Guyana Times Daily

monday, february 10, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Magazine aimed at inspiring young Guyanese launched

“Inspire Guyana”, a new magazine aimed at helping students to ascertain what they want to be by providing career information and professionals’ profiles, was launched on Saturday evening in Georgetown.

“I never went overseas to live; I have a heart for the children of Guyana and I am committed to staying here and working with them, developing them,” those were the words of Captain Orlando Charles, the owner of the new magazine.

Charles said the magazine is aimed at informing young people of the opportu-

nities they would have available when they finish school. He said: “I realised, over the past 10 years, students are not sure of what they want to become, so I thought of ways of informing them.”

Captain Charles continued that the initial idea was to produce a handout, but it grew and the idea for the magazine was conceived.

Tricia Azaire, production coordinator of the magazine, said after observing some of the career days held for students, they found that they left much to be desired, hence they identified the areas that were lacking.

She said, “Students were

very receptive to the idea, because, in retrospect, it would have been ideal for them to decide what subjects they were going to write at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.”

She further explained that the magazine has an interactive page whereby readers can provide feedback and give information on what they would like to see published in the magazine.

Azaire further stated that the magazine will be published bi-monthly and would be available for the low cost of $400. She add-

ed that they are looking to work with the ministries that conduct training programmes, so the magazines could be made available to their students also.

“For people to aspire to greatness they need two things, which are access and opportunity, which we are looking to do,” she declared.

Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who briefly addressed the gathering, said he sees the magazine as a way for youths to get role models, since it features personality profiles. “This magazine is aptly named

“Inspire Guyana”… it is an extremely good way for youths to get role models.”

He added that he welcomes the initiative and his ministry looks forward to working with the team in their endeavour to enhance the lives of Guyana’s youth.

Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Senior Assistant Registrar Verieux Mourillon has endorsed the publication. Verieux said: “Inspire Guyana will connect the dots from the career information, the study path and meeting financial requirements to the continued building of a prosperous and peaceful Guyana.”

The publisher noted that the magazine will be made available in schools next week and readers will also be given the opportunity to win prizes.

Also addressing the gathering was 2013 top CSEC student Zimeena Rasheed, who was also featured in the magazine. She noted that the magazine was an excellent initiative and an extremely great thing for its intended audience. “Young people will now be able to explore and choose from the opportunities offered to them in Guyana.”

Guyana, TT to finalise land/farming deal

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Trinidad and Tobago’s Agriculture Minister, Devant Maharaj are scheduled to meet within two weeks to finalise an agreement that will see large-scale farming done in Guyana by investors from the twin-island republic.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Dr Ramsammy said while it has been agreed that 10,000 acres of land in the Canje Basin will be used by the Trinidadian investors, the Agriculture Department in Trinidad and Tobago and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) are working earnestly to finalise the

first set of crops to be planted. The planting of corn, soya, cassava, and legumes as well as the rearing of fish and poultry are the activities the parties are considering at the moment. When the two parties have completed their work, the countries will finalise the logistics.

The agriculture minister said the finalisation of this agreement will also pave the way for Guyanese farmers to easily access the Trinidad market. This has been an issue for some farmers in the past.

In 2013, Guyana and Trinidad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the release of land to inves-

tors and farmers of the twin island. Guyanese farmers pay approximately $1000 per acre annually; that fee varies based on the geographical area, crop cultivated, and the size of the investment. Besides the 500,000 hectares that are under full cultivation, Guyana has 3.3 million hectares of potential agricultural land remaining.

Misunderstanding

The Trinidad and Tobago Agriculture Society, United Farmers Association, and the Trinidad and Tobago Cane Producers Association have objected to the MoU signed between Trinidad and Tobago. It was contended that the agreement would not put a dent in TT’s $4 billion food importation bill, as was claimed.

But Dr Ramsammy said it was clearly a misunderstanding. “There were some objections by the farmers who thought that they still have land in Trinidad… but I think since then, the Ministry of Agriculture has had meetings with the farmers clarifying what is to be done.”

He said Trinidadian investors are just being given the opportunity to invest in Guyana, noting that the Trinidadian government will continue to invest in small farmers in the twin island. “There was a feeling that Trinidad was abandoning agriculture in Trinidad to pursue agriculture in Guyana, but that is not the case.”

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and his Trinidadian counterpart, Devant Maharaj

A section of the large gathering at the launch of the magazine

“Inspire Guyana” Production Coordinator Tricia Azaire and owner Captain Orlando Charles unveil the magazine at the launch on Saturday evening at Queen’s College

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, February 10 from 14:00h-15:30h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, February 10 from 13:20h-14:50h

WEATHER TODAY

U.S. warns against travel on Caribbean Airlines flights

to take precaution

The U.S. embassy here has warned all its citizens not to travel on Caribbean Airlines flights destined for the U.S. today, citing an unconfirmed security threat.

“The embassy has received unconfirmed threat information relating to Caribbean Airlines flights destined for the United States departing on Monday, February 10, 2014. Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy advises all U.S. citizens in Guyana travelling on Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to the United States from Monday, February 10 through Wednesday, February 12, 2014, to make alternate travel arrangements,” the embassy said in an advisory posted on its website.

It added: “We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens travelling to or residing in Guyana enrol in the Department of State’s Smart Traveller Enrolment Programme (STEP). STEP enrolment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy

to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enrol directly with the U.S. embassy.”

The embassy is urging U.S. citizens to regularly monitor the State Department’s website, “where you can find current travel warnings, travel alerts, and the worldwide caution. Read the country specific information for Guyana. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website”. The embassy said it can be contacted for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.

“You can also call 1-888407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-5014444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveller iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.”

The U.S. embas-

sy in Georgetown is located at 100 Duke and Young streets, Kingston, Georgetown. During regular business hours, persons may call (592) 2254900/9 extension 4222. For U.S. citizens in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. embassy is (592) 623-1992.

For its part, CAL on Sunday said it would “work closely” with all authorities after the U.S. embassy in Guyana warned Americans against travelling on the airline because of “unconfirmed threat information” relating to its flights destined for the U.S.

“Caribbean Airlines will like to advise the travelling public that we are working closely with all authorities to ensure that security protocols are followed,” CAL’s head of Corporate Communications, Clint Williams, said in a brief statement. “All Caribbean Airlines flights will operate as scheduled and we thank the travelling public for their understanding for any inconvenience at this time and special security measures will be put in place at this period,” he

added.

Meanwhile, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Public Works Ministry said they were advised of a ‘threat’ received by Caribbean Airlines and immediately convened a high level security meeting with relevant security agencies and stakeholders of the airport. The officials assessed the threat and put in place a number of measures to prevent any untoward occurrence, a statement from the CJIA said Sunday night. “The ministry and CJIA have since adopted the highest security posture to protect passengers, crew, aircraft and airport employees and to ensure the continued smooth and safe operations at the airport. Passengers and other airport users are asked to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities or occurrences and report same to an airport security official,” the statement added. A heightened security alert will remain in place over a number of days until such time that the threat is no longer deemed valid, the statement added.

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 State of World Population 2013, produced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), lists Guyana among the six countries of the Caribbean, with the highest prevalence of teenage pregnancy.

The others include Belize, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. This pronouncement of the report points to the need for serious reflection and a collective effort from all stakeholders to address the problem.

Teenage pregnancy Congratulations to the president for his efforts at CELAC Summit Countdown to Mash

Teenage pregnancy affects society in innumerable ways and remains a topical issue, though it does not receive adequate attention in the media and elsewhere. While the issue here is a cause for concern, this problem is not limited to Guyana and the Caribbean.

Worldwide, it is estimated that 16 million teenage girls give birth every year. Many teenage girls suffer from complications during childbirth that lead many times to disability, sterility, or even death. This is enough evidence that the issue needs to be addressed urgently.

Katrina L Burchett, author of Choices, depicts teenage pregnancy among female adolescents in a number of interesting ways, all having relevance in Guyana. The general summary of the work falls into the areas of peer pressure, influence, and parenting.

In this technological age, the influence of sex is having a profound effect on teenagers. These days, it seems that sex is everywhere and not to be a part of it is like being the odd one. The television shows, the Internet, magazines, movies, commercials and beauty pageants, all glorify sexuality, conveying the impression that chastity is a sin and sexuality, dishonesty and immorality are the ways to a good life.

The sex industry has already accepted that many teens are having sex (many, unprotected sex), and it is now churning out commercials promoting “safe” sex with the use of condoms, which, in effect, is a solution to teenage pregnancy.

In the past, it was widely accepted that sex before marriage was unacceptable, but today, even religious leaders are promoting the slogan to “walk with a condom”.

With the growing number of teens having sex, many of their peers feel they should “fit in” rather than be the ones that “stand out”.

The pressure from peers to have sex is as much to smoke, drink, or do drugs. Many adolescents even go as far as to bully others who have not had sexual intercourse, and unfortunately, many bow to the pressure in a bid to prove a point.

Very aligned to this pressure to indulge is that fact that many young people see having a boyfriend or girlfriend as desirable. The spin-off here is that pleasing that person results inevitably in sex, as this is now a dominant culture in the world.

Many teen girls often expect that having sex will transform their lives into a blissful fusion or transform their lover into a devotee of some sort. Even though some young girls and boys do benefit financially and socially from these flings, they ultimately suffer in the long run, as pregnancy invariably results for the girls.

Not surprisingly, many of them complain of feeling hurt and abandoned, with some forced to undergo recuperative psychological counselling. Going forward in addressing the problem, it is important for parents to take control of the children, know their friends and what they do at school and after school.

Teachers also have a role to play in keeping their charges in check, not as guards, but as guides, and religious institutions also have a role to play in instilling moral and proper social values in youths. In all of this, parents need to set the right example for their children as children tend to emulate the actions of their parents.

The community must play an integral role in the moulding and spiritual upbringing of children. There is no universal panacea to the problem, but this re-socialisation will go a far way in addressing the scourge and restore some level of dignity to our society, as our moral values have been significantly eroded.

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would like to take this opportunity to congratulate President Donald Ramotar, who led Guyana’s delegation to the recently-concluded Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in Havana, Cuba.

President Ramotar, who was one of the many heads of state from the 33 member countries to be present, represented Guyana with distinction and has once again ensured that this country continues to have a voice on the international scene and contributes meaningfully to the resolving of global issues.

CELAC was created in December 2011 with the aim of deepening Latin American and Caribbean integration. This integration has always been foremost within the PPP/C and the party has on numerous occasions advocated for such. Moreso, the theme under which the summit was held, “Eradication of hunger, poverty, and inequality in Latin America and Caribbean states”, is something which is synonymous and is the hallmark of the PPP/C’s thrust since its inception.

Our party founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan, and all of its leaders, including President Ramotar, have vehemently pursued the eradication of poverty, hunger, and inequality. This ingrained characteristic of the PPP/C is reflected through the billions of dollars which the PPP/C-led government continues to allocate in its budgets for the development of the social sectors and the improving of living standards for all. The testimony to these successes is overwhelming and is evident across the country.

While there is inequality and abject poverty in the CELAC member states, the PPP/C administration, through the prudent management of its successive presidents, has been able to drastically reduce these societal ills, resulting in Guyana now been classified as a developing country, as against a bankrupt and highly indebted poor country as it were in the region in 1992.

Then, it was classified as the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere – a classification which cast a shameful veil on all. While the PPP/C would be the first to admit that there is more to be done, today, all must be proud of the tremendous strides Guyana has made in improving the lives of all of its peoples.

It would, therefore, be remiss if the party does not once again note the great disservice which the opposition has imposed on Guyanese by misusing its combined one-seat majority in the National Assembly to scuttle the many transformative projects that the PPP/C-led administration has moved to realise, which would propel the nation’s development and by extension, eradicate poverty and hunger.

The party will not relent in its push to move Guyana’s development forward and would ensure, through its work, that the nation does not return to the days of bankruptcy and despair.

It is the party’s fervent hope that the opposition would come to the realisation of the harm it continues to cause the nation though its petty and vindictive politics.

It is, therefore, heartening to note that Guyana’s participation at international for a, like CELAC, is a vindication of the valiant

efforts of the PPP/C-led administrations since 1992 to rebuild this country’s image, which was one of shame and stigmatisation during the tenure of the opposition.

Today, not only can Guyana boast of robust and meaningful participation in international fora, but of being able to take the lead in many of these events. Over the last few years, Guyana was chair of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR); chair of the board of directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); host of the Summit of the RIO Group; host of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting. And Guyana continues to be a leading voice on the global issue of climate change.

The advocacy for the latter resulted in former President Bharrat Jagdeo being conferred with the “Champion of the Earth” award by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a vindication of the respect earned on the international scene.

These positive developments were not by coincidence, but as a result of the hard work by the PPP/C administrations to not only place Guyana prominently internationally, but to ensure that its voice is heard.

President Ramotar, while attending the CELAC Summit in Havana, signed the declaration which now designates Latin America and the Caribbean region as a “Zone of Peace”.

The PPP/C has noted that during the president’s address, not only did he welcome the declaration, but called on CELAC to let its voice be heard with regard to what he described as neocolonialism and the oppression that exists in Palestine. The president was adamant that wherever colonialism is

weakened, it helps the region in its own struggles.

The PPP/C would also like to welcome the declaration making Latin America and the Caribbean a “Zone of Peace”, and once again congratulate President Ramotar for his efforts and that of his delegation, which included Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and Housing and Water Minister, with responsibility for Tourism, Irfaan Ali for the successful representation in Havana.

The party, while cognisant that CELAC is a young organisation, knows that its success will redound positively to Guyana and Guyanese. Further, in the context where the president used the opportunity at the CELAC Summit to highlight the situation in Palestine, the party would like to reiterate its call for a peaceful political resolution to the situation in Syria through dialogues.

The party also notes that while in Havana, President Ramotar was among the few heads of state and government who were invited to attend the opening ceremony of the Mariel Port Facility and to participate in the annual midnight march to celebrate the birth anniversary of Cuba’s national hero, Jose Marti.

This is indicative of the strong and meaningful relations that exist between the government and people of Cuba and the government and people of Guyana. The PPP/C as a party has always enjoyed good relations with Cuba and continues to do so, and would also like to congratulate the government and people of Cuba for successfully hosting the summit.

Respectfully submitted, PPP/C, Freedom House

More action at Georgetown Department of Education Children’s Mashramani Competition, the dance segment, which was held at the National Cultural Centre last week under the central Mash theme, “Cultural Folklore, Celebrating 44” (Carl Croker photo)

Dr Roopnaraine is giving credence

to

Bulkan, who raised no objection when Suriname was claiming New River Triangle

Dear Editor, I wish to refer to an article in another section of the press on February 4, under the headline, “No parliamentary sanction over Persaud’s presentation to Natural Resources Committee – no major violation seen, says Roopnaraine”.

Let me commend Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, chairman of the Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, for being fair and frank when he said that there was “no perceived major violation” regarding the granting of Permission for Geological and Geophysical Survey (PGGS) to Muri Brasil Ventures Inc to conduct surveys in the New River Triangle area.

This clearly shows that Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud was always being truthful to the sectoral committee. But at least the sectoral committee showed a level of being fair and cred-

ible

In the said article, sectoral committee member Joseph Harmon said the minister will be recalled to answer questions on matters raised by Janette Bulkan and John Palmer in their five -part series on the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) 2005-2012 Annual Reports, which were submitted to Parliament, titled, “Why the National Assembly should hold public hearings on the Guyana Forestry Commission”.

In like manner of being fair and credible, the sectoral committee needs to demonstrate a sequential approach in its business by firstly addressing the GFC’s 1979-1991 Annual Reports, rather than Bulkan and Palmer’s selection for the 2005-2012 reports, which will be a departure from professional accounting, resulting in flawed analysis of the forestry sector.

But if the sectoral committee is giving credence to the claims made in Bulkan’s and Palmer’s series on the GFC’s reports, it will definitely be a reflection of political bias, since Bulkan’s brother, Ronald Bulkan is a People’s National Congress/A Partnership for National Unity (PNC/ APNU) member of Parliament.

In this regard, the follow-up meeting of the sectoral committee which the minister is likely to attend will merely be a ‘kangaroo’ court. The sectoral committee member claimed that they were concerned that the PGGS granted to Muri Brasil Ventures was in the New River Triangle area, since it is an ecologically sensitive area, yet the Sectoral Committee’s Chairman Dr Roopnaraine is giving credence to Bulkan who raised no objection when Suriname wanted to

illegally claim the said New River Triangle area as part of its territory and placed it on their maps in front of her eyes when that country was preparing its readiness plans to achieve REDD-plus readiness.

Bulkan, at the time, was an operative in the ad hoc Technical Advisory Panels (TAPs) to advise the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) governance bodies on specific issues, such as the review of readiness plans and to provide technical assistance in REDD-plus related fields.

This was, however, not the case with Suriname and Bulkan was subsequently removed. So Dr Roopnaraine, I am urging that you be consistent in relation to the Bulkan and Palmer matter before the sectoral committee at the next meeting.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Parker seems to have a problem with the management of the Lethem Power Company

Dear Editor, I read a letter in another section of the press on February 5 by Carl A Parker under the headline, “Lethem needs an increased subvention”.

