14th July 2013

Guyana deepens relations with South American counterparts

Streetlights being installed at more villages on Essequibo Coast

Foreign

Jealous

Guyana deepens relations with South American counterparts

President Donald Ramotar said even though Guyana remains committed to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), it recognises the common aspiration to deepen integration with South American countries.

Speaking at the 45th Summit of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in Montevideo, Uruguay, where Guyana was accepted as an associate member of the organisation, Ramotar said the new-found partnership is another step in that direction.

“It is my belief that the bridge between the South and the Caribbean is getting stronger as both Guyana and Suriname are members of Caricom, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and now associate members of MERCOSUR.

“Let me also underscore Mr President, (José Mujica) that this membership by Guyana is not just a mere

indication of our interest in trade matters, even though I will be extremely pleased to see an increase in mutually beneficial trade, but a political statement that Guyana, small as we are, recognises the importance of integration in all its forms for the upliftment of our people. For too long we have shared one continent yet knew little

of each other as evidenced by this being my first visit to this beautiful country. Needless to say, I have had to travel north, and flew back over my country to get here.”

President Ramotar also used the opportunity to condemn the way in which the aircraft taking Bolivian President Evo Morales home

was forced to land in Vienna, Austria and then searched.

“This outrageous act which, among other things, represents an erosion in international relations, must be condemned by all of us. I wish to express my solidarity with President Morales and the government and people of Bolivia and demand an apology from those responsible.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela, on Thursday signed a framework agreement paving the way for Guyana to join MERCOSUR as an associate member.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry release stated that the initiative arose out of the decision taken by the Council of Ministers at the MERCOSUR summit held in Brasilia in December 2012 to foster and strengthen the relationship between MERCOSUR and Guyana. Among the areas covered by the framework association agreement are: political, economic, trade, productive development, cultural and other cooperation issues.

Following the signing of the agreement, RodriguesBirkett thanked her colleague foreign ministers for welcoming Guyana into the MERCOSUR family.

“Separated by history and culture in the past, Guyana has made a conscious decision to pursue its continental destiny and signing this agreement marks another step in this direction,” she said. She praised the work done by the outgoing chairman of MERCOSUR, foreign minister of Uruguay Luis Almagro, and the staff of the MERCOSUR Secretariat for completing the process in such a short space of time. Guyana applied for associate member status six months ago.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, July 14 from 08:30h to 10:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, July 14 from 07:35h to 09:05h.

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: Easterly at 2.68 to 2.23 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:14h and 20:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.47 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:49h and 14:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.73 metre respectively.

Guyana’s energy bill could be halved with hydropower – finance minister – Amaila project will revolutionise Guyana’s economy

By Michael younge

Guyana stands to benefit significantly from the completion of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Power (AFHEP) project, which could see overall energy and fuel bills being slashed by half, resulting in millions of dollars being saved from 2017 and onwards.

It was with this in mind that Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh continued to lobby for parliamentary support for the approval of critical aspects of the project, which he explained would aid government’s bid to make access to hydro power here a reality.

The recent increased lobby comes in wake of a motion and bill which would come up for discussion and scrutiny on Thursday in the National Assembly that deals with government’s financing of the project and protection of the land which has been set aside for the construction of the plant.

Benefits Dr Singh said benefits to be derived from the project outweigh by far any perceived risks that may be associated with its commencement or completion. He was adamant that the time was ripe for all policymakers and parliamentarians to make nationalistic decisions about the future of the country’s economy, as he continued to plug the impor-

tance of the project in relation to Guyana’s development.

“I remain optimistic that responsible political stakeholders will recognise the merit of this project and will recognise the consequences of withholding their support. I hope we are able to achieve consensus on this project. As members of Parliament, we must be able to unite on some things and renewable energy should be one of them,” the minister said.

He emphasised that the time was ripe for Guyana to pursue the project to its end and indicated that Guyana needs to harness the potential of hydro power, which has been recognised and spoken about for more than two decades.

Rationalising government’s desire to make the project a reality, Dr Singh

said there is need for cheaper energy in Guyana, which will undoubtedly have positive impacts on the country’s investment climate and business in general. He said it is necessary for Guyana to take this bold step when one considers the stories of other developing and developed countries in this respect.

“We have seen examples of economies that have achieved energy security and energy affordability, and we have seen how the accomplishments of those objectives have returned benefits to those countries,” he explained, stating that energy is a critical component in all aspects of businesses and life in Guyana.

“I have no doubts that were this to be avoided, this need for redundant power, the consequences for inward investment would be tremendous, domestic business profitability would increase, because they don’t have that cost anymore, and the ability to set up new industries would increase,” he noted.

Agriculture Dr Singh also outlined the benefits that farmers and agricultural stakeholders could expect with the advent of hydro and said the processing of various forms of fruits, vegetables and food in general could prove more financially feasibile with the creation of stable and affordable electricity.

The minister said government has taken note that investors who enter the Guyanese market have to factor in the cost of power into their overall cost of production and operation, admitting that it was “a significant cost” considering the prevailing prices for energy and fuel.

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

Editorial

Private sector for development Pretty in Pink!

Even before the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) was formed, economists such as Havelock Brewster and Dr Clive Thomas (The Dynamics of West Indian Economic Integration, 1967) had identified the synergies that could be built in for the development of the region through joint economic projects. But as we know, to our cost, it was not to be and the region as a whole has significantly lagged behind other colonies such as Singapore and Malaysia, which were behind us at the time of independence.

Maybe, it is time that the state, with their power holders fixated on retaining “power”, step aside and allow the private sector to initiate and complete the long neglected task. It is possible that the time was not propitious before. At independence, the region was dominated by governments that insisted on the state playing the major role in initiating and sustaining the quest for development. Even the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), founded by the “free-enterprise” oriented west – the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) – supported and funded that idea. And even though there was lip service given to developing a “common economic space” in the region, each country focused on its own domestic projects. “Autarky” seemed to have been the guiding mantra.

But today we have moved from the paradigm of the state being the locomotive for growth to the private sector identified as the “engine” and the state being its facilitator. The short flirtation with the neo-liberal fad of “market fundamentalism” has thankfully passed even though the developed countries are still suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms. Last Wednesday, as our newspaper reported, a Trinidadian businessman Donald Baldeosingh, president of the Enman Group, made an explicit call for a free enterprise-led model of regional integration.

Addressing a conference on “Trinidad and Tobago (TT) – Guyana Connections”, hosted by the TT Chamber of Commerce, Baldeosingh outlined not just his vision, but a detailed plan for kicking off what he envisages as an eventual US$4 billion investment that would provide a win-win situation for both the twin island republic and the sleeping South American giant, Guyana. He told the 40-odd investors and bankers: “It is the start of regional integration. When you think of the European Union (EU), it started on the basic building block of Franco-German relations. If you want Caribbean integration, we have to start somewhere. You have two friendly countries with good synergy. It will start the regional integration from here and expand it.”

