Guyana Times Daily

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, May 20, 2013

Issue No. 1774

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt open to review of lie detector test policy at GEA P2

See story on page 8

GRC, New Thriving host annual luncheon

See story on page 11

Linden power supply still unstable

P2

P2 GPSU proposes hefty multiyear pay hike for public servants

Blind students preparing for CSEC exams P9

P10 Granger seeks inquiry into deaths, illnesses in Region One

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds interacts with patrons of the Guyana Relief Council luncheon sponsored by New Thriving Restaurant at its Main Street location. Inset is Mrs Yvonne Hinds presenting the first place door prize to the lucky winner (Carl Croker photos)

Caribbean Rice official Airlines to add warns against another flight smuggling of chemicals to Guyana See story on page 3

See story on page 7

Kuru Kuru P13 centre gets Japanese IT teacher

2news

monday, may 20, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Govt open to review of lie GPSU proposes detector test policy at GEA hefty multi-year

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overnment said a possible review of the polygraph testing policy at the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) was welcome, following the recent dismissal of several employees who failed their tests.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, however, stated that the polygraph testing policy is traditional and has been practised by many organisations, over the past five years.

According to him, functionaries and officials in a number of agencies have been using the system. A few agencies have also been abiding with the interventions made on the basis of the results of the polygraph testing.

“This is a historical practice. That does not mean, of course, that the policy cannot be subjected as seems to be now by the opposition to a review or demand for a review,” Dr Luncheon posited.

He said he was doubtful about the opposition’s request for the matter to be investigated. The government spokesman explained that polygraph

past few months. According to one of the sacked employees, this has resulted in a severe staff shortage at the agency.

Dissatisfaction

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

testing is used specifically for GEA staffers who are involved in fuel marking.

Revenue from importation of fuel, Dr Luncheon said, contributes significantly to revenue collection by the Guyana Revenue Authority and there is no doubt that significant breaches of the legal importation system have indeed been avoided by the work and presence of the fuel marking system and the activities of that component of the GEA.

Work in progress

“It’s not exactly where

we would want it to be.

People fall asleep, equipment and markers disappear and all sorts of different things, but it’s a work in progress,” he added. Dr Luncheon further stated that integrity testing via the polygraph assists the management and policy makers in determining and targeting the weak areas in the fuel marking programme.

The GEA sent home 21 employees who failed lie detector tests; 34 employees had taken the test. The agency said polygraph tests continue to ensure the integrity of the system and by extension, the officers employed under the fuel marking programme. These terminations come on the heels of several more within the

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) have argued that the polygraph tests are being inappropriately used by the GEA, and have since called for an investigation into the causes for dismissal of the workers. The APNU has also called for an immediate halt to the practice.

In 2009, Dr Luncheon had said the government intended to make the practice of polygraph testing an annual exercise to ensure the public can have complete trust in the authorities that serve them. Polygraph testing was first used in 2008 by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), with all 32 members of the unit being tested. Nine individuals failed and their services were terminated.

Polygraph testing was extended to include employees at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri; the GEA and the Narcotics Branch of the Guyana Police Force stationed at the airport. Based on the number of media reports received, the GEA is using the tests more than any other agency.

Linden power supply still unstable

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he mining town of Linden continues to experience a shortage in electricity supply, as technicians battle at the Bosai Power Generating Plant to restore 24-hour electricity.

On Friday afternoon, Bosai Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) halted its operation in an effort to supply the town with uninterrupted power, but despite this move, both Wismar and Mackenzie were periodically plunged into darkness.

BMGGI officials are reluctant to disclose details of the situation at the moment, noting that a detailed report will be made available today. Currently, technicians are working assiduously to assess the damage.

The outages commenced on Thursday shortly after 19:00h after when BMGGI began experiencing technical problems with two of its generating engines.

According to the company, the engines’ crank shafts and bearings have been damaged.

The company sells electricity to the Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI), which supplies electricity to the Mackenzie shore of Linden, and in turn sells power to the Linden Utility Services Co-op Society Limited (LUSCSL) which supplies the Wismar shore.

Initially after the shutdown, Wismar and Mackenzie were receiving electricity in six-hour shifts.

However, it is unclear at the moment if the schedule is being maintained as reports received differ on the power supply. This is the second time in recent months that the company has developed such issues, causing power outages in the community, despite promises by the company to have the issue remedied.

Staffers at the Upper Demerara Regional Hospital (UDH) located at Wismar have expressed concern over the issue, as the generator at the hospital is not working. Residents have also begun to voice concern.

pay hike for public servants

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he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has proposed a total pay raise of 90 per cent for public servants over the next three years and has called for an immediate commencement of negotiations and a commitment to a businesslike process of discussion to avoid the yearly increase imposed by the government.

The union made the proposal in a letter to Public Service Ministry Permanent Secretary, Hydar Ally last week.

The union said in a letter on November 20, 2012, it submitted to Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh proposals for his consideration to be included in the proposed national budget for 2013. Among these were increases in wages, salaries and allowances for the public service of 25 per cent. The union also requested to meet with the minister.

The GPSU said at a statutory Executive Council meeting on Monday, May 13, the council approved of a multi-year proposal for 2013-2015, which was immediately submitted to the government through Ally.

The union said the proposals were submitted without prejudice “to our position on the arbitrary increases for the years up to and including 2012, as expounded in our correspondence dated December 6, 2012”.

In relation to the individual years, the following proposals are made: for 2013, a 25 per cent increase across the board in wages and salaries; for 2014, 30 per cent and 2015, 35 per cent.

“The GPSU is also re-

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

questing that in view of the fact that the estimates of expenditure for 2013 have already been approved by the National Assembly and among the provisions was a sum of $4.404 billion for the revision of wages and salaries, an interim increase of 15 per cent should be made immediately, pending the outcome of negotiations for wages and salaries.”

The union also requested an immediate commencement of negotiations, so that an award could be made expeditiously to forestall the “unacceptable norm of end-of-year impositions”, which has been a government’s practice for more than a decade.

Regarding increases in allowances for public workers, the union said it is standing by its proposals that were submitted by way of letter to Ally dated September 24, 2009, and is requesting that those proposals be used as the base and that similar increases be applied for all the years.

The proposals called for a 25 per cent in 2013; 30 per cent in 2014 and 35 per cent in 2015.

Tuschen man dies in Mahaicony accident

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Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo man died when the car in which he was travelling crashed into a culvert at Yorkshire Hall, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The dead man was identified as Kenny Mendonca, 27. According to information, the vehicle was travelling at a fast pace when the driver lost control while negotiating a turn and drove into a concrete bridge.

Mendonca sustained injuries and was rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The other passengers in the car sustained minor injuries and were treated and sent away, while the driver was arrested. He is assisting police with their investigations. The body of Mendonca was transferred to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.

News

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monday, may 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

bridge openings

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, May 20, from 12:30h to 14:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, May 20, from 12:00h to 13:30h.

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Weather

Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 28 and 24 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to east south-easterly at 6.8 to 2.32 metres per second.

High Tide: 12:38h reaching a maximum height of 2.32 metres.

Low Tide: 06:08h and 18:34h reaching minimum heights of 0.91 metre and 0.85 metre respectively.

SaturDAY, MAY 18, 2013

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Caribbean Airlines to add another flight to Guyana

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

ith effect from May 27, for a period of one-month, Caribbean Airlines will fly an additional flight that is expected to add 900 seats to the country’s airlift capacity, acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali disclosed last Friday.

He was at the time speaking to members of the media. Additionally, as the ministry continues to look at having more airlines ply the Guyana route, from June 27 to the end of September, there will be an increase in daily flights. “You will have daily flights to the US… in addition to that, once the traffic remains high, the daily flights will continue past September into the Christmas season,” Minister Ali stated.

The Tourism Ministry has been marketing Guyana as a viable tourism destination through its arm, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), and it is expected that tourist arrivals will increase.

“Government is indeed putting a lot of emphasis on tourism now… we have also seen a tremendous increase in traffic to our website,” added the minister.

Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir highlighted that with CAL, there will be two weekly flights to Toronto, and steps are also being taken towards contracting routes in every continent.

Since Delta Airlines pulled out from the Guyana market, government has

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir

been making desperate moves to attract other airlines. Only last week, it was reported that government had made initial approaches to reputable Asian, North American and neighbouring South American airlines in the ongoing effort to broaden the range of commercial air services operating the Guyana route.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said that among them is JetBlue Airways Corporation, an American low-cost airline headquartered in Long Island, New York, which according to President Donald Ramotar, is awaiting the completion of the airport runway extension The extension of the runway to accommodate large transatlantic aircraft is part of the CJIA expansion project that is now delayed after the political opposition used their one-seat majority to cut the entire air transport allocation.

Among the projects affected is the expansion of the Ogle International Airport that was only recently upgraded to a regional class facility and is aptly situated to act as a hub between the Caribbean and South America.

The government is optimistic nevertheless that the development plans for the air transport sector will allow for expansion of traditional trade ties with North America and Europe while simultaneously broadening the relationship with major economies such as Brazil, India, Russia and China.

President Ramotar, who has vowed to do all in his powers to restore the $31 billion cut from this year’s national budget, told stakeholders gathered at the launch of the “Invest Guyana” magazine about the approaches that have been made to Air China and two major U.S. airlines to fly the Guyana route. Surinam Airways, which re-entered the commercial skies in April last year after six years, was asked to consider flying additional routes when President Ramotar met the airline’s vice president Clyde Cairo during the 24th inter-sessional meeting of heads of government of Caricom in Port-auPrince, Haiti.

The airline resumed with twice weekly flights from Paramaribo to Georgetown and flights to Toronto, Canada. Cairo had noted that there are options which the airline will examine, but that such decisions hinges on discussions at the level of the board. Trinidad’s Caribbean Airlines was recently granted flag carrier status, allowing it to conduct direct flights between Georgetown and New York, Georgetown and Toronto.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

Views That’s one big 'lizard'...

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

Addressing suicide

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lobally, one million people die as a result of committing suicide every year. According to official statistics, in the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60 per cent worldwide. It is one of the three leading causes of death among those in the age group of 15-44 in some countries, and the second leading cause of death in the 1024 age group.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among elderly males, rates among young people have been increasing at such an alarming speed that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of countries in the world.

Guyana is no different. Almost weekly, we hear of someone committing suicide or witness some kind of incident, reminding us that there is need for more work to be done across the country to address the various ills affecting our citizens. Region Six, in particular, has experienced the highest number of suicide rates when compared to the rest of the country.

Just a few days ago, a murder/suicide of a young couple rocked the country, leaving many of us to ask the question: What is really going on in the minds of our young people?

Last week, we reported that a 24-year-old man, Vijay Arjune, allegedly shot his pregnant teenage fiancée, Parbattie Raghoo, then took his own life in what was apparently a premeditated act. From all indications, the man’s mother was not in favour of the relationship he was involved in and may have put some pressure on him to end it.

Whatever the case was, it is indeed a sad story as both persons were very young and the way their lives ended calls for much introspection from all concerned, including state agencies, civil society actors, religious institutions, and more importantly, the family. Is there an explanation for this – like what could have caused the young man to shoot his pregnant girlfriend and then turn the weapon on himself?

Could there have been any intervention at the level of the religious community or the ministry that could have avoided such a tragedy? What were the warning signs? These are all questions which must be answered and it would be helpful for an analysis or investigation to be done, with the aim of providing the kind of data that stakeholders can use as a future guide in their work on suicide prevention and treatment.

Surely, the incident brings into question the role of the religious community and the family as important institutions in the society when we consider the kind of future that we hope to create for young people. Weighing in on the issue recently, Reverend Kwame Gilbert made some interesting comments in relation to our local context. He noted that the family unit is most important in fostering a safe and well rounded society. We certainly agree that the family is critical, because that is where every individual receives their first level of socialisation. In essence that is where the value systems are first of all established.

Dr Gilbert’s view is that, not that the family has failed society, but there are a number of conspiring factors that have contributed to what is being played out in the local context.

For example, while the role of the male as a father figure in the family is critical, in the absence of such, the second most important institution – the religious organisations – must step in. If the family becomes dysfunctional for some reason, the religious institutions should provide a safety net that will seek to ensure that the value systems and the socialisation that are required for the development of boys into men and girls into women are present.

That being said, the government and a few nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) have undertaken some useful initiatives in the past to address the issue of suicide. For example, a local NGO, St Francis Community Developers, has started its own programme to tackle suicide in the Black Bush Polder community. The organisation has since developed a comprehensive programme called “Reforming Education, Skills, and Capacity for Ultimate Empowerment (RESCUE).”

It is evident that these interventions, even though limited, have produced some positive results and perhaps they should be replicated in other parts of the country. There is certainly need for action on all fronts to drastically reduce the suicide rate in Guyana, we cannot afford to lose our best resource in this manner.

This May 7 photo provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows a Texas state record 800-pound alligator caught during a public hunt on the James E Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area. Wildlife officials say the 14-foot-3-inch gator could be 30 to 50 years old (Yahoo News)

Private versus public schools Dear Editor, In Barbados, the principal and founder of the Metropolitan School, Olivier Cox stated that it is easier for a parent now to go into a government school, than to go into a private school. “The private secondary schools are on their way out,” he said, pointing to several such schools that have closed their doors.

In Guyana, the preponderance of private schools, particularly high schools, is something that must bother us deeply. Maybe we do have an insufficient number of schools in terms of actual facilities, and so private ones must spring up. It could be that there is a population explosion

that went unnoticed and I am not being facetious.

We have never done the field work. We need to ask ourselves why there are so many private high schools. Well, this is what I tend to see many times, and I think it is worth checking out: The private schools are inundated with students who, because of bad performances, left the government ones.

Please note that I will not equate bad performances with any kind of lack in mental acumen. A lot of these students end up turning things around. They come off with a significant number of passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate

(CSEC) exams.

Most of these private institutions offer the bread and butter of mathematics and English Language, with a core area (business, accounts or science). I doubt very much, if many of them would even allow for students to take 13 or 15 subjects.

The lesson here for me is to investigate the practicability of the number of subjects and areas of relevance. If indeed the government schools are creating a bad situation, then something must be done.

If government, via the Education Ministry, can do some work here, it would be great. Not tapping into our free education means that we are

wasting our resources. It also results in added burden on families. Imagine how much more a family would have at their disposal, if they did not have to pay for private high school education.

The private school system (for me) is a bad statement on our education system. It also robs people of much needed money, as education is free.

Private schools probably mean that we are doing something wrong – bad teaching strategy or poor salary of staff. So I call for some serious investigation.

Guyana cannot allow for anything subversive.

Yours truly, Yolanda Wilkins

Another case of loose law enforcement Dear Editor, A prisoner was charged with possession of cannabis and had to appear before the magistrate to answer the charge.

The accused first pleaded not guilty, but after being apprised

of what may obtain, he switched his position and admitted to the offence.

Mercy prevailed for him too as he was fined just $3000 and given six months of community service that will be performed right at the pris-

on. This matter should not end there. There has to be more to it, even if it is a case of just poor enforcement and scrutiny at the prison house.

Guyana has had too many cases of colluding officers.

We just cannot gloss over ‘prisoners with drugs’. It means a kind of looseness is prevailing among our prison keepers.

Yours faithfully, Justin Marcelle

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, may 20, 2013

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

Stop feeding street Much more needs to be done in fighting crime dwellers

Dear Editor, We have some problems that we are perpetuating in a never-ending cycle.

One of them is vagrants (of all sorts) being encouraged to roam the streets, particularly in Georgetown. I will get back to this, as it forms the gist of my complaint. Last week, I went to the University of Guyana, Turkeyen campus, and what did I see? Dogs and dogs and dogs. They were warring among themselves, and then they were literally pulling down the barrels and leaving garbage strewn all over the campus. It was humorous – they stand on their hind legs and stretch and then tilt the barrels forward.

When the barrels are about to come down, they slip out of harm’s way. Now some of the barrels are way too heavy for them, so they climb into them and ‘do their ting’.

My suggestion is that these stray dogs, whether or not they have owners, be put down most humanely. Many of the dogs were pregnant females. So the cycle is set to stay with us.

In San Fernando, the mayor, Navi Muradali has urged good Samaritans not to feed the homeless and instead donate food to

the Court Shamrock shelter. This is wise thinking.

Some people feel that they are doing a good by attending to vagrants, even in the heart of traffic, at stop lights, too. I can see why this mayor is saying that his city’s attempt to deal with its homeless problem was being disrupted by people, who were encouraging the destitute to remain on the streets. The food and ‘small change’ do that all the time.

This week – a little story for you here – my neighbour dumped a pot of rice and curry right at the top of the street. He was decent to make sure that no one would walk or drive over the food. I queried his reason, and he promptly told me that Mr Vagrant Jon Doe always comes in the morning to eat it up.

Now do not ‘yuk’ on me.

Vagrants are human beings and when they are hungry, they will eat. Also, if they are accustomed to finding food in a said place, they will go there. After all, human beings, at one level, are animals too, okay?

Shame on me if I say ‘euthanasia’ for them, unless they are terribly sick and beyond recovery. But I can suggest that people stop feeding them and giv-

ing them money. Our resources must be pooled and we can work with various homes and shelters, encourage government input, and then tackle the problem effectively.

Mr Editor, we have had problems with vagrants already (beatings, killings, fatal accidents, etc) and if we do not act now, we will regret it later. For now, even a basic enclosure will be better than what vagrants are up against – they sleep anywhere and are exposed to all the ravages of nature. In many countries, they are sedated and their organs are taken out. In Moscow, one winter a crazy man killed a pack of them. Guyana can nip this vagrant thing in the bud. May we do so, acting maturely?

