survey, published on Wednesday, said the country's fiscal situation was worse than it appeared.

The annual Government Economic Survey on India's economy heightened speculation that Thursday's budget will give a higher, more realistic fiscal deficit target for the current financial year than the 4.1 percent of gross domestic product the previous govern-

The budget is expected to include measures aimed at creating jobs and cooling inflation

ment set.

"Inflation needs to be moderated further. The fiscal deficit needs downward correction over the next two years," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who will present Thursday's budget.

The report forecast GDP growth of between 5.4 percent and 5.9 percent in 2014-15, but warned that weak monsoon rains, which are essential for farming, could keep growth closer to

Ukraine conflict: Russia charges pilot over deaths

Russia has charged a female Ukrainian army pilot with complicity in the murder of two Russian journalists. Nadiya Savchenko, 33, was reportedly fighting in a volunteer battalion against pro-Russian separatists near Luhansk in east Ukraine.

Last month she took part in an attack on a rebel checkpoint where two Russian TV journalists were fatally wounded. Ukraine has accused Russia of abducting her and has demanded she be released and allowed home.

Ukrainian Government forces are currently battling rebels in the east and have recaptured several large towns in recent days. More than 1000 people, both civilians and combatants, are

believed to have been killed since the uprising began in April.

Savchenko, a helicopter pilot working with the pro-government Aidar battalion, was apparently captured by separatists after the attack on the checkpoint. She is now in a Russian detention centre but it is unclear how she got there.

Russia says she crossed the border voluntarily and illegally, disguised as a refugee.

Ukraine said she was forced over the border by the separatists.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry said in a statement: “This is yet more confirmation that the terrorists plan and carry out their crimes in Ukraine in close contact with the intelligence services of the Russian Federation. (Excerpt from BBC News)

5.4 percent.

Last year, credit ratings agency S&P warned there was a one-third chance of a downgrade of India's credit rating without a big improvement in the fiscal deficit and in implementing reforms.

Modi won a landslide general election victory in May with a pledge to boost growth and create jobs for the one million people who enter India's workforce every month.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Somali security chiefs sacked after al-Shabab attack

Somalia’s Police and intelligence chiefs have been sacked following militant Islamist group al-Shabab’s assault on the presidential palace, a Government Minister has said. Three of the attackers were killed and a fourth captured, the Minister added.

Al-Shabab fighters entered the compound in the capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday before being driven out by African Union (AU) and Government forces. This was the second assault on the heavily fortified compound this year.

The Police and intelligence heads – Abdihakim Saaid and Bashir Gobe respectively – have been replaced with immediate effect, said Information Minister Mustafa Dhuhulow.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was not at the

Dozens of blindfolded bodies found south of Baghdad

Iraqi security forces found

the bodies of 53 men, all of them blindfolded and with their hands bound, in an agricultural area outside a city south of Baghdad on Wednesday, officials said.

The bodies were found in the predominantly Shiite village of Khamissiya outside the city of Hilla, which is located some 95 kilometres (60 miles) south of the capital in the Babil province, with gunshots to the chest and head.

“Fifty-three unidentified corpses were found, all of them blindfolded and handcuffed,” Sadeq Madloul, Governor of the mainly Shiite Babil province, told reporters.

He said the victims appeared to have been killed overnight after being brought by car to an area near the main highway running from Baghdad to the southern

provinces, about 25 km (15 miles) southeast of Hilla.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan Ibrahim told the AP news agency an investigation was reportedly underway to determine the identities of the dead as well as the circumstances of the killings.

Although the motive for the killings was not immediately clear, they were reminiscent of the sectarian bloodletting that gripped Iraq in 2006 and 2007.

Tensions between Iraq’s Shiite majority and Sunni minority have been at a high ever since militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS or ISIL) and other Sunni groups launched a lightning offensive last month, overrunning large parts of the country’s North and West. (Excerpt from France24)

Jokowi’s victory claim disputed in Indonesia

Ex-general Prabowo Subianto has refused to accept a victory claim from his rival, Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, after a closely-fought presidential race in Indonesia.

Mohammed Mahfud, head of Prabowo’s campaign, said the campaign had won in many regions, saying: “We ask our people to watch the counting in the voting booth.”

“We have at least four survey institutions that clearly state we win,” Mahfud said, adding he regretted that Jokowi’s team had decided to claim victory.

After a ‘quick count’ of about 90 percent of votes on Wednesday, Jokowi was ahead by about 5 percent,

which had prompted him to declare victory.

“We are thankful that according to the quick count announcements, until now, they show that Jokowi-JK at this moment in the count have won,” Jokowi told reporters and jubilant supporters in south Jakarta.

JK refers to his running mate Jufuf Kalla, who was a vice president in the first term of outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Dodi Ambardi, executive director of pollster, the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), told Al Jazeera that it declared Jokowi has won the election and that its quick count was outside the margin of error. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

palace at the time of the attack. Al-Shabab said 14 Government soldiers had been killed in the assault but Government officials have not referred to this claim.

The raid started with a suicide bomber detonating a car at a barrier near the entrance to the compound, after which the militants attacked from two directions, correspondents say.

At a press conference at the palace after the attack was repelled, Mr Mohamud said the government would not be intimidated by al-Shabab.

“I say to them, you will not kill us, and nor will you demolish our spirit,” he added.

Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the UN-backed Government battle al-Shabab, which wants to create an Islamic state.

Xi says US-China confrontation would be ‘disaster’

Confrontation with the US would be a “disaster”, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said as he called for mutual respect between the two nations. Xi’s comments came at an annual China-US dialogue held in Beijing.

Diplomats are expected to discuss China’s currency, North Korea and tensions in the South China Sea. The US delegation is led by Secretary of State John Kerry, who in his opening remarks said that the US was not seeking to “contain” China.

Xi said the two countries’ interests were now “more than ever interconnected”, with much to gain from cooperation. “China-US confrontation, to the two countries and the world, would

definitely be a disaster,” he said.

“We should mutually respect and treat each other equally, and respect the other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and respect each other’s choice on the path of development.”

Kerry, meanwhile, said the US did “not seek to contain China” and urged Beijing not to “interpret it as an overall strategy” when the US differed from China on certain issues. US President Barack Obama also said in a statement that the US “welcomes the emergence of a stable, peaceful, and prosperous China”.

“We remain determined to ensure that cooperation defines the overall relationship,” he said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

over Ashdod.

Israel’s military said Hamas had fired 72 rockets at Israeli cities on Wednesday

thursday, July 10, 2014 |

Opposition thwarting efforts to pass AML/CFT Bill

... Govt tells FATF

The Guyana Government has told the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that its effort to implement an internationally-compliant anti-money laundering regime is being thwarted by the Opposition.

This was contained in a letter to the global body concerning Guyana’s failure to meet deadline for the implementation of the AML/CFT Bill and also FATF’s planned targeted review of the country’s anti-laundering laws.

“I have no doubt that you are aware of the peculiar historical evolution of Guyana’s inability to effect compliance with international standards for AML/CFT. You would be aware, as well, of the Executive Government’s unassailable commitment to implement the requisite legislative amendments designed to achieve the level of compliance to which you have made reference. Unfortunately, the Government’s efforts to accomplish this objective have been and continue to be thwarted and frustrated by a Legislature in which the joint Opposition political parties enjoy a majority vote,” the Guyana Government said in its letter to FATF.

It added: “Notwithstanding, I take this opportunity to assure you of Government’s fullest and most unbridled cooperation in assisting the ARRG in the conduct of its work and the discharge of its functional responsibilities. I remain hopeful for a most fruitful and magnanimous engagement.”