Baldeosingh is no “airy fairy” dreamer, but a seasoned businessman who has operated at the highest levels of the TT business community. A past chairman of the Petroleum Company of TT, he has partnered with other experts in the energy field to form Enman. Their plan, a decade in the making, to be entirely privately funded and available on the web, is based on two irrefutable facts: that TT’s industrialised sector will face an energy crunch sooner rather than later and that Guyana is rich in hydroelectric potential.

From the development of an 800MW hydroelectric facility at – Turtruba Falls on the Mazaruni, several “core projects” would develop – each spawning a set of related initiatives. For instance, there would be the “Trinidad to Guyana power interconnection” that would export 400MW power to that island through a 500-mile cable, which could also contain a fibre-optic cable for telecommunications usage. An aluminium smelter in Guyana is also envisaged that could lead to downstream manufacturing activities in the two countries. Also mentioned is an industrial park to manufacture solar panels.

We believe that the approach taken by Baldeosingh and the TT Chamber of Commerce is visionary, but can become reality if investors can be brought on board. We hope that he can be facilitated by our own Private Sector Commission (PSC) so that our banking system, which is drowning in liquidity, might be offered an opportunity to make more strategic investments than at present.

A lecture series in Hinduism is here

Dear Editor,

An introductory course (lecture series) in Hinduism called, “Understanding Hinduism”, is going to be offered to Hindus and all interested persons wishing to learn the philosophy and other sublime Hindu concepts.

It comprises six lectures – one per week, each with duration of three hours (13:30-16:30h). The dates for these lectures are July 20 and 27 and August 3, 10, 17 and 24. Venue for same is

Vishnu Mandir, Public Road (Bhaiee Street), East Meten Meer Zorg, West Coast Demerara (upstairs of temple).

The topics to be lectured include a brief history of Hinduism, distinguishing features of Hinduism, god in Hinduism, trimurti, fatherhood and motherhood of god, Hindu scriptures, stages of life, varnashrama, the pancha paha yajnas, yoga, the law of karma and reincarnation, image worship, rituals and mythology, the guru,

mantra shakti – the power of mantras, major Hindu sects, cults and sub-religions, man’s search for god, Hindu philosophy in brief, vedanta and its schools of thought, Hindu ethics, samskaara, Hindu outlook on life, universal outlook of Hinduism, scientific heritage, fasts and festivals, and avataras, among others.

The lectures will be done by Pandit Charranlall Nandalall, along with guest appearances by Pandit Ramdial Balbadar and oth-

ers. A textbook designed specifically to meet the needs of this course will be used. This course is absolutely free. Interested persons are asked to take all advantages of this lecture series, as they will not regret it. For more information or registration, please contact Pandit Charranlall Nandalall on 695-4961or email charranlall@gmail.com

Regards, Pandit Charranlall Nandalall

Govt must stick to the new labour law

Dear Editor,

The word is very forceful regarding government’s position of relentlessness on the recently introduced national minimum wage and 40-hour five-day workweek. According to the labour minister, this will be so, even in the face of criticism from many private employers. I have two points to make in this regard. It seems to me that

peeved private employers were running some labour camps. Sometimes when I go down Regent Street, I am very upset with what confronts me. The other thing is that of arranging a new kind of format for stores and other entities that serve the public. Many countries employ a system where stores and shopping malls start later in the morning and open later. In this way, the of-

fice type workers can get to shop after work.

Also, this allows for peak hours to be better regulated. The parks will not be crammed at four in the afternoon, nor the roads be lined with commuters in the early morning. This may be what the minibus drivers will love as well.

A final word on those with government contracts, as they are com-

plaining about the possibility of going bankrupt. There is no need to seek any kind of redressing of the matter. I suggest that another person be allowed to take over from where it is at the moment. I am sure that many private individuals will just jump at the opportunity to own some private security companies.

Yours truly, Warren Captain

Children and criminal activities

Dear Editor, I have heard quite a few rumours concerning Guyanese children and their recruitment for criminal activities. I have also heard that many parents and

adults train them to be collusive in an environment of criminality.

The news here is kind of stunning, even though it may not be suggestive of anything chronic, or even

bad about the parents herein.

If we are serious about a safer Guyana, then we will play our roles and be supportive of crime fighting. The recent spate of robber-

ies in Berbice is difficult to stomach. I hope this particular incident will open up a number of leads.

Yours sincerely, Manniram Deosaran

The brutality of the PNC must not be forgotten

Dear Editor,

On July 16, we will be commemorating the brutal murder of our two exemplary comrades – Bholanauth Parmanand and Jagan Ramessar. These two young men were ruthlessly and brutally gunned down as they were among their villagers who were struggling for free and fair elections in Guyana.

On that fatal day July 16, 1973, 40 ago, Parmanand and Ramessar were shot and killed by a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer. Guyanese were fully aware of the wicked approach of the People’s National Congress (PNC) to national elections, specifically, their heinous intentions to rig the elections.

Investigations by the Justice Dhanessar Jhappan Commission of Inquiry (CoI) revealed the high likelihood of a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) victory if the elections were run in a free and fair manner. The commission cited the massive public meetings held by the PPP and the overwhelming public display of support for Dr Cheddi Jagan as evidence of this. The PNC, in order to ensure their victory by any means necessary, deployed the security forces, both army and police, to all parts of the country.

In addition to the regular strength of the police stations in Berbice, a battalion was deployed from the GDF, which set up his command post compound of the central police station in New Amsterdam.

Soldiers were further broken up into smaller groups and a platoon was sent to upper Corentyne on June 7,

1973. The portion consisted of two sergeants, three corporals, five lance corporals and nine privates – that is 20 men in all.

The platoon pitched camp at Number 51 Backdam and remained there until June 19. From there they went to plantation Skeldon, remaining there until June 27 when they moved on to Number 63 and bivouacked on the beach. On June 14, they left Number 63 beach and set up camp in the compound of the Number 51 Police Station. They had with them self-loading rifles, sub-machine guns, tear smoke grenades and steel helmets.

I worked on that polling day in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, as we were coming out at 5:30 a.m. I recall seeing GDF soldiers crawling on the road side with their guns. It was a physical manifestation of the PNC’s heinous intention to terrorise the population in the form of thugs, including police and the army.

It is not by chance that Linden London, one of GDF’s soldiers, was later known to Guyanese as “Blackie”. He was one of the masterminds among the criminal gangs that terrorised the Guyanese people. “Blackie” was killed in a shootout with the police and soldiers the PNC draped his coffin with the national flag and gave him the party’s farewell funeral.

