Guyana Times, October 10, 2014

fridAY, october 10, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Tax fraud…

Glenn Lall summoned to appear in court on

aieteur News

KPublisher Glenn Lall has been served with a summons to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer to several charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The summons was delivered by officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday to Lall at his Saffon Street, Charlestown office. On the same day, Lall had lied and said he had not received the summons, as reported in the Kaieteur News.

The GRA had pressed around six charges against Lall, his wife, Bhena Lall and remigrants Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan of Number 61 Village, Corentyne, for falsifying documents to defraud the State hundreds of millions dollars for importing two luxury vehicles into this country.

A top GRA official confirmed to Guyana Times that the summons was served on Lall and his wife. Lall himself, according to the GRA official signed and received his summons. The remigrants who hail from Berbice are said to have returned to the US.

The tax regulatory body is claiming that remigrants Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan had imported two Lexus LX 570 motor vehicles under the Remigrant Scheme into Guyana; however, the two vehicles were not kept or used by the remigrants.

This is in breach of the Customs Act and the conditions of the grant of the duty-free concession. GRA said investigations have revealed that the vehicles are being driven by Lall and his wife.

The Authority has since seized the vehicles and

filed six criminal charges against the four persons. The charges are to be read and heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on October 13, when the two couples are expected to make an appearance.

Alleged blackmail threat

The charges alleged that between June 18, 2013 and September 20, 2013, at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, Demerara, a place in the Georgetown Magisterial District, they made and subscribed to false declarations on one Lexus LX 570 motor vehicle with engine capacity 5700 cc, Chassis number JTJHY7AX6 D4096745 to be worth US$44,158 and one Lexus LX 570 motor vehicle with engine capacity 5700 cc, Chassis number JTJHY7AX6 D4094851 to be worth US$44,158, contrary to Section 217(1)(a) of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.

Meanwhile, ever since the charges were filed, Lall has reportedly threatened to blackmail Cabinet members if Government does not drop all the tax fraud cases currently pending in

court against him.

Credible reports reaching this newspaper indicate that Lall has been able to obtain various pieces of highly sensitive medical information, either about some Government Ministers or about close members of their family, and has threatened to go public if the Administration does not get off his ‘back’ with the current court cases.

Sources say if indeed it is revealed that Lall obtained the medical information in question by bribery, or any other illicit means, the penalties for such offences, if found guilty in a court of law, could be jail time for several years.

Government on Monday night said in a statement that it has noted with keen interest the call by Lall in the Kaieteur News, on October 5 for people to stand by him and his newspaper.

“As much as Mr Lall may wish to confuse the public that this is an issue of press freedom, in fact, the matters for which he seeks support have nothing to do with the right to freedom of expression,” the statement said.

“Rather, Mr Lall is asking the Guyanese public to support the following unlawful activities: tax evasion of millions of dollars; attempting to pervert the course of justice by blackmailing his opponents to drop the charges; manipulating the Georgetown Municipal Council for nonpayment of rates and taxes; stealing electricity from

the GPL [Guyana Power and Light]; maligning people; and threatening to expose private and personal matters of his ‘perceived opponents’ in order to have his unlawful activities dropped.”

The statement noted that the call has been publicly supported by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

It also questioned whether leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan and leader of APNU David Granger would now call on the Guyanese public to support Lall for the specific crimes he has been accused of.

“Aren’t the Opposition parties condoning Mr Lall’s illegal activities? Aren’t they saying to John Public that it is alright to follow Mr Lall’s lead and be accountable to no one?” the statement asked.

“One would have thought that the Opposition political parties would have been more judicious and distance themselves from supporting such unlawful activities, especially as they have grand designs of being in Government one day.

“One has to wonder if this is the kind of Government they will offer the Guyanese people. Once again, the friends of the Opposition are above and beyond the law merely because it is their friends!” added the statement.

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Agriculture as a solution

It is often said that “youth are the future” and this month, being Agriculture Month, the saying stands out as the sector does not appear to be widely embraced by the youth populace. This certainly is not good enough for a country which is a large exporter of agriculture produce and products, and has been touted ad nauseam as having the potential of becoming the breadbasket of the Caribbean.

This challenge is rooted in young people today seeing life on a different perspective, with farming being viewed as backbreaking work, toiling in the hot sun in the fields. In the past, and still to some extent today, the profession was passed down from parents to children, but this no longer obtains, with youths looking at other lucrative professions to earn a living.

In fact, many young people in predominantly farming communities, notably in Region Two, have now turned to mining, moving away from farming as a chief means of obtaining a livelihood. Also, the majority of farmers today are the older folks, many of whom after toiling for years in the fields have chosen to educate their children with the intention of bridging the generation gap.

Many young people today too if an enquiry is made of them of what they would want to become would say lawyer, doctor, accountant and entrepreneur. Seldom would they say they want to become firefighters, policemen, soldiers and farmers, primarily because they do not see these professions as attractive.

Here is where local policymakers need to take a careful look at the state of agriculture in general and examine ways in which it can be promoted as attractive, lucrative and prestigious – the sustainer of the nation and the cause of all other professions. Undoubtedly, it is the farmers who feed the President, members of his Cabinet, the senior Government functionaries, the politicians, doctors, and lawyers.

One can even safely say that these elites need the farmers more than the farmers actually need them, and it is this way the profession in this day and age needs to be promoted.

Importantly too, the image of the profession ought to be revamped, moving away from where farmers are viewed as slaves in the fields to where they are seen as micro, medium and large-scale entrepreneurs.

Agriculture should not be seen merely as work in the field, but as a profession that includes research and development, marketing and distribution and an occupation that has the power to influence national decisions. It should be sold as a profession with many sub-professions, ranging from soil conservationist, extension advisors and biomass engineer to soil scientist, veterinarian and food microbiologist.

One gets the impression that not much has been done to change the traditional view of agriculture, as unquestionably if it is being promoted as a modern trade with high-tech operations and a simple solution to elevate from poverty, more young people would be gravitating towards a career in agriculture. The task of getting every youth of this country to understand the value of agriculture cannot be overstated as it is both a great benefit to them and a vital player in the economy.

As we celebrate Agriculture Month, it would be prudent of the Agriculture Ministry to also promote agriculture as a solution to crime since the majority of criminals are between the ages of 18 and 30.

With the support of all stakeholders, farming should be promoted not only as an alternative to crime but a solution to youth unemployment since it produces a legitimate income and provides a base for upward mobility through discipline and hard work.

These are noted issues as they are part of the daily conversations and debates; so too is poverty, which in some cases is rooted in bad personal choices and a reluctance to change.

These problems require an earthy solution, and it can be found in agriculture.

Kaieteur News article has caused undue discomfort to hardworking diplomats

Dear Editor, I write out of deep concern for the hardworking diplomats in Guyana's Foreign Service, regarding an article appearing on page 16 of the Kaieteur News of October 9, headlined, "Govt orders probe into duty-free concessions... Reports fingers top GRA officials in fraud scheme''.

Among other things, the article states: "Another case that is under the spotlight involves a number

Many

of SUVs brought in by a Guyanese diplomat posted to the US. He brought the vehicles, reportedly, applying for it as an investor. However, the vehicles were sold."

The diplomats that are posted from Guyana to the United States of America are His Excellency, Bayney Karran, Ambassador to the United States of America and the OAS; His Excellency, George Talbot, Permanent Representative

to the United Nations; Mr Brentnold Evans, Consul General, Consulate in New York; Mr Mohammed Khan, Deputy Consul General; and Foreign Service Officers Troy Torrington, Forbes July, Candida Daniels, Bibi Ally and Shiraz Mohamed.

None of these diplomats, I repeat none of these diplomats, has imported to Guyana SUV vehicles. They just cannot do so while they are serving abroad.

A phone call to the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have set the record straight. That omission and subsequent publication of the misleading information have caused undue discomfort to our hardworking diplomats. I request an apology on their behalf.

Yours sincerely, Elisabeth Harper Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs

NOC residents attained respectable positions in society

Dear Editor,

I hold no brief for anyone or group connected with the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), yet I feel compelled to highlight some salient points as a result of what I knew that correctional facility did for young persons who went there in the past.

The facility at Onderneeming was established in 1879 as a juvenile prison. In the 19th Century, the Superintendent of the Georgetown Prison had his Deputy Resident at Onderneeming at the juvenile prison.

Despite its frequent name changes, the juvenile prison was administered in the hope of effecting behaviour change in deviant adolescent boys. Fast forward to the 20th Century – June 12, 1981 – the facility became a co-educational institution under its present name – the NOC.

None of the students at the NOC are sent there by their parents or guardians. The courts of Guyana are the authority for committing

deviant adolescents to the NOC. The court’s decision is usually premised on a written report done by a probation officer who is or is expected to be a trained social worker.

There have been several instances when parents/ guardians who having abrogated their parental responsibility over time requested the magistrate to send their child to the correctional facility, because they “cannot cope with him/her any longer”. All evidence having been considered, the magistrate concurs with the probation report.

The NOC, boys’ school, girls’ school, juvenile prison, authorities over the past 135 years have never had 100 per cent success at social rehabilitation of all deviant adolescents who passed through the system. There have been successes, but there also have been regrets at failures.

There is no magic wand at the correctional facility to radically change all the deviant students in the two or three years they would

have spent in incarceration. However, many residents of the facility have succeeded in attaining respectable positions in the society and have gone on to serve in law enforcement; the legal profession; family businesses; the military – local and overseas; the shipping and construction industries; and the teaching profession.

The institution’s records dating back as far as 1942 reveal their history and progress. Some have even departed this earthly life.

The challenges of the 21st Century have not been kind to the present composition of staff at the NOC. At no time between 1979 and 2014 were there more than two trained professional social workers at Guyana’s juvenile correctional centre at Onderneeming.

Those NOC staff who now cope with what the courts send for rehabilitative training are now the blunt of putrid ridicule from every quarter. Yet they continue to cope with offences ranging from simple wandering to robbery

with arms, aggravation, and manslaughter.

Those persons who each year graduate from the University of Guyana with diplomas and degrees in social work do not gravitate to working with deviant adolescents because the pay is too small.

Public concern is understandable and well-intentioned, but there are many loopholes in the social fabric, broken homes, absent mothers and fathers and lack of support structures within our communities.

These have contributed significantly to the deviance that we see within these young people. It is easy to blame the NOC, but this is not an NOC problem, this is a societal issue. We should all work together to get parents to fulfil their obligations of parenting and for our communities to be a safer and better place.

Concerned former staff member, Name withheld by request

The moon turns orange during a total lunar eclipse behind the CN Tower and the skyline during moonset in Toronto (Reuters)

Comprehension could have prevented this entire exchange

Dear Editor, Christopher Ram continues his bold path of misguided criticisms against the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs. I refer to his latest letter published October 9, under the headline, “Mr Nandlall has taken the administration of justice to its nadir”.

Expectedly, Mr Ram begun by insinuating that I did not author the letter and I was a mere scribe to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. This is a regular affront to which professional women are subjected, in our country, on a daily basis, by a society dominated by men, whose philosophy is that women are not their equal and should be domesticated at home, confined to housekeeping responsibilities.

It is even more nauseating when it comes from those who present themselves as social activists and public commentators.

I was elated to observe that Mr Ram made no comment on my explanation in relation to the transformation which has and is taking place at the Deeds Registry.

The public and I will, therefore, assume that he is satisfied with the explanation, which I proffered in my last letter and that his silence on that issue in this letter is an admission that his fulminations on that issue in his first letter were much ado about nothing.

Unfortunately, it is evident that I was not so successful in my explanation, in relation to the reasons why the Judicial Review Act is not in force. I will nevertheless try again.

As I predicted, Mr Ram capitalised on the opportunity presented, as is his wont, to publicly exhibit the research which he did in respect of the evolution of the new High Court Rules and regaled us with the details

of his learning.

For that exposition, I hope the public is grateful. It is beneath me to respond to the personal attacks which he litters along the way. I am interested in substance. There is one serious omission of which Mr Ram is guilty in his research regarding the new High Court Rules.

It is that, apparently, he didn’t bother to read the Rules themselves. Had he done so, he would have been confronted on the very first page of the Rules under the caption, “commencement” the following passage:

“These Rules shall come into operation subject to the transitional provisions in Part 73, on a date to be fixed by the Chancellor, acting on the decision of the Rules Committee.”

But then again maybe he did read it. Additionally, I made that point emphatically in my last letter that it is not the responsibility of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to bring the Rules into operation. Comprehension is obviously an underrated problem.

In any event, I am aware that these Rules have been sent by the Chancellor to the Guyana Bar Association, of which Mr Ram is the Secretary, for their input. Yet he asserts publicly that these Rules are in force.

Mr Ram listed Rules establishing the Commercial Court, the Constitutional and Administrative Law Division of the High Court, and the Family (Proceedings and Procedures) Rules 2012, and argues that the Attorney General must use that as precedents and extract from the new High Court Rules, the parts dealing with Judicial Review and bring them into operation.

I am advised that this argument is flawed on so many

levels that it is impossible to deal adequately with it in a letter to the press. Suffice it to say, that I was further advised that the promulgation of the Rules of Court, of whatever kind, is always an intrinsic function of the Judiciary and will never in, our constitutional matrix, be a functional responsibility of the Executive.

Indeed, I am advised that each of the Rules to which Mr Ram has made reference were brought into force by Practice Directions issued by the Chancellor of the Judiciary. As a lay person I presume that these are matters with which lawyers must be familiar.

Mr Ram asks why, after two years since the Family Court Rules and the completion of the building to house the Family Court, “the Court has still not been established”. The Executive funded the construction of a building, furnished it, and facilitated the drafting of the Rules. The Court is established. It is the Judiciary that must make it operational.

The conceptual dilemma of Mr Ram is laid bare by his uninitiated assertion that, “in my view, Mr Nandlall has taken the administration of justice to its nadir”. Even I know that the administration of justice is a constitutional responsibility of the Judiciary from, which the Executive is trenchantly insulated.

If Mr Ram wishes to see a constitutional change, as Secretary of the Guyana Bar Association, he is well-positioned to persuade his organisation to publicly campaign for such reform.

