wednesday, september 25, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com
For the first time since the furore over local government elections, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said on Tuesday that it has been readying itself for the “impending” poll.
In a statement arising out of its recent Central Committee’s meeting, the PPP/C said much emphasis was placed on putting the party into an election mode, especially in view of impending local government elections.
Local government elections were last held here in 1994, but the recent passage of a suite of legislation critical to the holding of the elections under a reformed
system has given citizens some glimmer of hope.
However, since its passage in the National Assembly, the bills have been stuck at the attorney general’s office and up to last week, they had not reached the president for his assent.
Only last week, junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said the holding of local government elections remains top on the PPP/C’s agenda.
He pointed out that the Municipal and District Council’s Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill, the Local Government Commission Bill and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, which were passed
in the National Assembly, have been sent to the attorney general’s chambers by the clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs.
It is currently unclear how long the attorney general’s chambers will take to scrutinise the bills before they are sent to the president for his assent.
Guyana Elections Commission Chairman (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally had also said the commission is fully equipped and ready to stage the long-anticipated local government elections.
According to Dr Surujbally, elections can be held within the next six months, once the president assents to the bills.
Currently, the continuous registration exercise is ongoing and will aid in bringing the voters list to perfection. GECOM has already demarcated the various boundaries and constituencies – 71 districts.
History created
Meanwhile, the PPP/C said history was created when for the first time the Central Committee met outside of Georgetown. The meeting was held at Enmore, East Coast
Demerara.
The party said immediately after the conclusion of the meeting, Central Committee members broke up into groups and went on house to house visits in Enmore and the adjoining villages with a view of obtaining first hand information on issues and concerns faced by residents in the various communities.
The party statement said the committee reviewed the situation, both at the international level and locally.
It expressed concern at the senseless loss of lives of hundreds of people in Syria and called for a speedy resolution of the conflict.
The meeting heard presentations from the party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee and President Donald Ramotar.
Arising out of the presentations, a framework of action is being developed which also took into account the Central Committee report, congress workshops and the political declaration which was adopted at the recently-held PPP/C Congress.
The meeting also zeroed in on the crime situation, noting that it was one of the areas that warranted a heightened and more robust attention by the authorities.
The Central Committee also discussed plans to observe the 21st anniversary since the restoration of democratic rule in Guyana and the assumption of the PPP/C to the seat of government.
Several activities are planned throughout the country, including three big rallies in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.
With more than three months without pay stemming from the opposition’s cuts to the national budget, frustrated employees of the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Monday staged a sit-in, in protest of their current situation.
GINA Director Neaz Subhan told reporters that a meeting was held with the staff to address their concerns.
Subhan said the agency is struggling financially and has lost a significant number of staff since the budget cuts.
Speaking with Guyana Times, the GINA director said he is distressed at the current state the entity is forced to operate.
“We have not been paid for quite a while, it’s very frustrating and we are losing staff and this is clearly a result of the cuts,” he said.
Since the joint opposition cut government’s subvention to GINA, the entity has been struggling to survive.
“What is even more distressing is that we do not know when the case will go to the courts again, a date hasn’t been decided as far as I am aware so the staff have become uncertain and are looking for new jobs,” Subhan said.
Subhan said the Office of the President has been doing its best to give the agency and its employees financial and moral support.
But with the budget cuts and the court hearing on hold, doubt still clouds the minds of the agency’s employees.
“I want to commend the staff that have stayed… We understand that people have commitment and they have house loans and cars loans to pay, so they had no choice but to leave so as to fulfil these commitments,” the director said.
Asked about a part-payment for the workers until a fixed solution is reached, Subhan said only a few days ago, the Office of the President gave staffers a small stipend.
“About a week or two ago, we were able to provide a small stipend which was welcomed, government is doing its best to have the issue resolved… I assume, if the case was not appealed, it would have already been settled,” he asserted.
Slashed Government’s subventions to GINA were slashed to $1 in the 2012, 2013 national budgets, due to the opposition’s dissatisfaction with coverage provided to its activities.
Staffers of the agency have been rallying through despite the non-payment for several months now. They all share the view that the situation could not be harder, but noted that there is not much that could be done than await the outcome of the court hearing.
GINA was allotted a subvention of $135,858,000 in the 2013 budget, but this sum was slashed to $1 dollar. The court is yet to make a final ruling in a challenge brought by government in 2012.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) will today open its 20th Biennial Conference under the theme “Relentlessly Pursuing Good Governance, Decent Work, Social and Economic Justice”.
The conference of the union is the highest decisionmaking forum and delegates from Georgetown and the 10 administrative regions of Guyana are expected to review the biennium, as well as plan and make recommendations for the union for the next two years.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will present the fea-
ture address, and declare the conference open.
The opening ceremony, which will be held at the National Conference Centre, will begin at 09:30h. Other features of the opening ceremony include an address by GPSU President Patrick Yarde, and the presentation of prizes for the GPSU’s 90th Anniversary Domino competition.
The business sessions of the conference will be held at the GPSU headquarters, 160 Regent Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, Georgetown, commencing daily at 08:00h.
By Samuel Sukhnandan
Approximately 87 student teachers at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have been sent home, after failing three courses in the third semester of the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) programme.
The disgruntled student teachers on Tuesday flocked the main branch of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) at Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, where they vented their frustration.
GTU President Colin Bynoe, in making representation for the teachers, said the issue was brought to his attention recently. He noted that these teachers come from almost all of the CPCE centres set up nationwide and are practising in the field.
They are first-year students, who should be second-year students, he said.
Guidelines
The GTU official added that while he understands that the guidelines are clear and straightforward, he believes that the teachers were treated unfairly, to some extent.
Bynoe told Guyana Times that the main issue lies in the implementation of the ADE programme, which is still to be ironed out.
The ADE programme, which started in 2010, has
several problems.
According to him, during the first two years of the programme, a majority of the students failed as many as 11 courses.
Despite this, they were given a chance to rewrite almost all of the examinations. However, in this case, students only failed three courses and were sent home.
Rewrite
Bynoe, therefore, believes that this batch of students should have been given the same privilege to rewrite the courses they failed.
If not, they should have been informed that the course guidelines, as it relates to failure, would have been implemented in full at the teachers’ training college.
“I find that as being
pretty unfair even though things are printed in the booklet, the students knowing what happened to those in the past would have been expecting the same,” he added.
The student teachers were given notice that their names would be pulled from the ADE progamme.
Further, they were told that they would be able to rejoin the course a year later, but would have to go through the entire application process, before they are granted entry.
The GTU also raised concerns over the recent move made by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to provide notices to temporary unqualified masters/mistresses (TUMs), requesting that they get themselves qualified within nine months.
The notice, the GTU said, also stated that if they fail to do so, they could lose their jobs. Bynoe noted that the student teachers who were sent home could possibly fall in that category of TUMs.
He, therefore, questioned whether the move was a good one, or one aimed at reducing the annual bill incurred by the Education Ministry to pay teachers countrywide.
Talks Despite these challenges, Bynoe said he will initiate talks with Education Minister Priya Manickchand on this same issue.
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam told this newspaper on Tuesday that while he was not aware of that particular issue, he believes that there was some proper reason for the action taken.
Sam said that the CPCE operates under strict guidelines, rules, and regulations, and these are all important to maintain the high standard and quality of educators produced by the college.
He also believes that the decision must have come from the board of directors at CPCE, and he finds no reason why the decision made is not just and in keeping with guidelines. (samuelsukhnandan@guyanatimesgy.com)
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
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World leaders gathered earlier this week alongside the 68th United Nations General Assembly to launch an inclusive approach to fighting malaria, a disease which – despite tremendous advances – still kills an estimated 660,000 each year and poses a major challenge to development. It is widely believed that an inclusive approach, meaning the involvement of a wide cross-section of stakeholders is the only way that the fight against malaria could be successful.
The Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Stectoral Action Framework for Malaria call for greater coordinated action among different development sectors to tackle the disease, which exacts its deadliest toll in sub-Saharan Africa.
More particularly, the framework identifies actions on the social and environmental determinants of malaria, and urges that current malaria strategies are complemented by a broader development approach, encouraging policymakers and practitioners to increase partnerships between sectors to accelerate both socio-economic development and malaria control.
It follows an RBM-UNDP joint consultation among more than 70 experts from a variety of sectors and provides an operational roadmap for identifying key steps, expected outcomes, and capacities needed to integrate malaria control into broader development processes.
UNDP says that with stronger global health partnerships and coordination, recent years have seen unprecedented progress in defeating malaria. Increased funding and greater roll-out of life-saving interventions have resulted in a 25 per cent decrease in global malaria deaths, and 43 countries around the world have seen malaria cases decrease by more than 50 per cent. But stakeholders have noted that factors that increase vulnerability to malaria infection often lie outside the health sector, including housing, education, urban planning, agriculture, transportation and mining, which all need robust attention
There is also the challenge of funding for crucial malaria programmes. UNDP warns that while global funding for malaria reached unprecedented levels in 2010, challenging economic times have left an estimated US$5 billion annual funding gap in order to reach universal coverage of malaria control measures. In Africa alone, there is a funding gap of US$3.6 billion through 2015 that jeopardises the progress made and threatens to keep communities from reaching their full potential.
In this regard, Dr Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, executive director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, was quoted as saying that with half the world’s population still at risk of malaria, and uncertain funding in the future, efforts must be made to expand the approach and maximise the impact of investments.
According to UNDP, since 2001 the world has seen tremendous progress against malaria. Forty-three countries worldwide have reduced their malaria cases by a minimum of 50 per cent, and many countries have reported decreases in child mortality across the board as malaria interventions have been scaled-up. However, despite these unprecedented advancements, malaria continues to pose a challenge to health officials and policy makers.
In Guyana, while there is still a far way to go, this country has made significant progress in the malaria fight. Since Guyana signed onto the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), overall records indicate steady progress towards the sixth MDG which relates to combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
This improvement can be attributed to successes in prevention efforts, as well as in the detection and treatment of contracted cases. The priorities include improving compliance with treatment, and overcoming the logistical difficulties associated with detection, treatment and monitoring of interventions.
Recognised as one of the United Nations MDGs – MDG 6 – and named as one of the secretary-general’s top priorities under his second mandate, malaria impacts all aspects of development. It is a disease associated with lack of socioeconomic development, poverty, marginalisation and exploitation, hence there is need for continuous efforts to be made at all levels to ensure that the gains made so far are sustained and built upon.
Dear Editor,
A restraining order must be taken seriously. Many women do not want to tell on abusive partners because they are fearful of retaliation. The culture here is not one of adherence to the law, where this is concerned. That is why those who disobey an order of restraint must be punished and all of Guyana should know about it.
A man who recently breached one such order was remanded by a magistrate. He used threatening language after the virtual complainant revealed the breach. Brave woman this is and there is a need for many more like her. Abusive men thrive on the quiet nature of women.
She took up the matter further and called in the po -
Dear Editor,
Crime fighting must be holistic. The general citizenry must help as much as possible. We must not wait until the criminals hit us before we act collectively with the police. Crime is more than personal. It is anti-societal in every way, so that corporate stand is vital.
When we leave our homes, we must not worry about thieves – we should not. We can watch and make checks and even get the community policing groups and police to make some rounds. If criminals know that they are under surveillance, they back off.
How do we fight? I suggest that we be in close contact with the police and help keep them on their feet. We must report every single suspicious act or person. This thing about liming late on the road must also be addressed.
Our women folk get jumpy and many street side hold ups have taken place. We can go even further – those who do not work but lime about asking for money must be watched carefully. They are known to be petty thieves and
they sometimes give information to high level criminals.
I think that we can fight better too if licensed firearm holders lead the way. Their numbers should be made available and if necessary, they can make some patrols with citizens. However, this kind of thing should be done in tandem with the community policing group and the police station. We cannot run off blindly.
A final thought is on my mind, and this was echoed by the police force in general. It is that people with information must come forward. Too many people show unwillingness. This is what many criminals thrive on. It is not that those with knowledge must advertise what they know. They can offer help in a very confidential manner.
I see the arresting of many fugitives and we will get criminals shortly. It has started to happen already. Let us stay with our programme.
Yours faithfully, Resident of MetenMeer-Zorg Name withheld by request
lice, and hence he is where he is – in prison till his next court hearing. She was really being tortured. I recall another case not too long ago.
The man, after being bailed, went home and seriously injured the woman. This problem is not easy to solve. If only we can see in the minds of abusers! But we cannot, so it is better to keep them shut in. I think that
during these moments, a lot of good things can happen to any abuser. For one, his anger may just disappear. Many women are scared of reporting their husbands. They are afraid that even if they put them away, they will only come back for revenge.
Yours truly, Kyle Joseph
Dear Editor, I am very upbeat that sport at the grass root level is really catching on. I like the media hype too. President Donald Ramotar formally handed over a newly constructed pavilion at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.
I think that I am right in saying that the president knows a little bit about cricket. When the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) was launched at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, he took the ceremonial first ball.
Enmore is almost synonymous with cricket and sugar, and a lot of the estate people do indulge in cricket. This pavilion then will serve to encourage villagers, especially the younger folk. They lime too much at the street corner anyway. I can see the afternoons and weekends now being packed with matches. The nice thing too is that most of these grounds can host a regular 50-
over game, while a number of softball matches are going on in the open space around the actual playing area.
I agree with the president that the development of sport and sporting facilities is very important to the overall objective of improving the quality of life for citizens. We will all agree that a disciplined life means the chances for a better quality of life. All the grounds must put measures in place to ensure no kind of vandalism. The grounds should all have good fences as this will convey seriousness too. I have seen the damage to the actual turf when animals are allowed free range in them. Wherever there is investment in the facilities, I think that accountability should follow. The sports department should do some kind of monitoring.
