Guyana Times Daily

Truck topples overboard

The gangway of the Supenaam Stelling that collapsed, causing a truck laden with goods to topple into the Essequibo River early

thursday, april 10, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Florist linked to cocaine in pastries

CANU issues wanted bulletin

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

In light of the recent discovery of cocaine in pastries at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Sunday evening, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) issued a wanted bulletin for a well known florist in connection with the bust.

Raul Anthony Chin, 38, Managing Director of Bouquet De Difference on Robb Street, Georgetown, is now a wanted man.

The florist is wanted by CANU in connection with the recent discovery of the 7.5 kilograms of cocaine that was found in pastries.

Discovery

A senior CANU official told Guyana Times that after the discovery; Chin was implicated in the racket, hence, the agency's interest in making contact with him.

He was subsequently asked to report to the

CANU headquarters, but refused to do so.

These business people have been using their businesses as a “sham” but truly, they are in the drug trade playing a significant role, a drug enforcement officer told Guyana Times With respect to the cocaine in pastries, Nicholas Harinanadan, 37, of Lot 603 Fort Ordinance, Canje Berbice, was so far charged for the offence. On the day in question, Harinanadan was an outgoing passenger

on a Caribbean Airlines flight BW 526, where he checked in with two suitcases.

While his suitcases were being scanned, he was questioned about the content of his luggage by a CANU member on duty when he admitted that it contained clothing, pastries, food, seasoning and footwear.

The prosecutor told the court that the man was further questioned if he had packed his suitcase himself,

and he responded in the affirmative. However, with the consent of the businessman, the officer searched the baggage and more so, the pastries.

It was during the search, two kilos of the illicit substance in pine tarts, 2.4 kilos in cheese rolls, 2.5 kilos in mithai and 570 grams of liquid cocaine in the sole of a shoe were found.

Other cases

Meanwhile, in February, Tarachandra Persaud, a businessman of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara and Dawn Roberts, a cosmetologist of Lot 9, North Road, Bourda, Georgetown were fingered in the discovery of in excess of 20 kilograms of

cocaine in tamarind achar at the CJIA.

U.S. citizen Winston Blake, 77, and Sadika Neola Odie, 38, of Lot 186 Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, have since been charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The 20 kilograms of cocaine was discovered during the scanning of the couple’s luggage by CANU ranks. The duo were outgoing passengers destined for the John F Kennedy Airport, New York, on BW Flight 526.

Blake was intercepted with 9.6kg, while Odie was intercepted with 10.45kg, Guyana Times was informed. It was reported that Odie is the holder of a U.S.

visa, and is a frequent traveller.

She was offered the sum of US$10,000 to transport the substance, but was only given US$400 and the plane ticket, a deal she accepted. Also in February, CANU issued a bulletin for Dwayne Williams after evidence allegedly linked him directly to the six kilograms of cocaine that was unearthed in the suitcase of Asharay Corbin, a Canada-bound passenger.

Corbin, who migrated to Canada in 1993, reportedly received a call from Williams who offered to purchase her tickets to travel to Guyana, which she could not have afforded at the time.

He also offered to pay her US$10,000, if she transported 6.116 kilograms of cocaine to Canada. The accused agreed and arrived in Guyana on February 19. None of the persons for whom wanted bulletins were issued have submitted themselves to CANU or the police.

Anyone with information which will lead to arrest of the wanted persons are asked to contact CANU on telephone number 2273507. (bhishamm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Bandits snatch $10M from Corentyne businessman

Two bandits grabbed a bag containing $10 million and escaped while shooting at a businessman in front of a commercial bank at Rose Hall Town early Wednesday morning.

The men, who were chased by the businessman, escaped on a motorcycle into a canefield at the backlands of Port Mourant.

Up to press time, they were not caught. Reports are that Ravi Mangali, 42, owner of Permaul Trading and Distribution of Lot 30, Albion Front, had just exited his vehicle in front of Republic Bank and leaned

over to get the bag containing the cash when he was held up by the two men.

The incident occurred approximately 07:15h on Thursday morning. Speaking with Guyana Times, a source close to Mangali said a scuffle ensued between the businessman and the criminals after he held on to the bag. He noted that one of the bandits was armed with a gun. The robber, he said fired a shot, forcing the businessman to let go of earnings from the day’s sale.

Raul Anthony Chin Dawn Roberts

Dwayne Williams Tarachandra Persaud

Ravi Mangali was robbed of $10 million

The motorcycle used by bandits

Foulis businessman found murdered in cemetery

– hands bound, throat slit

By Bhisham mohamed

Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) auto spares dealer

Wind: North easterly between 5.81 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 01:02h and 13:26h reaching maximum heights of 2.14 metres and 2.20 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:58h and 19:26h reaching minimum heights of 1.08 metres and 0.96 metre respectively.

Rajendra “Sunil” Singh, who was kidnapped on Saturday evening was on Wednesday morning found with his throat slit and a bullet wound to his head in the Le Repentir Cemetery. The discovery was made around 10:15h.

Forty-year-old Singh, of Lot 15 Foulis, Enmore, was discovered with his hands tied behind his back with a piece of rope. A white cloth was also tied around his neck. Investigators confirmed that the man was strangled before his throat was slit and more so, they believed that he was tortured. Singh’s body bore several marks of violence, which indicated that he was severely beaten.

The businessman was clad in a pair of black socks, a pair of short blue pants, and a blue t-shirt, with fresh bloodstains around his body. He was tied to an abbey tree.

As the news spread

The businessman was positively identified by a tattoo on one of his arms by a close relative, who is also a police rank. A cousin of the dead man subsequently turned up at the scene, but there were no signs of the businessman’s immediate family.

The area was cordoned off, as crime scene officials conducted their investigations. Several pieces of evidence were collected and were taken for further anal-

about the discovery, several top-ranking police officers turned up at the scene to confirm that it was indeed the kidnapped businessman who had been killed. After several failed attempts by ranks of A Division to verify his identity, ranks from C Division were called in.

ysis. His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.

Guyana Times understands that the man’s body was discovered by a Mayor and City Council worker Jagnarine Parboo, who was at the time looking for a wa-

ter source. He told media operatives that as he was looking around the area, he saw the man lying face down clad in a pair of short pants and a jersey.

He added that he got scared and went to his boss’s office where he reported the incident. His boss, in turn, contacted the police who accompanied the man back to the scene. The man posited that he did not see much, since the police would have taken control of the area.

This publication further learnt that the man might have been killed in the wee hours of Wednesday since his body was still warm and the blood on his body was quite fresh.

This newspaper understands that the kidnap-

tacted and a ransom of $50 million was demanded for the businessman’s safe return. On Monday, the kidnappers had phoned the businessman’s wife, requesting $25 million instead after the initial amount could not be raised.

They also demanded that the family hand over the surveillance footage of the incident. In a release, police stated that they are investigating the incident.

Investigations revealed that Singh was in his motor car in front of his business place when his wife saw two men entering the vehicle, and drove off with him in it.

The businessman’s car, vehicle PFF 982 was found by members of the Cummings Lodge

pers would have contacted the family on Tuesday morning, requesting that the $25 million ransom be dropped off at a certain location. The kidnappers reportedly contacted the family a while later and gave an ultimatum of 12:00 noon on Tuesday to deliver the money – a deadline the family did not meet.

Police ranks at the scene said the kidnappers initially wanted to kidnap the businessman’s 13-year-old son, but, instead, they captured him. Since the kidnapping, the man’s wife and son have not been seen in public.

Minutes after the kidnapping, the family was con-

Community Policing Group along the Goedverwagting Railway Embankment, ECD.

Meanwhile, acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Monday told media operatives that the matter is a sensitive one and the police will not divulge any information, since it can put the businessman’s life and those of his family at risk.

Persaud stated that while the Police Force is cognisant that the media has a role to play in disseminating information to the public, the man’s life is at risk and any unwarranted information may trigger a reaction from the kidnappers.

Dead businessman, Rajendra "Sunil" Singh

Undertakers removing Singh’s body from the scene on Wednesday

Investigators at the crime scene minutes after the businessman’s body was discovered

Countrywide: Thundery showers will give way to heavy rain showers during the day with light rain showers and clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

Death of reading II

We all know the gloomy statistics about our children’s language skills. Or lack thereof. The CSEC English A test scores over the past few years told us maybe even more than we wanted to know. And then came the Education Minister’s candid admission, during the ongoing budget debate, that even the tots in Nursery School were not picking up on their “ABCs”.

Much of the blame for the abysmal state of our language usage has been attributed to the gradual degradation of our literacy skills, to a point where the “death of reading” was widely heralded.

There have been frenzied attempts to reverse the trend, under the evident premise that either the news of “the death of reading” had been highly exaggerated or that reading might very well not be connected in a causal way to utility of language.

In our own education system there was an emergency measure to collect past CSEC English A papers and have teachers put in extra hours with the lagging language students. At the subsequent examination, the score improved marginally and there were hosannas sung for the “solution” of the problem.

That this was the ultimate demonstration of the much reviled “teaching to the test” technique, was elided. Desperate times probably called for desperate measures. It was noted, however, that the decline, terminal or otherwise, of reading was not only confined to Guyana, and as such that the causes might transcend our local particulars. Television was hauled out as the culprit.

Children were gazing at the “boob tube” for hours on end, when they could be curled up on a sofa with a good book. While the latter condition was a very idealised scenario, there was no question that the TV screen was proving to be more attractive than the pages of books.

The question as to whether the language skills could also be imparted via the television medium was raised on the theory that if “you can’t beat them, you might as well join them.”

Educational TV was introduced to many countries, including Guyana, but has not stemmed the tide of rising disdain for books or even literacy. It was observed that the television was creating a qualitative change in the disposition of individuals with regards to reading in addition to the loss of appetite for the medium of information transmission.

Individuals were becoming much more attuned to receiving their information in a visual form – and one that emphasised the early name for the medium – “moving pictures”.

But if the birth and spread of TV precipitated the “death of reading”; with the explosion of information and communication technology (ICT), we are witnessing a second passing of the avocation: Death of Reading II”, so to speak.

Studies demonstrate that individuals who have been heavily exposed to seeking information on the Internet, inevitably develop a proclivity for “skimming” texts; actively looking for preconceived information.

They do not delve into even the shortened information packages that are now dominating the genre: PDF files. When these individuals attempt to read traditional books, such as novels, even inveterate readers find it difficult, if not impossible to keep focused for long periods.

Skimming books have always been a feature of reading, but in the past it was a conscious choice to find specific information. Now even the anaemic world of “readers” is becoming dominated by skimmers who do not even know what they are skimming to find.

We must accept that books were just one method of transmitting information. Its dominance spread over centuries because it matched the pace of life.

In today’s frenetic world, there are new media for transmitting information and educators in Guyana will have to accept that “reading”, in its traditional sense of a serial importation of information, might just have died a natural death.

We might mourn its passing but we will have to get on with life and find substitutes.

The PPP/C has remained true to Dr Jagan’s legacy

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C has noted not without some amusement a tendency by several Opposition members of Parliament to invoke the name of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan in their vain attempt to project the ruling PPP/C Administration as “anti-working class”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Indeed, it is highly hypocritical for the Opposition parties, more particularly the APNU, to invoke the name of Dr Jagan when they did everything imaginable to besmirch his character and deny him and his party the right to political office through a series of rigged elections spanning nearly three decades.

In fact, it was the PNC that schemed with foreign vested interests and local reactionary forces to destabilise the democratically elected Jagan-led administration during the 1960s.

Such was the extent of the hatred for Dr Jagan that one former PNC leader Desmond Hoyte pledged publicly to dedicate his entire life to ensure that Dr Jagan does not become the President of Guyana.

And when Dr Jagan convincingly won the October 5, 1992 elections after 28 years of dictatorial rule,

Hoyte boasted to the nation that the new PPP/C regime could not survive a year in office, no doubt out of an awareness that the PPP/C inherited a broken and debt-ridden economy in which over 90 per cent of revenues were spent to service our debts.

It must have been a lasting shame and humiliation to the PNC that the PPP/C Government did not only survive its full term in office, but went on to win all elections from that time until this day.

The PPP/C has remained true to the Jagan legacy and vision which continue to be a living guide to the party and its administration. This is reflected in the way all national budgets are being configured aimed at placing emphasis on human development particularly in the areas of education, health, housing and water which are considered key determinants of a good quality of life.

This is quite unlike what obtained under the PNC regime when the budgetary allocations were highly skewed in favour of the military/paramilitary organisations, the Foreign Service and the Office of the President. The social sectors including health and education were gross-

ly underfunded to a point where the delivery of education and health care had reached crisis proportions.

The opposition parties ought to be ashamed of themselves to invoke the name and memory of the late Dr Jagan when they are doing everything within their power to undo his work Dr Jagan and that of the the party he founded, the PPP.

This could be seen in the several actions taken by the combined Opposition to frustrate the development agenda of the PPP/C Administration, aimed at enhancing the quality of life of the Guyanese people, in particular the working people for whom Dr Jagan dedicated his entire political life.

The refusal of the parliamentary Opposition parties to approve money for cheap energy for the people of Guyana and to fuel the growth trajectory of the economy goes against the grain of the Jagan dream for Guyana.

The same is true of opposition cuts to funds earmarked for Amerindian development which he was very passionate about.

The failure of the Opposition parties to approve of funds to restore the viability of the sugar

industry would have been particularly painful to Dr Jagan who way back in the 1940s following the massacre of the five sugar workers pledged to dedicate his entire life to the cause of the working people. Those who say that the PPP/C has departed from the Jagan legacy are either unable to understand the context and dialectics of present day realities or are being deliberately dishonest politically and intellectually.

To speak at a superficial level of the greatness of Dr Jagan but at the same time doing everything to undermine his party and legacy is the worst harm that anyone could inflict on this great son of the soil and outstanding leader of Guyana. The PPP/C therefore calls on the Opposition parties and other Opposition elements to desist from invoking the name of Dr Jagan for opportunistic purposes and instead lend their support in tangible ways to realise his vision for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Guyana. Action, it is said, speaks louder than words.

Sincerely Vickram Bharrat Freedom House, PPP/C

Showichi Hashimoto pushes on the nose of Diana Ciepiela as he is held by his father Junji at the World Clown Association's annual convention in Northbrook, Illinois. Hundreds of clown performers from around the world gathered at the event to attend seminars, performances, and competitions (Reuters)

I am not fearful of the Opposition's “Big Tent” strategy

Dear Editor,

I read with great interest the statements made by Jaipaul Sharma for his resignation from the political union of sorts with APNU and I am still in fits of laughter. This politician is telling the people of Guyana that he does not want to jeopardise the voting prospects of the union, so he is quietly making his exit from the partnership.

That statement is so comical, possibly the joke of the century, that a man who could not get enough votes to earn a seat in Parliament when he went solo in that Justice for All Party would now suddenly gather votes in a political union with the PNC. Is this the message Sharma is trying to get across to the Guyanese people?

But we would not buy that argument, not for one moment. What he is not telling the people is that it has suddenly dawned on him

that he was being used and abused by his bigger political bully partners and it is high time to get out of this comedy of errors.

What was going on there was a strategy crafted by the PNC to use Sharma to get the Indian vote and somehow break the stranglehold that the ruling PPP/C has on them. Therefore, a special seat was made for Sharma to attract the Indian vote, but that cunning device was detected by the man who very subtly made his exit.

Sharma is saying you would not get the Indian vote on my ticket (mind you that is really an impossibility) because no Indian in his right mind will vote for a party that preaches segregation and the ascendancy of one race above another. That is not going to happen.

His compatriots in the AFC Ramjattan and Nagamootoo should also take careful to note that their status is the same

as Sharma, that is, one of convenience for the PNC/ APNU.

The people of Guyana, namely Indians, gave the AFC votes so that they could make a difference in Parliament. Note my words “make a difference” in Parliament. But what we see going on in the house, for lack of a better word, “pisses” them off.

They voted a party into office to stand on their own and speak on their own not to be a group of spineless band-waggoners, who cannot think for themselves, but have to rely on the ideas and imagination of their erstwhile counterparts.

