Guyana Times Daily

APNU calls for reform of NIS P7

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1975 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, December 7, 2013

CXC moving to strengthen, protect examination system

See story on page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

China P3 plugging US$4M into local projects

Digicel donates more than P $11M to three organisations 9

Annual Christmas Village launched

Attorney warns P10 Kaieteur News on misleading article

See story on page 17

Christmas in the air! Santa Claus and his wife with the help of Dora The Explorer treat children at the grand opening of the annual Christmas Village on Main Street, Georgetown on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

Caribbean leaders mourn death of Nelson Mandela See story on page 13

BK International wins court battle against GGMC See story on page 16

Bounty Farm calls on P11 businesses to embrace cleanliness

Canje P14 Basin project still under negotiation

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News

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, December 7 from 08:30h to 10:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, December 7 from 07:25h to 08:55h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected during the day with thundery showers in the evening over coastal and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East south-easterly between zero and 1.11 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:37h and 19:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.57 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:07h and 13:28h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.73 metre respectively.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

LOTTERY NUMBERS E 01 03 04 12 22 24 27 FREE TICKET Friday, December 6, 2013

Daily Millions

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

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saturDay, december 7, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

China plugging US$4M into local projects F

inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin on Friday signed an economic and technical cooperation pack which would see Beijing providing US$4.93 million to finance projects to be agreed upon by both governments.

According to a release, the two representatives also signed an acceptance certificate for the procurement of a vehicular mobile container scanner valued at US$98,640 to be used by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the discharge of its official duties.

The People’s Republic of China, through the provision of economic and technical cooperation grants has supported a number of initiatives in areas such as health, trade, infrastructure, energy, mining, transport and communication, agriculture, sport and culture, among others.

Notable interventions

All of these have benefited the Guyanese populace, significantly. Some notable interventions are the acquisition of two new state-of-the-art ferries to ply the Parika/Supenaam route, which reduces transport time, significantly; the delivery of laptops for the distribution to thousands of vulnerable families; the procurement of firefighting equipment to consolidate the efforts of the Guyana Fire Service; the medical brigade to offer specialist services to the citizens of Guyana; and sport coaches to assist in enhancing the sport sector.

This year, in August 2013, China extended a similar grant totalling RMB¥ 50,000,000 or US$8.17 million for developmental projects. Moreover, to date, Guyana has benefited from concessional loan agreements totalling some US$200.96 million to

and expressed his pleasure at the evolution and manifestation of the Chinese relationship with the region.

Minister Singh said China’s friendship with the Caribbean is important and has been reinforced with the visits of high-level Chinese officials to the region. He further added that, to date, Guyana has made good use of the resources provided by the government of China to implement a number of transformative projects.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

fund projects such as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Extension Project which will transform Guyana into an international travel hub through the provision of direct routes to a number of preferred destinations.

The e-government project, when completed, will improve the communication infrastructure within the country, and the GPL Infrastructure Development Project is expected to strengthen and improve the electricity network through the construction of new substations and the upgrade of existing ones along the coastland where transmission lines and fibre-optic cables will be installed to link the substations.

While delivering his remarks, the Chinese ambassador stated that this was a second grant provided, this year, to the government and people of Guyana and, he explained that it represents the long historical friendship shared by both countries.

Ambassador Limin affirmed that he is confident this grant would be utilised to develop the social and economic sectors of the country from which benefits would be accrued to the people of Guyana. He also said that the vehicular mobile scanner for the GRA would help to improve the Customs ad-

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin affirmed that he was confident this grant would be utilised to develop the social and economic sectors of the country from which benefits would be accrued to the people of Guyana. ministration.

In responding to the ambassador's remarks, Minister Singh reiterated the special relationship between the two countries. He stated that Guyana is proud to be the first Caribbean country to have established diplomatic relations with China

Destination for business

He welcomed Chinese companies seeking to do business in the Caribbean and, more specifically, those desirous of choosing Guyana as a new destination for business. He also said that China was a good example to the developing world for having attained and sustained rapid growth over the years.

Referring to the vehicular mobile scanner, Minister Singh acknowledged that this is a highly valued piece of equipment that would be added to the capital stock of the GRA and enhance the organisation’s capacity to carry out its mandate in keeping with international trade standards.

In concluding, Minister Singh thanked the government and people of China for their continued support of Guyana’s development efforts, and stated that Guyana looks forward to further the enrichment of the relations between the two countries.

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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

Limacol CPL and tourism T

his publication is indeed humbled and honoured that the NEW GPC INC/Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) copped this year’s President’s Award for investment in tourism. It is always a good gesture when individuals, companies or organisations are recognised for the efforts they are making into creating a more developed and prosperous society for citizens.

The NEW GPC has proven that as a company, it is not only concerned about making profits but it is committed to the development of Guyana in every respect, including developing and promoting the country’s tourism sector. In July/August of this year, the company was successful in its bid for the Guyana franchise of the CPL and subsequently secured the title sponsorship for the T20 tournament resulting in the event being renamed LCPL. The LCPL which was based on a franchise system similar to that used by the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other professional sports, helped to create a renewed interest in cricket in the region after years of declining crowd support due to the dismal performances of the West Indies team.

There was also massive commercial support for the tournament which this region has never seen for any sporting event. It was disclosed that even before a ball was bowled, 37 commercial partners were on board, including nine league sponsors, an apparel partner and sponsors for each of the six franchises, as well as four national tourism boards supporting the event.

Several high profile individuals from the worlds of entertainment and business got involved and threw their weight behind the league with Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler taking equity shares in the Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs respectively while Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group backed the Antigua Hawksbills. NEW GPC supported the Guyana Amazon Warriors and has since pledged its long-term commitment to sport development in Guyana and the region as a whole.

Of note too is that, at a time when the region’s tourism sector was taking a severe beating due to the international financial crisis and other matters, the LCPL T20 gave international tourists another reason to visit the Caribbean.

Guyana, in particular, badly needed some positive publicity – after a barrage of constant negative media coverage by sections of the private media, most notably Kaieteur News – and the LCPL games provided exactly that.

In terms of media coverage, the tournament had a global audience for the games through outstanding broadcast coverage on television and radio, in addition to significant presence on social media through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

In addition to showcasing the Caribbean’s enduring love for cricket, the LCPL T20 tournament has shown the endless potential for growth and success in the region’s tourism sector. The NEW GPC and other companies who came onboard must be commended for matching their talk with their finances.

We are confident that in time, these investments will bring significant returns, not only to the individual companies, but the region’s economies as a whole.

The LCPL has been a success in every regard, but tourism stakeholders in the region – hoteliers, service providers, taxi operators and airline operators – must take cognisance of the fact that the league is now an annual affair which has the potential to grow significantly over the coming years. For this reason they must ensure that they are ready to take full advantage of the many opportunities that are likely to come as a result of the tournament.

Certainly, Guyana’s tourism industry has no doubt received a major boost as a result of the investments made in the LCPL T20 tournament. This is just the beginning of what is to come, but the onus is on all stakeholders involved to raise the bar on what presently obtains here.

Dancers entertain the audience at the 2013 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) awards ceremony (see story on page 15)

Recent events solidify arguments that Timehri squatters are a threat to CJIA security Dear Editor, The issue of security in and around the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri has been one that is resounding in the media for years and years.

However, a few days back, I was very happy to read that two men, who are squatters living in the Timehri area, were caught on Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) stealing office equipment costing approximately one million dollars from the AmeriJet bond between November 19 and 20. This is a good, as I can see more proactive action in ridding the airport of such phenomenon.

This is one of many cases which are reported in the media, and one of the reasons why I am a firm believer that persons should not be allowed to squat so closely around the airport.

Squatting in close vicinity of the CJIA has posed a major security threat, especially as it harbours criminals.

One can recall the infamous criminal, Rondell Rawlins aka “Fine man” had lived for months in the Timehri squatting area.

These persons only serve to tarnish the image of the community and the people residing in it, as I am sure that there are many hard working and honest persons in the area.

Nevertheless, I am firmly of the view that all persons in close vicinity of the airport should be relocated as soon as possible. However, as we see being well publicised in the media, this has not been sitting well with some residents, especially those of Timehri North, to whom notices have been served to vacate airport lands, which they have been occupying for years, illegally, so that the airport expansion can be facilitated.

In my view, squatters being unwilling to work with the Public Works Ministry, the Housing Ministry and other agencies designated to assist them with relocating is utterly lawless and is motivated by selfishness, irrationality, and total disregard for a project of national significance.

I have seen numerous attempts by ministries and the airport authority to render

assistance to squatters, explaining to them the reasons, clarifing questions, all related to the expansion of the airport and what it means for the country. I have also read that the airport has set up a Community Relations Office specially for engaging with squatters, to help them in fast tracking their relocation to neighbouring villages.

I suggest that squatters take advantage of this opportunity. Help is being offered.

Make the most of it. You are now being given a chance to own your land, with a title, your name printed on it.

A regular law abiding citizen will apply for a house lot and wait years upon years to get a title, while on the other hand, there are squatters in Timehri, whose process is fast tracked, and they are downright refusing it. How can this be rational?

I fully support Kaieteur News’ Peeping Tom article of August 30, which stated that squatting should be made a criminal offence. Persons who squat often demand rights, but how can you demand rights when you did not observe your civic duty

of adhering to laws, simply ensuring your paperwork is in order before putting up a permanent structure on land?

The article rightfully stated that squatting near the CJIA is an eyesore and an embarrassment. The airport and its surroundings is the first exposure a visitor has to a country and can make or break their opinion of it.

Guyanese should take more pride in what is theirs!

This is our home, our country. Let the airport expand, it will benefit us all. A larger airport will create more employment, and persons in Timehri will have an advantage. Men, women, young people just out of school can apply, work, earn a salary and live a good life.

A larger airport will invite more airlines to the country, which means more visitors will start to pour in, and the trickle down of economic and other benefits will be rewarding.

Let’s put Guyana first!

Respectfully, Amanda Singh

Unethical conduct at a mandir

Dear Editor, I wish to bring to the attention of the reading public a recent incident which took place at a mandir on the East Coast of Demerara.

I was a former president of the mandir before I migrated in the 1990s. Over the years, every time I return to Guyana, I would visit the temple to

make donations and other forms of contributions.

Recently, I visited the temple to perform my usual devotional service (I was on vacation in Guyana). I also took the opportunity to enquire about the state of affairs of the temple, with a view to assisting financially (the temple is in a state of re-

construction).

As if I was not welcomed, a member openly shouted at me in the presence of the audience, saying “you are a thief” and that “there’s nothing you can do”.

As an elderly citizen and a member of that mandir for over 30 years, I felt embarrassed and shameful at those

derogatory remarks. I am also appealing to all Guyana to denounce such behaviour, as others are also affected at the temple and within the community, to the extent that some persons are denied access to the temple.

Yours truly, Jagdar Isardeen

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

Mandela has left us richer A sport academy in Guyana is a step in the right direction than anything money can buy

Dear Editor, The world has lost a great freedom fighter and statesman with the death of South Africa’s first black President Nelson Mandela. All is not lost, however, for he has left us with a great legacy and left us richer than anything money can buy. He lived his life by virtues of truth, honesty, knowledge, caring and sharing with peace.

We are indeed saddened by his passing but he lived a great life, touching the world with his genuine love, kindness and compassion, having taught us much, so let’s celebrate his life. Death is not the greatest loss in life.

The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.

Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 95. The world has lost democracy’s

most loyal friend and advocate for freedom and justice.

Mandela was the 20th century’s icon of freedom and liberty. He inspired us to believe that no obstacle is too large, no walk is too long, and no enemy of freedom is so powerful, that we should ever consider giving in. He has lived a life not only for himself and the people of South Africa, but the entire world. He has lit the candle for the world to see freedom.

His life will surely become one of the most epic stories in world history, of the true depth and strength of the human spirit. He inspired us with his life, his words, his work and his triumph. Mandela will forever be remembered as a man who fought for freedom and won it for millions, around the world, without once com-

promising his beliefs or his principles. He has sacrificed his life for freedom.

The legacy he has left us is one we shall always celebrate and we shall always thank God for Mandela. The prayers, love and support of the board of directors, executives and members of the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc, its Guyana and Toronto Chapters, are with his family and those dear to him.

May he rest in peace knowing that he leaves behind many who will continue his fight and carry on his legacy.

Sincerely, Pandit Suresh Sugrim Humanitarian Mission of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc

Promotion of e-billing services in Guyana Dear Editor, I must commend those who are contributing to the overall improvement of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. However, we all play a role in ensuring efficiency and as good Samaritans, we must continue to report any matters that can affect the performance of GPL. In return, it is GPL’s responsibility to ensure that all matters of urgency are addressed, particularly in cases where poles or trees threaten to burst power lines.

In a technologically-ad-

vancing world, it is evident that GPL is undertaking several initiatives to improve its customer service countrywide, including the newlyimplemented electronic billing (e-billing) service. The new initiative is expected to make paying bills easier, faster and hassle free.

E-billing offers a paperless mode of transaction, which is not only environmentally friendly but also clutter-free for both the receiver and the sender of electronic billing. It minimises the inconvenience of paper-

work and having to worry about accidentally misplacing a bill.

With e-billing there is no need to join a long line to pay processing fees. Bills are instantly emailed and queried if necessary. All it calls for is basic computer proficiency. E-billing is being used by many businesses all around the world and it is time for us Guyanese to embrace this essential, hassle-free concept.

Yours sincerely, Kenrick Niles

Dear Editor, Guyana was not fortunate to benefit from its colonial masters or the previous government of any world class stadium or real international sport facilities.

Mere words will never be enough to praise the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government under the astute leadership of former President Bharrat Jagdeo for this country’s achievements in building world class and international sport facilities for our people.

We must never forget that when the International Cricket Council (ICC) took the decision to allow the Caribbean to host the World Cup in 2007, the Bourda Cricket Ground was described as obsolete. There were serious discussions between the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) for them to merge and make one international facility.

