Guyana is one of four countries to benefit from a € 2.7 million regional REDD+ project supported by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) and the local government of French Guiana (Région Guyane).
estimation of land cover changes and forest carbon stocks; identifying deforestation and degradation drivers; and modelling land use changes and socio-economic development.
respectively.
The project’s overarching aim is to support the reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GhG) associated with deforestation and forest degradation through information sharing and strengthening the technical capacity of REDD+ focal points and forest service institutions in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the Brazilian State of Amapa.
According to a release from the Office of Climate Change, a technical platform will be established which is aimed to support
At the first meeting of the project, held on August 8 in Paramaribo, adviser to the president and head of the Office of Climate Change, Shyam Nokta recognised the genesis of the project which was initiated out of a meeting by the then president of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo and the environment ministers of France and Suriname at the United Nations Climate Conference in Poznan in December 2008.
Nokta provided an overview of Guyana’s REDD+ initiatives under the framework of the Low Carbon Development Strategy and with support from the Kingdom of Norway. He
Shyam Nokta
emphasised the critical role the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system has played in Guyana’s REDD+ model in helping to determine with greater accuracy the extent of forest cover and drivers of deforestation and the important
role a robust MRV system will play in future REDD+ mechanism.
In lending support to the project, he outlined Guyana’s willingness to share experiences and lessons learnt while at the same time seeking support from the project to continue to build a REDD+ model. Guyana’s Office of Climate Change and the Guyana Forestry Commission are represented on the project’s Steering Committee
The Guiana Shield is one of the largest blocks of primary tropical forest worldwide as well as a region with very high biodiversity. With 90 per cent covered with intact rainforest, the Guiana Shield plays a critical role in mitigating climate change and in water regulation of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
The Hugo Chavéz Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration was on Saturday commissioned with government expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Venezuelan government for helping to make the project a reality.
The centre at Onverwagt, Region Five was constructed to the tune of US$2.5 million, with the Venezuelan government providing US$2 million.
The proposal for the construction of the centre was conceived by the government of Guyana as a policy initiative with the objective of aggressively addressing the issue of those less fortunate persons within soci-
ety who for a multiplicity of reasons are forced to make the streets their home.
Guyana subsequently sought the assistance of the government of Venezuela in providing the resources to fund this project.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster speaking at the opening said the gesture by Venezuela does not only demonstrated the late Hugo Chavéz’s love for humanity, but his unreserved commitment in providing a sense of hope and belonging for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society.
Construction of the centre commenced in January 2010, but was not complet-
ed earlier due to some unforeseen circumstances.
She said the project stands as a tangible demonstration of the firm friendship and cooperation between the governments of Guyana and Venezuela.
The occasion was attended by President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, other ministers of government, members of Parliament, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana Reina Magarita Diaz and other members of the diplomatic corp.
“Today, I am proud to say that this magnificent edifice would accommodate 100 males and 80 females and will include medical, recreational, kitchen, conference, training and dining facilities. The centre will also provide land, which will be utilised gainfully in agricultural production pursuits by residents of the centre. The centre endeavours to transform the lives of its occupants so as to enable them to become disciplined and productive members of society. I hope that we could continue to benefit from the best practices of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the initiation of the activities of the centre, particularly in the form of training and expertise of its personnel in this area,” Minister Westford said.
Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir
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
While the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) is being discussed as a specific project that might just be torpedoed by the opposition, it does not stand alone. Indeed it is a metaphor for all that the opposition represents post 2011. AFHEP has been in the making for over 15 years. Yet the opposition still has the audacity to oppose it even though they concede they lack the competence to evaluate it.
They are waiting on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to complete its due diligence. What do you call this kind of thinking but blind “opposing for opposing” sake? What does the IDB’s due diligence have to do with the perspective that political parties representing the people of this country must adopt? The IDB is a bank and as such it is concerned with making a profit on its loan. The people making the decisions for the IDB will be judged and rewarded by how well they increase the profitability of their bank.
On the other hand, political parties must concern themselves with the social, political and economic needs of their people and country. As borrowers from the bank, their perspective on “risks” is at complete variance from the bank. Banks are not going to factor in economic benefits, much less social ones, which would accrue to ordinary people as a result of the project. They look at “political risk”, however, and for AFHEP have budgeted some US$55 million. This risk is entirely due to the posture of the opposition party. Do they agree with the bank’s assessment? We thought not.
But what proves most conclusively that AFHEP is simply the occasion for the opposition’s war against the government, and not its cause, are the shifting goalposts used from the beginning to “evaluate” the project. Even though the major opposition party, in its previous incarnation as the People’s National Congress (PNC), had invested hundreds of millions in hydro power (in U.S. dollars) during its stint at the country’s helm, their early critiques were never informed by that experience.
Take their early dismissal of the project as a “pie in the sky” dream of former President Bharat Jagdeo. They have now revealed that they knew all along, from studies done by the World Bank, at the time, that Amaila Falls was always a contender for a hydroelectric facility. Of course it is now easy to say that AFHEP will not satisfy the needs of Guyana in another decade. After all, against all their machinations, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has succeeded in generating economic growth, which means a continued increase in demand for electricity. Must the success of the government be held against them?
It does not matter at what capacity the hydro facility is designed to generate: if the opposition delays the process, the demand will outstrip supply. Unless, as we are now hearing, a complex in the entire Potaro-Mazaruni basins is deployed to generate thousands of megawatts of electricity. But can we hear about the costs and its effects on our overall debt?
There was a strident hue and cry over the contract to build the access road to AFHEP to Fip Motilall because of his supposed “inexperience”. That contract was eventually cancelled by the government and awarded to firms that all had the supposed “experience”. After doubling Motilall’s tender, we are still awaiting the completion of the road. But there is no hue and cry from the opposition.
The early charges of “corruption” in the bids for the project have also now disappeared, replaced by those concerns about “alternative sites”. The final pointer of AFHEP as a metaphor for the opposition’s sabotaging of development to bring down the PPP/C government has been their obdurate refusal to use the Economic Services Committee, which they control, to conduct a genuine inquiry into the merits or demerits of the project.
That exercise would also mean earning their salaries and duty-free cars: a no-go.
The government of Guyana (GoG) said it wishes to place in the public domain detailed information in relation to the efforts made to engage and consult with the parliamentary opposition on the Amaila Falls project.
In a release, government chronicles some of the key engagements where technical and related matters of the project were covered:
* Early 2012 – Sithe Global meets with opposition; Sithe Global provided an overview of the project;
* March 14, 2012 – detailed presentation made at Office of the President by GoG of Guyana to joint opposition; during presentation, numerous questions were raised and answered. A copy of the presentation was shared so that further questions could be raised. President Ramotar requested that the opposition submit further questions and it was agreed that a twoweek timetable would be adequate. No questions were ever submitted;
* 2012 budget debates –Parliamentary discussion on project;
* March 2013 – updated power point presentation made by GOG to opposition (only the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) attends). Copy of presentation given to opposition with a request for any comments/ questions. Again, no questions received;
* 2013 budget debate –again detailed discussion including progress with road;
* June 2013 – power point presentation made to opposition by GoG; this presentation contained key updates on project. Government also shares three major agreements for the transaction:
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Receivables Agreement (RA) and the Implementation Agreement (IA). Again no questions submitted but a request to visit the Amaila Falls Access Road and for a certain economic report was made;
* June 2013 –Government shares two reports on Amaila: Market/ Economic Assessment prepared by Mercados Eneregiticos;
* June 2013 – road visit organised led by Transport Minister Robeson Benn;
* June 2013 – IDB meets with opposition (APNU) on project; meeting was described by IDB as cordial with all questions being answered;
* July 2013 – continued engagement with opposition on legislation (opposition focus continues to be on matters outside of Amaila);
* July engagement with GPL management; APNU’s request for a meeting with GPL’s management agreed and time fixed; on date of meeting, APNU declines citing that the Economic Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee would be engaging on GPL and Amaila during July;
* July 17 – engagement with IDB Caribbean Country manager on Amaila;
* July 18 – vote on Amaila; combined opposition defeats bill and motion;
* July 25 – government convenes a stakeholders’ consultation session on the Amaila Falls project at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. The estimated attendance at the forum is 300 persons with representation from a broad array of non-governmental organisa-
tions, including Amerindian, women, labour, student and business groups;
* July 29 – President Donald Ramotar writes Opposition Leader David Granger to request to continue discussions with the opposition on parliamentary considerations of the Amaila project legislation;
* July 30 – Opposition Leader David Granger acknowledges receipt of President Ramotar’s letter;
* July 31 – Granger agrees to the government’s recommendation to meet with Sithe Global and Blackstone. GoG arranges for Sithe/Blackstone to brief the opposition at Parliament building; GoG not allowed to participate;
* July 31 – GoG and Sithe Global engage in a public workshop on the project with detailed presentations being made public and all questions on project being answered;
* August 7 – GoG brings back Amaila parliamentary matters; APNU votes these down; AFC support but with a reduced guarantee ceiling.
In addition to the above consultations, government has been aware of various engagements by private sector organisations, Sithe Global, and other parties, with the opposition. All of these engagements were intended to provide the opposition with a better understanding of the project.
* Private sector consultations by sponsor (Sithe Global)
* Media consultations by sponsor (Sithe Global)
* Opposition consultations by sponsor (Sithe Global)
* GoG consultations with private sector
* Environmental consultations with all key stakeholders, including indigenous people
The above is not exhaustive, but the facts are irrefutable:
1. Sithe Global and government have actively engaged the opposition for over 18 months
2. Government has provided:
o Three technical presentations (power points) and various studies
o Transaction major agreements (PPA, RA, IA)
o Held three public workshops (one with Sithe),
o Arranged visit to the Amaila Falls access roads
o Arranged for the APNU and the AFC to meet the IDB on subject matter
o Supported and facilitated direct engagement with Sithe Global/Blackstone Government has never received written questions from the opposition.
Furthermore, the government has repeatedly emphasised that passage of the two pieces of legislation was a prerequisite for continued participation in the project by its international partners. In addition, Sithe/Blackstone explicitly and publicly stated that parliamentary consensus was a prerequisite for their continued involvement in the project.
The evidence of a long and active engagement by government is therefore clear. What is also clear is that the opposition has never availed themselves of the multiple opportunities to raise questions and obtain answers, and cannot now use lack of consultation as a fig leaf behind which to conceal from the gravity of the consequences of their vote against the project last Wednesday.
Dear Editor,
One cannot help but notice that the Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green and his band of professional hooligans and bullies as of recent have as been intensified their pressure on the on the acting town clerk Carol Sooba to quit. One may want to and rightly ask why, as the things she is doing or are attempting to do at City Hall are long overdue.
It seems to me that City Hall is the one and only place where it is a crime to do or try to do the right thing. Sooba’s only crime, therefore, seems to be doing
the right thing at City Hall for the first time since independence.
One of the right things that Sooba is trying to do is to get the mayor and his wife to pay their taxes reportedly owed to the City Council. Is it that wrong to ask the chief citizen of Georgetown to pay his dues? If that is so, which he is literally contending by way of his actions and utterances, there must be some basis, some principle upon which his belief is based. Would Green care to enlighten us as to what this principle is?
Green must understand that if he is refusing to pay
his taxes, he has no moral grounds to demand payment of rates and taxes from the ordinary citizens of Georgetown or complain about nonsupport from central government.
If it is true that leaders are supposed to lead by example, by simple logic, the citizens of Georgetown should also pay no rates and taxes to the City Council. I call on Green to pay his taxes now and resign immediately. Nowhere in the world would he have been tolerated.