Comprehension could have avoided this entire exchange.

Yours faithfully,

Indira Anandjit Permanent Secretary Ministry of Legal Affairs

Opposition elements cannot be employed in electoral system

Dear Editor,

I read in another section of the media that the PPP/C questioned the appointment of Richard Francois as GECOM’s PRO.

I myself am questioning this appointment and I fully support the PPP/C in condemning the recent appointment of Richard Francois as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the basis of information that “he is openly supportive and sympathetic to the Opposition”.

If this appointment is not

revoked by GECOM, then no elections whether Local Government or General and Regional Elections must be held.

The restoration of democracy took place in 1992 and for God’s sake, let this continue to be so until ‘thy kingdom come’.

As a matter of fact, I will at this time be watchful and publicly condemn any attempts by GECOM to contaminate our electoral system whether knowingly or unknowingly.

I am, therefore, saying that GECOM must not al-

Trotman operating under the age-old PNC tactic of bullyism

Dear Editor, When Trotman was granted that injunction against Anthony Welshman in essence that order was to prevent him from speaking to or publishing in the press such allegations. The order simply stated that while this matter remains an allegation one cannot go about spreading such rumours; it remains an allegation and nothing else.

However, that gag order did not exclude Trotman from prosecution nor did it in any way gave him immunity from prosecution; far from it. Karen D'Souza of Red Thread in a political capacity erroneously penned that notion.

That gag order placed the accuser in the spotlight to do either of two things, apply to the high court for redress or shut up. Welshman Jr. has decided to go to court and all eyes would be at the there when this matter begins.

Before I go any further, I would like to delve into a few areas of pertinent interest. Trotman is operating under the age old PNC tactic of bullyism; you throw your weight

around and expect the accuser to go away.

In fact you go to the high court and get a restraining order and literally gag the victim from telling his story. You are telling the world also that the alleged victim is a lunatic and an unstable person who is led by diabolic forces; you do all within your might and power to humiliate and degrade your accuser.

This is typical behaviour of a bully (I really wanted to use the other "b" word). If I may pose the question could you ever imagine a government functionary of the PNC Government ever taken to court on any matter?

I said any matter because certainly the one brought by Welshman could never have seen the light of day in the political atmosphere that existed then. Both accuser and his story would have "evaporated" into thin air.

This is the arrogant point of reference from which Trotman operates. But he is mistaken, under the new dispensation one must give an account of your actions something Glenn

Lall has to face up to also. Well the truth is, you would look a fool in the eyes of the world seeing the matter would be dealt with in a court of law. The charges against you will read "rape and buggery of a minor".

Very serious and very embarrassing would be the result, that is, the Speaker of the House hauled before the court on such horrible charges. Judging from the fact that it is already in the public domain he may want to explore the possibility of a settlement. May I remind my readers that a settlement is a guilty verdict and an admission of guilt. In either case he has no choice in this matter with such a mountain of evidence stacked against him. At this stage Trotman would have to resign from the position of Speaker of the House. With such a high level matter before the courts Trotman is left no other alternative but to resign. I call on him to do the noble thing.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

Book on folklorist Wordsworth McAndrew published

Dear Editor,

A book on Guyana's leading folklorist, playright, poet, Wordsworth ‘Mac’ McAndrew has been published. The author of the 243-page work was done by his friend and also a folklorist Roy Brummell, who hails from Dartmouth on the Essequibo coast, but but now resides at Flatbush in Brooklyn, New York.

Roy summarized Mac's hard work and described him as Guyana's legendary "Mr Folklore and imparting folk knowledge to Guyanese, through radio and other means".

Brummel went on to say that "certainly there were others before him (McAndrew) who played their part in preserving Guyana's folklore, but no one raised folklore to national consciousness in Guyana as much as Mac did". He described him as "My Buddybo who was to Guyana what Louise Bennet was to Jamaica".

The book refers to McAndrew as a reader of stories, including the famous "De Grat Jackass race", the writer of the class poem “Ol’ Higue", “Creole Meche Meche Folk”,

low Opposition elements to be employed in Guyana’s electoral system. If Mr Francois is a true professional, he will, therefore, simply abandon or walk away from GECOM’s PRO appointment. If he doesn’t , he is not a true professional and has an agenda.

In conclusion, no elections must be held in Guyana until GECOM cleanses its electoral system from controversial elements.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

“Focus on Folk” and "What Else"of GBS Radio fame.

Mac rubbed shoulders with such poetry stalwarts as Martin Carter, Ian Mc Donald, Ivan Van Sertima, Alec Best and Henry Josiah, as well as cultural icon Celestine Dolphin.

Mac was a no nonsense person and despite that it was the policy of President Burnham and the government for government officers to be addressed as "Comrade", he refused to be addressed as Comrade and defied his boss warnings not to wear rubber slippers and dashiki to work, which eventually was one of the main reasons why he was fired by Management of GBS Radio.

In fact, Wordsworth wore dashiki long before anybody knew the name of the "strange" looking garment.

Several of his friends and colleagues gave brief reminiscences in the book and his English wife, Rosie, referred to her wedding day when she was towed on his bicycle to and from church.

I had time and time again advocated for McAndrew who was born on November 22 1936 to be given a national honour, even after his death on April 25, 2008, for a posthumous award to be made, but so far the Honours Committee has not done so.

In fact no one has been accorded a national honour for the past seven years.

The unusual "bicycle story" was widely publicized locally and was even syndicated on Reuters. Among some of his colleagues and friends who added their bit to the publication were Sir Ronald Sanders, Professor Frank Birbalsingh, Oscar Wailoo, Marc Matthews, Vic Hall, Ken Corsbie, Stanley Greaves, Lorenzo Blackmore, Dr Judiith Roback, Francis Quamina Farrier, Eusi Kwayana, Dr John Rickford, and many others including yours truly Oscar Ramjeet. The masterpiece was published by Caribbean Press. Brummel said that he has completed writing Volume II which should be published soon and thereafter he will arrange a launching in Georgetown.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

presidential candidacy saga...

Nagamootoo unsure he can bring anything new to party

Alliance For Change (AFC) nominated Presidential Candidate Moses Nagamootoo said he was taking steps “one day at a time” in the push for the top post of the party.

Nagamootoo is among four other members of the minority Opposition party who were nominated to run for the presidential candidacy post during the party’s congress billed for the 25th of this month. The other candidates are: Cathy Hughes; her husband, Nigel Hughes; and the party’s leader, Khemraj Ramjattan.

In a telephone inter-

view with Guyana Times on Thursday, Nagamootoo was asked if he was bringing anything new to the table as a presidential candidate.

The former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) executive said it was premature to deal with that at this point, noting that he would not canvass himself as a candidate, but will deal with such matters at the appropriate time.

Nagamootoo, however, said he hoped that there would be an open and fair election process, when the party gets down to that during the Congress. He said that there were four nomi-

Taxi driver on $120,000 bail for fraud charge

Taxi driver Suresh Singh was on Thursday afternoon granted $120,000 bail after denying a charge of fraudulent conversion when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on October 7 at Third Avenue, Bartica, being solely entrusted by Pamela Hussain with the sum of $1 million for fuel and groceries, Singh fraudulently converted the sum to his own use and benefit.

The unrepresented 34-year-old made his own bail application. He told the court that he would usually work for Hussain as a taxi driver. He stated that other than traffic matters, this was his first time in court.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant stated that the facts were as charged and did not object to bail.

Bail was granted to the defendant on the condition that he reports to the Bartica Police Station every Friday at 18:00h. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for October 16.

nees for the post, and noted that whoever comes out victorious would most certainly tell the nation what their

plans are for the party and the country as a whole.

The AFC last week had

announced that its National Executive Committee had received four nominations for the party’s presidential candidate at the next general elections and another four nominees for the post of Prime Minister, even as it prepares for General Elections early next year.

Those nominated for the Prime Ministerial Candidate post were Raphael Trotman, Nigel Hughes, Cathy Hughes, Dr Verasammy Ramayya, and David Patterson. The decision on who will be elected the Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates will be made when the party

holds its biennial National Conference later this month.

Moses Veerasammy Nagamootoo, a former teacher and journalist, was elected to Parliament in 1992 as a PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP). He served as Minister of Information and Local Government and remained in Cabinet under the presidencies of Cheddi Jagan, Samuel Hinds, Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo. He resigned as Minister in 2000, but remained an MP until 2011 when he resigned from the PPP, joining the AFC in October 2011 and being re-elected to Parliament.

Renowned Anthropologist for African Holocaust celebrations

The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has teamed up with the Coalition of the 1823 Parade Ground Monument to commemorate the African Holocaust/Maafa Day, and has invited renowned Anthropologist And Historian, Dr Runoko Rashidi as the keynote speaker at the events planned.

The African Holocaust/ Maafa Day will be observed on October 12, under the theme “Reparation for African Holocaust”. This day marks the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Caribbean Region and in commemoration of this year’s African Holocaust/

Maafa Day, ACDA has invited Dr Rashidi as the keynote speaker for all the events planned.

Dr Rashidi has dedicated his life to what he calls the Global African Presence, that is, Africans outside of Africa before and after enslavement. He is said to be continuing the work of Guyanese Anthropologist, Dr Ivan Van Sertima, and has published 18 books.

According to Executive Member of ACDA, Penda Guyan, the group has joined with the Coalition in an effort to bring the concept of African Holocaust to a wider audience, particularly AfroGuyanese.

“ACDA’s statement on the Holocaust amplifies on the linkage of Columbus’ arrival and the continued depopulation and the various forms of discrimination which African peoples have suffered since Columbus landed in the Caribbean,” she stated.

Meanwhile, another Executive Member of ACDA, Elton Mc Ray, explained that “Maafa” is a Kiswahili word which means disaster or terrible occurrence. He said it accurately “describes the more than 500 years of suffering of people of African descent through slavery, imperialism, colonialism, invasion and exploitation”. The

“MAAFA” uniquely refers to the subjugation, contamination and loss of indigenous African cultures, languages, spiritual beliefs, and encompasses the enslavement, colonisation, and neo-colonialism.

He said that the theme of this year’s observance of African Holocaust/Maafa Day is more so significant, since Caribbean leaders are calling on colonial rulers to pay reparations to those countries they once ruled.

“Our reparations appeal is not just a quest to have money in our pockets; it’s a quest to have self-repair among African peoples in this part of the world,” the ACDA member said.

This will be Dr Rashidi’s third visit to Guyana, with the most recent being over 10 years ago. The main event during the Anthropologist’s visit will be the commemoration activity on Sunday at the Georgetown seawall near the Bandstand, where Africans are expected to offer floral tributes to ancestors during the 06:40h high tide.

Some of the other activities include: several lectures at various primary schools across the country, television appearances and a rally at Parade Ground on October 16.

Executive members of ACDA at the press conference on Thursday

AFC nominated Presidential Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

Gold prices hit 3-week high

The Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry along with local regulatory agencies for gold mining and trading business has noted that global gold prices are posting solid gains and have hit a three-week high in early US trading Thursday.

According to a release, a combination of heavy short covering in the futures market, bargain hunting and safe-haven buying are boosting the yellow metal.

The technical posture for gold has also become much less bearish this week. December Comex gold was last up US$26.80 at US$1232.80 an ounce. Spot gold was last quoted up US$11.30 at US$1233.25.

Traders are still digesting the dovish Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes released Wednesday afternoon. The Fed expressed increasing concern about weakening world economies and some FOMC members questioned whether the appreciation of the US dollar against the other major currencies might act as a drag on the US economy.

The US dollar index sold off, while the Euro currency, gold and US Treasuries and stock indexes rallied in the aftermath of the FOMC minutes.

“The market place reckons the FOMC minutes hint the Fed may have to hold off longer on raising US interest rates, given the increasing concerns about weakening world economies – especially the serious weakness coming out of the European Union.

“European stocks and bonds, and the Euro currency, rallied overnight, in the aftermath of the FOMC minutes and the US stock market rally Wednesday afternoon,” the release said.

US stock indexes were slightly higher in early electronic trading. The US dollar index continued under selling pressure Thursday

morning, which is also a bullish “outside market” factor for the precious metals.

A key question that will likely be answered in the coming days will be if the FOMC minutes were enough of a market place “gamechanger” to reverse the fledgling price downtrends in the US stock indexes.

Addiction

Ironically, European stocks rallied despite recent dour economic data coming out of the EU. The rally in world stock markets following the downbeat FOMC assessment of the world econ-

Rising interest rates reduce gold’s allure because the metal generally only offers investors returns through price gains, while a stronger dollar typically cuts demand for a store of value.

Technically, gold bears have the overall near-term technical advantage.

However, a three-monthold downtrend on the daily bar chart has been negated. Also, prices earlier this week came very close to important longer-term chart support at the US$1180 area, and then rebounded smartly. That is also a bullish clue that a market bottom is in place.

The Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry along with local regulatory agencies for gold mining and trading business has

omies underscores how traders and investors have become addicted to the easymoney policies of the world’s central banks.

This is not a good thing, and many market watchers think the eventual outcome of central banks “printing money” will prove to have been significantly harmful or even disastrous to most economies.

Gold rebounded from this year’s low set October 6 as investors pushed back bets for when the Fed will raise interest rates and Chinese consumers returned from a week-long holiday. The metal had erased gains for the year last week as an improving US economy added to the case for higher borrowing costs.

The gold bulls’ next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistance at US$1250. Bears’ next near-term downside breakout price objective is closing prices below solid longerterm technical support at US$1200.00. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of US$1234 and then at $1237. First support is seen at $1225 and then at the overnight low of $1219.30.

“The local gold mining industry is being encouraged to capitalise on the rise in prices as we seek to close out the year on a high for the level of declaration that is currently being recoded,” the release concluded.

John Lewis Styles donates $1M to charities on 11th anniversary

As part of its 11th anniversary celebrations, John Lewis Styles has again decided to make donations to seven very special Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that it admires.

A total of $1 million was donated to: the Guyana Relief Council, Guyana Kids First Fund, NCN Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund, The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Roman Catholic Diocese of Georgetown, The Salvation Army, and Help and Shelter.

