Guyana Times Daily

Students of the Government Technical Institute display one of the exhibits at the Education Ministry fair held at the Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown on Thursday

Teacher chopped in confrontation at Mocha Arcadia

Aher body which were inflicted by a female neighbour on Wednesday after-

noon in Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara.

Abigail Dublin, 33, of Lot I Carol Place, Mocha Arcadia, was reportedly attacked by the suspect, Donna Lashley, who was subsequently arrested at Chappell Street, Georgetown after she attempted to escape. The suspect is presently at the East La Penitence Police Station assisting with investigations.

Old grouse

The incident allegedly stemmed from an old grouse between the two women which worsened Wednesday evening during a heated argument. Dublin and Lashley live in the same building. The teacher occupies the lower flat of the house while Lashley lives in the upper flat.

After the argument about 18:00h, Dublin reportedly went into her home and turned on her music system. This action, according to information received, further

angered Lashley, who created a commotion in the upper flat of the house. A quantity of glass ware belonging to Dublin subsequently fell and was destroyed as a result.

In an attempt to address the issue, Dublin reportedly went to Lashley’s apartment and called out to her that she wanted to “talk things” over, but her door remained locked. In anger, Dublin then reportedly stuck one of the windows that subsequently broke.

The injured woman’s sister, Abony, explained that after the window broke, Lashley reportedly telephoned Dublin’s mother and

suggested that she intervene in the matter or there will be “bloodshed”.

A few minutes later, the sister explained Lashley opened her door, but instead of coming outside, she hid behind the door with a chopper in her hands. Unaware of the development, Dublin again went towards the door to “sort out” the issue, but was attacked.

Dublin’s sister recounted that the women had an issue on Saturday last when Lashley reportedly accused her sibling of interfering in her business.

After the attack, Dublin’s relatives rushed her to the

Woodlands Hospital where she was admitted. The matter was reported to the Mocha Arcadia Police Outpost. Guyana Times understands that the suspect packed her bag, took a taxi and left for Georgetown, so police were unable to arrest her.

Upon enquiring, relatives were informed that she took a taxi from a taxi service base and tracked down the taxi driver who took them in the company of police ranks to where he had taken Lashley. The police are continuing their investigations into the matter.

Election candidate thanks NY Guyanese

By Vishnu Bisram

Dwho came third in the September 10 primary elections, thanked the New York Guyanese community for their endorsement and support at a public dinner reception on Wednesday evening. It marked the first time that any candidate ever revisited Richmond Hill after an election to show appreciation for the Guyanese community’s support.

The public advocate is next in line to succeed the mayor.

Although Saujani was defeated, she said she was not walking away from the Guyanese community and floated the idea of the formation of a political organisation that would advocate for the interests of the growing South Asian and Caribbean communities and other immigrant groups.

Saujani was born in Uganda, expelled by the dictator Idi Amin; grew up in Illinois with her parents; studied law at Yale; and settled in, worked in and ran for office in New York.  She worked on the campaigns of John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, raising millions of dollars for them. She also worked at the White House as an intern.

Classy campaign

A poll conducted last June had her receiving four per cent of votes. She garnered 15 per cent of the votes in the election. Guyanese community leader Vishnu Mahadeo said Saujani ran a decent and classy campaign and brought dignity to the political race.

There was no winner in the race as no candidate attained the minimum threshold of 40 per cent.

A run-off will be held on October 1 between the top two finishers Leticia James and Daniel Squadron. Saujani is backing James and is also urging people to support Bill DeBalsio for mayor on November 4.

At the thank you reception held at the Richie Rich

Catering Hall in the heart of Richmond Hill, Saujani told the group of community leaders: “I thank you for everything you did for me and I am sorry that I failed to get elected. I am very grateful to the Guyanese community.”

Speaker after speaker praised Saujani, telling her that she did not fail in her bid for election, but opened paths for Indo-Caribbean people and others to seek office.  One speaker said: “We failed you by not coming out to vote.” The turnout rate among Guyanese was extremely low.

In lamenting the low voter turnout among Guyanese, Mahadeo noted that the thank-you event has helped the process of coalition building with other communities and Guyanese.

He is of the view that “Reshma’s run for office starts a new chapter for the development of the Guyanese community. It is not an accident that the event was held in Richmond Hill in the heart of the Indo-Caribbean and Punjabi communities”.

Political structure

Mahadeo noted that “unlike other candidates who sought Richmond Hill support and received hundreds of thousands of dollars, Reshma has not disappeared. She wanted to do something right for the community after her loss. She came right back to the community. Fifteen per cent support is no easy task. With this support, we have become more relevant to the political structure. I welcome the idea of starting a powerful political organisation for Indo-Caribbeans and South Asians”.

The community leader believes Saujani will use her connections to bring issues facing the community to the mayor’s office.

Other Guyanese leaders who addressed the gathering included District Democratic Leader Dr Taj Rajkumar and Community Board Leader Lutchman Budhai.

emocratic public advocate candidate Reshma Saujani,

teacher attached to the St Ann’s Primary School, Agricola, East Bank Demerara is presently

nursing several chop wounds about

Injured: Abigail Dublin

Pact signed for setting up Child Advocacy Centre

The Human Services Ministry, in partnership with Forward Guyana and ChildLinK, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Child Advocacy Centre.

The MoU was signed at the ministry’s boardroom, Georgetown. According to Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster, the venture paves way for a ground-breaking initiative, which will provide services for abused children.

“The government cannot do it alone and partnerships as these are essential for providing better services and strengthening our responsibilities in society,” said Webster.

Emphasising that the centre will serve as a ‘one stop shop’ for abused children, she continued: “Abused children are often forced to relive their experience because of the system. The ‘one stop shop’ will play a role in providing better services, strengthen responsibilities, and assist the child protection agency.”

She noted that child protection is everybody’s business.

Speaking on behalf of Forward Guyana, Directors Chantalle L Haynes and Ayodele Dalgety-Dean re-

vealed that as soon as the Child Care and Protection Agency begins providing referrals to the Child Advocacy Centre, work will commence. However, training in forensic investigations for the caregivers will begin in January. Haynes noted that the Child Advocacy Centre will be the first in the Caribbean. She said funds will come from the Guyanese diaspora and private sector companies. The centre will bring together partnerships at the community level to tackle child abuse.

Better aftercare Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene stated that the need for community involvement is crucial in the fight to protect children.

“With the available programmes for children and establishment of this centre, [we] will provide better aftercare

for children who are abused and their families. We will even begin to record the interviews with the children; that can be used later on in court rather than having the child go through the ordeal... repeatedly,” said Greene.

Also present at the ceremony was new United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative for Guyana and Suriname Marianne Flach, who stated that the MoU is a symbol of partnerships among the agencies all working for a brighter future of Guyana’s children.

“Forward Guyana will aid in solidifying protocols and achieve positive results for the protection of children through the implementation, training which the centre will provide,” Flach added.

Forward Guyana is a registered not-for-profit company located in Georgetown.

They work with communities, families, and individuals who have projects designed to improve lives within the communities they live.

In many cases, the organisation can make the necessary connections to raise money, provide expertise and help manage projects, as well as ensure that projects, and are sustainable and effective. Forward Guyana aims to provide support to ordinary people in communities trying to make their lives better.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster looks on as Forward Guyana Director Chantalle L Haynes, Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene, and Member of Parliament Pastor Kwame Gilbert sign the MoU at the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s boardroom on Thursday

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

The violent attack by terrorists in a mall in Kenya that took 67 lives is a reminder of the existential threat faced by countries today from people with extremist positions. As the leaders of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) pointed out, the group may claim to be “Islamic” but their actions are a betrayal of what that religion is all about. Their actions are all about having a mentality that declares they are the sole possessors of TRUTH – in capital letters.

In such situations, there are at least two inevitable consequences.

Elephant polo anyone?

The 12th annual elephant polo tournament took place in the seaside resort of Hua Hin, south of Bangkok, Thailand from August 28 to September 1. Around a dozen teams, some made up of professionals, others amateurs, took part in the

The terrorist threat Forestry conservation efforts must be maintained

Firstly, that others who do not accept their truth are irretrievablly mistaken and, secondly, that since they are acting from a position of truth, they can take whatever action they feel necessary to convince others of their truth. After all, truth and correct action have to be coterminous. We can group these extremists on a continuum and we have to be alert to their existence early on so that appropriate action can be taken before they can commit such terror as occurred in Kenya.

In Guyana, we can discern the beginning of extremist thinking in the actions of the opposition since the last elections. We inherited a liberal political system in Guyana from the British, in which all opinions are not only allowed to flourish, but encouraged to flourish. There is an acceptance that no one or no one group is the sole repository of truth. The liberal mindset, then, is the complete anti-thesis of the extremist’s position. We are supposed to settle differences, political or otherwise, through debates, discussions and the vote.

Knowing that one can be wrong in one’s conclusions, forces one to accept that honourable people can “agree to disagree”. But suddenly in Guyana, we have the opposition insisting that it should only be “their way or the highway”, as far as governance in the country is concerned. Take the matter that will certainly rear its head when the National Assembly reconvenes in a few weeks: the cuts on the budget that they made for the second time earlier this year.

When they took this radical action last year, the government properly pointed out that they thought the opposition’s action was mistaken and violative of the Constitution, which delineates the role and responsibilities of the various arms of the government and state. They then took the matter to the courts (the judiciary) as is spelled out in the Constitution as the avenue to be taken whenever there are disputes between the executive and the legislature. The courts, in the person of no less than the chief justice of the country, then ruled that the opposition was indeed in error and that they had no authority for making cuts on the government’s budget.

In such an instance, again stemming from the view that one can be mistaken, if the opposition believes that the judiciary is wrong in its conclusions, the system provides them with recourse. They can appeal the matter to first, the local appellate courts and then, if they are still in disagreement, with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). But what the opposition has instead done, in the fashion of extremists, is to insist that they are in sole possession of the truth, and that they will therefore continue with the actions that have been deemed by the courts to be ultra vires.

The instance we have cited is only one of a whole series of actions that betray the extremist nature of the Guyanese opposition. What is most dangerous at this time is that some of their members might become emboldened to take more drastic actions to impose their version of the truth.

We have already had some members make open calls for such actions. Others with fewer inhibitions might be encouraged to also go down that road.

Dear Editor, Guyana is gathering momentum in some key areas. This was quite well expounded by President Donald Ramotar recently at the 28th Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC) in Guyana. It crossed my mind that many times, amidst the more important issues, we miss some smaller ones that have great importance too.

This whole business of bird watching is a growing phenomenon and it has environmental consequences. Noise and smoke chase away our avian friends and if we follow where they are going, we will see why forest conservation is important. We miss this sometimes.

In the Himalayan

Mountains of China, people maintain hundreds of sacred forests as part of their religious practice. Now a new study suggests that birds use these protected patches as refuges when extreme weather hits. A team of scientists studied 62 plots in China’s northwest Yunnan Province that contains large rivers and dramatic gorges. The area hosts many unique bird species and offers rest spots for migrating birds.

Local Tibetans have marked certain mountains and forest fragments in the region as sacred. Guyana can go this way, not in terms or religion per se, but as high points in tourism and ecological studies.

Guyana successfully participated at the British Bird Watching

Fair in August in Rutland, England. The occasion saw over 300 exhibitors from across the world take part, and which attracted over 25,000 visitors. It is time that we channel some of these visitors here now.

Guyana is continuing to play a leading role in the forestry sector as is evident in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) initiative, which creates an avenue for Guyana to receive financial support for its contribution to reducing emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) as defined in the Bali Action Plan.

Therefore, Guyana’s partnership with the Kingdom of Norway is something that we must all be proud of. In fact, the LCDS has laid a platform

for other countries to follow. This kind of groundwork can aid in the transformation of economies, as financial resources are being channelled toward sustainable development.

Only a few weeks back, the British government renewed its support for the LCDS, through several initiatives, including supporting the Programme Management Unit of the Office of the President, that was set up to attract outside investment in specific low carbon sectors.

We have to stay on this path. We have done the hard work. Others are following in the same vein, and it will be foolish to back track now.

Yours sincerely, Jennifer Ramkissoon

The guarantor requirement at UG

Dear Editor,

The requirement that a University of Guyana (UG) student having to get a guarantor within a certain age bracket is nothing prohibitive. One person, an anti-government columnist, is saying that it is a heartbreaking situation in which he is appealing to the government to intervene.

From what I have heard

from actual affected students, it is that the matter is already circulating among the relevant people. Maybe we will hear from the right people in time to come, but until then I am not for blowing things out of proportion.

This particular columnist has no credibility to appeal or implore as such. I cannot say if he is just purposely being sycophan-

tic, but it will not work. If the forces that be feel that there is a need to make changes, it will be all because of a totally independent decision and not one that was influenced by any, but the few students themselves.

The situation is that just a few UG students may have their guarantors coming to the stipulated age limit of 55. The

Finance Ministry stipulates that any guarantor must not be over this cutoff. Then, any problems in the event of death of a guarantor during a student’s university tenure, can be easily addressed. There can be a down payment, or a locked off sum of money from the donor.

Yours truly, Selwyn Charles

King’s Cup elephant polo tournament, aimed at raising awareness on elephant conservation in Thailand (The Vancouver Sun)

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

Reading and literacy Time for big buses

Dear Editor, I do not have to think “accident” to inspire thoughts of going for some big buses, even though that alone can suffice. I am on the side of those elderly folk, who suffer so much during peak hours. The current crop of drivers simply refuse them, unless they have some kind of connection with them, say a friend’s mother, or a person from the same village. Our elderly are only picked up

when passengers are hard to get, that is, when the roads are almost bereft of people.

So what we have is a situation where she is the victim of discrimination. There are so many of these people who feel the brunt of these drivers and conductors.

There has to be a turn system at all the parks. This will eliminate the touts. These touts are a real pest to people. We have to put an end to this form of pimping.

Then if every park can have a traffic officer, ensuring a turn system, the elderly will not be disadvantaged, and a thing like overloading will be stamped out. As an extra, the cops will be able to check for noisy stereo systems and their accompanying large sound boxes. This will make their work so much easier and life for the travelling public will be far better. Why are we waiting? This kind of thing does not

call for legislation. In recent times, quite a few people have come out in support of having some big busses. It is time for the authorities to listen and make a move. Quality of living must be there for the elderly and the less fortunate, and the least that can be thought of is to make travelling very easy for them.

Yours truly, Roger Greenidge

No one should take the law

into their own hands

Dear Editor,

A Mc Doom resident was fined $100,000 for wounding a man who was apparently installing an illegal electrical connection from his yard. People need to know that they must never take the law into their own hands. We have this mindset that if we did not start the fight, we

can be excused for reacting. Civilised people do not operate this way. We all recall schooldays, when we thought that the good old teacher would have excused us from hitting back, after we were hit. He/she would always say that we should have complained. It is the same here too.

We all want swift address of a situation, but reporting a wrong and getting a court action will never be a swift operation. This calls for maturity and patience. However, by doing things the right way, we end up the winners for it. The other thing is that many of us are of the opinion that if we do wrong for a right cause, we

can get off. Not so at all! The call then is that we leave our officers of law to do all the enforcing. If we each take the law into our hands, there will be total bloodshed, and only the strong, right or wrong, will survive.

