Weather: Thundery showers are expected during the day with cloudy conditions in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.
Wind: East north-easterly between 2.77 and 30.5 metres per second.
High Tide: 08:08h and 20:30h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.52 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 14:02h reaching a minimum height of 0.70 metre.
The small village of Zeeland, Mahaicony was plunged into a state of shock on Sunday morning after the body of a cash crop farmer was found in his house with at least 17 stab wounds and his wife badly beaten.
They are suspected to be the victims of a robbery. Dead is Dearoop Sieuchand, 72, of Lot 8, Zeeland, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
According to a police statement, they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Sieuchand, whose body was discovered at about 06:45h on Sunday.
The police added that the man’s wife, Davi Sieuchand, 68, was assaulted. She was taken to the Mahaicony Hospital but was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted.
Ransacked
According to information received, the couple’s house was ransacked but it is not clear if anything was stolen. Guyana Times understands that Sieuchand and his wife along with his eight-yearold nephew live in the third house on the plot of land while the first and second are occupied by other relatives.
The perpetrators reportedly used a ladder to gain entry into the home through a window on the upper flat of the house. Vadomattie Sieuchand, a niece of the dead man, told Guyana
Times that she occupies the front house on the plot with her family and was made aware of her uncle’s death later in the morning.
She disclosed that the houses are not far apart, but no one heard any unusual sounds or saw any unusual movements.
Addition information suggested that three men entered the man’s house in the wee hours of Sunday morning and demanded cash and jewellery. They were all armed with knives and their faces were partially covered.
Overpowered
The elderly man reported put up a fight but instead, he was stabbed to his abdomen and other parts of the body. From all indications, they were aware that the man’s daughter from Canada visited and they thought that she was at home at the time but instead, she was on her
way to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to board a flight back to North America.
Upon receiving the devastating news, the woman immediately ordered the driver to return to Georgetown and went straight to the Georgetown Public Hospital to check on her mother.
The elderly woman, according to reports, was still traumatised over the incident.
The daughter, according to the relatives was inconsolable. She only visited her father Sunday morning before she left for the airport. It is suspected that after the woman left, the men might have invaded the property
and committed the heinous act.
However, the eight-yearold child upon hearing the commotion reportedly hid in the house. He was the one who raised an alarm after the men left.
The niece stated she did not keep in contact with the deceased, but expressed her shock upon learning of her uncle’s demise, but could not say who would want to hurt him.
He was a rice farmer but went into cash crop farming more than 15 years ago. The man is survived by his wife and three children, along with his siblings. Police are continuing their investigations.
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
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) on numerous occasions has bemoaned the fact that the majority of its losses are due to electricity theft. This has been a major problem facing the company for some time now, and it seems that, despite the many efforts being made to address the problem, it still continues to plague operations and certainly is having a severe impact on the company’s ability to improve services to customers.
The extent of electricity theft is shocking. GPL must continue to publicise its findings with respect to electricity theft and explain to the ordinary consumers the kind of impact this illegal practice is having on the company and its ability to improve services.
The cost of stolen electricity is being passed on to the other consumers. Some persons even risk their lives to steal electricity and a number of them have died in the process. Children are killed accidentally while playing because of crudely installed wires – wires which were not meant for electrical transmission. Homes have been destroyed by fire as well. But many persist in making illegal connections to their homes.
Recently, this newspaper reported that an eight-year-old was electrocuted after he came into contact with an illegal connection. On a visit to the area where this incident occurred, reporters saw several illegal connections hanging from the lamp post near the spot where the incident occurred. While this incident is most unfortunate, it should serve as yet another warning to those persons engaged in stealing power.
The Electricity Sector Reform Act (1999), with amendments in 2010, clearly outlines severe penalties for persons found guilty of electricity theft. The authorities have made several raids in these communities before, but we are not sure of the kind of impact they have had in reducing the number of illegal connections. The conviction rate is very minimal when compared to the number of the persons charged for electricity theft.
In September last year, GPL reported that 3921 illegal electricity connections were detected and removed during the period January to June 2013 as part of the GPL’s ongoing exercise to reduce commercial losses resulting from electricity theft.
A total of 111 raids by GPL’s technical teams, spearheaded by representatives from the Company’s Loss Reduction Department and the Guyana Police Force, were carried out in communities along the East Bank/West Bank/East Coast Demerara, Berbice, and Georgetown and its outskirts. Of the total number of illegal connections detected and removed, 2410 were discovered in Sophia and other Georgetown locations. We are not certain of the number of persons charged and how many were actually convicted.
GPL is doing its part in carrying out various campaigns to prevent electricity theft. But these efforts must also be supported by the judicial system and the communities where these practices are prevalent.
There have been numerous reports that GPL officials and even the police are chased out of areas whenever they go to investigate reports of electricity theft. Right-thinking community-minded persons must assist the authorities in bringing a halt to this practice by reporting on it whenever they see it happening.
GPL cannot survive if persons continue to steal electricity. Already we are seeing extended periods of power outages across the country. This will more than likely continue if electricity losses are not reduced drastically. No entity can survive and improve services to customers without the much needed capital.
The time has come for a meaningful system to be put in place to tackle the issue of electricity theft. In addition to this practice being a burden on taxpayers, it could also be considered very dangerous, as there have been several deaths over the past few years due to electrocution. The authorities must, therefore, step up their efforts to bring this lawlessness to an end.
Dear Editor,
Permit my response to a letter entitled, “Voters don’t agree with opposition gloom and doom”, that was published in your newspaper not so long ago. When we talk “quality of life” we need to realise that this can be both on a comparative and personal note. Many Guyanese who have relatives in North America, particularly in the U.S. are always wooed by the nice
things that America has to offer.
I know someone who has a nice little home, a small family and a good job here in Guyana. However, he is soon expected to migrate with his family to the U.S.A., where he will live with his sister until he is able to get back on his feet.
Like most Guyanese, it is evident that this man has bought the myth that America is a paradise and a
dream. He sees bright lights, great roads and the efficiency of fundamental services, among many other pluses.
Many people who leave Guyana, leave with intentions of making a better living, but little do they know that in order to do so, they become a slave to their new way of life.
With those two statements made, I don’t believe that one can easily gauge the quality of life. I have an-
other friend in Guyana that makes good money in his scrap iron business and his live stock rearing. He has no drive way and parks his truck on the road, and I can bet my last nickel that he wouldn’t trade this life here in Guyana for one in the U.S.A.
On my closing note I say, every man to his own way.
Sincerely, Annalisa Ally
Dear Editor,
Rape is a universal crime. In fact, South Africa and India have unfortunately proven themselves to be the two countries with the highest number of rape cases per year.
Not so long ago in Mumbai, the court issued a sentence of life imprisonment to a man found guilty of raping a 27-year-old Spanish musician. The victim was robbed and raped at knife point in her apartment on November 5, 2012 after the assailant managed to gain entry via an open window.
Fortunately for her, the
police managed to detain the assailant the very next day. He was subsequently charged on accounts of trespassing, robbery, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation.
Rape in many jurisdictions is often subsumed under that of sexual assault, which also encompasses acts that fall short of actual intercourse. Rape has long been considered to be caused by unbridled sexual desire, but it is now being considered as a pathological assertion of power over a victim – both of which deserve a severe form of sentencing.
Rape is a barbaric and inhumane act which completely changes the life of the victim, leaving them with severe everlasting psychological effects. In fact, there are many instances where the victims prefer to commit suicide than live a life of disgrace.
Many people opine that men who are found guilty of committing this gruesome act should be castrated. Furthermore rapists deserve life imprisonment without mitigation and those whose victims succumb to their injuries or subsequently commit sui-
cide should be subjected to capital punishment. Fortunately for us here in Guyana, rape has never been heavily orchestrated. However, this does not mean that we should take things likely. Anyone found guilty of rape should be dealt with accordingly. Additionally, the matter of having men on the streets lawlessly verbally attacking women should also be addressed. This uncouth behaviour should not be tolerated.
Sincerely,
Amit Balbadar
The recent Tuschen murder could have been avoided
Dear Editor, Given the circumstances, it was just a matter of time before a Tuschen woman would lose her life to the hands of her reputed husband. Several incidents of abuse and threats in the past required the involvement of the police and the need for several warnings to be issued to the woman’s reputed husband.
Unfortunately, things
whirled out of control. Additionally, many people claimed that they thought they heard screams for help; however, they were uncertain since loud music could be heard coming from the house. After word got out about the murder, many believed that music was in fact used to drown out the woman’s cries for help. This woman could have been saved had her neighbours been able to hear her
screams. This is another reason why laws of noise nuisance and pollution should be rigidly enforced.
The matter is now before the court and if found guilty, I strongly believe that this man should be sentenced to death. He defied repeated warnings by the police.
The woman had just started to rebuild her life after a separation and he robbed her of that second chance. I
wasn’t personal friends with this woman, but she always appeared easy going and friendly. When I heard of her death, I was both angry and sorry for her.
There should be no place in society for savages like this man. There is no reason for his life to be spared.
Sincerely, Resident of Tuschen Name withheld by request
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Dear Editor,
Members of the public have been furious with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for the recent frequent and lengthy power outages that have been occurring for quite some time now. I must commend the recent decision by the Cabinet to command GPL to provide explanations for the unacceptable service provided to their customers.
Guyana is not an unfortunate country. In fact, a lot of money was recently invested to purchase several generators and undertake upgrading exercises, so it is quite ironic and upsetting that Guyanese still have to endure the inconveniences of long lasting power outages.
There are some parts of Guyana where people aren’t
fortunate enough to have electricity; however, at the same time they don’t face the burden of having to deal with damaged and destroyed household appliances, spoilt meats and food and disturbances during their studies.
It is unfair for us to live in discomfort of being interrupted during our day to day activities, many of which depend solely on electricity. GPL must be more responsible, even if this means admitting shortcomings and seeking expertise elsewhere. Too much has been invested and too much is at stake.
What is even more nerve racking for people is the fact the GPL’s management and board claim that the problem is not generation related but rather rooted to transmission and distribution. If this is the case, then
why is it taking them so long to solve the problem? Many are beginning to conclude that GPL’s staff is made up of incompetent and inefficient people.
In today’s rapidly expanding and innovative world, the need for power is even more essential than before. We must move away from this culture of regular power outages.
The Cabinet and other relevant authorities need to come down on GPL and encourage them to plan ahead and operate more efficiently. There is nothing more annoying than the untimely loss of electricity and the agony of waiting indefinitely for power to return.
Yours truly, Terry
Crawford
Dear Editor,
The former Barbadian parliamentarian Hamilton Lashley recently declared that, as the foundation of all forms of cricket, there is urgent need for the re-emergence of softball cricket on the island. With that said, I personally believe that softball cricket should be promoted in Guyana.
Records show that people like Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Carlisle Best, and many other top Bajan cricketers all played softball cricket quite frequently. Softball is a fun and safe game that can provide indulgence for all age groups. All that is needed is a bat and ball.
It has that element of fun when easy catches are dropped due to the rubbery nature of the ball and maybe this is a good way to help fielders prepare for actual hard ball cricket. In fact, I don’t ever recall anyone be-
ing seriously injured during a game of softball. When it comes to hardball cricket, it is vital that our cricketers note that when it is not possible to play for whatever reason they still have the option of playing in a few softball games. It will help them to keep them fit and if they are well known in the sport, they will gradually draw the attentions of youths.
Many of our schools don’t have the facility and space to allow our young lads to indulge in a game of hardball cricket. This is a typical opportunity where softball cricket can be made use of. Quite often I’ve witnessed the enjoyment and enthusiasm that young lads have when they play a good game of cricket. They become so absorbed in their game that there’s no chance of distracting.
We have so many vacant lots and under utilised
Dear Editor, The awful habit of illegal vending is growing quickly at Charity Market and is creating quite a stir for those who legally operate at the market. Several vendors have mounted stalls without the permission of the Charity-Urasara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). The establishment of the stalls was done right in front of the Charity Market sluice and now further contributes to the drainage problem within the community.
Furthermore, the illegally erected stalls are obstructing the staff of the region administration from de-silting the sluice channel. Moreover, they are unable to remove any form of garbage
that has managed to accumulate and clog the drain.
Knowing fully well the negatives of illegal vending, why is it still being allowed? Clearly the systems put in place to have individuals legally apply and further allotted a spot to erect a stall was for a good reason. Maybe there is need for an investigation to be launched in order to rectify this problem.
As for the garbage, the market drains aren’t the only ones that are clogged. Several other canals are clogged and it's mostly due to the improper disposal of garbage. This is a national issue that needs to be addressed with urgency.
The impacts of clogged drains often come to light
when the rainy season come, since it hinders the drainage systems and further causes flooding to take place. Moreover, it is only at this point that the relevant authorities could be seen hustling to clean the drains. This should not be so, drains should be regularly cleaned. Ideally, the proper disposal of garbage would solve many of the problems we face as it relates to clogged drains and flooding. I urge people to dispose of their garbage properly and I further urge the relevant authorities to discipline those who fail to do so.
With regards, Resident of Charity Name withheld by request
Dear Editor,
community centres here in Guyana. It is time for little clubs to emerge and allow lads from nearby communities to indulge in a good game or two. The exercise will do all participants a lot of good and since players are dismissed by hitting out of the yard, then that element of self-discipline is the added benefit.
Only once have I ever heard of softball cricket coverage in Guyana and it was indeed refreshing. Additionally, coverage and attention should also be placed on street games, since it not only allows for a good game of fun, while also allowing our children to be profitably occupied.
Respectfully, Damien Jhaboor
The year 2013 unleashed a splurge of activities pertaining to the importance of reading. “Give or Donate a Book” and “Drop Everything and Read for 15 Minutes” were in fact two of the many significant activities hosted during Education Month observed last September.
Evidently, the emphasis on reading has declined over the years and it is imperative that its importance be re-highlighted. Reading is one of the key ways of garnering knowledge and it is therefore essential for us to instil this concept in our children in order to ensure that they are able to achieve the academic results that they are capable of.
Not so long ago, the Local Government and Regional Development Minister
Ganga Persaud distributed several copies of local books to the regional education officers (REOs) of Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10. The texts comprised of those written by the former President Dr Cheddi Jagan and his late wife, Janet Jagan. The gesture was meant to encourage reading.
I believe that gestures like this should become more regular. I also believe that a programme should be implemented in all schools that will require students to spend just a few minutes reading and then further report on what was read. This will in turn help them to develop.
Aside from school students, it is also important for adults to engage in reading activities. People involved in the media and
other jobs should also continuously read in order to acquire more knowledge, not necessarily restricted to their field of study. Reading is an act that can only do well.
