Guyana Times Daily

Faulty feeders cause threehour blackout in city

P9

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2054 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

PRICE

Jagdeo discharged from hospital See story on page 13

– stunned by malicious reporting in Kaieteur News, Stabroek News

$60 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

City Hall to go ahead with ‘flawed’ budget P2 PPP/C, PNCR trade blame on past and P7 current crimes

CFATF not worried by new AML P9 amendments – APNU

Commissioners sworn in to probe Rodney’s death

See story on page 3

The three commissioners for the probe into Dr Walter Rodney’s assassination are all smiles with President Donald Ramotar (right) after being sworn in at the Office of the President Tuesday morning. From left are: Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam; Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham; and Queen’s Counsel, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown

Digicel cops Mash best band prize See story on page 13

Too early to calculate risks of Venezuelan protest – Hinds

See story on page 2

Stag Beer sponsors P17 Linden Mashramani celebrations

2 news

wednesday, february 26, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Too early to calculate risks of Venezuelan protest – Hinds P

rime Minister Samuel Hinds said it might be a little too early for him to comment on what effects the current unrest in Venezuela will eventually have on the many agreements that country has with Guyana.

Guyana and Venezuela are currently engaged in a few partnerships which seek to strengthen their economic and social sectors. The PetroCaribe agreement allows Guyana to pay 40 per cent of its bill within the first 90 days and repay the rest at one per cent interest over a period of 25 years.

In 2005, former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez had given Guyana and several other Caribbean countries economic support. The head of the oil-producing powerhouse had offered the region oil at concessionary prices with, in Guyana’s case, oil supplies being paid for by paddy and rice.

But with Chávez’s death in March last year and the Venezuelan economy declining, questions were raised as to whether the Nicolas Maduro administration would be able to sustain the oilfor-rice deal. In May of last

year, those concerns were addressed when Georgetown and Caracas signed on to an agreement that extended the rice facility. The two countries also signed another agreement to fight cross-border crimes, which had become prevalent, given Guyana’s inability to keep order in the country’s interior mining communities.

Prime Minister Hinds said “that question does not arise just yet”, and “those who respect democracy would support the government that was democratically elected”.

Prepare for the worst – Sanders Caribbean diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders, in a recent publication, had urged leaders of Caribbean countries that are members of the PetroCaribe Agreement to “begin preparing for the worst-case scenario and start thinking about buying oil at market prices”.. .He wrote, “This is especially important for the countries of the Eastern Caribbean that appear to have made little provision for the possibility that the arrangement with Venezuela would end abruptly.” He said that the Nicolas Maduro gov-

on fossil fuel. He noted that some of the monies Guyana receives under its rice-for-oil agreement with Venezuela are used to pay rice farmers.

However, with the instability in Venezuela, the Guyana government and farmers should be nervous, as the situation “spells real trouble”.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

ernment, which has been in power for the past 10 months, is facing one of its worst unrests over food and foreign currency shortages. He continued that there have been numerous calls for steps to be taken to reverse Venezuela’s economic decline. PetroCaribe accounts for 30 per cent of Venezuela’s production, Sanders revealed.

Sanders predicted that countries that are benefiting from the deal will be required to increase their productivity and eventually pay the original price for oil. He said the effects will be strenuous on Guyana, which depends

Massive political protests Some 13 persons have so far died in the massive political protests, which began some two weeks ago. More than 500 persons have been charged and 50 have been thrown in jail. And as the tension continues to mount, more than 150 persons have been injured.

Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz had recently met with local journalists to denounce the ongoing protest in the oil-rich country. She said the acts were being carried out by opposition leaders and supporters in an effort to “overthrow a government that has been democratically-elected by the majority of people in Venezuela”. Considerable damage was done to public buildings, including the Office

of the Attorney General. The state television station was under siege, while police vehicles were set alight. Those and other indiscriminate actions, Diaz said, were disturbing the peace of citizens living in Caracas and other nearby cities.

The diplomat further claimed that the actions were being supported by the government of the United States, which has been funding the training of youth organisations and civil societies to carry out acts of violence. Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Elias Jaua Milano had reported that three U.S. officials were ex-

pelled from the country. because they were taking actions to promote violent activities to generate chaos in Venezuela.

The protest action was organised by Maria Corina Machado and Leopoldo López, leaders of the Venezuelan opposition, along with a number of student movements.

Reports are that violation of civil rights, chronic scarcity of basic goods, and high levels of criminal violence are among the many reasons for the protests. The inflation rate for 2013 was tallied at 56.2 per cent and the scarcity index had been near 20 per cent throughout 2013.

City Hall to go ahead with ‘flawed’ budget

G

eorgetown Mayor Hamilton Green said the City Council was to present its budget to the public on Monday, March 3 despite the disapproval of acting Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker.

“The budget is already approved by the Council... the Minister has no legal authority not to approve of the budget, this is our budget and we will present it to the public on Monday,” Mayor Green argued.

Earlier, the Mayor had said he had not been aware that the Council’s budget for 2014 was submitted to the Ministry for review. “I don’t know that the budget was sent out in the first place, I am not aware that it was sent out to him (Minister Whittaker).” Mayor Green contended that he has set another statutory meeting for next Tuesday, where the budget would be discussed.

The Mayor’s statement as it relates to the presentation of the budget was confirmed

by Whittaker in an interview with Guyana Times Tuesday evening. He indicated that it was indeed in the legislation that the City Council can approve its budget. He, however, contended that it is the recognised practice that the budget is sent to the Ministry to be perused and scrutinised. “Former mayors saw it as a benefit for central government to peruse and scrutinise the budget… it has been done for a number of years, I don’t see why the Mayor would want to change that,” Whittaker said.

Whittaker related that the monies for the budget would, however, have to be financed from the subvention fund which comes under the Ministry. He noted that the issue of fiscal transfer gives the Ministry every right to disapprove or approve of the budget.

“Overly ambitious”

While noting that over the years the quality and extent of service provided by the Mayor and City Council has left much to be desired, Whittaker related that the budget submitted

by City Hall is “overly ambitious”. He argues that he does not know how the deficit in the budget will be financed.

In an earlier interview with this publication, Whittaker said he would not approve the budget. He further told this publication that not only was the budget in deficit, it lacked the assent of Mayor Green and Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene.

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green He said the budget was submitted with expected revenue totalling some $2.1 billion and expenditure, $2.3 billion, which reflects a $0.2 billion deficit. Minister Whittaker underscored his position that he was not willing to assent to any budget that had a deficit unless the monies recorded in the deficit were to be used for emergency work. “I am not willing to dispose of the budget because it is a deficit, I cannot assent to it, because what the deficit will be used for is not clearly stated,” the Minister said.

He noted too that there were some provisions in the budget for local government elections, among other things, which should not be in the budget for the City Council. Whittaker further indicated that his staff is currently going through the Council’s budget. He said City Council officials should expect an official response from the Ministry by this afternoon.

Town Clerk Carol Sooba had also expressed the view that the budget has allocations for some things that should not be provided for under the City Council. The revised budget proposal was presented to the local government minister for approval a few weeks ago.

The first budget, which was presented to the City Council in November 2013, was not approved by the Council. It had objected to the budget, citing that the Finance Committee did not take into consideration various issues that were indicated as being pertinent to the effective functioning of the Council. Among the issues were the upgrade and rehabilitation of all municipal departments and funds for the daily cleaning of the city. Councillors also looked at the Council’s liabilities, making special reference to the M&CC’s huge Guyana Power and Light (GPL) deficit, which has caused some concern over the years, among other expenses.

News

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wednesDay, february 26, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, February 26 – 14:30h-16:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, February 26 – 14:05h-15:35h

WEATHER TODAY

Countrywide: Thundery showers can be expected during the day with partly cloudy conditions in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East north-easterly between 2.5 metres and 2.77 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:03h and 14:26h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.54 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:57h and 20:3h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

saturday, february 22, 2014

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

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Commissioners sworn in to probe Rodney’s death A

three-member Commission was on Tuesday sworn in at the Office of the President to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the late co-founder of The Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney, who was killed when a bomb exploded in the car in which he was sitting 33 years ago.

Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham has been appointed Chairman of the Commission by President Donald Ramotar. He will serve alongside Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown, and Guyanese-Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam. They took their oath before the Head of State and a few Cabinet members, including Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

President Ramotar said the decision to establish the commission was taken, after family members of the late politician and historian approached him. He hopes the findings will put all suspicions to rest. Commission Chairman Cheltenham, addressing reporters, explained that he was unable at the time to determine when the inquiry will begin; however, some 100 witnesses are expected to testify before the Commission.

“It is too early for me to indicate precisely when we will start, we have a long meeting with the secretariat tomorrow (today) which was established since July last year, and they will advise on how ready they are in the process of evidence gathering and how many witness statements they have already prepared and if not, how soon they are likely to have enough prepared that so we could start the inquiry”, he said.

President Donald Ramotar and newly sworn-in Commissioners, Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam (left), Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham and Queen’s Counsel, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown

Cheltenham said he was unaware of how long the inquiry will take, but he stressed that the sessions will be opened to the public.

Now that the Commission has been established, Cheltenham hopes that those witnesses who have awaited its establishment will now come forward so that the process could be completed in a timely manner.

There have been many calls by persons, both in and out of Guyana for the speedy establishment of the Commission of Inquiry.

The announcement was first made last year by President Ramotar, while he addressed a Guyanese gathering in the United States.

Subsequent to the swearing in, the Commissioners met with Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell; Chief-of-Staff of

the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips; and members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

Dr Rodney was 39 years old when a bomb exploded in his lap on June 13, 1980.

Reports are that an ex army sergeant, Gregory Smith, planted the bomb that killed the political leader. The then electronics expert, who was using the pseudonym Cyril Johnson, was accused of giving Rodney a walkie –talkie (in which the bomb was concealed) to test on Camp Street, Georgetown outside the metal fence of the Georgetown Prison. It exploded on his lap while he was seated in the car driven by his brother Donald.

The Guyana Defence Force had denied that Smith was a serving member of the army until a local paper published his photograph

with him dressed in military clothing. Smith, who then fled to French Guiana, said he would have returned to Guyana for a trial or inquiry only if amnesty had been granted. However, France does not extradite persons to their native country where they possibly face the death penalty in the case of a conviction. Smith died 10 years ago.

There have been claims also that Dr Rodney’s assassination was set up by the Forbes Burnham administration, which Rodney had strongly opposed. However, Burnham’s party, the People’s National Congress (PNC) had denied orchestrating the bomb blast.

There have been widespread accusations and fingerpointing over the years, thus the call for the Commission of Inquiry.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 26, 2014

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

Editorial

Post-Mash garbage

M

ashramani 2014 has come and gone, but the lingering problem of piles of garbage littering the streets of the capital city has remained and would require considerable attention from all stakeholders for it to be addressed in the near future.

The eyesore evident on the streets on Monday, as unfortunate as it may look, has become the norm for many, if not all Georgetown citizens, following the grand Mash tramp. Notwithstanding the numerous calls from practically all sections of society to stop the littering, revellers and party goers seem to pay little heed to this clarion call that has been sounded ad nauseam.

One can only wonder what is the purpose for revising the anti-littering laws when clearly its implementation appears to be a gross intransience.

Poor implementation aside, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), from all indications, has no plan to address the post-Mash debacle, a problem that has been happening year after year.

From the years of observing this problem, the City Council seems unmoved, in fact, quite relaxed to watch things slide and, at their statutory meetings, play the blame game. Days before Mashramani, Town Clerk Carol Sooba had announced an increase in prices for vending spots, contending that the money garnered will go towards the after Mash clean up.

To her credit, significant work was done to clear the streets of bottles and food boxes, but little or no effort was made to clear the litter-filled drains.

One can only hope and pray that the heavens hold, as a heavy downpour will compound the already challenged drainage and irrigation systems in the city.

The move by the Town Clerk, though not perfect, is commendable, as it shows at least some level of effort is being made to address the age-old problem. But this is a superficial approach to the issue; City Hall needs to implement the revised Environmental Protection (Litter Enforcement) Regulations 2013, which provide for the fining of litterbugs $50,000, whether they dispose of their refuse in public places or through their vehicles.

Policing the streets on Mashramani Day for litterbugs would be an enormous challenge, but the financiallyretarded City Hall should have at least partnered with the private sector, to have more bins at usually crowded locations, and commence a robust anti-littering campaign months before the national celebrations.

Mashramani aside, City Hall needs to put its court that handles these matters to full use, and stop paying lip service to the problem.

This can be the beginning of a sterling effort to end the culture of littering, which appears to a problem steep in the psyche of some sections of the citizenry.

Also, while at the end of the day City Hall, the custodian of the city, will bear the brunt of the blame for the unsavoury sight of the city, all have a role play to make Georgetown a place all Guyanese can be proud of. And this requires citizens taking responsibility, firstly to keep their environments clean and, secondly, hold city officials accountable for the proper discharge of their duties.

It is time for the culture of littering and the often negligence of city officials to act in the best interest of the city to stop. Perhaps, the unsightly streets of Georgetown, even when there is no Mashramani, is a reflection of how some citizens view the authorities at City Hall.

Sad to say, littering is not the only problem affecting the city. City Hall has been plagued by corruption and constant bickering between council members, while its citizens and the city continue to be neglected. As it stands now, local government elections seem to be the only solution to their suffering.

On a brighter note, but not involving City Hall, Mashramani 2014 was by and large an almost incident-free celebration. It is now for City Hall and its citizenry to ensure a litter-free Mash 2015 and make the saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, an integral part of their culture.

The eastern section of the St George's Cathedral – the world’s tallest wooden building – undergoes repair works (Carl Croker photo)

APNU, GPSU attack on senior public servants disgusting Dear Editor, I read with disgust an article in another section of the media earlier this year, which reported on A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon and Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) President Patrick Yarde attacking senior public servants Clyde Roopchand and Clement Sealey, and former ministers and functionaries in the Local Government Ministry Clinton Collymore and Harripersaud Nokta.

I am aware of the yeoman service of Collymore and Nokta in Parliament, local government and hinterland development.

Nokta is someone who is held in high regard

by many Guyanese and even some in the People’s National Congress (PNC) for his intimate knowledge of Guyana’s interior and work among the Amerindians.

What I am more familiar with is the years of dedicated service to our country by Roopchand and Sealey, who have, and still today, continue to make major contributions to the development of our country by lending their considerable experience and expertise to the Finance Ministry and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

These gentlemen have made their mark in helping to move our country forward and have been truly professional pub-

lic servants through the PNC and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) governments, to the point where some have even accused them of having political alignments, when they were only carrying out their professional duties.

It was therefore distasteful when, only a few hours after APNU Leader David Granger, in his New Year’s message spoke about 2014 being the “year for workers” and his wish that in 2014 “we all work together towards providing a good life for all Guyanese” to see an article attributing these attacks on two senior Guyanese professionals and public servants.

Isn’t it ironic that Granger gives a magnan-

imous speech on championing workers’ rights, but Yarde and Joe Harmon make utterances to the contrary?

Yarde and Harmon cannot even stand in the same intellectual and professional space as Roopchand and Sealey, much less be compared. There is a saying that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Perhaps an examination needs to be made of Yarde and Harmon and the role they have played in Guyana’s history and development. It would indeed be revealing and would make for interesting reading I am sure.

Yours sincerely, Collis Smith

Do not encourage any form of discrimination Dear Editor, Guyana, like many other countries, has numerous concerns as it relates to sex workers and the general risk that they put themselves at on a daily basis. Not so long ago, a 19-year-old sex worker was murdered in Georgetown. Just recently again, a 34-year-old sex worker from Port Mourant was beaten to death.

The individual was said to be a nice person, but his sexual orientation was not accepted by many, inclu-

sive of his family, his father in particular.

While the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is currently addressing the issue of accepting homosexuality, most countries already have laws governing this matter in place.

In today’s world, the calibre of people and personalities that we encounter varies greatly and we need to be mature enough to accommodate and accept them. No one should be discriminated for who they

are; they should be allowed to live their lives free of judgment and prejudice.

Additionally, with the 21st century brings many changes, some of which the older adults are having a hard time grasping, because of the way they were brought up. Children from this era are a lot more developed and are more likely to experiment in life earlier than their parents would have in their time. We must learn to appreciate the changing world.

Individuality, wheth-

er it exhibits sexual orientation, religion or race, should not be discriminated. As people, we cannot allow our opinions to climax to a point where injuring and killing others becomes the solution.

As Guyanese, we must exhibit the liberty to live freely regardless of our sexual orientation. We should not encourage any form of discrimination.

Sincerely, Marcia Culpepper

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 26, 2014

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

Cooperate for justice Dear Editor On February 20, I was shocked, angry and upset when I heard that my friend Briglall Persaud, aka “B-Boy”, was robbed and murdered by criminals at approximately 08:00h on the busy Lombard Street, Georgetown as he was heading to seek his legitimate livelihood for his loved ones.

I knew “B-Boy” for over 20 years and I am not aware of anything unscrupulous about him. He was an honest, friendly, peaceful, caring and loving gentleman; he was loved by everyone whom he became acquainted with. What a

tragic loss to his family, friends and the fraternity of America Street!

How much longer are the people of this country going to endure these criminals and their barbaric practice? Good guys are losing their lives and their wives, children and family members are left to suffer, while many in the society do not seem to care.

