Guyana Times International, August 29, 2014

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 206

week ending August 31, 2014

Guyanese fugitive arrested in Queens ...after shootout with US marshals …with launch of airline Page 14

Cricket fans maintain support for Amazon Warriors’ challenge of CPL final

Guyana-born Oswald Lewis

See story on page 3 Lendl Simmons of the Guyana Amazon Warriors was named Man-of-theTournament

Page 53

DEA team helping CANU in narco-sub probe Page 10

BK Group of Companies Chairman Brian Tiwari and US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunte being told about the Cessna Grand Caravan

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NEWS

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“Strive to make minority govts work rather than oppose it” – Dr Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

By Svetlana Marshall

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he Guyana Government on Wednesday said that a minority Government may be a permanent feature in the country and urged politicians and other stakeholders to strive to make it work rather than opposing it.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon’s comments came in the wake of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) announcing on Monday that it was seeking a national front alliance.

After several years,

Leader of the Opposition, David Granger

the PPP/Civic lost its majority to the combined Opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) at the 2011 elections. In the National Assembly, the party has found it very difficult to pass key legislation as a result.

Order of the day

Speaking at his weekly news conference, Dr Luncheon said minority Governments have become the order of the day in many countries across the globe.

He opined that it could very well become a feacontinued on page 5

Guyanese fugitive ...after shootout with US arrested in Queens marshals

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ewspapers in New York are reporting that it took seven US marshals using combat gear to swoop down on the 175th Street, Queens, New York residence of Guyanese-born Oswald Lewis, at about 23:00hrs on Tuesday night, and ram their way into the man’s apartment, where the marshals were confronted with gunfire from an automatic weapon before they were able to arrest the man.

Lewis has reportedly been living in the United States for most of his life; and according to authorities in that country, he has been engaged in the smuggling of drugs for years.

Persons who spoke to the US press said the Guyanese-born drug lord seemed prepared for the lawmen’s visit. But after coming under fire, the marshals returned fire, forcing Lewis to take evasive measures.

Reports are that he was wanted for cocaine smuggling and assault.

The marshals were backed up by ranks from the New York Police Department, and as the

Law enforcers converse after Lewis surrendered

man attempted to escape via his backyard, he was confronted by the NYPD ranks, upon whom he also fired. After realizing there was nowhere to run, Lewis retreated into the apartment, abandoning his automatic pistol after he had been shot once to the left hand, the US press reported.

The late night drama saw curious onlookers coming out of their apartments and peering through windows, hoping not to miss any part of the action. Persons were seen standing on the streets across from

the man’s apartment with their smart phones and other gadgets, taking pictures and making other recordings of the ordeal.

Lewis, according to the US press as advised by the lawmen, had been on the run for more than ten years. In 1991, he was indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Eyewitnesses related that it was he who had first shot at police and marshals, forcing them to return fire.

The witnesses also reported to the media that Lewis tossed his gun outside the front door of his

apartment before walking out with his hands in the air, although he was still wearing his bulletproof vest and bleeding from the arm.

He later reportedly broke down and cried like a child when arrested and handcuffed by the lawmen.

Eyewitness said that after the first responders had showed up at the man’s house and had come under fire, back-up ranks swarmed the entire block within thirty seconds, causing residents to describe the police response as “incredible”

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

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EDITORIAL

China in overseas forestry Caribbean Tourism

A picturesque Port Kaituma scene (Jomo Paul photo)

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ver the last month, there has been much heat, but little light, generated by the Kaieteur News over the Chinese company Bai Shan Lin’s investment in Guyana’s forestry sector. The company has been accused of a host of negative activities ranging from being a poor corporate citizen to flagrantly violating the terms and conditions of their contracts that were supposed to be in compliance with the laws of Guyana.

The attacks on Bai Shan Lin are only the latest, albeit the most sustained, on Chinese investments in general in Guyana. Once again it raises the unanswered question as to whether the attacks may have other motives than the claimed “rape of our country”. Since 2001, prompted by its huge accumulation of foreign reserves (now totalling almost US$4 trillion), China embarked on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a strategy to reduce domestic pressures on its currency.

Today, if investments from Hong Kong are included, China stands only behind the USA as a source of FDI – and the largest to the developing world. One question for China’s critics in Guyana, therefore, is if they do not want Chinese investment, whether in fact there are alternative sources waiting to develop Guyana’s vaunted “potential”.

Another question is whether Chinese investment is more exploitive than that from other countries. Forestry is as good an industry to look into the issue as any, because of the sustained interest generated globally and locally by its role in containing global warming through the sequestration of carbon. There are numerous organisations that are focused on monitoring use of the world’s forests and data on comparative usage are not difficult to come by.

From these reports we discover that China is not only the world’s largest manufacturer of forest products, but also among the five countries with the largest forest area in the world. China has made forestry investments in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, but only in Asia has there been a significant investment in valueadded downstream manufacturing.

Especially in Africa, there has been the tendency to concentrate in the exporting of logs. And like all other FDIs, while some Chinese companies will comply with good corporate social responsibilities, there will always be some that will attempt to skirt the rules in the pursuit of profits.

Countries such as Guyana that accept the need to attract FDIs then, will have to be diligent in crafting local laws that secure its interest in sustainable development and to enforce such laws.

Because Guyana has been a pioneer in the utilisation of its forest resources in the fight against global warming and climate change, its legal framework, and monitoring, reporting and verification capabilities are quite advanced. The REDD-based agreement with Norway concerning overall deforestation rates, for instance, utilises such MRV mechanisms to offer quite precise annual reports on the gross amount of forests harvested.

The possibility that Chinese companies may be violating local laws cannot be summarily dismissed but on the other hand, that stricture must also apply to the responses of the designated monitoring body, the Guyana Forestry Commission. Rather than persist in making sensationalist claims and allegations, those that feel that the laws of Guyana are being violated can possibly refer to the aforementioned international groups.

For instance, the Forest Governance Learning Group (FGLG) worked with groups having similar concerns in Africa to create the China-Africa Forest Governance Learning Platform. The latter shares information on forestry matters that have the inputs and hopefully the confidence of all shareholders.

Finally, in responding to similar claims from other jurisdictions, China has promulgated a raft of regulations for its companies overseas, such as the “Guide on Sustainable Overseas Forests Management and Utilisation by Chinese Enterprises”. These can also be utilised to approach the Chinese government to rein in its companies through control over the financial incentives offered to them.

But for sure we cannot allow the witch-hunting that is playing out in the media.

conference to address intraregional travel hurdles

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aribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) General Secretary Hugh Riley said the upcoming State of The Industry Conference (SOTIC) billed for the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) on September 17-19 will include discussions on the barriers to travel within the Caribbean.

Riley, during an interview with Caribbean reporters last Thursday, shared plans for the upcoming conference.

He said while there are many barriers to travel for persons coming into the Caribbean, the hurdles faced by citizens of Caribbean nations are dumbfounding.

And this, the conference hopes to address. “The barriers are many,” he said, adding: “There are barriers to travel specifically within the Caribbean that we are going to deal with. This obsession with checking and re-checking our own people at the airport is worrying.”

Discussions on intra-regional travel hurdles will focus on taxes and costs, regulatory matters, security issues, economic conditions and cost of regional travel, among others.

Representatives of the International Air Transport, Caribbean Airlines and the International Civil Aviation Organisation will address the conference on the very engaging issue.

Under the theme: “Realising the Vision: Positioning Caribbean Tourism for Major Change”, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) will this year host its annual State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in the USVI.

Arrivals

He said the Caribbean continues to see an increase in arrivals to the Caribbean; and this could be a result of the conference, he posited, saying

CTO General Secretary Hugh Riley

that the Caribbean has hit the 25-million mark.

Riley stated that the annual event is the leading Tourism Conference in the Caribbean and will see the participation of international speakers addressing some of the major challenges faced by countries in the tourism sector.

The Secretary General added that the conference, since its inception in 1989, has seen tremendous success in changing the tourism industry in the Caribbean.

He noted too that while challenges continue to form part of the daily activities of the organisation, the conference seeks to bring together persons who understand these challenges and can provide solutions to them.

“One thing is for sure, some of the challenges we have are going to be with us maybe forever, there’s always going to be the need to look at new technology and to find what new best practices are,” he indicated.

Tourism planning

SOTIC is the Caribbean’s

leading tourism conference where Caribbean tourism practitioners, policy-makers and strategic partners from the public and private sectors, academics and travel professionals, at the highest levels, gather to discuss issues, identify solutions and generally develop courses of action that will benefit the tourism industry in the Caribbean. There are 250-350 registrants.

Speakers of international and regional acclaim will provide best- case practices and winning strategies on a wide range of topics that are critical to the growth of Caribbean tourism, all with a view to the development of a sustainable tourism industry that will position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year- round, warm weather destination.

Youth from several CTO member countries will also make their contributions to the discussions at a Youth Congress, one of the various vehicles through which the CTO encourages the best and brightest to consider tourism as a career.

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Caribbean agriculture institute creates revenue generating unit

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ith a focus on increasing crop and small ruminant productivity by equipping the region’s agribusiness sector to deal with the challenges of climate change, increasing incidence of invasive pests, low productivity and increasing costs of inputs, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) has established a revenue generating unit.

The unit, established in 2013 to supplement the institute’s operating cost, has a focus to generate revenue from research activities with commercial potential and align CARDI’s technical assets for greater revenue generation and cost reduction.

Revenue centres

The unit has since established 11 revenue centres in its first phase.

of CARDI’s white corn seed varieties were also supplied to the Agriculture Ministry in Belize for distribution to farmers for production of corn flour for the 2014 crop.

Fully mechanised

Soybean crop at CARDI Station, Central Farms, Belize

Four of these are based in Belize and have been generating revenue from mercantile corn and soybean grain production and corn and soybean seed production and sale.

29,000 lbs of corn seed was produced in late 2013 and sold for farmers to establish over 1800 acres of corn for the 2014 crop. This repre-

sented a 50 per cent increase in corn seeds produced and supplied by CARDI for the region’s farmers.

The new markets supplied with corn seed included 7500 lbs of the variety of yellow field corn CARDI YC 001 for Grenada farmers to establish just over 400 acres for supplying to

boiling and roasting fresh markets. The seeds are being distributed in Grenada by GEO F Huggins.

An additional 1000 lbs was also supplied to National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute of Guyana for evaluation and 10,000 lbs in Belize.

A further 10,000 lbs

Annually, CARDI has been producing corn and soybean grain, for livestock and the Mennonite poultry feed mills in Belize at competitive prices at its farm located in Central Farms, Belize, using a fully mechanised planting, harvesting and drying operation.

The 2014 corn crop is on the way and is expected to produce 137,000 lbs of corn grain from 34 acres to supply to the feed mills. The soybean crop will be established in November 2014 and is expected to yield 141,100 lbs of soybean grain from 79 hectares.

The revenue generating unit expects to as-

sist CARDI in achieving its mandate, primarily by increasing the availability and usage of Caricom’s member states’ indigenous planting material to the wider Caribbean farming community; and providing sustainable technology, technical support and monitoring systems developed by CARDI to the region’s agribusiness sector.

Under the stewardship of Dr Arlington Chesney, Executive Director, the resource mobilisation, monitoring and evaluation unit was instituted in 2008 to attract and retain financial resources for research for development from international and regional sources.

This became necessary since the contributions from member states have not increased relative to inflation over the years. (Caribbean360)

St. Lucia claims success in arbitration with U.S. oil company

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ASTRIES, ST. LUCIA: The St. Lucia government says it has won the latest round of ongoing arbitration with the U.S.-based oil and gas exploration and production company, RSM Production Corporation.

A statement Monday from the office of Prime Minister Kenny Anthony stated that on August 13 the Arbitral Tribunal ordered RSM to post a guarantee of US$750,000 to ensure that it will pay St. Lucia's legal costs if it is ordered to do so at the end of the case.

"This is St. Lucia's second major success fol-

lowing the tribunal's order on December 12, 2013, for RSM to pay all of the advances towards the administrative costs of the arbitration, which in all previous known cases have been paid 50 percent by each party.

"Both of these orders are the first of their kinds in the history of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which is administering the arbitration. The three arbitrators are independent of ICSID but are deciding the case under the ICSID Arbitration Rules, which are designed for disputes between host

St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony

states and foreign investors. The government is pleased to have achieved these unique successes," the statement from the Office of the Prime

“Strive to make minority... ture of Guyana’s political life.

“In essence, minority Governments seem to be here to stay and the emphasis, perhaps, need to be more on making minority Governments work as opposed to preventing minority Governments,” he told reporters at his Office of the President briefing.

Alluding specifically to the current political climate, Dr Luncheon said since the AFC submitted its No-Confidence Motion to the National Assembly against the Donald Ramotar Administration, political activities on the ground have surged.

“Attention to the constituency politics, attention to alliance politics

will, and are occupying the minds of both the theorists and the practitioners of politics. In that context, the remnants of the Burnhamite Constitution are relevant, as that crafty politician in his constitution ensured that you could lose but you can still win,” he said.

Permanent feature

He said the formation of alliances has been a permanent feature of the electoral environment in Guyana, explaining that political parties, at one time or the other in a variety of ways, have addressed the notions of shared governance or a government of national unity.

“I think the public would be aware that

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one of the major calls for the government of national unity, the desire to have the most inclusive of governments all is deeply rooted in a sense that an alliance is ideally the way forward as opposed to the firstpast-the post and the other forms of electoral system,” he said.

According to him, discourses on alliance policies are often awakened every time elections, whether general or local, are called and placed on the front burner. “In 2014, 2015, 2016, there should be no reason Guyanese should think that theorists and practitioners would approach this issue differently,” he said.

Minister added.

The Coloradobased RSM Production Corporation, owned by U.S.-based oil magnate, Jack Grynberg, had initiated the arbitration for breach of a multi-million dollar contract.

The company took the action against the St. Lucia government in respect of the exploration licence which it was granted several years ago to undertake exploration for oil over a specified area of water offshore of the coast of St. Lucia.

The main opposition

United Workers Party (UWP) claimed that the government had announced in May 2012 that Grynberg had filed a US$500 million claim against St. Lucia.

The statement from the Office of the Prime Minister noted that RSM must now post security because of the concern that, if the tribunal later orders RSM to reimburse St. Lucia, RSM will fail to do so.

RSM also claimed that former prime minister Stephenson King signed a three-year ex-

tension to the contract but then retrieved the document before it could be delivered to RSM. RSM claimed that the extension is valid, even though RSM never received it. RSM has asked the tribunal to declare that the exploration contract is still in full force and effect.

In reply, St. Lucia maintained that the agreement "has expired or is at least not enforceable and therefore St. Lucia has no obligation (to RSM)". (Caribbean News)

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GDF hosts meeting with Brazilian military

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he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday hosted the Brazilian Army for the inaugural bilateral Defence Working Group meeting between the two neighbouring countries.

A simple opening ceremony for the meeting was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, during which the delegations from both countries were introduced.

Delivering his opening remarks, the GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips said that Guyana’s first good-

The military delegations from Brazil and Guyana that are meeting for the inaugural bilateral Defence Work Group meeting

will mission to Brazil 45 years ago paved the foundation for what has become a strong relationship between the two countries. He noted that there has since been the achievement of a regime of peace and understanding between Guyana and Brazil.

Defence cooperation

The Chief-of-Staff continued that the defence cooperation between the neighbouring countries have benefited ranks of the GDF, with them receiving much training.

“Many of our officers and ranks have done courses and continue to

be trained at the excellent training schools and colleges of the Brazilian Armed Forces… and our jungle and amphibious training school continues to be staffed by a team of Brazilian instructors, along with the fact that we have a physical education month … [with] the football coaches which has resulted in the Guyana Defence Force football team being the second-best team in Guyana,” the Brigadier proudly stated.

He pointed out that military cooperation is further exemplified in Guyana’s appointment of a Resident Military

GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips handing over a memorabilia plaque to Brazilian Armed Forces Major General Dacio Luis Schons

Attaché to Brazil – Brigadier General Julian Bruce Lovell. Brigadier Phillips added that Brazil has been a good neighbour as he acknowledged the fact that the country has showed respect for Guyana’s territorial integrity.

The Chief-of-Staff concluded by saying that the meeting between the delegations must serve as a means of sustaining their defence cooperation and contributing to the strengthening of the bonds between the two

countries, but, more particularly, the GDF and the Armed Forces of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The Brazilian delegation was led by Major General Dacio Luis Schons, who said that the relationship between the two countries is set to face progress in the near future. He noted that this is all part of a bigger job to integrate the entire South American continent and ‘get to know the neighbours’.

Major General Schons

reaffirmed the intentions of the Brazilian Defence Ministry to promote military cooperation between the two countries. He said the Work Group meeting provides oversight in following up the defence agenda between Guyana and Brazil that was decided upon two years ago during a visit by the Brazilian Minister.

The two armed forces will be engaged in discussions for the next two days to better understand each other’s operations.

Online visa applications to be introduced in Guyana

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ead of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon has disclosed that Guyana will be moving to introduce online processing of visa applications.

Speaking at his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Dr Luncheon said the decision was taken by the

Defence Board at its August 21 meeting.

He informed that the decision is based on the policy of visa-free travel to Guyana that was adopted by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration during former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s tenure.

This policy position is a demonstration of the

administration’s commitment to the regional integration process.

“Undoubtedly, the increase in arrivals through the visa-free mechanism has contributed to the decision to examine going online with the processing of visas for Guyana,” the Cabinet Secretary added.

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Actions of ISIS do not represent Kaieteur News has teachings of Islam embarked on a

Dear Editor, The Guyana Islamic Trust on behalf of the Muslim Community of Guyana strongly denounces the actions of the group known as ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham/Islamic State Group).

The dreadful actions of this group and similar groups such as Boko Haram whose origin, existence and operation are for the most part shrouded in mystery, in no way represent the pristine and beautiful teachings of Islam.

We reject their ghastly actions and heinous crimes which are done in the name of Islam, casting a dark image upon Islam and Muslims.

However, their abomination does exactly the

opposite of what Islam calls upon Muslims to do, namely establish peace and justice and safeguard human rights and dignity.

We, therefore, categorically condemn the actions of this group and its monstrous crimes against humanity.

Based on reports in the media, ISIS has committed horrific atrocities, including attacks against different religious and ethnic communities in Syria and Iraq who have lived peacefully for centuries alongside Muslims.

They have caused nothing but destruction and corruption and have violated core Islamic teachings and principles such as the sanctity of human life and the im-

portance of treating others with dignity, respect and tolerance.

Therefore, we implore all Muslims to denounce this deliberate perversion of our Faith and to dissociate themselves totally from such dangerous groups who intentionally use the name of Islam in their ongoing campaign of distortion and destruction.

We also call upon all our friends, neighbours and fellow Guyanese to stand with the local Muslim Community in condemning the horrendous crimes of these extreme groups and not to judge Islam and Muslims by the actions of a few misguided and deviant miscreants.

Respectfully, GIT Secretariat

Human Services Ministry has been involved in suicide prevention

Dear Editor, In response to a letter headlined, “An open letter to the Human Services Minister”, which was published in the August 18 edition of Guyana Times, I wish to commend the writers on their proposed response to our growing problem of suicide, which is indeed a troubling one, and a concern which we share.

The Ministry has been involved in a number of initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of suicide prevention, and is not averse to extending its support to other initiatives aimed at achieving the same objectives.

It is heartening to see renewed interest in the prevention of this social ill that has plagued our society. The Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry has long recognised the need for partnerships and extended networks to advocate suicide prevention.

In February this year, the Ministry partnered with the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, and several local entities, including the Ministries of Education and Health, the Regional Democratic Council, Region Six, and some private businesses to begin a new awareness and education project aimed at preventing suicide.

This event was well attended by leaders and members of faith-based organisations, with more than 300 students from secondary schools along the Corentyne Coast, and members of civil society in attendance.

They were enlightened by presentations made by a number of specialists including Psychiatrist, Dr Bhiro Harry, business leaders, and Dr Sharma of the Regional Health Authority.

The First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and I have also addressed this issue and we sought to identify some of the root causes, and how these issues should be addressed. Let me reassure the writers of Government’s

commitment and growing concerns for this issue.

The presentations were followed by an interactive session and informative suggestions/presentations emerged which serve as guidance for continued work in this area. Many of the resource persons engaged at this forum have since continued the work in various areas.

Similarly, the Government of Guyana was engaged in an effort to train about 600 members of faith-based organisations to prevent and care for, counsel and support persons affected by social ills, including suicide.

I wish to mention that the Ministry also works closely in collaboration with a number of NGOs, and through its Probation Officers, a core group of professionals, who are assigned to the 10 administrative regions, have expanded its network to conduct public education and sensitisation awareness activities on this issue, as well as the issue of gender-based violence. Their interaction allows for all levels of contact, from the grassroots level to all levels in society.

With respect to the issues raised regarding attitudes towards mental health issues to combat the taboos, misinformation, biases, I wish to assure the writers that Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and the Health Ministry have developed a Mental Health Strategy which will be formally launched by October 10 in observance of World Mental Health Day. The Health Ministry has also conducted training sessions in areas of depression and suicide for 250 persons with the support of an international psychologist, Dr Doorn.

We remain committed to supporting initiatives aimed at reducing this abhorrent trend in our society.

Sincerely, Jenifer Webster Human Services and Social Security Minister

campaign to spread lies about forestry sector Dear Editor, It has become clear that the Kaieteur News has embarked on a campaign geared towards tarnishing the image and credibility of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) by employing lowlevel tactics based on rumours, misinformation and slander.

At its press conference held on August 18, GFC effectively responded to several media reports regarding the operations of the forestry sector, the enforcement of regulations and granting of permits to companies operating in the sector.

The Kaieteur News’ smear campaign and unethical journalistic practices were now exposed as a result of it being made clear that GFC, as mandated by law, was fully enforcing regulations and was not in any way facilitating sinister activities by any company.

Recognising that there were no bases for the false reports, the Kaieteur News, now joined by the Stabroek News and Capitol News, have resorted to levelling malicious personal attacks on me, as Commissioner, as well as the hard-working staff of the GFC. I have since had my attorneys dispatch a warning letter to Capitol News advising them to cease further publishing of these grossly inaccurate reports and demanding that an apology be forthcoming.

It appears as if the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News are in a breathless race to outdo each other in this mischief journalism campaign.

The GFC has also noted with grave concern the criminal attack on its Company Secretary, damage of property, and the theft of a laptop computer contain-

ing highly confidential information related to the Commission. We see as no coincidence, the criminal attack, which closely followed the wellorchestrated slander campaign being carried out by some sections of the media.

We will not feed nor be baited by the perverse appetite of individuals and organisations masquerading as journalists and responsible media houses by responding to every absurd and patently incorrect report.

The GFC stands ready to work with all stakeholders in an atmosphere of transparency, professionalism and mutual respect and will continue to engage responsible and fair sections of the media who have no hidden and vindictive agenda.

Regards, James Singh Commissioner of Forests

Was justice served in the Congress Place shooting case?

Dear Editor, The Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) wishes to express concern over the circumstances which led to the dismissal of the case against Linden Primo, who was recently charged with discharging a firearm and threatening behaviour following the staging of the controversial 18th Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

The PPP/C has noted too the attempts by the PNCR to cover for Primo, while using its Opposition-media agents to downplay the issue and sweep it under the carpet.

The party is aware that the chief witness in the case and several others did not attend court proceedings to give evidence, because of sheer intimidation and bullyism by key operatives at the PNC’s Headquarters.

The PPP/C condemns this type of intimidatory tactics.

