Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Chairman Clinton Williams pointing to a container as it was being offloaded at the Omai Wharf at Linden, Region 10 in the presence of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud. The container has one of four pieces of the US$5 million Mill Ball (Carl Croker photo)
even after Rodney CoI testimony
tuesday, may 20, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com
Weather: Light rain showers can be expected during the morning hours, with partly cloudy conditions into the afternoon over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.
Wind: North easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres per second.
High Tide: 08:41h and 21:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.36 metres respectively. Low Tide: 14:49h reaching a minimum height of 0.74 metre
May 19, 2014
Utility companies stalling East Bank Four-lane Project – BK Int’l
... as traffic woes continue
BK International, the contracting company undertaking Lot 3 of the East Bank Four-lane Highway Project, is very concerned about the slothfulness by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and to a lesser extent, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), in removing their cables from the roadways, noting that it is holding up critical work.
The project, which stretches from Providence to Diamond, East Bank Demerara and covers a distance of 1.2 kilometres, was expected to be completed close to two years ago.
In addition of the stalling of road works, the holding up of the project has been a major bugbear to traffic on the East Bank Demerara. Commuters using that critical artery on a daily basis have routinely complained of the length of time it takes to get to their destination.
The main objectives of this project are to enhance urban and suburban mobility and safety, through lowered transport costs and reduced accident rates by expanding the East Bank Demerara Main Road between Providence and Diamond from two lanes to four lanes and improving road safety of the EBD north of Providence. Specific objectives of the project will be the improvement of: the road carrying capacity, reliability, safety, driving, and vehicle and pedestrian access conditions through the expansion of the road corridor.
However, according to the contractor’s representative, Julian Archer, the failure of GT&T to act speedily, is causing the company close to US$10,000 per day.
The company on Monday transported members of the media to the site at DSL, with an aim of making public the challenges it faces. Archer explained that BK International has been working with the telecommunication company,
seeking its cooperation on the issue.
He said, despite the countless efforts, little has been accomplished. “We have two problems basically. First, it’s the issue with GT&T and its cables and then the removal of the GWI line has been slowing up construction.”
The contractor’s representative said the company was afforded some level of relief from the water company when it decided to remove some of its lines. However, it is still awaiting action from the telecommunication company.
Asked what is the next move by the contracting company, Archer said: “Well we have to wait until GT&T removes its cable.” He said that if the telephone company does not remove the cables on time, the project will have to once again be extended.
In the right
Usually, when contractors fail to meet the agreed deadline, a late fee is usually borne by the company; however, in this case, Archer said his company is in the right.
“Well, if we have a justification with the cables, then we do not have to pay any late fees,” Archer said. He said too that the company is unable to carry out work on the bridge which it intends to expand.
Asked if the company will be seeking legal intervention on the issue, Archer said Government is handling the matter. He said based on information received, the telephone company is awaiting a negotiation with the Government.
He explained that GT&T and the Government are expected to sign a contract to remove the cables; this he said may be the real reason behind the problem.
Archer pointed out that the phone company, from the inception, had promised to remove its cables to facilitate the road project, but is unaware what is causing the hold up.
He said the company had anticipated that GT&T would have removed its cables since the water company had removed their lines.
Government, through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had received
US$20 million for the East Bank Demerara Four-Lane Extension Project. The project is partly financed by the Government.
The main objectives of the project are to enhance urban and suburban mobility and safety by lowering transport costs and reducing accident rates via the expansion of the East Bank Demerara Main Road between Providence and Diamond from two lanes to four lanes. The project is divided into three lots and has been awarded to three contractors. Lot one is awarded to Dipcon Engineering, and according to sources within the Works Ministry, work on that programme is about 45 per cent complete. Work on Lot two, awarded to Guyco is 49 per cent complete, while work on Lot three being executed by BK International is some 35 per cent completed.
Road works stalled
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Recently, Guyana observed Arrival Day, celebrating the significant contributions of East Indians to the development of the country since their foreparents arrived on these shores from Bharat Mata (Mother India) some 176 years ago.
From then to now, despite the suppression of their culture, religion and political bullyism, first by their colonial masters, followed by the Government during the post-Independence era up to 1992, they have prevailed, contributing to practically every aspect of development in Guyana.
Today, many businessmen in Guyana are Indians, many of whom would have started from humble beginnings, building their enterprises through dedication, hard work, thrift and strategic planning. Not only have they made a name for themselves in the field of entrepreneurship, but they have also distinguished themselves in law, politics and sport.
The names are too numerous to mention, but in law, names like former International Court of Justice, Judge, politician and diplomat Mohamed Shahabuddeen and former Attorney General, Commonwealth Secretary General, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies and regional and international public servant, Sir Shridath Ramphal come to mind; and in politics, the Father of the modern and democratic Guyana and former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan and former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now a global voice on climate change, stand out.
Who does not know the symbol of endurance, the immovable and sometimes unpredictable Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul and the mercurial genius Rohan Babulall Kanhai?
So Indian Arrival Day indeed presented an opportunity for Indians throughout Guyana to celebrate the contributions of their descendants who crossed the “kala pani” (black water) in the perilous journey to escape the grinding poverty in their homeland to settle in their new “Bharata” (Guyana).
And indeed, their contributions in transforming the economic landscape of Guyana is no folklore; Guyana in the past 22 years has moved from a country of hopelessness to a nation on the rise, boosting robust economic growth in the past few years, and presenting opportunities for all Guyanese.
But amid the celebrations, there is need for some sober reflections. There are still many Guyanese in poverty, including Indians, who need urgent attention; domestic violence and suicide still remain prevalent; the chutney culture continues to erode established Indian cultural values and norms; and there appears to be a disconnect between leaders at the highest level and their constituents.
The poverty is not only the lack of means to sustain themselves, but is it rooted in the poverty of ignorance (lack of education), which if not addressed in a forceful manner can become cyclical, resulting in “volcanic” effects. Education is the solution to the problem and every Guyanese parent must ensure that their children receive a sound education and become meaningful contributors to society.
The early indentured servants recognised the importance of unity and thrift and this enabled them to make progress one step at a time; this trait must not be forgotten. More young Indians need to get into business and view the persistence of their forefathers as a source of motivation and inspiration for success.
It is disturbing that even in this modern day and age, some Indian men, more particularly those in the sugar cane belt, still “bulawah” (spend wastefully) their money and beat their wives. Here is where Indian leaders need to have closer relations with their communities, speaking to their members, advising them of solutions to their problems to prevent issues such as alcohol abuse and suicide, and converting “lagoo bagoos” (the injudicious) to respectable men.
For a people who face indignity with dignity for a better generation, this disconnect, coupled with the decadent chutney culture is besmirching the progressive image East Indians have earned through hard work and sacrifices.
As Guyana celebrated another Arrival Day, Indians must take stock of their actions, strive to improve their lives and play their part in making Guyana a more harmonious, peaceful and prosperous land for all Guyanese.
We should care for Africa as well as India
Dear Editor,
It was with great interest that I have read two letters by Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), the first under the headline, “The wellbeing of India is close to the heart of Guyana”, in Guyana Times (May 7), in connection with the recent violence in Assam in which 30 persons including women and children were killed, and the second entitled “CIOG denounces kidnapping in Nigeria”, in the Kaieteur News (May 9).
I can’t remember the Assam killings making it in our local media, but from other sources I discovered that the deaths stemmed from the ongoing conflict between the indigenous Bodo tribals and Bangladeshi Muslims infiltrating the porous north-eastern borders. In this case, the majority of the victims were Muslims. Hence, one understands and appreciates CIOG’s concern for fellow Muslims.
The letter goes onto say that India’s well-being is close to the heart of Guyana, and ominously proclaimed that “communal violence” in India “has ramifications for the well-being and stability of our multi-cultural, multireligious democracy here in Guyana”.
For most of the 20th Century, and even beyond, there have been numerous incidents of Hindu-Muslim conflict, the most severe of which was the carnage accompanying the partition of India. But never once in all these years has anyone hinted at the even remotest possibility of the conflict in India being imported into Guyana, or anywhere in the world where the diaspora population resides, nor has it been known to have actually occurred.
However, times are changing and with the explosion of terrorism around the globe, who can say what’s in store for Guyana?
In trying to understand the context that may have prompted the statement, one cannot fail to have noticed the Reuters report in Stabroek News of May 6, mildly headlined, “Pakistan’s Hindus, other minorities face surge of violence.” Could the letter on the Assam killings have been an attempt to distract from and neutralise the Reuters story?
Now that the letter has come out in the broad daylight to warn us of unwelcome possible consequences of the Assam scenario erupting in Guyana, does one have to guess what might be going on behind closed doors?
But whatever may be going on, it is incumbent on the organisation to explain to the Guyanese public, and Hindus in particular, what they mean when they say that the conflict in Assam has “ramifications” for Guyana. What sort of “ramifications” do they mean? Are there plans afoot to transplant the Indian conflict into Guyanese soil? Or, to manufacture one here?
While the response to the Assam killings came within days of the incident, in the case of the abducted Nigerian girls it would require more than three weeks of soul searching before the CIOG could summon the courage to join the “International Community” in denouncing Boko Haram, especially bearing in mind that the welldocumented bloodbath unleashed by this outfit has been going on for well over a decade with thousands dead.
The organisation assures us that the well-being
of “India is close to the heart of Guyana”, because about 50 per cent of Guyana’s population is of Indian descent, Hindus and Muslims.
But shouldn’t Africa also be close to the heart of Guyana, as around 40 per cent of our population is of African descent? As a matter of fact, the case for Africa should be even stronger since it is widely held that there were more Muslims in the slave population than there were among the indentured labourers from India.
Further, if, as the CIOG predicts, the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India has ramifications for Guyana, shouldn’t the same conclusion be drawn from the African conflict between Christianity and Islam? After all, the Christian-Muslim conflict is even more deadly and pervasive stretching across the entire sub-Saharan belt from west to east.
But the conclusions are different. Why? Is it that the CIOG thinks that Hindus are soft targets? There are, after all, dozens of Muslim states in the world today that will stand for the protection and well-being of fellow Muslims wherever they are found in the world.
The same can be said of Christianity. Look at the howl of protest across the Christian world and in Christian countries that we hear whenever Christians are perceived to be persecuted. Even as we write, Christian nations are in unison in their protest against the death sentence that has been handed down to a pregnant Sudanese woman found “guilty” by an Islamic court for changing her religion, abandoning Islam and embracing Christianity.
There is no country in
the world today that considers itself Hindu and there is no country that will defend Hindus as such. Observe how spectacularly silent India has been over the genocide of Bangladeshi Hindus and over the extinction of the remnant Hindu population of Pakistan. At the most, India speaks of human rights violations and has never dared to use the dreaded “H” word.
Whenever we are faced with the species of violence that is afflicting Nigeria today, we are generally treated to a well-rehearsed response by Islamic organisations. How often have we not seen the same verse pulled out of the Quran which according to CIOG tells us, “He who takes a life is as though he takes the life of all humanity, and he who saves a life is as though he saves the life of all humanity,” but which, in fact, tells a lot more?
Apart from the fact that this truncates verse 5:32 of the Quran, the context tells us that it was an admonition addressed to only Jews and was not meant to constrain the actions of Muslims. Those who quote it know this truth. We are further told that such terrorists that make up Boko Haram are not true Muslims and that they misinterpret Islam when they claim that their actions are consistent with Islamic teachings. My only question is that how can a religion be so uniquely, consistently and universally misunderstood by millions of its own followers stretching from Indonesia to Morocco, including America and Europe?
Yours faithfully, Swami Aksharananda
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Irfaan Ali receiving a cheque valued $3 million dollars from Marketing Representative of Caricom Bottling Company Mondale Smith, for the hosting of the Guyana Festival 2014
The President is exercising the constitutional power he enjoys
Dear Editor, I refer to a letter written by Mr Vincent Alexander published in the letter columns of the daily newspapers. In that letter, Mr Alexander referred to statements which I made in my 2014 Budget presentation in the National Assembly, regarding the reasons advanced by His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, for his withholding assent from the Local Government Amendment Bill. In my presentation, I adumbrated a number of reasons, including, but not limited to the following:
1. The deletion from the Bill, of several clauses by the Opposition with no corresponding amendments inserted to fill the deficiencies created by those deletions; in the consequence, there are several structural and institutional deficiencies in the architecture of the local government structure which the Bill purports to create;
2. The conferment by the Bill upon the Local Government Commission, created by Article 78 (A) of the Constitution, with more functional responsibilities than the Constitution itself confers upon this Commission, thereby making those provisions of the Bill ultra-vires the Constitution.
Mr Alexander, however, omits to make reference to the aforementioned reasons and indeed, cites another ground advanced by me which I will address hereunder, unfortunately, conveying the impression that it is the singular reason proffered by me for the President’s withholding of his assent.
Mr Alexander next seeks to justify the conferment upon the Local Government Commission of functional responsibilities, which are executive in nature. To buttress his contention, he invokes article 99 (1) of the Constitution.
Herein lies the gravamen of Mr Alexander’s faux pas. He commits the most elementary blunder by confusing “Parliament” with “National Assembly”, thereby, completely ig-
noring Article 55 of the Constitution which provides that “there shall be a Parliament of Guyana, which shall consist of the President and the National Assembly.”
It is the National Assembly (not Parliament but a constituent part thereof) by a majority vote, that is desirous of transferring executive power from the fountain-head of all executive power, the Executive President and residing same in another agency.
The constitutional truth, however, is that same can only be done if the President (the other constituent part of Parliament) is ready and willing to cede his executive powers to that agency, by affixing to the Bill his imprimatur, that is, his assent thereof.
By exercising his constitutional powers of withholding assent, the President has, in essence, signalled his refusal to cede his executive powers to the agency in question. Article 99(2) therefore, is wholly inapplicable in this polemical matrix.
There is yet another dimension. Even if the President was prepared to cede executive power, the next issue to consider is, what impact, if any, such cessation will have on the doctrine of separation of powers, a concept to which Mr Alexander makes reference in his missive and with which, I presume, he is familiar.
Perhaps the point can be best exemplified by reference to a decided case. In 1974, Jamaica’s Parliament enacted a Gun Court Act. This statute established a court to hear and determine, exclusively, firearms related offences.
Upon conviction, there was a mandatory sentence of hard labour at the Governor-General’s pleasure and was not to be discharged, except at the direction of the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of a Review Board, consisting of five persons appointed by the GovernorGeneral.
A legal challenge was launched against the constitutionality of the
legislation, on the grounds, inter-alia, that the provisions of the Act relating to mandatory sentence to hard labour during the Governor-General’s pleasure, acting upon the advice of the Review Board, were unconstitutional.
The case went all the way to Her Majesty’s Privy Council. The Privy Council ruled, inter-alia, that while no express provision of the Constitution was violated, the conferment of the judicial power to impose a sentence after conviction upon an executive agency, the GovernorGeneral and the Review Board, was an abrogation of the doctrine of separation of powers, the foundation upon which Jamaica’s constitutional edifice was constructed. The Act was, accordingly, declared, unconstitutional.
Extrapolating and applying the principles enunciated in that case to the situation at hand, it is demonstrably clear that Presidential assent will not cure the mischief of a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
The anxieties expressed by Mr Alexander, therefore, that he may naively conclude that I misled the President and that the President has overruled the National Assembly, are indeed well-founded.
While I never professed to enjoy monopolistic knowledge of the law and Constitution, I am assured in my belief that my legal arguments and rationale are sound. I have often challenged those who disagree to test them in the courts. I reiterate that challenge.