We all need to take a stand and cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to bring these criminal elements to face the full force of the law. I am of the opinion that if we remain silent and withhold information, very soon we may

be their next target and victims.

I hope that professionalism and good sense will prevail during the investigation of the robbery and the murder of Persaud. We all need to work together to build a better society and ultimately a better country.

My family and staff extend our sympathy to the bereaved wife, children and friends of Persaud.

May God – the Almighty – have mercy upon Persaud and may his family be comforted by this goodness.

So sorry!

Nazar Mohamed

The one-seat majority has placed tremendous responsibility on the opposition Dear Editor, On the first day of 2014, I read all of the messages from the political parties, but what stood out for me was the message from Brigadier (retired) David Granger, leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Opposition Leader.

Granger’s message was focused on 2014 being the “year for workers” and he spoke of the challenges workers faced in 2013 and his wish that in 2014 “we all work together towards providing a good life for all Guyanese”.

As I reflected on Granger’s words and as a public servant myself, I could relate to some of the challenges, that workers face – the need for better labour relations, better remuneration, more jobs, better working conditions, and improved social services.

No doubt these were the very issues Granger and his coalition of parties in APNU campaigned on in 2011 and were successful for the first time in our country’s history to secure a combined opposition majority in Parliament.

As a non-political person, I was concerned about how this would work, and whether the combined opposition – APNU and Alliance for Change (AFC) – would be able to put aside the political baggage of the People’s National Congress (PNC) era and political bitterness to work with the government to “put Guyana first” and to really “champion worker’s rights”.

Sadly, after two years of watching the charade in Parliament, and the rhetoric from the opposition politicians, I am very disillusioned about Guyana’s future. I ask myself, have APNU and AFC done enough work with the government to provide a good life for all Guyanese and to champion workers rights?

In my view, the answer to this question is a disappointing “no”. I cannot help but ask Granger the following questions: How can Granger talk about creating job opportunities for Guyanese when he and his party voted down projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project that will create employment for Guyanese?

How can Granger talk about improving social services for Guyanese when he and his party voted down projects such as the Specialty Hospital, hinterland airstrips, and improving the Cheddi Jagan International Airport?

How can Granger talk about caring for workers' rights when he and his party deliberately and vindictively cut budgets of key government entities such as the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA)?

Spare a thought for those employees and their families! Did Granger think of what kind of Christmas they would have had? Didn’t he think that some of them may have been his supporters as well, or is it because

they work for government, that this makes them all anti-opposition and proPeople’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)?

How can Granger talk about working for a good life for all Guyanese, when he and his party are subtly sending political messages to public servants in ministries and agencies to frustrate the implementation of government projects that would benefit all Guyanese?

For two successive years, we have seen the opposition parties spearhead the cutting of Guyana’s budget. This is unprecedented in our country as we have become accustomed to the opposition lobbying for government to allocate more funds for development initiatives. We are approaching the 2014 budget; will it be a repeat of the cuts?

Granger should remember that the one-seat majority has placed tremendous responsibility on him. His actions, and not the government’s alone, determine if our country moves forward, or if we bring undue hardship to Guyanese people.

Granger has been part of a party, the PNC, that took our country backward.

Will history be repeating itself? Granger and his party will be judged not by the magnanimous speeches he makes at the beginning of the year, but by his actions thereafter.

Only time will tell, the ball is in his court.

Yours sincerely, Christopher Persaud

I am no opportunist and was never promised any position by the PPP/C Dear Editor, I read a letter in another section of the press on February 23 under the headline, “Is Peter Persaud still the leader of The United Force?”

I am not the leader of The United Force (TUF), but was identified and selected by the party’s executive committee to be its presidential candidate for the November 2011 general and regional elections.

TUF is monitoring Guyana’s current political situation and is on the ground meeting with its members and supporters.

Because of a court matter against the TUF in the runup to the 2011 elections, the party had actually taken about three weeks to conduct elections campaigning in the length and breadth of Guyana.

This resulted in our poor performance but nevertheless, the TUF was able to capture two regional seats, in Regions Eight and Nine.

TUF is quietly waiting for the right time to launch its public political campaign.

The letter stated that the

writer has been seeing many letters in the press written by me, and that I am always supporting everything that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) does.

This is based on the indisputable fact that the PPP/C government, in my view, is superbly managing the social and economic affairs of Guyana, where there is sustained economic growth, despite global financial challenges.

In this regard, I will definitely publicly condemn opposition parties and their agents who want Guyana to return to darkness and misery, as under the People’s National Congress (PNC) prior to 1992. And I will contribute my energies to ensure that this never happens again.

The letter also claimed that I did not get a position that I was promised, so I now have to write for my “supper”, and that I was “set up” by the PPP/C. I would like to inform the writer that I am no opportunist and was never promised any position by the PPP/C government.

Also, I was not interest-

ed in any position and, further, I was never set up by the PPP/C. My presidential candidacy in the 2011 elections for the TUF was based on my own free will and I was chosen by TUF’s executive committee. Yes, I write against anti-government rubbish in the media and I am not paid by the PPP/C. The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) is a dynamic body and has a membership.

We get calls from the hinterland Amerindian communities to address problems, concerns and grievances.

At the moment, I am making preparations for a visit to the North West region where my presence is wanted in six Amerindian communities.

Finally, I am a real person and everyone knows who Peter Persaud is and what my views are. Do we know who is this writer and is he/ she willing to reveal their true identity? It does not seem so as I believe this writer is using a pseudonym.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

What is character education? character – is what goes into giving you a reputation, whether positive or negative.

BY ANNIE ZAIDI

A

Understanding character

lot of times, we hear people talk about someone as a man of character. Other times, someone might be described as an unreliable character. Sometimes, we hear them referred to as quite a character!

When people begin to talk about character, there could be a dozen different shades to their tone. They might be sounding impressed, awed, disgusted, frightened, amused, bemused or a combination of these reactions.

What exactly is character?

The dictionary would tell you that it is, basically, an attribute or a quality that defines a person. This means that you are defined by a certain set of habits, qualities or attitudes and these form the basis upon which you character is judged.

Character can have positive or negative associations. For instance, when someone is called a man of character, the unsaid adjective is a positive one. It means that he is ethically and morally upright and can be trusted.

When someone is just a character, it means that he is unique. He could be funny, awkward, interesting or ridiculous. But he has a strong

Building character

distinctive personality that sets him apart from others.

Every attribute of you goes into the building of your character. If someone were to describe you as a character, they would take into consideration all aspects of your personality, including your physical appearance, your social habits, your psychological reactions and other people’s perception of your strengths. In fact, the last aspect – other people’s perceptions of you

Peer pressure is all about being forced into a certain way of living, dressing, talking, socialising and even thinking – simply because that is how everyone else you know behaves, dresses, talks, socialises and thinks.

This is common among people who generally mix with people their own age. And mind you, this is definitely not restricted to youngsters.

People across all age groups are subject to peer pressure. An office-worker is subject to as much pressure from his or her peers as a young college student.

All of us wish to gain and retain the respect and admiration of our peers. After all, we have to believe that others are our equals before we want to impress them. And if we cannot win their approval, we struggle to ensure that we don’t face their disapproval or ridicule either.

It can be terribly painful to watch a peer humiliating us or even speaking negatively about us.

The matter of peer pressure becomes particularly difficult for youngsters because, thanks to the demands of education, they spend

almost ninety per cent of their waking hours with their peers. And they rarely have the choice of not mixing with those particular peers.

Young people can be often blunt and insensitive in their dealings with each other. And they are very quick to notice differences of habit, dress and social behaviour. As a result, you might be compelled to buy the latest fashions in clothes and accessories. Because everyone else does the same regardless of cost or comfort. You might end up reading what they read, watching the same television programmes and movies that others watch and using the same language that they use.

Because, otherwise, you feel left out of all the conversation. You might end up staying out late at night or eating out all the time, simply because that is what the others do, regardless of whether you can afford to or not.

The best way to counter peer pressure is to select your friends very carefully. Preferably, your friends should be in a mixed group of people. That keeps everyone rooted and more tolerant of differences.

The second is to muster your courage and to tell people to mind their own business, if and when they begin to interfere with your life.

Sure, a few people may be offended.

But they will also learn to be less offensive themselves, in future.

And most importantly, you have to remember that you are an individual and a unique one. And your decisions to eat, drink, dress, talk, go out, read or think are your own.

If others do not share these interests or habits, too bad. Let your peers and friends catch up with you. If they can’t, find new friends. (Indianchild.

com)

Preparing for elocution competitions

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hile preparing for an elocution competition, it is very important to organise well. There are several factors which are adjudged during a competition. It is a culmination of voice quality, speech content and the delivery standards. The people who are judging are very much influential and have deep knowledge of the topic.

The topic has to be correctly understood. The topics can range from environment issues; global warming and women related issues to simple topics like playground playing, festivals or similar ones.

Once the date is decided, you must make adequate preparations so that there is no clash of priorities. The child must be at ease. A topic like save water sounds easy but can go up a very high level. Whatever the content, the essence must be a simple message that does not lose focus.

Getting the speech written by a good writer is essential. This is imperative so that the flow of thought is uninterrupted.

Moreover, practise sessions are indeed essential. Once the topic is clearly understood, it must be important to go through finer details.

Knowing the platform is again good. Inter school competitions depend on the age and maturity of the child. The topic is a choice given to the students. Generally for a competition the topic is similar. This is to evidently bring out the best essay and eloquence.

While participating, the winning idea must not be the main aim.

This is a ground to understand and realise. Once the children are exposed to various levels of competitions, it is important to let them rehearse well. The topics go from easy ones to other issues at the international level.

The phrases or sentences must have a very strong impact.

Eloquence also means in expressing the right punctuations.

The punches must be actually felt by the public. The electronic representation of the same speech certainly lends a different voice quality. It is best to consider this form of practising and hence using the mike is recommended.

There are several eminent speakers who speak easily and noticing their body language helps us to know more about style and composure.

Once the confidence on stage is high, it is good to improve other grounds. The uniqueness in the style of eloquence comes with years of experience. There rendition technique is learnt by the constant correction of a good teacher. There are several classes on elocution or public speaking which is good if you suffer from stage fear. The classes offer sessions that negate your fear, stage factor and apprehensions.

The neutralisation of accent is another viewpoint of the classes which is brought well in each session.

It is interesting to note that while speaking during extempore speeches, the confidence is highlighted with the nodding consent of the interested audience. Taking cue from the same, the speaker can highlight a particular point and use a good vocabulary to impress his matter.

The highlight of any elocution is the beginning and summary.

(Indianchild.com)

news

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wednesDay, february 26, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C, PNCR trade blame on past and current crimes T

he ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and their long-time foe, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Tuesday traded blame on a series of past and current crimes.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee started the blame game when early in the day he called out leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger on statements he made regarding consultations on the 2014 budget.

Rohee was at the time reading a statement at the party’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, during which he spoke about Granger’s meeting with senior military officials of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) earlier this month.

Granger had pledged his support to the army on its budget allocations and to combat the fight against narco-trafficking in light of Guyana being linked to the Italian drug mafia.

According to Rohee, the statements made by the opposition leader seem to be in contrast with the APNU’s refusal to engage government on consultations on the 2014 budget estimates.

Discussions “One is left to wonder whether the discussions with the army top brass is intended to be a back door attempt by Granger to preempt and influence the budgetary allocations to the army, having regard to his public utterances regarding his party’s support for the army’s allocation during the forthcoming budget debates,” he stated.

The general secretary questioned the reason for the Opposition Leader meeting with senior army personnel under the pretext of national security concerns when his party, when in the National Assembly, he is desperately trying to undermine the efforts of the PPP/C administration to put legislative and administrative measures in place to protect the integrity of the country and its people.

Rohee noted that given APNU’s constant attacks on the work of the Joint Services, Granger’s statements are all the more intriguing if not hollow.

“One is left to wonder whether it is the same David Granger whose party was highly critical of the GDF on a range of issues, including the unwarranted and unsubstantiated

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

attacks on the role of the army in the Lindo Creek Massacre and alleged links to criminal elements which resulted in the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica,” he said, while adding “It is hoped that Mr Granger in his conversation with the chief-of-staff would have informed about his role in the hijacking of ballot boxes during his tenure as a member of the army’s top brass and about his involvement/non-involvement in the cold-blooded murder of two young Guyanese in Corentyne during the seizure of ballot boxes.”

Rohee went on to accuse Granger, along with APNU shadow home affairs minister Joseph Harmon, of providing intelligence to the People’s National Congress (PNC) to oppress and suppress the political opposition during the BurnhamHoyte era.

He also pointed out that the opposition leader should substantiate to the chief-of-staff the basis for his conclusion that the metal shark boats provided to the army under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) pro-

gramme were unsuitable for its intended purposes.

The PPP/C general secretary, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, noted that in his talks with the military, he hopes that Granger articulated to the chief-of-staff his plans to address the fight against narco-trafficking, given his manifest lack of familiarity with the Joint Task Force’s activities and initiatives.

Rohee further alleged that Granger had in his APNU delegation during the meeting a former police commissioner, who had undermined the country’s security by his close relationship with a known drug trafficker and his attempts to conspire to place drugs in the suitcase of an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Questioned by the media about the validity of his allegations against the opposition, Rohee reminded of the content on a tape which was circulated widely.

Scandalous The People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) responding to Rohee, said his allegations are untrue.

“The PNCR strongly condemns the statements that have been attributed to Clement Rohee.... It is a total fabrication that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has ‘constantly’ attacked the Joint Services. What is true is our criticism of and lack of confidence in James Clement Rohee and his total incompetence and wilful neglect of the security sector of this nation.”

The PNCR also denied Rohee’s assertion regarding Granger’s involvement in hijacking ballot boxes and the death of two Guyanese during the 1973 general elections.

In November 2011, Brigadier Granger had stated: “I was not the commander of the Guyana Defence Force (in 1973). I was not at the scene of any shooting. I never shot anyone.” Further, there was a Commission of Inquiry coordinated by the Honourable Justice Dhanessar Jhappan that looked into the shooting at Number 64 Village during the 1973 General Elections.”

Gutter politics The PNCR said it sees this type of “gutter politics by the PPP/C as an attempt to divert the attention of the people of Guyana from the party’s incompetence and lack of vision for this nation and the plight and struggles of the average working men and women of this nation”.

It added: “The PNCR calls attention to the fact that while Rohee peddles his disinformation and propaganda, the vital security sector, which is his remit, cries out for competent leadership.”

Missing teen back in mother’s care

Myria Alana Ashby

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yria Alana Ashby, 13, who went missing last Monday evening has been found and is back in the care of her mother, thanks to the effort of a kindhearted Guyanese.

The teen’s mother Colleen Johnson told Guyana Times that she received a call on Saturday evening from a kind man after he saw a report on the Evening News.

The mother said she was told that her daughter was at a location in Linden, and should retrieve her without much delay.

Johnson said on receiving the news, she called her husband who was in the backdam to accompany her to the location in Linden, and noted that when she got there, she found her daughter in a house with a woman with

whom she did not know.

The mother said on seeing her daughter, she ran and embraced her as they both wept.

Johnson said her daughter was held against her will by a young man who is now in the interior. According to the mother, her daughter was physically, emotionally and mentally abused by the young man.

The man reportedly took the young lady to Linden on Saturday morning and asked his mother to watch over her, while he is at his mining camp. He reportedly told his mother that he will return for Myria in a few days.

However, he has not yet returned.

Johnson said she has made another report at the Brickdam Police Station, and the police have promised to locate the young man and question him.

It is believed that the girl would have been trafficked to the interior for prostitution.

Last Monday evening, Ashby went missing from her aunt, who resides at 42 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

The joyful mother thanked Guyana Times and the Evening News for publicising her plight and the general public for their support in helping to locate her daughter.

8 News

wednesday, february 26, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Cosmetologist remanded for trafficking in cocaine

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woman appeared in court on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for the possession of cocaine.

Teshana Edwards of Lot 2 Victoria Road, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, a self employed cosmetologist, pleaded not

guilty to the charge after it was alleged that early Sunday morning (February 23), the accused had in her possession 2.092 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Oswald Messiah stated that the defendant recently applied to work for (CANU) he also noted from statements received,

that on the day in question, the accused and her two-and-a-half- month old child were about to board flight OJ 150-121 destined for the U.S.A. when ranks of CANU noticed an unusual substance in two bottles of what appeared to be crème liquor. A test was conducted and the narcotic was found, since both seals were broken on the bottles.

The defendant was subsequently arrested and the child was taken to a relative at the defendant’s request. Massiah objected to bail due to the nature of the offence. Bail was refused by the Chief Magistrate.

The defendant is expected to make another court appearance on February 28 at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

Bus conductor gets bail for simple larceny

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n Tuesday, a minibus conductor appeared in court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for simple Larceny.

Yaukana Affiabo, 24,

of Lot E half Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on Friday, February 21 on Louisa Row, he stole from the person of Marlon Martin two gold chains valued

$250,000.

The accused stated that he had two previous cases brought to the courts against him and he was convicted for both. The defendant was represented

by Attorney Paul FungA-Fat who pleaded with

the Chief Magistrate to grant the defendant bail in a reasonable sum. Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000. The accused is expected to make another court appearance on March 21.

Teen on bail for possession of marijuana

A

17-year-old fisherman of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant on the Corentyne made his first court appearance on Tuesday before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

Jairam Singh pleaded not guilty to the charge which states that on February 24 at his home, he had four grams of cannabis in his possession.