The PPP/C is concerned that the women were forced into silence

by those who had an interest in ensuring that the truth surrounding what took place at the protest-riddled congress did not come to the fore.

While this is not surprising, the party believes that David Granger, who holds himself out as the paragon of virtue, political rectitude should now also express concern that the charges were dropped against a man whose actions clearly compromised the integrity of the PNCR’s Congress.

Granger ill-affords to be silent on this issue, given the criticisms from his own camp about the manner in which the PNCR’s Congress was conducted. He must also explain why his party, which preaches law and order, failed to cooperate with the Police during the initial stages of the investigation, and why the PNCR did not opt to furnish the Police with other witnesses.

Granger himself cannot deny knowledge of Primo’s actions as it occurred while he was present at Congress Place.

The PPP/C firmly believes that the PNC’s attempt at protecting the accused came off the heels of the party’s association with other criminal elements, including Kevin Fields, Linden “Blackie” London, and others who launched assaults on innocent Guyanese.

What is also interesting is the media’s astounding silence and lack of investigative reporting on this aspect of the PNCR’s congress.

Had such developments occurred at the PPP/C’s Congress, it would have been splashed across the media and blown out of proportion.

As a matter of fact, the PPP/C would have no doubt been the subject of ridicule and widespread criticisms from the Opposition media and their interests.

While the party is guided by the rationale behind the court’s ruling, it is saddened that justice was not allowed to take its full course and a full trial not held.

Submitted by, PPP/C, Freedom House

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President announces more dutyfree concessions for miners

By Svetlana Marshall

I

nvestors within the mining sector would soon benefit from additional duty-free concessions, President Donald Ramotar disclosed on Monday as he declared open Mining Week 2014.

The duty-free concessions would be given for a “particular type of vehicle”, the President said, but explained that key requirements would have to be met.

“We will grant these, but we would want to tie that to gold declaration and we would want to tie it to payment of taxes,” he further explained.

Since August 2013, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) had called for the

President Ramotar and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud flanked by the awardees and officials within the mining sector

Government to assent to tax waivers on the importation of 4x4s and four-door open-back vehicles. It was noted that these vehicles are still being deemed luxury vehicles and attract heavy import duties, although they are necessary for safe travel. These vehicles are often used to transport rations, spares

and personnel to and from mining operations.

It was also an occasion where President Ramotar poured cold water on the notion that the mining industry, particularly the gold sector, was in “crisis” given the drop in gold prices on the international market.

According to www.

goldrate24.com, one ounce of gold is currently being sold at US$1277.56 or G$263,113.18. But Ramotar said every sector has its challenges.

According to him, many investors within the gold sector entered the industry at a time when the price of gold was below US$1000, but nevertheless benefited signifi-

cantly when the prices surpassed US$1800.

As Guyana feels the impact, local miners, the President stressed, must be able to improve their efficiency.

“This should challenge us, we should not despair and talk about crisis, this should challenge us to do things in an even better way,” he

urged the miners. They were also encouraged to aid in the process of diversification by investing within sectors and infrastructural projects.

The President had spoken minutes after GGDMA President Patrick Harding had painted the gold industry black, contending that it was in a “crisis”.

Severe drought in Jamaica could continue until next May

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Despite the unstable weather now affecting Jamaica, the Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica says that the prolonged drought that the island has been experiencing could continue into the January to April dry season of 2015.

Director of the Met Service, Jeffrey Spooner says statistics for January to June 2014 this year, show that the island received 33 percent of its normal rainfall and it is possible that the country may not have any significant rainfall until May 2015.

“The southern parishes of St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew, and the North eastern parishes

One of the once lush grazing fields in Flagaman, St Elizabeth, is now parched (Jamaica Observer photo)

of Portland and St Mary were the hardest hit,” Spooner said.

Based on data from June and July, Spooner projected that “the figures will be extreme to severe drought, especially for southern parishes and in particular St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, and St Thomas”.

Additionally, he said rainfall from August

through to October 2014 is expected to be below normal. “What we need to bear in mind is October/November is normally our major rainfall producing season. If this projection for below normal rainfall should (obtain) we, especially in southern St Elizabeth, need to start looking at contingencies,” he said.

Spooner said that globally, temperatures

in May were the hottest since 1880.

New strategies

The prolonged dry spell has affected a number of institutions and now the country is moving to adopt new measures to ensure that students returning to school next week for the new academic term are not severely hampered by the lack of water.

“I want to give ev-

ery assurance that the National Water Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, will be doing their utmost to supply water to the affected areas, so that the new school term will commence as smoothly as possible,” said Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Robert Pickersgill.

He related that the NWC has been assisting some schools in the Corporate Area that are experiencing challenges with their supply, and are without storage capacity, by providing a number of tanks to these institutions.

“However, I am encouraging all schools to establish additional facilities for storage, so that in the absence of

regular supplies water may be supplied to them and stored. After all, we are all aware that “water is life,” he stated.

He highlighted that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has “instructed that a meeting be held among the Ministries of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change; Education Health Local Government, and Agriculture, after which a more comprehensive statement on the situation will be issued early next week.”

Last month, hundreds of acres of farmland in the southern parish of St Elizabeth– known as the “bread basket” parish–were destroyed by fire as the country grapples with the drought conditions.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Trinidad prisoners stage hunger strike P O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: More than 160 prisoners at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca, Trinidad Monday staged day one of a hunger strike aimed at getting the authorities to address concerns about the “poor treatment” they receive from prisons officers and delays in the hearings of their court cases.

Even as the prisoners refused meals, there are reports that their relatives staged a peaceful protest outside the prisons in support of their hunger strike.

Prison sources said the suicide of prisoner Akeem Gill last Wednesday prompted the action.

A source named a prisons officer as someone who has made “life difficult” for prisoners yet despite several meetings with those in authority the guard has not been reprimanded.

The source said Gill, who was serving five years, had complained bitterly about being targeted by the prisons officer and yet nothing was done.

“That is why Gill took his life. He was so frustrated he preferred

TT Prisons Commissioner Conrad Barrow (TT Newsday photo)

death than to continue to be humiliated and denied small privileges and we fear that if the situa-

tion continues other prisoners might also contemplate taking their lives in frustration,” the source said. Prisoners Monday said they have complained about how badly prisons officers treat them but this has not been dealt with by prison officials.

They claimed that some prisons officers refuse to take them outside for airing citing security reasons and a staff shortage Additionally, the prisoners alleged that when they miss court dates their matters are set for later dates and this has added to their frustra-

tion.

The prisoners said they will continue their action until Prisons Commissioner Conrad Barrow intervenes.

However, prisons officers said the prisoners who were on a hunger strike have been making unreasonable demands and while some tension exists between officers and prisoners, the situation was not what prisoners described.

Assistant general secretary of the Prisons Officers Association, Dion Joseph, said the prisoners’ main complaint was about judicial delays and assured pris-

ons officers have been treating inmates with compassion.

“About 160 inmates are refusing their diet due to their concerns about the tardiness of the judicial system because we have problems with them going to court,” Joseph indicated.

“We are here to do our jobs without fear or favour, with a high level of compassion for inmates because they are human beings, however there are many inmates who have been there for five and ten years and there is no closure to their matter,” he added.

(TT Newsday)

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rodney CoI

155 guns issued by GDF during PNC rule still missing

T

he Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday heard that of the 237 weapons issued by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to various individuals and organisations during the 1970s, 155 are still outstanding. That number represents 65.4 per cent of guns issued.

Returning to the stand with further evidence was head of the Intelligence (G2) Unit of the GDF, Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James, who told the tribunal that while those guns have not yet been recovered, no word has been given for searches to be carried out for their recovery.

Issuance

Lieutenant Colonel James, during his testimony on Monday, had relayed that it was possible for the People’s National Congress (PNC) to have had a weapons account in the GDF given the frequency of unauthorised issuance of arms.

While he could not say at that time how many of those weapons were issued to the National Development Ministry, Wilfred Skeete, an R Corbin, and to external agencies, the Lieutenant Colonel returned on Tuesday with documents showing that both Skeete and Corbin were frequent recipients of the Army weapons.

James told the Commission that a Comrade R Corbin received some 16 weapons, while Skeete received over 100 pieces.

Among the mentioned weapons were seven Smith and Wesson guns issued to and signed for

Govt slams ‘continuous attacks’ on foreign investors

T

A G3 rifle (world. guns.ru photo)

by a Comrade Corbin, PS, Office of the Prime Minister.

Three of those weapons were returned while four remained outstanding. Under the same name R Corbin, nine more Smith and Wessons were issued, but these were signed for by Corbin as an employee of the National Development Ministry.

Eight of those weapons were returned while one remained outstanding.

Several other weapons, including eight G3 Rifles, 20 Beretta Submachine Guns, six 7.2 rifles, six .22 rifles, and 15 SLR rifles were all issued to Comrade Skeete. Many of those weapons were not returned. Eyebrows were raised too when documents presented revealed that there were instances where Skeete had signed for and uplifted weapons with no indication that they were for the National Development Ministry, where he was an employee. Some 50 9 mm pistols were issued to Skeete.

Only 13 of those pistols were returned. Skeete also received 20 Beretta S.M.Gs and 15 M70 rifles. Of that number, 14 were returned while one remained outstanding. All these transactions were carried out between 1976 and 1979.

Recovered

Documents suggested too that Skeete had received weapons from the Army, on behalf of the

National Development Ministry in August 1979, when that office had been burnt down one month before. The head of Army Intelligence said it would be an anomaly for the GDF to issue weapons to individuals.

In 2008, following a shootout with criminals, the Police recovered a number of weapons and ammunition, which were traced to those issued by the Army to Skeete on July 6, 1978 and to Corbin on May 19, 1976, under the National Development Ministry.

James told the Commission that the guns issued to Skeete were never returned to the Army.

He pointed out that some were issued permanently and on loan to the Joint Services Organisations, but some of these entities were now disbanded and defunct, and some weapons were never returned.

He explained to the Commission that approval for issuance of weapons within the Army was given by the Chief-of-Staff, and issuance to external agencies would require the expressed permission of the Defence Board.

The Army Officer pointed out that weapons were issued to Joint Services Organisations, and said he was unaware of any protocol governing the issuance, contending that it was done on a case-by-case basis.

69-year-old on Gy$1M bail for causing death of UG worker

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ppearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman was Balgobin Persaud who was charged for causing death by dangerous driving.

Persaud, 69, who resides at Lot 155 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, is married and is a father of three.

The charge read that on August 6, at Dennis Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, he drove forklift 23439 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Latchman Sukhdeo.

On the day in question at around 08:00h,

9

Balgobin Persaud

the deceased was riding on Dennis Street proceeding West when two metal spikes at the front of the forklift, driven by the defendant collided with the Sukdeo. The injured man was taken to a medical care facility where he died while receiving treatment.

The defendant was

represented by Attorney Lawerence Harris who made application for reasonable bail. He told the court that his client has no prior convictions and is not a flight risk.

Persaud was given bail at a sum of one million Guyana dollars and will return to court on September 25.

he Government of Guyana has once again raised its voice against the continuous attacks on foreign investors, as it underscored the importance of having such investments to develop the country’s economy.

At the launching of JAGS Aviation on Monday, Transport Minister Robeson Benn expressed his dissatisfaction at what he described as the xenophobia adopted by some local newspapers, particularly their attacks on the Chinese investors in Guyana.

He condemned these actions stating that foreign investors are imperative to sustain development in the country.

Benn recalled that similar attacks were previously launched on the Brazilian investors as he questioned who they will next assail. The Minister went on to say that with all of the allegations made against these investors, no substantial evidence has been proffered to support the claims.

He noted that such attacks are “deplorable” and will only re-

President Donald Ramotar

sult in the reversal of Government’s efforts to develop the country. The minister pointed out that Guyana has a small population base with poor infrastructure, so with the aid of these investors, Government is looking to develop the country for future generations.

“We want to develop this country for future generations of Guyanese. We want those future generations of Guyanese to have a better life that we ourselves never had.

And we cannot do it alone; we have to rely on foreign partners. We have to rely on Guyanese business partners to join with those people to

learn from their experiences, so we can have a safe and sustainable development pact,” he said.

President Donald Ramotar also added his voice against the attacks on the Chinese investors.

He said Government has created special economic regimes to attract both local and foreign investors to develop the potential of the country and such attacks will have a negative impact on its efforts.

The President pointed out that the attacks on the Chinese are uncalled for, noting that none of the country’s rules were broken by the Chinese logging company, Bai Shan Lin. “None of these things has happened; there is no raping of our interior, but we see this massive attack and one wonders what is the motive behind these things,” he explained.

However, Ramotar noted that despite this negative attitude to investors, he was pleased to know that both local and foreign businesses have continued to show confidence in Guyana’s economy by investing in the various sectors.

10 NEWS DEA team helping CANU in narco-sub probe WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Vahnu Manikchand

T

he United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been playing a supporting role to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in investigating the discovery of a submersible vessel in Region One two weeks ago.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International, local US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt said that the DEA has

been playing a supporting role to CANU after Government had requested its assistance in the investigations.

“The Government of Guyana asked us to assist them technically with some of the forensics involved in the investigations. They asked for advice on the best way to handle securing and moving of the vessel so we have provided them with our best technical advice and our technical experts who have been working alongside the

US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit,” he disclosed.

The US Embassy official disclosed that there

are a small number of DEA officials involved in the investigations.

He noted that their participation in the probe varies every day, depending on the level and type of expertise needed at the site.

DEA officers from the regional offices, the Caribbean and the US comprise the small team assisting with the investigations. Asked whether DEA intelligence so far has shown links to any drug cartels, Hunt noted that it was too early

in the investigations to determine this; however, based upon the DEA’s professional assessment thus far, the vessel was intended for the movement of narcotics.

According to the Charge d’Affaires, anti-narcotics agencies around the world have made many such discoveries of semi-submersible vessels, including those in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Hunt explained that the DEA has been involved in some of those

discoveries. He went on to say that using the knowledge gained, the DEA will try to assist CANU with comparing the vessel found with other known models and types previously discovered in order to determine the similarities and differences so that they can identify the owners.

Further questioned on whether the comparison process has begun, the US Embassy Charge d’Affaires reiterated that it was too early in the investigations to do this.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai led the Low Carbon Development Strategy outreach at Kato, Region Eight

Head of Office of Climate Change, Gitanjali Chandarpal during her address to the gathering at Kato, Region Eight

has been a significant change in weather patterns all over the world.

Climate change has been occurring rapidly, creating problems globally.

She said with climate change occurring and the impacts being felt around the world and locally, each country and citizen can play a role in fighting climate change.

It was also pointed out that as a result of global climate change, the world has experienced an overall one-degree rise in temperature over the last century, and this can grow to a four-degree rise over the next few years if strong action is not taken.

Citing some of the impacts climate change and global warming have had on Guyana; Chandarpal spoke of the 2005 flood, which was precipitated by an extreme rainfall pattern. In addition, she said as part of Guyana’s effort to address the issue of climate change, several partnerships have been formed and initiatives implemented. Some of these include the GuyanaNorway agreement, which thus far has garnered US$115 million.

The OCC Head pointed out that great emphasis is being placed on adaptation and mitigation, and residents were informed of ways they can play a role in addressing climate change.

In her remarks, Minister Sukhai spoke to the issue of the LCDS not being discriminatory, as some sections of society would want to suggest. The Minister underscored the important role that the indigenous people of Guyana can play in addressing the issue of climate change and global warming, as they have been “good stewards” of the forest for decades.

Minister Sukhai emphasised that the LCDS was geared towards benefiting all Guyanese, and noted that some may want to suggest that only the Amerindian people and villages were benefiting, but this was not the case. For example, one component of the LCDS involves the Cunha Canal, which will see the canal serving several communities on the coastland and will aid in drainage and irrigation issues. In addition, the canal will serve numerous farming communities.

The Minister also took the opportunity to implore leaders to play a greater role in educating those whom they serve on national and other issues that can affect them.

She pointed out that it was a norm for citizens to hold Government to high expectations, but they too have an important role to play in climate change.

Sukhai leads outreach on LCDS to Region 8

R

esidents of Kato and other surrounding villages in Region Eight were part of a countrywide Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) outreach on

Monday spearheaded

by Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC), Gitanjali Chandarpal.

The meeting was held at the Kato Nursery and

Primary School building, and residents from Paramakatoi, Kanapang, Kurukubaru, Kamana, Monkey Mountain, and other villages came out in their numbers to participate.

In her address to the gathering, Chandarpal went into details of climate change and the LCDS project, explaining what climate change is, while noting that over the past century there

A section of the large gathering at the Kato Nursery School who attended the LCDS outreach

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GDF was derelict concerning Gregory Smith’s file …Rodney CoI hears

By Alexis Rodney

H

ead of the Guyana Defence Force’s Intelligence (G2 Unit), Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James on Tuesday told the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry that the missing personnel file of the historian’s suspected murderer William “Gregory” Smith was considered confidential and should have been kept under lock and key.

But instead, the document, which could have assisted Commissioners investigating the death of Dr Walter Rodney, in determining if his alleged assassin was indeed employed by the military, has mysteriously disappeared.

The now deceased Smith, who was impli-

cated in the explosion that killed the historian and political activist some 34 years ago, was said to be a serving Sergeant and electronics expert attached to the Army during that time, although his service was denied by the then Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Norman Mc Lean.

Mc Lean had told the Commission that Smith was not an active member of the Force and when a photocopied form with regimental number 4141 was presented to him by Counsel for the Commission, Glen Hanoman, the retired Brigadier concluded it was a cut-and-paste document.

Head of the GDF General Personnel Department (GPD), Lieutenant Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James going through documents at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry

Patrick West had earlier this month informed the Commission about Smith’s missing file. West told the Commission that while he did not find

a Gregory Smith, records indicate that there was a “William Smith” in the Army during that period.

No record of dismissal

In fact, the records that he presented to the tribunal included a payroll, an alphabetic numbering ledger and the male numbering ledgerall with regimental number 4141 corresponding with the name William Smith. The records, however, show that Smith received a salary until June of 1979.

During his testimony, West said that the investigation, carried out by staff at the Army’s Personnel Department, showed that there was no record of the Sergeant being Struck Off Strength (SOS); Absent Without Leave (AWOL); deserting the Army or ever being dismissed.

He explained that if an officer is discharged, a notice is made, continuing that in excess

of seven days, the officer’s salary is withheld.

If the absence prolongs for 21 days, he is deemed AWOL. In such instance, the officers’ name will be published. However, no record of any such publication for Smith has been found.

Lieutenant Colonel James said his department, on June 13 last, had received a letter from the Army’s General Personnel Department, informing it of the missing file of officer 4141 W Smith.

Investigation

James, who is responsible for carrying out searches for the missing files of Army officers, said the investigation into the disappearance of Smith’s file is currently ongoing. So far, nothing has been uncovered.

Finance Minister’s referral to Privileges Committee:

Govt still to decide on whether to challenge ruling

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman

G

overnment is still to decide whether it will be challenging the decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman to refer Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to the Committee of Privileges over alleged breaches in the spending of funds.

On July 24, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had indicated that the Government would be exploring its options, but more than a month later a decision has not been made.

On Tuesday, Minister Nandlall told Guyana Times International that the Donald Ramotar Administration has not decided what course of action would be taken. Questioned whether a decision would be made before the parliamentary recess ends in October, he said “I believe so.”

The Speaker had ruled that a prima facie case has been made out against the Finance

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Minister in connection with the Gy$4.5 billion which was spent from the national coffers despite stern objections from the Oppositiondominated National Assembly.

Trotman delivered the ruling in July following the submission of a motion by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge which sought to commit Dr Singh to the Committee for appropriate sanctions to be imposed.

In his motion, Greenidge said although the National Assembly in April 2014 did not approve several programmes contained in the Budget, the Finance Minister on June 19 submitted Financial Paper No 1 of 2014 (Statement of Excess on the Current and Capital Estimates totalling Gy$4,553,761,991, for the period ended June 16, 2014) seeking the House’s approval of this expenditure.

Speaker’s ruling

Trotman, in his ruling, said that the 2014 National Budget was presented and dealt with in accordance with the ruling of the Acting Chief Justice filed on January 29.

It was stated too that the Finance Minister adopted the Committee of Supply’s recommendations for “amendments” to the Estimates and amended the Estimates in accordance with the ruling. “This was done when he (the Finance Minister) reported to the House after the Committee of Supply’s review.”

Subsequently, the House approved the Appropriation Bill No 10 of 2014, as amended by the Finance Minister. The Speaker further pointed out that “His Excellency, the President subsequently assented to the Appropriation Bill.

This then became an Act of Parliament (No 10 of 2014) giving authorisation for spending from the Consolidated Fund.”

Despite this Appropriation Bill being passed into law, Trotman said that Minister Singh proceeded to spend unauthorised funds.

But hours after this ruling by Trotman, Minister Nandlall said the motion was purely a legal one. “It concerns the interpretation of several provisions of the Constitution, including Articles 217 and 218. Article 217 essentially provides when and in what circumstances monies can be

withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund.”

He explained that Article 218 creates the avenue needed to withdraw monies from the Consolidated Fund outside of the limitation

imposed by Article 217.

According to him, Article 218 is but an exception to Article 217. “That is precisely why the wording of Article 218 succeeds the words of Article 217. These very

two Articles were examined by the Honourable Chief Justice in the Budget Cut case and interpreted along the same vein that I have articulated,” the Legal Affairs Minister stressed.

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamzone Summer Break ends on high note T

he 14th Edition of Hits and Jams Jamzone Summer Break ended on a high note on Sunday evening when the Beach Jam was hosted at the Water Park, Providence, East Bank Demerara which saw thousands in attendance.

Although, the beach and its facilities were not completed, the venue was filled with activities ranging from games for children, various competitions for adults and even a deejay sound clash.

Earlier in the day, patrons trickled into the newly built facility but at sunset, they came in their droves to be part of the late night affair.

During the day, close to Gy$400,000 were won by

A section of the massive crowd at the Beach Jam on Sunday

patrons as they played several games. The event provided a balance of activities for both children and adults.

When the event was advertised to be held at the Water Park, there were mixed reactions from the public but af-

ter witnessing the turnout on Sunday evening, without a doubt it was the perfect venue.

On this note, Kashif

Mohammed who attended the event praised the Hits and Jams team, especially directors, for a job well done.

He too admitted that the venue was an excellent choice for the hosting of the event, noting that patrons did not have to travel the long distance to the Splashmin’s Fun Park and Resort to partake in the fun.

He further added that venue is strategically placed to cater for persons on the West Coast, East Coast and even people from the Soesdyke area. With the new plans for the park which in-

clude water slides, a man-made beach, pool, restaurant and bar, he feels that it will be the ideal family oriented facility.

Three young ladies who were having a blast told Guyana Times International that the decision to bring the event closer to Georgetown was an excellent one, adding that patrons will no longer have to travel far distances after partying.

More so, with the new venue being strategically placed at Providence, they have more time to get their groves on.

An elated Rawle Ferguson, a Director of the Hits and Jams Entertainment, said that he was amazed at the amount of support they have received since the announcement of the new venue.

He said that while certain amenities were not ready for the event on Sunday evening, he promised that all will be in place for the 2015 event which he said will be ‘off the hook’.

Ferguson added that his staff worked around the clock to host the event and from all indications, he reiterated that it was indeed a success.

Pregnant woman remanded for allegedly trafficking in narcotics

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ppearing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday was a 21-yearold vendor who resides at Lot 25 Middle Street, McDoom, Greater Georgetown.

