Guyana Times Daily

tuesday, june 17, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

GPF ‘divorces’ Police

Wives Association

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday announced that it has severed ties with the Police Wives Association; a body that is stacked with executives whose husbands are neither officers of the Force or have worked in the organisation.

The decision comes in wake of articles published in the print media in relation to an alleged “rift” between the GPF and the Guyana Police Wives’ Association.

The Force said while the Police Wives’ Association may have been in existence for some time, it was formalised in 2000 when it was registered under the Friendly Societies Act, Chapter 36:04. According to the statement, the Police Juliet Griffith Day Care Centre was established in 1994, which is six years prior to the formalisation of the Police Wives’ Association. It is resourced and managed by the Guyana Police Force with assistance from the Police Wives’ Association, in an arrangement that provides for the most Senior Female Police Officer being responsible to the Police Commissioner for the operations of the Day Care Centre. This arrangement is continuing.

The statement explained that the GPF holds an Annual Youth Camp for children under the auspices of the Police Wives’ Association. In this arrangement, it is the Police Force that mobilises resources with planning and management inputs from the Police Wives’ Association.

It clarified that the Constitution of the Guyana Police Wives’ Association was amended in 2010, and among other things it catered for: membership for all wives of Policemen in active service, retired or deceased, and Policewomen in active service or retired, who are interested in the work of the Association and would like to offer voluntary service for the upliftment of

Acting

the Association. Besides, the Constitution provides for the wife of the Police Commissioner in active service to be Patron and an Ex-Officio Officer. Further, the Patron, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and five other members must be Policewomen, or wives of Policemen, and they shall form the Executive Committee.

The members of the Executive Committee must also be selected from among the members of the Association and the Patron chairs meetings of the Executive Committee.

Issues

The Police Force explained that following the demitting of Office by former Commissioner Leroy Brumell, there were some issues regarding the Patron and Ex-Officio Officer of the Association.

“These issues have caused the Guyana Police Force to review its participation with the Police Wives’ Association. The review found that the Executive Committee of the Police Wives’ Association consisted of persons, among whom were not the wives of serving, retired or deceased members of the Police Force, with the exception

of a Police Sergeant who is the Treasurer, and another who is the wife of a serving officer.”

Further, the statement said that there are persons on the Executive Committee who are not members of the Force nor the wives of serving, retired or deceased members of the Force, and ought not to have been members of the Police Wives’ Association in the first place, and therefore their presence on the Executive Committee is in breach of the Constitution.

“In contemporary times, the Association has not contributed anything tangible with regards to the Police Day Care Centre nor the serving husbands within the Police Force. Similarly, it has not done anything tangible regarding any of its objectives. It is felt that the current composition of the Executive body does not allow for the interests of the Force to be represented or advanced, regarding its objectives,” the Force said.

It added that consultations with the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry have revealed that the Association has not met its legal requirements under the Act since 2007, in that audited financial statements have not been submitted.

“Consequently, the Force Administration, through the most Senior Female Officer, attempted to encourage the Executive body to hold an Annual General Meeting under the Constitution that provides for the election of office bearers. The Executive body initially agreed, but thereafter bluntly refused and from all indications, the ensuing communications smacked of disrespect for the Senior Female Police Officer and other female members of the Force, who were engaged in the discussions. The Guyana Police Force then took a decision to withdraw its support to the Police Wives’ Association,” the statement ended.

“I can’t think of a word to describe how I feel”

– Linden top NGSA student

Humble, confident and consistent are three words used to describe Region 10 top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) student Roy Rogers.

This is how his class teacher Symphie Griffith, describes the 12-year-old, who hails from the Regma Primary School in Linden and secured 514 marks at the NGSA. He has been awarded a place at Queen’s College (QC).

Speaking with Guyana Times, the very proud Rogers, whose dream is to become a scientist, said: “I

can’t think of a word to describe how I feel.”

The student, who hails from Central Amelia’s Ward, also had some advice for students sitting the NGSA next year.

“Study and read a lot of books to get ideas,” he urged, noting that he loves to read. He thanks his mother Natasha Mingo and father Ronald Rogers for contributing to his success. Rogers’ teacher also said that she is overwhelmed with joy and pride, noting that she was always confident that the students whom she taught

in Grades Two, Five and Six would be successful at the NGSA.

“I feel overwhelmed, but again I’ve proven God in my life, because I’ve trusted God throughout the entire exam.”

She explained that she would usually encourage the students to work hard in order to achieve success.

“One of the first things that I would usually do is to teach them discipline. Discipline is important. As long as they have that discipline, we work from there,” Griffith said.

53 graduate from SKYE programme

Fifty-three young men and women of the Skills for Youth Employment (SKYE) Project recently graduated from a life skills work programme and are now ready for employment.

The programme called “Work Ready” featured two sections: “Work Ready Now”, a four-week programme which dealt with the basics of what would be required in the working environment and “Work Ready Plus”, which went on for five weeks, covering the basics of what is needed in the working world.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(GCCI) President Lance Hinds congratulated the participants and encouraged them to focus on their endeavours.

The GCCI President also advised the graduates that the programme is a second opportunity for them in life, and urged that they make the most of it.

Hinds informed the 53 young men and women that the skills they acquired are not only to for their own benefit, but for society as well.

The youths were also advised to be excellent role models for the young men and women in their communities.

Speaking to Guyana Times, some of the gradu-

ates related that the programme was an eye-opening experience, as it taught them the skills they need in the world of work.

Some of the trainers are also collaborating with the parents of the youths to help them plan their futures after this programme. The graduation ceremony concluded with the distributions of certificates and the participants bidding farewell to their newfound friends.

The SKYE Project is funded by USAID and is being implemented by the Education Development Centre, based in Boston, USA.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

The trio: From left Roy Rogers, Aquil Gill and Ayrton Waldron

The participants and trainers of the SKYE “Work Ready” Programme

PPP repeats calls to US to establish DEA office here

Monday, June 16, 2014

BY JOMO PAUL

Amid criticism of its anti-narcotics fight, the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Monday reiterated its call for the US to establish a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office here.

The party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, who is also Home Affairs Minister, told a news conference at Freedom House that there was an urgent need for the establishment of the long overdue DEA office here as the Government continues to wage war against the thriving narcotics trade.

The call from the governing party comes after almost a decade after the two sides agreed to establish a DEA office here to tackle narco trafficking.

According to Rohee, the US has been able to identify and apprehend narco traders and other criminal elements because they may have access to information that is not otherwise available to local law enforcement.

“That is why we need the DEA office here as quickly as possible; I think if we get the DEA office here in Guyana then we would be in a much better position to deal collectively with these issues. Because it might be very

well possible that the US might have intelligence on these persons that they are not desirous of sharing with us,” said Rohee.

Only recently, Ambassador Hardt had said that before any DEA Unit is established here, local anti-drug agents will have to be fully vetted in order to reduce the likelihood of them breaching strategies that would be enforced. He was responding to questions regarding the long-talked-about setting up of a DEA office in Guyana to stem the tide of trafficking.

Vetted Guyana is viewed as a transshipment point for cocaine going to Europe and North America, and according to the Ambassador, the establishment of the office in Guyana is not an automatic process.

“… part of a process for DEA working, they like to have a vetted unit which they are confident they can work with and share sensitive information with and really work in elevated partnership. So I think that is one of the core building blocks to getting DEA here,” Hardt told reporters following the recent signing of the Third Amendment to the Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement between Guyana and the US.

Hardt noted that the vetting process would include ranks being screened via lie detector tests and background checks.

The Ambassador explained that there have been some delays in getting the DEA here due to budgetary issues faced in the US; however, he noted that they are currently in the process of overcoming this hurdle.

In an interview with the media earlier this year, Ambassador Hardt had explained that there

was discussion on the DEA in December. He said that the delay in establishing the DEA here is because of budgetary constraints and getting approval on the US side. Nevertheless, the Ambassador had pointed out that despite the US not having a DEA presence in Guyana, the country has been covered by the DEA office in Trinidad for some time. The Ambassador noted that US DEA officials work closely with the Guyana Police Force and other law enforcement agencies.

“We have excellent relations that have been going on for some time, so even though we don’t physically have an office here, we have DEA officers who are in the country regularly, liaising and trying to build cases, cause that’s what DEA really brings to the table: its ability to build cases against major traffickers,” the Ambassador had stated.

Hardt, whose tenure in Guyana will be up soon, explained that from the time he was posted to Guyana, he has made it a priority to lobby for a DEA office here and has man -

aged to make some headway.

The US Ambassador clarified that the nonimplementation of the US DEA office here has nothing to do with any hindrance from the Government, but has to do mainly with sourcing resources and processing.

“When you see drug trends around the region, around the world, certainly, we think there is value in having a stronger DEA presence here,” Hardt stated. On the other hand, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett had reassured of the Government’s commitment and support for the establishment of a US DEA office in Guyana. She had told the media that “we are ready on our side to do whatever we have to do to get the DEA office here.”

Drug master plan

Meanwhile, commentators have often blamed the lack of a proper drug master plan as one of the factors contributing to the drug problem. Guyana’s last drug plan expired in 2009. Asked for an update on the document, Rohee related that the plan is currently at the level of his Ministry where final changes are being made.

The Minister explained that the plan will be submitted to Cabinet for approval before it is released to the public. Rohee has previously stated that the final draft of the plan was slated for completion in March 2014.

He had noted too that consultations were held with the various stakeholders, including law enforcement units and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in an effort to garner their inputs.

US Ambassador, D Brent Hardt

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Intentions and results in education

There can be no question in the minds of any reasonable Guyanese that the Government of Guyana has the noblest intentions towards improving the delivery of education to Guyana’s youths. With over $32 billion allocated this year – just about 14 per cent of the entire budget; one of the highest spending rations in the world – it is literally putting its money where its mouth is.

But everyone knows that it is not noble intentions that are the litmus test of Government’s effectiveness, but the results of the actual programmes implemented. And by this measure, as exemplified by the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results, we still have a far way to go.

We will analyse the actual results in a later editorial, but at this time we would simply like to examine a troubling issue that has surrounded the NGSA and its predecessor, the Common Entrance examination, which it replaced over a decade ago. This issue was, interestingly enough, highlighted as recently as April 15 by the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam in a letter published in this newspaper entitled “Many children writing NGSA are placed under an inordinate amount of pressure”.

Inter alia, Mr Sam noted: “As over 15,000 of the nation’s pupils write the National Grade Six Assessment, it is fitting that we should address some of the related concerns surrounding the assessment and its perceived or real implications vis-à-vis education in Guyana in general.

“It is my opinion that many of our children writing this assessment are placed under an inordinate amount of pressure. I have had first-hand exposure to this on numerous occasions and it is quite evident that this phenomenon is rooted in various historical elements of our country’s education system.

“It would have emerged to a large extent from a preexisting belief pattern that one’s only chance of ‘doing well’ in life, depended on that pupil earning one of the highly coveted, very limited places at the more ‘elite’ secondary institutions.

“These institutions far outstripped their counterparts in relation to educational output. It is understandable that parents, wanting the best for their children, would set their sights on the highest level of attainment possible, regardless of what that child’s academic realities were.

“It must be recognised, however, that this served to ‘setup’ a large percentage of our young people for ‘failure’, given that it was simply impossible for the numbers who aspired for these few places to gain access to those institutions.

“In turn, many capable, hardworking students were made to feel sub-par and unappreciated; an experience that I am sure would have had a significant impact on their psychological make-up and overall attitudes about education. Added to this, schools were also stigmatised, relegated to sub-standard positions which fed into a culture of underachievement that was extremely difficult to overcome.”

The CEO alluded to a host of innovations that were supposed to rectify this stigmatisation of the 95 per cent that were unable to secure a spot in those ‘elite secondary institutions’. But those we’ll also leave for another time.

We comment today on the enormous hype that is still devoted to the top five per cent that are bound for Queen's College and other elite schools. We would have thought after the CEO’s poignant concern about ‘setting up’ those who did not make it to Queen's that there would have been some system put into place in the months since he spoke for giving some hope to them.

We reiterate that those who work hard must be rewarded, but we refuse to believe, as the CEO himself pointed out, that only the top five per cent gave the NGSA their all.

In addition to the Government putting its money where its mouth is on its commitment to education in Guyana, the Education Ministry must begin to deliver the goods to all students taking the NGSA.

PNC 1 and PNC 2

Dear Editor,

I have read what two letter writers have deemed to be an apology by the PNC, seeking to break down the PNC era of misrule and corruption into two separate and distinct components: PNC 1 and PNC 2.

They then sought to conclude that PNC 2, under Hoyte, had implicitly apologised to this nation for the ills and wrongdoings of PNC 1 under the Burnham dictatorship. They further sought to conclude that Guyana was on the road to economic prosperity when the PPP/C took office in 1992. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Rodney CoI

Firstly, the letter writers are of the opinion that the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) should have been held by the PPP/C Government in 1995. Is this a magical year? Why did PNC Part 2 not hold a CoI into Rodney’s death? Twelve years after his assassination, no inquiry was held by the PNC, yet these AFC/ APNU letter writers are accusing the PPP/C of stirring racial disharmony.

Whether we seek to live in denial or not, voting has always been along racial lines in Guyana and there is no solution in sight. But that is not the issue here. It would have been the patriot-

ic duty of the WPA to bring closure to Rodney’s death; hence the PPP/C could not be accused of using the Rodney’s CoI to its political advantage. It does not matter to them that Rodney’s family wants to bring closure to this nefarious deed.

This nation needs answers for the gruesome murder of one of its most brilliant sons and the perpetrators must be exposed for what they are or were. Would it not have been an act of political brilliance if this was done by Hoyte’s Government? Why do you think the PNC did not want such an inquiry? Well, the answers are now in the public domain!

Exotic flowers

The letter writers made a very simplistic conclusion that since they were not harassed or victimised by PNC 2 in the run-up to the 1992 General Elections, then all was well in the entire country. They could not have appreciated the mounting international pressure on the Hoyte Administration, especially from the USA, which was taking its toll.

They could not have appreciated the efforts made by the PPP/C to cleanse the voters’ lists from 1990 to 1992 so that there would be a free and fair election and neither could they understand the intervention of for-

mer US President Carter on Election Day 1992 to quell the violence which erupted from the PNC supporters when they felt that the PPP/C would win that election.

Hoyte had free and fair election pushed down his throat! Economic sanctions would have been imminent if the PNC misbehaved.

Next, they hinted lightly to the fact that the Guyana dollar was devalued from G$4 to US$1 in 1985 to G$125 to US$1 by 1992. This sent the cost of living to astronomical heights during that period and even though the bans were lifted on food items, the Guyanese people could hardly afford them because of the impoverished wages and salaries they received. In 1992, the minimum wage was G$65 per day and that could not have bought a pound of chicken!

Apologies?

However, that is not important since during the PNC 2 era, Hoyte supported the flower shop of the father of one of the letter writers by purchasing exotic flowers from them. This was a great act of humanity done to a PPP/C supporter according to these letter writers. Why worry about the rest of the country when your flowers are bought, presumably to be placed on the graves of impoverished Guyanese?

Unashamedly, the rest of the letter seeks to create by implication, what appeared to them during the last seven years under the PNC, to be an ‘apology’ by the PNC 2 Leader Hugh Desmond Hoyte.

Firstly, the 1985 General Election under the late Desmond Hoyte was the most comprehensively rigged election in the history of this country. Hoyte gave himself 77.6 per cent of the total votes cast and gave the PPP/C 15.6 per cent. That was PNC 2’s first apology!

Secondly, the removal of the ban on food items, the removal of the price control and foreign exchange restrictions were the direct results of the 1988 deal with the IMF and World Bank. The PNC’s neck was on the economic guillotine! But this did nothing to alleviate the suffering of the poor in Guyana who had to pay exorbitant prices for these scarce items.

The Indian businessmen to whom Hoyte reached out were the distributors of these scarce items and they made fortunes fleecing the poor people! They donated millions to PNC 2's coffers. However, in effect, the removal of the ban only meant that you would not be jailed for having these items in your possession! They were still unaffordable! This was PNC 2’s second apology!

Continue on page 5

Street children and other poor children from the Hillbrow area take part in a dance class at the Memorial Institute for Child Development in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, June 16. The institute, which houses various child welfare organisations, celebrated Youth Day by putting on dancing lessons and a boxing event. Youth Day in South Africa commemorates the Soweto Uprising in the country 38 years ago when students in Soweto protested against Afrikaans being taught at schools (Yahoo! News)

Guyana Festival is emerging as a very important affair

Dear Editor,

I would like to bring to the nation’s attention a few facts regarding the benefits of hosting cultural events, particularly as the Guyana Festival opening approaches.

Cultural tourism is one of the important branches of tourism. In fact, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) suggests that more than 40 per cent of all international tourists are “cultural tourists” (Richards, 1996). The Travel Industry Association of America has estimated that two-thirds of US adults visit a cultural or heritage site or attraction when they travel (Silberberg, 1995).

Based on this data, it has been argued that cultural tourists represent a new type of mass tourist who seeks meaningful travel experiences (McKercher and Du Cros, 2003).

The festivals, traditions, culture attract tourists to visit the place. Yeoman (2004) says that festivals can lengthen tourist seasons, extend peak season or introduce a “new season” into a community.