The FATF had said that it will undertake a targeted review of this country’s anti-money laundering regime before the October Plenary when a decision will be made then regarding further sanctions for not passing the AML/CFT Bill. In a letter written to the Guyana Government, FATF said the

targeted review will be undertaken prior to the October 2014 FATF plenary meeting.

“The purpose of this targeted review will be to examine the most significant deficiencies in your AML/CFT framework that pose a risk to the international financial system, as well as to identify steps that should be taken to address those deficiencies through the development of an action plan,” FATF said.

The body said this review will be conducted by the ICRG’s Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG), cochaired by Darlene Boileau (Canada) and Maria Fernanda Garcia-Yrigoyen Maúrtua (Peru).

Full cooperation

“In our capacity as ICRG Co-Chairs, we now request your full cooperation in assisting the ARRG to conduct this work, including by providing up-to-date information on your jurisdiction related to AML and CFT issues as requested by the ARRG co-chairs,” FATF said.

Furthermore, the body noted that Guyana will be given an opportunity to review the draft targeted review and to have a face-toface meeting with the ARRG.

“Once the Action Plan has been finalised, the FATF will request a written confirmation of your high-level political commitment to fully address the identified strategic

Repairs to Saffon...

It was explained that the traffic cones and caution tape were placed around the excavated portion of the road so that the distribution line could be observed in the event of another breakage.

“It was determined that due to the aged pipeline, it was necessary to conduct further examination before restoring the road since two breakages had occurred on the same distribution line,” GWI further explained.

But much to the dissatisfaction of the water company, the safety barriers erected around the affected area were vandalised. “It was noted that traffic cones were removed and that caution tape was destroyed at several sections of the excavated area.”

Nevertheless, based on the assessments done, GWI has concluded that no further breakages would occur; hence, the excavated section

of the road would be restored by Friday.

However, on Tuesday, some commuters told Guyana Times that GWI should have been monitoring the area to ensure that the protective barriers were not removed.

Roy Reece, a taxi driver who plies the route, said the excavated area has been a major hindrance.

Humbug

“It humbugging the traffic from flowing, look how long they left it here,” he complained.

Godfrey Ebba contended that several persons have fallen into the hole during the hours of darkness. “For the longest while there was no reflector, nothing to indicate there is a hole… your eye sight does deceive you, so I think they should have been a little more proactive. Have people check it from time to

deficiencies, including by implementing the Action Plan within the agreed timelines.”

The FATF, the global standard-setter and promoter of policies for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), adopted procedures in June 2009 for identifying and working with jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.

These procedures respond to specific requests of the G-20 Heads of States and Ministers who called upon the FATF to revise and reinvigorate this process and issue regular public updates, identifying jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. This process is managed by the FATF’s ICRG and is aimed at protecting the international financial system from money laundering and financing of terrorism risks, and encouraging greater global compliance with the international standards for AML/CFT.

At the recent June 2014 FATF plenary, FATF members agreed that Guyana should be subject to further review with respect to its compliance with the international standards for AML/ CFT.

This decision was made following up to the referral made by the Chair of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) received on June 10. The nomination was based on the lack of progress in addressing strategic deficiencies in Guyana’s AML/CFT regime, which resulted in a series of public statements issued by the CFATF, most recently on May 29. Prior to attending the meeting in Paris, the Donald Ramotar administration had written to FATF explaining the difficulties it is facing in getting the Bill passed due to differences with the Opposition parliamentary parties.

From page 13

time,” the man opined.

Another man who identified himself as Dave alleged that a vehicle ran off the road as a result of the excavated area. But while these men have voiced their concerns about the excavated section of Saffon Street, others are calling on GWI to complete repairs to roads that were excavated during the execution of the US$10 million Georgetown Sanitation Programme.

It has been opined that while repairs were done to some roads, materials are yet to be removed while in other cases, work done is inferior.

Hadfield and Haley Streets, Sussex, Forshaw, New Market, Regent, Barrack, Quamina, Waterloo, Wellington, Smythe and Light Streets are among streets that have been affected during the process of excavation.

Sarawati Dance Academy to host “Little Champ” – during summer vacation

Essequibo Indian dance troupe, Sarawati Dance Academy is hosting “Little Champs” for the summer, featuring young talented dancers in Region Two.

Owner of the academy

Sursattie Singh said the competition is set out to attract young talented Indian dancers between the ages of 4- 12 years old.

Singh said the competition was planned by the troupe’s executives to get young dancers meaningfully occupied during the summer vacation.

“It is my dream, I was once a small dancer and I needed this kind of exposure, but nothing was made available, today, I can give young dancers something I never had and am hoping this competition will assist and help unlock young dancers poten-

tial,” Singh said.

She said the competition will be held at the Cotton Field Secondary School commencing from July 19 and ending on August 2.

The three-day competition will have three judges, and the top five winners will be receiving a cash prize of $10,000.

So far, 10 persons have registered for the competition, but Singh said she is looking for some 30 youths. She said registration will be done daily from July 12 at her dance classes in Anna Regina.

Registration fee cost $2000.

According to the dance teacher, the competition emerged from requests by youths, who said they wanted to put their competitive spirit on display.

The competition, which

aims to showcase young talent and promote the Indian culture, is opened to children across Region Two.

Companies interested in sponsoring the event can contact the academy on telephone number 670-6340. At the opening night of the competition, there will be the lighting of a “lamp” by parents of the children, followed by the dance troupe’s theme song.

After the competition, there will be fun dance classes, opened to members of the public.

The Saraswati Dance Academy founded by Singh was established 10 years ago. It is the only organised Indian dance troupe on the Essequibo Coast. The troupe is managed by seven executives.

Systems in place to deal with poor Math, English performers – Manickchand

By Gomatie GanGadin

Students who would have failed Mathematics and English at the 2014 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) will not be ignored or neglected, as the Education Ministry is presently putting systems in place to help them.

This is according to Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, said while the Ministry has celebrated the successes of those who have excelled at the examinations and rightly so, other students should not feel sidelined or ignored as her Ministry will be placing more emphasis on them.

“First off, let me say that no child has failed this examination. Every student who sat this examination has been placed at a school, so no one child has failed and that is the good thing about the examination,” the Minister said.

Manickchand further went on to disclose that the Ministry has developed several plans to cater for those who have failed Mathematics and English Language. The plans were formulated according to the percentage each student would have achieved at the exams. One of the plans involves a sixyear programme which will focus intensively only on the two critical subjects.

Remedial programme

“For those who did extremely poor at the examinations; those very weak students we will be implementing a six-year programme for them. This programme involves taking them and placing them under a one-year remedial programme out of school. They will not be placed in high school; they will be placed in this programme for one year. In that year, these students will be taught just Mathematics and English

Language but on such a level, that understanding will be easy. They should be able to grasp the important concepts during this time. This is to ensure their transition into high school,” Manickchand told this publication.

The Education Minister said after that year would have expired, the students will be assessed and then placed in the respective schools they would have been awarded through the examinations.

“After they would have been placed in the high school system, their performances will be closely monitored, the level of teaching will one which corresponds to their level of learning, but, at the same time, we will be working to ensure they are well prepared for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics and English Language examinations,” Manickchand said.

The Minister noted that for those who failed the subjects but did not drop far below the margin, a system is also being developed for them.

“These students would be placed in the high schools they would have been awarded, but the level of teaching will be altered. It will be done in such a way that they will be able to understand

the concepts being taught; it will be broken down as simple as it possibly can,” she posited.

The Minister also disclosed to Guyana Times that the Ministry has been approached by various school heads who are seeking permission to alter the timetables in their respective schools to include more Mathematics and English Language teaching periods.

“We have been approached and asked if it is possible to drop maybe one or two of the other subjects being offered so that more periods of Math and English can be taught. I think this is a very good idea, we are embracing it and we are looking to have more schools do the same,” the Education Minister said.