Regards, Tandhie Cummings

Dear Editor, I care not for statistics when fear is stalking me.

Guyana has shown positive returns when it comes to the battle against criminals. However, people are still very much ill-at-ease when in certain places and at certain hours. In fact, the architecture in Guyana is a poignant admission that we have a problem with crime – houses have to be built with extra-safety measures.

In Trinidad and Tobago, there is also a serious crime problem. A few days ago, three murders took place within a 24-hour timeframe. In fact, one victim was a police officer. Now, a mere few weeks after a 45-year-old Chaguanas man was cleared of murder charges, he was shot dead while robbing a KFC outlet.

The interception was by an off-duty police officer, who opened fire on this robber as he was trying to commit his dirty act, and was not too happy about being confronted.

We have so many incidents of robbery under arms. What is most irksome is that they are being carried out with utter impunity. This must stop.

Maybe it is time to go to the undercover route and

employ decoys. The minute fear can grip criminals, there will be a turnaround here.

Trinidad and Tobago’s situation is so bad, that no one will seek to reprimand this off-duty police officer. The country is over 70 per cent for keeping capital punishment.

I call strongly for the equipping and use of offduty police officers. I also ask that there be some consideration for the recruitment of part-time police officers. They must be fully trained and empowered but they work right from home and around their precincts.

Army reserves and retired soldiers double up many times as part-time police in many countries.

Do we need an army standing idly by? Our soldiers can be bi-vocational.

That is what Venezuela is now doing.

The Venezuelan government in fact announced that it is implementing a shortterm plan, called ‘Safe Homeland’, to fight crime.

Members of the Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) will patrol areas of Venezuela with the highest crime rates. Revolutionary thinking is needed in this day and age.

Yours sincerely, Xavier Randolph

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MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

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Foundation

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Parenting For Success

Helping families in need

— ChildLink’s vision is a world where every child enjoys the right to a childhood in a safe and caring family, free from poverty, violence, and exploitation Successful intervention

Names and places have been changed to protect the persons’ privacy. he living situation for a single-parent family consisting of a mother and her three children was difficult, the situation grew worse despite the mother’s efforts. Patricia and her children, the eldest 13 and the youngest one year old, were living in a depressed community and were in constant turmoil for their basic needs to be met daily.

The two eldest of the three children were not attending school and the father of the baby was constantly threatening to take the child from the mother’s care. On several occasions, the two older siblings were left to care for the baby, while the mother went in search of work or to work. Many days the family had nothing to eat and drink, this led to the older brother going out and finding odd jobs around the community for money.

The family was also very dependent on the neighbours for support.

One concerned neighbour who was tired of seeing the children in this difficult situation reported the case

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to the ChildLinK counsellor after seeing her conducting work in the community with other families. Without hesitation, the counsellor visited the home of the family and was able to confirm the reports from the neighbour.

At their first meeting, Patricia was able to relate to the counsellor in detail the intensity of her situation.

Patricia spoke of her frustration and disgust for her present

situation.

At this point, the counsellor was able to highlight the need for the children who are of school age to be in school. Patricia’s daugh-

ter Shyon was living with relatives in another area where she was enrolled in a school. However, the relatives were physically and verbally abusing Shyon and not sending her to school but using her as a domestic help. After realising what was happening to

Shyon, Patricia decided to take her to live with her. With this decision, Shyon should have been transferred to a school in the area where her mother was living, but this

was never done.

Stressful situation

Added to the already stressful situation, Patricia was being confronted daily by her landlord for several months of rent. While all of this was taking place, the father of the youngest child was threatening to take her away.

After an in-depth assessment of the family and the support that is available, priorities were then put in place to ensure that the children’s basic rights were being addressed.

Priority was given to the chil-

dren attainting an edIt’s not only ucation, the counsellor children who grow. supported the mother in getting the necesParents do too. sary documents and As much as we watch guidance to get the to see what our children transfer for the children. While this prodo with their lives, cess was taking place, they are watching care for the youngest us to see what we child was explored to ensure that the olddo with ours. er siblings would I can’t tell my children not remain at home to reach for the sun. to care for the child.

Additionally, discusAll I can do is reach sions were taking for it, myself. place with the father – Joyce Maynard of the youngest child to ensure the child’s best interest was takplaced into a primary school en into consideration. and support was given to the Shyon was successfully mother for supplies for the

child to attend school. The child was most excited to be attending school after being away for more than two years from school. She was eager to make new friends and to have a teacher. After several meetings with both parents of the youngest child, the decision was made for the child to remain with the mother, since the work schedule of the father would not allow him to effectively care for the child. However, the child would spend time with him on the weekend. The father also agreed to give regular financial support for the child to meet the basic needs of the child. Over a period of time, Patricia was able to gain new employment that allowed her the time to give more attention to the children.

Presently, the family has relocated into a safer and more secure environment with a family member. Shyon has been able to adjust to the school environment comfortably and is most excited about her assignments. The baby’s father has been keeping his commitments, thus making it easier for the mother and children. The older brother is soon to be enrolled in high school. Despite the many challenges in the beginning, the family is in a better environment.

It takes a family and community to raise and protect children, let us do our part in ensuring that their best interest is being considered in every situation.

Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or email us at programmes. childlink@networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and other challenges you are experiencing with your children.

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monday, may 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rice official warns against Princess Hotel employee dies after East Bank accident smuggling of chemicals

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ice Producers Association President Leekha Rambrich is calling on rice farmers to desist from purchasing dangerous chemicals whose origins cannot be traced.

He lashed out at farmers who continue to smuggle dangerous chemicals into Guyana.

Acknowledging that Guyana’s border with neighbouring Suriname is porous, Rambrich said that many of these farmers are putting the lives of fellow farmers at risk.

In an exclusive with Guyana Times, Rambrich noted that most of the chemicals that are used in the rice industry and are imported from Suriname enter this country illegally.

“We have a pesticide board which monitors all chemicals coming into this country for the rice sector.

The board tries to monitor all chemicals coming into this country to ensure they are safe and they are environmentally-friendly and it would not affect birds and fishes. We have seen that when farmers use the chemicals coming for Suriname and apply it to their fields, it destroys the fish in the canals, even the birds that eat the grains from the fields, they all die,” Rambrich disclosed.

He said persons who make a living out of fishing are severely affected. “It is not a good practice to bring illegal drugs into the coun-

RPA President Leekha Rambrich

try which are not tested and proven that they are safe to use in our country.”

Untraceable chemicals

Rambrich also addressed the issue of traceability, saying that it is important, since untraceable chemicals could have a negative impact on both the industry and the country. “If, for instance, a drug is imported illegally and it is not registered and it is used in the rice sector and remains in the rice and causes harm, when we trace it, we cannot know where it came from...”

Rambrich said through the pesticide board, all chemicals legally entering Guyana are registered.

“So those drugs registered can be traced back to where they came from. But drugs coming from Suriname cannot be traced. Who would take the responsibility for those drugs that are just

selling in the market?”

However when this publication raised the issue with some farmers who asked not to be named, they said the pesticides and other chemicals smuggled from Suriname are cheaper than those imported legally.

The RPA president, however, said that these farmers need to take into consideration several factors, including safety and the environment. “If we are saying that Suriname drugs are cheaper, look at the longterm effects. As a farmer when you are going into the Backdam, you usually take along equipment to do some fishing. What is happening now is that you walk the whole day, and you hardly see fishes in the backdam because of the chemical that are being used.”

Rambrich argues that despite these farmers’ claims, Caribbean Chemicals, as well as AINLIM, sell the same chemicals at the same price. “It is not that the Suriname drugs are selling cheaper, it is that some farmers have a habit of using illegal and deadly drugs. I am asking farmers to use drugs that are safe and those that enter the country through the correct channel if we are to protect our environment, including our fishes and our birds. In so doing, we will eventually be safeguarding our lives.”

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ne day after a housekeeping manager at the Princess Hotel and Casino lost control of his car and slammed into a traffic median at Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, he succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Sunday morning.

The accident occurred about 01:30h on Saturday. Twenty-seven year-old O’Neil King, of Lot 74 Lamaha Springs, Georgetown took his last breath around 11:00h on Sunday. According to information, King left his workplace at approximately 01:15h and was under the influence of alcohol.

While driving in the vicinity of the Two Brothers Gas Station, he was reportedly forced off the road by another car.

King, who was alone in the car, was pinned in his vehicle, and sustained injuries about his body, including a partially severed leg. He was assisted out of the car by a friend who was passing at the time and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Doctors worked hard to save his life, but he had lost a lot of blood and suffered internal injuries.

He reportedly underwent two surgeries: one on the left leg and the other to repair the damage to his intestines. King’s family

O’Neil King

received a phone call from a hospital official about 11:00h on Sunday requesting their presence at the medical facility where they were told that he had succumbed despite desperate attempts to save his life.

His grandmother, Cleopatra Wharton told Guyana Times that they had received a call from a friend informing them of the accident about 1:45h on Saturday. She said when she and King’s mother made their way to the accident scene, they saw the wrecked car and were told that he had been taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. When they arrived at the hospital, doctors were preparing

King for surgery.

The grieving Wharton said hospital officials handed over his personal belongings to the family, but they did not get to see him until late Saturday night. “He was conscious and when I asked him if he remembered anything, he told me Granny, another car forced me off the road,” she added.

She explained that King sustained a puncture to his lower right abdomen. He was removed from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and placed in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

King, a father of one, worked at the Qualfon Call Centre before taking a job with the Carnival Cruise Line, Trinidad and Tobago. He returned home and was immediately employed by the Princess Hotel and Casino and was eventually promoted to housekeeping manager.

King was one of the survivors of the Yohance Douglas shooting 10 years ago at Sheriff and Bonasika streets, Campbellville. He leaves to mourn his fouryear-old son, parents, one sibling, and his grandmother.

8 news

monday, may 20, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana examines Petrocaribe Economic Zone proposal – PM Hinds

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uyana is examining a proposal by Venezuela to set up a Petrocaribe Economic Zone (PEZ) which was tabled at the recently concluded ministerial meeting of Petrocaribe and the Summit of Heads.

Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA) after attending the summit in Venezuela, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said, “The PEZ is intended to deepen the progress made by the organisation, with a view to developing the production sectors of member states, based on the linkage of production chains which would generate economic surplus and would make cooperation sustainable in the context of Petrocaribe.”

The Petrocaribe fund was created by Venezuela in 2005 to sell fuel to Latin American and Caribbean countries at cheaper prices and to help back their oil infrastructure projects. Its beneficiaries are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, St

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.

The Venezuelan government has affirmed its commitment to the PetroCaribe Initiative, and expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far by this integration mechanism. It also recognised the need to reinvigorate and strengthen the Petrocaribe and ALBA energy cooperation schemes, and acknowledged the results attained through fair trade while encouraging the working group to continue with the effective implementation

of the oil bill compensation handbook.

With regards to fair trade mechanisms, Prime Minister Hinds said, “There has been this proposal that countries could meet some or all of their finance portions of their oil purchases by selling goods to Venezuela. Guyana is already taking advantage of this as it sells rice to the neighbouring country.”

Hinds said all attendees agreed to convene the Council of Ministers of Economy and other government cooperation bodies related to the development of the PEZ. The prime minister also mentioned the note of the proposal to start technical studies and discussions for the creation of the system of Petrocaribe Bilateral Integration Funds (FOBIP), as a financial mechanism for production linkages and trade revitalisation under the Petrocaribe Regional Development Mechanism.

The Bank of ALBA would be the financial institution which would support the design of projects and the management of the funds of Petrocaribe.

The issue of growing debt should be thought of in terms of better use of the fuel sup-

plies being made available, said the prime minister. He noted that this issue was raised at earlier meetings since 2003. “If we didn’t use any fuel, then there wouldn’t be any debt.” He added that former Cuban President Fidel Castro had raised the issue of the rate at which the world was using petroleum fuel, which was unsustainable, and the fact that due to climate change, nations needed to reconsider their lifestyles and use more alternative sources of energy.

The debt which is incurred by member nations at preferential rates, is intended to offer them, “some breathing space”, according to the prime minister and allow them to adjust to the uses of renewable energy programmes.

The preferential rates of payment would also enable countries to use their scarce funds to develop various aspects of their economy. The prime minister was accompanied

by Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Chief Executive Officer Mahender Sharma, Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela Geoffrey Da Silva and Protocol Officer Roopchand Bissessar.

Nine rescued, one missing after boat sinks

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ne man is missing and nine were dramatically rescued when a boat capsized off the Riverstown foreshore, due to a severe high tide Saturday afternoon.

The missing man has been identified as Fred Crame, a farmer of Adventure Village on the Essequibo Coast.

Creme was travelling in a balahoo (wooden boat) along with 10 other men when the boat capsized. While another vessel that was in the vicinity went to their assistance and saved the 10 others, Crame, 24, was nowhere to be found.

According to his grieving wife Joan Prince, her husband left home around 07:00h Saturday to go work with Shabbir (only name given) at his Hamburg farm. Prince said she does not suspect any foul play in her husband’s disappearance.

She said her husband has been farming for years on the Hamburg Island. Prince related that late Saturday evening his boss enquired if her husband was home. She said she knew something was amiss, and in reply, asked him where her husband was. She said Crame’s boss then left and returned a second time. The saddened woman said her husband was the sole bread winner for the family and she cannot work as she was in an accident.

The woman said the owner

From left to right: Joan Prince, wife of the missing man, with his mother Iris Daniel

of the boat broke the sad news to her, relating that the boat in which her husband was travelling capsized and he is feared drowned. She said she got so confused and began to cry when she heard the news.

She immediately made contact with other family members in the North West, Kwebana area and a search is being conducted.

The missing man’s mother Iris Daniel said she did not see her son for the past two years.

“He called me Mother’s Day, stating that he will be coming to see me, I longed to see him, I love my son so much,” the mother related. Crame grew up in Kwebana, North West

District. His mother said she cannot believe that she would not get to see her son and is praying that he is found alive.

The mother of five said her son was always willing and caring to her.

When asked if Crame was a skilled swimmer, the mother related during his childhood, he had some bad experiences in the water. She said that her son could swim, but only when he puts his mind to it. Residents of the community are questioning the decision by the captain to have so many persons on the small boat.

Many are of the view that the boat was overloaded with

passengers which resulted in it capsizing. In recent times, there have been a number of river accidents, most resulting in deaths.

Following separate accidents in Pomeroon and Bartica, the Maritime Administration Department has launched an aggressive safety campaign on river transportation following two deadly boat collisions which claimed the lives of 17 persons.

The first of the accidents occurred on December 18, 2012 on the Pomeroon River where six persons lost their lives. It was found that navigational lights were not used and rain had decreased visibility. In the January 22 accident on the Mazaruni River, 11 persons died as a result of speeding. None of the passengers had life jackets.

The accidents, which occurred one month apart, had put maritime safety under severe scrutiny and MARAD responded to the challenge, moving swiftly to ensure complete enforcement of regulations. The campaign targeted the Bartica, Supenaam, Charity, Georgetown, Vreeden-Hoop and Parika stellings, with officials moving to enforce licensing regulations for boats, and boat captains, as well as the use of emergency and fire equipment, including life jackets.

Two held for smuggled motorbikes

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wo men have been arrested after they were caught with three motorcycles that were smuggled into Guyana through Lethem from Brazil.

In a statement, police said that about 12:55h on

Saturday ranks at a roadblock at Wisroc, Wismar, stopped and searched a minibus in which was found three motorcycles that had been brought into the country illegally through Lethem.

The civilian driver and a civilian passenger have been arrested and are in police custody, assisting with the investigations. A policeman who was also a passenger in the vehicle was placed under close arrest

after he was found to have left his station district without permission. Contrary to an article posted on the Demerara Waves website, the police said, no rank has been arrested in relation to the motorcycles.

Eyew tness Slaughter...

T ...of the lambs

he news that the five men charged and then committed to stand trial for the Bartica Massacre are expected to appear in the High Court on May 21 should remind all Guyana that it was only five years ago this country was facing elements determined to overthrow the government by any means necessary. Yes...that’s right, the Bartica Massacre was committed only FIVE years ago on February 17, 2008.

About 20 gunmen, dressed in military gear and bulletproof jackets, descended on the township in the heat of the night and conducted a ruthless but obviously well-planned attack.

Three policemen and nine civilians were massacred with several injured before the bloodbath ended and they made their getaway also by boat. All fingers pointed to “Fineman”, Rondell Rawlings, and his murderous gang that had earlier committed the Lusignan Massacre.

While “Fineman” and most of his gang were killed later in 2008 in various firefights with law enforcement officers – who must be commended in light of the gang’s weaponry and ability to obtain information – what Guyana must remember is the background to all the mayhem and killings that took place between 2000 and 2008. It was a political background: a background that was spawned in the “slow fyaah, mo fyaah” strategy of People’s National Congress (PNC) leader Desmond Hoyte and kept alive by every one of his successors.

The bottom line is that from the elections of 1997, the PNC refused to accept the verdict of the polls – even though these were certified as free and fair by hordes of foreign and domestic observers. They were emboldened when their street elements – with certain elements of the security forces closing their eyes to their excesses – brought the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government down to its knees. (Is it a coincidence that a former commissioner of police and the head of the army both participated in opposition street protests in 2011?) The PPP/C’s term was truncated, the president resigned and constitutional changes were implemented to satisfy the rampant opposition.

The lawlessness escalated because the opposition believed that with continued pressure the PPP/C could be forced from office permanently. The Hoyte doctrine which stated that “the only language the PPP/C understands” is still dominant. Witness Agricola and Linden last year. The Camp Street 5 that holed up in Buxton provided the nucleus around which men like “Fineman” and others of his ilk could take the fight to the government.