Events such as festivals do not only serve to attract tourists, but also help to develop or maintain a community or regional identity. This, for me, is the most important aspect, even as we strive to maintain the growth of Guyana’s tourism sector

Undoubtedly, festivals have changed over the years, before festivals were associated with key calendar moments, linked specifically to particular seasons and heritage sites.

Over the last decade, these have been changed and developed upon, there is now a broad and diverse range of festival events taking place all over the world.

Getz (1997, p.1) introduces festival events as: “Events constitute one of the most exciting and fastest growing forms of leisure, business, and tourism-related phenomena.”

In Guyana, it’s no different and the fact that we are linking festivals (Guyana Festival) to our national image and developmental trajectory makes it all the more important.

Rapidly, we are seeing that Guyana Festival is emerging as a very important affair which will be imbedded into the cultural fabric of this country.

Written by, Richard Singh

Leadership is about action; anyone can lead

Dear Editor,

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of being in the audience for a presentation organised by Blue CAPS on “Adaptive Leadership”. Harvard Kennedy School alum Floyd Haynes did the presentation. Floyd is a former student of Harvard’s Ronald Heifetz, the author of Leadership Without Easy Answers

One of the most salient points of the presentation was that exercising leadership does not require formal authority. One doesn’t need a title, post or position to exercise effective leadership.

The point struck me because in Guyana, and especially with our young people, many people feel that it is not their place to lead. We have not come of age, or maybe we feel it’s not our responsibility. In some extreme cases, the previous generation bluntly refuses to let go of the reins.

Green’s “intensive” campaign against Sooba

Dear Editor, What do I make of Mayor Hamilton Green’s threat that he would “take matters into his own hands to remove acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, if the legal process does not give him justice, or the Government continues to refuse to terminate her contract”?

I can see that the man is desperate and dangerous. He seemingly would stop at nothing. I gather that even if the court goes against him, he would remain most defiant. Look at his words: “We will then mount a very intensive and, I believe, a successful political process” so that Carol Sooba will not be in office.” This kind of talk is a very fiery and seems to border on a threat to the safety of Ms Sooba.

I am reminded of the allegation (coming out of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry) that security personnel and maids, who worked for Hamilton Green at one time, were members of the House of Israel.

I bring to attention too that Billal Atu, who was

convicted for the murder of Father Bernard Darke, and it is alleged that he once worked as Hamilton Green’s gardener, at the Agriculture Ministry compound. This was reportedly so even while the man was serving the sentence at Camp Street Prison.

It is public knowledge now that Hamilton Green and Rabbi Edward Washington (Leader of House of Israel) were close, and used to meet very fre-

PNC 1 and...

quently, during the period of 1978-1980 at Green’s residence.

So it is logical that this threatening outburst be taken seriously. As a citizen of this land, I make an appeal to the Police Commissioner and his top subordinates to really monitor the Mayor of Georgetown. It would do us well to be on our guard at all times.

Yours truly, Annalise Humphrey

from page 4

Now Berbice alone has three TV Stations and one radio station.

Economic progress?

I believe that some of our fear and trepidation may actually be attributed to our misunderstanding of the terms “leader” and “leadership”. In his presentation, Floyd noted that the two terms are not the same. A leader may be someone that is elected to a post: a President, a Chief Executive Officer, an Army

sition. Anyone can exercise leadership and leadership can be exercised anywhere as long as they are willing to do something or work to find solutions to problems that exist.

General or someone in a position of influence or authority. Leadership, on the other hand, does not require a person to be in a specific post or hold an elected po-

A young woman not satisfied with litter in her community can speak with her neighbours and together they can agree to all keep the front of their parapets clean or someone in a community can start an after-school programme on the ground floor of his/her home if there is a high incidence of school dropouts or the local school lacks teachers in particular subject areas.

Leadership is about recognising that once you are part of a system, you can take action to effect change and come up with solutions to confront problems plaguing the system. To my fellow Guyanese, leadership is about action and anyone can lead. I urge you to do so for your communities!

Yours faithfully, Michael Leonard Blue CAPS

Thirdly, by 1988 the economy was bankrupt and the Guyana National Service became an unnecessary blackhole and a millstone on the neck of the PNC, so they were forced to let it go! It was disbanded after years of humiliating experiences suffered by all races. I noticed that the letter writers said “perceived to be humiliating to Indian women”.

I was there at Port Kaituma in 1983 and the suffering, hardship and human degradation were experienced by men and women alike and race had nothing to do with it. It was no “perception”, it was real as it was horrific. People like these writers were born with golden spoons in their mouths and should desist from insulting the suffering of the Guyanese people! So this forced abortion was PNC 2’s third apology!

Fourthly, Hoyte did not cause the Rabbi to be prosecuted because of his sense of justice and fair play, but because he was forced to do so in order to maintain a good relationship with the US and to keep the aid flowing to Guyana. The Rabbi was a US convict! This act of duress was the PNC 2’s fourth apology!

I don’t know which part of Guyana these two writers are from since when they claimed that no independent TV or radio station has been granted a licence since the end of the Hoyte Administration in 1992.

Then the letter writers claimed that the economic progress started by the Hoyte Administration continued until 2001. Let me refresh their confused minds a bit. Two years after PNC 2 took office, Guyana became one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere with a per capita GDP of US$500. Hoyte in 1988 went to the IMF and the World Bank for help and it is they who implemented the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) and Hoyte had to change course for economic survival.

But this did nothing to change Guyana’s fortunes since the mismanagement and corruption from PNC 1 days continued unabatedly. By 1991, 60 per cent of the population was living below the poverty line and inflation rose from 40 per cent in 1988 to 125 per cent in 1991. Wages and salaries fell far below the inflation rate and the Guyana dollar was devalued by more than 4333 per cent.

On May Day 1991, the General Secretary of the TUC, Joseph Pollydore lamented the fact that workers were in a state of abject poverty and cannot even buy basic food and that the Government has left children breadless and homes rice-less because of the inability of breadwinners to buy even minimum quan-

tities for their families. Workers refer to the ERP as Empty Rice Pots! The minimum wage was just a meagre $65 per day – not even the price for a pound of chicken! Furthermore, in 1990 the per capita GDP fell to US$370 and when Hoyte took over it was US$500. Moreover, during all the years under Hoyte’s Administration the GDP continued to fall to the extent that during the 1991 budget presentation, Finance Minister Carl Greenidge admitted that several economic indicators were doing badly.

It was that same year that Guyana showed a positive economic growth of 6.1 per cent after 15 years of negative growth. Ironically, this was achieved only after selling off 15 of the 41 State-owned enterprises at less-than-market value; by rescheduling the US$2.1 billion foreign debt; by having no foreign currency reserve; by having a deficit in the Consolidated Fund of $18 billion; by pressuring the workers by heavy taxes and by bringing rice, sugar and bauxite down to their knees! Not to mention the falling and decaying infrastructure, the 13 hours per day blackouts and the thriving backtrack business! Compare these today under the PPP/C Government!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor, Region Six

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green

Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba

Page Foundation

The best budgeting strategies for single parents

BY GEOFF WILLIAMS

There is one positive point about being a single parent and facing down a mountain of bills and a slew of budgetary choices: You don’t have a partner to bicker with. You can make your own money decisions.

But otherwise, being a single parenting and budgeting can be a long slog.

“Single parents have unique budgeting challenges,” says Marilyn Timbers, a Stamford, Connecticutbased financial advisor who works for ING Financial Partners, citing the scenarios of having to often raise a child solo and survive on one income. “Children are a joy, but they do not come cheap.”

No kidding. As the US Department of Agriculture noted in an August report, it will cost an estimated US$241,080 for a middle-income couple to raise a child from day one until the child’s 18th birthday – and some single parents have to shoulder that financial responsibility all by themselves.

Not that every single mom or dad is running on financial fumes and deserving of a pity party. Plenty are thriving and doing just fine. But if you sometimes find yourself staring at your bank account, wondering which bills you can get away with paying late – and still give your children a decent life – here are some strategies from personal finance experts and single parents

in the trenches.

Your budgeting process needs to be your own. Your partner may have been the one who paid the bills or made many of the money decisions. If that’s the case, you need to

But while budgeting can be challenging, he says, “there is nothing that important that, if you lose it, can’t be replaced or that you can’t go without.”

Formulate a plan for paying bills on time. It’s

step up. “Don’t let anything overwhelm you,” says Jose Perez, 47, a safety professional in the construction industry who lives in Bayonne, New Jersey (NJ).

Perez knows of what he speaks. His wife, Olinda, who was a substitute teacher in Newark, NJ, passed away almost three years ago of stage four breast cancer. Perez, who has a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-yearold son, took over the family’s budgeting, which had always been Olinda’s territory. Perez didn’t know any of the passwords for their financial accounts and eventually had to start over from scratch.

easy to forget to look ahead if you’re always looking behind you – at the car payment you didn’t make or phone bill you didn’t pay.

“I always total my monthly bills and divide my bills by paycheck. This made my bills much more manageable and forced me to keep close tabs on my money,” says Ingrid Turner, a 29-year-old raising an eight-year-old son in Los Angeles.

She is paid twice a month and earns $75,000 annually working for a technology reseller in Hollywood since 2012. She almost never receives child support.

Turner says she puts half of her first paycheck aside to

cover a portion of her rent. “I shove it into my savings account, where it isn’t so easily accessible,” she says. When the next paycheck comes, paying the rent doesn’t seem so daunting – she has half of it saved up already.

The strategy has helped Turner immensely. She divorced her husband when her son was two and spent several years unemployed and living in her mother’s garage before finding jobs with income that placed her right around the poverty level. She was always care ful about not falling into debt. She now has a credit card, but only for emergen cies and major expenses.

“When money does get tight, I break down how much I can spend per day until I get paid,” Turner says. “Knowing I have $20 or $30 per day, for exam ple, helps me more than knowing I have $X per week or month.”

And she always main tains a savings cushion. “When I was making $12 to $14 an hour, I wasn’t able to save $100 or more a month, but I could do $25,” Turner says.

Buy food last. Yes, last. It sounds counterintuitive, but it makes sense if one lis tens to Heather Slaughter, 39, a resident of Imperial, Mousiri, who works in business development for a title company.

Reduce spending without big changes to your lifestyle

We all know how to spend less by sacrificing. From eating out less to buying fewer clothes to cutting back on vacations, saving

“I pay my bills first and buy food second. You can’t spend what you don’t have,” Slaughter says. (money.usnews.com)

to save money, why not start with money saving tips that are relatively pain-free?

Get healthy

As someone who has

struggled to stay fit, I realise that eating healthy and staying in shape is easier said than done. But for those who are in good shape, you can save a lot of money on life insurance and individual health insurance plans. And as an added bonus, you’ll feel better and have more en -

Rethink auto insurance

Every year, re-examine your auto insurance policy for savings opportunities. For example, consider raising your deductible, which lowers premiums. For older vehicles, evaluate whether you really need collision coverage, which covers damage to your car when your car hits or is hit by another vehicle or object. And make it a habit to compare auto insurance quotes annually.

Improve your credit score

Of all the painless ways to save money, improving your credit score is arguably the most important. From home loans and car loans to credit cards and auto insurance, a good credit score can save you a small fortune. Over a lifetime, the savings can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.

Invest on the cheap For mutual fund investors, stick with funds that have low expense ratios. One rule of thumb is to keep the weighted average expense ratio for all mutual funds under 50 basis points (0.50 per cent). Compared with funds that charge well over one per cent in fees annually, the savings over a lifetime of investing can be substantial.

Go prepaid with your cellphone

While this option won’t be right for everybody, many can save a small fortune with prepaid cellphones. And because they are prepaid, you don’t have to commit to longterm contracts. (money.usnews.com)

Rohee shrugs off calls for his resignation

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Monday said he will not be distracted by the repeated calls from the parliamentary Opposition for his resignation.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Home Affairs Minister said he found pleasure in the continued calls by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger for him to vacate his post. “It gives me great joy, it gives me great joy and satisfaction and I wish he could do it every day; I am referring to Mr Granger, I wish he could call for my resignation every day, it gives me so much joy and satisfaction…I feel happy to know that I am a bee in his bonnet.”

According to Rohee, in essence what the Opposition party was asking of him was to act in the capacity of Commissioner of Police and that, of course, would be in obvious conflict with the Constitution of Guyana. He pointed out that if something like that does occur, then the repeated criticism from the APNU would be justifiable, but he was not going to allow that to happen.

“What the Opposition is trying to do is to make me act as though I am Commissioner of Police, make me talk and make me walk as though I am the Commissioner of Police... if I am to fall into that trap, then they may be quite justified in the criticisms that they are making,” said Rohee.

He contended that con-

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

trary to the accusations being levelled against him by the Opposition, he is competent enough to hold the portfolio of a Government Minister and has displayed his competency several times.

“If you were to read every single speech I have made, you will see the general policy direction that I have given the Guyana Police Force, it is clear as the night follows the day,” Rohee said. He noted too that it was unfortunate that sections of the media would seek to qualify both APNU Leader Granger and APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon as security experts when neither of them is qualified in that regard.

Rohee questioned: “How can these people be security experts and they don’t see these distinctions? Unless they would like to have what they had before: political interference in the Guyana Police Force.”

On Friday, the APNU restated its call for Rohee to be removed from his post, saying that the security situation here continues to deteriorate. The Shadow Home Affairs Minister Winston Felix said since taking office in 2006, Rohee has been “doing little or nothing for the safety of all Guyanese”. He said there has not been an effective contingency plan by the Minister who has responsibility to look after the safety interest of all Guyanese.

“Quite recently, questions were posed to the Minister and he said “I don’t burn hands, I does give out things.” That’s a wimpy statement coming from a Minister. He does not understand the context in which he is operating as Minister of Home Affairs and he is responsible for everything that takes place in his Ministry,” Felix said at his party’s press conference on Friday.

Miner found dead with stab wound at Sandhills

Aminer was in the wee hours of Monday found dead with a stab wound to his chest, in a mining camp at Sandhills, Cuyuni River.

The dead man was identified as 24-year-old, Devindra Alfred of Leonora Village, West Coast Demerara.

While information remains sketchy about the discovery, a team of Police ranks were deployed to the area to investigate the murder.

Over the past weeks, there have been several murders in various interior locations. Terrence Robin James, 23, of Kwatamang Village, Rupununi was found with stab wounds along the Tabatinga roadway on April 20.

In another incident, Victor Pires, 62, allegedly shot and killed his re-

Shot Timehri man remains critical

The gold miner who was found wounded at Timehri last Friday remains a patient in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Relatives of Terrance Younge, 30, of Lot 54 Public Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, said doctors have informed them that the young man has lost a significant amount of blood as a result of his injuries. They added that the bullet that entered his abdomen is still lodged there, but doctors are monitoring his condition.

Younge is under Police guard. Relatives are not sure why the man was placed under guard, since he was not the criminal. They are holding out that he was attacked, robbed

“I

and shot twice by unknown men who were passing by at the time. The young man who took Younge to the Georgetown Public Hospital also remains in custody at the Alberttown Police Station.

Guyana Times understands that the young man whose name has not been released may have had previous brushes with the law and might have been wanted by the Police for questioning in several robberies. This publication also understands that the Police are looking for a brother of the injured man who reportedly failed to inform the Police of the shooting incident. It is believed that Younge might have been shot somewhere else and then dumped in the vicinity of the Seventh-

can’t think of...

Placing second in the Region was Aquil Gill, 11, with 513 marks. He was granted a place at the Bishops’ High School while Ayrton Waldron, 11, copped the third spot in the region with 511 marks, and a place at Bishops’ High School.

“Astonished”

Both students were part of teacher Michelle Craig’s Grade Six class. Gill, whose dream is to become an inventor and scientist, said he was “astonished” and “happy” to learn that he placed second in the region.

He noted that he wished to thank Craig, his class teacher,

the staff of Regma Primary, his father Jaffar Mohamed and other relatives, whom he noted, all played a major part in his success.

“I feel very proud. I would wake up in the morning and study,” Waldron said.

When asked what advice he would give to pupils writing the NGSA next year, the aspiring doctor replied: “To study hard and don’t get distracted by the television.”

Teacher Craig said while she was expecting better results from the students, she is nevertheless thankful and appreciative of the results attained. She noted that while there is room for overall student improvement at

day Adventist Church along the public road. He was found bleeding by a family friend who claimed that he heard two gunshots about 12:45h. The man was reportedly looking at television and heard the shots; from all indications, no other person in the area heard the gunshots and the community became aware of the shooting the following morning.

Younge was shot once to his right leg and once to his abdomen while he was walking along the Timehri Public Road. He was due to return to the interior on Saturday morning and he had gone to a colleague to collect some money so that he can travel to Parika.

The Police are continuing their investigation.

the Grade Six level at the school, she is still happy with what the students have achieved.

The teacher said that Gill has always loved reading and is very articulate. She said that while Waldron was much more reserved in class, he also loved reading.

“It wasn’t a surprise when I saw the results that they were on top, because they were consistent... they were always at the top of the class, both of them, they were sort of competing against each other. Both of them were very good in class, and they can express themselves really well,” she said.

puted wife, Pamela Martin, 39, during an argument. He later shot himself. An improvised shotgun and three empty cartridges were found at the scene by the Police.

Early on May, Destina Basil, 25, was found dead about 07:00h in a mining camp at Baramita, North West District with blood oozing from her nostrils.

Two weeks prior to that discovery, Junior Brandt, 32, of Baramita was stabbed to death during an argument with his reputed wife who is still on the run.

