Guyana Times Daily

wednesday, March 19, 2014| guyanatiMesgy.coM

Medex Building burns while guard sleeps

– Health Ministry says fire is major blow

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

Asecurity guard, who should have been protecting his place of employment had to be dragged out of his slumber early Tuesday morning in the midst of a raging fire that destroyed the historic Medex Building on the East Coast Public Road, in the vicinity of Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

“Firemen had to break into the guard hut to get the man out. He didn’t even know there was a fire,” Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told Guyana Times hours after the blaze. He stated that three stations responded to the fire report; Central Georgetown Fire Station, Alberttown Fire Station and the Campbellville Fire Station. The Ogle Airport

ited the scene late Tuesday morning, firemen from the Campbellville Fire Station were still trying to put out small fires. Melissa Mentore, a resident living opposite the Medex, told this newspaper that they were awakened by the sound of an explosion and sirens around three 03:30h. She said upon investigating, they saw the building on fire and began alerting the other neighbours.

The young woman noted that a taxi driver said that he was honking his car horn in front of the houses opposite the burning building to alert residents so they can call the fire service, however, no one came out. Mentore stated that her uncle recalled hearing the honking around 02:30h, however, he did not take it seriously, thinking that it was

Fire Service was also there to render assistance.

The Fire Chief added that one of the firefighters sustained a severe cut on his hands as they were trying to gain entry into the building. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The fire began sometime before 03:00h and quickly destroyed the entire building despite valiant efforts by firefighters. Nothing was saved. The Medex Headquarters building was used as the administrative centre for several ministry departments such as Veterinary Public Health, and the Guyana Agency for Health Sciences, the Environment and Food Policy (GAHEF).

When Guyana Times vis-

regular traffic on the road.

Mentore noted that the fire appeared to have started from the right hand side of the building’s middle flat in the rear and quickly spread to the front because of ocean winds.

She stated that at one point, the flames were so huge that it appeared as though the houses across the road might have caught fire because the wind was blowing the blaze in that direction. She further recalled that firefighters were on the scene for a while before they began dousing the fire and alleged that they could not have located a source of water.

However, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle explained that the firemen went to the scene

with tanks of water, however, when they got there, the blaze had already spread throughout the middle flat of the building. He continued that because of the high winds from the ocean, the water could not have reached the blaze and so the fire quickly engulfed the entire building. However, the firemen fought and managed to put out the blaze but not before draining the entire Liliendaal canal.

Investigations

The Fire Chief disclosed that the Fire Service received a call at 03:27h from a citizen who was heading to Berbice and noticed the blaze. He said that no one in the area was aware of the fire and it was until the fire trucks got to the scene that residents began coming out. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile another security guard attached to the Medex arrived on scene while this newspaper was there and lamented that for the past four years she has been working there, nothing of this sort ever happened.

“I was not feeling well and so I decided to stay home because I know the other man gon be here… one day I stay home and look what happen,” she stated.

When contacted for a comment, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud told Guyana Times that he was both shocked and saddened by the destruction of the facil-

ity. Persaud, who is currently away on travel duties, noted that there are already limited office facilities to administer health services in Guyana and this is a major loss for the Health Ministry.

“Several vital departments and units were located at the building including the Department of Health Sciences Education which coordinates all the MoH’s training programmes such as Nursing, Medex, Medical lab assistant, pharmacy assistant, environment health assistant, X-ray technicians, audiology rehab assistants and CHW,” he stated.

In addition, the CMO said that the building also housed an Environmental Health Unit, a Food Policy Division, a Vet Public Health, and the Pharmacy and Poison Board. He further revealed that a Nutrition Monitoring Unit was also recently established there which is supported by the IDB to manage nutrition data.

He added that facility also stores large amounts of documents and files in critical areas such as certification of fish and chicken processing plants and the registration of pharmacies and other places that engage in the sale of pharmaceuticals. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

Firefighters at the scene later Tuesday morning

The Medex Building engulfed in flames

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Standards for teachers

Although Guyana is doing extremely well in terms of the advancements made in education delivery, this country is perhaps one of the few in the world where documented standards for teachers are yet to be implemented. We are therefore pleased that the Government through the Education Ministry is taking steps to establish professional standards for this group of workers who serve a very important function in the society.

Recognising the fact that the continuous success of Guyana’s education system hinges upon the professionals who stand in the classroom every day, the Ministry has commenced engaging stakeholders as part of a national consultation aimed at arriving at a final document which will seek to hold teachers to specific professional standards. In our view, this is a step in the right direction as it provides an excellent opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the contents of the standards.

There are several views expressed almost daily in the media and other forums as to how teachers should perform, or what they are doing right or not doing right. As stated by the Ministry, professional standards for teachers set expectations for achieving desired educational outcomes. These standards are not intended as a tool for punitive action. Rather, they reflect professional consensus of what is desirable in the supervision, leadership and delivery of education. They also provide a framework that permits professionals to engage in self-assessment.

Like other professions such as law and medicine, professional standards for teachers offer the professional community specifications against which the people who ‘mould’ the nation’s children are able to set goals for personal development and progress in the profession. The standards are multi-dimensional and give cognisance to the key props for learning to take place, namely: (a) a motivated and willing learner; (b) effective teaching and learning; and (c) an enabling environment.

Once implemented, the standards will serve as a tool to monitor and evaluate teachers’ performances in the classroom, knowledge of the subject(s) they teach, techniques used, level of commitment to the learners in their care, and effective management of diversity to promote inclusiveness in the learning process. The standards will also help teachers sharpen their professional skills and help them interact with parents and the community.

Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque had urged teachers gathered for the 36th Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Union of Teachers, to place emphasis on teaching standards to meet the demands for a competent workforce in the Community. At the time he had stressed that the community needs a workforce that is healthy, competent, and literate with strong basic skills, and which can adapt to a rapidly changing labour market and technological world. Hence, there is need for “more than passing assurance” – that persons functioning as teachers are certified to teach, thoroughly prepared, and maintain performance standards.

Ambassador LaRocque had said that inherent in the concept of universal early childhood, primary and secondary education, is the need for quality and equity in the provision of education. This implies the need to ensure that teachers are adequately prepared for classroom and school realities, and that there is ongoing support and provision for their professional growth and development.

In a more general sense, as part of establishing professional standards for teachers, we suggest that there be teacher career policies and programmes aimed at stimulating the profession; the provision of incentives to attract the best prospective candidates; established entry-level professional standards; and certification and licensing in accordance with established professional standards.

There is no doubt that, once effectively implemented, professional standards for teachers will aid significantly in professionalising the teaching sector. It is therefore hoped that the ongoing consultations being carried out by the Ministry will attract the widest possible participation of all stakeholders. This is considered as yet another major step to improving the teaching profession in Guyana and we must all play our part.

TravelSpan – an opportune option for Guyanese flying to the U.S.A.

Dear Editor,

I wish to pen my views on TravelSpan’s comeback to the Guyana market. Their timely intervention is a welcomed relief to Guyanese visiting family, friends and relatives home, business community and visitors alike seeking a fair and equitable fare for a journey to the beautiful shores of Guyana.

Only six months ago, we

had to choose not to travel because of US$1300 economy airfares. Some of us that paid that price were still subjected to stopping in Trinidad and Tobago. I hope that my Guyanese brothers and sisters do not forget how we can be mistreated and overcharged when there was not an alternative.

As a North American frequent flyer, I can without any hesitation proudly en-

dorse, TravelSpan. I hope they continue to deliver and maintain their service to all customers and an option for us. They add credit to the transport service sector by taking the risk to operate flights to Guyana.

More importantly, as a Guyanese, we can now safely say good bye to unscrupulous operators, long stopovers, missing baggage, bullying at the Trinidad air-

port, and welcome cheaper fares and hassle free travel. Happy days!

Let’s do what we can to help TravelSpan develop the market and most of all, stay in the market. No airline will stay if they don’t get the support from the people. Let’s not forget what happened to us!

Yours truly, R Singh

Safeguarding young people

Dear Editor, “Youths in crisis” is like a never-ending drama that I witness daily. A little while back, the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) met and held discussions with various representatives from several Commonwealth member countries with the aim of reviewing national and regional priorities for youth development ideas and strategies.

Personally, I believe that the fact that such steps are being taken is a huge indication that we have a serious problem on our hand. In fact, statistics indicate that by the time young people reach their closing years in high school, two out of three

are having sexual intercourse, one in two are using some kind of illicit drugs, and as for the unknown and unseen, about seven out of every 10 are involved in cheating to make it through the system.

As adults, we need to realise that young people, particularly during their adolescent years, are bombarded with everyday decision-making. I have noticed that many of your children are always on their phones, even when in the classroom. Technology has allowed phones to offer much more than just a phone call, and many of our children can be seen using these devices to

listen to music and watch videos. We all know that music overall plays an important role in shaping teenagers’ ideologies and interests. On a positive note, some music videos heavily influence teenagers to learn different instruments, start dancing classes, and generally absorb the flashy lives of stars. However, the trouble is that, sometimes, all the things they internalise can create unrealistic expectations among them, and this can lead to some serious letdowns.

Additionally, many of our teenagers and young adults are influenced by contemporary pop music, with its

strong lyrics that advocate for violence, sexual looseness, and rebellion. We must latch on to the fact that the young are most vulnerable to music that degrades sex or with strong sexual language, and thus they are more likely to indulge in sex and take drugs from an early age. There are many sources, including the Internet, that can negatively influence our children and their lifestyles and it is our responsibility as parents and adults to monitor and control such affiliations that our children may have.

Respectfully, Gomattie

Shakoor

How many GPL employees does it take to make repairs? Can you count the number of workers perched at the top of these poles at the corner of Sheriff and David streets, Georgetown? Working hard to get the job done right (Carl Croker photo)

Russia supports multilateral mechanism to settle crisis in Ukraine

Dear Editor,

Recently, our Western partners have actively been calling to create a contact group to settle the situation in Ukraine, but they propose that such structure should facilitate dialogue between Moscow and Kiev.

Russia has previously explained that the current situation in Ukraine was not created by us and is a result of a deep crisis of the Ukrainian state that lead to the polarisation of the society and deep intensification of antagonism among various parts of the country. It is to facilitate overcoming these contradictions that the international community should focus on.

Based on this task and taking into account appeals to us from the U.S.A. and European countries, we prepared and handed over a week ago to our major partners in the U.S.A., Europe and other regions, Russian proposals on how external facilitation could be provided to the Ukrainians for themselves to take steps to come out of the crisis.

With this in view, we suggested creating a Contact Support Group for Ukraine with members acceptable to all political forces in Ukraine. The members of the group would be obliged to be guided by the following principles:

– Respect of interests of the multiethnic people of Ukraine,

– Support of legitimate aspirations of all Ukrainians and all regions of Ukraine to live in security according to their traditions and customs, to use freely their native language, to have free access to their culture and maintain ties with their compatriots and neighbours,

– Unacceptability of revival of neo-nazi ideology, the Ukrainian politicians should dissociate themselves from ultra-nationalists and

prevent their attempts to destabilise various regions of the country, and

– Recognition of importance of civil peace and nation-wide accord in Ukraine for furthering constructive relationship in the EuroAtlantic region on the principles of equal rights and mutual respect of interests of all countries in the region.

The goal of the support group will be to encourage Ukrainians to carry out the following priority actions:

1. To immediately implement the obligations of the Agreement on Settlement of the situation in Ukraine of February 21, withdraw from circulation illegal weapons, free the illegally occupied buildings, streets and squares, as well as organise objective investigation of acts of violence in December, 2013-February, 2014.

2. Without further delay by the decision of the parliament of Ukraine to call a constitutional meeting with equal representation of all Ukrainian regions to prepare a new federative constitution which:

will secure the principles of the supremacy of the law, protection of human rights and all national minorities, freedom of speech and work of political parties and the mass media, as well as other principles providing for political system of Ukraine as a democratic federative state with sovereignty and neutral military and political status.

– the Russian language along with the Ukrainian language will have a status of the second state language, other languages will receive status according to the European convention on regional languages and languages of minorities.

– the regions will independently by a direct vote elect to their legislative and

executive organs and will have wide authority that reflects cultural and historical peculiarity of each of them, in the sphere of economics and finance, social sphere, language, education, external interregional relations, with providing protection of national minorities in each member of the Federation.

– will prohibit and prosecute interference into the affairs of Church and interfaith relations.

The decision to affirm the draft of the new constitution will be made by the constitutional meeting with accord of all participants. The draft of the constitution will be sent to the national referendum.

3. After the approval of the new constitution, there should be held general elections to the supreme organs of power of Ukraine with elections to the legislative and executive organs in each member of the Federation under objective supervision of international observers.

4. The right of Crimea to determine its fate according to the results of free will of its people during the March 16 referendum is recognised and respected.

5. The political system created based on the above mentioned principles and goals, its sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutral political and military status will be guaranteed by Russia, European Union and the U.S.A. and will be confirmed by the resolution of the UN Security Council.

Russia is ready together with our partners without delay to commence construction of the multilateral mechanism of facilitating settlement of the Ukrainian crisis according to these proposals.

Sincerely, Denis Kopyl Press-Attaché of the Russian Embassy in Guyana

Government seems

to have

no answer to pervasive police atrocities

Dear Editor,

More and more we are seeing in the media reported instances of police officers either neglecting their duty or involved in some shady practice.

This is not to mention the innumerable incidents reported personally by our associates of the now seemingly normal habit of officers demanding bribes from persons perceived to be committing some crime, so as to lessen the punishment that they believe is forthcoming.

Are we to continually cast a blind eye on this situation that is daily eroding the rule of law in our society, and perpetuating this evil by people who should be paragons of lawfulness? It does seem that the administration has no answer to this pervasive atrocity as this infectious disease keeps spreading its tentacles.

I am not aware of the content of the police offi-

cers’ training programme but, to my mind, one salient ingredient of this should be ethical conduct. If there is such a component, then by all appearances, it has failed to produce the required high standard of behaviour that we must demand from the officers who are entrusted with enforcing the laws, part of which is the setting of a shining example to members of the public.

Ethical behaviour must not be assumed, but must be taught by a deliberate effort by persons who are qualified. If this has been a part of our police recruits’ training programme, then it was obviously handled by those who were not properly equipped to obtain the required results.

If it had been, then those who benefited from this would have been so schooled that morality and uprightness would have become more or less permanent hallmarks of their character, which in turn would have obviated the unethical culture that seems to be routine among our officers. I think that some definitive action should be made towards inculcating moral rectitude into the psyche of our policemen, and I am sure that our entire population would welcome such a development.

Let us take urgent action towards this end, and arrest this slide that can eventually lead to chaos in our society.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

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

Page Foundation

Parents’ fighting may have long-lasting effect on children

BY JENIFER GOODWIN

Slamming doors, shouting and stony silences between mom and dad can really scar children emotionally, new research suggests.