Yours sincerely, Victoreen Robinson

Fixing the Parfaite Harmonie Primary School

Dear Editor,

I was very fortunate that in my schooldays there was never a fire. So I really feel sorry for children who are so displaced when their school is no more. It really stresses out everybody – children, parents, teachers and education officials. I trust therefore that the Parfaite Harmonie Primary School will get back on stream fully.

This leads me back to the nonsense in Linden, when under the pretext of a pro-

test, public buildings were destroyed, namely a school. Up to now, the children are totally off, as the school is still to be set. It is not easy setting up a school building. I think that perpetrators of this kind of act must be met with swift judgement.

The Finance Ministry has made available $14 million to effect repairs to the section of the Parfaite Harmonie Primary School which was destroyed by fire and the construction will be

Police must be called in to stop domestic disputes

Dear Editor, Whenever there is a domestic dispute and it leads to abuse of any sort, the relevant authorities must be informed. Relatives and community members must go this route.

Abusers know that there is a reluctance to tell and they thrive on it. If the police are called in, this will be eliminated. Also, informing the police or calling in the relevant authorities would send a strong message to the abusers.

Yours truly,

Gaitri Lall

done in a manner that classes will not be disrupted. This will be difficult, but it must be attempted. Maybe works can be done at nights, when this is possible. Knowing the nature of children, a double check must be made on them as regards their safety. They should be off limits. We do not want a tragedy of any sort.

I personally take my hat off to those living with this situation. I applaud the people affected for showing

such patience and tolerance. Their attitude helps a lot. This kind of thing really promotes the well-being of all. I urge for the continuance of this same spirit until all is said and done. We all want our children to live in a good environment, physically, educationally and socially.

Yours respectfully, Resident of Parfaite Harmonie Name withheld by request

Dear Editor, The education minister said that, when it comes to literacy among children, Guyana is not in a terrible place. That is very true, but we must not stay where we are. This is Education Month and the theme is, “Transforming Classrooms for the 21st Century,” and reading will help to achieve this.

So far, the Education Ministry, in an effort to increase literacy levels in Guyana, has handed out free books to the public, conducted a reading drive, and launched a number of “give-a-book” campaigns. However, literacy level, and I mean functional literacy, will not be improved by sudden bursts of inspiration.

Follow up checks must now be made. It makes no sense that people read today for 15 minutes, or even an hour, and then wait again for another special emphasis. I read the book, My Bones and My Flute, all because I heard it on radio. So one thing that can be done to ensure continuous reading is to use radio and television – this will definitely help.

Many blind folk will relish this. It does not even have to be a book, it can be poems. If this can be done during school hours, the children can be a part of it, and I suggest a 15-minute weekly. This can end up at the close of the school term to something like over 12 po-

ems. Take that to half of an hour per week, and we can slip in a few short stories. My point is that we must read habitually, if only for entertainment. The by-product will of course be manifold language improvement – fluency, increasing vocabulary and ultimately better writing skills.

As the ministry will be implementing a new 2014 strategic plan aimed at increasing the country’s literacy rate, we need to make English B compulsory. Literature takes many forms, and in focusing on reading alone, huge benefits will be reaped. Maybe, we should make reading a subject throughout the primary and high school age groups. I mean not just testing for reading ability, but checking to see that a prescribed set of literature is completed. This means asking questions, if only for an oral and written summary. If we are serious, then we have to go this route. Many students will not read if left on their own. Then we need to ask ourselves if by reading skills we really mean oratorical skills, or simply reading for comprehension, whether for entertainment or for academic purposes. I call on our leaders in the education sector to push reading as much as possible.

Yours faithfully,

Tandika Haynes

Page Foundation

Talking to children about sex and sexuality – at a glance

It’s best to start talking with children about sexuality in early childhood – but it’s never too late. Talking with children about sex and sexuality may be uncomfortable at first, but it gets easier with time and practice.

There are many different ways to start conversations about sex and sexuality.

Parents really make a difference when we talk with our children. In fact, teens often name their parents as the biggest influence in their decisions about sex. And teens who report having good conversations with their parents about sex are more likely to delay sexual activity, have fewer partners, and use condoms and other contraceptives when they do have sex.

We can help our children deal with topics related to sexuality starting when they are very young and throughout their lives. Sexuality includes a wide range of topics including male and female bodies and how they work, human development, reproduction, types of relationships, what makes

teens about sex and sexuality may not always be easy. We’re here to help you get the conversation started.

Research shows that teens are more sexually active than parents think. By the time they’re 19, seven out of 10 teens have had sex. Two thousand teens get pregnant in the U.S. every day. And teens have very high rates of sexually transmitted infections.

Parents really can make a difference. We can talk with our children, build strong relationships with them, and set clear expectations and boundaries for them. These are proven ways we can help prevent teen pregnancy, reduce our teens’ chances of getting STDs, and help ensure that they lead healthy and rewarding lives. So let’s get talking.

How do I answer my child’s questions about sex and sexuality

Our children have various reasons for asking us questions about sex and sexuality. They might ask out of curiosity. They may need help making a decision or making sense of the world. Or they may need to be reassured that they are “normal.” Children may also disguise their real questions with other questions. So, no matter how surprising their questions may be, children always need honest, factual answers.

Here are some

* Try to find out what is ally being asked. What

seems like a straightforward question might not be. To find out the true nature of the question, we might ask, “What have you heard about that?” “What do you think about that?” or “Can you tell me what you already know about that?”

* Don’t answer with too much information. We can keep answers short and simple and explain new words that our children might not have heard before. After giving an answer, we might encourage our children to ask us follow-up questions by asking, “Is there anything else you would like to know?”

* Check their understanding. After answering a question, we can ask, “Does that answer your question?”

Some parents worry that they won’t know the answers to their children’s questions. It’s perfectly fine not to know something, or not to have an immediate answer. One of the best ways we can teach our children about sexuality is to find the answers together and then talk about what we’ve learned. Seeking out information together in books, online, or by asking others can help build a respectful and trusting relationship, as well as model how our children can seek answers on their own.

When should I start talking to my children about sexuality?

Some of us plan “the talk” for months, expecting to say everything important all at once. Then, when “the talk” doesn’t go as planned, we get frustrated. But talking with children about sexuality is a lifelong conversation. Doing a little bit at a time helps set realistic goals when we talk with our children. It also helps keep children from feeling overwhelmed.(Planned Parenthood)

Raising masculine boys

Last year, there was a J Crew ad with the company’s president and her little boy. She had painted his toenails pink and stated, “Lucky for me I ended up with a boy whose favourite colour is pink. Toenail painting is way more fun in neon.”

To some people (like the writer of this article), “it seems innocent – and even cute: a photo of a mom and her young son laughing adorably as she paints his toenails hot pink.” Mainstream media declared “So what? It’s just painting his nails.” I don’t believe it.

Although our two sons are now men and no longer little boys, I want to raise an alert. The world is feminising our little boys and teaching little girls to be more masculine. Our culture is blurring the lines between genders and showering scorn on those that hold to the way God designed us to be man

and woman. Clothing design, mainstream media, campus housing, marriage, and sports are only a few areas in which we see this happening. Raising our boys is a special job, and we must take it seriously.

I’m so thankful that God has blessed us with two sons to mould and teach to become soldiers for His Namesake. It was obvious that they wanted to be like their dad long before they could be encouraged in any one direction by others. Little boys naturally want to be just like their dad. I would often ask one of them, “Can you please help me carry these grocery bags. I need somebody big and strong to help me.” They would come running to help me, showing me their muscles and telling me how strong they were. Both would say, “I’m big and strong like Daddy.” They wanted to be manly men, just like their father. They saw their dad opening the door for me and so they did, too.

They would be climbing trees or way up into the barn rafters (I do not recommend this!) or trying to fix or figure out something mechanical or making their sticks into weapons without the help of a TV to give them ideas. We decided early to ditch the TV so we would have time to really ‘do life’.

A boy needs to know how to get dirty and then clean up! Also, they need to learn to value a good book as much as a romp in the woods! Boys need to be able to take some risks, to be allowed to get hurt (this took lots of prayer) so they know how to deal with pain and stress, they need to know how to work hard and think critically under the guidance of a manly teacher, they need to be exhorted to holiness in their thought life, and they need to play hard, too. Boys need to be equipped to be fathers of boys someday!

But what if there is no father in the home?

My heart aches for the mother of boys with no father in the house; please, do not despair! Pray earnestly for someone to come alongside to be a father figure in their life. Often a grandfather can be that man, provided his input will be edifying. (Deep Roots at Home)

Ramotar urges bigger effort to reduce poverty

President Donald Ramotar said there was still work to be done in closing the poverty gaps globally, on Thursday at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, even as he boasted of Guyana’s achievements in attaining some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He also hailed the adoption in April of the landmark Arms Trade Treaty, which, according to him, opened the door to effective regulation of the international trade in conventional arms.

The Guyanese leader said for the Caribbean, the treaty bears relevance not only to the safety and security of “our citizens and to the fight against transnational crime, but in an important way to our overall pursuit of sustainable development”. He noted that the funnelling of guns into our societies is a menace that must be curbed in order to preserve our youth and our future.

He told the assembly that while peace was vital for development – socio-economic progress, coupled with democracy, was crucial to the preservation of peace. Central to these principles, he said, is people. “They remain the most important factor for development. That is why my own country has been investing increasingly in our people’s development.”

“An examination of our national budget would reveal that some 30 per cent of our expenditure goes to the social sector. As a result, we have managed to achieve several of the MDGs well before the time envisaged. We have achieved universal primary education and are close to achieving universal secondary education. We have also slashed poverty by more than half,” Ramotar said of Guyana.

He noted that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has asserted that

Guyana was one of the few countries in the world that has not only reduced poverty but improved nutrition.

He also touched on challenges occasioned by the international economic and financial crises, which started in North America and Europe.

“Even as we continue to grapple with the effect of the financial crises, we are now faced with the graduation and differentiation imposed by some of our international partners.

"We are told that as middle income countries – measured by GDP per capita – we are no longer entitled to concessionary financing. This is a recipe for reversing the gains made over years of hard work and sacrifice. We call for a rethink of this position and urge that greater consideration be given to the special vulnerabilities of our region, where a country can see one hurricane wiping out its entire GDP, he said.

Climate change

Another serious challenge to sustainable development is the impact of climate change.

“Unfortunately, instead of a reduction, emissions of greenhouse gases have risen by nearly 50 per cent. This marked failure to take decisive action poses a threat to all humanity… We, therefore, welcome the initiative of the secretary general to convene a summit on climate change

Berbice chamber concerned about rising crime

The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association said it was concerned with the recent increase in serious crimes being committed on the people of Guyana, especially the business community, and the loss of human lives.

“We are calling on the relevant authorities to take drastic action in combating this upsurge in criminal activities. It is time that the [Guyana Police Force] GPF intensify the proactive approach to fighting crimes of all scale, and not only depend on the reactive approach, which has not been yielding as many successes as was hoped for,” the chamber said in a statement.

It said it was discouraging to hear reports of the poor response time, unprofessional methods of investigation, and general lackadaisical attitude of some law enforcement officers during these terrifying and traumatising periods of injustice that citizens have to endure.

“We ask that the GPF relook at their motto and take the necessary steps to ensure that their officers conduct their du-

ties in a more efficient and professional manner. With the increase in resources being made available to the GPF, there must be a higher level of output to crime fighting or this country stands the risk of losing businesses, and its people’s hope.

EThere must be an increase in police presence, greater response time, diligent crime solving efforts, and harsher judicial punishment for perpetrators of criminal activities,” the chamber asserted.

According to the chamber, the business community can be called upon to assist in whatever way they can, since their losses have been tremendous in recent times.

“We encourage the GPF to engage all stakeholders in more meaningful ways to curb crimes, and prevent the loss of human lives. The holidays are fast approaching and if this trend continues, it will be horrendous to think what will happen during the Christmas holidays. We hope that serious planning is already going on to offer better protection and service leading up to, during, and beyond the holidays.”

of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States, and called on the international community to use the occasion to meaningfully assist SIDS. He said a special easily accessible fund must be established in this regard.

Returning to the theme of poverty, Ramotar told the assembly that in setting the stage for the post-2015 development agenda, there must be intensified efforts to eradicate poverty.

and hope that it will result in a strong political consensus for addressing this paramount challenge of our time.”

The Guyanese leader said he welcomed the observance

He said the UN must not allow this objective to be lost among the many other priorities.

According to the president, it is critical that the UN

pursues and encourages multilateral approaches to global problems, noting that experience has shown that it is the only approach that can lead to lasting peace, democracy and justice.

Challenges

Ramotar noted that health and education challenges threaten the sustainability of hard-earned socio-economic gains. “To this end, Guyana supports the secretary general’s “Education First” initiative, “he declared.

He added that “we must also address the issue of inequality.… Needless to say inequality leads to great discontentment and social un-

rest. At the heart of many of the conflicts we see today is the widening gap between the haves and have nots,” the president remarked. He said to defend the gains that have been made and to expand them, the UN must focus on narrowing the gaps in income, access to social services, infrastructure, land distribution, and in other critical areas. The approach adumbrated in the UN Resolution for a New Global Human Order remains relevant in the struggle to eradicate poverty and inequality and indeed the post2015 development agenda." he said.

President Donald Ramotar

Duo granted $900,000 bail for causing death by dangerous driving

Aduo was on Thursday granted bail in a hefty sum after they appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

It was alleged that on June 7 at Mandela Avenue and Pineapple Street, Georgetown, 49-year-old Rondell Harry of 33 Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens, drove his motor car in manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Tavel Gilbert.

It was also alleged that on

June 7 at Mandela Avenue and Pineapple Street, Marvin Messiah rode his motorcycle in a manner dangerous to the public resulting in the death of Tavel Gilbert. Both men did not plead to the indictable charge.

Attorney Peter Hugh, who represented Harry, told the court that his client is a sales and marketing manager at Instant Security Service and was placed on $100,000 station bail. He said that Harry has been cooperating with the police.

He went on to say that on the day in question, his client

was proceeding west along Mandela Avenue and was about to turn onto Pineapple Street, when a motorcycle collided with his vehicle causing it to spin. He added that both riders were thrown from the motorcycle and received injuries.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail stating that what Attorney Hugh stated was somewhat untrue. He said that Harry was indeed turning onto Pineapple Street but failed to wait until it was safe to do so.

Attorney Glen Hanuman represented Messiah and

told the court that since the incident occurred, his client has been on bail and has been reporting to the East La Penitence Police Station. He added that the deceased was a very close friend of Messiah.

Prosecutor Jones objected to bail stating that Messiah did not provide any address to the police and that more charges are likely to be brought against him.

Magistrate McLennan granted bail in the sum of $900,000 for each man. The matter is set to return to court on October 8 in Court One.

Taxi driver remanded for firearm possession

A31-year-old taxi driver was on Thursday remanded to prison after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to charges against him.

Colwyn Anderson of Lot 105 North Haslington, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to both charges which stated that on September 25 at Georgetown, he had in his possession a .38 special revolver and five rounds of

Two

Tmatching ammunition.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, Anderson was stopped by CID officers on patrol for a traffic violation resulting in him becoming annoyed. He was taken to CID headquarters where a transparent search was conducted on the vehicle. It was revealed that the firearm was found under the driver’s seat along with the ammunition.