No progress on AML/CFT Bill ahead of FATF meeting

Attempts to reconcile the political parties after a major fallout over amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 have proven futile.

Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who chairs the Parliamentary Special Select Committee considering the AML/CFT Bill, told Guyana Times that attempts have been made to convene an urgent meeting with the Opposition but to no avail.

The Government is hoping to strike a deal with the Opposition at the level of the Select Committee on Monday; however, Teixeira was reluctant to give details.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge confirmed that the Opposition had been contacted by the Government. Greenidge told this publication that mem-

bers of the coalition were unable to attend the meeting.

He said while the members may not be able to meet at the level of the Special Select Committee, the Opposition has expressed willingness to meet outside of the Committee to resolve the current impasse.

Rock bottom

Last Wednesday, the work of the Select Committee hit rock bottom with the Government and the coalition failing to agree on fundamental sections of the proposed amendments to the Principal Act.

The Government is objecting to moves by the Opposition to establish an AML/CFT Authority and the removal of the powers of the Finance Minister and President to appoint and dismiss the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The Government remains

Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

optimistic that these differences can be ironed out before the Finance Action Task Force (FATF) meets in Paris on June 25. During that meeting, the international financial body will determine whether Guyana should be subjected to a prima-facie review by the International Cooperation Review Board.

This comes as a direct result of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) referring Guyana to FATF, because of its noncompliance with the agreed Action Plan. A public statement was also issued in which the country was identified as a jurisdiction with significant AML/CFT deficiencies, which has failed to make significant progress in addressing those deficiencies. Guyana is now considered a risk to the international financial system, and, as such, CFATF members are being called upon to implement further countermeasures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. The first statement against Guyana was issued last November, and despite continuous warnings, the elected politicians failed to effectively implement the Action Plan.

Car theft accused remanded

Twenty-eight-year-old Mortimer Chand was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for allegedly stealing a motor car. He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The charge alleged that on June 11 at Georgetown, he stole one Mazda motorcar PPP 5786, property of Ivory Allicock. It is alleged that on the day in question, around 01:00h, the complainant parked his motor vehicle outside his home and woke up around 06:00h to find it missing.

A report was made to the Police

and following investigations, the accused was arrested. Chand, who told the court he is a security guard pleaded not guilty to the charge. He told the court that he knows nothing of a car.

According to him Police had showed up at his house enquiring about guns and ammunition and subsequently arrested him then accused him of stealing a car.

Chand asked the Magistrate to grant him bail in a reasonable sum, but Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence case. Chand will return to court on July 4 for submission of statements.

Man pleads guilty to attempting to smuggle birds

Canadian-based Guyanese Nazir Khan appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday charged for attempting to illegally export birds under protection orders.

The charge alleged that on June 13 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the accused had 22 birds concealed in hair curl-

ers in his carryon luggage on Flight BW606 destined for Toronto.

The defendant was unrepresented and pleaded guilty to the charges laid against him. He told the court that he was unaware that documents were needed and the birds were not for a profit but rather his personal amusement. He was given bail of $75,000 and is to return today at the Magistrates’ Courts for statements.

Stevedore H/Scheme man accused of causing death of seven-year-old boy

Jermaine Carol of Lot 34 Stevedore Housing Scheme was on Monday charged for allegedly causing the death of a seven-year-old boy last week. Carol appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, charged with causing death by dangerous driving and not having third party insurance.

The charge alleged that on June 12, at Freeman Street, La Penitence, the accused drove his motorcar PPP5931 in a dangerous manner, hiting sevenyear-old Joseph Quallis, tossing him

into a concrete bridge after which, he was subsequently pinned by the vehicle. The accused who works as a maintenance worker at Churchs Chicken pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the matter. He also told the court that the accused is a flight risk, has other minor matters outstanding and has tried to evade Police arrest previously. Bail was refused to Carol and he is scheduled to make his next appearance on July 4 for statements.

Eyew tness

Who the CAPS fit...

...pulls the strings

After a year of futzing around, the Government got tough with the US and their unilateral execution of the USAID LEAD programme. This was supposed to lead us into the promised land of democracy where milk and honey would be flowing, whether we liked it or not. It was for our own good. So there!

Anyhow, after being threatened with deportation of the head of the programme, the US Embassy promised to “suspend” the programme, while talks on going forward proceeded. This was early May. Everybody breathed a sigh of relief. Especially after some feared there’d be another “Missiles of October”. Though a Yalie?, US Ambassador D Brent Hardt did affect the hairdo of the Harvard crimsonblooded JFK and it was thought he’d try to stare down Luncheon (bargain basement bison from Howard).

Now we know a man’s word is his bond and all that... but did Luncheon make sure Hardt didn’t have his fingers crossed when he made his promise of a moratorium on teaching us natives the rudiments of the “democratic way”? Because of our history – and events unfolding in every foreign theatre the US is engaged in – your Eyewitness is more than a little skittish when it comes to an insignificant gnat like Guyana making the US blink.

So his eyes widened a bit when he read about the launch of BLUE CAPS – a week after the “halt” of LEAD. CAPS was a cute acronym for “Change, Advocacy, Policy, Service” –almost as cute as LEAD, which stood for “Leadership and Democracy”. Its fearless leader, Clinton Urling – of the oxheel dynasty – promised it was “objective and impartial, embraces diverse opinions, and cultivates a culture of trust and honesty” – the embodiment of “democracy”, no?

Then CAPS promptly launched its first of four weekly workshops with a “Youth Leaders’ Leadership Development Programme”. Well it could’ve been a coincidence. But then the International Republican Institute (IRI) – which was executing the USAID LEAD programme – had mobilised youths in every country in which it precipitated or wanted to precipitate regime change – SOP and all that.

The youth leaders in the first workshop had reps from BLUE CAPS, Youth Action Network (YAN), Cuffy 250 Committee, UNFPA Youth Advisory Group, Come Alive Network Inc (CANI), Youth Ambassador’s Programme, Global Shapers Community – Georgetown Hub, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), and Global Youth Movement.

The main speaker was Guyanese-born Lloyd Haynes, with a financial advisory company in Washington, DC. Its main clients? A dozen departments of the US Government, including USAID.

But this is purely serendipitous, no?

...are fascists

The General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee recently called for the building of “trust” with the Opposition. Rohee’s evidently an incurable optimist. Is he talking about THIS Opposition? Even its spokesperson found the suggestion “laughable”: after all, which one of them would recognise trust even if it crept up and bit them on their bamzees.

Rohee suggested that since it was the Westminster Parliamentary tradition for Government and Opposition to share the Speaker and Deputy Speaker chairs – and since they had scrupulously observed the tradition in their 21 years at the helm – the Opposition shouldn’t seize and hog both positions.

And here’s Ramjattan retort: “That decision was in consonance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament... (and we have) never asked for anything which is outside its jurisdiction or legal realm.” So much for hundreds of years of tradition in Parliamentary practice! The Opposition’s insisting on the letter of the law to control whatever they are given by the Constitution.

Yet, these wankers are demanding a share of the Executive, guaranteed to the PPP/C by the same Constitution!! Such is the way of fascists.

...on fake goods

Guyanese spend their hard-earned bucks trying to get the best value. Yet you have some crooks handing them counterfeit goods. These fellas should be named and shamed.

Mortimer Chand

Nazir Khan

Jermaine Carol

Sugar industry must be restructured to survive

– Ramotar tells Enmore Martyrs rally

By Vahnu Manikchand

Amid the gloom hanging over the sugar industry here, President Donald Ramotar on Monday acknowledged that the sector must be restructured if it is to survive.

Ramotar made the comment while addressing a gathering to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs

is a need for understanding of what is taking place. I asked many times if fighting for wage increase is the only way to defend the interest of the working class, can’t we see that by saving the industry and bringing it back to vitality is maybe the most important service that we can do for the working class?” Ramotar asked the gathering largely made up of sugar workers.

their trade.

In addition, he stressed that the local industry has been suffering from other crises such as low labour turnout which is now at an average of just over 60 per cent. Ramotar noted that his Government has been attempting to keep the sugar industry alive by developing projects such as the new Skeldon Factory and its land layouts. He stressed

at the Enmore Martyrs' Monument, East Coast Demerara.

He noted that while the local sugar industry is experiencing difficulties, the only way this can be reversed is if it is revitalised and restructured. “The problems are caused by the fact that there is a need for the restructuring of the industry and there

The President continued that the industry is not facing these problems because of the workers but because of changes in the international trading sector, referring to the change of sugar price in 2010 which saw it being cut by some 36 per cent. He noted that there are a few industries that can survive such devastation in

that this is also being done at the Enmore Factory since Government does not think the labour situation will improve. This, he stated, is due to the fact that young persons are having more access to education than ever before and are getting into white-collar fields.

“Most of our children are looking for other kinds

City Council still to submit budget proposal for subvention

While all of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities around the country moving ahead with their current and capital developmental projects, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown is yet to submit a proposal for its government subvention.

This is according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker. He said that according to this year’s budgetary allocation, the Georgetown Municipality is entitled to $21 million to support its works.

According to Minister Whittaker, despite his Ministry’s interventions, and efforts by acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba to convene a constituted statutory meeting, there has been no progress in this area.

Hence, the Minister explained that the Council is operating without a budget,

and critical matters for citizens are being held up unnecessarily. “... every time the Council fails to convene a meeting, a lot of the business of the citizens of Georgetown is left unattended. People who have applied for permission to construct, people who applied for extension are affected.”

The Minister further pointed out that other critical financial issues are left unattended as the Council fails to address issues that need to be addressed at a constituted statutory meeting.

“We will continue to work with the Council in an effort to get them to deal with it. The Council is operating without a budget, the budget went to a finance committee, from there it has to go to a properly constituted statutory meeting, that has not happened and so there is no budget.”

According to Minister Whittaker, the City Council is the only municipality

thus far that has not made a submission with respect to its subvention. “The Permanent Secretary did point out that they are eligible for some $21 plus million to support their work, they have not met to deliberate on any subvention proposal, and we are not, as the oversight Ministry body, going to take taxpayers’ money and make it available until a meeting is done.”

In the meantime, the Minister said that the Ministry and other stakeholders will continue to work with the Council to ensure that some urgent issues, including the garbage situation around the city, are dealt with in the interest of citizens.

For the sixth consecutive time, on Monday, June 9, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council again called off a statutory meeting which was aimed at addressing key issues regarding affairs of the Council. (GINA)

of jobs and that I think will continue because of the Government’s programme of developing tthe human capital and making education more accessible to people of all walks of life, making universal secondary education a reality. That will certainly have an impact and, therefore, the need to have more mechanisation within the industry,” he stated.

According to the President, many sugar industries in the Caribbean have disappeared such as Trinidad and Tobago’s, while Grenada is looking to go into specialty sugar and Jamaica is getting assistance from China to survive.

He noted that Guyana’s sugar industry has managed to survive over the years despite all of these challenges compounded by the fact that it is operating in an unequal world.

Ramotar again congratulated GuySuCo for reaching the First Crop target and remains hopeful that the Corporation will also reach its annual target. Additionally, he said he is also hopeful that with this performance, this will be the

year of turnaround for the industry.

Ramotar disclosed that Government continues to invest in the development of the industry and has plugged more money than what is being given by the European Union, as he pointed to the $6 billion that was budgeted for this year.

The President noted that the life of the Board of GuySuCo will soon end and a new one will be installed and, as such, he publicly invited the President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union

Komal Chand, to sit on the board in order to ensure that management does not “short change” the workers. Ramotar urged the workers to understand the global crisis, with workers even in Caribbean countries being forced to take wage cuts.

He went on to say that they should also consider all the non-wage benefits that his Government has offered workers such as access to primary, secondary and tertiary education; improved health care, and better housing facilities.

(GAWU),

President Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at the Enmore Martyr’s 66th anniversary

GAWU President Komal Chand; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; President Donald Ramotar; Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and FITUG General Secretary Kenneth Joseph singing the Internationale

$100M plugged into cleaningup Le Repentir Cemetery

Awhopping $100 million has been allocated for rehabilitation works at the Le Repentir Cemetery in the coming months, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker told a news conference on Monday.

According to the Minister, the $100 million will be taken from the $500 million allocated for cleanup works around the Georgetown area in the 2014 National Budget.

He noted that the cemetery has, over the years, been an eyesore for passersby and had seen citizens and other stakeholders, especially those who would have had to facilitate burials in the rainy season cemetery, complaining of its rundown state.

The Minister said those calls have been heeded and part of the “Cleanup Guyana” plan was to have the works done. As it relates to the implementation and execution of the plan, Whittaker explained that a National Technical Committee had been set up to oversee the planning and execution of works.

He further disclosed that the Le Repentir Project will be undertaken by a contractor, who will be selected through public tendering. This process, he explained, has already begun as of Monday and the Ministry is

expecting to receive quite a number of bids.

The Minister related, however, that while the project will be undertaken by the contractor which will be chosen through the tendering process, they will only be responsible for the major aspects of the job since the inmates at the Camp Street Prison will be providing some help.

“We are looking to have the inmates at the Camp Street Prison work on the clearing of the bushes so that the other works can be facilitated,” he said.

He has expressed confidence that the rehabilita-

tion works on the cemetery will be completed no later than December 31. Just recently, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee slammed the Georgetown Mayor and City Council for allowing the cemetery to deteriorate to such conditions.

He made it clear that, compared to its present condition, the state of the cemetery in years gone by constitute nothing less than a “glaring indictment” of the City Council.

Jahell Crandon, a resident from the area, told Guyana Times that he has welcomed the move made

by the Local Government Ministry since the Le Repentir Cemetery has, over the years, descended from the status of a burial ground down to one of a dumping area for garbage, a sanctuary for overgrown grass and trees and a breeding ground for reptiles.

He noted that all of these constitute an eyesore, preventing relatives from having a decent and respectful burial for their loved ones, particularly when there is inclement weather. The Le Repentir Cemetery is one of the main burial sites in Georgetown.

De mini World Cup football in Guyana

World Cup football goin on in Brazil, but de football fever well and truly on in Guyana. Every body watchin football. Even dem who ain’t know nutten bout football watchin. And who ain’t watchin de football keepin a close eye pun de drinks whah deh pun de table, while dem watchin whoever dem watchin.

Rum Kill-a-man was damn right to sing “Dem a watch meh”, because every body watchin some body, like at de S.ity Council. Is only dem cock eye people does look like dem ain’t watchin nobody. That is how Rum Jhaat does get off.

As fuh de local football, Guyana gotta mini World Cup goin on. It got nuff dribblin by Rum Jhaat, whether is night or day, sleep or wake. He never play a game of football in he life, but he gettin kick around by NoGel Hugly.

Some is political football like whah Pee-N-C and KFC playin wid de AML Bill, and some is pullice football, which is whah de pullice playin wid dem cases whah involve dem mattie pullice.

Then it got plenty runnin like how Rupna Rain runnin from de truth bout Rodney. And it got sheer foul play like how dem lil boys from Lusignan and dem father run foul of de law. It got side kick like how de bass man wid out de ‘b’ gotta house slave, and it got penalty kick, which is whah de house slave does get when he write wrong news, which is every day.

On de other hand some people kicksin like Ben Cup. Some drinkin just to get a kick like Nagga Man, that is, when he reach home. And Lalloo can hardly raise he foot to give a proper kick, except when he kickin out he own wuk men.

But de S.ity Council got de best football. Green Ham wanna kick out Sober and Sober kickin back. King Kong come and he start kickin leff, right and centre, then he score a ‘own goal’, then he getta red card.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And all de time Green Ham wanna be striker, defender and goal keeper, plus referee as well! It look like some body at de S.ity Council need a good kick!

Govt to soon address manpower shortage in Police Force

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was understrength but he maintained that this was not anything new.

Speaking at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) press conference on Monday, Rohee maintained that the Government is cognisant of the issue and is taking steps towards its resolution. According to Rohee, the Government has sought the aid of Capita Simons Consultancy firm, which was charged with determining attributing factors and alleviatory methods.

“Capita Simons Consultancy was engaged to do a study on this matter and they have produced, what I would say something like a blueprint to address this matter,” the Home Affairs Minister said.

He pointed out that the GPFhas never been able to reach its maximum human resource capacity, but this factor did not majorly affect the Force in the discharge of its remit. “Based on enquiries that I have made, the Guyana Police Force has never ever been up to its full strength in respect to its

field establishment… It has always been an uphill task… to acquire the full strength of the force,” he explained.

Addressing the situation

However he opined that with the acquisition of the “blueprint” from the consultancy firm, the Government would be able to address the situation. He said too that most ranks would leave the Force during their second or third year of assignment and this would be due to various factors, including the fact that those years are the most trying years for an officer.

He said once a rank is past the five-year mark, then a sense of stability steps in, and it is less likely that the officer will leave the Force.

“Theory and practice has to go hand in hand, you can study all the rules and the standing orders and so on, but in terms of the application in the field, and interacting with people, because that’s where the litmus really comes: how you’re able to apply what you’ve learnt in the training school to reality, based on what you’ve learnt in the training school.”

Rohee noted too that it is the fairly new officers

that more attention has to be paid to, since in most instances they are the ones responsible for heinous acts that would throw bad light on the integrity of the Force and affect public trust in the GPF.

“Usually is the constables or the sergeants and in some exceptional cases, you will find a cadet,” Rohee said. It was noted that the training process has a lot to do with the mental psyche of a GPF officer. In this regard, Rohee noted that the Force can only recruit from what society has to offer and the prerequisites for an individual to become a Police Officer are basically standard.