Lastly, I wish to assure Mr Alexander that whenever the President withholds his assent from a Bill, His Excellency is not “overruling” the National Assembly – but is merely exercising a constitutional power which he enjoys and which must necessarily be invoked in appropriate circumstances.
Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs
The supply and transit of Russian gas across the territory of Ukraine
Dear Editor,
In early April we suggested immediate consultations in order to work out a coordinated approach to stabilise the Ukrainian economy and ensure stable deliveries and transit of Russian natural gas in accordance with contractual terms.
Over a month has passed. Consultations with the representatives of a number of non-EU countries have taken place in Moscow, in which our partners told us they completely shared our concerns over the situation with Ukrainian payments for gas deliveries from the Russian Federation and the risks due to insufficient amounts of gas being stored in Ukrainian underground storages.
As regards EU countries, we have only had one meeting in Warsaw with a delegation led by European
Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger, attended also by Ukrainian representative Yuri Prodan. Unfortunately, we have to say that we have not received any specific proposals from our partners as to how to stabilise the situation with the Ukrainian buying company so that it can meet its contractual obligations and ensure reliable transit.
Moreover, the situation with payments for Russian gas only got worse over this period of time.
Gazprom has not received a single payment for the gas supplied to Ukraine, and the total debt has grown from $2.237 billion to $3.508 billion. And this despite the fact that Ukraine has received the first tranche of the IMF loan to the amount of $3.2 billion.
Given the circumstanc-
es, the Russian company has issued an advance invoice for gas deliveries to Ukraine, which is completely in accordance with the contract, and after June 1 gas deliveries will be limited to the amount prepaid by the Ukrainian company.
I would like to emphasise once again that we were forced to make this decision. The Russian Federation is still open to continue consultations and work together with European countries in order to normalise the situation. We also hope that the European Commission will more actively engage in the dialogue in order to work out specific and fair solutions that will help stabilise the Ukrainian economy.
Denis Kopyl Press-Attaché Russian Embasssy
UG law students have legitimate expectation of admittance to Law School
Dear Editor, I refer to an article headlined, “UG law graduates to play second fiddle to UWI’s” published in the Stabroek News on May 18, in which commentary is attributed to yours truly, and which I stand by. I humbly ask that the following be added for a broader discussion still on the subject matter.
Mid-April our learned Head of the University of Guyana (UG) Department of Law, Mr Sheldon McDonald sought opportunity to inform media present at a handing over of law texts to the UG Library by the KIVO Foundation that:
“The spin that is being placed on the current situation as regards the (UG law) students who are going to Law School is slightly unfortunate. The Attorney General has announced that the Heads of Government have taken a decision on the issue that was taken to them by the Government of Guyana.
“It is a decision of the highest order of the Community determining certain actions from the Council for Legal Education (CLE), a creature of the Community. The Chairman of the Community, Dr Ralph Gonsalves carried out those instructions, yet we still see bylines like ‘UG students still in limbo’.”
Given the trajectory of Stabroek News reporting and the new developments reported on this situation, I wonder whether the Caricom Community has entered into a new phase of how organs, “creature(s) of the Community” engage the Community on matters that have been “determined” by the Community.
Secondly, it is my humble
submission that even though in the regular order of business the CLE’s arrangement with UG for the top 25 law graduates was only granted a year’s extension to cover the previous year and would have self-determined in 2014, the conduct of LEC/ UWI/HWLS by the decision by the CLE to determine the automatic placements in February of 2014 was unreasonable under the pervading circumstance. I humbly submit that after the application process to Hugh Wooding Law School was opened to all, including UG law graduates, it created legitimate expectation that the arrangement of automatic placements would subsist and those successful at the Entrance Examinations also would be allowed admittance. Additionally, the open and close of the application process, duly responded to by UG students, as well created and cemented a legitimate expectation that those applications would be considered on the merits of Grade Point Average (GPA) and Entrance Examination grades and not on the basis of space as is the present conundrum with a preference for UWI law graduates first.
One wonders if there is not a series of injustices being meted out here and whether by their conduct the CLE is stopped from denying UG graduates admittance only on the basis of space when the longstanding practice is to judge the applications based on GPA attained and Entrance Examination grades.
Sherod Avery Duncan Student-at-Law, Class of 2014 President, UGSS, 2009-2010
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Page Foundation
If you were to create an ideal parent, what qualities would s/he have? What would they look like? What would they say or do?
I’ve been thinking about this question for quite some time. In many ways I find the topic a bit daunting, so I’d like to open up the conversation. I’d like to ask you to join me by adding your thoughts, feedback and comments. While I make some suggestions of the things that I think are important, I invite you to respond with your agreements, disagreements and/or added suggestions. I feel this is a community issue that honestly deserves input from a variety of sources. So, please feel free to add your voice to the discussion.
I think “loving” is the most important characteristic that an ideal parent needs to demonstrate. When we are loving, we are consciously sharing our thoughts and feelings; we are tenderly touching and holding our child with care. We are playful and joyful in our actions and in our guidance. We take time to listen and to explain things to our child so they are able to understand. We always answer the child’s questions. We create quality time where we can look into the child’s eyes and connect with their “soul”. We create an environment that is safe from any emotional, mental or physical harm.
Positive role model
Another major characteristic that an ideal parent demonstrates is being a positive role model. A positive role model demonstrates and presents a healthy lifestyle that involves exercise, nature, art and self-expression. A positive role model prepares food that nourishes the eyes, the mouth and the body. They are wise in their words and actions. They strive to express their
wants in a positive manner. They have hindsight, now-sight and foresight. They are not afraid to say they made a mistake and they are open to feedback on how they can do things better. They don’t blame others, nor do they portray themselves as a victim. They teach the concept of acceptance by using everything for their upliftment, advancement and growth. They demonstrate the concept of patience by being present – enjoying what is going on in the moment – no matter what. They consciously present the concept of cause and effect so the child can learn through its experiences what is effective, and what is not effective. Since they know they are more than just a mother or a father, they take time to nurture and care for themselves so they can give from their overflow.
Moral and spiritual responsibility
Ideal parents demonstrate moral and spiritual responsibility. They believe in hope. They hold a space for their child to develop into who s/he truly is – verses trying to make the child into something “they” want. They consistently demonstrate good boundaries and give their child permission to say
“yes” and “no” when it’s appropriate. They encourage the child to dream, to be more, and to think “outside the box.” They teach the child to regularly look into the mirror and say, “I’m loving you.”
Ideal parents create a social environment where the concept of “family” extends out into the community and expands to all our brothers and sisters on the planet. Friends are welcomed and play is an opportunity to learn, to grow, to communicate, and to share. Formal education is embraced and the development of the intellect is valued and praised. Discipline and consistent daily routines, that support the family and the community, are demonstrated and reinforced. The child knows that they can count on their parent to hold, to comfort, to listen, to understand, and to love them.
An ideal parent strives toward their ideal, however, s/he knows it’s not reasonable or realistic to expect or demand that they always are ideal. An ideal parent extends forgiveness to him/herself when they miss the mark. An ideal parent knows parenting is an ongoing learning process. Oh boy, more fun! (The Huffington Post)
Motivating learning in young children (Conclusion)
Preschoolers (age three to five years) are beginning to be more involved with verbal problem-solving skills. They direct their own learning through speech and use vocal communication to direct their own behaviour to solve problems. Young children are often heard talking themselves through a series of actions that lead to the solution of a problem. As children get older, this “talking out loud” will become an internal monologue. This newly developing ability to problem solve is the basis for motivation at this stage. Having the self confidence to know that one can solve a problem motivates the learner to accept other new and challenging situations, which in turn lead to greater learning.
Enhancing motivation
For parents of young children, the goal should be to appropriately support the development of motivation so that there is a proper foundation for optimal educational growth. Parents should be very cautious about the use of many extrinsic rewards, as this can severely interfere with the child’s motivational development. Praise for an accomplishment is appropriate, but be sure that your child is doing a task because she is interested, not because she thinks it will bring praise from you.
Difficulties arise when adults or others within the child’s environment enforce external standards and replace the internal reward system with one that depends upon outside forces to supply all of the rewards (candy, money, excessive praise). Children then begin to feel successful
only if someone else rewards them for accomplishments. They lose their intrinsic motivation and may only feel success when someone else judges them as successful. In such situations, children may not develop feelings of self-worth, and will judge their own value by someone else’s standards. Your child should never need to ask, “Did I do well?” She should know and be confident in her own successes.
There are several strategies parents can use to help children remain more fully intrinsically motivated.
Provide an environment (through age appropriate toys, activities, etc) that allows children to freely explore and to see the effect of their actions (ie, toys that have visible or tangible changes when moved).
Allow children ample time when working to allow for persistence. When children are deeply involved with an activity, make sure that they can finish without interruption. Resist the natural urge to “help”, and let the child know if, for example, we have to go to the grocery store in a few minutes.
Respond to children’s needs in a consistent, predictable manner, but allow them to be as independent as possible. This does NOT mean ceding all control to your child. All children need clearly defined limits. Playtime, however, need not be structured and organised. Let your child be a child!
Provide many opportunities for children and adults to explore together and interact directly. It is important for both children and adults to be working together on an activity. This lets you observe, model, and encourage your child.
Acceptable challenge
Provide situations that give children an acceptable challenge. Activities that are slightly difficult for the child will be more motivating and provide for stronger feelings of success when accomplished. This may take some trial and error at first.
Give children opportunities to evaluate their own accomplishments. Rather than stating that you think they have done a good job, ask them what they think of their work. You’ll never go wrong by asking the question, “What do YOU think?”
Do not use excessive rewards. They tend to undermine children’s ability to value themselves. Praise and rewards should be based upon children’s effort and persistence, rather than on the actual accomplishment. The world through a child’s eyes is an awesome place. Allow children to explore and discover their world. Around every corner is an experience just waiting to surprise and excite young growing minds; all they need is a small amount of direction and a large amount of freedom. It is not necessary to praise and reward children for their own actions as they attempt to control their environment. (nasponline.org)
By RoBeRt C Jameson, maRRiage and family theRapist
WPA foresees no rift with PNCR ... even after Rodney CoI testimony
By Alexis Rodney
Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said contrary to popular belief the evidence he will be giving to the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry will by no means create a rift between his party and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which is the major partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition.
In fact, the political stalwart claims that both the WPA and the PNC had come together, putting aside all their differences for a common goal. He said there is absolutely nothing that will come out in the Inquiry that is not already known to the two parties.
“There is nothing that will emerge from this inquiry that will in fact astonish us,” Roopnaraine told Guyana Times exclusively on Monday.
The WPA Leader stressed that the two political organisations “knew what we knew” and had at the point of coming together, made a “giant leap in terms of reconciliation by entering into a political partnership.
“We knew what we were doing, and, as I said, there is nothing that would come out of the Commission of Inquiry that will cause us to change our minds,” Dr Roopnaraine, who is also Vice Chairman of APNU, said.
No change in views
The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry will recommence next Tuesday at the Supreme Court Library building in Georgetown. Dr Roopnaraine, along with a few other renowned in-
dividuals, has been named to give evidence in the investigation, which seeks to ascertain who or what was responsible for the death of the WPA founding leader, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney, on June 30, 1980.
The WPA has categorically blamed the PNC Government, led by the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, for Rodney’s death. According to the WPA, Rodney was very much outspoken on the undemocratic practices of the Government.
“I have had a conversation with Mr Glenn Hanoman, lawyer for the Commission and I told him, yes, I will be coming to testify.” Dr Roopnaraine pointed out that his testimony will provide a broad context of the 1975-1980 period, noting that there will not be any new information, since he has written extensively on the matter, which has been in the public domain over the years. “What I wrote then I believed to be true and I continue to believe it to be true.”
Political context
He said the political environment of that time will be examined. This includes the civil rebellion period, which culminated in June 1980 with the assassination of Dr Rodney. Dr Roopnaraine said he believes that it is very critical that an accurate picture be painted about the political context at the time and the struggles experienced by everyone concerned to build a united front.
But while the WPA Leader remains poised to participate, his political partner and leader of the PNCR, retired Brigadier David Granger has opted not to provide evidence at the Inquiry, despite calls
from Government officials for him to do so.
Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall had said that Granger would have had an opportunity to exonerate the name of the PNC, with his participation. However, Granger maintained that his reason for not participating is rooted in the Head of State’s unconcern for the issues raised by the PNC over sections of the Commission’s Terms of Reference, and the presence of a Commissioner, Justice Seenath Jairam, on the board of inquiry.
On June 13, 1980, at the age of 38, Dr Rodney, the WPA Co-leader, was killed by a bomb in his car, a month after he returned from the independence celebrations in Zimbabwe and during a period of intense political activism. He was survived by his wife, Patricia, and three children.
His younger brother Donald Rodney, who was injured in the explosion, said a sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force named Gregory Smith had given Walter the bomb that killed him. After the killing, Smith fled to French Guiana, where he died in 2002.
GRC assists 133 disaster victims thus far in 2014 ....GGDMA takes up “corporate knight” mantle
Guyana Relief Council (GRC) Chairperson Yvonne Hinds said the entity has been able to render assistance to some 133 persons thus far in 2014.
Hinds pointed out that the Council has an opendoor policy for persons who approach it for aid. “We never turn away anybody,” she said.
The Chairperson highlighted that presently at the Council’s shelter located in Ruimveldt, a couple who lost everything in a fire in North Ruimveldt last month are resident until they can find suitable accommodations elsewhere.
Hinds noted that the Council provided the couple with clothing and other necessities, from the time they approached the Council for aid. She said the GRC would also provide cooked meals for the couple.
20 years
Hinds revealed that the Council also has continued to provide aid to a number of persons, including triplets from Ruperty in Region Nine, Rupununi, Lethem. She said, since the birth of the triplets, the Council has been providing their parents with a monthly hamper, which goes a far way in terms of maintaining the viability of the household.
“In a way, we have ad-
opted them, they are our children,” said the wife of Guyana’s Prime Minister, as she explained that the girls are now 16 years old and preparing to sit Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations later this month.
On that note, Hinds highlighted that this year, GRC marks 20 years of providing aid to victims of natural disasters and while the Council continues its outreach programmes, a team will be heading into the Ruperty area of Rupununi, Lethem where they will be providing schoolchildren and teachers with backpacks filled with stationery and new reading material.
“We want to give them new books, we always give people new things, there is a certain air to a new book, it makes you want to pick it up and read... we don’t want to give them old books with dog ears and all these things,” said the founder of the Relief Council.
Humanitarian work
Hinds was at the time speaking at the handing over ceremony of a $320,000 cheque from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association which will go directly to the humanitarian work of the Council.
On receiving the cheque, Hinds underscored the need
for more corporate knights to champion the cause of humanitarians. She said that while persons from time to time make donations to the Non-Governmental Organisation, corporate bodies need to join the fight against poverty and other human development impediments and willingly give a hand.
“Our services are always called upon to alleviate the effects of natural disasters... we are putting things together for such undertakings,” Hinds stressed while at a fundraiser on Sunday.
On that occasion, Hinds further lamented the need for funding, but acknowledged that the Council would receive a quarterly donation from the New Building Society, while other corporate sponsors included Trans Guyana Airways, Demerara Distillers Limited, and the Guyana Defence Force.
Although the Government also provides some assistance to the Council, it was inadequate, merely serving to maintain security at the organisation. Funding to keep the organisation afloat comes primarily from its overseas chapter in Miami – approximately $1 million. The Chairperson related that the Council hosts several events annually to help raise funds.