Attorney Ryan Crawford represented the accused and while making an application for reasonable bail, told the court that his client was severely beaten by six police officers who were apparently under the influence of alcohol. The attorney noted that his client was at home when the officers arrived without a search warrant and hit the teen’s mother before entering the house

without informing the occupants what they were searching for. “I was informed by my client that he was... beaten by the six officers who came from Whim Police Station to search his home” he said.

Meanwhile the prosecution’s case stated that on the day in question, at about 06:30h, police were on mobile patrol when the defendant was seen in a pig farm acting in a suspicious manner. As a re-

sult, a search was carried out on the accused during which one ziplock transparent plastic bag and a piece of aluminium foil paper were found on his person containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The accused was told of the suspicion, cautioned and he remained silent.

Singh was later taken to the Whim Police Station along with the suspected cannabis where it was weighed in his presence and amounted to four grams and as a result, he was placed in custody and later charged.

After hearing the case, the Magistrate placed the accused on $30,000 bail which was later reduced to $20,000 after the attorney requested a reduction. The matter was then transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court where Singh will make his next court appearance on April 7 for trial.

Eyew tness “Cut rass”...

T

...for AFC o a hammer, everything is a nail. Hammers just can’t help it – they’ve been forged and shaped to hit nails. It’s the same with some people – their own experiences have so shaped their perspective, they just can’t see anything else. So for the AFC, no matter what the government does – they’re stealing!!

What else can you expect from a bunch that even their supporters call “Anything For Cash”?

So when they announce they’re not signing on to the AML/CFT Bill because they want the government to first launch the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), behind all their huffing and puffing, they’re really accusing the government of planning to thief.

Knowing how barefacedly they’ve been pilfering from the donations they received from New York and elsewhere (read again why their New York group closed shop), they want to wipe their “doo doo” on the government’s behind.

Now tell me for goodness sake: how can the government steal from the awards of contracts when all they’re insisting on, is to be able to object or not to the awarding of a particular contract? Since they’re the ones initiating all projects being executed for programmes, shouldn’t they have a say – if they have reasons, for instance, to doubt the credentials of a contractor OK’d by the Tender Board?

It’s not like they’re going to be suggesting, much less ordering, the Tender Board to give the contract to any particular company. What the AFC is insisting on is a pound of flesh as political blackmail – that’s what’s going on. They know that the government doesn’t want our financial affairs and institutions to be placed on a global blacklist. Unlike the APNU, which has tried to disguise its blackmailing by placing new conditions on the table at every step – the AFC is shamelessly declaring that they have no problem with the Bill.

They just want their ransom.

Pressed against the wall after the representative from the CFATF explained that the new clauses were all suggestions from them and not inserted by the government for some nefarious reason (as claimed by APNU) the AFC is trying to weasel out by claiming if they don’t sink the Bill, their supporters will give them a “cut ass”. First of all, the expression is actually “cut rass”.

And secondly, after the sanctions they’ve caused to be imposed on us, kick in, their supporters will give them a real “cut rass” at the next elections.

If for nothing else than their remittances would have been clipped. ...for ganja smuggling Jamaica just announced they’ll be legalising marijuana within a year. We can just hear a collective sigh across the world as the thought of smoking spliffs of that good old, Jamaican Gold, can be done in the open. Without devotees being thrown into the slammer. While, like Bill Clinton, your humble Eyewitness has smoked ganja but has never inhaled, he has been assured by aficionados of the herb, that the Jamaican stuff is literally the gold standard.

Jamaica simultaneously announced they’ll be exploring the expansion of Sea Island cotton – to the tune of 5000 acres. They don’t need to. If they can put the equivalent acreage into ganja, all their financial woes will be over. And it won’t just be from the sales of the sacred herb: they’ll be overrun by hordes of tourists seeking bliss. Think of it: both the agricultural and tourism industries will be booming once again!!

But since we’re cracking down on growing marijuana here, does this mean Jamaica won’t be able to ship some of that ganja here? We’re Caricom, no? ...for the EU on Ukraine It’s said that sometimes you have to be careful you don’t get what you wish for. Now that the Russianfriendly Yanukovytch has been ousted, let’s see how the EU and the U.S. will deal with the US$20 billion needed to bail out their proxies.

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wednesDay, february 26, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

woman CFATF not worried by new Businessman, caught with over AML amendments – APNU 5kg of marijuana

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Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is now contending that Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) official never indicated that amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 could make Guyana noncompliant.

During two separate interviews with Guyana Times, both APNU Chairman, Opposition Leader David Granger and APNU Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge refuted reports that CFATF Financial Adviser Roger Hernandez had said that the proposed amendments to the principal act could put Guyana at risk of being noncompliant with international standards. “The APNU-proposed amendments were never discussed,” Greenidge told this publication on Tuesday.

Hernandez had met with members of the AML/ CFT special select committee last Friday in the presence of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman. But the committee’s chairperson, Gail Teixeira said APNU members have convenient memories, in this instance.

Subsequent to the meeting with the special select committee members at Parliament Building, Hernandez said while CFATF does not get directly involved in the legisla-

APNU Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge

APNU Chairman, Opposition Leader David Granger

tive process, it has concerns about some of the amendments proposed. “The concern that we have is that the amendments that were put forward may make those that were formerly compliant, noncompliant. There is a risk with that,” he said.

lion and jewellery by the police or customs, when found in the possession of citizens, once there are reasonable suspicions it is the proceeds of criminal enterprise.

Hernandez further pointed out that some of the other amendments proposed are outside the remit of the recommendations tabled by CFATF. “We have no opinion on those things, because we only deal specifically with the recommendations, it is up to the legislatures to decide about those particular measures.”

However, it was indicated that the AML/CFT Amendment Bill of 2013, which was drafted based on CFATF standards, is compliant with international standards.

Whenever the AML/CFT Amendment Bill is passed into law, official pronounce-

Concerns

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members have expressed concerns about APNU’s proposed amendments. The amendments are seeking to remove the power of the Finance Minister to appoint the director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and give it to An Anti-Money Laundering Authority comprising 10 members appointed by the House.

Additionally, APNU has also proposed the seizure of any sum of cash over $2 mil-

ments will be made after being analysed. At this stage, he said: “We can comment on draft bills that are submitted to us with the understanding that is not the final word of the CFATF, because draft bills are subject to change. So at this point in time I can’t make a comment with regards to those amendments.”

Today, the AML select committee will meet at Parliament Building to further discuss the Bill.

It is anticipated that the committee will report to the National Assembly on Thursday, paving the way for the Bill to be read for a second time. On February 28, Guyana is mandated to submit a report to CFATF as part of the follow-up process.

It was explained that in order for the bill to be considered by CFATF plenary, it has to be passed and enforced by February 28 and submitted with a report to CFATF. This is necessary for CFATF to analyse the Bill for compliance, paving the way for a report to be submitted to the plenary in May 2014.

Based on the report submitted to the plenary, CFATF will determine whether Guyana should be subject to further countermeasures or the country should be recommended to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for an International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) review.

T

he owner of Classic Cabs and a woman were on Tuesday remanded to prison after they were found with more than 4.55 kilogram (10 pounds) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking at a house in Campbellville, Georgetown.

Gavin Williams of Kitty and Amrita Persaud of Seafort Street, Campbellville were remanded by Magistrate Fabayo Azore when they appeared in Court Five of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They will make their next court appearance on March 19.

According to information received, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), acting on a tip, followed the taxi service owner to a house

rented by Persaud and her husband.

The ranks allowed the man to enter the house and then entered the property.

At the time of the incident, Persaud’s husband was also in the house.

Reports indicate that Persaud had the bag containing the marijuana and told officials that she was doing the 'business' to offset her husband’s medical expenses.

Her husband, she claimed, suffered a medical complication and she was assisting him to pay the bills.

The three were taken into the custody of CANU where they were further interrogated, which led to charges being instituted.

Faulty feeders cause three-hour blackout in city

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everal areas in Georgetown were affected by blackout on Monday when two faulty feeders of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc exploded in the city.

In a statement, GPL said at approximately 12:39h, burnt jumpers on two main distribution feeders (F8 & F9) caused a disruption in power supply to sections of

Georgetown. GPL engineers worked to rectify the issues encountered and power was restored to all affected areas at 16:10h.

The areas affected were: Alberttown, Croal Street, Bourda, Woolford Avenue, Kitty/ Campbellville, and Prasad Nagar.

GPL extends sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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wednesday, february 26, 2014

News

PSC holds talks with Commissioner of Information

Mental Processing

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Commissioner of Information Justice Charles Ramson meets with members of the Private Sector Commission

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday held talks with Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson to seek clarity on the work of the body which will facilitate Guyana’s Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation.

According to a statement

by Ramson’s office, he was able to establish that the Access to Information Act 2011 created a statutory partnership with the various organs of the State and its agencies, conferring upon members of the public, including non-governmental agencies, such as the PSC, the right of access to information generated after July 2, 2013 when the act became

operational.

He said his office was made the “clearing house” for access to information where public authorities did not meet with the minimum of their obligations imposed on them to provide adequate responses to request for information. Upon conclusion of the fruitful meeting, Justice Ramson undertook to participate in outreach engagements to sensitise the public about their rights and operations of his office.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, Ramson, a retired Appeal Court judge, said they have been making a lot of progress, but it takes time, because it is such a new dispensation. He said no request for informa-

tion has yet been received by his office. The commissioner said nothing like this existed before and the ministries are not prevented from giving information to the public. Rather, the FOI Act, which was passed in September 2011, has added a next tier, where the commission is responsible for ensuring that those agencies deal fairly with requests from members of the public.

Statutory partnership

Justice Ramson told Guyana Times he is of the belief that persons responsible for supplying the commission with information are not aware of the statutory partnership created by the act. He explained that

the President has the power to remove him from office based on the same laws that govern the removal of a judge from his seat.

Basically, he can only be removed from office for wrongdoing or a legal conviction.

It was further noted that the commission only received, a few days ago, a copy of an electronic disk for work to be done. However, this information was requested since August. Asked about whether there are provisions for educating the public about the work of the commission, Justice Ramson said the process has started and is likely to expand.

“Provision is made for that and I have the power to do so, but it must reach a stage where publication has been made in the Official Gazette and in a daily newspaper, so that the public can become aware that certain things are a prerequisite for an understanding of the act.”

Ramson, the immediate past former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, took the oath before President Donald Ramotar last year July.

atiricus was relieved beyond belief. Here it was for all these years − more years that he liked to think about – he’d been beating up on himself for being such a dummkopf. It had surfaced as far back as nursery school when he just couldn’t count from one to two – after a whole year. It wasn’t much different for the rest of his school life.

His mother had told him it wasn’t his fault. The nurse had dropped him on his head soon after he was born.

But amazingly hope now beats anew in his breast.

There it was in black and white in the yellow journalistic rag, the MuckrakerKN, that his problem was really “Mental Processing”!! And the report made sure Satiricus knew what was “mental processing”. This was “all things a person can do with their mind”. Right away, Satiricus knew this was some deep stuff. A person wasn’t just one person – he was many and that was why the article spoke of “their mind”.

Satiricus, a good student in Sunday School, remembered that some people contained “multitudes”.

So, Satiricus now knew, his problem wasn’t that he wasn’t smart or anything like that – he just wasn’t doing Mental Processing. The article had described how people committed suicide because they weren’t doing enough Mental Processing. So Satiricus figured if Mental Processing could solve the problem of suicide – it would be a cinch for his dumbness.

And Satiricus was happy the article described just how he could get to do Mental Processing. There was a University right here in Guyana, that could teach Mental Processing. The name of the University was the Merican University of Research and it even had its own acronym – MUOR. Imagine that – pretty soon he’d be a graduate of MUOR and be able to argue with people like Mook Lall and CN Sharna.

Satiricus was doubly impressed. All his life he had heard that universities did “research”. And as a reporter he’d heard people complain that UG didn’t do enough research.

But imagine here was a university that did nothing but research!!! “Wow!!” thought Satiricus, “Imagine going to a university like that!” He’d be doing research all the time – and on Mental Processing. He wouldn’t have to study any books, or snotty subjects like maths and such stuff.

All he had to do was throw back and do Mental Processing. Satiricus wondered if he could get a Masters Degree in Mental Processing if he concentrated all the time on Angelina Jolie. Or better yet, even a PhD if he just Mentally Processed her lips?

DPP holds training for prosecutors, magistrates

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he Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions recently hosted a workshop for magistrates, and state and police prosecutors attached to the chambers.

The discussion at the workshop focused on the issue of “Admissibility of Caution Statements”, oral and written, in summary trials, Preliminary lnquiries (Pls) and paper committals, a release by the DPP chambers said.

The workshop, which was held at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Officers’ Training Centre (OTC), was addressed by acting Chief Justice lan Chang and Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

Both Chang and George have

Director of Public Prosecutions Bibi Shalimar Ali-Hack

given decisions on this issue in the matters of the Police vs Kemrai Boohdoo and the Police vs Denis Persaud and Troy Green.

Director of Public

Prosecutions Bibi Shalimar Ali-Hack gave the opening remarks to the participants. The DPP explained that the workshop resulted from the fact that when police files are sent to her chambers for legal advice, she is sometimes faced with incomplete police investigations in relation to the issues arising in summary trials, Pls, and paper committals in relation to the taking of caution statements.

“Files have been causing me some problems to indict and so I have to send them back for further investigations and it is holding up the cases from being heard expeditiously,” the DPP explained.

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 26, 2014

of medical drugs, poor infrastructural Ministries Shortage works affecting Region 10 – Solomon probing two T cases of child labour he shortage of medical drugs at healthcare institutions and poor infrastructure works by some contractors are two major issues affecting Region 10, Chairman Sharma Solomon said.

He said the health concern was discussed at the region’s last statutory meeting, noting that the absence of a proper ambulance in Linden continues to be a problem for residents.

“The ambulances which were requested and are to be supplied by Beharry (company) are going to be weeks delayed. This is based on shipping problems. The region is very concerned and disappointed by that. We’ve also asked the administration to find ways of imposing penalties for the late supply of this very crucial piece of equipment,” he stated.

By Svetlana Marshall

T

he Labour Ministry in conjunction with the Education Ministry is currently investigating two cases of child labour.

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul made this disclosure during a recent interview with Guyana Times. He said approximately two weeks ago, a 14-year-old boy was discovered working on a sawmill on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two. While declining to disclose the name of the sawmill owner, the minister said the proprietor of the entity will be prosecuted.

A similar case of child labour was recently discovered on East Coast Demerara.

“Let this be a warning,” he said, noting that the ministry will prosecute anyone who employs a child.

Minister Gopaul said too that his Ministry has been working with the Education Ministry and regional officials in Region Two to clamp down on truancy, an issue of concern to the region.

“If we can get the children off of the streets, we will be able to curb child labour,” he said, adding that: “We believe that we must fight child labour at all cost and so we have heightened our campaign.”

In the first week of February, approximately 24 school aged children on the Essequibo Coast were nabbed during a truancy campaigned carried out by

Delay

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul

Region Two school welfare officials.

The children were caught loitering in the streets at Maria’s Lodge, Suddie and Riverstown. Of the 24 nabbed, 16 were males.

During the campaign, the regional officials pointed out that truancy was among factors hindering the school attendance rates in these areas. Another key factor was parents’ inability to finance their children’s education.

The Region Two Education Department has also issued a warning to employers about recruiting underage workers.

While there were several cases of truancy recorded in 2013, there was no case of child labour detected by the labour or education ministries.

Essequibo fisherman gets 21 months for several charges

S

atdyal Sankar, 32, of Bushlot Village on the Essequibo Coast was on Tuesday sentenced to 21 months in prison for simple larceny, damage to property and for break and enter.

The sentences were handed down to him when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Sankar received six months imprisonment for simple larceny; six months for break and enter; and nine months for damage to property.

He pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

According to the police report, on February 23,

Sankar stole one iPad valued $120,000, property of Robin Doobay of Cotton Field Village.

On February 17 and 18, Sankar reportedly broke and entered the shop of Roopnarine (only name given) bottles of and stole six Banko wine, six Banks Beer, 12 Guinness, eight Tampico and one DVD player.

Police also alleged on February 23, Sankar damaged the front right side window of a Pick-up belonging to Robin Doobay of Cotton Field Village.

Sankar, who was not represented by an attorney, told the court that he is single and did commit the acts. The stolen items were not recovered.

Solomon further stated that government has given Region 10 an ambulance procured by Ainlim, for use at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC); however, to date, Solomon related that it has not been commissioned, despite being present in the region.

He said the RDC is very disappointed as it is awaiting the availability of Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran to commission the ambulance. Solomon is calling on the minister to have the ambulance commissioned as soon as possible so that it can commence operations.

The shortage of medical drugs at health institutions continue to be a major health concern in Region 10, the regional chairman said, noting that steps are being taken at the level of the RDC to im-

Region10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

prove healthcare delivery.

“The Linden Hospital Complex, as well as hospitals around Region 10 -Kwakwani and the Upper Demerara Hospital -- along with health centres and medical centres throughout the region continue to be plagued by the shortage of drugs. It is a concern to the region. We are aware that many times persons are inquiring about certain drugs,” he said.

He opined that more suppliers should be given an opportunity to supply medical drugs so that an adequate supply of drugs can be made available.