Five years in politics is a blip – we cannot become complacent that “things now regulah”. They are not. In fact, the facilitators of the attacks against the state now believe they are poised to take power.

...averted

The Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) just came out swinging, in defence of beleaguered acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba. We salute them. Margaret Thatcher, called “the Iron Lady” by her contemporaries, was also said to have more “cojones” than the rest of her colleagues in the Cabinet. It appears that the sisters in the WPO have more cojones than their counterparts in the ‘town council’.

We’ve commented on their disgraceful behaviour when Mayor-for-life Hamilton Green tried to vote her out of office and none of the PPP/C councillors were around. Green and his band of retrogrades must not be allowed to get their way with our own Iron Lady in the city administration. For too long they’ve scratched each other’s backs as the city treasury was raided to fill their own pockets. What citizens long suspected was confirmed by a report from Raymond Gaskin – certainly no partisan of the government. The WPO also connected the recent ethnic profiling of some Indian Guyanese youths by the City Constabulary to the hounding of Sooba.

Something to chew over.

...of the country

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has made it clear they’ll allow the country to face international censure to “gain leverage”. What say the PNC and Working People’s Alliance (WPA), now A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to this, in view of their “nationalist” boasts?

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New North West ferry Blind students preparing for CSEC exams under consideration – Minister Benn

A rally involving persons with disabilities

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Public Works Minister Robeson Benn addressing residents of White Water, Region One during which he announced that a new ferry is under consideration for the North West

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n the near future, residents of North West, Region One will benefit from a new ferry which will accommodate both passengers and cargo.

It is expected that the new vessel will be more comfortable and faster, thereby reducing the hours of travelling and will accommodate more passengers. This announcement was made

by Public Works Minister Robeson Benn during community meetings in Region One over the weekend, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

The minister told residents of this development at White Water where concerns about river transport

were raised. Residents said that they are challenged by the travel schedule which is restricted due to the dry-docking of the vessel Kimbia, which is undergoing repairs to the hull and machinery.

The boat is expected to be back in service in a few weeks. Before the Kimbia started to service the North West, the Lady Northcote and the Barima traversed the route. Minister Benn indicated that active discussions are ongoing with regards to obtaining the new boat, and it is anticipated that it will be acquired within 12 to 18 months.

It was observed that much of the produce in

the region originates from Georgetown, and Minister Benn is optimistic that this trend would be reversed when the new boat is secured, since in the past a lot of produce originated from the North West. The decision to procure a new boat for the region follows similar actions for the Essequibo Coast and surrounding islands which are being serviced by two roll-on/roll-off ferries. These interventions are part of the government’s thrust towards ensuring that Guyanese have access to reliable and safe water transportation, and that they are also able to access critical products and services.

or many students preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, the challenge of studying, completing school-based assessments (SBAs) and extra lessons can be a daunting task.

However, for a few students who were unable to write the CSEC examinations due to visual impairment, it is the opportunity of a lifetime. Among them are 17-year-old Rosemarie Ramitt and 22-year-old Anthony Robinson, whom have not been in a classroom for four and 11 years respectively and are now being able to sit the exams through the efforts of the Guyana Society for the Blind.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times, Ramitt said that catching up has been a breeze since she has always been sharp. “I was a normal person and when I got blind it was like there was a pause in my life,” the CSEC student disclosed.

She noted that her focus now is to pass the five subjects and then attend the

the opportunity provided to him.

“I just hope I will be successful so that I can be able to secure employment when I’m finished and be independent.”

Robinson also offered some advice to persons like himself, stating, “… they should never say this is the end of the world.

They can reach out to organisations and make full use of the advantages.” To those without a disability, Robinson remarked “… refrain from discouraging others who want to move forward”.

The Guyana Society for the Blind is offering online classes to CSEC students living in rural and outlying areas across the country. Public Relations Officer Ganesh Singh revealed that there are currently 17 students preparing for the 2014 May/June CSEC examinations.

He disclosed that four of the students accessing online classroom sessions are from Berbice and Linden while there are 13 students in the classroom.

Singh explained that the society was forced to limit the intake by initially targeting

FITUG hails implementation of new minimum wage

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ederation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) General Secretary Kenneth Joseph has applauded the government for its recent decision to implement a minimum wage from July 1.

Speaking with the press recently, Joseph said he was grateful to be a part of the process, noting that the $35, 000 a month benchmark set is reasonable.

“I was a part of the discussions at the National Tripartite Committee; we spent months discussing it and find it’s a reasonable position.”

While most of the workers that will benefit from this move are not unionised, the FITUG general secretary opined that the other trade unions in Guyana are pleased with the minimum

wage standard.

Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul said for too long thousands of workers in Guyana have been working for less than $35, 000.

He said this move by government is a step in the right direction for Guyana, taking into consideration the current industrial relations climate. This, he added, will also aid in nation building.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon made the announcement during a recent media briefing. According to Dr Luncheon, the minimum wage will not only cover monthly workers, but weekly and hourly paid workers as well. The minimum wage for weekly workers has been set at $8000 while $200 has been set for hourly workers.

“The new national minimum wage does indeed take

into consideration other provisions. Some statutory, some close to statutory that have been in existence and so hallowed for so long they almost become statutory. I specifically refer to the public service minimum wage and of course, you know, the public service minimum wage today as of 2013, exceeds this new national minimum wage.”

This new national minimum wage will be implemented across the board for all business sectors in Guyana, replacing the existing one that covered specific sectors.

Dr Luncheon stressed that the new national wage will serve as an ultimate improvement that binds employers across the board to subscribe to a standard, stipulated amount to be earned by any employee.

Anthony Robinson preparing for the 2014 CSEC exams

University of Guyana. Ramitt has her sights set on three options: public management, social work and communications. These, she believes, would be manageable areas for someone with her impairment. “I’ll take it one at a time and see how things fall into place from there.” According to Ramitt, the family unit plays a crucial role in the life of a person with visual impairment.

“There are persons who you can turn to; those who can identify with you and know how you feel,” Ramitt advised.

Robinson, who has been out of school since age 11, is preoccupied with making good on

15 students so as to ensure each student could be given individual attention. “We do not want to put too many students in one class because of the nature of their disability, they would require more oneon-one interaction with tutors,” Singh said.

Electronic material

He stated that the notes, handouts and all other work material are computerised. The syllabus is also being taught electronically and with the use of Braille. The organisation had written to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Inc (GT&T) seek-

ing support for the online programme.

The telephone company responded by providing free DSL Internet bandwidth so that the CSEC students can conduct research and online students can have access to classroom sessions. According to Singh, the Internet access is available at the organisation, located at St Phillips Green, Werk-en-Rust, and is valid for one year.

The programme could go a long way in empowering persons living with disabilities by increasing their earning capacity, making them more marketable and qualified to enter the world of work.

Singh, who is famous for his role in blind cricket, is qualified to tutor visually impaired students using Job Access with Speech (JAWS) computer software that utilises audible letters.

JAWS is a computer screen-reader programme from Microsoft Windows that allows visually impaired users to read the screen either with a text-to-speech output or by a refreshable Braille display. JAWS was originally created for the MS-DOS operating system. It was one of several screen readers giving blind users access to textmode MS-DOS applications.

One of the unique features of JAWS is the use of cascading menus, in the style of the popular Lotus 1-2-3 application.

What sets JAWS apart from other screen readers of the era is its use of macros that allowed users to customise the user interface and work better with various applications.

The organisation had also been providing computer training to students pending the distribution of computers under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project.

Singh explained that the programme was being taught to students who were recipients of the government’s laptop project, but had been stymied by the halt in the distribution process. He noted that the last session of the training course was completed in March 2012, with a batch of 29 students.

According to Singh, he is required to provide 30 hours of basic computer training under the OLPF Project.

The tutor said visually impaired persons in outlying areas have not yet been able to access the training. However, Singh expressed hope that during the next round of distribution, he would be able to travel to the hinterland regions to conduct the training.

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monday, may 20, 2013

News

Minister Benn inspects roads, addresses concerns in Region One

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esidents of Wauna, Region One on Saturday related to the Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, during a community meeting, that the contractor is not using the right material for the road since it is washed away when there is heavy rainfall.

Having had this information prior to arriving at the community, Minister Benn and his team comprising regional officials and engineers, assessed the progress of the work done, and the material being used.

The minister posited that the material used contained a high clay content at the time that it was being laid on the road.

Approximately $15 million is being spent to fix portions of the stretch of road that have deteriorated, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Several weeks ago, the road work was interrupted when residents staged a protest and blocked the road.

The minister told the residents that it was unlawful to do so, and that they should report their concerns to the ministry.

“You have a legal right to protest…but do not prevent the work that is on-going, do not avoid a rational and reasonable discussion about whatever problem is there… contact the permanent secretary in the ministry or the chief works officer,” the minister told the residents.

Despite the interruptions in the work, and the inclement weather, the project is expected to be completed shortly.

De hypocrites in town

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Public Works Minister Robeson Benn inspecting work being done on the shoulder of the Wanaina/ Wauna road

With respect to the quality of the work, Minister Benn informed the residents that the contract has set interventions that are applied to poor work, and these include the contractor effecting remedial work during the liability period, or the contract being taken away if the work is not corrected.

While interacting with the residents, Minister Benn explained that the Wanaina/ Wauna road project is being done through the ministry’s Hinterland Road Project which would not normally focus on these types of community roads, but would conduct work on the Linden/ Lethem, Amaila Falls access, and Mahdia roads.

However, the Ministry in 2012 expanded its reach to include these roads.

The minister said that he was aware of the issues with the road when the work was

started, and this was due to there being a limited number of contractors in Region One. There are only two in the region.

Meanwhile in Barabina, residents had rejected the material (wood) that was being used by the contractor for the revetment and palloff. The incomplete work impacts the residents in that they have to pay increased transportation costs.

Hinterland Road Engineer Naeem Mohamed explained that because there are not many contractors doing work in the region, the usual two weeks of advertising for the project was extended, however, only one person submitted a bid.

Additionally, the wood initially procured by the contractor was also rejected by the ministry, and a list of appropriate woods was

sourced from the regional administration and passed on to the contractor.

Currently, the contractor is in the process of procuring the wood for the revetment and he has also requested a two-month extension which was granted.

In this regard, work on a section of the road will be completed by the end of July; if not liquidity damages will be applied.

Minister Benn in noting his concern about the situation, stressed that the project will be closely monitored to ensure the community gets relief. He also commended the resident who created a by-pass (walkway) along the segment of the road that is covered with water.

He also recognised that the height of the high tides is affecting the traditional drainage system along the road side.

Police seek Sophia home invaders

ong ago, in primary school, de boys and girls does play a nice lil game called ‘my riddle, my riddle, my riddle’ – one person would seh sum ting and de others would have to guess who or what de person talkin bout.

If de boys and girls still playin that game, wid all that happen over de weekend and de past few days, dem gon have a lotta riddles to test one another wid. Most of dem bound to be bout who is a hypocrite and who is not.

De first one would go like this: my riddle, my riddle, my riddle – a man don’t want to support de Specialty Hospital because he client didn’t get de construction contract, even though de project gon be good fuh plenty poor people. Who is he? Answer: a hypocrite.

De second one would go like this: my riddle, my riddle, my riddle – a man don’t want to vote fuh de Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill because he got connection wid, and does represent, drug lords and other questionable characters. Who is he? Answer: a hypocrite.

De third one would go like this: my riddle, my riddle, my riddle­­ – a man wanted to be president real bad. He wanted to be president so bad that he run to de U.S. embassy to tell lies pun he colleagues dem in de party so that he could be nominated. Then de colleagues dem put he out de party.

Who is he? Answer: a hypocrite.

De fourth one would go like this: my-riddle my-riddle my-riddle – a man don’t want de Marriott Hotel to go up and he vote against it because he friend and party financial supporter own another run-down hotel nearby. Who is he?

Answer: a hypocrite.

Well, de other riddle would be bout a man who tryin to fire a woman because de woman expose how he wife don’t want to pay taxes and then he turn round and thief de Japanese money.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

And de final riddle gone go like this –who are de biggest hypocrites in town? Answer: Rum Jhaat and Green Ham.

Granger seeks inquiry into deaths, illnesses in Region One

– shot man’s condition remains serious

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minibus driver is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing a gunshot wound to his right side stomach which he sustained during a robbery at his home in the wee hours of Saturday.

The condition of Patrick Nurse also called “Mickie”, 55, of Sophia, Greater Georgetown is being monitored. Hospital officials confirmed that a bullet is lodged in his rib cage.

According to information, Nurse was roused by a noise in his bedroom and upon checking, he was confronted by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. Nurse raised an alarm, and in retaliation, the gunman discharged a round hitting him to his chest.

The men then made good their escape with three laptops and $50,000 in cash.

The house at the time was occupied by the injured man and his wife. Their daughter was at the hospital seeking medical attention.

Suzette Nurse, a sister of the injured man, explained that she lives two houses away from her brother and that she normally gets up around 2:00h to pray. While worshipping, she heard dogs barking which prompted her to look through her bedroom window, but she did not see any unusual movements not sounds.

As she went ahead with her prayers, she disclosed that the dogs continued to bark and suddenly she heard a commotion in her brother’s house, but she thought that he and his wife were having a misunderstanding.

A few minutes later, she heard what appeared to be the sound of a gunshot

and soon after screams.

“They shoot me! They shoot me! Y’all come! They shoot me!!!” she added were the shouts coming from her brother’s home. The woman further stated that soon after she saw two men running out of her brother’s yard, and without fear, she ran to her brother’s home where she saw blood oozing from his chest.

In immense pain, the injured man drove to the hospital with some encouragement from his sister who was sitting in the front passenger seat. Upon reaching the medical facility, Nurse was admitted. The still shaky woman went on to say that from all indications, the two men gained access into the house from a window located over the front step. She said her brother fell asleep working on his laptop and was fast asleep when the men made

their way into the house.

The bandits detached a flat screen television which they intended to take away, but after the gun went off, they left it behind along with a bag belonging to the man’s wife. The injured man is convinced that the robbers are from the village. The police are continuing their investigations.

Recently, Nigel Lowe, 43, of B Field Sophia, Georgetown was beaten to death after he was accused of theft. Lowe was found dead after being beaten by residents of Sophia, who claimed that he had broken into a house in the community. The 43-year-old man of Block E, Sophia, was discovered tied to a utility pole in B Field, Sophia with several chop wounds. He was also stripped of his clothing.

No one was charged for the murder although a number of persons were arrested.

Opposition Leader David Granger

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motion to appoint a commission of inquiry (CoI) to investigate the incidence of illness and deaths in Region One will be placed before the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The motion will be tabled

by Opposition Leader David Granger in accordance with Articles 24 and 36 of the Constitution of Guyana, which states that “every citizen has the right to free medical attention” and that “the well-being for the nation depends upon preserving clean air, fertile soils,

pure water, etc”.

Granger’s basis for such a motion comes in light of reports that several persons, including two babies, a oneyear-old child, and several others have died and over 500 persons have become ill since February 2013.

They are said to have died and become ill due to similar causes said to be associated with the supply of water in the region.

Additionally, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, it is outlined that “The president may issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorising such commissioner or commissioners to inquire into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the president, be for public welfare.”

The CoI would be tasked with the responsibility of analysing the illnesses and deaths of persons in BarimaWaini and of making recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such outbreaks, thus preserving the well-being of residents in that region.

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, may 20, 2013

Times Notebook Global lunacy: Why do we keep excluding mental health from the development agenda?

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imes Notebook recently reread a speech made by the former health minister of Guyana, Dr Leslie Ramsammy at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in 2008. In that speech, Dr Ramsammy railed against public health experts and development specialists who collectively keep on ignoring the disabling effect of adverse mental health on the welfare of individuals and of the development of society as a whole.

In particular, he stated then that “people with mental health problems are excluded even from groupings referred to as vulnerable.

These persons are not just like the rest of the poor; they are poorer. They are disadvantaged by who they are, because they cannot speak for themselves. People with mental disabilities are locked out of development, not by themselves, but by the very people who say they want to “end poverty”.

The government of Guyana has included vulnerable groups as part of its short-, medium and longterm development plans.

Virtually every government in the world has included vulnerable groups as part of their development plans. All development agencies have pronounced on plans for vulnerable groups. The Department for International Development (DFID); World Bank; Inter-

American Development Bank (IDB); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); World Health Organisation (WHO); Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and many others have been bold in embracing vulnerable groups as part of their development agenda.

about 26 million persons are living with this condition globally. Around the world, it is estimated that more than 125 million persons suffer from alcohol-use disorders, more than 25 million from Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and more than 40 million from epilepsy.

Who are the vulnerable?

Yet, no health budget or development strategies have allocated any meaningful budget to tackle this truly gigantic global challenge. Indeed, this challenge has become a raging global tsunami. Just consider this fact: mental health conditions almost equal malaria in terms of burden of disease in developing countries. Yet when we look at how much money is available globally to fight mental health conditions, it represents less than 10 per cent of what is available to fight malaria. Times Notebook must immediately caution that we believe the amount spent on malaria is still not enough. But this only underline the bizarre neglect of mental health in the development agendas around the world.

Times Notebook recalls the clarion call of Dr Ramsammy for many years and places it again on the table. Today, it is sheer global lunacy to continue to ignore mental health in national and global development agenda. In Guyana’s

But who are the vulnerable? People living in poverty, persons living with HIV, refugees, ethnic minorities in certain countries, trafficked children and women, commercial sex workers, and people with disabilities have been identified. Times Notebook keeps checking, but rarely, if ever, sees persons with mental disabilities being explicitly recognised as “vulnerable”.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy was passionate and vehement in demanding that the world recognises the plight of people with mental health problems. Despite their obvious and punishing vulnerability, people with mental health conditions – including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, epilepsy, alcohol and drug-use disorders, child and adult mental health conditions, and intellectual impairments – have been mostly overlooked by development agendas around the world.

