Guyana Times Daily

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Wednesday, August 6, 2014 PRICE $80 vat included Issue No. 2214 guyanatimesgy.com

Elections likely

by January 2015 Page 3

... if APNU supports AFC's no-confidence motion

Hughes, Ramjattan escape scrutiny on conflicts of interest Page 9

Lisa Punch to perform at Guyana Festival Page 11

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Gang P2 membership growing in Caribbean – IMPACS Rodney CoI hears:

WPA, PPP planned P7 to topple Burnham dictatorship

Woman killed by pit-bulls Dynamic Airways not ready for August 8 restart

Renowned artist Winslow Craig in conversation with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and a patron about "Saving Seeds," the sculpture from which the Exhibition drew its title, which is currently on display at The National Gallery of Art, Castellani House in Georgetown

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P10 P12

Defects seen in $12M P17 Linden Institute rehab project

2 news US military, youth network clean up shelter for abuse victims wednesday, august 6, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

US military cadets complete jungle survival training

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Members of the US military and Youth Action Network (YAN) assisted in cleaning up a shelter for domestic abuse victims

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he United States Embassy’s Youth Action Network (YAN) teamed up with visiting US military cadets to take part in a major community service project on Saturday under the theme: “Ready to Serve, Ready to Lead.”

A total of 79 volunteers completed a beautification project at Help and Shelter’s shelter for domestic abuse victims. The YAN members joined with US military cadets from the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Programme (CULP), the Embassy’s Humanitarian Assistance Programme, US Peace Corps Volunteers, Embassy staff and shelter

volunteers to carry out painting, gardening, and other maintenance work.

The beautification project included painting the living quarters for the residents and Manager of the shelter and painting a section of the walls in the compound. Over the next month, shelter volunteers will accentuate the walls with murals depicting positive, inspirational messages for the residents. Volunteers also weeded the compound, cleared trash and debris, planted trees, and assisted in the hydroponic greenhouse.

This service project reaffirms the US Government’s commitment to working with non-governmental organ-

isations, the Government of Guyana, and its citizens to end the scourge of domestic abuse. The US Embassy applauds the Board of Directors of Help and Shelter in their work towards the elimination of all types of violence, especially domestic and sexual violence, and child abuse.

Established in July 2013, under the theme “Ready to Serve, Ready to Lead,” the Embassy’s Youth Action Network gives motivated youths an opportunity to participate in networking and training activities to enhance their leadership skills and professionalism, as well as to promote their involvement in volunteerism.

s part of the military cooperation between Guyana and the United States of America, 42 US military cadets recently completed a training course at the Colonel Robert Mitchell Jungle and Amphibious Training School (CRMJATS), under the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Programme.

A release from the United States Embassy in Guyana said under the guidance of the CRMJATS leadership, the cadets received training and familiarisation on a broad range of survival skills. This training phase culminated with a 48-hour exercise that tested the cadets’ mental fortitude, personal courage, and newlyacquired skill sets.

The cadets had previously completed joint training with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) cadets at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS) located in

Tacama, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Guyana is hosting the CULP Programme as part of the long-standing partnership between the Florida National Guard, the US Army Cadet Command, the local US Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office, and the GDF. The CULP Programme seeks to build a foundation to support understanding, cohesion, and meaningful partnership between the next generation of US and Guyanese military officers.

During the CULP Programme in Guyana, US cadets live, work, and have cultural exchanges with GDF cadets, as well as with other elements of the GDF. Activities under the CULP Programme typically include humanitarian service events with Guyanese partners, military-to-military training, and education on the social, cultural, and historical aspects of Guyana.

Gang membership growing in Caribbean – IMPACS expresses concerns about high-level of gun violence

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he Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) says membership of criminal gangs across the Caribbean is around 35,000 and again said that there has been an increase in the number of illegal firearms on the streets.

The comment was made at a recent Caricom workshop on the Arms Trade Treaty in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago by Head of IMPACS Francis Forbes. Describing it as “more than a cause for

concern” while addressing the regional workshop on the Arms Trade Treaty at the Trinidad Hilton hotel last week, Forbes said: “Only last year there were 2143 homicides committed in 11 Caricom states, approximately 70 per cent of which were committed by small arms and light weapons (SALW) but that is not all. Let us also place into the equation the 1885 illegal guns seized during the same period and reality sets in. The fact that between 2006 and 2013, law enforce-

Francis Forbes, Executive Director, Caricom IMPACS

ment recovered 16,162 illegal firearms in these same countries is more than a cause for concern. Gang membership is now estimated to be not less than 35,000 and growing across Caricom States...”

He said less than half of the 14 Caricom states have ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), although all 14 are signatories to the international agreement.

Caricom, he said, has resolved to “push back” as best it can within the confines of limited resources. But “I must take note without commenting that to date, the records reflect 14 signatories to the ATT and as at June 3, 2014, only six members have ratified namely; Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago.” So far 41 countries internationally have ratified the ATT. The objectives of the workshop were the promotion of the ratification of the ATT; development of a Caricom Common Position on Brokering (‘Political Binding’); adoption and implementation of a Caricom Coordinating and Implementing Mechanism; advancement of Caricom Model Legislation for the ATT; and provision of legal and technical assistance to Caricom member states in the implementation of their obligations under the ATT. Meanwhile, delivering remarks at the event, Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Winston

Dookeran praised IMPACS and the ICRC for “convening the workshop which will assist Caricom states in the implementation of the Treaty.” The Minister also indicated that the Caricom region is positioned at the forefront in ensuring that the Treaty becomes a reality through its ongoing advocacy, combined efforts and activities to promote the instrument.

Minister Dookeran pointed out that the Region has received a great degree of goodwill from international partners for the fervour and vigour with which the ATT is being pursued. He also reinforced that Trinidad and Tobago has demonstrated its commitment as evidenced by the fact that it has taken all the political steps to ensure the objectives of the treaty are realised. Minister Dookeran further indicated that Trinidad and Tobago has offered to host the Secretariat of the ATT. He pointed out that as a small country it reflects the confidence in Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to fulfil such a global function.

Late last year, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had called for the country’s gun laws to be reviewed and the firearms licence renewal process to be reassessed in light of the recent upsurge in gun-related crimes. Rohee said then that everyone wants a firearm but some have been using it illegally, making reference to the businessman who

killed his wife before turning the gun on himself.“People are behaving in this country as though this is the United States where they have the right to bear arms, but you don’t! And I’m considering approaching the President to ask him, let us review these gun laws, irrespective of what the hell Granger might think, whether Granger supports us in Parliament or not,” Rohee added.

The Minister pointed out that it should be debated whether persons have the right to carry firearms, and if not, what are the alternatives for them in terms of their security. He noted that the Police should step up their intelligence and aggressively go after those who sell, buy, lend and trade firearms. Rohee said those with firearm licences should be reviewed, pointing out that he had requested for his Ministry to be included in this process. “Right now, we don’t have a say, but we are looking at that. The Home Affairs Ministry in conjunction with the Firearms Licence Approval Board should have a say on whether to renew or not to renew a firearm licence. It should not be something automatic like the visa in the United States… there should be no automaticity attached to this. We have to begin taking strong measures against this because people with guns in their hands are taking strong measures and embarrassing this country,” Rohee said.

NEWS

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wednesday, august 6, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, August 6 from 13:00h-14:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, August 6 from 12:05h-13:35h

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with heavy rain showers prevailing over the remainder of the day. Thundery showers can be expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Elections likely

by January 2015 ... if APNU supports AFC's no-confidence motion should be part of the parliamentary record.”

Roopnaraine’s comments have now removed the uncertainty over the posture of the APNU and the conflicting messages sent by its top brass about potential support for the motion.

Opposition Leader David Granger had told media operatives that the matter was “serious” and warranted indepth discussions before a decision was taken on the

Winds: East North-easterly between zero and 3.12 metres per second.

High Tide: 12:34h reaching a maximum height of 2.27 metres.

Low Tide: 05:59h and 18:28h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.94 metre respectively.

President Donald Ramotar

By Michael Younge

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eneral elections are likely to be held in Guyana by January 2015 if the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) supports the no-confidence motion by the Alliance For Change (AFC).

The 26-seat Opposition coalition group, APNU has thrown its full support behind a motion of no-confidence to be tabled in the National Assembly by the AFC against the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government led by President Donald Ramotar.

The APNU took the decision after its Members of Parliament who formed a Shadow Cabinet met on Tuesday afternoon at the Leader of the Opposition’s Office on Hadfield Street, Georgetown to deliberate on the draft AFC motion.

APNU’s Co-Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, speaking with the Guyana Times, confirmed that the decision was unanimous and that no dissenting views were expressed during the Shadow Cabinet meeting about the course of action that the party should adopt in response to the motion.

“Well, we didn’t see a full draft, but what we saw was a resolve clause... we did not see any “where as” clauses and...That is what we are going to support when it comes to the House which we anticipate will be at a very early sitting in October,” Roopnaraine advised.

He said “it is very unlikely” that the motion could be debated before the National Assembly goes into recess on August 10 this year.

Additionally, he said the party believes that the decision to support the motion was the right step at the correct time given the feeling and mood of the population.

He also explained that the APNU has piloted a menu of other actions to demonstrate its lack of confidence in the PPP/C Administration.

He pointed to the party’s move to have the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh sent to the parliamentary Committee of Privileges for his alleged violation of the decisions of the Parliament.

Reference was also made to APNU’s intention to go to the courts for a declaration on the constitutionality of the financial paper.

In-depth discussions

“We went to discuss other things which would have to do with getting yourself in a state of readiness for the elections, which would be the consequence of a no-confidence vote,” Dr Roopnaraine admitted.

He said APNU’s decision was taken to send another strong message to the ruling administration about its conduct and handling of several national and constitutional issues. “I think it is important that if we were to move a no-confidence motion against the Government, that we move it, because we do not have any confidence in the Government and that

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

way forward. Granger reportedly made reference to the 10th Parliament fulfilling its five-year mandate during APNU’s third anniversary, but clarified that this was never an endorsement of the PPP’s hope of completing a full term in office.

The issue is put to rest, and it was widely specu-

lated and expected that the APNU, which has been working closely with the AFC since 2011, would have adopted this posture giving the impact non-support would have had on its record and image. Additionally, the party’s main partner, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) had already indicated interest in bringing the Government to its knees via constitutional mechanisms and must have sounded its voice on the matter during discussions.

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wednesday, august 6, 2014

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

Editorial

LFS Burnham T

oday, it will be 29 years since Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham died in an operating theatre in the Georgetown Public Hospital. While his legacy might be contested, we have repeatedly emphasised that no Guyanese can ignore the critical role he played in this country’s history. Today, we review that role for present generations, to supplement the revelations emanating from the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) centred on the year 1980. A year of living dangerously.

Burnham was nothing, if not a product of his time.

The son of a poor headmaster of a primary school in Kitty, which would have been considered semi-rural in 1923, the pursuit of education was instilled into him early on, as the avenue to upward mobility. It was a time when for an African Guyanese, the Civil Service or the professions (medicine or law) was the acme of achievement. But Burnham, even as a boy set his sights higher: he would not just be a “lawyer” but “the Chancellor” – and even “the Prime Minister”. Burnham was never lacking in ambition.

Transferring from Central High School to Queen's College on a scholarship, he was ragged mercilessly by the lighterskinned scions of the higher classes. He was never to forget these slights and later in life, he was to extract his revenge on them while he rode on horseback at Hope Estate. Burnham won the Guyana Prize in 1942 at Queen's and generated much pride in the African-Guyanese community – especially in Georgetown.

Because of WWII, he could not proceed to England and wrote his Baccalaureate externally, while he taught at his alma mater. One of his students was Martin Carter. Proceeding to London after the war, he qualified as a lawyer while winning the “Best Speaker’s Prize” at London University.

Like many third world students, he was drawn to the Communist Party of Britain and was brought to the attention of Dr Cheddi Jagan in Guyana, who was organising the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Contact was made and Ashton Chase, stepped aside to make way for the Guyana Scholar, who was asked to examine the organisation of the People’s National Party in Jamaica on his way home in 1949.

The challenge within the PPP for leadership by Burnham against Jagan is too well known to be regurgitated here.

Suffice it to say that Burnham’s childhood dream was not to be deferred. After Winston Churchill removed the PPP Government in 1953 for being too “radical” – in which Burnham was one of the most radical – Burnham became a willing pawn in the British manoeuvres to remove Jagan.

The split in the PPP in 1955 was inevitable, and Burnham’s formation of the People’s National Congress after his defeat in the 1957 elections, predictable.

Just as predictable was the descent into ethnic politics after Burnham’s calculated departure from the party. This was analysed very percipiently by Dr Jagan in 1956. Even in those early days, it was very clear from the experience in India, that the dynamics of “democratic” mobilisation made ethnic identification and agglomeration, a rational choice as far as securing the votes necessary to assume “democratic” office.

Guyana is still struggling to deal with the latent ethnic schisms unleashed by Burnham when he departed the nationalist movement in 1955.

Those divisions were deepened when Burnham coldbloodedly accepted the US’s violent, CIA-executed plot to remove the PPP from office. Unlike, say Trinidad, where the same ethnic fissures were apparent, the violence between the two major ethnic groups here became much more intractable.

Burnham definitely desired to develop Guyana – his plans were generally plausible, apart from his “cooperative” socialistic utopian ideas. But the lesson of his life for Guyana in the present must be heeded.

Leaders cannot fall for the trap of playing one ethnic group against another. Nor fall for the blandishments of foreign powers that want to destabilise the PPP Government.

The effervescent volunteers of the by-youths-for-youths NGO Come Alive Network Inc (CANI), which will be hosting a National Youth Conference in Guyana to commemorate International Youth Day locally, on August 12

Anand Goolsarran never respected Guyana’s Constitution Dear Editor, When did Anand Goolsarran become versed in constitutional matters that now excuse his failure to table Guyana’s audited accounts under the PNC regime?

Goolsarran has been using his weekly column in the Stabroek News as a pedestal of self-aggrandisement. His latest attempt at self-promotion has been to speak about the constitutionality of the tabling of the Financial Paper 1/2014.

Judging from his dissection of the Constitution, I can only conclude that he relied on his friend and fellow antiGovernment cohort, Christopher Ram, as Goolsarran himself is incapable of understanding basic legal language and in-

struction.

If one differs that Goolsarran had to rely on his friend to write about the constitutionality of the Financial Paper, one just need to look back to the years he was Auditor General under the PNC Government.

Goolsarran failed repeatedly to table the country’s audited accounts. It can only be assumed that he did not understand his legal obligations in keeping with the Constitution under 223 (3) which mandate the Auditor General to submit his reports to the Speaker to be laid before the National Assembly.

So now that Goolsarran has some understanding of his legal responsibility

while he held the post of Auditor General, maybe he can finally do the right thing and submit to the Parliament those outstanding legal documents!

Unless he fulfils his legal obligations, he should not propagate himself as an authority of any credibility to speak on matters on which he has a demonstrated record of failure. Goolsarran needs to remember that his past is so publicly stained, anything he attempts to speak about taints any semblance of credibility.

As the old adage goes: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

Sincerely Andrea Singh

Muslims are commanded by Islamic law to denounce racism Dear Editor, The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) refers to a letter by Frederick Kissoon published on August 3, headlined, “Fazeel Feroze is not postracial in the least”.

I wish to correct a few statements made by Kissoon in defence of CIOG. Our organisation as rightly stated is a Muslim religious organisation. By virtue of its name, we as Muslims are commanded by Islamic law to denounce racism and do not even contemplate practising it.

This is why in every mosque we have people of all ethnicities praying shoulder to shoulder as brothers and sisters. This concept is at all times encouraged and practised by CIOG, and we categorically refute the claim made by Kissoon that the CIOG is a “racially prone organisation with preference for East Indians”.

We refer to Kissoon’s reference to CIOG’s relationship with the Head of State and the Government of the day.