“A lot has to do with the training… you can only recruit from the society, you can take what the society has to offer… If the academy levels are low, then eventually it will show up… it all depends on the character of the individual, the upbringing of the individual, the family background of the individuals,” said the Minister. It was reported that the GPF currently operates with only 6000 officers, 3000 short of its full strength.

The sum of $100 million will be taken from the $500 million allocated for cleanup works around the Georgetown area in the 2014 National Budget and put into cleaning up Le Repentir Cemetery

15 homeless after Campbellville blaze

Afire suspected to be electrical in origin has left at least 15 people making alternative living arrangements after it completely razed their Lot 27 Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown home around 16:00h on Monday.

The three families were in tears as they tried to come to grips with reality. The house was owned by Pamela Rampertab, who was taken to a neighbour’s home after she fainted.

Her two sons, Avinash and Dinesh Rampertab; daughter-in-law Odessa St

he was attending to a vehicle when he was alerted that their house was on fire by one of the neighbours. He said that no one was at home at the time since his mother was attending the funeral of a family friend. The other members of the Rampertab family were conducting their regular business.

The distraught man said that after he became aware of the fire, his main focus was to get the vehicles out of the yard. He related that within a few minutes, the entire upper flat of the house was engulfed in

Claire and three grandchildren occupied the top flat of the house.

The lower flat of the house was being rented to two separate families. The occupants did not have a chance to salvage anything from their apartments. One family comprises six while the other comprise three members.

The Rampertabs also operated a spray painting shop on the premises.

At the scene, firefighters were working diligently to put out the blaze. A number of tenders from the Campbellville Fire Station and the Central Police Station were deployed to the area following the distress call.

Again, the effectiveness of the 911 emergency numbers came into question as residents complained bitterly that they called the number several times before someone answered. Nevertheless, the fire tenders arrived a while later, but the upper flat of the house was completely in flames.

As usual, the fire tenders concentrated on containing the fire to one location and were successful. Also, there was heavy Police presence in the area, directing traffic and taking statements from several occupants of the fivebedroom building.

Speaking to the media, Dinesh Rampertab said

when she heard screams of fire coming from the yard.

She explained that her eldest nephew went to collect his game from the upper flat of the house when he reportedly saw smoke coming out of St Claire’s bedroom. She added that he quickly grabbed his game and rushed out of the house. He suffered a minor burn on one of his feet.

She said that upon hearing the screams, her sister

panicked, grabbed the children and ran out of the house without hesitation.

The teenager said she moved in with her sister in December, who had been renting the apartment for a while now. The fire caused a disruption in electricity and telephone services.

The fire officials and Police are conducting their investigations into what might have started the fire.

flames; thus, they were not able to salvage any household items.

While the firefighters were trying to put out the blaze, the man revealed that prior to the flames being seen, there was a pow-

He immediately dropped whatever he was doing and rushed home where he saw heavy flames.

He confirmed that no one was severely injured, but time estimated their losses to be in the millions. The occupants of the bottom flat of

er failure in the area and it was when electricity was restored, the fire started. He suspected that the fire might have been electrical in nature, but this cannot be confirmed although several Guyana Power and Light officials were at the fire scene.

He said they had no chance to salvage any household articles.

His brother, Avinash, said he was not at home, but received a call from his brother informing him that the house was on fire.

the house also lost million in household items.

He could not say what caused the fire, but he was made to understand that there was a power failure in the area prior to the blaze. The man, who was evidently shaken, said apart from the house being destroyed, a few vehicles were scorched.

A teenager, who occupies one of the apartments in the lower flat with her eldest sister, explained that she and her nieces and nephews were looking at television

Taxi driver’s murder

Lusignan duo likely for court today

Shazim Alli, 19, and Ashraf Alli, 18, the two teens who have been accused of kidnapping and murdering 17-yearold Lusignan taxi driver Dhanraj Latchman are expected to be charged and placed before the courts today.

According to a reliable source, the teens will make an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on charges of kidnapping and murder.

It is not yet clear whether the father of Alli and uncle of Ashraf Shazim Alli will be charged for obstructing the course of justice.

The man was detained by the Police on Friday evening after it was discovered that he had allegedly tampered with the evidence, which would have implicated his son and nephew in the murder of the taxi driver.

The dead teen’s two cell phones and his car keys were discovered in a drain some distance away from Alli’s home. Upon further investigation by Police, it was revealed to them that it was Alli’s father who had disposed of the evidence after the Police had visited the home and arrested the duo

on Wednesday evening after Latchman was discovered missing.

The two told investigators under interrogation that their motive for taking the teen to Parika was for the car to be hijacked and sold, but the deal they had made had fallen through.

After killing the teen, the two reportedly drove the car and parked it at Hubu Backdam before taking a bus back to the city, and then travelled home to Lusignan. Latchman, of 115 Lusignan, East Coast Demerara and a former student of the Institute of

Business Education (IBE), was last heard from on Wednesday around 20:00h, after leaving his home to transport the two accused to Parika, under the pretext of uplifting some money.

The taxi driver’s car was found abandoned at the Hubu Backdam on Thursday evening with the windscreen broken and with pieces of wood and sand in the back of the vehicle, while his swollen and badly beaten body was discovered Friday evening in the Parika backdam, buried in a shallow grave, some two miles from where his car, a Toyota 212 bearing licence plate PNN 9823 was found.

According to the dead teen’s distraught mother, it was related to her that the two boys, confessed to Police that they had murdered her son by strangling him with his seatbelt. She related that it was after the two had confessed to the murder, which they said took place on Wednesday evening, that the Police escorted them to the area where they were able to point out the exact location of the body, which was hidden in a shallow grave.

Dead: Dhanraj Latchman

Firefighters battling the blaze on Monday

Curious onlookers at the scene on Monday

A shaken Avinash Rampertab speaking to the media at the scene

Three injured in vehicular smash-up on Essequibo Coast

Junior Agard, 23, the driver of motor car PSS 4767 which slammed into a parked car on the Colombia Public Road, Essequibo Coast, injuring a couple, is hospitalised under Police guard.

He suffered various bodily injuries and is expected to make a court appearance following his discharge from the Suddie Public Hospital.

The victims Munere Khan and Dhanny Latchman, both age 25 from Sparta Village, were forced

to undergo surgery at the said hospital. Khan is nursing injuries

to the shoulder and left side while her husband is nursing injuries to the face.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 16:00h on Sunday evening when Agard, who was speeding, slammed into the car with Khan and Latchman were seated.

They were both rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital by friends, while Agard was taken to the hospital by a relative.

According to a relative, her sister was about to leave her home when suddenly, they heard a loud impact, and when she looked around, she saw the mangled vehicles.

Investing in agricultural innovation highly profitable business – IICA

Investment in agriculture, especially in innovation, can be a highly profitable business from an economic, social and environmental perspective, according to International Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Director General Víctor Villalobos.

During the Conference of Montreal, Canada, organised by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, and in the presence of businessmen and political leaders of the region, Villalobos stated that the hemisphere has the potential to become a solution for the global food problem, but that its agrifood sector is in urgent need of significant transformations to achieve this goal.

IICA, as an organisation of the Inter-American System specialising in agriculture, was invited to this meeting to present and explain why innovation is essential for the sector, and which key actors can enhance it further.

“We need to innovate, that is, do things differently and better. I believe there are three types of innovation with the potential of having a stronger impact on agriculture, making it more productive, competi-

tive and sustainable – these are, technological, institutional and social innovation,” the IICA Director General said during the conference held between June 9 and 12. Agriculture, he added, must increase its productivity by at least 70 per cent in order to meet the needs of the nine billion people who will live on planet Earth in 2050. Apart from food, the agricultural sector will need to produce raw material for other industries.

Nevertheless, in the Americas, the growth of agricultural production is limited by gaps in productivity between the countries, availability of land for new crops, competition with other sectors for water, the effects of climate variability and volatility, and the price of services and inputs needed to produce.

Comprehensive approach

“In order to promote change processes, it is important to have a comprehensive and strategic approach, which in practical terms must translate into the implementation of national innovation policies,” expressed Villalobos. And he added: “Innovation

is the engine that will allow us all to build a better future for agriculture and food security, and investment is the fuel”.

The Director General pointed out that, from IICA’s perspective, it was paramount to focus on agricultural investments in innovation, so that the sector can adapt and contribute to the mitigation of climate change, strengthening small and medium scale production, producing more nutritious food, reducing food losses and creating more human resources to work in the agricultural sector.

He also stated that the private sector was essential for increasing investment in research and development in low and middle income countries that are highly dependent on agriculture.

“Public and private investments are also needed in the natural, physical and human capital, which have complementary roles in the agricultural production process. But national investment is insufficient, and it has become necessary to attract direct foreign investments, both in Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.

These resources can be attracted with the help of governments, implementing clear, obstacle-free regulatory frameworks, solid educational systems, and with the promotion of research and development, establishing effective links between creators and users of knowledge.

“Technical cooperation organisations, such as IICA, can contribute to improving the institutional framework of innovation and its articulation with the needs of producers, as well as proposing alternatives for the allocation of investments,” declared Villalobos.

Sabha’s Essequibo Praant to host blood drive

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant on Friday will embark on a massive blood drive in a bid to support the worthy cause of saving lives.

The exercise will be begin at the Suddie Public Hospital and conclude at the Anna Regina Town Council on Saturday, starting at 09:00h

Public Relations Officer Reema Natram is calling on eligible donors to support the cause, geared at saving lives.

Interested persons can contact Dr Ranjeev Singh at Suddie Public Hospital to make their contributions.

Natram said the Hindu religion advocates that “serving humanity is life serving God”, and as such, she is pleading for the public’s support to the drive. The Sabha has also planned a cultural evening at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School this month, featuring dance troupes of the various mandirs on the Essequibo Coast.

US travellers to Caribbean alerted on Chikungunya virus

Atlanta’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is advising US travellers to the Caribbean to protect themselves from mosquito bites, in light of the raging chikungunya virus there.

The warning was issued at the start of the summer vacation period when travel to the Region increases.

According to news reports over the weekend, the viral illness has surfaced across the US carried by recent travellers to the Caribbean.

The virus is transmitted by aedes egypti mosquitoes and there is no vaccine for the illness.

While the virus does not typically lead to death, conditions can become debilitating. Symptoms can become emphasised and dangerous for adults over 65, newborns and individuals who already have health issues like diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. Most common symptoms are fever and joint pain as well as headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Joint pain can take up to a few months or longer for full recovery.

Republic has had more than 77,000 suspected cases since January, including 20,000 new suspected cases in the last week.

Confirmed cases were reported in North Carolina, Nebraska and Indiana last week. Florida with 25 cases has the majority in the US, according to the CDC.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) last week reported that the number of confirmed and suspected cases rose to 135,651, up from just over 100,000 on June 2. The virus has been detected in 20 Caribbean countries and territories, with the largest outbreak in The Dominican Republic.

CARPHA said travellers to the following Caribbean islands are at risk of getting chikungunya: Anguilla, Antigua, British Virgin Island, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, St Martin, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Maarten (Dutch). The Dominican

Trinadad and Tobago (TT) Health Minister Fuad Khan said his country has been working hard to prevent the virus from coming to his country.

“The reason TT hasn’t gotten Chikungunya yet is because a lot of work is being done by agencies, including the Insect Vector Unit and others, to try to control mosquito spread. TT can stay free of this if we keep doing the right things…Use insect repellant or citronella oil. Check water storage units or your plants daily. If necessary, call the Insect Vector Control Unit and they’ll come and spray,” he added.

Travellers to Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific are also at risk as the virus is present in many of these areas.

Region 2 Administration investigating “negligent” pump attendant

The Region Two Administration has launched an investigation after a pump attendant reportedly fell asleep on Saturday, causing anklehigh flooding in the town of Anna Regina.

Residents on inquiring where the water was coming from found out that it was the blunder by an attendant at the Anna Regina Pump Station. They say the alleged negligence by the young man, who is a relative of a top regional official, is unacceptable.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the attendant allegedly fell asleep and forgot to close the door at 03:00h. When he awoke around 04:00h, he immediately began to make

frantic calls and regional officials responded promptly.

An excavator managed to pull the sluice door down and a pump was put into operation to dispatch the excess water. Within four hours,

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant will be embarking on a massive blood drive on Friday

The car Munere Khan and Dhanny Latchman were in at the time of the accident

The car that was driven by Junior Agard

The Chikungunya virus is transmitted by aedes egypti mosquitoes

normalcy was restored. The Anna Regina Pump Station provides drainage to approximately 1500 families in the town. The $28 million pump was commissioned in 2008.

A kitchen garden affected by the inundation

Investment in agriculture, especially in innovation, can be a highly profitable business from an economic, social and environmental perspective, IICA’s Director General Víctor Villalobos says

$1B cleanup to commence this week

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker on Monday announced that the $1 billion cleanup project for Georgetown and its surrounding areas will be commencing this week.

The Minister, who made the disclosure at a press conference in the Ministry’s boardroom, informed media operatives that even though an official launch will not be done for the programme, several systems have already been put in place for it to commence.

He said the public tendering process for the various projects under the umbrella of the cleanup campaign commenced as of Monday, while four garbage trucks have already been procured to help in the pickup and transportation of the garbage from the location to the dumpsite.

Whittaker related that contrary to what many may believe, the $1 billion will not solely be used for the removal of garbage around the city, but instead, garbage removal was just a minor segment of the entire project.

“The process has already started and we will be focusing on restoration and rehabilitation. We will not just be removing garbage but we will also be focus-

ing on the de-bushing and maintenance of cemeteries; most particularly, the Le Repentir Cemetery; we are focusing on the reactivation of defunct kokers and sluices and the desilting of drains and canals to reduce flooding; rehabilitation and restoration processes will be undertaken for national monuments, market areas, public parks and public open spaces; and the planting of trees on the seawalls. In addition, parapets, alleyways and other surrounding areas will be weeded and cleared,” the Minister said.

As it relates to the implementation and the execution of the activities, Whittaker said there will be shared responsibilities and assigned tasks for all key stakeholders which

will be allocated through the National Technical Committee, which has been set up but at the end of the day, all reports and updates of progress will have to be submitted to the Local Government Ministry.

Major projects

The Minister said the major projects such as the rehabilitation of the Le Repentir Cemetery, reactivation of kokers and the desilting of drains will be done by professional contractors, while the committee will be looking to engage the private sector, communities, non-profit organisations, youth ministries and even the prison inmates to assist in carrying out the other activities, such as the clearing of alleyways, parapets, cleaning of small

drains, planting of trees to reduce erosion and flooding, among others.

“We want this to be not just a community effort, but also a country effort. We are trying to rebuild Guyana

nity projects. They can help in the community work while we are looking to have the inmates from the Camp Street Prison look after the de-bushing of the Le Repentir Cemetery and oth-

communities, the Minister and his team, along with the committee will be embarking on several public consultations in the coming weeks. At these consultations, Whittaker is aim-

and so we are looking to have everyone involved. If youth organisations and the communities can become involved, they can utilise their time in a constructive manner while earning some amount of money. So we are looking to the civil society; to the youth organisations to assist us in the commu-

Mother cries for justice for dead child

Twenty-nine-year-old Natalie Caseley said she will not rest until the Medical Council of Guyana and the Guyana Nurses Council revoke the licences of those responsible for the death of her fouryear-old son, Jaden Mars.

Mars died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on December 10, 2013, approximately six days after he was admitted for an injury he sustained to the tongue. A post-mortem examination revealed that the child succumbed as a result of a blocked main artery to the lung or one of its branches. It has been alleged that the blockage may have been caused due to poor judgment on the part of the doctors and nurses who were attending to him at the time.

The 29-year-old mother was reportedly informed that disciplinary actions would be taken against three doctors and a nurse who attended to Mars during his admission at the facility.

According to Caseley, the Health Ministry has been withholding information on whether disciplinary actions have been taken.

“I am not getting any word and once again they are locking me out,” she added.

With tears in her eyes, the mother said the Health Ministry, the Medical Council and the Guyana Nurses Council owe it to the Guyanese public to ensure that those responsible are banned from the medical field.

“I would not be able to function until I get closure, until they be fair to me and the citizens at large for the mistakes that they would have made, the mistakes they would have made continuously,” Caseley said as

she wept bitterly.

According to her, the Health Ministry and the Medical and Nurses Councils for far too long have been silent on some of the contentious deaths that have occurred at the hospital.

Reflecting on the days leading up to the death of her son, Caseley said on December 4, 2013, Mars was playing at his West Ruimveldt residence when he fell forward and hit his chin on a five gallon bucket.

Injury

For the injuries received to his tongue, his grandmother took him to the East La Penitence Health Centre, but he was subsequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital because the facility had a shortage of numbing spray.

At the hospital, however, Mars had difficulty pushing his tongue out; hence, he was administered 25 milligrams of ketamine. “It was suppose to put him to sleep, however, when that did not happen; the doctor gave him a second dosage which then total of 50 milligrams,” Caseley recalled.

But even with 50 milli-

grams of anesthetic to sedate him, so that he could have his tongue sutured, Mars did not sleep. “I could recall the doctor saying to me, mommy what you feeding this child, the child is strong, he still not going to sleep.”

Mars was then transferred to the theatre where he was expected to undergo controlled medication; a procedure which was expected to last approximate 15 minutes, but lasted for six days before ending tragically.