This exclusion from even being considered as vulnera-

Gigantic global challenge

ble is despite the high prevalence of mental health conditions, their economic impact, and the associated stigmatisation, discrimination, and exclusion. Dr Ramsammy had waged a war to have the chronic non-communicable diseases recognised as part of the millennium development goals (MDGs). He had coined a new initiative called the MDG+. When the United Nations finally recognised this call and had a summit in September 2011 to call for greater and more meaningful action against the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and cancers, among others, it once again did not find a place for mental health.

The minister was very vocal against the exclusion of mental health from the discussion then.

Look at Guyana, suicide is among the top 10 causes of death. More than 150 deaths were caused by suicide last year, more than AIDS in Guyana. More than 900,000 people died last year around the world because of suicide. Globally, there are more than 160 million persons living with depression and the Health Ministry has estimated that about 20 per cent of the adult population in Guyana may be suffering from depression. While we are unaware of how many persons are living with schizophrenia in Guyana, WHO has estimated that

case, we call on the Health Ministry to elevate the profile of the mental health programme. What has happened to the programmes to train psychiatric nurses and for post-graduate training of doctors to become psychiatrists? Why is it that the National Psychiatric Hospital is not being further developed? What happened to the package of mental health services to be established at all health centres, and district and regional hospitals that the Health Ministry had announced many years ago?

What happened to the mental health bill that the Health Ministry had drafted and had extensive consultation across the country? The then health minister had announced that many people think the draft bill was one of the most advanced ones in developing countries. Times Notebook wants to know, where did it fall off?

That bill and a programme to deal with the indigent and the people with obvious mental health conditions that roam our streets were promising programmes that seem to have fallen off the horizon. Times Notebook urges the national authorities and the relevant global institutions to stop the lunacy that pervades our collective failure and put mental health conditions high on the development priorities for 2020.

GRC, New Thriving host annual luncheon T

he Guyana Relief Council, in collaboration with New Thriving Restaurant, hosted its annual Chinese Food Festival on Sunday raising funds to boost the council’s operations.

The luncheon was held at the New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street, Georgetown; approximately 200 persons attended the feast. This luncheon is the GRC’s biggest fundraising activity and was sponsored exclusively by New Thriving.

According to GRC’s Chairperson Yvonne Hinds, the agency has been hosting the event for more than 10 years, and over the past few years it has raised $1 million annually. “This event was no expense to the GRC, it was fully sponsored by New Thriving, every year the restaurant does this and we are grateful to them for this magnificent contribution,” Mrs Hinds said.

Patrons enjoy a sumptuous meal at the GRC luncheon hosted by the New Thriving Restaurant

She disclosed that so far for the year, the GRC has helped 58 families, consisting of more than 225 persons, who were victims of various disasters. Hinds noted that the agency does not only bring relief to disaster victims, but also continuously assist families who face extreme difficulties in their life.

“We also have special

welfare cases that we support every month; for instance, there is an old woman who has six grandchildren to maintain, they are all orphans and she took them in, so we support her monthly; we also have a single-parent father whose house was demolished by a tree and neighbours are helping to rebuild it, but because he has to stay home

and take care of the children, we also help him out monthly, and then there is this policewoman who shot in her head during the prison break, every month we provide her with some assistance,” she stated.

Hinds said she is pleased with the turnout, noting that it is not surprising to have a full house since the 200-plus tickets were sold out two

GRC Chairperson Mrs Yvonne Hinds with two of the guests at the luncheon

weeks before the event. The tickets cost $5000 per person and allowed each holder access to a buffet of a variety of delicious foods and desserts.

In addition to the scrumptious meal, there were also two items sold during a "Dutch Auction” – a plaque, donated by the Chinese embassy, was sold for $61,000

while a bouquet was auctioned off for $38,000.

The GRC is a non-profit organisation that extends relief to victims of natural disasters and persons who are in extreme hardship.

The agency operates under the motto “Caring and Sharing” and also does welfare work for special cases.

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monday, may 20, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Developing countries to dominate global saving, investment – World Bank

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n less than a generation, global saving and investment will be dominated by the developing world, says the just-released Global Development Horizons (GDH) report.

By 2030, half the global stock of capital, totalling US$158 trillion (in 2010 dollars), will reside in the developing world, compared to less than one-third today, with countries in East Asia and Latin America accounting for the largest shares of this stock, says the report, which explores patterns of investment, saving and capital flows as they are likely to evolve over the next two decades.

Global investment

Titled “Capital for the Future: Saving and Investment in an Interdependent World”, GDH projects developing countries’ share in global investment to triple by 2030 to three-fifths, from one-fifth in 2000. Productivity catch-up, increasing integration into global markets, sound macroeconomic policies, and improved education and health are helping speed growth and create massive investment opportunities, which, in turn, are spurring a shift in global economic weight to developing countries.

A further boost is being provided by the youth bulge. By 2020, less than seven years from now, growth in world’s working-age population will be exclusively determined by developing countries. With developing countries on course to add more than 1.4 billion people to their combined population between now and 2030, the full benefit of the demographic dividend has yet to be reaped, particularly in the relatively younger regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Structural transformations

GDH paints two scenarios, based on the speed of convergence between the developed and developing worlds in per capita income levels, and the pace of structural transformations (such as financial development and improvements in institutional quality) in the two groups.

Scenario one entails a gradual convergence between the developed and developing world while a much more rapid one is envisioned in the second.

In both scenarios, developing countries’ employment in services will account for more than 60 per cent of their total employment by 2030 and they will account for more than 50 per cent of

global trade. This shift will occur alongside demographic changes that will increase demand for infrastructural services. Indeed, the report estimates the developing world’s infrastructure financing needs at US$14.6 trillion between now and 2030.

The report also points to aging populations in East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which will see the largest reductions in private saving rates.

Demographic change will test the sustainability of public finances and complex policy challenges will arise from efforts to reduce the burden of health care and pensions without imposing severe hardships on the old. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa, with its relatively young and rapidly growing population as well as robust economic growth, will be the only region not experiencing a decline in its saving rate.

Global saving

In absolute terms, however, saving will continue to be dominated by Asia and the Middle East. In the gradual convergence scenario, in 2030, China will save far more than any other developing country − US$9 trillion − with India a distant second with US$1.7 trillion, surpassing the levels of Japan

and the United States in the 2020s.

As a result, under the gradual convergence scenario, China will account for 30 per cent of global investment in 2030, with Brazil, India and Russia together accounting for another 13 per cent. In terms of volumes, investment in the developing world will reach US$15 trillion, versus US$10 trillion in high-income economies. Again, China and India will be the largest investors among developing countries, with the two countries combined representing 38 per cent of the global gross investment in 2030, and they will account for almost half of all global manufacturing investment.

“GDH clearly highlights the increasing role developing countries will play in the global economy. This is undoubtedly a significant achievement. However, even if wealth will be more evenly distributed across countries, this does not mean that, within countries, everyone will equally benefit,” said Maurizio Bussolo, lead economist and lead author of the report.

The report finds that the least educated groups in a country have low or no saving, suggesting an inability to improve their earning capacity and, for the poorest, to escape a poverty trap.

Seven injured in Conversation Tree accident

The scene of the accident on Sunday night

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wo vehicles collided on Sunday evening at Conversation Tree, Greater Georgetown, leaving seven persons injured. The accident occurred sometime around 21:30h.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the vehicles involved in the accident are a red Fielder wagon which had three passengers and a white AT 192 Toyota Carina motorcar which had four occupants.

The Fielder wagon was travelling west along the northern carriageway of the Rupert Craig Highway and was turning into Conversation Tree when the 192 motor car smashed into the left side of the Fielder.

Those injured include: 17-year-old Roshanna Smith, a student of St Georges, of Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was with a friend, Kenesha (only name given) of Bladen Hall, ECD and two other persons

including the driver in the AT 192 motorcar. Smith sustained a broken right foot while the driver of the vehicle is reportedly in critical condition.

Twenty-six-year-old Rajiv Bookmohan of Bel Air, Georgetown, and a female was in the Fielder with the driver, Clevon James, 30, of Prashad Nagar. James suffered a broken rib and minor lacerations about his body while Bookmohan, who was pinned down for nearly three hours, sustained serious injuries to his upper body.

A public-spirited person assisted with transporting five of the injured persons to the Georgetown Public Hospital with his Canter truck. James was subsequently taken by his relatives to the hospital and Bookmohan followed hours after. Up to press time, the names and condition of the other victims were still unknown.

Autism foundation reveals five-year strategic plan

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ounder of the Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society, Karen Williams said she intends to do all in her power to ensure that Guyana is equipped with the requisite skill, knowledge and resources to holistically address the needs of children with autism.

However, Williams stated that part of the challenge remains that just a fraction of the Guyanese population are familiar with the condition.

Speaking to the media on her plans for the society which was established some three years ago, Williams stated that a five-year strategic plan has been formulated with the aim of bringing the society on par with international organisations.

The founder, who lives in the United States, where her daughter attends school, explained that although the society is not as proactive as she would like it to be, there are definitely plans in the pipelines.

“I’ve been back and forth trying first and foremost as a mother, a teacher and an advocate. I’ve been bringing all the knowledge and skills that I gathered and tailoring that to suit our individual needs here so they could have the material to advance the foundation.”

Williams and her husband were faced with grave

difficulty when they realised that one of their daughters was displaying symptoms of autism.

“We searched everywhere for a school or institution that could accommodate her, but we found none, so we were forced to keep her home for almost a year in order to properly address her needs,” she disclosed.

It was on this basis that the foundation was formed, eventually expanding to operate a school with professionals and voluntary personnel and a board of directors.

“I’m president and when I’m not here, my vice chair would operate to help the school move ahead.”

The foundation has implemented a training programme conducted with special schools and with support from Voluntary Services Overseas (now CUSO International).

The Greenheart Society is also hoping to introduce training to the society in an effort to bring more awareness to ensure autistic children are indentified early.

It is also hoping to facilitate national training for teachers that would be extended regionally, and decentralise services to community so as to address autism.

“I have engaged the interest of the Ministry of Health; we lobbied for a

A teacher at the Greenheart Autistic School helps to visually stimulate a student during the learning process

building. We have also been in discussion with both the minister of education and the chief education officer and we have had some feedback.”

The organisation is also hoping to collaborate with non- governmental organisations (NGOs) to have discussions and bring awareness about autism.

Addressing needs

Williams said her goal is to have an institution that holistically addresses the needs of children, be it educational, social, physical and

psychological.

She is largely interested in having the institution operate as a public entity since a majority of the population in Guyana does not have the necessary means to access care for their children.

“We try to network with generous organisations and kind friends who can provide the requisite support to ensure the children are not left behind.”

Greenheart Society has also been in collaboration with “Action Plan”, which has made learning resource material and has engaged

the interest of volunteers who are allowed to work with the children.

Recently, Williams has engaged the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide training support for teachers, one of whom has since been enrolled in the early childhood education programme.

A Trinidad-based Indian sensory therapist, Rai Naranyan has conducted sessions with the teachers of the Greenheart Autistic Society and an NCERD expert will be conducting review to keep the curriculum current.

Williams, who is a professional administrator, felt the urge to retrain and is currently undertaking studies in psychology in order to better address the needs of the children on a professional level.

Williams has also conducted psychology sessions and parent/teacher advocacy at St Margaret’s Primary, Winfer Gardens, School of the Nations and Marian’s Academy.

The society is hoping to make its Autism Gala an annual feature to engage the interests of stakeholders and raise funds while promoting awareness.

“We have been doing a lot of work. The children are getting there, but it’s a work in progress. The organisation is not going to sleep,

we are working at our own pace,” Williams said.

She disclosed that she would like to see more training in the area of special needs education in Guyana, stating that all her teachers have been trained in specialised areas such as sensory, literacy, occupational therapy and first-aid.

She pointed out that Guyana is really behind in addressing disability, and as such, organisations with similar mandates must begin to work as a team in the interest of those who are affected and go through a daily struggle.

Williams stressed that there needs to be first and foremost the medical personnel equipped with the knowledge to diagnose the child which is crucial in Guyana.

According to her, autistic children cannot be bundled with children who are suffering from other disability.

“It doesn’t work; we have to build a proper institution that caters to the specific needs of these children.

I understand the plight of those parents with autistic children. We are making headway and if we put in the work, we have nowhere to shoot but the stars,” Williams said. She added: “It’s a slow steady pace for each child… I’m in it for the long run. I don’t plan on coming off this mission.”

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MONday, may 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Kuru Kuru centre gets Japanese IT teacher T

he Japan International Cooperation Association (JICA) on Friday last loaned the Kuru Kuru Training College (KKTC) a volunteer teacher of information technology and computer repairs, who will be at the SoesdykeLinden Highway centre for six months According to JICA Coordinator Mutsuko Kinjo, the association in strengthening ties with Guyana has over six years been attaching volunteers to various institutions across Guyana, with the most recent being the KKTC. Thus far, the education, agriculture and health ministries and the Georgetown Public Hospital have received volunteers.

Volunteers

Kinjo noted that another volunteer will be attached to the Cyril Potter College (CPCE) by the end of June and to date, Guyana has benefited from at least 20 volunteers. JICA is advancing its activities around the pillars of a field-oriented approach, human security and enhanced effectiveness, efficiency and speed.

The new teacher, Susumu Suzuki noted that during his six months tenure with the KKTC, he will ensure that his expertise are utilised to the fullest capacity. Suzuki has previously served as volunteer in Thailand and Jordan.

During a recent courtesy

call made to Culture, Youths and Sports Minister Frank Anthony, he noted that the KKTC will benefit tremendously from the expertise Suzuki will bring to the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the KKTC, Assistant Youth Director Devanand Ramdat said the centre is extremely grateful for the presence of Suzuki since it needs to stepup its game in information communication technology.

Intervention

“We are grateful for Suzuki presence, especially since it’s a new intervention for youths to benefit from,” said Ramdat. He continued, “despite the cultural differences, there would be immense effort on behalf of the KKTC to ensure that both the youths and volunteer have a pleasant stay and learning experience…”

The KKTC utilises available resources to combine skills training and entrepreneurship as one way of enhancing the employment potential of young people who have left the formal school system and need to be gainfully occupied.

The programme offered at the continuing educational institution is advancement to youths countrywide, who participated in technical vocational skills available, primarily at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and the Sophia Training

Centre in Georgetown.

“The young people are chosen from over 800 student applications from all across Guyana, to be trained in skill areas such as business studies, carpentry, electrical installation, joinery, masonry, motor mechanics, plumbing, welding and fabrication and garment construction,” said Ramdatt.

Training is fulltime from Monday to Friday, while during the 10-month period, students are trained in the skill of their choice and visits are made to places of interest related to the skill, and a six-week period of work attachment to agencies are arranged for students.

Broad curriculum

He continued, “Cultural activities, sports, hikes and confidence building are part of the curriculum. This is our premier centre because there is more intense work being done here, and currently we’re working on improving the accreditation of those who are completing the courses.” He noted that additionally the programme will somewhat help to build the confidence and self-esteem of the youths.

According to Senior Training Officer Dennis Gillis, training varies in that there are non-residential and residential courses, some of which are full- time and others part-time. Gillis stated that the centre on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway

National paralympics games on the cards

offers one-year residential training and facilities for youths between the ages of 16 and 25. These persons must apply and complete an entry level test for admission to this programme, which runs from September to July. The KKTC has an annual capacity of 170 youths.

Second chance

While underprivileged youths are often viewed as a burden to society, these programmes aim to prove that everyone deserves a second chance.

The KKTC is a special place that affords young people the skills that they need in order to engage in positive activities for theirs’ and Guyana’s benefit.

The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry has over the years worked steadfastly to improve the quality of life at the institution and to offer more courses, so that students entering the institution every year would experience different levels of improvement. The KKTC has formed working alliances with the University of Guyana, the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (Guyana Chapter), the Association of Cooperative Educators, the Guyana Forum for Lifelong Learning, the University of Wisconsin, USA, the Guyana National Cooperative Union, the Department of Cooperatives and the JICA.

Dr Frank Anthony

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uyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities Public Relations Officer Ganesh Singh said the local paralympics committee is preparing to pull off the 2013 national paralympics games.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Friday, Singh said the games will be staged while the committee continues to work to finalise its draft constitution which has been developed from consultations in all 10 regions.

“We are in the final stages of having the constitution finalised so we can have the body recognised locally,” he said.

Last year, the committee conducted consultations and the feedback was dispatched to the Labour Ministry’s Co-op Division for its recommendations.

Those recommendations have since been adopted and added to the draft constitution which is being

Natural Black releases new music video

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uyanese-born reggae artiste Natural Black brings his own heat for the summer with the exciting video for his hit single “Party Truck”, which made its worldwide debut last week. The highly anticipated video was shot on location in New York City (Manhattan and Brooklyn), during March and April, and was directed by Brian K Roberts for Honest Illusions Multimedia.

The video sees Natural Black spreading party vibes throughout New York City, and even taking a ride on a party truck, driving around and sending his infectious sounds throughout the streets of New York.

Dance crews also show off their skills in the video, including the Active Dancers (Lionel and Christopher Esty), and the Blak Starr Dancers (Navarroe “Bling Starr” Crossman, Anthonio “Dims Starr” Randall and Romeo “Kay Starr” Howard).