CIOG has always maintained a cordial and close working relationship with all Governments and functionaries, similarly with Ambassadors, High Commissioners and foreign countries’ representatives in Guyana.

This is a necessary requirement for

any head of an organisation such as CIOG, a charitable body, as it enables us to seek the humanitarian assistance required by our people from those in authority. This, over the years, has proven to be beneficial, and in some cases lifesaving for many deserving cases.

We would do no less if a new government is in place, and will travel with any head of state if requested to assist in the service of our country. As and when necessary, the CIOG will have no hesitation if asked to offer our appreciation to any Government official, Opposition leader or member, or anyone that has contributed to our cause in the service to our people.

The CIOG wishes to state most categorically that we were never involved in the formation of the Indian Arrival Committee, nor have we now or ever been a member of the Committee, nor do we partake in any of the activities of the Committee.

This statement is a blatant misrepresentation by Kissoon. As for statements made by the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), we wish to inform Kissoon that the MYO is a separate entity from CIOG, and we cannot monitor or will not dare to edify their pronouncements.

The CIOG considers the judiciary and

other law enforcement agencies as independent entities, and will not condone or intervene in their functions. Kissoon failed to produce any evidence to substantiate his generalisation of the accusations made as to CIOG’s involvement in or influence being exerted in circumventing the laws of Guyana. He must be aware of the dangers of hearsay from anonymous sources.

We wish to state categorically that the doors of the CIOG are always open to all irrespective of their ethnicity. While we are not sure as to the census used by Kissoon to arrive at a percentage as to who is in the CIOG, we wish to advise that the CIOG does not have an individual membership programme.

We maintain as members, the membership of Jaamats or Masjids, which incorporates the communities of each Mosque throughout Guyana.

We trust that certain misrepresentations and misinformation have been addressed, and we thank you for facilitating the publication of CIOG’s perspective on matters raised by Kissoon.

Yours sincerely, Fazeel M Ferouz CIOG President

guyanatimesgy.com

Wednesday, august 6, 2014

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Poor growth was a feature The case for reparations is for indigenous genocide, of Guyana’s population African slavery (Part Two) from the mid-1970s Dear Editor, Like many others, my attention was caught by Dr Clive Thomas’ article, entitled “Guyana’s recent population bombshell”, which appeared in a local newspaper on August 3. I want to extend appreciation to Dr Thomas for presenting to us, in his Schedule I, the listing of our census figures for the census years from 1921 to 2012.

Nonetheless, I proffer that on studying those same figures, our population issues are not recent, and the 2012 figure is no “bombshell”! Zero and negative population growth rates were features from the mid1970s.

Indeed, if there was a “bombshell” in Dr Thomas’ Schedule I, it would have been the indicated increase from 98,000 in 1921 to 310,933 in 1931. This posed so many questions that I checked it with the Bureau of Statistics – there was a transcription error; 98,000 is the figure for 1831, the census figure for 1921 is

cant fall in the growth rate of about 1.5 to 0.7953 per cent over 1970 to 1980, and a further fall of about 1.2 per cent per cent to – 0.4391 per cent for the 1980-to-1991 period.

There is a significant reversal of this decline in population growth, of about 0.8 per cent, to + 0.3402 per cent over the 1991-to-2002 period, followed by a decline of about 0.4 per cent to – 0.0446 per cent over the 2002-to-2012 period.

To emphasise that there is no “bombshell” in the population decline over 2002 to 2012, allow me to point out that, as far as numbers go, the intercensal decline of –0.0446 per cent over 2002 to 2012 is just one-tenth of the – 0.4391 per cent intercensal decline of the 19801991 period!

The biggest decline in growth, “bombshell” if you wish, occurred during the 1980-1991 period. Dr Thomas’ analysis about the 2002-2012 period would be no less cogent, and applicable to the 1980-1991 period.

Indeed, if one projects

for the mid-1970s to 1991, will return – time will tell.

Allow me, as I close, to say that I put forward herein my interpretation of our census data, not primarily to differ with Dr Thomas (as I do, looking at the long-term trend, rather than limited to the 2002-2012 period, as Dr Thomas preferred), but to generate discussion, and to help incline our minds to questions of our country’s growth and development, a job that we are still to get down to, sufficiently.

I join Dr Thomas in noting “the release by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC)” which, using the series from 1960 of per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for Guyana and Singapore sounded the alarm that we have lost decades in the per capita GDP measure of growth and development.

For me, what was indicated is the need for a wide and detailed study and comparison of Guyana and Singapore, from about the end of World War II to the

Schedule I (Amended) Census 1831 - 2012 Census Year 1831

1921

1931 1946

1960 1970 1980 1991 2002 2012

Population Size 98,000

297,691 310,933 375,701 560,330 701,718 759,567 723,673 751,223 747,884

297,691.

Allow me to reproduce below a corrected version of Dr Thomas’ Schedule I, with two additional columns: 1. The calculated average annual population change during the interval of the last two censuses – the average intercensal growth rate; 2. The population in 2012, as projected from each census year and the preceding census figure.

Let us examine the column of average annual growth rates between census years (intercensal, to use Dr Thomas’ word). There are two periods of negative growth, all others are positive.

We may take the growth rates as a rather coarse indicator of how good people are feeling about the outlook for life in Guyana. Whether so or not, the highest intercensal growth rates were 2.8964 per cent for the 1946 to 1960 period; and 2.2756 per cent for the 1960 to 1970 period.

Then there is, the signifi-

Average Annual Intercensal Growth Rate (%) - +1.2422 +0.4361 +1.2694 +2.8964 +2.2756 +0.7953 - 0.4391 +0.3402 - 0.0446

the 1960-1970 growth rates beyond 1970, the 1980 population would have been hit already by mid-1974. I make the case that the really exceptional outward migration happened during the mid-1970s-1991 period.

And so, I proffer this interpretation of our series of census data, after the end of immigration and the repatriation of immigrants from India. “Our population was growing significantly from 1931, with a projection in 1960 of about 2.5 million in 2012.

“However, growth stalled in the mid-1970s, and reversed unto 1991. Growth resumed over the 1991-2002 period, but stalled again and turned to a much smaller negative over 2002 to 2012.”

A correlation with what was happening politically in our country was obvious.

The question now is what will happen over 2012 to 2022, and onwards, whether the same degree of outward migration that is indicated

Projected Population Size in 2012 915,357 442,350 863,803 2,473,145 1,805,432 978,717 659,790 777,178 747,884 present.

Interestingly, BBC World recently presented a number of items on Singapore. With respect to the subject at hand – population growth and size – it was stated that Singapore, a small city-state, has now a population of about five million, with 40 per cent of its citizens being immigrants born in some other country.

Perhaps, we should reconcile ourselves to many of our citizens emigrating to seemingly greener pastures, reaching for the stars, sharing their hard-won earnings and sending us remittances; and we, in turn, can throw open our doors to whomsoever sees opportunity here with us in Guyana, developing Guyana to our mutual benefit, for, indeed, we all do affirm these days that the world is one, and all humanity is one!

Sincerely, Samuel Hinds Prime Minister

Dear Editor, The early settlers of Bush Lot experienced the problems associated with the drought of 1899 and their rice crop was severely affected. Even though house lots and cultivation plots began to be distributed from 1899, it was not until February 1902 that Bush Lot was officially declared an Indian settlement.

A sum of $40,000 acquired from the immigration fund was spent on laying out the settlement and the digging by shovel-men of a canal, over three miles long, to the Abary River to obtain water supply.

Maria’s Pleasure on the island of Wakenaam started in 1902 when 168 lots were distributed. However, only 40 persons built homes and rice and coconuts were cultivated. But since most of the new land owners could not be found, not enough rates were collected.

In 1912-13, the Government purchased the abandoned estates of Unity-Lancaster on East Coast Demerara from their owners and improved the drainage and irrigation canals. The land was then divided into one-acre plots which were sold for $20 each.

Around the same period, Clonbrook, another abandoned estate just a mile to the West of UnityLancaster, was also purchased by the Government and divided into house lots and cultivation plots. Each house lot was sold for $30 while a cultivation plot cost $20.

On the West Coast of Demerara, Windsor Forest and La Jalousie, with a combined area of 3000 acres, was offered for rent at a rate of one dollar per acre for the first year and six dollars for each subsequent year. The tenants had the option of purchasing the land by paying $8.50 per acre for 25 years.

A nearby estate, Hague, was also leased out in lots and offered under similar terms.

Indo-Guyanese were empowered. Similarly, the Chinese and Portuguese.

The Portuguese were allowed to break their indentureship contracts with impunity and were further helped to set up businesses through support from Madeira and from good commercial credit terms from the British, but Africans were never empowered.

Today, the econom-

ic, social and cultural inequalities are evident.

Mohamed wants equality today but says nothing about the more than 99 per cent of commercial lands given to Indians from Guyana, India and Trinidad, Chinese from China and Suriname, Russians, Malaysians, etc.

Mohamed wants equality in reparations, but not equality in death, rape, genocide, and other crimes against humanity.

If Mohamed isn’t a functional illiterate and that explains his racism, then he should already know the facts about slavery and Indigenous genocide.

For African descendants in Guyana: three per cent of our ancestors died during attacks on villages to gain slaves; 20 per cent died on the murderous trek to the coast from interior villages; 10 per cent died while waiting in prisons and dungeons for ships to arrive; 12 per cent died during the Trans-Atlantic journey; and 33 per cent of those that arrived in Guyana died during the first three years.

So in a peaceful village of 200 Africans, only a few reached Guyana. Sir Hilary Beckles in June stated at the House of Commons that of the 5.5 million captured Africans brought to this part of the World, only 800,000 remained at Emancipation. This is a survival rate of 15 per cent.

At Emancipation, there were 84,035 freed Africans in Guyana.

Perhaps, Mohamed can calculate how many Africans died in Guyana for their freedom; for the right of Mohamed’s descendants to even be brought to Guyana.

Does Mohamed know Africans worked free for over 215 years to build Guyana before his ancestors arrived here? There were no snakes, deadly swamps, genocide when his forefathers came to Guyana with contracts.

Does Mohamed want to share with the nation that history has also recorded and forgotten that (Guyanese) Africans “had driven back the sea and had cleared, drained and reclaimed 15,000 square miles of forest and swamps”? This is equivalent to 9,000,000 acres of land.

In short, all the fields on which the sugar estates are now based were cleared, drained and irrigated by African labour forces. All the plantations now turned villages and cities were built by unpaid African labour.

In the process of building these plantations, careful research has shown that Africans installed the following: 2,580,000 miles of drainage canals, trenches and inter-bed drains; 3500 miles of dams, roads and footpaths; and 2176 miles of sea and river defence.

The Venn Commission also reported that “to build the coastal plantation alone, a value of 100,000,000 tons of earth had to be moved by the hands of African slaves (without machinery).

Does Mohamed want to share the truth with the nation? Does he want to tell them that Indians were paid to work as indentured servants and had contracts? Does he want to tell them they received free villages while Africans were given no land and had to buy theirs?

In the end, Mohamed tries his old racist tricks to poison the mind of our nation. He states that Dr Thomas is a founding member of ACDA. So now, in his subliminal messages, Thomas and ACDA are racists.

People like Mohamed have a very clear agenda.

His agenda is one of indifference to Africans.

Yours truly, Eric Phillips

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Foundation

When children lie, withhold information, or deceive you

BY FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE, GERMAN PHILOSOPHER

I

’m not upset that you lied to me. I’m upset that from now on, I can’t believe you.

When they’re younger, children’s lies sometimes are cute and entertaining, but as they get older, their lies can wreak a lot of havoc in your life and in theirs. Teaching children to be honest – even when it’s hard to tell the truth – is an important lesson to teach your child over and over.

The more you model and emphasise living an honest life where your words match your actions, the more children will see that honest truly is the best policy.

Tips for…

All parents * Talk about lies and withholding information at a neutral time when no one has actually done it, so no one feels targeted. Explain when you’re tempted to lie and why.

Discuss how you make decisions to be honest instead of deceitful. * Know that honesty (Asset 29) is one of the 40 Developmental Assets. Post the list of assets somewhere in your home and teach them to your children. Download a free asset list (in English, Spanish, or French). * Choose your battles carefully. Not all lies are the same.

All of us say “white lies” at times (the lies we tell not to hurt someone’s feelings, such as when a friend gets a horrible haircut and asks you if you

like it). Be harder on the big lies than the smaller lies, but make it clear that honesty and tact are the best ways to go. * Admit when you’ve made

a mistake. Adults are not perfect people. Children admire adults when they own their mistakes and correct them. * Avoid treating your child

as a suspect. Yes, your child may have lied, but don’t act as if he murdered someone and interrogate him. Instead, calmly explain why you’re

upset about the lie and why.

Talk about how people have a hard time trusting someone who has lied and how important trust is in a relationship.

* Try to create a family atmosphere that’s open and honest. This starts with you, as the parent, setting an example for your children on be-

ing honest.

Parents with children ages birth to five * Young children often get their imagination and reality mixed up, so they aren’t actually lying when they’re telling a story they’ve created. Teach your child about honesty but also allow him to explore and express his rich imagination. * Watch your (and other people’s) reactions when your child tells a “cute” lie, such as sneaking another cookie off of the dessert plate and saying, “I don’t see any cookie.

Do you?” If you (or others) applaud this behaviour and encourage it by laughing every time, your child is only going to learn how to do it better.

Parents with children ages six to nine * Get to know the other adults in your child’s life (such as your child’s teacher, coach, grandparents, and club leaders). Talk about their ideas on getting children to act in positive ways, such as being honest. Tell them you would like to work together by teaching the same messages and giving similar consequences so that children learn to be honest. * Notice when your child lies but don’t make a big deal out of it. Create a safe atmosphere for your child to admit lies and mistakes. For example, you can be hard on a lie without being overly hard on

your child. Do this by focusing on the behaviour and how to make it better rather than calling your child names or shaming your child. * Most children at this age lie to avoid punishment. Talk with your children about the fear of punishment and the temptation to lie while emphasizing that honesty is still the best choice.

Parents with children ages 10 to 15 * Children at this age sometimes lie when they want to do something that you forbid them to do. They tell you they’re going to a friend’s house when they’re actually going somewhere else. If you catch them, explain how you want them to make their own choices but they also need to be honest. Growing up means learning how to negotiate with people who disagree with you. * Connect with other parents to keep track of your children. For example, another parent may be aware of something your child is doing that you didn’t know. Create a support system to help each other out. * As children get older, their ability to lie, cover up, and withhold information becomes more sophisticated – particularly if no one has held them accountable in the past. Continue teaching them about the virtues of telling the truth, and continue to model honesty.

Parents with children ages 16 to 18 * Older teenagers sometimes lie when they find themselves in situations that are over their heads (such as getting a speeding ticket or having a drunk friend throw up on their jacket). Even though older teenagers can be adept at lying, you can often tell that something is up when they start acting a bit out of character. Ask questions. Invite your teen to talk to you when she’s ready. Tell her how much you care about her and that you want to help her. * Monitor situations so that you know when your teenager can handle it all on his own and when you need to intervene. For example, if your teenager skipped class and is in trouble with a teacher, see if he can resolve it without your help. If your teenager is getting suspended or expelled because he committed a serious offence, you need to intervene.

Discuss current events.

Talk about why some newsmakers tell the truth when it is hard, while others tell half-truths or an outright lie.

Ask your teen about how other people’s choices affect the choices you and she make.

(Parentfurther.com)

NEWS

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wednesday, august 6, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Miner dies after being set ablaze

Rodney CoI hears:

WPA, PPP planned to topple A Burnham dictatorship

By Vahnu Manikchand

C

ommissioners probing the circumstances which led to the death of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) founder, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney on Tuesday heard that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had collaborated with the Alliance to bring down the dictatorial Forbes Burnham-led Administration.

There had been persistent reports, including one

by Rodney’s mentor CLR James, that Jagan and Rodney had worked out a modus vivendi, against the PNC Government, but this had been stoutly denied by WPA leaders.