In a release, the business said “despite a slower economic year …, we value our commitment to these NGOs and the real benefits of such donations. We rec-

ognise the hard work and dedication each organisation exhibits on all projects and we are pleased to be associated with their efforts”.

It noted that it has also continued the landscaping of Waterloo Street Avenue between Quamina and Church Streets with the help of WaterChris Hotel. Private garbage collection and the maintenance of street lights are also other ways in which it continues its projects in being a good corporate citizen.

“On this occasion, we give thanks to God for making all things possible.

To our customers, family, friends, and staff we extend our sincere gratitude for their support over the

Meriwau gets $3.2M bus

The Village of Meriwau, Region Nine on Thursday received a $3.2 million minibus from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to help transport school children to and from the Shulinab Primary School.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai presented the keys of the vehicle to Senior Councillor of the village, Dominic Charles at a presentation held at the Ministry’s office, Quamina and Thomas Streets,Georgetown.

The 15-seater vehicle was purchased from funds from the Presidential Grant and the Village Fund.

Some $1.2 million came from the Village Fund and the remainder from the Presidential Grant.

During a village meeting held on February 24, residents decided to purchase a minibus to transport school children from Meriwau to the Shulinab Primary School.

Charles told Guyana Times that the students usually ride or walk the fourmile route to school, pointing out that the bus will bring relieve to them.

The vehicle will also be providing transportation to residents to and from Lethem.

Charles noted that a fee for school children has not yet been decided but for the journey to Lethem, the fare is $2000 per person for a one way journey and $4000 to go and come.

Children and pensioners most likely would be charged half price.

care of the vehicle.

“I know you saved your Presidential Grants for four years and you used your village fund, which is an important part of your village income, and I believe that your ownership of this bus should be taken very seriously. You should avoid abuse of this bus; you should ensure that you as the Senior Councillor hold direct responsibility of the bus.”

Additionally, the Minister advised him to form a committee between himself and the other Councillors of the village, to oversee the prudent use of the bus.

She said the investment is “benefitting people and not just a special type of people” but all the people.

years. We promise to continue offering quality and value and we look forward to serving you,” the release concluded.

First opened in October 2003, John Lewis Styles offers both men’s and women’s clothing, footwear and accessories. It is the authorised dealer for Nautica, Levi’s, Dockers, Hanes, Totes and many other brands.

With the aim of offering quality goods and services and being simply different in every area of fashion, styles and trends, the company, with its sleek headquarters, expanding product line and great customer service, says it has something for everyone.

noted that global gold prices are posting solid gains

Minister Sukhai urged Councillor Charles to take good

Senior Councillor Dominic Charles receives the keys for the minibus from Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai in the presence of Advisor to the Minister Yvonne Pearson

Trotman paedophile allegations...

Benschop allegedly offered Welshman ‘hush money’

The man who has accused Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman of raping him when he was 12 on Tuesday said that Mark Benschop allegedly offered him cash to stay silent – a claim the social and political activist has denied.

Welshman has accused the Speaker of buggeringhim as a child over a period of time, an allegation that Trotman has vehemently denied, branding the youngster as mentally unstable.

Subsequent to the allegations, Trotman took to the courts to file an injunction to gag Welshman and a $50 million lawsuit against him.

But even before this was done, Welshman had spoken extensively about the involvement of high-profile political figures in an effort to hush him.

One of those persons named was Benschop, and Welshman had alleged that

the social activist had furnished him with a quotation from a popular store for household items valued over $2 million. Welshman alleged that he was told to take the items as part of a settlement deal to keep quiet.

Interview

But when contacted on Thursday, Benschop denied ever offering the young man any form of settlement.

“Why would I be offering Welshman a quotation from Courts Guyana Inc? Why would I give him a quotation from Courts? … I don’t even know this guy… much less to give him a quotation,” Benschop said.

He, however, admitted interviewing Welshman at his office on the allegations against Trotman.

“I don’t know Johnny Welshman; I have no interest in Johnny Welshman’s personal life. I don’t

Mark Benschop

know nothing of him except that I did an interview with him,” an agitated Benschop said.

Welshman, on Tuesday, had disclosed that persons connected with the Opposition have offered him around $3 million to implicate the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the

saga. He detailed that one of the conditions attached to the $3 million offer was for him to implicate two key figures in the PPP/C in a statement claiming that they had set him up to make the allegations against Trotman.

On Tuesday, the young man’s lawyer, Peter Hugh, also alluded to the allegations in a statement to the media.

“I am informed by my client that despite the filing of the libel suit and a matter being investigated by the Guyana Police Force, he has been approached with offers of settlement in the sum of G$3 million on the condition that he makes a public statement that the PPP/C asked him to make these allegations.

“When he refused to accept any settlement or to lie and say that the PPP/C asked him to do anything, his life was threatened,” Hugh’s statement read.

Jaden Mars’ death... Frustrated mother threatens to release tape of top health officials

Almost one year after a toddler died at the Georgetown Public Hospital while being treated for biting his tongue, his mother is still seeking justice.

Frustrated that nothing seemed to be happening, she has threatened to release a tape that could implicate top officials of the health sector if she does not get justice.

The recording purportedly contains conversations she had with senior officials at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Health Ministry and the doctors who administered the anaesthetic to her now dead child.

Jaden Mars was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital a few hours after he was admitted to the medical facility to seek treatment after he bit his tongue on December

10, 2012.

A post-mortem performed on the four-year-old proved that he died from a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by a substance that had travelled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (Pulmonary Embolism).

The distraught mother, Natalie Caseley, during an interview with the Guyana Times on Thursday said that she was frustrated with the manner in which the matter is being handled by top medical officials in the country.

She recalled her meeting with one official in February who assured her that four health workers were expected to be disciplined by the medical board of which he was a part.

“He said not to worry that he was on the board and he will ensure that the people are disciplined, and

he also told me that he recommended that no other investigation be conducted by the Nurses and Medical Council since the one he has conducted was thorough.”

He had since taken her contact information, but to date, he has not contacted her.

Desperate

On Thursday, Caseley paid a visit to one offcial’s office. The desperate woman then went to the office of Health Minister Bheri Ramsaran but he too was not in office.

This prompted her to visit another official of the medical institution who pleaded with her not to release the recording to the media and promised to organise a meeting.

He gave a deadline of no later than 18:00h on Thursday evening but she recalled their prior false

promises and decided to approach the media which would send a message that she meant business.

In tears, she related that her son would have been celebrating his fifth birthday on October 15, but he was not here with her due to the negligent actions of the medial institution.

Eyew tness Mout’ open...

... and Muckraker’s lies jump out

After a month of conducting a vicious counterattack on the Commissioner General of the GRA for exposing him as one of the persons at the centre of a massive scheme to defraud the Government of millions in revenues from “remigrant duty-free cars”, Glenn “Mook” Lall and his Muckraker have finally “discovered” that – as their headline screams – “Govt orders probe into duty-free concessions”!!

But it should surprise no one, that instead of highlighting Lall being caught with his hand in the cookie jar with two luxury Lexus SUVs he’d scammed, the Muckraker tried to deflect from the burning questions about Lall’s fraud, by claiming, “Report fingers top GRA officials in fraud scheme”!! That may or may not be true, but does this excuse Lall conspiring with two “remigrants” – who aren’t even in the country at this time – to bilk the Treasury of over $100 million??

As the GRA Head’s been saying every day for the past month after the story of the Mook’s mendacity and greed broke in the Chronicle (he’s probably blue in the face by now), the GRA’s been conducting this probe into the abuse of the duty-free remigrant scheme for quite a while. So as Lall and the Muckraker are now finally admitting implicitly, it’s NOT just a scheme hatched by Sattaur and Jagdeo to “get the Mook”!

It’s clear that Lall got wind that he was caught in the crosshairs of the investigation and he concocted a scheme to dodge the bullet. As the article in yesterday’s Muckraker details, there are a host of others who’ll soon be charged. And this Eyewitness will wager that there’ll be some officials also hooked: it takes two to tango, no??

And while Lall has taken greed and avarice to a whole new level, we’re sure he has some company out there. Who’ll jooking him in the slammer!

For too long Mook Lall’s gotten away with murder because of his ownership of the Muckraker via which he’s blackmailed folks who value their reputations. Revelling in his notoriety as a person with a “shady past” connected to “the underworld”, Mook Lall follows the philosophy of life once articulated by Burnham: Back to back, belly to belly. Ah doan give a damn, Ah done dead a’ready!!”

We hope the GRA top brass sticks to his task: since Mook Lall did the crime, he must do the time!!

...but story stick in throat

To the Muckraker, the paedophile allegations by the young Welshman against Raphael Trotman would be like throwing blood in the water with a shark. By now you’d think they’d be in a feeding frenzy, no?? Well, actually, no! And enquiring minds don’t even have to ask, “Why??” When it comes to the Opposition, it’s all for “one and one for all”!

Didn’t you notice that after its initial story, the Stabber’s clammed up also??

In fact, it was Trotman who’d actually come up with the slogan that most succinctly announces their goal: “to oppose, expose and depose the PPP/C Government”. And with his position as “Speaker” – nominated and voted in by Granger of the PNC – so key to what’s coming down the pike in their latest stratagem, he’s gotta be shielded at any cost.

So here it is that young Welshman’s finally been able to secure legal representation. His attorney sends out a most eloquent statement contrasting the violation of the child Welshman and the obdurate silence of his fellow lawyers. But not a word in the Muckraker and the Stabber.

Oh judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts!! And justice’s gone to the dogs.

...and pot calling kettle black

Ahhh... the self-righteousness is just too much!!! Did you catch the Muckraker dragging the Chronicle over the coals for publishing that disgusting pic of the “school kids gone wild”?? Is there no shame in these modern Pharisees!!

Jaden Mars

Guyana ups Ebola surveillance at CJIA …

Health Minister admits lack of capacity to test, treat patients

By Alexis Rodney

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran on Thursday acknowledged the country’s inability to test and treat patients for the Ebola virus, but assured that surveillance has been upped at all of the ports, with doctors being deployed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

His comments come amid fears that the Ebola virus, which has broken out of Africa with the first external case diagnosed in the United States can soon find itself here.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ebola virus has since killed over 3879 persons with a probable 8033 suspected cases.

The affected countries include: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, all West African territories. The US recently diagnosed and reported the death of its first patient US-based Liberian Thomas Eric Duncan who died on Wednesday in Texas.

Even before the first case in the US, questions were asked about this country’s preparedness. There have also been questions about the expertise of officers at the three main ports of entry, which reportedly carry out surveillance on persons coming into the country, and the availability of the necessary equipment and facilities to carry out tests for the fatal disease.

Speaking to Guyana Times, Ramsaran related that while focus is being placed on security of Guyana’s borders, increased emphasis is also being placed on the main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, since the data gathered

shows that any threat in this regard will come from passengers passing through that airport.

Ramsaran, who was attending an isolation capacity training workshop when he spoke to Guyana Times, said several doctors have been deployed to the CJIA to carry out surveillance of passengers coming into the country. These doctors, he explained, are on the lookout for passengers, Guyanese and non-Guyanese, coming into the country with any sign of the Ebola virus. He said while Guyana does not have the capacity to carry out the test for this disease, medical officials have been adequately trained in identifying the signs of the disease.

Ports officers

Meanwhile, Port Health Officers at Moleson Creek, Lethem and the CJIA who received training from the Health Ministry said surveillance at these ports have intensified since news broke of the virus being in the US and more recently, Spain. At the Lethem port, officers there said they are complying with the International Health Regulations (IHR) on disease surveillance, tracking the history of passengers, whether they are Guyanese or not. They had earlier stated that passengers are usually grilled about the most recent country visited. Similar activities are said to be ongoing at the Moleson Creek and the CJIA Port Health Offices.

Meanwhile, Shadow Health Minister of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr George Norton said the Ebola virus was beyond any political party as it was more of a “national issue”. But while it was not a party issue,

he said he still believes Government was lacking as it relates to effectively educating the nation about the deadly virus. “We want to see more posters; we want to see more newspaper advertisements. We want to

ticularly important, given that the first person to be diagnosed outside Africa brought the virus with him from Liberia to the US and had contact with more than 100 persons, putting them at risk.

see more medical programmes on every television station. By doing this, he said, persons will become aware of how to control the virus should it come to Guyana’s shores.

Dr Norton told Guyana Times that the “killer” virus is very infectious and only requires minimal contact before it is transmitted. “Just breathing on someone or sneezing can transmit that virus,” he related.

Dr Norton said that “no stone must be left unturned”, in any attempt to keep the virus out of Guyana, adding he was absolutely sure that the money was available to keep the epidemic at bay.

He said too that Guyana will have to put some stringent measures in place, as it relates to persons coming into the country. This was par-

US President Barack Obama had said on Monday that his Government would increase passenger screenings at home and in Africa to detect the Ebola virus.

Obama was sharply critical of countries that he said have not responded aggressively enough to the epidemic, which has killed more than 3400 people and infected double that number.

“Countries that think that they can sit on the sidelines and just let the United States do it, that will result in a less effective response, a less speedy response, and that means that people die,” he said.

Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr James Hospedales had already cautioned that there

should be no let-up by regional Governments in the fight against Ebola.

Hospedales disclosed that there was too much at stake for any complacency at this time. He said that Caribbean countries have to be prepared, because “even one case here would be disastrous for our own health, especially for the tourism-dependent economy in the Caribbean. That could be very, very bad.”

Hospedales told Guyana Times that most Governments in the Caribbean have not yet reached the place where they need to be, including addressing the security of their ports of entry and educating the population. The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) has also urged the countries of the Americas to be vigilant and prepared for the Ebola virus in the Region Ebola was first discovered in 1976 in Central Africa and studies are still ongoing about its root cause. Studies show that bats play a major role in the spreading of the virus. Before the current situation in West Africa, the disease was always confined to outbreaks in forested rural areas where humans ate bush meat. The situation in West Africa is different because the virus is present in dense, urban areas. The virus may be acquired upon contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal/person. Transmission through the air has not been documented in the natural environment. Fruit bats are believed to be a carrier and may spread the virus without being affected. Once human infection occurs, the disease may spread between people, as well.