Solomon also noted that the RDC is currently seeking assistance in upgrading healthcare delivery, more so in the areas of training and the enhancement of machinery/equipment. The upgrading of the trauma care room at the LHC is a priority of the RDC, he said.

The deplorable condition of the Linden to Kwakwani Road, Solomon stated is also an issue for the RDC. He said the road continues to deteri-

orate, especially during the inclement weather and residents who ply the route continue to voice their concerns to the RDC. “The region is very concerned that the road continues to not receive the attention that it deserves....

Interior road development is going to lead to the opening up of frontiers, which will allow for the expansion of different sectors, more so the agriculture and mining sectors, and also logging to a great extent.

"We know that in having the Linden to Kwakwani Road properly done, in fact the region will continue as we did in our meeting with the Minister of Public Works, to suggest that every year five miles of properly asphalted road must be done and at the end of a certain amount of years, we would have a continuous well done road.

The region continues to promote that initiative and remains very committed to ensuring that that road is done,” Solomon said.

Disappointed

He added: “People are very disappointed that to date, the Minister of Public Works and government who would have assured on September 5 (last) that residents would have received a very well done road by now, to date, that is not the case.

"In fact, the road is worse, especially the stretch between the Coomacka Mines area. Residents are becoming very annoyed and I would like to express to the Minister of Public Works that it is important to have these works done as soon as possible.”

The Region 10 chairman also related that the RDC

since last year was aware that monies were allotted to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in Region 10 for infrastructural works. These included koker doors, along the Burnham Drive Road at Wismar, Linden as well as canals and sluices and drainage and irrigation works in other areas such as West Watooka.

“To date, these works have not started, residents continue to suffer because of the absence of koker doors on Burnham Drive every time it rains or even at high tide... these contracts must be instituted,” he said.

Solomon disclosed that the RDC was ordered by the government to have some money returned. This, he said was made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary and Member of Parliament Neil Kumar.

“The monies that went back, one of the programmes that we had identified to be done for 2013, the release for payments for that work came in January 2014, which in itself is a payment made by the Ministry of Finance. So that would have delayed the starting of the works,” he added.

Nevertheless, the regional chairman said the RDC would have been very efficient in ensuring it utilises the amount requested, although it did not receive that amount.

Additionally, he pointed out that the contractor of Alternative Services has been holding up about four infrastructural works in Region 10, to the tune of $250 million, which is also a serious concern to the RDC. Solomon said that claims surrounding this issue were filed to the government.

12 news supports construction of Colonial Guyana stamp Digicel basketball court fence in Kwakwani to auction for US$10-20M S wednesday, february 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

otheby’s has valued the stamp, which was made under British rule in 1856 when a shipment of stamps from England was delayed, and will sell it on June 17.The British Guiana One Cent Magenta has broken a new record for the price of a single stamp the previous three times it was sold at auction since 1922 and has an incredible history.

Bought most recently by convicted murderer and American multimillionaire, John du Pont, it has not been seen in public since going on display at a stamp exhibition in Chicago in 1986.

David Redden, director of special projects and chairman of Sotheby’s books, said the stamp “was a magical object” and the definition of “unobtainable rarity and extraordinary value”.

In the mid-19th century, the postal service in Guyana depended on supplies of stamps being shipped from England. But when a consignment was delayed in 1856, the postmaster commissioned a contingency supply made locally by printers of the Royal Gazette newspaper.

The printers ran off one cent and four cent magentas and a four-cent blue. This British Guiana stamp is the sole-surviving example of the one cent magenta.

It was rediscovered in 1873 by L Vernon Vaughan,

Digicel staff working in Kwakwani

The British Guiana One Cent Magenta

a 12-year-old Scottish boy living with his family in British Guiana. A budding collector, Vaughan found the stamp among a group of family papers and added it to his album.

He later sold it to another collector for several shillings and the stamp eventually made its way to Britain in 1878.

It was then bought

by French Count Philippe la Renotiere von Ferrary, perhaps the greatest stamp collector in history, and later donated it to a museum in Berlin.

After World War I, France seized his collection as part of war reparations due from Germany and sold the stamp

in 1922 at auction to Arthur Hind, a textile magnate from New York.

Hind paid a then record $35,000 for the stamp. It sold for a second record of $280,000 in 1970 and was bought in 1980 by the late du Pont for a third record of $935,000.

It is being sold by his estate. The stamp will go on display at Sotheby’s in London, Hong Kong and New York before the auction.

Current day British Guiana is now Guyana, having won independence from Britain in 1966. It is 83,000 square miles, but relatively underpopulated with only about 700,000 people. (AFP- New

D

igicel as part of its seventh anniversary celebrations donated a quantity of material to the Kwakwani Interest Team after a request was made to build a fence around their basketball court.

Digicel in addition to supplying the material, lent support to this activity as a team of 15 Digicel employees journeyed to Kwakwani to assist in building the needed basketball fence.

Head of the Kwakwani Interest team and coach of the Junior Basketball Team, Anne Gordon emphasised that she could not be more

grateful for Digicel’s unwavering support.

“We appreciate everything that Digicel is doing for us here in Kwakwani especially in the line of basketball. The fence was really needed and Digicel has always supported us and we are forever grateful. This will benefit the young people whose lives revolve around basketball.”

As a major sponsor of youth basketball in Guyana, Digicel will continue to support initiatives like this as it can be seen as a positive step to fostering the development of youths in Guyana, Digicel

Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara said.

Sanichara indicated that the project is one of the many community outreach programmes that Digicel Guyana is involved in.

“As part of our commitment, corporate social responsibility ranks high on our agenda, and as a result, we are encouraging individuals and groups who may seek assistance with their various charity events and activities to use our grant application form, which is now available on our website digicelguyana.com.”

York)

Digicel staff with members of the Kwakwani Interest Team

Caribbean officials being trained to resolve elections conflicts

S

enior officials from a selected number of election management bodies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean are meeting in Durban, South Africa in a one- week training to explore ways of preventing, managing and resolving election-related disputes.

The training programme, organised by the Commonwealth is being conducted jointly with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), a South Africa-based civil society organisation working to bring creative solutions to the challenges posed by conflict.

“We must invest in the peaceful settlement of disputes, as the alternative has proven too costly,” said Commonwealth Secretary

General Kamalesh Sharma.

Head of the Good Offices of the Commonwealth Secretary General Nita Yawanarajah said that election management bodies are critical in the electoral process and should be considered the first line of defence “to nip election-related disputes in the bud”.

“Election management bodies are at the heart of the electoral process, and their close interaction with almost all the key stakeholders − from voters to candidates, civil society and political party structures – make them key institutions with the potential to help prevent election related conflicts,” Yawanarajah said.

The training will cover topics such as analysing election-related disputes, current and future

trends in conflict, the role of the media in the electoral process, negotiation and mediation principles skills building. The training in Durban is part of a series of such events in the Commonwealth to build the capacity of key institutions at the national level to prevent and manage disputes themselves.

ACCORD founder and Executive Director Vasu Gounden said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Commonwealth in conducting this training.

The Commonwealth, with its long tradition as a trusted institution in mediation of conflicts and observing elections, is best placed to distil good practices. We believe this training will provide that opportunity for the participants.”

news

13

wednesday, february 26, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jagdeo discharged from hospital

Digicel cops Mash best band prize – Vanilla wins Road March with “Yada Yada”

– stunned by malicious reporting in Kaieteur News, Stabroek News

F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo was discharged from hospital on Tuesday after receiving treatment in Miami, Florida for dengue fever and pneumonia.

The former President is expected back in the country later this week Guyana Times was reliably informed. Jagdeo initially began receiving treatment in Guyana and was advised by his medical team to seek further treatment in a recommended hospital overseas.

The former President immediately agreed to go on the advice of his doctor.

Jagdeo expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the many persons who conveyed best wishes for his speedy recovery.

The former President, however, said he has been taken by total surprise by what he termed “malicious and deliberate” disinformation about his illness, as well as about other personal matters, as reported in the Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, and some online media entities in Guyana.

Jagdeo further described these reports as “insensitive, and irresponsible”, stating that

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

they were clearly aimed as “personal attacks “on him by Kaieteur News and Stabroek News.

Specifically, the Stabroek News reported that Jagdeo was staying at “his home” in Florida, while the Kaieteur News speculated wildly about the costs for air travel.

Speaking after being discharged, Jagdeo said the assertion of property ownership is not only false, but also a “total fabrication” and “blatant lie”.

He asserted that at no time was he, nor is he currently, the owner of any property in Florida. This, he described, as yet anoth-

er glaring personal attack aimed at damaging his credibility.

Jagdeo said he intends to pursue this matter further on his return to Guyana.

“What is even more shocking is that this attack was being orchestrated and carried out on the former President even while he was undergoing treatment and recuperating in hospital,” one member of the medical team said.

Jagdeo departed Guyana on Friday night and arrived in Miami, Florida early Saturday morning. Medical personnel informed this publication that Jagdeo responded well to treatment while he was in hospital.

Jagdeo last month celebrated his 50th birthday.

He recently returned from India where he represented Guyana and joined several high-level officials, including former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, at the opening of the 14th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) in the Indian capital, New Delhi, under the theme, “Attaining Energy, Water and Food Security for All”.

Guyana, Malaysia to further collaborate on forestry sector

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud in discussion with members of the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) and the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC)

G

uyana and Malaysia are to collaborate and share experiences on the development of their forestry sectors, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

A delegation from Guyana, led by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud recently participated in a bilateral meeting in that country. Accompanying Persaud were the ministry’s forestry specialist Gavin Agard, and Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Deputy Commissioner Tasreef Khan.

The forestry sectors in both countries’ economies play an important role in national development. To

ensure that growth follows the correct trajectory, the Guyanese delegation participated in bilateral meetings with representatives from the government of Malaysia and senior executives from Samling Global Limited, which is the parent company of Barama Company Limited.

Bilateral discussions were centred on cooperation between the governments of Malaysia and Guyana on several broad thematic areas related to sustainable forest management, and avenues for collaboration and capacity building such as monitoring deforestation particularly, within the mining sector.

Extensive discussions with the Malaysian Timber

Certification Council (MTCC) and the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) related to the implementation of the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (EUFLEGT) have proven fruitful since Malaysian counterparts have gained extensive experience over the past decade since commencing formal negotiation.

The Guyana delegation also witnessed several commercial forest activities such as a large-scale oil palm plantation and a stateof-the-art plywood factory, which will be further examined for technology and knowledge transfer for improved value added processing within Guyana’s forestry sector.

Digicel’s is the best Mash band for the seventh year in a row

D

igicel Guyana Inc for the seventh consecutive year has been declared the best float in the large category during Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary National Costume and Float Parade on Sunday, by the Mash Secretariat.

The results were released on Tuesday by the Mash Committee and from all indications, they were definitely not a surprise especially to those who lined the streets of Georgetown to witness the parade, since it was evident that Digicel Guyana Inc had the largest, most uniform, and welldecked out costume band.

On the day of the event, its public relations officer, Vidya Sanchara, was optimistic that the company would have copped the top prize. She said this year Digicel came out with the intention of copping the prize, while reiterating that it had close to 400 revellers.

The pink and gold costumes and floats were designed by Olympia Small Sonaram and that in itself was a winning note. The telecommunications company also copped the first prize for the medium semi- costume band and the best male individual prize. Region Five and the Health Ministry tied for second place.

Road March Queen Vanilla

Following closely behind was the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in the full costume band segment. It was also adjudged the best non-commercial float.

The Tourism Ministry copped top honours in the medium full-costume band category, while the Labour Ministry came in second and the Amerindian Affairs Ministry took the third spot.

In the small band category, the Education Ministry came out victorious followed by GT Recyclers and the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry respectively.

The People’s Progressive Party won the semi-cos-

tume large category and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) placed second.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry copped both the king and queen titles, with the female individual title going to the Tourism Ministry. In the regional competitions, Region Three revelled their way to the top followed by Region Four and Region Six in second and third respectively.

Region Five was the only entry in the small category band in the regional competition, thus it was awarded the first place. Slingshot’s was the only animal-drawn float. For the individual pieces in the regional competition, the queen title went to Region Three, while Region Four was adjudged the king and also had the best male costume.

Meanwhile, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts copped the title of Road March Queen with her tune “Yada Yada”.

This is the fourth year she has copped the title. In 2007, she won with “Queen of the Band” while in 2008, she was victorious with “High” and in 2010, she copped the title with “Rude”.

She has taken over the title from Adrian Dutchin who won it in 2013 with “Jook”.

“Batman” before the court after threatening to kill the mother of his children

A

lfred Chisholm of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday charged with threatening language.

Chisholm pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh. It was alleged that on February 23 at Williamsburg on the Corentyne coast, the

accused threatened to kill the mother of his children.

According to Police Prosecutor Phillip Sheriff, on the day of the incident the accused – who is the father of the virtual complainant’s children – went to the complainant’s home where he started using indecent language against the woman. The prosecutor also noted that the accused

threatened to kill the woman after which she became fearful for her life and made a report at the police station. The accused was later contacted and told about the offence, which he denied.

The accused, who was unrepresented in court, was placed on $5000 bail and is expected to return to court on April 1 for trial.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, February 26, 2014

Regional

Venezuela’s Maduro criticised by party loyalist A senior member of Venezuela’s governing United Socialist Party (PSUV) has criticised the government’s handling of recent opposition protests.

Jose Gregorio Vielma Mora – the governor of western Tachira state, where the current wave of protests began – said the deployment of troops to his region was “unacceptable”.

He also called for the release of detained student leaders.

At least 13 people have died in recent protests, officials say.

Opposition activists put the number of dead at 15, two higher than the figure given by Attorney General Luisa Ortega on Monday.

In an interview with a Caracas radio station, Mora said he opposed “the use of weapons and abusive behaviour at peaceful demonstrations”.

He also said that after an “excessive use of force” by the National Guard during protests in Tachira on Thursday, he had demanded the replacement of the officer in charge, General

Vielma Mora urged students to stage peaceful demonstrations and refrain from violence

Noel Bermudez Pirela.

Vielma Mora did not specify which incident he was referring to, but said that a new general had since been put in charge.

The governor also said that it had been a “grave error” by the government to order military planes to fly over the state capital, San Cristobal.

“I’m against that, and it made me angry. It was unnecessary to have military planes fly over San Cristobal,” he told Radio Circuito Onda.

“Why did they not ask me first? The governor knows what to say and do,” Mora said.

PSUV official and Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said the party would be contacting Mora to “discuss his opinions”.

Jaua said Mora was “entitled to express his opinions”, but stressed that “we are certain we give the right orders to our security forces, guarding human rights, not responding to provocation, and using the proportionate amount of force to

protect the peace and tranquillity of our Venezuelan family."

But Mora said that all those who are in jail for political reasons, should be sent home, he said.

“That’s where peace starts, brother. We need someone to say, ‘let’s wipe the slate clean and start afresh’,” Mora said.

He insisted that students had the right to demonstrate peacefully and said they should be applauded for wanting to make their voices heard. (Excerpt from BBC News)

U.S. to seek Guzman’s extradition

J

udicial authorities in the U.S. say they will seek the extradition of the world’s top drug baron, Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman.

Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was arrested in Mexico on Saturday after 13 years on the run.

He was detained in the beach resort of Mazatlan without a shot being fired.

He is wanted in the U.S. on charges of smuggling

vast amounts of drugs into the country, but Mexican authorities are also likely to want to charge him.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said prosecutors there “planned to seek his extradition”.

But an official in the Mexican attorney general’s office said Guzman would first have to serve the re-

Former St Lucian Minister sues over U.S. visa revocation

O

n Tuesday, attorneys for former Saint Lucia Housing Minister Richard Frederick filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, claiming compensatory and punitive damages of US$25 million in relation to the revocation in 2011 of his diplomatic and non-immigrant U.S. visas.

Named as defendants in the action are Andrea Hillyer, a State Department employee at the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados; Susan Chainer, a former legal attaché at the same embassy; Eugene Sweeney, consul general at the embassy; George Deterville, the head of security for the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; and two unnamed

State Department employees.

The lawsuit has been expected for some months, following a Caribbean News Now article published in September 2013, which has itself been referred to, and attached as one of the exhibits to the 18-page complaint.

Frederick is represented by well known Washington lawyer and former U.S. Attorney Joe DiGenova, whose firm has been researching and preparing the case for a number of months before this week’s filing.

DiGenova explained this week that this was a very unusual case since the action for damages is brought in the name of the United States as plaintiff “for the use of Richard Frederick”.

(Caribbean News Now)

mainder of his jail sentence before being extradited.

In 2001, Guzman escaped from a high-security jail in Mexico hidden in a laundry basket. He was eight years into his 20-year sentence.

Chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Michael McCaul said extraditing Guzman to the U.S. would prevent another escape.

“I think that would be the best course not only for Mexico, but also the United States, in ensuring that what happened in 2001 does not happen again,” he told ABC television.

Guzman is also likely to face fresh charges in Mexico, including drug trafficking, involvement in organised crime and possession of weapons restricted to the military.

Homosexuality threatens the arts, fuels crime – TT artist

LeRoy Clarke

H

omosexuality is not only threatening the arts but is used to indoctrinate gang members, said artist LeRoy Clarke. The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Guardian asked Clarke to elaborate on the comment he made last week at his book launch which shocked and outraged some of his fellow artists, members of the gay community and others.