GRC Chairperson Yvonne Hinds and other Council Members along with a representative of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Glenise Edwards at the ceremony on Monday
Dr Rupert Roopnaraine
Woman, 24, succumbs after childbirth
A24-year-old wom-
an died at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Monday after she delivered a seven-month-old baby on Friday.
Marissa LaGourdoue, who was attending the high-risk clinic at the New Amsterdam Hospital was admitted to that institution on Friday morning, and gave birth to a boy shortly after.
However, by the evening, two units of blood were administered to her and her blood pressure was reported to be too high.
LaGourdoue had a scheduled clinic visit on Friday and went to the hospital for the visit, but was subsequently admitted.
According to her aunt Candace Stewart, she received a telephone call stating that her niece was going to deliver the baby.
She said shortly after she got to the hospital, the baby
was born by normal means and they both seemed to be healthy.
“She would experience swelling to the foot so they enrolled her at the high-risk clinic at the New
Amsterdam Hospital.”
Stewart said that there was no swelling on Friday, but by that evening, there was swelling to LaGourdoue’s foot. After spending Saturday and Sunday morning in hospital, during which time doctors tried to bring her blood pressure down, the mother of two was discharged on Sunday afternoon.
According to Stewart, one doctor questioned the discharge on Sunday when LaGourdoue’s blood pressure was considered high on Sunday morning.
According to the aunt, on Monday at their 41 Stanleytown home in New Amsterdam about 01:30h, LaGourdoue stated that she was feeling unwell and wanted to go to the hospital.
“We take her to the hospital right away because she was not sounding too nice.”
Leaving the baby behind, LaGourdoue was in
the Accident and Emergency Unit when she took her last breath.
“When they were looking at her, she didn’t want me to leave and go outside, then she hold on to me tight tight an say, ‘Take care of me two children… life left me, ah gon dead’.”
According to Stewart, it was shortly after those words that LaGourdoue was pronounced dead. Meanwhile, Berbice Regional Health Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo said a preliminary investigation has commenced and is expected to be completed on Tuesday.
According to the CEO, the hospital will be conducting its own investigation. An autopsy is expected to be performed on the body on Tuesday.
LaGourdoue leaves to mourn her four-day-old baby, four-year-old son, parents and six siblings.
National Committee set up to tackle interpersonal violence
ANational Committee has been established by the Home Affairs Ministry to tackle issues relating to interpersonal violence.
The Committee will be reviewing recommendations that were made following a conference hosted by the Ministry on interpersonal violence last November, with a
view of implementing them.
According to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, some 58 recommendations were made. He pointed out that when violence-related crimes such as domestic violence, interpersonal violence, gang-related violence and violence at schools occurs, then persons look to the Guyana Police Force and the Home
Affairs Ministry as regulatory bodies for help, hence the need for such a committee.
Rohee disclosed that he had approached Cabinet with the recommendations and proposed that a committee be set up to oversee these recommendations. He noted that Cabinet subsequently approved the establishment of the Committee, which
would be spearheaded by his Ministry.
The Committee includes representatives from various agencies. These are: the Ministries of Home Affairs; Labour, Human Services and Social Security; Education; Youth, Culture, and Sport; Health; Amerindian Affairs; Legal Affairs; and Finance along with faith-based organisations, youth organisations, women organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Monday’s meeting is the first engagement of the Committee and according to the Minister, while all of the agencies were not present, those present are sufficient to get the Committee’s work going.
Strategic plan
At the opening of the National Conference for Prevention of Interpersonal Violence, President Donald Ramotar said that there is no fixed approach to addressing the issue of interpersonal violence. However, he had urged the participants of the Conference to work as a cohesive unit and come up with strategic plans to tackle violence in all its manifestations from a national standpoint.
The President noted that interpersonal violence is becoming a major economic burden and the lives of Guyanese and too many young people are being cut down by the senseless acts of their fellow citizens. Ramotar noted that violence poses a threat to the personal security of every citizen of a country.
“Interpersonal violence is not just a personal and social matter, it is also a public security concern. The State has a general responsibility for law and order and for the protection of its citizens… interpersonal violence presents a treat to the social order and the safety of citizens and is, therefore, a legitimate concern to those entrusted with ensuring public safety,” the President had said.
Eyew tness
Two-faced...
...media
Your Eyewitness was intrigued by the coverage on the Indian Elections for several reasons. One of them had to do with the tag they all, without fail, used to refer to Modi – “Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi”. It got so that anyone who might’ve been exploring the Amazonian jungles for the past year may be forgiven if they thought the now Indian PM designate’s first name was “Hindu Nationalist”.
But this ubiquitous label wasn’t accidental – it was part and parcel of defining Modi as “the other” – with all the fears that it is supposed to invoke. Hindu??? Well he’s “backward” and “superstitious”, no? They have such weird practices – worshipping God as female and Gods with multiple hands and such like – surely they’ll drag the rest of us back into the Stone Age.
More than 30 years after, Edward Said showed how the West’s power to define others through their media and other forms of communication, fixes or interpellates others into degraded roles. And it’s still the norm.
So what that Modi and his party reject the use of the word “Hindu” in the sense of “religion” that the West maps Hindu practices onto. Modi took pains to point out that when he says “Hindu”, it’s the “way of life” of the people, that’s derived out of the own unique experiences of India. Who would quarrel if the people of America are told that they must live according to the values of the “American” way of life?
Nationalist? Well, that’s the biggest joke of them all! Which politician says he’s “anti-nationalist”? What was done to Modi was the same some in the US tried to label Obama as “Muslim” when he entered the political scene. His middle name “Hussein” had to mean he was one of those camel-jockey A-rabs Bush mocked. How dare one of these weird, dangerous “others” think they could be President of America?
But what made things worse is that just the other day, (April 16, to be exact) the Prime Minister of England, explaining why his Government was spending £20 million to repair Cathedrals, declared: “I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people’s lives.”
Britain, of course, has an established church, the Church of England, which is Christian and whose “supreme governor” is the queen; Mr Cameron is a member.
But did anyone refer to the British PM as “Christian Nationalist David Cameron”? Not the western media... nor their local lackeys.
...backtracking
Well, well well!!! Whaddyou know? Seems that Muckraker’s owner Glenn Lall had a vision from on high on the way to Wakenaam. What else could explain how a man who’s been cursing conditions in Guyana as “corrupt”, “crime ridden”, “blood-sucking” and rife with “cronyism” plunk down G$400,000,000 dollars into a business in Guyana? For a man to backtrack on such strong sentiments, there has to be powerful reason or reasons.
He’d been cussing out President Jagdeo so nastily, that as they say in Wakenaam, there wasn’t “wata fuh wash am.” In the “Dem Boys seh” column Lall puts out with his house slave’s help, they’d admitted they had Jagdeo on their “brain”. We now know one reason for all the cussing: Lall wanted “duty and tax concessions”. For a sweetie business competing with long established sweetie makers.
After the lecture the President gave him about his gutter journalism, chasing away of hydro power, etc, we know the President wouldn’t have given him any “dutyfree”. So it has to be that vision? He’s really setting up a backtracking laundry.
...AFC hustling
Ramjattan’s still beating his client’s dead horse on the Specialty Hospital. Well, he has to. He’s already spent the commission on rum!
Dead: Marissa LaGourdoue
Caricom countries being prepped to implement Nagoya Protocol
The Caricom Secretariat continued to put measures in place to enhance the capacity of Member States to implement the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing by hosting its third capacity-building workshop on the issue.
The event was held on Monday in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the Caricom Secretariat Annex, Georgetown, Guyana. Its aim was to strengthen the capacity of the participating countries to ratify or accede to the Protocol and to prepare for its implementation with the view to contributing to the achievement of Aichi Target 16, that is, bringing the Nagoya Protocol in to force, consistent with national legislation, by 2015.
Speaking at the opening ceremony for the workshop, Director of Human Development at the Caricom Secretariat, Myrna Bernard said the workshop came at a time when many Member States were updating their national biodiversity strategies and action plans. She said the Caricom Secretariat, through its Sustainable Development Programme, has long advocated for mainstreaming the environment into national and regional strategies for economic and social development.
Bernard also used the
opportunity to outline some of the work that was being done by the Caricom Secretariat to implement the Protocol. She said the Secretariat has co-hosted two previous Caribbean regional Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) workshops in cooperation with the Access and Benefit-Sharing Initiative and with support from the European Union. She noted that training in the drafting of legislation for Protocol implementation has also been delivered and a list of qualified consultants who could assist Member States in the legislative and policy process has been compiled and disseminated.
Opportunities and benefits
She outlined further that in an effort to widen awareness and deepen the understanding of the opportunities and benefits that could arise from participation in the global ABS framework, the Secretariat has also formally brought the Nagoya Protocol and its implications for the Region to the attention of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) – Ministers of Agriculture and the COTED – Ministers of Environment.
Bernard also expressed appreciation to the European Union for its support to host a oneday training session on the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing House, to be held on Wednesday as part of the
workshop. She also thanked the CBD Secretariat and the European Union for providing training on the pilotphase of the ABS Clearing House.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud declared the workshop open. In his remarks, he said it was important to have systems like the Protocol in place to safeguard resources, noting that there has been legislation established in Guyana that will help with the implementation of the Protocol. Persaud added that Guyana was willing to share its experiences, and he was hopeful that all the other participants would share their knowledge so there can be a mutual exchange of ideas.
“It is my expectation that when we would have concluded this workshop, the region will be better equipped to implement the Nagoya Protocol,” he said.
The workshop will build on the Caribbean Workshop on Access and Benefit-Sharing (November 25-29, 2013, Kingston, Jamaica) and the Regional Training Workshop on Drafting Legislation for Implementation on the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (June 26-28, 2013, Roseau, Dominica), which were organised by the Caricom Secretariat and the ABS Capacity Development Initiative, in collaboration with the CBD Secretariat.
Battle between rival brothers leads to killing
ABamboo Creek Settlement resident accused of murdering a drinking companion with his own weapon was on Monday remanded to prison.
Robert Lou, of Bamboo Creek Settlement, North Pakaraimas, Rupununi, was refused bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The charge stated that on Monday, May 12, at Bamboo
Creek Settlement, the defendant murdered Winkey Peters.
The court was told that on the day in question, the defendant, his brother and the deceased were consuming casari, a local alcoholic beverage, when the men had a misunderstanding over attending a party which resulted in a fight. The now deceased Peters managed to escape, and subsequently returned with his brothers Glenford Edwin and Kevin
US citizen allegedly ‘manhandled’ behaved belligerently – CJIA
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has reported that US citizen Sangernette Mason behaved belligerently while at the check in counter of Caribbean Airlines (CAL) after booking a flight to the US.
According to the CJIA in a release, Mason was loud, incoherent and refused to answer any questions to facilitate the process.
The CJIA said one of its supervisors on duty was called in and after assessing the situation, decided that the passenger was not fit to travel, since in his opinion she posed a threat to the aircraft and other passengers on the flight.
It explained that the decision triggered a violent
reaction.
“Mason began throwing shoes and other items from a bag she had in one of her luggage. One of CJIA’s Aviation Security Officers (ASOs) was summoned and despite her pleadings, could not calm the agitated passenger. The Guyana Police Force was called in and they tried to escort the passenger out of the checkin area, by this time, Ms Mason demeanour changed to one of belligerence,” the airport said.
It said that the woman ran, positioned herself in front of CAL’s conveyor system – a restricted area where the luggage passes to go on the aircraft – got into a physical altercation with a female officer and threw a garbage bin at the
said officer.
“Efforts by several law enforcement officers to pacify the passenger – for nearly an hour – proved futile. Eventually, she was handcuffed and escorted from the terminal and was subsequently released to the care of a relative,” the release concluded.
According to reports, the foreigner was allegedly manhandled by a security personnel. After the ticketing clerk refused to confirm a flight for her, she reportedly physically attacked the security official.
From reports gathered, it was during an attempt to control the woman that she was reportedly ‘manhandled’, and it was not done intentionally.
Bedlock, and the fight was on again.
During the altercation, Peters pulled out a knife, but Lou managed to disarm him and stabbed him with his own knife to the left side of his chest. Peters later succumbed to his injuries.
The defendant, who was unrepresented, was not required to plead. He is scheduled to make an appearance at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on June 2 for the commencement of the trial.
Guyana is one of several Caribbean countries rich in biodiversity
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has reported that US citizen Sangernette Mason behaved belligerently while checking in for a flight to the US
Sharma urges serious support for Reparations Committee
Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon has urged Councillors of the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) to give serious consideration and support to the issue of reparations while calling on them to support the work of the Linden Reparations Committee.
At a recent RDC statutory meeting Solomon told Councillors that the story of reparations is one of the most pressing issues currently facing the nation, following emancipation. He stressed that it is not limited to the descendants of African people, but also includes Amerindians and East Indians as well.
“They’re a part of earning from reparations, not only financially. They are affected by the issues of slavery and the hardships it brought to the lives of the people. Although this is predominantly an Afro-Guyanese community, we also have six Amerindian communities in our Region and for that reason, it is very important for this Region to pay careful attention to the issues of reparations, to what was denied to the sets of people during the era of colonisation.”
The Regional Chairman added, “I ask that you support the work of the Reparations
Committee in pursuing a direction that will give an understanding first of what ‘reparations’ is and how we will be able to benefit from it.”
Following his address on the issue, Councillors decided unanimously to support the Linden Reparations Committee and the work of other Committees on reparations.
Solomon also commended the efforts of the Linden
Reparations Committee in setting up the ‘Reparations Village’ in the Linden community, as part of the recently-concluded Linden Town Week of activities. He noted that it added a touch of culture to the celebrations.
He also lauded African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) Chairman Eric Phillips for his commitment and dedication to reparations. A few weeks
ago, the Guyana Reparations Committee (GRC) joined the Linden Reparations Committee in hosting its first outreach conference in the community. The Committees are joining with the rest of the Caribbean in demanding that reparations be paid to descendants of those who were enslaved by European governments during the slave trade.
Caribbean countries are currently in the process of preparing reports on reparations. The Guyana Reparations Committee report on the issue is almost completed. Caricom Reparations Commission Chairman, Sir Hilary Beckles, in expressing the 15-nation bloc’s stance, said justice for the Caribbean can be served only in the form of transitional aid.
“What are the 10 major legacies that European colonisation has left behind? Issues of illiteracy. Issues of ill health. Issues of poor infrastructure. Issues of backward agricultural economies. And it goes on,” said Beckles. The reparations demands are outlined in a 10-point plan and include a formal apology, assistance to people wanting to relocate back to countries in Africa and a partial cancellation of national debt.
Every ting used to be short
During de old Pee-N-C days, it always used to have a shortage fuh some ting. In some cases and at some times, it was a lotta tings that was in short supply all at the same time. People used to have to run helter skelter to get whah dem want.
Nuff people had to join line to get whah dem want. No body coulda ever leff de country wid any kinda foreign currency. Some had to wuk hard at de Hopeless Estate fuh de man who thought he was a king who used to behave like he own Guyana.
At one time, people coulda never get gas to drive dem car. Then when dem get de gas, dem coulda never get spare parts whenever de car bruk down. One man had seh at de time that he even had a hard time gettin air fuh he car wheel when ever he had to fix a flat.
And that ain’t no joke. That was a true story, although no body had wanna believe him at de time. De man was damn right if yuh know exactly whah he mean. In dem days was nuff gas shortage and even more nuff blackout.
That simply mean de people who own tyre shops coulda never get de shop to wuk wid all dem blackouts. And wid de gas shortage dem coulda never use a generator. So air was plenty in de air, but yuh coulda never get air to put in de tyre.