Attorney Gordon Gilhuyse who represented Anderson

told the court that his client is currently attached to Oasis Taxi Service on Hadfield Street and was outside of the base on the night the incident occurred. He said that Anderson was standing outside the base when he was approached by some men dressed in plain clothes. He made use of foul language towards them and as a result, they asked him to go down to CID headquarters. He did so with two of the men in the

backseat of his vehicle. At CID, a search was conducted on the car and the firearm along with the ammunition was found. He also stated that his client was a former intelligence officer.

Prosecutor Jones objected bail based on the seriousness and gravity of charge. He also objected to bail noting the prevalence of gun crimes.

Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Court One for October 2.

remanded for Brickdam smash-up

wo men were on Thursday remanded to prison after they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charge of death by dangerous driving. It was alleged that on September 17 at Brickdam and Brumell Place, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, 19-yearold Nareshwar Persaud of 37 Owen Street, Kitty, drove motor car PNN 4475 in a manner dangerous to the public causing the death of Gavin De Alli. It was further alleged on September 17 at Brickdam and Brumell Place,

Cordell Bourne, 33, of E Field, Sophia drove minibus BPP 9210 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Gavin De Alli. Both men were not required to plead to the charge since it was made indictable.

Persaud was represented by Attorney Stephen Louis who told the court that his client is employed at ROI Enterprise Inc Mining as a sales clerk. He went on to say that the incident occurred when a speeding minibus collided with Persaud’s vehicle. In his application for bail, he stated that his client was placed on $100,000 station bail and has been reporting to the station and has been cooperating with the police.

Bourne however was unrepresented and told the court that he is a route 48 minibus driver.

Gravity of offence

Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence, stating that a life was lost. He added that Persaud fled the scene after the incident occurred. He also recommended that based on advice from the Department of Public Prosecution, that both men’s licences be suspended.

Attorney Louis, after Prosecutor Jones stated his objections, denied that his client fled the scene after the incident occurred stating that Persaud was in police custody that very evening. He added that some time after the accident, his client sought medical attention and went of his own free will to the Brickdam Police Station.

Magistrate Ann McLennan suspended both of the accused licences and refused bail. The matter was transferred to Court One for October 7.

Gavin De Alli met his demise after the minibus in which he was travelling and also conducting collided with Persaud’s car. The minibus was reportedly overloaded and was speeding down Brickdam on the day in question when the accident occurred. De Alli was killed on the scene.

Eyew tness

Fostering...

...growth in the economy

There’s an awful amount of balderdash being peddled, primarily by the MuckrakerKN, about the projects the government has attempted to get going in order to catapult the country out of its low development status. Sure people can disagree with specific proposals – this will never change, people being thankfully diverse in so many ways, especially in their thought process.

But you’d hope that critics of matters of national import would try to understand the context in which the government is operating. But then, we’re talking about the MuckrakerKN, whose owner has motives that are anything but concerned with development. Take his latest bee in his bonnet – the Marriott going up next door to the Pegasus.

The new “scandal” unearthed is that the government has taken the lead in bringing the Marriott to Guyana and is only now looking to bring in an equity investor. We’ll overlook the fact that the government has been trying to coral in such an investor for more than a decade now. The MuckrakerKN’s trying to make it sound as if this is a sweetheart deal for some favoured individual or group.

But what’s the context we’re talking about? If the MuckrakerKN were to have conducted even the most cursory examination of the countries that have come out of grinding poverty and entered into the light of “developed” status, they’d find that every one of them had governments that used the state to kick start development in strategic areas. Every one of them – Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and now, the largest success story of all times – China.

These “entrepreneurial states” led the way in starting up businesses – and then bringing aboard private equity partners who eventually took over the entire operations. This was unlike Forbes Burnham’s “state enterprise” model which had the state owning the companies. That failed miserably, as we all know to our cost. In Japan, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) took matters in their hands on behalf of firms like Mitsubishi and Mitsui, among others.

In South Korea, it was the “chaebols” which later became world class outfits like Samsung and Hyundai. We have to stop counting the profits of those who are willing to take risks and begin counting our own profits from the exports, taxes, employment and overall development that will be brought to Guyana.

What we’d like to know is, if the returns on the equity investment on the Marriott are so attractive, why didn’t Mook Lall, owner of the MuckrakerKN, put his hand up? The project was advertised the same time as Guyana Stores Limited (GSL), in which he did put some money, didn’t he?

...incestuous relationships

The MuckrakerKN also made heavy going of Winston Brassington, on behalf of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), only releasing a portion of the feasibility study conducted on behalf of the Marriott. This is only to be expected. They, along with their Opposition cohort, Khemraj Ramjattan of the Alliance For Change (AFC), would dearly love to have more details revealed that would give Robert Badal, owner of the Pegasus and a client of Ramjattan, clues on how to run his now decrepit hotel.

The said study did confirm what had long been known – that the management of Pegasus has been charging “five star” prices for a third rate hotel and, not unexpectedly, occupancy rates have dropped precipitously. Things have gotten so bad that many investors and other foreign businessmen would rather fly over to Trinidad and Tobago and overnight in the branded and reputable Hilton or Hyatt over there and return for meetings in the morning.

Now that signals some serious rejection of the Pegasus.

...dissension

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) President (for life?) Patrick Yarde is once again back on his “schupidness”. In arguing for a 25 per cent increase in wages, he alluded not too subtly on the 26.6 per cent increase they received in 2000. That, of course, was after they precipitated violent protests in the streets. Déjà vu?

friday, september 27, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

TVET programme crucial to Guyana’s development – education chief

hief Education

COfficer Olato Sam believes the Education Ministry’s Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme is crucial to the development of the economy, creating the ideal blend of academic and technical skills to ensure Guyana stays on the path of continued growth.

Sam made this comment as he gave the feature address at the opening of the TVET career fair and open day on Thursday.

He dubbed the TVET programme a landmark event of Education Month,

as he highlighted the need to move beyond academic learning by incorporating technical skills to satisfy the needs of the ever-growing economic environment.

He noted that technical training should no longer be considered below par education in comparison to academic learning, as he stressed its significance in the curriculum of the education system.

“It has been a long and arduous road, but we’ve moved away from a place where technical and vocational training was largely regarded as an area of lowskill, low-wage pursuits,” he noted.

He said they were now emerging from an era where a large percentage of young people exited the school system ill-equipped to take up meaningful places within the workforce.

Sam also referred to the period when youths possessed certificates that had no relevance or consistency to the labour market.

Now, competency based education and training has been adopted as the national approach for technical education, and has been a critical component of the Secondary Competency

Youth policy to be completed by year-end – consultant

The National Youth Policy, which is currently being crafted to address existing and emerging youth development challenges, is likely to be completed by the end of 2013.

Consultations will begin today in Region 10 and will run for another week and a half, in the various regions across the country.

Consultant for Guyana’s National Youth Policy formulation, Barbadian Derek Alleyne said the aim is for the final draft of the document to be completed by Christmas and handed over to Youth Minister Dr Frank Anthony and the Commonwealth Youth Programme. He will be assisted by the National Youth Steering Committee and the National Stakeholders’ Council.

Questionnaires

Alleyne stated that he and his team needed at least 2500 questionnaires completed from at least 15 villages across Guyana to give them the necessary data to craft the policy. After the collection of the data, he said they will return to prepare a draft before sending it to in-

dividuals in the community, community leaders and focus groups for review.

Following this, they will revise the document as necessary and send it to the ministry and the CYP for their assessment.

The team will then meet with the minister and the CYP to see that they are satisfied, if they are, the document will be handed over. He disclosed that the framework for the policy has already been completed, so he and his team just needed to accumulate the relevant information from youths and stakeholders to compile the policy.

Action plan

Alleyne will also provide advice on how to implement the youth policy and formulate the action plan.

Dr Anthony said Guyana currently has an outdated youth policy, noting that the new document will have vision and a roadmap for its implementation. He disclosed that there will be a policy and action plan, and the project will be properly monitored and evaluated to determine progress.

He stated that the ministry was optimistic about the

project and pleased to partner with the CYP, UNICEF and other stakeholders. He noted that close attention will also be paid to youth health and education, teenage pregnancy, and male marginalisation among other things. He explained that over the past several years, there were a number of consultants who have prepared other reports, which will lend to this one.

Consultations

Consultations will be held in the respective communities from September 27 to October 7 in communities, such as Kuru Kuru, Enmore, Buxton, Mabruma, Port Kaituma, Wales, Tuschen, Rose Hall, Mahaicony, Timehri, Charity, Kitty, and Bartica.

The structure of the policy, in particular, would include a regional focus, and urban and rural considerations. Commonwealth youths back in June renewed calls for the implementation of a local National Youth Policy and for the formation of a National Youth Council. The calls were made during the CYP Caribbean Centre National Consultation.

Certificate Programme (SCCP).

“We’ve moved away from the position where academic learning was seen as superior to and conducted often times at the expense of technical education.”

As such, he said there is no longer “the backward mindset that TVET pursuits are for the less able”.

He stressed the need to incorporate TVET into all households and communities to improve the mechanisms for industries, in or-

der to satisfy their needs and concerns

“TVET has to be the pathway for eradicating poverty from this society and the avenue for reducing our unemployment challenges”.

As such, he added that there is “widespread recognition that pupils and teachers engaged in the teaching/learning process need to move well beyond content knowledge and emphasise on skill acquisition”.

Meanwhile, giving an overview of the TVET Strategic and Action Plan 2013-2020, Assistant Chief Education Officer Patrick Onwuzirike said the plan denotes a paradigm shift to ensure development in Guyana.

R epositioning

“The main proposal of the strategy plan is to create workers with employable skills and competencies relevant to the local market,” he said.

He said government had embarked on the repositioning of the TVET programme through the TVET enhancement project to create improved skills.

The plan calls for the

implementation of a number of strategies, which are critical to the successful development of a TVET system that seeks to respond to the Guyanese economy and labour market over the next seven years.

Strategy

In this regard, he highlighted that the strategy is framed around a number of key areas, including comprehensive public/ private partnerships, financial resources, technological and physical infrastructure, and relevant productivity and economic development.

The staging of the TVET career fair and open day saw various technical and vocational institutes such as the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Government Technical Institute displaying the skills of their students.

A number of companies were also present at the fair, showcasing their products and services. They also highlighted the importance of the skills offered by the institutions in the working environment.

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam addresses the opening of the TVET Career Fair and Open Day

Students from institutions view exhibits from companies at the TVET fair

AFC scrambles to reverse Persaud’s resignation

– as infighting, divisions deepen

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

The Alliance For Change

(AFC) is now scrambling to reverse the resignation of Attorney Charrandas Persaud, who decided to leave the party over “recognition issues”, which have been added to a long list of other concerns that are yet to be addressed.

Persaud’s resignation now brings the total high-profile resignations this month to five after several other persons decided to cross the floor to join the main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), because of unresolved conflicts and differences on policy issues and decisions taken by the AFC’s current leadership.

The attorney told Guyana Times on Thursday afternoon that he would not be aligning himself to any political party over the next few weeks and months.

He explained that as of Thursday no one from the party’s leadership team contacted

him to discuss his resignation or made any attempts to resolve the conflict.

Persaud said he made his decision based upon his conscience and the fact that he believed that the leadership of the party was “taking him for granted” and appeared unappreciative of the hard work he was doing in Regions Five and Six.

He said the AFC failed to recognise the amount of work its representatives have been doing in Berbice and will learn about the value of the people’s support and efforts in due time.

Unappreciated, disrespected

“The AFC will realise that the cow only recognises the use of its tail during mosquito season. So they will find out how the work that Charrandas did could have been to their benefit. They have to learn,” he stressed.

He explained that the disrespect and lack of appreciation climbed to new lev-

els when he turned up for a planned television show only to be told that the party had sent a pre-recorded programme to be played instead.

Additionally, the party has not made any moves on several of his recommendations, including lobbying government to add more items to the list of products that will not attract Value Added Tax (VAT). He also noted that the party cancelled a public meeting at which he was the main speaker, in Rosignol, without proper reason and failed to reschedule.

Persaud, who is also an AFC councillor, said the party has also failed to inform him why it made a somersault on its initial position on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project. “Am I not entitled to know so that I can inform our people in Berbice and defend the party?” he asked.

Dictator

“I refuse to bend over backwards for a dictator …,” he declared during the interview, explaining that he plans on leaving the country in early October to commence a welldeserved vacation.

Persaud’s concerns also extend to other matters related to the leadership style of some of the executives and the party’s failure in some instances to “walk the ground” and respect the views of its supporters on other national issues.

AFC executive member Dominic Gaskin, speaking at the party’s press conference on Thursday, confirmed Persaud’s resignation. He ap-

peared to be suggesting that the party at that late hour would have made overtures to Persaud with the aim of “reversing” his decision to resign.

He did not deny the claims made by Persaud, saying that “perhaps the party has not communicated its appreciation for his work as “sufficiently” as it should. Gaskin said that the party was “disappointed” by his decision to resign and was only “willing” to speak with him to address his concerns.

At the press conference, AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan acknowledged that the recent defections to the APNU and Persaud’s resignation would “affect” the party.

He, however, became defensive, explaining that if people did not want to adhere to founding principles of the AFC and what it stood for, they were free to go. According to him, the party must remain independent, not pandering unnecessarily to either the APNU or the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) or it will lose its identity.

“If people inside of the party do not want to hold to the course that this ship is on in this political ocean, we will have to say thank you for services, but you are now free to lead different political lives,” he told media.

The recent resignations and defections are just a small part of the problems plaguing the AFC, which is now being threatened by the non-support of larger numbers of its financiers and supporters across the country, according to a top AFC source.

When de fox can’t get de grape

It got a old time sayin that talk bout when de fox can’t get de grape he does seh it sour. And that is how tings does play out in life today, because it got plenty fox around de place who can’t get de grape no matter whah dem try. And dem does end up sayin de grapes sour. But it is usually not that de grapes sour, is just that some of de foxes can’t get dem.

It also got some people who does try all day long and all night long to get de grape and still can’t get de grape. And it got some people who mouth long like de fox, but dem also still can't get de grape. Other people does come and tek de grape right in front of dem face.

One man who was gettin de grape and then he suddenly stop gettin de grape decide to tek matters into he own hands in Sophia. De only problem was that, when he try to find de man who was pickin he grapes from he own back yard, he find de wrang man. But he still end up firin de wrang gun and shootin de wrang man. Now none of dem can’t get any more grape. So de man who was tekkin all de grape all de time gon get more grape now.

According to de mud paper man, nutten whah dis guvament do ain’t good. Now, just like de fox, he cussin every ting and every body and seh dem sour. From de Amaila Falls project to de Marriott Hotel to the airport expansion project to de Specialty Hospital…nutten ain’t good fuh he. Is no wonder someone body else eatin out de mud paper man grapes pun Regent Street.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! It look like de mud paper man gon can’t get grapes fuh a long time to come. So look out fuh de fox all over because he gettin desperate fuh grapes whah he can’t get!

Broken sewerage system disrupts vending at Water St mall

BY WHItNEY PErsAUd

Concerned vendors at the New

are

urging the relevant authorities to quickly fix a broken sewerage system along the market's pavements.

Vendors are worried as

the continuous overflow of the sewage in front of their business places poses a serious health hazard. If the relevant authorities do not take imme-

diate action, the market vendors say that their next step is staging a protest to let them know that they mean business.

Guyana Times spoke to a group of frustrated merchants who expressed distress over the issue that has affected sales for a long time now.