Overall, there is need for the resuscitation of encouraging our children to read fairy tales and comic books. Additionally, we should encourage each other to read newspapers, novels and other educational and informative material. It doesn’t matter whether we read from books or phones or other electronic devices. All that matters is that we read and we encourage others to read.
Sincerely, Steffon
McSood
Your child is an individual and different from all others. The way your child learns best depends on many factors: age, learning style and personality. Read the notes below, and think about your child. This will help you to choose activities and methods that will suit your child best.
Children pass through different stages of learning
A baby or infant learns about the world through reacting to input through the senses.
From about two until seven years old the child starts to develop the ability to reason and think, but is still self-centred.
After the age of about seven, a child usually becomes less selfcentred and can look outside themselves. By the age of 12, most children can reason and test out their ideas about the world.
This means that with younger children, we need to personalise and give examples which relate to themselves, whereas older children need help to make sense of the world around them. This also means that children must be at the right stage ready to learn. For example, younger children are ready to acquire the concepts of number, colour and shape but are not ready for abstract grammatical rules.
What kind of learner is your child?
It is important to understand how your child likes to learn best. Which are the child’s dominant senses? Do they like pictures and reading? If so you can encourage your child to use drawings, pictures, maps or diagrams as part of their learning.
Some children like listening to explanations and reading aloud. You could use reading stories to encourage this kind of child. And most children enjoy learning through songs, chants, and rhymes.
Does your child like to touch things and physically move about?
Some children have tonnes of energy to burn off! You could play games to get them moving or running around, acting out rhymes or stories or even dancing!
Other quieter children may have a good vocabulary and be a good reader. Word games, crosswords, wordsearches, anagrams, and tongue twisters would be good to encourage these children.
Yet other children require logical, clear explanations of rules and patterns, or like to work out the rules for themselves. They may be good at maths too. For these children activities such as word puzzles, reading and writing puzzles, problem-solving, putting things in order or categories, and computer games provide ideal opportunities for learning.
What kind of interaction does your child prefer?
Some children are outgoing and sociable and can learn a language quickly because they want to communicate. They are not worried about making mistakes.
Other children are quieter and more reflective. They learn by listening and observing what is happening. They don’t like to make mistakes and will hang back until they are sure.
If your child is outgoing, they may do best learning in groups with other children, whereas a quieter child may need more private, quiet time to feel more secure about learning a language. You can provide this in many ways – even through the bedtime story in English.
Motivating your child
For a child to be motivated, learning needs to be fun and stress-free. Encourage them to follow their own interests and personal likes. For example, if your child likes football he or she will probably like to read a story about football even if the level is a little difficult. Interest and motivation often allows children to cope with
more difficult language.
Try to provide as many fun activities as you can for learning English. Songs and music, videos and DVDs, any kind of game especially computer games are motivating for all children.
For how long can your child concentrate?
Children can usually only concentrate for short periods of time – when you are doing an activity with your child, using flashcards for example, or doing a worksheet, make sure that you stop or change activity when your child is bored or restless. This might be after only a few minutes.
Correcting your child’s mistakes
Children respond well to praise and encouragement –let your child know when they have done something well. Don’t criticise them too much when they make a mistake. It’s natural to make mistakes when learning a language. Don’t pick up on every grammatical mistake – encourage your child to use English to communicate.
Have a shared focus
The above examples show the importance of having a shared focus. This is important because not only are you giving the child a point of reference when you talk about things, but the child is learning, listening and using attention skills. These skills are vitally important for the child when they attend school and the early years are key years for developing these skills. The best ways to develop these skills is to spend time with your child, talk and play with child, and have a shared focus.
Try and develop a shared focus with your child whenever you are engaging in communication
Repetition and routines
Children need to repeat language items many times to get them to ‘stick’ so don’t be afraid to repeat games or do several different activities with the same language topic or set of words. Children often love to repeat the same song or story as it gives them a sense of confidence and familiarity.
Establishing a regular routine for homework is also important. You can check what they have to do for homework and set up a regular time for doing it. (Britishcouncil.org)
Share the moment and look at things together. Make sure you are at the child’s level and have good eye contact. It is important to notice what interests your child and what they are focusing on, and then comment on it. This helps create a shared focus, shows the child that you are interested and allows them to link language to the things they are looking at when you comment.
Make sure you attend to the child’s vocalisations or attempts at speech and try and translate them
If you are able to acknowledge and understand your child’s attempts at speech it encourages them to attempt more, and at the same time you are providing a good model of the speech. If you can’t understand your child, repeat back her word, but at the same time point to things you think she may be trying to say. Most daily activities can involve a shared focus:
* Shopping: tell your child what item you are looking for, that way you can turn your attention to the items on the shelves and name some of them. You can name them for your child, if she does not recognise them.
* Reading books: this is an excellent way to have a shared focus. Look at the book, talk about the pictures and read the story.
* Cooking: make a cake together, talk about the ingredients and what you are doing (stirring, mixing, pouring, etc). Follow a recipe step by step (sequencing skills).
* Toys: have a tea party with your daughter and her dolls. Describe what everyone is doing (but don’t ask questions and let your daughter take the
lead). Do the voices for some of the dolls and add language that way.
Pretend play
Pretend play is another great way to develop your child’s imagination and add lots of language at the same time. Letting your child lead the game also gives them a sense of control and can build self-confidence. Here is an example of how a dad and his son pretend to be firemen and all the different ways that this can be educational for the child:
Example A – Firemen – You are a dad and you have 15 minutes to spend with your four-year-old son. You decide to be firemen and imagine that you have got a call to put out a fire in a big building. Firstly let’s think about the language we will be using:
* Nouns: fire, fireman, hat, boots, hose, water, fire engine, smoke, ladder
* Verbs: drive, climb, run, jump, smell
* Adjectives: hot, wet
* Prepositions: in front, in, on
* Social skills: Turn-taking and shared focus
* Self-confidence: Let your son be the chief fireman, let him give you the orders
* Affection: Give him a hug to celebrate when you put the fire out and save all the people
How easy was that! This is just one short simple little role play where a boy is playing, learning, listening and using language, building social skills, building self-confidence, and bonding with his dad. Dad only needed 15 minutes out of his day to do it. It is not hard, you can do it in short bursts when you have little pieces of time.
Example B – Dress up for the ball
Have a dress-up with your daughter and imagine you are going to a ball. Language used:
* Nouns: dress, shoes, ball, makeup, hair etc
* Verbs: dress, dance, fasten
* Adjectives: pretty, elegant
* Prepositions: on, in, under
* Social skills: A shared focus, talking about the ball
These are simple examples and with a bit of imagination could be expanded in all sorts of ways, but it illustrates that it is easy to create playtime situations, that are fun and also can be used to positively promote speech and language skills, social skills and build confidence.
Observe body language and gesture usage
Try to use body language and gesture when you speak. This helps the child understand what you are saying, but it may also teach them to do the same so that they can make themselves understood more effectively. Body language plays a huge part in helping others gain meaning from what we say, this is a good skill for children to learn, especially if their speech is not clear in the early years.
Answer questions
Children are inquisitive and it is important to always take the time to answer their questions. Answering questions creates a two-way communication process, because you both have a turn and you both have to wait and use good listening skills. Sometimes children go through a phase of asking “why” in response to everything you say. If this becomes a habit (rather than a genuine question), respond with your answer and then ask them a question. This creates a turn-taking opportunity and at the same time making the child to respond to a question. If you want your children to learn language and develop speech and social skills - turn off the tv and talk to them and play with them! (WikiHow)
Amid the parliamentary gridlock and stalled multi-party dialogue, the two main political parties, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have issued calls for a broad-based movement to take the country forward.
The APNU for its part, last Friday, proposed a new "social contract" by which the major sections of society can come together to seek agreement on a broad national programme to move the country forward.
The PPP/C in its New Year’s message said that the time has come for a broad left national front alliance to take the country forward.
Shared governance
A coming together of the two parties has been elusive over the years and despite much has been said about shared governance, the major political parties remain entrenched in their respective ideologies.
In a statement last Friday, APNU said the PPP/C administration has demonstrated that it is incapable of solving the country’s current crises on its own, noting that the economic crisis has lowered workers’ standard of living.
“Protests by two of the country’s largest trade unions – the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union
(GAWU) – have demonstrated how labour relations between the state and its workers have degenerated. The ranks of unemployed young people are increasing. Poverty is rampant,” APNU Chairman David Granger said at the party’s weekly news conference last week.
He noted that the World Bank, in its 2014 World Development Report, rated Guyana as the second poorest country in the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
The report showed that, with a Gross National Income (GNI) of US$3410 per capita, Guyana compared unfavourably with The Bahamas at US$21,280 per capita, Suriname at US$8480 per capita and, indeed, with all other Caricom states except Haiti.
Security crisis
According to Granger, the security crisis has disproportionately hurt the poor.
“Guyanese are pained by the surge in serious crimes last year, 2013. There were 1038 reports of robbery under arms at the end of November 2013, representing a seven per cent increase over the same period in 2012.
"There was an increase in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms by 16 per cent. Other serious crimes – including banditry in the hinterland, murder, piracy, fatalities on the roads and interpersonal violence – proliferated,” he said.
APNU said a "social contract" could be the main means of combining the talents of a wider constituency and create the conditions for social cooperation and economic progress.
The three-fold purpose of such a contract would be to reach a broad consensus on the goals of national development; to establish a sustainable institutional architecture; and to create effective policy instruments for the achievement of the objectives of the contract.
Tripartite talks
APNU also called on the administration to honour its obligations to undertake and continue tripartite consultations with workers’ and employers’ organisations in order to promote increased production and productivity in accordance with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community; establish, in accordance with
Caricom’s Charter of Civil Society for the Caribbean Community, a framework for genuine consultation among the social partners in order to reach common understandings on and support for the objectives, contents and implementation of national economic and social programmes and their respective roles and responsibilities in good governance; and, strengthen the mechanisms for tripartite consultation in accordance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention, Number 150 on Labour administration, 1978, that provides for an effective system of Labour Administration.
These functions and responsibilities can be coordinated properly with the participation of workers and employers and their organisations.
Political solution
APNU called on the PPP/C to seriously re-examine the prospects for the future relationship between citizens and the state.
It proposes that a new social contract be agreed upon in order to address Guyana’s pressing political, economic and social problems and to foster greater unity, security and progress.
Meanwhile, the PPP/C said the search for a political solution to meet the expectation of Guyanese must continue, noting that it was extending a hand of friendship to all those who subscribe to
the aspirations of a free and democratic society within the broad framework of a national democratic state based on the principles of national sovereignty, a tri-sectoral economy, good governance, rule of law, and a working-class orientation.
The party said it hopes that the new year brings serenity and the spirit of goodwill, as it continues to charter a path towards racial and working-class unity, growth and development, in keeping with its founding vision 63 years ago.
It added that the PPP/C government has always been and will continue to remain faithful to the vision of its founding leaders to create a society in which there is racial and working class unity, participatory democracy, and inclusive governance.
The ruling party said it was of the view that critical to the realisation of the above objectives is the need to build
trust at the political level and create political space for all. It noted that confrontation and threats must give way to dialogue and the good of the country should remain paramount in all political engagements and discourse.
Common ground
“It is clear from the standpoint of the PPP/C that there is a strong political will to find common ground. The PPP/C administrations have always recognised the importance of multi-party democracy and have always sought to ensure that opposition parties are not treated with disdain.
"There has never been harassment of opposition politicians as happened in the past. The attainment of political power by democratic means will be recognised as a legitimate objective, which is the right of every political party,” the party said.
In this regard, the PPP/C said in keeping with its programme which calls for the establishment of a national democratic state that represents the interests of all classes, groups and social strata, a decision was taken by the party to work towards the creation of a broad left, progressive and democratic nationalist front comprising representatives of all sections of the working people, farmers, intellectuals, professionals, the business community, non-governmental organisations and all Guyanese who share a common vision.
Khemraj Fredericks, 32, a resident of Nottinghamshire, MacKenzie, Linden, was shot in his right thigh on Saturday evening as he was washing his vehicle.
Fredericks, also known as “Rattie”, was taken to the McKenzie Hospital where he was treated for the gunshot wound and sent away. The man’s mother
Taramattie Fredericks told Guyana Times that her son was in the yard washing his vehicle when gunshots rang out.
Her son subsequently ran out of the yard and was struck by a bullet. She claimed she does not know who shot her son or what sparked the shooting. The distraught woman explained that they took her
son to the hospital for treatment. Following his discharge, police took him to the station for questioning.
The mother said about 08:00h on Sunday, she received a telephone call informing her that her son was taken to the police headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
According to reports, last year around October/
November, police officers had stormed the home of Fredericks and removed several articles including, jewellery, electronics and a sum of cash.
Relatives said that they chose to “let the matter slide” because they did not want any problems with law enforcement officials.
According to a police re-
lease, Fredericks was subsequently arrested as he is wanted in relation to a narcotics matter. Both matters are currently being investigated.
Seconds after disembarking a minibus at Number 53 Public Road, Berbice, Corentyne, a passenger was killed by the same vehicle Saturday afternoon as it reversed.
Dead is Andrea Phillips, 43, of Lot 448 Number 77 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. He succumbed to his injuries about 18:30h while receiving medical attention at the Springlands Hospital.
Based on reports gathered, Phillips was a passenger of minibus BKK 6944 reportedly driven by Patrick Ram, 20, of Lancaster Village, Corentyne, and about 16:40h, he asked to be dropped at a location along the Number 53 Village Public Road.
As he disembarked, the conductor instructed the driver to reverse to collect other passengers who were standing on the road. Phillips was reportedly backing the minibus when he was stuck down and crushed.
He suffered severe injuries and was placed in the
said minibus and rushed to the medical facility where he was admitted and treated.
He succumbed less than two hours later. The driver of the minibus was taken into police custody and is assisting with investigations.
Guyana Times understands from a source connected with the investigations that Ram's licence could be a bogus one, since the law stipulates that a person must be 21 years and over to obtain a mini bus
driver's licence.
Dianne PhillipsGarnette, the sister of the dead man, told Guyana Times via telephone that her brother was with her at the Skeldon Market, but he left to visit a friend, Lloyd Mc Donald at Number 53 Village.
The grieving woman stated that about 16:30h, she received a message that her brother was involved in an accident and that he was hospitalised.
She left the market in a hurry and went to the Springlands Hospital where she was told that her brother’s condition was serious and arrangements were being made to transfer him to the New Amsterdam Hospital.
The woman said that after a few minutes, she saw the ambulance arriving and the porters taking in the stretcher, but after a while, she saw the men returning empty-handed and thought something was amiss. It was not long after
she received the devastating news.
She later learnt that her brother stopped at Number 53 Village, paid the conductor and walked away almost simultaneously when the minibus drove away, but a person on the road reportedly shouted for the bus to stop.
