Guyana Times Daily

Freedom of the press under attack

Govt to focus on community

Glenn Lall’s silence deafening

PPP/C deeply concerned about court’s gag on Guyana Times

LIAT flights disrupted after pilot strike, parties to meet today Wise energy use requires behavioural change – GEA head Canadian envoy calls on APNU’s leadership

Cummings Lodge Secondary celebrating 50th anniversary

Caricom accredits Israel’s first-ever ambassador to region Police to toughen up on traffic management

A Karasabai resident showing President Donald Ramotar the art of cassava bread making during his visit to the community last week as part of an outreach

wednesday, november 6, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Freedom of the press under attack

Guyana Times/TVG reporters resign

– fear Glenn Lall’s retaliation

Guyana Times is part of a media group, which also includes Television Guyana Inc (TVG) Channel 28 and Radio Guyana Inc (RGI). Ever since Guyana Times commenced operations in 2008, the newspaper has been the target of a series of attacks by other sections of the private media, in particular the Kaieteur News. These attacks were nothing less than a sustained effort to deny to the Guyana

Times the right to publish information guaranteed by the Constitution as part of the freedom of the press.

These attacks have more recently become even more pronounced in the wake of the publication of a series of investigative, explosive articles surrounding the Kaieteur News owner and publisher, Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, especially as it concerns the 2006 murder of five of the newspaper's pressmen in which it

was mentioned that there is "no statute of limitations on murder".

This sequence of events has culminated in Leana Bradshaw, a reporter employed at Guyana Times / TVG resigning on Tuesday, citing fear for her safety in light of the recent series of articles and reports carried by the newspaper and the Evening News, which is aired on TVG, about Lall.

Two other female reporters also resigned, ap-

parently in sympathy for their colleague's fear. The resignations were also submitted Tuesday to management following an editorial meeting involving reporters and staff.

On Sunday, the reporter had initially met with an editor and explained that she had serious fears and reservations reading a story about Lall on television, as she believed she could be identified and targeted, being one of the news anchors for the television station’s newscast.

Later that afternoon, when the reporter was told to read the story, she demurred and subsequently without the knowledge and approval of the editor, proceeded to excise the story about Lall from the newscast for the Sunday Evening News.

“I am of the view that reading such articles puts my life at risk, as persons can associate the content with me, contrary to the

newspaper reports where no by-lines are given or faces shown,” Bradshaw said in an email communication to the editor.

So great was her fear of retaliation from Lall that Bradshaw told her editor that she was willing to voice the script as long as her face was not shown on television. This was confirmed by one of her colleagues who quit in sympathy. Bradshaw's stance showed she had no substantive problem with the script, but reacted out of fear.

and make public their findings,” Guyana Times s/TVG/ RGI General Manager Daniel Singh said.

“Journalists ought to be able to do their jobs without any fear of consequences at the hands of those whom they publish stories about,” he added. “I take this opportunity to wish them well and thank them for their services to Guyana Times / TVG.”

Singh explained that, even after her complaints, one of the editors of the media group met with Bradshaw and assured her

“I am of the view that reading such articles puts my life at risk, as persons can associate the content with me, contrary to the newspaper reports where no by-lines are given or faces shown” – Leana Bradshaw

That expression of fear was repeated at an editorial meeting and was further supported by one of the other reporters who quit.

The management of Guyana Times /TVG regrets the decision taken by the reporters and wishes them well for the future.

“It is indeed a sad day when journalists have to operate in fear of certain personalities because they dare to investigate them

of the company’s support, as well as for other staff members who feel threatened.

The editor also held similar discussions with all three of the reporters, minutes before they left the office, following their resignations.

The management of Guyana Times TVG/RGI is in the process of bolstering security for its staff in view of this recent development.

Kaieteur News owner and publisher Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

Glenn Lall’s silence deafening – as families of slain pressmen cry for justice

TWinds: Easterly at 3.12 to 2.68 metres per

High Tide: 06:08h and 18:21h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.79 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:55h reaching a minimum height of 0.57 metre.

he families of the six Kaieteur News pressmen who were gunned down in cold blood at the newspaper’s printing press back in August 2006 are disappointed that they have not heard from the police despite a series of recent articles in the media.

Guyana Times and the Evening News have been carrying a series of investigative pieces on the mass murder which occurred on the evening of August 8, 2006. “We glad that Guyana Times and Evening News remember us. That day come and gone and nobody get time with us. We nah gat anybody to go to. The police nah say nothing to us in a long time. De government ain’t even doin anything. We don’t know what they afraid of,” one family member said.

The police are also yet to confirm whether or not the matter is considered closed as far as investigations are concerned. Recently, the family members also cried foul over the money “supposedly” raised for them in the wake of the killings. The owner and publisher of the muckraking, oppositionaligned Kaieteur News, Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, had embarked on a fund-raising effort, reportedly to assist the family members of the victims in the wake of the shooting incident.

But it appears not all of the millions of dollars

raised were used for that purpose. And even now, no one knows for sure the total amount of money collected by Lall, who continues to be silent despite many calls for him to come clean with the families.

Millions of dollars were raised, but the amount of funds handed out for relief to the family members did not add up, said one relative. “One man collect all de money and one man hand out all de money. Nobody know what went on,” she told this publication. “Everything was under he control.”

No answers

She begged that her identity not be revealed publicly, visibly afraid for her safety, as well as her children’s. The family members of those killed also say they have been waiting for answers from Lall, but none have been forthcoming. There has been widespread speculation that the slain pressmen were collateral damage for a deal gone sour.

When pressed as to why they expect answers from Lall and not the police, one family member said, “Everybody in Guyana know the truth. Even the police know the truth. But we still nah get justice yet. The workmen dem dead and gone and nobody remember we. But that is life.”

The killings occurred during a period of unprecedented crime in Guyana from 2000 to 2006, which

sent shock waves throughout the nation. Seven years ago, the Kaieteur News printery at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, came under attack by gunmen, who are believed to be connected to Lall in other suspected gang-related dealings that went sour.

Chetram Persaud, of 76 CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Eion Wegman, 47, of 51 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown; Richard Stewart, 24, of 239 Lamaha Park, East La Penitence, Georgetown; Mark Maikoo, 22, of 5 Yarrow Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown, and Shazeem Mohamed of 267 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, were shot point-blank and killed.

Another worker, Wordsworth Grey, of 31 Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, was shot dead shortly before the kill-

ers stormed the printery. Senior pressman Ramchand Harripersaud and security guard Julian De Grace were the only survivors of the bloodshed.

One of the most intriguing developments coming out of the crime wave was the alleged connection between many of the notorious criminals and Lall. More than 200 persons were killed in cold blood and to this day, there are more questions than answers.

Lall and his editor-inchief Adam Harris appeared to know well in advance about many murders and robberies and were on the spot to give coverage. On some occasions, they had reporters turn up before the events.

The Kaieteur News always appeared to have an inside line to Guyana’s criminal underworld, but the linkage was made explicit after WikiLeaks released a number of cables from the U.S. embassy in Georgetown. The embassy’s political officer, Benjamin Canavan reported to the State Department about various Guyanese who passed on information to him. “Lall has a sketchy past – he translated a shoe trading business (and rumoured involvement with alien [human] smuggling) into a muckraking independent newspaper. He has a finger firmly on the pulse of Guyana’s underworld, which serves his media enterprise well,” he said.

Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

Countrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius.

second.

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

Road safety

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in car wrecks caused by road rage and aggressive driving. Despite this, many people are still impatient and become angry on the road.

Road rage driving starts from things such as illegal or improper lane changes, failing to yield the right of way and excessive speeding, just to name a few.

According to a U.S. News and World Report, the United States Department of Transportation estimates that twothirds of fatalities are at least partially caused by road rage. We now have a very car-centric society and its disadvantages are many: including air pollution, health problems related to not getting enough exercise, high personal and governmental costs related to insurance and medical claims, deaths and injuries.

There’s a common problem that we too often downplay – all the stress and anger caused by spending so much time driving. There is now built-up fury in many of our people and this may very well be a root cause.

The modern day car is not only an object of convenience, beauty and status. It is also a cultural and psychological object, associated with the driver’s internal mental and emotional dynamics – our ego. It would be interesting to profile all who drive what and how in full detail.

The time has long gone to keep informing drivers. They know the rules, very much like children know what must obtain at home. When children err, they are dealt with. The same must take place with aggressive driving – it is the mindset that must be transformed.

Speeding is an obvious element in most fatal accidents here. Speeding drivers are those who either step on the gas to put on a show or make a fast dollar. The aiding factor to accidents along this line is the roadway. Guyana’s roads are very winding and rapid speed is impossible to sustain.

Another consideration is that of a de-incentive factor, where actual court cases are concerned. Just in Berbice alone, 53 out of 89 driving hearings were thrown out because police did not show up at court. Accidents in Guyana must not be explained away via silly excuses such as speeding and bad roads. Drivers know what they should do and how they should drive.

It is with these realities in mind that the Home Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) and the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department recently launched National Road Safety Month 2013 under the theme, “Alcohol, speed and inattentiveness cause accidents: drive wisely and save lives”.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, speaking at the event, pointed out that the first three things that Guyana should focus on are the issues of drunk driving, driving rapidly and inattention to driving. He believes that, with everyone’s contribution, accidents can be decreased by 50 per cent or more.

“We should come out with a campaign for a vigorous and widespread application of our rules or laws, our breathalyser test…because the only way we change the culture is that we have to put it up there in front of all of us together, we have to be consistently applying our laws,” said the prime minister.

At that same event, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn urged adults and parents to set examples, and said bad practices by the older ones should not be emulated by the younger ones. Supporting these sentiments, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) Representative Adrianus Vlugman pointed out that, in Guyana, the use of alcohol and inattentiveness are the main causes of accidents.

On the other hand, Chairman of GNRSC Norman McLean noted that, while Guyana continues to build bigger roads across the country, people can make a difference by setting better examples. He called on all drivers and road users to make this month a meaningful one.

All drivers ought to pay heed to these timely words of advice – and not only in this month!

Linden resident praises education minister for her courage

Dear Editor,

I am not personally acquainted with our Education Minister Priya Manickchand, but I do admire the courageous way she approaches her mandate.

That aside, I am perplexed at the level of intellectual debauchery on the part of some who have recently risen to criticise Minister Manickchand after she raised concerns as to why congratulations were not forthcoming from the opposition, particularly APNU and its leader Brigadier David Granger to the top students who were recognised by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) recently and duly rewarded for their efforts and achievements.

Incidentally these students all happened to be from one ethic grouping which raises even further questions in relation to the actions of APNU, the acronym incidentally for A Partnership for National Unity.

This concern is justified and might I say scandalous, when consideration is given to the fact that the APNU and Granger not only congratulated and honoured the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) top student in 2011 who happened to hail from the mining township of Linden, but also placed this child on their political platform during one of their pre-election rallies, while they berated the government and its education system.

Where were all these vocal critics of Minister Manickhand? Were they out of the country, or is it that APNU is held to a different standard in their mind and putting a child on a political platform is ok when it comes to the opposition, but if any People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government official ever dare to expose the inconsistency of the opposition on such issues, they are attacked from several quarters and efforts made to beat them figuratively speaking into submission?

Incidentally, I am from Linden so I vividly remember the spectacle of that particular day. How ironic was Granger facilitating this young child he placed on his political stage for excelling

and being the first Lindener to emerge the top student and at the same time accuse the PPP/C government of doing nothing for education, particularly in Linden. From what I read in the press, he continues with this charade, but in closing I am reminded of a Dr Martin Luther King, Jr quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Congratulations to all our students who excelled and for those who fell short this time around, please be reminded that there is always a second chance to excel once you remain purposeful and ambitious.

Patrice Harding, Linden resident

Criminals choose their destiny

Dear Editor, I make reference to a letter pertaining to the recent killing of three wayward criminals. In the letter, it was expressed how upset the killing of these three men made the writer feel. Forgive me if I fail to not comprehend, but what is this writer’s rationalisation? There are many like him who rant and rave when bandits get killed but

remain utterly indifferent when honest hard-working people become victims of these ruthless criminals.

Recently, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell shared his views, stating that it would be better to eradicate criminals and further remove guns from the streets instead of jeopardising the safety of the nation. I’m sure many of us would agree with this. No

one wants to live their life in fear. It is time for the questionable characters in society to feel threatened for a change. What is sometimes even more disappointing is how easily these perpetrators get off. Once bail is granted and they are released, there is nothing stopping them from striking again. Many times, it is the uneducated that resort to thieving and killing.

This is no excuse for choosing a path of criminality. The government has done all in its power to ensure that all Guyanese have the right to education. At the end of the day, these individuals choose their destiny and so they must face the respective consequences.

Yours sincerely, Ivelaw Wilson

The Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa in Jakarta, Indonesia offers a unique massage treatment – pythons (BBC Future)

A shameless attempt to cover up an embarrassing political blunder

Dear Editor,

On October 24, Education Minister Priya Manickchand held a press briefing to announce to the nation that five Guyanese students topped the entire Caribbean in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

Then on Thursday, October 31, while delivering brief remarks at the Education Ministry’s 17th national awards ceremony for outstanding performance at the National Cultural Centre, she made the following statement:

“It is absolutely disgraceful, shameful…with all we have to celebrate. Eight days ago we announced to this nation that five of our Guyanese sons and daughters topped the region, the whole Caribbean…other countries are celebrating us and blogging about us and writing editorials about us…so it is absolutely shameful and disgraceful that not one single leader of the opposition as yet has found it appropriate to congratulate our children.”

In a letter, “Minister Manickchand shouldn’t use students’ achievements to gain political mileage” (Kaieteur News, November 3), Alliance For Change leader (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan asserted, “I have commented on several AFC television shows across the country that these students deserve our praises.”

This is not true. This is a shameless attempt to cover-up an embarrassing political blunder. At least David Granger had the decency not to lie about his party’s failure to recognise the outstanding academic achievement of the

“magnificent five”.

I therefore challenge Ramjattan to publish the dates of any television show or any newspaper article where he or any member of the AFC expressed any form of congratulatory remarks to Yogeeta Persaud, Cecil Cox, Sasha Woodroffe, Rafena Mustafa and Zimeena Rasheed for receiving the Caribbean’s most outstanding awards at the 2013 CSEC examinations. And if he cannot do so, an apology to the education minister and to those five students is appropriate.

