Govt fails to handle economic downturn – former Minister
catastrophic consequences for rice if Govt disengages farmers – Dr Ramsammy Family wants justice after daughter’s death
SunDAY, october 4, 2015 | guYAnAtimeSgY.com
Health Ministry, Save Abee Foundation host medical outreach
The Ministry of Health and the Save Abee Foundation on Saturday partnered with the Jesus Loves Ministry to host a medical outreach in the Agricola-Mc Doom, area. The activity was held at the Jesus Loves Ministry church on the Mc Doom Public Road and commenced from 10:00h.
The outreach saw in excess of 60 persons benefitting from general medical check-ups as well as psychiatric therapy and counselling. Medication was supplied by the Save Abee Foundation and consultations were held by over 20 young doctors who volunteered their services.
Project Coordinator Dr Jason Ramcharran stated the outreach was a way to give back to community, and he is hoping to make it an annual event: “Basically, the aim of this medical outreach was to reach out and give back to the communities of Mc Doom and Agricola. We’ve recently
graduated as doctors and we now have the skills and the capacity to render our services to our communities… this was an opportunity that we had to take advantage of.
We collaborated with the church and the Ministry of Health which supported us and approved the initiative. So far it has been a great success; people have been coming out and getting tests done, as well as receive treatment. They’re also receiving counselling and advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Today we noticed that a lot of persons that came out had fungal infections on their hands and feet, which is a result of bad hygiene and sanitation practices so we have equipped them with the knowledge on how to treat and avoid these sorts of infections.
We’ve been working pretty quickly; as soon as the patients come in, we get them registered and over to triage.”
He revealed that their
future i plans will include dental checkups as well as blood drives: “We are aiming to reach out to more people and to deliver efficient and quality service to them.”
Pastor Lynette Rambarran explained that her church collaborated with the other parties to undertake the initiative as a means of reaching to the underserved communities so that they could approach the physical and social problems the communities face:
“We will not only hold these outreaches in Agricola but we will be moving to
other communities such as Mahaica Creek and St Cuthbert’s Mission. The larger aim is to let the community know that the church is very concerned about issues in their lives. We have a lot of people facing suicide and abuse issues, so we have social workers here to work with them as they come in.”
Judith Green Jackson, a resident of Agricola, expressed her appreciation for the outreach, stating that it has been the first outreach of that sort received by the community: “It’s good; it’s
Vandenburg who stated that such activities are his career goals: “I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time… the opportunity to share my services. We’re just helping people in any way possible. I’m looking forward to many more activities like this in the future. It’s not always about gaining, but also about giving back,” the young doctor stated.
nice to give back. We are thankful for Dr Ramcharran who organised the activity. I’ve learnt a little more on how to care for myself in terms of my health.”
Another patient, Yvonne Cadogan, explained that the community members are thankful for the initiative, saying: “We are grateful that doctors could come and work with people in the community and surrounding communities. I had my blood sugar and blood pressure tested, and I received some vitamins to help with my cold.”
Dr Steffi Beaton, one of the volunteers, stated that volunteering is one way she gives back to her country: “It’s something that I’ve always been passionate about. We used to have a volunteer group in Cuba and when I came back to Guyana, I started volunteering for medical outreaches with the Seventh Day Adventist Church.”
Her sentiments were shared by Dr Lester
Dr Jarelle Branford stated that community service is an important part of their career as doctors, “Our aim is to reach as many persons as possible... Just to give them a general check-up as well as medication. Many persons are already enrolled at the local health centre but we are trying to raise the quality of healthcare being offered in Guyana, so through this outreach we are trying to enforce it a bit more.”
Dr Philicia Findlay explained that it was her objective to work with patients in order to help them to live longer, and healthier lives.
“It’s really a blessing to be a part of the healthcare system. The more lives you touch, the bigger the impact. In the hospital, you are pressed for time so at least today we have the opportunity to touch health lives… We can work with patients who took time off to come and listen to our advice. We can talk to them as long as necessary and advise them,” she posited.
Two arrested for Crane WCD multimilliondollar robbery
Following investigations into a multimillion-dollar robbery committed on a businessman at Crane, West Coast Demerara, the police went to a house in Kitty on Friday which led to the arrest of two persons and recovery of a portion of the money.
Based on information, the Police received reports of the robbery where the perpetrators escaped with
$2.7 million. As they conducted their investigations, Police went to the house in Kitty, Georgetown where $1.2 million suspected to be from the heist were recovered. At the time, a man and woman were arrested and taken into Police custody. The duo have are assisting with investigations and is expected to be charged shortly.
The doctors who volunteered services at the medical outreach
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
October 4 – 10:00h-11:30h and Monday, October 5 – 11:30h-13:00h.
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, October 4 – 09:10h-10:40h and Monday, October 5 – 10:35h-12:05h.
Long overdue Family Court opening...
Finishing touches being done to revised laws – Chancellor
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh, has stated that final touches are being made to the revised Rules of Law that will be used to govern the practices and procedures of the much anticipated Family Court.
Speaking to Guyana Times on Saturday, Justice Singh said that currently, a panel comprising of five High Court Judges are tasked with reviewing and putting “finishing touches” to the revised laws. “They are nearing the end of this process… so I figured they will be finished and the revised laws will be ready,” he indicated.
The Chancellor explained that when the laws are completed then it will be handed over to the Attorney General for him to present to the National Assembly for approval. Asked whether the documents will be ready for the resumption of the 11th Parliament, which is currently in recess, Justice Singh said he cannot say definitively at this time.
At one of the familiarisation training sessions held recently in June, the Chancellor had stated that the Family Court has faced many challenges, hence the delay in its opening. Nevertheless, Justice Singh had stated that a full complement of staff was already identified. He noted too that the court will have a separate Registry to facilitate its needs.
Only recently, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams had indicated that the operationalisation of the Family Court will soon come into fruition.
In preparation for the operation of the Family Court, several training sessions were held. Training was done with the staff at the
Registry and another session was held with members of the Bar. The Judges too underwent training.
The Judicial Service
Judges have already taken up offices at the new building, which is located in the compound of the High Court in Georgetown.
It has been almost five years since the Family Court building was completed and handed over to Government. Works were ongoing for about seven years to have the Family Court established.
The new facility will be handling cases of custody, maintenance, neglect of children, domestic violence and juvenile matters. The upper flat of the building will accommodate the courtrooms, the Judges’ chambers, and a children waiting facility, while the lower flat will be
mostly sought by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA).
Commission (JSC), of which Justice Singh is the Chairman, has appointed two more female Judges – former Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions JoAnn Barlow.
The two new Judges were placed at the High Court while two existing High Court judges, Justice Sandra Kurtzious and Justice Dawn Gregory are slated to preside over the Family Court. These two
the Family Court’s Registry.
In 2010, then Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand said the establishment of such a court was prompted by observations that Guyanese family units are affected by societal demoralisation. It is expected that the services of the Family Court would be
The court was established to address problems arising from the dysfunction of the family unit, and to give special attention to child rights issues. It will handle issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship, and custody.
Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh
Attorney General Basil Williams
The Family Court building in the Supreme Court compound
Sunday Editor: Michael Younge
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Recalcitrant colonial mentality
The irony could not have been more pronounced when, announcing that his country would assist in constructing a prison for Jamaicans who had committed crimes in Britain and were to be deported to the island, British Prime Minister David Cameron bluntly informed a joint sitting of the Jamaican Parliament that his government rejected reparations for slavery. Caricom, as a group, has made a commitment to securing reparations for the crimes against humanity that constituted the pernicious institution of slavery.
The Jamaicans being deported, were convicted of crimes in a society, similar to the United States, where the police are not representative of the population - especially when it came to "coloured" minorities such as people from the Caribbean. As in the US also, the prison population in Britain is disproportionately stocked by these minorities, which is not a matter of coincidence. These individuals would be returned across the Atlantic into a regimented, overt prison system in which they will have very little autonomy as human beings.
And the irony is that when millions of Africans were shipped across the Atlantic between the 17th and early 19th century, they were placed into an institution where they they were not even recognised as human beings. They were defined as "chattel" - being property that the owner - among whom were some ancestors of Cameron, could do whatever they wanted to - including talking their lives. The genocide that the British inflicted on these slaves was even more cruel than that of any other group.
Those that died during the crossing of the Atlantic were the lucky ones: the others died on the plantations after labour and punishment so severe that new slaves had to be shipped in continuously to pick up their fallen cutlasses. At the end of slavery, there was one-hundredth of the number of slaves that there should have been if they had been treated even as badly as the British poorer classes of the time.
Yet it was the slave owners who received "compensation" for their human "investment" that they had "lost". Cameron said that the descendants of the slaves and Britain were now "friends", who should now look to the "future". But that is the whole point of the demand for reparations. What kind of future can there be for the descendants of slaves when their culture was stripped from them, an education was imparted that still insists that they are still not on par with other races, and their countries were, in the words of Walter Rodney, so severely "underdeveloped" that not all the aid with strings can make them whole.
As is usual with the British, Cameron tried to drag a red herring across their sordid history on slavery, about them "abolishing" slavery as if it was a "humanitarian" gesture for which the Caribbean should sing hosannas. Our own Eric Williams, who who copped a first at Oxford and went on to a PhD unlike Cameron, showed in his "Capitalism and Slavery" that Britain's motives for ending slavery were to have its cake and eat it too. They could now trumpet the kingdom of "free trade" that would allow them to ship the manufactured goods to other countries and even import cheaper sugar form countries that still had slave labour. The mercantilist triangular trade system undergirding slavery had been outgrown.
By asking for the Caribbean to "look to the future", Cameron evoked the old riposte to those who insist that "we are all equal nowadays": it is akin to breaking the legs of a person and then telling them they have an equal chance of willing the race. We all know that such a problem is a cruel hoax at best because it shifts the burden to the personal level and ignores the structural conditions that have the present generations of peoples of African Origin in the Caribbean still shackled, to a large extent.
Under the shade!
GECOM and the 2015 Election: a case for forensic audit
Dear Editor,
Article 162 of the Constitution confers upon the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) the following functional responsibilities:
162 (1) (a) “…exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly”; and
(b) “… issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid”.
On or about May 14, 2015, the Chief Elections Officer at a press conference disclosed that fake Statements of Poll entered the system at GECOM. When asked how many, he said “many”. Indeed, he disclosed that it goes against “his conscience” to disclose the results in his possession, inter alia, for the following reasons:
(a) variances in the data contained in the Statements of Poll within his and those in the possession of the Returning Officers of the respective Electoral Districts;
(b) the number of votes cast as recorded on some of the Statements of Poll in his possession far exceeded the number of electors on the official list of electors for the corresponding divisions;
(c) some of the Statements of Poll in his possession differed materially from those officially issued by GECOM.
These are not information emanating from the PPP but are crucial admis-
sions made by the Chief Elections Officer himself, indicting GECOM and the process employed by GECOM. The matter is compounded by the fact that requests for recounts of ballots before the final results were tabulated, a statutory facility available to political parties who contested the elections, were refused by Returning Officers who have no power and discretion to do so. The requests were refused notwithstanding, in Region Eight, for example, the difference between the votes cast in favour of APNU+AFC and PPP/C was a singular ballot and in that region alone, there were a number of rejected ballots. In this matrix, one cannot discount the fact that the total number of rejected ballots and the difference between the votes cast in favour of the APNU+AFC and PPP/C was marginal. All of these are statistical data from GECOM. Significantly, a report produced by the IT Department at GECOM and circulated to the Commissioners was hastily recalled. Its content was damaging to the integrity of the electoral process. It was never seen again.
Notwithstanding all the above, the Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission continues to maintain that the electoral process was credible and fair. Of course, the imprimatur which it received from the observer missions and the diplomatic community is usually invoked to corroborate the integrity of the process. Unfortunately, the reality is that nearly half of the electorate, whether rightfully or wrongfully, does not share this view. In any electoral system and process it is the electorate who is the most important stakeholder and it is only as credible
as its most important stakeholder perceives to be.
Last week the Chairman announced that no investigation will be launched by GECOM into how fake Statements of Poll entered the GECOM machinery. GECOM is a public authority, indeed, a constitutional commission, invested with fundamental responsibilities and it is constitutionally enjoined to ensure that its processes are impartial and fair. The Chief Elections Officer has publicly admitted that fake Statements of Poll penetrated the system and yet the Chairman of the Commission is refusing to hold an investigation; the very Chairman who insists that the electoral processes were credible and fair. One would expect if he is confident in the integrity of the process, he would welcome scrutiny from every quarter and would encourage an investigation into any matter which would tend to impugn this integrity.