Those in charge never agreed. Hence, no merger and both facilities are now not capable or appropriate for hosting world class cricket or football matches.

Clive Hubert Lloyd, one of our greatest cricketers, is today championing the cause for the merger of the two facilities. Lloyd believes that such a merger has the potential of creating one of the top stadia in the Caribbean, equipped with a cycling velodrome, football ground and tennis courts.

With all of this, we could have the return of international cricket at Bourda.

Lloyd said “as a nation, we must seek to create such an environment and provide opportunities and facilities for purposeful and meaningful participation by our youths and students in the various disciplines in sport”.

It cannot be denied that the NEW GPC INC/CPL OPCO, through the acquisition of the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the massive investment in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL), brought back cricket to the people of Guyana.

The NEW GPC INC/CPL OPCO must be extremely proud that they ran off a highly successful professional T-20 cricket tournament in the Caribbean. There were many who doubted the tournament would have been successful.

However, the massive crowd and world class performances along with the high level of competent organisers certainly recorded a massive success for the LCPL. I recalled vividly how sections of the press were writing negatively during the construction of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. The naysayers could not accept that we in Guyana could have completed our stadium in time for the World Cup. Let me remind them that the Brian Lara Stadium is yet to be completed. Further, the

facility in Kingston, Jamaica is without lights – no night cricket to date.

I am extremely hurt to read the December 4 column “Peeping Tom” in the Kaieteur News and I quote, “Training facilities do not cost a fortune and a sport academy can operate out of any makeshift bond”. What a shame of a statement!

In this modern world, raw talent and potential is not enough to compete at the highest level. Our sportsmen and sportswomen are indeed great people. We must provide our youth and students with the best that we could offer them.

The NEW GPC INC/CPL OPCO is all about action and is a success story. Please do not follow those who choose to invest outside of Guyana after they accumulate richness. Please look at our sons and daughters. Let us have a multi-sport complex. A sport academy in Guyana is a step in the right direction.

Guyana’s sons and daughters will forever remember you with such a choice.

Sad! Guyanese must not allow this facility to move to another country. A reliable source has informed that the project will now be built in another country in the Caribbean. Let us as Guyanese be the winners. Let us benefit from this investment.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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guyanatimesgy.com

Page Foundation How to reduce stress over Christmas

BY SUSAN WARD

I

f you spend the Christmas holiday season rushing about like a panicked lemming, it’s time to apply some time management strategies.

For many, the holiday season is the season of stress. There are just so many things to do, and a limited time to do them in.

Working people may feel especially harassed, trying to cram Christmas activities into their already limited “leisure” time.

If you’re one of those people feeling more frazzled than festive, taking the time to use a few time management strategies can really reduce stress over Christmas; you’ll feel as if you’re in control, rather than feeling like you’re being driven like one of Santa’s reindeers.

How to reduce stress: Time management strategies

Make a list It works for Santa, and it will work for you. Divide a page into two columns. List the things you have to do to prepare for the holiday season, such as gift shopping, on one side of the page and the things you want to do, such as special holiday baking, on the other side of the page.

Pick and choose your Christmas activities Many of us do what we do during the holiday season just because we always have, turning the entire month of December into a mad whirl of non-stop Christmas preparations and activities. If the things on your list that you have to do

outnumber the things that you want to do, it’s time to make your list more manageable by eliminating some of these holiday activities.

Do you really need to spend hours writing and sending Christmas cards, for instance, or hours making hundreds of chocolate balls? By all means do it if you enjoy these activities, but if you don’t, give yourself more time to do the things you enjoy by cutting them from your list.

Get an early start There’s no rule that says that all Christmas activities have to be crammed into the week before Christmas.

You can decorate your home for the holiday season in November if you want (or even, like I do, leave some Christmas lights up all year round.) Food for the holiday season can be bought in advance, and Christmas gifts can be bought any time of the year. Stretching out your Christmas activities over a longer period of time can really help reduce stress.

Get help Who says that you personally have to wrap all the Christmas gifts, do all the baking, and/or do all the holiday season decorating?

This year, give yourself the gift of holiday stress relief by patronising a local bakery, hiring a cleaning service to clean your home, or even having your holiday season party or festive dinner catered.

Think about how much your time (and sanity) is worth, and contract out accordingly. Use the gift wrapping services that many businesses provide this

time of year. Assign some tasks to other family members. Using the time management strategies of outsourcing and delegation will lighten your workload and your mood.

Break the Christmas gift shopping gridlock You don’t have to take the time to drive anywhere to shop if you don’t want to.

Reduce stress by shopping and buying Christmas gifts online.

Call ahead before you shop offline Why go six places looking for that one Christmas gift when you could just make a few phone calls, go to one place and pick it up? I even call ahead and reserve a turkey for Christmas dinner from the local grocery store.

Avoid rushing around in a holiday frenzy To reduce stress, preplan and coordinate your journeys. You can easily combine running errands with Christmas shopping, for example, so why make separate trips? And why go Christmas shopping 10 or 12 times? Use your list and make your calls to cut down on the hours you need to spend shopping.

Turn chores into events Everyone finds some holiday season activities that have to be done drudgingly.

Make whatever it is you find drudgery more enjoyable by making it special and different. For example, make the Christmas baking a family affair, or invite some friends over for a tree-trimming night.

Slow down For instance, you don’t

How do you make holiday entertaining less stressful?

need to buy, put up, and decorate the tree all in the same day. At my house tree trimming is an ongoing event. We buy it, put it up, and set out the ornaments. Then whoever wants to hang a few ornaments on the tree when they feel like it. Sometimes it takes two weeks, but we always have a beautiful, fully decked Christmas tree by Christmas Eve. Build time to relax and enjoy the festive season into your schedule Take the time to drive around and enjoy the incredible displays of Christmas lights, attend a special holiday concert, or just take a long hot bath. Your holiday stress will drop considerably.

Plan ahead for the next holiday season Christmas supplies, such as decorations and gift wrap, are often available at discounted prices in the week after Christmas, and they don’t go bad! It’s easy enough to buy Christmas gifts any time of the year; all it takes is some planning.

Get the Christmas sparkle back

The holiday season should be a joy, not an ordeal. Applying some time management strategies during the holiday season can help you regain the equilibrium you need to appreciate (and savour!) the true spirit of the season.

(About.com)

R

eaders share tips for making the obligatory holiday entertainment less stressful and merrier

Jodi Blum

I never put stress into holiday entertaining in the first place. Holidays are for close friends and family who don’t care if the pie looks perfect or if everything is made from scratch.

We concentrate on relaxing together, playing games, cooking and eating good food together, and giggling as much as possible.

Elizabeth A Keville

I stick to tried-and-true recipes. They not only reduce the fear factor but also evoke a pleasant sense of nostalgia, as we recall Aunt Martha’s caramels and Aunt Ginger’s fruit salad from holidays past.

Joyce Zurel

I realise that perfection is an impossibility, so I buy as much of the neces-

sary food as I can already prepared. I used to have a 1950s mind-set with a modern-day lifestyle, and it only made me miserable. I learned that people would rather have a calm hostess and prepared food than time-intensive dishes and a stressful holiday meal.

Diane Brandt

As Christmas approaches, my dad and I pick a weekend to get together and make cookies to serve on Christmas Day. Other family members are there as we bake, and we all tell stories from previous holidays and gatherings. The ritual always centres and relaxes me and reminds me how special my family is to me.

Cheryl Squadrito

On Christmas Eve, I used to prepare the traditional feast for our whole family. Cooking for such a large group had become very stressful, so three years ago I decided to ask for help with the preparation. Now my sister, sisters-in-law, and nieces come over early, and each brings an entrée. We set up makeshift workstations and catch up while cooking. We get to laugh, chat, and reminisce – plus, we’ve started a tradition of our own.

Sue Shealy

I have learned to take stress out of holiday entertaining by asking for help. My husband prepares the turkey outside on the charcoal grill so I can use the entire stove for side dishes. My mother-in-law makes delicious homemade bread, rolls, and dressing.

It makes the dinner a team effort.

Amy Novak

For the past couple of years, we have stopped having huge holiday sit-down dinners. Instead, we have hors d’oeuvre-and-cocktail parties. Each guest brings a favourite appetiser, and we set up a bar in the kitchen.

Everyone has the food and the drinks she loves, no one gets too full, and the atmosphere is far more relaxed and festive than when one host has to cook and clean up after a gigantic meal. (realsimple.com)

news

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saturday, december 7, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

CXC moving to strengthen, APNU calls for reform of NIS protect examination system

T

he Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) is moving to strengthen its examination system to protecting its integrity and maintain a high standard of education in the region.

The announcement was made by CXC Registrar, Dr Didacus Jules, who pointed out that the regional body has seen an increasing trend of dishonesty over the years.

“From the parents who will seek to purchase stolen exam papers, to the candidate who will seek the most creative ways to cheat in the exams, to the vendors who will peddle false transcripts from the street corner so that people can present false credentials, to the teacher who will falsify SBA results to the blatant disregard for copyright and pirating of intellectual property. We must bring down the sluice gates to protect the Caribbean civilisation from this creeping tide that threatens to flood the fields of our morality,” Dr Jules stated.

Speaking at the councils’ award ceremony at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday, Dr Jules said the region is facing a number of challenges, and CXC is faced with a similar situation,

CXC Registrar, Dr Didacus Jules

which could affect its effort to maintain a quality education in the region.

However, plans are being made to develop a more comprehensive framework for the urgent transformation of the education system.

Dr Jules also spoke passionately about the need for more to be done to improve regional integration and building greater partnerships.

“If we can’t feed, educate and sustain ourselves, our independence and sovereignty to modify the words of Bob Marley becomes political illusions to be proclaimed but never attained. The other is that difficult times require

bold solutions and these are difficult times for us in the Caribbean and our challenges are only the local expression of that global turbulence.”

The CXC registrar was adamant that the slow progress in regional integration is also placing some burden on the regional institution. He said while CXC is recognised as a premier body offering qualifications at the secondary and post-secondary level, there is still need for greater collaboration to enhance the council’s prospects to the wider world.

CXC, he said has sought the assistance of experts from the University of the West Indies to revise the international treaty of laws under which the body has been operating for the past 40 years.

The meeting of the School Examinations Committee was held on Friday with stakeholders in the education system from across the region. Among the major agenda items discussed at the council meeting include the report on the administration of the 2013 examinations, the registrar’s report to the council, the council’s 2014 budget, and its strategic plan and priorities.

Ramotar urges opposition to pass anti-money laundering bill

T

he Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment (AMLCFT) Bill will be retabled at the next sitting of the National Assembly, and President Donald Ramotar is calling on all stakeholders to support the legislation unconditionally so that Guyana can avoid huge setbacks.

“It’s time for us to show maturity… it is so important that I don’t think it should be tied to anything else,” he said, during remarks at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s dinner and award ceremony on Wednesday evening.

“The consequence of not

passing it is difficult to contemplate at this time,” he stated.

In addressing the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) call for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) as a prerequisite for the party’s support for the bill, he said government is ready to proceed with the setting up of a PPC, but reiterated that it must have the right of a “no objection” clause.

“Our government as it stands now has given up more authority in that area than any other government in the Caribbean. We are the only Cabinet that does not award contracts, all we do is have the right to give no-

objection. It is not a question of not wanting to set it up, but there are many, many reasons to have that. You can’t want to hold me and the Cabinet accountable and don’t give us that authority.”

Guyana stands to face international sanctions following the political opposition’s decision not to support the AMLCFT bill. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), of which Guyana is a member, recently blacklisted the nation.

If the bill is not approved and passed into law by May 2014, Guyana will be referred

by CFATF to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG).

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he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is calling on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to reform the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to avoid it from collapsing.

Speaking at a press briefing at his Hadfield Street office, Opposition Leader David Granger said the scheme is in a crisis, as he pointed to records which indicate that the entity had a deficit of $371 million in 2011 for the first time in more than four decades.

In 2012, the scheme recorded a deficit of approximately $474 million, and according to Granger, it is likely that the figures will jump in 2013.

“Contributions collected over the period January to August 2013 were approximately $7.754 billion while total expenditure over the same period was approximately $9.120 billion,” the opposition leader pointed out.

In support of his call for reformation to save the scheme from caving in, Granger alluded to the eight actuarial review in 2011, which indicated that NIS was rapidly approaching a “crisis stage”.

If nothing is done to rescue the scheme, it can become exhausted in less than 10 years.

It was contended that NIS faces a plethora of problems, including heavy political control.

“The PPP policymakers who have dominated the NIS board for the past two decades have not responded to the changing socio-economic conditions and deteriorating finances.”

There is also a need to attract more contributors, enforce compliance and complete the conversion from troublesome manual paper records to electronic records on a permanent database, a process that started back in 1989.

Additionally, APNU is contending that the NIS has indulged in risky investments as it alluded to the scheme’s investments of US$30 million in the bankrupted CLICO and the US$10 million in the Berbice River Bridge.

Supporting the opposition leader, shadow finance minister, APNU Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge expressed major concerns relating to investments made by the scheme.

“A big junk of it has been loss and the gov-

Opposition Leader David Granger

ernment is offering no proposal whatsoever to deal with the money lost under the CLICO gamble,” he lamented. He further opined that 20 per cent of NIS investments do not rake in revenues.

Following discussions with APNU, NIS Chairman Dr Roger Luncheon promised to act on proposals outlined in the 2011 actuarial report.

Now the opposition is questioning the progress made since then in remedying the situation.

In October, Dr Luncheon told reporters that recommendations listed in the actuary report were not favourable.

The recommendations contained in the eight actuarial reviews were presented in the three counties and did not find favour with sizable segments of those consulted and other stakeholders of the NIS, Dr Luncheon said.

NIS operates out of 14 offices countrywide, providing social security to over 45,000 pensioners and medical insurance for thousands of Guyanese in the formal and informal workforce.

