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INSIDE Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2100 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

April 13, 2014

Budget catered for all – Ramotar

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Truck hauled P7 from Essequibo River

See story on page 16

Voting down funding for Specialty Hospital inhumane – Dr Ramsammy

See story on page 12

"Cutting the Specialty Hospital is gross disregard, disrespect and insult to a whole nation. We should never restrict healthcare services," says former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Three confess to kidnap/ murder of Foulis businessman See story on page 3

Smoking Caribbean Airlines plane diverts to Bermuda See story on page 17

Hinterland a haven P9 for criminal activities – Granger

Albouystown residents call for police outpost P12 Durban Street resident P16 is latest centenarian First female P17 commercial airline captain touches down at CJIA

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, April 13 from 14:30h-16:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, April 13 from 15:15h-16:45h

WEATHER TODAY Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain showers can be expected during the day with clear skies in the evening over coastland areas.

Wind: North easterly between 4.02 metres to 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:18h and 15:38h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.60 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:13h and 21:28h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.61 metre respectively.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

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Three confess to kidnap/ murder of Foulis businessman

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hree persons on Friday evening confessed to the kidnapping and murder of Foulis, East Coast Businessman Rajendra Sunil Singh, a source close to the investigations told Guyana Times.

This publication understands that of the five persons who were initially taken into police custody, three of them who are known associates of the businessman made the confession during interrogation by investigators.

They have since revealed the identities of their accomplices to the police who have launched a manhunt to apprehend them.

A female who was taken into custody from the inception, remains in custody as police intensify investigations into the incident.

Guyana Times was told that one of the two masterminds behind the kidnapping and killing was apprehended, while the other is still on the run.

It is believed that two men would have orchestrated the entire incident and in turn they would have contracted three other men to execute the plan.

The kidnapping reportedly stemmed from the sale of

several of the businessman’s properties, which led to greed for money. It is believed that the men were business associates and would frequent Singh’s house, thus they were well aware of his business deals.

In an attempt to extort money from the businessman, the kidnappers’ plan failed.

On the night in question, their main target was reportedly Singh’s teenage son whom they thought was in the car with him.

No alternative The officer also stated that after they entered the car, the businessman would have seen their faces; hence, they were left with no alternative but to take him along.

They also confessed to making contact with Singh’s wife, demanding $50 million for his safe return since they were aware that he had the money at home.

After they realised the police had gotten involved in the matter, they reportedly lowered the ransom to $25 million.

After three days and their demands were not met, the suspects reportedly shot the businessman twice to the head aback the La Repentir

Cemetery, Georgetown.

The investigators who have worked tirelessly on the case said they are still to find out where and how the man met his demise since they could not confirm if the man was killed at another location and dumped at the La Repentir Cemetery.

Found dead Singh was kidnapped two Saturdays ago, but was on Wednesday morning found with his throat slit and two bullet wounds to the head.

The 40-year-old businessman of Lot 15 Foulis, Enmore, was discovered with his hands tied behind his back with a piece of rope. A white cloth was also tied around his neck.

Investigators confirmed that the man was strangled before his throat was slit.

They also believe that he was tortured.

Singh’s body bore several marks of violence, which indicated that he was severely beaten.

The businessman was clad in a pair of black socks, a pair of boxer shorts, and a blue tshirt, with fresh bloodstains on his body. He was tied to an abbey tree.

The businessman was positively identified by a tattoo on

Murdered businessman, Rajendra Sunil Singh

one of his arms by a close relative, who is a police rank.

It was reported that the kidnappers would have contacted the family on Tuesday morning, requesting that the $25 million ransom be dropped off at a certain location.

The kidnappers reportedly contacted the family a while later and gave an ultimatum that the money must be delivered by 12:00h on Tuesday, a deadline the family failed to meet.

Hours after, the gruesome discovery was made at the La Repentir Cemetery.

He is expected to be cremated today.

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Views Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231.

Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The Constitution and the Budget

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he acceptance in modern jurisprudence of the doctrine of “Judicial Review” – that it is the bailiwick of the Judicial branch to determine whether the Executive or Legislative Branches are acting outside the ambit of the Constitution, the “supreme law of the land” – goes back to an interesting case of the U.S. Supreme Court, early in that nation’s history. It is interesting in view of what transpired in our Parliament during the budget debate.

Without going into a catalogue of the convoluted series of incidents in the 1803 case (Marbury vs Madison), the bottom line is that in ruling that the Supreme Court did not have jurisdiction in the original matter, and ruling for the Executive (which was manoeuvred into accepting the decision), Chief Justice John Marshall won out on the larger issue that courts were the ultimate arbiter of the Constitution.

In allowing the Executive to win a battle, Marshall won the war for the Judiciary. The case has rightly been called the most important one in the history of the American Republic.

In our country, unlike in England where the Legislature (Parliament) is supreme, our state followed the American pattern of Constitutional Supremacy and Judicial Review.

We have our own precedence for this state of affairs.

The Burnham Government in the late 1970s decided that they would unilaterally rescind a pay raise to clerical workers of GuySuCo. The Government was taken to court by a timekeeper Teemal, but lost the case (GuySuCo vs Teemal) and appealed.

Before the Appeal Court, counsel for the Executive argued that “Cabinet’s decision was paramount”. The court, in the person of Justice Luckhoo, ruled that he “was unaware of any such proposition as a matter of law, as no authority had been cited to support such a novel proposition”.

And in language that should be harkened to by all Guyanese today, he noted: “Lest we lose sight of our country’s jurisprudence...let me state once more that it is the Constitution that is paramount and which is the supreme law of the land.”

Even Burnham did not dispute that ruling. But of course, being Burnham, he resorted to his illegally rigged two-thirds controlled Parliament to alter the Constitution to have his way to squeeze sugar workers. Burnham did always maintain that there were many ways to kill a cat. And we arrive at the farce that is playing out in Parliament in this latest of three budget debates where the Opposition controls the Parliament though a one-seat majority and insists that it can act outside of the Constitution as interpreted by the Judiciary.

The acting Chief Justice has ruled that according to the Constitution, which delineates the distribution of state power between the arms of Government, the Legislature cannot cut the budget of the Executive. Implicitly accepting the jurisdiction of the court to make this decision, because it has appealed the decision, the Opposition yet again chose to cut the budget.

In committing this illegality, the courts in the normal order of things should now impose sanctions on the Opposition, if the matter is raised before it. We shall see if the Government will take the matter to the courts.

But in the meantime there was the interesting sideshow of the Speaker, nominated by the Opposition, and a party to the acting Chief Justice’s original ruling and the Opposition’s subsequent appeal. Speaker Raphael Trotman proposed that a “tri-partisan” sub-committee be formed to negotiate budget estimates opposed by the Opposition.

This would have undermined the rule of law that rests on the supremacy of the Constitution and its interpretation by the courts.

If the Executive had gone along to have its budget passed, like Marshall, Trotman would have allowed them to win that battle, but won the war for the Opposition that Parliament was above the Constitution. Guyana can breathe that the Government drew back.

Nachgana Academy dancers on Saturday thrilled a sizable gathering at the Indian Monument Garden, Camp and Church Street, Georgetown when it hosted its first stage production titled “Dancing Enchanters” (Carl Croker Photo)

APNU has admitted that Guyana is experiencing unprecedented economic, social development Dear Editor, APNU’s David Granger has now unwittingly admitted that this country is now experiencing unprecedented economic and social development when he declared that drug money is responsible for Guyana’s economic growth.

In other words, Guyana is a narco state! He cannot believe that despite all of APNU’s and AFC’s evil efforts to destabilise and obstruct economic progress, this Samsonite PPP/C Government has persevered and prevailed over all those insurmountable odds.

Therefore, the only asinine conclusion that the Leader of APNU could muster is that drugs money is responsible for the economic prosperity of this nation.

This is a serious indictment against our nation and they should submit hard evidence to back his insane and inane outbursts.

President Donald Ramotar has challenged him to provide evidence to sup-

port his claim, but I am positive that Granger will do a Ramayya on that one. The President has provided hard facts and evidence, what can you provide Granger? Even with the drug trade thriving during the PNC era they still managed to bankrupt this country!

People who lie and deceive to achieve political office should never be trusted and once again Granger has reminded this nation about the PNC’s 28 years of lies, deceit, mismanagement, corruption and criminal activities and political crimes!

Should this man ever be the President of this country, he has the propensity to make the late Burnham resemble an altar boy. Granger should know that as a wannabe President, he cannot insult the sweat and hard work of the same Guyanese people he wants to vote him into office or is it that he now realises that he can never be that, so the grapes have turned sour?

It seems that Granger and his boys are sleeping in Parliament. Every year when the estimates are presented, the expenditures and the sources of those expenditures are clearly stated therein.

I am quite confident that there are no line items saying ‘Narco Income’ or ‘Narco Expenditure’ and if Granger is concluding that the ‘drug money’ was effectively laundered in the economy then the question is: Why did APNU and the AFC not support the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of Financing of Terrorism Bill in Parliament?

This would have effectively blocked the loop holes that are there to clean the drug money and our economy would have collapsed and the people would have voted APNU and AFC as the next government!

But APNU knows that they can create more destruction by having Guyana blacklisted, cripple trade,

cripple foreign and local investments, increase the cost of living and effectively erode the economic progress our country has made, especially during the last eight years! They know that drug money is not the major problem in this country. The major problem that APNU and AFC have is to get in power by whatever devious means possible. Guyana is not a ‘narco state’!

Believe it or not Granger, President Donald Ramotar and his team have more resilience and competence than you could ever imagine and progress will continue with or without you! The PPP/C Government has taken this country out of the doldrums and has converted it into the promised land by hard work and astute management, not through thievery and corruption!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor, Region Six

TAAMOG deeply saddened at cutting of Amerindian Development Fund

Dear Editor, The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana is deeply saddened and vigorously condemns the parliamentary Opposition for the totally unjustified cutting of the $1.1 billion of the Amerindian Development fund which is a continued blatant demonstration of their anti-Amerindian peoples development and marginalisation policies in our country.

Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai must be commended for the able way she accurately and positively responded to the many questions posed by the Opposition, yet they used their one-seat majority in cutting the capital budget allocation which include the Amerindian Development Fund, expenditure for building, land and water transport.

TAAMOG is of the firm view that financial resources given to Guyana’s first peo-

ples through our national budget must be nonnegotiable with the Parliamentary Opposition.

TAAMOG rejects the parliamentary Opposition’s claim that the funds for Amerindian Development are used to manipulate Amerindians as misleading, erroneous, and mischievous and constitute propaganda lies.

TAAMOG calls on the Amerindian communities of Guyana to seriously take

note of the Opposition’s policy of discrimination and marginalisation towards Amerindians taking them back to neglect and abandonment that occurred under the illegal misrule of the PNC era prior to 1992.

Amerindians of Guyana condemn and resist the hypocrisy of the parliamentary Opposition! They are not to be trusted.

Sincerely, Peter Persaud

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sunday, april 13, 2014

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

India votes

Dear Editor With reference to your editorial (April 6), I am in India to do some informal polling and analyse the elections. India’s election is a marathon exercise involving some 814 million voters with 100 million being first timers.

One discerns that the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the front runner. Everywhere I travelled, questioning people who they want as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat state, is the response.

The ruling Congress led by the Italian Born Sonia Maino, widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and her son Rahul Gandhi, is facing the biggest threat to its rule. The party is projected to put up its worst showing. Both he and his mother are contesting seats in Uttar Pradesh where most Guyanese trace their roots.

Rahul is contesting from Amethi district where former President Jagdeo traces his roots.

Sonia is contesting from Rae Barely where Basdeo Panday traces his roots.

Both are expected to easily win re-election but even in their seats, there is widespread disenchantment with them and large support for Modi.

Many people see Rahul as aloof and out of touch with everyday life but he is still attractive and the Gandhi name is still a big draw. Modi is contesting two seats, the prestigious holy city of Varanasi, also in Uttar Pradesh and another seat in his home state.

He is expected to win both seats but will have to give up one after the election. There are eighty seats in UP. It is critical for BJP to win at least half of the seats to improve its chances of Government formation.

Opinion polls show BJP is expected to do well but to fall short of a 272-seat majority, making a coalition government a likely outcome. The Congress is confident of a hat trick victory having won in 2004 and 2009 and led coalition governments. But Congress is scandal and corruption tainted and will receive a drubbing unless there is manipulation of the electronic voting machines.

Also, economic slowdown is also turning supporters away from Congress. The BJP governed between 2004 and 2008. Congress has dominated governance since 1947 ( 54 out of 67 years) with brief interruptions with governments that failed to serve a complete

five year term except for the BJP since it won independence from Britain in 1947. It faces its worst ever defeat.

The staggered ninephase voting got under way last Monday in the north-eastern states of Assam and Tripura.

Congress is strong in the North but weak in Delhi and elsewhere. BJP is expected to recapture seats in Delhi (3rd phase) that it lost in 2009 and 2004 to Congress. BJP swept Delhi in 1999 winning all seven seats. This time around, it could win three or four seats.

Besides the BJP and Congress, the newlyformed anti-corruption party Aam Aadmi Party is in the fray. The AAP received spectacular results in local polls in Delhi last December in its first outing and is fielding candidates in all of Parliament’s 543 elected seats. It is expected to receive a lot of votes but not win many seats. It is pulling BJP votes making it difficult for BJP to win a majority of seats.