In a phone interview on Monday, Clarke related homosexuality to the increase in crime, saying young men are usually indoctrinated into gangs with homosexuality and because of the violation of their manhood use the gun as a symbol of their masculinity.

“It is brought about by power bases that manipulate the principles that hold our heritage for their own advantage. Something is happening with the gender paradigm today. We had guidelines where we looked at certain types of conduct as abominations. We took it from the scriptures.” The Bible, he added, was one of those and verses clearly re-

fer to homosexuality, men with men and women with women, as “unnatural” and an abomination. “Today, the word abomination does not have the same tone. People indulge abominations, accede to them,” Clarke lamented. “At 73, I can say the world is no longer mine,” he said.

Asked exactly what he meant by saying homosexuality was threatening the arts, Clarke said with the exception of the sailor and maybe the midnight robber, there were no longer any definitely male costumes in Carnival, not even in portrayals of the devil.

“An effeminating power has taken over the costumes and even the rhythm of the music. Carnival is no longer male and female. This is a very serious matter. We are dealing with a problem that is threatening our heritage. Fifty, 60 years ago, what is happening now was not prevalent. I grew up in Gonzales. The conversion is threatening identity. It had made it into a ‘oneish’ kind of place,” he added. (Excerpt from

TT Guardian)

St Kitts-Nevis opposition mobs House Speaker

O

pposition alliance Team Unity protesters say they were able to get their message directly to House Speaker Curtis Martin during their latest demonstration in St Kitts on Monday.

Protesting for the third time this month outside the National Bank where the Speaker works, Team Unity demonstrators were on hand as the Speaker arrived for work at the bank on Monday morning.

The opposition is trying to pressure Martin in keeping with a court ruling that says there are no impediments to him tabling the motion of no-confidence in the Denzil Douglas-led Labour Party administration.

Team Unity leader, Dr

Team Unity protesters across the road from the St Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank entrance on Central Street

Timothy Harris told Winn FM that the protesters were able to make their position clear to the Speaker.

“Scores of persons came

out with their placard(s), greeting the Speaker when he came accompanied by security forces carrying machine guns,” Harris told

WINN FM. He insisted, however, that the demonstration was peaceful despite the fact “that people shouted ‘let the motion be heard, call the motion’”. “This is part of the peaceful agitation, no one touched him, no one accosted him in any way, so we are within out rights, we have a constitutional right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly,” the Team Unity leader said.

According to the opposition Member of Parliament, the Speaker is creating unease and instability in the country by not tabling the motion. Harris said Martin needs to ensure that the motion is tabled urgently. It was filed in December 2012.

(Caribbean News Now)

15 Around the world wednesday, February 26, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

More than 40 killed in Nigerian school massacre B oko Haram Islamists are thought to be the killers of 43 people who died on Tuesday in an attack on secondary school students as they slept, in the latest school massacre to hit Nigeria’s troubled northeast.

The raid at 02:00h (01:00 GMT) targeted the Federal Government College in the town of Buni Yadi in Yobe state and bore the hallmarks of a similar attack last September in which 40 died.

The attackers reportedly hurled explosives into student residential buildings, sprayed gunfire into rooms and hacked some students to death. Others were burned alive.

A senior medical source at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Yobe’s capital Damaturu said the gunmen only targeted male students and that female students were “spared”.

“So far, 43 bodies have

U.S. plans full troop pullout from Afghanistan

Tuesday’s attack brings the toll from attacks blamed on Boko Haram to more than 300 civilians killed this month alone

been brought (from the college) and are lying at the morgue,” said the source, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss death tolls.

Adamu Garba, who teaches at a secondary school attached to the college, said the attackers first set ablaze the college administrative block and then moved to the hostels, where

they locked students in and started firebombing the buildings.

At one hostel, he said, “students were trying to climb out of the windows and they were slaughtered like sheep by the terrorists who slit their throats.

Others who ran were gunned down”. He said students who could not escape were burned alive. (Excerpt from

France24)

Barack Obama and Hamid Karzai have rarely spoken in recent months

T

he U.S. president, Barack Obama, has told his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai that he is preparing a contingency plan for a full U.S. troop withdrawal, as a post-2014 security pact remains unsigned.

The message, delivered on Tuesday, howev-

er, did not rule out making a deal on a post-2014 mission with the next Kabul government. Obama told Karzai by telephone that the Pentagon had little option but to draw up a contingency plan for a full pullout because the Afghan leader had refused to sign a Bilateral Security Agreement with

Washington.

“Specifically, President Obama has asked the Pentagon to ensure that it has adequate plans in place to accomplish an orderly withdrawal by the end of the year,” the White House was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The White House has repeatedly said that without a security agreement, the U.S. and international allies would have to withdraw all troops at the end of this year.

The Pentagon has been pushing for the U.S. to keep up to 10,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014.

Chuck Hagel, the secretary of defence, said: “This is a prudent step given that President Karzai has demonstrated that it is unlikely that he will sign the Bilateral Security Agreement, which would provide DoD personnel with critical protections and authorities after 2014.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Egypt’s new PM says to fight China charges prominent Uighur Ukraine crisis: Turchynov warns of ‘separatism’ risk militancy, rebuild economy professor with separatism

E

gypt’s new prime minister said on Tuesday he would seek to eradicate militant violence that has increased since the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, hoping improved security will lead to economic recovery.

Speaking after his appointment by Adly Mansour, the army-appointed president who has been in office since Mursi’s removal in July, Ibrahim Mahlab said he hoped to form his government within three or four days, “We will work together to restore security and safety to Egypt and crush terrorism in all corners of the country,” said Mahlab, formerly the housing minister, expressing hope for a recovery in the crucial tourism sector.

“Security and stability in the entire country and

crushing terrorism will pave the way for investment.”

Mahlab’s appointment followed the surprise resignation of Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi’s government on Monday.

Bombings and shootings by militant Islamist groups have become commonplace since the army deposed Mursi after mass protests against his rule. While most of the attacks have targeted the security forces, two South Korean tourists were killed in a February 16 bomb attack on a tourist bus in the Sinai Peninsula.

Mahlab is a civil engineer who was formerly head of one of Egypt’s biggest construction firms. He was also an official in deposed President Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A

uthorities in China’s restive far western region of Xinjiang have charged a prominent ethnic Uighur professor with separatism, his wife and lawyer said on Tuesday, in a case which has attracted concern in the United States and Europe.

Police in Beijing last month detained Ilham Tohti, a well-known economist who has championed the rights of the Muslim Uighur community, who come from Xinjiang. He was subsequently taken to Xinjiang’s regional capital Urumqi.

Tohti’s wife, Guzailai Nu’er, said she had received a notice that his arrest had been formally approved and he was being charged with separatism. “This is ridiculous. He’s never done an-

ything like this. He is a teacher,” she told Reuters by telephone from her house in Beijing.

Tohti’s lawyer, Li Fangping, said that he would try and see his client on Wednesday, but he had so far not been given access.

“We’ll see how things go in the morning,” Li said from Urumqi where Tohti is being held in a detention center.

Reuters was unable to reach the Xinjiang government for comment.

The case against Tohti is the latest sign of the government’s hardening stance on dissent in Xinjiang, where unrest in the past year has killed more than 100, including several police, according to state media. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

U

kraine’s interim President Olexander Turchynov has warned of the dangers of separatism following the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych. His comments came amid continuing opposition in Ukraine’s Russianspeaking regions to the new administration in Kiev.

The formation of a unity government has been delayed until Thursday.

Meanwhile there are reports that one of Yanukovych’s former aides, Andriy Kliuyev, has been shot and wounded.

Kliuyev’s car is said to have been attacked while he was travelling back to Kiev from the Crimea after tendering his resignation to the former president. A spokesman was quoted on local media as saying his life was not in danger.

Kliuyev, the former head of the presidential administration, is said to have left Kiev with the president when he fled the capital at the weekend.

Addressing parliament, Turchynov said he would meet law enforcement agencies to discuss the risk of separatism in regions with large ethnic Russian populations. Separatism was a “serious threat”, he said.

The delay in announcing a unity government was to allow further consultations, Turchynov said, adding that “a coalition of national faith must be elected”.

Anyone held responsible for separatist moves should be punished, his press service quoted Turchynov as saying in a later statement, the Reuters news agency reports. (Excerpt from BBC News)

India’s regional parties seal Pistorius murder trial can be televised, says judge alliance ahead of elections A

I

ndia regional parties met on Tuesday to declare a political alternative to the two main national parties, the ruling Congress and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata (BJP), ahead of national elections due by May. Congress has led coalition governments in the world’s largest democracy for the past decade but may struggle to win re-election this year due to a string of corruption scandals and sagging economic growth. The BJP is forecast to emerge as the single largest party but still fall short of a majority.

Eleven regional parties have established an alliance to fight corruption, deliver more economic development and strengthen federalism in the run-up to the elections.

“It is time for a change and to throw out the Congress from power. The BJP, which claims to be the alternative, has no policies different from that of the Congress,” the regional party group said in a joint declaration.

It described BJP ideology as divisive and communal, and offered up their grouping as a “secular” alternative. Regional parties and their often charismatic leaders have become more powerful national players in recent years.

Parties other than Congress and the BJP are set to bag around half of the seats in the elections, according to a poll conducted by pollsters CVoter for the India Today media group. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South African judge ruled on Tuesday that the murder trial of Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius can be televised, giving millions around the world access to one of the most sensational trials since that of U.S. footballer OJ Simpson.

While testimony given by Pistorius and his witnesses can’t be filmed, opening arguments by the prosecution and the defence can be shown live, along with the presiding judge’s decision and sentencing should Pistorius be convicted of murder for the shooting death of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius, 27, is accused of the Valentine’s Day murder of Steenkamp, 29, last year. He admits to shooting her four times through a locked toilet door but claims he mistook her for an in-

Oscar Pistorius is accused of the Valentine’s Day murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

truder. If convicted of murder, he faces up to life in prison. The trial is due to start March 3.

In a televised ruling in a Pretoria high court, Judge Dustan Mlambo said it was vital that impoverished South Africans who feel

ill-treated by the justice system be given a first-hand look at the trial.

“The justice system is still perceived as treating the rich and famous with kid gloves whilst being harsh on the poor and the vulnerable,” he said. (Excerpt from France24)

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wednesday, February 26, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean

Cayman Islands pioneers use of Africa: Self-regulation won’t electrical vehicles in the region protect workers from exploitation

A

new way of using renewable energy sources in the region is being pioneered in the Cayman Islands by way of electric vehicles (EVs), with a view to long term economic and ecological sustainability.

Cayman Automotive has reached an agreement with Budget-Rent-A-Car in Grand Cayman that the company will be the first to offer 100 percent all-electric vehicles for rent in the Caribbean.

John Felder, presi-

dent and CEO of Cayman Automotive, said that by increasing the proportion of EVs on Cayman roads, the island would cut expensive petroleum imports.

“Adding solar powered charging stations would reduce expensive diesel-powered electricity production, thereby rendering the air cleaner,” he explained.

The green initiatives of which Felder spoke are likely to propel the Cayman Islands to centre stage in potentially

creating a massive change in the way people act and think about their own carbon footprints.

“Visitors from all over the world will be welcomed to our islands with an emissions-free choice of transportation,” said Felder. “When visitors observe our natural environment, tourists will understand why we have worked so hard to introduce EVs here, and throughout the Caribbean.” (Caribbean News Now)

B

usiness best practice and industry self-regulation could prove useful in improving working conditions, but they will never be enough. There are three main reasons why.

The past two decades have seen governments around the world steadily reduce their ability to protect their workers from exploitation. In the place of labour inspectorates enforcing stringent labour standards,

Asia

we instead see a plethora of private initiatives centred on industry self-regulation or the promotion of business best practice.

The logic behind this shift has been one of promoting economic dynamism and capitalist integration by ‘freeing business’ from the cumbersome weight of legislation.

The mantra has been that the market, if left to itself and given the right incentives, can and will sort it out.

There is undoubtedly a place for such efforts. The voluntary codes of conduct, the ethical trading schemes, and the various industry oversight bodies, all have a role to play in securing worker protection in supply chains as long and complicated as those characterising many contemporary international operations.

But for all these welcome additions, self-regulation alone can never be enough. (al-

lAfrica)

India to block U.S. trade probes, Apple calls for veto of Arizona ready for fight at WTO religious freedom bill I North America

A

pple has asked Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto the controversial religious freedom bill SB1062, the tech giant said late on Monday.

Apple appears to be the latest firm to join other corporates urging Brewer to veto the bill, which supporters say will protect religious freedom and critics say could allow companies to use religious beliefs to discriminate

against the gay and lesbian community.

The request from Apple comes as it is preparing to open a new sapphire glass manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona and that is expected to create more than 2000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction.

Apple confirmed to CNBC that it has asked the Arizona governor to veto the religious

freedom bill. It re-issued a statement released when it announced the new plant.

A number of business groups, hotel chains such as Marriott and other big firms such as American Airlines have urged Brewer to veto the bill. The NFL meanwhile said it was watching developments in Arizona.

The Super Bowl is slated to be held in Arizona next year. (Yahoo!)

Europe

ndia has decided to block investigations by the United States into its trade policies and patent laws, and prepare for a battle at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a move that could escalate alreadystrained tension between the two countries.

New Delhi is furious about a threat of trade sanctions made by the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office over its protection of intel-

lectual property rights (IPR), preference for domestic producers and non-trade barriers.

Ahead of a general election, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government does not want to be seen as bowing to U.S. pressure, amid lingering tension over the recent arrest and strip search of a female diplomat in New York suspected of visa fraud.

On Wednesday, the National Association of

Manufacturers (NAM) – which represents about 50 U.S. business groups – asked the USTR to designate India a Priority Foreign Country in its 2014 report.

“This designation appropriately would rank India among the very worst violators of intellectual property rights and establish a process leading to concrete solutions,” NAM said in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. (Reutes)

Middle East

Qatar to build seven-star tree house European Commission sees hotel as part of safari project recovery ‘gaining ground’ Q

T

he European Commission has said economic recovery is “gaining ground” in the EU as it revised up its growth forecasts for 2014 and 2015.

The Commission said the 18-nation eurozone would grow by 1.2 per cent this year and 1.8 per cent next year.

In both cases, the figure was 0.1 percentage points higher than in earlier predictions. The UK’s economy is

now expected to grow by 2.5 per cent this year, up from a previous forecast of 2.2 per cent.

However, the Commission left its UK growth forecast for 2015 unchanged at 2.4 per cent.

The wider 28-nation EU’s prospects have been revised up by 0.1 percentage points, to 1.5 per cent in 2014 and two per cent in 2015. The last time the Commission issued its forecasts was in

November last year.

“Recovery is gaining ground,” said Olli Rehn, commissioner for economic and monetary affairs. “The worst of the crisis may now be behind us.”

However, he also warned that the recovery was “still modest”. “To make the recovery stronger and create more jobs, we need to stay the course of economic reform,” he added. (BBC News)

Market statistics Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board Fixed as at July 24, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$343.62

$347.92

CAN

$186.08

$188.23

USD

$205.98

$208.44

U.S.

$1335.00

Cambio

$202.67

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

Indicators as on February 25, 2014 Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1341.60

$1332.60

Low/High

$1333.00

$1344.80

+5.00

Change

+0.37

London Gold Fix

Feb 25 USD GBP EUR

Feb 24 USD GBP EUR

AM

PM

1332.75 798.53 969.48

1339.00 801.03 973.25

AM

PM

1333.00 800.46 968.54

1334.75 804.70 973.63

Indicators Crude Oil

Price Silver

Platinum

US$ per barrel

$110.64 USD per Ounce

$21.89 $1436.00

Change %

+0.71 Change %

-0.07 +7.00

Last: 16179.66

Changes: -27.48

% Change: -0.17

Open:16203.35

High:16254.26

Low: 16147.25

% YTD: -2.39

52Wk Hi:16174.51

52 Wk Lo: 12471.49

the Tourism in Tomorrow’s World conference, which was held at the Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel on Monday.

The project will be built on a 71 hectare site in Al Waab and will be be split into zones featuring an array of animal attractions including gorillas, giraffes, lions, tigers, rhinos and elephants. Conceived as a “zoo within a park”, it will also link

Investors' guide

with Aspire Park and Villagio mall via a cable car, a dedicated tram system and a custombuilt “elephants’ walkway”.

The plans were unveiled

by Gregory Clarkson, senior planner at public works authority Ashghal, whose prior experience includes Hong Kong Disneyworld. “It will be a world-class zoo and truly unique,” he said. (Arabianbusiness)

Marketing basics for the novice entrepreneur (continued from Monday)

Cambio Rates Bank of Guyana

atar is aiming to boost its tourist offering with a new animalthemed attraction which will include safari rides, a unique roof system which will be able to rain once an hour on command, a river ride, a cable car link from the mall and a seven-star tree house hotel.

The plans for the new Doha Zoo were announced at

* Quantitative surveys are fixed questionnaires which can be conducted face-to-face, through email, or over the phone. Try to collect a large number of surveys to gauge the customer response as a kind of vote. Quantitative surveys are good for graphs and estimates. * Qualitative surveys focus on a smaller number of people, without fixed questions. They are usually conducted as faceto-face interviews, conversations or focus groups, where the participants engage in free-form discussion about a topic. Qualitative surveys can help you get a better, more detailed response regarding your product, but can also be extremely time-consuming.