Another time, people coulda never get flour. And when any body had a lil bit dem had to run and hide. Eventually, people coulda never get any ting whah come from overseas. Thank de Almighty, people can now get any ting dem want from any where dem want.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, since de country gettin all these overseas tings, dem might as well look fuh a overseas mayor, a overseas PRO and a overseas town clerk fuh de s*ity council! Because de ones dem got hey ain’t no good.
LIAT staff accused of unfair treatment
Leading Amerindian activist Damon Gerard Corrie has officially lodged a protest at the alleged treatment of his wife by a LIAT official at the Ogle International Airport on Sunday.
According to Corrie, on May 14, he had purchased a one-way ticket for his wife Shirling Normellia Corrie
to travel to Barbados on a special “Just Go” fare online, however, much to his dismay, when she reached the counter at 14:00h, on Sunday, to check-in for her 14:55h flight, a female counter staff looked at her e-ticket and questioned her.
“Who got this ticket for you at that price? Who bought this ticket for you?” he said
the woman reportedly asked his wife, who pointed out to her that her husband did, using his credit card.
According to him, the counter staff then turned to her wife and allegedly said: “Well, you will have to pay US$78.55 more because that sounds too low to me – so he can either pay that online or you can pay it in cash here, and you will have to wait until Tuesday, May 20 before you can get the next available seat.”
Damon said this is grossly unfair, as his wife has been denied a seat he legitimately paid for and had to travel back to the interior and will have to “waste money” to travel back out to Georgetown again on Tuesday.
He is appealing to LIAT to look into the matter, noting that he is a regular customer of the airline.
“I sincerely hope and expect the management of LIAT will resolve this amicably by seeing that my wife is put on the next available LIAT flight from Ogle to Barbados at no cost to me,” Damon said. Efforts to get a comment from LIAT on the matter proved futile.
Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon
Shirling Normellia Corrie
Berbice wanted man captured
Wanted fugitive Vinod Gopaul, 24, who was committed to stand trial for murder and had subsequently escaped from the New Amsterdam Prisons while in custody, was last evening captured by Police ranks in the Yakusari, Black Bush Polder area.
He will be slapped with the charges of escaping from lawful custody and robbery under arms.
The incident took place about 19:00h on Sunday. According to reports, ranks pounced on Gopaul after being tipped off by residents of his whereabouts.
The wanted criminal has been charged for murdering his father when he was just 14. He allegedly shot his father in the head. According to information received, he committed the act because his father was allegedly going to shoot his mother following a dispute over money.
Gopaul reportedly grabbed the gun from his father’s hand and allegedly shot him (his father) instead.
Vinod Gopaul
and positively identified for the spate of robberies and reign of terror on the Upper Corentyne, specifically at Numbers 48 and 49 Villages.
Residents had staged a protest after they believed that the Police were part of the robberies.
In April of this year, he was positively identified as one of the bandits that brutally gun-butted and robbed a Yakusari, Black Bush Polder couple of some $1.7 million.
Meanwhile, residents are grateful to the Police for capturing the notorious criminal who was reportedly often seen walking around the community armed with a rifle.
Police have disclosed that prior to his capture; Gopaul went to a wake held in the community and upon seeing him, the entire gathering fled in fear for their lives.
Prison escapee shot dead by cops
...one recaptured, two on the lam
Pandemonium broke out at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday morning after four high-profile criminals escaped from the holding area at the facility by removing the grille work.
Crime Chief Leslie James told Guyana Times that the Police managed to recapture Steven Bacchus, who was charged with the murder of Constable Quincy Wright in January.
Those still on the lam are Keron Cummings, who was charged with several armed robberies; Vickram “Lil John” Persaud, who was charged with the murder of Constable Cumberbatch in September 2013; and Randolph Marks, who was charged with the murder of Patsan’s Trading Sales representative Bharrat Ramcharan.
through the hole.
The Police Officers’ quick response resulted in the rearrest of Bacchus, but there was no sign of the others.
tion received, the men were brought from the Camp Street Penitentiary to appear in various courts for their offences. The men had already made their appearances and were supposed to be taken back to the correctional facility, but there was a delay.
Police sources disclosed that he confessed to returning to Guyana approximately five months ago.
Gopaul was implicated
He was charged with the capital offence, but in 2011, he escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison, along with two other notorious criminals, to Suriname.
That was how fearful they were of Gopaul, who along with Kevin Narine called “Long hair” and La Fleur, escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison.
Ranks thanked the residents for their input and cooperation in capturing the fugitive.
The Crime Chief explained that the prisoners would have removed the grille from the ventilation work of the courts’ holding area for prisoners. Police ranks were alerted after they heard a strange sound emanating from the area, and as they arrived, they saw Bacchus making his way
Guyana Times understands that the men are not armed, but are still classified as dangerous. A manhunt has been launched for the three escapees.
Police ranks being questioned
Several Police Officers are being questioned about the breakage, since only a wall separates the holding area from where the Police are stationed.
According to informa-
A Police source explained that on a normal day, after the prisoners would have made their appearance before the Magistrate, they are kept in the holding area as they wait on others, so that the vehicle can make one trip to the facility. He could not say what went wrong on Monday, noting that no one heard a sound until the last person was making his way through the vent. On any day that court is in session, there are at least one dozen police ranks providing protection at the facility and he was not sure how the men were not spotted.
As a result of the incident, a number of magistrate’s courts adjourned as Police unsuccessfully combed the area to find the escapees but were unsuccessful.
Vickram Persaud
Hindus must be united, have one voice – Dr Persaud
Canje residents criticise location of GuySuCo’s pump
Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha President, Dr Vindhya Persaud has urged all executive members of the various temples on the Essequibo Coast to be united, strong and have one voice in Hinduism.
Dr Persaud was at the time speaking at a special leadership seminar held on Sunday, May 18 at the Cotton Field Secondary School.
She said the Sabha will like to see all mandirs throughout Guyana under the Dharmic umbrella.
Speaking at the seminar hosted by the Essequibo Coast, Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Praant, Dr Persaud said once everyone holds strong voices together, many positive changes can occur.
She urged leaders to be positive, loyal and dedicated in executing their duties as office bearers. She also urged executives to be good examples to society and be role models.
“Never ever even if someone is rude and disrespectful, never go down to their level, no matter how angry
you are, never be engaged in going to that level,” Dr Persaud said.
In her presentation on “leadership”, she explained the roles and responsibilities of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer of the Essequibo Praant.
She reminded them that a leader is tasked with many responsibilities, but it can only be executed with commitment.
All members were cautioned to be involved in effective communication.
“Never be tunnel vision, look beyond to achieve big, give a commitment and make sure it is honoured,” she urged.
She also told all members that meetings held at any mandir should have a planned agenda, put together by the President, with attention to time management.
Members were reminded that whichever mandir they belong to, they must keep in constant contact with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
“You are a reflection of the Sabha, your image is an image of the Sabha, as such, you have to stand firm.”
The seminar was aimed at fostering unity among leaders, as well as to update executive members of the various temples on the Sabha’s planned activities. It offered a forum for interaction, suggestion and recommendation. Persons were given the opportunity to socialise with the new executive as well as raise concerns about the management of the temples.
The seminar is one of the many activities that the Praant plans in an effort to reach out to all Hindus on the Essequibo Coast.
Attending the seminar were members from at least 18 mandirs. A health talk on hypertension and diabetes was also incorporated into the seminar.
Essequibo Coast Praant President Kaydar Persaud, Vice President Parmanand Persaud, Secretary Navita Boodhnaraine, Organising Secretary Sursattie Singh, Treasurer Tomesh Persaud and Assistant Ranjeev Singh were among those present.
Charity Secondary School student missing
Astudent from the Charity Secondary
has been missing for four days and searches thus far for him have proven futile.
Missing is Ruel Fredericks, 15, also
known as “Ruel” from Siriki, Lower Pomeroon Village. Parents, Police, soldiers and even villagers have launched a search party in an effort to locate him.
According to the teen’s mother, Shavon Federicks of New Heaven Siriki, Lower Pomeroon, her son went missing since May 16 around 17:30h.
The mother, who could hardly speak, said her son went into a trail to collect a bicycle and never returned home.
Ruel is the fifth child of his parents. He also told his elder sibling that he was going to uplift a bicycle. The bicycle was not uplifted by the teen.
He was last seen with a red shirt, red short pants and slippers. He was described as an obedient child.
He was also seen walking on the trail by villagers. The teen’s disappearance has shocked his parents.
Family members remain optimistic and are hoping for the teen’s safe return.
Persons with information on the teen are asked to contact the nearest Police station.
Residents of East Canje, Berbice are calling on the relevant authorities to address a situation which they believe can result in pollution of their water sources.
The calls by the residents come as the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is in the process of installing a pump along the Canje River, which residents believe will pollute their water sources.
They have since expressed concern based on information which has been made available to them.
According to the residents, sources close to the construction project said that the pump is for drainage purposes.
“If this is so, then all the chemicals that GuySuCo using will be pumped into the Canje River… right where we living… and we use this water for drinking,” One resident told Guyana Times Sources from GuySuCo told this publication that the pump will be used for irrigation purposes. However, the residents are not buying this.
They claim that the company has been secretive on the issue, and it was one of the engineers working on the project that gave them information.
Recently, following an article in the Berbice Times on contamination of the river by rice farmers, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; Region Six Chairman David Armogan; and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) officials visited the area and met with the guilty rice farmers.
The team also took the opportunity to visit the GuySuCo project.
However, after the two visits, Minister Ramsammy made no comments on the GuySuCo project, only stating that there is a way forward as
it relates to the rice farmers’ issue.
He noted that the rice farmers will not be allowed to disrupt the lives of the residents and arrangements will have to be made for them to release their rice field water into places other than the Canje River.
Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) refered to the project as “a catastrophe in waiting”.
In March of this year, at a high-level meeting, Armogan said GuySuCo had not been providing much information on the project. According to him, the regional administration was not informed of the project and was forced to ask questions.
Refused
GuySuCo officials in Berbice have refused to provide this publication with any information on the project.
The residents are claiming that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has let them down and has not taken their interest into consideration.
Sources from the EPA told this publication that they are unaware of any application by the sugar company to construct the pump.
APNU Region Six Councillor Kevin Crawford, who also vis -
ited with Minister Ramsammy, said his party is not taking the issue lightly. According to him, APNU has advised that the project be put on hold until questions are answered.
“One of our concerns is that the base of the pump is below the water level when it is at its lowest.” He said this will result in the pump not being able to be used. “It will be a waste of taxpayers’ money because the project is being funded by the NDIA. Somebody will have to go before the Privileges Committee for wasting public finds if they do not stop the project now.”
Meanwhile, a source close to GuySuCo, in defending the corporation, told this publication that the company has been in the business for decades and has never been accused of polluting water.
The source said that all of the chemicals which are used in the canefield for the production of sugar are safe.
However, residents argued that the rice farmers do not want them to pump excess water into the rice cultivation areas because chemicals from the canefields will eventually get into their rice fields.
“If the rice farmers don’t want it, then it is safe for us to drink?” questioned one farmer.
GPL explains reasons for blackouts
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) said that two of its Wartsila engines – one at the Garden of Eden and the other at Kingston, experienced mechanical difficulties, resulting in unscheduled blackouts in several areas in Demerara.
In a release, GPL said the loss of this 11 MW capacity has occurred while planned overhaul of the Number Two Unit (6.9 MW) at the new Kingston Plant is being done as
scheduled, and resulted in a shortage of capacity to meet demand in the Demerara System.
“Therefore, emergency load shedding has been instituted throughout the Demerara System from Sunday night, and was expected to continue until 13:00h when repairs to one of the units would have been completed,” GPL said.
On Sunday night, villages stretching from Versailles to La Retraite were without power from
18:29h to 20:20h; Windsor Forest to Edinburg from 19:06h to 21:10h; and the Sophia area from 18:35h to 21:05h.
On Monday, consumers from Good Hope to Industry, East Coast Demerara and in South and North Ruimveldt, Guyhoc Park, Tucville and Shirley Field Ridley Square have been without power from shortly after 08:00h. Repair to the second engine was expected to be completed by midnight.
School on the Essequibo Coast
Members of the various temples on the Essequibo Coast at the recent Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha leadership seminar
Missing: Ruel Fredericks
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Victim crippled in failed execution attempt
Malika Susan Da Silva of David Street, Campbellville, who was shot twice on Friday morning after an attack by four men, will not have the opportunity to walk again, a relative confirmed on Monday.
The relative told Guyana Times that Da Silva is crippled from her waist down as a result of a damaged spinal cord. She added that this was as a direct result of the bullet that was lodged in the woman’s back, following the shooting.
The woman posited that Da Silva is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and is in a conscious state, but they have not had the opportunity to speak with her since her hospitalisation.
The woman also disclosed that the family has received reports that sev-
eral suspicious cars were seen close to their home on Garnett Street.
With respect to investigations into the matter, Crime Chief Leslie James on Monday said the Police have no leads as they continue their investigations, noting that they are not in receipt of a registration number of the car or more so, positive identification, of the shooters.
He said based on reports received, it was a robbery attempt and not a failed execution, but the Police are continuing their investigations.
He is expected to meet with the relatives of the injured woman sometime in the week.
Da Silva was shot twice in the wee hours of Friday morning after four men attacked her in what appeared to be a planned execution along Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown.
It was reported that she had gone to a relative’s home at Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown to collect three persons to take them to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) when her car came under fire by four armed men.
In an attempt to escape after being shot, she crashed through a fence and into the wall of house a short distance away.
After crashing into the house, the men again discharged four more bullets in their direction and sped away from the scene. Those who rushed out to offer assistance did not get a glimpse of the registration number, or the driver of the car.
From all indications, the Toyota Fielder car was following the woman since she left home. The headlamps of the car were not on and it did not have registration plates.
Growing role of fish in feeding the world – FAO report
More people than ever before rely on fisheries and aquaculture for food and as a source of income, but harmful practices and poor management threaten the sector’s sustainability, says a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
According to the latest edition of FAO’s “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture”, global fisheries and aquaculture production totalled 158 million tonnes in 2012 – around 10 million tonnes more than 2010.
The rapid expansion of aquaculture, including the activities of small-scale farmers, is driving this growth in production.
Fish farming holds tremendous promise in responding to surging demand for food which is taking place due to global population growth, the report said. At the same time, the planet’s oceans – if sustainably managed – have an important role to play in providing jobs and feeding the world, according to FAO’s report.
“The health of our planet as well as our own health and future food security all hinge on how we treat the blue world,” FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva said.
The renewed focus on the so-called “blue world” comes as the share of fisheries production used by humans for food has increased from about 70 per cent in the 1980s to a record high of more than 85 per cent (136
million tonnes) in 2012. At the same time, per capita fish consumption has soared from 10 kg in the 1960s to more than 19 kg in 2012. The new report also says fish now accounts for almost 17 per cent of the global population’s intake of protein -- in some coastal and island countries it can top 70 per cent.
Support
FAO estimates that fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of 1012 per cent of the world’s population. Since 1990, employment in the sector has grown at a faster rate than the world’s population, and in 2012, provided jobs for some 60 million people engaged in capture fisheries and aquaculture. Of these, 84 per cent were employed in Asia, followed by Africa with about 10 per cent.
Global marine capture fishery production was stable at about 80 million tonnes in 2012, the new report indicates. Currently, under 30 per cent of the wild fish stocks regularly monitored by FAO are overfished – a reversal in trend observed during the past few years, a positive sign in the right direction.
Just over 70 per cent are being fished within biologically sustainable levels. Of these, fully fished stocks – meaning those at or very close to their maximum sustainable production – account for over 60 per cent and underfished stocks about 10 per cent.
