Guyana Times Daily

Caribbean countries report end to motherto-child HIV transmission P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2695

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

PRICE

Trotman backpedals on plans to borrow against future oil revenues

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: December 1 deadline elapses

P2

Old BBCI tolls still in effect

Page 3

As crime spirals out of control

Daring daylight robbery

2 shot, hospitalised as bandits escape with $2M Page 11

Police shoot alleged wife abuser Page 7

Reg 2 murder/ attempted suicide

Woman died from multiple P12 stab wounds – autopsy finds

Hundreds flock Giftland Mall’s Christmas Tree light-up Rudisa Beverages yet to be paid P9 – payments accumulating interest COP 21

Giftland does it again! Everyone’s favourite holiday just got a whole lot better with the magical Christmas tree light-up at the Giftland Mall, Pettensen, Greater Georgetown on Tuesday evening

Kaieteur Falls suicide

Young lady’s body retrieved Page 10

Sovereign Wealth Fund Page 7

Jagdeo questions conceptualisation

GWI head denies being “party hack” Page 16

– dismisses PPP’s discrimination accusations

Guyana pledges to reduce carbon P9 emissions …as Jagdeo shoots down proposal and carbon tax initiative

One Health hosts P17 workshop in Guyana

2 news

wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

December 1 deadline elapses

Old BBCI tolls still in effect V

ehicle operators plying the Region Five to Region Six route via the Berbice River Bridge on December 1 expressed surprise that the tolls were not yet reduced as promised by the Government.

On November 16, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had announced that from December 1, the toll to cross the Berbice Bridge would be reduced (from $2200 to $1900 for passenger cars and buses and by 10 per cent for other vehicles), as both the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) and Government were about to sign an agreement which will see the latter receiving a $40 million subvention towards reduction of the toll.

However, when operators drove up to the ticket booth at D’Edward Village, Region Five, this was not evident.

According to one car driver, David Duncan, he

Berbice Bridge toll booth

gave the attendant $2000 expecting to receive $100 in change, but instead the attendant requested $200 more. “I thought she was joking, so I say if you don’t have change you could keep the hundred dollar, but when I come with a hundred dollar short, you gon got to give me a ticket. But she say the fare is twenty-two. I say the fare reduced and she say

no, that she got no instructions about it… You ain’t see I could ah lose a set ah money if I did bet,” Duncan disappointedly related.

Similar experiences were had by other persons who were anticipating a reduction in the toll as promised

by Government.

The 13.6 per cent reduction in toll for passenger cars and buses and other reduc-

tions were outlined in the 2015 National Budget, and were initially expected to take effect from September 1. However, negotiations between the Government and the BBCI remained deadlocked and the September 1 date saw none of the proposals being implemented.

C o n s e q u e n t l y , Government, in an effort to pressure the BBCI into ac-

cepting its proposal, implemented water taxis to ply the Rosignol to New Amsterdam route and subsidised the service. However, instead of pressuring the BBCI, Government pressured the Route 56 (Rosignol-New Amsterdam) minibuses, as persons opted to use the subsidised water taxi service which costs $120 per journey, putting many operators on the breadline.

Eventually, Government then decided to buy over the Bridge Company so it could fulfil its promise and reduce the tolls. Moves were already afoot to buy over the 10 per cent shares in the Bridge Company owned by the Demerara Distillers Limited.

However, shortly after this announcement by Government, the BBCI indicated that it would accept Government’s $40 million subsidy and reduce the bridge tolls.

Since then, the two entities have been in negotiations, fine-tuning certain details of the agreement. The process was expected to be

completed by December 1.

In a press release, the Public Infrastructure Ministry explained that the agreement was still being brokered with the Berbice Bridge Company.

The Ministry said it has submitted a draft agreement to the BBCI for review in relation to toll reductions. Thereafter, another copy of the proposed agreement was sent to the BBCI on November 30. The document is currently engaging the attention of BBCI’s lawyers, the Ministry reported.

It went on to say that once it received a favourable response from the Bridge Company, the $40 million subvention would be available for immediate release and the tolls would be immediately implemented, once the agreement is signed.

“The Ministry had estimated that the toll reduction would be implemented by December 1, 2015.

Nonetheless, ... [it] is optimistic that an agreement can be reached shortly with BBCI,” the statement concluded.

Over $76M in Presidential Grants paid out for 2015 thus far – Minister Allicock

I

ndigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock has revealed that the Ministry disbursed Presidential Grant funds worth $76.547 million to 208 hinterland communities during 2015.

The Minister told the Government Information Agency (GINA), during a recent interview, that the disbursement was done between April and November 2015. However, he explained that the process is still ongoing since a number of communities are still to uplift their 2013/2014 grants.

Minister Allicock further noted that some communities allowed their funds to backup for the past two years. They have been urged to collect their funds since the Ministry is no longer allowed to keep such monies.

The Presidential Grant project provides contributions of up to $5 million, to hinterland communities to implement income-generating projects. Some of these plans include the construction of village shops, guest-

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

houses, multipurpose buildings, and sewing centres; agricultural ventures; and the purchasing of 4x4 pickups, minibuses, All-Terrain Vehicles, and equipment.

This project was not included in the 2015 National Budget, due to its late presentation in the year.

However, it is catered for in the 2016 National Budget and is expected to benefit over 204 Amerindian communities.

Lindener granted bail on rape charge

F

orty-seven-yearold Rennie Rose, of 48 Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, was on Tuesday granted $150,000 bail for the indictable offence of rape of a child under the age of 16 years.

Rose appeared before

Magistrate Clive Nurse inside the Linden Magistrates’ Courts. The charge against him stated that between July 1 and 31, 2015, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 15-year-old child at Alicock Road, Kara Kara.

The matter was adjourned.

news

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wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 2 – 10:30h-12:00h and Thursday, December 3 – 11:30h-13:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 2 – 09:15h-10:45h and Thursday, December 3 – 10:25h-11:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery showers are expected throughout the day and into the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Trotman backpedals on plans to borrow against future oil revenues

M

inister of Governance Raphael Trotman on Tuesday denied media reports that Government was planning to ask US oil giant ExxonMobil for upfront payments ahead of commercial production of oil in Guyana.

Last week, the media reported that the Minister said Government would be discussing an up-front payment with the company’s President when he visits

that “Right now, that discussion is not going on because we have inherited, of course, an agreement that was headed into with the last Administration but the President of Exxon himself is coming here in January to meet with the President of Guyana and I think coming out of that engagement, we are likely to sit down and to have that discussion. But it is a discussion we must have... when the President

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High Tide: 08:52h and 21:12h reaching a maximum height of 2.23 metres at each respective high tide.

which area of development would the funds be channelled into.

“It was to this hypothetical question that he responded that Government would focus on infrastructural development if given the resources. I also said that if those matters were to be raised it would have to be by our President when he meets ExxonMobil’s President in January. I distinctly remember say-

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

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Guyana in January.

This promoted much criticism from Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo who said that any move by the Administration to borrow oil proceeds, which have not yet materialised from ExxonMobil, may be to avoid transparency and accountability requirements. He warned the Administration that if they agreed to any loan, Guyana will be in “ExxonMobil’s pocket” and will not be able to negotiate with the company on an even footing.

However, on Tuesday, Trotman issued a statement clarifying what was said on the US-based company that is yet to commence drilling here. The statement quoted Trotman saying that the report is false as “it was never directly communicated that Government had asked the company or intends to ask the company for advances.”

However, Trotman was heard saying in the recording that was upload by a local online news entity

of Exxon comes next year that will feature in our discussions.”

The Minister, who has responsibility for natural resources and the environment, went on to say in the recording that a lot of countries have had companies making a kind of an up-front payment.

Trotman in his denial statement on Tuesday said he was approached by a Journalist, who questioned whether the Government would consider asking the oil company for funds ahead of production and, if it was afforded the opportunity to receive early payments,

ing that I had no knowledge of Government seeking any such money upfront,” Trotman said in the statement.

However, the statement added while Government has not received any offers to date, it will consider all possibilities which are in the best interest of the country.

The Government’s statement came mere days after the Opposition Leader lashed out at the

Administration for proposing such an option.

Jagdeo had also issued a call for the Government to sign onto the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, a global standard to promote open and accountable management of natural resources, adding his Party wants full transparency.

“This is why around the world there has been enhanced transparency surrounding oil and oil proceeds, and the companies and we have had many cases where large sums of monies have been paid off to the Government official in oil producing states to get better deals for the producers and others. We hope we will avoid this in Guyana, but you are not going to avoid it by doing this. This is a huge issue for us, it’s a transparency issue,” he reasoned.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, december 2, 2015

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

Editorial

Still too many maternal deaths

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n one of their latest reports on maternal mortality, two leading international bodies – the World Bank Group and the United Nations agencies – reported that maternal deaths have fallen by 44 per cent since 1990. This is quite encouraging news for Governments and international development partners who have been intimately involved in working towards reducing maternal deaths. However, the road ahead for many countries, including Guyana, is still a long one, as much more remains to be done in order to meet this specific Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target.

For example, despite global improvements, only nine countries achieved the MDG 5 target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by at least 75 per cent between 1990 and 2015.

These countries are Bhutan, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Mongolia, Rwanda and Timor-Leste. Despite this important progress, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in some countries remains higher than the global average.

According to the report, maternal deaths around the world dropped from about 532, 000 in 1990 to an estimated 303,000 this year. This equates to an estimated global MMR of 216 maternal deaths per 100, 000 live births, down from 385 in 1990.

While this could be viewed as an important achievement, the figure is still high and more strenuous efforts need to be taken by all development partners in further reducing the death rate.

A new Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, launched by the United Nations Secretary General in September 2015, aims to help achieve the ambitious target of reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100, 000 live births globally, as included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The authors of the report warn that reaching that goal will require more than tripling the pace of progress – from the 2.3 per cent annual improvement in MMR that was recorded between 1990 and 2015 to 7.5 per cent per year beginning next year.

The Global Strategy highlights the need to reinforce country leadership by mobilising domestic and international resources for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. It will be important to strengthen health systems so they can provide good quality care in all settings, promote collaboration across sectors, and support individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and demand the quality care they need.

The 2015 maternal mortality estimates present the tremendous progress achieved towards the MDG 5 on maternal mortality reduction. They show a strong trend of reduction over the years. At the same time, stakeholders have reported more and better data coming from various countries, enhancing the accuracy of the absolute numbers reported.

According to the report, efforts to strengthen data and accountability especially over the past years have helped fuel this improvement. However, much more needs to be done to develop complete and accurate civil and vital registration systems that include births, deaths and causes of death. Maternal death audits and reviews also need to be implemented to understand why, where and when women die and what can be done to prevent similar deaths.

In Guyana, while there is no need for alarm, the statistics are very worrisome and should cause the authorities to rethink their approach in dealing with the issue. It is clear that this country needs to do much more to reduce the number of maternal deaths taking place. For example, in 2014, a UN report ranked Guyana as second on the list for highest maternal deaths in the Caribbean after Haiti, which recorded 380 deaths between 1990 and 2013, followed by Guyana with 250. Also, it was recently reported that Guyana is likely to exceed the MDG maximum limit of 11 maternal deaths this year.

Too many of our women are dying from various complications during childbirth, and while we hear of “thorough investigations” being carried out, more often than not, very little action, if any at all is being taken against those found to be negligent.

We believe that the current procedure employed by the

Public Health Ministry as safeguards against the occurrences of maternal deaths has not been very effective and must be reviewed urgently. Our hope is that the Ministry will proceed with greater strictness on this matter to ensure pregnant women and the unborn are looked after in the most professional manner by being given the best medical treatment our systems allows for.

Children in Kolkata. Millions of people in India are HIV positive but talking about sexual health issues is still largely taboo (theguardian.com)

LCDS-GRIF projects misunderstood

by Minister Allicock Dear Editor, Permit me the opportunity to respond to Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock’s pronouncements on the LCDS-GRIF funded Amerindian Development Fund Project carried in the November 28th edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper captioned “Amerindian Development Fund Projects to be Restructured” and another article carried in the November 15th edition of the Stabroek Newspaper captioned “Most Amerindian Fund Projects Missed Objectives”.

According to the Minister, the restructuring is to ensure that everyone is sensitised about the project and is provided with adequate training to ensure transparency and accountability.

To address the issues raised by the Minister, in terms of sensitising everyone, the Project Management Unit (PMU) undertook several measures to ensure that the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), a right enshrined in the Amerindian Act of 2006, was adhered to at all stages of implementation. These included: 1. A series of regional in-

ception conferences were undertaken in which each village/community targeted under the ADF Project was invited to. The main objective was to sensitise members of the Village Councils about the Project.

2. After the inception seminar series, the PMU undertook scoping missions to each community to conduct a public meeting. The main objective was to sensitise the residents about the Project and garner community buy-in and support.

3. Numerous measures were taken to ensure that we had maximum attendance at such meetings.

The other issue was with regard to training. The Minister alluded to one to two days of training provided. Once again a profound misunderstanding of the implementation of the ADF Project is demonstrated. The one-two day initial training in Business Management is geared to meet the start-up requirements of the business ventures/Community Development Plans (CDPs) in the first year of the project. Subsequent follow-up training missions are meant to be conducted in years two and three of the project. The reasons for implementing the training in a modular

fashion and over a period of time are numerous.

With regard to failed projects (CDPs), the Minister correctly pointed out that they occurred in the pilot phase, but neglected to mention that these were implemented by United nations Development Programme (UNDP) with logistical and other support from the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA). I agree with him on this point and believe that he was kind in saying “some of these projects were not successful”.

The Minister also mentioned transparency and accountability, but I can only assume he meant on the part of Village Councils. If he was referring to the ADF Project, I must agree with him again since UNDP is extremely delinquent in providing financial reports.

What is the reason for this?

On the issue of management, if the management of the ADF Project was so poor, why was an offer to renew my contract made by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MoIPA)?

An offer which I declined due to an inhospitable environment created by the belligerence of the Permanent Secretary. So much for the

“professional public service”.

Restructuring of the ADF Project needs to be sanctioned by the Project Board. As far as I am aware, there was no Project Board meeting held since January 2015 which would make the Minister’s pronouncements premature at best.

Restructuring of LCDSGRIF projects by Minister Allicock underscores a profound misunderstanding of the implementation of the ADF Project. Reference made to “one of our doners” in the Stabroek newspaper article further exposes the Minister’s deep misunderstanding of the LCDS as a model for economic development.