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saturday, december 7, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Reward offered for information about seawall murder

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he family of 52-year-old Andre Erskine who was found dead on the Kingston sea wall is offering a reward to anyone who may have information about the circumstances surrounding his death.

The body of Erskine, of Lot 93 Subryanville, Georgetown, was found nude on the sea wall just after midday on Wednesday, with several marks of violence which suggested the man was tortured before being killed.

His sister is calling on the public to assist in finding the persons who committed the heinous crime, noting that her brother was brutally murdered for reasons unknown to the family. She did not disclose the amount of the reward, but noted that it is substantial.

She added that the police have launched an investigation into the matter, but believe that the family should get involved to find the perpetrator(s).

At the former home of Erskine, his mother, Ada, explained that she was unwell on Tuesday and about 17:00h, her son left home claiming that he was going for a walk. The grieving mother stated that it was a norm for him to go for walks but he would return.

She added that after her son did not return, she contacted his siblings. The following day, his siblings launched a search for him but to no avail. It was not until Wednesday evening while looking at a TV news broadcast that his mother learn of his whereabouts when she realised that the body found on the sea wall was her son’s, based on the description.

Members of the family went to the Lyken Funeral Home to identify the body, but were asked to return the following morning and upon doing so, they positively identified him. The distraught woman explained that his body had several marks which from all indications came from a beating.

She also disclosed that based on the post-mortem report, her son was definitively murdered. He sustained lacerations to his head, was strangled, and evidence suggests that his head was held under water, causing him to drown.

In a statement, police confirmed that Erskine died as a result of asphyxiation due to drowning, an incised wound to the scrotum, blunt force trauma to the head, and a concussion injury to the neck. The post-mortem on the body was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh on Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary. A sister of the deceased confirmed that her brother’s testicles were not severed as was reported, but rather he received a sharp cut in that area.

The police, the statement added, are continuing their investigation.

Erskine’s mother further revealed that her son was being treated at the psychiatric clinic and he was due to return on December 16. She is puzzled as to why someone would want her son dead, saying that his only fault was asking persons for cigarettes as they crossed paths.

Erskine leaves to mourn his mother and seven siblings.

Eyew tness

Champions... ...of politics Nelson Mandela’s no more. But we hope his legacy will continue. And what was that legacy? To transition a country with the most vicious system of racist governance in the world – into one governed by democratic norms.

And peacefully.

It’s less than 20 years since apartheid fell in South Africa...but that edifice of man’s inhumanity to man seems to have faded from view.

Who remembers when a Black or an Indian in South Africa couldn’t walk through some streets of their capital city, much less live there? And that an “educational” system could still teach that non-whites were inherently inferior?

Much of the lack of angst is due to Mandela himself.

While everyone predicted apartheid couldn’t end without bloodshed, Mandela – who in his youth had founded “Spear of the Nation”, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) – ensured there was a peaceful transition.

The question is “how’d he do it?” Was it only through his moral standing? While that played a big part in the process, he also made some key policy decisions that hold great lessons for lesser conflicted states like Guyana.

First of all, he didn’t pretend that after all the hostilities and killings and jailings of the previous decades, all would be peaches and cream. Along with fellow Nobel Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, Mandela promoted the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for dealing with the hurt and anger of the apartheid era. Nothing could wipe out the raw emotions...but at least they could be acknowledged.

And South Africans could then go forward with rebuilding a new country. The notion of “reconciliation” gained credibility because the inquiry into the past was based on the premise of “restorative” and not “retributive” justice.

Another key decision was to abandon his radical economic programme, which included nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy, and to accept that in the short term, economic stability was key to an eventually more just South Africa.

While there’s some grumbling about the growing equality within South Africa – with Whites still in control of

much of the economy – the disastrous alternative can be seen right over their borders in Zimbabwe.

Unlike South Africa under Mandela, Robert Mugabe opted for “righting” economic racial injustice in one fell swoop – by expropriating the lands of Whites.

Zimbabwe has become an international basket case and it’ll take decades to rebuild. South Africa, at least, can introduce reforms in the neo-liberal order – which is now under attack from the West.

Long live the legacy of Mandela!

...of cricket

And while one champion has passed on, another is very much with us and has just passed another milestone – Shivnarine Chanderpaul. (Incidentally, it’s not too well known that Mandela held sports very close to his heart: in his youth he was a very credible heavyweight boxer.)

While Guyanese were sleeping peacefully (since no one’s broadcasting the West Indies match in New Zealand), Chanderpaul joined one of the most elite clubs in Test cricket – the handful of cricketers who’ve scored 11,000 runs.

It’s likely that the accusation of being a slowpoke at scoring was on his mind – because the 76 he scored to achieve the landmark was done in fine, swashbuckling style. He did it off 87 deliveries achieving a strike rate of 87.35, reminding one and all that he still holds the record for scoring the third fastest hundred in the history of the game. Against Australia.

Shiv’s all set to overtake Brian Lara as the West Indian with the most Test runs. Next year.

...economic saboteur

Every survey has shown that the factor most foreign direct investors are scared of is Third World governments rescinding contracts. So after scaring away Sithe Global, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has now announced it wants to change the terms of the publicprivate partnership contract on the Berbice bridge.

It’s just another stake in the economic development of Guyana.

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saturday, december 7, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C mourns Digicel donates more than $11M to three organisations passing of Mandela

Digicel Marketing Head Jacqueline James poses with members of Lifeline Counselling and Help and Shelter.

Also in the photo is Digicel Communications Manager Vidya Sanchara

Nelson Mandela

T

he Central Committee and entire membership of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said it mourns the death of Nelson Mandela, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, at age 95.

The party in a release said Mandela would be remembered for many things; as a fighter against apartheid rule – a leader of the South African people, an international statesman, a person of strong moral character and tenacity of conviction in a free and democratic South Africa – attributes that set him apart from others, especially during the dark and painful moments of white minority rule.

“But it was his ability to rise above the political fray, reconcile differences and bring together people from all across the political and ethnic divide that defined him as a true and genuine statesman.

“For him, no sacrifices were considered too great in his struggle for a free and dignified society. Not even the suffocating and toxic environment of repressive apartheid rule was enough to silence him or weaken his resolve for an end to the hated system of apartheid rule.

After spending 27 years in

prison, he rose to become the first democratically-elected president of South Africa.

He is rightly regarded as the Father of a free democratic and modern South Africa,” the PPP/C said.

The ruling party said it has always been inspired by the heroic struggles of Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) of which he was a founding member.

“Indeed, both parties have always enjoyed warm and fraternal ties with the PPP leading the struggle in Guyana for an end to apartheid rule.”

The party said such was the extent of the respect accorded to the PPP/C that the ANC-led government awarded Dr Cheddi Jagan that country’s highest award, the Oliver Tambo Award.

“The entire world is poorer for his passing but his legacy of virtue in struggle and the triumph of justice over injustice will forever live on.

In honour of the life and work of this great and outstanding leader, the PPP/C will be hosting a commemorative activity on Monday, December 9 at 17:00h at the Umana Yana, Georgetown,” the party statement concluded.

D

igicel Guyana on Friday continued to share Christmas cheer by donating more than $11 million to three charitable organisations to help them carry out their mandates.

The organisations that benefited are the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Help and Shelter, and Lifeline Counselling. The donations were made at the phone company’s headquarters at Fort and Barrack streets, Kingston, Georgetown.

In delivering remarks at the event, Digicel marketing chief Jacqueline James stated that the company has been contributing to the development of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for a number of years and will continue to do so.

Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre

The sum of $7 million was given to the centre to undertake major renovation works, which will not affect the smooth running of the centre at any given time, since alternative arrange-

ments are in place.

The centre, which caters for at least 80 children on an annual basis, is in dire need of funds. Recently, Digicel renovated the dining and washroom areas of the centre, but this new project is expected to last four months with a grace period of two months depending on the availability of materials.

Rehabilitation works are expected to commence in the new year.

James explained that the donations were made at a time when Digicel launched its “Brighten Someone’s Christmas” promotion and with the intention of bringing smiles to the faces of young children who are the future of the country.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre was its administrator Cynthia Massay, who thanked the phone company for its overwhelming support since its establishment in 2006. She added that in September, she took a proposal to the company to fund the project and she received a positive

response immediately.

There are five permanent residents at the centre, with 64 children in its education department as well as 30 others in day care. Another 20 are seen by experts on days when rehabilitation services are provided. All of the services at the centre are provided free of cost.

Help and Shelter

Some $4 million was given to Help and Shelter for renovation purposes, including a general face-lift – one that is long overdue. The organisation’s building was constructed approximately 17 years ago.

The monies also will be used for skills training and to implement programmes which will help victims of abuse to develop.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Help and Shelter coordinator Margaret Kertzious explained that for the past four years, the organisation has been fighting to sustain itself, as it has not received any major funding.

With the absence of funding, most of the public edu-

cation and awareness programmes were dropped and the organisation basically depends on the media and volunteers to spread the word. Presently, Help and Shelter is being funded by the European Union and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), but those contributions have been drastically cut owing to the global recession. Kertzious was thankful to Digicel for its tremendous support over the years.

Lifeline Counselling

Lifeline Counselling received $1 million to support its peer counselling services in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The company has been providing financial support to Lifeline annually.

The non-governmental organisation has been a significant part of the fight against HIV. The Caribbean is recording a gradual decline in the HIV prevalence rate. Successes are largely due to counselling, reduced stigma and discrimination and reduced mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

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saturday, December 7, 2013

News

Attorney warns Kaieteur News on misleading article

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ttorney Arianne Mc Lean has deemed an article on the radio licence court case published in the Kaieteur News on Thursday as “inaccurate” and “highly misleading to say the least”.

The contentious Kaieteur News article stated “AG no-show – It was widely expected yesterday that publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, would have been cross-examined

by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, when the matter came up before Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang.”

Mc Lean, an attorney attached to the Attorney General’s Chambers, in a letter to the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris, said at no time during the hearing of the matter, did the attorney general or anyone on his behalf inform the court that he wished to cross-examine Glenn Lall.

In fact, Lall’s presence was requested by counsel for one of the other named respondents; not the attorney general.

Kaieteur News Editorin-Chief Adam Harris

She noted that what is even more disturbing is the message which is portrayed by the words, “AG no-show”. This, the attorney contended suggested to anyone reading the article that the Office of the Attorney General was unrepresented.

“The matter was called on Wednesday, 4, December, 2013, before the honourable chief justice at 14:30h and I appeared on behalf of the attorney general for the first four named

respondents. As state counsel, I am authorised, as per instructions of the honourable attorney general, to appear for and on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General in respect of all actions brought by, or against the Office of the Attorney General.

Once I am there, the attorney general is represented. Therefore, by saying that the attorney general was a ‘no-show’, is by extension saying that the Office of the Attorney-General was unrepresented, which is most inaccurate and highly misleading, to say the very least.”

There are 16 named respondents in this case, more than half of which were unrepresented by counsel on Wednesday when the matter was called; yet the Kaieteur News saw it fit to suggest that only the attorney general was unrepresented.

“As one of the largest newspapers in Guyana, you and your reporters have an undeniable duty to make unbiased, informed, and accurate publications in re-

spect of the events on which you choose to report.

I am sure you are aware of this. That being said, I can only assume that your reporters are careless, or that your publication is hell-bent on misleading its readers when it comes to this case. I cannot tell you which is the lesser of the two evils,” Attorney Mc Lean told Harris.

This is the second time the attorney said she has had cause to write to Harris with a complaint of a misleading article concerning the attorney general in respect of this same case.

On the first occasion, on October 29, after carrying a screaming but misleading headline on its front page, Kaieteur News published an apology the next day, tucked away in a corner on page six.

“If this mistake is not corrected, or if your newspaper continues to publish misleading articles and statements, I will be forced to ask the court to consider granting an order restraining Kaieteur News from publishing anything in respect of this matter,” Attorney Mc Lean said.

De Mook got other people doin he wuk

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y de time de A-GEE chambers done wid de Kocheur mud paper, de headitor and Mook Lall gon be in jail fuh a long time to come. De two of dem gon deh in jail before dem dead and even after dem dead and born back in de next life. De only problem is that de one above might not mek dem come back in de next life as human being.

That does happen to people accordin to dem deeds. And people like de Mook, de headitor, and dem boys who seh dem is boys does suffer from one lifetime to de other. And de way tings lookin, it look like dem already sufferin.

Any ting de Mook involve in, it dutty. Is de same ting wid de headitor. One walk through de store pun Water Street and yuh never wanna walk back de same way again. Is no wonder de Mook can’t tek it when people doin any kinda wuk better than he. He does feel like if people tekkin away all de wuk whah he supposed to get.

But old people does seh when yuh can’t do de wuk, other people does got to do it fuh yuh. And de Mook got other people doin he wuk. De headitor doin one setta wuk pun one side and it got other people doin de other setta wuk pun de other side. But de Mook so stupiddy that dem reporters pun Saffon Street seh it ain’t look like if he even know whah goin on.

Old people right fuh seh that common sense not so common after all. It definitely not common wid de Mook. And it gone a long time from de headitor since in de days when he had to stoop down to Burnt Ham. But accordin to dem same boys who seh dem is boys, de headitor perfect when it comes to stoopin down.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! In fact, from de way tings lookin, is every ting goin down fuh de Mook and de headitor. And not a ting ain’t lookin up!

Guyana has made significant economic progress – CDB director

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uyana has progressed under the macroeconomic policies and programmes initiated by government, but there is still more to be done to ensure that it remains on the path to further development.

This view was expressed by Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Economics Department Director, Dr Justin Ram during a presentation at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 124th annual Gala and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel.

He posited that several measures should be implemented to consolidate the gains obtained thus far under the present administration. Dr Ram called on Guyana’s private sector to assume the lead position in advocating for growth, adding that based on the current trajectory, Guyana would achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by the stipulated date (2015) in education, gender and environment.

Despite these achievements, Guyana’s economy still faces challenges, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported him as saying.