This is not what the people voted for and for the record this sort of behaviour is bound to backfire on them come next election. So the earlier those in the AFC get that “user message” the better and just do the honest thing and divorce yourself from the thoughts and

interests of that grouping.

My opinion on the PPP/C and their prospects in winning the next election lies in the realm of their failure to fix the things that need fixing, especially in the constituencies that they command a majority.

I am not in the least fearful of the Opposition and their “Big Tent” strategy. That is sure to fail. What I am worried about is the PPP/C’s flippant attitude when it comes to fixing things in their strongholds.

This is my chief concern and the hierarchy in the party seems oblivious to this fact. If they neglect their constituents in the way they are at present then persons will withhold their votes and results will turn out to be the same as it was in the last elections.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Appointment of new Police Commissioner is time new ideas

Dear Editor, Transfers are an important tool of police administration. No one should feel too comfortable in a given area, as this could breed complacency, and even more dangerous negative possibilities. If there is complacency and or other possible sinister realities involved, sudden transfers sharpen the ability of the Commissioner to control and manage.

During the infamous Burnhamite era, when the nation was criminalised by the ban on flour and every consumer and food product, some senior police officers I personally know in the Upper Corentyne, were involved in managing their own smuggling rings, while others provided protection to other smugglers.

Sometimes these very officers were used as ‘shake downs’ for their friends. I know this and saw it, and it happened because many officers were there for too long. If they were constantly moved, the possibility of such criminal activity would have been limited.

It is known worldwide that transfers of police leadership (Commanders) are the norm. It is also imperative that police middle and junior personnel be transferable. In some districts, the beat police developing and working with communities serve an important purpose, and hence, they could be kept in localities/communities for longer periods, even a life time, as we see in the United Kingdom.

In this way, they could relate positively (hopeful -

ly) and know all the members of the community, good and bad. Children could grow up with them as a kind of God-father personality, once they, the children, do not break the laws, and even then, the beat police, could serve in guidance and career counselling. They could develop bonds with the positives in the society, and help to guide the delinquent and those prone to criminality, while apprehending the lawless.

The appointment of a new Police Commissioner is always a time of excitement, new ideas. If senior ranks were in districts for long periods, then it is time they be switched around; giving way to fresh innovative ideas, and even better and most important, they could be transferred into new other specialty areas.

Areas they were not exposed to previously, to learn new skills, thereby making them more valuable to the force, and even enhancing their own skills and talents. It is usual for profiles of personalities and qualifications to be done, and ranks placed to suit those.

I am always a great respecter of the police: the honourable, the decent, and the professional ones. My father was a senior serving police officer and served until retirement. I have since maintained a close association with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in general, and specialised my studies as a young man in police technology. I will always defend the honourable, the professional. I am proud to be a friend of

the GPF.

Citizens, of Guyana I ask you, in every community, everywhere, to form groups to help the police. Be their friends in professionalism, and not create alcoholic parties or corrupt transactions, hoping to enjoy an illicit friendship for personal favours.

Promise and commit to pass on information of criminal activities of anyone, even if it is someone you know: of smuggling, or conspiracies, and even those prone to violence in families. The police are the protectors and friends of the people, and in reality the servants of the nation, paid by the people.

The police must never forget this reality also. Form groups to patrol with the police, and even help in donating vehicles, fuel and time. Create a partnership with the police in your district and/or be a part of the management committee.

I ask the members of the Police Force, to always remember, they have to win the hearts and minds of the people with positive contributions in the various districts by forming youth groups to motivate and prepare youths, and attending to the old. It is not unusual for senior police officers to form such youth groups but they should also visit the old and the infirm in bed, to give a helping hand, a kind word.

Create now a new dispensation, a new public relations outreach, which goes beyond merely traffic supervision, criminal investigation, and law en -

forcement. Have a group in every district which will visit the poor or destitute homes, to talk to and befriend those who need just a kind word, a smile.

Be more than mere law enforcers that the people should fear. Be the friend, that protector that the

Dear Editor, The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) is in dire need of better management to enhance the capacity in which competitions are organised and played.

For too long, clubs have been suffering the effects of poor management and unprofessionalism within the ECCB. It’s time for stock taking if this board is really interested in lifting the level and quality of cricket being played within on the East Coast Demerara.

It is an appalling situation to witness teams turning up for matches only to have the matches postponed because of umpires failing to be present. On April 6, a fixture for Better Hope vs Lusignan in a group decider to be played at Better Hope was called off due to a no-show by umpires.

It’s a total disgrace that both teams which totalled 26 individuals who turned up for that match were left disappointed.

The ECCB must respect

people can depend upon; where they know in their hearts that their police is more than ordinary police; that they are instead the kind guardians, people of worth, protectors in time of need.

efforts that are made by clubs to participate in the ECCB organised competitions and to provide and have venues prepared to host matches. It’s a waste of revenue with no return when grounds are prepared only for a match to be called off because umpires fail to turn up. This is deemed unacceptable and measures must be put in place to deal with such.

With current trends, it would be difficult to differentiate between managing the ECCB and a cake shop.

The ECCB needs to portray an image that would reflect the interest of those youths who are committed to aspire to greater heights and bring an end to this lacklustre and unwanted attitude and improve on the way the ECCB should be managed or make way for those that have East Coast cricket at heart.

M Azimullah Sport Coordinator Better Hope Sports Club

The police must be more than mere police enforcers. I believe the police can become more than law enforcers. It is time for that new dispensation, a force that truly protects and serves.

Respectfully, Roshan Khan

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

How to care for a sick child

(Continued from Wednesday)

BY ALVIN EDEN, MD AND ELIZABETH EDEN, MD

Before you call the doctor

Before your child ever gets sick, talk with the doctor about the types of symptoms or illnesses which would warrant an after-hours call and which could wait to be evaluated during regular office hours. Keep the doctor’s guidelines in mind when you think about calling him or her in the middle of the night.

If you are very worried about your child’s health and well-being, do not hesitate to call after-hours; however, refrain from doing so in nonemergency situations. Your doctor can give you advice over the phone to handle most childhood illnesses during the night –until you can see the doctor in the morning.

Before you call your doctor, you need to have some information ready to respond to your doctor’s questions, and you need to know what information you want to get from the call. For example, if you feel your child needs medicine, don’t wait to call until all the local drugstores are closed. In some communities, it’s next to impossible to get any medicines after the pharmacies are closed. It’s bet-

ter to call your doctor earlier rather than later.

Also, almost all illnesses seem to get worse as the night progresses, so if your

the phone, let your doctor know that also.

Once you decide to make the call to your doctor, you should have some impor-

What’s wrong with your child? This may sound like a silly question to prepare for, but all too often a parent can’t answer

child isn’t well at 19:00h, there’s little chance he’ll be a lot better by 22:00h. If you are concerned, call at 19:00h instead of waiting until 22:00h. If you really want the doctor to see your child, tell him or her right at the outset of the call. Your doctor will then know that all the reassurances over the phone won’t help if you really want to have your child examined. However, if you just want some advice over

tant information on hand so you can more efficiently let your doctor know exactly what’s going on. First, the doctor needs some basic data. Give the doctor your child’s name and age to help your doctor place your child. Be prepared to tell the doctor your child’s weight, what medicines he’s taking, what illnesses he’s had, and the date of his last visit to a doctor. Then be ready to answer these questions about the current situation:

it concisely. Think about your child’s problem and be prepared to describe exactly what’s going on. Think about the following: What is your child eating (solids, liquids, nothing)? Is he urinating a normal amount? Does he have diarrhoea? If he’s not acting himself, what’s abnormal about his actions? Does he have a fever? If so, how high is his temperature and what method did you use to take it?

What’s happened to

make you decide to call the doctor now? This is an important question for you to think about. For example, your child’s temperature may have gone up a lot, or he may have suddenly begun to cry and pull at his ear, or he may have just begun to vomit violently. Or perhaps you are concerned because your child’s high fever has not broken after a few hours. If you are worried because your child’s condition has worsened or because it hasn’t gotten better, contact your child’s doctor for advice. Ask the doctor for specific directions to alleviate your child’s symptoms.

What do you think is ailing your child? Often, parents know what’s wrong. This is particularly true if their child has had many episodes of the same illness. For example, many parents know when their child is getting another ear infection. Or if other members of the family have had a similar illness, there’s a good chance your child is getting it. Or perhaps you’re concerned because your child’s symptoms are similar to those attributed to a particular disease you’ve heard about. Let the doctor know what you suspect, even if it seems far-fetched or silly.

Where do you want a prescription filled? Know which drugstore you want

to use and make sure it’s open and has a pharmacist on duty before you call. Have the phone number of the drugstore ready to give to your doctor.

Doctors who take care of children expect interruptions and emergencies –these go with the age group. Most have no problems with appropriate phone calls at any hour.

Signs and symptoms

Whenever your child is ill, your observations of her condition are very important. When you assess your child’s illness, you’re really looking at two different aspects: signs and symptoms. These terms have specific meanings to your doctor.

A symptom is something a patient complains about. A sign is something the doctor (or you) can see, measure, feel, hear, taste, or smell. If your child complains that her ear hurts, this is a symptom; if she keeps pulling on her ear, that is a sign.

Signs and symptoms are indicators of illness, but they are not illnesses themselves. When your doctor treats your child, he or she may treat the signs and symptoms of the illness, the illness itself, or both.

For example, acetaminophen is frequently given to a child with a fever; it may reduce the fever, but it

doesn’t affect the underlying illness causing the fever. However, an antibiotic given to your child when he has an ear infection actually helps the body fight off the infection, so it treats the illness. The earache (a symptom) and the fever (a sign) go away because you are treating the infection (the illness).

Most of the medicines you can buy in the drugstore without a prescription treat symptoms but don’t treat the illness itself. In other words, overthe-counter cold medicines you may buy for your child don’t make her cold go away any more quickly, but they may make her feel a little better.

There’s an ongoing debate about treating signs and symptoms of common illnesses. Some doctors believe, unless the signs and symptoms are severe, you’re better off not treating them. Some of the symptoms of an illness may actually be beneficial and speed recovery. Every medicine has side effects, and sometimes these are worse than the illness itself.

One of the signs that may speed recovery is fever. On the next page you’ll learn about this special condition and what’s going on in your child’s body. (How Stuff Works)

Truck topples overboard as ferry ramp collaspes

Atruck toppled overboard into the Essequibo River early Wednesday morning while being offloaded from the Chinese-made ferries — MV Kanawan at Supenaam, Region Two. Up to press time, the truck was still submerged in the river and the ferry, grounded. Two other ferries have been dispatched to the area to service the route.

The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) said, in a swift statement, that the incident occurred at approximately 02:15h and halted the loading operations, since the ramp attached to the stelling subsequently collapsed. The driver of the truck managed to escape. The T&HD said there were no injuries or casualties. Some 20 trucks were already on the vessel. T&HD apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The driver, of GKK 9159, Anthony Thomas, is thanking God for his survival,

cation that the negligence of the captain and crew members caused the accident. They are of the view if the rope was properly attached, then the mishap could have been avoided. Passengers on site said the situation was very frightening. Some were forced to climb through the boat windows and walked on a narrow wooden pathway in an effort to escape the horrid situation.”If anyone had lost balance, then many would have drowned, it was very risky and unfortunate” one passenger explained.

Truck driver tells his story Truck Driver, Anthony Thomas who survived the mishap unhurt said the experience was very frightening and he thanked God for directing his thoughts to escape. Thomas said as he was driving out, he heard a loud noise, then suddenly he saw the truck going down into the water. Thomas, who was still shaken, said he tried to reverse; however the traffic at

proximately 15 years and has never met with an accident or situation until now, he explained. Griffith for his part is calling on the authorities to compensate him for the damage to his truck. “My truck is underwater for approximately eight hours…I need a new truck,” the man said. He added that he was sure that many parts would be damaged on his truck, since the salt water got inside.

Griffith said the TH&D will have to take responsibility for their negligence or else he will take legal action.

Former Regional Councillor Francis Darchville was also on the boat at the time of the incident. He recalled that the vessel had left Parika on time and arrived at Supenaam on time as well.

Darchville, in relating the ordeal, said a pick-up owned by a popular businessman had disembarked from the boat and as the truck was making its way out, the gangway collapsed. Darchville is

while scores of businessmen throughout the Essequibo Coast are counting their losses. The truck is owned by Delroy Griffith. Both ambulances attached to Suddie and Charity Hospitals were on the boat. The ambulances were returning from the Georgetown Public Hospital after discharging patients.

Guyana Times understand that the rope which usually links the boat to the stelling was not attached properly resulting in the mishap. Businessmen who were on the boat told this publi-

the back was very congested and his truck was sinking more into the water. He then said he quickly opened the truck door, jumped overboard and swam his way to the stelling. Thomas said there was nothing he could have done to save the 225 bags of chicken feed, which amounts to 10 tonnes in weight, that was on the truck.

He said he was transporting chicken feed for Jainarine Singh and he usually drives for Delroy Griffith, the owner for the truck. Thomas has been a truck driver for ap-

of the view that the gangway was not built to facilitate heavy-duty trucks and deemed the work as substandard. “The work done on the stelling is substandard. It’s my view that the gangway is not properly equipped to facilitate heavy-duty trucks,” the passenger said.

He said that he too had to force himself out from the boat window to get off the boat. He also said he assisted a few passengers to get off the boat as they were panicking frame of mind.

On the scene, it was pan-

demonium. One businessman said he was worried since he had two trucks on the boat fully loaded with plucked chickens.

Shair Mohamed said he boarded the boat at 21:00h on Tuesday evening. Mohamed said he usually sells chicken to miners in the interior. Mohamed explained also that the boat was moored properly, but it was the rope that failed.

Businesswoman and vendor Naline (only name given) from Aurora Village was busy offloading tonnes of vegetables to another boat when Guyana Times met her. Naline said the mishap has caused her great inconvenience and she has incurred additional expenses in hiring another boat to ferry her

produce. Naline, who had tonnes of tomatoes, cabbages, pepper, ochro, and bora on board, was forced to remove her perishable items.

Naline said she is a frequent user of the ferry service and she usually purchases vegetables from Bourda and Parika Markets.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, upon receiving information, visited the site and interacted with businessmen early in the morning. Persaud said the situation is very unfortunate and he is in sympathy with those passengers and businessmen.

Speaking with businessmen at the Supenaam Stelling, Persaud said he was in constant contact with Public Works Minister

Benn.

crane mounted onto a pontoon was later dispatched to the area to assist the truck out of the water. The Chairman said he had received reports in the past from passengers that there are no proper systems on the boat in loading and offloading. He said as soon as vehicles start to disembark the boat, there should be proper systems and monitoring by crew members. He called on staff and crew members of the boat to be properly trained in the managing its loading and offloading.

The captain of the boat refused to speak to the media.

Bandits snatch $10M...

According to Mangali, as soon as they gained possession of the bag containing $10 million, they jumped onto a motorcycle that had no registration number and rode in the direction of Port Mourant.

Mangali chased after the men who fired two shots in his direction before turning into the Side Line Dam at Portuguese Quarters. They then abandoned their bike and escaped into a nearby canefield, about one and a half miles from the Corentyne Highway.

According to brother of the victim Subramani Mangali, the businessman

was making a routine trip to the bank when the incident occurred.

“ My brother left home to do our daily deposit and I heard that when he stop to take the money in the bank , two men came up with a motorcycle, put a gun on him and took away $10 million and rode away,” he said.

A vendor who witnessed the robbery said she was shock at what she saw.

“This thing left me in a shocked, it could have happened to anyone, and like them two guys follow him because as soon as he stop, the two of them stop behind him,”

she said.

She noted that the victim put up a fight and it was then that one of the bandits pulled out a gun and discharged a round at him.

The vendor said after the bandits rode away, the businessman gave chase in his vehicle and upon reaching in the vicinity of Portuguese Quarter; two more shots were fired at his vehicle.

By this time, the police were informed, but the robbers had already covered significant ground.

Up to press time, ranks were still hunting for the two armed men.

Robeson

A

Stranded businessmen and other passengers decide on their next move

The submerged truck

Qualfon Site Director passes on

Employees of Qualfon are saddened after the loss of a cherished company leader, Mark Boyer, who passed away early Wednesday morning at his home.