Kindergarteners whose parents fought with each other frequently and harshly were more likely to grow into emotionally insecure older children who struggled with depression, anxiety and behaviour issues by the seventh grade, the study authors found.

And yet, the researchers said, not all conflict was troublesome to children. If parents refrained from harshly criticising one other, stonewalling one another or being violent with one another, and instead managed to work out their problems in a constructive way, children weren’t terribly bothered by the conflicts.

The key to keeping children well-adjusted isn’t having a perfect, conflict-free marriage, the study authors said. It’s in being able to control emotions enough to fight fair, and resolve conflicts in a way that doesn’t threaten the stability of the family, they explained.

“Problems occur every day. But if parents problem solve and try to work it out, if they come up with a resolution or work toward it, if the parents show positive emotion when they are in the middle of fighting, if they

say nice things to each other or are affectionate, children see all these things as very positive, and it changes how children see the conflict,” said study author E Mark Cummings, a professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, U.S.A.

The study, published in the journal Child Development, included 235 middle-class families (average family income between US$40,000 and US$60,000) from the

or divorced, and two fathers died. Children and their parents were again asked about a host of issues around behaviour and emotional health.

According to the findings, children whose parents fought the most when the child was in kindergarten felt less emotionally secure, or felt less safe and protected. Emotional insecurity included things such as whether the children were upset or acted out such as

most damaging.

“Conflict affects children by affecting their sense of emotional security about the family,” he said. “A child has a sense of security or wellbeing, and if they don’t have that they feel distressed emotionally, are more prone to aggression and hostility.”

Deep insights into narcissistic parents: Going behind their controlling behaviour and mapping out its long-term consequences

BY BIRGITTE FROM DENMARK

involved with their children!

Parents face all sorts of stress, and fighting is normal, Cummings said. But parents need to keep in mind that their children are watching and listening.

Midwest and Northeast United States.

When the children were in kindergarten, parents were asked about their level of marital conflict. Parents were also asked to discuss a potentially contentious topic, such as finances or parenting, while researchers rated how critical they were of their spouse.

The children were then followed-up with seven years later, when they were in the seventh grade. During that time, 36 couples separated

through hitting or aggression during the conflict, or if the children reported they felt distressed by their parents’ fights, Cummings said.

Children who were less emotionally secure had more mental health issues such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as behavioural problems.

Studies dating back to the 1920s have found that marital conflict can impact children, Cummings said. This research tried to get at what aspects of conflict are the

“Conflict is part of life. If you don’t always agree with your spouse, it’s fine, as long as you can work it out constructively,” Cummings said. “A lot of people don’t realise how much children are affected by the relationship between the parents, not just the relationship of the parents to the children. Children’s feelings about themselves and their family have to do with how the parents relate to each other as well as to the child.”

While the study uncovered an association between inter-parental conflict and emotional security in children, it did not prove a causeand-effect relationship.

Dr Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioural paediatrics at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Centre of New York in New Hyde Park, said it’s not surprising that conflict between parents isn’t good for children’s emotional health.(healthday.com)

What are narcissistic parents?

Most of us have actually already encountered one or two parents that could probably be labelled narcissistic to a more or less degree. Here’s the archetypical description of these kinds of toxic parents:

Imagine yourself being present at one of your child’s sport activities. For instance at the dance studios or soccer field sidelines. You now take your time to look around at the other parents.

Now, the narcissist parents may be ones that at first seem positively and enthusiastically engaged in their children’s performances.

Ok, being involved in your children is good. So what’s the problem?

Well, at closer look, it may feel as these parents’ aim is less to support their children and more about wanting to make sure that their children’s skills and abilities are duly noticed and properly approved of.

In other words, it seems as if their engagement is more about ensuring externally recognised performance than being joyfully

To enhance the approval of their child, these parents will typically be calling attention to their child (and thereby themselves) by overemphasising and praising their achievements.

Another thing that is characteristic is this: Narcissistic parents tend to be very organised and seeming to have their children’s future all mapped out. They fill their children’s calendar with various activities focused on improving their skills in various areas and immerse themselves into their children’s lives whenever possible, for example by running every event or sitting on every council.

Why do narcissists seem to put so much focus on their children?

Well, it all comes down to needs!

A narcissistic parent puts his or her own needs for recognition before the basic needs of his or her child

At first glance, living the life of a narcissistic parent seems like a true self sacrifice.

Everything is about the child and it looks as if the parent gives up a lot of adult pleasures to be involved in their children’s life and activities.

However, as it happens the child is not an end, the child is a means for something else. Attention, among other things.

The self sacrifice is not actually a sacrifice! The self sacrifice is a self written, fictional story that aims at justifying the need (ego) that lies behind the ‘self-less’ actions.

You see, the child becomes a means for the parent to live out his or her own unfulfilled needs. Often these unfulfilled needs go all the way back to their own childhood.

Also without being consciously aware of it, they place a huge responsibility upon their children’s shoulders. The child’s job is to live out the lifelong dream that they themselves never got around to or had the opportunity to.

Even though narcissistic parents (or toxic parents as they are also called) often love their children and perhaps think that by pacing their children they are paving the way for the children’s future success, their primary motive is satisfaction of their own needs of external recognition. Not the needs of their children! (positiveparenting-ally.com)

Threats to lower flood insurance coverage unfortunate – PSC

Private Sector Commission (PSC)

Chairman Ronald Webster has expressed concern over the insurance industry’s threat to lower coverage for flooding here, saying it was an “unfortunate” development which its members would be worried about.

On Sunday, the Insurance Association of Guyana (IAG) said businesses and homeowners will face higher costs for flood coverage and such measures will continue until the insurance industry is satisfied that real steps are being taken by the authorities to correct defects in the drainage system.

“It is a very unfortunate situation,” Webster told Guyana Times in an invited comment. He admitted that frequent floods can become a burden to the insurance industry. “No insurance company could carry that kind of cost.”

While the Georgetown Mayor and City Council can be blamed for the poor drainage network, the PSC Chairman said citizens have got to learn to protect the environment.

Lack of funds

“Dumping garbage all over the place is absolute nonsense. Throwing of plastic bottles through minibus windows is unacceptable and we have to stop this!”

Questioned on whether companies under the umbrella of the PSC have lodged complaints with regard to the statement issued by IAG, Webster responded in the negative, but said “I am quite sure that there will be expressions of concerns.”

Meanwhile, City Mayor Hamilton Green has blamed the Government for the IAG’s decision. In an interview with this newspaper, Green said the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has been unable to effectively address the issue of flooding in the city and its neigh-

bouring communities due to the lack of funds. “If the insurance companies are serious… they need to implore the Government to stop suffocating the duly elected City Council,” he said. Green said: “If given the resources and the ability to manage the city, those floods would not take place.” He has also promised to write the IAG on the matter.

The IAG has said that flash floods which occurred on January 14, 2014 and November 27, 2013 in Georgetown and its environs were of major concern to the insurance industry. The association drew the conclusion that the poor drainage system within the city and the dumping of garbage in drains and canals are contributing significantly to the frequent flooding.

“What was especially disturbing about this latest round of flooding was the admission that some pumps necessary to drain the city were not working. Of even greater concern was the absence of any assurance as to when they might be repaired,” the IAG had said.

With more showers predicted, the IAG said the insurance industry has to gear itself for more flood damage claims. It was, however,

pointed out that insurable risks are subject to fortuitous occurrences; hence, when an event leading to a loss is inevitable, the risk becomes uninsurable.

It is on this ground that the IAG based its argument that floods are becoming uninsurable and there is need to restructure the measures applicable to flood coverage.

New system

The new system will impact businesses and homeowners, IAG said, noting that the new system when implemented will be upheld until it is satisfied that meaningful action is being taken by the relevant authorities and the citizenry to correct the deficiencies which have resulted in severe flash floods across the city.

Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society; Demerara Fire and General Insurance; Caricom General Insurance Inc; GCIS Inc; Guyana Trinidad Mutual (GTM) Group of Insurance Companies Limited; Handin-Hand Life; Hand-inHand Fire; John Fernandes Insurance Services Limited; North American Life Insurance (NALICO); North American Fire Insurance (NAFICO); Assuria Life

Man shot dead at 14 Miles Bartica

and General (Gy) Inc; and Guyana Insurance Brokers are in support of the decision being taken.

Meanwhile, it is expected that there will be some reduction in the illicit dumping of garbage this year, with major improvements anticipated for 2015.

Realising the negative impacts of the indiscriminatory dumping of garbage, especially in relation to floods, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is heightening its operations to ensure the effective implementation of the Environmental Protection (Litter Enforcement) Regulations 2013.

There are five main areas under the Environmental Protection (Litter Enforcement) Regulations 2013: litter by individuals, litter from vehicles, litter on private premises, local authority and litter prevention, and wardens and litter prevention wardens.

Under the category of littering by individuals, which relates to individuals throwing garbage in a public place, the fine for the first offence is $50,000 per person or $100,000 per business.

A fine of $30,000 or six months’ imprisonment will be imposed on individuals who are found littering another person’s property without consent under the littering on private premises component.

Police are investigating the murder of 33-year-old Selwyn Anthony Bess who was shot and killed at 14 Miles, Bartica, Region Seven.

The father of two was reportedly killed on Monday night during a fierce confrontation. Initial reports indicate that he was accidently shot while trying to make peace between two feuding men.

The miner had left his Lot 6 First Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara residence in mid-January in search of a job.

When Guyana Times visited his home at approximately 15:00h on Tuesday, his mother Jennifer Bess had just learnt of her son’s demise.

Bess was on duty at the Georgetown Public Hospital Service Plus Master when she received an emergency call stating that she was needed at home.

It was while she was heading home, the mother

of two received the tragic news of her son’s demise. She was told that her son was present when “two shop men” had an argument. One of the two left, but returned and “opened fire”, killing her son. She refuted claims that Bess was in the process of parting the fight when he met his demise. “I am not sure what really take place… but I didn’t hear he was parting no fight,” the woman said.

Bess’s uncle said based on information received from the dredge owner, “the two shop owners had some argument and my nephew was near to one of the shop owners and that is how he got shot”. According to the man, his nephew died approximately three minutes after he was shot. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Regional Hospital. The suspected murderer is in police custody at the Bartica Police Station.

Selwyn Anthony Bess with his two daughters and foster children in happier times

PSC Chairman Ronald Webster

Three remanded for separate unlawful wounding charges

Desmond McPherson, 21, of Lot 1 Meadow Brook Shortcut, East Bank Demerara, and Colin Manson of Lot 377 North Sophia, Georgetown were remanded to prison on Tuesday after they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

The duo was not required to plea to the charge. It is alleged that on October 9, 2013, at Tucville, Georgetown being armed with handguns, they robbed Colwyn Fraser

of one gold chain after which they discharged two rounds at the virtual complainant (VC) causing him actual bodily harm.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said the initial charge was recorded as attempted murder but with no given reason, the charge was changed to unlawful wounding. Additionally the prosecutor objected to bail because of the seriousness of the offence and the penalties attached. He also noted that the duo knows where the

Man pleads guilty to ganja possession

Aubrey Deny on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of ganja in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

It is alleged that on March 14 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown the defendant had in his possession three grams of cannabis.

The defendant told the court that he uses the narcotic to cool his mind from the frustration of being unemployed. The defendant was fined $3000 along with three days community service at the East Ruimveldt Police station.

Deny is expected to make another court appearance on April 7.

virtual complainant lives, in which more harm can be done to the virtual complainant.

Bail was refused by the Magistrate. The duo is expected to make another court appearance on April 7.

Meanwhile, Leon Burnett, 29, on Tuesday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for unlawful wounding.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on March 16 at Campbellville Housing

Scheme, Georgetown, Burnett unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Susan Burnett.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat said the defendant and the virtual complainant lived at the same address for several years. Moreover he noted that a divorce is slated for the couple.

The matter was dismissed because the virtual complainant refused to give evidence against the defendant.

Caricom adopts justice programme for reparations discussions

ACaribbean Reparatory Justice Programme (CRJP) has been accepted by the Caricom Heads of Government as a basis for discussions on reparations from slavery and native genocide.

Chairman of the Caribbean Community, Dr Ralph Gonsalves made the

disclosure during a press conference following the Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of the Caricom Heads of Government which was held between March 10 and 11 at Buccament Bay in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caricom Secretariat said in a release.

The Caricom Chairman said that the Caribbean Reparatory Justice Programme was a strategic and operational plan which consisted of 10 points prepared by the Regional Reparations Committee. He further outlined that a request for a full apology from the governments of Europe involved in the transatlantic slave trade, the establishment of Caribbean cultural institutions, an education programme specifically to address illiteracy and debt cancellation were among the recommendations in the CRJP.

Dr Gonsalves advised that this action plan would be discussed in further detail by the Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Barbados. He said the heads also expressed support for the convening of a conference between Caribbean and European leaders which would provide an opportunity for in depth discussions on reparatory justice.

Another outcome of the Inter-sessional meeting was a mandate for the establishment of a Commission that would shape the Caribbean Community’s Strategy on Human Resource Development. Dr Gonsalves said the strategy would form the basis for action by member states and create the framework for the Caricom education agenda.

“We are not starting with a blank slate. We are building upon work which all of us have been engaged in to carry out transformative revolutionary work in the field of education” he said.

A holistic approach to addressing the challenges was recommended. Matters such as enhancing the quality of regional education systems and the creation of a seamless globally competitive education system were also among the topics discussed.

Eyew tness

The straight and narrow...

...in schools

Now that the Holi holiday revelries are over and our little darlings are headed back to school to be schooled in the niceties (and exigencies) of life, it was rather refreshing to hear two of the top officials of the Guyana Teachers Union bemoaning the state of dress (or undress) of the teachers – who’re supposed to be imparting the schooling. The President and the General Secretary of the the union both trashed the way teachers are dressing nowadays: they were worried about the effect on the morals of their charges.

Even a cursory glance at the teachers of any school –especially the female ones as pointed out by the officials – would confirm the officials’ concerns as well founded. Short skirts, slit skirts, thin skirts, strap blouses, plunging necklines, skin-tight pants, etc, are only a few of the distractions these teachers present to the curious eyes of the children in front of them in class.

The GTU Executives affirm, however, that there is, in fact, a dress code that was promulgated by the Education Ministry and accepted by the union. And more to the point that it should’ve been made known to the teachers during their training. This was a revelation to your humble Eyewitness who didn’t think these kids writing 15 to 20 CSEC subjects needed the distraction.

Your Eyewitness is not so advanced in age that he had forgotten what those scanty dresses did to the libido and raging hormones of his age cohort during their CSEC days. But was the dress code emphasised during Teachers’ Training? From the free-for-all in the dress and deportment department of teachers, it doesn’t appear to be the case. Now, while it might seem kinda rigid in this age of allowing everything to “hang out”, it does seem that a good case can be made for introducing uniforms for teachers in our Primary and Secondary schools.

