Guyana Times Daily

Ramotar commissions Chinese shipyard at Coverden P 19

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2057 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, March 1, 2014

PRICE

11 homeless after Number 72 Village fire See story on page 9

$60 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Fingerprint equipment making P3 strides in crime solving – Crime Chief

Policeman in batonrape saga back on P duty 7

Aircraft accident P9 $10M home for Sparendaam woman nears completion

Roraima Group of Companies Inc Chairman Gerry Gouveia with the winners of the “Race to the Altar”, the future Mr and Mrs Ryan and Maria Fletcher at the conclusion of the competition at Duke Lodge, Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown on Friday. Also in photo are the other contestants (Carl Croker photo)

Most of Disciplined Forces Commission recommendations implemented – David Ramnarine See story on page 17

GRA employee wanted for embezzlement arrested in New York See story on page 10

APNU to retable P failed motion against Finance Minister

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2 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Plan launched to ease city traffic congestion I

Dhurjon had enough time to incorporate APNU’s amendments into AML bill – Granger

By Svetlana Marshall

T

he Home Affairs Ministry on Friday initiated a soft launch of its “Which Way?” campaign; an initiative designed

by Tagman Media and Renaissance Marketing to address the issues of congestion and safety on the roadways in Georgetown.

Under this strategic plan, some two-way streets in Georgetown will be transformed into a one-way flow of traffic, Public Relations Consultant Alex Graham disclosed during the launching at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The campaign is set for an official launch on March 28 and the changes will take effect from March 31.

In developing the strategy, Tagman Media and Renaissance Marketing divided the city into four quadrants.

Graham explained that Georgetown was divided into East-West halves along Vlissengen Road from the Sea Wall to Mandela Avenue.

It was subsequently divided from North-South by Croal Street/Homestretch Avenue to Sheriff Street/ Kitty Avenue, effectively dividing the city into four quadrants.

Alluding to the changes to be made, Graham said

Tagman Media executive Alex Graham

while the Kitty Public Road will remain a west-bound one-way street, David Street, which is now a twoway street will be converted to a one-way west-bound street from Sheriff Street to Vlissengen Road. Garnett Street will also be converted to a west-bound street.

Meanwhile, Sandy Bobb Street will be converted to a east-bound one-way lane from Vlissengen Road to the Eastern Highway; however, Thomas Lands will remain a two-way street.

Princes Street, Norton Street, Durban Street and Hadfield Street will flow east-west in the southern part of Georgetown.

West-bound traffic will now be encouraged to use Princes Street while Durban Street will become a one-

way street, west-bound from High Street to Mandela Avenue.

However, Norton Street will be converted to oneway traffic east-bound from George Street to Mandela Avenue while Hadfield Street will be converted to a one-way east-bound traffic from Lombard Street to Mandela Avenue.

Notably, Homestretch Avenue and Regent Street will remain two-way roads.

Graham said to guarantee a smooth transition; a public education campaign will also be launched.

“We are actually going to have what we call a traffic chopper in the first week of the campaign. We will put a chopper over the city that will be able to describe to the persons listening to the radio… what are the options available to get to your destination,” Graham explained.

Additionally, live streaming of the East Bank corridor will be done online, so viewers can determine the best time to traverse the main access road.

According to the public relations consultant, 60 per cent of the campaign’s content will be designed to deliver education and information to meet the regular man in the street.

It was further explained that a “route approach” will be used to fulfil the objective of the project. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

n the wake of Guyana’s failure to pass the anti-money laundering bill, after Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cecil Dhurjon said there was insufficient time to incorporate opposition-proposed amendments, Opposition Leader David Granger posited that there was enough time to make the changes.

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chairman, at his coalition’s press conference on Friday, said Dhurjon had enough time to complete the changes that were made to the bill so that it could have been presented in Parliament on Thursday.

While refusing to answer questions as to whether the failure of Dhurjon could be attributed to the fact that he was attached to the Attorney General’s office and might have, in some way, been influenced, Granger noted that until now, Dhurjon had never failed to complete a task that was assigned to him in a timely manner.

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had earlier stated that the time given to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to complete the amendments and have the bill ready for Parliament was insufficient.

He had contended that APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) were persistently pursuing amendments that were considered risky. “It is the same unacceptable grouping of proposals which government has already registered its objection to.”

Thursday marked the deadline for the government to submit a report to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) as it relates to the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill.

Guyana was mandated to submit a progress report along with the AML/CFT Bill, but only a report will be handed over after negotiations between the three main political parties deteriorated during the last few days over the passage of the bill.

Opposition Leader David Granger

It is anticipated that Guyana will be further sanctioned as a result of its failure to have the bill passed by the deadline.

Last November, Guyana was blacklisted by the CFATF after being identified as a country with significant strategic deficiencies in its AML/ CFT system. Guyana was subsequently given a series of deadlines by which to make itself compliant with the standards of the CFATF and its international parent body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Much uncertainty Despite much uncertainty, the AML/CFT Parliamentary Special Select Committee met on Thursday with the expectation of concluding its work, but was informed by Dhurjon that he was unable to complete the incorporation of the APNUproposed amendments. “It is not just drafting the amendments, but all the other consequential changes that will have to be made to the principal act,” Dhurjon had said.

Hence, more time was requested.

The coalition on Sunday, February 9 had tabled three last-minute amendments to the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill of 2013, which was drafted based on the advice of CFATF. Presidential Adviser Gail Teixeira explained that Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill on two occa-

sions moved a motion for the AML/CFT Bill, Number 22 of 2013, to be placed before the National Assembly to avert blacklisting. But the opposition defeated the motion on both occasions, noting that the bill will not return to the House unless its amendments are included.

CFATF Financial Adviser Roger Hernandez, who met with the AML/CFT select committee, had expressed concerns that some of the proposed amendments could endanger Guyana. It was explained that making amendments to the principal act can make some clauses, which were deemed compliant by the CFATF, noncompliant.

But although the risks were outlined to all sitting members of the select committee, APNU, which has recently garnered the support of the AFC, continues to push for the amendments.

In addition to these amendments, the opposition parties increased their demands when they met with President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday, with APNU calling on the President to assent to the bills passed by Parliament that he had rejected.

Further, the AFC continues to advocate for the establishment and operationalisation of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). As of Wednesday, the President said he was willing to establish the PPC, but Cabinet must maintain its “no-objection” powers, which the AFC finds disagreeable.

During its May plenary, the CFATF could recommend that Guyana be subjected to a prima facie review by the International Cooperation Review Board of FATF when it meets in June.

If so reviewed, Guyana could find itself on one of three blacklisting tiers. The most severe requires countries to issue further sanctions against this nation. North Korea and Iran are currently the only two countries subject to the harshest sanctions.

News

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saturDay, March 1, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, March 1 from 05:30h to 07:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, March 1 from 16:35h to 18:05h

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected to prevail during the day with light rain showers in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Fingerprint equipment making strides in crime solving – Crime Chief

Wind: East north easterly between 3.33 metres and 3.61 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:32h and 16:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.82 metres and 2.89 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:25h and 22:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.37 metre and 0.34 metre respectively.

The recently-acquired Automated Fingerprint Identification System

wednesday, february 26, 2014

LOTTERY NUMBERS M 01 04 18 20 22 24 11 FREE TICKET Friday, February 28, 2014

Daily Millions

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T

he recently-acquired Automated F i n g e r p r i n t Identification System (AFIS), which was donated to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) by the U.S. Embassy, has already been yielding results in helping the police to crack stalled cases.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said the equipment is a shot in the arm, as the police have been using several outdated methods in solving crime.

“We had an old system, actually the first generation of AFIS, it’s a standalone system so it don’t connect anywhere else and we had a lot of date in there that when we transfer, we start getting it,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Persaud also disclosed that the equipment has so far enabled the force to make progress in its investigations with at least three murder cases and several break and enters. The crime

chief disclosed that among these cases is the Pegasus taxi driver murder.

However, he noted that having fingerprints is not the end of an investigation.

“Fingerprints being there does not mean there is a case, it just means that fingerprints was found so there is still a need for investigations to be done,” Persaud added.

The AFIS was acquired by the police force in November last year through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) as part of a U.S.funded project.

The equipment allows for fingerprints of suspects to be matched with those obtained from crime scenes, or those already in the system, in an effective and timely manner.

It can also be used to identify deceased persons.

The AFIS further allows for fingerprints to be recorded with an electronic light scan and be stored in the AFIS database. The database is said to be connected to others regionally.

With the acquisition, representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have recently conducted a

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud

training session with local police on how to operate the equipment.

Several stations already have computers and scanners installed to collect fingerprint data. This data would be sent to the CID headquarters where it will be checked for matching suspects.

Since its acquisition, local police over the past few months have being restoring the prints of individuals with criminal backgrounds, along with their mug shots, into the new database. So far, one perpetrator has been apprehended and placed before the court. It has also helped to identify the suspect in a murder which occurred some two years ago.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014

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

Editorial

Silencing the critics

T

he 2014 budget debates will soon begin and the opposition will go into overdrive mode as it relates to the performance of the various sectors; and the level of negativity with respect to the general direction the country is going will reach boiling point. The nation is taking note of the independent voices in their analysis of the country’s economic performance over the past few years.

The views of these persons who have no political interest in Guyana must continue to be publicised so that persons desirous of investing in the country, or even those Guyanese in the diaspora who are willing to return home to retire or invest their resources will understand what is really taking place – that is; in spite of the many challenges being faced, we are a nation that is moving forward.

There was a time when hardly anyone was willing to do business with Guyana, be it a country, investors, or international lending agencies. Guyana was not respected in any way and others looked at us as a rogue state. That situation has now changed. The Guyanese economy was able to bounce back.

The current administration, especially under the leadership of former President Bharrat Jagdeo must be commended for the significant role it played in changing the economic fortunes of Guyana. The economy, once labelled as one of the poorest and most indebted in the region, largely due to mismanagement and corruption, is now being regarded as a model for others to follow in this part of the world.

Recently, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr William Warren Smith said that there were some very good lessons to be learnt for the Caribbean states and the rest of the world, from the Guyanese experience. Even though the country’s economic development has followed a very tough road, the economy has shown ‘resilience’, and this is due to responsible and prudent management.

“Guyana is a good example of a country that has done some of the right things, and at the same time has also benefited from good fortune. They have come a very, very long distance in terms of their fiscal situation. They have been responsible in terms of addressing it.

“Just by casual observation one can see that there is a lot of construction taking place in the country… you can almost see the country changing in front of your eyes, and so that is just a casual indication of the extent to which economic activity is vibrant and buoyant in that country.”

International financial institutions have provided substantial debt forgiveness, and Guyana has been able to capitalise on this, while continuing to pursue responsible fiscal reforms. The emerging international market for commodities has also redounded to Guyana’s benefit as it has a lot to offer in this regard.

Guyana is now rated a middle-income developing country. The CDB projects that Guyana, along with Suriname and Haiti, will take the lead among the regional economies, in terms of accelerating growth in the next two years.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh had said that “this growth reflects continued progress on the diversification of the productive sector where we have now arrived at a point where we are no longer as we were 10 years ago, entirely dependent on one, two or three dominant sectors”.

At that time, the three major contributors to the economy were rice, sugar and bauxite but, these are no longer occupying the dominant positions. However, while gold, other minerals, transport, ICTs and construction are all showing increased importance, the three former sectors still contribute to a large portion of the economy.

Long-term commitments and investments made in Guyana will have a tremendous impact on the local economy.

Investments in bauxite, other minerals, oil, rice and others that include expansion of current foreign investments, point to improved confidence in the country’s investment climate.

The naysayers will be silenced once again as the incontrovertible facts show that while there are many challenges still be overcome, Guyana is on a steady path to progress.

Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes (right) hands over the city’s ceremonial key to the Rei Momo, or Carnival King Wilson Neto (second right) at Cidade Palace in Rio de Janeiro on February 28. The event officially kicks off the 2014 carnival week in Rio (Reuters/Sergio Moraes)

Govt plugging for unity

Dear Editor, The events of the last two years have shown clearly that a joint government arrangement between the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) is almost impossible.

The most glaring is the situation with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill in Parliament.

The bill as President Donald Ramotar explained came out of an international process. It had the assurance from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) officials that it was compliant. This bill should have never been sent to a select committee. In any other country it would have been passed immediately and be more like a formality.

Look at the behaviour of

the government and the opposition in Belize. The opposition supported the government unhesitantly to avoid damaging the welfare of its people.

The opposition in Guyana demanded that the bill be sent to a special select committee for them to put forward amendments. For almost a year they did no such thing.

At the very end, when it was close to the deadline, they introduced amendments to the principal act, which was not the subject of any issue.

The CFATF assessor pointed out that the amendments run the danger of making what is now compliant to becoming non-compliant.

Despite all of this opposition, keep insisting on their amendments knowing fully that they are exposing the country to danger and at the same time putting the well-

being of Guyanese in danger.

Added to that, worst than Shylock of Shakespeare’s fame, they continued to demand their pound of “flesh”.

They want the government to give them the unconstitutional bills and other measures.

This is a major change by APNU which is on record as saying that they were not tying the passage of the bill to anything. They were not supporting the AFC which was calling to establish the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) as a condition for supporting the bill.

Now the AFC have changed, they are now supporting APNU’s demands together with their own. The APNU has also changed its position and is supporting the AFC’s call also.

What is motivating those parties?

It appears that the AFC, whose leaderships consist of two defectors from the PPP/C,

is motivated by hate and vendetta. These are bitter people.

The APNU on the other hand has a history of practising racial discrimination while in government. That has always been their main line. That is why they always work to inflame black sentiments by talking about ethnic cleansing and fabrication of other issues.

Clearly the ideologies of these parties are very far apart. The PPP/C and PPP/C government continue to plug for national unity, the APNU has held on to its racist line and the AFC is primarily motivated by vengeance and hate.

A government comprising of these parties would be a real disaster for Guyana. It will be incapable of getting anything done.

Sincerely, Rebecca Constance

Outcomes of the XXII 2014 Winter Olympic Games

Dear Editor, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, during his meeting with medalists at the XXII 2014 Winter Olympics Games, summed up the results of the games for Russian sport, congratulated the Russian team for the first place in the unofficial overall team ranking, and presented state decorations.

Russia won a total of 13 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals.

The Sochi Games gave the world a chance to see a diverse and open Russia with modern sports facilities and strong sports traditions. Russian sportsmen showed that these traditions are solid and that Russia continues to nurture impressive and strong athletes who

can dazzle the world and win its admiration, bring people joy and make the hearts of millions of fellow citizens beat as one, filling them with pride in their homeland.

Over the two weeks of the Olympics, even people far removed from sport organised their lives around the competition schedule and everything literally came to a halt when athletes took to the arena or the track.

The Russian President took the opportunity to thank the media, both state and private, and those who ensured the national television broadcasts of the games.

It was thanks to their efforts that billions of people were able to watch sport battles and see victories and brilliant performances of the sportsmen from many coun-

tries.

According to the Russian President, the Olympic Games are much more than just an international competition. Countries battle in Olympics to win the title of the most sporting nation, and being among the leaders is a matter of national prestige.

This was the case in Sochi where the Russian team made some breakthroughs that were unexpected and thus all the more welcomed and important. Russian athletes won medals in disciplines where Russia had never or had long since not counted among the leaders.

This is all the more true now that winter sports athletes have a modern training base in Sochi and the surrounding area with facilities that have earned high praise

from Russian and Foreign athletes, coaches and experts.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, has already spoken about Russia’s openness and new image. It was a good opportunity to show the rest of the world that Russia is a very friendly country that knows how to welcome people, create a celebration that it can share with sports fans all around the world and achieve victories and success.

The President of Russia invited all who didn’t visit Sochi this winter to come and see how beautiful this place of Russia is.

Sincerely yours Denis Kopyl Press Attache Russian Embassy in Guyana

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, March 1, 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

It boggles the mind that Granger would seek an audience with senior army personnel Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has noted with disgust the recent pronouncements of Opposition Leader David Granger who, following a meeting with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips and other senior military officials made statements that are in stark contrast with the refusal of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to engage government on consultations on the 2014 Budget estimates.

One is left to wonder whether the discussions

with the army top brass is intended to be a back door attempt by Granger to preempt and influence the budgetary allocations to the army, having regard to his public utterances regarding his party’s support for the army’s allocation during the forthcoming budget debates.

It boggles the mind that Granger would seek an audience with senior army personnel ostensibly out of national security concerns when the parliamentary opposition of which he is leader is doing everything possible to undermine the efforts of the PPP/C admin-

istration to put measures in place at the legislative and administrative levels to protect the integrity of the country, more particularly the citizens of Guyana.

Granger’s utterances are all the more intriguing if not hollow given APNU’s consistent attacks against the Joint Services.

One is left to wonder whether it is the same Granger whose party was highly critical of the GDF on a range of issues, including the unwarranted and unsubstantiated attacks on the role of the army in the Lindo Creek Massacre and al-

leged links to criminal elements, which resulted in the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica.