On July 16 the GDF, armed with tear smoke grenades, respirators, steel helmets, two sub-machine guns, rifles and bayonets, descended on the Corentyne with the clear intention to take full control of the bal-

lot boxes and removed the representatives of other three political parties from around the boxes.

Parmanand was killed and his dear wife and four children had to endure the death of the breadwinner of their home, as their loving husband and father was ripped from them in the most brutal manner possible. Ramessar was shot and killed and the army threw him in their vehicle and drove him around as he was kicked and stamped upon. He was paraded to send a message to the people in Berbice.

Approximately five hours later, after his corpse was unspeakably desecrated, he was taken to the New Amsterdam hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ramessar, only 18 years old at the time, was brutally murdered and his parents and other relatives are today still crying.

Parmanand’s immediate family and his comrades, 40 years later, still vividly recall the unbelievably brutal and monstrous debacle that was called the 1973 elections. My fellow comrade Rishi Ram Motie and his friends tearfully recounted for me what they witnessed on that day. Motie himself suffered a broken nose. His body was black and blue as he was cuffed and kicked. Scores of persons were badly beaten and threatened. Families were humiliated and separated.

During the campaign before July 16, it was clear that the PPP meetings attracted massive support, while the PNC had a mere sprinkling of people. Motie, as he sobs, told me that when the elec-

tion results were announced and the PNC was the winning party, nobody accepted the results.

Meanwhile, the PNC terrorists continued to terrorise the Berbicians as hundreds of people fled their homes and went across to Suriname, while others went into hiding for weeks and months. As a result, thousands of Berbicians and other Guyanese were forced to leave Guyana.

As we celebrate and recognise that our two com-

rades made the supreme sacrifice in the fight for free and fair elections, Motie says that he is disappointed, appalled and worried to see some people who were on our side only recently are today sitting in Parliament with some of those who were in the army and are fully aware of how brutal the PNC was towards the Guyanese people, in particular PPP supporters.

Guyanese must never forget that many eminent

persons, such as Dr Walter Rodney, were assassinated during the dark days of the PNC rule. Today, we must draw strength, unite and work together for the further development of the democracy we now enjoy. We must ensure that the memories of Parmanand and Ramessar live on in us and let their sacrifice inspire us to rally with the PPP.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

Anu Dev

“Technology is neither good nor bad, nor even neutral. Technology is one part of the complex of re- lationships that people form with each other and the world around them; it simply cannot be under- stood outside of that concept.” – Samuel Collins.

In today’s world, to get a message heard halfway across the world you just need to tap at a couple of buttons without ever having to vibrate your vocal cords. It literally opened up whole new worlds: we can now reconnect with people we haven’t seen in years or connect with others we may never, ever see.

But with every message we send, every picture we post, every thought we share with the world around us, we’re opening up ourselves to the world. And we’re creating impressions. We’re letting everyone in. We’re putting ourselves out there for the world to applaud us, appreciate us, to critique us, to judge us – and perchance to condemn us.

And at every stage of our lives we’re at different stages of maturity – or immaturity. Every day, we (hopefully) grow a little, learn a little bit more and gain a bit more experience. So something I might feel confident about blithely posting on a social media site today, I might cringe with embarrassment about next year. Or some thoughtless comment I might have made for the world to see might offend my future boss, or co-workers.

It’s a delicate balance trying to maintain links with the people around you without putting too much of yourself out there.

It’s just too easy to share every de-

tail of your life on the Internet. Tons of people are taking pictures of their food and sharing them on Instagram every second of the day. People are also posting insightful status updates such as “Eating roti”. Food photography seems extremely difficult. It’s definitely harder to get flattering lighting for a plate of curry than for a person’s profile.

All of these things can be great for letting people know about what we’re doing every day, keeping everyone updated, but it probably should be used in moderation. It gets to be a bit muchoverwhelming even. Do you have to let everyone see what you’ve eaten every day? Do you have to tell everyone that you’ve just made a baloney sandwich?

It’s getting so much easier to in-

fringe on everyone’s personal space. Maybe you should send someone a message on Skype before you randomly call them. They could still be in their pyjamas or in the middle of something important. It’s a bit like stumbling into someone’s house and expecting them to entertain you with absolutely no warning.

It’s a new world out there. With every software update, with every launch of some new social media platform, we have to adjust to this new way for us to share what’s going on with our lives.

So before you open yourself to the world and share every titbit about your life, think about the number of people your message might actually be reaching. It’s probably a lot more than you originally envisioned. Censor yourself a little bit – not that you shouldn’t have freedom of speech, but you should probably be more aware of your “time and place and circumstances”. “Prudence” is a good watchword.

The Internet is giving us great power, and with great power comes great responsibility, so use the Internet (and the power it give us) responsibly.

Page Foundation parenting Practical

raising musicians

Parents fostering a love of music in their children help them increase math skills, raise test scores and encourage responsibility.

Most children love music, but becoming a musician takes commitment from both parents and children. Children who are encouraged at a young age to learn an instrument make important early advances in the areas of math and see an increase in standardised test scores over time.

But raising a musician means more than just attending lessons each week, practicing and playing in recitals. Young children need to be exposed to many different types of music on a regular basis in order to develop a love for music and a commitment to becoming the best they can be.

Early musical training

Early music training needs to begin long before a child takes her first piano lesson. Research shows that even in the womb, babies respond to outside stimuli. Providing a musical environment at home during pregnancy is a great way to prepare your baby for music. After a child is born, music should become a part of her life on a daily basis. Playing music at night while she is falling asleep, singing to your baby while changing diapers or at bath time all help her identify music as a part of her regular routine.

Toddlers respond to music naturally, and often begin to dance when they hear familiar songs. Preschool television programming uses music to drive home important pre-language and reading readiness skills. Picking up CDs of various children’s music artists at your local library and making them readily available to your child makes her know that music is a priority in your home.

Music lessons

A big question on most parents’ minds wanting to raise musicians is when to

start formal music lessons. Most music teachers recommend starting piano lessons when students are able to read. This means a wide range of music lesson readiness, but the standard is somewhere around second grade. Children in second grade are ages six-eight depending on their birthday. This aged child has a longer attention span and is able to sit for longer periods of time and absorb information. The answer for each individual child and family will be different. Some children are ready for lessons at age five, depending on the programme offered, and others need to wait until they are closer to age eight, based on their own development.

Once you determine when to start music lessons with your child, the question of which instrument is the next thing to decide.

Children who begin on the piano have a great foundation for other instruments along the way. Piano lessons provide a foundation for stringed instruments, the organ, the keyboard and percussion.