And the argument is simple – apply the same points that justify uniforms for the students: identity, uniformity, egalitarianism, modesty...whatever. They gotta be just as valid for teachers. But there’s an even greater benefit: confirmation of their authority. That’s the reason the police wear uniforms. The upholders of the law could execute their duties just as well with civvies clothes, no?

But their uniform sends a condign signal even before they spring into action to uphold the laws they protect. And this serves as a deterrent to actually breaking the law. Discipline in schools might be similarly augmented if teachers wore uniforms.

Could we have a national conversation of this?

...on tint

Did you read the story of the MP who was pulled over and forced to remove the tint from his car? No...this is not the opening line of a joke. As the APNU MP discovered. Now this tint business has been raised time and again but the warnings don’t seem to have deterred anybody. Driving around in Guyana and you’d have cause to believe we’ve been overrun by President Obama’s security detail. Tinted cars and SUVs – especially black ones are – everywhere.

The rule is you can only have tinted windows on your vehicle if you’ve received permission from the Home Affairs Minister. We’ve always wondered about the criteria for such approval. Security dangers for high-profile individuals? “Weak eyes” that need more protection from the sun than can be provided by sunshades?

But what was interesting in the story was the MP had been caught once before and had promised to get permission from Minister Rohee. But obviously he hadn’t. Was it because of the APNU ban on recognising Rohee. Poetic justice?

...on drinking on Holi

It’s been pointed out time and again that Holi, for all its fun and frolic, is actually a religious holiday. You’re not supposed to be consuming alcohol. Yet we witness its rampant abuse...and the inevitable consequences.

Monday is Budget Day

The 2014 National Budget will be presented in the National Assembly on Monday, March 24, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said Tuesday night.

According to the Minister, the multibillion-dollar budget has been designed to accelerate economic growth and social development in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) commitment to the people of Guyana. “It will emphasise macroeconomic stability through the continued creation of investment opportunities, expanding and upgrading physical infrastructure, improving the quality of social services and strengthening institutional and regulatory environments,” Dr Singh said in a statement.

Considering the ongoing rift between the Opposition and Government in the National Assembly, the Minister opined that the 2014 Budget presents an-

other opportunity for the PPP/C; the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU); and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to work together in the interest of the people of Guyana.

He said the budget was compiled following consultations with a number of stakeholders including the Private Sector, Labour Unions, and other interest groups. This process started in June 2013. “However, despite repeated invitations to the APNU and the AFC, they opted to boycott the consultations,” Dr Singh said.

Informed policies

Nevertheless, Minister Singh is calling on the Parliamentary Opposition to embrace the opportunity to work together with the Government to ensure smooth passage of the budget through the National Assembly in the coming weeks.

This year’s budget pre-

sentation will be the eighth by Minister Singh, who first presented the budget in 2007, following his appointment as Finance Minister in September 2006.

In praising the PPP/C Government, he stated that the strides made by Guyana on the local and international scenes are the direct results of informed policies.

“Over the past eight

years, Guyana has experienced an unprecedented period of uninterrupted growth, standing out in its economic performance despite the crises that have enveloped economies in the Caribbean and beyond over those same years,” he noted.

In 2013, Minister Singh presented a whopping $208.8 billion National Budget to the 65-seat leg-

islature under the theme “Overcoming challenges together: accelerating gains for Guyana”. However the budget suffered a major blow, when APNU and AFC collaborated to execute major cuts. The joint parliamentary opposition had reduced the budget by a massive $31 billion.

No power to cut Government was forced to take court action. Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang recently ruled that the National Assembly cannot cut the budget, only approve or disapprove it.

Meanwhile, contending that they were not fully consulted on the 2014 Budget, both the AFC and APNU have pledged to axe the budget for a third time despite the ruling by Justice Chang in January.

Opposition Leader David Granger, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, said: “The Government in this situation, if it refuses to amend

the budget to the satisfaction of the Opposition, would precipitate a major constitutional crisis and trigger consequent General Elections.”

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman had also signalled his disapproval of the acting Chief Justice’s ruling, arguing that the ruling will have farreaching implications for the Commonwealth parliamentary system. Contrary to Chang’s ruling, Trotman said the National Assembly has the power to approve and amend budgetary estimates, noting that this is a long-established right.

“The principle of comity dictates that the three branches of government –the executive, the legislative and the judicial – are all separate and equal and are to respect the right and authority of each other,” he had said. He said while the High Court’s ruling will be respected, the National Assembly has the right to appeal the decision.

Rodney CoI team holds talks with stakeholders

The three Caribbean Jurists, Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam and Queen’s Counsels Richard Cheltenham and Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, on Tuesday met with different groups as part of preparatory works before the investigation into the death of Dr Walter Rodney commences.

The team met with People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee and the party’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha at Freedom House, Robb Street, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. They then met with officials of the Guyana Trades Union

Congress (GTUC) at the Critchlow Labour College and some religious leaders later in the day at the Family Court building.

The team is here for a brief visit as part of its preliminary work before the start of the inquiry.

President Donald Ramotar established the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in June last year, on the occasion of Dr Rodney’s 33rd death anniversary on the request of his family members. The Commissioners were sworn in on February 25.

The President had said that it was the hope of the Government that the work and findings of this Commission will bring conclusion to some of the outstanding issues surround-

ing Dr Rodney’s death. The Commission is hoping to have more than 100 witnesses coming forward in a process that will be open to the public and the press.

Dr Rodney, the Cofounder of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which challenged the then Forbes Burnham Administration, was killed on June 13, 1980 when an explosive device that was concealed in a walkie-talkie radio detonated in his lap.

The device was said to have been given to him by a former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant who later fled to French Guiana where he remained in exile until his death several years ago.

PPP General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha meeting with the Walter Rodney CoI Commissioners: Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham and Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown during the team’s visit to Freedom House

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Indigenous women seek market for produce

Agroup of the Women’s Agro Processors’ Development Network (WAPDN) is currently seeking markets for items that have been produced by members.

The group converged at the Guyana International Conference Centre last Friday to exhibit their products during a symposium to mark Consumer Rights Day.

WAPDN Coordinator Rosamond Benn told Guyana Times that the association has been in existence for some four years. She said the Network comprises six groups from various Amerindian villages.

Benn explained that the products are the handiwork of the women themselves and vary across the villages.

“From the Pomeroon area, we have the virgin coconut oil, green mango achar, fruit

she told this publication. Other products include peanut butter, cashew nuts, and cosmetics made from crabwood seed. Benn said the group has progressed over the years, and although it has not yet achieved its ob-

formed was the packaging and labelling, and we have not mastered it as well, but we have been able to come up from where we were.”

She said the group was invited by the Small Business Bureau to partake in the mini

products are only sold by the New Guyana Shop, a subsidiary of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation.

She said markets for the products are slowly taking shape since the group was first discovered at GuyExpo

mix, and pepper sauce. From some other villages, we have cassava bread, coco sticks, ground coffee and cassareep,”

jectives, much has been done. “One of the main things we were calling for the very first time since this group was

exhibition at the Conference Centre. The group’s members are also seeking to expand their market base since their

last year.

Viewing the exhibition too was Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali. The Coordinator explained that there was no direct link with the Minister or his Ministry concerning the group’s work, but thought that his presence there would have been the beginning of great things for the organisation.

The group has also collaborated with the VSO organisation, which has been connecting members with prospective clients, The WAPDN has also gained the assistance of the Small Business Bureau in the acquisition of loans, which will also strengthen the Network, she said.

Homeward bound

Satiricus was proud he was a “roots man”. And his roots were back in Mother India. And that’s why when everyone was tanking up on alcohol in the Holi festivities, he had prepared his Bhang and imbibed deeply. Bhang was ganja boiled in milk. This was just the way it was still done in the old country. Satiricus was still feeling mellow.

So as he perused the news while lolling in his hammock, he saw that Reaz Tubaan and his group were going to reenact the Arrival of his forefathers and foremothers and he was mighty pleased. Satiricus liked this Tubaan fella. The chap was always so rootsey. But Satiricus wasn’t so sure about him calling the event a “cruise”. This might give people the wrong idea. Satiricus knew that Tubaan was going to insist on getting things “real”. He was a “method actor” who lived his role. Like Marlon Brando. He already had Brando’s belly from “Godfather”. Didn’t he actually close his eyes when he played that blind fella in “Dosti”, who was always breaking into a song? He warned people who would sign up for the experience that they would “relive” experience of the Jahajees (shipmates) crossing “Kala Paani”, the Black Waters. Right off the bat Satiricus knew Tubaan was serious when he saw that the ship-ride was going to be on the Demerara River and not the Atlantic Ocean. No, it wasn’t because the waters of the Demerara were smooth...

Satiricus always wondered why people talked about the “Black Waters” when the Atlantic Ocean wasn’t black. Even the Indian Ocean wasn’t black, for that matter. So Satiricus knew that when Tubaan would steer that ship up the black waters of the Demerara River, he knows the trip would be even more real than the original – real Kala Pani. Satiricus vowed to sign up immediately. He had to get a Lunghi. Tubaan had specifically specified that people had to dress just like first Jahajees. Those first arrivals were mostly Hill Coolies – tribal people. They didn’t wear Dhoti like the folks on the plains. The Lunghi was just a simple piece of cloth, wrapped around the waist – like a loincloth. And no “buktas”...the old folks – and the plain folks, for that matter – didn’t know about any buktas. Satiricus briefly wondered about his privates shriveling up in that brisk Demerara air as they sailed upriver. “But what the heck?” he figured. “You had to make sacrifices for the cause, no?”

Then Satiricus remembered the food. If Tubaan was going to be the stickler for details he usually was, Satiricus and all the other Jahajees would have to make do with a thin gruel made from boiling rice with dhall. Not even kitcherie – which would have some onions and what have you.

“But, what the heck?” thought Satiricus. “A roots man got to do what a roots man got to do, no?”

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali checking out the products

Members of the Women’s Agro Processors’ Development Network pose for Guyana Times

Steady increase in low levels of GM crops – FAO

The increased production of genetically modified crops around the globe has led to a higher number of incidents of low levels of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) being detected in traded food and feed, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations said last week.

The incidents have led to trade disruptions between countries, with shipments of grain, cereal and other crops being blocked by importing countries and destroyed or returned to the country of origin.

The trace amounts of GM crops become mixed with nonGM food and feed crops by accident during field production (for example, a field trial of a GM crop grown near a field of a non-GM crop); processing; packing; storage; and transportation.

Low level

There is no international agreement defining or quantifying “low level”; therefore, the interpretation varies from country to country. In many countries, it is interpreted as any level at which detection is possible, that is very low trace levels while in other countries case-by-case decisions are taken on what level is acceptable.

The GM crop in question may be authorised for commercial use or sale in one or more countries, but not yet authorised in an importing country.

Therefore, if the importing country detects the unauthorised crop, it may be legally obliged to reject the shipment. In the first survey of its kind, 75 out of 193 FAO member countries responded to questions on low levels of GM crops in international food and animal feed trade.

The survey results will be discussed at a technical consultation organised by FAO to be held in Rome on Thursday and Friday, to review the extent and pattern of trade disruptions caused by the contaminated shipments. The meeting will discuss trade issues related to low levels of GM crops, but will not debate the pros and cons of GM crops.

According to the survey, respondents reported 198 incidents of low levels of GM crops mixed into non-GM crops between 2002 and 2012. There was a jump in cases between 2009 and 2012, when 138 out of the 198 incidents were reported. Shipments with low levels of GM crops originated mainly from the United States, Canada, and China, although other countries also accidently shipped such crops.

Once detected, most shipments were destroyed or returned to the exporting country; the highest number of incidents involved linseed, rice, maize, and papaya.

“The numbers of incidents are small relative to the millions of tonnes of food and feed traded every day,” said

Renata Clarke, FAO Senior Food Safety Officer in charge of the survey.

“But, because trade disruptions may be very costly and given the reported increase in the occurrence of these disruptions, FAO conducted this survey and is holding a technical consultation to try to start a dialogue between countries on the issue.”

Every region

“We were surprised to see incidents from every region,” she said. “It seems the more testing and more monitoring they do, the more incidents they find.”

“Although testing technology is more sensitive now, I would note that 37 out of 75 countries responded that they have little or no capacity to detect GMOs, that is, they don’t have the laboratories, technicians, and equipment to do so,” she added. “Many countries have asked FAO to help improve their capacity to detect GMOs.”

“In the survey, countries also asked us to help them assess whether GM crops are safe to eat and we would like to see countries sharing

AFC Region Two Councillor passes on

Alliance For Change (AFC) Region Two Councillor Bowanie Persaud passed away on Monday at his home.

He was 57 and lived at La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast.

Persaud was sworn in as an AFC Councillor on June 15 2013, replacing Archie Cordis, who joined the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). From reports, Persaud had taken ill and had received medical attention at the Suddie Public Hospital.

The Councillor died around 16:00h, after he complained of feeling cold and retired to bed.

Public

any scientific findings they have on the subject,” she said. “For this purpose, FAO established FAO GM Foods Platform, a web page for countries to share information on safety assessment.” The platform can be accessed at http://fao.org/gm-platform/.

Other survey findings include: 30 countries produce GM crops, either for research or commercial production or both, and more GM crops are being developed; 17 countries do not have any food safety, feed safety, or environmental regulations on GM crops; 55 countries have zero-tolerance policy for unauthorised GM crops; 38 countries consider the different policies on GMOs existing between trading partners an important factor in contributing to the trade risk posed by the presence of low levels of GM crops in some traded foods.

In most countries, there are no generally applicable low-level GMO policies, legislation, or regulations yet in place. Different options have been used when setting such policy, including a zero-tolerance policy, a low-threshold policy and a case-by-case policy.

When family relatives checked on him, they discovered him lying motionless. He was rushed to Suddie

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud lauded the work of the late Councillor and expressed sympathy to his family on behalf of the region.

Teenager charged for discharging firearm in public place

Shawn Barrow, 19, of Lot 8 East La Penitence, Georgetown on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to charges in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

It is alleged that on February 7 at East La Penitence, Georgetown the defendant discharged a firearm within 100 yards in a public place.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman said from the time of the offence the accused was on the run. He noted that ranks from the Guyana Police Force made several checks at the defendant’s home and failed to apprehend him.

The accused was only apprehended on Friday last on Mandela Avenue. He went on to object to bail because of the gravity of the offence and the penalties attached.

Attorney Patrice Henry pleaded with the Magistrate to grant bail in favour of his client on the grounds that the accused was not on the run because no arrest warrant was issued for his client. Thus the defendant was not aware that he was wanted by the police. Blackman rebutted the attorney’s plea to grant the defendant bail. He noted that the virtual complainant is not a licensed firearm holder and because the defendant and the defendant are known to each other, if bail is granted, the defendant can cause more harm to the virtual complainant.

Bail was granted in the sum of $125,000. Barrow must lodge his passport at the clerk of court. The accused must report to the East La Penitence Police Station every Monday. Barrow will return to court on April 7.