The sister revealed that based on an eyewitness account, the driver reportedly kicked into reverse gear and with some speed went to collect the passenger, but in the process hit Phillips and ran over him.
The driver reportedly stopped and drove forward, running over the man a second time.
Phillips was picked up and rushed to the hospital where he succumbed. Phillips is survived by his three children, wife, five siblings and three grandchildren.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed today. Police are continuing their investigations.
The seal of the breach in the conservancy dam at Airy Hall, Essequibo, whivh was re-inforced on January 1, is holding up, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said.
High water levels and saturated land along several villages on the coast, following frequent showers that were experienced on Christmas Day and onward resulted in the breaching of the conservancy dam in the Region Two community, which subsequently resulted in flooding of the rice lands in the community.
National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) on December 29 was again breached on December 30. The minister also reported that the water has receded from residential areas and from the farms.
The dam which was earlier resealed by the
He said some farmers, because of where they are in
their cultivation phase, have chosen to retain water in their fields. “Now, it is a matter of ensuring that the flooded rice field that had young plants, that we do whatever we can to ensure that those plants recover and we have minimal damage,” he said.
The minister said that duck weed is the biggest challenge the ministry faces at this point, but the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and Rice Producers Association (RPA) are working with the farmers to ensure that this does not become a problem that overwhelms the ministry and the farmers.
Over the last several weeks, frequent showers have resulted in several communities facing flash flooding and threats to their crops, including those in the Pomeroon River.
Minister Ramsammy pointed out that the ministry has a programme, whereby it helps the farmers in the Pomeroon to empolder their farms to prevent flooding.
The ministry has been able to complete this work for half the farmers, and as such, some farmers in the Pomeroon face flooding.
There were also some flooding in Region Six in the Black Bush Polder area and Central Corentyne. The ministry is responding to these, working in collaboration with the regional authority to bring relief, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported Minister Ramsammy as saying.
...to spite its (economic) face
In its own twisted (collective) mind, the opposition and its acolytes such as Lalloo “Suspenders” Ram and the Stabber News will chalk up Muri Brasil Ventures Inc’s pulling out from its New River Triangle prospecting licence as a “victory”. More than anything else, this power hungry crew fears Guyana continuing its upward economic trajectory. How would they then ever convince the voters that their grubby paws should control the nation’s purse strings?
With the kindest of interpretations, the killing of Muri is a case of throwing out the baby with the bath water. We concede that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud could’ve been less circumlocutory about identifying the activity in southeastern Guyana. In defence, he did chair Dr Roger Luncheon’s press conferences for years!
But why reject in toto the prospects of mining “rare earths” in the New River Triangle – seemingly “in perpetuity”?? All the objections are so risible, they’ll never survive scrutiny. Biodiversity threat? The opposition parties that are screaming about saving possible new species of frogs are the same folks screaming even louder about the need for employment and higher wages.
If rare earths have been located in the area, the demand for these metals that are in every cellphone and laptop would’ve pulled in hundreds of workers and millions in foreign currency.
We’ve already offered up one million acres to biodiversity at Iwokrama and the remainder of the country’s forests are being monitored by Norway for “sustainable” logging?
How much is “enough” when it comes to biodiversity? So “richness” in diversity is to compensate for us remaining undeveloped to the end of time?? And the “security” objection is even more ridiculous. A dozen Surinamese troops were chased out by a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) propeller aircraft 45 years ago...and this made it into not only a demilitarised zone, but a “depopulated” zone?
We’ve had even more pressing border threats from Venezuela and we haven’t heard about these concerns on our western flank. Why?
We’ll tell you why. It’s just hogwash designed to keep us barefoot and pregnant (poverty) just so the opposition can point fingers at the government. As for being insensitive to Suriname’s claims? Why should we Guyanese give a rat’s a55 about Suriname’s “sensitivity”? What about its insensitivity about our thousands of square miles in the New River area?
In 2013, the opposition parties' big “victory” was sinking Amaila Falls Hydro. They’ve already begun 2014 with Muri. The wankers won’t quit until Guyana’s on its knees.
...with IRI’s help
The MuckrakerKN reported that “City Hall” threw its support behind the International Republican Institute (IRI) plan to export “democracy” to Guyana. What they mean is that Hamilton Green, the one-time Forbes Burnham “strongman” defanged by Desmond Hoyte, is lining up behind A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to get onto the gravy train.
Green, of course, has firsthand experience as to how the “democratisation” exercise was conducted back in the 1960s. He was very prominent in fomenting the riots that were necessary to persuade the legally elected government of the day to become “democratic”. That the present government is once again the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), should make it easier, in case Green’s incipient senility really kicks in.
Green declared histrionically that the PPP/C’s objection to the IRI’s plan to destabilise it was “a diabolical plan to keep a portion of the population in darkness”. Green obviously is telling us that the IRI will bring “light” back to Guyana.
In the 1960s, Green and his comrades were funded by the IRI’s predecessors to burn down Water Street to bring that “light”. What now?
...in Parliament
The repercussions from Khemraj Ramjattan’s “haul ‘e ass” directive to Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali keep spreading. In a tongue-in-cheek column, ex-Speaker Ralph Ramkarran proposed that the expression be normalised and used in parliamentary debate.
Too late! His colleague Moses Nagamootoo’s already introduced the more pungent “shut yuh so-and so-mouth” into the hallowed chambers.
More than a week after brutally killing his teenage lover at Moraikobai Village, Mahaicony Creek, the alleged perpetrator was on Sunday afternoon arrested by publicspirited citizens and handed over to the police.
This is according to a police source who also confirmed that Chris (only name given), a tractor operator, was reportedly evading police ranks ever since he committed the act on Boxing Day.
The father of two allegedly shot 17-year-old Theiana Andrews of the Amerindian Settlement after she requested that he leave her home and never make contact with her again.
Andrews was shot once at close range to her left chest with a shotgun by the man who is originally from Corentyne, Berbice.
The man was apprehended in Mahaicony Creek, some 75 miles from the main road and
was brought out of the community late Sunday evening.
He is expected to be charged with the capital offence of murder. The suspect first met the now dead teenager while working some distance from Moraikobai Village.
A post-mortem examination performed on the body of the teenager proved that she died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to the gunshot wound.
Gun pellets
Guyana Times understands that close to 21 shotgun pellets were recovered from the teen’s body. It was reported that the teenager ended the relationship she once shared with the suspect, seven months ago after she found out that he was married and had children.
He refused to accept that the relationship was over and continued to make contact with the teen on several occasions, but she would most
times ignore his calls. On the fateful night, it was reported that everybody was asleep when the man unexpectedly visited the teen’s home and asked her father to see her.
His wish was not granted and instead, he was asked to leave. The stubborn man was left standing nearby as the teen’s father went to purchase cigarettes.
Andrews' father explained that after buying the cigarettes, he was heading home and suddenly heard a loud explosion emanating from the house and saw the frantic suspect with a gun in his hands.
The father attempted to retrieve the gun but he was threatened and out of concern, he ran into the house only to find his daughter lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
The injured teenager was picked up and rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, but unfortunately, she succumbed on her journey to the medical facility.
Georgetown is to be divided into four quadrants in an effort to ease traffic congestion in the city, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told media operatives on Friday.
Cabinet has approved the plan which will see Georgetown divided into four quadrants; North-West, North-East, South-East and South-West. A commencement date of March 2014 has been set by the Home Affairs Ministry for the project.
This, however, has to be preceded by a public relations campaign to inform citizens of the new traffic system, the minister said.
This decision was taken following a comprehensive analysis of traffic congestion by the National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO) which held discussions with stakeholders. The NCLO, which was tasked with reviewing and identifying problems and weaknesses in the legislative, organisational and administrative aspects of law and order, held numerous meetings with stakehold-
ers, during which it was proposed that a series of complementary one-way streets be introduced to control the direction and flow of vehicular traffic and ease the daily congestion, Minister Rohee said.
In light of the increase in road accidents, the Home Affairs Ministry has been employing several initiatives to reduced carnage on the road. In this regard, as recently as January 2, a meeting was convened with the Guyana National Road Safety Council, the Guyana Police Force, and the Guyana Minibus Association to discuss ways in which this matter can be addressed.
Main causes
At the meeting, it was highlighted that the main causes for fatal accidents for 2013 was speeding, inattentiveness and driving under the influence of alcohol. The main victims were pedestrians and most of the accidents involved private vehicles driven by drivers between ages 16 to 24 and
In 2014, special emphasis would be placed by the GNBS on the further development of the weights and measures programme in the various regions
The National Weights and Measures Programme, being coordinated by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), was a major success for the organisation during 2013, as significant efforts were made to ensure that weighing and measuring devices used in commercial trade were verified to protect consumers and ensure equity in trade.
between ages 25 to 33.
Some of the recommendations taken include the holding of seminars to educate young drivers on proper use of the road and ensuring that they are trained before they are issued with a driver’s licence, monitoring of night clubs by the Guyana Police Force during the 23:00h to 03:00h period, the setting of targets by the Guyana Police Force to reduce the number of road accidents, and consequently, heightened enforcement and the hosting of a national conference on road safety.
To reduce fatal accidents and road accidents in general, between 2010 and 2013, the Home Affairs Ministry procured and delivered to the police force 18 breathalyser machines with printers and 400 mouthpieces, as well as 29 radar guns.
Several recommendations recently advanced by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) towards road safety which were found agreeable and implementable in principle were also analysed.
Two Angoy’s Avenue men were refused bail when they appeared before New Amsterdam Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus on Friday.
Tajpaul Samaroo, 25, a construction worker, and Seon Chase, 30, a vendor, are accused of having in their possession 16 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking at Angoy’s Avenue on August 22.
Police Prosecutor
Inspector G Bristol told the court that a party of police officers, acting on information, carried out a search of a yard where the illegal drug was discovered. The prosecutor said after the drug was discovered, the accused went into hiding.
However, Chase told the court a different story, claiming that when the police visited, most of the gang of men present ran but he stayed behind. Samaroo
said the police did not find anything on him and locked him up for six days at the Reliance Police Station. He added that he was placed on $200,000 station bail.
Inspector Bristol objected to bail and asked the court to rely on the police statement. In refusing the defendants bail, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ordered the duo to return to court on February 14 for a progress report.
In a statement, the GNBS said, during the year, imported and locally manufactured devices submitted to the bureau for initial verification (first time use) comprised 1406 scales, 2865 masses, and 174 measures. The continued manufacture and importation of devices indicated that there was increased usage of devices in the marketplace. Further, the influx of new devices in trade can also be attributed to the fact that some vendors and shopkeepers had their old devices replaced, since the GNBS deemed them defective or unfit for use.
In 2013, there was a significant increase in the subsequent verification of devic-
es (those that were already in use) at shops, markets and other locations such as supermarkets, hospitals, clinics, health centres, manufacturing companies, fish complexes, rice mills, sugar and food factories, airlines, post offices, petrol stations, and bulk terminals. Devices subsequently verified totalled 7692 scales, 17,487 masses, 46 measures, and 176 electricity meters. In addition, a total of 154 weighbridge scales, 1680 petrol pumps, 37 storage tanks, 72 tanker wagon compartments, and 159 bulk meters were verified.
Surveillance activities
Surveillance activities, which involved the inspection of devices used at shops and markets countrywide to ensure that they were stamped and were in acceptable condition, were conducted during specific periods of the year. Inspectors visited 7498 stalls/premises and 1388 scales, 829 masses, 242 measures, and five rules were seized and removed because they were either inaccurate, unverified,
or in a deplorable condition.
In 2014, special emphasis would be placed by the GNBS on the further development of the weights and measures programme in the various regions, ie, the employment of GNBS officers in all administrative regions, the verification of tanker wagon compartments primarily for private operators, the verification of water and electricity meters, and the completion of the review and upgrade of the 1981 Weights and Measures Act, and the development of regulations for the said act.
The execution of these activities is critical to the improvement and the effectiveness of the weights and measures programme countrywide, which will facilitate measurement transparency in the electricity, water and petroleum sectors. In addition, the enactment of a new Metrology Act and Regulations would be vital for the effective execution of weights and measures activities in Guyana, thus ensuring consumer protection and equity in trade.
The decision by Muri Brasil to pull out of its exploratory venture is the latest example of the harm being inflicted on Guyana’s developmental prospects by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the, Alliance For Change (AFC) constant attack on investors in Guyana, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni said on Sunday.
Muri Brasil Ventures Inc, in a statement said that “although the process was legal and transparent, this decision is due to the misinformation, prejudice and hostility to this proposed survey by persons and agencies which are fostering an adverse investment climate in Guyana”.
Anti-development
According to Dr Singh, this pattern of “anti-development behaviour" by the joint opposition can be observed as they have repeatedly protested any project geared towards the development of Guyana.
"The Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project, the Specialty Hospital Project and the Marriott Hotel Project are all examples of the opposition creating havoc with its oneseat majority in the National Assembly, spreading misinformation and driving away investors," he said.
He said the same anti-development attitude is seen even at the policy level in the chambers of the National Assembly.
“The Anti- Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Amendment
Bill and the currently debated Public Procurement Commission Bill saw objection from the opposition, though neither party can identify any real issue of contention with the respective bills,” said Dr Singh.
The minister said similar anti-development sentiments are reflected with the cutting of the 2012 and 2013 national budgets.
“It is important to note that every investor that has been chased out of Guyana represents hundreds of job opportunities for Guyanese that will not be realised.
"The public should not take such coordinated sinister acts lightly as they are indicative of how little commitment the AFC and APNU have to the progress and development of Guyana,” he said.
Muri Brasil Ventures Inc on Saturday announced that it had made a decision to no
longer pursue its geographical and geophysical survey following the permission granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to do so.
The company in a release said the decision was made on December 30, 2013.
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry had come in for heavy criticism for the deal which was not fully disclosed at a parliamentary committee meeting when the time was opportune.
Permission was granted on November 7, 2012. The locally registered company had said it was never issued a prospecting licence or mining licence, but expressed the hope of acquiring the relevant documents to facilitate mining if the study proves to be feasible.
“These kinds of exploration activities cost millions of U.S. dollars which can only be sourced as exploration investments from outside of Guyana.
“No such investments would be available if the investor is given no assurance that he will be granted prospecting licences. The investor takes a risk. If he or she is not assured of a potential return, investment capital will dry up and so will Guyana’s mining industry,” the company had said.
APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon had called on Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud to step down, contending that
he had misled the National Assembly.
In response, Minister Persaud had produced an excerpt of the transcript from the sector committee meeting which was held in the Parliament building. The document was produced by the Parliament Office of Guyana.
When asked by Harmon whether leases were issued for lands in the New River Triangle, Minister Persaud responded in the negative.