Yours sincerely, Resident of Enmore Name withheld by request
send your
Dear Editor, It is very relieving that the police were successful in apprehending bandits as they were about to commit a robbery at De Willem, West Coast Demerara. One was killed and, so far, nothing is being said about the many victims that robbers have killed and maimed. So I hope that no one will dare speak out against anything like too much force by our lawmen.
Just the other day, a man chopped two police officers as they were arresting him. Sad indeed that he
was shot to death, but why did he attack the lawmen?
The cry from a few people was that the police should have used less or better strategic force. I agree, but can one slow down and really think and plan in the heat of battle?
Robbers shoot anybody when in flight from police. The police definitely do not set out to kill, but it is far better that the robbers be subdued, and if death should befall them, then I will exculpate the enforcers of the law. Innocent and hard-working people always
think this way. They have vested interest in the country. If it is indeed true that a taxi driver and his vehicle are now in police custody, and that there was an admission from the driver that they were on a robbery, then this is something to work on. Many taxi drivers are doing some suspicious things. I always advocate for taxis to be emblazoned with an alphabetical/numerical lighted sign board on their roofs. This is the way in many countries. If caught without this, then
they should be charged and be removed from the road. I see that some of the bandits are still on the run. It is very safe to assume that the two, who are now in custody, will have a lot to tell. I know that we have a few crime rings, and I sense that this opportunity to close in on one must not be missed. I think that we must have faith in the police force. We must cooperate. I cannot see how its members will let us down.
Yours faithfully, Patrick Gouveia
Dear Editor,
The president of the One Road Safety Association is calling for government to move towards the reintroduction of big buses so as to alleviate the suffering of schoolchildren. They are normally left on the road hours after classes commence and end.
The reason, according to this man, is that some bus operators blatantly refuse to pick children up. Well is there a law that says that these bus operators must pick them up? I guess the answer is no. These children, many of them from ordinary working families, usually pay a lower fare, and they go in as extras.
The bus operators then prefer to take any the extras as a full paying person. These
children sometimes decide to pay the adult fare because of necessity – they do not want to be too long on the road. This is a stress factor anyway and it is the very antithesis of studying and concentrating at school.
So overloading is no excuse, operating against the picking up of these children. In this analysis, I suggest the move for big buses, even if only for the children, and we can add for senior citizens, as this group is another set that can do with some transportation help.
It is now the seventh straight year that the members of the Enterprise Road Safety Association have been marking and brightening up road signs and pedestri-
an crossings. On these occasions, the president always takes the opportunity to appeal to road users to exercise care, courtesy, caution, commonsense and consideration, especially when approaching school zones.
The thing is that here in Guyana, we have so many erring school children. They fall easy prey to embellished buses with loud music. It is really a sad state of affairs. I know of many minibus drivers and conductors who really carry on with these students. The impression is very suspicious, and this is something that must be looked at. So this is another reason for having special school buses. These will lend themselves to a more sober disposition from both the
students and the drivers.
Finally, the road safety patrols at the various learning institutions should be resuscitated. It will definitely make things easier and safer. If students can cross in groups, it makes for the saving of time, easier spotting of them on the roads, and also for better road discipline from them and all drivers.
If we have the big buses, larger groups of students will be disembarking at any given single time, and this adds a whole lot more to road safety. Maybe, a few private people can think of going this way too. We should not wait for government to do everything.
Sincerely, Ariel Carmichael
or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Dear Editor, The recent headline that Cuba won most of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) awards was embarrassing, in my view. Cuba copped most of them in television and radio broadcast. I am really saddened that Guyana did not really shine. I am referring to the sloppiness of many media professionals in Guyana.
Maybe we do not care or it could be that we do not belong to a professional media environment. We just wanted a job and just happened to end up in the media.
I find we try to copy and imitate all the time and on the majority of occasions, we end up moving from correctness to incorrectness.
The next ugly thing is when we try to embellish our speech, patterning ourselves after the Americans. We grew up with the British standard and until our constitution makes a shift, then we need to teach language accordingly. These overnight shifts reflect that, as
media practitioners, we just do not know why we are doing things.
Now Cuba has helped Guyana tremendously in the medical field and maybe we need to get some help in a few areas of media work. I know that there will be a language gap, but I am not talking things like language and so. I am referring to production work for radio and television.
I hardly see local documentaries. I have also noticed that our lack of effort shows up when we take television pieces and use them for radio. So it is like listening to the television alone. The two operations are dramatically different and we need to sharpen ourselves here.
I think that Guyana can do better where media work is concerned. We may not win awards, but at least we can clean up our act.
Sincerely, Reporter Name withheld by request
Some mothers, unwittingly and sometimes unconsciously, try to replace departed husbands with sons.
Jawanza Kunjufu, PhD, gives a hypothetical situation in which a divorced mother reasons that her 16-year-old son can help move furniture, repair the car, do most of the physical work around the house. “Some mothers like this arrangement,” says Dr Kunjufu, a noted author who runs a family counselling service in Chicago. “So they encourage the son to remain at home until he is 40. He never has to leave. That’s why some males never marry. They can shack with their girlfriends, and when she gets upset and wants to put him out, he can always return home to his mother.”
Dr Kunjufu goes on to say that some mothers make similar mistakes when their sons are even younger. For instance, a single mother might tell her nine-year-old son that he is the man of the house. “It is unfair to put that responsibility on a nine-year-old boy, to tell him he’s a man,” says Dr Kunjufu. “Secondly, many boys will believe this, which means that the mother had better not have her boyfriend come over to spend the night because he is the man of the house, and he’s not going to like that.”
In an effort to have an intimate, loving relationship with their sons, many women, adds Dr Elmore, mistakenly turn their sons into mother’s confidant and pal. “And
that is something that works to the disadvantage of the relationship,” he says. “It works against the boy developing because it teaches him he is responsible for women rather than he is responsive to women. He feels he has to take away a woman’s hurt and pain. When he is an adult and into his own relationships, he pulls away from women, when he is not able to provide that kind of counsel. He feels that if his adult mother is so immature and needy, that tends to form his definition of what women are all about. It results in him having less respect for women.”
Counsellors also point out that mothers often have a double standard for how they rear and discipline their children. “Some mothers raise their daughters and mother their sons,” Dr Kunjufu explains. “They make their daughters come in early but not their sons. They make their daughters do indoor chores – washing the dishes, making dinner, sweeping – things that must be done daily, whereas the sons have the `outdoor’ chores – emptying the garbage, cutting the grass, etc – which are done about once a week.” He points out that mothers often make daughters study and do homework, whereas they don’t press their sons to do the same. The discrepancy could be
due to observations of how the mother and her brothers were reared. Or it could be that the father, if one is present in the home, doesn’t want the son involved in domestic chores. It also could be the fear of instilling “feminine
qual - ities” in the son. “Some single mothers feel that if they have their sons do domestic chores and study, it will make them too feminine,” says Dr Kunjufu.
“Tough love is critical,” says Dr Kunjufu. “And some mothers, unfortunately, do not want to give their sons tough love. I think that God designed the family perfectly with a father and a mother. One [the father] primarily looks at the law, and the other [the mother] looks at grace. But when
the law is missing, then unfortunately many times boys get grace only and they begin to take advantage of it. So a single mother has got to understand that with the father not being there, she has to give tough love and lay down the law.”
Dr Elmore adds that mothers should give sons options along with discipline in an effort to teach them decisionmaking rather than how to passively follow instructions.
For instance, it can be made clear that if grades don’t improve, then sports and social activities must be curtailed.
“You don’t want to cut off the freedom to make independent decisions and learn self-management,” says Dr Elmore. “A boy who doesn’t master self-management ends up in prison with another set of role models.”
He also says that with boys, criticism is not as effective as rewarding good behaviour. “Behaviour that you reward is the behaviour that he repeats,” says Dr Elmore. “Approval is a great discipline factor for boys.”
Dr Berry emphasises that mothers should start early talking to their sons about what is expected of them. She says they should be given responsibilities and taught how to take care of themselves –how to shop, cook, wash dishes, do laundry, get the car repaired. “Tell them that they are expected to make good grades and go to college,” she
advises. “Teach them how to get a job, to earn money, and then teach them to manage their money. Let them know they are expected to get their own places, and then take care of themselves rather than depending on someone else to do it.”
Communication
Another challenge for mothers in particular is encouraging sons to communicate effectively. “It is important for mothers to talk to their boys, but also to listen to what they have to say,” says Dr Elmore. “We tend to let the boys get away with being nonverbal whereas we encourage girls to talk. Listen to the son as though what he is saying is extremely important, even if you disagree. Listen, and then comment and correct, if necessary.”
Nearly every mother knows how hard it can be to communicate with her son. Sometimes it seems as her son grows older, he grows more distant. How can we get our sons to talk to us?
Don’t try to approach your son like you would your daughter. Wait and watch for cues that your son is willing to talk. Ease into a conversation slowly and carefully. Give him something to keep his hands busy while he talks. Don’t make an emotional or dramatic response. Remember the “male code.” Let him choose the time to talk. (Your Pure Life)
BY RON AFABLE
The increasing trend of women becoming bread winners and the shift in the way people work (telecommuting, less work-day per week, etc) has resulted in more fathers becoming “stay-athome-Dads.” This development suddenly puts the term “parenting” on the menu of these otherwise absentee parents-the bumbling, inefficient, clueless Dads (at least, that’s how the media constantly portrays us.)
I provide for my family, ergo I’m a good Dad... It’s natural human tendency to model our behaviour upon what we see around us. Thus naturally, as men, we learn a lot from observing our own fathers. In the yester years, it was the father who went out to work. The roles of teacher, caregiver, nurse, and friend fell squarely on mummy’s shoulder. All daddies had to do was provide the check at the end of the month.
It was also common for dads to be closer to their boys as they easily identified with them. Also, there was a belief that they needed to be there for their sons to serve as a good “role model.” Who else would teach them how to kick a soccer ball properly or fix the leaking faucet? The girls? Mom can definitely see to them. After all, what do we dad’s know about Barbie dolls and dress up parties.
Unfortunately, such myopic misconceptions hold till today. And if you continue down this path, before you know it, your baby girl would be all grown up, without you ever really knowing her.
Don’t be surprised when on her wedding day, you are hit by this sudden realisation that you didn’t really have much of a relationship with the beautiful lady you’re walking down the aisle with. And at that point, trust me, neither your money nor your gifts can ever compensate for the time and moments you never had with your precious princess.
Experience is the best teacher, but if you don’t have it... As if parenting itself is not overwhelming enough, having to deal with little girls who are made of “sugar and spice and everything nice,” can be nothing short of daunting. Unlike mothers, who have their own past to relate to, we men find it difficult to understand what goes on inside these seemingly fragile and beautiful beings. Come to think of it, we still don’t understand them several decades later, when they’re wearing make-up, high heels (wink-wink) and bossing us around. (Ezine Articles)
BY SABATINI DANIELS
The National Geographic Explorer cruise ship on Tuesday docked in Guyana for a twoday tour of the country, enhancing the growing profile of the local tourism sector.
The 110 visitors onboard the state-of-the-art, 148-passenger vessel will visit sites such as the Kaieteur Falls, Georgetown, and the Essequibo and Mazaruni rivers.
During a visit to the ship anchored in the Essequibo River, Captain Oliver Kruess disclosed that the cruiser visited Guyana more than 18 years ago, when it passed through the Orinoco River, but could not have stopped in the country as it had lacked the infrastructure to host guests and entertainment activities.
“Traditionally, we would sail by, the ships would visit the Orinoco and en route to the Amazon, they would only
The body of an unidentified dead man was discovered in the wee hours of Tuesday morning outside of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
The man is of East Indian descent and seems to be in his early 40s. At the time of the discovery, his body was in a pool of blood.
Guyana Times was told that the man was found in a slouching position bracing the hospital’s fence on New Market Street, closer to the Thomas Street intersection.
After the discovery was made, undertakers from the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour arrived and took the corpse away. Up to late last evening, no one had come forward to identify the body.
When contacted, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said he has no information about the discovery and suggested that the police may have not suspected any foul play; hence, no probe was launched.
According to witnesses, a blood trail was visible from the road to where the man was found. The man appears
to be a vagrant, as he was barefooted and seemed unkempt. He was at the time wearing a black jersey and three-quarter pants.
The eyewitnesses disclosed that they saw blood in the region of his back.
When this publication inquired from vendors and taxi drivers who operate outside the medical facility, they say the man used to be seen around the Bourda Market area.
They claim that the man was seen lying there since Monday night but no one could ascertain whether he was dead since then.
“A lot of vagrants does be sleeping out here, so nobody don’t really pay no mind to them, is only because people see blood on the road make they know this man dead or else everybody woulda walk pass he and ain’t notice anything up to now,” said a vendor in the area.
This publication also understands that investigators went to the scene around 06:00h to look into the matter. Then came the undertakers about 90 minutes after and removed the corpse.
The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is advising customers from Calcutta to De Hoop, East Coast Demerara, as well as customers of Weldaad and Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, that all well stations serving these areas are experiencing low voltage due to generation problems affecting the Guyana
Power and Light Company (GPL).
This has resulted in reduced levels of water service, GWI said. Affected communities include the entire Mahaicony/Mahaica area as well as the Mahaica Hospital. GWI is working closely with GPL to restore normal service and regrets any inconvenience caused.
ers. Wilderness Explores Director Shaun Mc Grath said after years of lobbying the cruise ship, the company finally assented to come to Guyana, adding that one of the major challenges of bringing ships into the country is that the rivers are not deep or large enough to facilitate big vessels.
He disclosed that the
visit French Guiana’s Devil Island, they always looked along Guyana’s coast and it was always, gosh! One day we would really like to come and explore! And this year, it becomes a reality,” he said.
