The Local Government Ministry has begun disbursement of subventions to the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Municipalities, but is yet to receive any submission from the Georgetown Municipality.
This is according to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal, who made the disclosure at a press conference on Friday. He revealed that of the six municipalities, only four have been approved; however, there was no budgetary submission for this financial year from the Georgetown Municipality headed by Mayor Hamilton Green.
Croal also noted that the budget plan for the Linden Municipality will be re-submitted as the first draft had not been approved.
Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said he is currently in discussion with representatives of the Linden Municipality,
while pointing out that he has made it clear that it is not the Ministry’s policy to approve budget deficits.
“I have encouraged them to live within their means… either you control it from the expenditure side by reordering the priorities and probably removing a project or two, or you try to improve on your revenue collection,”
he stated.
The Minister explained that financing budget deficits, whether it is by borrowing or through grants, means that diligent taxpayers’ money will be used to finance municipalities where they are delinquent taxpayers.
Croal went on to say that the other municipalities have commenced their work programme and the Ministry is currently processing cheques for the first tranche of the subvention programme, which is expected to be issued by Monday.
The cheques for the first tranche will see Corriverton getting $5 million; Anna Regina $5.5 million; Linden $6 million; Rose Hall $5 million, New Amsterdam $6 million; and Georgetown is $11 million.
In addition, Whittaker added that the funding provided through the Fiscal Transfer Act is some $2.3 million more than what the municipalities are accustomed to. He continued that
other programmes such as the India, Brazil and South Africa programme will see some $9.2 billion being plugged into the local authorities, along with another huge sum from the cleanup Guyana activity.
On the other hand, the Project Development and Assistant Subvention Programme saw 63 of the 65
Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) being given approval by the Local Government Minister. The Permanent Secretary explained that the revised submissions of the two non-approved NDCs were expected on Friday and should be given approval by Monday in order for the Ministry to commence processing the subventions.
First tranche
Croal pointed out that the first tranche of the subvention programme will be $2 million. He noted that the first tranche represents the commencement of the Fiscal Transfer Act, hence, the funding provided to the local authorities in the other tranches will be determined via a formula using three variables: population, geographic size and rate of collection. However, the first tranche will be a standard amount for all 10 regions.
Meanwhile, one of the
two NDCs which were not approved was the Kwakwani NDC in Region 10. A revised work programme for that local authority is expected to be submitted by Monday.
Croal give an update on the financial status of the 10 regions, stating that most of the works are now “kicking in” since the national budget was presented and debated later than usual. The capital expenditure for the Regional Programme is at an average of 15 per cent as of July 11; with Region Five having the highest percentage of 32 while the lowest of five per cent was shared between Regions Eight and 10.
The Current Expenditure for the Regional Programme’s Operational and Maintenance expenses as at July 11 is an average of 40 per cent with Region Two at the highest at 55 per cent and Regions One, Eight and Nine, sharing the lowest percentage of 40.
Victoria Health Centre to be fully operational by month-end
Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, said the Victoria Health Centre, East Coast Demerara, can only operate once per week as it does not have enough staff and enough space.
The Minister was at the time responding to a question posed by A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament, Dr Karen Cummings.
Dr Ramsaran said work is currently being done on the health facility, and when it is completed by monthend, the services will resume in full.
Dr Cummings also questioned the Minister on whether the Ministry will be implementing plans to make the Dr CC Nicholson Hospital operational on a 24hour basis, following an alleged incident on June 25, 2012, when a mother had delivered a baby in the vicinity of a barbershop.
The barber had assisted in the delivery.
Dr Cummings also called on the Minister to reveal the details of a probe of this allegation made against the Dr CC Nicholson Hospital. She also sought to find out when there will be functioning incubators to place neonates or
newborns at the hospital and how soon the hospital will have a cylinder of oxygen, a working autoclave to ensure sterile dressings to patients, and emergency medical supplies.
The Minister, through the Dr CC Nicholson Hospital, stated that plans are afoot to get the hospital to operate on a 24-hour basis, subject to the availability of medical personnel.
According to the Minister, based on findings of the probe into the Dr CC Nicholson Hospital, there was no need for disciplinary actions.
The Minister indicated too that an incubator would be requested in the 2015 Budget. The Ministry pointed out that there is a cylinder with oxygen at the health facility, however, the gauge has malfunctioned but it has been replaced. According to the Minister, the hospital will have a working autoclave to ensure sterile dressings of patients this week, pointing out that the Ministry provides emergency supplies to the said facility.
However, the regional administration will procure emergency supplies once difficulties are reported to the administration.
Weather: Sunny intervals are expected in the morning and early afternoon hours. Light showers can be expected in the late afternoon hours with clear skies prevailing in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 23.2 degrees and 28.3 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East north-easterly between 3.56 metres and 4.00 metres per second.
High Tide: 04:07h and 16:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.78 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 10:12h and 22:27h reaching minimum heights of 0.42 metre and 0.53 metre respectively.
By Michael younge
Former General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNCR) Aubrey Norton said he will challenge David Granger for the leadership of the party with the aim of building a more unified and stronger political movement.
Norton, speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, explained that there is urgent need for the party to reconnect with its grassroots support base and membership at all levels.
He stated that his decision to run for the post of party leader came after a number of groups and party members asked him to consider doing so, given his commitment and understanding of the PNC’s past and the need to advance it into the future.
“I am of the view that it is time for us to build a stronger and more unified party that is proactive and more responsive to its membership,” he said.
with party matters and its membership.
“I will be in contact with key people and consult past leaders and the membership of the party so the decisions made would be of the party,” he insisted.
Norton also told this newspaper that he has been told and given the assurances that were he to become leader of the party, several persons who had defected or resigned from the party would return.
Reconciliation forums
“I have always been a person who says what I believe and stand up for what I believe in. It is expected that from time to time, there will be differences but that does not change my commitment to the party,” Norton explained as he downplayed questions in this respect.
He said that many of the people in that category and those who have problems with the PNC would be offered forums to reconcile their differences with the party. He would not name any specific persons when asked and declined to comment when asked whether James McAllister was in the category he referred to.
Norton, like other senior and long-standing PNC stalwarts, believes that the PNC should have a different leader from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition. He argued that there is a lot of work to be done within the PNC to ensure that it is fully prepared to win the upcoming elections.
Asked whether this means that the PNC, were he to become leader, would contest the elections alone in 2016, Norton responded in the negative.
Commitment unchanged
“We are the biggest part of the coalition, but you have to always, as party, have your machinery in place so that the ground work is covered ahead of any elections,” he reasoned.
Norton declined to compare himself to the current leader or to say why he would be a better choice to manage the affairs at Congress Place.
Questioned too as to whether he feels resentment after being sidelined and undermined by several senior PNC members, Norton stated that his commitment and loyalty is to the party.
The former PNC parliamentarian also told Guyana Times that were he to become leader of the PNC, one of the core areas of focus would be education. He said that it was necessary for the PNC to recommence political training and education for its members in order for them to be better equipped and prepared to deal with the concomitant challenges that are birthed under the new dispensation. and in the changing local, regional and international arenas.
He was adamant that if newly recruited and current members were more knowledgeable about the political environment in which they operate, they would be able to make better decisions, understand the rule of law, and operate within it at all times.
Norton rejected the view that the position of party leader is burdensome. “I don’t see any burden coming with leadership. I have a good understanding of how to make decisions. I understand the posture of the People’s Progressive Party and therefore I am well placed to make proper decisions on behalf of the PNC,” he advised.
Norton has also vowed to take a more consultative approach when dealing
Norton joined the PNC in 1976 and held several middle management and executive positions. He became the party’s General Secretary in 1997 and demitted that office in 1998. He has always been seen as one of the leaders who understands and engages the grassroots with the aim of achieving inclusivity and more support for the PNC.
Norton was recently an active member of the PNC’s team that led and organised the 2012 protests in Linden, which saw persons demonstrating against a decision to cut the electricity subsidy to the region. He was also one of the persons who were being continuously sidelined because of his disagreement with the party’s former leaders Robert Corbin and other members.
His decision to challenge Granger is coming at a time when there is widespread disaffection within the ranks of the par-
ty following a decision by the party’s Executive Committee to suspend Vanessa Kissoon, who had a spat with Oscar Clarke. Norton is also throwing in his bid for the leadership post at a time when it is widely felt that the PNC is on the decline since Granger surfaced, and was catapulted into the seat of party leader. Granger has been openly criticised for his militarisation of the party’s executive and bureaucracy.
He has been accused of making decisions in a top down manner, rather than engaging the grassroots support base of the party. Under Granger’s management, the party’s resources continue to be depleted. Only recently, it was discovered that Congress Place made a decision to sell parcels of its prime lands at Sophia, Georgetown. The party allegedly owes over 77 million in rates and taxes as well.
Since the primaries in 2011, Dr Faith Harding, Dr Van West Charles and Vincent Alexander have expressed concerns about the process and the internal rifts that are cancerous sores in the party.
Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir
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The Minister of Agriculture and several executives of GuySuCo, including its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), appeared before the Parliamentary Economic Sectoral Committee. They were supposed to brief the Committee on the Corporation’s strategic plan that was going to suggest some light at the end of the long tunnel into which the industry had plunged in the last decade.
But it soon became an exercise in futility when even PPP/C MP Manzoor Nadir expressed dissatisfaction that the GuySuCo CEO was referring to a different version of the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan than the one which had been previously submitted to the Committee. Evidently the CEO was referring to a “plan” that was not even seen or approved by the GuySuCo Board.
That the snafu was resolved rather amicably, with the GuySuCo team promising to get the Committee on the same page as it was on - presumably along with its Board - is indicative of the greater level of bonhomie and camaraderie that operates at the Committee level.
But the thrust of GuySuCo’s presentation appeared to focus on “mechanisation” as the “solution” to the woes of the industry. Accepting that the industry would never be totally mechanised due to several unique characteristics of the locale, the executives vouchsafed that from the present 30 percent of lands prepared for mechanised utilisation, another 17 percent is slated by 2017.
Up to now, mechanisation has meant utilising “Bell Loaders” that pick up canes cut and dropped by manual labourers on the ground and transporting them to the punts in the canals.
Not for the first time, however, we are now hearing about machines for cutting the canes (“harvesting”) also, because of the severe dearth of “canecutters” available for work. While the managers alluded to the challenges presented by effect of the much heavier harvesting machines on our soft soils produced by our higher levels of rainfall, we do not believe that enough attention has been paid to this “solution”.
Way back in the 1970s, some of these machines were tried under our conditions but their compacting effect on the soils and the subsequent drop in cane yields proved not to be cost effective. We are not sure what has changed since then - excepting an even heavier level of precipitation. The Demerara estates were high cost- locales even in the days when labour was not a constraint, and it is our considered judgement, that as we have suggested before, we might be flogging a dead horse when it comes to the production of sugar in these lands.
We have to begin to think outside the box. Even Brazil, the lowest- cost producer for the last four decades, is facing heavy challenges in its production costs, which, has tripled from the eight cents per pound that was prevalent when the first Sugar Modernisation was envisaged in 1998. But they have the option of switching between ethanol and sugar which is not open to us at this time. In the meantime, the developed countries, which still account for the bulk of imported sugar that is traded, are taking a second look at sugar from a health perspective.
They also have their safety valve of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) which is used in their soft drink industry and which acts as an effective upper cap on our sugar prices. Due to these and other factors ( such as increased production from the Lesser Developed Countries in Africa, that have been allowed to compete in our “preferred markets”) we might very well have priced ourselves out of the market as far as our Demerara sugar is concerned.
We once again repeat our suggestion that the Demerara estates be privatised to corporations that can deploy the well irrigated lands into other agricultural products that would deliver enough profits to ensure that workers can finally be paid wages that are competitive with the new, emerging Guyanese industries.
Dear Editor,
It is interesting to note that Dr Cheddi Jagan and the PPP were alway the target of outside interference. On October 9, 1953, 133 days after the British Guiana election results, Britain launched a military coup codenamed Operation Winsdor to oust Jagan. Hundreds of British soldiers onboard the warship HMS Superb stormed Guiana’s capital Georgetown and secured key positions. They suspended the Guianese Constitution and arrested the country’s democratically elected legislators, including the Jagans. The territory remained under direct British military rule for the next three years, during which the Jagans were held under house arrest, even during the birth of their two children. Eventually, Jagan was released and became Prime Minister of Guyana in 1961.
After Independence, the PNC was bankrolled by the CIA, and with their knowledge, allowed Forbes Burnham to
siphon off large suns of money from the local flour mill to build the PNC into a well-organized, formidable force. Declassified documents also revealed that Burnham was allowed to rig General Elections with the knowledge of the US Government.
In 1992, Guyana had its first free and fair elections under the watchful eye of former US President Jimmy Carter. As President, Carter would have had access to all classified intelligence files on Guyana, and as a God-fearing man, may have said to himself, enough is enough!
Guyanese voters are no longer disenfranchised at the polls, and our economy has undergone a complete metamorphosis. Guyanese are much better off than they were under the vote-rigging PNC dictatorship, and the PNC/APNU supporters are benefitting equally with their PPP/C counterparts. But they are those amoung us that will sell out our country for a US visa, or to protect the
ones they have.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand delivered an appropriate response from the Guyana Government to a meddling diplomat on the eve of his departure. This Ambassador was cautioned privately on several occasions by the Administration on his breach of diplomatic protocol and ethics, but chose instead to denigrate and insult our elected President and the General Secretaryof the PPP/C.
In his speech on July 2, the Ambassador went even further, inciting an insurrection in this country by insinuating that the opposition follow the American lead in 1776 when they picked up arms against King George to win their freedom.At the time America was a colony of Great Britain.
He declared, “We’ll be the wind behind your back, but you will have to do this yourself.”
There was no denunciation by any member of the Opposition of this call for insurrection by a
diplomat who enjoyed the hospitality of this Government and the people of Guyana. So much for patriotism! Those dissenting voices who oppose the speech that was read by the Minister are the very ones that would benefit from any regime change. They seem comfortable to allow the US Government to once again undermine our democracy, and deny the right of every Guyanese to choose their own destiny.
I thank God for the brave few who publicly defended the Administration’s position which stated firmly that Ambassador Hardt was in breach of the Vienna Convention, as stated by Professor Justice Duke Pollard, from the Department of Law, University of Guyana. It seems like the Administration, and more specifically, the Minister, have just been vindicated.