“In this regard, there have been a number of constraints identified by private sector stakeholders. These include the restrictions to and the high cost of credit, the absence of research and development facilities for the manufacturing sector, the complete scarcity of managerial capacity and skills

CDB Director, Dr Justin Ram (left) in discussion with President Donald Ramotar and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling

due to migration, lengthy bureaucratic processes associated with industries and the commercial private sector, the high cost and unreliable power supply… all of which contribute to high transaction costs.”

It was noted that several of these issues were highlighted in the World Bank’s Doing Business report for 2013 and unfortunately resulted in Guyana being ranked at 120 out of 189, overall, for ease of doing business. The results of this and other bench marking exercises suggest that the reforms and policy agendas need to be continued apace, Dr Ram added.

The CDB is partnering with government to help resolve several of them, he said.

Among these is a fund to assist with the formation of the Caricom Single Market Economy (CSME), which, along with other measures will help Guyana along the path to-

wards possessing an economy driven by efficiency rather by the basic factors of production, he said. “The transition will require a focus on higher education, improving the technological readiness of the economy and developing its financial markets.”

Dr Ram recommended that the country look to force greater internal and external collaboration as it seeks to move the economy forward.

“Prosperity now requires building on a strong foundation established, strong investments and critical reforms.

The CDB and other developmental partners are ready to collaborate with Guyana in this regard. The effort will also require a strong partnership between the private sector and government to build consensus on the priority agenda, so substantial progress has been made but the journey is far from over.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURday, DEcEMBER 7, 2013

Bounty Farm calls 86 graduate from North Georgetown Secondary on businesses S to embrace cleanliness ome 86 students on Thursday graduated from the North Georgetown Secondary School when the school hosted its 43rd graduation exercise under the theme “Enhancing excellence through innovation for the 21st century”.

The school’s headteacher Deborah Greenidge-Hinds reported that 2013 has been a productive year, both in terms of the students’ performance and the school’s development.

This year, the principal’s office was extended, the deputy headteacher got a new office and the school also got a modern science laboratory.

Students also performed well in sports, notable football and rugby, while there were several field trips, among other extra-curricular activities.

“The North Georgetown Secondary School is among the 33 schools that have seen improvements in mathematics and English,” the headteacher said.

Delivering the feature address, Rear Admiral (retired) Gary Best, a former North Georgetown Secondary School student reminisced about his days at the school.

“In my time, we never had these ceremonies, we were rolled in and rolled

David Fernandes of Bounty Farm addressing representatives of corporate entities at the solid waste management workshop hosted by Guyenterprise

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ounty Farm representative David Fernandes is calling on corporate entities to make a special effort in maintaining clean environs, as they strive to create an outlook for other citizens to pattern, thereby creating a chain reaction for a clean Guyana.

He was at the time making a presentation to private sector business stakeholders at a solid waste management workshop held at the Georgetown Club by Guyenterprise.

Fernandes noted that his company was one guilty of an untidy environment but decided to get its act together some 15 years ago when a visit was made to Georgetown Seafoods. He explained that the standards set by the then head of that company – Lloyd Piggott was so impressive that they had to follow pattern and put Bounty’s house in order.

The Bounty Farm representative said it took his organisation five years to get it right. He believes any company could do it.

“Our management team decided to make this change to make Bounty Farm a different company with a different culture because most people would think of farms as being with flies and garbage, manure and more waste… so we came up with a plan.”

He cautioned, however, that even when plans are initiated, their execution is usually the hindrance. As such, he encouraged com-

panies to be proactive in addressing the solid waste in their surroundings.

“If you don’t set the example and show what needs to be done, then it’s a waste of time,” he stressed.

He explained that timing is critical when setting the pace for others to follow. “You got to use events where you can actually create this view for people to see that this is the appropriate time… so that change would take place.”

He highlighted that for Bounty Farm, the setback was getting staff to conform to the practices outside of the confines of the company‘s compound.

Hence, he urged business owners and managers to instil in their employees, the culture of properly disposing their waste in and out of work.

“Many businesses have clean compounds but outside their gates tell a different story.”

He made reference to Banks DIH, which he said can boast of a clean environment in both the interior and exterior of its compound.

“We tend to think that what belongs to us is in our car, in our house, in our yard and compound but it goes beyond that. It goes outside the fence,” Fernandes advised.

It is believed that the corporate sector can turn around the culture of littering in Guyana by setting the standard to ultimately restore Georgetown to the ‘‘Garden City”.

A section of the graduating students on Thursday

out,” he said humorously.

North Georgetown Secondary School at this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) secured 56 grade ones, 199 grade twos and 255 grade threes.

Devon Wintz, who was adjudged the best graduating student, secured 11 subjects including five distinctions, namely in economics, office administration, principles of business, principles of accounts and electronic docu-

ment and preparation management.

Wintz, in his valedictorian speech, thanked God for his blessings and his parents and teachers for their support.

Trophies, certificates and tokens were also given to the students who excelled in individual subject areas.

The overall top six students were Devon Wintz, Devika Harrynarine, Annastacia Sardina, Tiatun Tiatun, Onassis Yansen and Kevin Rampersaud.

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SATURday, December 7, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Youths urged to be agents of change T

he Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in collaboration with Cuso International on Thursday called on youths to be agents of change at a simple ceremony hosted in observance of International Volunteer Day, held at the GNS Sport Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

International Volunteer Day 2013 was observed under the theme “Youth.

Global. Active”.

During the occasion, tributes were paid to the contribution of youth to peace and sustainable hu-

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

man development.

The occasion was attended by Cuso International R e p r e s e n t a t i v e Taramattie Persaud, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)/ Caricom representative Taku Yoshida and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

Yoshida praised the relations between Guyana and Japan, pointing out that Japan is working with Guyana and the Caribbean to develop stronger volunteer initiatives.

The occasion was also used to launch a calen-

dar to offer volunteers and their supporters the unique experience of being part of the calendar process, while stimulating learning more about some of the social issues within the Caricom countries.

Describing the content of the calendar, Yoshida noted that the calendar also presents facts about social issues the volunteers are strenuously trying to solve everyday.

Some of these include disabilities, population, women’s role in society, health, tourism, biodiversity/global warming, in-

digenous heritage, migration of the tertiary educated population, food security, abuse and of course volunteerism.

Along with those tips, there are also pictures depicting activities done by the various volunteer groups in Guyana.

Dr Anthony also commended the youth volunteers, pointing out that they help to make society a better place.

According to the minister, through the significant work of volunteers in the health sector, Guyana was able to reduce the

number of cases of persons affected by HIV/AIDS. This effort, he said, is needed to address chronic non-communicable diseases, pointing out that focus has to be placed on getting the message across.

He also noted that ‘‘although we have a “Pick It Up” campaign, things can be modified where we implement a “Don’t Throw It Down' Campaign,” he added.

Dr Anthony said attention also needs to be placed on getting more volunteers in English, mathematics and science.

Devonshire Castle “Watch De Ride 2” director expected first place man jailed for dangerous driving

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45-year-old hire car driver from Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast was sentenced to six months imprisonment after he was found guilty of dangerous driving.

Richie Bishop appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Thursday at the Suddie Magistrate Court, where the sentence was read to him.

Bishop was charged with causing death by dangerous driving on November 8, at the Hoff en Harick Public Road.

The police report says he drove motor car HC 1122 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Muszid Sabar.

He made his first appearance on November 14 before Magistrate Sunil Scarce and was granted bail.

A trial was conducted into the matter before the magistrate where the prosecution called six witnesses.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, the magistrate called on the defendant to lead his defence. The defendant made an unsworn statement and called one witness.

Magistrate Scarce found the defendant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of dangerous driving and sentenced him to six months imprisonment.

However, before his ruling, the magistrate said the police photography and investigation into the matter was poor.

The defendant’s attorney gave oral notice of appeal and requested bail; however, Prosecutor Krishnadat Ramana objected to bail and Scarce, after review, agreed with the prosecutor.

The cast of “Watch De Ride 2” pose with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and a Digicel representative as they were declared the winners of this year’s National Drama Festival in the open full-length category

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irector Sharon Taylor of “Watch De Ride 2” said she was not surprised that the play won first place at the National Drama Festival.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Taylor said the play was staged in June and was constructively criticised, and the necessary adjustments were made.

“Watch De Ride 2” addresses several issues including family bonds, lies, deceit, mistrust, corrupt police officers, and minibus drivers and conductors involved with school girls.

The director said these incidents occur quite often but the perpetrators are not brought to justice, and the matter naturally dies a silent death.

She expressed thanks to writer Ronald Hollingsworth for giving her the opportunity to direct the play, which won rave reviews.

Ronald Hollingsworth and Sharon Taylor’s “Watch De Ride 2” last Saturday evening walked away with the grand $1 million prize at the National Drama Festival 2013 award ceremony.

The big cash prize was

sponsored by Digicel. In at second in the Open FullLength Category was “Anybody See Brenda” while “When Chocolate Melts” written and directed by Neaz Subhan earned the third spot.

In the Open Short Play Category, “Before Her Parting” directed by Tivia Collins brought first and the cast pocketed $400,000 while “Mommy” directed by Sonia Yarde was placed second and “Farepicker” under the directorship of the Theatre Guild was in at third.

In the Junior Category, “Creative Burial Ground” written by Rae Wilshire and Directed by Nickose Layne captured first place.

“Deep Wounds” written

by Melinda Primo and directed by Marissa Primo placed second and “Planned to Perfection” written by Mark Luke-Edwards was in at third.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony noted that this year’s festival has shown much improvement and encouraged the participants to work around the challenges.

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saturday, decEMBER 7, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Caribbean leaders mourn death of Nelson Mandela F

lags were being flown at half mast in several Caribbean countries as the region continues to mourn the death of the first black South African president and anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, who died at his home on Thursday night following a prolonged illness. He was 95.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer joined some of his regional colleagues who described Mandela as a champion for peace, human equality and freedom.

“In more ways than one, Nelson Mandela has managed to inspire countless individuals around the world through ordinary human actions,” Spencer said, adding that the “Madiba phenomenon has had a great deal of influence on political leaders around the world”.

“From his release from prison

“His life will inspire countless generations and his illustrious legacy will endure. He was without a doubt one of the greatest human beings in the history of humanity.”

Former South African President Nelson Mandela

tion, he transcended politics, and inspired people of every culture, everywhere,” Mitchell said.

Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said that the world has lost one of its greatest heroes and an inspirational model for the ages.

“Mr Mandela was, to be sure, the Supreme Liberator of South Africa in its struggle to end Apartheid. But of infinitely greater consequence, he was the personification of the timeless virtues of personal sacrifice and perseverance in the pursuit of freedom, racial equality, human dignity and moral truth for all the peoples of this planet. He was also a shining exemplar of the redemptive power of forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said.

“Here in The Bahamas, we share in this universal outpouring of grief, all the more so because of the warm memories so

The Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie

President Donald Ramotar

lions around the world, without once compromising his beliefs or his principles.

“The legacy he has left us is one we shall always celebrate and we shall always thank God for Nelson Mandela. The prayers, love and support of the

20th century icon Describing Mandela as the 20th century’s icon of freedom and liberty, she added: “He inspired us to believe that no obstacle is too large, no walk is too long and no enemy of freedom is so powerful that we should ever TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

in February of 1990, he mounted a campaign of service to his people until his illness and subsequent passing. As a trade unionist and politician, I have treasured the lessons from his life and his unquenchable desire to spend himself for the well-being of others,” Spencer said.

“In honour of his life and work, Antigua and Barbuda will observe a week of mourning from Friday 6. Flags will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings during this period,” Spencer said.

In inspiration His Grenadian counterpart, Dr Keith Mitchell said that Mandela was a leader and inspiration to freedom loving people the world over.

“Indeed, Mr Mandela is arguably the greatest public figure of the 20th century; whose eternal legacy will be about the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation and respect for all people. Through moral convic-

Ramotar in a televised message described Mandela’s death as a “loss not just one for the people of South Africa, but for Africa as a whole, and the world at large.

“Nelson Mandela was a giant in defence of human rights

A selfless leader Opposition Leader Andrew Holness said that all Jamaicans should be inspired by the work and dedication of Mandela whom he described as “one of the greatest leaders to have ever walked the earth.

“We all are fortunate to have witnessed his selfless leadership and dedication to humanity, to his people and to his country,” Holness said, while former Prime Minister PJ Patterson said that the entire human race had lost one of the finest mortals who ever walked this planet.

“Nelson Mandela overcame the tyranny of racial oppression to become an apostle for a world where people, irrespective of colour or creed, could dwell together in peace and harmony,” he said.

In a statement, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the world has lost a freedom fighter and statesman. “The world has lost democracy’s most loyal friend and advocate,” she said.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer

many of us have of Mr Mandela from his visit to The Bahamas in the early 1990s. But even as we grieve, we give thanks for the example and personal witness that Nelson Mandela’s life holds for all of us and for generations yet unborn.”

A great loss Guyana’s President Donald

and for a free and just society, not only for his beloved South Africans, but for the oppressed the world over,” Ramotar said.

“The struggle he led with other distinguished anti-apartheid fighters has entered into the annals of world history as one of the most defining periods in our world. However, it was not only the struggle, but the manner in which it was conducted which will always remain an example and an inspiration for others working for social and economic justice everywhere.”

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said the late South African leader was among the greatest human beings in the history of humanity.

“I convey the heartfelt sympathy of the government and people of Jamaica on the loss of the father of the South African Nation,” she said, describing Mandela as a “courageous fighter, an enlightened leader and a quintessential statesman”.

Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

Grenada Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell

consider giving in. His life will surely become one of the most epic stories in world history, of the true depth and strength of the human spirit. He inspired us with his life, his words, his work and his triumph.”

Persad-Bissessar said Mandela would forever be remembered as a man who fought for freedom and won it for mil-

people of TT are with his family and those close to him. May he rest in peace knowing that he leaves behind many who will continue his fight.”

Mandela, who led South Africa’s transition from white minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison, had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital.