CSEC exams

She added that while the level of teaching and the methods will be simplified, it is expected that all of the students will be well prepared for the CSEC examinations.

The performance of students in Mathematics has, over the years, remains a major concern, with a decline in the pass rate from 43.94 per cent in 2013 to 31.52 per cent among the 15,227 candidates who sat the examinations this year.

In contrast, English has seen an improvement of nearly 25 per cent in passes, from last year’s 28.73 per cent to 51.92 per cent this year.

Over the span of 20 years (1994 – 2014), there have been improvements in the pass rates in all subject areas, from 10.6 per cent to 31.52 per cent in Maths (a 20.92 per cent improvement); from 14 per cent to 51.92 per cent in English (a 37.92 per cent improvement); from 30 per cent to 43 per cent in Science (a 13 per cent improvement), and from 16 per cent to the current 40 per cent in Social Studies (a 24 per cent improvement).

President Donald Ramotar

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Opposition claims no-confidence vote still on the cards

The Opposition parties A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have claimed they will be going ahead with the motion of no-confidence against the Government, but not at this stage.

APNU Leader David Granger told Guyana Times on Tuesday that the motion of no-confidence was still on the cards. He said while this may not be the first option of the Opposition parties, it was definitely still being considered and would be part of a slew of actions against the Government.

When further questioned, Granger declined to state definitively what those actions would be, but insisted that they would be aimed at making Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh answerable for the expenditure of $4.5 billion from the Contingencies Fund.

The two parties met on Tuesday to finalise discussions on the motion, and, according to Granger, they will now be following a process. The Opposition Leader revealed that “what we decided... is on a process... we are concerned with how to deal with illegality” of the public funds’ expenditure by the Finance Minister.

He went on to say that “a series of actions will be initiated... the motion will be a part of it, but it will not be the first option”.

Meanwhile, when Guyana Times made contact with AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan on Tuesday, he declined to comment on the meeting beyond saying that the meeting did occur. Ramjattan told Guyana Times , “We (APNU and AFC) met today, but I am not at liberty to tell you what we discussed.”

The statements by the

Granger

says PNCR is not

... despite sale of Congress

By Alexis Rodney

Opposition parties’ leaders come on the heels of threats to pursue legal action against Dr Singh over the spending of the $4.5 billion. Dr Singh has maintained that his spending of the funds was constitutional. Relying on Article 220:1 of the Constitution, Dr Singh said it provides for the Finance Minister to make advances from the Contingencies Fund should there be an imperative need for expenditure for which no other provision exists.

He said too that Section 41 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003 also vested in the Finance Minister, the “sole authority” to release monies from the Contingencies Fund.

“The Minister shall have the sole authority for the release of monies from the Fund… an authority which shall not be delegated.., ” Dr Singh had said.

Don’t be disheartened by failure, try harder

–

First Lady tells students of Mc Gillivray Primary School

Twenty-five students of the Mc Gillivray Primary School, Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara on Wednesday on Wednesday successfully graduated from their school after completing the National Grade Six Assessment Examination (NGSA).

They were encouraged by First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar to never be disheartened by failure, but instead to try harder to succeed.

The school’s 18th annual prize giving ceremony, which was conducted at its premises, sought to award these students in the form of trophies and certificates for their outstanding performances at the last sitting of the NGSA.

As these youths commence a new chapter in their lives, they were given many words of advice to take along with them.

Ramotar congratulated the students for their hard work, noting that this is only a stepping stone and the journey leads a far way ahead. She said: “This is the foundation of your education.”

She also encouraged the students who did not do as well as they expected to rededicate themselves to doing better, highlighting that there will be many disappointments in life; however, what matters is the way an individual overcomes them.

She said that a basic education is no longer the essential tool for a job requirement as most jobs locally and internationally require a minimum of at least a first

degree so it is important for the students to further elevate themselves even after graduating from high school.

The First Lady highlighted that Government recognises the importance of education and has been committing to ensuring that every child can access educational opportunities.

“The Government of Guyana believes in the importance of children being educated, and most importantly having access to education. The billions (of dollars) invested over the years in the education sector, has allowed the Government to provide not only new buildings and renovated schools, but also text and exercise books, and school uniforms etc,” she said.

She added that the $10,000 cash grant that each child in a public school will be receiving can be used to aid in the travelling expense of the students.

Meanwhile, Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber urged the students to be good ambassadors and give good impressions of the children from Mc Gillivray Primary School as their behaviour will reflect on their commu-

nities and alma mater.

Faerber advised the students to be prepared and adapt to change, both in their environment and their physical being as they are moving from early childhood to adolescence stage.

The graduation held under the theme “We hold tomorrow’s smiles in our hands” saw numerous cultural presentations from students of the school.

Amid talk that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) was in dire financial straits and was selling off land at its Sophia Headquarters to pay its bills, the party’s leader, David Granger, on Wednesday said it was on sound financial footing.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Granger, a retired Brigadier, said his party is enjoying a “healthy financial status”, which can cushion it during the run-up to the next general election. “We have regular General Councils, which means transporting delegates from all over the country, we have employees, we pay our bills and wages, so I would consider our financial status to be healthy,” Granger said confidently.

While he did not disclose the amount of funds the party has in its treasury, he maintained that all of its necessities are taken care of.

Financial status

Questions arose recently over the party’s financial status after talks got underway about its plans to sell parcels of land from its large Sophia Headquarters estate. Reports are that the party has tied up an agreement with a major company to sell the property for close to $80 million. Reports are too that the party had exhausted all of its funds during the 2011 General Election.

Meanwhile, Granger also spoke about the status of the party and the success he garnered, thus far, since becoming leader over two years. Granger said he considers his position to be very important, pointing that his taking the reins of leadership has brought the party to a significant era in its history. According to him, it is the first time the PNC has been able to bring three important functions together. “First as leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity [APNU], and Leader of the Opposition,” he told

Place land

Guyana Times. Because of the combination of responsibilities of the three functions, Granger said, there has been a high level of consistency, as well as a high level of “advancing the agenda and the improvement of democracy”.

Congress

With the upcoming Congress in July, Granger said he remained committed to the leadership of the party. He said the party, now 57 years old, has increased its membership over the past two years, while there has been a strengthening. He added that the party constitution, which is very important, is now being revised. The institutions are strong, he declared, pointing out that he has been making frequent visits to party members and supporters in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Granger said support for the party in the hinterland regions is becoming stronger, as the PNCR has been receiving positive feedback from these areas. This feedback will be taken to Congress, he noted.

Granger also pointed out that the many recommendations made in the National Assembly by the PNCR, on every occasion, come from the people themselves. He said the party has been able to build and strengthen partnerships across the board.

Granger recalled the 2006 General Election during which, according to him, the party suffered a significant fracture when Raphael Trotman, along with some other members, left.

‘broke’

However, he said the party was able to pick itself up back in 2011, as some members have since returned. Asked about the APNU coalition and the effects it may have had on the PNCR, Granger disclosed that every member of the PNC had believed that the establishment of the Partnership was an advancement of the constitutional requirement to have inclusive democracy. “Members understood that the party had not diminished. They have also learnt to work together with forces such as the GAP [the Guyana Action Party], JFA [the Justice For All Party], and the National Front Alliance,” the leader said.

Former members

Meanwhile, in matters relating to the party and its in-house operations including the status of former members, Granger disclosed that members who have left the party are free to return and become actively involved in the fulfilment of the party’s objectives. He said the PNCR has no qualms with any such member, pointing out that his concern and that of the party are to maintain its goals and objectives. Several members who were considered the bedrock of the PNCR have, over the years, either taken a back seat or have left the party for good. These include Dr Faith Harding, Dr Dagleish Joseph, Vincent Alexander, Aubrey Norton, Clarissa Riehl, Sherwood Lowe, and James Mc Allister. But Granger said Dr Norton, who, as far as he knows, has not left the party, is part of a functioning group within the political body. Speaking to the issue relating to Dr Harding, Granger said he was not in the business of extending invitations, since everyone is free to participate.