It is hoped that Granger in his conversation with the Chiefof-Staff would have informed about the suspected role of the People’s National Congress (PNC) in the hijacking of ballot boxes during his tenure as a member of the army’s top brass and about the PNC’s involvement/ non-involvement in the cold-blooded murder of two young Guyanese in Corentyne during the seizure of ballot boxes.

It is also expected that in his conversation

GOPIO New Yorkers remember Kayman Sankar ing so much encouragement for the planning and holding of the first global convention of people of Indian origin,” Kallicharran said.

Respectfully submitted, Vishnu Bisram

From left to right: Ramesh D Kalicharran, Kayman Sankar, Sudhu Acharya and Mrs Bhanu Solanki, just before boarding the aircraft to the Essequibo Coast, Guyana (photo 1989)

Dear Editor, Members of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) based in the greater New York area fondly remember the late Kayman Sankar as a generous sponsor of cultural activities, a supporter of GOPIO, and a warm host. He was praised for his contributions in helping with the seeding of GOPIO Guyana, as well as GOPIO Caribbean.

In 1989, Kayman Sankar hosted a delegation from New York and subsequently became a founding member of GOPIO, the worldwide organisation that advocates on behalf of people of Indian origin.

GOPIO hosted a global convention in July 1989 at the Sheraton Centre, Manhattan, where several Guyanese made presentations about issues impacting on Indians in their home countries or in the Indian diaspora.

Dr Cheddi Jagan attended the weeklong convention and made several presentations appealing for the group’s assistance to help bring about the restoration of democracy in Guyana. A meeting was arranged by GOPIO between Ron Brown, the Democratic Chairman, and Dr Jagan that would

set in motion the process to hold free and fair elections in Guyana.

Dr Jagan was grateful for GOPIO’s role in the process and for putting pressure on the U.S. Congress to take up the issue of human rights violations in Guyana.

According to Ramesh Kallicharran, Sankar played an important role in helping to bring leading Guyanese together to organise the regional conference of people of Indian origin in the Caribbean.

Kallicharran and other GOPIO members showered praises on Sankar for his contributions to the organisation In early 1989, Sankar met with a group of New York-based GOPIO conveners who flew down to Georgetown to discuss the holding of the first global convention of people of Indian origin in New York.

Sankar hosted the delegation in his Georgetown office and subsequently flew them to Essequibo for a visit. Among those in the delegation were Trinidadian Balkrishna Naipaul, Guyanese Ravi Dev and Ramesh Kallicharran, and Indians Dhiraj Solanki and his wife Bhanu Solanki and Sudha Acharya. The GOPIO team also visited Trinidad and Barbados.

The team was to visit Suriname as well, but because of a holiday, the trip was put off and organising of the Suriname GOPIO discussions was done mostly by correspondence and phone calls.

Sankar was the host on the Essequibo Coast and provided transportation to them by air and road within Guyana. Kallicharran and others remember him and his family as fantastic hosts providing fantastic hospitality and some of Guyana’s finest cuisine.

In Greater Georgetown, the group interacted with a host of representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The group also met with GD Atuk, then Indian High Commissioner, the late Reepu Daman Persaud, the late Pandit Gowkarran Sharma, the late Dr Balwant Singh, and the leadership of Greater Georgetown Arya Samaj Mandir.

Kallicharran said the members of the delegation were most grateful to Sankar for a very successful trip to Guyana that led to a terrific convention that would lead to the launching of GOPIO. “He facilitated our trip and was so kind and generous to us giving us a tour of his business as well as offer-

with the Chief-of-Staff he would have explained his own role, along with that of his parliamentary colleague Joseph Harmon, in providing intelligence to the PNC to oppress and suppress the political opposition during the dark days of the Forbes Burnham-Desmond Hoyte era.

Further, it is hoped that Granger, would have informed the Chief-ofStaff about the basis on which he arrived at his conclusion that the metal shark boats provided to the army under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) programme were unsuitable

for its intended purposes.

The opposition leader, it is expected, would have articulated to the Chiefof-Staff his plans to address the fight against narco-trafficking given his manifest lack of familiarity with the Joint Task Force’s activities and initiatives.

It is to be noted that Granger had in his APNU delegation a former commissioner of police who is reported to have undermined the country’s national security interest.

Yours truly, People’s Progressive Party/Civic Freedom House

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SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014

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Foundation

Signs your children are overscheduled W

e’ve all heard about the signs to look out for if your child is using drugs – the glassy eyes, spending less time with friends and family, apathy towards everything – but what if the culprit isn’t pills but programming – and too much of it?

The epidemic of overly scheduled children has caught the attention of educators, doctors, and child psychologists over the past few decades. And not surprisingly, over scheduling children leads to the same stress-related health and psychological problems that overscheduled adults experience. According to research, most children who are overscheduled have parents from an educated, higher income bracket – and they tend to be girls.

There’s a middle ground, though, between back-toback dance classes, soccer games, band practice and church group, and the other extreme: undirected hours of unfulfilling TV-watching and phone-talking.

How do you know if your child is too busy?

Watch for these signs:

You never see your child just doing nothing

Replay some mental pic-

tures of your child over the past week. If all your images are of him or her on the go – heading to an appointment, on the way back from one, doing homework, practising an instrument – and there are not many moments of quiet and relaxation, your child is too busy. “Every hour children come into my office and throw themselves onto my couch complaining that they are overbooked with too many appointments,” says Dr Fran Walfish, a child psychologist and author of The Self-Aware Parent: Resolving Conflict and Building A Better Bond with Your Child. “All they want is down time,” she says.

old man” symptoms – there might be underlying issues.

Your child no longer loves her peanut butter fudge ice cream, flute or Justin Bieber sing-alongs

“One of the surest signs that a child is overscheduled is when what used to be fun isn’t fun anymore,” says Dr Edward Hallowell, author of Crazybusy. “Activities

His or her grades are dropping

If you can’t read your child’s face, head to the data – look at the grades. One of the most oft-cited signs for an overscheduled child is that his or her grades start to drop. School should be a top priority, and if activities are sapping a child’s time and energy away from homework, something needs

are like ice cream – they’re great, but when you have too much, it makes you sick.” How can you tell if she’s just growing out of a unicorn phase as opposed to protesting an overscheduled life? “They start saying no to everything that used to be fun for them,” says Dr Hallowell. If it’s just grumbling about one activity, let it go – but if nothing seems to appeal to them anymore, take notice.

her. Ruling out a fight, a sign your child is too busy is when he or she no longer connects with friends, according to Jennifer Little, PhD, an educator for over 40 years. If there used to be sleepovers and phone chats and impromptu catch games, but now your child seems more isolated, take that as a warning sign that she’s too busy.

Your child is moody and anxious

“Families have priorities, and some of those might be mealtimes with the family,” says Block. If your children are dropping out of mealtimes for choir practice or dance rehearsal, then it’s time to re-assess priorities.

Think back to the past week or two. How many meals did your child eat on the go or in the car? If it’s more than a few, it may be time to sit down and redo your child’s schedule.

to get cut. “I hear of children getting up as early as 05:00h to get their homework done because they didn’t have time to finish it the night before due to all their activities,” says Cronin. That kind of scenario can’t be good for grades.

Dr Bob Block, president of the American Academy of Paediatrics, has been seeing an increase in the rate of depression in children, and he links it’s partly to overscheduled lives. “The more activities a child is involved in, the more opportunities there are to not do well in them – not live up to a standard, either their parents’ or their own.” Signs of depression and anxiety include bad moods, being very quiet, avoiding friends and family.

Your car has become the fourth member of the family

Her best friend isn’t around anymore

Your child has the constitution of an old man

OK, so maybe there’s no hunchback or gray hairs yet, but it’s a warning sign if your child looks and acts tired, complains of headaches and pains, isn’t sleeping well or “just doesn’t feel right,” according to Dr Kate Cronin, a paediatric physician at the Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. Irritability and grumpiness are also signs that their life balance is out of whack, she says. Pay attention to those “grumpy

You’re spending more time with your children in the car than anywhere else, because you’re constantly shuttling them back and forth to activities. This is a sign that activities and schedules are dominating as the focus of family time. “What’s worse is that nowadays everyone is plugged in to separate devices,” says Hallowell. He suggests unplugging and at least using the car time to have conversation and bond.

Your gas bills have shot up. Your car has become an extension of the home.

Your child and her best friend used to be thick as thieves – now you never see

Family mealtimes are a thing of the past

Your child is suddenly needy

If a child starts to look to you to tell him what to do at every turn, this might be a sign he’s overscheduled.

“I can often tell if a child is overscheduled by the way he behaves in a social setting,” says Sheela Raja, clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “When there is not a set agenda, is the child able to use his own imagination? Does the child continually look to adults for what to do next? This is a red flag that a child needs some unstructured or downtime.

It’s actually very important for their cognitive and social development,” she says.

You yourself are tired

One of the easiest ways to tell that your child is too busy? “You as the parent feel stressed,” says Cronin.

Hallowell agrees: “You’re tired of schlepping them around, you dread all the activities – you’re tired yourself,” he says. “If you as the parent feel this way, chances are that your child does too.”

If your child exhibits several of these signs, take some time to reassess his or her schedule. The good news is, the solution is simple. “As far as life’s problems go, this one is extremely solvable,” says Hallowell. “You can do something about it, and you have more control than you think you do. Just start by eliminating one activity per week.” You’ll probably be grateful for the break yourself. (realsimple.com)

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saturDay, march 1, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Policeman in baton-rape saga back on duty

Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali Hack

Colwyn Harding

Justice Cecil Kennard

ssistant Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said the policeman accused in the batonrape saga is back to work as per normal.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the police headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Persaud did not give details as to which station the rank has been reassigned, but confirmed that he was released after being under close arrest.

He added that the 72-hour detention period was taken into consideration; thus, the rank is now back on duty.

The crime chief further noted that Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack would have returned the file to the police for additional investigations to be conducted.

He said the DPP requested that statements from the witnesses be redone, and more importantly, the medical certificate from the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital doctor who examined Harding.

It is still not clear if the medical certificate from Jamaica was presented to the DPP for review.

Harding, 23, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is alleging that a police constable, in the presence of two other senior officers, forced a baton into his behind, while he was in custody between

November 15 to 18, 2013.

It is also alleged that during his detention, Harding assaulted a peace officer and behaved disorderly and as such, he was charged for the offences. He appeared in court on November 18, 2013, and was placed on bail in the sum of $50,000, but was unable to raise this sum and was remanded to prison. The matters are still pending.

Based upon his careful analysis of the report of the investigation conducted by the police’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Justice Kennard said there was no conclusive evidence that Harding was baton-raped, but Timehri Police Station ranks had used excessive force.

“active rectal mucosal bleeding on Mr Harding in the upper rectum”.

The Jamaican doctors, who subsequently examined Harding, noted that his injuries were consistent with the findings of the local Guyanese expert.

Harding spent 33 days at the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors said he suffered a strangulated hernia and was discharged on January 20 after undergoing several surgeries.

The administration of the police force was first informed of the alleged assault by the ranks attached to Timehri Police Station by way of a text message from Harding’s mother, Susan Harding, to Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell in December 2013.

Consequently, an investigation was launched by the A Division commander under which the Timehri Police Station falls. After the story broke in the media, the police were roundly condemned for the alleged abuse.

The matter was subsequently investigated by the OPR and the file was sent to the Police Complaints Authority for review.

The policeman accused of the alleged assault was immediately placed under close arrest and a number of other ranks implicated have been transferred to other locations.

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Disciplinary action

He thus recommended that at least two ranks be charged with assault and the others face disciplinary action. The former chancellor of the judiciary was, however, not privy to the medical certificates.

About two weeks ago, Harding’s attorney, Nigel Hughes had disclosed that his client had been examined by a medical expert, Dr Dalgleish Joseph at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Guyana and doctors in Jamaica.

He noted that the Guyanese doctor pointed to

Health sector gets boost as operating room technicians graduate

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ifteen nurses from the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday graduated from an operating room technicians programme. The graduation took place at the Resource Centre Conference Hall at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

This is the fourth batch of operating room technicians, who support surgeons in the theatre and help make their job easier. Over the past three months, they have undergone training in a number of areas, including code of conduct, operating room procedures, the role of the technician, preparing a surgical safe environment, and basic care of instruments.

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Training and Development Office Manager

William Corbin noted that the health sector in Guyana needs improvement and will continue to improve as long as authorities train persons in the respective fields.

He further stated that a mandatory component implemented in all training programmes is customer service, noting that there are many bright persons in the health sector, but they have bad attitudes and that needs to change.

Additionally, the health authorities are hoping to increase the capacity of trained operating room technicians in the other administrative regions of Guyana. Presently, nurses in Region One, Three, Seven and Nine have been trained. The number of nurses trained must increase, but often training

depends on whether hospitals can release the nurses, so that they can come to Georgetown.

Meanwhile, the head of the 15-member batch of trained technicians, Yonatte Major Johnson noted that the nurses have come a very long way. She said they came into the training programme not knowing what to expect, and in the beginning, they did not know each other, but now they were leaving as a family.

Also present at the graduation were GPHC Chief Executive Officer Michael Khan and other special invitees.

Some of the trained technicians will take up posts at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while others will function at regional hospitals across the country.

Woman found in cemetery was strangled – autopsy

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Dead: Patricia Young

he autopsy performed on the remains of Patricia “Catty” Young, whose body was found in a cemetery at Paradise, East Coast Demerara, has indicated that the woman was strangled.

The post-mortem examination was performed by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.

Guyana Times was told that the woman was strangled with her underwear which was tried around her neck at the time of the gruesome discovery. However, samples were collected from the woman’s body to be further analysed. The tests will prove whether or not the woman was raped before she was killed.

The resulted are expected to be available in three weeks, a relative of the dead woman said. Crime chief Seelall Persaud said on Friday morning that the boyfriend of the murdered teenager was still in police custody.

While he did not say if the young man is the prime suspect, he noted that the police are looking at several pieces of evidence at their disposal; thus his detention.

Young, formerly of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, was found with her underwear off, and her skirt pulled to her stomach. Her boyfriend was taken into police custody minutes after the gruesome discovery.

According to information received, the teenager and her boyfriend had been living together for more than a year, a stone’s throw away from where her body was discovered. She reportedly left home on Sunday just after midday to join her friends in the city to witness the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade, but did not return home.

After she did not return, her boyfriend inquired from her friends as to her whereabouts, but no one knew where she was. It was not until Wednesday afternoon that he reportedly found a slipper belonging to the young woman and went straight to the Vigilance Police Station where he lodged a missing person’s report, and told them about the slipper.

The police reportedly accompanied the young man and relatives to the area where he found the slipper and, after a few minutes of searching, the teenager’s body was found covered under some dried bushes.

Public service credit union celebrates 50th anniversary on Sunday

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he Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union would be celebrating 50 years since its eventful founding with a church service on Sunday at 09:00h at St Andrews Kirk, Brickdam, Georgetown.

The credit union was birthed following the trade union strike in 1963 which lasted for 90 days. The effects of the countrywide strike were severe on the workers and their families. Many incurred debts at the commercial banks, insurance companies, from friends and families. Money lenders made a fortune from this situation because they were lending at high interest rates.

The dilemma that most working families found themselves in was alarming

and a decision was made by the senior members of the Civil Service Association to band together for the benefit of their families. The idea was to improve the present financial situation and to avoid a recurrence of the effects should another strike take place. Hence, the decision was made to form a credit union, whereby its members can have access to funding when the need arises.

After several meetings by the group, 29 persons signed an application for the registration of the then Guyana Civil Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited.

The inaugural meeting of the credit union was held at the association’s registered office, Regent and New Garden streets, Georgetown

on April 2, 1964.

On March 3, an opening ceremony will be held at the National Cultural Centre, starting at 17:00h, followed by a reception in the foyer of the National Cultural Centre.

A domino competition commenced on February 25 with several teams competing for trophies and monetary rewards.

On March 6 and 13, two young workers’ workshops would be held in New Amsterdam and Linden respectively. The focus of these two activities is to examine the role of youths in succession planning and the development of the credit union, finding ways and means of diversifying its products and services to remain viable in a competitive market.

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saturday, march 1, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Vendor charged for stealing electricity

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woman appeared on Friday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer the charge of fraudulently obtaining electricity.

Suzette Fraser, of Lot 60 Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on October 18, 2013, the accused fraudulently diverted electricity from Guyana

Power and Light (GPL) to her premises without a legal power supply.

The defendant claims that the apartment was rented by her without a power supply from GPL, while also noting that all

the other apartments in the building had electricity.

The defendant was placed on her own accountancy and the matter was transferred to Court 10 for the trial on March 21.

Eyew tness Feathering nests... ...at Critchlow he government finally caved in on its insistence that unless the Critchlow Labour Institute got its (financial) house in order, they weren’t going to be doling out monies from the Consolidated Funds to fund the bloated and corrupt institution, once again.

What got our hackles was when the government didn’t even bat an eyelid to object to the opposition moving a motion which placed a “charge on the Consolidated Funds”.