Yours
sincerely,
Reaz Holladar
Children must not be allowed to become
Dear Editor,
Imagine, a boy, just around 10, snatched a lady’s money and darted off. He was caught and I am wondering what is going to unfold. We must seriously take steps to avoid children becoming involved in criminal activities here in Guyana. It is a major problem in many places already.
In the United Kingdom, as many as 3000 criminals, including rapists, robbers and burglars, keep escaping punishment because they are too young to be prosecuted.
Some people say if you are big enough for the crime, then you are big enough to do the time. It is debatable.
The record one year ago in the UK is that children as young as three were identified by police as being re-
sponsible for a hidden crime wave across Britain.
But because they are below 10, it is a tricky business prosecuting them. However, the government says they have to soon take responsibility for their actions.
In one survey of 30 of the 52 forces in Britain, using freedom of information laws, it was revealed that 1605 crimes were blamed on someone under age 10 in the last financial year.
If the remaining 22 forces are added, including the Met, where more than a sixth of all offences take place, the total is likely to reach more than 3000. This is shocking. Children are losing that sweet innocence just too early.
The victim here, a market vendor, said it quite perfectly – gone are those days
when children used to be considered angels. She almost lost her entire day’s earnings to this mere lad. Luckily for her, the cash was returned to her, after publicspirited young men pursued the boy and caught him. He was later taken into police custody.
Let it not stop there. He needs guidance and hopefully he is at school. This should be checked up. Also, what about his parents or anyone who is in charge of him? This aspect has to be looked at too. Children need to be looked after. They just do not know what is best for them. Outside of school and other institutions, adults need to show some concern too.
Concerned parent, Gabrielle
Morris
Dear Editor,
I am somewhat puzzled by this call by opposition leader David Granger for a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the “troubles” on the East Coast Demerara.
I think that the “not guilty” verdict against the two Lusignan Massacre accused really created a stir. So now everybody is in agitation. Societies always want justice. Maybe justice for the two accused was ac-
tually realised, while still at bay, are the real killers. So what can we do?
We have to accept the court’s ruling if we are a true democracy. Of course we can appeal or go to a higher legal body. However, this CoI thing is not working out.
I think that if the decision has to be challenged, that should come from the family. Alternatively, a new investigation can be launched, and maybe others will be im-
plicated and then tried. For now, I suggest healing for all those affected by the terrible 2008 massacre.
I am thinking here too that if this kind of attitude should prevail, then I personally will want inquiries into all the deaths during the time of the kick-downthe-door banditry. This alone has a frightening scope.
May justice prevail, Carlyle Braithwaite
Dear Editor
We have a lot of bad roads in Guyana and many of these were made so by dint of utter foolishness. I am very frustrated with this road situation.
When it is not sub-standard work, it is total abuse of the surfaces – big vehicles crack the edges; heavy ones sink them; and flooding erodes all of them. We have to do better.
What gets to me is the amount that is be -
ing set aside so frequently for road projects: $732 million set aside in budget for Haags Bosch and to construct an access road from Cemetery Road to Mandela Avenue; $25 million set aside for the Bartica-Potaro Road; and $926 million has been set aside this year for the Soesdyke/Linden highway – these are only three. We are falling short if we are not going to protect our investments.
Even in a place like New York City, wherever the roads are very small, no heavy duty vehicle is allowed. Also, many of the streets are one way, so that drivers are not pressed for space. One actually enters and leaves via different points. We have to move in this direction to organise for the better use and care of our roads.
Yours faithfully, Delma
Isaacs
So recently, I started to take my mandatory theory driving classes. And after spending 15 years in a school system where most of my classmates were in my peer group, these classes, with persons run ning the gamut of the ages was a new, interesting expe rience.
Of course, I’m also sure that my teachers in school weren’t ever police officers. So I never had to worry that they might start handcuff ing me and reading me my Miranda rights if I handed in my homework late. This circumstance added a whole new edge to these classes.
But seriously, it’s really nice. The older members of the class are clearly really knowledgeable about most of these things than I am. I’m just coming out of high school I never really gave much thought to the theory part of driving. In such spare moments I had, I more or less fantasised about jump ing into a car and speeding off in a cloud of dust. Wait, did I say “speed off”? In case any of my (police) instructors are reading I meant
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”
“driving off within the speed limits”, of course! So honestly, the driving classes, which are going so well aren’t driving me crazy.
– Babe Ruth
be having delayed-action responses to everything. They were a sharp contrast to Barbados the night before.
The Barbadian players,
over to the field to save singles, and we were slowing down and giving up when chasing down balls about to go for four.
dropped, run-out chances were messed up, fours were let through. They seemed to
Indians have a tendency to relax, so they made a conscious effort to counteract that. They were diving and throwing themselves all
I’d hoped the game would’ve distracted me from the countdown to my CAPE results – which were supposed to go online at midnight – the night of the game. But thankfully results came out two hours early and I was happy enough about my results that it helped to soften the blow of Guyana losing. Out of the five subjects I wrote at CAPE (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Caribbean Studies), I got all ones. I felt a bit like the Barbados Tridents with my results. I hope Guyana can get their act together this afternoon. Of all their games, this might be their most difficult. Barbados, under the excellent leadership of Kieron Pollard, is looking like a well-oiled machine at May the force be with our Amazon Warriors and may the odds be ever in their favour. Go Warriors!!!
There is much anxiety among thoughtful people that our rapid progress in controlling and adapting our material environment has not been matched by corresponding advance in human character and virtue. Indeed it would be difficult to deny that moral values are disintegrating on all fronts, in public and private life. This is clearly evidenced in the following:
* Decline in strength and integrity of the family
* Waning respect for parents, teachers, leaders and other civil and legal authorities
* Increase in violent and destructive behaviour of all types in families, schools and communities. What is alarming is the number of young people involved in these crimes
* High infection rate in disease caused by libidinous behaviour
* Prevalence of drug use (including alcohol)
* A lack of purpose and direction pervading today’s youth – resulting in unsatisfactory educational performance, and other social evils
* Discrimination of various types
* Rapid destruction of plant and animal life and pollution of our environment
It would not be incorrect to say that the whole ecosystem is badly and brutally endangered and the very survival of our society depends on a widespread renewal of individual commitment to active value-based life.
The ills of our society affect our children as well. Discipline, which should illumine their path to learning, has deteriorated. Instead, our children are obsessed with a blind desire to imitate the unscrupulous behaviour of others, consumerism, love of excessive pleasure, and a growing attachment to material things, all of which inhibit their healthy holistic development.
All is not lost, however. There is tremendous hope. The survival of our world depends upon a widespread renewal of individual commitment to an active valuebased life. Humankind must rediscover a sense of meaning and recapture a feeling of dedication to ideals beyond itself, ideals which find expression in acts of service to society.
Educare has been developed in the conviction that such a renewal is possible.
Such a renewal starts with children, for they are our future.
If we look at the education plans of both developing and developed countries, and territories in our region, they state in almost the same words that education must cater for the intellectual, physical, moral, spiritual and vocational development of the students, and should employ strategies and methods which should promote, inter alia, a reaffirmation of basic moral and spiritual values.
Educare is a tool that is proving to be very effective in reaffirmation of basic moral and spiritual values. It is a particular philosophy underlying the education of children so that every aspect of their personality is developed, resulting in well-balanced individuals in whose actions, whose behaviour we see the fruition of the five basic human values – Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-Violence.
Educare is the Latin root for the word education. Educare means to elicit, to bring out from within. The question one may ask is: What is to be brought out? The answer is, “The human values that lie within; these human values have to be translated into action. This is based on the concept that goodness is inherent in man; and that every form of knowledge and capacity is latent in man. Physical, mental, ethical and spiritual potentialities lie within man. If we examine presentday education, it is geared mainly towards preparing us to earn a living. The philosophy underlying Educare is summed up in the following quotation:
“Education is not for mere living, it is for living a fuller, more meaningful life. There is no harm if it is for gainful employment, but education must recognise that existence is not all. What is needed is that we should live a life of good quality. The fostering of sterling character and good conduct is the need of the world.”
These are the words of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the founder of the Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Programme which is underpinned by the Educare philosophy. He was one of India’s and the world’s foremost educators. He founded several schools in India, both primary and secondary, and a university.
Some 70 Cuban-trained Guyanese doctors graduated on Saturday at a ceremony held at the International Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, the first such convocation in Guyana.
President Donald Ramotar charged the doctors to serve the people of Guyana and their country, noting that Guyana has been spending more on the social sector than any other Caribbean country.
The president emphasised that through bilateral relations with Cuba, the medical sector has benefited immensely.
“This was born in the service of humanity, by developing the people means that our country will be developed… for our country to develop, we need to not only develop our resources but our quality of people,” said the president, noting that “One common factor every developed country has is that [it has] highly educated people, and living in multi-ethnic society needs equal opportunities to all its people and the government of Guyana is continuously enhancing its social sector.”
Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran said the South-
South cooperation between Cuba and Guyana has transformed Guyana’s health sector.
“Research agenda is poor in Guyana, so I hope that you as new blood will join the various research teams to push the research agenda for the country,” said Ramsaran, adding “The doctors will be attached to centres across Guyana.”
Dr Ramsaran said in cases, the grandaunts will be deployed to difficult areas, but guidance will be given to them every step of the way.
Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Raul Gortazar Marrero
said his country is always a willing partner in development.
“Today, Guyana and Cuba have once again bring together ideas and aided in building friendship… the newly-trained doctors will serve Guyana well because of the expertise of skills and knowledge they have gained during there scholarship,” said Marrero.
He noted that Guyana has also received Cuban specialist doctors over the past years, and they have aided in the development of the health sector, strengthening bi-lateral relationships between the two coun -
tries.
Best Graduating Student Timothy Imanuel Morgon said the combination of efforts and prevailing motivation by his colleagues to become servants of the people of Guyana has paid off.
“Our prevailing motivation was to become servants of the people of Guyana and our country… we have successfully adapt to change we faced and overcome the challenges we faced so that we come back home and serve our country,” said Morgon.
Some 25 of the doctors graduated with gold certificates while the others gained passes.
Thirty-eight-year-old
Charles Anthony Woolford who is accused of murdering his wife in a fit of jealous rage will be retried for her death after the jury in his trial could not arrive at a verdict on Friday.
Woolford, called “Tony” of Lot 2041 Humming Bird Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was indicted with the February 8, 2009 murder of his 29-yearold wife, Latoya Woolford.
According to reports, Latoya, a hairdresser, was getting ready to go to a friend’s house to do her hair when Charles entered the room with his hands behind his back and asked her where she was going. He then allegedly turned her around and repeatedly stabbed her in her stomach in the presence of their 11-yearold daughter. Latoya managed to escape to the upper flat of the home where relatives were staying, and was rushed to the hospital where she underwent surgery; however, she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Relatives claimed that the man was a jealous person who had accused his wife of having an illicit relationship with a neighbour.
Charles, who went into
hiding after stabbing his wife, consumed a poisonous substance upon hearing of her death. He was treated, released into police custody and subsequently charged.
The trial commenced after a 12-member mixed jury panel was selected before Justice James Bovell-Drakes. The prosecution, led by state counsels Dhanika Singh and Natasha Backer, presented several witnesses to testify against the accused before closing its case last week.
The prosecution and defence counsel Compton Richardson made their closing address before the trial judge and the jury.