Parker, an A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress (APNU/ PNC) activist and regional councillor of Region Nine, has once again emerged from oblivion to create anti-government mischief in Lethem, as he is known for. He will again swiftly speed away.

Parker seems to have a problem with the management of the Lethem Power Company Inc (LPCI), which has absolutely nothing to do with the rise in electricity tariffs and the inefficiency of

the company’s management, as he is claiming.

The problem with Parker, which he is hiding, is that he is disgruntled over the removal of his APNU/ PNC buddies who once controlled, mismanaged, and crippled the electricity situation in Lethem prior to the intervention of the LPCI.

This is why Parker and his clique are now grinding their anti-government axe against the management of the company, which is currently doing an excellent job in terms of effectively managing the power supply system in Lethem and its environs. In relation to the recent increase in electricity tariffs in Lethem, Parker and residents all agreed and signed

to the agreement, which was posted up at public places in Lethem for all to see.

Parker has now signed a petition, calling for a reduction in electricity tariffs in Lethem. Some Amerindians signed the petition, but were apparently not clear on what they were signing on to. My information from Lethem is that APNU/PNC Member of Parliament Sydney Allicock also signed the petition. This is totally anti-government politics in action at Lethem, which must be ignored and rejected.

So Parker and Allicock are now calling for the reduction of electricity tariffs at Lethem and an increased subvention for the power company. But what increase in subvention can there be

There should be consensus on all matters political

Dear Editor, I have often decried the negativism and extremism that seem to have become the normal nature of the contributions of most letter writers and columnists who express their views in our national media.

Notwithstanding this, I also believe that this type of expression must have sprung from people’s feelings of hopelessness in the political situation, and a common belief that the administrators of our nation seem to be forging ahead with their own programmes, unmindful of what a large proportion of our population believe should take place, and the fact that they should be allowed to participate in the decision-making process, if only by being given

the opportunity to communicate their opinions on the various issues.

I am, therefore, reminding those in authority that, as long as what they are doing will affect all of us, no matter how worthy this may appear to them, then they have the obligation to convince all sections of our populace of the efficacy of all projects on which they intend to embark, and try to get a consensus on all matters political.

This may mean bending backwards in many instances, but the ability and willingness to go the extra mile towards compromise and cooperation are prerequisites of any party that seeks to head our affairs, and this approach can only result in improved relationships, and

thus pave the way for development.

I have suggested before that in each administrative entity, some system be instituted that is geared specifically towards an open-minded reception of the questions members of the public may ask concerning any issues of which the authorities have control, so as to open a channel of consultation and receipt of people’s suggestions and queries.

This would, of course, also serve to lessen the antagonistic manner in which people express themselves in the various media, and must lead to an atmosphere of cooperation by all concerned.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

GIT condemns Egyptian authorities for crackdown on journalists

Dear Editor, The Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) joins with leading human rights and international media freedom organisations such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Index on Censorship, and Reporters without Borders in strongly condemning the Egyptian authorities for their ruthless crackdown on journalists in Egypt, in particular, those working for the international broadcaster Al Jazeera.

The GIT is calling on the European Union, the United States, and the Guyana government to demand that the Egyptian authorities immediately drop all charges against the Al Jazeera journalists and free those who have been detained.

The GIT has observed that, since the illegal ousting of Egypt’s first democratically-elected President Mohamed Morsi last year, that country has seen some of the worst forms of violence and oppression against civilians and journalists akin to the Hosni Mubarak era.

when APNU/PNC and the Alliance For Change (AFC) chopped the 2012 and 2013 national budgets? Such an increase in subvention may, therefore, be impossible.

APNU/PNC said that the 2014 national budget will again be chopped. What Allicock can do in this regard, if he claims to be concerned about Lethem’s electricity tariffs, is to move a motion in Parliament, calling on his party and the AFC not to cut the 2014 national budget, since it will cause suffering to the residents of the Rupununi region.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

The GIT has observed that it has become increasingly difficult for journalists to freely carry out their work in Egypt and that there have been several reports of routine harassment, detention, and prosecution of national and international journalists.

The GIT is deeply concerned that several journalists who were trying to cover events related to the third anniversary of the revolution last week were arrested, even though most of them have now been released.

The GIT finds very unsettling the announcement

recently of plans to try in court 20 journalists, both local and foreign, who it is alleged worked for Al Jazeera on the really absurd charges of “aiding a terrorist group” and “harming the national interest”. This action only demonstrates that Al Jazeera has been systematically targeted by the Egyptian authorities whereby five of its journalists have been imprisoned.

Al Jazeera journalists Peter Greste, who covered the national elections here in Guyana in 2001, Mohamed Fahmy and Bahar Mohammed have been imprisoned for over a month now without charge, while two other Al Jazeera journalists, Abdullah Al Shami and Mohamed Bader have been imprisoned for over five months. There are also reports that journalists from other media organisations were also attacked, especially after being accused of working for Al Jazeera.

The GIT is also calling on the Egyptian authorities to immediately release all the imprisoned journalists and to curb all forms of violence, harassment, and intimidation of journalists.

The GIT strongly believes in freedom of expression and the right of all journalists to freely report the news without fear and intimidation. The GIT believes that reporters have a fundamental right to carry out their duty and to gather as diverse views as possible on any event.

The GIT would like all reported cases of violence against journalists to be objectively investigated.

Respectfully submitted, Guyana Islamic Trust

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

Page Foundation

Parenting For Success

Inadequate care threatens children’s well-being

Inadequate care and protection threatens wellbeing and stop children from reaching their full potential.

There are several ways in which inadequate care and protection stops children from developing and learning to their full potential. Firstly, poor care and a lack of stimulation have particularly harmful effects on the development of very young children, with children in institutional care who lack an attachment with a consistent carer commonly facing problems with physical development, language, and intelligence (Bilson 2009; Williamson and Greenberg 2010). Conversely, stimulation

provided by a devoted carer can reduce early childhood stunting, having as great an impact as the provision of nutritional supplements (World Bank 2009).

The crisis in child protection represents a major violation of children’s rights, which both impacts on the current well-be-

girls and boys die each year, because they are abused, neglected, or exploited. Vulnerable children that survive into adulthood can

“Children are the rock on which our future will be built – the leaders of our country for good or ill: which is why the rich potential in each child must be developed into the skills and knowledge that our society need to enable it to prosper.”

– Nelson Mandela

ing of children and on the achievement of broader development objectives. Many

be at a significant disadvantage, with many ex-

periencing developmental delays, gaps in their schooling, and mental and physical health problems linking to their maltreatment. The stigma, discrimination, and diminished life chances faced by children who are abused, exploited, and neglected exacerbate inequity. While the resilience of such children can carry with it some advantage for societies, in general, these boys and girls are not able to contribute to economies to their full potential.

Grave consequences

In addition to the damaging impacts on children themselves, the negative effects of child maltreatment on human capital, combined with the costs associated with responding to abuse and neglect mean that inadequate care and protection hinders economic growth.

The alarming impacts of child protection failures are likely to grow in significance unless something is

done urgently. Trends such as climate change, migration and urbanisation are all increasing children’s vulnerability and society is not investing enough resources in the protection of children. Children want more support to enable them to grow up free from violence, and within caring, safe families.

The negative impacts of inadequate care not only threaten the current wellbeing of children, but also affect their ability to make meaningful contributions to societies as adults. For example, abuse and neglect have been shown to have long-term implications for adult health, increasing risk of heart disease and mental health problems. Developmental delays due to institutionalisation and a lack of regular schooling caused by the disruption of a loss of family care prevents many adults from achieving and contributing to their full potential. Let us take the time to care for the children that are within our reach to ensure that they develop to their fullest potential. Children need love, care and attention from an adult; you don’t need to be their parent to support them to develop to their full potential.

HELP A CHILD IN NEED OF EMOTIONAL CONNECTION, SUPPORT PARENTS WHO NEED THE HELP TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

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

FITUG wants special tax waiver for persons with dependants

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has discussed with Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh its vision for persons with more than one dependants to receive a waiver on Pay As You Earn (PAYE)/Income Tax.

The union’s general secretary Kenneth Joseph said the discussion was held during the recent budget meeting with the minister and his team.

Joseph told Guyana Times that this issue was discussed before, but FITUG thought it necessary to bring it back to the forefront, so that it could be looked at seriously.

“This is not something we spoke about this year, but it’s something were been talking about a lot,” he said.

The FITUG general secretary noted that persons with dependants could vary from adult children, to grandchildren, parents, and grandparents. He explained that in some cases, one person is the bread winner, with the responsibility to feed and shelter a large household.

Joseph said he believes if the income tax is lowered for such an individual, it would give him or her more spending power and thereby assist more in meeting the household's monthly expenses.

FITUG, he said, has also urged the government to raise the threshold from $50,000 to $100,000. Joseph said when the threshold was introduced; the trade union movement recognised that productivi-

ty went down. He, therefore, believes that government should seek to restructure its tax system to enable the citizenry to lead productive and happy lives, thereby making more valuable contributions to the country’s overall development.

He said FITUG also wants to see a reduction in the 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on local construction materials.

During the talk with FITUG, the minister thanked the trade union

movement for the constructive suggestions and recommendations it has made over the years to informed government policy on a number of important issues.

The minister also acknowledged the positions taken by FITUG on issues of national importance, including the condemnation of the budget cuts imposed by the opposition in previous years, which have since been ruled to be unconstitutional by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang.

The government, he said, will continue to engage other stakeholders in the coming days and weeks as part of its ongoing efforts to receive the views of all parties on issues which will positively impact Guyana’s economic prosperity.

Minister Singh said government will remain resolute in working with all stakeholders who share a common vision for economic growth and development of the country.

Man gets bail after eight months in jail for possession of ammunition

Twenty-year-old bus conductor Keno Thompson of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam was last week granted bail in the sum of $35,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court after spending eight months in jail for possession of ammunition.

Keno Thompson and his brother, 21-year-old Devon Thompson, a labourer of Angoy’s Avenue, were both charged on June 10, 2013 for possession of ammunition. During their first appearance, both accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded to prison. However, Devon Thompson was released on bail while his brother remained incarcerated.

The prosecutor told the court that the evidence in

the matter is not ready and as a result, asked for a short period of time to make ready.

However, the magistrate who seemed to be very annoyed about the matter, questioned the prosecutor as to why it is taking the police so long to have the relevant tests done on the ammunition. The prosecutor could not give a proper explanation to the question posed by the magistrate, but reiterated that the evidence is not ready.

Meanwhile, according to information received, on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at about 08:30 hours, the police acting on information went to the home of Devon and Keno Thompson and explained the reason for their visit.

As a result, the policemen conducted a search on the house during which six live rounds of .38 of ammu-

Two dead, one

clings to life

– as suicide crisis deepens in Berbice

The suicide scourge in Berbice continues to escalate as two men are now dead while a young girl is currently hospitalised.

One of the men, a father of two, was discovered hanging on a mango tree in his yard by his daughter-in-law. The discovery was made about 22:45h on Saturday.

The reason for Khemraj Rajwant also called “Rakesh”, 42, an employee of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and resident of Whim Village, Corentyne, Berbice, committing suicide is unknown.

His wife Heamwattie Persaud, 43, said she left her husband asleep at home and went to a wake a couple houses away, and while there, she was told he committed the act.

“When me about to left house, me try fa wake he and ask he if he want go wid me, but he na ansa… me know he na sleep so me thought he ah play sleep so me gone ah me famly wake,” she said.

She disclosed that while sitting at the wake, her cellphone rang and she heard a voice saying “Maa, dadie heng e self”. The woman said she was hesitant in believing the message as she left her husband asleep.

However, when she arrived home and saw his lifeless body dangling from the

mango tree, she screamed.

“Me walk come home and when me meet me see Rakesh heng up pan ah mango tree, me feel fa dead… me dat-inlaw find am… she bin ah look fa am because she na see am in ah room…”

She said that her daughter heard the man's cellphone ringing downstairs, but it went unanswered, and thought that he was probably relaxing in the hammock and fell asleep.

However, when she checked, she saw him dangling from a branch of the tree. Persaud leaves to mourn his wife, two children and two grandchildren.

Meanwhile, another man from Lesbeholden, South Black Bush Polder, also committed suicide. Reports

are Aaron (only name given), 45, consumed gramoxone on Friday but died on Saturday at the Mibicuri Hospital.

When this publication visited the home of the deceased, the house was locked up.

However, a neighbour said the man probably committed the act because his wife left him for another man.

“Aaron ah wan good man, only thing he drink lil bit but he tek on he wife and like nobody na want am,” the neighbour said, while disclosing the daughter of the deceased had also drunk a poisonous substance a few days earlier after her husband allegedly scolded her for not preparing his meal to go to work.

Aaron, who was employed by a businessman in the area who sells agricultural drugs, apparently stole the gramoxone while he was on duty and consumed it.

According to the neighbour, his last words were “Me want fa dead but me na know me go punish suh… me na able wid dis punishment.” He leaves to mourn his wife and five children. Also a teenager of Black Bush is currently hospitalised after she allegedly consumed gasoline. Reports are the 14-year-old could not obtain poison so she drank the gasoline instead.

Mother remains in custody after feeding children insulin overdose

Awoman who allegedly fed two of her children with large doses of insulin in an apparent murder attempt remains in police custody as doctors work to restore the children to full health.

made contact with the police and reported the incident.

nition were found in a microwave in the accused’s kitchen.

The men were asked if they have a licence for the ammunition and they responded in the negative.

Devon and Keno Thompson were then cautioned about the offence committed.

Attorney Charrandas Persaud represented both men and told the court that it is unfair for any person to spend eight months in jail and for the police to be dragging their feet on the matter by not making any effort to have the evidence presented in court.

On that note, the attorney asked for the matter to be dismissed. After hearing the attorney’s argument, the magistrate granted the accused bail and ordered that he return to court on April 11.

The children are being treated at Linden Hospital Complex. The children, a boy and girl, ages 10 and six, were admitted to the medical facility on Friday morning following reports that their mother had attempted to end their lives, as well as her own after getting frustrated over a court custody battle involving them.

Police confirmed that 35-year-old Gail De Young, who was arrested and taken into police custody shortly after the incident on Friday, was up to Sunday still being held at the Mackenzie Police Station in Linden.

She was reportedly unsuccessful in purchasing poison to kill herself and children, but was able to obtain the insulin, with which she injected herself and fed the children.

After committing the act, De Young contacted a friend, reportedly relating that she had fed her children the large doses of the drug in their food. The friend in turn

Relatives and friends of the mother admitted that she was frustrated over her children’s sickness and had been involved in numerous court cases involving them and their father from whom she separated a few years ago. The court recently granted visitation rights to the children’s father, following a custody battle, much to the dismay of the woman who had reportedly accused him of being abusive towards her and the children.

The woman’s friends related that she did not want the children to have

any form of contact with their father as a result of the abuse. They also maintained that she was struggling to provide for her sickly children.

“She went through a lot, she does punish to look after them children. Is out of frustration, because is long now bad things be happening in her life so is out of frustration she probably do it... when we go and reach them children, they were already weak so we took them over to the hospital and she come over too, but afterwards the police come and collect she,” a saddened acquaintance of De Young related.

FITUG General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

Khemraj Rajwant was found hanging from a mango tree on Saturday

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Low confidence in police is driven by personal experiences – Rohee

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Affairs

Home

Minister Clement Rohee has said public confidence in the Guyana Police Force is influenced by people’s personal perception and their experiences.

This, the minister told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview, also stemmed from cases where persons made complaints and did not get satisfaction.

“As you move around the country, you will hear views that expressed a lack of public confidence in the Guyana Police Force and I think this is coming from personal experiences or maybe an experience that has to do with a relative or family member… particularly if the family is of the view that the investigations are not going in their satisfaction and they perceived slothfulness; they perceived connivance or collusion with the perpetrators.”

Rohee added that these things might not be true, but people generally draw conclusions based on observations.

He also stated that the perception is driven by sections of the media which drive fear in the public that crime is escalating, and the police are not in a position to bring it down.

The minister however feels that there are variations with respect to public confidence, noting that on the other hand, there might be some people who

have had excellent experience with the police as their matter was effectively and thoroughly handled.

Effectiveness of the GPF

The minister said that there are several aspects when it comes to police effectiveness in fighting crime, noting that one has to look at the accumulated effects in bringing down the crime statistics. On that note, he referred to the Christmas season as an example, whereby the police have been very effective in controlling the crime situation.

“This was mainly because there were tons of police ranks on the roads; the patrols were more intense; and there were joint services activities as well,” he added.

Rohee stated that while persons are bashing the force for their ineffectiveness, there are crimes that are reported and those

that are not, reiterating that it is difficult for the police to go after the ones that are not reported. The non-reporting of crime, he noted, is due to the fact that people remain quiet and more so feel that if they do, it will not make a difference.

On the other hand, they are those who will aggressively go after the police to get things done. With respect to effectiveness of the Guyana Police Force, Rohee said one has to look over a period of time to honestly answer that question as well looking at the trends to see whether the figures are coming down.

“The figures are certainly not coming down... it is a uphill battle and there are a combination of factors that are contributing to the present state of security in the country.”