It is unfortunate to see, at this point in time, the ADF Project be used for cheap political gain by throwing unfounded accusations into the public domain. This is certainly a new feature in the implementation of the ADF Project. What needs restructuring is the Minister’s understanding of the LCDSGRIF funded projects and a dysfunctional relationship with the UNDP. Imran Khan, BSc, BSoc Sc, MBA, MSc Former Project Manager, ADF II

All of my overseas mail tampered with Dear Editor, For a very long time now, I note with a great deal of interest that all of my overseas mail delivered to me from the Guyana Post Office is tampered with. I received a mail from the USA last week and I noticed the envelope came in a sealed plastic bag. When I opened the bag, I discovered that the envelope was opened with a sharp object but the person who opened my mail could not paste it back because the envelope was damaged

so he/she took scotch tape and pasted the envelope then placed it in a clear plastic bag.

I also noticed a stamp at the back of the envelope with the words:’ ‘Received at GPO: taped, soiled, damaged etc” with a scratched signature on a line and the date 24/11/15.

Editor, this is not the first time this has happened to my overseas mail. When I went to enquire about it, I was told that my mail was received by GPO damaged.

From my keen observation these people who opened my mail were searching for something, because the contents in the mail had marks of hands or fingers on them.

If Customs is opening mail, then I think its stamp should be on the mail. What is the purpose of the plastic bag if someone is not trying to cover up something? Then what about scanning overseas mail? Overseas mail is checked through scanners, they have no need to cut open the envelopes. Not very

long ago, I sent a package to England by ‘express mail’ at GPO – that contained a cheque in pounds sterling.

Customs examined my package before posting.

They knew I had a cheque in it. I was not aware of my missing package until the bank sent me a letter informing me that my cheque was not cashed. Upon enquiry of the English company, I was informed that my package was never received.

Continues on page 5

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wednesday, december 2, 2015

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Commissioner acknowledged there Guyana needs an ex-offender rehabilitation programme has been an increase in crime Dear Editor, Recently I was among Guyanese invited to a dinner in Miami with Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who met with a small group to update on the work of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), including the launch of a foundation to assist the families of personnel killed in the line of duty. His was an informative and encouraging presentation and the discussion frank and honest.

He said that the GPF will be at full strength by mid2017 with batches of 200 to 300 recruits being trained leading up to a reformed, more professional and more efficient law enforcement and protection agency.

He added that Guyana had been offered assistance by some foreign countries and that these offers will be pursued with a view to enhancing training and technology, as well as increased resources such as vehicles.

He pointed to a donation of a number of computers by the ZARA Group of Companies based in New York, recently made to the Police Force, which he says has better equipped his per-

sonnel to deal effectively with crime prevention and detection and is encouraging other Guyanese-owned businesses as well as organisations and individuals to assist where possible.

Addressing the small group of Guyanese en route home, the Commissioner acknowledged that there has been an increase in crime in recent months but also said “there has also been a marked increase in arrests of those committing these crimes”, pointing out that efforts are ongoing to improve the service and protection offered by his agency.

Asked about the enforcement of the law which requires bars, restaurants and clubs to close at 2 am, Persaud said this is the law and it must be enforced.

Though admitting there is no proven direct correlation between the rising crime rate and late hour opening of bars and other such establishments, he said that the consumption of excessive alcohol has led to a number of social ills including domestic violence. But he said that discussions were currently being held among stakeholders about easing the re-

striction on Old Year’s Night when Guyanese traditionally party until the wee hours of the morning to usher in the New Year.

The main focus of the Commissioner’s presentation was the setting up of a foundation to support the families of Police Officers and ranks killed in the line of duty. He pointed to several cases where Police personnel killed in the line of duty had left young spouses and children behind. He said it is critical that the GPF “takes care of its own in such cases” and urged support for the foundation in the future.

Persaud said that efforts were underway to provide an insurance programme for Police Officers and ranks and reported that negotiations with a local insurance agency were progressing satisfactorily.

It is a good practice for officials to update and interact with the Diaspora when they visit, even if just passing through cities where there are clusters of Guyanese.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

All of my overseas mail...

From page 4

When I took my receipt and enquired at GPO, I was told a few months had passed so my package was very difficult to trace. In my opinion, a registered express mail ought to be secured that’s why it’s called: ‘’Registered Express Mail.’’ It’s amazing that my other mail coming from GPL, GRA, GT&T is not tampered with and placed in a plastic bag. If they are examining mail for money, cheques, or drugs, it would be wise to thoroughly examine all of them, both local and overseas.

Because mail moves around like money, it’s more easy to say, ‘’It arrived from Trinidad like that”, then Trinidad can blame St Lucia and they all can say it came so from the USA ,so it’s very difficult to make a case of this monotonous dilemma we are faced with until someone starts to file lawsuits against these organisations.

In my experience with FEDEX and DHL, I sent lots of packages that arrived in just a day or two to the USA and nothing was missing. It’s time our Administration and the rel-

evant authorities step up the standard of GPO. With modern technology mail will soon become obsolete, yet we still need the mailing system to post important documents. How reliable is our mailing system? What kind of people we have working in these offices? I am calling on the relevant authorities to integrate laws in our Post Offices to eradicate mail tampering and theft.

Yours truly, Reverend Gideon Cecil

Dear Editor, While studying in the USA, I wrote a lecture series that the Indiana Department of Corrections now use in its prisons and correctional facilities. In one of the lessons, I noted that ex-offenders need a “brotherhood”, a “state of belonging”. I wrote the lecture series – while serving as a Prison Chaplain in the State of Indiana. The course is based on extensive research and also as a result of my own experience.

The lectures were written in 2007; however, the more time elapses, the more justified I feel for having written them, even as I see what is happening here in Guyana, and especially among the offender community. We have a recidivism rate of 75 per cent to 80 per cent, these offenders are between the ages of 18 and 45. Additionally, most of those who recidivate do so two or more times. So what we have is 3/4 of our prison population going in-and-out of prison, within months of their release.

Yet we have absolutely no programmes in place to assist this problematic clientele.

This is based on what obtains behind the walls of the prison. While incar-

cerated, packs, groups and gangs are formed to aid in the survival of the inmate.

Hardly anyone incarcerated for any protracted length of time goes through a prison sentence without forming allegiances with some subset of his/her fellow prisoners.

This default survival tactic then forms part of the mental psyche of the prisoner.

Over time, it becomes a part of the inherent behaviour of the inmate; a need for a sense of belonging. It is assessed as one of the modus operandi of those incarcerated, and forms part of what is commonly termed the “prisoner mentality”.

When the ex-offender leaves prison that bonding and the need for support and protection do not immediately cease.

Because Guyana does not have a formal Ex-Offender Rehabilitation Program, there are no healthy ways for the individual with the “prisoner mentality” to find support. The only persons then that remain a part of the support group are those still practising criminal behaviours.

It is a known fact that anywhere there is a formally established Ex-Offender Rehabilitation Programme,

the crime and recidivism statistics are reduced. This is because the ex-offender, who has decided to change, could now have access to facilities and programmes that speak to his/her criminogenic needs.

Prison is never easy or preferred and there are many who leave prison desiring to change but because there are no structured initiatives in place, the ex-offender is likely to seek the company of those unsavoury characters and the vicious cycle of violence and antisocial behaviours is repeated.

This Administration should establish a place where the formerly incarcerated could benefit from resources that will aid in their developing behaviours that lend to the reduction in crime and the building up of Guyana. It would be to the Government’s benefit to spearhead the establishment of Guyana’s First Ex-Offender Rehabilitation Programme.

Give the ex-offenders a healthy place where they could meet and find support from each other. This will help in the reduction of crime in Guyana.

Pastor WP Jeffrey, Practical Christianity Ministries

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Foundation

By Bethany Ramos

morning coffee just earned you a new badge: Parenting Level, Expert.

T

hese days it’s not enough to “just” be a parent. A lot of moms are trying to be “mindful” moms.

To be a mindful parent, you have to be present. This means doing everything in your power to enjoy each moment with your child – even when you’d rather scratch out your eyes than play the same mind-numbing game with your toddler again.

Mindful parenting is more than an irritating catchphrase thrown around by other well-meaning parents on the Internet. Mindful parenting was coined way back in 1997 when Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn wrote Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, but it didn’t become the hot new parenting craze until Dr Kabat-Zinn re-released his book in 2009. The basics of mindful parenting are really quite simple – live fully in each moment with your child, let life unfold and remain emotionally present. (No pressure.)

These are all great ideas, in theory. Who wouldn’t want to be enraptured by everything their child does?

But any parent who has spent a few good years with their offspring knows it’s really a trap. If you’re one of the two trillion parents* (*not an official estimate) who has tried mindful parenting, you’ve probably failed miserably. There are only so many hours you can spend gazing into your child’s eyes and smelling their hair.

Almost every parent would love to spend a peaceful afternoon with their devilish

guyanatimesgy.com

Pay attention to your child’s feelings I know you feel like you need to touch all the candy in the bowl at the doctor’s office before choosing one, but, please. Stop. It. Now. Honour your child’s autonomy You are your own independent person, capable of making healthy choices.

But everyone still has to wear clothes to school.

Maintain emotional balance Weather a few tantrums and you’ll finally figure out what every parenting guru has neglected to tell you: Kids, and especially toddlers, can smell fear. If you can respond to a meltdown without showing any emotion on your face, consider it a win. delightful little child, moving slowly through each moment, observing the world anew and teaching valuable lessons along the way. And then that precious child refuses to be satisfied with only one cookie, or Netflix times out, or you bring the blue cup instead of the red cup and everything goes to hell.

What even the most optimistic mindful parenting expert doesn’t account for is that 60 per cent of the time* (*a totally made-up estimate that is probably true), children are the worst. The other 40 per cent of the time is when you actually feel like a great parent and those fuzzy feelings are supposed to get you through until your child goes to college.

Unfortunately, the 10

Commandments of Mindful Parenting don’t exist because that would be too easy. But parenting experts have come up with plenty of mindfulness “guidelines” to get you started. Here’s what happens when you try to put mindful parenting tips into practice in the real world.

Stay in the moment When that moment seems never ending because your ears are about to bleed after being assaulted by the screams of young children, it usually means you’re two hours into a road trip.

Manage your stress Staying calm when your child asks you the same question for the 10th time in a row before you’ve had your

Listen without judgment It’s OK to talk openly about your emotions. I feel frustrated when you scream at the top of your lungs whenever I’m on the phone.

How does that make you feel?

Accept everything with compassion It’s the unwritten rule of parenting that children only get sick on vacations and holidays. Maybe the universe is trying to tell you something – when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.

Just be Just be in the moment.

Just be aware that all these precious moments only happen once. Just be glad it’s nap time in 20 minutes. (Yahoo.com)

Ways to manage tantrums, misbehaviour and meltdowns during the holidays Part 2 – Defiant children: tantrums, angry outbursts, and yelling

By Megan Devine

But what if you have a child who has angry outbursts, meltdowns and is generally hard to manage?

What can you do to lessen your anxiety, manage their behaviour, and work toward better behaviour – even during the holidays?

First, keep that mantra running in your head: “He’s trying to solve a problem.” If you can speak to the problem underneath his negative behaviour, you can respond more calmly – and therefore, more effectively.

Remember that the heat of the moment is not the time to discuss your expectations, or the consequences your child will face if those expectations are not met. If you’ve lived through enough holiday seasons with your child to know how they typically react, you can plan ahead. Sit down with your child and be clear and direct about what you need to see happen this year.

Be clear about your expectations; be clear about the rules. You can issue a calm statement like, “Just because you don’t want to go tonight doesn’t mean you get to throw things and yell at me. I know you’re not happy about going to Grandma’s for dinner. This is something we’re going to do as a family, and you’ll need to find appropri-

ate ways to handle your irritation.”

Self-control is a skill.

Help your child identify the things she can do to manage her feelings, not just the things she can’t do. Give her some examples, and encourage her to come up with some of her own. Selfcontrol is a skill, and like any other, it can be learned and needs to be practised as much as possible. Give your child the opportunity to practise this skill in small, bite-sized pieces if possible.

Build in a reward.

Remember that your child is motivated by what he wants, not by what you want. Help your child practice new skills by tying it to something he wants. It doesn’t need to be a big thing, it just needs to be something he personally cares about.

Don’t threaten. While it’s tempting to tell your child that he won’t get any gifts, that approach is not effective in changing behaviour. Don’t take away anything that can’t be earned back.

Keep your own temper in check. Children know how to push your buttons. As James and Janet Lehman say, “Children watch you for a living; that’s their job. And they know what works!” Try to take a deep breath before you react. Not only will you help yourself stay calm, but you’re also modelling selfcontrol for your child. Show them how it’s done! This is a good way to take good care of yourself during the holiday season (and beyond).

When things do get heated, walk away. Remember that arguing during an angry outburst only adds fuel to the fire. But because you have prepared in advance, you can simply state your expectation, prompt your child to calm themselves down, and then walk away.

It may take a while, but through your calm, clear role modelling, your child will learn that angry outbursts are not going to solve his problem.

The truth is, change is hard, and it’s going to take time. The sooner you begin to hold your child accountable for their behaviour by helping them learn – and practise – better problemsolving skills, the better off your family will be. This will give your family a fantastic foundation for all the years to come. (Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

news

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wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sovereign Wealth Fund

Pike Street hit-and-run

Jagdeo questions conceptualisation Vehicle found, perpetrator identified

BY EDWARD LAYNE

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) announcement of plans to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) has been received by the Opposition with some level of scepticism, as Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo questioned whether the idea was well thought out by the Administration.

While addressing a workshop on the SWF’s creation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on Wednesday last, Governance Minister with responsibility for Natural Resources Raphael Trotman announced that a legislation to create a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), will be tabled in the National Assembly next year.

Commenting on the establishment of this Fund, Jagdeo said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Party was not against the Fund, since that Party itself had a similar initiative in its 2015 election manifesto, but is of the view that Trotman and the Government have not gone through this carefully, since Guyana’s economic situation is not conducive for such a fund, at least at this point in time.

“A Sovereign Wealth Fund is created by income basically if you have balance of payment surpluses, we don’t have balance of payment surpluses, fiscal surpluses, we don’t have fiscal surpluses, foreign currency excess to serialise that, we don’t have that or export receipts

from some sectors – the mineral sectors, so when he is talking about the Sovereign Wealth Fund I suspect he is talking about future oil proceeds, because I heard him mentioned we are going to put the revenues from quarries and diamonds, which is a few million dollars into a Sovereign Wealth Fund,” Jagdeo told a news conference at the weekend.