Global aquaculture production marked a record
Manickchand gets Honorary Doctorate from Lesley University
Education Minister Priya Manickchand was conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree by Lesley University for her outstanding work in advocating for social justice and gender equality.
Manickchand was honoured before by the university alongside South African Jazz Musician and Social Activist Hugh Masekela in 2010, for their demonstrated commitment and leadership to advancing gender and racial equality around the world.
A citation from Lesley University stated that: “Priya Manickchand, your life has been dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, and families within your country. You have been a tireless advocate for the victims of violence and a spokesperson addressing the cultural and human conditions that give rise to the pervasive
Violence, presented to Parliament for passage into law a series of bills relating to the care, development and protection of children, and initiated a countrywide campaign to stamp out sexual violence".
problem of gender-based violence…”
It further read: “As Guyana’s Minister of Human Services and Social Security, you were devoted to ending the scourge of violence against women and children. Toward this end, you published a National Policy on Domestic
After being conferred with the Doctoral Degree, Minister Manickchand addressed the graduates to a standing ovation. She stressed the importance of education in the development of the world. She said: “Education is universally recognised as being one sure way to catalyse change: to improve individual circumstances, to uplift families, to transform communities, to develop countries, to change the human condition for the better.”
Also receiving an honorary degree was world renowned American author of children’s books, Loris Lowry.
No trace of suspect in cocaine-in-tonic saga
high of more than 90 million tonnes in 2012, including almost 24 million tonnes of aquatic plants. China accounted for over 60 per cent of the total share. Aquaculture’s expansion helps improve the diets of many people, especially in poor rural areas where the presence of essential nutrients in food is often scarce.
However, the report warns that to continue to grow sustainably, aquaculture needs to become less dependent on wild fish for feeds and introduce greater diversity in farmed culture species and practices.
The role of fish is set to feature prominently at the Second International Conference on Nutrition jointly organised by the FAO and the World Health Organistion (WHO) for Number 19 - 21 in Rome. Greater market share for developing countries, more attention to small-scale fishers
The Police are still to apprehend the suspect they believe is responsible for the death of four persons who drank a quantity of cocaine-laced SSS Tonic that was intended to be sent overseas.
The suspect whose name was given as “Barney”, once caught, is expected to be charged for the murder of Simone “Ngina” Price, 36, of Lot 22 Cookrite Street, East La Penitence; her husband, Alex Blair, 42; her son Jahaquel Blair, seven; and her best friend, Natasha George, 36, and the attempted murder of Price’s elder son, Jamal Waterman.
The perpetrator, a relative of Price is still on the lam, but Police are making every effort to get additional information about his whereabouts. This was according to Crime Chief Leslie James during a telephone interview on Monday.
He said the Police are working with the leads at their disposal with the intention of capturing the person who is suspected to have replaced the tonic with liquidised cocaine. James said that while issuing an arrest warrant is not an option at this time, the GPF will some time or the other issue one. However, following the
post-mortem examination which was inconclusive, a few body samples were taken for further analysis, but the results were not returned.
It was reported that a bottle of multivitamin tonic was given to the family by a relative to be sent overseas, but the niece who was supposed to take the tonic refused. She reportedly did not take the tonic, because she was heading to Pennsylvania and it had to be dropped off at a relative in Queens, New York.
Three Sundays ago, the family returned from church
and decided to open the bottle and take the specified dosage. George also took some after it was offered to her by her best friend.
Immediately after taking a teaspoon of the liquid, Jahaquel cried out for abdominal pain. After a few minutes, the pain worsened, so his mother attempted to take him to the hospital, but she collapsed.
After a few more minutes, George started to froth and also fell to the ground.
During the commotion, Alex also collapsed. They were all picked up, along with Waterman and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were
immediately attended to by doctors. After a few minutes, Price and George succumbed.
Alex took a turn for the worst and died almost an hour later. Jahaquel, despite being hooked up to a life support machine, took his last breath around 16:50h. Police in a release stated that the family ingested the SSS Tonic into which a quantity of cocaine was dissolved.
Police investigations revealed that the bottle of SSS Tonic, along with cassareep and chicken foot, had been left at the house by a man known to them, for an overseas-based female relative to take with her on her return flight. Natasha George is expected to be laid to rest today.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand addresses the gathering
Dead: Simone “Ngina” Price
Dead: Alex Blair
Dead: Jahaquel Blair
Dead: Natasha George
FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva
Barbados and China to sign visa abolition agreement
The Governments of Barbados and China will sign a mutual visa abolition agreement to pave the way for smooth entry of Chinese nationals who are holders of diplomatic and service (official) passports.
Barbados Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Maxine McClean, announced the signing date for the agreement as Tuesday, May 27, while addressing stakeholders attending the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation’s Doing Business with China half-day seminar.
Foreigners among 35 arrested in light theft raids in Jamaica
Four foreigners were among 35 persons arrested on the weekend in Western Jamaica as the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) continued its crackdown on electricity theft that it insists is robbing it of millions of dollars annually and posing a threat to its viability.
A usually reliable source told the Jamaica Observer that the four foreigners are from The Dominican Republic. They are reportedly working here and living in a rented house in Lilliput, St James where most of the arrests were made on Friday.
Marvin Campbell, JPS parish manager for St James and Trelawney, could not confirm the four men’s nationality.But he verified
Dozens
At least 32 people, almost all children aged 14 or under, died when a bus caught fire in northern Colombia. Eighteen passengers and the driver reportedly managed to escape the blaze.
They were returning from an event at an evangelical Christian church near the city of Fundacion, about 750km (465 miles) north of the capital, Bogota. The coordinator of the regional emergency response corps said there was a gasoline canister inside the vehicle which sped up the fire’s spread.
Major Eduardo Velez said the fire started after the driver attempted to start the faulty bus by pouring fuel into the engine, which he accessed through the floor of the cabin.
However, one surviving girl told local media the driver got off the bus “to fill
that they were among the 35 persons arrested on day one of the operation, which, in addition to Lilliput, saw JPS and police personnel going into Norwood and Whitehouse.
Campbell said that four built-in meter bypasses and a number of throw-ups were discovered during the first day of the operation. “JPS is once again trying to take back the electricity that is being stolen by consumers,” Campbell said.
On Saturday, as the crackdown spread to the upscale Fairview community of St James, a man was arrested after the JPS and police team found a meter bypass during a search of premises he occupies. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
She told her audience that this agreement abolishes the requirements of visas for holders of these passports and will “make it easier for a substantial number of persons to enter Barbados easily”.
Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with China, McClean said Barbados and China have built a solid relationship that was based on mutual respect and cooperation.
She said evidence of this strengthened relationship was through increased commercial and business activities as well as reciprocal visits of high-level dignitaries.
These include an official visit to several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in June 2013, a visit from a team from China Central Television hosted by the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in September and in November 2013, a delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Tianjin Sub-Council met with several Government and private sector stakeholders to get a better understanding of the investment and trading climate in the region. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Rowley: I’m captain of the PNM ship
Re-elected leader of the PNM, Dr Keith Rowley arrived at Balisier House, Port of Spain, on Sunday night wearing a red PNM T-shirt with the words Keep Calm and Vote PNM and his sailor hat. In a brief interview with reporters, Rowley said he chose to wear the hat because: “I am the captain of this (PNM) ship.”
This caused the small crowd assembled to scream in excitement. Rowley said based on the trend of votes tallied he was expected to be confirmed as leader of the 58-year-old party in its historic one-man-one-vote election Sunday.
Rowley said there were some hiccups during the election as it was the first time the election was con -
ducted under the new system. He said the process was slow initially but the Elections Supervisory Committee intervened and cleared up the bottlenecks resulting in a subsequent smooth flow of the process. He said based on the preliminary results “it appears as though party members would have voted wisely.”
He said he remained very optimistic of a resounding election victory and the results showed the party was very energised. He said Sunday's vote gives a lie to the claim that people were not interested in the process. “Today’s election has the look and feel of a general election,” he said in congratulating his supporters. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
the tank with petrol”.”The bus was on fire, the driver ran away to get water and then didn’t come back,” the 11-year-old recalled.”I broke a window and got my sister out, but I couldn’t save
my two brothers,” she said. Local media said the bus did not have any emergency exits. Neighbours rushed to the spot and tried to extinguish the flames with sand,
but they said the bus burned out “within seconds”.
The bodies of the victims have been taken to the city of Barranquilla for identification, as they were burnt beyond recognition.
Journalists urged to be professional, impartial during election season
Local journalists are being reminded to maintain their professionalism and impartiality and to utilise their researching skills when reporting election-related developments.
“You have to try to do justice to the situation,” News Editor at WINN FM Ken Richards said.“You have to avoid the spin coming from the political parties.
“They will talk about their promises and what they plan to do,” the veteran broadcaster added.
“(Do) not just report; (do) not just repeat what they say, but try to analyse it; try to get them to speak to the issues. Try to address the issues. Try to make sense out of what they are saying.”
In maintaining this level of professionalism and impartiality, the editor at the St Kitts-based radio station cautioned that character assassination will be prevalent at this time. However, he said the onus is on the
journalists to identify such instances.
He said journalists should cover both parties’ views on the economy, but the news reporters should also include factual information on the economy such as reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In so doing, the coverage will be more rounded, Richards said. When striking a balance in news reports, journalists often get both sides of the matter. In cases where both sides of the story may not be adequate, the broadcaster suggests that an analyst or expert is included in the report.
He further advised that the media should be wary of political parties putting their twist to the results, and in cases where a polling organisation is aligned to a political party, the media should clearly state that in the report. (Excerpt from
Chile’s Bachelet to send key education reform to Congress
Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet will send her landmark education reform package to Congress on Tuesday, making good on one of her key campaign promises that could define the success of the socialist’s second fouryear term in office.
Tens of thousands of students have taken to Chile’s streets in recent years to demand free and improved education in a nation fettered by the worst income distribution among the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s 34 member states.
“Chile needs and the people have clamoured for this reform, which must transform quality education into a right,” Bachelet said at a bill-signing ceremony at the Moneda presidential palace.
Proposals include changing the way schools are funded, ending state subsidies to for-profit schools, and eliminating selective entrance policies. Plans to make university education free will wait until a second round of reforms later this year.
Bachelet, who took office in March for her second non-consecutive term, ran on a platform of introducing more than 50 reforms in her first 100 days, including a tax reform to fund the education overhaul.
Her ambitious tax reform, which will be reviewed by the Senate after being approved by the Lower House of Congress last week, seeks to raise Chile’s tax haul by three per cent of gross domestic product, or some US$8.2 billion.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Maxine McClean
Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet walks past honour guards as she arrives at the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace for a meeting with Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Buenos Aires, May 12
Around the World
Suspension of Libyan Parliament sought
Libya’s Government has demanded the suspension of Parliament until the next general election, as the security situation in the country goes on a downward spiral, fuelled by growing tensions between two armed groups.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Cabinet said it
requested that the General National Council be suspended after an impending vote on the 2014 Budget, a day after the legislature’s building came under attack by rebels loyal to retired General Khalifa Qassim Haftar.
The proposal, submitted by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni, was made to
Parliament as a solution to Libya’s political chaos and violence, Reuters news agency cited the Cabinet’s statement as saying.
Allies of Haftar have been staging a campaign against the Government which they accuse of backing “terrorism” and using unofficial armed groups to
Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russia withdrawal, says NATO
NATO and the US say there is no sign of a withdrawal of Russian troops from areas bordering Ukraine.
The Kremlin earlier announced units in the Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk areas would return to their permanent bases.
Correspondents say removing some of the estimated 40,000 Russian troops could help de-escalate the Ukraine crisis.
Ukrainian Government forces continue to clash with pro-Russia separatists who have taken over Government buildings in southern and south-eastern Ukraine.
A statement from the Kremlin had said: “In connection with the completion of the planned spring phase of military training... at ranges in Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, [President Vladimir] Putin ordered the Defence Minister to withdraw the troops that took part in the exercises.”
No indication was given as to troop numbers or a timetable.
However, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: “Unfortunately, we have not seen any evidence at all that Russia has started withdrawal.
“I strongly regret that because a
withdrawal of Russian troops would be a first important contribution to de-escalating the crisis.” Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told Reuters news agency: “We have seen no indication of any movement.”
One senior US official told Agence France-Presse that Washington would want to see “clear, firm evidence of this move before we make any judgement”.
Russia has made two statements about withdrawals in the past. (Excerpt from BBC News)
impose laws. His fighters demand the suspension of Parliament.
They staged an attack on the Parliament in Tripoli on Sunday, after an assault on Friday on religious armed groups in the eastern city of Benghazi that authorities said killed 70 people.
The Associated Press news agency reported that the Parliament’s Chief has deployed an al-Qaeda-inspired armed group, the Lions of Monotheism Group (LGM), in the capital Tripoli on Monday, in response to the Sunday attack. The reports lend credence to Haftar’s claims that the Government is reliant on militias.
Meanwhile, a Libyan air force unit based in the eastern city of Tobruk has decided to back Haftar’s troops, the Reuters news agency reported. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
US indicts Chinese officials over cyber spying
The United States has indicted five Chinese military officials with cyber espionage charges for allegedly hacking into US companies to gain trade secrets, the Justice Department has said, publicly accusing China of cyber spying for the first time.
The Department said on Monday that the hackers targeted US companies in the nuclear power, metals and solar products industries to steal information useful to competitors in China. The charges are the first-of-itskind against state actors by the US.
China refuted the accusation, saying they were “made up”, Reuters news agency reported. China’s Foreign Ministry said that it had already protested against the indictment and urged the US to “immediately rectify mistake”. The Ministry added that “so-called prosecution” would damage China-US relations and mutual trust,
Reuters reported. Such charges, however, are symbolic but the move would prevent the individuals indicted from travelling to the United States or other countries that have an extradition agreement with the United States.
US Attorney-General Eric Holder said that the companies targeted are Alcoa World Alumina, Westinghouse Electric Company, Allegheny Technologies, US Steel Corporation, United Steelworkers Union, and SolarWorld. “This is a tactic the US Government categorically denounces,” Holder said. “Our economic security and ability to compete in the global marketplace are directly linked to national security.” The hackers also targeted United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied-Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW), officials said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Floods affect over one million in Balkans, destruction
Bosnia said on Monday that more than a quarter of its four million people had been affected by the worst floods to hit the Balkans in living memory, comparing the “terrifying” destruction to that of the country’s 1992-95 war.
The extent of the devastation became apparent in Serbia too, as waters receded in some of the worst-hit areas to reveal homes toppled or submerged in mud, trees felled and villages strewn with the rotting corpses of livestock.
The regional death toll reached more than 40 after the heaviest rainfall since records began 120 years ago caused rivers to burst their banks and triggered hundreds of landslides.
“The consequences ... are terrifying,” Bosnian Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija told a news conference. “The physical destruction is not less than the destruction caused by the war.”
Lagumdzija said more than 100,000 houses and other build-
Focus on Russia-China gas deal as Putin visits Shanghai
Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes to sign a multibilliondollar gas agreement with China during a two-day visit that kicked off today, ending more than a decade of false starts and wrangling over a deal seen as vital to both sides.
More broadly, the Russian leader, cold-shouldered in the West for his stance on Ukraine, can expect a warmer reception in China, itself increasingly assertive in territorial disputes with smaller neighbours in the South China Sea.
“terrifying”
ings in Bosnia were no longer fit to use and that over a million people had been cut off from clean water supplies.
“During the war, many people lost everything,” he said. “Today, again they have nothing.”