The minister believes that the figures are go up not because the police are not doing anything, but rather when the crime was perpetuated, the police were nowhere around.

He is cognisant of the fact that there are certain categories of crime that the police alone cannot handle, thus, a societal intervention must be sought, referring to disorderly murder and those stemming from domestic violence.

Rohee posited that at a recent crime prevention conference held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater

Georgetown, several recommendations were inked and the ministry is moving to convene an interagency committee, involving non-governmental organisations, to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations. The effectiveness of law enforcement does not only depend on the police, but rather the involvement of all stakeholders in society.

Lack of cooperation

He further stated that the Guyana Police Force is a massive organisation that comprises a large number of people, acknowledging that there will be one or two individuals who bring the organisation into disrepute by engaging in illegal activities.

“We have to be careful that we don’t use those few bad examples to tarnish the entire organisation… this is what is happening because when it is reported in the media as an allegation, within a matter of 24 hours of it appearing in the public, it moved from an allegation to fact and then people begin to pass judgment on an allegation rather than waiting for the facts to emerge and then to judge what is the true situation.”

He made specific reference to the Colwyn Harding and another matter involving a teenager, pointing out that these allegations were presented as facts for political reasons by persons with mischievous intent.

Black see red after baby’s name changed to Grey

The naming of a baby has resulted in dispute between two families while police have been called in over the matter which saw the baby’s name changing from Black to Grey.

The male infant was born to Elizabeth Grey and Dexter Black on January 14 at the New Amsterdam Hospital. The dispute came when the Greys chose to name the child Samuel David Black. The Blacks had wanted the child’s middle name to be Anthony.

After a family feud, the parents agreed to register the child, using Anthony as his middle name. This was done on January 20 at the New Amsterdam Hospital, with Black signing as the father.

A few days later, Black left the jurisdiction to attend to work related issues. Grey subsequently went to the registration

Eyew tness Uber alles...

...Assembly?

Your Eyewitness knows he promised to get off this “Budget Cut Ruling” by the Chief Justice. There’s only so much people can take – on even the sexiest of topics. And we suspect that budget cuts aren’t that sexy to begin with, anyway. But the opposition posse is determined to fill the air with disinformation, which could have a serious blowback for all of us. So, here we go again.

Granger insists that the National Assembly can make whatever rules for its operation that it so wishes. Meaning, of course, what its majority wishes – with the opposition being the said majority right now. And he points to an article of the Constitution that says just that. But rules have consequences, no? So we’ll ask Granger and crew a simple question that shouldn’t even tax their noggins too much – and we’ll even illustrate it for them to leave no ambiguity.

“What if the rule allows a consequence that is prohibited by another act of the Constitution? One, say, that is illegal. Like directing the Sergeant at Arms to horsewhip any MP who curses in the hallowed chamber?” Now we hope no matter how Granger can’t stand Nagamootoo (and thinks he’s crass), surely he’ll agree that horsewhipping the fella for yelling at his grandson, “shut yuh so-and-so mouth!!!” in Parliament is a bit over the top? But suppose it’s Carl’s call. We know Carl can be real mean, right, Granger? So who’s to stop this illegality (cruel and inhuman treatment) and depravity?

Well, Dear Reader, this is where the courts come in – in this case, the Chief Justice. It’s the remit of the court (says the same Constitution) to decide whether the law (including the Constitution) is being flouted or not. Even when, as in this case, the disagreement is between two arms of government – the executive and the legislature. Even Burnham accepted that position, when one of his actions was ruled out of line by the courts.

Burnham didn’t go around maligning the courts. He accepted the principle of what is called “judicial review”. Now Burnham, as we know, didn’t like to take “last licks” – so, using his fraudulent “two-thirds majority”, he changed the offending article of the Constitution. So, maybe the opposition, if they really believe in “Parliament uber alles”, should amend the Constitution to so declare.

In the meantime, the courts are the arbiter of the Constitution. Story done!

...omniscience?

department of the hospital and got a clerk to mark out the registration and replace the name as Samuel Anthony David Grey.

Since Black was not there to sign, the name had to be registered as Grey. Sources at the births and deaths registry disclosed that it is illegal to change information as registered without having the permission of all parties involved.

The source, however, could not say whether the new name is legal. Meanwhile, two staff members of the hospital were invited to the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam on Friday, as the family feud escalated.

Hospital officials have also met with the clerk who made the name replacement. As the matter is being investigated, the child remains too young to decide whether he wants to be Black or Grey.

But Granger wasn’t satisfied in rejecting the role of the courts to determine whether any person or institution’s actions will result in illegalities. He petulantly blurted out that the Chief Justice isn’t “omniscient”!! Well, who the heck ever said he was? And, of course, Justice Chang could be wrong. But then again, he could be right – which is what Granger refuses to accept.

But it’s not just ironic that in making that statement, Granger’s actually saying that he, Granger, is omniscient – it’s downright frightening. Can you imagine such a person getting his hands on executive power? Whatever he says will have to be RIGHT!!! Or else! And this is the mindset that makes dictators click, isn’t it? Judges aren’t omniscient and for this reason we have “appeals”. There are “higher” judges who will review the decision. Granger knows this, because he has appealed the Chief Justice’s decision. So he’s only playing the fool – for the gallery.

But as in everything in life, the buck has to stop somewhere, doesn’t it? When those soldiers shot the two men protecting the ballot boxes at Number 63 Village, the inquiry panel said it was OK, didn’t they? And Granger is on record with agreeing with them, no?

...powers?

Granger claims some of his hysterics are due to the “powers” conferred on ministers of government by the AML/CFT Bill. But the AG has assured him that it’s at the request of the CFATF. Go complain to them.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

PPP/C wants Nigel Hughes sacked as AFC chairman Mae’s property foreclosure

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has called for the sacking of Nigel Hughes as chairman of the minority opposition party, Alliance For Change (AFC) over his involvement in a shadowy business transaction regarding a property sold to a popular city school.

Hughes has remained tight-lipped over recent disclosures that he sold the property to Mae’s proprietor Mayfield French-Rodrigues without indicating that loan payments were still owed to the Hand-in-Hand Mutual Life Assurance Company Limited.

French-Rodrigues, through her attorney Maria Yvonne French, on January 17, filed an injunction to stop eviction proceedings for the property, since the insurance company has foreclosed on the property owing to Hughes’ failure to settle the debt.

Displacement

More than 300 students gearing up for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations are at risk of displacement.

In a statement, the ruling party said these allegations against Hughes must not be taken lightly, and are, to say the least, troubling and worrying to the public at large.

“The PPP/C is also appalled by the deafening silence of the executive of the Alliance For Change on the continuous reports that its chairman is involved in various forms of misconduct. It is shameful, but telling that the AFC, which preaches about good governance and accountability, is failing miserably to rein Hughes despite the scandals in which he is finding himself. The fact that these allegations continue to be made is cause for concern about the integrity of the attorney and his ethical standards, not only in the political realm, but when doing business.”

According to the PPP/C, apart from the allegation that he sold the property despite taking out a mortgage which he failed to pay, and the ongoing litigation on the matter, Hughes was involved in several other scandals.

The PPP/C recalled the

allegations of conflict of interest when it was revealed that Hughes and his wife Cathy were in the employ of Sithe Global, the company which developed the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which the AFC rejected.

Hughes was also embroiled in another controversy surrounding his deliberate failure to disclose his relationship with the jury foreman in the Lusignan massacre trial while representing one of the accused.

Double standards

“The PPP/C wishes to condemn the double standards being exhibited by the AFC and its cronies which constantly accuse the government of corruption. The party can no longer attempt to lecture to any stakeholder in this society about rooting out corruption when it is unable to do the same within its rank and file.”

According to the PPP/C, if the AFC has a shred of decency left, it must distance itself from Hughes and rebuke his actions.

“If the Ramjattan and Nagamootoo-driven alliance has any integrity remaining, it must stop dodging the issue surrounding the constant controversies involving Hughes and lay their concerns bare before the public.”

The PPP/C/C noted that there was speculation that the cancellation of the AFC weekly press conference last week was as a result of that party’s attempt to avoid questions on the allegations against Hughes.

On February 24, 2006, Hughes and FrenchRodrigues entered a contract for the sale of the eastern half (E 1/2) of the Lot 29 Third Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown property for the sum of $20 million; however, only $12 million was paid to the AFC leader with $8 million outstanding.

According to the court documents, it was only in December 2013 that French-Rodrigues received a call from Hughes informing her that the property was the subject of foreclosure in favour of Hand-inHand Mutual Life Assurance Company Limited.

On January 20, Justice Rishi Persaud granted the injunction preventing the

first and second named defendants in the matter, Hughes and the Hand-inHand company, from interrupting, obstructing or impeding French-Rodrigues’ peaceful occupation and enjoyment of the property.

The injunction also restrained the third and fourth defendants – the registrar and the first marshal of the Supreme Court, “from taking in execution and or custody” the property or offering the property for sale until the determination of the matter.

In her ex-parte application for the interim injunction, French-Rodrigues’ attorney recalled the date of the transaction, stating that the property was owned by Hughes (transport 224 of 1998). She confirmed that $12 million in instalments was paid with $8 million outstanding.

Ruin

It was pointed out that the conveyance of the property started in 2006 with instructions to advertise. On February 17, 2007, the conveyance was advertised in the Official Gazette as number 105 for the county of Demerara. “No opposition was ever filed to the conveyance whether by the second named defendant (Hand-inHand Mutual Life Assurance Company Limited) or anyone else.

The conveyance has also advertised and never opposed,” she pointed. It was further explained that at the time of the purchase, the property comprised a dilapidated two-storey residential dwelling of less than 2000 square feet and the land.

The building was demolished and replaced with another property that adjoins buildings owned by FrenchRodrigues, worth a total of $390.9 million.

“The building erected on East half of Lot 29 comprising 12,438 sq feet is attached to and abuts the building on Lot 19 Third Avenue, Subryanville and forms part of a single premise, which is occupied by Mae’s Primary and Secondary School,” the attorney explained.

Mae’s Secondary School, the canteen, the auditorium, offices, washrooms, and administrative offices are housed in the building situated on the disputed land. French-Rodrigues is reported to have no knowledge that Hughes had an outstanding debt of $26.601 million comprising a capital sum of $8.3 million for the insurance company.

Her attorney said her client’s “high school and her monies are invested in E 1/2 Lot 29 Third Avenue, Subryanville and she faces ruin if same is taken away”.

The educator is seeking the transport of the property in addition to $20 million in damages incurred due to the breach of contract.

Banks DIH Linden branch posts $850M in sales

By UtamU Belle

Banks DIH’s Linden branch achieved close to $900 million in sales last year, the company’s manager in the mining town, Shondell Easton, said. Easton made the comments at the company’s recent shareholders’ meeting at its Mackenzie, Linden branch. In an update on the performance of the company’s Linden operations for the financial year ending September 30, 2013, Easton said the branch, which has been in operation for 50 years, achieved a total of $850.9 million in sales, a 3.6 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s figures, selling an overall 66,095 units/cases, a 1.9 per cent increase. She extended heartfelt thanks to customers and the Linden team.

Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis said the figure of $850 million was an increase of $30 million, as compared to the previous year, while the total revenue increased by $32 million. He congratulated Easton on a job well done, noting that in looking at the profit-andloss statement, control of expenses was cited.

Pleased

In his report on the company’s overall performance, Reis told shareholders, “I am pleased to advise you that as a result of our comprehensive planning and management of resources, the overall performance of the group improved by achieving an operational profit before taxes of $5.340 billion compared to $4.966 billion in the previous year, an increase of $374 million, and the profit after taxes for the group was improved, [that] attributable to shareholders would have increased from $2.812 billion to $2.930 billion, showing an increase of $118 million. The company’s profit before taxes was $3.862 billion, as compared to $3.700 billion [last year], an increase of $163 million.”

He said this year’s financial report mirrors the slow global economic recovery as well as tensions which continue to affect many smaller countries such as Guyana and around the world. He said the company is determined to move to the next level despite challenges, and create a new frontier for its products.

“It cannot be denied that our capital expansion and training investments, a part of that new frontier, bore fruit, as the first six months’ report for the company performance would indicate. Unfortunately, a revision of the results for the second six months’ period will reveal that our vision of the new frontier was dim and fell short of the mark, as the budget figures of that period were not attained.”

Reis related that the results for the second half of the financial year were disappointing. Reasons for such were varied and many, the chairman continued, citing the slowing up of the national economy, which has resulted in limited spending power. Banks DIH, he further explained, was not exempted from this reality. Sharpening its focus on what more needs to be done, finding newer and innovative ways of reducing expenditures, and increasing revenue are ways of tackling this situation, Reis told the gathering.

Expansion programme

He said the manufacturing environment has become competitive and related that value must be achieved for money.

“Our focus has been to create value for our shareholders and to provide an environment in which they can grow and contribute and develop their potential,” he stressed.

The company continues its expansion programme, according to Reis, in an effort to become more competitive and modernised.

In highlighting some of

the group’s achievements, the chairman reported that Citizens Bank, a subsidiary of Banks DIH, has done very well in increasing its revenue. The assets of the bank have increased by $3 billion, Reis stated. Gold medals were also awarded for D’Aguiar’s cream liqueur, as well as other medals for beverages branded under the company, he related. He also stressed the need for improvement in service, emphasising the importance of maintaining good relations with retailers and customers.

Making reference to the GT Beer, which was launched by the company last December, the chairman said the beer is being sold too expensively by some retailers. He said the beer was created, so that it can affordable, and was expected to be sold at $180 per bottle retail.

“There is enough for everyone, so why must we sell for $240 a bottle?” he asked, referring to the price the beer is reportedly being sold for by some retailers across the country.

In conclusion, he said the company continues to be in compliance with environmental safety regulations, including those for solid and wastewater management and fire prevention. Meanwhile, a monetary contribution was also made on the behalf of the company to two schools in Region 10 – Coomacka Nursery and Bamia Primary.

Woman in custody after .9mm pistol found in house

AC Field, Sophia woman was on Saturday evening taken into police custody following the discovery of a gun and ammunition at her home.

According to reports, the police, acting on information, went to the suspect’s home about 18:00h. After spotting the ranks, the woman started to act in a suspicious manner.

In a release, police said they recovered a .9mm pistol and 12 matching rounds of ammunition after searching the home. When questioned, the woman reportedly told ranks that she had no knowledge of the gun and

whom it belonged to. She was taken to the Turkeyen Police Station. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.

Of recent, there have been a number of gun crimes in the Sophia area. One of the most recent was a robbery committed on Romario Weithers, 19, of C Field Sophia, during which he was shot to his abdomen by an armed bandit near his home on January 26. Police said about 20:00h on the day in question, Weithers was walking home when he was attacked by two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm. The

armed man shot him and took his jewellery and cellphone before the duo escaped on foot.

However, Guyana Times understands that the teenager was in the company of two of his friends when the act was committed.

One of the young men reportedly sought to defend his friend, and a scuffle ensued between him and one of the bandits during which the armed man opened fire, wounding Weithers in the process. The bandits, however, managed to relieve the young men of their valuables and fled the scene.

AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes

Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis

Persaud warns against gold smuggling

– urges miners to declare every ounce of gold

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Saturday urged miners to declare every ounce of gold produced locally, as he warned against the smuggling of the mineral.

“Last year was quite an interesting year, we had record high declaration and that is extremely good, and I want to salute our miners, and GGMC [Guyana Geology and Mines Commission] and all those who play a part… we all know that much more could have been declared.

I want to challenge everyone, as we get into full production that we seek to declare every single ounce that is produced in this

country, because we continuously receive reports within the Guyanese [community] and even our allies outside of Guyana about reports and allegation about smuggling, and I want to encourage all others [to use] whatever influence you have to ensure that every single ounce is declared, because that is how the people of Guyana benefit and also it would do the sector well,”

Persaud told those gathered at an event to welcome new GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams. The event was held at Club 704, Lamaha Street, Georgetown.

Persaud said the appointment of the new chairman as well as the GGMC

Commissioner, Rickford Vieira should result in the continued advancement of the mining sector.

“Our emphasis is on expanded growth, as well as diversification, because of the unstable and unpredictable nature of mineral commodities. We need to diversify, we need to ensure that the wide range of the potential resources that we have are fully developed, fully utilised, but also doing so in harmony with our environment, as well as our social obligation, and I am quite sure under his (Williams’) leadership, we will see continued emphasis on the policies and programmes that would promote and allow

such growth,” the minister said.

Exploration activities

Persaud said this year the ministry will be encouraging much more prospecting and exploration activities in other minerals. “You know we had the setback in Muri [Brasil Ventures backing out], I was very disappointed in terms of the short-sightedness of some individuals and groupings, but we are going to move beyond that, and we are continuing to explore and develop whatever potential exists, because we cannot be the country talking about mining and we are only focusing on gold or bauxite or quarry, sand and diamond,” he said.

In his address as new chairman, Williams noted that his role has been defined even before he came on board and that is to continue to make the industry significant in terms of its contribution to the growth of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP); foreign export earnings; and the stabilising of the economy. He said the GGMC is working on a number of interventions that it will soon introduce to the sector to make it more efficient.