This is expressly forbidden by the Constitution Article 171 – so how in God’s name can they object when the opposition moves a motion to reduce spending – which might at least be arguable? The government might think they won a great battle in having some unionists friendly to them now sitting on Critchlow’s Board. But is that going to be enough to get the school’s affairs in order? No way Jose! First of all, the opposition unions will remain in the majority.

And if the government has any doubt as to what’s ahead at Critchlow, they’d better look around at what the labour opposition cohorts are doing in Parliament.

Critchlow will revert right back to where it was when they were feeding at the public trough. Which is to say, it’ll simply provide sinecures for opposition figures and the wherewithal to hand out favours for their friends and relatives. They’ve made a lot of allegations about “corruption” and “nepotism” in government. A closer look at Critchlow’s affairs will give a good indication of what’ll happen if the opposition ever gets their hands on the public purse. It’ll make the government look like the church choir.

Right off the bat there’s never been any accounting as to how the monies from the government and outsiders are being spent. People like Lincoln Lewis treat the facilities like their personal fiefdom. A ton of the money just goes towards their upkeep – posh offices and all that. The labouring class would be shocked to see how their “representatives” live high off the hog.

As for teaching staff, nepotism knows no bounds.

Critchlow is a home away from home for out of favourite politicians. That’s Norton’s claim to be the new Principal. Before the (now abandoned) government’s insistence on accountability for public monies, WPA’s Rupert Roopnaraine had been the Principal. Maybe someone figures since Roopnaraine’s replaced Norton in the leadership corps of APNU, they’d better throw him a bone.

So we can expect Norton to fly in old PNCites from abroad as guest lecturers – just as Roopnaraine did for the WPA acolytes like Trotz, Hinds and (WPA) company.

Happy (Opposition) days are here again!!

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...and coming out The AFC’s been playing ducks and drakes about their relationship with PNC/APNU ever since they sashayed into Parliament in 2011. All the signs were there that they weren’t only in bed together, but had the sheets pulled way over their heads. As to who’s on top, will not detain us here. It’s the relationship that counts.

We could do worse than remind all and sundry as to how their “co-leader” became Speaker of the House.

Like all relationships, they’ve had their spats – like who was going to take credit for the Linden protests. But it was just a matter of “break up to make up”. So the confession this week by Ramjattan that the AFC was not just pushing its Public Procurement Commission line to sign AML/CFT, but was now also championing the APNU’s demands, came as no surprise.

As the old people advise, you just can’t hide your true nature forever. ...at MuckrakerKN The sensationalsation of news by the KN to fill the pockets of its publisher continues undiminished. They admitted they “erroneously” reported that a man “confessed to killing his wife”. Yet they could not find it in themselves to offer an apology to the poor fella.

Justice...thou hast fled to brutish beasts!

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saturDay, march 1, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

11 homeless after Number 72 Village fire

The remains of the Hassan home

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n early Friday morning fire at Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice has completely ravaged three buildings, leaving 11 homeless, including three children.

The blaze which started around 01:30h, is suspected to be the work of arsonists.

According to information received, the fire reportedly began in a house occupied by the Hassan family at 122 Section B, Number 72 Village, Corentyne.

Speaking to Guyana Times, Rajkumar Hassan, 44, a Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) employee, said he was awakened by the honking of a horn of one of his tapirs at the bottom of his house.

He said he thought thieves were trying to steal the batteries from the vehicles. “ Me bin ah sleep an me wake up afta me hear ah harn pan ah tapir ah blow hard, hard. Me wife tell me ah thief man, lemme na go out cause dem thief does get gun an suh; so me wake me son and we pick up wan cutlass and we buss open de door… next thing yo kno ah bare heat pon we, fyah surround abbie… me gatta hussel jump ova ah verenda and me son tek he mumma, he wife and sista fa jump ova ah back shed cause if dem bin jump hey dem bin can bruck dem foot,” he said.

$10M home for Sparendaam woman nears completion

One of Rajkumar Hassan’s tapirs after the fire

The father of two said he believed the fire stemmed from a dispute between his

saved.

In tears, he said: “Me hear wan noise and me na tek am fa nottin because me

The three houses were situated closely together.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service was heavily crit-

The Hassan family contemplating their next move after the blaze

son’s ex in-laws.

His wife Savitree, 48, was unable to speak with media operatives and was being consoled by relatives and neighbours. The grief stricken woman reportedly threatened to commit suicide, relatives say.

Their son, Navin, 20, who is also employed at GuySuCo, said the fire quickly engulfed the house but he was happy that the occupants are alive.

According to the young man, his relatives were

The Joseph home after the blaze

He said as he looked around, he saw his house on fire, but could only watch helplessly as it was viciously consumed in the inferno.

His daughter Selena, 12, and daughter-in-law Shivanie, 20, are said to be traumatised.

Hassan said he tried to save one of his vehicles, but was repelled by the unbearable heat.

Aircraft accident

threatened by his ex in-laws on numerous occasions. His father has pegged his loses at about $6 million.

The house at Lot 123, Section B, occupied by Hemchand Hemraj, 51, and his wife Sabita Sackichan, 47, was also completely destroyed.

Hemraj, who is self-employed, told Guyana Times that nothing in his home was

naiba dem does fight; fight nuff and get family problem and so... (he was alluding to the Hassans) so me lay down and listen fa hear wha ah happen… den suddenly me hear tapir harn ah blow an me know dem does move in an out of de house… when me come out ah de side door, me see me house done ketch fire,” he recalled.

The man said he hurriedly woke his wife and they ran to the kitchen where all his vehicle’s keys were stored, and in haste, drove them out of the premises and to safety.

He said he is thankful to God that his minibus, tapir and motorcycle were saved as they are the source of his livelihood.

Hemraj estimated his losses at around $10 million.

He too said that he and his wife are lucky to be alive.

The other house at Lot 124, Section B, was occupied

by Keisha Joseph, 32, who was at home with her children at the time of the blaze.

Joseph said she was awakened by loud screams and upon investigating, she saw her house in flames.

She recalled that she immediately woke up her three children and called her husband Jeetendra Nauth, 36, a security guard, on duty at the Number 71 Primary School, before fleeing with her children from the building.

Joseph estimated her losses at around $1 million.

The woman and her family used to rent the building which is owned by a Guyanese aboard.

icised by residents, who related that by the time the fire tenders arrived, two of the building were already gutted.

The three families affected are now contemplating their next move, but in the interim, they are being assisted by relatives and neighbours.

Florence Tyndall’s new home under construction at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara

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lmost one year after an American registered twin-engine Piper Aztec aircraft crashed into the home of Florence Tyndall at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara and exploded, the 69-year-old woman is weeks away from getting a new home, compliments of the Public Works Ministry.

The house upon completion will cost $10 million. To date, the house is under construction and is about 70 per cent complete. The contract to rebuild the home was awarded to Andre Howard Construction through a competitive bidding process. The one-storey building is expected to be completed by April.

The aircraft had just taken off from the Ogle International Airport (OAI) when it crashed into Tyndall’s house in Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara. Seconds after the crash, the piper Aztec aircraft exploded, reducing the house to ashes.

Tyndall escaped unharmed, but the two-member crew, Pierre Angiel and

Canadian scientist Nick Dmitriev perished.

It was reported that prior to the crash, the pilot had reported to the air traffic control tower at Ogle that they had “lost an engine” and were encountering difficulties. Moments later, a loud explosion was heard in the East Demerara Coast village as the aircraft crashed into a three-bedroom wooden house that subsequently went up in flames.

According to information received, the twin-engine aircraft with registration number N27-FT arrived in Guyana on April 2, 2013 to conduct a survey of the Amaila Falls Road Project.

At 15:00h on the same day, the aircraft reportedly stopped at the OIA to refuel.

From all indications, the plane may have encountered mechanical problems upon taking off, resulting in the pilot onboard losing control of it.

The Piper Aztec aircraft destroyed everything in its path before crashing into a house, exploding within seconds, leaving nearby residents scampering for safety.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 1, 2014

News

Police hunting two suspects in cambio dealer’s death

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rime Chief Seelall Persaud on Friday said the police are on the lookout for two suspects who might be linked to the gunning down of Eccles, East Bank Demerara money changer Bridgelall Persaud about a week ago on Lombard Street, Georgetown.

Persaud stated that the police are treating the incident as a robbery until information surfaces that can prove otherwise. Thus far, a businessman was taken into custody but was subsequently released since there was no evidence that he might have been involved in the shooting.

Guyana Times understands that the police are looking for a “high complexion” man while the other might have been sporting dreadlocks. According to reports, the armed men disembarked a white motor car

Bridgelall “B Boy” Persaud

which was reportedly trailing the businessman.

When in the vicinity of Builders Lumber Yard, they opened fire, shattering the back windscreen of Persaud’s car.

Police suspected that it might have been at that time the businessman was shot in the head. The two men then went to the driver’s seat and again opened

fire, hitting Persaud in the abdomen.

Pathologist, Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan has confirmed that the businessman was shot twice.

Police are yet to say what type of weapon was used in the shooting since ballistic tests are still to be conducted on the two warheads recovered at the scene.

In addition, the cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple gunshot injuries.

About a week ago, the forty-two-year-old businessman was gunned down in the vicinity of the lumber yard by gunmen, who escaped with a bag containing $1 million.

According to information received, the man was in his blue Toyota Raum, and as he approached the truck park at Lombard Street, two men armed with handguns exited a white car that was

parked some distance away, walked up to his vehicle and opened fire.

At the time of the shooting, traffic was moving at a snail’s pace due to the frequent congestion in the area.

After shooting the businessman, one of the robbers reportedly reached into his car and removed the bag containing the money.

They then made good their escape in a waiting vehicle which went through a cross street, then into Princes Street and vanished.

The businessman was rushed to the Georgetown Pubic Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police suspected that the man might have been trailed and was under surveillance by the gunmen for quite some time. The businessman was operating in the vicinity of America and Water streets for the past 20 years.

If only Hard Mouth had seh yes, de Mook woulda never be so vex

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ome people hard to please. And some people never happy. Old people does call people like that vex mouth.

Nowadays de whole face does look vex. Most times when yuh look at vex mouth people, yuh does know dem right away.

Even when vex mouth people smile and laugh, dem mouth does still look vex. People does tink twice before dem seh any ting in front of vex mouth people. That is because vex mouth people does snap and strike just like rattlesnake.

No body can’t please Rum Jhaat and Green Bridge. Dem is two vex mouth people, although is hard to seh who look more vex mouth than who. Dem vex mouth in Parliament, dem vex mouth in de committee, and dem vex mouth wid de guvament.

Dem even vex mouth wid de Cee-FAT-Fella who come and tell why dem shouldn’t look so vex. But de Cee-FAT-Fella gone back wheh he come from, and dem same two still look vex mouth. Parliament got two big rattlesnake. Every body seh is Rum Jhaat and Green Bridge. Dem does coil up and wait fuh strike.

De only place Rum Jhaat mouth don’t look vex is at 7-owe4. Vex mouth does turn to smile as soon as Rum Jhaat see dem bottles. Even before he order, Rum Jhaat does be smilin. And from there on de smile does get bigger and bigger.

De people who know Rum Jhaat know he still vex, although he does be smilin. Is not many people around who does be vex and still smile at de same time. But once Rum Jhaat bottles deh, de smile deh right deh.

Mook Lall gotta vex mouth too. He does look like he vex and talk like he vex. When people happy, de Mook vex. When people sad, de Mook still vex. When people feel good, de Mook vex. When people feel sick, de Mook still vex.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

Right now, de Mook blue vex. Just ask Farzy and ask Hard Mouth. If only Hard Mouth had seh yes to Farzy, de Mook woulda never be so vex!

GRA employee wanted for embezzlement arrested in New York

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heektowaga, New York police pulled over a four-door sedan on Genesee Street Monday evening for an expired inspection and illegal tinted windows.

It turned out the driver, Gregory Alistair Ewan Barnes, 32, of George Urban Boulevard in Cheektowaga was wanted by Interpol, Cheektowaga police said Friday.

A computer check revealed there was an active warrant through Interpol on Barnes who was suspected of embezzling somewhere between $6 million to $300 million in Guyanese dollars – about US$29,000 to US$1.4

million – from the Guyana Revnue Authority (GRA). He was wanted since 2009.

Barnes was stopped at about 18:30h on Genesee, near Heritage Court by Officers Justin Haag and Shawn McAdams. He was driving a gold-coloured Infiniti.

The warrant was confirmed through U.S. National Central Bureau, a division of Interpol U.S. Department of Justice in Washington DC, Cheektowaga police said.

Barnes was turned over to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for a visa violation and may be deported to Guyana.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 1, 2014

Guyana, Suriname officials Two wanted for Cuyuni discussing export report woman’s murder

Relatives busy making preparations for Bibi Bhola’s wake

From left to right: Suriname’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mehroen Kurban-Baboe; PSC representative Ramesh Dookhoo, Uchenna Gibson of GO-Invest, Dhaneshwar Deonarine of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, Lance Hinds of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Guyana’s Consul General in Suriname, Arlington Bancroft; and Guyana Manufacturing and Services Sector (GMSA) President Clinton Williams in Suriname

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high-level meeting of officials from Guyana, Suriname and the Caribbean Export is currently underway in Suriname with officials discussing a report prepared on enhancing exports from Guyana and Suriname to Brazil and a Troika Trade Assessment Plan (T-TAP) detailed in the report.

With Brazil having become an economic powerhouse in Latin America, the Caribbean Export commissioned a study which details an immediate set of actions aimed at addressing the less than stellar performance of firms based in Guyana and Suriname in the Brazilian market.

The report noted that Guyana and Suriname are not adequately exploiting trade opportunities either between themselves or with Brazil and finds that the Partial Scope Agreements (PSAs) between Brazil and the two Caricom countries do not cover most of the countries’ most competitive exports.

The report also finds that infrastructural limitations such as the energy costs and road networks also inhibit trade. It was also found that Brazil’s import demand does not sufficiently match

the exports of Guyana and Suriname or the comparative advantages of the two members of the Troika.

The report finds that the strategic window for enhanced exports to Brazil is the Olympic Games and the World Cup in 2014 and 2016, which can be seen as a market entry period.

The objective of the T-TAP as detailed in the report is to generate some US$13.5 million in export sales to the other Troika markets by 2018. The target for Guyana is US$8.4 million due to its geographical access to Brazil and the wider coverage of its PSA with Brazil.

Some of the recommendations of the T-TAP include the establishment of trade desks in the Suriname Business Forum and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to provide training for export ready firms; trade and market intelligence and trade show support, including the subsidising of airfare and accommodation for export ready firms.

The assessment also recommends initiating a desk exchange programme among SEBRAE, the Brazilian private sector organisation, Caribbean Export, the PSC and the Suriname Business Forum.

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olice in E&F Division have launched a manhunt for two men suspected to be involved in the murder of Bibi Shaneeza Bhola, 35, of Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, who was on Thursday found dead in her shop at Rock Creek, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

According to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, the two men were tenants at the woman’s premises, but after the discovery, they have disappeared.

Persaud explained that Bhola operates a shop in the area, and about 02:30h on Thursday morning, a relative left the building after the woman closed the business place.

Police investigations, he said revealed that the rela-

tive went back to the woman’s shop later in the morning where he recognised that the door was locked from the outside and thought that something was amiss.

The relative upon gaining entry into the house; saw the woman’s motionless body.

Her abdomen bore a stab wound. When checks were made for the two tenants, there were no signs of them nor their belongings.

Guyana Times understands that the woman’s body was taken to the Bartica Hospital Mortuary but was transported to the Ezekiel’s Funeral Home on Friday. A relative told this newspaper that both the woman and her husband work in the interior.

The woman operates the shop while her husband worked in a mining camp.

Businesswoman charged for fraud

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businesswoman appeared in court on Friday before Magistrate Ann McLennon in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of fraud.

Wanita Britton, 38, of Lot 186 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, a businesswoman who mainly import vehicles, was not allowed to plea to the charge after it was alleged that on November 4, 2013, in the vicinity of Kitty, Georgetown,

being entrusted by Penelope Andrews, the virtual complainant (VC), with the sum of $980,000 for the purpose of purchasing a Toyota Haice motor bus, the defendant took the money and converted it for her own benefit.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones said that the accused was charged before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry but the defendant was absent and an arrest warrant was is-

sued. Jones went on to object to bail, the reason being if bail is granted to the defendant, it is likely that she will not return to court for the trial. He also noted that the address the accused initially gave the police was Lot 20 Annandale South, East Coast Demerara.

The accused was represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes who stated that his client never gave that address to the police. He also noted that the virtual com-

plainant agreed to make a downpayment on the vehicle mentioned but that was never done. Upon receiving this information, the Magistrate requested that the defendant enter into a plea which the accused pleaded not guilty. Hughes pleaded with the Magistrate to grant the accused bail. Bail was granted in the sum of $250,000.

The defendant is expected to make another court appearance on March 20.

Her husband was not around at the time of the incident, but was later contacted. The woman’s two children would stay with her relatives in Parfait Harmonie.

They received the news on Thursday morning after a niece of the dead woman contacted them. Some of the woman’s relatives rushed to Bartica after receiving the devastating news.