His remarks threw into sharp relief the extent of the challenge now facing the cashstrapped governments of both Bosnia and Serbia.
Serbian Prime Minister
Aleksandar Vucic said the cost in Serbia would run to hundreds of millions of euros.
President Tomislav Nikolic appealed for outside aid.
Even as the crisis eased in some areas, a new flood wave from the swollen River Sava threatened others, notably Serbia’s largest power plant, the Nikola Tesla complex, 30 kilometres (18 miles) southwest of the capital Belgrade. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Analysts said that will be on display when Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Shanghai, although the success of his visit will rest in part on whether any energy agreement contains enough detail to take it beyond mere words.
Chinese state media on Monday quoted Putin as
The crisis in Ukraine, which has left European countries looking at ways to reduce dependency on Russian natural gas supplies, and Beijing’s drive to switch from coal use to cleaner fuels, have created a convergence of interests.
saying that preparations for a gas deal had entered “the final phase”.
Negotiations in the past have collapsed over differences on pricing.
Russia’s state-controlled Gazprom said at the weekend that it was still “one digit” away from a deal.
But on Monday, sources close to the company and in the gas industry said it wanted China to pay US$25 billion now to secure future gas supplies, whereas China had so far been reticent, concerned that other suppliers would seek similar deals. (Excerpt from Reuters)
India’s defeated Congress party rejects Gandhi resignation offer
Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul on Monday offered to step down as leaders of India’s Congress party after it suffered its worst ever election defeat, but in a bid to snuff out dissent against the country’s leading political dynasty, party bosses declined. Congress, which has ruled India for most of its 67 years of independence including the last decade, is reeling from a humiliating reverse to bitter rival Narendra Modi and the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
But rather than single out the Gandhis, who led a lacklustre campaign in the face of Modi’s barnstorming performance, Congress leaders facing at least five years in opposition rallied around the family.
“Sonia and Rahul offered to resign, but the CWC rejected it unanimously,” said Amrinder Singh, a senior party leader from the northern state of Punjab, referring to the elite Congress
Working Committee which met at party headquarters in New Delhi. Congress leaders adopted a resolution authorising Sonia to take steps to revamp the party.
Television channels showed grim-faced party leaders led by Sonia, the Italian-born widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Next to her was Rahul, who has been singled out as failing to check Modi’s meteoric rise to power. (Excerpt from Reuters)
A Libyan militia attacked the Parliament Building in the capital Tripoli on Sunday
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: “So far we haven’t seen any withdrawal at all. I strongly regret that”
The regional death toll reached more than 40 after the heaviest rainfall since records began 120 years ago caused rivers to burst their banks and triggered hundreds of landslides
600 Guyanese to get jobs
…during construction phase of Karouni gold project
By Svetlana MarShall
Some 600 Guyanese are guaranteed jobs during the construction phase of the multibillion gold project being initiated by Australian mining company Troy Resources Guyana Inc.
On Monday, a US$5 million ball mill arrived at the OMAI Wharf, Linden, as the company advances with its US$86.8 million gold project at Karouni, CuyuniMazaruni.
A ball mill is a type of grinder used to grind materials into extremely fine powder for use in mineral dressing processes, paints, pyrotechnics, ceramics and selective laser sintering.
The Australian exploration and mining company will be developing an area west of Omai with the anticipation of raking in an annual production of 90,000 ounces of gold over a seven-year period. Production, however, in the first 12 months is projected at 102,000 ounces of gold with production commencing between December 2014 to February 2015.
During a simple ceremony at the Omai Wharf, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Project Director for Troy Guyana Inc Ken Nilsson disclosed that during the construction phase of the project, close to 600 persons will be employed, but said once operations commence, approximately 300 persons will gain permanent employment. This figure is expected to grow over the seven-year period.
Troy Resources was driven here due to Guyana’s favourable climate, Nilsson explained, noting that Troy Resources Guyana Inc bought Azimuth Resources, the owner of Australian Company Pharsalus Gold Inc after it became cashstrapped.
Groundwork
Nevertheless, the company remains grateful to its predecessor which has laid the groundwork, investing approximately US$55 million into to the development of the West Omai Gold Project.
Troy Resources has already committed US$25 million to the project.
In December 2012, an initial site due diligence visit was conducted, and by March 2013, “off market takeover offer of Azimuth” was announced. In April that year, Troy secured a US$40 million funding from Investec, resulting in complete acquisition by July.
Now with the Australian
mining agreement,” he explained, noting that very soon the agreement will be signed off.
Permission granted
The GGMC Chairman further disclosed that permission was recently granted for Troy Resources Guyana to commence preparatory work for the Karouni Project the site, Region
But while the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has acknowledged the company’s determination to pursue the project, emphasis has been placed on the due diligence and promotion of sustainable development through the protection of the environment.
Vision
“We will ensure that at the end of the day, this project is not only good economically in terms of providing jobs for Guyanese, not only good in providing revenue for the state, not only good in terms of developing our natural resources but very importantly that it becomes an outstanding project with good environmental credentials, good social credentials.”
Troy Resources Limited has been in operation since 1987. However, it was during the period 19982004 that it operated the Conishman Gold Mine in Australia and the Bulchina Gold Mine (1999-2004). In 2006, it expanded operation to South America, operating gold mines in Brazil and Argentina. After acquiring
company moving to develop the Karouni Project, the Project Director said major emphasis is being placed on building good relationships with citizens of Guyana, the business community and the Government of Guyana.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Chairman Clinton Williams, Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding and the Chairman of the Linden Interim Management Committee Orrin Gordon were among officials present.
Williams in brief address disclosed that the Karouni Project is in its final developmental stage. “GGMC has been facilitating this project over the years and only recently we have ventured into the final stage of the
Seven. “This project signals well for us in terms of foreign exchange earnings, our GDP, our employment generation capabilities,” said an optimistic Williams.
Minister Persaud said despite the challenges faced by the initial investor, the Natural Resources Ministry is pleased that the project is now moving apace. While the small and medium scale miners have played an important role over the years in the gold mining industry, Persaud said it is of similar importance to facilitate large-scale mining operations such as the Karouni Project.
He said too that the offloading of the 3.2MW unused grinding mill for the gold project, along with its electrics, ancillary equipment and peripheral parts is an indication of the seriousness of the company in operating in Guyana.
Azimuth Resources (West Omai Project) in 2013, it moved to purchase the ball mill for the Karouni Project in November 2013.
The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) and the Scoping Study on the Karouni Project was released in January 2014 before the release of the PEA Technical Report in March. Once in operation, it is expected to provide tertiary scholarships for a minimum of six full-time students at the University of Guyana in disciplines of Geology, Civil Engineering/Surveying and Environmental Management. Troy Resources Guyana will also be working closely with the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc to facilitate specialist mining, minerals processing and trades training programmes for new entrants to the mining industry.
PPP says outstanding issues must be addressed before Local Govt Elections
“
Anumber of legislative and regulatory issues need to be addressed before Local Government Elections can be held in Guyana,” People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee said on Monday.
He was at the time speaking at his party’s weekly news conference at Freedom House, Robb Street. Rohee noted that if the legislative issues were not put to rest, the elections could start off on the “wrong foot”.
He stated that Guyana has not had a very comfortable and happy past with regard to elections, “so the worst thing that can happen with this new dispensation with respect to Local Government Election is for it to start off on the wrong footing”.
He said a number of things were still not in place and issues were still to be settled at the level of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and Parliament.
Rohee said it was not that the party did not want Local Government Elections, “we are supporting the calls, but certain criteria have to be in place before it is held”. He also noted that he has had meetings with the new Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield; but would not disclose the details of the meeting.
“I hear people talking about putting in place the Commission. The Commission is not the only issue in relation to holding Local Government Elections.”
He reiterated that the PPP is committed to holding the elections, but could not give a timeframe as to when.
President Donald Ramotar has assented to three of the four Local Government Bills, which were passed in the National Assembly last year. However, the President has not given his assent to the Local Government
Amendment Bill, saying that it was unconstitutional. The Opposition has since indicated that the elections could be held without this Bill and GECOM has since indicated its readiness to hold the elections.
Political crisis? What political crisis?
Meanwhile, the PPP said it was amused by recent pronouncements made by the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that the country is faced with a political ’crisis’. “It is clear that the main Opposition party is either suffering from a severe bout of political amnesia or is being deliberately dishonest in seeking to invoke a situation of ‘crisis’ when the facts suggest otherwise,” Rohee said.
He noted that APNU’s Leader, David Granger may wish to spell out in precise language what in his view constitutes a political ‘crisis’, especially since his statements defy any rational or logical explanation of the term. Rohee said an objective analysis of the current situation reveals that Guyana’s economic and political bill of health has never been better and that the country is currently experiencing a period of economic and social progress that has never before been experienced.
“Whatever ‘crisis’ exists can only be situated in the psyche of the PNC [People’s National Congress] and the Granger-led APNU and cannot be supported by facts. Our country today is enjoying relative peace and stability and enjoys the full confidence of the international and donor community,” the PPP said.
The party noted that this, incidentally, is in stark contrast to what obtained under the previous PNC regime when the country was reduced to a pariah state. “Economically, the country was reduced to the poorest in the western hemisphere, on par with Haiti. A past, which no right-thinking Guyanese is proud to talk about.
The PNC and Granger ought to know that there is a nexus between political democracy and economic development. The lack of political democracy under the PNC regime led to a production crisis, which in turn resulted in a social crisis of unprecedented proportions. What all of that translated to was a crisis of confidence in the then ruling cabal. Guyana was declared uncreditworthy by the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and, therefore, ineligible for further IMF loans.”
One of the containers containing parts of the US$5 million mill ball being off loaded at the Omai Wharf
Natural Resources Minister Robert Persuad shakes hands with the Karouni Project Director Ken Nilssonn in the presence of GGDMA President Patrick Harding (left) and GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams (right) at the Omai Wharf.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
Caricom Bottling Company plugs
$3M into Guyana Festival
The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry along with the Guyana Festival Committee on Monday received $3 million from Caricom Bottling Company to help offset expenses that the festival will incur as the event is being held.
Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali stated that the festival carries a lot of expenses, but he is happy with the sponsorship thus far.
“Over the next couple of weeks you will see more private and corporate businesses coming on board for the Guyana Festival, the expenses for the festival is very high so any sponsorship is welcome,” Ali stated.
Meanwhile, Caricom Bottling Marketing Representative Mondale Smith stated that the com-
pany, after much deliberations decided to donate to the Guyana Festival because it is an event that promotes Guyana and they are all for such an event.
The Guyana Festival will be held August 8-10 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara under the theme ‘“Sound, Soul and Taste”.
Extravaganza
Minister Ali said the Guyana Festival is the biggest event planned for the year 2014 and it seeks to bring many tourists to the country in hopes of boosting the Tourism Sector.
The much-anticipated event was launched on April 2 at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Organisers said the threeday event will see exciting activities that will celebrate
sport legends, culture, art, entertainment, food, music and much more.
On day one, there will be an air show, followed by an international concert with drumming and lots of food.
Day two will commence with the Festival Games –where the Master XI will take on the President’s XI in football and cricket. Famous names on the rosters include Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Lennox Cush, Mahendra Nagamotoo, Clive Lloyd, Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, and Trevon Griffith. An unforgettable night of legends on stage, such as Dave Martins, follows this day of activities.
Day three will see the electrifying National Cookoff with food from every corner and every culture of Guyana represented at the Guyana National
Stadium. There will also be a Generation Next concert with local artistes such as Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo, and Vanilla.
One every evening of the Festival there will be Coney Island rides for the entire family, an arts and craft exhibition and sale, and a wide variety of food and drinks on sale.
Festival passports will be available to commemorate the event, and will contain discount coupons from the sponsors; autographs from Clive Lloyd, Dave Martin and other stars as well as President Donald Ramotar; and the entire programme.
It is something that can be kept as a souvenir and will cost US$15 or G$3000. A Festival Coin designed by Kings’ Jewellery to commemorate the event will also be available at the jeweller.
Victim spots thief in stolen clothing, court hears
It was a case of life being stranger than fiction when Earl Morin spotted Quincy Holland last Thursday walking along the Kitty Seawall in his clothing that was stolen five months earlier.
CFATF rejects Opposition amendments to AML/CFT
Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 have been rejected by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said.
The amendments to the Principal Act were tabled by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at the level of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee and endorsed by the Alliance For Change (AFC).
While speaking on the National Communications Network (NCN) on Monday, Minister Nandlall explained that subsequent to the visit by CFATF Chairperson Allyson Maynard-Gibson and the Executive Director Calvin Wilson, the Donald Ramotar Administration was asked to submit both the Government’s draft and the Opposition’s draft of the legislation to CFATF.
portant in the legislative apparatus of the AMLCFT regime,” Minister Nandlall explained.
Another shot down
Another proposal made by the APNU was the appointment of an authority by the National Assembly to oversee the operations of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), but though there were major objections by the Government, the coalition who later received the support of the AFC, was bent on tabling this amendment in the House. The Government has argued that this type of mechanism would have undermined the functional autonomy of the FIU, which by all international standards should be an independent institution.
A report was made; however, no arrest was effected until Morin spotted his clothing some five months later and made a second report.
The 29-year-old defendant was subsequently sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment on Monday for stealing, in addition to Morin’s clothes, several hammocks, foodstuff, electronics and footwear worth $121,000 in total. According to court documents, between December 15 and 23, 2013, at Georgetown, the defendant entered the room of the Virtual Complainant and stole the articles.
After pleading guilty to the charge of larceny, before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, Holland said he was sorry and would pay for all the items stolen, but to no avail.
43-year-old man hangs self
Berbice continues to be plagued by suicide as a father of three and a former Operator at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Sunday committed suicide by hanging himself at his home located at 103 Chesney, Corentyne, Berbice.
Around 16:00h on Sunday, Mahesh Ramkhelawan, 43, was discovered hanging from the roof of his home. The discovery was made by the man’s nephew who went to check on him. He quickly alerted family member s who converged at the scene.
Speaking with this publication, Jenny,
Ramkhelawan’s 20-year-old daughter, said when she received the call about the incident, she refused to believe
her father killed himself.
She stated she did not know what triggered him to do that, as he did not have any problems. She speculated that recently he was not well and may be frustration led him to the act.
“He was sick and did a surgery [to remove a cyst in his foot] in March, he was still on sick leave; he used to love working. He always use to be out; he didn’t like to be at one place.”
Ramkhelawan was described as a very quiet and friendly man. According to reports, he was recovering well from the surgery; family members said he used to live
on the Public Road, but he moved to the inner environs of Chesney for quietude.
The incidence of suicide across the country has continued to spiral alarmingly, with Berbice recording the most cases in recent times. Several social organisations have launched various projects in different communities to tackle this social ill, and while there has been some level of success in reducing the incidence, there is still a lot more to be done.
This begs the question as to what more can be done, as there are several factors that seem to be driving the phenomena of suicide.
Because the Government’s amendments were already approved by the regional financial institution, a covering letter was sent along with the Opposition’s draft. The documents were examined by CFATF technical personnel for compliance and according to Nandlall, the Opposition’s amendments received negative reviews.