There was a 10 per cent increase in gold declaration in 2013, with a record 481,000 ounces declared, compared with 438,000 ounces in 2012. Export volume also increased by about six per cent, with 482,000 ounces being exported in 2013, as against 455,000 ounces in 2012.

On the other hand, the price of gold plummeted by 27.2 per cent in 2013, losing about US$451 per ounce, from a high of US$1673.75 per ounce in January to about US$1204 at the end of December.

Not even Bourda could bring de rain

De M-Owe-A and de High-dro Met people finally show dem face. Dem actually end up showin dem face long before de same rain whah dem seh woulda fall long before dem woulda had time to show dem face. By then, dem face end up long.

When people get de first word, dem hustle home and lock up tight to wait fuh rain. But when de second one come middle night, a preacher man start to panic and start tinkin bout de days of Noah and de ark. Right after that, G-Pee-Hell had he in de dark.

Another man wake up and call Minister Benn Down to beg fuh sand. Benn Down slam down de phone like a hammer, but not before he tell de man he don’t deal wid sand, and that he must call Bee Kay. That is when de man realise de minister still got stones, although he seh de other day he runnin outta stones.

De M-Owe-A people seh that de weather is not a precise science, so dem could be wrong any time dem predict that rain gon fall. But judgin from de past, nutten whah dem seh don’t ever be precise.

Is de same wrong talk whah goin on wid rice and sugar. De other day when de rain flood out de rice farmers, dem ain’t had no warnin from de M-Owe-A. And every time dem give sweet talk bout sugar, it does turn out bitter.

In Guyana, de best way to predict rain is to plan fuh cricket at Bourda. But not even that might wuk any more, because wid de condition whah Brer Anansi and Nansi Dru got Bourda in, not even cricket could play deh.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! That is why Anansi and he friends does do only one ting at Bourda nowadays. And it ain’t got any ting to do wid bat and ball, although dem does bat and bowl a white ball fuh long hours! God know why he put de M-Owe-A and Bourda next to one another!

One arrested, another on the run for Corentyne robberies

As police clamp down on crime in the Upper Corentyne area, especially armed robberies, they arrested one suspect on Saturday about 20:30h at the Number 65 Village, while another managed to escape.

The suspect is expected to be slapped with four charges of robbery under arms when he makes his appearance at the Whim Magistrate’s Court today.

In another instance, police ranks went to a house in the same village in search of a suspect who was implicated in a string of armed robberies. Upon the ranks’ arrival at the house, the suspect reportedly was alerted about the police presence and made good his escape.

He left behind a 16-gauge shotgun with one cartridge, which was subsequently taken into police possession. In a re-

cent interview, B Division Commander Brian Joseph indicated that measures are in place to deal with the crime upsurge in his division. He told Guyana Times that they have placed more resources, both human and machine, in the targeted areas which are in the Upper Corentyne.

“There is an increase of patrols in communities, raids and searches, and we even profiled some persons, so we are trying our best, but we need the cooperation of the people in order to protect them and so, we are hoping to work along with members of these communities,” he said.

He stated that despite the recent upsurge in deadly robberies, criminal activity in the Ancient County has declined by 18 per cent to 345 reports in 2013, compared to 420 over the same period in 2012.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Joslyn Mackenzie with Guyana Gold Board President, Dr Gobin Persaud; GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams; GGMC Commissioner Rickford Vieira; and Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association head Patrick Harding

Times Notebook

Guyana playing critical, positive role globally

Times Notebook thanks Foreign Affairs

Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for highlighting Guyana’s success at the global level. Guyana has much to celebrate in its global role since independence, before and after 1992.

Rodrigues-Birkett has excelled and has carried on in the rich tradition of some very effective foreign affairs ministers. She is the first woman, the youngest foreign affairs minister, and the first Amerindian to occupy such a position.

She was on target for rebuking Aubrey Norton for ‘dissing’ Guyana a few days ago. Norton was merely discrediting Guyana’s achievements in foreign affairs in an awkward attempt to sell himself as a possible replacement for Debra Backer as a Member of Parliament (MP) for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Members of APNU were trying to position themselves to gain the nod of the party to sit in Parliament to replace Backer, who was the foreign affairs shadow minister. When it comes to acknowledging Guyana’s successes as a country, we must put aside political bias.

Global successes

We must not try to diminish our global successes as a nation. We can quarrel over ideas and implementation of our developmental plans, but surely we must be able to acknowledge success. Our influence on the global platform tells the story of a nation that is willing and able beyond its economic reality to play a role in global affairs.

Just last week, former President Bharrat Jagdeo led a Guyanese team in Delhi, India, to participate in a forum outlining a “Global Framework for Energy, Water and Food Security”. Others at the forum included former Finnish President Tarja Halonen, former Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, and former British Deputy Prime Minister, Lord John Prescott.

Why must our political affiliation dent our conscience or dim our vision so much that we cannot see the pivotal role Guyana is playing at such a global forum?

It is downright unpatriotic, no matter which side of the political divide someone sits, to deny Guyana’s global influence in the response to climate change. No country in the Caribbean and few developing countries anywhere come close to matching Guyana’s influence on the global platform in formulating an interna-

Guyana has played an important role in the global fight against non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases. Guyana was a member of the steering committee to organise an NCD summit at the UN and to formulate the UN NCD Declaration in 2011.

Guyana also played a role in chairing the Affordable Medicine Fund for Malaria (AMFM). This fund was able to provide expensive malaria medicines for millions around the world, particularly in Africa.

Our country also played a critical role in the formulation of the Montevideo Declaration 2013, an initia-

tive that seeks to strengthen women, gender, and sexual equity.

Times Notebook merely seeks to amplify what Guyana’s foreign affairs minister last week posited. There can be absolutely not an iota of doubt that Guyana has excelled as a nation when it comes to foreign policy. This is not only because of government’s policies or the role of the foreign affairs minister, but also because of the dedication and commitment of foreign affairs staff and ambassadors.

Times Notebook thinks it’s time we ‘big-up’ Guyana at the global level.

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

tional response to climate change.

Jagdeo is well recognised around the world because of his and Guyana’s influence on climate change. Our achievements in influencing the climate change global response is unmatched by any other foreign affairs achievement throughout our entire history.

Every Guyanese should celebrate this fact. Norton is guilty of a stifled conscience, because of political bias, in not being able to concede that Guyana’s influence at the global level on climate change is at least equal to any other spectacular achievement we have had at the global level before 1992.

New Global Human Order

The United Nations (UN) has made late President Dr Cheddi Jagan’s New Global Human Order (NGHO), a formal global instrument for achieving equity among the peoples of the world. This is a distinction we must celebrate. It is in this context that we must remember that Guyana played a significant role in the establishment of the Global Fund (GF) and Guyana represented Latin America and the Caribbean on the GF Board between 2007 and 2012. The GF has ensured that billions of dollars are available to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Because of this fund, millions of people are living longer today. Further, President Donald Ramotar sits on the United Nations Education Group, which is tasked to ensure education for all around the world.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett after being conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of the General Liberator of San Martin by Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timmerman

APNU tables 11th hour amendments to AML bill

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) on Sunday tabled several amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering and

amendments until tonight when two separate pieces of paper were presented by two separate opposition members of Parliament and… were uncoordinated

Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009 for the first time at the level of the parliamentary special select committee.

The amendments dealt with the structure of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the seizure of suspicious cash by local police. After meeting with APNU for approximately six hours at the committee meeting at the Parliament Building late Sunday night, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh told the press it was quite an unfortunate situation when APNU members submit-

because they collided with each other.”

Due to the major collision in the proposals tabled by APNU, Dr Singh said the committee was forced to go to recess to allow the opposition members to consolidate the proposals into a single document. “But even at the end of our proceedings, it still proves to be an extremely flawed, disjointed proposal that has left us in something of a quandary.”

APNU, in its proposed amendments, addressed fundamentally provisions relating to the appoint-

ted two sets of contradicting amendments, attempting to address issues that were not the subject of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) recommendations nor the subject of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill of 2013.

This move by the opposition comes approximately eight months after it was encouraged by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and other stakeholders to submit its amendments to the special select committee.

“They have avoided, evaded and otherwise failed completely to lay bare these proposed

has also proposed the seizure and detention of cash domestically for reasons of suspicion.

“Those were fundamentally the amendments. They were novel, original amendments to the principal act disclosed for the first time to the House today and even to the end of the night’s proceedings were not articulated in a coherent, logical, presentable format.”

The PPP/C members sitting on the special select committee on Sunday night expressed grave concerns about the introduction of amendments to issues that were not the subject of the bill.

According to the finance minister, there are standing orders which indicate that a select committee should not be considering matters outside of the bill that referred to it.

It, therefore, means, Dr Singh said, the committee is working outside of its remit.

Meanwhile, at the end of the meeting, APNU shadow finance minister Carl Greenidge told reporters that the work of the committee was not yet completed.

“Well, we have given the draftsmen some further amendments to be made to the bill and we will see how far they can get with those.”

It is unclear whether

the parliamentary special select committee would be able to arrive at a consensus today – the deadline for passage of the bill – when they meet at noon for consideration.

Officials blame broken homes for youth crime

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

Head of The Men’s Affairs Bureau

,Diego Alphonso said much still needs to be done to tackle the growing incidents of youth involvement in crime; however, he offered no concrete solution to the scourge, but rather urged the repairing of the family structure.

Youth involvement in crime the world over, for some time now, has been aiding in the continued deterioration of society, and parents, especially mothers are hurting.

we try to connect with these boys. We constantly reach out to these young men and these are things that are ongoing,” he said.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Caribbean Human Development Report 2012 titled “Human Development and the Shift to Better Citizen Security”, organised crime and gangs are the source of major lethal violence in the region.

Vulnerable

ment of the director for the FIU, removal of the FIU director and oversight of the FIU, thereby introducing another component of the FIU.

“The entity has been ill-defined; an anti-money laundering authority which I think is simply transplanted or copied from some other country’s legislation without carefully taking into consideration our administrative architecture and the consequential amendments that would be required out of superimposing this new idea,” Dr Singh said, as he explained the government’s take on APNU’s proposals.

Additionally, APNU

Close to two weeks ago, three teenage boys descended on the home of a Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara family and carried out a daring daylight robbery. In defence, the owner of the home whipped out his licensed firearm and shot 15-yearold Leon McCurdy of Kitty, killing him almost instantly. Late last year, 28-yearold Delon Hawker of Alness Village on the Corentyne lost his life after being shot by police. He was at the time attempting to elude ranks after he and another accomplice ransacked the home of a Dundee, Mahaicony family. Hawker had left his home to attend the R Kelly show in Georgetown.

Alphonso said that the underlying issues are many. However, special attention needs to be given to parents and their method of “parenting”. “We believe in the whole issue of parenting and fatherhood, because what we are seeing in the young men could very well be a reflection of what is going on with the men that are

already matured,” he told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview recently.

Alphonso posited that the problem is further compounded with the lack of positive role models in the lives of the youth.

Role models

“If the young men do not have role models or persons they could emulate or if they are emulating the wrong role models in the men that already exist in terms of the fathers and the matured men, then it will be reflected in their behaviour.”

He said that the organisation, recognising the urgency of the situation, has been working with young boys in both private and public schools, since, according to him, if change must take place, it must be with those who are young.

“We initiated sessions with the New Opportunity Corps and secondary schools and we continue as well to have outreaches in the various communities because

Youths are inherently vulnerable in the Caribbean development process. Youth violence is an important challenge, particularly in the form of street gangs, contributing to popular perceptions of increasing insecurity, the report stated.

Inadequate and poor parenting, influence, high levels of unemployment, exposure to violence at home, in schools, in communities and the wider society, poor or inadequate educational opportunities, and social exclusion have been pinpointed as the key contributing factors to youth gangs and violence across the Caribbean. Alphonso said while the organisation has not been able to “pinpoint any reason why that may be so”, it would be wise if special caution is exercised in the Afro-Guyanese community. Alphonso pointed out that no one individual or organisation can bring about the desired changes. It is his hope that entities, both private and public, work together.

Meanwhile, Pastor Patrick Findlay, who also serves as the deputy permanent secretary with-

in the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, said the situation is troubling.

Young men, he said, are losing their lives and it needs to stop. Findlay expressed sentiments similar Alphonso's, pointing out that parents are partly to be blamed. He noted too that the situation is “just the tip of the iceberg”.

“I am not surprised," he said, adding “Yes, we are hurting, but I am not surprised… we have now a broken society perpetuated basically by parents who have not taken the time to learn the rudiments of parenting. We have marriages now where people are getting involved and they do not have the requisite knowledge.” Findlay said that the situation may appear hopeless, but it is not. “I don’t see it as a lost cause; I see it as an atmosphere where we have to, as religious leaders, become more involved in the lives of our young people. We just cannot wish for them to change because the kids are confused, we need to help.”

Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary, Pastor Patrick Findlay

Head of Men’s Affairs Bureau, Diego Alphonso

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill, along with chairman of the special select committee, Gail Teixeira after the meeting on Sunday

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh venting his anger to the media about the last-minute tactics of the opposition

APNU committee member Carl Greenidge speaking to the media after the meeting late Sunday evening

“Shelly G” leads charge into soca finals … after breathtaking semi-finals performance

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

009 soca queen Shellon

2“Shelly G” Garraway stormed into this year’s finals with an outstanding performance at the New Amsterdam Stelling Road Saturday night, leading 12 others into this year’s soca monarch billed for the National Park this weekend.

Outperforming most of her competitors with her raunchy lyrics, Garraway also added spice to her performance with her eye-catching outfit, which

to witness an evening of intense rivalry among the contenders in the 10th Annual Carib Soca Monarch, as they battled to secure a place into the finals slated for next Saturday at the National Park tarmac.

As flashing multi-coloured lights beamed through the dark skies; music to its loudest; well decked women in the skimpiest outfits; artistes adding their final touches to their ensemble, the venue was all set for a fabulous evening. It was well known that

had many ogling.

Forced to recreate the party atmosphere after “G Money” poured cold water on it with his lacklustre performance, Garraway, who won the title back in 2009 with “Daggering”, stormed the stage to dish out her piece “Party Animal”.

She had the crowd in the palm of her hands as she delivered to perfection. Her every move was well executed, but she might have spent a little over her allotted five minutes.

Meanwhile, Berbicians turned out in their numbers

one lesson was learnt and that was people in the ancient country come out late to party; thus, it would have severely thwarted a prompt start.

The proposed starting time was 21:00h but by 22:00h, the crowd started to build up and soon after the members of the Heat Waves Band, namely Jackie Hanover, Calvin Burnette and Mark Batson created a carnival like atmosphere as they dished out several genre of music, ranging from soca to dancehall and reggae.

After a spectacular 45-minute performance from

A hyped Roger “Roger B” Bowen performed “Love”, denouncing hate and crime, but with a touch of soca rhythm. He was followed by a stiff Kemmyanna “Kemmy” Garnette, who performed “Designated Winer” but did not do much justice to the song.

However, the next performer, Orlando “Bones Man” Johashen was full of energy and undoubtedly had the audience enjoying every bit of it.

Following suit was Berbician Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, who dished out “Yada Yada”. The crowd was

the Heat Waves Band, the rain drops stated to trickle down, followed by heavy downpours, turning the atmosphere into a perfect night for a j’ouvert party for some. Others were seen scampering for cover wherever there was a shade, even if it meant under the stage.

Due to the heavy downpour, the band members were forced to disconnect their equipment and store them under tarpaulins on standby.

This did not stop the deejays from heating things up with their excellent music selection.

a bit jaded with her performance, but after a little prompting, they switched gear into gyrating mode.

Also creating some vibes was Jonathan “Lil Red” King with his tune “Who Are We?” which was seen as the best entry in the Carib Soca Monarch, but he did not perform to his fans expectations.

He was followed by Timeka “Lady T” Sinclair, who exploded with energy and charm as she captivated the attention of the audience with “Hit The Road”. Many believed that her presentation might have been

The night’s proceeding was emceed by well known dancer Leslyn Lashley. First to take to the stage was Clifton “Passion” Adolphus, belting out “Cost Of Living”, which was a little off key, but did not stop the crowd from having a good time.

Another artiste Natoya London, appeared on stage and performed “Mass”, which from all indications did not impress the audience and the same thing could be said of the performance from Colbert “Magga Man” Dublin, who sang “Log On Pon a Bumpa”.

“Spartan”, which did not go down well with the audience due to the fact they could not have heard the words clearly.

Levar “Ahzula” Gittens was also not too impressive as he appeared on stage in dark shades and a bandana tied around his head as he performed “De Bouncing Stop”.

At last year’s competition, he performed “Same Thing”, a version of Bunge Garlin’s “Ready For The Road”.

This year, with something saucier, Kwesi “Ace” Edmondson dished out “Still

Excellent performances

After the performances by the contenders, the Heat Waves Band continued their thing on stage, adding some zest to the crowd. Again, there were some excellent performances by Batson and Burnette, who hyped the crowd all over again.