When Guyana Times visited the home of the dead woman, relatives refused to speak, claiming that the incident did not take place at the house and even if they have any information, they will not be sharing it with the media.

One family member said she was advised not to cooperate with the media. When asked for a photo of the dead woman, the relative said “even if we have a photo of her, we will not give”.

Nevertheless, relatives were busy making arrangement for the wake.

When contact was made with another relative, Juman (only name given), he said that he was not in a position to speak with the media, claiming that he was in Bartica.

A post-mortem examination on the remains of Bhola is expected to be done on Monday. The woman leaves to mourn her husband and two children. The police are continuing their investigations.

12 news

saturday, march 1, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

House votes for restoration of Critchlow House unanimously approves free movement of skills bill Labour College subvention

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he National Assembly on Thursday voted for government to restore the yearly subvention to the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) following a motion by the Alliance For Change (AFC).

The motion that was tabled by AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Trevor Williams was passed with one amendment, which stated that the CLC Board of Director must compromise of eight members: four from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and four from the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC).

Williams argued that thousands of persons would have benefited from the college, many of whom would have been young people, pointing out that the restoration of the funds would be in keeping with the government’s boast of promoting youth development, as it will complement the National Youth Policy.

He also pointed that the college provides a second chance for young people who would have dropped out of school for one reason or the other.

“It was the only place where young women, pregnant teen mothers were afforded the opportunity to resit exams.”

He told the House that consequent to the CLC losing its subvention; it was unable to offer the full curriculum it once offered. In the past, he said the college provided affordable and competent education.

Williams said too there is no need for the government to cut the subvention from the college, noting that the misuse and mismanagement of funds could be remedied by a simple audit from

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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AFC MP Trevor Williams

the auditor general.

“They are watchdogs and security measures to ensure the money is spent how it is supposed to be spent,” the young AFC parliamentarian said, adding that the move by government was “not fair”.

He said the motion heralds a new beginning, pointing out that it will allow more young people to be trained and obtain gainful employment.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul claimed that the motion put forward by the young parliamentarian was of no “utilitarian value”.

Not properly constituted

He argued that the election of members to the college’s board was not properly constituted, contending that it should compromise of 13 members: eight from the Guyana Trades Union Congress, two from the government, two from the University of Guyana and one from civil society.

He noted that several other labour unions were established subsequent to the launch of the college, but were offered places on the

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul

board though they had much lesser members.

The minister posited that although some attempts were made to remedy the situation; no compromise has been met although discussions started years ago.

Dr Gopaul also related that for years, even though mandated by law, no returns were filed by the college.

APNU MP, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine noted that there was no imminent solution to the issue, but pointed out that the college should not be made to suffer over a problem it cannot control.

“Critchlow essentially became a victim of the struggle within the labour movement,” he said.

Meanwhile, government MP Manzoor Nadir said the same courses that were offered by the CLC are now being offered by other labour institutions across the country.

The bill was subsequently passed after the amendment was submitted by MP Trevor Williams and seconded by his AFC colleague, Moses Nagamootoo, who had earlier spoke in support of the motion.

he Caribbean Community Free Entry of Skilled Nationals (amendment) Bill 2014 tabled by Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett was unanimously passed in the National Assembly on Thursday.

The bill puts Guyana one step closer to complying with international standards established under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, in particular the country’s commitment to the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), Rodrigues-Birkett argued.

The minister contended that the issue of free movement evokes different reactions by varying groupings, explaining that there have been cases where persons of particular nationalities have complained bitterly about not being treated equitably across the region.

“Indeed, several Guyanese have expressed disappointment with the treatment meted out to them when travelling to various Caricom territories,” she said, while admitting that some countries have shown signs of improvement.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling in the Jamaican Shanique Myrie case, the foreign affairs minister said, reminds the government of its duty to protect and safeguard the traveling public from unnecessary victimisation.

As a result, she said the bill creates greater opportunities for Caribbean nations. It was explained that in 1996, the House

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

passed the Caribbean Community Free Entry of Skills National Acts, Chapter 9302; however, it was amended in 2011 to allow for nine categories of skilled nationals, including media workers, musicians, sport persons, teachers, registered nurses, persons holding associate degrees and artisans possessing a Caribbean vocational qualification or an approved national certificate.

Sense of belonging

The bill will allow for a greater sense of belonging by Caricom nationals, granting spouse and dependent family members of the principal beneficiary similar rights.

The foreign minister pointed out that clause three of the amendment “provides for a skilled national to apply to the minister to have his certificate verified. Once that certificate is verified and meets the requirements, the holder of the certificate can apply to the chief immigration officer to remain in Guyana

AFC MP Cathy Hughes

for a period of indefinite duration”.

Notably, the amendment will also allow Caricom nationals to work while the certificate is being verified; a process which normally takes six months.

Additionally, it sets out the parameters for the minister to disregard a certificate, providing that there are solid grounds to do so, as in the case for persons convicted of certain offenses.

In supporting the Caribbean Community Free Entry of Skilled Nationals (amendment) Bill 2014, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Africo Selman said the coalition’s support is based on the premise that “free movement of whole families is a precondition to a common market, it is vital to the fostering of any integration movement”.

Meanwhile, Alliance For Change (AFC) MP Cathy Hughes endorsed the bill, stating that it will encourage skilled nationals to stay in the Caribbean.

Taste test stymies Caribbean’s climate-resistant crops

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amdeo Boondoo, a root crop farmer in Caroni, Trinidad, understands better than most the challenge of developing crops that are both climate resilient and marketable.

“It is the eye that buys, not the money,” Boondoo said. Crops must be able to resist effects of climate change while looking and tasting as good as their traditional counterparts.

But such produce requires decades of experimentation, which researchers in Trinidad are beginning to undertake.

“It is very rare that you will get [a genetically altered] crop that is as good as any of the parents” from which the new variety is made, said Herman Adams, a consultant at the Trinidad-based Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

Popular varieties of crops were developed over the cen-

ing taste, which is hard to recapture,” Adams said.

Organoleptic qualities are those affecting the senses.

He explained that sexual reproduction disrupts the parental genetic combination that gives the traditional varieties their appealing taste.

Boondoo has been working on developing a sweet potato that combines the climate-resilient qualities of the traditional “chicken foot” variety popular in Trinidad with the uniform shape of the American Centennial sweet potato.

Ramdeo Boondoo grows several root crops on his farm, including sweet potatoes, cassava, yam and tannia in Caroni, Trinidad

turies by people cutting slips of old varieties that they enjoyed and then growing them as clones in a process known as vegetative reproduction, according to Adams.

Developing climate-resilient crops, however, requires sexual reproduction

– combining one climate-resilient crop with another variety, which has a preferable taste or shape, to produce a new variety.

“It takes over 20 years of selection and cross-pollinating to get the right organoleptic qualities, includ-

Most resilient

The chicken foot sweet potato is the most resilient, according to Boondoo.

“It withstands drought and damp conditions,” he said.

“But… they do not carry a uniform shape or size.”

Manufacturers of agroproducts, such as chips and flour made of cassava or plantain, want crops

that are not just uniform in taste but also in shape, to make mechanical processing easier. The American Centennial variety has a uniform shape but does not appeal to locals who are accustomed to sweet potatoes with a firmer consistency.

If Boondoo can develop a sweet potato with the traits of both the chicken foot and the American Centennial, he will be better able to supply food processors while also giving local consumers more variety, and his crop losses due to floods or droughts would be greatly reduced.

Tobago Agro Processors Association Chairperson Darilyn Smart also emphasised that “uniformity is key for the export, hotel and restaurant sectors”.

“In order to export to the EU, produce must meet requirements in terms of size, shape, degree of ripeness, and so on,” Smart told IPS. “For the hotels and restaurants, it is also important

that we provide consistent products, especially if they are being used on the buffet table.”

Producing new varieties of crops that meet these exacting standards is “a long process”, according to Adams.

It involves cross-pollination of the plant, first on a small scale, and then, depending on the initial outcome, large-scale field trials are conducted.

Another objective of these trials is also to produce “high-yielding, competitively priced products,” Boondoo said.

CARDI is working with farmers on these field trials to identify climate-resilient varieties that will also fare well on the market.

The institute’s assistance includes training in good agricultural practices, said Dr Janet Lawrence, an entomologist and programme leader for protected agriculture at CARDI.

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saturday, march 1, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

No room for complacency, Ramotar tells army

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resident Donald Ramotar on Thursday said the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) should at all times be in a state of readiness in the event of matters threatening the country’s national security.

He was at the time addressing a gathering at the GDF two-day Annual Officers Conference 2014.

“We should always ensure that the army is in a state of readiness, there can be no room for complacency when it comes to national defence. Complacency can be costly; to be prepared remains the most formidable line of defence,” the President said.

The Commander-inChief said in the past, despite being faced with aggressive claims to its territory, Guyana has always responded with peaceful resolutions to these controversies.

Peaceful settlements

“Our first recourse has always been to seek peaceful means of settling disputes; this will continue to be the case. While our military should always be prepared, we will continue to pursue peaceful settlements to disputes,” he added.

According to the President, diplomacy is the country’s first line of defence, and it remains committed to have an assertive diplomacy aimed at protecting its interest and to strengthen national security.

This approach, he noted, has been successful as he made reference to the recent maritime boundaries controversy with Suriname.

“Our diplomats were able to have this matter resolved peacefully by moving towards arbitration on the Law of the Sea Convention. I want to note because sometimes we hear non-complimentary words about our hard working diplomats… this is a great success and the biggest success in these lines that we have had since our independence,” he mentioned.

Ramotar stated that with Independence Day approaching, there is a need for a national army to secure the independence by protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and assist with the maintenance of law and order, which are part of its mandate.

“Officers… need to understand the mission of the Guyana Defence Force and to have a broad appreciation of the role that the GDF must play in the context of defence and develop-

Battered toddler discharged from hospital

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he child who was found bound and tied under a bed at a North Ruimveldt, Georgetown home some three weeks ago has been discharged from hospital earlier this week.

A Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) official said the agency is currently looking for a foster home for the toddler.

The child, who is said to be about two years old, was found on February 5 under a bed, bound, tied and dehydrated in a house at Hummingbird Street, North Ruimveldt.

He was discovered after the occupants of the bottom flat of the house attempted to trace the source of a water leakage in the building. The trace took the occupants to the boy, who was hidden under a bed. The police were summoned and the child was handed over to the CPA. The guardian of the child, a woman, was reportedly charged for child abuse, neglect and child endangerment. She is due to make her second court appearance on March 6 at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts.

For more than two weeks, the toddler was hospitalised and underwent treatment for several broken bones, a stomach infection and minor bruises.

With the boy now discharged, and no trace of relatives, the CPA said it is looking to source a foster home for him, where he can be brought up in a loving and supportive environment.

In the meanwhile, it is expected that the child will remain in the hospital under the care of the CPA.

ILO adopts new monthly minimum wage for seafarers President Donald Ramotar

ment,” he said.

The President pointed out that the army must be aware of national development priorities, strategies and objectives. Further, he noted that in the GDF’s planning, operations and training, these must be taken onboard.

“You must not be blinkers by purely military perspectives and objectives,” he said.

The Commander-inChief told ranks that they are the core of the GDF and therefore have a vital role in ensuring a sound reputation for the military.

He stated that the military generally enjoys a favourable image in the eyes of the public and this must be maintained.

Ramotar said he is proud of the military's achievements, historic exploits and competence, but noted his distraught by the occasional manifestations of unprofessional conduct of some members.

Professionalism

“I know that improving the image of the Guyana Defence Force was always a serious preoccupation of leaders of the army,” he stated, while expressing full support for the appointment of Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, who he said is committed to maintaining professionalism in the army.

The president said the theme of the conference “Towards greater operational readiness for national defence and security”, captures the immediate task of the GDF. According to the Commander-in-Chief, the analysis of threats facing Guyana needs to be reviewed and updated by looking at the gaps identified in the Strategic Defence Review of 2013.

“Even while we are

strengthening bilateral, regional and hemispheric cooperation to stimulate economic growth and to secure the well-being of our people, we have to be alert to changes internally and externally that can threaten to disrupt peace, stability and the pursuit of national goals.

"You must be alert to the threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity and internal security and in your planning, at the organisational and Joint Services levels, ensure that you utilise good intelligence networking and analysis. Ensure your operational and contingency plans are updated and your training activities are designed to practise the skills and drills necessary to implement requisite actions,” the President noted.

He went onto say that the local investment climate is influenced not only by the attractiveness of natural resources and geostrategic locations, but also by maintaining a climate of peace and stability, good governance, respect for authority and the rule of law, and the degree of confidence and trust displayed by citizens and investors in the professionalism and integrity of the security forces and law enforcement agencies.

The President pointed out that he is particularly concerned about the security of the hinterland regions and offshore areas. “Our miners and fishermen must be able to pursue their activities without facing the possibility of raids in their camps, ambushes along interior trails and acts of piracy along our coastal fishing zone.”

On this note, the President said the newly-acquired vessels which will be handed over shortly will definitely put an end to these activities.

A

subcommittee of the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has agreed on a resolution raising the monthly minimum basic wage figure for able seafarers from US$585 to US$592, as of January 1, 2015 and US$614, as of January 1, 2016.

The mechanism for setting the minimum monthly wage for able seafarers is the only one in the ILO for setting the basic wage for any industry.

The ILO has agreed on a resolution to raise the minimum monthly basic wage figure for able seafarers

The minimum monthly basic wage figure for able seafarers has most recently

been included in the ILO’s 2006 Maritime Labour Convention.

The convention, known as the “seafarers” bill of rights, entered into force on August 20, 2013, and has been ratified by 56 ILO member states representing over 80 per cent of world shipping tonnage.

The JMC is the only permanent bipartite standing body of the ILO. It dates back to 1920, and is composed of ship owner and seafarer representatives from across the globe.

Surinamese teachers to be trained on CSME

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ome 400 teachers in Suriname will be trained on the operations of the Caribbean Community and the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The sessions begin on March 3, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Paramaribo and will run until March 24.

The activity in Suriname falls under the Caricom Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP) and its Information Flows component. The CTCP is executed by the Caricom Secretariat with the assistance of Canada.

The teachers are selected from all junior high schools throughout Suriname and

they will be exposed to presentations focusing on integrating Caricom and the CSME into the subjects of geography, history and other social sciences.

The presentations will be made by the Suriname ministries responsible for trade and education and are based on booklets and documents developed by the Caricom Secretariat. The Department for Curricula Development in the Education Ministry will play a pivotal role in ensuring the facilitation of the training.

The activity is part of the Caricom Secretariat’s efforts to create and enhance information channels to enable increased participation

of Caricom stakeholders in decision-making on regional integration. Suriname decided that teacher training and curricula development were priority areas for the Dutch-speaking South American Caricom member state.

Other Caricom member states participating in the CSME are also benefiting from the CTCP. However, Suriname is the first to implement an activity relating to improving its information flows for the CSME. Other member states have also requested teacher training and the development of other information channels under the CTCP.

Foreign Affairs Minister, UNICEF ink 2014 work programme

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oreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative Marianne Flach on Friday signed the government of Guyana-UNICEF annual work plan for 2014.

The annual work plan derives from the 2012-2016 country programme, which is developed by the govern-

ment and UNICEF in pursuit of the rights of children and gender equality.

The annual work plan outlines priority areas for specific intervention and supports programmes to be executed by the education, human services and social security ministries, among other agencies.

UNICEF and the government continue to work close-

ly for the development of women and children’s rights through various national programmes.

Guyana was elected to UNICEF’s executive board for a period of three years 2013-2015, at elections held in April 2012; and is among five members from the group of Latin American and Caribbean countries on the executive board.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 1, 2014

Regional

U.S. urges Venezuela dialogue More aid for St Lucia es.

Some of the deaths have been attributed to violent clashes with police, but other victims have been shot by unidentified gunmen.

The government has denied all links to such killings, reported the AFP news agency.

Friday’s main protest was organised by the Venezuelan Penal Forum, which said it had identified cases of human rights abuses as of Wednesday. At noon local time, demonstrators began to gather in the neighbourhood of Mercedes, in eastern Caracas.

Anti-government protests have quickly become a feature of daily life in some parts of Caracas (BBC News)

U

.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Venezuela’s government to hold talks with student protesters, as the death toll from nationwide demonstrations hit 17 and new marches were planned in Caracas.

“They need to reach out and have a dialogue, and bring people together and resolve their problems,” Kerry told reporters in Washington on Friday, renewing his criticism of Maduro’s government for its heavy-handed response.

“We need a dialogue within Venezuela, not arrests and violence in the streets,” said Kerry, adding that the U.S. was working with Colombia and other countries to bolster mediation efforts.

“They need to sit down

and come together and talk about the future of Venezuela and how they can best affect that future in a peaceful and responsible way,” he said.

U.S., Colombian allies

Reporting from the industrial city of Valencia, Al Jazeera’s Chris Arsenault said: “Calls from the U.S. for dialogue probably won’t do a lot of good, as the government believes Washington and its Colombian allies are backing the protests.”

“Uruguay’s President Jose Mujica has offered to mediate, if he is invited by both sides, and this seems like someone who has more trust.