Most successful businesses use a combination of both for the best results. However, if you are pressed for time (and patience), a quantitative

survey can be faster and offer similar results with far less manpower and time.

Determine advertising mediums and budget

Now that you have drafted a marketing plan, calculate your advertising budget. If you’re a small business, that total is likely to be unimpressive. Here are some ways to clear that hurdle: * Call local television and radio news stations to attempt to gain free publicity.

This can be effective if you are offering a new, innovative product that hasn’t been produced before. * Spread the word through social tools with Twitter, Facebook and Youtube ad campaigns. If you make an interesting video to advertise your product, uploading it online and allowing it to spread like wildfire can be extreme-

ly effective. Best of all, this method is mostly free. * Contact vendors and associates to participate in co-op advertising, in which the advertising fee is shared. * Advertise via Google AdSense or a similar ad programme – these are cheaper than other forms of advertisements, and are selected intelligently based on the computer user’s search preferences – which will give you a highly targeted audience. * Award customer referrals with cash, discounts or prizes, in order to publicise your products.

These are just some ideas to help you, as a novice entrepreneur, get started in the complex world of marketing concepts. As your business expands, you can hire dedicated PR, sales and marketing teams to help you create more complex plans. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Competition Economics: Rivalry in which every seller tries to get what other sellers are seeking at the same time: sales, profit, and market share by offering the best practicable combination of price, quality, and service. Where the market information flows freely, competition plays a regulatory function in balancing demand and supply.

news

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wednesday, february 26, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Stag Beer sponsors Linden Simply the Truth Mashramani celebrations The anti-money laundering bill I

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon collects the sponsorship cheque from Stag Brand Coordinator John Maikoo at the simple presentation ceremony, while ANSA McAL Route Supervisor Alwin Benjamin looks on

A

NSA McAL Trading Ltd, under its Stag Beer brand, on Tuesday poured an undisclosed sum of money into sponsorship for various events as Linden prepares to host its annual Mashramani celebrations on Sunday.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, who heads the Linden Mash Committee, on receiving the sponsorship

cheque, thanked the company for its continued contributions towards Linden as he noted that the funds will assist in the hosting of the town’s Mashramani celebrations.

Stag Brand Coordinator John Maikoo noted that the sponsorship proposal, which was received in February from the committee for the Mashramani 2014 events,

was thought to be a good initiative, hence sponsorship was approved.

ANSA McAL Trading has undertaken several developmental projects in Linden, including the construction of the James Brusche dressing and washroom facility for the Mackenzie Basketball Court and the field renovation of the Mackenzie Sports Club.

Burglars run off with KFC safe

T

he security guard attached to the Bagotstown Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet was taken into police custody on Tuesday morning after it was discovered that the fast food facility was burglarised, with hundreds of thousands of dollars missing along with the safe.

According to information received, the guard on duty reportedly left the premises to run an errand and upon returning, he discovered that the delivery window to the southern side was open but instead of checking, he closed the window.

When the manager, Onica Jervis, came to work on Tuesday morning about 07:00h, she recognised that the door to the safe was prised open. Upon checking, she realised that the builtin safe was torched out of its permanent housing. Jervis

reportedly telephoned the police and her superiors.

Operation Manager Mahendra Persaud told this publication that while the company has been robbed a number of times, this was the first time that the bandits ripped out the safe from the room.

Persaud explained that the safe was built into the walls, but from all indications, the perpetrators had to use a blowtorch to get it out.

Close to $700,000 was in the safe at the time.

Persaud went on to say that the guard might have been under the influence of alcohol when he arrived at the scene. Upon enquiring, the security guard, he noted, informed him that he was not at the location for a few minutes and when he returned after 04:00h, he saw that the window was open and closed it.

The manager stated that based on his statement that he gave the police, the guard was held for questioning.

Persaud revealed that the bandits also carried away the DVR player, so there is no surveillance footage. He said the bandits had to have spent quite some time in the facility to actually torch the safe out.

These men had to be wellequipped and briefed on the interior of the building, he added, claiming that it had to have been a high-powered torch the bandits used to remove the safe from its present location. He added that the police dusted the area for fingerprints and launched an investigation.

Further, he stated that there were several different boot prints on the ground which indicated that there were at least three bandits.

KN pressman held for allegedly robbing former police officer

A

press man of a popular local newspaper was on Tuesday taken into police custody at the Ruimveldt Police Station after he was implicated in the recent robbery committed on former Assistant Police Commissioner Clinton Conway.

The former senior police officer was robbed at his Lamaha Park home last Friday by two bandits who carted off $300,000 in cash.

During the robbery, Conway was struck to his head with a gun. He was subsequently treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and sent

away.

Information reaching Guyana Times on Tuesday revealed that one of the bandits reportedly dropped his identification card while escaping. A source related that the police were successful in locating the owner of the ID card and he was taken into police custody to assist with investigations. Another young man was earlier arrested in connection with the robbery, but was later released.

According to reports, on the day of the robbery, the former Assistant Police Commissioner left home to

run some errands and upon his return, around midday, he saw one of the bandits holding his son-in-law at gunpoint. As he held the gun to the young man’s head, he ransacked the place in search of money and other valuables.

Upon seeing this, Conway went to the aid of his son-inlaw and a struggle ensued during which he was stuck to his head with the robber’s firearm. After the incident, the man managed to escape with the money and two mobile phones. The matter was reported, and an investigation was launched.

n the Wild West in the U.S.A., there was a thing called horse-trading. Of course, it was not restricted to the Western U.S.A.; it was in many places. Even in Calgary, Canada. The modern-day version of horse trading occurs mostly in politics.

In America, Republicans trade this for that with Democrats, and vice versa. They tend to work it out eventually. But there are some things, however, that are not up for trading – like when the nation is or could be in peril. In those times, the lines are clearly drawn.

In Guyana, we lack even basic kinds of political sophistication. There are no discernable lines; or if there are, no one seems to care. This whole pingpong about the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill is but one recent example.

We are told that if the Bill is not passed by the National Assembly by certain deadlines, then Guyana will be placed in jeopardy by being subject to sanctions. These deadlines are established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional arm in the Caribbean.

There is such consternation in the government that ministers have fanned out to parts of the country to make a case and to get people to come on their side and pressure the opposition parties to get the Bill passed. It is all reminiscent of the mess during last year’s budget “debate”.

So, HOW is Guyana in potential jeopardy? WHY are “regular” Guyanese not alarmed?

WHAT are the opposition’s justifications for not passing the Bill?

Guyana in jeopardy

Guyana is in jeopardy because the non-passage of the AML Bill will affect negatively all our international financial relationships. Nonpassage will affect bilateral financial arrangements with other countries, impact multinational financial relationships, and every other financial transaction: loans and grants to Guyana will suffer; money transfers in and out of Guyana will suffer; trade deals will be much more dif-

ficult, as will import and export of goods. If my sister in Toronto wants to send me a “small piece”, it will be more difficult for her to do so and more difficult for me to get it.

None of this is good!

Importantly too, our diplomatic relations will suffer since Guyana’s image will be blemished. If the national image is blemished, every one of us will bear the stain. This blemish could well make travel more difficult, for instance. Visas will be more difficult to obtain.

A citizen from a suspected “drug state” will be subjected to much closer scrutiny.

All of this affects every single one of us in one way or other.

None of this is good.

Why are “regular” citizens not alarmed? Simple, really. Justifiable or not, we have become so fed up with our politicians that we don’t believe anything they say. They tell us to walk in this direction, we take a jet plane and fly in the exact opposite direction. For a great number of Guyanese, politicians are simply not capable or willing to speak or write simply the truth.

We should all worry

So when Ministers tell us we should be alarmed and arise, we lay back and slumber more deeply. Our cynicism has become a national fashion – like using Avon or wearing NY hats sideways or strutting in Nikes. But the government is RIGHT in this case! We should all be very worried.

But I believe that our government has failed to communicate clearly the gravity of the non-passage of the bill and has allowed the opposition propaganda machinery to dominate the discourse. We should all be very worried. What are the members of the opposition parties’ justification for not passing the Bill? Here goes: 1. The Bill is “dangerous” because it places too much “enforcement powers” in the hands of two ministers (Take a day and water down those powers, nuh!).

2. The Executive Branch (government) does not “respect” the Legislative Branch; the former “are not doing us a favour, they have an obligation to treat [the

Professor Daizal Samad latter] respectfully. (Ok. I respect you. I do! I respect you bad bad. Pass the Bill now nuh!)

3. The Executive Branch did not “facilitate the passage into law of some measures approved by the Legislative Branch.”(Talk about apples and antelopes! And poor priorities!).

4. The Bill must be “cleaned up.” (No details, of course! And these geniuses had almost a year to clean this fireside!).

5. “This matter ONLY came to the National Assembly IN APRIL LAST YEAR.” (emphasis mine – I could write a book in that time, I tell ya!).

6. The PPP/C “has had legislation for 14 years” but “not a single prosecution.”

(Pass the thing and use your one-seat story to ensure effective implementation then! Apples and antelopes).

7. It was the PPP/C’s “duty to ensure that the Special Select Committee did its work thoroughly without being rushed.” (Hey, we is big people! Why do I have to make sure you do well and in timely fashion that which you are SUPPOSED to be doing? Get out of Grade Two, chaps!).

And all of this in ONE press interview! More than SEVEN excuses! NONE of them holding water! Just for ONE day, shelve all ego, put aside all hurt little feelings, forget power and smalltime bickering! For one day, remember that you are all supposed to be there for the people of this nation!

We will all be better for it, chaps! We should all worry. Do the work, and get this Bill passed.

City maintenance worker found with narcotics – court hears

A

man appeared in court on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for the possession of cannabis.

Seon Marshall, 35, a city maintenance worker of Lot 104 Meadow Brook Gardens, East Bank Demerara plead-

ed not guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on February 23 on Main Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession seven grams of cannabis.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said that on the day in question, ranks were on patrol in Georgetown along Main Street, when they noticed

the defendant acting suspicious, a search was conducted during which the narcotic was found. The accused was subsequently arrested.

Prosecutor Grant had no objection to bail.

Bail was granted in the sum of $30,000. The matter was transferred to Courts Eight and Nine for report in fixtures.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 26, 2014

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Following your intuition will lead to inspiration. However, persistence, determination and dedication will be the necessary ingredients for positive results. Avoid negativity and doubt – they will only interfere with your dreams.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Changes are on the horizon. Make the effort to expand your knowledge and insights by joining a club, class or other activity that is interesting to you.

New circumstances will also provide new friendships.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Be businesslike in your dealings. Someone may be overly interested in your personal life. Keep them guessing about your private matters, and be careful not to reveal too much.

CANCER (June 21July 22) It’s a good day to review paperwork and financial records. Make changes to improve your savings and investments. Reward yourself by spending a romantic evening with someone you love.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) You are in a romantic mood today. Don’t get carried away and offer untrue or frivolous declarations of your feelings.

Your relationship will only be strengthened by your honesty and devotion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) It’s time for a little pampering. You may decide to lift your spirits by getting together with your special someone, or perhaps even treating yourself to a new look or outfit.

Peanuts ARIES (March 21-April 19)

SUDOKU

Preparation and organisation will be key today.

Someone may not be forthright regarding a touchy situation. If you wait until the last minute, you risk becoming overwhelmed by the issues at hand.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Make plans to have fun with friends, or arrange an outing with your lover.

Deal with your responsibilities in advance so that no one will find fault with your actions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) It is not necessary to seek approval from others for all of your plans.

You can gain a new perspective and improve your outlook by exploring new locations or experiences for yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Trying to please others will only cause you frustration. Although people may have your best interests at heart, focusing on your own goals will keep you on the sure path to success.

Tuesday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Your clever ideas and innovative solutions will lead to a moneymaking venture. Determine exactly what you want to achieve and then work hard in service of your goals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) With determination and self-discipline, one of your many hobbies could prove profitable. A close look at your various interests may reveal the opportunity for financial gain that you have been seeking.

news 19

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

FOR SALE Agricultural tractors and machinery; single and 4-wheel drive: Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deere, New Holland and Fiat. Also available spares parts for these machines. Phone: 6194483, 601-7883, 226-6325 Spare parts for 1-2-3-4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines for Lister, Pieter, Kobota, Perkins, Veutz, Fiat, John Deer, Case IH, Cummings, Bedford and Leyland Daf. Also all middles of diesel generators: super silence and open air from 3KVA- 600KVA. Contact Rams Auto Spares on telephone 226-6325, 2271454, 619-4483 and 685-3568 Chinese-made gas stoves. Call 2315866, 231-5857

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they are forced to wait on punts which may not be available when needed, the rate being offered by GuySuCo is $215 per hour.

The workers are up in arms saying that GAWU is not addressing the issue which, in their view, is a breach of the labour law.

They say that although dues are paid to the union, there is no proper representation. The workers’ field representative, Shop Steward Paulton Austin, has been suspended by

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Shop Steward Paulton Austin

the union and cannot represent the workers for the next two weeks. A letter dated February 21 says Austin is suspended from February 23 to March 8.

During this period, Austin can still function as a cane harvester, but can-

not represent the workers.

According to Austin, the union suspended him for representing the workers.

“How can a union suspend a rep for acting in the interest of the workers?”

On November 13, Austin and two other field representatives led a picket exercise in New Amsterdam, protesting a proposed one per cent wage hike that GuySuCo was offering. The workers subsequently received a four per cent wage increase.

Speaking about his suspension, Austin says the union is taking away the workers’ right. He added that if he attempts to represent the workers, the union promises to take further disciplinary action against him. “Can you imagine the union knocking off people, threatening to knock off workers? The union ain’t employ workers!” Austin said.

According to Austin, during a meeting on February 20 at GAWU's High Street office he met with members of the Central Executive Committee he was told that that his actions on November 13 were considered a breach of responsibility as a Shop Steward.

He added that the union said it had the authority to suspend him, since it had appointed him as the workers’ representative. “No, it was the workers who elect me. We had an election and I won.” Austin told this publication.

Workers’ rights He says as long as he continues to be employed with GuySuCo, he will continue to fight for the workers’ rights. “What they try to do is to tie me hand and scotch tape me mouth.”

Austin has also expressed concern over the acceptance by the union of a proposed wage freeze by GuySuCo in 2014. This, he said, cannot be in the best interest of those who serve the sugar company in the field, since they only work a few months each year while management and other staff receive the benefit of year-round employment. “This crop is only six weeks’ work… you have to stay home for the next four months. Is every day prices going up in the shop.”

Efforts to get a comment from GAWU’s officials were futile.

Men charged for possession of cannabis

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ane harvesters attached to the Rose Hall Estate of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are on strike over low rates being offered by management whenever they are forced to wait in the field for punts.

The workers claim that they are being robbed $200 per hour when the estate’s management does not supply punts in a timely manner for them to load cane. Following negotiations with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and management, it was agreed that harvesters will be paid $2600 per day and will be required to cut and load 2.6 tonnes of cane. It was also agreed that the workers will work for six hours daily to complete the day’s requirement.

The workers should receive on an average $415 per hour. However, when

Suspended Shop Steward Paulton Austin has also expressed concerns over the acceptance by the union of a proposed wage freeze by GuySuCo in 2014. “This crop is only six weeks’ work… you have to stay home for the next four months. Is every day prices going up in the shop.”

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man was on Tuesday charged for possession of marijuana after appearing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

Steve Brafaitte, a driver for the Stereo Sonic sound company pleaded guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on February 22, he had one gram of cannabis in his possession.

He was subsequently fined $3000 and sentenced to six months' community service at the Golden Grove Police Station every Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Sherwin Duncan, 22, made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts also charged for the possession of cannabis.

Duncan, of Lot 276 West Ruimveldt,

Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on Saturday, February 22, he had in his possession one gram of marijuana. The accused said that he had no previous troubles with the law and no pending matters in any court.

The defendant was fined $3000 and sentenced to six months community service. Duncan is to report to the Palms Geriatric Home every Tuesday.

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Wednesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Stag Beer/EBFA Division One League…

RHTY&SC congratulates Campbell on Sportswoman-of-the-Year award

Contrasting victories for T Agricola, Soesdyke Falcons

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From left: Goalscorers Colin McLean, Ulatto Smith, Kelcey Benson and Roger Dey of Soesdyke Falcons

gricola Red Triangle made an exciting return to competitive football on the East Bank on Monday when they edged Grove Hi Tech 2-1 in the feature game of a doubleheader as play in the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Division One League continued at the Grove Playfield.

Grove, also fielding a team in the Guyana Football Federation’s Premier League with provision for only their Under-21 players to be exposed at the East Bank level, went into the rubber a confident unit with much more playing hours under their belts than the re-emerging Agricola side.

Keen tussle

However, on the field of play it was a different ball game as Agricola came out all guns firing, controlling the opening exchanges.

Urged on by their supporters, scattered around the ground and even on nearby verandahs, Grove kept in the game and enjoyed a few good runs of their own.

Agricola’s goalkeeper, Yohance Roberts was excellent between the uprights for his team. Grove’s captain, the experienced Domini Garnett was effec-

tively shut out of the game by the Agricola team.

The first half ended 0-0 but more pulsating play was reserved for the final half. Five minutes into the half Agricola eased into the lead from an excellent cross

by Travis Welch in the 50th minute. The high ball looked like it was destined over the cross bar to the custodian Michael Matthews’ right.