Hospital where he was certified dead by doctors.

AFC Councillor Bowanie Persaud

Genetically modified foods are a controversial subject, with many persons unconvinced of their safety for human and animal consumption

wednesday, march 19, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Copa Airlines recruiting Guyanese to fill several vacant posts MACORP renews ties with UG

Copa Airlines has started to receive applications from prospective Guyanese employees for several positions it will create locally, a release from the airline has said.

Noting that the response has been overwhelming, the airline said it started advertising for several positions last month as part of its preparations to begin service to Guyana on July 11, 2014.

According to airline executives, several positions are to be created locally including: Sales Manager, Airport Supervisors, Sales Executives, Inside Sales Representatives and Sales Counter Agents.

The company expects to conclude the selection process by the end of March. Once the hiring process has been concluded, the airline will begin its training process with the selected staff, the release added.

Copa Airlines had announced in January its intention to begin operating two weekly flights out of Guyana in July.

The flights will link Guyana to Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen

International Airport in Panama, thus increasing travel options and improving connections throughout Copa Airlines’ extensive route network.

Additionally the airline expects that this will allow Guyanese passengers easier access to 69 destinations in 30 countries, while opening up the country’s tourism products to more markets.

Important development

According to the airline, in January, acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali said “we will be working closely with Copa and the travel trade to maximise the opportunity this partnership offers”.

He emphasised that the Government of Guyana welcomes “the introduction of this reputable air carrier” as a “very important development for our tourism sector that brings with it tremendous benefits, as it provides a gateway for our guests to connect between Guyana and South America and with other destinations on Copa”.

The new route promises to be more efficient while providing quicker access to

destinations in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, subsidiaries of Copa Holdings, are leading Latin American providers of passenger and cargo services.

The airlines currently offer service to 69 destinations in 30 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

During Copa Airlines’ more than 65 years of uninterrupted operations, it has transformed the Hub of the Americas in Panama into the leading hub on the continent.

Copa operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 90 aircraft: 64 Boeing 737 Next-Generation planes and 26 Embraer190s.

It has an on-time performance of almost 90 per cent, on par with the major airlines worldwide. Copa is a member of the Star Alliance, the leading global airline network, offering passengers 1328 destinations in 195 countries, with more than 21,900 daily flights and 900 VIP lounges.

Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd (MACORP) last week renewed for the second time a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between itself and the University of Guyana (UG).

The first MoU was signed in September 2009. The MoU affords MACORP and the University of Guyana, through the Faculty of Technology, continuous opportunities to further national development through enhanced tertiary education and training.

According to MACORP Product Support Manager Guillermo Escarraga, the renewal of the MoU is consistent with the company’s mission to become the leader in supplying sustainable integrated solutions to customers.

He explained that to accomplish this, the company relies on and sees human talent as most important and, as such, has moved to invest in the development

of a strong workforce. “We need young engineers that can hit the ground running, that can deliver from day one,” he said.

Escarraga added that the company has seen results from the four years the MoU has been in place and noted the company’s enthusiasm for a continued relationship.

“Our country requires a skilful workforce today more than ever,” he said, as he encouraged other private sector organisations to follow MACORP’s lead.

Nation-building

UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi said the University is thankful for the partnership with MACORP, given the fact that the institution was only able to school engineers and not properly train them.

He also challenged other industries to do the same which will help Guyana to compete at the international level.

“It’s a sign that the company is interested in making sure that engineers coming into the workforce are properly trained, practical-

ly and not theory wise,” the Professor said.

MACORP Chief Executive Officer Jorge Medina noted that apart from bringing the latest technology on the market, the two main sectors that enable a country to grow is health and education.

He stated that the company motto "Let’s build Guyana together” can be applied to the society as well and it requires everyone to work together to make this beautiful country of ours better for all to live, especially our young people.

With the signing of the MoU, the Faculty of Technology of the University of Guyana will receive $850,000 annually. This money is expected to be used to sponsor final-year projects, research and the acquisition of capital items, including books and instructional materials.

Further, it allows the faculty to utilise MACORP’s services, including laboratory and testing facilities. UG also received a laptop, projector and portable screen along with an all-in-one printer, scanner, and photocopier.

Driver in police custody for suspected hit-and-run

Afemale driver, Mishana Gudge from Supenaam Village, Essequibo is presently in police custody at Anna Regina for allegedly hitting down three men on a motorcycle on Bounty Hall Public Road.

The three men are listed in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The accident occurred on Monday around midnight.

The driver was proceeding in a southerly direction when she reportedly struck the men and continued on her way. It is believed that two passengers were inside the car.

Residents heard the loud impact from the accident and rushed to the scene.

Some residents ran behind the car, as it travelled at a slow pace towards Charity until it stopped.

The driver was caught at Andrew Village. An eyewitness said the road was dark and one of the tyres of the car was damaged.

Residents who rushed to the scene did not even notice the men in the muddy drain initially. They saw the mangled 150CC motorcycle and then heard noises coming from the drain.

The men were pulled from the drain in an unconscious state in clumps of mud. They received injuries to their faces and stomachs. Residents rushed the trio to Suddie Public Hospital; they were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police were summoned to the scene and are presently investigating the matter. The driver is expected to be charged shortly.

MACORP CEO Jorge Medina and UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi exchange copies of the signed MoU. Also in the photo are officials of the company and UG

The airlines currently offer service to 69 destinations in 30 countries

Two women commit suicide, another recovering

Despite efforts to curb the scourge of suicide, two more women took their lives by ingesting poisonous substances, while a third is said to be recovering in hospital in three separate incidents.

In the first case, a 25-yearold mother of four ingested gramoxone at her Meten-meerzorg, West Coast Demerara home on Monday afternoon.

Relatives of Fazeena Ally are still trying to understand her reasons for ingesting the substance.

Chandrawattie Singh, the dead woman’s mother-in-law, told Guyana Times that the young woman and her husband had a small argument over the long hours he spent with his friends.

She said she was unsuccessful in her attempt to quell the dispute.

“She was washing clothes and doing her housework and just a little talking that he gone with his friends and her saying that he ain’t got time with her.

"So he come in and went and put on the music and gave her money to buy food. She came out with the money and threw it at him,” Singh said.

A tearful Singh recounted that her daughter-in-law shouted to her son “let Ma mine the baby fuh yuh”. She said her son questioned the woman about the statement, but never got a response.

Singh explained that the young mother had been taken in by the family at the tender age of 12 and had borne four children for her son. She said such a daughter-in-law is irreplaceable.

“She was a good daughterin-law. I can never find a better daughter-in-law,” she re-

peated, before bursting into tears.

Singh said she was unaware where Ally may have got the poison, which she drank after leaving the yard. She was rushed to the hospital where she remained a patient until her death Tuesday morning.

Angad Ramdatt, Ally’s husband, said his wife had indicated some time back that she would ingest poison; however, the threat was never taken seriously. He insisted that the two of them were not experiencing any major problems. Though inconsolable, Ramdatt managed to speak with this newspaper.

“I am upset because she was my wife. Normally, she would go by her mother, and I don’t know where she got the poison from,” he lamented.

Ally leaves behind her husband and four children, ages 11, 7, 4, and 7 months.

In the second fatal case, Veronica Harnandan aka “Veena” from Richmond Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast ingested a quantity of gramozone on March 13 and succumbed three days later on March 16.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Harnandan was humiliated by a girl whom her brother was supposed to marry.

After the relationship ended, the allegedly spurned young woman was out for revenge and reportedly spread rumours about the family.

Information revealed that two weeks ago, Harnandan started to work at the same place as her brother’s ex-girlfriend.

On March 13, the ex-girlfriend reportedly embarrassed her at the workplace, and she went home hurt, went into her bedroom, and consumed one glass of the poisonous substance.

A half hour after she consumed the poison, she went and told her mother what she did.

She was then rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital and admitted. Harnandan later succumbed. Meanwhile, Lachmie Rajkumar, 19, of Huis t’Diren, also consumed a poisonous substance and was rushed to the same hospital.

She is said to be recovering. However, details of this incident remain sketchy.

Indian stars arrive for weekend concert

The Indian international stars slated to perform for the “Bollywood Live with the Stars” concert arrived in Guyana on Tuesday.

Arriving was Pavita Rishta’s most popular couple, Arjune and Purvi and for the second time round, Abha from Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli.

The three stars expressed similar sentiments of being very happy to be here in Guyana. “I have heard so much about the people here and also I hear that you guys have some very sweet fruits so I am looking forward to the shows and having some of those delicious fruits,” Purvi said.

Arjune noted that the first time he heard about Guyana, the first thing he thought was 'Guyana?' and

he asked one of his co-workers about Guyana, and his friend responded and said, 'just go'. "So here I am, excited to be here and much more about the shows and interacting with the people.”

Abha, who was in Guyana before, said that last year she did not get to visit the Kaieteur Falls but will make sure that she does that on this trip and also will take Purvi and Arjune. “I made a promise last year that I will be back in Guyana again so here I am,” she told Guyana Times Guyanese are in for a treat of a lifetime this weekend when four well known Bollywood Soap stars perform live on local shores. The show is titled “Bollywood Live with the Stars” and is promoted by Christine and Popo Entertainment out of New York.

The others who are expected to share the same stage with the superstars are: Anil Bheem and the Bheemerz Band out of Trinidad and Tobago, Chris Ramkellawan from Suriname, Christine and Madhu Moti from New York and the Apache Warias from NY and Seeta Panday. The Ishara Dancers and the Sahara Dance Company are also expected to perform on the nights.

The three days set aside are Friday, March 21, at the Tuschen Community Centre ground; Saturday, March 22, at the Guyana National Stadium and Sunday, March 23 at the Port Mourant Centre ground. General admission costs $2500 in advance and $3000 at the gate while the VIP tickets cost $15,000 and the Luxury VIP costs $20,000.

Fazeena Ally

Veronica Harnandan

From left, Purvi and Arjune from "Pavita Rishta" and Abha from "Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli"

Regional Students and faculty man barricades in Venezuela University city

An engineering stu-

dent armed with a slingshot commands a barricade. A biologist with a PhD organises residents of a rebellious barrio. A retired economist prays for the hooded youths who guard her building.

This is Merida, the small university city in western Venezuela where students and faculty have spent more than a month protesting against socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Sick of shortages of basic products and some of the world’s highest violent crime

rates, many people living here at the feet of the Andes have holed themselves up behind barriers rigged out of furniture, fences, trees, and even traffic lights.

“This is a wave of pressure and somehow, something has to give,” says a demonstrator nicknamed “El Rojo” (“the red one”), a biology professor from the University of the Andes wearing a Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt, his hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Residents of Humboldt, this middle-class neighbourhood of southern Merida,

have blocked access roads using metal sheets taken from a building site. A lifesize rag doll in a red shirt of the ruling Socialist Party hangs from a lamppost.

“We decided to close the roads because of the insecurity,” says the 40-year-old Professor. Like dozens of people interviewed at barricades around the city, he declined to be named for fear of reprisals.

“We’re completely organised. We have alarm systems, doctors, a pharmacy, security 24 hours a day.” Maduro vowed on Sunday to “liber-

American gets five years for

ate” areas like Humboldt that have seen the most street resistance to his rule, hoping to end violence that has killed at least 29 people.

The president accuses the Opposition of seeking a coup, like the one in 2002 that briefly ousted his mentor, the late Hugo Chávez. “There are no political parties involved here,” said “Abreu,” a 22-year-old engineering student wearing a hood at a barricade in Los Sauzales, to the north of Humboldt.

“This is civil resistance. This is people tired of having to queue to buy toilet paper, tired of being robbed.”

“We’re at war”

The spark for the current nationwide demonstrations was the attempted rape of a student in San Cristobal, a city in Tachira state to the southwest of Merida.

With more than 60,000 students enrolled at Merida’s University of the Andes, this city an hour’s flight from Caracas has become a major focus of the anti-government anger.

Some of the fiercest confrontations between protesters and security forces have taken place in Cardenal Quintero Avenue, in the far north-east of the city. Broadly speaking, poorer Venezuelans have yet to join protests in Merida, or elsewhere in the country. (Excerpt from Reuters)

weapons shipment to Dominican Republic

ous rounds of ammunition.”

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says a Pennsylvania man has been jailed for five years for shipping weapons to The Dominican Republic.

Haiti Government defends plans for resort island

Aplan to transform a small Caribbean island off the southern coast of Haiti into a highend resort will create more than 2000 jobs and help change the image of this impoverished country, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said.

The Prime Minister also denied allegations by some residents that the government will evict hundreds of poor farmers to complete the project.

Lamothe said that the development on Ile-a-Vache will be the most ambitious tourism project ever in Haiti and that critics who have clashed with police in protests do not fully appreciate the benefits.

“This will bring the hope for a better future for all the residents of Ile-a-Vache,” Lamothe said by phone while

St

in Chile. “We definitely have no plans to evict anyone.” The US$260 million project being built with a combination of foreign aid and private investment is scheduled to be completed in two years. It includes condos, spas, a community radio station and an international airport that will allow foreigners to bypass chaotic Port-auPrince. Lamothe said there will be more than 2000 jobs in hotels, plus work building schools and a community centre.

Work has begun on the airport, a US$24 million gift from Venezuela’s Government, amid a series of protests that began last year after the Government announced it was seizing land for the project on the island of 15,000 people, many of them farmers and fishermen. (TT Guardian)

Lucia Minister says

“emphatic no”

to decriminalisation of marijuana

Rafael Cabrera-Mesa, 36, of Reading, Pennsylvania was sentenced on Monday for “shipping a firearm and ammunition in foreign commerce and use of false identification, following an investigation by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).”

said the judge ordered three years of supervised release and a US$200 special assessment to Cabrera-Mesa.

Cabrera-Mesa pleaded guilty to the charges on December 18, 2013. In addition to the prison term, ICE

The ICE reported that on February 1, 2010, CabreraMesa “possessed, and shipped to The Dominican Republic a Remington Model 760 Gamemaster .3006 rifle, along with numer-

The immigration agency also said Cabrera-Mesa “stole the identity of a deceased U.S. citizen, using that person’s birth certificate and social security number in order to avoid apprehension by immigration authorities.” (Caribbean360)

New J$200M hospital for Jamaica

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller expressed appreciation to the Spain’s Hospiten Group, which on Friday announced final plans for the construction of a highly specialised general hospital in Jamaica at Cinnamon Hill, Rose Hall, St James at a cost of J$200 million.

The Hospiten Group made the announcement during a ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The medical facility is expected to provide services for residents of the North Coast area, as well as for visitors to the island.

Construction of the 16room, 28 bed facility is expected to begin shortly, and is slated for completion during the second half of 2015.

It will provide full medical services, and will be equipped with an image diagnosis centre, a surgical block, an intensive care unit (ICU), a clinical analysis lab, a 24/7 emergency room, and 22 hospitalisation rooms.