After 30 minutes of deliberation by the judges; the final 13 were announced by Lashley and Nigel Worrell of ANSA McAL. They include Shelly G, Passion, Roger B, Kemmy, Bones

In The Game” and indeed from his performance, he has a right to say so. He was superb as he took to the stage as one of the favourites to win the competition.

The last two performances for the evening were from Compton “Mysterious” Boyce who did “Spin Them” and Ivelaw Maxwell who belted out “Iron Supplier”.

Boyce’s performance was not too intriguing to the audience and Maxwell’s was totally out of it. His presentation was akin to a poet listlessly reciting a poem. This might have been the worst presentation for the evening.

the best for the evening. Her fans turned up in their numbers and supported her to the fullest. Her performance undoubtedly gave her the edge over her competitors.

Abigail ‘AJ’ James and Ernesta Nelson also performed well with Ernesta getting the edge of James. They performed “What Can You Do With You Bumpa” and “Ridiculous Winning” respectively. As the competition winds down, National Communications Network’s (NCN) Quacy “Avalanche” Coates hit the stage with

Man, Vanilla, Lil Red, Lady T, AJ, Avalanche, Ace and Mysterious.

Those who did not make the cut were Ahazula, Maxwell, G Money and Notoya London. Immediately after the announcement of the final 13, one of the contestants fainted in jubilation and had to be escorted off stage.

The 13 finalists will be competing for $1.5 million on Saturday next and the chance to win the coveted title of Carib Soca Monarch 2014.

The winner will represent Guyana at the International Soca Monarch in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015.

“Shelly G” performing to her best at the competition

“Roger B” in full flow

Orlando “Bones Man” Johashen performing “Blow”

A section of the huge crowd at the Soca Monarch semi-finals in New Amsterdam on Saturday evening

Vanilla belting out “Yada Yada”

Jackie Hanover tantalising the audience during her performance

Kwesi “Ace” Edmondson in full flow on Saturday night

“Lady T” delivering to perfection

PNM leadership race heats up

As the race for po-

litical leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) heats up, fresh conflict and race allegations are causing a sharp rift in the membership. Penelope BecklesRobinson, who recently got the axe as a senator, confirmed only on Friday that she had leadership aspirations, and already the two factions of supporters are adding to the tension within the PNM camp. The Sunday Guardian understands that party leader Dr Keith Rowley will face a Beckles-Robinson-led slate that includes former Senate president Danny Montano and Member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central Amery Browne, who intend to contest the posts of chairman and general secretary, respectively. While in a sur-

prise move the PNM women’s league has thrown their support behind Dr Rowley.

In a telephone interview on Friday, group vice chair Irene Hinds boldly stated that Rowley had her vote. The Sunday Guardian was told that the women’s league met to discuss the

upcoming elections late on Thursday night, and came away with a unanimous decision to support Dr Rowley. Hinds said she could not discuss internal party business but confirmed that she and the majority of the women’s league planned to vote for Rowley on May 18. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

First Caribbean Economic forum to be

Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Dr C Fred Bergsten, will participate in the first-ever Caribbean Economic Forum on February 19.

Bergsten, Senior Fellow and Director Emeritus of the Washington-based Peterson Institute, the only major research institution in the U.S. devoted to international economic issues, will interact with re-

held in Barbados

gional broadcaster, Julian Rogers, before fielding questions from a studio audience and the general public via emails and live call-ins.

This discussion forum, the first of its kind in the region, will examine the economic prowess of emerging markets, reforming the international monetary system, a strategy for the world economy in the 21st century and reform of

the International Monetary Fund.

The Central Bank of Barbados said that it was deeply honoured to provide the opportunity for Barbadians and Caribbean people to interact with a “phenomenon among economists” on issues of international import that are of significance to the island and the region. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Porn addiction rising among youth in Jamaica

Aleading sexual health agency has expressed distress over what it says is a mounting addiction to pornography in the 12 to 14 age group in Jamaica.

According to chairman of the National Family Planning Board, Dr Sandra Knight, the addiction is increasing and more so among boys.

“It’s going up yearly. Teenagers are addicted to pornography and we know

from research that pornography inhibits the proper development of certain parts of a child’s brain to consolidate healthy relationships as adults. So we are having even more problems there,” Dr Knight told the Jamaica Observer Press Club.

She said that tackling the issue was even more complex, given the fact that there was fierce competition from so many different influences.

“We are competing with other things that are happening but compete we must. In addition to us competing we have to reach out to the entertainment industry for example and say to them, look, what is it that you are doing? Look at the message you are putting out there,” Dr Knight said.

She also registered disgust with the productions of some female members of the entertainment industry.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

CLICO records massive after tax profits

The Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO), the regional insurance giant that almost collapsed four years ago, has made an after tax profit of nearly TT$3.8 billion in 2012.

CLICO’s audited financial results for 2012 were published on its website Friday, after the company’s board, which is chaired by former Finance Minister Gerald Yetming, approved the financials for issue on

January 29.

According to the financial statements of the embattled company, the 2012 after tax figure was more than five times greater than the TT$702 million it declared in 2011.

CLICO declared profits of TT$6.2 billion from its investing activities for the financial year, which eclipsed the TT$2.2 billion loss from insurance activities.

The most significant contributor to CLICO’s invest-

ment profits was the TT$3.8 billion gain the company booked on the disposal of some 40 million Republic Bank shares in November 2012.

Those bank shares, which were then worth an estimated TT$4.3 billion, constituted 84 per cent of the underlying investment in the CLICO Investment Fund (CIF), which converted the 11 to 20-year zerocoupon bonds into units in the CIF. (Caribbean360)

183 teens give birth at Mt Hope for 2013

The Mt Hope Women’s Hospital has recorded 183 teenagers giving births for 2013. The teenagers had all attended the hospital’s antenatal clinic and were questioned by the hospital social workers and doctors. Most of the births were reported to the St Joseph Police, a source at the hospital said, but the source could not confirm if anyone was charged for statutory rape.

On Saturday, the police could not verify if these reports were made, stating that such information could only be provided by their seniors – who were unavailable. Of the 183 teenagers who gave birth over the 12-month period, 17 fell within the “14 years and under” bracket, while 75 were in the 15 to 16 age group, and 91 were 17 to 18 years old. Statistics obtained by the Sunday Guardian showed that for the months May, August and December, nine girls in the “14 years and under” age group gave birth. The only months that recorded no delivery for that age group were March and November.

In the 15 to 16 age group, 12 girls delivered babies in March alone, while in October, 11 girls became mothers. January saw 15 girls in the 17 to 18 age group delivering babies. On Tuesday, Dr Tim Gopeesingh said there were

Mexico vigilantes enter Knights Templar cartel stronghold

Vigilante groups in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan have entered a stronghold of the Knights Templar drug cartel, occupying the main square.

Hundreds of vigilantes, backed up by armoured vehicles and troops, arrived in Apatzingan on Saturday.

They have also set up roadblocks around the city, in western Mexico. The cartel controls much of the drug trafficking in the area, carrying out killings and kidnappings and extorting money from local people.

Templar leaders are in jail

Vigilante leaders, who have joined the official security forces and the army, have been searching house by house for leaders of the Knights Templar. Some arrests have been made, including the brother

of one of the organisation’s top leaders, according to local reports.

The vigilantes “will be in charge of security in Apatzingan”, Michoacan deputy government sec-

retary Fernando Cano told AFP news agency. In the beginning of January, the “self-defence groups” launched an offensive against the Knights Templar gang, taking over several municipalities in Michoacan.

On January 11, they also occupied the central square of Apatzingan, where the cartel’s command is based. But there were reprisals, with arson attacks against local businesses. The new operation began just before 11:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Saturday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

2500 teenage pregnancies every year. Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar on Friday said parents, doctors, nurses, teachers and employers could face a sev-

en-year prison term and a fine of $15,000 if they had reason to believe a minor was sexually active and failed to report it to the police. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Curacao court rejects U.S. extradition request

Three individuals suspected by U.S. authorities of drug trafficking will not be extradited to the U.S., a court in Curacao ruled last week. The court based its ruling on infiltration and surveillance by U.S. authorities without the knowledge of the public prosecutor in Curacao, which made it impossible for the prosecution to determine whether the U.S. authorities had acted contrary to the local legal system.

The defendants were interrogated by U.S. investigators in 2012, without the public prosecutor’s involvement. In addition, there was no official report or it was done incorrectly. Given that the defendants have Dutch nationality, they are entitled to the protection of the rules and criminal laws prevailing in Curacao. According to the court, these rules and laws were not observed by the American authorities.

(Caribbean News Now)

Dr Keith Rowley and Penelope Beckles-Robinson

The vigilantes say they will only rest when the Knights

Swiss narrowly back migration curbs

Swiss voters have narrowly backed a referendum proposal to bring back strict quotas for immigration from European Union (EU) countries.

Final results showed 50.3 per cent voted in favour. The vote invalidates the SwissEU agreement on freedom of movement.

Fiercely independent Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but has adopted large sections of EU policy.

Brussels said it regretted

the outcome of the vote and would examine its implications.

A yes vote of more than 50 per cent was needed for the referendum to pass.

The BBC’s Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says the vote has shown up traditional divisions, with Frenchspeaking areas against the quotas, German-speaking regions divided, and the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino firmly in favour.

A yes vote means Swiss

ministers will have some tricky explaining to do in Brussels, our correspondent says.

In a statement, the European Commission said it regretted that an “initiative for the introduction of quantitative limits to immigration has been passed by this vote.

“This goes against the principle of free movement of persons between the EU and Switzerland. The EU will examine the implications of this initiative on EUSwiss relations as a whole. In this context, the Federal Council’s position on the result will also be taken into account.”

The vote comes amid increasing debate across Europe about migration and the impact of free movement of people.

Switzerland’s economy is booming at the moment, and unemployment is low, but many Swiss worry about immigration. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Syria crisis: “Hundreds” evacuated from besieged Homs

More than 600 civilians have been evacuated from the rebel-held Old Quarter of the central Syrian city of Homs, state media report.

This was despite mortar fire and shooting which activists say killed several people and wounded others.

United Nations and Syrian Red Crescent teams also managed to deliver relief supplies to the quarter, which has been besieged by government forces for more than a year.

On Saturday, aid workers were trapped under fire there for several hours.

The BBC’s Jim Muir

says a convoy with relief supplies went into the Old Quarter on Sunday, and then vulnerable civilians were brought out – mainly women, children and the elderly.

He says they looked pale and stressed, after surviving for months in violent siege conditions with very little food or medical care.

The Wall Street Journal’s Sam Dagher, in Homs, has tweeted that more than a dozen men who came out with the evacuees were detained by security forces and taken away to an unknown location.

Sunday is the final day

of what was agreed as a three-day humanitarian truce.

The governor of Homs, Talal al-Barazi, has said the ceasefire may be extended by a further three days, to allow all those who might want to leave the chance to do so.

Elsewhere, opposition activists said at least 11 people were killed in the northern city of Aleppo when government helicopters dropped barrel bombs – crude weapons comprising cylinders packed with explosives and metal fragments – on rebel-held neighbourhoods. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Arrest of Indonesia’s first woman governor a blow for coalition

Indonesia’s first female governor, smiling broadly, looks down from billboards that line the pot-holed roads of Banten, the country’s fifth-most populous province that she has ruled for almost a decade.

Except she’s not actually there. Ratu Atut Chosiyah, 51, is in jail in the capital Jakarta, 90 kilometres (55 miles) away, facing charges of bribery and extortion.

After years of support from national politicians, Islamic clerics and jawara – street gangsters reputed to have magical powers – Chosiyah’s empire is crumbling, the latest in a series of scandals weighing

on Indonesia’s ruling coalition ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections.

Graft scandals have dramatically eroded for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his Democratic Party-led alliance in the country that has the world’s biggest population of Muslims and is Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

The scandals, accompanied by rising prices and a slowdown in growth, have opened up support for the main opposition PDI-P party of former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, who lost Indonesia’s first direct presidential poll to Yudhoyono in 2004.

Eight killed in attack on Pakistani pro-government militia leaders

Asleeping family of eight were killed in an attack on the home of two pro-government militia leaders in Pakistan’s restive Baluchistan region on Sunday, officials said.

The victims included women and children and the two brothers, who helped to lead a local pro-government militia in Dera Bugti district, about 250 kilometres (150 miles) southwest of the provincial capital, Quetta, police said.

“Ghazi Khan Marhata Bugti and his brother Imam Bakhsh were commanders of Bugti Peace Force, and their entire family were killed in the attack,” said Provincial Home Secretary Asad Gilani.

Two attackers were killed in an ensuing shootout with other members of the militia, he said, and four more attackers were killed in a later gun battle with the Frontier Corps, a government-run paramili-

tary force.

A spokesman for the Corps said a banned separatist group, the Baloch Republican Army, had killed the family for cooperating with the security forces.

“The people of the area identified three BRA men killed in the clash. They were involved in killing, kidnapping for ransom, at-

tacking security forces and blasting gas pipelines,” the spokesman said. Baluchistan is Pakistan’s largest and poorest province. The arid western region is rich in minerals but plagued by violence. Rebels accuse the federal government of looting the region’s resources while leaving its people in poverty. (Reuters)

Mali says MUJWA Islamist group responsible for killing 31 Tuaregs

The Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA) was responsible for killing 31 Tuaregs in an attack on Friday near the town of Tamkoutat in northern Mali, the minister for interior security said on Sunday.

General Sada Samaka, who visited the site of the attack accompanied by Malian army officers, told Malian national television that the killings took place around 14:00 local time (1400 GMT) on Friday some 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) outside Tamkoutat.

“The travellers aboard

two vehicles fell into an ambush laid by the terrorists of the MUJWA,” said the minister. He said a young girl and a woman were among those killed.

Initial reports had attributed the killings to the settling of scores between Peul and Tuareg ethnic groups. The MUJWA has not claimed the attack.

A French-led offensive in January 2013 drove out Islamist militants who had seized control of northern Mali. Pockets of fighters loyal to armed Islamist groups, including the MUJWA and al Qaeda’s local branch

AQIM, continue to operate in the desert region, carrying out periodic attacks. France is winding down its troop presence, but has said it will keep more than 1000 soldiers in Mali to counter a regional armed Islamist threat.

Malian authorities said 25 people were killed in the ambush and four wounded. The attackers later killed six other people in two camps and wounded three more. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s government stepped up security in the southern capital Bamako following the attack. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Anti-government protests continue in Ukraine

A“For us, Banten is one of the most important provinces because it’s one of the biggest provinces in Indonesia,” said Hasto Kristianto, vice secretary-general of PDI-P, which several polls predict will come out on top in April’s general election. They also show it is now the front runner in Banten.

“So we are focused on consolidating that support and building it up, because the public is very disappointed with Ratu Atut.”

The national antigraft agency, known by its Indonesian initials KPK, accuses Chosiyah of bribing a judge, who is also in jail, to favour her candidate in an election dispute. (Excerpt from Reuters)

bout 70,000 pro-Western Ukrainians have gathered in central Kiev, promising never to abandon their drive to oust President Viktor Yanukovich over his alliance with Russia.

Opposition leaders took to a podium on Independence Square on Sunday to increase pressure on Yanukovich to appoint a new pro-Western government.

“None of the kidnappings and tortures have yielded any results,” Igor Lutsenko told AFP news agency.

In a statement on Sunday, the country’s security agency warned of a “heightened risk of terrorism”, and put its counter-

terrorism units on alert after receiving a large number of bomb threats at airports, train stations, pipelines, and other locations across the former Soviet nation.

Al Jazeera’s Neave Barker, reporting from Kiev, said that the alert was an unusual step by the Ukrainian authorities.

The rhetoric of the protesters has changed from European Union integration to get Yanukovich to step down, said our correspondent.

The country of 46 million people has been in chaos since November, when Yanukovich rejected a trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia, stunning proEU parts of the population

and sparking violent protests.

Since then, what started out as a localised, domestic period of unrest has snowballed into a struggle for Ukraine’s future between Russia and the West, as demonstrations continue and spread to other parts of the country.

Yanukovich has already yielded to some opposition demands by dismissing the government, but he also has to appease Russia, which has effectively frozen a much-needed US$15 billion bailout until the situation improves.

The embattled Ukrainian leader held talks with President Vladimir Putin on Friday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

The Swiss Socialist Party opposed the return of the quotas

A relative (left) mourns his family member, who was killed by unknown gunmen, next to his body in an ambulance, outside the Civil Hospital morgue in Karachi on February 9

International Financial and Economic Report

US$2.1 billion was withdrawn from EM retail funds, which compares with US$2.7 billion in the week ended January 29. JPMorgan is lowering its forecast for Turkey, South Africa, and Thailand and recently cut its forecast for Brazil from 2.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent this year, while Argentina is now expected to have a 3.0 per cent contraction this year. Across the board in emerging markets, forecasts of growth are being reduced.

Oil exports in Venezuela to the United States averaged 792,000 barrels a day in the first 11 months of 2013, which is the lowest rate since 1985, and oil production declined to 2.45 million barrels a day in December from 2.9 million in 2012.

Employment in the U.S. rose only 113,000 when the majority of economists had called for an 180,000 advance. Retailers and government agencies cut payrolls by the most in a year, while construction firms and manufacturers boosted employment.