In a statement on South African national television, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela has “departed” and was at peace.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was one of the world’s most revered statesmen after preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

He had rarely been seen in public since officially retiring in 2004. (Caribbean360)

14 news

saturday, december 7, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Local govt minister defends Canje Basin project still under negotiation Sooba’s appointment

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– amid increasing opposition

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mid increasing tension over the appointment of Carol Sooba as town clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud maintains that his ministry’s decision was just.

Earlier in the year, Sooba was among six persons whose applications were rejected by the Local Government Ministry.

Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker had told reporters that none of the applicants qualified for the position.

Sooba subsequently reapplied along with three of the previous applicants when the post was reopened. Though she was not recommended by the panel, on December 2, the Local Government Ministry appointed her to the post.

Though Persaud said he stands by his ministry’s decision, he failed to offer any explanation or justification.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is satisfied that Ms Sooba is the best suited candidate… and so we have appointed Ms Sooba to the position of town clerk, and for us, that is full stop,” Persuad said.

But as reporters pressed for more details regarding the appointment of Sooba, he admitted that Sooba, along with other applicants, was denied the post because she was not qualified for the position, initially.

“Nothing has changed… the ministry has concluded that the position in itself, have run long enough. We have evaluated these peo-

Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud

ple, Sooba’s experience and performing the role of town clerk, has grown; no one is stagnated,” he said.

Georgetown Deputy Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen, who sat on both panels, said Sooba was not recommended for the position.

Chase-Green disclosed that Sooba, Paul Clarke, Royston King and Daren Khan had applied for the position of town clerk and all persons were interviewed.

“The interviewing panel found that Mr Paul Clarke was the most suitable and fit person for town clerk,” the deputy mayor said, while pointing out that Clarke has a post-graduate diploma in international trade, a bachelor’s degree in law and a bachelor’s degree in economics. In addition, he was pursuing a master’s degree in international law.

She expressed disappointment that the Local Government Ministry acted in contradiction of the decision made by the panel.

“Now the ministry appointed a person who came to an interviewing panel and did not have the courtesy to

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

present a single certificate.

She claimed to have six college perceptive subjects, a certificate in managerial law and that was completed, a diploma in industrial relations (incomplete) and currently pursuing a law degree since 2006.”

According to ChaseGreen, the Local Government Ministry is sending the wrong message to the thousands of persons who pursue higher education at the University of Guyana and other tertiary institutions, in a quest to market themselves.

On Thursday, the Local Government Union had given the Local Government Ministry 72 hours to remove Sooba from office, threatening industrial action.

In an exclusive interview, Sooba told Guyana Times that she is deserving of the post. According to her, after 16 months of acting as town clerk, it was only fair for her to be given the position. She has since expressed a willingness to work with the policymakers of City Hall once their proposals are in keeping with the Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01.

jeenkya D Y Patil General Manager Dilip Kawad said the company is in talks with the government for the development land in the Canje Basin and the agreement is still under negotiations.

Kawad in a letter to the editor was responding to recent media reports regarding the memorandum of understanding signed between the company and the government for the cultivation of 50,000 hectares of land in the region six area.

He explained that the final agreement is still subject to the terms and conditions that are still under negotiation and will only be concluded when both parties are mutually satisfied with its contents.

“Our people are on the ground working on various aspects doing studies and looking into the viability of the project, however, we must clearly state that no land has been handed over to us and nether have we commenced any activities on the said land.

“The Ajeenkya D Y Patil Group is very committed in making this project successful; hence, it is necessary for a group like ours

to do a lot of due diligence, pre-viability and technical studies before we begin operations. During the negotiations of the agricultural project and in all our interactions with the government of Guyana and its authorities, we have been clearly told that the primary aim of this project was to create meaningful employment and economic opportunities for the people of Guyana, there is nothing secretive about these negotiations with the government and periodic press releases will be made on the progress of this project henceforth.”

Surprised Kawad said the group was also surprised about news that there is a connected interest between former President Bharat Jagdeo and its Chairman Dr Ajeenkya D Y Patil with regards to the doctorates conferred on the president.

“We would like to clarify that both these personalities have been awarded the doctorate by a reputed UK university at different occasions and Dr Ajeenkya D Y Patil was awarded the doctorate many years before it was awarded to

former President Bharat Jagdeo.

“The same is the case of the doctorate given by the D Y Patil University in India to former President Bharat Jagdeo in view of his excellent work done.”

Dr Ajeenkya D Y Patil was recently appointed honorary consul of Guyana in Mumbai; this position is given to eminent personalities around the world, Kawad noted.

He said Dr Patil is greatly honoured to have been given this position and is grateful to the government of Guyana to serve “its loving people”.

“We would like to assure everyone at large that there is complete transparency in this project and look forward to your support to make Guyana a robust and sound economy in the entire Caribbean region, we would also like to state that our group is ethically bound to take up projects that better the lives of the local population and contribute to the growth of the country and we will feel most honoured and pleased to contribute to the progress of this great country, the Ajeenkya D Y Patil general manager said.

15 News

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, dECember 7, 2013

President urges Caricom states to create “knowledge-based economies” – at CXC awards ceremony

CXC Registrar, Dr Didacus Jules; Education Minister Priya Manickchand; CXC Chairman, Professor E Nigel Harris; and President Donald Ramotar among other officials at Thursday evening’s awards ceremony

The 2013 CXC awardees pose for a group photo with CXC officials

P

resident Donald Ramotar has urged Caricom countries to promote greater regional integration and to work towards developing “knowledge-based economies” that are more responsive to globalisation.

During his address at the 40th Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) award ceremony for top performers, held at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday, the president called on Caribbean nations to pool their collective resources to respond to the changing global environment and to take the region to another level.

He stressed that it was only through educational successes and the promotion and improvement in regional

performance that the region can change its position on the global arena. He said investing in a country’s human resources was the greatest factor that can determine the future of the nation. By doing this, the region could have a greater voice in the global market and make innovative advances that would in turn attract larger investment opportunities, creating jobs and further growth for the region.

“I am of the strong view that what we need to do in the region is to have a focused strategy promoting and developing knowledge-based economies,” the head of state declared. In addition to the opportunities that could come out of this focus, Ramotar said greater research and in-

novation would also result.

The president also noted that CXC has been one of the better examples of regional integration at work, more so where curriculum development and education standards and work level are concerned.

awardees stand a good chance of helping to shape the future of the region, but this would require them to remain within the Caribbean Community to sustain the development and create avenues for greater opportunities.

Regional integration

Guyana copped five of the eight regional awards offered by CXC this year.

Yogeeta Persaud of the Anna Regina Secondary School received the award for Overall Outstanding Achievement at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations; Rafena Mustapha of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan received the award for Most Outstanding in Humanities; Cecil Cox of Queen’s College, Most

Pointing to another example of regional integration, he noted that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) needed to be further developed and required greater participation from the Caribbean people.

As such, he told the awardees that they may be the ones who will have to take up the mantle to ensure that the region becomes stronger and serves the need of all Caribbean people. Ramotar said the CXC

Awardees

Outstanding in Sciences; Sasha Woodroffe also of Queen’s College, Most Outstanding in Business Studies; and Zimeena Rasheed of Anna Regina Secondary School, Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational.

The award for most outstanding student candidate in visual arts two-dimensional work went to Aimee De Montbrum of the Holy Name Convent from Trinidad and Tobago; while the most outstanding candidate in visual arts three-dimensional work was Ranolyn Hunt of St Mary’s College of Jamaica.

The award for most outstanding candidate for short story writing went to Nathaniel Adiah of Presentation College of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Caribbean Advanced

Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) awardees include: most outstanding overall – Dennis Irvine of Ardence High School in Jamaica; most outstanding in mathematics – Maryam Archie of St Joseph Convent of Trinidad and Tobago; most outstanding in natural sciences – Jean-Luc Duval of St Mary’s College of Trinidad and Tobago; most outstanding in business studies – Shelemiah Perterkin of St Joseph Convent of Trinidad and Tobago; most outstanding in information and communication technology – Stephen Prince of Hillview College of Trinidad and Tobago; and most outstanding in technical studies – Elise Francis of St Joseph’s of Trinidad and Tobago.

16 news

saturday, december 7, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

BK International wins court South Africa and world battle against GGMC mourn Mandela

B

K International has won a legal battle against the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) over the award of an $385 million contract to CB&R Mining.

On Thursday, acting Chief Justice Ian Chang quashed the GGMC’s decision to award a $385 million contract to CB&R Mining for the construction of the Aremu Road, Region Seven.

According to reports, the contract between GGMC and CB&R was terminated on the ground that the

award was made in violation of the provisions of the Procurement Act 2003.

“The chief justice in his ruling said that having regards to the statutory under pinning to the award of the contract, the court had jurisdiction to enquire into the award of the contract,” a report issued by BK International stated.

Additionally, the court found that CB&R Mining did not act in compliance with the requirements established in the Procurement Act, nor did it

provide any evidence of its legal status.

The court, subsequently ordered that the award of the contract to CB&R Mining be set aside, noting that GGMC should award the contract to the most qualified bidder.

BK International Inc challenged the decision by GGMC to award the contract to CB&R Mining, stating that it was not a legal entity, not the lowest bidder and did not comply with any requirements stipulated in the Procurement Act.

S

outh Africans have gathered in Johannesburg and Soweto to mourn their former leader, Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday, aged 95.

Crowds have been paying tribute, dancing and singing in front of Mandela’s former home in Soweto.

He is to be accorded a state funeral on Sunday, President Jacob Zuma announced.

Mandela spent 27 years in jail before becoming South Africa’s first black president

in 1994.

His administration replaced the racist white-minority regime that had enforced segregation of black and white people in a policy known as apartheid.

Mandela went on to become one of the world’s most respected statesmen.

At a news conference on Friday afternoon, Zuma outlined a week of events to mourn the former president.

The funeral will be held in the village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where Mandela grew up. South

African Airways has announced that it will provide extra flights to Qunu for mourners.

Hundreds have attended an interfaith remembrance service outside Cape Town’s City Hall. The Johannesburg stock exchange suspended operations for five minutes on Friday as a mark of respect.

“We sincerely thank all South Africans for the dignified manner in which they have respected and responded to the monumental loss of this international icon,” Zuma said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Palms porter protests five Deadly storm, tidal surge per cent increase on roof batter northern Europe

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Delon King on the roof of the Palms as a fireman tries to get him down

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porter attached to the Palms Rehabilitation Department took to its roof Friday afternoon to protest the five per cent wage increase for public servants imposed by the government.

He was identified as Delon King. The porter was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time; however, this could not be confirmed.

King was on the roof for about 30 minutes, calling for more money and threatening to jump off the roof if the government did not review the figure.

It was mass confusion in the lower Brickdam area as persons flocked the compound and traffic backed up. Fire tenders were summoned to assist the man down from the roof of the three-storey building – a

task accomplished with much difficulty.

According to an employee of the facility, Nurse Brown, everyone was going about their daily business when someone alerted them that a man was on the roof.

“We rushed out and saw it was Delon. I don’t know what got into him…it was terrifying because he was threatening to jump,” she stated.

Rumours were swirling that King usually drinks in the compound, but he was never guilty of such extreme behaviour.

A ladder was used to bring down King from his perch and when he got his feet on the ground, he was confronted by the police.

After King was secured on the ground, officers held onto him as staff at the facility tried to calm him. He

was then carried into the building. This upset fellow staffers who said King should be taken for counselling and not to jail, since the police indicated that he would be arrested for attempting to commit suicide.

Palms Principal Personnel Officer Shelton Daniels told media operatives that he was told that a staff member was on the roof, so he went to investigate. He said they do not know the reason for King’s behaviour; however, an investigation will be launched.

Members of the Guyana Public Service Union were also on the scene, saying that they received information that a member was protesting over grievances, including the five per cent increase; hence they came to look into the matter.

Venezuelan pleads guilty to possession of firearm charge

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Venezuelan man was on Friday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

With the help of an interpreter, Joel Pereira Rodriguez entered a guilty plea to the charge which stated that on December 3 at Aurora Backdam, Cuyuni Backdam, he was in possession of a .38 snub-nosed revolver when he was not the

holder of a firearm licence.

According to the facts, on the day of the incident, the suspect was in his boat when he was approached by John Gobin whom he owes $35,000.

An argument ensued between the two which resulted in Rodriguez pulling the firearm and pointing it in the complainant’s direction.

Gobin became afraid and reported the matter to the police, who then contacted the defendant. A search was

carried out on his person and in his right pants pocket, the firearm was discovered.

Rodriguez was told of the offence and was subsequently arrested and charged.

Speaking through the translator, the defendant told the court that he did have the weapon, but did not have any ammunition nor did he point the firearm in anyone’s direction.

The matter was adjourned to December 11 for sentencing.

urricane-force winds and tidal surges have killed at least seven people in northern Europe, flooded parts of Hamburg and left thousands of homes without electricity.

The storm, called Xaver, blew a tree on to a car in Poraj, northern Poland, killing three people inside.

The storm also caused two deaths in the UK, one in Sweden and one in Denmark.

Dozens of flights have been cancelled, hitting travellers at Berlin Tegel, Copenhagen and smaller

airports.

Many rail and ferry services were also cut in Germany and Scandinavia.

There is severe disruption in southern Sweden, with all rail services cancelled in the Skane region. Planes have been grounded at Sturup airport and Gothenburg’s Landvetter airport, Radio Sweden reports.

Fallen trees have blocked many roads in southern Sweden and heavy snow is adding to the chaos.

More than 1000 people spent the night at Copenhagen airport.

In eastern England about

10,000 homes were evacuated in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Several homes collapsed into the sea at Hemsby when the storm battered the clifftop.

The Thames Barrier was closed for a second day to protect London from the surge.

Many schools have been closed across the north of Poland and Germany.

Winds gusted at nearly 150km/h (93mph) in northern Germany.