In an effort to distance himself from Minister Manickchand’s accusation, Ramjattan referred to an AFC press conference held on August 14: “After the results were made known to the public, I was present when appropriately our youth section leader Trevor Williams read out an AFC press release which was carried extensively in the Stabroek News of August 15.”

Additionally, he said that the following was printed in the AFC’s column in Kaieteur News on August 18, 2013: “AFC wishes to congratulate the top performers at the 2013 sittings of the CSEC and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).”

When Ramjattan and Williams issued those congratulatory remarks, they were congratulating the national “top performers at the 2013 sittings of the CSEC and CAPE.”

But when Minister Manickchand said “it is absolutely shameful and disgraceful that not one single leader of the opposition as yet has

found it appropriate to congratulate our children”, she was obviously referring to the “Magnificent Five” who copped five out of the eight Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) awards. This announcement was only known to the nation during the minister’s press briefing on October 24.

So it would have been highly impossible for Ramjattan and his AFC to issue statements of congratulations to the regional awardees, 71 days before on August 14.

And in his usual way of distorting the evidence before him, Ramjattan made this ludicrous reference to the minister: “She must know by now that these superlative performances by our Caribbean winners had nothing specifically to do with her ministry or her People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, but everything to do with their personal attributes, their outstanding parents’ support, private lessons, and (in a couple of cases) the private teachers provided to them.”

Although personal attributes, supportive parents and teachers played a major role in these students’ magnificent performance, it would have been tremendously more difficult without the government’s unwavering commitment to the education sector, as reflected in education being allocated the largest sectoral share of resources in the national budget: $28.7 billion this year and $26.5 billion last year.

With this allocation, the Education Ministry was able to train more teachers and ensure all schools receive

the necessary resources and teaching aids, to produce increasingly better results year after year. Anyone but an unscrupulous politician with his own agenda would have seen that.

But this new trend of attacking the education minister is sure to backfire, as it will only strengthen her resolve and make her more popular than she is presently.

The many parents, teachers and students who have come to known this hard-working, dedicated public servant, can testify to her sincerity and commitment to doing the very best for Guyana’s children.

But as I’m so often reminded, dogs don’t bark at parked cars. It must be that she’s viewed as a potential threat to the opposition, as they’re using every nasty trick in the book to discredit, frustrate and distract this honourable woman at a time when she is poised to raise standards in English and mathematics and have just introduced Portuguese as a new foreign language in schools. If she succeeds, as I’m confident she will, there will be nothing left for the AFC and People’s National Congress (PNC)/ APNU to be critical of the education sector again.

I hope I’m wrong, but this is a strategic ploy designed by the joint opposition to stymie the progress of education under the PPP/C I wonder.

Sincerely, Harry Gill

Guyana’s fishing resources should be protected

Dear Editor,

In the deep sea of Guyana’s water, fishes have been more plentiful since our fishermen do not use the very fine-meshed net which catche even the smallest fish.

According to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, government is not considering granting fishing licences, but has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese company to undertake a study of seafood species, which can be fished in the country’s deep waters without impacting local fishermen.

The fishermen and trawler companies of Guyana are now convinced that this decision by the minister is not a sound one. The Chinese net and operations will lead to a rapid exhaustion of stocks and seafood species because the ministry cannot monitor the Chinese operation on the deep sea. By using Chinese in preference to our local fishermen and trawlers, we are robbing the future.

However, they will not respect the MoU because there will be no police or army patrol boats. They will quickly sort through their catch and throw the smallest dead fish back into the sea. There should be laws if the govern-

ment wants to proceed with the licensing of the Chinese company. Many trawlers or fishermen caught with fine mesh nets and endangered species should be subject to a fine and their nets burned.

Material which is impregnated with toxic substances (pesticides) will also pose a danger to public health and the environment in our waters. Chinese fishermen in breach of the law should also face heavy fines – and expelled from Guyana.

In the deep waters where these gillnets are still used, fish stock that spawn has declined substantially with fishermen crossing into Guyana’s waters, though they run the risk of being arrested and having all their equipment confiscated.

We welcome Chinese and foreign investment and private initiative, once it brings employment and much benefit to our people in creating jobs and advancing both workers and the country’s welfare. Do not deny our people that right! A country which depends for its fish supply on external sources is in a vulnerable position. It will be incapable of regulating and maintaining fish prices at reasonable levels.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

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

How to raise children who stand up for their beliefs

BY MICHELE BORBA

We might as well call the close of the twentieth century the “Decade of Moral Erosion.” Think about it: The Internet became scarier; TV featured more casual sex and vulgarity; video games became even cruder; music lyrics were more rude; movies were often steamier and always more violent. And if that isn’t enough, data shows peer pressure became even fiercer. A recent Time/Nickelodeon survey of 991 children ages nine to 14 revealed some troubling facts: 36 per cent of the middle schoolers surveyed feel the pressure from peers to smoke marijuana; 40 per cent feel pressure to have sex; 36 per cent feel pressure to shoplift; and four out of 10 sixth graders feel pressure to drink.

These really are scary times to raise children. What can you do to help your children counter negative influences and stand up for what they know is right? The answer is to nurture a solid moral core that will guide them to stand up for their beliefs and act right without us. And the best news is that we can teach children the core virtues and skills of strong character and moral courage and can begin when they are toddlers. Here are seven parenting tips you can use to help your children stand up for their beliefs, buck negative peer pressure, and live their lives guided by

integrity. Just remember: it’s never too late – or early – to start.

Know what you stand for so your child knows Parents with clearly identified moral convictions are more likely to raise good

want most for your child to acquire.

- Your child could name the virtues you believe in most without prompting.

- You reinforce your child whenever he shows your selected virtues in his behaviour.

children. Because their children know what their parents stand for and why they do, their children are more likely to adopt their parents’ beliefs. So begin by asking yourself what virtues and moral beliefs matter most to you. Make a list, then narrow them to your top three. These will become your personal moral code and guide you in how you will raise your child. It’s also the best way to help your child develop his own moral beliefs. Here are five quick questions to gauge how well you’re parenting solid moral beliefs in your child:

- You can quickly name the three to five virtues you

- Your child can clearly see your chosen virtues in your daily behaviour.

- You use those virtues as your day to day code of ethical behaviour and family living.

Walk your talk

One great question to yourself ask each day is: “If I were the only example my child had to learn moral habits, what did she learn today from watching me?” The answer can be quite revealing. By watching your choices and hearing your casual comments, children learn our moral standards. Make sure the moral behaviours your children are pick-

ing up on are ones that you want your children to copy. How many of these messages apply to you? Do you…

- Eat a “sample” from a store’s candy bin in front of your child without paying?

- Buy a ticket for a “child under twelve” even though your child is older?

- Drive faster than the speed limit with your child as a passenger?

- Tell your child to say you’re not there when your boss calls?

- Do the majority of your child’s work on a school project, but have him sign his name?

Share your moral beliefs and take stands

Speaking frequently to your child about values and is called direct moral teaching. Parents who raise ethical children do it a lot. So look for moral issues and talk about them as they come up: from TV shows and news events to situations at home, school, and friends. Tell your children how you feel about the issue and why. Share examples of morally courageous heroes such as Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Abe Lincoln. There’s wonderful books and videos in your local library that you can share with your child. Most important: Stand up for your beliefs whenever you feel a major value is jeopardised. Your child needs to see and hear about moral courage so he has an example to copy.

Throwing it all away: when good children make bad choices – part one

BY DEBBIE PINCUS

As a family therapist, over the years many parents have come to me and said, “My child has so much going for him, but he’s just throwing his life away.

The good news is that you have the power to influence your child’s decisions by taking control of yourself – and not your teen.

Why is he doing drugs? Why is he dropping out of school? Why is he making terrible choices with his life when he has so much potential?” I’ll never forget the mother who said in exasperation one day, “Sometimes I just want to superglue my daughter to the chair until she gets out of her teen years!”

One of the most painful and frustrating things for parents is watching their teens make bad choices and “throw it all away.”

Some of these choices include running with the wrong crowd, blowing off homework, dropping out of school, drinking and doing drugs, and engaging in risky behaviour.

What can you do if your adolescent is making bad choices? I know many parents who have lost sleep at night, wondering what their responsibilities were. They ask themselves, “Is it my responsibility to fix things? And if it is, exactly what am I supposed to do with a teen who refuses help?” When the pain of watching your child toss opportunities out the window becomes overwhelming, it’s natural to try harder to control them or throw your hands up in despair. The difficult truth is, you don’t have control over your child’s choices – or the outcome of his or her life. You have a chance to guide him to a better place –that’s what you’re responsible for. The good news is that you have the power to influence your child’s decisions by taking control of yourself – and not your teen. As James Lehman says, “You can lead a horse to water, and while you can’t make him drink, you can make him mighty thirsty.”

(Empowering Parents)

(Parenting Bookmark)

New CJIA scanner deterring “front door” smugglers – Sattaur

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said the new scanner at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has been serving its purpose and persons are now deterred from smuggling commercial goods in their suitcases.

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur told Guyana Times that the operation of the new scanner has so far proved to be effective. He explained that since the installation of the scanner in 2011, many persons have been found culpable of declaring items to be for personal use when they are intended for commercial purpose; despite this, no one has been prosecuted. In light of the peak Christmas season, systems will be put in place to create a free flow of traffic at the airport.

“In view of the impending Christmas season where you know you have a lot of people coming to the coun-

try, we have already taken steps to relax the rules a little bit. Unless, we have the means to acquire some more of those scanners,” he said.

The GRA said less scanning will be done during this period to prevent a build-up at the airport. Sattaur stated that the scanner has, to some extent, caused persons to stop smuggling in commercial quantities of goods in their suitcases and hand luggage.

Anti-smuggling boost

In an effort to boost the drug fight and introduce a more effective declaration system at Guyana’s main port of entry, the GRA installed the scanner at the airport. Signs are placed at strategic points in the airport, giving travellers warning of the penalties they could face if they fail to declare commercial quantities of goods.

The US$80,000 scanner

is used for all incoming baggage at the CJIA and detects packages which are deemed commercial goods, as well as weapons and narcotics.

The NUCTECH film safe X Ray Inspection System was acquired through the Support for Competitiveness Programme (SCP), with assistance from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

SCP is a component of the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit (NCSU).

Persons found guilty of making false declarations could face a fine of up to $25,000 and three years in prison.

The scanner is not intended to target persons visiting the country, but to clamp down on persons taking advantage of the system where there are no controls and mechanisms in place to detect individuals using their suitcases for commercial importation of goods that are subject to duty.

Eight homeless after Crane fire

Eight persons are now homeless after fire gutted their home at Lot 14 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, Tuesday afternoon.

The fire reportedly started sometime around 14:00h and was believed to have been electrical in origin. The house was a two-storey wooden and concrete structure with five bedrooms. The wooden upper flat was completely destroyed, leaving the gutted concrete lower flat standing. The blaze also scorched a neighbouring house.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, one of the occupants of the upper flat of the house, Orita Davis, was at home with her two young children and a friend when the fire started. This newspaper understands that Davis was in her kitchen with the friend when

they heard a loud explosion. Upon checking, the woman discovered a mattress in the front of the home on fire and immediately took her sons, ages four months and five years, out of the house.

The two occupants of the lower flat was not at home at the time of the fire; however, one of them, Steve Hicks, an employee of Banks DIH Limited, rushed home after receiving the unfortunate news only to find all his belongings destroyed.

Residents in the area vented their anger at the tardiness of the fire service, noting that if the firefighters had arrived in a timely manner, they could have managed to save the house.

According to neighbours, when the fire tenders arrived at the scene, the water pump was not working and this further contributed to the delay in dousing the fire.

Persons are also pointing

to the unavailability of fire hydrants in the village.

The residents of Crane are calling on the relevant authorities to look into the operations of the fire service, noting that the firefighters need to be more responsible and prepared when going on fire calls.

They further noted that if the tenders had arrived on time with proper working equipment, they would have been able to save part of the house.

A relative of Hicks disclosed that the man had recently furnished his home and now everything in it was destroyed because the fire service failed to respond effectively.

Apart from these problems, residents are also calling on the authorities to establish a police outpost in the village, since there is none and many illegal activities have been going on.

Bandits raid NA businesswoman’s house

Police in Berbice are investigating a burglary committed on the house of a New Amsterdam businesswoman on Tuesday.

According to reports, two men entered the home of Joyce Fung-Fook who operates Fung-Fook and Daughters Variety Store at Main and Alexander streets, NA in the wee hours of Tuesday. Fung-Fook, who lives alone, told Guyana Times that she was awakened by a man who crept onto her bed some time between 03:00h and 03:30h.

She said she heard in fright a voice say “cooperate with us or we will kill you”. “I look and I see a man with a cloth tied around his face and he had a cutlass, so I say, ‘Sir, I will cooperate with you, please don’t kill me’.”

According to her, she later discovered that there were two men in her house. She said that she was asked to show them where the money was. “I carry them and show them some money and they ask me is how much and I say that is $10,000. They ask me if is U.S. and I told them that I don’t work for U.S.”

According to the businesswoman, she was told that if that was not the ex-

act sum she would be killed.

Then they started to demand more money after counting what she had given to them. “If you can’t find more, we gon kill you,” the woman said she was told. They also asked for jewellery, which was handed over. “We see you does deh in front of the shop with plenty gold we want it.”

The widowed woman explained that the ordeal lasted for about one and a half hours. “They didn’t beat me, but they saying all the time that they gon kill me.” She said both men were armed with cutlasses. And one was wearing a hat. “Is after they gone, I recognise that is my own T-shirt they use to tie up they face.”

After ransacking two bedrooms, they tied FungFook and left her in her bed. “They cut my nightdress and use it to tie me up with my hand behind my back, and when they gone outside, still searching, I manage to loose out, but one of them came back inside.”

She said she was threatened that if she loosened her bonds again, she would be killed. “They take the pillow case and cut it an told me to lie down on my face and to put my hands behind my back and they tied me

up again, and this time they tied my feet.”

The woman was once again able to untie herself.

“I loose out and run and lock the bedroom door and then run and lie down back on the bed and after about 10 minutes after not hearing movement, I went and locked the door and then called the police. It was already day clean.”

