The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, December 21 from 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, December 22 – 05:00h -06:30h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, December 21 from 15:50h-17:20h and Monday, December 22 –16:35h-18:05h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Parika Departure - 16:00h and 04:00h
Supenaam Departure - 16:00h and 04:00h
Monday, December 22, 2014
Parika Departure - 16:00h and 04:00h
Supenaam Departure - 16:00h and 04:00h
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning with heavy to light showers in the afternoon. Thundery showers are expected to return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-easterly between zero and 5.36 metres per second.
High Tide: 03:47h and 16:01h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.76 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 09:34h and 22:03h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.43 metre respectively.
NACTA poll: PPP/C takes early lead in 2015 elections
An opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in late November showed a general lack of interest among the population in elections at this juncture.
People were more interested in the hustle and bustle of life and in taking care of themselves and their families rather than worry about the upcoming 2015 elections triggered by the Opposition's planned No-Confidence Motion and prorogation of Parliament.
The poll found a greater percentage of likely voters planning to support the incumbent People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) more than the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC).
However, the PPP/C is well short of a majority to pass bills in the National Assembly, and is, therefore, likely to face the same difficulties it experienced over the last three years – logjam in Parliament stifling development.
A NACTA poll conducted last October also revealed similar findings with the AFC trailing the APNU which was several points behind the PPP/C. With some 13 per cent to 15 per cent of voters still undecided, the election can go either way. But the PPP/C has a good chance of regaining its majority – if it can capture just half of the undecideds.
The findings of the latest poll are obtained from interviews with 410 voters to yield a demographically representative sample (44 per cent Indians, 30 per cent Africans, 16 per cent Mixed, nine per cent Amerindians, and one per cent other races) of the
population. The poll was conducted in face-to-face interviews and was coordinated by New York-based pollster, Dr Vishnu Bisram. The results of the poll were analysed at a 95 per cent significance level with a statistical sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.
Asked how they would vote in the next General Election, 44 per cent said PPP/C, 36 per cent APNU, four per cent AFC, one per cent others, and 15 per cent saying they were undecided. In the October survey with 650 voters, the PPP/C scored 45 per cent while the APNU got 37 per cent, AFC five per cent and Justice For All Party (JFAP) and others two per cent.
In both the October and November tracking polls, former supporters of the AFC said they wanted to punish the AFC for its NoConfidence Motion and its alliance with the APNU.
The polls revealed that APNU has largely held on to its traditional base with some losses attributed to its towing the AFC line on the No-Confidence Motion. The PPP/C has recovered some of the support it lost to the AFC in 2011 – primarily a result
of sympathy for the two parties ganging up against it and not supporting its development programmes.
While recovering support in some areas, the PPP/C has lost some of its regular support to the AFC in other areas. But the AFC has not been making gains since 2011 largely because of its failure to take an independent position from the two dominant parties. The AFC and other parties are encouraged to commission independent polls to determine areas where they are making gains and losing support.
The survey also queried people for their views on domestic abuse and suicide and measured the approval ratings of President Donald
Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger as well as obtained views on allegations relating to the rigging of the PNC’s internal election last July. The findings will be released in a follow up report.
APNU Leader David Granger
President Donald Ramotar
Sunday Editor: Michael Younge
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
After years of fervent, if implausible, denials Khemraj Ramjattan has admitted his AFC is willing to coalesce with the PNC/APNU. There are of course, the demands that he will be placing on the table, but these are merely pro-forma. When Rafael Trotman was his co-Leader in the party he had fought unsuccessfully for this coalition to be consummated before the 2011 elections.
Ramjattan apposed the idea tooth and nail - but over sheer cold calculation rather than any principle. If the coalition were consummated while Trotman was around, Ramjattan knew that he would personally have been “dead meat”.
The PNC would have had no problem with Trotman becoming a senior leader in the coalition - and possibly even being THE leader. Ramjattan’s calculation was vindicated with the choice of Trotman over Nagamootoo as the Speaker of the National Assembly, by the PNC/APNU.
So while Ramjattan will be demanding “leader or nothing”, during the negotiations he will still be paranoid about losing “corn and husk”. The “corn” of course, is the “big position” he is calculating to secure in the AFC/PNC/APNU coalition, while the “husk” is the block of seats he is hoping to salvage from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), based on nothing more than “incumbency fatigue” and local sentiments for himself and Moses Nagamootoo.
We can expect Nigel Hughes and the African Guyanese members of the AFC to plug the coalition, as of course, Rafael Trotman, who has begun to re-appear on the AFC’s platform. Moses Nagamootoo, who already knows how he is perceived by PNC/APNU will oppose any coalition - if not openly, then covertly, for the reason stated earlier.
From the foregoing, we can begin to discern the course the coalition negotiations will take and the possible outcome. From Ramjattan and his partisans, they are entering what is called a “coalition of convenience” with PNC/APNU: both groups just want to replace the PPP/C in government.
Ramjattan is totally consumed with “getting back” at his ex-comrades in the PPP/C, who, in his estimation, have “done him wrong”. He, of course, is also motivated with having a powerful position in any new Government and this is why he will bargain very hard with APNU.
Looking ahead, even if formed, “coalitions” of convenience are very unstable, since the centrifugal forces of self interest are not countered by comparable centripetal forces. If, for instance, the new coalition were to win the upcoming elections, there will be constant internecine battles over leadership and programmes.
We saw this play out with the PNC-UF coalition of convenience that was formed in 1964, under US-CIA prodding, to oust the PPP. The PNC ditched the UF even before their term of office was over.
That experience brings to the fore another handicap to the “coalition of convenience” in the unfolding scenario between the AFC and the PNC/APNU: the effects of the “disequilibrium of size”. As we saw with the “coalition” that constitutes APNU, the PNC is so much larger than any other “partner” it is quite difficult for them to give much credence to the opinions of the “minnows”.
While they provide cover, or in the case of the AFC in the National Assembly created the “one seat majority”, their demands can become irksome.
In Guyana, the Opposition parties have rejected the proposal of the PPP/C to initiate talks for a “coalition of commitment”. In this type of coalition, the parties come together because of their commitment to certain overarching values that transcend the parties’ and just the base urge to gain power.
While such coalitions are more difficult to form, because they demand a certain level of trust that can only come from demonstrated expressions of values in action, they are more durable.
While the AFC promised such possibilities when they were launched, the sirens of political power, proved too seductive for them.
The PNC Govt practised State terrorism
Dear Editor, State terrorism is not present in Guyana. The very fact that Professor Clive Thomas can make such a statement, and voice it through KN, is adequacy of contradiction (from the man himself and on the entity’s behalf).
KN has been allowed to run rampant and unbridled for too long. The presence, nature, and longevity of the KN clearly show that Guyana is a practising democracy, with freedom of speech, being so badly abused, that this supposed-to-be major pillar of society is now being reduced to a mockery.
Take the man himself – Glenn Lall. His newspaper even does illegal wire/ phone tapping and he, the guilty (but free) is out there protesting. What impunity! Surely KN is not a victim of terrorism, in any form or shape; it is instead practising terrorism.
Let Professor Thomas prove any the any of following: Government or “State” terror, State involvement in terror, or State sponsorship of terrorism and extremism.
In Guyana’s history, the only reign of terror was under the L F S Burnham, who employed the House of Israel, to terrorise the land, namely the WPA and PPP.
The House of Israel was formed in the early 1970s, by US fugitive David ‘Rabbi Washington’ Hill. The group members were used by the PNC Government to subdue opponents and break up
their political meetings. It was the PNC’s hit squad.
Come to the murder of Father Bernard Darke, who was knifed to death in 1979 in Brickdam. The assailants were proved to be members of the House of Israel. The Leader of the House of Israel was among a few members who were charged with Darke’s death.
Subsequently, five members of the House of Israel were convicted for carrying dangerous weapons during the attack. However, they were given minimum fines. One of them, however, Bilal Ato, who actually stabbed Father Darke, was charged with murder.
His trial came up three years later and he pleaded not guilty (for murder), but guilty of manslaughter. Eventually he was sentenced by Justice Pompey, to eight years in prison, but during his tenure (which never truly materialsied), he was found frequenting PNC’s people and places of interest.
The rife rumour at the time was that Bilal Ato led the House of Israel’s rampaging of the people in the infamous ‘kick-down-the-door’ era. This was terrorism.
Widow Patricia Rodney has some insights into what is authentic terrorism from a Government. At the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, she explained that there was even a threat that the family’s house would be bombed, and this forced the family to separate. “My daughters stayed with rel-
atives, my son stayed with a friend and Walter and I stayed in what was called safe houses,” she said. So terrorsim does not have to be overt alone – the PNC practised it in multifarious ways.
A previous victim of State terrorism, Dr Thomas is now maybe an obtuse man. His eyes must be skewed. Dr Thomas needs to get someone to show him pre versus post 1992 Guyana and in tabular form too. KN is not and cannot be a victim of state terrorism
During a Walter Rodney Groundings TV programme, a WPA Executive and Buxton resident, Deon Abrams, called for the return of the PNC campaign of terror, “more fire, slow fire”, in 2010.
AFC and former PNC Executive Raphael Trotman was present when the statement was made on live television, and people ought to be reminded of this, and his role in the successful implementation of the PNC’s terror campaign, after the refusal to accept the will of the people, in the aftermath of the 1997 elections.
Trotman neither condemned nor distanced himself and party from such a call-this may signal his approval.
In a column, Freddie Kissoon wasvirtually imploring people to violence against the Government. “In the situation in Burkina Faso, the revolutionary energies took over after citizens found out
that Parliament was to meet to change the constitution to allow the President, who was in power for 20 years, to seek another term. Annoyed at his attempt at permanent power, they simply burned down the Parliament and now the President has been ousted replaced by a transitional Government,” he wrote. On the proroguing of the 10th Parliament, Carl Greenidge invoked the 1649 beheading of King Charles, in warning President Ramotar about a possible consequence of his legal act of proroguing.That needs no reading at all.
Let us recall the December 2011 clarion call by APNU’s American based Afro-centric advocate Dr David Hinds: “We are not going to take this lying down, because this is a declaration of war on people who have a right to protest.”
Hinds believed (and maybe still believes) that that Granger had to be President of Guyana, even when the losing party got fewer votes and seats than the winning PPP/C.
He was actually demanding that Mr Granger be Guyana’s President, when in fact, PPP/C won the presidency.
The PPP/C Government remains adamant – it will not descend into violence of any sort – not even when it may be deemed justifiable reaction.
Julius de Campos
Winners of Breeze’s Shopping Spree promotion and staff of the distributor are jubilant as they pose for a photograph at the conclusion of three shopping sprees. The Breeze promotion is a perennial favourite across the Caribbean and many Guyanese have won shopping sprees and other prizes throughout the years (Marceano Narine photo)
Fibre optic cable in Guyana...