Senior Superintendent of Police and former head

Dr Walter Rodney

of the Special Branch Unit of the Guyana Police Force, Leslie James, returned to the stand at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry to continue his evidence-in-chief. And based on the evidence presented from information gathered on the WPA back in 1980, the Commission heard that the two political bodies had made clandestine plans to seize the reins of power from Prime Minister Burnham.

James has been tasked with providing to the Commission all Policerelated files gathered by the Special Branch Unit, relating to the explosion of June 13, 1980 which caused the death of Dr Rodney. While some files of the WPA were missing, those presented re-

Dr Cheddi Jagan

vealed information of the political bodies’ collaboration during that time.

The two parties, which were under surveillance by the PNC Government, had on several occasions planned to remove the illegal regime. Led in his evidence by Attorney for the Commission, Latchmi Rahamat, Superintendent James read reports on the WPA which involved the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, then leader of the PPP. The reports cited two occasions in May and June of 1980 in Canje Berbice where Dr Jagan had declared that the PPP would do anything to remain in Parliament, even if it meant sitting there with only one seat.

That meeting was held to discuss plans for the upcoming 1980 General Elections.

The files also revealed Dr Jagan expressing concerns for the PPP’s relationship with the WPA, if the PPP did in fact gain that one seat in Parliament. The files reported too that Dr Jagan was prepared for the PPP to become dormant to allow Dr Rodney to carry out the WPA’s activities. Dr Jagan had projected that both the PPP and WPA would have worked secretly together with the aim of toppling Burnham and the PNC Government.

During earlier testimonies to the tribunal, witnesses had revealed that the WPA had crafted a plan to overthrow the 1980 PNC Government. Now lead-

er of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine claimed the late Dr Rodney had been at the forefront of that plan and was acquiring arms and ammunition to achieve that objective. Every other WPA leader denied the existence of a plan for the armed overthrow of the PNC Government.

Former Police Constable Allan Robert Gates, who said he was acting as a “double agent”, had told the Commission that Dr Roopnaraine had confided in him relating that he (Roopnaraine) and Dr Rodney were spearheading

Late President Forbes Burnham

the operation to bring the Government down. At one time, he said Dr Roopnaraine had discussed the logistics for the overthrow, in which he explained that it would be avoidable to seize Base Camp Ayanganna and take control of the country’s ports of entry and exit. The discussion with his boss also revealed that the Office of the President would be raided and President Burnham would have been arrested.

Plans were also in the pipeline to seize control of the Government radio station.

Since the commencement of the Inquiry some three months ago, the Commission has been hearing about the then PNC Government stifling the Opposition, which Gates and now leader of the PNC David Granger had suggested may have been justifiable after all.

Port Kaituma resident remanded for break and enter

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45-year-old Port Kaituma resident was remanded on a charge of break and enter when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday.

It was alleged that on July 25 at Port Kaituma, North West District, Essequibo, Randolph Nickles broke and

entered the dwelling house of Dexter Comel and stole a water pump engine valued $110,000.

According to the facts of the case, on the day in question, the defendant and the virtual complainant (VC) had placed the pump in the bond. The following day, the VC discovered it was missing. A report was made to

the Police and an investigation was carried out during which the Police found the pump in the house of the defendant. Nickles was subsequently arrested and charged.

The matter will be recalled on September 8 when the defendant will face Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

miner on Tuesday succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was being treated after being set on fire by a co-worker last week.

Dead is 23-year-old Kester Anderson of Lot 2 Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Guyana Times was made to understand that Anderson was involved in an argument with another miner at a mining camp during which the suspect doused him with gasoline before setting him afire.

The incident reportedly occurred around 01:00h on Monday morning at a camp in Barakat Backdam, Cuyuni River. The camp is said to be owned by the Vulture Mining Establishment located at Bartica, Region Seven.

The mother of the dead man, Quenella Griffin, told reporters that her sister received a call from another miner around 06:30h on Monday morning, informing her that Anderson had a misunderstanding with another man and was set alight. The woman said that the caller took her son out of the interior to the Bartica Hospital and ensured that he was transported to Georgetown for further treatment.

Griffin disclosed that Anderson was airlifted from Bartica and arrived in Georgetown around 15:00h on the same day and was rushed the Georgetown Public Hospital. The griev-

Dead: Kester Anderson

ing woman said when they visited Anderson on Monday, he was unconscious and on a life-support machine.

“It look like he was in a hammock or something because he whole body in front burn up…his face all get badly damaged,” the mother disclosed. According to the distraught mother, Anderson was unconscious when they visited him; however, they were told by the nurses that he was speaking when he arrived at the medical institution.

Anderson died on Tuesday afternoon around 15:00h in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The younger brother of the dead man said that he went to see his brother during the midday visiting hours and when he returned three hours later, he was told the unfortunate news.

According to Griffin, her son had been working in the interior for the past two

years, and recently began working with this company.

She noted that her son is a quiet person who never got into fights. The irate relatives of Anderson are calling for justice and for the Police to thoroughly investigate the incident. “I want justice for my son. I send my son in there good and they send out back a body…, this won’t go down just like that; I have to get justice for my son. I want the person who did this to be arrested and jailed,” the mother cried.

Griffin further stated that when they contacted the owner of the mining company, he told them that he was in town and cannot say what transpired in Bartica.

“I want to know what happen in Bartica, I want they get an investigation from there because we ain’t getting nothing from there.”

Efforts to contact persons from the mining company proved futile.

8 News

wednesday, august 6, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Man remanded and fined after charged with possession of narcotics for trafficking

O

n Monday afternoon, appearing for the second time before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was Eon Fraser after he was charged for the possession of narcotics.

The charge which was read by Magistrate McLennan stated that on July 24, at Camp Street, Georgetown, the defendant had in his possession 32 grams of cannabis, for the purpose

of trafficking.

According to the facts of the case, the defendant is a convicted prisoner who is currently serving three years imprisonment after pleading guilty to the charge laid against him in a previous matter.

On the day in question, the defendant was performing duties outside of the prison. At around 12:45h, the defendant returned to the prison.

A search was carried out on him after the Police's suspicion was aroused.

The Police found the cannabis concealed in Fraser’s pants crotch and he was arrested.

The market value calculated by the prosecutor is $400 per gram; Fraser was fined $38,500 and an additional four years imprisonment after completing his first sentence of three years.

Bus driver pays compensation after being charged for damage to property

A

ppearing in the courtroom of Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday morning was Devanand Dhanraj after he was charged for damage to property.

The charged, which was read by Magistrate Ann McLennan, stated that on July 15, at Brickdam, Georgetown, the defendant damaged one hand push cart valued $10,000 – property of David Shepherd.

According to the facts of the case, the virtual complainant is a push cart operator and the defendant is a minibus driver.

On the day in question at

around 15:10h, the virtual complainant’s (VC) cart was parked at the side of the minibus. The VC was asked to remove the cart but failed to do so leading to the defendant then driving over and damaging the cart.

The defendant Devanand Dhanraj, 40, of Lot 82 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demarara pleaded guilty to the charge laid against him. In his defence he told the court that his bus was at the bus park and it was “fulling”. When it was filled, he requested from the virtual complainant that he remove his cart from his way. The defendant told the court that the

virtual complainant said “I ain’t moving no cart” so he asked the virtual complainant if he wanted him to remove it. He stated that Shepherd picked up a palatine to hit him. Dhanraj moved off and said that his left side back wheel crazed the cart and that the paint from the bus is still there.

According to the virtual complainant, he was not asked to remove the cart and that without the wheel and fender, the cart leans. He stated that he had to purchase the fender because the cart “looked ugly”. The Magistrate asked the cost of the damages and the VC responded $7000.

The court ordered that the defendant pay a sum of $6000 on the same day, Monday August 5.

Neighbours on bail for cross charges

L

inden Thomas, a 61-year-old security officer attached to Gafoors who resides at Lot 60 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown and Virtual Complainant Alician Archer, 36, a domestic employee who resides at Lot 61 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after facing cross charges.

The charges which were read by Magistrate Ann McLennan stated that on August 1 at Princes Street, Georgetown, Archer operated a music set so loud that it disturbed Thomas. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $5000 bail.

The charge against Thomas read that on the same day, he used abusive language to Archer. He pleaded not guilty as well and was placed on $5000 bail along with a bond to keep the peace.

Their case is said to be recalled on September 4.

Eyew tness The people...

D

...united?

avid Granger obviously has his head buried in the sand. Someone less kind than your faithful Eyewitness might say his head’s actually buried deep up where the sun never shines. Prodded to say something about what went down at the PNC’s Congress, the man actually had the nerve to say he didn’t think the PNC was damaged and that he’s working on his “one nation” dream.

If unity’s his goal, then your Eyewitness has to say, he’s been quite successful. Folks from Pt Playa to Crabwood Creek and Parika to Gunn’s Strip are as one in concluding the PNC just can’t change its rigging spots. Granger has blown his cover – the mark of the beast is as strong as ever. So how can they take a chance to believe he’ll change the PNC’s bullying ways over people if they dare oppose them??

About which they don’t have to read no books – they can see and hear the evidence right in their living rooms as the Rodney hearings continue. What was the latest revelation?? From the Red Thread activist Karen De Souza, no friend of the PPP, that there’s no question in her mind the PNC killed Rodney. And from Ogunseye, actually a foe of the PPP that the PNC would hold on to power by any means necessary. Stay tuned – more to follow!

So what about the claim that “no damage” was done to the PNC. This can mean only one thing – Granger’s counting that he can bring back any sheep straying from his flock in the near future. Even the ones from Linden.

And if history’s any guide to the future, to accomplish this, he’ll be polarising his “constituency” against “the other”.

Prodded even before the Congress debacle for being a wimp, he’s going to take on the PPP even more forcefully – even in the streets.

So in this month of August, in which “Emancipation” is on the agenda, expect the rhetoric about “marginalisation” to be ratcheted up. Expect the PPP to be blamed for every sin under the sun – and in the shade – for whatever ails the PNC’s traditional constituency. And expect some incident or other to be blown out of proportion to justify the call into the streets.

Granger’s dilemma, however, is that he’s caught between a rock and a hard place between his “one nation” mamaguying and his pressing need to consolidate his constituency. But we’re betting the latter exigency will trump the former tactic. After all, what’s he gotten after a year of flirting coyly with the PPP’s constituency?? A few malcontents from New York, such as Mike Persaud, who invited him to dinner.

The long-water Banga-Mary curry he ate doesn’t outweigh the Linden votes. Mo’ fyaah, hot fyaah!

...gypped

We hear so much from the Opposition about the “responsibilities of Parliament” which – as they’re never tired of reminding us – they control. So you’d expect them to utilise the forum to better the lot of the people, no??

Even if just to pick up a couple of votes. But look at what the wankers are about to do – go on a THREE-MONTH vacation!!

In the world of regular working slobs, at the very best, AFTER a year of slaving away, you might get three weeks vacation. Most likely two. But with this Opposition, after collecting their salaries for showing up at their airconditioned chamber two months per year, they’re off for THREE MONTHS!! And they would’ve arrived in their dutyfree car that they sell for millions in profits twice in five years!

And while they were “working”, dinner costing $1.6 million per sitting was served!! Ahhh!! to be an Opposition MP!

...analysed

So we’re about to have the annual analysis of the African Guyanese community’s “challenges”. Abroad, it’s done by white liberals wanting to show they’re “doing something” – here, by “activists”. The conclusion?? Too much analysis leads to paralysis.

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wednesDay, august 6, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Hughes, Ramjattan escape scrutiny on conflicts of interest

By Svetlana Marshall

A

request by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to have the Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and Executive Member Cathy Hughes referred to the Committee of Privileges was overturned.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman on Tuesday ruled that prima facie cases have not been made out against the two AFC Members of Parliament.

In a letter dated July 15, Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira made an application for Ramjattan and Hughes to be referred to the Committee of Privileges on the charge of failing to declare pecuniary interests in matters debated in the National Assembly.

In the case of Ramjattan, the Government’s Chief Whip pointed out that in 2013, the AFC Leader voted against allocations for the Specialty Hospital knowing that he was the Attorney representing Fedders Lloyd. Fedders Lloyd was among contractors that bid for the contract.

According to the PPP/C, Ramjattan had acted in contravention of Standing Order 107 which states that “No Member of the Assembly shall appear before the Assembly or any Committee thereof as Counsel or Solicitor for any party, or in any capacity for which he or she is to receive a fee or reward.”

Teixeira had also complained that the Proprietor of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Robert Badal had publicly declared that “he was a financier of the Alliance

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Executive Member Cathy Hughes

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman

For Change at the 2011 General and Regional Elections.” According to the Government, Badal’s objection to the construction of the Marriott Hotel has been perpetuated through the AFC Leader, resulting in him voting against the infrastructural project.

leged violation, nor the delay or failure to address, it should be tolerated,” the Speaker ruled.

He further stated that one must question the motive behind a complaint if it was made a year after the matter came to light.

“The Privileges Committee should not be seen as a place of convenience, but manifestly, as one where serious issues are heard and determined,” he said, adding that such a complaint should not be condoned under any circumstances unless there are good and exceptional reasons.

He made it clear that there is no evidence implicating the AFC Leader in the allegations laid before the House. “There is no evidence to show that Honourable Khemraj Ramjattan was professionally retained by Fedders Lloyd and that at the time of participating in the debate on the Specialty Hospital, he was accordingly influenced or induced to oppose the project on this basis,” the Speaker further explained.

However, the AFC on August 29, 2012 at a news conference had played down concerns

that Ramjattan was in a conflict of interest position over his legal representation of the Fedders Lloyd Corporation, which believes it was cheated of a contract to build the Specialty Hospital at Turkeyen.

Ramjattan’s role as lawyer for the Indian firm had long been questioned by the Government, which said the AFC leader has political rather than legitimate motives for objecting to the US$18.1 million contract for the design and construction of the hospital being awarded to Surendra Engineering.

Speaking at the AFC’s press conference, party Chairman Nigel Hughes

No supporting documentation The Speaker, in his ruling, noted that no supporting documentation was submitted to support or corroborate either complaint, pointing out too that an extensive period had elapsed before the complaint was lodged.

Trotman said if the dignity and propriety of the House have been tarnished or profaned by the acts or omissions of a Member, such acts should have been addressed as a matter of urgency, positing that it would be the National Assembly that would be harmed if there is prolonged stain.

“In my considered opinion, to delay or do nothing in the face of what is believed to be a violation of privilege is, in and of itself, a further tarnishing the image of the National Assembly. Neither the al-

had urged Guyanese not to be distracted by personalities, but focus on whether Fedders Lloyd’s rights were breached.

“The real issue is whether or not the procedures that were set out in the tender documents were adhered to. There is no rule in the profession that stops Mr. Ramjattan, who is a practising attorney, from plying his trade as a lawyer,” Hughes told the news conference.

Ramjattan is currently out of the country on business.

Pecuniary interest Meanwhile, in the case of Hughes, the Government’s Chief Whip opined that Hughes should have disclosed her pecuniary interest, in addition to that of her husband in the Amaila Falls HydroElectric Power Project during the debate on the Hydro Electric Bills and the Debt Ceiling motions.

It was pointed out that the Amaila Falls HydroProject was considered twice by the National Assembly on July 18 and August 7, 2013. “On the first occasion, Mrs Hughes voted against the instruments and on the second

she voted in favour of both the Bill and the Motion.

In fact during one of the debates of the Bill, a reference was made to Mrs Hughes being the Public Relations Officer to Mr Fip Motilall; clearly this was a fact that was widely known,” the Speaker said.

According to him, it was no secret that Hughes was the Public Relations Officer, stating that prior to the debates on the Bill and the Motion in 2013, she appeared frequently on television promoting the interests of Sithe Global Inc and the Amaila Falls Hydro-Power Project. He further pointed that the AFC MP did not participate in the debates. Like in the case of Ramjattan, Trotman alluded to the period of time that elapsed before the complaint was filed. In ruling he said, “I am unable to find that a prima facie case has been made out against the Honourable Catherine Hughes…” These rulings were met with major objection and disagreement on the part of the Government, which now claims that the Speaker has once again demonstrated his bias. (See other story on page 11)

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guyanatimesgy.com

w ednesday, august 6, 2014

News

Woman killed by pit-bulls to have his lunch. Thomside said when he got home, he was greeted by his dogs and he observed that they had blood on their mouths.