Natural Black

“I always try to keep my music fresh for the fans,” said Natural Black.

“Everyone looks forward to summer time to enjoy the beach or the sunshine and I want to give everyone a feelgood fun track to add to their playlist with ‘Party Truck’.

I’m all about conscious music, but I’m also conscious of life and want my fans to en-

joy it to the fullest,” the artiste added.

The video was produced by Ghetto Lynxx and Shaggillia Records, with his management and booking agency Triple T Production at the helm.

“We assembled a great team, from the director to the producers to the dancers, and really wanted to put together

a quality video that properly portrays Natural Black, and we look forward to a positive reception from the industry and fans alike,” Tripe T Prodcution, Chief Executive Officer Tasz Smith said.

Natural Black has been claiming 2013 as his year, with the release of five new singles, “I’m On My Way”, “Natural Chronix”, “Who Cares For Me”, “Don’t Play With My Heart” and “Party Truck”. In addition to the “Party Truck” video, he also recently shot the music video for “Don’t Play with My Heart” in New York City, and fans can stay tuned for that in the coming weeks.

The artist and his management extend a heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their support in the production and release of the “Party Truck” video, including all crewmembers on the production team, and all dancers and everyone who lent their talents to the storyline.

Ganesh Singh

fine-tuned to allow the body to seek recognition from the International Paralympics Committee.

The feedback is now being analysed and will subsequently be fine-tuned to form a fully-developed constitution.

Singh hopes that once this process has been completed, the Guyana Paralympics Committee can hold elections and begin its work.

Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities President Cecil Morris as well as Singh are members of the Paralympics Committee.

Cecil Morris

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony told this newspaper that the committee has been formed and work has begun.

He detailed that some measures had been put in place to have the local committee receive assistance from the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education.

A workshop was also conducted by the Trinidad Alliance and the proposed constitution was updated.

Dr Anthony confirmed that the committee’s agenda was mapped out for the year and a report was submitted.

Back in March, Minister Anthony pointed out that there was a great urgency for the establishment of a paralympics committee in Guyana.

The culture minister revealed that there have been several attempts to have the body constituted in recent years, but this had been compounded by a myriad of issues, chief among them is the failure to include persons living with disabilities on that committee.

Dr Anthony explained that Guyana had failed to meet all the necessary requirements to be recognised by the international paralympics body. He, however, expressed hope that the situation would be rectified by year-end.

“If we are to get it done by year-end, we can have many gold medals at the Olympics, but we have not been utilising these opportunities because the structures are not in place. If we work closely together, we can get it done by year-end,” the sport minister said.

Singh, who is famous for his role in blind cricket, has been a prominent advocate for the community of persons with disabilities.

Singh said Guyanese must refrain from treating differently-abled persons as objects of charity and display greater levels of sensitivity during interactions.

He stated that persons living with disability are not asking for special rights, but at the very least to be treated as equal members of society with meaningful contributions.

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MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Jamaican government looking Murders stump police, TT police chief admits at violence insurance for teachers

Jamaica’s Education Minister Ronald Thwaites

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he Education Ministry of Jamaica is considering implementing an insurance package to compensate teachers who are attacked and injured by

unruly students while on the job. The revelation was made by Education Minister Ronald Thwaites during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.

“The teacher in that situation would have the normal recourse against his or her employer if there was any negligence or want of care. The question of having specific insurance coverage for teachers is worthy of consideration. There will be a cost connected with it, but in my view in the same way we provide some measure of insurance for our students, we should also

extend to the teachers,” Thwaites said.

Presently, teachers who get injured by violent students refer their grouses and seek compensation from the attorney general, who will rule whether or not the teacher should be compensated.

However a teacher who spoke to the Jamaica Observer said that such claims often takes years for a ruling to be handed down and the cumbersome nature of acquiring compensation from the government had turned off teachers from even claiming for compensation. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Police officers honour their fallen comrade PC Terrance Abraham as his body is borne by colleagues following his funeral

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rinidad and Tobago’s acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has admitted that the police service is struggling to deal with rampant murders in TT. This, despite him being quoted in a Sunday Guardian interview that serious crimes had declined by

CDB meeting in St Lucia to explore Caribbean debt crisis

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he Caribbean Develop-ment Bank’s annual meeting is to take place in St Lucia next week and is expected to be intense as members of the CDB plot a fiscal way forward for the upcoming term.

Saint Lucia will be handing over its chairmanship of the CDB and already activities began

earlier this week and, from Sunday, delegates will be gearing up for what promises to be a productive meeting.

Vice president of corporate services and bank secretary of the CDB, Yvette Lemonias-Seal, explained that a critical component of next week’s activity is a session to explore the Caribbean debt crisis.

“One of the seminars we plan to host next week, it’s actually on debt and on debt sustainability, debt reduction. What can we as small developing countries do about this? What should we be asking of the multilateral development partners and other development partners and other commercial institutions?

How did we get here? And

what can we do about it?” she said.

St Lucia has benefitted tremendously from CDB interventions. One of the latest projects from the CDB which, Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony announced during his budget address on Tuesday, is the feasibility study of the island’s new north/south link. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Judge to review death penalty cases in Antigua

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high court judge is revisiting the death sentence handed down to seven men based on the landmark Privy Council ruling of more than nine years.

All of the men, Atley Alexander, Michael Mason, Fitzroy Jarvis, Michael Lorriston Cornwall, Mellanson Harris, Marvin Joseph and Steadroy “Brer Fox” McDougal have been

on death row for more than 12 years.

The Privy Council’s landmark decision in the case of Jamaicans Pratt and Morgan versus the attorney general of Jamaica, 1994, stated that the mandatory sentence of death following a murder conviction is unconstitutional.

The law lords also took the view that where persons have been on death row for

more than five years, such circumstances could constitute inhumane or degrading punishment and as such are unconstitutional.

The Pratt and Morgan decision was followed by other cases from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

The condemned men were informed of the state’s decision Friday when Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

Anthony Armstrong told the court that the state has now taken the necessary steps to have the men resentenced.

The condemned men will be taken before a High Court judge on June 21 for the court to determine their fate.

All the death row inmates were present in court to hear the DPP’s announcement. (Excerpt from Antigua

25 per cent, as opposed to the same period last year.

Williams spoke to reporters following the funeral of slain Police Corporal Terrence Abraham at St Michael’s RC Church in Marabella. He said police had been making progress despite the country be-

ing challenged with violent crimes. According to the Police Service’s crime statistics database, there were 166 murders at the end of May 2012, in comparison to 143 murders up to Saturday.

Williams said, “We are progressing and we have been receiving the support of law-abiding citizens as we tackle crime and criminality across this nation. That is the reason why there is a clear direction in the reduction of serious crimes in 2013, but we need to do something more. “We need even more support from the public as we are still struggling around violent crimes, especially shooting incidents where people are dying.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Trinidad and Tobago to collaborate with Canada to improve criminal justice system

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he governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Canada have agreed to collaborate and share best practice and policies with respect to prison and forensic services.

Both Commonwealth nations have agreed to strengthen bilateral co-operation in criminal justice system reform as it relates to security and intelligence, prison facility planning, offender management, juvenile justice as well as correctional programmes and practices.

The Justice Minister, Senator Christlyn Moore, and a team of senior justice officials visited Canada during the period April 2228, 2013. Among the facilities that the justice team visited were the Division of Anatomical Pathology (Eastern Ontario Regional

Forensic Pathology Unit) of the Ottawa Hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Correctional Service Canada (CSC).

At the Ottawa Hospital, the visiting delegation met with its senior officials to discuss the operations of the Forensic Pathology Unit, its work flows and quality assurance mechanisms. The team also received a tour of a modern post-mortem room.

Ottawa’s Forensic Pathology Unit extended an offer, which was accepted by the ministry of justice, to visit the pathology section at the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre with a view to assisting in the upgrade of the quality assurance capacity of the local forensic facility in Trinidad and Tobago. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Humala’s approval rating in Peru slips FARC rebels ask for “more time” for peace deal to six-month low

FARC lead negotiator Ivan Marquez

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olombia’s left-wing FARC rebels have rejected criticism that efforts to end almost 50 years of conflict are moving too slowly.

FARC lead negotiator Ivan Marquez said achieving lasting peace in Colombia would take “more time”. He spoke as the rebels and the

Colombian government marked six months since peace talks began.

President Juan Manuel Santos has said he hopes a deal can be reached within months rather than years. Peace negotiations began in Cuba in November.

Marquez told reporters in the capital, Havana, on Sunday that he did not understand why the pace of talks was being described as slow.

“You have been watching the Giro d’Italia (cycle race). Some people want us to go at this pace, but if we go at this pace, we will fail.”

Observer)

“We have to approach these issues with serenity, with depth if we really want to form the solid basis to build a stable and long-lasting peace,” he said.

Talks remain stalled over the issue of land redistribution in Colombia, the first of a five-point agenda.

The Colombian government has promised to return millions of hectares of stolen land to displaced peasants, one of the rebels’ main demands.

But Bogota insists that the rebels must first put down their guns and cease hostilities. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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resident Ollanta Humala’s approval rating fell five points to a six-month low of 46 per cent, reflecting the unpopularity of his proposal to buy an oil refinery owned by Spain’s Repsol and his support for Venezuela’s new government, an Ipsos poll showed on Sunday.

The nationwide poll was published by the newspaper El Comercio.

Humala abandoned his idea of buying the Repsol oil refinery after business leaders complained it would hurt the private sector and put one of the country’s main refineries in the hands of an inefficient state-run firm.

Although Humala has drifted to the right since running for office in 2011 as a moderate leftist, his critics have hammered him over his friendship with late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Peru’s diplomatic support for his successor, Nicolas Maduro, who won a disputed election in April promising to push ahead with Chavez’s socialist drive.

El Comercio reported that three-quarters of Peruvians polled said they did not approve of the way Maduro won. The poll of 1221 people was conducted May 15-17. It has a margin of error of 2.1 points.

(Reuters)

15 Around the World

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, may 20, 2013

Syrian army, Hezbollah North Korea fires short-range missiles attack rebels in for two days in a row border town

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) visits the “February 20 factory of the Korean People’s Army” in this photo released by North Korea’s Central News Agency on May 17

N

orth Korea fired a short-range missile from its east coast on Sunday, a day after launching three of these missiles, a South Korean news agency said, ignoring calls for restraint from Western powers.

Launches by the North of short-range missiles are not

uncommon but, after recent warnings from the communist state of impending nuclear war, such actions have raised concerns about the region’s security.

“North Korea fired a short-range missile as it did yesterday into its east sea in the afternoon, “ South Korea’s news agency

Yonhap reported, citing a military official.

A South Korean defence ministry official confirmed the Yonhap report, but did not provide any details.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was concerned about North Korea’s launch of shortrange missiles, urging Pyonyang to refrain from further launches and return to stalled nuclear talks with world powers.

Ban, who spoke to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti during a visit to Moscow, called Saturday’s launch a “provocative action”. Tension on the Korean peninsula has subsided in the past month, having run high for several weeks after the United Nations Security Council imposed tougher sanctions against Pyongyang following its third nuclear test in February. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A man is seen on a damaged staircase in Homs, May 19

S

yrian troops supported by Hezbollah militants launched an offensive to retake a major town near Lebanon from rebels on Sunday, the heaviest fighting yet involving Lebanese armed group, opposition activists said.

At least 32 people were killed when rebel fight-

Shooting of gay man in New York was a hate crime, police say

T

he fatal shooting of a gay man just blocks from New York’s historic Stonewall Inn was a hate crime and could be linked to a rash of recent homophobic attacks, police said.

Before opening fire early Saturday, the gunman confronted the victim and his companion in Greenwich Village, yelling: “What are

you, gay wrestlers?”. The suspect then asked if the pair “want to die here” before shooting victim Marc Carson in the face.

Carson, 32, was taken to hospital but died of his wounds. The gunman, identified as 33-year-old Elliot Morales, fled but was chased by officers and arrested. Morales appeared on Sunday in Manhattan

criminal court and was charged with murder as a hate crime and with criminal possession of a weapon and menacing.

The incident follows a series of recent hate attacks on gay men in New York, but this was the first deadly one. NYPD chief Ray Kelly said police were looking into possible links between Saturday morn-

ing’s killing and other incidents.

The shooting took place in Greenwich Village, a neighbourhoods long-associated with the gayrights movement. It took place just streets from the Stonewall Inn – the site of a celebrated 1969 riot by patrons being harassed by police due to their sexuality. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

At least four police officers killed in Iraq violence

G

unmen attacked a police station and an army position in the town of Rawa northwest of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least four police officers and wounding three, a local official said.

Qais al-Rawi, the head of the local council for the area, said that gunmen killed and wounded the police in an

attack on their station in Rawa, while they also assaulted and then set fire to an army position.

There were 15 soldiers and an officer at the position, Rawi said, and their fate is unknown. There have been a number of attacks in recent weeks on security forces in Anbar province, home to Ramadi and Fallujah, two

centres of Sunni protests that broke out almost five months ago.

Up to 10 people were kidnapped in Anbar on Saturday, according to security officials. Tensions are festering in Iraq between the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite, and Iraqi Sunnis who accuse authorities of

marginalising and targeting their community, including through wrongful detentions and accusations of involvement in terrorism.

The government has made some concessions, such as freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of Sunni anti-Al-Qaeda fighters, but underlying issues have not been addressed.

ers clashed with mechanized Syrian army units and Hezbollah guerillas in nine points in and around the town of Qusair, 10 km (six miles) from the border with Lebanon’s Bekaa valley, they said.

Speaking from Qusair, activist Hadi Abdallah said Syrian warplanes bombed Qusair in the

morning and shells were hitting the town at a rate of up to 50 a minute.

“The army is hitting Qusair with tanks and artillery form the north and east while Hezbollah is firing mortar rounds and multiple rocket launchers from the south and west,” he said.

“Most of the dead are civilians killed by the shelling.” The region near the Orontos River has been segregated into Sunni and Shi’ite villages in the civil war that grew out of protests against Syrian President Bashar alAssad.

It is vital for Assad, who belongs to the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam, to keep open a route from Shi’ite Hezbollah’s strongholds in the Bekaa to areas near Syria’s Mediterranean coast inhabited by co-religionist Alawites. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Guangdong hit as deadly floods sweep southern China

F

looding and landslides across nine southern Chinese provinces have killed more than 50 people and left 14 missing, officials say. Guangdong was hardest hit, reporting 36 deaths after days of heavy rain, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Six people had died in Jiangxi, added the ministry.

And further bad weather is forecast for Guangdong later on Saturday, with warnings of heavy wind and rain causing more flooding in the next few days.

Teams of relief workers have been sent to oversee the recovery efforts in the hardest hit areas, officials said.

Heavy rainstorms in Guangdong reportedly caused widespread flooding in the province’s mountainous areas and affected nine cities including the provincial capital, Guangzhou.

Nearly 900,000 people had been affected across the state, with floods destroying 2675 houses, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported. (BBC News)

At least 10 terror suspects dead in Nigerian military offensive

(Excerpt from France24)

EU says worried by Russia’s human rights record

T

he European Union criticised Russia’s human rights record on Sunday, saying it was increasingly concerned at a wave of restrictive legislation and prosecutions against activists.

The 27-nation bloc cited the cases of protesters arrested at a demonstration on the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s inaugu-

ration last year who are still awaiting trial, and a new law requiring charities with funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents”.

“Both sides discussed at length the worrying situation of civil society in the Russian Federation,” the EU said in a statement, which followed a meeting on human rights

with Russian officials in Brussels on Friday.

Human rights groups in Russia accuse Putin of a clampdown on dissent since he returned as president, which they say is designed to tighten his grip on power.

On a trip to Moscow this month, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry avoided harsh criticism of Russia’s

record on civil liberties as he sought the Kremlin’s help in securing a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

The European Union said it would closely watch developments affecting nongovernmental organisations in Russia, and asked the government to ensure that defence lawyers were able to work freely. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Soldiers walk on April 30 in the street in the remote northeast town of Baga, Borno State

A

t least 10 suspected terrorists were killed and 65 others captured as Nigerian troops continued their “massive deployment” against insurgent groups, a defence ministry spokesman said Saturday.

Among the groups targeted by the military was Boko Haram, in the coun-

try’s northeast. Government forces stopped an attempt by insurgents to infiltrate Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, as they fled from various camps that are under attack, the military said.

Troops also seized weapons, including rocket propelled grenade launchers, the ministry said. (CNN)

16

monday, may 20, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean

Africa

Jamaica uncovers ‘scheme’ South Africa’s NUM seeks 15-60 per cent wage involving Petrotrin oil products increases from gold, coal producers

J

amaica has imposed additional duties on lube oil product from Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the oil-rich twin island republic of engaging in a scheme to circumvent the rules of origin in the Treaty of Chaguaramas, governing the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton told parliament the scheme was brought to the attention of the Portia Simpson Miller administration by the private sector.

“The alleged scheme in-

volved the exportation of lubrication oil by the stateowned oil company Petrotrin (Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago) which holds the dominant share of the Jamaican market for this product.

“The product has been claiming Caricom origin status for years without attracting the applicable duties under the Customs Act. The submission by the Jamaican private sector firm alleged that there was misrepresentation in regards to origin in that the product was being represented to be a product of

Trinidad and Tobago when it was not.”

Hylton said after discussions with an inter-ministerial trade enforcement team, Jamaica Customs issued a verification query on the product to the Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise Division. “The applicable rules require the Trinidad and Tobago government to respond to a verification request within six weeks, it is now over six months and there has been no verification response by the government of Trinidad and Tobago…”, he added. (Trinidad Guardian)

North America

Yahoo to buy Tumblr for US$1.1B

Y

ahoo’s board has approved a deal to buy New York-based blogging service Tumblr for US$1.1 billion (£725 million), U.S. media reports say.