Sincerely, Harry
Gill
Demanding local elections is valid with all its limitations in a democracy (Part one)
Dear Editor, Living outside Guyana, Mr Norman Browne is better anchored to good reason to make his case writing a letter in another section of the press, “Break the anvil of PPP, PNC witchcraft politics”. The former Lindener does write with a lot of passion and emotional conviction to knock one over.
What will enhance such a case are his several additional reasons which can buttress reconciliation of his personal assumption that just to “ask, request or beg someone a favour, or for something they have in their possession that may be rightfully yours” must get
priority automatic compliance. Care must be taken to ensure that those many others among us, perhaps those other Lindeners or others from Parika (Parikstani?) all across Guyana are not subjected to any reverse discrimination due to their support of the status quo. Even Mr Browne will admit there is a pervasive mindset that the government discriminates. In which case a third party, in our case the judiciary by its independence and impartiality is the best way to ensure justice by the rule of law.
Civilization with its laws, rules and regulations
does not sanction “wrong and strong” especially if everyone were to act with impunity to enforce their individual opinions. It is still the hidden virus most alive and well which we must avoid. In a democracy, all Guyanese are still entitled to be provided, evaluate and then sanction or not, all those persuasive, excellent reasons which actually conclude and direct that “ownership” of the right of government is not devolved through “common sense” alone. By abiding patience readers can then await production of the many other overriding reasons that actually
inspire Mr Browne. For any politician to assert they plan to fight for and then hand over power is certain to be found laughable. Can one Lindener again change that dreaded area’s image and history?
Insistence on one’s democratic rights is most understandable; but all and severally also have the same equal rights to the exclusion of none. Making a simple claim on the entire body politic does not automatically transfer it because of prior occupancy by a former favoured tenant.
Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed
Dear Editor, New York-based Prem Bhakti Mandir (PBM) celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDDS) last month with a special yagna.
The Dharmic Sabha was founded by late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, a former Deputy Prime Minister and M.P for over 40 years, who passed away just over a year ago. The PBM Mandir celebrated the life of Pt. Reepu and the achievements of the organization.
Pt. Reepu’s family members graced the mandir on the occasion and was warmly received by a packed congregation. Pandit Baya, spiritual leader of PBM, was applauded for hosting the celebration and for his dedication and commitment to flying the flag of Hinduism in New York. Pt. Baya led the group in spiritual prayers dedicated the to the life of Pt. Reepu and GHDS. A host of speakers paid tribute to the late Pandit Reepu.
Pandit Reep, as he was fondly called, was one of the most respected and learned pandits in the Caribbean region and in the diaspora. He kept the flag of Hinduism flying high in Guyana. He bravely stood up against those who banned foods and paraphernalia related to Hindu worship.
He was also steadfast in the struggle against the oppressive Guyanese dictatorship that governed between 1965 and 1992 and he was the most popular political fig-
ure in Guyana among Indians second to Dr. Jagan.
Pandit Reepu was well known in North America have conducted religious discourses here, the Caribbean and England during several visits. He was a regular feature at mandirs in New York and visited Gyaan Bhakti Satsangh (now renamed Prem Bhakti) as a guest thanks to community advocate Ramesh Kalicharran.
Kali remembers Pandit Reepu very well during his visit to GBS, of which Kali played an important role as founder and sponsor. Pt. Reep was honored by the mandir. Also, prior to the founding of GOPIO in 1989, of which Kali was Caribbean coordinator and liaison, Kali led a delegation to Guyana and interacted with Pt. Reep on the holding of the first global convention of people of Indian origin.
Pt. Reep was one of the hosts of the delegation that interacted with with prominent Guyanese Indian leaders on the hosting of a conference on Indians in the diaspora. Sudha Acharya, Ramesh Kalicharran, Bal Naipaul, Ravi Dev, Dhiraj Solanki & Bhanu Solanki comprised the delegation that also met Yesu Persaud who spearheaded the celebration of 150 years of Indian arrival to Guyana. The late Dr. Balwant Singh and Lakshmi Kallicharan also gave their support to the proceedings of the Indian delegation from NY. This meeting led to the hosting of a regional conference on Indo-Caribbeans held at UWI, St. Augustine in
April 1989.
At the service, special attendees included the wife of PanditReepu, Maharajin Ind rannie Persaud, their daughter Dr. Vindhya Persaud who is a member of Parliament of Guyana and the younger daughter Trishala Simantini, classical trained dancer and law student. They were accorded a very warm welcome as they made a grand entrance with prayers and religious music.
The priest in charge Pandit Latchana Baya, was applauded for putting together an excellent program to mark the occasion of celebrating the 40th year of the existence of the ever popular Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHBS). It was a packed audience, there were speeches by various community leaders, pandits, as they celebrate the legacy of Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud.
Dr. Vindhya Persaud discussed the shelter to accommodate over 60 children at Port Mourant in the area of ‘Babu John’ and also a skill training center at the same location. There were several items of singing and dancing, mostly product of Prem Bhakti Mandir.
After Indra Persaud and Dr. Vindhya Persaud made their presentation, Trishala Simantini Persaud arouse the audience with a superb classical dance rendition. It was indeed a fulfilling evening of celebration of the legacy of Pandit Reepu.
Submitted by Vishnu Bisram
Dear Editor,
In all the debates on the various issues which are attracting our attention and interest from time to time, whether it be the opinionmakers in our newspaper columns and readers’ letters, between leaders of rival political parties, or among members of the public, we can see clearly that everyone is so convinced of the rightness of his/her own position, and so intent on converting everyone else to his/ her own views, that people are simply not listening to one another.
This has been never so manifest as in the recent past, especially in the debates on the national budget in Parliament, when even those projects that we can all agree would lead to the benefit of all our citizens have been abandoned.
We have witnessed this obduracy in the behaviour of members of both sides of the government on the various issues that come up, from whom we should have least expected some example and open-mindedness, so that others below may follow their lead in order to arrive at positions which are acceptable, or at least able to be tolerated, by the general populace. The opposing forces
are instead directing their efforts towards upstaging their “enemies” on every issue, rejecting all arguments and proposals which they believe would lead to some loss of interest on their part.
It is clear that all those involved in these “debates” believe that their side of the story is always correct, and that the other side is always wrong, and not worth listening to.
And as soon as we examine this type of approach to the various questions which need to be answered fairly and objectively in order to facilitate solutions to our political and societal problems, we see clearly that such an erroneous attitude will always lead to continuous and neverending controversies. These, of course, will only keep our nation forever in the morass of poverty, ignorance and political and ethnic strife.
If there is an absolute truth, none of us mortals has been blessed with it, and we can only add to the fund of knowledge and experience if we genuinely endeavour to listen closely to those with whom we engage in our debates.
I would like to posit here that the prerequisite for at-
Guru Vyaasa Purnima: Celebrating the lives of god-realized souls and spiritual gurus
Dear Editor, Hindus celebrated Guru Vyaasa Purnima on Saturday July 12. It is a memorable day in honor of the great Hindu sage, Vyaasa who is credited for documenting the Mahabharata and various other works of Hindu literature in general, and for editing the Vedas in particular.
The day is spent by immersing oneself in the sacred teachings of Sage Vyaasa. It is also used by many to reflect and honor the life of all Godrealized souls and spiritual Gurus. Swami Vivekananda, himself a world recognized Guru and God-realized soul explained the importance of a Guru in the life of the spiritual aspirant.
The following is an excerpt from the “Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda” on the Guru and same can also be found in the smaller booklet, “Essentials of Hinduism”:
“Every soul is destined to be perfect, and every being, in the end, will attain the state of perfection. Whatever we are now is the result of our acts and thoughts in the past; and whatever we shall be in the future will be the result of what we think and do now.
“But this, the shaping of our own destinies, does not preclude our receiving help from outside; nay, in the vast majority of cases such help is absolutely necessary. When it comes, the higher powers and possibilities of the soul are quickened, spiritual life is awakened, growth is animated, and man becomes holy and perfect in the end.”
This quickening impulse
cannot be derived from books. The soul can only receive impulses from another soul, and from nothing else. We may study books all our lives, we may become very intellectual, but in the end we find that we have not developed at all spiritually. It is not true that a high order of intellectual development always go hand in hand with a proportionate development of the spiritual side in Man.
In studying books we are sometimes deluded in thinking that thereby we are being spiritually helped; but if we analyze the effect of the study of books on ourselves, we shall find that at the utmost it is only our intellect that derives profit from such studies, and not our inner spirit.
This inadequacy of books to quicken spiritual growth is the reason why, although almost every one of us can speak most wonderfully on spiritual matters, when it comes to action and the living of a truly spiritual life, we find ourselves so awfully deficient.
To quicken the spirit, the impulse must come from another soul. The person from whose soul such impulse comes is called the Guru –the teacher; and the person to whose soul the impulse is conveyed is called the Shishya –the student.
To convey such an impulse to any soul, in the first place, the soul from which it proceeds must possess the power of transmitting it, as it were to another; and in the second place, the soul to which it is transmitted must
be fit to receive it. The seed must be a living seed, and the field must be ready ploughed; and when both these conditions are fulfilled, a wonderful growth of genuine religion takes place.
“The true preacher of religion has to be of wonderful capabilities, and clever shall his hearer be”; and when both these are really wonderful and extraordinary, then will a splendid spiritual awakening result, and not otherwise. Such alone are the real teachers, and such alone are the real students, the real aspirants.
All others are only playing with spirituality. They have just a little curiosity awakened; just a little intellectual aspiration kindled in them, but are merely standing on the outward fringe of the horizon of religion.
There is no doubt some value even in that, as it may in course of time result in the awakening of a real thirst for religion; and it is a mysterious law of nature that as soon as the field is ready, the seed must and does come; as soon as the soul earnestly desire to have religion, the transmitter of the religious force must and does appear to help that soul.
When the power that attracts the light of religion in the receiving soul is full and strong, the power which answers to that attraction and sends in light does come as a matter of course.”
Regards, Pandit Charranlall
Nandalall
taining peace, harmony and progress in any group of human beings, whether a couple, an organisation, a community, a society, or a nation, is not so much whether they can come up with practical solutions, but more that they are willing to forget differences, willing to cooperate for the good of the whole, and willing to sacrifice their own preferences and compromise so as to work out solutions which would be of mutual benefit and acceptable to all concerned.
This means that our salvation depends not so much on our wisdom and knowledge of what we are engaged in as on the spirit that we must cultivate that inspires us to work unselfishly in every situation for the greater good of everyone. This is the law of community that we must follow or be doomed to failure, no matter how intensive and efficient are our efforts to solve our problems.
May all my fellow Guyanese see the wisdom and the efficacy of this principle and use it in their deliberations at all levels.
Yours sincerely, Roy Paul
Cricket’s always been one of the things that has brought us together as Caribbean people - never mind that it’s the source of some of the fiercest arguments you can imagine. Now the Limacol CPL is back - and we’re all rallying around our Warriors to raise the Trophy this year. They’ve already won their first game, a game that had us all perched on the edges of our seats, cheering on our tail-enders to do the job our batsmen couldn’t.
One of the many things that I really like about this tournament is that some of our young, local cricketers are getting a chance to play.
“Rally, rally round the Amazon Warriors. Never say never. Pretty soon the runs are going to flow like water” – Adapted from David Rudder, “Rally Round the West Indies”
This opportunity will both give them a chance to experience what it’s like playing against International players and also a chance to shine and be recognised. With the other tournaments like the IPL, CLT20, and Australia’s Big Bash, there are so many new players that impress us who eventually make it onto the national team. Hopefully, the same will happen for the West Indies - we’ll discover some new talent to revive the current team.
With the Limacol CPL we’re rooting for our country - GUYANA! The Guyana Amazon Warriors are OUR TEAM!!! It’s Guyana versus Trinidad, or Guyana vs Barbados - not West Indies against the rest of the world. It’s a powerful thing, this nationalistic feeling - I’m getting chills just sitting down writing about it, remember-
ing what it was like when our Warriors kept winning last year. It’s a whole new adrenaline rush when it’s
your country’s team that wins. It’s your country’s flag that you’re waving; your country’s colours that the players are wearing; it’s you, the Guyanese people who are being represented. All within the Caribbean family of course!
In Guyana, we don’t have trouble ensuring soldout matches with a jampacked stadium, we’re always starved for more
cricket. I’ll bet my bottom dollar this set of matches in the Limacol CPL will be the same. So it’s a wonder we got only three games this year and Grenada got three games as well - they don’t even have a Limacol CPL team!! As the camera panned around the Grenadian National Stadium during that first match, the number of empty seats was simply astounding. I couldn’t believe they chose to kick off the Limacol CPL in a country where the ‘fans’ didn’t even bother to show up. An empty stadium surely can’t be encouraging to the players.
But we Guyanese know that the Limacol CPL is a wonderful opportunity for families or friends to hang out together, to enjoy a sport that’s brought together so many generations of sports enthusiasts. And we’ll show
up to cheer on our boys. There’s this indescribable feeling of pride you get when you’re looking at your home team play. Never mind all of the players on the team aren’t Guyanese: they’re wearing our uniform, our colours, we feel that same sense of them being a part of our team, of being ours.
Another nice thing I have noticed about the LCPL, is that there are so many of the older West Indian players from the “golden age” of West Indian cricket getting involved, whether in coaching capacities or giving their inputs in other ways. It’s like three sets of West Indian players being brought together- the past, current and future.
So let’s wave our flags, let’s raise our glasses, and let’s lift our voices and shout, “Go Amazon Warriors!”
Weaving Wate, the second novel of Guyanese writer Ryhaan Shah, could not be more different from her first, A Silent Life (2005) which is firmly rooted in a story about its young narrator’s Muslim IndianGuyanese family, and the mainly tragic experience of her family as well as other indentured immigrants in Guyana. Weaving Water is about a similar tragic experience of indentured Indians in Guyana, but while the characters in A Silent Life are mainly Muslim, those in the second novel are Hindu through and through, and are observed during a longer period of Guyanese social history, from 1917 to a contemporary period when Guyanese migrate in droves to foreign places such as North America, and complain about corruption by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Government. Most of all, what really distinguishes Weaving Water from anything written before by Shah is her discovery of a unique narrative style whose fluency, confidence, grace and charm set it apart from most Guyanese or West Indian literature.
Shah’s style which mixes ordinary, everyday events with fantasy to form a genre generally known as magic realism was first popularised in the 1970s and 80s by Latin American writers notably the Colombian author Gabriel Marcia Marquez (1927-2014)
whose novel One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) remains a classic of the genre. But it is not clear whether Shah was directly influenced by Marquez or other Latin American authors. Her direct influences appear to come more from her subject – the metaphysics of a Hindu world view which she expertly insinuates into Weaving Water as if she was a born Hindu.