PM Hinds raps Urling
...says private sector initially blanked project
By Erica Williams
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the Private Sector did not commit to the Fibre Optic Cable project in its inception. His comments were made in response to remarks made by former Head of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and Industry (GCCI) Clinton Urling.
Urling in a letter recently published by sections of the media, said projects and initiatives like these should ideally be left to the Private Sector to undertake.
"Digicel has for years expressed an interest in a fibreoptic cable and it was only in October this year that the company was informed that its application for a submarine cable was approved,” he said.
Minister Hinds told Guyana Times on Saturday that “one has to go back to the time when this project
was put in place. There was not commitment by any company”.
Hinds explained that the doors were open for any company in the Private Sector to get on board with the project. But he said “no one had committed although the Government had committed”.
Hinds said that there was a group from Guadeloupe that had also indicated interest in the project but that subsequently fell through.
Urling expressed dissatisfaction in the revelation of the suspension of the project. “It is both disturbing and disappointing to read that the fibre-optic cable component of the E-Government Project has been suspended since November 2013 due to faulty installation that now requires remedial work,” he said.
Project Manager Alexei Ramotar earlier on disclosed the year-old suspension to this newspaper and it was
this disclosure that seemed to infuriate Urling.
Further, the lack of mention of the suspension by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon was also cited by Urling.
Luncheon, during his post cabinet press briefing on December 10, revealed that discussions are being held with a local firm as well as another in a neighbouring country to conclude the rehabilitation of the existing cable that spans from Lethem, Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takatu) to Castellani House in Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
He had assured the project is still standing. Dr Luncheon explained that in 2011/2012, it was recognised that contractors were not meeting the requirements to develop and unfold the project. As such, he took the initiative to get involved in discussions to
Giftland spreads Christmas cheer in Linden
Giftland OfficeMax continues to be actively involved in community development in the areas of education, sport, local arts, and cultural and charitable causes.
On Wednesday last, Giftland visited the mining town of Linden bearing Christmas toys and other treats for the children of the Linden Centre for Disabled Children and the Bayrock Community Centre.
At the Linden Centre for Disabled Children, there were many happy faces, smiles and cheer from every child as Giftland OfficeMax hosted their first ever Christmas party for them.
All the children who attended the event were treated to toys and party bags, along with hired entertainment including Santa and his elves, face painting and songs and dance.
Headmistress Simone King noted that it is the first year Giftland has visited their school as part of Christmas charities and it has brought them so much happiness since they are already faced with many daily challenges.
She expressed that they do look forward to Giftland’s continued support in the new year.
Giftland’s second stop in the mining town was at the Bayrock Community Centre where they hosted another party for over 200 children, ranging in ages from oneyear-old to 14 years old.
These children all reside in the outlying areas in Linden and were very excited to have this treat.
At the Community Centre, Santa and his elves visited, and the children enjoyed face painting, bouncy castles, trampoline, gifts
and party bags. Other cultural activities included songs and dance competitions by age category.
Alana Clarke, Head for the Children’s Centre expressed heartfelt gratitude for this generous initiative and said she looks forward to more charitable endeavours from Giftland in the town of Linden.
Christel Vansluytman, Marketing Team Leader at Giftland OfficeMax, who was the key force behind the company’s efforts in Linden reiterated that Giftland is involved in numerous charitable activities, many of which are not publicised
She said while many companies choose to make charitable donations only at the end of the year, Giftland donates all through the
year.
"We feel that it is our corporate responsibility to set the example of giving back to our communities both near and far.
"This is our first year in Linden bringing Christmas joy and after seeing how happy we have made these children, it definitely won’t be Giftland’s last," she added.
Recently, Giftland held its annual Tiger Bay Christmas charity, donated toys to the Silver Hill Primary School, as well as several religious organisations for parties and Christmas celebrations, just to list a few.
Before the year closes, Giftland will donate to other charitable causes, explained Vansluytman
remedy the situation.
The project which started four years ago has missed a series of deadlines for completion. Prime Minister Hinds earlier this year indicated that these missed deadlines stemmed from difficulties in procuring piles, adverse weather conditions, and the provision of electrical access to the sites.
The project was expected to provide better highspeed coverage in heavily populated areas such as Linden, New Amsterdam, Georgetown, Anna Regina, and Port Mourant/Albion.
Nevertheless Hinds believes that in time, Guyana should have about three or four international links.
The Information Communication Technology (ICT) project is a part of the Government’s quest to modernise the nation’s technological front.
Page Foundation
TAnu Dev
he idea of feminism has changed so much over the years. But somewhere along the way it seems to have morphed into something unrecognizable.
For some people, to be a feminist, you have to hate men and treat them all as “male chauvinist pigs”. And God forbid, you have "feminine" qualities! Sell out! The irony is that Gloria Steinem, one of the founders of the modern feminism movement (and of Ms Magazine) was about as "feminine" as you can get! And she’s still beautiful at 80.
But feminism isn’t against femininity. That girl who wants to paint her nails, take time to do her make-up and throw on a dress, isn’t less of a feminist than a girl who
“Feminism” today
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.” ― Cheris Kramarae
wears pantsuits and hates wearing makeup.
Feminists aren’t deluded that only women are sexualized by the media. Feminists don’t believe that society only pressures women. Feminists definitely don’t believe that all men are budding sexual predators.
It’s these faux-feminists that spout their man-hating diatribe that give actual feminists a bad name. That’s why there are blogs like “Women against Feminism” sprouting up.
A cursory scroll through some of the posts there shows that they don’t seem to be against actual feminism, they’re against the pseudo-feminism that’s being accepted as what feminism has become. Feminism is just saying that females should play a greater role in defining what "femininity" is all about.
Why should a woman who chooses to be a stay-at-home mom be treated as being less of a feminist than a woman who chooses to be a ca-
reer woman? The whole point is CHOICE. That’s what feminism means to me - wanting EQUALITY OF CHOICE not wanting some utopian "equality". Especially when to be "equal" is being equated with being "identical".
Females can be equal in to males without being identical to males or their roles. All I want is to be free to choose to go to college and get a job or to be free to choose to get married early and start a family.
To me, when if I’m told that no, girls can’t be doctors - that’s when I have a problem. And the awesome thing is, at least in Guyanese society, I’ve never experienced that sort of discrimination. Not in my family ...not in my village or in my school. So I’m not about to fight for "equality" as "identity". Because I’ve done biology, men and women aren’t built the same - men are better at some things and women are better at some things. Men and women are different and we have to be-
gin to stress how to better deal with differences - rather than making everyone into one melange. I could spend my whole life wishing for "equality", and it’ll never happen. I’ll never be as strong as a man who’s my height, because I don’t have high levels of testosterone. I wouldn’t even know who/what to pick a fight with to sort that one out. Evolution?
But equality of choice - that’s doable and that’s what I want. And that’s not settling - that’s just being realistic. All I want is to be able to make my own choices and be able to follow them - whether I want to be a bodybuilder or an astronaut.
That’s what feminism is to me - not this spiel about how men are "pigs" and an empowered women equates to just a career woman.
I hate that in some circles the word feminism has become a sort of bad word with women jumping to point out, “Not that I’m a feminist or anything”.
Natural Resources Ministry hosts Christmas Family Festival at National Park
The Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry through the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) held a Christmas Family Festival and second Christmas tree Light-up at the National Park on Friday evening, where families were treated to gifts from Santa and his helpers. Children also enjoyed face painting, pony rides, bouncy castle, trampoline, and other fun games at the event.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, Commissioner of PAC, Damian Fernandes and other staff were among persons who attended the event.
During brief remarks, Minister Persaud said that this two-day event
will give families and the citizens of Guyana an opportunity to enjoy the National Park from another perspective.
Christmas is a time of goodwill, and Minister Persaud noted that the season is very special, especially for children who look forward to gifts and goodies.
Minister Persaud also told those gathered of the Three Parks Initiative that involves the full restoration of the National Park, the Zoological Park and the Botanical Gardens.
The initiative not only seeks to upgrade the parks, but also to bring to the city, the pristine environment that is enjoyed in the hinterland regions, said the Government Information Agency (GINA).
Families receiving treats from Santa and his helpers at the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry Protected Areas Commission’s Christmas Family Festival and Christmas Tree Light-up at the National Park
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Damian Fernandes among others during the lighting of the Christmas tree at the National Park, Thomas Lands
Pump drainage capacity increased by 16% this year –
several new pump stations being built
B y V ahnu M anickchand
Agriculture
Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy announced that Guyana’s drainage pump capacity has expanded by 16 per cent over the past year.
He was at the time speaking at a specially convened press conference on Monday last, when he disclosed that some 1650 cubic feet of pump drainage capacity was added during the course of this year.
He noted that with this
increase, Guyana now has a total pumping capacity for drainage of 10,163 cubic feet, which represents the ability to pump some 40 million gallons of water per day.
“That’s an enormous amount of water that we drained, it represents the largest increase in pumping capacity in any single year,” he stated.
According to the Minister, in 2014, there were new pump stations along with pumps that were
operational in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
They are located at Two Friends and Lima in Region Two; Winsor Forest, Bagotstown, Potentia and Canal Polder Number 1 in Region Three; Paradise, Region Four; Pine Ground, Region Five; Number 19 Village, Rose Hall, Number 66 Village and Canje, Region Six.
Alphonso family injects $3.5M in Itabali
B y R oyden J a M es
The Alphonso family of Pomeroon, who has been associated with manufacturing oil, oil products and mining for years in the interior regions of Guyana, on Friday injected some $3.5 million into the Itabali community with the aim of developing youths in the region and putting smiles on faces of the villagers for the Christmas season.
Hundreds turned up at the Itabali Community Centre Ground to get a firsthand look at the developmental works carried out by the group.
After the official handing over of the ground by staff members of the group, Itabali residents and neighbouring communities were involved in a number of games.
Speaking on behalf of the Alfro Alphonso and Sons Enterprise, Security Manager Calvin Jeffery explained that the aim of the initiative is to get
youths from the surrounding communities positively involved in various activities.
He noted that Alphonso always wanted to give back to the community since the youths would normally find time to be engaged in things which would not benefit them in the future.
Also, some 300 hundred gifts were distributed to children in the community with the aim of keeping the Christmas spirit alive. Sporting gears were also distributed to aspiring cricketers and footballers in the community.
Jeffery said the event will be an annual one.
Meanwhile, Community Chairman Augustine Labadie praised the company for the kind gesture.
“I just want to use this opportunity to thank the Alphonso group for making such a tangible donation into our community and investing in our youths, this will definitely
help them a lot, it will get them off the streets and get them to do something meaningful with their life, so this is something great and we send a big thank you to Mr Alphonso and his family,” the Chairman said.
His Vice Chairman Charlene Telamano also expressed gratitude for the contributions made while noting that it will help youths of the community a great lot as it will keep them occupied.