Even in the Elections Petition which has been filed, the same approach is being adopted. I filed a Summons seeking the following:
(i) an Order directing the Chief Elections Officer to produce the parcels of all election papers and documents including those he received from the Returning Officer of each electoral division including but not limited to the following:-
(a) all electoral lists containing the names of the persons entitled to vote at the said polling division;
(b) all issued ballots;
(c) all unused ballots;
(d) all the votes cast by electors at each polling division;
(e) all statements of poll issued at the said polling division;
(f) all certificates of counting issued in respect to the votes cast at each and every polling division;
(g) all poll books used at each and every polling division.
(ii) that an Order be made allowing for the examination and inspection of the election papers and documents set out in Paragraph (i) and to take copies of the said election papers and documents.
These are all public documents in the custody of GECOM. In the interest of transparency and fairness, they should be made available. Instead, from all indications, GECOM is resisting this application in the Court and is refusing to make available these documents for scrutiny. This type of conduct continues to compound the suspicion which surrounds the 2015 General and Regional Elections. GECOM seems bent on exacerbating it. Transparency International and like organizations, are stunningly silent on this matter. I am not surprised. I was always suspicious of their agendas. TI’s leaders are in bed with those who benefitted from the irregularities at GECOM. Today, they are consultants and auditors earning millions under the government. In Guyana, forensic audits are now trending. There is no process more deserving of a forensic audit than the 2015 electoral process and its results. It may be the only way to remove the dark cloud of suspicion which hovers over them and to restore public confidence in GECOM, which is so vital for the future.
By: Mohabir Anil Nandlall Attorney-at-Law
These two youngsters were relaxing under the soothing shade of a tree in the beautiful St Cuthbert Mission during recently held heritage day celebrations. (Marceano Narine photo)
Investigate the new Region 9 REO’s conduct in office
Dear Editor, I write with deep concern on behalf of the residents of Region Nine (Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo) pertaining to the state and current affairs of the Regional Administration which is headed by Carl Anthony Parker in his capacity as the Regional Executive Officer/ Regional Accounting Officer of Region 9.
No longer should the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of the regional administration be swept under the carpet. It's now timely that someone bells the cat!
Editor, as I pen this letter the previous Regional Tender Board had come to an end on September 30, 2015 thus paving the way for new members to be appointed by the National Board of Procurement and Tender Administration (NBPTA).
Howerver, Leonard Zammet of Culvert City and Arlene Mc Donald of Parishara Village were introduced as members of the Regional Tender Board.
Were these persons appointed and approved by NBPTA and why no RDC representative is not on the NBPTA despite the Regional Chairman had submitted the names of two regional councillors of the RDC.
On September 4, 2015 to date, no bid evaluation was done because of the absence of approved and appointed evaluators by NBPTA. Why is the Procurement Act not being adhered to? The delay in awards will hamper the execution of the region's work programmes since the Ministry of Finance has a
deadline of December 15 for all accounts to be submitted and closed.
Is the Regional Administration preparing for roll over projects and will approvals be given? An investigation should be carried out. Is this transparency?
Editor, at the end of September 2015 an Accounts Clerk, a District Development Officer and a Heavy Duty Vehicle Driver services were terminated.
As it relates to the nonrenewal of contract for the Accounts Clerk, there was no proper explanation as it relates to the nonrenewal of his contract.
The employee was only thanked for his services rendered. Is it because of the employee's affiliation with the PPP through the PYO? Likewise the DDO contract was not renewed.
The DDO was accused of damaging an ATV in South Pakaraimas which was used to conduct the just concluded Toshaos election. Due this accusation the DDO’s gratuity was withheld to date.
The Heavy Duty Vehicle Driver was dismissed from the Public Service with immediate effect of October 01, 2015 and letter dated September 30, 2015, and the letter signed by the Regional Executive Officer stated that after an investigation which occurred on September 02, in Georgetown revealed that the employee had breached rules #8, 27 & 38 as detailed in the Table of Offence & Penalties in Appendix G11 of the Public Service Rules 2004.
However, the employee refuted that he breached the
Public Service Rules. In response to the REO the employee outlined what had transpired. He stated that the REO saw him in the company of a female of Karasabai while in Georgetown. The employee related that the REO became annoyed, abusive and abandoned him in Georgetown. In his conclusion, the employee stated that he is of the view that the REO is very vindictive.
Editor, how can a personal matter breach the Public Service Rules, is this professional?
I call for a thorough investigation to be conducted by the Ministry of Public Service/Public Service Commission as it relates to the above matters.
In conclusion, I fully support, endorse and subscribe to the letter written in the Guyana Times dated 01.10.2015 and signed by a concerned staff of the Ministry of Finance as it relates to the "NEW REO's WORKING OUTSIDE PUBLIC SERVICE RULES'"
Editor, this is exactly what is transpiring in Region 9 despite the boast of competence, intelligence and experience by the Minister of Communities on the appointment of qualified Accounting Officers who should be deemed as professionals and not politicians.
I stand committed to represent the causes of my region.
Regards, Alister S Charlie Member of Parliament Region 9
Can’t Hamilton Green control his Councillors?
Dear Editor,
City Hall seems to have a huge void when it comes to having capable, knowledgeable and experienced administrative officers. Just a few days ago, I was at the Council’s Finance Department, where there was quite a crowd of citizens wishing to benefit from the amnesty being offered on interest accrued on outstanding property taxes.
Expecting to see a well organised system in place to collect these outstanding taxes as it was the very Council who declared this amnesty offer so the crowd should have been no surprise to them, I was instead confronted with a most chaotic scene with very long lines, citizens being attended to by clerks who obviously knew very little or nothing at all about what they were doing; and with management and supervisory staff being invisible. To compound this already disorderly situation, was the presence of an obese and boisterous man who kept barking orders to the staff
and who continually insulted them. Quite shocking I am told that this person was not a senior officer but rather a mere Councillor with no authority to be interacting with staff.
This obviously embarrassed and even intimidated
the clerks who became even more inept as they started scampering all over the place in fear.
Can’t Hamilton Green control his Councillors?
Sean Moniz
sean_moniz@aol.com
Legitimate, honest contractors feeling the squeeze
Dear Editor, Charles Sohan in his letter in the Stabroek News on September 29 sought to challenge Minister Harmon’s statement on the problem of construction cost of the Kato Primary School in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The contract was originally awarded to the contractor in 2013 for $780 million but has already cost approximately $1 billion with no end in sight.
Minister Harmon expressed the opinion that some contractors were deliberately under bidding Government contracts to win them only to return later with lame excuses for contract cost increases. This causes bona fide contractors to lose out on Government contracts. This practice that Harmon is talking about is well known among the contractors and it is a fact that many of them engage in it and so far have been getting away with this sort of corrupt practice.
Clearly, Minister Harmon is of the option that this is what is taking place in the case of the Kato Primary School contract. Sohan in challenging Minister Harmon focus on the problem of poor design which he blames for the variations during construction and it is this that is mainly responsible for severe cost overruns. But Sohan contradicts himself by contending that a keen contractor will see the opportunity for this in the bidding document and “therefore they low bid on listed items and jack up the cost for change orders” and at the end of the contract all of this is “designed to generate a profit”.
This is exactly what Minister Harmon is contending.
It is time that in many instances, there are change orders but for the change orders to force project costs to
move from $780 million to $1 billion and counting, obviously raises red flags. There is something definitely wrong when these change orders already create a 30 per cent increase in project costs and at the present rate of increase the final costs are likely to be mind boggling.
The fact of the matter is that this contract was first awarded at $690 million but at signing it mysteriously increased by $40 million. This was a sign of things to come.
Mr. Sohan wishes to close his eyes to the basic reality that in many cases during the previous Administration’s rule, you were operating in a completely corrupt environment which is the principal cause of the problem. An example of this is the Aremu Road Contract and the disaster of the fibre-optic cable project.
It is well known that the Ministry’s politicians and officials, contractors and consulting supervising personnel often collude and conspire in these areas for self enrichment. The question of poor design has very little to do with it. Rather, as Sohan himself explains, it is the contractor and others taking advantage supposedly of opportunities to “jack up cost” and to exploit the taxpaying public.
This situation repeated itself with regard to the construction of The Aquatic Centre and cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Very often, contractors who do not poses the requisite equipment, finical and human resources are awarded contracts which they are unable to fulfil. There have been numerous reports in the press of shoddy work in virtually all the regions and the buildings at the Radio Demerara site are total disasters. They cost the taxpayers a lot of money and give the Government and legitimate contractors a bad name. It is also true that the same bad
contractors and so called supervising consultants keep appearing and reappearing with regular frequency in many of the projects.
Something needs to be done urgently to put an end to this and it is a good thing that Minister Harmon is aware of the problem.
If anyone in the present Government can do something to rectify this lawlessness, it is Minister Harmon. The so-called consulting companies have to be straightened out in short order and be made to understand that a new Government is in place that will no longer tolerate skullduggery that characterised contract awards in the past in many cases.
The Government may wish to consider the establishment of the Office of the Inspector General for public works, bolstered by a strengthened inspection and monitoring of public infrastructure reinforced by a Auditor General charged with value for money auditing of the public works contractors. Sohan‘s idea that the Education Ministry should create a school construction division makes no sense. The Education Ministry is in the business of education. Engineers and auditors have to do engineering, inspection, monitoring and auditing the projects to make sure that the taxpayers are getting value for their money. Politicians, officials, contractors and so called consultants who collude and conspire to rip off the public and unjustly enrich themselves must also be exposed, blacklisted and forced to feel the full effects of the anticorruption drive. The problem Sohan, is not poor design but poor management of the greedy and corrupt.
Mr Harmon is right people.
Yours faithfully, Lindon Stephney
Page Foundation
Anu Dev
Change is inevitable, and not surprisingly, the idea of feminism has changed so much over the years. But somewhere along the way it seems to have morphed into something unrecognisable. 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 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 still beautiful at 80.
This thought flashed through my mind recently when I listened to one female speaker, interpreting (from an Eastern perspective) the right of a female to be treated equally, who still felt compelled to deny that she was a “feminist”. Although she was! Or at least the points she was making were. There can
“Feminism” Today
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.” – Cheris Kramarae
be many ways to make one’s point.
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 wears pantsuits and hates wearing makeup. Feminists aren’t deluded that only women are sexualised 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 career 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 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, if I’m told that 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 begin to stress how to better deal with the 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”.
It’ll be interesting to see where feminism is headed in the coming years.
Guyanese models shine in New York Fashion Week
Local modelling agency, Traits Model Management, more commonly known as “Traits”, took New York Fashion Week 2015 by storm when it presented four of Guyana’s young models at one of the world’s largest fashion events.
Those on display were Natasha Harper, Reesa Sooklall, Delesa Archer and Kimberly Sattaur. Natasha Harper, who is not new to the New York scene, walked for designer Korto Momolu,
el for Batista Collections, but she also graced the runway for “Czar” by designer Cesar Galindo, sharing the spotlight with Kimberly Sattaur, Malan Breton’s “Reflections of Sun Moon Lake” and NVII by Anne Bowen.
Archer was also featured in Vogue UK for Malan Breton’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection, as well as celebrity blog hollywoodlife.com for Anne Bowen, and even copped an interview with Cosmo Girl at the
Project Runway Season Five and Project Runway
All Stars Season Three runner up designer.
Natasha, who is still in New York is already booked to participate in New York’s Bridal International Fashion Week, set for the latter part of October.
Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2014, Reesa Sooklall and fellow Traits model Kimberly Sattaur showcased for Australian designer Mauricio Alpizar at his event titled “A Taste of Fashion”.
As Dominican Knitwear and Crochet Designer/Artist Milagros Batista presented her “Batista Collection,” her line-up of models included Traits’ break out model Delesa Archer.
Archer became the first Traits model to be signed to an agency in New York – AIM Model Management, owned by former America’s Next Top Model Judge Nole Marin.
Not only did Archer mod-
Anne Bowen show. She was also a part of Italian-born London-based designer, Isa Arfen’s installation.
With all the successes, the Guyanese model continues to shine as Archer was booked for the Kanye West “Yeezy Season 2” show, a last minute addition to the NYFW 2015 calendar.
“It was definitely a proud moment for Traits, and I would say Guyana as a whole, to have one of our girls taking part in such an exclusive and high profile fashion display,” Hugh George, Managing Director of Traits Model Management stated.