The former President and Finance Minister explained that the Sovereign Wealth Fund is used to in-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

vest abroad in financial assets so that it can maintain the value of the portfolio, used to smooth out revenue flows for budget purposes, assist in budget shortfalls and prevent the Dutch disease (in economics, the Dutch disease is the apparent causal relationship between the increase in the economic development of a specific sector (for example natural resources) and a decline in other sectors (like the manufacturing sector or agriculture)).

Jagdeo also questioned what he described as “contradictory” on the part of Trotman who said

the SWF will be used for saving money for tough times, but in the same breath spoke of seeking an advance from ExxonMobil, an oil explorer which is yet to begin commercial operations here.

“Now how more contradictory can you get,” Jagdeo asked.

The Government in October, when it made the announcement, had also noted that it was enlisting the assistance of The University of Calgary out of Canada to design the Fund.

However, Jagdeo said it is “no big deal” in getting assistance in establishing the SWF, singling out Norway’s Government Pensions Fund, the largest and best managed in the world.

“You have several models, Trinidad has Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, the Norwegians have what they call their Pension Fund, and where they used almost all of their oil revenue into that, it is the largest in the world,” Jagdeo said.

He noted that Guyana can seek assistance from the Norwegians since they have the largest of such fund in the world.

“US$1 trillion and it’s the best managed fund, so we could easily get them to come and we can tweak the legislation and put it in place, it’s not a big deal, the legislation or we can use the Trinidad legislation,” Jagdeo explained.

The Canada-based University of Calgary is assisting Guyana with the establishment of the SWF. Forty-six countries have SWFs that are governed by rules on savings, timing of withdrawals and areas of expenditure.

Dead Teen, Travis Bollers

T

he motor vehicle involved in the fatal hit and run accident on Thursday last, which claimed the life of 17-year-old Travis Bollers, was identified and confiscated in North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Tuesday afternoon.

This was confirmed by Traffic Chief Dion Moore, during a telephone interview with Guyana Times. This newspaper was informed that the white Nissan Datsun, bearing number plates GHH 5201, was identified parked at a vulcan-

ising shop in North Sophia.

The brother of the late teen Eon Bollers, told this newspaper that the man was identified only as “Andrew”.

He claimed that he and family members had visited North Sophia where the vehicle was identified and they were told that the man may have been alerted and fled the scene before family members and the Police arrived.

Reports are that the vehicle is currently impounded.

Also, earlier on Tuesday, family and friends of the late teenager gathered in front of the Square of the Revolution, protesting for justice for the teen, asking that the perpetrator turn himself in to the Police.

According to reports, Bollers – who was the pillion rider with his cousin, Quacy McCalmon – was riding South along Sheriff Street, in the vicinity of Pike Street, when a vehicle made a sudden turn into Pike Street, striking the two off the motorcycle.

Guyana Times understands that Bollers was not wearing a helmet at the time and sustained severe head injuries.

It was reported that the teenager’s head had a gaping wound and his brain was oozing out, while his 22-year-old cousin of Lodge, Georgetown, sustained minor injuries about his body.

Police shoot alleged wife abuser

A

30-year-old man is nursing a single gunshot wound to his foot at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was shot resisting arrest. The incident occurred sometime around 14:45h on Tuesday.

The injured man has been identified as Tabeco Mc Kenzie of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown. He was shot

once to his left foot.

According to reports, the man’s reputed wife made a report of assault against him at the East Ruimveldt Police Station on Tuesday.

Guyana Times further understands that Police ranks, accompanied by the Complainant, went to East Ruimveldt where the man was seen and the ranks attempted to arrest him.

However, Mc Kenzie resisted and attempted to escape from the Police. As such, the ranks opened fire in the man’s direction, hitting him to his foot.

The injured man was picked up by the Police and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Investigations are continuing.

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wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness Counting (oil) chickens

Hamson’s murder

Second suspect charged O T he second suspect in the killing of Hamson’s General Store owner Abdul Farouk Ghanie was on Tuesday slapped with a murder charge.

Kemo Tyrone Evans, 17, a miner of Lot 1 Water Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

When the case was called on Monday, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru requested that Evans and Floyd Anthony Rammitt, who was previously charged for Ghanie’s murder be indicted jointly for the capital offence. Rammitt, who was arraigned in July, is expected to appear in court on

January 27, 2016.

The Chief Magistrate advised the Prosecutor that the two could only face the Court on a joint charge if the charge against Rammitt was withdrawn and then re-

instituted jointly.

Ghanie, of Lot 97 Collingwood Avenue, Nandy Park, EBD, was found dead at his home with at least two stab wounds to his chest on April 16. The businessman was found by his girlfriend Vanessa (only name given) who went to check on him after several calls to his phone went unanswered.

The man, who lived alone, was found lying on his back.

The businessman was last seen dropping off a worker in Georgetown before heading home. Neighbours claimed that they did not see any strange movements or hear any unusual sounds, except that the man’s house was in darkness the night before the gruesome discovery. Evans was arrested on November 27 after months

A car attendant was on Tuesday fined $30,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with stealing a cellular phone.

Michael White, 44, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that

on November 30, at Main Street, Georgetown, he stole from Abigale King, one Blu cellphone valued $30,000.

“I did steal it... but I give it back,” he told the Magistrate when the case as called. Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that on the day in question, the Virtual Complainant was walking along Main Street

Murder accused: Kemo Evans

Hamson’s General Store owner Abdul Farouk Ghanie

of Police work.

The case will continue on January 29 when he is expected to be charged jointly with Rammitt for the offence.

Car attendant fined for simple larceny

with the phone in her hand when the defendant rode up behind her on a bicycle and snatched it.

The woman raised an alarm and the defendant was apprehended by public spirited persons, the prosecutor informed. The phone was retrieved and he was handed over to the Police.

He was fined $30,000 with an alternative of three months imprisonment.

City Constable charged for soliciting sex from co-worker

A

City Constable was on Tuesday charged for soliciting sex from his co-worker.

The man, 35-year-old Nickel Castellani, denied the allegation that on November 20 at Independence Arch, Brickdam, Georgetown, he asked Woman Constable Bacchus to have oral sex with him, thereby causing a breach of the peace.

The particulars of the charge were not revealed in court. The defendant was placed on $5000 bail.

The case will continue on January 12, 2016.

…before they gush

ne Tulsi Dyal Singh from the great state of Texas wrote to applaud the Government for asking ExxonMobil to pay us for our oil before it starts flowing. Living in Texas, where Exxon’s headquartered, the expatriate Guyanese believes in addition to being a “good thing” for us, there's a host of reasons as to why Exxon will cough up the dough to us.

For one, he claims Exxon (he uses the stock market initials (XOM) to show how familiar he is with the company!) is awash with cash and would be only too happy to let Guyana take over that burden! We wonder where it got that idea. Not that what’s called “farming out” in the business isn't common. But did Singh ask what Guyana will be “farming out”? Risks, that's what. And under the present circumstances, why would Exxon want to assume greater risks?

And for another, did he look at how much will have to be paid out in dividends and share repurchases? Did he check out whether the cash came from sales of assets or from operations?

While money is money, when you have to sell off chunks of yourself to keep afloat means you aren't that healthy to begin with. We wonder when Singh looked at the overall health of XOM (see…your Eyewitness just became an insider!), whether he knows what's coming out of the Climate Change Confab – on fossil fuels companies in general and ExxonMobil in particular.

No matter how you slice it, dice it or purée it – fossil fuel usage’s going to be de-emphasised and renewables are in.

Big bad coal’s going to take the biggest hit…followed by oil and last gas. The value of all those reserves XOM owns – including Guyana’s – which it carries on the books at US$55/ barrel – will head south come December 12! So apart from all the other specific “farming out” risks (which we wrote about) like political risks and such like that’ll reduce the value of our reserves if we’re paid up front, the changing environment on fossil fuel usage (pun intended) will be the clincher.

Unlike BP, Shell and four other major oil producers, Exxon hasn't embraced the new direction in fuel generation.

Combined with the black eye earned from hiding the evidence on Global Warming since the 1970s, Exxon’s recalcitrance is going to take a huge toll on its stock prices as institutionals pull out their investment in the face of the new militancy for “saving the planet” from fossil fuel use.

Come to think of it, maybe Trotman can help Exxon rebuild its image (and its stock prices) by inviting it to invest in AMAILA FALLS HYDRO. That’ll be a win-win scenario, won’t it?

…and spending it

All of us were warned about taking money from strangers, weren't we? Well, the dangers of a small poverty stricken country taking money from big corporations aren’t much different. But in that scenario, the warning’s much more explicit: our own Martin Carter said it well – “the mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it.”

So in the unlikely scenario Exxon gives us the US$2 billion requested …we ‘ll be back to the situation the PNC plunged us into when they went to the IMF to bail us out on the US$2.1 billion debt which drowned us in 1989.. To make us creditworthy, when they said “jump!” all we were permitted to say was, “how high, sir?”

But Exxon isn't going to be concerned about our “macroeconomic stability”. We’ll have moved from “Bookers Guiana” to “Exxon Guyana” ensuring underdevelopment for another century.

We can just see them vetoing our efforts to switch completely to renewable energy via the LCDS. Hey! Is this why we don't hear a squeak about LCDS any longer?

…and Venezuelan dilemma

With the largest petroleum deposits in the world, Venezuela could at least hope for oil prices to rise…and its troubles to disappear. After COP21, that hope’s dashed.

So will they play the nationalism card on our border?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9 COP21 Rudisa Beverages yet Guyana pledges to reduce to be paid – payments accumulating interest carbon emissions …as Jagdeo shoots down proposal W and carbon tax initiative I news

wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

n its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), the Guyana Government pledged to heavily focus on significantly reducing its carbon emissions despite the fact that the country is not an annex one country but rather a non-annex country under the Kyoto Protocol.

An annex one country includes the industrialised countries that were members of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) in 1992, plus countries with Economies in Transition (the EIT Parties), including the Russian Federation, the Baltic States, and several Central and Eastern European States, whereas a non-annex country includes developing countries that are recognised by the convention as being especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, including countries with lowlying coastal areas and those prone to desertification and drought, like Guyana and Suriname.

This simply means that non annex countries, like Guyana and Suriname, are carbon negative (its contribution to the global Green House Gas (GHG) emission is negligible) and therefore, does not need to focus on further reducing its carbon emissions.

But Guyana, in its INDC committed to further reducing its carbon emissions even though it is not required. In the report, it read “Guyana’s intended contributions will focus on the forest and energy sectors, where the majority of our current and historic emissions are produced.”

According to the report, Guyana’s “overarching contribution goal is to achieve a green economy via a low emission economic-development pathway.”

In that regard, the report highlighted that the bulk of Guyana’s emissions emanate from mining and logging activities and therefore, systems will be developed to focus on making these industries “more efficient”.

The report noted that with adequate resources, Guyana will move to conserve an additional two million hectares of forest through Guyana’s National Protected Area System and other effective area -based conservation measures. Additionally, the mangrove restoration programme along the vulnerable coast will be expanded to aid in further lowering the carbon emissions.

Other measures include reducing the incidental and collateral damage during logging activities by 10 per cent and the damage from skid trails by 35 per cent which will eventually reduce the annual emissions by 13.5 per cent.

Opposition Leader and worldrenowned champion of the earth Bharrat Jagdeo

“This translates to a reduction of about 430,000 TCO2 per year. This will result in a reduction of the annual emissions from the timber industry from 3.5M TCO2 to 2.3M TCO2, a 20 per cent reduction from historic levels for this driver, and an 11 per cent reduction in the overall historic level,” the report stated.

Opposition Leader and world-renowned champion of the earth Bharrat Jagdeo has pointed out time and time again that Guyana’s carbon emissions are negligible and therefore, there is no need to reduce further.

He made this point only recently at a press conference when he criticised Government’s proposed initiative to implement a carbon tax. Carbon tax is a duty paid by companies on fossil fuels and is intended to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide.

Jagdeo contended that this move is “silly” and that such an initiative would only increase the cost of production for local producers who are already reeling from a slow economy.

Suriname’s approach

Suriname’s approach is completely different and incredibly significant to the global efforts to decarbonise the planet. In sum, Suriname supports Jagdeo’s recommendation to the Government of Guyana.

In its INDC report, the Dutch-speaking State acknowledged the significant progress it has made in reducing its carbon emissions; “Suriname has been providing a key ecosystem benefit to the world long before the issue of climate change was widely recognised and accepted: A service for which Suriname has not been paid.”

Consequently, though the country reaffirms its commitment to addressing climate change and in particular, maintaining its forest and freshwater resources, it recognises the need for the international community to work collectively, responsibly and with urgency to address

this issue.

It is on this basis that the country proposed its INDC. “Suriname is therefore prepared to deploy its forests, as part of a global mitigation contribution as well as continue promoting and introducing the use of renewable energy, specifically in remote areas.”

Suriname presented a comprehensive plan, of detailed undertakings it wishes to embark upon, and sought financial assistance from the annex one countries in doing do.

Unlike Guyana, it did not commit towards reducing carbon emission since it is a net carbon sink – as is Guyana.

ith just two months remaining before the critical deadline, the Government is now making arrangements to make a part payment on the approximated $1.2 billion settlement awarded by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to the Rudisa Beverages Inc of Suriname, for taxes imposed on imported beverage bottles.

The January 31, 2016, deadline is fast-approaching and in spite of the fact that Government budgeted and approved $600 million to pay the Surinamese Beverage Company, since August, not a cent has been released to the Surinamese firm.

Guyana Times was reliably informed that the company is yet to receivea payment from Guyana but was told that this will be done

shorty.

If the Government fails to make the full payment by the impending deadline, this newspaper understands that the CCJ will have to make another ruling which could plunge Guyana into further unnecessary debt.

In May last year, the Caribbean Court of Justice ordered Guyana to pay the Surinamese beverage company some $1.2 billion for imposing the controversial “environmental tax” on each non-returnable bottle imported into the country. Rudisa, along with its local distributor Caribbean International Distributors Inc, claimed that the tax is against the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, a view which the court held.

However, Rudisa had informed the court that it will write off the payments if the

Guyana Government sought to amend the legislation.

The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration had taken the amendment Bill to Parliament but it was voted down by the combined parliamentary Opposition.

Government’s failure to repay the money in a timely manner has resulted in the cost being racked up.

Only recently, a meeting between officials of the new Government and the beverage company saw the slashing of US$1.5 million from the settlement.

Additionally, last July, the Customs (Amendment) Bill of 2015 was passed in the National Assembly which ceases the collection of environmental tax imposed on non-returnable bottles that are imported into the country.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, december 2, 2015

News

Kaieteur Falls suicide

Young lady’s body retrieved T

he remains of 21-year-old Roshinee Pagwah, who jumped from the Kaieteur Falls 10 days ago, have been recovered and brought to the city.