According to FungFook, checks revealed that the men entered her home

through a window in front of the house and then opened the front door. She said they removed the bar from the back door and used it as a tool to gain entry to her bedroom.

An undisclosed amount in cash and jewellery, along with a cellular phone was missing after the intruders left. Police later dusted for fingerprints.

The robbery victim recalled that three weeks ago her dogs’ barking alerted her

to intruders about 03:00h and when she checked, three gun-toting men were in the

had left.

yard. On that occasion, she said, by the time the police arrived, they

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur (second from left) shares a word with CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir (right) as they observe the baggage scanner at work (file photo)

The house in Crane that was gutted by fire on Tuesday

wednesday, november 6, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

OAS opens second youth confab of the Americas

The Organisation of American States (OAS) opened on Tuesday at its headquarters in Washington, DC, the Youth Conference of the Americas, with the participation of OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin, and Panamanian First Lady Marta Linares de Martinelli. They all spoke of the important contribution young people make to the development of the nations of the hemisphere.

Secretary General Insulza welcomed the attendees and panellists, and stressed the importance of the meeting and the need for governments to provide the means to ensure that young people “truly are the future.” He noted that “overall, it is said that the Americas are favoured by the so-called “demographic bonus”, which takes place when the proportion of the population that is of working age grows faster than the dependent population of school age or retirement age.”

“The advantage of the communities that experience this condition”, he said, “lies on the fact that they have a

higher proportion of their populations in conditions to save, invest, work and produce, while increasingly fewer people require investments in education and health.” He cautioned, however, that the “demographic bonus” runs the risk of being wasted owing to the precarious conditions and lack of access to opportunities facing the new generations of the hemisphere. He recalled that “while our societies expect young people to contribute to the future, those same societies are offering them no future” and “right now between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of

the young people in the world nor study nor work”, a trend that has sometimes forced many of them to opt for the desperate path of crime, violence, or drugs.

Solutions to youth problems

In this context, Secretary General Insulza expressed his hope that dialogues like the one held at the OAS “serve to advance the search for ways to respond to these and other pressing questions that present themselves when we face the issue of youth”.

He said the organisation has long been working

on forging a future for new generations, and recalled that the 38th session of the General Assembly, held in Medellin, Colombia in June 2008, had the theme “Youth and Democratic Values”. Along this line, Insulza stressed the importance of the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas, organised by the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), an institution associated with the OAS that in the last eight years “has supported 24,301 young people from the hemisphere and has allowed for the development of more than 8400 business projects”.

The first lady of Panama, for her part, stressed the importance of youth as agents of change. “If we want young generations to have critical minds, to propose policies and take an interest in the future of the country, the state’s responsibility must always be focused on strengthening important pillars such as education and health.”

The wife of Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli said: “Stability of our nations and the prosperity and sustainability of our economies depends on the participation and contribution of young people, on taking advantage of their inventiveness and imagination.”

“It is in the stage of youth when we have the energy, passion, boldness and daring needed to make transformative changes,” she said, and added that the great achievements of the last century were produced by young people.

She encouraged those attending the conference to continue participating, exploring and innovating to create solutions to the current problems of humanity

In introducing the conference, Assistant Secretary General Ramdin, who leads the OAS Interdepartmental Working Group on Youth Issues, explained that the event aims to be a space for young people to present their views and thoughts on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the responsible use of technology, with a focus on democracy and privacy, and the potential for transformation that could be generated by the agents of change in the hemisphere.

After the opening session, Secretary General Insulza also presented an award to the first lady in recognition of the project led by her office on early childhood development.

Eyew tness

The right stuff...

...in cricket

Test cricket gets going in Kolkata today. Test cricket that involves the West Indies. Not that you’d know from the coverage coming out of India: it’s all about Tendulkar. We have nothing against Tendulkar...the man’s racked up more records in batting than anyone’s going to challenge for a long time.

Unless, of course, the cricket board of India uses its clout and insists the flat pitches that just produced three 700+runs in One Day cricket in their country, be used for Tests. At that rate, it should be no sweat to break Tendulkar’s records.

But great as Tendulkar is (for the record Sunil Gavaskar made a much bigger impact on West Indians – he earned our ultimate accolade – a calypso about his exploits) we have our own hero to cheer on as the Test unfolds: Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

When Tendulkar plays his 200th test, Shiv will be on number 150 – having entered the Test arena five years later: 1994 versus 1989. What’s remarkable about Shiv’s tenure is that he was able to keep his focus even as West Indies cricket remained mired in its greatest slump ever.

On the other hand, Tendulkar was part of a resurgent Indian team that found parity in world cricket. It’s far easier to play when the team is up than when it is down. But Shiv’s tenacity has made him the last man standing – as far as Test temperament in the Caribbean is concerned. He’s also reaching the tail end of his career – it’ll be 20 years at the crease next year since he stepped out at Bourda to represent his region. But that he’s still on the top of his game says everything about the man.

It’s not that he had the greatest endowment of natural talent in the world – it’s that he always had the “never say die” attitude that’s the mark of true champions. There’s a lot of people with talent –but without the winning attitude and fortitude, they soon fade from the scene. How many others haven’t come into the West Indies side with great swagger and panache – but soon faded from view? They were flashes in the pan.

But obstinacy can be the legacy of Chanderpaul for the Caribbean – that unless we harness talent with stickto-itiveness West Indies will never regain the pinnacle of its glory. So as the world looks at Tendulkar in the days ahead, we should also do so. But let us look even harder at the little man from Unity, East Coast Demerara with his sideways stance and under-the-eye patches, as he takes off the bail and makes his mark on the pitch.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has already made his mark on world cricket.

...for anarchy

Lincoln Lewis is fighting desperately to regain some relevance in Guyanese public affairs. Unable to get any traction in the area for which he’s being paid – trade unionism – he’s taken to sniping at the politicians from the sidelines to which he has been consigned. We’re not sure why he’s given any coverage as head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) when he is yet to offer a word to explain why the membership of his “umbrella” body has dwindled into insignificance.

Anyhow, over the Diwali weekend, Lewis took the opportunity to attack David Granger for saying that at present, when his coalition is busy studying the anti-money laundering bill, he can’t be sidetracked by the status of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). Lewis wants Granger to tie his position on the anti-money laundering bill to the PPC – as the Alliance For Change (AFC) has done. Lewis would encourage blackmail in the political realm. Typical for his thuggish-style behaviour.

...for development

We applaud the government for not bowing to the opposition’s illegal budget cuts intended to derail the country’s development drive. We refer specifically to continuation of the lengthening of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway. Let’s now proceed with the Speciality Hospital.

A delegate makes a point during one of the sessions of the conference

NA Town Council unveils $133M budget for 2014

he New Amsterdam

TMayor and Town Council is calling on residents to pay their property taxes to the municipality, as it unveiled a $133 million budget for next year.

Between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014, the municipality estimates $132.9 million will be used to run the town.

Mayor Claude Henry said that 2013 was a successful year for the council, noting that during the past year they were able provide basic necessities for the town despite several hindrances.

“The movement of solid waste, which is very important, we were able to acquire a new tractor to boost the fleet that we have. We have improved the drainage system, it is not what we want, but, under the circumstances, we are trying to keep the drainage system free from garbage.”

According to Mayor Henry, there has been no increase in revenues in 2013, while wages and salaries accounted for 50 per cent of revenues.

“There is still a lot of money outstanding,” he

told councillors and residents who were present to hear the council’s plans for 2014. “We did not increase our rates and taxes for 2013, because we feel that persons within our community and in the country are finding it difficult to cope with the economic crisis. But we are very sympathetic and we did not raise our rates and taxes. Since 1975, there was no official increase, so you find people are still paying $3 and 20 cents…”

In giving an analysis of the 2014 budget, town trea-

surer Sharon Anderson said $56.8 million will be spent on salaries, while a further $14 million will be spent on capital works in the town. The 10.5 per cent of the budget for capital works will go towards repairing streets. She said the council only estimated that it would collect 49.9 per cent of municipal property taxes during 2014.

In 2011, the council only collected 45 per cent of municipal property taxes; in 2012, 48 per cent and in 2013, 57 per cent of the $128.5 million. “We are try-

ing in 2014 to work a little harder, because we have to implement the government’s minimum wage of $35,000… we have to get out there and ensure that persons pay their taxes.” Anderson noted.

During an interactive session, workers voiced concerns about the lack of adequate vehicles at the municipality. The mayor said the situation could be improved if revenue collection is increased. One resident noted that “the new tax rate which has been promised to municipalities, if implemented, would assist the municipality” and called on the town council to be more proactive in getting government to implement it.

Responding to a question about the tower of the Town Hall which was removed with a promise that it would be restored, Mayor Henry said there was only $5 million in an account for that project.

He added that recently the Council of Churches donated $100,000 towards the project, but “we don’t have enough money to do further work on the tower at this point in time.”

Directors of Canada-based burn health charity in Guyana

Directors of the Canada-based Guyana Burn and Health Care Charitable Foundation are once again in the country to continue their long-standing commitment to help in the ongoing education of nurses and doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and others drawn from all parts of Guyana.

According to a release, accompanying co-founders Harry and Pam Harakh on the trip are Vernie Ally, RN, BS, SCM, a certified Instructor; and Dr Peter Akai, MD, PhD, a specialist in wound care and infectious diseases.

Both Dr Akai and Nurse Ally are Guyana-born. Ally will be conducting classes for 24 nurses in the areas of foetal monitoring and resuscitation programmes leading up to online examinations for Canadian accreditation. She has held a number of these courses over the past few years.

This is Dr Akai’s first visit. He will be meeting with the doctors and nurses at the Burn Care Unit which the foundation facilitated more than 10 years ago, and will be reviewing the needs assessments of the hospital.

Knock got knock back, slap got slap back

In science, dem does teach de students in school that to every action, it got an equal and opposite reaction. But in real life, that reaction does sometimes be harder or stronger than the original action. As old people does seh, knock got knock back and slap got slap back. And kick ass got kick ass back.

Sometimes de knock does got harder knock back and slap does got harder slap back. And kick ass does got harder kick ass back. Some people does know good how to knock, but dem can’t tek de knock back. Some people does know good how to slap, but dem can’t tek de slap back. And some people does know good how to kick ass, but can’t tek de kick ass back. Knock, slap and kick ass don’t only happen pun de street and in people house and drinkin bars. It does happen in writin too. And some people like to knock, slap and kick ass in dem writin. Dem like to write all de big headlines and big lies and only to have to seh sorry and beg pardon de very next day.

Just ask the soup drinking, bamzee lickin headitor and Mook Lall how many times dem had to seh sorry and beg pardon fuh this year alone. De other day de headitor had need a new brief on de job when he get a email from from a guvament lawyer bout de headline whah de deliberately write in de opposite. Next day he fall pun he face and beg pardon. Not even de Mook coulda save he.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, it beginnin to look like if de headitor and de Mook can’t tek de knock back, de slap back and de kick ass back. Dem writing editorial beggin fuh mercy. Last night both of dem stay up all night like night owl waitin fuh see whah de news gon seh! That is what old people call knock back!

Children fall sick after allegedly eating cocaine-laced sweets

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force have been called in to investigate the circumstances under which three children from the North West District fell ill over the weekend after consuming sweets allegedly laced with cocaine.

It is suspected that the sweets, which the children purchased from a village shop at White Water, Region One, were laced with the illicit substance, causing the children to fall sick. Guyana Times understands that after the children took ill, the sweets were examined and a substance was found in the centre. The children, ages three, eight and 12, were then taken to the Mabaruma Hospital where they treated and were discharged on Tuesday. They had suffered bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting.

The police were then called in on Monday. They are currently conducting investigations. This newspaper was reliably informed that the owner of the shop was questioned, along with the person from whom he had bought the

sweets in Kumaka. Both men reportedly denied any knowledge of the substance, citing that it was found in the sweets hence they could not have known about it.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud confirmed to this newspaper that statements were obtained from the shop owner and the distributer. Persaud noted that the police are yet to determine what caused the children to fall sick, noting that tests are expected to be conducted on the sweets which were obtained from the shop to verify whether they indeed contain cocaine.

The crime chief noted that no one was taken into custody, since foul play has been ruled out.

“We were just told that these children bought some sweets and their mouth began feeling funny after eating it, so we don’t know exactly what happen and that’s why we are going to test the sweets to find out so there is no offence here to arrest anyone until we know for sure,” Persaud stated.

New Amsterdam Town Treasurer Sharon Anderson

New Amsterdam Mayor Claude Henry

PPP/C deeply concerned about court’s gag on Guyana Times

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said it is deeply concerned about Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire gag order on the Guyana Times newspaper regarding reporting issues pertaining to the operations of Guyana Stores from the company’s audited financial statements.

Noting that some of the matters are not even relevant to a case pending in the court, the PPP/C said the information which the newspaper is prohibited from publishing concerns the proceeds from a sale of a state asset, Guyana Stores Limited, which are therefore public funds.

“The information which was published is extracted from annual reports of the former state corporation, which by law, are public documents and therefore, the information are matters to which the public is entitled,” the party noted.

“Therefore, we support the attorney general’s contention that the order of the learned judge may be an abuse of press freedom and is in violation of the Constitution of Guyana,” the PPP/C contended, adding that as a party which has fought so many battles and contributed to so many advances in the pursuit of freedom of the press, “we view this as a most retrograde step. We call upon all concerned to do that which is necessary to reverse it. We may not agree with many of what the press publishes; but we must respect their right to publish it, once it is lawful for them to do so.”

The party said from its incep-

Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire

tion, it has been in the forefront of every form of struggle to ensure that Guyanese of all races, creed and class enjoy the universally recognised basic human rights, freedom from exploitation of every kind, access to justice, and indeed a better quality of life. In particular, the PPP/C said it has a long history of championing freedom of expression in all its forms, including freedom of the press.

Struggle

“In fact, we led the way in launching a legal challenge against a decision of the PNC government in 1973, which placed restrictions on the importation of newsprint into Guyana. Our new Guyana Company Limited, the publisher of the Mirror Newspaper, filed the action. Additionally, we stood

LIAT flights disrupted after pilot strike, parties to meet today

LIAT has been in discussion with the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots’ Association (LIALPA), following industrial action Tuesday morning, which left several passengers stranded throughout the regional network, after pilots did not report for duty.