The skill and music learned through piano lessons is carried over into other areas of music, making joining the band in the upper elementary grades easier. Make sure you find a piano teacher that is nurturing, patient and enjoys working with children. Getting the wrong music teacher can quickly turn a child off to music.

Music practice

When lessons begin for your child, so does practicing. Most music teachers recommend 30 minutes of practice each day for at least five days a week. If you can get your child to practice seven days each week, they will definitely move along faster, but you run the risk of doing too much too soon and causing discouragement.

(Suite101)

International Financial and Economic Report

Chairman, Guyana Americas Merchant Bank

It is clear from the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) published on Wednesday this week and a press conference given by Dr Ben Bernanke in Boston a few hours later that there are two distinct arms to future Federal Reserve policy.

The Central Bank will keep interest rates very low for a long time to come and until well after the unemployment rate hits 6.5 per cent. The Fed will maintain a highly accommodative monetary policy for the foreseeable future even with a more rapidly growing U.S. economy.

Inflation remains low (below two per cent) and the

Friday’s employment numbers reinforcing this feeling. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not optimistic about the world economy revising down its growth forecast for 2013 to 3.1 per cent from 3.3 per cent and to 3.8 per cent in 2014 from 4.0 per cent this week.

A key variable is whether higher U.S. interest rates will continue to put pressure on developing countries. China is different but a slowdown to a growth rate of seven per cent or less will reinforce the impact of higher interest rates on developing countries. Commodity prices are not likely to do well in these circumstanc -

a strong rumour that the Bank of England will link any movement of interest rates to economic data, commonly called “forward guidance”. Just like the Fed, the Bank of England will keep accommodative policies in place for a long time to come.

The 30-year bond since last Friday has fallen from 3.68 per cent to 3.59 per cent and the 10-year note from 2.72 per cent to 2.53 per cent. Major currencies traded up over the week starting (for example) with the euro at US$1.28 last Friday and US$1.30.

The pound sterling rose from US$1.49 to US$1.51, the Swiss franc from 0.96 to 0.95 and the Japanese

jobless rate may understate the weakness in the labour market which are viewed as good reasons to maintain monetary stimulus.

However, buying bonds is different with the Fed currently committed to buying US$85 billion of bonds each month, which will expand the balance sheet close to US$4 trillion by the end of the year if not changed.

About half of the FOMC members thought that it was appropriate to end asset purchases by the end of the year. Immediately following the publication of the FOMC minutes, interest rates rose with the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield reaching 2.69 per cent. By the next morning this had dropped to 2.58 per cent and the 30-year bond from 3.69 per cent to 3.64 per cent, with the markets calmer, but still with interest rates about 100 bps above their levels of early May.

The feeling is widespread that the U.S. economy is doing well with last

es and the cost of borrowing is bound to increase with some countries from the developing world not being able to borrow at all.

On Wednesday came the announcement that wholesale inventories unexpectedly declined in May by 0.5 per cent as sales surged. Yesterday (Thursday), it was reported that the import price index fell 0.2 per cent in June with fuel prices rising 0.1 per cent and nonfuel prices falling by 0.3 per cent.

In overseas news, Brazil raised its benchmark interest rate by 50 bps to 8.50 per cent as did Indonesia to 6.5 per cent to bolster their weakening currencies. The Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged and China’s exports and imports unexpectedly declined in June by 3.1 per cent and 0.7 per cent respectively from a year earlier.

China’s money supply growth eased in May and foreign exchange reserves rose to US$3.5 trillion at the end of June. There is

BY GEOFFREY BELL

yen from 101.19 to 99.2. Oil prices rose from US$103 a barrel (WTI) a week ago to US$105 this morning and gold prices have risen to US$1275 an ounce. The Dow Jones index rose 2.3 per cent over the week and is now at a record level of 15,500 after hitting a low of 6594 in early March 2009.

The era of ultra-easy monetary policy is by no means near an end in the U.S., in the UK, in Continental Europe or in Japan. There is little doubt that the strongest area is that of the U.S. which, after a bad first half in 2013, is expected to grow at 2.5 per cent or so in the second half of the year and in 2014.

Europe is hardly growing and while there is more optimism in Japan, it remains fragile. Looking at the world economy, China is slowing down and it would be optimistic in the face of a withdrawal of foreign capital inflows to see a stronger Brazil at any time soon. This all may be temporary but, while there is better news led by the U.S. for industrial countries, the outlook for developing countries is for less growth.

Guyana’s energy bill...

“One cannot underestimate the impact that affordable and reliable power will have on an economy like ours which can lead to fiscal benefits and job creation,” said Dr Singh. He pointed out that there will be an increase in people’s disposable incomes if the macroeconomic situation in Guyana improves as a result of the generation of hydro power, as money spent on energy bills could be used elsewhere.

The minister said there is need for the generation capacity of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to be improved, while also recognising the importance of further enhancing its transmission and distribution networks. This is possible, said Dr Singh, with the completion of hydro, which will see Guyanese consumers benefiting directly.

Potential

“It is time we harness this potential. I am convinced that this is the single most beneficial project for all of Guyana, which will see more affordable power available to all Guyanese consumers. This project, on its merits, deserves to be placed at the highest position on our list of priorities,” he stated.

Dr Singh said he is confident in the partnership arrangement that government has with other investors in the project ahead of what may prove to be fiery parliamentary debate on Thursday. Other private investors in the project include Site Global from the Blackstone Investment Group, the Chinese

Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

“They have decided this project is attractive to them and they would like to be involved as the private sponsors of the project. They have literally put their monies where their mouths are. These are sophisticated investors and this is a good investment in their eyes and we shouldn’t dismiss this,” he said. He belaboured the point that as Guyana spends hundreds of millions of US dollars every year to pay for fuel import for electricity. “it’s a significant macroeconomic outflow,” he said, adding, “We are vulnerable to the fluctuation of oil prices.” He warned and reminded that this year alone, Cabinet budgeted over $10 billion as subsidies for GPL.

Economy

Amaila Falls could relieve the vulnerability of oil price instability and fluctuation dilemma, he said. He also painted the project as the single investment that would migrate Guyana’s economy from one that is fully dependent on fossil fuels to one that will make use of renewable resources.

“These are big and complex projects that don’t happen overnight,” he said, noting that it is going through due diligence with the IDB, which will report to its board. “The people have to say unequivocally that we want Amaila and we will not be satisfied with any political party that acts to frustrate such a process,” added the minister.

Moves afoot to regulate music cart vendors

Five individuals have volunteered to work along with the Home Affairs Ministry on behalf of music cart vendors after a meeting on the regularisation of the music cart business ended with some concerns over proposed measures and a prototype of what the government believes a music cart should resemble.