Delivering the main address, the Prime Minister said the Government of Jamaica welcomes the investment of the initial US$20 million for the con-

struction of the medical facility, which will be the first of its kind in the Englishspeaking Caribbean.

“The decision by the Hospiten Group to commence construction of this highly specialised general hospital in the heart of Jamaica’s tourism industry comes at a time of improving economic stability, supported by positive ratings by the international rating agencies. This investment represents a tangible outcome of Jamaica’s tourism master plan and the work of successive governments,” Simpson Miller said.

National Security Minister Phillip La Corbiniere has hinted that the St Lucia Government would not support plans to decriminalise marijuana for medicinal and religious activities.

Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders at their just concluded inter-sessional summit in St Vincent and the Grenadines discussed the issue of decriminalising of small quantities of the drug as well as exploring the economic benefits that might be derived from marijuana cultivation.

According to the communiqué issued following the talks, the regional leaders agreed to the “establishment of a Regional Commission to address the issues identified and any others deemed relevant in order to provide clear guid-

ance with regard to decisions to be taken”.

The Commission is expected to submit a report to the regional leaders at their annual summit in Antigua in July. But La Corbiniere, speaking on television, said he remains unconvinced about decriminalising marijuana, telling viewers if he had a deciding vote, it would be an emphatic no.

“Maybe part of that relates to the fact that I grew up on the outskirts of the city where I was able to witness firsthand the development of the drug problem.

“The problem actually started with marijuana, let us not forget that, it was the drug of choice on the streets for many years, and probably some 10 years after we saw the emergence of cocaine coming into the country,” he added.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

“We’re at war,” explained “El Arabe” (“the Arab”), a 23-year-old student. He shows off his back, which is pitted and scabbed – he says – by plastic buckshot fired by National Guard troops during one recent clash

National Security Minister Phillip La Corbiniere, speaking on television, said he remains unconvinced about decriminalising marijuana, telling viewers if he had a deciding vote, it would be an emphatic no

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller added that the primary target market for the investment was the tourists in the resort areas encompassing Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril, but that Hospiten has decided to extend the same quality of medical services to Jamaican residents

Ukraine officer ‘killed in attack on Crimea base’

Ukraine’s military says an officer has been killed in an attack on a base in Crimea, the first such death since proRussia forces took control in February. Ukraine has now authorised its troops to fire in self defence.

The attack came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin and the

leaders of Crimea signed a bill to absorb the peninsula into Russia.

Western powers condemned the treaty and a G7 and EU crisis meeting has been called for next week in The Hague. The Ukrainian crisis began in November last year after pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned an

Hundreds of immigrants storm Spanish enclave on Moroccan coast

Hundreds of wouldbe immigrants tried to force their way into Spain’s North African enclave of Melilla during the early hours of Tuesday, the Moroccan Government said, in what was one of the largest mass crossing attempts in years.

“At 7am, 600 illegal migrants tried to force the crossing to the occupied enclave of Melilla at Oued Tighorafine point, in the rural area of Beni Chiguer,” Morocco’s Interior Ministry said in a statement. Some of the immigrants threw stones at security forces, injuring five officers.

Although they are on the coast of Morocco, the towns of Melilla and Ceuta are legally Spanish territory. A total of 102 immigrants were arrested during the incident, 28 of whom were injured and

hospitalised in the nearby Moroccan city of Nador, the Interior Ministry said.

Abdelmalik El Barkani, the Spanish Governor of Melilla, said that the crossing was “one of the biggest in recent years”. Immigrants from all over Africa regularly try to reach the Spanish zones either by swimming along the coast or scaling the triple walls that separate them from Morocco.

Despite the dangers involved in trying to reach the two enclaves – injury and death are not uncommon – the number of those seeking to cross over has surged in recent months. Just hours before immigrants stormed Melilla on Tuesday morning, a separate group tried to breach the enclave’s perimeter, leading to the arrests of 150 people. (Excerpt from France24)

EU deal in favour of stronger ties with Russia. He fled Ukraine on February 22 after protests in which many died.

An eyewitness told the BBC that armed men arrived in two unmarked vehicles, storming the base in Simferopol firing automatic weapons. The Ukrainian Government said a junior officer who was on duty in a park inside the base had been killed and another officer injured. A third serviceman had leg and head injuries after being beaten with iron bars, it said.

The Government said the commander of the unit was captured by men wearing Russian uniforms.

Defence Ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov told Reuters the attack was by “unknown forces, fully equipped and their faces covered”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

MH370: 26 countries searching area larger than Australia

The full scale of the vast hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight became clear on Tuesday, as officials said the search area had been extended to 2.24 metres square nautical miles (7.68m sq km).

Malaysian officials urged countries on the plane’s po-

Congress to announce candidate against Modi in Varanasi

Vowing to give Narendra Modi a tough fight in Varanasi, Congress on Tuesday said it will put up a formidable candidate against the BJP PM nominee and urged all likeminded parties to support it in the “battle against communalism”. “Do not be surprised if Varanasi witnesses a similar spectacle as Ghaziabad from where BJP chief Rajnath Singh ran away after Congress fielded Raj Babbar,” party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters.

Expressing Congress’ resolve to give a good fight to Modi, Surjewala said that the party is putting up its candidate with the belief that he will be winning the contest against the BJP PM candidate.

Surjewala replied in

China appears to be testing an

anti-satellite weapon

Adetailed analysis of satellite imagery published Monday provides additional evidence that a Chinese rocket launch in May 2013 billed as a research mission was actually a test of a new anti-satellite weapon based on a road-mobile ballistic missile.

Brian Weeden, a former U.S. Air Force space analyst, published a 47-page analysis on the website of The Space Review, which he said showed that China appears to be testing a kinetic interceptor launched by a

new rocket that could reach geostationary orbit about 36,000 km (22,500 miles) above the earth.

“If true, this would represent a significant development in China’s anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities,” wrote Weeden, now a technical adviser for Secure World Foundation, a Coloradobased non-profit focused on secure and peaceful uses of outer space. “No other country has tested a direct ascent ASAT weapon system that has the potential to reach deep space satellites

in medium earth orbit, highly elliptical orbit or geostationary orbit,” he wrote, referring to orbital paths that are above 2000 km (1250 miles) over the earth.

The article includes a previously undisclosed satellite image taken by DigitalGlobe Inc that shows a mobile missile launcher, or “transporter-erectorlauncher” (TEL) at China’s Xichang missile launch site. A TEL is used for mobile ground launches of ballistic missiles instead of a fixed pad.

(Excerpt from GMA News)

the affirmative when asked whether the Congress will appeal to all likeminded parties to support its candidate in Varanasi against Modi. He said that Congress candidate, whose announcement will be made “very soon”, needed to be supported by all likeminded parties as it alone could carry forward the battle against communalism and divisive forces in a cohesive direction. He faced several questions on the possible candidate for the high-profile contest, but declined to hazard any guess.

He claimed that the fact that Modi has started searching for a second seat in Gujarat a day after his candidature was declared from Varanasi showed that he has become “jittery and has developed cold feet”.

(Excerpt from Times of India)

tential path to reanalyse their military radar data in the hope of narrowing down the area – roughly the size of Australia – which comprises two great arcs sweeping north towards Kazakhstan and deep into the southern Indian Ocean far off the coast of Australia. A coalition of 26 countries is look-

ing for Flight MH370, which vanished on March 8 with 239 people aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. China said it had deployed 21 of its satellites. The expansion of the 10-day search came as it was reported the plane was seemingly first diverted from its scheduled course through instructions entered into a flight computer rather than from manual controls, increasing the likelihood it was a deliberate act by someone with extensive knowledge of the aircraft.

Quoting unnamed U.S. officials, the New York Times said the turn away from Beijing appeared to have been entered into the flight management system, which sits between the pilot and co-pilot. It was not clear if the instruction was entered before takeoff or in flight. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Two dead in news helicopter crash near Seattle Space Needle

Anews helicopter crashed near the Seattle Space Needle on Tuesday morning. The Seattle Fire Department reported two deaths and at least one critical injury.

KOMO-TV reported that two cars were struck in the crash and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze within a halfhour. The copter had reportedly been trying to take off from the roof of Fisher Plaza, across the street from the Space Needle, according to the KOMO. It may have hit the side of a building. Spirals of smoke could be seen across the city.

The Seattle Police Department reported that in addition to the two fatalities, who were passengers on the copter, a 37-year-old

male was taken to a nearby hospital with “critical injuries.”

Kyle Moore, a spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department, said at a press conference the critical injury was to a motorist whose car was struck by the falling chopper. The man was able to pull himself out from his badly damaged car. Moore said the man suffered burns to over 50 per cent of his body and remains in critical condition.

Two other cars were affected by the crash. Moore said that a woman escaped her car uninjured and walked to a nearby police station.

The third driver has yet to be found. Moore told reporters he was seen walking toward a McDonald’s, seemingly relatively unharmed. (Excerpt from Yahoo!)

U.S. halts Syrian embassy, consulate operations, orders diplomats out

The United States on Tuesday suspended operations of the Syrian Embassy in Washington and its consulates and told diplomats and staff who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to leave the country.

U.S. special envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had refused to step down and was responsible for atrocities against Syrians.

“We have determined

it is unacceptable for individuals appointed by that regime to conduct diplomatic or consular operations in the United States,” said Rubinstein, whose appointment was announced by the State Department on Monday.

“Consequently, the United States notified the Syrian Government today that it must immediately suspend operations of its embassy in Washington, DC, and its honorary consulates in Troy, Michigan, and

Houston, Texas,” he said in a statement.

The announcement comes as the Syrian conflict enters its fourth year, with an estimated 150,000 people killed by the war and little sign that initiatives to ease the crisis are working. Efforts by the United States and Russia to broker a peace settlement now appear to have faded further amid worsening tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine. (Reuters)

The area outside the Simferopol base where automatic gunfire has been heard

Royal Malaysian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel KD Kelantan leaves for southern corridor during a search and rescue operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane

wednesday, march 19, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Citizens need to be prepared for elections – Rohee

By Vahnu Manikchand

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee on Tuesday said much work needs to be done to prepare citizens for the hosting of any elections in Guyana.

Rohee, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, was at the time speaking at the party’s weekly press conference. Asked whether Government and the party would heed the calls of persons for elections to be held given the travesty that has been occurring in the National Assembly regarding the passage of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, Rohee said Government is not ignoring calls made by persons at the various AML consultations for general elections to be held. However, he explained that the hosting of such elections will have to be balanced against the exi-

gencies of the situation.

“There are two types of elections that are now in the air – local government and general elections… I would not say society is divided on which one should come first, but there are views out there and we have to take into considerations all the views,” he stated.

The PPP GS pointed out that while the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) and the political opposition parties may indicate their readiness for the elections, there are a lot of preparations to be done as it relates to getting citizens ready for elections. “I don’t think there is total unanimity on the part of a significant amount of Guyanese on one elections or the other,” he said, adding that the issue is still being debated by the public and the party is listening for reactions.

Rohee went on to say that when elections are held under new conditions and persons do not understand the rules, it creates difficulties and confusion for them when they go to the poll stations. He added that even the general election in Guyana yields much confusion. “All of us would like to have a perfect elections, all of us would like to have an elections that is non-controversial, I think that is the dream of every single Guyanese,” he added.

The Minister further

mentioned that with the implementation of new laws and preparation strategies, there are a lot of explanations and public awareness work to be done. He noted that GECOM had commenced one such exercise late last year, but had discontinued it. The General Secretary said much work will have to go into making the people aware of the new rules and regulations.

Widespread consultations Rohee added that the opinions of the voters, supporters, and members will have to be taken into consideration and there will also have to be widespread consultations before a decision is taken to host any elections. Questioned about how long before the party makes a decision on hosting either of the elections, Rohee explained that this will take a great deal of “political judgment”, along with measuring the mood of the people. He said a party has to be able to

judge the mood of the people and in doing so, ensure that it is not ahead of or lagging too much behind the people.

Further asked whether the party is using the current AML consultations as a political tool to capture voters as it gears up for the pending elections, the GS stated that such would be a “cheap political tool”, which the PPP does not condone. Instead, he pointed out that the party does a lot of groundwork day after day.

Several civil society organisations and Western missions recently urged that all political parties work together for the staging of local government elections by August 1 this year. These elections have not been held since 1994 and have been repeatedly deferred. New local government bills have been passed and Parliament recently approved a bill mandating elections by August 1.

In a statement, the groups had said that in an-

ticipation of local government elections, GECOM has been intensifying its preparations and expanding voter education outreach to familiarise people with the voting process. “The Ministry of Local Government has been hosting seminars and workshops with stakeholders to promote voter education. GECOM’s Chairman has stated that the Commission is fully equipped and ready to stage the elections. It has already demarcated the boundaries and constituencies in 69 of 71 districts, and each district has been targeted for voter education. Once a date for elections is announced, GECOM can begin the statutory steps required by law to hold local government elections. By all accounts, GECOM is well prepared and poised to ensure free, fair and transparent local elections whenever called upon by the government to do so,” the statement added. (vahnum@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Police, Prosecutors being prepped to deal with domestic abuse

By alexis Rodney

Local Police Prosecutors, Probation, Welfare and Child Care Officers and civil society groups on Tuesday converged on the conference room at the Pegasus Hotel to discuss the prevalence of and proper courses of action that could be taken to address the rising incidence of domestic abuse in Guyana.

The event, which was organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with the Judiciary of Guyana, drew participants from organisations across the country, which have major focus on the eradication of the social ill.

Mark Guthrie, a legal and constitutional consultant from the Commonwealth Secretariat, told Guyana Times that the organisation works in partnership with member countries. He said an invitation from the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh was sent to the Commonwealth

Secretariat for the organisation to hold the seminar.

The colloquium brought together several experts from Turks and Caicos, England, and Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the experiences in domestic violence in Guyana. The seminar got off to a simple start with Justice Singh delivering the welcoming address to the gathering. The thrust of the day’s seminar was a presentation by Trinidadian Clinical Psychologist, Dr Diane Douglas, who holistically delved “inside the mind of the domestic abuser and victim”.

The doctor’s interactive presentation, while entertaining, was very practical and reached every participant at the individual level. Participants actively shared their experiences and analyses of the issues and formulated recommendations for future practices and reform.

She explained, “Domestic violence constitutes the wilful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behaviour per-

petrated by one family member against another.” Dr Douglas said the issue of domestic abuse remains an ongoing hitch in the Caribbean, revealing that Guyana stands among the Caricom member states that have the worst examples of domestic violence and stands higher than the global average in violence against women and rape of children.

Dr Douglas called on the Police and Probation Officers to understand the importance of their roles in dealing with abuse, while encouraging them to embrace victims. “What you are guarding is our quality of life and what you are standing in the gap for, is to say that it is possible to live a life free of violence. So you kind of stand up and say, you hold the reins and say it is possible to live in a

violence-free society”.