But after one hour of waiting, Caseley realised that something was amiss when doctors and nurses started to flock the theatre.

“When I got the opportunity to see my son, he was in the ICU. Jaden was all knocked out. He was lifeless.”

Mars was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after suffering cardiac arrest, where he was placed on a life support machine.

With the hospital offering little information on what would have led to Mars’ deteriorated state, Caseley remained prayerful. On December 10, Mars suffered more than five cardiac arrests before drawing his last breath.

er places in such condition,” the Minister reiterated.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council will also see their machineries such as their trucks and excavators being repaired and serviced under the project so that those too can be used in the initiative.

To secure the help of the

ing to educate and sensitise the public on the national campaign, while seeking to solicit their help in the cleaning and rehabilitation efforts.

The first consultation is expected to be held on June 19 in Campbellville, while the second will be held in Albouystown on June 20.

Britain welcomes regional foreign ministers

Britain’s Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds said Monday that the meeting with Caribbean Community (Caricom) foreign ministers will further cement the cooperation London has with the region.

The regional foreign ministers are meeting with their British counterpart for the eighth UK-Caribbean Forum aimed at strengthening further the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

A Caricom Secretariat statement said the June 1617 will also provide a platform for the ministers to discuss key foreign policy issues. “It will also seek agreement on a joint action plan to help promote prosperity in priority sectors in the Region and bolster the partnership on security issues,” the statement said, noting that energy, education and trade and investment will be among the priority areas down for discussion during the Forum.

Simmonds said that since the first Forum took place in 1998, there have been changes of governments in both the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, endured crises – both natural and man-made – and celebrated success.

But he said throughout this time, the Forum has remained as the centre-piece for high-level discussion between the UK and the Caribbean on the big issues and that this year’s event will be no exception. “Both the British and Caribbean governments are working with real vigour to boost economic growth, tackle the burden of debt and create jobs and opportunities for our citizens.

We want the Forum to produce real results to support these efforts. We want to build an even stronger partnership to promote prosperity.” He said a central theme of the Forum is energy security.

(CMC)

Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker

Natalie Caseley

The $1 billion cleanup project for Georgetown and its surrounding areas will be commencing this week

Regional

Colombia’s Santos re-elected, tells rebels it’s time for peace

President Juan Manuel Santos vowed to bring peace to Colombia after winning re-election on Sunday, telling Marxist rebels his victory shows that voters demand an end to five decades of war.

Santos, a centre-rightist who has staked his reputation on securing a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), won almost 51 per cent support in the runoff election on Sunday. His rightwing rival Oscar Ivan Zuluaga trailed with 45 per cent.

The election divided Colombia between voters who support a deal to end Latin America’s longest-running insurgency and Zuluaga’s backers who want to force the rebels into a battlefield surrender.

“This is the end of more than 50 years of violence and the start of a new Colombia,” Santos said after his election victory, holding up a hand daubed with the word “peace” and wearing a trademark pin of a white dove on his lapel. “A Colombia at peace with itself.”

Santos opened talks with the FARC in late 2012. The conflict has killed

over 200,000 people and forced millions more from their homes. Last week, Santos also revealed preliminary talks with a smaller rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), and he said on Sunday the Colombian people were now insisting on peace.

“The demand is not just for the Government. Today’s message is for the FARC and the ELN and it’s a clear message – this is the end,” the centreright President said surrounded by family. He will start his second fouryear term on August 7. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba calls on G-77 summit to support Venezuela

Cuban President Raul Castro told a Group of 77 (G-77) + China summit in Bolivia on Saturday that Havana’s closest ally Venezuela needed support amid the fallout from anti-government protests.

“Venezuela today needs our staunchest support,” Castro said in a speech to the meeting in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. “The oligarchs who could not get rid of President Hugo Chávez think the time has come to topple the Bolivarian revolution and President

(Nicolas) Maduro,” Castro said, describing the elected Government in Caracas as “the front line of independence, freedom and dignity”. Maduro is Cuba’s closest Regional ally and Venezuelan economic support is critical to keeping the Cuban Government and economy afloat. However, inflation near 60 per cent, widespread shortages of basic goods and soaring crime have plunged Venezuela into a political and economic crisis.

Anti-government protests since February have

left at least 41 people dead and more than 600 injured, with each side blaming the other for the violence. The meeting’s host, Bolivian President Evo Morales, said that if the United States meddles militarily in Venezuela, it will have a new Vietnam on its hands.

“If Mr Obama keeps assailing the people of Venezuela, I am convinced that, faced with provocation and aggression, Venezuela and Latin America will be a second Vietnam for the United States,” Morales told the audience. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Jamaican Police believe 22-year-old may be contract killer

Police in Jamaica say a 22-year-old man arrested and charged with the murder of three people may also be responsible for 12 other murders in the country.

Head of the Major Investigation Taskforce (MIT) Superintendent Michael Phipps said Ryan Bembridge, alias “Little Blacks,” has been charged with the murders of Mark Reid, Garell Bravo and Ricardo Stewart.

Bembridge, who was listed several times among the Police most wanted, was

captured last week and also charged with shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm.

The senior Police officer said Bembridge is being investigated by the MIT in relation to five other murders. Phipps says he expects that Bembridge will face additional charges, including murders, in other Police divisions and that the 22-yearold has been a serious criminal in the corporate area who was carrying out contract killings for several gangs in West Kingston. (Caribbean News Now)

PM Browne to reveal Cabinet on Wednesday

The new Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda will have its first meeting on Thursday after being officially sworn-in the day before at a public event at the Antigua Recreation Grounds.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he has taken the Finance and Corporate Governance Ministry. It was previously announced that Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin has been appointed both Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, and Immigration and Labour. Browne said he consolidated those two previously separate ministries in order to reduce the size of Government and bureaucracy. (Antigua Observer)

Haitian baby dies at hospital

‘plot’

Venezuela Opposition politician Machado questioned over

Venezuelan Opposition

politician Maria Corina Machado has been questioned in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. Machado is accused of being the primary organiser of the plot, unveiled by Government officials last month. She denies the accusations and says emails attributed to her that called for Maduro to be killed were fake. Hundreds of Venezuelans have taken to the streets this year to protest against high inflation and crime.

At least 42 people have been killed at anti and progovernment demonstrations since the unrest began in February. Some 3000 have also been detained, human rights groups say.

Machado, a former member of Parliament, says the Government wants to “annihilate” her. “I have the solidarity of millions of Venezuelans who refused to bow down,” she told reporters outside the Attorney General’s office on Monday.

She was stripped off her mandate earlier this year by the Government-controlled National Assembly. The Opposition blames failed left-wing Government policies for the economic crisis. Maduro says rightwing groups in Venezuela and the United States have plotted to destabilise his Government.

Last week, Venezuela’s Attorney General Luisa Ortega issued arrest warrants against three prominent Opposition leaders. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The baby initially saved by doctors at the Falmouth Hospital shortly after her pregnant mother was brutally murdered at her home two weeks ago died in the Cornwall Regional Hospital Friday night.

On Friday, June 6, the infant’s mother, 26-year-old hotel worker Raymonde Alexis-Brissett, a Haitian national who was due to give birth next month, was beaten to death with a piece of steel, allegedly by one of her male compatriots.

Following the bizarre attack, Brissett was rushed to the Falmouth Hospital where she died and the unborn baby removed from the body by personnel at the medical facility.

Alexis-Brissett, who has been married to cruise ship worker Lamar Brissett for the past seven years, has been among a small group of Haitians living a quiet life in a small section of the Rock community for over eight years.

On Monday, the grieving widower and father of the baby, named Elizabeth Raymonde Brissett, described her death as a crushing blow. He expressed that he was clinging to

the hope of his daughter’s survival as a legacy of the relationship he enjoyed with her mother.

“I was hoping that I would have had the baby as a source of remembrance of the relationship with

her mother,” Brissett bemoaned. Meanwhile, up to late Sunday afternoon the man who was arrested in connection with Alexis-Brissett’s murder was not yet charged. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Colombia’s presidential candidate Juan Manuel Santos celebrates with wife Maria Clemencia (L) his daugther Maria Antonia (2nd L) and his sons Martin (back C), Esteban (back R) and Vice President German Vargas after winning a second term in the country’s presidential elections in Bogota June 15

Cuban President Raul Castro

Newly installed Prime Minister with wife Maria (left), GG Dame Louise Lake-Tack and Deputy GG Sir Eustace Francis

Rayonde Alexis Brissett (left), the pregnant Haitian national slain in Trelawny two weeks ago and baby Brissett who passed away on Friday at the Cornwall Regional Hospital

Afghan Police kill militants accused of chopping voters’ fingers

Afghan security forces say they have killed two Taliban insurgents accused of cutting off the ink-stained fingers of a group of elders who voted in Saturday’s presidential election.

The elderly men were seized after voting in western Herat province, and then mutilated. All voters must dip a finger into ink to register their ballot. Although the Taliban vowed to disrupt the run-off poll, they say they had nothing to do with the incident.

Insurgent Commander

Ukraine crisis: Russia halts gas supplies to Kiev

Ukraine says Russia has cut off all gas supplies, in a major escalation of a dispute between the two nations.

“Gas supplies to Ukraine have been reduced to zero,” Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said.

Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom said Ukraine had to pay upfront for its gas supplies, after Kiev failed to settle its huge debt.

they said.

The UN’s special representative in Afghanistan, Jan Kubis, had condemned the attack on the elderly men saying: “By their vote, they already defeated those who promote terror and violence.” Meanwhile, presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has claimed that Saturday’s second round was plagued by fraud.

He questioned the impartiality of the independent electoral commission, claiming its turnout figure of seven million was vastly inflated.

Dozens killed in al Shabaab attack on coastal Kenyan city

India’s Modi secures support from Bhutan in neighbourhood push

AUkraine has enough reserves to last until December, according to Naftogaz.

Later, the White House urged Moscow to resume talks with Ukraine, saying an EU proposal that Kiev pay $1 Billion on Monday and the rest in instalments was a “reasonable compromise”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Gazprom had asked Ukraine’s state gas firm Naftogaz to pay US$1.95 billion (£1.15 billion) of the US$4.5 billion it said it was owed. It said it would continue to supply gas to Europe, although Gazprom chief Alexei Miller warned there now were “significant” risks for gas transit to the EU via Ukraine.

t least 49 people were killed when gunmen stormed a town on Kenya’s coast, shooting football fans watching a World Cup match in a television hall and targeting two hotels, a Police post and a bank, officials and witnesses said on Monday.

Somalia’s Islamist militant group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place on Sunday night in Mpeketoni, a town that lies on the Indian Ocean coastline that runs north from Kenya’s main port of Mombasa to the Somali border.

The assault, which officials said was carried out

by about 50 heavily-armed men, is the latest in a spate of gun and bomb attacks in recent months that have hurt the struggling tourist industry. Wary of further violence during the World Cup, Kenya had said it would be on alert for the tournament to ensure public showings of matches were kept safe.

The incident could heighten concerns for other countries in the region such as Nigeria – which is battling the Islamist militant group Boko Haram – that crowds at bars and other venues hosting World Cup match screenings could become targets. (Excerpt from France24)

UN condemns ISIL executions in Iraq

The UN’s human rights chief has said Sunni fighters in northern Iraq have “almost certainly” committed war crimes, following the publication of photos and videos of the purported execution of scores of captives.

Navi Pillay said on Monday that corroborated reports showed that soldiers, military conscripts, Police and others who had surrendered or had been captured had been summarily executed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and its allies.

“Although the numbers cannot be verified yet, this apparently systematic series of cold-blooded execu-

Pillay’s comments came after a Twitter account sympathetic to the ISIL posted pictures apparently showing their fighters killing captured Shia soldiers

tions, mostly conducted in various locations in the Tikrit area, almost certainly amounts to war crimes,” she said. Her comments came af-

ter a Twitter account sympathetic to the ISIL posted pictures apparently showing their fighters killing captured Shia soldiers.

Masked fighters are

shown loading the captives on trucks before forcing them to lie face-down in a shallow ditch with their arms tied behind their backs. The final pictures show bodies soaked in blood after being shot.

A caption on one of the pictures suggested that the victims – believed to be security personnel – were punished for fighting Sunnis. The Twitter account where the pictures were posted was suspended hours later.

In a separate post on Youtube, fighters are seen goading captives in Iraqi army uniform to say that the ISIL will live forever, before one of the captives is shot in the head. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China deports Australian artist after Tiananmen remarks

China deported a wellknown Chinese-born Australian artist on Monday after he was detained following his comments on the 25th anniversary of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Guo Jian, 52, a former Chinese soldier, was detained last month after an interview with the Financial

Times regarding his experiences as a protester during the Army’s violent dispersal of the demonstrators on June 4, 1989.

His detention was seen as part of a wider effort by authorities to stifle criticism of the Government and remembrance of those who died in connection with the events 25 years ago.

Melanie Wang, a friend of Guo’s, told reporters at

Beijing airport that he had been put on an Air China flight to Sydney. “I’ll be taking off immediately. Thank you, all of you,” Guo said in a telephone call to Wang, which she recorded and played to journalists at the airport.

China’s Foreign Ministry has said that Guo had been detained on visa fraud charges. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that au-

thorities had smashed one of Guo’s works at his Beijing studio, a large diorama of Tiananmen Square that he had at one point last month covered in raw minced pork.

Guo’s girlfriend Yang Fangfang said that Guo had been able to return to his Beijing studio briefly to pack up some of his old paintings, but that his Tiananmenrelated pieces had been destroyed. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bhutan promised on Monday it will not allow its territory to be used against India, an early success for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s region-wide drive to shore up diplomatic relations with neighbours in return for stronger economic ties.

In a joint statement issued during Modi’s first foreign visit since he took office in May, Bhutan and India agreed not allow each other’s territory to be used “for interests inimical to the other”, without giving further details.

India believes armed insurgent groups from its northeastern states use the isolated Himalayan kingdom as a hideout, and in recent years has grown anxious about China seeking a toehold in the one South

Asian nation seen as completely loyal to New Delhi. Neighbours Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have increasingly locked in financial and infrastructure assistance from China, leaving slowerfooted India feeling isolated and encircled in its own neighbourhood. Wedged between Asia’s rising giants but traditionally friendly only with India, Bhutan is emerging from centuries of self-imposed seclusion and is debating whether to open formal diplomatic ties with Beijing. Moving quickly to re-assert Indian influence in the region, Modi offered to turn Bhutan into a powerhouse of hydro-electricity three-quarters of which India will buy to feed its energy-starved economy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China executes 13 people for “terrorist” attacks in Xinjiang

China executed 13 people on Monday for

“terrorist attacks” in the far western region of Xinjiang, state media said, while another three were sentenced to death for a lethal attack at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

“The 13 criminals had planned violent terrorist attacks and ruthlessly killed Police officers, Government officials and civilians, which took innocent lives, caused huge property losses and seriously endangered public security,” the official news agency Xinhua said.

Xinjiang is the traditional home of Muslim Uighurs who speak a Turkic language, and China has blamed previous attacks on Islamist separatists it says seek to establish an independent state there called

East Turkestan.

Exiled Uighur groups and human rights activists say the Government’s own repressive policies in Xinjiang have provoked unrest, something Beijing denies.

The 13 executed men were involved in attacks in different parts of Xinjiang, including one last June that killed 24 policemen and local residents, Xinhua said. In the Tiananmen case, five people were killed and 40 hurt when a car plowed into a crowd in the square and burst into flames. Those killed included three people in the car.

As well as the death sentences for that attack, another man was sentenced to life and four others received jail terms ranging from five to 20 years, Xinhua said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mullah Shir Agha and one of his officers were killed after a combined Police and military operation on Sunday, Police

said. Another insurgent believed to have been involved in the recent violence was injured and is in Police custody,

The elderly men are recovering after their hands were mutilated

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes out of a meeting room to receive his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay before the start of their bilateral meeting in New Delhi May 27

tuesday, june 17, 2014

Finance Minister plugs PPP as bedrock of development

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh is of the view that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is “an extremely valuable instrument” available for the purpose of development in Guyana and any other developing country, pointing out that the initiative is nothing new or strange to countries around the world.

PPP involves a contract between a public sector authority and a private party. The private party provides a public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project.

In most types of PPPs, the cost of using the service is borne exclusively by the users of the service and not by the taxpayer. In other types, capital investment is made by the private sector on the basis of a contract with Government to provide agreed services and the cost of providing the service is borne wholly or in part by the Government.

Financial matters

Minister Singh was at the time responding to a host of questions on financial matters last week at a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) Studio.

He told reporters that PPP agreements have, over the years, been the bedrock of exploration, not only for developing but developed countries as well.

“I’m not alone in this regard…. The United Kingdom and New Zealand, those who have studied public administration, that private financing of public infrastructure is an inititiative that these countries have been implementing for at least two decades,” Minister Singh said Infrastructure such as schools, roads, and hospitals are built with funds provided through private investment, he reported. International financial institutions and regional development banks have become increasingly aware of the benefits of PPPs and are now in the business of advocating for their use as an “attractive solution to the financing challenges of developing countries”.

Questions were previously raised

regarding the mobilisation of private financing and its capacity to meet the need of public infrastructure in the presence of finite fiscal space. Fiscal space is a relatively new term that refers to the flexibility of a Government in its spending choices, and, more generally, to the financial well-being of that Government.