This gain followed a revised 75,000 increase in December as compared with a 74,000 increase in the original report. The unemployment rate unexpectedly declined to 6.6 per cent and the participation rate rose to 63 per cent from 62.8 per cent as more people entered the

labour force. The report on February 7 showed 262,000 Americans were not at work because of inclement weather in January.

The Fed will be torn between reducing the rate of tapering to US$55 billion a month and so on to zero, or leaving “tapering” alone. The hope is that by March the economic numbers will pick up and the Fed’s dilemma will be non existent.

The U.S. budget deficit in the 2014 fiscal year is forecast to fall from US$680 billion in September 30, 2013 to US$514 billion or three per cent of GDP, and then to US$478 billion or 2.6 per cent of the economy in 2015. This is a long way from the budget deficit of US$1.4 trillion or 11 per cent of GDP in 2009, which occurred in President Barack Obama’s first year in office.

The global investigation into the manipulation of the foreign exchange market is proving to be as big as the labour rigging probe which resulted in US$6 billion of fines for banks. The work has caused 15 banks to cooperate with regulators in London, Continental Europe in conducting internal examinations.

There were a number of economic reports published last week, starting with ISM purchasing managers’ index on Monday, which dropped in

January to an eight month low of 51.3 from 56.5 in December. The weakness was broadly based with new orders plunging from 64.4 to 51.2 and probably reflects the unusually cold winter weather.

However, the weakness was bigger than expected and more widespread. U.S. factory orders (February 4) fell 1.5 per cent in December with much of the weakness coming from aircraft orders and adjusted for this factor, orders dropped 0.6 per cent.

On the other hand, the ISM non-manufacturing index increased from 53 in December to 54 and new orders rose to 56.4 in January from 55.4 the month before led by retailers, wholesalers and support services (February 5).

On February 6, initial jobless claims fell 20,000 to 331,000 in the week ended February 1 and productivity of the U.S. work -

ers rose by 3.2 per cent, which was more than projected in the fourth quarter of 2013.

On the other hand, the U.S. trade deficit widened more than forecast in December increasing 12 per cent to US$38.7 billion as exports declined by 1.8 per cent while imports rose 0.3 per cent. In overseas news, a Chinese manufacturing gauge fell to a six-month low in January, as output and orders slowed.

Euro area sales were weak in December falling 1.6 per cent from November which was more than twice the consensus forecast and

German factory orders fell 0.56 per cent in December. European interest rates remain unchanged, but might be reduced to zero next month. Similarly, the Bank of England did not change its base rate now at 0.5 per cent.

Interest rates rose a little from January 31 with the U.S. Treasury 10-year yield increasing from 2.65 per cent to 2.67 per cent and the 30year from 3.60 per cent to 3.65 per cent on February 7. The euro climbed from US$1.35 to US $1.36, while the pound sterling slipped from US $1.65 to US$1.64, but the Swiss franc increased from 0.91

Investors' guide

to 0.90 while the yen was basically unchanged at 102.2 yen to the dollar. On the other hand, the Australian dollar rose from A$0.87 to A$0.90 and most emerging currencies improved a little against the dollar. Gold prices were unchanged at US$1259 an ounce and oil rose marginally from US$97 a barrel on January 31 to US$98.15 on February 7. The Dow Jones index fell 0.3 per cent last week. Dr Janet Yellen has had a relatively easy first week as chairman of the Federal Reserve, but the problems are mounting!

A beginner’s guide to tax-efficient investing (conclusion)

Tax efficient investments

By comparison, convertible bonds are relatively tax-efficient. Not only do they usually have lower yields – and therefore incur fewer taxes – than junk bonds or preferred stocks, but bondholders may hold them in tax-deferred accounts. To achieve improved growth in capital gains, investors may convert these bonds into the issuer’s common stock.

Next are investmentgrade corporate bonds. Investors may also put them in tax-deferred accounts, making them a relatively low-cost and liquid means of gaining exposure to the bond market while also lowering their tax profile.

Even more tax efficient are common stocks, which are among the most taxefficient investments, particularly when held in tax-

deferred accounts. This is primarily because they are taxed at the long-term capital gains rate if held more than one year. Most tax efficient are municipal bonds due to their exemption from federal taxes. Yet because they have lower yields than investment-grade bonds, municipal bonds often represent a substantial opportunity cost for investors.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer tax-efficient exposure to the real estate market. At the trust level, REITs are tax exempt provided they pay at least 90 per cent of their profits to shareholders, while investors must pay ordinary income tax on their dividends and on shares bought and sold. However, REIT shares are taxed only after they earn back that part of

the investment used to finance real estate purchases and improvements. Consequently, investors may time their tax liability for their REIT shares, or in some years avoid taxes altogether.

The bottom line Tax efficiency is within reach of most investors. If you want to keep more of your investment earnings and stay out of a higher tax bracket, choose investments that offer the lowest tax burdens relative to their interest income or dividend income. You may also want to consider your opportunities for investing tax-free. Given the markets’ persistent volatility, your decisions regarding tax-efficient investing may spell the difference between reaching and falling short of your financial goals. (Investopedia)

20kg of cocaine extracted from achar intercepted at CJIA

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Sunday morning confirmed that a total of 20 kilograms of cocaine was extracted from several packets of achar, which were intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Saturday afternoon.

Two persons have been arrested in connection with the find. Based on reports, a United States citizen, Winston Blake, 78, who stayed in Meadow Brook,

South Ruimveldt was allegedly intercepted with 9.6kg, while Guyanese, Sadika Odie, 38, of Kitty, was reportedly intercepted with 10.45kg.

This publication was told that upon the arrest of the couple, they told CANU ranks that someone had given them the achar as presents for persons in the U.S. However, after closely inspecting the achar that was stored in ziplock bags, it was clear that the perpetrators used brown scotch tape

Mayor frets over Sooba’s hiking of Mash Day vending fees

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green has complained about the decision by Two Clerk Carol Sooba to double and triple the fees for vendors who use the streets to ply their trade on Mashramani Day.

Green told a news conference that major companies have voiced their concerns on this issue in letters and visits to the mayor’s office.

He noted that Sooba continues to make executive decisions, without his consent or approval of the council, pointing out that the hike is exorbitant.

Green pointed out that Banks DIH is reluctant to take part in this year’s Mash celebrations.

According to Green, picnickers on the Merriman’s Mall are expected to pay a whopping $8000 to enjoy their annual Mash outings; photographers $15,000; and persons wishing to sell local treats like, channa, palouri etcetera $10,000.

Green said it is reported that some major players are being asked to pay as much three times the amount they were asked to pay in 2012, when all prices were sanctioned by the mayor’s office prior to 2013.

Unjustifiable

Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene elaborating on the issue, pointed out that the reason a fee was asked to be paid for the allocation of spots in the first instant “was to assist with the cleaning up of the city after the Mashramani celebrations”.

However, this project has

to wrap the cocaine in balls and then placed them into the tamarind achar to make them look like seeds.

Blake and Odie were outgoing passengers in a U.S.bound BW 526 flight to John F Kennedy Airport, New York at the time of the find. The anomalies were spotted while their luggage was being scanned, prompting the ranks of the drug enforcement unit to question the man and woman.

During the interrogation, the achar was searched and the drug pellets were found,

but the couple denied having any knowledge of the cocaine and claimed that it was given to them to take to relatives of their friends. CANU is presently on the lookout for the persons named by the couple.

Guyana Times understands that Odie and Blake are expected to make their first court appearance today at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. If they plead guilty, the

couple can serve a four-year sentence and pay a substantial fine.

Second bust

This was the second bust in two days. On Friday, about 14:25h, ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch conducted a search on the suitcase of an outgoing passenger at the Ogle International Airport and found a total of 517 grams of cocaine concealed in the handle.

The man is also expected to make a court appearance

today. In 2013, 51.64kg of cocaine was unearthed at the CJIA, while another 16kg managed to pass through security but was intercepted abroad.

Based on the statistics, airport officials have boosted their security systems. Apart from the acquisition of a body scanner, the airport has hired 30 more aviation security officers. About 160 airport personnel have also been part of several security training programmes.

Martelly hails political dialogue in Haiti

– as country gears up for legislative elections

Hbecome an economical venture for the Georgetown municipality and it was never the council’s intention to exploit the Guyanese people who wanted to come out and view the Mashramani parade.

“These hikes are defeating the purpose of the Mashramani celebrations and exploiting the Guyanese people on a national level,” Chase-Green said. The deputy mayor lamented what she described as the disrespect of the duly-elected council by Sooba and calls for local government elections immediately to help clean up the municipality.

Cemetery

Over the past weeks, a number of burials had to be postponed due to flooding at the Le Repentir Cemetery, which falls under the Mayor and City Council. Asked by the media about the state cemetery, Councillor Ranwell Jordan spoke about a crematorium, which he said is near completion.

However, Jordon claimed he was never informed about the building of the crematorium, even though he had prior knowledge of a move to build such a facility.

Jordan said that it was only during a recent visit to the cemetery that he discovered that the facility had almost been completed. He said the council has some concerns about the location of the crematorium, and even though these were raised with the relevant authorities, they were ignored.

aitian President Michel Martelly, in an address to the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS), hailed the political dialogue taking place in his country, as its legislative and municipal elections near.

In a protocolary meeting of the council convened in his honour, during which he was introduced by OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, and the Chair of the Permanent Council and Ambassador of The Dominican Republic, Pedro Vergés, President Martelly explained that, with the support of the Catholic Church, an “interHaitian and consensual dialogue is taking place”. He said it “will allow us to define a frame of reference for the consolidation of our achievements in terms of democratic governance and to ensure the predictability of our system for the regular holding of democratic and inclusive elections, necessary for political stability and the economic and social development of Haiti”.

The ceremony was held in the Hall of the Americas at the headquarters of the organisation in Washington, DC, in the presence of all the permanent representatives of the member countries of the OAS.

“I am pleased by the progress made in the electoral process that will culminate with the election of the legislature and local authorities during 2014, strengthened by the adoption and publication of the electoral law and the law on the operation of political parties,” the president added.

Strategic vision

In his address, the Haitian leader expressed his support for the debate over the strategic vision of the OAS being held in the Permanent Council, the product of an initiative of the secretary general. “I would like to thank and congratulate the secretary gen-

eral, José Miguel Insulza, for having started a reflection and a profound debate on the strategic vision of the OAS for the coming decades. It is a debate that should be promoted and encouraged,” he said.

President Martelly also referred to the recent decision by the Constitutional Court of The Dominican Republic related to the citizenship of immigrants born in Dominican territory, the majority of whom are of Haitian descent. “I would like to thank the countries that joined forces to look for a solution, respectful of human rights, to this problem. For now, a process of dialogue is underway between Haiti and The Dominican Republic,” he said.

The Haitian leader added that “in the context of these negotiations, The Dominican Republic has adopted a series of commitments that should allow us to find a successful solution, something we firmly desire. I invite all the countries of the OAS to continue supporting this process and to maintain the same vigilance concerning human rights, so that there is not a single stateless person in the region.”

Recovery

Martelly assured that his country is on the road to recovery from the devastating earthquake of January 2010, noting that it celebrates 210 years of independence this year.

He stressed that his government devotes 14 per cent of its budget to education –providing free education to 1.4 million children and restoring more than a thousand damaged schools while building 369 new ones.

President Martelly noted his country’s closeness to the OAS, with which it will co-organise a meeting for investors in the middle of this year, and its commitment to host the general assembly of the organisation in 2015. “We hope to see you in Haiti in July 2014, during our meeting on investment

and, in June 2015, during the 45th Regular Meeting of the OAS General Assembly,” he said.

Finally, the Haitian president expressed his solidarity with the country’s neighbours – Dominica, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, which suffered heavy and damaging floods in December. “You will agree with me that the vulnerability to natural disasters is common to almost all the small states of the Greater Caribbean,” he said.

He added that this “is an issue that must continue to be addressed at a regional level, and that’s why I strongly appeal for the strengthening of regional and subregional structures and mechanisms for the prevention and management of risks and disasters.”

The OAS and Haiti

In his address, Secretary General Insulza stressed the “full commitment of the OAS to Haiti”, one of the founding members of the hemispheric organisation, noting the leadership of President Martelly in the reconstruction of the country after the earthquake four years ago.

“The progress made of this effort is obvious, but the road ahead remains long and complex challenges remain,” he added.

The secretary general also referred to the efforts of the Haitian government in pursuit of political dialogue and the strengthening of its democracy. “Today, we emphasise the latest initiative of the political dialogue in which the president was personally involved,” he recalled. He recommended that those involved “in this inter-Haitian dialogue between the executive, the legislature and political parties under the direction of the president and of the Episcopal Conference, to work together to reach an agreement leading to free, fair and inclusive elections in 2014, in order to address in the long run, in an evermore efficient manner, the other essential political issues in the country.”

Insulza emphasised the importance of holding elections in the Caribbean country, noting that “holding fair elections in the best possible conditions, will provide the government with the opportunity to demonstrate its willingness to act to strengthen the country’s institutions and to promote the fundamental principles of political change and dialogue, thereby creating an indispensable climate for the integral, social and economic development of the country.”

Haitian President Michel Martelly

City Mayor Hamilton Green Town Clerk Carol Sooba

SUDOKU

Be aware of the events happening around you. Take an opportunity to make a life- changing decision that will turn a negative into a positive. Overcome your fears and take a chance.

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Spend your day doing things that make you happy. Keeping on top of personal needs will help decrease your stress. Pamper yourself or purchase something that will boost your spirits.

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Your opinions are best kept to yourself if you want to avoid misunderstandings. Remaining quiet will give you the chance to strategise and to develop a sound course of action.

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A sure way to boost your spirits is to get together with friends and enjoy a pleasant trip or activity. Take a break from worry and tension.

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Change is needed in your life. Make your feelings known, and collaborate with friends or coworkers to achieve the improvements you desire. Your hard work will bring positive results.

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You can avoid an emotionally challenging situation if you make a plan that allows you to act independently. Avoiding interference will be half your battle. Lie low.

You will be frustrated if you rely on others to help you get ahead. Use your own means and methods to forge a successful path, and pay attention to detail and the fine print.

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You are an intelligent and gifted individual. However, doubts and indecision will hold you back. Believe in yourself, and you will succeed. Don’t let negativity bog you down.

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It’s time to get back to a strict routine and a proper diet. Taking care of your health is important if you want to be successful in life. Show determination in order to win.

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Today will be emotionally taxing, requiring everything you’ve got. Don’t be upset by criticism –take it as a chance to make improvements.

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BBCI sponsors Region Six Spelling Bee Competition

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) will be sponsoring the Spelling Bee Competition as part of the Region Six National Events Committee Mashramani celebrations.

In a statement, the bridge company said it had received the request last month and after verifying the information submitted and further communications with the region, it agreed to sponsor the entire Spelling Bee Competition.

The cheque solely covered the cost estimated to host the competition.

The company said it is in full support of Mashramani 2014 and has supported many of these events.

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As such, on February 7, BBCI Administrative Assistant Bibi F Alli handed over a cheque valued $238,000 to the Region Six Mashramani Committee.

These include a financial donation to the New Amsterdam Mashramani Committee, the donation of a trophy to the Region Six Education Department for its Annual Regional Children’s Mashramani Costume Competition, and sponsoring the Region Six National Events Committee’s Mashramani 2013 and 2014 events.

Also, the BBCI said it has supported the

Education Ministry’s extensively over the years by donating trophies to a number of schools and technical institutions, waive the toll charges for school’s tour buses transiting the bridge, sponsored the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s Annual Tribute to Retired Teachers Programme, donated 80 medals to the students being honoured at the Tribute to Teachers and Students Programme, sponsored various school activities and also donated various electrical and domestic items to schools to aid in creating a more conducive learning environment.

Suspect in Port Mourant killings still in hiding

Weeks after two men were ambushed and killed in the backlands at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, police are yet to arrest the prime suspect who up to Sunday remains in hiding.

The man’s relatives have since said that he has an alibi which placed him at another scene when the shooting occurred.

Police are seeking to question a man who lives at Manchester Village, Corentyne, in relation to the January 30 incident.

However, the man’s brother Marietha Monroe told Guyana Times that his brother, who is being sought by the police, was on a farm situated in the residential part of Manchester Village. The farm, he said is located three house lots from where his immediate family lives. According to him, villagers and other family members can verify his brother’s whereabouts at the time of the incident.

Police sources said the man they are seeking had a motive for the killings. They are working on a theory that

members of the Monroe family sought revenge for the vigilante-style killing of Alfred Monroe called “Guana Man” on May 9, 2013.

According to Monroe, police officers have visited his 79-year-old mother’s home on several occasions, seeking his brother. “The police come an say that they want him dead or alive because he kill the people at Port Mourant.”

“They have no evidence,” Monroe said, adding that if the family wanted to take revenge, they would have done it before. According to the man, who is now worried about the safety of his brother, only one on the men who was shot at Port Mourant was allegedly involved in the incident back in May.

Christopher Jagdeo had the charge against him and five others discharged by Magistrate Rabindranath Singh on October 9. Sources close to the police revealed that one of the Port Mourant survivors identified a man from Manchester Village as one of the individuals who did the shooting.