One female vendor, who gave her name as Debbie, said while she was no engineer, she could tell that something is definitely wrong with the systems that are set up.

Horrible stench

She explained that after being fixed, the sewerage system, within a few hours, began overflowing again. “It is terrible: the faeces that comes out from the sewage from the manholes is not a nice thing, the smell is horrible and when you go home, it goes with you how it so bad,” she related.

Another vendor, who gave his name as Cleveland, stated that for three months now, the vendors and customers have been faced with this issue and it is not healthy.

“Something must be done about this. People can’t stand the smell and it has been affecting sales for us… we buy at least three bottles of bleach

One of the manholes on the pavement in front of a business place at the New Vendors’ Mall overflowing with water and other debris from the broken sewerage system

and air fresheners a day,” he complained.

“Bottles upon bottles of bleach and it helps for a short period, when one die down, the others smell up the rest of the place.”

“… We pay $4000 in rent and this is not right for us to be working under, and if nothing is done we will be taking another step,” another vendor promised.

According to the vendors, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) came once and flushed out the clogged drains, but the very next day the system overflowed.

Out of desperation, the vendors said they reached into their own pockets to pay workmen to wire out the blocked sewerage system. They have sounded an urgent call to all the necessary authorities to take care of the problem before it gets out of hand. (whitneyp@guyanatimesgy.com)

A business owner in the vicinity also expressed his concerns about the stench as well. “Like we got to close down… a lot of morning I don’t feel like coming to work because of this,” he said.

Vendors’ Mall on Water Street

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan Attorney Charrandas Persaud

Caricom appeals to international community to support review of "graduation"

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has appealed to the international community to support the Region’s call for the immediate review of the criteria used by multilateral financial institutions (MFIs) and some development partners to graduate small highly indebted middle income countries (SHIMICS) from access to concessional resources.

The appeal was issued by Caricom Heads of Government Conference Chairperson and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar when she addressed the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Prime Minister PersadBissessar also called for an early review of the economic and financial situation of graduated SHIMICS, so that programmes could be developed for the orderly resolution of their debt overhang, without compromising their future growth prospects.

Debt burden

The prime minister’s comments were made against the background of the debilitating debt burden and the use of per capita income to determine a country’s level of development and its need for grant and concessional financing. The community has contended that the use of the per capita measurement does not provide a true picture of countries’ realities.

Per capita income, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar argued, was at best an arithmetic ratio that did not address levels of poverty, dis-

the deleterious effect of sealevel rise and climate change were added, “the fallacy of the middle income categorisation can be wiped out in an instant”.

Debt overhang

The chair of the community posited that the issue had to be considered within the context of small island developing states (SIDS) and the post-2015 development agenda.

bated by a debilitating debt overhang, which continues to bedevil the region’s growth and development prospects,” the prime minister said.

The community’s stock of debt stands at about US$19 billion. The debt-to-GDP ratio ranges from 60 to 144 per cent for many states.

Pick It Up campaign goes to Linden, Uitvlugt

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, through the Environmental Protection Agency, will be coordinating the Pick It Up Guyana Initiative in the mining town of Linden and in Uitvlugt Beach, West Coast Demerara on September 28 and 29, respectively.

tribution of income, levels of indebtedness, vulnerability, and the capacity to self-generate sustainable economic and social development.

“…as Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), I wish to bring to the attention of this august body, a matter of significant concern to the member states of Caricom, that of small highly indebted middle income countries (SHIMICs).

"Almost as if we are being penalised for our relative success in getting ourselves out of the morass of poverty, the member states of Caricom that are categorised as middle income countries have been graduated out of the economic space where they were previously afforded access to concessional financing,” the prime minister told the General Assembly.

She added that if the impact of natural disasters and

“Indeed, in the preparations for our participation in that upcoming discourse, the recognition of the vulnerabilities of small island developing states is one of the guidelines that Caricom will apply when considering its commitments to the overall agenda. The economic vulnerability and ability of the member states of Caricom to build resilience are exacer-

In seeking the support of the international community, Prime Minister PersadBissessar said: “It must be acknowledged that the debt overhang did not result from profligate spending by Caricom governments, but resulted from the geographical make-up of our countries; our proneness to natural catastrophes; our very small physical size, which does not lessen the per capita cost of development expenditures for necessary economic infrastructure and necessary social development projects.”

The Linden cleanup will target the Mackenzie and Wismar markets along the Demerara riverfront, the ministry said in a release. This activity will commence at 06:30h.

Several Linden organisations such as Youth Vision, Central Mackenzie Scout Group, Young and Thoughtful Youth Club, and the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana have pledged their commitment to support the ministry’s efforts at providing a clean and healthy environment for Guyanese citizens.

The coastal clean-up exercise will target the Uitvlugt beach on September 29 commencing at 06:30h from the beach area in line with the

Uitvlugt Bridge. This is a collaborative effort with support from the regional administration, Uitvlugt residents, Uitvlugt Development Group, the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana and the Pathfinders Club of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Volunteers from Georgetown have also committed to participating in Uitvlugt’s coastal clean-up.

The volunteers lend support to the ministry’s efforts at providing a cleaner and healthier environment for all Guyanese and reinforces the ministry’s efforts to gather more data relating to coastal debris. This data will be analysed and used to support future interventions and studies directed at protecting and sustaining Guyana’s coastal and riverine areas. Persons desirous of more information or interested in becoming volunteers can contact the Pick It Up Guyana coordinator on 231-2506/11 ext 219 or by email at pickitupguyana@ gmail.com.

Caricom Heads of Government Conference Chairperson and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

friday, september 27, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Continental introduces “MaDish” seasoning

Continental Group of Companies has introduced a new brand of seasoning to the local market to help housewives cook tasty homemade dishes.

MaDish is a powdery food seasoning, manufactured by the Ajinomoto company. It contains flavour enhancers and extracts from vegetables and spices. The seasoning is available in three flavours: soup, stew and classic.

In an effort to popularise the seasoning, Continental prepared scrumptious local dishes using MaDish and distributed samples to customers who entered the company’s Regent and Alexander streets location.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Marcelo Hierro, the Food Division Supervisor for the Ajinomoto branch in Brazil, said MaDish has been around for the past five years and has been well-received by cooks. He said the Ajinomoto company is a household name, which has been flavouring pots in countries around the world, so the company decided to give Guyana the opportunity to also experience the taste of something new.

Healthy

Hierro explained that MaDish had been introduced to the local market about a month ago on a trial basis and the response has been great. He stated that the company continues to make special efforts to ensure that the food products it manufactures are healthy for its customers.

“Ajinomoto is a company that looks out for the health of its customers, and that is

what we are trying to do with MaDish, which is made from fresh ingredients,” Hierro said. He noted that the seasoning also acts as a substitution for bouillon cubes as one pack of MaDish is equal to two cubes. Hierro continued that the seasoning can be used in any dish, noting “MaDish is your secret ingredient that gives you that special flavour when you prepare your dishes… it can be used to add flavour to any food like rice, chicken soup, stews, anything that you’re cooking just add MaDish and it will completely transform the taste”.

“Mama’s Dish” Continental’s Sales and Marketing Services Coordinator Tellitta FranklinThomas said the company has been the distributor of Ajinomoto products for a number of years. She explained that MaDish is actually “Mama’s Dish” and is basically a way for persons to get the taste that they were accustomed to while growing up.

“What we are doing is to bring back that taste you could have only gotten from your mother’s cooking, so even though you have moved out, you would have still gotten a taste of Mama’s dish just by simply using this powdered seasoning,” FranklinThomas said.

She pointed out that the Ajinomoto company has been misunderstood because of the controversies surrounding the health risk of monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is contained in its products.

Franklin-Thomas noted that the Ajinomoto company has been around for more than a century and has undergone a lot of tests and scrutiny from food and health regulatory bodies to ensure that its products do not cause any health risk.

MaDish can be purchased at Continental’s two branches on Regent and Alexander streets or Regent and Hincks streets. It will also be available at supermarkets countrywide.

Firefighters managing to contain fires in West Berbice

Firefighters this year have been able to extinguish some 45 per cent of fires in buildings in West Berbice before much damage was done. They are calling on residents to be more responsible.

The fire department in West Berbice has responded to more than one dozen fire calls so far this year; however only seven involved buildings.

On April 2 at Onverwagt, firefighters responded to a call and were also able to extinguish the blaze without much damage to the building.

Reports are that the lone occupant of the building, Milton Persaud was at home using a flambeau when the wick burnt out. Investigations revealed that the lamp exploded and ignited combustible material in the room.

Members of the fire department who were summoned responded quickly and were able to extinguish the fire.

On May 25, quick response to a call of a fire at Number 27 Village also resulted in a building being saved from extensive damage. Smoke and fire were earlier seen coming from a section of the building.

When firefighters got to the scene, they were able to put it out, with only an electrical panel and a part of the wall in the vicinity being burnt.

On July 3 at Number Five Village, the quick response by members of the fire department resulted in a house being saved after residents had started a bucket brigade.

That fire started when an unattended child played with matches in a bedroom. Reports are that a firefighter went into the bedroom and threw a burning mattress out of the window. Damage from the fire was minimal.

Destroyed

Three other fires in that district, however, resulted in 12 persons being homeless. On June 6, a man lost his house after locking the door and leaving a friend on the steps as he went out.

Police later discovered that the friend used an improvised key to gain entry shortly before the one-room house went up in flames. The friend has since been charged for arson.

That fire was not reported to the fire department at the time of the blaze, giving them no opportunity to extinguish it.

On August 24 at Zee Lust, three children were at home when a fire started in the upper flat of their home. That fire left five persons homeless.

It was later discovered that the fire was started as a result of illegal connections in the building.

The two-storey house had not been wired, but was furnished with more than one dozen electrical appliances, which were powered via ‘locally made drop cords’ (black and red wire).

On September 15 at Cotton Tree, six persons were left homeless after a man fell asleep with a lighted cigarette in his hand after consuming an

intoxicant. By the time, firemen arrive the building was completely engulfed. Meanwhile, forensic investigators attached to the Guyana Fire Service B Division are leaving no stone unturned as they investigate the September 22 Rosignol fire, which destroyed Double R Hardware Store at Rosignol Public Road.

Investigators have interviewed proprietor Ramdial Ramotar and are interviewing eyewitnesses. Guyana Times understands that the investigators are awaiting a report from the chief electrical officer in Region Five and are to continue talks with officials from the Guyana Power and Light. They have also been seeking fire insurance records. Samples of the debris have removed and sent to the lab for testing. A report on the cause of that fire is expected next week.

Berbice Divisional Officer Senior Superintendent Compton Sparman again made an appeal for citizens to be careful and fire conscious, especially in light of the dry period that country is currently experiencing.

Making mention of Sunday’s fire during which it was difficult to acquire an adequate water source, Sparman said many of the trenches are drying up, so residents need to be extra careful.

He added that the department will have a massive public awareness programme during fire prevention week next month.

More oil companies looking at drilling prospects in Guyana

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud Thursday informed the media that two large oil companies Anadarko and Esso, both of which have concessions, are actively engaged in exploration activities offshore Guyana.

Speaking at a press briefing at his Brickdam office, the minister disclosed that the activities of one of those companies are far advanced to the point, where it is about to make a decision

on mobilising a rig to commence drilling.

Meanwhile, over the past few weeks, the stateof-the-art vessel deployed by REPSOL, Polarcus Asima, is currently carrying out seismic studies to collect the relevant data. Seismology is a geophysical method of determining geologic structure by means of prospector-induced elastic waves.

Additionally, several other companies are carrying out similar studies, while another company is set to com-

mence seismic studies within days, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

“So at any one time, we will have three or four of those companies carrying out various forms of exploration work, all in our quest to tap into and realise the hydrocarbon potential of our offshore areas,” the minister said. The information garnered from these studies will inform the exploration teams on the way forward.

An employee of Continental waiting to distribute samples of the dishes prepared with MaDish seasonings

Polarcus Asima is currently carrying out seismic studies to collect the relevant data offshore Guyana

Digicel, NRG Energy Inc in partnership

– requesting proposals

NRG Energy Inc and Digicel Thursday jointly announced at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York a partnership to acquire, construct and operate renewable energy projects under development in the Caribbean region.

NRG and Digicel stand ready to bring financial and environmental benefits to the governments, utilities and peoples of the Caribbean in a venture that could see the two companies making a sizeable investment in the region.

Reliable electricity

“NRG’s work in Haiti has demonstrated the transformative impact that renewable energy can have on communities that otherwise lack access to affordable, reliable electricity,” NRG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Crane said.

“In the Caribbean today, distributed and utility-scale renewable energy projects can deliver a much lower cost of energy than fossil fuels, without subsidies,” Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves said.

“Our intent is to identify projects from across the region – and to support these in completing development, financing, and construction. This will translate into substantive and lasting energy savings for the governments and people of the Caribbean,” he noted.

Crane added, “NRG’s vision is for solar-led renewable medium- to large-scale off-grid systems across the region.

We understand a mix of technologies, from batteries to wind energy systems, will be necessary to offer the greatest financial and environmental benefits to Caribbean stakeholders, and we are open to supporting all systems with demonstrated performance history.”

NRG and Digicel will endeavour to partner on projects throughout the Caribbean, with the aim of acquiring, constructing, and owning these projects for their lifetime.

Renewable energy

Through a request for proposal (RFP) process, NRG and Digicel are soliciting developers, governments, installers and others to provide information on renewable energy projects under development for possible investment.

The RFP will be formally launched on September 30, and end on November 15.

The process is being managed by CohnReznick Think Energy, LLC (CRTE). CRTE is a consulting firm focused on facilitating the growth of renewable energy by supporting transactions, and providing due diligence and other advisory services.

NRG and Digicel have strict investment parameters and each project will be thoroughly reviewed by CRTE to ensure it meets all investment criteria. To obtain a copy of the RFP, which includes all investment criteria, please contact Helen Tocco at htocco@crthinkenergy.com.

NRG

NRG is leading a customer-driven change in the U.S. energy industry by delivering cleaner and smarter energy choices, while building on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive power portfolio.

A Fortune 500 company, it creates value through reliable and efficient conventional generation while driving innovation in solar and renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology and customer-centric en-

ergy solutions. Its retail electricity providers – Reliant, Green Mountain Energy

and NRG Residential Solutions – serve more than two million residential and commercial cus-

tomers throughout the country.

More information is available at www.nrgen-

ergy.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow it on Twitter @ nrgenergy.

Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves

World Tourism Day Message

By Minister irfaan ali

In support of the United Nations International

Year of Water Cooperation, World Tourism Day (WTD) 2013 is being held under the theme, “Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future”.

This year’s theme highlights tourism’s role in water access and seeks to highlight the actions currently being taken by the sector in order to contribute to a more sustainable water future, as well as address the challenges ahead.

While there has been strong growth in the demand for water, available water resources has declined in many regions because of the depletion of non-renewable fossil water resources, pollution of water bodies and groundwater sources, and climate change. This has led to declining precipitation levels in already water-stressed regions as a result of increased frequency of droughts, increased evaporation, and changes in patterns of rainfall and runoff

These developments need to be seen against the background of observed and anticipated changes in hy-

drological cycles because of climate change leading to altered precipitation patterns and other changes of relevance for tourism. Tourism is both dependent on freshwater resources and an important factor in water use. Tourists need and consume water when washing or using the toilet, spas, wellness areas or swimming pools or when participating in activities. Fresh water is also needed to maintain hotel gardens and golf courses, and is embodied in tourism infrastruc-

ture development, food and fuel production.