Only a limited number of flights were able to operate from Antigua, Barbados, and Trinidad. The company said, in a statement, it was not provided with the required notification of industrial action as required under its agreement with the pilots.

LIAT said customers affected by the disruptions who wish to re-book will be allowed to do so without charge for a period of one week from the date of their originally scheduled travel.

Following the one-week grace period, passengers will be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when rebooking.

Passengers who are unable to travel as planned due to the work stoppage will be issued a full credit for future travel at their request. Terms and conditions apply, the airline said.

When services resume, affected passengers are advised to contact LIAT Reservations to re-book tickets before proceeding to the airport.

“LIAT also wishes to advise that passengers who decide to travel, but are unable to complete their journey due

up, publicly, in solidarity with all journalists who were subjected to pressure and physical violence for merely publishing matters considered to be critical of the PNC dictatorship. These included journalists from the Catholic Standard, Dayclean, and other publications.”

According to the party, when it took office in 1992, it continued the crusade for freedom of the press and created the requisite environment for free expression and free press to flourish. “It is in this newly-created environment, that we have seen the establishment of two additional privately owned daily newspapers, the advent of over 20 television outfits, spreading across all three of the counties of Guyana, and the creation of several Internet generated news mediums which disseminate news 24 hours per day.”

Significantly, the party said it is the government that recently broke the state-run and managed radio monopoly and distributed a number of radio licences to private entities and individuals to establish radio stations in Georgetown, Linden, Berbice, and Essequibo.

“We say, emphatically, that it is an undisputed fact that all the aforementioned newspapers, television outfits, radio stations and news agencies, operate freely and without any form of undue and unlawful censorship or interference from the government. In fact, it is well known that many of their publications are scathingly critical of the government, some scandalous, libellous, and even malicious. But they continue to operate without pressure from the government,” the PPP/C contended.

to the disruption will not be provided with meals, transportation, hotel accommodation, etc. Passengers with onward connections are advised to contact their respective carriers.”

For further information, passengers are advised to contact: from Antigua 1-268-4805582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean 1-888-844-5428, and from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 1-866-5495428. The flights that were disrupted are listed below.

LI 361 – AntiguaGuadeloupe-DominicaBarbados-St Vincent; LI 760 – St Vincent-Barbados; LI 727 – Barbados-GrenadaTrinidad; LI 726 – TrinidadSt Vincent-Barbados; LI 512 – Guyana-Barbados-Antigua; LI 312 – Antigua-St MaartenSt Croix; LI 317 – St Croix-St Maarten-St Kitts-Antigua; LI 310 – Antigua-St MaartenTortola; and LI 315 – TortolaSt Maarten-Nevis-Antigua LIAT apologised to affected passengers and the general public for the inconvenience caused as a result of the disruption, and indicated its willingness to address any legitimate issues of the union. It has given a firm commitment that it will meet with LIALPA today, November 6 in an effort to discuss the union’s concerns.

The company remains hopeful that good sense would prevail and that there will be a resumption of its services early today.

wednesday, november 6, 2013 |

Govt to focus on community tourism

President Donald Ramotar has disclosed that his administration is moving to promote the development of community tourism in the hinterland.

Addressing a gathering in Region Nine recently, he noted that going in this direction would greatly benefit communities across the country, since the funds generated would remain within the communities. He said government saw this as a wise decision, noting that plans are also in the works to set up a hospitality institute in the country where Guyanese would be trained in various aspects of tourism to deliver better service.

“As our economy becomes bigger, capacity grows and we can have a greater amount of revenues flowing into our treasury, we will be able to do much more to satisfy the basic needs of our people,” the president said. He stated that when the Linden-Lethem road is completed, it would further fuel development in Region Nine, as various services will be needed and cheaper goods would reach the communities. There would also be better opportunities to market goods produced in Region Nine.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali stated that his ministry will be working with the communities to develop community-based tourism projects in their respective areas. In relation to this, he disclosed that come February, the ministry is planning a Rupununi jazz, art and music festival.

“We are thinking far ahead…

and we are thinking about how we can further collaborate, how we can further improve and expand our relationship with you,” he told residents.

Hospitality institute

He said the Tourism Ministry was willing to help initially with the marketing so a strong tourism product can be built in the Rupununi and other hinterland communities across the country.

In early October, during her visit to Guyana, Barbados Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Senator Maxine McClean recognised training as important for Guyana’s tourism sector and said her country would be lending support in this field.

She was aware that Guyana was seeking to establish a hospitality institute and highlighted that Barbados can also share its experience in establishing such. “We will negotiate the attachment of service providers to hotels in Barbados,” the senator said.

With regards to boosting Guyana’s tourism sector, she noted that, given her country’s long involvement in the sector, there were a number of areas where collaboration was possible. The countries are expected to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism. The senator revealed that Guyana and Barbados will be twinning their destinations for prospective visitors and repeat visitors, since significant potential exists for such an arrangement.

wednesday, november 6, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Wise energy use requires behavioural change – GEA head

Energy is integral to a country’s economic growth and development. It supports diverse economic activities such as transportation, agriculture and manufacturing, all of which undoubtedly are key sectors of development. Additionally, it is also a major contributor to health and well-being, given that it provides services such as heating, lighting, transportation and cooling.

With a historical dependence on imported petroleumbased fuels as its primary source of energy, Guyana imported 4.9 million barrels of petroleum-based products in 2012 (the equivalent of 13,320 barrels per day), which represents 13.42 per cent more than 2011. This consisted of diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

What may come as a surprise to many is that a recent analysis of sector consumption revealed that the transport sector accounted for the largest share of petroleum imports. This sector, driven mainly by the need for gasoline and diesel, due primarily to the growing vehicle fleet in the country, accounts for 38 per cent of the total petroleum imports for 2012, thereby earning the title of being

the country’s ‘largest energy user’.

Global concerns about climate change and its negative impact and threat to health, economies and communities, notwithstanding the macroeconomic challenges for fuel importing countries like Guyana, compels the need for energy conservation and efficiency. Energy management, through conservation and improved energy efficiency, are considered to provide the greatest scope for immediately reducing the requirements for energy.

Often, energy conservation messages seldom tar-

get the transport sector, and more specifically, those who own and operate motor vehicles. However, the fact that the transport sector accounts for the largest share of imported petroleum is an indication that energy conservation (and energy efficiency) messages must include this sector, specifically those who own and operate motor vehicles; the intended aim being to promote behavioural change in a bid to encourage the practice of energy conservation, which, simply defined, means the ‘saving of energy by any means including energy efficiency’.

Behavioural

change

Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahender Sharma, in a comment on the issue posited that “… the rational and efficient use of energy requires behavioural changes to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.” He further stated that, “energy efficiency improvements refer to a reduction in the energy used for a given service or level of activity. The reduction in the energy consumption is usually associated with technological changes, but not always since it can also result from better organisation and management or improved

economic conditions in the sector (non-technical factors).”

The question therefore that arises is, “How can we conserve energy when using a motor vehicle?” The answer really is quite simple… by being ‘auto smart’. “By simply combining errands into one trip, one can save on fuel consumption,” said Dr Sharma. “… the fact is that several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance.”

Efficient energy use

He further posited that public transportation vehicles like minibuses and taxis can attain greater fuel economy by operating within prescribed speed limits as speeding, rapid acceleration, hard and constant braking, waste gas.

“… ensuring tyres are properly aligned and inflated, using air conditioners only when needed, taking unnecessary weight out of the vehicle, are all ways in which you can consume less fuel,” he concluded. Simple tips that once adopted and practised will benefit not only one’s wallet but will positively impact the economy and environment.

Some additional tips for better gas mileage/fuel effi-

ciency are: use a bicycle or walk (when appropriate) to reduce energy cost. Cycling or walking is best during heavy traffic and helps you stay fit and healthy; try to maintain a constant rate, especially when driving long distances. Excessive acceleration and braking waste fuel; consider buying a smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle. By consuming less fuel, it will help the environment; open the windows on hot days to cool the vehicle before turning on the air conditioner. A car’s air conditioner is an added burden on your engine. Air conditioners set at lower temperatures consume more energy.

Avoid

traffic jams

A comfortable temperature can be about 24 to 25 degrees Celcius; do not force your vehicle to speed on lower gear. Drive at the highest appropriate gear; avoid traffic jam routes. Stop and go traffic takes a toll on your gas. If a traffic jam route is inevitable, make an effort to leave home early before the jam starts; use overdrive gears and cruise control when necessary. They improve the fuel economy of your car when driving on a highway; close windows at higher speeds. Open windows increase wind resistance and

force the engine to work harder; anticipate traffic stops and slow down well ahead; do not tail gate. This increases the need for breaking and can be dangerous; avoid unnecessary idling. Turn off engine if you anticipate a wait over two minutes; do not overfill the gas tank. On hot days, fuel expansion can cause an overflow; avoid diagonal parking and reversing. Reversing requires more gas than forward movement; ensure your vehicle is properly maintained and serviced; keep the vehicle engine tuned and wheels properly aligned; clean spark plugs regularly. A fouled plug could reduce gasoline mileage by as much as 15 per cent; make sure the vehicle ignition is properly adjusted. Keep all air filters clean; ensure the petrol tank cap is properly fitted. A worn or ill fitted cap will cause fuel to splash out or evaporate; and ensure that oil levels are correct. This includes engine, gearbox and rear axle oil. By making the extra effort to maximise fuel efficiency, one will not only save fuel and money, but help to reduce green house gas emissions that cause global climate change! You can learn more about energy conservation at www. gea.gov.gy

Canadian envoy calls on APNU’s leadership

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles last week paid a courtesy call on opposition leader, retired Brigadier David Granger, at his Hadfield Street, Georgetown office.

According to an APNU release, the high commissioner took the opportunity to reaffirm her country’s commitment to programmes related to her government and the government of Guyana.

Among the many things dis-

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) members of Parliament, Deborah Backer, Joseph Harmon and Ronald Bulkan were also in attendance.

cussed was the restructuring of the Canadian Foreign Trade Ministry. The high commissioner informed the opposition team that as a consequence, certain development programmes and departments were being merged. The two parties agreed to meet on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Zee Zight residents want weed-filled trench cleared

Residents of Zee Zight, Number Two Village, West Coast Berbice are calling on the president and the agriculture minister to look into the drainage and irrigation woes affecting their community.

According to the residents, for the past decade, numerous calls have been made to the Neighbour Democratic Council (NDC) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to clear a trench in the community, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

The residents believe that the neglect by the officials is deliberate, but noted amid several spirited appeals in 2012, a machine came in this September, but was turned away by a resident.

According to the residents in a letter to this newspaper, the very resident that caused the machine to turn away, agreed with the Region Six vice chairman to have the machine clean the trench at Zee Zight. According to reports, some

residents have been occupying the entrance on the reserve where the machine has to gain entrance to clean the trench. The residents, in their letter, said they are unaware of any place in the country where residents own trenches and reserves.

The residents occupying the reserve have allegedly refused to cooperate with the authorities, thus, the other residents are therefore calling on the

president and the agriculture minister to settle the matter. The residents are hoping that their call will be heeded with expediency as their rainy season is on, and their agriculture cultivations look bleak, if the trench is not clean of its thick vegetation.

“We are God’s children, let’s do good, so that good will prevail,” the residents concluded in their letter.

GEA CEO, Dr Mahender Sharma

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles meeting with the APNU leadership

The weed-filled trench at Zee Zight, Number Two Village, West Coast Berbice

Caricom accredits Israel’s first-ever ambassador to region

Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on Tuesday said he looked forward to the development of a more structured and formal mechanism for cooperation between Israel and Caricom.

He made this statement during a ceremony at the Caricom Secretariat headquarters, Turkeyen, Guyana, where ambassador to Caricom from Israel Amiram Magid presented his credentials. Ambassador Magid is the first Israeli ambassador to Caricom.

In his remarks, Ambassador LaRocque said he was convinced that the new ambassador’s record as a fully engaged and diligent diplomat will serve to further enhance relations between Israel and Caricom.

“Caricom has much to gain and learn from Israel

and, as in any meaningful partnership, I am sure that Israel has much to learn from the Caribbean Community,” he said. According to the secretary general, there were two important areas in which Caricom could benefit from a strengthened relationship at the regional level: protected agriculture and water management.

He said Caricom welcomed the opportunity to begin discussions in that regard. Ambassador LaRocque thanked the Israeli ambassador for his country’s contribution to the permanent memorial for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave trade being spearheaded by Caricom. He also used the opportunity to draw the new ambassador’s attention to what he referred to as a call being sounded by the region’s leaders for attention to be paid to the issue of reparations for the consequenc-

es of slavery.

Other priority areas out-

lined by the secretary general included the issues of

non-communicable diseases, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the inclusion of disabled persons on the post-2015 Development Agenda. The Israeli ambassador in his remarks said his country has always sought partnership and cooperation with all nations. He said as a small modern state, his country understood the needs of the Caricom member states and “stands ready to share its experience with them. He said he was no stranger to the region since he has previously served in seven other Caribbean countries since 2010.

“I very much hope that I will be able to add another dimension to Israel’s engagement with the region. I hope to enhance our work in a variety of areas in the political, the commercial and the development of cooperation spheres,” he said.

Long-serving scouts awarded at 104th anniversary celebrations

The Scout Association of Guyana (SAG) over the weekend held a series of activities in observance of its 104th anniversary.

This year, the association honoured long-serving members and those who have made sterling contributions to the growth and development of scouting in Guyana and the world, a release from the body said.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the SAG headquarters in Woolford Avenue on Saturday, Chief Scout Ramsay Ali told hundreds of scouts gathered for the annual anniversary camp, rally and games that their commitment and contribution to the association have played a major role in its expansion across the country.

He reminded them that scouting was not only about learning special skills and outdoor survival techniques, but adopting a different mindset and way of life. The association honoured more than 19 scouts for their service and contribution to scouting in Guyana, and in the case of SAG’s Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin, the world. Joaquin recently became a committee member on the InterAmerican Scout Committee, World Scout Bureau, Inter-

American Region. Recognition and awards were given for good, meritorious and long service and meritorious action. The more than 300 scouts who gathered at the SAG headquarters over the weekend took part in a rally through the streets of Georgetown on Saturday then competed against each other in a series of games. The association also held its annual barbecue and lime, where members of the public took full advantage of the tasty treats, while being entertained by the contests.