The prototype and its features were displayed to music cart vendors who assembled in the auditorium of the St Stanislaus College, Brickdam, Georgetown on Friday for a meeting with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and Assistant Police Commissioner George Vyphuis.

The slightly higher model that includes a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player

was subject to much scrutiny by the attendees who from experience in the business shared their views on whether or not the new option is feasible.

Some compared the new model to the current carts expressing doubts about the storage capacity even as they were assured by the team of government officials that the structure can be readjusted to suit the comfort of the vendor.

Proposed guidelines

A suite of proposed guidelines crafted by the National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO) as part of ongoing efforts to regularise music cart vendors around the city also prompted more questions.

Minister Rohee, who read out the guidelines, pointed to licensing, a designated location, an inventory show-

Streetlights being installed at more villages on Essequibo Coast

Street lights are being installed at several villages on the Essequibo Coast as the Public Works Ministry begins work on another phase of the street lights project.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said the lights are being installed at La Belle Alliance, Hampton Court, Lima, Coffee Grove, Danielstown, Sparta, Windsor Castle, Walton Hall and Paradise.

He noted that the continuation of the project will enable Essequibians to be more safe and secure

at nights. Under the project, the entire town of Anna Regina will be equipped with street lights.

The chairman expressed satisfaction with the project and noted that it is his hope that every village on the Essequibo Coast will be equipped with street lights.

Thus far, the Public Works Ministry has installed lights at Good Hope, Supenaam, Johanna Cecelia, Suddie, Queenstown and a part of Anna Regina.

Residents are thankful to the government for the intervention.

ing customers the types and variety of CDs and DVDs available to make purchasing much easier and the availability of earphones.

The music cart vendors however, opposed the notion of earphones, arguing that blaring music is more likely to attract customers and a designated location they see as the breeding ground for competition and rifts.

But Minister Rohee argued in defence of the proposal, explaining that the objective behind a designated location is not to have blaring music, but offer a service to customers, many of whom are not always influenced by the sound of music coming from a music cart.

“We have to get away from this thing that you have to play the music for people to know what kind of music they want. You don’t have to

play the music publicly… if a person knows what kind of music they want, they go straight and they ask for it,”

Minister Rohee argued.

The vendors were told that the government prefers the option of consultation rather than enforcement, which it has the constitutional power to do given the many violations that music cart vendors commit.

Minister Benn said, “You have to be prepared to make the compromises to continue your business. If the truth be told, you are along a line of piracy of music and I don’t want to talk about the performing rights organisations and all those things which you need to pay attention to, run your business properly.”

NCLO member Roshan Khan, who was part of the meeting, appealed for compromise as he briefly addressed the vendors.

Eyew tness

"Cock up"...

...on j'accuse

Well, well, well!!! It appears there are some things even hardened critics can't stomach. After 20 years of providing Chris "Suspenders" Ram with a bully pulpit for inflating his ego and, not so incidentally, hounding clients into his corral, the Stabber News has thrown the shifty-eyed bookeeper out on his ear.

The final straw, it seems, was Suspenders' hatchet job on the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ronald Webster. He accused Webster of abusing his corporate position – from betraying his fiduciary position to cooking the books on shares – all to personally take over Caribbean Container Inc (CCI).

We won't bore you with the libelous details. Suspenders just used his usual selective snippings from corporate reports to make 2+3=23. The timing for the accusations was not coincidental – just when Webster had been re-elected to head the PSC. Webster was a red flag to Suspenders and his close coterie of critics of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government.

His refusal to automatically act on Suspenders' premise that whatever the government does has to be evil – couldn't continue a moment longer. The PSC is, after all, the premier private sector organisation in the country. And God forbid that they should concede that maybe, for instance, a government project like the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is good for business. How dare he!!!? Webster has to be a lapdog of the government!!!

But like we said, the Stabber refused to print the libel. Which the MuckrakerKN – where Suspenders had been hanging out anyway – was only too happy to publicise. And why not?? Wasn't their reputation (and money) made on the motto : "All the filth that's unfit to print"?? But Suspenders wasn't satisfied only that his character assassination of Webster had been achieved.

He demanded to know why his old comrades in crime over at the Stabber had suddenly drawn a line. He invoked his "integrity!!!!" There is none so vicious as a bookeeper scorned. Well, the Stabber told Suspenders that their lawyers have pointed out his letter constituted libel. Couldn't print it. So Suspenders – who's just out of law school in his dotage – had the temerity to tell the Stabbber's lawyers they don't know their business!!!

It's been truly said that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." But imagine how dangerous is "no knowledge" – which is what Suspenders possesses about the tort of libel. A "truth claim" is not the truth, Suspenders.

...in book launching Forbes Burnham's faithful followers were all there for the launching of the first collection of their master's speeches in Parliament. Especially fan boy, Speaker Raphael Trotman. Nothing wrong with that. We all have our blind spots. And never mind that Forbes was a faithful cogger of the Churchillian style: the dramatic pauses and the practiced British nasal drawl.

Incidentally, we've always thought Freddie Kissoon a hypocrite for knocking VS Naipaul about affecting an English accent – after living his entire life after high school there. But giving Burnham a free pass when he did the same for his whole life – after spending only four years in England.

But the much maligned head of the even more maligned Caribbean Press, Prof David Dabydeen, didn't show up. Twice. Told the clerk there was a "cock up". Don't worry, that's an innocuous British slang for 'blunder" – not the more vulgar American version. The august parliamentarians should've suspected something was amiss when they were told by the Foreign Service Office that Professor Dabydeen had confirmed his appointment at 2:00h in the morning!!!

Professor Dabydeen had to be sampling the spirits of some disreputable rum shop with Ruel Johnson, his new $3M-a-year editor-in-chief.

...in criticism

The fella who wrote about the Thomas Carrol visa scandal didn't take Yog Mahadeo's criticism too kindly.

Govt committed to improving lives of Region Nine residents

Indigenous leaders from Region Nine were assured of government’s commitment to further develop the lives of hinterland residents when they met with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud at the St Ignatius Benab on July 12.

Accompanied by the senior officials of the ministry’s various sub-agencies, Minister Persaud told the more than 50 toshaos and village representatives that the workshop was aimed at informing residents about the developments earmarked for Region Nine, and the need to work together to take their communities forward along the path of sustainable development, especially as it relates to mining and natural resources.

Unique model Minister Persaud said Region Nine presents, “A unique model as a region with diverse resources and a blend of conservation areas that allow us to have an opportunity to show how we can use a community with two protected areas to further develop it with the full involvement of all stakeholders.”

He stressed that government will build on issues of concern raised by indigenous residents as they craft developmental policies. He noted that issues such as the fate of the Iwokrama Conservation Project have been noted, and informed participants that government has already spent over US$900,000 (close to G$200 million) to ensure its continued operation, “This alone, is one clear indication that

government is committed to the project”.