With the assistance from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Police were able to retrieve the body, which was spotted days ago. However, because of the rough terrain, recovering the body proved to be a difficult task, forcing the recovery team to request additional resources, which were not immediately available.

Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Mark Phillips has confirmed that the body was recovered.

He confirmed that a team from the Special Forces Unit of the GDF retrieved the body from the gorge at the falls and transported it to the city via the Kaieteur Park Airstrip.

The body is now Memorial Funeral home.

Roshinee Pagwah jumped off the Kaieteur Falls after reportedly encountering complications in her romantic life. During

Roshinee Pagwah

an interview with Guyana Times, the mother of the deceased, Indra Pagwah, had said she is devastated and cannot believe her baby girl is gone. Pagwah last saw her daughter on Saturday morning (November 21) when she left with a friend to head to Georgetown under the pretext of clearing a barrel. Later in the day, she received a text message stating: “I coming home before midnight”.

The elder Pagwah only learnt of her daughter’s

death via social media and was immediately thrown into a state of shock and disbelief.

Pagwah told this newspaper that Government has provided the family with two Counsellors to help through the grieving process, however, she noted that no amount of talking will help take away the pain of losing her only child.

Guyana Times understands the Counsellors, one from Georgetown and the other from Berbice, visited the family on Tuesday and tried to get the mother to interact with them.

According to reports, the younger Pagwah had exhibited signs of depression before she took her plunge of death.

Based on information, Pagwah had ended her relationship with her boyfriend some five years ago and the devastated young man subsequently took his life.

Reports suggested the young lady still suffered the emotional trauma of that experience and this is perhaps what compelled

her to end her life.

Time and again, numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have spoken about warning signs of a suicidal person and would constantly urge family and peers not to treat the matter lightly.

Suspect arrested in Puruni Landing murder

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force on Tuesday arrested the main suspect in the murder of a New Amsterdam, Berbice, miner.

According to the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Ivelaw Whittaker, the suspect was arrested by Police ranks at the Piari Landing, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The man is wanted for questioning into the murder of Shanti Solomon of New Amsterdam.

The miner was fatally stabbed on November 23 at Puruni Landing, Mazuruni. The suspect has been taken into Police custody and is assisting with the investigations.

Marxist Religious

S

atiricus was in awe. Naga Man was some man!! Why just yesterday he was boasting about his Marxist background that gave him “working class cred” with the masses!!

And Satiricus could tell that notwithstanding the new designer suits and $100 million SUV, Naga Man was still “working class”.

Whoever said that “clothes make the man” didn’t know Naga Man. The fella was not called a “son of the soil” for nothing: he still carried around a good bit of the stuff under his fingernails.

You can take the boy out of the soil, but you can’t take the soil out of the boy!! But what confirmed Naga’s working class cred for Satiricus was his refusal to drink anything but that good, old-time Whim Bush Rum. Nothing could match the stuff distilled under the courida trees on the Whim foreshore for Naga Man! So what raised Satiricus’s awe factor was when he read about Naga Man confessing he was imitating the “Ten Commandments” when he called for a “no confidence” motion to bring down the Government. Imagine being a Marxist and having a vision of the Ten Commandments to guide you in Parliament!! What a guy! Was this the dialectical “unity of opposites” Satiricus had heard so much about?

The Ten Commandments, of course, had been given to a fella named Moses by a voice behind a burning bush. And Satiricus knew that Naga Man must’ve also heard a voice giving him the Ten Commandments. Naga Man was prone to hearing voices – and not only when he was imbibing that good, old Whim Bush Rum. There was that time when he’d been a fire-spouting Marxist as he travelled with Comrade Dreddi in the Rupununi. Naga Man swore to one and all he heard Comrade Dreddi tell him that he was the anointed one who would succeed him to the throne. Whenever there was a restoration, that is. But none of the other Comrades heard anything. They said while the ways of the Lord might be “mysterious” – not so with Comrade Dreddi!

At the time neither Naga Man nor the other Comrades figured out that maybe it was the Fella from on high who was actually speaking. Or as Marxists they couldn’t accept that possibility! But here was Naga Man openly giving testimony as to the source of his inspiration – the Ten Commandments.

Specifically the one that said “Thou shall not steal” – which, he said, his old comrades had broken. But Satiricus was suddenly struck by a thought: what about that commandment that followed the one Naga Man mentioned?

– “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.”

wednesday, december 2, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

GPHC slapped with $20M lawsuit – Berbice private clinic also sued for abortion death

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was slapped with a $20 million lawsuit after a baby fell off a cot and sustained severe head injuries in early November at the institution.

Several other lawsuits are pending for both public and private hospitals across the country including the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, the Suddie Public Hospital and the Davis Memorial Hospital for instances of alleged medical negligence, malpractice and professional misconduct, which resulted in maternal and neonatal deaths or injuries.

Kamini Arjune

The parents of Azim Balgobin, who fell off a cot just one hour after his birth resulting in a fractured skull and the formation of a blood clot in the brain, sued the GPHC for unwarranted burden.

Based on a press release from the medical institution, the baby fell off a cot and onto the ground; however, sources revealed that a nurse had accidentally dropped the baby.

Meanwhile, following the death of his 22-year-old daughter on Good Friday

The parents of Azim Balgobin

(April 3), a distraught father finally decided to file a lawsuit against the Dr Rafeek Rahaman’s Clinic which he believes is responsible for the young mother’s demise.

Gancham Permaul, of Lot 22 First Street, Whim, Corentyne, Berbice, has attained the services of a lawyer to handle the legal proceedings as he moves forth to sue the “bottom-house clinic” for his daughter’s death.

Kamini Arjune, now deceased, was the mother of four children. At the time of her demise, she was pregnant with her fifth child.

According to reports, the young lady attended Dr Rafeek Rahaman’s Clinic, located in the bottom flat of a private residence at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice and retained its services to perform an abortion.

During the procedure, the patient died.

Her father is contending that she died as a result of medical malpractice and professional misconduct on the part of the doctor responsible for the operation.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud had reported that the culpable doc-

Daring daylight robbery

2 shot, hospitalised as bandits escape with 2 M

T

wo persons have been hospitalised after they were shot during a robbery on Monday in Georgetown.

The incident occurred sometime around 18:15h.

According to reports, Revenue Collector Euril Lowenfield was being escorted by City Constable Aaron Henderson at Regent Street and Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown, when they were held up by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

The armed man shot Constable Henderson to his right foot and the

perpetrators relieved Lowenfield of the two bags containing approximately $2 million before escaping on a motorcycle along Orange Walk.

However, as they were riding off, the armed man indiscriminately discharged several rounds, one of which struck a bystander, 43-year-old Savitree Singh, to her left foot. Both Henderson and Singh have been admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment.

Police have since launched an investigation into the robbery.

tor was indeed guilty of malpractice.

He pointed out that the doctor in question was not licensed to perform the abortion nor was his private clinic certified to conduct the medical termination of pregnancy.

Another breach was the fact that the doctor had not reported the woman’s death within the stipulated 24 hours.

Contacted for a comment on the recent lawsuits against the hospitals in the Public Sector, Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings noted that she was very much concerned

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings

about the recent developments.

She said the Public Health Ministry has been working assiduously to get more specialists at the various institutions with the aim of bettering the systems to avoid recurrences.

She pointed out though, that sometimes the mothers have a part to play in addressing the issue. The Minister reminded that the Government was only “five months old”, but assured that the Administration was trying very hard to find the underlying cause of these incidents so it can eventually develop solutions.

12 news

wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Reg 2 murder/attempted suicide

Keeping it real

Woman died from multiple stab wounds – autopsy The power of small states:

T

he autopsy conducted on murdered Malini Narine, of Paradise Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), revealed that she died as a result of multiple incise wounds.

The post-mortem examination was conducted on Tuesday by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Suddie Mortuary.

Meanwhile, her husband, Vishnu Narine, who inflicted the stab wounds, is still battling for his life at the Suddie Public Hospital. He is presently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under guard, as his condition remains critical.

On Saturday, Malini was involved in an argument with her husband during which she was fatally stabbed about her body. The man reportedly used a cutlass and a knife to attack his wife. The 25-year-old then turned the knife on him-

Malini Narine

Vishnu Narine

self, inflicting a wound to his throat in a failed attempt to take his own life.

The distraught family of the now deceased 24-yearold mother of one is preparing to cremate her body.

Still shaken over the entire ordeal, the father of the deceased, Robin Toolsie, said her four-year-old son is in his care. The fisherman said he would try to take care of his grandchild. Malini was the eldest child of her parents.

About two months ago, she moved in with her father at Paradise Village after her husband continuously threatened to kill and bury her at the Onderneeming Sandpit. The couple had a house and land in that area.

Relatives related that the 25-year-old man was very jealous of “Samantha”, although they had lived together for eight years. They added that the young woman found it difficult to move out, since her husband would al-

ways go looking for her. They recalled that whenever the couple would fight, Malini would leave to go stay at relatives and Vishnu would show up with a cutlass in front of her relatives’ premises.

Several reports were made to the Police previously, but the man still walked free as he was often forgiven by his wife. According to the relatives, when the couple were living at Onderneeming Village, the man would lock Malini in the house and leave with the keys preventing her from going anywhere or even using the toilet, which is outside.

Narine was said to be a butcher. Currently, the deceased’s father, brother, son and sister are receiving counselling. The counselling was recommended by Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt after he visited the family recently and saw their state of frustration.

Guyana versus Venezuela

T

he general perception in Guyana is that Venezuela is a regional bully, a bully which insists on intimidating a small state by threatening its territorial integrity. As far as Guyana is concerned the boundary separating Guyana and Venezuela was established by the 1899 Award as a final settlement to the border dispute. In 1941, more than 40 years later, the Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed this much when he agreed that the frontier with Dr Baytoram Ramharack British Guiana was established.

Venezuela now raises new claims to Guyana’s territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo region. The National Organisation for Rescue and Maritime Safety (ONSA), presumably a non-governmental organisation influenced by Venezuelan businessmen and retired naval officers, has produced cartographic designs of maps showing Venezuelan claims to a larger maritime region, the Stabroek Block, an area north of Guyana. It is not ironic that this area is where ExxonMobil, an American multinational organisation, has recently discovered a large quantity of untapped oil reserves, and where the Exxon’s Liza-1, its oil well, has located its drilling and exploration facility.

Unlike neighbouring Suriname on our eastern front, Venezuela poses a formidable challenge. In our anarchical world, and in a hypothetical situation, Venezuela has the upper hand. Militarily speaking. But this is not the only advantage Venezuela possesses over a small state like Guyana. The question is how can Guyana deal with this more powerful albatross?

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) measures annual conventional military spending for most of the world’s countries. It has been doing so for about 177 countries since 1988. Using figures based on constant US dollars, Guyana spent $25.9 million in 2005 and $38.2 million in 2014 of its budget on the military, while for the same years, Venezuela spent $3615 million and $5576 million respectively. Information on Suriname is not available, but neighbouring Jamaica spent $82.7 million and $120 million respectively for 2005 and 2014. SIPRI also reported that military spending as a percentage of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is significantly small in each country, with Guyana spending about 1.3 per cent in 2011 and 1.2 per cent in 2014.

Venezuela’s spending for the same years amounted to 0.8 per cent for 2011 and 1.1 per cent for 2014. However, these figures do not reveal the actual strength of the Venezuelan or Guyanese military, particularly when one consider the fact that Venezuela’s GDP, according to World Bank figures for 2014 (constant US dollars), is about 160 times that of Guyana for 2014.

Venezuela, rich in natural resources, possesses one of the largest oil and mineral reserves in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Guyana is the third smallest country in South America and the third poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to its military spending and military equipment, Venezuela has tremendous advantages in terms of manpower (larger army), land systems, air and naval power, as well as resources to engage in a short-term military conflict with Guyana. Moreover, Venezuela has a tremendous “psychological warfare advantage”, given its overwhelming size and the intimidation factor that is associated with its previous aggression and takeover of Guyana’s half of the Ankoko Island. Venezuela has a population of 29 million (2014 estimate) compared to Guyana’s 735,000 and a much larger land size of 912,050 sq km compared to Guyana’s 214,969 sq km.

Furthermore, Venezuela possesses greater maritime accessibility on its northern border which can threaten Guyana’s population, 80 per cent of whom reside on the coastal area. Venezuela also has easy access to almost half of our western land border, much of which Venezuela already claims.

The military option spells disaster for us in any conventional use of force with Venezuela. Our most potent weapon, while we continue to beef up and modernise our military, lies in the area of diplomacy and the cultivation of an image of Venezuela as an “aggressor” state. President David Granger has embarked on what seems to be a highly successful diplomatic effort to internationalise the border controversy. His continued lobbying at the Malta Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference is a step in the right direction.

The Commonwealth Secretariat has defined a “small state” as a country with a population of 1.5 million or less (the World Bank puts the number at 10 million). Small states possess unique special developmental challenges such as limited diversification, limited capacity, poverty, susceptibility to natural disasters and environmental change and other domestic challenges. Small states may have a numerical majority in international relations.

But while the advantage of numbers does not translate into real power, Guyana can find solidarity with and support from these states. Support from the ABC countries (US, Britain and Canada), particularly the US, can act as a military deterrent against actual Venezuelan incursions (ExxonMobil is an American owned company).

Guyana is a member of the OAS, Caricom, UNASUR, the Commonwealth of Nations, the UN and other international organisations. The Government should expand its diplomatic efforts to internationalise the border controversy and call for a peaceful resolution to the problem. Internally, the Government should pursue policies designed to promote economic development and political unity as a buffer against future Venezuelan and Surinamese aggression. (Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com)

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wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

World AIDS Day 2015

Lindeners walk against AIDS

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hirteen schools from across Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Tuesday participated in a walk against HIV and AIDS, as part of the observances to mark World AIDS Day 2015. The fitness walk, complimented by a mini health fair, was

Echoing sentiments such as “No more HIV” and “We don’t discriminate”, the youths along with teachers and peer educators marched in an effort to let their voices be heard. T-shirts bearing slogans such as “HIV ends with me” among others were also worn by participants.

discrimination for patients with HIV and AIDS is what we hope to achieve,” he noted.

Armuth said the response of Lindeners has been excellent and persons were actively involved in testing and other related initiatives to commemorate

Students march against HIV/AIDS

organised by the For the Children’s Sake Foundation in collaboration with the Adolescent Unit within the Public Health Ministry.