She also noted that more business owners should follow the footsteps of the group and invest in the future of hinterland youths.
“Youths here in the hinterlands are not open to many opportunities but if business owners can come and invest in them, at least that is a start for them, so I hope they see what Mr Alphonso and family did for the community and follow his footsteps,” she said.
Dr Ramsammy disclosed that between 2014 and 2015, some $20 billion will be spent on the construction of pump stations across country. This amount does not include the cost of the pumps.
The Minister noted that in the first quarter of next year, several pump stations are scheduled to be completed and commissioned.
Work has already commenced at Lima, Essequibo Coast; Eversham, Bengal and Number 43 Village, Region Six.
Additionally, he men-
tioned that a pump station will be built in Corentyne at the eastern side of the highway koker.
“We will maintain a pump station at both the east and west deck, I say that because there is presently a pump station on the western side of the Koker at Number 43, so we will double the capacity in 2015,” he said.
The Agriculture Minister went on to say that in 2015, the design will be completed and construction will begin on the pump stations at Ogle, Mon Repos, Hope and Enmore, East Coast Demerara, where new pumps will be installed.
“This will mean significant increase once more and all of those pump stations could equal the input of 2014, if in fact, the ones on the East Coast will get completed by 2015,” the Minister remarked.
Dr Ramsammy is confident that these works will be completed in 2015, pointing out that the four pump stations will be part of phase two of the Conservancy Adaptation
Programme. This programme is being funded by the World Bank to the tune of US$11 million to strengthen the conservancy dam, increase routine maintenance in the conversancy by putting more excavators and pontoons and also increase the pumping capacity.
He explained that with the Hope Northern Relief Chanel functioning and the new pump stations along the East Coast corridor, there will be very little need to release water through Maduni and Lama in Mahaica.
The Minister continued that he is pleased that even without the new capacity, there was no need to open the Lama Pump Station during the year-end (Dec/Jan) rainy since 2011. And during this three- year period, the Maduni Station was only opened six times in 2012.
Minister Ramsammy outlined that this shows that good management has helped to prevent flooding in the Mahaica/ Mahaicony area.
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy
A resident of Itabali receives a part of the donation made by the Alphonso family on Friday
Guyanese busted with $140M worth of cocaine at JFK
Another Guyanese who travelled to the US was intercepted with over 19 kilos of cocaine, claiming that he was offered $1 million to transport the illicit drug.
The man was busted at the John F Kennedy International Airport when the cocaine was found concealed in several packages containing curry and rice in his suitcases.
Oral Anthony Caines, 55, was carrying three bags including two checked-in suitcases and one carry-on duffle bag. The packets of curry and rice caused suspicion by drug enforcement agents at the port of entry.
They immediately started to question Caines, who
claimed that the bags were his.
During the search, the cocaine was discovered among the items. He was taken into custody and admitted that he was paid $1 million, the equivalent of US$5000, to transport the illegal drugs to the US.
The cocaine was weighed and totalled 19.2336 kilos or 42.4 pounds. The street value for the illicit drug is estimated at US$665,000 or $140 million. The man appeared in a New York Court and was remanded to prison.
Guyana Times understands that the man did not provide the names of the persons he was supposed to hand over the drugs to.
An official attached to the
Caribbean press operations...
Custom Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) said agents are reassessing their strategy at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), claiming that too often persons are successful in passing through with drugs.
One airport official stated that they are also reshuffling internal security at the facility, noting that in most cases when drugs are passed freely, some form of internal assistance is given.
On December 5, Tanasha Sleming, 28, a US Virgin Islands national was intercepted at the CJIA with 18 kilograms, 295 grams of cocaine.
On the day in question, around 09:35h, Police ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotic
Unit (CANU) were on duty patrol at the airport when they stopped the accused.
It was heard that the accused was boarding a Dynamic Airways flight heading to the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.
As his suitcases were placed under the conveyor belt to be scanned, a strange image emerged. The ranks opened a suitcase and conducted a search in the presence of Sleming. They found the suspected cocaine in seven packages of Champion Baking Powder and five packages of custard powder.
He was arrested, charged and sentenced to five years imprisonment with a fine of $49 million.
Culture Ministry still to set up local Editorial Board
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday disclosed that the Ministry is still in the early stage of developing a local Editorial Board for the Caribbean Press.
Since the Caribbean Press was in jeopardy, putting the local literary world at a risk, the Ministry had embarked on developing a local Editorial Board to look at the work of writers.
However, the Ministry is currently waiting on the responses from the list of suitable local candidates they contacted, who they believe are competent for the job.
Dr Anthony stated that as soon as they receive the responses, they can then begin to formulate the Board.
“So we’re working on that, that’s a work in progress, we’ve contacted a number of persons and once we get their responses, we’ll be able to put that together.”
Currently, persons voluntarily render their editorial services to the press but eventually, they want
to move forward with their lives; hence, the decision to establish the Editorial Board.
For the year, thus far, 79 books have been published while two are waiting to be launched Scriptology by Egbert Martin and Mih Buddybo Mac Vol 1 by Roy Brummell.
The management of the press is being spearheaded by Professor David Dabydeen.
During the 2014 National Budget debate, the Minister disclosed that such a Board will cost significant amount of money to set up and then sustain, since it will entail paying for editorial services.
Eventually, some $2.4 billion was allocated to the Ministry, which was eventually approved.
Reports indicate that Anthony had revealed that from 2009 to 2012, $56.6 million was spent and that the editorial service cost for the press in 2010 to 2012 was zero.
Administrative costs, he said, were $7,850,000 for secretarial assistants for the editors for the period 2009 to 2012.
Eyew tness Charlatans and frauds...
...rewriting history
Sase “Thunderbolt” Singh’s been comparatively muted of recent. Dodging charges that he’d abused his position at the National Flour Mill - back in the “banned flour days” - and pilfered tons of flour (hence, the “Thunderbolt” moniker), Singh became the junior sidekick of now PNC/APNU acolyte Asquith Rose.
Ditched for another, younger “Singh”, Thunderbolt’s been putting together his life and from his recent solo missive, Thunderbolt seems determined to continue writing “mash notes” to Khemraj Ramjattan.
After recounting how he selflessly turned down all sorts of prestigious positions in Guyana offered by the PPP/C (to then emigrate!!), this patriot expatiated on the sterling qualities of that “political gem” Ramjattan.
However, he studiously avoided mentioning Ramjattan’s blatantly ignoring conflict of interest in representing the interests of his client Fedders Lloyd in the hallowed chambers of Parliament! But we guess that’s small potatoes for a Flour Pilferer, like Thunderbolt.
He commended Ramjattan’s ongoing courtship of PNC/APNU for a more permanent relationship. But this Eyewitness wonders why he didn’t tell about the experience of his buddy, the now even more silent Donkey Cart economist Khemraj, who’d earlier deserted Ramjattan and hopped into bed with APNU. Was it because Donkey Cart wrote all those “mash notes” to Granger. Ahhh....all these jealous Gods!!!
But today, this Eyewitness wants to examine a dangerous myth Thunderbolt buttresses, in invoking “1992”. He claimed, “Guyana is at a cross road again, just like we were in 1992 when many Afro-Guyanese broke ranks with the PNC and voted for Dr Jagan to correct a historical injustice.” And of course, Ramjattan’s the Messiah who’ll mirror Dr Jagan’s legacy and have “IndoGuyanese break rank with the PPP/C”.
But not surprisingly, Thunderbolt had to create a false premise for his claim. In 1992, after 28 years of dictatorship had even reduced their Afro Guyanese supporters to paupers, the PNC received 42 percent of the votes - the highest ever. That even surpassed their 40 percent 1964 total - universally conceded to be the most polarised vote in the history of Guyana, following the 1960s racial riots.
The WPA - touted as the “conscience” of the AfroGuyanese community - picked up a measly two percent of the vote!! There was precious little “breaking of ranks” in 1992.
And that’s what Singh and Ramjattan want to hide: That his self-appointed role of “delivering the Berbice Indian vote” to the PNC - for which he was willing to “take stick” in refusing to mount the stage at Cuffy Square - is all about his own ambitions.
Explaining his demand for “leadership or nothing” to Granger!
...defending a fraud
This Eyewitness predicted that Chris “Lalloo” Ram would’ve showed up at Philip Thomas civil society “thing” - for the photo-op!! So said, so done. But the head of the GRPA - one Pamela Nauth?? Is this another limelight hugger-in-the-making?? Least surprising was the presence of Ruel Johnson? Once there’s a chance of free food andLordy Lord!! - a stipend, Johnson’ll be there!!
And just as inevitably came the self-promoting letter to the press. We wonder why the AFC doesn’t give this guy their “Culture Consultancy” again. And put his misery to rest. Anyhow Johnson confirms what the OP - and everyone with access to Google had already confirmedthat Dr Dr Dr Thomas was a completed fraud. But Johnson dubs the Government “petulant” and “dangerous” for pointing this out!!
And then asserts that some in the same Government also faked their “qualifications”. The President?? Well, he claims to be “an economist by training”, smirks Johnson. Who then castigates him for not being a “practicing” economist!! Did Prezzie ever claim that??
Does Johnson know the difference?? Does he care??
...on their own
Johnson, doubts Clement Rohee, who worked for a decade in Czechoslovakia, speaks Spanish, Czech and Russian. We wonder what’s AFC’s Dr Ramaya “Doctorate” on. Or where he got his “Masters in Psychology”? Or if Rohee’s English is questionable, what about Ramayya’s??
The Kyk-over-al Series was launched this year by the Caribbean Press
High electricity costs chasing away investors –
hydropower only solution, Ali maintains
By Jomo Paul
Trade and Industry
Minister Irfaan Ali
has said some investors are continuously reluctant to enter Guyana’s manufacturing and trade sectors because of the present electricity rates which by the world’s standards are very high.
According to Ali, who also serves as Housing and Water Minister, Guyana has a largely untapped potential in the manufacturing sector and it may remain that way for a long time if something is not done to address the high cost of generating energy.
He nonetheless explained that although Guyana has seen eight years of consecutive economic development, the country still has a far way to go, but growth is being stifled by the stalled developmental projects.
Making specific reference to the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, Ali pointed out that it could result in a huge fall in the current prices for generating electricity in Guyana; hence, making the sector more viable.
He added that with lower energy costs, investors would be more inclined to invest in sectors such as manufacturing and service since they would be able to compete on a global scale.
Ali said that by attracting
investors, more jobs would be created in the aforementioned industries.
He contended that those factors could propel Guyana into the future and add to the country’s development rate.
More to be done
“Whilst Guyana has grown tremendously over the last eight years, while we have had positive economic indicators in almost all the segments of economic measurement, there is still a lot more that could have been done if Guyana as a country and the Parliament as a unit would have understood the importance of various transformational projects and allowed those projects to blossom and bring its economic empowerment, improvement and opportunity to the
Guyanese people,” remarked Ali.