Apart from the runway, Traits also took the opportunity to again partner with Caribbean Airlines on their promotion #iflycaribbean during the West Indian Day Parade in New York. Reesa Sooklall and Kimberly Sattaur were Caribbean Airlines hummingbirds for this collaboration.
Decision to relocate Anna Regina roadside vendors “unfair”
... Anna Regina IMC must consult poor vendors, revisit decision – Francis Darchville
Former Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor and now Executive member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) Francis Darchville, has called on the Anna Regina Interim Management Committee (IMC) to revisit the decision it made to remove persons that are vending on the roadside within the town.
Darchville said the council needs to speak with the vendors and listen to their cries within the context of the current economic meltdown.
He said the vendors are complaining the Council wants to relocate them to a location that does not facilitate daily vending and this will ultimately decrease their earnings and affect their livelihoods.
“I see nothing wrong if people want to earn an honest living. I believe that they should be some compromise by the Town Council on the matter”, he told Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on Saturday.
The PPP Executive maintained that the Council was duty bound to launch an investigation into the matter with the aim of finding an amicable solution or it would be ridiculed for taking a decision that is discriminatory and unfair to the scores of poor vendors who will be affect-
ed.
Darchville further explained that when he was supporting the AFC the same chairman who is part
come to a decision to allow the vendors to sell on the road shoulders for another week after which the demolition process will start.
of the IMC, Mark Mc Lean, along with others, wanted to sell the market to a private individual and it was then he intervened. This resulted in now Vice President and Minister of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan filing an injunction to stop the decision. He said he cannot understand why suddenly the Council would have to take such s decision.
One more week
Meanwhile the Anna Regina IMC members have
This decision was made on Thursday at the Council’s statutory meeting for October.
According to Chairman of the IMC, Mark Mc Lean, the extra week was given to facilitate a registration process. He further explained after the registration process is completed then stalls will be allocated to those vendors at the Anna Regina Bushlot market as well as the Old Market.
Mc Lean noted there are sufficient vacant stalls available within the confines of the markets and vendors can sell in comfort. He continued to argue that roadside vending is illegal and the Anna Regina IMC will not tolerate it any longer.
“I can’t see people selling on the roadway impeding the traffic when we have comfortable stalls
within the market area, why break the bylaws when you can be in the market and vend” the Chairman said.
Meanwhile several vendors had protested the Council’s decision saying they do not want to move to the location the Council is proposing because the facility there does not facilitate daily vending. They described the move as “unfair” and “heartless” saying their livelihood depends on daily vending. The vendors who have been occupying the market road for many years said they are dissatisfied with the IMC’S decision to have them removed.
Several vendors explained they are doing an honest business and the Council should understand.
The vendors were issued notices last week by the Anna
Regina IMC to move. They have complained also about the behaviour of councillors towards vendors.
Vendors also said that most of the councillors installed in the new IMC are stall owners in the market. The same councillors who are stall owners are harassing vendors which is said to be a conflict of interest. The councillors are said to be occupying huge spots in the market. Vendors complained about persons from the Council harassing them.
Meanwhile Region Two Chairman Davanand Ramdatt who had also met with vendors and councillors of the IMC called on them to revisit their decision, as he believes a more amicable solution can be arrived at, once the Council is willing to cooperate with vendors.
A vendor protesting the IMC Council’s decision
The roadside vendors plying their trade
The cramped area where the vendors are to be relocated
Govt fails to handle economic downturn
– former Minister
By Alexis Rodney
There is so much the new David Grangerled A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC)
Government has to do in order to reform Guyana’s economy, which has taken a steep downturn following the May 11 General and Regional Elections.
This is according to former Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, who said that unless Government moves to newer and improved means of sprucing up the economy, the situation will not see any improvement.
According to him, “It is no secret that things have slowed down tremendously and investors are playing the waiting game. Unless there is clarity on the economic front, investors would not be positively inclined to spend. Even at the household level persons are holding on to cash as they themselves are insecure about the future”, Ali told this publication.
Ali said the secret to a booming economy could be found in the various regions.
“The question is what Government can do to stimulate the economy in the
Region, how can we mobilize private capital to create the opportunities to stimulate or examine alternatives”.
According to him, Regions Six (East Berbice Corentyne) has tremendous potential in becoming the logistic hub of the country. He said the deep water harbour and its connection with Lethem and Brazil is good for the economy.
“Where has this project gone? Why has the sting and excitement over this transformative investment in Region Six disappeared? Is this project on the backburner? Are we still pursuing this as a major platform for our transformative agenda” If so why are we not talking about it and promoting it. I hope this too is
not looked at as a PPP vision that would be shelved”.
He said while the initiative was conceptualized under the PPP/C, the question is whether or not it is good for Guyana.
Ali spoke too of the PPP/C’s conceptualization of a bridge across the Corentyne River. He said it is unclear whether the new Government is still continuing the project and if so, asked why isn’t it aggressively pursuing the supportive physical and institutional infrastructure?
“Here I am not only talking about the access road to the new proposed bridge site but also the changes in our legislative and tax system that would allow for the development of a free economic zone and transshipment point. The development of a modern agricultural, packaging and processing facility that would see quality organic products shipped to Europe. This is what would create the excitement and ignite investment in new opportunities outside of the traditional. Unfortunately we seem not focused on what is needed and where the opportunities exist”.
He said the development of a modern housing sector around the free economic zone would see tremendous
demand especially from Guyanese in Suriname who may want to return home.
“We cannot wait. Government has to boldly embrace this vision if we are to create new opportunities for the people of Region 6. Whilst these were some of the ideas of the PPP/C it belongs to Guyana and it is in our interest that we pursue it”, he said.
He continued that if these things are not pursued, “then things will become very tight in Region Six.
He continued: “You would see contraction, retraction and economic ruins all of which can be avoided with decisive action.”
Further, Ali posited that there is absolutely nothing that Government could say to motivate a rice farming household to spend.
“So in Regions Two, Three, Five and Six things look gloomy. Of course this outlook is supported by farmers saying they will not go back to the crop. What are the economic alternatives? What incentives are being designed to examine any possible alternative? With sugar still experiencing major problems and the outlook in terms of price is not encouraging, serious times are indeed ahead”.
Eyew tness
N... or follow the leader
agamootoo just waltzed off on a "private trip" with his wife. It was described as a "two-week leave" –after four months on the job, such as it is. Now in the Private Sector, you've got to work at least a year before you "earn" your leave. Is it different for the Government service? Or are there different strokes for different folks. Or then again, maybe the man from Whim's leading public servants from the front on this vexed "leave" business: use it or lose it.
Anyhow, this paper said he'd headed off to Texas but this was denied by the Kronic State newspaper. Presumably, they know where he's headed but wouldn't say. They did also say Nagamootoo wasn't jetting off to the Middle East (mediating between ISIS and the US?) which no one had even claimed. But that's exactly the problem, isn't it?
Nagamootoo is a PUBLIC official – the SENIOR Vice President and Prime Minister. He's imbued with tremendous power – by the Constitution and the even more sacrosanct Cummingsburg Accord. As a PUBLIC official, the public has a right to know where the repository of all these massive powers is reposing. Now we know that Nagamootoo's boss had also jetted off to a "private" trip to the States and no one ever did find out his destination. Well, sort of. The Minister of Sate Joseph Harmon had joked (we thought) that Pressie had gone off to get some new clothes. (Even then, his Black Shirt Jac was literally and figuratively wearing thin!)
But now we know that Harmon wasn't kidding. Didn't everyone notice what a dashing figure he cut with his Nehru Jacket in New York after his face-off with Maduro? Is it possible that Nagamootoo's also had it with his dated duds? Those cheap "Mafia Don" suits his valet outfitted him with did make his look sinister.
Whatever it is, we can't have our second most powerful PUBLIC figures doing disappearing acts at the drop of a hat. Who will wield all that power in his absence?
Like telling the Kronic what to print on his whereabouts!!
...on drunk lushes
The GTimes caught up with the Traffic Chief to find out why more than 99 per cent of the individuals whose pics are released by their PRO in their "name and shame" programme hail from Berbice. Since this has been the pattern ever since the programme was initiated, it wasn't surprising that folks figured most of the drunkards in Guyana come from the ancient county. The reporter evidently decided to find out why.
In the paper's Friday's edition, the Traffic Chief said it wasn't so. With the 100 or so reports of inebriated drivers the Traffic Dept in Georgetown receive weekly, he said they have to wait until the persons are actually convicted until their pics are plastered across the papers. But this still begs the question – why only fellas from Berbice pics emerge from the 100 persons per week nabbed? Is the Chief telling us that only Berbicians are convicted? Doesn't sound right.
The Chief also suggested that maybe the Berbice traffic cops are the most conscientious in sending in pics. So are there SOP's on this or not?
But with all the Traffic Chief's "explanations", the Stabber published another dragnet of drunk drivers on the same day. And guess what? Five out of Six were from Berbice!!!!
Shouldn't we "name and shame" some of these lax cops, for shaming our PM from Berbice?
...on labour
Labour officers – with "I is" Broomes in tow, raided a hotel in Barrica. They swooped over to Linden to check up on Bosai workers' issues. Returning to Gtown, they traipsed over to Regent Street to check on whether those bloodsuckers were exploiting shop girls.
But couldn't find time to meet one aggrieved worker, gypped out of his NIS payments, who showed up at her office.
Former PPP/C Government Minister, Irfaan Ali
Utterly catastrophic consequences for rice if Govt disengages farmers – Dr Ramsammy
Former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has lashed out at the Agriculture Minister Noel Holder for telling the Nation the Government is dedicated to food security when the plight of rice farmers and the rice industry are being ignored.
Dr Ramsammy on Thursday said Guyana is one of the few developing countries that can boast of food security, but the danger of a downturn in rice threatens food security in Guyana. He added that this is the most opportune time for the David Granger-led Administration to demonstrate real commitment to the rice industry.
“Any Government that does not take agriculture in Guyana seriously and treat farmers with respect, is courting disaster. Even though agriculture is the most important contributor to Guyana’s economic development, the present Government is being far too nonchalant in approaching agriculture,” Dr Ramsammy said.
He added that the Government’s stance on rice will have utterly catastrophic consequences not only to the rice industry, but to food security and the social and economic development agenda of Guyana.
Guyana Times have been reporting that given the present situation in rice, most farmers will abandon their rice fields for the next crop. Many rice farmers in Regions Two, Five and Six have insisted they will “rest” their fields after harvesting for the present crop is over.
Dr Ramsammy added that the former Government intervened in the prices millers offered to farmers when millers attempted to pay less than $3000 per bag for Grade A paddy.
“With the prices being offered to farmers now, many will be forced to abandon the fields. Many of the farmers will sink into poverty, with loans to be paid. More than 40,000 people directly depend on the rice industry for a living. Almost 100,000 people in some way rely on the rice industry to supplement their living standards,” he said.
Rice contributes more than 60 per cent of the GDP from agriculture. Rice also contributes close to 10 per cent to the national GDP. More than US$250 million in foreign exchange is earned by the rice industry.
Support to the rice industry is about the survival of the Nation, and not handout to rice farmers, Dr Ramsammy said.
In the interest of the Nation, Government must play a critical role in ensuring the survival and pros-
US Ambassador pushes for speedy election results
– as he extends support for hosting of LGE
Nperity of the rice industry, he added.
It is economic suicide for the government to insult rice farmers and millers by saying that the industry is a private sector one and government has no role to play, he said.
Hundreds of rice farmers have been protesting around the country demanding assistance from Agriculture Ministry and the Government.
Calls were made for better paddy prices as well as concessions on fuel and vehicles, but to date, no word has come from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration with regards to any of these demands.
During his Budget presentation Finance Minister Winston Jordan gave the impression that $23 billion would be allocated to support payments to the rice farmers who were owed billions of dollars altogether for the supplies made to millers or would go towards addressing some of the issues, like drainage or irrigation affecting the rice industry.
However, early last month Minister Jordan finally came clean, stating that Government’s real intentions for the $23 billion, which was initially promised for rice farmers, was to be utilised to settle Guyana’s outstanding oil debt to Venezuela and ultimately was never really going toward the rice industry and the desperate farmers.
In an invited comment, Minister Jordan admitted to Guyana Times that the money was never intended for the farmers but for “rice shipment”. This clarified that the monies had no connection to rice but rather to oil, which Guyana continues to receive under the PetroCaribe agreement.
Following this revelation, stakeholders have argued that the APNU/AFC Government blatantly betrayed rice farmers. Price on the Essequibo Coast ranges from $1500 to $2200 for a bag of Grade A paddy, which is far below the cost of production.
ewly accredited United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, has indicted the need for Guyana to speed up the delivery of election results as he extends his Government’s support for the hosting of upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).