“As I predicted, the CFATF rejected every single one of the amendments that they are proposing…”
One of the proposals calls for a removal of the role of the Attorney General from the process. “The CFTAF’s answer to that suggestion was that it is wrong. The Attorney General is put there because he/she is legal advisor to the Government and would be recipient of all legal materials that would come into the Government’s position in relation to its relations with organisations such as the United Nations Security Council and other international organisations. And it is the Attorney General that will have to go to court for and behalf of the Government to seek certain orders to give effect to the Government’s obligation under various treaties, and therefore the Office of the Attorney General is im-
“The CFATF’s advice on that particular proposal of the Opposition was that it does not meet the international standards, that the mechanism for appointment is politically contaminated and that the method or the mechanism that it creates removes from the FIU and its staff and directors that important requisite autonomy and functional independence,” the Legal Affairs Minister further explained. The third condemnation relates to what was submitted of the Opposition’s draft with regards to seizure of cash. This was rejected on the basis that it was not part of the requirement and that it is a completely unnecessary imposition.
The Parliamentary Special Select Committee led by Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira met on Monday, but though Government members were present along with AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, APNU members were a no show.
According to Nandlall, the committee considering the Bill was unable to meet over the last two weeks because the “Opposition members have manufactured one reason after one another for their unavailability to meet.”
Commenting on the issue over the weekend, President Donald Ramotar said if the Opposition proceeds with its proposals, the country’s economy will still be endangered.
Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali and Marketing Representative of Caricom Bottling Company, Mondale Smith brief media representatives in the presence of other officials at the handing over ceremony on Monday
Attorney General Anil Nandlall
Mahesh Ramkhelawan
SUDOKU
You are caring and helpful, but please resist the urge to do too much for others. They will come to expect it, and you will burn yourself out.
Give your friends and family some breathing room. Make a point of getting out and meeting new people. Exploring new interests will bring good results.
There may be a lot of items on your most-wanted list, but you must be sensible. You can avoid a major argument with a loved one by curbing your spending.
If your current relationship is unsatisfying, you should make a clean break and move on. It’s not fair to either party if there is no commitment on your part.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)
If you do your job to the best of your ability, you will be able to dispel any negative rumours in the workplace. It’s possible that someone may be talking behind your back.
(March 21-April 19)
In your race to beat the opposition, you may be letting your personal responsibilities slide. Before you start on a new challenge, take care of what’s expected of you at home.
(April 20-May 20)
Don’t let personal problems override your professional responsibilities. You have to carry your share of the work. Relationship complications will have to be dealt with after hours.
(May 21June 20)
You will face financial woes if you take a risk. Don’t be shy about your desire to advance professionally. You are likely to improve your job prospects by networking with peers.
Try your best to get along with your co-workers. You may be dismayed to learn that someone you like doesn’t feel the same way. Don’t take it to heart, and move on with an untroubled mind.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Don’t spend money on others just to win approval. Focus on self-improvement projects that boost your esteem, and the people you are trying to impress will respond to your relaxed and self-confident attitude.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Anger is self-destructive, so use up negative energy by doing some work around the house. The busier you are, the less likely you are to squabble.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Look before you leap into a new job or partnership. You may have been sold something that doesn’t really exist. Don’t burn bridges, and don’t be gullible. Ask questions and clarify issues of concern.
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
arCHie
dilbert
‘California Strike' stretches out to win KMTC Pre-Independence meet
In a rousing finish in the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) preIndependence horse race meet, California Strike put in a superb performance to win the feature D1and Lower race on Sunday at the club’s track, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.
Ridden by jockey Colin Ross, he took control of the animal within 25 metres of the finishing line to win the one-mile event and first prize of $400,000 dollars.
The animals were off to an even break, but it was California Strike of the Shariff Stables that had the final say, pulling away from the group as the animals approached the homestretch.
Ross used all his experience to ensure the horse gathered strength and speed to complete the race in a perfect photo finish.
trol
and Lower horses to capture the $300,000 first prize from Iron Monsoon, Another Jet and Flying
Baby.
The race for the J1 and Lower was won by Party Time. Smarty Light, Little and Lady Secret finished in that order. The win was worth $200,000.
Famous Pride soared to victory in the J3and Lower event to capture the winning $150,000. Roadis Mine, Speed Vision and Princess Stallion rounded off the top four positions.
Savion seized control in the I1 and Lower race to take the 250,000 first prize. Mary Ann, Party Time and Royal Cash followed in that order.
Russell Chichester was the champion jockey, while C. Washington copped the champion stable.
Attention now turns to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Pre -Independence Cup this Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club.
Georgetown demolish Berbice in Inter-Association b’ball tourney
By TreisTon Joseph
The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) should have got medics on Sunday evening to render first aid to the Berbice players, who took a gruesome walloping from Georgetown in the Inter-Association basketball tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Georgetown, playing without one of their star players, Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai, who had a minor hand injury in their 58-50 loss the night before to Linden, handed Berbice a 116-42 defeat.
The game was all about pace, as Georgetown turned the game into a track meet and easily got past the Berbice defenders for easy scores at the rim.
In addition, Georgetown was hitting consistently with their long- range bombs as the consistent shooting created floor spacing for the guards of Georgetown.
However, the most impactful part of Georgetown’s game came on the defensive end, as Georgetown simply played the passing lanes well that resulted in a number of steals.
Jeffrey Wilkinson had a team -high 18 points for the Nets, while Kester Myers contributed 11 points as well.
Marvin Durant led the way for the under-19 squad with 13 points, while Kelvin Yorrick had 12 and Daniel Haynes had 10.
In a second -division encounter, Dyna’s Ravens were able to pull away
from the Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters in the final period to pull off a 69-57 win.
Darion Lewis dropped a game- high 26 points for the Ravens, while Dellon Davidson had 12 and Tyrone Hamid 10 in the win.
Calvin Harding was the only player for the Pacesetters in double digits with 10 points in the loss.
Registration for Independence 10/10 softball festival extended to Wednesday
The registration deadline for the grand day/night Independence 10/10 softball cricket festival has been extended to Thursday, according to organisers from Star Sports Entertainment.
Travis “The Blur” Burnett lived up to his nickname and torched the Berbicians’ defence for a game- high 29 points, and might have to report to the police for all the balls he stole while playing defence.
Nikkoloi Smith rained threes from downtown for 17 points, while Shelroy Thomas made the defence of the Berbicians look like Swiss cheese with a number of holes, as he dropped
The final two minutes of the third period was a prime example of Georgetown’s defence as Georgetown easily stole the ball on in-bound plays to have 90 percent of the possession, which led to a 10- run in that time.
17 points as well. Dave Causway was also in double figures with 14 points in the game.
The only Berbicians to hit double -digit scoring was Randy Richards with a team- high 16 points.
Meanwhile, earlier in the evening the Republic Bank Nets pulled off a comeback to beat the Presidential Under-19 team 61-59.
Playing without their two stars, Mortimer Williams and Pelham Doris, The nets fell into a 33-24
hole by halftime.
With Doris and Williams checking in to start the second half, the under-19 used the momentum to tack onto their lead to end the third period ahead 51-41.
However, the experience of Williams and Doris ignited the late comeback in the fourth quarter; Williams scored the majority of his 14 points in the final period, while Doris sank the go- ahead bucket to win the game with six seconds left on the clock.
The one-day event is planned for May 25 at the Number Five Community Centre ground, West Berbice, where softball teams across Guyana will have the chance to do battle against each other.
According to coordinators of the event, the competition will see over $200,000 up for grabs and is open to teams across Guyana. The one-day tournament will be played on a knockout format with the quarter-finals, semis and final being played under floodlights.
It was also disclosed that spectators can expect lots of side attractions, including cheer leaders, one-manband, dancers, tassa and African drumming, steel pan music and much more. There will be cash and trophies for the winning team, runner-up, third place and the man-of-the-series. The man-of-the-match in the final, best bowler and best batsman will receive trophies also.
Interested teams can contact the coordinators on telephone numbers: 625-1534, 693-8217 or 684-3293 or via email, starsentertainment@gmail.com.
Run Na Na Run, Monsoon and Red Cloud finished in that order.
prize, while Little, Road Is Mine and Princess Stallion Work Force race to victory in the event for G1
Connection of the Shariff Stable collects the winner’s trophy for California Strike’s victory
Pelham Doris sinks the game- winning shot to help Republic Bank Nets defeat the Presidential under-19 squad
Letter to
Sport Editor
the Showing dissent is a serious breach of the spirit of the game
Dear Editor,
Louis van Gaal confirmed Man Utd new manager
Louis van Gaal has been named as Manchester United manager, with Ryan Giggs as his assistant.
Van Gaal, 62, has signed a three-year contract to succeed David Moyes.
“I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are”
Louis van Gaal
Please permit me space to express my perception in relation to a cricket match that I officiated in at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground on May 4. The final of the Price is Right-sponsored second division competition, organized by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, was played between Skeldon and Number 70 MYO in front of a fairly large crowd.
Myself, and two others, Mr Joseph Simon and Mr Rochan Moakan (standby) are all fully qualified and experienced umpires, and we were appointed to officiate the match.
In reply to Skeldon’s mammoth total of 251, a Number 70 batman was given out LBW and much to our disbelief, he began to show dissent; breaking his bat and swearing while walking to the pavilion, giving the impression that the decision was not fair.
Not long after, another of their batsmen was given out caught behind; he also wanted to impress the crowd that the decision given was biased; sulking and stamping his feet as he departed for the pavilion, hence getting their supporters and trying to bring the game in disrepute.
As umpires, we were in total disbelief. The attitudes of those middle- aged players who made up over 75 percent of the Number 70 MYO team left much to be desired. What examples do they want to set for the youths? How can Upper Corentyne cricket improve or move forward if the behaviour of some players is not nipped in the bud by the organizers or sponsors.
In the preamble to the Laws of Cricket, showing dissent is a serious breach of the spirit of the game. The ICC Code of Conduct is a regulation regarding the conduct of players in the sport of cricket. For example, a player can be banned and fined for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action, or by using language or gestures that are obscene, offensive and insulting.
In some places like India, umpires’ lives can be jeopardized by the unwarranted and unjustifiable action of some players.
However, the sponsors and organizers of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association need to be commended for organizing and promoting this noble sport in the eastern county, which without doubt has talented players who can mount to eminence, given the right training and strong personality who can influence their behaviour; but attitude can determine their altitude.
Disciplinary action needs to be enforced. In fact, a senior official of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association confided in us that none of our umpires will officiate at matches where Number 70 MYO will be playing, unless some sanction is imposed.
Lastly, it was very clear to us that some players were ignorant on many aspects of the Laws of Cricket, for example dead ball (Law 23). My colleague hinted to a few players that we are willing to travel up to the border town to discuss the laws, but they seemed uninterested.
The Berbice Cricket Umpires Association is not mandated to adjudicate at cricket matches, but to educate the public about the Laws of Cricket, so that inevitably, the standard of cricket can improve in the Upper Corentyne District and the county at large.
Yours truly,
Lennox Outar
Former Headmaster and Berbice Cricket Umpire
The Dutchman, who has won titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar, will take charge at Old Trafford after leading the Netherlands at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
“This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions,” he said. “Together I’m sure we will make history.”
He added: “It was always a wish for me to work in the
Premier League.
“To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud.
this time.
“His track record of success in winning leagues and cups across Europe throughout his career makes him the perfect choice,” said Woodward.
“In Louis van Gaal, we have secured the services of one of the outstanding managers in the game today.
“Old Trafford provides him with a fitting stage on which to write new chapters in the Manchester United story. “ It seems Van Gaal has wasted no time in making his intentions clear.
“Louis has already communicated some great ideas for how the club can move forward,” said United cochairman Avie Glazer.
Daredevils v Kings XI...
Kings XI Punjab became the first team to confirm their seat in the playoffs with a fourwicket win over bottomplaced Delhi Daredevils, but what should have been a comfortable chase turned into a scramble for the finish line.
Against the best chasing team in the competition, Daredevils had to come up with their best batting effort but they frittered away a strong platform and lost their way in the last four overs to post 164.
Kings XI too suffered a few hiccups after a typically blistering start and despite experimenting with their
“I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are.”
After ending the reign of Moyes in April after a troubled 10 months, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is convinced he has appointed the right man
“The board is right behind him in his plans and everyone here is already looking forward to the start of next season.” (BBC Sport)
Vohra, Akshar deliver for Kings XI
batting order, got home in the final over with two balls to spare.
An impetuous shot by George Bailey in the penultimate over, caught in the deep gave Daredevils a sniff and it came down to nine needed off the last over.
Akshar Patel, the unlikely hero with the bat for Kings XI, was well set on 41 off 34 balls when Rishi Dhawan joined him.
The pair ensured there were no dot balls in the final over by Wayne Parnell to pile on the pressure and with four needed off three, Dhawan pulled to the deep midwicket boundary to seal the win. (ESPNcricinfo)
Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-035-3, BE Hendricks 4-0-36-3, AR
Patel 4-1-18-1. R Dhawan 4-042-0, Shivam Sharma 4-0-32-0
Punjab T20 innings (target: 165 runs from 20 overs)
V Sehwag c Tiwary b Duminy 23
M Vohra c Vijay
b Imran Tahir 42
GJ Maxwell b Imran Tahir 14
DA Miller b Duminy 2
WP Saha† c Parnell
b Mohammed Shami 13
AR Patel not out 42
GJ Bailey* c Jadhav
b Imran Tahir 6
R Dhawan not out 8
Extras: (lb 4, w 11) 15
Total: (6 wickets; 19.4 overs) 165
Did not bat: BE Hendricks, Shivam Sharma, Sandeep Sharma
Fall of wickets 1-67 (Vohra, 6.2 ov), 2-84 (Sehwag, 7.5 ov), 3-92 (Maxwell, 8.6
Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)
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tuesday, may 20, 2014
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Royals v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2014... Royals fall behind in top-two race
Faced with a must-win situation on a dry pitch Michael Hussey and Lendl Simmons produced a century stand for the first wicket - Mumbai Indians’ best in 30 games - that helped them prevail over third-placed Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad. Both batsmen scored half-centuries before Rohit Sharma used the platform as a springboard for a 19-ball 40 that lifted his team to 178. Their three spinners then shared two wickets each to give Mumbai a comfortable win that took them level with Sunrisers Hyderabad on points.
However, one has to ques-
SCOREBOARD
UBT Chand c Hussey b Ojha 2
SR Watson* c Rayudu b Ojha 5
SV Samson† c Rayudu
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b Santokie 2
run out (Faulkner) 40
Extras: (lb 3, w 2, nb 1) 6
Total: (3 wickets; 20 overs) 178
Did not bat:AT Rayudu, AP Tare†, Harbhajan Singh, JJ Bumrah, K Santokie, PP Ojha, S Gopal
Fall of wickets: 1-120 (Simmons, 14.3 ov), 2-122 (Hussey, 14.6 ov), 3-178 (Sharma, 19.6 ov)
Bowling: Ankit Sharma 4-0-232, DS Kulkarni 4 -0 -27-0, JP Faulkner 4-0 -47 -0, KK Cooper
Bowling : JJ Bumrah 3-0-23 -0, K Santokie 4 -0 -50 -2, PP Ojha 4-0-30-2, KA Pollard 1-011-0, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-13-2 , S Gopal 4 -0 -25-2
tion the number of changes made by Rajasthan Royals ahead of an important match, given they were still not assured of a place in the playoffs. Kane Richardson, the Royals seamer, had even mentioned on the eve of the match that they were in no mood for experimentation, but there were four changes when Shane Watson came for the toss. They swapped Ajinkya Rahane, easily their best batsman for such conditions, for someone who hadn’t played a game this season while also benching their best bowler, Pravin Tambe.
With this loss, they have not only kept Mumbai’s dreams alive, but also got stuck on seven wins from 12 games with two difficult away matches to goagainst Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai.
Australian Scott overtakes Tiger Woods as world No. 1
Australia’s Adam Scott has surpassed Tiger Woods as the number one player on the official world golf rankings, seizing the top spot despite not playing this past week.