Several smaller regional parties are also in the fray in almost all of the states and some of them have formed alliances with the two major parties. If no single party wins a clear majority, they could play a crucial role in Government formation.

People in the rural areas, much like in Guyana or Trinidad, complain that their areas remain backward and underdeveloped and want change with many saying they are confident that Modi will bring that change. Modi has been credited with ushering in strong industrial growth in Gujarat, where he has been Chief Minister for 11 years winning a massive third unprecedented victory last year.

The BJP released its campaign manifesto promising development through futuristic infrastructure projects such as highspeed trains, 100 new modern cities and wireless Internet facilities in public places. It also promises to curb corruption. At the launch, Modi told reporters: “Today the country has become stagnant. It is drowned in pessimism. It needs momentum to move forward”.

The fourth phase of voting was held on Saturday.

Voting concluded on May 12 with counting beginning shortly thereafter.

Exit polls were conducted but the findings will not be result until the evening of May 12.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Waves of development projects for the Amerindian peoples Dear Editor, The National Toshaos Council, the democratically elected representative for the Amerindian peoples, takes this opportunity to congratulate Finance, Dr Ashni Singh for presenting the biggest budget in the history of Guyana, under the theme, “A better Guyana for all Guyanese”.

We noted with enthusiasm that in this budget, our Amerindian peoples and the Hinterland Communities are highlighted to benefit significantly and these investments will no doubt continue to create more positive developments in our Amerindian Communities resulting in a better standard of living for us, the Amerindian peoples!

To this end, the NTC is making a call to the combined Oppositions not to touch one single cent that is in the 2014 budget for us.

It is for the development of our people and we look forward to receiving every single penny that is in the budget for us.

To date, through the PPP/C Government’s interventions, we the Amerindian peoples have made signal and significant headway, despite some challenges we face as a people and it is important to note that what we earned in this year’s budget,

must be made available to us.

The investment made by the Government to the Amerindian communities via the allocation of $231.1 million dollars to our hinterland, will see some of our airstrips being rehabilitated and maintained and this is important to the boosting of our transportation.

Additionally, work will commence in Port Kaituma for the expansion of electricity network which will allow for many residents to enjoy without interruption, increased electricity to all.

Ten of our hinterland villages will also benefit from the solar home systems, that is in excess of 3000 hinterland residents who will benefit and they will be receiving training to operate and maintain these units.

Presently, the Government is also reviewing the design and financing arrangements to make the micro-hydropower interventions in the Chuing River a reality; this initiative will allow the communities to receive electricity like their counterparts in the coastal regions.

Further, Lethem will also benefit considerably since $200 million has been budgeted for the relocation of the power plant in Lethem.

The NTC is very pleased

and the support of more than 20,000 residents in the hinterland communities of Waikerabi, Santa Rosa, Arau, Taruka, Kanapang, Kathur, Aishalton and St Ignatius who will enjoy the improvement of water supply, this is testimony to Government’s commitment for the Amerindian peoples in terms of community development.

Our young people in the hinterland Regions of One, Seven, Eight and Nine will continue to be engaged in the Youth Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship Programme, which is a project aimed at preparing the young people to develop some life skills.

These young people will continue to have practical on the job training in various skills areas. For this project we are happy to note that the Government has budgeted $796 million dollars for its continuation and expansion to reach Amerindian villages in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10.

Training will be also be given to the young people especially for those in the areas of infrastructure so that they will be able to assist with the OLPF initiative where the construction of 100 hubs in 100 hinterland villages will benefit 57,000 persons.

Noteworthy, is the in-

vestment made by the Government to support the Hinterland Scholarship Programme which is being implemented to increase equal access to education among the hinterland students in comparison to their coastal counterparts.

We must acknowledge this support and this is a testimony of Government’s commitment; in this regard 470 students will benefit from the $66.6 million allocated to the Hinterland Scholarship Programme.

Another new initiative that is included in the 2014 budget is the $10,000 educational grant that every schoolchild will receive. We the people from the hinterland are most grateful for this assistance; this will help us in a great way.

We are also pleased to note that the critical interior arteries which include the Linden Lethem road will be rehabilitated; this will also benefit many of our people.

We the NTC fully support the 2014 National Budget and look forward to working with the Government hand in hand as we move forward for the development of the Amerindian peoples of Guyana.

Respectfully submitted, National Toshaos Council

APNU and AFC are disgraceful and heartless (Part one)

Dear Editor, I sat distressed and disgusted in Parliament last Thursday night (April 10, 2014) as the AFC and APNU disapproved and cut out from the National Budget about $9.3 billion allocated for some very significant development in our country, development that would benefit citizens everywhere in Guyana.

The cuts targeted Guyanese in very sensitive areas, areas that would contribute to better lives for all.

I believe APNU and AFC betrayed the people of Guyana once again by these cuts. It underlined the truth behind their intentions – they intend to suffocate Guyana’s development as much as they can and they intend to do so by directly affecting the lives of people.

But I believe they disgraced themselves as representatives of the people.

Quite simply, they took great delight in voting against the interest of the people and against our country.

APNU voted against a number of important roads and highways, such as the Linden Highway, the Corentyne River Bridge, the West Demerara Highways, etc. The total cost of these highways and bridges amounted to more than $13

billion.

On this occasion, AFC abstained from voting. On this occasion, they knew that this was the wrong thing to do, but did not have the guts to stand against the wicked actions of their partners in misery.

But the PPP/C’s 32 votes stood firm against the 26 votes of APNU to preserve these projects of roads and bridges in all 10 geographic regions. Yet, we would have been appreciative of the support from the AFC. They stood silently and left the PPP/C to fight on behalf of our people and country. But the PPP/C, whether alone or with the support of others, will always stand in absolute solidarity with our people.

Had APNU had its way, the total cuts would have been more than $23 billion.

But as hard as we fought, APNU and AFC joined to cut $9.3 billion from the budget.

But the PPP/C stood firm with the people of Guyana.

We stand for development and we will continue to invest in people and in the projects that make their lives better. We will seek to find ways to ensure that these programmes are implemented. We will not abandon our people.

While the cuts represent

a major barrier in our efforts to improve the lives of our people and the development of our country, the PPP/C will not be deterred in our pursuit of a better Guyana and better lives for all of our people.

I am particularly angry at both the AFC and APNU for trying to suffocate the development of our country by abusing the mandate of parliamentarians. They demonstrated in no uncertain terms that they do not deserve the title of parliamentarian.

Parliamentarians must work for people; not against people.

In voting against development, as they did yesterday (Thursday), they abdicated their responsibility to act in the interest of the people of Guyana. Cutting Budget, particularly programmes like hospitals and the Amerindian Fund, is not only morally wrong, but it exposes them as power-hungry politicians who do not care for the people and for our country.

The vote against $9 billion is a vote against people and our country. Yet, they openly gloated and celebrated their “victory” in blocking $9.3 billion and voting against the Amerindian Development Fund, the Specialty Hospital, the

Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion, and the Eye Surgery Operating Room at Linden etc. But it was not a “victory”; it was a shameless assault on our people’s welfare and our country’s development.

Voting against the Amerindian Fund is a betrayal of our indigenous sisters and brothers The Amerindian Fund is a budgetary fund that responded to the recommendations of over 200 Amerindian leaders who identified these activities at the 2013 National Toshaos Council Meeting as important and necessary for the development of Amerindian communities and Amerindian people. But given a chance to demonstrate their commitment to Amerindian people’s interest, APNU and AFC chose to betray them.

The Amerindian Development Fund has in the past seen Amerindians receiving benefits through a number of areas including equipment, rehabilitation of community huts, benabs, acquisition of solar power, computer systems and the construction of dorms and hostels.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

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Anu Dev

ast Thursday, there was a Ms Mount Hope pageant held right here on the medical school’s campus. The proceeds from ticket sales went to a charity in aid of children with cancer. It was an incredible event, well planned-out and executed. We got to see another side of our friends who were contesting. As our anatomy lecturer would say, they had “Brains and beauty”.

Beauty pageants are becoming increasingly ubiquitous – especially over here in Guyana. Does this say something about us as a society? Are we possibly looking for validation?

Starting from the sixties, there’s been quite a debate about the pros and cons of such beauty pageants – especially provoked by feminist awareness. But you wouldn’t guess from the discourse in Guyana.

Ah well, our sixties beauty queen Shakira Baksh did marry Michael Caine, didn’t she? World fame, other than Jim Jones, at last!

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

“You need a role model who is beautiful, is trendy, and yet is still intelligent and has good moral values” -Shandi Finnessey Pro-pageant supporters swear that people enjoy their shows: they allow us to enjoy beauty just like any other art form.

After all, nobody’s complaining about John Singer Sargent’s paintings of females.

On the other hand, these contests promote a picture of female beauty that has been conditioned by the male gaze. Not to mention a male, western, white gaze.

The present standard can only be achieved by dieting, plastic surgery, applying great dollops of skin whiteners or injections of Botox.

Females are convinced to either obliterate their natural beauty or feel inferior for the rest of their lives.

With segments involving evening gown and bikinis there’s no escaping the fact that it’s definitely a western ideal of beauty being promoted. Those that protest some of these premises, such as observant Muslims or Hindus are dismissed as “traditional”. The irony that the so-called “progressive” modern standards are all from the western “tradi-

tion” is unremarked.

Another effect of beauty pageants is that by judging women mainly on their appearance, they objectify women and cement the idea that they are to be appreciated for their physical attributes instead of for other talents rather than possessing the “right” genes. The inclusion of an “intelligence” segment via questions hasn’t blunted this critique.

However, do these pageants really ‘empower’ women and ‘raise their selfconfidence’ as they claim to do? I’m not so sure, since they are mainly about the physical “beauty” and that doesn’t really help to liberate women form the typical stereotypes!

But there are also those cases where women like Aishwariya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and Halle Berry used beauty pageants as stepping-stones to advance their careers in films.

Would they have had the opportunities and attention they got, if they didn’t win their beauty contests?

Some would say that

these women are living proof that beauty pageants can be platforms for future success and present opportunities in a male-oriented world where there are already too-few opportunities for males.

So in comparison to the large-scale pageants like Miss World or Miss Universe where many of the contestants have some degree of cosmetic surgery to have the “ideal look”, it was heartening to see the girls of our med school go up as themselves, bringing their own individuality to the stage to try to raise money for charity.

In an interesting twist, which we can call feminism II, females are now demanding the right to display their bodies whichever way they want to. In that sense, the “non-display” of their charms might also be conforming to some male notions of beauty. And the debate will go one. Ultimately like with everything else in the world, the relative importance of brains and beauty is all about who has power.

Professor Kite and the secret of kites

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ite flying is great fun and it’s easy if you know some of Professor Kite’s secrets.

So grab your kite and join in the fun. The sky is big enough for everyone!

The first thing you need to do is pick a kite. Fliers carry different types of kites for different winds.

Kitefliers enjoy the different experiences each type offers.

Be sure your kite is put together correctly, or it may not fly.

Deltas, Diamonds and Dragon kites fly well in light to medium winds (approximately six to 15 mph) while Box Kites and stickless Parafoil kites fly better when the winds get a little stronger (approximately eight to 25 mph).

Professor Kites general rules for picking kite days

Because we don’t control the wind, we learn to watch for the right kite flying conditions.

Wind that is too strong or too light is difficult to fly in. A flag or windsock is handy to help you see the wind. About five to 25 mph is best for most kites (when leaves and bushes start to move, but before it really starts to blow).

Flying is most fun when the wind is medium so you can do more than just hold on. You can make your kite dance across the sky by pulling in and letting out the line.

Flying space should be a clear, open area. Stay away from roads, power lines or airports. Open fields, parks and beaches are great for flying kites. The more room you have, the more line you can let out.

Remember that as the wind goes over and around trees and buildings, it gets bumpy and difficult to fly kites in. Watch out for kite

eating trees!

No storms: Never fly in rain or lightening.

Electricity in clouds is attracted to damp kite lines and foolish kite fliers.

Don’t experiment – Fly safe

Kiters know that a kite has no “spirit” until it has been flown. Even if your kite is only for decoration, it should be flown at least once.

Single line kites: Stand with your back to the wind.

Hold your kite up by the bridle point and let the line out.

If there is sufficient wind, your kite will go right up.

Let the kite fly away from you a little, then pull in on the line as the kite points up so it will climb. Repeat this until your kite gains the altitude necessary to find a good steady wind.

Light wind. Have a helper take the kite downwind and hold it up. On command, the helper releases the kite and the flier pulls the line hand-overhand while the kite gains altitude. Practise this highlaunch technique.

No helper? Prop the kite up against a bush, post, or wall. Reel out enough line for altitude and simply pull the kite aloft.

If the kite sinks tail first, there might not be enough wind. If it comes down head first or spins, there might be too much wind. Different kites fly in different winds.

Bridles: If your kite has an adjustable bridle, move it higher (nearer the top) in higher winds, and lower (towards the tail) in lower winds. (Adjust no more than 1/2” at a time.)

Tails: Adding tails to your kite helps it remain stable in stronger winds.

Use light-weight materials so you can use lots! Looks great! (nationalkitemonth. org)

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SUNday, april 13, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Truck hauled from Roshana dazzles French Essequibo River Guiana audience

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wo days after his truck fell into the Essequibo River at the Supenaam Stelling, businessman Delroy Griffith is somewhat relieved as the vehicle is finally on land.

The truck is now at the side of the BK International Wharf, Supenaam, Essequibo Coast.