The walk commenced in the vicinity of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) on Casuarina Drive, Mackenzie, and moved along the Washer Pond Road, thence to Republic Avenue, before culminating at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, where a mini concert was held.

Peace Corp volunteer attached to For the Children’s Sake Foundation, Benjamin Armuth noted that he was happy to be a part of the second annual fitness walk aimed at raising awareness of the deadly epidemic and increase testing.

“HIV and AIDS is still a part of Guyana and the world and if we can reduce rates, it will be better for all of us. Zero new infections, zero AIDS related deaths and zero stigma and

the observance.

Additionally, a number of health services including Body Mass Index (BMI) testing, blood glucose and pressure testing, voluntary testing and counselling were also offered on Tuesday as part of the activities.

Pamphlets and posters were also distributed and youths in attendance benefited from information by peer educators who conducted one to one discussions.

Caribbean countries report end to mother-to-child HIV transmission

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s World AIDS Day was observed on Tuesday, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) released a report stating that 17 countries in the Americas, most of them Caribbean islands, have provided data showing they may have eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

According to the report, ‘Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis in the Americas, Update 2015’, which presents data from 52 countries, the 17 territories reporting the progress were Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cuba, Dominica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, the United States, St Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the US and British Virgin Islands. The reported dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis accounts for 34 per cent of all births in the region.

“The countries of the Americas have made tremendous efforts to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, cutting new infections by half since 2010,” noted Dr Carissa F Etienne, Director of PAHO/WHO, adding, “We can do more to protect mothers and children to achieve a generation free of

AIDS.” In 2014, 96 per cent of pregnant women in Latin America and the Caribbean had at least one prenatal checkup, 75 per cent were tested for HIV, and 81 per cent of those needing treatment received it. These figures have increased by two, 21 and 45 per cent, respectively, since 2010 when PAHO/WHO and UNICEF implemented the Regional Initiative for the Elimination of Mother-toChild Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean to support countries with the elimination of these diseases.

If left untreated, women living with HIV have a 15–45 per cent chance of transmitting the virus to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. If they receive treatment and have access to the recommended series of interventions during the stages in which the infection can occur, that risk falls to less than two per cent.

With regard to syphilis, screening of pregnant women in Latin America and the Caribbean has remained stable at around 80 per cent since 2010, while the percentage of women treated ranged from 50 per cent to 100 per cent in the countries that supplied data. In 2014, 17,400 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in the 32 countries of the Americas that provided data to PAHO/ WHO. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is considered eliminated as a public health problem when a maximum of two in 100 children born to mothers with HIV contract the virus. Congenital syphilis is considered eliminated when no more than five of every 10,000 infants are born with the disease.

This year, Cuba became the first country in the world to receive official WHO validation that it has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. An additional 16 countries are in a position to request validation. (Caribbean News Now)

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, december 2, 2015

News

Miners must not be bullied by greedy Village Councils – GGDMA T

he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miner’s Association (GGDMA) is refuting the recent utterances in the press in relation to the legal mining operations in the Mazaruni River, in an area downstream from the Isseneru Village, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The GGDMA in a statement said that it supports all legal mining operations and will continue to do so, adding that miners must not be bullied by greedy Village Councils.

The statement comes in light of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) issuing a Cease Operation Order to a miner at Isseneru, who claimed that the Village Council was exploiting him as a result of his mining concessions.

According to the GGDMA, there is the misconception that the mining operation was issued a cease order by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, to which the associations claims to be untrue.

“The miner, who has been operating in the area legally and uninterrupted for several years, volunteered to

reduce his operations to allow for an impartial inspection to be carried out by the GGMC. This was done. No fault was found. The miner was cleared of all accusations of impropriety and he was allowed to resume his operations” the release stated.

12 per cent tribute, despite not having any legal right to collect such tribute. They claimed also that what has not yet been communicated to the public, is the fact that the village and the miner also had a previous arrangement where he was granted permission to operate the

stopped this arrangement as it is illegal to mine in the buffer zone. The current/new arrangement for the tribute for the river dredge was an additional agreement based more on previous partnerships rather than in a legal right to demand tribute for lands which are not within

GTA facilitates training in North and South Rupununi – 53 persons benefit

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s part of the Guyana Tourism Authority’s 2015 Tourism Awareness Month programme, tour guides, tour operators and hotel staff from villages and lodges in North and South Rupununi received training in First Aid/CPR. Thirty-three participants benefited from the session which covered several topics including Emergency Action Plan, Aims of First Aid, CPR, Rescue Breathing, and sudden Illnesses. Guides also participated in practical sessions in Emergency Response for various scenarios.

The objective of this training programme, conducted by two First Aid trainers from the Guyana Red Cross, Melissa Alstrom

During the same period, the Guyana Tourism Authority also facilitated Portuguese language training for 21 persons from the Takutu Border Crossing, including immigration personnel, Customs Agents, Police Officers, Port Health Officers, and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) representatives.

This two-day basic conversational Portuguese language training was conducted by the Director of the International Language Institute, Enrique Couchman, in the RDC boardroom, Lethem and is intended to improve customer service, communication and expediting of the clearance process.

Earlier this year, the Guyana Tourism Authority

Miners working in a mining pit in the interior

The GGDMA further added that the miner had donated to the Isseneru Village Council over 32 ounces of gold since he began working downstream from the village earlier this year after a discussion with the council and a demand for payment of a

same river dredge on village lands (in the village buffer zone) in exchange for a 12 per cent tribute.

This deal was negotiated and put in place by the Village Council which collected the tribute. The GGMC subsequently

the village’s title.

The GGDMA states that they recognise that the council is not entitled to collect tribute for lands that are not within their boundaries, and the Mazaruni River is not part of any village’s land. The Association mentioned that “Permission to operate in this river is the sole jurisdiction of the State and its agent the GGMC.” One would have expected that this would have been made clear by the ruling in October this year by the Honourable Chief Justice,” the Association said. That matter involved a similar issue with Jawalla village and it was ruled “that by virtue of Section 22 (2) (a) of the Amerindian Act 1953, which was applicable in 1991 when the plaintiff applicant received title, ‘the rivers and all lands sixty-six feet landwards from the mean low water marks’ were exempted from the title of the village.”

The Association reiterated that the miner is within “his legal right, a right he pays for,” to operate a legitimate, certified and regularly inspected operation. “As recent as Wednesday 24th of November, 2015, the Dragga (river dredge) was inspected by officials of the GGMC and given the all clear, no violation was found,” the Association continued.

GGDMA stated also that miners cannot be subjected to arbitrary double tribute systems and the whims of “greedy Village Councils that have no right to bully and intimidate legitimate operators”. The GGDMA condemns what it described as “bullyism” and calls on the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to recognise that this is not a “helpless” Village Council.

First Aid trainers demonstrating to participants how to carry an injured person

and Samesta MartinForde, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported, was to ensure that tourism stakeholders and service providers acquire the necessary knowledge to provide first aid assistance to visitors, tourists and guests in the event of an emergency. It is also a requirement of the Tourism Regulations for Accommodation Establishments, Interior Lodges and Resorts, Tour Operations and Tour Guides to be certified in First Aid / CPR.

also facilitated Dutch language training at Moleson Creek and conversational Spanish for frontline staff at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

In order to boost the level of hospitality skills in the industry , the Guyana Tourism Authority organised and trained 606 persons last year, in the areas of Housekeeping, Front Office, Customer Service, First Aid and CPR, Culinary Training, Servers Training, Basic Spanish Language and Bird Guiding.

Kitty man slapped with assault charges, claims he was “obeah’d”

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Kitty man was on Tuesday released on self-bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with three charges including assault.

Marlon Lewis of Lot 38 Public Road, Kitty denied the charge which stated that on November 27 at Kitty Public Road, he used threatening language against Tracy King thereby causing a breach of the peace.

He also denied the charge which alleged he used abusive language against King.

Additionally, he was also charged for two similar offences against Linden King.

The defendant told the Court that the two Virtual Complainants work together and live in the same yard as he did.

He claimed that they were in the habit of entering his house without permission and taking his personal articles. The man also told the court that the Virtual Complainants (VCs) were in the habit of “working obeah” on him.

The Magistrate placed him on $5000 bail for each charge. However, after much pleading the Magistrate released him on self-bail.

He will return to Court on January 18.

wednesday, december 2, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

After leaders’ rhetoric, climate Convicted murderer among escapees negotiators start work on deal – 6 tunnel out of freeport lock-up

The technical talks repeated little of Monday’s grand language.

Countries restated their negotiating positions with few hints of likely compromise

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ith encouragement from 150 world leaders ringing in their ears, Government negotiators in Paris were on Tuesday left to turn the rhetoric into reality and agree on a draft text of a global deal to slow climate change.

United States President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping made

common cause on Monday with other countries to stress the urgency of an agreement to slow a rise in global temperatures blamed for spurring floods, heat waves and rising sea levels.

But as the leaders left Paris, negotiators from 195 countries were left to work on a draft text of more than 50 pages still riddled with

disagreements.

The main sticking point is how to come up with the billions of dollars needed to finance the cleaner energy sources that are badly needed if emerging countries are to develop without relying heavily on fossil fuels.

Many delegates said the large turnout at the United Nations climate summit in Paris, weeks after attacks

by Islamic State militants killed 130 people, was a sign of hope after the last summit collapsed in failure in 2009 in Copenhagen amid rancour between rich and poor nations.

French President Francois Hollande said he was encouraged by the start of talks that are planned to run until December 11.

“It’s set off well, but it has to arrive too,” he told reporters. He said there were “two reefs. Either we overload the vessel and it sinks or we empty it and it goes nowhere”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba reinstates limits on doctors leaving the country

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uba on Tuesday reimposed limits on doctors leaving the country, saying its universal and free healthcare services have been “seriously affected” by the flight of vital medical specialists.

In a rare backtrack by Cuba on modernising reforms of recent years, the Communist Government said it would reapply restrictions that had been lifted in 2013.

Cuba said it was responding to a US programme that seeks to drain its former Cold War enemy of doctors, nurses and other specialists working in third countries. The Cuban Medical Professional Parole Programme, begun in 2006, remains in effect even though President Barack Obama restored diplomatic relations with Cuba this year.

Medical professionals now need special permis-

A doctor (R) talks to hospital staff in Havana’s main cardiology and heart surgery hospital October 19, 2012

sion to leave the Caribbean island for personal travel, marking the second restriction imposed on Cuban emigration in a week amid a crisis in Central America, where thousands of Cubans trying to reach the United States have been stuck at border crossings.

Ecuador on Thursday began requiring visas for Cubans travelling to that South American country,

cutting off one route Cubans had preferred to reach the United States.

From Ecuador, where until Monday Cubans could fly without a visa, they start a 7000-km (4400-mile) overland journey involving eight illegal border crossings to reach the US border. Once there, Cubans receive preferential treatment to enter and obtain permanent residence with relative ease.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombian Army kills ELN rebel accused of deadly ambush

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he Colombian security forces say they have killed a senior rebel of the left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN).

Jose Daniel Perez, also known as “One-eyed Lucho”, died in a clash between the rebels and the security forces in Santander province on Monday.

The Army says he was behind a deadly ambush in which 11 soldiers and a Police Officer were killed in October.

The ELN and the

Government have been holding exploratory talks about starting peace negotiations.

The rebels maintained that October’s ambush did “not contradict” their wish for peace.

But in its aftermath, President Juan Manuel Santos ordered the security forces to step up their attacks on the ELN. On Monday, he congratulated the security forces on their latest operation.

“Our military and Police inflict a heavy blow against

the ELN. They neutralised alias One-eyed Lucho and weakened the [rebels’] eastern front,” he wrote on Twitter.

Army officials said Jose Daniel Perez was 42 years old and had been a member of Colombia’s second largest guerrilla group for 25 years.

They said that he led the group of ELN rebels which ambushed members of the security forces escorting election officials in central Boyaca province on October 26. (Excerpt from BBC News)

F

or the second time in just over five months, there has been a major jailbreak in western Jamaica involving numerous prisoners charged with serious crimes, including murder and illegal possession of firearms.

In the latest incident, which took place at the lockup at the Freeport Police Station, in Montego Bay, at an unspecified time before daybreak, six men, including one who was only recently convicted of a double murder, tunnelled their way out of their cell and made good their es-

cape over the station’s perimeter fencing.

“It is never the best thing to see (this) happen as a divisional commander, where you work hard to take the people who are wanted for crimes committed in your division or elsewhere (off the streets) only to have them break out of custody due to our (Police) negligence,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for St James.

At a hastily called press conference on Monday morn-

ing, McGregor said a manhunt has been launched for the men, whose names, faces and features have been released to the public. The senior cop also stated that, immediately after the Police became aware of the escape, the high commands of the neighbouring parishes were alerted and mobilised to look out for escapees.

“We will be going at them (escapees) with all that we have at our disposal,” McGregor told the media, noting that dragnets were in place around the borders of St James. (Excerpt from Jamaica Gleaner)

dent, which shows that the suspect arrived at the scene, torched some flags and left, then returned to the scene of the crime to set more flags on fire.

New York Police Department Detective Brian Sessa told India-West that no suspect has been arrested in the case. The investigation is ongoing, said Sessa, who would not say whether the arson attack was racially motivated. The ethnicity of the suspect and the names of the victims have not been released.

Jhandi flags are a com-

mon sight in Hindu households typically in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago. They are rarely seen in Hindu households in India. The bamboo poles with multicolour cloths are usually placed next to the family’s private temple inside their home or at their place of worship.

Each colour in the flag represents a deity and usually bears a picture of the deity. The flags are placed after a pooja and are used to indicate the presence of a Hindu household. (Excerpt from

Arson alleged in Hindu flag burning outside New York home

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ew York Police are searching for clues to a possible arson attack occurring on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, in which a male suspect set fire to 40 Hindu flags outside a home in the Woodhaven district.

According to Police reports, an unknown suspect entered the front yard of the victims’ home late night and set fire to 40 flags, known as jhandis. The suspect was wearing a jacket and baseball cap and carrying a travel bag. Police have released a grainy video of the inci-

India West)

16 news

wednesday, december 2, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

GWI Head denies being party hack – dismisses PPP’s discrimination accusations

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hief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Dr Richard Van West Charles has defended his qualifications and experience for the senior post at the water company against discrimination accusations meted out by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee is predicting that the Christmas season will be one where many Guyanese will experience either drips or no water at all.

This is owing to the fact that Dr Van West Charles, late President Forbes Burnham’s son-in-law, is now the GWI Head.