Boyer was Qualfon’s Site Director in Guyana. According to a statement from the company, the cause of death appears to have been natural.

“We are devastated to make the announcement about Mark’s death,” said Qualfon Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Marrow.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to both Mark Boyer’s family and also to all our employees who are grieving this loss. Each of us not only grieves for the passing of a remarkable individual, but also for the loss his family suffers.”

Boyer was 65 years old and leaves behind his wife, Sandy.

He was Qualfon’s first Site Director in Guyana, and his work

was instrumental in helping Qualfon establish itself and grow into the largest private employer in the country.

“We are forever grateful for Mark Boyer’s work and for the personal contributions he made to Qualfon and its employees. He touched so many lives and brightened the days of everyone he encountered with his smile and great sense of humour,” said Marrow.

At this time, funeral arrangements and services are still being planned by Boyer’s family. Qualfon will hold a memorial service (for employees only) at the interfaith chapel, located inside Qualfon’s Georgetown contact centre.

Additionally, Qualfon offers emotional and spiritual support services to its employees and their family members through its Worksite Chaplains programme.

Another Essequibo man suspected of wife abuse

A44-year-old mechanic of Anna Regina, Essequibo was granted $35,000 bail for allegedly physically and verbal-

ly assaulting his wife by Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Tuesday at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court. Gordyal Rajpat, of 71

Paris Street, pleaded guilty to the charges of using threatening language and unlawful assault. The charges were read separately.

According to a police report, on Monday, at Anna Regina, Rajpat made use of threatening language to Kamla Singh whereby a breach of peace was occasioned.

It was also alleged that at the said time, he unlawfully assaulted Singh.

The defendant was granted $20,000 bail for assault and $15,000 for the threatening language matter. The case was adjourned to April 16.

Hibernia labourer granted bail for assaulting wife

Alabourer of Hibernia Village on the Essequibo Coast was granted $30,000 bail on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. Fiftyyear-old Mohamed Shaheeb appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Wednesday at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Shaheed, who was represented by Attorney Lachmi Dindyal, pleaded not guilty to the charge. His lawyer stated that his client is not a flight risk and he is married to the virtual complainant (VC).

According to the particulars, the defendant, on April 2 at Hibernia, unlawfully assaulted Bissoondai Shaheeb so as to cause actual bodily harm. It is alleged that on the day in question an argument ensued between the couple whereby the defendant threw a table on the VC's foot causing her to sustain injuries.

Prosecutor Krishnadatt Ramana did not object to bail. The matter was therefore adjourned to April 17 for trial.

Eyew tness

Expedience...

...and the budget

It might be too much to ask political parties to act on principles. But surely at least they can be pragmatic, no?

We understand that things have to get done in the real world and you do what you have to do to get them done. Call it what you will – real politik, or whatever...it’s what makes the world (of politics) go around. But it gets rather scary when political parties begin to act not even pragmatically, but out of expediency.

That is, they’ll even do immoral things to achieve their aims. They’ll try to convince you the ends justify the means. The fly in the ointment, of course, is that you really can’t compartmentalise life: means end up becoming the ends.

It’s like the Police Force. They were allowed to use “force” to uphold the law...but inevitably the use of force became standard operating procedure. And now everyone’s bitching because no one seems able to do anything about it.

In other words, what was supposed to be expedient has now become the norm and we all have to grin and bear it. And we arrive at the song the Opposition’s been singing for two years now, on the budget.

In our system of governance, it’s always been the responsibility of the Executive to craft the budget of the government of the day. As was explained by the Chief Justice when the matter was brought before him, this state of affairs was not by accident.

The people of the country elect a government because of a programme they outlined in a manifesto or blueprint or some such vehicle. Sans five-year-plans, government’s programmes are executed through their annual budgets. And that’s why the government should craft their budget. Fast forward to what the Opposition’s been arguing. They weren’t elected to the Executive, but since they control the Legislature they should now share in the Executive office and begging to also shape the budget.

And why should the Government go along with this idea that’s totally foreign to our system of governance?

Well, it boils down to one word – expedience. Since the Government needs their votes to pass legislation like the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, the Government should violate their Constitutional mandate and allow the Opposition to chop and reshape the budget in their image.

This will not do and we exhort the Government to eschew the path of expediency. Therein lies disaster, not only for the Government, but for the entire country.

...and Walter Rodney

If there was one person in Guyana who lived according to principles, it was Walter Rodney. He didn’t even bend, by and large, to pragmatism.

Take his stance on Marxism. Like CLR James, he didn’t have any problems taking on the entire Black Power Movement to insist that the principles of Marxism took precedence in his analyses.

There was time, back in the day – before he linked up with the fellas that were to become the WPA – when Kwayana agreed with Stokley Carmichael’s proposition that Indian and African Guyanese couldn’t struggle under one banner. Rodney had already rejected this line in his “Groundings” and later, Kwayana had to back off.

So we’re more than a bit troubled at the expediency of his erstwhile comrades such as Rupert Roopnaraine and David Hinds, to reject Rodneyite principles on the matter of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the great man’s assassination.

Can they blame Rodney’s widow for denying them (not to mention the PNC!!) a role in establishing the CoI, after their betrayal of 2005?? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

...in destabilisation

The head of USAID, Rajiv Shah, whose agency ran the fake Twitter-like platform – ZunZuneo – in Cuba, admitted that they did everything possible to keep their involvement secret. But it wasn’t a “covert” operation. It was just “discreet”.

Mark Boyer

Sugar workers protest rumoured $6B budget cut

Hours before the Committee of Supply met to examine the 2014 Budget, hundreds of sugar workers from across Berbice converged in front of Parliament Building in a massive protest, fuming over rumours that the Opposition will disapprove the $6 billion allocation to the sugar Industry.

The sugar workers reportedly travelled from the Ancient County early Wednesday morning to raise their voices in condemnation of the act which they said will only add fuel to the many challenges faced by Berbicians. “We feel very disappointed with the stance of the joint Opposition towards sugar. Sugar is very

important to us in Berbice, since it has come a long way. Since I was 15, I have been working in the estate and now I am 44. It not easy that they would not pass the $6 billion that was passed by the National Budget. If they slash it, many lives are entangled in the budget right now… ,” said Vickram Singh, representative of the Blairmont Estate. He said should the industry become non functional, there surely will be an increase in poverty, with a further slump in job opportunities. “Greenidge is a person who knows about sugar, he knows what sugar potential is and what it has done for this country in the 80s and

today he is turning against sugar, he should be ashamed to do that, for us to be denied sugar is a shame. When this Government said it was putting $6 billion to sugar, the Opposition should have jumped and said no, $16 million”, Mr Ragbir, also from Blairmont, declared.

Sugar is bedrock of economy

Another sugar worker from Berbice lamented: “Why can’t they give the money to the sugar industry? Without the industry, nobody can survive. Over 200,000 people are depending directly on the sugar industry. They are not doing anything to help the working class in this country, all we

know is cutting cane”.

The sugar worker pointed out that the sugar industry has always been the bedrock of the country, especially in Berbice.

Present also at the protest were two Region Six Administration representatives Zulficar Mustapha and Faizal Jaffarally. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Education Minister Priya Manickchand also joined the sugar farmers expressing utter disappointment over the situation.

“Comrades, I am glad that we could join you here today so we could deliver that message ourselves: do not be destructive cowards, do not take away from us our ability to feed our children. Do not take

away from us the dignity for us to know that we could work and get money. My friends, if they cut the budget as they have been promising, then you are without the ability to earn,” Minister Manickchand told the large gathering.

Nagamootoo shouted down

The crowd went berserk when Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Moses Nagamootoo sought in vain to calm the fuming sugar workers. Their loud cries of disgust and abhorrence drowned his attempt to negotiate with the workers.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy met with the workers and assured them that he was going to do all

he could to represent the industry and defend the $6 billion allocation in the National Assembly. He reminded the workers of the important role the industry has been playing in national development , noting the Government has echoed a resounding no to any plans to close the industry.

“We said no to any plan to cut the budget. The Government of Guyana says that GuySuCo [the Guyana Sugar Corporation] deserves every cent that we can give, and the $6 billion is deserved, so we say no cut, we say, pass the budget now,” Dr Ramsammy said. The Minister ended his speech by declaring that Guyana could not develop in the absence of the sugar industry.

Speaker sets up committee for easy review of estimates

By Svetlana MarShall

Anew parliamentary sub-committee has been set up to review amendments made to the 2014 National Budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh after House Speaker Raphael Trotman maintained his position that the National Assembly has the ability to axe the budget despite the High Court’s ruling.

Presiding over the National Assembly on Wednesday, Trotman proposed eight recommendations for the consideration of the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure for Financial Year 2014, amid controversies surrounding the January 29 ruling by the Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chan on budget cuts.

In accordance with Standing Orders 72-75, the National Assembly was dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider the estimates. However, a subcommittee comprising seven members was constituted with four members from the Opposition and three from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), with the Speaker as the chairman. The committee has been established to examine proposals for amendments with the aim of arriving at consensus when necessary during the consideration of estimates.

Earlier this year, the Acting Chief Justice ruled that the National Assembly’s move to cut the 2012 National Budget was unconstitutional, explaining that

it does not have the power to cut the national estimates. The CJ ruled also that the Opposition can only approve or disapprove the budget in its entirety or sections within. But the Speaker told the House on Wednesday that “despite the views and opinions of the High Court, the decision does not, and indeed cannot, do harm to the National Assembly’s procedures for treating with the Estimates of Expenditure.”

National Assembly rules

In justifying his position, Trotman pointed to Article 165(1) of the Constitution, which states “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the National Assembly may regulate its own procedure and may make rules for that purpose”.

According to him, no court can infringe on the rights of the National Assembly, stressing that this right has been univer-

sally recognised and upheld even in the High Court of Guyana in the 1963 case of Jagan et al v Gajraj. “For this reason, I utterly reject the notion that the National Assembly can act unlawfully in the exercise of its functions,” Trotman said.

Because of its intrinsic right, the House has promulgated its own rules and procedures commonly called “Standing Orders”. Trotman noted that these standing orders control the practices and procedures, including the review and approval of the Estimates of Expenditure.

He made it clear that the National Assembly relies on Standing Orders 75 and 76 to guide the review and approval process of the estimates of expenditure, noting that these have been identified as legal instruments since the birth of the nation.

While it is not difficult to understand the reason behind Chang’s ruling, the Speaker argued that there

were a number of points of departure with his reasoning. “The principal disagreement with the Honourable Chief Justice’s observations is in the strong belief that it is for the National Assembly and the National Assembly alone to determine how it will handle any matter it is seized of.”

Constitutional mandate

He further argued that the House must be given the opportunity to settle its own procedure in keeping with the constitutional mandate contained in Article 165 and the protection of interference

guaranteed in Article 172 of the Constitution.

Giving an overview of the procedure used during the consideration of the national estimates, Trotman pointed out that it is the Finance Minister who submits the Estimates to the Committee of Supply and when finished, hands them back to the subject minister. “It is at these hand-over/take-over stages that our difficulty in interpretation arises,” he told the House.

After receiving the report from the Committee of Supply the Finance Minister is mandated to report to

the House that the estimates have been scrutinised and wholly approved or approved, with proposals for amendments resulting from line items being reduced or not approved or wholly disapproved.

Nevertheless, the Speaker said the National Assembly cannot be unmindful of the views and opinions of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature. “Every effort will be made always to respect the High Court’s opinions; provided that the independence of the National Assembly is not impinged.”

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy addressing the crowd

Part of the massive crowd of demonstrators outside Parliament

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman pronounced the way forward for the House and explained his take on the CJ’s budget cut ruling

New Barbados High Commissioner accredited

Newly-appointed nonresident Barbadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Robert Morris on Wednesday presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President.

In accepting and welcoming the newly-appointed diplomat, President Ramotar said the two countries have had a friendly relationship since 1969 and he was happy that the relationship was still very much prosperous since the two countries have a lot of areas in common.

“In all areas of importance, I hope that we can both find areas of cooperation,” he said as he expressed optimism that the two countries would have even closer ties in the future.

The High Commissioner noted that Guyana and Barbados share a longstanding friendship characterised by shared vision, history, common desires and a determination to nurture Caribbean unity.

He related that though the Caribbean community stands out as a beacon of friendships and aspirations; it is the bilateral relationship which ultimate -

ly provides the foundation of mutual understanding on which the regional integration movement is grounded.

Among the two countries’ arrangements was the signing of the agreement for the deepening of bilateral cooperation in 2002, with the aim of deepening the relationship between the two countries in the areas of trade, investment, marine affairs, tourism, air services, edu-

cation, agriculture, sports, culture and youth affairs.

The High Commissioner disclosed that he is here to implement those programmes and initiatives which were agreed upon.

“It is my wish that the special relationship which exists between our countries will continue to grow and strengthen and together, we will continue to seize opportunities and collaborate on issues of mutual concern to

the benefit of our people,” thee High Commissioner disclosed.

Barbados is a sovereign island state in the Lesser Antilles. It is 34 kilometres (21 miles) in length and up to 23 kilometres (14 miles) in width, covering an area of 432 square kilometres (167 square miles). It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; about 168 kilometres (104 miles) east of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and 400 kilometres (250 miles) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago.

War goin on all over like Bob Marley seh

This country is one people, one nation and one destiny. One fuh all and all fuh one is whah old people does seh. But that ain’t happenin at all these days. Some body always at war with some body and as Bob Marley seh every where is war.

De Opposition at war wid de Guvament over de budget. Every day is a war in Parliament. De other day Mannish Chand been at war wid de Sharma Man. Some body seh dem still at war because he tink de Minister was accusin he of doin some ting whah he know he cyan't even do.

A setta men pass de other day in a minibus and start a war wid de people dem by de Cathedral. Dem is people who does never be at war wid any body. All de people does do is spread de love as one people, one nation and one destiny. And whah better place to choose than near de Cathedral. Well, Rum Jhaat barely miss gettin caught in de war that night because he had just been deh to spread de love. While he was spreadin de love, de Thunderbolt man was at war wid de whole KFC party. In any case, de KFC party always at war wid some ting or some body. Even Rum Jhaat at war wid No Gel Hughly to see who gon run de party.

Now a man pun de East Coast had a war in he house and light up he self right pun de scene wid kerosene. Same night a woman all de way in de interior start a war wid she own niece over de same man who both a dem want. It must be that de man misunderstand this ‘one people’ ting.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De Mayor-fuh-Life and de Town Clerk at war. Roy Stone at war wid a Minister because he want de Town Clerk wuk. If de job was Tongue Clerk, Roy Stone woulda get that hands down because every ting pun Roy Stone does be down!

Dr Griffith is ninth President of Fort Valley University – to be sworn in on Friday

Guyanese born, Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith will be formally inaugurated as the ninth President of Fort Valley State University in a ceremony at the institution on Friday.

The event begins at 10:00h. According to a release, the scholar, political scientist and former Professor began his term on July 22, 2013 after being unanimously voted in by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on June 21, 2013.

Forging a new period of progressiveness and bold academic initiatives, President Griffith’s vision is to create an institution not only of rigorous academic offerings, but also student-initiated research and scholarship, inclusiveness, cultural diversity and global connectivity and preparedness. Those goals are reflected in the theme for the inauguration: “Dreaming and Doing: A Vision for Excellence Engagement.”

According to the release, beyond the formality of the investiture ceremony, President Griffith’s week of inauguration activities is a moment of celebration, campus and community camaraderie and reflection.

“It is an opportunity for the entire Fort Valley State family to pause and celebrate all that is unique and inspired about our esteemed institution. It also is a time to honour those ideals and standards that have guided the institution to its current

place in time. And as the ceremonial garbs, medallions and traditional phrases are conferred upon Fort Valley State’s new leader, it is joined by the continued casting of the hopes and dreams of those who have relied on FVSU’s life-changing purpose and inherent leadership role as an institution of higher learning since 1895,” the release stated.

The inauguration ceremony itself will include a number of special features.

Many members of Dr Griffith’s extended family will be in attendance. The platform party will include members of the Georgia Board of Regents and various other dignitaries from peer institutions, including Dr Cheryl Dozier, President of Savannah State University and Dr Marcia Keizs, President of York College.