Two of the novel’s chief characters Rampat and Parvati, an indentured couple, travelling on the last ship with indentured Indians bound for Guyana in 1917, witness another young immigrant, Taijnie, giving birth to a baby girl aboard ship before she dies and is buried at sea. Taijnie is apparently travelling alone, and her baby, Neela, is adopted by Rampat and Parvati. Eventually, in Guyana, Rampat and Parvati are settled with Neela in the village of Coverton, in Berbice.
Supernatural associations
Later still, as: “the baby born out of the belly of the sea,” and one who is officially issued with a birth certificate with details of: “Father Unknown” and “Born at Sea” Neela gradually takes on supernatural associations and other-worldly expectations within a Guyanese Hindu peasant community nourished by a thriving oral tradition: “about the journey out of India, about jumbies and fairies and princesses.” It is only a mat-
ter of time before Neela could: “already read the Bhagavad Gita” (sacred Hindu text), the whole of it, in Hindi, and knew all the stories of the deities.” She also sang: “all the bhajans (religious songs) and chalisas (sacred chants) at the mandir (Hindu temple) until “everyone said that the girl was a devi (goddess.)”
As a supernatural being, for example, mysteriously disappearing at night in the canal outside her home, Neela’s exploits form a central thread in the novel’s action; but Shah does not neglect practical social, political or ethnic issues. A peculiar magical blend of fantasy/reality appears to take control of the narrative, as it were, directing the author to create one enchanting scene after another, each surrounded by an almost dreamlike atmosphere, and
accompanied by a familiar, half musical refrain constantly repeated about Neela, for example: “In a village where little happened... gossip would fly, and stories would be made up. Neela herself had become part of that pattern, that weave. She was the reason why the milk went sour, the calf died or the baby was born dead.... She was not only a fair maid and a water mama, but a sea spirit with unearthly powers.”
In the process, Weaving Water observes indentured Indians struggling against plantation owners for better working conditions. It also discusses relations between Indians from North India and those from the South, notably the Madrassis, one of whom, Billa, has a close relationship -- that of jahaji bhai (ship brother) -- to Rampat.
Insidious obstacle
Billa’s physical prowess and general colourful ebullience make him stand out, while his uneasy relationship with Sampson, an African-Guyanese giant, reflects an historic, deep-seated rivalry between African- and IndianGuyanese, still the most insidious obstacle to Guyana’s future development as a nation. The problem is that Africans were used as slaves to establish plantations in Guyana two centuries before the arrival of Indians, and it gives rise to conflicting feelings of legitimacy to Guyanese citizenship.
As Sampson’s son Martin expresses it: “We [Africans] sweated and
we bled for this earth, and you, [Indians] you came here just the other day and think you’re better?” Not that Shah attempts to resolve the conflict, although Sampson’s disappearance by supernatural means implies that a simple or ordinary solution is unlikely.
Never before, in Guyanese or West Indian literature, has the second novel of an author fulfilled the promise of their first like Weaving Water. It is not only Shah’s expertise in magic realism which, after all, enjoys an inherent advantage through a subject consisting of endless legendary exploits of gods, goddesses and sages, not to mention infinite resources of Hindu lore, “mysterious ancient and deep;” but also her philosophical mastery of Hindu metaphysics like her compatriot Sharon Maas in three novels, and her superb technical skill in fluent sentence structure, graceful balance and soothing rhythms. (Like Shah Maas was not born Hindu.) There are no two ways about the Hindu world view in Weaving Water: “it was the way of the gods that they moved in and out of your very lives to create, to destroy, to change and transform the world in order to fulfill the fate that was already written.” Perhaps Shah’s greatest triumph, as a Muslim author, is to delve with such earnest and admiring sympathy into Hindu cultural heritage in Weaving Water and achieve the universality of art that allows her to see through the very eyes of God. (Repeated courtesy Indo-Caribbean World)
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said the rice industry is in a state of crisis and Government should convene a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to detect and correct the problems.
According to the coalition leader David Granger, in light of the challenges faced by the rice sector, the Government should convene a CoI “to inquire into the impediments to the efficient management of the industry and to make recommendations for the improvement of the livelihood of the nation’s paddy farmers”.
He claimed that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) through Government agencies, exercises absolute control of the rice industry and must bear full responsibility for the problems affecting it.
Granger has called for a series of Cols into various issues, including education.
According to observers, CoIs appear to be Granger’s method to solve problems, but for some strange reason, he is dodging the Walter Rodney CoI.
On Friday, Granger said the constant predicaments faced by rice farmers in terms of getting payment from millers and production issues cannot be ignored much longer.
“The most recent public protests saw hundreds of paddy farmers last week burning tyres and blockading the Essequibo Coast roadway in order to press their demand for prompt payment by rice millers, among other matters. This was the fifth protest by paddy farmers this year.”
It was noted too that the industry contributed about five per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2013 and more than US$240 million in ex-
port earnings.
“I don’t want to know what a few farmers or millers think.... five regions are affected all the way from Region Two to Region Six and we would like to hear what they say... there is no one problem affecting all five regions.... it is quite clear that Region Two has been a (protest zone),” Granger claimed, as he sought to support his call for a CoI.
Aware
He said APNU is cognisant of the issues affecting the rice industry, including the alleged squabbles between the Government, millers and rice farmers.
Granger said the Guyana Rice Development Board should be cognisant of its powers and responsibilities and see that farmers are paid on time.
The APNU leader said the recent initiative by the GRDB to pay the legal fees for farmers who wish to pursue legal action against millers is bold, but it is not enough.
Granger also flayed the PetroCaribe deal with the Governments of Guyana
and Venezuela, contending that the deal is only for some persons while the others are left out in the cold.
“It has ignited anger over the management of this trade initiative which is generating wealth for a few. Millers in some areas of high production have lowered their prices, forcing paddy farmers to sell at reduced prices because of limited storage capacity.”
According to Granger, the 42-day grace period given to millers by the legislation governing the rice industry is “excessive”.
He said APNU had previously urged consultation on this matter, but to no avail.
Rice farmers themselves have previously called for the Rice Factories Act to be amended so that it may not leave room for farmers to be at the whims of the millers.
Meanwhile, APNU Member of Parliament Joan Waithe, representing Region Five, said “farmers across Guyana are suffering”.
Waithe plugged for the implementation of more infrastructure to care for the affairs of the sector, contending that current systems in place are inadequate.
“The right for farmers to be paid cannot be ignored year after year,” she said, calling on the regulatory bodies to do their work.
“They have a job to do and they must do it,” said a passionate Waithe.
Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker has reported that work on the $1 billion Cleanup Guyana Project is moving apace, noting that a number of bids are being processed for the various components.
Of the $1 billion “Cleanup Guyana” programme, $500 million will be spent in Georgetown and the other $500 million in the coastal administrative regions.
Whittaker stated: “The main works for the seven canals, the cemetery have been advertised, bids were received and they are being evaluated… we expect shortly to have announcements in terms of awards and works really rolling during the early part of August,” the Local Government Minister stated.
He disclosed that advertisements were placed for the desilting of the main canals, which includes Downer Street, Young Street, Lamaha Street, Princes Street, Sussex Street, Church Street and the Irving Street canals. He said some 16 bids have been received, and are currently being processed. It is expected that within a fortnight, awards will be made.
The cleaning of Le Repentir Cemetery aspect of the project is divided into three components. According to the Local Government Minister, 11 bids were received for the desilting of the cemetery drains while another 11 bids were collected, regarding the rehabilitation of the cemetery roads. The third component is the de-bushing of beds, which the Ministry is hoping to get done with the assistance of prisoners.
Additionally, the Minister pointed out that he
has held discussions with the Chairman of the Association of Bee Keepers regarding the honey bee hives along the cemetery. The Association will be presenting a proposal to the Ministry of an action plan to deal with that situation, which is causing unease among workers and residents in the area.
On the other hand, the Community Cleanup aspect of the project is another area the Ministry is keen on promoting. The Minister stated that he is trying to encourage the involvement of community members and groups such as faith-based organisations and community groups.
Remuneration
“We want this to be an activity that has the support and involvement of the very beneficiaries, who in any case will be receiving some remuneration for the labour they provide. Our expectation is that in addition to the local authority body (the City Council), these groups will also assist in terms of sustaining the project,” he mentioned.
Another sector the Ministry is trying to reach out to, is the private sector, Whittaker disclosed.
He noted that consultations have been held in Albouystown, Kitty, Campbellville, Agricola and East and West Ruimveldt. Consultations will be done this weekend in the Cummings Lodge area. Another set of consultations will see all the zones within Georgetown covered.
“We want to ensure that every community is given an opportunity to come on board with this project from day one and not to limit their benefit to only improve the aesthetics of the environment, but where they can earn some money, that would be important for us,” the Minister pointed out.
Whittaker went onto say that the City Council plays an integral part in this project, and as such, works will be done on equipment and machinery. According to him, the Ministry has requested information on the status of machinery and based on priority and available funding, it will be determined which of these will be rehabilitated in order to put the Council in a better position to deliver the kind of service expected.
The $1 billion Cleanup Project will see works being done throughout country, most of which will focus on avoiding flooding.
The works include the desilting of drains and main canals, weeding and removal of garbage, repairs to kokers and sluices, removal of garbage piles in illegal dumpsites, de-bushing of cemeteries, planting of trees, and removal of obstacles from parapets and reserves.
The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry on Friday morning launched the first ever “All Guyanese artistes concert” billed for August 10, the last day for the Guyana Festival.
According to Entertainment Coordinator of the Ministry, Lennox Canterbury, the concert dubbed the “Generation Next Concert” will exclusively feature the existing and emerging talent of the country.
The names confirmed thus far for the event are reigning Road March winner, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, Jumo Primo, Tennicia De Freitas, Kwace “Ace” Edmondson, Charmaine Blackman, Michelle “Big Red” King, First Born and Genesis and Chutney singer, Pooran Seeraj.
Canterbury noted that while the Ministry was approached by various artistes from the United Kingdom and the US who wanted the opportunity to perform at the event, it is more focused on pushing local talent since the festival is a Guyanese one.
“We have been contacted by people from as far as London wanting to come and perform. They say they feel excluded. It is not that we are excluding anybody but we have to work within a timeframe and there is only a certain amount of persons we can work with at a
time. Secondly, this is the ideal team for now, it’s the Guyana Festival and that is what we need to reflect. We are promoting our local culture, our local music, our local artistes,” he said.
Meanwhile, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali related that the concert is one which will see Guyanese being able to appreciate their country and their culture even more than before. He noted too that the Ministry is hosting the event in an effort to bring togetherness; irrespective of ethnic, social or cultural backgrounds.
Ali said the idea of a concert was born out of the need for the artistes to be placed on the international market, so that they can put Guyana on the map.
“This concert will consist of a multi-faceted group of people. It will be exciting because we are bringing all of them on
the same stage…. They will be battling for our country, to show off our culture and our music and to put Guyana on the map. There is nothing else that can bring us together in one place as one people except for this concert,” Ali said.
The Minister expressed positive thoughts of the festival becoming a major part of the Guyanese culture, while
serving as a hub for tourists.
“We want this to be an annual event. We are now starting off, but we want it to grow and to become international… look at the St Lucia Jazz Festival… it started small but today, people from all countries are rushing to go there. Similarly, we are hoping that Guyana has the same response with our Guyana Festival,” he said.
The artistes expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative, noting that it is one which
can give them the launch they need to put them on the international scene while promoting Guyana at the same time.
Come out an support
The artistes have promised to bring their best to the concert and pleaded with the Guyanese public to come out and support the show.
“This concert is all about local acts and this is new. We don’t really have concerts with just local acts taking up the entire programme. When international artistes come, people rush to the National Stadium and the shows are sold out, so they should come out and support the local artistes, support our own, it starts from here. And of course, I will be bring-
ing something new and hot,” Mellisa “Vanilla” Roberts told media operatives.
The event will begin on August 8 with an aerial show by the Guyana Defence Force, followed by the National Concert, games and the opening of the food, art and craft booths.
On Saturday, August 9, an exciting cricket match has been planned between the Legends and the President’s XI for the Festival Cup. Players for the team are expected to include Lennox Cush, Travis Dowling and Reyon King. Soon to follow will be a football match between Slingerz and the GDF. The “Night of Legends” Concert has been scheduled for the evening, featuring the likes of Devendra Pooran, Dave Martins, his band and Terry Gajraj.
The last day being Sunday will see the National Cook off between villages and overseasbased groups, vying for the coveted title. The festival will then close with the Generation Next Concert.
Persons are being encouraged to purchase their Festival Passports as soon as possible for only $3000. The passport allows for entry into all of the events, entitlement of discounts from all of the participating companies and a chance to win a brand new motorcar.
...to be leader
Yesterday, nominations for the leadership of the PNC (is it still named, in true Freudian slip fashion, as “PNCR-1G”?? Now don’t tell the Eyewitness you didn’t get it...PNC RIG, OK???) There are two hands up in the air - David Granger and Aubrey Norton. Looks like Carl Barrington Greenidge decided to “call it George”. Time has taken its toll.
Now while Granger was able to pip Greenidge at the last leadership sweepstakes, this was only courtesy of ROH Corbin, who has several graduate and post-graduate degrees in the sordid art of rigging elections. Corbin wanted to get back at Greenidge - who still saw him as a low-level, troglodyte from back in the day when ROH was still a go-for and he was Finance Minister. Revenge, they say, is best served cold.
Well, with Corbin taking a back seat (has he picked up gardening, or what?), Granger’s doing his darnedest to make sure he gets back into the driver’s seat of the party that made him into what he is. A cold-blooded disciple of Burnham, who’s chomping at the bit to achieve his master’s “vision”. Never mind that the “vision” became a nightmare for Guyana. Granger is convinced others just “didn’t do things right”.
Norton’s from Linden - just like Corbin. And even though he picked up some education early in the day,(unlike ROH), he never quite lost his Linden swagger and rough edges. Hoyte threw him out of the party for hanging around the streets with the “riff raff”. Wasn’t quite middle class enough for Hoyte - never mind that the so- called “riff-raff” were the backbone of the party. When told he couldn’t just throw out Norton just like that, Hoyte replied “He’s my creature”.