“I thought they had a fight; a battle between the two of them,” the man said, so he put his stuff away before venturing to the back of the yard to check out the af-

termath of the fight.

“I walked down the back and they were running ahead of me; they went into their pen. As soon as I get where I could have seen the back of the house, I cast my eyes in that direction and saw her (sister-in-law) lying on the ground,” he stated.

Thomside disclosed that

S

Bloodstains on the door and steps of the small apartment where Carter used to live

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51-year-old woman was on Tuesday mauled to death by two pit bull dogs at her Lamaha Springs, Georgetown home.

The dead woman has been identified as Joanne Carter, of Lot 232 Block N Lamaha Springs. Carter, who was reportedly suffering from a terminal illness,

lived with her sister and brother-in-law but in a separate apartment. She was home alone at the time of the incident.

Carter’s brother-in-law and the owner of the property, Leslie Thomside, told reporters that he and his wife both left for work around 08:15h and as per normal, he returned home at midday

One nation – under rigging

The house located at Berbice Avenue and Henry Street, Lamaha Springs, where the incident took place

the woman was in a kneeling position and braced against the stairs of her apartment.

She bore injuries to her neck, right shoulder, upper back and on both arms.

After making the gruesome discovery, Thomside went to his next door neighbour and called the Police, informing them of what had transpired.

According to Thomside, he has had the two mixed breed dogs for the past five years for security purposes.

He noted that the dogs were usually tame and had never attacked anyone before nor done something this vicious.

The owner of the dogs explained that Carter had moved in with he and his wife about four months ago after her health deteriorated so that they could take care of her. He said she was staying in a self-contained apartment at the back of the yard and would usually be in the yard with the dogs – the small structure was a few feet away from the dog pens.

Thomside revealed that Carter would usually go outside to sweep and wash the concrete surrounding her apartment, early in the morning and late in the afternoon. “The dogs are there in the yard and we’re (him and his wife) all around her and we go out to work leaving her here...over this period of time we would have had no indication of what would have happened on a morning like this,” the distraught man related.

Thomside further told reporters that given the fact the dogs have tasted human blood, he would have to put them down in order to avoid another brutal episode like this.

atiricus couldn’t understand what the fuss and “bad talk” were all about. Here it was, the Peean-See party had been blamed for years for “rigging” elections. Everybody and their uncle, not to mention, their “mummah”, had washed their mouths on them. Never mind that the FounderLeader and all his successors had explained that it was for “our own good”.

The Pee-an-See leaders never liked rigging. It pained them to do the dirty. But a leader got to do what a leader got to do, no? If the people couldn’t do what was right for themselves, the leader had to step up to the crease. It might be a dirty job, but somebody got to do it, right? When a child had a boil, the parent had to lance it even though the child might bawl, no?? It’s not easy being a leader... especially a Pee-an-See leader, who believe the tough gets going when the going gets tough!

But Satiricus had figured this last rigging at Congo Place would have shown to all and sundry (and even those who weren’t sundry) that the Pee-an-See weren’t biased against nobody. They were “equal opportunity riggers”! This last exercise wasn’t done by accident. GrainJa wanted to show the world he was determined to create “one nation”. He was not going to rig against one set of people like that that came before him.

“Why,” thought Satiricus, as he discreetly wiped a tear rolling down his cheek, “GrainJa so loved the Guyanese nation that he is willing to rig against his own people!”

But look what everyone’s doing to him. Crucifying him on the polls. Or was it a pole?? But Satiricus was sure something like this sacrifice had been done by another fella before for the people. And GraniJa would rise from his present slumber (“It was just slumber, no?” thought Satiricus.) Just like that other chap.

If America could be prosperous by being “One nation under God”, whether people liked it or not, Guyana would become “One nation under Rigging”.

God bless GrainJa. By now Satiricus was sobbing uncontrollably at the greatness of GrainJa.

Trio in court after brawl

T

hree women accused of brawling among themselves landed in court on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Nineteen-year-old Trisha Quotes, 20-yearold Amanda Alexander and 21-year-old Michelle Springer pleaded not guilty to the counter charges of assault laid against them.

Magistrate McLennan read the charge which stat-

ed that on July 31 at Trench Road, Quotes unlawfully assaulted Alexander; on that same day, Alexander unlawfully assaulted Quotes; and finally on the said date, Springer unlawfully assaulted Quotes.

The trio were all placed on $5000 bail each and a bond to keep the peace.

The next court hearing of this case will be on September, 4 in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, august 6, 2014

Govt says Speaker’s ruling Lisa Punch to perform at Guyana Festival on AFC duo biased

“T

he mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it,” Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said in response to the ruling made by the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman that prima facie cases have not been made out against Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj and executive member Cathy Hughes.

At a late-night press conference at the Office of the President, Teixeira said it is a clear case of partiality, pointing out that Trotman is the co-founder of the AFC. “I am absolutely not surprised by the Speaker’s ruling, there are his party members,” the Presidential Advisor on Governance told reporters.

The PPP Government had written to Speaker Trotman in July, calling on him to refer both Hughes and Ramjattan to the Committee of Privileges over two matters of conflict of interest.

It was pointed out that Hughes’s company was hired to handle the public relations of Sithe Global, a company working with the Government on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, while her husband, Nigel Hughes, was employed as the Company Secretary on the same project. However, neither of these financial interests was voluntarily made public.

Alluding to the Erskine May Parliamentary Practice, Teixeira stated

Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira analyzing the Speaker’s Ruling on Tuesday evening

that the offer of money to any parliamentarian for the promotion of any matter whatsoever to be transacted in Parliament is considered a crime.

Ramjattan’s alleged conflict of interest is weighed in the level of support given to the Specialty Hospital since his client Fedders-Lloyd had placed a bid for the tender of the Specialty Hospital in 2012. During that time, Ramjattan had supported the budgetary allocation for the hospital. However, in 2013, when his client lost the bid, he voted against the allocation for the hospital.

The Speaker in his Ruling on Tuesday said an extension period would have elapsed before the complaints were filed, citing a year. But the Government’s Chief Whip rubbished this argument, saying that there

is no time limit in which a matter must be brought to the Committee of Privileges.

“The fact that in 2012 Mr. Ramjattan voted for the Specialty Hospital and then voted against it and then voted against it again in the Budget Debate which was a few months ago. So we have a right to raise it.” According to her, Ramjattan has consistently fought against the construction of the Specialty Hospital because his client had lost the bid.

Additionally, he also stated that no supporting document was provided by the Government, but this too was rubbished by Teixeira who referenced a recent ruling made by the Speaker, referring the Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh to the Committee of Privileges following a motion bought by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge. “Mr. Greenidge did not provide any evidence to what he was saying.”

Teixeira maintained that her actions were made in keeping with the normal procedures governing the House which requires members to write the Speaker requesting that a member should be referred to the Committee of Privileges. According to her, the Speaker is expected to call in the complainant for a meeting but in this case, she was never called. The Government is maintaining that Trotman’s Ruling was flawed, and represented another case of prejudice.

One magistrate to sit at 11 courts in Berbice

M

a g i s t r a t e Rabindranauth Singh is now the only acting Magistrate in Berbice, forcing him to sit at 11 Magistrate Courts in the Ancient County over the next two weeks.

Singh became the lone Magistrate operating in Berbice on Tuesday when Magistrate Rhondell Weaver proceeded on leave.

That Magistrate was granted leave even while the other Berbice Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus is also on leave. Magistrate

Singh had to visit two courts on Tuesday – Mibicuri and Albion. Today, he is scheduled to be at three courts, firstly at Number 51 then to the Whim Court and in the afternoon, Reliance Magistrate’s Court in East Canje.

On Thursday, Singh will also have a busy schedule starting with Springlands before sitting in New Amsterdam and finishing the day at Fort Wellington in the West Berbice. Until August 18, when Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus is expected

to be back at work, Singh will also have to perform duties at Blairmont and Weldaad.

Meanwhile, apparently Magistrate Weaver was not informed that she had additional duties to perform when Magistrate IsaacsMarcus proceeded on leave until she received a telephone call enquiring of her time of arrival at court. The Berbice Magisterial District has, over the years, been plagued by a shortage of magistrates.

Woman doused with “waste oil” while boarding plane

A

man is now in Police custody after he had doused a woman with a substance while she was boarding a flight at the Ogle International Airport.

The woman has been identified as Abigail Austin.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Austin was about to board

a Liat flight destined for Barbados around 14:30h.

An official of the airport told this newspaper that the woman checked in and was heading to board the flight when she was followed by a man, who threw what appears to be “waste oil” onto the woman.

The official could not

say whether the man was an employee of the airport or if he was also an outgoing passenger. Both the man and the woman were apprehended by airport security and handed over to the Police. The Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

G

uyana’s Lisa Punch, who rose to international fame after competing in ABC’s “Rising Star” competition will perform at the Guyana Festival Opening Concert on August 8 and the Concert Next on August 10.

The songstress, who was eliminated from the competition on Sunday, confirmed that she would join the star-studded line-up of artistes already confirmed for the Guyana Festival and she would be among the headline acts. The Guyana Festival team said it welcomed Punch on board and assured the public that the exhibitions, stage performances, sporting activities, and all other components of the Guyana Festival will reflect the true ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’ of Guyana.

Among the energetic artistes to perform for the Concert Next are Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, First Born, Big Red, Rajesh Dubraj, Alabama, and

Lisa Punch

Kwasi Edmondson. The artistes shared their views on the event. They were unan-

imous that it would showcase Guyana and what the country has to offer, not only in music, but in culture and food and expressed gratitude for being part of the inaugural festival.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali noted that the concert would be a very exciting one, filled with energy and enthusiasm. “To bring a multifaceted group of people together will be exciting,” he said.

The Guyana Festival covers three days, and will feature our most celebrated legends in sports, culture, art, music, food, entertainment, and much more. Day One will feature a GDF air show and national concert. Day Two’s audience will experience the Night of the Legends and the thrilling Festival Cricket and Football matches; while Day Three will feature a National Cook Out with food from every culture, followed by the Generation Next Concert.

“Just Youth It” conference for August 12

G

uyanese youths are being encouraged to attend the first-ever National Youth Conference in Guyana to commemorate International Youth Day locally, on August 12 at the Theatre Guild.

Organised by the Come Alive Network Inc (CANI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded by Ryan Hoppie to push youth development, the event, being held under the theme “Just Youth It”, seeks to facilitate a youth-building-youth process.

The conference, which begins at 18:00h and is expected to last until 21:00h, will feature young men and women from the length and breadth of Guyana.

In a release, CANI stated that young Guyanese are increasingly becoming real players on the international scene, from the likes of Cleveland Forde, Caricom’s Men 10k Champion, to Katherina Roshana, Miss Guyana Universe 2013. The organisation said: “Guyana continues to be well-represented internationally. It is Come Alive’s vision to inspire more Guyanese youth to become more proactive planners and participants for the long-term development of Guyana.”

The “Just Youth It” conference is a free forum that will feature motivational speeches, edutainment, and other platforms for development of young Guyanese minds in collaboration with relevant ministries and youth-oriented organisations. Although the confer-

ence is free, participants must secure tickets so that the number of attendees can be catered for. Tickets are available at California Stucco located at 96 Sheriff and Bonasika Street, Section K Campbellville., Georgetown, and August Beverages located on Norton Street, Georgetown.

Co-Director of CANI, Samuel Glasgow, stated that this event will feature many prominent individuals from around Guyana who will influence the youths for better. Some of these individuals include Roshana, Gordon

Mosely, and Sara Bharrat.

CANI is a non-profit NGO, founded on April 2, 2012 for youths by youths, to actively support youth development and enable young men and women using applied global perspectives to effectively contribute to genuine and progressive community and global development. The group aims to teach young Guyanese about self-value and their genuine roles in society, as well as to promote development and capacity building among young people.

12 news

wednesday, august 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

No-confidence motion avoids “violent” removal of PPP/C – AFC

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

T

he Alliance For Change says its no-confidence motion, which will be tabled by Monday next week, is one of the “peaceful” mechanisms for removing a legitimate government as it avoids the use of violence.

AFC’s Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo said that the motion must not be seen as “an end game,” but rather as creating the platform for the people to give their leaders a new mandate, especially if the Government continues to act ultra-vires the constitution.

“It is intended to open doors and possibilities for the renewal of our political life and political culture. I think the no-confidence motion will have a good taste and good smell for the people”, he remarked.

But interestingly, Nagamootoo opined that while the motion will create history and a revolution in the local political landscape in Guyana, it will lead to the peaceful removal of the ruling People’s Progressive Party /Civic administration. “If you did not have a

peaceful removal of a government and the government has done sufficiently enough wrong things then you may have a violent removal of the government. This motion is trying to prevent a situation in Guyana that could bring great harm to all of our people”, he insisted.

Awaiting response Asked for a reaction to the decision by the A Partnership for National Unity to support the motion, the former PPP executive member said that he could not “confirm nor deny” the utterances of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine as the party is still to receive an official response from the APNU, having written its leader David Granger. He confirmed that the AFC did indeed furnish the APNU with a draft motion.

“We are awaiting a response from Mr Granger because we would like to have party- to- party discussions on the draft motion but as it stands, the AFC has set itself an optimistic task of tabling the motion on or before August 10, providing that we

AFC’s Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

are able to have a one-on-one meeting with APNU.” Nagamootoo explained too that the AFC is working with a timetable and has a clearly outlined strategy of what must be done in the lead- up to the tabling of this motion. He said Parliament is not likely to have a sitting on or before August 10, but nothing prevents the AFC from tabling the motion before midnight on the said date. He opined that

the Clerk of the National Assembly was duty bound to pay due attention to the motion and ensure that it was placed on the notice paper.

“As far as I understand it, even if it is one minute before mid-night, it is something that he has to take notice of...it would roll over to October 10, 2014...”, he said when the process could have to be followed to allow it to go to the next stages which are being placed on the order paper and fully debated.

Asked whether the parliament could come out of recess to discuss the motion, Nagamootoo remarked “I do not believe so”. He said that both sides could field all of their speakers or chose specific persons to join the debate but the motion would have to be taken through all the motions required for it to be compliant with the laws and parliamentary procedures.

Nagamootoo also lamented that the motion could be tabled with a content of 10 words and if this is done it is likely that the PPP parliamentarians will argue relevance and lack of enough

Blasters to hone skills A

s the Government of Guyana looks to expand the mining industry, initiating several projects in that regard, a large multinational mining support company that provides supplementary services to the mining sector has taken the initiative to train new blasters for the mining sector.

The company, Orica Mining Services, which has four decades of experience in Guyana, will be looking to train supplementary blasters to fill posts that will be made available when three new mining companies commence operations in Guyana.

Fifteen-eighteen young men will be honing whatever skills they already have in rock blasting, which is the controlled use of explosives

Orica Company Representative Dave Kissoon

and other methods such as gas pressure blasting pyrotechnics or plasma processes, to excavate, break down or remove rock. Blasting is common in mining, quarrying and civil engineering such as dam or road construction.

Employees of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines

information to support dissolving the parliament and triggering premature elections.

Reputable motion “What may happen is the government may try resolutely on the floor of the Parliament to repudiate the motion...say you do not have enough reasons here to remove a government”, he reiterated during the interview.

Nagamootoo, a former PPP Minister of Information and senior party executive, first spoke of the AFC introducing a no-confidence motion against his former party comrade President Donald Ramotar because of the party’s concern about the unauthorised spending by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh.

Singh is accused of spending monies disapproved by parliament and then bringing unconstitutional financial papers.

But President Ramotar, in response to a letter from the AFC which outlined its intention to table the motion, said that the move was welcomed and well within the AFC’s constitutional right.