Dr Griffith was recently in Guyana as part of a U.S. Embassy initiative. He held talks with the Government, Opposition parties and also Members of Parliament.

Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith

President Donald Ramotar accepting the Letters of Credence from newly-appointed Barbados High Commissioner to Guyana Robert Morris

Teixeira laments Opposition’s “small world vision”

Presidential Advisor on Governance

Gail Teixeira said Guyana’s economy has managed to stay afloat despite the global financial challenges.

When compared with the status quo of other sister Caricom countries, Teixeira said Guyana has been performing exceptionally.

She was at the time addressing the National Assembly during day six of the National Budget debate on Monday, when she pointed out that Guyana has much to be proud of since it has remained afloat in spite of a downward spiral in world rice and gold prices, among other things.

“How is it possible that Guyana could do this? This is an achievement that we as Guyanese should be proud of,” she told the House.

Teixeira reminded that the global food and financial crises of 2008 came at a time when the country was recovering from the crippling crime spree, pointing out that several elements have aided in the restoration of Guyana’s economy.

She pointed to the expansion and diversification of the economic base, the restoration and expansion of rice, bauxite, mining and new investments, both local and international.

The Presidential Advisor bashed the Opposition, saying that its members have a “very small world vision” for Guyana’s development, explaining that apparently the Opposition fails to see the immediate needs of the Guyanese people.

She said Members of Parliament can carry on about the many investments in the country, but unless there is “a big world view”, there will never be a solution to the problems.

She pointed to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project and the Linden LethemRoad, among others that have been on the line for some time now.

Teixeira noted that some of these projects will indeed take some time to be completed, but the benefits will be long-lasting.

“The conflict and ten-

Ramjattan sees ‘untoward things’ in budget

Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan on Tuesday told the National Assembly during the budget debates that the Opposition believes that there were several major discrepancies in Budget 2014.

Ramjattan in his presentation stated that the Government’s side constantly boasts of development, where the country was and how far it has come, but said far more could have been done.

sion within any Government is if you have been delivering the immediate needs of the people and at the same time, looking to see how you could solve problems while you keep the society growing and developing,” the Presidential Advisor said.

Teixeira sad that prior to her budget presentation, she had not heard of any speaker addressing the issue of the increasing demand for energy.

She stressed that all of these signal “small world vision”. She said the Opposition has refused to positively respond to Government’s policies and plans.

“Again the honourable members have come with the same mantra, reduce staff, and reduce the Berbice River bridge toll, increase value, increase Old Age Pension, but not one comment about sustainability, not one comment in relation to the impact of these proposals… Not one new idea on a new venture for this country and its people.”

“I have constantly told the Government that if they tighten up, the Opposition will lighten up. It is because they have not tightened up that we are here. The Opposition has national development at heart. The country belongs to all of us and we must all be a part of its glory. The budget could have been a better one had the Opposition been consulted,” he told the House.

Ramjattan said, the Consolidated Fund is abused by the administration. According to him, the Government likes to harp about the Opposition using its scissors on the national budget, and on that point, he claimed that it did not disclose that it had stashed some $50 billion from the 2014 budget in its preparatory stages, via the Consolidated Funds, for reasons unknown.

“Older revenue streams are not coming in to the Consolidated Fund to give us a fair grasp of how much revenue we have, how much we can spend, how much we

can disperse. The nature of the amount that we can spend is not accurately represented in this budget. We will not have a fair view of the country’s state of finances,” Ramjattan stressed.

Not yet transferred Ramjattan disclosed that several Government agencies still had monetary balances in its accounts, which should have been transferred into the Consolidated Funds for quite some time now.

“As of December 31, 2013, the Guyana Forestry Commission had in its balance, $1.034 billion; the Geology and Mines Commission, $12.025 billion; Lands and Survey, $365 million; Civil Aviation Authority, $742 million, the Central Housing and Planning authority, $2.7 billion, the Lotto Fund, $1.1

billion and NICIL some $9 billion. These were monies which should have been transferred to the Consolidated Fund, but cannot be transferred as yet,” the AFC leader lamented.

Totalling some $27. 7 billion, Ramjattan disclosed that an additional $4 billion was present in some bank accounts at the Bank of Guyana and believes these monies are going towards projects such as the Marriott Hotel’s construction since the investors and contributors to those projects are not known.

“The Auditor General had ordered that these monies be transferred. When asked why the money hasn’t been transferred, they say they are in the process of doing so. I do not understand why it takes so long for this to happen,” he related.

He said some of these

monies could have been used to raise old age pensioners’ monthly allowances to $15000, the sum the Opposition proposed.

Procurement commission

Turning to the non-establishment of a Procurement Commission, despite the many calls for one, the AFC leader disclosed that this was another way of the Government to treat taxpayers’ money unfairly.

Speaking on tax concessions being made available to foreign investors, Ramjattan told the House that the Government was giving away its revenue through the large tax exemptions and concessions, and this must stop, if the country is to progress.

He noted that the Government constantly harps about creating jobs, employment and opportunities, but yet more than 1000 persons, including skilled professionals, are migrating every month while a meagre 1000 jobs are being created each year since 2009 for the unemployed.

He accused the Government of trying to hide these figures from the public’s eyes since it is yet to publish the National Census 2013 report.

The Opposition, he said, will not be giving in easy and will demand that the Consolidated Fund's transfers be made in a transparent manner before the budget can move forward as the country does not possess a parallel treasury.

Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

thursday, april 10, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sookram left hospital after heart test – report

Amanager’s report from the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, said Guyanese national Jeetindra Sookram did undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) which showed he had a heart attack.

But when nurses were looking for him so he could be given further treatment, Sookram was nowhere to be found. Sookram, 35, died while en route to a private hospital last Thursday.

North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) Chairman, Dr Shehenaz Mohammed, who spoke to the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Guardian about the report, said she believed the genesis of the problem arose out of confusion over “the pink form”, a financialobligation statement to be signed on accessing emergency care.

She said the form

had become unnecessary and agreed with Health Minister, Dr Fuad Khan, who gave instructions that the form must no longer be presented to patients.

“The CCTV footage showed the husband was immediately taken into triage during which the wife was asked to register him so that the hospital could create a file on the patient and have the necessary data,” Mohammed said. She said the “pink form” was given to Sookram’s wife Vidya Baichu and it appeared she had difficulty in interpreting it.

“There is no audio on the footage so from what we have seen was the wife attempting to get assistance and it appeared she got frustrated and left.

Vidya Baichu

“The husband did undergo an ECG, which showed he got a heart attack and when they were looking for him he could not be located,” Mohammed said.

She said when the hos-

Ernest Elliot sworn in as APNU parliamentarian

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) veteran Ernest Elliot returned to the National Assembly on Tuesday, this time under the colours of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition.

Elliot took the oath of the National Assembly before Speaker Raphael Trotman and members of the House. He is replacing former APNU member Jaipaul Sharma who resigned from his parliamentary post last week.

The politician had served in the Ninth Parliament as Shadow Local Government Minister with responsibility for public works. He had also served on the Social Services Committee and Public Accounts Committee (PAC). He was subsequently taken off the main opposition’s constituency list as a Councillor on the Region Four Democratic Council, which he had served from 1985-2006.

In an invited comment over the weekend, Elliot told

Guyana Times that he was elated to be returning to the National Assembly. He noted that he will be joining his party’s fight to uproot corruption within Government and also press for the President to assent to the key local government bills.

His predecessor, Sharma resigned last Thursday following comments made by Education Minister Priya Manickchand referring to sexual allegations against his father Chandra Narine Sharma. During her budget debate presentation last Tuesday, APNU Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence was talking about sexually abused victims when Manickchand heckled: “Ask APNU member Sharma”.

This comment was deemed distasteful by Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, who then informed the Minister that until she apologises, she would not be allowed to speak during the debate. The Minister refused to do so, subsequently saying on

her Facebook page that if she did, then she would be betraying the victims of rape and paedophilia. “I cannot abandon them just to keep the National Assembly happy… Reprimanded I may be. Silenced, I am not,” she stated.

The following Thursday, Trotman informed the House that he had reviewed the footage from the day of the incident and had concluded that Manickchand was not referring to Sharma in any way, since he himself said that the statement was directed to his father and not him, and as such, there was no need for any apology and he lifted the ban.

APNU subsequently demanded an apology from the Minister, saying that it would not allow her to speak unless she apologises to Sharma. However, the fallout worsened after Sharma tendered his resignation the very day, saying that he did not want the situation to damage the party’s image or cause it to lose votes.

out any planning, as staff at the operational level seemed to be without guidance in terms of procedures.

Mohammed said Baichu was expected to meet with hospital officials today.

Funeral

In a hastily called press conference at Jubilee Street, Aranguez, on Tuesday, Baichu said she was expected to return to Guyana on Wednesday, to make funeral arrangements for her husband.

She said she had got assistance from the Guyanese consulate for her husband’s body to be flown back to their homeland.

She said the main reason she called the press conference was to clear her name and deny Khan’s statements that help had been offered to Sookram.

pital was turned into a public institution in 2005; it appeared it was done with-

“The things that the Minister is saying about me,

it is not so. They didn’t give me anything to fill out. The Health Minister just take one side of the story. He just listened to the hospital to hear their side. I did not get any ‘pink form’ or anything to sign,” Baichu said. Asked whether any hospital officials had since contacted her, she said she received a call on Tuesday, but said she refused to speak over the phone.

Baichu said she was willing to go to the hospital to give a statement but was unable to do so as she had several errands to do regarding arrangements for her husband’s body.

Khan has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sookram’s death. He also said pink forms were not necessary in emergency situations but were mandatory for chronic situations like cancer treatment. (Trinidad Guardian)

Guyanese victims in TT trafficking ring

Achild could be trafficked and still go home and sleep in his/her bed every night, said Adrian Alexander, President of the Caribbean Umbrella Body for Restorative Behaviour (CURB).

Alexander said there is a boom in child sex tourism in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). He revealed a side of human trafficking different from the Hollywood movie "Taken", which is closer to home. Explaining how it works, he said, “The smartphone your child has, or even the laptop the Government gave him, is the portal through which this is being done.

Organised crime

“A foreigner can stay in his home or office and (through the Internet) have a child disrobe and perform sexual acts on himself or herself, perhaps even paying for it.”

Alexander said that was linked to organised crime and told how he and CURB volunteers were threatened, followed and had their telephones monitored for their awareness campaign.

He said, “There is a boom in child porn in TT. Videos are being done by children and circulated.

“It’s not always a case of a badly behaved child. These young people could be victims of human trafficking. It’s happening in secondary and primary schools. The Education Ministry is aware there has been an increase in sexual activity among children at a young-

er age. It’s happening, it’s a reality. It’s not a figment of our imaginations.”

He said under the act, transporting a person under 18 or recruiting him/her for the purpose of making child pornography, is a crime.

Alexander spoke to the Guardian as CURB, this week, launched a smart phone mobile app to assist in the prevention of human trafficking in TT and the Caribbean. CURB was part of a Cabinetappointed multi-sectoral task force that helped shape the Trafficking in Persons Act proclaimed in January 2013. The International Organisation on Migration partnered with the Government to initiate the political action, which fell under the National Security Ministry.

The group, an umbrella body of various civil society organisations, including Vision on Mission, New Hope Prison Ministry, Transformed Life Ministry and Woman Thou Art Loosed Foundation, has embarked on a training programme for teachers and parents about this littleknown aspect of human trafficking.

An online article by PRWEB in New York on Monday reported that the free globally available anti-human trafficking mobile application empowers victims and communities to safely report cases.

There is a section directed to young people, as well as job seekers and migrants from outside TT who can be informed about the risks of

human trafficking.

“The Counter-Trafficking Unit has rescued a number of child and adult victims from sex and labour exploitation and domestic servitude. The 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report from the U.S. State Department identified TT as a source country for trafficked persons.

“TT was placed on a human trafficking watch list last year by the U.S. State Department and listed as a destination and transit country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and adults subjected to forced labour.”

Victims

The report said unconfirmed findings of the National Security Ministry states victims of trafficking between June 2009 and August 2012 were 39 per cent Venezuelan, 31 per cent Colombian, eight per cent Guyanese and 22 per cent from The Dominican Republic.

The app is titled “Trafficking in Trinbago” and educates users on the extent of human trafficking in the region and tells how to identify, prevent and report it.

The online report said the CURB team uses links, downloads and videos within the app to help users recognise signs of the crime, reasons it might occur and how, including targeted information on work permits and due diligence specific to local youth, migrants and job-seekers. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Newly-appointed APNU Parliamentarian Ernest Elliot being sworn in

Bills passed by Opposition have flaws – Nandlall

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Attorney General Minister

Anil Nandlall said that President Donald Ramotar is not obliged or robotically mandated to assent to every Bill passed by the National Assembly.

The Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2012; Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2013; Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2012 are among Opposition bills passed in the House, but rejected by the President.

As against popular belief, Minister Nandlall said President Ramotar is acting within his constitutional right as he referenced to Article 170(2) of the Constitution which said, “When a Bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.”

The act also stipulates that whenever the President withholds his assent to a bill, he should return it to the Speaker of the House in no more than 21 days, but must give a justification.

“The notion therefore, that the President is obliged, robotically, to render his assent to every bill passed by the National

Assembly is manifestly misconceived,” the AG told the House on Tuesday, one day before the curtains came down on the 2014 National Budget debates.

Infantile argument

The Legal Affairs Minister said too that the Opposition’s argument that the President and the Attorney General have no power and authority to opine that a Bill is unconstitutional is awfully infantile.

“Everyday lawyers interpret the law and the Constitution and advise their clients. Indeed, every legal system will break down and civilisation will come to a halt if every time someone needs legal advice, they are required to approach a court for its interpretation and advice.”

Justifying the President’s move to withhold his assent for the Local Government (Amendment) bill, Nandlall said at the level of the Special Select Committee, the Opposition made several deletions of clauses which were in the bill laid before the House by former Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persuad. “In most of the instances where these deletions were made; no amendments were inserted to fill the deficiencies created by the deletions,” he fur-

ther explained.

According to the Attorney General, when the bill was examined, there were vivid structural and institutional deficiencies in the architecture of the local government system.

“For example, many of the functions which the regional executive officer is to perform including oversight, approval of financial transfers to NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic

Councils) from Central Government and a whole host of other financial and executive responsibilities are the subject of a clause in the bill. This clause has been simply deleted, but nothing is substituted therefore,” Minister Nandlall told the House.

He further pointed out that the clause of the Bill, which allows for certain officers such as the environmental health officer, environmental health assistants and other public health officials to institute legal proceedings or effect prosecution in the courts in respect of violation of the law and by-laws have been deleted without proper provisions being put in place.

No substitute

Again there is no substitute. So a whole regime of by-laws and municipal related laws cannot be enforced by way of the legal process.

“Another set of amendments of the bill, laid by the Minister, relate to simply transferring executive powers from the Minister to the Local Government Commission by simply cutting out the word “Minister” and pasting in its stead, the word “Commission” without appreciating the impact that it will have

on the Constitution. The effect is you have a transferral of executive power from the executive Minister to a non-executive Local Government Commission,” the Minister argued.

He said the Commission is not an executive agency, but a constitutional autonomous body, pointing out that the powers of the Commission are set in Article 78A of the Constitution. The Constitution says “Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the Commission to deal with it as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.”

Under the Constitution, the Commission is mandated to regulate and monitor local government organs and dispute resolution within and between those bodies. Hence, the regimes of functions which have been taken from the Minister and given to the Local Government Commission are ultra vires of Article 78A of the Constitution, Minister Nandlall argued. “How can the President assent to such travesty?” he asked. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Differently-able representative feels slighted by budget

BY GOMATIE GANGADIN

National Federation for Disabled People

Chairperson Laurie Greenidge has criticised the lack of opportunities for differently-able people, saying that they still face discrimination.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Greenidge said these persons continue to face an uphill task.

“For many of us, living with a disability is a nightmare. We cannot imagine life without our sight, our hearing, our ability to walk or talk. But while we cannot envisage spending our lives without these vital functions, hundreds of persons in Guyana face these said challenges on a daily basis and never seem to complain.