Monroe is calling on the

police to conduct a proper investigation, while accusing them of professional misconduct. “They come an they ramsack me mother house. They cut off the phone line an tell she that she getting too much contact.”

According to Monroe, he spoke to his mother by telephone on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, he said when she attempted to use the phone, the line was dead. It was later discovered that the line was severed.

He expressed regret over the incident and said he is hoping that the police are able to find the perpetrators and mentioned the good relationship which now exist between one of those who was accused with his brother’s death and the Monroe’s family.

The Port Mourant incident left Crisnauth “Chris” Jagdeo, 46, and Seafied Layne, 48, of Number One Village dead.

Harpaul, 38, of Rose Hall Town; Clement Griffith,48, of Ankerville, Port Mourant; and Zameel Abrahim, 25, of Black Bush Polder sustained serious gunshot injuries.

BBCI Administrative Assistant Bibi F Alli hands over the cheque of $238,000 to a representative of the Region Six Mashramani Committee

New Zealand tops India in first test

The New Zealand seamers kept their wits against an Indian side that was hell-bent on achieving the tallest chase in the country and secured a thrilling 40-run win in Auckland. A fourth-innings century from Shikhar Dhawan, a solid 126-run stand between him and Virat Kohli and an unexpected counter from Ravindra Jadeja kept the game alive. But Neil Wagner, menacing in every spell he bowled, picked up four wickets, including Dhawan, Kohli and MS Dhoni, to help New Zealand take a see-saw Test and hand India their 10th overseas defeat in 11 Tests.

India had come within 139 runs of a record win with six wickets in hand when the second new ball was taken. What transpired in the next 16.3 overs was less of cricket and more of a boxing match, with both teams throwing punches and counter-punches to knock each other out.

New Zealand jabbed first. Trent Boult trapped Ajinkya Rahane lbw with the first delivery he bowled with the new ball and Tim Southee lured Rohit Sharma with a perfect outswinger in his first. Rahane had a reason to be peeved with the decision - there was a thick inside edge involved - but within the space of seven balls, New Zealand had control of the match back after a long hard toil. However, India were not going down without a fight.

Jadeja had not done

much wrong in the Test and he continued in the same vein with the bat. The first ball he faced was punched down the ground with a shot that oozed class. He even held the pose for a considerable time, appreciating the shot. But that was the only classical shot he played before shifting into Twenty20 mode.

Jadeja drove a length delivery from Southee over mid-on for his second boundary, then came the uppercut in the same over for his

third. In Southee’s next over, he charged down the pitch and flat-batted a length ball down the ground. The umpire was lucky that the ball flew past his left. He then launched Boult over long off for another six.

MS Dhoni was playing shots of his own. He smashed four boundaries off Boult and the partnership between the two bulged to 54 in 34 balls, bringing the target down to 83. From what seemed like a boxer throwing blind jabs, upper

cuts, hooks and crosses at an opponent while going down, India were managing to do some serious damage.

Jadeja’s brief stay ended the way it had lasted as he failed to clear mid-on. In response, Dhoni shunned his aggression. Zaheer Khan, though, threw the bat whenever the bowlers allowed him to free his arms and hit a six and a four in the point region.

Wagner, in his first dig with the new ball, made Zaheer hop with a short of length delivery that the batsman could only edge to first slip. An over later, Dhoni chopped a slower bouncer from the same bowler on to the stumps, effectively ending the match. Boult just provided the final push that brought India crashing down.

The frantic finish was in contrast with the slow build both teams had gone through in the first two sessions. The conditions on the fourth day were markedly different from the third, with the air much drier. It meant that the swing that created problems for the batsmen on the third morning didn’t make an appearance for most parts of the day. The only time it did, it was when Southee was in operation.

Southee stuck to impeccable lines and managed to extract just enough movement to put doubts in the batsmen’s mind. The one ball that did something extra fetched him the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara in

ECB explains axing Pietersen

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says a need for England players to “trust each other” was one of the reasons behind its decision to end Kevin Pietersen’s international career.

They said on Tuesday that the 33-year-old was no longer part of their plans.

On Sunday, the ECB stressed the need for captain Alastair Cook to “have the full support of all players”.

The ECB added that Cook, former coach Andy Flower and Matt Prior “retain the total confidence” of the Ashes party.

England were whitewashed 5-0 by Australia in the Test series down under.

Despite being England’s leading run-scorer, Pietersen was criticised for the manner of some of his dismissals.

The ECB had initially refused to divulge their reasons for dropping him, while national selector James Whitaker would only say on Thursday that “it is time to rebuild”.

But, in a joint statement with the Professional Cricketers’ Association, it explained: “It has been a matter of great frustration that until now the ECB has been unable

to respond to the unwarranted and unpleasant criticism of England players and the ECB itself, which has provided an unwelcome backdrop to the recent negotiations to release Kevin Pietersen from his central contract.

“Those negotiations have been successfully concluded and whilst both parties remain bound by confidentiality provisions the ECB would like to make the following comments.

“The England team needs to rebuild after the white-

wash in Australia.

“To do that we must invest in our captain Alastair Cook and we must support him in creating a culture in which we can be confident he will have the full support of all players, with everyone pulling in the same direction and able to trust each other.

“It is for those reasons we have decided to move on without Kevin Pietersen.”

The ECB also appeared to address allegations by Piers Morgan that Prior openly criticised former team di-

rector Andy Flower during England’s disastrous Ashes tour.

Journalist and television presenter Morgan said on Twitter that wicketkeeper Prior told team-mates Flower was “behaving like a headmaster” and creating “a schoolboy environment”.

The ECB said: “Allegations have been made - some from people outside cricket - which, as well as attacking the rationale of the ECB’s decision-making, have questioned - without justification - the integrity of the England team director and some of England’s players.

“Clearly what happens in the dressing room or team meetings should remain in that environment and not be distributed to people not connected with the team. This is a core principle of any sports team, and any such action would constitute a breach of trust and team ethics.

“Whilst respecting that principle, it is important to stress that Andy Flower, Alastair Cook and Matt Prior, who have all been singled out for uninformed and unwarranted criticism, retain the total confidence and respect of all the other members of the Ashes party.”

the fifth over of the morning. Bowling from wide of the crease, Southee got the second ball of his third over to lift and seam away appreciably from a length. Pujara, playing from the crease, could only edge it to the wicketkeeper.

Southee then ensured Kohli didn’t get an easy start as he bowled 28 consecutive deliveries at the batsman giving away just nine runs.

Meanwhile, Wagner kept the typically aggressive Dhawan quiet at the other end. Dhawan was content on defending everything in line of stumps and left most of the wider deliveries. Only 34 runs were scored in the 14 overs in the first hour of the play. It was almost a case of who would blink first.

The second hour though proved to be a release for the batsmen as Southee, after a spell of 7-3-11-1, tired out. Kohli broke the stalemate with consecutive boundaries off Wagner - a check drive that raced

through extra cover followed by a pull on a short delivery that lacked zing. He reached his half-century off 80 balls. Together with Dhawan, Kohli added 126 to bring the target under 200, but had a lapse in concentration as he attempted a pull at a wide Wagner delivery. Wagner, in a tireless 10-over spell with the old ball, made the big strike when he removed Dhawan with a sharp bouncer from round the wicket. Dhawan had shown remarkable discipline in the morning session and had made slow progress to move into the nineties. Ish Sodhi didn’t pose the same threat as the New Zealand seamers and Dhawan used the chance to race to his second century with a six and a four. However, New Zealand chances surged once Dhawan was dismissed. The new ball hastened New Zealand’s rush to their first Test win against India in 12 years. (Cricinfo)

(Vijay, 7.6 ov), 2-96 (Pujara, 29.2 ov), 3-222 (Kohli, 60.3 ov), 4-248 (Dhawan, 74.1 ov), 5-268 (Rahane, 80.1 ov),

Dibaba shatters 3000m indoor record

Genzebe Dibaba

E

thiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba shattered the world indoor 3,000m record by more than seven seconds in Stockholm.

Dibaba, 22, ran eight minutes 16.60 seconds to beat the 8:23.72 mark set by compatriot Meseret Defar in 2007. It is the fastest 3,000m - indoors or outdoors - since 1993, with only Chinese trio Wang Junxia, Qu Yunxia and Zhang Linli ever running faster.

Dibaba, sister of threetime Olympic gold winner Tirunesh, also broke the indoor 1500m world record on Saturday. (BBC Sport)

Shikhar Dhawan evades a ripper during his ton that failed to help India secure the win against New Zealand

Kevin Pietersen

Jazz upsets Heat

NBA round up

Salt Lake City – Marvin Williams scored 23 points and rookie Trey Burke hit a jumper with 24 seconds remaining to lift the Utah Jazz to a 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Trailing 87-79 after Williams hit two 3-pointers, the Heat used a 10-4 run to draw within two points when Ray Allen made a 3 from the corner with 46 seconds to play.

Burke, who had 13 points, rose up and drained the clutch 19-foot jump shot to beat the shot clock and Gordon Hayward’s free throw clinched the win for the Jazz, who have beat the Heat at home three straight times.

Dwyane Wade had 19 points for the Heat, who missed their last four shots from the field to thwart their comeback. LeBron James

was 4 of 13 from the field for 13 points, his lowest scoring total since he had 13 points in a 104-88 win over Atlanta on Nov. 19.

Suns 122, Warriors 109

Phoenix – Goran Dragic scored 13 of his career-high 34 points in the final seven minutes and Phoenix pulled away for a victory over depleted Golden State.

Dragic, who also had 10 assists, topped 30 points for the sixth time this season as the Suns (30-20) pulled a half-game ahead of the Warriors (30-21) for the sixth-best record in the Western Conference.

Gerald Green added 25 points and P.J. Tucker had 16 points and a career-best 15 rebounds for Phoenix.

Stephen Curry had 28 points and Harrison Barnes 23 for the Warriors, who were without front-line

starters Andrew Bogut and David Lee.

Grizzlies 79, Hawks 76

Atlanta – Zach Randolph scored 20 points and Memphis set an NBA record with only one free throw attempt while continuing its pattern of winning on the road with a victory over Atlanta.

Memphis’ single free throw attempt is the record low since the shot-clock era was introduced in 195455, according to STATS. Cleveland (1994) and New Orleans (2004) shared the previous low of two free throw attempts.

The Hawks set a season scoring low after leading 2927 following the first period. Atlanta was held to a combined 25 points in the second and third periods.

Paul Millsap had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta, which has lost three straight. The Grizzlies ended a two-game skid.

Atlanta’s Lou Williams missed a 3-pointer with about 1 second remaining.

Memphis has held eight straight road opponents to no more than 90 points. The Grizzlies, one game under .500 at home, are 14-8 on the road.

Courtney Lee scored 14 points and Nick Calathes had 10 for Memphis.

Pistons 126, Nuggets 109

Auburn Hills, Mich. –

Brandon Jennings had a season-high 35 points to go with 12 assists, Josh Smith had 30 points and Detroit avoided another fourth-

quarter collapse to win a shootout with Denver.

The game didn’t quite match Detroit’s 186-184 triple-overtime win over Denver 30 years ago, but still saw 11 players score in double figures and the Pistons put up a season high in points.

Rodney Stuckey added 19 points for Detroit, while Andre Drummond had 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Randy Foye led the Nuggets with 25 points, while Wilson Chandler scored 20 and J.J. Hickson added 15 points and 16 rebounds. Denver lost point guard Ty Lawson to a back strain late in the first half.

Evan Fournier replaced him at the start of the second half, with Foye moving from shooting guard to the point.

Spurs 104, Bobcats 100 Charlotte, N.C. – Patty Mills scored 18 of his season-high 32 points in the fourth quarter and Tim Duncan had a double-double to lead San Antonio past Charlotte for its fourth win in five games.

Mills was 10 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 5 in the fourth quarter. He also connected on 8 of 9 foul shots and had four 3-pointers to help the Spurs defeat the Bobcats for the sixth straight time.

Duncan finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds for his 22nd double-double of the season.

The red hot Al Jefferson led the way for the Bobcats (22-29) with 26 points and

nine rebounds. Gerald Henderson added 23 points.

Trail Blazers 117, Timberwolves 110

Minneapolis – LaMarcus Aldridge scored 16 of his 26 points in the second half and Wesley Matthews added 21 to help Portland hold off injury-depleted Minnesota.

Aldridge had six points during Portland’s game-deciding 13-1 run in the fourth quarter.

Corey Brewer led Minnesota with 26 points and Ricky Rubio scored a career-high 25 for the Wolves, who were without All-Star Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin.

Despite trailing for much of the game, the short-handed Wolves showed plenty of grit, getting 19 points from Chase Budinger, 14 from Dante Cunningham and a season-high 12 from rookie

Rockets 101, Bucks 95 Milwaukee – Dwight Howard scored 27 points, including three crucial free throws in the closing seconds, and James Harden scored 10 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter to help Houston hold off shorthanded, scrappy Milwaukee to win its fifth straight.

Jeremy Lin added 18 as the Rockets tied their longest winning streak of the season, a mark set in late November.

Brandon Knight scored 23 points for the Bucks and Khris Middleton had 20, including three free throws after being fouled behind the arc with 46.6 seconds remaining as Milwaukee came back to trail 98-95. Howard made three of four free throws for Houston’s final points and seal the win. (AP)

League’s worst draws with Man Utd

Darren Bent scored an injury-time equaliser to earn Rene Meulensteen a famous result on his return to Old Trafford as bottom-of-thetable Fulham pinched a draw against Manchester United.

After Steve Sidwell had given the visitors the lead against the run of play in the first half, it looked like late goals from Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick had earned United their third

But half-time substitute

Bent headed in after David De Gea had saved Kieran Richardson’s shot to deflate the home supporters and United boss David Moyes, whose side had dominated the game.

For all United’s attacking play and 81 crosses, the most by a Premier League team since 2006, Fulham defended heroically as debutant Johnny Heitinga, fellow centre-back Dan Burn and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg excelled.

And though some might say the point was unde-

served given Fulham had three shots on target, it represented a significant result for Meulensteen, who had won only three of his previous 11 Premier League games since taking charge in December.

Manchester United put in 81 crosses in the game, the most by a team in a Premier League match since

2006, but only 18 of them found a team-mate

It was the kind of performance that could galvanise their season, especially since they crashed out of the FA Cup after defeat by League One Sheffield United in midweek.

In contrast, it was another low for Moyes, whose side have already lost five

games at Old Trafford this season and now sit nine points behind fourth-placed Liverpool as their pursuit of a Champions League place took a serious dent.

Meulensteen, who was first-team coach under former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving the club when Moyes took over, watched his side come under

pressure from the start.

And their opener came against the run of play as United’s defenders failed to pick up Sidwell’s run, with the Englishman guiding home on the volley after being found by Lewis Holtby’s excellent chip.

Van Persie was denied by a superb Sascha Riether tackle prior to the goal and the United forward should have equalised moments after the opener, when he skied Rafael’s cross at the back post.

Urged on by a noisy crowd, with United trying out their singing section again, the hosts continued to bombard Fulham’s goal from a succession of crosses.

Ashley Young and Carrick went close to scoring an equaliser and Stekelenburg also saved another Carrick effort before Sidwell blocked Van Persie’s follow-up.

But as Moyes’s side camped in the Fulham half there was always a danger they would be susceptible to a counter-attack.

The visitors should have gone further ahead when Swedish teenager Muamer

Tankovic burst forward on his Premier League debut to play in Richardson, but the former United player scooped over the bar with only De Gea to beat.

Having enjoyed 72% possession in the first half, the hosts strengthened their grip on the game after the break with Wayne Rooney almost connecting with Van Persie’s cross before being denied by a superb Stekelenburg save.

With Fulham posing less of a threat, Moyes went for all-out attack by introducing Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez as Rooney dropped into midfield.

The policy was rewarded when Van Persie tucked in Juan Mata’s centre after 78 minutes, before Carrick drove in a deflected effort from the edge of the area two minutes later.

That looked like it would be enough but Sidwell again burst forward to play in Richardson, and when his shot was stopped, Bent headed home the equaliser.

(BBC Sport)

Shabazz Muhammad.

Bent heads the ball to equalize for Fullham.

Trey Burke

Goran Drajic

Good news for track and field fraternity

By Treiston Joseph

The Leonora syn-

thetic track is on its way to being functional by the third quarter of this year, said Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry Steve Ninvalle, following a visit to site on Saturday.

After many delays, the rubber-based surface is completely laid, but will need a week of full sunshine for the colour and lane markings to be sprayed onto the black

surface by German company BSW Regopul.

In the meantime, developmental works around the site are moving at a pace the Sport Ministry is a bit peeved about.

“One of the major developments is the construction of the eastern stands, I think it’s about 65-70 percent completed.

“We are concerned with the pace that the contractor are going at, but nevertheless there is development, but development at a pace

we are not comfortable with, so every day we are urging them,” Ninvalle noted.

Managing Director of Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services Deoraj Dalchand, who explained some of the work that has been ongoing, gave the new deadlines for specific sections of the track.