People with suspected Ebola lie on the ground outside the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment centre after arriving by ambulance (John Moore/Getty Images)

Remigrant scam... Govt slams Kaieteur News for involving US-based diplomats

Faced with six charges of tax fraud, the owner and publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, has been accused of trying to involve several US-based Guyanese diplomats in a band of persons who have been abusing the Government-run Remigrant Scheme in which he has been ensnared.

Lall, his wife, and two friends have been summonsed to court on Monday to answer to tax evasion charges. (See story on page 3) In a letter to the Editor of this newspaper on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General Elisabeth Harper said she was peeved about the implication of the diplomats.

“I write out of deep concern for the hardworking diplomats in Guyana’s Foreign Service, regarding an article appearing on page 16 of the Kaieteur News of October 9th, 2014 captioned “Govt orders probe into duty-free concessions... Reports fingers top GRA officials in fraud scheme’’.

Among other things, the article states “Another case that is under the spotlight involves a number of SUVs brought in by a Guyanese diplomat posted to the US. He brought the vehicles, reportedly, applying for it as an investor. However, the vehicles were sold.”

Harper said the diplomats that are posted from Guyana to the United States of America are: Bayney Karran, Ambassador to the United States of America and the OAS; George Talbot,

Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Brentnold Evans, Consul General, Consulate in New York; Mohammed Khan, Deputy Consul General’ Foreign Service Officers Troy Torrington, Forbes July, Candida Daniels, Bibi Ally and Shiraz Mohamed. “None of these diplomats, I repeat none of these diplomats has imported to Guyana SUV vehicles.

They just cannot do so while they are serving abroad.” Harper noted that a phone call to the Foreign Affairs Ministry by Kaieteur News would have set the record straight. “That omission and subsequent publication of the misleading information have caused undue discomfort to our hardworking diplomats. I request an apology on their behalf,” Harper said.

The Kaieteur News article had also stated that a “Government-ordered independent probe into a reported racket involving dutyfree concessions for vehicles has implicated two top officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)”.

The newspaper said a senior Government official confirmed that the investigation was quietly ordered by the Office of the President earlier this year with the report fingering the senior official and one of his top aides who works in the Tax Exemption Processing and Verification division.

Guyana Times had long reported that the probe was ordered by Foreign Affairs

Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and goes back several years. Only last week, this newspaper also reported that the Audit Office, which has been tasked with conducting the probe, has completed two reports so far.

Speaking with Guyana Times last Tuesday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma disclosed that the two reports have been submitted to the GRA Board. He noted one was completed about a month ago and the other was recently handed over to the Board.

The Auditor General said that the investigation is still ongoing. He opted not to reveal any findings of the probe until the Board completes its review. Sharma explained that his office is probing the scheme all the way back to its establishment in 2010 to find

whether the applicants are complying with the stipulated three-year stay and other requirements outlined in the scheme.

When contacted, GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur told this newspaper that the Board after receiving the reports handed him copies for review before discussions commence.

Sattaur said that his legal and investigative teams are looking at the contents of the reports and examining the recommendations ahead of appearing before the Board to discuss the reports.

“We are examining the report(s) in details, looking at the recommendations so that when we go before the Board, we will be able to advise them on which recommendations can be acted on and be implemented,” the GRA head stated.

The GRA Board meets at least once every month and according to Sattaur, if he completes his assessment by the time the next meeting is scheduled, then the reports will be examined by the Board.

Remigrant status

The Foreign Affairs Minister had said that the Ministry had been forced to revoke the remigrant status of several persons under the programme, since it was discovered that they were using the scheme to bring in all manner of luxury vehicles and other items under the scheme and not really resettling in the country.

Initially, the Minister said, the probe was to focus on that aspect of alleged fraud; however, it has expanded to include whether persons are actually living in Guyana after attaining remigrant status.

The remigrant programme initiative seeks to create a framework for overseas-based Guyanese to come back and make meaningful contributions to their birthplace.

The remigrant scheme is administered by the Foreign Affairs Ministry in conjunction with the GRA. The Ministry is responsible for determining and granting remigration status to applicants, while the GRA administers the tax exemptions under the act.

Under the remigrant scheme, a Guyanese who is 18 and older, who has been residing legally overseas for a minimum of five consecutive years and is now returning to Guyana, can benefit. Also, Guyanese students/graduates who have attended or are attending a training institution and residing overseas for a minimum of four years and are now returning to Guyana, can also benefit.

No body ain’t want de AFC leader wuk

Wuk can’t done in this country. Every where yuh look is wuk. It got hard wuk and it got easy wuk. Green Ham got hard wuk to clean up GT de s*ity city. But he leff hard wuk and tek easy wuk to drive around de s*ity city every day whole day.

De Guvament come and mek de hard wuk whah Green Ham can’t do look easy. But now dem got hard wuk to deal wid Green Ham and de other Green. Dem two Green so dutty that it gon be a real hard wuk to clean dem up. No body ain’t want that wuk.

De public servants got wuk, but dem ain’t wanna wuk. Is only dem public servants mouth does wuk. De Hope Canal project still can’t done because it got wuk, but de wuk men can’t do de wuk. De Peters Hall koker bruk because de Region Four people ain’t doin dem wuk. Now every body in de area got nuff wuk.

It got two wuk that got nuff problems and no body ain’t want dem in de whole country. No matter how much yuh pay fuh de wuk, dem ain’t tekkin de wuk. One is de leader wuk fuh de KFC.

With Rum Jhaat in that wuk is just like nobody ain’t deh in that wuk. That is de first wuk that got some body, but yet is like if dem ain’t got no body. So de conclusion is that Rum Jhaat = no body. And no body = no good. And some people does put a “f” word between de “no” and de “good”. De other wuk that got problems is email hack wuk. Paper Man had to look all de way in Barbados fuh a man who could do email hack wuk. But any body who tek email hack wuk gon end up in jail like de Paper Man who payin fuh de hack wuk.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! That is wheh a different kinda wuk gon start. And word is that Paper Man like that kinda wuk!

19-year-old labourer remanded on larceny charge

Nineteen-year-old

Anfernee Catzlaar was on Thursday morning remanded on two counts of break and enter and larceny.

The labourer, of Lot 259 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Catzlaar pleaded not guilty to both offences. It is alleged that on Wednesday, October 1 at Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, he broke and entered the house of Ronda Simons and stole a 42-inch television valued $180,000.

In addition to that, on the same day at Pineapple Street, he allegedly stole one HP laptop valued $240,000, one Gateway

laptop worth $72,000, one HTC cellular phone valued $180,000, one BlackBerry cellular phone valued $60,000, and one haversack priced US$500 equivalent to G$100,000 – a total value of $1,114,000, property of Sylvie Elias. Attorney Mark Conway made a bail application for his client, saying that he is the father of a five-monthold baby.

Police Prosecutor Michael Gant opposed bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity, and prevalence of the offences and the fact that the defendant has pending matters in another court. He also stated that the defendant is wanted by various police stations, namely Golden Grove and Leonora. The matter was adjourned to October 14.

Foreign Affairs Ministry

Director General Elisabeth Harper

Floodwaters swell at Peters Hall

… as NDIA rushes to build new koker door

Floodwaters up to press time remained high in properties at Peters Hall and Providence, East Bank Demerara as authorities rush to replace a dilapidated koker that collapsed Wednesday afternoon.

By Thursday afternoon, a mobile pump was deployed in the area; it will remain in place until the new koker door is in place. The construction of the door for which materials have already been acquired will commence today.

Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that work has been ongoing since the report of the breach at the koker was received at 18:00h on Wednesday.

He stated that stop logs were put in place, but the damaged koker door had to be removed first, since this was preventing the installation of the logs. The stop logs would serve as a temporary measure to prevent any further inflow of water from the damaged koker.

Wordsworth added that the installation of the logs was achieved by midday Thursday, since there was a high tide Thursday morning. The flooding has caused some damage in residential and agricultural areas. Current work would include monitoring the sys-

tem which would see the removal and replacement of the stop logs at low tide, to allow for gravity drainage of the affected areas.

Don’t panic Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Alli Baksh also visited the community Thursday morning during which he too noted that while all measures are being put in place to remedy the situation to ensure that the water recedes effectively, he cautioned persons to not create panic by misrepresenting the situation.

Baksh met with residents of the community while inspecting urgent remedial works being undertaken by a team of engineers from the NDIA.

Meanwhile, for its part, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it empathises with the residents

of Peters Hall, Providence and Nandy Park, whose lives have been severely disrupted by flooding. A team of Members of Parliament from APNU headed by Shadow Minister for Local Government, Ronald Bulkan toured the affected areas Thursday morning.

“A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) publicly expressed its dismay at the continued failure of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to protect the population from the ravages of repeated flooding. APNU has lamented repeatedly on this failure and called on the Government to urgently launch a comprehensive national flood control plan,” the coalition said. It added that the development of such a plan and engagement with qualified

Demerara Mutual collected $1.77 billion in revenue in 2013

persons who can assist in its formulation is a matter of urgency.

“The Partnership insists that the PPP/C Administration’s lack of a coherent response to the management and maintenance of our sea and river defences is economically and environmentally unsustainable, and the loss of household goods, domestic and agricultural equipment, livestock, destruction of homes, etc, demand an alternative strategy.”

APNU further stated that the present crisis on the East Bank of Demerara is a clear failure of the local government system. “This neglect by the PPP/C Administration has placed residents at great risk. APNU feels that this was a ‘man-made catastrophe’ brought about by the damaged local Government system…”

The coalition called on President Donald Ramotar to immediately order all relevant Government agencies to take all necessary measures to deal with the public health crisis, loss and damage to personal property, and the human tragedy caused by the failure of the Peters Hall/Providence river defence system. The APNU team included Members of Parliament Annette Ferguson, Joan Mabel Baveghems, Desmond Trotman and Ernest Elliott.

Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited Chairman, Senior Council Richard Fields has reported that the company in 2013 raked in some $1.77 billion in revenue, compared to $1.47 billion the previous year.

Speaking at a recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), Fields while commending the 17 per cent increase, stressed the society’s commitment to paying claims in a timely manner.

The Chairman however observed that the society’s after tax result was a deficit and explained that this was due to the fact that changes in actuarial liabilities are now accounted for in the Statement of Profit or Loss account and other comprehensive income. This was done to correctly disclose actuarial liabilities and to comply with new regulations.

“I am pleased to announce that in Guyana we are the number one life insurance company in premium income. In each of the other territories, we hold the number two posi-

tion. Our annual premium of $ 252.9 million was a 26 per cent increase over the $200.3 million figure for the preceding year.”

Despite the modest pace at which the global economy has grown and higher unemployment and inflation rates in the territories the company calls home, Demerara Mutual has used the challenges of the time as motivation for achieving higher levels of performance and success.

At the AGM, the society celebrated 122 years of stability and unbroken service to communities in Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent.

The meeting also welcomed three newly-appointed Directors, namely Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle, Attorney Deenawati Panday and Louis Holder, replacing those who have resigned.

The 122nd AGM also celebrated the contributions and achievements of Demerara Mutual staff with the presentation of awards for long service and sales.

Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited Chairman, Senior Counsel Richard Fields addressing the Annual General Meeting

NDIA officials unload the stop logs to stop the water from obstructing construction of a new sluice in Peters Hall

242 commence training at Kuru Kuru centre

More than 200 students have commenced training at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC) located on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The new students who were selected from all 10 administrative regions will be pursuing studies in masonry, joinery, business studies, electrical installation, garment construction, motor mechanic, carpentry, plumbing and sheet metal, and welding and fabrication. All the students will be exposed to driving lessons at the institution.

According to a Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry release, subject Minister, Dr Frank Anthony in brief remarks to the students emphasised the importance of discipline while at the institution.

Minister Anthony explained that the KKTC fills a niche since it attracts youths who may not have completed their secondary education.

The training offered at the KKTC is not the end of the line, but is a stepping stone towards pursuing higher education, he stated. Importantly, youths from the hinterland regions are recruited because of the fact that they do not have as much access to educational opportunities like those residing on the coastland.

In this regard, the students were urged to make the best of this opportunity, and the Minister called on them to think about their future career while at the KKTC. The Minister emphasised that investing in education is worthwhile.

The KKTC is a residen-

tial training centre that offers one-year residential training and facilities for youths between the ages of 16 and 25.

These persons must apply and complete an entry level test for admission to this programme which runs from September to July.

During the 10-month period, students are trained in a skill of their choice. Visits to places of interest related to the skill, and a six-week period of work attachment to agencies is arranged for students. Cultural activities, sports, hikes and confidencebuilding are part of the curriculum, and students receive a monthly stipend. Similar non-residential programmes are offered at the Sophia Training Centre, the Vrymen’s Erven Centre, in New Amsterdam, and the New Opportunity Corps.

Good

harvests, ample stockpiles driving international food prices down

Food markets are more stable and prices for most agricultural commodities are sharply lower than they have been in recent years, according to the latest edition of FAO’s biannual “Food Outlook” report and a new update to the organisation’s monthly Food Price Index.

Bumper harvests and abundant stockpiles are key factors helping to drive down international cereal prices, according to the report.

World wheat production in 2014 is forecast to reach a new record, it said.

For coarse grains, prospects for near-record production levels, combined with already-high inventories point to a very comfortable world supply and demand balance in 2014/15, especially for maize.

While rice outputs could decline slightly this year, stockpiles remain “huge” and are sufficient to cover over one-third of projected consumption during the 2015-16 period.

All told, world cereal production in 2014 is anticipated to reach 2,523 million tonnes (2.5 billion tonnes) — an upward revision of 65 million tonnes from FAO’s initial forecast in May. World cereal stocks should hit their highest level in 15 years by the end of the cropping season in 2015.

Global output of oilseeds is also forecast to exceed last season’s record due to further expansion of soybean production.

Meanwhile, world production of cassava looks to be on track to achieving

another record high, driven by sustained growth in Africa, where the tuber is a strategic crop for food security and poverty alleviation.