Now at the last elections, Norton pulled out all the stops in Linden - and with the help of some new faces, notably Vanessa Kissoon and Sharma Solomon, was able to wrest the bodies that’d gravitated into the AFC. But since Norton had backed Greenidge for leader - he wasn’t even offered a bone in Parliament by Granger. So now with Norton challenging him for leadership of the PNC, Granger moved early to neutralise the Lindener’s putative supporters.
He upped and brought in one of the “old heads” - who’d been living abroad, to boot - and made her “coordinator” of PNC’s business in Region 10. It’s to give her the keys to the PNC Office that the fight between Clarke and Kissoon started.
Looks like Brigadier General Granger wants his own “creature”!!
...over Executive
The Opposition gave the visiting team from the Commonwealth quite an earful about their angst and despair. Nothing new here. Poor souls.They’ll complain to the dog catcher if he’d show up at their office. Their basic complaint is that the government “isn’t accepting it’s a minority government”. Do these wankers in the Opposition realise how ridiculous they look in the eyes of outsiders?
Where the heck do they come up with these assertions?? Only children believe if they shut their eyes and scream, the world’ll change to suit their whims and fancies!! Our Constitution’s clear about the formation of the government: the party with the most seats gets in. That’s it! There’s no “minority” or “majority” government. That some Amendments to the Constitution need a two thirds parliamentary majority doesn’t make them more “legitimate” than the ones needing just a simple 50 percent majority.
Thing is, the Opposition thought control of the Legislature would deliver control of the government - but the same Constitution - as interpreted by the Courtstold them they’re nuts.
The Commonwealth can’t say otherwise. So there!!!
...against Narine
Most people, when they think of T-20 Cricket believe its a, “slam, bam; thank you ma’am” kinda affair - with sixes flying out of the field . But did you see Narine tie down those Hawkbills?? 4 overs - 3 runs?? Doesn’t get better!! Go Warriors!!!
GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and Office of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Director Jean Ricot Dormeus on Monday discussed key is-
sues regarding the management of elections. The meeting took place at GECOM’s Headquarters when Dormeus paid a courtesy call on Dr Surujbally on Monday.
Dr Surujbally used the opportunity to update Dormeus, specifically on issues associated with GECOM’s state of preparedness for Local Government Elections, among other per-
tinent issues currently engaging the attention of the Commission, including ongoing efforts aimed at acquiring International Standards Organisation (ISO) certification pertaining to the con-
duct of elections.
Also, Dr Surujbally and Dormeus held preliminary discussions relevant to areas the OAS could provide support of capacity building/ institutional strengthening
and technology transfer. Dormeus assured Dr Surujbally of his commitment to support GECOM in every possible way pertaining to the conduct and validity of elections in Guyana.
Caribbean cellular pro-
viders Digicel and LIME are facing a backlash from consumers and investigations from regulatory agencies over blocking customers from using popular third party Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications.
Last month, Digicel blocked all such applications, including Viber, Skype, Tango, Nimbuzz and Magic Jack, from running on the company’s 4G network on devices using a SIM card. These same applications apparently remain fully functional on all computers and tablets that do not use SIM cards.
LIME Jamaica, which encourages its customers to “Value Every Moment” and offers its own VoIP services, also confirmed that it has blocked Viber.
“In order to maintain network quality for our customers, LIME confirms it has been reviewing unauthorised access to its networks,” LIME said in a statement.
“As part of the review, LIME will no longer carry Viber voice calling on its networks.”
Viber, while not as well known in the region as WhatsApp, has more than 280 million users in 193 countries. It is estimated that about 100 million people use the service each month.
Inquiry
However, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) announced that it would launch an inquiry into the issue and requested Digicel to remove
the block while it conducts its investigation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, TATT said that it had asked Digicel to reconsider its position in relation to the provision of access to consumers such that all consumers in Trinidad and Tobago are treated equally in the interim period.
“Whilst the authority has made no determination or decision in the matter, we believe that the maintenance of the provision of these services in the interim period would be in the best interest of all stakeholders and would allow the authority time to engage in this process in a calm and constructive manner,” TATT said.
Effective Wednesday, Digicel agreed to accede to TATT’s request and restore service for the time being while preserving its rights in relation to the matter generally.
However, the restriction of services by Digicel and LIME may create an opportunity for greater competition in the regional and local markets since the other telecommunications company in Trinidad and Tobago, the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), which operates as bmobile, described VoIP service as an “inescapable feature of modern telecommunications” that is comparable to “e-mail and games”.
“bmobile’s policy on the matter as far as use of VoIP on its mobile network is concerned is that … customers pay a subscription fee for this access and once customers have bought data services from bmobile, customers
determine how they wish to use their data,” TSTT said in a statement. “VoIP essentially is data on the mobile network much like email, YouTube, social media or downloading apps and games.”
Unfair competition
Digicel and LIME complain that unauthorised applications offering free voice service is direct and unfair competition with the traditional voice services they
provide, by using the existing network bandwidth without compensation for the financial investments made in their data networks.
Digicel described such applications as parasites.
“Unlicensed VoIP operators like Viber and Nimbuzz use telecoms networks to deliver their services, but they do not pay any money for the privilege,” Digicel said in a statement. “This unauthorised activity puts enormous pressures on bandwidth
-- which means customers’ data usage experience is negatively impacted as a result. As such, Digicel has been forced to take firm action to prevent this parasitic activity.”
However, according to industry analysts, what is driving the VoIP block are the lucrative termination fees Digicel and other carriers lose with every phone call that goes over the Internet.
The revenue shortfall for Digicel in Haiti, with over
four million customers, is estimated by the company to be between US$500,000 and US$1 million per year. An Internet petition launched in Haiti protesting the action by Digicel had obtained 1,112 signatures as of Wednesday. Digicel’s decision has also been challenged on legal and technical grounds that only Haiti’s regulatory agency, CONATEL, can block such services. (Caribbean News Now)
By Michael younge
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is not in a state of preparedness to host the long overdue Local Government Elections as there are several unresolved issues which could lead to widespread disenfranchisement and post-electoral conflict.
Recently, there has been an increase in the calls for Local Government Elections with the Opposition placing pressure on the Government to call the elections.
On Friday, Opposition Leader David Granger accused the Donald Ramotar administration of making “excuses” and engaging in delay tactics to avoid holding local government polls.
He rubbished the concerns raised by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee, who said that there were a host of matters to be considered and resolved by the Commission before elections could be called.
GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally also joined the bandwagon and declared that the Commission was ready for the polls.
But on Saturday, GECOM’s three Commissioners expressed immense concerns over declarations and statements which are being made in the public domain that seek to suggest that the Commission is in a state of preparedness to host the elections.
The three
Commissioners, who were nominated by the ruling PPP/C, urged that such declarations be “treated with extreme caution”.
The release was signed by Mohamood Shaw, Dr Keshav Mangal, and Athmaram Mangar.
The Commissioners said that there were some operational issues that must be resolved before the Commission should embark on any election. These included constituency bound-
aries and demarcation issues.
“Some constituency boundaries cut across established divisions and subdivisions requiring field operations to effectively allocate existing registrants on the National Register of Registrants to a unique constituency,” the statement said.
Like the ruling party, the Commissioners believe that the resolution of transfers of numerous electors, particularly to constituencies, must be addressed with dispatch as some constituencies do not have adequate registrants to effectively field adequate lists of candidates.
The statement also noted that the analysis of the National Register of Registrants and subsequent printing of lists for Local Government Elections require operations that involve the Information Technology Division, which is without key top-level and appropriate staff.
Additionally, the GECOM Commissioners also noted that there are also some key legislative issues, including lacunae in laws that govern Local Government Elections.
The issue of voter education was also raised as another reason that the Commission needs to sufficiently address before elections are held.
“There needs to be a vigorous education programme to inform and educate the populace on the new Local Government Elections system, which comprises a mixture of the Constituency and Proportional Representation Models, in which political parties as well as individuals and interested groups may contest the elections.”
The Commissioners also cautioned that the process to compile and analyse 585 sets of nomination lists, resulting in 585 vetted two-part ballot templates and subsequent printing of ballots will require significant time, effort and resources.
Satiricus sighed. “Politics in Guyana,” he concluded as he put away his newspaper, “ain’t easy.” Take the role of General Secretary of the PnCEE. As an old newshound, Satiricus always figured Oska to be a mild-mannered type. With his thick glasses and self-effacing manner, he looked like he wouldn’t or couldn’t hurt a fly.
But here he was, assaulting and man-handling a vigorous, pugnacious and young female MP from Linben. While no Sitira Gyaals, who behaved like “Buxton Boars”, those Linben Gyaals were no pushovers either. Satiricus sought explanation from the brain trust at their watering hole.
“Sato, you don’t become General Secretary of the PnCEE by being a 97-pound weakling!” Kuldeep pointed out.
“Hell no!!!” blurted out Hari, almost choking in his beer. “Oska got to fill some big and dirty shoes!!!”
“Comrades, the mould was set from the beginning,” said Teacher Samad. “The first GS was too big and bad even for Burnham. He had to throw out Sydney Kung!”
“Dat ah de same chap who call heself Easy Kwayama??” enquired Cappo. “Ah wha he do??”
“He seh fuh bruk up de country in three,” piped up his cane-cutter buddy Bungi. “One part fuh Coolie, one part fuh Black and one part fuh Douglah.”
“But de real bull-dog, bad man PnCEE GS was HamTon Green,” said Suresh. “De man was such a bully, his hands got “corn” beating opposition protestors.”
“HamTon Green was a ‘bad man’??” asked Georgie in amazement.
“Yep. Before Dessie Hyte pull out all his teeth!!” chortled Harri.
“So y’all telling me that Oska really rough up the Linben Lass?” asked Satiricus. “That girl look like one tough cookie. You see that head-tie she had on in Parliament? That signal war, boy!”
“Sato, like you na read yuh own paper, bai,” said Cappo. “Like you fuget last year Oska fight off four bandits. Even after dey shoot he.”
“But Oska got some extra motivation, fellas,” volunteered Teacher Samad. When everybody swivelled to look at him, he continued. “Is Audrey Norten behind the Linben Gyaal. And Oska became GS after Hyte throw out Norten as GS.”
“I remember now,” interjected Suresh. “Hyte said Norten was he ‘creature’. But he said it like Norten was “the Creature from the Black Lagoon”!!”
“And Norten now want to be Leader of the PnCEE,” continued Teacher Samad. “If he gets in, Oska is out like south!!”
“So the question isn’t ‘wheh Oska bite she’,” marvelled Satiricus. “Is who gon bite Oska!!”
Sophia man shot, relieved of $300
ASophia man is nursing a single gunshot wound to his shoulder which he sustained while fighting off a lone gunman on Friday evening at “D” Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown during a robbery about 16:00h.
The injured man was identified as Oliver Alim Mohamed, 42, of Lot 521 “D” Field, Sophia. According to information received, Mohamed was relieved of $300 and a mobile phone by the armed man on a bicycle.
Moments prior to the robbery, Mohamed had exited a minibus and was on
his way home when he was attacked by the perpetrator, who demanded that he hand over his valuables.
As expected, Mohamed refused to hand over his money and valuables, resulting in the bandit pulling out a gun and threatening to shoot him.
At that point in time, Mohamed told media operative that he was under the impression that the gun was not loaded, thus, he put up a fight.
It was during the scuffle that he was shot to his shoulder and relieved of his belongings. He managed
to raise an alarm and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted.
Hospital official told Guyana Times that Mohamed was taken to the medical facility sometime after 17:00h. The official confirmed that the bullet entered the victim’s shoulder and exited. He has lost a substantial amount of blood and his condition was listed as stable. He is presently in the male surgical ward recuperating. The Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Heavy rains have caused flooding in several areas in Region Six, resulting in much discomfort and losses to residents, especially in the Canje area.
Guyana Times visited the New Area Canefield and Adelphi areas in Canje, where several residents vented their frustration about this nuisance.
Sandra Kampton of Lot 40 New Area Canefield, who has been living in the community for the past 16 years, said the drainage system in the area leaves much to be desired.
“ We don’t have proper drainage here that is why anytime the rain fall heavy, we flood out and nobody cares about us here… plenty time we does ask them at the NDC to do something but wha me go tell yo dem, dem na care,” she said.
Anita Mangal, 43, of 932 New Area Canefield said when she woke up on Friday morning, her home was in water.
“Last night the rain fall but we na know is so much rain… when me come downstairs this morning, oh my mama, wata all ova… even
in me kitchen soak me mat and all thing,” she lamented.
The woman said she will have a lot of work to do when the water recedes.
“Every time we get heavy rain, this is the living we deh in, over 17 years me live here and this is it… they always promised to bring in a pump and they never do it,” she noted.
Other affected residents are implying negligence and victimisation as they are of the view that the regional administration should be taking a more
active interest in their welfare since they have to pay rates and taxes annually.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Regional Chairman David Armogan announced that the region recorded some four and a half inches of rainfall on Thursday and several areas in the region were in-
undated. He also explained that the region is equipped with a drainage capacity to take off two inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period. However, he said all necessary arrangements have been made to drain the excess water off the land.
Vishalie Sookram of Black Bush Polder,Corentyne, Berbice was declared winner of the inaugural E-Networks Emerging Voices singing competition on Friday evening, when the show was aired on E-Networks Channel 1 and the Little Rock Television Station in Berbice.
Vishalie wowed celebrity judges Jeffrey Iqbal, Dr Vindhya Persaud and Purnash Durgaprasad with her melodious renditions of the AR Rehman super hit song “Kehna Hi Kya” and the test piece of the competition, Lata Mangeshkar’s classic “Mose Chal”.
The beautiful, petite singer, dressed in a white and red sari, delivered her songs effortlessly and received thunderous applause from those present in the studio.
She received a cheque for $1 million, a trophy and a specially designed stone encrusted microphone ornament. In smiles, a proud Sookram posed for photographs with her family, well wishers and fellow contestants after the lively competition.
Gaining second position was the other competition favourite, Artie Sookhai. Elegantly attired in a pink and turquoise sari, Artie exuded confidence and wowed the audience with her energetic and lively performance of the folk melody “Ali More Angana”.
However, her composure visibly slipped when she stumbled in the middle of her second song -- the test piece. She received a cheque for $250,000 and a trophy.
Both Vishalie and Artie will benefit from a sixweek stint in India, inclusive of musical exposure and the opportunity to receive training, compliments of E-Networks.
The third position was captured by Gail Ann Singh,
whose song choice was the popular “Lal Duppatta”. She was appropriately bedecked in a beautiful gold lehenga and red dupatta. Both of her songs were well received. Gail received a cheque for $150,000 and a trophy.