Caricom Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque and Israeli Ambassador Amiram Magid raise their glasses in a toast after the newly-appointed Israeli ambassador presented his letters of credence during a ceremony at the Caricom Secretariat

Some of the awardees at the SAG 104th anniversary celebrations

Caribbean countries need to face reality of global economic crisis – St Lucian PM

St Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony said some Caribbean countries are refusing to face up to the impact of the global economic crisis.

“The tragedy of the times is that we are in the throes of a major crisis like the Caribbean has never ever experienced before, but we are refusing to face the reality that confronts us and all of us are engaged in one form or another of selfdenial,” Dr Anthony said while delivering a lecture at the University of the West Indies earlier this week.

Speaking on the theme “Education In the Caribbean: Challenges and Opportunities Facing Small Developing States”, the St Lucian prime minister challenged his regional colleagues to be honest about the hard and unusual decisions that must be made because of difficult global economic conditions.

“It is costly business to tell your people that things are hard, things are difficult and precisely because things are hard and things are difficult, that you have to take unusual measures to deal with it. But it is necessary that we do so.”

But he acknowledged the region often closes its ears to frank and honest talk.

“We don’t like frank talk. We don’t like open talk. We don’t like honest talk…”

Cuba and Russia plan closer economic ties for 2014

Cuba and Russia moved to strengthen their economic and trade relations, during the sixth session of the Business Committee held on Sunday between the two countries in Havana.

In the presence of Foreign Minister Rodrigo Malmierca, the two business delegations discussed the results of the work done in the year and the outlook for 2014 in sectors such as food production, energy and tourism.

The leaders of both delegations, Cuban Rafael Lage and Russian Eduard Karlovich, signed an action plan with a view to the next period, which includes the realisation of the objectives outlined in the 2020 bilateral economic agenda.

Among the projects, the agreements include promoting the presence of Russian investors to set up joint ventures, according to the planned projects in Cuba business portfolio, mainly in the newly-created special

development zone of Mariel (ZEDM by its Spanish acronym).

They also seek to strengthen the mutual promotion of goods and services in both markets, and direct contacts between businessmen of Moscow and Havana. The action plan also emphasises on the further development of profitable business in priority areas such as industry, culture, health, agriculture, transportation and scientific and technical exchange. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Argentina finds 1500 secret military junta files

Some 1500 secret files, dating back to the years of military rule in Argentina, have been discovered in Buenos Aires.

They were found in an abandoned wing of the Air Force headquarters.

The files contain the transcripts of all meetings held by the military junta, which ruled the country from 1976 to 1983, said Defence Minister Agustin Rossi.

The documents also name famous artists and intellectuals who were blacklisted.

Folk singer Mercedes Sosa, writer Julio Cortazar, tango musician Osvaldo Pugliese and actress Norma Aleandro are among many banned or subjected to censorship for opposing the government.

“They were classified from F1 to F4 according

Some 1500 secret files, dating back to the years of military rule in Argentina, have been discovered in Buenos Aires

to their [perceived] level of threat [to society],” said Rossi.

It is still unclear whether the files will shed light on thousands of legal cases of opponents of the regime killed or disappeared during the military government, said the BBC’s Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires.

In the 1500 files, some

280 documents with the official records of meetings of the military junta were found.

“For the first time, we have access to documents covering the whole period of military rule,” said Rossi.

“And the material is filed in chronological order and also classified by subject.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Ganja gets protection from Jamaican govt

Jamaica, Blue Mountain Coffee, Cannabis Sativa (ganja); Jamaica Rum, Jamaican Patties, Boston Jerk, Jamaican Ginger and Trelawny Yellow Yam are among names and brands that Jamaica is moving to protect against misuse or false use.

The island recently inked a history making bilateral agreement with Switzerland on the protection of geographical indications at the 51st General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in

Geneva. The Jamaica Protection of Geographical Indications Act of 2004 defines “geographical indication” as a good originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

Geographical indications serve as important marketing tools in the trading of quality products on the export market, and this has spurred likeminded coun-

tries, in this case Jamaica and Switzerland, to negotiate bilateral protection agreements under the World Trade Organisation agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

“These agreements mutually recognise and protect geographical indications in order to facilitate and promote trade with each other, for products and services identified with such designations,” according to the signatory documents. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Former Turks and Caicos premier

to return Thursday

Following a decision by the Brazilian court to allow his extradition, former premier Michael Misick is reported to be arriving in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) on Thursday to face trial in the Supreme Court on a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration during his time in office.

However, Misick and his associates are reportedly continuing to press for his return to the TCI by means of a private plane chartered by his family, in order to avoid transiting through a U.S. airport. According to informed sources, at least one U.S. law enforcement agency considers Misick to be a person of interest.

It will nevertheless be difficult if not impossible for Misick to avoid U.S.controlled airspace since the TCI area is subject to air traffic control by San Juan centre in Puerto Rico, to whom any flight he may be on would be handed off after leaving the area controlled by Piarco centre in Trinidad.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

St Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony

Bangladesh to execute 152 soldiers for mutiny crimes

Acourt in Bangladesh has sentenced at least 152 soldiers to death over a bloody border guard mutiny in 2009.

More than 150 others, mostly border guards, were given life sentences.

Most of the 800 soldiers who packed the civilian court on Tuesday had already been given maximum seven-year sentences by military tribunals.

But they also faced charges for crimes including murder that were committed individually during the 30-hour uprising over pay and other grievances.

The mutiny broke out in Dhaka and left 74 people dead, 57 of them officers.

While the army courts investigated breaches of military law – jailing nearly 6000 troops – the civilian court that passed Tuesday’s sentences was able to pass

Those convicted were told by the judge that they had committed “heinous atrocities”

the death penalty.

Some out of a group of 23 civilians were also found guilty of conspiracy charges.

Those convicted have the right to appeal, a pro-

cess which could take many months given the number of cases. The prosecution said that it too would appeal in the cases of those who were acquitted.

Those convicted have

the right to appeal, a process which could take many months given the number of cases. The prosecution said that it too would appeal in the cases of those who were acquitted. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Nobel laureate gives away prize money DR Congo rebels agree to disarm

Nobel Peace laureate Tawakkol Karman has decided that the best use of her half million dollars in prize money is to give it all away.

Karman, the Yemeni activist who in 2011 became the first Arab woman to be awarded the peace prize, said she has donated the US$500,000 prize money to a fund for the people wounded and the families of those killed in Yemen’s Arab Spring-inspired uprising.

“This is my duty to the youths who sacrificed for change and to build a Yemen founded on freedom, justice, equality and good governance,” Karman, 34, said in a statement late Monday.

She is donating the prize

money to the Aid Fund for Families of Martyrs and Wounded in the (2011) Peaceful Revolution, which was set up by President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.

Hadi assumed power in February 2012 in a deal that forced the previous president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to trade his position for immunity after a year of political unrest destabilised the country.

Karman was active in the protests against Saleh’s rule. The Nobel committee awarded her the prize in October 2011, when Saleh was still in power. Karman said she heard the news that she had been selected as she was demonstrating in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. (Excerpt from CNN)

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s M23 rebel group has declared an end to its 20-month rebellion, saying it is ready to disarm and demobilise troops and pursue a political solution to end the crisis in the east of the country.

The M23 declaration was issued hours after government forces drove the rebel fighters out of their last two strongholds on Tuesday.

African leaders had urged the group to renounce their rebellion to allow the signing of a peace agreement with DRC President Joseph Kabila’s government.

“The chief of general staff and the commanders of all major units are requested to prepare troops for dis-

armament, demobilisation and reintegration on terms to be agreed with the government of Congo,” M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said in a statement.

Congolese government spokesman Laurent Mende said many rebel fighters were surrendering after government soldiers seized control of Tshanzu and Runyoni.

Mende said the Kinshasa government was ready to pursue peace talks.

“In a region that has suffered so much, this is obviously a significant positive step in the right direction,” Russell Feingold, U.S. special envoy to the Congo and the Great Lakes region, said at a briefing in Pretoria.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Germany calls in British ambassador over spy claims

The British ambassador in Berlin has been called in to Germany’s Foreign Ministry to respond to spying allegations.

The UK’s Independent newspaper says the British embassy in Berlin may house a “top-secret listening post”.

It cites leaked U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) documents suggesting the UK could be using hi-tech equipment housed on the embassy roof.

Any such activity would be against international law, Berlin said.

A spokesman for David Cameron said the prime minister had not spoken to Chancellor Angela Merkel about the spying allegations and there were no plans for a conversation, although their relationship was “excellent”.

He refused comment on secu-

rity issues but said Britain’s intelligence services operated under a “strong and clear legal framework”.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle had requested the attendance of UK ambassador Simon McDonald to respond to the claims, a ministry spokesman said.

Malians march to honour slain French journalists

Hundreds of Malian reporters held a silent march through the streets of the country’s capital Bamako Monday to pay tribute to murdered French journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, who were shot dead in northern Mali on Saturday.

Some of those marching carried signs, including one that read: “No one will succeed in killing the conscience of the world”.

Former colleagues and senior management from

Radio France Internationale (RFI), where Dupont and Verlon worked, took part in the march, before later attending a ceremony at Bamako airport, where the bodies of the two journalists are being held before being flown back to Paris early on Tuesday morning.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, also in attendance, paid tribute to Dupont and Verlon and posthumously decorated them with the Malian order of Merit. (Excerpt from France24)

India launches mission to Mars

India has launched a rocket it hopes will allow it to join an elite group of space explorers to Mars.

The country’s space research organisation (ISRO) launched its orbiter to the Red Planet on Tuesday – only NASA, the former Soviet Union and the Europeans have previously been successful in operating probes from Mars.

Japan made an attempt with the Nozomi orbiter in 1998 but it failed to reach the planet and a Chinese probe was lost along with the Russian Phobos-Grunt mission in January 2012. The UK’s Beagle 2 probe separated from the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter in 2003, but nothing was ever heard from the lander.

It will take 10 months for India’s Mars Orbiter Mission to reach the Red Planet after lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre near Chennai. The probe will explore the planet’s surface features, minerals and atmosphere.

India’s first mission to Mars lifts off

“The head of the European department asked for a response to current reports in the British media, and pointed out that the interception of communications from the premises of a diplomatic mission would be behaviour contrary to international law,” he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

TISRO is hoping to discover more about the loss of water from Mars, map the sources of methane gas, as well as collecting data about the two moons Phobos and Deimos.

But ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan told CNN that one of the biggest technological challenges was just getting there. Many missions have failed to reach the planet while others have crashed on the surface or contact has been lost before the probes could send back data. (Excerpt from CNN)

Syria's chemical weapons mission faces cash crunch

he international body tasked with eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons has raised only enough money so far to fund its mission through this month, and more cash will have to be found soon to pay for the destruction of poison gas stocks next year.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which won the Nobel Peace Prize last month, is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s nerve agent stocks under a U.S.-Russian agreement reached in September.

It has so far raised about 10 million euros (US$13.5 million) for the task.

“It is the assessment of the secretariat that its existing personnel resources are sufficient for operations to be conducted in October and November 2013,”

said an October 25 OPCW document seen by Reuters. At the time, its account held just 4 million euros.

Syrian President Bashar alAssad said the total cost could be US$1 billion, although experts say it is likely to be lower, running into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on where and how the chemical arms are destroyed.

The U.S. has been the biggest contributor so far to the OPCW’s fund for the Syria mission, with Britain, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland also contributing.

Washington has contributed US$6 million in equipment, training and cash, split between funds with the OPCW and the United Nations, the OPCW document said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The UK is allegedly using hi-tech equipment housed on its embassy roof

Red stripe to cut light bill by half

Red Stripe’s co-generation plant, which is expected to cut the brewer’s electricity bill by as much as half, should be operational by next March. What’s more, Red Stripe aims to produce beer from cassava within a year.

The company invested US$7 million (J$731 million) in the plant, which uses the heat created from generating electricity to produce steam.

It plans to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to fire its

Caribbean Asia

dual fuel engine that will arrive in January until liquefied natural gas (LNG) becomes available in Jamaica, according to Cedric Blair, managing director of Red Stripe. Utilisation of waste heat for steam production also reduces the requirement for cooling water supplies for power generation and eliminates the need for structures such as the cooling towers that dominate the skyline in a conventional power plant.

“It will save about 40 to 50

per cent of our current electricity”, said Blair. The local brewer will complete three pilot brews for its cassava beer by the end of this year and aims to grow raw materials locally, with an aim to replace 70 per cent of imported inputs by 2020.

Following the testing, the company will begin its pilot planting in early 2014, and is to sign a lease agreement for a plot of land in Bernard Lodge in two months, said Blair. (Jamaica Observer)

Ford shuffles executive team, names new design chief

Ford Motor Co on Wednesday shuffled some of its management team, including naming a new design chief. The number two U.S. automaker said J Mays, group vice president and head of design, is retiring after 33 years in the industry and will be replaced by Motay Callum, who was named vice president for design.

During his 16 years at Ford, Mays, 59, led the development of Ford’s global design, including the teams that devel-

oped the look for the Fusion, Focus, Fiesta and Mustang cars and F-150 pickup trucks.

Mays joined Ford in 1997 as vice president of design and was named group vice president in 2003. “The bold and sophisticated design language that J Mays pioneered will be visible for years to come in Ford vehicles and the auto industry overall,” Ford Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields said in a statement.

Callum, 54, is currently executive director for design

in the Americas. In his new position, he will report to Raj Nair, global product development chief, leading the design of all Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally.

Since 2006, Callum has had overall responsibility for the design of all cars and trucks designed in Ford’s North and South American studios and the new Lincoln products, including work on the Fusion, Explorer, Mustang, EcoSport and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. (Reuters)

Eurozone unemployment stuck until 2015, warns European commission

The European commission is warning that it is too early to claim victory in the euro area’s fight against recession after its latest forecasts showed it would be 2015 before weak growth generated a fall in the jobless total.

Although the 17-nation single currency zone started to expand in the summer after a six-quarter double-dip recession, Brussels said there will be a lag before the pickup in activity leads to a fall in un-

employment.

The commission trimmed its growth forecast for the euro area in 2014 from 1.2 per cent to 1.1 per cent and said unemployment will remain stuck at a record 12.2 per cent next year. It added that there were encouraging signs that the recovery would continue but said the legacy of Europe’s debt crisis would continue to act as a brake on growth.