The acquisition is expected to be announced as early as Monday. The deal was a “foregone conclusion” and was a unanimous vote by the board, tech blog AllThingsD reported, citing sources close to the matter.

If confirmed, it will be

CEO Marissa Mayer’s largest deal since taking the helm of Yahoo in July 2012. Analysts say that by acquiring Tumblr, Yahoo would gain a larger social media presence and enhance its ability to attract younger audiences. It will also help Tumblr generate more revenue from advertisements.

On its home page, Tumblr says it hosts 108 million blogs, with 50.7 billion posts between them. Under the terms of the acquisition, Tumblr

would continue to operate as an independent business, the Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation. About 700 million web surfers visit Yahoo’s website every month, ranking it among the top in the global industry.

However, it shed more than 1000 jobs during 2012 and has long been divided over whether it should focus on media content or on tools and technologies. (BBC News)

S

outh Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers said it would seek pay rises of up to 60 per cent from gold and coal producers, raising the prospect of fresh strikes as firms battle higher costs and falling prices in an already heated labour climate. Africa’s biggest economy is hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2012 wildcat strike action at platinum and gold mines that cost billions in lost revenue and

production and caused the deaths of more than 50 people. Mineworkers are mobilising to assert themselves, with the NUM fighting a challenge to its once near monopoly in the shafts from the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which has poached tens of thousands of platinum miners from it in a violent struggle for members.

NUM said it was seeking an entry-level minimum

monthly wage of 7000 rand (US$750) for gold and coal surface workers and 8000 rand for those underground in a submission to the country’s Chamber of Mines, Elize Strydom, the industrial relations adviser at the Chamber of Mines, said the minimum wage for surface workers is currently 4700 rand and for underground miners it is 5000 rand, so the demands are a 60 per cent increase. (Reuters)

Asia China’s Sina sees loss narrow as revenues rise

S

ina Corp, which runs China’s biggest microblogging service, saw losses narrow in the first three months of the year as revenues rose. The net loss was US$13.2 million (£8.7 million), compared with a loss of US$13.7 million a year earlier, the U.S.-listed company said.

Non-advertising revenue, from sources such as web games and membership fees, rose 17 per cent to US$27 million, beating expectations.

Sina has amassed more than

500 million users on its popular weibo micro-blogging site.

The company said it continued to see strong growth in user numbers even though the Chinese government has tightened restrictions on comments made on microblogs in recent months.

Sina and other Internet companies have struggled with rising costs and finding ways to generate money from their hugely popular products. As more users access the Internet on mobile devices, the companies

are spending more money on boosting their offerings on smartphones and tablets.

In April, Sina Weibo sold an 18 per cent stake to Alibaba Group, China’s ecommerce giant, for US$586 million, valuing Weibo at over US$3.2 billion.

The deal was aimed at providing more advertising revenue as the company competes with other microblogging services and social messaging apps in China, including one by Tencent Holdings. (BBC News)

Europe Middle East Marks & Spencer under fire over online Kuwait replaces oil officials at KPC tax arrangements

M

arks & Spencer has become the latest in a string of UK companies to face criticism from tax campaigners over the way it structures its online sales to Europe – with one describing its sales operation as similar to that of the internet retail giant Amazon.

The British retailer has been expanding its online operations to several countries across Europe with a new marksandspencer.eu site,

hoping to grow its business in a difficult economic climate.

But internal M&S documents seen by the Guardian show the firm’s structure involves shipping goods from one country – the UK – while invoicing the transaction to another – Ireland.

Orders made through the site by customers from France, Germany, Ireland or other countries are shipped from M&S’s UK warehouses – but the transactions are

all made with, and charged to, Marks & Spencer (Ireland) Limited, a subsidiary located in the Republic of Ireland, which has the lowest corporation tax rates in Europe.

M&S’ UK branch is paid a wholesale price for the goods it ships by M&S Ireland, and this is subject to UK corporation tax, but the rest of the retail markup is subject to Ireland’s much lower corporation tax rate of 12.5 per cent.

(The Guardian)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana

Fixed as at January 7, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Cur GBP

Buying

Selling

U.S.

$1645.25

$310.58

$344.58

Cambio

$312,663

$202.17

CAN

$161.50

$181.42

Gross

USD

$198.42

$205.58

Net

$290,776

Selling

$322,632

Indicators as on May 18, 2013 Live Spot Gold

Indicators

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1360.20

$1361.20

Low/High

$1354.60

$1384.10

Change

-25.70

-1.85

May 17 USD GBP EUR May 3 USD GBP EUR

London Gold Fix AM 1376.75 903.62 1069.15 AM 1412.25 926.67 1094.51

Crude Oil Price Silver Platinum

US$ per barrel

Change %

$104.71

+0.07

USD per Ounce

Change %

$22.26

-0.43

$1454.00

-21.00

PM 1368.75 901.50 1068.00 PM 1410.00 925.20 1095.57

Last: 15351.40

Changes: +121.18

% Change: +0.80

Open: 15234.75

High: 15357.43

Low: 15234.75

% YTD: +17.17

52 Wk Hi: 14887.51

52 Wk Lo: 12035.09

after US$2.2B Dow payment

S

tate-run Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC) appointed a new chief executive and suspended other top officials after the country paid US$2.2 billion in damages to Dow Chemical Co over a scrapped plastics joint venture. Nizar Mohammad al-Asani replaced Farouk Zanki as CEO at the oil firm and the Cabinet approved the nomination of six board members, a statement

on state news agency KUNA said. Newspaper al-Rai said that two of the board members were new.

The government also suspended officials at KPC unit Petrochemical Industries Company which pulled out of the US$17.4 billion K-Dow petrochemical venture in December 2008, citing the deteriorating global economy.

It did not give details. The chief executive of KPC holds

a seat on Kuwait’s Supreme Petroleum Council, which sets oil policy. Kuwaiti newspapers reported on Sunday that other KPC members of the council had been replaced, without giving details. K-Dow was a politically sensitive deal in major oil exporter Kuwait and came under scrutiny in parliament, where lawmakers often clash with the government, especially over large state investments. (Reuters)

Investors' guide How to start an eBay business

T

oday, most Internet users use eBay as a starting point for online shopping. The popular auction site, which went online in 1995, has become so well known that the phrase “found it on eBay” has entered the cultural lexicon as the definitive synonym to using online retail. How can everyday users use eBay’s massive website to start their own online business?

First and foremost, sign up for an account and browse the website. Make a few purchases, in order to get a feel for the website’s mechanics.

When you’re ready, follow the site’s instructions to become a buyer. They are fairly straightforward and will

hold your hand through the registration process.

From the start, you should be aware of eBay’s “triple fee.” eBay’s main site will first charge you an insertion (ad placement) fee, based on the value of your product, ranging from 10 cents to two dollars. If your product is sold, then the site will take nine per cent of your profits – with a maximum charge of US$100. Finally, its subsidiary PayPal – the primary way to pay on eBay – will then take another 2.9 per cent as a transaction fee when you receive the payment.

Make sure you set a reserve price, which dictates the minimum amount that you’d be willing to sell the

item for. Without a reserve price set, your item could end up being sold to the highest bidder at a price far below what had been intended.

Make sure you set your reserve price approximately 10 per cent higher than your intended profits in order to cover the aforementioned triple charge. eBay now offers tools to estimate your product’s marketplace worth and reasonable prices. You can also do a quick search of the site to see what other sellers are charging. If you don’t wish to sell your product via an online auction, you can sell via the fixed price “Buy it Now” option, or use a combination of both. (Business Dictionary) (TO BE CONTINUED)

Business concept – Disposition Manner in which a case or matter is determined or settled, or a property is transferred to another’s care or possession such as by a sale deed or will. Manner in which an item or material is disposed of such as by disposal, relinquishment, sale, or transfer.

NEWS

17

monday, may 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region Eight elected officials urged to work together in interest of residents

L

ocal Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud has urged the staff of the Region Eight council and administration to put aside festering issues, and to instead resolve to work together to bring about greater deliverance of Government’s services and programmes to the residents.

While in the region on May 16 and 17, Minister Persaud, in the company of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal hosted a meeting with the Region Eight Chairman, Council and the heads of departments of the respective works programme in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom.

Such a meeting together with the council and administration is a first for Minister Persaud, as he explained that he has always sought to avoid having cross issues between councils and administrations being dealt with in an open environment.

“But when I look at what has been happening between the RDC and Regional Administration in Region Eight, I thought that it would be better to have a collective discourse on some of the issues that are of concern to all of the

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud in discussion with the Region Eight Council and Administration in the RDC boardroom, Region Eight

persons who are seated here, in this gathering,” Minister Persaud said.

He told the officials that it is unfortunate that they have allowed petty issues to worsen, and to impact on the deliverance of services and programmes to the residents.

“We have had some issues and these issues seem to be festering, while you bring solution to them, there are politicians who are not in the region per se, but who receive information from their colleagues in the region and seem to be taking some issues beyond the realm of fact, and it is hurting the RDC, it is hurting

the regional administration, and it is creating problems for the people in the region.’

He also pointed out some issues that the council and administration should be together seeking to address for the interest of the people including the issue of the Mahdia Power and Light collecting revenues to the tune of $5.9M but having an actual expenditure of $9.4M, a situation that has resulted in the board reducing electricity supply from 24 hours to 18 hours. There are also residents’ calls for youth development initiatives and sport facilities.

The problem between

the council and the administration stems from the former discontent with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ronald Harsawack.

On the basis of non-cooperation and the impeding development of the region, the council had on July 10, 2012, moved a no-confidence motion against the REO. The Government Information Agency (GINA) stated that, on analysis of the issue, however, it was found by the ministry that the concerns identified as the basis for the No Confidence Motion were inconsistent with the mandate of the Council.

It was also pointed out to the Council whilst the RDC in itself can express dissatisfaction with the performance of any employee, they need to support their discontent with evidence based on documentation, so that the administration in itself and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development can seek to intervene, investigate and make a determination.

During his visit to the region, the Minister also met separately with the administration as part of the continuation of its policy of reaching out to the programme heads.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud (centre) in the company of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ronald Harsawack, engage the heads of the regional works programme

29 trained as Pest Motorcyclist dies after Control Operators crashing into parked trailer A A griculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has mandated the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) to bring forth a proposal to make it obligatory for Pesticide Control Operators (PDOs) to be trained prior to practicising their work.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the proposal will subsequently be taken to Cabinet for approval.

The minister was at the time speaking at the graduation of 29 PCOs who had completed the basic proficiency training that will allow them to effectively apply pesticides in homes, schools and elsewhere.

Minister Ramsammy highlighted how the world has evolved and how people were impacted in the past with the inappropriate use of chemicals.

“The graduation today of PCOs is one concrete example of the very meaningful, very productive and very important work… I would want to think its indispensible work,” he said.

He highlighted an issue

Some of the graduates of the Pest Control Applicators programme in the rice industry where farmers used chemicals that were smuggled into the country, and the desired results were not obtained.

Guyana is a signatory to two important global conventions, the Stockholm Convention and the Montreal Protocol, which deal with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and ozone-depleting substances.

Chairman of PTCCB, Dr. Leslie Munroe highlighted that the training has been

a discussion of the Pest Control Operators (PCO) themselves and the Board.

The latter has the responsibility to manage pesticides in the country and also training of persons to improve the skills needed.

“It is very important that those who handle these dangerous substances know about them….know the hazards involved, and need to know what precautions to take to protect their health,” Dr Munroe said.

West Bank Demerara man met his demise on Sunday evening after he rode into a parked trailer on his way home.

Dead is Rajindranauth Sarjou, 27, of Lot 37 North Section, Canal Number Two, West Coast Demerara.

The incident occurred around 18:30h on the Canal Number Two Road. Sarjou reportedly died on the spot.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, the motorcyclist was heading north along the road when a canter coming in the opposite direction, caused him to swerve into the parked trailer.

Reports reaching this publication revealed that Sarjou sustained severe injuries about his body; his skull was reportedly fractured while his left hand and jaw were broken.

When this newspaper arrived at the scene, the man’s body and his motorcycle were already removed, so too the trailer, which was moved to its owner’s house, who is a well known person in the area.

However, the markings on the road indicated that the trailer was parked some-

Dead: Rajindranauth Sarjou

what on the narrow road and not off the road.

A man, who lives directly opposite the accident scene, said he was inside the house with his family when he heard a loud “bang”. The man, who declined to give his name, said he rushed to investigate where the sound came from and saw a man lying on the road.

“By the time I come out, people start coming out and then we see is the bai pon up the road and we send fa tell he family them,” he related.

Meanwhile, at Sarjou’s

parents’ home, family and friends gathered to convey their condolences.

The man’s grieving mother, Mainwatie Sarjou, said she last saw her son on Sunday morning when he was on his way to work.

She said sometime around 19:00h, she was at home when she heard people screaming and running up the road and so she followed them.

“When I reach there, I see me son lying down on the road and me start holla then me get black out and when me catch back myself, me other son put me in a car and bring me home…

I still can’t believe me son gone just like that,” the woman lamented.

The man’s wife was too distraught to talk as she was constantly fainting and had to be tended to by relatives.

Sarjou was described as a quiet, friendly person who was loved by everyone and had no problems with anyone. He leaves to mourn his wife, parents and three siblings.

Sarjou’s body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ARCHIE

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Robbing Peter to pay Paul is never a good way to manage your money, so don’t start now. You’d only make your situation much worse.

DILBERT

CANCER (June 21July 22) When it comes to business matters, don’t waste a lot of time hammering out what you think will be a good deal. Chances are, it won’t be.

AQUARIUS

LEO

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(July 23Aug. 22)

Your and your mate’s intentions might end up conflicting. Unless you both agree to a plan, your actions could prove counterproductive.

Be careful, because a strong-willed associate might try to impose his or her decision on you in a situation that requires cool heads. Don’t cave in.

CALVIN AND HOBBES PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Through the auspices of another, a situation you need to correct and/or resolve should go smoothly.

It might turn out differently if you have to handle things unaided.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Certain duties and responsibilities that require immediate attention should not be put off. Don’t be oblivious to the need for immediate action.

PEANUTS

SUDOKU

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

If you have to deal with someone who is quite unreasonable, don’t give up easily. A steady supply of tolerance and patience will gradually defang this person.

There are indications that if you’re not careful you’ll place far too much importance on trivial issues. If you want to worry, do so over something worthwhile.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Even though your victory might not be totally complete, it looks like you’ll still be able to achieve an important objective. Do the best you can.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Don’t allow your ego to control your behaviour.

You might think that you look great preening and strutting, but others will disagree.

Saturday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) You’ll have to work in close proximity with someone whose views differ considerably from yours, but you can still get things by being as diplomatic as possible.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) To advance your selfinterest, you should avoid working with people whom you suspect to be more more adversaries than friends. Experience and intuition will be your guides.

YELLOW PAGES monday, may 20, 2013

ACCOMMODATION

Furnished rooms and apartments; 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments- long & short term rental. Affordable rates Call: 227-2199, 227-2186, 227-2189

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte Street, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

EDUCATION WHERE CAN YOU GET A BOOK FOR $40? THE MASSIVE BOOKSALE, NOW ON AT BOOKLAND, ABOVE MATTS RECORD BAR (226-2874).

BOOKLAND, ON A SAL MISSION “ TO GET BOOKS IN EVERY HOUSHOLD”.

flowers 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 Clean garden earth 7 builders waste also bobcat rental, excavating , clearing and leveling phone:616-0617 or 663-3285.

Cummins currency counters , used by banks wordwide and in Guyana specifically programmed to detect counterfeit Guyana currency , world imports , sales & service phone: 227-4983.

Now in stock at Alabama Trading: Aloe Vera Drink, Sagiko Fruit Drink, Cereal milk in a variety of flavours.

We also have PVC ceiling, white and colour candles, and tarpaulin in many different sizes. Phone: 225-5800.

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Certified Immigration Consultants 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts.) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249.

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lAND FOR SALE Eight house lots in one block along the Corriverton Public Road; suitable for companies interested in having branch stores or warehouses, etc.

For more information call: 626-6245.

Loo Creek EBD River 85.6 acres w/ creek. Titled land. Tel: 261-6314 or 664-6312.

optician 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 perfect trendy touch.

property for sale Along the public road , with one complete metal workshop on 5.5 acres land suitable for any type of business ,for more information.

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news 19

Noel’s “First Resort” creating stir in Caribbean

T

he captivating new collection from Sonia Noel titled “First Resort” has been creating quite a stir in St Lucia, and it is sure to make a similar impact when it hits the United States of America, next month.

Recently, Noel, who was in St Lucia for the launching and promotion of her quarterly publication, “makin’ style”, decided to showcase the new collection.

Two shows were held at the enchanting Bay Gardens Resort. During the two-week annual celebration, both Mariska’s Designs and First Resort had significant presence at all of the events which were attended by renowned Caribbean travel journalist and Radio Talk Show host Jeanille Bonterre to the fashionista divas of the island. The Ozone Boutique in the JQ Rodney Bay Mall is now proudly carrying the First Resort Collection by Sonia Noel.

The collection will also be the closing act at one of the nights of the Tobago Fashion Week, this weekend, as a climatic run-up to its debut in the U.S. In Atlanta, Georgia, on the Guyana Family Fun Day on Memorial Day Weekend, a fashion show was planned especially to showcase the exquisite designs of Sonia Noel, during an evening of fun and fashion, hosted by Sandra Velasquez.