Also performing at the grand finale were judges Jeffrey Iqbal and Purnash Durgaprasad, who generated much excitement with their spirited renditions of the classics “Mast Kalandar” and “Chap Tilak”.
The Dharmic Nritya Sangh added their bit with a fabulous performance of a Marathi folk dance. The show was hosted by the beautiful Zahrah Alli. Among the audience in studio were many of the contestants who participated in the series.
The grand finale will be rebroadcast on NTN on Sunday at 14:00h, MTV on Wednesday at 18:00h. It has been posted to YouTube.
E-Networks launched the reality television series “Emerging Voices” in an effort to discover good voices, fresh talent and energetic young performers who will give a boost to Guyana’s budding music industry.
Focusing on Hindi and Bollywood music, auditions were held countrywide following which 22 persons were selected by judges Jeffrey Iqbal, Purnash Durgaprasad and Dr Vindhya Persaud to take part in the series.
An added bonus for all the participants has been the training provided by Bollywood playback singer Jeffrey Iqbal and outstanding Guyana-born singer Purnash Durgaprasad, who had worked long hours with the contestants to ensure that quality performances were delivered.
Emerging Voices was also supported by Torginol Paints, Sujata Curry Powder, NTN Television and King’s Jewellery World.
his University of Guyana (UG) tuition hike declaration concerns the children of this nation, those about whom we Guyanese should care beyond ourselves.
UG, simply, is the worst university I have beheld, and I have been to hundreds of universities around this large world.
The truth can be a most painful thing. UG is so - not because of lack of money. It is so because we insist on recycling and fetching in people who are bereft of imagination, intellect, humility, and the kind of a sense of service which corrodes egotistical selfservice.
Some of these people at UG are fairly okay in their own small academic disciplines. Here is an example: if you have a cricket field, the PhD amounts to one blade of grass. That does not help anyone to build or redeem a university.
Those of us who actually have done serious scholarly work on the history of universities would know that universities are more resistant to change than any other enterprise. We have no such person in Guyana and the West Indies at this time, although many people bray about “other universities in the world”. We also have no one who embodies the happy combination of imagination, intellect, and integrity.
I have been to many memorable universities, one of which is in Wu Han in Hubei Province in China.
I was there representing the Kingdom of Oman in my capacity as senior advisor for tertiary education.
I was welcomed by the President of the University and taken to the library. What was wondrous were the holdings! Even more wondrous was the fact that there was no need for electricity during the winter day. Panels were positioned in such a way that even the most hidden corner had more than enough light for reading.
Then the President took me to the gym. My mouth fell open like a fish. It was rather like a flying saucer way up, suspended. It was only when we approached some 300 feet away that I saw the wires that held up the structure…and a steadfast middle column that held high-speed elevators.
It took imagination to create such a thing. Flush with possibilities, I returned to Oman and designed classroom walls on rail tracks that could change shape with the press of a button. Some of the sub-continental Indian maintenance men were front and centre of this enterprise: several of these chaps had their masters in engineering. I had the authority in that Kingdom to stop them from mopping the floors and had them help.
The great administrators at UG want to hike tuition fees, so that we can have less than boiling classrooms for our students. Our parents must find more
– drives away with car in Tony’s Auto Spares promotion
money to pay more for something called “quality”.
We really don’t know what they mean by quality (neither do they!), but we do know that more than half of a million US dollars have been spent on this “quality” and “quality assurance” thing over the last four years or so. There have been many “workshops” from UWI “experts”, lots of lunches, cushy accommodation, and such hot air that hurricane Arthur would seem like an innocent Guyana drizzle.
We also hear that Guyana is not a poor nation. “It is all about what is our priority in developing human minds of our society.” The utter condescension of this “clever” play on words should make us Guyanese livid. We are a poor nation, and we are much poorer because we are prepared to swallow such rubbish.
The UG big boys can justify a raise in tuition fees at Turkeyen (not UGBC!!) when they show paying
people the following: these are the concrete measures they shall take to ensure excellence in teaching and learning; show us their strategic planning engine; show us precisely their priority and strategy for research and publication in concord with national priorities.
Let them show us Guyanese cane-cutters and farmers and fishermen how many scholarships, grants, and fellowships they have garnered; show us how much support you have got from the private sector; show us what international foundations you have collaborated with for mutual gains; and tell us precisely how you will engage or have engaged the enormous Guyanese diaspora that is so very willing to come on board if they are approached in the right ways by the right people.
This must be done in three years or else they must all serve time by being as far away from children as we can get them
If one of these UG chaps that want to hike tuition fees can show us simple people that they obtained one scholarship for one poor child to go to UG, then that chap should be honoured with the highest award that this nation can give. If you cannot show us this, pocket your salaries, and stop milking us.
Marlon Andrews of 293 Block Y Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara on Saturday drove away with his brand new Nissan March motor car, which he won in the recently concluded Tony’s Auto Spares “Kick Off” Promotion.
The promotion began on June 12 and concluded on Friday with the grand drawing at the establishment’s Light Street, Georgetown office. It also saw three other lucky shoppers winning amazing hampers comprising car accessories. The winners were Sharon Boodram, Avinash Chatterpaul and Mulchand Persaud.
Tony Ramcharan, Managing Director of Tony
Auto Sales, thanked the customers for choosing his establishment, noting that the promotion was held to give back to loyal customers. He recalled 24 years ago, Tony Auto Spares started with a tiny space that could have barely held one salesman, but with strength and determination, the establishment has grown tremendously. This, he said, would not have been possible without the support of customers and his staff, whom he said are his driving force. The businessman disclosed that he will put smiles on the faces of two other lucky customers in the near future.
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs
Minster Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett attended the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations ministerial meeting (ECOSOC) of the high-level political forum on sustainable development at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday.
She addressed the forum on behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) where the speakers pinned their hopes on the Post- 2015 Development Agenda as the means to address obstacles to progress.
The Post-2015 Development Agenda must address the urgent challenges of poverty and inequality and build on the successes and shortcomings of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with measurable targets and scaled-up investments in areas such as education, health, gender equality and youth employment, the Economic and Social Council heard during the high-level meetings.
With 50 delegations participating in the general debate, Rodrigues-Birkett said that the new agenda should contain ambitious action to combat climate change and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, and help to shift the world economy to a low-carbon trajectory.
She stated that Caricom countries had made deter-
mined efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and were on course to achieving most of them. The Minister pointed particularly to education, health, gender, hunger and poverty eradication.
Ambitious action
The Post-2015 Development Agenda requires ambitious action to combat climate change and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production.
Minister RodriguesBirkett also highlighted five aspects in keeping with the annual ministerial review. Firstly, on addressing persistent challenges and the unfinished agenda, she noted that the MDGs have facilitated significant successes in several areas, in some instances exceeding expectations. However, these successes often mask an uneven profile of achievement and a core of
persistent challenges, including pronounced inequalities, poverty, health, gender and systemic issues. These represent the unfinished agenda of the MDGs that must be carried forward.
Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that a challenge of increasing concern to Caricom is the situation of young people who require an urgent, coherent and effective global response. Caricom Heads of Government have agreed to give renewed priority to this issue with its outreach to young people through the youth forum, which is well placed to contribute to the global response.
The second issue highlighted was facilitating a strong final push and smooth transition. Pointing out that an credibly strong final push on the MDGs is imperative, she added that a strong finish will also help to generate momentum for the new agenda.
Thirdly, RodriguesBirkett focused on the important role of measurement and the use of data. This, she stated, would focus on making greater use of the potential of big data in planning for sustainable development.
“In Caricom, we face fundamental challenges in the quality, timeliness and relevance of data. For us, there needs to be a data revolution that embraces greater availability and utilisation of appropriate data in our planning,”
the Minister pointed out.
She explained that greater utilisation of the data generated in Caricom by the UN and other development partners would enable Caricom countries to access much needed concessional resources for development.
The fourth highlight of provision of means of implementation calls for more resources to implement effectively the expanded and more comprehensive Post-2015 agenda.
“Caricom calls for a more mature dialogue among all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the necessary means of implementation are provided at all levels, to facilitate greater coherence of effort and effectiveness of outcomes and to sustain development gains, including best practices, templates and models that would be viable for countries in different situations and stages of development.
For this reason, we believe that the discussion on means of implementation, including financing, must remain an important part of the substantive discussions,” the Minister stated.
The final issue highlighted was on enhancing monitoring and accountability. This focused on reducing the implementation deficit with respect to sustainable development and promoting the accountability of all actors.
The situation of youth requires attention and had been made a priority by Caricom Heads of States. Greater use of regional data by the UN and other development partners was needed, as were better measures of development than gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, which gave a somewhat distorted picture of development in small countries by failing to take due account of their specific vulnerabilities.
The forum must bring new vitality to the United Nations system’s institutional infrastructure for sustainable development by promoting synergies across inter-governmental bodies and processes, including effective follow-up to the Barbados programme of action and to the outcome of the upcoming third international conference on small island developing states.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon released the MDG Report 2014, describing it as “the most-to-date global scorecard”.
Many key targets had been met or were within reach, but achievements had been uneven, among and within regions and countries, and between population groups. He would produce a “synthesis” report in September 2015 to support member states in their negotiations.
Eradicating extreme poverty was a defining challenge and even more clearly an imperative to building stable societies and tackling growing inequality, in rich and poor countries alike.
Challenges rooted in betrayal, discontentment and resentment are facing the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) as it prepares to host its 18th Biennial Congress this month-end. The party has become lax in dealing condignly with concerns of its grassroots supporters and general membership.
The Vanessa Kissoon/Oscar Clarke dispute, which has been exposed in public domain, is one case in point. Party offices and other structures have been left to rot in most instances and are in a general state of despair. The state of the party’s Headquarters at Sophia and several other locations including Plaisance are symptomatic of poor management and inability to remain financially viable while in Opposition.
The party also has blatantly refused to engage those who have dissenting views about its involvement in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its apparent link to the decline of PNC/R on the political front.
Since the last congress elected David Granger to the PNC/R’s helm, much has not changed. He has been unable to manage this new portfolio while executing other responsibilities as APNU’s Chairman and Opposition Leader.
Granger has also failed to reposition the PNC/R to deal with the challenges that lie ahead as the dynamics that characterise the interests of Guyanese are changing. The ‘new blood’ he injected into the party has not served to resuscitate the process of democratization within the PNC/R.
He has instead used the powers outlined in the PNC/R Constitution to build his own army of supporters and loyalists. He has militarized the party’s leadership core, forcing personalities who were never visible or have not played a meaningful role in building the PNC unto its 2011 parliamentary list. This has caused much kerfuffle among those who should be duly rewarded for their labour, including youth activists from the PNC/R’s bosom.
Granger’s men are not loyal to the PNC/R but rather to him. Some of the positions the party has been forced to adopt in support of the APNU agenda have also troubled some of the top-ranking and long-standing members.
It is no surprise that the theme for the Congress was changed to reflect Granger’s support for APNU in the face of dissension within. The Congress will therefore prove interesting as word is spreading that Aubrey Norton is aiming to remove Granger’s iron fist from the party.
Carl Greenidge is also a worthy contender to note, having gotten the second largest bloc of votes following the PNC primaries. With Deborah Backer’s passing, there is no woman who appears willing to shake up the party.
The once vocal PNC/R has been muted and forced into exile, pending the report card of APNU’s performance during this time. Failure of the party’s most recent attempt at forming a broad alliance will be the end of the PNC/R’s life.
Granger’s failure to settle concerns about the party’s past and alleged atrocities is also of worry. He has not delivered on his promise to change the party around and return it to a state of paramountcy.
His most recent decision to not participate in the Rodney Commission of Inquiry is self defeating and worthy of consideration at this year’s Congress, as again the image of the PNC/R has been sullied by allowing the evidence given so far during the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry.
It has not escaped the party’s membership of Granger’s desperate attempts and overtures aimed at coaxing the AFC into a pre-electoral alliance against the PPP/C. The banter on the no-confidence motion is merely part of his plan, but that plan is also not foolproof, as many believe that the AFC cannot be trusted, given its recent posture.
Granger will have a lot to explain to an impatient membership at the upcoming Congress; and even if he is given a free pass, his role in the decline of the PNC/R will not be forgotten as history lives through people.
Guyana on Friday joined with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the rest of the world to observe World Population Day 2014. The simple event held at the Hermanston Lodge, Queenstown, saw representatives from several organisations which place emphasis on youth
This year, World Population Day focused on investment in youth. Representatives from several youth organisations converged in a small room at the Herdmanston Lodge to hear from officials about the plans and mechanisms to be put in place to assist youths here in Guyana. Under the Theme: “Investing in Young People”, resident Coordinator , United Nations in Guyana and UNDP resident representative Khadija Musa said that the world’s 1.8 billion young people are a powerful force both individually and collectively, and are moving ahead to shape social and economic realities.
It is against this backdrop that Governments and the international community are becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of providing resources and opportunities for each youth so that they could realise their potential.
“They recognise that investing in young people and enabling them to exercise their human rights not only benefit young people themselves, but can also help their countries reap a demographic dividend,” she told the small gathering.
She noted too that healthy, educated, productive and fully engaged young people can only help break the cycle of
inter-generational poverty and would become more resilient in the face of individual and societal challenges. As skilled and informed citizens, they can contribute more fully to their communities and na-
tions, the United Nations representative informed the audience.
Musa spoke of puberty, the biological onset of adolescence, which according to her, not only brings changes to their bodies, but also new vulnerabilities to human rights issues, particularly in the areas of sexuality, marriage and childbearing.
Through the prolonged effort, Musa said the UNFPA and its partners are becoming increasingly aware of how critical early investments in sexual and reproductive health can enhance the lives of young people and the welfare of their societies.
The ceremony also heard from several youths across the country, during a feature dubbed “Youth Voices”. The young representatives of various youth organisations gave inspiring presentations of the
work they are undertaking in their respective communities. But what was more jaw dropping and heartbreaking was a sordid testimony by a 17-yearold mother, whose boldness led to some watery eyes among
the audience.
Her presentation was so profound that Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, made several congratulatory remarks to her. The teen shared the damning experience as a young, single teen mother, the struggles she endured two years ago, and the gleaming future she said she knows lies ahead.
Plea
She made a bold plea to the stakeholders, to consider young girls like herself, urging them not to turn a blind eye in any effort to get them back on their feet. The teen’s experience mirrored that which was just spoken of earlier by the UNFPA representative, when she divulged that millions of girls are coerced into unwanted sex or marriage, increasing the risks of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, Musa told the gathering Culture, Youth and Sport
Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that the world’s population is projected to grow each year at a rate of 1.14 per cent. He said there have been many concerns that the world’s growth rate may negatively impact an individual country’s population.