Captain Kruess said the massive infrastructural development the country has experienced during the past 20 years prompted the visit, noting that Guyana is a prime destination for cruis-
tour company is constantly at trade shows pushing for persons to visit Guyana, and said with the National Geographic Explorer’s visit, it will be able to market Guyana as a prime destination.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali encouraged the tourists to enjoy the beautiful country which is known for its breathtaking and abun-
dant flora and fauna. The journey is part of a 38-day cruise, visiting eight countries, including Guyana.
Onboard the National Geographic Explorer is a team of experts, including resident explorer Wade David and pioneering conservationist and National Geographic fellow Thomas Love Joy.
The ship carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac motorised landing craft, as well as sophisticated video equipment that allows access to the underwater world. The public areas include a lounge and bar, a spa, a fitness centre, a sauna and a selection of dining options.
Minister Ali and Captain Kruess also exchanged tokens of appreciations during the brief tour of the cruiser.
The acting tourism minister will host a cocktail reception for the members onboard the vessel this evening. (sabatinid@guyanatimesgy.com)
wednesday, september 25, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com
By Vahnu Manikchand
Notorious criminal Tyrone "Cobra" Rowe was on Tuesday jailed for 78 years after a jury found him guilty of murdering a Plaisance resident in August 2010.
Rowe, 21, of Lot 268 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown, was indicted with the murder of Troy Collymore, called “Collie” and “Nelly” on August 7, 2010 during the robbery of a business at Plaisance Railway and Embankment, East Coast Demerara.
He was represented by Attorney Hukumchand Parag.
The trial of Rowe began last Wednesday before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury. State Counsel Teshana Lake prosecuted the case and presented nine witnesses, including two eyewitnesses.
The first witness, Constable Neil Thornhill testified that he was off duty and at the business place on the night in question when three armed men attacked.
The officer said he recognised “Cobra”, who was standing outside the premises with another accomplice, since he was a known charac-
ter to the police. The accused was 17 years old at the time.
The other eyewitness, Chandrika Datt, the owner of the business, testified that after the robbery, he was called to pick out the perpetrators during an identification parade; however, the person that he pointed out was not Rowe.
He stated that the person he picked out was the one who held him at gunpoint in his pharmacy and took away a quantity of cash and eight laptop computers.
Closing addresses
The prosecutor initially had 13 witnesses; however, she only managed to call nine and closed her case on Monday after which the accused was called upon to lead his defence.
The young man elected to give an unsworn statement from the dock, declaring that he is innocent of the offence and knows nothing about it. Afterwards, both the defence attorney and the prosecutor made their closing addresses to the jury.
Then on Tuesday, Justice Singh summed up the evidence presented during the trial before the jury panel retired to the jury room to deliberate on a verdict. Some
three hours later, the panel returned with a unanimous verdict of guilty.
Before the sentence was imposed, the defence attorney made a plea for mitigation, asking the court to be lenient to his client.
However, the prosecutor requested the maximum sentence to be imposed, since the accused has other matters pending in court.
The trial judge, in delivering the sentence, started with a standard 60 years and added an additional 18 years taking all the aggravating factors into consideration.
When Justice Singh informed the accused that he was being sentenced to 78
years, the entire courtroom was stunned and wails from the accused’s family filled the air.
Rowe’s initial reaction was one of shock and disbelief. He was heard saying “Jah father” from the dock. He was asked whether he wanted to say anything before he was sent to prison, and he confidently said that he wanted to be freed from the charge, reiterating that he did not know anything about it.
As he was escorted to the prison’s holding area at the court, he was overheard telling his mother “it hit me to my heart”.
Killed
According to reports, during the robbery, on August 5, 2010 about 21:45h, Datt’s friends, Noel Phillips, 48, and Troy Collymore, 35, were outside and had been held up by two other armed men, who took a quantity of jewellery and cash from Phillips, an overseas-based Guyanese.
Rounds were discharged resulting in the death of one of the perpetrators, Anthony “Bow Wow” Taylor.
Collymore and Phillips, along with 23-year-old Clyde Harris, were all injured and were admitted to the hospital for medical treatment. Phillips was shot to his right arm and chest, while Harris was received gunshot wounds to his left jaw, and Collymore was shot to his head.
Collymore was placed on a ventilator; however, he was already considered “brain dead” by doctors. Two days later on August 7, he was taken off the ventilator and was clinically pronounced dead at 12:00h. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)
Aman was on Tuesday granted bail after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman on an assault charge.
Twenty-eight-year-old John Bookey of Lot 2 Victoria Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on September 15 at Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, he unlawfully assaulted his wife Debra Bookey.
He was represented by Attorney Mohamed Zafar who told the court that his client is employed at the Cheddie Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as an aviation security officer and paid $5000 station bail last week.
In his application for reasonable bail, he told the court that Bookey has no antecedents.
There were no objections to bail raised by the prosecution and it was granted in the sum of $60,000.
The matter is set to return to court on September 30.
The opposition’s back at it with their misdirections on the burgeoning crime situation that’s fast careening out of control. As we’d said before, its eerie how closely the upsurge is tracking the events of 1998-1999 that led us into almost a state of war, with criminals taking their attacks even against the government. After various and sundry robberies and killings across the country – we now have the gunning down of a Tactical Services Unit (TSU) policeman.
And what does the opposition say about this criminal déjà vu? Blame the Homes Affairs Minister Clement Rohee!! In Guyana more than anywhere else we should know that everything occurs within a context. The opposition’s focus on Rohee is part and parcel of their programme of creating disorder and destabilising Guyana so that the People’s Proggressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government wouldn’t be able to have the country continue on its upward growth trajectory. It’s as simple and as cynical as that.
You’d think with something as critical as crime, which could so easily get out of control and consume us all, the opposition would step back from its inveterate politicking, wouldn’t you? Don’t bet on it. They’re desperate – and desperate men take desperate measures. We should be especially concerned with the Alliance For Change (AFC) that’s falling into oblivion from within and without. Expect to see them lash out even more feverishly.
Just look at their reaction to the banditry that has exploded in Berbice. This is the area where they exploited local sentiments of alienation from the centre to get most of their seats to Parliament. Both Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo boast about being “Berbicians”. It would be interesting to find out when was the last time either one of them spent a night in the ancient county. If they had, they’d know the people know the government has spent billions on the police force who’re yet to deliver the goods.
But they focus on Rohee. It’s so obvious that they are eaten up with bitterness and bile that while they are about to go under with the tsunami of defections, they see Rohee promoted as general secretary of the PPP/C. This must have really torn them apart. So we can expect an extra dab of vitriol from their mouths and pen on Rohee. Their undoing, of course, is that their ambition exceeds their grasp. And we know also that ambition must be made of sterner stuff.
And why haven’t we heard a single world from their regional member of Parliament, the bush doctor Veerasammy Ramaya? He must be cowering under his bed in Berbice while his bosses in Georgetown find excuses for the criminals and shout “Get Rohee!”
...misusing religion
The government of Guyana and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guuyana (CIOG) have issued a swift condemnation of the shootings in a Kenyan Mall that left scores dead, hundreds wounded and thousands traumatised. The gunmen who claim to be Muslims have been rejected by the CIOG which has stoutly maintained that anyone who would kill innocent people out of revenge couldn’t possibly be representing Islam.
This is a timely reminder for Guyanese. We’re only too aware because of our recent history that there are elements in our society who’ve no compunction in using words like “defending democracy” and “speaking for the marginalised” to encourage extremists to resort to violence.
While our massacres of Lusignan, Bartica and Agricola might collectively not equal the carnage in Kenya, in proportion to our population, it is a tragedy of equal impact.
What kind of “democrats” in Guyana would ignore the senseless killings by bandits and keep on attacking a minister who has been fighting a valiant rearguard action to stir the police into greater efforts? Facilitators of terrorism, that’s who.
In these days of tension with the bandits and killings, we certainly need whatever comic relief we can get. There’s a fella ROTF LoL who claims to be most qualified to speak out on corruption. Must really be corrupt to make that boast!!
Unicomer Guyana, operators of the Courts furniture chain, on Tuesday commissioned the site for the construction of a $1 billion (US$5.4 million) distribution centre as it celebrates 20 years doing business in Guyana.
Speaking at the sod turning ceremony, Unicomer Guyana Executive Vice President Guillermo Siman said the four acre Eccles, East Bank Demerara location will host a 60,000 square feet distribution centre.
The centre is expected to be completed in August 2014.
“Twenty-three years ago in Guyana, we value innovation and excellence in services and strategic vision has grown to an even bigger vision… our current distribution centre at Montrose has out lived its usefulness,” said Siman.
He added: “The US$5.4 million investments demonstrated the confidence in Guyana and its economy and this distribution centre will add to efficiency and improvements in proper distributions and stacking of goods.”
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was high in praise of the investment.
“The group set out to bring better quality life for Guyanese people… furniture sold was sourced locally from small business owners and if the standard were met, they were even sold in other stores across the region,” said Hinds. The prime minister said the government is happy when employment opportunities are created through the establishment of new businesses throughout Guyana.
“We are conscious of the employment opportunities created and more so, the goods and services which Unicomer will provide to the Guyanese public… Guyana has been growing, but there is still a lot more to be done,” Hinds said.
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who also spoke at the occasion, said Guyana
has been growing rapidly over the past 20 years, and praised the contribution of the furniture giant to the national economy.
“Courts has made enormous contributions to the landscape of Guyana and they have done a lot more than to simply furnish households, they did not only pioneered retail trade, but also introduce the line of consumer credit,” he said.
He noted that collaboration with the private and public sectors have led to thousands of young Guyanese being able to acquire a home and enjoy easy access to credit.
Dr Singh said there is need for continued growth, but citizens have to become more productive, both individually and collectively.
“One of the things aimed at in this new facility is an increase in productivity,”
Dr Singh said, as he underscored the importance of growing and developing the nation.
He maintained that greater productivity comes from higher levels of education and skills training, as well as the health of the country’s citizens.
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling said the investment is positive sign of a bright for Guyana.
“This will see employment, improvements in efficiency and landscape. It will give small business the opportunity to use the facility as storage in busy season.”
He added: “Despite having foreign investors, we see them as one private sector and as Guyanese companies, because they are providing services and goods for a Guyanese population and domestic purposes.”
The Courts chain remains the largest furniture retailer in Guyana and the Unicomer brand is one of the largest retailers in the Caribbean, operating in 90 stores in 11 territories.
Ashopowner was on Monday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry on a possession of narcotics charge.
Sheldon Boyce of Lot 1919 Haley Street, Wortmanville pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on September 22 at Arangoy Backdam, Cuyuni he had in his possession 244 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Boyce was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh who told the court that his client is 37 years old and that the substance found does not belong to him. He also made a request for reasonable bail.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds that no special reasons were given. Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry refused bail and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for October 3.
According to the facts, on the day in question, police ranks when to the shop owned by the accused and conducted a search in his presence. On a shelf, a black plastic bag was found which contained leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. He was questioned and claimed ownership, saying that he smokes it.
Anew World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) report finds legal and regulatory barriers to women’s economic inclusion have decreased over the past 50 years globally, but many laws still hinder women’s participation in the economy.
According to a recent World Bank publication, laws restricting women’s economic activity are currently most prevalent in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The third in a series; Women, Business and the Law 2014: Removing Restrictions to Enhance Gender Equality monitors regulations affecting women entrepreneurs and employees in 143 economies.
Reforms
This edition highlights reforms carried out over the past two years, examines the evolution of women’s property rights and legal decisionmaking ability since 1960 and expands coverage to examine legal protections addressing violence against women.
“The ideal of equality before the law and equality of economic opportunity isn’t just wise social policy: It’s smart economic policy,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.
“When women and men participate in economic life on an equal footing, they can contribute their energies to building a more cohesive society and a more resilient economy,” he said.
This report finds 44 economies have made 48 legal changes, thus increasing women’s economic opportunities over the past two years. Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, the Philippines and the Slovak Republic had the most reforms.
Among the reforms, husbands can no longer unilaterally stop their wives from working in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, the Philippines has
lifted restrictions on night work for women, and the Slovak Republic increased the percentage of wages paid during maternity leave.
Restrictions
The report finds economies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia have the most extensive lists of jobs women cannot do. For example, in the Russian Federation, women cannot drive trucks in the agricultural sector, in Belarus, they cannot be carpenters, and in Kazakhstan, they cannot be welders.
These restrictions may have arisen from a desire to protect women, but can limit their employment options. The report shows economies with the most job restrictions on women have lower female participation in the formal labour force.
“Progress on gender equality under the law is accelerating,” said World Bank Group, Global Indicators and Analysis Director Augusto Lopez-Claros.
“Our data shows that over the past 50 years, countries everywhere have started removing long-standing restrictions on women’s ability to participate more fully in the economy,” he said.
Between 1960 and 2010, more than half the restrictions on women’s property rights and ability to conduct legal transactions were removed in the 100 economies examined. Restrictions in three regions – Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and East
Asia and the Pacific – were cut in half. While some restrictions were removed in South Asia and in the Middle East and North Africa, these two regions reformed the least.
Major innovation
Another major innovation in the report is new data on the existence and scope of laws on two areas of violence against women: sexual harassment and domestic violence.
Covering 100 economies, the data shows that prohibi-
est laws on domestic violence is the Middle East and North Africa.
The report shows lower gender legal parity is associated with fewer women participating in firm ownership, while policies encouraging women to join and remain in the labour force are associated with greater income equality.
Even though the report offers signs of improvement for women’s economic opportunities globally, it shows economies can do more to ensure women’s participation in economic life.
Women, business and the law measures how laws, regulations and institutions differentiate between women and men in ways that may affect women’s incentives or capacity to work or to set up and run a business.
It analyses legal differences on the basis of gender in 143 economies, covering six areas: gaining access to institutions, using property, getting a job, providing incentives to work, building credit and going to court.
tions against sexual harassment in the workplace are widespread – 78 economies have legislation and over half of these criminalise the behaviour. Legislation on domestic violence is also widespread – 76 economies have laws prohibiting domestic violence.