Shellon Hopkinson was remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to a possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge.

The charge alleged that on August 22 at McDoom, she had in her possession some 257 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The defendant was represented by Attorney George Thomas.

According to Attorney Thomas, his client lives in a two-bedroom apartment along with four other persons. He told the court that the substance was founded in a concealed place within the apartment and that she had no knowledge of the substance.

On the contrary, Police Prosecutor Joel Ricknaught stated that the defendant told the

Shellon Hopkinson

Police that she lives with her son in the house and that the Police found the cannabis in her bedroom.

The defendant is currently in a commonlaw relationship and is two months pregnant.

Thomas told the court that his client has no prior convictions and is willing to lodge her passport with the Police. He then requested reasonable bail for his client.

Bail was refused by the Magistrate and Hopkinson was remanded until September 18, where she is set to appear before the Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

13 Uncertainty over fees as UG reopens A news

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gy$63M cleared for organised crime HQ T

he headquarters of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will be constructed at a cost of Gy$63.1 million at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said on Tuesday, Cabinet signalled its no-objection for the construction of the unit.

The SOCU, which will be under the leadership of acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, will work closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The unit will investigate suspected financial transactions of money laundering and financing of terrorism, in keeping with Guyana’s treaty obligations to the Caribbean Financial

Action Task Force (CFATF).

The FIU was established under the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009, with the primary objective to monitor the financial sector, but with the operationalisation of the SOCU, the bar will be raised from monitoring to investigation.

The establishment of the SOCU was announced back in November 2013 in response to the Opposition’s refusal to support the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill.

The Gy$63.1 million approved for the construction of the SOCU’s headquarters was among 12 projects approved by Cabinet during its last sitting on Tuesday.

mid increased fees and initial uncertainty over the disbursement of funds to cover student loans, the University of Guyana (UG) reopened its Turkeyen Campus on Monday.

When UG went into recess in May of this year, students hadn’t the slightest clue that when the institution reopens, they would be faced with a hike in tuition fees.

One such student Sherene Craig expressed initial disappointment with the hike in tuition.

The third-year student explained that while she does not agree with the increases, she has to deal with it.

A second-year law student Keeona McKay was dismissive of the tuition increase. She pointed out that it was always said that education is one of the most expensive commodities and the increase just “snaps that reality back into place… it’s just a reminder of how much we have to pay to educate ourselves.”

However, another student Aleah Cummings said that because of the hike in tuition fees, she will no longer be able to pay her fees in cash,

The University of Guyana reopened its Turkeyen Campus on Monday following a hike in tuition fees

as she normally would.

The young lady said that for the remainder of her days at UG’s Turkeyen Campus, she will be studying via loans.

“I was already struggling to pay that amount and now I have to pay Gy$50,000 more, I can’t, I can’t do it, I will be taking the loans… its gonna be too much for my family,” the frustrated young woman opined.

Guyana Times International also spoke to some of the new students. Delisa Small is one of those students who said she was disappointed with not only the tuition increases but also the near crisis situation

with the loans. She explained that she will be paying for her studies by way of loans but feels the whole issue was politicised.

In July, the U n i v e r s i t y ’ s Administration Council adjusted fees applying to both new and continuing students who are pursuing programmes which previously attracted a fee of Gy$127,000.

Students are now required to pay an incremental increase beginning with Gy$130,000 in 2014; Gy$145,000 in 2015 and Gy$160,000 in 2016; in addition to the Gy$50,000 Facilities Fee.

The new Guyanese students who will be commencing their studies from September will be required to pay Gy$210,000, inclusive of the Facilities Fee for most programmes.

In 2013, approximately 40 per cent of the student population acquired loans; however with the increase in tuition, this figure is expected to skyrocket. Government has approved additional funds for the University of Guyana Student Loan Fund to facilitate the increase in tuition fees that will take full effect with the commencement of the new academic year 2014/2015.

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

BK Group hopes to push local tourism …with launch of airline

By Vahnu Manikchand

T

he BK International Group of Companies officially launched its JAGS Aviation airline on Monday afternoon at the Ogle International

Airport (OIA), promising to help promote tourism.

At a simple ceremony at the Wings Aviation Hangar, the airline was launched before a host of dignitaries. The airline will be providing domestic services to interior locations with a brand

new aircraft recently added to its fleet. The Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX, valued some US$3 million, has a seating capacity of 13, excluding the pilot. It is equipped with state-ofthe-art technology and is fully air conditioned.

Brian Tiwari escorting President Ramotar for a tour of the Cessna Grand Caravan, recently bought by JAGS Aviation

The BK Group is no stranger to the transportation sector with a history in the minibus and marine sub-sectors.

However, its entry into the aviation industry is the vision of the younger Tiwari generation, who will be leading the airline.

Guyana’s tourism product and wanted to invest; hence, the acquisition of JAGS Aviation.

She disclosed that the BK Group had acquired JAGS three months ago and began immediately investing in the company with a fleet expansion programme. This, ac-

amount of tourists each year,” she stated.

The young airline director noted that they are currently using the facility of Wings Aviation; however, they are currently engaged in negotiations for land to build a new hangar.

In delivering his fea-

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Transport Minister Robeson Benn along with Director of JAGS Aviation, Briony Tiwari inside the new Cessna Grand Caravan

One of the Directors, Briony Tiwari, told the gathering that they saw the potential of

cording to the Director, saw staff receiving training overseas and the recruitment of new personnel. Tiwari pointed out that the new Cessna Grand Caravan is outfitted to provide the highest standard of comfort for passengers.

The Director assured that her company will be continuing its efforts to improve the aviation sector by investing in new aircraft and higher standards of operations and customer care.

In addition, she pledged her commitment to investing in promoting the country’s tourism sector. “You will also see substantial investment in the promotion of Guyana as a destination for international and domestic tourism… we want to encourage everyone in the tourism and transportation sectors to work together to quickly bring Guyana’s tourism infrastructure to the place where we are hosting a substantial

ture address, President Donald Ramotar pointed out that for too long Guyana has been the best kept secret, but it is now putting its tourism products out there.

He highlighted the importance of air transportation for the various sectors, particularly mining.

According to the President, milestones such as this are possible after Government would have invested in the sector. On this note, he mentioned the importance of proper facilities referencing the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project.

Meanwhile, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali also spoke about the gains the tourism sector has made over the years. He noted that Government has made provisions for any company that invests in the aviation sector, in order to boost tourism transportation within and outside of Guyana.

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PPP/C seeks ‘national front alliance’

T

General Secretary Clement Rohee

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) said it is moving to establish a broad national democratic front, ahead of the next General Elections.

The outcome of the 2011 General and Regional Elections had left the ruling party with a slim one-seat minority Government for the first time.

The PPP/C garnered 32 seats in the National Assembly while its opponents, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) collectively acquired 33 seats.

Speaking at Freedom House on Monday, the General Secretary Clement Rohee disclosed that the Party is on a path of establishing a broad national democratic front.

Heartened

Though declining to reveal greater details, Rohee said PPP/C is “heartened” by the overwhelming interest shown by “a large number” of civic and political stakeholders in the establishment of such an alliance.

Of recent, the ruling party has had several discussions with stakeholders and interest groups on the country’s political climate.

Those present were assured that Guyanese will benefit significantly from higher levels of transparency and accountability through shared governance.

“The party is satisfied that its ideology, political principles and track record have managed to attract so many stakeholders who are interested in this national democratic platform to build and further develop Guyana,” Rohee told reporters.

Contrary to some reports, he said “more and more stakeholders” are

condemning the actions by the Opposition to stymie development and cripple country’s progress.

“The party’s engagement in a wide range of stakeholders has revealed that resentment is growing increasingly as a result of the Opposition’s misuse of parliamentary power and the abuse of their one seat majority,” he added.

The APNU led by David Granger had endorsed the notion of shared governance but said there were genuine concerns.

Rohee said it is the Opposition that is doing all in its power to create strife and diminish the hopes of having shared governance.

Realities

Rohee noted that the party maintains the view that any proposal for shared governance has to be based on the social, political and cultural realities in Guyana and not be used to score cheap political points.

Shared governance has been a long debated subject in Guyana’s political realm dating back to1957 when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) under the leadership of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan attempted to form a broad united front to contest the General Elections; a move which would have seen a government of national unity.

At the time, Forbes Burnham had rejected the notion of “shared governance”. But approximately 54 years after, APNU has reintroduced the concept, calling for a government of national unity.

APNU is a coalition which is dominated by the People’s National Congress (PNC), a party formed following the

1957 General Elections

by Burnham.

Since then, APNU has come in for severe criticism, not because it championed the cause for “shared governance” months ahead of the 2011 General and Regional Elections, but because it has instead failed to advance the notion.

Back in 2011, the coalition comprising the PNCR, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Guyana Action Party (GAP) and National Front Alliance (NFA) had said that constitutional and institutional reforms were necessary for the realisation of shared governance.

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Woman charged over stabbing death of Better Hope ‘peacemaker’

The house where Sugrim was killed

Dead: Bharrat “Lusty” Sugrim

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woman who was held by police along with her reputed husband has been charged in the stabbing death of Bharrat Sugrim of 285 Better Hope North, East Coast Demerara, whose body was found on Sunday in a yard at South Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

She is expected to appear in court shortly.

A senior officer attached to Police ‘C’ Division confirmed to this publication that, based on police investigations, the woman and her reputed were drinking when the two of them

got into a fight. The officer said that Sugrim then got involved as a peacemaker to part the fight when the woman reportedly stabbed him to his heart several times.

The police said that after both the woman and her reputed husband were taken into police custody for investigations, the woman confessed that she did the killing.

According to the senior officer, the woman is to be placed before the courts for the killing of the man while her husband will be charged for violent behaviour.

On Sunday, the police issued a release saying that “the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Bharrat Sugrim, called “Lusty”, 37 years, of Better Hope, ECD, who was found in a yard at Cummings Lodge, ECD, with stab wounds to his chest, at about 1430hrs on Sunday August 24, 2014.

A man and a woman are in police custody as-

Pomeroon miner charged with rape

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25-year-old rape accused was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Wakenaam Magistrate’s Court.

Trevoun James, a miner of Grant Canaan, Lower Pomeroon was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that he on August 24 raped a 20-year-old.

According to the police facts, at around 3am, the complainant went to her home at Charity, Essequibo Coast and went to bed. She later heard a sound and saw a male person but didn’t

recognize him. The man then choked her and held a knife to her throat, pulled her underwear down then had sex with her. After committing the act, the man left and she immediately called her boyfriend who took her to the police station.

After investigations, the suspect was arrested.

Bail was refused by the Magistrate, and James who was not represented was remanded to prison until September 22 when the matter is expected to be called again at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

sisting with the investigations.”

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Regional fisheries body to make argument before international court

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he Caribbean Regional Fisheries M e c h a n i s m (CRFM) says it will present oral arguments to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany next month in response to a request for an advisory opinion on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in African waters.

ITLOS, which is made up of 21 Judges, including two from the Caribbean – Judge Dolliver Nelson (Grenada), and Judge Anthony Amos Lucky (Trinidad and Tobago) – is hearing oral submissions from States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Organisations with an interest in the subject.

CRFM legal counsel Professor Pieter Bekker of the United Kingdombased Dundee University will join representatives of nine countries and the SRFC, the European Union (EU), and the International Union for the Conservation

of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) on September 5 in presenting oral arguments.

“The hearing is as important to the Caribbean as it is to the States that have sought advice, as it could set significant precedents for the way illegal fishing is dealt with in the future,” said CRFM executive director Milton Haughton.

Enterprise “IUU fishing is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that inflicts great economic and environmental harm on States that are victims, especially developing countries such as CARICOM countries, with limited capacity for monitoring, control and enforcement of their fisheries laws,” he added.

The SRFC is seeking advice in response to four questions namely, what are the obligations of the flag State in cases where illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities are conducted within the Exclusive Economic Zone of third party States; to what extent shall the

flag State be held liable for IUU fishing activities conducted by vessels sailing under its flag.

It is also seeking advice where a fishing license is issued to a vessel within the framework of an international agreement with the flag State or with an international agency, shall the State or international agency be held liable for the violation of the fisheries legislation of the coastal State by the vessel in question and what are the rights and obligations of the coastal State in ensuring the sustainable management of shared stocks and stocks of common interest, especially the small pelagic species and tuna.

The case was initiated on March 28, last year when the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) representing seven African States sought the Tribunal’s assistance regarding IUU fishing by vessels registered in foreign States within waters under the national jurisdiction or control of its members and on the High Seas. (CMC)

NOC sex allegations file sent to DPP for advice

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Crime Chief Leslie James

rime Chief Leslie James has reported the completion of the close to three-month long investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) located at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast.

Speaking to Guyana Times International on Sunday, James said the investigations have been completed and the files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further advice.

However, the DPP, he noted, is seeking some additional information.

According to him, this should be made available in a week’s time.

James had told this publication in an earlier

interview that the Police had travelled to as far as Berbice to carry out their investigation, which implicates four officials at the juvenile correctional facility. The allegations of abuse had been made by four female teenagers. The young girls were later removed by the Child Care and Protection Agency, which had approached the Police with the complaints.

The allegations of sexual and physical abuse at the institution came to light in May, earlier this year, when four teenage girls alleged that they were being sexually molested by male officials at the institution.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony had earlier indicated that his Ministry

was making moves to reform its policies to bring much needed regulation at the State’s juvenile detention centre, amid the damning allegations.

He had also announced plans to build separate campuses to prevent both boys and girls sharing the same living quarters and other facilities.

Former students at the institution had also spoken out about the conditions under which they were disciplined. Reports were made about students being sent to the “quiet room”. Officials at the institution had said the students are sent there for “reflection”.

GTI was informed of students being placed in the “quiet room” for up to one month, when the law stipulates that they can be there just for 24 hours.

The NOC made headlines once again just over five months ago when news of a breakout surfaced. On March 22, four female students reportedly absconded from the institution. Two female staff members made efforts to prevent the girls from leaving, but were unsuccessful. Sometime later, four males also escaped.

News

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Australian company investing US$87M in Guyana’s mining sector

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roy Resources is looking at starting up its mining operations in Guyana mid-next year even as it made a Gy$1.1B purchase of equipment from a local firm.

Last Saturday, the Australia-based mining company received over Gy$1.1 billion of equipment for the Karouni Project, Cuyuni, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni). This purchase represents the single largest purchase ever of Doosan equipment in Latin America or the Caribbean, the gold-mining firm said in a statement. The equipment purchased from local company, Farm Supplies Limited, is in keeping with Troy Resources commitment to purchase equipment, services and supplies, when available locally. This, the company noted, is to ensure that, beyond its commitment to develop a worldclass mine and invest in Guyana, the spin-off from its investment is multiplied through additional local purchases.

In addition to delivery of the equipment, Farm Supplies Limited

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds and Natural Resources and the Environment Minister, Robert Persaud, pose with officials of Troy Resources at the handing over of the new equipment

will also provide training for its Guyanese operators and technicians, in the use and maintenance of the new equipment. The equipment handed over include 12 Doosan DA40 Trucks and 3 Doosan DX 500 Excavators.

The Karouni Project is into intense preparations for the construc-

tion phase with works to be carried out for the installation of the ball mill, mine operations, employees’ housing and other critical infrastructural works.

CEO of Troy Resources, Ken Nilsson, explained that the Karouni Project must also be seen as an investment in Guyana, not only

via taxes and royalties, but in terms of contributing to employment, purchases and infrastructural development. The company, he explained, wants to ensure that both their shareholders and local interests are satisfied, thereby ensuring a win-win situation.

Troy Resources Guyana Inc. is expected

to complete the construction of its US$87 million dollar mine in the West Omai region before the middle of 2015. Once completed, the Mine will employ approximately 300 persons including contractors.

The Australian exploration and mining company will be developing an area west of

Omai with the anticipation of raking in an annual production of 90,000 ounces of gold over a seven-year period. Production, however, in the first 12 months is projected at 102,000 ounces of gold, with production commencing between December 2014 to February 2015.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission had said previously that this project augurs well for the country in terms of foreign exchange earnings, our GDP, our employment generation capabilities,” said an optimistic Williams.

Troy Resources Limited has been in operation since 1987.

However, it was during the period 19982004 that it operated the Conishman Gold Mine in Australia and the Bulchina Gold Mine (1999-2004). In 2006, it expanded operations to South America, operating gold mines in Brazil and Argentina.

After acquiring Azimuth Resources (West Omai Project) in 2013, it moved to purchase the ball mill for the Karouni Project in November 2013.

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At 14, Abhi Dev scores 17 subjects at CSEC − talks about boys’ underperformance

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orn on February 13, 2000, Abhimanyu Dev was the number four student at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) of 2009, at the tender age of nine.

He needed permission from the Education Ministry to enter Leonora Primary in the Third Grade at the age of five plus. Entering Queen’s, he chose the science stream in the Third Form and said he enjoyed playing cricket and spending time with his friends the most.

At the age of 14, he decided to write 17 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) — conscious of the fact, he said, that his sister Guyana Times’ columnist Anu Dev, had topped the Caribbean overall and in Science in 2011.

Guyana Times (GTimes) did not notice any boys from Queen’s in the top 52 students achieving 11 Grade Ones and above.

Since the top NGSA boys routinely choose Queens, we asked Abhi — via the email since he is vacationing in New York — about why boys underperform at CSEC. GTimes: In your view, do you think the school curriculum and teaching methods have a role to play in boys’ underperformance?

Abhimanyu Dev: I think that the curricula for each field are adequate for their respective streams, for both genders. It covers what

Abhimanyu Dev (centre) with friends at QC’s graduation

needs to be covered and I don’t think it’s a factor in boys’ underperformance. What may be a problem; however, is the method of teaching adopted by most of the high schools. Typically, teaching is done with the students sitting quietly in the classroom, reading, writing and listening to ultimately focus on their work. While this sounds good on paper, this system is impossible to work on most children, and more specifically, on boys.

At this age, boys are in a mindset of restlessness, willing to rebel against the generation gap (and so against their teachers). Girls, on the other hand (for the most part), are content to quietly focus solely on their work, maturing faster than boys and using the discipline that was cultivated during puberty to work with the system.

For whatever reason,

no boy wants to look like a “nerd”. At least from personal experience, after some hours of pure text and tests, the attention of boys tends to waver, focusing on things that seem more important or exciting to them.

This is only natural; this is how we are socialised at this age.

However, at the higher levels, this aforementioned system works fine on both genders, as both boys and girls would have matured enough to develop concentration and discipline to focus on what is really important: the schoolwork. This can be noted at the CAPE [Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination] examination level, where boys not only match the performance of girls but sometimes outperform them.

GTimes: Boys generally shy away from debates and presentations, preferring to be engaged

more in sport. What strategy did QC utilise to get their involvement in the former activities?

Abhimanyu Dev: Queen’s College has a number of clubs that are open to both genders.

For example, the debate club, which is quite active, consists of mostly girls and only a few boys.

So yes, boys definitely shy away from such activities that require just displaying intellectual depth.

However, even though we heard about past great debaters like Walter Rodney, QC did not utilise any strategy to attempt to specifically involve boys in these activities. Instead, they left it to a voluntary choice to the student.

GTimes: Is the poor performance of boys a result of poor role models in the school system? Do you think that a lack of presence of male teachers in the school system

is contributing to the problem?

Abhimanyu Dev: The problem isn’t the sex of the teachers; it is the competence of the teachers, regardless of their gender. At least personally, I was able to identify more with certain subjects that had competent teachers that cared not only about their students, but about their subject. For example, Miss Samantha Liverpool who made Information Technology a subject that students looked forward to, and Miss Fazia Baksh, who transformed the tedious (in my opinion) subject of Geography to an exciting one.

There were quite a number of male teachers in the school system actually, none of whom could have been viewed as role models in the slightest, as well as a number of female teachers. It doesn’t matter if

the student or teacher is male or female, once the teacher is passionate about both the subject and his/her students, then the subject itself is made enjoyable to all.

GTimes: Tell us a little about your preparation for exams Abhimanyu Dev: Other than the teaching in school, I relied on the textbooks and a few online courses. My father attempted to go through the syllabi with me as he’d done with my sister, but in his opinion I “resisted”. I checked with him on areas I had doubts about.

Ideally, the best way to prepare yourself for these examinations is to work every past paper that is attainable for each subject and to carefully stick to the syllabi.

In some cases, external lessons may be helpful, if teaching at school may be inadequate. For example, the only lesson I went to was Miss Candida Williams’ lessons for Spanish, which proved to be enormously helpful as Spanish is one of my weaker subjects.

All in all, my personal preparations for the CSEC examinations were never enough, as I basically took the exam for granted, through heavy procrastination, earning me nine Grade Ones and eight Grade Twos, instead of the coveted 17 ones. The biggest part of preparation for any examination is discipline — where I lagged. continued on page 23

Guyana, UNDP ink major biodiversity agreement

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Project document between the Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was signed on Friday, aimed at mainstreaming biodiversity practices in Guyana’s goldmining sector.

The document was signed by Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Joslyn Mackenzie and Guyana’s UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, who witnessed the signing, pointed out that the agreement reiterated the country’s commitment towards biodiversity regulations.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Joslyn Mackenzie and UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa exchange copies of the signed agreement on biodiversity practices. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud looks on

He explained that among the expectations is to integrate biodiversity in the mining school programme to help miners understand the regulatory framework and what is required of them

in their day-to-day activities.

The Minister stated that Government continues to be concerned about the impact of mining on biodiversity and has taken note and has

been acting accordingly to minimise the harm posed.

He pointed out also that while Government seeks to protect the country’s biodiversity, it must also ensure that

mining activities are not reduced in the process, recognising that mining remains one of the drivers of deforestation.

The US$803,653 agreement is a threeyear project funded by the Global Environment Facility and collaborates with Guyana’s work towards the formulation of a similar project for the mining and forestry sectors.

It will receive parallel funding from other agencies, including the Natural Resources Ministry; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

The agreement will enable the monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations

and codes of practice.

It will also enhance the capacity of mining and miners so that activities will be favourable to biodiversity, while at the same time, strengthen the EPA’s role in oversight of mining practices and increased satellite tracking, among others. It will as well, help to ensure that Guyana honours its international commitments.

Musa said it was important that not only Guyana, but all other countries where there are mining activities, ensure that biodiversity is not destroyed in the process.

She expressed the hope that Guyana would take advantage of the new technology which exists and says work will continue to ensure that biodiversity is protected.

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New programme launched Guyanese Police to intensify efforts to regain public confidence to boost air traffic surveillance in Guyana

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he aviation sector in Guyana is now better positioned to manage its airspace and the safety of air traffic as the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Thursday launched the Automatic Dependence Surveillance Broadcast Project.

The project is part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) global plan for the seamless transition of flights through the world’s airspace. At the launch, Transport Minister Robeson Benn said the project is indeed a significant achievement for the transport sector, more so the aviation sector, as the demands have been growing over the years.

The Minister pointed out that this project now provides a more advanced means of air surveillance and air safety.

Currently, the aviation sector manages the air space while depending mainly on procedural activities, and heavily on the engagement training of air traffic controllers on radio sets.

Against this back-

Transport Minister Robeson Benn

drop, Minister Benn said this new monitoring system represents a great leap forward to a new level on how the aviation sector manages its air space and traffic.

“We know it has been implemented in other countries, and it affords seamless interface between other countries as it will allow for efficient, safe and comprehensive operation and a better overall management of the air-safety control.”