"Brazil also has the credibility to help bring the parties together, but so far they haven’t made a public offer,”

our correspondent said.

With no sign of a breakthrough after three weeks of escalating street rallies, students and dissidents assembled in the capital on Friday to denounce human rights violations allegedly committed by police. Some students are still setting up roadblocks and clashing with police in Caracas and the western state of Tachira.

But the number of protesters has dropped, and many Venezuelans have begun heading for the beach to enjoy a long weekend for Carnival celebrations, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government announced a rise in fatalities linked to the protests and said it was investigating 27 cases of human rights abus-

Plotting a coup

Maduro, who accuses protesters of plotting a coup with support from the U.S., met on Wednesday with business and church leaders, intellectuals, journalists and politicians at his presidential palace in what was dubbed a national peace conference.

But the main umbrella opposition group, known as MUD, stayed away. Beyond speeches by the president and other participants, no dialogue took place and no action was taken.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua, speaking in Brasilia on Friday, said the government had Brazil’s support for a meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), to discuss the protests, which he dubbed an “attack on democracy in Venezuela”. (Al Jazeera)

Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony

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wo months after the devastating Christmas Eve Trough, St Lucia continues to receive financial and technical support from allies and humanitarian organisations worldwide.

India is the latest financial contributor to St Lucia’s rehabilitation efforts, with a donation of US$500,000.

On Thursday, Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony expressed thanks for such a generous donation on behalf of the Government and people of St Lucia.

“I am deeply heartened by the response of the international community. I continue to use every occasion to seek assistance for St Lucia, as there is still work to be done in some areas.

“India’s contribution of US$500,000 is very timely. I wish to publicly thank the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and the people of India for responding to St Lucia’s plea for assistance,” he said.

Earlier this week, Anthony also received a monetary donation from Chile.

Meanwhile, restoration of damaged infrastructure continues around the island, which is costing the country in excess of US$100 million.

Construction is currently ongoing to repair the section of the four lane highway in the southern town of Vieux-Fort that collapsed as a result of the trough.

(Nationnews)

Bahamas: Billionaire claims Chilean indigenous leader jailed in high-profile murder case he is getting younger

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billionaire fashion designer says scientists have found a way to reverse his ageing process, it seems.

Bahamas resident Peter Nygard says he is receiving stem cell therapy and that a study from the University of Miami suggests he is getting younger, the Bahamas Tribune reports.

“They are looking at me, and my markers have shown exactly that I have been actually reversing my ageing and getting younger,” the 70-year-old says.

He adds: “I am taking per-

haps more stem cell treatment than anybody else in the world.

"I have been doing it for four years now, so I am sort of a testimonial that this stem cell really works.”

Nygard has reportedly been advocating for stem cell research in The Bahamas.

A recent change in the law would allow medical centres to open there, though the country’s attorney general denies Nygard was involved in the drafting of the legislation, The Bahamas Weekly reported. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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court on Friday sentenced a Mapuche indigenous leader to 18 years in prison for his participation in the killing of a couple during an arson attack last year in a high-profile case that rekindled divisions over land rights in Chile.

A Temuco criminal tribunal found Celestino Cordova, a 27-yearold traditional healer, guilty of taking part in the deadly attack on the elderly Luchsinger landowners on their estate in the southern Araucania region.

The case has become emblematic of a century-old, escalating conflict

that pits the indigenous Mapuche people fighting for what they deem their ancestral land against wealthy landowners and the booming wood pulp industry.

Many Mapuche, famous for their fierce resistance to the Spanish conquest, say they were robbed by the Chilean government’s often brutal colonisation policy in the 19th century.

That has bred deep-seated Mapuche resentment against the descendants of immigrants such as the Luchsingers, whose ancestors reportedly arrived in Southern Chile

in 1883.

Chile’s largest indigenous group remains clustered in one of the poorest areas of what is otherwise one of Latin America’s wealthiest countries.

Some Mapuche advocate violence as a means to recoup land, arguing the government is illegitimate and that their claims will never make headway in courts or the political arena.

Many others in polarised Araucania want peace and argue that century-old wrongs should be put to rest. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuban agent released from U.S. prison gets hero’s welcome

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uban President Raul Castro and top leaders of the Cuban government and Communist Party greeted a Cuban intelligence agent with a hero’s welcome upon his return to Havana on Friday, a day after his release from a U.S. prison.

Fernando Gonzalez, 50, had served more than 15 years for spying on CubanAmerican exile groups in Miami and is one of the “Cuban Five” whose detentions have complicated the

already tense relations between the United States and Cuba.

The U.S. deported him on Friday, and he told reporters he was still in handcuffs until the plane touched down at the Havana airport.

Three of the original five remain in prison in the U.S., and all are treated as heroes in Cuba, where their cases are considered emblematic of U.S. hostility toward its neighbour 90 miles away.

Cuba has suggested it would like to swap its agents for U.S. contractor Alan Gross, an American sentenced to 15 years in Cuba for setting up an illegal communications network. So far, the U.S. has refused to make such a trade.

Cuban state television showed Castro, dressed in his trademark military fatigues, embracing Gonzalez inside the Havana airport. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Men hold a Cuban flag during an event in support of the five Cuban agents, prisoners in U.S. jails, in Havana on February 27

15 Around the world saturday, march 1, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Ukraine accuses Russia Thai protest leader to unblock Bangkok of invading Crimea roads, still target ministries

Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine’s Crimea, and ousted President Viktor Yanukovich reappears

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ussian aircraft carrying nearly 2000 suspected troops have landed at a military airbase near the regional capital of the restive Crimean peninsula, a top Ukrainian official said, accusing Moscow of an “armed invasion”.

“Thirteen Russian aircraft landed at the airport of Gvardeyskoye (near the city of Simferopol) with 150 people in each one,” Sergiy Kunitsyn, the Ukrainian President’s special repre-

sentative in Crimea, told the local ATR television channel on Friday.

He also said that the airspace had been closed when the deployment happened.

Acting Ukrainian President Oleksander Turchinov accused Russia of open aggression.

He said Moscow was following a similar scenario to the one before it went to war with Georgia in 2008 over the breakaway Akhazia region, which has a large eth-

nic Russian population.

He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop “provocations” in the semi-autonomous region of Crimea.

“Russia has sent forces into Crimea... they are working on scenarios which are fully analogous with Abkhazia, when having initiated a military conflict, they started to annex the territory,” he said in televised comments.

Two Crimean airports – the main international airport in Simferopol and a military airfield in the city of Sevastopol – have been taken over by what the Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov claimed to be members of the Russian Federation Fleet, according to a statement he posted on his Facebook account.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet issued a statement denying the accusation.

Meanwhile, ousted President Viktor Yanukovich surfaced in Russia after a week on the run, and said Russia should use all means at its disposal to stop the chaos in Ukraine.

The United Nations Security Council is holding a closed-door emergency session on the escalating crisis in Ukraine on Friday at the request of the new Kiev government, which warned that the situation in Crimea threatened Ukraine’s territorial integrity. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

France striving to stop C African Republic split, Hollande says

F

rench President Francois Hollande told the Central African Republic on Friday that French troops stationed there would work to stop the country splitting in two and disarm militias and bandits fighting local Muslims.

Arriving in Bangui from Nigeria, where he attended an event marking the centenary of its unification, Hollande met interim President Catherine Samba-Panza and addressed French troops.

France’s Parliament voted on Tuesday to extend the troops’ mission, despite tepid popular support at home for a military operation in the former French colony where thousands of people have been killed and around a million forced from their homes.

France sent troops four months ago – its force now numbers 2000 – to the majority Christian country where predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power last March and have since been pushed back by

Christian “anti-balaka” militia.

Thousands of Muslims have fled north-east from the capital towards the border with Chad, creating a de facto division of the country which the United Nations human rights chief has said now faces “ethnic-religious cleansing”.

In addition to the French troops, 6000 African Union peacekeepers (MISCA) are also currently deployed and up to 1000 EU soldiers are still due to arrive. (Excerpt from

A

nti-government protesters will clear their camps from main roads they have blockaded in the Thai capital since mid-January, but will step up efforts to oust the government by trying to shut down ministries, their leader said on Friday.

The protesters have been trying since November to push out Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and eradicate the political influence of her brother, ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra,

seen as the real power in Thailand.

But their numbers have dwindled and attacks on the various camps with grenades and guns have become an almost daily occurrence. Three people were killed when a grenade was thrown into a busy shopping area near one camp on Sunday.

“We will stop closing Bangkok and give every intersection back to Bangkokians.

We will stop closing Bangkok from

O

Market regulators say Roy failed to refund money to millions of investors despite a court order.

He was remanded to police custody until March 4 when it is expected the Supreme Court will hear the case.

Indian media reports say he has requested to be kept under house arrest. Earlier on Friday, Roy issued a statement denying he was trying to avoid arrest, after police in Lucknow said

Between 200,000 and 400,000 girls and women were forced into sexual service

C

hina on Friday urged Japan to act responsibly, after a senior Japanese official announced plans to reexamine a landmark statement offering apologies for Japan’s wartime sexual slavery.

“We hope Japan can take a responsible attitude and properly handle the issue, so as to comfort the living and help the dead rest in

peace,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular press briefing.

He noted the dwindling numbers of living “comfort women”, a euphemism for those forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese during World War II. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said during a lower House

session on Friday that the government plans to set up a team to reexamine an official statement made by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono in 1993.

Kono acknowledged the crime of Japanese military forcing women from countries across Asia to serve in brothels and apologised for the practice.

Qin said the sexual slavery was a grave crime against humanity by the Japanese against victimised people and countries. It brought the victims severe mental and physical traumas that are difficult to heal.

Although estimates vary, leading historians maintain that Japan’s Imperial Army forced between 200,000 and 400,000 girls and women into sexual service in the countries it occupied during WWII, including China, Korea, the Philippines, and a number of other countries in Southeast Asia. (Xinhuanet)

Female British serial killer jailed for life

Reuters)

they had raided his house on Thursday, but failed to find him. Roy said he was in Lucknow but had left his home to consult doctors about his mother’s health.

Roy is a household name in India. His group, worth US$11 billion, has businesses ranging from finance, housing, manufacturing, aviation and the media.

With more than 1.1 million workers, the group is India’s biggest private sector employer. (Excerpt from BBC News)

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Japan must act responsibly on “comfort women” – China

India detains Sahara group chief

ne of India’s most flamboyant tycoons, Subrata Roy, has been taken into police custody after surrendering himself for arrest in a fraud case.

The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of the Sahara group chief when he failed to appear before judges on Wednesday.

Two Sahara firms are accused of raising 240 billion rupees (US$3.9 billion) through illegal bonds.

Monday,” protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told supporters on Friday. “But we will escalate our shutdown of government ministries and Shinawatra businesses.”

All his supporters are to move inside Lumpini Park in the heart of the capital, where many of them already sleep in tents. A government complex in the north of the city would remain under the control of an allied group, he said.

Joanna Dennehy wrote the judge a letter saying she was not sorry for the murders (AP)

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British woman, who killed three men and attacked two others during a 10-day killing spree, will spend the rest of her life in jail.

Joanna Dennehy, 31, smirked on Friday as she was sentenced by Judge Robin Spencer to life with no possibility of parole.

She is only the third British woman to receive

the country’s toughest sentence.

Dennehy had pleaded guilty to murdering three acquaintances, whose bodies were found in rural ditches near her hometown of Peterborough in eastern England.

After stabbing them to death in March, she drove to Hereford in western England where she

stabbed and injured two strangers out walking their dogs.

She also admitted to two counts of attempted murder and three of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a corpse.

Passing sentence at London’s Central Criminal Court, the judge told Dennehy she was “a cruel, calculating, selfish and manipulative serial killer’’. Dennehy had told a psychiatrist: “I killed to see how I would feel, to see if I was as cold as I thought I was, then it got more-ish”.

One witness told the trial that Dennehy had boasted of killing eight people, though she is not accused of more murders.

Three men were sentenced for helping Dennehy dispose of the bodies and giving her shelter. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean & Latin America

International sales of Cuban cigars increase

I

nternational sales of Cuban cigars in 2013 accounted for revenues of US$447 million, eight per cent higher than expected, industry executives highlighted during the opening of the 16th International Havana Cigar Festival.

Ana Lopez, Director of operational marketing of the Habanos SA company, asserted that, despite the impact of the global crisis and the antitobacco measures that are increasingly being adopted in some countries, such as Greece

and Spain, sales were regarded as favourable, with reports of increases in the new emerging markets.

She explained that the company distributes its products to 80 per cent of possible countries, since U.S. smokers of what is considered the best cigar in the world cannot sample it due to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by Washington on Cuba for over half a century now.

On the first day of festival, there was a welcome concert

in refurbished facilities of the Club Havana, in the municipality of Playa, in which the popular orchestra of Juan Formell and Los Van Van – recently awarded the Latin Grammy for Musical Excellence – performed.

Attending the meeting are entrepreneurs, collectors, sommeliers, tasters, executives, artists, producers, officials and diplomats, who will take part in seminars, tasting and combinations with rum and wine.

(Caribbean News Now)

North America

Warner Bros considers investment in Machinima

W

arner Bros is mulling an investment in Web video network Machinima.

The film studio is said to be considering putting US$10 million to US$15 million into the company, a gaming-centric start up that has built a big following on YouTube, according to people familiar with the situation. Machinima has been searching for more funding as well as a new CEO for several months.

Warner Bros has un-

til the end of this week to decide whether to invest in Machinima, which appeals largely to young males, according to people familiar with the situation. It may retain an option to buy Machinima outright.

Representatives of the two companies declined to comment. Previously, Machinima received around US$35 million in funding from Google and other investors. Last summer, Allthingsd.com reported that Machinima was seeking a much bigger round of funding-

in the neighbourhood of US$70 million. But that did not come to pass.

Despite boasting 321 million-plus YouTube subscribers and more than 48 billion views, Machinima has struggled to reach profitability, the people say. Companies like Machinima, known in the YouTube world as “MCNs” or multi-channel networks, have complained of low ad rates while having to share nearly 50 per cent of their revenue with Google. (Wall Street Journal)

Europe

Top investors cut emerging Europe equities as Ukraine turmoil escalates

T

he world’s top investors cut exposure to emerging European equities to a five-month low in February as they fretted over a spillover from tensions in Ukraine and Russia, Reuters polls showed on Friday.

Concerns over China’s economic slowdown also prompted fund managers to trim their Asian equity holdings to a fouryear low and instead boost eurozone equity weightings to the highest since June 2011.

The monthly polls covering 50 leading investment houses in the

United States, Japan and Europe were taken between February 12 and 27, when three months of protests in Ukraine culminated in the overthrow of Moscowbacked Viktor Yanukovich, leaving an unstable political situation.

Central European assets have been under pressure as investors fear a possible default in Ukraine’s sovereign debt and the prospect of military conflict involving Russia.

However, overall equity holdings stood at 51.1 per cent, hold-

ing near a one-year high, underscoring investor confidence in the U.S.-led global economic recovery.

“Despite the current emerging market weakness, an overall improving economic environment for 2014 should be supportive for risk assets in the next quarters,” said Boris Willems, strategist at UBS Global Asset Management.

“Nonetheless, investors should accept higher volatility, as negative news might weigh heavier on market sentiment.”

(Reuters)

Market statistics Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

Fixed as at July 24, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$343.45

$347.74

CAN

$184.76

$186.90

USD

$205.98

$207.93

U.S.

$1335.00

Cambio

$202.67

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

Indicators as on February 28, 2014 Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1328.60

$1329.60

Low/High

$1319.30

$1334.20

-3.20

Change

-0.24

London Gold Fix

Feb 28 USD GBP EUR

Feb 26 USD GBP EUR

AM

PM

1327.75 793.21 961.65

1326.50 793.93 961.58

AM

PM

1340.00 803.12 975.33

1331.75 799.90 973.64

Indicators Crude Oil

Price Silver

Platinum

US$ per barrel

$108.96 USD per Ounce

$21.23 $1442.00

Change %

-0.51 Change %

-0.04 -6.00

Africa Africa investment - What is the Nigerian naira really worth?

“W

hat is a cynic?” asks Cecil Graham in the Oscar Wilde play “Lady Windermere’s Fan”. “A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing,” replies Lord Darlington.

Traders of the Nigerian naira may identify with such cynicism, as they try to determine whether the currency of Africa’s second-biggest economy is overvalued.

The naira has taken a beating in dollar terms this

year as the United States has started to rein in a stimulus programme that spurred fund flows to emerging markets, and after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan ousted respected Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi last week.

But does anyone know the real value of the naira? In a country that imports 80 per cent of what it consumes and ships back little except oil, which is denominated in dollars, many analysts are un-

sure.

“I don’t think the concept of overvaluation is relevant in an economy where oil accounts for 95 per cent of exports and the non-oil export base is constrained by significant ... bottlenecks,” is how Standard Bank’s Samir Gadio puts it.