He explained that for Guyana to achieve its true levels of economic growth, there is need for Government and Parliament that is cognisant of the reality that some risks have to be taken.
“Economic development is not a static process. It requires innovation, it requires bold thinking, it requires a Government that understands the transformational aspect of moving the economy into the future,” he said.
He went on to add that “while we have grown, we have not allowed ourselves to reach the full potential that we should have achieved”.
According to Minister Ali, with the successful implementation of the Amaila Falls Project, Guyana is projected to see economic growth beyond five per cent when compared to a flat growth rate without the implementation of the project.
Referring to present energy costs, Ali said: “It makes it uncompetitive… we will then be able to complete with all of the countries in the manufacturing sector,” adding that “because the Opposition is so inhibitive, they have not allowed Guyana to mature into this stage of economic prosperity”.
Already, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr Warren Smith
GT&T employees get 7% wage incentive
said the region must unlock the opportunities for competitiveness and growth through the capitalisation of renewable energy, contending that for far too long, Caribbean countries have been affected by the high cost of electricity.
According to an enterprise survey conducted by the World Bank in 2010, at least 30 per cent of Caribbean firms identified electricity costs as a major constraint to doing business.
“The combination of high diesel and heavy fuel oil costs and the inherent inefficiency of diesel technology, which accounts for the majority of the generation in Borrowing Member Counties (BMCs), are the principal contributors to these high electricity prices. Further, these fuel prices are subject to the volatility of international oil markets which are highly responsive to shifts in geo-politics,” Dr Smith explained.
This problem, he said, is further compounded by small market size and the absence of economies of scale in the generation of electricity; with many of the generation facilities gradually approaching the end of their useful lives.
As a result, he said these facilities do not benefit from the efficiencies inherent in the new technologies built into generators of more recent vintage.
– as bi-annual wage negotiations conclude
By anastcia clementson
Christmas will be a lot brighter for the employees in the Bargaining Unit of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company as it has decided to increase their wages by seven per cent.
The company has also added incentives to the agreement slated to run for the next two years.
This decision to increase the wages was made after meetings between the telephone company and the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GPTWU).
These two entities have an agreement to meet every two years to negotiate the wages of the company’s employees.
The employees that fall under the GPTWU’S representation can be summed up as technical staff, customer service representatives, cleaners, technicians, electricians, drivers, office assistants and security, among others.
The negotiations for the next two years (October 2014 to October 2016) started in November where GPTWU proposed a 12 per cent increase for workers monthly salaries for the first year (October 2014 to October 2015) and 11 per cent for the following year which ends October 2016.
However, the new wage agreement states that the employees will receive a seven per cent increase in their salaries in the first year of the bi-annual agreement, then 11 per cent for the following year, which ends on October 2016.
The incentives added to the agreement included an annual performance incentive and an annual productivity award.
Under the former, workers will receive two per cent of their salaries as an incentive every year and two per cent for their performance during a 12-month working period.
GPTWU President Harold Shepherd told Guyana Times that the employees are appraised by the company and awarded the performance incentive according to how that employee may have performed during the year.
The annual productivity award allows the employees who fall under the union’s representation, to benefit from the company’s profits. Shepherd shared that this award is given to the workers according to the discretion of GT&T.
The GPTWU President, GT&T’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Justin Nedd, Human Resource Manager Wynette Davis, and Industrial Relations Officer Christopher Robert, all signed off on the agreement.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali
UG interns host Santa’s Helpers Party
The University of Guyana (UG) Public Relations Division on Friday held a Christmas party for children of the Child Care Protection Agency’s Drop-In-Centre.
The occasion themed “Santa’s Helpers Party” was held in the Senior Common Room of the university.
The sight was a mer-
ry one as some of the kids danced to the Christmas music, while some sat around Santa, who told Christmas stories and asked the children what their “dream gift” would be this time around. UG interns were tasked with organising and hosting this year’s annual Christmas party for the students, and according to them, they found great pleasure in doing it.
spoke with the main coordinator of the event who expressed great pride and satisfaction with the response.
Other university officials said the event amounts to bountiful blessing since Christmas is a season of love, sharing and giving, especially to less fortunate children.
One of the interns, Allison Moore said the purpose of the party is to show
the underprivileged children that there are still persons who care and love them.
“I can relate to the way these children feel because when I was mingling amongst them, I saw and most of all, I felt how these children lived….I can’t explain it but it really is a great feeling when you give back to these innocent children,” she said.
Paul (only name given), another intern who played Santa, explained that planning the event was a challenge since he wanted it to be a ‘special’ and ‘merry’ one for the children.
He also mentioned that the gifts for the children were made possible through many donations. Paul explained that for the children, it is the gift that matters, but for him, personally, “it is the way you give the gift that matters”.
Guyana Times spoke with a brave little girl (name withheld) who spoke on behalf of all the children, since that was the decision made by all of the children.
The child said that Christmas for her and the group in the home is always a joyous occasion. Justifying her statement, she explained that gifts are not all that a little child needs, but love is important.
“We may not get lots of toys and presents like some kids do, but we get lots of love and affection which we are pleased with.”
Almost bursting in tears, the child thanked everyone that donated the presents on behalf of all the children who reside at the agency.
She added that one day when she is old enough; she will also give back to the community.
Coalition confessions
Satiricus was so privileged to have secured a tape of the ongoing negotiations between GrainJa and RumJhaat to merge the KFC and Pee an See. His niece Leewattee was the maid at the posh Opposition Leader Quarters and had temporarily filched it for a few hours.
Grain: What is that you just put on the table??
Rum: (With eyebrows arched in surprise) You mean you never see whiskey??
Grain: (exasperatedly) Of course, I know whiskey!! But what is it doing on the table??
Rum: (patiently) Why! To drink, na? When ah negotiate with Moses to join me, we knock off four large. But that was rum. Ah hear you like whiskey.
Grain: Listen I do drink whiskey...but never before 12 noon and never in a negotiation.
Rum: All-rite!! All-rite!! Don’t get so huffy General. Ah only doing what Ah know.
Grain: Ok...(handing the bottle to HarMan) Share it with your squaddies later. Now the first thing I want to know before we get to the coalition talks, is who from my PNC were willing to take the PPP/C $30 million bribe and vote against the No-Confidence Motion??
Rum: (immediately sweating and looking uncomfortable) Ummmm...well...Ah didn’t know you gon ask me that!
Grain: Well you have to give me something so that I can trust you.
Rum: Jeez!! Ah cyaan tell you just like that, you know. Ah got me principles. Ah gon give you hint. Like we playing “me-riddle’ me-riddle”. You first traitor is a “Bannuh”.
Grain: (squinting his eyes) A Bannuh, eh?? (Nodding) I know is who...The fella who know nuff about Agricola, right??
Rum: Ah cyaan say. I is a man of principle. No snitching on me friends, like Mook Lall. The second name is the Bannuh friend, Moustache Man.
Grain: I never trusted fellas with thick moustaches like his. I figured they got to be hiding some ting!! Looks like I was right.
Rum: Ah ain’t saying nothing. Principles, Remember?. The third one doesn’t care whether his drinks are “shaken or stirred” - once they’re free!!
Grain: I always felt that punk getting too big for his britches!! Now I know why he criticised my financier, the Mook!!! HarMan....break out that bottle and let me thank RumJhaat. I see him sweating.
Let him drink the whole bottle. We will continue negotiations after Christmas.
B
y S edhee R amnauth
Guyana Times
The children gathered around, listening as Santa told an old time Christmas story
Dharmic Sabha’s Centre for Abused Children receives cheque from Gafoors
The Gafoors Group of Companies recently made its annual contribution to several non-profit organisations in Guyana, one of which was the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Baal Nivas Centre for Abused Children in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.
The Baal Nivas Centre for Abused Children has received many praises from international and local bodies since its opening earlier this year. Indian superstar Sonu Nigam did the honours of cutting the ribbon to declare the shelter open to the Guyana populace.
“This establishment of the Baal Nivas Centre by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is a bold step in confronting the issues of societal depletion,” President of the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Pandit Suresh Sugrim had stated.
Home.
Presentations totally two million dollars were made by the Gafoors Group of Companies to the Guyanese-based organisations.
Executive Chairmain Sattaur Gafoor handed over the cheques while Administrator of the Group of Companies Ameena Gafoor delivered key remarks.
“(Gafoors) recognises the work of individuals and institutions that are addressing the needs of vulnerable and deserving members of society including orphans, young children, indigent persons, and
Moreover, the other organisations that benefited from the contributions of the Gafoors Group of Companies were the Dharm Shala, Help and Shelter, Guyana Red Cross, Joshua House and Cheshire
women.”
The Group of Companies also assists in areas of education, the arts, and people who have health challenges.
GEA seminar highlights importance of wise procurement
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) in an effort to reduce the amount of energy used by Government agencies on Thursday hosted a one-day seminar during which it sought to educate those in attendance of ways to cut energy costs at their respective organisations.
GEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Mahendra Sharma told representatives of the various Government Ministries and agencies that it is important to take account of energy efficiency when procuring equipment for their various offices.
The CEO informed of the public procurement policy which states that all “procurement of electrical appliances shall include, as part of the decisionmaking process, an evaluation of the annual operating energy cost of the various electrical appliances”.
He detailed that the policy will result in lower electricity and fuel bills, lower energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The facilitator acknowledged that energy efficient products are not in much supply, but with increased demand from both the public and private sectors, suppliers will seek to deliver what is desired.
On that note, Dr Sharma said energy efficient products are more useful in the long run.
Giving an example, Dr Sharma said that an air conditioner with energy-efficient capabilities will cost as estimate $367,452.13 in two years while one without such capabilities will cost about $433,722.76.
In addition, he pointed out that the policy makes it mandatory for yearly evaluations to be done by the various Ministries and agencies to gauge their performance and requirements that will influence future purchasing decisions.
It was noted that the GEA will be providing technical support, educational and training resources to assist with the full implementation of this policy in all the relevant agencies.
Port Kaituma residents need improved water supply …
GWI to submit proposal for funding of water plant
After five days of no water supply, residents of Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) began to receive water on Friday; however, they say the water remains heavily silted and polluted.
Residents who spoke to this newspaper wondered whether the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has kept its promise to provide $80 million to the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) for the construction of a water treatment plant.
Minister Robert Persaud informed residents that his Ministry has decided to take the initiative in light of heavy pollution in Pump Creek, their main source of water supply.
However, MNRE
During a visit to the area in August, Natural Resources
Permanent Secretary Joslyn McKenzie said they are
awaiting the submission of a bill of quantity and designs from GWI.
When Timothy Austin, Public Relations Officer for GWI was contacted, he said he did not have all the details on the matter at the time.
A resident of Train Line McDoom, Port Kaituma, said
“We are facing a very terrible situation. We did not get water for five days prior to Thursday. When they finally pump water for us, it muddy.”