Today’s “Food Outlook” anticipates that world sugar production will increase in 2015-16, as well.

Meat production is set to grow moderately in 2014, but not enough to ease prices from their current high levels, while milk production continues to grow steadily in many countries.

remain high, they could be stabilising: the September Meat Price index remains 22 points up versus the same time last year, a historic high, but registered only a slight increase over August (0.3 of a point) after months of steady hikes.

High meat prices and large trade volumes for products in the animal protein category, including meat, dairy and fish, mean that the global food import bill — that is, the aggregate amount that all countries

Production of fish is also on the rise, driven largely by aquaculture and less-thanexpected El Niño impacts.

The FAO Food Price Index (FPI) has registered its sixth consecutive monthly drop — the longest period of continuous decline in the value of the index since the late 1990s — averaging 191.5 points in September 2014.

Among the FPI sub-indices, sugar and dairy fell most sharply, followed by cereals and oils, while meat remained firm.

Although meat prices

spend on imported foodstuffs — will surpass US$1 trillion again this year, for the fifth year in a row.

The FAO FPI is a tradeweighted index that measures prices of five major food commodities on international markets. While price trends for these commodities at the macro level are a useful indicator of global trends and can signal when consumer food prices might be at risk, they are not always directly mirrored in national, regional and local markets.

Caribbean Investment Adviser, Attorney jailed for money laundering

Eric St-Cyr, an Investment Adviser based in the Cayman Islands, and Patrick Poulin, an Attorney practicing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, were sentenced last week to serve 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release each for conspiring to launder monetary instruments.

Senior US District Judge TS Ellis III imposed the sentences after considering the defendants’ substantial cooperation with ongoing Government investigations.

St-Cyr and Poulin, both Canadian citizens, along with Joshua Vandyk, a US citizen, were indicted by a grand jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on March 6, and the indictment was unsealed March 12 after the defendants were arrested in Miami.

St-Cyr, 50, pleaded guilty on June 27 and Poulin, 41, pleaded guilty on July 11. Vandyk, 34, pleaded guilty on June 12 and was sen-

tenced on September 5 to serve 30 months in prison.

According to the plea agreements and statements of facts, Vandyk, St-Cyr and Poulin conspired to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of property believed to be the proceeds of bank fraud, specifically US$2 million.

Undercover

Vandyk, St-Cyr and Poulin assisted undercover law enforcement agents posing as US clients in laundering purported criminal proceeds through an offshore structure designed to conceal the true identity of the proceeds’ owners. Vandyk and St-Cyr invested the laundered funds on the clients’ behalf and represented that the funds would not be reported to the US Government.

“The sentences imposed by the court today show that those who use offshore accounts and entities for money laundering and tax eva-

sion will be punished,” said Ronald Cimino, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

“This investigation, which lasted years, involved extensive undercover activity as well as cooperation from multiple foreign law enforcement agencies.

"The undercover IRS agents in this investigation went to Canada, the Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands to develop the evidence. These two defendants are cooperating with the IRS, and we anticipate that other investigations will develop from the information they have provided.

Shell game

“These defendants played a shell game by creating offshore entities designed to help their US clients evade taxes and other legal requirements, and they used that same shell game to launder purported criminal proceeds,” said US Attorney Dana Boente

for the Eastern District of Virginia.

“We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to penetrate and combat these schemes wherever they occur.

“Today’s sentencings close the door on a business built on skirting the law,” said Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation Richard Weber.

“This investigation reinforces our commitment to investigate and prosecute criminals worldwide who conduct illegal financial transactions, launder money or attempt to conceal the true source of their income in order to evade paying taxes. This should send a clear message to those involved in this type of crime – we will find you.”

According to court documents, Vandyk and St-Cyr lived in the Cayman Islands and worked for an investment firm based there. StCyr was the founder and head of the investment firm,

whose clientele included numerous US citizens.

Poulin, an Attorney based in Turks and Caicos, worked and resided in Canada as well as Turks and Caicos. His clientele also included numerous US citizens. Vandyk, St-Cyr and Poulin solicited US citizens to use their services to hide assets from the US Government, including the IRS.

Intermediary

Vandyk and St-Cyr directed the undercover agents to create an offshore corporation with the assistance of Poulin and others because they and the investment firm did not want to appear to deal with US clients.

Vandyk, St-Cyr and Poulin used the offshore entity to move money into the Cayman Islands and used Poulin as a nominee intermediary for the transactions.

According to court documents, Poulin established

an offshore corporation called Zero Exposure Inc for the undercover agents and served as a nominal board member in lieu of the clients. Poulin transferred approximately US$200,000 that the defendants believed to be the proceeds of bank fraud from the offshore corporation to the Cayman Islands, where Vandyk and St-Cyr invested those funds outside of the US in the name of the offshore corporation.

The investment firm represented that it would neither disclose the investments or any investment gains to the US Government, nor would it provide monthly statements or other investment statements to the clients.

Clients were able to monitor their investments online through the use of anonymous, numeric passcodes. Upon request from the US client, Vandyk and St-Cyr liquidated investments and transferred money, through Poulin, back to the US. tax evasion.

The new students at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre

Global wheat production in 2014 is projected to reach a new record

Social change advocate Blue Caps has downplayed the No-Confidence Motion brought against the Government, calling for a bipartisan approach to politics.

The group in a statement said the desire for a bipartisan National Assembly rising above partisan acrimony and political dysfunction is, by far, the most urgent and important objective for a wary Guyanese citizenry.

“Rather unfortunately, discussions of a noconfidence motion, whether well-grounded or not, have eclipsed the normal expectations in the reconvening of Parliament, where legislators should typically be working together to address the critical issues and challenges facing Guyana. The current quagmire of a situation occurs in the absence of a normally functioning political culture where cooperation and consensus constitute the governing paradigm.”

Blue Caps said Guyana needs innovative approaches to policy and demonstrations of post-partisan leadership, now or after any election, which would result in win-win outcomes.

“We must collectively move away from rigid ideological positions and work towards a collaborative, collegial culture that ensures a successful and prosperous Guyana for generations to come.

“The young generation stands to lose the most from the current debilitating political process. It is this generation that inevitably will inherit a crime-riddled society, broken institutions, the effects of international sanctions, and a poor and undeveloped economic landscape if we do not embrace a mature ‘Guyana First’ bi-partisan approach to governance at both the executive and legislative branches of our Government.”

With that said, the group is hoping that the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill and the Telecommunications Bill are adopted by Parliament and assented to by the President.

“Additionally, we call for the fast-tracking of the operational process of the constitutionally mandated Public Procurement Commission.

“We also call on President Ramotar to instruct the Minister of Local Government to establish a date for the holding of Local Government Elections. Such a move would signal that Government is willing to accommodate all platforms, including those promoted by the political Opposition, thus signalling its sincere intent at bipartisanship.”

RCaribbean foreign trade to remain stagnant – ECLAC

Latin America and the Caribbean’s foreign trade will experience its third year of stagnation in 2014, due to minimal growth in the region’s exports and a slight decline in its imports, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reported on Thursday.

In Santiago, Chile, the United Nations organisation released its annual report Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2014, which forecasts that the value of the region’s exports will grow just 0.8 per cent on average this year after rising 23.5 per cent in 2011, 1.6 per cent in 2012 and falling 0.2 per cent in 2013.

The region’s imports are seen falling 0.6 per cent in 2014, after rising 21.7 per cent in 2011, and three per cent in 2012 and 2013.

Weak performance

The weak performance of the region’s foreign trade is primarily due to a limited dynamism in the external demand from some of its main markets, particularly the European Union, as well as an important decline in intraregional trade.

This is compounded by lower prices for numerous commodities that the region exports, especially minerals. The report indicates that exports from Mexico and Central America will be more dynamic in 2014, with a 4.9 per cent overall rise in value, linked to a better economic behaviour of the US, while the Mercosur’s external sales will show a decline of 2.3 per cent.

In the document, ECLAC underscores Latin American and Caribbean countries’ minimal participation in the world’s three main global value chains (North America, Europe and Asia). With the exception of Mexico, the region is not an important provider of non-commodities intermediate goods to these chains, nor does it carry much weight as an importer of intermediate goods originated in these world regions.

The organisation emphasised that the participation in international value chains can bring multiple potential benefits for the development of inclusive trade, which is to say, trade that favours growth and productivity, reduces structural heterogeneity, improves the well-being of the majority (employment and salaries), and reduces inequality.

The report adds that to expand the opportunities associated with a new approach to trade, based on greater intraregional and inter-regional coordination of value chains, it is essential that countries adopt active policies linked to increased investment in infrastructure, innovation and also science and technology, as well as inclusive financing policies that leverage small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This will allow them to climb to rungs that have more value-added, with improvements in the innovation of processes and products.

In the document, ECLAC also calls on countries to particularly strengthen regional integration and cooperation, since they represent an essential path for diversifying the region’s production and exportation structure.

Although South American and Central American countries export twice the number of products to other regional partners than they do to the US and the European Union, and eight times the volume exported to

China, there is still a low-level of trade within Latin America and the Caribbean, with a limited degree of productive integration.

In 2013, the percentage of the region’s exports going to countries within the same area was 19 per cent, whereas the European Union exported 59 per cent of its total sales to members of the same group, and Asia-Pacific countries, 50 per cent.

Structural change

“The regional market is key to developing value chains in Latin America and the Caribbean. Deepening this market is an indispensable strategy for advancing towards a global insertion that is more conducive to structural change,” Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, emphasised upon presenting the document.

For that reason, ECLAC indicates that countries’ industrial policies must be reformulated and shifted from an exclusively national vision to a regional or sub-regional one in which protectionism and competition to attract foreign investment through “incentive wars” are avoided, while at the same time these nations make progress towards a regional market with shared rules. “Improving the quality of regional countries’ global insertion is fundamental for advancing towards sustainable and inclusive growth. This requires coordinating industrial and trade policies,” Bárcena said.

Finally, the report analyses the intraregional and extra-regional relations of the countries in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), putting a central focus on the need to strengthen regional integration in the production arena.

In fact, the proportion of intra-regional trade for Caricom countries does not exceed 15 per cent. The document concludes that officials must urgently address the obstacles hindering the transformation of Caribbean countries’ production and exportation structures.

According to reports, the electrician was discovered around 18:00h by his father.

Reports say the young man was last seen on Wednesday evening heading to the backdam.

After several hours passed and his father realised that he has not returned home, he decided to go look for him.

The father on his way to the backdam noticed his son’s lifeless body hanging from a mango tree. The entire community rushed to the scene after an alert was raised.

The body was taken down by Police and transported to the Wakenaam District Hospital where Shivnandan was certified dead.

The reason surrounding his death is unclear.

Information received indicated that no mark of violence was found on the body.

In 2012, Shivnandan was the best graduating student of the Essequibo Technical Institute.

Meanwhile, another man Sonalall Persaud, also from Belle Plane committed suicide a week ago. He consumed a quantity of a poisonous substance after his relatives found out that he was having an affair with a woman.

He was in his late 50s.

aywat Shivnandan, 22, from Belle Plane, Wakenaam Island was on Wednesday evening found hanging from a tree, sending shockwaves throughout the quiet community.

Blue Caps shuns noconfidence motion

Raywat Shivnandan

Wakenaam electrician found hanging from tree

ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena

Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice will come alive this Sunday when the Digicel Duck Curry Competition is held, which will see winners walking away with over $700,000 in cash and other prizes. The defending champions, Bombay Masala will be coming with full force to retain the ti-

tle. The first 20 groups to register will be a part of the completion on the day of the event. These include persons from across the country, in-

cluding Berbice and Demerara.

Participants must have 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of duck meat which they are not allowed to clean and cut at home. It must be marinated and cooked at the venue. Participants must also bring their cooking utensils and in -

gredients. A ready-to-use stove will be provided by the promoters. Registration forms can be uplifted at Digicel stores in New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton, Berbice; Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara; and the City Mall, Georgetown. The competition starts at 11:00h and the judging will take place at 16:00h.

As the sun sets, the stage show commences with some of the best in chutney music. These include Trinidad’s singing sensations, Adesh Samaroo and Sally Sagram. A local artiste is also expected to perform. They will be backed by Crown Vibes

International out of Berbice.

Be sure to come and be ready to party to the vibes and have an entire day filled with fun and laughter. There will also be a number of games and activities for children, including bouncy castle, trampoline, merry-go-round and face painting. There will also be novelty events such as lime and spoon race, bun eating competition, sack race and others where participants can win fabulous prizes. Music will be provided by Crown Vibes International. The event is sponsored by Stag, Indi Curry, Sol Gas and Digicel. Admission is absolutely free.

The nine delegates competing for the coveted title of Miss Guyana Universe will be sashed by their respective sponsors this evening at the Pegasus pool side, Kingston, Georgetown. The beautiful young ladies will be officially wearing their sponsors' logo for the first time.

The delegates include reigning Miss Jamzone International Soyini Fraser, former Miss Guyana Universe contestant Nikita Barker, US-based Guyanese Jyoti Hardat, Alicia Kirton, Sonia Cummings, Cardella Hamilton, Rochelle Cheddie, Lakota Mc Phoy and Shonette Cain.

The sashing ceremony will be followed by the intelligence segment on October 21 to be aired live on national television on Television Guyana (TVG), channel

28; National Communications Network (NCN) and Hits and Jams Television (HJTV).

On October 25, the contestants will be a part of the grand rehearsal at the Pegasus pool side where they will have an opportunity to fine tune their walk, moves and more, in preparation for the big evening.

The grand coronation is set for Sunday, October 26 at the Pegasus Hotel commencing at 20:00h. On pageant night, the delegates will be competing in swimwear, evening wear and intelligence segments. The winner will not only win US$10,000 but a chance to represent Guyana in the international pageant slated for later in the year.

The Mister Guyana International Pageant has picked up momentum over the past weeks with the contenders participating in several activities as they promote the event.

From now to pageant night, there will be several other events that the contenders will be participating in, but more importantly, they will be garnering individual support leading up to the contest.