The naira’s value is crucial to bond investors who have been wooed by Nigeria’s high yields in recent years as returns in developed markets were eroded by the financial crisis. (Reuters)

Asia

The curious case of China’s falling yuan

T

he Chinese currency has had its biggest oneday fall, down nearly one per cent, and has fallen 1.5 per cent for the past week and a half. It is the biggest decline since 2005 when it introduced its new currency regime and moved away from a tight peg against the U.S. dollar.

Dropping to 6.1 yuan to the dollar, the currency has broken a long-term trend of appreciation. Recall that it

had been around eight yuan to the dollar in 1994 when the exchange rate was set up.

The Chinese central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), is right in that these are not big moves in the foreign exchange market. In a statement, the PBOC says this volatility is normal for other economies so there’s “no need to over-interpret it”.

But since the Chinese currency is controlled by the central bank to move within a

narrow band of one per cent around a daily fix and isn’t convertible, the breaking of a steady trend will be viewed as a signal.

So what is the central bank signalling? Probably that the yuan isn’t a one-way bet, meaning that the currency can fall as well as rise. It matters in that if traders expect the currency to always rise, then they will increase demand for the yuan that produces the intended effect. (BBC News)

Middle East

Thai hotel operator inks deal for Middle East debut

C

entara Hotels and Resorts, Thailand’s largest hotel operator, has signed an agreement for its first move into the Middle East.

The five-star Centara Grand West Bay Hotel Doha will be operated under a management contract for Al Bandary Hotel Management and is scheduled to open in 2016.

“We are proud to be announcing our move into Qatar, with this beautiful new property in Doha,” said Thirayuth

Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts “Our brand, with its distinctive Thai identity, is now being accepted by international investors and we are moving into markets that are strategically important for our overseas expansion.”

Properties within Centara’s five-star Grand brand, in addition to 10 locations within Thailand, can also be found in Bali, Maldives and

Mauritius, with further properties underway in Vietnam, Shanghai and Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia.

Overseas properties for other Centara brands are currently located in Vietnam, Bali, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. “Doha’s West Bay is a superb location for a Centara Grand hotel,” said Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels and Resorts. (Arabianbusiness)

Investors' guide Should a small business owner take accounting courses?

W

hile having an MBA from Harvard is certainly not a prerequisite for running a successful small business, having some basic accounting skills and knowing how to use accounting software can save a small business owner a lot of money and frustration.

Even if the business owner has the resources to hire an accountant, a lack of accounting knowledge could allow an unscrupulous accountant to commit fraud without being detected for quite some time.

Also, keeping track of money flows and having a good basis in accounting makes good business sense for owners of

both small and large businesses. In many ultimately unsuccessful enterprises, failing to keep track of the money often results in the company’s money gradually or suddenly disappearing.

Learning basic bookkeeping: A good place to start Many a small business has failed due to a lack of proper bookkeeping. One of the most important elements shared by all successful businesses of any size is keeping accurate records, which is also a legal requirement.

Besides unnecessary fees such as overdrafts and late charges, a lack of poor records

also attracts the attention of the Internal Revenue Service and can be the reason for an audit and other tax consequences.

Poor record keeping can cost a business a lot of money and is the first step to ruin in many small businesses.

To help remedy any lack of understanding of basic accounting principles, a course in business accounting will generally include bookkeeping skills. Once you have taken the course, a family member could easily be taught to keep the company’s books until the firm’s profits allow for the hiring of a professional bookkeeper or accountant. (Business Dictionary) TO BE CONTINUED

Business concept – Breach of contract

Last: 16321.71

Changes: +49.06

% Change: +0.30

Open:16273.23

High:16398.95

Low: 16226.09

% YTD: -1.54

52Wk Hi:16174.51

52 Wk Lo: 12471.49

Contracting party’s actual failure or refusal to perform (or a clear indication of its intentions to not perform) its obligations under the contract. A breach could be effected by (1) repudiation of obligations before the beginning of the contract, (2) repudiation of obligations before its completion, or (3) a conduct that prevents the contract’s proper performance (such as interfering with the other party’s performance). Breach of a major term (condition) of the contract (called ‘fundamental breach’) entitles the aggrieved party to (1) treat the contract as discharged, (2) consider itself free from its own obligations under the contract, and (3) sue the offending party for damages arising from the breach.

news

17

saturday, march 1, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Most of Disciplined Forces Commission recommendations implemented – Ramnarine

S

ome 10 years after the Disciplined Forces Commission of Inquiry recommendations were made, the Guyana Police Force reports that it has successfully implemented most of them.

On Friday, Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine made a detailed presentation on the status of the recommendations as it relates to the police force.

Though a majority of the 71 recommendations were implemented; some are a work in progress. However, a few recommendations have not been implemented by the force since they are not within its remit.

The recommendations deal with strengthening excessive capabilities of the force and this is being done through various programmes.

Ramnarine explained that the emergence group has conducted a series of training in several areas.

Training was also received from the Brazil Federal Police, among several other agencies.

Ramnarine, however, noted that there is a need for specialised training in specific areas, such as the handwriting and ballistic fields.

“However, handwriting and ballistics training is currently inadequate, we don’t have much of that and the list of training needs

Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine during his presentation on Friday

has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a comprehensive package, where all these various needs were indicated,” he stated, while adding that there are difficulties in locating institutions which offers such training.

Ties with DPP

Meanwhile, Ramnarine told reporters that despite issues in the past, the force has strengthened ties with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and is working along closely in areas of file transmission, which will be done electronically soon, and legal training between the two agencies.

He continued that the disciplinary actions against officers who have neglected their duty were adopted while special efforts are placed on ensuring that 24 hour services are provided to citizens, especially in rural and hinterland areas.

However, he noted that it should be taken into consideration that the force operates on a shift system with a 20 per cent staff shortage.

On this note, he highlighted that recommendations with the need for increased career attractiveness are to be implemented by the Home Affairs Ministry and some by the government; hence, it is out of the force’s remit.

“We have our rate of attrition; sometimes in a year you might recruit 500 persons but then you have 250 leave for various reasons.

Then a key aspect of this whole thing is remuneration… no longer is it always going to be love for the job; it’s got be what’s in it for me,” he stated.

Ramnarine added that the review of salary structure is another way of attracting personnel. On the issue of raising the minimum criteria for recruitment from a sound primary education to secondary; this has been adopted by the restructuring of the entrance examination.

He noted that over the

past few years, there have been an increased number of recruits in possession of higher qualifications.

Recommendations dealing with the issues of improved behaviour, attitudes and interpretation of power have all been implemented, according to Ramnarine.

This, he noted, is being done through training which is more evident in the junior stages. Community-friendly relationship between the force and citizens, which is a major issue in society, is another area being addressed with community-oriented policing training, station management committees, outreach programmes and “face the community” meetings.

Ethnic balance

The Assistant Police Commissioner also gave an update on recommendations which addresses the issue of ethnic balance in the force.

This, he noted, has to be adopted with the decentralisation of the Felix Austin Training Centre, encouraging the adoption of professionalism and an ethically balanced recruitment panel among other measures, such as social activities.

“The Guyana Police Force has no quota or ethnic biased as regards to recruitment... anyone can join,” he stated.

Another issue the force

is struggling with is firearm licences, and several recommendations on this issue have been adopted.

This, he said, is being done with the implementation of the Firearm Licenses Board, through which the process of granting firearm licences is managed. He noted that for members of community policing groups with firearms, the police station will keep a record to monitor its usage.

“This issuing of firearms to members of the force is not done in an adhoc manner but rather done in a controlled way… training and retraining are continuously done,” Ramnarine noted.

The assistant police commissioner also spoke extensively on work done with CPGs, and cadet officers. Work at the Police Complaints Authority was also highlighted; however, this is not within the remit of the force.

The CoI in the country’s various disciplined forces had commenced in July 2003 and ended in May the following year, the final report was handed over to the National Assembly.

The commission was tasked with reviewing the ethnic composition of the disciplined forces, which included the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Prison Service.

APNU to retable failed motion Venezuela’s Foreign Minister visits Guyana against Finance Minister

O

pposition Leader David Granger on Friday said he was not satisfied with Speaker Raphael Trotman’s ruling on two motions brought against Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, as sufficient action was not taken.

The Speaker on Thursday referred Dr Singh to the Privileges Committee, where he could be sanctioned if found in breach, after he found that a prima facie case had been made out that Minister Singh refused to comply with Resolution 15 of the National Assembly to submit a report on all extra-budgetary agencies, including the Guyana Development (Lotto) Fund.

However, on the second motion that Dr Singh made an allegedly unauthorised release of $217 million to the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA), Trotman said no case was made, although the matter was also referred to the Privileges Committee.

At a media briefing at his coalition’s office, Opposition Leader Granger said the motion, which the

Speaker described as somewhat vague, would be redrafted and retabled in the National Assembly.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge had tabled the motions last year. In Greenidge’s motion, he noted that the 10th Parliament passed Resolution No 15 instructing Dr Singh to lay a report on the extra-budgetary agencies.

Additionally, the Minister was required to direct all those extra-budgetary agencies with outstanding reports, including audit and financial reports, to pay all monies being held in the Consolidated Fund by June 30, 2012.

Privileges Committee

In his ruling, the Speaker said it was impossible to determine whether the Finance Minister’s non-compliance was deliberate or whether he misunderstood the resolution, passed on June 27, 2012, or had difficulty implementing it, without hearing from him.

“All these questions will be considered by the

Privileges Committee,” he declared.

Although he referred the issue to the Privileges Committee, the Speaker made it clear that such a referral does not indicate that the Minister is guilty of any wrongdoing.

With regard to the release of funds to NCN and GINA in 2013, Trotman said: “On the face of it, there are, in my considered opinion, insufficient facts to support the contention that the National Assembly issued a legitimate instruction or command to the Minister of Finance regarding the release of monies to NCN and GINA and further and most importantly, that instruction of command was disobeyed.”

He said, before there can be a prima facie case for contempt, there has to be evidence of an instruction or a command. “Had the National Assembly passed a Resolution directing the Honourable Minister to act or omit to act, in certain definite and specific ways in relation to the monies for NCN and GINA, the position would have been different.”

President Donald Ramotar, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

V

e n e z u e lan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua on Friday made a short visit to Guyana. He was met at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) by President Donald Ramotar and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

Minister Jaua updated the President on the current situation in his country where at least nine people have been killed during protests led by that country’s opposition over the past two weeks.

President Donald Ramotar greets Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Also in photo is Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 1, 2014

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Open your mind to new possibilities.

Opportunities for love and romance are on the horizon. In addition, you may be given the chance to share in a profitable financial enterprise.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Circumstances in your personal life have you feeling confused and unsatisfied. Take a close look to discover what is troubling you. You can then take steps to correct the issue.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Your diligence will help you be an effective advocate for your favourite cause. Proceed methodically, and set realistic goals. Offer others the opportunity to assist you, and you will succeed.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

CANCER (June 21July 22) You have the power to adjust circumstances that you find disagreeable. Follow the advice of a trusted friend regarding your professional life. Refrain from involving yourself in emotional scenes.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Don’t allow petty jealousies and unfounded fears to get in the way of your romantic life.

Express your feelings truthfully and emphasise your intentions. A commitment can be made.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Spend time with someone special. Lighthearted fun will be the perfect thing to perk you up. Your carefree attitude will be contagious and will attract positive attention.

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Discretion must be used when dealing with others. Insisting that your colleagues agree with your opinions will cause friction. It’s advisable to let some of your thoughts remain unspoken.

Something or someone is making your life miserable. It’s not the responsibility of others to satisfy your needs. Don’t be reluctant to distance yourself from an unpleasant or disagreeable situation.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Luck is with you. If you follow your hunches, you will encounter a pleasant surprise. Don’t allow negative remarks to discourage you. A romantic adventure is in your future.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Creativity will be required in order to fulfil all of your obligations. Family matters and outside interests are both competing for your time. Ingenuity and adaptability will solve your problem.

Friday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Make your intentions clear. Pursue your challenges vigorously to achieve amazing results.

Don’t let distractions interfere. Aim high and proceed with confidence and courage.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Someone may try to make you appear untrustworthy. Don’t make promises that you can’t keep, and think carefully before committing to any organisation or activity. Your integrity could suffer as a result.

news 19

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Ramotar commissions Chinese shipyard at Coverden

saturday, march 1, 2014

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P

artnerships are indispensible to spurring Guyana to its fullest economic heights, and as such President Donald Ramotar on Friday extended a welcoming hand to all Chinese investors.

The President was at the time addressing the opening of the Chineseowned Zhanghao Shipyard in Coverden, East Bank Demerara, and also the launch and naming ceremony for a logging vessel christened Yhan Heng freighter.

Also present were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin.

“I want to extend special greetings to the Chinese investors who have come here and to let them know that they are welcome in Guyana,” President Ramotar said.

China’s growth

The President noted that China has tremendous capabilities, evident by the tremendous progress that the country has made in just over three decades. China’s growth is also unmatched, when compared to equivalent countries in any part of the world, he said.

“To see how fast that country has grown in just over three decades, speaks volumes for Chinese investors and their readiness to take risks. It also speaks volumes of their skills, of their traditions and customs, and their dedication to work and labour, and that is something we hope that we can emulate in our country,” the President said.

He pointed out that Guyana has been seeing the many examples of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Chinese investors and work with regards to the country’s infrastructure development.

“We saw their work at the Convention Centre (the Guyana International Conference Centre), we are seeing it now at the Marriott Hotel, the way they have produced, and the quality of work that is being produced, and we see it in the rest of the region, how much they have invested,” he said.

“So on behalf of the government and people of Guyana, I want to express our sincere thanks to the Chinese Government, people and investors, and to say that I look forward to, and I am ready to say openly that we are going to put all the facilities available that we give to investors, to try to attract more investments from China, in our country, to help us build Guyana and help us reach the full potential that this country can achieve,” he said.

Infrastructure development

Infrastructure development is important to Guyana achieving its full potential, and to reach this height, the country’s partnership with Chinese communities is extremely important and vital, he underscored.

Construction on the Zhanghao shipyard started in 2012, but it was not until late 2013 that construction began on the vessel that was meant to facilitate the transport of logs from Kwakwani where the company owns a logging concession.

The vessel, whose designers and engineers are

Chinese, and its steel plates pre-formed in China as well, has the capacity to carry 200,000 tonnes of logs and six crew members and will take about four days from Kwakwani to the shipyard in Coverden, laden with the logs. The vessel was constructed with efficiency and pace by the workers of the company with 95 per cent of the work being completed in just over three months.

Revitalising local sector

President Ramotar said the Zhanghao investment has the potential to revitalise the local ships and ports “For me, this is a really joyous occasion, because what we are seeing here is the expansion of our production capacity… this investment here will certainly help to stimulate a lot of other activities and allow the use of our rivers to cheapen transportation cost,” he said.

Prime Minister Hinds also expressed similar sentiments. He expressed hope that the Zhanghao investment would be the first in the journey of many leaps with regard to the opening up of a niche for medium and small ship building enterprises in Guyana.

Ambassador Limin, in addition to lauding the efficiency of the Zhanghao company workers in the construction of the vessel, also expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana, noting that the shipyard’s success would not have been possible without their cooperation.

Ambassador Limin also said that Chinese have much more to offer Guyana once given the opportunity.

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saturday, march 1, 2014

Michael Lumb's ton fails to prevent loss M

ichael Lumb scored a superb century on his one-day international debut but failed to prevent England from losing their opening match against West Indies by 15 runs.

Openers Lumb and Moeen Ali, also on his debut, put on 96 for the first wicket after the tourists were set 270 to win. But following the dismissals of Moeen (44) and Lumb (106), England lost wickets cheaply and finished on 254-6.

The next game in the three-match series is on Sunday, again in Antigua.

In that second ODI, stand-in captain Stuart Broad and limited-overs coach Ashley Giles will be hoping their new-look side avoids another capitulation.

Giles, according to ECB chairman Giles Clarke, is a "strong candidate" to succeed Andy Flower as the man in charge of all formats, and will be keen to ensure an improvement on Sunday.

His team selection will be closely monitored and whether he tinkers with the XI remains to be seen. On Friday, some of his picks underperformed, but there were others who took their chances.

One of those was 34-yearold Nottinghamshire lefthander Lumb, who produced a near-perfect performance as an ODI opener; steady, while keeping the scoring rate moving along during the early stages.

On a momentous day for the Johannesburg-born player, his innings of 106 from 116 balls was the highest by an England one-day debutant and the seventh highest of all time.

He and fellow debutant Moeen, 26, also produced the highest opening ODI partnership by debutants, surpassing the previous record of 71 held by Piet Rinke and Terry Duffin for Zimbabwe against Kenya in 2006.

The pair had never played together before but

showed the understanding of a veteran partnership.

They reached 53 in 10 overs with little trouble, bar one delivery that struck Lumb in the groin area.

Worcestershire's Moeen was languid but calculating in his stroke-making, although a miscalculation led to his dismissal in the 20th over when he found Sunil Narine at long-on.

ODI and T20 veteran Luke Wright was in next but never looked at ease during nine balls which brought just one run, before Yorkshire's Joe Root, who scored a century in the preseries warm-up match, appeared to settle the tourists' nerves with a calm knock.