Minister Benn also welcomed the initiative against the backdrop that over the years, there has been a significant increase in domestic flights in local airspace, as well as an increase in international air traffic.

Next-generation technology

ADS-B is a nextgeneration surveillance technology incorporating both air and ground aspects that provide a more accurate picture of the three-dimensional position of the aircraft.

The system is a cooperative surveillance technology in which the aircraft avionics determines position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it, enabling it to be tracked. The system will be operated by the Air Traffic Control Tower in Timehri.

GCAA Director General Zulficar Mohamed said the new technology is in keeping with its modernisation drive, noting that it is a step in the right direction.

Naya Zamana hopes to thrill Guyanese with “A Royal Twist”

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Naya Zamana 19 is expected to be a show to remember

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s 19th instalment of Naya Zamana, one of Guyana’s most awaited dance and theatrical productions, will be staged at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on August 30 at 20:00h.

This year’s production, described as a theatrical extravaganza, is called “A Royal Twist”.

The story covers two eras and, as the name suggests, will be replete with fabulous dances, resplendent costumes, magnificent sets and intense drama.

Director and Choreographer of the production, Dr Vindhya Persaud, has been work-

ing long hours with the 70-member cast to achieve the perfect visuals for her story, an original one which she has penned.

According to Dr Persaud, this year’s production has allowed her to let her imagination run riot in crafting a script which conjures up the splendour and romance of a bygone era, as well as the drama of present day.

With numerous dance styles being featured, a talented cast, majestic sets and costumes and the inclusion of the E-Networks band, which features musicians from India and Guyana, the production

is bound to sparkle in every way. Costumes and sets have been designed

by Trishala Persaud.

Playing the lead roles are Dr Indhira Harry as the actress turned Director; Riya Patel, US-based choreographer and dancer Noman Ahmad as the debonair Sid Sharma; Zahrah Alli as the famous Mughal dancer Anarkali; Ravi as Prince Saleem and Nazim Hussain as Emperor Akbar.

Recent winner of the E-Networks Emerging Voices Competition, Vishale Sukram, makes her debut at the National Cultural Centre in this production. The show is a must see.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud interacts with Albouystown residents during one of their exercises

BY VAHNU MANICKCHAND

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cting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud says the community projects being executed by the Guyana Police Force are proving beneficial as the crime rates in those areas are on the decline.

Speaking with the media, Persaud noted that while it is too early to evaluate and assess the overall projects, it is now clear that those who were previously idle and liming are now channelling their energies towards these projects.

He pointed out that the Impact Albouystown Project has seen a reduction of crime in neighbouring communities.

Persaud said that the rate of serious crimes last year had increased from 2012 and for this year, there was an increase in serious crimes up to the month of March.

The Police Commissioner proudly

stated that as of current, the serious-crimes rate has decreased by nine per cent when compared to last year. Additionally, Persaud mentioned that there are a lot of positives coming out of these engagements.

“In Albouystown, for example, there were cosmetology courses, people have been trained and are now operating beauty salons; there was training in cooking as well. I think all those persons are now certified now by Carnegie and they are working to supply restaurants and snackettes”.

He added that “There are persons who were limers and are now involved in block making.

We have provided markets and provided some materials for them so they are actually earning by conventional means”.

The Commissioner said the Force is also working on the youth by building facilities for them so that they can direct their energies to con-

structive activities such as sports. He noted that the with Albouystown Project, they are currently working on improving the playfield on Independence Boulevard and have plans in store to develop the playfield in St Steven’s Street.

According to Persaud on West Demerara, the commander there, ‘D’ Division Commander Ian Amsterdam, has a different strategy in place to boost community development.

“He is pulling on board all the people that were doing youth work, whether religious or otherwise, and they meet monthly and try to boost what individually they are doing,” Persaud noted.

Over the past few months, the Police Force has been engaged in a number of activities as they seek to regain the confidence of the public while at the same time strengthening their relationship with citizens.

ited him in hospital, and were in constant communication with his wife Christine and offered support.

The party expressed appreciation to Dr Rohan Somar, Sankar Nirahu and Kamla Balbachan-Frank for their timely initiatives.

The party will be represented at the funeral services and cremation by its leader Khemraj Ramjattan, Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo and Executive, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, all three of whom are also Members of Parliament.

Peters enjoyed a distinguished career as a Berbician cricketer and

courageous political activist that spanned over 40 years.

Formerly from Whim Village on the Corentyne, Peters was to become a leader of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), and an organiser for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), from which he resigned.

He enlisted in the AFC for the 2006 and 2011 elections, and became one of the party’s members in the USA. Before his passing, Peters had drafted a campaign song and an election manifesto and celebrated the AFC’s no-confidence motion against the minority Government.

AFC mourns passing of NY official

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he Alliance For Change (AFC) is mourning the passing of Lionel Peters, one of its “foremost fighters”, who died peacefully after prolonged illness, in New York on Saturday morning.

In a statement, the AFC said at the time of his death, Peters was the Chairman/General Secretary of the AFC’s New York/New Jersey Chapter and in the past held the position of Chairman of the Queens, New York section. He also served the AFC as a co-opted member of the party’s Management Committee.

During his prolonged illness and his final days, AFC’s leaders vis-

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Way cleared for fourth tranche of Norway forest funds

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon

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ead of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon on Thursday said now that all of the necessary procedures have been completed, the fourth payment under the Governments of Guyana and Norway partnership should be made available.

“This initiative, for all intents and purposes is under continuous review and reporting to the Norwegian Government… the payment that we get is a reflection of our performance and the way in which we have met the indicators used to assign the volume of payments for a participating party to receive…. So if we match the indicators to the max, we get a maximum payment and if we fall short of our obligations, then our payments will reflect the deductions of equivalent deductions in the extent to which we shortfall,” the Cabinet Secretary told reporters at his weekly news briefing.

Deforestation

The historic GuyanaNorway partnership agreement was signed in 2009, when the latter had committed to providing Guyana with up to US$250 million by 2015 for avoided deforestation once certain performance

indicators are met.

He clarified impressions that are being created that payment is held up and informed the media that verification, which is one of the procedures that has to be undertaken, was only recently completed.

“We expect shortly to be advised about the payments to be made to Guyana since we have completed all the requirements for the fourth payment.”

Dr Luncheon described the Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) system as a success story at both the national and sub-national levels.

“Its success has been such that even in hinterland communities, MRVs are being resorted to as a sub-national model for what we conceived and agreed with the Norwegians as a national model,” Dr Luncheon said.

Collaboration

Guyana has developed a good collaborative mechanism with the relevant local agencies such as the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Office of Climate Change (OCC) and the Project Management Office at the Office of the President to ensure that the country fulfils its obligations under this part-

nership to the best of its ability.

These local agencies in turn, have all been collaborating with their international counterparts and the result of that collaboration has been instructive. Guyana has undertaken not to issue new leases in the forestry sector and to maintain a certain range in its deforestation rate.

Meanwhile, the Norwegians’ Real Time Evaluation Report on Norway international Climate and Forest Initiative that summarises the partnerships support under this programme over the period 2007-2013, released its report on Guyana on Monday. The report, according to the Guyana Forestry Commission, points to an overall, positive performance of Guyana in key technical areas of REDD+ and highlights the exemplary work done by Guyana in developing a system for monitoring, reporting and verification for forest and REDD+.

The evaluation report also lauded the extensive efforts that have been expended by Guyana and the GFC in opening up national systems for independent third- party scrutiny.

The evaluation report notes that the GuyanaNorway partnership has been highly successful at developing national-level monitoring, reporting and verification systems, and reasonably successful at developing a financial mechanism for REDD+ payments.

The system has now successfully completed three rounds of reporting and independent verification, and two rounds of payments have been made to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund.

Boy, 9, dies after stung by Africanised bees

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i n e - y e a r old Romesh Samaroo called “Krish” of Lima Village on the Essequibo Coast on Saturday succumbed to an attack from African bees on Tuesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

He was a student of Sparta Primary School.

According to relatives, Samaroo on Tuesday was riding his bicycle through a street at La Belle Alliance when he was

Dead: Romesh Samaroo

attacked by the bees.

According to relatives, a few boys from the village were playing cricket when the ball went into a bushy area and disturbed the bees. The relatives say the other boys were also attacked, but they jumped into a nearby trench.

Residents say the vacant lot close to the street has a lot of bushes which are harbouring the bees and despite complaints to regional officials, nothing has been done.

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Former soldier accused of torching house, attempted murder

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What remains of the house owned by Rawle Glasgow

awle Glasgow, a former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant who allegedly set his house on fire with his wife and two children inside was on Friday charged with arson and attempting to commit murder.

The father of two made his first court appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zorina Ali and the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty after the Administration of Justice Act was applied.

The security guard was subsequently remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on September 12.

The father of two went berserk two Sundays ago and set his Enterprise,

East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on fire after threatening to kill his wife during an argument. He committed the act while his wife, son and daughter were in the house.

The arsonist was subsequently taken into Police custody as he turned up at the Georgetown Public Hospital seeking medical attention after he allegedly consumed a poisonous substance. He was under close arrest until Friday after he was slapped with the two charges.

As result of his action, his wife Dianne Nestor sustained lacerations to the body while his daughter Shaneze Nestor and son “Rawlo” also received bodily injuries.

According to information gathered, the

man armed himself with a knife and cutlass and threatened to kill his wife after accusing her of being unfaithful.

A scuffle ensued between the man and his son. Instead of leaving the home, Glasgow reportedly went to a nearby table, collected the flammable substance and set the house on fire, resulting in his wife and two children scampering to safety.

He subsequently escaped to his sister’s home in Enmore, East Coast Demerara and while there, he drank the poisonous substance.

He was taken to the Enmore Health Centre but was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was there he was arrested.

At 14, Abhi Dev scores...

from page 21

GTimes: Your sister was a top student; did she give you any advice and coaching?

Abhimanyu Dev: My sister coached me both indirectly and directly. From her monumental success, I was motivated to write 17 subjects in one go. It wasn’t only a case of sibling rivalry, I was given big shoes to fill and I wanted to do my best to full them. As a past student of Queen’s College, and one who experienced the stress of CSEC, my sister gave me critical advice and coached me in one of her stronger subjects, Additional Mathematics.

GTimes: At nine you were one of the country’s top NGSA students.

How did this impact your overall approach to high school?

Abhimanyu Dev: After some time in high school, NGSA results

were forgotten among students, including me.

However, going into high school, I’m sure I took most of the new subjects for granted and there was some degree of arrogance towards them.

This, along with me being surrounded by brilliant people who took their work extremely seriously, I was never the “top student” throughout my entire life at Queen’s College.

GTimes: What are your long- term career goals?

Abhimanyu Dev: Though I’ve been in the science stream so far, I have switched to Law in pursuit of being a Corporate Lawyer. My eventual goal is to have a PhD in this field, which may entail studies in England.

GTimes: Who and what would you credit your success to?

Abhimanyu Dev:

Though I personally am not pleased with my performance, I’d attribute this success first to Mother Saraswati, for assisting me in the path of knowledge. Mainly, I’d credit this success to my parents and sister, who gave me the strength and motivation to do what I did. Secondly, to my friends who all went through the same stress that I did, but we went through it together.

GTimes: Final thoughts?

Abhimanyu Dev: There is a lesson to be learnt in everything, and the CSEC examinations were no exception.

Natural intelligence only counts for about 10 per cent of the test. The rest is up to your ability to rise to the occasion and put in total concentration to achieve your goals, whatever they may be.

Knowledge may come, but wisdom will linger.

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Guyana’s hotel industry IDB highlights catalytic developing rapidly - Ali role of women-led SMEs –says over 300 new rooms added in last three years

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ourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali said there has been an upswing in the country’s hotel industry with over 300 new rooms added to the sector in the past three years.

This, he said, is with the exception of the Marriott and the Sun and Sand hotels (two fivestar internationally renowned brands) that are yet to come on stream.

He said in countries with stronger tourism-based economies, growth has not been realised and as such, the tourism industry as a whole must be lauded. At the time, Ali was speaking at the launch of JAGS Aviation on Monday.

Economy

“Point me to one economy in the Region where tourism is the base of that economy that had investment of more than 300 new rooms in that country… this speaks to a very important issue.

The issue of confidence in the economy, confidence in where Guyana is going, confidence in where the sector is going and confidence in the vision that we have developed to take Guyana forward,” Minister Ali posited.

Guyana’s tourism sector is expected to be boosted significantly with the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the con-

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

struction of the Marriott Hotel, as both projects have the potential to transform the country into a modernised and more developed nation.

These will stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities, as well as improve and increase Guyana’s capacity to attract more tourists.

While much more attention needs to be paid to the issue of marketing Destination Guyana, the country’s economy is very diverse, and as such, its resources have to be directed to several areas including hinterland development, mining, agriculture, and forestry (all of which form the core of the economy). This is quite in contrast to countries such as Jamaica, Barbados, and other regional na-

tions, which can afford to spend large sums on tourism marketing, because they depend solely on tourism.

Minister Ali said the Government recognises that it must invest in marketing to attract investments and people (tourists). To this end, the country has sought to promote its eco-tourism product, which is unique, in such a way so as to attract its target market. Guyana was prominently featured in an eight-page spread in the prestigious Fortune 500 Magazine, and it was rated as one of 50 destinations that must be visited in a lifetime by the BBC. Further, the TV series “Gold Rush” featured the country for an entire season.

This show was rated as the number one Friday night programme on the Discovery Channel in the United States.

Next month, the Discovery Channel will be returning to Guyana to film two episodes for season three of the series “Naked and Afraid”.

The National Geographic Traveler Magazine lists Guyana as one of 21 must-see destinations in 2014, along with places such as Cape Verde, Italy; Nahanni National Park, Canada; New Orleans, Louisiana; the Northern Territory, Australia; and Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda.

No arrests yet for waitress’s murder

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our days after 48-year-old Debbie Blackman was shot and killed in a D’Urban Street Chinese restaurant in Georgetown, no arrests have been made.

On Saturday last around 19:30h, Blackman, of Critchlow Circle, Tucville, Georgetown, was in the Delicious Chinese Restaurant when two men on a motorcycle pulled up outside and the pillion rider entered the restaurant. He ordered and paid for a meal before pulling out a firearm and discharging rounds at the waitress.

The woman was shot twice, once to her shoulder and once to her neck.

The man then escaped along with his accomplice. While persons are baffled as to the motive behind the murder, investigators believe that it might be a foiled robbery. Fortunately, the restaurant was equipped

Dead: Debra Blackman

with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and a copy of the footage was handed over to the Police.

According to information reaching Guyana Times International, the two perpetrators have been positively identified by investigators and ranks are combing several communities in the city in an effort to apprehend the two suspects.

Further information

revealed that based on the way the men operated on the night of the shooting, the Police believe that they might have been monitoring the business place before launching their attack.

According to information received, no one else was in the restaurant. A young woman had left just seconds prior to the shooting. It had been reported that the two young men walked into the restaurant and ordered a chicken fried rice and waited until it was prepared.

As the waitress brought out the food, one of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it at Blackman, who attempted to run.

The gunman then opened fire, striking the woman after which she fell to the ground.

Blackman had worked at the restaurant for the past 11 years. She leaves to mourn her four daughters and one son.

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he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and its Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) will host the 13th Annual Summit of the Global Banking Alliance for Women (GBA) at its headquarters in Washington, DC. The three-day event, to be held September 1719, brings together representatives from the banking sector, governments, leading non-governmental organisations, and the development finance community to exchange best practices and discuss business models that help build women’s wealth worldwide.

The summit will feature a Special Forum on “Achieving Sustainability through the Female Economy” on Thursday, September 18, which will focus on the link between corporate sustainability and serving the women’s market, as well as the power of data in advancing the business case for women’s financial inclusion.

IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and Chris Sullivan, Chair of GBA and Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, will deliver opening remarks at the forum.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, wom-

IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno

en-led Small, Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) make up a high-growth, yet underserved segment of the economy – the financing gap is the highest in the world at an estimated $85 billion.

To provide incentives to banks and other financial intermediaries to test innovative, inclusive lending models, the IDB launched in 2012 the women entrepreneurshipBanking (weB) programme, a joint effort between the IDB’s Structured and Corporate Finance Department and the MIF. Under this programme, more than US$110 million in loans and technical assistance has been approved for 11 banks in the Region to increase the access to credit for over 100,000 wom-

en-led SMEs during the next five years.

As sponsors of GBA, the IDB and the MIF encourage financial institutions in the Region that are interested in taking advantage of the women’s business market to attend this year’s GBA Annual Summit.

Interested banks can contact Laura Giraldo to request further information.

The GBA is a global consortium of financial institutions driving women’s wealth creation.

GBA members include 39 financial institutions that work in more than 135 countries to build innovative, comprehensive programmes that provide women entrepreneurs with vital access to finance, information, education and networking opportunities.

Packed agenda for Education Month 2014

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ctivities for this year’s Education Month observance will start off with a grand interfaith church service in Region Seven on August 31, while the official launch will be held in Region One. The month of September has been designated Education Month and this year the month is being observed under the theme “Literate by Grade 4 through consistent home, school, and community involvement”.

As part of the observance, several “Face the community” meetings have been planned for every administrative region where Education Minister Priya Manickchand will be addressing residents and other stakeholders.

Other activities will include empowerment talks, a logo competition, and library science workshop for teachers of Region Two, exhibitions, literacy camps and rallies, and Spelling Bee competitions,

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

said the Government Information Agency (GINA).

During the monthlong celebration, there will also be the launch of the Sports for Development Programme, which will be held in Bartica, the inter-secondary schools volleyball tournament with participation from schools in Region One, as well as exchange visits among schools in Region Seven.

In Region Five, there will be the teachers’ debating competition, the operation CARE rally,

elocution competition for students, as well as the Spelling for Life competition.

Activities slated for Region Six include a steel band presentation, and face the community meetings.

During the month, several outstanding persons in the education sector will be awarded for their contributions and efforts.

There will also be several national conversations with teachers and other stakeholders on the Guyana Learning Channel.

News

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“We were able to put a dent in the drug trade” - Head of CANU

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he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Friday morning destroyed in excess of Gy$5 billion in cocaine and marijuana that were seized through several operations in 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.

The drugs, which totalled close to two tonnes, were set alight in the presence of media operatives, members of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Fire Service on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

A total of 1970 kilograms of marijuana with a street value of Gy$196 million and 730 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of Gy$5.2 billion, were destroyed.

The value was calculated on the basis of prices in the US and Europe, since the drugs were destined for those countries. The estimated cost per kilo of cocaine in Europe is reportedly 45,000 Euro, while in the US it is being sold at US$35,000.

Head of CANU James Singh at the destruction exercise told media op-

Close to two tonnes of drugs as they were prepared for destruction

eratives that the drugs were found at airports and during other operations throughout the country. He also added that apart from Europe and the US, some of the drugs were destined for other parts of the Caribbean and Canada.

Singh noted that ever so often drug mules find the most innovative

ways to export the illegal substance, but with the establishment of the task force by the Home Affairs Ministry, they were able to put a dent in the drug trade.

He made reference to the semi-submersible vessel that was recently discovered in the Waini River, North West District, as one of the in-

novations used to transport drugs in large quantities.

Quite recently, there have been other innovations that were used to ship the drugs out of the country. These included achar, milk powder, fruits, vegetables, mail and frozen fish, among others.

He added too that a

high percentage of cocaine and marijuana are seized on an annual basis by the Police Narcotics Unit.

Singh said despite the limited resources, he was elated to report that local law-enforcement officers have seized more drugs than other countries which have the best drug-enforcement

units.

The official also stated that a high number of prosecutions are also done. CANU is not only focused on getting the bigger “fishes”, but also scouring the country for the middle men who will ultimately lead to the dealers.

On this note, he stated that it is wrong to say that Guyana is a narco state. “We are seizing them as they come in and go out… this is an indication that the Government of Guyana is supporting law-enforcement officers in carrying out its mandate.”

The CANU head also believes that there has been an increase in seizures compared to the previous years.

And with resources available at their disposal, his department has managed to clamp down on the amount of drugs being shipped into and out of the country.

He is however, optimistic that with the collaboration with the other law enforcement agencies of the task force, CANU will become more effective in its work.

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NEWS

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Where is the money?

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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wo years after approximately Gy$12 million was collected for the construction of the One Mile Primary School, contributors are questioning where the money is, now that the Government has taken up the mantle.

In 2012, the One Mile Primary School was among more than 10 buildings that were reduced to ashes in Linden when a protest over a proposed hike in electricity tariffs spiraled out of control, resulting in the death of three persons.

Under the stewardship of the Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon and A Partnership for National

Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon, Lindeners near and far had vowed to rebuild the school, shortly after the month-long protest came to an end in August.

But of recent, contributors have been asking where is the money.

“We were told that over Gy$12 million was collected from residents and other persons and organisations locally and overseas to rebuild the school, apart from contributions that people made of materials, and now we are left to wonder what has become of our contributions, since the new building is being built by the Government,” Alex Cort, a concerned contributor said.

According to Cort,

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

the Regional Chairman when approached explained that an audit is being conducted; however, one year after a report has not been forthcoming.

When contacted by Guyana Times International, Solomon said he is aware of the

concerns currently being expressed by residents.

He explained that a special committee headed

by Councillor Maurice Butters was given the responsibility to oversee the spending of the monies collected.

Butters when contacted by this newspaper last Friday indicated that the committee is now going through its record to determine the amount collected, spent and the remainder. He assured this newspaper that when the process is completed, a detailed report will be issued.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger when questioned about the monies received, said the monies were collected by the region, explain-

… Lindeners demand accounting for cash collected to rebuild One Mile Primary ing that it was done on behalf of the people and not APNU or the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

“No, the PNC never authorised the collection of any money; the PNC does not hold any money for the One Mile Primary and I cannot say how much was collected or where the monies went… I don’t know and I am not going to accept responsibility for that,” Granger said in re-

sponse to a questioned posed by the GTI. The One Mile Primary School which was burnt down in August 2012, resulted in more than 800 students and teachers being displaced. They are now being accommodated at three other schools in Linden. The new state-of-the-art facility is being built to the tune of Gy$170 million and is expected to be completed by February 2015.

PAHO Director to visit Guyana

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PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne

he Presidential Commission on NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Warriors Wellness Club will be launched in the presence of Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr Carissa Etienne during her visit to Guyana.

Dr Etienne will be in Guyana from October 1013 during which she will participate in a number of activities including the two ceremonies which will unfold at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Greater Georgetown.

These activities will coincide with Caricom’s Wellness Day on September 13.

The Presidential Commission on NonCommunicable Diseases which will be launched on September 12 forms part of Guyana’s 20132020 Health Strategy and will function similarly to the Presidential Commission on HIV/ AIDS. Interventions will relate to lifestyle awareness, diet, activity and the avoidance of certain types of activities that contribute to the inci-

dence of NCDs. It was pointed out too that the Warriors Wellness Club has been designed to promote healthy lifestyles among the young and the old with the aim of reducing the risks of acquiring NCDs. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the leading cause of death in the world.

In 2008, 36 million of the 57 million global deaths were due to NCDs while 29 per cent of NCDs deaths in low and middle-income countries in that year occurred before the age of 60.

WHO estimates that 80 per cent of premature heart disease, stroke and diabetes can be prevented.

It was pointed out that modifiable risk factors underlie the major NDCs. These include tobacco, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, obesity, raised blood pressure, raised sugar pressure and raised cholesterol.

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NEWS

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TravelSpan putting together ‘package’ for affected customers

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n light of the recent plight of TravelSpan, which forced the airline to cancel several flights, inconveniencing hundreds of passengers, the airline is asking the travelling public for their forgiveness, as it resumes operations.