The makin’ style Magazine will also be launched in Atlanta at this event and then subsequently at the Caribbean

Travel journalist Jeanelle Bonterre and St Lucia carnival queen wear First Resort designs

Week in New York on June 2, along with the First Resort line. Noel said, “My trip to St Lucia was very productive and with great networking opportunities during the Jazz and Arts Festival for further development of the creative arts in the region”.

Makin Style is an allinclusive, Caribbean publication focusing on the nuances, ideals and diverse behaviours of the region’s people. From art and food, to music, this magazine offers its readers the opportunity to celebrate in the uniqueness of the Caribbean lifestyle.

In St Lucia, copies are available at Sunshine Book

Chow Pow’s Comedy Jam for June 1

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Store and in Trinidad and Tobago, at the Chocolate Trousers in Tobago. The magazine is also located in Guyana at Sonia Noel Designs, Barr St Kitty, Giftland OfficeMax, Germans Restaurant, Milady’s House of Beauty, WaterChris Hotel, Williams Supermarket, Bartica, Community Pharmacy, Grove and Gordon’s Stationery, Berbice. Noel, as full as her hands are, is also ensuring that preparations are well under way for the sixth edition of the Guyana Fashion Weekend, and casting auditions for models and designers will be announced shortly.

Mark Kazim

Chow Pow

how Pow’s Comedy Jam has now become a signature event and is back at the people’s choice venue, The Garage Bar and Grill, located on Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens on Saturday, June 1.

Chow Pow, who recently represented Guyana at

the Alternative Comedy Festival in Trinidad, will be spearheading a lineup of comedians to leave patrons wanting more on that evening.

In the lineup is queen of “Uncensored” “Parika Gal” Leza Singh aka “Radika”, Henry Rodney, Chris Gopaul, Kwasi Ace and Chubby. The line of actors

C

includes Tash Innis, Randy Critchlow, Mark Kazim and Mark Luke Edwards.

All of the comedians will be performing new routines and with Granny Ivelaw also known as “The Mix Doctor”, dancing and mixing the music up; missing the show is not an option.

If that is not enough to stimulate interest in purchasing a ticket, Chow Pow has called out CAC bodybuilding medalists Devon Bess, Kerwin Clarke and Alesha Fortune to tease the audience with their well chiselled bodies and, there will be more. The sensational Lisa Punch will also grace the stage, performing hits from her latest album. No one packages it better than the “POW”, so fans make it a date with Chow Pow’s Comedy Jam.

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

BCCI to regulate Broad’s best secures player agents crushing win for England S

tuart Broad took seven wickets in 11 overs to rip through New Zealand and inspire England to an astonishing 170-run win in the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

Chasing 239 for victory, the Black Caps were bowled out for 68 in 22.3 overs after lunch on the fourth day as Broad finished with Testbest figures of 7-44.

Only two players - Neil Wagner and BJ Watling made double figures as New Zealand succumbed for the 10th lowest score in a Lord’s Test.

Just two hours earlier, the tourists appeared to have given themselves a good chance of victory when they took England’s last four second-innings wickets in under an hour to bowl them

ing burst from Broad, who took advantage of seamerfriendly conditions to give England a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

They needed only nine balls to break through as Broad found the edge of Peter Fulton’s bat and Matt Prior claimed his 200th Test dismissal.

Brimming with intent as he charged in from the Nursery End, Broad uprooted Hamish Rutherford’s off stump with a gem of a ball that darted away off the seam, and had Ross Taylor well caught low to his left at first slip by Alastair Cook two balls later.

With five slips in place and Broad threatening with every ball, Kane Williamson - whose 60 off 167 balls had anchored New Zealand’s

SCORE BOARD

England 2nd innings A Cook* c Brownlie b Boult 21 N Compton b Wagner 15 J Trott b Williamson 56 J Root b Southee 71 J Bairstow b Southee 5 M Prior† c sub (MJ Guptill) b Southee 0 S Finn c sub (MJ Guptill) b Southee 6 I Bell c Brownlie b Southee 6 S Broad not out 26 G Swann c McCullum b Southee 1 J Anderson c Southee b Williamson 0 Extras: (b 3, w 1, nb 2) 6 Total: (all out, 68.3 overs) 213 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-36, 3-159, 4-167, 5-171, 6-171, 7-183, 8-200, 9-210, 10-213 Bowling: T Boult 15-3-56-1, T Southee 19-4-50-6, N Wagner

out for 213.

But any chance of a successful run chase disappeared in a thrilling open-

13-2-44-1, B Martin 13-2-400, K Williamson 8.3-2-20-2 New Zealand 2nd innings P Fulton c †Prior b Broad 1 H Rutherford b Broad 9 K Williamson c Finn b Broad 6 R Taylor c Cook b Broad 0 D Brownlie c Cook b Anderson 5 B McCullum* lbw b Broad 8 B Watling† c Trott b Anderson 13 T Southee c Root b Broad 7 N Wagner run out (Bairstow/ Anderson) 17 B Martin b Broad 1 T Boult not out 0 Extras: (lb 1) 1 Total: (all out, 22.3 overs) 68 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-16, 3-16, 4-21, 5-25, 6-29, 7-41, 8-54, 9-67, 10-68 Bowling: J Anderson 11.35-23-2, S Broad 11-0-44-7

first innings - had an uncharacteristic rush of blood and drove loosely to Finn at short extra-cover.

Sreesanth

T

Stuart Broad took a career-best 7 for 44

There was no let-up from England’s new-ball pair as James Anderson had Dean Brownlie caught at first slip before Broad trapped Brendon McCullum leg before for eight to reduce New Zealand to 29-6 and complete a breathless morning session in which 10 wickets fell.

The final four wickets went in less than an hour after lunch. Tim Southee pulled Broad to Joe Root at deep square leg, Watling played through the pain of a knee injury to make 13 before he was caught at first slip off Anderson, and Broad bowled the similarly ailing Bruce Martin.

New Zealand’s misery was completed when Wagner was comically run out after a mix-up with Trent Boult after the former was dropped at fine-leg.

Earlier, England offered little resistance when re-

suming on 180-6, aside from Broad’s counter-attacking unbeaten 26.

Southee finished with 6-50 - and 10-108 in the match - to cap an England collapse in which their last eight wickets tumbled for 54 runs.

Night-watchman Steven Finn dangled his bat at Southee’s fifth ball of the day and nicked to second slip before Ian Bell, who was ill for much of Saturday, pushed away from his body and was caught by Brownlie at second slip.

Graeme Swann edged a loose drive at Southee and Anderson fell to spinner Kane Williamson when a drive cannoned off silly point and looped to cover.

At that point New Zealand held the initiative, but Broad’s devastating new-ball burst provided the decisive twist in a thrilling match. (BBC Sport)

he Indian board has outlined its first detailed response to the spot-fixing controversy, which includes an accreditation process for player agents and increased security for teams during the IPL. The plan was announced

by BCCI president N Srinivasan after a meeting of its working committee on Sunday, three days after three Rajasthan Royals players were arrested on charges related to corruption in cricket.

The BCCI also appointed a commission of an inquiry into the spot-fixing, to be headed by its AntiCorruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Ravi Sawani. He will present his findings to the BCCI’s disciplinary committee, after which the Indian board will decide what action to take on the three players.

Srinivasan also said that Rajasthan Royals will file a police complaint against three of their players arrested earlier this week on allegations of spot-fixing.

He said the BCCI itself will not press legal charges. “We are advised that the BCCI

by itself cannot because they (the players) are contracted to the franchise, the franchise is filing.”

In a statement issued

by Royals on Sunday, the franchise said they would file FIRs to help the police carry out the investigation.

“It is critical that this evil is rooted out of the game, and as such we will be filing FIRs with the Delhi Police.

This will ensure that justice is pursued to its most complete end, and that the police is able to appropriately conduct its investigation.”

Betting on sports, except horse-racing, is illegal in India and since the controversy broke, there have been demands for legalising betting, but Srinivasan wasn’t sure that would solve the problem. “In other countries they have legalised betting and it has helped control ... but I do not know as far as India is concerned.”

Srinivasan also acknowledged the limitations of the ACSU in stopping corruption in cricket. “They can’t gather information like police can. They can’t tap phones. They have got a lot of restrictions,” he said.

(Cricinfo)

Pacers knock out Knicks with 106-99 win in Game 6

I

NDIANAPOLIS – Indiana spent the entire season perfecting its defense.

On Saturday, it produced the biggest payoff for the Pacers in nearly a decade.

Roy Hibbert’s block of Carmelo Anthony’s dunk attempt midway through the fourth quarter spurred an 11-2 run that rallied the Pacers to a 106-99 victory in Game 6 of their second-round series, sending them into their first Eastern Conference final since 2004.

New York native Lance Stephenson scored nine points in the run, finishing with a playoff career-high 25.

With players from both teams standing on the court as the final seconds ticked off and Pacers fans roar-

ing in appreciation, the sellout crowd wasted little time breaking into chants of ‘’Beat The Heat!’’

For Indiana, it sets up a postseason rematch with the defending NBA champs, the team that eliminated them last May after the Pacers had taken a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven semi-finals.

The Heat wound up winning Game 4 at Indiana and followed that with two more wins as Danny Granger struggled with a knee injury.

Indiana used the lessons from that series as motivation to improve this season and wound up beating the Heat twice at home before losing the third game of the season series at Miami.

The Pacers will return to South Florida for Game 1 on

Wednesday night.

With Granger missing all but five games this season because of the lingering knee injury, the Pacers put an even greater emphasis on playing defense and it showed.

Indiana led the league in rebounding, defensive field goal percentage and defensive 3-point percentage while finishing second in points allowed per game during the regular season. It was no different in the playoffs, as the Knicks found out.

New York had another subpar shooting night Saturday, making just 40 percent of its shots, and again wound up on the wrong side of a 43-36 rebounding discrepancy. In the paint, New York was outscored 5220, and Anthony, who fin-

ished with 39 points, scored just four points in the final 12 minutes when he went 2 of 7 from the field.

Iman Shumpert added 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and J.R. Smith scored 15. Nobody else was in double figures.

The combination, as it had been in the previous three losses to Indiana, produced the same frustrating result.

The biggest question coming into Saturday’s game was whether starting point guard George Hill would play. He took part in the team’s morning shootaround, was cleared by the team doctors and wound up returning two days after missing Game 5 with a concussion. His return gave the Pacers a big boost.

Lance Stephenson

Hill finished with just 12 points on 2-of-10 shooting but had five rebounds and four assists, and kept the Pacers composed enough to

commit only nine turnovers - 10 fewer than Thursday night’s loss in New York.

The results showed up everywhere on the floor. (Yahoo!

Sport)

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

21

Sammy, Sunrisers hold Pune consign nerve to make playoffs Delhi to last place S unrisers Hyderabad threatened to blaze into the playoffs. They then opened the back door for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Then Darren Sammy danced down the track and lofted Iqbal Abdulla for successive sixes to send the Uppal Stadium into a frenzy on Sunday. Sunrisers had taken the final playoff spot in their debut IPL season, after almost blowing it towards the end.

Having watched their bowlers tie Rajasthan Royals in knots during a similar chase two nights ago, Parthiv Patel and Shikhar Dhawan came out determined to be positive. They continued in the same manner for 89 runs in just over 11 overs, and had it not been for a rather needless reverse-sweep attempted

Darren Sammy finished the game off with two consecutive sixes

SCOREBOARD Kolkata Knight Riders innings M Bisla† c White b Perera 15 G Gambhir* run out (Samantray/†Patel) 10 J Kallis c Dhawan b Steyn 24 E Morgan lbw b Sharma 9 Y Pathan not out 49 R ten Doeschate lbw b Mishra 1 P Dogra c Perera b Steyn 5 S Narine c Perera b Anand Rajan 1 Iqbal Abdulla not out 2 Extras: (lb 7, w 7) 14 Total: (7 wkts, 20 overs) 130 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-42, 3-59, 4-89, 5-95, 6-111, 7-121 Bowling: D Steyn 4-0-242, Anand Rajan 4-0-22-1, N Perera 4-0-33-1, D Sammy

1-0-9-0, A Mishra 4-0-201, K Sharma 3-0-15-1 Sunrisers Hyderabad innings P Patel† lbw b Iqbal Abdulla 47 S Dhawan lbw b Iqbal Abdulla 42 G Vihari c Dogra b Iqbal Abdulla 6 C White* run out (Morgan/†Bisla) 2 N Perera b Shami Ahmed 4 D Sammy not out 17 B Samantray not out 5 Extras: (lb 1, w 8) 9 Total: (5 wkts, 18.5 overs) 132 Fall of wickets: 1-89, 2-100, 3-103, 4-108, 5-112 Bowling: Y Pathan 4-0-290, P Sangwan 2-0-17-0, S Narine 4-1-11-0, Shami Ahmed 4-0-32-1, J Kallis 1-0-13-0, Iqbal Abdulla 3.5-0-29-3

by Dhawan, Sunrisers, Royal Challengers and their respective fans would have been spared several tense minutes.

It was Parthiv who all but sealed the chase at the start.

He came out in a volley of cuts, pulls and flicks when offered the slightest width. By the time Dhawan slog-swept Yusuf Pathan for his first boundary, Parthiv was already on 31 off 20. Dhawan now started to toy with the bowling, walking out to hit through extra cover and jumping to slash Jacques Kallis for six over cover.

This was the same slow pitch on which Kolkata Knight Riders had limped to 130.

Even after Dhawan went legbefore to Abdulla, Sunrisers needed 31 off 40 at one stage.

Then Parthiv walked out to Abdulla and was given leg-be-

fore.

Hanuma Vihari, as he has done often in the season, sucked momentum out of the innings. And then heaved a top-edge to backward point after making 6 off 13. In between, he was involved in a terrible mix-up that led to the run-out of Cameron White.

Shami Ahmed disturbed Thisara Perera’s bails with a yorker, and Sunrisers suddenly needed 19 of 13.

Fortunately, Biplab Samantray got one on the pads to put it away for four.

Sammy, who had been made to look absolutely clueless by Sunil Narine during the 17th over which was a maiden, found enough courage to step out to Abdulla and finish the game with a couple of sixes.

Only Yusuf has been able to hit sixes when Knight Riders batted after winning the toss. Gautam Gambhir had run himself out again, and none of the other batsmen had been able to get the measure of a slow pitch and an attack that had thrived on it through the season.

Dale Steyn and Anand Rajan, who replaced the ill Ishant Sharma, hardly provided any width, and the legspinners Amit Mishra and Karan Sharma tied Knight Riders down further. They tossed it up, they bowled flat and quick, they turned legbreaks, they turned their googlies. And Knight Riders plodded on, finding no rhythm at all.

Yusuf has not done much during three seasons at Knight Riders, but he appeared to find some touch towards the end of this season.

(Cricinfo)

Nadal hammers Federer in Italian Open final – Serena Williams beats Azarenka to lift title

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Rafael Nadal

afael Nadal dropped only four games as he beat Roger Federer in 68 minutes to win his seventh Italian Open title on Sunday.

In the 30th career meeting between the pair, who share 28 Grand Slam singles titles, the Spaniard raced to a 6-1 6-3 victory at Rome’s Foro Italico.

In 2006 Nadal edged a classic final against Federer in this event, but this year he prevailed with plenty to spare.

He has now won six of his eight tournaments since returning in February from a seven-month break due to injury.

“If you’d told me that four or five months ago I would have said you are crazy,” said the 26-year-old, who has won

Serena Williams

36 of 38 matches in 2013.

“So after eight tournaments, six victories and two finals, it’s a dream for me.”

Nadal heads to the French Open in tremendous form as he looks to win an Open-era record eighth title at Roland Garros, and knowing he is likely to be seeded fourth and so potentially avoid leading rival Novak Djokovic until the semi-finals.

With 11 wins in their 13 previous matches on clay, the Spaniard was a heavy favourite against Federer in Rome, but the manner of this victory was still mightily impressive.

Federer, 31, did not help himself with too many unforced errors in the early stages, and his forehand let him down as he was broken in game three.

A fizzing backhand return at the start of game four was Nadal’s 11th point out of 13 as he tightened his grip on the first set.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams completed her French Open preparations by beating Victoria Azarenka to win the Italian Open - her fourth consecutive tournament victory.

Williams, the world number one, powered to a 6-1 6-3 victory in Rome, extending her unbeaten run to 24 matches.

The American, 31, will head to Paris as a strong favourite to win the title at Roland Garros for only the second time.

Her victory at the Foro Italico on Sunday followed wins in Miami, South

Carolina and Madrid.

A final tally of 41 winners to 12 illustrated the difference between Sunday’s finalists, with Williams constantly threatening Azarenka and keeping her on the back foot.

Azarenka, 23, lost her number one ranking to Williams earlier this year and had won only two of their previous 13 encounters.

The Belarusian put up some stern resistance in the early stages but, despite repeatedly taking Williams to deuce in an opening three games that lasted more than 20 minutes, the American won them all.

Azarenka got one of the breaks back in game four but then immediately dropped serve to love under pressure from the Williams return. (BBC Sport)

A

mid the bad news in the IPL, and with the knowledge that Sunday afternoon’s game was as dead as it could get in this tournament in the battle of the bottom-placed sides, a healthy crowd made its way to the Sahara Stadium in Pune, a considerable distance from the main city.

It was worth it, as they saw their team beat Delhi Daredevils comfortably, consigning the visitors to the last place in the IPL points table and marking an ignominious end to a journey that began with Unmukt Chand’s off stump being knocked out of its place in the tournament opener.