But to the surprise of all, the ball dipped and entered the “V” on the far side; Agricola one, Grove nil. It was truly a surprise for Grove whose defense could not believe but certain delight for Agricola who kept the pressure up on the home team.

That advantage was doubled in the 69th minute when Gordon Grant caught the Grove defense napping and the goalie beaten some way off his line. He kept his composure to dribble the lone defender before tapping the ball into the open nets; Agricola 2-0 up.

The home team has a reputation for taking victory from the jaws of defeat and did show signs of a comeback but was not able to go all the way since time was not on their side.

Joel Dick pulled one back for them to reduce

the deficit in the 79th minute. As valiant as Grove’s efforts were to draw level and grab an equal share of the points, it was not to be, the game ending in favour of Agricola which has now joined Timehri Panthers, Kuru Kururu Warriors and Soesdyke Falcons as the teams winning their opening matches.

Huge margin

Soesdyke Falcons however, registered the biggest margin of victory, a 6-0 thumping of the young but determined Herstelling Football Club.

A double each off the boot of Colin McLean and Ulatto Smith guided Soesdyke to a comfortable three points for the win. McLean opened proceedings in the ninth minute and completed his tally in the 25th.

Smith was on target in the 23rd and 57th minutes.

Also inking their names on the score sheet were Kelcey Benson in the 26th minute and Roger Dey in the 60th minute.

The young Herstelling unit got tougher as the game progressed, but were no match for the seasoned Soesdyke side. Another double-header is set for Sunday at the same venue.

UWI VICE CHANCELLOR’S XI defeted by ENGLAND XI

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ORTH SOUND, Antigua – Scoreboard from the 50 overs-a-side tour match between the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor’s XI and the England XI on Tuesday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground:

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND XI (maximum 50 overs) L Wright c Barath b Reifer 36 A Hales c and b Joseph 28 B Stokes c Palmer b Cummins 58 J Root not out 104 E Morgan lbw b Dewar 7 +J Buttler lbw b Dewar 5 R Bopara c Jacobs b Reifer 12 T Bresnan b Dewar 17 C Jordan c (sub) b Carter 8 *S Broad not out 2 Extras: (lb1, w10, nb2) 13 TOTAL: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 290 Did not bat: J Tredwell Fall of wickets: 1-58,

2-85, 3-153, 4-171, 5-179, 6-203, 7-265, 8-279 Bowling: Cummins 8-0-52-1 (w4); Reifer 8-0-46-2 (nb1, w2); Carter 6-0-43-1 (w1); Joseph 8-0-45-1 (w2); Jacobs 10-0-360 (nb1, w1); Dewar 10-0-67-3 UWI VICE CHANCELLOR’S XI (target: 291 off 50 overs) A Barath c Jordan b Tredwell 32 C Walton c Jordan b Tredwell 27 P Palmer c Jordan b Tredwell 0 K Corbin c Tredwell b Bresnan 105 J Carter lbw b Bopara 17 R Reifer c wkpr Buttler b Broad 13 +D Thomas b Broad 40

S Jacobs not out 3 A Dewar not out 5 Extras: (lb7, w12) 19 TOTAL: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 261 Did not bat: M Cummins, A Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-54, 3-71, 4-108, 5-143, 248, 7-253 Bowling: Jordan 8-0-39-0 (w3); Broad 9-1-40-2; Stokes 7-041-0; Bresnan 9-0-47-1 (w5); Tredwell 9-2-39-3; Bopara 4-033-1 (w2); Root 4-1-15-0 (w1) Result: England XI won by 29 runs Toss: UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI Umpires: B Joseph, C Tuckett

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) has offered congratulations to West Indies female cricketer Shemaine Campbell, who was adjudged senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year 2013 by a National Sports Commission (NSC) panel of judges.

The club issued a statement to this effect and below is the full text.

“Patron Beverley Harper, President Keith Foster and the management of the RHTY&SC would like to express heartfelt congratulations to our member, Shemaine Campbell, on her achievement of being named Sportswoman-ofthe-Year 2013 by the NSC. The entire membership of the RHTY&SC is very proud of Shemaine and this represents another major award to be won by a member of Guyana’s leading youth and sport organisation and its founder, the St Francis Community Developer.

"Shemaine joined the RHTY&SC at the tender age of 13 and has worked very hard with discipline and dedication to fulfill her childhood dream of representing the West Indies at the highest level.

"Along the way, Shemaine became the only Guyanese female to score a century at all levels - inter-club, inter-county and regional levels, and also created history when last year she became the only Guyanese and only the second West Indian to score a One Day International (ODI) century. Shemaine also led the Rose Hall Town Metro Team to becoming national champions when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hosted the first and only national female cricket tournament in 2009.

"Winning awards is nothing new to this outstanding role model cricketer, who in the past has

Shemaine Campbell

won seven RHTY&SC Female Cricketer-of-theYear awards and the Berbice Female Cricketer award on four occasions.

She has alos won the national junior sportswoman (runner-up) award for 2010. It must be noted that in addition to Shemaine’s two national sports awards, the RHTY&SC’s Assad Fudadin also copped the runner-up Junior Sportsman award in 2000, while Secretary Hilbert Foster became the first and only club official to have ever won the National Sports Personality award, which he received for 2010.

"We are very proud of Shemaine and would like to express gratitude to all the cricket sponsors of our club who have invested into her career, and these include Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, Bakewell, Farfan and Mendes, DDL Pepsi, Gizmos and Gadgets, Basil Butcher, Western Union, TCL (Guy) Limited, and especially Metro Office and Computer Supplies.

Shemaine’s award is specially dedicated to Taajnauth Jadunauth and Avie Lindie

of Metro for their support of our female team over the years and we are confident that Shemaine’s achievement would inspire her team mates Erva Giddings, Melianie Henry, Plaffina Millington, Erica Hashley and Shaeizba Gajnabi among others to greater heights.

"The RHTY&SC would like to express gratitude to Claude David for his nomination of Shemaine and also to Alethea Grant-Charles for seconding the nomination. Special thanks also to Brij Paranauth for the role he played in recognising our member's achievements in 2013. It is a pity that the relevant cricket authorities have no role in nominating Shemaine and for not even honouring her for becoming the first Guyanese female to score an international century.

"The management and members of the RHTY&SC would like to assure the general public that this award would inspire all of us to work harder to make a positive difference in the lives of youths via sports and to uphold the high tradition we have set in the past.”

Sudesh Fitzgerald is new darts champion

By Rajiv Bisnauth

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udesh Fitzgerald employed some precision throws to register three games and dethrone national champion Anil Lachhman in the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) Mashramani Darts Classic tournament at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) held on Saturday last.

Lachhman won two in the three best in five affair when the two tangled in the Men’s Singles 501 championships.

First blood

The former champion drew first blood, winning the first two games before Fitzgerald rebounded, taking the final three games.

Ricardo Madhoo claimed third position when he de-

feated the other losing semifinalist Anthony Bissoondyal two games to one.

Rosetta Hiralall continued the trend when she registered another upset over Shondell Hyles to win the Women’s Singles 501 title.

Hyles was well placed to upset the national champion, leading two games to one.

However, Hiralall used all her experience to claim the final two games to win three games to two.

The third place went to veteran Jean DeSouza who defeated Melissa Smart two games to one.

Mixed Doubles

Meanwhile, in the Mixed Doubles 501 event, Sudesh Fitzgerald and newcomer S Persaud got the better of Sherwyn Greene and another newcomer Shondell Hale,

two games to one.

In the Men’s Doubles 501 event, Fitzgerald and Madhoo defeated Colin France and Lachhman, three games to one.

Mixed Triples

In the Mixed Triples 701 event, Greene, Hiralall and Lallchand Rambharose were winners over Andrew Balchand, Chris Fulton and Hemwattie Amyan, two games to one.

There were also three incentive prizes awarded for special performances.

Rambharose registered the only maximum 180 throw in the various events.

The highest check-out to finish a game was done

by Andrew Balchand (128), while the shortest/fastest game (16 darts) went to Fitzgerald and Lachhman.

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

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DCB training facility risks becoming another “white elephant”

– identity of DCB executives still unknown

By Rajiv Bisnauth

T

he Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) practise facility is now the dwelling place for animals as it awaits the resolution of a number of legal issues before it is officially handed over to the executives of the parent body.

However, with no real resolutions to the pending legal issues and the lack of knowledge of its parent body, the facility runs the risk of becoming a rather expensive "white elephant".

The facility, which is housed in the compound of the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Ground, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, has been completed for some time now, but it is still unclear when the facility will be operational.

The building, which was constructed after Guyana won the inaugural Stanford Twenty/20 tournament in 2006, was built by a grant from the now imprisoned former Texan billionaire Allen Stanford.

This grant was part of

The DCB training facility practice pitches overrun by weeds (Photos: Rajiv Bisnauth)

Stanford’s elaborate plan known project in Berbice to plough monies back were built from the grant. into territorial boards so Unknown that players might have On the other hand, the proper facilities to hone Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) their skills. continues to maintain its siMeanwhile, when lence as regards the names Guyana Times Sport vis- of the members of the DCB, were elected to serve for ited the DCB facility on who the period 2013 to 2015.

Tuesday, vegetation had Guyana Times Sport has taken over the door, while tried on numerous occasions the fence that encloses the to obtain the names, but to no avail. practice pitches was comHowever, this publication pletely covered in knee- understands that the GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie is high grass.

The centre was con- the only person with the authority to release the names. structed, with the intention Further, a request was of housing the secretari- made by this publication at of the DCB and hosting on January 23, via email to county teams preparing Sanasie requesting the minutes and video recordings for tournaments. of the GCB Annual General The DCB facility, the Meeting held on January Anna Regina cricket hos- 27, 2013, which is believed tel in Essequibo and an un- to contain the names of the

We continue to strive for excellence, says Mathura – will be participating in Guyana Cup again

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

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ice-President of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Terry Mathura said they will “continue to strive for excellence” as the start of the 2014 cricket season looms.

Some 27 teams are expected to participate again and that is a huge encouragement for them given the fact that they have already set high standards to maintain a great softball league, not only in North America but elsewhere.

He made this declaration on Friday during an exclusive interview with this writer and also expressed great optimism that this year will be another successful one for his league.

Mathura believes once they continue to work hard and create more innovations for the betterment of the game, softball cricketers can have total enjoyment. Since the formation of the league in 1996, Mathura has been an active member.

He was very excited to serve in the capacity as Vicepresident and also acknowledged the efforts his fellow executives put in to complete

Terry Mathura

another season which has been inspirational for this year’s competitions.

“I want to say that we will strive for excellence for the betterment of softball cricket in Canada; I think we [are] very much organised and prepared again to see the games play in a competitive manner, but I know and confident my fellow executives will continue to work hard again,” the Guyanese Mathura related.

It is not a disappointment, but Mathura would have preferred an OSCL team heads off to the forthcoming Florida Softball Cup next month but finance is quite problematic.

However, he is very optimistic

a team will be participating in Guyana Cup this year.

“We would have liked to see our team playing in the Florida Cup, New York tournament in July and of course the Guyana Cup but sponsorship to offset the expense is challenging at the moment but we have put things place at least for the Guyana’s trip later this year,” Mathura divulged.

Reflecting on past years, Mathura was very satisfied with the progress made by the OSCL with the level of competitions and more importantly organisations.

The 25-over has now been cut to 15 overs, while the regular season is the 20-over.

Excitement was very high with the introduction of the 10-over in 2013.

Meanwhile, Mathura has supported president Albert Ramcharran on the “pelting” issue and that is something they will be working feverishly to end this year but he has frantically called on the umpires to do that. It happens on the field and Mathura stated the onus is on the umpires to deem it illegal.

Cricketer’s Cove is the defending Grand champion.

This is what the DCB practice facility is surrounded by

purpose of the election of office bearers to the Executive Committee” of the DCB for the period 2013 to 2015 term of office.

However, not everyone has given credence to the result.

Many observers have maintained that the elections were held so as to ensure that there was some amount of validity to GCB elections that were held two days after, and that there would have been a quorum to facilitate the local govern-

its elected officials.

The Raj Singh faction of the DCB held elections on January 25 last year, despite an injunction hours prior to the elections.

Injunction

Raj Singh

elected members of the DCB. However, as of press time on Tuesday, no response was received.

Phone calls made to Sanasie’s cell number also proved futile.

The DCB’s President Raj Singh told this publication last September that the decision not to release the names of the DCB is not a clandestine move to keep the public in the dark, but rather it is linked to several pending court cases, The Raj Singh-led board has faced severe criticism about the non-disclosure of

The injunction was granted to plaintiffs Roger Harper and Davteerth Anandjit and the defendants named in the court document were Rajendra Singh, Lalta Digamber, Anand Sanasie, Alfred Mentore, Anand Kalladeen, Ravindranauth Persaud, Ronald Sarjoo, Nazimul Drepaul, Colin Europe, Ray Persaud, Krishnchand Mangal, Chetram Singh, Lionel Jaikaran, Ramsey Ali, Fizul Bacchus, Drubahadur, Troy Mendonca, Terrence Holder (now deceased) and Rayon Griffith.

The interim injunction had restrained the defendants “by themselves, their servants and or agents acting collectively or individually…from convening or causing to be convened or holding an Annual General Meeting of the DCB on January 25, 2013 or any other date for the

Anand Sanasie

ing body’s elections.

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) and Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) were not part of the DCB elections and have since pulled out of any commitments to the current DCB set-up that draws its support from the East and West Bank Demerara subassociations.

Meanwhile, two of Guyana Times Sport reporters continue to be excluded from the media mailing list of the GCB, despite several requests to the board's office to have them included.

Gibson: This series is important for us

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est Indies Head Coach Ottis Gibson is expecting good things from his team when they face England in the upcoming three-match OneDay International Series at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The Windies arrived on island Monday afternoon and had a full training session on Tuesday morning at the match venue. Following the session, Gibson outlined the team’s plans for the upcoming matches.

“We’re building toward the ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and that’s important for us, but this series is also very important for us,” Gibson told reporters.

“We will play this series as One-Day Internationals, because that is what they are, and we will play hard and tough cricket and look to beat England. We haven’t played great One-Day cricket over the last six to eight months so we have to try

Terry Mathura

and treat these games as they are try and win them for sure.”

He added: “We’re at home so hopefully we will benefit from home advantage. We went to New Zealand recently with a depleted side and we managed to level that series and we came away thinking that we could have won it. Hopefully we can come out and entertain our fans and give them something to smile about

because we have not given them much to smile about recently in this format.”

During the recent tour of New Zealand the Windies ended 2-2 – winning the final match to level the series. In the final match West Indies made a record 363-4 to win by 202 runs. One match was washed out.

The upcoming series against England starts on Friday, with the second match carded for Sunday and the third match next Wednesday.

Following the ODIs, the two teams will play a three-match T20 Series in Barbados as part of preparations for the ICC World T20 Tournament to be played in Bangladesh.

SQUAD: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Jason Holder, Nikita Miller, Sunil Narine, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

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guyanatimesGY.com

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

“Awo” slams helmettrick on Slingerz FC – Uitvlugt stop Stewartville debut to reach semis

West Demerara leg of Jagan memorial cycling set for Sunday

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ational striker Anthony “Awo” Abrams netted a helmet-trick (four goals), while Clive DeNobrega and Devon Millington scored a goal apiece to help guide tournament host and defending champions Slingerz Football Club (FC) to a 6-1 victory over Bagotsville, when action in the second annual Stag Beer/West Mashramani Champions Cup continued at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground.

In the second clash of the night’s planned double-header Monday last, Uitvlugt walked away 3-0 winners over their rival nighbouring village, Stewartville.

The win for the two teams means that they will clash with each other in Saturday’s semi-finals at the same venue.

Abrams was signed to Slingerz FC from Alpha “The Hammer” United during the last transfer window, along with six other players to form a new look roster for the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) number one club.

Forming an alliance with Millington up front, it was obvious head coach Charles “Lilly” Pollard wanted to see how the two will mesh and his experiment paid off in the ninth minute when Abrams and his new found partner teamed up to score the game’s opening goal.

After receiving the assist from Abrams, Millington returned the favour eight minutes later as “Awo” scored his first goal since signing to the ‘West Side’ club to put the score 2-0.

The score line doesn’t

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The sign says it all! Anthony “Awo” Abrams is all smiles after scoring four goals on debut for his new club Slingerz FC, who defeated Bagotsville 6-1

tell a true story of how hard Bagotsville fought off relentless attacks from Slingerz FC and they were able to counter in the 23rd minute and scored a beautiful goal from Delon Layne.

Slingerz FC’s field setting fit that of a team which came out to press their opponents from the first whistle and with the Collin Nelsonled defence all sitting well into the Bagotsville half, Layne ran on to a perfectly placed pass and caught goal keeper Jason Cromwell off guard as the two sides ended the first half 2-1.

Something must have been said by Pollard to his troops during the half time break. Slingerz came out looking hungrier than in the first half and the combination of Millington and Abrams on top placed the Bagotsville team under extreme pressure.

Abrams was able to score his second goal from the charity spot in the 52nd

Charles Stoby netted a double to lead Uitvlugt to a 3-0 win over Stewartville

minute after Millington was brought down in the penalty area. His other two goals (62nd and 70th) both came from Millington assists.

Meanwhile, the second game of the night lived up to all expectations, though it was Uitvlugt which booked a place in the semi-finals.

An own goal in the fourth minute and a double from Charles Stoby in the eighth and 50th minutes ended a dominant performance from Uitvlugt as they now face the biggest challenge against the defending champions.