Experts have projected that the growth rate may go down by one per cent by the year 2020 and by half a per cent by 2050. Speaking about youths among the 7.1 billion population, the Minister said that many of them in developing countries are barely living. In these countries, he explained, youths have major issues with health and employment among others. While all of these negatives occur, Dr Anthony said, there continues to be an uneven distribution of wealth among the world’s population.
“The wealth of the world can be divided into two. Almost half going to the richest one per cent and another half goes to the other 99 per cent.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was grateful for the support it has been receiving from South American countries especially in areas that lend unfettered commitment to its international initiatives.
Putin, who is on a state visit to Latin America, spoke to Journalists from the Presna Latina News Agency and ITAR-TASS minutes before he left for itinerant visits to Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba on Friday. In Cuba, the first stop of his tour, he met leader Raul Castro, and his predecessor and brother Fidel Castro. (see related story on page 14)
Putin told Journalists that Russian-Latin American cooperation is one of the promising lines of Russia’s foreign policy. “We are united by our devotion to
the principles of versatility in world affairs, respect for international law, strengthening the central role of the United Nations, and ensuring sustainable development. All this makes us natural partners on the international arena and allows us to enhance interaction on a wide range of issues,” he said.
He cited the legendary Simon Bolivar, José Martí, Che Guevara and Salvador Allende who have become well-known in Russia, pointing out that the Blazing Continent is only a description of a certain period in Latin America’s past. “It is a symbol of striving for a better life, prosperity, progress and social justice,” Putin said.
The President added, “For us, it is essential that irrespective of which polit-
ical power is currently in power in a particular country in the Region, there remains a continuity reflecting vital national interests in the development of relations with Russia.”
Practical assistance
Putin said his country will continue to provide Latin American States with “practical assistance in tackling new challenges, including training in law enforcement professionals, at the regional anti-drug training courses in Managua and Lima”.
The Russian leader conveyed that his country is still interested in a strong, economically stable and politically independent united Latin America, since it is becoming an important part of the emerging polycentric world order. In this Region,
nor any wish to pursue the divide- and-rule policy. “On the contrary, nations in the Region are ready for joint action to protect their shared Latin American home.”
Integration processes in Latin America reflect, to a large extent, the worldwide regional integration tendencies and indicate the pursuit of political consolidation in the Region and the reinforcement of its influence on global affairs.
he pointed out, the traditions of love of freedom and respect for other nations and cultures are strong.
He further pointed out that there are no serious inter-governmental conflicts
and free movement of capital, goods, services, and labour.
The market operates on the basis of universal principles and World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms and rules. This will make it somewhat easier to conduct business in the Eurasian region and broaden opportunities for developing mutually advantageous business contacts with foreign partners.
Putin pointed to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which is meant to be a union of all the countries in the Region.
It is also aimed at becoming a major forum for dealing with regional issues without the participation and obtrusive interference of external forces.
“We welcome the CELAC’s readiness to establish connections outside the Region, including with Russia. Last year, Moscow saw the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia and the CELAC’s extended troika,” the Russia President highlighted.
Establishing contacts between CELAC and the countries taking part in the customs union and common economic space would open up many new opportunities, Putin told the reporters.
Eurasian Economic Union
In May 2014, Russia signed the Agreement on Establishing the Eurasian Economic Union, which will come into force on January 1, 2015. This will create one of the world’s biggest common markets with a population of almost 170 million
Russia is open to substantive interaction with all integration formations in the Latin American Region. These include the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR); the Common Market of the South (Mercosur); the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA); the Pacific Alliance; the Central American Integration System (SICA); and the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
Putin said it was vital that all these associations, as they develop their external relations, work towards the unity of Latin American countries, and not for their separation, both politically and ideologically. “We hope that consolidation of multilateral cooperation will be an additional factor in the successful development of our bilateral relations with Latin American partners.” He noted that the 21st Century world is globalised and interdependent. Therefore, no state or group of countries can unilaterally tackle major international problems and any attempts to build a separate “oasis of stability and security” are doomed to failure.
Ramcharan congratulated the winners, especially the winner of the car, Andrews, who moments before he was handed the keys to the brand new car, said he was the first to place his coupon in the rotisserie. Ramcharan also encouraged the public to continue supporting Tony’s Auto Spares.
An elated Andrews said he was indeed shocked when he received the news that he had won the car. Apart from the car, he also won a hamper, for which he is very much grateful.
He thanked Tony’s Auto
Sales for the wonderful gift and promised that he will continue shopping at the popular auto spares store.
He recalled that after his Canter truck encountered engine problems, he enquired from a few people for their advice as to which motor spares parts dealer to approach and was told that Tony’s Auto Sales has the most original parts and the best prices. This option, he added, he did not regret.
The promotion saw over 3000 entries from customers. The price of the motor car is $2.3 million.
Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman Sharma Solomon is silent on accusations that were levelled against him by People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Linden Coordinator Sandra Adams.
Adams had accused Sharma Solomon and aggrieved A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon of factionalism and attempting to create rifts between the party and its Region 10 supporters.
Adams said that there are a few members who had openly raised objections about her appointment as Regional Coordinator. She said they were not completely cognisant of the party’s structure and her responsibilities in the post.
“They were personally misled by the Regional Chairman and Vanessa Kissoon. They’re in ignorance of party structure and procedure. The RDC Chairman does not know his position. I was appointed by the Central Executive Committee of my party to serve as Regional Coordinator. Region 10 has been out of a party structure for the last eight years, whether interim or full structure.”
But Solomon, when contacted by Guyana Times on
Saturday, flatly refused to make any comments with respect to the new Regional Coordinator as the obvious discontent within the PNCR continues to grow.
Solomon said: “I wouldn’t comment on anything Sandra Adams has to say.”
Although he refused to comment on the issue with respect to Adams, when questioned by Guyana Times with respect to the recent suspension controversy surrounding Kissoon, Solomon said that “as a responsible party comrade, I am working with every effort and all that is available to bring this matter to a conclusion and resolution”.
At an APNU press conference on Friday, Granger had said that there were some elements in Region 10,
who were not interested in observing the core ideals of the PNCR.
Responding to a question about party camaraderie in the region, Granger said “there are some elements” but he noted that “there are more persons interested in a united party; there are more persons interested in discipline among party members than persons who are not interested in those values”.
Kissoon is maintaining that Granger does not have the power to suspend her from the party following allegations that there was misuse of the party’s property at Linden, and a spat she had with the party’s General Secretary Oscar Clarke.
“I am a member of the PNCR and not an employee.... The leader of the party did not appoint me and, so respectfully, has no power to suspend me. If I am to be made the sacrificial lamb to uphold the Party Constitution, I am prepared to face the consequences.”
To this, Granger had responded: “I can’t?… I did,” adding: “I have operated always with advice in accordance with the Constitution of the People’s National Congress Reform… any decision has to be ratified by the Central Executive Committee, I have never behaved outside of the Constitution.”
Five employees of BK Group of Companies are in Police custody for allegedly stealing Mack Trucks spare parts from the company, valued about $40 million.
The employees, Tyron Ghani, Trevor Collette, Sanjay Ramjet, Kirk Inniss, and Wole Archer, are assisting Police with their investigation.
The items stolen include but are not limited to a computer box, fuel pumps, hubs, brake liners, fuel injectors, axles, batteries, lights, wheel seals, steering ends, deferential seals, clutch plates, pressure plates, dump pump, break booster, wheel bearings, ratchets, and stabiliser bars.
The company recognised
that many of its trucks spare parts and other equipment were being stolen over the past year, but was able to catch those stealing its property only this week.
Collectively, the employees have worked with the BK Group for more than 20 years. Investigations are continuing. The men are expected to be charged and placed before the court.
The Lions Club of Bartica on Friday treated several senior citizens from the mining town to food hampers. The activity was planned to mark the 50th birth anniversary of Naomi Murray, a resident of the community.
The gesture was held at Leanna’s Kiddies Park, with Secretary of the Association Marlyn Fredericks offering prayers and President Anthony Murray making brief remarks.
Some of the senior citizens who could not have made it to the event, were represented by family members who expressed their gratitude to the organisation and Murray.
Murray said more projects of a similar nature will be executed in the near future.
St George’s, Grenada: A 95-run partnership between Ross Taylor and Darren Bravo helped the Red Steel to a comfortable sevenwicket win over the Barbados Tridents in the second match of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League 2014.
The sun came out in St. George’s, Grenada, and Dwayne Bravo won the toss and put the Barbados Tridents in to bat. The Tridents made a promising start, with Dwayne Smith and Shane Dowrich helping themselves to a cluster of boundaries as the score reached 35-0 after five overs, before Samuel Badree, the number one ranked T20 bowler in the world, removed Smith for 13.
Dowrich was then joined at the crease by last year’s CPL top run scorer, Shoaib Malik, and with the likes of Kieron Pollard, Jonathan Carter and Jason Holder to come, the Tridents looked reasonably well set at the halfway mark on 63-1.
But the Red Steel turned the screw and picked up five wickets in the last ten overs, conceding just 61 runs. Kieron Pollard, Shoaib Malik, Neil McKenzie and Jonathan Carter all fell cheaply, with Kevin O’Brien and Dwayne Bravo, each picking up two wickets. A late flurry of runs from Jason Holder helped the Tridents above six runs an over, finishing on 124-6.
The Red Steel innings
After Walton and Jermaine Blackwood fell, Adam Voges contributed sensibly, picking up singles to get Gayle back on strike. After Gayle had reached his hundred, to rapturous applause, he then smashed another four and a six to seal the victory with an over to spare.
Tallawahs coach, Mickey Arthur, said; “It’s great to be a coach and have Chris on your team! I didn’t give him any instructions; he just went out on the pitch and put on a world class display.”
Man-of-the-Match, Gayle, said, “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament. Chadwick Walton gave us a great start, and I’m happy I could build on that momentum to deliver the victory.”
St. Lucia Zouks captain, Darren Sammy, was philosophical in defeat; “We thought 160 was a good total, but Chris batted brilliantly. I prefer playing with
did not start well as Nasir Jamshed fell to the very first ball, with Ashley Nurse claiming a well-taken catch off Shoaib Malik. Evin Lewis was then out, caught off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul, playing his first CPL match. However, Ross Taylor and Darren Bravo proceeded to put on what would be the match-winning partnership, combining for 95. The pair rotated strike well for several overs and when Darren Bravo hit Akeal Hosein for two sixes and a four in succession, the game was up for the Tridents.
Barbados Tridents innings (20 overs maximum)
DR Smith c DM Bravo b Badree 13
SO Dowrich† b Cooper 37
Shoaib Malik c Taylor
b O'Brien 21
ND McKenzie c DJ Bravo
b O'Brien 7
KA Pollard* c & b DJ Bravo 7
JL Carter c Edwards
b DJ Bravo 5
JO Holder not out 17
AR Nurse not out 6
Extras: (lb-8, w-3) 11
Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 124
Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Smith, 5.6 ov), 2-74 (Shoaib Malik, 11.5 ov), 3-83 (McKenzie, 13.6 ov), 4-84 (Dowrich, 15.1 ov), 5-97 (Pollard, 17.1 ov), 6-99 (Carter, 17.4 ov)
Bowling: FH Edwards 3-0-120, S Badree 4-0-24-1 (1-w),
Despite losing Man-ofthe-Match, Taylor, lbw for 62 off 51 balls, the result was already sealed, and Darren Bravo brought up his half century as the Red Steel won by seven wickets.
Red Steel skipper, Dwayne Bravo, who took his 100th catch in T20 cricket, praised his side; “It was a great team effort. We wanted to win the toss and everything went according to plan. I’ve got to give credit to the bowlers, then Darren and Ross who batted very well to help secure the win.” (www.cplt20. com)
KK Cooper 4-0-30-1, SJ Benn
4-0-27-0, DJ Bravo 3-0-17-2 (2w), KJ O'Brien 2-0-6-2
Red Steel innings (target: 125 runs from 20 overs)
Nasir Jamshed c Nurse
b Shoaib Malik 0
E Lewis c McKenzie
b Rampaul 4
LRPL Taylor lbw b Rampaul 62
DM Bravo not out 54
N Pooran† not out 1
Extras: (lb-1, w-3) 4
Total: (3 wickets; 17.3 overs) 125
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Nasir
Jamshed, 0.1 ov), 2-20 (Lewis, 3.6 ov), 3-115 (Taylor, 16.3 ov)
Bowling: Shoaib Malik 2-0-16-1, R Rampaul 3-0-18-2, JO Holder 4-0-17-0, RR Emrit 2-0-18-0, AR Nurse 2-0-12-0 (1-w), AJ Hosein 3-0-26-0 (1-w), KA Pollard 1-09-0, DR Smith 0.3-0-8-0 (1-w)
Captivating cricket and sold-out carnival-like crowds, combined to give a unique Caribbean flavour, have been the heart of the incredible success of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL), dubbed the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’.
But apart from the excitement that is clearly visible on television screens globally, there is a massive group of stakehold ers who have silently played their roles behind the scenes to shape the fortunes of the Caribbean’s first franchise-based T20 tour nament.
While personnel from each territory are responsible for various aspects of the tournament, including security, ticketing, branding, logis tics, stadium preparation, volun teers and media among others, there are several major partners who have brought their resourc es to the fore - both financially and in kind - to make the Limacol CPL an instant hit with both the players and spectators.
him when he’s in that kind of form!”