When Guyana Times visited the Supenaam Stelling on Saturday, the vehicle was seen at the side of the wharf in a mangled state.

The mangled truck removed from the river

Trucks on a pontoon stranded on the Essequibo River

All the chicken feed that was on board was water soaked.

Griffith commended the efforts of relevant authorities in removing his truck from the river, but strongly maintains that the Transport and Habours Department (T&HD) should give him a new truck.

According to him, several parts, the engine and the windscreen of the vehicle have been damaged.

The truck fell into the Essequibo River on Wednesday while being offloaded from Chinesemade ferry MV Kanawan at the Supenaam Stelling, Region Two. The mishap occurred after the captain and crew of the vessel failed to ensure

that the rope binding the vessel to the stelling was properly secured, causing the ramp of the boat to collapse. No one was injured in the incident.

The truck at the time was transporting 225 bags (10 tonnes) of chicken feed for a businessman. Griffith is responsible for the commodity until it is delivered.

According to Griffith, the estimated value of the feed is $2.5 million, money he will have to find to repay the businessman.

He has been in the trucking business for the past 15 years.

“Trucking is my business, every day im losing thousands of dollars, it was not my truck driver’s fault, he didn’t drive de-

liberately in the river, if there was proper monitoring on the boat and maintenance, this won’t have happened,” he had said.

He blamed the T&HD for the mishap, pointing out that the crew onboard the Chinese vessel was negligent in their duty.

Griffith had said if he does not get any support from the T&HD, he would be taking legal action against the Government agency.

Meanwhile, the Chinese ferries, the MV Kanawan and the MV Sabanto have resumed duties. The boats ply the Supenaam to Parika routes.

The ferry service has enabled many businessmen to conduct their business in a time-efficient and convenient manner.

Many persons enjoy the luxury and comfort travelling on the ferries.

Farmers from Wakenaam who have completed harvesting said they are waiting for the truck to be removed from the BK Wharf so that pontoons can be moored there, allowing them to transport their paddy to millers.

ith her amazing personality, her awesome signature unique catwalk stage model style and gait, coupled with her beautiful smile, Miss India Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana mesmerised the gathering at the 2014 Miss India Pageant in French Guiana.

Roshana was invited as a special guest by the franchise holder of the French Guiana leg of the pageant.

The pageant was held last Saturday.

According to a release, the local queen was given the VIP treatment, along with Miss India Pageant Guyana Franchise Holder Chandini Rambalak.

Roshana, who is also the Miss Limacol sponsored queen of the Miss Universe Guyana 2013 Pageant, and Miss India Worldwide: Most

Miss India Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana on stage at the 2014 Miss India Pageant in French Guiana on Saturday

ger, and had to stop. When she took the stage, the electricity was awesome as she strutted the catwalk.

“They told the Miss India Guyana beauty that they were voting for and

migrants and their descendants,” the release said.

According to the release, Roshana spoke to the gathering on autism and the need for awareness and understanding.

Miss India Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana with contestants and officials of the French Guiana pageant

Beautiful Skin Awardee, was shocked at the warm reception she received from the French Guianese.

“They applauded and screamed on seeing Roshana, which actually made her joyful that she was much appreciated, as hundreds were taking photos of and with her, to the point she could not go on any lon-

supporting her for the Miss Universe competition. Later it was learnt that there was a large Guyanese migrant community, who were most proud that a queen of her talent and grace could visit their adoptive country.

Katherina also expressed her joy at meeting the citizens of French Guyana, and meeting the Guyanese

She also delivered a presentation of how autism affects children through the neurological system.

The queen advised the gathering to be on the lookout for children and adults with such traits and not illtreat them ever, but to show kindness and love as love is the medicine for all illnesses.

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Budgetary allocations cleared for Regions One to Five

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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he National Assembly on Friday approved in full the $2.798 billion for the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, in addition to clearing budgetary allocations for Regions One to Five.

But before the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) threw in their support, acting Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker was asked a plethora of questions.

As he was being grilled

by APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Bulkan, Whittaker disclosed that the top three contract workers under his Ministry are the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Hinterland Coordinator. At the time, he was answering to questions posed based on budget allocations under the current expenditure programme (Main Office).

Meanwhile, APNU’s Winston Felix said “Oh Lard, no” when it was disclosed that Strategic Action Security Limited was providing a service despite its history. The sum of $108.368 million was approved for the Main Office Current Expenditure Programme while $47.538 million was approved for the Ministry Administration, Current Expenditure Programme.

Estimates were also adopted for regional development under said programme.

Meanwhile, under Capital Expenditures for the Ministry Administration, the subject Minister said

the $369 million will be provided to the six municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), with the councils receiving the sum of $77 million. Georgetown Mayor and City Council heads the list with $20 million, followed

by New Amsterdam $10 million, the Linden Mayor and Town Council $10 million, Anna Regina $9 million, Corriverton $8 million and Rose Hall $8 million.

“When you check those, you will find that you need $12 million more. Well that’s some additional funds made available this year as the Fiscal Transfer Programme is operationalised for the first time.” He further explained that the councils will have access to the remaining $12 million, based on a needs and functionality assessment. The Minister has committed to make available on Monday the outline of payment plans for the $369 million.

Mabaruma Market Tarmac

In the area of Regional Development, he disclosed that the Mabaruma Market Tarmac will be completed at the cost of $8.393 million, the extension of the tarmac $11.9 million, while the sanitary block at the Buxton Market Tarmac will be done at a cost of $2.139 million.

Meanwhile, AFC Moses Nagamootoo used the opportunity to grill the Local Government Minister on the Solid Waste Management Project at Haags Bosch, which received a budgetary allocation of $1.070 million. He asked whether the amount would complete works at the dump site.

In response, Minister

Eyew tness Racist...

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Acting Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker

Whittaker informed the committee that the project will be completed at the end of the year. The amount allocated there is intended to complete the construction aspect of the project, he explained, making it clear that the operational aspect of the project will continue.

Minister Whittaker said too that at the level of his Ministry, the technical staff of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Public Works Ministry have been engaged in outlining the preparatory work for the establishment of the solid waste authority.

“Specifically to deal with the issue of the $1 billion, at the level of the ministers, local government, natural resources and the environment and public works, we have all met and put together our thoughts and views on how we will move forward in pursuit of the objective,” he explained.

It, was, however noted that the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry is responsible for the disbursement of the

APNU MP Ronald Bulkhan

money. “The disbursement will be based on what comes out of the needs assessment and what comes out of the programme for the cleanup of the city.”

The Georgetown City Council and the private sector are among entities to be brought on board in addition to the various ministries. At the end of the drill session, the sum of $2.46 billion was approved for capital projects.

Meanwhile, the House also cleared $1.492 million for Region One’s current programme and $273 million for capital projects; a total of $1.7 billion. The budgetary allocation of $2.6 billion was approved by the House for Region Two, while $3.260 billion was cleared for Region Three; $3.5 billion for Region Four; and $1.982 billion for Region Five.

The 2014 consideration of the $220 billion budget estimates presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh will continue on Monday at 14:00h at the Parliament Building.

Regions Six through Eight will be up for consideration.

...false equivalence he drumbeats of race are becoming louder in the society against the background of the Budget. The latter is painted by the Opposition as a mechanism for pandering to ethnic constituencies, rather than a plan for national development. Once again we warn of the dangers of letting the genie of racial conflict out of the bottle.

And the Opposition can’t say they weren’t warned.

With the travails of the sugar industry dominating the pages of the dailies, the Opposition would’ve had to be locked up in some rum-shop for months not to know the industry must be subsidised to survive. Even pen-pushers in offices became familiar with terms like “mechanisation”, “ratooning” and “cane dumpers”. In the run up to the Budget presentation, the Finance Minister announced the quantum of the proposed subsidy.

But from Budget Day, the dogs of racial war were let loose. “Injecting money into sugar panders to PPP/ C’s Indian supporters!!!” screamed the Opposition.

Nothing about sugar being the last Government-owned productive enterprise and, as the “parent company” – to use private enterprise terminology – any cross subsidy would have to come from it. The alternative was to shut down the industry. Seems the Opposition wanted this.

During the debate, Government MP Odinga Lumumba, in one of his more reasoned presentations, pointed out the potentially dangerous repercussions of the Opposition’s drumbeats in a racially divided nation.

But it was almost like throwing pearls to swine. Almost.

However, even as the calmed doe, driven by the cold calculus of not solidifying PPP/C’s support in the sugar belt, the racial incitement continues.

Fresh from their cross-party address to a gathering of African Guyanese at Bagotville (Nigel Hughes from AFC, Carl Greenidge from the PNC and David Hinds of WPA), Hinds appeared to be the man appointed to carry the racial spear. Sanctimoniously declaring that he supported the sugar subsidy, Hinds slyly proceeded to draw a pernicious false equivalency between the subsidy to the sugar industry and the subsidy to the people of Linden for their electricity Bills.

That is, he’s pitting Indian Guyanese versus African Guyanese. Hinds deliberately shuts his eyes to the fact that when the Government owned the bauxite industry, they subsidised it far above anything that sugar is now getting. Ironically, for over a decade after they came into office, the PPP/C Government kept the PNC-imposed sugar levy that prevented the industry from modernising – and used it to subsidise bauxite.

Part of the problem of sugar, which everyone ignores, is that unfortunately, the chickens are coming home to roost from the PNC’s malicious and spiteful sugar-levy. ...suggestion Hinds continued with his provocative and incendiary racist incitement by asserting that the police’s reaction to the sugar protesters in front of Parliament last week was different from the one against the Linden protesters. The difference, he asserts, is that no sugar worker was shot by the police, when three Lindeners were killed.

First and foremost, an Opposition-demanded Commission of Inquiry absolved the Police as the ones firing the shots that killed the protesters. The ballistic expert was brought in by AFC. Hinds was one of the provocateurs on the ground at Linden.

Secondly, the protesters were allowed to carry on for the entire day. It was only when, in the words of the COI, they “illegally” refused to budge from the bridge that connected Coastal Guyana to the interior, that the police demanded they move.

In the case of the sugar protest, at no time did they disobey either the police or the rules of peaceful protest. But this is of no interest to Hinds and the Opposition that are determined to fan the flames of racial conflagration in Guyana. ...against Amerindians The Opposition’s slashing of the Development Fund for Amerindians as a “bribe” from the PPP/C perpetuates the racist slur that Amerindians can be “bought” for baubles.

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SUNday, april 13, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Hinterland a haven for criminal activities – Granger

Opposition Leader David Granger

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pposition Leader David Granger believes that Government should take a special interest in the development of the hinterland communities, since they are often times used as a haven for illegal activities.

Granger was at the time defending the Opposition’s non-support of the $1 billion Amerindian Development Fund in the National Assembly, at a press briefing on Friday.

The party leader posited that given the hinterland’s closeness to neighbouring Brazil, the likelihood for narco-trafficking cannot be ruled out, as well as other illegal activities.

“In essence, the hinterland can be seen as a conduit for illegality, for gun-running, for narco-trafficking,” The party leader said Government should focus on developing hinterland infrastructure to enable law en-

forcement agencies to have an active presence in these communities.

“The guns that we see now in the robberies, they don’t drop on the side.

Many of them are from the Brazilian manufacturer. The drugs that come up in the coconut milk and the achar and the patties, don’t come from the city, they come from across the border, from drug producing countries,” he said, contending that “Right now, the country is lawless; the Essequibo is really wild west.”

Granger said the Opposition has no intention of stifling the lives of indigenous Guyanese, but urged the Government to revisit its plans for the hinterland communities, making sure that they are geared towards a holistic development.

Political purposes The Opposition Leader said the coalition was advised that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry uses the fund for “political purposes”.

They pointed out that though the participants of the Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneurship Programme (YAEP) are paid a $30,000 stipend, many refuse to find meaningful employment.

Added to that, he said, they are not under the stewardship of their village administration and their toshaos.

“The graduates of the YAEP are controlled by the people of Georgetown. So this programme, although it’s funded by the Amerindian Development Fund, is simply a political tool to pre-

pare communities by recruiting young people in red polo shirts to go out there and campaign for the PPP.” Granger further explained that his party would gladly approve the fund once there is proof that the monies will be used to further development of Amerindian communities.

He cited the need for technical and other educational institutes in hinterland communities. According to Granger, during the coalition’s recent meeting with Amerindian communities, it was suggested that the $1 billion be put towards agriculture and a technical institute.

During the consideration for the budget estimates, both A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) Members of Parliament (MP) grilled Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai on the use of the money for the project.

She desperately tried to justify the spending.

The combined Opposition greatly scrutinised the $796

She broke down the $1.1 billion, informing the House of which areas the money is being directed.

APNU Parliamentarian Sydney Allicock questioned whether any assessment was done to determine the needs of the communities and the Minister pointed out that this was done at the National Toshaos Council in October last year where some 205 Amerindian leaders discussed their priorities and needs.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

million that was directed towards the continuation of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme, along with funds paid to Community Services Officers (CSOs).

Sukhai disclosed to the National Assembly that large sums of money were injected into the Amerindian communities for various projects.

Vicious attack People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Friday said APNU and AFC have indirectly launched a vicious attack on the Amerindian population of Guyana by disapproving the $1.1 billion allocated for their development.

Rohee said the move by the APNU and AFC, which used their collective one-seat majority to impose the cut, must be condemned.