Critics of Granger, a retired Brigadier, who succeeded former leader Robert Corbin, have accused him of “militarising” the party, as many of the current members serving in leadership positions have also served in the security forces.

Gold jewellery standards now compulsory

The Government of Guyana is seeking to improve the standard of gold jewellery in the country and will be enforcing the law where gold dealers will have to provide basic information about the jewellery before it could be sold.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon told a news conference on Wednesday that the gold specifications standard that was adopted in Guyana in 2010 as part of a Caricom initiative will now become compulsory as Government seeks to straighten all loose ends in this regard.

“What that means is that

from henceforth, the producers and retailers would be obliged to adopt these standards.”

The standards set by the Government now, Dr Luncheon said, will see jewellers providing the necessary information on the amount of carat (the amount of gold in the item) and the alloy (the amount of chemicals used to make the gold) to consumers.

This decision was made when Cabinet met on Tuesday, Dr Luncheon said. Prior to this, he noted that there was no amount of “compulsion on jewellers and those who work with gold for ornamental purposes to abide

and adopt those standards”, he said, although the standards had a lot to do with the carats and alloy.

The retailers and dealers in gold ornaments, he said will now be under a legal obligation to make available to purchaser, the information about the standards.

Tourism Minister Irfaan Ally had raised concerns with stakeholders and had also shared the findings with Cabinet members. According to Dr Luncheon, Ali made the call because of the attraction tourists have for Guyanese gold.

According to him, they must receive quality with their purchases. “Tourists come here. They like our yellow gold. We see this as a major branding of Guyana’s products or gold.”

Dr Luncheon said since the adoption of the standard, Government has always been concerned with the tourism appeal. Guyana, he said must “line it up in such a way to make it contribute positively to our tourism product”. He noted that stakeholders can now focus on Guyana’s gold for the benefit of the tourist sector, with much reliance and authority because there is now “enforceable standards and specification”.

PNCR Leader David Granger

A section of the graduating students

SUDOKU

You can meet some fascinating and stimulating individuals at group functions. Check out what’s happening in your area. Love and romance are on the rise.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Don’t be too quick to sign on the dotted line. Make sure that you get all the goods or services that have been promised. Read the fine print.

Your style and flair are what make you unique. Don’t be deterred if someone dislikes your artistry or creativity. Jealousy will likely be at the root of any such complaint.

Face any dilemma head-on. Don’t give in to anyone trying to take advantage of you or who is standing between you and your happiness. Follow your heart and do what’s best for you.

(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)

Follow your intuition. You know deep down what is best for you, regardless of what others say. Travel opportunities are apparent and should be geared toward future business.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Take any opportunity to travel that comes your way. Organise your time so that you can mix business with pleasure and come out on top in both areas of your life.

(March 21-April 19)

There are lots of gimmicks designed to make you buy various products. Don’t be tempted to buy on impulse. It’s no bargain if you end up not using what you purchased.

(April 20-May 20)

You have many appealing and desirable qualities. Accept social and community invitations, and you will discover a new window of opportunity that can help you out personally and professionally.

(May 21June 20)

If you are vocal, you can make substantial progress in the workplace. Let your superiors hear your ideas and opinions. Finding solutions will lead to advancement.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You will be flattered by the attention you get today, but before you let things go to your head, consider whether all the hubbub is sincere or merely the product of ulterior motives.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Your appearance and self-confidence go handin-hand. Some minor improvements and indulgences will lift your spirits and rejuvenate your approach to your life and goals.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

You may have doubts regarding your career choice. It’s important to find an outlet that you enjoy and try to turn it into a living. Research the options that interest you most.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

Limacol CPL 2014…

Local Warriors eager to make their mark

By Rajiv Bisnauth

With just one day before the start of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2014, Guyana Times Sport chatted with four local members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad prior to their departure from the Grand Coastal hotel on Tuesday for Grenada.

The local franchise will play the Antigua Hawksbills on Friday at 14:00h, their first of nine preliminary games before returning home for three games.

Opener Trevon Griffith, who played one game in the first edition of the tournament last year, said he feels very excited and honoured to play in the Limacol CPL once again and is focused on playing a major role for his team in this year’s competition.

“Last year I played one game so I’m looking forward to playing more games this year and hopefully grasp any opportunity I get with both hands.” Griffith reiter-

ated that he was “happy to be a part of the team again” as it is a “big opportunity.”

Meanwhile, 25 year-old debutant Robin Bacchus said he plans to capitalise on the opportunity.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to be among some of the best cricketers in the world and eager to learn from them, while I will also use the opportunity to make a name for myself,” he said.

Fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, who was ruled out from the inaugural tournament due to a stress fracture weeks before the start, said he is fully fit and ready to make an impact.

“I definitely feel excited that I’ve been called up to play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors,” Beaton said. “I am definitely coming to play and bringing my best. Last year it was unfortunate to miss out due to injury but I

am really looking forward to this year’s tournament.”

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul expressed how pleased he was to be a part of the prestigious tournament for a second time.

“I am happy to be back in the Warriors line-up and hopefully it will be another successful year for me,” the Albion spinner revealed.

The 24-year-old Permaul ended last year’s tourna-

Local fans dejected after horrendous Brazil loss

By avenash Ramzan

Brazil’s horrendous 7-1 defeat at the hands of Germany in semifinal one of the FIFA World Cup was met with shock by fans across the globe, no less by those in Guyana who religiously followed the team’s progress throughout the competition. Though locals refrained from commenting on the loss, the feeling of dejection was quite evident on their faces.

During a visit to one of the most popular spots in Georgetown, fans, predominantly Brazilians who have taken up residence here, were in disbelief as the Germans blasted in goals at will, making it the first time that a team has scored seven goals in a World Cup semi-final.

It was also the first time that a team had conceded five or more goals by half-time in a World Cup semi-final.

While the disappointment was evident by those present at the game, much of the same prevailed in bars

ry, surpassing the 3-0 loss to France in the final in 1998.

While Guyanese and Brazilian nationals were reluctant to speak to journalists and offer their opinions on the game, it was clear from their body language which team they were supporting.

Most of them, dressed in the traditional yellow, blue and green Brazilian colours, could not believe what was unfolding before their eyes as the jubilation of the past weeks when the host country topped the Group stage and won the quarter-final turned to despair in the space of 29 horrific minutes.

ment with 10 wickets from nine games at an average of 19 with best figures of 3-32 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at the Guyana National Stadium. It was a complete turnaround for the left-armer, who earlier in that year in the Caribbean T20 competition, was thrashed to all parts of the park, picking up just a solitary wicket.

Further Permaul added “As the runners’ up, a

lot of pressure will be on us, but I feel that we have the strength to do very well this season. With 10 players in our 15 man squad having been retained, cohesion won’t be an issue.” He pointed out that one of the high points for him from the inaugural tournament was being able to rub shoulders with international stars like Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan, New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and James Franklin, and the Sri Lanka duo of Tillekaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga.

“It was a pleasure to be around those international players because of the experience they have and what they were able to share with us. I think it is a good thing [having international players in the Limacol CPL] because as a player you can learn so much from them, playing in different conditions and different situations,” Premaul, who represented the West Indies in four Test matches, pointed out.

Ballot Box Martyrs cycling set for Sunday

across Georgetown, as the Brazilians, the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles, were reduced to a mere shadow of themselves.