The region with the few-
The project provides a clear picture of gender gaps based on legal differences in each economy, but it does not capture the full extent of the gender gap, nor does it indicate the relative importance of each aspect covered.
This year’s report was published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
Satiricus was feeling a bit skittish. More than a bit skittish...downright bugged out, if the truth be told. What, with all those bandits shooting like they were crazy, it didn’t exactly give him any peace of mind. As he went though his morning newspapers with his breakfast, the screaming headlines didn’t help either. Especially from the MuckrakerKN.
But that sells newspapers, no? So Satiricus figured this had to be the reason for the MuckrakerKN to bury a most interesting report in the maws of the newspaper –without even giving it a mention in the front pages? And what was the story? Well, one that dealt with conflict of interest, corruption and political influence. All the things the MuckrakerKN kept screaming about.
It was the story of how a fella who exported Banga Mary from Guyana was able to buy the most prime piece of real estate in Guyana – Guyana Stores Limited (GSL). A short roly-poly fella by the name of Boney Kasim came into the boardroom of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) with a suitcase of cash – all in small U.S. bills – and plunked it down on the table. Trouble was the count was US$2 million short – a cool $400 million Guyana. But by the time the accountants could count up the small bills, the deal had been sealed.
The fella, whose “best friend” is the publisher of the MuckrakerKN Mook Lall, promised to pay what he owed “later”. Story is that it’s Mook Lall who’s really the investor. But since he got his loot from “backtracking”, he wants to hide his tracks. Nowadays they call it “money laundering”. Since he got in on the ground floor on the money laundering business, Mook Lall now considers himself an expert in the business.
So the Mook and his best friend Boney promptly take over the premier store in Guyana, run it like a fish shop (ever passed through the supermarket?) and run it into the ground. They really only wanted the cover for the backtracking business. And Dem Boys seh also for the other stuff that was packed in with the fish going up to New York.
Dem Boys also seh that since all the other stores in Guyana already sell out, the Mook had to invest in a mall to keep on laundering his money. The man more busy than the Chinese in the laundry business.
So where is the “political influence”? Well, Dem Boys also seh that back in the day, the Mook used to be friends with some politicians. But he eye too big and so they fall out. So he start attacking the politicians for “conflict of interest”, “corruption” and “political influence”.
The MuckrakerKN always tell it like it is, thought Satiricus. But it look like when Mook Lall involved, they don’t tell everything. Tell some, and hide the big part. As Dem Boys seh.
President Donald Ramotar will be addressing the 68th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 26 at its New York headquarters where leaders of 193 nations are at present meeting.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary General Ban-kimoon addressed the opening of the General Assembly, followed by several heads of state and government after high-level meetings started on September 23.
Among the presidents to speak on Tuesday were U.S.’s Barack Obama, Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff, Chile’s Sebastian Pinera and France’s Francois Hollande.
The UN secretary general, who opened the general debate, said the world was in an era of astounding opportunity, as it was the first
generation that could remove poverty.
On the contrary, he said pressures on the planet, such as climate change, youth unemployment, and unsettled conflicts were climbing, even as events on the ground were outpacing institutions and systems designed for another age.
He cautioned about the threat to sustainable development posed by climate change, noting that the poorest and most vulnerable were first to suffer.
The UN secretary general spoke of the Syrian situation which he termed the “biggest peace and security challenge in the world”, and noted that the Syrian
government must fully and quickly honour the obligations it has assumed in acceding to the chemical weapons convention. He also spoke of the Millennium Development Goals which generated remarkable gains, but progress on some of them was delayed.
President Ramotar, who delivered his inaugural address to the UN on September 27 last, had touched on several sensitive global issues, including the recognition of the state of Palestine based on its 1967 borders, lifting the historic U.S. blockade on Cuba and the Syrian crisis, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has congratulated the new chief-of-staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips.
The PPP/C in a statement said it is convinced that Brigadier Phillips possesses the professionalism, sensitivity and judgment acquired and sustained throughout his distinguished career in the GDF, which will take the
army through any future demanding and challenging times.
“As the army continues its contribution to national development, the PPP lends its support to Brigadier Phillips,” the PPP/C said.
The party also extended appreciation to retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, for the professional leadership he offered while he held the post as chief-of-staff.
“Best demonstrated courage for which Guyana is proud. His unstinting loyalty to nation-building has been recognised through his substantial contributions to the enhancement of professional standards and capacity-building within the army.
"The PPP has noted Rear Admiral Best’s commitment to serve Guyana at other levels even after his retirement,” the statement said.
Ateam of scientists from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has completed their research on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Uitvlugt and Wales estates.
According to TERI Associate Director Dr G Rudra Narsimha Rao, his team is currently in the process of discussing the findings of the study.
Speaking with Guyana Times by telephone, Dr Rao said “We have completed the research stage and are in the process of conducting discussions on the evaluation stage.”
The four-member technical team of specialists arrived in Guyana late August with the aim of completing phase two of technical support to the Guyana government in the areas of climate change and energy.
The team will be in Guyana for a three-month period where they will be looking at a best practice manual to promote energy management and conservation of rice mills, a technical study to improve sugar production, energy efficiency, investments in the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and demand management and gasifier technology application for sawmills.
Dr Rao had noted that in the process, they will work assiduously with agencies such as the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB),
the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the GuySuCo and the brainstorming of collaboration with government and non-government sectors.
“The initiative will also include guidance and recommendations on improving energy efficiency in buildings and street lighting, among others,” Dr Rao said.
The engagements between the Guyana government and TERI commenced in 2011 following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at providing support to Guyana’s climate initiatives and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
March last year marked the team’s first mission to Guyana, where it focussed on assessing energy initiatives like solar energy for lighting and improving energy efficiency in the different sectors of the economy.
The potential and suitability of biomass gasifiers and the provision of suitable technology were also examined.
TERI, an energy, environment and sustainable development research institute was established in 1974.
It is headed by Nobel Prize laureate and chairman of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Dr R K Pachauri.
Late last year, Dr Pachauri was installed chairman of Guyana’s well known international rainforest conservation, research and development centre, Iwokrama.
St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas on Monday called for bold action to ensure that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and disabilities are among the priorities in the post 2015-development agenda.
The prime minister, who has responsibility for health, human resources, and HIV in the Caricom quasi-Cabinet, was speaking to an international gathering at a meeting organised by the Caricom Secretariat, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) and the NCD Alliance on the eve of the 68th United Nations General Assembly in New York for NCDs.
The event, chaired by University of the West Indies Chancellor Sir George Alleyne, was intended to raise awareness of the relationship between NCDs and disabilities and the consequent social and economic impact, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
PAHO/WHO Director Dr Carissa Etienne was among the panellists.
Dr Douglas said disabilities and NCDs were not only driven by ageing, but, increasingly and alarmingly so, by the growing num-
bers of early childhood cases of diabetes and the increasing number of youth who were incapacitated by accidents and injuries.
Kingston Accord
The prime minister made reference to the report of the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development, which provided evidence of the increasing economic burden of NCDs, and emphasised that urgent steps had to be taken to reverse current trends.
He pointed to the significance of the 2007 Port of Spain Declaration “Uniting to stop the Epidemic of Chronic NCDs”, and indicated that
its 15 actionable recommendations greatly influenced the UN High-Level Meeting Political Declaration in 2011, and sparked a worldwide movement for a wellness revolution.
Prime Minister Douglas drew attention to the Kingston Accord, which sets out the principles and actions to address the concern that despite the efforts of governmental bodies and other organisations, persons with disabilities still encounter discrimination.
This is illustrated by the many obstacles they face which negatively impact their fundamental human rights and freedoms.
He called on the meeting to support the principles and actions of the accord which include empowering the differently-abled persons, and increasing their access to care and treatment.
In this context, he drew attention to the lessons learned from the HIV response.
“While there is yet a substantial unfinished agenda towards achieving an `AIDSfree generation’, there are vital lessons to be learned from the governance and application of the Caricom/PANCAP AIDS agenda,” he said.
Fourteen technical and vocational centres across the country received a quantity of equipment worth millions of dollars from Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Incorporated on Tuesday.
FFTP Director Kent Vincent said the donation is one that seeks to help the advancement of education, particularly as it relates to building technical skills. “We are very pleased to donate these masonry and carpentry equipment so that the children can work well in their practical vocations,” he said.
He said the FFTP was happy to engage in this kind of action. “We’re happy to develop their skills and further assist them in the area so that they can develop themselves,” Vincent explained.
These tools will go a long way in developing muchneeded skills. According to the director, the organisa-
tion’s main focus is providing and catering to the needs of the less fortunate, but it also places a huge spotlight on education and health care in Guyana.
Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) administrator Dexter Cornette lauded the organisation for its support, and said the donation will help students to practise their vocational skills.
“We at the GITC are very grateful for this donation and it came at a time when students are at the stage of having their own tools and this will render well for them,” he said.
Timely Kuru Kuru Cooperative College administrator Shabbir Ali said the donation was timely and will benefit all the students. “The donation is a timely one, we are in the process of enroll-
Ahunger-free world is possible “within our lifetimes” if current development partnerships can be strengthened and expanded, declared FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva on Monday at the MDG Success: Accelerating Action and Partnering for Impact high-level forum at UN headquarters in New York.
Hosted by United Nations Secretary General Ban KiMoon, the forum aims to accelerate action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by highlighting successful development partnerships and new initiatives, including the UN’s Zero Hunger Challenge (launched in June 2012).
“The Zero Hunger Challenge calls for something new, something bold, but long overdue,” remarked Graziano da Silva, who spoke on behalf of the UN secretary general’s high-level taskforce on Global Food Security.
To achieve these goals, however, mobilising broadbased coalitions is essential, added the FAO director general.
“Across the globe, we have learned that real change only occurs when many social actors join forces in broad political movements,” he said.
With 820 days remaining until the world’s 2015 MDG deadline, the day-long MDG success event drew leaders from government, business,
ing a new batch of students, and we currently have about 170 students or more in our school,” he said.
FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva
and civil society. Ban said: Indeed, the MDGs represent the most effective global anti-poverty push in history, noted the UN secretary general, with numerous public-private partnerships producing real, massive, and inspiring change.
“Multi-stake holder partnerships,” he continued, “can be true game changers,” he said.
In addition to the Zero Hunger Challenge, Monday’s MDG success event showcased other prominent UN secretary general initiatives, including: Every Woman, Every Child; Sustainable Energy for All; Global Education First; Scaling up Nutrition; and the Call to Action on Sanitation.
The UN General Assembly’s annual general debate begins tomorrow.
He said another 80 students are expected to join the college soon and this will be of good use to the training centre. The items donated to these institutions ranged from sewing machines to hammers and gloves.
items to Guyana’s poor.
FFTP continues to make valuable contributions to various sectors across the country. It began working in Guyana on June 3, 1991, delivering food and other basic
Since then, the South Florida-based non-profit organisation has expanded its services in Guyana to meet the growing needs of the country’s impoverished residents.
It is now the leading organisation providing relief to the people of Guyana. From January 1 to June 30, 2013, FFTP shipped 77 containers of donated goods to Guyana. Shipments to Guyana include goods that serve basic needs, as well as food, medicine, health-care items, and educational supplies.
razilian President
BDilma Rousseff has criticised the U.S. over allegations it carried out electronic espionage.
Speaking at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, Rousseff said Brazil would adopt legislation and technology to protect itself from illegal intercepts.
She called Washington’s argument that spying on Brazil was to protect nations from terrorists “untenable”.
Earlier this month, she cancelled a planned visit to Washington.
Rousseff told the assembled leaders that Brazil had been a target of intrusions and intercepts carried out by a “global network of electronic espionage”. She said that “corporate
Reporters Without Borders, an international organisation that defends freedom of the press and of information generally, has written to Grenada’s Governor General Cécile La Grenade expressing its concern about parliament’s final approval of the Electronic Crimes Act on September 9, urging her not to sign the act into law.
“We do not dispute the principle of this law or some of its provisions. The Internet should not escape the authority of the law altogether and we believe that it is perfectly legitimate to sanction such crimes and offences as the theft of documents or data, online identity theft or, even more serious, child pornography”, said Reporters Without Borders Secretary General Christophe Deloire.
“However, we regard some of the clauses in this law as extremely damaging to the free flow of news and information and to public debate,” he continued.
For example, Deloire said, Section Six (1a) of Part II said : “A person shall not knowingly or without lawful
Reporters Without Borders
Secretary General Christophe Deloire
excuse or justification send by means of an electronic system or an electronic device (…) information that is grossly offensive or has a menacing character.”
Offenders can sentenced to up to a year in prison and/or a fine of EC$100,000 (US$37,000).
Deloire asked under what criteria information can be considered “offensive”, regardless of factual accuracy (which this clause refrains from mentioning).
This provision could very easily constitute an obstacle to the dissemination of information of public interest, he said. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Two police officers have been arrested in Mexico on suspicion of being linked to the murders of 12 young people who disappeared after they visited a bar in Mexico City in May.
The two are local officers who were working in the Zona Rosa entertainment district, where the 12 disappeared. Their bodies were found in August in a mass grave
near the capital. Seventeen people have been detained in connection with the case, which shocked Mexico City residents.
Prosecutors said they suspected the two officers of taking part in the kidnapping of the youths from the Heaven bar and their transport to Tlalmanalco, where their bodies were discovered months later buried under quicklime and mud. (Excerpt from BBC News)
information – often of high economic and even strategic value – was at the centre of espionage activities”.
President Rousseff said such tampering with another country’s affairs was an “affront to the principles that must guide the relations among friendly nations”.
Her speech came a week after she called off a highprofile visit to the U.S. after a string of allegations about the extent of the U.S. spying programme emerged.