She explained that in the area she lives, residents depend on water from GWI because they are not close by the creek and are also not in the vicinity where trucks deliver water.
The resident, who asked not to be named, also said a water well was dug by GWI to supply the community.
However, she explained that while this is a welcome gesture, it is only beneficial to the people who live close to it, since it carriers a limited amount of water.
In addition to the heavily polluted water provided to Port Kaituma, residents who live on the canal bank are complaining of water pollution as well.
John Ashby, who lives on the bank of Port Kaituma’s
main canal, said because of mining activities in the creek, water pollution is now completely widespread and has gotten worst over the past two weeks.
He said currently there are a number of persons who live in his community who are suffering from dengue and typhoid fever as a result of drinking contaminated water.
“A lot of us who live by the canal bank can’t afford to buy black tanks to store water and the canal is our only source of water.”
Complaints of water pollution by residents in various sections of the mining community have been a long cry. They have continually blamed miner for disregarding their rights and there were a number of efforts made by the Government to stabilise the situation.
Yet, residents said they have not seen any improvements over the years.
Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Baal Nivas Centre for Abused Children
Members of the Gafoors Board of Directors pose with officers of the beneficiary organisations
GEA CEO, Dr Mahendra Sharma as he elaborates on the benefits of energy efficient appliances
Police Wives Association reaches out to the homeless
The Guyana Police Wives Association on Saturday morning fed over 100 homeless men and women as part of an initiative to spread Christmas cheer to Guyana’s less fortunate.
The women of the Association went through the streets of Georgetown to the find where the homeless retire at nights and fed them.
Chairperson of the Association Desiree Robin said she was quite upset that “there were so many homeless people out there”.
However, she does believe that the Association’s little contribution of a hot breakfast helps somewhat
in bringing joy to these persons.
This sentiment was also shared by Janet Sweeney, a member of the Association. She opined that the Government should establish another shelter for the homeless as space seems to be a problem at the homeless shelter in East La Penitence, Georgetown. Some of the vagrants, she also said prefer to live on the streets.
Sweeney is not sure of the reason for this, but said there are a number of women on the streets because they have nowhere else to go.
Folisha Rauneka Daniels, a homeless woman on Regent Street, Bourda, at the gate of the
burial ground, said her safety is secured as the homeless have “one another backs”.
The only complaint is that she continues to miss whatsoever little posses-
sion she has.
Another member of the Association Shellan Isaacs said she is amazed at how the homeless persevere against the odds.
“I worry about them
getting wet, but they take care of themselves” in a number of ways that may seem primitive to some, but then again, the homeless is never seen on a hospital sick bed.
Raj Kumar, a vagrant on Orange Walk, Bourda, thanked the women, stating that what they do “is good because they coming to help others, the homeless ones them”.
Members of the Police Wives Association Janet Sweeney, Shellan Isaacs, Rosaline Johnson and Maria Pitt, along with Chairperson Desiree Robin, during the outreach on Saturday
“New
Mash, same tune” – Anthony
By Royden James
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday said that there is nothing new in store for 2015’s Republic Day Parade – Mashramani.
Dr Anthony in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times said although there are no additional plans for the 2015 edition of the event, he is hoping that more businesses come on board and be part of the float parade, noting that it will boost the event and will also be a good avenue for business owners to advertise their products and services.
Over the years, stakeholders have called for more effort to be placed on the overall organising of the event which has seen dwindling support over the years.
Some stakeholders that usually take to the streets with floats have opted to discontinue, with several citing financial constraints as their reason for non-participation.
One major concern that has been continuously raised is the route which spectators say has become too crowded and narrow, but Dr Anthony told Guyana Times that although there are plans to
change the route, this will not be done for the 2015 Mashramani parade.
“Over the years, the route for the parade has been a major issue for us, we all know that when we use the usual route we would arrive at the National Park later than planned, but in order to change the route, a lot of work will have to be done, and it is not guaran-
teed that we will meet an earlier time… so the route will remain the same,” said Dr Anthony.
Dr Anthony also made it clear that there are no plans by the Ministry to bring international artistes for entertainment for Mashramani, and was insistent that the Ministry will support local private promoters who are sure to continue the tradition of bringing international artistes to perform around that time.
The Minister said that he is working tirelessly to get more Steel Pan groups and calypsonians onboard, noting that local talents like these need be showcased throughout the entire Mashramani period. He went on to say that plans are also moving apace for the staging of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition.
7th cycle of registration to end on December 31
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that it will be ending the Seventh Cycle of Continuous Registration on December 31.
This means that the cycle will end almost two months ahead of its previously scheduled date, that is, February 27.
GECOM in a release to the media said the decision was made during the 436th Statutory Meeting of the Commission held on December 9.
GECOM noted that as of Wednesday, 4277 registration transactions were completed, with 3116 being new registrants.
Of the new registrants, 1457 are persons 18 years and above while 1659 are registrants 14 to 18 years of age.
Meanwhile, the number of registrants requesting changes to the information on their ID Card so far amounts to 611, while those requesting transfers equal 550. The percentage of verification currently stands at 95.8 per cent.
In light of the earlier
deadline, GECOM is urging individuals to make a “special effort to get registered before the December 31 deadline to ensure that they are on the National Register of Registrants”. Anyone who will be 14 years or older by March 31, 2015, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalisation, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living continuously in Guyana for one year or more, is eligible for registration.
According to the release, Section Six of the National Registration Act, Chapter, 19:08 makes it obligatory for persons who meet the registration criteria to apply for registration.
Persons eligible for registration could be prosecuted, fined and/or even sent to prison for failing or refusing to apply for registration. In the case of eligible persons under the age of 18 years, by the qualifying date, the parents/guardians could be prosecuted for failure/refusal to apply for registration.
75-year-old man critical after stung by bees
By devina samaRoo
Deoki Persaud Chatagun, 75, of 104 Sister’s Village, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) is reportedly in critical condition at the West Demerara Regional Hospital after was stung by a swarm of bees from a beehive in his neighbour’s yard on Saturday.
According to the man’s son Ishri “Tyron” Persaud, his father had to be taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital due to the state he was in after being stung.
Guyana Times understands that the pair was cleaning the side of their house during the late afternoon when they were attacked by the bees.
“I was cleaning the side of the house and the neighbour tamarind tree was right at the side deh and then I feel one sting in ma ears and then more start coming,” the upset father of two told this publication.
He explained that he summoned his wife for a bottle of insect repellent, which he used in a futile attempt to ward off the charging insects.
After realising his attempts were in vain, Tyron ran into the house while his father hid inside a tank in the yard.
Tyron said he then realised that the swarm of bees was attacking his pet dog
that was tied to the house. The man stated that he then went into his storeroom to retrieve plant pesticide which he started to spray on the bees.
While his actions were successful in warding off the bees, his dog eventually succumbed to the bites inflicted by the bees.
“The dog de dead already, so when the bees gone, me father come out the tank so we take he to the hospital.”
Tyron explained that his father was stung in the head and around his face, resulting in him receiving intravenous (IV) solution at the hospital.
“He deh pun saline, he vomiting all, he whole face swell up. Me, I swell up on me face tuh but nah so bad.”
Meanwhile, Tyron noted that he and his family had been continuously complaining about the beehive, but no one ever took heed to their cries.
Subsequent to the attack, it was alleged that Tyron and his family contacted the local Police station to make a complaint, but they were “treated with rudeness”.
“They tell we that they can’t do nothing because they don’t deal with bees and a bunch of stupidness.”
Tyron disclosed that he and his family are currently making attempts to have the nest removed in order to prevent a reoccurrence.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
Gold Board confirms 22.61% drop in declarations
- gold “may shine again” in 2015
As the price of gold on the international market stand below US$1200, the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) on Saturday confirmed that gold is projected to fall short of its declaration target for 2014.
In a release to the media, the GGB said that total gold declaration as at December 20, has decreased by 22.61 per cent when compared to 2013, while gold purchased by the GGB has decreased by 41.24 per cent for the same period.
In 2013, the gold industry declared a total of 481,087 ounces of gold which represented a 9.7 per cent increase over the previous year’s figure.
This, according to the GGB, was a historic performance – the highest level of production, exceeding the production levels of Omai Gold Mines when it was at its peak.
The GGB said the quantity of gold dealers exported has increased by 10.16 per cent, while the quantity of gold exported by the GGB fell by 40.26 per cent.
Thus, the overall quantity of gold exported for the two periods being compared are down by 22.73 per cent.
Additionally, the value of gold exported by dealers has increased by 10.86 per cent, while the revenue garnered by the GGB decreased by 43.48 per cent during the comparative periods. The total revenue for the two comparative time periods fell by 23.45 per cent.
Major factors
The release said that one of the “major factors for these lower levels of declarations are as a result of the fall in the global price for the yellow metal on the world economy during this year.”
It was noted that in 2013, it was forecasted that gold might fall to $1050 an ounce before this downturn is over and as predicted the precious metal “duly fell by a quarter in 2013, when compared to its highest level in 2011 and has made little headway in 2014, despite lots of geopolitical uncertainty. The sentiment is bearish and miners are being forced to curtail production or shelve investment plans.”
It was also noted that gold stocks have “suffered a miserable few years, becoming a laughingstock even among contrarians. However, this despised
Six cash-in for Breeze final shopping spree at N&S Mattai
The Breeze Golden promotion held its last set of shopping sprees on Thursday evening, giving away over $720,000 in groceries and confectionary.
sector’s seemingly-endless downward spiral has left gold stocks vastly undervalued relative to gold, which drives their profits.
"The fundamentally-absurd disconnect between gold-stock price levels and gold can’t last. And it sure looks ready to end; making 2015 the year gold stocks shine again.”
At present, mining costs are largely determined by the particular deposit being mined, and are largely fixed when any mine is designed and constructed.
Hence, gold miners’ profits are almost totally dependent on the price of gold. The higher it is, the larger their margins grow since their costs generally don’t change much.
“This dynamic is what has long made gold stocks attractive to investors, when the gold price rallies, the profits of gold miners rocket higher much faster.
"If a miner can produce gold for $900 an ounce, and sell it for $1200, his profits are $300. But, if gold merely climbs 25 per cent higher to $1500, that same miner’s profits double to $600. This inherent profits leverage to gold makes the gold stocks really amplify gold’s moves," said the release.
Sharp decline
Gold exports for the 2013 fiscal year amounted to US$648.5 million, a 9.5 per cent decline compared to 2012. The sharp decline was linked to the average price of US$1344 per ounce compared to US$1575 in 2012, negating the six per cent increase in export volume, which amounted to 482,527 ounces.
Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA)
President Patrick Harding had told Guyana Times that the incessant decreases do not augur well for the development of Guyana’s economy and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Harding related that miners were now contemplating abandoning shop and venturing into other sectors. This move was not limited to small miners.