Tourism-related water use

In comparison to other economic sectors, such as agriculture, there are no specific regional or national water use statistics for tourism, and tourism-related water use is still relatively little investigated. The world’s major tourism flows occur between six regions: North America, Caribbean, Northern and Southern Europe, North East Asia, and South East Asia. In this regard, it becomes imperative that the regions take responsibility for their water usage and employ sustainable water management programmes.

This said, it is also understood that the costs of dealing with current and future water demands under serious climate change scenarios are considerable. In Guyana, tourism sector leaders and stakeholders must embrace the reality that water demand is likely to increase in the future due to climate change and its consequences for water availability. Additionally with the continued growth in tourist arrivals, and the higher av-

erage per tourist for water consumption, this demand will grow.

In order to adapt to inevitable changes in water availability, as well as to mitigate its own contribution to climate change and its pressure on limited water resources, tourism needs to engage in energy and water management, focusing on policy (for example, compliance with national green house reduction goals, building codes); measurement and charging of water consumption management (including measures to reduce water use, treat sewage and reuse water); research and development (such as implementing renewable energy-driven desalination; understanding the religious, philosophical and ethical issues of wastewater recycling and reuse), as well as placing greater emphasis on education and behavioural change to encourage tourists and staff to engage in watersaving measures. I want to use this opportunity to urge tourism stakeholders, establishments and communities to embrace existing national policies that seek to ensure that water conservation practices are employed.

Miners concerned about delay in anti-money laundering bill

By saMuel sukhnandan

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud said miners are concerned about the delay in the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013, which will likely affect their operations with banking institutions and commercial entities overseas.

Persaud told media operatives on Thursday that government had made concerted efforts to have this important piece of legislation passed in the National Assembly, but it was voted down by the joint parliamentary opposition. The minister said miners and investors working

in the extractive industry raised concerns with his ministry about the issue.

If Guyana is blacklisted, it could affect transborder transactions. He added that transactions with local banks and international banks will definitely be affected. Persaud explained that many companies working in the extractive industry purchase spares and equipment overseas, which requires them to carry out transactions with banks and other commercial entities in many countries.

Bad for business

“It is a concern to the investors in the extractive industry. It is a concern to miners and operators and it is they who want Guyana not to be blacklisted, because it is bad for business. It is bad for the country’s economy as a whole and they see themselves at the individual level how it is they could be affected,” he stated.

Government hopes that the opposition could recognise the potential economic damage and the disruption that this could cause. There are a large number of foreign investors in both the mining and forestry sectors. If businesses find it hard to carry out transactions overseas, employment could be affected.

Despite these forecasted problems, Persaud said the gold industry had recorded gold declaration amounting to 353,000 ounces by the end of September 24, compared to 313,000 ounces the previous

year.

This is, he noted, a significant jump in terms of declaration. “We have also seen both sales to the Guyana Gold Board and the dealers seen an increase,” he added.

Persaud said his ministry has been monitoring the price of gold, which continues to fluctuate. The industry is also paying attention to the prices, to plan their businesses. The ministry has been working closely with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) in ensuring that they are adequately prepared.

He said, “So far, we have seen that the performance has been welded adjustments made by the sector itself in terms of managing cost and dealing with this unpredictable nature, that the efforts taken are certainly commendable and we continue to engage.” He also reiterated the importance of this sector, especially from an economic standpoint. The industry is a major contributor to foreign exchange.

Additionally, Persaud said his ministry has had discussions with the Guyana Gold Board to look at new markets, in terms of sales of gold. This is in an effort to get premium prices and to access non-traditional markets, especially Canada, India, and China. This he believes will ensure that the board and dealers receive a better deal in terms of getting their gold sold at a premium price. (samuelsukhnandan@guyanatimesgy.com)

Haitian PM: United Nations has moral responsibility in Haiti cholera outbreak

The United Nations has “a moral responsibility” in the deadly cholera outbreak that has killed more than 8500 Haitians and sickened another 600,000plus, the head of Haiti’s government said Thursday in his debut before the global body.

With President Michel Martelly among a list of world leaders shirking off an appearance at this year’s UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe used his appearance in the global spotlight to call on the UN to do more to help Haiti eradicate what experts are calling the world’s worst cholera outbreak.

“We would like to propose the establishment of a joint commission,” Lamothe said, “to study the ways and means of finding and definitively eradicating this illness in Haiti all together.”

Lamothe’s criticism is the most public pronouncement by a Haitian official yet. After refusing to blame the UN, the Martelly administration is increasingly joining the ranks of human rights activists, cholera victims and their families, and even some UN-hired experts that accuse the organisation of responsibility for the outbreak.

Despite mounting evidence linking Haiti’s cholera to Nepalese soldiers deployed to the country soon after its January 12, 2010 earthquake, the UN has refused to take responsibility.

Protest

Earlier Thursday, more than 50 protesters gathered outside UN headquarters, waving signs and chanting, “Down with MINUSTAH! Down with Cholera! Down with Ban Ki-moon.”

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said “Everybody is entitled to demonstrate, to express their opinion.”

He added that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is committed to helping the people of Haiti overcome the cholera epidemic. Last year, Ban launched a US$2.2 billion, 10-year cholera eradication

plan to help Haiti and the neighbouring The Dominican Republic fight cholera.

Lamothe acknowledged the UN’s commitment but said it “is far from being enough”.

Still, he did credit the UN with contributing to Haiti in other ways. “Our country is now stable and secure thanks to the support of MINUSTAH to the national police,” Lamothe said about the UN peacekeeping mission that will soon mark a decade in Haiti.

With Haiti committed to judicial and police reforms, Lamothe said, the country “commends the progressive withdrawal of MINUSTAH”, which is now only possible thanks to advances on security.

Progress

Despite daily challenges, Haiti continues to make progress, said Lamothe. In his speech, he highlighted a number of social programmes — many of them controversial — that, he said, are aimed at fulfilling the 2015 development goals outlined by the international community. The successes, Lamothe said, include 1.2 million Haitian children with free schooling, and more than one million Haitians benefitting from social programmes, such as food baskets.

Donors and government critics have said the programmes lack transparency and criticise them as votegetting schemes.

Reminding donors of their failure to live up to US$10 billion in pledges made after Haiti’s quake killed more than 300,000 and left 1.5 million homeless, Lamothe said:

“If the international community had fully respected its commitments to the tune of US$10 billion, the results would be even better today and the suffering of the Haitian people would be less harsh,” he said.

Lamothe was the final Caribbean speaker in a day that kicked off with Guyanese President Donald Ramotar. (Excerpt from Miami Herald)

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe speaks during the general debate of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday at UN headquarters

What transpired at Lusignan must never occur again

– AG at Pitri Paksh observance

Attorney General and Legal Affairs

Minister Anil Nandlall Thursday evening attended the annual Pitri Paksh Sangam at the Lusignan Mandir Compound in remembrance of the 11 persons who lost their lives in the Lusignan Massacre on January 26, 2008.

Pitri Paksh, which means “fortnight of the ancestors”, is a 16-lunar day period in the Hindu calendar, when they pay homage to departed ancestors.

Over the past few years, residents of Lusignan and other surrounding communities have chosen to pay respects during the period to the 11 victims of the ruthless attack that occurred five years ago. Those who were brutally murdered in their homes were: Clarence Thomas, 48; Vanessa Thomas, 12; Ron Thomas, 11; Mohandan Goordat, 32; Seegopaul Harilall, 10; Seegobin Harilall, 4; Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52;

Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Ramsingh, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; and Shaleem Baksh, 52.

During his address, the AG said that Hinduism is not merely a religion; it is a way of life as it captures every facet of human life. Pitri Paksh is one of those facets that allows for people to pay respects to those who have died. He said the outrage of the 2008 massacre shook not only Guyana, but the entire region, and what occurred at Lusignan must

never be allowed to be repeated.

He also spoke of the five sugar workers who disappeared without a trace during the same period, and lamented that the families of those men have been denied the dignity of performing the last rituals, which in many ways, offer closure and bring a sense of solace to those who are grieving.

Minister Nandlall said some of the persons, who executed the massacre, as well as those who intel-

Venezuela’s leader Maduro blames axed UN trip on “plot”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro skipped a visit to the United Nations citing “threats” against him. He had been scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, but was removed from the list of speakers. Speaking from the Venezuelan capital, he said there had been “serious provocations that could threaten his life”, but gave no details.

Maduro is a strong critic of the U.S. and has previously accused Washington of plotting against him.

The president announced his intention to cancel his appearance at the United Nations during a stopover in Vancouver, on his way back from a visit to China.

“When I got into Vancouver I evaluated the intelligence which we received from several sources. “I decided then and there

to continue back to Caracas and drop the New York trip to protect a key goal: safeguarding my physical integrity, protecting my life,” he said.

Maduro accused two former U.S. officials of being behind the “provocations”.

“The U.S. government knows exactly that these people were behind a dangerous activity being plotted in New York. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Human remains found on righted Costa Concordia

Divers on Thursday found what they believe to be the last two missing bodies where the Costa Concordia cruise liner sank last year off the Italian island of Giglio.

The huge ship was carrying more than 4000 holidaymakers and crew when it capsized after striking rocks on January 13, 2012, killing 32 people. Thirty bodies were recovered from the wreck after the tragedy but Italian passenger Maria Grazia Trecarichi and Indian waiter Russel Rebello were never found.

The head of the civil protection agency Franco Gabrielli told SkyTG24 news channel the remains discovered on Thursday were “absolutely consistent” with the

Italian divers looking for the bodies of two people who died during last year’s Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster found human remains “absolutely consistent” with the missing pair on Thursday. Thirty other bodies were salvaged after the tragedy

two missing people. The search for the bodies began earlier this week after the 114,500-tonne ship was hauled upright in the biggest salvage operation of its kind. Recovering the

submerged bodies after 20 months under the weight of the vessel was “almost a miracle,” Gabrielli said, adding that the relatives of the two victims had been notified. (Excerpt from France24)

Iran agrees to further nuclear talks

Iran and six major powers have agreed to meet in Geneva next month for further talks on resolving the standoff with Tehran on its nuclear programme.

lectually authored it, are walking free. He reminded that the lawyer who defended two people who were accused of committing this crime is the chairman of a political party.

On the morning of January 26, 2008, a group of heavily armed gunmen entered Track A Lusignan, invaded the homes of five Lusignan families, and shot the hapless residents at point blank, including children who were sleeping in the beds.

U.S. and Iranian officials emerged upbeat on Thursday from a meeting on Iran’s nuclear programme, but both sides sounded a cautionary note, with the U.S. saying there was more work to do and Iran insisting on quick sanctions relief.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, said after talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry following the meeting that the key world powers had agreed to fast-track negotiations over the pro-

gramme to within a year.

However, Kerry said later that the U.S. would not lift sanctions on Iran until it showed it was not pursuing a nuclear-weapons capability. President Hassan Rouhani said Iran was committed to negotiate on its nuclear programme in “good faith” after the highest-level talks yet held with world powers.

“We are fully prepared to seriously engage in the process toward a negotiated and mutually agreeable settlement and do so in good faith and with a businesslike mind,” Rouhani told a forum in New York. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A section of the audience at the Pitri Paksh Sangam at Lusignan

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York and included Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and counterparts from the U.S., France, Russia, China and Germany

The Board of Liat (1974) Limited has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Brunton effective October 1. Julie ReiferJones has been appointed to act as CEO. Brunton resigned from the embattled and cash strapped Liat after what he described as a “disastrous summer” for the Antigua based carrier.

The former chief ex-

ecutive of state-owned Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) was appointed CEO of Liat on August 1, 2012. His appointment came during a period of massive sustained losses for the airline – a combined amount of almost EC$80 million in losses from 2010 – and a deficit of around EC$344 million by the end of 2012, according to media reports.

Brunton had been lead-

ing a US$100 million refleeting process from ageing Dash-8 aircraft to ATR’s –designed to help move Liat back into profit by lowering maintenance and fuel costs. He was regarded as the best man for the job when he took over the troubled airline in August 2012. Brunton has had a long and distinguished career in aviation, serving in almost every aspect of the business. (Trinidad Guardian)

Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes fell for the third straight month in August but fewer Americans filed new claims for jobless benefits last week, giving conflicting signals on the health of the economy.

Another economic report on Thursday showed a worrisome decline in consumer prices during the second quarter. Together, the data offers a challenge for

the Federal Reserve, which wants to see more evidence that the U.S. economy is gaining momentum before it scales back a bond-buying stimulus programme.

The Fed last week flagged a rise in interest rates as a threat to the economy, and also said that employment and inflation remain too weak. The National Association of Realtors said its Pending Homes Sales Index, based on contracts

signed last month, decreased 1.6 per cent last month. The decline, which was steeper than economists had expected, was the latest sign that a sharp rise in mortgage rates have put a significant dent in the U.S. housing market recovery. “The housing market is not rolling over, but it does seem to be losing steam,” said Ian Shepherdson, an economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics in White Plains, New York. (Reuters)

Cyprus reeling six months after EU rescue

Six months after Cyprus became the fourth eurozone country to need a bailout, the Mediterranean island’s economy is shrinking rapidly as austerity measures bite, sending unemployment through the roof.

Cyprus is the most potent example of a European country still struggling for economic survival even as

the region claws its way out of recession. Unemployment has jumped by 43 per cent over the past year.

Constantinos Menelaou, a 28-year-old teacher at Casa College in the capital Nicosia, said he considers himself lucky that he still has a job, even though his salary was slashed by a quarter over the summer.

Menelaou is stoical about

his situation, saying he feels a sense of solidarity with many of his friends facing similar pay cuts, and losing their jobs. “There’s no bright future. Day by day, things get worse,” he told CNNMoney. “People are trying to get a job and they can’t,” he said, noting that frugal get-togethers in the island’s cafes have replaced evenings out at a bar. (CNN)

Sudan: Protests as Sudan lifts fuel subsidy

The Sudanese government abruptly implemented previously announced austerity measures on Sunday evening by raising the price of a gallon of petrol to SDG21 (US$4.65) and diesel to SDG14 ($3.17).

Sources told Radio Dabanga that Khartoum has turned into a quasi-military barracks due to the tight security measures imposed in anticipation of the ‘wrath of the

streets’. Nevertheless, demonstrations broke out yesterday, at the Souq El Arabi and the Nilein University in central Khartoum, the neighbourhood of El Deim in Khartoum, and in Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira state. At the same time leaders of political parties and activists were arrested.

The government also announced a substantial increase of the prices of a num-

ber of commodities, which led to the ‘synchronisation’ of the rate of the Sudanese pound on the ‘parallel market’ as the black market is termed in the Sudanese media. The dollar jumped to SDG8.20. In Wad Madani, tens of thousands citizens and students went on the streets to protest against the raise of prices and demanding the ‘fall of the regime’ which led to the closure of shops and public transport. (allAfrica)

Nine Japan-based companies and two executives agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix the price of car parts sold to U.S. car manufacturers.

They will pay a combined US$740 million (£462 million) in criminal fines to U.S. authorities.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the firms sought to fix the prices of more than 30 different products. More than US$5

billion worth of parts were then sold to U.S. manufacturers like Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors.