Rousseff rejected arguments put forward by the U.S. that the illegal interception of information was aimed at protecting nations against terrorism.
“Brazil, Mr President, knows how to protect itself,” she said.
The St Lucia Employers Federation (SLEF) is calling on the government to lower the near oneyear-old Value Added Tax (VAT) so as to provide “some breathing space” to local businesses in the face of job losses and business closures.
“This reduction will provide members some breathing space as the slowdown in the economy continues to bite deep into their cash flows,” said SLEF Executive Director Joseph Alexander.
The private sector group wants the VAT reduce from 15 to 10 per cent and Alexander is also contending that should the government decide against collecting the 15 per cent VAT up front
from businesses and collect the tax after they have sold their goods, employers would have the breathing space needed in the current economic downturn.
Explaining the plight of some businesses in St Lucia, Alexander advised that most operate via an overdraft system which they have to maintain.
“Therefore having to pay the 15 per cent VAT before goods have been sold plus taking care of their overdraft all at the same time impacts severely on the cash flow of businesses which become yet another reason for job losses and the closure of businesses,” Alexander said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Aprominent Roman Catholic priest in Argentina has been jailed, four years after being convicted of sexually abusing a teenage boy.
A court in Buenos Aires province rejected an appeal by Father Julio Cesar Grassi, who has been sentenced to 15 years in jail, to remain under house arrest.
He was convicted in 2009 of abusing the boy at his “Happy Children” foundation.
He insists he is innocent and says the case is based on false evidence.
“In my life, all I have done was to help the children in need,” he said at the criminal court in the city of Moron. “The prosecutors have lied and set up a case against me.”
Prosecutor Alejandro Varela argued that there was a risk that the priest would escape if he was not detained.
Three courts in Argentina had already confirmed his 2009 conviction, before the Supreme Court of Buenos Aires province ratified the 15-year prison sentence last week.
“To leave Grassi free is almost like colluding with his crime,” said Varela.
After a hearing which ended with an emotional plea by Father Grassi, the criminal court in Moron unanimously ordered his “immediate detention”.
Prominent Barbadian jurist Sir David Simmons Monday called on the Trinidad and Tobago government to review the commission of inquiry legislation after the leader of the Jamaat-al Muslimeen group failed to appear before the commission probing the circumstances that led to the failed 1990 coup against the then government of Prime Minister ANR Robinson.
This is the second occasion that Yasin Abu Bakr has blanked the commission and Sir David, who is chairing the commission, said the government should look at similar legislation in Canada in its review of the current act.
“The government should give very serious consideration to reforming the Commission of Inquires Act. The government should look
at Canada and see some of the relevant legislation that operates in Canada within the context of the Charter of Rights and within the context the human rights provisions of the constitution,” he said.
He said a useful precedent may be found in the Canadian legislation, adding “it is all very frustrating because of the absence of Abu Bakr one is tempted to feel a sense of let down”.
At least 24 people, including one government legislator, Leo Des Vignes, were killed when Yasin Abu Bakr led 114 members of his Muslim group in coordinated attacks on the Parliament and the Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) station in his attempt to overthrow the then ruling National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) administration on July 27, 1990. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Awoman who was found to be breastfeeding her 12-monthold son at the auditorium of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain on Sunday during the play “The Phantom of the NAPA”, was told by a male usher that, “no beverages are allowed” in the auditorium.
Antonia Sealy and her husband Roger were at the play when their son Giovanni became “fussy.”
Realising her son was hungry, Sealy proceeded to breastfeed him.
The usher saw what she was doing and told her that breastfeeding was not allowed in the auditorium.
“When we were seated, Giovanni started to get fussy and I started to feed him. The usher bent down and told me ‘no breastfeed-
ing’. When I watched him in amazement, he repeated ‘no breastfeeding’,” Sealy said. She added, “When my husband asked the usher why I was not allowed to breastfeed he (the usher) said beverages are not allowed in the auditorium. My husband told him it was not like I was bottlefeeding our son. But he usher said rules are rules.”
A female usher, who noticed what was happening, motioned for Sealy to follow her. Sealy and her son were taken to the NAPA’s VIP lounge where the woman was allowed to breastfeed her son in private.
Sealy told Newsday the female usher had told her she (the usher) was not aware of an anti breastfeeding policy at the public venue. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Today)
The four-day siege involving suspected Islamist militants at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping centre is over, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta said.
Five attackers were shot dead by troops and 11 suspects were in custody, he said in a TV address to the nation.
Kenya has “shamed and defeated our attackers” but the “losses are immense”, he said, confirming that 61 civilians and six soldiers had died.
Three days of national mourning have been declared, starting on Wednesday.
President Kenyatta said that several bodies – including those of “terrorists” –were thought to be trapped under rubble after three floors of the building collapsed following a blaze on Monday.
Some 175 people were injured in the attack; 62 peo-
ple remain in hospital and many others are being treated for shock and are undergoing counselling.
“I promise that we shall have a full accountability for the mindless destruction, deaths, pain, loss and suffering we have all undergone as a national family.
“These cowards will meet
Apowerful earthquake in Pakistan has not only cost dozens of lives – it also prompted the appearance of a small island off the coast, Pakistani officials said.
The 7.7-magnitude quake struck in a remote area of southern Pakistan on Tuesday, but it had severe consequences.
At least 46 people were killed in Awaran in Balochistan province, provincial Home Secretary Asad Gilani said.
In addition to the fatalities, “dozens have been injured”, Gilani said
The quake was strong enough to cause a mass 20 to 30 feet high to emerge from
the ocean like a small mountain island off the coast of Gwadar, local police official Mozzam Jah said. A large number of people gathered to view the newly formed island, he said.
Large quakes can cause significant deformation to the earth’s crust, particularly visible along coastlines.
The island is about 100 feet in diametre and about one mile off the coast, GEO TV reported.
Zahid Rafi, principal seismologist for the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, confirmed the island had formed. He said it was “not surprising,” considering the magnitude of the earthquake. (Excerpt from CNN)
justice, as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are,” he said.
At least 18 foreigners are among the dead, including six Britons, as well as citizens from France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Peru, India, Ghana, South Africa and China. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The former Pope, Benedict XVI, has denied any role in covering up child sex abuse by priests, in his first public comments since retirement.
The emeritus pope, as he is now known, addressed the issue in a detailed letter to a prominent atheist, which also covered many other matters.
It is thought to be the first time that Benedict has publicly rejected personal responsibility for covering up abuse.
Some critics say he must have known of efforts to protect abusive priests.
Benedict’s letter, to professor of mathematics Piergiorgio Odifreddi, was published in La Repubblica newspaper after the professor sought the former pope’s permission.
His comments are the
first to be released publicly since he left office, saying he would retreat to a life of prayer. He was apparently concerned not to have a public role that might impinge on his successor, Pope Francis.
Regarding the repeated allegations of abuse which arose during his pontificate, Benedict denied he had suppressed investigation of paedophile priests. And, while admitting the horror of abuse, he insisted priests had no greater tendency to paedophilia than anyone else.
Qatar Airways female employees are required to gain permission from the airline to get married or change their marital status as part of their contract of employment, it was reported on Tuesday.
Contracts also state female employees must also inform the company if they become pregnant, which may result in the termination of their employment.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents around 4.5 million transport workers in 150 countries, released extracts of what it claimed are part
President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the U.S. was ready to engage diplomatically with longtime foe Iran but put the onus on the new Iranian president to prove he is serious about pursuing a nuclear deal.
Striking a cautiously optimistic tone in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Obama said he was determined to test President Hassan Rouhani’s recent overtures and challenged him to take concrete steps toward resolving Iran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West.
“Conciliatory words will have to be matched by actions that are transparent and verifiable,” Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama
told the annual gathering of world leaders in New York. Rouhani’s recent gestures, including agreement to renew long-stalled talks with world powers on its
nuclear programme, have raised hopes for a historic opening in relations between Washington and Tehran after more than three decades of estrangement. (Excerpt from Reuters)
of the standard terms and conditions of a standard hiring contract for thousands of Qatar Airways female workers. It read: “You are re-
quired to obtain prior permission from the company, in case you wish to change your marital status and get married. And: The employee shall notify the employer in
case of pregnancy from the date of her knowledge of its occurrence.
“The employer shall have the right to terminate the contract of employment from the date of notification of the pregnancy. Failure of employee to notify the employer or the concealment of the occurrence shall be considered a breach of contract.”
The ITF is currently in Canada to lobby the ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organisation) to take action on what it termed “flagrant abuses of aviation workers’ labour rights” by carriers based in Qatar and the UAE. (Excerpt from Arabian Business.com)
Egyptian security forces have raided a village near the Giza Pyramids outside Cairo, hunting for suspects in the killing of 15 policemen last month.
It was the latest move by authorities to assert state control over anti-government strongholds that have resisted state authority since a July 3 coup toppled President Mohamed Morsi.
Security forces backed by armoured vehicles and accompanied by masked commandos conducted houseto-house raids in the village of Nahya early on Tuesday morning, searching for suspects of the August 14 attack on policemen in the adjacent town of Kerdasa. That attack is assumed to be in retaliation for a vi-
Thousands have been arrested in the military’s crackdown on President Mohamed Morsi supporters since the July 3 coup
olent assault that day by security forces on pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo that left hundreds dead and sparked days of unrest.
Police stayed out of Kerdasa for over a month after the killings, and resi-
dents say Morsi supporters dominated the town.
The military and police went back in last week, sparking a gun battle in which a senior police officer was shot dead and the arrests of scores of suspects. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
TCorporation
(IFC) plans to issue a local bond to raise the equivalent of US$500 million (J$51 billion) in Jamaican currency.
The investment arm of the World Bank already received approval from the finance ministry and the Bank of Jamaica to proceed with the bond issue, which is aimed at attracting local investment that would be channelled into major infrastructure projects.
Pension funds, insurance companies and commercial banks will be targeted, in an effort to mobilise local savings towards capital projects, according to Jun Zhang, IFC’s senior Caribbean regional manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.
It also serves to provide investors in capital projects that eventually generate revenue in Jamaican dollars, access to large sums of financing in local currency to eliminate
the risk of exposure to devaluation.
“It’s better to borrow in local currency if you earn in local currency,” said Zhang, speaking to Sunday Finance at the 2013 High Level Caribbean Forum at the Atlantis in The Bahamas.
He offered no set timeline for the issuance of the bonds, except to say that they would go to market through a series of issues over the next three to four years as demand arises.
(Jamaica Observer)
U.S. house prices rose
12.4 per cent over the 12 months to the end of July, the biggest annual increase since February 2006, according to a closely-watched measure. The rise was revealed in the latest S&P/CaseShiller Home Price Index. The index measures single-family home prices across 20 cities, with 13 cities showing a rising annual growth rate.
Last week, the U.S. Federal Reserve decided to
maintain its effort to boost the economy, which involves buying US$85 billion worth of assets every month.
That scheme, known as quantitative easing (QE), is credited with boosting the housing market last year by driving down mortgage rates to record lows. However, David Blitzer from S&P Dow Jones Indices said that effect had worn off.
“Following the increase in mortgage rates beginning last May, applications for mort-
Europe’s largest carmaker Volkswagen on Tuesday warned workers at its biggest factory it might introduce cost-cutting measures in the months ahead to counter the impact of stalling sales. Company executives including finance chief Hans Dieter Poetsch have warned recently that VW may defer some non-product investments as the German automaker struggles with slumping demand, especially
in core European markets. VW’s global deliveries edged up just 0.1 per cent last month to 720,400 cars, compared with a 3.2 per cent gain in July, making August VW’s weakest month in at least two and a half years. Arno Antlitz, a brand executive, told a staff meeting of 18,000 workers at VW’s Wolfsburg headquarters that the company needed further belt-tightening at all levels, across all regions and at all plants. “We need solid
gages have dropped, suggesting that rising interest rates are affecting housing.
“The Fed’s announcement last week that QE3 bond buying will continue for the time being may have only a limited, though favourable, impact on housing,” he said. Prices rose 0.6 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis in July compared with the month before, which was lower than analysts’ forecasts and down from June’s increase of 0.9 per cent. (BBC News)
Nigeria: Reforms deliver “high returns” – investment minister
Nigeria, which has long been Africa’s leading oil producer – and most populous nation, is aggressively pursuing investment to diversify its petroleum-dependent economy. Leading the campaign on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan is Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga, who has been industry, trade and investment minister since June 2011, after serving for 14 months as finance minister. In several U.S. appearances this month, Aganga is making the case that reforms implemented by Nigeria’s government have dramatically changed
the investment climate but remain little understood outside or inside Nigeria.
Following are excerpts from his AllAfrica interview following his presentation as part of a ministerial roundtable hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa on September 20.
What is the essence of your pitch to prospective investors?
We operate in a new paradigm in the world economy. Countries controlling 75 per cent of the world’s GDP have issues today they’ve not faced before – large budget deficits, fiscal consolidation, low growth. In Africa, we are now
a high-growth environment. Six of the 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa, Nigeria being one of them. What measures have you introduced to meet that goal?
First, we make sure we have a clear role for the government and private sector. We do the policy part. It is the private sector that is going to deploy capital. Second, we now have very clear policies that we are implementing rigidly. In the past, we were satisfied with exporting raw materials and buying back [finished products], which means exporting jobs. (allAfrica)
China’s urban rich are making far more than they officially report, suggesting the wealth gap in the world’s second largest economy is much higher than previously thought, according to a new study.
The China Society of Economic Reform released a survey Monday that found “gray income” was 6.2 trillion yuan (US$1 trillion), or 12 per cent of GDP. “Gray income” can range from illegal cash from kickbacks to unreported income and gifts.
“The result has highlighted expanding social inequalities and policy issues surrounding official corruption and income distribution,” said Wang Xiaolu, who led the research for the CSER, in an article in Caixin Online. “The richer the household, the more likely it receives shadow income.”