Rohee, during a recent press conference, told media operatives that Dr Van West Charles lacked the necessary qualifications and experience to address “GWI’s distribution and porous water system due to leakage and theft”.

This is despite the fact that the CEO boasts undergraduate and post-graduate

qualifications and has experience in the area of public health – water and sanitation.

During an interview with another media unit, the former Health Minister made it clear that he would not be engaged in the “stupidity” of the PPP. Dr Van West Charles then defended his position as the GWI CEO. Nonetheless, Rohee contended that the appointment was solely a political decision taken by the Ministry of the Presidency to “hand another job to another of its boys”.

According to the politician, since assumption to office, the GWI CEO has been selectively and discriminatorily fixing long outstanding water woes at private housing schemes while neglecting a number of villages around the country.

“The Band-Aid approach at fixing water problems affecting residents will not solve anything; it will only contribute to further frustrating residents where the

problems persist. It is sad to know that with the upcoming Christmas season, many Guyanese will experience either drips or no water at all,” Rohee stated.

Moreover, Rohee went on to say that the PPP/C had outlined in its manifesto, a detailed plan to improve the water service of each region.

Its programme included completion of two new and environmentally friendly Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) at Linden (one in Amelia’s Ward and the second in Wisroc) along with the installation of transmission mains and upgrading of distribution systems.

These interventions would have significantly improved the quality of water and level of service to the entire population in Linden, he noted, adding that the Party had also outlined the commencement of the construction of three new WTPs (Sheet Anchor – Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Diamond – Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica) and Uitvlugt – Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and upgrading the Shelter Belt WTP. Among other improvements as was highlighted by Rohee were the decision to reduce non-revenue water to 30 per cent by 2020 and the increase in treated water coverage from 50 per cent to 75 per cent within the next five years.

On that note, Rohee contended that Dr Van West Charles is actually implementing the PPP/C’s manifesto commitments.

“The PPP is pleased that its commitments are being implemented by the APNU/AFC coalition Administration, whose bankrupt policies in respect to the provision of potable water to many Guyanese homes leaves them with no alternative but to implement the programmes and policies of the PPP/C,” the General Secretary stated.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations It is criminal to trivialise Guyana’s leadership role in the fight against global warming

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ight now, more than 150 world leaders, including all leaders of developed countries, almost every head from Caricom, Africa and Asia are gathered in France to agree on a common way forward to deal with global warming. Unfortunately, our President is too busy to attend and has said he has more important things to do.

It is a dumb decision and will stand out as one of APNU/AFC's biggest blunders ever in Dr Leslie Ramsammy Government. Its absence in France demonstrates how APNU/AFC is deliberately trivialising Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy and diminishing Guyana's global leadership in the fight against global warming.

Is it that APNU/AFC is among those stupid people who disavow climate change? Or is it that it has rejected Guyana's leadership role in the global response against global warming because of Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP? In its hate for Jagdeo, our people will again be collateral damage, a favourite pastime for APNU/AFC. Since the first climate change meeting in Rio in 1994, global leaders have procrastinated. At that time the discourse was largely one among the developed countries. But along the way to this 21st meeting, some of the developing countries began to push a coalition that demanded change and now COP 21 (the 21st Conference of the Parties for climate change) is expected to make binding agreements, the most radical decisions to counteract global warming.

Guyana became a leader in a coalition that pushed developed countries to agree on a binding commitment, particularly since the 15th Meeting in Copenhagen. Bharrat Jagdeo was recognised for his leadership by being named a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations and Norway agreed to become a partner with Guyana in developing the carbon credit market. It is, therefore, an imperative for Guyana to be at the table in France this week.

Instead, we will be a spectator at the meeting and our President will be engaged in flimsy politicking somewhere in Guyana and his representative, Raphael Trotman, will be vacationing in France, while Guyana's carbon credit reputation will be tarnished.

But as the global effort intensifies to respond to climate change and global warming, there are unique opportunities for economic development for certain countries. Guyana has already been paid US$150 million (G$30 billion) for providing carbon credits to Norway. The potential is for Guyana to earn more than US$250 million (G$50 billion) annually by 2020.

Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP had the vision to argue that Guyana's carbon credit is a global service to be exported as a commodity, just like sugar or gold. The then Opposition People's National Congress and its successor, APNU/AFC, castigated our proposal and called it "pie-in-the-sky" nonsense, that carbon credit would never be bought as a commodity. In a way, sadly, this is the same argument Granger is making for his non-attendance in Paris.

Indeed, for Guyana, carbon credits can become Guyana's #1 export commodity. Nothing in Guyana's economic future, including oil, appears to have the export earnings equivalent to carbon credit. Today, as carbon credits emerge as a serious response to reduce global warming, Jagdeo's and the PPP's vision has earned recognition and commendation among world leaders.

In addition, there are opportunities for Guyana to access important grants, such as from the Green Fund and from the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) programmes.

But for Guyana to be fully engaged to be part of these funding arrangements, we must be at the table with our highest representation.

The real reason why Granger absconded from the Paris meeting and APNU/AFC has rejected Guyana's remarkable international standing on global warming is because it is too rich in the DNA of Jagdeo and the PPP. I am certain that oil will be an enormous asset for Guyana. But we do not yet have oil and its future still seems uncertain. For sure, its profits are many years away. Carbon credit profits are available immediately. It is criminal for APNU/AFC to be trivialising our global leadership role on climate change because of its pathological hate for Jagdeo. The victims are our people.

[Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com]

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wednesday, december 2, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

One Health hosts capacity building workshop

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n an effort to improve and defend the health and wellbeing of the human and animal species, the ‘One Health, One Caribbean, One Love’ Project is hosting a leadership series workshop in Guyana to build capacity among participating countries in the Caribbean.

The ‘One Health, One Caribbean, One Love’ Project is funded by the European Union and cosupported by several other organisations. It seeks to promote and entrench a ‘One Health’ approach in the Caribbean by enabling the sharing of expertise and resources among the 12 participating countries in the Region. These include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The four-day ‘One Health’ leadership workshop will be focusing on the environment and health, and is being held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston.

Professionals in the areas of health, agriculture and environment from the 12 countries, who were selected for the two-year leadership series, were present at the opening ceremony and will be engaged in discussions aimed at crafting policies to incorporate these three areas.

Speaking at the open-

Former TOK member, Roshun “Bay C” Clarke, entertaining the gathering at the One Health Leadership workshop with his new single “Life”

ing ceremony, University of the West Indies (UWI) team Leader, Professor Chris Oura, underscored the importance of having key health issues addressed at a multistakeholder level. “We are here as One Caribbean, changing the way we approach key issues through One Health and of course, learning of the importance of working together and collaborating, making new friends and relationships – One Love,” he said.

According to Oura, the aim is to have the ‘One Health’ concept accepted into policy by Caribbean countries, adding that this vision is almost achieved.

He further stated that the project coordinators are generating a regional One Health Strategic Plan and national sub-plans to put the policies into action.

Hence, the Leadership series programme comprises of members from the participating countries.

Also present at the opening ceremony of the work-shop was Junior Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, in her brief remarks expressed the willingness of her Ministry to work along with stakeholders to improve public health in Guyana.

She noted that through the One Health Leadership series, they will learn of practices that other Caribbean nations are using. However, Dr Cummings pointed out that Guyana would need support not only in technical advisory and capacity enhancement but also funding to help implement the public health plans and other initiatives.

3 juveniles remanded T

hree juveniles were on Tuesday remanded into custody after appearing before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrates’ Courts on separate charges.

An escape from lawful custody charge was read for one of the defendants, which stated that on Thursday,

July 30, 2015, the defendant escaped while being in custody at the Wismar Police Station for the offence of robbery under arms. The charge is indictable.

Another juvenile defendant was remanded on a simple larceny charge which read that on Thursday, June 18, 2015, the defendant stole

a car deck valued $25,000, two trafficator lights valued $18,000 and a fog light valued $90,000. The items, valued a total of $52,000, are the property of Shawn Parkinson. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offence which occurred at 1974 Church Lane, Amelia's Ward, MacKenzie, Linden.

The Junior Health Minister noted that this will put Guyana as well as the other 11 Caribbean countries on the cutting edge with the three in one approach to quality of life issues.

“I am confident that you will reach meaningful consensus on the way forward in promoting the One Health concept in Guyana, fulfilling its objectives and

meeting its targets. I urge that you continue to establish and build on cross-sector collaborations, interdisciplinary partnerships and work towards breaking down barrier, thus, creating shared solutions that are aligned with the objective and targets of the One Health concept,” she charged.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder also sought to remind the representatives of the participating countries that they are part of the “whole of society” approach. He outlined that through this forum, the 12 countries can stimulate and build a cross-sectoral and collaborative approach towards improving the quality of health and well-being among humans, animals and their various environments.

Minister Holder went on to urge the leadership representatives that as leaders in the One Health

movement, they should be transformational when they return to their sectors or countries.

“You are here to strengthen your capacity to design and manage One Health Policies, programmes/projects, etcetera. With the knowledge gained you will return with guided directions to move forward with the emerging and endemic problems that limit food security, animal production and food safety. Your job will be to inspire, motivate and manage others to reach our regional One Health vision,” he remarked.

At the end of the opening ceremony, former member of popular Jamaican group TOK, Roshun “Bay C” Clarke, made a presentation. Clarke is a celebrity patron for the ‘One Health, One Caribbean, One Love’ Project and works directly with the One Health Jamaica team.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, DECember 2, 2015

ARCHIE

Speak up and clear the air if you feel it will help a con(March 21- flict you have with someone.

April 19) Anger is a waste of time, and ignoring the situation will result in emotional stress.

ARIES

Look at the big picture TAURUS and find a way to reach your (April 20- destination. A monetary gain May 20) is apparent if you put in the time and effort to finish what you start.

dilbert

Engage in some serious GEMINI (May 21- self-reflection in order to disJune 20) cover a way to address any problem you are experiencing. Downtime will give you the opportunity to think and make a decision.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Avoid joint money ventures. An older or younger person in your life will compete for your attention. A compassionate and mindful approach will clear up a misunderstanding.

The more you pursue the LEO things you want, the better (July 23you will do and the more you Aug. 22) will gain. Keep in mind that a penny saved is a penny earned.

Calvin and Hobbes

Expect someone to make VIRGO poor assumptions. Ignore (Aug. 23what’s being said and paint Sept. 22) a clear picture that reveals the facts in order to bypass trouble and accomplish great things.

Empty promises will be a LIBRA (Sept. 23- result of you not wanting to Oct. 23) make up your mind or make a move. Assess the situation and take action – only then will you reap full advantage.

SUDOKU

You’ll accomplish the most SCORPIO if you stay out of the spot(Oct. 24light. Secretly making changNov. 22) es to your routine or a plan will help you avoid interference.

Don’t let anyone meddle SAGITTARIUS in your affairs. Keep your (Nov. 23thoughts to yourself and Dec. 21) your private matters secret.

Interference from others will be what stands between you and success.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

CAPRICORN Your desire for change (Dec. 22- may concern the people who Jan. 19) love you. Follow your heart.

If your actions are less transparent, you will avoid interference. Be true to yourself and forge ahead.

AQUARIUS Someone you love will demand extra attention. Don’t (Jan. 20give in too readily if you have Feb. 19) made a prior commitment.

It’s important that you respect your needs as well.

Take care of pressing PISCES (Feb. 20- health problems. Make an apMarch 20) pointment with your doctor or get some needed rest. Don’t let anyone upset you or cause undue stress. Nurture your emotional and physical needs.

wednesday, december 2, 2015

NBA roundup…

19

NFL roundup…

Warriors win 19th straight Broncos hand Patriots first loss, 30-24, in OT T with victory over Jazz

Stephen Curry

Klay Thompson

tephen Curry scored 26 points and the Golden State Warriors held on for their NBA-record 19th consecutive win to start the season, 106-103 over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

With the game tied at 101 with 51 seconds left, Curry hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Warriors the lead. Rodney Hood scored 14 seconds later to bring the Jazz within one.

After Curry missed a 3, the Jazz had a chance to take the lead, but Hood missed a 3 from the wing with 5 seconds left. Curry hit two free throws and Gordon Hayward’s half-court heave at the buzzer fell way short.

Klay Thompson added 20 points for the Warriors, including four 3-pointers. Hayward led the Jazz with 24 points.

Derrick Favours gave Utah a 9997 lead on a three-point play before Curry hit a 3. The Warriors have won 23 straight regular-season games dating to last season.

HAWKS 106, THUNDER 100 Paul Millsap scored 26 points and Jeff Teague made all the big shots down the stretch, sending Atlanta to a victory that snapped Oklahoma City’s four-game winning streak.

Russell Westbrook had 34 points, including a drive with 2:49 remaining that gave the Thunder their first lead since scoring the opening basket.

Westbrook knocked down a jumper to push Oklahoma City to a four-point lead.

Teague took control from there.

He finished with 25 points, while Al Horford added 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Kevin Durant, selected Western Conference player of the week after coming back from a left hamstring injury, had 25 points. But the Thunder lost for the first time since he rejoined the lineup.

Westbrook also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out seven assists.

reserve Doug McDermott had 12 for Chicago in the opener of a four-game homestand. Joakim Noah contributed eight points, seven assists and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.

Gasol blocked LaMarcus Aldridge on a drive with 1:06 left, and then hit one of two foul shots on the other end for a 90-89 lead. After Manu Ginobili missed for San Antonio, Butler hit two free throws with 10.6 seconds left.

The Spurs had one last chance, but Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker each missed 3-point attempts in the final seconds. Parker’s try was partially blocked by Derrick Rose, who finished with 11 points and six assists.

CELTICS 105, HEAT 95 Avery Bradley scored 25 points and forced a big turnover when he knocked away a pass by Dwyane Wade with a minute remaining, and Boston put all five starters in double figures against Miami.

Jared Sullinger had 17 points to help the Celtics snap a three-game road slide. Isaiah Thomas scored 16 while fellow starters Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson each added 13 for Boston.

Evan Turner also had 13 off the bench.

Wade scored 30 for Miami, which cut a 14-point deficit to one in the fourth quarter but never led after halftime. Chris Bosh played through an illness to add 21 points for the Heat.

Miami made it a one-possession game on five separate occasions in the final 14 minutes, and Boston scored on its ensuing trip every time. The first three of those were all on jumpers by Bradley, two of them being 3-pointers.

PISTONS 116, ROCKETS 105 Reggie Jackson had 31 points and Andre Drummond added 24 points and 13 rebounds as the Pistons beat the Rockets.