Chief Executive Officer of the airlines Nohar Singh stated that words of apologies alone will not suffice, especially since a lot of customers were looking for specific departure times, which it could not have given.

Singh added that he never expected Vision Airlines to experience extensive mechanicals,

which resulted in such a horrible experience for approximately two weeks.

“What started as an engine failure on July 15, catapulted to extensive delays, especially when Vision’s second aircraft also experienced mechanical problem,” he said.

Singh went on to say that matters started to get worst when on one occasion an airport handler ran a loader into the cargo door and then bad weather with lightning strike affected the AC, causing further delays.

To assess the problem, the mechanics took close to three hours.

TravelSpan CEO Nohar Singh

In such an instant, if a spare part is required, and the part is at the JFK Airport, it will take

at least two to four hours to make the arrangement to secure it.

“If the part is from a different state, then it can take at least 8-12 hours. Installation of the part can be another two hours, then an additional one hour for paperwork to be signed off, before the mechanics can declare the AC safe for operations.”

The CEO further explained that once the airline would have gotten the go-ahead, the official had to request permission from the terminal to seek approval for a departure slot, which can take up to an hour.

In addition, once a departure slot from the terminal was secured, approval had to be sought from US customs for landing rights slots for the return flight; hence, only then a departure time is posted.

During the abovementioned lapses, the airlines looked for an alternative aircraft which sometimes are not available due to the time.

“We at TravelSpan have put together a customer care package for each customer and is discussing with Vision Air to add a compensation portion from the airline.

Once completed, we will be contacting each pas-

senger that was affected by the extensive delays.

In the meantime, we are processing refunds and out-of-pocket expenses such as taxi fares and hotel,” Singh said.

However, he admitted that there are areas they could have handled better during the delayed flights.

The CEO and the board remain committed to providing the best service to its customers, noting that the airline has completed over 70 flights, and with the exception of nine encountering mechanical problems, all the other flights were of great passenger satisfaction.

Preliminary work on ECD road to be completed by year-end

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fter missing a June deadline, the completion of preliminary works on the East Coast Demerara Road Expansion Project has now been extended to the end of this year.

This is according to Public Works Ministry Roads and Bridges Department Manager, Ron Rahaman.

Government had undertaken to improve the road along the East Coast by construct-

ing a four-lane road from Better Hope to Annandale.

Additionally, there will be a two-lane upgrade from Buxton to Belfield. In an interview with Guyana Times International, Rahaman noted that preliminary works were scheduled to be completed two months ago.

He disclosed the delays were caused by problems with the contractors which include a shortage of aggre-

The concrete drainage and sandfill works at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara

gates for the concrete.

“We have informed the contractors that if they want to import the aggregates, we would assist in whatever duty-free concessions, but so far they haven’t imported, only a few other contractors are currently importing the materials,” Rahaman said.

The East Coast Road Expansion Project has been divided into seven lots to facilitate the four-lane extension.

news

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Barbados is preparing to make history when it becomes the first English-speaking Caribbean country in 25 years to host a major tourism summit next month.

The 22nd Organisation of American States’ InterAmerican Congress of Ministers and High Level Authorities of Tourism will be held from September 3 to 4, at the Hilton Barbados Resort, where over 200 delegates from 34 Latin American countries will gather to focus on tourism competitiveness.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the hosting of the congress, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, said Barbados welcomed the upcoming event which had the immediate benefit of foreign exchange.

The Permanent Secretary also noted that the event would be timely for the continued improvement of the island’s tourism sector as the country needed all the help and expertise being

Barbadian tourism officials announce hosting of the upcoming summit (Barbados Today)

offered.

“At this conference, we are looking to agree on the adoption of a Tourism Service Excellence Strategy which is underpinned by the development, the adoption and the implementation of standards throughout the region,” Sandiford-Garner stated.

“And research has shown that our particular industry, at 60 years

old, is a mature one.

Barbados’ tourism product life cycle is now at a mature stage so this is timely for us, in that this type of information is vitally needed if we want to continue to be a dynamic destination.”

C o u n t r y Representative of the OAS, Francis McBarnette, said the Congress is expected to address issues such as transportation, sus-

tainability, the heritage product and crime.

He added that renewed efforts would be placed on tourism as a top priority in the hemisphere, since “the industry is one of those issues that is cross cutting”.

“Tourism is not about hotels alone, it is about cultural heritage, patrimony, built heritage, and I think the Congress allows all these issues to come to the fore,” he in-

dicated.

The Congress has as its theme: 'Tourism Competitiveness: An Essential Element of Sustainability', and will discuss the following sub-themes during the plenaries: Measuring Competitiveness: Price versus NonPrice Factors in Tourism; Importance of Tourism Infrastructure Tourism and InterSectoral Linkages

Sustainable Destination Management.

The Congress serves as a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices to strengthen communication between government agencies and the private sector and to consider technical cooperation proposals to support member states in their effort to develop the tourism sector.

(Barbados Today)

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FEATURE

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he traditional cotton weaving techniques are still used by many Amerindian groups in producing beautiful hammocks and clothing.

Cotton twines and cords are made from picked and sun-dried cotton. After the cotton is dried for about two days, it is stored in a quake or openwork basketry.

When ready to be used, all foreign obstacles are removed from the cotton and a very important process called “the teasing process” begins.

The cotton is patted in small balls of four to four and a half inches in circumference. A large number of such balls are placed on each other forming a pile of 6 to 7 inches high. The pile is then pressed alternately and gradually stretched; the cotton is then folded in its length and stretched again to about 2 feet long. The pad of “teased” cotton is next twisted into a spiral.

After stretching the cotton is attached by its proximal extremity to the spindle, through the nick or hook at the top of the shank.

The spindle employed in the manufacture of cotton twine consists of

Demonstrating traditional Wapisiana hammock weaving

Cording technique

a tapering wooden shank through a circular guard, its distal extremity being either a nick or a small hook. The ordinary materials with which the guards are cut seem to be “bone” of the tapir or tortoise carapace as with the Machusi, Patamona, Wapisiana and in some cases they are made from two pieces of calabash.

The base of the shank (the portion below the guard) is then rolled with the palm of the open right hand sharply down the thigh.

The degree of coarseness or fineness with which the cotton is spun into twine will depend partly on the use of which it is intended. The two extremes being met with the rough string forming the basis of the cotton hammocks and the delicate twine, ornamenting the butt end if the Arawak arrow.

Cording is practiced by the Warau, the left thumb and four fingers replacing the two arms. They also practice a more complicated

form of cording by using three strands. All three strings of the necessary lengths are tied together at the extremity.

Crochet is done by the Carib, Machusi and other women using a single hook needle to manufacture armlets and anklets, working them on the limb itself or around a wooden cylinder of about the same circumference as the ankle or arm, however, the Warau women also produce crochet work but with two-hook needles.

An Amerindian woman demonstrating traditional cotton spinning

travel & tourism

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tabali is a small community in the Mazaruni River and a short distance by boat from Bartica.

Known for its tranquillity, Itabali’s trails are perfect for a cool and relaxing walk while breathing in the fresh, sweet air of nature. It is a close-knit community with a growing populace and commercial area.

The Mazaruni River flows past the Itabali landing- an area buzzing with an influx of visitors. Enjoy the scenery in Itabali. (Photos by Marco Basir)

Boat landing

Puruni trail, Itabali (Photo by TomDiTOm on Flickr)

Ferry in Tepru, Itabali

Serene Itabali

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FEATURE

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Waveney Benjamin M.S. (1932-2014)

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ounder of Branches of the Mothers’ Union in all parts of Guyana and the Caribbean, Waveney Benjamin M.S. was born in Georgetown on 16 November 1932. She was the fourth of eight siblings.

Her primary education was obtained at the Kingston Methodist School. Having done well at the Government County Scholarship examination, she was enrolled at the Modern High School.

Although she was eligible to attend Bishops’ High School, she would have had to be a fee-paying student, so her father resolved to have her attend Modern High School to which she had obtained a scholar-

ship. During her secondary education she excelled in Mathematics. She was proud to proclaim that she tutored fellow students, one of whom went on to become a medical doctor. This aptitude she used to assist her older children specializing in algebra, until the advent of modern mathematics. Waveney later became a secondary school teacher.

At an early age she got married to Neil Sigismund Parkinson Benjamin. Neil Benjamin predeceased her on 11 December 1984 as a priest and Canon of the Stall of St. George of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana and retired Chaplain of the Guyana Defence Force.

Waveney and Neil nurtured seven children.

During the early years of her married life, Waveney was a fulltime housewife.

She could be seen riding a bicycle around town shopping with a least one child sitting on the back. It is during this period of her life that she joined the branch of the Mothers’ Union (MU) at Christ Church. She would eventually become the Enrolling Member of the Christ Church branch.

She was a full active member of the Mothers’ Union and a staunch churchgoer at Christ Church.

Waveney gave yeoman service for 20 years as Diocesan Worker of the Mothers’ Union (MU) from 1974-1994, with many interesting experiences to share: some harrowing and

Waveney Benjamin M.S.

life-threatening; some inspirational; some (in retrospect) amusing. This was in the course of regular visits as part of her annual work programme for the Mothers’ Union in strengthening the organization that promotes improving Christian family life, motherhood and marriage, and thereby improving the lives of all.

She started and helped in the sustaining of many branches of the MU, including several in interior locations as well as Suriname where links were established. Endless miles were covered to reach branches in Essequibo; Berbice; and all corners of DemeraraOrealla, where she walked long distances across the Rupununi savannahs; Kamarang and Jawalla, where getting there by aircraft and then speedboat was the challenge of a lifetime; Pomeroon, braving the deep and unforgiving waters of the Pomeroon River to reach members at

Kabacaburi; Sand Hills on the Berbice River, travelling in a ferry for over 12 hours.

In her tenure as Diocesan Worker, the MU Guyana began a Day Care Centre at Oronoque and Almond Streets in Queenstown and later opened another branch, both of which still exist in Georgetown today. She also coordinated feeding programmes, which ran for several years to assist children who were in need thus ensuring their nourishment and sustenance.

In the wider Caribbean, Waveney was a founding member of the Provincial Mothers’ Union which includes representatives of the MU of several Caribbean countries who collaborate for the strengthening of relations among countries.

The risk and the hard work were all worth it since women far and wide were brought the message of Christian family life and marriage and willingly formed themselves into branches and worked together in their churches.

Waveney has always been grateful for the good relationship she enjoyed with parish priests and the women of the churches who were very cooperative, receptive and hard working. Even after she retired she would still meet persons who lovingly greeted her and remembered her for her work with the Mothers’ Union.

While serving as Diocesan Worker, Waveney maintained association with and membership of the World Day of Prayer National Committee. She served as Vice President for the Southern Hemisphere.

She was an active member of Church Women United, planning seminars, bible study and retreats for strengthening and upliftment of the membership. She served as General Secretary of the

Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) for four (4) years. She collaborated with the Women’s Affairs Bureau within the Ministry of Labour on projects to improve the lives of women in the interior especially; also with the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA) and the Women’s League of Social Services. She served for many years as a Trustee of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) as it carried out its mandate of helping young people and citizens at large.

She also participated in extension seminary courses sponsored by the Caribbean and Guyana Council of Churches; Mothers’ Union Workers and missionary courses in England; small business management with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture(IICA); and the General Secretary’s course of the YWCA. She had the honour and the privilege of representing some of the above associations at critical meetings and courses in Guyana and abroad, and was able to continuously apply the knowledge gained for advancement of women and people in the church and wider community.

Waveney travelled far and wide internationally – Australia, South Africa, England, Canada, Switzerland, Uruguay, Curacao and several Caribbean territories including Antigua/Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, St. Vincent and Grenadines, St. Lucia, Barbados, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Tortola, BVI and Grenada. This was in addition to her frequent trips to the US and the United Kingdom to visit family and friends.

In 1991, in recognition of her long and dedicated service as a social and community worker with the Diocesan Mothers’ Union, Waveney was bestowed by Guyana with a National Award – the Medal of Service (M.S.). The Women’s Affairs Bureau also recognized her work with women with an award (for work which included the formulation and submission of a project proposal that resulted in funding for and building of a well in Yakarinta, Rupununi).

All the foregoing experiences were wonderful and enriching and Waveney was profoundly grateful to God that she was still able to meaningfully serve others and improve their lives.

Waveney Agatha Benjamin peacefully departed this life on 30 July 2014. (Taken from Guyana Cultural Association August 2014 Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Man up

Simply the Truth

Closing UG

N

T

By Anu Dev

here’s always been so much talk about “peer pressure,’’ usually in a lecture at school warning you to stay away from drugs, sex and wild partying – the trifecta of doom, we’ve been warned. But there has not been enough discussion about all the other pressures we’re faced with – pressure from our elders, our teachers, and society in general.

Of course, it’s important to remind everyone– especially adolescents with their young, impressionable minds–that peer pressure is very, very real. I mean, you spend so much time with your friends and lots of kids prefer to fit in instead of being the odd duck out. So naturally your peers can exert an enormous amount of influence over you. And that influence can be either positive or negative, depending on who you choose to hang out with.

But I want to speak a little about the pressure society puts on us all. Though we live in a world that supposedly hails individualism and free thinking, there’re always retorts like “man up!” and “you hit like a girl” thrown around all the time.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of the time those words are thrown around in light fun, without malicious intent, so I’m not about to pull out my soapbox and bullhorn and start denouncing the next person to tell a guy to “man up”. But still, words can have a lasting impact.

Everyone’s wired differently. A guy shouldn’t be any less of a man if he’s not into stereotypically “manly’’ things. And a woman shouldn’t be less of a woman if she’s not into all of those stereotypically “womanly’’ things.

Men are still pressured to be the main breadwinners of the household, to shoulder the responsibilities of the family. We’ve come a long way from when women were confined to the household; women have successful careers and are earning the big bucks.

But I wonder if most people will be as accepting of a “househusband’’ as they are of a “housewife.’’ I don’t see why they should have a problem though – men are just as capable of cooking, cleaning and taking care of children.

But even at the school level, there’s this pressure on boys to be cool and “manly.’’ Maybe that’s one of the reasons girls keep out-performing boys in school? While the boys have to find time for cricket and other sports and keeping up the façade of being “too cool to study,’’ it’s fine for girls to prop open a textbook, sit in a corner to study and get all wound up over wanting to do well for exams.

Boys seem to have to use that time to keep up with the latest video games and generally do other “boy things.’’

But boys and all of us have to take the time to think about the type of person we want to be today, five years from now, and even 10 years from now. Is it worth spending so much time to “fit in’’ if you become someone that even you can’t recognise?

Take a quiet moment to think about whether the things you do, or the things you want to do are things that you truly want or whether it’s what everybody else is doing. Don’t be afraid to flow against the tide, to be your own person, to captain your own destiny.

ow we have news that the big man at the University of Guyana (UG) was threatening to shut the place down if the Government of Guyana does not drum up the bucks that he must have. As usual, no one is taking responsibility for the decay that has overtaken Turkeyen and has now been allowed to be imported/exported to the Berbice Campus.

The President of Guyana has at least kept one eye on the ball.

Students will not be “allowed” to suffer more than necessary and this matter of closure and money is now “actively engaging” the Finance Ministry. The President blames the Opposition. The Opposition, of course, blames the Government.

The new UG ‘kabaka’ is blaming the Government too, and is holding our young people’s future as ransom. There is really only one loser here: Guyana. But we have this debate: “Is nah me do it! Is he do it! Then comes the mature response: “Is nah me do it! Is she do it!” And this is a good example of our political maturity.

I rather admire the Finance Minister’s plain talk. Dr Ashni Singh is reported to have said that this threat to shut down the

Professor Daizal Samad

two campuses is “reckless and irresponsible”. There was a reason why he said this: it is true! At the same time, however, it is not the job of the Vice Chancellor to go and demand an explanation from the Opposition parties!

This is not his job. His job is to find innovative ways to bring UG a few steps higher from being the lowest ranked national university in the world (according to the Germanic ranking system). Of course, anyone who is paying attention would know that not one single innovation has come out of

Turkeyen in the last five years! Not one!

On the other hand, there have been numerous socially and financially profitable innovations that have come out of the Berbice Campus from 2008 to 2012. But everyone stood by and supported the moves to bring UGBC down to its knees by making it into a place as rotten as Turkeyen.

Make a good place a bad place.

Make a bad place a worse place.

This is the apparent logic of those that rule UG. Here is a question to be asked: Who hired this man to be the “Chief Executive Officer” of UG, who is now threatening the future of our young Guyanese? The UG unions are right on the button!

We have gone on and on and on about a university is a business and must be run as such. This part is easy and even a mediocre academic can see what we knew since after WWII. What is not seen, however, is that a university is a business unlike any other business.

UG’s response to its own poverty of standards is to hike tuition! To shut the two campuses is not a solution. It is “reckless and irresponsible”. Thank you for the straight talk, Dr Singh. Now can we act??

Times Notebook Guyana’s CXC Maths result

A

Guyanese student again is in contention for the top 2014 CXC student in Caricom. Guyana has been in this position every year for more than a decade and Guyanese students have won the top student award and other CXC awards more times than any country in the Region in the last 10 years.

The 2014 results showed that Guyana achieved its best Mathematics results since CXC began.

At about 39 per cent, this was by far the best CXC Mathematics results Guyana has collectively attained. These CXC Mathematics results are encouraging and signal that we can overcome the demon of low Mathematics pass rates that have plagued Guyana and Caricom for our entire history.

But in a year when Guyana achieved our best Mathematics results, the blazing headlines for some media houses and the cry of the critics was that more than 50 per cent of Guyanese students failed Mathematics.

While the headlines were true, they failed to tell the real story of progress and to truthfully place the 2014 Mathematics results in its correct and appro-

– an improving landscape

priate perspective.

For most of the early CXC years, Guyana struggled in the squalor of below 10 per cent passes in Mathematics. By the 1990s, Guyana’s pass rates in Mathematics were stuck at below 20 per cent.

Improvement

As dismal as this was, the 1990s showed a marked improvement and the baseline of below 10 per cent of the 1980s was improved to near 20 per cent. As the country entered the last decade of the 20th century, the PPP/C Government invested heavily in a herculean effort to get Guyana moving beyond 20 per cent pass rate for Mathematics.

While Guyana still has vast room for improvement, the CXC 2014 results affirm the need for the Government of Guyana’s (GoG) investment in education.

In 2014, the GoG investment of Gy$32 billion equals a per capita education investment of more than US$200. In 1991, Guyana’s per capita investment in education was merely US$7 per capita.

By the beginning of 2000, we began to detect a turn around and reached 25 per cent for the first time in 2004 and 30 per

cent for the first time in 2005. Clearly, a new baseline was being established with pass rates surpassing 20 per cent and even reaching 30 per cent during the first five years of the new century.

Since 2005, Guyanese Mathematics pass rates have surpassed 30 per cent six out of 10 times, barely dropping below 30 per cent in the other four years. In 2014, we nearly reached 40 per cent, showing that in each decade we are changing the baseline upwards.

These are still pass rates below what we expect from our students, but we must acknowledge the upward trajectory and the possibility that Guyana is now ready to be counted near the top of CXC Mathematics achievements in Caricom.

From below 10 per cent Mathematics pass rates, we have moved upward to pass rates near 40 per cent. Clearly the next hurdle is to attain pass rates of 50 per cent by 2020. The track record of new higher mileposts on this journey is a story to be told and one that we cautiously celebrate.

For most of the 1990s, the overall pass rate for Mathematics in Caricom countries were in the 20 to 30 per cent pass rate range also. The fur-

ther truth is that until this year overall CXC Mathematics pass rate in Caricom never reached 40 per cent. This is the first year that Caricom’s CXC Mathematics pass rate exceeded 40 per cent.

Guyana is not far away.

Mathematics, in fact, has plagued most countries in the world and Guyana has, at least, demonstrated that it is not stuck in a quagmire of total failure as we were in the 1970s and 1980s.

Let us recognise that progress is being made and not blur the truth of steady improvement with headlines that seek to portray a continuation of the total failure that characterise our CXC Mathematics record of the 1970s and 1980s.

From our vantage point, the Mathematics landscape is improving. The challenge before Guyana now is to ensure that we stay on course with further improvement in this subject area. We acknowledge that progress has been painfully slow. We wish it would be faster and that Guyana’s Mathematics pass rate would reach 50 per cent in this decade.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail. com.

34

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Canada-based GHTK commissions two more neonatal units in Guyana

G

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Canada-based Guyana Help The Kids (GHTK) organisation continues to invest in Guyana’s neonatal facilities, and has recently commissioned another Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), this time at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

In Guyana, neonatal deaths account for approximately 50 percent of the under-five mortality.

However, with the establishment of NICUs–which provide specialised care for prematurely born babies (neonates) who are not fully developed and are unable to survive on their own without the assistance of monitoring equipment, incubators, and breathing apparatus, the figure can be reduced significantly.

GHTK, headed by Dr Narendra Singh, has been working closely with Guyana’s Health Ministry to build the

GHTK President Dr Narendra Singh; Guyana’s Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran; NICU Nursing Programme Director Dr Leif Nelin and Dhaman Kissoon at the commissioning of the West Demerara Regional Hospital NICU in Guyana earlier this month (Guyana Times photo)

health sector’s capacity to cater to the needs of neonates.

Dr Singh, who is the Chief of Paediatrics at Humber River Hospital in Toronto, said in addition to the operationalisation of NICUs, a Paediatric Residency Programme and a Neonatal Nurses Programme have been established. Already the Paediatric Residency Programme has produced two paediatricians and 10 others are being trained.

Training

Eleven nurses have graduated from

the Neonatal Nurses Programme with a batch of 17 set to graduate in November. “We are also training them to be trainers. So at some point in time they will assume ownership of the training programmes,” Dr Singh highlighted.

By 2017, GHTK is hoping to have a welldeveloped neonatal network that could be handed over to the Health Ministry. Recently, another NICU was commissioned at the Suddie Public Hospital in Essequibo.

These goals will be achieved with the support of the Kissoon

Family of Canada who are key financial supporters. Dhaman Kissoon represented his siblings and mother, who are all Canada-based Guyanese who have been offering financial support since 2000. In addition to GHTK, the Rotary Club, Three Rivers Foundation and an orphanage in India are beneficiaries.

GHTK has been making significant strides in the local health sector, as it seeks to reduce neonatal and infant mortality rates in Guyana by 50 percent. Already, the organisation has assisted in a 50 percent reduction in the neonatal death

NICU Nursing Programme Director Dr Leif Nelin explaining the uses of the incubator and its supporting elements

rate at the Georgetown Public Hospital–some 83 babies were saved.

Paediatric post-graduate

The GHTK collaborated with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Institute of Health Science Education, the University of Guyana, the McMasters University and the Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto to introduce a paediatric post-graduate residency programme in 2011.

In addition to the paediatric post-graduate residency programme, the GHTK

and Georgetown Public Hospital in March 2012 reconstructed a 24-bed NICU. The facility was brought up to standard with the installation of procure monitors, IV pumps, pump monitors and incubators procured from funds (Cdn$100,000) raised by the GHTK. Prior to the commissioning, the unit was in dire need of incubators, which support the breathing of premature infants while they are still hospitalised, so they have a better chance of survival.

(Guyana Times)

Jamaica issues stern Ebola warning to entertainers, others

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Entertainers and other Jamaicans have been warned against travelling to the Ebola-affected areas of Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea and Sierra Leone in West Africa.