Some of the price fixing lasted for more than a decade, and more than 25 million cars purchased by U.S. consumers were affected by the price fixing. It was not just U.S. car manufacturers that were affected. The U.S. subsidiaries of Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru were all also subject to higher prices for parts. The companies admitting criminal wrongdoing are: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Jtekt Co, Mitsuba Co, Mitsubishi Electric Co, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NSK, T.RAd, Valeo Japan Co, and Yamashita Rubber Co. The two executives are Tetsuya Kunida, a Japanese citizen, and Gary Walker, a U.S. citizen. Both will pay US$20,000 fines. (BBC News)

The Nepalese government has recalled its ambassador to Qatar following a request from the Gulf state after several controversial comments relating to Nepalese foreign workers.

Maya Kumari Sharma has come under fire from Qatari authorities since she described Qatar as “an open jail” during an interview on the BBC in March. Her sacking on

Wednesday coincided with a report in The Guardian newspaper that said 44 Nepalese labourers had died during the summer while working on Qatar developments.

The report only detailed the deaths and torture claims of Nepalese workers, who make up a portion of the total foreign labourers in the country, and referred to numerous pieces of information received from the

Nepalese embassy in Qatar. The report received widespread media coverage internationally and was another embarrassing story for a country often criticised for “slavery” of foreign workers.

The Qatari ambassador to Nepal demanded Sharma be recalled in a formal letter sent to Nepalese Foreign Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire on Wednesday, Nepalese media reported. (Arabianbusiness)

Tips to help you meet goals and deadlines

Since high school (or earlier), many of us have struggled with meeting deadlines. Poor time management skills and procrastination often lead to last minute cram sessions which produce substandard work. At work, failing to meet deadlines is one of the cardinal sins that can easily get you fired. An employee who fails to be punctual and achieve deadlines is no more than a broken cog in a machine, and will be quickly replaced. How can professional procrastinators learn effective time management in order to successfully meet deadlines?

Breaking one task down into bite-size pieces

The lesson many of us never learn is that one large task can always be more easily accomplished in bite-size pieces over a long period of time. If you are given a project to complete in the next two weeks, the right time to get started is that very day. When you first receive a project, you should take out a calendar and find a way to break it into four or more evenly spaced parts. Don’t just mark the final deadline date. Give yourself mini-deadline dates per segment and meet them,

whatever the cost. Failing to meet one of your own minideadlines should be regarded as a failure to meet the final deadline.

Rewarding yourself Some people, however, lack the self-discipline necessary to break one large task into several small ones. These people won’t worry if they miss one of their own deadlines, procrastinating and pushing it back to the second, third and final deadlines. They will only panic as the last deadline approaches.

(Business Dictionary)

An individual’s action that begins a process, often done without direct managerial influence. For example, an employee might take the initiative to come up with a new product or service that the company could offer.

SUDOKU

By Bernice Bede Osol

It’s not a good time to second-guess yourself. Decide what needs to be done and do it. It’s the time for action, not talking. An important relationship will require careful nurturing.

20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

You’ll see the need to bring about change, but it may not be as easy you think. Additional responsibilities will become apparent and must be dealt with first. Avoid high-pressure situations.

(June 21July 22)

Take some time out; pampering will do you good and give you a chance to let some information sink in, allowing you to make the most opportune choice.

Stay on top of what’s happening at home and at work. Your reputation must be protected, and your decisions must be based on accurate information. Have your facts and figures ready.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Plan a celebration. Delve into a creative interest or spend time with children or loved ones. Personal improvements will pay off.

(March 21-April 19)

Do what you can on your own in a work involvement. Avoid depending on others, and you’ll be free of disappointment. Strive for perfection by doing things the way that works best for you.

(April 20-May 20)

It’s a good day to spend time with friends or people who inspire and motivate you. An interesting proposal will come from an unusual source. Consider your options.

(May 21June 20)

Revisit old ideas and peers, and you will gain insight into an opportunity. With a bit of fine-tuning, you can get your place in good shape and host an event.

Play the game strategically. Whether you are involved in a personal or professional situation that requires hands-on input, you must be cautious, attentive and well-informed.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t fold under pressure. Make decisions for the right reason. You’ll get the most out of your day and avoid complaints if you try to do the best job possible.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You’ll have a clear picture of what you want to see unfold today. Rely on your intuition and your keen eye to guide you through any uncertainties you face. You’ve got the right idea.

23Dec. 21)

Cast your fate to the wind. Pursue an adventure that will take your mind off your worries. Getting perspective on a confusing situation will help you see the light.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

Miss Guyana Universe title in line for

ight young women will take centre stage on October 6, at the Pegasus Pool Side with the aim of capturing the coveted title and prestige of Miss Guyana Universe 2013. On pageant night, the delegates will compete in swimsuit, evening gown and intelligence segments

Carlea Chappelle

Carlea Chappelle is 19 years old and hails from Essequibo. She described herself as an introvert and is becoming open minded into being a more social person and would like to bring out the spontaneous side of her during this pageant. This is her first pageant hence she was initially fearful but after meeting the delegates, she feels that it will be fun and exciting to walk that catwalk. On pageant night she expects stiff competition and is optimistic that it will be fairly judged. She is presently a psychology major at the University of Guyana.

and will be judged by a panel of experts including fashion icons, entertainment personnel and members in the pageantry fraternity.

The delegates will be sashed by their respective sponsors on Saturday evening at the Pegasus while a part of the intelligence segment will be televised live

Meet the delegates

on NCN on Wednesday October 2, at 20:00h. Tickets for the finals cost $6000 for VIP and $3000 for regular seating and are available at the Pegasus front desk and any of the delegates. The competition gets underway at 20:00h.

Kenwah Cho Quan Yi Tiffanie Nieuenkirk Shyon Hoppie

Kenwah Cho Quan Yi is 25 years old and is a graduate from the University of Guyana with a degree in economics and a diploma in communications. She was motivated to be a part of the pageant since she believes in beauty and it does not only expose the intelligence of women, but gives them an opportunity to become ambassadors. She also has a passion for helping children reach their full potential, academically. She loves nature and particularly hiking. Her mother is of Amerindian ancestry while her father is East Indian. Her grandfather is Chinese hence her name. She is also a volunteer at Youth for Guyana.

Tiffanie Nieuenkirk is 21 years old and hails from Roxanne Burnham Gardens, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. She likes children and aspires to become a doctor. She described herself as down to earth and always wanted to become a model.

Her experience thus far has been fun and memorable. If she does not walk away with the crown, she would have been extremely delighted to have met and bonded with her fellow delegates. Her platform on pageant night will be child protection and says every child has a right to live and should not be abused or neglected.

Intelligent and smart, Shyon Hoppie is 18 years old and would like to become a doctor, more particularly, a paediatrician. She sees herself as a person who loves children.

She is the reigning Miss Diamond and she also participated in the Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant in 2011 and was the second runner-up in the Queens of Queens Pageant which was held in 2012. She hopes to put her best foot forward and concurred that she definitely knows how to bring it and set to the stage on fire. She is the eldest of six siblings.

Ayana Whitehead is 18 years old and is a humanitarian. Her platform at the pageant is unity among humanity with the use of arts. This is her third pageant – she was part of the London Elite in 2012 and has become the face of a cosmetic company in St Lucia.

She described the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant as the biggest and hopes to win the title. She sees each delegate as very competitive, noting that on pageant night, one of the eight will have the edge above the others.

She also thinks that pageantry is a way of showcasing women’s beauty, intelligence and charm. When asked how it feels to share the same name as Miss Jamzone 2012, she said it “sucks”, claiming that she is unique in her own way.

Carla Browne is 19 years old and the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant is the first pageant she is a part of. She joined the pageant to gain self-confidence and claimed that she is someone who is always antisocial. She thinks the time has come to blossom and win the coveted title.

She anticipates an energetic pageant night and hopes to bring her “A” game. She has been a part of Guyana Fashion Weekend. This young lady is also studying Spanish at the Venezuelan Embassy. During her spare time, she participates in swimming, table tennis and karate. Her platform for the pageant is restoration of mortality in society.

Ayana Whitehead Carla Browne Katherina Roshana Alicia Bess

This young lady is the reigning Miss Guyana India Worldwide and represented Guyana in Malaysia as she attempted to capture the Miss India Worldwide title. Katherina Roshana was recently bestowed with the responsibility of International Ambassador for Peace.

She has given peace talks at various countries that she visited such as Korea, Europe and mostly in the Caribbean. She is a graduate from a New York University and hopes to become a doctor in oriental medicine.

She has worked extensively with less fortunate children and children who are physically challenged.

She sees the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant as a very fierce competition but the delegates have all bonded nicely.

Alicia Bess is a veteran in Pageantry since she has participated in number of beauty contests including Miss Bartica Regatta and Miss Jamzone 2013 pageants. She is the reigning Miss Guyana Jamzone and first runner-up in the Jamzone International Pageant. This 23-year-old beauty has vast experience in this field and will be using it to her advantage on October 6 when the pageant is hosted at the Pegasus Hotel. She says that pageant has contributed to her being a well grounded individual and more so a role model for young girls.

She hopes to covet the title and end the year with a bang. Best sees the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant as a competitive one that will give her the opportunity to bring out the best.

Reggae artist Alaine at Miss Guyana Universe on October 6

As eight young ladies compete for the Miss Guyana Universe 2013 title come October 6, there will also be a ninth beauty making an appearance on stage, however, she will be coming to serenade the audience with her soulful music.

This is none other than American-

Jamaican singer and songwriter Alaine Laughton who is known by her first name. The pageant will be hosted at Pegasus Hotel and patrons can now look forward to a mind-blowing performance from one of Jamaica’s leading ladies as she takes to the stage on October

6, before one beautiful and equally intelligent young lady is selected to represent Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant in Russia come November 09.

Alaine’s most popular solo singles are "No Ordinary Love", "Forever More" and "Sacrifice". More recently, this songstress released "Bye, Bye, Bye",

"What a lot of Love" and "Stay With Me".

The contestants in this year’s pageant are Alicia Bess, Carla Browne, Tiffanie Nieuenkirk, Ayana Whitehead, Kenwah Cho Quan Yi, Katherina Roshana, Shyon Hoppie and Carlea Chapelle.

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Sami Yusuf has arrived!!!

The internationally renowned Muslim singer and composer, Sami Yusuf, is about to make his debut performance in Guyana and people of all ages are excited.

The artiste arrived in Guyana last evening and will be part of a number of events planned for the next few hours before he takes to the stage on Saturday evening.

The concert which is billed for September 28 will see Sami, who has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, performing some of his spiritual and meaningful lyrics and his interpretation of the current state of the world.

Best known for the singles “Al-Mu’Allim”, “Mother”, Asma Allah”, “Ya Mustafa” and “Allahu” the 32-year-old was named

Islam’s biggest Rock Star by Time Magazine and King of Islamic Pop by Aljazeera. Yusuf produced his fourth and latest album “Salaam” in 2012, which continues to spread love, peace and unity. He has performed in numerous countries across the world, including: the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Bosnia, Turkey and the MENA region.

General admission cost $2500 and children will pay $1500 while Gold adult tickets cost $5000 and children $3500. Platinum tickets cost $20,000 and Limited Royal seating available for $30,000.

Tickets are already available on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) and in Georgetown at the follow-

TGunjan & Jeffrey

set to perform at

ing locations: CIOG Office Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown; Gulzar Namdar at 76 Meten-MeerZorg, WCD; Ashraf Allie –Parika Outfall, WCD; Imran Hussain (Wolf Furniture Store) – Leonora Public Road and Roy Hussain Discount Store – Vreed-enHoop Stelling.

Tickets locations on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) include Imran Khan and Daughters Hardware Store – Mon Repos; Z Mohamed and Son Trading – Felicity, ECD and Curies General Store – 8 Dundee Mahaicony, ECD.

Berbice ticket locations are Imran and Son/Imran and Daughter (Rose Hall town); A Ally and Sons (New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Grove) and Madina Store –6 D Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

Guyana Fashion Week will be publishing an online GFW Magazine for their first fashion week and 6th edition of the event.

The cover photo for the GFW magazine was shot by Mark Jacobs, the winner of the GFW/ Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Water Week photography competition. The shoot featured the amazing work of the winner of Designer Portfolio 2012, Andy Cummings, with Richard Young styling the models; along with the winners of Guyana Model Search (GMS) 2012 Hamid (winner of GMS) Amanda Henry(second runner-up GMS), Tina Garraway (first runner-up, plus size GMS), Akeisha Joseph (second runner-up, plus size GMS).

“I am overly excited to be on the cover of GFW magazine. This is a dream come true for any young designer,” Andy Cummings said.

“We have done a lot over the years with GFW and Guyana Model Search/Designers and we will like to market that growth and showcase Guyana as a fashion tourism

destination,” Sonia Noel said. She added that there will be a heavy marketing campaign for this online publication and it will be great for advertisers because the mileage will be amazing. Interested persons or businesses are asked to contact the GFW Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Tickets are on sale at Kings Jewellery, Nigel’s Supermarket, Sonia Noel designs and the cast of GFW.

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s annual Diwali Utsav

will be held on Saturday, October 26 at the Guyana International Conference Centre, which will see dynamic performances by two phenomenal singers; Jeffrey Iqbal and Gunjan Singh.

There will also be performances from some of Guyana’s top singers. Musical accompaniment will be given by immensely talented musicians from Mumbai and Guyana.

This will be both Gunjan and Jeffrey’s second trip to Guyana. Last year, they performed with Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal respectively and were immensely popular with the Guyanese audience. Gunjan has had a multifaceted career, with a number of chart-topping songs.

She was the winner three years in a row of the All India (National) Award, has performed extensively on the international stage and was the main artist on the soundtrack of one of the most successful films ever ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.

She has sung for in excess of 20 albums, most of which went Platinum within six weeks and Triple Platinum within 12 months.

Gunjan has collaborated with world-renowned artistes like Diana King, Morgan Heritage, Raghav, Apache Indian, Tigerstyle, Eminem’s rapper Stat Quo, 50 cent, Elephant Man and chart topping producers like Handel Tucker (who managed artistes such as Maxi Priest, Beenie Man, Backstreet Boys); Rishi Rich (who managed artistes like Britney Spears and Craig David) and Jim Beanz (who managed artistes like Will Smith and Justin Timberlake).

Her song “Kawan” with Bikram Singh and Tigerstyle went on to become a massive hit all over Europe and North America and was voted Track of the Year (2005) by BBC Asian Network. She has performed several times for BBC events in the UK.

She has a wide repertoire and is equally comfortable with the melodies of yesteryear as she is with today’s chart-topping dance numbers.

However, U.S. born Jeffrey Iqbal’s career on the world stage began when he was chosen in a talent search by the legendary music director AR Rehman from among thousands of applicants to perform at Rehman’s mega concert in New York.

Thereafter, Jeffrey entered ZEE TV’s U.S. version of Saregamapa, emerging as the first runner up and

gaining direct entry into India’s Saregamapa show. Jeffrey recently released his first Bollywood song “Rubaru” for the film Deheradun Diary.

The song has garnered rave reviews. Jeffrey performs regularly across North America and is known for his signature dance moves and energetic upbeat style, making him immensely popular with his young fans.