Only in 2015, when growth is expected to increase to 1.7 per

cent, does the commission see a dent being made in the jobless total, with unemployment predicted to drop to 11.8 per cent.

Olli Rehn, the commission’s vice president for economic and monetary affairs and the euro, said: “There are increasing signs that the European economy has reached a turning point. The fiscal consolidation and structural reforms undertaken in Europe have created the basis for recovery. (The Guardian)

Somali remittances company get reprieve

Somali money transfer service Dahabshiil has won an injunction preventing Barclays from cutting its banking services. The injunction means customers will be able to transfer money through Dahabshiil for the foreseeable future.

Barclays had planned to cut off services to the company amid concerns over money laundering. Dahabshiil is the largest provider of remittance services to the 100,000

Somalis living in the UK.

They are believed to send back millions of pounds every year to friends and relatives in Somalia – a vital source of income for the impoverished country. “The Court handed down its judgment, granting an interim injunction which has the effect of preserving Dahabshiil’s banking arrangements with Barclays until the conclusion of a full trial,” a Dahabshiil statement read.

“This is not just a victory

for Dahabshiil. It is a victory for the millions of Somalis and other Africans, many of whose livelihoods depend on our services.” Barclays asked to appeal against the injunction, but that request was rejected. It must now maintain services to Dahabshiil until a new hearing – expected sometime next year. The charity Oxfam welcomed the injunction, but warned that it was only temporary. (BBC News)

Bangladesh seeks 77 per cent rise in wage for garment workers

Bangladesh’s wage board has proposed raising the minimum salary for garment industry workers by 77 per cent to 5300 takas (US$68; £42) a month. A string of fatal incidents have raised concerns over working conditions and low salaries in the sector – a key contributor to the country’s economy. Workers have held various strikes in recent weeks demanding higher wages.

Middle East

However, the proposed increase is less than unions had demanded. They had sought more than 8000 takas per month. “The board proposed this amount considering the present reality both from the point of owners and workers,” AK Roy, chairman of the wage board was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.

The wage increase still needs to be approved by the

Labour and Employment Ministry. Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments. According to some estimates, the sector is US$22 billion (£13.5 illionbn) industry in Bangladesh, accounting for nearly 80 per cent the country’s exports. However, safety standards in Bangladesh’s garment factories are notoriously poor.(BBC News)

Middle East to drive global energy demand

Middle Eastern countries and other emerging economies will drive future global energy demand and provide growth opportunities for the market’s oil and gas companies. According to an Ernst and Young (EY) report, rising population and increasing demographic urbanisation in rapid growth markets (RGMs) will sustain the rising energy demand.

EY forecasts that most of the projected growth in energy

generation and consumption in RGMs will come from fossil fuels, especially natural gas.

“This increase in demand, coupled with increased access and availability of natural gas resources, means natural gas is expected to play a fundamental role in energy demand by 2015 if governments and regulators can build the appropriate regulatory and legislative environments,”

said Dr Thorsten Ploss, EY’s Middle East and North Africa

Oil and Gas leader.

“The opportunity for RGMs has never been greater in the oil and gas sector. The need to have a clear view of the risks and opportunities across the oil and gas sector is critical to future success.”

The report projects that natural gas demand is expected to increase steadily over the next few years and is expected to account for almost a quarter of the world’s energy demand by 2035. (Gulf Business)

Starting a home business

Many of us dream of working from home, setting our own hours and being our own bosses. Often times we see advertisements online and in print media, claiming thousands of dollars per week for stay-athome jobs. These, of course, are scams which want you to order some fairly redundant, freely available information for a hefty price. Real home businesses start small with realistic profit expectations. They often fail, but with the proper discipline and acumen, they can succeed. After all, Steve Jobs started Apple as a home business out of his parent’s garage. People often consider home businesses for a variety of reasons. Common ones include:

* Supplementary, side income to a primary job for a spouse

* Inability to leave the

home (injury, pregnancy, etc.)

* Desire to become an entrepreneur

* Having a marketable idea, and enough free cash flow to explore it

Home businesses are lemonade stands

You can start a home business selling anything. The range is only limited by your imagination and state laws.

Let’s take the simplest business model for a home business, a lemonade stand. A lemonade stand has no additional real estate costs, as it is set up in your own front yard. You are responsible for controlling the production of the lemonade, and you are clear on the profit margin –what you make between the cost of a pitcher of lemonade and your asking price. You are aware that any changes to the weather – the main vari-

able – will affect your supply and demand. You know that if you can’t sell your product in time, your product will go to waste and equal lost profits, or at least cause a surplus in your inventory. As simple as it is, this classic example has all the components of a small home-based business. How should we go about starting a home business? Here are some things to do to prepare:

Know your own talents

* What are you good at?

* Do you have a marketable skill?

Know your strengths and weaknesses

* Focus on your strengths

* Find other people who can help you complete tasks which you are weak at. These can include remote employees also looking to work from home, or your family and close friends. (Business Dictionary)

Police to toughen up on traffic management

– one-way streets being considered to curb congestion

The Guyana Police Force Traffic Department will be employing more rigorous traffic control tactics to curb the daily congestion in the city of Georgetown.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee explained that the ministry is reviewing various measures to be put in place to address the traffic situation in the city.

He recognised the need for more traffic ranks on the roadways not only during the day but in the night. The minster pointed out that places where large masses of people congregate are most likely to be congested such as the Stabroek Market area.

“There is a lot of chaos and confusion there in the evenings, particularly on weekends, so we have to address it, because it is not only a parking situation but congestive situation and a question of regulating traffic. We have to have more law enforcement on the streets,” Rohee noted.

The home affairs minister disclosed that the ministry has started hiring traffic wardens and has placed ads in the newspapers to fill these positions, but the response has been slow.

Rohee stated that the ministry is aiming to have a number of traffic wardens on the roadways by the end of the year. He added that it was expected that the Guyana Police Force would train persons selected so that within a short space of time, they would be able to perform their duties effectively in accordance with the traffic laws.

Fake driving licences

The minister went on to talk about the atrocious driving seen on the streets in Georgetown. He highlighted that a number of drivers did not attend the mandatory theoretical or practical classes on driving, but were behind the wheel.

“There still may be many people procuring

driving licences by means other than through the legal process. I believe if persons attend the classes and took the practical lessons, we will not have so much inattentive and careless driving, so that is something we have to look at in a more serious and concentrated way,” the minister said.

Rohee declared that the Home Affairs Ministry would not entertain any “short cuts” in obtaining driving licences, as he pointed out that many such advances were made at the ministry but they were not condoned.

“We know that there are some improvements not the kind we would like, but if these other steps are taken, I believe the traffic situation will be brought under greater control.”

Restricting vehicles import?

The home affairs minister also spoke about the large number of vehicles being imported every year, adding to congestion woes. He pointed out that it was not a viable option to ban importation of motor vehicles; however, the ministry was considering placing restrictions on the number of vehicles that can be imported. This, he said, was not a definite proposal but just an option under consideration.

Another solution mooted to curb traffic congestion is making the streets in Georgetown one-way. The minister disclosed that earlier on Tuesday, Cabinet had examined a proposal from the National Commission for Law and Order on the question of one-way streets in Georgetown.

Rohee revealed that he had been in discussion with the commission and other stakeholders on the matter and they decided to make the presentation before Cabinet, adding that it was received with enthusiasm.

“The Cabinet has decided to embark on designating a number of streets in Georgetown as one-way. We have to lay out plan and make it public, and engage in discussions and consultations with stakeholders and residents in various parts of city where we intend to establish these one-way streets. This is another innovative way that we will be implementing to address the traffic congestion in the city of Georgetown. We believe that it is workable, it is doable, it is acceptable based on consultations we would have had already, and we will take it in

phases,” Minister Rohee stated.

However, he explained that before any action was taken to implement the one-way network, there had to be further consultations and the ministry would have to educate people on this exercise. He noted that the initiative would be rolled out in phases, based on assessments of the impact and the public’s reaction.

Berbice man poisoned while drinking wine

Police in New Amsterdam are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in his forties who was poisoned.

A post-mortem conducted on the body of Gulsarran Soman by government pathologist Dr Vivekananda Bridgemohan on Tuesday revealed that he was poisoned. Reports are that Soman of East Canje was consuming Banko wine with acquaintances when he complained of feeling unwell. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and later died.

Details of the incident are sketchy. However, police confirmed that based on the autopsy report, several persons were questioned and one person was in custody assisting with the investigations.

Murder accused commits suicide in jail

The body of 27-year-old Joshua Ragabeer was found hanging in a cell at the New Amsterdam prison on Tuesday morning.

Reports are that Ragabeer, of Blairmont Settlement, West Bank Berbice, was a remand prisoner, who was housed in the cell with two other inmates. Sources at the New Amsterdam Prisons revealed that the other two inmates reported that they were asleep at the time of

the incident.

Ragabeer was remanded on September 17 for the murder of 67-year-old Kiroo of Lot 6 Blairmont, Number Two Settlement on September 9, 1999.

At the time of the murder, Ragabeer was 13 years old. In April this year, Ragabeer surrendered to the police at the Blairmont Police Station, and as a result of the confession, a statement was taken from Ragabeer and he was arrest-

ed pending further investigation. Based on the statement taken, Ragabeer had given a motive for killing the woman, but there were some doubts that he actually did, owing to his age at that time. In September, Ragabeer, a mechanic, was refused bail when he appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver on a charge of murder. The preliminary inquiry into the death of Kiroo commenced two weeks ago.

Cummings Lodge Secondary celebrating 50th anniversary

The Cummings Lodge Secondary School is celebrating 50 years of existence in grand style with a fund-raising anniversary dinner under the theme “Building Excellence on Proud Traditions” billed for the Guyana International Conference Centre on November 9.

According to a release from the school, excitingly intertwined in the evening event will be a ceremony during which several persons will be honoured for their contribution towards the development of the school over the years. Also expected to be a high point of the evening are golden

moments at the learning institution by several generations of students.

According to the release, past students are being encouraged to support this venture, which is seen as giving back to an institution that would have made a significant impact on their lives. Proceeds from the event will assist in the building of a tarmac for students to play basketball, volleyball and tennis. Tickets are available at the school and persons can also contact Headmistress Murline Valentine on 222-5244/2225205. Tickets cost $6000 per person.

The unique L shaped

school building is nestled in the village of Cummings Lodge in proximity of the University of Guyana. The construction of the building was undertaken by engineers and carpenters of the Works and Hydraulics Ministry in January 1962, and was completed in December 1962. It was handed over to the then Education Minister Cedric Vernon Nunes.

The building was originally built to house an allage school, but the residents in the area petitioned for it to be converted into a secondary school. They were successful, and on September 17, 1963, the Cummings Lodge Government Secondary School became a reality with an enrolment of 234 students, comprising mainly students from the tops of Graham’s Hall Primary and other neighbouring primary schools. The first headteacher was D P Kunar.

Over the years, the school has produced students who have gone on to make significant contributions to Guyana’s development while others have made an impact in countries around the world.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

Cummings Lodge Secondary School

SUDOKU

Your ability to get the job done will result in more opportunities. Dedication, loyalty and high standards will result in perks that raise your standard of living.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Rethink past mistakes to avoid making a poor choice now. Don’t be afraid to make a decision. Sometimes you have to work backward before you can move forward.

Participate in activities or events that will allow you to use your skills, creativity and charm to connect with people who can enrich your life. A joint, service-oriented effort will turn out well.

Brave whatever storm you face. Don’t back down from a challenge; dealing with each demand quickly and efficiently will be the way to maintain control. Invite change and offer suggestions.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

A contract or financial deal will pay off. A project that interests you will have its problems, but also its advantages. Filter through your options and take what works for you.

(March 21-April 19)

Keep your head down and your work up to date. The more you can accomplish, the easier it will be to put an emotional issue on the back burner. You deserve a treat, not a headache.

(April 20-May 20)

If you mingle and ask questions, you will receive an invitation to share your ideas and concerns with influential people who can offer you suggestions, connections and opportunities.

(May 21June 20)

Not everyone will be looking out for your best interest. Don’t let anger take over, or you will be the one who ends up looking bad. Make subtle alterations that ensure safety.

Talks will lead to resolutions. Your ability to see both sides of any situation will put you in a good position. Romance will improve your personal life.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Keep your life simple. Take care of responsibilities and refuse to let anyone get to you emotionally. Accept the inevitable and work on a stable, sensible project.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Open, honest communication will help you clear up any uncertainties. Questioning your relationships with peers and colleagues will help you make a wise business choice.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Take precautions and don’t say or do something that can come back to haunt you. An innovative way of offering assistance will help you keep a secret.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

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Opposition wins Trinidad by-election

The People’s Partnership (PP) coalition government has suffered yet another defeat in what has been a marathon series of elections in Trinidad and Tobago this year.

The closely contested byelection in the marginal constituency of St Joseph saw Terrence Deyalsingh, the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate, winning with 6356 votes; Ian Alleyne for the United National Congress (UNC), the leading partner in the PP coalition, took second place with 5577 votes; Om Lalla, the candidate for the newly-formed Independent Liberal Party (ILP) trailed with 1976 votes; independent media personality Errol Fabien won 300 votes, with Michael Lopez for the Democratic National Assembly (DNA) bringing up

the rear with five votes.

A total of 26,891 persons were registered to vote, but only 14,248 voted in Monday’s poll. The 52.98 per cent voter turnout left some political analysts baffled.

Media consultant Sunity Maharaj said the low turnout could be reflective of hard-core supporters of the leading parties of the PNM and UNC, but saw the constituency as one that can be in play in a general election. Maharaj, who is also head of the Lloyd Best Institute of the West Indies, was part of a panel of political analysts on CNC3 television analysts’ panel.

This is the fourth election for the year in Trinidad and Tobago. Of the four, two were scheduled and two were forced by-elections.

The series of polls began in January with the scheduled

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, which was followed by a by-election on July 29 in the Chaguanas West constituency. That district election was won by former People’s Partnership national security minister, Jack Warner, who committed what many of the UNC chiefs no doubt saw as the ultimate sin by comfortably wrestling the seat from UNC control in the party’s heartland.