“Guyana does not have adequate mechanisms in place to respond to the needs of these people, who often are victims of stigma and discrimination. Many people with disabilities are poor and have fewer opportunities to improve their financial situations and in blatant disregard as described by persons, the Government excluded them from the National Budget,” Greenidge said.

He told this publication that the Government seemed to have abandoned persons living with disabilities, as they have not only excluded them from the National Budget, but currently offers them a meagre assistance.

Currently, persons liv-

ing with disabilities are paid $5900 in public assistance; a sum Greenidge said is grossly inadequate, given the current cost of living.

“The pension you getting is so inadequate already and to assist us, they could have offered us a $15,000 pension as was proposed by the Opposition; it would have been good. You have to eat, pay bills, purchase specialised equipment according to your disability, pay taxis to transport you from one place to another and sometimes you have to even make repairs to your home because the Government does not offer any housing arrangement. So tell me then what can $600 do for you?” the man questioned.

Lack of transportation

Greenidge lamented the lack of transportation for disabled persons despite the fact that the Human Services and Social Security Ministry had promised them vehicles for transportation.

To this day, however, nothing has been done while they have to face insults and abuse on a daily basis when utilising public transportation.

“When you go out on that road to take a bus, they don’t want to pick you up. They holler on you, spit on you, tell you things like ‘You know you handicapped, so what you doing on the road’, ‘Where you going and you can’t walk’ and all manner of things and you have to end up taking a taxi to go

where you have to go. And you know taxi isn’t cheap,” the man complained.

He spoke too of the numerous buildings, both private and public which are being constructed with no consideration for disabled persons, particularly those who require the use of wheel chairs.

“We go to many places including the post office and they don’t even have ramps for you as a wheel chair user to utilise. It’s like we aren’t in anybody’s mind when construction is taking place. Nobody seems to care about us,” the visually-impaired man told this publication.

The David Rose School for the Handicapped shared similar sentiments as Greenidge on the matter, albeit on different issues, particularly those which are affecting students of the school.

A teacher at the school, who identified herself as Teacher Bishop, told this publication that it was a very sad day for the school when they learnt that there was no provision for the school or disabled persons in the 2014 National Budget.

She related that the teachers and students were very disappointed, not only because of the fact that there was no provision for them in the national budget, but of the fact that since the school came into existence, nothing has been done for them.

“It is indeed sad to know that the Government has no interest in our children who are living with disabilities. There is no curriculum for the school for teachers to work with to teach our kids. They have nothing in place to have our chil-

dren write neither the grade two, four or six assessment nor the CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Certificate] exams. There are no facilities, no graduation, nothing for these children. As of right now, they are being treated as outcasts and it’s just sad,” the educator noted.

The teacher told Guyana Times that every year, workshops are held for the teachers in the regular schools, but the teachers of the special schools are neglected and left to fend for themselves.

“The children here aren’t being taught anything substantial really. Its mainly recreational activities like dancing, playing tennis, etc. There are no transportation systems to bring these children to school or take them home. And if anything happens to our teachers, say one of the kids gets hyper active and knocks down a teacher and she is injured, the risk allowance is only $1000. What can that do when a consultation fee is $3000 at a private hospital?” the woman queried.

Absence of ramps

The teacher, like Greenidge noted that she is displeased with the absence of ramps and accessible facilities for disabled persons in private and public places. On this note, she stated that children of the school cannot be taken on tours and public places for visits.

When contacted, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster

noted that the responsibility of disabled persons did not fall under her Ministry, but the Health Ministry. However, she did disclose that her Ministry assists persons by giving them a public assistance of $5900. When asked how this was useful given the current cost of living, she said the sum was based on Government’s affordability to meet every body’s needs and is only meant to be a small subsidy to assist them to some extent. She further noted that in terms of transportation woes, her Ministry has been making contributions to several disabled persons organisations in Regions Five and Six for these persons to benefit from cheap transportation. The Minister said she has received no complaint from the other regions.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster

National Federation for Disabled People Chairperson Laurie Greenidge

Venezuela formal talks to go ahead St Lucia eyes economic citizenship programme

The Venezuelan Government and a coalition of Opposition parties have agreed to enter into “formal talks” to end weeks of anti-government protests.

At least 39 people, both opponents and supporters of the Government, have died in protest-related violence.

Venezuelan Vice President Jorge Arreaza said the two sides had agreed to hold talks “in public”.

The Opposition coalition had demanded that any negotiations be broadcast live on television and radio.

Following preliminary talks on Tuesday, the Opposition Democratic Unity coalition (MUD) and the Government said they would meet more formally under the mediation of representatives from the Vatican and regional body UNASUR.

New anti-terrorism unit formed in TT

Anew National Security Special Operations Group (NSSOG) will be geared to deal with special major issues that may occur, including terrorism activities, hostage negotiation or gang warfare, National Security Minister Gary Griffith said.

He detailed the work of the “Special Ops” team, which is not yet operational, as he replied to Opposition questions from PNM senator Faris Al-Rawi in Tuesday’s Senate sitting. After lengthy explanations by Griffith on the team, Al-Rawi said: “Congratulations on a very excellent initiative.”

Griffith said the NSSOG was a tactical unit geared for special initiatives.

The team will comprise several arms of the law enforcement agencies: personnel from the Coast Guard, police, prisons, immigration, customs and the army. It was approved by the National Security Council and Cabinet, he said. Griffith added: “It’s a highly-trained elite unit. This (type of) unit is seen worldwide, when you have specially trained and prepared personnel for the frontlines, something you did not have in 1990.”

He said the unit would address deficiencies that oc-

Jamaica: Ganja solution to springboard small businesses

The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) said the decriminalisation of marijuana for personal use could boost the country’s economy and provide a number of opportunities for businesses.

“Jamaica is driven by small businesses – small entrepreneurs, creative thinkers and doers – and this is an opportunity for the small business person to work in a different way,” said Dee Kyne, social entrepreneur and co-CEO of the SBAJ.

Kyne, who was addressing this week’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange, said the association would be irresponsible if it did not take seriously the possibilities should Jamaica decriminalise marijuana for personal use.

“If Jamaica drags its feet we will lose this moment in history,” she warned.

“... do we know how many persons across the island get their children to school and feed families with the use

of ganja, who now have to sell ganja illegally? So, there [will now be] an opportunity to legitimise and to put into a framework an authentic, well-managed business opportunity for this island on Jamaican terms,” she said, noting that this is an opportunity that Jamaica should not miss if it wants to move ahead economically.

According to Kyne, when the door is opened, marijuana and all the products associated with it will join a long list of ‘healing products’ already on the Jamaican market.

“We have hundreds of ‘healers’ like soursop, noni, merengue, leaf of life and all these things which are traditionally used, but do not grow anywhere else in the world,” Kyne emphasised.

She said there is now an opportunity for people without a university education, but who are highly intelligent, to start their own businesses. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

President Nicolas Maduro said the talks had been tentatively scheduled for Thursday.

“We spoke frankly, directly and respectfully. There were moments of tension, but we agreed to start a cycle of meetings,” the President said.

But he ruled out any changes to the course of what he calls the Bolivarian revolution, the distinct brand of socialism created by his predecessor in office, Hugo Chávez.

“This is not a negotiation, nor a deal with anyone. What we will have is a debate, a dialogue, which is different. Neither will we try and convert them [the Opposition] to Bolivarian socialism, nor will they convert us to capitalism,” he said.

MUD Executive Secretary Ramon Guillermo Aveledo said a Vatican representative would act as a mediator “to help us in this difficult path”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

curred in 1990 when the police and army focused on different areas. The Minister was referring the attempted coup by the Jamaat al Muslimeen in July 1990. Griffith added: “We are not speaking of the Special Forces or Special Branch but this is a highly-trained group that can make clinical penetration if and when required and be prepared for any type of eventuality that might occur, including hostage negotiations, terrorism activities or gang warfare.

“This isn’t a clandestine or covert unit. It isn’t a Flying Squad. It’s very open and transparent,” he added.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Tobago Guardian)

Another Caribbean nation is giving consideration to an economic citizenship programme. Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony said the introduction of a citizenship by investment programme would be an effort to boost inward investment.

Describing the current economic climate as “severe, debilitating and oppressive”, Dr Anthony, who is preparing to present the 2014/15 national budget, said Saint Lucia may well have to look at initiatives that it once “frowned upon”.

“This is a difficult environment perhaps calling for different responses,” he said.

“I think we cannot close our eyes because it’s an option we may have to consider and in so doing we may

have to look at the experiences of other countries,” Dr Anthony told reporters. He said Saint Lucia as a country has “huge problems on our hands”, stating that what was rejected previously will now have to be re-examined.

The news that Saint Lucia is considering an economic citizenship programme, which grants citizenship to individuals who invest money in a country’s development, prompted a vigorous response from Therold Prudent, the leader of the Lucian People’s Movement (LPM).

“The decision of the Government of Saint Lucia to entertain the idea of economic citizenship is another glaring example of how desperate it has become for foreign money,” Prudent said. (Except from Caribbean360)

Former TT President ANR Robinson dies

FSt Clair Medical Hospital, where he had been a patient since March 8. Robinson, who was shot in the leg and beaten during the attempt by members of the radical Jamaat Al Muslimeen group to overthrow his Government in July 1990, had been confined to a wheel chair for several years.

In 2010, he suffered a convulsive seizure, fainting during a funeral, and had to be admitted to St Clair Medical for observation.

Robinson is the only person to serve as TT Prime Minister (1986-1991) and President (1997-2003). (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Insect-borne diseases pose threat to Caribbean

The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) has warned that about 50 per cent of people living in the Americas, including the Caribbean, are at risk of one or more diseases carried by insects.

The Washington-based PAHO said these insects include mosquitoes, ticks, flies and other vectors which carry diseases such as the West

Nile virus, dengue, malaria and most recently chikungunya. In a “call to action” for World Health Day 2014, top health experts from North and South America and the Caribbean urged greater efforts by governments, communities and individuals to control the spread of these and other vector-borne diseases.

“Our region has achieved many successes in controlling vector-borne diseases,” said PAHO Director, Dr Carissa F Etienne.

“However, this success is being threatened by the expansion of mosquitoes and other vectors into new habitats and by the emergence of insecticide and drug resistance,” she added.

Etienne said PAHO and its

partners are, therefore, calling for “stepped-up” action in the fight against vector-borne diseases in the Americas.

“We as a world are in some ways more vulnerable than ever,” said Dr Tom Frieden, Director of the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

The most recent vectorborne disease to establish itself in the Americas is chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease that first appeared in Tanzania in the 1950s.

In December 2013, two cases of locally acquired chikungunya were reported on the island of St Maarten.

By the end of March 2014, more than 3000 cases had been confirmed in 10 Caribbean countries, PAHO said.

PAHO has called on governments, communities, individuals and donors to take action toward further progress and to face future threats from vector-borne diseases. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

There have been daily clashes between the security forces and protesters in some parts of Caracas

ormer President ANR Robinson died Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was

87. Robinson, a former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, died at the private

Former President ANR Robinson

PAHO warns that about 50 per cent of people living in the Americas, including the Caribbean, are now at risk of one or more diseases carried by insects

Mass stabbing at U.S. high school Ukraine warns proRussian separatists

As many as 20 stu-

dents have been injured in a mass stabbing at a high school in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, authorities have said.

A 16-year-old student was taken into custody at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, a suburb of Pittsburgh, police said.

The wounded, many with significant injuries, were as young as 14. Several were in surgery in hospital.

As many as seven stu-

dents were stabbed in the torso, a doctor told reporters.

Eight patients were transported to nearby Forbes Regional Hospital, three of whom had suffered severe injuries.

Two of those patients were in critical condition, while up to four were expected to recover from superficial wounds, Dr Mark Rubino told reporters.

The initial report of the attack came before 08:00h local time (12:00h GMT) on Wednesday morning.

“A critical incident has occurred at the high school,” school officials wrote in a bulletin. “All elementary schools are cancelled, the middle school and high school students are secure.”

The panicked students poured out of the school building, some suffering injuries in the chaos, as police descended in search of the suspected attacker.

Among the injured was a security guard, Murrysville Police Chief Thomas Seefeld said.

Morris Hundley told CBS television his “frantic” 14-year-old daughter Morriah called him to say a friend of hers had been stabbed at the school in Murrysville.

“I would never expect this to happen,” he said, adding that he had believed the community to be safe.

The suspect, a male student, is said to have used two knives in the attack.

He has been taken into custody for questioning. (BBC News)

Woman killed boyfriend with stiletto

Awoman was found guilty of murder Tuesday for repeatedly stabbing a Texas college professor with the heel of her stiletto.

Ana Trujillo showed little emotion as the verdict was announced. She now faces up to life in prison for the June 2013 death of her boyfriend, Alf Stefan Andersson, CNN affiliate KPRC reported.

The affiliate said Trujillo stabbed Andersson more than 25 times.

The defence argued that prosecutors had failed to show motive and that Trujillo was a victim of domestic violence, KPRC said. Prosecutors reportedly told jurors that she made up the story that she had acted in self-defence.

According to CNN affiliate KTRK, when po-

lice arrived at Andersson’s apartment, Trujillo, who had recently worked as a massage therapist, answered the door with blood on her clothes and hands; Andersson was lying in the hallway face up, with a stiletto by his head, KTRK reported, citing court records.

Trujillo had recently moved in with Andersson, and she told investigators that he grabbed her, and a struggle followed, said KTRK.

Andersson was a fulltime research professor at the University of Houston’s Centre for Nuclear Receptor and Cell Signalling.

In a statement last year, the school said it was “saddened to learn of the tragic death of Professor Stefan Andersson. Our hearts go out to his colleagues, family and friends during this difficult time.” (CNN)

New ping signals spark confidence in jet search

Australian officials said on Wednesday two new “ping” signals had been detected in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, boosting confidence after more than a month of fruitless searching for the missing jetliner.

The signals, which could be from the plane’s black box recorders, bring to four the number of overall “pings” detected in recent days within the search area by a U.S. Navy “Towed Pinger Locator”(TPL).

Angus Houston, head of the Australian agency coor-

dinating the search, struck an optimistic tone when announcing the information, but urged caution as the task of searching the remote Indian Ocean region remained enormous.

“I believe we are searching in the right area but we need to visually identify aircraft wreckage before we can confirm with certainty that this is the final resting place of MH370,” Houston told reporters in the western Australian city of Perth.

“I’m now optimistic that we will find the aircraft, or what is left of the aircraft,

in the not too distant future.”

The black boxes record cockpit data and may provide answers about what happened to the plane, which was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew when it vanished on March 8 and flew thousands of kilometers off its Kuala Lumpurto-Beijing route.

But the batteries in the beacons have already reached the end of their 30-day expected life, making efforts to swiftly locate them all the more critical.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukrainian authorities have warned they are prepared to use force to clear several Government buildings seized by pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.

Wednesday’s warning came as protesters continued to occupy the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service in the eastern city of Luhansk.

Hundreds of supporters camped outside and shouting “Putin! Putin!” in support of the Russian President, the Associated

Press news agency reported.

Arsen Avakov, the Ukrainian Interior Minister, said the standoff in Luhansk and the two neighbouring Russian-leaning regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv must be resolved within the next two days.

“I want to repeat that there are two options: political settlement through negotiations and the use of force,” Avakov told reporters. “We are ready for both options.”

Avakov was speaking as anti-Government protesters in Luhansk erected high barricades along

a thoroughfare running in front of the security service premises.

The Security Service had earlier said that the separatists inside the building, armed with explosives and other weapons, allowed 56 hostages to leave the building during the night.

A spokeswoman said there were no other hostages.

But Tetyana Pohukay, a regional police spokeswoman, disputed that statement, saying there had never been any hostages inside, according to the Interfax news agency. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India: Young professionals in Bangalore favour Modi

As far as Vinod Hegde is concerned, Indian Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi bears no responsibility for the 2002 Gujarat riots. More to the point, Hegde does not care.