In 2012, he was invited to tour with Bollywood’s current playback Queen Shreya Ghoshal and performed in Canada, USA, UK and the Caribbean. He left audiences everywhere wanting more. Jeffrey is currently working in his own album which will be released shortly.

Joining Gunjan and Jeffrey will be Guyana’s very own Dharmic Nritya Sangh with an array of unique dances, complete with dazzling costumes. The dancers have been rehearsing extensively and are ready to rock the stage on October 26.

Tickets for the event cost $5000 for stage front (with numbered seating), and $2000 for reserved numbered seating. Paid parking is also available within the compound of the conference centre.

Tickets are on sale at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Red Mango – Robb Street, Bhagwan’s – Water Street, E-Networks – Camp Street, Murti Shop – West Coast Demerara and Spreadys in Berbice.

The long wait for Carib Chutney Mania is over! It’s here, this Saturday at the Better Hope Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara.

Carib Fanatics – KI and the JMC 3VENI band – are calling on you to be friends this Saturday night. Chutney fans come out in your numbers to enjoy a night of energetic music from the hottest chutney artistes in the business.

KI and the JMC 3VENI band along with the Shakti Strings Orchestra band, lead by Avenash Roopchand and team including Prince JP, Celia Samaroo, Pooran Seeraj, Stephan Ramphal and Yoland Nedd will be performing.

There will also be a special appearance by Halima Khan, winner of the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition.

Music lovers will get to enjoy great chutney music with a fusion of soca and reggae music in a Carib party atmosphere from KI and the JMC 3VENI band who are known as

the best cross-over band in the industry with hits like “Single forever” and “Let’s be friends for the night.”

Once again, the organisers would like to thank their current ticket holders and assure them that their tickets are still valid; additionally for those who would like to acquire a ticket, these will be sold at the gate for $1000. Come out and enjoy fantastic music with the Carib girls and also enjoy great Carib giveaways.

Tourist villa apartments 1, 2 & 3 bedroom, long & short term, and car rental service. Phone: 227-2199, 227-2186

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

Electronics course - hands-on training, starting October 2, Abdul Electronics. Phone: 226-6551, 225-0391.

Learn to play the guitar, keyboard, drums, and train your voice at Foundation 7. Phone: 225-1151 or 617-4200.

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

Mixed breed pups. Phone: 253-3114, 692-0126

One

U.S. Green Card Lottery

2013. We are now accepting entries for the Annual Green Card Lottery sponsored by the U.S. Government. Enter now for a chance to become a permanent resident of the USA. Closing date November 2, 2013. Contact Balwant Persaud Immigration and Visa Services 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings and Light Sts.) Tel: 225-1540, 655-3105, 622-8308

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

Parfaite Harmonie $1M and $1.2M phone: 675-7292 46 houselots in residential area between Charles & Peter Streets, Parika, EBE. Phone: 622-6971/6612289

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-MeerZorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

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Pure bred American Akita puppies for sale $200,000. Phone: 639-8924, 2274674

Mercury in large quantities 99.9999% purity. Call: 679-1985, 219-4535, 6935004 1 Canon copier (Image Runner 6020) with finisher. Call 647-5150, 694-5738 Cheap earth. Delivery to spot, ECD and EBD. Phone: 627-9977

Clean garden earth & builders waste. Also bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling done. Phone: 616-0617, 6633285.

Healthworld Holistic Centre: Psychotherapy available for all types of abnormal behaviors – addictions, emotional, suicidal, anger, relationships and sexual problems. Treatment of stress disorders, depression, fear, low self-esteem, insomnia, trauma, psychosomatic sicknesses and children's disorders. We also conduct IQ evaluations and behavioral assessments. By appointment only. Clinic hours: 11:00 - 17:00h. Tel: 592-6210552. Email:healthworldhc@gmail. com

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for all chronic genetic/none genetic diseases, including HIV, Cancer, diabetic, pregnancy, sexual (weakness), etc. Phone: 685- 3220.

Are you pouring on pounds? Then call Raul /Carol Wilson: 660-6818, 641-5923, 216-3016, 216-3601 for your healthy eating package. Stay healthy and flexible with yoga. Phone: 693-2233

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

3 bedroom bottom flat for rental situated on the ECD. Phone: 669-9384, available for viewing after September 27 after 4:00pm. No animals.

One house located in Lamaha Gardens, hot and cold water. Call 219-4535

EXECUTIVE TWO STOREY BUILDING

3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES FURNISHED/ UNFURNISHED, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230

Retired Engineer aged 66 would like to know a single female over the age of 50. Phone: 604-7022

One business property, Lamaha Street. Phone: 669-3313, 231-4586, 695-4382. Properties for sale. Phone: 642-2116 2-storey concrete house 32’x 55’, 4 bedrooms, block 8 Mon Repos, ECD, $35 million. Phone: 642-2116 EXECUTIVE TWO STOREY BUILDING 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 6968230

Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 6621247.

J Eastman & Associates Financial Services: Taxation, VAT Compliance, Accounting & Consultancy, and Cash Flow Projection. Address: 190 Church St, S/Cburg (East of Austin’s Book Store) Phone: 662-7467, 223-2105

Lethem – Rupununi Heritage Month event September 27-29. Visit: Iwokrama, Rock View Resort, Bonfim - Brazil, Moco Moco & Kumu Falls, St Ignatius - Lethem. Package $150,000. Phone: 662-3665

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

Spiritual work. Unite lovers, get rid of evil, enhance

and charm bowu guards, etc. Phone: 220-0708, 612-6417, 687-5653 Divinations and cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá and Khemetian spiritual guards, pendants, crystals and rune stones to help you overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money and many more. Call 10:00-16:00h on: +592-690-1824. Email: anew-life@live. com

One Honda Cappa (Yellow) ideal for taxi or private use. Leather seats and roof, alarm, reverse camera, DVD/TV/CD player, mag rims. Also Motorola Base Radio with Antennae. HC series; immaculate condition; give away price $1M. Call 647-2491.

One black scooter for sale, excellent condition. Phone: 602-7277, for information.

One new Yamaha R1 Motorcycle 1000cc (candy red & black) recently registered 2013. Latest double exhaust, bug lights, immaculate condition. Give away price, call 647-2491

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA SPACIO; TOYOTA VITZ (NEW SHAPE); TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 COMPRESSOR; BMW 318 I; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, SOLID DIFFERENTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 3, 3.5 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TON DUMP TRUCK. PREORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICE AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND A SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST. 1 Bedford truck. Phone: 616:0617, 663-3285.

HBikini Fest/ Miss Beach Body this Sunday

ere is your final chance to get out those sexy bikinis and play in the sun as we party with Guyana’s leading DJs and officially say goodbye to one heck of a summer.

The Bikini Fest is happening this Sunday at Celina’s Beach Resort and partygoers can also look forward to the big Miss Beach Body competition in which only the finest and fittest young ladies will be competing.

The winner, second and third place

contestants will walk away with rewarding cash prizes.

This event is perfect for the entire family with bouncy castles on site for children to have fun absolutely free of charge. There will also be tons of games for the entire family to enjoy. Gates will be opened from 12:00h.

Music will be provided by Fusion’s Gully Ras and Selector Diamond, Hits and Jams 94.1 Boom FM’s DJ Energy and Stereo Sonic’s Akilo.

First stop – Tokyo

Heineken presents its first ever Legendary Tour, with the first stop being Tokyo to be held at Gravity Lounge.

On Saturday, September 28, the Gravity Lounge will be transformed into the city of Tokyo, where Heineken legendary travellers will have the opportunity to sample Japanese cuisine and mingle with Geisha Girls, while being surrounded by exotic decorations and enjoy great Heineken giveaways.

Arrival time for the Legendary Tour is at 20:00h. Let the JET LAGer begin!

Heineken Legendary Tour includes four concept parties with themes that will capture cities starting with Tokyo on Saturday, then into Europe stopping in Amsterdam. The party follows through to South America to Rio and concluding in the beautiful city of Georgetown.

After Tokyo, the legendary travellers can look out for Amsterdam which will be held in October.

Club Monaco will come alive this Saturday when the sweet vibes of the old school returns with “Back to ‘D’ Dancehall”. For the best of old school music, come out and enjoy the juggling by Guyana’s

best DJs and selectors who will be playing the booming dancehall tracks from the 90s all the way to 2013. Let’s take you back, all the way back! Back to the days of house parties, back to the days of bottom house swings, back to the days of YMCA and the softball ground this Saturday, September 28.

Music will be provided by Fusion, Stereo Sonics and Hits and Jams 94.1 DJs. Ladies will be admitted free before 22:00h. Let’s go all the way back.

KEy CuttiNg

Bishoo bundles out Essequibo; Berbice cruise to 10-wicket win

…meet defending champions Demerara on Sunday at Albion

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Berbice leg-spinner

Devendra Bishoo took six wickets to bundle out Essequibo before the ancient county completed a 10-wicket victory in the final preliminary game of this year’s Pepsi Inter-County 50-over tournament on Thursday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.

By virtue of the victory, Berbice will face the defending champions Demerara in the final on Sunday at the Albion Community Centre ground.

Bishoo bamboozled the Essequibians with figures of 6 for 13 in 8.1 overs as the Essequibo side col-

a

lapsed from a position of 55 without loss to 93 all out in 31.1 overs.

Essequibo, after choos-

SCOREBOARD

Essequibo innings

R Fredericks c Bramble

b Ramoo 22

K Boodie c Bramble b Ramoo 35

R Peters c Chattergoon

b Bishoo 8

D Heyliger lbw b Bishoo 1

V Lall c Chattergoon b Bishoo 0

J Heyliger b Bishoo 17

K Paul c Bramble b Bishoo 0

S Alexander c D’Andrade

b Hooper 5

A Adams c Foo b Bishoo 0

H Green c Bramble b Joseph 2

G Moore not out 0

Extras: (w-3) 3

Total: (all out; 31.1 overs) 93

Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-68, 3-68, 4-68, 5-69, 6-69, 7-82, 8-86, 9-93, 10-93

Bowling: Joseph 4-1-191, Shepherd 2-0-15-0 (w1), Hooper 9-3-17-1 (w1), Ramoo 8-1-29-2 (w-1), Bishoo 8.1-2-13-6 Berbice innings

S Chattergoon not out 35 A D’Andrade not out 47

Extras: (w-12) 12

Total: (without loss; 11.1 overs) 94

Bowling: J Heyliger 3-0-5-0 (w2), Adams 3-0-33-0 (w-4), Green 1-0-17-0, Fredericks 1-0-140 (w-6), Lall 2-0-18-0, Moore 1-0-2-0, D Heyliger 0.1-5-1

the

ing to bat first, collapsed when it mattered the most. They were cruising at 15 overs with Royan Fredericks and Kevon Boodie looking comfortable at the crease before the innings turned turtle. They lost all 10 of their wickets for just 38 runs.

Boodie (35) and Fredericks (22) were the only two batsmen to put up a fight for the Essequibians, but their dismissal triggered the collapse as the middle and tailenders caved in meekly.

Jason Heyliger (17) was the only other player to get to double figure. Off-spinner Krishnadat Ramoo chipped in with 2 for 29 while Eon Hooper and Keon Joseph claimed 1-17 and 1-19 respectively. Bishoo was adjudged Man-of-the-Match.

Berbice chased down the modest total in 11.1 overs with Anthony D’Andrade and skipper Sewnarine Chattergoon providing the base for the thumping win.

D’Andrade finished unbeaten on 47, inclusive of seven fours and two sixes, while Chattergoon ended on 35 with six boundaries.

After the game Essequibo coach Vibert Johnson said his team was totally outplayed.

“We have been outplayed by a very good team and there haven’t been too many positives. We have been way below our best as a team and individuals. Our mental approach and mindset were not there when we are trying to build a partnership as batters. The batters did not stick to the game plan and that what cause us the game,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, the Berbice team came in for high praise coach Hubern Evans.

“The guys definitely played today (Thursday) game as a team and I am pretty happy with the performance. We have cross one hurdle; we have the biggest one on Sunday, so I want to urge the guys just to remain focus. I am confident that we will win the game come Sunday,” Evans said.

Sunday’s game will start at 09:00h and admission to the venue is $500.

Dhoni, Raina power Super Kings to victory

An ebullient finish from MS Dhoni that built on Suresh Raina’s consummate half-century set up a 12-run victory for Chennai Super Kings over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Ranchi on Thursday.

Dhoni walloped eight sixes and a four, in a 19ball maraud that brought him 63 not out, after Raina had hit 84 from 57. Dhoni’s bore down most heavily on Thisara Perera, from whose

third over was pillaged for a tournament-high 34 runs, with only two of those coming from wides. Sunrisers threatened to chase down Super Kings’ 202 for 4 when their openers hit 86 from the first 9 overs, but they lost their way soon after, and were never able to get themselves ahead of the required run rate.

Dhoni’s intent was clear, almost as soon as he arrived at the crease, when he blast-

SCOREBOARD

Chennai Super Kings innings

M Vijay c Dhawan b Steyn 0

M Hussey c †Patel b Duminy 23

S Raina c Perera b Steyn 84

S Badrinath c Steyn b Duminy 13

MS Dhoni*† not out 63

DJ Bravo not out 6

Extras: (w 12, nb 1) 13

Total: (4 wkts, 20 overs) 202

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-45, 3-115, 4-175

Bowling: D Steyn 4-0-232, I Sharma 4-0-40-0, JP Duminy 4-0-27-2, A Mishra

2-0-13-0, N Perera 3-0-600, D Sammy 3-0-39-0 Sunrisers Hyderabad innings

P Patel† run out (Raina) 37

S Dhawan* c †Dhoni

b Ashwin 48 JP Duminy b Raina 0 N Perera c Vijay b Bravo 12

D Sammy b Holder 50

A Ashish Reddy c †Dhoni b Bravo 3 K Sharma c Vijay b Holder 11

D Steyn not out 10

G Vihari not out 5

Extras: (w 8, nb 6) 14

Total: (7 wkts, 20 overs) 190

Fall of wickets: 1-87, 2-89, 3-91, 4-106, 5-137, 6-169, 7-175 Bowling: M Sharma 4-0-410, J Morkel 2-0-19-0, R Ashwin

4-0-32-1, J Holder 4-0-392, S Raina 1-0-3-1, DJ Bravo 4-0-34-2, R Jadeja 1-0-22-0

ed the second ball he faced - a flighted offbreak from JP Duminy - back over the bowler’s head for six. He then cooled his heels for the next two overs, but with another straight six off a Perera halfvolley in the 18th over, he engaged annihilation mode. Perera continued to miss his length, and Dhoni mauled his four last deliveries with rare savagery. The second six was whipped off the pads over fine leg; the third, carved inside-out square on the off side; the fourth launched 101 metres into the stand behind; and the fifth - a desperate short, wide ball from a bowler bereft of ideas - upper-cut over third man. Predictably, Perera’s bowling duties ceased thereafter, with him having collected by far the worst figures for threeovers, in the tournament’s history.

His economy rate was a scarcely believable 20.

Dhoni was less militant thereafter, but that only meant he scored 20 from his last six deliveries. A square drive off Steyn brought his only four of the innings, before propelling two consecutive Darren Sammy de-

IGG athletics team named

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) officially named its squad for the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) next month in Suriname.

The team comprises of 13 males and 13 females while there are three officials.