Then, on October 21, the country voted in local government elections, which the opposition PNM won with eight corporations to the UNC’s five and one hung corporation still to be sorted out by the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

The country can now exhale as the election season came to an end on Monday with the St Joseph by-election, which was triggered by the firing of former justice minister, Herbert Volney from the People’s Partnership government and later his expulsion from the St Joseph seat as the member of parliament for that constituency.

Opposition leader Keith Rowley renewed his call for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to call general elections now, having lost four elections in one year. This latest defeat takes the coalition government down from 29 seats to 27 in the 41-seat House of Representatives. (Caribbean News Now)

Take action now to unlock commercial financing for clean energy – World Bank

Alow-carbon growth path is in the best interest of each country in East Asia, and governments should take action now to create an enabling environment to attract clean energy investments, coupled with public financing mechanisms to provide incentives to investors and unlock commercial financing, says a new World Bank report titled “Unlocking Commercial Financing for Clean Energy in East Asia”.

A low-carbon growth path is not only good for the climate, but also brings about domestic benefits in each country related to energy savings, improved local environments, enhanced energy security, and more jobs.

And as the lion’s share of climate financing is expected to come from the private sector, governments need to put in place policies conducive to private investment and use public funds to incentivise private investors in order to unlock commercial financing for clean energy.

Delay in action will only increase the costs and difficulties of stabilising the climate.

“Effective policies are the essential driver to catalysing commercial investment in clean energy,” said John Roome, World Bank Director for Sustainable Development in the East Asia & Pacific Region.

“Once the right policy regime has been put in place, public financing mechanisms designed to mitigate risks and close financing gaps proved to play a major catalytic role in kick-starting substantial investments in clean energy.”

The report compares a range of policy options and public financing instruments for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

It draws lessons from recent experience in an attempt to address when and under what circumstances to use public financing instruments; which instrument to select; and how to design and implement them most effectively.

The good news is that

many countries – both developed and developing –are taking action now. In East Asia, all middle-income countries have national targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and some even have targets for carbon reduction.

“The selection of public financing instruments should be tailored to the market barriers, the targeted market segments, the regulatory environment, and the maturity of the financial market,” said Xiaodong Wang, lead author of the report and senior energy specialist for the World Bank.

“Engaging domestic banks through credit lines and partial risk guarantees has had the greatest impact in unlocking private financing. Dedicated funds and mezzanine and equity funds are effective at increasing access to financing for small and medium enterprises and clean energy start-ups. The impact of public financing instruments can be substantially increased if they are packaged with technical assistance.”

VEHiClEs

HEaltH

KEy CuttiNg immigratiON

gOlDsmitH

PNM candidate Terrence Deyalsingh

Soccerex axe stokes Brazil World Cup fears

Fears about disruption to next year’s World Cup have been raised after the key global football conference Soccerex was cancelled because of continuing civil unrest.

It was due to start in just three weeks time at the Macarana stadium.

The England manager, Roy Hodgson, was among a number of high-profile figures who were planning to attend the event. The organisers and Rio’s state government disagreed over why the event is being called off.

In a statement, the organisers said the government took the decision because of “ongoing civil unrest” in Brazil.

This was later “strongly denied” by the state government of Rio, citing instead funding problems.

“The governor says he encouraged the organisers to seek cultural and sports incentive funding to finance the event, but the organisers failed to do so,” it said in a statement read out by FIFA’s head of media at a news conference in London.

Apology

The event would have been the last of four scheduled Soccerex conventions to be held in Rio.

The organisers said they would be taking legal action against the Rio authorities responsible.

“Preparations for the event at the Maracana Stadium were well advanced with content planned, speakers confirmed and partnerships in place,” a statement said.

“To be summarily cancelled in such a cavalier fashion, having hosted 33 events over five continents is extremely frustrating but nevertheless it has happened and is in contravention of all

of the contractual obligations of the Rio State Government, who have been notified of our intention to instigate legal proceedings for substantial compensation.”

Soccerex chief executive Duncan Revie called the cancellation “cruel” and said he wanted to apologise to “every business, football club, league, federation and media organisation affected by this news”.

Despite the sudden cancellation, world football governing body FIFA said it did not suggest heightened security fears for the World Cup.

FIFA’s marketing director, Thierry Weil, said: “We do not believe this will have any influence in any way or form on the organisation of the FIFA World Cup.”

Brazil, one of the fast-growing Brics nations, has seen its growth rate fall far from the 7.5 per cent recorded in 2010 and is now growing at just short of 3 per cent a year. That, and a sharp fall in the value

of its currency, the real, has sparked a number of often violent anti-government protests this year.

Security

Among the protesters’ concerns are corruption in public life as well as spending on hosting the World Cup and Olympics.

People are also asking for more investment in public services, better public schools, hospitals and transportation.

These demonstrations affected the Confederations Cup in June, prompting fears about safety and security for next summer’s World Cup finals.

Soccerex has been running for the last 18 years.

It brings together football federations and associations, major clubs, rights holders, leading brands, businessmen and others in the industry.

Next year it moves to Manchester in the UK, which has been the host of Soccerex Europe since 2010. (BBC Sport)

Our only focus is on winning, says Sammy

KOLKATA, India –

The last time the West Indies toured India back in 2011, they lost the three Test series 2-0 with the third ending in a dramatic draw with the scores tied. Had events transpired a little differently, however, the West Indies could well have won that series.

They took meaningful first-innings leads in two of the three matches but collapsed spectacularly in the second innings both times. It is those first-innings performances that West Indies captain Darren Sammy is focusing on as his team prepares to take on India in Sachin Tendulkar’s final Test series.

“The last time we were here, we were bowling to (Virender) Sehwag, (Gautam) Gambhir, (VVS) Laxman, (Rahul) Dravid, Sachin (Tendulkar) and MS Dhoni, and we bowled the team out three times with four main bowlers,” Sammy said at a Media conference before the first Test at Eden Gardens. “So, we’ve got to be very confident this time.”

This West Indies side is also much more experienced than that won and has tasted Test success, albeit against lesser teams such as Bangladesh and

Zimbabwe. Still Sammy believes they have what it takes to test the Indian side.

“We come here with a lot of experience; our young batsmen who played in that series have gained so much exposure since then. We’re in a better frame of mind and are playing much better cricket. We’re just honoured to be here playing this series and will do our best to compete and win the two matches,” he said.

Sammy made it very clear his team is focused on winning the series and is not about to be caught up in the Tendulkar mania that surrounds it.

“He has been a great am-

bassador for the game and he deserves every bit of the celebration that he is getting. As a team, we just look to block it out because at the end of the day we’re here to play cricket. Irrespective of what goes on in the media or the opposition dressing room, we have to remain focused on our job. We will work to come out on top after the five days of exciting cricket, which we hope it will be.”

Sammy has a healthy respect for the Indian batting line-up but is hoping they don’t find it easy to make the transition to Test cricket from a high-scoring ODI series where the batsmen have had to play their

Momentum builds in F&H Establishent Million Dollar Plus domino competition –

teams in all regions in elimination stage

The F&H Printing Establishment countrywide dominoes competition qualifiers round continues this week across Guyana at various venues, while the corporation zones will continue at the F&H venue at 90 John Street Campbellville, today and Friday at 18:00h.

The coordinators also reminded corporation teams who have not played as yet to come forward this week, since no matches will commence after November 11 due to playoffs starting November13.

Meanwhile, logistics pertaining to accommodation and meals for far-reaching area teams will be put in place and the respective teams through their sub coordinators will be informed no later than 08:00h on the morning of November 14.

of-town teams have already made it to the playoffs: Bartica- Upsetters, All Stars, Police and the infamous Limpy Lotto, third place in last year’s competition; Essequibo Islands –Dynamite and Atomic.

shots from the moment they reach the middle.

“It was a run-fest during their recent series against Australia. Hopefully their batsmen will come out and play big shots, giving us some edges in the slips, lbws and bowled outs. We hope they come in the ODI frame of mind and make mistakes early in the innings.”

However, he was unwilling to concede that India’s bowling would be a problem, saying it could be judged on the basis of one-day cricket played on flat tracks with fielding restrictions.

“But if their bowling is their weakness, it’s all good for us and we won’t complain,” Sammy said. When it came to his own team composition, Sammy wanted to make sure his side had balance.

He felt in the last series they were a bowler short.

“Looking at the pitch, which already has too many cracks, I think two spinners, two genuine pacers and one all-rounder will be the way to go,” he said.

“The last time we played six batsmen, two pacers, myself and Devendra Bishoo (leg-spinner). This time we will look to correct it and come up with a better combination.”

(WICB)

The playoffs, which commence at 18:00h on November 15 at the National Gymnasium, is expected to be bigger than last year. Projections show that the playoffs will most likely attract over 60 teams. Based on matches currently being played, the projected composition are as follows: Georgetown (14 teams); Corporations 14 teams; Out of Town (East Coast Demerara 4 teams, West Coast Demerara 8 teams, Bartica 6 teams, Essequibo Coast 4 teams, Essequibo Islands 2 teams, West Coast Berbice 2 teams, NA/Canje/ Corentyne 2 teams, Linden 2 teams, Kwakwani 2 teams, Mabaruma 2 teams, Madhia 2 teams and Port Kiatuma 2 teams).

The drawing system from last year will be used.

The following out-

In the Corporations Zones, Regal, KTS, Caricom and Ivans Grocery qualified for the playoffs last Friday. Finals on the West Coast of Demerara and in Georgetown were contested on Monday.

Explaining the reason for commencing Friday afternoon, sponsor Hazim Hakh said that recently domino was extended into the wee hours of the morning and vowed “this will not happen” this time.

Players will assemble on Friday for a March Pass at 18:00h before the drawing of teams for competition on Saturday at 10:00h.

Teams that may be affected by bridge openings were also asked to take note. On Sunday quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals will be played with matches set to commence at 12:30h.

Man City beat CSKA to progress

Alvaro Negredo’s hat-trick ensured Manchester City moved into the Champions League knockout phase for the first time with a comfortable win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

Sergio Aguero was the initial inspiration, scoring two and setting up another for Negredo as City scored three times inside the first half-hour to make it a straightforward night for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Having already secured a victory in Moscow, City knew they would be able to progress into the last 16 at the third time of asking if they won again and Viktoria

Plzen failed to beat holders Bayern Munich.

Aguero’s early penalty was followed by a cool finish before a cross for strike partner Negredo effectively ended the contest. Seydou Doumbia did pull a goal back for CSKA before the interval but the outstanding Samir Nasri set up Negredo’s second just after half-time to restore City’s three-goal advantage.

Doumbia beat City keeper Costel Pantilimon, once again chosen ahead of England keeper Joe Hart, from the spot for his second but City were never seriously under threat at any time as they cruised to victory.

(BBC Sport)

Hazim Hakh

A number of protests in Brazil have turned violent this year

Darren Sammy

Clippers lead all the way to beat Rockets 137-118

– Iguodala, Warriors easily hand 76ers first loss

LOS ANGELES (AP)

– Dwight Howard returned for the first time to Staples Center, where the Los Angeles Clippers ran his Houston Rockets off the floor with their most points in four years.

J.J. Redick scored 19 of his 26 points in the first half to lead seven players in double figures, and Los Angeles beat Houston 137118 Monday night, handing the Rockets their first loss of the season.

‘’We were making everything,’’ Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. ‘’They were in foul trouble. A lot of things went right.’’

It was the Clippers’ highest-scoring game since having 140 against the Knicks on March 25, 2009.

‘’A lot of times I just come out with energy and that energy is not matched by the guy guarding me,’’ Redick said.

Chris Paul added 23 points and 17 assists, Jamal Crawford had 21 points, and Blake Griffin scored 18 for the Clippers, who led the entire game and tied a franchise record with 78 points in the first half.

‘’Offense is pretty good,’’ Paul said. ‘’It’s all about our pace. We’re up-tempo. If a team misses, we’re running.’’

Howard finished with 13 points and nine rebounds after getting roundly booed in his first game in Los Angeles since leaving the Lakers and signing with Houston in the NBA’s biggest free agent move last summer.

‘’They can boo me a million times. I’ll still play,’’ he said.

Reflecting on his one upand-down season with the Lakers, Howard said, ‘’I just

allowed what people said to affect how I played. But I can’t do that. I mean, I’m better than that.’’

Jared Dudley added 15 points and DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who have won five in a row against Houston at home and three straight overall after losing their season opener to the Lakers. In Philadelphia Evan Turner just had to send a good-natured text to Andre Iguodala after Philadelphia ran its record to 3-0.

Iguodala tormented his former team with a game

better than any he ever played in eight seasons with the 76ers. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers, scored 32 points, had one behind-the-back assist for the highlight reel, and the Golden State Warriors handed Philadelphia its first loss of the season, 11090 on Monday night.

‘’I got a good look or two, and confidence started flowing,’’ Iguodala said.

Stephen Curry had 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his second career triple-double.

The overachieving 76ers (3-1) were one of the ear-

The Berbice Volleyball Association, in collaboration with Rollers Old Boys, will stage the inaugural Rollers Old Boys Champion of Champions volleyball competition for teams in Berbice this weekend at the Skeldon Back Centre ground, Upper Corentyne. The competition will be held with the aim of exposing players in that part of Berbice to competitive volleyball and identifying new talent in the Upper Corentyne area.

14th annual Diamond Mineral Water 50-miler set for Sunday

ly surprises of the season. Iguodala, a former Sixers All-Star, brought them back to reality.

Iguodala was sensational, setting the pace early with six 3s and 27 points in the first half. He also made the play of the young season, a behind-the-back, midair assist to David Lee. Iguodala whipped it from the corner at about the 3-point line and hit Lee in stride down the lane.

Sixers rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams, the Eastern Conference player of the week, missed 13 of 17 shots and scored 18 points.

Meanwhile, the top teams from the county will clash to decide the champions.

The winning team will receive a replica of the lien trophy and medals while the second and third place teams will also receive trophies and medals. Trophies will be presented to the Best Spiker, Best Setter and Most Valuable Player.

Arrangements will be made by the BVA to facilitate the transportation of teams from the West Berbice, Canje, New Amsterdam and Lower and Upper Corentyne areas.