“As of 11:25 am today, I am advised by the manager of the Land Management Administration Section of the GGMC that no mining permit licences or any permission be given for mining in the area you have outlined. I want to make that categorically clear.”
Persaud had also thrown out a public challenge to those who have been criticising his actions regarding the issuance of the PGGS for the New River Triangle area, saying he was willing to debate anyone on the issue as to whether he sold out the country or broke the law.
“… any group, be it the media, environmental group or be it any political party, I am willing to enter into a public debate and let them set it up any place, any time with any one, on all the issues raised because what we have and what we’ve done, we are proud of. Its consistent with our laws and whatever we do in the sector, we do it because it’s in the best interest for Guyana’s development.”
It got some people in life who never satisfy wid whah dem have. Dem always want whah other people got. Dem always want to be like other people. Dem always want to become whah other people become. And dem does even get vex when other people gettin ahead of dem.
It can be a good ting when people want to follow in de footsteps of good people in life. Old people does always tell young people that dem must strive to be like some body good in life. Long ago people used to call that person a idol.
It got plenty people in Guyana who got idols right hey in Guyana, but dem shame fuh seh so. When people want whah other people got and want to be like other people because dem spiteful, that is some ting called covetousness, and covetousness is a bad ting.
Somehow de Almighty one who people does pray to does have a way of blessin de good people like dem even more, which does mek de covetous people even more spiteful and jealous. That is a sign that no matter whah dem do, dem just can’t become like other people or achieve whah dem achieve.
When that happen, de covetous people does start a cuss out from leff to right and back to front. That is when dem does reveal how covetous dem really is. And de people who deh behind dem in de same boat. Dem kinda boat gotta hole in de middle and it sinkin slow.
One man want to be a prezzie, but he can’t mek it, and he can’t tek it that he can’t mek it. This is de same man who cussin out all de prezzies. But although he tryin to follow in dem footsteps, he not fit to tek off dem shoes, much less polish dem.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Certain people gon live dem life wantin some ting whah some body got or wantin to be like somebody. Old people got one name fuh people like dem…a Mook!
The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) is urging the Caribbean and other developing nations to maximise the use of its tools and services to fight crimes against children.
In a report, INTERPOL said crimes against children “tend to be local crimes with the vast majority taking place within the home or family circle”.
It, however, said there is an “international angle”, pointing out that Internet crimes against children are “facilitated by the Internet, the increased use of which in recent years has led to a huge rise in offenders.
“Not only can offenders distribute and access child abuse material more easily, but they can also come into direct contact with children – via chatrooms and social networking sites,” the statement said.
INTERPOL said it runs a project in conjunction with internet access service providers to block access to child abuse
material online. In addition, it said “sex tourism”, involves “the abuse of children in developing countries by people who travel there”.
Abuse
In the area of travelling sex offenders, the organisation said this is also known as “sex tourism”, this type of crime involves the abuse of children in developing countries by people who travel there.
The relative wealth of the offender coupled with lack of understanding or effective legislation means that the abuse of children is easier in these countries. This type of crime is linked to child trafficking, organised crime and murder, INTERPOL said.
“These types of crimes represent a huge challenge for police worldwide and require specialised skills and increased resources. At INTERPOL, we encourage investigators around the world to make maximum
use of our tools and services.”
In addition, regarding victim identification, INTERPOL said it works to identify the victims of child sexual abuse depicted in photographs and films.
“This involves a combination of traditional investigative methods and image analysis. Crucial to this work is the International Child Sexual Exploitation image database which uses sophisticated image comparison software to make connections between victims and places.”
Database
Moreover, yellow notices at the request of a member country can be issued to help locate missing persons, especially minors. These notices are circulated on an international basis and recorded in INTERPOL’s database of missing and abducted children.
“We also provide training and promote best practice to
police in our member countries. We bring together experts in the INTERPOL specialists group on crimes against children,” the agency said.
Formed in 1992, this group consists of a number of subgroups dealing with particular issues and chaired by investigators from around the world.
“In addition, we work closely with many other agencies, both governmental and nongovernmental, in this area and are involved in many training programmes and other projects worldwide.
"In particular, we work in partnership with CIRCAMP (the COSPOL Internet Related Child Abuse Material Project) and the Virtual Global Taskforce. It is worth noting that we avoid using the term ‘child pornography’ when describing images of sexual abuse of children. Other, more appropriate terminology includes the term child sexual abuse material,” INTERPOL said.
There is a dispute between the Guyana government and the U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt. The U.S. ambassador is out of line and disrespectful of Guyana’s sovereignty. There are political parties and commentators trying to hoodwink the Guyanese people by misrepresenting the dispute as one between Guyana and America. There is no dispute between the two countries.
Guyana and the U.S. have a strong, friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. It is a relationship that has been nurtured and which has blossomed throughout the last two decades under the current administration. Government values its partnership with the U.S. at both the national and global levels. America values its partnership with Guyana.
Relationship
The present disagreement will not change this reality. There are elements who would wish that the present spat with the U.S. ambassador erupts into a cold war between the two countries. There are those who wish that the dispute will escalate into some long term fracture in the friendly and cooperative relationship between Guyana and the U.S.
The dispute has nothing to do with whether government likes all the components of the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID) Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project. Such projects always contain activities that one side or the other does not fully endorse, but they compromise.
But the U.S. ambassador flouted well-established protocols in how projects become reality at the national level. He followed a protocol that excluded the government. By the time the ambassador presented the project to government, it was already approved by U.S. authorities and contracts were already awarded.
Guyana is a sovereign nation and, while not as rich or as powerful as the U.S., it is no less a country than the U.S. When positions such as
the secretary general of the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of the American States (OAS), or the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have to be appointed, both Guyana and the U.S. have a vote each.
Within borders, the U.S. government follows well-established, principled procedures which it expects Guyana and other countries will follow within the borders of the U.S. It is not merely arrogance that the U.S. ambassador demonstrates when he ignores the position of the Guyana government, he demonstrates scant respect for the rules and the principles his own country demands and promotes. This is the crux of the dispute.
Guyana and the U.S. have worked together to promote democracy and development at the national level in Guyana. The two governments have worked together at the global level to promote cooperation, democracy and development within the UN, OAS, World Health Organisation (WHO), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and in other areas. The two countries have worked together in many initiatives globally.
Guyana usually sides with the U.S. as the U.S. proposes and promotes various candidates for regional and global positions. But there are times when Guyana takes independent positions, such as on the embargo on Cuba.
The peoples of the two countries are well aware that in the 1960s, the U.S. interfered in Guyana’s internal affairs and created regime change. The result of such external meddling in Guyana’s affairs was a dramatic decline in Guyana’s standard of living and development trajectory.
In the period between 1964 and 1992, Guyana was the only country in the Caribbean that showed negative growth. Every country in the Caribbean, excepting Guyana, experienced growth and increases in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during that period. Guyana’s disgrace was the result of American adven-
turism in the early 1960s.
Then, America had the support of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the United Force (UF). Today, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which is the PNC, and the Alliance For Change (AFC) think they can use the U.S. ambassador’s arrogance to lead America onto the same path.
The Guyanese people reject this dangerous game. But the U.S. government today is more sensitive to national aspirations and one which is more respectful of democratic rules.
The truth is that PNC/APNU and the AFC and their sycophants and the incumbent U.S. ambassador cannot escape the fact that the Guyana government is democratically elected under the Constitution and laws of Guyana.
Times Notebook urges that those who would risk Guyana being put on the path of under-development not be allowed to do so.
Times Notebook further contends that the Guyanese people and friends and partners will not be fooled that this is a dispute between the two countries. The relationship between Guyana and the U.S. remains solid.
Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail.com.
ome Affairs Minister
HClement Rohee on Friday convened a meeting at the Police Officers’ Training Complex, Camp and Young streets, Georgetown, where he recapped the performance of the various agencies within the security sector.
The meeting attracted a wide cross-section of stakeholders of the various police divisions, heads of government agencies and even members of the diplomatic community.
Giving an update of the Security Sector Strategic Plan 2013-2017, the minister said that since the establishment of the Strategic Management Department in May 2013 with the employment of 10 professionals to oversee the implementation of the plan, notable progress has been achieved.
Implementation
However, three of the 10 persons have since submitted their resignation for reasons that were not directly related to their task of implementing their aspect of the plan.
“Those departures have not seriously affected the progress of implementation of the plan as the remaining staff members were engaged in multi-tasking to fill the temporary gaps that were created as a result of those resignations,” the minister explained.
This strategic department has been involved in laying the foundation for the full implementation of the strategic plan.
To date, its accomplishments include the completion of a SWOT analysis to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; development of a change management strategy which is intended to catalyse the transformation process; development of a communications strategy so as to ensure that knowledge and awareness of the modernisation process facilitate concomitant changes in behaviour in the Guyana Police Force (GPF); the design of a monitoring and evaluation framework that is expected to improve organisational performance; and the development of vehicle acquisition, deployment and maintenance strategies so that the force could acquire the appropriate types of vehicles to suit its needs, which are maintained as per schedule.
The British Capita Symonds consulting firm has completed its work, and its final report has been received by the Home Affairs Ministry.
As such, the ministry will now be moving towards the stage of working with Capita Symonds to finalise the details of each project so that work could commence early in the first quarter of 2014.
The firm’s work focused mainly on four areas: administration, succession planning, the introduction of a code of conduct and the development of a specialist office of professional responsibility and the establishment of a modern public relations
and communications department.
In a bid to have a civilian aspect to the mutually agreed positions within the GPF, the Home Affairs Ministry employed 60 persons who are working as data entry clerks at five divisional traffic registries, 48 police stations and the Georgetown Prison, Camp Street. Their main responsibilities are to enter criminal occurrences to populate the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) to sup-
port electronic data capture, and analysis of crime trends and patterns leading to evidence-based decision making by the GPF and the Home Affairs Ministry.
Additionally, the ministry has approached and received Cabinet’s approval for the employment of an additional 25 data entry clerks who will bolster the data collection efforts of the force with support from the ministry.
To aid the process of analysis, a qualified civilian/professional
has been recruited and is based at the force headquarters. Minister Rohee said that the professional has been instrumental in assisting the GPF in developing strategies and action plans targeted at combating crime and interpersonal violence.
Some of the outputs of the policy analyst include analysing trends (spatial and temporal), disaggregating results by police stations and divisions (by type of crime, by nature of victim and by nature of perpetrator) and recommending strategies to combat crimes.
According to the minister, the E and F divisions were delinked in an effort to enhance management within the GPF. Division E is headquartered at Linden while Division F head office is located at police headquarters, Eve Leary.
Minister Rohee said the GPF must be seen as a service oriented agency given the fact that its mission is to serve and protect.
To this end, the ministry requested a name change from the “Guyana Police Force” to the “Guyana Police Service”. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has been requested to re-table the bill in Parliament, to effect this name change.
It was previously thrown out by the parliamentary opposition simply because they refuse to cooperate with the subject minister.
monday, january 6, 2014 |
By Svetlana MarShall
President Donald Ramotar and acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali on Sunday declared opened the Park Vue Hotel, a multimillion-dollar facility situated at Farm, East Bank Demerara.
Dignitaries including government ministers, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster, Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Kit Nascimento and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling were toured the 52-room hotel, which has a boutique, restaurant, lounge and bar.
Praise
However, before they toured the modern facility, government officials and representatives from the private sector praised
the owners of the facility, Robin and Sharon Persaud during an official opening ceremony. The Persauds have turned from abroad to invest in Guyana.
President Ramotar applauded the Persauds for believing in Guyana’s economy, noting that the construction of the hotel along the East Bank Demerara corridor will contribute significantly to the growth of tourism in the country.
According to him, the investment comes at an important time when the country’s tourism sector is on the move.
Great expectations
“Now is a good time to get into the sector, because we anticipate that there will be many more arrivals in Guyana. We are working on having more airplanes coming to Guyana, and therefore we expect the number of people visiting here will increase,”
President Ramotar said as he spoke at the pool side.
Minister Ali said the government through his ministry will be working with the management of the hotel to establish a park to complement the facility.
“I stand here confident of the fact you will be successful and that the tourism sector is going to be successful in Guyana and we are going to be a rival for many other countries in the Caribbean,” Ali said to resounding applause from the audience.
He said the government of Guyana will continue to create growth poles and expand business opportunities in Guyana beyond the capital city.
“A few years ago, one would have doubted that a group of investors would look at this area for a hotel, just like how one would have doubted that a group of investors would not look
at this area for the largest call centre that will be built in all of the Caribbean and South America,” he said
Positive partnership
He said all Guyanese have a choice to make positive decisions that would accelerate the country’s development.
The minister said too that it is not the Donald Ramotar administration’s desire to govern in a conflicting manner, but rather through collaboration.
“He has time and time again extended the olive branch, reaching out to every single stakeholder with the aim of developing Guyana… but we, as Guyanese, we must be positive, we must stand for the development of Guyana, the economic advancement of Guyana,” he said.
He added that Guyanese must come together to
“build today for a stronger tomorrow”.
Meanwhile, Webster also used the opportunity to congratulate the Persauds on the “gigantic step” taken.
He encouraged them to place major emphasis on customer service and raising the bar of hospitality in the country.
“Leave an impression that will last,” he said as he spoke directly to the management and staff of the new hotel.
He also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the attacks on developmental projects in the country, but expressed hope that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project will materialise, catering for the influx of visitors, family and friends anticipated to visit the country this year.
Two prominent attorneys and a former high court judge say they do not agree with a suggestion by Attorney General (AG) Anand Ramlogan for the death penalty to be enforced for sexual offences against children. They warned that such a measure will do more harm than good. In an interview with the Sunday Guardian last month, Ramlogan said he has been toying with the idea for several months and will approach the opposition
The state-owned oil company, PETROTRIN, confirmed that there were about 11 oil spills in the south of the country, but indicated that at least two of them had been the work of saboteurs.
PETROTRIN chairman, Lindsay Gillette, told a news conference that in the two cases, special pieces of equipment were needed in order to have the oil flow from the tanks.
He told reporters that there was “strong evidence” to show “willful acts of sabotage” insisting that the facilities were “deliberately tampered with”. He said the two facilities in question do not support “any sort of negligence at all”.
He said one of the facilities, run by Trinity
Exploration Production, a joint venture partner with PETROTRIN, “two of the plugs were removed and you would need a very large wrench to remove that plug physically for that oil to flow”.
He said in the other incident, “you could actually see the oil squirting from the sides of one of the flanges”.
Gillette said given the importance of the oil company to the socio-economic development of Trinidad and Tobago “these incidents must not be taken lightly.
“We will do all in our power to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said, adding that security was now being provided by the company as well as police and members of the defence force. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
early this year to get their consensus.