Hegde, a 26-year-old stockbroker in Bangalore, said that for people like him, the Gujarat Chief Minister is the only choice to lead India after countrywide parliamentary elections that began this week.

Allegations that Modi failed to stop or even allowed

deadly riots in 2002 do not sway his vote, Hegde said.

And if the ruling Congress party’s candidate is Rahul Gandhi, the choice becomes even clearer.

“Even assuming Modi has been responsible for XYZ, we don’t see an alternative,” Hegde said.

Referencing a Twitter post by Music Director Vishal Dadlani, he said, “If I had to choose between a moron and a murderer, I’d probably choose the murderer.”

Not everyone states their case for supporting

Modi in such blunt terms, but interviews with young professionals in Bangalore, the information technology hub known as India’s Silicon Valley reveals a calculation in favour of Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that omits the riots from the equation.

For many people in Bangalore’s highly educated workforce, Modi is a welcome alternative to what is seen as an ineffective and corruption-tainted Congress party. (Excerpt from Reuters)

One official said some students suffered “significant injuries”

Pro-Russian separatists took control of Government buildings in Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine

Woman guilty in stiletto stabbing case

BJP Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi addressing a recent rally

UN mediator of Guyana/ Venezuela border row dies

United Nations (UN) Special Representative in the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute Professor Norman Girvan has died. He was 72. Girvan, who earlier this year suffered a serious fall while in The Dominican Republic, died in Cuba on Wednesday.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque in a statement said he received the news of Girvan’s death with great sadness.

“Girvan’s ideas and ideals placed him in the upper echelons of Caribbean intellectuals,” LaRocque said. He said Professor Girvan’s life’s work was underlined by unremitting dedication to a vision of an integrated Caribbean.

“His service as main author of Towards a Single Development Vision and the Role of the Single Economy,

leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) in Trinidad and Tobago David Abdulah, a close friend of the eminent Professor had told the T&T Guardian.

On January 9, two days after Girvan’s fall, Abdulah posted about the incident on his Facebook page. He wrote that Girvan “had to be airlifted to Martinique and is due to undergo surgery. His situation is serious.”

Abdulah would not confirm whether Girvan was in Trinidad and reiterated that his family wished for privacy. A political economist and Professor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Girvan is a former Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

The Jamaican-born Girvan, 72, had lived in

have been left stateless.

The court ruling cannot be appealed. In December 2013, Girvan co-signed a letter to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on behalf of the International Relations

a visionary document to guide the development” of Caricom, was a prime example of the commitment that Professor Girvan had to his region,” LaRocque said.

He added: “I extend sincere condolences to his wife and family and to the Government and people of Jamaica on the loss of a true Caribbean icon.”

Professor Girvan had suffered a serious fall while he was in The Dominican Republic earlier in January,

Trinidad. He was in The Dominican Republic in light of turmoil over a new law expelling people born in the country, who have Haitian heritage.

On September 23, The Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court stripped citizenship from over 210,000 Haitians born in the country after 1929. Since then, hundreds of undocumented Haitians continue to face arrests and expulsion from the country, and

Institute (IIR) at UWI, saying the new law had the potential to denationalise hundreds of thousands of people. Girvan has been an advocate against the law, contending that the mass expulsion should stop.

Until recently, he was Professorial Research Fellow at the UWI Graduate Institute of International Relations. In 2010, he was appointed United Nations Secretary General’s Personal Representative

on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy. In 2002-2011, he was a Board Member of the South Centre and served as Vice Chairman from 2006 to 2011. Since 2009, he has been a member of the United Nations Committee on Development Policy. He has been Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, Professor of Development Studies and Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies at the University of the West Indies, and head of the National Planning Agency of the Government of Jamaica.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at the University College of the West Indies and his PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics. He has published extensively on the political economy of development in the Caribbean and the Global South.

He is the recipient of several honours and awards. Regarding his role in the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, the UN had said that he would assist the two countries in resolving the long-standing issue.

His appointment was a response to a request from the parties to resume the Secretary General’s good offices, which were suspended in 2007 due to the death of the Secretary General’s last Personal Representative Oliver Jackman.

Murders, gun robberies on the rise – police

Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

There have been more than 37 murders for the year so far, the Guyana Police Force reported on Wednesday.

The figure also represented a 37 per cent increase in the number of murders for 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013.

Thus far in the year, there were 37 murders across the country compared to 27 for the corresponding period last year.

The first murder for 2014 saw Paul Scotland of Mahaica squatting area killing his common-law wife Malaika Adams of Dazzell Housing Scheme.

In the most recent case, Rajendra Singh, 40, on Thursday morning was found with a gunshot wound to the head with other marks of violence about the body.

Singh was kidnapped last Sunday and a ransom of $50 million was demanded for his safe return.

The police said reports of robberies with the use of guns have spiked by 38 per cent for the first quarter of 2014.

From the 37 murder cases, fived were of the disorderly type, seven were committed during armed robberies, one was execution-style killing, 10 from domestic feuds

while the cause of 14 are yet to be known.

Thus far, there have been 195 robbery under arms, while in 2013, during the same period, the number was significantly less.

From a holistic standpoint, robbery increased by 21 per cent, with 285 reported occurrences in comparison to 235 for the same period in 2013.

The police said there was a four per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

With regards to traffic incidents, the data was the same in comparison to last year with 28 fatalities from 26 reported vehicular accidents. On a lighter note, it was related that there was an overall three per cent decrease in the number of serious crimes across the board.

An overall decrease of three per cent in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of March 2014, according to the Guyana Police Force.

The total number of reports of serious crimes between January 1 and March 31, was 923 compared to 949 for the corresponding period last year.

Port Kaituma businessmen robbed on river

Two Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD) businessmen were on Tuesday attacked and robbed by two armed men at the mouth of the Waini River.

The businessmen Itram Narine, 46, and Khemraj, 45, of Port Kaituma were robbed of $US15,800 and their four outboard motor engines before escaping.

According to information received, the men were in the vicinity of the Waini River when they came under attack by the gunmen in another boat.

The men were then

thrown overboard and left adrift, but eventually managed to reach ashore at Morawhanna, NWD on Tuesday evening.

Guyana Times understands that the police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Statements were taken from Narine and Khemraj and were sent to the medical facility in the area to be examined.

In September 2013, two fishing boats were attacked by pirates off Shell Beach, Waini Coast, NWD in the dangerous Iron Punt area.

The five-man crew came

under attack by a group of men with guns while they were on the high seas.

It was reported that the four armed pirates ordered the crew members to lie face down on the floor of the boat after which three of them entered the vessel and attempted to take off a 48 HP Yamaha outboard engine.

The pirates had ordered the crew to go into their small boat and took away a GPS, compass and five drums with gasoline, along with the catch, fish glue and dried snapper fish worth some $1 million.

Professor Norman Girvan and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shake hands following Girvansappointment as UN Good Officer for the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

On January 24, 2012, Professor Norman Girvan paid a visit to President Donald Ramotar and other officials at the Office of the President. In this photo, Girvan greets President Ramotar. Looking on are Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran

House clears $6B for sugar industry

By Vahnu Manikchand

After intense grilling by the combined parliamentary Opposition, the $6 billion subvention for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was approved by both sides on Wednesday evening as the National Assembly commenced consideration of the $220 billion 2014 Budget Estimates.

In addition, the House approved the entire Agriculture Ministry’s budget, but not before scrutinising the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). Allocations to other agencies under the Ministry were also approved. These include the Guyana School of Agriculture, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Guyana Rice Development Board, Guyana Marketing Corporation, and Hope Coconut Estate.

Focusing on the troubled GuySuCo, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Vice Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, opened the floor, questioning Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy about the reconstruction of the GuySuCo Board of Directors and the criteria used to appoint the new members, as he believes there needs to be “serious reforms” within the industry at all levels of management.

“We would like, really, some cast iron assurances about the industry… we want to be reassured, in relation to this $6 billion subsidy, that we are presented here in the National Assembly with a credible programme for resuscitation and revitalisation of the industry,” he stated.

New board

In response, Minister Ramsammy pointed out that the new board is currently being appointed with the aim of having it functional by July 1. He noted that there have been several recommendations for members, and President Donald Ramotar is currently engaged in talks with those persons recommended. The Minister assured the Opposition that Government was looking for persons who have the necessary knowledge and experience to resuscitate the drowning sugar industry.

“We are looking for persons who will bring experience to the industry and experience in business and marketing, people with experience in agrono-

The La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara man (ECD) who set himself alight in front of his reputed wife died Wednesday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Twenty eight-year-old Seelanauth “Seeyo” Persaud of Lot 39 Third Street, LBI Housing Scheme succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the Burns Care Unit of the GPH.

The man’s sister, Sharmila, had told this

my, people with experience in mechanisation; these are the issues that we have to face,” the Agriculture Minister said.

On the topic of mechanisation, Ramsammy highlighted that this process will not be displacing any jobs, adding instead that the labour pool will complement the process allowing the industry to meet its 2014 target.

Alliance For Change (AFC) members also grilled the Agriculture Minister. Party Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, along with Dr Veerasammy Ramayya and Moses Nagamootoo, questioned the gravity of the failure of the Skeldon Estate and Factory. Nagamootoo explained that every time the Government goes to the National Assembly for money, it is being granted; however, that does not stop them from saying that the Opposition is killing the industry.

“What I am asking the Honourable Minister is to tell us what extent this industry is ailing and how much it owes, because we cannot be accused of committing ethnic cleansing of Indian workers, while we are supplying money to the sugar industry to help those workers. We are concerned about those workers and their welfare that is why we give the bailouts, but we don’t know how deep the trouble is,” Nagamootoo stated.

Dr Roopnaraine highlighted that of $9,755,000,009 of total Ministry expenditure, 95.16 per cent is apparently plugged into the sugar sector and other areas, while less than five per cent went to the routine

newspaper that she was in the upstairs apartment with her son cleaning when she heard her “sister-inlaw” screaming. “When we look out, we see the smoke coming from the downstairs so I send my son to call my other brother that live at the back and he come kick down the door,” the woman recalled. She noted that when the door was opened, her brother came out and his whole body was on fire. “He clothes burn out and

Courts, Scotiabank join Habitat in helping abused victim

Scotiabank, Habitat for Humanity Guyana (Habitat Guyana), and Courts on Wednesday announced a tri-corporate partnership to assist in repairs to the home of recent domestic violence abuse victim, Tamika Miller-Patterson.

operation of the Ministry. In response, Dr Ramsammy explained that his Ministry was responsible for several sectors such as crops and livestock and over the years, attendant agencies were developed under the Ministry.

The APNU Vice Chairman also questioned the Minister about the 30 per cent increase in the administrative costs within the Ministry, to which Dr Ramsammy explained that the additional money is as a result of more staffed being employed. He noted that a secretary general and an accountant were hired.

Dr Roopnaraine further enquired about a $100 million allocation, of which 86.2 per cent was directed to cover the employment cost for contracted employees. The Minister said this was because of additional salaries incurred by the Ministry for graduated scholarship students who were assigned there.

The Agriculture Minister disclosed to the House that of the $6 billion allocated for sugar, $1.1 billion will be directed towards mechanisation and cane production each, while $2 billion will go towards factory upgrades and the remaining funds will be used to purchase equipment and improving the field infrastructure, which includes the transportation of cane from the fields to the factory.

The Minister was also questioned about the NDIA, particularly with emphasis on the acquisition of equipment, construction of sluices, and even the finances for this agency.

skin was getting burning now,” she stated. She said they put out the fire and immediately rushed him to the hospital.

According to Sharmila, her brother and his spouse had a misunderstanding earlier in the day. However, they had apparently made up. The woman said that she cannot speculate what transpired in the room since her “sister-in-law” is claiming that she does not know how her spouse became ignited.

Patterson, who is a mother of one, was recently stabbed over two dozen times by her now dead husband. Her home, located on the West Coast Demerara, is in dire need of repairs.

The organisations are partnering to repair the floors and kitchen cupboards of the home, in addition to constructing a sanitary block. Scotiabank and Courts will finance the repairs, while Habitat Guyana will provide the technical skills to execute the repairs.

Additionally, Soctiabank has assisted the family with counselling for Patterson’s daughter, through a relationship with ChildLinK, and has also provided financial support for the child’s travelling expenses to and from school on the West Coast.

Patterson is presently residing with an aunt in Georgetown until the home repairs are completed. The bank’s support for

the Patterson family is being done through the Scotiabank Global Bright Future Programme.

Speaking to media operatives after she received donations from Courts, Scotiabank and Habitat, an emotional Patterson thanked God and also all the persons who are coming to her assistance.

Thrilled

She continued by saying that she had hoped that her daughter would be present at the handing over ceremony, because her daughter is a much better speaker than her.

Patterson highlighted that she was living in an abusive relationship for the last five years and was looking for a way out and was very happy that she and her daughter were free from such a terrible situation.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting communities, both in Canada and abroad, through its global philanthropic programme, “Bright Future”. It is recognised as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and generous activities.

Habitat for Humanity began its work since 1994 fol-

lowing an invitation from then President, Dr Cheddi Jagan; Habitat for Humanity Guyana was officially registered in Guyana in 1995. Since then the organisation has supported over 3000 families within the country’s 10 administrative regions, through partnerships with affiliates, home partners, volunteers and sponsors to build simple, decent affordable housing for low-income earners. Also, the organisation has undertaken home repairs, rehabilitation works, and assisted in accessing secure tenure.

Meanwhile, Courts Guyana Inc for the past 20 years has been the leading furniture and appliance store in Guyana. Courts has made the acquisition of quality and brand name furniture and appliances possible for many Guyanese through hire purchase facilities and great prices.

It is pleased that it is still here after all these years, offering great service and products and thanked the Guyanese public for their unwavering support and commitment to Courts, which has now become a household brand.

OAS promotes cooperation with UN Special Rapporteur on right to peaceful assembly

Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, on Tuesday had an exchange with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Maina Kiai, about the importance of preserving this right. They also discussed helping countries in the region promote freedom of association as an essential part of the full enjoyment of the civil and political rights of citizens.

The meeting, which was attended by representatives of member countries and by the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) as well as by the Chair of the Permanent Council and Representative of St Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin, analysed the objectives and mandates that both the OAS and the UN have received in relation to freedom of peaceful assembly and associa-

tion and discussed the need to continue strengthening ties between the two institutions, especially in coordination with the IACHR.

The meeting was also an opportunity to assess the state of the countries of the Americas regarding the promotion and protection of the rights of association, and past and future cases that have drawn the attention of the UN Special Rapporteur.

Right of association

Likewise, authorities recalled that at the OAS General Assembly held in San Salvador in June 2011, the highest authorities of the Organisation adopted Resolution 2680 “Promotion of the Rights to Freedom of Assembly and of Association in the Americas” which recognises the importance of the participation of civil society and other stakeholders in consolidating democracy in all member states and how they can contribute to the work of the agencies of

the Inter-American system.

For his part, Secretary General Insulza said that overall the region has made progress on the issue of protection of the rights of association, and recalled that the OAS is one of the international entities that provide greater opportunities for participation of civil society. “This demonstrates the value we place on civil society organisations and the inclusion of their voices in the decisions and policies of the Organisation,” he said. Both the Chair of the Permanent Council and the representatives of the member states present at the meeting agreed on the importance of convening, in the coming months, a special meeting of the Permanent Council to exchange experiences, views, and best practices that serve to promote the right to freedom of assembly and of association, as dictated by the Resolution of the 2011 OAS General Assembly in El Salvador.

Tamika Miller-Patterson receiving her cheque from a Courts Guyana representative

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy flanked by officials of his ministry, answers questions posed by the Opposition

SUDOKU

An elderly relative may be a burden. Look over your budget and see where you can make beneficial adjustments. Contracts, investments or legal matters should be dealt with now.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

The time is right for love. Take things slow and easy. You may be feeling romantic, but don’t come on too strong, or your special someone may take off in the other direction.

If you have ideas for improvement at your workplace, speak up. Even if your suggestions are not acted upon, you will gain respect and credit for making the offer.

Your emotions are on a rollercoaster ride, with you tearful one moment and cheerful the next. Don’t let this instability lead to an impulsive decision that can influence a contract or promise.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Don’t waste time gossiping or sharing personal stories when you should be working. You’ll be criticized if you don’t finish what you start with efficiency and dispatch.