Lumb survived the nervous nineties to raise his bat for a brilliant maiden ODI ton following a single off Darren Sammy. Eight balls later he was out, after trying to drive Narine over cover, and that precipitated England's collapse.

The score moved from 180-3 to 192-4 when Durham's Ben Stokes saw his leg stump clipped by Narine. Root (37) continued to offer a steadying influence until he too was out when he nicked off-spinner Narine to keeper Denesh Ramdin.

Even after Jos Buttler skied Dwayne Bravo to Jason Holder at extra cover for 12, England still had a good chance to win the match with Ravi Bopara and Tim Bresnan at the crease.

However, the pair failed to find much-needed boundaries as England's innings ended meekly the visitors scoring just 30 runs in the final five overs.

This was all in sharp contrast to the West Indies innings. The home side were reduced to 45-4 after 16 overs, more as a result of poor judgement rather than spectacular bowling.

However, their innings was saved by 108-run partnership between the patient

Sangakkara ton gives Sri Lanka tense win

K

umar Sangakkara engineered an underpressure 83-ball century, the quickest of his ODI career, to steer Sri Lanka to their second straight win and to the brink of a place in the Asia Cup finals.

After India had posted what seemed an insufficient total, Ravindra Jadeja and the other spinners sparked an unlikely comeback midway through the Sri Lankan chase, but with Sangakkara making light of a tricky surface, India were never really favourites.

India's age-old problems with death bowling were exacerbated by the dew, and Sangakkara captialised on a series of full tosses and seemingly put India beyond the game, caning 32 off three overs to boil it down to 12 off the final two overs.

When Shikhar Dhawan misfielded in the 49th over at deep square leg after another full toss, it brought up Sangakkara's 18th ODI century and victory seemed a formality. Sangakkara allowed himself a fist pump to mark the milestone. Yet another full toss spiced up the game, though, as Sangakkara miscued a waist-high delivery from Mohammed Shami to leave Thisara Perera and Ajantha Mendis needing seven off nine deliveries.

There was more lowquality cricket in the finale, as Ajantha Mendis levelled the scores with a thick outside edge past the keeper for four. With one needed in the final over, and two wickets in hand, Thisara chipped the first ball to Dhawan at mid-off, and was delighted to see a straightforward chance put down. A panicky single followed on the next delivery to finally confirm Sri Lanka's win.

Such anxious moments

weren't on the cards when Sri Lanka's openers began brightly and with starkly contrasting styles Kusal Perera all brute force with an everything-mustgo mindset and Lahiru Thirmanne more of an oldfashioned stylist, thriving on precision strokes. They put on 80 before R Ashwin, switching between his newfangled Narine-style action and his conventional one, had Thirimanne lbw for 38.

That only brought together Kusal and Sangakkara, who coolly put together a half-century stand. The score was 141 for 2 when Dinesh Karthik failed to take off the bails on the first attempt after a leg-side take to reprieve Sangakkara. It was a miss, but with Sri Lanka coasting, and India looking listless, it didn't seem like it would matter much.

Instead, Mahela Jayawardene chipped a catch straight to extra cover, and Jadeja produced a ripping turner next ball to knock back Dinesh Chandimal's off stump and hand him a golden duck.

With the spinners, including part-timer Rohit, finding some rhythm, the middle-order collapsed, but Sangakkara remained immoveable, placing the ball perfectly and rarely needing to slog as he orchestrated the chase.

India's middle-order had floundered against the spinners as well, its first serious test in the absence of vastly experienced trio of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh. The stutter came after India's best phase of the innings, with Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan putting on 97 for the second wicket on a surface where the ball was staying low and not coming easily onto the bat. Dhawan was uncharacteristically sub-

dued, hitting only seven fours and a six in his 94 far fewer boundaries than you would expect from a naturally aggressive batsman.

The stand was broken by Mendis, who continued his love affair with the Asia Cup by grabbing four wickets to take his tally to 21 at an average of 9.76 in six matches.

It was his zipping carrom ball that sent back India's best batsman Kohli for 48, and later Dhawan for 94 in the 40th over, just as India were getting set for a final onslaught.

Ajinkya Rahane had plenty of time to get his eye in, but holed out for 22 attempting his favourite shot, the loft over extra cover.

Dhawan's exit put the responsibility on Ambati

Rayudu and Karthik, neither of whom are certainties in the XI, had to shepherd the team in the final ten. Both fluffed it: Karthik lasting only three balls as he miscued to mid-off, and Rayudu picking out the man at long-off as he chipped Chaturanga de Silva.

Sri Lanka backed up the bowlers with some top fielding, throwing themselves around in the deep to make several sliding stops and also hitting the stumps several times from closein. Lasith Malinga fired in his yorkers towards the death, and though a couple of mighty hits from No. 11 Shami took India to 264, it ultimately wasn't enough in the face of a Sangakkara masterclass. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD India innings (50 overs maximum) RG Sharma lbw b Senanayake 13 S Dhawan b Mendis 94 V Kohli* b Mendis 48 AM Rahane c Thirimanne b Senanayake 22 AT Rayudu c MDKJ Perera b de Silva 18 KD Karthik† c de Silva b Mendis 4 RA Jadeja not out 22 STR Binny lbw b Senanayake 0 R Ashwin b Malinga 18 B Kumar st †Sangakkara b Mendis 0 Mohammed Shami not out 14 Extras: (b 4, lb 1, w 6) 11 Total: (9 wickets; 50 overs) 264 Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Sharma, 9.2 ov), 2-130 (Kohli, 26.3 ov), 3-175 (Rahane, 35.1 ov), 4-196 (Dhawan, 39.3 ov), 5-200 (Karthik, 39.6 ov), 6-214 (Rayudu, 42.3 ov), 7-215 (Binny, 43.3 ov), 8-245 (Ashwin, 47.6 ov), 9-247 (Kumar, 48.2 ov) Bowling: SL Malinga 10-0-58-1, AD Mathews 3.2-1-9-0, SMSM Senanayake 10-0-41-3, NLTC Perera 6.4-0-40-0, BAW Mendis 10-0-60-4, PC de Silva 10-0-51-1

Sri Lanka innings (target: 265 runs from 50 overs) MDKJ Perera c †Karthik b Ashwin 64 HDRL Thirimanne lbw b Ashwin 38 KC Sangakkara† c Ashwin b Mohammed Shami 103 DPMD Jayawardene c Sharma b Jadeja 9 LD Chandimal b Jadeja 0 AD Mathews* lbw b Mohammed Shami 6 SMSM Senanayake c Sharma b Mohammed Shami 12 PC de Silva lbw b Jadeja 9 NLTC Perera not out 11 BAW Mendis not out 5 Extras: (lb 7, w 1) 8 Total: (8 wickets; 49.2 overs) 265 Did not bat: SL Malinga Fall of wickets: 1-80 (Thirimanne, 17.2 ov), 2-134 (MDKJ Perera, 26.5 ov), 3-148 (Jayawardene, 31.1 ov), 4-148 (Chandimal, 31.2 ov), 5-165 (Mathews, 36.2 ov), 6-183 (Senanayake, 38.6 ov), 7-216 (de Silva, 43.1 ov), 8-258 (Sangakkara, 48.3 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 9.2-1-450, Mohammed Shami 10-081-3, R Ashwin 10-0-42-2, STR Binny 4-0-22-0, RA Jadeja 10-1-30-3, AT Rayudu 1-09-0, RG Sharma 5-0-29-0

Lendl Simmons (65) and the more cavalier Dwayne Bravo, who was later joined by the explosive Darren Sammy (61 from 52 balls)

as the West Indies finished strongly, a late burst which ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

(BBC Sports)

SCOREBOARD West Indies innings (50 overs maximum) DR Smith c †Buttler b Tredwell 24 KOA Powell c Jordan b Root 5 KA Edwards b Bresnan 10 DM Bravo lbw b Ali 2 LMP Simmons c Ali b Bresnan 65 DJ Bravo* not out 87 DJG Sammy c Broad b Bresnan 61 Extras: (lb 4, w 10, nb 1) 15 Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 269 Did not bat: D Ramdin†, JO Holder, SP Narine, R Rampaul Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Powell, 6.2 ov), 2-38 (Smith, 10.4 ov), 3-40 (Edwards, 11.4 ov), 4-45 (DM Bravo, 15.4 ov), 5-153 (Simmons, 39.5 ov), 6-269 (Sammy, 49.6 ov) Bowling: JE Root 9-2-47-1, SCJ Broad 6-1-35-0, TT Bresnan 10-168-3, JC Tredwell 10-1-23-1, MM Ali 6-1-25-1, CJ Jordan 9-2-67-0

England innings (target: 270 runs from 50 overs) MJ Lumb c DJ Bravo b Rampaul 106 MM Ali c Narine b Smith 44 LJ Wright c DJ Bravo b Sammy 1 JE Root c †Ramdin b Narine 37 BA Stokes b Narine 5 JC Buttler† c Holder b DJ Bravo 12 RS Bopara not out 23 TT Bresnan not out 14 Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 9) 12 Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 254 Did not bat: CJ Jordan, SCJ Broad*, JC Tredwell Fall of wickets: 1-96 (Ali, 19.3 ov), 2-106 (Wright, 22.1 ov), 3-180 (Lumb, 36.6 ov), 4-192 (Stokes, 39.2 ov), 5-205 (Root, 41.5 ov), 6-211 (Buttler, 42.6 ov) Bowling: JO Holder 4-0-270, R Rampaul 10-0-53-1, SP Narine 10-1-36-2, DJ Bravo 10-0-59-1, DJG Sammy 100-46-1, DR Smith 6-0-30-1

Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic in Dubai semi-finals

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Roger Federer storm back from a set down

oger Federer earned a first win over Novak Djokovic since 2012 to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships final.

The Swiss world number eight, 32, took advantage of a rain delay to fight back and claim an impressive 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory in one hour and 45 minutes.

It was a first win over the Serb in four attempts and denied the world number two the chance to level their overall head-to-head record at 16-16.

He will meet Tomas Berdych, who beat Philipp Kohlschreiber, in the final.

It gives Czech Berdych, who claimed a 7-5 7-5 victory, a chance to make amends for his defeat in last year's final to Djokovic.

Federer admitted he feared the worst again at the start, but recovered well by adopting a more aggressive policy.

"I think I was able to play a bit more aggressively as the match went on," Federer told the ATP Tour's official website.

"I knew I was in a bit of trouble (after the first set) and not looking good at all, because he has a tendency

to really run with it and play more freely on your serve.

"It was just a matter of trying to play consistent but remain aggressive - sometimes being overly aggressive to see if it works.

"Then I started to serve very well, something I haven't been able to do really this week yet. I knew to have a chance (against Djokovic), I needed to serve well, so I'm just very happy I was able to deliver that."

World number two Djokovic won the opening set in convincing fashion but, after a weather-enforced break, 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer broke in the sixth game of the second set to force a decider.

Federer immediately broke his opponent in the third set and eventually consolidated his break after saving two break points.

A further break moved him 4-1 ahead and he closed out the match to end Djokovic's hopes of a first ATP Tour title in 2014.

It was a first win over Djokovic for Federer since beating him in the final of the Cincinnati Open in August 2012. (BBC Sports)

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bans Man City boss for Cross border linkages Uefa two matches between Guyana, M Suriname intensify

The victorious Fruta Conquerers

G

uyana’s Futa Conquerors were the victors last weekend when they squared off against the Shanti Del football team from Suriname, at the inaugural Guyana/ Suriname over 40 Friendly Football Match.

After an action packed 90 minutes, the home team successfully heated up the Tucville Ground, winning the game 3-2 and securing the winning trophy donated

by Garage de Eeinheid Tour Company, out of Suriname.

This event was made possible through collaboration between the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Garage de Eeinheid Tour Company, owned by Mr. V Premchand, and formed part of the strategy to foster closer relationships with our neighbouring countries, encourage domestic and cross border tourism and also to foster community spirit.

During the official opening ceremony, the GTA representative, Mr. Ronald Smith, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Director, expressed gratitude to Caribbean International Distributors Inc (CIDI) for their sponsorship and for ensuring that the participants were hydrated with Blue Life water

and thrill drink.

He acknowledged their role as valuable members of the business community and lauded their efforts as they sought to fulfill their corporate/social responsibility.

Alluding to the significance of the initiative and its impact on the tourism sector, Mr. Smith reiterated that such an activity was in keeping with the overall plan to strengthen relationships with Suriname and to attract more Dutch visitors, thereby increasing the arrival figures to the destination.

Tourists to Guyana

He reminded that Mr. Premnauth, through his tour company, brought close to 3000 Surinamese/Dutch tourists to Guyana last year which on average amounts to 200 per month.

“We at the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority fully support such activities and embrace all opportunities to showcase all the activities and attractions that destination Guyana has to offer,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, more visitors are arriving from our Neighboring country, as close to 100 persons travelled to Guyana, with

The visiting team Shanti Del from Suriname

Garage de Eeinheid Tour Company to participate in the Mashramani 2014 celebrations and to take advantage of the many tours available in Georgetown, to Kaieteur and further afield.

Guyana is currently working to establish a “healthy” cross-border tourism relationship with particularly Suriname and Brazil.

This is being done at the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) level, and will also promote multidestination tourism.

The Tourism Ministry is also working with small hotels in an effort to boost occupancy, and to ensure that they are operating at full capacity.

While the visitors are in Guyana, they utilize the services of the smaller hotels which offer attractive rates; these include Kanuku Suites, Signature Inn, Holiday Inn and Brittany’s Hotel among others.

Already there have been reports of smaller establishments operating at 100% occupancy, particularly as ties are strengthened with operators in Suriname.

There are plans underway to increase the number of visitors arriving from Suriname, to close to 500 on a monthly basis.

anchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been given an immediate two-match touchline ban by Uefa for criticising the referee after his side's Champions League match against Barcelona.

Pellegrini said after the 2-0 home loss that Swedish official Jonas Eriksson was "not impartial to both teams".

He was charged with misconduct and will be in the stands for the second leg on 12 March, plus one more match.

A further one-game ban is suspended for two years, but Pellegrini can appeal.

"The City manager will be banned for his team's round-of-16 second leg against Barcelona in Spain on 12 March," Uefa said in a statement.

"This means that Pellegrini may follow the game from the stands only; he may not enter the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before or during the match; and he may not communicate directly or indirectly with his players and/ or technical staff during the game."

The first leg of the last16 encounter at Etihad Stadium on 18 February was poised at 0-0 ear-

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini

ly in the second half when Eriksson sent off City defender Martin Demichelis for a foul on Lionel Messi when the Argentina playmaker was clean through on goal.

Replays suggested the incident was just outside the box, but a penalty was awarded and Messi duly converted.

In the final minute Barca added a second through Dani Alves to take a twogoal advantage into the second leg at the Nou Camp.

In his post-match news conference, Pellegrini, 60,

said: "From the beginning I felt the referee was not impartial to both teams.

"I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in charge of such an important match, especially a referee who has made an important mistake against Barcelona in a previous match. "[It's] more important football in Europe than Sweden. A big game with two important teams, that kind of game needs a referee with more experience."

Pellegrini later apologised for the comments. (BBC

Sports)

Double points plan not extended for final three races of season

F

ormula 1 bosses have decided against extending the double points scheme to the final three races of the season.

A proposal by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to extend the scheme from the last race of the season was discussed at a strategy group meeting.

Participants agreed not to reveal details, but a source close to the talks told BBC Sport that the plan was rejected.

Members needed to agree unanimously for the proposals to be passed.

The strategy group comprises Ecclestone, Jean Todt, the president of governing body the FIA, and six teams. Ecclestone and the FIA have six votes each and the teams six between them.

The introduction of double points for the final race of the season was met with uproar by fans, and most teams believe going further would be a mistake.

The group also decided not to make changes to the engine homologation rules after some teams supplied

by Renault raised the idea of amendments.

Manufacturers must submit a reference engine by Friday, after which changes are allowed only on the basis of reliability, cost-saving or safety.

Renault has suffered a troubled pre-season with the new turbo hybrid engine which is required following a major rule change this season.

All four of the teams using Renault - Red Bull,

Lotus, Toro Rosso and Caterham - struggled with reliability problems acompared their rivals, who use Mercedes and Ferrari engines.

Renault denied claims that it had asked for a twomonth extension to the homologation deadline.

A spokeswoman said: "Renault is providing the reference power unit and appropriate supplementary material to the FIA, as per the homologation deadline.

"There is a background request from some teams for alternative proposals that regard some parts and components.

However, the basic requirements of the homologation deadline will be delivered today as mandated by the FIA." (BBC Sports)

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saturday, march 1, 2014

NAMILCO One Love football classic to begin soon – says finances could

Hutson confirms participation for World Indoors team

– flour company injects increased sponsorship into knockout competition

By Avenash Ramzan

B

uoyed by the success of the previous six editions, the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) on Friday recommitted it sponsorship of the One Love Football Classic, organised by the Fruta Conquerors Football Club and set to kick off shortly.

At the ceremonial launch at Park Rayne, Rahaman’s Park, top executives of the company and the club, along with other key stakeholders spoke glowingly of the tournament and how significant it is to football’s development locally.