He spoke about the matter just weeks after the body of six-year-old Keyanna Cumberbatch was found in a barrel at her Maloney Gardens home. An autopsy showed that the child was struck unconscious and raped. “The first thing I intend to do is raise with the opposition as part of our ongoing joint anti-crime talks to see what position they have on the matter,” Ramlogan said. He said if the PNM
supported the idea, the measure could form part of the Constitution Amendment (Capital Offences) Bill.
In 2011, the opposition refused to give support to an earlier version of the legislation also known as the hanging bill. “The various natures of crimes against our innocent children have caused me to think that we should consider the introduction of the death penalty for sex crimes against children…” said the AG. (Excerpt from
Guardian)
Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government of The Bahamas will give the issue of capital punishment “serious consideration” and suggested his administration might address it through constitutional proposals.
“The capital punishment issue is one that is bound to surface now with the types of crimes that are taking place,” Christie told The Nassau Guardian on Wednesday shortly after the first murder of 2014 took place.
“There is considerable discussion going on now about effecting the constitution, about actually [examining] the law that was put in place by the Ingraham administration to guide the decision in setting out those
circumstances in which capital punishment should be mandatory,” the prime minister said.
“There have been arguments that, that have not been... sufficiently effective and to make them effective one has to make constitutional amendments.
“And that is a very serious issue that... will have to be given serious consideration from the Bahamian people.”
In 2011, legislation was passed that would make a person convicted of killing a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Department of Customs, the Department of Immigration, the judiciary and the prison services eligible for the death penalty.
(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Nine people were killed during a gunfight at a prison in Mexico’s violent Guerrero state, after a gang dressed as police officers gained entry on Friday, authorities said.
Six gunmen wearing police uniforms were allowed to enter the prison by unsuspecting guards who believed the men were delivering another prisoner, state prosecutors said.
“Once inside the prison, the armed group began an attack on inmates and then on guards in a security tower, where four prisoners and five attackers were killed,” the attorney general’s office of Guerrero said in a statement.
TA prison guard and one of the alleged gunmen remained hospitalised with
gunshot wounds. Prison unrest is common in Mexico, where the government’s human rights agency has
drawn attention to the killing of dozens of inmates and prison guards as well as the presence of criminal gangs attempting to take over correctional facilities.
“We currently do not know if they were planning a mass escape or if this was simply a rivalry between two criminal groups,” said a security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Guerrero, along Mexico’s southwestern coast, is one of the country’s most violent states.
It is home to several drug cartels, including the Zetas and the Knights Templar, who compete for control of territory and trafficking routes. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The Jamaica government says it wants the entire population to have access to the Internet and has appealed to local providers to ensure that is achieved.
“We need Internet access to all the nooks and crannies of Jamaica, to where the more than 1100 public schools are by 2015, and we really have to challenge everyone involved in this regard, “Education Minister Reverend Ronald Thwaites told the official launch of the Caribbean Virtual Academy (CEVA).
A virtual learning platform accessed through the website CaribbeanExams. com, CEVA is geared at providing online tutoring and exam preparation assistance to high school students.
The aim is to help stu-
dents in Jamaica and across the region achieve greater success at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) levels.
Reverend Thwaites, who endorsed the programme, said it was in line with the government’s mission of attaining greater student achievement. He said that the expectation was that the programme would result in significant improvement in student achievement, and also provide employment opportunities for local teachers.
He said that the whole arena of virtual education was a powerful tool for transformation of the system and CEVA is a decisive step in that direction. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Former Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva has agreed to run for vice president in October elections on the presidential ticket of Eduardo Campos, the governor of Brazil’s Pernambuco state, Globo newspaper reported on Saturday.
Silva, who will make her intention publicly known by mid-February, could announce her candidacy at a January 17 meeting of leaders of Campos’ Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), the newspaper said.
Globo did not cite sources for its story, and officials for Silva and Campos did not immediately respond to telephone and email requests from Reuters on Saturday.
Silva and Campos, two of the country’s most popular opposition leaders, surprised many when they said in October they would form an alliance but refused to say which of them would stand for president if they made a bid.
Pollsters say their decision to team up could form a serious challenge to
President Dilma Rousseff’s hopes of re-election. Globo reported that in exchange for Silva’s pledge to run alongside Campos, his PSB party had agreed to end its support for the re-election of Geraldo Alckmin of the centrist Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) as governor of Sao Paulo state. Sao Paulo is Brazil’s richest, most-populous and most industrialised state. Alckmin is also a former presidential candidate. (Excerpt from Reuters)
he Dominican Republic will increase productivity for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the help of a loan for US$30 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The project seeks to in-
crease productivity for MSMEs by facilitating access to medium- and longterm credit, and to improve the management of MSMEs and the public sector support they receive.
Ninety-seven per cent of Dominican enterprises are
MSMEs, and these account for 30 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and more than two million jobs. By targeting MSMEs, the programme will help to increase the country’s sustainable economic growth.
The project will create a
credit fund supported by a guarantee fund – both second tier vehicles – to facilitate access to medium- and long-term credit through intermediate financial institutions. The credit will finance investment projects, permanent working capital, and
technical assistance. The programme will also improve the quantity, quality, and relevance of non-financial services for MSMEs and help to solve the problems of lack of coordination of public management support and lack of current statistical in-
formation on the sector. The project is expected to increase labour productivity and sales among MSMEs, the number of firms that export, and the loan repayment periods MSMEs are able to obtain. (Caribbean News Now)
In a classroom in southern Turkey, eight-yearold children proudly display their coloured-pencil drawings. They include images of the things that make them happiest: hearts, houses and other images typical for children their age. They also show anti-aircraft missiles and revolutionary flags.
In Reyhanli, a small town in Turkey’s southernmost province of Hatay, children who have fled the war in Syria attend school at Al Salam, where displaced Syrian teachers conduct classes in Arabic. Despite tensions with local communities, Syrian schools have cropped up in southern Turkey to serve a flood of refugee children in
their native tongue. When headmistress Hazar Al Mahayni opened Al Salam – or “peace” school – in October 2012, she ex-
ASouth Sudanese army general has been killed in fighting outside the rebel-held town of Bor. A BBC correspondent with government troops said a convoy advancing on Bor came under heavy fire in an ambush.
The fighting is continuing as the warring parties meet in Ethiopia to try to agree a ceasefire. Substantive talks appear to have been delayed once again. The conflict pits supporters of President Salva Kiir against rebels led by his sacked deputy Riek Machar.
It began on December 15, 2013 after the president accused Machar of attempting a coup – which he denies. At
least 1000 people have been killed and nearly 200,000 displaced in the conflict, which has taken on ethnic undertones. Kiir is from the Dinka community and Machar from the Nuer group.
The BBC’s Alastair Leithead was travelling with government troops from the capital, Juba, on Sunday when the convoy came under attack about 25km (15 miles) from Bor.
The commanding general – who has not been named –was killed in the ambush.
The government has been sending reinforcements to try to retake Bor in recent days, bringing the total number of army troops involved to some 2000. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Violence has marred controversial general elections in Bangladesh, leaving at least 19 people dead in clashes between opposition supporters and police.
Thousands of protesters firebombed polling stations and stole ballot papers as deadly violence flared across the South Asian nation during Sunday’s elections, which was boycotted by the BNP, the main opposition party, and its allies.
Polls closed at 16:00h (1000 GMT) after eight hours of voting and final results were expected in the early hours of today.
Police said more than 200 polling stations were set on fire or trashed by mobs in a bid by the oppo-
sition activists to wreck the contest.
AFP correspondents said there were no queues to vote, while local television reported that only a single person voted in the first three hours at one station.
The BNP is protesting against the decision by Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s government to scrap the practice of having a neutral caretaker government oversee elections.
Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull, reporting from Dhaka, said: “The government did everything it could to bring the opposition on board, and blames the opposition entirely for the violence.
The opposition, on the other hand, says it will accept. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
pected to enroll about 300 students. In the first week of school, 900 turned up. Al Salam is one of six Syrian schools operating
in Reyhanli. Once part of Syria, Hatay became its own republic for one year before voting to join Turkey in 1939. Reyhanli’s position on the TurkishSyrian border, a short trip from Aleppo, makes it a convenient destination for refugees. Many of the men cross back into Syria each day to work or fight, leaving their wives and children on the Turkish side, Al Mahayni says.
In Gaziantep, a city of over one million people in southern Turkey, the Levant Centre opened a sparkling new facility last October to teach approximately 500 Syrian students from the age of two until adulthood. (Excerpt from Reuters )
More than 30,000 African asylum seekers have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv in the largest-ever protest by migrants in Israel’s history, demanding the government recognise their status as refugees.
Mickey Rosenfeld, a police spokesperson, told Al Jazeera on Sunday that most of the demonstrators were asylum seekers from Africa who wanted to stay in the country.
“There are thousands of people assembling in central Tel Aviv and they are mostly Africans who are requesting to stay in the country,” Rosenfeld said. Participants chanted “We are all refugees” and “yes to freedom, no to prison!”.
“We have fled persecution, dictatorships, civil wars and genocides,”
Dawud, an Eritrean asylum-seeker at the protest, told AFP news agency. “The Israeli government must study our requests for asylum and treat us like human beings,” Dawud said, without giving his full name.
About 60,000 African asylum seekers currently live in Israel, with the majority coming from Eritrea and Sudan. Under legislation passed on December 10, 2013, the authorities can indefinitely detain migrants who entered the country illegally for up to a year without trial.
Israel has also opened a new detention facility in the Negev desert in which to hold the asylum seekers. Since its creation in 1948, Israel has recognised fewer than 200 people as refugees, human rights groups say. (Al Jazeera)
Car and roadside bombs exploded in commercial areas of Baghdad on Sunday killing at least 19 people, police and medical sources said.
The deadliest attack took place in northern Baghdad’s mainly Shi’ite district of Shaab where two car bombs went off killing at least nine people and wounding 25.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attacks but Sunni Muslim insurgents have stepped up attacks on Iraqi security forces and supporters of the Shi’ite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki.
Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda and tribal fighters have taken control of Ramadi and Falluja, the main cities in the Sunni Muslim-dominated province of Anbar in a serious challenge to the government’s authority. Iraqi troops and allied tribesmen are trying to retake the province.
In a separate incident, gunmen set up a fake check point on the main road between Baghdad and Kirkuk, killing six drivers, late on Saturday near Udhaim, 90 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. (Reuters)
Pope Francis has announced his first trip as pontiff to the Holy Land, from May 2426. He will visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem in the West Bank, and the Jordanian capital, Amman.
He made the announcement during his weekly Sunday blessing in Vatican City.
The visit is so far his only foreign trip planned for 2014. He said he would hold a meeting with the representatives of all Christian churches in the Middle East in Jerusalem.
His pilgrimage “in the footsteps of Jesus Christ” has a double significance, says the BBC’s David Willey in Rome. Not only will he be making a important gesture of goodwill towards the Orthodox churches which separated from Rome just over 1000 years ago, but he will be making an important political statement as he wants to encourage the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, our correspondent says.
Pope Francis made the announcement during his weekly Sunday blessing
The Pope will be celebrating Masses not only in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which is in Palestinian territory, but also in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem built over the site where Jesus Christ was reputedly buried after the crucifixion, with the ecumenical patriarch, Bartholomew.
The Pope was invited to visit the Holy Land by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
The U.S. state of New York is planning to relax its marijuana laws to allow limited use by seriously ill patients, reports say. Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo – long opposed to the legalisation of medical marijuana – is to make the announcement this week, the New York Times says.
Twenty U.S. states have already gone down the same road. On Wednesday, Colorado became the first U.S. state to allow shops to sell cannabis for recreational purposes.
Washington state is expected to allow the sale of marijuana later in 2014.
The drug is still ille-
gal under federal law. New York’s new policy is expected to be far stricter than in California or Colorado, which had already loosened rules around the use of medical marijuana. In California, people suffering from mild medical complaints can obtain prescriptions for the drug. But in New York, the drug will be made available in only 20 hospitals across the state for people with cancer, glaucoma or other serious diseases that meet standards to be set by the state department of health. Cuomo is to formally announce his plans in his state of the state speech on Wednesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The majority view among investors and economists is that 2014 will be a much stronger year for the United States than 2013 and this will help other industrial countries and particularly Japan, which is trying hard to expand faster. The UK is growing rapidly and gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise by well over
three per cent in 2014, but emerging markets are experiencing serious problems especially in Turkey, Indonesia, South Africa and Brazil. At the last meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on December 17 and 18, 2013, the Federal Reserve reduced the amount of bond purchases from US$85 billion a month to US$75 billion, but made future “ta-
pering” dependent on what happens to the U.S. economy.
The low for the 10-year rate was 1.66 per cent on May 1 and the 30-year bond 2.83 per cent on that same date and, by any standards, interest rates have risen sharply since mid-2013. Again, since the last FOMC meeting in a period when there has been a long holiday, the 10-year has risen
15 bps and the 30-year bond about 10 bps.
It is interesting that the euro and the pound sterling have actually risen marginally against the dollar, while the vast majority of other currencies have fallen. The euro was US$1.33, then fell to a low of US$1.28 at the end of March before recovering to US$1.38 by the end of the year.
The pound sterling started 2013 at US$1.63, then fell to US$1.49 in early March before increasing to US$1.65 as the UK economy started to grow much more rapidly. The biggest drop in traded currencies came in the yen which fell from 87 to the dollar to 105, a reduction of 20 per cent over the year.
The Swiss franc rose 2.2 per cent more or less match-
rency values was that of the Argentine peso which dropped 32.5 per cent. Most South East Asian currencies fell including the Thai baht, the Philippine peso and the Malaysian ringgit, all of which dropped between eight per cent and nine per cent, the biggest decrease since the Asian crisis of 1997.
Gold had a terrible year, falling 29.3 per cent and ending the year below US$1200 an ounce. The start of 2013 saw gold at US$1694 an ounce and it fell more or less continuously during the year as investors pulled out of gold in particular and commodities in general.
By contrast, oil prices rose slightly from US$93.5 a barrel (WTI) to US$98.5 as the U.S. economy rose
per cent from a year earlier after a 13.3 per cent increase in the year ended in September. Over the slow week on account of the holidays, the U.S. dollar was up on the pound sterling at 1.64 (January 2) from 1.6 (December 27). The euro held steady at 1.37 as did the Australian dollar at 0.89. But the Japanese yen gained against the dollar to 104.8 from 105.2 last week and the Canadian dollar also strengthened to 1.06 from 1.07.The Swiss franc decreased slightly from 0.89 to 0.90. Interest rates moved down marginally with the two-year Treasury, now yielding 0.38 per cent from 0.39 per cent (December 27), and the 10-year moving down to 2.98 per cent from
ing the rise in the euro while the Canadian dollar fell 7.1 per cent. Similarly, the Chinese yuan rose by 2.9 per cent, the New Zealand dollar 2.3 per cent over the Polish zloty 2.0 per cent. Virtually all emerging currencies fell last year with the Indonesian rupiah decreasing 26.1 per cent, the South African rand 24.1 per cent, the Turkish lira 20.2 per cent, the Brazilian real 15.7 per cent and the Indian rupee 13.6 per cent.