(March 21-April 19)

Gather together with friends who share your passion and vision. You can mix business and pleasure while collaborating on a new venture. Your final result could prove very lucrative.

(April 20-May 20)

Take a backseat and relax for a change. Let others make decisions. Pick your battles and don’t let a difference of opinion turn into a major problem. Strive for equality.

(May 21June 20)

Your home and work environment will be filled with tension if you gossip or get involved in other people’s business. Stick to your chores and stay out of trouble.

Don’t reveal too many details about what you are up to. A colleague may be trying to get ahead at your expense. Someone who seems overly enthusiastic could have an ulterior motive.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Keep an open mind today. A casual remark from an old friend will give new spark to your creativity. A trip to an unfamiliar location will result in a rewarding partnership.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You don’t appreciate being scrutinised, so don’t question what others are up to. Be trusting. Your relationship with friends, peers and partners will suffer if you display jealousy.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Take a break from your usual schedule. Get out into the fresh air with friends or loved ones. A brief jaunt to a nearby park or nature trail will get your juices flowing.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

By Rajiv Bisnauth

TLimacol CPL timing great for Beaton’s career

– ‘It will be good to rub shoulders with so many international stars’

the Limacol CPL, and thinks it is a great prospect for his personal development.

and New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill, being the other two international stars.

Limacol CPL has brought him another step closer to fulfilling his life-long dream.

The 21-year-old Central Essequibo pacer, who had pulled out from last year’s edition because of injury, has joined the aggressive New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson; Trinidad and Tobago fast-bowling all-rounder Navin Stewart; opening batsman Robin Bacchus; and middle-order batsman Leon Johnson, as the newcomers in the 15-member squad selected by the franchise at last Thursday’s draft in Jamaica.

During an exclusive interview on Wednesday from the Windjammer Hotel, Beaton says he’s definitely looking forward to

alented Guyana and West Indies ‘A’ team fast bowler, Ronsford Beaton, labelled his inclusion in the second edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League as great timing for his promising career. Beaton, who hails from the Village of Reliance on the Essequibo Coast, will be turning out for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and is among five newcomers in the Warriors’ line-up.

“It is definitely an advantage to be working with someone like Roger Harper and Curtly Ambrose; and with so many international players in the dressing room, the only thing you can do is learn, so I am really looking forward to that opportunity.

“Definitely, I want to perform to the best of my ability and come out with a good economy rate and at the same time give the regional selectors something to work with,” Beaton explained.

The Guyana franchise will be coached by former West Indies offspinner Roger Harper, with former West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose as his assistant.

The Warriors will boast a strong team with the likes of New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who is the Guyana franchise international star; Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez;

They will be joined by an array of regional stars including Trinidad and Tobago’s Navin Stewart, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, West Indies franchise player Sunil Narine and Jamaican’s Krishmar Santokie.

The other players selected in the Guyana franchise are Guyanese Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Robin Bacchus and Trevon Griffith.

Beaton says he believes the Warriors possess the ability to go all the way in the tournament.

“I think we have a very good chance of winning this time around. We have a balanced side and I am just looking forward to really interacting with the other international guys and enjoying the cricket,” said Beaton.

Beaton has always aspired to be a professional cricketer and the

“From the time I knew myself I always wanted to play cricket. I want to play international cricket for the West Indies and become a very successful international cricketer,” he said. “It depends on how destiny goes. Sometimes you just don’t know. I will just continue to work hard, enjoy my cricket and take it step by step.”

Apart from the 15 players chosen by the six franchises at Thursday’s draft, four Under-19 players will be added to the squads and will be chosen by the respective territorial boards.

The Limacol CPL will be hosted during July-August with Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs set to defend their title against lastyear’s runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

“Atwell has what it takes to be world champion” – says veteran trainer Maurice ‛Bizzy’ Boyce

By Avenash Ramzan

eteran trainer

VMaurice 'Bizzy' Boyce is standing in Clive 'The Punisher' Atwell’s ‘corner’ for next month’s world title fight against Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez, declaring that the Guyanese is more than capable of wresting the WBC Featherwight belt from his opponent.

Gonzalez, 32, is the current holder of the title, and Atwell, 25, has been pitted against him on May 24 in Mexico City. The fight was sealed by Atwell’s camp, Dog Pound, on Monday, thereby affording the Guyanese a golden opportunity of becoming the country’s next world champion.

Boyce, a trainer with over 40 years experience, believes the young Atwell has the ability to overcome Gonzalez, who has a tremendous record.

“Atwell has the charisma and determination and he also has a good team. Atwell has what it takes to be world champion,” Boyce told this publication on Wednesday during an invited comment.

Based on their records and experience however, one would definitely be tempted to give Gonzalez the favourite tag, along with the fact that he will have home crowd support.

The Mexican is vastly experienced with a total of 63 fights, 55 of which he has won with 47 knockouts and eight defeats. Atwell, by comparision, is now building what has been a fantastic career to date, with 12

wins (seven knockouts) and a draw from 13 trips to the ‘square jungle.’

But as far as Boyce is concerned, records will be inconsequential on fight night, as the winner will be have to be the one exhibiting superior skills and thinking.

In backing his point, Boyce recalled that in 2002 former WBC Cruiserweight title holder, Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite, defied

the superior record of Italy’s Vincenzo Cantatore, knocking him out in round 10.

Prior to that contest, Braithwaite was unbeaten after 17 fights with 12 knockouts, while Cantatore was resting on 27 wins and two losses.

The experienced trainer, who has supervised the likes of Braithwaite, Andrew Murray and Anthony “The Pearl” Andrews, argued that while Gonzalez has a

far better record and more fights than Atwell, one must be congnisant of the frequency with which fights are hosted in Mexico, as compared to Guyana.

“Like age, records are just a set of numbers. You have to realise there are fights almost every week in places like Mexico and Venezuela so these guys are always active and obviously their records will grow. In Guyana, we don’t have so many cards, so Atwell for example might just fight a maximum of three fights for a year,” Boyce reasoned.

He continued, “But with that being said, it all boils down to how badly Atwell needs this belt. I think once he does the right things in training he will come out on top. He needs to do a lot of glove work and that will help him. I don’t think he should focus too much on road work because he could leave some of that energy on the road.”

Atwell confident Meanwhile, Atwell has expressed confidence of toppling his Mexican opponent.

He opined, “If I can condition the mind and the

body, I don’t see myself getting into any problems. I just need to do the basics. Boxing is basics, and using the mind to do the basics effectively.”

The classy fighter, who has been a revelation since turning pro in January 2010 after losing just four of his 76 fights as an amateur, said he is not at all intimidated by Gonzalez’s outstanding record.

“I’m not intimidated because it’s boxing; I come to win, you come to win! We both have two hands; we both have to fight according to the rules and regulations, so there is nothing intimidating about my opponent,” Atwell boasted.

Interestingly, this will be Atwell’s first fight as a professional outside of Guyana, as all 13 bouts have been under the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) Friday Night Fights boxing card.

As of now, the prospective world champion will be utilising the Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis gym, named after Guyana’s first world champion, to get in shape for what is expected to be a gruelling showdown.

Maurice 'Bizzy' Boyce Jhonny Gonzalez

Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc

U-19 Inter-Zone Competition…

Georgetown and East Coast victorious in first round

Georgetown and East Coast registered victories in the first round of the Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc. U-19 Inter-Zone Competition today at the Demerara Cricket Club and the Georgetown Cricket Club respectively.

At the Demerara Cricket Club, Georgetown crushed East Bank by 62 runs. Batting first, Georgetown compiled 267/8 off 50 overs. Sunil Singh and Kemal Savoury led the way with 50 each while Tariq Dharamlall (26*), Steven Sankar (21), Tiven Imlack (20), and Hakeem Davis (20) chipped in. Bowling for East Bank, Ricky Debidial was the pick of the bowlers with 2/19 off three overs.

In their chase, East Bank started off well but couldn’t make it to the finish; they were left stranded at 205/8 when their allotted overs expired. Andrew Chung top-scored with 46 and he got support from Stephon Browne (41) and Daniel Barker (33). Among the wickets for Georgetown were Carlton Jacques (2/29), Steven Sankar (2/38), and Michael Salim (2/44)

Over at the Georgetown Cricket Club, East Coast got

past West Demerara by six wickets in a thrilling match. West Demerara took to the crease first and posted 225/8. Ronaldo Renee was the highlight of the innings with 76 which included 10 boundaries. He was well supported by Malcom Hubburd (43), Kevin Paul (25) and Narendra Persaud (23). Irfaan Alli (2/37) and Brian Sattuar (2/30) were the best bowlers for East Coast. East Coast chased down the runs in 48 overs. Rudolph Singh crafted a brilliant 97 off 104 balls which included eight boundaries and four sixes. Singh shared a century partnership with Ramnarine Chutra (50) for the fourth wicket. Vishwanauth Ramlakhan (24) and Vivian Albert (16) saw East Coast to victory.

Before the start of the competition, representatives from Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc met East Coast and West Demerara teams at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground today to officially open the Inter-Zone Under-19 Competition in Demerara.

Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc Accountant, Rabindra Budhai, told the

players that they have been supporting youth cricket in Berbice and other parts of the county over the years, and they are happy to join the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) this year.

Budhai urged the players to give their best and be competitive, and respect the game and each other. He further added that he and other Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc personnel will be following the competition keenly, charging the players to make their teams and Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc proud.

Vice-President of the DCB, Anand Sanasie thanked Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc for their sponsorship and their interest in the development of youth cricket. He assured them that they will get value for their investment.

The second round of the competition is slated for Thursday 10th April, 2014 (today), when East Bank will meet East Coast at the Enmore Community Centre ground and West Demerara will take on Georgetown at the Wales Community Centre ground.

Florida Cricket Academy starts fifth annual tour today

The Florida Cricket Academy (FCA) begins its fifth annual international senior cricket tour today.The tour will end on April 20. The tour itinerary includes a match on Friday,April 11, against the Everest Cricket Club,to mark the club’s 100th anniversary. On Sunday,April 13,FCA will be hosted by

Itinerary

The Demerara Cricket Club. In addition,several village games will be played. The Florida Cricket Academy has been a youth cricket development organization since 2007 and is based in Miramar,Florida. It is an associate member of the USA Cricket Association.

Members: Mohamed Sadick – Tour Coordinator in

Depart MIA April 10, 2014. Caribbean Airlines To Georgetown.

Guyana; Wayne Ramnarine – Tour Manager, Team Captain; Brandon Dunbar; Kemar Wright; Neville Dawkins; Ayaz Mohamed; Jaikaran Babooram; Altab Mohamed; Munzin Nancoo; Jason Nancoo; Ricky Kissoon.

Attendees: Cornel White and Hal Martin. Please see full itinerary below.

4/11 – Match vs. Everest C.C. – 11am; 30 overs FCA blue uniform- Trophy match

4/12 – Village softball match in Canegrove – Blue FCA pants and blue T-shirt – Trophy Match

4/12 – Evening Dinner Reception At Buddy’s in G/town Arranged by Ram Ali

4/13 – Match vs. Demerrara C.C. – 11am; 30 overs in Whites – Trophy Match

4/14 – Bush Cook

4/15 – Travel to Berbice

4/17 – Return from Berbice

4/18 – Village hardball match in Canegrove – FCA blue uniform – Trophy Match

4/19 – Chill out / cook out

4/20 – Return FLL

Kent Crafton appointed Pitch & Field Consultant to Limacol CPL 2014

– ground staff to benefit from Limacol CPL incentive award

St Lucian, Kent Crafton, widely regarded as the Caribbean’s leading curator, was announced today as Pitch and Field Consultant to the Limacol CPL 2014 tournament.

In making the announcement, Limacol CPL Director of Cricket Operations, Michael Hall, confirmed that Crafton was the right man for the job, which has been created in an effort to improve the overall pitch and outfield quality for the tournament; and to allow for the transfer of his knowledge to curators across the Region.

lishment of the pitch square ahead of Windsor Park’s debut as an international venue. Having attended several curators’ workshops, most recently one hosted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai in 2012, Kent is certainly equipped to share his experiences and knowledge with his counterparts across the Region.”

looking forward to working with my fellow curators at the other host venues to implement the types of remedial and maintenance programmes which will produce good wickets for the tournament,” said Crafton.

Michael Hall said; “Kent has been the curator at the Beausejour Cricket Ground which opened in 2002 and, since then, the venue has won several best pitch and outfield competitions during his tenure. He has assisted other regional venues with pitch and outfield preparations ahead of their hosting of international games – including Grenada and Dominica--where he was instrumental in the estab-

Crafton was delighted to be involved, and indicated that he was ready to roll out his work plan ahead of the 2014 edition of the Limacol CPL, he said; “When Michael approached me earlier this year, I happily accepted the offer. Working with an event which enjoys such a high profile as the Limacol CPL gives me a chance to put what I have learned into practice on a regional level. I am really

Hall also announced the creation of a cash award for the ground staff who are adjudged to have produced the best pitches and outfields during the competition, he explained; “We want as many people who are involved in the Limacol CPL to have a chance to be impacted by it –and the members of the ground staff are no different. We will be offering a cash incentive to be shared by the winning crew, and we will be asking the umpires who – apart from the players – are closest to the action, to rate the venues based on criteria which will be provided to them ahead of the tournament.”

The Limacol CPL, the biggest party in sport, is set to return in July and August of this year.

Two changes made to Guyana Four-Day team –

Bishoo, Singh replace Permaul and Hemraj

Guyana’s selectors have made two changes for their seventh and final round fixture against tournament leaders Trinidad and Tobago in the regional Four-Day tournament, starting Friday.

The game will take place at the Guyana National Stadium from 10:00h daily.

Struggling leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and out-ofform batsman Vishaul Singh, have replaced left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj.

A release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Tuesday evening stated that both Permaul and Hemraj have contracted chicken pox and would not recover in time for the start of the game on Friday.

Bishoo, who was omitted for Guyana’s sixth- round clash against the Leeward Islands, had mixed fortunes with a total of 13 wickets for 366 runs in the five games he played. He captured one five-

wicket haul (5/71) against Barbados in the second round, but struggled thereafter. The diminutive Singh, who started with an attractive 73 in the second innings against Jamaica, was dropped from the squad for the game against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) after scores of 5, 1, 14 and 0.

The team reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Assad Fudadin, Amir Khan, Trevon Griffith, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Zaheer Mohamed, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Bramble, Devendra Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph and Vishaul Singh. The Coach is Esaun Crandon and the Manager, Alvin Johnson.

Devendra Bishoo Veerasammy Permaul Vishual Singh

Chanderpaul Hemraj

The captain of the East Coast team introduces the sponsors and DCB Executives to the players.

From right: Rabindra Budhai (DFGI Accountant), Rabindranauth Basil (DFGI Assistant Manager), Anand Sanasie (DCB Vice-President) and Nazimul Drepaul (DCB Chairman of Junior Selector)

YELLOW PAGES

thursday, april 10, 2014

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 2255034

Schoonord - $2M. Call: 6757292

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

FOR SALE

Agricultural tractors and machinery; single and 4-wheel drive: Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deere, New Holland and Fiat. Also available spares parts for these machines. Phone: 6194483, 601-7883, 226-6325

Spare parts for 1-2-3-4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines for Lister, Pieter, Kobota, Perkins, Veutz, Fiat, John Deer, Case IH, Cummings, Bedford and Leyland Daf. Also all middles of diesel generators: super silence and open air from 3KVA600KVA. Contact Rams Auto Spares on telephone 226-6325, 227-1454, 6194483 and 685-3568 Cheap earth delivered to spot on ECD and EBD. Call 627-9977 &698-0182

Clean garden earth and builders waste; our services also includes Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing and leveling. Call 616-0617 or 663-3285

Sawmill complex designed to produce thousands of BM for export and local market, built on 25 acres of land. Phone: 684-5868.

USA refurbished laptops, Dell Latitude D620 & D630 for students, home or office use. Intel Core Duo 1.8.GHz, 24x CDRW/DVD, Dell Wireless 802.11 with Windows 7 for $39,000. We negotiate with students. Call 649-9941/2760574.