She also reminded representatives of non-governmental organisations of their important role of reaching “the lived experiences of persons who might both be the perpetrator and victim”.

Self-hate

Dr Douglas guided participants through an “understanding yourself” exercise, which, according to her would take effect as one examines the ideologies carried in one’s mind and the behaviour that follows. “You see if we do not understand that we internalise this, we would not understand domestic violence.… a lot of us walk around with that self-hate: when we look in the mirror and we see what we see, we are not very pleased. And if

we are not very pleased, how could we do the work of dealing with domestic violence?” she asked participants.

She said any new intervention or law addressing issues relating to domestic violence must be made with the recognition that “the abuser can change, that violence is a choice and that one can control himself”.

Explaining the battered woman syndrome, Dr Douglas pointed out that it is a pattern of psychological behavioural symptoms found in women living in battering relationships. She noted that there is a “typical pattern” developed by all women who live in such relationships. She said psychological traits are developed and are present throughout the woman’s life.

The seminar, which comes to an end today, also provided members of the justice sector in Guyana with the opportunity to discuss major issues confronting them in the dispensation of justice in cases of domestic abuse, providing them with a view of strengthening the administration of justice. The seminar’s aims were also to promote judicial sensitisation of gender issues and the law; create awareness of the incidence of gender-based violence; foster an understanding of the psychology of the abuser and victim, strengthen knowledge of the role of the court in domestic violence cases within the framework of relevant laws and to promote access to justice for victims of domestic abuse.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

Participants at the Domestic Abuse Seminar at Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday

Trinidadian Clinical Psychologist, Dr Diane Douglas in a riveting presentation

– injured, including pilot, air-dashed to city

By Vahnu Manikchand and JoMo Paul

Four survive Arau plane crash GNBA Head rejects Solomon’s claims on broadcast licence

Four persons, including the pilot, on Tuesday morning survived when a single-engine aircraft crashed after taking off at the decrepit Arau Airstrip, Kaikan, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

The crash occurred around 11:14h. Ivor Williams, 32, a gold miner of Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara; Leon Bristol, a miner of Nabaclis, ECD; and Troy Daniels are the three passengers that were in the aircraft. The pilot was identified as Guyanese Bernard Singh.

Guyana Times understands that the victims were rescued around 16:00h by the Guyana Defence Force Medical Corps. The helicopter reportedly had to make two

The pilot is said to have sustained the least injuries.

The GCAA said after the crash, the pilot of the privately owned aircraft, bearing registration number N87619, made contact via satellite phone

trips to the crash site to bring out the victims.

The victims were subsequently medevaced to the city and arrived around 18:00h after which they were immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Williams is said to be in a critical condition and was unresponsive upon arrival in the city. His relatives told this newspaper that the men were on their way out of the interior when the incident happened.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), in a statement on Tuesday evening, stated that the injured passengers were employees of Singh and they were on their way to another region. Singh, the owner of the crashed aircraft, is also the owner of several mining camps in the interior.

Guyana Times visited the Georgetown Public Hospital where the victims were taken and spoke to Bristol, who sustained a head injury, but was listed as stable. He related that he cannot recall how the accident happened.

with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) at Timehri Control Tower.

Meanwhile, in a more detailed statement later in the day, the GCAA said medical personnel from the GDF were

them were investigators from the GCAA who will remain at the crash site to comb through the wreckage for possible clues for the crash,” the release stated. The release added that the GDF helicopter located the crash site minutes after its location was pinpointed by another private operator, Emile Jahan of the Hinterland Aviation Inc, via the crashed aircraft’s Global Positioning System (GPS).

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, along with key personnel from relevant agencies, is being updated by the RCC.

There have been a rash of plane crashes in Guyana in recent times and stakeholders have blamed Government for not doing enough to secure the local aviation sector. Back in January, Canadian Pilot Blake Slater, 23, and Guyanese Cargo Loader Dwayne Anthony Newton Jacobs, 28, died when their single-engine, 13-seater Cessna Caravan crashed in the dense jungle in the Middle Mazaruni. The aircraft had disappeared out of the sky.

flown into the interior on a Britten Norman Islander from the Ogle International Airport to Kaikan. Kaikan is said to be the aerodrome closest to the crash site. “Accompanying

The last contact with the Pilot of the aircraft was a “Mayday” (emergency call), which was transmitted to another aircraft within the area at the time. The aircraft had departed for Imbaimadai after overnighting at Olive Creek.

The aircraft was spotted after an estimated 11 hours of searching by a GDF helicopter in the vicinity of the Marikina Mountain. Meanwhile, about a week prior to this, a Cessna 206 aircraft belonging to the Fenix Airlines veered off the runway of the Ogle International Airport (OIA).

Occupants of the aircraft included Pilot Raul Seecharran and passengers Zoreena Alli and Shenika Munroe. Munroe, 23, of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, was pregnant at the time.

Chairperson of the Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Bibi Shaddick has rejected claims attributed to Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon in another section of the press.

The claims were featured in the article headlined, “Region 10 to go it alone on development, energy plans – Solomon tells President”. Shaddick stated that she read with dismay the article which contained facts of a letter written by Solomon to President Donald Ramotar.

She stated that prior to the publication of the article, Solomon had claimed that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had submitted an application to the GNBA for a Television Broadcast Licence for Region 10.

“I wish to state that no such application has been made to the GNBA,” the Government Information Agency (GINA) quoted Shaddick as saying.

She further explained that Solomon had claimed

previously that the RDC had submitted the application to the Office of the President (OP), and noted that “OP is not GNBA, and until it is sent to GNBA, it cannot be considered,” she stated.

Additionally, Shaddick stated that Solomon’s claim that the application cannot be processed because of a court claim was never made by the GNBA.

Shaddick from the inception of her appointment to the Board had stated that applications for licences had been previously made to various offices. As such, she had advised all applicants to resubmit their applications to the GNBA for consideration. She had noted that it was not possible to track all the applications that had been made due to the haphazard manner in which they were done.

Shaddick had also pointed out that current broadcasters should also re-apply in order to have their licences issued in accordance with the new Broadcast Act, which they all did.

Mother blames poor ambulance service for son’s death

Twenty-two-yearold Wazir Mohamed Hassan could have been alive if there was a proper ambulance service here. This is according to the dead man’s mother, Hardai Hassan.

The Republic Bank officer was killed in a horrific accident on the East Bank Demerara Public Road, when the vehicle he was in, GRR 4883, toppled several times after suffering a blowout. At the time, he was seated in the front of the vehicle along with his friend Sharay Busby while Brandon Rahaman was driving. Five other persons were in the tray of the vehicle. The mother of three said at approximately 16:00h Monday, her son was rushed to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital by her niece, who found him lying motionless in a pool of blood at the accident scene.

“I was made to understand that the persons in the accident were left on the road… I don’t know how long… but he was in the corner lying down there… nobody looked at them, no police, no ambulance,” she said.

Hardai said when her son was rushed to the hospital, he was still alive. “When my niece took him at the hospital, he was bleeding; when I got to the hospital he was bleeding.”

However, doctors at the private hospital tried their best to save Hassan, but encountered difficulties due to the amount of blood he had lost.

“I am certain if my son would have gotten a paramedic there to look at him, he would have been alive, because the doctor said the injuries weren’t that bad, but it was because he lost a lot of blood.” The back of his head was severely injured while the remainder of his body had minor cuts.

Paramedic service needed

She said the Health Ministry should establish a more effective system when dealing with accidents. She also refuted claims that Hassan was drinking at the time of accident. “He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke. Doctors confirmed when they test him he hadn’t an ounce of alcohol in his system, and he doesn’t drink.”

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) student was described as a loving and caring individual who enjoyed playing with his two brothers.

At the time of Guyana Times’ visit to the Hassan family home, Rahaman’s relatives were present express-

ing their condolences.

Rahaman’s father also refuted claims that his son was driving under the influence of alcohol. “Wazir and Brandon were not drinking with the passenger in front, Sharay… that is all I could tell you.”

Rahaman is said to be recovering and will be released from the hospital Thursday. It is likely that he will be charged on his release with causing death by dangerous driving. In this matter, Rahaman is being represented by Attorney Basil Williams.

Meanwhile, the other six persons involved in the accident are said to be recovering. Investigations are, however, continuing.

Wazir Hassan

GNBA Chairperson Bibi Shaddick

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

Troy Daniels being escorted into the Georgetown Public Hospital Emergency Unit

Leon Bristol was injured in the plane crash

Ivor Williams being escorted out of the ambulance

Pilot Bernard Singh upon arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital

SUDOKU

Be aware of the opportunities that surround you. An unusual offer has the potential to turn into a profitable endeavour. Keep an open mind and share your thoughts.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Your money matters need a critical evaluation. Get together with your financial adviser and determine how you can increase your savings. It may be necessary to make changes to your lifestyle.

Don’t let worry and self-doubt get to you. Connecting with friends or becoming involved with a public-spirited organisation will provide you with some positive energy. Forward thinking will pay off.

Consider making a lifestyle change. Base your actions on the way you feel and the goals you have set. Trying to impress others with your new behaviour will backfire.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)

You’ll face discord at home if you aren’t mindful of others. Now is not the time to make changes to your living space. An old debt will be settled in your favour.

(March 21-April 19)

You may be feeling emotionally down. If you take part in a cause you believe in, you will make new friends and infuse some life into your current situation.

(April 20-May 20)

Stay in touch with people who have something to offer you. Refuse to become involved in questionable activities. Someone may be trying to take advantage of your trusting nature.

(May 21June 20)

Don’t be lured into sharing your personal information. You will be sorry if you reveal too much to someone unreliable. Surround yourself with positive people who value your worth.

You may be drawn into a troublesome situation. Pay attention to your gut feelings, and put an end to a questionable partnership. Your reputation could be at stake.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Dealing with your peers or family members will be problematic today. Stay away from trivial disagreements. Your time will be better spent participating in worthwhile pursuits.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

New opportunities will allow you to use your talents and skills more diversely. Make decisions based on your needs, not on what someone else wants.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

A personal situation needs to be resolved before you can move ahead. Do a detailed analysis of your financial status and consider what options will be most lucrative.

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Regional Four Day Competition 2014

T&T hand Leeward innings defeat; CCC hold B’dos to draw

Trinidad & Tobago thumped Leeward Islands by an innings and 107 runs for their second win in as many games of the Regional Four Day Competition.

Opting to bat first, T&T declared their innings at 458 for 7, driven by a maiden first-class ton from Akeal Hosein and fifties from Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Augustus and Stephen Katwaroo. The batsmen put together solid stands, ending with a 197-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Katwaroo and Hosein, who ended with an unbeaten 102 off 185 balls.

Leeward were blown away by T&T in their first innings, folding for 113 in a little more than 34 overs. Jahmar Hamilton’s 52 was the sole substantial knock in an innings where only one other batsman scored in double figures.

Following on, with a deficit of 345, Leeward improved their batting performance in the second innings but, in spite of a fifty from Kieran Powell, scored only

238. A few Leeward batsmen got starts but Powell was the only one to reach fifty as the side floundered against legpsinner Imran Khan and pacer Shannon Gabriel. Khan finished with 5 for 53, his seventh five-for in first-class cricket, while Gabriel accounted for both openers in his 3 for 63.

T&T, however, suffered a blow as Hosein was taken off the field during the final session of the third day with a thigh strain. As a result, he will miss the team’s next game against Barbados on Friday. Daron Cruickshank will come in for Hosein.

Kirk Edwards struck his eighth first-class hundred in Barbados’ draw against Combined Campuses and Colleges, ensuring the defending champions took two extra points over their opponents at the end of the match.

Edwards struck 109 off 204 balls and was involved in a 180-run, second-wicket partnership with Barbados captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who scored 91. Barbados struggled after a middle-order slide but Shane Dowrich

and Carlos Brathwaite corrected the course of the innings with a 63-run partnership for the sixth wicket that helped the side declare at 356 for 9, earning a lead of 87 over CC&C.

Earlier, CC&C managed only 269 in spite of fifties from three of their top four batsmen. Shacaya Thomas, Kyle Corbin and Chadwick Walton all hit half-centuries but CC&C lost wickets in clusters to squander their advantage. Kavem Hodge and Jomel Warrican boosted CC&C with a useful 56-run stand for the ninth wicket, before the side was dismissed for 269. Sulieman Benn was the most successful bowler for Barbados, dismissing two top-order batsmen before returning to wrap up the tail for figures of 4 for 66.

Corbin followed his fifty in the first innings with another unbeaten half-century in the second, after the side was jolted by quick wickets. CC&C eventually scored 101 for 5 with Ashley Nurse and Benn ending as the key strikers for Barbados once again. (Cricinfo)

BCA to investigate Desmond Haynes incident

Over the past few days there has been much comment in the Press surrounding an incident involving Mr. Desmond Haynes at Kensington Oval during the International Home Series, West Indies v England.

The general public is asked to note:

1. The Barbados Cricket

Association (BCA) regrets the incident involving Mr. Desmond Haynes which occurred on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Kensington Oval.

2. As agent for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) under whose auspices the recent T20 matches were played, the BCA has decided to investigate the reported incident fully.

3. The BCA will report its findings to the WICB with any recommendations which the BCA might wish to make.

4. The BCA President has expressed deep regret to Mr. Haynes and the other Legends over the incident and has informed Mr. Haynes of the action the BCA intends to take.(windiescricket.com)

Tiger Woods pulls out of Arnold Palmer and is Masters doubt

Defending champion Tiger Woods will miss this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and says he is a doubt for next month’s Masters in Augusta.

The world number one announced on his website that he has a back injury.

“It’s too early to know about the Masters, and I will continue to be evaluated and work closely with my doctors,” the American, 38, said.

Woods’s Masters preparations are in utter disarray now. Ordinarily he would play at Bay Hill where he is a serial winner and that sharpens him competitively. Then his routine is that he hits the range and work on the shots he needs at Augusta.

It’s a huge concern, he’s

38 years of age but it’s an old 38, there is an awful lot of mileage on the clock. He has had four operations on his left knee and he is someone who has punished his body throughout his career in terms of tuning himself up. At the moment there is a real mystery around this and there is a source of great

worry for him. There are an awful lot of questions about the world number one now.

The Masters is the first major of the year and begins on 10 April at the Augusta National Golf Club. The injury also forced his withdrawal from the final round of the Honda Classic at the beginning of March. (BBC Sport)

Tiger Woods

Taylor guides Windies to warm-up win

West Indies Women started their preparation for the ICC Women’s World T20 2014 on a bright note by winning its first warm-up match against South Africa Women by 52 runs at Krira Shikkha Protisthan in Savar, Bangladesh today.

After electing to bat, West Indies overcame an early setback in the form of Kycia Knight’s wicket to post 123-4 in 20 overs, a fighting score at best. But, on the day, it was sufficient as South Africa was bowled out for 71 in 18.5 overs.