The warning came from Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, who said people should avoid travel to the affected areas "unless it is absolutely necessary to limit the spread" of the deadly disease.

"Entertainers and others who plan to travel to the affected areas of West Africa should reconsider as they would potentially be putting themselves at risk of contracting the Ebola

Liberian Health workers are handed personal protective gear by a team leader (right) before collecting the bodies of the deceased from streets in Monrovia, Liberia (PHOTO: AP)

virus and spreading it to other persons on their return to Jamaica.

The ministry continues to warn against non-es-

sential travel to reduce the risk to their health and the health of their families," Dr Ferguson said.

"Persons who have to travel to these areas are advised not to handle dead animals and not to have any direct

contact with persons who may be infected or could have been in a contact with an infected person," he added.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 8 declared Ebola a public health emergency of international concern.

Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90 percent. It is transmitted through direct contact with blood (for example, through broken skin), other bodily fluids or secretion such as stool, saliva, urine and semen of infected persons. Infection can also occur if broken skin comes in contact with environments that have become contaminated

with an Ebola patient's infectious fluids such as soiled clothing, bed linen or used needles. The Ebola virus remains in the semen of men who were infected for up to seven weeks after recovery.

According to the health ministry, symptoms of Ebola include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This may be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and in some cases both internal and external bleeding. The incubation period for the virus is anywhere from two to 21 days.

(Jamaica Observer)

Grenada launches soft loan scheme for housing S

T GEORGE’S, GRENADA: The Grenada government says it has established a soft loan scheme to assist lowincome earners construct their own homes.

E c o n o m i c Development Minister Oliver Joseph said the soft loan scheme is part of a wider initiative by the Keith Mitchell administration to tackle the major problem of housing on the island.

“People have approached us for soft

loans to build their houses, so Cabinet decided to establish a soft loan with the sum of two million EC dollars allocated for that purpose. Low income earners who wish to construct a house can access this small loan,” Joseph explained.

“As you know it is very difficult if you do not have adequate security to get a loan from the commercial institutions. So, a lot of people cannot go to the banks or credit unions

to obtain a loan and we see it as part of our responsibility to assist them.”

Joseph estimates that eight out of every 10 people who visit his constituency office seeking help have been requesting housing assistance.

“It is a major problem with respect to housing. Over the next four years we really plan to make a big dent on the problem of housing in Grenada. We feel the decision to put two

million dollars in this scheme will go a long way in assisting the needy,” Joseph indicated.

“It will be a revolving loan, they will have to pay on a monthly basis. So, as the payments start we can extend the facility to other people.”

The Grenada government has also said that it is be building low income houses under a scheme being financed by China.

(Caribbean News)

Grenada’s Economic Development Minister Oliver Joseph

news

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Canadian rapper Kardinal goes reggae

Kardinal was born Jason Harrow in Ontario to Jamaican parents

T

O R O N T O , C A N A D A : Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall says ‘Suit of Black’, his upcoming album, has a lot in store for reggae/ dancehall fans.

Among its tracks are collaborations with Stephen Marley (‘One Dream Away’) and Agent Sasco (‘Lion’).

The 16-track set also features a remix of soca singer Bunji Garlin's big hit, ‘Truck on Di Road’.

‘Suit of Black’, Kardinal Offishal's sixth album, is slated for a December 1 release.

Kardinal was born

Jason Harrow in Ontario to Jamaican parents. He says he maintains ties to his roots with regular visits to Jamaica.

“My father wanted me to know where I came from so I grew up surrounded by reggae music. My father was a sound (system) selector so I grew up listening to a lot of reggae and dancehall music,” he stated.

In 2008, Kardinal Offishall joined forces with neo-soul singer Akon and his Kon Live Music company which had a distribution deal with the major Interscope Records.

Their collaboration produced the Billboard singles ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Number One’ (done with Keri Hilson).

Kardinal Offishall's previous album, ‘Allow Me to Re-introduce Myself’, was released in 2012.

He and singer Jrdn's song, ‘Can't Choose’, won a 2014 Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) for R&B Soul Recording of the Year. (Jamaica Observer)

One man’s happiness is another man’s sadness

S

ome people mind don’t ever be at ease or at peace wid dem self. Dem always worryin bout some ting. Or complainin bout some ting.

Usually, it does be bout some ting that dem can’t ever get. No matter how hard dem try.

Right now one newspaper man tryin hard to get another man wood and he gon never get it. He so desperate that he even go in de bush fuh it and he still ain’t get it. That kinda desperation does lead to a lotta tings which people seein every day.

Others does be obsessed bout other people.

Usually, it does be bout some body that dem can never become, but wanna become like dem. Plus some people does tek other people happiness and mek it dem own sadness. And that is wheh de problem does start.

Old people seh that is how dem does start to burn and pine away inside. And a lotta people does pine away in GT. One of dem is Lalloo who had wanna become a lawyer. He even study to become a lawyer.

Then he tell people he pass he exam to become a lawyer. But no matter whah he do, no body ain’t tekkin he fuh a lawyer. He even offer to do tings fuh free as a lawyer and still no body want he fuh a lawyer.

Another one is de Nagga Man, who is also a lawyer, but who had wanna become Prezzie, and still wanna become Prezzie. Nagga wait till Cheddi gone, then tell lie pun Cheddi, till he get kick out from Cheddi party. Cheddi woulda kick he out he self if only he had tell de lie when Cheddi was around.

When Nagga get kick out, he decide to join Rum Jhaat tinkin that he gon soon become Prezzi. Nagga even trot over to de Trot man tinkin that he gon get some help to become Prezzi.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De problem wid that move was that all three of dem wanna become Prezzi at de same time.

PM Kamla says she’s ready to risk “political suicide” for Runoff Bill

P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Tuesday said she was willing to risk “political suicide” over the question of the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2014, as she told Senators it will be for the people to judge the current government on the issue at a coming general election.

In a rare appearance in the Senate, the Prime Minister piloted the Bill, acknowledging that aspects of it had triggered “disquiet” and “concern”.

She said specific details of the mechanisms of implementation of the proposals could be negotiated, but was silent on calls for the Bill to be referred to a Senate committee. Instead, she strongly suggested the issue was likely to forge ahead and be left to the electorate at the next election, saying reform has been in the air for 50 years and now was the time to “walk the walk”.

The Prime Minister stated: “I say again for those who are of the view that I am committing political suicide, I say I am prepared to take that risk because I am convinced that we cannot continue to do business as usual. We cannot expect change by the same ole same ole way of doing things. We promised change.”

She further added: “I am mindful, as I enter the political battlefield, that this may be political suicide. However, I am not daunted by the risks of my own political survival because I be-

TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar greets her supporters outside of the Parliament building at Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, on Tuesday (TT Guardian photo)

lieve that is trumped by our desire to keep our promises to enhance our democracy. As a politician; as Prime Minister, my interest is not for my political survival, but my interest must be what is in the best interest, and if we cannot get the best interest of the people, what is in the better interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

In the first hint that the Constitution reform is set to be a general election issue possibly before 2015, the Prime Minister

said, “Come next year–or whenever within the constitutional framework for the calling of an election– the liberty of the people will determine whether we were right or whether we were wrong in bringing this legislation today…If this thing is so bad what will happen?

They will vote us out in 2015. The electorate will have the final say.”

On the claim of a lack of consultation on the proposals, the Prime Minister said, “Some are saying delay the Bill. But

delay the Bill for how long? We have been talking Constitution reform for nearly 50 years. The time has come not just to talk the talk but walk that walk.”

And outside of Parliament, riot police assumed a dominant position and had to physically remove People’s National Movement (PNM) supporters from protesting directly in front of the Parliament building at Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, Tuesday. (TT Newsday)

Why integrity

S

atiricus never failed to be surprised at how insensitive people can get. Here it was the Pee an’ See party had worked for over 50 years to create its image. And now the Integrity Committee expected then to just blow it away in a day?? Who the hell did they think they were? Didn’t they know that in the end all a party could count on was their reputation? Lose that and everything gone fuh channa.

He could only imagine the entry in secret diary of GreenBridge: Dear Diary, Ah tell yuh…ah suh mad, ah gon talk to you today in me old New Amsterdam fashon. Dese people really full ah schupidness. Dey want we fuh file we “integrity” papers!

Integrity?? What de arse is duh? We in the Pee an’ See spit pon “integrity”!! We party born without integrity; we live without integrity and we gon damn well die without integrity! But dey ain’t foolin’ no body! Dey mean fuh embarrass we. Deh want we fuh be just like dat Jedi Jagon.

Dear Diary, I is a Berbician, but I gon tell yuh something. De Foundah Leadah was dam right fuh laaf at Jedi Jagon fuh being full of integrity! Look wha’

integrity get he…28 years running around like a lil boy, while we ruling the country. De Foundah Leadah form de Pee an’ See after he show de British he had no integrity when he sell out Jagon and de PPPCEE. Dat was how we party born. We get plenty money from de ‘mericans and de British.

We party refuse fuh get any integrity when we rig election every five years fuh de 28 years. We had no integrity when we use we army people fuh kill RodKnee. We had no integrity when we mash up sugar and rice just fuh teach Jagon supporters a lesson. De lesson was dat integrity is fuh losers. And we gon win by any means necessary.

And Dear Diary, Leh me tell yuh something else. Ah cyaan tell everybody but Ah gat fuh hand it to GrainJa. Because nowadays, we ain’t get de chance fuh rig de national elections, de man prove to de world day we still ain’t got integrity. Last time he rig me out from de leadership and dis year he rig out North-Ton. Now when yuh can rig yuh own people, yuh full of something else other than integrity. Suh we ain’t need GhoulSerum advice not to listen to de Integrity Commission. Integrity?? Is scampishness fuh we till we die!!!

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Winners and losers

Did you hear about the long-distance runner who took part in a 100-mile race? Well, he was in the lead and had one more mile to go, but he was too tired to finish, so he turned around and ran back.

Hillbilly Story

A vacationer and his family were driving through the backwoods. The man took a wrong turn and got lost. He drove miles until he came to a fork in the road. There he spotted a small shack.

A hillbilly was rocking on the porch.

“Hey there!” the vacationer called. “Can you tell me where the road on the left leads to?”

“Don’t rightly know,” the hillbilly replied, continuing to rock.

“Well, can you tell me where the road on the right leads to?”

“Don’t know that,” said the hillbilly, continuing to rock.

The vacationer got angry. “You’re not very bright, are you?” he said. ”Maybe not,” replied the hillbilly replied calmly, “but I’m not lost.”

At the restaurant

Customer: There’s a fly swimming in my soup!

What’s he doing there?

Waiter: Looks like the backstroke to me.

The date

He: Is that perfume I smell?

She: It is - and you do.

Art for art’s sake

Woman (in art gallery): And this I suppose, is one of those hideous monstrosities you call art?

Art Dealer: No, madam, it’s a mirror.

Happy camper

This week's Puzzle

Did you hear about the camper who bought a sleeping bag? He spent three weeks trying to wake it up.

You’re so weak...

You’re so weak, you couldn’t even bend a wet noodle.

You’re so weak, you couldn’t even beat a rug.

You’re so weak, if you beat an egg, we’d all be surprised.

You’re so lazy...

You’re so lazy, the only thing you do fast is get tired.

You’re so lazy, you wait for the wind to blow your nose.

Ultimate health put -downs

If your body were a building, it would be condemned.

You’re in shape all right - the wrong shape.

Your shape isn’t half bad - it’s all bad.

Ultimate medical put-downs

If you had a brain transplant, the brain would reject you.

In your case, a brain operation would be minor surgery.

You’re so sick, anyone who goes out with you needs a prescription.

Exercise is good for you

“Are you ready out there in radio land for your morning exercises? Good. Now- up, down, up, down, up, down. Now the other eyelid.”

Almost pulled it off

see solution on page 46

The telephone rang in the office of the school principal. “Hello, may I speak to the principal, please?”

“This is the principal.”

“I’m calling to say that my son cannot come to school today because he has a bad cold.”

“Who is this speaking please?”

“This is my father.”

feature

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

G

erald Logan is no stranger to bringing his teaching expertise to other countries.

The retired Hillside Community school principal recently returned from his fifth trip with Project Overseas, a collaboration between the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) and its member organisations across Canada.

This year the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) sponsored 10 of their teachers to work with teachers and school leaders overseas by providing professional development workshops.

“When I started, it was 1996,” said Logan. “I was interested in helping people beyond our borders. Here in Canada, we’re very privileged. We have a great education system and what we take for granted, other countries would be excited to have.”

With a team of four other teachers, Logan, who was in charge of school administration, spent two weeks in Guyana providing training on teaching strategies, which includes bringing current teaching practices from North America.

“One of the primary things I did was called the jigsaw learning activity where the goal was to have them teach each other.

In the jigsaw, this group learns some information and then we go to the home groups and we

Gerald Logan, a retired Principal, interacting with Guyanese teachers

teach the other people in our group and they teach us,” said Logan. “By getting them to do the actual teaching, we make sure we cement it.”

Logan said the 152 teachers who participated were either untrained or under-trained.

“I guess one, Vivian, strikes me as almost a typical person,” said Logan. “She was 19; she was a headteacher in her village school and had been a headteacher for over a year.

She started teaching at 16 when she finished high school and was the most experienced teacher in her village school at 19.”

The school where Logan and his team worked was in the village Mabaruma, near the Venezuelan border and within the tidal zone. He has previously volunteered in Guyana just five years ago, in

the village of Moruca, also in the northern part of the country.

Difference

“I noticed a tremendous difference between this group and the group in 2009 when I was there last time because that was the first time we had been to Moruca so the difference was significant,” said Logan.

“This time in Mabaruma, they had way more understanding and they were way more educated because of the effects of the project.”

Besides Guyana, Logan has also volunteered in Sierra Leone, Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines “I like just the whole idea of helping teachers because I’m lucky, I was raised in Alberta, and in Canada an education is relatively easy to get. I’ve been blessed with I think sev-

en years of university,” said Logan. “And these people to get into university, a teacher training programme, they have to have a job as a teacher first so they have to go in as untrained teacher and then get accepted.”

For now, the school system in Guyana is very lectureoriented but Logan hopes the teachers take what they learn and bring it into their schools.

Although there is no possible way of Project Overseas monitoring the teachers who participated, there can be local follow ups made, and many of Logan’s pupils said they would take the strategies back to the schools and even teach their colleagues, as many teachers had to be turned away due to large numbers.

“The average teacher there had about 26 students. Most

of them taught more than the 26 because a lot of them were secondary school teachers so you figure that each of them taught probably 50 students per day,” said Logan.

“The impact of that filters down, you have the potential to impact a lot of students and a lot of learning.”

There were 12 different teams like Logan’s who went to 10 different countries, including Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Uganda, Saint Kitts, Trinidad, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Haiti and Togo.

In Guyana, Logan said they do not have oil like Alberta but gold where people can go into mines and make large amounts of money with littleto-no education. But as gold prices drop, other options are available.

“I know that they have a lot of young, energetic and enthusiastic teachers and that’s what will make that system better,” said Logan.

Being nominated for Project Overseas by the ATA or any member organisation of the CTF is a lengthy application process that requires two letters of reference.

Around 90 teachers applied in Alberta this year alone, but Logan would like to go again.

“I’ve been involved five times and I’d love to be involved five more times,” said Logan. (Alberta Daily Herald Tribune)

38

Feature

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Clarendon takes Miss Jamaica Nation 2014 K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Poor production marred the inaugural staging of the Miss Jamaica Nation beauty pageant last Saturday night.

The pageant, conceptualised by Ken Williams who has long been amateur with the Miss Jamaica U.S. contest, came across as being amatuer and not a national event.

The one-hour delay at the start, the lack of a backdrop and decor on stage, as well as the uncoordinated manner in which the proceedings

The 13 finalists in Miss Jamaica Nation take to the stage in swimwear (Jamaica Observer photos)

Miss Jamaica Nation 2014 Kimberly McLeod (centre) is flanked by first runner-up Latoya Thompson (left) and Miss Hanover Geri Graham, who took the second runner-up spot

unfolded, made the nearly three-hour-long event a comedy of errors.

Williams’ efforts to establish a pageant in which contestants are devoid of enhancements saw 13 young ladies vie for the title—each representing one of Jamaica’s parishes, with Kingston and St Andrew sending one girl. At the end of the night it was the charming and intelligent Miss Clarendon, Kimberly McLeod, who took the inaugural title.

The popular Miss St James, Latoya Thompson took the first runner-up spot, while the bubbly Geri Graham from Hanover was named second runner-

up.

McLeod certainly gained traction with her impressive pitch for the Vernam Field complex in her parish to become a major logistics hub. Her diction, ease of presentation and comfort with the English language was noteworthy.

In the dreaded question and answer segement, she again acquitted herself with her response to: what she appreciates most about Jamaican culture. Her response was matched by those from St James’ Thompson and Miss St Thomas Yohanna Kellyman.

Katherine Foster from

St Elizabeth took the most congenial sectional award; most aware went to Thompson from St James; St Thomas’ Kellyman was adjudged most photogenic; while the award for the best evening gown design went to the creation

by Hope Wade and worn

by Miss Hanover.

What some of the contestants lacked physically, they certainly made up for in intellect.

Contestants in the more established local beauty pageants could well take a page or the whole book, from some of these young ladies as it relates to speaking from the pageant stage. (Jamaica Observer)

feature

39

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com Discussing with the women and youths in the village issues affecting them

I

n an effort to empower and educate, the S4 Foundation, a local non-profit humanitarian group, has been working with the Amerindian women in St Cuthbert’s Mission to help diversify and sell the craft that they are already producing with the focus of helping them to become income earners/entrepreneurs.

desire to diversify their skills through training.

They wanted to learn how to set up and manage their own businesses, literacy classes and parenting workshops.

“Due to the success we’ve had in St Cuthbert’s, on 30 August we are partnering with Starr Computer to run a training workshop for 30 women on ‘Information Technology

women,” outlined Radix.

Although the project is not funded at the moment, the foundation works on the goodwill of businesses and volunteers who help with outreach activities. Radix disclosed all operational costs are covered by the foundation’s trustees.

Focused on the empowerment aspect of its humanitarian work, the S4 Foundation hopes to

for Small Business’ and ‘Parenting Skills’. (15 of these women will be from St Cuthbert’s).

Two of the women artisans have already taken up our offer of facilitating at a craft workshop here in Georgetown in teaching Tibisiri weaving and basket making.

Another accomplishment has been that they have started to bring their craft for us to publicise and sell on the S4 Foundation Facebook page. This has proved a big hit and sales have been brisk. We hope to expand both the free marketplace for women’s art and craft as well as diversified skills training for women and girls across Guyana.

All of the profits gained from selling the items will go directly to the

start literacy classes for the women and girls in St Cuthbert’s, making it sustainable with the help of teachers in the community who are willing to give of their time.

The foundation will also continue to provide diversified skills training and follow-up support.

“The responses from the women have been great. They have all indicated their different interests for skills training and literacy.

We are excited to empower them to diversify their skill sets. They really opened up and expressed their wish to be more financially independent,” expressed Radix.

Additionally, Radix revealed that the foundation is planning two major events before the

Imarah Radix (third from left) with the women from St Cuthbert's

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine Executive Director of the S4 Foundation Imarah Radix stated that the organisation wanted to conduct service projects benefiting all Guyanese regardless of race, creed and religion, hence being inspired to launch the literacy and empowerment project in St Cuthbert’s Mission.

“We recognise the need to take a phased and sustainable approach in our work with women across Guyana.

We are already doing projects in Berbice at Springlands, Linepath and No 79 Village, and we are planning projects in Haslington, Wakenaam and Leguan in Essequibo with special focus on empowerment and education for women and girls. We hope to expand our work to other Amerindian communities who are open to working with us,” Radix declared.

According to Radix, on expressing an interest to go into St Cuthbert’s Mission, the Toshao asked the foundation to carry out sessions with youths and women on teenage pregnancy, which were incredibly successful. Via these sessions, the women communicated their

Packing stationery to be taken to the village

end of the year: a black tie formal event to raise funds and the other for International Peace Day on 21 September. Also, in partnership with the Global Shapers, the foundation plans to have a medical outreach in vulnerable communities. Long term plans include working with women and girls to aid in their development, improve their literacy, and provide more opportunities for growth and financial independence.

“We are also working on setting up a Sister Network where we can swap out skills and also expand the free S4 Marketplace online to include other women artists and artisans. In the much longer term, we want to build a sus-

tainable women’s shelter and attached mushroom farm to further empower women. It is our hope also to engage men and carry out trainings aimed at them and also for their full participation in our programmes and projects, because they are integral to the solution of ending violence. In keeping with this belief, we welcome volunteers of all ages and genders,” Radix mentioned.

Anyone interested in getting involved can help the foundation raise awareness of the project by liking the S4 Foundation Facebook page, sharing the photo albums, directly contribute to the women by buying or ordering a piece of their

craft, or volunteer with the group. Donations can be made in kind or by cheque. The organisation is currently collecting clothing, shoes, books of any kind, stationery and household articles for the Corriverton Women’s Shelter, the Library and Literacy Programme at Kingston Development Centre in No 79 Village, and for other planned outreach projects.

“We’re also looking for a loan of off-road vehicles and/or drivers, sponsorship of a workshop or being a facilitator at one of our workshops. We welcome new partnerships for training and are only too happy to receive this kind of help,” encouraged Radix.

40

Feature

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Indrawattie Natram

T

he Richard Faikall Police Training College, located in Suddie on the Essequibo Coast, was established in memory of Guyanese detective sergeant #11117, Richard Faikall.

Detective Sergeant Faikall died tragically 21 November 1997, in the line of duty when he bravely confronted armed bank robbers moments after they had robbed the Guyana National Co-operative Bank in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast.

The courageous detective lost his life attempting to prevent the robbers from escaping.

The Richard Faikall Police College

In recognition

The initiative to establish the college on the coast was the idea of a senior official in recognition of Faikall’s commitment to his duty to protect and serve.

The college operates under the mission statement of the Guyana Police, in cooperation with the state, society and citizens of Guyana,to provide service and detect crime,

maintain law and order, control traffic, protect property and preserve the peace through the provision of the highest standard of professional service, with absolute integrity and complete

dedication.

Approaching the county of Essequibo from Supenaam, the Police College is located aback of the Suddie Police Station adjacent to the Suddie Sea Wall, Public Hospital and obliquely opposite the Suddie High Court.

Established August 30, 2001, the college was declared opened by Ronald Gajraj then home affairs minister, and recommissioned September 24 by current home affairs minister, Clement Rohee.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Inspector Bharat Persaud, who is the commandant-incharge of the Richard Faikal Police College, mentioned that the college opened the Zara Centre on 8 June 2013.

He stated that the establishment of the computer training college was a partnership with the Zara Group of Companies in the United States of America. The fully air conditioned room is equipped with 36 computer systems

The compound

The Guyana Police and trains persons from Region Force has since seen the throughout addition of four batches Two in the field of of police officers emerg- Information Technology. ing from across Guyana To date, approximatewho have graduated ly 1200 persons were from the Richard Faikall trained including school children, elders, and Police College.

There is a two-storey students from the New Corps. building has a general Opportunity area reserved as a class- Additionally, ‘summer’ room; sleeping quarters, programmes were held.

The college’s future dining hall, kitchen, toilet facilities equipped plans are to continue to with toilet and bath and extend partnership with comfortable drilling par- members of the comapet area.

The late detective sergeant Richard Faikall was described by his colleagues as a very dedicated officer who had his work close to his heart.