The GGDMA President said the gold prices have not hit rock bottom and can drop even further if investors’ confidence continues to drop given recent activity on the international market.
He predicted had predicted that from the current state of affairs, Guyana’s gold production may drop some 10 to 15 per cent.
Breeze in celebrating its 50th anniversary, gave back to its customers with a total of 18 shopping sprees across Guyana during the last three months. Persons were asked to submit to empty Breeze packages with their relevant information attached to participate.
Winners were selected in various draws to participate in 12 previous shopping sprees held in Bartica, Berbice, Essequibo, Georgetown and Linden. All participants countrywide were included in the final to win the last six sprees.
The final six shopping sprees were held at N&S Mattai, Water Street, Georgetown, where Bryden’s – the local distributor of the Breeze products – gave away a whopping $720,572 in groceries.
The final spree saw persons rushing through the aisles and picking up as many items as they could before the 50-second time limit was up. There were only five persons who participated in the shopping spree while the sixth person opted for a $95,000 voucher to shop at N&S Mattai at their
leisure.
During the spree, the lowest total of $90,585 was gained by Kwame Hussain, who said that she is satisfied with her efforts. $98,146 was the second least total which was won by Derwyn on behalf of his mother Debra Simon.
The youngest participant was Sahadeo Mongroo who got a total of $115,000. The second highest was scored by Jerome, the man with the plan, who stocked his shopping cart with lots of confectionary. He did the shopping
spree on behalf of Ralph Rajpersaud and got a total of $159,000.
Meanwhile, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, resident Dacia Ellis got the highest total with over $162,000 in groceries and confectionary.
The excited woman related that she entered and won the Breeze Golden 50-second shopping spree with the help of her sisters, who came together and submitted the packages but her name was pulled.
According to Breeze representative Mark Kendall,
the experience was remarkable and Breeze was happy to give back to its customers during the festive Christmas season.
“The good thing about it is that this is the Christmas season and we expect people to shop, we expect supermarkets to full with groceries and we expect you to have all the goodies for you and your family, neighbours and giving backing to the community. This is a giving back period so Breeze gave back to you and you give back to others,” Kendall remarked.
The winner of the final Breeze shopping spree promotion Dacia Ellis with $162,000 in items
2014 a challenging year for Public Works Ministry, says Benn - honours Worker
ublic Works Minister
PRobeson Benn in his remarks at the Ministry’s Christmas party on Friday last at the Transport and Harbour Sports Club, Georgetown, declared 2014 a challenging year for the Ministry, particularly in respect to the budgetary and parliamentary processes.
Nevertheless, the Ministry managed “to keep the works going”.
Recognising the criticisms directed towards the Ministry on the delivery of some of its works, the Minister stated that there is still an appreciation of the works completed.
“The growth of the country is dependent on us,” Minister Benn noted.
Some of the projects reaping success for the year are the four-lane highway on the East Bank Corridor, the West Coast Demerara Road Project, which received attacks
of the Year
from Opposition parties, the highway lighting project, among others.
Meanwhile, Bevon James, a Transport Foreman, was bestowed with the “Worker of the Year” title, making him the Ministry of Public Work’s top employee.
Denise Burke, the confidential Secretary to the Permanent Secretary,
copped the second position while Rasheed Balgobin, a Brush Cutter Operator was awarded a certificate for his exemplary service.
Owen Campbell, an Equipment Engineer and Michael Cambridge-Bell, a Works Services Group (WSG) driver, were placed third and fourth respectively.
Additionally, seven other employees were given certificates for their commendable services;
Sharon Layne, an Officer Assistant (Registry); Onica White, an Accounts Clerk (Central Accounts Unit); Clevelyn Hart, a Supply Expeditor (Supplies Division); Marlon McRae, a Foreman (Force Account Unit); Shakira Spears, Clean (Admin Section; Lalita Persaud, a Construction Foreman and Ralph Welcome, a Field Auditor.
This recognition ceremony is part of the
Ministry’s Personnel Department strategy to motivate staff towards excellence, serving community with distinction, as well as retaining human resources.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Balraj Balram noted that the awardees were selected based on their appraisals, performance, reliability and punctuality.
He noted that their performance is an indication of “their excellent work and the reflection of their notable work ethic and attitude.”
The 12 employees who were honoured were out of the 450 staff employed by the Ministry throughout the regions. Several Government officials were present, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran.
Children of Santa Mission treated to annual Christmas Party at Roraima Inn
By Sedhee Ramnauth
The festive season of Christmas was brought to the children of Santa Mission, Region One (Barima-Waini) when Roraima Residents Inn hosted its annual Christmas party at the Arrowpoint Nature Resort on Saturday.
When Guyana Times arrived at the resort, employees of Arrowpoint were in the process of preparing the delicacies, the decorations where being put up while Santa Claus was getting ready to meet all of the anxious children of Santa Mission.
The Roraima Group of Companies has been giving back to the Santa Mission community for a number of years.
For over 14 years, the Children’s Christmas party at Arrowpoint Resort has served as part of the company’s corporate social activities.
This year, approximately 60 children as well as a number of teachers attended the annual party.
The companies would use this occasion to give back to the community and share joy and cheer during the holiday season.
Captain Gerry Gouveia, Jr spoke on behalf of the companies. He noted that this Christmas party has become a Christmas tradition for the community, since the teachers and children look forward to it every year.
Even past students were invited; making this party a general one for everyone in Santa Mission.
He noted that his father, used to be the Santa Claus back in the day and he has now continued this tradition every year since his father stopped.
As the time approached for the children to come and meet Santa, it was under-
stood that the first traditional activity upon their arrival at the party was to look for Santa Claus, who would usually emerge from the forest via a canoe or from the mountain area.
This year, Santa emerged from the forest. For the first time ever, Santa brought his ‘little helpers’ which amused the children even more.
After the grand meeting with Santa, the children gathered around the tree and sang numerous carols after which they received their presents and met personally with Santa.
Lunch was then served which was followed by a number of games, including musical chairs, arm wrestling, balloon dance, the ice cream game and so many more, while being served intermediately with snacks, ice cream and other goodies throughout the day.
Guyana Times spoke with some of the children who indicated that Christmas for them is indeed “the most wonderful time of the year”.
Seven-year-old Sarah said she has never missed any of these parties and she always has a fun time. Sarah noted that her favourite part of the party is looking for Santa.
Little Samuel also shared his views of the party stating that he “loves” Christmas holidays and getting a gift from Santa.
He also shared a little secret with this publication stating “the way to always receive a fancy gift from Santa is to make sure that you is a good child”.
However, unlike Sarah, Samuel has a different favourite activity – which was playing musical chairs.
At the end of the party, all of the children received goodie bags with more treats to enjoy during the boat ride back to their community.
Public Works Minister Robeson Benn
Adults watch on as the children play the “ice cream game”
Santa receives a grand welcome from the children
Guyana Cup rematch on today at PMTC
Despite all the controversies leading up to the Guyana Cup rematch, chief organiser, Chattergoon Ramnauth revealed on Saturday that all systems are in place for today’s one day horse race meet, billed for the Port Mourant Turf Club.
The race meet was in limbo after a breakdown in communication with its main sponsor, communication giant Digicel.
However, with other sponsors coming on board, organisers were able to facilitate today’s rematch.
Organisers have put together an impressive nine-race programme for the meet with most of the big names are set to be on show for what is expected to be a competitive day of racing.
Organisers have also added a substantial amount of cash and other attractions to the day’s activities that total over $10 million in cash and trophies.
The feature race is classified for horses in the D1 category over 1600 metres, with the winner set to race
away with a $1.5M and trophy.
The other events on the day’s card are the co-feature event for Three-yearold horses, bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies for a winning purse of $1M and trophy over 1600 metres.
Then there is an event for Two-year-old for West Indies bred animals for a top money of $600,000 and
trophy over 1200 metres.
The E Class race will be a 1500m affair with the animals running for a winning purse of $600,000 and trophy.
The G1 and lower event is a 1200 metres contest for a winning purse of $500,000 and trophy.
The Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses will see the winner pocketing $300,000 and trophy over a distance of 1200 metres encounter.
The event for H1 and Lower animals has a top money of $250,000 and trophy over 1200 metres.
The I3 and Lower race will be a 1200 meters affair with a first prize of $200,000 while the J3 event will fetch a winning prize of $150,000 over 1200 meters.
The race is being conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and those rules would be rigidly enforced.
Horses not properly registered will not be allowed to participate in the day’s proceedings. Race time is 12:30h. (Rajiv Bisnauth)
Stag Super XV1 football tourney…
Double header set for Number 5 ground today
The Timehri Panthers and New Amsterdam United will do battle while Rosignol United and Mahaica Determinators wil face each other today when the Stag Super XVI football tournament continues at the Number Five Ground from 18:00h.
New Amsterdam will look to the likes of Captain Adrian Adams, Leonardo Adams, Jovano Dos santos, Devin Ferdinand, Travis Williams, Devon James, Dane Johnson,
Jason Drakes, James Issacs, Samad Arokium and Dwayne Hazel as they seek a place in the quarter finals but Timehri will have other ideas.
The feature clash will see their Rosignol United and Mahaica Determinators in an Ancient county / East Coast showdown.
Rosignol’s Captain, Curtis Moore will lead their quest with support from Newt Mahaica, Keenon Rajgopaul, Olvis Mitchell, Calvin McKenzie, Oswin
Michael, Javell Fraser, Akheem Hutson, Mark Wronge, Shane Gangoo and Dewyne Perry. Determinators’ challenge will centre on Travis Charles, Charles, Andrew Williams, Kurt Roberts, Azumah Roberts, Mikel Benjamin, Quincy Holder, Julian Harte, Sherwin Hermanstine, Tryon Rutherford, Samuel Charles, Royden Ramsey, Kevin Porter Abrams Brown, Delon Perreira and Keith Grimmond.
Chattergoon Ramnauth
Some of the action during tournament
De La Hoya blames Mayweather, Pacquiao for PPV drop-offs
It’s perhaps the elephant in the room, but former boxing champion turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya is blaming both Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao for the drop in boxing pay-per-view (PPV) numbers across the boxing landscape for their inability to make the fight which has been highly indemand for years now.
In an interview with boxingscene. com, De La Hoya, who is the founder of Golden Boy Promotions, stated that both of the top pound-for-pound fighters are to blame with the falling PPV figures of late adding that the Mayweather vs Pacquiao super fight needs to have for the health of not only PPV sales but of the sport itself.
“Absolutely. People are now fed up and they are tired. They are frustrated. If its not Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather who are going to fight, we are not going to buy pay-per-view. That’s the fight that must happen for the sake of the sport,” De La Hoya said in the article. “I don’t care who wins. I just want to see it happen because its going to be a great fight and it will attract more fans.”
ing fights in 2014 including the Mayweather-Maidana rematch, which drew less than a million. The Pacquiao vs Chris Algieri fight in Macau draw only roughly 300,000 in the U.S. It’s expected that other fighters’ PPV numbers have failed to reach their respective targets as well.