The concerns of Aishalton and Marudi Mountain residents about mining in their community have also been noted and will be addressed in a timely manner, the minister further added.

Among the developments that will bring about massive changes in the lives of residents, Minister Persaud said, is the all weather road from Lethem to Linden, which will be constructed with technical and financial assistance from neighbouring Brazil. Development must always be in keeping with the expectations of the communities, government and other stakeholders, taking into consideration the environmental and economic needs, the minister reminded attendees.

During the interactive sessions, residents were informed that government is cognisant of the conflict in land usage that can potentially occur, hence the formation of the Land Use Policy Document, which will be used to guide land devel-

opment throughout Guyana.

Minister Persaud also informed attendees, that government has moved towards having indigenous representatives on all of the boards of his ministry’s subagencies. This move is to ensure that there is broadbased representation and that concerns of the various indigenous communities could be taken into account during the decision-making process, Minister Persaud said.

Collaboration

The minister also spoke of increased inter-agency collaboration as a means to preventing sometimes conflicting proposals for development of some areas.

“Sometimes, several agencies are looking at the same area, but seeing different things. These things may come into conflict when utilising it,” Minister Persaud noted.

Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai was also at the workshop and addressed the toshaos as well.

Among those giving presentations was Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) representative Derek Babb, who focused on mining within indigenous communities.

Babb reminded attendees that all Amerindians have the same rights as other Guyanese hence they are all equal. Amerindians are also at the forefront of mining in several communities, and he cited Jawalla and Kamarang in Region Seven where they own and operate more than 50 dredges.

Babb updated attendees on the need to ensure that employment and mining laws, the Amerindian Act, conditions stipulated by village councils and any other laws, are complied with.

Foreign company looking to invest in Lower Pomeroon – Baksh

A foreign company is likely to invest in the cultivation of pepper and other crops in the

Junior Agriculture Minister Ali Baksh

said a foreign company is likely to invest in an agriculture venture at Akawini, Lower Pomeroon, significantly boosting production there.

Addressing farmers at a recent outreach on the Essequibo Coast, Baksh said if the deal is finalised, some 30,000 acres of land will be put under cultivation in the Amerindian community.

According to him, the crops that will be cultivated are pepper, cabbage, rice, beans, watermelons and pumpkins.

He said a feasibility study on the project is expected to be completed soon.

The Agriculture Ministry is spending millions of dollars to improve drainage and irrigation in the Pomeroon as it believes an improvement in the sys-

tem will significantly aid agricultural expansion and production.

Baksh said government’s investments aim to help Pomeroon realise its potential.

“In time to come, Pomeroon will continue to be the bread basket of the Caribbean, so many crops and vegetables are harvested from the river.”

The government has also invested in the establishment of a branch of the Guyana School of Agriculture on the Essequibo Coast, and more persons are being trained in the various areas of the sector.

The Agriculture Ministry is also developing lands for agricultural purposes under the Aurora Development Project, which seeks to open some 5500 acres of land for cultivation.

Men suffering at the hands of women must speak out – CADVA

By: SaBatini DanielS

Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) Guyana representative Tiffiney Jackson said men who are victims of domestic violence need to speak out as they must not suffer in silence.

Speaking to Guyana Times in a recent interview, Jackson contended that men need to acknowledge that they too can be at the receiving end from women and should not be ashamed of it. On that score, she em-

phasised that society needs to recognise that men are also victims of domestic violence. “We need to move away from societal norm and telling a child not to cry that’s a girl thing and allow them to express themselves because they do feel pain too,” she underscored.

Available services

Jackson said there are many services, programmes and workshops on domestic violence, but not many men attend and those who do feel ashamed to admit that they are victims of the scourge.

She disclosed that since CADVA came onboard and joined in the fight against domestic violence, it has dealt with several cases affecting men with the same attention as treating cases affecting women.

On a different note, the CADVA representative shared mixed views on the progress of domestic vio-

lence in the country. Firstly, she said the organisation is pleased to some extent that Guyana is making strides in tackling the issue, but noted that more emphasis should be placed on education as many victims are not speaking out.

“It may seem like domestic violence has now escalated, but to my knowledge, the cases are now being brought more to the public... we still open the papers and see our women losing their lives because of domestic violence, open the papers and see someone is being chopped or burnt. They are being disfigured as a result of domestic violence.”

She reiterated that the first thing a victim needs to do is identify that he/she is a victim as one cannot seek help or persons cannot help them, if they do not identify or acknowledge that they are a victim. She highlighted that research has shown

that many perpetrators of domestic violence, live in homes that condone the act.

“That is why we are tackling the issue of young people; we may not be able to change the mindset of the older generation, but we are looking at the youths who are the future and leaders of tomorrow.”

She was cognisant that while the country may not ever be free from violence, at least, it would be reduced if it is able to correct the mindset and thinking of the current generation.

Social ill

The CADVA representative said the organisation would like to see more perpetrators of domestic violence being brought to justice, noting that all civic organisations, including the private sector, must join forces to battle this social ill.

“I think it is very critical that we have as many nongovernmental organisations as possible onboard and it’s a thing we must do together.”

The mission of CADVA, Inc is to provide a safe environment where individuals and communities can share and receive information to help combat domestic violence.

It does this by building the platform for Caribbean communities through dialogue forums and breakout sessions against domestic violence through education and public awareness campaigns.

Monument fuh so...

Satiricus was inspired. Every country has to have heroes and martyrs. And after a lull of so many years, almost every day heroes were being discovered. And why not? We Guyanese were certainly full of heroes, among other things. But what really moved Satiricus almost to tears was that the discovery of heroes did not end with just some platitude or other.

People, left right and centre were constructing monuments to their heroes. That’s right. People were shelling our hardearned bucks to construct monuments just so the rest of benighted souls like Satiricus would never forget just who had sacrificed so much that he could enjoy the good things of life. Satiricus sniffled and wiped his nose.

Take the monument at Buxton erected just a couple of years ago. The government had acted rather silly and just rebuilt the old village landmark of Tipperary Hall. Who the heck cared about Tipperary Hall? It was just an old building where almost every event of importance had been commemorated since the village had been purchased after the abolition of slavery. Who cared about that? What was memorable about that? What kind of sacrifice was that??

Now consider the new monument, constructed just across from Tipperary Hall – just to remind all the ignorant folks in the government what real heroism was all about. These were the heroes who had killed dozens of policemen and even more civilians, terrorised large sections of the village, raped and impregnated several of the young women, robbed others of millions of dollars and other such noble deeds. All for the “freedom” of their people. Satiricus learnt after the monument was constructed as to what a great sacrifice these young men had made. They had such great futures ahead of them, when they would’ve been released from Georgetown’s Camp Street jail. But they sacrificed all of that when they broke out on Republic Day. The symbolism wasn’t lost on Satiricus, who wiped another tear from his eye.