After Justice BovellDrakes summed up the evidence for the jurors on Monday, they spent about two hours in the jury room and returned informing the court that they were able to arrive at a unanimous verdict for the offence of manslaughter. However, the foreman of the panel disclosed that the jury could not have arrived at a unanimous verdict, because seven of them were convinced that the accused was guilty, while the other five thought he was not guilty. The lesser count of manslaughter was then ruled out.
The Australian Institute of Business (AIB) and Nations University (NU) will mark the two-year anniversary of the delivery of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme in Guyana.
Commenting on this, Director of Nations University Dr Brian O’Toole said, “Nations University has been delivering the AIB MBA for two years now and the programme is highly recognised by employers and students of Guyana. Two months ago, NU hosted its first AIB Graduation ceremony which was a big success.” AIB Marketing Director Joel Abraham added, “The MBA is the world’s most popular postgraduate degree, which is often seen as a passport to a management career. AIB’s 12-Month MBA is tailor-made for the busy professional and is
successfully delivered all over the world. The programme allows professionals to work and study at the same time and apply their knowledge to the workplace immediately. AIB has stringent quality control procedures in place to ensure all our teaching centres adhere to Australian standards and practices. All exams are set and marked in Australia and the course content is vetted by Australian academics and delivered in Guyana by an Australian-approved panel of lecturers.”
The AIB MBA can be completed at NU within 12 months and is one of the most affordable MBA programmes available in Guyana. It is fully accredited by the Australian government and recognised by the National Accreditation Council of Guyana. Earlier this year, the programme was ranked 10th internationally and third in Australia by the CEO Magazine (UK).
AIB is a 25-year-old business school based in Australia, offering business degrees, undertaking research and providing consultancy services globally. “The Practical Business School”, AIB is committed to delivering courses which are work-applied, accelerated, accessible, affordable, and fully accredited. To learn more about the AIB MBA programme, you are invited to attend a FREE MBA information session conducted by an AIB representative on Wednesday, August 21. For further details visit AIB’s website www.aib.edu.au/aboutnu.html or NU’s website www. nations.gy.
Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday remanded a suspected cocaine trafficker at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Lester Marks, of 172 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, is charged with having in his possession 2.9 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking on August 8, at Charlotte Street. The unrepresented defendant, who pleaded not guilty, told the court that he is 35 years old and a single father of two.
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte objected to bail on the grounds that the stature does not permit bail unless there is a special reason given and none was given.
Bail was refused and Marks was remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to Court One for September 10.
...in cricket
You, dear readers, will have to excuse your trusty Eyewitness if he isn’t as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as he usually is. Blame it on Guyana Amazon Warriors cricket. And because of this, he’s also going to invert the usual order of his observations. Short one first.
In the end, the nail-biting finish to the Amazon Warriors-Red Steel game was due to the sloppy fielding our boys displayed when the Trinis were batting. In this aspect of the game, more than any other, the buck stops with Roger Harper. He has to step up to the crease.
We’re not going to spend any time today on the Amaila Falls debacle, per se. Save to say that the debacle is all in the opposition’s camp as the voters now see how cynical they’ve been about the country’s development. We want to make some observations about the meltdown in the leadership ranks of the Alliance For Change (AFC).
One of the most debilitating factors working against the success of any group is when they’re not united by any common vision or ideology – but simply hatred against a third person or party. This is basically what the organising principle of the AFC has always been –specifically with those in the leadership. Take Rafael Trotman. Please!!
But seriously, some were taken in by his “holier than thou pose” and forgot that when he was in the People’s National Congress (PNC) leadership corps – his charge was to “oppose, expose, and depose” the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). This extreme language was not hyperbole...if you follow his actions after his departure from the PNC, he’s done nothing to change that orientation.
Just look at his rulings as Speaker – a position that’s explicitly supposed to be neutral. His coming together with Khemraj Ramjattan wasn’t fortuitous. It was determined by their common antipathy to the PPP/C. Ramjattan, of course, had been whinging for years because he was passed over by Bharat Jagdeo in the leadership sweepstakes. In a Marxist-Leninist party structure, he felt his bourgeois lawyer’s certificate gave him transport to a top slot!!
And that lawyer’s presumptuousness brings us to the sorry tale unfolding over the revelations about Nigel Hughes’ role as an officer of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. Okay, let’s say that back in 2009, when he was appointed company secretary, the chairmanship of the AFC wasn’t even a gleam in his eye. But by the time he did decide to take the plunge, his wife had already become embroiled in a nasty name calling about her role as an executive of the AFC while fronting for Fip Motilall’s Synergy – the precursor to the Amaila Falls Hyrdo Electric Project.
Shouldn’t this have focused his mind a bit? Ahhh... but there was not only the urge to make some dough (remember he had to pay some back taxes) ...there was the primeval urge to stick it to the PPP/C that hadn’t conferred him with silk.
...in stopping bullyism
Rather than taking on Hamilton Green directly, those in charge of our local government administration keep handling him with kid gloves. With people like Green, there’s only one language they understand: brute force and ignorance. Treat Green by the rules of the Marquis of Queensbury and he’ll just walk all over you.
With Green, it’s like the anarchy of interstate relations – where might is right. But like all bullies in this game, Green will insist in using the language of morality even as he commits the most despicable acts. Look how’s he’s using the vendors. By the rules of the game (which Green wants the local government authority to use with him), these vendors are all breaking the laws of the city, which the acting town clerk wants to enforce. So Green uses the lawbreakers to fight the law enforcer! There are any number of laws that Green’s breaking when he encourages lawlessness against Sooba. Lock him up and throw away the keys!
Guyanese on Thursday evening bid farewell to Canadian High Commissioner David Devine and his family during a reception and ceremony held at his residence.
Among those who paid homage to the outgoing ambassador was Buxton Youth Developers Association President Robin Phillips and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
Phillips was loud in his gratitude to Devine for the contribution he made to the organisation over the years.
“Indeed, we are thrilled in Buxton for the support we have received from the high commissioner and the people of Canada,” Phillips said.
He also singled out Canadian Fund Coordinator Ann Geer for her involvement with the community, which, he said, has undergone tremendous changes.
“The Canadians have made an impact on our society,” Phillips remarked.
Fresh dynamism
Prime Minister Hinds, in his remarks, noted that although Devine’s stay seemed short and he wished it had been longer, the ambassador brought a fresh dynamism to relations between the two countries.
Devine’s focus has been mostly on developing more business relationships between citizens of both countries.
“We’ve had quite a tradition in Guyana of Canadians in the mining sector. In fact, 70 per cent of the activity is conducted through the Canadians… We do have quite a number of Guyanese in Canada in professional positions,” the Prime Minister noted. He pointed out that it would benefit Guyana to organise the overseas-based nationals to make regular contribution to Guyanese universities. He told the ambassador that Guyana had made its mark on him and he would speak kindly of us wherever he was posted.
During his goodbye speech, the high commissioner said he and his family were going to miss Guyana very much, especially the warmth of the people, the delicious food, and the beau-
tiful landscape.
He also joked about missing the thrill of dodging death every day on Guyana’s roads. Ambassador Devine stated that he was truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to live and work in Guyana.
“I will miss the colourful language – especially when found in unexpected places. For instance, I once came across an interesting phrase which I was assured by a policeman, is actually a part of Guyana’s legislation: ‘Stoopin and padoopin’ with an intent to backlash.”
Devine also spoke of the sudden heavy rainfall and the way the office would flood with every downpour, as well as the sweet Atlantic breeze, the mangoes, and the world’s best rum.
The high commissioner said while he came to Guyana with the intention of making his contribution, he is leaving with far more as well as a better understanding and appreciation for the Caribbean region.
Impressed
He added that he remains impressed with the vast potential of Guyana and while there is much work to be done, the nation has come a long way.
“I know the politics is rife with tension, but I also know that persons who will bitterly argue with one another on public issues can also
sit down and have a drink together or watch cricket together or sometimes put aside their differences and even work together,” he reflected.
Devine made reference to the passage of the local government bills, which, he said, is an example of collaborative effort for the greater good.
He related that he was heartened to learn of the progress made towards local government elections and expressed hope that such progress would continue.
“From what I have seen, I think that most people, from various socio-political backgrounds all want the same thing: for Guyana to move forward, to develop, to fulfil her potential.
Everyone wants the best for Guyana, including myself and the Canadian companies, that have invested here,” the Canadian envoy remarked.
Addressing government, Devine expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the administration and stated that both countries have always kept the mutual benefits in focus.
“It’s never an easy task to say goodbye – especially when you have grown attached to a place and to the people you’ve met there. For Marian and I, Guyana was our home for the past two years and you are all our friends.”
Agold chain thief will spend the next 18 months in prison after he was convicted by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts of larceny from the person.
Kenard Persaud pleaded guilty to stealing from
Refeek Khan a gold chain valued $100,000 on August 7 at Charlotte Street, Georgetown.
According to the prosecution, Khan was walking along Charlotte Street when he was approached by the defendant who snatched the chain from around his neck. Khan raised
an alarm and ran after the defendant who swallowed the chain, but was apprehended. On August 8, the defendant passed the gold chain out.
When given an opportunity to speak, the VC said he just wanted his necklace back. Persaud apologised to the court and to Khan. He
said he has a two-month-old baby and asked the court to be lenient with him.
In sentencing the defendant, Magistrate Latchman took into consideration the fact that he pleaded guilty from the inception and apologised, along with the prevalence of the crime.
Satiricus was basking in nostalgia. One of the benefits of living in Guyana during what Satiricus still called “the Forbes Burnham Days” was developing an addiction to Indian movies. He had to pay Voora for the box and all that – but it was worth it. Took his mind off standing in the Guylines for hours to collect oil and such-like for his mother.
Anyhow back to what prompted Satiricus’ nostalgia for the Indian movies. It was the shocking revelation that NoGel Huge was not just the man who would bring a new morality into politics into Guyana. Sorta like Amitabh Bachan in Sholay? He was also a main man in the big, bad organisation, he and his sidekick Rum Jhaat (like Dharmendra?) was fighting to bring down with their KFC.
Why!!! This was just like the double-roles Pran used to play in so many of the old Indian movies. On one hand, Pran would be the villain, doing all kinds of nasty deeds especially to the heroine – like dragging her off to be ravished – as she screamed “Bachow!!!” Of course, this being Indian movies, nothing happened to the “star girl”. The same couldn’t be said about the “bad girl”. But then, the script always insisted she kinda liked the ravishing...
But back to the double-role memory. With a flick of the hair (or parted on the other side) Pran would become a good guy, whom no one recognised as being just like the bad guy. “And here it was”, thought Satiricus excitedly, “NoGel was playing a double role in real life.” Who said life wasn’t stranger than fiction? Satiricus looked at the first pictures of NoGel – as chairman of KFC standing on a pickup.
He was holding a mike in his hand and calling upon the poor and powerless people to rise up and overthrow the yoke of tyranny from their necks. “Star boys spoke just like this,” Satiricus mused with a fond smile. Satiricus looked carefully to see on which side his hair was parted. It was tough to tell. All this running around saving the poor and the powerless had caused most of NoGel’s hair to fall out.
Anyhow, Satiricus then looked at the picture of the other NoGel working for the evil corporation, which was sucking the blood of the poor and the powerless. How could he tell who was who? Well, Satiricus mightn’t be a rocket scientist where brains was concerned but he knew that since the NoGel had resigned from the KFC, the one making the announcement had to be his evil double.
And lo and behold, Satiricus saw that the part in his hair was indeed on the other side!! “Yes!!” said Satiricus as he pumped his fist in the air, “I knew it was a double role!” He’d have to have a talk with his wife who complained about him lolling too long on the sofa watching these three hour movies. Look how the movies had proved useful.