The Jamaica Tallawahs next play on July 17 vs the Antigua Hawksbills in
Antigua, while the St Lucia Zouks visit the Guyana Amazon Warriors on July 19. (www.cplt20.com)
St Lucia Zouks innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles st †Baugh
b Miller 27 H Davids b Theron 56 ADS Fletcher† st †Baugh b Vettori 27
DJG Sammy* not out 29
K Lesporis c Blackwood
b Russell 6 Sohail Tanvir c Theron
b Russell 4 SW Ambris not out 1
Extras: (b-1, w-10) 11
Total: (5 wickets; 20 overs) 161
Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Charles, 5.2 ov), 2-110 (Davids, 14.2 ov), 3-117 (Fletcher, 15.4 ov), 4-131 (Lesporis, 17.2 ov), 5-137 (Sohail Tanvir, 17.6 ov)
Bowling: DL Vettori 4-0-321 (1-w), JE Taylor 4-0-43-0 (6-w), J Theron 4-0-31-1 (1w), NO Miller 4-0-11-1, AD
Russell 3-0-27-2 (1-w), AC Voges 1-0-16-0 (1-w)
Jamaica Tallawahs innings (target: 162 runs from 20 overs)
CAK Walton c Lesporis
b Sohail Tanvir 23
CH Gayle* not out 111
J Blackwood c Davids
b Shillingford 8
AC Voges c †Fletcher
b Mathew 15
AD Russell not out 0
Extras: (lb-1, w-4) 5
Total: (3 wickets; 19 overs) 162
Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Walton, 3.1 ov), 2-96 (Blackwood, 11.1 ov), 3-151 (Voges, 18.3 ov)
Bowling: M Mathew 4-0-541 (2-w), Sohail Tanvir 4-0-141, GE Mathurin 2-0-23-0, S Shillingford 4-0-18-1 (1-w), DJG
Sammy 2-0-28-0 (1-w), RE van der Merwe 3-0-24-0
“We want to thank all those sponsors who have come onboard to ensure the Limacol CPL was a massive success in 2013. Our gratitude to them for staying the course, and we also welcome the new partners as we work to make the 2014 edition even bigger and better,” Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, title sponsor of the tournament, commented. He added, “Sponsorship for an undertaking of the magnitude of the Limacol CPL is critical and we want to commend those companies for investing in the tournament, for investing in cricket, a truly Caribbean sport.”
Dr Ramroop also had a few words of encouragement for the hundreds of personnel in the various territories, who would have worked tirelessly and beyond the call of duty to lay the groundwork for the success of the six-team franchise tournament.
Led by the ‘Freshness of a Breeze in a Bottle’, the Limacol brand, produced and bottled by NEW GPC Inc., several corporate entities have embraced the League from its inception, while others have joined in for the second edition, which got off to a sizzling start in Grenada on Friday last.
While Limacol has assumed the role of title sponsor, the other League partners are Digicel, Demerara Distillers Limited, Guardian Group, Courts, S M Jaleel (Busta), and Caribbean Airlines.
“We must not forget the roles they have played in putting this magnificent tournament together and all kudos must go to them for the fantastic job they have done and continue to do,” Dr Ramroop, whose brand Limacol is also lead sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise, said.
The second edition of the Limacol CPL will run until August 16 with the Chris Gayle-led Jamaica Tallawahs putting their title on the line against last year’s beaten finalist Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.
The Limacol Caribbean Premier League has appointed Kyazoonga. com, the leading international sports and entertainment ticketing company, as its official ticketing partner for the tournament, which kicked off on Friday and runs to August 16.
Tickets are available from www.kyazoonga.com/ cplt20, from authorised retail outlets and at venue box office counters, with prices starting from US$8.
tremendous success in bringing seamless access to tickets for thousands of fans to come to the stadiums and support their teams. In appointing Kyazoonga as our official ticketing services provider, we look forward to delivering a seamless ticket purchase experience across all sales
channels in all the venue islands.”
Commenting on the announcement, Limacol CPL CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, said; “We are impressed with Kyazoonga’s credentials, experience and proprietary technology in delivering world-class ticketing services to sporting events across the globe. Kyazoonga’s experience with handling large format events gives us the confidence that the CPL will see
Ms. Neetu Bhatia, Co-Founder and CEO, Kyazoonga.com said;
“The CPL is yet another milestone in our journey as the fastest growing sports/entertainment ticketing company in the world. As we rapidly build out our international footprint, we look forward to delivering our state-of-theart ticketing technology, sys-
tems and operational expertise to the Caribbean region and bring out a sea change in how events are accessed in the region. Whether it is our bid for the Rio 2016 Olympics or ticketing highprofile events like the CPL, we continue with our mission to democratise access for fans to high profile events around the world.”
Customers are advised to check and follow the “Customer Update” section of Kyazoonga. com regularly for any ticket related information including instructions for ticket redemption and print-at-home tickets. Customers are also advised to purchase their tickets only through official and authorised sources. Any other website or individual claiming to have tickets for sale should be checked against the list of official outlets on the Kyazoonga website.
By Treiston Joseph
Alpha United will begin their quest for club championship glory when they face Olimpia on August 5 when the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League kicks off.
Alpha United will battle Olimpia from Honduras at the National Stadium, Providence, before facing Portland Timbers on August 19 at the same venue.
President of Alpha United, Odinga Lumumba, at a press conference held on Saturday at the Water Chris Hotel, said he believes the team is preparing well for the championships.
“I’m not saying that we are going to win but hopefully we win; what I am saying is that because of our preparation there will not be room for excuses with any bad performance,” Lumumba stated.
Further, Lumumba also pointed out some of the challenges the team has faces in its preparation.
“Guyanese always expects a success story, but are not willing to pay for it, development of sporting activities cost large sums of money and we don’t take our athletes seriously…we waste time.
“People want to personalise and say they don’t
want to help Odinga, but it is our team and if I can help these players of African descent and I’m not being ethnic, but these are the players that play football, if I can help them I will and we are eager for persons to come forward with support.”
He added, “These are the challenges, but one of our main challenges is the training facilities when the rain fall sometimes we have to go indoors; we don’t have the leisure of an all purpose stadium and that affects us.”
Meanwhile with the current transfer window, Lumumba, while not revealing the additions to the team, believes the team is 30 percent stronger than when they qualified for the event.
“We have strengthened the defence, the midfield and even added to the forwards and I believe that we are
really strong,” Lumumba stressed.
However, Lumumba noted that there will also be away games with the two teams in August as Alpha United looks to qualify for the World Club Championships.
“We are preparing and once we win here we will qualify for the World Club Championships, which is one of the biggest football tournaments in the world, second only to the World Cup,” he noted.
Lumumba thanked the Ministry of Sport, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Georgetown Football Club, Survival Supermarket and other sponsors for supporting the team.
All the games will shown on Fox Sports, according to Lumumba.
The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) held the first session of a technical course on Saturday at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar was in attendance to welcome the participants and Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) Certified Swimming Coach, Rick Powers, while opening the three-day clinic.
In addition, Kumar also praised student athletes who are excelling in both sport and academics and pointed out the likes of Olympian Britany Van Lange and the George sisters, Onika and Jadyn.
The course is a Level Two certification being conducted by Powers, who has more than 40 years of experience as a Head Coach in seven countries.
Powers, who has conducted more than 100 certification courses in at least 52 countries, noted that the potential of Guyana’s swimming was the reason he decided to make the third trip to the Land of Many Waters. Further, the coach pointed out that he is pleased with the work of GASA and believes that the sport is in good hands.
Meanwhile, after the clinic’s conclusion on Monday, Powers will be staying for another week in order to
help prepare Guyana’s swimmers for the upcoming Commonwealth Games later this month, as well as the Youth Olympics and the Goodwill Games, both to be held in August.
President of GASA, Ivan Persaud, was elated to see the participants from the rural areas and wished them well throughout the course. There are close to 50 participants from across Guyana, including Moruca in the North West District, Berbice, and Linden.
Persaud has already agreed with Powers to conduct a Level Three certification course in 2015, which will bode well for swimming in Guyana.
The Limacol Caribbean Premier League 2014 got off to an entertaining start on Friday in Grenada. In the very first game of tournament at National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, last year’s finalist Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated Antigua Hawksbills by two wickets with three balls remaining.
Captain Denesh Ramdin struck a Man-of-the-Match half-century, but Guyana Amazon Warriors had to overcome late innings jitters before winning the game.
Chasing a moderate
target of 137, Amazon Warriors were guided by Ramdin’s 51 from 36 deliveries. Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell grabbed 3-24 and medium-pacer Ben Laughlin 2-27 to create panic in the Amazon Warriors camp as they tumbled to 112-6 by the end of the 16th over.
When seamer Carlos Brathwaite bowled Ramdin with the first ball of the next over with no run added, the game was up for grabs, but tailender Veerasammy Permaul struck two lusty blows in 15 before Sunil Narine finished off the
game with a flourish, ending unbeaten on 11. Narine had earlier bowled a fantastic spell, conceding just three runs in his four overs. Earlier, the Hawksbills struggled to reach 136-8, with Australian opener Ben Dunk topscoring with 38 and Jamaican Danza Hyatt getting 36. New Zealand seamer Jimmy Neesham was the best bowler, picking up 3-33.
Guyana Times Sports Journalist Rajiv Bisnauth spoke with a few Warriors fans on Saturday, as they shared their thought of the first game.
Inderjeet Persaud- Teacher, Cricket Commentator
“I think in the bowling department Sunil Narine was really outstanding, he used his experience; he was very economical and was very difficult to get away. Veerasammy Permaul also bowled splendidly as well and let’s not forget Krishmar Santokie, while he was not as his usual best he bowled a excellent penultimate over. However, I am a little concerned about Ronsford Beaton; he needs to bowl in the corridor where batsmen are uncertain and on Friday that was not the case. The fielding was good, but the approach in the chase should be of some concern. While Mohammad Hafeez and Denesh Ramdin batted with purpose, I think building the innings was missing.”
Richard Jardine- Student
“I expect the Warriors to win this tournament, while they haven’t played to their full potential on Friday, I think they played well. Sunil Narine was fantastic; he has shown why he is rated as the best T20 bowler. Overall, I think the fielding is good, but the batting needs to improve.”
Mannieram Doodnaught- Farmer
“The game was a close one, but in the end we came out on top. I think the Warriors batting needs to improve. Their bowling and fielding is less of a concern. Narine and company were brilliant with the ball. I think it was a good game, but as I said our batting must improve going forward.”
Javed Persaud- Cricket Umpire
“I think that it’s nice that it’s our first game and we started on winning note, we lost wickets at important times, but we ended up victorious. Sunil Narine was brilliant, he bowled really well as he usually does. Our batting was not to the best, but overall it was a good performance.”
Germany and Argentina will contest the 2014 FIFA World Cup final today in front of an expected television audience of more than
a billion.
Germany would be the first European team to win the tournament in South America if they take the title for the first time since 1990.
If Argentina triumph it would end a 28-year wait for World Cup glory since they beat West Germany in 1986. The game is a 79,000 sellout.
Germany, seeking a fourth World Cup, crushed hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, while two-time winners Argentina beat Netherlands 4-2 on penal-
ties after a 0-0 draw.
Rio is preparing what local authorities claim to be the “largest security operation in the city’s history”, with more than 25,000 people involved, including local agents, military police, civil police, firefighters, the armed forces and intelligence agents.
The authorities say terrorism, clashes between fans, the presence of at least 15 members of foreign governments and the security of Brazil President Dilma Rousseff are the main areas of concern.
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has not conceded a goal in the knockout phase and was the hero of the win against Netherlands, said: “The most important thing is that our team and our country provide the best image in the eyes of the world, that the world will speak well of Argentina.
“We will remember what the champions of 1978 and 1986 achieved but we will also try to achieve glory by the fight and heart of this team. Maybe for many peo-
ple it is not the dream final because they wanted to play Brazil, but it will be a fantastic game.”
Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said: “There is huge anticipation here and in Germany. We have no pressure. We know how to handle things. We just have to concentrate on our jobs and what makes us strong. We have to be calm and have clear heads focused on the football.”
The Germans will be playing in their eighth World Cup final, more than any other nation, but have won only one of their past four finals.
Sunday’s game is the climax of a World Cup that is being regarded as a huge success in Brazil, with fears of widespread public protests similar to those that marred last summer’s Confederations Cup proving unfounded.
According to local sources, 692,000 tourists from 203 countries have entered Brazil during the month in which the World Cup has been staged. (BBC Sport)
Brazil’s World Cup campaign came to a miserable end as the hosts were convincingly beaten by the Netherlands in the third-place play-off.
Goals from Robin van Persie, Daley Blind and Georginio Wijaldum condemned Brazil to back-toback defeats on home soil, following Tuesday’s embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-final.
As an added insult, Brazil must now watch on as their fiercest rivals Argentina take on Germany
for the chance to win the World Cup at Brazilian football’s spiritual home, the Maracana, today.
Having been backed so vocally throughout, home supporters turned on Brazil on Tuesday, cheering the opposition attacks and directing loud boos at their own players, and their frustration continued in the capital Brasilia.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari bore the brunt of their anger, and his long-term future as national team boss is now in doubt. (BBC Sport)
The Ballot Box
Martyrs will be remembered today when the annual 55-mile road race, sponsored by Chris Jagdeo Construction of Corentyne, is staged in their honour on the East Berbice roadways.
The race, organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, will pedal off at 09:00h in front of Freedon House, New Amsterdam, proceed to Corriverton Police Station and return to Number 63 Village for the finish.
While the Senior and Junior riders will go the
full distance, the Veterans, Females and Mountain Bikers will finish at Number 63 Village on the upward journey. According to Mohamed, a keenly contested day of racing is anticipated. “We can expect a very competitive day of racing. All the top riders should be available and will be going hard to win the race.”
During the 2013 race, seasoned campaigner Godfrey Pollydore emerged as champion of the Senior division, clocking two hours, 12 minutes, 49.52 seconds (02:12m: 49.52s).
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Arecord last-wicket partnership between James Anderson and Joe Root, and two late wickets, gave England an outside chance of an extraordinary victory over India in the first Test.
Anderson and Root thrilled a packed Trent Bridge to put on 198 - surpassing the 163 scored by Australia’s Phil Hughes and Ashton Agar at the same ground last year.
Anderson scored 81 - the highest score by an England number 11 - with Root unbeaten on 154 as England made 496 to open up a firstinnings lead of 39.
The late wickets of Murali Vijay (52) and Cheteshwar Pujara (55) in successive balls left India on 167-3, 128 ahead with one day remaining.
Although the draw remains by far the most likely result, England will know that quick wickets today could yet leave them with a tempting target on a pitch that remains good for batting on.
Anderson told BBC Sport: “It’s still sinking in what we’ve achieved. It’s a
great day for us and we’re really happy we’ve got our team back in the game.
“We can come here tomorrow [today] and put a bit of pressure on the Indians in the morning. If we get a couple of early ones, who knows what could happen?”
Root, who began the day on 78 with England 352-9, completed his fourth Test hundred off 186 balls as he and Anderson frustrated the
India bowlers. Anderson, 23 not out overnight, was dropped on 46, but delighted a capacity crowd in recording the first fifty of his 168-match firstclass career.
His innings surpassed the previous highest score by an England number 11, the 59 not out made by John Snow in 1966. (BBC Sport)
The Castle Lager Proteas made history when they won their first ever ODI series in Sri Lanka with a comprehensive 82-run victory in the final encounter of the threematch series at Hambantota on Saturday. It gave them a 2-1 series victory.