The Ambassador made this announcement on Friday, when he handed over his credentials to President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency. He said in his brief statement that he intends to work with the Government of Guyana on building it democracy.
On this note, Ambassador Holloway said with the hosting of the LGEs imminent, he is hoping that the votes will be counted electronically in order to speed up the delivery of the results.
“I watched with great anticipation and at times some degree of trepidation, the momentous events of 2014
and 2015, which ultimately resulted in the free and fair elections of May 2015. I look forward to working closely with the Government to build on Guyana’s growing democracy. I wish to pledge my Government’s continued support to the holding of Local Government Elections before the end of 2015 – hopefully with the use of electronic tabulation
so that we can all have a few less sleepless nights as we await the results,” the US Diplomat remarked.
Currently, local laws give the GECOM a maximum of 15 days to deliver final election results and declare a winner. During the General and Regional Elections held in May last, both international and local observers criticised this process and recommended that it be revised.
Wrapping up its fifth cycle of observing elections in Guyana, the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (EOM/OAS) in its preliminary findings had recommended that GECOM broadcast the preliminary results in a timelier manner in order to avoid violent situations, as was experienced on Election night in Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
OAS Chief of Mission Lisa Shoman said “the Mission encourages GECOM to consider implementing
a system of issuing preliminary results for national elections”, noting that the use of technology should be able to assist in this regard. She noted the manual process is inherently time-consuming, as such, the use of technology was recommended to speed up the process all the while maintaining the accuracy of the results.
Meanwhile, the United States-based Carter Centre recommended that GECOM make available, at the earliest time possible, results from the polling station level. This will be in accordance with international best practices and will enhance the public’s confidence in the process and its outcome, the observer agency said in its report.
On the other hand, last year a Canadian non-profit organisation visited Guyana and conducted a demonstration on the use of automatic ballot scan and tabulation technology.
Former PPP/C Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy
US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway
Lisa Punch sworn in as RDC Councillor in Berbice for PPP/C
Three new Councillors were on Thursday sworn in to represent the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on the Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC). The three are Lisa Punch, Lennon Penux and Carlos Causeway. They took the oath at the Regional Boardroom in New Amsterdam.
objects to having Punch serve
Officer (CEO) on a Local Government arm.
Stephens challenge came after Regional Chairman David Armogan posted an objection to have Stephens continue to serve on the RDC. Armogan argued that Stephens had been appointed Director of Medical Services in the Region and therefore is no longer eligible to serve as a Regional Councillor.
The seven deadly sins
SThe new Councillors replace three others who were nominated but did not take up their positions. Those three: former Vice Chairman Bhurpaul Jhagroo, retired Regional Education Officer Shafiran Bhajan and Quincy Henry refused to take up their positions and tendered resignations thus paving the way for the Regional Executive Officer (REO) to inform the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of the vacant seats. GECOM then informed the Party that the seats were vacant and advised that names be recommended.
The three are Lisa Punch, Lennon Penux and Carlos Causeway
One of the three new Councillors, Peneux of Orealla Village served on the RDC before for two terms while both Punch and Causeway are newcomers. The swearing in of Punch however did not go down well with Councillors representing the governing A partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition.
Lead Councillor for the Coalition Jevaughn Stephens objected, saying Punch is also functioning as a Chief Executive
“But Mr Chairman, you just swore in a Town Clerk who is a Town Clerk; that is the CEO of a Municipality which falls under the RDC,” Stephens responded to Armogan’s claim. Punch is the Town Clerk for the Rose Hall Town Municipality.
After some debate the Chairman agreed to get clarity on whether it is constitutionally acceptable to have Punch and Stephens serve as Regional Councillors, given their other appointments.
Meanwhile as the three Councillors took the oath, another PPP/C Councillor resigned: Dr Grayson Halley who headed the Regional Health Committee tendered his resignation to the RDC. In a letter addressed to the Council, Halley said he was resigning to pursue studies in China.
The REO will now have to inform GECOM that his seat has become vacant. Following the resignation of Halley, Dr Vinashi Khirodar has been appointed to head the Regional Health Committee.
atiricus knew that you couldn't stop a good thingjust like you couldn't keep a good man down. "Look at Minister of Securing Security, Rum Jhaat," Satiricus thought, "the fella was doing so well at reducing crime, Pressie had even made him "President of Vice"! Some people called the position "Vice President" but Satiricus knew better. How could you stop crime if you couldn't control "vice"?? "Hadn't we learnt in Sunday School that "vice" was "wicked behaviour" -like the seven deadly sins: greed, envy, gluttony, sloth, wrath, lust and pride? “Stop the sins and you stop crime." said Satiricus firmly.
But the Jhaat was a firm believer that you had to do something, you had to experience it. The Jhaat had started out with the first one "greed" - and told the nation that this was the root of all crimes. The Jhaat knew what he was talking about. It was greed that had him led to carry news to THE Embassy. The money was just too good to pass up, even if it meant betraying people who had helped him all his life. And it wasn't like he was taking "thirty pieces of silver" like that other fella. The Jhaat demanded thirty-one. So arum Jhaat knew how to attack greed.
"Envy" was easy. When he was in the PPEE party, he had worshipped at the feet of the Jagons and here was this kid Jagdesh who came in just like that and won over their affections. Never mind he worked harder than anybody. If the Jhaat wasn't dark skinned he woulda been green with envy.
Gluttony? Didn't that KFC man from Essequibo testify how every time Rum Jhaat went to keep meetings, he had to have a Kahari of duck curry and large Grey Goose just for the “President of Vice"?
Sloth was easy for the Jhaat. He was naturally slow and as a boy even his mother called him "Kor-hee". Every reporter knew about the "wrath" of Rum Jhaat, since "haul yuh ass!"'was a term of endearment for him. Lust also came easy - as his eyes cast in every direction when any nubile young lady was around.
But "pride"'..."false pride" was the Jhaat's speciality. He always felt that because he was a lawyer, he was better than the other guys in the PPEE. And that was why HE had to be the leader. Or else!!
"So," concluded Satiricus, "who was better qualified to be President of Vice and take care of our Security?"
"Who de man?? De Jhaat is de vice man!!"' chanted Satiricus.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on the Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
Burglar confesses to robbery spree in WBD
Moments after being arrested in connection with a break and enter and larceny committed on a house in Wales, West Bank Demerara, the burglar confessed to several other robberies. The
suspected was arrested on Friday after Police received information about his whereabouts.
While being interrogated, he admitted to breaking into several other homes in Parfait Harmonie, WBD and
stealing items. It is unclear if the items he stole were retrieved. He is in custody pending charges. The Police are trying to ascertain whether or not he worked for a group. Investigations are ongoing.
SunDAY, october 4, 2015 |
US Ambassador pushes for speedy... from page 9
While GECOM had stated at the time that a pilot project is being considered, the election body maintained that before such equipment can be introduced, the relevant laws need to be amended.
Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Opposition is also pushing for e-voting and enhanced biometrics as it outlined several
demands to participate in the LGEs. In addition, President Granger recently acknowledged the need for timely delivery of election results.
The Head of State said that there are some obstacles that must be overcome in Guyana’s electoral process, such as the timely delivery of election results. The President’s comments came in the face of the
examples set by Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago during their recent elections.
“Of course, we are all impressed with the fact that in our sister Caricom countries –Jamaica and Trinidad – the results were announced even before mid night. I am sure it’s a challenge that we will eventually be able to meet,” President Granger assured.
Family wants justice after daughter’s death
– one year on and no progress in accident case
Afamily of La Union in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) is still saddened and traumatised over the death of their daughter Chandanie Dass, 32, who lost her life during an accident involving two vehicles on August 2, 2014.
The car was allegedly being driven by a drunk and unlicensed resident. The family on Saturday called on Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan to use his office to investigate the matter to bring justice, and thereby peace of mind to them.
The family still can-
not live with peace in their hearts since one year has passed and nothing has come out of the matter. They say on many occasions when enquiries are made, they are often told the file is with the DPP for advice.
Still saddened, the woman’s father, Dhanraj Dass, related that his daughter who was a former Manager of Courts Essequibo Branch lost her life tragically on the Annandale Public Road.
The accident occurred during the night with a collision involving a van being driven by Nicklous Singh, 19, an unlicensed driver.
The father of two, however, related that what hurts him most is that the Police have failed in giv-
ing justice to the matter and did not launch a thorough investigation to gather enough evidence to successfully prosecute the matter.
He said the driver was not even charged with causing death by dangerous driving although his daughter lost her life.
Instead Nicklous Singh appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on August 18, 2015, charged with being an unlicensed driver and in breach of insurance. He was fined $30,000 for being an unlicensed driver. For the breach of insurance matter the penalty was an order for him to be disqualified from obtaining a driver’s license for six months.
The father said he is still baffled why the teenager was not charged for causing death by dangerous driving. He said despite him seeking justice from the relevant authorities – Police in G Division – no one seems to heed his call.
The father also said even family of the driver did not offer any sympathetic word towards his family during their time of grief. The driver is also not in Guyana and is said to be in the United States of America.
Chandanie Dass succumbed August 4, 2014 as she was air dashed to Georgetown Public Hospital.
Dass had sustained extensive spinal and other injuries about her body. Dass, the driver of car PSS 3067, was heading south on the Annandale Public Road when she collided with van PRR 9027 driven by Nicklous Singh on August 2, 2014. The Courts Manager along with Ponnai Dass her cousin, was returning from a wedding reception.
Ponnai Dass survived the accident but still cannot come to grips with the situation. Both women were pinned in the wreckage after the accident. They were pulled out and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital by residents from the community.
Chandanie Dass was described as a very hard working and determined young woman.
Other persons injured in the accident were Kevin Kumar, Shane Kumar, Linden Marks, Krishna Ramsamooj and Anthony Hanes.
Younge’s Take
An open letter to the President
Mr President, On August 10 this year, your Finance Minister Winston Jordan promised Guyanese “a good life” in a green economy, compliments of the newly elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Government.
He said that your Government was determined to govern in a fair, democratic, transparent and dignified manner, explaining that Guyanese can expect a departure from the culture of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government which saw it engaging in all sorts of misdemeanours and less honourable deeds.
Minister Jordan said too that your Government would not let the sugar industry collapse or the rice farmers suffer severe forms of hardships while indicating that it was your intention to reform these sectors along with the public service.
Admirably, the Minister conveyed to the public, your Government’s intention to boost the economy by pursuing short- and long-term economic plans that would see private businesses booming and a return of large-scale foreign direct investments.
He informed the public, in his “good life” budget speech that your Government intends to create jobs and to ensure that national unity is restored in Guyana. A promise was made that under your stewardship of Government that there would be no discrimination against people on the basis of the colour of their skin, political affiliation or their religion.
The Minister, like many other of his colleagues had indicated since the May General and Regional Election that there would be immediate changes and that Guyanese would immediately start benefiting from the “good life changes”.
The world heard these promises, commitments and pledges which were communicated to the Guyanese people. It’s now five months after your Government took office and Guyanese are yet to benefit from any real change.
As a matter of fact, the country is still at a standstill even as you enjoy the overseas private and official trips to revel in your election victory.
Poor families, at home, are unable to survive as the Government’s budget has not delivered on anything that would impact them directly. The unemployment rate is on the up and along with the crime rate.
Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) and audits will not full the bellies of the hungry nor will they quench the thirst for a better standard of living.
While in Opposition, you said that you had a plan for the sugar and rice industries that would see their fortunes drastically improving. Where is that plan? Please share and release it to the public or is it case that you were bluffing and simply playing politics?
Where is your plan to get jobs for young people? While in Opposition, you said that you knew what needed to be done to reduce unemployment and ensure that young people are economically independent or were you waiting to conduct a CoI to arrive at the answer when you got into office?
Despite Government’s disjointed launch of a Social Cohesion Roundtable discussion, race relations are deteriorating and the ethnic divide is widening as people are now seeing themselves as “we and dem”.
You must tread carefully and cautiously as you seek to deal with the territorial threats posed by the positions adopted by Venezuela and Suriname which seek to undermine Guyana’s territorial sovereignty. Running around the globe enlisting support as if Guyana is in the wrong will not help, you need to work out a mechanism of arriving at a full judicial settlement on both matters.
Mr President, let’s face it. Most Guyanese are not enjoying a good life. Those who are have wealth and resources at their disposal. The ordinary fishermen, cleaners, public servants, city council workers and farmers are experiencing severe hardships and need their President to respond to their plight.