Aaron Finch, Angelo Mathews, and Luke Wright played a critical role with the bat to set a tough target on a slowish pitch, and Ali Murtaza, who had been scarred by Chris Gayle during his assault of 175, picked up three wickets in the chase to put the task beyond Daredevils. Robin Uthappa and Finch have shared a productive opening stand this IPL, and Uthappa began Warriors’ charge with some lovely drives through the off side before his stay ended with the score on 38. Finch then took over, opening up in the ninth over bowled by Umesh Yadav, who was in for an expensive spell.

Umesh struggled with his length, serving up one in the slot that Finch dispatched over long-on, a short one that was pulled over midwicket, before doling out a full toss that was slammed through extra cover in an over that went for 17. Irfan Pathan was flicked through square leg for 12 runs in an over, but Daredevils found their way back with the wickets of Finch and Yuvraj Singh to

leave Warriors at 97 for 4 in 14 overs.

Wright has had a quiet tournament with the bat, while Mathews has had a consistent run, and both stepped up at the death.

Some of their shots were a result of luck - a top-edge for six, an inside edge for four - but both also middled the ball well, tearing in to Yadav in the penultimate over, both smacking him for sixes to snatch 24. Length balls were not spared, and Wright was especially adept at playing the pull and clipping the ball past square leg. The last five overs yielded 65, and it proved decisive.

In the chase David Warner’s poor form continued, but Mahela Jayawardene and Bharat Chipli, who replaced Chand, appeared to be putting Daredevils on track.

The pair added 23 in quick time, but Daredevils’ slide began when Murtaza was brought on to bowl in the fifth over. He was unlucky not to get Jayawardene stumped, but dismissed him next ball as he spooned a catch to point.

Virender Sehwag struck a couple of attractive boundaries, but holed out against Murtaza, who also trapped Chipli in front next ball to leave Delhi at 55 for 4. Ben Rohrer dragged one back on from Ashok Dinda and Irfan was left with too much to get with the lower order.

Warriors have slipped up badly in the last few overs with the ball, but a half-century stand between Irfan and CM Gautam didn’t unsettle them. A double-strike from Mathews in one over all but sealed the game for Warriors, who may have won today but, bought for US$370 million, have had three forgettable seasons on the trot. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Pune Warriors innings R Uthappa† c Warner b Yadav 24 A Finch* c Sehwag b Kaul 52 M Pandey b Nadeem 10 Yuvraj Singh c Sehwag b Pathan 3 A Mathews not out 30 L Wright c Sehwag b Kaul 44 R Gomez not out 4 Extras: (lb 2, w 2, nb 1) 5 Total: (5 wkts, 20 overs) 172 Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-74, 3-91, 4-96, 5-167 Bowling: I Pathan 4-0-341, M Morkel 4-0-36-0, S Kaul 4-0-27-2, U Yadav 4-0-521, S Nadeem 4-0-21-1 Delhi Daredevils innings M Jayawardene* c Wright b Murtaza 14 D Warner c †Uthappa b Parnell 2

B Chipli lbw b Murtaza 16 V Sehwag c Gomez b Murtaza 11 B Rohrer b Dinda 7 I Pathan c Pandey b Mathews 24 C Gautam† c Gomez b Mathews 30 M Morkel c Parnell b Mathews 0 U Yadav not out 8 S Nadeem c Mathews b Dinda 6 S Kaul not out 0 Extras: (lb 5, w 10, nb 1) 16 Total: (9 wkts, 20 overs) 134 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-40, 3-55, 4-55, 5-64, 6-118, 7-119, 8-125, 9-133 Bowling: W Parnell 3-0-361, B Kumar 4-0-26-0, A Dinda 4-0-21-2, A Murtaza 4-015-3, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-170, A Mathews 3-0-14-3

22

monday, MAY 20, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

CPL franchises ready and waiting W ith the start of the inaugural Caribbean Premier League tournament less than three months away, CPL officials have recently concluded a tour of the six franchise countries – Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago – meeting with Government Ministers of Sports and Tourism, cricket board executives, stadium management teams/owners and tourism authorities.

The man charged with the task of keeping the relevant parties in each franchise country informed about, and satisfied with the preparations as it relates to their country and the overall tournament is CPL’s newly-appointed operations manager, Carlisle Powell, a Senator from Nevis and father of West Indies batsman Kieran Powell.

Powell is also a former Minister of Communications, works, utilities, physical planning, natural resources and environment in Nevis and a past member of the West Indies Cricket Board. He brings years of political di-

rocate.”

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali (right) met with Digicel Group Marketing Director Kieran Foley (left) and the CPL operations manager Carlisle Powell (centre)

plomacy and finesse to the table as well as experience and relationships with the cricket community.

Powell says the meetings in all of the countries have been positive and encouraging, and that the excitement has started to build.

“The opportunity to sit down at the table with each of these groups in the six franchise countries was imperative because we wanted to make sure we answered the questions, and addressed any concerns they had,” explained Powell.

“Once we did that, everyone had a greater understand-

ing of the CPL vision, what we hope to accomplish and the benefits to their country specifically and the region in general. The result was that the governments, the cricket boards and the tourism boards are all pleased to give their full support to the CPL, and are excited about the prospects of a first-class sporting event being hosted annually in the region, bringing a much needed economic boost to the Caribbean and attracting new and repeat visitors.”

Powell went on to say that the general response from the country heads and

boards was that of a desire to cooperate however they could, and to do what is necessary to ensure the tournament’s success.

Speaking about the relationships between CPL and the local boards, CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe expressed, “Our goal is to keep the countries abreast of as much of the planning surrounding the tournament as possible. After all, they have demonstrated their hospitality by welcoming us into their jurisdiction, opening their grounds to us and allowing us to utilise the valuable resources that they have. We are eager to recip-

Guyana In Guyana, Powell had appointments with the ministers of tourism and sport Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Dr Frank Anthony.

After the meeting Minister Ali commented “CPL is an amazing opportunity to use sport as a catalyst to advance the region’s tourism product since CPL will give us access to reach important global markets. In this regard Guyana has the best potential since we have the largest diaspora who love cricket, and so we in Guyana will pull out all the stops and give the CPL our full commitment.”

The first ever Caribbean Premier League will get underway on 30 July with 24 matches played in six franchise countries - Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago.

Six top West Indies stars have been confirmed as franchise players – Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels. Also confirmed are six overseas

franchise players – former Australia captains Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting, ex-New Zealand captain Ross Taylor, Pakistan Twenty20 International captain Mohammad Hafeez, Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa and Sri Lanka spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

A total of 90 players will be contracted to play in the CPL. Each of the six franchise teams will comprise 15 player squads. All teams are required to have a minimum number of local players from their franchise country and at least two of them must be under the age of 23. Teams can also field a maximum of four international players. The remainder of the team must consist of regional and/or local players.

Also confirmed is the make-up of the CPL Cricket Committee, which is being chaired by former Jamaican Prime Minister, The Most Honourable PJ Patterson and include Zorol Barthley, Conde Riley and Walter Scott, QC alongside Ian Bishop, Lance Gibbs and Charles Wilkin, QC. (WICB)

Spurs rout Grizzlies 105- UG hold on to 44-43 83 in West finals opener win, stay undefeated

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker drives past Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (REUTERS/Mike Stone)

S

AN ANTONIO – Tony Parker had 20 points and nine assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and the San Antonio Spurs struck first in the Western Conference finals by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 105-83 on Sunday.

The Spurs avoided a repeat of their Game One loss when the teams met two years ago in the first round.

The Grizzlies went on to knock San Antonio out of the playoffs as the top seed that time.

San Antonio raced out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter, then came up with a response when Memphis rallied to get within six in the second half. Both teams

pulled their starters with over 5 minutes left and the Spurs leading by 21.

Quincy Pondexter led Memphis with 17 points.

Grizzlies All-Star Zach Randolph missed his first seven shots and scored his only points on a tip-in with 9:26 left in the game.

Game Two is Tuesday night in San Antonio.

The NBA’s stingiest defense wasn’t up to its usual standards, allowing the Spurs to hit 53 per cent of their shots and a franchise postseason-record 14 3-pointers while Randolph struggled. Randolph was a non-factor after going for a playoff-best 28 points and 14 rebounds as Memphis eliminated defending West

champ Oklahoma City in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

The Grizzlies started to rally as soon as Randolph came out of the game for the first time in the second half.

Pondexter made a baseline cut for a layup off Darrell Arthur’s pass, then hit back-to-back 3-pointers during a 10-0 burst. Jerryd Bayless’ two-handed, fastbreak dunk off a steal got the Grizzlies within 62-56 with 3:43 left in the third quarter.

The comeback was shortlived, though.

Bayless missed a 3-pointer on the next trip, and Manu Ginobili was able to make one at the opposite end to spark an 11-1 response that immediately restored the Spurs’ lead to 16 by end of the quarter. Leonard hit a pair of 3-pointers and Gary Neal had one as San Antonio kept pouring it on in the fourth.

The four regular-season meetings were all won by the team with more points in the paint, but perimeter shooting proved to be a bigger factor in the playoff opener. Memphis, which was second in the NBA by holding opponents to 33.8 shooting on 3-pointers, let San Antonio make 13 of its first 24 from behind the arc and finish 14 of 29.

Danny Green connected three times and scored 16, and Matt Bonner hit four of his five attempts for 12 points. (Yahoo! Sport)

Nikkoloi Smith finishes the fast-break with a smooth finger roll during Plaisance Secondary’s game against Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) (Treiston Joseph photo)

By Treiston Joseph

T

he University of Guyana (UG) held on to defeat President’s College (PC) 4443 on Sunday at Mon Repos Primary School hard court when the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) East Coast Regional Conference, sponsored by Digicel, Beharry Group of Companies and Banks DIH, continued with the senior games.

With the game tied on 39 with 1:36s left on the clock, Quincy Easton made a floater to put UG up by two before Fonsie James sank another lay-up for UG to put them up by four points with 36s left.

The game, already physical and scrappy with a lot

of turnovers, saw James notching a rebound before being fouled. He sank one of two from the line that would eventually seal the game.

However, with 11s left in the game Nyambekerie Bacchus gave UG a scare scoring four points to come within one point of tying the game.

Easton ended with a game high 21 points, grabbing seven rebounds to lead the way for UG while Jonathon Pooran contributed nine points.

Bacchus was a beast in the paint for PC dropping a team high 13 points while grabbing a game high nine board in the heartbreaking loss that kept UG undefeated.

Meanwhile, Nikkoloi

Smith had an all-round game to lead Plaisance Secondary to a 32-25 win over Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).

The dynamic and explosive guard constantly penetrated the defence of GSA to pick up a number of three point plays as he ended the game with 21 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Emmanuel Archibald dropped a team high 12 points to lead GSA as the men of agriculture failed to stop the overflow of points in the run-a-gun style of game.

Earlier in the day, Plaisance Secondary routed Annandale Secondary 34-8 in the under-17 category of the tournament.

Wayne Calendar poured in a game high 10 points while Terrence Daniels was a beast on the defensive side of the ball, grabbing nine rebounds and collected five picks.

Raphael Sobers scored five of Annandale’s eight points and collected six rebounds as well in their atrocious shooting effort.

Meanwhile, PC had their way with Bladen Hall in the under-17 category, routing them 31-10.

Eli Innis contributed a game high 10 points and five rebounds while Jaleel Duke had an all-round game with eight points along with three rebounds, assists and steals.

Mickel Austin had six of Bladen Hall’s 10 points as they could not sink a shot from any part of the court during the game.

monday, MAY 20, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

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Eastman crowned new Three-Stage champ – Persaud wins final stage from Linden to Georgetown

Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Anguilla and the United States of America.

By Avenash Ramzan

B

arbados rider Jamal Eastman capped a remarkable weekend by lifting the overall title of the 31st annual Independence Three-Stage cycle meet, in the process becoming the new champion of the gruelling 171.5 miles/274.3km race on Sunday.

After placing himself in a prime position for the overall title by winning the opening two stages on Saturday, all Eastman needed to do on Sunday’s final stage from Kara Kara, Linden, to Homestretch Avenue was to place among the leading pack.

And that he did! He finished with an overall time of six hours, 58 minutes, 13 seconds (06h: 58m: 13s), seven seconds less than Guyana’s Geron Williams, who secured the runnerup spot with a time of six hours, 58 minutes, 20 seconds.

The winning time was far slower than Team Coco’s Ivan Dominguez’s six hours, 44 minutes, 55 seconds (06h: 44m: 55s), recorded last year to win the title.

Orville Hinds of Linden

Successful race

Robin Persaud crosses the final line on Homestretch Avenue to win Sunday’s final stage, which started at Kara Kara, Linden

Overall champion Jamal Eastman of Barbados is all smiles as he receives the winner’s trophy from Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony

Raul Leal of Team Coco (Guyana) receives his trophy and cash prize for topping the junior category from Director of Sport, Neil Kumar

Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club rode in third overall with a time of six hours, 58 minutes, 25 seconds (06h: 58m: 25s), while the local trio, Alonzo Greaves (06h: 58m: 26s), Raynauth Jeffrey (06h: 58m: 33s) and Raul Leal (06h: 58m: 33s) founded out the top finishers.

Although Jeffrey and Leal gained the same time, Jeffrey secured the fifth

spot by virtue of crossing the line ahead of his Team Coco (Guyana) partner.

Leal emerged as the leading junior cyclist, finishing ahead of Hamza Eastman and Stephano Husbands, who ended in second and third spots respectively.

Horace Burrowes, who finished seventh overall with a time of six hours, 59 minutes (06h: 59m),

emerged as the winner of the veteran category, with USA-based Guyanese Aubrey Gordon and Team Coco’s (Guyana) Junior Niles in the runner-up and third position respectively.

Naomi Singh of East Coast Demerara was among the four females who participated in the two-day activity, but was the lone competitor on the distaff side to start all three stages. She

minutes, 54 seconds (02h: 40m: 54s), shaving off a minute, 45 seconds off Dominguez’s stage record of two hours, 42 minutes, 39 seconds (02h: 42m: 39s), achieved last year.

Persaud, who ended eighth overall with a time of six hours, 59 minutes, 21 seconds (06h: 59m: 21s), ended the final stage ahead of Andrew Reece and Christopher Holder in that order.

The opening stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, which covered a distance of 46.6 miles/74.2km, was won by Eastman in a time of one

At the presentation ceremony which followed at the National Cultural Centre, all the speakers reiterated the call for a Team Guyana to participate at the race, a proposition that is yet to be realised.

President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Cheryl Thompson, said “a team effort is needed” by the Guyanese in order to challenge their foreign counterparts. Director of Sport, Neil Kumar proffered the idea of having an inter-club championship among the various local clubs where the top riders will be selected to form a Team Guyana.

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony said that while the race was “very competitive”, the females should be allowed to ride a shorter distance than their male counterparts.

The minister also challenged the organising committee to come up with a concept to “celebrate cycling” in 2016, which will be the 50th independence anniversary, as well as the

Girl power! Naomi Singh was the only female to start all three stages. She was presented with a special prize by national coach Hassan Mohamed

collected a special prize for her effort.

The other females were Hazina Barrett of Linden, Marica Dick of Berbice, and Tashwana Doris of Georgetown.

Persaud victory

The 64.5 miles/103km final stage was won by experienced Guyanese Robin Persaud, who clocked a record time of two hours, 40

hour, 43 minutes, 08 seconds (01h: 43m: 08s) on Saturday morning.

Stage Two from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue on Saturday afternoon, a leg that covered 60.4 miles/97.1km, was also won

by Eastman in a time of two hours, 34 minutes, 31 seconds (02h: 34m: 31s).

The race attracted 73 riders from Guyana,

year of the Olympic Games.

National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, giving a detailed review of the activity, said the 2013 edition was highly competitive, as was illustrated by the close timings among the top six finishers.

A total of 73 riders started the race on Saturday, but only 42 completed the activity on Sunday morning.

Greaves off to USA for one-month stint

N

ational cyclist Alonzo Greaves is off to the United States of America for a one-month training stint, which starts today.

The 23-year-old Roraima Bikers Club representative

finished fourth overall in the 31st annual Independence Three-Stage, which concluded on Sunday, but had to miss the presentation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre, as his flight was booked for Sunday after-

noon.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Greaves said he is looking forward to the stint, noting that apart from the training, he will also participate in a

few races.

This is Greaves’ third visit to the USA to participate in cycling training/competition.

He informed that he would be back in time to challenge local counterparts in the Guyana Cycling

Federation’s national championship, which is billed for the end of June.

Greaves has been in tremendous form this season, winning an impressive eight races so far in 2013.

His trip has been made

possible with support from Digicel, Bounty Farm, Spads Inc, Toucan Industries, Kevin Jeffrey and family, Café Sol, Compton Persaud, Roraima Bikers Club, Linden Dowridge, and George Humphrey.

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

TOP SCORES

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Eastman crowned new Three-Stage champ

See story on page

23

– Persaud wins final stage from Linden to Georgetown Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony (seated third left); Director of Sport Neil Kumar (seated second right); president of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Cheryl Thompson (seated third right); PS in the Sport Ministry Alfred King (seated second left); USA-based Guyanese rider Aubrey Gordon (seated left); and former president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (seated right) share the National Cultural Centre stage with top performers of the various categories of the 31st annual Three-Stage (Photos: Avenash Ramzan)

INSIDE TODAY'S SPORTS

Spurs rout Grizzlies 105-83 in West finals opener P22

UG hold on to 44-43 win, stay undefeated

See story on page

22

Greaves off to USA for one month-stint See story on page

23

Quincy Easton (red and white) goes up for a contested floater during his 21-point outburst for UG (Treiston Joseph photo)

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