It was Brazil’s biggest defeat in World Cup histo-

In Brazil, the defeat created an air of shock, humiliation and embarrassment among the populace, who had journey from wide and far to fill the venues in support of the national team.

Many fans left the stadium – which was a sea of yellow – at half-time with the Germans leading 5-0 and the chances of Brazil lifting the World Cup on home soil slipping by the minute.

Brazil’s cause was not helped by the absence of injured star player Neymar and skipper Thiago Silva, who had to sit out of the match after foolishly getting a second yellow card in the quarter-final against Colombia.

Despite missing those two players, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was quick to take blame for the defeat. He said, “The person who decided the line-up, the tactics, was me. It was my choice. My message for the Brazilian people is please excuse us for this performance.”

Brazil were unbeaten in 14 games ahead of the meeting with Germany and Scolari played down the absence of striker Neymar, who fractured a vertebra during the quarter-final victory over Colombia.

He said: “Let’s not try to find an excuse in Neymar.”

On other side of the world in Germany, newspaper headlines were inundated with praises for the national team, while fans took to the streets in celebration of a famous win.

The Ballot Box Martyrs will be remembered on Sunday when the annual 55-mile road race, sponsored by Chris Jagdeo Construction of Corentyne, is staged in their honour on the East Berbice roadways.

The race, organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, will pedal off at 09:00h in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam, proceed to Corriverton Police Station and return to Number 63 Village for the finish.

While the Senior and Junior riders will go the full distance, the Veterans, Females and Mountain Bikers will finish at Number 63 Village on the upward journey.

According to Mohamed, a keenly contested day of racing is anticipated. “We can expect a very competitive day of racing. All the top riders should be available and will be going hard to win the race.”

During the 2013 race, seasoned campaigner Godfrey Pollydore emerged as champion of the Senior division, clocking two hours, 12 minutes, 49.52 seconds (02:12m: 49.52s).

Michael Anthony won the Junior category, with Raymond Newton (Veterans), Ozia McUally (Mountain Bikes), Hazina Barrett (Females) and Monty Parris (Veterans Over-60) being the other winners.

The top six finishers of the Senior division will be rewarded, while the first three Juniors, Veterans, Mountain Bikers and Females, as well as the first Veteran Over-60 rider to cross the line will also receive prizes. Eight prime prizes will be on offer during the race course.

Mohamed said transportation for cyclists and officials will depart the National Sports Commission’s office on 91 Middle Street at 05:00h on Sunday. The race is being held in memory of Jagan Ramessar and Parmanand Bholanauth, who were gunned down on July 16, 1973, at Number 63 Village while transporting ballot boxes during the national election.

Members of the Executive Committee of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic will be on hand to assist in the distribution of prizes at the conclusion of the race.

Veerasammy Permaul

Trevon Griffith

Ronsford Beaton Robin Bacchus

Luiz Felipe Scolari: “The person who decided the lineup, the tactics, was me. It was my choice. My message for the Brazilian people is please excuse us for this performance.”

“What more does rugby have to do?”

– Nascimento laments lack of support

Noting that the Guyana Rugby Union (GRFU) and Guyana’s rugby teams, over the past 8 years, have delivered by far the most successful performance in any sport in the country, former President of the GRFU Kit Nascimento has lamented that local rugby continues to struggle for national recognition and national funding.

Nascimento was speaking on Wednesday at Duke Lodge where a reception was held in honour of the Men’s 15s rugby team that up-

staged USA South Panthers to win the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) title on June 28.

According to Nascimento, Guyana’s rugby achievements have put Guyana on the international sporting map, competing at a world class level that no other sport has achieved. But, competing at world class levels has world class costs attached to it.

He related that the Rugby Union in 2013, without government support, found itself

guyana ladies suffer back to back blowouts at cBc c/ships

Despite their optimism ahead of the tournament, the Guyana female team suffered back to back blowouts at the 21st Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Senior Women’s Championship in the British Virgin Islands. The Guyanese were crushed by Jamaica 26-82 in their opening game Tuesday night and were thrashed by Trinidad and Tobago 33-96 on Wednesday.

In the game against the Jamaicans, Latoya Rodney top scored with 6 points and Natasha Alder had 6 rebounds for the Guyana team who scored just 8 of 37 field goal attempts compared to the Jamaicans who had 87 attempts and were successful with 39.

Shenieka Santana Smith top scored for Jamaica with 16 points and 7 assists, whilst Jennifer Sandria George recorded 14 rebounds for the Jamaicans who scored 29 points in the second quarter to put the game beyond the reach of the Guyanese girls.

Guyana are up against St Vincent and the Grenadines today.

virtually bankrupt, was unable to meet the cost of participating in the NACRA Sevens Championships, a tournament it would probably have won, and was disqualified from participation.

“As we speak, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, rugby Sevens teams regularly beaten by Guyana, are representing the Caribbean at the Commonwealth Games.”

Nascimento stated that the GRFU, nevertheless, with the help of corporate sponsorship, recovered sufficiently to

contest and win the Southern and, now, the NACRA Fifteens Championships held in Atlanta, largely made possible by NACRA footing the majority of the bill.

“What more does rugby have to do to earn and deserve full, unqualified national support and funding?”

It was highlighted that the NACRA Sevens Championships will take place in Mexico in December and the winning team will qualify for the Pan American Championships. According

to Nascimento, properly prepared and fully financed, Guyana can win those Championships and go on to earn qualification for the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016.

“Surely now our government and corporate Guyana will reward the players for the hard work, dedication and talent they have committed and give them the support they have earned,” Nascimento opined.

WICB announces U-17 tourney changes

The West Indies Cricket Board has advised of the revised match schedule for Regional Under-17 Tournament taking place here.

The tournament opened on Tuesday with two matches: Windward Islands beat Guyana by three wickets at Bon Accord and Barbados topped hosts and defending champions Trinidad & Tobago by two wickets at Louis D’Or.

Changes to the match schedule became necessary following the late arrival of luggage for the Leeward Islands team and complications with the travel arrangements for the Jamaica

team. The outstanding match between Leewards and Jamaica will now be played on one of the rest days later in the tournament following agreement by the two teams.

Results of matches Revised schedule of matches

Thursday, July 10

Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica – Bon Accord

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands – Shaw Park

Guyana vs Barbados –Louis D’Or

Friday, July 11

Jamaica vs Windward Islands – Louis D’Or

Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana – Shaw Park

Leeward Islands vs Barbados – Bon Accord

Sunday, July 13

Guyana vs Jamaica –Bon Accord

Barbados vs Windward Islands – Shaw Park

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago – Louis D’Or

Tuesday, July 15

Jamaica vs Barbados –Shaw Park

Guyana vs Leeward

Islands – Mount Pleasant

Trinidad & Tobago vs Windward Islands – Bon Accord

(WICB Media Release)

Argentina beat Dutch on penalties to reach final

Argentina will meet Germany in Sunday’s World Cup final at the Maracana after winning a penalty shootout to eliminate the Netherlands. After 120 tedious and goalless minutes that were in stark contrast to the spectacular shock of the first semi-final between Brazil and the Germans, Argentina prevailed and a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals - when they played West Germany - will be played out in Rio.

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was the hero with penalty saves from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, while opposite number Jasper Cillessen was unable to repeat the feats of his deputy, Tim Krul, in the quarter-final win against Costa Rica. And for Brazil, a nation still coming to terms with their worst defeat after being crushed 7-1 by Germany in Belo Horizonte, there is arguably the even more harrowing prospect of seeing fierce rivals Argentina lift the World Cup in the iconic surroundings of the Maracana.