“The stands (Eastern) are expected to be finished in March, the roads are expected to be done in April, the club house is expected to be finished in July, and overall we are looking at

this project being functional, providing we can get the track laid and we get some good weather, probably in the third quarter of the year,” Dalchand said.

Meanwhile, the ticketing boots are almost completed, according to Dalchand, while the base for all the field events has been installed. The material for the spraying and finishing of the synthetic surface is already in Guyana and waiting for the one week window to be completed.

Anthony wins R&R cycle road race

Michael Anthony won his first event of the season after making a dash for the finish in the 23rd annual R&R International 40 mile road race on Sunday.

The race which started with 42 starters at Schoonard proceeded to Bushy Park before returning to Schoonard for the finish saw the 2012 Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships gold medalist stopping the clock at one hour and 41 minutes.

Anthony who also took top honors in the junior event led Paul DeNobrega, Geron Williams and Hamzah Eastman into the top four while Robin

Persaud and Anthony’s club mate, Raynauth Jeffrey filled out the top six paid positions.

Fourteen riders which included the top six worked in tandem and opened up a sizable lead on the chase pack after a slight break away at vreed-en-Hoop.

On the downward journey at Windsor Forest the 14-man peloton was split into three groups with Anthony, Eastman, Jeffrey, Persaud and Williams leading the way.

Meanwhile veteran, Raymond Newton rode away with two of the six sprint prizes while one apiece went to DeNobrega, Marlon Williams, Jeffrey and Delroy Hinds.

Female rider Toshwanna Doris, Mountain Biker Ozia McAulay and veteran Persaud all prizes for winning their respective categories.

Further, R&R will be sponsoring the next cycling event on February 22 at the National Park according to national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed at the presentation ceremony held immediately after the event. Michael Anthony

However, with about 300 metres left in the race Anthony made his move and out sprinted his competitors for the win.

ICC to give top three more control in cricket

England, Australia and India will be given more control of cricket after a vote by the sport’s governing body.

The measures agreed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) will overhaul the sport’s governance, competitions and finances.

A new revenue-sharing agreement will give the lion’s share of money to the ‘Big Three’ nations.

Associate members, including Ireland and Scotland, will also now have the chance to play Test cricket.

Under the changes, the World Test Championship idea has been scrapped and the Champions Trophy will return in 2017.

India board president Narainswamy Srinivasan will become ICC chairman for two years from July.

The changes, which still need to be formally adopted by the ICC council, will see the formation of a new executive committee of five members, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia (CA) and Board of Control for Cricket

in India (BCCI) all guaranteed a place.

The ICC’s executive board - a panel on which all 10 Test-playing nations sit - currently agrees all major decisions.

Among the other key principles are the scrapping of the planned World Test Championship and the introduction of a new two-tier system that will give ICC associate members the chance to play Test cricket with the introduction of play-offs against the lowest-ranked Test nation.

The six leading associate members - Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and the United Arab Emiratescurrently have one-day international status, but are not able to play Test matches.

And the ICC’s 10 full members - Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe - will no longer be obliged to play each other regularly after the Future Tours Programme was scrapped

in favour of bilateral agreements between nations to cover Test series between 2015 and 2023.

England Cricket Board boss Giles Clarke is adamant changes are necessary and says all countries will profit financially if England, India and Australia are given more power to negotiate broadcasting and marketing deals on behalf of the ICC.

“All countries earn more through this proposal,” said Clarke. “No member would earn less and, if our predictions are correct, most will earn an awful lot more. How can that be bad for cricket?”

Eight of the 10 full members voted in favour at the ICC meeting in Singapore, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka choosing to abstain.

The former chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Arif Abassi, has warned that the measures could create deep divisions in the world game, and targeted India for criticism.

Abassi told Lee James on BBC Sports World: “I can’t reconcile myself with what India are doing, We can’t have this bulldozing from

“If they’re mentally defeated, it follows on the field”

– former Essequibo player

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

Thirty-two-year-old

Clain Williams recognises the importance of mental toughness and believes that has been an area responsible for Essequibo’s steady downfall over the past decades.

“They lacked it badly and were outplayed by their opponents, Berbice and Demerara, at the inter-county levels in the annual Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) tournaments, coming out with some pathetic performances,” he said.

Williams, a former Essequibo under-19 batsman, currently resides in the United States and has already donned that country’s colours. From another territory, the right-hander still sees the difference needed in Essequibo’s cricket.

“Essequibo cricket future depends on the willingness of the cricketers to work on themselves to be physically and mentally fit to take on the so-called giants like Berbice and Demerara, who are decorated with test players, and most players I know get nervous before the game,” Williams lamented.

He continued: “And if they are mentally defeated, it will follow on the field. While the coaches can only do so much, if you really want to make an impression, you, the individual, must work on your game as well.”

India.

“The ICC is like a company and a company needs level playing fields. This is being done at the expense of equality. This will lead to division and polarisation in the game.

“The money that comes into the game is not because of India, it’s because of the overall picture of Test cricket. I cannot endorse this behaviour from India.”

Cricket South Africa (CSA), who had earlier voiced concerns about the changes, stressed that the agreement reached by the ICC is a work in progress.

“Nothing in life is perfect,” commented CSA President and chairman, Chris Nenzani in a statement on the CSA official website. “All countries, including the so-called ‘Big Three’, have had to rethink and make concessions.

“It was key that we remain engaged and an absolute imperative that we should preserve the financial stability of the game over the next eight-year cycle from 2015 to 2023.”

Over the years, despite their regular participation, Essequibo has failed miserably to match their skills at the various levels against the two counties, and something must be done drastically to help lift the standard of the game where he comes from, according to Williams.

Having represented the USA in several International Cricket Council (ICC) Associate divisional matches since making his debut in 2010, Williams expressed great pleasure to have featured in the country’s colours as well.

However, he reserved special mention for the politics that he vehemently feels is affecting the game to a great extent. “The cricket is not where it should be, politics is ‘killing’ the cricket, and I thought it was bad in Guyana, but it’s really worse up here surprisingly,” Williams said.

From where he left off in Essequibo, rated as a very destructive opening batsman, Williams continued to ply his trade in North Americam and has been a dominant batsman throughout his career there. He asserted that the game is quite competitive and he enjoys it on the field to a great degree, but he is

still disgruntled with the way things have been proceeding off the field. Notwithstanding that, Williams stated that he wants to make a big impact by scoring more consistently in this summer.

Born in Reliance, Essequibo Coast in Region Two, Williams, honed most of his cricketing skills at Anna Regina Community Centre ground, while he represented the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School at that level with brilliant success too.

He was very thankful to the late Courtney Gonsalves, a former Guyana fast bowler and Essequibo senior intercounty coach, who played a pivotal role in seeing the rapid development of Williams.

“I dedicate my career to Courtney Gonsalves a great coach, he made a cricketer out of me. I was just a little boy whom he just took under his wings and made me the cricketer I turned out to be, I definitely owe it to him,” Williams related.

Regarding the sudden death of former Guyana player Shivanandan Madholall, Williams said he still remains in shock. He commented that Madholall was a fantastic team member, as he reminisced on the days when they played together at a national trial game.

Williams scored consistently and heavily, but was inexplicably ignored by the national selectors at the time. He said that year (1999) is still unforgettable given the fact he made the most runs and still he didn’t find favour with the selectors.

“In that trial game, I scored a century (138) and then went on to make few half-centuries and still did not make the team; Madholall played a supporting role in one of the games and I think he made 70 plus runs; after the game he gave me a bat, and to learn of his death was very shocking,” Williams declared.

Meanwhile, Williams is one among a large number of cricketers coming out of Reliance to represent Essequibo in inter-county teams from under-15, 16, 17, 19 and the senior combination.

Some other names include Rovendra Mandolall, Shawn and Motie Narine (unrelated), Charlie Austin, Shivanandan Madholall (deceased), Rovindra Parasram, Alfred Maycock, Ryan Amsterdam, Narindra Madholall, Balchand Shivamber (deceased), Renford Beaton, Lawrence Farnum, Ravendra Madholall, Claude Amsterdam, Avinash Parasram, Chubby Persaud, Prakash Ganpat, Mohindra Boodram and Rajin Parasram.

Guyanese proudly flying country’s colours in U.S. golf championships

Crisendat Guyadeen, originally from Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, but who migrated to the U.S.A., has been playing golf for the past 14 years, proudly flying Guyana’s colours along the way.

Guyadeen is a member of the West Indian American Golf Association (WIAGA), which is made it of Guyanese, Trinidadian and Barbadian golfers. He is also a member of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour (GCAT), having played in several tournaments at the club level.

So far he has won the GOPIO Championship, the Memorial Yournament and the Phoneix Challenge Trophy. These wins were at the club level for 2013.

At the GCAT tour level, Guyadeen played in the Palmer Flight, which is for players whose handicap is 0-6 (some professional players are within that category).

In the Golf Channel Tour, Guyadeen had six second place finishes. He was tied twice for first place, but lost in a sudden death play-off on one occasion.

However, Guyadeen managed to win outright in the final GCAT New York/ Long Island Championship two-day major by shooting even par the first day and +5 on the second day to beat the complete field in his flight, which consisted of players from Britain, U.S.

Crisendat Guyadeen

and Denmark. Guyana took the first place for that tournament to climax the GCAT New York/Long Island season for 2013.

In 2014 so far, Guyadeen played at the GCAT U.S.A. national level, which is a major two-day tournament with golfers from all over the United States, Britain, Canada and Germany, held at the TPC Sawgrass Open in Jacksonville, Florida –the home of the PGA Players Tournament.

There, Guyadeen defeated the field with 77 on the second day to win, including sinking a massive 30-foot birdie on the 17th hole, the Island Green, which is considered the most feared par

3 in the world. This Island Green is about 30 feet in diameter and surrounded by water and golfers have to tee off from about 156 yards in heavy wind.

With this win, Guyadeen has qualifed to play in the U.S.A. Nationals in September this year in TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. However his next tournament is the GCAT Florida Masters to be held in Orlando, Florida at the Magnolia and Palms Course – a two time PGA Championship venue.

Although Guyadeen has never played in Guyana, he recently made contact with a senior official of the Lusignan Golf Course to indicated his interest to start an academy of golf for children and teenagers who are interested in learning the game.

Guyadeen said he would like to further represent Guyana at the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) to be held in Argentina in 2015, if he is allowed to, given that Guyana is not a member of the LAAC.

Guyadeen is urging that Guyana join the LAAC. “The formation of the LAAC is the best thing that could happen for golf in the Caribbean and Latin America – all aspiring golfers can make strides to get to that level where they can represent their country,” he said.

Guyanese Hemnarine Chattergoon elected CSCA president

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

His representation for Guyana and Canada has persistently given Hemnarine Chattergoon greater motivation to return something to the game. His dedication has paid off and he strongly recommends that young, aspiring cricketers train hard, which makes the game easier for them, both mentally and physically.

Chattergoon was elected President of the Canadian Softball Cricket Association (CSCA) and is already aiming for more success in 2014. He expressed satisfaction after 2013 was deemed an accomplished season. He was the vice-president for the past two consecutive years.

Chattergoon plays actively too for Jaguar in the CSCA competition, while the former West Indies under-19 batsman represents Vikings Cricket Club in the annual Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite League.

Hemnarine, the elder brother of former West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, played a pivotal role as well for Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club, which won the Scarborough Cricket Association title for the past four consecutive years and featured in the Golden Tigers’ colours at the Brampton/Etobicoke League.

During an exclusive interview on Monday from his Mississauga home in the Greater Toronto Area, the right-hander declared that softball has grown tremendously over the years.

He wants to see the asso-

ciation pull off another good year, given the fact that 2013 had over 20 teams involved – a manifestation of the continued support and players’ willingness to participate as well.

“We at the CSCA will continue to work hard over the next 12 months; I know the cricket season [is[ very short in Canada, but it was wonderful to see the large number of players coming and playing on a regular basis,” Chattergoon said.

Sunshine Cricket Club emerged as champion last year and again a plethora of seasoned players featured, much to the delight of the association. Some of players were Royston Crandon, Damodar Daesrath, Rajindra Chandrika, Krishna Deosaran, Wasim Haslim, Garvin Singh, Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth and Troy Gobin, among others, including several top softball cricketers.

“It was very pleasing to watch the players come out and be a part of the action; the guys wanted to play and

they seemed to have also enjoyed themselves. That is one of our objectives again this year – to have players who can make a big contribution to the game,” the 36-year-old occasional offspinner said.

Apart from Hemnarine and Sewnarine, Ramnarine and Harrynarine are also siblings and would have donned the Guyana’s colours at the youth level. Hemnarine stated that “it was a great privilege” to represent his native country and then Canada, and that has inspired him to coach at the club level where he now lives.

Additionally, Hemnarine praised his fellow executives for their efforts last year and is very optimistic they will return with the same level of solid commitment and dynamism. He feels the players and the association are keeping softball cricket on a steady growth and was very thankful to the sponsors, whose input he said must be recognised.

Meanwhile, Hemnarine plans to be in Guyana later this year to take part in the annual Guyana Cup softball Mini World Cup tournament, which is being run under the auspices of the Guyana Softball Floodlights Association. He said that once he is selected by any Canadian team, he is absolutely willing to showcase his softball playing talent. At the previous event, a Canadian side did participate. The players were selected by the Ontario Softball Cricket League, which already declared their interest in returning in 2014.

Messi double puts Barcelona on top league

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga after coming from behind to beat Sevilla.

Alberto Moreno’s deflected strike gave the hosts the lead before an offside Alexis Sanchez levelled with a header.

Argentina forward Messi then scored either side of half-time, with a powerful shot from the edge of the area and a curled effort from similar range.

Substitute Cesc Fabregas sealed victory with a chip from close range as Sevilla rued a host of missed chances.

The win moved Barcelona top of La Liga on goal difference, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid level with them on 57 points. Sevilla had 15 shots compared to Barcelona’s nine attempts, but only hit the target with four of them. Barca

were on target with five of their shots.

They were far from their best in a match played in heavy rain and on a saturated pitch, as the hosts dominated for large periods and

created the better opportunities.

But, while Ivan Rakitic, Denis Cheryshev and Vitolo were all guilty of bad misses for Sevilla, Barca produced a clinical display of finishing

to secure just a second win from their past five La Liga matches.

Messi had not scored from open play in the league since September, having missed the end of 2013 with

a hamstring injury, but showed signs of returning to his best form.

He was quiet in the opening stages, though, as Sevilla started strongly and took a deserved lead when

Moreno’s low shot from 18 yards deflected in off Marc Bartra.

Carlos Bacca then headed against the post for the hosts before Rakitic shot wide with just visiting goalkeeper Victor Valdes to beat.

Barcelona pulled level in controversial circumstances as Sanchez looked to be in an offside position when he flicked in Messi’s free-kick.

Messi put the visitors ahead just before the break when he chipped Andres Iniesta’s pass up to himself before firing into the corner.

Sevilla continued to create chances after the break but, with Valdes in good form, they were unable to take advantage as Barca took control.

And Messi brilliantly curled in his second from the edge of the area before Fabregas completed the scoring with a delicate chip after Sanchez’s low cross. (BBC Sport)

Hemnarine Chattergoon

Messi sinks a cross to give Barcelona a huge advantage

Good news for track and field fraternity

TGBA launches Goodwill Tournament

By Treiston Joseph

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in conjunction with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) launched their Goodwill International Tournament on Saturday at the GOA headquarters.

The tournament will feature four nations, inclusive of Guyana, as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia will be flying in to participate in the box off.

President of the GOA

A Juman Yassin noted that the boxing calendar will be a full one, providing the boxers work hard and are successful, as he hopes the Goodwill Tournament can resuscitate the Caribbean Championships.

“I recall the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) championships, in which most of the English speaking Caribbean countries participated and ba-

sically Guyana was on top, but that association is no more and I sincerely hope that this tournament will be a stepping

stone for that association to be born again,” Yassin stated.

Meanwhile, President of the GBA Steve

Ninvalle, who admitted that the tournament will be used as a means to start discussions with their Caribbean counter-

parts, indicated that the tournament will also be a testing ground for their boxers.

“We have already signalled our intention to have some discussions to develop boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean. Our elite fighters for the first time will have to fight without headgear, which will be new, and we hope that the public come out and support.

“It is something that will test us, and we are putting our shoulders to the wheel, as it is part of our preparation for the South American Games in Chile and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,” Ninvalle said. Guyana will also be using the new computerized system of scoring as Trinidadian referee/ judge James Beckles, will be here for a two-day refresher workshop on the new system for the tournament that begins on February 14.

Presidnet of the GOA K A Juman Yassin (left) and GBA President Steve Ninvalle at the press conference (Treiston Joseph photo)

Part of the black rubber surface, which is completely laid, and the stands under construction during Saturday’s visit to the Leonora site (Treiston Joseph photo)

By Treiston Joseph

he Leonora synthetic track is on its way to being functional by the third quarter of this year,

said Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry Steve Ninvalle, following a visit to site on Saturday.

The Leonora synthetic track is on its way to being functional by

the third quarter of this year, said Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry Steve Ninvalle, following a visit to site on Saturday.