“These inhumane cuts

would once again serve to deny Guyanese the opportunity to benefits in keeping with the PPP-led trajectory of improving the lives of all and making Guyana a better place,” he told the reporters at a press conference at Parliament Building.

The Minister added: “Denial of such crucial funds is a demonstration of the uncaring and hypocritical attitude towards our indigenous people.”

Rohee alluded to recent comments by Opposition Leader David Granger when he bemoaned the ack of development in the hinterland regions. Prior to that, Rohee said a senior member of APNU had called for municipal airports in the hinterland to improve the provision of services in those areas.

“Less than a week after these two very parties have joined together to deprive Amerindian brothers and sisters and other residents of the interior of these very important developmental projects,” he added.

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Scrap metal dealer accused of creating road hazard

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were all valid statements.

Kirk Mark, a motorist who was traversing the road at the time of this publication’s visit to Annandale, related that he was surprised that with the increasing cases of road accidents every day in Guyana, the relevant authorities have chosen to turn a blind eye to the situation which is a hazard to road users, particularly motorists.

The scene of the business in the scrap metal trade

esidents of Annandale, East Coast Demerara are calling on the relevant authorities to look into their complaints as they believe that a businessman in the area is putting the lives of road users in danger.

During a recent tour to the area, Guyana Times was told that the situation has been in existence for some time now and nobody seeks to say anything about it out of fear of victimisation by the businessman.

They are of the view that the village will soon become an area which will bear a resemblance to the Mandela or Haags Bosch dumping sites if the authorities do not step in to handle the matter.

The displeased residents disclosed that while they do not know the man’s name, they do, however, know that the man is not a resident of the village, but had purchased the land and started his scrap metal and car parts business there about a year ago.

On his business’s subsequent arrival into the community, villagers began observing an increase in traffic and had received several comments on the village’s

appearance from outsiders since the man’s business is located in the vicinity of the entrance into Annandale on the public road.

This was true since on entering the village, the first scene observed by Guyana Times was the sight of the business which seemed very shabby and run down with numerous pieces of car parts, car shells and scrap metals scattered along the roadside in an obvious lack of respect, or regard for neighbours, other residents and even roadway users.

Done nothing

One resident, Obby Outar, who spoke to this publication, noted that residents had written to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) concerning the said matter, but to date, they have done nothing to normalise the situation.

The man pointed out that the business is separated from the NDC by a trench and is in a location where the unattractive sight can be seen by the authorities, but they have sought to turn a blind eye to the matter, but as soon as residents drop a piece of thrash, they are issued warning letters and the au-

thorities would swoop down in a prompt manner to intimidate them.

In front the NDC

“They [the NDC] are right next door to this business and they see this sight everyday but do not do anything about it. But as soon as you as a villager slip and don’t store your garbage properly, they reach here to warn you and tell you that you are violating the rules, but they cannot say anything to this man who is causing so much commotion as yet,” the man lamented.

He related that he has written to the NDC to initiate a cleanup project with several other residents around the community, including the area where the businessman operates his enterprise, but is apprehensive about the outcome since he believes they would not be given permission because of the man’s seemingly close relationship with the council.

Another resident, who requested anonymity, said on numerous occasions, he and other residents have had to listen to visitors to the village making negative remarks about the sight in the area, but could not say anything as they

Hazard

“These things are hazards for us drivers. If the place is dark and you are driving and do not know about those things there, it can cause an accident or even the loss of a life. The authorities need to stop giving preference to businessmen and start clamping down on the lawlessness that is being practised by this businessman on this roadway,” the man opined.

Guyana Times spoke to the owner of the business who seemed very hostile after learning that the story had reached this media house. In an angry tone, the man told this publication that it has no right to publish a story or pictures of his business and his personal property.

When asked what was being done to remove the objects from the roadways, he said that nothing was being done as he and Public Works Minister Robeson Benn have an “arrangement” for him to store his scraps on the roadside.

This publication made several attempts to contact the Minister to find out the nature of the “arrangement” but all proved futile.

Calls to the NDC were met with no response.

Naga Man on the run

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atiricus was appalled. He confessed that he was even shocked. Here it was that the Naga Man was being heckled, “handled” and harassed by sugar workers.

And not just any sugar workers – we were talking about CANE-CUTTERS!! “You got to only take one look at Naga Man’s face,” said Satiricus to the fellas around the table in the back-street bar, “and know that man is real cane-cutter material”.

His buddy Cappo, who just happened to be a real canecutter who had been at the protest in front of Parliament, chuckled. “Sato, old frien,” he said, “abee face get ‘swingey’ because abee does drink rum just like Naga Man. Haaaard! Every day. But abee drink because abee does wuk haaard. Wha’ excuse Naga Man gat?”

Everybody around the tabled chuckled along with Cappo, and Suresh ventured, “He does drink because he fail in everything he do in life?”

“Hold it! Hold it!!” interrupted Hari. “The man turn into a lawyer!”

“Yuh right,” admitted Cappo. “But he had fuh wait till he a wan old man and he daughter turn lawyer, suh he could cog from she!!”

“And then he turn around and cuss the gyaal son: “Shut yuh so-and-so-mouth!!!” observed Cappo.

“Hey Cappo!! That is just how you does talk to you son!!” teased Suresh. “Real cane-cutter stuff!”

“Budday...If yuh eye nah see, yuh mouth nah must talk.

Me does cuss after me fetch five ton cane pan me head in de sun,” retorted Cappo. “De only thing Naga Man fetch is he big belly!”

“Awright! Awright! So let we hear why you-all cuss out Naga Man,” asked Satiricus, ever the newsman.

“Budday, de man think abee schupid. Yuh remember when he and de Rum Jhaat run down to Linden and tell de people na fuh pay dem electric bill raise?” Cappo looked around.

Everyone nodded. “Well dem people na bin vote fuh KFC party. But cane-cutter a bin vote fuh he in Berbice. And now look wha he gie dem – Larwaah!!!”

“Na tek worries, bai,” said his cane-cutter comrade Bungi as he patted Cappo on the back. “Wait till Prezzie call election. Dem bais in Berbice gon gie he bigger larwah!”

Essequibo Lions Club builds fence at Charity Primary School

The fence constructed at the Charity Primary School

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ions Club of Essequibo Coast recently constructed a fence and installed a gate at the Charity Primary School in an effort of giving back to the community.

The fence was needed by the school to serve as a separator between the school and the school’s playground facility.

According to a release, it will enable supervised entrance to the playground and will add to the life of the playground equipment.

The project costs some $84,000 and was done under the educational arm of the club.

“It is another testament to the club’s commitment

to service to its community and those in need,” the club said in the release.

The Lions Club of Essequibo Coast from July 1 to present, has held a kiddies party, dental clinic and repairs to swings in the Amerindian village of Mashabo, made book donations to three nursery schools, donated a walker to an elderly woman and wheelchairs, just to name a few.

“The club wishes to thank Alfro Alphonso and Sons Group of Companies and Ramai’s Lumber Yard for discounts received and the headmistress of the Charity Primary School,” the release concluded.

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Albouystown residents call for police outpost Voting down funding for Specialty Hospital inhumane – Dr Ramsammy

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griculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has described the move by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to vote down funding for the Specialty Hospital as cruel and disrespectful to the Guyanese people.

According to Dr Ramsammy in a release, the hospital would ensure all Guyanese obtain health services that they can only access overseas.

“Cutting the Specialty Hospital is gross disregard, disrespect and insult to a whole nation. We should nev-

Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Guyanese cannot access these expensive services abroad.

“The PPP/C [People's

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy says the move by the AFC and APNU to vote down funding for the Specialty Hospital is cruel and disrespectful to the Guyanese people

er restrict healthcare services and we should celebrate any development that improves and expand health services to our people,” he said.

The hospital seeks to ensure that Guyanese people access health care services and to improve equity in health care.

He said while the wealthy can access healthcare overseas, the majority of

Progressive Party/ Civic] Government is catering for these services to be accessed locally at affordable costs, bringing health equity for all Guyanese,” he said.

The hospital is being built through a low interest loan from India. APNU and AFC used the one-seat majority on Thursday to disapprove $109 million in funding for

the facility.

“I note also that they cut the budget for the eye surgery operating room at Linden Hospital. This further exposes APNU and AFC as making a deliberate effort to hurt people merely as a powerhungry grab. The vote to cut the Specialty Hospital and other healthcare services is cruel and inhumane and also exposes the AFC and APNU as not interested in the development of our people and our country,” Dr Ramsammy, a former Health Minister contended.

He also lamented the cut made to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), saying that the combined Opposition allowed their egos to triumph.

“We cannot seriously talk about tourism development and the overall development of our country unless we support projects such as the expansion of CJIA. Every economist and development specialist has recommended the expansion of CJIA. Yet APNU and AFC have sought to scuttle this major development project.

“In their hunger for power, APNU and AFC do not respect anyone and they do not care who or how many people they hurt. They merely want power and the more they create chaos and under development, the more they take delight in the misery that they cause. I call on my Guyana brothers and sisters to stand in solidarity to condemn the reprehensible actions of APNU and AFC,” he said.

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Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud listens to the concern raised by a resident

lbouystown residents on Friday called on newly-appointed acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud for a police outpost in their community to help in the fight to weed out criminal elements.

Pastor Esworth Willams of the Heavenly Light World Outreach Fellowship during his address to the gathering at the launch of a Guyana Police Force’s initiative titled “Project Impact Albouystown”, challenged the Police Commissioner to make their calls a reality.

In this light, Williams added that with police presence in the community, residents will feel more secure and rogue elements will be kept at bay.

The pastor, who is optimistic that the community will return to its glory days, also warned that residents will not encourage police brutality of any form.

He also implored Persaud that as they collaboratively embark on the initiative aimed at regaining trust and confidence at the community level, politics must have no place in professionalism as was seen in the past.

While the acting Commissioner did not make a commitment to the request, he stated that the Police Force will continue to work along with the Joint Services, governmental and non–governmental organisations to implement youthfocused initiatives, since a recent analysis showed that

most perpetrators of serious crimes are between the ages of 16 and 30.

In addition, he noted that law enforcement agencies will place heavy emphasis on gun crimes and the area will be monitored and patrolled by police in order to eradicate the movement of guns and other offensive weapons.

Engaging residents

As Project Impact Albouystown comes on stream, Seelall said the Force’s main focus is on engaging the residents to deter crime and disorder, and more importantly, rooting out criminal elements.

He said domestic and gender-based violence will be a priority and the force will adopt a multi-agency approach to address the issue. Persaud said the Force has realised that youths are not gainfully occupied; hence, there are lots of school drop outs and a high number of teenage pregnancy cases.

“Another front that will be targeted is vocational training, speakers before me spoke about persons who drop out of school and are liming by the street corners. We will be primarily supporting activities of the Christian and Islamic organisations that are resident in Albouystown.”

He further stated that there are already a number of programmes in vocational skills training geared to

equip youths with marketable skills.

Reintegration

In addition, Seelall told the gathering that the Police Force is in discussion with the Prison Director to have access to all prisoners who are residents of Albouystown, with the aim of reintegrating them into the community.

He also stated that the Police Force’s projects are designed to benefit all underprivileged communities.

Albouystown is affected by high levels of criminal activities, drugs and violence.

Seelall called on residents to work to restore safety and decency to their community.

He also said that parents need to be role models to their children, and children must respect their parents.

“To residents who are involved in criminal activities, we say hand-in the guns, throw away the bad habits, and come let us help you earn a living by conventional means.”

Project Impact Albouystown is a collaborative effort by the Heavenly Light Full Gospel Fellowship, Masjid-an-Najm and the Social Centre of Albouystown.

At the launch, the Police Force also donated 25 garbage bins to the community and six computer systems to the Heavenly Light Full Gospel Church, to make residents computer literate.

Simply the

Truth

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SUNDAY, april 13, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

UG and quality money

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e read that the University of Guyana’s Medical School has problems. We read that the UG Law School has problems. And we know that toilets stink to high heaven and that students are victims of molestation and robbery within and without the campus.

Ceilings sag, windows are broken, walls crack. There have been all kinds of protests and complaints about salaries. The place is a mess in every way.

I know from spending extended periods at thriving universities on four continents that UG’s programmes are outdated, that there is very little research and publication that can withstand scholarly scrutiny, and that the administrative structure remains stuck in the way the Brits did things in the early 1800s. I have researched and published on these things internationally.

The Berbice Campus has fallen into line with Turkeyen, slipping rapidly into academic decrepitude. Students tell me that lecturers turn up when they feel like it, are late when they do

choose to turn up, change their minds inexplicably about topics already assigned to students, hold classes outside of assigned class times and outside of the campus, set dates for exams then change their minds, and marking is done by the exchange of papers by students (the way we did in primary school).

One course held classes three times in seven weeks, and then the lecturer wanted to give an exam on material not even mentioned in the class. The classroom is used as a platform for political agendas, and bullying takes the place of teaching.

I have seen essays that I think are excellent or even publishable that have been given Ds and Cs. But papers are not returned to students, so they do not know why they got the grade they did.

Students pay good money to get a service; instead, they are treated worse than servants and are short-changed in the process.

Yet, there are a few good lecturers that actually work at publishing internationally and who take teaching seriously.

Once again, the Berbice

Professor Daizal Samad

Community has been locked out from the campus in the manner of the “Mother” Campus. Cheddi Jagan’s dream has become a nightmare.

It is most peculiar that we bring in all these “experts” and we wade through the same filth.