Officers who had worked with him said that he was a very simple and down-to-earth man, who was also very punctual and reguThe plaque in memory of Richard Faikall on display at the college lar on his job.

They revealed that the day Faikall died munity as well as train was a dark day for the more policemen to efForce, and they reiterat- fectively "police" on the ed that he would forever Essequibo Coast. The live on in the memories college aims to produce more policemen as well of everyone. as train more persons in the field of Information Serving the Technology. community

feature

Flying high with Trinimade reggae

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bridal event to position U.S. Virgin Islands as premier wedding destination

P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Trinidadian reggae artiste Ras Pilot (Everard Sealy) recently released his third CD collection, which has picked up for him a distribution deal with the Heat of the Tropics Music Group label. This label was responsible for taking Marlon Asher’s song, ‘Ganja Farmer’, from being a local hit single to the pheno¬menal success it brought Asher on the global arena.

Now Ras Pilot is set to achieve the same measure of success with this new 16-track collection, titled ‘Keep The Faith’.

The CD was produced, mixed and mastered in Holland by a well-known producer in Europe, simply referred to as Mr Speakah.

Ras Pilot has also been signed to the Yard Booking agency which will, from November, embark upon an aggressive promotional campaign that will see the artiste performing in major music festivals and other events throughout Europe.

Originally from Prizgar Lands,

Cover art for Ras Pilot’s latest album ‘Keep the Faith’ (TT Guardian photo)

Laventille, Ras Pilot now lives in Central and has always loved to sing, actually beginning his performing career when he was just seven years old.

He appreciated all genres of music as a child, and especially loved calypso.

“I listened to the Mighty Sparrow, but the Mighty Shadow was my favourite calypsonian.

When reggae music really started to become popular and evolve in Trinidad, I took to Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Culture and, of course, Bob Marley. I have always had a deep love for Bob’s song, ‘Jah Live’.”

Ras Pilot got his monicker from his friends who began to call him

by that name because he seemed to always be hopping on an airplane.

As an entrepreneur who specialises in clothing, Ras Pilot travels to the U.S. and other places regularly to purchase stock for the two branches of his clothing store, Brands Galore, located in Chaguanas and San Fernando.

Ras Pilot’s previous albums were titled '4 Corners' and 'Take Off'.

This latest one took him about a year to complete and features, ‘Red’, ‘Badness Gone’, ‘Just A Little Hero’, ‘Three Pounds’, ‘Sweet Paradise’, ‘She Deserves Me’, ‘Smooth Road’, ‘Fire Bun’, ‘Mr Man’ and more.

(TT Express)

H

The symposium will position the territory as a premier wedding and honeymoon destination

ARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism will host the second annual Bridal Educational Symposium November 18-19, 2014 at the Renaissance Carambola Resort on St. Croix.

The two-day event, held this year on St. Croix, will attract leading journalists, experts, travel agents and local wedding industry professionals to network and learn best business practices and marketing strategies.

The symposium will position the territory as a premier wedding and honeymoon destination, and is expected to increase bookings among this niche travel segment.

“We are gearing up to host the popular bridal symposium, which will be held on St. Croix this year,” said Commissioner of Tourism NicholsonDoty. “Our robust line-up of speakers will position the Territory as a premier destination among leading weddings and honeymoon travel professionals.”

The seminars will be moderated again this year by celebrity television host and lifestyle expert, Mar Jennings, who will speak to the growing industry that caters to affairs of the heart.

This year’s seminar speakers include internationally renowned wedding and party planner Colin Cowie on the topic of setting trends and raising the bar; Marley Majcher on business guides for entrepreneurs; Susan Black on digital marketing and e-commerce; Cynthia DeLeonardo on radio and partnerships; Brenda O’Neale on destination weddings; and Jacqueline Johnson on the power and profitability of the wedding and honeymoon industry.

Some 100 delegates are expected to attend the event.

Local vendors, including entertainers, venues, florists, wedding planners and caterers, will showcase their products and services to both local and visiting future brides.

The Department of Tourism will offer a special package for 2015 brides-tobe, including three-night hotel accommodations, admission to the destination vendors trade show, symposium registration, airport transfers and ground transportation for site inspections.

Brides who book their wedding within 30 days of departure will receive a US$500 wedding certificate eligible for any participating wedding planner.

(Caribbean News)

42

Arts & Culture

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

he Main Street Artists group, a local art group that had its origins in the 1980s in central Georgetown, is currently showcasing prolific works of art at Castellani House located on Vlissengen Road.

The exhibition, which was opened on 19 August 2014, displays colourful and thought-provoking paintings, artistic sculptures inspired by Guyanese culture, and well-designed jewellery.

In celebration of Emancipation month 2014, the art exhibition is aptly themed: “Dynamic Expression”.

The artists displaying their work at the exhibition are: Roxanne Adams, Derick Boston, Brian Clarke, Francis Ferreira, George Hinds, George Hope, Ras Iah, Brentnol Lewis, Kenneth Nelson, Rawl Pillay, and Halvard Sealey – all notable artists.

The art exhibition will continue until 6 September 2014. Admission is free.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday; the gallery is closed Sundays and holidays. (Cover photo: 'Saxaphone' Halvard Sealy 2012)

'Inhabitants Suriname III' Bryan Clarke (2013-2014)

'Aspirations' Brentnol Lewis (2014)

'Lamp' Halvard Sealy (2014)

'Lovers I' Kenneth Nelson (2014)

'Fire of Desire' Francis Ferreira (2014)

Jewellery, made from local products such as seeds and calabash, on display

'Lovers' Derick Boston (2013)

news

43

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Caribbean hotel income steadily improving

T

he average Caribbean hotel enjoyed an 18.6 percent increase in net operating income (NOI) during 2013, according to the newly released 2014 edition of 'Caribbean Trends in the Hotel Industry' published by PKF Consulting USA (PKFC).

This is the third year in a row that Caribbean hotels have experienced a double-digit increase in NOI and the highest annual growth in profits achieved since 2008.

“Caribbean hotels have unique operating challenges that result in relatively higher expenses,” said Scott Smith, MAI, Vice President in the Atlanta office of PKFC. “Fortunately, recent increases in visitation to the Region have resulted in top-line revenue growth that has overcome the high costs and resulted in strong growth in bottom-line profits.”

Amenities

The Caribbean hotel industry is made up of a large number of resort

ties in the survey sample enjoyed a 3.4 percent decline in utility costs.

Profits

Princess Hotel, Guyana (Princess photo)

properties, which creates the opportunity to earn profits from a variety of services and amenities. Rooms revenue (56.8 percent) remains the largest source of revenue for the properties in the Caribbean Trends sample, but significant contributions come from

food and beverage sales (28.8 percent), as well retail and recreation outlets (12.7 percent).

“From 2012 to 2013, we observed healthy increases in both rooms and food and beverage revenue. On the other hand, we noticed a slight decline in oth-

er operated department revenues. Visitors to the Caribbean are not spending as much money on extra amenities, such as golf courses, casinos and spas, as they used to,” Smith stated.

In aggregate, total revenues for the survey sample increased by 4.4

percent in 2013.

In 2013, total operating costs for hotels in the Caribbean increased by 1.9 percent. Due to the 1.6 percent increase in occupied rooms, the greatest increase in expenses was observed in the rooms department.

Conversely, the proper-

With revenues growing greater than expenses, Caribbean hotel profits were able to increase by 18.6 percent in 2013.

However, a comparison to comparable properties in the U.S. found that the higher costs of goods, services and utilities in the Caribbean does result in relatively lower profit margins. In 2013, Caribbean resorts achieved a 16.3 percent profit margin compared to a 21.4 percent margin for comparable U.S. resorts.

With profits growing, the Caribbean Region is attracting the attention of developers from all around the world. As reported in STR, Inc’s June 2014 Construction Pipeline Report, there are 27,690 rooms either under construction or planned for development in the Region.

In addition, several hotels are undergoing major renovations and improvements. (Caribbean News)

44

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

news

45

WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

De no-confidence motion and the commotion

D

e KFC no-confidence motion ain’t had no motion since from de first time when de Nagga man tink bout it. And he had tink bout it while he was havin a motion he self. So de no-confidence motion end up tekkin after de same pattern of de Nagga man regular motion…every ting was hard.

Just like de Nagga man motion, de no-confidence motion had a hard time startin up, then it had a hard time in between, and it had a hard time gettin done.

Plus it had a hard time gettin any body to join in. Then it was a hard time lettin it out.

Even de FLAPNU people couldn’ta mek up dem mind if to join in or stay out of de Nagga man motion.

Plus at that time, half of FLAPNU had no-confidence in de other half of FLAPNU. And de whole of FLAPNU had know a long time that it ain’t easy bein around de Nagga man motion. Dem know very well that every ting bout Nagga motion does be hard.

Then a lil gyal by de court seh that whah de Nagga man was really hopin woulda be hard don’t ever be hard. She seh that is why de Nagga man does be so hard with every ting else. Is that he hopin that one day de hardness gon be exactly wheh he want it to be.

De lil gyal seh that although de Nagga man is a old man he does fuhget whah old people seh bout teachin a old dog new tricks. Or it could be that de Nagga man prefer to dream on all he life hopin that some day de hardness gon come back wheh it used to be a very long time ago.

Well, in de end it had so mucha commotion wid de no-confidence motion that by de time de Nagga man and Rum Jhaat done, both of dem ain’t had no motion.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So both motion end up gettin a hard time.

Old people does call that constipation!

Patrick Manning declines TT’s national award

P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Former TT Prime Minister Patrick Manning has publicly declined the recommendation of his successor—Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar—that he receive the country’s highest honour, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at this year’s National Awards Ceremony at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain on Independence Day. During an Independence Day cocktail reception which she hosted at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s last Thursday night, PersadBissessar announced she had recommended to President Anthony Carmona that former prime ministers Manning and Basdeo Panday receive the Order of the Republic.

While not indicating whether Manning, the San Fernando East MP, or Panday were consulted about or had accepted this award, Persad-Bissessar declared, “They are worthy of awards. I thought it fitting that we pay tribute to those who came before us.”

Manning, in a statement issued by his constituency office, not only refused the award but hit out at Persad-Bissessar and her People’s Partnership (PP) government, saying she had led attacks against him in the 2010 general election campaign in which she defeated his People’s National Movement (PNM) administration which she did not withdraw in last Thursday’s announcement.

Patrick Manning

Manning said, “I wish to respectfully decline the publicly announced nomination by the Honourable Prime Minister to have me receive the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, this nation’s highest award.”

He explained, “The primary reason is rooted firmly in my principled stance to not accept any Trinidad and Tobago awards while serving as an MP.” Manning added, “It is important to note what is appropriate and what is not, regarding the announcement of such awards.”

Explaining that the Order of the Republic is given to a national of TT who “has rendered distin-

Basdeo Panday (TT Newsday file photos)

guished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago,” Manning said, “I was made aware of this nomination through persons who saw it reported on the social media, Facebook.”

He noted: “I was neither consulted, nor advised prior to this announcement. I consider this approach a gross discourtesy.”

Manning, who served as Prime Minister from December 17, 1991 to November 9, 1995 and December 24, 2007 to May 26, 2010, also explained there was a well-established process for the selection of persons to be recipients of national awards. (TT Newsday)

46 history Berbice High School to celebrate 98 years of existence I WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

n 1916, a group of Canadian missionary teachers made a decision to establish a top rate education institution for students in Berbice. It was owned by the Canadian Presbyterian Church.

The school’s manual states that the institution’s aim was to prepare boys and girls for the important tasks in life, to seek after truth and righteousness and to build a character worthy of emulation.

On 5 September 1916, the Berbice High School for boys was established on the bottom floor of Reverend J A Scrimgeour’s residence.

Mr C A Pugsley was the head teacher for the nine students. Due to a growing population and the generosity of the public and government, in 1920, the boys’ building was erected. As a direct result to this, the Canadian Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church made the move to set up a school for girls. This was housed on the low-

BHS continues to expand as a new wing was added earlier this year

er flat of the missionary’s residence under the charge of the Minister’s wife, Mrs McLeod.

The manual further states that the Berbice High School for Girls and the Berbice High School for Boys continued until 1924 when the students of the fourth and fifth form were placed together for the first time to work for their Cambridge Junior and Senior School Certificate Examination.

By 1941, the man-

ual mentions, the student population had reached 190 and a complete amalgamation was effected. It was then the name ‘Berbice High School’ came into being.

In order to adequately accommodate the growing number of students on role, the Canadian Presbyterian Church, in Canada, decided to send a representative to British Guiana to assess the situation and examine whether any assistance could come

from the government.

According to the document, Dr E H Johnson, Secretary for the Board of Overseas Missions, was able to influence the government to throw in 50% of the cost for the construction of the building in the master plan.

In April 1919, the government made their first financial contribution towards salaries of teachers. The rate was $100 per month.

Names such as the Honourable Joseph

Eleazer, Honourable E A Luckhoo, Honourable Peer Bacchus and the Honourable T T Thompson played a fundamental part in bending the government’s arm to release more assistance to the school.

According to the document, “In 1951, Honourable W O R Kendall convinced Government of the need to increase its grant to the Berbice High School from $8,000 to $13,000.

In 1955 government was again approached for an increase in the grant and as there was a consciousness of the value of education among the ranks of the government, the annual block grant was increased to $27,500.”

After 50 years of pro-

1926.” The document notes that in 1954 the Oxford examination was introduced to the school and later the G.C.E. A sixth form was established at the institution in 1954 but due to poor response the idea was abandoned. It was subsequently re-introduced and lasted a few years. In 1971, the Berbice High School was twinned with the St. Rose’s High School, however, according to the manual, no known visits were made since 1976.

The school is situated at the intersection of North Road and Princess Elizabeth Road in New Amsterdam. The population comes from several sections of East and West Berbice.

The auditorium in 1972 (Photo courtesy of Berbice High School Alumni Association)

An engraving of Water Street, Georgetown, by Milton Prior, published in the Illustrated London News on 23 April 1888 (Guyana.org photo)

ducing some of the finest students in the country, the school on 16 January 1967 was passed over to the Government of Guyana and no tuition fees were charged. The Minister of Education, who was then Winifred Gaskin, announced that the school would hold status similar to that of Queen’s College and Bishops High School.

Another page in the school’s history was written in 1919 when J I Ramphal became known as the first candidate to pass the Cambridge Senior Examination.

“Mr. Simon Mook Sang obtained the medical degree at Edinburgh after gaining university standing from the Berbice High School in

Berbice High School has produced notable individuals such as Sir Edward Luckhoo, Lionel Luckhoo and Sir Shridath Ramphal.

The Berbice High School certainly has an outstanding record behind it and may well be proud of its achievement. It has lived up to the ideals of its founder by providing the training that has fitted many of its sons and daughters to hold prominent positions in the government, judiciary, civil service, in the legal and medical professions, in teaching, in business, trade and industry.

The school continues to excel as one of the country’s high-ranking educational institutions.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Charlotte Street view of the High Court (n.d.)

feature

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WEEK ENDING August 31, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CaribbeanTales Film Festival...

descendants whose ancestors were exiled to Central America; where Garifuna traditional culture was able to survive and flourish

Political people

Derek Walcott is also included in the showcase

T

O R O N T O , C A N A D A : The annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF2014) returns to Toronto beginning September 3.

The showcase features Caribbean films from 15 selected countries around the Region with public, community and online screenings.

This includes 11-feature length and 20 short films, seven of which are in competition for the CTFF Audience Prize to be announced on Closing Night, September 13.

Festival screenings run from September 8, 10, 12 and 13 at The Royal Cinema, 608 College Street.

The fest kicks off with a delicious Caribbean reception on Wednesday September 3, in association with the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto at the Royal Cinema.

The evening will include the World Premiere of ‘The Glamour Boyz Again! Sparrow and Superior on the Hilton Rooftop’ (Geoffrey Dunn, Trinidad and Tobago, 2014, English, PG). The feature-length documentary reveals a remarkable acoustic performance by two of Calypsos most venerated figures, the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Superior. The film includes reminiscences by both Sparrow and Superior, whose friendship dates back more than 55 years, to the mid-1950s. Sparrows execution at the Hilton is arguably his best-rendered acoustic performance ever recorded.

Slinger Francisco,

better known as The Mighty Sparrow, affectionately dubbed The Birdie is the unrivaled Calypso King of the World, with a career that spans over 40 years. This artist par excellence has earned his rightful place as “King of the Calypso World”, defeating every other pretender to his throne.

Indigenous Caribbean

On Monday, the spotlight shifts to indigenous Caribbean with ‘Yurumein’ (CoPresentation with MUSKRAT Magazine).

The 50 min Andrea L.

On the same day, ‘Thunder in Guyana,’ a Suzanne Wasserman film will be featured.

The tale of Janet Rosenberg is almost too fantastic to be believed. It’s the love story of two idealistic young radicals, the Chicagoborn Rosenberg and Cheddi Jagan, a native of Guyana on South America’s northern coast, who fell in love, married and set off for the British colony to start a socialist revolution.

Though Jagan and Rosenberg became the most important political figures in Guyana, they also faced arrest, repression and the active oppression and intervention of world figures such as Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. At one

Slinger Francisco, better known as The Mighty Sparrow

Leland 2014 production out of St.Vincent is an important untold story of Carib/Garifuna resistance against slavery that deserves its place in the annals of the African diaspora. The film recounts the painful past of the Caribs on St. Vincent and the extermination of scores of their ancestors at the hands of the British, while building an intimate portrait of Garifuna culture intransition today. We are given firsthand accounts from both Carib descendants who remain on the island of St. Vincent and voices of returning

point, the British press even dubbed Rosenberg the “Second Eva Peron.”

After years of tireless work, free and fair elections were finally instituted in Guyana in the early 1990′s, and Janet Rosenberg-Jagan was elected the first foreignborn, female president of the country in 1997.

Combining biographical portrait with social and political history, ‘Thunder in Guyana’ illuminates an overlooked corner of recent history in a story packed with real drama.

Caribbean literature

‘Thunder in Guyana’ to feature as part of the political people segment

‘Yurumein’ puts spotlight on the indigenous Caribbean

Caribbean literature will take centre stage later in the evening with ‘Poetry is an Island’–Derek Walcott (Co-Presentation and In Association with the St. Lucian Tourist Board).

‘Poetry is an island’ is a feature documentary film about Nobel laureate, poet, playwright, and visual artist, Derek Walcott. The film depicts an intimate portrait of the poet, as we visit his art studio, his childhood home, and his current residence in St. Lucia.

We discover the anger and frustration that the poet holds against the downtime of the arts as he talks to us about

the meaning of poetry to him personally, and about the significance of art for humanity. Family members reveal some of the poet’s life challenges, and people who have worked with him speak frankly about their experiences with Walcott.

‘Poetry is an island’ is an intimate portrait of the man, the poet, and son of the Caribbean: Derek Walcott.

Caribbean journey back home

W e d n e s d a y , September 10, Mariette Monpierre’s ‘Elza’ out of Guadeloupe will be featured.

Bernadette, a single mother in Paris, tries to provide her daughters with everything. She is thrilled when her eldest daughter, Elza, is the first in the family to graduate from college earning a master’s degree summa cum laude.

But Elza breaks her mother’s heart by running away to their native Guadeloupe in search of a distant childhood memory: the father she barely remembers. This feature debut by writer/director Mariette Monpierre offers an unusual insider’s view of lush island culture as she captures the passion and contradictions of this family.

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Leonardo DiCaprio wants Justin Bieber shares photo of physique like David Beckham’s on-off girlfriend Selena Gomez

H

ollywood star L e o n a r d o DiCaprio reportedly wants to flaunt a physique like that of former soccer star David Beckham.

The 39-year-old ‘The

Wolf of the Wall Street’ star is apparently worried about the gain of weight, reported Daily Star.

“Leo has decided now would be a good time to get back in shape. He’s

had a big summer of partying and it’s showing around his waist.

Leo will turn 40 in November and knows that if he doesn’t start looking after himself, it’ll only get harder as he grows older.

“He’s told his celebrity trainer he’s got until November to get a body resembling David’s (Beckham). Leo’s already started his regime which involves early morning paddle boarding followed by twohour sessions at a gym,” a source said. (Indian Express)

Chris Hemsworth, Charlie Day to star in ‘Vacation’

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ctors Chris Hemsworth and Charlie Day are reportedly negotiating to star in New Line’s reboot-slashremake to the classic 1980s comedy ‘Vacation’, which starred Chevy Chase.

The original, written by John Hughes, based on his short story ‘Vacation ’58’, is a fictionalised account of his own family’s ill-fated trip to Disneyland when Hughes was a boy. Chase played Clark Griswold, who plans a holiday with his wife and kids.

The new movie sees actor Ed Helms starring as Rusty Griswold, the grownup son of Clark Griswold, who takes his family on a road trip similar to the one

he and his parents and sister took when he was young.

Hemsworth, 31, will reportedly play Stone Crandall, an up-and-coming anchorman and the husband of Rusty’s sister, Audrey. Day, 38, will cameo as a river-rafting guide, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Christina Applegate is on board as Rusty’s

wife. Chase and Beverly D’Angelo are to make cameos in the movie, which begins shooting in September after having been delayed.

John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are making their directorial debut with the film. Chris Bender of Benderspink and David Dobkin are producing. Jeff Kleeman is the executive producer. (Indian Express)

Demi Moore feels responsible for youngest daughter's woes

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ctress Demi Moore is upset as she feels she has passed her own problems related to drug and alcohol to her youngest daughter Tallulah.

She keeps "breaking down in tears" over her daughter's issues, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 51-year-old had herself spent time in rehab in 2012 for anorexia and prescription drug abuse after she split from husband Ashton

Kutcher.

So, she feels her own problems have invaded the life of her 20-yearold daughter, who checked into The Meadows Center to seek help for alcohol and drug abuse last month.

"Talullah is making progress but Demi is in pieces. She's convinced she's passed her own problems with drugs and alcohol on to her daughter," a source told Britain's Grazia magazine. (TOI)

Separation from Mariah Carey was Nick Cannon's decision

I

t was actor-rapper Nick Cannon who decided to end his marriage with singer Mariah Carey -- for the sake of their children.

The two, who married in 2008 and have twins, have been living separate-

ly for some months.

Tmz.com reports that Cannon is concerned about Mariah's emotional state and ended the marriage because he believes the environment around Mariah is toxic. He fears for his children.

Cannon believes his children have already shown signs of being emotionally upset for living in the company of Mariah.

According to sources, he wants to give the kids a safe haven from the "chaos" at her home.

Cannon is taking a "passive" role in the divorce and has asked his lawyers to end things as "peacefully" as possible. (TOI)

T

hey tried to keep their date discreet as they enjoyed a night out at a restaurant in Hollywood on Monday.

But the following day, Justin Bieber couldn't help but show some love for his on-off girlfriend Selena Gomez, 22, as he shared a photo of the pretty brunette gazing close-up into the camera.

The Canadian crooner didn't caption the image instead letting the sultry snap do the talking.

It appears the 20-year-old took the image from the Disney star's own Instagram account as the actress shared it just moments prior with the caption: 'Thank you Jen for my pretty Jennifer Meyer S necklace #Itgottangledlikesixtimes #seventhtimesacharm #getit' While obviously the actress was giving a shout-out to her jewelry designer friend, Justin liked it enough to show it to his 20 million followers. (Daily Mail)

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hinese Kungfu star Jackie Chan is so terrified of needles that he can't stand the sight of them.

Best known for his action and martial arts roles on the big screen, he said that the "the sight of" a syringe is enough to make him pass out, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"Needles will always make me feel faint. Just the sight of one. If I break my finger, I just put it back in and keep filming," he indicated.