But a thought now struck Satiricus. With the good NoGel out of the KFC, Rum Jhaat was now the big enchilada. Or, as the Indian movies would have it – he was now the Don!
Stabroek vendor denied bail for assaulting daughter’s friend
Stabroek Market vendor Paul Hamilton was brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday charged with using threatening and abusive language and unlawful assault.
Hamilton, a 47-year-old father of two, is accused of verbally and physically abusing Shalana Gill, a friend of his elder daughter, at his Callender Street, Albouystown home on August 8. He pleaded guilty with explanation to all three charges.
According to the defendant, when Gill visits from Bartica, she usually stays at their house. He said on the day in question, his wife left the house early in the morning to go open their Stabroek Market stall and when he woke around 08:00h, he heard what sounded like a male voice coming from the room Gill was staying in.
He stated that when he got up to check, he found that Gill had brought a male into the
house, and he asked them both to leave. Hamilton added that Gill did not leave, but went into the kitchen and picked up a knife. He claimed that she fabricated the whole story of an assault, as he did not assault her. Based on his explanation, a not guilty plea was entered.
According to the prosecution, Gill sustained small lacerations and bruising to her ear after the defendant hit her with a “jooker” and threatened to kill her.
Hamilton told the court that he had no pending or prior matters. There were no objections to bail put forward by the prosecution; however, Magistrate Latchman ordered the defendant remanded.
Hamilton pleaded with the magistrate to, “at least” place him on bail, since he has to look after his10-yearold daughter when his wife is tending to the stall, but Magistrate Latchman did not change her ruling. The matter was transferred to Court One for September 10.
By Samuel Sukhnandan
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally said his entity is fully equipped and ready to stage the long-anticipated local government elections.
Surujbally’s statement comes after the final four local government reform bills –the Fiscal Transfers Bill 2012, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2012, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2012 and the Local Government Commission Bill – were passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Local government elections, he said, could happen within the next six months, once President Donald Ramotar assents to the bills. A GECOM official had earlier said that the commission would not be ready for local government elections within six months.
The GECOM chairman explained that apart from that, certain statutory provisions will have to be made in order to move ahead with the successful hosting of local government elections.
“But generally speaking, the team is ready; we are starting in September, a new continuous registration exercise, which will ensure that the voters list is even more perfect,” Dr Surujbally posited.
According to him, GECOM has already demarcated the various boundaries and constituencies – 71 districts. Each of these areas has been targeted for voters’ education. Further, Dr Surujbally added that with support from foreign donors and funds covered under the commission’s own budget, finance will not be a problem.
“So I’m very positive about everything,” the GECOM chairman remarked.
“We must get it right” Dr Surujbally said GECOM has been ready for local government elections since April 19, 2010, when it had been scheduled to take place. The GECOM head said that his institution will be more ready to carry out the elections effectively, especially since the final voters’ list will be updated through the next continuous registration exercise.
This is the first time that
GECOM, under the stewardship of Dr Surujbally, will be hosting local government elections. He said, “We must get it right, especially after we have waited… years to have local government elections. We can’t have mistakes and miscalculations… that cannot happen” in response to queries about the importance of the elections.
U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt expressed satisfaction with plans to host local government elections. Hardt said the U.S. government is supportive of local government reform in Guyana and will assist GECOM in preparing for this through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The diplomat said a new head of USAID will soon arrive in Guyana, which is the right time to coincide with plans for an election. Hardt and other local envoys of the Western nations have been advocating for the holding of local government elections, making several public calls for such and urging the political parties to facilitate the urgent holding of local polls.
The suite of local government bills, key to the holding of local government elections not held here since 1994, passed in the National Assembly with a number of government-sponsored amendments. (samuelsukhnandan@guyanatimesgy. com)
Two men separately charged with robbery under arms appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
Howard Ramoss, a miner of Second Street, Meadow Bank, Georgetown and Kevin Isaacs, a labourer of 569 B Field, Sophia, are accused of committing armed robbery on March 23 and August 7 respectively. They both pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that on March 23 at Durban Street, Ramoss, armed with a gun, robbed Celwin Mosely of one cellphone valued $25,000 and Zum Younge of $130,000 cash, while Isaacs robbed Sherryann Rahaman of one silver chain and one BlackBerry smartphone valued a total of $73,000 at gunpoint on August 7 at Church Street, Georgetown. The defendants, who were unrepresented, told the court that they had no
The U.S. embassy here has announced that it is hosting Dr Janaki Alavalapati, a Senior Fellow with the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, on an August 1216 visit to Guyana.
Dr Alavalapati will participate in meetings and activities relating to sustainable forestry, renewable energy, and climate change, the embassy said in a release. Professor Alavalapati will consult with government officials, non-governmental organisations, and academic researchers on ways to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and enhance carbon sequestration in the land use sector, including through the conservation and sustainable management of forests.
The visit will include a meeting with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, a presentation at the University of Guyana’s Conference on Sustainable Development; and a trip to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.
Implementation
Dr Alavalapati’s visit to Guyana supports the implementation of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).
initiatives on sustainable forests and land use and climate change adaptation.
The Senior ECPA Fellows programme is a network of high-level technical experts in the fields of climate change and energy who travel between countries in the western hemisphere to consult with governments or other institutions. The programme is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs and is administered by Partners of the Americas. There are currently 20 Senior ECPA Fellows who participate in these international exchanges.
Dr Alavalapati is the head of the Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation Department within the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech University. His experience includes sustainable forests and landscapes, climate mitigation and adaptation, sustainable biomass energy, environmental services, community forestry, agroforestry, and policy impact analysis. As a senior adviser of international energy affairs at the U.S. Department of State and a senior ECPA fellow, he has worked on several bilateral and multilateral energy initiatives. Dr Alavalapati has taught courses in forest conservation and management policy, forest resources valuation, natural resource economics, natural resource policy and administration, bioenergy, and integrated forest watershed management. He has also designed and implemented projects focusing on market and policy solutions for forests, natural resources, and environmental problems at local, regional, and international levels.
pending or prior matters.
Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte objected to bail in both cases, on identical grounds. He cited the seriousness of the offence and the penalty attached, as well as the fact that a dangerous weapon was used, adding that the defendants may not return to court if granted bail.
Both men were remanded and the matters transferred to Court One for September 10.
At the April 2009 Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, leaders of the western hemisphere underscored that energy and climate change are among the most important issues confronting the region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together towards a clean-energy future.
Responding to these shared challenges, President Barack Obama invited all governments in the Western Hemisphere to join the ECPA, the embassy said. Obama encouraged a strong ECPA focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels, energy poverty, and infrastructure.
In April 2010, then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed the expansion of ECPA to include
“Asuccessfulman is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown away,” renowned NBC American broadcaster David Brinkley once said. Separated by geography, Brinkley and Comfort Sleep Managing Director Dennis Charran have one thing in common – the determination to pursue greatness amid challenges.
It was determination that propelled Charran into being the founder and owner of a world-class manufacturing company in Guyana 10 years ago.
More than 20 years ago, he began to import foam mattresses into Guyana from a Trinidadian company. The company subsequently began operating out of Guyana resulting in Charran being one of the leading distributors, but it hit rock bottom and closed.
Charran had used the com pany’s failure to trans form it into his success story by launching Comfort Sleep in 2003. “We bought their machines, it was small then, but it was a start,” a beaming Charran said.
Today, as Comfort Sleep celebrates its 10th anniversary, the manag ing director said he is not about to stop, noting that his eyes are firmly fixed on expanding his company, as he ventures into the export market, while consolidating his gains in the local arena.
While satisfied with the progress made thus far, Charran strongly believes that there is still more to be done to get his business to the level he envisions. “At the moment, our spring line of products is not doing so well in terms of sales and so, we need to look at marketing this more despite the competitive environment.”
We are a family! Celebrating 10 years of service to Guyana, Managing Director Dennis
He reflected, however, that Comfort Sleep has done well, noting that from its humble beginnings of producing just one type of foam mattress, the company is now manufacturing two types of foam mattress,
done so excellently, so I want to thank the staff for sticking with us...” the founder said. Amanda Munroe, commonly known as Mandy, who was present from the initiation of the thought to the materialisation of the dream, told Guyana Times she was overwhelmed to be part of the success story.
“It is truly inspirational how the company was founded. I use to wake up in the middle of the night just sketching, just trying to come up with this unique product that would draw people to us. We started small, producing one type of mattress – Comfort Foam Mattress but today we boast of three products... it feels wonderful to be part of this venture, it’s definitely a dream coming to reality,” she posited.
GuyExpo 2013.
the edges of one of Comfort Sleep’s mattresses as well as three types of spring mattress, and this speaks to the resilience of the company.
“We have been able to retool, with new machinery and making our production more efficient,” Charran said.
Memory foam
Asked about his expansion plans, Charran said come October the company will be launching its new memory foam brand called Comfortpedic at
He added that the company also recently tapped into the Surinamese market, sending the first container of products a few months ago. “So we have gone into Suriname, and now, we are doing some research in Venezuela... we want to get into the Venezuela market and perhaps from there we will think of further expansion.”
On the local front, it sup-
plies Courts Guyana Inc and Guyana Stores, in addition to other furniture stores around the country.
Excellence
Being at the helm of the business from its inception, Charran said it is personally gratifying to have watched its growth over the years. “I feel very excellent, I feel really good about the progress we have made. It has not always been
good, but we stuck to it... we played by the rules and today, I am seeing the fruits of the hard work.”
Charran reminded that his business was not built around him alone, giving credit to some thirty staff members who worked tirelessly to keep Comfort Sleep at the cutting edge of mattress manufacturing in Guyana. “They have played their part and they have
Charitable
In addition to producing the leading mattress in the country, which is famous for its high quality, Comfort Sleep feeds more than 500 children across the country three days per week, and also plays a leading role in funding the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre – a residential facility which cares for children with disabilities.
“Comfort Sleep is not just about producing the best quality mattresses, we have a social and corporate responsibility to the Guyanese people and our customers and we try to fulfil this.”
Manufacturers of Mattresses & Foam Products
49 Eccles Industrial Estate, East Bank Demerara, Guyana, South America. Phone: +592-233-3013 or +592-233-2657
Email: info@comfortsleep.gy
By Vishnu Bisram
The large Guyanese Muslim population in New York observed the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday and Friday with fervour and tradition amid prayers, feasts and charitable contributions.
Masjids were packed to capacity including the main one on Liberty Avenue, Al Abidin, on 126 Street and the Jama Masjid at 102 Street. Muslims were well attired in their best, most colourful clothing – traditional kurthas, fancy Nehru suits and shalwar kameez.
The Eid festivities culminated the end of the pious observance of Ramadan, the holy month of dawn-to-dusk fasting (Rojah) in the Islamic calendar.
During the holy month, Muslims flocked to their masjids or jamaats at dusk for prayers and the breaking of the fast. And one could have heard the azan (call to prayers) over the microphone during the day and every evening from halfa-mile away for the breaking of the fast. In Richmond Hill, Guyanese attired in colourful Islamic garbs crowded the mas-
jids in congregations for night prayers that normally ended around 21:00h.
During the period of Ramadan, people repented and sought forgiveness from God. He is infinitely merciful to the creatures who seek a way of return to Him.
According to the Koran, whoever has faltered has the opportunity of restoration through regret and contrition. Many kept fast as Muslims do in Guyana. People fasted for blessings for the entire month of Ramadan and celebrated their achievement with the marking of Eid. Eid is among the most im-
A14-year-old girl is now seven months pregnant for her 21-year-old lover who is expected to be charged with the criminal offence of carnal knowledge. Investigators are treating the matter as rape and the accused is in police custody. Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the teenager is a school dropout from the Ancient County of Berbice.