Natasha McLean chipped in with a 24-ball 26 before being caught behind off Dane van Niekerk, but it was Stafanie Taylor’s unbeaten 45 that made all the difference. Taylor’s innings included three fours and six.

When Sun Luus dismissed Deandra Dottin

cheaply in the 11th over, West Indies was 71-3. Taylor and Chinelle Henry then associated for a 54-run stand that provided West Indies some respectability. In her four overs, Shabnim Ismail returned 2-12, while van Niekerk and Luus took one wicket apiece.

A brilliant effort by West Indies’ bowlers then ensured that South Africa surrendered without putting up a real fight. Except for Trisha Chetty and Yolandi van der Westhuizen, who top scored with 24, none of the other South Africa batters could even reach double figures.

Anisa Mohammed, the right-arm spinner, and medium-pacer Dottin returned figures of 2-6 and 2-7 respectively. West Indies play their second and final warm-up match against Australia on Friday. (WICB)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women

Kycia Knight c Chetty b Ismail 11

N McLean c Chetty b van Niekerk 26

S Taylor not out 45

D Dottin c Tryon b Luus 6

C Henry b Ismail 25

Total: (4 wicket, 20 overs) 123

Extras: (b 2, lb 1, w 7) 10

Did not Bat: S King, S Quintyne, S Munroe, S Campbelle, Kyshona Knight, S Daley, T Smartt, S Selman, A Mohammed, M Aguilleira*+.

Fall of Wickets: 1-24 (Kycia Knight, 3.2 ov), 2-42 (McLean, 6.6 ov), 3-71 (Dottin, 11.3 ov), 4-123 (Henry, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: S Loubser 2-0-17-0, S Ismail 4-1-12-2, C Tryon 4-0-29-0, M Daniels 1-0-10-0, M Kapp 3-024-0, D van Niekerk 2-0-9-1, M Letsoalo 2-0-11-0, S Luus 2-0-8-1.

South Africa Women (Target; 124)

L Lee run out (Kycia Knight) 1 T Chetty+ b Selman 16 M du Preez* c & b Quintyne 7 M Kapp b Mohammed 5 S Fritz c &

(Lee, 0.5 ov), 2-14

Campbelle 2-06-1, D Dottin 2-0-7-2.

‘I feel very let down’ – Jayasuriya

Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has expressed deep disappointment at not having been told Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s plans before the players announced

their Twenty20 international retirements to media. Sangakkara had told Sunday Island he would quit T20 internationals in a one-on-one interview just before departing for the World T20, while Jayawardene announced his retirement via the ICC’s Twitter Mirror campaign, after the team touched down in Bangladesh.

“I feel very let down by them,” Jayasuriya said. “I’ve been very transparent with them. If they’re even rest-

ing, I’ve been calling them and telling them what’s going on. I never ever dealt controversially with any senior player.”

Jayasuriya suggested he was particularly irked at learning the news second-hand, because he had respected the value Sangakkara and Jayawardene had added to the team. This, despite fears he would seek to omit the pair in retaliation for their supposedly having hastened

his own retirement.

“When I became a selector there were a lot of stories and comments in the media, that we were going to do this and that, but we didn’t do anything of that sort,” he said. “I’ve always handled the seniors in a different way. Whatever respect should be given to that senior player has been given, as a selection panel.”

Jayasuriya had been more scathing in comments made to the Daily Mirror, labeling Sangakkara and Jayawardene’s actions “highly unethical”. “They should have had the common decency to inform the selectors who could then prepare Sri Lanka for the next phase,” he said. “Traditionally any international player takes an important decision such as retirement after consulting the selectors first. This shows they are ungrateful for what they got through playing for the country.” (Cricinfo)

Women’s World Twenty20 2014: England beat Pakistan in warm-up

England edged past Pakistan by two wickets with one ball to spare in Savar in their first warm-up game ahead of the Women’s World Twenty20.

Pakistan won the toss but, before there was a run on the board, they lost both openers to off-spinner Danielle Hazell, who took 2-3 from two overs.

Nida Dar and captain Sana Mir both hit 36 as Pakistan made 106-6 in 20 overs.

Lydia Greenway topscored for England with 34, but Anya Shrubsole’s unbeaten eight from five balls saw them home.

After skipper Charlotte Edwards made 21 at the top of the order, Greenway had looked set to steer England to victory when only 16 runs were needed from the last three overs with the experienced left-hander well set.

But Greenway and Georgia Elwiss fell to successive deliveries from Asmavia Iqbal and Fran

Wilson became Sumaiya Siddiqi’s third victim in the next over.

As Somerset pace bowler Shrubsole joined Hazell at the crease, England still needed 12 from the last eight balls.

But seamer Siddiqi, who had earlier removed top-order pair Heather Knight and Sarah Taylor cheaply, sent down two wides before Shrubsole hit her last two deliveries for two and four.

(BBC Sport)

Mahela Jayawardene (left) and Kumar Sangakkara

Stafanie Taylor

No going back over KP – Clarke

Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, has said there is no going back to Kevin Pietersen, putting a line through any speculation of a potential England recall.

Clarke said the decision to sack Pietersen was a “brave one” as England look to rebuild following the disastrous Ashes tour and Andy Flower stepping down as team director. His message to England supporters clamouring for Pietersen’s return was to “move on”.

appeared to have ruled out such a scenario.

“English supporters must move on. There isn’t going to be any going back, that’s for sure. The Ashes tour was a watershed.

Pietersen to lead Daredevils in IPL 2014, Karthik named deputy

Kevin Pietersen will captain Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League this season, while Dinesh Karthik has been named vice-captain.

The pair were the most expensive purchases for Daredevils at the IPL auction last month. Pietersen was bought for Rs 9 crores ($1.5 million) in the auction in February, after the franchise used its Right to Match card. Karthik was purchased by Daredevils for Rs 12.5 crores ($2.08 million).

The season will be

Pietersen’s second stint as captain of an IPL franchise - the England batsman had captained Royal Challengers Bangalore for a brief period in 2009. Pietersen, who transferred to Delhi Daredevils from the defunct Deccan Chargers in 2012, has scored 305 runs in eight matches for the franchise. Overall, Pietersen has 634 runs in 21 IPL games at 42.26.

He missed the last season due to injury was but was seen promoting the franchise during the tournament. Pietersen was one

of the marquee players at the auction, after Daredevils decided not to retain any players, and was expected to attract interest in spite of the abrupt end to his international career earlier in February. In 92 matches across six seasons, Karthik - who was part of the Daredevils’ squad for the first three seasons of the IPL before moving to Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians - has scored 1741 runs and was one of the leading run-getters for Mumbai in their title win last year. (Cricinfo)

“Who plays for England is a matter for the national selectors and their decision was a brave one,” Clarke told the Evening Standard. “You select your captain, you discuss what that captain requires, what he’s looking for. He has to decide what that team is about and what needs doing. This is about the culture of the team.”

“Your No. 3 batsman leaves the tour after the first Test. That’s pretty cataclysmic, frankly. Then your world-class offspinner retires. You cannot stop men retiring even during a series. Then you lose the series. You’ve got to build a team. You’re going to need to make changes.”

Pietersen was sacked in February for breaking team ethics and the only possible path back into the national side would be via a new head coach who insisted on Pietersen’s selection. Clarke

Creating a new team ethic is at the heart of England’s rebuilding, under new managing director Paul Downton, and Clarke is hoping English cricket can learn from rugby, where head coach Stuart Lancaster has led a revival. (Cricinfo)

World Twenty20: Afghanistan win to knock out Hong Kong

Hong Kong became the first side to be knocked out of the World Twenty20 as they lost by seven wickets to Afghanistan in Chittagong.

Set 154 to avoid an early exit of their own, Afghanistan won the Group A game with two overs to spare thanks to Shafiqullah’s unbeaten 51 off 24 balls.

He effectively settled the contest with three sixes in the 17th over, after Mohammad Shahzad fell for 68. Bangladesh beat Nepal by eight wickets on the same ground later on Tuesday.

The hosts overhauled a modest target of 127 with 4.3 overs unused to go two points clear at the top of the group.

The winners will join West Indies, India, Pakistan and Australia in Group 2 for the Super 10 round-robin section of the tournament, which starts on 21 March.

Shafiqullah’s treatment of Aizaz Khan in an over costing 24 ended Hong Kong’s hopes of victory in their first major tournament.

Aizaz was also responsible for dropping a simple catch offered by Shahzad on 24, and the same batsman

was reprieved again shortly before he was superbly taken by a diving Irfan Ahmed at deep extra-cover.

Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson, who hit 31 off 21 balls in an otherwise laboured team effort after they won the toss, said: “We were unhappy that we didn’t get 15-20 more. The dropped catches let us down.”

Bangladesh, the only Test-playing nation in the group, predictably outclassed qualifiers Nepal, who managed only 126-5 despite Paras Khadka’s 41 and 40 from Sharad Vesawkar.

In reply, Anamul Haque (42) and Tamim Iqbal (30) shared an opening stand of 63 for Bangladesh before Shakib Al Hasan flayed an unbeaten 37 off 18 balls, wrapping up victory with our sixes in eight deliveries. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Hong Kong innings (20 overs maximum)

Irfan Ahmed b Shapoor Zadran 0 Waqas Barkat c Dawlat Zadran b Mohammad Nabi 32

JJ Atkinson*† lbw b Hamza Hotak 31

MS Chapman b Dawlat Zadran 38

Babar Hayat c Asghar Stanikzai

b Mohammad Nabi 5

Nizakat Khan c Mohammad Nabi

b Hamza Hotak 9

Munir Dar run out (Najeeb Tarakai) 3

Tanwir Afzal c Gulbadin Naib

b Shapoor Zadran 11

Haseeb Amjad not out 7

Aizaz Khan not out 1

Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 8, nb 5) 16

Total: (8 wickets; 20 overs) 153

Did not bat: Nadeem Ahmed

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Irfan Ahmed, 0.1 ov), 2-42 (Atkinson, 4.4 ov), 3-102 (Waqas Barkat, 13.3 ov), 4-115 (Babar Hayat, 15.3 ov), 5-117 (Chapman, 16.2 ov), 6-127 (Nizakat Khan, 17.3 ov), 7-135 (Munir Dar, 18.2 ov), 8-147 (Tanwir Afzal, 19.2 ov)

Bowling: Shapoor Zadran 4-027-2, Gulbadin Naib 2-0-23-

0, Hamza Hotak 4-0-32-2, Samiullah Shenwari 3-0-170, Dawlat Zadran 3-0-24-1

Mohammad Nabi, 4-0-27-2

Afghanistan innings (target: 154 runs from 20 overs)

Najeeb Tarakai c Nadeem Ahmed b Tanwir Afzal 7

Mohammad Shahzad† c Irfan

Ahmed b Haseeb Amjad 68

Asghar Stanikzai c Babar Hayat b Aizaz Khan 13

Shafiqullah not out 51

Mohammad Nabi* not out 6

Extras: (lb 1, w 7, nb 1) 9

Total: (3 wickets; 18 overs) 154

Did not bat: Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Gulbadin

Naib, Hamza Hotak, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Najeeb Tarakai, 2.4 ov), 2-69 (Asghar Stanikzai, 10.2 ov), 3-116 (Mohammad Shahzad, 15.3 ov)

Bowling: Tanwir Afzal 3-0-191, Haseeb Amjad 4-0-35-1, Nadeem Ahmed 3-0-22-0, Irfan

Ahmed 3-0-15-0, Nizakat Khan 2-0-23-0, Aizaz Khan 3-0-39-1

Dhoni moves to Madras High Court over fixing allegations

The Madras High Court has restrained Zee Media Corporation Limited, an Indian television conglomerate, and News Nation Network Private Limited, another private television news channel, from airing any interviews or news related to fixing allegations against MS Dhoni. The interim order was passed on Tuesday after the India captain sought Rs 100 crore from four respondents, including police officer G Sampath Kumar, as damages for tarnishing his image.

In his affidavit to the court, Dhoni stated his hardearned reputation was at risk from unverified reports. Dhoni had earlier issued notices to ZMCL, Zee News editor and business head

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Sudhir Chaudhary, Kumar and News Nation. Justice S Tamilvanan, in his interim order, stated, “I am of the view that there is a prima facie case and the balance of convenience is also in favour

of the plaintiff. Hence, interim injunction granted for a period of two weeks,” the judge said in his order after perusing Dhoni’s affidavit.* In his affidavit, Dhoni, represented by the firm of BCCI lawyer PR Raman, accused all four respondents of intentionally projecting Dhoni as an object of hate and ridicule, thereby maligning his image in the eyes of cricket lovers, especially fans of Chennai Super Kings. This is the first time Dhoni, albeit through his lawyers, has reacted in any manner to the IPL scandal. He had been silent at the time, even after the arrest of Super Kings official and the BCCI president N Srinivasan¹s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan. (Cricinfo)

Injured Hosein to miss Barbados match

Trinidad and Tobago allrounder Akeal Hosein will miss the national team’s next Regional Four-day Championship fixture against Barbados at Kensington Oval in Barbados starting Friday with a thigh strain.

The T&T squad will leave for Barbados today without Hosein, who scored an unbeaten 102 against the Leeward Islands in the second round match at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain which T&T won by an innings and 107 runs yesterday.

He also took 11 wickets in T&T’s first round 186run win over the Windward Islands.

The left-arm orthodox spinner and left-handed batsman came off the field in the first session on the third day of the match against the Leeward Islands and it was confirmed yesterday by chairman of selectors Alec Burns that the all-rounder had a second degree tear and would be out for at least three to four weeks.

All-rounder Daron Cruickshank comes in for Hosein, while left-arm orthodox spinner Ricky Jaipaul re-

places Kavesh Kantasingh, who was on the bench for the first two games.

“Kavesh for personal reasons, his studies and so on, has opted out,” Burns told the Express yesterday.

T&T skipper Rayad Emrit described Hosein’s absence as a big loss to the T&T side heading into their crucial clash against the Bajans.

“It came at a time when we were expecting him to continue the good job, but that is how cricket goes. Hopefully the guy who is re-

placing him can come in and do the job he has been doing,” said Emrit.

Hosein was also disappointed be sidelined and is looking to recover as fast as possible.

“It is really disappointing but at the end of the day I have no control over that. The Father is the boss and I guess he probably don’t want me in the other couple of games so I am going to do what the doctor says, try and recover as fast as possible,” he said.

“It is fairly serious but if I get the right treatment and do the right things and listen to the doctors, hopefully I will be back,” Hosein added. The all-rounder starts therapy today.

T&T squad: Rayad Emrit (Captain), Adrian Barath, Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Jonathan Augustus, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo, Shannon Gabriel, Yannic Cariah, Daron Cruickshank, Ricky Jaipaul, Marlon Richards. Kelvin Williams (coach), Manohar Ramsaran (manager), Clinton Jeremiah (Physio/Trainer) (First

Akeal Hosein

Shafiqullah

Kevin Pietersen

Crawford Shines At Phagwah 40-miler

In Berbice

By Andrew Carmichael

Romulo Crawford, starting with a cycle that he said was too low for him with the expectation that another one would get to him, overcame those difficulties to win the Phagwah 40-miler in Berbice on Sunday.