The biggest fall in cur-
but equally the increased production of oil in United States kept supply levels high. The expectation is that something similar will happen in 2014. The third estimate of GDP for the third quarter published on December 20 showed an increase of growth of 4.1 per cent which was considerably faster than most economists had expected and higher than the earlier estimate of 3.6 per cent.
Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose in October 13.6
three per cent. The 30-year is now 3.92 per cent compared with 3.94 per cent at the end of last week. Likewise the stock market is in a sober mood, down 130 on January 2 to 16,447 from the December 27 close of 16,478, making a 0.2 per cent decline on the week. Oil has also weakened and is at US$96.45 from US$100.32 last Friday. Gold, on the other hand has moved up to US$1225 an ounce from US$1214 an ounce last week.
BY SEVTLANA MARSHALL
The Limacol Caribbean
Premier League (LCPL)
has been touted as one of the greatest investments in the Caribbean in recent years. This is according to acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali.
“We believe that the LCPL is one of the greatest investments in the sporting tourism sector in the Caribbean,” Ali said, while addressing the opening ceremony of the Park Vue Hotel on Sunday.
According to the tourism minister, 2014 will be a “huge year” for Guyana, as he anticipates another massive LCPL tournament.
Forum
“Very shortly, there will be a forum that is designed to reduce the burden in persons travelling within the region to see the matches all across the Caribbean,” he said.
He added that Guyana will be pushing to stage more of the matches. During the LCPL, tourists from across the world will get an opportunity to explore Guyana.
The Tourism Ministry has tagged 2014, the "Year of Exploration, the Year of Opportunities".
“You are standing in a land that has been named one of the finest eco-tourism destinations in the world, you are standing
in the bosom of nature, you are standing in the next big thing in the tourism sector for nature and adventure tourism,” said Ali.
The NEW GPC INC has been resoundingly praised for its role in the 2013 LCPL.
In December, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) presented the company with the Business of the Year Award (large) for its investment in the LCPL T20 cricket tournament.
Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) was recognised for the acquisition of the franchise for the Guyana Amazon Warriors team, the
successful hosting of the inaugural LCPL T20 tournament, sponsorship of the league under the name Limacol CPL, and the introduction of Limacol as a global brand.
GCCI President Clinton Urling told Guyana Times that QAII's achievements have been “remarkable” by any measure or standard when one considers the local, regional and international impact of the investments made.
He said that the business community was proud of the fact that a local company had reached this level and was now solidifying its place as a major regional and international player.
Positive effect
Urling disclosed that the chamber also recognised the positive effect the tournament had on boosting enthusiasm in the area of sport and generally creating upliftment for Guyanese and Caribbean Community (Caricom) citizens.
He said the tournament lived up to its expectations and filled the void created following the collapse of the Stanford T20 tournament.
“No other project, no other investment from any Guyanese firm could have topped that investment that was made by the NEW GPC in
relation to sponsorship of the LCPL," he said. "It was indeed the most enormous investment and far reaching.”
There was also massive commercial support for the tournament, which has never been seen for any sporting event in the region.
Partners
Even before a ball was bowled, 37 commercial partners were on board, including nine league sponsors, an apparel partner and sponsors for each of the six franchises, as well as four national tourism boards supporting the event.
Several high-profile individuals from the world of entertainment and business got involved and threw their weight behind the league, with Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler taking equity shares in the Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs, respectively, while Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group backed the Antigua Hawksbills.
In Guyana, the NEW GPC supported the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the company has since pledged its long-term commitment to sport development in Guyana and the region as a whole.
(sevtlanam@guyanatimegy. com)
The $3.6 billion East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel has missed the scheduled December 31 deadline, the major reason being that the contractor responsible for the eightdoor sluice component has completed just about 50 per cent of the work.
Considering that the project is the first of its kind in Guyana, and will be a major engineering achievement for Guyanese engineers and workers, the Agriculture Ministry has extended the deadline of commissioning the project by two months, and is working with the contractor to have more than 90 per cent of the work completed and the project functional by February 14.
At the beginning of December, only 47 per cent of the sluice was completed. Minister Ramsammy, in a recent interview, said the ministry met with the contractor, Courtney Benn Contracting Services.
Following discussions, it was agreed that the outstanding work will be carried out in six phases to meet the 90 per cent mark.
Minister Ramsammy explained
that there will still be work to be done after the sluice meets this 90 per cent completion point under the contract, but this will not impact the functioning of the canal.
He pointed out that the ministry planned the tranches of work going into February, bearing in mind rainy conditions in January.
Sloth
There were some suggestions that because of the sloth in work on the sluice that the ministry should have terminated the contract with Courtney Benn.
Minister Ramsammy noted that such a move would not be wise because it would have seen the extension of the work to the end of 2014.
He noted too that Courtney Benn Construction Services has been a stable contracting firm on the local scene for a long time and has done some excellent work.
The minister said he believes that the firm has the capacity to complete this project, and the ministry will work with it to realise this goal.
The workings of the much-criticised 911 telephone system will be reviewed, according to subject minister Clement Rohee.
“This issue has come up at several meetings… .I don’t know if it is a technological problem,” Rohee said, after discounting the idea that it could be a staffing issue, since there was sufficient “general duties” staff to man the hotline.
He promised to meet with personnel from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Home Affairs Ministry officials, and stakeholders to address the problem.
The home affairs minister said he was “fed up” with the constant complaints and poor performance of the system, at a recent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) press conference.
In a telephone interview, GPF Public Relations
that there were no problems in manning the phone lines. In a letter to the editor of this newspaper, Alexia Greene said she was happy with the denouncement made by Rohee regarding the current 911 emergency phone system.
However, she said what “many of us have to realise is that it is not only the technical aspect of this situation that needs to be addressed, but also the culture itself that us Guyanese have been nurturing for quite some time”.
She noted that not so long ago, “I called the Plaisance Police Station, East Coast Demerara to make a report about a party at a private school in Better Hope that was disturbing the community.
"However, there was no answer. I had a similar encounter once again when I called the La Penitence Police Station to report another matter. This situation
As it pertains to the other components of the project, the roadside bridge and the road leading to it have been completed, though the contractor is still on site doing “mopping up”, Minister Ramsammy said.
The canal itself is 95 per cent completed, and the work remaining is that that have to be done on completion of the sluice and the head regulator.
The shaping of the dam along the entire length of the canal is about 75 per cent completed, and, as indicated earlier by the minister, will be done after the entire project is completed, following the settling of the soil.
This shaping and reshaping of the dam is to be a continuous process that will be conducted over the next 12 to 24 months. The head regulator is at the point where the gates are being constructed to be fitted into the structure.
Outside of this, all that remains is the landscaping and shaping of the dam outside the head regulator.
No cost overrun
Minister Ramsammy noted that it a legitimate criticism that the project is taking too long, and that the ministry has had several extensions.
“Those who criticised, I would have no difficulties with that and in saying that I wished that the project would have been completed in the stipulated time,” Minister Ramsammy said.
He pointed out, though, that it is a major project, done essentially by Guyanese engineers and workers that will be realised in a matter of weeks.
“No one should be under any illusion, what we have accomplished here is a major construction feat and a major engineering feat. The Hope Canal once it begins to function will have several new features that have never been done in Guyana,” he noted.
Also in spite of the project’s extensions, there will no cost overrun and indeed the project will be completed under the original estimated cost.
Officer Ivelaw Whitaker acknowledged that “there are times when the lines go down”, but said when this happens, GT&T is contacted. Whitaker said the team at GT&T works diligently to make sure the lines is operational within a short period of time.
The PRO disclosed that at the Brickdam Police Station, there are four lines connected to the 911 emergency hotline.
He said he is “not aware of any issues regarding manning the line”, stating that there is adequate staff covering the lines 24/7, on a shift basis.
He explained that if one is trying to contact the police using a cellular phone, the call would go directly to the Brickdam Police Station, whereas if a call was made from a landline, it would go to the nearest police station.
Whitaker again stressed
of late response and no response by emergency units is preposterous and unacceptable.
"Many citizens have grown weary of this culture and as a result often resort to their own measures for addressing a situation which they taxingly tried to report to the relevant authorities in order for the matter to be dealt with the right way.”
Greene said it is understood that the implementation of the 911 emergency services was only recently established and so setbacks are likely to be encountered.
However, with that said, it may be wise to undertake a few trial runs in order to test the effectiveness of the system and to further determine what could be done to better the system.
The response from 911 services should, at all times, be prompt and reliable.
You’ll have many professional opportunities today. Deals can be settled, but be very careful when they involve loved ones. A careless mistake on your part could lead to trouble.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
Don’t let your emotions lead you astray, and don’t let overindulgence or denial compromise your integrity. Temptation is apparent, and strength of character will be required.
Don’t let anyone give you a hard time about work. You will be very serious in your endeavours, and following through with your plans will be key.
Do everything you can to promote your talents. You have much to offer, and today is the perfect time to take centre stage. Love is likely on your mind, but don’t let it distract you from your ambitions.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)
Get organised and make whatever adjustments are necessary. You may find yourself in an inflammatory situation, and if you cannot admit your mistakes, you will meet with roadblocks.
(March 21-April 19)
Your emotions will be close to the surface, especially if you are goaded into a heated discussion. You must avoid saying the wrong thing to someone who could damage your reputation.
(April 20-May 20)
You will have the discipline to get things done, but you will also attract a person who is more of a hindrance than a help. Don’t expect others to lend a hand. Just focus on what you can do.
(May 21June 20)
Today, you can find the momentum to get stalled projects up and running again. To make things happen, you may have to adjust a few of your ideas or re-establish yourself with people from your past.
A trip or a conference you attend will expand your knowledge base. You will make meaningful changes to the way you communicate that will seriously up your game.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Someone you least suspect may turn on you. Deal with loved ones delicately, or they may react with vitriol. You should avoid being overly serious and instead put your focus on light creative pursuits.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Issues with your partner may cause confusion, but if you refuse to be drawn in, it will pass. Concentrate on artistic or mentally challenging work, and you will thrive.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Now is the time to implement professional changes. Take action where your work is concerned so that you can make progress.
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Parts of the U.S. are braced for potentially record-breaking low temperatures as a "polar vortex" brings more freezing weather. A winter storm has already blanketed areas of Canada and the north-eastern U.S. with up to two feet (60 centimetres) of snow.
It has been blamed for 16 deaths in recent days and the cancellation of more than 3700 flights this weekend. Schools in Chicago are among those closing as officials tell people to stay indoors on Monday.
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Meanwhile, a plane from Toronto slid into snow as it turned onto a taxiway after landing at New York's John F Kennedy (JFK) airport on Sunday. No one was hurt in the incident but all flights at the airport were suspended for two hours because of icy runways.
The plunging temperatures result from the polar vortex, an anti-clockwise pool of cold, dense air. Forecasters say temperatures in the north and central U.S. could feel as low as -60 Farenheit (-51 Celsius) with the effect of wind chill. Authorities
have warned residents to remain indoors, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for snow removal.
In Canada, thousands of people on the island of Newfoundland remain without power due to a transformer fire linked to heavy snow.
the Mid-Atlantic region for the beginning of the work week," the U.S. National Weather Service said in a statement.
The states of Ohio, South Dakota and Illinois are among those set to be hit. Tennessee and Kentucky are forecast to see several inches of snow.
City with wind chill on Thursday – the lowest seen in at least two decades there.
Heavy snow has also affected U.S. states including New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Boston was said to be the worst hit with nearly 18 inches (45cm) of snow.
Schools have also been closed across the state of Minnesota for Monday, as well as for parts of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, among others.
Officials in Chicago reversed a decision to keep schools open following criticism from a teachers' union, according to the Associated Press.
The Green Bay Packers football team said it would hand out hot chocolate and hand warmers to fans at a game being played in Wisconsin on Sunday. Doctors suggested fans should wear at least three layers of clothing.
Sixteen deaths have
Bitterly cold
"The coldest weather in years will be making its presence known from the Upper Mid-West to
The weather service said "an incredibly strong surge of bitterly cold Arctic air" was sweeping across the country until Tuesday.
It is set to continue to the north-east, where residents are still digging out from the week's deadly snowstorm.
It could bring some of the coldest temperatures in two decades. "The last really big Arctic outbreak was 1994," Reuters news agency quoted Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, as saying. "Outbreaks like this don't occur every day."
In Canada, the temperature dropped as low as -20 Farenheit (-29 Celsius) in Toronto and -36 Farenheit (-38 Celsius) in Quebec
been blamed on the wideranging storm, according to the Associated Press news agency. A salt storage worker was killed in Philadelphia when a 100feet (30-metre) pile of road salt fell and crushed him.
A woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease in New York state froze to death after she wandered away from her rural home. Some 1200 flights were cancelled across the U.S. on Saturday, with over 2500 cancelled nationwide by the middle of Sunday, almost half of those in Chicago. Environment Canada has said "widespread dangerous wind chills" are likely across Ontario in the first half of the week. (BBC)
Michael Clarke was asked at the toss if he knew which two captains had led Australia to 5-0 Ashes clean sweeps.
"Yes, Warwick Armstrong and Ricky Ponting," he replied. Now there are three. Fittingly, it all ended in Clarke’s hands. England’s No.11, Boyd Rankin, edged Ryan Harris to second slip, where Clarke thrust his arms and clung on to a catch above his head.
With it, he sealed a 281run victory, a 5-0 result and his legacy as leader. His team not only beat England, they annihilated them.
The celebrations were intense and immediate; Nathan Lyon led the team in their victory song, Underneath the Southern Cross, on the pitch barely minutes after the win was complete.
The same 11 who started on the first morning at the Gabba had carried Australia right through the campaign.
21 days
Remarkably, they completed their sweep in only 21 days of cricket; it took Ponting’s legendary outfit 22 days in 2006-07 and Armstrong’s squad 24 days back in 1920-21.
For Alastair Cook, the series result was devastating. That it ended with a threeday defeat after he won the toss and sent Australia in must have been especially galling.
But that England collapsed for 166 in their final innings of the series was not exactly surprising. Their batting failed throughout the tour and again they were unable to handle Man of the Series Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and company.
Seven wickets in 52 minutes
after the tea break and it was all over.