Finally, the time has reached for your Government to end its post-election campaigning and start working on realising the vision of a “good life” Guyana.
Build us roads, ferries, schools, hospitals, factories and new bridges. Give us additional markets for our rice, sugar and manufacturing products. We demand newer and cleaner forms of energy in addition to hydropower.
We demand Local Government Elections and a fresh approach to governance. Immediately invite the Opposition into Government if you are serious about inclusive democracy and building trust. If that is not possible, conduct meetings with the Opposition Leader and stream them live on the Internet.
Mr Granger, you were elected to serve in our interest and not in the interest of those who financed your election campaign and supported your party while in Opposition.
You are President of all the people. We demand a better life compared to what was enjoyed under the PPP! We demand this now!
Michael Younge
Chandanie Dass, 32, who lost her life in the accident
The business of doing business
By Ryhaan Shah
The David Granger Administration is giving mixed messages to the business and investment community. Every business sector welcomes growth and expansion and Government plays its part by guiding that growth with policies and incentives and by ensuring a secure and cost effective environment in which business can flourish.
Shah
However, both President David Granger and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin speak of innovations and the manufacture of value added products when Government’s actions towards the business community and the agricultural sector are openly hostile and uncooperative.
It is no surprise that innovative breakthroughs occur in countries with good education systems and institutions dedicated to research and development. Any seriousness about having an innovative business sector would have to be followed through with institutional support and policies to drive it.
A developing country such as ours spends much of its resources in establishing foundational industries, such as the rice sector, where there is ready land available and the farming knowhow to develop it. But Government has abandoned the industry and left rice farmers to their own devices with regard to finding export markets.
Building basic infrastructure such as roads and bridges is also vital at this point in our development but Government has stated that it is not interested in pursuing innovative public private partnerships of local investors, such as the one that financed the construction of the Berbice River Bridge. The open hostility to the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) does make it appear that even patriotism is an ethno/political issue for the Granger led-Government.
This hostility and unwillingness to help, or to work with, local investors and farmers does call into question the sincerity of Government’s statements about having an economy driven by innovation and manufacturing.
While taking risks is part and parcel of doing business, no entrepreneur will invest when Government is showing itself more than a little unfriendly towards the business sector, and coming at a time when there is high youth unemployment which makes Government’s actions appear reckless and uncaring.
The first hurdle to overcome for manufacturing to flourish is access to cheap fuel. Cheap energy drives manufacturing, not only for the production itself but for the transportation of the finished products to shops, or ports for export shipments. Perhaps, manufacturing ventures can be awarded similar energy subventions as Linden for the good of the national economy.
That Guyana is still without hydroelectric power supply is a developmental tragedy. The Administration is returning to commissioning small, localised hydropower plants and seems prepared to lose the Norwegian funds earmarked for the Amaila Falls project.
Despite the challenges of high energy costs, or much help or incentives from Government, local manufacturing enterprises flourish and produce numerous items for local and export markets.
Retail outlets are vital for these manufacturers who make everything from plywood, over the counter drugs, mattresses, pillows, travelling bags, garments, lingerie, bed nettings, furniture, fibre glass products, rum, beer, soda, condiments and sweeties. This is not an exhaustive list by any means and these are not craft shops making a few dozen items but business entities, large and small, that manufacture thousands of products.
Manufacture driven by market demand is essential for business success and this is one of the components that commercial banks look for in a business plan when approached for a loan: that the product will sell.
To produce for export not only requires making end products at globally competitive prices but also requires ready markets. This is where trade missions can help with negotiations at a governmental level to sell Guyana’s produce and products.
Perhaps, this Administration is averse to the profit motive and, perhaps, its current standoff with the rice industry and the BBCI is ethno/political. The previous People’s National Congress (PNC)-led Government pursued a vigorous nationalisation policy which was fatal for private enterprise and resulted in the mass flight of capital and people.
Not surprisingly, this PNC-led Administration is being measured by that past record, and investors, farmers and business people are rightly nervous about the future of commercial enterprise in Guyana. To allay those fears, Government must rethink its current stand.
Its statements about more manufacturing output are also out of step with the global business environment where manufacturing has declined. China’s cheap mass production has had a major impact on that slowdown and, right now, manufacturing employment is falling everywhere including in China.
The projected area for growth especially in developing countries, according to “Bloomberg Business”, is in the services sector.
Tourism can be one such area that can be developed, and medical tourism can be a start-up industry if Guyana had a Specialty Hospital. But then Government scrapped that deal also.
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to shah@guyanatimesgy.com
Former GECOM Commissioner, Dr Keshav “Bud” Mangal dies
Veteran Physician and long serving Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Dr Keshav “Bud” Mangal died on Friday from kidney failure.
Dr Mangal first took ill earlier this year and sometime after, it was discovered that his kidneys were failing. Guyana Times was told that his condition was rapidly deteriorating over the months but took a turn for the worse on Sunday. He was rushed to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he was being treated until Friday when he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
This newspaper was told that because of Dr Mangal’s deteriorating condition, doctors at Mercy Hospital recommended that he be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital as he needed more intense care.
Speaking with Guyana Times, Mangal’s third child, Jan Mangal, said that while they were aware of his father’s illness, his death came as a surprise. According to the son, his dad resigned from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in January after he suffered his first bout of serious ill-health.
Remembering dad
Recalling his childhood, Jan said that even though his dad was active in politics and humanitarian activities, he loved to spend time with his family and friends, especially outdoors. “He loved spending time outdoors, we did a lot of outdoor activities but one of his favourite passtimes was fishing. He would always take us fishing… and he also liked entertaining his friends at home. His house is always open and would usually have friends over,” the late Physician’s son said.
Jan added too that his father was a well known medical practitioner and was loved by everyone who solicited his services. He noted that all of Dr Mangal’s friends were his patients as well as their children and grandchildren. “My dad was a gentle physician and had a calm and quite personality,” the grieving son said of his late father.
A family friend
Guyana Times also caught up with one of Dr Mangal’s close and longest friends – local Architect Albert Rodrigues, who spoke very fondly of the late physician with whom he shared a 40-year friendship. Reminiscing on their relationship, Rodrigues said “we were very close, not only me and him but our families as well. My kids loved him, he was their physician but outside of that, he would even take my son fishing,” he recalled.
Rodrigues said that when Dr Mangal’s condition worsened, he assisted in taking him to the hospital. He noted that on Friday, he had visited his friend in the hospital and left after sometime so that he can spend time with his children, who had flown in to see him. However, moments after
he left he received a call about his friend’s passing.
Dr Mangal came from a lineage of medical practitioners, with his father and grandfather also being doctors. After finishing school locally, Dr Mangal travelled to Scotland where he spent seven years studying medicine. He later returned around mid 1960s but not before tying the knot with his Danish wife Jonna.
Upon his return to Guyana, Dr Mangal started off working at the then Georgetown Hospital, however his stint there was short as he moved on to private practice. He started this phase of his career at the Medical Centre.
Apart from his medical profession, Dr Mangal was also involved in politics and humanitarian activities. He, along with several others, was a member of a political party but he later left the political arena and became a human rights activist.
Humanitarian
During this, he and Rodrigues founded the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA); however Dr Mangal’s interest in politics was revived around the 1990s. He joined the temporary elections body in 1992 and then again 1997 for General and Regional Elections in Guyana.
Dr Keshav “Bud” Mangal
According to Rodrigues, Dr Mangal was very good at his elections practice hence he stuck with it. He went onto become a permanent Commissioner, when GECOM was officially estab-
lished in 2000. As it relates to his humanitarian work, Dr Mangal and Rodrigues were also among the founding members of the Beacon Foundation Ltd but they both retired sometime back.
Additionally, Dr Mangal was also the Chairman of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) from 1993 until it was sold several years after and became the NEW GPC INC. He then moved on the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) Board of Directors, where he became the Chariman until a few months ago when he resigned due to his ill-health.
Along with his wife of over 50 years, Dr Mangal leaves to mourn his four children –Lars, Mike, Jan and Dr Tanya Mangal-Wiik.
Ryhaan
Jagdeo updates overseas Guyanese on Elections inconsistencies
During a meeting in New York with overseas-based Guyanese, Leader of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Bharrat Jagdeo informed the gathering of the various inconsistencies emanating out of the 2015 General and Regional
Election held in May, which the former ruling Party lost by over 4000 votes.
Hundreds of Guyanese turned out to the event on Friday in Queens, New York, despite inclement weather. During the Town Hall-styled meeting, the Opposition Leader in his opening re-
marks gave the Diaspora an overview of the recent election outcome and electoral process in Guyana.
The enthused crowd wanted a more in-depth overview as to what happened with the tabulation of the ballots that eventually caused the PPP to lose gov-
ernance. Jagdeo highlighted the various inconsistencies in the overall electoral process, pointing out to the packed hall, the several instances of partisan behaviour displayed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
PPP supports Govt on territorial issues
Turning his attention to current events, the Opposition Leader reiterated his support to the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Chance (APNU/AFC) Government as it relates to the ongoing border controversy between
Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela. He stated emphatically that the PPP will never shy away from national issues such as this.
However, Jagdeo positioned that the positive relationship that the PPP Government had established with Venezuela should continue to grow under the current Administration. More so, he added, because of that positive relationship, Guyana was able to get Venezuela to purchase its rice.
“Our rice farmers got an above the market price for their rice. The current APNU regime shattered this
agreement within their first 100 days and today our rice industry is in shambles,” Jagdeo remarked.
Furthermore, the PPP/C Leader went on to emphasise his support for social cohesion, but expressed that the timing is not right at the moment because the APNU/ AFC Government still seems to be in election campaign mode.
He said the recent wanton being the discriminatory firing of several Guyanese, including almost 2000 indigenous people because of their perceived political affiliation. The Opposition Leader noted this is just one reason why the PPP cannot participate in any discussion on social cohesion with APNU/AFC regime at this time.
In addition, the Leader of the Opposition spoke extensively about the economic incompetence of the current coalition Administration. He spoke of the need to strengthen the PPP in order to win back political power in Guyana.
Jagdeo spent over three hours answering questions from and interacting with members of the Diaspora.
Suspect in Tin Cup Backdam murder
arrested
After four months on the run, the suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Lionel Williams of Tin Cup Backdam, Kanawaruk, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) was arrested on Friday in the area. Williams was reportedly stabbed on May 25 during an argument between him and the suspect.
Eyewitnesses stated that the two men were watching television when an argument ensure during which the suspect, Edward Simon, age 35, picked up a knife and dealt him several blows. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that the suspect who is a porkknocker was arrested and arrangements are being
made to have him transported to Georgetown where he will be further interrogated.
Only a few days ago, Mark Atkinson, also called “Bungo”, of Red Hill Barima, NWD who was wanted in connection to two murders, was arrested at Mowasi Backdam, Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).
He was wanted for the murder of Jossmar Perriera Silva who was shot and killed at Mowasi Backdam on September 5. He was also wanted for the murder of Daniel Lima Lira, who was killed on September 12, at Burning Square, Kanawaruk.
At the time of his arrest, an unlicensed .38 revolver with six matching rounds of ammunition along with 340 grams
of cannabis were found in a black haversack he was carrying. He also was in possession of a motorcycle that allegedly belonged to one of the victims. He later confessed to the murders.
Blanhum told Guyana Times that the Police would have applied for an extension in the detention period since investigators wanted to gather additional information as they continue their investigations. From all indications, Atkinson will make his court appearance on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The suspect was also implicated in the robbery committed on Sean Sampson on September 17, at Burning Square, Kanawaruk Backdam.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo interacting with the Guyanese Diaspora
Police recover stolen handsets in Norton Street yard
As Police continue their investigations into the robbery committed on Elite Mobile Store on Lamaha Street on Friday, ranks scooped down on a Norton Street, Georgetown, residence where several handsets were recovered.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum would have since confirmed that Jermaine Daily and Adam McDonald were arrested for the robbery. He noted that after receiving information, the Police went to the home of Daily who resides in Norton Street and conducted a search during which the items were found hidden in bag in the yard.
However, he added that the third suspect is still on the run. The head of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) also stated that Daily admitted to another robbery which went down on Wednesday at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown.
The Crime Chief explained that Daily along with six other men invaded a grocery store in Kitty and relieved the proprietress of an undisclosed sum of money. The men made good their escape and the matter was reported.
However, based on Police investigations, investigators
believed that the car which Daily and McDonald abandoned at the Kingston seawalls on Friday after crashing it might have been used in Wednesday’s robbery.
The Crime Chief also confirmed that Daily would have rented cars from the car rental on five different occasions.