With this in mind, Minister Singh related that countries, just like individuals, have the capacity and freedom to borrow. However, that freedom should not be taken advantage of. Singh said that if such should occur in Guyana, the country may find itself in a situation similar to what obtained in the 1980s and early 90s.

He said the country had borrowed so much, it was unable to service and repay its debt.

Dr Singh said there are, however, pressing developmental needs in Guyana. He made reference to the US$800 million Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the deepwater harbour and the road to Brazil, stressing that they are very large projects.

“And so the question is, how do you finance these development needs without contracting unsustainable debt. You have only two options: you either have to raise domestic revenues to finance it (and that is essentially increasing taxes), or you will have to borrow it,” Dr Singh reasoned. Either way, he contended, it has fiscal impact that can be unsustainable.

He said it is a fact that private investors, both internal and external,

are looking for good investment opportunities. “And so the public-private investments provide you with a happy meeting of those two circumstances,” he said. It is then left to the Government of these developing economies to take advantage of the two situations, where there is a need to borrow funds and the ready availability of investors.

Guyanese are becoming increasingly aware of the principles attached to PPP investments after a flurry of criticism regarding the tolls attached to the Berbice River Bridge, and attempts to have the rates reduced by members of the country’s political Opposition.

Motion

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member for Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon was successful in his bid to pass a motion in the National Assembly, calling for a reduction in the passage fees for vehicles on the bridge that was completed some seven years ago.

His motion, however, did not receive the approval of the Government as Public Works Minister Robeson Benn condemned the move, pointing out that the Government has little or no control over the functions of the Berbice Bridge, as it is privately owned.

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud had also said that the issue over the motion passed by the parliamentary Opposition for the reduction of the Berbice River Bridge tolls raises the question about sanctity of PPPs.

He said the Commission would very much appreciate some amount of commitment to the contract between the major players in the project. Motions of such nature raised fears of whether Government and the State are indeed sticking to their promises made to private investors.

“It worries us that the rules of the game are changing in the middle of the game. For me, it’s not the Berbice Bridge or the toll is the major issue; it’s if we are going to partner with the Government or the State to have private businesses be a part of these investments; the rules of the game cannot change,” the Chairman had said.

Neighbour in custody for Albouystown woman’s murder

Police are interrogating a young man in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Sumintra Dinool, who was found with both hands and feet tied to a bed in her Albouystown home, Sunday morning.

Crime Chief Leslie James on Monday told Guyana Times that after the woman’s body was discovered; the man was taken into custody as a possible suspect. The Police are continuing their investigations, but have questioned several other persons.

Contrary to a Guyana Times report on Monday, the dead woman’s son, Shaw Dinool, who had found her body, was never in Police custody, but was asked to report to the Police station to give

a written statement as part of the Police investigations.

Shaw stressed that he was never a suspect in his mother’s murder. He explained that he lives in

the same house with his mother, and as such, it was critical for him to give a statement.

He told Guyana Times that he was out and upon returning home; he found his mother with her hands and feet bound and tied to the bed. He added that the perpetrator took a kitchen towel and wrapped it around her mouth.

He said that the person(s), who committed the act also removed a quantity of household items and an undisclosed sum of money. They even took away the cable box to the Direct TV, he added.

He is sure that the person(s) who committed the act is known to his mother since she is not in the habit of letting in strangers. He explained

that whenever someone comes to the house, his mother was in the habit of peeking through a window before opening the door.

Shaw further stated that there was no forced entry and the back door is only accessible if it isopened from inside the house. He said that after the discovery, he looked around the home to see if there was any breakage but saw none.

“I suspected that the person might have gained entry into the home while my mother had the back door open… no one was at home at the time so the perpetrator(s) had enough time to commit the act,” Shaw added.

Sumintra lived at Barr and Sussex Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Strong political commitment needed to tackle malnutrition – FAO, WHO

As hundreds of millions of people around the world continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition, Governments should make stronger commitments at the upcoming Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) to ensure healthier diets for all, the heads of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) have said.

A high-level, global intergovernmental meeting, ICN2 is scheduled to take place in Rome on November 19-21. It is co-organised by FAO and WHO with other UN and international organisations under the theme:

“Better nutrition, better lives”. Since the first international conference on nutrition in 1992, “important advances in the fight against hunger and malnutrition have been made, but this progress has been insufficient and uneven,” FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva said.

Malnutrition

Over 840 million people are chronically undernourished, with the proportion of undernourished only falling 17 per cent since the early 1990s. Malnutrition is responsible for about half of all child deaths under five years of age, causing over three million deaths every year.

Meanwhile, various forms of malnutrition often overlap and can coexist within the same country and even within the same household. Around 160 million children under five are stunted or chronically malnourished, while over two billion people suffer one or more micronutrient deficiencies. At the same time, another half billion are obese.

“One aim of the conference (ICN2) is to provide the scientific basis for sound nutrition policies that promote food security and food safety while also promoting health,” WHO Director General Margaret Chan said in a video message prepared for the press conference.

Chan said that among the important questions participants at ICN2 need to address is: “Why is it that severe undernutrition and obesity can exist side by side in the same country and in the same community?” The WHO Director General also noted the need to consider the health and environmental implications of another recent trend: “the rapid rise in the demand for meat and other animal products that coincides with ris-

ing income levels”.

“Nutrition remains an urgent and pressing challenge and addressing nutrition a complex task,” Graziano da Silva said. “Nutrition is a public issue and impacts on food security, food safety, and health,” he added.

Graziano da Silva stressed the high social and economic costs of malnutrition that are a burden on society. “Estimates point to a loss of up to five per cent of global income per year in terms of lost productivity and health expenses. This adds up to roughly US$3.5 trillion or US$500 per person, a huge amount of money and a high cost to pay,” he said. Efforts to improve food and nutrition security continue to be hampered by governance issues such as low political commitment, weak institutional arrangements and a lack of appropriate coordination and involvement of stakeholders, FAO and WHO emphasised. Other key challenges include volatile international food prices, aggravated by increased dependence on world markets and on food imports, low agricultural productivity accentuated by climate change, as well as post-harvest losses and food waste.

Nutritional welfare

Noting that Governments are ultimately responsible for the nutritional welfare of their citizens, and are thus called to lead the efforts to improve nutrition, Graziano da Silva said these also required collective action involving parliaments, academia, the private sector and civil society organisations.

“Because of this, non-state actors have a very important role to play in the context of ICN2, not only to build consensus but also to help implement the framework for action the conference is expected to approve,” the FAO Director General said. ICN2 will build on the first international conference that took place 22 years ago and other events since, and will in turn feed into the UN’s Zero Hunger Challenge, the Post-2015 Development Agenda and EXPO Milan 2015. ICN2 should approve a political declaration on nutrition and a framework for action to ensure effective implementation of the commitments made at this high-level meeting. Heads of State and Government, other dignitaries and leaders have been invited to the high-level conference. Pope Francis has already confirmed his participation. (FAO)

FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva

WHO Director General Margaret Chan

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Dead: Albouystown businesswoman, Sumintra Dinool

Global education aid down 10% since 2010 – UNESCO

Aid to education is seriously declining, falling by just over six per cent between 2010 and 2011 and a further three per cent in 2012, a new report released by UNESCO’s EFA Global Monitoring Report team has said.

The report was released ahead of the Global Partnership for Education’s Replenishment Pledging Conference in Brussels on June 25-26, at which donors would be asked to help raise a much-needed US$3.5 billion for education in the poorest countries.

Guyana is spending some $32.3 billion on the Education Sector this year, surpassing last year’s allocation of $28.5 billion. According to Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, through this year’s allocation, emphasis will be placed on improving literacy rates, early childhood development, teacher training, enrolment in single sciences, and technical vocational educational programmes.

Drop in funds

In addition, the allocation will cater for more structured partnerships with private sector providers and parents. The allocation also covers the commencement of the implementation of a US$10 million Universal Secondary Education initiative, which will facilitate the construction of new secondary schools and provision of materials for improved teaching techniques and technology assisted learning in Mathematics.

Meanwhile, according to the report, basic education – which enables children to acquire foundational skills and core knowledge – is now receiving the same amount of aid as it was in 2008. As funds diminish and just one year before the deadline for achieving the global Education for All goals, 57 million children and 69 million adolescents are still out of school.

“When so many girls and

boys are still out of school and not learning, the continuing drop in funds for education is cause for serious concern,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

“Increasing external support for education is an ethical and development imperative. We know the difference that well-targeted aid can make in helping countries to put quality education first.”

Global Partnership for Education Chair Julia Gillard affirmed that “education is a long-term in-

vestment – not an expense. We owe it to the children of the world – particularly the poorest and most marginalised – that both international donors and developing countries Governments step up and commit more funding to education.”

The paper shows that aid is still vital for many countries, making up over a quarter of public education spending in 12 countries. Yet with aid flows to the sector falling by 10 per cent – far more than the one per cent decrease in overall aid levels – donors are clearly backing away from education as a development priority.

“This worrying fall in aid is in the context of a US$26 billion annual finance gap for education. Unless this negative trend is reversed,

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

“Land belongs to the future, let’s climate proof it”

Tthe likelihood of reaching the global education goals is put at great risk – all the more so if new education targets are set for 2030,” EFA Global Monitoring Report Director Aaron Benavot said.

“With aid proving so volatile, Governments must urgently improve their domestic financing, including better management of their tax systems, so as not to put their country’s development in jeopardy.”

The cuts are biting hardest in those countries furthest from reaching the education goals. In sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to over half of the world’s out-ofschool children, aid to basic education fell between 2010 and 2011, and stagnated between 2011 and 2012. Since 2010, 12 African countries have seen cuts in their aid to basic education of US$10 million or more.

The two countries with the largest cuts in aid to basic education from 2010 to 2012 were India and Pakistan, even though both sit among the top five countries in the world with the most children out of school. Aid to basic education for low-income countries recovered slightly in 2012, compared to the decreases felt in 2011, but levels are still lower than they were in 2010. Twenty-two low-income countries received less aid for basic education than two years before.

oday, countries around the world will observe World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This day was first declared by the United Nations in 1994 – 20 years ago – and was first celebrated in 1995. The day acknowledges that desertification and drought are global problems that affect all regions of the world. Its purpose is to highlight ways to prevent desertification and recover from drought.

Moreover, World Day to Combat Desertification promotes public awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought, and the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This year’s theme for World Day to Combat Desertification is ecosystembased adaptation, with the slogan “Land belongs to the future, let’s climate proof it”.

Desertification

Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly dry, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities. Desertification is a significant global ecological and environmental problem.

The most obvious impact of desertification, in addition to widespread poverty, is the degradation of 3.3 billion hectares of the total area of rangeland. In other words, almost three quarters of the

world’s rangeland have a low potential for human – and animal – carrying capacity, due to low soil fertility and poor soil structure. Included in this are croplands that have become degraded and on which a large population depends for food.

Land management critical for climate change resilience

This year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought aims to emphasise land and soil within climate change adaptation; mobilise support for sustainable land management; and call for the inclusion of land and soil and their significance in

eat and how our ecosystems serve us. Our increasing ecological interdependence also means enhancing soils anywhere enhances life everywhere.

Land management priorities

The priority in combating desertification should be the implementation of preventive measures for lands that are not yet degraded, or which are only slightly degraded. However, the severely degraded areas should not be neglected. In combating desertification and drought, the participation of local communities, rural organisations, national governments, nongovernmental organisations and international and regional organisations is essential. In Guyana, we have large-scale agriculture and extractive sectors upon which our economy is heavily dependent; therefore, we are not immune to desertification since it’s a gradual process. In this regard, the

food security into national; and climate change adaptation policies.

Emphasis is also being given to raising awareness of the fact that desertification, land degradation and drought dramatically affect the biodiversity resident in the soil. There is a close relationship between livelihood and ecosystem wellbeing, and soils that are rich in biodiversity. Healthy soils produce life, and yet soil health depends a lot on how individuals use their land. What we do to our soils determines the quality and quantity of the food we

Government of Guyana has taken several steps to enforce regulations especially in the sectors such as mining and forestry as a precautionary approach to land degradation.

Sources: http://www. un.org http://www.unep.org You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

Mexican Embassy to host children’s drawing contest

In an effort to promote the Mexican culture in Guyana, that country’s Embassy here will be organising a drawing contest for children.

The contest will be held on Wednesday morning at the Mexican Embassy, located at Lot 44 Brickdam, Stabroek. It will commence 10:30h. The drawing contest is being executed in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund

(UNICEF).

Thirty-two students between the ages of seven and 11 were selected from several Georgetown schools, including Marian Academy, St Agnes Primary, and Smith’s Memorial Primary, and Joshua House. The children will be engaged in a morning of learning, drawing and knowing each other.

According to a release from the Embassy, selected students will be given the oppor-

tunity to learn about Mexico and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which celebrated its 25th anniversary on June 1.

Following the contest in Guyana, the children are also invited to create a drawing that will allow them to participate in the 18th Children’s Drawing Contest “Éste es mi México” (this is my Mexico). The Éste es mi México contest will be judged in Mexico this

October by a panel of painters and art specialists, led by world renowned painter Fernando Andriacci.

“This is the second year that the Embassy has hosted Guyanese children since they can participate in the drawing contest, which is aimed at encouraging children around the world to learn from different cultures and to enhance their curiosity about them,” the Embassy said.

Aid to education is seriously declining, falling by just over six per cent between 2010 and 2011 and a further three per cent in 2012, UNESCO says

Global Partnership for Education Chair Julia Gillard

SUDOKU

Listen and offer solutions to friends, relatives or colleagues who need someone to confide in, but don’t be too quick to share your secrets. You will gain allies and improve your status.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Protect yourself by doing extensive research before making a radical career move. If you act on false information, you could undo all the progress you have made so far.

20-March 20)

Experience is a great teacher, so consider past successes and failures before you make a move. Keeping your emotions under control will prevent you from making an illadvised choice.

21-April 19)

Don’t let a shortage of funds hold you back. Others think highly of your talents and will support your efforts, so believe in your assets and capabilities.

(April 20-May 20)

Dare yourself to try something new. You will become inspired if you choose to do things that are unfamiliar to you. Take the plunge, or you will never know what you are missing.

(May 21June 20)

Being too rigid will alienate you from your peers. Try to be a little more flexible so you can stay on the good side of your colleagues.

You may daydream about exotic destinations, but, in reality, experiencing cultural events in your own community will bring you just as much enjoyment. Explore your neighborhood.

(July 23Aug. 22)

You need to realistically examine your financial situation and do whatever it takes to protect your interests. Failing to keep on top of agreements, contracts or legal matters could land you in debt.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Compromise, not conflict, will be the order of the day. You will lose an important ally if you are too argumentative or demanding. Be willing to meet halfway.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Your current job may be falling short of your expectations. Improving your work situation should be your main focus. Check out social media or do some networking to find a more suitable position.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You could use a few laughs. Some healthy competition will get your juices flowing. Challenge friends or family members to a word game or trivia contest.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t get involved in any power struggles today. If everyone does their own thing, there will be less opportunity for discord and disagreements. Spend time with someone who shares your ideas.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

‘In the red’ GRFU gets NACRA support

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

With significant support from the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA), the national Men’s 15s ruggers are closer to honouring their date with USA South in the final of the NACRA 15s final in Atlanta, USA.

By virtue of winning the Southern zone after beating Trinidad and Tobago 15-8 at the National Park earlier this month, the Guyanese earned the right to face USA South. The defending champions emerged winners of the Northern zone last weekend.

GRFU President Peter Green had earlier stated that the Guyanese face an uptill task financially to make the game a reality

since a whopping $8 million was required to offset expenses related to the match.

However, speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Guyana Olympic Association, Green was the bearer of good news in relating that NACRA has intervened in a huge way to assist the local ruggers to honour the match date.

The GRFU head pointed out that NACRA has agreed to offset the expenses related to airfare, as well as a part of the accomodation.

With a bulk of the expenses now out of the way, the GRFU is required to raise another two million dollars, which will cover meals and additional accomodation, as well as visa related expenses.

Green highlighted that the GRFU will be ap-

proaching businesses and President Donald Ramotar for assistance in meeting that budget as, according to Treasurer of the body, Roger Perreira, the GRFU is in the “red.”

The GRFU head also pointed out that the Union is contemplating engaging NACRA for a shift in the date of the game, providing they do not meet the necessary requirements, such as financing and the approval of visas. The game is originally billed for this Sunday in Atlanta.

Green also used the opportunity to reveal that Guyana has moved from number 60 to number 53 in the world rankings following back-to-back victories over Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. The ranking includes 154 countries.

Kevin Paul ‘bowled over’ by Limacol CPL call-up

Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Under-19 selectee Kevin Paul has expressed surprise at being called up to the Guyana Amazon Warriors preparatory camp, beginning July 1.

Paul, a talented fast bowler from the Everest Cricket Club, is one of six Under-19 players selected as part of the local franchise preparatory camp.

The Lodge Secondary School teacher is keen on making the opportunity count since he believes it will be a stepping stone for his promising cricket career.

“I was surprised to be picked actually, but the feeling is truly ecstatic,” Paul said of his initial reaction to the news. “After the draft and it was announced that Under-19 players will be part of the squad, I wasn’t even thinking that I would have been one of those players. I had no idea that I was going to be selected; I only knew about it when Guyana Times called me for a picture to put in the papers.”