Ramotar, in a bold move, said

Dynamic Airways not ready for August 8 restart

U A section of the gathering at the training session on Tuesday

Commission, among others, will also be a part of the training. They will be strengthening the pre-existing knowledge that they have in the area which will aid them to better discharge their functions in Guyana’s interiors.

Rock blasting presently employs many types of explosives with diverse compositions and performance properties.

Higher-velocity explosives are used for relatively hard rock in order to shatter and break the rock, while low-velocity explosives are used on soft rocks to generate more gas pressure and a greater heaving effect.

The most commonly used explosives in mining today are ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) based blends because it is cost-effective.

Proactive

Orica Mining Services Representative Dave Kissoon told Guyana Times that the company was cognisant of the impending need for blasters in the mining sector and decided to take proactive steps

to meet the demand as it arises. He said presently there are only a handful of blasters in Guyana’s mining sector and they are thinly spread across several mining quarries.

He said the training would be facilitated so that supervisors and other persons in the mining camps “are thoroughly up to date with safety procedures, transport procedures and technical aspects of the blasting process.”

Kissoon added that the training would comprise 16 hours of instruction spread over two days for the majority of the participants after which they will be accredited with a certificate of participation.

On the third day a small number of persons will be subjected to intensified training and will be on their way to getting their blasters certificate. Kissoon pointed out that though the persons will have to go through rigorous practical training before they receive the certificates.

It was explained that the course is 20 per cent theory and the remaining 80 per cent

practicals.

Going forward, Kissoon said that Orica will be providing more training courses in the blasting process. He said presently there are a small number of certified blasters and with the training, this will change.

“We recognised as part of our forward planning that we did not want to be in a situation where we have the demand for the expertise and we are not able to supply... this was an anticipatory move by the Government and Orica,” the company representative said.

He noted that Orica has over four decades of experience in blasting in Guyana.

Kissoon said over the time the company has operated in Guyana, there have not been any industrial accidents involving blasting materials or the blasting process “Explosives is a unique product, it has no by-products, so really and truly it’s the usage of the product that can cause injuries if any,” said Kissoon.

that he was prepared to deal with the consequences that would follow from the tabling of the motion; but warned the AFC that it would have a lot of explaining to do to its supporters about its denial to them of the benefits that could follow from several large- scale developmental projects which the party voted down.

Ramotar has also poured cold water on the AFC’s threat to move the motion and at one time challenged them to “move the motion”.

He has demonstrated that the PPP is ready and confident of regaining its parliamentary majority while winning the Presidency.

Long before the AFC’s threats and heightened political activity in PPP strongholds, Ramotar who is Guyana’s seventh executive president had warned PPP supporters not to be complacent and gullible as he exposed the AFC and APNU’s hidden agenda which was in working together to create instability in the country to enable the atmosphere of forming a pre-electoral coalition to unseat the PPP via snap polls.

nited States-based air carrier, Dynamic Airways will not be ready to resume flight operations to and from Guyana by August 8th as was promised when it suspended operations last month.

This was confirmed by Managing Director of Roraima Airways – the airline’s local ground operations company, Captain Gerry Gouveia. The airline had suspended JFKGEO flights from July 15th pending operational difficulties with securing time slots at the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York for the month of July, and had promised passengers that they will resume operations from August 8th.

The airline had said then that this temporary suspension “will allow us to secure time slots at JFK airport, organise better ground handling and check in process, as well as secure schedule integrity which Dynamic Airways is well known for.”The airline had also stated that all flights starting from August 8 will not be impacted by this change and will be operated as displayed on their website, and in their reservation system.

However, Gouveia mentioned that the airline would not be ready in time. “I know they are not going to be ready for August 8 restart”. He stated that he will be meeting with the company on Friday

and will then be in a better position to say when operations in Guyana will resume. In addition, he mentioned that the airline is in fact busy flying to other parts of the world.

Gouveia however said that they are committed to the Guyana route, and will base one of their 767 carriers here, and that Roraima Airways remains ready to support the operations of Dynamic in Guyana. Gouveia stated that as promised, all passengers that had begun their journeys and were stalled due to the airline’s sudden suspension were protected on other carriers. All other passengers that had booked flights, but were yet to travel, were fully reimbursed.

In addition, Gouviea boasted that the first batch of Guyanese flight attendants that are to begin working with the airline, are just about completing their training in North Carolina. The 25 young people have been in training for the past three weeks and Gouviea assures that they will represent Guyana to the highest degree. Dynamic Airways made its inaugural flight to Guyana on June 27th 2014, and was welcomed with open arms, however, beginning just several days after the airline’s inauguration, the airline had been marred with troubles which caused persons to question the carrier’s dependability.

NEWS

13

WEDNesday, august 6, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Berbice police chase, catch Parents want justice for murdered Anna thief with moneybag Regina teen

M Ali and Son Supermarket

A

man is now in custody after a lively afternoon chase in New Amsterdam which ended when he plunged into a swamp carrying a bag containing $1.6 million.

The money was part of a sum of $2.5 million taken from New Amsterdam businessman Mohammed Ali as he was about to make a deposit at a bank in the town. According to Ali, he was about four feet from the door leading to Scotia Bank when the incident occurred. He said as he was about to enter the bank when a man approached him and pointed a gun at him. “Then another one come from this side an pull the bag from me and run… and then the one with the gun start to run behind him.”

The businessman who operates two supermarkets and a gas station, said the men headed through Chappell Street while he shouted for assistance.

“I holla help! Help! Thief! Thief! There was[sic] three guards at the bank and none of dem did nothing. They could have gone into the bank and call the Police… but no help.”

In his haste to get assistance, Ali said he left his vehicle parked in front of the bank and ran to his gas station which is situated two buildings away and reported to his son what transpired. “He jump in his canter and his wife call the Police and I go and drive and come around through Trinity Street, (the street next to Chapell Street) because that street is a one way

an ah can’t go through it.”

According to Ally, as he made his way onto Republic Road by way of Cooper’s Lane, he noticed the two men scattering. By which time his son who was being assisted by two employees of a nearby business entity were in pursuit of them. Police joined the chase.

“They scatter and split up and one of them jump and run in the church yard and the other run by DC (Regional Democratic Council) office.”

Police went after the one carrying a bag and who had headed in the direction of the Regional Office. He was apprehended after plunging into a swamp. According to the businessman, the man apprehended is the one who had the firearm. Sources close to the Police say no firearm was recovered.

A search in the bag revealed that $1.5 million was inside and the suspect could not give account for the money. The 63-year-old businessman who was forced to drive through certain streets in pursuit of the other suspect said, moments later he was seen.

“I see him in Pitt Street but I had to go all the way around because Pitt Street is a one way an I can’t go through from that side. But by the time I reach around he disappear.”

Meanwhile, the man who was taken into custody had earlier in the day attended court in New Amsterdam, where he is facing two counts of robbery under arms and one count of robbery with aggravation. Ali was in high praise for the quick response of the Police, who he said are not always on the ball. “It is amazing how they come so fast and chase the man… without them I would have never gotten back anything. The Police are the ones who help me today and I have to thank them.”

Police still hunting Plaisance minibus shooter

P

olice on the East Coast of Demerara are working on the theory that the man who shot and injured two persons during a foiled robbery in a Plaisance minibus a few days ago might be the same person involved in the robbery committed on an Edward B Beharry Sales Supervisor in June.

The suspect, whose name was given as Sheldon Benjamin, is still at large but Police ranks are optimistic that they will apprehend and prosecute him for the two crimes.

A source told Guyana Times that the Police are working with several leads and once the suspect is located, he will be slapped with other charges. The rank said that he is deemed armed and dangerous and warned citizens to be vigil when conducting their businesses.

In June, Mahindra Persaud, 49, of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, a senior salesman attached to Edward B Beharry and Company Limited was shot during a robbery after which the perpetrator escaped with $100,000.

It was reported that Persaud made a stop at a shop located in Better Hope, East Coast

Demerara, to deliver chowmein when an unidentified man ran into the shop behind him shooting at the ground. The shooter then turned to Persaud and shot him to his knee but not before collecting the money.

Persaud, according to information received, is still hospitalised and was expected to undergo another operation on Tuesday.

News reaching Guyana Times also suggested that he is partially paralysed.

He reported cannot move his arms and legs.

A few days ago, Benjamin allegedly shot Bernette Campbell of West Road, Plaisance and Delroy Carr in an attempted robbery.

It was reported that the woman boarded a Route 44 Minibus at the Plaisance bus park and was followed by the gunman. The woman at the time was wearing an array of gold jewellery.

She subsequently indicated to the Police that she was cognisant that she was followed.

It was reported that the shooter ordered to be put off at ‘Rolex Corner’ along Prince William Street, Plaisance, but as he disembarked, he whipped out a gun at Campbell ordering her to hand over her jewellery.

The woman refused and

the gunman fired two shots in her direction before proceeding to make good his escape. Campbell was shot twice, with one of the bul-

lets passed through her and hitting Carr who was sitting adjacent to her in the front seat of the minibus.

P

arents of Alex Narine, the 17-yearold boy who was discovered Monday evening with a stab wound to his back in the Anna Regina squating area, on the Essequibo Coast are calling on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Speaking to Guyana Times, both parents said they want justice and noted that their son’s life was snatched away for an unknown reason, “We want justice, our son is innocent, the person who killed him is cruel and ruthless; we need answers and only Police and persons around the area can help”the dead teen's mother Brenda Narine noted.

According to the dead teen's father, Devavratt Narine, his son left home around 08:00h Monday to visit his girlfriend. Narine is calling on persons from the community to assist the Police with the investigation and come forward with information.

The father said his son was innocently killed and as such the person who murdered him has to be dealt with in a proper manner.

Meanwhile, a suspect is in Police custody. Police are working on information received from the community. To date, no weapon that was used has been recovered.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the suspect was caught riding a bicycle in the backlands of

Alex Narine

Anna Regina. He was trying to escape. Information revealed that a heated argument ensued between the suspect and the deceased.

The deceased had been also threatened in the past by relatives of his girlfriend who warned him to stay away. The girl’s parents had disapproved of the deceased’s relationship with their daughter.

The Police release stated at about 15:00h Monday August 4, Alex Narine, 17, of Columbia, Essequibo Coast, was involved in an argument with another man over a computer at Drying Floor Ground, Anna Regina, during which he was stabbed to his back.

He was pronounced DOA at the Suddie Public Hospital.

The post-mortem examination will be performed shortly. The suspect is also expected to pass through court, where his fate will be determined.

14 Regional

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, august 6, 2014

No more minority MPs, Caribbean Chikungunya cases top 500,000 – PAHO says PM Persad-Bissessar T G

overnment next week will debate legislation in Parliament to provide for a runoff poll in elections so that MPs can only take their seats in the Lower House if they obtain more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in their constituency. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced this planned legislation, which only requires a simple majority vote for passage, during Monday’s opening of the first and last session of the current tenth Parliament. The session is the final one leading up to a general election, nine months off.

On the proposal to ensure all MPs are elected on a majority, the PM said: “This measure reaffirms democracy and ensures the balance of power is always tipped in favour of the people, not the Government. “Over the years, we have seen so many candidates get elected to this House on the basis of winning less than 50 per cent of the votes cast.

“It would be unfair to future candidates who will be

he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) says the number of new cases of the Chikungunya in the Caribbean increased by nearly 38,000 last week with The Dominican Republic having the most cases.

PAHO said that the total figure for the mosquitoborne disease had reached 513,393 cases compared with 473,523 cases a week earlier. The new figures include suspected and confirmed illnesses that are locally acquired and imported cases.

The Dominican Republic

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Housing Minister, Dr Roodal Moonilal review a document during Monday’s opening of the fifth session of Parliament

elected and who will now come under the revised constitutional provisions for being recalled by their constituents, that they should start their term of office as MPs on the basis of being minority winners. “That will only

serve to strengthen any persons who may wish to use the revised recall process for ulterior motives.” She added: “It is necessary to protect against this by having all MPs elected on a majority basis.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

OAS assists Dominica in development of national cyber-security strategy

A

delegation from the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organisation of American States (OAS) visited Dominica last week to conduct a workshop on the development of a national cyber security strategy for the Government of the country.

The delegation, led by OAS cyber-security specialists, and which included the participation of representatives from the Estonian Information System Authority, the Commonwealth Telecommunications

Organisation and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, held a three day workshop aimed at the development of a national cyber-security strategy and the provision of technical training on incident response and cyber forensics.

During the workshop, participants heard expert advice on approaches to the development and implementation of a national strategy, and began drafting key components of the strategy through working groups. In addition, the OAS partnered with the Estonian represent-

atives to assist participants in the development of a road map for the establishment of a cyber security incident response team (CSIRT).

The visit forms part of a larger offer of assistance to help Dominica develop its national cyber-security strategy, and includes appropriate follow-up support to facilitate expedient development and adoption of the strategy and related activities. Previously, in April a team visited the country to carry out a national cyber crime assessment, as part of the Commonwealth Cyber Crime Initiative (CCI). (Excerpt

from Caribbean News Now)

Opposition calls proposed Trinidad constitutional amendments “red herrings”

T

he main Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) on Monday accused the Kamla-Persad Bissessarled People’s Partnership Government of seeking to hoodwink the population by introducing an amendment to the constitution that provides for a term limit for prime ministers and the right to recall legislators.

Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley told a

news conference that the Government was moving to ensure that the PNM is not victorious at the next general election, constitutionally due in mid 2015. “They did not want any recall during their term, they want to recall PNM MPs because the PNM is going to win the next general election and they want to create mayhem in this country saying you could recall MPs,” he said, adding “what they brought

there… is being done for the next general election”.

The Government has said that debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill would begin on Monday and Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told legislators that it would also make provisions for a run-off in a general election, where the leading candidate fails to secure more than 50 per cent of the votes on the first count. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

accounted for 26,012 of the new cases and more than half of all cases, with an overall total of 307,933, according to PAHO. By contrast, the neighbouring French Caribbean Community (Caricom) country of Haiti recorded only 50 new cases – all classified as suspected – for an overall total of 64,709. The death toll in the epidemic, which began last December, grew by six, to 32. PAHO said all deaths were in Martinique, where the toll is now 19. The country’s overall case count reached 54,075, or 3620

more than the week before.

The figures for the Caribbean show that Dominica had the highest suspected cases of 3559 with 141 confirmed while St Lucia had 214 suspected cases with 67 confirmed.

According to the PAHO figures, St Vincent and the Grenadines had recorded 329 suspected cases with 67 confirmed. In total, the Caribbean countries had a total of 4135 suspected cases with 527 confirmed. PAHO said 35 of these cases were imported from another country. (Caribbean360)

World’s highest urban cable car proves ‘a success’

T

he state-run company operating the world’s highest urban cable car in Bolivia says its first two months in operation have been a success.

Mi Teleferico’s Chief Executive said it had exceeded its goal of making eight million bolivianos (US$1.2 million; £685,000) in the first 60 days. The cable car connects the capital, La Paz, with the nearby city of El Alto, high in the Andes mountains.

More than two million people have used it since its inauguration on May 30.

“We’ve already surpassed our most optimistic financial forecast,” Chief Executive Cesar Dockweiler said. The cable car was built by an Austrian company at a cost of US$234 million and financed by the Government of President Evo Morales.

President Evo Morales tried out the new cable car on the day it was inaugurated

Dockweiler said that in light of the surprisingly good figures it would now take 25 years rather than 40 originally estimated to pay for itself.

The line has made it easy for thousands of people to commute between the two cities in less than 10 minutes.

Two more lines are still

under construction. It is hoped they will cut down road congestion. Each car can carry up to 10 passengers, and according to official projections, once the two additional lines are finished, up to 18,000 people an hour will be able to board the system. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Increased cooperation in education between China and Jamaica

B

ilateral cooperation in education between Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China has advanced significantly since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1972.