Three-time 1500m gold medalist Jevina Straker, 1500m gold medalist Cassey George, Carifta 400m bronze medalist Jason Yaw, the in-form Alita Moore and Cairfta 200m bronze medalist Tirana Mitchell are some of the top names in the 29-member team.

The team will be under pressure from an improving Suriname squad but should be able to hold off their Dutch counterparts to retain the title; the team leaves for Suriname in midOctober.

Male quad: Kevin Abbensetts, Yaw, Rondel Gibbons, Quacy Simpson, Kwesi Blair, Ornesto Thomas, Kevin Nicholas, Samuel Kaitan, Parrish Cadogan, Samuel Gray, Yoel

Benjamin, Damon Williams and Laured Stewart.

Female squad: Mitchell, Moore, Straker, George, Natricia Hooper, Jevina Sampson, Cassie Kirton, Kelanie Griffith, Mearisha Carter, Niossi Alsoop, Tiffany Pilgrim, Kristy Roberts and Claudrice McKoy.

The two coaches will be Lyndon Wilson and Christophe Gaskin while the manager will be Mayfield Taylor-Trim.

liveries into the night. His fifty, completed in the final over, came off 16 balls, and was comfortably the quickest of its kind in Champions League cricket, beating Kieron Pollard’s 50 off 18.

Though Dhoni provided the late surge, Raina’s fine hand had lent Super Kings’ innings its substance. He was required in the first over after Murali Vijay had edged a Dale Steyn outswinger to slip, and though Steyn continued to move the ball appreciably, Raina stroked two boundaries to finish the over.

He then set about consolidating cleverly, often only venturing aggression when the ball deserved punishment, or the run rate threatened to stagnate.

The middle overs yielded his most lucrative patch - a seven-ball burst in which he made 23 - and effectively set his side on course for a mammoth total. Having watched Dhoni go postal from the other end, Raina attempted a big hit of his own off Steyn in the penultimate over, but was caught on the long on boundary as a third Twenty20 hundred beckoned. (Cricinfo)

F&H domino tournament washes off today

F&H Printing Establishment countrywide Million Dollars Plus domino competition, with the blessings of the Guyana National Dominoes Federation, commences today with corporations, ministries and the private enterprises zones.

In addition, Schiebeler & Co. (Trinidad) Ltd. of Trinidad & Tobago is now on board as A-list sponsor. The company with be sponsoring the first prize of the competition.

Also, it was noted that players on a team can only play for one team throughout the competition, regardless of the zone. Over 60 teams have been invited and are expected to participate in this segment of the competition.

Double six time is 19:00h.

Meanwhile, Hazim Hakh, Managing Director of F&H Printing Establishment and a domino fanatic, is convinced that the game can be developed into a national calendar event, if proper structures are put in place. Hence, the reason for F&H, located in Campbellville, sponsoring the competition last year. After seeing the re-

sponse, the company vowed to make it a calendar event. Negotiations are currently ongoing with other business entities to make this year’s competition bigger and better than last year. Last year’s cash prizes amounted to $1.7 million, and will be no less this year. The competition is expected to attract teams from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, including Timehri, West Bank Demerara, Mahaica/ Mahaicony, East Bank Essequibo, Essequibo Islands, Essequibo Coast, East Berbice, West Coast Berbice, Corentyne, including Canje and New Amsterdam, Bartica, Linden/Kwakwani, Madhia, Port Kiatuma, Lethem and Mabaruma. Hakh also mentioned that like last year a corporation zone will be formed to encourage teams from private businesses, ministries and public corporations to participate. Last year the Ministry of Health placed fifth overall in the competition and carted off the prize for the best performing corporation team.

Sewnarine Chattergoon punches

delivery down

ground during his innings (Rajiv Bisnauth photo)

Cassey George

Alita Moore Jason Yaw

Guyanese Deosaran confident East Coast CCC will lift OSCL trophy

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

Twenty-five-year-old left-handed batsman Krishna Deosaran expressed confidence that East Coast Cricket Club (ECCC) will lift the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) trophy on Sunday against their closest rivals, Cricketers Cove.

The 20-over contest is a highly-anticipated one and action gets cracking from 09:00h at the Lancaster Primary School venue.

During an exclusive interview on Wednesday, the player said his colleagues are also optimistic of making a big impression against their hosts in the final.

“I [am] confident the guys will pull it off on this occasion; they beat us last year but I think we are more equipped and ready to rumble with them on Sunday,” the former Guyana under-15 skipper declared.

Deosaran, in his fourth year plying his trade in North America, also revealed that his team played excellent in the East End Division final against Caribbean Sensation, triumphing with a two-run win. The momentum is still there, according him.

“We had a great match against Caribbean Sensation on Sunday; defending a challenging total (104) like that was remarkable and that really boosted our confidence tremendously; so I am very upbeat the guys will complete the season on a perfect note,” Deosaran stated.

Cricketers Cove is the defending champion and will be looking to replicate their performances against the same opposition. Deosaran said that Cricketers Cove showed great character in 2012 but he is not daunted by that humiliation when his side

was scuttled out for 54.

“They played well last year; their bowling was on top but as I said this is a different year and season and we all pumped up and ready to match our skills against them; we have some good players who are in great form and that too has lifted our spirit,” the all-rounder reckoned.

Deosaran, who represents Vikings Cricket Club in the Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite and Premier League competitions, mentioned he is enjoying his cricket this year. Since 2009 he has been a member of Vikings and scored two centuries while his highest softball score is 94.

“I am enjoying my game thoroughly in Canada again; the guys in both the softball and hardball teams are wonderful and supportive and I definitely want to make another trip next year; the competitions are

very challenging up here and the exposure is certainly great,” Deosaran, who made memorable 115 for Guyana under-19 in 2006 against Barbados at Bourda, communicated.

Meanwhile, Deosaran is still anxious to represent Guyana at the senior level and believes consistency is of paramount importance. He stated that the opportunities to play in Canada and among a number of international cricketers, also give him the confidence that he will Guyana colours again.

“Yes, I want to play for my country at the highest level again; I try to travel around to play competitive cricket and that helping me to focus more; I played in Trinidad and Tobago before I came up here and the cricket there was also magnificent; so I am looking forward to make runs on a regular basis,” Deosaran said.

Narayan Ramdhani cops bronze at SA Games

The inaugural South American Games continued on Thursday in Peru with Guyana’s 15-year-old badminton player Narayan Ramdhani copping a bronze medal, falling at the semi-final round.

Ramdhani lost to the number one seed, Brazilian Lohaynny De Oliveira, who is also the Pan American and South American champion. The Guyanese went down 2114, 21-15, but did his reputation no harm, since according to coach Gokarn Ramdhani, it was an impressive performance from the youngster.

The coach said of his young charge’s display: “Excellent as he fought against the weather, and all his matches went to three

games before he reached the Brazilian, who was the number one seed.”

He added, “He had a hard draw and took on all the strong players. He was also two years younger than his opponents and he was the youngest in the tournament. To compete against the bigger age shows his skills and determination. I was really happy the way he played and responded to the different styles of play.”

In his matches leading up to the semi-final, young Ramdhani won the quarter-final match against his Venezuelan opponent, 1721, 21-18, 22-20.

Prior to that, he lost to his Surinamese rival, 17-21, 21-19, 21-18, but got the better of his Chilean counterpart 19-21, 21-13, 21-18.

George captures silver medal at Islamic Games

Olympian Winston

George gabbed Guyana’s first medal on Wednesday evening at the third edition of the Islamic Games currently ongoing in Indonesia.

The 26-year-old policeman clocked 46.10s in the men’s 400m final for the silver medal, finishing behind Masr Ahmed Yousef

of Saudi Arabia, who won in 45.18s. Laradi Miloud of Algeria was third in 46.26s to round out the top three in the event.

Meanwhile, George is expected to compete in the men’s 200m on Friday while Alika Morgan will taste her first action as well in the women’s 1500 metres final.

Winston George

Argentina thrash Guyana 22-0

Guyana national ladies hockey team went down hard to record their third successive loss, this time 22-0 by world champions Argentina, in the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Cup in Mendoza on Tuesday.

Argentina took just two minutes when Martina Cavallero opened their ac-

count; she also scored in the 8th and 16th minutes. World XI striker Carla Rebecci then scored twice before the first half ended 11-0; Daniela Sruoga found the back of the net in the 12th and 27th minutes; Delfina Merino capitalised in the 17th and 30th and Rosario Luchetti and Noel Barrionuevo found the back of the net in 21st and 35th

minutes respectively. In the second half Luciana Aymar fired in four quick goals in the 45th, 47th, 51st and 61st minutes. Rebeccchi scored two more in the 37th and 41st; Luchetti in the48th and 63rd, Augustina Albertarrio in the 53rd, Silvina D’Elia in the 69th and Barrionuevo in the 70th.

Seven-time world

Player-of-the-Year Luciana Aymar about to strike at the Guyanese goal

Education ministry mulls change for Schools Championships

By Treiston Joseph

The prospect of moving the National School Championships to next year may become a reality as the Ministry of Education seeks to engage the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) for the switch from November.

While no new date has been proposed, it was learnt by this publication that officials are mulling some time during the second school term. Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam contended that one of the reasons for the change is to minimize the amount of time students are out of school during the Christmas term.

“Our position was that we wanted to cut down on the amount of time that students are out of school in this first term and balance that so that it’s not a one term kind of undertaking.

“Added to that we wanted to ensure that students have the opportunities to participate in athletics year round so that in the first term, second and third terms as they build up towards going to represent the country at the Caribbean Championships, that we provide opportunities for them in every region

Colin Bynoe CEO Olato Sam

and all across this country to participate in athletics,” Sam revealed to Guyana Times Sport.

Schools are currently conducting their InterHouse championships, the first step to the National Schools Champions.

On the other hand, Sam noted that the old system was not working.

“What happened in the past was that we did everything in the first term and once it was over that as it for the year and so this approach seems to provide more balance.

‘We are waiting on the union (GTU) to come forward and we can have a

meeting of the minds to put this into effect,” Sam stated.

However, the CEO related that no firm decision has been made on the change of dates for the event.

“We had discussions with the GTU and I think we are still at the stage where we are ironing out all of these issues and I don’t think we have arrived at a final decision yet,” Sam noted.

Meanwhile president of the GTU Colin Bynoe revealed in a telephone interview with this publication that he received word on the change of dates from his secretary but was not in receipt of any official documentation from the MOE.

Fundadin helps WI A to stay ahead of India A

West Indies A stayed ahead by scoring 429 and removing India A’s top order for a little more than 100 runs on the second day of the first unofficial Test in Mysore on Thursday.

After Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards fell in the 90s on the first day, Assad Fudadin took his team to a strong total with the tail.

Lokesh Rahul and Manpreet Juneja tried to stabilise India after two wickets fell before the score crossed 50, but Nikita Miller removed Rahul to give West Indies the advantage again.

Resuming at 264 for 5, West Indies lost Chadwick Walton for 35 to Ishwar Pandey but Fudadin and Miller denied India any further success by putting on 88 for the seventh wicket. Miller struck five boundaries during his 49 before being run-out. Once he fell, with the score at 364, the rest of the tail did not add much but Fudadin took them past 400 with a patient and unbeaten 86 during which he faced over 200 deliveries.

Offspinner Parvez Rasool took the remaining three wickets for his fourth fivewicket haul in first-class

cricket and finished with 5 for 116.

India put on a stable 45 for the opening stand which was broken by leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who had Jiwanjot Singh caught behind for 16. India were given a big blow when they lost captain Cheteshwar Pujara to Miguel Cummins after adding only 3 to the scoreboard

and India’s score was only 49.

Rahul and Juneja steered the Indian innings with a 60run stand, taking India past 100, but West Indies struck again when Rahul became Miller’s first victim for 46. Juneja was given company by Harshad Khadiwale for about an hour before stumps during which he made a tolerant 5 off 36. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies A 1st innings

K Brathwaite c †Motwani

b Parvez Rasool 92

K Powell lbw

b Mohammed Shami 0

K Edwards* b Pandey 91 N Deonarine c &

b Parvez Rasool 28

A Fudadin not out 86

L Johnson lbw b Paliwal 10

C Walton† lbw b Pandey 35

N Miller run out

(Pujara/†Motwani) 49

V Permaul c Pujara

b Parvez Rasool 11

D Johnson c Mohammed

Shami b Parvez Rasool 0

M Cummins lbw

b Parvez Rasool 6

Extras: (b7, lb9, nb5) 21

Total: (all out, 135 overs) 429

Price is Right Supermarket Upper Corentyne Second Division…

Ramdass scores first century of competition

The Price is Right Supermarket Upper Corentyne second division cricket competition started with a blast when Springlands opening batsman Trishan Ramdass hammered 135 to help his team defeat No. 72 All Stars by 168 runs.

The belligerent Ramdass stroked 11 fours and 12 sixes in his innings as Springlands reached 289-5 from 35 overs. In reply No. 72 All Stars were bowled out in 23.5 overs for 121 runs; bowling for Springlands Nadeem Shahabudeen took 3 for 23 and T. Ally, 2 for 1.

In other first round matches: Skeldon Community Centre defeated Young Royals by eight wickets. Young Royals were bowled out for 46. Bowling

for Skeldon Victor Pedro took 3 for 8, Deon Esau, 3 for 14, while Skeldon replied with 47 for 2 with Christohper Jaundoo scoring an unbeaten 31. No. 70 Young Stars defeated No.73 Young Warriors by eight wickets. No. 73 Young

Warriors scored 145 with N. Jainarine scoring 36. Bowling for No. 70 Young Star T. Kumar took 4 for 14; in repay No. 70 Young Stars scored 149 for 2 with A. Haniff and K. Sugrim scoring unbeaten scores of 56 and 34 respectively. No. 48 Challengers defeated No. 52 Survival by 16 runs. No.48 Challengers made 161 with Askhay Homraj scoring 45 and M. Homraj, 34. Bowling for No.52 Survival M. Kendal took 3 for 24, N.Cambell, 3 for 23. No. 52 in reply were bowled out for 145 runs; M. Harvie scored 34 and D. Ramdeen, 25. Bowling for No.48 B. Persaud took 4 for 20, B. Samaroo, 3 for 16, and J. Baijnauth, 2 for 28. The competition continues this weekend with 13 matches at various venues in the Upper Corentyne area.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-175, 3-211, 4-223, 5-237, 6-276, 7-364, 8-406, 9-412, 10-429

Bowling: Mohammed Shami 212-75-1, I Pandey 27-7-69-2, A Dinda 25-2-80-0, Parvez Rasool 45-13-116-5, R Paliwal 13-356-1, H Khadiwale 4-0-17-0

India A 1st innings

K Rahul c LR Johnson b Miller 46 Jiwanjot Singh c †Walton

b Permaul 16

C Pujara* c Powell b Cummins 3

M Juneja not out 47

H Khadiwale not out 5

Extras: (b 4, nb 3) 7

Total: (3 wkts, 43 overs) 124

Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-49, 3-109

Bowling: M Cummins 12-1-37-1, D Johnson 9-3-28-0, V Permaul 13-2-45-1, N Miller 9-4-10-1

Trishan Ramdass

Anthony D’Andrade was in an attacking mood as he cut off of his seven boundaries (Rajiv Bisnauth photos)

Bishoo collects his Man-of-theMatch trophy from match referee Colin Stuart

Narayan Ramdhani in action during his semi-final match on Thursday