As with other millions of boxing of fans, De La Hoya wants the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight to happen in 2015 even saying via a social media post on Twitter that he’s willing to move the proposed Canelo Alvarez (Mexico) vs. Miguel Cotto (Puerto Rico) fight from the muchcoveted date of May 2, 2015 during the Cinco de Mayo festivities.
NBA Roundup… Lillard scores career high to help Trail Blazers top Spurs
DAccording to multiple reports, PPV numbers are down for all box-
In the worst-case scenario that negotiations between Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao fails once again, De La Hoya added that it’s the sports fans will be frustrated again although the retired 41-year-old boxer believes boxing won’t die and will eventually “reinvent itself at some point.”
The said development has further pushed the idea that the super fight between Mayweather (470-0, 26 KOs) and Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) will finally happen. After his win against Chris Algieri in his last fight, Pacquiao has called out Mayweather publicly. Mayweather, in recent weeks, responded by saying “let’s make it happen” specifically picking the May 2, 2015 date for the super fight. (International Business Times)
Suarez scores first La Liga goal in win
Luis Suarez scored his first La Liga goal as Barcelona closed the gap on leaders Real Madrid to one point going into Spain’s winter break.
With Real not playing because of their involvement in the Club World Cup, Barca stylishly seized the chance to keep the pressure on their arch-rivals.
Spain forward Pedro blasted in after 72 seconds, before Suarez poked in shortly after half-time.
Gerard Pique’s header and a brace from Lionel Messi clinched an easy win.
It was a return to form for Luis Enrique’s men after they slipped four points adrift of Madrid with a frustrating 0-0 draw at Getafe last weekend.
ly until Uruguay striker Suarez, who was banned until October for biting, finally scored his first league goal for the Catalans at the eighth attempt.
The visitors, who are second bottom, wilted in the second half as Barcelona ruthlessly tore them apart.
Substitute Xavi, who in his 741st appearance equalled the record of Madrid legend Raul for the number of games for a single club in Spanish football, teed up Pique before Ballon d’Or nominee Messi pounced on a loose ball for the fourth.
And the Argentine superbly controlled Jordi Alba’s left-wing cross before spinning to fire in a volley for his 23rd goal of the season.
amian Lillard scored a career-high 43 points, including 16 after regulation, and the Portland Trail Blazers handed the San Antonio Spurs their second straight defeat in triple overtime by rallying for a 129-119 victory Friday night.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points and 16 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews added 16 points as Portland (21-6) extended its winning streak to four games. Lillard scored the first nine points in the third overtime.
Tim Duncan had 32 points and 10 rebounds, and Danny Green added 27 points for San Antonio.
The Spurs dropped their two previous home games by a combined three points, including a 117-116 loss in triple overtime to Memphis on Wednesday.
It was the first time a team has played consecutive triple-overtime games since the Baltimore Bullets did so in December 1951.
Cavaliers 95, Nets 91
leBron James scored 22 points and Mike Miller, making his first start of the season, added 21 on seven 3-pointers to lead Cleveland over Brooklyn.
Mike Conley led Memphis with 21 points. Beno Udrih had 15 before leaving with a hand injury in the fourth quarter.
The Grizzlies shot 39 percent.
Nuggets 109, Clippers 106 wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari hit successive 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter, and Denver regrouped after blowing a 16-point halftime lead to beat Los Angeles.
Nate Robinson scored 20 points off the bench to lead the Nuggets, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Blake Griffin had his second 30-point performance in a row, finishing with 32 for the Clippers, who have dropped their last three games on the road.
Jamal Crawford added 20 points and Chris Paul had 17 points and 15 assists.
Chandler and Gallinari hit back-to-back 3s for a 10598 lead with 2:02 left.
Los Angeles got off three desperate shots from 3-point range in the final seconds, but they all missed.
Wizards 105, Heat 103
Newly-promoted Cordoba had not visited the Nou Camp for 42 years and the signs were ominous when Pedro - fresh from scoring a midweek Copa Del Rey hat-trick - netted the opener.
Barca could not add to their tal-
Madrid, who face Argentine side San Lorenzo in the Club World Cup final later on Saturday, meet Sevilla on 4 February in their rearranged fixture. (BBC Sport)
James, who moved into 23rd place on the career scoring list, scored eight points in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers bounced back from their biggest loss of the season Wednesday against Atlanta.
Joe Johnson led the Nets with 26 points. Brooklyn guard Deron Williams limped off the court in the second quarter with a strained right calf and didn’t return.
Brooklyn cut an eightpoint lead to 94-91 on Johnson’s 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining. The Cavaliers committed a turnover, but Kevin Garnett missed a contested 3-pointer and James split two free throws with 1.3 seconds left.
Bulls 103, Grizzlies 97
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points, Nikola Mirotic added a season-best 27 and Chicago snapped Memphis’ six-game winning streak.
Butler went 11 of 21 from the field and Mirotic connected on all six of his shots beyond the arc, setting a season standard for 3-pointers. Aaron Brooks scored 17 points and Joakim Noah finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Butler also had 10 rebounds as the Bulls outrebounded the Grizzlies 51-45.
John Wall had 20 points and 10 assists, Nene scored 20 off the bench and Washington rallied to beat Miami.
Bradley Beal had 16 points and Paul Pierce added 14 for the Wizards, who won their sixth straight.
Dwyane Wade finished with 28 points for Miami, which dropped its fifth consecutive home game and is 4-9 on its own floor this season. Luol Deng scored 19 and Mario Chalmers had 14 for the Heat.
Miami had a shot to tie the game with 11 seconds left, but Beal intercepted a pass by Wade and made two free throws to clinch the win. Wade hit a 3-pointer as time expired.
Raptors 110, Pistons 100
Jonas Valanciunas scored 17 points to lead a balanced offense as Toronto handed Detroit its 12th straight home loss.
Brandon Jennings scored 22 points to lead the Pistons, who extended their singleseason franchise record for consecutive home defeats.
Kyle Lowry and Lou Williams had 15 points each, James Johnson scored 12, and Patrick Patterson and Terrence Ross added 11 each for the Raptors (The Blade)
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Fiery Johnson knocks India out
Australian resilience was writ large across a four-wicket victory over India that will look a little fortunate in the scorebook without reference to the dressing-room scenes on day one, when India seemed set fair for a mighty first innings and Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were all either lost to injury or weakened by fatigue.
Hazlewood’s recovery from full-body cramps to prise out India on the second morning set-up the match, and the combined efforts of the new captain Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers, Starc and Nathan Lyon ultimately allowed the hosts to overwhelm India by a greater margin than the first Test in Adelaide. For Smith it was a significant triumph, emerging victorious after a first day he described among the toughest he had ever endured, as either player or captain.
of the bat to gully. Left with 128 to chase down in a little more than a day and a session, Australia endured an early hiccup when David Warner was struck a sharp blow on the thumb in Umesh Yadav’s first over. Warner struggled visibly to bat thereafter until he edged Ishant Sharma behind, though closer inspection in the dressing room suggested no fracture had been sustained. Nonetheless it demonstrated how difficult batting had become, and another 50 runs may have been enough for India.
the cordon the target was in sight.
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MS Dhoni’s men were adequately placed to fight their corner when day four began, but they crumbled in the face of concerted pace and pressure from Johnson on a pitch that had begun to deteriorate. Only Shikhar Dhawan, who did not walk out to bat at 10am because he had been struck on the wrist in the practice nets, offered any sustained resistance, and his dismissal lbw to Lyon after lunch heralded a swift end to India’s innings. They had never recovered from Johnson’s burst in the morning session.
In the space of a single spell he prompted Kohli to drag onto the stumps, bounced out Ajinkya Rahane and coaxed an edge behind from Rohit Sharma. When Hazlewood chimed in to pin Dhoni lbw, India had lost 4 for 11 and any semblance of control over the game. R Ashwin endured for a time but was given out caught behind off Starc, when the ball may have brushed thigh rather than bat, and Cheteshwar Pujara’s stubborn innings was ended by a sharp lifter from Hazlewood that looped off the shoulder
Shane Watson skied an attempted hook at Ishant to be out for a duck, but an uncertain 2 for 25 at tea was added to quickly on resumption by a busy and businesslike Rogers, who knew from years of opening that such fourth-innings chases are best treated with decisive strokes to quickly tip the scoreboard in favour of the pursuers. A rattling 55 left Smith in the shade during their stand of 63, and when Rogers sliced Ishant into
A late flurry of wickets, including Smith’s runout and Brad Haddin being bounced out for the second time in the match, left a few questions hanging in the air, not least the cost of Smith being dropped badly by Kohli at slip when Australia were not yet halfway there. The taking of that catch may have addled minds that have quickly become accustomed to seeing Smith play a dominant hand in proceedings for his team. But it went down, maintaining an India display that had, since that first day, been rather listless.
Subdued is a word that can have been used for Johnson in this series until day three, but he had been roused to life with the bat by an uncertain match situation and some Indian goading. He followed that up with his best bowling of the series on the fourth morning, cramping and defeating Kohli before finding sharp enough bounce to confound Rahane and Rohit. (Cricinfo)
61-4, JR Hazlewood 16-0-74-2, MA Starc 8-1-27-2, SR Watson 13-6-27-0, NM Lyon 10-1-33-2 Australia 2nd innings (target: 128 runs)
Jason Holder has replaced Dwayne Bravo as West Indies' ODI captain and will lead the team in the five-match ODI series against South Africa, which starts from January 16, 2015.
Bravo, who had replaced Darren Sammy as the ODI captain in May 2013, has also been left out of the squad for the South Africa one-dayers but is a part of the T20 side. Bravo led West Indies to victory in 12 of the 27 games since May last year.
Apart from Dwayne Bravo's exclusion, the West Indies ODI squad has a number of changes compared to the side that toured India. Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard have been left out for the ODIs but are in the T20 squad. Offspinner Sunil Narine, who was withdrawn from the India series after being banned during the Champions League T20 due to a suspect action, does not feature in either squad.
According to a WICB release,the recommendation to replace Bravo with Holder had been made by the Clive Lloyd-led selection panel and was approved by the board of directors. Lloyd said Holder's appoint-
ment had been made with an eye on the future. Holder made his ODI debut against Australia in February 2013 and has played 21 games taking 29 wickets at an average of 28.65.
“Jason is one of the good, young players who we believe will form part of the long-term future of West Indies Cricket," Lloyd said. "We expect him to be around for a very long time. He is a young man with a very bright future. We have invested in him. He was part of High Performance Centre and he also played for the West Indies Under-19 Team
and the West Indies A Team.
"He has played ODIs for the West Indies before and has done well. We know he will continue to grow and demonstrate leadership. He has a very good cricketing brain and has the makings of a very good leader.