This publication learnt that the victim was living with her mother, but on September 28 last year, she left home unknown to her mother and started to live with the suspect.
portant auspicious days for Muslims, but unlike in Guyana, it is not an official holiday in New York. However, New York City accorded recognition to the celebration by suspending parking rules on Thursday and Friday. Muslim-owned businesses, including medical offices and halal shops, were closed to mark the holiday on Thursday.
Muslims, including doctors and government workers took the day off (were excused) from work. The Muslim community contracted Coney Island in Brooklyn for a day of recreation.
The festivities began early Thursday morning with the
azan, ablutions and rituals at the mosques.
To accommodate the throngs of people, tents were constructed outside of the masjids and some communities contracting catering halls for the occasion. During the course of the day, Qawalis and qaseedas were aired on the Pradeep Kumar show on TV in recognition of the festival.
The West Indian radio station, WICR, also broadcasted live Bollywood music and religious songs. For the occasion, President Obama delivered an Eid message to the celebrants.
At the masjids, after prayers, alms were distributed to the imams, masjids and the poor. Sawine, jalebi, ras milai, gulab jamuns and other mithai were distributed to worshippers and visitors.
Invitations were issued to relatives and friends, including non-Muslims, to share lunch and dinner at Muslim homes.
In the evening, after dinner, delicacies, including vermicelli were distributed to neighbours, as is the custom in Guyana.
“Eid Mubharak Ho” was repeated again and again throughout the course of the day and evening.
The murder of Guatemalan radio announcer Luis de Jesús Lima was condemned by the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), which called upon the authorities of the Central American country to carry out a prompt investigation. The organisation also urged the involvement of the Special Prosecutor’s Office that fights crimes against journalists to resolve this and other unpunished cases.
Lima, 68, was killed on August 6 in the town of Zacapa, Zacapa province, in eastern Guatemala. The broadcaster and journalist was attacked while arriving in his vehicle to the radio station La Sultana where he hosted a popular music programme and interviewed local personalities. According to local media, his assailants, who were riding a motorcycle, shot him several times.
IAPA chairman of freedom of the press and information and director of the weekly Montevideo, Uruguay newspaper Búsqueda, Claudio Paolillo condemned the crime and urged local authorities “to perform a rapid and in-depth investigation of the circumstances surrounding the crime, find the people responsible, and bring justice to the offence”.
Paolillo also stressed the importance of the Special Prosecutor’s Office’s involvement in the investigation of the case. This organisation was created in 2001, after the disappearance and presumed murder of journalist Irma Flaquer during the 1980s, as a result of negotiations between the IAPA and the Guatemalan government, where the InterAmerican Human Rights Commission acts as the intermediary.
PThe matter was never reported to the police, but recently, the teenager told a member of the community policing group that she was being abused and her lover is seeing someone else.
The teenager reportedly told the rank that she wants to end the relationship, but claims that the man had threatened to kill her.
The man was arrested while the teenager was taken to a medical facility, where she was examined by a doctor, who revealed that she was seven months pregnant. The police are continuing their investigation.
Upon finding out that the child had left her home, the mother went in search of her and found her with the suspect. The teen allegedly threatened to commit suicide if her mother took her away.
olice have launched a probe into the alleged break and enter and larceny committed on the Internet café owned by Veronica Fraser, of Lot 31 Smythfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice, which occurred between Thursday and Friday.
The bandits reportedly carted off one 18” Sharp television set, one GameCube, one Playstation 3 and a quantity of game discs. The value for the items could run up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Investigators revealed that the Internet café is housed in a one-storey wooden structure comprising of two wooden doors, one to the northern side and one to the eastern side, both secured
internally and externally.
On Thursday evening about 21:00h, Fraser secured her business by all means provided and went to her home, which is about 20 feet away from the business. On Friday about 07:30h when the woman went to her Internet Café, she discovered that the northern door was wrenched open.
She immediately made checks and discovered the articles mentioned missing. She raised an alarm and summoned the police, who launched an investigation. Several persons in the area were contacted and questioned, but no one was arrested. The police also dusted the place for latent prints, but none were found.
Lima was also the director of the on-air magazine “Somos Zacapa” in which he critically tackled and questioned local authorities concerning environmental issues, lack of safety, and corruption.
While the motive behind Lima’s murder is still unknown, it is believed that his killers were waiting for him, discarding robbery as the motive. Lima had more than 40 years of experience in journalism.
Also killed in Guatemala during this year were journalists Luis Alberto Lemus Ruano (on April 7) and Napoleón Jarquín Duarte (on March 20). Neither of these crimes have been solved and it is undetermined whether they had anything to do with the victims’ line of work as journalists.
The IAPA is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the defence and promotion of freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1300 print publications from throughout the Western Hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida.
Climate change is one of the most important issues facing the planet today. Most of us would have learnt that the climate worldwide is currently changing and that the last two decades have been the warmest period in the entire global temperature record.
This article series by the Office of Climate Change (OCC) is designed to share information on climate change and the Low CarbonDevelopment Strategy (LCDS). This is our first article in this series and it aims to provide an understanding what climate change is, presenting scientific evidence on how our climate is changing and will change, and describing how climate change impacts the world.
Without a doubt, most people are aware that our climate is changing. Before we learn how it will affect us and what actions we can take to address it, it is important that we understand some common concepts and terms.
What is climate change?
To understand climate change, it is important to recognise the difference between weather and climate.
Weather is the condition of temperature, precipitation (rain, snow etc) and wind, which change hour by hour and day by day.
Climate is the average condition of temperature, rainfall, snow, wind etc, over a long period of time.
Climate Change is a normal part of the Earth’s natural changes through time,and is related to inter-
actions among the land, the air and the oceans, as well as changes in the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth. Through the natural greenhouse effect, the blanket of gases that surround the Earth traps enough heat to make the planet habitable.
However, in recent years scientists have observed dramatic changes in our climate and have linked these changes to human activities. The term “anthropogenic”, or human-induced, climate change is sometimes used to distinguish natural changes in climate from climate change as a result of human activities.
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
More formally, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines climate change as a change of climate which is attributable directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable periods.
One of the key terms used when we speak about climate change is the Greenhouse Effect.
Greenhouse gases (GHG),
are natural gases that keep the Earth warm by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Greenhouse Effect is the natural process of the atmosphere letting in some of the energy we receive from the Sun (ultraviolet and visible light) and stopping it from being transmitted back out into space (infrared radiation or heat). This makes the Earth warm enough to support life.
For several thousands of years the atmosphere has been delicately balanced, with levels of GHGs relatively stable.
But over the last century, very high amounts of GHG’shave been released at dangerously high levels which are causing the Earth to get very warm in a short time, leading to a rapid change in climate.
It is the extra GHGs which human activities have released that are thought to pose the strongest threat to the climate system.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released very important findings in its Fourth Assessment Report (FAR) which strongly suggests
that most of the observed increase in average temperature since the mid-20th century are very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations.
Human-induced activities result in emissions of the following major GHGs: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs), Perfluorocarbons (PCFs) and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
CO2 concentration
CO2 is one of the most important anthropogenic GHGs. Its annual emissions grew by about 80 per cent between 1970 and 2004. The global atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased from a pre-industrial value of about 280 parts per million (ppm) to 379 ppm in 2005 (IPCC, 2007).
So what are these anthropogenic or human induced activities? These include the burning of petroleum based fuels such as diesel and gasoline to produce energy and changing land use patterns such as cutting down trees. Fossils fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are burnt every day to produce energy for us to carry out basic activities such as driving our cars, operating our electrical appliances and powering our air conditioners. The burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 as a by-product.
Deforestation also releases CO2, as trees store carbon in their tissues when they grow. Agricultural activities such as livestock farming and urban activi-
ties such as decomposition of waste at dump sites release methane, a less common but potent greenhouse gas.
Global sea level
According to the IPCC FAR,warming of the climate system is without doubt, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea level.
The IPCC findings strongly suggest that the climate has been changing at a rapid pace and some of the global changes observed recently have been linked to it.
More specifically, the Earth has warmed by approximately 0.75 degree Celsius since pre-industrial times (over the past 200 years) and 11 of the last 12 years (1995-2006) rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature.
Global sea levels have risen by approximately 3.1mm per year between 1993 and 2003. In addition, the expanse of Arctic sea ice has shrunk by 2.7 per cent per decade since 1978.
Significant changes in precipitation have also been recorded over the last century. Increases in rainfall have been observed in some regions (including eastern North and South America, north Europe and northern and central Asia), and decreasing rainfall in others (including much of Africa, the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia).
It is evident, that over a few decades, the world has gotten warmer. Understandably, a changing climate will have impacts for the world, for regions like Latin America and the Caribbean, and individual countries like Guyana.
Since the preparation of the IPCC reports in 2007 which indicated that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 375 parts per million (ppm) in 2005, new studies show that climate change is occurring at even faster rate and that the present concentration of CO2 inthe atmosphere is 400ppm. The issue is further complicated by limited global actions to reduce GHG emissions. As a result, temperatures are expected to increase to as much as four degree Celsius in the near future.
In the next instalment, we will examine the impacts and future projections of climate change for Guyana.
If you have any questions or comments, please visit our website: www.lcds. gov.gy for more information. If you would like to contact the OCC directly, you can email us at info@lcds.gov. gy; call 223 5205 or write to Office of Climate Change, Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.
The U.S. embassy and the Castellani House are presenting an African-American history film series at the Castellani House to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s address at the March on Washington for jobs and freedom, which he delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963.
Dr King’s speech would later come to be known around the world as the “I Have a Dream Speech”, marking a dramatic shift in the public perception of civil rights for AfricanAmericans.
The March on Washington was the largest peaceful demonstration promoting civil rights ever held in the United States, with an estimated 250,000 in attendance. Internationally, Dr King’s speech and the peaceful demonstration served as inspiration for other movements around the world that called for social change and racial equality.
The films selected for this film series portray many of the issues and challenges African-Americans have faced throughout history. The series will end with a documentary about the March on Washington movement. The anniversary of the march comes shortly after the celebration of Emancipation Day in Guyana, when the British abolished slavery in its Caribbean colonies on August 1, 1834.
According to a release, the first film will be shown on Tuesday, August 13, at 18:00h; the second on Tuesday, August 20, at 18:00h; and the third on Tuesday, August 27, at 17:30h.
In accordance with the terms of the licence agreement and copyright law, the U.S. embassy cannot advertise specific film titles in print media. For more information about the film series, including film titles and summaries, interested persons can visit the U.S. embassy’s website at http:// georgetown.usembassy.gov/ africanamerican.html
Miss World Guyana 2013, Ruqayyah Boyer is currently in the twin Island of Trinidad and Tobago undertaking several projects in relation to her campaign against bullying and gender-based violence.
Boyer, who is currently an ambassador for Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) is currently working alongside her team members to advocate for this cause in an effort to increase international awareness in hopes that it results in a standard national domestic violence policy in Guyana that does not fail its victims.
Recently, four women lost their lives at the hands of their partner in separate incidents which could be viewed as a result of a failing/non functional system
Miss World Guyana 2013, Ruqayyah Boyer’s involvement in bringing awareness to violence on a whole with a focus on bullying as well as violence against women and children started over a year ago, and has now fully evolved into a more global platform and personal passion.