The study comes a day after Bo Xilai, a once high-flying politician, was sentenced to life in prison for bribe-taking 15 years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of
power. Bo is appealing the verdict.
The CSER surveyed 5344 urban families in 18 Chinese provinces. The results suggest the top 10 per cent of households earn nearly 21 times more than the poorest 10 per cent. The National Bureau of Statistics places income disparity far lower, saying China’s wealthiest make 8.6 times more than its poorest. “China is in a dangerous zone as one of the most unequal countries in the world,” Wang wrote. (CNN)
earnings power and a competitive cost position,” Antlitz said in a written statement, without being more specific. VW last week rejected a report in Germany’s Manager Magazin that it was at risk of missing its financial targets. The publication cited company sources as saying that higher than expected costs for a new modular production architecture, known as MQB, were holding back profit margins. (Reuters)
Dubai’s government is working on new rules to protect its real estate market and prevent any excessive rise of property prices that could end in a crash, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The bursting of a property bubble in 2009-2010 caused prices to plunge by more than 50 per cent, pushing Dubai close to a debt default. The market is recovering strong-
ly this year, with apartment prices up about 20 per cent from a year earlier, and the International Monetary Fund has warned of the danger of another bubble.
“We didn’t create the bubble, it was a global crisis. The real estate challenge is over now,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Fiscal Committee and uncle of the emirate’s ruler, told reporters.
But he added, “We are working on our regulations. Sometimes I don’t see that (high property prices) are a good thing. We don’t want Dubai to become an expensive city.”
Sheikh Ahmed did not give details of the proposed regulations. In a July report, the IMF said Dubai might need to intervene in its property market to prevent another boomand-bust cycle. (Arabianbusiness)
Criteria to consider
Once an idea pops into your head, you should test it against the following criteria. You should map these out clearly and thoroughly to explore all possibilities.
Starting capital
* How much cash do you have on hand to devote to your new business?
* How is your credit rating?
* How much more capital
will you need from venture capitalists, angel investors, family, friends or the bank to get started?
* How many years are you willing to dedicate to clawing your way back to profitability?
Location * Will your business flourish in an urban or suburban area?
* What are the income levels of the average person in the area?
* Will they find your product too expensive?
Market saturation
* Are there similar businesses in the immediate area?
* What are the advantages and disadvantages your company has compared to its competitors?
* Are there any businesses that your company can complement (for example, an IHOP next door to a Days Inn)? (Business Dictionary)
Police are currently questioning two persons in relation to the killing of a Tactical Services Unit (TSU) member on Monday evening.
Twenty-nine-yearold Constable Michael Cumberbatch, of Lot 111 North Sophia Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown, was gunned down in his home by a man who was armed with a handgun.
According to a statement from the police, the incident occurred around 20:40h.
Police said Cumberbatch was at home when he was confronted by someone who was reportedly enquiring about one “Quacy”.
An argument ensued, during which the TSU officer was shot to his chest. The suspect then escaped, the police release stated. The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The statement further disclosed that two persons are in custody assisting with investigations.
Speaking to Guyana Times, relatives of the dead man, who live next door, recounted the events of that fateful night.
The man’s sister-inlaw, Sharmila Browne, said she and her husband were asleep when she was aroused by her brother-inlaw’s voice saying, “Come out this yard.”
Browne then heard a voice saying, “Is you talking to me, boy?” She said her
brother-in-law responded, “Yes.”
“After that, all I hear is two shots and then my brother-in-law’s wife start holler and call for my husband,” Browne recalled.
Brown explained that her husband then woke up another brother who lives in the same yard, but in a different apartment and they went over to Cumberbatch’s house where they saw him lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
One of Cumberbatch’s brothers, Orlando, said that he was unaware of what transpired since he was asleep at the time.
The man said he was awakened by someone screaming that “Michael get shot” and when he got outside, neighbours were pouring into the street.
He also recalled going to his brother’s house and seeing him lying by his front door in a pool of blood.
Orlando told this newspaper that his dead brother’s wife, Lillian, witnessed the entire incident.
Other relatives disclosed that before the officer and his wife moved to the house about five months ago, his wife’s sister and a male used to live there.
Cumberbatch has been a member of the Guyana Police Force for 13 years, and was described as a quiet and kind person.
The 29-year-old man leaves to mourn his two minor children, wife, mother, and four brothers.
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud reported on Monday that the ministry is satisfied with the overall pace of implementation of the regions’ 2013 work programmes, though a few regions have been slow-moving.
Budget 2013 was approved at the end of April, and time had to be allotted for such activities as advertising, awarding of contracts for the projects, and mobilisation of contractors.
“Conscious that all those activities had to be undertaken and each one of them would have required their own time limit, because of their sequential activities… we as a ministry, were unable to actively commence implementation at
the ground level until about mid July… from mid-July to now, we have just completed about two-and-a-half months of our implementation cy-
cle, and so our humble judgment is that we would have achieved great accomplishments,” Minister Persaud said.
With regard to the regions that are lagging behind, Minister Persaud revealed that over the past two weeks, the ministry has sought to meet independently with each region.
Involved in these meetings were the Regional Democratic Council and the programmes' heads.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Minister Persaud said during the meetings, the ministry reviewed each of their planned budgeted tasks to determine the state and stage of implementation, and to identify factors that affect-
ed smooth implementation.
He said that having had dialogue and discussions on all the various elements, new guidelines and strategies were accepted by the regions.
Minister Persaud said that since last week, when the ministry met with the last region, there were progressive movements in the right direction with regards to the implementation of the programmes.
He said the ministry is hoping that by the end of October most of the regions’ current, and a significant number of the capital programmes, would have reached the point of nearing completion.
He said the ministry is confident that most of the projects will be completed, with a few roll-overs.
A24-year-old sales clerk at Bacchus Drug Store was remanded to prison on Tuesday after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on one count of simple larceny and two counts of embezzlement.
It was alleged that on July 30 at 24 Saffon and Howes Streets, Rafel Lawrie of Lot 7 Supply, East Bank Demerara, stole a quantity of pharmaceutical items valuing $80,000.
It was further alleged
that on the same day at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, Lawrie being employed as a clerk at Bacchus Drug Store, embezzled $120,061, as money taken into his possession for his employer.
It was also alleged that on September 9 at Vreed-enHoop, being an employee of Bacchus Drug Store, he embezzled $116,638 as money taken in possession for his employer. He was not required to plead to any of the indictable charges. He was represented by
Attorney Adrian Thompson, who in his application for reasonable bail, stated that the problem occurred because there were complications in the billing system and that his client is not a cashier.
He went on to say that Lawrie was taken into custody with several other employees and posted bail in the sum of $100,000. He added that his client is not a flight risk.
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte objected to bail on the grounds that there is an on-
A27-year-old cook was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry on a possession of narcotics charge.
It was alleged that on September 22 at Arongery Backdam, Cuyuni River, Falicia Bristol of Lot 1 David Street, Golden Grove, East Bank of Demerara had in her possession 43 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge as it was read to her.
According to the facts, police were on mobile patrol when they observed the accused acting in a suspicious manner as she placed
something behind a speaker box in a shop. A search was conducted and a transparent plastic bag containing leaves, seeds and steams were found. When shown to her, she admitted to smoking it.
Bristol was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh who told the court that the substance did not belong to his client and made an application for reasonable bail.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds that no special reasons were given for bail to be granted. Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry refused bail and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
On Tuesday, a woman was fined $30,000 after she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to charges against her.
Delicia Altagracia Castillo Fabian pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between November 28, 2012 and September 23, 2013 at Lethem, she failed to comply with the conditions subject to her stay in Guyana, that is, having been permitted to say in the country for one month – from November 27 to December 27, 2012 – she overstayed the said period.
According to the facts, Fabian is a Dominican Republic National and on November 27, 2012, she entered Guyana via Lethem where she was granted stay for one month.
On September 23, 2013 at Ogle International Airport a check was made of her passport where it revealed that she overstayed her time without seeking an extension. She was arrested and charged with the offence.
Fabian, with the help of a translator, told the court that she is 36 years old and resides in French Guiana.
going investigation where 50 to 60 customers are involved to the tune of $32 million dollars.
Also, the quantum of the charge and the fact that if granted bail, the defendant would not return to court, since he is aware of the possibility of additional charges being brought against him; he may try to escape justice.
He was remanded and the matter was transferred to Court One for a date. In Court One he was told to come back on October 11 at 10:00h.
She also alleged that she was told that if it was done in France, she would have gotten five years. She emphasised that she did not spend all the time here and did not overstay her visa.
Based on what she said, a not guilty plea was entered for her by Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte objected to bail based on the grounds that the accused does not have a fixed place of abode in Guyana.
Magistrate Latchman ordered her to be remanded and the matter was transferred to Court One.
In Court One, the charge was read again to her by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry where her not guilty plea was changed to a guilty one.
Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry gave her the option of paying a fine or serving 12 months imprisonment.
She stated that she did have a one month visa and she used two weeks of that time to do some shopping and went back to French Guiana but returned two months later to renew her visa at the Home Affairs Ministry. The defendant added that she was told at the ministry that she would have to renew her visa in France because her passport would have expired.
On Tuesday, a Dominican Republic national was fined after she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to an illegal entry charge.
Yosariry Mable Venture of Suriname pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on August 18 at Springlands, she entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer.
According to the facts, on the day in question, the
defendant entered Guyana via Springlands, Corentyne and failed to report to the nearest immigration office. On September 23 at Ogle Airport, she was arrested and told of the offence. With the help of a translator, Venture told the court that she is an unemployed 22-year-old with two children and no prior convictions.
Magistrate Judy Latchman fined The Dominican Republic national $30,000 or 12 months imprisonment.
Take responsibility for a touchy situation and show everyone what you are able to do. Don’t let opposition cloud your vision; you’ve got the skills to turn the ship around.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
Don’t let pending issues get you down. Step up and take care of anything that is costing you emotionally, financially or physically. Your success will be impressive.
Take a unique approach, and you will attract interest. Concentrate on the relationships you enjoy and consider how you can use these connections to the max.
Deal cautiously with matters pertaining to your health and family life. Added pressure is likely to lead to arguments if you cannot come to an agreement. Prepare to modify your plans.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)
Push to make the changes that will improve your position and financial future. Deals can be made and contracts signed during this cycle. Don’t let an emotional matter stand in your way.
(March 21-April 19)
Don’t leave anything to chance. Discuss important matters thoroughly before you make a decision. Moderation will be necessary to avoid a sticky situation. Don’t fold under pressure.
(April 20-May 20)
Focus on self-improvement rather than trying to change others. Discipline and hard work will bring you praise and greater opportunities. Take time to nurture important relationships.
(May 21June 20)
Be open to suggestions and welcome any assistance that’s offered. Working with others will ensure that you get things done on time. A change in your social life will do you good.
Don’t back down if you’re up against a wall. If you know what’s required to get something done, don’t hesitate to take charge. A relationship will undergo some duress. Show compassion, but don’t be gullible.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Question beliefs that are not meeting your expectations and challenge what you are not satisfied with in your life. Change is brewing, and it must not be ignored.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Visiting new places and meeting new people will broaden your perspective and help you gain greater confidence as you venture down a new path. Favourable changes at home will unfold.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Put a little force behind whatever you decide to do. What you learn will help you make valuable assessments that will lead to improvements in your home and work lives.
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By Leana Bradshaw and saBatini danieLs
The election to decide the office holders of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) today could be hit by low voter turnout, as most students up to Tuesday afternoon had shown little interest in the politics on campus.
Speaking with Guyana Times during the debate presentation of the presidential candidates in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) on Tuesday evening, a number of students said they were not impressed with the campaigns.
Others believe the candidates’ campaigning is just petty politics that would make no difference in terms of students’ welfare, once a candidate is in office.
Jaded
Atesha Christie, a finalyear communication studies student, said she will not be voting for UGSS elections, since UG politics has been on a downward spiral since 2006.
You don’t see student representation happening after they go into to office… they just relax and because of that, I am declining to vote. I am not interested,” she explained.
Rawle Ramsammy, a third-year economics student, stated that he too would not be voting, since none of the parties’ campaigns was attractive. “They needed to come better, because to me
while trying to pitch their plans they all lacked significantly… UG politics is quite distasteful to me and I’m not concerned.”
Ahead of their presentations at the debate on Tuesday, all of the UGSS presidential candidates expressed confidence in winning.
Prior to the presentations, they were actively campaigning, visiting classrooms at both the Turkeyen and Berbice campuses to engage students on their plans.
Revolutionaries’ presidential candidate Samaria Deonauth told this publication: “We have been trying to encourage people to come out and vote, we don’t want a repetition of what happened last year.”
She stated that her party has spent about three weekends in Berbice enlightening students on the need to vote.
One of her competitors, Students Empowerment Alliance (SEA) presidential candidate Richard Rambarran said, “All I want to do is let the UG students know that this presentation here is what I have been campaigning for over the past couple of weeks… it’s not about flowery promises, it’s not about painting some sort of fancy picture, it’s about the basic needs of the University of Guyana and letting us move forward on a platform for progress.”
When asked about his confidence regarding the turnout
of voters, he stated that he believes that “the manual voting system discourages students from voting”.
Student Movement Advocating Rights and Transformation (SMART) presidential candidate Yolanda Abernety Jeune said he was quite hopeful that his party would triumph.
He added that SMART has received negative reactions from persons, since many are sceptical about the UGSS given its history.
“For persons to have trust in UGSS, it is quite difficult; however, all hope is not lost once the right party goes into office and we tried our best to encourage persons to vote,” he said.
Candidates
Initially, four parties were contesting the election; however, Team Visionary’s presidential candidate Jermain Hermonstyne dropped out of the race for unknown reasons.