So far, several of the contenders have been air marked as favourites but it all depends on how well they handle the intensity of the competition which will definitely not be a walk in the park. The contenders however, will be raising funds for various charitable organisations. Last Saturday, they executed one such funding raising activity.

Another is planned for Saturday at Yulanda’s Resturant on D’Urban Street in the form of a take away lunch. The meal costs 1500 and all proceedings will go towards a selected charitable organisation.

On Sunday, October 19, the contestants will take to the streets for the road race and physical fitness chal-

lenge against domestic violence. This will be followed by the first leg of the competition – the swimwear segment billed for the Duke Lodge Pool Side, Duke Street, Kingston. On Monday, October 27, the contenders will square off as they showcase their intellectual capabilities.

The intelligence segments will be held behind closed doors at the Pegasus Hotel. The competition continues on Wednesday, October 29 as the delegates showcase their talents in the form of dance, poetry and possible vocals since most of the contenders are versed in theatrical arts.

Over the past few weeks there has been a buzz on social media about Rémar, leaving the public to wonder what or who it was. This week, Guyana Times Entertainment is pleased to reveal the identity of Rémar. He is no other than 22-year-old Dominic Rémar Weeks who was born to Anika Jackson on December 12, 1991 and is the elder of two boys. He never shared a relationship with his father.

He did not grow up in a rich family but his mother, grandparents and uncle really did a phenomenal job in making sure he was comfortable.

Due to the level of comfort he was afforded as a child and the support system he had, he was blind to the fact that his dad was missing the whole time. One of the things he always looks back at and feels grateful for also, is the great emphasis that was always placed on education in his household.

He attended Queen’s College and is a third year Business Management Student at the University of Guyana.

Since he was about six years old, he has had a passion for poetry. Weeks has a natural ability for the art form; and given his personality, recites it fluently and with natural ease. He was so good that he had the opportunity to represent his primary school – Winfer Gardens Primary – where he placed second in the Mashramani Dramatic Poetry Competition. He was seven years

old at that time. As he grew older, he developed a love for the hip hop culture; the music and everything associated with that genre of music.

With this in mind, he thought of becoming a professional musician. With his newest release on the horizon – "Live that Life" – this talented young man hopes it appeals to the masses.

Deejay Blackout, who is actually Nicki Minaj’s in-house Engineer and Producer, heard the song and took a liking to it. He even wanted to go as far as composing an Electronic Dance Music (EDM) mix to make the record bigger.

So judging from the response from people in his camp and from himself, he is optimistic that the song has the potential to go a far way. “I’m just excited for the people to hear it”.

The young striving artiste wrote all of his songs and they were recorded in Guyana, but then mixed and mastered by Deejay Blackout.

So far, he has no expectations but to live a successful life. “There are people out here doing their thing: Timeka Marshall, Jomo Primo, Adrian Dutchin, Lisa Punch, Kwasi Ace, Jackie Jaxx, Jory… just to name a few, but I think in addition to these, there needs to be more artistes that are coming to the fore and putting out quality work on a more consistent basis,” the young man said.

He is cognisant that he cannot single handedly develop the music industry in

The penultimate day of the grand coronation, the 10 amazing young men will participate in a promotional motorcade on Saturday, November 1. The contenders will be a part of a walka-ton against substance abuse and date rape.

Then there is the grand finale on Sunday, November

2 where the scores from the preliminary competitions will be added to the scores from the night which will be used to crown the inaugural Mr Guyana International. There will be four other titles to be awarded on the night.

One week after the contest, winners will receive

their prizes at the special ceremony.

The contenders vying for the title are Alexander Fiedtkou, Stowell Betham, Paul Charles, Kurt Walcott, Kevin Bhagrat, Colwyn Abrams, Trevon Frenty, Christon Pollard, Kevin Smith, Raphael October and Ryan Washington.

Guyana but thinks with him consistently putting out high-quality work, he can make a difference.

As an ambitious young man, he said that the sky is the limit and would want to continue to perfect his craft and be as consistent as possible.

He boasts of a very competent management team and is of the opinion that with their knowledge and consistency, he is sure to be successful in life. He nevertheless attributed his success to his family, adding that they were no doubt his biggest inspirations. “I know they’ve put a lot into raising me and making sure I live a purposeful life. I just want to do them proud.'

Presently, he is being managed by Jonathan Beepat and his producer Sirkwesi. He would have received sound advice on anything in life from them both. Rémar says by surrounding himself with that kind of energy, eventually, he too will benefit and become just the same.

As a young artiste who is coming out for the first time, his advice for young people is to be relentless. Music, he noted, can be a field with a lot of low points but the highs compensate for them all. “It requires a level of focus, determination and persistence”.

As people get to hear more and more of his music, they will get to realise how personal and close the name Rémar is to him.

Thousands would have flocked the Gravity Lounge two weeks ago for what was described as an epic performance by Jamaican Dancehall Queen Spice who undoubtedly spiced up the dance floors. The show saw many of the female patrons getting on ‘real bad’ to the numerous hits dished by out the versatile artiste.

Her tunes created a stir and had the patrons dripping with perspiration but at the end, they were indeed satisfied. With this in mind, Gravity Lounge will continue with the hyped up attitude since they have already sealed the deal with Trinidad’s Soca Queen, Destra Garcia to perform at the venue for the first time.

The show is set for Saturday, October 18.

No stranger to Guyana, Destra has performed numerous times at the Guyana National Stadium and is well known for her high energy performances, harmonious vocal skill and eccentric fashion style. This talented artiste did not only win her school’s Calypso Monarch title for five consecutive years but she composed every one of her songs.

Destra

won the Road March title in 2003 at the Labour Day Carnival in Brooklyn and placed second in the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Monarch com petition in that same year.

She is yet to win either the Carnival Road March or Soca Monarch title in Trinidad although she has come close in the Road March race, placing second in 2003, 2004 and 2009.

Despite this, she has become successful in the local music industry, spe cialising in pop-sound ing soca compositions, as well as fusion music, en compassing aspects of East Indian culture.

Destra is well known for one of the most pop ular soca anthems “It’s Carnival” – featur ing Machel Montano –which was released in season.

Some of her later popular releases are “Las Lap”, “Soca or Die”, “Sign”, “Situation”, “We Luv Carnival” and the most popular song of her 2007 releases, “I Dare You”.

Early bird tickets for the event will cost $3000 for general admission. After the early bird offer, tickets will be sold at $4000 each. They can be uplifted at the Gravity Lounge.

Guyana Chutney Star, Prince JP will be releasing two brand new singles in the next week which are expected to take the airwaves by storm. The two chutney songs were written by the former Guyanese Chutney King and were recorded in the Shakti Strings Studio.

One of the songs “No More Rum” will be released on WR Mega Mix Reload on Saturday and on the same day, it will be released on WE VIBZ with Selector

Chyle. The young artiste explained that too often, men go out to party and would spend the entire night out then return in the wee hours of the next day.

The song, he said, encourages them to stop drinking and spend more time with their wives and girlfriends. He said the song is basically about his own life. Spending time with the ones you love, strengthening relationships.

The other song, “My Guyana” is billed to be released in another week on the same radio programmes. The song, the singing sensation stated, is promoting Guyana as a whole to the world. He added that the song talks about the destinations, the current affairs of the country and more so, encourages Guyanese to live up to our motto ‘One People One Nation One Destiny’. The young artiste also has a few other songs that he is currently working on to be released in time for the Christmas season.

Vanilla releases “Digidy Wine” for Mash 2015

The Bollywood Pre Diwali Concert which was scheduled for this weekend in Essequibo, Georgetown and Berbice has been rescheduled to November 28-30.

While there has been a change in date, there has also been a change in the headline act of the evening.

Originally, lead actress Surbhi Jyoti also referred to as “Zoya” of popular Indian TV Series “Qubool Hai” was supposed to perform but promoters have confirmed that she will be replaced with Roopal Tyagi popularly known as "Gunjan" in the Indian soap opera "Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke" aired on ZeeTV.

Roopal started her career as a choreographer in 2007 after she made her acting debut with the role of “Mansha” in "Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah". She also acted in "Ek Nayi Chhoti Si Zindagi". Currently she is playing the lead role of

nominated for Indian Telly Awards for Fresh New Face as “Gunjan”. The event was postponed

In 2012, she won two Zee Rishtey Awards for Favourite Behen as “Gunjan” and “Rachana” (Mahima Makwana) and Favourite Nayi Jodi as “Gunjan” and

due to the unavailability of "Zoya" and "Chote Bahu’s" "Radika" according to the promoter Ram Jhoda under the RJ Films Brand.

The shows are set for November 28 at Canje, Berbice; November 29 at Everest Cricket Club Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown; and November 30 at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground,

Apart from the Indian soap star, Chintan Bakiwala, a former contestant in the India reality show Indian Idol; Indian songstress Sangeeta Kopalkar and popular playback singer Shiaz Billo are also expected to perform.

General admission tickets cost $2000 while the VIP tickets will cost $5000 and more. Tickets are expected to be released shortly at various locations to be announced.

Just merely two weeks after being the Production Manager of the upcoming movie “A Bitter Lime”, Guyana’s leading Road March Queen Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts is set and ready for Mash 2015 with the release of her new single “Digidy Wine”.

The song was pre-launched during her performance at the recently concluded GUYEXPO and has already created a buzz among her fans.

It came as an experimental collaboration between acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali and the writers at Kross Kolor Records and is also the first released song coming out of the popular studio for the 2015 Mashramani celebrations.

The “Rage” songstress has over the years been participating in various competitions being held during the Mashramani season; namely the Road March and Carib Soca Monarch and has been quite outstanding, being a fourtime Road March queen and placing among the top 10 in the Soca Monarch competition.

“Digidy Wine” will be officially launched today at the launch of Mashramani 2015 at the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Main Street, Georgetown.

Anderson dismisses Pietersen’s claims of England divisions

Jimmy Anderson has hit back at Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography, calling the whole affair “sad”. Speaking publicly for the first time since the controversy erupted, the England bowler said dismissively: “We’ve got more important things to worry about than someone’s book.”

Anderson rejected the claims of a divided dressing room. “The issues that have been brought up are sad really,” he said. “The dressing room for the seven or eight years we were winning and successful was fantastic. You don’t achieve what we did during that period without all the guys pulling in the same direction.

“I can’t get my head round it. He [Pietersen] seems like he has not enjoyed it for any of the time he was there, but we all enjoyed it.”

In response to a question about whether or not in the future dressing room issues could stay in house and not be played out in public like this, Anderson replied: “I’d like to think they could stay in house. This is not an ideal situation but it’s different with Kev. He never got a chance to stand up for himself in the dressing room because the opportunity to be in the dressing room was taken away from him by the powers that be. He is now venting his frustration through a book.”

Photograph: Colorsport/Corbis

Anderson was speaking alongside Pietersen’s former team-mates Matthew Hoggard, Paul Collingwood and Simon Jones. The former England, Hampshire and Glamorgan bowler Jones, who was part of the 2005 Ashes-winning team, moved to defend Pietersen. “For Kev to come out and say the things he has there must be some truth behind it. We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks. I am sure Matty Prior will come back at him. But I think at the moment, Kev is the happiest man in the world because he’s selling books, the press have done him a massive favour

and Twitter has gone bonkers and he’s a happy man,” Jones said.

There was little sympathy forPietersen from fellow 2005 Ashes-winner Matthew Hoggard, who described Kevin as being “very bitter”.

“I think he is getting a lot of his anger out and it’s fantastic way of selling books before Christmas,” Hoggard said. Asked if he thought Pietersen had any grounds for his bitterness, Hoggard replied: “In relation to the Twitter account that wasn’t investigated properly but everything else I think he’s brought on himself and he’s just being a kiddy in a schoolground.”

Paul Collingwood, about whom Pietersen talks fondly in his book, was also fairly unsympathetic.

“I don’t really understand all of this to be honest,” he said. “The last seven years has been fantastic for English cricket. KP has done a lot for English cricket but also English cricket has done a lot for KP. This is one man’s opinion against everyone else’s. This was one of the most successful teams in English history – three Ashes wins, No1 Test status, a World T20 cup, a series win in India. If you think the England dressing room was as divided as he says, there’s no fucking chance we’d have won any of those things, let me tell you.” (theguardian)

IAAF says it had no choice over Gatlin’s nomination for

To athletics fans around the world wondering just how doubledoper Justin Gatlin could make the short list for world governing body’s athlete of the year award, the unpalatable answer is that the International Association of Athletics Federations had no real choice, given that he has served his bans.

Gatlin’s stellar year of sprinting, when he posted six of the fastest 100m times, with his 9.77sec run in Brussels last month the fastest ever by an over-30, made the 32-year-old an automatic inclusion the 10man list.

“Gatlin, as an eligible

athlete who has had a great season is, logically, also eligible for consideration for the Athlete of the Year contest in the absence of any bylaw to prevent that happening,” an IAAF spokesman told Reuters on Thursday.

However, Gatlin’s fellow nominee Robert Harting felt so strongly about the American former Olympic champion’s inclusion that he asked to be removed from the list. The German world and Olympic discus champion wants previously banned athletes to be prevented from being nominated and said he would not be involved with this year’s award so long as Gatlin re-

award

mained on the list.

The IAAF vice-president Sebastian Coe also said this week that he was not happy about Gatlin’s inclusion but recognised that the rules allowed it. “The only thing I would say is he is entitled to compete; but I’m not particularly comfortable about it,” said Lord Coe, a double Olympic 1500 champion who has worked hard within the IAAF to restore four-year bans for doping.

Gatlin won Olympic 100m gold in 2004 and the 100m/200m world championship double in 2005 after returning from a one-year ban for testing positive for a stimulant in 2001. In 2006

F1 drivers to demand safety assurances following Bianchi’s crash

Angry Formula One drivers will demand safety assurances from the sport’s governing body on Friday night as it emerged the Russianbacked Marussia team were considering withdrawing from their home grand prix as a mark of respect for their driver Jules Bianchi, who continues to fight for his life in a Japanese hospital.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association will meet on Friday evening before what is expected to be a heated confrontation with the FIA, which is compiling a report of the accident at Suzuka last Sunday, in which Bianchi sustained serious head injuries. The accident was described as “totally unacceptable” by Sergio Pérez, who is demanding “explanations of what happened and what are we going to change going forward”.