The Police, he noted, are checking to ascertain if other robberies were committed during the time the cars were rented.
Daily and McDonald were arrested on Friday afternoon, moments after they had robbed the Elite Mobile Store. They were attempting to escape when the car in which they were travelling crashed into the seawalls, North of the CID headquarters. After the accident, the men exited and were seen running from the scene.
Vigilant Police Officers pursued them and managed to make the arrests.
Upon their arrest, one of the men was found to be in possession of an unlicensed .9mm pistol and two matching rounds of ammunition while the other was in possession of a high-end mobile phone suspected to have been stolen.
Charges are expected to be laid shortly.
“While the grass is growing, the horse is starving”
Last week, leaders of the Akawaio community of Tasserene again brought their land issue in the public sphere by pleading their case in the media. Indeed, many of us know that the Tasserene Village Council has been actively demanding that Absolute Grant be delivered to the community since it applied in August 2007. But its plight is that it is located in a prime mining area in the Middle Mazaruni which is coveted by those of the mining industry.
Neighbouring community Kangaruma-Asura, faces the same dilemma. When the Absolute Grant was finally delivered in 2012, immediate objections by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association led to the community being dispossessed of the document, forcing it to remain without legal ownership to date.
The argument of the GGMC has always been that unless a land is titled, it legally belongs to the State, and as such, claims and blocks may be issued to miners. While the law makes such provisions however, the common, accepted practice is that the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, when it commences the land titling process for an Amerindian community, informs the Guyana
Lands and Surveys Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission, GGMC and of recently the Protected Areas Commission, requesting that the proposed title area be put on hold. Subsequently, these agencies, in full knowledge that the land is being considered for title, would refrain from issuing leases and forest concessions to facilitate the land titling process. The GGMC however, has generally been reluctant to do so, particularly under the mandate of former Minister Robert Persaud, and has used the law to justify the complication of the land titling process for several villages such as Tasserene, KambaruOmanaik, Kangaruma, Batavia and Kariako. Kambaru-Omanaik was finally granted legal ownership after persistent discussions engaged through the Amerindian Land Titling Project, where the Natural Resources Ministry finally lifted its objections. For Tasserene and Kangaruma-Asura however, discussions were still underway.
Yet, only three months after the project was halted by this Government, we learnt that the GGMC has issued another 60 blocks in the Tasserene proposed title area. Not only will this aggravate the conflict between miners and villagers, this is also evidence that the GGMC and its subject Ministry even under this
Administration has absolutely no regard for indigenous land rights. While through the valiant efforts of Steven Campbell, land rights were permanently secured granting the possibility to Amerindians to obtain legal ownership to their lands; today, these very rights are being violated by our own Government. The Mining Act Cap 65:01 however, though it does allow for State lands to be leased to miners, also guarantees indigenous land rights under Article 111 which states that “All land occupied or used by the Amerindian communities and all land necessary for the quiet enjoyment by the Amerindians of any Amerindian settlement, shall be deemed to be lawfully occupied by them”. This section however, is selectively omitted by the GGMC.
One of the arguments of the GGMC has always been the size of the proposed title area which covers over 700 mi². However, the Village Council has always been willing to negotiate the terms of the Absolute Grant, taking into consideration those miners who would have been operating on the land prior to their request for communal land. Yet, we find that mining operations are increasing at an alarming rate, forcing villagers to become vulnerable to prostitution and trafficking
in persons, alcoholism and drug abuse, along with other decadent conduct, which are detrimental to indigenous welfare and culture. The subversive impact on village life might become irreversible if the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry doesn’t take immediate action to resume the land titling process for Tasserene. This is possible under the Amerindian Land Titling Project which received ample resources for this main purpose. The now invisible and silent Amerindian Peoples Association which has always claimed to be a combatant for Amerindian land rights should resume its aggressive approach to help fight Tasserene’s case. Should the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry allow these violations to continue, then everything for which Steven Campbell worked for would be destroyed and the fight for Amerindian land rights in Guyana would have been in vain for the people of Tasserene and Kangaruma-Asura.
As indigenous activist Yvonne Pearson said in referring to the Tasserene case, “while the grass is growing, the horse is starving”.
(Please send question and comments to sundayarrow@gmail.com)
Anna Correia
Bistro Azure opens doors in Guyana
n American execu-
Ative chef on Thursday evening opened the doors of the Bistro Azure Restaurant and Bar at the Giftland Mall complex, Plantation Pattensen, Turkeyen, Georgetown.
Ryan Fields, proprietor of the establishment, informed Guyana Times that the opinion of his restaurant will raise the standards of the local industry. He revealed that the restaurant and bar, which cost in excess of $15 million, will be offering a variety of cuisines at an affordable price.
“Guyanese need a good place to go to that isn’t extremely expensive, so we conceptualized the Bistro Azure to appeal to the average person, where they can come and have amazing meals… amazing drinks and not break their wallets,” Fields revealed.
He revealed that the es-
tablishment will be offering a variety of appetizers, entrees, seafood, local meats and baked products at affordable prices, “We’re like 10 conventional restaurants in one,” he related, adding, “Our goal is to make every other restaurant in Guyana raise the standards of what they do because Guyanese deserve better”. He explained that it is his view that Guyana is at a point where it is about to transition into an amazing tourist destination, stating: “I’m going to be the first person to get in on that.” He opined that Guyana has a lot of potential for the tourism industry, and as such restaurants need to raise their standards and the quality of their products. The restaurant and bar will be opened from 10:00 to 24:00h from Sunday to Wednesday, and from 10:00 to 02:00h from Thursday to Saturday.
Roy Beepat, owner of the Giftland Complex revealed that the restaurant is a collaborative effort between himself and Fields: “It’s the first of many restaurants and pubs and sports bars, coffee shops, grills that are going to be lining the street… and when we are finished we will have an entertainment strip which will be about 600 feet long and will be filled with about 10 or 12 different entertainment options.”
Finance Minister Winston Jordan stated that he welcomed the investment in Guyana’s restaurant industry, “At this time when some businesses are claiming that business is slow, which we said could be expected coming out of elections, it is good to see some businesses have confidence,” he stated, adding that he is optimistic that other investors will follow suit .
Dolphin Secondary School girl, 13, missing
Adistraught father is pleading for assistance from the general public for the safe return of his 13 year old daughter, who has been missing since Thursday.
Hemraj Beharry of Grove Housing Scheme, EBD told Guyana Times his daughter, Nirmala Beharry, a 2nd form student of Dolphin Secondary was last seen by her older brother at the Diamond second bridge around 17:00h, wearing a black skirt and a brown and white striped jersey.
He explained that she is the youngest of his seven children and has never
left from home before without her family knowing. He added that his daughter is a very friendly young lady and rarely causes trouble, so he is now fearful for her safety. Family and neighbours have been searching the community over the past two days but no sign of Nirmala has been found.
An investigation into the child’s disappearance has since been launched.
Hemraj is asking anyone with any information of his daughter to contact the nearest Police Station, or family members on 660-5723, 6119407 and 216-1579. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)
Guyana Govt’s statement on the passing of Test cricketer
Stephen Camacho
The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is saddened by the passing of Stephen Camacho, former Guyana and West Indies opening batsman, West Indies Team Manager and selector and the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) Chief Executive Officer, Board Secretary and administrator. The Government extends deepest condolences to his wife, Allison and family and his many relatives and friends in Guyana, across the Caribbean and the world.
Camacho distinguished himself as one of the finest and most widely respect-
ed cricket administrators in the region, having been the first full time employee of the WICBC (subsequently changed to WICB). Nine days shy of his 70th birthday at the time of his passing, Camacho served as CEO for 18 years and also as Board Secretary. With a quiet demeanour and exuding elegance Camacho was widely admired, respected and loved in the cricket fraternity and further afield. The Government of Guyana hopes that Camacho’s legacy of grace, humility and unyielding respect for the regional sport will serve as guideposts to those who have been entrusted with the management of the game.
During his playing career Camacho played 11 Test matches for the West Indies and represented the then British Guiana and subsequently Guyana after independence. Camacho scored seven first class centuries and 24 half centuries, debuting for the West Indies against England in 1968. His highest Test score was 87, scored against England in Trinidad during his debut series. After his retirement from playing, Camacho initially lived in Barbados while he served as a WICBC administrator and subsequently in Antigua where he had settled and where he passed after a brief period of declining health.
Proprietor of the Bistro Azure Restaurant and Bar Ryan Fields, proprietor of the Giftland Complex Roy Beepat and Finance Minister Winston Jordan with staff of the establishment at the opening ceremony
Nirmala Beharry
Panama still to pay Guyana for first rice shipment
– Govt commits to settling fees with millers
At a media conference held on Friday, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder disclosed that the Panamanian Government is yet to honour its commitment to Guyana as it relates to payment to Guyanese millers for rice shipped to that country earlier this year.
In August of 2014, under the previous Administration, through a Government-toGovernment arrangement, Guyana and Panama negotiated a deal that saw Guyana supplying 5,000 tonnes of rice to Panama on a monthly basis, beginning from September of the same year. However, Holder noted that the Panamanian government for the first shipment of rice delivered to the country has failed to live up to its obligations.
“The millers have shipped the rice but the Panama government have not honoured their commitment to their Letter of Credit schedule, which now is hurting the millers and unable to pay the farmers,” the Agriculture Minister related.
Remaining hopeful that Panama will soon pay and wanting to ease the tension that the situation has caused, the Minister announced that the David Granger-led Administration through the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Guyana Rice Development Board, is prepared to facilitate the first payment owed by Panama to Guyana’s rice millers to give them some ease.
“This is the disburse-
ment of a sum just under $500 million, that the Government is prepared to hand over almost immediately,” Holder said.
With support from the Agriculture Ministry and Rice Millers Association (RPA), it was mentioned that GRDB is currently in discussions with other potential buyers of rice.
Minister Holder explained to reporters that the failings of the rice industry can be attributed to the collapse of Guyana’s rice deal with Venezuela, in which a few years ago Guyana entered into what was considered to be a reasonable deal with Venezuela, where Venezuela exchanged high priced oil for high priced rice in Guyana.
He added that the rice price negotiated was probably the highest in the world. However, since that time, the price of oil has reduced tremendously, but the price for rice at negotiations has remained the same. A situation the Minister called “untenable”. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)
Cullen farmer losses 7 acres of paddy as fire engulfs field
Arice farmer of Cullen Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is counting hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses after a fire spread to his field and damaged his produce.
Bhashak (only name given) aka Kellawan said his field was to be harvested in two days but was consumed by fire set by another farmer to that farmer’s field spread to his.
That farmer had completed harvesting and was burning his field when the fire spread to Bhashak’s field. According to information Bhashak’s field was the only one in the area left to be harvested.
Guyanese appointed St Kitts and Nevis’ DPP
Guyanese-born legal practitioner Arudranauth Gossai, has been appointed acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in St Kitts and Nevis.
The 36-year-old is believed to be the country’s youngest DPP. According to the country’s WINN FM, he has reportedly been appointed to act in the post for three months and made his first appearance in court on Thursday as acting DPP.
After graduating the Hugh Wooding Law School, Gossai was admitted to the Guyana Bar in 2004. He then travelled to the island where he secured work in the Attorney General’s Chambers from 2005 to 2012.
During his stint as
Crown Counsel, he also served as a member of the legal team representing the Government on several high profile “political” cases.
Gossai then moved into private practice in 2012 working as an Associate Attorney with Gonsalves Parry. He served as Counsel to the National AIDS Secretariat and in various capacities with the Saint Christopher and Nevis Bar Association. He is also currently a member of the Association’s Disciplinary Committee.
St Kitts and Nevis’ DPP post has been vacant since September 21, following a legal settlement between the former DPP, Travers Sinanan, and the Attorney General, Vincent Byron Jr. The former Director of Public Prosecutions had filed suit against the Attorney General challenging the Government’s decision not to renew his contract.
Fight lands bus conductors in court
Two men were on Friday brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to charges of unlawful assault and grievous wounding.
Darren Johnson, 29, of 39 Norton St, Wortmanville, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on Saturday,
September 19 at Stabroek Market, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on the Virtual Complainant, Sean Jones.
And Sean Jones, 22, of 42 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on September 19 at Stabroek Market, he unlawfully assaulted the Virtual
Complainant,Darren Johnson. The particulars of the charge were not revealed in Court, however, Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones revealed that both parties are bus conductors who operate the 45 route. He made no objections to bail which was granted in the sum of $25,000 each. The matter will return to court on October 16.