The Slingerz FC/ Uitvlugt game will be the second game on Saturday with Den Amstel and Pouderoyen playing in the opening fixture from 18:30 hours.

Apart from Stag Beer, Double Day Rentals, Nicola’s Bar, R&K Gas station, First Choice Waters and Two Brothers Service Station are the other sponsors on board so far.

Ramlall, Moriah lead ECCCC to victory over Lusignan

F

iery spells from new ball pair Chetram Ramlall and Gavin Moriah spurred Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Lusignan on Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

Playing in a feature game, reduced to 18 overs, Lusignan batted first and posted 103-9 with D. Samaroo making 32.

Ramlall, the right-arm fast bowler, was at his destructive best, claiming 4-19 from three overs, while Moriah, a left-arm seamer, bagged 3-15 from four tight overs.

In reply, the hosts cruised to 107-3 from 16 overs with skipper

Double trouble! Fast bowlers Chetram Ramlall (left) and Gavin Moriah

Bheemraj Ramkellawan leading the run-chase with a solid 42.

Fellow opener Navindra

Gobin supported with 20. The victory was the ECCCC’s 12th in succession.

Cheddi Jagan

Hassan Mohamed

Robin Persaud

ith the month of March just a matter of days away, organisers of the Cheddi Jagan three-stage memorial cycling event are busy laying the groundwork for the hosting of the annual activity.

National cycling coach and chief organiser, Hassan Mohamed, on Tuesday informed the media that the West Demerara leg will be staged on Sunday, the Berbice leg on March 9 and the Essequibo road race on March 23.

Sunday’s highly anticipated race will start in front of the Wales Police Station at 08:00 hours, proceed to

Bushy Park, Parika, before returning to Schoonard, covering a distance of 50 miles. This is the sixth year the event would be held on the West Demerara roadways.

The veteran, mountain bikers and female cyclists will turn at the Uitvlugt Community Centre on the upward journey and finish at Schoonard.

As usual, the first six finishers in the Open category, and the first three juniors, veterans and mountain bikers will be rewarded.

Also, the first rider over the age of 60 to cross the line will be given a prize, while eight prime prizes will be at

stake.

The defending champions of the various categories are Robin Persud (Open), Montel Anthony (junior), Kennard Lovell (veteran), Ozia McUally (mountain bike) and Naomi Singh (female).

Persaud’s winning time was one hour, 56 minutes, 44.24 seconds (01h: 56m: 44.24s).

The race is being sponsored by Jiffi Auto Sales and Spares and representatives of the company, as well as executives of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) are expected to witness the race and assist in the presentation ceremony.

Malta Supreme Hugh Ross Classic Body Building Show...

Hadi’s World Inc/City Mall again supports body building show

Hadi’s World Inc/City Mall Public Relations representative Dione Johnson hands over the cheque to Hugh Ross

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ith preparations at a heightened level among athletes competing in the fourth edition of the Malta Supreme Hugh Ross Classic Body Building and Fitness Show set for March 29 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), Hadi’s World Inc/City Mall has flexed its financial muscle to ensure another successful competition.

On February 24 at the entity’s premises in Lombard Street, Georgetown, Public Relations representative Dione Johnson handed over a cheque to Chairman of the Hugh Ross Classic Committee, Hugh Ross.

Johnson, in making the presentation to the man in whose honour the show is held, noted that the entity has always been a supporter of the show, and that this year it would be no different.

“We at Hadi’s World Inc/ City Mall are happy to once again be a part of this activity, which showcases the best athletes, both male and female. We see this contribution as our way of giving back to the persons who bring joy to us whilst competing,” she said.

She said Hadi’s World Inc/City Mall has always been an ardent supporter of sports in Guyana’s and its development. She said the entity and its sister company, Mohammed’s Enterprise, have been tangibly supporting sports throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

Ross in response complimented Johnson and her company for their support, once again promising that this year’s competition will be the best ever. Ross stated that International

Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) pro athlete Jeff ‘Classic’ Beckham has already been confirmed as the guest poser.

Beckham would be in Guyana a few days before the show to interact with athletes and school children, among other activities.

On competition night, there will be three female categories – Female Bodybuilding, Miss Figure and Miss Bikini.

The male categories are Bantamweight – up to 65kgs (143lbs), Lightweight – up to 70kgs (144-154lbs), Welterweight – up to 75kgs (155-165lbs), Light Middleweight – up to 80kgs (166-176lbs), and Heavyweight (176 and over).

The respective category winners will then compete in the overall when the winner will be crowned Mister HRC 2014.

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

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Under-19 World Cup 2014, playoffs…

WI beat Afghanistan; Bangladesh, NZ in plate final W

est Indies Under19s seamer Ray Jordan picked up three wickets to help the team edge Afghanistan Under-19s by nine runs in the Under-19 World Cup Dubai. Chasing 216, Afghanistan were inching towards a win at 204-7, but Jordan struck off successive deliveries in the 47th over before Gudakesh Motie’s strike in the next over dismissed Afghanistan for 206.

Earlier, Fabian Allen’s 92 had helped West Indies recover after three of their top five batsmen were out for ducks.

Allen hit eight fours and four sixes, and combined with Ramaal Lewis for a sixth-wicket partnership worth 52 runs, which eventually took the team to 215. Fareed Ahmad and Mohammad Mujtaba shared three scalps apiece for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan were buoyed by a 51 from the opener Shahidullah, but the loss of wickets at regular intervals saw them precariously placed at 97 for 5. Hashmatullah Shaidi scored an unbeaten 52 and the captain Nasir Jamal chipped in with 30, but the team eventually

SCOREBOARD West Indies Under-19s innings (50 overs maximum) T Chanderpaul c Mohammad Mujtaba b Sayed Shirzad 0 JL Solozano lbw b Fareed Ahmad 0 TD Coleman b Nasir Ahmadzai 37 BA King c & b Mohammad Mujtaba 15 N Pooran† b Mohammad Mujtaba 0 FA Allen lbw b Fareed Ahmad 92 RA Lewis* st †Munir Ahmad b Sharafuddin Ashraf 27 MJ Mindley b Mohammad Mujtaba 1 G Moti-Kanhai c Hashmatullah Shaidi b Usman Ghani 17 BNL Charles c Sharafuddin Ashraf b Fareed Ahmad 6 ROO Jordan not out 2 Extras: (lb-4, w-14) 18 Total: (all out; 49.2 overs) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Solozano, 1.4 ov), 2-1 (Chanderpaul, 2.5 ov), 3-42 (King, 12.4 ov), 4-42 (Pooran, 14.3 ov), 5-110 (Coleman, 27.4 ov), 6-162 (Lewis, 37.2 ov), 7-170 (Mindley, 39.3 ov), 8-192 (Allen, 44.2 ov), 9-207 (Charles, 47.5 ov), 10215 (Moti-Kanhai, 49.2 ov) Bowling: Sayed Shirzad 101-46-1 (3-w), Fareed Ahmad 10-1-47-3 (3-w), Sharafuddin Ashraf 10-2-26-1, Shahidullah 1-0-6-0 (1-w), Mohammad Mujtaba 10-0-46-3 (2-w), Nasir Ahmadzai 6-0-24-1,

Hashmatullah Shaidi 2-0-140, Usman Ghani 0.2-0-2-1 Afghanistan Under-19s innings (target: 216 runs from 50 overs) Usman Ghani run out (†Pooran) 23 Shahidullah c †Pooran b Jordan 51 Mohammad Mujtaba c Chanderpaul b Lewis 8 Waheedullah Shafaq b Lewis 5 Ihsanullah c Allen b Charles 1 ashmatullah Shaidi not out 52 Nasir Ahmadzai* c Lewis b Mindley 30 Munir Ahmad† st †Pooran b Solozano 11 Sharafuddin Ashraf c King b Jordan 21 Sayed Shirzad b Jordan 0 Fareed Ahmad lbw b Moti-Kanhai 0 Extras: (b-1, w-3) 4 Total: (all out; 48 overs) 206 Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Usman Ghani, 5.3 ov), 2-49 (Mohammad Mujtaba, 10.3 ov), 3-63 (Waheedullah Shafaq, 14.3 ov), 4-64 (Ihsanullah, 15.1 ov), 5-97 (Shahidullah, 24.4 ov), 6-146 (Nasir Ahmadzai, 37.2 ov), 7-174 (Munir Ahmad, 42.5 ov), 8-204 (Sharafuddin Ashraf, 46.3 ov), 9-204 (Sayed Shirzad, 46.4 ov), 10-206 (Fareed Ahmad, 47.6 ov) Bowling: ROO Jordan 10-0-443 (2-w), MJ Mindley 9-0-50-1, G Moti-Kanhai 8-1-40-1, RA Lewis 9-1-38-2, BNL Charles 10-1-201, JL Solozano 2-0-13-1 (1-w)

E-Networks Base Star...

Prospects came from all over Guyana to try their arm and some were well rewarded for their effort; those identified for continuation in the competition to be Guyana’s first baseball star are: Abdul Jaleel Jaffar, Alanzo J Fernandes, Andrew Gibson, Dexter George, Dillion Williams, Eon Reynolds, Jamal Anderson, Joel Davis, John Henk George, Kewin Layne, Kurt Bijadder, Latchman Dindayal, Leon McBean, Mark Jackman, Marvin Mahipat, Orlando Tanner, Randy Arrindell, Shemar Arrindell, Julian Fortune, Naveed Ali, Jomo Joseph, Avishkar Ramgobin, Dornel Barker, Nicholas Shivkumar, Richie Looknauth, Jamal Lafleur (Male) and Emily

from back page

Ramsuchit, Shamira Ramsuchit, Ruthann Simon, Niossi Alsopp and Ketisha Hick (Female).

On the final day of phase one of the E-Networks Baseball star show, there was a Pro style workout for the players following which a customised workout has been designed for each player.

The coming weeks will see the contestants hone their skills under the watchful eyes of coaches and cameras as they prepare for a second round of visits from Major League Baseball scouts in March.

E-Networks will air the show on its own Channel 1 in HD and a week later on other local television stations.

Ray Jordan

fell just short.

NZ, Bangladesh win Ken McClure’s second consecutive fifty helped New Zealand Under-19s to a five-wicket win against

UAE Under-19s in the Plate semi-final in Abu Dhabi. McClure hit seven fours and a six during his unbeaten 62 to help New Zealand chase down 141 in 30.2 overs.

UAE, put in to bat, were unable to gather any momentum as their progress was halted by wickets at regular intervals.

Kyle Jamieson provided the first breakthrough for New Zealand in the ninth over, with the total on 26.

Jeremy Benton and Josh Finnie shared two wickets each as UAE stumbled to 85 for 7 and only a 36run stand for the eighth wicket gave the UAE score some respectability.

While most of their batsmen made starts, none could muster more than 21 as a result of which the

team eventually folded for 140 in 49.2 overs.

New Zealand lost Henry Collier early in the chase, but Raki Weerasundara chipped in with 30. The team lost five wickets by the 27th over, but UAE did not have enough runs to challenge the opposition. New Zealand will now play Bangladesh in the Plate Final.

A quick half-century from Mosaddek Hossain paved the way for Bangladesh Under19s’ 76-run win against Zimbabwe Under-19s in the other Plate SemiFinal. Mosaddek whipped six fours and a six during his unbeaten 66-ball 83, and forged a 64-run alliance for the fifth wicket with Yasir Ali to take the team to a competitive

265 for 6. The groundwork for Bangladesh’s innings had been laid by Joyraz Sheik (58) and Litton Das (47) who put up 77 for the second wicket to help the team towards the 150-run mark.

The Bangladesh bowlers then ran through Zimbabwe’s top order to leave the team struggling at 65 for 5, but Luke Jongwe and the captain Malcolm Lake put up a brief resistance, with a 50run partnership for the sixth wicket.

However, two wickets in the 37th over from Mustafizur Rahman once again dented Zimbabwe’s hopes and despite a fighting 30 from Deven Bell at No. 9, the team were restricted to 193 for 9 from their 50 overs. (Cricinfo)

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

TOP SCORES

five-for Johnson out with injury Malinga cuts Pakistan short Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup, Fatullah…

– to be replaced by Amir Khan

SCOREBOARD

By Rajiv Bisnauth

N

ational Cricket Captain, Leon Johnson has been forced to withdraw from the Guyana squad for the opening round in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day Tournament after suffering a knee injury.

Johnson will be replaced by promising leg-spinner Amir Khan, according to Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Selection Panel Chairman Rayon Griffith.

He also told this publication on Tuesday that veteran West Indies batsman and Vice Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul will take the reins of leadership.

The Guyanese will open their campaign against Jamaica on Friday at Sabina Park.

Khan made his first class debut in the 2011 regional four-day competition against Trinidad and Tobago at the Providence National Stadium, ending wicket less in the game which Trinidad and Tobago

Amir Khan

Leon Johnson

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

won by an innings and 45 runs.

The 21-year-old Khan, who plays for Jenexcon Tableland Sports Club in Trinidad and Tobago, representedWest Indies at the Under-15 and Under -19 levels.

Meanwhie, the Guyan A sqaud rrived in Jamaica on Tuesday according to a Media Release from the Jamaica Cricket Association.

The last time Guyana met Jamaica in a four day encounter was in April

last year, wheN the visiting Jamaica team won the match by 214 runs at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Guyana has not tasted success at the regional first class level since 1998, when they won the last of six titles against Barbados at the Kensington Oval.

Guyana finished at the bottom of the points table last year, with their only win being against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC). Guyana drew with the Leeward

Islands in their opening game, but suffered defeats at the hands of Barbados, Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.

Members of the Guyana squad are Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Amir Khan, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph and Vishal Singh.

Sri Lanka innings (50 overs maximum) MDKJ Perera c †Umar Akmal b Umar Gul 14 HDRL Thirimanne b Saeed Ajmal 102 KC Sangakkara† c Ahmed Shehzad b Umar Gul 67 DPMD Jayawardene b Shahid Afridi 13 AD Mathews* not out 55 NLTC Perera c Ahmed Shehzad b Shahid Afridi 6 PC de Silva run out (Ahmed Shehzad) 2 LD Chandimal not out 19 Extras: (b-4, lb-6, w-8) 18 Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 296 Fall of wickets: 1-28 (MDKJ Perera, 7.3 ov), 2-189 (Sangakkara, 31.5 ov), 3-204 (Thirimanne, 35.2 ov), 4-224 (Jayawardene, 38.5 ov), 5-245 (NLTC Perera, 42.1 ov), 6-251 (de Silva, 43.3 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 9-0-54-0, Umar Gul 8-0-382 (2-w), Junaid Khan 9-0-610 (2-w), Bilawal Bhatti 4-027-0, Saeed Ajmal 10-0-50-1, Shahid Afridi 10-0-56-2 (2-w) Pakistan innings (target: 297 runs from 50 overs) Sharjeel Khan c Mathews

b Lakmal 26 Ahmed Shehzad b de Silva 28 Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Mathews 18 Sohaib Maqsood c de Silva b Senanayake 17 Misbah-ul-Haq* c Senanayake b Malinga 73 Umar Akmal† c †Sangakkara b Lakmal 74 Shahid Afridi c Chandimal b Malinga 4 Bilawal Bhatti b Malinga 18 Umar Gul c de Silva b Malinga 2 Saeed Ajmal lbw b Malinga 10 Junaid Khan not out 1 Extras: (lb-3, w-10) 13 Total: (all out; 48.5 overs) 284 Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Sharjeel Khan, 6.1 ov), 2-77 (Ahmed Shehzad, 12.3 ov), 3-83 (Mohammad Hafeez, 13.3 ov), 4-121 (Sohaib Maqsood, 23.3 ov), 5-242 (Umar Akmal, 42.3 ov), 6-252 (Shahid Afridi, 44.4 ov), 7-254 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 44.6 ov), 8-262 (Umar Gul, 46.5 ov), 9-281 (Saeed Ajmal, 48.2 ov), 10-284 (Bilawal Bhatti, 48.5 ov) Bowling: SL Malinga 9.5-0-525 (1-w), RAS Lakmal 9-1-652, SMSM Senanayake 9-047-1, PC de Silva 10-1-56-1 (2-w), NLTC Perera 6-0-36-0, AD Mathews 5-1-25-1 (1-w)

E-Networks Base Star completes first week of tryouts

Local talent discovered as E-Networks held tryouts for their upcoming reality television show

E

-Networks Baseball Star, a reality television show, wrapped up its first week of tryouts overseen by the Baltimore Orioles International scout, Justin Prinstein.

Prinstein was impressed with the local talent on display and remarked, “ I have seen ages pretty much from12 to 26 year olds and the 12 and 16 year olds show a lot of promise and the players

that are a little bit older show a skill set that is at a very high level, players that have never played before.”

Prinstein has advised the Guyana Baseball League to move the timetable for setting up national teams as he is certain with the talent observed, “Guyana can become a major player in the baseball world in a short time.” He was also able to unearth female players whom he identified as a core group around which a national programme will be built.

The filming of the entire process and behind the scenes occurrences has fired the imagination of the baseball world, USA Baseball C.E.O Paul Seiler commented on the concept, “Truly groundbreaking, will be interesting to watch this unfold. Well done.”

Tryouts in progress at GCC Ground

Other baseball governing bodies have expressed interest in copying the format and exposing

available talent to professional and academic opportunities.

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