It is peculiar that three years ago, at a Senior Administration

Group (SAG to you taxpayers!), I was told that I am like Emmanuel Cummings, then Dean of the School under which falls the Medical School.

I got all the Fs and Ss because I brought the Cyril Potter College of Education to be housed at the Berbice Campus. How can someone use the Republic of UG property to serve the village of Guyana?

When some Trinidadian fellow that I actually liked cusses me down for doing that which is right and good and logical for the children of Guyana, I am not cool.

I am doing what I do for the good of the teachers that teach the children of this country!

But when he puts me in the company of Dr Emmanuel Cummings who has done more good for UG’s medical school in the last five years than anyone I know, I am cool.

I don’t blame that good Trinidadian man.

He was experienced in the UWI kind of way. And he had credentials, and he was older than I am.

But when our own kneeling Guyanese “academics” joined

in the cussing, with their servile nods and oily smiles. I despised them.

We bring in numerous consultants at the expense of Guyanese taxpayers. There are workshops, fact-finding missions, numerous committees and boards, and many meetings with “stakeholders.”

Reports are written up, of course. They gather dust somewhere. Nothing happens.

Now we have another set of consultants. More money. The Government secured a loan for this from CDB some two years ago! You people out there will have to pay it back.

There is a young man in Rose Hall Town named Damian Simon. I hold him as a son. He is a talented boxer, but had to shut away dreams of greatness because he had to go into the cane fields so that he could feed his family.

I see him boarding a truck every morning at 04:00h I see him come back in the afternoon, his clothes black from dirt, his shoulders hunched over from weariness. People like Damian will have to pay back that loan.

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News

Growing greener cities in Latin Younge’s take America, Caribbean Power, A pride and

new Food and A g r i c u l t u r e Organisation (FAO) report finds that urban and periurban agriculture (UPA) is widespread in Latin America and the Caribbean, but realising its full potential requires increased support from national, state and local governments.

“Growing greener cities in Latin America and the Caribbean” looks at the progress that has been made toward realising ‘greener cities’ in which urban and peri-urban agriculture is recognised by public policy and included in urban development strategies and land-use planning.

It is based on the results of a survey in 23 countries and data on 110 cities and municipalities.

The new report released at the World Urban Forum in Medellín, Colombia, includes profiles of agriculture practised in and around cities such as Havana, Mexico City, Antigua and Barbuda, Tegucigalpa, Managua, Quito, Lima, El Alto (Bolivia), Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Rosario (Argentina).

FAO’s inquiry found that UPA is practised by 90,000 residents of Havana, and by 20 per cent of urban house-

prejudice

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A new Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report finds that urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is widespread in Latin America and the Caribbean

holds in Guatemala and Saint Lucia. In Bolivia’s main cities and municipalities, 50,000 families are also food producers. In Bogotá, 8500 households produce food for home consumption.

Strong trend

The main benefit of UPA is improved access to food by low-income families.

However, in 16 of the 23 countries surveyed, people practising UPA earned some income from the activity.

A strong trend in many UPA programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean is toward agricultural technologies and practices that pro-

duce more, and better quality, food while optimising the use of natural resources and reducing reliance on agrochemicals.

In Rosario, Argentina, gardeners cultivate high-yielding beds of compost substrate. In Managua, they enrich the soil with fertiliser made by anaerobically fermenting household wastes. In El Alto, a project installed, in small, locally made greenhouses, hydroponic gardens that produce one tonne of vegetables per year.

Another trend in Latin American cities is the spread of farmers’ markets that sell locally-grown organic food.

Many urban farmers have en-

tered the value chain as intermediate or final processors of fruit, vegetables, meat, canned goods, dairy foods, snacks and natural cosmetics.

Many urban and periurban farmers have been tapped as suppliers of institutional feeding programmes.

In Havana, UPA provided in 2013 some 6700 tonnes of food to almost 300, 000 people in schools, public health centres and hospitals.

Government support needed FAO said that growing greener cities with agriculture needs the support of Government. However, only 12 of the 23 countries surveyed have national policies that explicitly promote UPA. FAO’s survey also found that UPA is often excluded in city land use planning and management in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The good news is that UPA has been mainstreamed at a fairly high level within national institutions. In Bolivia, for example, the Productive Development and Plural Economy Ministry will launch, with FAO’s assistance, a national UPA programme in 2014.

In a growing number of cities, urban and peri-urban agriculture is recognised in urban development planning. In Rosario, the municipality is building a “green circuit” of farmland passing through and around the city.

Food production is also recognised as a legitimate nonresidential land use, on a par with commerce, services and industry, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

FAO stressed that meeting urban food needs requires not only UPA but performing food systems that supply a variety of food products to – and distribute them within – expanding urban areas, an understanding of their structure, how their activities impact food safety and quality and natural resources, and how they might exclude vulnerable sectors of the urban population.

Addressing shortcomings in complex food systems requires strong political commitment, regional development plans and effective public-private partnerships.

he National Assembly of Guyana is not a law unto itself and therefore is subject to the Constitution – the Supreme Law of the Land. The Judiciary is tasked with the responsibility of interpreting this Constitution by ensuring that its provisions are respected and adhered to.

This responsibility cannot be watered down nor cast aside by any entity or person whether they are made autonomous, independent or semi-autonomous by the said Constitution.

They cannot escape judgement of the Courts if they fall into error with the Supreme Law of the Land regardless of the principle of Separation of Powers, as each arm of the State is created to execute specific functions.

It is in this context that some pronouncements made by the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman must be seen as worrying.

The acting Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that the Assembly acted unconstitutionally when it determined, reduced and cut the Budget estimates back in 2012.

Justice Chang also said that the Assembly can either exercise its power to approve or disapprove.

The Speaker is arguing that the Standing Orders allow the Opposition the ability to amend the estimates downwards. But can the Standing Orders be equated with the Constitution of the Land?

He is still holding out, in spite, of the CJ’s ruling that the Constitution empowers the parliament to regulate its own affairs and make its own rules at Article 165 (1), but forgets the preceding words “subject to the provisions of the Constitution”.

It is public knowledge that the Speaker has appealed the Court’s ruling (the same legal system which he is arguing has no jurisdiction to make binding declarations on the internal workings of the parliament), but now introduces by way of proposal another illegal procedure through which the estimates can be considered and determined.

This new mechanism is not provided for in the Parliamentary Standing Orders nor brought to the fore by the voting members of the house. It adds more bureaucracy to the troubling process and would not result in any significant gains for the Government as the Opposition political parties will no doubt stay true to their form.

The Government should avoid falling into this trap and must not join backdoor negotiations on its own budget which are taking place away from the watchful eyes of the media and the camera lenses. This discourse between the Government and Opposition is welcomed, however, but must happen away from the parliamentary setting which has a history of distrust, bitterness and a breach of good faith.

Time will tell and if the Government is not careful, it will cry foul at the end of the new mechanism established.

Already the monies for the Specialty Hospital, Amerindian Development Fund and CJIA expansion project along with other critical projects have been axed. Is this backdoor plenary mechanism working?

But who will listen and give credence to their position, when they would have actively participated in a process that would have seen the assassination of their own budget were the Opposition to “withhold” approval for critical project allocations.

There is a struggle for Executive Power taking place within the Legislature. Some members of the House appear to have high levels of pride and refuse to bow to the authority of the Judiciary because it will not suit their political modus operandi. There appears to be prejudice as to who the laws apply to and under what circumstances.

Regrettably, the political culture of our society is deteriorating and being reshaped by the very acts that go unchallenged in the National Assembly. Precedence is being set by each pronouncement and unconstitutional act that undermines the authority of the Judiciary and the Executive.

The legislature in this country does not have limitless powerless and is not the “Caesar” of our time. It must bow down to the might of the Constitution. Failure to do so is almost criminal.

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Around the World Ukraine gunmen seize Clashes as police evict squatters in Rio de Janeiro buildings in Sloviansk

Squatters who opposed being evicted threw rocks at police

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huge police operation to evict hundreds of families from abandoned buildings in Rio de Janeiro has ended with violent clashes and some injuries. More than 1500 police officers had arrived at dawn to evict nearly 5000 people from the site, belonging to a telecommunication company.

Some families left peacefully, but clashes began when others resisted.

Groups of squatters threw rocks at police who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Hundreds of children were among the crowds. Vehicles were set on

fire and supermarkets were looted. Several people were injured, including children and police officers.

Cranes and tractors demolished wooden huts built around the buildings, many still full of the belongings residents had had no time to pack. “They (the police) came here breaking everything, removing the people from there,” said Sandro Sousa, a squatter. “We lost our home and we are now trying to have a house,” he told the Associated Press news agency. “I am crying because I have nowhere to go to. I have no place to live,” said another, Drielo

Almeida. But the Rio municipal authorities insisted that help had been offered to the homeless families.

“Teams of social workers were on site, but only 177 squatters accepted the support,” the local government was quoted as saying by the Globo news portal.

“The city provided trucks, buses and machinery so that the work of clearing the ground and evicting the people could happen in an orderly manner,” it said in a statement. The police said the operation went as planned and had followed standard procedures. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Marley grandson on gun charge

M

a t t h e w Prendergast, the grandson of reggae legend Bob and Rita Marley, has been slapped with a gun charge resulting from an altercation with a security guard at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in St Andrew.

Prendergast, 25, is a musician reportedly based between Miami and Jamaica.

He is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and assault at common law.

He is alleged to have pointed a gun at the secu-

rity guard on April 5, during an altercation at the museum premises. A firearm has not been recovered.

Friday, Prendergast was offered J$200,000 bail when he appeared before Justice Martin Gayle in the High Court Division of the Gun Court. He is to surrender his travel documents as part of his bail condition.

A September 24 date has been set for trial.

During the bail application, his attorney informed

the court that there was an altercation but that no firearm was brought into play.

Christian Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer later that Prendergast will be vindicated at trial.

“We are happy that we were able to get bail today and we are confident that when the matter comes to trial in September that Matthew will be vindicated,” said TavaresFinson. He is the son of Sharon Marley and FIFA referee instructor Peter Prendergast. (Jamaica Observer)

Flight MH370 co-pilot tried to make mid-flight phone call, report claims

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he co-pilot of the missing Malaysian airliner MH370 tried to make a mid-flight call from his mobile phone just before the plane vanished from radar screens, according to Malaysian newspaper reports. The call ended abruptly possibly “because the aircraft was fast moving away from the [telecommunications] tower,” the New Straits Times quoted a source as saying.

However, the Malaysian daily also quoted another source saying that while Fariq Abdul Hamid’s “line was reattached”, there was no certainty that a call was made from the Boeing

777 which vanished on 8 March.

The report – titled a “desperate call for help” – did not say who the co-pilot was trying to contact.

Fariq and Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah have come under intense scrutiny after the plane mysteriously vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

Investigators indicated last month that the flight was deliberately diverted and its communication systems manually switched off as it was leaving Malaysian airspace, triggering a criminal investigation by police that has revealed little of

substance so far.

A number of theories have been put forward concerning the fate of MH370, including a hijacking, a terrorist attack or a rogue pilot.

There have been unconfirmed reports in the Malaysian media of calls made by the captain before or during the flight but so far no details have been released.

The NST report said that after turning off course MH370 flew low enough near Penang Island on Malaysia’s west coast for a telecom tower to pick up the co-pilot’s phone signal. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

There are dozens of unidentified gunmen outside Sloviansk police station, the BBC’s David Stern reports

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urther seizures of official buildings have been reported in east Ukraine as tensions between the new government and pro-Russian protesters rise. Gunmen occupied a police station and a security services building in the town of Sloviansk. Official buildings in Druzhkovka were reportedly taken over.

A Donetsk police chief quit after pro-Russian crowds marched on a police station demanding his resignation.

The interim Interior Minister says firing has broken out in Kramatorsk.

Arsen Avakov said exchanges of fire erupted as gun-

men tried to storm local administration buildings in Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region.

The new government in Kiev accuses Moscow of orchestrating the unrest.

Interim Foreign Minister Andrei Deshchytsia urged Moscow to end “provocative” actions by its agents.

Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and has seen a series of protests since the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

Protesters in largely Russian-speaking Donetsk, 130km (80 miles) from

Sloviansk, have been occupying Government buildings for days and demanding a referendum on becoming part of Russia. A similar move prompted a Russian takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea region earlier this year.

The U.S. and EU have imposed sanctions on Russian and Crimean people they say were connected with the takeover. Russia has denied responsibility for the protests in eastern Ukraine, but Western nations have expressed concern over a build-up of Russian troops along the border. (BBC News)

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News

Budget catered for all – Ramotar Durban Street resident

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pposition claims that Budget 2014 lacks ‘a human face’ have been soundly dismissed by President Donald Ramotar who opined that perhaps they have not read or understood the budget or were being deliberately malicious.

According to the political Opposition, the budget does not cater for the less fortunate and disadvantaged, despite there being several new measures introduced by the Government for 2014, particularly targeting those same groups.

“How can you say that giving $10,000 to students to get to school regularly is not a human face? We have already been giving school books to our children; we have already been giving school uniforms to our children. In some places, we provide three meals a day like in the interior, where they have dormitories for them.

All of that we have been providing for our children, how could you say that is not a human face?”

The Specialty Hospital was described as another example by the President.

The facility is part of Government’s efforts to provide affordable health care to every citizen, locally.

The fact that when Government took office, Old

President Donald Ramotar

Age Pension was set at $300 and only obtained if applicants passed a “means test” was duly noted by President Ramotar.