The Pistons built a 23-point lead in the first half before the Rockets got back into the game by constantly intentionally fouling Drummond — he went 4-for-18 from the line. Houston was never able to get within one possession.

Rookie Stanley Johnson had 19 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for Detroit, while James Harden scored 29 for the Rockets. (Herald Sports)

S

BULLS 92, SPURS 89 Pau Gasol had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, and the Bulls snapped San Antonio’s fivegame winning streak.

Jimmy Butler scored 14 points and

om Brady lost yet another one of his trusted targets and this time he also lost a game.

C.J. Anderson scored on a 48yard run with 12:32 left in overtime, lifting the Broncos past the New England Patriots, 3024, on a snowy Sunday night in Denver.

Brock Osweiler and the Broncos (9-2) overcame an early 14-0 deficit and handed the Patriots (10-1) their first loss since 2014.

Osweiler threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Bubba Caldwell with 1:09 left in regulation to put the Broncos up 24-21. But Brady, playing without injured star tight end Rob Gronkowski, needed just five plays to drive the Patriots 51 yards and into range for Stephen Gostowski’s 47-yard field goal that tied it at the end of regulation.

Gronkowski injured his right knee with 2:49 left in regulation and was carted off. He will undergo an MRI today, but initial reports say the injury is not believed to be serious.

SEAHAWKS 39, STEELERS 30 (at Seattle) — Russell Wilson threw a career-high five touchdown passes, including two TDs to Doug Baldwin in the final 8:12.

Seattle kept pace in the NFC wild-card race, but suffered a significant loss when All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham injured his patellar tendon in his right knee and is out for the season.

Ben Roethlisberger threw for 456 yards — the most ever against the Seahawks — but

Russell Wilson

was pulled with two minutes left and taken to the locker room for concussion protocol.

The Steelers (6-5) had a twogame win streak end.

BENGALS 31, RAMS 7 (at Cincinnati) — Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes — two of them to A.J. Green — and the Bengals (9-2) ended their two-game skid. Nick Foles returned as the starter and threw three interceptions for the Rams (4-7).

VIKINGS 20, FALCONS 10 (at Atlanta) — Adrian Peterson ran for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Vikings (8-3) bounced back from last week’s humbling loss to Green Bay to regain sole possession of first in the NFC North. Atlanta (6-5) has lost five of its past six.

COLTS 25, BUCCANEERS 12 (at Indianapolis) — Matt Hasselbeck threw for 315 yards and two TDs and Adam Vinatieri

made four more field goals for the Colts (6-5).

RAIDERS 24, TITANS 21 (at Nashville, Tenn.) — Derek Carr threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Seth Roberts with 1:21 left as the Raiders (5-6) ended a threegame losing streak.

CARDINALS 19, 49ERS 13 (at Santa Clara, Calif.) — Carson Palmer ran for a goahead 8-yard touchdown with 2:28 left as the Cardinals (9-2) won their fifth game in a row.

TEXANS 24, SAINTS 6 (at Houston) — Brian Hoyer threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns and the Texans held Drew Brees and the Saints without a touchdown for the first time in 10 years.

CHIEFS 30, BILLS 22 (at Kansas City, Mo.) — Alex Smith threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and the surging Chiefs (6-5) won their fifth straight. (NorthJersey.com)

Pistorius could return to jail with appeal ruling this week

S

Oscar Pistorius

outh Africa’s Oscar Pistorius will find out if he will return to jail when the Supreme Court of Appeal announces on Thursday if it will scale up the track star’s conviction for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp from manslaughter to murder.

The Paralympic gold medallist was released on parole in October after serving a fifth of his fiveyear prison term for the “culpable homicide” of Steenkamp, whom he killed by firing four shots through a locked toilet door on Valentine’s Day

2013.

Prosecutors said Pistorius, 29, should be convicted of murder and sent back to jail because he knew the person behind the door could be killed when he fired. A murder conviction would result in a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

“The judgement will be delivered at 09:45 (0745 GMT) on 3 December 2015 at the Supreme Court of Appeal,” the court said in a statement on Tuesday.

Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated when he was a baby, denied during his six-month trial that he deliberately killed Steenkamp, saying he mistook her for an intruder at his home.

High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled last year that the state had failed to prove Pistorius had shown “intent” or “dolus eventualis”, a legal concept that centres on a person being held responsible for the foreseeable consequences of their actions.

The state argued at the appeal that Masipa misinterpreted some parts of the law, including “dolus eventualis”.

If the court of appeal overturns Masipa’s verdict, she will be responsible for passing a new sentence on Pistorius, according to legal experts. (Reuters Sport)

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wednesday, december 2, 2015

Mobile Wizard 10/10 cricket

Wins for Leonora Youths, Viper XI, Power XI, Meten-MeerZorg XI, Superstreet XI T

he Mobile Wizard 10/10 softball cricket tournament ,also sponsored by Trophy Stall, Wolf Furniture Store and organised by the Guyana Softball League, completed its seventh weekend and the teams that had to win to stay in contention did just that to keep afloat their chances in the tournament.

MMZ XI crushed Zeeburg Warriors by 42 runs. MMZ XI won the toss and batted first, scoring their highest score of the tournament 137-9 in 10 overs, with extras contributing a healthy 36. The bowling of Zeeburg Warriors left their team with a total that put pressure on the batting immediately and as their first four batsmen crumbled, they were in trouble with the score on 16 and never recovered even though they were helped with 25 extras. They were held to 95 all out in 8.1 overs. Rooplall Deonarine with 2-11 in one over was the standout wicket taker.

Leonora Youths outplayed Ocean View XI by 40 runs. Leonora Youths XI restored some faith for their fans in defeating Ocean View XI in their encounter. Leonora batted first and scored a commanding 148-4 in 10 overs with Man of the Day and the highest scorer, Raghunath Tulsiram hammering 59 (6x6s, 3x4s) off 21 balls in a brutal dis-

play of batmanship. He is the recipient of one footstool pouf compliments of Rohan Furniture Establishment and one bottle of champagne, compliments of V&P Supermarket for his display.

The bowling of Ocean View was at a loss in the face of this onslaught, with Krishna Murti scoring 46 (5x6s and 3x4s) which set the tone for victory. They then had Ocean View on the ropes, although the inform Adrian Ramsammy tried valiantly with a blistering 42 (4x6s, 3x4s). Ocean View ended on 108-7 for their 10 overs.

Viper XI trounced Next Level XI by 41 runs. Vipers XI took first strike and rattled up a mammoth 160-6 in 10 overs, with Assalam Zaman (34 – 3x6s,2x4s) and Vickash Totaram( 35 – 3x6s, 4x4s) plundering the bowling in a partnership of 92 for 31 balls in helping their team realise their highest total of the tournament. The bowling of Next Level XI was also wayward as they produced 27 wides to add to their woes.

In reply, Mark Ally with 43(3x6s, 4x4s) and Sanjay Hanuman with 35 (3x6s; 3x4s) started brightly, but with their dismissal the rest of the batting fell away and they crumbled to 119-7 in 10 overs after being 71 without loss at one stage.

Power XI defeated Irfaan

XI by eight wickets. Irfaan XI batted first and were bundled out for 40 in seven overs, with Jaipaul Singh (4-5) again destroying another team. Power XI then took 3.3 overs to hit off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets, with Danny King (21 not out – 1x6, 2x4s) being the principal scorer.

Superstreet Reloaded gained a walkover from United Muslim Youth.

Meanwhile, two players Jermain Maxwell of United Muslim Youth and Dhaniram Moonsammy of Superstreet Reloaded have been banned from participating in any tournaments under the Guyana Softball League banner for atrocious behaviour and bringing the game into disrepute. United Muslim Youth’s Wazir Ali was also fined for his behaviour and will not be featured in their matches unless cleared by the Softball League.

All Captains are required to be at an urgent meeting called by the Softball League on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 53 Kingston Street, Seafield, Leonora behind Wolf’s Furniture Store to discuss the coming fixtures.

Failure to attend can lead to teams not having any fixtures until such time as they can satisfy the GSL on the matters to be discussed. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

Woods says he has ‘nothing to look forward to’

F

Tiger Woods

ormer world number one Tiger Woods says he has “nothing to look forward to” in his recovery from back surgery.

The 39-year-old 14-time major winner has not swung a golf club since operations in September and October.

Asked about his return, he said: “I’ve no answer.

Neither does my surgeon or physio. There’s no timetable.

“There’s nothing I can look forward to, nothing I can build towards. Where’s the light at the end of the tunnel? I don’t know.”

Woods had two opera-

tions to alleviate pain from a pinched nerve.

Revealing that he has spent most of his time playing video games, the American said he had not had not done any rehabilitation work on his back and that physical activities were limited.

“I walk and I walk. I’m just walking, and that’s it,” said Woods, whose last major victory was at the US Open in 2008.

“It’s different from the other surgeries I’ve had in the past. For nerves there are really no timetables.”

Woods, who turns 40 on 30 December, missed the cut at three of the four majors this year and played in only 11 events. He remains on 79 PGA Tour victories.

He played only seven tournaments in 2014, having missed three months of the season after surgery on a pinched nerve in his back in March 2014.

“For my 20 years out here I achieved a lot,” he said. “I think pretty much everything beyond this will be gravy. If that’s all it entails then I’ve had a pretty good run. But I’m hoping that’s not it.

“I’m hoping I can get out here and compete against these guys. I really do miss it.”

He has been named as one of United States captain Davis Love III’s assistants for the 2016 Ryder Cup, but said he still hopes to make the team.

Woods has played in seven Ryder Cups, the most recent in 2012 under Love’s captaincy. (BBC Sport)

BCCI faces fine over Nagpur pitch

I

One umpire watches on as they try to clear the pitch

ndia face a fine of up to £9,950 after the pitch in Nagpur used for the third Test against South Africa was rated “poor” by the International Cricket Council match referee.

Forty wickets fell in three days at the VCA Stadium as India won by 124 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Visiting captain Hashim Amla said the track was the “toughest” he had faced.

The report has been sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has 14 days to respond.

ICC general manager of

cricket Geoff Allardice and chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle will then rule whether the pitch was poor and whether it warrants a penalty.

The match marked the first time a Test played in India has failed to see a batsman reach 50 runs, with India opener Murali Vijay’s first-innings 40 the highest individual score.

South Africa, who are the world’s top-ranked Test side and had previously not lost an away series since 2006, mustered just 79 in the first innings and lost all 20 wickets in the match to spinners.

On Twitter, former England captain Michael Vaughan described the pitch as “diabolical”, a sentiment echoed by Australia spinner Glenn Maxwell.

However, Proteas assistant coach Adrian Birrell refused to blame the pitches for the team’s series defeat.

“We’re not complaining at all,” he said before the fourth and final Test, which begins on Thursday.

“We’re playing in India and we’re playing in Indian conditions. We relish the opportunity.

Unfortunately, we’ve not played to our full potential.” (BBC Sport)

FIFA sponsors want independent oversight of reform process

L

eading sponsors of football’s world governing body have demanded independent oversight of FIFA’s reform process in an open letter published on Tuesday ahead of a key meeting to finalise proposed reforms at the scandal-plagued organisation.

The companies -Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, Adidas, The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s Corp and Visa Inc. -- aimed their letter at FIFA’s executive committee, which meets this week.

FIFA’s reform committee chairman Francois Carrard will put its recommendations to the executive committee on Wednesday and Thursday and they will be publicly presented afterwards.

Last month the reform committee published its “preliminary recommendations” which suggested an age limit of 74 for all leading officials, but only mentioned termlimits for the president, who would be restricted to three mandates.

The final list of proposed reforms will be put to FIFA’s 209 member associations at an emergency Congress in February.

FIFA is facing unprecedented pressure to overhaul its governance and improve transparency following the May indictment by U.S. authorities of 14 football officials and sports marketing executives on corruption-related charges.

Many of those indicted by U.S. authorities had served on FIFA’s executive committee or other FIFA panels.

“We are aware of the positive work that the reform

FIFA’s logo in front of its headquarters in Switzerland

committee has been doing on governance reform but we still believe any reforms should be subject to independent oversight,” the sponsors’ letter, published on www.coca-colacompany.com, said.

“It has also become clear to us that such independent oversight needs to run longterm through the implementation and evolution of the reform process. “We encourage you to become champions of this independent oversight as it will only enhance FIFA’s credibility.”

UNPRECEDENTED PRESSURE

Domenico Scala, who heads FIFA’s audit and compliance committee, has produced an extensive package of proposed reforms that he has made public and given to the executive committee.

They include 12-year term limits for elected FIFA officials from the president down, full disclosure of the financial compensation of the president, general secretary and executive committee members, and more detailed integrity checks on members of committees.

The sponsors’ letter added: “We urge you (the execu-

tive committee members) to embrace positive changes and recognise that this is just one step towards creating a credible future for FIFA.” The companies also said transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, integrity, leadership and gender equality were crucial to the future of FIFA. “Reforms can set the proper framework for these characteristics, but a cultural change is also needed,” the letter added. “The culture change has to begin within FIFA and filter through to the Confederations and FIFA’s Football Associations.”

The FIFA crisis escalated in October when its president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini, who had been favourite to succeed him, were banned for 90 days by FIFA’s ethics committee pending a full investigation into a two million Swiss francs (£1.29 million) payment from FIFA to Platini in 2011.

Swiss public prosecutors are also investigating alleged irregularities in decisions to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar, both taken at a vote in Zurich in December 2010. (Reuters Sports)

sports

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Guyana/Antigua 4-game basketball series

wednesday, december 2, 2015

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Guyana notch 3rd straight blowout win against Antigua T

he men’s national basketball team are on a roll as they continued to steamroll the Antiguan all-star squad when the four-game series between the two countries continued with its third game on Monday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyana had their best point outing of the series so far en route to a massive 83-57 win against the Antiguans, who actually placed third at this year’s edition of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships.

Guyana was smoking

hot from the field getting to the rim at will while being able to knock down their open jumpers consistently to leave the Antiguans reeling.

Jason Squires was the game’s leading scorer for Guyana with 18 points, while Travis Burnett made it his third consecutive double-digit score with 16 points. Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai had a quiet 13 points.

Scoring from the losing side came from Kareem Meade, who had 15 points and has been Antigua’s most consistent scorer with the ball.

Jason Squires

Meanwhile, in the opening game of the evening, The Bishops’ High School topped St Rose’s High 63-40 in a blowout win.

Daniel Haynes and Timothy Thompson had 20 points each while Shamal Beaton had 10 points in the win for Bishops’.

Shamaar Huntley led the way for St Rose’s with 14 points, while Anfernee Jervis and Patrice Agrippa scored 10 points each.