In Poland at least 400,000 homes are without electricity because of severed power lines. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Six in Mexico treated for possible radiation poisoning

F

ive adults and one teenager are being treated at a Pachuca, Mexico, hospital for possible radiation poisoning, state news reported Friday, one day after authorities said they had recovered all the radioactive material taken from a stolen truck.

All six had apparently come into contact with cobalt-60 about 12 hours after the truck containing the radioactive material and medical equipment was stolen Monday in Tepojaco, according to Hidalgo state health official Jose Antonio Copca.

They had contact with the medical equipment container containing the cobalt-60 but not directly with the material itself, Copca said. Mexico’s National Civil Protection Office has said cobalt-60 is highly radioactive but is a health risk only to those directly exposed to it.

News of their hospitalisations first surfaced on Twitter.

Mexican authorities announced this week they had recovered all the radioactive material, if not those who stole it.

The missing vehicle,

along with most of the radioactive element used for medical purposes, was found in a remote area about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from where it was taken. All of the radioactive material had been accounted for in that same area early Thursday evening.

Mexican authorities told the International Atomic Energy Agency that the truck, which was transporting the material from a hospital in Tijuana to a radioactive waste storage centre, was stolen on Monday.

(Excerpt from CNN)

U.S. announces support for a Caribbean energy market

T

he U.S. says it will support a Caribbean regional energy market as representatives from the private and public sectors discussed the inseparable linkage between the financial crisis confronting the Caribbean and the reality of paying some of the world’s highest per capita energy costs.

U.S. Energy Secretary, Dr Ernest Moniz gave the assurance as he addressed the one-day ministerial-level energy conference entitled “The Caribbean’s energy fu-

ture: A pathway to regional fiscal stability” on Thursday.

The conference had been convened by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and was intended to provide a forum to examine the issues associated with the region’s high energy costs and associated impacts, explore options for addressing this problem, and set forth a roadmap that will assist the Caribbean region in developing a cleaner, more cost effective, and sustainable energy matrix.

The IDB said that se-

nior-level public officials, key private-sector and multilateral agency decisionmakers from throughout the Caribbean region and North America engaged in discussions on a wide range of energy-focused topics, including “examining the region’s energy flows and defining the level of alleviation that energy sector changes can bring to national budgets; presenting results of prefeasibility studies for the establishment of a natural gas market in the region”, the IDB said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

news

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saturday, December 7, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Annual Christmas Village launched

W

ith the festive season creeping up with much anticipation, the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry on Friday opened its second annual Christmas Village on Main Street, Georgetown.

The village was launched last year as a step up from the “Main Big Lime”, with lots of lights and extraordinary seasonal attractions.

The trees along the avenue were lit up with scores of booths.

It was no different this year as the ministry took great pains in decorating the area and preparing it for the big day.

Scores of people gathered at the intersection of Main and Lamaha streets to witness the packed programme. There were performances by a masquerade group from Victoria, along with musical renditions by the police force band and choirs. The audience was also treated to a performance by the National School of Dance.

Festive feeling Addressing the gathering, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said he hopes that the Christmas Village will create the atmosphere which will generate the festive feeling of Christmas, where love and goodwill fill the air.

The minister noted that Guyana has a distinct Christmas culture, pointing out that many overseas-based Guyanese come home to get a taste of the Guyanese Christmas spirit.

“We have a lot of Guyanese returning home and we have a lot of visitors here who are going to share this glorious season with us and so we wanted to create an environment that is safe and one that would create that magical feeling of Christmas which you can only get when you’re home,” he stated Ali disclosed that to

make this year’s Christmas Village a notch more interesting, the Tourism Ministry has partnered with the private sector to import the finest lights to add even more cheer to Main Street.

“What you will see tonight will be the best of lighting. Main Street will be recreated with lights you can never imagine and these lights we hope will not only inspire us in brightness here in Main Street but they will light up our hearts, our minds and light us all up in the spirit of coming together and working together, loving each other, sharing with each other and developing Guyana together,” Ali said.

The minister thanked all the sponsors for supporting the event as the Tourism Ministry looks to make the annual event bigger every year.

Wonderful Christmas “Main Street will be converted into the Main Christmas Village where families and all of our visitors can converge and have that wonderful Christmas feeling. In every major city in the world, there is a village like this, so we are now coming abreast with what is happening globally.”

He noted that transforming Main Street into the Christmas Village was not an easy task because of the inclement weather; however, the staff of the ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority made it possible. The minster urged Guyanese to celebrate the season with love and unity.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in a brief remark, recalled how Christmas was celebrated when he was a child, noting that the celebrations have changed over the years.

The prime minister assured those gathered that the government is committed to ensure that every Guyanese can look forward to a merry Christmas.

“This year, our aim and

20-year-old slapped with murder charge

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20-year-old man accused of murder was remanded to prison after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday.

Mark Creame was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 1, at 8 Miles, North West District, he murdered Terrance Henry, a 40-year-old pork-knocker.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the

court that on September 1, the accused saw Henry drinking and confronted him in a fit of vexation stemming from a previous incident.

Henry then retired to a hammock in the camp.

Creame armed himself with a cutlass and dealt the man several chops about his body causing his death.

The matter was transferred to the Matthews’ Ridge Magistrate’s Court where it will be heard before the magistrate there on February 3, 2014.

purpose is to keep working towards a good life and a steadily better life, a more sustainable life for people and we feel gratified with the improvements we have seen,” Hinds stated.

At the end of the programme, Santa Claus and other famous cartoon characters converged on stage as they distributed free gifts to the children, compliments of China Trading.

The free gifts excited the children as they ran towards the stage, leaving their parents and guardians behind.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, along with former Tourism Minister Maniram Prashad, preparing to light up the Main Street Christmas Village

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURday, december 7, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Show how passionate you can be regarding a cause or belief you embrace. Your attention to detail and determination to reach a goal will leave an imprint.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Forget about your problems and take time out to enjoy friends, colleagues or family. Make positive personal physical changes that will help improve your health and your happiness.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Your greatest rewards will come from helping those less fortunate. New relationships will develop through your selfless actions. Others will notice and appreciate your generous spirit.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

CANCER (June 21July 22) Make a difference to the people around you.

Offer insightful suggestions and make a point to do your part to bring peace and happiness to those less fortunate.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Quickly handle any problem you face. Don’t take over; just offer suggestions. You don’t want to be labelled as a meddler. A short trip or meeting will lead to a big change.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Spend time with people who mean a lot to you.

Participate in joint ventures, and you’ll acquire better insight into how you can help others. The benefits will be worth your while.

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t overspend on luxury items. Keep life simple and focus more on what you can do to improve your position, reputation and future. Question your beliefs and your direction.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Make plans to spend time with people you find uplifting. Harmony will make up for any dilemmas or losses that you face. Put home and family first. Entertain the ones you love.

Take part in social activities that encourage greater communication. Find solutions to problems that face a core group, community or cause you want to help.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Fix up your place or look for ways to spice up your life. Small, unique alterations to the way you live will grab attention and give your love life a boost.

Friday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Take part in a crusade or event where you feel you can offer your services. Your sociable nature will make a difference to those you encounter. A partnership looks encouraging.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Get back to basics and go over past experience in order to avoid making a repetitious mistake. Use your intelligence and initiate the changes you need to make.

entertainment 19

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Personality Profile

SaturDay, december 7, 2013

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P

rofessional cyclist, 24-yearold Alanzo Nicholas Greaves is the last of five children for his parents, Gladys Gayral and Cornel Greaves. His other siblings are Sharon, Delight, Ronald and his late brother Paul who died of a brief illness a few years ago.

The father of one attended the JE Burnham Nursery School then went to FE Pollard Primary School. He graduated and was rewarded a place at Queenstown Secondary but later transferred to the Business School where he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

This young man grew up in Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown, and had a very interesting upbringing. He described his childhood as fun and exciting. He was exposed to all forms of sport while growing up but felt a love for cycling.

During his primary education, he successfully represented his school zone at the National School’s Championship for a number of years. Whilst at the event, his eyes caught on a group of cyclists and thought that one day he would be involved in the sport.

With some encouragement from his family, he became the owner of a BMX bicycle and rode around his community on a regular basis. Upon seeing his potential, his mother bought a racing bike for him which was the defining moment of his career.

After a month of intense training, his brother-in-law who was a national rider took him under his wing and within a month, Greaves was ready for the racetrack.

The first race that he participated in, he rode his way to second place. He was only 15 years old at the time. Being sweetened, he continued to ride and was successful in copping the top spot in the school boys’ category.

Although, being new in the game, he knew that he had to ride harder in order to succeed, and as he rode he got better and stronger.

Reminiscing on the time he started to ride, he said that it was much easier compared to today.

Now, he added there are more riders, more races, more cash prizes and more competition.

Sponsorship has also grown over the years.

The talented cyclist who recently tied the knot started his career with the Roraima Bikers Club but left in 2007 and joined the Cartlon Wheelers Club.

After spending a year with the Wheelers, he rejoined Roraima Bikers Club.

Greaves has participated in several local competitions including the National Three Stage in 2009 which he won.

He also won the National Championship and the National Five Stage in 2007 – two of his greatest accomplishments as a young rider. Apart from the big competition, he continued to participate in the races held at the National Park, organised by national cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed.

In 2013, he placed third in the Digicel Breast Cancer awareness race; fourth in the National Three Stage; second in the National Five Stage and second in the National Championships.

He also participated in a number of overseas stints beginning with a few in the United States. There, he secured two first place wins, one second, one fourth, one fifth; a tenth; a twelfth and came in the 55th spot in one of the bigger races.

The young man also participated in the Caribbean Championships held in Curacao where he placed 46th out of over 200 riders. In addition, he rode in several races with his teammates in Suriname.

In five years time, he hopes to be the proud father of five children, but on a career level, he is optimistic in participating in the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016.

In order to qualify for the Olympics, there are a number of races that he has to be a part of including the Central American Games in Mexico; the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the South American Games to be held in Chile.

His greatest role model and inspiration is professional cyclist Mark Cavendish. Being a part of cycling at a young age, he knew Cavendish to be the best sprinter in the Tour De France competition.

He also had the opportunity to meet the rider once in India in 2010 and he described the moment as a “dream come through” Greaves advises young men to stay disciplined and be serious if they want to make cycling their career. He sees it as a sport that keeps you fit and makes you a disciplined individual. He also added that they must be ready to spend a lot, noting that the game is costly.

As a national cyclist, he is hopeful that Guyana will have a velodrome (National Cycling Track) claiming that there are new cyclists emerging on a daily basis.

Finally, Greaves thanked his sponsors who have seen his potential and backed him, and he is thankful for their continuous support over the years. These include Digicel, Bounty Farm Limited, Toucan Industries, Kevin Jeffrey and family, Compton Persaud (Rigg Plus), Carl Iniss (Street Styles Boutiques) and most importantly, his wife and family, among others.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, december 7, 2013

Clarke, Haddin tons put Australia in command I

t has been a while since an Australian captain has looked as serene during an Ashes Test as Michael Clarke did at the Adelaide Oval.

During a period of England domination, the uncomprehending exasperation of Ricky Ponting has been followed by Clarke’s lurking fear that his own Ashes story could be debilitated by injury.

Yet here Clarke was, the second day into the second Test, continuing his love affair with this ground with an unflustered century which with every graceful moment stated his intent to become the Australian captain who regained the Ashes. The blissful manner in which he dealt with the England attack, with his vice-captain Brad Haddin offering sterling support, will only quicken the belief in Australia that the balance is shifting irrevocably in their favour.

That sensation also resides in the figure of Mitchell Johnson, only more violently. Nothing England contrived came close to his immediate threat. He sandblasted Alastair Cook aside with his 10th delivery, every ball above 148kph until the kill was applied, the ball searing past Cook’s outside edge to strike off stump.

Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin combined for an Adelaide Oval record 200-run sixth-wicket stand (Getty Images)

Michael Carberry and Joe Root stabilised England for the rest of the 20 overs they had to survive, but they were distinctly fortunate to survive some high jinks in the final over. Root’s eager-

ness to see out the day drew him into an inexcusable off-side single which would have run out Carberry had Chris Rogers hit the stumps.

Then Australia opted not to review the final ball of the

day when replays showed Carberry would have been out lbw. Root had reason to be as relieved as Carberry.

Australia had hammered home their authority by the time they declared 10 overs into the final session. Clarke reached 148 in five and three quarter hours when he became the first Test victim for Ben Stokes, seeking to work him through square leg and chipping a gentle catch to short midwicket off a leading edge.

Clarke’s stand with Haddin was worth 200 in 51 overs, a new record for the sixth wicket for any team in Adelaide. Haddin fell for 118 to Stuart Broad in the third over after tea, his fourth Test century reaffirming in aggressive fashion that he has turned the back-to-back Ashes series into one of the most productive periods in his Test career. England had designs upon dismissing Australia, 5 for 273 at the close of the first day, for around 350, only to become increasingly bereft as they gave up another 297 runs in 68 overs. England conceded 12 sixes, five to Haddin, a tally assisted by Adelaide’s short square boundaries.

Australia’s total was their highest in Ashes cricket since they amassed 674 for 6 declared against England

in Cardiff in 2009, a match in which England also combined the spin of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar with little reward. England had fielded two spinners in Australia for the first time for 33 years, but the gamble demanded that they remained in touch in the first innings in the hope of dividends later in the game.

By the time England followed up Clarke’s dismissal with more consolatory wickets, a victory to tie the series at 1-1 looked an increas-

ingly unlikely proposition.