China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong Xiaojung, said over 600 Jamaicans have either been awarded scholarships to study or participated in training programmes in the Asian country over the 42year association.

Another 11 students have been awarded scholarships this year, and are scheduled to depart the island “very soon”, he said, while adding that “a significant number of Jamaican teachers will be teaching English in China.”

Ambassador Dong was speaking at the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Palisadoes Park head-

quarters of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), which will facilitate the introduction of a Chinese language training programme at the institution.

He noted that Chinese nationals have also benefitted, with six sport coaches receiving scholarships awarded by the Government of Jamaica, to study at the G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine.

This gesture, he said,

was extended by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, during her visit to China in August 2013. He advised that all six coaches recently completed their training courses and graduated from the college.

Ambassador Dong also highlighted the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus in St Andrew in 2009. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

15 Around the World WEDNesday, august 6, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Gaza conflict: Truce holding after Israel withdraws A

72-hour humanitarian truce is holding in Gaza, halting a fourweek conflict that has claimed more than 1900 lives. Israel and Gaza militants maintained fire up until the truce started at 08:00h local time (05:00 GMT).

Israel says it has withdrawn all forces to positions outside Gaza, and some residents there are now returning to discover the fate of their homes.

The truce has drawn an international welcome, and the focus for a longer deal will now fall on talks in Cairo.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement commending the armed forces. “This was a complex operation that made heroes of soldiers under difficult combat conditions,” he said.

“There is no 100 per cent guarantee for success but we did all we could to achieve our goal.” The EU and US have welcomed the ceasefire. The EU called on all parties to respect the truce, and paid tribute to Egypt, which helped

A

Fishermen in Gaza returned to the sea as the truce took hold

broker the deal. It said: “We hope that this can be extended into a lasting

ceasefire. We call on the parties not to miss this opportunity.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN sounds alarm as 117,000 refugees flee eastern Ukraine

A refugee camp for Ukrainians in the Rostov region of southern Russia

T

he United Nations refugee agency UNHCR has estimated more than 117,000 people have been displaced inside Ukraine as a result of the conflict near the country’s

US General killed, German General wounded in Afghan attack

border with Russia.

In the past seven days, the report states, more than 6200 people were forced to abandon their homes as they fled deeper into Ukraine. As of August 1, about 168,000

people have also crossed into Russia so far this year.

The increase in refugees doesn’t just mean more pressure on Ukraine to provide shelter for those displaced.

Cochetel said the move could mean disaster for denser areas within the nation.

“Fighting in highly densified urban areas could lead to a massive exodus and massive destruction,” he warned.

The statistics from the report indicate that the refugees come mostly from the rebel-invaded regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which is also facing a water shortage. The number of people leaving these regions rose to 102,600 in early August, compared to just

2600 in June.

People from eastern Ukraine make up 87 perc ent of the total displaced population in the country. The annexing of Crimea resulted in about 15,200 people displaced.

Russian authorities reported around 730,000 Ukrainians staying in Russia under the visa-free regime. Vincent Cochetel, head of the UNHCR’s European Bureau, says the agency believes “that number is credible.”

“Those people are leaving with very little,” Cochetel added. “Some of them arrive with almost no belongings or got some of their belongings confiscated at checkpoints.”

US General was killed and more than a dozen people were wounded, including a German General, in the latest insider attack by a man believed to be an Afghan soldier, US, German and Afghan officials said on Tuesday.

The slain Major General Harold J Greene, was believed to be the most senior US military official killed in action in Afghanistan since the war there began in 2001.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters that “many were seriously wounded” and the gunman was killed in the attack, which took place on Tuesday at the Marshal Fahim National Defence University, a training centre in Kabul.

The attack raised fresh questions about the ability of NATO soldiers to train and advise Afghan security forces as western nations gradually withdraw. The US and German generals were on a routine visit, the Pentagon said.

A US official said the gunman fired on the foreign soldiers using a light machinegun. Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry described him as a “terrorist in Army uniform.”

The German military said its General was one of 14 coalition troops wounded in Tuesday’s attack. It said his life was not in danger.

Seven Americans and five British troops were among the wounded, an Afghan official said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pregnant Indian woman’s daring swim to avoid home birth

(Excerpt from MSN)

US to invest US$33B in Africa, Obama says

U

S President Barack Obama says his country must do more to boost its financial foothold in Africa as economies on the continent grow stronger.

Obama spoke at a US-Africa summit in Washington, DC, that has brought together business leaders and politicians. In conjunction with the summit, the White House is announcing US$33 billion in commitments aimed at increasing US economic ties with Africa.

A big part of the money, US$14 bil-

lion, is coming from the private sector.

Among the companies announcing new commitments are Coca-Cola and General Electric. Africa’s economic growth rate of five per cent, per year is much higher than the world average.

But American firms still have plenty to learn when it comes to doing business with the continent, according to Africa’s richest man, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.

“American companies don’t have up-to-date information on Africa,” he

told FRANCE 24 in an exclusive interview. “They sit here reading [the press]. You can’t do that, you have to go there physically, you have to see what it is,” he said.

“A lot of guys believe Africa is one state. It’s not. It’s 54 different countries, different cultures, so opportunities are there.” Tuesday’s business conference is part of an unprecedented three-day US-Africa summit. Nearly 50 African leaders are in Washington for the meetings. (France24)

Water builds up in China quake zone, brings new danger

A

n earthquake in China on the weekend triggered landslides that have blocked rivers and created rapidly growing bodies of water that could unleash more destruction on survivors of the disaster that killed 410 people, state media reported on Thursday.

More than 2300 people were injured and 12 are missing after the magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the South-western province of Yunnan on Saturday. It was the region’s strongest

quake in 14 years and destroyed thousands of buildings.

“A huge quake lake containing more than 3000 cubic metres (106,000 cubic feet) of water has inundated dozens of homes and continues to threaten nearby villages,” the Xinhua news agency quoted hydrological officials as saying.

“Its water level is increasing at a speed of 30 centimetres (1060 cubic feet) per hour, putting seven power stations in the lower reaches in danger,” the news agency said.

Thousands of Police, soldiers and fire fighters have been sent to help but rescue work is being hampered by poor infrastructure, aftershocks and debris in the mountainous region.

On Monday, an Army doctor went missing while trying to swim across another lake to help a villager search for his missing wife, Xinhua said.

Workers have begun letting water out of two reservoirs which were cracked by the quake, it said. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Yellavva was helped by her father, brother and cousins in crossing the river

A

n Indian woman in her ninth month of pregnancy has swum a river swollen by monsoon rain to give birth in hospital.

Yellavva used dried pumpkins and gourds as bouyancy aids to swim nearly a kilometre from her river island village to safety in southern Karnataka state.

She said she was “scared” but wanted her baby born safely – there is no medical centre in her village and she did not want to give birth at home.

Villagers and doctors have described her swim as an amazing achievement.

Yellavva, 22, is a resident of Neelakantarayanagadde, a small island-village on the Krishna river in Yadgir district, some 400km (250 miles) North of Bangalore.

The only way to travel from there to the mainland is by a raft – which doesn’t operate when the river is too choppy. “I was scared. But it was for my child that I got the determination to get over all my fear and cross the rising river waters,” she told BBC Hindi.

Yellavva was helped by her father, brother and cousins who swam with her.

She said the swim made her tired, but a doctor who examined her on arrival at the Government medical centre in the nearby village of Kekkera said “she is fine and resting at a relative’s home”. “Her baby, due in 20 to 25 days, is fine too,” Dr Veena said. Yellavva’s daring swim has won her much praise. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

WEDNesday, august 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

TT’s top qaseeda singer thrills ACIC’s Eid Fest

Privileges Committee

First hearing into Finance Minister’s spending for next week H

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman

T

he Committee of Privileges will convene within days, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman said on Tuesday, paving the way for Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to be placed under scrutiny over the $4.5 billion spent from the Consolidated Fund.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Trotman disclosed that a date was set for the first meeting; however, it was not convenient for the Opposition Members sitting on the Committee. Another date is being looked at presently.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud and Dr Vindhya Persaud will be representing the Government on the Committee of Privileges chaired by the Speaker of the House. Fellow parliamentarians Deputy Speaker Basil Williams, Attorney Joseph Harmon, former Police Commissioner Winston Felix, Christopher Jones, and Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Cathy Hughes will be representing the Opposition.

Unlike the other members of the Committee, the Chairman does not have any voting rights, Trotman made clear; however, he assured this newspaper that once the logistics are worked out, the Committee will convene.

In July, the Finance Minister was referred to the Committee of Privileges after the Speaker ruled that a prima facie case was made out against him.

Trotman made the ruling in response to a motion submitted by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge which sought a committal of the issue to the Privileges Committee of the National Assembly, to allow for appropriate sanctions to be imposed. In his motion, Greenidge said although the National Assembly in April 2014 did not approve several programmes contained in the Budget, the Finance Minister on June 19 submitted Financial Paper No 1 of 2014 (Statement of Excess on the Current and

Capital Estimates totalling $4,553,761,991, for the period ended June 16, 2014) seeking the House’s approval of this expenditure.

Dr Singh indicated that he relied on Article 218 (3b) as the legal basis for the expenditure. That Article states: “If in respect of any financial year it is found – that any moneys have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate, or as the case may be, a Statement of Excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the Assembly by the Minister responsible for finance or any other Minister designated by the President.”

The Attorney General has since said that Government will challenge the Speaker’s ruling to send the matter to the Privileges Committee, arguing that the motion was purely a legal one. “It concerns the interpretation of several provisions of the Constitution, including Articles 217 and 218. Articles 217 essentially provide when and in what circumstances, monies can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund.”

APNU Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge

He explained that Article 218 creates the avenue needed to withdraw monies from the Consolidated Fund outside of the limitation imposed

by Article 217. According to him, Article 218 is but an exception to Article 217. “That is precisely why the wording of Article 218 succeeds the words of Article 217. These very two Articles were examined by the Honourable Chief Justice in the Budget Cut case and interpreted along the same vein that I have articulated,” Nandlall stressed.

Based on his argument, he opined that it was hardly a matter of “privilege” but rather one of law and constitutional interpretation.

“The simple truth is, that, a Member of the House cannot act in conformity with the Constitution and at the same time, violate a privilege,” the Legal Affairs Minister said.

“Constitutional supremacy, which is the cornerstone

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

upon which our constitutional democracy rests, mandates that the glories of the common law, statute law, bylaws, standing orders, rules and regulations and indeed administrative polices, must bend and bow to the provisions of the Constitution.”

Jurisdiction

Minister Nandlall is of the firm belief that the Speaker fell into error in determining that there was a serious question of privilege. He maintained that the Privileges Committee is without jurisdiction to convene over the matter for a number of reasons.

Trotman, in his ruling, said that the 2014 National Budget was presented and dealt with in accordance with the ruling of the acting Chief Justice Ian Chang filed on January 29.

It was stated too that the Finance Minister adopted the Committee of Supply’s recommendations for “amendments” to the Estimates and amended the Estimates in accordance with the ruling. “This was done when he (the Finance Minister) reported to the House after the Committee of Supply’s review.”

Subsequently, the House approved the Appropriation Bill No 10 of 2014, as amended by the Finance Minister.

The Speaker further pointed out that “His Excellency the President subsequently assented to the Appropriation Bill. This then became an Act of Parliament (No 10 of 2014) giving authorisation for spending from the Consolidated Fund.” Despite this Appropriation Bill being passed into law, Trotman said, Minister Singh proceeded to spend unauthorised funds. “The facts and circumstances of these withdrawals from the Consolidated are clearly distinguishable from those that occurred in 2012 and 2013 for the reason being that in 2014, the National Assembly, though aggrieved by the Chief Justice’s decision of January 29, 2014, sought to comply in spirit and in letter. The cause for the accusation of “unlawful or unconstitutional” action on the part of the Assembly when it amended the budget was removed.”

undreds of persons from Guyana, the Caribbean and North America converged on the picturesque Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), to see the legendary qaseeda singer Jameel Hosein, as the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman and the ACIC held their ninth Annual International Eid Fest Programme Sunday last.

The voice of Hosein resounded into the air, enthralling the audience.

Hosein captivated Guyanese a couple of years ago when he first appeared in a live performance at the ACIC. At that programme, he thrilled the audience with his superb renditions of qaseedas (songs sending praises to God Almighty and salutations to His Beloved Prophet Mohammed). Hosein is considered one of the best qaseeda singers of Trinidad and Tobago and has performed in many countries.

He is a former principal of the TML College, St Joseph, Trinidad and performs regularly at functions organised by the President and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He has to his credit, several CDs, the most popular being “Echoes of Islam”, and is a member of the Islamic Broadcasting Network (IBN) in Trinidad.

His presence was made possible through the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association Inc (ASJA) of Trinidad and Tobago and is testimony to the continued relationship between the Muslims of Guyana and TT.

Members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) and qaseeda singer Jameel Hosein at the International Eid Fest 2014

Hosein was supported at the event by the surprise appearance of one of Guyana’s finest classical singers, now residing in Toronto, Canada – Muntaz Ali who brought the packed lecture hall to a frenzy with his two renditions. ACIC’s own qaseeda singer and the winner of several qaseeda competitions, Mohamed Shahid also sang at the event, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The International Eid Fest Programme, first observed in 2003, brings together the leaders of Muslim organisations and jamaats across Guyana as well as members of the wider civil society in the celebration of one of Islam’s greatest festivals.

The wide and diverse audience included Member of Parliament (MP) Manzoor Nadir, members of the diplomatic corps, Reverend Pastor Ronald McGarrell and Pandit Tillack Seerattan (who respectively brought brief messages from the

Christian and Hindu communities on Eid-ul-Fitr). Nadir, in brief remarks, congratulated the administration of ACIC for its continuous development, stating that the Government of Guyana is following its growth closely and with great pride. Nadir also pledged that the Government will continue to support institutions such as ACIC and SADR for the remarkable work they have been doing for the country.

MP Ronald Bulkan, who represented Opposition Leader David Granger, congratulated the Muslim community of Guyana on the successful completion of a month of fasting and spiritual upliftment. He stated that his group will lend its support, in whatever way it can, to see the growth of the ACIC continue.

The programme was chaired by ACIC’s PR executive, TV Host Reyaz Hussain and closing remarks was given by ACIC’s President General, Hakeem Khan.

PNCR Leader spreads “One Nation” message

P

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, retired Brigadier David Granger continued to spread his message of “One Nation” during the annual Emancipation day observances.

The PNCR, in a release, said Granger told a large crowd in Buxton Village on the night of Thursday, July 31, that the dream of the emancipated Africans was to escape from the domination and discrimination of enslavement and create a society based on human equality. “That dream is still to be realised as Guyana is in danger of being deeply divided into two nations – one impoverished, uneducated and underemployed and underprivileged and the other, rich, educated and employed.”

The following morning, August 1, the PNCR leader speaking at the Glory Light Tabernacle in Plaisance Village, called on the congregation to help to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities in the country today. He suggested that the church adopt the motto “Every Child in School” by ensuring that every child in the village receives breakfast, transportation and a uniform to get to school every day. The PNCR leader also greeted citizens celebrating the Emancipation Festival

Opposition Leader David Granger poses with some of the attendees of the Emancipation celebration in the National Park

during a ‘walkabout’ in the National Park, Georgetown.

Emphasising the need for national unity and racial reconciliation, Granger reiterated his belief that Emancipation on August 1, 1838 was the real birthday of the Guyanese nation. In brief media interviews, he emphasised that West Africans, West Indians, East Indians, Portuguese and Chinese were

brought to Guyana as indentured labourers because sugar planters thought that Emancipation in 1838 would have led to an exodus of freed Africans from the plantations.

This did not happen, but “most migrants remained in Guyana and contributed to the creation of the multiethnic nation we have today… for this reason, everyone should celebrate Emancipation Day.”