Meanwhile, the series will continue with the final game tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 19:00h.

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Tucville Secondary into South Georgetown semi-finals T

ucville Secondary, led by half-centuries from Ricky Stewart and Godfrey Phillips, crushed Ascension High School by 145 runs to book a semifinal spot in the South Georgetown zone of the Guyana Cricket Board’s National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Banks DIH Limited’s Coca Cola and Rainforest Water, along with Digicel.

At the Everest Ground, Tucville won the toss and elected to bat. They amassed 201-5 off 20 overs on the back of the half-centuries from Stewart and Phillips.

Stewart struck 56, which included six fours and three sixes, while Phillips chipped in with 55, decorated with four boundaries and three sixes as they dispatched the Ascension High School bowlers to all parts of the ground. Brandon Rose took 2-52, bowling for Ascension High School.

Ascension High School’s reply was a very short one as they were blown away for 55 in just 11.3 overs. Romeo Brown had excellent figures of 4-12, while Shemieu Gasper and Stewart took two wickets each bowling for

Ricky Stewart

Tucville Secondary.

Over at Enterprise Ground, Cummings Lodge got the better of Apex Academy by five wickets.

Batting first after winning

Godfrey Phillips

the toss, Apex Academy were bowled out for just 69 runs in the 19th over. Mohammed Jumaladeen offered some resistance with 18 not out.

Bowling for Cummings

Lodge Secondary, Prakash Debidyal had outstanding figures of 4-9 off 4.4 overs.

Reaz Mohamed supported well with 3-11.

Cummings Lodge Secondary replied with 70-5 in 11.1 overs. Reaz Mohammed scored 18, while Chandra Mohan captured 3-30.

In another match played at Enterprise Ground, Dequan France’s five-wicket haul led his team to a crushing eight-wicket victory. Taking first strike, Annandale Secondary were bowled out for a paltry 47 in just 8.3 overs, as France produced excellent figures of 5-18 off 3.3 overs, bowling for Lusignan Secondary.

Shaun Cudjoe supported well with 2-11.

Lusignan Secondary took just five overs to knock off the target as France returned with the bat to score 17 not out.

Today, Tucville Secondary will battle Charlestown Secondary in the semi-final of the South Georgetown zone at GNIC Ground and St Joseph High School will face New Campbellville Secondary in the East Georgetown zone final at DCC Ground.

Barnwell back in squad for Trinidad encounter

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l l - r o u n d e r Christopher Barnwell is the only change the Guyana Jaguars have made to their 13-man squad for their upcoming clash against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force starting on December 4.

The Demerara Cricket Club player who missed the last game due to a back injury replaces Barbadian Jevon Searles for the fourth round in the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League (WICB PCL) 4-Day

Tournament.

The defending champions have won all three games at home and currently hold a 19-point lead over the Jamaican Scorpions as they play their first away game at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.

The Red Force are currently in third place along with Barbados Pride on 28 points.

The Jaguars will depart today for the twin-island republic after which they will go to Jamaica for a match-

Christopher Barnwell

up against the Scorpions before the tournament takes a break for the Christmas season.

The team read: Assad Fudadin; Shimron Hetmyer; Leon Johnson (Captain); Vishaul Singh; Shiv Chanderpaul; Raymon Reifer; Chris Barnwell; Anthony Bramble; Steven Jacobs; Veerasammy Permaul; Ronsford Beaton; Gudakesh Motie and Keon Joseph. The Coach is Esau Crandon, and Manager, Rayon Griffith.

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guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, december 2, 2015

Stag Elite League

Banks Beer futsal tournament

GFF President Teams presented concerned about with winning prizes clubs’ sustainability – MVP, Best Keeper and Most goals scorer also receive their prizes G uyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde while praising the high level of competitiveness in the just-concluded Stag Elite League (Genesis), said that he was concerned about the participating clubs being able to sustain themselves.

Slingerz Football Club defeated Alpha United 3-2 on Sunday last at the Leonora Stadium to hoist the coveted title and the $4 million first-place prize, with Forde highlighting that the “Elite League is a remarkable tournament and Guyana definitely needs to get into the semi-pro and ultimately the professional football environment”.

Forde stated that while the League presented its fair share of challenges, “my primary concern with regard to the League is how would the clubs sustain themselves and continue to participate because it imposes a financial burden on them and that is the solution the GFF needs to lead

Wayne Forde

in solving, because it’s important to Guyana that we have a semi-professional league that’s sustains itself over the long run.”

He added, “The conclusion of the Genesis half of the League is tremendous; we had the crowd support and participation that reflect the kind of momentum that the League has enjoyed over the past couple of months.”

ANSA McAL Trading,

under the Stag Beer brand, is the League’s title sponsor, with Courts Guyana Inc, the Government of Guyana and E-Networks being other contributors to the League.

Forde was, however, adamant that for the League to really reach its full potential, corporate Guyana will have to play a part in helping to give the players and football fans a League which Guyana deserves.

Looking ahead, Forde promised a better League, while noting “we have about just about two months to sit and see how much we can improve the League. There’s no limit to how much we can improve things and it’s important also, that we get the best League possible.”

The Stag Elite League (Finale) will resume next February, where the eight participating clubs – Slingerz, Pele, Fruta Conquerors, Alpha United, Buxton United, GFC, Monedderlust and GDF – will attempt to outduel each other for the overall crown.

RHT Metro Females defeat Number 52 U-19s

T

Shemaine Campbelle

he Rose Hall Town (RHT) Metro Females won their fifth successive game against their male counterparts when they cruised past Number 52 Survival Under-19 team by 61 runs in a 25-over cricket match.

Superbly led by West Indies all-rounder Shemaine Campbelle, Guyana’s only female cricket team thrilled a large crowd last Saturday at the Number 52 Ground with a superb display of topclass cricket.

Number 52 Survival Under-19 team won the toss and inserted the visitors to take first strike. National players Melanie Henry and Shaneeta Grimmond added 72 for the first wicket before Henry was caught and bowled by Richard Drepaul for 22.

Grimmond went on to score an impressive 35, and along with skipper

Campbelle (49) and fellow national player Plaffiana Millington (32), saw RHT Metro to an impressive 1756 off their allotted overs.

Campbelle struck five boundaries and a massive six before she was dismissed off the last ball of the innings. Bowling for Number 52 Survival, Drepaul claimed three wickets for 32 runs from five overs, while N Tulsi took 2-27.

Needing to score 176 from 25 overs to avoid the embarrassment of defeat, the Number 52 Under-19 team suffered an early set back when medium-pacer Sherica Campbelle had R Tulsi caught behind by Campbelle for two at 13-1 in the third over.

The home team never recovered and were restricted to 114 all out from 20.3 overs.

Only Hemant Singh with a composed 33, Raj Rahaman (18) and D Rahaman (13) reached double figures, as the RHT Metro Females bowled well and were brilliant in the field.

Off-spinner Henry took four wickets for 25 runs from five impressive overs, Shabati Gajnabi took 3-30 from five overs, while Millington, Sherica Campbelle and Shaneeta Grimmond took one wicket apiece.

Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), Hilbert Foster, and Coach

Melanie Henry

Collis Butts both expressed gratitude to the Number 52 team for inviting the Metro Female team and for hosting them.

Foster noted that the Berbice cricketing public was very supportive of the female team and the Club was receiving numerous invitations from across the country, as male teams from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, Essequibo and the Corentyne Coast are requesting to play Guyana’s only female cricket team.

The RHTY&SC’s Cricket Development Committee would only accept such requests after careful consideration of the Club’s track record of hosting teams and a willingness to make a return visit to the RHTY&SC. Foster is also challenging established First-Division teams across Guyana to form a female cricket division.

Kerwin Clarke receives the second-place trophy for the Foreign Affairs Ministry

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anks DIH presented the winners of the inaugural Banks Beer futsal tournament with their winning trophies and cash on Monday at its Thirst Park headquarters.

Making brief remarks at the inaugural inter-ministry/corporation tournament presentation ceremony, Tourism Ministry Public Relations Officer Marjorie Chester lauded the initiative as a great move to bring together the ministries and corporations in sport.

Chester also mentioned that the Tourism Ministry would use every opportunity to promote tourism, especially sports tourism with the advent of the national sports drive.

Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo Hen praised the effectiveness of the tournament, and stressed that efforts to involve more ministries and corporate Guyana to be part of the tournament in the

coming years would be a giant step for the next edition of the event.

Choo Hen also pledged Banks DIH’s continued commitment to sports in Guyana and the tournament.

NEW GPC Finance Director Dwayne Lovell, in offering his congratulations and praise for the initiative, said his company would continue to support the tournament and would ensure NEW GPC fielded a team for next year’s tournament.

T o u r n a m e n t Coordinator Esan Griffith, in brief remarks, thanked the sponsors, teams, support staff and fans, inclusive of the staff members of the various ministries and Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge.

Banks DIH Ltd received the first-place champion trophy and $200,000; the Foreign Affairs Ministry

as runners-up pocketed $150,000 and a trophy; the third-place trophy went to the Public Infrastructure Ministry along with $100,000; and the fourthplace Public Health Ministry collected $75,000 and a trophy.

Seon McKenzie of Banks DIH copped the MVP award; the highest goal scorer award went to Delroy Dean of the Public Health Ministry for his 14 goals and Romell Legall of the Foreign Affairs Ministry was adjudged the best goalkeeper.

The tournament started with 32 teams and was played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in November 2015.

It was sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, Tourism Ministry, NEW GPC, Trophy Stall, Mohammad’s Enterprise, Mid-town Café, Guyana Football Federation, Insurance Brokers Limited and Hopkinson Mining.

Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Knockout stage begins tonight

I

t’s win or go home time in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets futsal tournament (Georgetown leg) that will continue tonight at the National Cultural Centre tarmac from 19:00h.

The tournament to date has being highly competitive and tactical, with teams scoring critical goals instead of numerous goals.

This has made choosing an outright winner for the Georgetown leg tough, since most teams that are left in the tournament have the capacity to win.

Debutant teams such as Upsetters, Old School

Ballers, Channel 9, Jamoon Drive and Shopping Plaza are making their presence known with their play and have shown great poise even against some of the more seasoned teams in the tournament.

National champions Sparta Boss have been a tough match-up thus far, but inaugural champions Back Circle proved that they are beatable after registering a morale boosting 2-1 win in their last encounter.

Reigning Georgetown champions North Ruimveldt clash with West Back Road tonight, and

this encounter promises to be the possible show stealer of the evening, since both teams play an attacking style of futsal.

The most consistent team to date has been West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ who will face debutant Shopping Plaza who might just pose a problem for the former.

With over $1 million up for grabs, the positioning for places in the final four plus two spots in the national playoffs could get very exciting and the fans who continue to respond in large numbers could be the real winners tonight.

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, december 2, 2015

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SCG/Trophy Stall 10-over tapeball

Quarter-final matches at Soesdyke this weekend

Dave Singh

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he Soesdyke Community Centre Ground will be transformed into a battlefield on Sunday, as the eight remaining teams in the Soesdyke Cricket Group (SCG) Trophy Stall 10-over tapeball cricket competition begin rivalry in the knockout stage.

Organiser of the tournament, Dave Singh, related to this publication on Tuesday that a total of 16 teams, drawn from Little Diamond to Yarrowkabra, were en-

rolled at the commencement of the competition, and they competed in a round-robin format.

“The top eight teams on the points table then automatically moved forward to the quarter-finals, which are fixed for this Sunday,” Singh revealed.

Still in contention to lift the title are Friendship, Hill Foot, Kuru Kururu, King’s XI, Rubis, Soesdyke Vishnu Mandir, Airport XI and Sarah Johanna.

On Sunday, the action will bowl off at 09:30h, with Friendship versus Hill Foot, followed by Kuru Kururu against King’s XI at 11:00h; Rubis against Soesdyke Vishnu Mandir at 12:30h; and Airport XI versus Sarah Johanna at 14:00h.

The winners will advance to the semi-finals, which are slated for December 19 at the Soesdyke Community Centre Ground, starting at noon. The third-place playoff and final are also slated

Fitness Express throws weight behind Flex Night

Fitness Express Manager Jamie McDonald (right) presents the cheque to Flex Night Inc Director of External Resources, David Gomes

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enowned retailer of sport and exercise equipment and health and nutrition supplements, Fitness Express, is once again lending its support to the cause of bodybuilding and fitness in its part sponsorship of the Flex Night International event.

In a release from the organisers, it was revealed that winners of specific categories on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre will be able to take home nutritional supplements, compliments of Fitness Express, located at John and Sheriff Streets, Georgetown.

Flex Night Inc, which is organising this weekend’s activity, said it was extremely thankful for the support put forward by Fitness Express.

Flex Night International

will bring the curtain down on the 2015 slate of male and female bodybuilding and fitness events in Guyana.

It is expected to attract male and female competitors from gyms in Georgetown, Berbice, Linden, East Coast Demerara and West Demerara, as well as a contingent from neighbouring Suriname and at least one competitor based in New Jersey, USA. Some key sponsors have already pledged their commitment to Flex Night International 2015. Prominent among these are Southland International, Fitness Express, International Pharmaceutical Agency, Toucan Industries, Farfan and Mendes Limited, Axe Apparel and Modern Grafix.

The trophies that are up for grabs in the tournament

for the same day, with action set to conclude under floodlights.

According to Singh, admission to the venue is free, and he is urging patrons to come out and witness some exciting games by top tapeball teams along the East Bank corridor.

The champion team is assured of $100,000 and a trophy, while the losing finalist and the third-place winner are assured of $50,000 and $25,000 respectively, accompanied by trophies.

Several individual awards will also be up for grabs, Singh said. The Most

Valuable Player is guaranteed $20,000, while the Best Batsman and Best Bowler are set to receive $10,000 each, and the Man of the Final $10,000. All the individual cash prizes will be accompanied by trophies.

Singh said the SCG was grateful for the support

given by businessman and cricket enthusiast Ramesh Sunich, who is the Managing Director of Trophy Stall.

The business establishment, which has branches in Bourda Market, the City Mall and South Road, has agreed to provide all the trophies for the competition.

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

wednesday, december 2, 2015

Guyana/Antigua 4-game basketball series

Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Guyana notch 3rd Knockout stage straight blowout begins tonight win against Antigua Pg 22

Pg 21 Travis Burnett attempts to make a defensive play during the game

Some of the action during the tournament

Banks Beer futsal tournament

Teams presented with winning prizes

Pg 22 The winning Banks squad and various stakeholders in the tournament pose for a photo opportunity

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