International boundaries cannot be changed arbitrarily – President Granger
fire and upon reaching the backdam he discovered sections of his field burnt. He further related that the paddy in the field had fallen. Only quarter of his field was saved.
The farmer related that he was expecting approximately 210 bags of paddy from his field and was optimistic that he could have gained Grade B price. He is calling for compensation from the other farmer.
The Police was informed but are yet to visit the scene. The farmer is calling on the Suddie
The incident occurred around midday Friday. Kellawan said he received a call from another farmer about his field being on
Police Station to launch an investigation into the matter since rice farming is his livelihood.
President David Granger said that the recent reports making the rounds on the media in relation to Suriname's renewed interest in the New River Triangle is very opaque and requires clarification. This clarification will be sought in the coming days by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge through Guyana's envoy in the neighbouring Dutch State.
"We feel that this claim is spurious and we have taken measures in the past to protect our territorial integrity and we will continue to do so... I read the statement attributed to President Bouterse but as far as I am concerned that does not change the 'price of rice',"
President Granger said.
The controversy between Guyana and Suriname is a historical one. The latter laid claims to part of Guyana sea space, which was addressed and essentially settled in Guyana's favour by an international tribunal spearheaded by the United Nations.
President Granger explained however, that Suriname's claim to the Corentyne River area remains a matter of contention since there has never been a treaty that clearly demarcated the boundary between the neighbouring
David Granger participating in
countries.
Additionally, Suriname has also been claiming the New River Triangle area, which encompasses a mass of land that is larger than the size of Jamaica.
The President said that while this is a historical claim, this is neither the time nor the place to advance this matter. He explained that the eastern boundary where Guyana, Brazil and Suriname meet was clearly marked out since 1936. This he said is an indelible mark, since it is the international boundary not the New River Triangle.
"This is what we are going to stand by... you cannot convene a meeting of your Parliament and change your boundary," President Granger noted. He affirmed that Guyana will continue to embrace a diplomatic course of action as it has been doing with Venezuela in relation to that country's claim to Essequibo. He noted too, that Guyana will continue to pursue policies and actions that will ensure that the region remains a zone of peace.
Agriculture Minister Noel Holder
Guyanese Arudranauth Gossai now St Kitts and Nevis’ DPP
Bhaskar burnt field
A section of the burnt field
President
the National Tree planting day exercise at the Bartica Community Centre ground
Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Harare…
Zimbabwe level series amid light fiasco
Zimbabwe weathered a spirited fightback from Pakistan's lower middle order to secure a tight five-run Duckworth-Lewis win in controversial circumstances in the second ODI at Harare Sports Club.
Chasing Zimbabwe's 276 for 6, Pakistan sank to 76 for 6 before Shoaib Malik and Aamer Yamin resurrected the chase with a 111-run stand for the seventh wicket. After a rain delay Malik was on 96, with 21 needed from 12 deliveries, when the heavy clouds prompted umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Jeremiah Matibiri to take the players off. With the sun setting, the light only got worse, allowing a rare Zimbabwe win - much to Malik, and Pakistan's chagrin.
That they got so close at all
was due mainly to Malik's brilliance and it was once again left to Pakistan's lower order to try to lift the team out of the mire when they slipped to 17 for 3 - their worst start of the tour. Malik responded with one of his finest limited-overs innings, and came within one shot of what would have been his ninth ODI hundred - and the first by a Pakistan No. 5 batsman in a run chase. He was also helped by Zimbabwe's errors in the field, having been dropped by substitute fielder Tino Mutombodzi at backward point when he was on 37. That was just one of a number of errors from the hosts in the latter half of the chase. In the course of their own innings, Zimbabwe had looked a completely different batting unit to the one that was bowled
SCOREBOARD
Zimbabwe innings H Masakadza c Mohammad Irfan
b Wahab Riaz 7
CJ Chibhabha c †Sarfraz Ahmed
b Wahab Riaz 90
BB Chari c Mohammad Hafeez
b Mohammad Irfan 39
SC Williams c Mohammad Hafeez
b Wahab Riaz 10
E Chigumbura* hit wicket b Wahab Riaz 67
Sikandar Raza c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Aamer Yamin 32
R Mutumbami† not out 14
LM Jongwe not out 4
Extras (b-2, lb-1, w-9, nb-1) 13
Total (6 wickets; 50 overs) 276
Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Masakadza, 7.4 ov), 2-118 (Chari, 28.5 ov), 3-132 (Williams, 30.5 ov), 4-191 (Chibhabha, 42.3 ov), 5-253 (Chigumbura, 48.3 ov), 6-267 (Sikandar Raza, 49.3 ov)
Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 10-147-1 (2-w), Aamer Yamin 5-0-38-1 (1-nb, 2-w), Wahab Riaz 10-1-63-4 (1-w), Yasir Shah 6-0-30-0 (1-w), Bilal Asif 8-0-39-0 (1-w), Azhar Ali 4-0-22-0, Shoaib Malik 7-0-34-0
Pakistan innings (target: 262 runs from 48 overs) Azhar Ali* b Panyangara 1
out for 128 in the first ODI.
Elton Chigumbura played a strong hand with the bat for Zimbabwe, his 55-ball 67 building upon Chamu Chibhabha's patient 90 to lift the hosts to a competitive 276 for 6. That was more than had been expected when Azhar Ali called correctly at the toss and sent the hosts in this morning. Harare
Bilal Asif c Chigumbura b Panyangara 0 Mohammad Hafeez run out (sub [CT Mutombodzi]/† Mutumbami) 27 Asad Shafiq c †Mutumbami b Jongwe 1
Shoaib Malik not out 96 Sarfraz Ahmed† c Williams b Chibhabha 9 Mohammad Rizwan c Nyumbu b Cremer 8 Aamer Yamin c †Mutumbami b Chigumbura 62 Wahab Riaz run out (Chigumbura) 3 Yasir Shah not out 32 Extras (b-4, w-12, nb-1) 17
Total (8 wickets; 48 overs) 256 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Bilal Asif, 0.5 ov), 2-8 (Azhar Ali, 2.4 ov), 3-17 (Asad Shafiq, 5.3 ov), 4-40 (Mohammad Hafeez, 13.6 ov), 5-56 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 17.5 ov), 6-76 (Mohammad Rizwan, 21.2 ov), 7-187 (Aamer Yamin, 39.5 ov), 8-193 (Wahab Riaz, 41.5 ov)
Bowling: T Panyangara 9-0-44-2 (2w), LM Jongwe 8-1-41-1 (1-w), SC Williams 10-0-33-0, CJ Chibhabha 8-0-55-1 (1-nb, 1-w), AG Cremer 1.4-0-8-1, J Nyumbu 6.2-0-38-0 (3w), E Chigumbura 5-0-33-1 (2-w)
Sports Club head groundsman Fungai Shanganya left plenty of grass on the track for this game and there was a noticeable twinge of green to it, suggesting swing, seam and bounce first up. The pitch was definitely firmer, but the movement on offer was not extravagant.
(Cricinfo)
Comprehensive wins for TSC and MSC
By Akeem Greene
Transport Cricket Club (TSC) beat Third Class by 135 runs in a one-sided affair at the GNIC ground on Wooldford Avenue on Saturday when action continued in the Georgetown Cricket Association’s NBS 40-over Second Division cricket competition.
Batting for TSC, Shawn Messiah led the way with a well-composed 81 with nine fours and two sixes. Ample support was given by Sunil Singh 55 (9x4s, 1x6). The Third Class bowling attack, which lacked venom, leaked 30 runs in extras as TSC reached 324-7 from the 40
overs.
Bowling for Third Class, Ravindra Ramdanan took 3-66 from eight overs. In response, Third Class were bundled out for 189 in 25.5 overs with Marin Salic hitting 54 (10x4s) and Keon Garnett 22 (4x4s). Azeem Azeez bagged 4-41 from 6.5 overs and Messiah returned to claim 3-32 from five overs.
In the other game, a superb 91 from opening batsman Nickosie Barker helped Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC) to a comprehensive victory over Diplomats.
Barker struck 12 fours and a six in his enterpris-
ing innings. Former national youth player Vishal Narayan made 60 not out from 55 balls with seven fours, as MSC reached 2498 in 40 overs.
Aditya Shivraj (3-25) and Eric Sukrah (2-36) where the chief wicket takers for Diplomats. In response, Diplomats folded for 146 in 30 overs with Devon Paul hitting 31 (4x4s) and Erish Ali 35 (6x4s). Offspinner Shaquille Moseley and Narayan had 3-23 and 3-27 respectively on a pitch that offered some turn and bounce. (akeemg@guyantimesgy. com)
Former WI batsman Camacho dies aged 69
Steve Camacho, the former West Indies batsman, has died at the age of 69. He passed away on Friday night in Antigua, the WICB said.
Camacho played 11 Tests for West Indies between 1968 and 1971, scoring 640 runs. He also went on to play 76 first-class matches as a right-handed top order batsman, scoring 4079 runs including seven centuries and 24 half-centuries.
Camacho even captained the West Indies President’s XI against various touring teams.
After his retirement as a professional player in 1978, Camacho served as the manager of the West Indies team during the 1980s. He later acted as the secretary of the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control, before becoming the first full-time
employee of the WICB, as the CEO.
Dave Cameron, the WICB president, described Camacho as “a true stalwart, champion and leader of the game” in West Indies.
“As a player, he represented Guyana and West Indies with pride and played his part in helping to grow the game. He was a mentor for several younger players in club cricket and played a major role in nurturing their development,” Cameron said.
“He cared about the game and the people around him. He was very professional and hardworking and had the common touch. He kept in tune with the needs of the players, the staff he worked with, all who participated in West Indies cricket, and all those who cared and loved the game he served.”
(Cricinfo)
EBFA elections set for October 25
Following the adoption of a new constitution on September 14 last, the Executive of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) has announced that elections will take place on Sunday October 25.
The venue is the Kuru Kururu Community Centre on the Linden Soesdyke from 11:00h. Affiliates of the association will elect a President, two Vicepresidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and five Committee Members, who will serve for the next two years.
Based on the new constitution, no executive elected will be able to serve more
than two consecutive terms in one particular position. Meanwhile, the EBFA will soon conclude its Under-13 tournament as one game remains. Agricola Red Triangle is poised to win the championship, which is sponsored by Lens Craft Optical.
This is the second tournament the association has organised for the year, which was started with a Pee Wee Under-11, which was won by Herstelling Raiders FC and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport in March.
The association will shortly kick off an Under-15 League while a 7-a-side competition is set to commence in less than two weeks.
The umpires called an end to proceedings with Shoaib Malik stranded on 96
Steve Camacho (left) and NL Karew open the West Indies’ innings at Sion Mills in Ireland’s famous victory of 1969
Nickosie Barker
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GCA/Carib Beer T20…
DCC storm into final after beating GNIC by 95 runs
By Akeem Greene
The formidable Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) side did not disappoint their home supporters as they whipped GNIC by 95 runs in the first semi-final of the Carib Beer T20 First-Division T20 competition.
Batting first on a relatively slow wicket in full sunshine and a fast outfield, DCC surged to 214-9 from the allotment of overs. Their assault was led by Essequibo opener Kevon Boodie, who smashed a whirlwind 81 from 47 balls with nine fours and two sixes.
Support was rendered by West Indies T20 batsman, Christopher Barnwell, who made 39 from 26 balls (3x4s, 3x6s). National Under-19 player Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with an aggressive 27 off 14 balls (1x4, 3x6s).
The Queenstown side, which boasts several national players at both the senior and youth level, raced to 66-2 from the first six overs. At the end of 15 overs the score was 1646, and despite losing constant wickets a run rate of over 10 was maintained.
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Avenue side, Jermaine Grovesnor picked up 3-37 from four overs, while Raul Merrell chipped in with 2-39, also from four.
The GNIC side can be criticised for not executing their plans properly against a powerful batting line-up. They were often too short or too full.
The GNIC side, which included the likes of National Senior team selector Rayon Griffith and former West Indies chief selector Clyde Butts, were restricted to 119-9 from 16.1 as Butts did not bat.
West Indies Test player Assad Fudadin cracked 39 from 25 balls with four fours, but was bowled by the live-
Wintz, bowled with a great degree of control as scoring off him was difficult. Rutherford ended with figures of 4-33 off
ly Rutherford just when he seemed set for a big score.
Only Shawn De Souza 37 (32 balls, 3x4s, 1x6) offered any substantial support. National Under-17 player Ashmead Nedd took 4-11 from 3.1 overs to keep the shackles on the GNIC batsmen.