The election is divided into several parts: today students at the Turkeyen campus will vote, while on September 27, those at Tain campus will cast their ballots and on September 28, Turkeyen’s master’s degree students will do the same.
Polling stations will be set up in each faculty and will be open from 12:00h to 17:00h. In order to vote, persons must walk with their UG IDs or National Identification Card and acceptance letter to UG. (leanab@guyanatimesgy. com, sabatinid@guyanatimesgy.com)
The government of Venezuela was urged on Tuesday by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) to immediately release Víctor Manuel García Hidalgo, the editor and publisher of the online news outlet Informe Cifra, from prison, where he has been held for the past six months.
due to his search for information as a journalist.
Claudio Paolillo, chairman of the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, asked that García Hidalgo “be guaranteed the rights to his physical integrity, equality before the law and due process”.
guarantee of justice”.
He argued that the fact that the reporter had remained in the country and had continued his work during these past 11 years “shows that one cannot operate on the presumption of fear of flight”.
This past March, García Hidalgo was placed in a jail commonly used for the criminally accused, Yare III, although the Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office had charged him with committing the political crime of “citizen rebellion”.
The charge originated from his opinions on acts occurring on April 2002, following a coup d’etat. A photo in which he appears alongside the former opposition member Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Arias Cárdenas at the Army Command Headquarters has been used as evidence of his participation in the mutiny.
His defence counsel said that his presence in the military installations was solely
He expressed his surprise and lack of confidence regarding the authorities’ decision to order García Hidalgo to be held in a cell for those accused of common crimes.
Despite the political connotation of the facts alleged against him, his safety has been in question.
He has been placed with seven people accused of common crimes, inside a 170-square-foot cell, and has not received the medical attention his delicate state of health requires.
Guarantee of justice Paolillo, editor of the Montevideo, Uruguay weekly Búsqueda, believes that García Hidalgo “could be investigated or brought to trial in freedom, by civil court judges, with impartiality and
The lack of clarity concerning the accusations, the arrest and place of detention, along with the detainee’s dissident character are elements that the IAPA is evaluating in this case.
It is also concerned with the Venezuelan government’s actions against other journalists and publications for their editorial line, as in the case of journalist and publisher Leocenis Garcia.
Last week, the IAPA also repeated a request to the Venezuelan government for legal guarantees and due process in favour of García, president of the editorial group Sexto Poder, imprisoned in a military jail since July 30 this year, a request that continues to go without response from the authorities of the country.
Less-than-perfect batting and excellent bowling usually make for tight contests and Tuesday was no different, with both teams being dismissed on a fast Mohali pitch.
Titans bounced back from being all out for 123, to beating Brisbane Heat by four runs, in the most exciting finish of the tournament so far. The loss, the Heat’s second, drastically reduced their chances of making the semi-finals.
Heat had lost their first match in similar fashion, too, failing to chase Trinidad & Tobago’s 135. Tuesday’s pursuit posed a similar challenge, but they disintegrated against controlled fast bowling. They needed 10 of the final over, bowled by Marchant de Lange, but they lost three wickets instead, two because of run-outs. The match ended with de Lange bowling Alister McDermott.
Titans needed a strong performance to defend a low total and de Lange led the way, pulling his team out of the batting rut with pace and verve. Debutant Matthew Gale’s four wickets had put the Heat in a strong position, but their wayward
batting cost them on a quick surface, the kind Australian sides are supposed to be familiar with.
Titans captain, Henry Davids, once again opened the bowling with Roelof van der Merwe’s left-arm spin, but it was Rowan Richards who provided the breakthrough by dismissing Joe Burns. De Lange then hurt
Titans innings
J Rudolph c Sabburg b Gale 1
H Davids* run out (†Hartley /Hauritz) 39
H Kuhn c Christian b Cutting 31
AB de Villiers run out
(Cutting/Hauritz) 28
RE van der Merwe c Burns
b Hauritz 0
F Behardien c Hauritz b Gale 9
D Wiese c Sabburg b Christian 5
M Mosehle† c Cutting
b Christian 6
M Morkel c †Hartley b Gale 0
M de Lange not out 0
R Richards c & b Gale 0
Extras: (w 4) 4
Total: (all out, 18.5 overs) 123
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-70, 3-75, 4-90, 5-107, 6-113, 7-122, 8-123, 9-123, 10-123
Bowling: J Hopes 4-0-26-0, M
Gale 2.5-0-10-4, A McDermott
2-0-22-0, D Christian 3-0-162, B Cutting 2-0-23-1, N Hauritz
4-0-14-1, C Lynn 1-0-12-0
Brisbane Heat innings
J Hopes* c de Villiers
b van der Merwe 37
J Burns c de Lange b Richards 0
P Forrest c Behardien
b de Lange 8
B Cutting c Kuhn b de Lange 0
D Christian b Richards 21
C Lynn c van der Merwe
b Wiese 14
C Hartley† b Morkel 7
C Sabburg run out (van der Merwe/†Mosehle) 19
M Gale run out (†Mosehle) 1
N Hauritz not out 0
A McDermott b de Lange 2
Extras (b1, lb5, w4) 10
Total: (all out, 20 overs) 119
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-24, 3-24, 4-68, 5-84, 6-94, 7-104, 8-115, 9-115, 10-119
Bowling: R van der Merwe 4-020-1, M Morkel 4-0-26-1, R Richards 4-0-20-2, M de Lange 4-0-13-3, D Wiese 4-0-34-1
the chase by striking twice in his first over: Peter Forrest’s uppish clip was caught at square-leg, and Cutting topedged an 89-mph ball he didn’t know much about.
James Hopes, the Heat captain, and Daniel Christian attempted to revive the innings, and they almost did with a 44-run stand for the fourth wicket, but they fell in quick succession. Christian’s stumps was shattered by Richards, while Hopes fell to van der Merwe after having survived a missed stumping the previous ball.
The rising asking-rate needed to be brought down but the Heat lower order continued to struggle against pace. Morne Morkel and David Wiese bowled well too, picking up a wicket each, but de Lange and Richards were the most impressive. De Lange finished with three wickets, including bowling a tense last over.
Heat’s batting failure followed a dramatic Titans collapse after the South African side had made a strong start. Gale dismissed Jacques Rudolph in the second over, but Davids and Heino Kuhn counterattacked immediately during the fielding restrictions. (Cricinfo)
Chelsea eased to victory over League One Swindon Town to secure a place in the fourth round of the League Cup on Tuesday.
Fernando Torres opened the scoring when he poked home from close range for his first domestic goal of the campaign.
Torres then supplied Ramires, who dinked the ball past Wes Foderingham to make it 2-0 at the break.
Swindon had the ball in the net in the second half but Dany N’Guessan’s header was ruled offside, and four-time winners Chelsea held firm to progress.
Jose Mourinho overhauled his side for the trip to the County Ground, making 10 changes from Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham, and chose to recall exiled midfielder Juan Mata.
League One Swindon had not lost at home since February and have overcome Premier League sides Wigan and Stoke in recent years - both during Paolo Di Canio’s regime.
And although Mark Cooper’s youngsters impressed in possession they failed to match the class of their Premier League counterparts.
After a quiet opening 10 minutes, the Blues turned on the pressure and Foderingham was forced to make two excellent saves from Torres.
The deadlock was broken when Chelsea’s attack split the home defence and Ramires picked out Mata, whose initial shot hit Foderingham, before the rebound spilled to Torres for an easy tap in.
Six minutes later they doubled their lead in style, Torres dancing past two Swindon defenders to feed Ramires, who delicately placed the ball over the keeper.
But two quick goals did not deter Town, as Iraqi midfielder Yaser Kasim challenged Mark Schwarzer with a shot from distance, before influential forward Alex Pritchard forced the 40-year-old debutant keeper to punch the ball out.
Swindon made an elec-
tric start to the second half and thought they had made the breakthrough when N’Guessan’s diving header found the back of the net, but he was ruled offside.
Foderingham kept up his impressive performance by denying Torres with his left-foot while £30m Brazilian midfielder Willan shot wildly over with the follow up.
The two Chelsea players combined again for what looked to be a certain third goal in the dying minutes, but the Swindon keeper produced a fine stop once again before it was scrambled away.
The game petered out as Swindon tired, and Chelsea played out the final minutes with ease. (BBC Sport)
Basseterre, ST KITTS, -The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) is continuing a campaign to combat potential drug problems in schools across the region.
RADO on Tuesday started a two day workshop in St Kitts targeted at the country’s Physical Education Teachers and Coaches.
The workshop which climaxes today is seeking to promote awareness and sensitize
individuals about the adverse effects of alcohol, drugs and doping in sports.
The workshop is being held in collaboration with the St Kitts Ministry of Education.
“That is something we want to emphasize. We don’t want children to just deal with academics only but all round development of the students,” said Chief Education Officer Clarice Cotton.
“A workshop such as this
is therefore timely in the development of both sport and physical education in our Federation.”
St Kitts and Nevis is one among four other islands including Barbados, the British Virgin Island (BVI) and St Lucia that will be benefiting from this regional project funded by the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, through the Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sports.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed Lalit Modi’s appeal to issue a restraining order that would prevent the BCCI from holding the special general meeting (SGM) today, when the board is expected to decide on a ban for Modi.
A single-judge bench of VK Shali, after a two-day hearing, overruled the stay order imposed by the Patila House Court, where Modi had filed the application.
It is understood the BCCI will go ahead with the SGM, which will be chaired by the president N Srinivasan, in Chennai.
According to the BCCI’s lawyer, CA Sundaram, the
High Court concluded that the board’s notice to Modi was issued correctly and the trial court should never have passed the stay order. “The judge said Mr Srinivsasn continues to be the president. He is vested with the powers of the president even if Mr Dalmiya may be doing the day-to-day activities. The notice was correctly issued and the trial court could not have given an ex parte injunction against a special general meeting. Such an order ought not have been passed at all by the trial court.”
Earlier this month, the BCCI Disciplinary Committee had found Modi
guilty on eight charges of “indiscipline and misconduct,” and said that the final sanction would be decided during the SGM.
On September 21, Modi approached the trial court where his legal counsels Swadeep Hora and Abhishek Singh argued before district judge Ruby Alka Gupta that the SGM notice, circulated by BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel on September 2, was illegal since Patel’s appointment was not in accordance with the BCCI constitution.
Since only the president of the BCCI can fill up a mid-term vacancy of a principal office-bearer, Patel’s appointment by a working
committee meeting with the president having stepped aside was illegal, they contended. The trial court then stayed the SGM. The BCCI had challenged the trial court’s order by approaching the High Court on Monday. SGMs, which strictly discuss a pre-fixed agenda, require a three-quarter mandate for a decision to be ratified.
This effectively means that 24 votes would be enough to get Modi banned in a house of 31 votes, including 27 full members, National Cricket Club in Kolkata, Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, All-India Universities and the president’s vote. (Cricinfo)
JThe England striker set Spurs on their way by glancing home Lewis Holtby’s clever pass before completing the victory with a late finish.
Paulinho and Nacer Chadli were also on the scoresheet as Tottenham dominated.
However, Villa should have been awarded a penalty early in the second half when Nicklas Helenius was impeded by Jan Vertonghen.
The visitors only led by a single goal when Danish striker Helenius nipped in front of Vertonghen and bizarrely had his shorts pulled down by the tumbling Belgian defender.
However, much to the bemusement of Villa manager Paul Lambert, referee Jon Moss turned down the penalty appeals.
That might have given Villa a way back into a match which Tottenham dominated, despite manager Andre Villas-Boas’s pre-match assertions that it would be a risk for his players to play so soon after Sunday’s victory over Cardiff.
Only Vertonghen, Kyle Walker and Paulinho retained their places in the Spurs side as new boys Erik Lamela, a club record £25.7m signing from Roma, and Vlad Chiriches were given opportunities.
And Defoe, who has scored six goals in his three first-team starts this season and is now Tottenham’s fifth highest goalscorer in history, relished the clever balls
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) invited representatives of the respective teams for the upcoming Premier League to ink their signatures to play in the tournament.
This was done on Tuesday in the boardroom of the entity’s head office at Section K, Campbellville. Present was GFF President Christopher Matthias, who thanked members of the Organising Committee for their work to put together the project.
“While this is a work in progress, we are trying to create an environment for all clubs to be ‘A’ grade and premier league sides. This league format though somewhat different would be more conducive to football development while also taking into consideration the interest of spectators and sponsors” Matthias said.
GFF Vice President
of Competitions Collie Hercules, spearhead of the committee, said that the thrust of the tournament arose after it was felt that the GFF needed to know where the body was in terms of the game’s development and what could be done to improve it.
“As you know tournaments are our biggest revenue generators and we wanted to come up with something that was exciting for both the fans and the sponsors. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the teams and associations the best of luck and look forward to seeing you at the launch of the tournament,” Hercules said.
The tournament will commence on October 6 with 16 clubs from various associations competing in a one round league format.
Matches will be played at venues across the country and three points will be
being
Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer, making his second start of the season after a summer move from Norwich, kept his side in the game with a number of fine saves.
But he could do nothing about Defoe’s opener at the end of the first half as the striker deftly headed home Holtby’s cute clip over the defence.
Following Helenius’s failure to win an early second-half penalty, Paulinho doubled Tottenham’s lead when he lost his marker and poked in Holtby’s corner at the near post.
Villa winger Aleksandar Tonev forced Brad Friedel into a save with a stinging 25-yard shot but Tottenham completed their convincing win as the hosts tired. (BBC Sport)
Sunrisers Hyderabad were subjected to an examination of their batting depth and, in their opening game of the tournament’s main draw on Tuesday, showed that they could look after themselves even without much assistance from Shikhar Dhawan.
Trinidad & Tobago were in control for the most part of the second innings, but Thisara Perera’s fearless hitting narrowed the gap between the runs required and balls remaining to take Sunrisers home in a tense chase of 161.