News

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wednesday, august 6, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rodney CoI…

Crime Chief confirms “PNC surveillance state”

Female Hindu monks visit Vedanta Academy

…discloses file on death threat to Vincent Teekah’s wife

By Alexis Rodney

S

enior Superintendant of Police and Crime Chief Leslie James during his evidence in Chief at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday concurred that the People’s National Congress Government between 1978 and 1980 had indeed carried out massive surveillance of the main opposition.

Part of the Commission’s Terms to Reference of the inquiry is to examine the actions and activities of the state, including the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana National Service, The Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana People’s Militia and whomever were in command of those agencies, to ascertain whether they were tasked with surveillance of the political opposition, and whether they had carried out those actions .

James, who had appeared to give further evidence of the records kept by the Police and which related to the death of Dr. Walter Rodney, was also at one time head of the Police Special Branch. He told the tribunal that based on the information found in the files, which were gathered by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), it could be concluded that the government was operating through the Police Force to track the activities of its main opponents.

Referring to the three documents, labelled WPA 8-10, James cited several instances where the Special Branch had carried out shadowy exercises on not just the Working People’s Alliance, but to a lesser extent the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). One such incident was one which had involved a threat to the wife of former Education Minister Vincent Teekah.

Teekah, a former People’s National Congress (PNC) Education Minister, was shot and killed under suspicious circumstances on October 24, 1979. No inquest has been held into his death.

Guyana and the Caribbean were shocked by the early morning announcement that the promising career politician had been assassinated. The 38-year-old, who for the greater part of his political life was an activist of the then opposition PPP, was in effect a “lonely” man in the ruling PNC when two bullets ended his life. Teekah’s widow Jean and their three children migrated shortly after. It was widely believed after that Teekah was killed by the PNC Government.

Meanwhile, according to the file the threat to Teekah’s wife was said to have been signed by Former Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis. He had in-

Former Education Minister, Vincent Teekah

formed Mrs. Teekah that she would be killed in the very manner her husband was.

The threat continued “We have been watching you, no traitor, will be spared”.

However, while the signature at the bottom appeared to be that of Laurie Lewis, James said he could not be sure if it was indeed that the former police commissioner.

Every member singled out

Further reports reveal that every member of the Working People’s Alliance was singled out by members of the Special Branch who tailed their many meetings.

The Commission heard of special interest being placed on the property of the WPA members, especially the number plates of the vehicles of the leading members and activists of the party. Reference was made to prominent WPA member Omawale, whose car and number plate was on a special list of the Police. The document also made reference to the owner of the vehicle.

James told the Commission that based on his knowledge as a former member of the special branch, such records would only be kept on individuals who are under a special kind of surveillance. He said there would always be a clandestine sort of monitoring of these individuals.

Questions were asked about the Special Branch’s interest in the WPA even after the death of Dr. Rodney.

James told the commission that he could not say.

However, it was assumed that it may have been in an attempt to secure every member and prospective leader of the blossoming political unit. It was revealed from the reports that a search was carried out at the home of a WPA member James Herod of New Amsterdam, on June 20, 1980. There some 1000 copies of WPA releases were discovered captioned: “Walter Rodney assassination, a PNC plot, along with a signed statement by Dr. Rodney’s brother Donald, who was in the car with him,

on the day of the explosion.

Former President Forbes Burnham was said to have employed an elaborate surveillance network during the 1980s, with undercover officers being set upon political activists, some with instructions to kill, the Commission of Inquiry probing the death of Dr Walter Rodney heard previously.

The Inquiry was also told that State surveillance during that era was so pervasive that ordinary citizens were spied on, creating an atmosphere of tension across the country, which reached its apex following the July 1979 burning down of the National Development Building, that had also housed the Secretariat of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Missing files

Meanwhile, the Crime Chief, who had opened the first day of the investigation on April 28, officially confirmed that the seven missing files of the working People’s Alliance with information relating to the death of Dr. Walter Rodney could not be found. The Files numbered Working People’s Alliance (WPA)1-10, according to James may have been compiled during the same year the remaining three (WPA 8-9) were put together.

Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam had questioned whether the WPA files numbered 8-10 were ever disclosed to anybody, organisation or public authority charged with investigating the death of Dr Rodney, such as the International Commission of Jurists and/ or the coroner. But James said that he was unaware.

James in further evidence today said no one in the department could give an explanation as to why the files could not be found. He said too that this incident has been the first since he has been a member of the special branch.

Asked by Commissioner Jairam if there is any instance of files being destroyed from his unit, James responded in the negative, noting that it would only happen, if the files are before copied. Confirmation of the police missing files has come in the wake of reports of more missing files from the Guyana Defence Force’ Personnel and Air corps departments, from where the commission had sought information on accused assassin William Gregory Smith, who was said to be a member of the Guyana Defence Force. The Defence Force has since been accused of hiding evidence to cover up its involvement in assisting Smith with fleeing the jurisdiction a day after Rodney was killed.

The three female Hindu monks that visited Guyana

T

hree female Hindu monks, including the first-ever of Guyanese heritage, visited Guyana, sharing their expertise with members of the religion.

Over the past two weeks, West Coast Berbice residents were provided with the opportunity of listening to the monks narrating the sacred pages of the Sriramcharitmanas.

Shudhamaji of Matri Ashram, Canada and Bharata Seva Ashram Sangha, India, accompanied by two other female Hindu monks, visited this nation to support the Vedanta Academy, situated at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice. They conducted a three-day camp for the students of the secondary school, which ended on July 31, and for the general public, three sessions of Ramayan

Satsang that concluded on August 3. The Chairman of the proceedings was Dr Lake Singh of Toronto, Canada.

Among those in attendance at the Satsangs were Pandit Hardat Ashwar of Bhawani Shankar Mandir, Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Dr Brampton of Ontario, Canada; Rajkumarie Singh, the Principal of the Hindu College, Cove and John, ECD; Pandit Rajin Lallaram; and Nowrang Persaud, Consultant in Human Resources Management and Employee Relations.

Students from Blairmont, D’ Edward, Cotton Tree, Bath Settlement Mandirs were among those participated in the youth camp.

Matri Ashram and Bharata Seva Ashram Sangha are the most recent additions to Vedanta

Academy’s support network, joining Saveabee; Cotton Tree Village; Sathya Sai School, Toronto, Canada; Live for Seva Foundation, and Sanatan Dharma Educational Foundation and many others. They share the Vedanta Academy’s vision as enshrined in the Indian Gurukul System where precious traditions and cherished values of the past and modern educational concepts have been integrated.

The academy re-opens on September 1, 2014 for the academic school year 2014-2015.

Scholarships are available. Also available are scholarships under the auspices of Matri Ashram and Bharata Seva Ashram Sangha, for female students to study in India for a period of one year before returning to teach at the Vedanta Academy.

Defects seen in $12M LTI rehabilitation project

A

$12 million project at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) awarded to Kevin Barron has serious defects, former Project Manager Garfield Hoyte has said.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Barron the former owner of a clothing store, “Barron Exclusive” was awarded the contract by the Education Ministry for the execution of the LTI Rehabilitation Project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The particulars of the project include the transformation of a building into a training centre on the ground floor and the provision of two classrooms and an office on the upper flat.

According to Hoyte, on July 1, he was hired by Barron as the Project Manager but was forced to resign recently after his employer engaged in malpractice. He explained that all went well until the upper level of 1470 square feet had to cast. The engineers reportedly recommended Number 65 British Reinforcement Concrete (BRC) in four inches of concrete but Barron who is reportedly cash strapped; set-

tled for a lesser quality of BRC fabric.

“The said contractor bought Number 10BRC which is very weak and he only provided 900 square feet of such. An area of approx 670 square feet is without reinforcement. This is a potential disaster waiting to happen,” Hoyte explained.

He added, “imagine 30 kids per class average of 150 poundss plus office staff on an under reinforced upper concrete deck.” Hoyte has approximately 37 years of experience in the field of architecture and civil engineering work, both locally and abroad, is a member of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Works Committee and a Clerk of Works. Based on his wealth of experience, Hoyte said he could not have been a part of a flawed project, positing out that attempts were made to caution Barron but they proved futile.

Additionally, reports indicate that the six construction workers who were hired

by Barron during the initial stage of the project walked off the job after experiencing financial challenges. One of the six confirmed to Guyana Times that Number 10BRC was used instead of Number

65BRC. Under anonymity, one of the construction workers told this newspaper that prior to the commencement of the project, a financial agreement was met, however weeks into the project, the contractor started experiencing financial difficulties resulting in employees not being paid. “When the money come, it was totally insufficient and that’s not what we bargained for when we start,” the man explained.

At the time, the project was not completed. According to him, all of the workers walked off the job approximately two Saturdays ago.

When contacted, Barron referred this newspaper to the Education Ministry, positing that he will not be engaged in a battle of words. Based on the complaints lodged by Hoyte, the Education Ministry is conducting an investigation.

However, a source working closely with the Education Ministry told this newspaper that the project is on track, positing that Hoyte started launching a series of attacks on the contractor after being released of his duties. According to the inside person, the project is progressing smoothly.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, august 6, 2014

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Someone close to you could be going through a hard time. If you show consideration and kindness, it will be appreciated and reciprocated.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) You are in a cycle thick with love and romance. Be on the lookout for a personal opportunity that is heading your way.

Experimentation will pay off and lead you down an interesting path.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Keep a close watch on your cash and your possessions. A loved one may be especially demanding.

Be diplomatic and try to offer a reasonable solution rather than financial help.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

CANCER (June 21July 22) Money matters should be your prime concern.

Stay away from joint ventures or risky investments. Overspending will be your downfall. Fix what you have instead of buying something new.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) You will have difficultyGood fortune will be yours. Make plans to socialize and explore new pastimes. Love and romance will flourish if you are attentive and fun-centered.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Prepare to take advantage of an opportunity to increase your knowledge, skills and talents. You can learn a lot if you sign up for a course or event that interests you.

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Someone from your past will remind you of your former goals. Take a close look at your current situation in order to find a way to incorporate the old with the new.

You should consider traveling or taking a brief vacation. An old friend will help bring back all sorts of pleasant memories. Mix the past with the present.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Your career objectives will take longer than you planned. As long as you are still moving forward, there is no need to worry. Set your sights on your destination and remain positive.

You will be temperamental or argumentative today. You can best spend your time working on a solitary project. Distance will be required from someone who tends to aggravate you.

Solution GEMINI (May 21June 20)

SAGITTARIUS

You are in for a thrilling time. Try something new that’s outside your comfort zone. You will meet someone who enjoys excitement and adventure as much as you do.

Don’t let anyone entice you into overindulging.

Look at the big picture and make positive choices. Emotions will be running high, so keep things in perspective.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

GUYANA

WEDNESDAY, august 6, 2014

19

WICB Regional Under-19 One-Day cricket….

Guyana’s spinners mesmerise ICC Americas – win by 49 runs, Barbados also victorious

By Rajiv Bisnauth

F

or a second day in succession, hosts Guyana relied on their spinners to complete yet another convincing victory in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional One-Day cricket tournament.

The Guyanese whipped the ICC Americas by 49 runs in their second round encounter at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground on Tuesday.

Chasing 230 for victo-

37 deliveries of their innings unused.

Off-spinner Sharaz Ramcharran and legspinner Steven Sankar both claimed three wickets each.

Balchand Baldeo and Tagenarine Chanderpaul were the other two successful bowlers.

For the visitors, Onias Bascome top scored with a cameo 53 off 35 balls, inclusive of one four and five massive sixes.

But shots selections were ICC Americas main

ICC Americas struggled against the Guyanese spinners

ry, Guyana rotated their barrage of spinners to good effect in dismissing the visitors for 180 with

downfall and Nikhil Dutta (29), Farhan Malik (26) and Alex Dores (13), were the only batsmen to reached double digits.

Earlier, Kemo Paul and Askay Homraj stroked fluent half-centuries and piloted Guyana to a position of strength after they lost wickets at crucial intervals during the innings.

Paul first shared 33 for the fourth-wicket with Sharaz Ramcharran and then put together 44 for the fifth-wicket with Homraj before the latter stitched the innings most crucial partnership that was worth 69 runs with Kemol Savory.

Apart from Paul and Homraj, no other of the Guyanese batsmen could play an innings of substance. The right-hander Homraj was the top scorer with 69. The Berbician, who came up with some audacious strokes, hit seven boundaries and a six during his 56-ball knock, Paul smashed his way to 51 off 84 balls, inclusive of two fours and a similar amount of sixes.

Had it not been for some small contributions from First-class players Shimron Hetmyer (21) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (18), who put together 49 runs for the first wicket, along with Ramcharran (17) and Savory (19), the Guyanese would have struggled to get close to the 200-run mark.

The visitors’ bowlers were disciplined with Keifer Phill (2-43), Arsh Buch (2-37) and Nikhil

Guyana celebrate a wicket against ICC Americas at the GCC ground on Tuesday

Dutta (2-35) being the best bowlers on show.

Farham Malik, Delray Rawlins and Onias Bascome also claimed a wicket each.

In the other second round games, Barbados edged Windward Islands by two wickets and the game between Jamaica and the Leeward Islands was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Wales.

Round three will play on August 7 with Guyana playing Trinidad & Tobago at Eve Leary, Leeward Islands oppose Windward Islands at Enmore and Jamaica taking on ICC Americas at Everest. Barbados drew the bye.

SCOREBOARD Guyana innings S. Hetmyer c Kapoor b Phil 21 T. Chanderpaul lbw b Dutta 18 *B. Sattaur lbw b Rawlins 8 K. Paul st Parikh b Dutta 51 S. Ramcharran c Dutta b Malik 17 A. Homraj c Dutta b Buch 69 B. Baldeo b Phil 0 +K. Savory c Rawlins b Bascombe 19 D. Waldron not out 0 S. Sankar b Buch 8 Extras: (b1, lb2, w14, nb1) 18 TOTAL: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 229 A. Wallace did not bat Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-59, 3-65, 4-98, 5-142, 6-149, 7-218, 8-221, 9-229 Bowling: #Phill 7-0-43-2, Malik 10-0-37-1, #Buch 5-0-37-2, Dutta 10-1-35-2, Rawlins 102-11-1, Bascome 8-0-63-1

ICC Americas (target: 230 off 50 overs) A. Joshi lbw b Ramcharran 1 A. Kapoor b Baldeo 4 T. Ross c Hetmyer b Ramcharran 5 *N. Dutta run out 29 F. Malik b Sankar 26 A. Dores c wkpr Savory b Sankar 13 +A. Parikh not out 8 A. Buch c Hetmyer b Sankar 8 O. Bascome c Paul b Chanderpaul 53 D. Rawlins lbw b Ramcharran 1 K. Phill run out 4 Extras (b5, lb6, w12, nb3) 26 TOTAL (all out, 43.5 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-6, 3-22, 4-72, 5-88, 6-108, 7-131, 8-154, 9-170 Bowling: Baldeo 10-1-44-2, Ramcharran 7-2-15-3, Waldron 7-0-48-0, Wallace 4-1-10-0, Sankar 10-0-25-3, #Paul 5-016-0, Chanderpaul 0.5-0-11-1

WICB announces England 2015 schedule

T

he West Indies Cricket Board on Tuesday announced the schedule for the England Test tour of the Caribbean 2015.

West Indies and England will square off in three Tests in Antigua, Grenada and Barbados from April 13 to May 5.

The Test series will commence at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds in Antigua with the first Test from April 13 to 17. England will then play their first Test in Grenada followed by the final Test at the Kensington Oval.

The WICB embarked on a bidding process to determine the venues for the three Test series. The three venues prevailed following the bidding process.

England played a limited overs series in the Caribbean earlier this year. That series included three One Day Internationals in Antigua and three Twenty20s in Barbados.

A couple of two day warm up matches will precede the Test series and will be played at Warner Park in St Kitts on April 6 to 7 and 8 to 9.