Miss World Guyana started her Beauty with a Purpose project on these issues by joining forces with CADVA and the Irene Madray Recreational Arts Centre (IMRAC), while in Guyana preparing for the Miss World pageant before taking her campaign across borders to
The Miss World pageant consists of over eight segments, one of which Beauty With a Purpose requires each contestant to submit a video presentation on the work they have been doing as an ambassador for their country.
As part of Boyer’s campaign against bullying, the Miss World Guyana Organisation and CADVA have extended their reach to Trinidad where the issue is also prevalent.
Change
There Miss World Guyana along with CADVA and IMRAC will be launching Operation Build-Board, which will be used as a tool to bring about change on the issue of bullying.
To mark the occasion of International Youth Day (Monday, August 12), the team members of CADVA, IMRAC and Miss World Guyana Organisation will end their final event, joining together in celebration with Trinidad’s Youth In (a Caribbean network for youth development) in their movement for change with a moving art exhibit under the theme “Reflections: Faces of domestic violence” painted by Guyanese artist Carl Anderson.
These events are coordinated efforts by CADVA, IMRAC, Miss World Guyana 2013, the U.S. embassy in Port of Spain, the Education
Student Support Services Ministry, Chaguanas; Pipiol Angels in Cantaro Village, Santa Cruz; Rotary Club of Pointe-a-Pierre, Rotary District 7030 and Youth In.
Members of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida were key contributors towards making these events possible as they continue to link up Caribbean communities with the rest of the world.
The objectives of these events are to raise awareness of sexual violence and sexual abuse; shifting the cultural mindsets to promote a healthier perspective towards women’s sexuality; and bullying prevention: bridging the gap between children, youth, parents, teachers and community.
On Saturday, the team will join The Rotary Club of Pointe-a-Pierre, Lakeshore Restaurant, Petrotrin and on Monday, August 12, Ruqayyah Boyer will be performing Sam Cooke’s song, “A Change Is Gonna Come” to end the week-long event.
August 12 is International Youth Day and this event will be held at the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) and hosted by the United Nations Youth In Group. It will be televised live. The Miss World Pageant is scheduled to commence from September 3 to September 28. To follow Ruqayyah, please like her Facebook competition page [Miss-World-Guyana].
The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has donated $25,000 to the Disabled People’s Network, Region Five to offset transportation expenses for its Sports Day today, at the William Carmichael Community Centre, Seafield Village, West Coast Berbice.
The BBCI in a release said the cheque was handed over to the network’s chairman Mark Archibald on Thursday.
“The company was privileged to have the opportunity to make a donation towards the Disabled People’s Network, Region Five. Also, it should be noted that this is not the first time that the BBCI has come on board to sponsor events and make donations for the Disabled People’s Network, Region Five. Earlier in the year, the BBCI sponsored the network’s workshop on sensitising programmes in support of the Blindness Awareness Week,” the release said.
The BBCI not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles
crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor opening and under the high span, but also, discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly plays an integral part in the development of education and sports, supports national events and makes donations to charitable and non-charitable organisations in proximity of the bridge or in Region Five and Six. The company
had also sponsored events in other counties, and as far as the hinterland. Thus far in the year, the company has received 63 public relations requests and has approved 57. These include sponsorships of Mashramani 2013 events, horse racing, donations of trophies to various non-profit and educational institutions, facilitated tours of various schools and waivered toll charges for tour buses.
Two persons were taken in to police custody in two separate incidents where a quantity of cocaine and cannabis was unearthed for the purpose of trafficking on Friday.
According to information received, about 08:30h on Friday morning, police ranks were on mobile patrol duty in Ganpat Street, Rose Hall Town when they recognised a man walking along the roadway, acting in a suspicious manner.
The man was reportedly stopped by a rank who car-
ried out a search on him and found seven brown parcels containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, in his possession.
The man was subsequently arrested and taken to the Rose Hall Outpost where the illegal substance was weighed in his presence and amounted to 8.5 grams. He is in custody pending charges.
About 09:15h the same day, police ranks were on mobile patrol at Beharry Street, Rose Hall Town,
Corentyne when they recognised a teenager acting in a suspicious manner.
A search was conducted on his person and a piece of whitish rock-like substance suspected to be cocaine was found in his left hand. He was told of the offence, arrested and cautioned, but chose to remain silent. He was later taken to the Rose Hall Outpost where the suspected cocaine was weighed in his presence and amounted to 0.5 gram. The teen is expected to be charged on Monday.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has pledged its unswerving support to the government in its efforts to ensure that the Amaila Falls project is not torpedoed by the anti-national posture of the opposition forces and that the government continues its efforts to advance other transformative projects such as the Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project.
The party, in its declaration following the 30th Congress, said it recognises that it has established a formidable record of improving the lives of thousands of people and particularly children.
“To name only a few – providing the opportunity for the first time for thousands of ordinary men and women to own their own homes; for the first time, thousands of Amerindian children are receiving a secondary education; providing thousands of lap-
tops to low income households in one of the most innovative projects executed by a government in the world to reduce the digital divide and enhance equitable access to new technologies.
“We stand firmly on the side of good governance, the promotion of accountability in government and in the party and transparency of those in public life. Furthermore, we support the party in government and the party in firmly addressing such cases of corruption wheresoever they are found in a timely manner.
“We reaffirm our firm commitment to ensuring that public safety and security remains a top priority in the overall developmental strategy of the PPP/C administration. To this end, we will work to ensure that the administration provides the Joint Services with the necessary tools and legal provisions to allow them to execute effectively their lawful responsibilities in the fight
against all forms of criminal activities and the protection of our borders,” the party said.
The PPP/C noted that it will work hard to ensure that the human, political and civil rights of every Guyanese is safeguarded within the meaning of the Constitution and the criminal justice system.
The party in government pledged to vigorously defend the security of Guyanese of all walks of life and to combat violence in the home, schools, at work and at play.
“We resolutely resolve here today that we, the party delegates and observers, to the 30th Congress, will work strenuously to strengthen the party and its bodies, to invigorate our work amongst the people with more focused political leadership and consciousness, to ensure that the present situation is reversed at the next elections.
“We affirm our commitment to continue efforts to build and to work with a na-
tional united pro-democracy alliance of stakeholders and made up of workers, farmers, business, intellectuals and professionals, women, and youth from all races and ethnic groups to maintain and speed up the forward momentum of the developmental thrust in our country.
The PPP/C said too that it recognises with pride that Guyana has made tremendous economic progress, surviving the global financial and economic crises that have ravaged many countries in the world, including the U.S., Southern Europe, and some Caribbean countries.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to former President Bharrat Jagdeo for his stewardship as president in putting Guyana on the world map for its achievements in the political, economic and social spheres and his visionary role on climate change at the international levels,” the party said.
Almost three months after a man dressed as famous Superhero “Ironman” and robbed the Wells Fargo Bank on Belle Terre Parkway in Flagler County, Florida; he was arrested, but turned out to be a Guyanese residing in the United States.
Lakhram Mahadeo, 26, of Palm Court was arrested on Thursday following intense investigations by the Flagler County deputies after working with several leads at their disposal, including Facebook accounts and Linked In.
Guyana Times understands that after Mahadeo would have served jail time, he is likely to be deported to his native country.
The Guyanese-born was described as a cash-strapped Palm Coast man who graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School, served in the U.S. Army, worked in the real estate industry and loves his country, Guyana.
The Orlando Sentinel Newspaper stated that Mahadeo, who posed as the multibillionaire Playboy’s armored alter ego, Iron Man, during the June bank robbery, is finally behind bars, authorities say.
Officials disclosed that Mahadeo dressed up like the famous Marvel superhero, ran into a Wells Fargo Bank on Belle Terre Parkway in Flagler County and waved a gun while demanding money about 16:00h on June 20.
“He was wearing a plastic mask, tan jump suit, tan boots, gloves and a red and black backpack,” the author-
ities added. He also reportedly climbed on the counter while demanding cash before he carted off US$2300.
The newspaper highlighted that the investigators were able to recover the handgun and clothing used in the robbery, but not the Iron Man mask.
Investigators also revealed that Mahadeo owned a maroon-coloured 2009 Honda Accord that was used during the execution of the robbery, which was subsequently repossessed by auto sales agents.
It was reported that the Sheriff’s Office at Flagler County received an anonymous tip off about Mahadeo and went in search of him where they discovered the Honda that matched the description of the getaway vehicle after the robbery.
Reports stated that he was interrogated at his home at Wellstone Place on Wednesday. The Guyanese man was later taken into custody and charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon and grand theft.
The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) on Thursday held its annual prizegiving ceremony where it presented several trophies to winners in various categories for their outstanding performance during the Emancipation Festival 2013.
During the prize giving ceremony, three stalwart community activists were honoured for their initiative, drive, selflessness and dedicated performance within their communities, to make the emancipation observances a success.
Those stalwarts are Coreen Tieshmaker from Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo; Karen Hamilton from Plaisance, Georgetown; and Patricia (Patsy) De Nobrega, an active group leader.
According to Emancipation Coordinator Aisha Haynes, the activists organised the communities for the emancipation celebrations.
Haynes noted that this year, the category of Young, Gifted and Black (YBG) performers were added by the committee. This category was added “because we believe that young people should be given the opportunity to express themselves and ACDA honours and encourages this . . . we even encourage other groups to follow this trend of allowing youths to express themselves …”, said Haynes.
She revealed that in 2014,
there will hopefully be a twoday celebration for emancipation as it will be bigger and better.
This year, the winner of best costume was the group Mystique, with the theme “Hello Africa Parade”, while Divine Stars won the Best Creative Performance prize under the theme “Mali Dogan”. The winners in the Best African Wear category were Ashford Glen – Best Dressed African Male; Desiree Pistano – Best Dressed African Female; Little Miss Beyonce and her dressed goat, Tasha – Best Dressed African Child.
In the category YGB performers, sponsored by ACDA, the winners were Shawn English – Best YGB Vocalist and The Divine Stars copped the second Best Creative Stage Performance, featuring the theme “Mali Dogan” and Kamadiyah Yisreal – Best Young YGB Poet.
Meanwhile, in the Sports Competition Awards, STARS copped the first place and walked away with $60,000; COBRA the second place and $30,000; and Middle Road Warriors, the third place and $20,000.
In the Under-13 football competition, ACDA Sophia Football Team was placed first and Redeemer All Stars Football Team second. In cricket, Redeemer was placed first and ACDA Sophia, second.
Forty-six students who participated in the Guyana National Museum’s seventh Children's Taxidermy Summer Camp on Friday received certificates upon the completion of the two-week programme.
The programme, which attracted youths within the age groups of 8-10 and 11-14, educated them about museums, Guyana’s biodiversity, monuments, heritage, and archival records and raised awareness about the present environmental issues.
Speaking at a simple ceremony held at the National Museum, Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred King noted that this camp was one of more than 70 that the Culture Ministry has coordinated for the youths during their August vacation.
“The ministry tries to ensure it organises quality experiences for youngsters to have them spend their spare time wisely and to develop skills that are related to life and skills that can transition into the
The Guyana
Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in conjunction with the Guyana Fashion Designers Council (GFDC) on Friday staged its inaugural fashion seminar at the National Library with international exhibitor of Green Interior Decorating Artefacts Jocelyn Dow calling on designers to utilise materials within their environment. Sporting a stylish necklace made from recycled plastic in South Africa, the interior designer who has been in the fashion industry since the 1970s introduced the notion of “Green” to the participants, as she encouraged them to work along a low carbon path.
Alluding to Guyana’s rich cultural diversity, Dow said it creates a wide scope of opportunities for designers.