“Now, it’s $13,125, that’s just the pension, plus apart from the general subsidy, we give to the whole country for electricity, we give extra to the old age pensioners. We give $30,000 to subsidise their electricity charges. We also give subsidies for water, in these areas.”

Supporting evidence

As an aside, President Ramotar noted that budget presentations, by Government ministers, were backed up with supporting evidence while the same

could not be said for the Opposition.

Reacting to threats by the Opposition to cut allocations from the budget, the President said that the show of support for GuySuCo by sugar workers who made their presence felt in front of the National Assembly on April 9, would have caused the promised move to “cut” the $6 billion, to be abandoned.

To press their cases for the passage of the budgetary allocations for their respective sectors, all ministers are prepared to give “exhaustive answers” to any questions, he added.

“If they stick to what they say, that if they’re given proper answers to their questions, then I’m optimistic that reason will prevail,” he said.

All of the programmes and projects proposed by Government either contribute to Guyana’s economic development or to substantial social benefits to the population, he added.

“Hopefully other people will express their views as the sugar workers expressed themselves and let the Opposition understand clearly that all of us should have one goal, and that is the development of our country.”

is latest centenarian

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Iris Stuart Macadam

“

t is the happiest day of my life,” said Iris Stuart Macadam of Durban Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday.

Guyana’s latest centenarian celebrated the special day with members of the Brickdam Cathedral and her caregiver, giving thanks to the lord for his their abundant mercy and blessings.

Macadam, who was born on April 10, 1914 at Camp and Durban Streets, Georgetown, was a seamstress in her days.

She recalled that she had “a very good time in life” and has no regrets.

The centenrian told Guyana Times that her favourite hymn is “Amazing Grace”, but likes more the verse “… save a wretch like me”.

That aside, she said she loves to sit in her rocking chair and watch out her window.

When asked what is her biggest challenge now, she stated in a dim tone “arthritis”, noting that her right arm is affected, preventing her from doing basic things for herself.

This, she highlighted, irritates her much, causing her to question God about what she did wrong to make her endure so much pain.

She is the only surviving

member of her family and the only one to have lived to be 100.

With Easter just around the corner, Guyana Times asked what was Easter like in her earlier days, and she replied: “It was one of my favourite holidays”.

Macadam said that she would bake a lot of goodies for her children and grandchildren, and generally, have a grand time.

She also pointed out that life has changed significantly over the past 40 years.

“Young people these days do as they please and adults cannot correct them,” she said, noting that this sort of behaviour was intolerable in her days.

According to Macadam, she was a not a party girl when she was younger as her parents were very strict.

In terms of her favourite foods, the centenarian said she often hears people talk about fried rice and fried chicken, but she knows about cow heel soup with lots of beef, chicken foot sauce and cook up with all the meats − tripe, beef, chicken and fish, just to name a few .

Her advice to young people is “take your time and enjoy life to the fullest”.

Professional Guard Service rewards ranks

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he Professional Guard Services Inc on Friday rewarded a number of ranks for their outstanding performance in the first quarter of the year.

The officers were honoured at the Kirkpatrick's Garden Room, Jamoon Drive, Meadow brook, Georgetown.

The awardees receive sums of $5000 and $10,000.

Those who received

$10,000 were Senior Shift Commander Andrew Brandt, Inspector Forbes Bisport, Inspector Kwesi Crawford, Radio Operator Glynis Frazer, Driver Lennox Thomas, Bank and Factory Shift Commander Michael Gooding, Lieutenant Faith Pollard, Armed Sergeant Stephen Gariba and Baton Sergeant Eucild Gill.

Lieutenant Lennox Waldron, Lieutenant Compton

Moore, Radio Operator Joy Henry, Lieutenant Stacy Carvan, Lieutenant Joan Collin, Lieutenant Selma David and Armed Sergeant Victorine McAlmont, all received $5000 each.

Over the years, the Professional Guard Services Inc has been consistently awarding its employees for their service to the company.

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News First female commercial airline Smoking Caribbean captain touches down at CJIA Airlines plane diverts to Bermuda A fter being in the aviation sector for the past 27 years, Astrid Deira, a mother of two on Saturday morning made her maiden trip to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as Captain of a 723 Boeing flight.

The 45-year-old Captain is the first female to touch down here, landing smoothly about 09:05h at Timehri. She was greeted by a group of staff members of Surinam Airways where she worked all her life.

The Surinamese-born pilot at the age of eight had aspirations of becoming a pilot, but was told that it was not a job for girls, and as such, she should concentrate on becoming a stewardess.

Nevertheless, this did not stop her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a pilot. As she sat in the executive chair of the CJIA VIP Lounge, she recalled that her father also worked at Surinam Airways and she would from time to time accompany him to his work site.

At that tender age, she was up and about among the mechanics and pilots, assisting with whatever was needed to be done, even if it meant passing a tool to a mechanic.

It was from that time, she realised that she had a passion for the profession; hence, she did not care about “who did what or what anyone else did”.

As she grew older, she became more fond of planes and their

Captain Astrid Deira and her co-pilot in the cockpit of a 737 flight

operation.

After graduating from high school, she joined the Surinam Airways team as an administrative clerk, but after a while, she was promoted to the computer department after her superiors thought she would fit in perfectly.

Remained focused Deira did not lose focus of her goal; thus, she saved her hard earnings and paid for her training as a commercial pilot.

Her hard work and studies finally paid off.

Her career started 22 years ago when she was given the op-

portunity to do interior flights, which she did for 14 years.

Thereafter, she flew several jets as co-pilot before flying 314 heavy jets, also as co-pilot.

Her time finally came when promotions arise in the company and she was given the chance to fly the 737 medium jets, which she said is a stepping stone to fly bigger planes.

Little awkward As she embarked on her career, it was a little awkward for her since passengers and more so her colleagues had to get familiarised with a woman as their Captain.

“It was time to prove myself as a professional… people realised that it is not a job that someone can give you… you have to work and earn literally all the stripes and ever since, it has been a smooth sailing. I have earned a lot of respect from my colleagues,” the humble female Captain said, moments after landing at the CJIA. Despite being a born in Suriname, the fluent Englishspeaking Captain said she spends more time with her mother, who is Trinidadian, enjoying the broad diversity.

Her memorable occasions are countless, but those she remembered are the ones where she flew two Guyanese presidents, and of course her country’s heads of state. She intends to keep flying until her retirement, but one day hopes to take command of heavier jets, such as the A340 and others.

Her advice to young women who have a passion for the aviation industry is: “If you really want it and you love it, then go for it… there will be setbacks, there will be draw backs… you will fall down but the thing is that you will get up and go and even if anybody says to you that you cannot, remember it is in your mind that you can.”

Deira described her experience with Surinam Airways for the past decades as unbelievable and would often times consider the company hers.

A

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) BW 525 flight which left the John F Kennedy International Airport, U.S.A. late Thursday evening en route to Trinidad and Tobago had to divert from its original route after smoke started to emanate from its cabin.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft landed safely in Bermuda just after 04:35h on Friday, with 106 passengers onboard.

Guyana Times understands that as the aircraft was making its way to the Piarco International Airport, passengers saw smoke and smelled something burning.

They raised an alert; thus, the pilot made the decision to divert to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Carl Stuart, Guyana Country Manager confirmed that the plane landed safely and there was no injury. He added that the aircraft was grounded and the passengers

were in their hotels on the island on Friday and Saturday as arrangements are being made to take them to their final destinations.

Several attempts to contact head of Corporate Communications at Caribbean, Airlines Clint Williams proved futile.

Last March, a Caribbean Airlines aircraft en route from Miami, Florida to the Piarco International Airport, had to be diverted to Puerto Rico on Thursday afternoon after a passenger onboard complained of feeling unwell. The passenger died at hospital following the flight’s landing in Puerto Rico.

The flight BW483 was diverted to San Juan, Puerto Rico following the medical emergency aboard. The other 90 passengers onboard were accommodated at area hotels for the night and the flight resumed its journey the following day.

International Court seeks participation of OAS members

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he President of the International Court of Justice, Peter Tomka, highlighted on Thursday the importance of participation of several member states of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

He urged all the region’s countries to consider recognising the jurisdiction of the world court in the future, during his address at the 54th Lecture of the Americas held at the headquarters of the hemispheric institution in Washington, DC. Judge Tomka focused his presentation on “The role of the International Court of Justice in world affairs: Achievements and Challenges”, with special reference to cases involving OAS member countries and the Pact of Bogotá.

“It’s no secret that American States – particularly those from the Latin America – have been the most frequent clients of the court since its inception in 1945,” said the judge of Slovak origin.

President Tomka said “an unequivocal symbiosis − and compatibility − exists between the underlying philosophy of the Pact of Bogotá and the ideals enshrined in the UN Charter”.

The Treaty on Pacific Settlement, known as the Pact of Bogotá was signed in 1948 in the Colombian capital, together with the document that

gave birth to the hemispheric institution: the OAS Charter.

Like the OAS Charter itself, the Pact of Bogotá obliges the High Contracting Parties to settle controversies between the states of the Americas by peaceful means and lists the procedures to be followed: mediation, investigation and conciliation, good offices, arbitration, and, failing that, recourse to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

More active The Slovak lawyer said that since 1991, the International Court of Justice has been more active than during the previous 46 years. He noted that since its inception, the OAS member states have contributed a total of 28 judges to the court, six of whom reached the presidency of the body, while five others were appointed Vice President.

In his speech, Judge Tomka talked about several cases of binational conflict involving countries in the region that have been settled in the International Court, or remain unresolved, such as the maritime and territorial dispute between Colombia and Nicaragua; the dispute between Nicaragua and Costa Rica over a section of the San Juan River; the dispute between Argentina and Uruguay over the establishment of a pulp mill on the Uruguay River; the maritime boundary dispute be-

tween Chile and Peru; the dispute between Ecuador and Colombia over chemicals dropped from airplanes to eradicate illegal crops; and the claim of Bolivia against Chile for access to the sea, among others.

Landmark case Judge Tomka also referred to the case of Avena and 51 other Mexican nationals who have been sentenced to death by courts in the U.S., without having had legal advice from the consulate of their country, as set out in the Vienna Convention. In this regard, Judge Tomka recalled that the General Assembly of the OAS in 2007 referred to the Avena Judgment in a resolution concerning the human rights of migrant workers and their families.

President Tomka highlighted the importance that the OAS member states, particularly the Latin Americans, look to the International Court of Justice for solutions to bilateral disputes.

For his part, the OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, who delivered the welcoming remarks during the event, said although the International Court of Justice is a United Nations body and the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice of the League of Nations, it has close ties with the Inter-American system.

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guyanatimesgy.com

sunday, april 13, 2014

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

By Bernice Bede Osol

archie

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Don’t leave your future to chance. Follow your passion and dedicate your talents and abilities to attain your desires. Ignore anyone who tries to hold you back.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) You have the ability to turn your life in a promising new direction. Keep reaching for the top. Your original and unorthodox ideas will find a new, quite profitable outlet.

PISCES (Feb.20March 20)

dilbert

Don’t stray too far from home. Devote your time to domestic activities. Re-organising and cleaning up your surroundings will improve your environment and clear your mind.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Calvin and Hobbes

Peanuts

The rumuor mill will start churning if you have been indiscreet. Spend some time with an older family member. They may prove to be a valuable and an unexpected source of advice.

CANCER (June 21July 22) You won’t be good company if you don’t cheer up.

If you are feeling sullen and moody, leave others to their own devices and catch up on some chores or read a good book.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Make sure all of your documents are up to date.

A casual meeting at a sporting or musical event could introduce you to someone who will have an impact on your future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) You may have too many irons in the fire. You will lose respect if you fail to meet your obligations.

Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Opt for quality over quantity.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) Don’t restrict yourself to the expectations and demands of others. Make the changes that will be best for you. Strive to reach your goals doing it your way.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

SCORPIO

Don’t let your quest for success take a toll on your health. Be observant at your workplace. You may make a mistake if you underestimate the aspirations of an associate.

Your love life may be showing signs of strain.

Have a meaningful discussion and clear the air.

Ignoring what’s going on will lead to upset and uncertainty.

GEMINI (May 21June 20) Accept invitations that you have been ignoring.

Share your enthusiasm and fun-loving qualities by making room for lightheartedness and laughter.

A new acquaintance could develop into an important friendship.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Participate in causes that you care about. Your sound and logical arguments will be instrumental in making changes and improvements to organisations you get involved with.

SUNDAY

April 13, 2014

19

WICB Regional Four-day tournament…

Bishoo, Johnson star, but T&T in control

tious approach to take Guyana to stumps without further loss.

Jaggernauth has so far been T&T’s most successful bowler with 4-78, while Gabriel and Emrit have one apiece. Play will resume today at 10:00 hours and admission to the Guyana National Stadium is free.

WICB Regional Four-day summarised scores

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Christopher Barnwell collects runs on the on-side during his even fifty

By Rajiv Bisnauth

F

ollowing the best bowling figures by a Guyanese in FirstClass cricket by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, skipper Leon Johnson and all-rounder Christopher Barnwell stroked half-centuries in a 80-run, sixth wicket partnership which helped the Guyanese to 2477 at stumps on Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

When bails were lifted at stumps on day two of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Four-Day match, the Guyanese were 47 runs adrift of Trinidad and Tobago’s first innings total of 294.