West Indies vs England 2015 - Full schedule

April 6-7: First England Warm up game – Warner Park, St Kitts (opposition TBC) April 8-9: Second England Warm up – Warner Park, St Kitts (opposition TBC) April 13-17: First Test – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds, Antigua April 21-25: Second Test - Grenada National Stadium, Grenada May 1-5: Third Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados

20

guyanatimesGY.com

WEDNESday, august 6, 2014

James Anderson ruling disappoints India

Seamer Anderson could have been banned for four Tests if he had been found guilty

I

ndia have written to the International Cricket Council to express their disappointment after England’s James Anderson was found not guilty of breaching the code of conduct. Anderson, 32, was cleared of abusing and pushing India’s Ravindra Jadeja during the first Test at Trent Bridge.

Only ICC chief executive Dave Richardson can appeal against the verdict but Sanjay Patel, the secretary of the Board of

Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has denied the tourists have asked him to do so. “What we have done is we’ve written a letter to the ICC saying we are not happy with the verdict,” said Patel.

“We don’t have a right to appeal in this case.”

The ICC has confirmed it is “considering” the written decision of judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, who is based in Australia. Richardson has until Sunday, 10 August to

lodge an appeal, should he wish to do so.

Seamer Anderson could have been banned for four Tests if he had been found guilty, while all-rounder Jadeja, 25, was cleared on a lesser charge for his part in the incident.

The series between England and India is tied at 1-1 after the hosts won the third Test of a five-match series.

The next game starts at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.

Pakistan aim to optimise talent pool

S

ri Lanka-Pakistan cricket is vaguely akin to a backyard tussle between two brothers rigged by their parents to keep peace in the family. The older wins one, the younger takes the next and so it has been for 10 of their past 14 series.

Their latest bout was squared in a twilit Sharjah in astonishing circumstances, but in the six months since, little brother has become a world champion, surprised England on their turf, and was surprised by South Africa on home turf.

The elder one, though, has been grounded.

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, insisted that his team had bucked the rust that had gathered without top-level cricket.

The squad had simulated match conditions during an extensive camp in Karachi under Waqar Younis, who begins his second stint as head coach in Galle.

Pakistan want to end an eight-year drought without a Test win in Sri Lanka and Waqar’s return and his familiarity with the younger players might assist in controlling their output better.

Opener Khurram Manzoor bagged a pair af-

recent form - 938 runs in 10 innings - does not agree with the law of averages.

Galle has dressed up for Jayawardene’s farewell and the retiring batsman will hope he can mimic billboards of his shots skirting into the gap and off to the fence.

Sri Lanka’s tireless spin attack would have been grateful for the break Rangana Herath busted his back for 172 overs against South Africa, Dilruwan Perera skipped in for 158.3 - but it doesn’t take much for their stranglehold to set in.

In the spotlight

Shaminda Eranga fronted up to an angry South African attack with a torn webbing at Galle and was lost for the next Test. He has been declared fully fit by his captain and is expected to shoulder Sri Lanka’s seam threat without Suranga Lakmal. The newball pair had been in the kind of sync ballroom dancers would envy, but there is depth in the form of a rejuvenated Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep.

Pakistan were 85 for 5 with Shane Bond dismissing a two-year hiatus from

Lahiru Thirimanne might still remember Dale Steyn’s sledge turned premonition of not seeing the batsman in Colombo after twin failures in Galle. This time though Kithuruwan Vithanage seems set to claim his spot in the XI. Sri Lanka’s management has had to channel a monk’s patience in building for the future, but as they showed with Dinesh Chandimal’s reassignment to the A team, tough love is never far off.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Kaushal Silva, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Kithuruwan Vithanage, 7 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Nuwan Pradeep/ Dhammika Prasad, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Shaminda Eranga Only two members of the Pakistan squad can draw inspiration from recent competitive experience.

Saeed Ajmal has been a talisman for Worcestershire in the 2014 English county season - 63 wickets in nine first-class matches - to push them to top the second-division points table. Junaid Khan, having seemed worn

Barcelona legend Xavi quits Spain duty

Shaminda Eranga has recovered from his torn webbing and is expected to return to the Sri Lanka XI. Photo: AFP

Xavi Hernandez was voted player of the tournament at the 2008 European Championship

B

arcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has announced his retirement from international football. The 34-year-old won the World Cup and two European Championships with his country.

He was capped 133 times, more than any other Spanish outfield player, and scored 13 goals. Xavi

told a news conference in Barcelona on Tuesday: “I’m grateful for all those years.

It has been a fantastic time.”

He made his full Spain debut on 15 November 2000, aged 20, against the Netherlands. “I’m not 20 anymore, but I still have the motivation of a kid,” he said.

Xavi was voted player of the tournament at the 2008 European Championship as

Spain ended a 44-year wait for a major international trophy and began a period of domination on the world stage.

Theystarted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as one of the favourites, but were dumped out of the tournament in the group stages after a 5-1 defeat by Netherlands and a 2-0 loss to Chile.

ter his 146 in Abu Dhabi.

Left-arm seamer Rahat Ali accounted for only two wickets against Sri Lanka in the UAE after snagging a second five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe. Azhar Ali carried eight innings with scores of less than 20 before spearheading the Sharjah coup.

In addition to plumbing the best out of themselves, Pakistan will have to mute Sri Lanka’s first and usually reliable line of defence - Mahela Jayawardene, in his penultimate Test and Kumar Sangakkara, whose

Tests and conjured 150kph thunderbolts at will. A 19year old Umar Akmal forgot it was his debut, that it was the toughest form of cricket and pummeled a century that heralded him as the next big thing.

Then 2009 became 2010 and Akmal faded badly. He was labelled irresponsible, he got into off-field incidents and his keeping standards inspired great frustration. He was cut-off from Tests for three years, but with Pakistan needing adventure, he has got another chance.

towards the end of the last international season, has been just as instrumental in Lancashire heading the NatWest t20 Blast.

Rebooting to Test cricket would be a priority for them and the entire squad.

Pakistan (probabale): 1 Khurram Manzoor, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Umar Akmal/ Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Abdur Rehman, 9 Mohammad Talha/ Wahab Riaz, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Junaid Khan

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India name uncapped trio in ODI squad I

ndia have named uncapped trio Sanju Samson, Karn Sharma and Dhawal Kulkarni in their 17-man squad for the limited-overs matches against England.

The tourists will play five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s following the end of the ongoing Investec Test series, and have decided to introduce some fresh faces into the squad ahead of next year’s World Cup. Wicketkeeper-batsman Samson will provide backup to captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, while legspinner Karn will be hoping to make his mark after Amit Mishra was ruled out of the series due to injury.

Seamer Kulkarni has been named in an India squad for a second time, with his inclusion in the ODI series against West Indies last year ending on a sour note after he was ruled out due to injury shortly afterwards.

Stuart Binny, whose six wickets for four runs against Bangladesh in June were the best figures by an Indian in an ODI, re-

India Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni

tains his place as do fast bowlers Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav.

One notable omission is batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who is a regular in the Test line-up but has struggled in the shorter format. The 26-year-old averages a fraction over 10 in five ODIs with a top score of 27.

India ODI and T20 squad to face England: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli,

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Sanju Samson, Karn Sharma.

The tourists will play five one-day internationals, beginning in Bristol on August 25, and two Twenty20 games.

Spurs hire NBA’s first female coach

S

an Antonio Spurs have hired Women’s NBA star Becky Hammon as assistant coach, making her the first woman to join an NBA coaching staff.

Hammon currently plays for the San Antonio Stars, the city’s WNBA franchise, but plans to retire after this season.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said: “I’m confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs.”

The Spurs won last season’s NBA title.

Hammon currently plays for the San Antonio Stars

UEFA punishes clubs over racism

R

omanian giants Steaua Bucharest are one of four clubs ordered by Uefa to close part of their stadium following racist behaviour from supporters.

Football’s European governing body has also sanctioned Hungary’s Debrecen, FC Chikhura Sachkhere of Georgia and Slovenian club NK

Maribor.

The incidents all took place in Champions League and Europa League games last month.

“The fight against racism is a high priority for Uefa,” a spokesman said.

The punishments will take effect in the next home European tie played by those clubs.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, august 6, 2014

Digicel Schools Football…

Bush Lot Secondary were the surprise package

By Andrew Carmichael

lthough finishing as the third best team in the just concluded Digicel Schools Football Tournament, Bush Lot Secondary might be thinking they should have been in the final rather than third place playoff. In fact they would have been thinking that they would have made better opponents for eventual winners Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS).

After playing to a 1-1

A

stalemate in their semifinal against CWSS before the match was decided from the penalty spot, Bush Lot were forced to compete for third place. They did so successfully by whipping Beterverwagting (BV) Secondary 3-1.

BV had held Waramadong to a 2-2 scoreline before their semifinal match was decided from the penalty spot. This result and the performance of the boys from the Upper Mazaruni during the final of the competition is

enough to think that had Bush Lot Secondary taken on the three time finalists, Waramadong Secondary, they would have beaten them.

On Sunday, both teams performed at the Providence National Stadium and although they did not come up against each other there was a clear difference in the performances of the two teams.

Waramadong Secondary lacked the proper defense to effectively take on a high performing team. Their advances were not coordinat-

Bush Lot Secondary were unlucky to be eliminated on penalties in the semi-finals to eventual tournament winners CWSS. Photo: Carl Croker

Goalkeeper Shane James (blue top) was the ultimate wall for Bush Lot Secondary in the third place play-off against Beterverwagting Secondary on Sunday

ed and the midfield did not seem to be following a plan.

The champions could have easily scored six goals but squandered their chance. Waramadong’s forwards seemed to lack the speed and confidence up top to make any serious threat on the CWSS goal as their forwards opted to take shots from outside of the eighteen yard box.

On the other hand, Bush Lot had aggression, players with a plan, determination

and a solid defense when they took on BV. In the last quarter of that game, it seemed like a one sided affair. It was obvious that the boys from West Berbice were not accustomed playing on such a fast outfield causing them to falter during the first half of the game but they were still able to hold their own.

Fans that came out to witness an exciting final were disappointed as Waramadong failed to live

up to expectations.

Although in the top four for the first time, Bush Lot gave fans a performance which left many of them surprised at the level of football coming out of West Berbice.

Digicel has promised to promote the competition next year and Bush Lot Secondary will be taking part. It will be interesting to see what happens especially since several of their players who took part in this year’s competition will be back.

More ‘kudos’ for Guyana U-19 cricket team

T

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

he Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is the latest to publically express its joy with the stellar performance displayed by Guyana’s Under-19 cricket team who were recently crowned the West Indies

Cricket Board’s (WICB) regional Under-19 three-day champions.

“This outstanding show of sportsmanship by the entire team is an indication that Guyana has a wellstocked nursery of emerging cricketers who are

naturally talented and committed to the sport,” a press release from the Ministry stated.

“Further, this achievement by these young cricketers demonstrated their leadership skills and resilience which saw them securing the winning innings for Guyana. This momentum is also being taken into the One Day matches, and we are confident that the team will be successful again.”

The Sports Ministry said Guyana has been able to produce outstanding cricketers in the past, as such this achievement is a major score for Guyana since it indicates that we still have what it takes to make an impact on the cricket scene.

The Ministry pledged its continued commitment and support for the development of the sport. “This is very evident in the recent commissioning of the floodlights at the Albion Community Ground in Region 6. We see this as a good opportunity for the surge of cricket in Guyana.

“I am looking forward to seeing more Guyanese cricketers make their mark in cricket internationally; in this regard cricketers are

encouraged to be their best and to practice the rules of the sport on and off the field,” the release stated.

Congratulations had previously come from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

Guyana started the tournament with a draw against the Windward Islands, but grew in strength and confidence with two comprehensive victories against powerhouses Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

There were some praiseworthy individual performances from a few players – against Trinidad and Tobago, Tagenarine Chanderpaul held the lone Guyana innings together with a remarkable, unbeaten century; and when Guyana was staring down the barrel of defeat in their second innings against the Windward Islands, Kemo Paul’s determination and resilience resurrected the innings with a brilliant 90.

Against Barbados, Steven Sankar was exceptional with the ball, capturing a five-wicket haul whilst Shimron Hetmyer registered a classy century.

Kemo Paul

wednesday, august 6, 2014

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Sports Ministry commends successful Inter Guiana Games team

Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

T

he victorious Inter Guiana Games team has come in for praise from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Guyana won the first leg of the Games (IGG) which concluded on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyana’s win in athletics was the major difference that helped the hosts to prevail overall despite finishing third in swimming and second in basketball.

According to a press release from Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Guyana’s outstanding performance in the competition is due to the hard work, commitment and dedication of the athletes and their coaches. In this

regard, he said the Ministry appreciates the effort and is looking forward for continued success.

Dr Anthony also added that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been diligent in ensuring investments are made into sports development in terms of training opportunities and the installation of facilities such as the synthetic track and the aquatic centre.

“This achievement by the Guyana Team is a fruit from the investments made in sports development.

While our attention will not waver, it is hoped that our athletes will be encouraged by the provisions made for them and push themselves

Guyana’s win in athletics was the major difference that helped the hosts to prevail overall despite finishing third in swimming and second in basketball

to achieve greater things.”

Dr Anthony said it is the Ministry’s intent that with the installation of state-ofthe-art and internationally standardised facilities, that our athletes will be able train on a higher level which will in turn see them reaching their full potential in their respective sport disciplines.

“Congratulations to the teams from Suriname and French Guiana as well for travelling such a long dis-

Soroya Simmons (centre) claimed gold in the Girls 19 and Under 100 metres Backstroke (Photo: Trevor Pemberton/Facebook)

Britany Van Lange (centre) claimed gold in the Girls 19 and Under 200 metres Individual Medley and Freestyle events as well as the Girls 19 and Under 100 metres Freestyle event (Photo: Trevor Pemberton/Facebook)

tance and for sharing their talents with us. Together we have successfully pulled off a very successful Inter-Guiana Games.

Once again…Kudos team Guyana.”

Meanwhile, second place went to Suriname who finished first in swimming, second in athletics and first for boys in basketball and third for girls.

French Guiana brought up the rear as they failed

to register a point in athletics due to not fielding a team, and finished second in swimming but first for girls in basketball and third for males.

Swimmers Britany van Lange and Soroya Simmons had ensured Guyana was among the gold medals during the first leg of the Games.

Suriname finished on top with 12 gold medals, 11silver and 8 bronze for a combi-

nation of 31 medals. French Guiana captured 8 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze for a total of 25 medals while hosts Guyana claimed 4 gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze for a total of 16 medals.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar has already expressed optimism of Guyana’s chances in the second leg of the IGG trination tournament scheduled for Suriname later in the year.

WICB Regional Under-19 One-Day cricket….

Drakes stars for Barbados – in 2-wicket win over Windward Islands

B

arbados fought off a stiff challenge from the Windward Islands to force a two wicket win in their second round match of the Regional Under-19 Championship at the Demerara Cricket Club ground on Tuesday.

The Barbados captain Joshua Drakes dug his side out of a precarious position brought on by a spectacular batting collapse, on the hunt for a small target after Windwards were bowled out for 111 at the Demerara Cricket Club.

Chasing 112 to win Barbados lost early wickets as frontline batsmen struggled to negotiate a fiery opening spell from Sherman Lewis.

Lewis rocked the top order, grabbing three of the first four wickets to fall in the first seven balls and leaving the Bajans reeling on four without loss.

Windwards kept the pressure on Barbados

as wickets fell regularly but Drakes batted responsibly to push Barbados closer to their target by compiling an unbeaten knock of 43.

He received little support except from Shamar Springer 14 and Chad Williams 10, the only two other batsmen to reach double figures.

Lewis finished with impressive figures of four wickets for 24 runs including three maidens from nine overs.

Earlier, Windward Islands captain Roland Cato hit a top score of 23 before he was caught at long on attempting to rescue a struggling innings.

Tonis Simon chipped in with 19; Kershaskie Jno Lewis 14 and Anson Latchman hit Neil Persuad for two consecutive sixes then lost his middle stump.

Persuad, Williams and Matthew Jones picked up two wickets each for the winners. (CMC)

Joshua Drakes punches through the offside. Photo: windiescricket.com

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