In utilising the materials close to home, Dow told the designers present that they should find their niche that would enable them to receive overwhelming response in the domestic market before gracing the international arena.
The international interior designer, however, noted that designers in Georgetown face a serious threat, as she alluded to the deteriorating state of the city. “We live in a city that is unfortunately for many of us, not the best place to show our products… we have a great deal of filth in Georgetown.”
The seminar was held as GMSA and GFDC seek to establish a fashion design cluster industry in Guyana to capitalise on the vast opportunities in the “multi billion U.S. dollar international fashion industry” using funds provided by the Caribbean Export Agency under the 10th European Development Fund Programme.
In a press release, the
GMSA said fashion is a growing industry in the developed world from London to Tokyo and Africa to the Caribbean.
“In Guyana, a minute number of our intrepid designers were able to break into this lucrative scene and managed to secure niche markets in the Caribbean and a bit further afield, but their single most debilitating deterrent has been the availability of adequate funding,” the association stated. It was pointed out that in Guyana; the industry has been transformed over the years, expanding to include jewellery, accessories and household artefacts. However, it is the belief of the association that the local market is miniscule, unable to consume the amount of products manufactured by established designers of the ilk of Donna Ramsammy-James, Derek Moore, Pat Coates, Sonia Noel, and Marcia Fraser.
internationally to provide such experiences”, he added. So it is great that so many youths find museum related work interesting.
He encouraged parents to let their children give voluntary service to the various museums. “It will allow them overtime to continue practising the basic skills that you have developed and maybe over time to have a better love for museum work and over time prefer the career.” King told the youths that the skills they learnt will go a far way and encouraged them to share their experiences.
professions,” he said.
Over time, the ministry hopes more people will want to work at museums and in other related fields, since there is a dearth of such skills, he explained. He noted that it is a challenge for the ministry to fill vacant positions in these areas, as there are not too many opportunities for training and development in terms of archaeology and museum work.
Hence, for current ministry staff to develop, “we rely on our partners
Guyana National Museum Administrator Nadia Madho disclosed that the programme has been receiving more requests for places from younger children ages six to nine than from the older children. She stated that the Guyana National Museum will try its upmost best to improve the programme each year based upon feedback.
The programme was undertaken in collaboration with stakeholders from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Iwokrama, the National Trust of Guyana, and the National Archives of Guyana.
Internet café manager fined $20,000 for tongue-lashing
Afemale Internet café manager who verbally abused her landlady’s paramour was fined $20,000 by Magistrate Judy Latchman after she appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
On August 6 at Third Street, Alexander Village, Nicola Tappin, 40, used abusive language to Edward Bowen whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. She pleaded guilty with explanation.
Tappin said she is renting the place from Bowen’s mistress and on the day in question, he was playing loud music. She stated that she called out to the woman who subsequently turned the music down. Tappin added that after she spoke to the woman whom she identified, she called Bowen, who came, and they had an exchange of words.
Tappin was made to pay a fine of $20,000, with an alternative sentence of seven days’ imprisonment.
(Dec. 22Jan. 19)
If the root cause of your discomfort has yet to be eradicated, try to avoid a group in which certain members make you feel uneasy. If you don’t, your problem will only grow.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19)
Don’t rely on Lady Luck to bail you out of choppy waters. Instead of rooting for you, she might help others trip you up even more. It would be better to rely on your own resources.
(Feb. 20-March 20)
Forgo any temptations to boast about or exaggerate your accomplishments. Instead of looking good in the eyes of others, you might achieve just the opposite.
(March 21-April 19)
Financial mistakes could have a larger price than you’re prepared to pay, so you may need to be especially careful when it comes to your money. Don’t take any risks.
(April 20May 20)
Usually, you appreciate the value of compromise and the wisdom of making concessions. Today, however, you might dig in on an issue that deeply moves you.
(May 21June 20)
Go ahead and extend a helping hand to someone, but don’t let a clever manipulator use your gesture against you. Time and thought must be devoted to your interests as well.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22)
Your thinking might not be as clear as usual. For some reason, you might take certain trivial things far too seriously, while treating serious matters too indifferently.
(July 23Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
Though you are likely to be an “old softy” today, to achieve anything of significance, you might have to be a bit more thickskinned than usual. Try to find a balance between nice and efficient. It isn’t likely that you will appreciate being told what to do and when and how to do it, so it’s best to avoid associates who always try to impose their ways on you. Defuse conflicts before they start.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Someone you know socially could turn out to be a pretty tough customer when engaged in business. Limit your expectations about getting any “great deals” from him or her, and don’t take anything personally.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
If you’re negotiating a matter of considerable importance, it might be wise to have a capable someone serve as a buffer. You may not do so well one-on-one.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
If some of your assignments and responsibilities are being rearranged, don’t volunteer to take on more than you can handle. You’ll be much more help if you’re realistic.
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Eleven women were murdered thus far in the year as the spate of domestic violence continues in Guyana, leaving women’s organisations and others strongly condemning the attacks.
The recent incident which stemmed from domestic violence was the hacking to death of 17-year-old Angela Tamika Mc Allister of 132 Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara by her 18-year-old lover, who accused her of being unfaithful.
On the day of the incident, the young man reportedly chopped the woman about her body at his house in Diamond, East Bank Demerara and calmly handed over the murder weapon to the police as he walked into the lock ups.
He is expected to be charged on Monday with the capital offence of murder. In a another incident, the police have issued a wanted bulletin for Richard Lord who hacked his two children to death and inflicted grievous bodily harm to his 26-year-old reputed wife Nazalena Houston.
On July 31 at his Zeelugt Squatting Area home, Lord hacked Kimberly Houston, five and Ahmad Lord, two, to death while Houston, sustained a severed hand and three fingers on the other. This incident also stemmed from an accusation of infidelity.
The woman was since discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital and is in the protective custody of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.
The Guyana Police force has recorded an overall increase of five per cent in serious crimes at the end of July in comparison to the same period in 2012.
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The total number of reports of serious crimes made between January 01 and July 31 was 2316 compared to 2204 for the same period in 2012. Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.
The police stated that there have been a total of 72 murders recorded at the end of July in comparison to 75 murders for the same period in 2012, which saw a four per cent decrease. Of the 72 murders this year, 32 were of the disorderly type, 14 were committed during armed robberies, one was execution, and nine were domestic-related, while the other 16 are so far undetermined.
At the end of July, robbery under arms overall decreased by two per cent, with 585 reports compared to 599 for the same period in 2012.
The statistics indicate an increase of three per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms and a 10 per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. So far, pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 21 such persons having lost their lives at the end of July. In addition, 11 motorcyclists, 10 pedal cyclists, seven drivers of motor vehicles, and 10 passengers of motor vehicles also lost their lives.
Chris Rogers scored a gutsy 101 not out to give Australia the advantage in an absorbing fourth Ashes Test at Chester-le-Street.
The left-handed opener’s
maiden Test century guided the tourists to 222-5 at the close of the second day in reply to England’s 238 all out.
Rogers led Australia’s recovery after an incisive spell from Stuart Broad reduced
them to 49-3 in overcast conditions, forging a partnership of 129 with Shane Watson, who made 68.
Both enjoyed slices of good fortune, with Rogers reprieved on review on 20
and dropped at slip on 49, while Tim Bresnan spilled a chance off his own bowling to remove Watson for five.
But as the ball softened and the England attack
tired, Rogers and Watson began to prosper to give Australia the ascendancy as they look to recover from 2-0 down in the series.
Stuck on 96 for 20 balls, Rogers was kept in check by Graeme Swann before finally sending a sweep to the boundary to go to three figures shortly before bad light ended play.
The 35-year-old paused to allow the moment to sink in before removing his helmet to acknowledge the applause from the crowd and his team-mates.
As he posted the first hundred by an Australia opener in 12 Tests, Rogers became the second oldest Australian to score his maiden Test century. (BBC Sport)
Double Olympic champion Mo Farah created history once again in Moscow as he became the first British man to win a 10,000m world title.
A year on from winning the 10,000m and 5,000m in London, the 30-year-old moved a step closer to repeating his Olympic feat in the Russian capital. The Londoner saw off 2011 champion Ibrahim Jeilan in a thrilling sprint
finish, crossing the line in 27 minutes and 21.71 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Jeilan (27:22.23) had to settle for silver, just as Farah did at the World Championships two years ago, while Paul Tanui (27:22.61) secured bronze for Kenya.
Farah’s victory brought the Great Britain team their first medal of the World Championships on the opening day. (BBC Sport)
august 11, 2013
By Rajiv Bisnauth
The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) will be a hive of activity today when the KMTC in partnership with telecommunications company Digicel stages a one-day horse-race classic, starting at 12:30 hours with the country’s top horses competing for millions in cash.
In an invited comment on Saturday, president of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard said that all systems are in place for a competitive day of racing.
“We have all systems in place; we did some upgrading to the track and the facility itself so overall the track is in an excellent condition,”
Kennard said.
The organisers have put together an impressive eight-race programme for
the meet, with over $12 million up for grabs.
The feature race is classified for horses in the B Class category with the winner taking away $2.5 million and a trophy. The one-mile event will see the likes of Score’s Even, Donut Prince, C.P Got Even, Grande De Roja, Elle’s Vision, Got to Go, The Message, Funny Factor, Miss Karina, Zee Bomb, Swing Easy and Marathon Man doing battle.
The co-feature is the Three-year-old for Guyana and West Indies bred horses with the champion collecting $1.3 million and a trophy.
Another event on the day’s card is the D3 and Lower for a winning purse of $900,000 and trophy over six furlongs.
On Friday night the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel picked up their first win after four matches in the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament, and skipper Dwayne Bravo credits fellow Trinidadian Brian Lara for the victory.
Bravo said Lara called and invited him over to his house for a chat, and then took some time to speak with the batsmen, which he said made a big difference to the team and helped him as a captain.
“He told me there’s a lot of outside pressure but it’s for me to stay calm and remember that I deal well with pressure. As coach says, the pressure is always there but it’s how you deal with the pressure.”
Kevin O’Brien, who was named Ma-of-the-Match for his 70 off 47 balls, obviously benefited from Lara’s words of wisdom also.
“He told us that we have to play every game as if it was the finals, and that there was a lot of pressure but that we need to embrace the pressure,” said O’Brien. “He also told us to play the way that we know how to play but also play collectively as a team which struck home for us.”
“We really needed that win to stay alive in the tournament,” added Bravo. “We had a good chat together as a group, starting with the Head Coach [Gordon Greenidge] and the Assistant Coach [David Williams]. We all planned very well, know-
ing the importance of last night’s game. Having said that, this victory is attributed to one person, and that is Brian Charles Lara.”
The Red Steel is now on the points table with two points. They will face the Antigua Hawksbills today at the Queens Park Oval at 20:00 hours. The Barbados Tridents, who have won all four of their matches and lead the points table with eight, will play the Guyana Amazon Warriors at 15:00 hours.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson endured torrid days as their hopes of climbing into US PGA contention disappeared in ignominious fashion at Oak Hill.
World number one Woods was a shadow of the player who strolled to his fifth title of the year by seven shots on Sunday and carded a threeover 73 to slide to four over.
Open champion Mickelson,
ranked second, fared worse with an eight-over 78.
“Not joyous, that’s for sure,” Woods said of his week.
Woods cut a disconsolate figure on the course on Friday after treading water with a level-par 70 as others lit up Oak Hill, and he quickly called an emergency session with swing coach Sean Foley on the driving range.
But there were few signs of improvement on Saturday, and he seemed unable to implement any of his recent putting work with fellow pro Steve Stricker.