Zaheer Mohammed and Bishoo will resume on 39 and 18 respectively for Guyana today.

Earlier, Bishoo claimed the last two wickets to produce the third best regional First-Class figures (9-78),

as Trinidad and Tobago added just 20 runs to their overnight 274-8.

Imran Khan, who was 37 overnight, went on to score 44, while Amit Jaggernauth, the other overnight batsman, made 12.

Poor start

Guyana lost two early wickets as they launched their reply. Trevon Griffith (23) and debutant Shimron Hetmyer (0) played atrocious shots to get back to the cooler confines of the dressing room, as the hosts reached 38-2 at lunch.

Griffith batted with his natural attacking instincts, smacking four boundaries in his 23, before he was caught behind off fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.

While Griffith ran out of patience, Hetmyer wasn’t even patient enough to grind it out as he played an ugly shot to offer Marlon

Richards a running catch from the long-on boundary off Jaggernauth.

Amidst the fall of Griffith and Hetmyer around him, Tagnarine Chanderpual, who didn’t look comfortable at all against seamer Gabriel, was given a chance even before he had scored, but then admirably put a price tag on his wicket and showed a lot of temperament, reaching the interval on 14, while skipper Leon Johnson was on one.

After the lunch break, Chanderpaul did not add to his tally and was dismissed in the most infuriating and freaky manner. The 17-year-old was run out after smashing the ball to the silly mid-on fielder and it rebounded onto the stumps with batsman short of his ground.

Jaggernauth the gave the visitors more reasons to celebrate when he claimed the wickets of Vishaul

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel produced an edge to dismiss opener Trevon Griffith

Singh for two, and Anthony Bramble for 16 after the latter shared a 30-run, fifth wicket partnership with Johnson.

Barnwell then joined Johnson and both batsmen survived some tense moments with Barnwell given a life on 14.

However, the left-handed Johnson, who is in supreme form, reached his fifty off 96 balls with three boundaries and a six. The pair added an unbeaten 55 runs for the sixth wicket by the tea interval.

Upon resumption, the visitors continued to bowl steadily, giving little away, but Barnwell reached his

Former Caribbean champ donates equipment to GTTA

F

ormer junior Caribbean table tennis champion, Michael Clarke, on Saturday donated a quantity of developmental equipment to the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) at the Guyana Olympic Association headquarters.

Player within the GTTA will now benefit from the availability of more racquets and viewing videos of the sport they love in an effort to develop their skills,

compliments of Clarke.

Clarke was quick to point out the reason behind the donation to the sport that made him a champion.

“The thing about it is equipment was not easy to get back then you really had to be proficient and save your money, so when I thought about this gesture I had stuff piling up in my garage and I thought this would be fitting to do. I want to make sure Guyana stays competitive because I

read about the programmes and it’s quite impressive, so this is the first gesture, but it doesn’t stop here,” Clarke told some of the young racquet wielders in attendance at the simple handing over ceremony.

Meanwhile, president of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, was pleased with the donation and thanked Clarke for the contribution.

“We are quite heartened by your kind gesture and it’s fitting when some-

one who benefitted from the sport can come and contribute. We know that they might not have always been things that you liked, but there were also pluses and it’s that we can rise above that and we appreciate the gesture,” Munroe stressed.

Meanwhile, both the GTTA and Clarke have acknowledged their willingness to work together in the future to further advance the sport. (Treiston Joseph)

50 from 85 balls before he was eventually adjudged lbw playing across a wellpitched delivery from medium-pacer Rayad Emrit.

Johnson then added 44 runs with Zaheer Mohammed before he was dismissed by off-spinner Jaggernauth. His innings lasted 169 balls and included five boundaries and a six.

Both Mohammed and Bishoo then adopted a cau-

t the Three Ws Oval, Jamaica lead by 100 runs: Jamaica 182 (Carlton Baugh Jnr 57, Jerome Taylor 39, Raymon.

Reifer 3-39) and 79-2 (John Campbell 38) versus Combined Campuses and Colleges 161 all out (Kevin McLean 36, Shacaya Thomas 33, Nikita Miller 5-31, Jerome Taylor 3-40).

At Vivian Richards Cricket ground, Leeward Islands trail by 178 runs: Leeward Islands 94 (Devon Thomas 30, Ashley Nurse 4-24) and 54-2 (Kieran Powell*) versus Barbados 326 (Kraigg Brathwaite 92, Omar Phillips 79, Jonathan Carter 39, Shai Hope 29, Anthony Martin 5-78, Jacques Taylor 2-42).

SCOREBOARD

T&T 1st innings E Lewis lbw Bishoo 64 L Simmons c Singh b Joseph 12 D Bravo lbw Bishoo 61 J Mohammed c Griffith b Bishoo 17 J Augustus c Johnson b Bishoo 15 R Emrit c Barnwell b Bishoo 26 S Katwaroo wk Bramble b Bishoo 3 I Khan c Barnwell by Bishoo 44 M Richards lbw b Bishoo 20 A Jaggernauth c Beaton b Bishoo 12 S Gabriel not out 4 Extras: (2-nb, 6-lb, 8-b) 16 Total: (all out; 101.4 overs) 294 Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-128, 3-147, 4-164, 5-187, 6-207, 7-220, 8-266, 9-284, 10-294 Bowling: Beaton 16-3-480, Joseph 19-5-53-1 (2-nb), Barnwell 12-2-47-0, Mohammed 12-0-50-0, Bishoo 38.4-1578-9, Griffith 4-1-4-0

Guyana 1st innings T Griffith c Ketwaroo b Gabriel 23 T Chanderpaul run out (Augustus) 14 S Hetmyer c Richards b Jaggernauth 0 L Johnson c Ketwaroo b Jaggernauth 78 V Singh c Ketwaroo b Jaggernauth 2 A Bramble b Jaggernauth 16 C Barnwell lbw Emrit 50 Z Mohammed not out 39 D Bishoo not out 18 Extras: (1-nb, 4-b, 2-lb) 7 Total: (for seven wickets; 82 overs) 247 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-37, 3-51, 4-59, 5-89, 6-169, 7-213 Bowling: Gabriel 15-4-29-1, Richards 4-0-21-0, Jaggernauth 24-5-78-4, Mohammed 14-3-27-0 (1-nb), Khan 192-56-0, Emrit 6-1-30-1

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Bacchus ready Moses Dwarka honoured

by Better Hope SC for Limacol CPL 2014 A

Robin Bacchus is a hardhitting opening batsman

N

ewcomer Robin Bacchus is ready and eager to compete in the upcoming Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after being signed by the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise.

The dashing left-handed opener on Friday received his contract documents from team manager Omar Khan, and subsequently signed on as one of five new faces on the Amazon Warriors’ franchise.

The 25-year-old Bacchus said he is looking forward to his maiden appearance in the tournament, which was hosted for the first time last year to sold out crowds at venues across the Caribbean.

During an interview with this publication recently, Bacchus confessed that due to a bit of “nervousness” he did not follow the Draft, which took place at Chris Gayle’s Triple Century Bar in Jamaica on April 3.

However, now that he will be donning the Amazon Warriors’ uniform, Bacchus is looking forward to sharing the same dressing room with his fellow countrymen, top players from the region and leading international T20 stars.

“I’m very excited to be part of the Limacol CPL. This is definitely a good opportunity for me to rub shoulders with the international players and feed off them, and ultimately enjoy the experience all together,” he related.

Bacchus, who has played one List A game for Guyana, added, “Once I’m given the opportunity to play, I would give my best and use this tournament as a stepping stone to play for the West Indies and also improve my game.”

The opener believes the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad is a “balanced” one, with a good blend of players. And while he has not set any personal goals, Bacchus pointed out that the crowning achievement for him would be to help the South

American based franchise lift the title this year.

Apart from the former national Under-19 player, the other newcomers are Guyanese middle-order batsman Leon Johnson, fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, Trinidad and Tobago’s allrounder Navin Stewart and New Zealand’s hard-hitting batsman, Corey Anderson.

Commenting on the Limacol CPL, Bacchus hailed the tournament as a success story for regional cricket, adding that the inclusion of four Under-19 players each to the respective franchises this year is a step in the right direction for game’s development in the Caribbean.

Apart from the 15 players chosen by the six franchises at the Draft, four Under-19 players will be added to the squads and will be chosen by the respective territorial boards.

Second edition

The Limacol CPL will be hosted during July/ August with Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs set to defend their title against last-year runner-up Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antugua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

Guyana Amazon Warriors squad is: Sunil Narine, Mohammad Hafeez, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Navin Stewart, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Robin Bacchus, Corey Anderson and Trevon Griffith.

t a simple ceremony held at the Better Hope Community Centre last week, legendary middle distance runner Moses Dwarka was recognised by the Better Hope Sports Club through the generosity of two benefactors, who are admirers of Dwarka and his achievements.

Dwarka, a very successful runner from the late 50’s to early 70’s, currently resides at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, a village he has very fond memories of growing up in.

From his early days on the sugar estates, competing with athletes across the sugar belt, Dwarka rose to prominence at the national level, winning numerous races nationally. He also represented Guyana with distinction internationally.

His many close battles with main rival and very good friend, Harry Prowell, is still a topic of conversation for those who remember the heyday of middle-distance running

Moses Dwarka receives a monetary gift from Jagnarine Singh (right) of the Better Hope Sports Club

in Guyana in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

In a short speech before the presentation, the Treasurer of the Better Hope SC emphasised the need for communities to recognise their heroes of yesteryear, and thanked “Uncle Moses”, as he is affectionately called by Better Hope residents, for putting the community “on

the map” and representing the village and Guyana with distinction.

He also exhorted the youths present at the ceremony to tap into the knowledge base of Dwarka and to emulate him in whatever their chosen sport is.

These remarks were also endorsed by Jagnarine Singh, who urged the youths to follow Dwarka’s

example of perseverance, hard work and discipline in playing sports and in their everyday lives.

In response, Dwarka thanked the members of the club for the initiative and expressed gratitude for the gift received. He also pledged to work with the youths of Better Hope in the promotion of sports in the community.

West Demerara cricketers...

In their chase, the East Coast boys never got going and were eventually bowled out for 118 in 27.2 overs. Only Rodolph Singh managed a significant score (58*). Sherfane Rutherford, who was later named Manof-the-Match, was the destroyer with the ball, accounting for 5-14 off five overs. Steven Sankar was also among the wickets

with 3-22 off 4.2 overs.

The competition provided some close battles among Georgetown, East Coast and West Demerara with all of them recording two victories apiece.

West Demerara however, emerged the winner since they finished with a superior run rate.

At the closing of the competition, Assistant Manager

of DF&GI, Rabindranauth Basil, said they are satisfied with the outcome of the competition and they are happy to be associated with youth cricket in Demerara.

Vice-president of Demerara Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie, highlighted that this year’s competition was the best for the mere fact that it produced close competition among the

from page 23

teams. He further thanked the sponsor for coming on board and looked forward for their support in the future.

Sanasie also complimented the executives of the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club and clubs in Georgetown for ensuring that their areas were represented in the competition.

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21

Trophy Stall/EBFA U-15 League

Pluck, Meusa take top individual awards

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Trophy Stall Marketing Representative, Travis Brandon, presents the winner’s trophy to Grove Hi Tech captain, Threvon Pluck, in the presence of happy teammates and other officials

spirituality

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rove Hi Tech captain Threvon Pluck was named Most Valuable Player of the just concluded Trophy Stall sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-15 League and was presented with his trophy at Saturday’s presentation held at the Grove Community Centre.

Pluck, who led his team to the championship trophy and also ensured they finish as the lone unbeaten team, also ended as the joint leading goalscorer of the competition, along with Shane Meusa of the second placed side, Soesdyke Falcons.

They both scored a total of seven goals each.

Pluck scored in every game of the two-round league, which attracted four clubs and saw a total of 51 goals being scored in the 12 games that were contested at the Grove Playfield. Just a single game was drawn (Diamond v Herstelling 0-0) with no walkovers recorded.

Grove also walked away

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his boss, Ramesh Sunich, was very pleased to support.

He said that this was not the first time that Trophy Stall has been supportive of football on the East Bank and will continue to play its part.

The Under-15 League will be contested on an annual basis, Brandon informed.

EBFA president Wayne Francois and Secretary Franklin Wilson both complimented the teams for their efforts, as well as the parents/guardians, coaches and club officials for investing valuable time in ensuring that the players were present for every game.

Wilson informed that the EBFA Under-17 Inter-club tournament will kick off shortly, while there will also be Under-13 and Under-10 tournaments in the ensuing months.

The EBFA also expressed gratitude to Referee Shawn Singh for his sterling contribution of standing in the middle for every game.

GOA hosts successful public discourse on sport

By Treiston Joseph

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with the Best Goalkeeper prize which went to Shawn Dominic, while their coach, Levi Braithwaite, was also rewarded for his efforts.

Fourth placed Herstelling, which ended the tournament with one point, received a trophy; third placed Diamond United collected the third place trophy and 18 bronze medals for their efforts, ending with seven points.

Soesdyke Falcons, who won their last game against Diamond to overtake them for the second place, collected a trophy and 18 silver medals, accumulating nine points from their quota of matches.

Champions Grove Hi Tech received the championship trophy and 18 gold medals, tallying some 18 points from their six unbeaten games.

Trophy Stall Marketing Representative, Travis Brandon, thanked the teams for participating in the league, which he said

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he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on Friday evening held an open discussion on the way forward for sport in Guyana at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

The discussions were aimed at pinpointing the major concerns of the various associations and sporting fanatics, along with suggestions to any of the issues raised.