Healthworld Holistic Centre offers clinical psychotherapy for suicidal thoughts, attempted suicides, depression, stress, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, homicidal thoughts, hallucinations, loneliness, conflicts, anger management, relationship & sexual problems, paranoia and much more. Call +592621-0552 and make that appointment now before it’s too late. 12:00PM –6:00PM. Mondays - Fridays. Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

Prescription Plus Pharmacy located at Lot E5 Hadfield Street, W/ville between Louisa Row and Winter place. Opening Monday to Saturdays 07:00- 20:00h; Sunday

Property for sale at 48 Light Street, Alberttown (between third and fourth streets) Contact Ram on telephone: 619-4483 685-3568 and 226-6325.

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the

J Eastman & Associates. Taxation (VAT, income & Property), Cash Flow Projections, Business Development Plan, Personal Financial Adviser, Accounting & Consultancy. 190 Church Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana (two buildings east of Austin’s Book Store. Phone: 223-2105, 662-7467

Get your home or business spiritually clean to enhance good luck and prosperity. Telephone: 687-5653

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 592-690-1824 from 10:0016:00h Email:anew-life@live.com

Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to businesses. Call: 612-6417, 220-0708, 687-5653.

Suriname Astrology Palmist and Djuka

Healing, the most powerful spiritualist in the world, are you suffering from the following problems (any religion) love, marriage, family, health business, husband and wife relationship, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking ? Also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah etc and give powerful protection. We also do upliftment for clearing of land, dredging operations strictly in the interior. For private and confidential service call 674-2112.

Practical electronic course beginning April 7. Abdul Electronic; Phone 2266551/225-0391 Music is fun! Register now and learn to play the Keyboard, Guitar, Drums and do Voice Training. Call Foundation 7 on 225-1151, 617-4200. One furnished house in immaculate condition at Lamaha Gardens suitable for residence and office. US$2,500 (AC, hot & cold, parking etc). One modern 3 bedroom apartment at Campbellville US$1,300 (AC, hot & cold, parking etc). One bond 135,000square foot at Beterverwagting,

Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca TO lET

Infrastructure, development of grounds to consume bulk of sport budget

Where does the development of athletes factor in?

By Treiston Joseph

$960,000,000 is the figure that will be allocated to sport, after the latest lobbying by the sport ministry in Parliament.

How will the monies be used? Only a fly on the wall during the discussions by the respective officials that will allocate the money can share that information.

One thing is certain: a lot of emphasis will be placed on the development of grounds and infrastructure, such as the completion of the warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, along with the greater part of the Synthetic track currently being laid at Leonora.

Further, to be exact, another 300 million will be put to develop sports facilities around the country, which will leave $660,000,000 to complete the synthetic track that should be completed this year and the Aquatic Centre’s warm-up pool.

Communities will be able to access the 300 million through the National Democratic Councils (NDCs) or the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), after which one million will be allocated to those grounds or in special cases, a bit more.

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA

AE100 WAGON; HONDA CRV RD4; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED);

MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB

PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TONS DUMP TRUCK; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO

MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST.

4x4 Nissan Titan fully powered Immaculate condition $3.5M. No reasonable offer refused. 622-7740 Toyota Raum (New Model) with CD, DVD, TV and navigation system. Call 218-4802, 610-3969, 655-2388.

What is baffling though is that last year, $100,000,000 was set aside for the same type of venture, with the same one million dollar allocation system being used for the communities, with all of the monies being allocated throughout the 10 regions.

This then means that

either the grounds weren’t properly done, or there has been a significant increase in the number of community facilities found that needs development, for the Sport Ministry to allocate 300 million dollars to that same venture, without upping the funds being handed out to which ever community is in receipt of the funds.

Mind you, there is no order set in stone as to how many grounds will be done in each community; this leaves the question to be asked: can one million dollars do for a community, or is the one million dollars for one specific ground in a community?

This would further lead me to question how many community grounds are in existence for such a development that would last over the long term.

Further,wouldn’t It be better that a project such as the development of community facilities be kept in the confines of Georgetown, Berbice and Linden, where better management and monitoring can be done, instead of casting the net throughout the entire country, with monitoring being difficult in the hinterland regions?

After all, it is more than likely that whatever is done to these grounds in the hinterland would be of no benefit, due to the lack of proper management. What a waste of money it would be if the grounds were broken up in the short term, especially since the Sport Ministry saw it fit to add 200 million dollars more to its budget.

Moving on, it would

be very positive to have Guyana’s first synthetic track completed, hopefully by the end of the year, but with the emphasis on infrastructural development, it is possible that athletes’ development will be left behind . It would be like a 70 year old trying to understand an Iphone 5C, without comprehending how to use it.

So ,without the requisite upgrading in the level of coaching and in the science of the sport, what will be the value of a synthetic track to athletes that without the know-how to run on it.

This is not to say that the track will not be valuable; it is definitely a move in the right direction, but one hopes that the recently built resource centre will quickly put systems in place for the education of coaches and athletes.

Further, what about health care and sponsorship of some of Guyana’s best athletes? We can have all the infrastructure in the world, if they are no athletes or no champions, of what benefit will be the infrastructure?

More definitely needs to be put into athletes individual development, regardless of the sport.It’s simple: you develop the athletes, you develop the sport and the country itself will gain international recognition; so infrastructural development is just a minor part.

So what does $960,000,000 mean to the world of sport in Guyana, another year where sport remains the same?

GOA to host public session on sport

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is expected to host a public consultation on the way forward for sport on Friday, April 11 at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) from 18:00h.

The purpose of the event is to provide a forum to air problems facing various sports around the country, along with providing solutions to such problems.

Further, the focus will be on development of the young nucleus of talent and the road to the Olympics, not just for 2016, but beyond.

Members of the public are invited along with athletes and coaches in order to have a successful edition of the event that might be the first of its kind since the establishment of the GOA.

Price Is Right Upper Corentyne Second-Division final set for

Sunday

Corriverton Cricket Club and Number 70 MYO will do battle in the much anticipated final of the Price is Right Supermarket second -division cricket, set for this Sunday at the number 69 Vikings ground.

A keen contest is expected, as both teams are evenly matched on paper. Sunday’s game is sched-

uled to start at 09:30hrs. The sponsor and UCCA officials will reach with both teams before the start of the game.

The teams are Corriverton C.C: Tarik Ibrahim (captain), Jermaine Reid (vice captain), Jeremy Moore, Anthony Seeraj, Rabindra Singh, Imran Jabar (wicket keeper), Clavern Beresford, Amzaan Appalsamy, Eric Phillips,

Faoud Bacchus, Tulsiram Munesar, Rajeev Persaud and Imron

Number 70

Ally.

Mohamed.

M.Y.O: Niazi Khan (captain), Jameel Assad (vice captain), Mahmood Khan, Zameer Khan, Ahmad Khan, Salim Khan (wicket keeper), Arif Khan, Alim Khan, Saif Hamid Khan, Mohamed Asarudin, Umar Ghani & Fazir

Expectations for the junior CARIFTA team

By Treiston Joseph

Now that the jun-

ior CARIFTA team has been selected and spectators have had a chance to see them perform at last Sunday’s National Youth and Junior Championships, how high should our expectations be for the nine athletes selected? The answer is-- moderate.

One thing is certain, Guyana will likely bag at least three medals at the junior championships; whether gold, silver or bronze will be dependent on the intensity of the Guyanese talents.

From whom should Guyana expect medals? Look no further than the girls’ under-18 1500 metres, as Cassie George will seek to defend her 1500 metres gold medal from last year.

George, after winning gold last year at the CARIFTA games, seemed to struggle a bit with injury during the latter part of last year .

However, since the beginning of 2014, the talented middle-distance athlete has picked it up a notch, and now seems on course to land Guyana gold in the middle- distance event. At Last year’s trial, George ran a blistering 4:44s in the 1500 metres and then went on to win gold with 4:36s.

While she was a little off this year with 4:47s, that time should be right on par to land Guyana gold as she should go faster on the syn-

thetic surface, especially with her aggressive style of running.

Another medal prospect to watch is CAC 400 metres gold medallist and World Junior silver medallist Kadecia, Baird.

Baird, at last year’s junior CARIFTA Games, took bronze in the girls’ under-20 400 metres with a bit of a sub-par performance,due to the athlete now starting her season.

Now with the US- based athlete moving onto the col-

lege level, one would expect that she will up the ante and place higher in the medal bracket this time around.

Gold is definitely expected of Baird ,who under-performed at last year’s event.

CARIFTA bronze medallist Jason Yaw should be able to re-produce another medal run at the event, since he has been running the quarter-mile event faster than he did last year.

The 6’ 2” athlete qualified last year for the event with a 51.00s, this year however, Yaw clocked in at 49.5s to qualify.

However, his time is not the only factor that has him as a medal prospect; Yaw has shown aggression and has been attacking both his 400 and 200 metres from the blast of the gun, something that he had lacked to some extent last year.

The medal prospects that might have the toughest time “medaling” are both Jevina Sampson and Kevin Abbensetts.

There is no denying the

talent of Sampson, but her highest chance of “medaling” will be in the girls’ under-18 200 metres, despite running remarkably well in the 400 metres.

Sampson, after a 25.2s time at the trials, ran 24.6s at the national youth championships one week after, which showed the sprinter’s form .

Last year Tirana Mtichell took bronze at CARIFTA with 24.05s after running 25.00 at the tri-

als and 25.2s in the heat at CARIFTA, jumping a full second to claim her bronze.

Sampson, who is definitely in the same talent bracket as Mitchell, should go either as fast or even faster, once the right competition is there for her.

Abbensetts on the other hand, if he “medals” it will be in the 100 metres; he clocked 10.4s at the trials and then a meagre 10.7s at the National Junior Championships.

If the sprinter is to

“medal” in the highly competitive and contested, male under-20 100 metres , the inconsistency in his sprinting will have to be absent at the meet in order for him to make it past the first round.

The one other prospect that can land Guyana a medal is US- based sprinter Brenessa Thompson.

While there isn’t much known of the newcomer, the well built female talent has recorded one of the fastest junior indoor 55 metres of 7.03s for Medgar Evers High School. Whether she can transfer the performance from indoor to outdoor over the 100 metres is left to be seen.

Meanwhile, the girls’ under-18 4x400 metres will be a medal-winning even for Guyana, as it will feature some of the country’s top 400 metres athletes.

Last year at the CARIFTA Games, a team featuring sprinter Mitchell, who by no means is a top 400 metres athlete; distance

prodigy George, who is not familiar with the 400-metre event; Avon Samuels and US- based Ashley Tasher who was not in form finished fourth.

However, this year Samuels who is in top form is back with the team, injecting experience, along with Guyana’s best female 400 metres sprinter in Sampson; George will return as well while another talented 400 metres athlete in Natricia Hooper will be

joining the team.

The combination of the four girls can see them landing Guyana’s first medal at the CARIFTA Games, a feat that would create a bit of history.

Moreover, I believe that the team will bring back six medals; and therefore I will go out on a limb and predict that George will win two medals, Baird, Yaw and Sampson will also cop medals, while the girls’ 4x400 metres will surprise many skeptics.

We need to manage fighters better, says Abdool

By Avenash Ramzan

President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, has issued a call for better management of fighters if Guyana is to consistently produce world-class boxers. He made the comment while lauding Dog Pound for taking several boxers under its wings and

creating opportunities for them.

Speaking at a press briefing at his office on Tuesday, Abdool said it is imperative that boxers are properly managed, thereby affording Guyana the opportunity of pro-

ducing fighters who can hold their own and even overcome the champions of the day.

“I’m particularly unhappy with the fact that many fighters sign with many managers and promoters and so forth and some of them will actually sit in a vaccuum and they [promoters/managers] find no fights for them. They [boxers] have no visible means of support and they can’t go forward…and there is only a short window in boxing in which you can come to the fore,” Abdool lamented.

He reasoned that promoters and or managers must be prepared for the long haul, as there will be difficult periods in the process that they must be able to overcome.

It is against this backdrop that Abdool lauded Dog Pound, headed by former presidents of the Guyana Squash Association, Ronald Burch-Smith and Andrew Arjoon, for their involvement in boxing and being able to keep their boxers active.

Just Monday last, Dog Pound was successful in signing Clive “the Punisher” Atwell for a world title fight against Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC Featherweight belt on May 24, something Abdool believes is extremely commendable.

“I’ve always argued that

Guyana has an unbelievable pool of natural boxing talent, it’s just incredible,” he remarked. Abdool added, “The problem with that is that you need to take

them and make sure they are properly nurtured to the point where they become world champions. This is actual proof of it, so I want to thank them [Dog Pound]. I know

there have been many opportunities to walk away, especially in the face of losing money.”

Abdool, who is also president of the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE), related that support from the general public, such as sponsorship from corporate entities, is also a critical component, necessary for the sustenance of the sport.

“I’ve long worried and I think a lot of sport people do as well that our society is changing. If you have an event in which they’re selling alcohol cheaply, as opposed to coming to support an event when youngsters are trying to make a name for themselves, invariably you find our society is likely to go to the alcohol, drinks and entertainment, as opposed to supporting our sport people. This needs to change, it really does,” Abdool asserted.

Since his elevation to president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Abdool has been successful in launching and maintaining the Guyana Friday Night Boxing card, held once monthly, and showcasing local and regional talent.

It is on this event that the 25-year-old Atwell has fought all his professional bouts, remaining unbeaten after 13 contests, inclusive of 12 victories and a draw.

World title contender Clive “The Punisher” Atwell (centre) with Ronald Burch-Smith (left) and Andrew Arjoon of Dog Pound

Peter Abdool

Cassie George

Kadecia Baird

Brenessa Thompson

Jevina Sampson

Jason Yaw

Kevin Abbensetts

Limacol CPL 2014 teams finalised

The line-ups for the six franchise teams participating in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2014 have now been finalised following the live Draft event which took place last Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica.

Hosted by Limacol CPL Cricket Operations Director, Michael Hall, and noted cricket pundit, Simon Crosskill, the Draft event saw representatives of each team – including the Limacol CPL team mentors, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh, Sir Andy Roberts and Gordon Greenidge – make their picks over 13 rounds based on salary bracket. In addition, each of the team representatives were in live discussions with their franchise team colleagues and Captains on the other side of the world throughout the process, further ensuring that each franchise secured its ‘dream team’.

Simon Crosskill said; “It

was a pleasure to be a part of the Limacol CPL player Draft event and I’m happy we could host it in Jamaica, the home of the reigning champions, the Jamaica Tallawahs. With the Draft complete, we can now look

forward to all the drama, action and entertainment in July and August as the biggest party in sport returns.”

The Draft event was followed by a glamorous after party at Chris Gayle’s Triple Century Bar in New

Kingston which saw cricket legends and Limacol CPL mentors, Desmond Haynes, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Sir Andy Roberts and Gordon Greenidge in attendance – along-

side Jamaica’s Minister for Sports, The Honourable Natalie Neita Headley, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, David Fitton and High Commissioner of India to Jamaica, Shri Pratap Singh.

The full list of players is listed below by team and salary bracket (all figures are quoted in US$).

The Limacol CPL, the biggest party in sport, is set to return in July and August of this year.

About the Limacol CPL

Limacol CPL is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. The inaugural Limacol CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport”, featured six teams competing throughout the region

in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, and Antigua Hawksbills. The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

The CPL launched last year to sell-out crowds, with over 250,000 spectators attending matches across Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia, whilst a global TV audience of 36 million were entertained by the skills of international stars including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan.

The tournament returns in July and August 2014 when Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the St Lucia Zouks, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Antigua Hawksbills, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents.

Former West Indies quickies Sir Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh share a light moment at the event held to finalise the Limacol CPL 2014 teams,in Kingston, Jamaica

Limacol CPL 2014 teams

Ronsford Beaton will make his Limacol CPL debut this year

Clive 'The Punisher' Atwell moments after defeating Venezuela’s Rafael Hernandez last year

Captured at the event held to finalise the Limacol CPL 2014 teams are from left: Sir Vivian Richards,Sir Andy Roberts,Roger Harper and one of the hosts of the event,Simon Croskill