The first game of the day - between Titans and Brisbane Heat - was a lowscoring one, with the fast bowlers taking control in helpful conditions. However, as the evening wore on, the dew became a factor and the margin for error was minimal for the bowlers, who struggled to bowl the lengths they wanted.
side edge, but he cleared the rope four times and his timely boundaries ensured Sunrisers were always in the hunt.
Dhawan gave Sunrisers a start with a brisk 23, but when he popped the simplest of catches to Navin Stewart, it was game on. It was then down to the experience of JP Duminy to restore some order, but his run-out - caught ball-watching - gave T&T the edge. Sunrisers were going at seven an over when
Duminy was dismissed, and the required rate was over nine.
Perera walked in and smashed his second ball for six, over long-off. T&T had to be careful not to feed him length balls on middle and leg, Perera’s favourite hitting zone. Rayad Emrit made the mistake of bowling there and was duly smashed for a four and six off consecutive balls to deep midwicket. Narine had a struggling Hanuma Vihari stumped for 18 and proceeded to bowl out a wicket maiden, silencing Darren Sammy who opted to see off T&T’s best bowler.
Perera released the pressure the following over with two boundaries off Emrit. He had a lucky escape on 32 when he pulled Ravi Rampaul to deep midwicket, only for Lendl Simmons to palm the ball over the rope while attempting a tough catch. Emrit’s final over cost T&T as he leaked 23. He started off with two wides before getting smashed by Sammy over deep midwicket.
The dew may have been responsible for the low full tosses which were put away. Poor catching didn’t help T&T’s cause either as Sammy was also let off in the same over.
awarded for a victory, while one point will be awarded for a draw at the end of regulation time. Penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner and the winner of the penalty shootout will be awarded the point.
The competing teams are Santos FC, Alpha United, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), BK Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, Milerock, Silver Shattas, Winners Connections, BV/Triumph FC, Buxton United, Mahaica Determinators, Den Amstel, Young Achievers, Grove HiTech, Rosignol United and New Amsterdam United.
The victorious side will receive $3,000,000, gold medals and a trophy while second and third place finishers will receive $2,000,000, silver medals and second trophy and $1,000,000, bronze medals and third place trophy respectively. The fourth place finishers will pocket $500,000 and a trophy.
Sunil Narine’s parsimonious and incisive spell of 4 for 9 kept T&T in the hunt but Perera not only managed to survive him but ensured he stayed till the end. Perera’s knock had its fair share of slogs that only connected thin air, some dangerously close to the out-
Renaldo Mohamed will tour Australia with a squad composed by Trinidad and Tobago company All Sport for the Tri-Nations International Under-16 Series against an Indian team and the School Sport Australia. The tournament will be held at Bradman Oval and involves a Twenty20 and 50-over series, scheduled to commence on November 16 and conclude on November 30. Therefore, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has indicated its approval of Mohamed’s participation, deeming it as “valuable exposure”. GCB will
Trinidad & Tobago innings L Simmons c †Patel b Steyn 0 E Lewis c †Patel b I Sharma 22 DM Bravo c Dhawan b I Sharma 66 J Mohammed b Sammy 19 D Ramdin*† c Steyn b Perera 21 N Pooran c †Patel b Sammy 6 N Stewart b Perera 17 S Narine run out (Sammy/Perera) 0 R Emrit not out 3
S Badree not out 1
Extras: (lb1, w 3, nb 1) 5
Total: (8 wkts, 20 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-49, 3-110, 4-110, 5-124, 6-153, 7-154, 8-156 Bowling: D Steyn 4-0-41-1, I Sharma 4-0-36-2, G Vihari 1-08-0, N Perera 4-0-26-2, A Mishra 3-0-27-0, D Sammy 4-0-21-2 Sunrisers Hyderabad innings P Patel† c Stewart b Narine 17 S Dhawan* c & b Stewart 23 JP Duminy run out (Rampaul) 17 G Vihari st †Ramdin
also be purchasing the ticket to Trinidad and Tobago where he will join the rest of the squad for a camp from Friday to Sunday. Mohamed is the lone Guyanese selected in the squad with 11 Trinidadians and two Grenadians.
Several years ago All Sport established a working relationship with School Sport Australia to do exchange visits for the development of young cricketers. So far, All Sport has hosted Australia U-16 team twice in the Caribbean, and in 2010, took an invitational team from Trinidad and Tobago, with the inclusion of Guyanese Brian Sattuar.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Two contrasting halfcenturies from captain Christopher Barnwell and Rajendra Chandrika guided Demerara to a nervy three-wicket win over Berbice in the second round Pepsi Inter-County 50-over competition on Tuesday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
The duo’s whirlwind partnership of 117 set the stage for the chase, one which was eventually achieved after several heart-stopping moments.
Demerara finished on 252 for 7 with an over to spare, chasing the 250.
Barnwell and Chandrika came together after Demerara were reduced to 49 for 3, and managed to turn the game on its head.
The pair almost immediately, settled into a free-flowing rhythm. They went about eliminating the dot balls, ran the fielders ragged, picked off boundar-
ies at will and set Demerara up for the victory.
Barnwell, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, slammed 72 off 65 balls, inclusive of six fours and five sixes to complement his 101 in the opening round against Essequibo on Saturday. The right-handed, Chandrika made a 91-ball 62 with three fours.
Derwin Christian made 26 not out, Zaheer Mohamed, 18, and Shaquil Williams, 14 not out, played useful cameos to secure the victory at the end. Robin Bacchus and Steven Jacobs contributed 16 runs each.
Fast bowler Keon Joseph and leg spinner Devendra Bishoo picked up two wickets each while Eon Hooper, Gudakesh Motie and Devon Clements had one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Berbice rallied from a commanding unbeaten 72 from Bishoo and a sixth wicket stand of 63 runs that eventually guided them
to the respectable total.
Berbice were reeling at 137 for 6, but Bishoo’s late counter-attack along with all-rounder Romario Shepherd-DeJonge, gave life to the lower-middle order.
The left-handed Bishoo slammed four fours and two sixes in his 63-balls innings while Shepherd-DeJonge made 38.
Devon Clements (30), Anthony Bramble (26), captain Sewnarine Chattergoon (18) and Shimron Hetemyer (12) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.
Bowling for Demerara, Christopher Barnwell was the pick of the bowlers, snapping up 4 for 59 off his 10 overs, while Paul Wintz, Kellon Carmichael, Jacobs, and Trevon Griffith, picked up one wicket each.
The final preliminary round is fixed for Thursday with Berbice facing Essequibo at GCC. The two top teams will clash in the final on Sunday at the Albion Community Center ground.
Maurice Solomon rolled back the years to win the Courts 20th anniversary golf tournament over the weekend at the Lusignan Golf Club when he shot net 67 from gross 84 playing off a 22-handicap.
There was a keen tussle for the second position with B. Harry (15 handicap) getting the better of Alfred Mentore (7 handicap) on a countback after both players shot 68 net. Mentore,
however secured the second prize when he won the Best Gross of 78.
Joaan Deo, playing off 21 handicap, recorded gross 91 for net 70 on her way to claiming fourth position. Deo was also among the Courts winners last year.
Nearest to the Pin was William Walker.
Meanwhile, Courts Managing Director Clyde DeHaas congratulated the winners and all the players who participated in the
tournament. He said Courts was extremely happy to be part of the development of golf in Guyana, challenging the Lusignan Golf Club to get more youths involved in the sport.
Courts Public Relations Officer Kester Abrams said that the company has sponsored several major sporting events this year to coincide with its 20th anniversary celebrations, being observed during September.
In a close battle of Caribbean neighbours, Guyana suffered their second defeat of the Pan American Hockey Federation Cup through a 1-0 loss to Central American and Caribbean (CAC) champions Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday at the Mendocino Hockey Stadium in Mendoza, Argentina.
Despite looking confident in the opening possessions, the Guyanese ladies suffered a major setback three minutes into the match as Trinidadian star Blair Wynne blasted home a penalty corner strike off Guyanese goalkeeper Alysa Xavier.
Trinidad faked the direct strike on the penalty corner and fed the ball to Wynne on the right side. Wynne’s shot appeared to be going just wide but the stick of Xavier redirected it into the Guyanese net.
The Guyanese ladies needed to use the next 67 minutes of play to find a way through the tough defence of Trinidad that beat them one year ago 5–0. The match progressed on an even keel for the next 10 minutes but Trinidad piled on the pressure on Guyana in the closing minutes of the half but the Guyanese defense held firm, anchored by sweeper
Ulrica Sutherland. When the second half resumed, Guyana enjoyed its most successful time of the match with some menacing runs by left winger Gabriella Xavier giving the Soca Warriors trouble to mount any attacks.
Trinidad regained their rhythm however and finished strong, pushing the Guyanese back and earning a few penalty corners in the process. Guyana held out however and the full time whistle met the game still at 1-0 in favour of Trinidad.
Manager of the Guyanese
team, Rawl Davson, indicated that while the team was hoping for a win, the result shows how far they have come in just the past year. Davson recalled that when the Guyana team first toured Trinidad in 2010, the hosts routed them by 8–0 in a one-sided affair.
The Guyanese side next face Argentina which continued its dominance of the pool on the second match day with a 6-0 defeat of Canada. In pool B action, the USA crushed Chile by 5-1 while Uruguay disposed of Mexico by 4-0.
Twenty-Six community grounds in Region Six will be upgraded under the Sport Ministry’s initiative to further the development of sport from the grassroots.
The region will be receiving a large chunk of the $300 million allocation for the development of sport from this year’s budget, according the Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony last Friday when he visited that Region. He revealed that 160 project proposals have reached his ministry and 155 were approved.
“Region Six will be given a larger chunk of the money. This is because of the direct involvement of the Regional Chairman who went around meeting with some of the committees to provide advice on who they should apply to and what were the best projects to seek assistance for,” Anthony noted.
Twenty-three of the projects will be funded by
the ministry. According to Anthony, $300 million was budgeted for the project and $1 million yearly for each of the two previous years.
Permanent Secretary within the ministry Alfred King noted that there was need for an estimate and a design, along with the signature of members of a management committee and the approval of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) or in some cases, the municipality, before a project was approved by the ministry.
He explained that government wants is to see value for money, stating “What you specify in your proposal is not what we see when we go on the ground sometimes. The committees can get materials easily but it is not as easy to get it spread rolled chipped and maybe that quality arrangement was lacking.”
The minister also explained that the regional administration will be
By Rajiv Bisnauth
The much-anticipated
Bush Lot United Turf Club horse race meet this Sunday seems in limbo after the Guyana Police Force withdrew its presence from the event, citing its commitment to the Police gymkhana, also set for the same day.
Coordinator of the event Lakeram Sukhdeo told Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday that he was summoned to a meeting on Monday at the Fort Willington Police Station where he was informed of the police’s inability to provide adequate security for the event due to the gymkhana.
Sukhdeo claimed that he was told to reschedule the event to another date when the force would be better able to provide the necessary security.
However, the coordinator indicated that lots of monies have already been spent and resources expended to ensure that the meet goes ahead as planned this Sunday.
He said that the club is prohibited by law to host any meet without police presence, revealing that the station was in possession of information about the date and other plans for the race meet for more than two months.
Meanwhile, when contacted for a comment, president of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, Cecil Kennard said
he is unaware of the issue since he only returned from an overseas trip two days ago. Kennard, however, promised to look into the matter.
On the other hand, 80 horses have already been registered for the meet.
An impressive seven-race programme has been put together with all the big names set to be on show for what is expected to be a competitive day of racing. Organisers stated that over $7 million have been invested in the event.
The feature race will be for horses classified C and Lower and will run a mile for $1.2 million.
Other events billed for the day are the E and Lower for $600,000 over a distance of one mile, the Three-yearold race for animals bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies for $500,000, Two-yearold Guyana and West Indies bred horses, also $500,000, the race for the G3 and Lower for $400,000, the I and Lower for $200,000 and the J, K and L Class for $150,000.
Meanwhile, Sukhdeo said repair works to the fence and pavilion have been completed. Sukhdeo indicated that apart from the races, an after race party will be stage with the popular 71 Sound System providing the entertainment; there will also be attractions for children.
monitoring the project, noting that funds will be given to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and not be put into the hands of the managing committee.
“The regional administration will make timely disbursements to contractors, based on work that has been completed,” The minister told the several group representatives at the region-
al boardroom at Vryman’s Ervin.
“Some people for the purpose of getting something done in their community may get together as a team and apply for the funds. Somehow after a while these committees don’t work anymore, therefore you get all sorts of issues about accountability. Sometimes you have cases where people go
and buy a couple of posts and they put it up and in some cases they don’t even put it up. That can’t be accepted.”
The minister said based on experiences, checks and balances have been put in place. The RDC is now being tasked with the responsibility of monitoring projects and dispersing money as work progresses.
“In the past we have given communities cheques and then have had to go looking for the people to get the work done. We cannot tolerate that,” Anthony warned.
Government, he said, recognises that NDCs have limited financial resources available to them and would prioritise projects; therefore it is hardly likely that an NDC wound put money into the upgrade on a community ground.
Meanwhile, the Number 79 village ground is on the list, along with the Siporuta Community Centre on the Corentyne River.
The minister said the Number 71 play ground and Courtland village ground will be benefiting from the project. Adelphi, Orealla, Hampshire, Chesney, Port Mourant, Number 69, Number 73, Number 60, Albion Front, Cumberland, Fyrish, Tain and Whim are all villages where projects will be undertaken.
“Whim has been one of those grounds that had a lot of attention because monies were spent there but it is a big and it will take a lot of money to fix everything. So we will be spending three million dollars there to fix that ground,” the minister noted.
Contractors are expected to start working before the end of the month. Three additional projects are being undertaken at the Bermine ground at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Burnham Park and the Skeldon Community Centre. (Andrew Carmichael)