For more information teams can contact the BVA Secretary, Levi Nedd on 641-9592

National Cycling Coach, Hassan Mohamed has teamed up with Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its Diamond Mineral Water brand to pedal off the 14th annual 50-mile cycle road race on Sunday on the West Bank of Demerara roadways.

The race will commence from the Wales Police Station from 08:00h. Competitors will proceed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo, before returning to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish.

The Veteran, Mountain Bikers and Females will turn back at Uitvlugt Community Centre and finish at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The first six finishers will receive prizes while there will also be awards for the first three juniors, veterans, upright cyclists and females. The first veteran over-60 finisher will also be awarded. Eight prime prizes are up for the taking during the course of the race. Representatives will be on hand to distribute the prizes to the respective winners at the conclusion of the race.

Last year’s senior winner was Paul DeNobrega in two hours, two minutes and eighteen seconds. DeNobrega also won the juniors race while Junior Niles and Julio Melville won the Veteran and upright races respectively.

President pleased with Super50 progress

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Dave Cameron met with officials of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) and the Ministry of Tourism over the weekend and from all reports he is very pleased with the progress so far, in terms of preparations for the Caribbean Super50 tournament to be staged in T&T in January next year.

WICB director Baldath Mahabir revealed that Cameron had flown into T&T for the weekend talks and is quite pleased: “Cameron came in for talks with the T&T Cricket Board, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and he left pleased with the progress so far.”

The WICB is yet to put a committee in place to deal with the Super50 tournament, so the TTCB who initiated talks with the ministry of Tourism is acting as caretakers currently.

The tournament will be played in this country for the next three years as it is being sponsored by the ministry of Tourism in an effort to showcase T&T as a sport tourism destination.

According to Mahabir: “The meeting we had was very successful and everyone left pleased. We intend to meet with our sponsors all the way through to ensure that they get maximum exposure for their investment and this is why the president was here.

“We are hoping to build this tournament as a major sporting attraction in Trinidad and Tobago and the region as a whole and this is why we are keeping it close to Carnival.

“We are hoping to offer fans the double package of cricket and carnival and this is why the ministry’s involvement in the planning process is so critical.

“Fans can come in to T&T, look at the cricket and enjoy the carnival season as well. There are many people in the diaspora who miss seeing the cricket and a good lime, so here is a unique opportunity for them to come in and enjoy both.

“Playing the tournament at the end of January will be critical to its successful in terms of attendance and we will be going all out to make it attractive to the fans.”

Andre Iguodala

Chris Paul (right) fights for possession of the ball with Omri Casspi

Clifton Phillips (right) handing over trophies to BVA President Gregory Rambarran in the presence of Rollers Club President, Tony Rambarran

Hassan Mohamed Paul DeNobrega

Raj Singh Insurance Brokers/Trophy Stall Over-40 Cricket Competition...

Bulls sitting atop of points table; round three on today

Lower East Coast Bulls lead the points standing after two rounds of the Raj Singh Insurance Brokers/Trophy Stall-sponsored Over-40 T20 competition.

The Bulls are sitting at the top of the table on seven points. Bulls achieved three bonus points in their second match against Georgetown Bears at the Lusignan Community Centre ground. They copped two points for passing 175 runs, and one point for winning by more than 50 runs as Bears only managed 127 for 7 when their overs expired.

Upper East Coast Tigers are place in second position with five points. They

got the better of West Coast Demerara Seals at Everest Cricket Club ground in their second match by 62 runs. As such, they got a bonus point for winning by a margin of more than 50 runs.

West Bank Demerara Mavericks and Lower East Bank Lions are yet to play a match, but they are on two points each since both of their scheduled matches were rained out.

Georgetown Buffaloes, Georgetown Bears and West Bank Demerara Seals are on one point each that was awarded to them for the rained out first round.

Meanwhile, the com-

petition continues today with the third round.

Upper East Bank Colts will play Georgetown Bears at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Georgetown Buffaloes tackling Lower East Coast Bulls at Georgetown Cricket Club ground, West Coast Dem Seals taking on Lower East Bank Lions at the Wales Community Centre ground and Upper East Coast Tigers oppose West Bank Dem Mavericks at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

All matches commences at 13:00h. The fourth round is scheduled for Friday.

Albion arrest Police by nine wickets in Namilco/Bakewell 20/20 tourney

Albion Cricket Club, after drawing a bye in the first round of the Namilco/Bakewell tournament, beat Police by an impressive nine wickets while Young Warriors failed to capitalise on their home advantage and were sent packing by West Berbice on Saturday.

Bermine whipped Upper Corentyne in quarter-final action.

Playing at the Albion Community Centre, Police won the toss and took first strike and were bundled out for 56 in 16.2. Quacy Nichols made 16 not out, Philbert Williams, 17, and Martin Singh, 11; no other batsman got pass five.

Bowling for Albion, West Indies bowler Devendra Bishoo cleaned up the middle order to finish with 4-4 off four overs. However, it was fast bowler Balchan Baldeo started the slide when the score was 12 with two wickets; the right-arm fast bowler returned in third over to bowl Albert Sinclair, further reducing Police to 19-3.

He finished with 3-12 off three overs.

In reply Albion reached 57-1 in 13.4 overs. KandasammySurajnarine was run out for 10 while Baldeo returned with the bat to hit 40 off 43 balls with the aid of five fours.

Across at the Cumberland ground, Young Warriors lost to West Berbice by six runs. Batting first, the visiting West Berbice team scored 123-7 off of their allotted 20 overs. Former Berbice batsman

Artley Bailey topscored with 33.

Sherwin McPherson (24) and Andrew Dennis (19 not out) were the principal scorers. Bowling for Young Warriors, offspinners Linden Austin and Kevin Ramdeen were the chief wreckers with 3-20 and 2-16 respectively.

Set 124 to win Young Warriors finished on 117-9. Linden made a game-high 45 while Ishwar Singh had 24; they put on 58 for the fifth wicket. West Indies U-19 batsman Shimroy Hetmyer was sent back for one.

Bowling for West Berbice Roun Johnson grabbed 4-19, Kevin Johnson, 2-27, and Krisndat Ramoo, 2-10.

West Berbice will now meet Rose Hall in a semi-final on Saturday. Rose Hall drew a bye into the semi-finals.

Meanwhile Bermine took care of Upper Corentyne and will play Albion in the other semi-final on Saturday.

In their match on

Saturday at Cumberland against Upper Corentyne, Bermine chalked up 150 off their 20 overs. Shemroy Barrington led the way with 45 with the aid of six boundaries. Romeo Shepherd scored 24 not out and Damian Vantull, 27. Satrohan Singh took 3-27 bowling for Upper Corentyne. In reply Upper Corentyne were off to a good start when Parmishwar Chatterpaul (22) and Feroz Mohammed (16) put on 40 for the first wicket. Manesh Lalu (24) was particularly harsh on fast bowler Devon Clements, hitting him for two sixes in one over. Clements was however the pick of the bowlers with 3-38. Devon LaFleur took 2-14, and K. Pellew, 2-16, as Upper Corentyne were all out for 96 in 18.5 overs. At stake in the competition is $200,000 and a trophy for the winner while the second placed team will carry home $100,000 and a trophy. (Andrew Carmichael)

Inter-Ward football winners receive prizes

The championship team and outstanding performers of the recently concluded Inter-Ward football tournament received their prizes Saturday night at a special ceremony held at the All Saints ground in New Amsterdam.

In the final played at the All Saints ground North NA beat Central NA 3-2 on penalty kicks after the two teams had played to a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.

At Saturday night’s presentation North NA received the Kurt Alphonso Trophy and $70,000 while Central NA receiver $45,000 and trophy. Third place went to Canje after gaining a walkover in the semi-final, receiving $35,000.

Organiser Neil Humphrey said that he was disappointed that some players claim that they want to play the game but are not turning up for matches. He was referring to South NA that failed to show for their semi-final game.

Meanwhile, the MVP was Steffon DeFloramant of North NA while Kevin Joseph and Delroy Ferdinand, with four goals each, shared the award for the most goals. The best goalkeeper was Dirk Henry. On the other hand, the final saw Central NA taking the lead in the seventh minute when Kelvin Joseph netted. Enjoying most of

the possession, Central also failed to capitalise on the several scoring opportunities provided by their midfielders.

At the end of the first half, North NA were still one down and returned in the second-half playing a faster game before the equaliser came in the 55th off the boot of Norland Hinds. This scoreline panned out to the end.

The winning North NA team after the presentation

In the penalty shootout, Henry gave North NA the advantage when he saved the first shot. However, his jubilation was short-lived when Bentham did the same. After

saving the second penalty shot Henry seemed to have put too much pressure on the young Bentham who could not match his brilliance. Both goalkeepers saved

on more penalty shot and Bentham was again in the hotspot, having to save the final one. He did not and North NA won 3-2. (Andrew Carmichael)

The highest goalscorers Jevon Joseph and Delroy Ferdinand

Devendra Bishoo Balchan Baldeo

Mark Malone Chathram Gagadin (left) and Vishwinauth Gobin were the main contributors for the East Coast Bulls commanding victory in the second round

Sevens novelty basketball tourney off to successful start

‘Ride for Life’ five-stage cycle race set for November 14-17

registration closes on Monday

he seventh annual

T“Ride for Life” fivestage cycle road race will be held from November 14-17 in the three counties where the cream of the country’s cyclists, along with several overseas competitors, will be competing.

Registration for cyclists closes on November 11 through national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, at his Middle Street office during normal working hours.

After travelling to the ancient County on November 13, the opening stage will be held the following day from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46.6 miles) from 07:30h; Stage Two will be on the same day from Rosignol to Georgetown (60.4 miles) from 14:00h.

Stage Three will take place on November 15 from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09:00h, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07:30h the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles.

The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08:30h and finish on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, on November 17, covering a distance of 62 miles.

As was the case in previous years, the event will be held with the objective of increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among participants and the general public, and increasing HIV/AIDS activism and volunteerism among the participants and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The event over the years attracted a large amount

of overseas riders, and this year would be no different.

Team Coco’s Jaime Ramirez emerged as the overall winner last year, but it was Guyanese Paul DeNobrega, who stole the spotlight on the final stage from Linden to Georgetown.

Ramirez set a new meet record with the win while DeNobrega, riding with Team Coco, copped the Junior title.

Ramirez, who won the first stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, clocked a blistering nine hours, 46 minutes, 51 seconds (09h: 46m: 51s) to erase the previous record of 10 hours, 29 minutes, 39 seconds (10h: 29m: 39s) achieved in 2011 by another Team Coco rider, Michael Larsen.

DeNobrega had finished in the runner-up spot with a time of nine hours, 57 minutes, 01 second (09h: 57m: 01s), while Antonio Alarton copped third spot in a time of nine hours, 58 minutes, 07 seconds (09h: 58m: 07s).

Rounding off the top ten were Guyana’s Raynauth Jeffrey (09h: 59m: 59s); Team Coco’s Darren Matthews (10h: 00m: 42s); Aruba’s Gino Hodge (10h: 05m: 19s); Guyana’s Eric Sankar (10h: 05m: 25s); overseas-based Guyanese Paul Choo Wee Nam (10h: 05m: 36s); and the Suriname duo of Murvim Arumjo (10h: 05m: 37s) and Moses Ricketts (10h: 06m: 02s).

In the Junior division, DeNobrega won ahead of Jeffrey and Raul Leal, who occupied second and third spots respectively. The overall top Veteran rider was Kennard Lovell, with Junior Niles in second and Ian Jackson third.

The Trinity Grid

Holding Pacesetters and the Colts A team made it through to the semifinal round of the Super Sevens basketball tournament that started on Monday at the Burnham Hard Court.

Pacesetters downed the Eagles 49-37 in one of the better games of the evening as Rayon Cummings penetrated the lane to score easy buckets for his team as he dropped a game-high 24 points.

Cummings also handed out a number of assists when the defence collapsed on his penetration in the lane. Jorenzo Bethune had a team-high 14 points for the Eagles.

Colts A topped the Buxton Lions 35-25 as both

teams had a bad game offensively, failing to make the most of their chances in the lane.

Sheldon Thomas lit up the score cards with 21 points while Quasie Newtown of the Buxton Lions dropped 12 points while entertaining the crowd with some And1like crossovers.

The Knights defeated Bishops’ High School Warriors 54-30 to make it to the semi-finals when the opening round of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA)-sanctioned and YOLO Entertainmentorganised tournament tipped off.

Owan Walton scored a team high 20 points for Knights while Akil Lewis

had 18 points in the win, along with a crucial 10 points from Lloyd Bart.

Marvin Durant scored the majority of the points for Bishops’ High with a gamehigh 21 points of the team’s 30.

Meanwhile, Collis Pluck was the definition of clutch when he nailed a three-pointer with the coloured ball that made the shot worth six points to lead the Sonic Rebels to the semi-finals against Colts B in the 47-46 game.

Pluck dropped a gamehigh 27 points while Jason Squires played superbly in the paint with 12 points to lead the winning squad.

Ruel Ritch led the Colts B team with 16 points while Jonathan Pooran contributed 12 points.

Part of the action during the opening day of the tournament involving the Knights and Bishops High (Treiston Joseph photo)

ANSA McAL rewards amateur boxers

Mackeson Fight Night championships

After three weekends of amateur boxing that concluded on October 6, ANSA McAL under the Mackeson brand rewarded the top fighters with monetary donations on Tuesday at the company’s headquarters on the East Coast of Demerara. Mackeson’s Brand Manager Jamaal Douglas was pleased with the tournament and noted that the event will take place yearly in an invited comment with

Guyana Times Sport.

“ANSA McAL and Mackeson is proud to bring the first of this tournament to Guyana and will want to hold it annually and look forward to having more support from the boxers so

we can have good fights,” Douglas noted.

Douglas also noted that boxers have made a believer out of him and he has become a true boxing fan after witnessing the action.

“It was great I look for-

ward to seeing more tournaments and I can’t wait for the clash of the champions and you will definitely catch me there,” Douglas mentioned during the interview.

Meanwhile the boxers that received prizes were Ron Smith, Eon Bancroft, Kevin Rodney, Trevon King, Marvin Ageday, Stephan Goveia, Clairmont Gibson, Ananbram Bharamraj, Bert Braitwaite, Kelon King and Aquicy Harvey.

All the boxers pose with their winning cheques at the Ansa McAL headquarters (Treiston Joseph photo)