Then there was the new monument built at the bridge at Linden where those three young men had been shot. The organising members of Parliament had admitted they were illegally blocking a bridge through which supplies passed to the entire interior population. They knew those people would suffer. They stoically held back their tears for that suffering when they gave their testimony. But hey!!! thought Satiricus, heroes gotta do what heroes gotta do.

And the billions that went up in smoke? Well, when you’re a hero, you can’t make an omelette without breaking some shells. Or burning some schools or offices.

By now Satiricus was weeping openly. He wished he could be a hero.

Veteran Bollywood villain Praan dies

Veteran Bollywood actor Praan, whose menacing eyes and powerful screen presence intimidated heroes and heroines for decades, passed away on Friday night at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, India. He was 93.

The ailing thespian, who acted in more than 400 films in a five-decade career, was recently honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Born Pran Kishan Sikand into a Punjabi family in Delhi, Praan was credited with enhancing the importance of the villain in Bollywood at a time when the bad guy was very much one-dimensional.

Praan worked in a number of films before partition. But his real break came when his friend and legendary Pakistani author Saadat Hasan Manto helped him get a villain’s role in Shaheed Latif’s “Ziddi” (1948).

Throughout the 1950s, he solidified his reign as Bollywood’s leading villain, culminating in Bimal Roy’s 1958 gothic classic “Madhumati”, which had Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala in the lead.

Praan effortlessly pulled off this coldly efficient menace throughout the 1960s in mega box-office favourites

such as “Ram Aur Shyam” (1967), “Half-Ticket” (1962) and in “Johnny Mera Naam” as Dev Anand’s long-separated brother (1970).

He was especially memorable in two films penned by Salim-Javed in the 1970s – as Sher Khan, an outlaw with the proverbial heart of gold, opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Prakash Mehra’s “Zanjeer” (1973) and as Michael De Souza in “Majboor” (again as Bachchan’s providential saviour).

But he also demonstrated his versatility with roles as a disabled veteran in “Upkaar” (1967) and as a stern, but loving patriarch in the familyoriented “Parichay” (1972).

Such was his stature that he was said to be paid even

higher than some of the leading men in films – an event that producers carefully kept under wraps over the course of Praan’s long career.

In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award. According to his family members, his last rites were performed yesterday at noon at Shivaji Park in Dadar. Family, fans and close friends came together to give a final farewell to acting legend Praan, who passed away on Friday night.

The last rites of the Dadasaheb Phalke awardee were performed by his sons at Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar.

“It is indeed a very sad day for us. The last rites were performed by both the sons,” his daughter Pinky said.

Bollywood personalities, including Karan Johar, Shatrugan Sinha, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Gulzar, Raza Murad, Tinu Anand, Kiran Kumar were spotted at the crematorium but present day celebrities of the tinsel town were absent.

The veteran actor appeared in over 400 films between the 1940s and 1990s and played both positive and negative roles with equal passion.

Development gradually moving away from coastline – Shyam Nokta

– as Guyana prepares to battle sea level rise

BY Umadevi BUx

Head of the Climate Change Unit and presidential advisor Shyam Nokta said development is gradually moving away from the coastline as Guyana takes action against the predicted sea level rise.

These comments came in light of a recent panel discussion hosted by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and the East Coast Clean-Up Committees on sea level rise and its impact on Guyana.

“Relocation is a very sensitive issue and there are always the elements of push and pull factors,” Nokta said, noting that the majority of the world’s population still lived along the coast and since during the first Dutch settlers, there have been evidence of adaptation and mitigation against sea level rise.

“Georgetown is the centre of academic, political and economic activities… so our efforts need to seek to adaptation methods and it started since the Dutch era. Government has spent lots to expand and maintain the sea defence… this falls under the framework of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The first quarter of 2013 saw a climate reliance strategy in a more integrated framework.”

Weather devices

According to Nokta, Guyana is seeking to mitigate the effects of climate change by implementing automatic climate change weather devices and constructing more weather stations so as to develop early warning systems.

“This will enable us to work with other countries in the region in developing a strong early warning system so as to be more prepared,” said Nokta. He mentioned that some of the mitigation methods include improvements of farming techniques and introducing flood and weather resistant crops.

Nokta told Guyana Times that the housing sector is even considering the mitigation methods and impacts of the rise of the sea level

“The new housing schemes are located in areas away from the coastline yet in proximity of the economic hubs… this is a less pragmatic approach to just relocation.”

He stated that the Amaila Fall Hydropower project will also see more hinterland development as cheap electricity will enable companies to establish manufacturing plants and other businesses at these

locations.

Recently, a panel discussion on climate change hosted by the GHRA at Cara Suites, Georgetown, raised questions about the life of Guyanese along the coastline with the predicted rise of sea level. According to one of the panelists Reverend Dr Pedro Walpole, to effectively solve the problems attributed to climate change, the next generation should seek to look beyond race, politics and religion and form a collaborative strategy as Guyanese against climate change.

“The roadmap forward has to constantly draw people into agreement… this has to be an issue on every political platform,” Dr Walpole said, noting that there is a need to learn to adapt and accept social environmental contracts by working together.

Policymakers

“In most countries, polices are the weakest level in dealing with climate change unless it is founded on innovation… the difficulty lies in getting good policymakers working together with scientists so that the plan to combat climate change can work.”

Dr Walpole, the founder of Environmental Science for Social Change Centre, based at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, has worked on disaster risk reduction and climate justice.

Much of his work aims to facilitate greater understanding of the causes of landslides and flooding in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region

Local businessman, Stanley Ming, who was invited to share his views on the pioneering work he has undertaken in regard to the threats of sea level rise in Guyana, said the sea defence strength is deteriorating and planting mangrove will only give a limited amount of protection.

Citing the 2005 flood, Ming said, “In 2003, there was a study conducted by a German specialist team on the proposed development

areas for Guyana… the indepth study demarked areas for hospitals, airports, police stations etc… the areas were Linden, Essequibo and Bartica.”

He continued: “We got water, sand, stone, lumber in the same catchment area demarcated for development… every day we exploit our natural resources and the study highlights the areas closer to those

same resources, therefore, it will be more economical in that instance for development.”

However, Guyana’s Office of Climate Change (OCC) has reported 2012 as a year of tremendous achievements that ultimately gels with the country’s developmental agenda. Building on these accomplishments, the OCC would this year, continue imple-

menting LCDS projects while raising stakeholder awareness and engagement at all levels.