The other West Indies Under-19 players called up are Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer; Demerara Cricket Club left-arm fast bowler Daniel Basdeo; Essequibo all-rounder Kemo Paul; and 16-yearold West Coast Demerara batsman Akshaya Persaud.

Now that the 18-yearold will be sharing the same dressing room with his fellow countrymen, top players from the region and leading international T20 stars,

Paul said he is looking forward to that experience.

“It’s indeed a boost of confidence and a once-in-a-life time opportunity to know that I will be rubbing shoulders and sharing the same dressing room with some of the greatest local, regional and international stars.”

“For the past couple of weeks my coach Andrew Lovell and I have been doing the extra training, so I am almost prepared for the challenge,” Paul, who represented Guyana at the Under-15 level, concluded.

The Under-19 players will be involved in all training sessions and other team activities during the Guyana Amazon Warriors camp and match practice scheduled for their home games only. However, the players will not be part of the selection process on match days.

This year, each franchise team consists of a squad of 19 players comprising

two pre-selected playersone West Indies Franchise Player (WIFP) and one International Franchise Player- (IFP) selected by the franchise as well as four Under-19 players from each playing franchise.

However, as an initiative geared toward the development of young cricketers, the management of the Guyana Amazon Warriors has widen the pool of Under-19 players to six.

Second Edition

The Limacol CPL, which was played in front of sold out crowds at all the venues in the Caribbean, will be played from July 11 to August 16 with Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs set to defend their title against last-year runner-up Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

The Guyana franchise, bought by the NEW GPC/ Limacol, will play three of their nine preliminary games at home, on July 17 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (19:30h), July 19 against St Lucia Zouks (16:00h) and July 20 against Jamaica Tallawahs (16:00h). Prior to the three home games, the Warriors will play Antigua Hawksbills on July 11; Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel on July 24; Barbados Tridents on July 27; Jamaica Tallawahs on August 2; Antigua Hawksbills on August 7; and St Lucia Zouks on August 10 in their final preliminary game.

“Candyman” remains unbeaten with impressive

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Guyanese

Simeon

“Candyman” Hardy is fast building a reputation as a knockout artist, recently blazing his way to another commanding win, the third in such a manner since he started campaigning in the United States of America last year. Making his debut on HBO’s Boxing After Dark last weekend, the 27-year-old pugilist who patented the dangerous “chin checker” punch on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s Friday Night Fights boxing card totally annihilated American Malcolm Terry. Appearing on the Chris Algieri/Ruslan Provodnikov

undercard at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, Hardy floored the hapless Terry twice in the second round to emerge with the most convincing of winsone minute, two seconds into the round.

Hardy completely dominated the scheduled sixround contest, first dropping his opponent before administering the final rites with a powerful right hand punch. With the win, the hardhitting and outspoken boxer improved to 13 wins from as many trips to the ring, inclusive of 10 impressive knockouts.

It was Terry’s second defeat from eight fights, to go with his six victories. Unblemished record

Since arriving in the

USA, Hardy has continued to climb the ladder of success by chalking up two brutal knockdowns in his first two fights.

He was at his explosive best on April 18 last, battering Rahman Mustafa Yusubov in the first round to

keep his unblemished record intact.

Fighting on the undercard of ESPN2’s presentation of Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York, Hardy needed just two minutes, 36 seconds (02:36s) to stamp his authority, flooring Yusubov three times during the contest.

On February 28 at the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana, he stopped American Chad Greenleaf in round five of an eight-rounder to begin his campaign in the USA where he migrated to last year. Currently under the guidance of manager/agent, Tim Gibson, Hardy told this publication from New York after

KO

that win that his career was heading in the right direction. He further revealed that he is comfortable with the progress he has been making since campaigning in the USA.

“Each fight is another level up. I spar with world champions, top contenders and also future champs; that means I have something special to be standing in the ring on a daily basis. I’m a signed fighter on the rise with a great fan base of people who show genuine support. I respect it,” the aspiring world champion concluded. It is understood that Hardy has been offered several other fights in the coming months, the details of which will be released shortly.

Guyana Amazon Warriors U-19 Selectee…

puts Guyana closer to facing USA South

GRFU officials, President Peter Green (centre), Vice President Mike McCormack (left) and Treasurer Roger Perriera, at Monday’s press briefing at the GOA

Kevin Paul

Simeon “Candyman” Hardy has knocked out all his opponents since arriving in the USA. None of the three fights went past five rounds

Today’s Games:

Belgium vs Algeria (12:00h); Brazil vs Mexico (15:00h) and Russia vs Korea Republic (18:00h)

Mueller hat-trick inspires Germany’s demolition of Portugal

Germany sent a message to the rest of the competitors here in Brazil with a 4-0 demolition of Portugal.

The Lusitanians got no joy out of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, suffered two injuries to key players, and Pepe saw red just before half-time.

by Guinea-Bissau-born new boy Eder, just 21. It got worse for Portugal, too, when just after the hour-mark, Mats Hummels rose higher than anyone in the penalty area to head home from a corner.

better in the second-half. Mid-way through the period, creative midfielder Fabio Coentrao pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be carried off on a stretcher. It looked the kind injury that won’t heal in short order.

It really turned into a half to forget for the Portuguese when Pepe lost his cool. He head-butted Mueller while the German predator sat on the pitch and was shown a straight red card for his efforts.

Minutes later, however, the Germans got their first goal. Mario Gotze was too quick and too clever for Joao Pereira, who resorted to dragging him down in the area. Thomas Muller

The Germans, for their part, were in supreme form, scoring almost at will and getting the tournament’s first hat-trick through Thomas Mueller. Portugal had the first chance of the game in sunny Salvador, but Ronaldo’s effort from a tight angle was a false dawn. The Germans were in total control in short order and surged into attack. Portuguese keeper Rui Patricio misplayed the ball out of his area, gifting it to the feet of Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, who somehow pushed his shot at the open goal wide of the mark.

Nigeria,

stepped up to convert the spot-kick low and to his left, sending the German fans in the stadium into delirium.

From there on out, the Germans took control. Mesut Ozil was in complete control in the creative role.

Iran play to first stalemate of 2014 FIFA World Cup

It was only a matter of time before the freescoring 2014 FIFA World Cup™ produced its first goalless stalemate, and Iran and Nigeria provided it, playing out a 0-0 draw in Curitiba at the Arena da Baixada. It was a game of very few clear-cut chances and the result sees both sides collect a point from their Group F opener, good enough for a share of second place. Nigeria took control early on but failed to turn possession and superior athleticism into goals.

Emmanuel Emenike sent in a teasing low cross for Victor Moses, but the Chelsea striker - who has had precious few chances to shine on loan with Liverpool this term - failed to poke home a sliding effort.

Jon Obi Mikel orches -

trated things in the middle of the park for the Nigerians over the course of the first half, while Carlos Queiroz’s Iran managed to produce precious little in the way of possession or attack.

The African champions suffered a blow midway through the opening period. Godfrey Oboabona, one of the revelations of Nigeria’s 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign, left the pitch on a stretcher after a heavy collision. He was unable to recover, despite extensive treatment on the touchline, and was replaced by veteran Joseph Yobo, playing in his third World Cup.

A goalless opening period gave way to more uninspired football at the start of the second half. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi waited only eight

minutes before trying to shake things up in attack, bringing on former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi for the ineffective Moses up front.

The new man had a chance with 20 minutes to go, but his headed effort from close range slipped frustratingly wide of Alireza Haghighi’s post. It proved to be the best chance of the game.

Peter Odemwingie entered the fray in the closing stages, adding an injection of pace, but it was a swap that failed to pay concrete dividends. The two teams seemed content to settle for a share of the spoils on offer. Nigeria next meet Bosnia and Herzegovina on 21 June in Cuiaba while Iran take on rampaging Group F leaders Argentina in Belo Horizonte earlier that same day. (FIFA)

Incisive in attack, Mueller and Gotze threatened constantly and Portugal coach Paulo Bento was forced into an early substitution. Ailing striker Hugo Almeida quit the pitch after a collision with Mats Hummels and was replaced

Muller exacted revenge by adding his second goal at the death of the opening period, taking advantage of some slack defending and hammered home from near the penalty spot.

Three goals down and a man short, their superstar captain CR7 unable to influence the game, Portuguese heads were spinning at the break. Things didn’t get much

Not long after, German defender and scorer Hummels was also helped off the pitch after damaging his knee. It didn’t keep the Germans from scoring again, however, and 12 minutes from time Muller completed his hat-trick –the first of these finals – to make it 4-0

The wounded Portuguese had a late penalty claim denied and are now in desperate need of a good result in their next game on 22 June in Manaus. The Germans, who are oozing sunshine and confidence, take on Ghana the day before in Fortaleza. (FIFA)

USa snatch dramatic win over ghana

Afirst-minute goal by Clint Dempsey and a late winner from substitute John Brooks helped USA avenge their 2010 exit to Ghana with a 2-1 victory over the Black Stars in Natal.

The hard-fought win leaves Jurgen Klinsmann’s side second to Germany only on goal difference in Group G, while Ghana are left alongside Portugal without a point to their name.

Clocked at just 29 seconds, Dempsey’s early goal was the fifth-fastest in the history of the FIFA World Cup™ - a list led by Hakan Sukur’s 11-second effort against Korea Republic in 2002. A beautifully crafted strike it was too, with Dempsey linking with Jermaine Jones on the left, jinking past John Boye and crashing an unstoppable left-foot shot in off the far post.

Stunned at having fallen behind so quickly, Ghana struggled to establish a rhythm, and it took until late in the first half for Tim

Howard to be seriously tested. When the call did come, however, the US No1 responded in style, diving low to his left to push away a ferocious, low 20-yard shot from Asamoah Gyan.

At the other end, meanwhile, USA lost starting centre-forward Jozy Altidore - stretchered off with a serious looking injury - but threatened again in the final minute of the half when Alejandro Bedoya’s awkward inswinging freekick was clawed behind by Adam Kwarasey for a corner.

The Black Stars were steadily growing into the match, though, and Jordan Ayew wasted a great opportunity in first-half injury time, scuffing a right foot shot into the ground after finding himself unmarked 16 yards from goal.

Chances continued to come the Africans’ way in the second half, with Sulley Muntari only inches away from finding the target with a trademark left-foot drive from long range. Gyan then

headed over from an unmarked position, and was up above his marker soon after, forcing Howard into another agile save.

USA were being pegged back at this stage, but they showed that they still packed an attacking punch after 64 minutes when Jones stung the palms of Kwarasey from 25 yards. Ghana remained the most dangerous attacking side, though, and with eight minutes remaining Andre Ayew scored a deserved equaliser. There were similarities to Dempsey’s effort, with the move crafted on the left and Ayew bursting powerfully onto a backheel from Gyan and poking the ball beyond Howard with the outside of his foot.

But USA were not to be denied the win they so desperately craved, and the points were sealed just four minutes later when substitute Brooks directed home a powerful downward header from Bedoya’s outswinging corner (FIFA.com).

Thomas Mueller strikes for Germany

Some of the action between Nigeria (green) and Iran during their nil all stalemate

Clint Dempsey celebrates his early goal against Ghana. Photo: BBC Sport

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Tourists hang on to draw thrilling first Test

England were denied victory in an incredible finale to the first Test as Sri Lanka’s lastwicket pair batted out the final five balls to cling on for a draw at Lord’s.

In scenes of barely believable drama, umpire Paul Reiffel gave Nuwan Pradeep out lbw to apparently hand England victory off the penultimate ball.

But Sri Lanka used the decision review system to reveal an inside edge, and when an outside edge off the last ball landed inches short of second slip, the tourists had survived.

The result means the teams will head to the second and final Test at Headingley, starting on Friday, with the series all square.

The match appeared to be drifting towards a stalemate when Sri Lanka, chasing a notional 390 for victory, were 164-3 at tea.

But an amazing final session, in which six wickets fell for 37 runs in fading light, saw England to the cusp of a victory that would have banished the memories of their disastrous 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia.

James Anderson finished with figures of 4-25 off 19 overs, Broad 3-43 and Chris Jordan 2-34 to complete a hugely encouraging debut.

Anderson swung the match either side of tea with three wickets, including the prize scalps of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, in a devastating spell to reduce Sri Lanka to 170-5 with 31

overs remaining. Jayawardene was caught behind for 18 in the over before the interval and, with fielders crowded round the bat as captain Alastair Cook went all-out attack, Sangakkara chopped on to his stumps for 61.

Four balls later, Lahiru Thirimanne prodded tentatively at a reverse-swinger outside off stump and edged to Matt Prior to leave Sri Lanka five down.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews and Prasanna Jayawardene - batting with a broken finger - appeared to take the sting out of the tourists with a partnership that spanned 20 overs.

The door was forced back open by the irrepressible Jordan, who trapped Jayawardene lbw to leave Sri Lanka six down.

England took the second new ball and the mayhem continued. Broad found Nuwan Kulasekara’s pads, then Anderson drew an edge from Mathews that flew to slip with 18 balls left.

Sri Lanka’s ninth-wick-

et pair rode out the next two overs, but Broad had Rangana Herath taken down the leg side with the first ball of the last over.

Four deliveries later, as Reiffel’s finger went up, England were jumping around in elation, but when DRS revealed a thick inside edge, the joy was all Sri Lanka’s.

The drama of the final session contrasted with the first two, during which England managed only three wickets after declaring on their overnight 2678.

Broad’s dismissal of Dimuth Karunaratne was England’s only reward before lunch, while Jordan removed Kaushal Silva for 57 to end a 98-run stand with Sangakkara for the second wicket.

Mahela Jayawardene’s departure on the stroke of tea sparked England’s late charge, only for Sri Lanka to deny them at the last.

England have named the same 12-man squad for the final Test of the series. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Karunaratne c Robson b Broad 16 K Silva c Prior b Jordan 57 Sangakkara b Anderson 61 M Jayawardene c Prior b Anderson 18 Thirimanne c Jordan b Anderson 2 Mathews c Cook b Anderson 18 P Jayawardene lbw b Jordan 8 Kulasekara lbw b Broad 1

Herath c Prior b Broad 1 Eranga not out 0 Pradeep not out 0 Extras (1-nb, 11-b, 7-lb) 19 Total (for 9 wickets; 90 overs) 201 Bowling: Anderson 19-10-25-4, Broad 21-9-43-3, Jordan 18-10-34-2, Plunkett 16-5-39-0, Moeen 12-2-35-0, Root 4-3-7-0 Fall of wickets: 25 (Karunaratne), 123 (K Silva), 159 (M Jayawardene), 169 (Sangakkara), 170 (Thirimanne), 194 (P Jayawardene), 199 (Kulasekara), 201 (Mathews), 201 (Herath)

Spurs win five in five

SAN ANTONIO –Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, the winningest trio in NBA postseason history, shared hugs.

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Players wrapped themselves in flags from around world, a reminder that the San Antonio Spurs look far beyond the border to build champions, as confetti fell from above.

Painfully denied 12 months ago by the Miami Heat, this victory party was worth the wait.

“It makes last year OK,” Duncan said.

The Spurs finished off a dominant run to their fifth NBA championship Sunday night, ending the Heat’s two-year title reign with a 104-87 victory that wrapped up the series in five games.

“We had a great first quarter, but from that point on they were the better team, and that’s why they’re the champions in 2014,” said LeBron James, who led the Heat with 31 points and 10 rebounds.

San Antonio erased an early 16-point deficit and

routed Miami for the fourth time in the series, denying the Heat’s quest for a third straight championship. A year after the Spurs suffered their only loss in six Finals appearances -- a heartbreaking seven-game defeat -- they turned the rematch into no match at all.

“We wanted to redeem ourselves. I’m just glad we were able to do that,” Parker said.

Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who added this title to the ones they won in 1999, 2003, ‘05 and ‘07. They nearly had another last year, but couldn’t hold off the Heat.

“I’ve said many times, a day didn’t go by where I didn’t think about Game 6,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of the turning point in last year’s finals. “So I think, just in general, for the group to have the fortitude that they showed to get back to this spot, I think speaks volumes about how they’re constituted and what kind of fiber they have.”

Not to mention tons of

talent, and perhaps the best coaching in the game.

“They played exquisite basketball this series and in particular these last three games and they are the better team. There’s no other way to say it,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Spurs won four titles in nine years, but hadn’t been back on top since 2007, making Foreigner’s “Feels Like the First Time” an appropriate song choice after the final buzzer.

Duncan and Popovich have been here for all of them, and it was the fourth for Parker and Ginobili, who along with Duncan are once again the reigning Big Three in the NBA.

Chris Bosh finished with 13 points and Dwyane Wade just 11 on 4-of-12 shooting for the Heat.

The painful conclusion to last year’s NBA Finals served as the fuel for this one, powering the Spurs to a league-best 62-win season and a rematch with Miami -- the first in the finals since Chicago beat Utah in 199798. (ESPN.com)

WaNteD Driving

Jeffrey intensifying preparations for Commonwealth Games

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Focused on playing his part to ensure success for Guyana at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, national cyclist Raynauth Jeffrey is working overtime to get his body in peak condition.

The 20-year-old rider, who competes for Team Coco’s (Guyana), is leaving nothing to chance as he is determined to make the Golden Arrowhead fly proudly at the July 23 to August 3 Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

During an exclusive interview with this publication on Monday afternoon, Jeffrey divulged his training regime in preparation for the Games.

“Right now I’m doing some work in the gym at Mon Repos Mall and tomorrow [Tuesday] I will be hitting the road again. Later in the week I plan to do some work on the highway [Linden/Soesdyke] as well as some sprint training,” Jeffrey said.