Scott, who spent the
past 38 weeks as the second ranked player, has had chances to overtake Woods through high tournament finishes but has instead done so with both players out of action.
The updated rankings are released on Monday.
Woods last played in March and is out indefinitely following back surgery, making his fall from the top inevitable.
The 33-year-old Scott is just the second Australian to reach the top ranking, following Greg Norman’s final reign which ended in 1998.
“This is another outstanding achievement for Adam Scott,” Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive of the PGA of Australia, said in a statement.
“The Australian golfing community is very proud of Adam and we look forward to watching his progress throughout the year.”
The 2013 Masters champion, Scott, ends Woods’ stretch of 60 straight weeks at the top.
(Reuters)
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Lendl Simmons plays down the ground (BCCI)
Adam Scott
Edghill siblings look strong in GTTA Independence tourney
– Britton continues winning ways
By Treiston Joseph
Chelsea Edghill in her first bit of competition showcased her ability on Sunday by winning the girls’ under-18 category, when action in the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)/ National Sports Commission (NSC) table tennis tournament continued at the National Gymnasium.
Edghill met Priscilla Greaves in the final and clearly outclassed Greaves, winning the match in three
straight sets that ended 118, 11-5 and 11-9 ,as she displayed her speed and aggressive nature of attacking in the game.
Kyle Edghill also had the winning touch, defeating Elishaba Johnson in the boys’ under-15 final in a somewhat one-sided affair as the match ended in three straight sets at 11-5, 11-8 and 11-9.
The young taleneted Shemar Britton was also in action, easily winning the boy’s under-18 category 3-1
at 11-7- 7-11, 11-8 and 11-8 against a much better showing from Johnson.
Nevaeh Clarkston, who finished second in the girls’ under-13 category prevailed against Abigale Martin 3-0 at 11-8, 11-9 and 11-8 to win the girls’ under-11 category.
The girls’ under-9 category was won by Cieara Sukhu, who defeated Thuraia Thomas in three straight sets at 11-8, 11-3 and 11-8 for the win.
Greaves, who fell to Edghill in the under-18 cat-
egory, was able to claim glory in the under-15 category by defeating Kristie Lopes in 3-0 at 11-3, 11-4 and 11-5. Meanwhile, Edghill and Lopes teamed up to win the girls’ doubles against Jackman and Clarkston in three straight sets that ended 11-8, 11-5 and 11-9.
Action in the tournament will continue on May 23, with matches set to start in the under-21, mixed doubles, boys’ doubles and the start of the men and women ‘s singles categories.
Messi signs new contract with Barcelona
Four-time world player of the year
Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Spanish runners-up Barcelona.
Lionel Messi’s new deal looks set to see him eclipse Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney as the world’s highest-paid player.
Rooney signed a new £15.6m-a-year deal in February to top the reported salaries of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (£14.25m) and Messi, who was thought to be earning £12.08m a year before agreeing his new deal, according to the 2013 Forbes rich list.
Barca said Messi “repeatedly expressed his excitement” while signing the new deal at the Nou Camp on Monday.
They have yet to release details about the length of the new deal with the 26-year-old forward, who scored 41 goals in 44 games last season.
The Argentina international’s last deal, agreed in February last year, was due to run until 2018.
Barca announced on
Friday that the revised contract had been agreed following lengthy negotiations, during which it was reported that Messi wanted to become the best-paid player in the world.
He signed the paperwork on Monday, less than 48 hours after the Catalan club were beaten to La Liga by Atletico Madrid.
Claims in the Spanish media suggest Messi, a four-time Ballon d’Or winner, will be tied to the club for a further year - until June 2019 - and will be paid 20m euros (£16.3m) a season, plus performance-linked bonuses.
Ex-Newell’s Old Boys youngster Messi, who moved to Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a 13-year-old, has scored 342 goals in 406 appearances for the club since making his first-team debut in October 2004.
During that time he has helped the club win 21 major titles, including six La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys. (BBC Sport)
Joseph outclasses Mekdeci to win junior squash title
Nyron Joseph made a brilliant comeback to take the 2014 under-19 junior squash title when the Guyana Squash Association/Digicel / Woodpecker Products squash tourney concluded on Sunday evening at the Georgetown Club.
Joseph asserted himself quickly in the match, utilising his shot-making ability to corral the efforts of Ben Mekdeci by taking the first set 11-9.
However, Mekdeci, who earlier in the evening won the under-17 category, won the next two sets at 11-6 and 11-9 to go 2-1 up in the match as Joseph seemed to be suffering from fatigue.
After the slight break heading into the fourth set, Joseph calmed himself to outclass Mekdeci, taking the fourth set 11-3 to even the match at 2-2, forcing a fifth and final set.
Joseph then showcased his creative skills that threw Mekdeci on the backfoot, falling to Joseph in the final set that finished 11-7.
In the under-15 category, two headed in undefeated and Shemane Griffith remained undefeated against Shomari Wiltshire in three straight sets at 11-8, 11-8 and 11-3 to win the under-15 boys’ title.
Taylor Fernandes and Larissa Wiltshire renewed their rivalry in the girls’ under-17 final, as Wiltshire proved the superior player on the day to be crowned champion in three straight sets that went the distance and
ended 11-8, 11-9 and 11-6.
The under-15 girls’ category saw Rebecca Low being crowned champion with a 3-0 victory of Sarah Lewis that ended 11-8, 113and 11-7.
The girls’ under-13 saw Makeda Harding defeating Maya Collins to win the title in a 3-1 encounter that ended 11-4, 11-7, 3-11 and 11-9.
Winning the boys’ under-11 novices crown was James Mekdeci, while Shomari Wiltshire was the winner of the boys’ under-11 category.
Shomari Wiltshire also took the boys’ under-13 title as Madison Fernades won the girls’ under-11 title in the day’s final proceedings.
The most outstanding male award went to Shomari Wiltshire, while the most improved male award went to Ben Mekdeci.
Harding took both the most outstanding and most improved female award when the tournament ended.
Chelsea Edghill
Kyle Edghill
Shomari Wiltshire
Shemar Britton
Nevaeh Clarkston Nyron Joseph
Larissa Wiltshire
Lionel Messi
‘We need more international competition’ – Geron Williams
By Avenash Ramzan
Continental Cycle Club
rider Geron Williams believes more international competitions are the way to go if local cyclists are to develop and “up their standard.”
The overseas-based Guyanese rider made the observation moments after finishing second to Team Coco’s Darren Matthews in the 32nd annual Independence Three-Stage cycling meet on Sunday on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.
Williams pointed out that while the Independence Three-Stage and the annual ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage provide a great opportunity to test their progress and match their capabilities with their foreign counterparts, more of such events, which can attract international participation, would be welcomed by the local cyclists.
Williams said the presence of overseas riders such as Matthews would serve to lift the level of locally based riders, something that was clearly present during the two-day activity last weekend.
“It’s always great racing against guys like him [Matthews] because it’s a good reminder of how much work you need to do; it’s a good reality check you know. It was a competitive race and I enoyed it a lot,” he told media operatives.
This year’s activity, which attracted a record 96 entries, saw the participation of riders from Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago and Columbia.
Ever since the Three and Five Stages became open to international riders, the visitors, especially Team Coco,
have been very dominant, leaving the local riders to play second fiddle on home turf.
And despite repeated calls for a united Team Guyana to challenge the touring cyclists, those efforts have so far proved futile, with the local riders seemingly bent on hunting individual glory than success under the Golden Arrowhead.
Failed attempt
Meanwhile, commenting on his strategy going into the final stage on Sunday, Williams said the plan was for himself and fellow Guyanese Marlon Williams, riding for Trinidad and Tobago’s Heat Wave, to “try and get Darren on a break” and attack as the race wore on. A mere two seconds had separated the top three riders- Matthews, G. Williams
and M. Williams- heading into the final leg. However, Matthews opened a sevensecond lead on G. Williams by the end of the third stage to take the overall title.
“My plan was to actually try and get Darren on a break…it had to be me and Marlon Williams because it would have been hard to come home in a bunch with him [Matthews] because he is very fast,” G. Williams reckoned.
He continued, “He [Matthews] just finished a month of track training in Trinidad and that would have made him very fast. Things didn’t go as planned [for me], but he is a very strong rider because he trains in Columbia for most of the year.”
Recap
The opening stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, which covered
a distance of 46.6 miles or 75 km, was won by Matthews in a time of one hour, 44 minutes, 23 seconds (01:44m: 23s) on Saturday.
On Saturday afternoon, M. Williams won stage two from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue in a time of two hours, 23 minutes, 02 seconds (02h: 23m: 02s). That leg covered 60.4 miles or 97.1 km.
The final stage from Kara Kara, Linden, to Homestretch Avenue, a distance of 64.5 miles or 103 km, was won by Guyanese Paul deNobrega in a time of two hours, 46 minutes, 14 seconds (02h: 46m: 14s).
During the two-day activity, the 96 riders who registered covered 171.5 miles or 275.1km of the country’s roadways. The event was sponsored exclusively by the National Sports Commission for the 32nd year in succession.
Amla willing to take up Test captaincy
Hashim Amla has made himself available for consideration for the job of South Africa’s next Test captain.
ESPNcricinfo understands Amla, who gave up the the vice-captaincy of the limited-overs teams in February last year, has had a change of heart about leadership and has informed the selection panel that he can be considered for the role.
That brings to four the number of candidates who will be considered to replace Graeme Smith, who retired in March. While AB de Villiers, who announced his readiness to lead in an interview last week, and Faf du Plessis are considered frontrunners for the job, with JP Duminy being talked about as an outside possibility, Amla’s interest in the role adds a new dimension to the debate because he has been spoken about as a preferred
choice in the past.
Amla was picked as de Villiers’ deputy in the shorter formats of the game in July 2011. He ended up leading South Africa in what should have been de Villiers’ first series in charge in October that year - against Australia - because de Villiers was injured. He also led a South African XI in an unofficial tri-series in Zimbabwe in June 2012, in which South Africa lost to both the Zimbabwean and Bangladesh sides.
But Amla’s reluctance to accept the position was obvious when he chose not to stand in for de Villiers in the 2012-13 season. De Villiers asked for a break from the T20s against New Zealand in December 2012 and was suspended for slow overrates in the ODI series that followed. Du Plessis took over on both occasions. At the time, Amla was
frank about his feelings on captaincy. “There is no point me being vice-captain if I am not going to captain when the captain isn’t around,” he said in January last year . Amla also asked for a sabbatical from T20 cricket for the remainder of 2013. However, when the new season began at the end of 2013, Amla changed his decision on T20 participation and agreed to play in a series against Pakistan. He opened the batting with Quinton de Kock and was seen as being a foil to the explosive young batsman at the other end. Amla was also part of South Africa’s World Twenty20 campaign where, although he was criticised for having a slow strike rate, he finished the tournament as their second-highest run-scorer, and only JP Duminy and AB de Villiers scored quicker than Amla among batsmen who
PMTC horse race meet rescheduled
– preparations in advanced stage for PPP/C pre-Independence Cup
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Organisers of the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) have re-scheduled the club’ s grand one-day horse race meet to July 27. The meet was originally scheduled for this Sunday at the club’s race track, Corentyne, Berbice.
Secretary of the PMTC, Chattergoon Ramnauth, told this publication on Monday, the decision is to facilitate the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) pre Independence Cup slated for the same day at the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC).
Ramnauth further indicated that the race meet will now be staged in collaboration with Digicel.
While an original programme has not been finalized, Ramnauth noted that eight races have been planned for the day.
Meanwhile, chief organiser of the PPP/C horse race meet, Dennis DeRoop, in an invited comment on Monday said preparations are at an advanced stage for Sunday’s horse race meet.
“We have already put
most systems in place,” DeRoop said.
DeRoop noted that an impressive line-up of animals has already entered for the day’s event, adding that organisers will not extend Wednesday’s registration deadline.
Seven races are listed for the day, with competitors set to vie for close to $4M in prize money.
The ‘A’ Class event will be the feature race over 1400 metres and will see the horses galloping for a first prize of $1M.
There is a newly introduced event for horses classified D3 and Lower nonwinners for 2014, and ‘E’ and Lower for a winning take of $500,000 and trophy over 1400 metres.
The Three-year-old Guyana and West Indiesbred animals will be racing for a top prize of $400,000 over 1400 metres.
Incentive for the winner in the F1 and Lower 1400 metres event is also worth $400,000.
The G3 Class 1100 metres race will see the winner taking away the $300,000 first prize and trophy.
Racing fans will see the top ‘I’ Class horses racing over 1100 metres for a top prize of $200,000 and trophy, while the J1 Class horses will sprint over 1100 metres for a winner’s prize of $180,000 and trophy.
Interested horse owners can have their animals confirmed for participation through Fazal Habibulla on 232-0232 or 6577010, Inshanally Habibulla 6234495 or 232-3295, Donald or Zaleena Lawrie 225-4530, 2254565 or Dennis DeRoop on 609-9143.
played all games.
It has since emerged T20 cricket is not the only thing Amla has changed his mind about. He has also decided he is not as averse to captaincy as he first was - news which, a source close to the situation said, has made the selectors’ jobs a lot more difficult. Despite Amla’s softspoken nature, he is seen as an automatic choice for leader because of his experience in the international game, which du Plessis does not have, and the fact that he is not overburdened by other responsibilities, which de Villiers, who is also South Africa’s wicket-keeper is. Amla has also captained in the past, which Duminy has not.
He led South Africa’s Under-19 side in the 2002 World Cup and ended up as the third highest run-getter in the team with an average of 27.28. (ESPNcricinfo)
Marlon Williams
Darren Matthews
Dennis DeRoop
Hashim Amla (right), is now one of four contenders for the role of South Africa’s next Test captain
Savion seized control in the I1 and Lower race to take the $250,000 first prize
Greaves off to USA for training stint
By Avenash Ramzan
oraima Bikers
RClub cyclist Alanzo Greaves, will leave Guyana today to compete and train in the United States of America (USA) as he intensifies preparation for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 24-year-old rider, who finished fourth overall at the 32nd annual Independence Three-Stage cycle race last weekend, told this publication on Monday afternoon that the trip will be quite different from the one month stint he had in the USA in May/June last year. Unlike 2013, when he was involved in purely competitive races, this time around Greaves will spend seven weeks competing
against top riders around the globe, as well as train for the upcoming Games.
The talented rider is
part of the squad shortlisted by the Guyana Cycling Federation to prepare for participation at
the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 3.
“Well, I’m looking to once again do well and improve my overall game, as well as get into top shape for the Commonwealth Games later this year,” Greaves said as he embarked on his fourth such visit to the USA.
In 2013, the former Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club rider chalked up three impressive victories from eight races.
He won the Floyd Bennett Category 1-3 race, the Historic Riverton Criterium (Pro 1-3) event and the W.S. United Category One race. Greaves also finished as runner-up in the Connecticut Criterium (Pro 1-3) race.
Apart from the three top podium spots, he also copped fourth in the CRCA Open Category 1-3; 12th in the Floyd Bennett Category 1-3; 18th in the Bound Brook Criterium Pro-1 and 52nd in the Tour of Somerville Category Pro-1. His trip to the USA has been made possible with support from Digicel, Bounty Farm, Spads Inc., Toucan Industries, Kevin Jeffrey and family, Café Sol, Compton Persaud, Roraima Bikers Club, Linden Dowridge and George Humphrey.
Greaves is grateful for the support of his sponsors, without whom the trip would not have been possible, he said.
Alanzo Greaves (right) during his stint in the USA last year