The 14-time major champion began the day 10 shots behind leader Jason Dufner but was further in arrears after catching rough off the tee on the first and then hitting a tree with his second. (BBC Sport)
There is also an event for Two-year-old Guyana and West Indies animals for a top prize of $700,000 and trophy over five furlongs.
The G1 and Lower will be a one-mile affair with the animals running for a winning purse of $600,000 and trophy.
The I1 and Lower event is a seven-furlong contest for a winning purse of $325,000
and trophy. The J1 and Lower class match-up will see the winner pocketing $300,000 and a trophy over six furlongs.
The final race for the day is for animals classified J3 and K over five furlongs and has 16 horses slated to compete for a winner’s prize of $200,000.
The meet will be run under the rules of the Guyana
Horse Racing Authority (GHRA), and horse owners are also reminded to get their horses properly registered with the GHRA. Those horses not properly registered will not be allowed to participate in today’s proceedings. Admission to the venue is $1200 for adults; children under 16 will pay $600, while children under 10 will enter free.
Seven teams will compete in the Banks Malta Supreme Under-13 cricket competition organised by the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and sponsored by Banks DIH Limited. The competition will start this coming weekend.
The tournament was launched on Friday last at Banks DIH Sports Club with vice president of the GCA Neil Barry highlighting the need for more developmental competitions for junior players in Georgetown.
He said the tournament was timely and he thanked Banks DIH Limited
for its sponsorship as six clubs affiliated to the GCA will do battle for top honours. Defending champions Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will be fielding two teams, while the other clubs- Georgetown Cricket Club, Everest Cricket Club, Transport Sports Club, Gandhi Youth Organisation and Malteenoes Sports Clubwill be fielding one each.
Barry added that Food for the Poor Inc will be providing balls for the competition and he thanked the organisation for its support.
Banks DIH Limited’s Communications Manager, Troy Peters, said that his
company was delighted to be sponsoring the tournament for a second time.
He said that the event is critical to the development of cricket in Georgetown and by extension Guyana.
“We have already seen the benefits in view of the fact that several players have gone on to represent the national under-15 team. We see this tournament as a developmental one and we would like to applaud the GCA for this initiative,” he declared.
Peters also urged the players to make full use of the exposure and indicated that they have the full sup-
port of Banks DIH Limited. GCA Competitions Chairman, Shawn Massiah, said the tournament will run for two weeks and will be completed before the new school year opens (weather permitting), giving the players much needed competition during the school holiday.
Massiah said that the tournament format is 20 overs per side and three matches will be competed daily at three venues in Thomas Lands – GNIC, GYO and MYO grounds, while the final will be played at the Banks DIH ground at Thirst Park.
– George to compete in Men’s 200m on August 16
Guyana’s only Central American and Caribbean (CAC) gold medalist, Kadecia Baird, failed to move past the first round of the 2013 Athletics World Championships Women’s 400m on Saturday in Moskva (Luzhniki), Russia. The slender 16-year-old athlete finished seventh in heat one out of five, clocking 53.73s with a reaction time of 0.308s.
Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia won the heat in a time of 51.27s to qualify for the semi-final of the event.
Guyana’s 100m record holder Adam Harris ran his season’s slowest time of 10.30s to be eliminated in the first round of the championships. Harris, who finished fourth, was two tenths of a second outside of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 100m event.
Winston George
Jamaica’s Kemar BaileyCole was the winner of the heat in a time of 10.02s despite Harris having the third fastest reaction time of 0.157s in the race.
Meanwhile, 2012 Olympian Winston George will be the only Guyanese in with a chance of moving past the first round when he competes in the Men’s 200m event on August 16.
By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
Former Guyana and West Indies player Keith Semple has thrown full support behind the Guyana Amazon Warriors, declaring that he is very optimistic the South America-based franchise can go the distance and win the inaugural Limacol
Caribbean Premier League. The Amazon Warriors have had a mixed bag so far in the tournament, winning
two matches and losing just as many in their four outings so far.
The Ramnaresh Sarwan-
led franchise defeated the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel by 19 runs and the Jamaica Tallawahs by eight wickets in their first two games, before suffering consecutive losses to the St Lucia Zouks by 26 runs and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel by three runs.
Semple, who now plies his trade in the Premier League Division in Canada, recently spoke to Guyana Times Sport at the King City ground, Toronto, where he was representing Civics Cricket Club in the Ontario Cricket Association competition.
“I think Guyana has a good team to make a big impression in this tournament; they have some real great talents and with the presence of some international representatives, I think they are capable of winning the tournament. However, at the moment it’s really hard to say who will really dominate; I haven’t seen much of the games but I am confident they can come out on top,” the righthander, who will celebrate his 43rd birthday on August 21, related.
Semple scored 2311 runs in 56 First-Class matches for Guyana, during which time he also played in England. He also lived in the British Virgin Islands for five years before settling down in Canada.
The middle-orderb batsman also featured in seven one-day internationals for West Indies against hosts South Africa in 1999, but with limited success. Notwithstanding that, he still cherishes wearing the prestigious maroon attire.
“It was a great privilege
to play at the highest level for West Indies; I was disappointed though not to make a big name but I enjoyed playing for Guyana also and being among some great cricketers,” Semple mentioned.
He was also willing to share his involvement in the game in North America, having now found himself playing again professionally. He acknowledged the support of his fellow Guyanese players and was delighted to be in the same club with some former Guyana teammates.
“I am enjoying my game in Canada; I came up here recently and I’m looking forward to be part of the action up here since a number of my fellow countrymen are playing competitively on an annual basis. I just want to make a contribution in any way possible,” Semple, who lives in Whitby City, Toronto, stated.
Semple is also the holder of a Level Two Coaching certificate by the England and Wales Cricket Board, and that is an area the Guyanese would like to explore while in Canada.
he new administra-
Ttion of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will kick off its 2013 season today with a grand opening ceremony followed by a riveting double-header at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.
The season will start with what the GFF has dubbed the Nation’s Cup, which will feature 32 teams battling for supremacy.
Following the opening ceremony, set to start at 16:00 hours, East Demerara will square off with Upper Demerara, while West Demerara will tackle Georgetown in the feature game.
Prior to the opening game, there will be a parade of all associations, followed by remarks from president of the GFF, Christopher Matthias, as well as the Mayor of Georgetown and officials of the Ministries of Sport, Education and Health.
The Guyana Police Force Band and the National School of Dance are also expected to provide live entertainment during the opening.
After spending the last few months laying the groundwork, Matthias, speaking at a press conference last week, said the GFF is ready to swing into action with a number of areas to be brought into sharp focus to ensure the holistic development of football.
During the coming season the focus will be on coaches and referees’ development, proper structuring of the sub-associations and clubs and the development of players and infrastructure, according to Matthias.
“We intend to achieve all of the above by promoting
Christopher Matthias
the playing of the discipline of football by the successful hosting of several developmental tournaments, namely, the first ever 32-team Nation’s Cup, a new format Premier League consisting of 16 clubs, the inter-association Unnder-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 competitions; inter-association futsal and beach football tournaments,” Matthias announced.
Also delivering brief remarks at the press conference was Vide-president Collie Hercules who said the steps being taken by the federation are necessary to ensure the process of development takes place.
“We understand that these competitions are vital to development and that football is a spectator sport and our presentation and how much we put into these tournaments will definitely tell of how well the public sees us in terms of our performance here at the GFF,” Hercules remarked.
He added, “We’re excited, we’re looking to making these tournaments very much well-attended and productive and to the benfit of all.” (Avenash Ramzan)
Heavy and persistent early morning showers have forced organisers of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL) second 12/12 championships to call off the first two days of the event. The tournament was slated to start on Saturday and continue today at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, but with pools of water on the ground, the organisers were left with no choice but to bowl off this weekend, weather permittting.
At stake in the tournament, the second of its
Courts (Guyana) Inc. made a big splash on the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic, donating $400,000 to the fourth edition of the event on Friday last at the organisation’s headquarters on Main Street, Georgetown
The event, which will see clubs vying for the top prize of $500,000, has grown into Guyana’s premier track and field event.
Courts started supporting the event in the meet’s second year and has been a major contributor to its success as Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings and Public Relation Officer of Courts Kester Abrams reiterated the important of the development of sport in the country.
Co-founder of the Boyce and Jefford Classic, Colin Boyce, thanked the management of Courts for their well appreciated contribution to the event.
“I just wish to express sincere thanks to the Courts management team for coming onboard with the fourth edition of the Boyce and Jefford track and field classic. Being the chairman of the Boyce and Jefford committee, we are elated that
Courts has come onboard for the third time and we know for sure that they (Courts) are eager to support sports of any nature providing that it can bring the kind of value that they are looking for,” Boyce noted.
The Boyce and Jefford
expected to participate.
kind following the formation of the GSCL Inc. since May, is a first place prize of $600,000 and a trophy, with the runner-up will collect $200,000 and a trophy.
The Man-of-the-Series will receive one three-piece living room suite, the best batsman and bowler will each walk away with $5,000 and a trophy and the Manof-the-Match in the final $10,000 and a trophy.
Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle, is expected to give some brief remarks and later declare the tournament.
Andre Russell and Vernon Philander gave a packed Beausejour Stadium a big hitting showpiece on Saturday evening to spur the Jamaica Tallawahs to a six-wicket win over the St Lucia Zouks in match 12 of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.
After restricting the Zouks to 142-7, the Tallawahs responded with 146-4 with 15 balls remaining for their third consecutive victory, which puts them in second position on the table behind the Barbados Tridents and ahead of the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
The victory was finalised by Russell and Philander, who added an unbroken 41 in just 3.1 overs, after the Tallawahs had lost dangerman Chris Gayle for 40 from 30 balls (2x4s, 3x6s) at 105-4 in 15.2 overs.
Russell ended on 47 from 19 balls with four sixes and three fours, while Philander was not out on 18 from just
five deliveries, inclusive of a boundary and two sixes. It was the Zouks’ third straight loss in as many home games.
Earlier, their total was built around a belligerent 75 from opener Tamim Iqbal and useful contributions from Darren Sammy (23 from 18 balls) and Herschelle Gibbs (21 from 23 balls).
Iqbal, the Bangladesh left-hander, hit six fours and three sixes in his 62-ball innings, but was dismissed at a crucial stage in the 18th over when the Zouks were looking to up the run rate in the “death” overs.
South African fast bowler Philander was the pick of the Tallawahs’ bowlers with 2-31.
At the presentation ceremony which followed, Russell made a clean sweep of the awards. He copped the Limacol Super Six, Digicel 4G Fastest Scorer and Manof-the-Match accolades.
The Limacol Caribbean Premier League will con-
while the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel will be in action against the Antigua Hawksbills at 20:00 hours.
2 Misbah-ul-Haq c Gayle b Philander 1 HH Gibbs run out (Philander/†Baugh) 22 DJG Sammy* c Ahmed Shehzad b Philander 26 JA Morkel c †Baugh b Russell 0 DS Smith run out (Russell) 5 LAS Sebastien not out 2 GE Mathurin not out 0 Extras (lb-3, w-4, nb-2) 9
Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 142 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Fletcher, 1.6 ov), 2-26 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 4.6 ov), 3-73 (Gibbs, 11.6 ov), 4-126 (Tamim Iqbal, 17.4 ov), 5-134 (Sammy, 18.4 ov), 6-140 (Smith, 19.2 ov), 7-140 (Morkel, 19.4 ov) Bowling: CH Gayle 2-0-90, DE Bernard 4-0-24-1, VD