"The selectors decided that now is the time to make the transition and Jason will have people around him to help and guide him. Some might say it's close to the time of next year's ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but we know that we have a good One-Day team which
can do very well."
Jonathan Carter received a maiden overseas tour callup for the ODIS, while batsman Narsingh Deonarine was picked following good performances recently, including two successive firstclass hundreds for Guyana in the Professional Cricket League.
The ODI side has only one specialist spinner in Sulieman Benn, with Jerome Taylor, Sheldon Cottrell and Holder leading the pace attack. Kemar Roach had earlier been identified for selection but following his injury in the Centurion Test, the West Indies selectors have decided to name a replacement for him at a later date.
Offspinner Ashley Nurse, who last played an international game in June 2011, was selected for the T20s . Krishmar Santokie and legspinner Samuel Badree were ruled out due to injuries while Chris Gayle's availability for the limited-overs games is subject to a fitness test. The three-match T20 series starts on January 9. (Cricinfo)
Injured Badree out of Big Bash
West Indies legspinner Samuel Badree has been ruled out of the Big Bash League due to an issue with his shoulder, for which he will undergo surgery. Badree was set to turn out for Brisbane Heat in the Australian Twenty20 league, which begins on Thursday.
“It is very unfortunate for Samuel, who was looking forward to playing in the BBL with us and would have been an exciting player to watch for our fans. We wish him a speedy and successful recovery,” Heat general manager Andrew Blucher said.
Badree’s injury means former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff and New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori will be
the Heat’s only two international signings this year. Flintoff, in Badree’s absence, will play the entire BBL season; he was initially set to play only the latter half, as the BBL rules allow each team only two international players at a time. Heat coach Stuart Law said he will look to play Flintoff as much as possible. “It is a pretty clear case that we need a new-ball option, which we thought we had with Samuel,” Law told News Corp. “We are definitely now looking at Fred [Flintoff] playing in as many games as we can. The chances are he will now play 90% of our games, if not all of them. I would say he will play in our opening game, he is certainly fit and ready to play.” (Cricinfo)
Fund raising football set for Linden tonight
Top football club
Slingerz of West Demerara will invade Linden for a date against Linden’s Milerock tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground as part of a triple header for the on-going Modernisation Committee’s fundraising drive.
Former national club champions Milerock, will be played following an under-19 encounter between the best Linden under-19 players from the East and West as well as a grudge game between Linden’s Masters and their Georgetown counterparts.
The Slingerz side will have among their lineup two of Linden born players in
Clive ‘Clivo’ DeNobrega and Deon Charter along high caliber players such as forwards Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and Devon Millington who have represented this country at the senior level. Rondel Hudson and their captain Tishard Joseph are also expected to play.
Milerock will see this game as a warm up for their Boxing Night game in the Upper Demerara Football Association / GT Beer Christmas championship.
Meanwhile the Georgetown Veterans are likely to include Frank ‘English’ Parris, former nationals Chris Barnwell, Mikey Layne, Terrence ‘Old Head’ Lewis, Natty
Wiltshire, Lloyd Smith, Gavin Gibbons and Rawle Overseas’ Jones. Linden Masters shall come from among others former national striker Bryan Joseph, Abdulla Hamid, Troy ‘Powers’ Easton, John Wayne Milo, Richard Haynes, Ashton Angel Jr, Sheldron Noel, Mark Williams, Clint Easton and Rawle Adams in goal.
The night’s fundraiser starts at 18:00h between the junior sides from the east and West of Linden and the second brings together Georgetown and Linden Masters and at 20:00h while 21:30h is expected to be the big clash between Slingerz and Milerock.
Alpha United through to knockout stage
Alpha United topped the Guyana Police Force to make their way into the knockout stages of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup on Friday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.
Daniel Wilson opened the scoring for Alpha with a brilliant goal in the 10th minute that produced jubilation to most of the supporters.
Foreign player Manuel Vargas was red carded in the 20th minute and despite the one man disadvantage Alpha
United was too strong for the Police men as Dwight Peters would ensure Alpha of the victory with a goal in the 65th minute.
Meanwhile in the opening matchup of the night, Black Water FC edged Northern Rangers 3-2 with goals from Angus Brabes, Stephon Christopher and Jermin Beckles in the 20th, 47th and 52nd minutes respectively.
Scoring for the losers were Shawn McCalman and Gregory Jones in the 10th and 58th minutes respectively.
Dwight Peters
Jason Holder congratulated by team-mates after he received his cap on the occasion of his ODI debut against Australia at the WACA Ground, Perth
Samuel Badree
Deonarine replaces Fudadin in Test squad
In-form Guyana lefthander Narsingh
Deonarine has been named to replace fellow countryman Assad Fudadin on the West Indies tour of South Africa.
Fudadin, also a lefthander, fractured a finger during warm-ups on the opening day of the first Test at Centurion last
The Centurion pitch, which had behaved impeccably on the first three days, was by now standing in Steyn’s corner. And so it went on. The captain, Denesh Ramdin, lasted two balls. He pushed blindly at the first and gained a boundary through point that he knew he did not deserve.
Steyn responded with a short one, as if offended, and as the ball flew off the shoulder of the bat, de Villiers sprung in front of Amla at first slip to take the catch. When Steyn is in this mood, expectation makes men giants in the close-catching cordon.
The overs at the other end, whether propelled by Vernon Philander or Morne Morkel, had merely seemed back-up entertainment while Steyn rested. It felt like an error in the programme when Steyn went an over without a wicket, even more so when Morkel intervened, jagging one back at Jermaine Blackwood. His bottom hand flew off the handle - the West Indies looked spooked - and from the released glove the
substitute, Temba Bavuma, took a good catch at short leg.
With Kemar Roach not batting, South Africa only needed two more wickets. That they would be taken quickly was never in doubt. Steyn’s fifth was a regulation catch at first slip; his sixth another leading edge - Jerome Taylor and Sheldon Cottrell two tail-enders out of their depth. Somewhere amid the final throes, Sulieman Benn managed a faint riposte by whacking Morkel through midwicket. But the presentation platform was hauled out with lunch still 70 minutes away. West Indies had been dismissed twice in four sessions.
In Brisbane, a proper Test series was enthralling crowds, India ultimately overpowered at The Gabba. Elsewhere in Australia, the Big Bash was providing more instant gratification.
In South Africa, the No 1 Test side felt itself all-powerful as an emphatic victory was completed. It no doubt felt gratifying. (Cricinfo)
Narsingh Deonarine
Wednesday and was ruled out of the series. He was forced to undergo surgery that same day.
Deonarine has been rewarded for his good form in the early rounds of the WICB Professional Cricket League where he has compiled 306 runs at an average of 61, with two centuries.
The 31-year-old last played for West Indies a year ago on the dismal tour of New Zealand when West Indies lost heavily.
Overall, he has played 18 Tests at an average of nearly 26, with five halfcenturies. He has been in good form recently in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional League Four-
day Tournament with scores of 139 and 110 not out.
Deonarine will depart the Caribbean as soon as his UK in-transit visa is processed.
Ironically, Fudadin was a replacement for Darren Bravo, who pulled out of the tour because of personal reasons. (Jamaica
Dale Steyn had bided his time while South Africa built a position of supremacy against West Indies, but when he stirred the effect was lethal. West Indies were blown away within 15.3 overs, their last seven wickets falling for 55 runs. It was a feeding frenzy and Steyn was the central figure, licking his lips over a morning spell of six for 31 in seven overs.
What ails West Indies? Are the Caribbean islands so locked into an instant world that they no longer have the wherewithal to play Test cricket? A Test between the sides ranked No 1 and 8 in the world always had the potential for a mismatch, and South Africa’s victory by an innings and 220 runs - a win achieved by playing efficient but by no means unstoppable cricket - illustrated just as much.
Steyn had not taken a wicket in the first innings; he groused at a niggle or
two when South Africa imposed the follow-on and left the field for most of the third evening, only bowling five deliveries. But South Africa were blasé
about talk of injury. A good night’s rest sustained him. He beat Leon Johnson’s outside edge with the last ball of his first over, had him caught at the wicket
with a rising delivery at the start of his third over and from that point restated his reputation as one of the finest fast bowlers in the his-
tory of the game. Steyn against Chanderpaul promised a contest. Chanderpaul squeezed a boundary through third slip and gully, squared up in the stroke. The crab sensed the tide was rushing out. Steyn banged one in short and Chanderpaul stooped into a ball that did not rise as much as he anticipated. AB de Villiers, deputising behind the stumps for the injured Quinton de Kock, who is out for the rest of the series, completed an easy catch. Steyn was now all malevolence.
Even with only four wickets down, the suspicion was that the Test might be over with indecent haste. Steyn’s removal of Marlon Samuels in his next over was even nastier. Samuels’ intention was to work him to the leg side but the ball bounced more from a good length and as Samuels flinched back the ball arced gently off a leading edge to cover.
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M Morkel 11.1-1-432, VD Philander 7-4-6-1, KJ Abbott 3-0-11-0, S van Zyl 10-2-22-0, D Elgar 3-0-12-0
Pitbulls retain title behind Stephney’s show
Nment concluded on Saturday evening
Sinking two free throws before dicing his defenders with his crossovers for an easy lay in with less than 45s to go, Stephney helped the Pitbulls with his offensive process to secure a 17-15 win against the Pacesetters A.
The team of Stephney, Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai, Ryan Gullen and Jermaine Slater were down by six points mid way through the game before Stephney took over especially with his isolation plays or in pick and roll situations where he was the ball handler.
More times than not, Stephney found his way to rim that resulted in free throws that were netted each time in spite of the heckling from the fans.
Kanhai was a force as he too drew a number of fouls that put the Pacesetters into foul touble which caused them the game.
Stephney ended with a game high 11 points in the final for an MVP like performance.
“We have great chemistry, we been together for a long time and since last year we air marked this, so we came and got it,” Stephney stated after the game.
Meanwhile Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamal Douglas was pleased with the tournament, “It was a really great tournament, a really great final and we are pleased with what we have see, next year we are going to come bigger,” Douglas noted. The Pitbulls are now $500,000 richer and will aim three-peat when the tournament rolls around in 2015.
Alviro Petersen of South Africa takes a catch to dismiss Kraigg Braithwaite of West Indies off Morne Morkel's bowling during day 3 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)
By TreisTon Joseph
ational point guard, Ryan Stephney was in full beast mode, leading the Pitbulls
to their second consecutive Mackeson 3-on-3 basketball title and the first “King of the Rim” title when the Mackeson “King of the Rim” 3-on-3 basketball tourna-
at California Square.
Mackeson “King of the Rim” basketball tournament...
Akeem Kanhai goes for a lay-up
The successful Pitbulls team (red vests) pose with teammates and coach from Ravens Basketball Club