Set 448 for victory after Chris Rogers completed his third Test century in the morning, England needed a world-record effort to avoid defeat. It was not the kind of history they were capable of making.
Cook prodded outside off to a fast ball from Johnson that moved away and was caught behind for 7, Ian Bell steered a late cut to gully off Harris for 16 and Kevin Pietersen’s inside edge onto pad off Harris was smartly snapped up by George Bailey, backpedalling from short leg.
They were 3-87 at tea. Bill Lawry wasn’t there to tell viewers it was all happening, but after the resumption it was, indeed, all happening.
Johnson began the session with two wickets in an over, Michael Carberry caught behind for 43 flashing outside off and then Gary Ballance lbw for 7.
Lyon followed with two wickets in the next over, Jonny Bairstow taken at short leg for a duck and Scott Borthwick brilliantly snapped up at slip by Clarke.
A few boundaries from Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad followed, but none of that mattered. It was only a matter of time until the wickets fell.
Stokes played on to Harris for 32, Broad was also bowled by Harris for 42 and then Harris completed his five-wicket haul by drawing the winning edge from Rankin.
England were all out for 166, the sixth time from
their ten innings in this campaign that they had failed to reach 200.
And that was the difference. Perhaps the most memorable moment of England’s innings came when Carberry’s bat snapped in half when he played a regulation forward defence to a delivery from Harris.
Everyone on the ground saw the funny side but the image of a broken bat encapsulated England’s campaign. Australia’s batsmen scored ten centuries throughout the series; Stokes was the only England batsman to make one, or to average over 30.
Earlier in the day, Rogers made his second century in consecutive Tests as Australia built their lead and were dismissed for 276.
Rogers and George Bailey both ticked the score-
board over during their 109run partnership. Rogers reached his century from the last ball before drinks in the first session with a late cut for four off the part-time spin of Pietersen, but it was Bailey who really needed a big score in order to retain his place for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
At times Bailey still looked vulnerable outside off but it was the short ball that brought his downfall on 46. Bailey went for a hook off Broad and was caught by Borthwick running around to deep square leg, and it left Bailey with an average of 26.14 from his five Tests and an uncertain future.
The crowd enjoyed a little cameo from Brad Haddin, who made a quick 28, and in doing so broke the record for the most runs in a Test series by an Australian wicketkeeper, surpassing the 473 that Adam Gilchrist made in South Africa in 2001-02.
Rogers was eventually out for 119, one of three wickets for Borthwick, and the tail-enders enjoyed some late hitting. Australia’s innings ended with Rankin taking his first Test wicket. It may be his only good memory of the Test.
The match ended off Rankin’s bat, and with the ball in the hands of Clarke. Australia nominally had the urn after the Perth Test, but now they had a 5-0 clean sweep.
They also rocketed up from fifth to third on the ICC Test rankings. A challenge against the No.1 team in South Africa awaits, but for now they will celebrate a feat that only two other Australian sides have ever achieved. (Cricinfo)
Australia 1st innings 326
England 1st innings 155
Australia 2nd innings
Rogers c and b Borthwick 119
Warner lbw b Anderson 16
Watson c Bairstow b Anderson 9
Clarke c Bairstow b Broad 6
Smith c Cook b Stokes 7
Bailey c Borthwick b Broad 46
Haddin b Borthwick 28
Johnson b Stokes 4
Harris c Carberry b Borthwick 13
Siddle c Bairstow b Rankin 4
Lyon not out 6
Extras (2-nb, 2-w, 14-lb) 18
Total (all out; 61.3 overs) 276
Bowling: Anderson 15-6-46-2, Broad 14-1-57-2, Rankin 12.3-047-1, Stokes 10-0-62-2, Borthwick 6-0-33-3, Pietersen 4-1-17-0
Fall of wickets: 27 (Warner), 47 (Watson), 72 (Clarke), 91 (Smith), 200 (Bailey), 239 (Haddin), 244 (Johnson), 255 (Rogers),
By Treiston Joseph
Top distance athlete Euleen Josiah-
Tanner’s success in 2013 has made a strong case for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) senior sportswomanof-the-year.
During the past year, Josiah-Tanner ran away with 13 distance events, both in Guyana and the U.S., where she resides.
In Guyana, Tanner won the Courts 10k road run in a time of 38 minutes, 23 seconds, while claiming the Neal and Massy 10k event in a time of 39 minutes, 21seconds.
Josiah-Tanner, who trains with the South Fulton Running Partners (SFRP) based in Atlanta, also had success in the Dental Dash 5k, winning the event in 19 minutes, 32 seconds; the Publix 5k in 19 minutes, 06 seconds; the War of Wellness 5k in 17 minutes, 42 seconds; the HBCU 5k in a time of 19 minutes, 03 seconds; the Road Runner of America 5k in 19 minutes, 12 seconds; the Running Nerds 5k in 18 minutes, 52 seconds; the 5k Race of Hope in 19 minutes,12 seconds; the Kirkwood Spring Fling 5k in 18 minutes, 52 seconds; the Silver Comet 10k in 37 minutes, 23 seconds; the Independence half-marathon in one hour, 29 minutes, 47 seconds and the Monday Night Brewing 10k in 41 minutes, 53 seconds.
The talented distance athlete, who is definitely making a name for herself, can be dubbed the top of her game and once in tip top condition
266 (Harris), 276 (Siddle)
England 2nd innings
Cook c Haddin b Johnson 7 Carberry c Haddin b Johnson 43
Bell c Warner b Harris 16
Pietersen c Bailey b Harris 6
Ballance lbw b Johnson 7
Stokes b Harris 32
Bairstow c Bailey b Lyon 0
Borthwick c Clarke b Lyon 4
Broad b Harris 42
Anderson not out 1
Rankin c Clarke b Harris 0
Extras (1-nb, 5-b, 2-lb) 8
Total (all out; 31.4 overs) 166
Bowling: Harris 9.4-4-255, Johnson 9-1-40-3, Siddle 4-1-24-0, Lyon 9-0-70-2
Fall of wickets: 7 (Cook), 37 (Bell), 57 (Pietersen), 87 (Carberry), 90 (Balance), 91 (Bairstow), 95 (Borthwick), 139 (Stokes), 166 (Broad), 166 (Rankin)
out runs all of her competition, including that of local distance star Alika Morgan.
Josiah-Tanner’s time of 17 minutes, 42 seconds in the War of Wellness 5k speaks of the athlete’s peak condition and what 2014 holds.
She has started the year off in style, winning the CBF 5k in Atlanta on Saturday in 19 minutes, 51 seconds with conditions at 20 degrees, noting that she was delighted with the effort in her first outing of the year.
With the athlete’s accomplishments in 2013, not many females in Guyana can stand up to such an unblemished record, perhaps with the exception of Nicolette Fernandes, who made a significant move up the female world ranking in squash last year. Indeed, it was a phenomenal year for the distance athlete that has grown to popularity over the last few years and her 13 wins should only give her a chance at Guyana’s top female awards for the past year.
Swansea won for the first time in their history at Old Trafford as Wilfried Bony’s 90th minute winner knocked a 10-man Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
The Dutch striker, who had caused anxiety in the United defence for most of the game, headed in Wayne Routledge’s cross to book a fourth-round spot against Birmingham, Bristol Rovers or Crawley Town.
The game looked like it was heading for a replay as the hosts held on following Fabio Da Silva’s red card 10
minutes from the end after he had scythed down Jose Canas.
But Bony’s strike ended a run of seven games without a win for the Swans, who had opened the scoring early on through Routledge before Javier Hernandez’s equaliser.
It marked a second consecutive defeat for David Moyes’s side, who also lost against Tottenham on New Year’s Day. They have lost five times at home this season, including four of their last six at Old Trafford. (BBC Sport)
By Garth Wattley
In 2012, West Indies were a team showing signs of improvement. Their efforts in 2013, however, represented definite backsliding.
The cautious optimism the stakeholders in Caribbean cricket harboured at the turn of the year was quashed by a series of reversals. It was a year of regression.
The promising run of six consecutive Test wins that had began in 2012 in the Caribbean came to an abrupt halt in India and now West Indies have lost four of the their last five Tests.
Unlike in 2012, there was no global title to celebrate. West Indies’ journey in the Champions Trophy in England was ended by the combination of DuckworthLewis and an untimely Kieron Pollard dismissal before the semi-final stage.
They also had another losing one-day record, winning just nine of 24 matches. Their T20 showing was better: three wins and two losses. But it was the manner in which West Indies played, or rather, did not play, that was the real cause for concern.
In their seven Tests, they lost by an innings three times, including both matches on the belatedly arranged tour of India and then once more on the visit to New Zealand.
On home turf in the ODIs, after winning their opening two matches of the trination series and seemingly well placed to reach the final, West Indies lost their remaining two games to India, the eventual winners, and Sri Lanka.
In those matches and in the Test defeats, West Indies were sloppy and lacking the resilient spirit that had come to define their cricket in 2012.
The nucleus of the squad deployed in the various formats had not changed. The selectors attempted to show faith in the same group in the hope that the players would mature relatively quickly.
They stuck faithfully with Kieran Powell, the Nevisian opener who had put together three centuries the previous year, including two in the same Test against Bangladesh. But Powell never reached those standards in 2013, ending it averaging an unsatisfactory 20.00.
The selectors had also introduced fast bowler Shannon Gabriel on the 2012 tour of England, and they gave him another go, following his recovery from a back injury, against Zimbabwe, India (as a replacement for Kemar Roach) and New Zealand. But after a promising effort against the newly reintroduced Zimbabweans in two Tests, he fell away so
dramatically that he was out of the side for the final Test against New Zealand.
Roach and Ravi Rampaul, as productive a new-ball pair as West Indies have had since the retirements of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, could not stay fit enough to share the new ball for anything like a sustained period.
Rampaul was either unavailable because of injury, or simply not risked in any Test, while Roach - one of the world’s leading bowlers in 2012 - managed just the two Tests against Zimbabwe. Andre Russell’s form was such that he played only four ODIs and three T20s all year.
Bowling attack
The absence of a settled bowling attack meant that by the latter part of the year, Darren Sammy’s Test team had become overly dependent on Shane Shillingford’s off-spin; an option that ran out after his subsequent suspension from international cricket.
Just as debilitating to the team cause in the Test and one-day formats was the decline of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels. Gayle averaged 19-plus in an ODI season, and in the four Tests he played before a hamstring injury curtailed his year, he averaged 40. The bulk
injury ended his season too. His made six scores of zero in 17 one-day innings.
The lack of production from those pillars of the team may have been due to a variety of reasons. But those failures gave the less established support cast the chance to embrace more responsibility. They did not quite do that.
And that collective inability to handle the extra pressure and add quality to their individual games was as much the reason for West Indies’ disappointing year as anything else.
Darren Bravo was fairly consistent in the ODIs, with one century and six fifties. But he needed to make more of some of those good starts. His double-century in the Dunedin Test was the highlight of a disappointing Test match run.
It was an innings constructed under great pressure and was the difference between an honourable draw and a heavy defeat. However, two failures followed in Wellington. It is the sustained production of innings of both quantity and quality that the selectors still anxiously await.
His captains - Sammy in the Tests and T20s and brother Dwayne in the ODIs – badly need the support. Their own 2013 form was
of those runs came against Zimbabwe.
But in general, Gayle’s runs were not influential or match-winning. His quick exits put extra pressure on his partners - Powell in the Tests, Johnson Charles in the ODIs, and No. 3 Darren Bravo in both formats.
Pollard started the year strongly in the ODI series in Australia, but faded before
below par and neither could compensate for their failures in other departments of the game.
Bravo, given the one-day captaincy, tried to bring energy and aggression to the job. But his lack of runs will have been a worry. Sammy’s quiet year, with the ball especially, meant that his allrounder’s spot remained under scrutiny.
Unsurprisingly, the veter-
an Shivnarine Chanderpaul, now past 11,000 Test runs, was one of the precious few who maintained his level of performance, as did the offspinner Sunil Narine in ODIs and T20s. His six-wicket haul in his sole Test of the year also boosted what has been a slow start to his Test career.
Apart from those two, wicketkeeper-batsman and vice-captain Denesh Ramdin quietly shored up his place in the Test side in 2013. His century under pressure in the final Test against New Zealand contributed to a healthy average of 45.55 for the year.
Three centuries in the last 18 months represent encouraging returns. At least in his case, the report card could be marked “improved.”
Limacol CPL
The biggest ray of sunshine was provided by the inaugural season of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The T20 franchise series captivated the public across the region, without exception.
It brought atmosphere and fresh enthusiasm to grounds long devoid of those ingredients. It provided more work for players in the Caribbean, brought a few more into the limelight, and demonstrated the potential to get more youngsters genuinely interested in the game.
The three innings defeats, especially the two in India in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series, were alarming and dispiriting.
But Shilingford’s suspension from international cricket for a second time for an illegal action summed up West Indies’ year.
The off-spinner was prolific, bagging 36 wickets to emerge in 2013 as a bowler the team could rely on. His removal was a body blow, not only for the player but the team as a whole. It was
a case of one stride forward, three well back.
It was not his first year of international cricket, but Johnson Charles improved his credentials as an opening batsman in the shorter formats with some substantial innings. He chose a tough tour to Australia in which to score his maiden ODI century, in a series the tourists lost 5-0.
He followed an even 100 in Melbourne in February with 130 against Zimbabwe later that same month. More prudent shot selection bore results for this fearless attacker.
But choice of shots and choice of time to play them is an area that Charles will have to work on if he is to become a true asset to the side.
Samuels, so outstanding for his focus in 2012, had a slow start to the year because of an eye injury. He never caught himself and did not seem to have the same resolve at the crease that had defined his batting in 2012.
A chronic wrist problem, which eventually caused him to leave the New Zealand tour ahead of the limitedovers series, may have had something to do with some of those failures.
Fading, friction
Now that he is almost 33, there ought to be at least two good years left for Samuels to use his obvious gifts in West Indies’ cause. The big question, however, is whether the motivation he seemed to lack in 2013 will return.
West Indies stumbled through the last two months of 2013 giving off a sense of insecurity and uncertainty that has come to define too many seasons.
For once, friction between the administrators and the players’ body was not a source of turmoil. New leadership on both sides has brought more civil, less pub-
lic exchanges.
The Limacol CPL also put some wind in the sails of the WICB ship. But the disastrous results in India and New Zealand at the end of the year were a reminder of the rough waters West Indies cricket is still in.
The Darren Sammy-Ottis Gibson captain-coach combination that had coaxed, spirited and committed cricket from their charges in 2012, did not do the same in 2013. Darren Bravo’s departure from the West Indies ODI series for “personal reasons” still unexplained at the time of writing, left room for unhealthy speculation. And comments about a lack of team unity by his brother, ODI skipper Dwayne, when he joined the tour, pointed to a team in crisis.