Out of the many issues raised by parents, sport enthusiasts and representatives of the various national associations present, a few concerns were very common.

Concerns over the lack of facilities, the poor system of sport in schools, the science of the sport, finances, disorganised associations, governmental assistance, availability of resources, equipment and personnel and corporate sponsorship and branding were the bulk of the issues raised at the sitting.

However, the area that most associations and persons hit home at was the sport in the school system and the ability to advance sport among youths since

Members of the head table including president of the GOA, KA Juman Yassin, (centre) at Friday’s discussion

essentially, they are the future.

The topic of bad performances by teams and individuals also came up, but was defended by some associations, who reminded the gathering of Guyana’s level and the investment by other countries into sport.

Time and funding were also factors highlighted as hindrances to the sporadic success of international teams heading to various championships.

Major effort

President of the GOA, KA Juman Yassin, highlighted that it will take a major effort by all involved to develop sport and create elite athletes since coaches and athletes in Guyana are not paid.

Further, Vice-president of the GOA, Charles Corbin, also mentioned that 90 percent of the associations in

discussions with the GOA “seem” to have programmes in order to develop their athletes and the sport, which are most often hindered by the “unavailability of resources.”

In addition, persons highlighted the media as the outlet to promote the sport, while noting that the media can have a negative influence on the sport if situations are portrayed the wrong way.

Meanwhile, the way in which the GOA will utilise the information garnered to better sport moving forward is still not yet known, but with the first of these discussions concluded the GOA now have data to steer them in the right direction.

Whether the open discussion will serve to better production by athletes across the board and the improvement and development of sport is left to be seen.

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april 13, 2014

guyanatimesGY.com

NAMILCO One Love Football Classic …

Two semi-final spots at stake this evening

Sunburst Camptown (orange and black uniform) on the defensive against Riddim Squad at the Tucville ground

T

he final two semi-final spots are up for grabs this evening when the seventh edition of the NAMILCO One Love Football Classic knockout tournament continues at the Tucville Playfield.

Guyana’s leading club side and CONCACAF Champion’s League qualifiers Alpha “The Hammer” United will match skills with Western Tigers in the

first game with an eye on taking one of the two spots at stake.

The exploits of this side are well documented so it will not be too hard to predict which way the outcome will go, but as they saying go, “it’s never over until it’s over.” Western Tigers are known to have the big game temperament so Alpha’s work will be cut out as the Tigers will also fancy their

chances of advancing to the final four.

Ronson Williams will be in goal for the National Super League champions and he will be supported by forward Kithson Bain, captain Dwight Peters, Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson and Travis “Zorro” Grant.

The Tigers will depend on their seasoned campaigners, Phillip Rowley, Hubert Pedro, King Solomon Austin, Jerome Richardson and custodian, Derrick Carter, to take the fight to Alpha.

Tonight’s feature game will pit the pride of the West Side, Slingerz Football Club, against the Guyana Defense Force in what is anticipated to be an intense contest.

The Army has always been a tough side and is capable of stepping up their game to match any opponent.

Slingerz have proven in their short career to date that they are a no-nonsense side that is aiming to the best and no doubt, will continue on that path tonight.

As usual, their quest will be led by the nippy Devon Millington, the depend-

Baseball camps to be held countrywide

able Vurlon Mills, who is in fine form, the unstoppable Anthony “Awo” Abrams, Joshua Brown and Jason Cromwell between the uprights.

GDF’s challenge for a semi-final place rests with the likes of William Europe, Nigel Braithwaite, Kennard Simmons, Delroy Fraser and goalie, Rawle Success.

Kick off time this evening is 18:00 hours.

Meanwhile, in the first quarter-final matches on Friday evening, home team Fruta Conquerors and Riddim Squad booked the first semi-final spots following wins over Pele and Sunburst Camptown respectively.

Conquerors disposed of the challenge from Pele, once known as the knockout artist in Guyana, by a 2-0 margin. The game was by no means an easy one for either side, but the home team footballers played more compact and were the hungrier of the two.

Proceedings were settled in a two-minute burst deep into the second half.

Fruta Conqueror’s Trevon Lythcott keeps a close eye as this Pele player seeks to control the ball

Raphael Edwards finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute much to the relief of his teammates and followers. Conquerors did not leave anything to chance and almost immediately put the sealer on the lid when Dwayne Lawrence rocked the Pele nets just two minutes after they established the lead.

Riddim Squad was finally able to break the jinx of los-

ing to Sunburst Camptown, churning out a composed 3-1 win.

Camptown was not able to score on the night, it was an own goal in the 33rd minute that accounted for their’s. On target for the Mocha-based Riddim Squad were Amos Ramsey in the 10th minute, Sceyon Hope on the stroke of half-time and Steffon Ramsey in the 62nd minute.

Everest honours Mohamed on 50th birthday – Former national wicketkeeper/batsman leads Everest to victory over Florida

F

T

This is how you do it! A youngster pays keen attention as he is taken through a drill

he Guyana Baseball League (GBL) in association with E-Networks Inc. will be offering nationwide baseball camps throughout the Easter school holidays.

According to a release from the GBL, boys and girls, ages six to 24, are welcome to attend camps in New Amsterdam on April 19-20 at the Phoenix Primary School ground and at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara and the Georgetown Cricket Club on April 19 and April 22-24 respectively.

Interested persons can register by contacting Zahir Moakan in New Amsterdam, Rabindranauth Seeram in West Demerara or by calling 657-STAR in Georgetown.

They can also register through facebook account:

https://www.facebook.com/ ENetworksbaseballstar or by just turning up at the respective grounds on the designated dates.

“All equipment will be provided by the GBL and participants are asked to dress appropriately for sporting activity, and in the interest of preserving the environment to bring reusable water bottles. The camps begin at 09:00 hours and end at 16:30 hours.

There are no fees,” the GBL said.

Meanwhile, all participants will be invited to take part in a two-day League tournament in Georgetown on the April 23-24.

The GBL release continued, “With the professionalism GBL has exhibited while coordinating E-Networks Baseball Star, many of the sponsoring

agencies suggested we offer a wider variety of opportunity by way of baseball camps. We guarantee that these camps will be run with the same philosophy of providing all children with the opportunity to develop sports skills in a fun and non-competitive environment.”

It added, “GBL programmes are designed to engage the imagination of the youths of today. Our energetic staff will implement a unique camp atmosphere, which will allow for safety, fun, and skills development. All GBL camps will focus on helping the kids learn the rules of the game while working on sportsmanship.”

According to the GBL, all of the E-Networks Baseball Star contenders will be attending the camps.

ormer national wicketkeeper/batsman Sheik Mohamed was on Friday last recognised by the Everest Cricket Club, as the player and the club celebrated significant milestones via the hosting of a feature 30-over cricket match.

Currently, the club is celebrating its 100th anniversary and part of the activities planned was Friday’s game, which featured the club’s Masters team against Florida Cricket Academy Masters.

The game was played in honour of Mohamed, who only last Wednesday celebrated his 50th birth anniversary.

After the game, Mohamed, who represented Guyana in 19 FirstClass matches and 14 List A games between 1987 and 1999, was presented with a plaque by executive members of the Everest Cricket Club in appreciation of the contribution he has made to the game over the years.

Upon receiving the recognition, Mohamed said he was very elated to be honoured by the club and thanked the executives for the gesture.

Prior to collecting the award, Mohamed played a crucial role in Everest’s seven-wicket win over the Florida Cricket Academy Masters.

After restricting the tourists to 140-9 from the allotted overs, Everest cruised

Former national wicketkeeper/batsman Sheik Mohamed (right) receives the Best Batsman prize from captain of the Florida Cricket Association, Wayne Ramnarine

to victory at 141-3 in 20 overs with the left-handed Mohamed leading the way with a solid 50 not out, an innings that included seven sweetly timed boundaries.

For his match-winning innings, Mohamed was voted Man-of-the-Match and Best Batsman of the game.

Hemraj Garbarran and Basil Persaud also chipped in, scoring 36 and 22 respectively. Earlier, David Harper claimed 2-4 from two overs and Shaheed Mohamed 2-8 from three overs to restrict Florida Cricket Academy Masters. Neville Dawkins led the way with 46, while Alston Nancoo made 27.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony after

the game, president of the Florida Cricket Academy, Wayne Ramnarine, congratulated Everest Masters on their victory and expressed gratitude to the club for hosting them.

Ramnarine was also high in praise of Mohamed, whom he said displayed a high quality of stroke-play during his knock. Everest captain Rajesh Singh thanked the tourists for travelling to Guyana to play the game, and congratulated Mohamed on scoring a 50 in a game that was played in honour of his 50th birthday. Trophies for the game were donated

by Tiger Sports of Enmore and the Florida Cricket Academy.

april 13, 2014

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Vikings excited to West Demerara cricketers have Ramdass for reign supreme again T&DCA season W DF&GI U-19 Inter-Association competition...

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

A

typically defiant opening batsman, Ryan Ramdass, is set to link up with Vikings Cricket Club (VCC) for the 2014 Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Elite 50-over competition.

The former West Indies cricketer has represented Islanders Cricket Club over the years, but will now join fellow Guyana national players Royston Crandon, Rajendra Chandrika, Zaheer Haniff and Hemnarine Chattergoon over at Vikings.

One of the club’s senior players, Ian Baldeo, stated that the entire staff and team members are very excited to welcome the righthander in this year’s edition, which is slated to get cracking in late May. “Yes, definitely we [are] excited to have Ryan in our club this year; certainly he has been a consistent scorer in Canada over the years so he will be coming with lots of experience,” Baldeo related.

In his lone appearance for West Indies at the Test level, Ramdass failed to make an impression against hosts Sri Lanka and since then he has been overlooked. He had suffered injuries with his lower back and right shoulder which kept him out of the game for two years.

Ramdass proceeded to have an operation and subsequent rehabilitation, which were both very successful. He had scored heavily for Guyana at the Regional Four-day tournament during his 21 matches before encountering the physical glitches.

Quality batsman

Baldeo feels Ramdass is a still a quality batsman who has the capability of producing great performances for his club, country and by extension the West Indies. Now 30, Ramdass is eager to once again wear the prestigious maroon West Indies cap.

“I think Ryan has possessed good temperament as a solid opener and coming and representing a high-standard club will certainly boost his confidence as an ambitious cricketer; he was up there but just injuries played a part unfortunately, but I am confident he will make an impact for Vikings this season,” the genuine all-rounder Baldeo divulged.

Only last year, Ramdass’ fellow Everest club-mate Chandrika made his debut for Vikings, while Crandon has been a frequent visitor

Ryan Ramdass has played one Test match for the West Indies

to North America for the past five years.

Chattergoon and Haniff have also been committed to Vikings for a lengthy period now, and the club has seen a bulk of Guyanese and international players featuring for them.

Some of the names include Clayton Lambert, Sunil Dhaniram, Nicholas DeGroot, Krishna Deosaran, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Esaun Crandon, Kenneth Wong, Jermine Neblett, Jeremy Gordon, Damodar Daesrath and Krishna Arjune.

“We have a great reputation as one of the top clubs in the T&DCA Elite league and having player of his international experience would be more than a privilege, and as I said we are excited to have him among us this year; once we put in our work, I am very optimistic we will come out as champions,” Baldeo mentioned.

Optimistic

VCC last won a major title in 1997, but they have had advanced to a high number of quarter and semi-finals. Baldeo, who made his debut for the club two decades ago, is also optimistic they will end that drought now, especially with the current crop of players.

Meanwhile, the club’s cricketers will once again have their pre-season tour match later this month against Richmond Hill in New York.

They will be facing up to a number of former Guyana and West Indies players on the two-day visit, among them Lambert, Sudesh Dhaniram and Kevin Darlington.

In the T&DCA Elite competition, Centurion Cricket Club is the defending champion. They dethroned Brampton Masters Tranzac Cricket Club in 2013. Brampton Masters junior team was the victor in the Premier League division after beating Victoria Park Cricket Club.

est Demerara defeated East Bank by 19 runs on Saturday to retain the Demerara Under-19 title at the end of the InterAssociation competition sponsored by Diamond Fire and General Insurance (DF&GI).

Batting first at the Wales Community Centre ground, West Demerara piled up 186 all out in 47.5 overs. Avenash Dhaniram topscored with 35, while Ronaldo Renee and Richie Looknauth chipped in with 28 and 24 respectively. Bowling for East Bank, Ryan Shun grabbed 4-42 and Deonarine Seegobin captured 3-25.

In reply, East Bank fought hard, but eventually succumbed for 167 from 47.5 overs. Seegobin led the way with 35 and got support from Ricky Debidial, who

In the absence of the West Demerara captain, Vice-president of West Demerara Cricket Association, Anand Sanasie, received the winner’s trophy

made 22. Ewart Samuels (215) and Travis Persaud (227) were among the wickets. Seegobin was adjudged Man-of-the-Match.

At the Everest Cricket Club ground, Georgetown

shocked the competition’s favourites East Coast by emerging with a 27-run victory.

Georgetown managed 145-9 off their 50 overs with Kemol Savoury and Cleon

McEwan making a joint topscore of 45 each. The main wicket-takers for East Coast were Matthew Shutahal (228), Richard Woolford (215), and Gavin Moriah (2Turn to page 20 30).

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

april 16, 2014

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