The Force India driver said: “We have to look for answers from the FIA on what happened in this tragic accident. We have to make sure they hear us.”

A more conciliatory Jenson Button, who is a director of the GPDA, said: “We will look at it as the GPDA and the important thing is we are united. I can’t say anything yet but there should be no pointing fingers. Most of us understand that being massively outspoken now, or [to] let our emotions get the better of us, doesn’t always help the situation. For us all right now it’s just a very

he failed a second test, for testosterone, which should have led to a lifetime ban, later reduced to eight and then four years.

emotional time, thinking of Jules and his family.”

The drivers want to see the safety car introduced when a recovery vehicle is being used but the Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg said there was more than one issue on the table. “There are certain topics we want to approach,” he said. “Everything must be looked at.”

Marussia’s anguish became evident on Thursday

Photograph: Dimitar Dilkoff/ AFP/Getty Images

evening as their president and sporting director, Graeme Lowdon, spoke for the first time. “Jules is not only an exceptional Formula One driver, he is an exceptional human being as well,” he said. “Everybody likes him. Everybody.”

They were considering three options: not running at all, running just one car or running both. They were

Gatlin returned to action in 2010 and took bronze behind Usain Bolt in the 100m and a 4x100m relay silver in the 2012 Olympics in London.

This season he has been in magnificent form in both 100m and 200m and his 19.68 in Monaco in July remained the fastest 200m time of the year.

He is by no means the only former drugs cheat back at the top level of athletics and three other 2012 100m finalists have also served time for doping offences. Consequently the IAAF had little choice, based on performances, but to include him on the list.

Indeed, his compatriot LaShawn Merritt, the former Olympic and world 400m hurdles champion who served a 21-month dop-

going to delay their decision until the first free practice session on Friday morning. It remains the likelier option they will race, probably with two cars. A new second chassis has been prepared and Alexander Rossi is set to partner Max Chilton. There is a contractual obligation to race two cars but it is understood Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s chief executive and commercial rights holder, has been exceptionally supportive.

The small and close-knit Marussia team are the most popular in the paddock and a weary torment was vividly etched on Lowdon’s face as he talked about Bianchi, who remains in a “critical but stable” condition following his collision with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka. The pain is clear throughout the paddock and this weekend all the drivers will be wearing helmet stickers supporting Bianchi.

The Williams driver Felipe Massa said: “It was the worst day of my life. It’s a really bad race – worse than the race of my accident [in Hungary in 2009] because I don’t remember it. It’s a very difficult weekend for all of us, thinking about Jules. We will race and do the best we can for him, for his family.”

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel said: “It is probably the most difficult race to digest so far,” while Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) added: “It’s emotionally very difficult. (theguardian)

ing ban from 2010, is also included.

Harting sits on the athletes’ council but said he would not continue if the current situation remained unchanged. “I am ready to stand for election again but only if athletes who have misbehaved are scrapped from this year’s list and are subject of a general nomination ban in the future,” he told German media.

It is too late for any such change to affect this year’s award, which will be announced on 21 November. However, the IAAF does have a bylaw that prohibits convicted dopers from being elected to its Hall of Fame and the athletes’ commission is likely to press for a similar rule to be introduced for the athlete of the year award from next year. (theguardian)

Jimmy Anderson is surprised that Kevin Pietersen has such mixed memories of their England successes.

Jenson Button, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, has called for unity in the wake of Jules Bianchi’s crash.

Justin Gatlin has been nominated for the IAAF’s athlete of the year award despite previously serving two bans for doping. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuter

Strauss defends Pietersen, Prior and Flower

– trio had big impact on England's success, says former Captain

Andrew Strauss says that despite the fallout from Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography, Andy Flower, Matt Prior and Pietersen himself should all look back on their England careers with pride.

Pietersen has blasted Flower’s man-management and Prior’s involvement in a "bullying culture" in the team in his new book.

However, Sky Sports pundit Strauss, who captained Pietersen and Prior under Flower’s management, says the trio’s positive contribution to a team which reached number one in the world should not be forgotten.

“A lot of what's going on at the moment is madness,” he told Sky Sports News HQ.

“There’s been a lot of rumour, innuendo and opinion and I’d prefer to stick to the facts.

“The facts are Kevin Pietersen was one of England’s finest players, he played some of England’s most memorable innings and he deserves to be very proud of what he’s achieved in an England shirt.

“Matt Prior had a massive impact on the England cricket team, both with the bat and also behind the scenes. He was very much the embodiment of the culture we were trying to intro-

duce in the team, which was one of putting the team first.

“And if you look at Andy Flower’s record as coach, it’s second to none.

"He’s achieved phenomenal things and rightly should be regarded as one of England’s great coaches, winning three Ashes series, getting to number one in the world. All that cricket stuff I’d like to remember him for and I’m sure cricket fans would as well.”

Strauss says Pietersen chosing to air his criticisms of the England set-up in public – coupled with the responses from the likes of Prior and Graeme Swann –does the game little favours and fears it may just make the task of current captain Alastair Cook even tougher.

“All this tit-for-tat stuff doesn’t help the England cricket team,” he added.

“The victim here isn’t Pietersen, Flower or Prior – it’s the England cricket team, Alastair Cook and Peter Moores, who have got to take the side forward.

“That, from my point of view, is the disappointing thing about this whole episode.” (Sky Sports)

Ronaldo to retire at Real madrid, despite manchester united interest

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent says it will be "impossible" for Manchester United to resign the World Player of the Year.

The Real Madrid star was reported to have become frustrated with life at the Bernabeu, with speculation over a return to Old Trafford intensifying.

But Jorge Mendes says his client is happy at Real, where he will remain for another 10 years.

Mendes told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE: "Cristiano is very happy at Real Madrid and has always been very happy. He’s going to break all the records with Real Madrid and he’s going to retire here.

Gazi could work with coaches who helped Razzak

The Bangladesh Cricket Board will try and give Sohag Gazi the same support to work on his action that was given to Abdur Razzak in 2008. Razzak was suspended in 2008 for an illegal action and had returned to international cricket three months later. The board's cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan said that taking the help of foreign coaches and facilities are also on the cards to help the offspinner remodel his action.

Gazi was suspended from bowling in international cricket on Wednesday after his action was found to violate the ICC's 15-degree limit. He was reported for a suspect action by ICC

this matter very seriously. We will only send him for a final test when we are confirmed that he is clear. We cannot risk Gazi."

Former Bangladesh fielding coach Mohammad Salahuddin, who also worked as an analyst in the BCB High Performance Unit, worked with Razzak when he was suspended by the ICC on December 1, 2008. Salahuddin tried to contact Gazi immediately after he was reported in the second ODI against West Indies in August.

"The moment I read online that his action was reported, I told Sourav [Mominul Haque] that he should call me immediately," Salahuddin said. "I can help

feel that it [remodelling the action] is not too difficult," Salahuddin said. "He was such a determined bowler who really wanted to change his action, he had a lot of desire to return to international cricket. He took me to the BKSP in Khulna, and he used to bowl after normal training time in the Bangladesh team's nets, making sure he was doing the right things.

"Razzak's action was around 29 degrees when he was reported in 2008. I have his full report from that time. I think Sohag Gazi is in a similar situation so the challenge for him too should be similar. What also helped Razzak was that he had a problem in 2004 be-

match officials in August in the West Indies, and subsequent independent testing at an accredited facility revealed all of his deliveries were over the limit.

"He is an important player, particularly in Test cricket," Akram said. "We will try to correct him as soon as possible. We had experienced coaches working with Abdur Razzak when he had the problem in 200809. So we are hoping to do the same for Gazi. We will try to ask the coaches who worked with Razzak, to help Gazi. If needed, we will get more experienced people on board. We also have an opportunity to use facilities in Chennai.

"He is coming [to Dhaka] tomorrow, and we will discuss everything together. It is very difficult to say how long it will take for him to come back, but we will try our best. We have to take

Madrid, so it's not even worth calling."

"He is happy at Real Madrid and has always been happy here.

"Manchester United will always have a place in his heart, because he spent six years there. But he is only thinking about Madrid now and will always stay here.

"People know that it is impossible to take Cristiano from Real

Ronaldo netted his 26th hat-trick for Real at the weekend, when he took his La Liga tally for the season to 13 in only six games. The Portuguese forward has scored an incredible 269 goals in 257 games since joining Real in 2009, but Mendes believes the 30-year-old will still improve.

"He gets better every

him as long as I get time off my current job. Ultimately, it is up to the bowler. He has to want it himself.

"Some bowlers sit and wonder whether they can bowl the same way with a changed action. If they can't bowl the same way, then there is no use changing the action, they feel. But one also has to consider how they feel and how hard it is to hold on to the same quality as a bowler."

Salahuddin was praised for his work with Razzak and is generally highly regarded by current Bangladesh cricketers. He offered hope to Gazi by drawing the example of Razzak, Bangladesh's only other bowler who was suspended for an illegal action and has been playing international cricket for the last five years.

"Judging by how quickly Abdur Razzak returned to international cricket, I

time and he’ll continue to get better into his 40s," he said.

"Along with being the best player, he’s the best athlete in the world. Nobody compares to him. There won’t be anyone like him for the next 500 years.

"He’s a very humble person and a family man.

A fantastic father. He’s the son any mother would love to have. He’s concerned about others. There are so

fore the 2008 suspension. So he knew what was going to happen and what he was supposed to do."

Salahuddin worked with Gazi when he was coaching Sylhet Royals in the 2013 BPL. He said that it is understandable why only offspinners have been getting into trouble with the authorities. "Offspinners have to bowl a lot to right-handers against whom they don't want to be monotonous by just bringing the ball in. They try the other one, that either straightens or spins out.

"In the process of doing something different, they change their action a bit, then a bit more and without realising, they end up making changes in other parts of their action. Sometimes, what happens is that it takes their action right to the edge of chucking." (Cricinfo)

many great things about him that it’s impossible to list all of them."

The agent also spoke of Ronaldo's ambition: "Cristiano’s dream is to win another Champions League. His dreams are always short term. He is never satisfied and he always wants more. He never stops surprising me. It is impossible to find anyone like him in the history of sport."

(Sky Sports)

Andrew Strauss

Sohag Gazi is the second Bangladesh bowler to be banned for an illegal action © AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo

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Dominoes action on tonight

Twenty-seven top domino teams will be in action tonight when President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Faye Joseph and S Collymore

host a dominoes competition at Gaulding Place South Ruimveldt. 2

Teams will do battle for a top prize of $150,000 and a trophy. The runner up will take home a tro-

phy and $75,000 while the third place winner will collect a trophy and $35,000. Entrance fee is $9,000. Double-six time is 19:30 hrs. The finals will be played on Saturday.

Ajmal attempts to drill in new action

Saeed Ajmal had delivered 18887 balls in his 2251-day long international career before he was banned for an illegal action. Forced to undertake remedial work, Ajmal has been rigorously practising bowling with a straight elbow to get his arm used to it, and by his own admission, has repeated a drill around 7000 times in the last three weeks.

ESPNcricinfo observed the drill at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore where Ajmal has been working with Saqlain Mushtaq to remodel his action. Bowling with a slightly side-on action, Ajmal has been rolls his arm over but does not release the ball. The idea is to swing his arm and reduce the flexion of the elbow. The routine has been followed for two sessions every day, with two cameras recording the movements from the front and the back and a speed gun installed to measure his arm speed.

Ajmal is likely to continue working at the NCA with Saqlain for the next three weeks before he is sent to England for an independent bio-mechanical assessment and further remedial work. Based on the results, Ajmal can apply to the ICC for a reassessment. Although the ICC ban does not stop Ajmal from bowling in domestic cricket, the bowler had skipped the start of the

season to focus on reworking his action. Ajmal was reported after the first Test of Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka in Galle this August. The subsequent testing of his action at an ICC-accredited facility at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane found his average elbow extension was more than twice the permissible limit. (Cricinfo)

Shanghai Masters... Ferrer comes from a set down to eliminate Murray

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Spaniard David Ferrer fought back from a set down to dump Andy Murray out of the Shanghai Masters 2-6 6-1 6-2 on Thursday.

The Scot made an excellent start against the fifth seed, dropping just two games in the opening set, but Ferrer turned the match on its head to ease into the quarter-finals and a possible clash with Novak Djokovic.

The result means the Spaniard replaces Murray in ninth place in the race to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

It had all looked to be going according to plan for Murray when he cruised through the first set, his cause helped by five aces as he dropped just four points on his own serve.

However Ferrer's more aggressive approach turned the tables on his opponent; he claimed an early break in the second set, one he built on quickly on his way to levelling matters.

The decider proved to be just as one-sided, a pair of breaks putting the fifth seed on the brink. He duly served out for the victory, with

Murray dumping the final point into the net to seal his fate after one hour and 55 minutes on court.

In the running

Despite the defeat, the 27-year-old is still firmly in the running to make the eight-man event at the O2 that rounds out the season. He won a title in Shenzhen and also reached the last four of the China Open in Beijing last week, while Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov all suffered early exits in Shanghai and Milos Raonic was forced to withdraw through illness.

Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych boosted his qualification hopes with a 6-3 6-4 win over Ivo Karlovic.

The Czech will now take over from US Open champion Cilic, who was beaten by Karlovic at the start of the week, in sixth place if he beats Gilles Simon in the quarter-finals.

Simon overcame Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-2 6-3, while fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau beat American Jack Sock 6-3 6-4. (Sky Sports)

Saeed Ajmal

David Ferrer

Ansa McAl confirms partnership with Guyana Softball Cup

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Given its tremendous success during the first three years, it comes as no surprise that companies are clamouring to be aligned with the country’s prestigious softball cricket competition- the Guyana Softball Cup- organised and staged by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

One such entity is regional conglomerate Ansa McAl Trading, who on Thursday confirmed its unflinching support for the October 31 to November 2 tournament, which has attracted teams from Guyana and North America.