Germany will be favourites after the manner in which they destroyed Brazil

but there is streak of steel running through Alejandro Sabella’s side that offers resilience beyond the genius of Lionel Messi.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal - who will now complete the formalities by guiding his side in Saturday’s third/ fourth place play-off before taking over at Manchester United - employed first the returning Nigel de Jong, then Jordy Clasie, to shadow Messi. The plan succeeded but Van Gaal’s problem

was his side’s failure to pose any attacking threat, with Robin van Persie peripheral and substituted, and Arjen Robben only able to deliver their first shot on target after 99 minutes.

That Argentina’s chances were at a premium was down, in large part, to Aston Villa defender Vlaar, the game’s outstanding performer at the heart of the Dutch defence. He did not deserve the cruel fate of being one of those to miss a penalty.

So to Sunday’s showpiece and the repeat of the 1986 final, which Argentina won 3-2 to record their last World Cup triumph, and West Germany’s 1-0 victory in Rome four years later, which was their last win. Argentina will see the prospect of winning in Brazil’s heartland as the perfect incentive. Earlier in this tournament, their supporters had flooded across the border in thousands in a show of support and they will do so again.

This was not a spectacle of any sort, but as firecrackers went off among Argentina fans and their players celebrated in front of them in the Sao Paulo rain, they did not have a care. The pattern was set from the opening moments as De Jong’s role - upon his surprise recovery from a groin injury - became clear. He was to stay in close proximity to Messi in an attempt to stifle Argentina’s main creative force and, to a large extent, it worked.

Messi, however, cannot be kept completely quiet and he produced the only serious test for either goalkeeper in a stale first half when his freekick was held comfortably by Cillessen after Vlaar fouled Enzo Perez. Robben’s lack of influence was reflected in the statistic that he only had four touches in the first 45 minutes, also an indication of how the Netherlands had failed to test Argentina’s defence.

As heavy rain poured down on the Arena de Sao Paulo’s uncovered stands after the interval, and some fans decided to seek shelter out of sight of the game, the stretching Gonzalo Higuain came closest to breaking the

stalemate when he steered Perez’s angled cross into the side-netting. Sabella made a double change with 10 minutes remaining, sending on Aguero and Rodrigo Palacio for Higuain and Perez, but still there was no invention or ambition. Van Gaal even sacrificed the listless Van Persie in extra time - his third change, a move which deprived the coach of the opportunity to introduce Krul again - and the tedium was lifted when Robben produced the first Dutch shot on target after 99 minutes. It was saved easily by Romero.

In a rare spell of excitement, Cillessen saved from Palacio and Maxi Rodriguez but there was no escaping the almost inevitable conclusion of penalties.

Vlaar had his opening penalty saved by Romero and, when Sneijder missed their third, the Netherlands’ fate was effectively sealed. Robben and Dirk Kuyt scored but Argentina were unerring, with Messi, Ezequiel Garay and Aguero on target before Rodriguez’s kick sent Sabella’s side to Rio.

Argentina will see the prospect of winning in Brazil’s heartland as the perfect incentive

Kit Nascimento

Jamaica were too strong opponents for Guyana

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Limacol CPL 2014...

Four new

players sign up

Shah and Dunk lead list of newcomers

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) yesterday revealed four more exciting names who will be taking part in the rapidly approaching, high-octane T20 competition. The quartet will join the recently announced Kiwi pair, Jimmy Neesham and Daniel Vettori, in travelling to Grenada this Friday for the spectacular opening weekend of the tournament.

England international, Owais Shah, will link up with defending champions, Jamaica Tallawahs, while Ben Dunk, Player of the Tournament in this year’s Big Bash League, will bring his big hitting to the Antigua Hawksbills. West Indies batsman, Kirk Edwards, who played in all three Tests in the recent se-

ries against New Zealand, will join the Barbados Tridents, while batsman, Shacaya Thomas, will join Dunk at the Hawksbills.

Those standing aside for the newcomers are Thisara Perera, Antigua Hawksbills (selected for Sri Lanka ‘A’ tour); Kieran Powell, Antigua Hawksbills (personal reasons); Ahmed Shehzad, Jamaica Tallawahs (unavailable due to PCB training camp); and Imran Nazir, Barbados Tridents, (injured). St. Lucia Zouks are also in the market for a replacement international player, after experienced Australian batsman, Brad Hodge, unfortunately suffered a broken arm in a warm-up game.

Limacol CPL Cricket Operations Director,

Michael Hall, said: “It goes to show the strength of the Limacol CPL that we are able to draft in such talented and popular replacements for those who are now unavailable. It is a tournament that is on the lips of every cricketer in the world at the moment, and although international commitments and injuries have taken their toll, we are always confident of having plenty of talented cricketers ready and willing to step in.” The Limacol CPL returns on July 11, as the Guyana Amazon Warriors take on the Antigua Hawksbills at the National Cricket Stadium, Grenada in the opening game of the tournament.

National U-15 and U-19 players to begin encampment

The Guyana U-15 and U-19 encampment will commence at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hostel in La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara prior to the Regional Tournaments which will begin on July 20 and 22, 2014 respectively. Both squads will be encamped simultaneously. The U-15 camp will start on Thursday, July 10, 2014 to Tuesday July 15, 2014 while the U-19 encampment will start from Friday July 11, 2014 to Thursday July 15, 2014.

Players in the U-15 squad are asked to assemble at the

hostel at 10:00h on July 10, 2014, while the U-19 players are to be at the hostel for 17:00h on July 11, 2014.

The U-15 squad: Bhaskar Yadram (captain), Joshua Persaud (Vice Captain/W/k), Kevin Sinclair, Christopher Campbell, Alphius Bookie, Kurt Lovell, Steve Deonaraine, Ashmead Nedd, Sagar Hetheramani, Orlando Jailall, Stephen Kamaladeen, Colin Barlow, Bhojnarine Singh, Kris Ramnarine Standbys: Junior Philips, Mark Ramsammy, Robin Williams, Khemchand Hardyal Manager – Andy

The draw for the matchups involving the six regional winners at the fourth Annual Digicel Schools Football Competition has been finalised. The draw took place on Monday in Orealla during half time in the match between Orealla secondary and New Amsterdam Multilateral at the Orealla Savannah Oval.

The draw was done by Digicel’s Marketing Director Jacquline James. Balls were placed into a box representing

each of the six Regions that will have a playoff to make it into the quarter-finals of the 2014 tournament. The playoff will be between Regions’ 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Region 1 will come up against Region 5, while Region Two will take on Region 9. Regions 7 and 8 will also have to battle for a quarter-final place.

The three winners will meet with the winning schools from Georgetown, Region 3,

Ramnarine, Coach - Julian Moore

The U-19 squad: Jagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Kemol Jared NIal savory, Sharaz Ramcharran, Brian Nichollas Sattaur, Keemo Mandela Angus, Keon Akil Morris, Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Steven Sankar, Akel Mortimer Wallace, Nial Smith, Dimon Waldron, Askay Homray Standby: David Latchaya, Avanash Persaud, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Shivindra Hemraj Manager: David Black, Coach: Adrian Amsterdam

4, 6 and 10 in the quarter-finals. The match up for those games was also decided during Monday’s drawing using a similar process.

The winning schools from Region 4 and Georgetown will battle for a semi-final place as will the winning schools from Region 6 and 10.

The winning school from Region 3 will take on the winner of the Region 7 vs Region 8 contest while the winner of the Regions 2 and 9 matchup will take on the winner of the Region 1 and 5 game in the quarter finals.

In congratulating all the teams taking part in this year’s competition, Digicel’s Football Programme Director Lavern Fraser noted that each player on teams that make it to the quarter-finals will receive cellular phones from the company.

During the intermission, Digicel also distributed tokens to spectators, including to all of the children present.

Also attending the game was Digicel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gregory Dean and Sponsorship and Marketing Manager Gavin Hope.