Crawford, who lost the use of his bicycle moments before the start of the race, was forced to use another team-mate’s cycle; the pedal did not match with his footwear. Nevertheless, he was able to break away from the pack along with Syborne Fernandez of Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) and his team-mate from Trojan Cycle Club (TCC) Juban Crawford.

When the new bicycle arrived, the trio had a lead of about 300 metres on the pack with six miles completed.

The changing of bicycles caused him to lose that favoured position as he joined the pack of riders following the leaders.

With his eyes on the first prize, Crawford came off his saddle to regain his position, but he took some of the others with him; as he caught up with the two leaders, he did not ease the momentum and only his brother was able to keep up and soon it was a race being led by the two Crawfords’.

The two rode together for the next five miles and then

the older Crawford again made a dash and was all alone as he completed the race riding 27 miles out in front alone and picked up five of the eight sprint point prizes by the time he got back to the Courts building at Main and St. Ann Streets in New Amsterdam.

Ray Millington who led went on to catch Juban Crawford and got the better of him as they came along the East Berbice Highway to finish second and well ahead of the TCC rider.

Juban finished third as a bunch of riders finished about three minutes behind.

Heading the pack was Wilbur Benjamin who rode unattached, followed by Elijah Bhgjadder and

Wazim Hasnu both of FFCC Andrew Hicks of TCC finishing ahead of Fernandez of FACC.

Ray Millington took one sprint point and Juban Crawford two.

The first female to cross the finish line was Dyancie Welch of TCC with Shanka Teixeira of FACC second.

The event was organized by Coach of the FACC Randolph Roberts and was open only to clubs in Berbice and has been sponsored by Benjamin Sorts, Onowa’s Guinness Bar, Lloyd Williams Associates, Steve Ramchuchit, Furniture World, Balram Shane and Sons General Store, and Homeline Furnishing.

Stag Beer / EBFA Division One League

Timehri Panthers take lead following win over Kuru Kururu Warriors

Timehri Panthers has maintained their unblemished record with a 2-0 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors when play in the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association division-one league continued at the Grove Playfield yesterday afternoon.

Both teams were unbeaten prior to the clash but at the end of 90 minutes it was Timehri that walked away with full points, now moving to 9 which place them at the top of the point’s standings.

The win by Timehri also saw them maintaining their record as the best defensive team so far in the competi-

tion, scoring a total of six goals while their defense is yet to be breached by any of their opponents.

The game was much closer than 2-0 as the score line suggests, Timehri took the lead in the 20th minute compliments of a Collis Massiah goal. Eight minutes later the advantage was doubled when Timehri was awarded a penalty.

Lawrence Steele stepped up to take the kick and did not disappoint, hitting the ball past custodian Nijun Hooke in the 28th minute.

Despite conceding two early goals, the Warriors living through to their name

keep up their offensive game but were not allowed to prosper owing to some solid defending by the Panthers.

Both teams utaliised their full quota of substitutes during the course of the encounter, Timehri in an effort to maintain the advantage and Kuru Kururu which sought to score but were not allowed to as they now drop one place down to third in the standings behind Agricola. The league is set o continue today at the same venue with a clash between Grove Hi Tech and Herstelling from 15:30hrs.

HRC Committee to host competitors and managers Meeting

The Hugh Ross Classic Committee has announced that this Saturday, they will meet with all athletes and managers that would be part of the Fourth Hugh Ross Classic Body Building and Fitness Show . Chairman of the committee, Hugh Ross, stated that the meeting will take place on Saturday March 22 from 16:00hrs at Banks DIH Sports Club, Thirst Park and it is compulsory for athletes and their managers to attend. Matters relating to the upcoming show on March 29 at the National Cultural Centre from 19:00hrs will be discussed, among other matters.

BBCI supports KMTC post-Phagwah horse race meet

By Rajiv Bisnauth

As part of their corporate responsibility, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has thrown its support behind the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) post-Phagwah horse-race meet.

Organiser of the event and president of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard, received a cheque for $282,000 and the winner’s trophy, which will go towards the prizes for the J3 and Lower event. The winner in that race will receive $150,000, while the second, third and fourth- placed finishers will pocket $75,000, $38,000 and $ 19,000 respectively.

The presentation took place on Tuesday in the company’s head office at Main Street, Georgetown.

The sponsorship was well received by Kennard, who stated that the race meet will feature some of Guyana’s finest-bred horses.

“It’s important that we express our gratitude to Berbice Bridge Company for coming on board again, because as we all know, no sporting activity can be success-

fully promoted without sponsors,” he declared. “I wish to thank Berbice Bridge

Company once again and we are looking forward to their continued support in the future,” Kennard

added.

He disclosed that the weather on the Corentyne is “excellent” and said that the race meet is expected to be an entertaining event. Further, Kennard said that over 60 of the country’s top horses have already entered.

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc., Omadat Samaroo, said that the company is pleased to once again support the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.

“This is not our first sponsorship with the club; we supported the club on several occasions during last year,” said Samaroo.

He added, “The sport creates great attractions not only to Berbicians, but those fans who come from as far as Linden and at times the West Coast of Demerara and even Suriname and other foreign countries to witness the events.”

Eight races are billed for the day with over $6 million in prizes to be distributed.

The feature attraction will be the ‘A’ and Lower Class over a distance of six furlongs. The top prize is $1 million, while the sec-

ond-placed finisher will receive $500,000. Horses that place third and fourth will receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.

The other six-furlong races are the D3and Lower, I and Lower, J1 and Lower and Three-year-old for Guyana-bred horses. The winners of those four races will pocket $400,000, $250,000, $200,000 and $250,000 respectively.

The ‘G’ and Lower race offers a first prize of $300,000, while the Three-year-old event for Guyana and West Indies- bred horses has a top prize of $400,000. Both races will last a distance of seven furlongs.

The final race of the day is for J3 and Lower horses for a top prize of $150,000 over five furlongs.

The race is being conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and, according to Kennard, those rules would be rigidly enforced.

Admission to the venue is $1200 for adults, $600 for children, while parking ticket and programme cost $300 each. Race time is 12:20hrs.

Raw Millington finishing ahead of Juban Crawford

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc., Omadat Samaroo, presents the sponsorship cheque and winner’s trophy to Cecil Kennard (Photo: Rajiv Bisnauth)

Differently abled athletics club sets sights on Boston Marathon

he William France

TDifferently Abled Athletics Club is hoping to participate in the Boston Marathon on April 21, as William France aims to become the oldest amputee to participate in the event.

The club, which has already amassed $764,000 still needs to acquire an additional $336,000 to reach the 1.1 million needed to make the trip to Boston for the marathon, according to

France.

France, who will surpass Dick Truman as the oldest amputee to compete in a marathon once he runs under six hours 45 minutes will receive US $5,000 if he completes the 26 miles in the allotted time stipulated by the organizers of the event.

France, a national award winner, will also be heading to Essequibo this Saturday for a nine-mile walk with the hope of raising more

funds for the trip.

According to France, persons such as the President of Guyana His Excellency Donald Ramotar,; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Director of Sport Neil Kumar; Humphrey’s Bakery; Courtney Benn Construction Services; Jennifer Bedford of the Ministry of Public Works and Ramchan Auto Sales have all come forward in support of the club’s efforts to participate in the mara-

Johnson to resume...

Meanwhile, team manager Alvin Johnson told this publication on Tuesday that batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton are still unavailable because of injuries

This publication understands that Sarwan is currently seeking treatment in the United States of America.

Changes

Opener Sewnarine Chattergoon and middle-order batsman Vishaul Singh have been dropped from the Guyana squad.

Both Chattergoon and Singh have struggled for consistency in the three matches they played.

Chattergoon, a former Test opener, accumulat-

ed 87 runs from six innings with a highest score of 50 in the second round against

The diminutive Singh, who started with an attrac-

thon.

The club also held a Cheddi Jagan Memorial walk in the national park last weekend to honour the late president. Some of the team members expected to depart on April 16 for the marathon includes, France, Andre Richardson, Garvin Jeffers, Indy Ramnauth, Dennis Barnes and Terry Roopnarine. (Treiston Joseph)

Bowlers power Better Hope to easy win over Enterprise

Adisciplined Better Hope notched up a convincing seven-wicket victory over Enterprise in the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) 40-over cricket tournament played last Sunday at the Enterprise Community Centre ground, Imran Khan (3-30) Nazir Khan (2 -11) and Ravi Singh (2-15), led a disciplined show by the bowlers as the hosts man -

tive 73 in the second innings against Jamaica, has been ordinary since, with scores of five, one, 14 and nought. His returns from six innings have been 111 runs.

Their performances have certainly not helped Guyana’s cause as the South Americans are yet to taste victory after heavy defeats to Jamaica and Barbados and a tame draw against the Windward Islands.

The duo has been replaced by fellow left-handed pair, Leon Johnson and Chanderpaul Hemraj

Points Standing

Guyana sits on 13 points just behind CCC on 10 points. Jamaica leads the points table with 35 points, followed by Trinindad and Tobago, 34 points, while Windward Islands,

Barbados and the Leeward Islands are on 29, 27 and 22 points respectively.

The Guyanese are yet to taste victory after heavy defeats to Jamaica and Barbados and a tame draw against the Windward Islands.

The team departed for Barbados on Tuesday.

Guyana’s squad for the fourth round reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Assad Fudadin, Amir Khan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul(Vice Captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph and Chandrapaul Hemraj

aged a paltry 104 when their allocated 32 overs came to an end.

P. Dindial 32 and R. Beepat 19 were the only batsmen with double digits.

In reply, Better Hope were off to a flying start from openers Chris Deonarine and R. Rooplall, who took the challenge to the Enterprise bowling attack, reaching the winning target of 105 with 16 overs to spare.

Rooplall eventually ended on 38, while Deonarine made 23. Ravi Singh returned with the bat to score 31. Bowling for Enterprise, V. Lall 2-38 was the bowler on show.

Barbados.

The amputees and other differently abled athletes along with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Director of Sport Neil Kumar, pose for a photo opportunity after the Cheddi Jagan memorial walk in the National Park

Ronsford Beaton

From page 24

Nazir Khan R. Rooplall

Ravi Singh

Chanderpaul Hemraj

ICC World T20 tournament

Gayle, Santokie deliver warm-up win

Atypically blazing unbeaten 38-ball 58 from Chris Gayle helped World Champions West Indies brush aside England by seven wickets in their first ICC World T20 warm-up match in Fatullah today.

At Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Eoin Morgan (43 not out), the stand-in captain after Stuart Broad’s injury, was the lone glimmer of hope for England as Krishmar Santokie and Sheldon Cottrell restricted it to 131-7. West Indies overhauled the target with little fuss, getting there with 23 balls to spare.

Chasing 132, West Indies illustrated why it is considered so formidable in the 20over format, with Gayle and Dwayne Smith (36), the open-

ers, going at a little over nine per over in a 78-run opening stand. Tim Bresnan was the most bruised bowler in England’s attack, taken off after conceding 29 in two overs. Smith smacked four fours and two sixes in a 30-ball knock before being caught by Jade Dernbach off James Tredwell. West Indies had a minor hiccup when Johnson Charles and Marlon Samuels were dismissed in consecutive overs, but Lendl Simmons creamed 15 runs off the 15th over, leaving Gayle to complete the formalities. Gayle slammed six fours and two sixes during his knock.

Earlier in the day, England opted to bat and lost Michael Lumb (14) after an expensive first over bowled by Santokie,

SCOREBOARD

England

m lumb b Santokie 14

A Hales lBW Badree 9

m Ali c narine b Cottrell 22

e morgan* not out 43

J Buttler+ c Smith b russell 14

r Bopara c Charles b Cottrell 15

T Bresnan c Fletcher b Santokie 0

C Jordan b Santokie 8

Total: (7 wicket, 20 overs) 131

Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 3) 6

Did not Bat: J Tredwell, S Parry, J dernbach, I Bell, C Woakes, S Broad, l Wright.

Fall of Wickets: 1-14 (lumb, 0.6 ov), 2-46 (Ali, 4.6 ov), 3-48 (Hales, 5.6 ov), 4-81 (Buttler, 12.4 ov), 5-114 (Bopara, 16.6 ov), 6-115 (Bresnan, 17.3 ov), 7-131 (Jordan, 19.6 ov).

Bowling: K Santokie 4-0-243, S Badree 4-0-19-1, S Cottrell

2-0-23-2, d Sammy 3-0-17-0, S narine 2-0-12-0, A russell 3-016-1, m Samuels 2-0-17-0.

West Indies (Target; 132)

d Smith c dernbach b Tredwell 36 C gayle not out 58

J Charles b Bopara 7 m Samuels b Parry 2 l Simmons not out 15

Total: (3 wicket, 16.1 overs) 132

Extras: (b 1, lb 5, w 8) 14 Did not Bat: A Fletcher+, d Sammy*, A russell, S narine, S Badree, K Santokie, S Cottrell, dwayne Bravo, d ramdin+, r rampaul. Fall of Wickets: 1-78 (Smith, 8.3 ov), 2-104 (Charles, 13.4 ov), 3-107 (Samuels, 14.5 ov).

Bowling: J Tredwell 4-0-231, C Jordan 1-0-7-0, T Bresnan

2-0-29-0, J dernbach 1-0-9-0, r Bopara 4-0-20-1, m Ali 2-023-0, S Parry 2.1-0-15-1.

Chris Gayle

but continued to live dangerously. Cottrell then removed Moeen Ali for a 16-ball 22 to help reduce England to 48-3 in six overs.

Morgan, however, was not one to be cowed into submission. He was the chief aggressor in two 33-run stands, first with Jos Buttler and then with Ravi Bopara. But with

Regional Fourday competition

Johnson to resume as Captain

– Sarwan, Beaton still unavailable

Leon

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Leon Johnson will assume the reins of the national side for the fourth-round match of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day tournament, set to start Friday, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) announced on Monday evening.

Guyana will play the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), in a day/night contest at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados.

Johnson was initially named Guyana’s captain pri-

or to the start of the competition, but had to sit out the first three games owing to a recurring knee injury.

Johnson will take over from prolific batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who led the side during the third-round game against the Windward Islands, which concluded on Sunday.

All-rounder Christopher Barnwell led the side in the first two rounds against Jamaica and Barbados.

Turn To page 23

wickets tumbling at the other end, Morgan was forced to be more circumspect than he would have liked.

Morgan struck four fours and a six in his 42-ball knock to guide the England innings, but with Gayle going full throttle, the total proved to be insufficient (WICB)

Johnson Ramnaresh Sarwan