Mitchell Johnson hoicked Swann’s offspin to mid-on and Stokes, occasionally revealing an ability to leave the right-hander off the pitch, had Peter Siddle caught at the wicket. But Ryan Harris deposited Swann for two successive slog sweeps into the members to keep Australian spirits high and after tea became the eighth Australian to pass 50 in a series that is not quite two Tests old. That statistic, above all, should trouble England. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Australia 1st innings C Rogers c †Prior b Swann 72 D Warner c Carberry b Broad 29 S Watson c & b Anderson 51 M Clarke* c Anderson b Stokes 148 S Smith b Panesar 6 G Bailey c Swann b Broad 53 B Haddin† c †Prior b Broad 118 M Johnson c Broad b Swann 5 P Siddle c †Prior b Stokes 2 R Harris not out 55 N Lyon not out 17 Extras: (b 8, lb 1, w 1, nb 4) 14 Total: (9 wkts dec, 158 overs) 570 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-155, 3-155, 4-174, 5-257, 6-457, 7-474, 8-483, 9-529 Bowling: J Anderson 30-10-851, S Broad 30-3-98-3, G Swann 36-4-151-2, M Panesar 44-7157-1, B Stokes 18-2-70-2

England 1st innings AN Cook* b Johnson 3 MA Carberry c Warner b Watson 60 JE Root c Rogers b Lyon 15 KP Pietersen c Bailey b Siddle 4 IR Bell not out 46 BA Stokes lbw b Johnson 1 MJ Prior† c †Haddin b Johnson 0 SCJ Broad b Johnson 0 GP Swann c Clarke b Johnson 7 JM Anderson b Johnson 0 MS Panesar not out 0 Extras: (lb 1, w 1, nb 3) 5 Total: (9 wickets, 59 overs) 141 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-57, 3-66, 4-111, 5-117, 6-117, 7-117, 8-135, 9-135 Bowling: MG Johnson 17-840-6, RJ Harris 13-8-13-0, NM Lyon 16-3-56-1, PM Siddle 102-31-1, SR Watson 3-3-0-1

Tiger Woods takes NZ chase of 112 after Bravo double-century World Challenge W lead after second round

Tiger Woods

W

orld number one Tiger Woods struck a brilliant 10-under-par 62 in the second round of the World Challenge to eke a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage.

Woods hit 10 birdies in a blemish-free round to finish 11 under overall.

Zach Johnson trailed Woods on nine under after a four-under-par 68, while fellow American Matt Kuchar was third in California on eight under.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was fourth on five under after a five-under-par 67.

England’s Ian Poulter was tied for eighth, an im-

pressive five-under-par 67 took him into the red on one under.

Poulter’s compatriot Lee Westwood was some distance behind, tied for 13th on five over after two rounds, while Rory McIlroy was a shot behind in 16th.

Woods, who had shot a one-under-par round on the opening day, collected five birdies over the first nine holes to reach the turn in 31.

His superb form continued on the back nine and he eventually overtook overnight leader Johnson, who had mirrored Wood’s efforts over his first six holes but could not keep pace with his compatriot. (BBC Sport)

est Indies removed New Zealand opener Peter Fulton just before lunch having set a target of 112 after their lower order, led by a half-century from captain Darren Sammy, had eaten away almost the entire first session on the fifth day in Dunedin.

In the last over before lunch, Fulton missed a flick off Shane Shillingford but Ramdin appealed for a catch down the leg side. The catch was confirmed by Hot-Spot after West Indies asked for a review.

Sammy, derided recently during the Test in India for his irresponsible batting didn’t let New Zealand take control after the fall of Darren Bravo in the third over of the day. He ran his runs hard despite an injury to his hamstring and added 38 vital runs with Shillingford for the eighth wicket.

With the pitch offering uneven bounce, the New Zealand seamers targeted the stumps, with Trent Boult getting a few deliveries to hit high on the bat. On one instance, Boult drew the outside edge of Sammy’s bat only to see it drop short of Ross Taylor at first slip. In the same over, Sammy had another nervous moment when the ball spun back towards the stumps after he had defended it off the back foot, but he showed incredible football skills to kick the ball towards deep square leg, stretching his hamstring in the process.

When Sammy got the ball

Darren Sammy plays a pull shot during his 80 (AFP)

in his hitting zone though, he didn’t hold himself back.

A couple of length deliveries were blasted through cover and over the infield and a long hop from Ish Sodhi was bludgeoned over deep midwicket.

Shillingford played his part as well, adding 15 useful runs in an hour-long stay at the crease, before he edged Neil Wagner to first slip. Tino Best hung around for 21 minutes, but his stay was ended in a similar fashion. With only the No. 11 for company, Sammy threw his bat at the first delivery with the third new ball and sliced it to deep cover, but he ensured 54 useful runs were added after Bravo’s exit.

575 minutes. That is how long it took New Zealand to break past Bravo’s stubborn resistance during the course of which he scored his maiden double-century and helped West Indies wipe out the 396-

run deficit after they were forced to follow on. But more importantly for the home side, the dismissal came early on the final day, relieving the

smidgen of tension the clouds gathering over may have caused. It was also the early boost the bowling attack needed after having bowled more than 200 overs on the trot.

Boult, in the third over of the day, tested Bravo with a yorker that reversed in, but it was dealt with the ease one would expect from a batsman in the zone - he had gone past 2000 Test runs in Boult’s previous over. But it took the misdemeanor of the fifth-day pitch that shook Bravo out of his zone as the next delivery sneaked under his bat to strike the off stump.

The late riposte, however, may have given West Indies an outside chance to save or even win the Test. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies 2nd innings (following on) K Edwards lbw b Sodhi 59 K Powell c Southee b Boult 14 DM Bravo b Boult 218 M Samuels c & b Southee 23 S Chanderpaul lbw b Wagner 1 N Deonarine c †Watling b Anderson 52 D Ramdin† b Sodhi 24 D Sammy* c Sodhi b Southee 80 S Shillingford c Taylor b Wagner 15 T Best c Taylor b Wagner 3 S Gabriel not out 0 Extras: (b 4, lb 7, w 5, nb 2) 18 Total: (all out, 162.1 overs) 507 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-135, 3-178, 4-185, 5-307, 6-363, 7-453, 8-491, 9-507, 10-507 Bowling: T Southee 29.1-4101-2, T Boult 35-11-81-2, N

Wagner 30-3-112-3, C Anderson 14-2-29-1, I Sodhi 49-7-1552, A Redmond 5-1-18-0 New Zealand 2nd innings P Fulton c †Ramdin b Shillingford 3 H Rutherford c Gabriel b Shillingford 20 A Redmond c Deonarine b Shillingford 6 R Taylor not out 16 B McCullum* c †Ramdin b Shillingford 9 Corey J Anderson not out 20 Extras: (b 1, lb 3, w 1) 5 Total: (4 wkts 30 overs) 79 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-15, 3-31, 4-44 Bowling: T Best 8-1-26-0, S Shillingford 15-5-26-4, S Gabriel 5-1-16-0, N Deonarine 2-0-7-0

saturday, december 7, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

21

Windies U-19s lose to Bangladesh Cotton Tree, Skeldon NBS Second Division 40-Over Cricket…

C

HITTAGONG, Bangladesh - West Indies Under 19s failed to capitalize on an advantage and lost to Bangladesh Under 19s by 104 runs in the first Youth One- Day International here at Chittagong on Friday.

Bangladesh recovered from a precarious slump to eventually score a formidable 222 for nine in their 50 overs and bowled out West Indies for 118 in 44.5 overs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The homeside plunged to 84 for 6 in the 31st over, in danger of being skittled out for a low score after winning the toss and electing to bat.

A 119-run stand between Mosaddek Hossain and Saeed Sarkar boosted the score beyond 200.

Sarkar smashed a 66ball 83 with eight fours and four sixes before he was dismissed by Jerome Jones.

Mosaddek stretched the score to 222 before he fell for 77 off 107 balls to Fabian Allen in the last over.

West Indies captain Ramaal Lewis was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 24, while Gudakesh Motie and Allen picked up two wickets apiece.

Pacer Mehedi Hassan, offspinner Mosaddek and left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman claimed the frontline batsmen as West Indies stumbled to 41 for six, chasing 223.

The only resistance in the Windies batting was from Tristan Coleman with a stubborn knock of 42 while Jerome Jones 14 not out and Ramaal Lewis 13 were the only other players getting into double figures.

Coleman added 35 runs for the seventh wicket with Lewis and then a 33-run last-wicket stand with Jones but those efforts were not enough for the Caribbean side to recover from the poor start as the innings ended at 118.

Legspinner Jubair Hossain cleaned up the tail to finish with 3 for 30 in 10 overs. (CMC)

Ramaal Lewis (WICB photo)

Tenelec Inc Under-15 Cricket Competition...

Bhaskar Yadram

Police batting a second time was bowled out for 97 with Anderson and Sinclair contributed 45 and 20 respectively with the bat.

For Albion Asif Ally took 5 for 34 and Sookram 3 for 16. Set 85 for victory, Albion slipped to 45 for 6, but Hardyal with 42 not out took his team home without further trouble.

Meanwhile, in the oth-

er semi-final game Rose Hall Town, Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes defeated Edinburgh by 19 runs.

Rose Hall Town made 112 in their first innings with Kelon Anderson top scored with an unbeaten 43. Junior Sinclair supported with 31.

Bowling for Edinburgh leg spinner Wazir Latif took 5 for 21 and off spinner Videsh Mangra 4 for 52.

Edinburgh in reply could only manage 74. Bowling for Rose Hall Town, off spinner Bhaskar Yadram captured 6 for 34, while fellow off spinner Veramootoo Senwansane took 4 for 26.

Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes batting a second time made 148, with Yadram contributing 46.

Set 187 for victory, Edinburgh fell for 167 with Joel Seitaram made a fighting 60. Off spinners Joshua Gobin (5-21) and Yadram 4(4-50) were the main destroyers for the winning team.

C

otton Tree Die Hard, Skeldon Community Centre and Rainbow Generation, of Seafield, have advanced to the quarter-finals of the New Building Society second division 40over cricket competition in Berbice, after they won their respective playoff matches.

At Fyrish, Cotton Tree Die Hard beat Fyrish by 19 runs. Cotton Tree Die Hard made 211 in 39.2 overs with Roshan Gafoor topscoring with 58. Fyrish, in reply, made 192 in 35.1 overs with Javed Mohamed contributing 62. Bowling for the winners, Roshan Gafoor took 3 for 25, Waqar Hassan, 3 for 34, and Pooran Persaud, 3 for 44.

At Skeldon, Skeldon Community Centre defeated No.48 Challengers by six wickets. No. 48 Challengers,

batting first, were bowled out for 171 in 30.5 overs with Balram Persaud hitting a topscore of 75.

Nicholas Seenarine (4 for 25), Nigel Trotz (2 for 18), Darshanan Chalitar (2 for 26) and Gajendra Nauth (2 for 39) were the main wicket takers for Skeldon, who in reply, reached 175 for 4 in 27 overs. Chalitar made a fighting 61 not out.

At Seafield, Rainbow Generation defeated Rose Hall Town Bakewell by 29 runs. Rainbow Generation made 167 in 31.4 overs.

In reply Rose Hall Town Bakewell were bowled out for 138 in 28 overs Keino Gravesande, 3 for 16, Julian Fraser, 2 for 23, and Tyson Carmichael, 2 for 27, claimed the wickets for the winners.

Adams/Lowden start with double bagel win in Trophy Stall tennis tourney

ACC and RHTF&F through to final A T lbion Community Centre Cricket Club and Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes will clash in the Tenelec Inc Under-15 final, after both teams won their respective semi-final games last weekend.

Albion Community Centre managed to defeat Police by four wickets. Police, batting first, was bowled out for 90 in their first innings with Malcolm Mickle hitting a top score of 33.

Bowling for Albion fast bowler Vevakand Jagit took five wickets for just four runs. Off spinners Matthew Hardyal and Rishi Sookram, both claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply Albion CC were bowled out for 103 in their first innings. Guyana Under-15 batsman Adrian Sukhwa top scored with 28.

The main destroyer for Police was left arm spinner Steffon Anderson with 5 for 18 and off spinner Kevin Sinclair with 4 for 23.

and Rainbow Generation into quarter-finals

he annual Trophy Stall lawn tennis tournament got underway last weekend at the Le Resouvenir Tennis Club with 30 entrants in five categories.

Proprietor of Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunich expressed relief at the commencement of matches amidst threatening weather.

Matches served off in the men’s doubles with the Rawle Sue-Ho/Ade Doobay pair using their experience to defeat Chethan Narayan andKhawn Rodney in a round of 16 three-set thriller 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. However, this win did not prepare them for the thrashing they received in the quarter-final from the pair of Carlos Adams and Godfrey Lowden who defeated them 6-0, 6-0 (double bagel).

In other matches in the

same category, four-time doubles champion Jason Andrews teamed up with southpaw Ronald Murray to defeat the young and promising pair of Stephen Bailey/ Seweon McGarrell 6-1, 6-4; junior champions Daniel Lopes/Gavin Lewis defeated Oswin Coggins/Jesus Lamazon 6-1, 6-1 and seasoned pair Nicholas Fenty/ Leyland Leacock defeated Steven David-Longe/Orande Dainty 6-2, 6-0.

In the Men’s Over-35, champions Godfrey Lowden and Carlos Adams secured another win over the Rawle Sue-Ho/Owen Lewis pair 6-3, 6-1. In the Mixed doubles category junior champions Gavin Lewis and Nicola Ramdyhan teamed up to defeat the Russian duo Victor Demchenko and Tatiana Styallina 6-1, 6-0; Leyland Leacock/Shelly Daly defeat-

ed Khawn Rodney/Tracy Shamsudeen 6-2, 6-2; Oswin Coggins/Jamaali Homer defeated Darren King/Denise Barrington 6-3, 6-2 and Jason Andrews/Afruica Gentle defeated Stephen Bailey/Kizzy Richmond by walkover.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s line up promises a lot of quality competition on Saturday in the Mixed doubles with Leyland Leacock/ Shelly Ramdyhan coming up against Jason Andrews/ Afruica Gentle and Gavin Lewis/Nicola Ramdyhan against Oswin Coggins/ Jamaali Homer. On Sunday in the Men’s doubles semifinals Daniel Lopes/Gavin Lewis play Jason Andrews/ Ronald Murray and Carlos Adams/Godfrey Lowden will play Leyland Leacock/ Nicholas Fenty.