"For 'Rumble in the Bronx' I broke my ankle in the morning and was filming again by the afternoon... I can fight two people at once. But if three or four

people attack me, I'll just run away," he added. (TOI)

Britney Spears 'fed up of father's control' on her life

B

ritney Spears reportedly wants her father's conservatorship to end because she is fed-up and also wants to marry boyfriend David Lucado freely. Sources have revealed that the 'Piece of Me' star just doesn't understand why the care has lasted this long, as she can now manage on her own and she's sick of all the bodyguards, Radaronline.com

reported.

Her relationship with Lucado has never been stronger and she also wanted the conservatorship to end so that she could be free to marry him, the sources further added.

However, despite the desire to be independent, Spears would likely remain under her father's care for the foreseeable future. (TOI)

James Franco indulges in self-mockery

A

ctor James Franco is not bothered by criticism, and says his healthy perspective on life helps him to be able to make fun of himself.

The actor is gearing up to complete his PhD. in English Literature, and he has been criticised for carving out other careers as a poet and painter. But he isn't worried, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"People might have the impression I'm trying to prove something, but I'm doing this for myself. I have a sense of humour about how people perceive what I'm doing as strange--I love being able to mock myself," said Franco.

(TOI)

Daniel Radcliffe learning Japanese

‘H

arry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe has been learning Japanese.

Radcliffe, 24, said he is finding it quite tough at the moment as he is only just started, reported Contactmusic.

"I just started learning Japanese.

It's super hard, but fascinating. My favourite word so far is tokidoki [which means sometimes]--it sounds like 'okeydokey'," he said. (TOI)

bollywood

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Bipasha Basu hopes ‘Creature Alia Bhatt prefers mentor 3D’ is path-breaking Karan Johar over dad for advice

A

ctress Bipasha Basu, who is gearing up for the release for her film “Creature 3D”, hopes the film paves the way for more such creature-based thrillers in Bollywood.

Bipasha feels new themes such as the one in “Creature 3D”, add freshness to the Hindi film industry.

“I enjoyed working in this film. It was an exciting experience for me. I hope that this film turns path-breaking because then a lot more creature-based films can be made and those will be entertaining for the audiences,” Bipasha said in an interview.

“We keep on making similar masala films, slapsticks…but I want audiences to get some newer ways of getting entertained,” added the actress, who recently decided to step away from promoting her own film “Humshakals”.

“Creature 3D”, directed by Vikram Bhatt, has drawn its share of curiosity because of the scary look of the creature in it. The creature is said to be inspired from Indian mythology.

Also featuring Pakistani actor Imran Abbas, the movie will hit the theatres September 12. (Indian Express)

S

unny Leone has made a special place for herself in Bollywood.

However, the journey for the former adult star was challenging and she is known for taking up challenges. The actress recently spoke to TOI about India, her fan craze with young children, her plans to start a family and her secret of a great body.

“The reaction is the same when I visit small cities. They are excited that I am there. Thankfully with the grace of God I haven't had many major issues,” she said of her travels across India.

“I am always amazed that young children know who I am and that their parents are excited for the kids to take pictures with me. I am not sure when my

“Two good looking people are bound to get attracted to each other, who knows I may or may not have taken it forward.”

The episode of ‘Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan’ featuring the ‘Highway’ actress will air August 31. (Indian Express)

H husband Daniel and I will plan to start a family, only time will tell. Right now I am focused on my career but I know that I will continue to work after I have a baby,” the actress added. (TOI)

A

ctress Priyanka Chopra has been nominated by many to take up the ALS ice bucket challenge, but she doesn't seem to be interested.

The challenge involves dumping buckets of ice water over one's head to spread awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Apart from Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Robert Pattinson and Nicole Kidman accepting it, Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Bipasha Basu and Abhishek Bachchan also took up the challenge.

But Priyanka is not joining the league. (TOI)

Govinda: I’ve no objections to daughter doing intimate scenes

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tionships as my father thinks no man will ever be good enough for me,” Alia said on the show.

She also spoke about her fear of plants, as well as about her reported link-ups with Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan.

To that, she said:

‘I feel shy when people compliment me for my looks’ – Dharmendra

Priyanka Chopra not interested in ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

ovinda's last visit to Jaipur was in June, and he recently took another trip to Pink City to attend a private function.

The actor also took out time to address the local media and didn't shy away from answering questions centred around his daughter Narmada's Bollywood debut. Admitting that the glam world has its own rules and regulations, he said, "Romantic scenes are a part of Bollywood cinema and if the script demands some kind of intimacy, I have no issues with my daughter doing those scenes. To get into the skin of a character, an artiste has to do certain things. And I won't have any objections unless my daughter is uncomfortable doing them." (TOI)

Y

oung and vivacious Alia Bhatt prefers to consult Karan Johar, the director of her debut film ‘Student Of The Year’, rather than her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, when she needs advice.

On a recent appearance on Zee Cafe’s ‘Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan’ with Niranjan Iyengar, the 21-year-old confessed that she shares her concerns about career, life and love with KJo, said a source.

“I prefer calling Karan (Johar) over my father for advice on my films. I even go to him for concerns related to rela-

e is regarded as one of the most handsome actors in Hindi cinema but yesteryear star Dharmendra says he gets shy when his co-stars or fans compliment him for his good looks.

The 78-year-old actor credits his healthy lifestyle and being content with his life behind his charming looks.

"I am a shy person and I actually get embarrassed when people compliment me for my looks. But when I think about it later, I feel good. I don't have any regrets in my life. I am happy with

whatever God has given me be it personally or professionally. I get up early in the morning and do yoga to stay fit.

I don't go to gym and all," Dharmendra said in a recent interview. (TOI)

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Jonathon Foo hits second half century

Trinidad defeat Jamaica to win Women’s Caribbean Football Union Champs

BCB Senior One Day Inter-County Trials…

J

onathan Foo continued his good form in the second Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) trial match played at Albion Sports Complex on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 but was unlucky to just miss out on a century.

In a match reduced to 30 overs a side due to heavy overnight rain, Narsingh Deonarine’s XI won the toss and inserted Anthony Bramble’s XI to take first strike. They lost two early wickets in Verapen Permaul for 8 and Joemal LaFleur 9.

The pugnacious Foo joined Seon Hetmyer and together they flayed the bowling to all parts of the ground. Foo missed out on his century when he went for 99 (6×6 and 4×4). Hetmyer went on to score 36. Skipper Anthony Bramble contributed 20.

Anthony Bramble’s XI ended on 200 for 5.

Devon Clements took two wickets for Deonarine XI. In reply, Deonarine’s XI were bowled out for 129 to lose by 71 runs.

Jonathan Foo

K an dasamm y Surujnarine top scored with 33 and Romario Shepherd made 22.

Bowling for Bramble’s XI, Steven Latcha took 3 for 20 and Shawn Perriera 2 for 23.

Meanwhile, a fine half-century from Foo, a four-wicket haul from national pacer Raun Johnson and a good all-round performance by Test cricketer Deonarine were the highlights of the first Berbice Cricket Board’s Senior trial match on

Tuesday.

Three trial matches are being staged to help select the county’s One-Day team for the upcoming Inter-county tournament, which will commence on September 4.

Deonarine’s XI won the toss and elected to take first strike. They started poorly, losing Rafael Estriado and former national youth batsman Seon Hetmyer.

Skipper Deonarine and Foo combined to take their team out of trouble with the highest partnership of the match to help their team post a formidable total of 212 all out in 47 overs of their allotted 50 overs.

Foo topscored with 67. He was assisted

by Deonarine with 40.

Johnson took 4-39 off eight overs.

Assad Fudadin’s XI batted poorly in their reply, finishing 157 all out. Gudakesh Motie (30) and Jason Sinclair (27) were the leading scorers as Deonarine returned to take 2-21 and Krishendat Ramoo 2-19.

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TT’s Soca Princesses have been crowned 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women champions

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Hosts Trinidad and Tobago beat Jamaica 1-0 in a fiercely contested game at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday night to become the 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women champions.

Mariah Shade scored the winner in the eighth minute of a high-tempo game in relatively cool evening conditions.

Despite the patchy playing surface, both teams thrilled at times with their close ball skills and good passing, but there were no further goals.

The hosts, buoyed by the vibrant atmosphere provided by the few hundred spectators at the venue, dominated first half ball possession, outside of the very early lively burst from the Jamaicans.

The Soca Princesses scored off their first real attack when Shade was left unmarked to the inside-left position of the

Jamaican defence. She controlled an aerial pass she received and rifled past goalkeeper Nicole McClure.

Jamaica's leading goal scorer Shakira Duncan could have equalised soon after on a counter-attacking move.

The nifty striker was played through on goal

by Jodi-Ann McGregor's lofted pass in the 19th minute, but she was muscled off the ball by retreating defender Arin King.

In the 41st minute, Jamaica's Christina Murray shot wide of goal from 22 yards, though the Trinidad 'keeper Kimika Forbes was off her line.

Two minutes later, the hosts should have stretched their lead when the speedy Kennya Cordner set up Janine Francois, however the latter headed tamely wide of the mark.

The second half saw Jamaica wresting more of the possession, and they came closest to

equalising in the 51st minute when a TT defender's clearance ricocheted off Duncan's head and hit the upright. After striking the goal frame, the ball bounced harmlessly across the face of goal.

Jamaica seriously threatened twice again through the enterprise of substitute Shaneka Gordon.

In the 84th minute, Gordon's half-volleyed effort was deflected wide and two minutes later, she struck another leftfooted shot that sneaked wide of Forbes' far post as the encounter ended in tense fashion.

In the third-place play-off, Haiti, runners-up to Jamaica in Group A, drubbed fellow French-speaking outfit Martinique 5-1.

Martinique were second to TT in Group B. All four teams have sealed spots to the CONCACAF Championship to be held in the United States in October. (Jamaica Observer)

Indomitable Invaders defeat Saturn to win NYSCL competition

I

nvaders defeated Saturn in a cliffhanger to win the Division IIB 25 Overs Competition of the NYSCL, played on Sunday, August 24th on 150th Street and Rockaway Blvd.

Invaders won the toss and put Saturn in to bat and in the second over A. Veradin was bowled by a W. Valladares special for duck.

Nauth and Budram put on 62 for the second wicket before Budram was caught and bowled

by M. Chan for 18 runs in the 13th over. After the break, Tribowan came to the wicket and placed some glorious cricket shots. Nauth was then dismissed for 20 and Poonsammy joined Tribowan and they both played shots around the wicket.

P. Drickpaul came into the attack and re-

moved both Poonsammy and Tribowan for 29 and 38 respectively. Saturn were eventually bowled out for 176.

W. Valladares was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 26 while P. Valladares and P. Drickpaul had 2 wickets each. Invaders in reply we're given a great start

by M. Chan (47) and P. Valladares. They put on 97 before M. Chan was bowled by Khan.

After the break, Saturn fought back gallantly and picked up four quick wickets. Invaders needed 21 runs from the final 3 overs but Cecil Gunraj bowled a maiden over in which he had 2 wickets. With 21 required of the final 2 overs, Saturn brought back their best bowler, Darren Singh to bowl the Penultimate but his first ball was driven superbly

over square cover for 6

by R. Budram.

11 runs were needed in the final over. The first ball was hit for 4 by R. Budram, where one delivery left Invaders needing 2 runs to win. A. Drickpaul then drove the ball to long-on and they scampered 2 runs to win the championship which sent supporters into a frenzy.

A. Drickpaul finished with 39 not out and W. Valladares was named Man-of-theMatch. Saturn did not show any sportsmanship.

They stormed off the field arguing amongst themselves and did not congratulate any of the Invaders' players. This victory was very sweet given the fact that Invaders was given no chance to even make the Finals. Congrats Invaders!

SPort

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Four Windies players are co- Trinidad’s Jason Ramoutar crowned owners in Canada T20 league world amateur kickboxing champ The Canadian Premier League's management committee includes Singh, a successful Toronto-based entrepreneur who serves as CEO and chairman, Chanderpaul, a director of the company while Bravo, Ramdin and Powell will serve as co-owners.

F o r m e r Toronto Star reporter, Bob Mitchell, has been appointed president and Dwayne Bravo (left) and Denesh Ramdin (Jamaica Gleaner photo) Emma Everett, managing agent O R O N T O , ment of internationDwayne Bravo, CANADA: Four al-calibre T20 cricket to of the biggest through the Canadian Denesh Ramdin, Kieran names from the West Premier League and the Powell and Sir Richie Indies cricket team have direction being taken by Richardson, will serve as signed a deal making Roy Singh, the league's head of global player opthem co-owners in the founder and CEO," said erations.

"The Canadian new Canadian Premier Ramdin, the recently apLeague T20 set for next pointed West Indies Test Premier League is already creating waves of year. team captain.

"Roy has the vision, excitement within the They are one-day cricketcaptain Dwayne Bravo, determination and drive international Test Captain Denesh to make this League tru- ing community," said Ramdin, opening bats- ly successful and sustain- Powell.

"What makes the man Kieran Powell able and I am thrilled to and former captain and be coming on board as league stand out is Roy veteran Shivnarine part of such a pioneer- Singh's brilliance and Chanderpaul. ing venture for the North initiative in carving out a niche market in this The deal arrives American market." ahead of the countdown The 10-team league region and ensuring to the inaugural North will consist of profession- that the business model American league tourna- al cricketers from around surrounding his league ment scheduled to com- Canada, alongside glob- is based on longevity mence on August 1 next al cricketing superstars that centres around a year. from across the world, real passion for growth "I fully support the league officials have con- and development of the game." (Caribbean News) growth and develop- firmed.

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Dwayne Smith seals two-year deal

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith has signed a two-year deal with Sydney Sixers for the upcoming Big Bash League in December.

“I’m going to come and give it my best and hopefully we can see plenty of sixes when it is my turn to play for the Sixers,” Smith said.

Smith will head into the tournament in sublime form in Twenty20 matches, having played several match-winning innings for two of his teams in recent months.

Smith was the second highest run-scorer in the 2014 Indian Premier League, scoring 566 runs for Chennai Super Kings with five half-centuries.

He carried that form over to Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League, making 353 runs with two hundreds and a fifty at an average of 44.12. Smith also topscored with an unbeat-

Dwayne Smith

en 59 in the rain-affected final against Guyana Amazon Warriors, as Tridents clinched the title with an eight-run victory according to the D/L method.

“Dwayne is a power-

ful exciting stroke-maker at the top of the order,” Trevor Bayliss, the Sixers coach, said. “He also bowls some handy medium pace and his fielding is top class.” (cricinfo)

- after beating Canada’s ‘Poetic Hitman’

Newly crowned World Amateur Kick Boxing champion, Jason Ramoutar (centre), proudly displays his freshly won belt and "Best Fighter" trophy alongside other winners, Joel Ramoutar (left) and Cassious Chandree of Team Elite (TT Newsday photo)

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Trinidad and Tobago kickboxing ace, Jason Ramoutar was crowned world amateur champion at the Central Regional Indoor Sporting Arena, Chaguanas, last Saturday night, as he silently assassinated Canada’s “Poetic Hitman”, Theo Tony, in the feature match of Fine Line Fight Factory’s fifth annual International Kick Boxing Card, Fight Night.

Ramoutar’s tight victory over Tony was delivered via unanimous decision from the judging panel, who upon the revelation of the local athlete’s win, sent the home supporters into a frenzy.

The TT and Canadian fighters showed grit from as early as the opening round and equally trad-

ed swift body and head shots. Ramoutar worked his right hand through Tony’s defence while the foreigner still managed to land some quick blows.

Throughout the tightly contested clash, Ramoutar seemed to have some trouble with his head gear, forcing the referee to stop the fight on several occasions for him to readjust the straps. Tony still showed form with sleek footwork but was matched with counter-kicks from the persistent local fighter.

Into the seventh and final round however, Tony seemed to relax a bit more and show early forms of celebration by assuming the victory.

But, the judges were not misled and produced the favoured result on the night, with Ramoutar bagging the coveted title and also holding on to the

crown for “Best Fighter”.

One match prior, Sangre Grande-based Team Elite Karate’s Cassious Chandree, also emerged victorious by conquering Fine Line’s Juman Kissoon in another match of many blows.

Chandree timed his attacks precisely and were on most occasions, able to land some good short combinations against the taller Kissoon. The Fine Line fighter also had his small bursts of dominance, but in the end, it was Chandree who grab the win, all courtesy quick footwork and an onslaught on incoming punches.

Additionally, Ramoutar’s younger sibling Joel, was also in winning form on the night as he captured the National Quantum Weight title against Jonathan Ali. (TT Newsday)

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Youngsters excel at Pan Caribbean Martial Arts Championship

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oungsters from the Best of the Best Martial Arts group were in top form last weekend when the Pan Caribbean Martial Arts championship was held at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

Professor and founder of the group, Quacuy Baveghems, said he was quite surprised by the performance of his students, who gave their best display at the international tournament.

Judah Ram and Romel Latchman copped first place in the Weapons category, while Miguel Hunte took second in Free Style Kata and Weapons and third in Sparring.

Kimberley Baveghems got second in Traditional Kata, while Trenton Coates was runnerup in Weapons and Free Style Kata.

Gaberilla Kingston, Roshanna Christopher and Quacuy Baveghems Jnr took third in their respective cate-

Professor and founder of the Best of the Best Martial Arts group, Quacuy Baveghems, is all smiles as his students proudly display their trophies (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

gories. Kingston competed in Traditional Kata, Christopher

participated in Weapons and Baveghems Jnr placed third in

Traditional Kata.

Quacuy Baveghems, who

has been practicing martial arts for 27 years and is now an eighth degree black belt, said his group will not rest on their laurels, but will pursue bigger goals in the coming months.

The group is preparing to attend martial arts tournaments in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago and Baveghems said financial support for those ventures overseas has been forthcoming from the Sport Ministry.

Meanwhile, the chief instructor, whose partner at the school is Linden Charles, said there are numerous benefits of practicing martial arts and he is encouraging youngsters to get involved in the sport.

Persons interested in joining the Best of the Best Martial Arts group can visit the training sessions which usually take place at the Houston Secondary School on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 17:00h to 19:00h. (Avenash Ramzan)

Teach Them Young cycling closes off this weekend

A

fter weeks of instilling the fundamentals of the sport of cycling to dozens of newcomers, national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed will bring the curtain down on the 38th annual Teach Them Young camp on Saturday at the National Park in Georgetown.

As has been the norm for close to four decades, the camp will close with an 11-race

Junior Niles

Alanzo Greaves

Hamzah Eastman

programme sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Action will pedal off at 09:00h and the event is one of sev-

eral Mohamed would have hosted during the past few weekends and

Yaw could have done better in China – coach

By Treiston Joseph

S

ham Johnny, the coach of young sprint phenomenon Jason Yaw, has lamented that his athlete could have qualified for the ‘A’ final of the Boys 400 metres at the just concluded Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

400 metres Carifta bronze medalist Yaw won the ‘B’ final after missing the ‘A’ final with a subpar performance in the preliminary rounds.

He ran his heat in a time of 49.41s but returned a fast time of 47.47s to win the ‘B’ final which was the fifth fastest 400 metres time at the world event.

Speaking with the coach of the 6’3” athlete, Sham Johnny highlighted what he felt went wrong.

“Well the track and field team was being

Jason Yaw

sponsored by Nike so he had to run in strictly Nike gear and the spikes they gave him caused him a lot of discomfort and after the first round he had a number of blisters that had to be attended to by medical staff after the race,” Johnny told Guyana Times International Sport.

However, Johnny still expressed disappointment in the first round performance of Yaw but is of the belief that had Yaw been pro-

Sham Johnny

vided with a coach he would not have encountered such problems.

“I still feel that if a coach was there he would have done better because we would have been able to schedule training session and all these things would have been sorted out,” Johnny mentioned.

“Jason has one problem and it is experience, he might have had a lot of exposure but he is still a child and it is something we will have to address,” Johnny concluded.

geared towards giving the participants a feel of competitive cycling.

The participants will compete in the BMX events, which will have categories for Open, 6-9 years, 9-12, 12-14 and Boys and Girls.

At the completion of these events, the senior riders will swing into action with the Veterans Under and Over-50 and Over-60, the Mountain Bikes category, Juveniles and the

feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race.

Last year’s feature event was won by Alanzo Greaves of Roraima Bikers Club. Greaves finished the race in a time of one hour, 17 minutes, 12.79 seconds.

Other category winners from last year include Hamzah Eastman (Juveniles), Junior Niles (Veterans U-50) and Clyde Jacobs (Mountain Bike).

Hearts race as Lady Seawolves prepare for first PSAL soccer season The Scholars' Academy Seawolves launched their first PSAL Girls Soccer Team last week. The players wore heart rate monitors and used the Polar GoFit App so they could learn about the health benefits of staying in different target heart rate zones.

Sport

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FIFA referees off to Cricket fans maintain support for Amazon Champions League Warriors’ challenge of CPL final

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Sherwin Moore (left) and Venton Mars

Two of Guyana’s FIFA-accredited referees, Sherwin Moore and Venton Mars, departed Guyana on Wednesday to officiate in the CONCACAF Club Champions League, which now switches to Jamaica.

Guyana is being represented in the League by the country’s number one club side, Alpha United, who suffered defeats in their opening two games at home earlier this month. In photo, Moore (left) and Mars moments before they left for Jamaica. The Guyana Football Federation wished the two officials well during their games in Jamaica.

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Cricket fans worldwide are continuing to support the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ challenge of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final which was played against the Barbados Tridents in St. Kitts and Nevis on August 16.

Immediately after the decision was announced, the Amazon Warriors had mounted a challenge to the outcome of the game, which was controversially awarded to the Tridents under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

This renewed wave of support by fans seems to have come in the wake of a decision by CPL’s Cricket Tournament Committee (CTC), despite substantial evidence to the contrary, that there is no “good reason” to reverse the result or declare the final a nullity.

However, both the CTC and the CPL said they do not object to the matter being referred to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the game’s world governing body, for a ruling that is “definitive, transparent and expeditious”–words that appear to suggest the de-

Dwayne Smith survives an LBW appeal that television replays showed should have been given out

cision was arrived at with a great degree of doubt.

A petition website has been launched in support of the Amazon Warriors’ challenge, currently with more than 2000 supporters and growing, and social media continues to be replete with rage at the way in which the game ended, while at the same time calling on the CPL management to overturn the decision.

A CPL statement issued Sunday said the CTC effectively ruled that the result of the rain-

affected final stands, although there has been mounting pressure from a number of cricket fans worldwide, well respected analysts and commentators of the game, and a number of sport organisations.

The statement said after receiving and considering the formal complaint made by the Amazon Warriors, it referred the Match Report to the CTC for a decision.

The CTC claimed that the Match Referee properly applied the rules re-

garding the time allotted for the match, and alluded to paragraph 6.2 of Section 3A of the CPL Tournament Rules, which deals with match results.

This “expressly precludes a team from objecting to the result of a match on the ground of any decision made by any Umpire or the Match Referee”, the statement said.

The Match Referee’s report indicated an enquiry by CPL Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe and Member of the CTC Charles Wilkin, QC, if the full match could be played without resort to the Duckworth-Lewis rules.

“To this, the consent of both captains was required and that was not forthcoming. Hence, they were informed that, according to the Playing Conditions, they did not have the authority to make such a ruling,” the statement added.

Chairman of the CTC is PJ Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Other Committee members include Zorol Barthley, Walter H Scott and Conde Riley.

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