Committed

Finance Controller at NAMILCO, Fitzroy McLeod, who started off by lauding his Chief Executive Officer Bert Sukhai for embracing the tournament since 2007, said the flour company is committed to the development of football, hence the renewal of sponsorship.

He pointed out that the theme of the competition “One Love” is not just a phrase pulled from the air, but rather a concerted ef-

fort by all involved to work together in the interest of football’s growth and development through the hosting of the Classic.

McLeod said NAMILCO has injected $5 million into this year’s competition, noting that the sponsorship package has steadily increased since the first year when they had invested $1.6 million.

He also heaped praises on the Fruta Conquerors FC executives, led by president Wayne Forde, for the “accountability, transparency and professionalism” they have displayed during their relations with the company.

Forde, who spoke on behalf of the club, assured the NAMILCO team that his executives will continue along the same path that has brought them success over the years, adding that the ultimate aim is to ensure the tournament improves every year.

He revealed that the tournament will feature 16 teams from five sub-associations, competing on eight playing days. The format will be a straight knockout and unlike previous years where matches were

held solely at the Tucville ground, games will also be staged in Berbice and West Demerara.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar lauded NAMILCO and Fruta Conquerors FC on their partnership thus far, even as he called on the two entities and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to contemplate the hosting of youth tournaments, like those hosted in cricket where the focus is on Under15s and Under-19s.

Immediately after Kumar’s call, Sukhai announced to rapturous applause that NAMILCO has been in talks with the GFF on the possibility of hosting an Under-17 league some time soon.

Partnership

Meanwhile, GFF president Christopher Matthias congratulated Fruta Conquerors FC for strengthening their partnership with NAMILCO, noting that the executives of the club have displayed “discipline, accountability, transparency and solvency”, attributes his own executives have embraced.

He urged the other local clubs to follow in Fruta

Conquerors FC’s footsteps by hosting tournaments of their own, while he complimented Sukhai and the management and staff of NAMILCO for being “a reponsible corporate entity.”

Tournament details

Arguably Guyana’s number one football club, Alpha United will look to defend the title they won in 2013 against 15 other teams.

The contenders are Topp XX, Pele, Buxton United, Western Tigers, Seawall United, Fruta Conquerors, Monnederlust, Riddim Squad, Netrockers, BV/ Triumph United, Guyana Defence Force, Santos, Slingerz, Camptown and New Amsterdam.

The champion team will walk away $1.2 million richer, while the runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $600,000, $400,000 and $200,000 respectively. Trophies will also accompany the cash prizes.

Alpha United have won the tournament three times (2008, 2010 and 2013); the Guyana Defence Force have won it twice (2007 and 2012), while Camptown tasted success in 2009. No tournament was held in 2011.

Trophy Stall/EBFA U-15 tourney kicks off today – Herstelling, Soesdyke, Agricola and Grove Hi Tech to do battle

F

ootball action on the East Bank of Demerara will switch its focus to youths this morning at the Grove Playfield when the inaugural Trophy Stall sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-15 League kicks off.

Trophy Stall Managing Director, Ramesh Sunich, in handing over the trophies and medals to EBFA Secretary, Franklin Wilson, stated that he is very elated to be associated with the development of the game on the East Bank, especially at the level of youths.

“We at Trophy Stall are pleased to be a partner with the East Bank Football Association in this venture which prepares our youth for future national teams and to also represent their association. We are committed to making this tournament an annual one for the youngsters and we wish the teams well,” Sunich said.

The first, second, third and fourth placed teams will receive trophies, while the top three teams will also be presented with gold, silver and bronze medals.

be a hinder

P

Aubrey Hutson

Adam Harris

resident of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson has confirmed Guyana’s participation in the World Indoor Championship set for next month in Sopot, Poland.

Sprinter and Olympian Adam Harris along with new comer Melissa Caddle both made the qualifying times for the event in the 60 metres and 400 metres respectively.

Hutson in a telephone interview with Guyana Times Sport confirmed that Harris has already received his tickets “two days ago” from the IAAF. However, Hutson noted that because Caddle is new and they had a bit of a hard time verifying that she was Guyanese with the IAAF, the AAG will now have to finance her ticket which is proving to be a bit difficult due to limited funds available.

Caddle qualified for the

Melissa Caddle

event in a time of 53.38s which is pretty impressive by the 21 year old Coppin State athlete.

Further, Hutson noted that the AAG will be looking to exact every possible avenue to ensure that Caddle leaves for Poland to participate in the championship as he indicated that he does not want the athlete to be “devastated” after qualifying for the championships and unable to attend.

PMTC horse-race set for March 16

T

Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich (right) hands over one of the trophies and medals to EBFA Secretary Franklin Wilson

The player to be voted the Most Valuable Player will be rewarded with the Golden Ball Trophy; Highest Goal Scorer will walk away with the Golden Boot Trophy; Best Goalkeeper the Golden Glove, while the

Most Disciplined team will win the Fail Play Trophy.

The coach emerging as the best will also be recognised

by Trophy Stall. The competing teams are Soesdyke Falcons, Grove Hi Tech, Diamond United FC, Agricola

Red Triangle, Herstelling and Mocha Champs. Facing off in the first game at 10:00 hours will be Herstelling and Soesdyke Falcons, with the feature clash between Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech to follow.

he Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) will come alive on March 16 when the club stages a grand one-day horse race meet.

The activity has already attracted some of the country’s top thoroughbreds who will be competing for millions in cash and trophies from 13:00 hours.

Seven highly anticipated races are carded for the day with the feature event being the D and Lower fetching the highest first prize of $1 million and will cover a mile.

The main supporting race is for Three-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred animals competing at 1300m for a top prize of $600,000.

The winner of the Fouryear-old Guyana and West Indies bred horses is guaranteed $500,000, while the same cash prize is at stake

for the champion horse in the F and Lower (1500m).

Other races on the agenda are the G3 West Indies Maiden and Guyana Open (1200m/$400,000 first prize), I and Lower (1000m/$250,000 first prize) and the J and Lower (1200m/$200,000 first prize).

Horse owners are urged to register early as entries will close on March 10.

Contacts for registration are C. Ramnauth on 337-5311, Rajendra (Jim Jo) 618-7278 and Chandu Ramkissoon on 2320633/624-9063.

According to information, all systems are in place for a highly competitive day of racing, featuring the leading horses, jockeys and stables.

According to the organiser, the track is in excellent condition for Sunday’s highly anticipated showdown.

saturday, march 1, 2014

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Wartsila boosts AAG’s inventory

23

Milo schools football continues today

The intensity is expected to be high again as eight of the schools will be in action today

R

ound two of the Milo Under-20 schools football championship will kick off today with four games at the Education Ministry ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Action will get underway at 11:00h with Central High playing St Mary’s.

Following that clash,

Arron Fraser (right) hands over the clock to Aubrey Hutson

By Treiston Joseph

W

artsila added to the inventory of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) after donating a state of the art Race Clock on Friday.

The clock will make its debut at Wartsila’s 20th anniversary 20k road run which will be the most lucrative road race in Guyana with a $300,000 first place prize.

At the simple handing over ceremony held at the office of the President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson in Albertown, Hutson related that the AAG was pleased with the donation and hopes that Wartsila continues there effort in sport.

“A great big thank you to Wartsila for their tangible in the form of a race clock, this clock will be used road races and it can be used for 100 of second so it can

time up to 100 metres giving good displays to the athletes and the public.

“Wartsila has been contributing to our sport and we must be grateful to them so far and we hope in the coming years they continue to celebrate to keep going on in Guyana,” Hutson stated.

Public relation officer of the event, Edison Jefford made also related that the event has surpassed the South American road race in terms of monetary prizes in the form of 3.3 million in total.

Contract manager of Wartsila and former national athlete Arron Fraser who was being the initiative indicated that track field is a sport that he follows and it is in need of such a boost.

“Being good corporate citizens sometimes you have to act without being asked to act, in recent years we have observed the good

work the AAG have been doing… Road races are one of the things I follow when I’m home and I saw the need for a clock.

“When I did track and field my coach always told me it doesn’t matter what distance you do, you must always be aware of the timings because the days that you don’t feel too well are the days you might run the fastest so without the AAG asking us I thought it was responsible to make the donation,” Fraser stated.

Meanwhile the Wartsila 20k will be on Sunday starting from 05:00h with a new category being added for the Wartsila staff after member of the sister branch in Antigua showed their interest in participating.

Some of Guyana’s top distance athletes will also be a part of the in hopes of winning the most lucrative prize money for a single race in Guyana’s history.

GCB launches magazine...

“Today, we are extremely proud to announce that “The Guyana Cricketer” is no longer a dream, but rather an actual success and accomplishment of this board and we are truly astonished that as a board it took us 70 years to make such a decision to publish this magazine,” he said.

Singh added, “We are extremely grateful to our valued sponsors who all readily came on board with this exciting venture of the GCB and we endeavour to make this magazine an annual feature with as wide a circulation as possible.

"We were able to attract major banks, insurance companies, beverage giants, phone carriers and other select sponsors, who hailed from as far east as Berbice, most of them in Demerara, and further west

in Essequibo and even further north in New York.”

Singh also highlighted that the GCB will soon launch its website where the entire magazine content, as well as advertisements will be uploaded to ensure sponsors get adequate mileage for their investment.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar congratulated the GCB executives on the magazine, and the fact they were able to attract close to 50 sponsors to make the project a reality.

He noted that what the magazine does is document “history” and the GCB must be complimented for its role in helping to preserve what has transpired over the years.

Meanwhile, Kumar also urged all stakeholders to work together to en-

From page 24

sure “cricket is played on the fields and not in the courts.”

GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie said apart from external support from the sponsors and writers, the compilation and editing of the content were done by GCB staffers, led by himself and Singh with support from Drubahadur and former president, Ramsey Ali. He said the board is open to suggestions on making the magazine better, noting that they have already received several pieces of advice for next year’s publication.

Acting president of the GCB, Fizul Bacchus, expressed gratitude to all the corporate entities and individuals for supporting the inaugural magazine, adding that the board is committed to the development of game at all levels.

Freeburg Secondary will tackle North Ruimveldt Secondary at 12:30h.

Match three of the day will bring together Cummings Lodge Secondary and South Ruimveldt Secondary at 14:00h, while the final game of the day will pit Charlestown Secondary and

St George’s from 15:30h.

The tournament is being sponsored exclusively

by Beepat’s Trading under its Milo brand and is being organised by the Petra Organisation, headed by football enthusiasts and former administrators of the game, Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole.

Mangal aiming for third straight win

M

ike Mangal will be aiming for three wins a row when he tees off in the ECI Engineering Services golf tournament today.

Mangal took the David DeCaires/Basil Sukhram Memorial and the Heineken Cup in the past two weeks and seems to

be enjoying the hard conditions that often require his type of “bump and run” game to chip close to the pin positions.

Other in-form players include George Bulkan, Shonel Webster and Andre Cummings.

Tee off time will be at is noon.

Mike Mangal

Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Andy Roberts knighted

T

hree West Indies legends were knighted at a special ceremony during the interval of the first one-day international against England.

Former skipper Richie Richardson, 52, and pace bowlers Curtly Ambrose, 50, and Andy Roberts, 63, were all honoured by their native Antigua.

It takes the total number of West Indian cricketing knights to 11.

The only previous Antiguan cricketer to be knighted was Sir Viv Richards, after whom Antigua's new stadium is named.

Between them, Richardson, Ambrose and Roberts played in 231 Tests and 456 one-day internationals, while all had spells in English county cricket.

Free-scoring right-hander Richardson, famous for his large maroon sunhats, was one of Yorkshire's earliest overseas players in 1993 and 1994.

Ambrose represented Northants between 1989 and 1996, while also forg-

West Indian legends Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose after being knighted

ing a fearsome new-ball partnership with Jamaica's Courtney Walsh at international level.

Roberts, the first Antiguan to play Test cricket, burst onto the English scene with Hampshire in 1974, won the World Cup with West Indies in 1975 and 1979, and also played for Leicestershire.

He was one of the 55 initial inductees into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame in 2009, with Ambrose inducted in 2011.

As well as Richards, the other Caribbean cricketing knights include legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers and the "three "W's" - Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes, who were all from Barbados, as were Sir Conrad Hunte and the Reverend Sir Wes Hall.

The list is completed

by Trinidad-born Learie Constantine, who was knighted in 1962 and became the United Kingdom's first black peer in 1969. (BBC Sports)

saturday, march 1, 2014

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

TOP SCORES

NAMILCO One Love football classic to kick off soon See story on page

22

– flour company injects increased sponsorship into knockout competition

WICB Regional Four-day Tournament Guyana vs Jamaica

SCOREBOARD Guyana 1st Innings S Chattergoon c Baugh b Taylor 0 A Fudadin b Russell 21 V Singh c Bernard b Russell 18 N Deonarine c Baugh b Russell 0 C Barnwell c Baugh b Merchant 34 A Bramble+ c Campbell b Merchant 16 D Bishoo c Bonner b Merchant 11 V Permaul b Merchant 0 A Khan run out (Blackwood) 5 R Beaton not out 4 K Joseph b Russell 0 Total: (54.3 Overs) 117 Extras: (5NB, 2LB, 1B) 8 Fall of Wickets: 1-1, 2-35, 3-37, 4-46, 5-80, 6-108, 7-108, 8-109, 9-116, 10-117.

Bowling: Jerome Taylor 11-612-1, Sheldon Cottrell 8-2-150, Andre Russell 12.3-2-33-

4, David Bernard Jr 8-0-25-0, Jamie Merchant 15-3-29-4.

Jamaica 1st Innings H Miller c Bramble b Permaul 46 J Campbell not out 32 N Bonner not out 9 Total: (1 wicket, 30 Overs) 89 Extras: (1NB, 1WD) 2 Fall of Wicket: 1-71 To Bat: Tamar Lambert*, David Bernard Jr., Carlton Baugh, Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cotterell, Jermaine Blackwood, Jamie Merchant Bowling: Ronsford Beaton 4-113-0, Keon Joseph 5-1-17-0, Christopher Barnwell 6-2-220, Verasammy Permaul 8-413-1, Devendra Bishoo 4-017-0, Amir Khan 2-0-5-0-0, Narsingh Deonarine 1-0-1-0.

Windward Islands vs Barbados

SCOREBOARD

NAMILCO Chief Executive Officer Bert Sukhai (left) presents the sponsorship cheque to Fruta Conquerors President Wayne Forde. Sharing the moment are GFF President Christopher Matthias (second left), Director of Sport Neil Kumar (centre) and NAMILCO Finance Controller Fitzroy McLeod (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Barbados 1st Innings Kraigg Brathwaite* not out 53 R Boucher c James b Pascal 2 R Chase c Smith b Johnson 0 J Carter c Smith b Peters 16 K Stoute c James b Pascal 19 S Dowrich+ c Smith b Peters 6 Carlos Brathwaite not out 37 Total: (5 wickets, 55 Overs) 152 Extras: (1B, 7LB, 6WD, 5NB) 19

Fall of Wickets: 1-7 (Boucher, 2.5 ov), 2-10 (Chase, 5.1 ov), 3-28 (Carter, 10.4 ov), 4-64 (Stoute, 19.1 ov), 5-86 (Dowrich, 30.4 ov) To Bat: Ashley Nurse, Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Miguel Cummings Bowling: Nelon Pascal 11-150-2, Delorn Johnson 14-528-1, Kenroy Peters 14-821-2, Alston Bobb 7-0-24-0, Liam Sebastien 9-1-21-0.

GCB launches magazine to coincide with 70th anniversary

By Avenash Ramzan

H

istory was created on Friday afternoon at one of the most historical places of Guyana’s cricket, the Geogetown Cricket Club (GCC) main pavillion.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executives, in the company of Director of Sport Neil Kumar, unveiled the first of its annual glossy magazine, a 60-page publication titled, “The Guyana Cricketer.”

The magazine, which will be distributed free in Guyana and the diaspora, was launched to coincide with the board’s 75th anniversary.

The cover of the full-colour booklet features veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who became the first West Indian to play 150 Tests last year, and reigning GCB cricketers-of-the-year, middle-order batsman Leon Johnson and opener June

GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie (centre) presents a copy of the magazine to Director of Sport Neil Kumar. From left are Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith, GCB Marketing Manager Raj Singh and GCB President (ag) Fizul Bacchus (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Ogle.

The main article is titled “Shiv Chanderpaul - symbol of longevity and resilience”

by Trinidad and Tobago based Guyanese writer Brij Parasnauth, while there are features on young cricketer Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, Guyana’s all-time Under-19 XI and a recap of the GCB’s 2013 award ceremony.

The GCB Secretary report for 2013, the GCB Cricket report for 2013 and the proposed cricket calender for 2014 are also part of the publication.

The foreword is by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President Dave Cameron, while there are messages from GCB President Drubahadur and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

Marketing Manager of the GCB, Raj Singh, told the gathering of sponsors and special invitees, that the publishing of the magazine is no longer a dream, but a reality now.

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, Tel: 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230, 223-7231, Fax: 227-0685 - SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

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