Digicel Marketing Director Jacqueline James selects a ball during the draw at Orealla

High Court discharges injunction against GCB

The High Court on Wednesday discharged an Interim Injunction obtained by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) against the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). That injunction was granted by the Honourable Justice Sandra Kurtzious (in Chambers) on April 14.

The BCB had obtained an interim injunction preventing the defendants Drubahadur, Fizul Bacchus, Alfred Mentore, Anand Sanasie, Virendra Chintamanie, Anand Kalladeen, Rajesh Singh, Rajendra Singh, Colin Europe, Andy Ramnarine, Lalta Digamber, Ramdeo Kumar, Rayon Griffith, Nazimul Drepaul and Savitri Persaud “by themselves, their servants and/ or agents and each and every one of them from holding out themselves as officers or representatives of the GCB

or in any manner whatsoever acting on behalf of, or for, or as the GCB or performing any functions in relation thereto.”

The order also states: “A declaration that the purported meeting held by the defendants on January 27, 2013 at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion purporting to be the Annual General Meeting of the GCB is null, void and of no legal [effect], inasmuch as the said meeting and elections were held in breach of the constitution of the GCB.”

More so, the order issued indicated that, “A declaration that the purported meeting and election of the office holders held by the defendants on January 27, 2013, at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion purporting to be the Annual General Meeting of the GCB is null, void and of no legal[effect].”

That injunction was granted to plaintiffs Keith Foster, Anil Beharry, Hubern Evans, Julian Cambridge, Angela Haniff, Romash Munna and Shabeer Baksh of the Berbice Cricket Board.

The matter was put before the court after many cricket officials had deemed the January 27 elections of the GCB unconstitutional and fraught with controversy.

The elections were held with only Essequibo’s nine delegates participating. The BCB did not participate, while the Demerara Cricket Board was restrained from operating.

According to the GCB constitution, officials had mulled that no less than two boards can conduct the elections and 14 of the 27 delegates were needed to convene a meeting and elections.

P&P Insurance recommits to sponsoring tennis camp

The Chief Executive Officer of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, Bish Panday, was on Tuesday elated to host the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) President, Grace McCalman, and Junior Development Chair, Surendra Khayyam, to reinforce for the tenth time, his sponsorship commitment for the annual GTA tennis camp.

In 2004 under its Interim Committee of McCalman, Colin Sawh and Rawle SueHo, the defunct tennis association was successfully re-established during an Annual General Meeting with four years of audited financial statements and eight financial clubs.

But it was the P&P Insurance’s tennis camp which formed the foundation for the successful reestablishment of the junior programme at the Park Players Club under the guidance of former national coach Debbie Bunbury and current national coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan.

The majority of the members of the national squad also emerged from the camp

and subsequent followed up training programmes at the club.

Panday, who is no stranger to the sport fraternity, recounted his unwavering support for decades for various sporting activities to provide safe and healthy recreational opportunities for children and to foster discipline. He said he wished to see greater responsibility and commitment from adults to save the nation’s children from developing harmful habits.

In this regard, Khayyam, expressed his intent to take up the mantle of junior development so that Guyana could truly benefit from the sport. However, he admitted that it would be a tall order without comprehensive support and a strong and committed executive.

The camp, which is geared for children aged 6-18 years, is the feature junior clinic of the year, which over the years has attracted young children at all levels to enjoy fun practice drills and competitions in order to gain appreciation for the sport of tennis. Parents would then seek to sign up their young ones with clubs with junior programmes for

Limacol CPL 2014… Santokie in good shape and ready to deliver

By Saeed MohaMed

Jamaican Krishmar Santokie played a key role in the Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit in the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League where he was the leading wicket taker and named Man-of-the-Series after finishing with 16 wickets from his nine games.

From that tournament, he emerged as one of the most exciting bowlers in the region in the game’s shortest form and was at the forefront of the West Indies attack at the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh earlier this year. He subsequently turned out for Mumbai Indians in the lucrative Indian Premier League and also represented West Indies in the just concluded T20 series against New Zealand.

Building on the fear factor he managed to create last year, Santokie has warned opponents he will continue to deliver the menacing spells that destroyed the confidence and mental composure of some of the best T20 batsmen in last year’s tournament.

“Last year is a different year from this year. I am just off a T20 international series and I am pretty much in good shape. I just want to focus on areas, as you know

batsmen are trying to make things more difficult and if you watch over the world T20 cricket is getting harder and harder for bowlers. So I feel it’s just a mind game so I have to be observant in order to be on top of my game,” Santokie revealed.

Questioned on the makeup of the Warriors unit, the Jamaican indicted that the squad is balanced and capable of creating major upsets.

“The squad is good, it’s an all-round and balanced, it’s a squad capable of winning, it’s just for us to get the right balance on match day,” Santokie said.

Santokie is among ten retained players named in the Warriors line-up for this edition of the tournament. The others are: Pakistan’s allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, New Zealander Martin

Denesh Ramdin, and Guyanese Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul and Trevon Griffith.

The newcomers this year are Guyanese Leon Johnson, Ronsford Beaton and Robin Bacchus, Trinidad and Tobago fast-bowling allrounder, Navin Stewart and New Zealander all-rounder James Neesham. The Warriors departed Guyana on Tuesday for Grenada for their first of nine preliminary games in the second edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament against Antigua

on Friday.

Rafam Ali Softball Tourney….

Huge wins for Country Side and Wolf Warriors

continuation based on their interest.

The camp generally attracts at least 50-80 children, which has led to a significant increase in requests for coaches for private schools and clubs. This now imposes on the GTA and the Tennis Coaches Association new constraints for a speedy increase in coaching capacity.

The camp will be conducted during weekdays from July 14-28. Children 6-11 years will be the focus of the coaches from 08:00h to 10:00h at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, while those 12-18 years will be accomodated at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford and Camp Streets from 11:00h to 13:00h.

Persons interested in participating in the twoweek activity are asked to pay a fee of $1500, while registration can be done by calling 624-1739. All parents are asked to be present to complete registration with fees at 07:45h on July 14 at the National Gymnasium to prepare for the opening ceremony.

Afluent 94 from Jagdesh Deosarran and a six-wicket haul by Mahendra Ramlakan guided Country Side to a 112-run victory over Jaguars when the Rafman Ali softball tournament continued on Monday at Everest Cricket Club.

Deosarran slammed four fours and eight sixes and put together 124 for the fifth wicket with Roy Seebarran as Country Side posted 1916 off their allotted 15 overs, batting first in the open category.

Seebarran scored 43 as K. Ramcharran and H. Beaton picked up three wickets each. Jaguars were restricted for 79-9 in 15 overs in reply. Ramlakan ended with figures of 6-9 from three overs.

Country Side then overcame Wolf Warriors by 26 runs in another encounter. Country Side managed

102 all out in 14 overs after taking first strike. Sachin Ramcharran led with 26; Vishnu Tammechandra snared 2-20. Wolf’s Warriors were sent packing for 76 in 12 overs in response. Jagdesh Deosarran claimed 4-10 and Steve Ramlakan 3-20. Wolf’ Warriors then rebounded to inflict a 206-run defeat over Accomplishment. The eventual winers took first turn at the crease and posted 234-5 in 15 overs. Amrit Rai top scored with 82 (5x4,9x6) and Lincoln Leander smashed 50 (7x6). The pair blossomed after a watchful start adding 150 for the third wicket. Accomplishment were then skittled out for 28 in 6.1 overs. Safraz Karim bagged 5-11 and Ricardo Adams captured 4-7.