It was a conclusive victory set up by an opening partnership of 118 between Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock and then consolidated by the centuries by De Kock (his fifth) and AB de Villiers (his 17th) that enabled the Proteas to post their highest ever total in Sri Lanka of 339-5 after they had scored a mammoth 187 runs in the last 20 overs.
De Kock’s century (128 off 127 balls, 12 fours and three sixes) was the highest ever for South Africa against Sri Lanka, beating Boeta Dippenaar’s 125, while De Villiers was in his free-scoring element scoring 108 off 71 balls with 11 fours and four sixes.
De Kock has now made four centuries in his last six ODI innings and there is a lot of significance in the fact that the opening pair have now had three century partnership during the same period.
who have been De Villiers’ go-to bowlers throughout the series, responded by taking three for six between them with the aid of a De Villiers run out as well in the space of 13 balls – and those wickets were the big ones of Sri Lanka’s three senior statesmen – Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Sri Lanka had lost five wickets by the halfway stage of the innings and it was very difficult for them to come back from there as the run rate climbed although their captain, Angelo Mathews, did his best (58 off 81 balls, five
South Africa innings HM Amla c Senanayake b Herath 48 Q de Kock† c Mendis b Senanayake 128 JH Kallis lbw b Herath 4 AB de Villiers* c Priyanjan b Mendis 108 JP Duminy c & b Mendis 29 DA Miller not out 4 R McLaren not out 2
Extras (b
fours and a six) before succumbing to a left-handed giraffe-like catch from Morne Morkel.
McLaren had the best South African figures of 3-37 in nine overs which gave him nine wickets in the series and the big encouragement for the Proteas was the way that their spinners, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy, out played their Sri Lankan counterparts, which may well give the home side second thoughts about how they prepare the surface for the twomatch Test series. (www.cricketsouthafrica.com)
36 DPMD Jayawardene c Steyn b Imran Tahir
(de Kock, 40.4 ov), 4-328 (de Villiers, 48.4 ov), 5-328 (Duminy, 48.5 ov)
Malinga 10-0-85-
Senanayake 10-0-66-
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De Kock has also had four major partnerships during this period with De Villiers, this latest effort being worth 116 in 15 overs.
No side has ever chased down more than 300 in 25 attempts in Sri Lanka but for a period it looked as though the home side might do just that when they scored 99-1 in the 10 power play overs up front.
But, once again, Ryan McLaren and Imran Tahir,
(2-w), AD Mathews 6-0-430 (2-w), BAW Mendis 7-0-48-2 (1-w), HMRKB Herath 10-0-482, TM Dilshan 7-0-42-0 Sri Lanka innings (target: 340 runs from 50 overs)
MDKJ Perera c de Villiers b Parnell 37 TM Dilshan run out (de Villiers/†de Kock) 30 KC Sangakkara† c †de Kock b
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Guyana’s 14-member squad that was selected to represent the country at the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional tournament to be played here from June 22 commenced their encampment period at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara on Saturday.
The squad, along with the four reserve players, was selected after the completion of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Inter-County competition recently. The fiveday encampment will ensure the players participate in fitness and cricket practice activities under the watchful eyes of Coach Adrian Amsterdam.
In an invited comment, Amsterdam said that despite the limited time available, he will be focussing on the all-round development of the players.
“While the preparation time could have been longer, this is better than nothing and I want to address the physical, technical and mental aspects of their cricket as they prepare for the tournament,” Amsterdam said.
Amsterdam, a junior selector as well, said he was impressed with the talent he saw during the Inter-County tournament and is confident of a successful regional tournament. He is convinced the current crop of players have the potential to win the tournament, but insisted that they need the right kind of guidance to reach their full potential.
“What we have is a group of talented young cricketers and once the team can gel and build team spirit, play to the best of our ability and properly execute our game plan, we can be very successful. We have some players returning from last year;
also in the team we have First-Class players, who were with the West Indies youth team so we have some experience,” the Coach pointed out.
The home team will be seeking its 13th title after winning the first in 1968 under Keith Aaron.
Timur Mohamed led Guyana to their second Under-19 title in 1975 and again in 1976. Latchman Bhansingh won Guyana’s fourth championship in 1985. Guyana then began a record six consecutive championships from 1992-1997, but has not won a tournament since 2007 when Steven Jacobs won the title in St Kitts after he also won on home soil the previous year.
The squad reads: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Kemol Savory, Sharaz Ramcharran, Brian Sattaur, Kemo Paul, Keon Morris, Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Steven Sankar, Akel Wallace, Nial Smith, Dimon Waldron and Akshay Homraj.
The reserves are David Latchaya, Avanash Persaud, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed and Shivindra Hemraj. The manager is David Black.
After an absence of 36 years, Guyana will be represented at the World Chess Olympiad, the world’s fourth largest sporting event, in Tromso, Norway, next month.
According to president of the Guyana Chess Federation, Irshad Mohamed, Guyana’s contingent to the August 1-14 event has been finalised.
The team is Taffin Khan, Ronuel Greenidge, Maria Thomas, Anthony Drayton and Haifeng Su. National Coach Wendell Meusa, who has been in training with the team for the past two months, will serve as Coach.
Meusa and Yolander
Persaud will also participate in training seminars during the Olympiad. Guyana last participated in the World Chess Olympiad
in 1978 in Argentina, but according to Mohamed, he is confident the local players will represent the country well in Norway.
“Despite being absent from the event for so many years, we’re looking forward to a good performance from the players. It will be a tough battle but we’re confident in their abilities,” Mohamed stated.
The World Chess Olympiad is a biennial chess tournament in which teams from all over the world compete against each other. The event is organised by FIDE, the world governing body, which selects the host nation.
By Treiston Joseph
The boys from Kwakwani Secondary are looking strong favourites to sweep the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) being sponsored by Digicel, Banks DIH and Beharry Group of Companies following the sixth night of action on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Kwakwani Secondary topped Mackenzie High School 48-46 to make it to the final of the tournament today.
Kemmol Benjamin had 16 points and five steals to lead Kwakwani, while Domair Gladstone had 12 points and
four steals as Kwakwani’s active hands on defence basically won the game.
Meanwhile, Kwakwani’s Under-14 and Under-19 teams will also be looking to make the final of the tournament today with hopes of sweeping all three categories.
St Roses High School defeated Marian Academy 53-48 in their semi-final to move on and face Kwakwani for the Under-16 title.
Nathan Saul, probably one of the most prolific scoring guards in the tournament, lit up the score sheets with a game-high 25 points, while teammate Shamar Huntley had a double-double of 17 points and 10 re-
bounds.
Dwayne Obermuller played a big game for Marian Academy, scoring a team-high 22 points while collecting a game-high 15 rebounds.
Meanwhile, in an All-star game with a mixture of players from Georgetown and a mixture of players from out of town, the Georgetown side prevailed 53-49.
Daniel Haynes was big in the middle for the Georgetown side, scoring 12 points, while Nathan Saul handed nine points and four steals.
Terron Welch was the topscorer of the out of town players with six points to lead his team in the loss.
The other members who made up the Georgetown team were Jonathan Pooran, Marvin Durant, Travis Belgrave, Timothy Thompson, Patrice Agrippa, Shaquille Adonis, Daniel Ramlagan, Jaleel Duke, Judah Stephney and Shakeel Garnett.
The players that played for the out of town side were Leonard Primo, Shafeek Thomas, Edmare Semple, Dennis Niles, Romone Fogenay, Durvash, Roopnarine, Daniel Anthony, Dellon Wallace, Shemroy Mckenzie and Travis Sulton.
The two teams combined will serve as a shortlist for the Inter Guiana Games national team.
Over 60 of the country’s top horses will be in action today when the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club (RCMTC) stages its grand horse race meet at the club’s track at Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
over 1000m; ‘G3’ and Lower over 1400m and with a price tag of $300,000.
The race for ‘K’ Class animals has a winning target of $100,000 with the animals covering a distance of 1000m.
The ‘J1’ and Lower and ‘J3’ and Lower Maiden will run over 1000m with the winners collecting $180,000 and $140,000 respectively.
The organisers have also added a substantial amount of cash and other attractions to the day’s activities, totaling over $4 million.
The feature race will be for horses classified D and Lower and they will run over 1700m for $500,000.
Other events billed for the day are the ‘J3’ and Lower Open for $150,000
The final race of the day is for ‘I1’ and Lower animals over a distance of 1400m with the winning tag set at $200,000.
Meanwhile, president of the RCMTC, Junior Crawford, in an invited comment on Saturday, said the track remains in excellent condition, despite the current inclement weather.
As such, he is anticipating a high-quality day of racing, starting at 12:30h.
Submitted By Neil Kumar
Cleaveland Forde, our outstanding distance runner, once again and for the third consecutive year, led the field of athletes from 10 countries, who participated in the 10th edition of the annual Caricom 10k race, which was held in St John’s, Antigua, on June 29.
Forde, also known as the ‘Little Kenyan’, was born in the North West District. He attended the Mabaruma Primary School and the Richard Ishmael Secondary School. He also obtained a Diploma in Management of Information System from the Institute for Management of Information System, UK.
From a very young age, Cleveland showed tremendous promise and subsequently improved to a national athlete. His ability was eventually spotted and he was offered a scholarship to the Dawn to Dust and Elgon View College in Eldoret, Kenya, in 2007 where he learnt the finer points of mastering his game and improving his academics.
So consistent was Cleveland, that he was awarded the Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year 2002, Runner-up Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year 2003, Male Athlete-of-theYear 2004 and Sportsmanof-the-Year 2006.
Cleaveland specialises in the 1500m and 5000m and also participates in the 800m, 10k and half marathons.
Over the last decade, this unstoppable athlete has competed and stamped his authority on the national, regional and international scenes.
He successfully competed in over 100 events during that period in various countries, including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Panama, Barbados,
Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), Hilbert Fosters has dubbed the historic scrabble competition sponsored by Republic Bank in Berbic as a huge success.
Speaking at a simple presentation ceremony at the Rose Hall branch of Republic Bank, Foster stated that the RHTY&SC was proud to be associated with the tournament, which attracted participants from most of the secondary schools in Region Six. He expressed hope that the game would develop on a wider base in the schools.
Manager of the Republic Bank Rose Hall branch, Harry Dass Ghaness, stated that the Bank and the RHTY&SC have an excellent working relationship and expressed pleasure that the scrabble tournament was a huge success. Noting that scrabble is a game that assists in widening the educational capacity of its players, Ghaness urged the participants to fulfill their
potential in the classroom.
The winner of the Senior Students category was M. Thomas of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School with Tashaka Walrong of Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary second and Jonathan LaCruz of J.C. Chandisingh Secondary third.
Ram Goberdan of Berbice
High School took home the winning prize for the Junior Students category, while Joshua Beepat of Lower Corentyne Secondary and Junior Seepersaud were the first and second runnersup respectively. The teachers category was also keenly contested with Berbice High School’s Lazina Mohamed squeezing past Althea Menity of J.C. Chandisingh
Secondary and Carl Vanier of CCHS.
Each of the winners received a throphy and $15,000, while the runners-up also collected trophies and special prizes. The RHTY&SC would like to extend profound gratitude to Republic Bank, the Ministry of Education and Paul LaCruz for their cooperation.
India, Suriname, Antigua, Australia, Argentina, Bermuda, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bahamas and Italy.
Included in those prestigious events are the NACAC Cross Country 800k; Southern Games 1500m and 5000m; Brazil GP 5000m; CAC Senior Championship 1500m and 5000m; Hampton Games 15000m; UWI Half Marathon; South American 10k Road Race Classic; Run Barbados Series 10k and Half Marathon, Falcon Games 1500m; Central American and Caribbean Games 5000m; Commonwealth Games 5000m and 1500m; Palo Seco Games 1500m; Manny Ramjohn Memorial 1500m; Caricom 10k; World Half Marathon; Junior Carifta; South American Junior; Cara Suites 10k Classic; National Schools Annual Track and Field, Swimming and Cycling Championships 10k, 1500m, 5000m; and Hampton International Championship 5000m.
Forde, a committed, dedicated and disciplined athlete, has carried the Guyana flag almost single handedly over the years and has been a perfect example to our young athletes. His quiet nature and his aggressive attitude on the field make him the unique person we have grown accustomed to.
This celebrated athlete, because of his way of life, will continue to bring glory to himself, club, friends and fans and his country. With the proper guidance and adequate support, Cleveland will one day compete successfully at higher levels, including the Olympics.
The National Sports Commission has over the years lend its assistance and given the necessary encouragement to Cleveland and other athletes of various sports discipline. Cleveland Forde has really and truly made us all proud.
St George’s, Grenada: Chris Gayle hit the first-ever Limacol CPL century as the Jamaica Tallawahs started the defence of their title with a seven-wicket win over the St Lucia Zouks.
The crowd at the National Stadium had swelled throughout the day to see local boy, Andre Fletcher play for the Zouks, and they would soon get a chance to see him in action as Tallawahs captain, Chris Gayle, won the toss and put St Lucia in to bat.
The Zouks openers, Johnson Charles and Henry Davids, got off to a fantastic start, reaching 41 after five overs. However, Tallawahs spinner, Nikita Miller, who took 1-11 in his four overs, made the breakthrough, removing Johnson Charles, stumped after
good work by Carlton Baugh Jr. Grenadian Fletcher came to the crease and cemented a solid partnership with Henry Davids, as the South African made 50 on his CPL debut. Davids didn’t kick on from there, as he was removed by new Tallawahs player, Juan “Rusty” Theron. This brought Darren Sammy to the middle, and despite losing partners at the other end, the captain helped the Zouks to a formidable 161-5 off 20 overs. The Jamaica Tallawahs got off to a flying start, with Chadwick Walton scoring a six and two fours in the first over.
It wasn’t long before Gayle also got in to the groove, clearing the ropes with ease on a regular basis, punishing spinners and seam bowlers alike to finish with ten sixes and five fours and end up with 111 not out from 63 balls.
Last year was epic! This year promises to be off the hook. Don’t miss out on the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’, the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, heading to Guyana on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Get your tickets early and avoid the last-minute rush. Visit the OPCO office on Middle Street from 08:00h to 18:00h daily, including Sundays and holidays, and get hold of your ticket to be part of the thrilling action. Tickets are also availabe at selected Digicel and Courts outlets, as well as Palm Court on Main Street. Guyana Amazon Warriors merchandise are also on sale at the upper flat of the OPCO office.