He added, “I’m feeling very good at the moment and everything is falling into place slowly. I’ve been in training since April and I’m confident I will be in top shape for the Games, because there are a few events coming up for me to test my readiness.”

Jeffrey began training weeks before the Independence Three-Stage, which was staged on May 17-18, but his chances of copping that title were dashed when he suffered a puncture on the first stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam. That misfortune effectively quashed his hopes of vying for the top spot.

“Yes, that was a setback for me, then last Saturday

[at the P&P Insurance 11race programme] I also had a puncture, but everything went well for me on Sunday,” he said.

On Sunday last, Jeffrey copped the Open category of the annual Father’s Day 50-mile road race in West Demerara, giving him a timely confidence booster ahead of the Games.

The talented athlete is also looking to up his game in time to defend both the Road Race and Time Trial when the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) national championship is staged month-end. He also plans to compete in Anguilla in early July before returning home to continue his training.

The team includes six

riders, inclusive of one female, and an official, who will take up the dual role of manager/coach. The team comprises Jeffrey, Roraima Bikers Club rider Alanzo Greaves and his fellow clubmate Marlon “Fishy” Williams.

Overseas-based Guyanese Geron Williams, who was the leading Guyanese rider at the recently concluded Independence Three-Stage, finishing second to Team Coco’s Darren Matthews; US-based Scott Savoury and Claire Fraser-Green of England complete the list of riders, while former national cyclist Dwayne “Road Hogg” Gibbs will serve as manager/coach.

President of the GCF Cheryl Thompson, in an interview with this media house earlier this month, said she is confident in the team’s ability and pointed out she has high hopes of them doing well.

According to Thompson, Greaves, Geron Williams, Savoury and FraserGreen are in training at their respective locations, while Jeffrey and Marlon Williams have been doing their part on the roads of Guyana. Greaves is currently in the USA on a training stint as part of his preparation for the Games.

Thompson said she is looking to Greaves, Marlon Williams and Geron Williams to hold their own since they have experience competing at the Games. The trio represented Guyana at the Games in 2010 in India with Geron Williams placing 31st overall

The upcoming XX Commonwealth Games is billed for July 23 to August 3 with 261 events in 17 disciplines.

Thompson states case with sensational 100m run

By TReisTon Joseph

American-based Guyanese sprinter Brenessa Thompson stated her case to represent Guyana at the World Junior Championship scheduled for July with a brilliant 100 metre performance on Saturday at the New Balance National Outdoor in North Carolina.

Thompson reacted well to the starter’s pistol and darted down the track to finish a very close second to Candace Hill as 500th of a second separated the two sprinters.

Thompson clocked 11.338s to Hill’s 11.332s in a photo finish type of race.

The time recorded by Thompson would have been an improvement on her season’s best of 11.79s.

This could put the stocky sprinter in contention for a World Junior medal, providing that she attends the meet and can replicate such a performance.

However, it still is un-

clear whether the Medgar Ever student will be able to attend the meet since Guyana has already received its quota of tickets for the meet by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). Jason Yaw and Kadecia Baird have been selected to represent Guyana.

According to President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson, the AAG will have to come out of their pockets to send Thompson to the meet, funds the association does not readily have at hand.

Nevertheless, Thompson just provided the AAG with 11.338s of a reason to ensure that she attends the meet where the bronze medal winner in 2012 clocked 11.45s and the silver medalist 11.36s. The gold medal at the 2012 championship was won by Bahamian Anthonique Strachan in 11.20s.

mitchell on the road to recovery

B

As the track and field season continues to unfold and the likes of Jason Yaw, Kadecia Baird and Cassey George continue to shine, one athlete lingers on the sideline waiting to shine again.

Tirana Mitchell, 17, went down with a hamstring injury in September of 2013 and apparently made a comeback too soon as she went down with a quadriceps injury at the National School Championships in November.

The 200 metres Carifta bronze medalist then had some time off during the Christmas off season, however, it evidently wasn’t enough with her showing at the junior Carifta trials, as this time, she suffered a slight groin problem.

The myriad of injuries has caused the talented teenager to remain out of action for approximately eight months without being able to compete meaningfully, watching her peers from the sidelines.

“It is really frustrating to be away from the track and unable to compete. Sometimes I just feel sad about it,” Mitchell told Guyana Times Sport Mitchell, who revealed that her hamstring feels “ok”, noted what was really bothering her. “My hamstring is fine it’s just my quads and my groin, it’s ok but it pains now and again, I’m doing therapy for it two days a week and I jog and stretch,” Mitchell stated.

While the injury has downed the spirit of the explosive sprinter, she is still certain she can get back to the top.

Tirana Mitchell

“I think I will get back to one hundred per cent eventually. I’m not sure when but I will give it my all once I fully recover,” Mitchell stated confidently.

Further, the South American Youth games representative noted that she still has something to prove and it keeps her motivated to return to the track.

“I just want to prove that I’m always a winner and I’m always ready to put my best foot forward,” Mitchell quipped.

Meanwhile, one of her coaches, Carla Rodney, shed some light on the time table for Mitchell to return to the track since it was evident that the athlete came back prematurely twice before, since her initial injury in September of 2013 at the South American Youth Championships.

“Her recovery is coming along good and we are hoping to get her back on the track by the Boyce and Jefford Games,” Rodney told this publication.

Rodney also noted that the budding female track star can make a statement once she returns. “We believe that she will make a full recovery and she is still hungry to win,” Rodney stated of her track star.

Meanwhile, with Mitchell being inactive since April of this year, her return looms closer as the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic is scheduled for mid August.

Whether Mitchell makes it back 100 per cent or not, the Boyce/Jefford Classic will certainly be her testing ground as she looks to tap into unlimited potential that she still possesses.

Raynauth Jeffrey

Brenessa Thompson

Digicel Secondary School Football…

Queenstown steamroll Freeburg

By TreisTon Joseph

Queenstown Secondary School inflicted a 10-nil drubbing on Freeburg Secondary School to open their campaign in the Digicel Secondary Schools Football Tournament on Monday at the Education Ministry ground.

Probably the fastest goal in the tournament to date, Ijahfar John received a pass down the middle of the field and pedaled past the defence to rock the back of the nets for Queenstown after just 27 seconds into the game.

Freeburg played lackadaisically and were unable to string passes together which resulted in many dispossessions and counter attacks by Queenstown. Wilinson Meneses would then score in the seventh and 23rd minutes.

Emanuel Hawker (41st) ended the first half on a high note for Queenstown with a goal just before the whistle.

On resumption of the second half, Queenstown turned up the heat with Jason

Williams going on a brilliant run to score in the 55th minute. Three minutes later, after a defensive lapse by Freeburg, Kelsey Benjamin scored to put Queenstown ahead 6-0.

Dwayne Jeffery then came alive to score a hattrick, netting in the 64th, 76th and 81st minutes.

Meneses would then in-

flict further damage to Freeburg by completing his hat-trick in the 85th minute.

Meanwhile, in Linden, defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) signalled early intentions by hammering Linden Foundation 8-1 win.

Shane Lockie (11th, 48th) and Nigel Caesar (26th,30th)

were twice on target for CWSS. Omar Archer, Anthony Layne, Ezra Ashby and Donovan Francis would also get on to the score sheets, netting in the 38th, 63rd, 74th and 79th minutes respectively.

Hakim Bristol scored a consolation goal for Linden Foundation in the 66th minute.

F1 legend Michael Schumacher ‘out of coma’

F1 champion Michael Schumacher has left hospital in Grenoble and is no longer in a coma, his family says.

The 45-year-old has been transferred to Lausanne university hospital in Switzerland, officials there say.

Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma after suffering a severe head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps on December 29.

His family thanked people who had sent messages of support, saying: “We are sure it helped him.”

They also praised the “excellent job” of medical staff at the hospital in Grenoble, in south-east France.

Doctors had kept the seven-time champion in a coma to help reduce swelling in his brain.

“Michael has left the CHU

Grenoble to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore,” Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement on behalf of his family on Monday.

“For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye,” she said, without giving further details.

Relatives have previously warned that “it was clear from the start that this will be a long and hard fight for Michael”.

The BBC’s Imogen Foulkes in Geneva reports that the university hospital in Lausanne is one of Switzerland’s most renowned.

He will have a team of specialists, and his own private accommodation, and he will be much closer to his family home on the shores of

Lake Geneva, our correspondent says.

But it is not clear what Schumacher’s condition is and his process of recovery is still expected to be a long one, she adds.

Monday’s statement was the first substantial update since early April when Ms Kehm said the German racing driver was showing “moments of consciousness and awakening.”

Neurosurgeon Tony Belli told the BBC that rehabilitation from this sort of injury could take months or years.

“We know that some people can spend three, four years in rehabilitation,” he said. “It depends very much on the severity of the injury, how young and fit they are.”

Meanwhile, the German football team sent their wishes to the F1 legend from the World Cup in Brazil at the weekend.

Tucber Park, Police through to quarterfinals

Tucber Park and Police went through to the quarterfinal stage of this year’s Elizabeth Styles Under-19 50 overs cricket competition for teams in Berbice with contrasting victories.

At Rose Hall in Canje, Tucber Park defeated Rose Hall CC by a massive 192 runs while at Cumberland, Police beat Young Warriors by 145 runs.

4-44 to be the best bowler on show.

Lukas Podolski, the Arsenal striker, told a news conference: “I’d like to greet a good friend, who unfortunately is unable to be here. He is Michael Schumacher.

“He is just as crazy about football as all of us. We wish his family a lot of strength. If we win the title, that would be something that would make him happy.”

The BBC’s James Allen says the reaction from the F1 world has been enormously positive on one level, but the lack of specific details about his condition has left a question mark for many people.

The Mercedes team, for which Schumacher raced in the last three years of his career, posted on Twitter: “Encouraging news on Michael’s condition this morning. We couldn’t ask for a better start to the week.”

Ferrari’s Renato Bisignani told the BBC: “My reaction is one of overwhelming joy. There is not one day when we haven’t thought of Michael, followed his progress and remembered him.”

Investigators probing last December’s accident said Schumacher had been going at the speed of “a very good skier” at the time of his crash in the resort of Meribel.

He had been skiing offpiste when he fell and hit a rock, investigators said.

Schumacher retired from racing in 2012 after a 19-year career.

He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000. (BBC Sport)

Batting first, Tucber Park made 310-7 in their allotted 50 overs with Hakeem Hinds smashing 98 (11x4). Filon Crandon (37), Nial Smith (30), Gary Millington (25) and Joel Seetaram (23) were the other batsmen who contributed meaningfully to the total. Bowling for Rose Hall CC, Keon Isaacs took

In reply, RHCC were bowled out for 118 in 22 overs with Haimnauth Matadeen making 31. Martin Singh took 4-14. He received support from Gary Millingon (2-4) and Joel Seetaram (2-20). Over in Cumberland, Police batted first and made a challenging 205 with Marlon Shepherd scoring 44, Kwesi Mickle 32, Clifton Lindee 24 and Leon Andrews 20. Royden Phil (4-34) was the most destructive bowler for Young Warriors who were dismissed for an embarrassing 60 in reply. Leon Andrews (3-7) and Steffon Anderson (2-14) were the chief destroyers.

Rstc horse race meet registration closes sunday

– preparations moving apace

Registration for the Rising Sun Turf Club horse race meet closes on Sunday and, according to one of the coordinators, Chattergoon Ramnauth, no late entries will be accepted.

The meet is scheduled for June 29 at the club’s track at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, and is being held in collaboration with Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service.

The activity has already attracted some of the country’s top thoroughbreds who will be competing for millions in cash and trophies from noon.

Eight highly anticipated races are carded for the day with the feature event being the D1 and Lower. That race will fetch the highest first prize of one million dollars and will cover a distance of 1500 metre.

The main supporting race is for three-year-old Guyana and West Indiesbred animals competing at 1400 metre for a top prize of

$600,000.

The winner of the F1 and Lower event at a distance of 1400 metre is guaranteed $500,000, while the Twoyear-old Guyana and West Indian-bred cash prize is set at $300,000 at a distance of 600m.

Other races on the agenda are the G3 and Lower (1000 metre/$400,000 first prize), I1 and Lower (1000 metre/$250,000 first prize), J and Lower (1000 metre/$200,000 first prize) and H1 and Lower (1000 metre/$400,000 first prize).

Meanwhile, Ramnauth told Guyana Times Sport on Monday that the club has already put most systems in place for the event.

Horse owners are urged to register early as entries will be closed on June 22. Contacts for registration are C Ramnauth on 337-5311, Fazil Habibulla on 657-7010, Inshan Bacchus on 629-9419 and Chandu Ramkissoon on 232-0633/624-9063.

Freeburg keeper watches as yet another goal hits the back of the net

Elizabeth Styles U-19 Cricket Competition…..

Martin Singh Hakeem Hinds

Michael Schumacher had been in a coma since December last

Jerome Taylor, Benn restrict New Zealand to 221

The sight of the green surface at the Queen's Park Oval was a welcome change after the slowand-low pitch in Sabina Park but it appeared there was not much of a change in the script. New Zealand chose to bat, lost an early wicket, then Tom Latham and Kane Williamson laid anchor and put on a century stand as West Indies' bowlers struggled to make impact.

Sulieman Benn, the lone spinner in the West Indies XI, trapped Brendon McCullum plumb in front with the second delivery after tea. That wicket set the tone as the bowlers applied relentless pressure from both ends and forced batsmen into false shots. Jimmy Neesham slashed a Jerome Taylor delivery to first slip, BJ Watling offered a loose poke soon after to be caught behind and then Ish Sodhi was caught at slip too, all in the space of seven runs.

Ross Taylor scratched around for an 80-ball 45, but his stay lacked conviction as a bulk of his runs came through iffy shots. As he stood circumspect in the middle, he witnessed helplessly the disintegration of the innings that had started promisingly with Latham scoring yet another half-century.

Jerome Taylor, playing his first Test series since 2009,

was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with a probing spell of 4 for 34 and although he lacked the same level of support in the first half of the day, the other three bowlers rallied behind him later.

The turnaround happened when Latham, who had looked set to breach the 100-mark for the first time in Tests, edged a Kemar Roach delivery to gully at the stroke of tea, ending a 163-ball innings during which he had showed no signs of flinching in his concentration.

The remaining overs in the session produced nervous moments for the batsmen; Ross Taylor was reprieved off the last two balls of the session from Roach, first by Denesh

Ramdin, who didn't go for a thick outside edge, then by Kirk Edwards, who dropped a simple chance to his left at short mid-on.

The way the innings finished must have left the bowlers wondering what could have been had they not been lax in the first half of the day. Jerome Taylor and Roach used the conditions to their advantage, getting the ball to swing and seam with decent bounce, but all West Indies had to show for the effort was one wicketthat of Hamish Rutherford. Then followed a period of New Zealand dominance, led by Latham, which threatened to take the game away from West Indies.

Latham, impressive during his twin half-centuries in the first Test, was unfazed during that testing first period, and even later. He was prepared to leave a number of deliveries outside off, a trait that also rubbed off on Rutherford, who had replaced Peter Fulton. Both batsmen refrained from pushing unnecessarily at deliveries to start with, until Rutherford's patience ran out.

Latham continued playing a compact game. His first boundary - a classical off-drive past the non-striker - came off the 32nd delivery he faced, in Gabriel's first over. Twice, when he appeared in trouble against rising deliveries, he still managed eight runs with a couple of controlled guides through gully.

Ramdin opted for spin in the 16th over and Benn, with his height, posed a threat with the appreciable bounce he extracted. Latham was untroubled, using a solid front-foot defence to smother most of those deliveries. The runs came easily off the seamers at the other end and Latham went on to reach his third successive halfcentury of the tour, in 83 balls. Seventy-one runs came in the 18 overs just before lunch, a far cry from the slow start to the innings.

Both Williamson and Latham stuck to the same

template in the second session, playing out five consecutive maidens before opening up. Williamson, on 19, had been dropped by Chris Gayle at slip off Benn in the first session and in the second, Latham survived a tough chance on 58 as a thick edge off Benn didn't stick in Ramdin's gloves.

Soon after the two batsmen had put up a century stand, though, Williamson blinked, top-edging an attempted pull off Gabriel to fine leg. That

found their mojo.

New Zealand's seamers responded with prodigious swing, one such out-swinging full delivery from Trent Boult taking Gayle's off stump late in the day, raising hopes of a counter from the visitors on day two. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

(Sodhi,

(Southee,

West Indies 1st innings CH Gayle b Boult 1 KC Brathwaite not out 5 SJ Benn not out 0 Extras 0

of wickets 1-16 (Rutherford, 8.1 ov), 2-120 (Williamson, 42.4 ov), 3-146 (Latham, 51.5 ov), 4-161 (McCullum, 54.2 ov), 5-192 (Neesham, 61.5 ov), 6-198 (Watling, 63.4 ov),

Total (1 wicket; 7 overs) 6 To bat: KA Edwards, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, J Blackwood, D Ramdin*†, KAJ Roach, JE Taylor, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Gayle, 2.6 ov)

Bowling: TA Boult 4-2-41, TG Southee 3-1-2-0

wicket buoyed Gabriel, who had been ordinary otherwise as he sent down a few probing overs. Then as Latham fell, two overs before tea, the bowlers

Jerome Taylor picked up 4 for 34 (WICB)