At a simple ceremony at the establishment’s main office at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, top officials of the GFSCA were on hand to receive the sponsorship package from senior executives of Ansa McAl Trading.

Public Relations Officer, Darshanie Yussuf, was quick to point out the main reason why her company agreed to be part of the fourth edition of the tournament.

“Ansa McAl has been following the progress of the Guyana Softball Cup and

we are very pleased with the development of the tournament and hence we are on board to lend our support and further assist in the growth of such a great event. Cricket is part of who we are as Guyanese; hence it’s only fitting that we support and make this into one of the biggest and events in our country,” she explained.

The GFSCA officials, which included Vicepresidents Ricky Deonarain and Ramesh Sunich, as

well as Lalta Gainda, Reyaz Hussain and Pitamber Maharaj, all expressed pleasure at having Ansa McAl Trading onboard for the event.

They also give the assurance of yet another successful tournament, pointing out that preparations are moving apace.

As was the case in previous editions of the tournament, there will be two categories- one for teams contesting the Men’s

Open and the other for the Masters players, aged 45 and over.

The champion team in the Men’s Open is guaranteed a whopping $800,000 first prize and a huge trophy, while the losing finalist will have to settle for $200,000 and a trophy. In the Masters’ division, the winning team will pocket $600,000 with the runnerup assured of $150,000. The Man-of-the-Match in both finals will receive a trophy.

As has been the case in the past, the Most Valuable Player of each category will become the proud owner of a softball bracelet, made of gold and diamond studs, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.

On the day of the final, there will be lots of hampers and giveaways for spectators. Additionally, two spectators can win return tickets from Survival Travel Agency to the beautiful island of Aruba. All the spectators

need to do is retain their half tickets and listen for their numbers to be called over the Public Address system during the final.

Two dozen teams will compete in this year’s event, with 12 from Guyana, seven from New York, three from Florida and two from Canada. During the 3-day championship, there will be a total of 36 preliminary games, followed by four semi-finals and two finals. In an effort to expand the reach of the competition and ensure maximum participation from spectators, the organisers have increased the number of venues this year. Grounds earmarked to host games are Police Sports Club, Everest Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Ghandi Youth Organisation, Muslim Youth Organisation, Enmore Community Centre and Enterprise Busta Sports Club.

Trophy Stall and New York Better are the defending champions of the Open and Masters categories respectively, while the previous champions were NYSCL New York (Open) and Savage Masters in 2012 and Cotton Field Wild Oats (Open) and Regal Seniors (Masters) in 2011.

Dhoni 'quite happy' with death bowling

India conceded 321 in the first ODI against West Indies in Kochi and eventually lost by 124 runs, but their captain MS Dhoni said he was "quite happy" with the bowling, especially in the death overs. After going for 52 in the batting Powerplay, India's bowlers gave away 66 between overs 41 and 49, before Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy scored 15 off the final over.

"Most our bowlers apart from Bhuvaneshwar gave runs," Dhoni said after the game. "Considering that we restricted them to a total of 321 on this wicket, I must say our bowlers did a decent job. I was quite happy with the death bowling and they bowled quite consistently maintaining their lengths and we were able to put fielders in right areas. Overall, I am quite happy with the bowling."

Although Bhuvneshwar Kumar was wicketless, he conceded only 38 in ten overs. Ravindra Jadeja had the next best economy rate - 5.80 - but the other four bowlers went at more than 6.50 runs per over. Dhoni had decided to bowl first because of the dew factor in Kochi but his ploy did not pay off in the after-

noon heat.

"I think we had to do something because we have seen the impact of dew here. There was no surety, but dew plays a factor more often than not so the team is forced to bowl first," Dhoni said. "It was very hot and the fast bowl-

ers were having a tough time and they would love to bowl few more overs. It was quite hard also to keep them rotating. I could not really rotate them well.

"They [West Indies] batted really well. If you see, we could not get too many wickets with the new

ball. They were hitting the big shots but still we were not able to put pressure on them by not letting them get those easy singles."

Samuels was the key player for West Indies. He lifted a squad depleted by injury and dealing with contract issues with

his sixth ODI hundred, and had a partnership of 165 with Denesh Ramdin - a West Indies record for the fourth wicket against India.

"I got some runs in the warm-up match against India A - including a halfcentury so I came here today determined to make my mark," Samuels said.

"I lost my coach [Roy McLean] a little while back, so I dedicate this innings to him.

"Ramdin is in good nick for the last year and he's been batting well so we were able to feed off each other at the wicket. The communication and running between us went well. It is good when you can get runs and wickets and the team goes on to win the match. I will value this performance - when you do well and the team loses it doesn't mean that much to me. But to perform and take the team to a win against India in India is something special."

Samuels and the other West Indies batsmen were able to overcome the threat posed by India's spinners in Kochi. Collectively, they went for 144 runs in 22 overs and took only two wickets. Samuels was

severe on Amit Mishra, whom he took for 40 runs off 28 balls.

"They have good spinners and I wanted to make sure I played well against the spinners," Samuels said. "Mishra is a very good legspinner with a googly like an offbreak so you had to be watchful. We tried to get the ones and twos against him and then attack the bad ball. It worked well."

Samuels also credited Viv Richards, who is with the West Indies A team in Sri Lanka at present, for his match-winning performance. "I had a long talk with the Master [Richards] and he just shared all his knowledge and I just soaked it up. I like to talk to the legends of West Indies cricket and gain knowledge. We have with us on tour, the great man Clive Lloyd, and also Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Richie Richardson as part of the team management. I like to listen to them as well. I will continue to talk to them and try to better my game."

West Indies go to Delhi for the second ODI on October 11 with a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

(Cricinfo)

All aboard! Top officials of the GFSCA and senior executives of Ansa McAl Trading seal their partnership ahead of the fourth annual Guyana Softball Cup

Bhuvneshwar Kumar did not pick up a wicket but gave away only 38 runs in his 10 overs © BCCI

Int'l drag race at South Dakota on Sunday

The South Dakota Circuit will be transformed into a battle ground on Sunday when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages the International Drag race meet from noon.

After spending the last few weeks fine tuning their machines, local competitors

will throw down the gauntlet to their Surinamese counterparts as they tussle for supremacy.

The event is expected to produce some scorching times and breathtaking rivalry among the two neighbouring countries.

The Surinamese have long been the locals’ neme-

sis and they will once again attempt to upstage the Guyanese racers who have promised to not only resist the efforts of their visiting counterparts, but shatter existing records.

Rondell Daby, who drives his lightening fast Red Evolution, is the current champion.

Stag Beer/EBFA Division One League...

Samuels: Victory made hundred sweeter

The other big names expected to represent Guyana are Peter Daby, Anand Ramchand, Vijay Danram, Sunil Singh, Afraz Ally, Syed Ali, Danny and Sanjay Persaud.

Admission to the venue is $1,000 (adults), while children Under-12 and vehicles are free.

Grove seal title, Agricola trounce Herstelling

Grove Hi Tech sealed the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Division One League championships when they captured three points on Sunday last as their opponents, Mocha Champs failed to show up.

The points garnered saw Grove further consolidating their position at the top of the table to an unassailable 36, well ahead of the second placed Agricola Red Triangle in the process, sealing the top prize of $300,000.

Agricola notched up another three points with their 3-0 win over Herstelling Raiders, compliments of a brace of goals from Collis Samuels in the 33rd and 39th minute. Gavin Kumar netted the other in the 35th minute.

The League is winding down with just two playing days remaining. Apart from the first place prize, second, third and fourth places are guaranteed $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Hopkinson cops gold at int'l competition

Veteran marksman, Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson captured a gold medal for Guyana at the just concluded International Practical Shooting Federation Level 11 competition held last Sunday at the MTC Shooting Range in Suriname.

It was Guyana’s only gold medal at the international meet in the neighbouring Dutch republic as Hopkinson rolled back the years to win Stage Two named ‘Precious Cargo’ with a 100 percent score, beating his much younger competitors.

The former national handgun champion recorded 37 points with accuracy and a blistering time of 13.50 seconds in the stage where competitors had to use their weak hand to hold a Case while shooting 4 paper targets and one popper with the unsupported strong hand. The seasoned campaigner said

he used an out of the box un-tuned Walther P99AS, with a four-inch barrel. He placed sixth overall with 62.50 percent in the production class.

According to Hopkinson, he made Guyana and the Guyana National Rifle Association proud with his performance. Hopkinson said he now has his sights on the upcoming Level 111 match billed for November 7-9 in the neighbouring territory.

Guyana is expected to be represented by a strong team at the competition, which is expected to attract top hand gun shooters from around the world.

Hopkinson expressed thanks to the acting Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud DSM, the Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur, General Marine Company Limited and the executives and members of GNRA for making the trip possible.

Marlon Samuels says his sixth OneDay International hundred was made all the more satisfying because of West Indies’ impressive 124-run win here Wednesday.

The right-handed Samuels carved out a brilliant unbeaten 126 as the Windies, sent in at the Nehru Stadium in the first ODI of the five-match series, piled up 321 for six.

India were then bundled out for 197 off 41 overs, with Samuels again in the forefront with two wickets for ten runs from three overs.

“I don’t put them (hundreds) in categories so I just give thanks for another international hundred. It’s a great milestone,” Samuels said afterward.

“Coming in and getting two quick wickets was just putting the icing on the cake. I always say scoring a hundred and getting two wickets and your team still losses, that goes down as nothing to me. But tonight we won so I’m definitely enjoying this milestone.”

Samuels strode to the wicket with West Indies 98 for two in the 18th over and proceeded to dominate. He emerged from a slow start to count 11 fours and four sixes in his 116-ball stay at the crease.

He added a venue-record 165 for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper

Denesh Ramdin whose 61 came from 59 balls and included five fours and two sixes.

The partnership laid the foundation for West Indies’ impressive total.

“The communication out there was good. Ramdin is in good form as well so I was striving off his energy and he was striving off my energy,” Samuels explained.

“We were just talking and working out the situation. Every over we came together and worked out what we were going to do … we just took it from there and it worked in our favour and the partnership set up the game from there.”

The game was Samuels’ first ODI in eight months after being overlooked for the recent Bangladesh series.

However, he said he took approach to his innings as he had felt in good touch during the preceding 50-over tour matches against India A.

“I was trying not to soak up too many balls and just rotate the strike, get off the strike, get fours in between and gain that confidence, because I have been in good nick from the practice games,” Samuels said. With the innings, Samuels became the 10th West Indian to reach 4 000 ODI runs. (WICB Media Release)

Rondell Daby's Red Evolution (right) always a treat to watch

Marlon Samuels

Harold “Topgun” Hopkinson proudly displays his medal

Chandrika ready on cementing national spot

– says consistency is key

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Batsman Rajendra Chandrika is consid-

ered one of the country’s brightest prospects, and having earned selection to the Guyana franchise for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League’s (PCL) Regional 4-day and NAGICO Super50 Tournaments, the right-hander is keen to cash in and cement his place in the Guyana side.

Being considered one of the more technically correct young batsmen in the Caribbean, the 25-year-old, represented Guyana in 22 First-Class matches, but has been in and out of the side.

He commenced his senior career for Guyana in 2010 against Trinidad and Tobago at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, where he scored a fluent 65 while his last outing was rather discouraging against Jamaica at the Guyana National Stadium where he only made five and zero last

year.

Golden opportunity

However, Chandrika, who represented the Sagicor High Performance Centre said the selection represents a golden opportunity to secure a long-term role in the national side.

An average of just 21.90 with a topscore of 90, Chandrika told Guyana Times Sport on Thursday that “this is probably the best chance to resurrect his First-Class career”.

“I am back in the reckoning, and this time I am determined to make it count,” he said.

He added “You always want to give your best performance for your country; I am working very hard both mentally and physically but consistency will be the key and I am looking forward to give my best,” the former West Indies Under-19 batsman divulged.

Chandrika has been in tremendous form of recent, scoring over 400 runs in the

Ansa McAl confirms partnership with Guyana Softball Cup

senior Inter-County 4-day tournament, inclusive of a classy 219 against Berbice his second Inter-County century and first ‘double’ since Assad Fudadin’s 208 against Essequibo at Anna Regina in 2009.

Chandrika along with Barbadian all-rounder

Raymond Reifer, Guyanese middle-order batsman Vishaul Singh and fast bowlers Keon Joseph and Paul Wintz were chosen at Monday’s inaugural Player Draft of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League, staged at Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados.

The five players joined the 10 retrained players: Devendra Bishoo,

Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson, Veerasammy Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Trevon Griffith as the players selected for the Guyana Franchise.

The regional season will start in November and will have four-day cricket played in a home and away format, paving the way for a minimum of 10 games in the tournament.

The 4-day tournament will then break in January to make way for the Super 50 limited-overs tournament. The 4-day competition will resume thereafter and culminate in March.

GOA comes to ruggers’ aid

– gives $3 million to

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) was given a timely boost ahead of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 7's championship with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) pumping $3 million towards expenses associated with the trip.

Guyana’s 7's team will aim to recapture the title they won an unprecedented six years in succession when they travel to Mexico for the NACRA tournament in December.

On Thursday, President of the GOA, K A Juman Yassin, presented a cheque to head of the GRFU, Peter Green, in the presence of executives of the Union, as well as a few players. The donation will go towards securing tickets for the entire

NACRA 7's team

team to travel to the Latin America country.

Green said the Union was grateful for the assistance, noting that it will go a far way in ensuring the Guyanese participate fully at the championship. The GRFU said sponsorship is crucial to the sport, and the GOA’s package is timely.

Yassin said the GRFU is faced with a “gigantic cost” to send the team to Mexico, and after discussions with Green and his executives, the GOA decided to assist by covering the airfare for the team.

The NACRA Sevens championship is crucial for counties in this part of the hemisphere, as it is the qualification tournament for the Pan American championship in Toronto in 2015, and subsequently, the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

President of the GOA K A Juman Yassin, presents the donation to Head of the GRFU Peter Green in the presence of representatives of the two bodies