Tradesman got the better of Starboys by nine wickets. Starboys scored 131 all out in 14.1 overs, taking first knock.

and Safo Haniff took three wickets each. Tradesman responded with 133-1 in 9.3 overs. Jeff Ramnauth slammed 82 and Seeraj Sadram 31. Renegade went down to Trophy Stall by five wickets. Renegade scored 176-7 in 15 overs, batting first. Yunnis Yusuf made 25 and Randolph Parreira 22. Trophy Stall replied with 177-5 in 12 overs. In the over-40 category, Park Rangers defeated Sundeen Masters by 10 runs. Park Rangers took first turn at the crease and rattled up 156-5 in 20 overs. Greg De Franca scored 39, Shawn Massiah 29 and Ramjit Singh 23. Sundeen Masters replied with 146-8 in 20 overs. Rafeek Ali made 36 as Toney Singh claimed 3-28, including a hat trick while S. Ramdeen took 2-19.

Industry Super Kings thumped Fazal Khayume XI by nine wickets. Fazal Khayume XI mustered 114 all out in 12 overs, taking first knock. Fallim Mohamed cracked 51 and Hardat Narine 50. Rupert Basdeo picked up three wickets. Industry Super Kings reached their target in 12.2 overs ending on 1171. Kennard Luke was their leading batsman with 53 not out (7x4, 2x6) while Yougestir Salikram chipped in with 32.

Guptill, Trinidadians offspinner Sunil Narine, opening batsman Lendl Simmons and wicketkeeper

Hawksbills

Sunil Boodhoo

Krishmar Santokie prior to his departure from the Grand Coastal hotel on Tuesday

Mahendra Ramlakan (left) and Jagdesh Deosarran

P&P Account Executive, Devi Balkarran, presents the sponsorship cheque to GTA President Grace McCalman, while P&P Insurance’s CEO Bish Panday (left) and GTA Junior Chair, Surendra Khayyam look on

Limacol CPL ticket sales gaining momentum

By AvenAsh rAmzAn

With exactly a week to go before the first Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game in Guyana, ticket sales for the local leg is gaining momentum, according to Ticketing Officer, Natasha Khan.

In giving an update on ticket sales from the Limacol

CPL OPCO office on Middle Street on Wednesday, Khan highlighted that there has been a steady flow of persons to purchase tickets for the three games in Guyana.

The swiftness of ticketing personnel in dealing with patrons has eliminated long queues outside the Middle Street location, something Khan said the Limacol CPL team is looking to avoid as she urged Guyanese to get hold of their tickets early.

“As you know we Guyanese have a culture of coming out late…extremely late to get tickets so I want to encourage persons to come out and get your tickets now. Tickets for all the stands are available and you can also purchase your VIP [Palm Court Party Stand] tickets right here on Middle Street. So just come out, we don’t want you to miss out on the Biggest Party in Sport,” Khan said.

The Middle Street office is opened from 08:00h

to 18:00 daily, including Sundays and holidays, and according to Khan, each person is allowed up to 10 tickets per match and where possible they may be allowed to purchase tickets with the seats of their choice in their preferred stand, depending on availability.

“Don’t wait on the last

day to line up; I hate to see sad faces leaving without tickets and missing the chance of being at exciting T20 cricket at the Nationl Stadium. So come out early and grab those tickets and ensure you’re part of the Biggest Party in Sport,” Khan concluded.

Tickets for the Red and

Green Stands cost $4,000 each, while tickets for the Orange Stand, renamed the Palm Court VIP Party Stand, cost $5,000. Entry to the Party Mound will be $2,000, while parking tickets are available at a cost of $1,000 each.

This year the organisers have put in place many security features to prevent counterfeiting, and unlike

other venues, tickets for the Guyana National Stadium are numbered to match the seat number, which will eliminate the possibility of overcrowding. Meanwhile, fans wishing to purchase Guyana Amazon Warriors merchandise can also do so at the top flat of the Middle Street office.

Defending NSBF champs Marian Academy eliminated

By TreisTon Joseph

Four teams were left to vie for the national school title when the third evening of the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), sponsored by Digicel, Beharry Group of Companies and Banks DIH Ltd, continued on Tuesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. There will be a new champion as Plaisance

Academy booted defending champions Marian Academy from the tournament with a 35-27 win. Plaisance always seemed in control of the game as Kelvin Yorrick played the role of distributor and floor general well while Marian Academy struggled offensively.

Malcolm Powdar had a game high seven points and seven rebounds in the win for Plaisance.

The University of Guyana

held on to defeat Linden Technical Institute 54-52 to advance to the semifinal. Jonathon Pooran had a team high 22 points while Daniel Ramlagan had his best offensive game of the tournament with 18 points.

Terron Welch led all players in scoring with 24 points while Dennis Niles had 22 as well in the loss.

Meanwhile, Kwakwani have to be deemed the favourites to win the title hav-

ing trounced all of their opponents so far by 10 or more points. President’s College suffered a similar fate, losing 61-40 to the Region 10 side.

Stanton Rose led Kwakwani with 15 points while Leonard Primo contributed 12 points and seven rebounds to the win.

Shaquille Adonis was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points as President’s College flamed out at yet another quarterfinal round.

New Amsterdam Technical Institute routed St Stanislaus College 47-26.

Edmar Semple had a double-double performance of 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for New Amsterdam while Shemroy McKenzie had 11 points.

In the under-16 category, St Roses High School routed President’s College 53-30, with Nathan Saul leading the way with 16 points.

Bishops High School pre-

vailed with a 49-41 win over Plaisance Academy, with Timothy Thompson going on a rampage with 26 points and 14 rebounds. The under 14 category saw Marian Academy defeating St Stanislaus 22-10 while St Roses gained a walk over against Bishops High School.

The tournament will continue throughout the course of the week with the final on Sunday July 13.

Albion CC lift Caricom Day T20 title

The spin trio of Gudakesh MotieKanhai, skipper Devendra Bishoo and Shiraz Ramcharran bowled host Albion Cricket Club to the inaugural Caricom Day ‘Albion Cup’ T20 title over Port Mourant Cricket Club on Monday.

Motie-Kanhai (311), Bishoo (3-12) and Ramcharran (2-12), combined to restrict Port Mourant Cricket Club to 104 in 18.1 overs.

Davendra Thakurdeen 26 (2x4), Andrew Lyght Jr 19 (2x4), Loyydel Lewis 15 and Yogindra Harrinarine 13 (2x6) were

their leading batsmen.

In reply, ACC reached 108 for 3 off 19.2 overs, with Surujnarine hitting an unbeaten 58 (56balls, 3x4; 1x6), backed by David Latchaya’s 16, the two sharing a 43 runs third wicket partnership.

Anthony Bramble (18) had earlier added 54 for the second wicket with Surujnarine, after seeing the early demise of Balchand Baldeo who failed to trouble the scorers.

In the first semi final match of the day, Port Mourant Cricket Club defeated Rose Hall Town

Gismos and Gadgets by 18 runs. Batting first PMCC posted 99-6; in reply RHTGG reached 81-7. In the other semi final, ACC beat Young Warriors by 59 runs. Batting first ACC reached 91-6; in reply Young Warriors were bowled out for 32 in 8.5 overs.

While Surujnarine won the Man of the Match and Best Batsman awards, Motie-Kanhai took home the Best Bowler award having picked up a total of 8 for 13 including his best of 5 for 2, while Albion took home $50,000 and a trophy and PMCC $25,000 and a trophy.

Natasha Khan

Tickets for the Palm Court VIP Party Stand are also available at the Middle Street office

Ready! This beaming fan is all prepared for the Biggest Party in Sport after purchasing his tickets from the Middle Street office on Wednesday

The victorious Albion Community Centre Cricket Club players display their new uniforms, compliments of middle order batsman Narsingh Deonarine, and the Caricom Day ‘Albion Cup’. Right is Minister of Agriculture Leslie Ramsammy.