The left-arm spinner, who shared the new ball with national medium-pacer Paul
Mobile Wizards 10/10…
The teams registered for the Mobile Wizard 10/10 have requested one more week to fine tune their preparations for the tournament, and the Guyana Softball League (GSL), along with the West Demerara body has consented.
All the teams have started preparations and are of the opinion that because it is the first tournament for sometime on the West Demerara, they need the time to whip themselves into competitive mode.
The GSL has indicated that Leonard Harprashad will be there to offer support to the West Demerara representatives in order to have a smooth flow of the tournament. The tournament, which has attracted some 26 teams, has seen a renewal of interest in softball cricket in that area. The preparations at various venues are heartening, the GSL said.
One such indication is the receipt of registration of a school boys’ team, the GSL said in a release.
The games will be opened by the Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, who will also
four overs.
The game saw many past stalwarts in attendance, including the Harper brothers, Roger and Mark. DCC now will await the result of the other semi-final between Malteenoes Sports Club and Georgetown Cricket Club, which will be played today at the famous GCC ground, Bourda. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)
do the duties of the bowloff. President of GSL, Halim Khan, will also welcome the teams and both officials will witness the exhibition match between two top female teams.
Another exhibition match will see two school boy teams clashing. The first match of the tournament will see the first two entrants going up against each other. The tournament will utilise the roundarm bowling, and will be a round-robin format, allowing each team the opportunity to
clash with each other in the two divisions in West Bank and West Coast.
Meanwhile, Mobile Wizard has handed over the sponsorship cheque to the organisers and will be at all the grounds to display their wares and services.
The public is urged to take advantage of this opportunity as they will be discounts, and every purchase will be accompanied by a giveaway. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)
Ashmead Nedd
Kevon Boodie
Ammiel Azeez (left) collects the sponsorship cheque from Mobile Wizard proprietor Syed Ali, as President of GSL, Halim Khan looks on
DCC players celebrate the fall of another wicket (Marceano Narine photo)
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Media XI beat Floodlights to take series 2-1
The boys from the Guyana Media XI enjoyed their best moment since the team was resuscitated on Independence Day 2014 when they outplayed the Floodlight Masters team by 28 runs to lift the threematch series 2-1.
The John Ramsingh-led Media outfit had won the first match, a ‘hardball’ exchange, but lost in the softball encounter a few months later, to necessitate a final on Friday night last at the headquarters of domestic floodlight cricket in Guyana, the Demerara Cricket Club ground.
A fair-sized crowd, which created a relaxing atmosphere beyond the boundary, witnessed the Media boys pile up 178-6 off the allotted 20 overs, and then fought well with the ball to restrict the Floodlight Masters to 150-6 when the overs finished.
Winning the toss and electing to first strike, the Media XI were given a rousing start by openers Ramsingh and Ravi Persaud, who piled on 64 in six overs, taking full advantage of the fielding restrictions and some loose bowling.
Persaud fell for 15, and when Ramsingh was bowled by nine-yearold off-spinner Romeo Deonarain for 43 (6x4s, 1x6), the Media men were cruising along solidly at 104-2 after
10 overs. However, Khalid Baksh brought the Floodlight Masters back in the game in the second half of the innings, bowling a tight spell as they allowed just 74 runs off the final 10 overs. Baksh claimed 3-15 off four overs, while young Deonarain, who showcased tremendous control of the cricket ball, bagged 2-42 off his four overs.
Ishaka Jackman and Daniel Singh kept the Media XI innings together with 27 (4x4s) and 19 (2x4s) respectively, while Shahrukh Imran gave the innings some momentum towards the end with 19 (1x6).
In the run chase, Floodlight Masters were also off to a flying start with openers Uniss Yusuf and Nafjohn Samlall racing to 32 off the first two overs bowled by Rene Stoby and Clifton Ross.
The introduction of seamer Zaheer Mohamed however, brought about the breakthrough immediately as he had Samlall caught by wicketkeeper
Roopall leg before for 22 (4x4s), and Ravi Persaud followed up with a similar dismissal of Yusuf for 33 (5x4s, 2x6s) as Floodlight Masters slipped to 86-3 in the 12th over.
It was a position they never recovered from, as Diquan Murray comprehensively bowled the dangerous Wayne Jones for 12, and Mohamed returned to claim two more wickets, as the reigning Guyana Softball Cup Masters champions failed to keep up with a run rate of 15 during the final five overs.
Baksh finished on 26 not out, while Mohamed, who was named best bowler on the winning side, finished with 3-13 from four overs.
Trophies for the match, which was held in memory of the late journalist and captain of the Guyana Media XI, Calvin Roberts, were donated by the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market. Relatives of Roberts were on hand to witness the game and they later assisted in the presentation of prizes.
Singh for 10 in the third over.
Yusuf and Lloyd Rooplall then threatened to speed away with the run chase, but with 68 runs on the board in the eight over, Jackman trapped
Now that the series is over, the two teams have agreed to engage each other in goodwill softball and hardball matches each month.
WI omission a “minor setback”, says Johnson
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Out-of-favour West Indies batsman, Leon Johnson, has labelled his omission from the Regional set-up as a “minor setback”, but believes that a solid FirstClass season could bring a shot at playing the game at the highest level once more.
Johnson, who has played four Tests and six One Day Internationals, last represented the West Indies in both formats of the game against South Africa in January this year.
The solid left-handed batsman was overlooked for West Indies home series against England and Australia earlier this year, as well as the upcoming Sir Lanka series.
“Yes, it’s disappointing to be left out, but it’s a minor setback, it just going through a process of performing well consistently for the Jaguars and the rest will take care of itself,” Johnson told Guyana Times Sport on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, who is a part of the Guyana Jaguars set-up for next month’s start of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day tournament, pointed out that he has high expectations of himself during the PCL, with the aim of scoring consistently, and at the same time ensure the Jaguars retain the title.
“Our chances of retaining our title are very good, our contracted players are basically the same from last season, with a couple of changes, but we have maintained our core players, so once everyone is fit and ready to play, we should be the team to beat,” Johnson explained.
Further, Johnson pointed out that the new franchise system allows for ideal preparation ahead of the First-Class season.
“The training sessions have started about three months now, whether its physical or technical work the players have been putting a lot of work in, and that’s a very good sign leading up to the start of the PCL,” Johnson concluded.
The Guyana Jaguars contracted players for the 20152016 season are: Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Raymon Reifer, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetymer, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph, Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Vishual Singh, Javon Searles and Kandasammy Surujnarine. Both Leon Johnson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are part of the Jaguars’ set-up, but were not considered for contracts since both batsmen have WICB retainer contracts. The second edition of the PCL is set to bowl off on November 6.
“Definitely I want to remind the West Indies selectors that I am still around, still eager to be back in the set-up, but to do that I will have to be consistent. That aside, my aim personally is to help Guyana repeat as champions, it was a long wait to win a Regional First-Class title, and I would like for us to be champions for a while too,” Johnson explained. With 63 First-Class matches under his belt, Johnson, who is expected to lead the Jaguars, feels that the South American franchise will be the team to beat this year.
Man-of-the-Match
John Ramsingh receives the trophy from the mother of the late Calvin Roberts
Members of the victorious Guyana Media XI are all smiles as they pose with the trophies on Friday night
Ramdhani makes huge jump in world ranking
Badminton in Guyana has received a shot in the arm with the news that reigning national Junior and Senior champion, Narayan Ramdhani, has made a huge jump in the world junior rankings.
The 17-year-old badminton sensation has moved to number 152 in the world, which makes the number two ranked player in the Caribbean and number 10 in the Pan American region.
Ramdhani, who was recently selected by the Pan American Badminton Federation to attend the Young Talents Camp in Medellin, Colombia, also played in the VI Colombian International, and it was at that tournament his rankings jumped from 283 to 152 after he defeated senior player Diego Lopera of Colombia 21-18, 21-18.
He was the second male player who participated in the camp made it into the second round, and also the second player to win against a senior player.
With this massive move, Ramdhani is now aiming to reach in the top 100 of the world rankings by participating in the World Junior Championships in Peru in November and the Suriname
Open Championship, also in November.
Ramdhani’s breakthrough in the rankings is a work in progress, and he had to participate in several major competitions to consistently improve. In 2015, the Sunburst Orange Juice sponsored athlete has so far competed in the Pan Am Games in Canada, the Pan Am Junior Badminton Championships in Mexico, the Pan Am Junior Academy in Mexico, the Caribbean Junior International Championships in the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean Regional Team Championships in the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean Regional Individual Championships in the Dominican Republic, the Pan Am Youth Talents Camp in Colombia, and the VI Colombian International Championships.
Courts Pee Wee tournament... enterprise Primary impresses on opening day
B y T reis T on J oseph
Enterprise Primary School put on a show on Saturday when the Courts Pee Wee Under-11 tournament kicked off at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park. Enterprise topped Winfer Garden Primary 7-0 in an explosive offensive show.
Martin King led the way for Enterprise with a hat-trick, scoring in the fourth, 23rd and 28th minutes, while Seon Archibald (15th & 18th) and Garfield Caesar (ninth and 38th) had doubles to secure the lopsided win.
South Ruimveldt topped J.E. Burnham 4-0 to start their campaign on a positive note.
Nashawn Briston scored back-to-back goals in the eighth and 10th minutes, while Justin Bovell and Simeon Holder scored in the 15th and 27th min -
utes respectively.
St Margaret’s Primary pulled off a 2-0 win over East La Penitence with Josiah King leading the way with both goals in the 23rd and 33rd minutes.
Tucville Primary found themselves in winner’s row with a tough 1-0 win, with the game’s only goal coming from Keyon Douglas in the 23rd minute.
Defending champions Stella Maris started their campaign with a win, as they defeated St Gabriel’s Primary 1-0 with a goal from Simeon Alleyne in the 27th minute.
West Ruimveldt also showcased their striking powers as they outplayed St Stephens Primary 4-0. Justin Persaud (eighth and 14th) and Michale Oie (16th & 22nd) scored doubles to lead their side to the easy win.
North Georgetown also looked impressive with
a 4-0 win against Rama Krishna Primary. Nigel Lowe (seventh), Akin DeSantos (12th), Kellon King (21st) and Tyrese Hunte (30th) were the goal scorers for the Woolford Avenue based public school.
Smith’s Memorial overcame one of the better sides in the tournament in Marian Academy with a 1-0 win. Omallie Vieria was the goal scorer in the 14th minute.
F.E. Pollard and St Agnes played to a nilall draw, while School of the Nations and Sophia Primary played to a 1-1 stalemate.
Teams gaining walkover wins were St Pius and St Ambrose Primary Schools, after their opponents failed to show up. The tournament will continue on Saturday at the same venue with another 12 games.
By TreisTon Joseph
The Georgetown Football Club (GFC) finally won their first game by topping host Guyana Defence Force (GDF) when the Stag Elite League continued on Friday evening. GFC were able to scrape home 2-1, despite being down early in the match.
GDF started brilliantly with definite intentions to attack. That strategy paid dividends in the 11th minute through a Delroy Fraser goal.
Nevertheless, GFC equalised13 minutes later with a goal from Linden Pickette. Kurt Johnson’s goal in the 45th minutes would prove to be the winner for GFC as the second half played out with both teams missing good op-
portunities, as well as displaying some sloppy play.
In the second game of the evening, Pele FC played to a 1-1 draw with Slingerz FC. It was the third out of four games that Slingerz have drawn, and they now stand on seven points.
Domini Garnett opened the scoring for Slingerz in the 38th minute to give the West Side team an advantage.
Hanging on for the win, Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson would spoil all hopes for Slingerz with a goal that struck the back of the net in the two added minutes after the conclusion of regular time.
The league will continue with games during the course of the week.
SA Volleyball Championships… gFc defeat gdF; Pele, slingerz draw
uruguay hand guyana third straight loss
Guyana men’s volleyball team remained winless in the South American Volleyball Championships, losing their third straight game, this time at the hands of Uruguay on Saturday.
Playing at the championship for the first time in more than a decade, the Guyanese have so far displayed tremendous competitive resolve, but have failed to win.
Competing in Maceio, Brazil, the men from the Land of Many Waters suffered another 3-0 defeat, falling to Uruguay 25-14, 25-14, 25-23.
The Guyanese lost to Argentina 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 2513) in the opening game and also fell to Colombia 3-0 (2522, 25-15, 25-20). Their next game is against Peru.
Narayan Ramdhani
Pele’s Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson (left) and Slingerz FC’s Domini Garnett
Stag Elite League…
Narayan Ramdhani (black) prepares