In his comments after the Test series in New Zealand, Sammy, an admirable leader in many respects, sounded like a man who had reached his limit.
His time at the helm could well be at an end. But what new WICB president Dave Cameron and his board directors must also realise is that Sammy has done the best he could with what he has had to work with.
The failures of technique and application that led to embarrassment and disappointment this year, were a reflection not just on individuals but of the problems existing at grass-roots level in the Caribbean. That state of play will not be changing in 2014.
Cameron boldly said back in June: “Anything that I am able to achieve in my presidency will be as a result of what we were able to achieve on the field.” He should brace himself for some trying times. (Cricinfo)
Dr Frank Anthony
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Equipment necessary for the erection of the six towers and floodlights at the Albion Sports Complex will arrive on Tuesday, according to Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony.
The arrival of the necessary equipment will pave the way for the completion of the project within another three months.
Dr Anthony made the disclosure last Friday at his ministry’s 2013 end-of-year press conference.
“We are awaiting right now a key component to come in and that should arrive in Guyana on the 7th of January, and once that component is here within another three months or so those lights should be installed,” Anthony said.
Currently, the civil and electrical works are ongoing. Cummings Electrical is re-
sponsible for that aspect of the project, inclusive of the construction of the six light towers, along with boxes to hold the light towers and a control house for the lights. Those works are expected to be completed shortly at a cost of $91 million.
Upon completion of that component, United States of America-based Musco Lighting Company will install the floodlights at a cost US$235,000.
Meanwhile, it is yet to be decided if the lights will be powered by independent generators or whether they will be linked to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) grid.
The Albion Sports Complex was the venue for the first ever One-Day International cricket match in the West Indies, which was played on March 16, 1977, between West Indies and Pakistan. The match was won by the West Indies by four wickets.
The venue, which was one of the premiere cricketing venues in Guyana is tandem with Bourda, has hosted a number of one-day games, but it has been more than two decades now that an international game has not been played at the venue.
The venue holds a 300-metre athletics track and can also host a number of different sport activities. The facility can accommodate in excess of 5,000 spectators.
By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
It is safe to say that Guyanese cricketers find Canada a perfect destination to play the game on an annual basis. Their dominance again in 2013 has demonstrated their commitment and willingness to be part of the action in North America.
When the last season concluded, many of them left with some handsome performances and have already expressed profound aspiration to return in 2014, thanks to an invitation from Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA).
In the Elite League, and more specifically the 50-over version, there was a great sense of satisfaction as they churned out impressive performances in both the batting and bowling departments.
Guyanese presence
Over 20 cricketers from the Land of Many Waters travelled up to participate in the 2013 season and proved their capabilities with a large number of attractive scores and bowling figures.
Former West Indies oneday player Royston Crandon has been a steady player over the past four years and he showed his class for Vikings Cricket Club in the Major League, while he emerged as a leading player in the Scarborough Cricket Association competition, representing the championship team, Hawaii Artic Cricket Club.
Ryan Ramdass, a determined opener, would have also attired in the prestigious maroon colours and has come to North America to play in the Elite competition. His stint with Islanders Cricket Club in last year’s
tournament was reasonably successful. He featured in Brampton/Etobicoke League in which he registered a double-century at his time off from the big league.
As much as these cricketers are pleased with their performances and their core focus in Canada to enhance their cricket skills, special appreciation must go to the administration of T&DCA. The executives there continue to play a pivotal role in the social fabric of Canada’s society and instill a deep passion in the hearts of Canadian sportsmen.
Unifying force
It is very rare to find a unifying force such as this, which surpasses all boundaries of age, gender and ethnicity where players from all walks of life are present.
The national team has been quite inconsistent with their international performances over the years despite featuring in several International Cricket Council 50-over World Cup tournaments, but with the talent coming from Guyana and being proactive with the game is indeed commendable.
Guyana’s opening bats-
man Rajendra Chandrika made his first appearance last year, wearing the Vikings’ colours. He said he was overwhelmed to be in Toronto plying his trade and was very grateful for the opportunity to showcase his talent and more importantly play in a competitive manner.
Former Guyana Under-19 captain Eugene LaFluer was also a debutant last year and his contributions for Victoria Park Cricket Club in both Elite and Premier Divisions were absolutely remarkable. He stated that he was anxious to play for Guyana at the senior level and that was one of his primary reasons for being in Canada.
The solid left-handed batsman scored over 300 runs in both competitions, while he took over 20 wickets with his left-arm spin. His fellow Berbician and another ex-youth player, Dominic Rikhi certainly enjoyed his second stint, having scored a century (176*) for Victoria Park.
At the moment in excess of 50 Guyanese cricketers are involved in the annual T&DCA Elite and Premier Divisions, while several play-
ers have featured in the first and second division tournaments.
Travis Blyden and Elton Baker had done exceedingly well for Civics Cricket Club scoring a substantial amount of runs while they took wickets and led their team to the next divisions for the 2014 season.
Just before his departure to Guyana, the right-hander batsman and leg-spinner Blyden related that he was delighted to be back in Canada and playing professional cricket. He also mentioned that playing with the likes of former West Indies batsman Keith Semple was a great honour.
Fast bowler Trevon Garraway was outstanding in the Scarborough League bowling with speed and accuracy in the final for Haiwaii. So devastating was Garraway that he took four wickets for just six runs to help skittle out the opposition for an embarrassing 25. Some of the other Guyanese who plied their in Canada last year were Gavin Singh, Wasim Haslim, Ejaz Mohamed, Ricardo Jadunauth, Anthony D’Andrade, Harrinarine Chattergoon, Krishna Deosaran, Herman Latcha, brothers Ian and Roy Gonsalves and Trevor Henry.
Some of the Guyanese who are living and playing in Canada are Zaheer Haniff, Eon Katchay, Raakesh Goberdhan, Ian Baldeo, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Kenneth Wong, Arjune Nandu, Sunil Dhaniram, Azib Ally Haniff, Glen Robinson, Jeremy Gordon, Damodar Daesrath, Mark Montfort, and Farouk Hussain among others.
By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
The inclusion of veteran batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan will be a tremendous boost for Guyana who should now be more equipped and ready to bring back glory in the upcoming NAGICO Super50 competition organised by the West Indies Cricket Board.
Their experience will be great assets for the South American boys who have not been able to win the title since 2005. Incidentally, Chanderpaul was the man who led Guyana to the last triumph at Bourda where they defeated archrival Barbados in thrilling KFC Cup final.
The left-hander, a former West Indies captin, will be asked to take up the responsibility since they can count on his reliability, while Sarwan, also a former West Indies skipper, has the capability of being dominant on his day.
Of the two, only Sarwan, the elegant right-hander, featured in the just concluded Guyana Cricket Board’s senior Inter-county 50-over tournament which was primari-
ly used to name a provisional 37man squad in preparations for the regional limited-over competition that will commence late January.
Chanderpaul was unavoidably absent due to his commitment with West Indies team on the tours of India and New Zealand.
Chanderpaul’s inclusion is very pivotal to Guyana’s success at the next tournament and once he can partner with Sarwan well, Guyana will ultimately benefit.
Major factor
Their seniority is also a major factor since the tournament will attract all the powerhouse teams likes Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and defending champions Jamaica. They are the obvious ace batsmen and runs are expected to come in great flurry.
To add to their skills and the power of concentration, both Chanderpaul and Sarwan have participated in a number of successful partnerships for their country and by extension the West Indies side on international assignments.
Their presence, along with that of a plethora of limited-over specialists, will make Guyana strong
contenders for title honours, despite the other teams being at full strength.
Eight years have elapsed since the last title, and the current crop of players must be cognisant of the legacy left by some stalwarts of yesteryear, including Roy Fredericks, Clive Lloyd, Milton Pydanna, Carl Hooper, Roger Harper and Chanderpaul, who have all led Guyana to championships in the past.
With the presence of Chanderpaul and Sarwan in 2014, Guyana should be able to end the drought especially if the duo peak at the right time and the other players justify the faith the selectors have placed in them.
Despite being consistently overlooked by the West Indies selectors for ODI duties, Chanderpaul has shown the kind of aggression and flamboyance and that should inspire the team’s confidence.
Sarwan is another seasoned batsman whom the West Indies selectors continue to ignore over the past months, but his presence in the Guyana team is more than welcomed since he has a wealth of experience playing at the highest level.
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has described 2013 as a highly successful year during which the body was able to organise cricket at all levels and also complete over 60 off-field cricket programmes/activities in its ongoing effort to develop cricket in the Ancient County.
Public Relations Officer of the BCB and recently reappointed chairman of its Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster, stated that despite not being able to fulfill all of its stated goals due to the rainy season and the non-functioning of the Special Events Committee for six months due to his ill health, the BCB is proud of its numerous achievements, both on and off the cricket field.
The BCB in the early part of 2013 was able to complete the 2012 edition of the Tenelec Inc. 50-over tournament, which was won by Albion Community Centre; the Neal and Massy Intermediate, which won by the Rose Hall Town Pepsi; the Elizabeth Styles Under-19 tournament which saw Albion Community Centre emerging as winners and the Carib Beer 20/20 first division tournament, which was also won by Albion Community Centre.
Inter-zone level
At the Inter-zone level, Young Warriors defeated Tucber Park for the 2013 Bobcat of Guyana trophy that was played for teams in the New Amsterdam/Canje area, while D’Edward won the West Berbice version to take home the Norman Singh Memorial trophy.
Courtland All Stars defeated Albion Community Centre to win their first cricket title and to take home the Raffik Construction trophy for second division teams in the Lower Corentyne area. A two-day match was also played in West Berbice for the Jumbo Jet trophy.
At the Inter-zone level, Lower Corentyne defeated New Amsterdam/ Canje to clinch the National Communication Network
Under-15 tournament, while at the Under-17 level they also won the Republic Bank title, defeating the same opponents in the final.
The Diamond Fire and General Insurance Under-19 Inter-zone final is still to be completed due to the rainy season and would be contested shortly between Lower Corentyne and New Amsterdam/Canje. Albion Community Centre defeated Young Warriors Universal DVD to lift the 2013 Berbice River Bridge 50-overs trophy after Jonathan Foo and Sewnarine Chattergoon blasted centuries in the final.
All-round performance
A brilliant all-round performance from Test player Assad Fudadin piloted Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets to the Namilco/ Bakewell 20/20 title over Albion Community Centre, while Bermine got pass West Berbice to take home the Universal DVD 20/20 trophy.
The 2013 New Building Society 40-over tournament, which attracted over 120 teams, would be completed shortly with the final to be contested between Young Warriors and Number 71.
Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes would contest in the 2013 Tenelec Inc. Under-15 tournament final early next week,
while the 2013 Tenelec Inc, Under-17 is currently at the quarter-final stage. The 2013 Hand-in-Hand second division tournament for teams in West Berbice has started, but has been suspended until this year due to the weather.
Inter-county level, At the Inter-county level, Berbice won the Senior four-day tournament after crushing Demerara in less than three days. The following Berbice players played for Guyana during 2013: (Under-15) - Adrian Sukhwa, Matthew Hardyal, Sylus Tyndall; (Under-17) - Brandon Prashad, Daniel Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Parmanand Ramdhan and Grisean Grant; (Under-19) - Shawn Pereira, Shimron Hetmyer, Askay Homraj and Romario Shepherd. On the distaff side, Phaffiana Millington, Steffi Rodney, S. Ghandie and Erica Lashley represented Guyana at the Under-19 level, while Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Subrina Munroe, Melanie Henry, Trishanie Cort, Phaffiana Millington and Tremayne Smartt made the senior national team.
Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Narsingh Deonarine and Veerasammy Permaul played for the West Indies “A” team, while Permaul and Deonarine represented the West Indies at the ODI and Test lev-
els. Gudakesh Motie and Shimron Hetmyer also represented the West Indies at the Under-19 level. Subrina Munroe, Shemaine Campbelle and Tremayne Smartt were also permanent members of the West Indies female ODI and 20/20 teams.
The BCB, off the cricket field, was able to host numerous programmes during the period of January
ing programme, television programmes, essay and posters competitions, GUYOIL countywide coaching sessions, unveiling of the Carib Beer billboard of Berbice Test players and several coaching clinics for batsmen, bowlers and wicketkeepers.
The BCB also made several donations of items to 17 cricket teams and also made presentations to nu-
Group of Companies, GT&T, Feroze Barakat, Diamond Fire and General Insurance, Republic Bank, NEW GPC INC., Ricks and Sari Agro Industries, Raffik Construction, Bobcat of Guyana, Elizabeth Styles, GUYOIL, Neal and Massy, Norman Singh Memorial, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, New Building Society, Bissan’s Trading, Berbice River Bridge, Namilco and Bakewell.
Meanwhile, the BCB, which was formed in 1939 to administer the game of cricket in Berbice, will be celebrating its 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) during 2014.
A Special Committee, led by Hilbert Foster and Anil Beharry, has been established to plan for the special occasion. The Committee has already started to plan for the year-long celebration and among the plans disclosed so far are a Interfaith prayer session, anti-drugs cricketers’ march, 40-page full-coloured 75th anniversary magazine, television programmes, essay and quiz competitions, launching of a hall of fame
to June and these included the Berbice Educational Trust Fund, annual awards ceremony, launch of the annual review magazine, Scotiabank annual cricket academy, junior elite training programme, tribute to heroes, tribute to retired cricketers, tribute to coaches, senior elite train-
merous Non-Governmental Organisations in Berbice, while school bags and educational materials were also distributed to less fortunate cricketers who are attending school.
With the Special Events Committee coming back on stream in early December, the BCB also assisted the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association with Christmas hampers and donated toys to children’s homes and visited the New Amsterdam Hospital’s Children’s Ward to share out toys.
The BCB, Foster stated, is grateful to all of its sponsors for their continued confidence in the board and for investing in Berbice cricket.
Special thanks were expressed to the sponsors of the cricket tournaments and major programmes.
These partners include Office of the President, NCN, Tenelec Inc., Memorex (Amerally Sawmill), Ansa McAl Trading, Universal DVD, Hand-in-Hand
for administrators, a musical evening with the Guyana Police Band, special cricket match between Berbice and Georgetown, sharing out of 75 food hampers for senior citizens and a cocktail reception.
Plans
Plans are also on stream for a cricket discussion featuring West Indies greats Clive Lloyd, Basil Butcher and another Test player and the printing of 75th anniversary souvenirs.
The BCB, Foster stated, intends to make the anniversary celebration an outstanding success especially in the month of September. The board would like to encourage all former Test players, national players and former administrators of Berbice cricket, who reside overseas, to plan their next vacation during the month of September 2014 so that they can be part of the historic Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