Boozer leads Bulls to 107-87 Marian Academy schools relay win over Heat championships on today C

T

he Marian Academy schools relay competition will run off today from 10:00h at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground.

Sixteen schools have confirmed their participation with Queen’s College and Christ Church being the two top schools.

A school from West Demerara and the East Coast are also slated to participate when the competition gets rolling as part of a Caribbean Secondary Education Council

(CSEC) School Based Assessment (SBA).

One dominant athlete expected to be a part of the event is sprinter Jevina Sampson of Christ Church who won all three of her sprint events at the recently completed a National Schools Championship.

She also has two Inter Guiana Games (IGG) 400m gold medals, along with a “Nationals” 400m record.

Keith Smiith, who is the physical education teacher

of Marian Academy, believes that a high level of competition is expected today among the schools.

“Well we expect good competition because of the type of schools we expect to participate, QC an Christ Church are coming with full teams along with a team from West Demerara and the East Coast, Tutorial is also expected to be there so we look forward to the competition,” Smith told Guyana Times Sport.

HICAGO - The way everything was crumbling, the Chicago Bulls sure needed a reprieve.

Knocking off the defending champions was a nice one.

Carlos Boozer scored 27 points, and the Bulls pounded LeBron James and the Miami Heat 107-87 on Thursday night.

Luol Deng had 20 points, Taj Gibson chipped in with 19, and Joakim Noah added 17 points and 15 rebounds as the Bulls had no trouble taking out the Southeast Division leaders.

Chicago took control early

on and hung on down the stretch after watching a 25-point lead in the third quarter dwindle to 12 late in the game. It was an impressive showing by a team that had dropped six of seven and is once again trying to get by without the injured Derrick Rose. ‘’Our team needed it,’’ Noah said. ‘’We went through a lot the past couple of weeks. It’s really hard to play without Derrick. I want to win with Derrick Rose.’’

The Bulls shot 50 percent and were 10 for 19 on 3-pointers - four by Deng and three by Kirk Hinrich,

who scored 13. They also outrebounded Miami 49-27.

James scored 21 points for Miami, but the Heat shot a season low for the second straight game, converting 41.6 percent from the field after hitting 43.9 percent in Tuesday’s loss to Detroit. ‘’We can’t just brush this loss aside,’’ coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’We have to really own it, to understand what happened. They just got whatever they wanted, right in the paint, at the rim and if they missed those, then they’re just beating us up at the glass.’’ (AP)

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guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, december 7, 2013

Guinness Street Football- Georgetown leg…

Close encounters highlight latest round O

n Thursday night when four games were decided by penalties and close encounters defined proceedings, the Georgetown leg of the sixth annual Guinness Street Football competition continued at the Burnham Court.

Playing at the facility at the corner of Middle and Carmichael Streets, East Front Road needled Cross Street 1-0 in the opening game, with Island All Stars gaining a similar margin of victory against West Front Road, Gold is Money, in game four of the night.

Kester Briggs scored the winner for East Front Road in the 17th minute, while Alpha McPhoy was the man on target for Island All Stars as early as the third minute of play.

Albouystown A and Queen Street, Tiger Bay

Andrew Murray Jr

Alpha McPhoy

gained 2-0 victories over South Sophia and Norton Street, East respectively.

Andrew Murray Jr and Shaka Jones in the 8th and 24th minutes netted for Albouystown A, while Deon Alfred (5th) and Leon

Fredericks (19th) scored for Queen Street, Tiger Bay. The other four games were all decided by penalties after regulation time failed to produce a winner.

Costello Housing Scheme won 3-2 on sudden death kicks against de-

fending champions Leopold Street after a 1-1 stalemate. Okeene Fraser gave Leopold Street the lead in the third minute, but Sherman Anthony equalised for Costello Housing Scheme in the 14th minute to force the game to penalties.

South Ruimveldt and Kingston played to a nilall draw before the former won 5-4 on penalties, while Globe Yard won 3-1 on kicks against Albouystown B after a goalless draw.

The final game of the night saw California Square edging Hope Street- Tiger Bay 5-4 on penalties after scores were level 1-1 at the end of normal time.

Rensford Coleridge had given Hope Street- Tiger Bay an early lead in the fourth minute, before Christopher Darlington erased the deficit with a goal five minutes

later.

The competition is slated to continue this evening at the East Ruimveldt Recreational Centre with another eight games, the first of which will kick off at 19:00 hours.

In the opening game, North East La Penitence will take on North Sophia, Alexander Village will tackle Norton Street, East, Kingston will face Costello Housing Scheme and East La Penitence will square off with Bent Street before the usual interval.

Upon resumption, Island All Stars will trade skills with Cross Street, Back Circle will battle Festival City, Laing Avenue will confront California Square and West Front Road will compete against East Front Road.

The competition has attracted 32 teams battling

in eight groups of four.

During the group phase, the teams will compete in a round-robin format with the top two advancing to the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

The champion team will receive $500,000, while the runner-up will collect $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000. All the other teams will receive participation stipends of no less than $10,000.

Zone competitions will also be held in Berbice, East Coast, West Demerara, Linden and Bartica in the coming months with the top two teams advancing to the national playoff. The winner of the national playoff will earn the right to represent Guyana at the Guinness Caribbean Street Challenge in Trinidad and Tobago in July 2014.

GCB/GT&T/Hand-in-Hand Senior Inter-County Four-Day…

Demerara take charge against Essequibo …Bishoo grabs six-wicket haul against President’s XI

By Rajiv Bisnauth

D

emerara were comfortably placed at 172 for 4 in 46 overs after bundling out Essequibo for a meagre 198 just after lunch on day two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior Inter-County four-day tour-

nament on Friday at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

The hosts, riding on leg spinner Amir Khan’s fivewicket haul, closed the day with a first innings deficit of 26 runs. Khan finished with 5-62 and was supported by off-spinner Zaheer

Mohamed’s 4-46, as the visitors lost their last six wickets for 76 runs.

Following openers Royan Fredricks and Kevon Boddie, and Ricardo Peters dismissals on the rain-affected first day on Thursday, overnight batsmen Dellon Heyliger (16) and Kemo Paul (7) took

Vishal Singh

their respective scores to 27 and 19, before both were removed in quick succession

by Khan and medium fast bowler Trevon Garraway.

Parmesh Parsotam, 39 not out, and Rovindra Parsaram, 28, were the other two batsmen to put up a semblance of fight against the stifling line and length of the Demerara spinners, who utilised the conditions well.

Demerara, in their reply, lost Trevon Griffith (11), Rajendra Chandrika (22) and Leon Johnson (40, 5x4) before the Tea at 81-3.

Upon resumption, play was suspended for a short period due to rain. However former West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Christopher Barnwell took control of the proceedings before Sarwan was dismissed via the run out route for 42 (4x4).

Christopher Barnwell will resume today on 48 (4x4, 2x6) with Chris Pattadin, who is yet to score.

Dellon Heyliger, Anthony Adams and Hemchand

Amir Khan (right) and Zaheer Mohamed were the destructive forces for Demerara with the ball

Devendra Bishoo

Persaud have so far picked up a wicket apiece.

Meanwhile, discarded West Indies leg spinner Devendra Bishoo exploited the low and slow conditions of the Everest wicket effectively to bundle out the President’s X1 for 185 in 72.4 overs on yet another rain-affected day. The first day was completely washed out without a ball being bowled due

to a soggy outfield.

Bishoo grab 6 for 57 in 26.4 overs, but not before Vishal Singh made a patient 55 off 169 balls, which include three boundaries in the backbone of his team’s innings.

Earlier, the opening pair of Robin Bacchus (24) and former Test batsman Ryan Ramdass (24), Jason Sinclair (19) and Kellon Carmichael (15) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.

Bishoo was supported by fast bowler Raun Johnson with two wickets while Royston Crandon picked up one wicket.

On the other hand, play at both venues is scheduled to start at 09:00h today, weather permitting.

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Hand-in-Hand Insurance joined forces with the GCB as co-sponsors of the tournament.

saturday, december 7, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

23

K&S, GFRC sign letter of commitment T

he Kashif and Shanghai Organisation and the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) on Friday signed an agreement that the inaugural schools tournament games will be run in accordance with the rules of football’s world governing body, FIFA. The Kashif and Shanghai’s Secondary Schools football tournament kicks off Sunday.

The accord is geared at ensuring players and fans are exposed to the highest quality of officiating during the 24-school knockout tournament. This was the assurance given by Vice President of the GFRC, Dion Inniss, moments after signing the document with co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey “Shanghai” Major.

The tournament will kick off on Sunday at 15:00h with the march pass, followed by the open-

ing game between Wisburg Secondary and East Ruimveldt at 16:00h. The feature contest at 18:00h will involve Ann’s Grove Secondary and Christ Church; all school children will be admitted to the games free, until the semifinals.

The tournament, which will conclude with the grand final on January 1 2014, will feature 24 teams drawn from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Linden, Berbice and Region Seven.

The champion school will pocket $1.2 million, 75 percent of which will be used to finance a project identified by the school.

The second, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $750,000, $500,000 and $250,000, 25 percent of which will used for a project at those schools.

The Most Valuable Player will be the recipient

RHTY&SC honours Selman for contribution to sport

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster (left) presents a gift to General Manager of the Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) on Tuesday honoured General Manager of the Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman, for his remarkable contribution to the development of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.

The company, under the leadership of Selman, has over the last 10 years sponsored the highly popular Busta Champion of Champions cricket tournament and has also co-sponsored numerous charity, educational and award programmes of the club.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who presented a gift to Selman, described him as a remarkable and trusted friend of the RHTY&SC and hailed him as one of the foundations

of the club’s success stories over the years.

Selman, Foster stated, has never turned down any request of the RHTY&SC, even when the club approaches on behalf of other organisations.

The 10th edition of the Busta Champion of Champions was recently launched for the top eight first division cricket teams in Berbice and has been very successful over the last decade, with the final being broadcast live on NCN radio.

“The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club wishes Mr Robert Selman continued good health in the future so that he can continue his outstanding work of making a positive difference in the lives of youths,” a release from the club read.

Co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey “Shanghai” Major (left), and Vice-president of the GFRC, Dion Inniss, at the signing on Friday

of a laptop, as well as a onemonth stint with a top club in Trinidad and Tobago.

Admission to the games

will be $500 and the partipating schools are Wismar/ Christianburg, Wisburg, New Silver City and

McKenzie High School of Linden; St George’s, Lodge, East Ruimveldt, North Georgetown,

Queen’s College, Dolphin Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, Christ Church and Queenstown of Georgetown; Waramadong Secondary of Region Seven; Leonora, Stewartville, Uitvlugt and Patentia of West Demerara; Bladen Hall, President’s College, Ann’s Grove and Annandale of East Coast Demerara; Ash Education Trust of Berbice; and Friendship of East Bank Demerara.

The Kashif and Shanghai organisation is partnering with several other entities: ANSA McAl Trading, Beharry Group of Companies, Pepsi and Mohamed’s Enterpriseto stage the tournament, which will be played at the Mackenzie Sports Club, Georgetown Cricket Club, Georgetown Football Club, Den Amstel ground, Number Five ground in Berbice and Buxton Community Centre.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013

TOP SCORES

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

New Zealand 609-9 dec West Indies 213 & 314-5 (Tea 105 overs); South Africa 358-4 (de Kock 135, de Villiers 77, Shami 3-68) beat India 217 (Dhoni 65, Steyn 3-25, McLaren 3-49) by 141 runs; Australia 389-5 (Clarke 109) v England up to press time

GCB/GT&T/Hand-in-Hand Senior Inter-County Four-Day…

Demerara take charge against Essequibo

…Bishoo grabs six-wicket haul against President’s XI

See story on page

22

Christopher Barnwell gathers runs on the offside (Photos: Rajiv Bisnauth)

NZ chase of 112 after Bravo double-century

See story on page

Darren Bravo leaps after scoring his maiden double-century (AFP)

20

Fernandes maintains world No 19 ranking

By Avenash Ramzan

W

orld class Guyanese squash player Nicolette Fernandes maintained her world ranking of 19, according to the latest release from the World International Squash Players Association (WISPA).

The 30-year-old achieved the career-best ranking of 19 in October, and has managed to maintain that position in the December release of WISPA. Since the start of October, Fernandes has competed in five tournaments, and though her performance has not been spectacular by any stretch of imagination, she has done enough to preserve her ranking.

The England-based Guyanese participated in the Carol Weymuller Open in the USA, the US Open and the China Open in October, the Monte Carlo Classic in

Nicolette Fernandes

Monaco in November and the Hong Kong Open earlier this month.

Fernandes failed to get pass the first round in the Carol Weymuller Open and the US Open; she made it to the qualifying final of the China Open, the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Classic and was knocked out at the second round of the Hong Kong Open.

Her rise up the ranking is a remarkable turnaround for Fernandes, who only at the start of 2009 was rated a lowly 249 after a recurring knee injury had kept her out of competition for a protracted period of time.

Since returning from injury however, Guyana’s most decorated squash player has been on the rise, significantly moving up the ranking with each passing competition.

Such was her outstanding performance that at the end of 2009, Fernandes, un-

der the guidance of awardwinning coach Carl Ince, had taken her ranking below 100, ending the year at 88.

Ever since, it has been a steady climb up the ladder for the multiple Sportswoman-of-the-Year, consistently racking up points and making her way up the WISPA leader board.

In 2013, Fernandes has played in 13 WSA World Tour/Series in seven countries: United States of America, Malaysia, Ireland, England, China, Monaco and Hong Kong.

In August this year, Fernandes returned home to claim her fifth Caribbean senior title, taking less than 30 minutes to dispose of Barbados’ Karen Meakins 11-6, 11-2, 11-5 in the final of the Caribbean Area Squash Association Senior Championships at the Georgetown Club.

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