In 2012, Guyana successfully completed its Second National Communications, and will commence work on its Third National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It was mentioned that Guyana is one of few

countries that have advanced its reporting to the UNFCCC. Work would continue on international advocacy at the level of the UNFCCC to work towards a global climate agreement, while at the same time to further advance bilateral and multilateral initiatives with the aim of sharing lessons learnt from the LCDS and to build consensus among likeminded countries.

Minibuses en route to Lethem to in-transit at Linden

The setting up of new road safety signs, equipping drivers with the necessary skills to reducing road fatalities and helping to boost economic activities, are just a few initiatives the Region 10 Road Safety Council has on its agenda.

This was revealed by reelected chairman of the association Kevin Barron during a recent interview with Guyana Times

He emphasised that one of the major projects that the association will be embarking on is to have Linden be the final destination for minibuses in-transiting while en route to areas such as Mahdia and Lethem.

Benefits

Barron said he is confident that this initiative will create employment and boost revenue in Linden, while also noting that one of the areas that has been earmarked for buses to be one of the junction points is the Wismar Market square area.

Barron said the association is working very closely with the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) to have the park site established.

“There are a lot of persons working at the market area and a lot of these persons complain about not earning enough there and I think that

a venture like this will create the environment for economic advancement there... We are looking to resuscitate a lot of programmes which we started last year, well the reason why we had stopped some of these programmes was because we had the protest and a lot of things we had wanted to do afterwards we couldn’t have because the tension in Linden was a little high.

“So we’re now starting to get things back together, we’ll be looking at educational programmes for schools whereby we plan on educating students on road safety – how to use the pedestrian crossing and such like. We also want to conduct a driving seminar,” he explained.

While there are quite a number of activities planned to improve road safety in the region, Barron noted that the association is asking persons

in the different communities to work along with its members and volunteers in achieving what they have set out to accomplish. He said the Road Safety Council does not work on its own, but includes stakeholders from a wide crosssection of the society, including the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the education board and Banks DIH, among others.

Volunteers

He added that bauxite company Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) which operates within the Linden community remains a loyal supporter in helping the association to carry out its mandate. Barron noted that while its hard work, there are a lot of young, vibrant volunteers who support the association.

“As we move on, there are certain blind spots here in Linden that we want to take care of, like potholes, and ensuring that we put up new road safety signs throughout the community; and then we would like to venture out into the Kwakwani, Ituni areas and see what is needed there and how we can facilitate those areas,” he said.

Barron said that he is pleased to be acting in the capacity of chairman of the association once again and is

looking forward to continuing the work which was started last year. As chairman, he noted that the aim is to make the roadways safer for pedestrians and also to work handin-hand with drivers on issues affecting them on the roadways.

“We know that things are not perfect right now (on the roadways), for example, one bus driver was saying that the $100 cars are taking away his revenue because of where they park, so we are looking to work hand-in-hand with them. We are not here to force anybody to do anything but I think that if we work together, collectively, we can come to an amicable agreement,” Barron said.

Assistance

Additionally, the chairman noted that he is also seeking assistance from the National Road Safety Association.

“Because we are an arm of the National Road Safety Association, there might be certain things which we cannot do on our own, so they are always there to guide and assist us.”

The Region 10 Road Safety Council has been in existence for the past two years and has since been working to ensure safer roads in the mining town through various initiatives.

Pharmacist charged for threatening wife

Apharmacist assistant attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital has been charged for using threatening language to his wife, who is a doctor at the said institution.

Victor Yearwood, who is married to Dr Iliana Urutia Pairol-Yearwood, is accused of using the abusive language to his wife on July 1 at their Savannah Park home, New Amsterdam. He appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Issaacs-Marcus on Friday at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court, who ordered him to seek counseling. Magistrate asked the couple to return to court on August 26 for a progress report.

Professor Dabydeen denies academic boycott of PNC/R

Professor David Dabydeen

Executive director of the Caribbean Press and Guyana’s Ambassador to China, Professor David Dabydeen has denied claims of academic boycott of the first volume of the published parliamentary speeches of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. He was at the time responding to media reports that for the second time in two days the handing over of Burnham’s parliamentary speeches was called off because of his “no-show”.

Professor Dabydeen clarified that the Protocol Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry makes his appointments while he is in Guyana, and they made the engagement for him to present Volume One of Burnham’s speeches, the

Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

“Although the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) is subject to international academic boycott over the death of Dr Walter Rodney, my absence from Parliament was entirely due to the fact that I was not informed of a meeting taking place. I was not engaging in academic boycott, it was a miscommunication among Parliament, myself and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Professor Dabydeen explained.

A meeting was scheduled with Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman on Thursday, July 11 for 13:00h, he said. However, upon checking his emails at 12:15h on Thursday, he then was made aware that the handing over was changed to 11:00h. Immediately after, Professor Dabydeen said that he phoned Trotman to apologise and offered to do the meeting anytime on Friday, July 12. However, on Friday about 14:15h, he received a phone call from Parliament office saying he was expected to be there at 14:00h. At that time, it was too late, and he could not have made it, explained Professor Dabydeen.

Mother charged for burning son with hot knife

An East Canje woman who allegedly burnt her son’s hands with a hot knife has been placed on $20,000 bail for wounding. Maharani Prashad, a housewife of Reliance, East Canje, is accused of inflicting the injuries to her third child on July 10. She appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Sherdel Issaacs-Marcus on Friday. According to Police Prosecutor Phillip Sherriff, on the day in question, the accused asked her son if he had taken $200 and he answered in the affirmative.

“She told him to go into the bedroom and lit the stove and then placed a knife on it to hot.” He said when the knife was hot, the woman took it and went to the bedroom where the toddler was sitting on the bed and placed the hot knife on both of his hands.

The child had visible burn marks on both hands. The 36-year-old mother was later arrested and charged. Prashad, who has four children was in court with her husband.

She will to return to court on July 31. The matter was transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court.

Thursday’s House sitting crucial for Amaila project – finance minister Guyana looking to produce farine for export – Dr Ramsammy

inance Minister

FDr Ashni Singh on Saturday said Thursday’s sitting of Parliament is critical for matters relating to the Amaila Falls project as a motion to increase the debt ceiling and amendments to the Hydro Electric Act are put before the House for discussion.

Government over the last few weeks has maintained a close engagement with the opposition, particularly the A Partnership of National Unity (APNU). A multitude of critical documents have been shared on a confidential basis. Despite repeated invitations, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has declined government’s overtures on the Amaila project.

However, last Thursday, a group of AFC members engaged the GPL board and management on matters relating to GPL and Amaila Falls.

Thursday’s scheduled debate of the motion and bill relating to Amaila project follows a deferral of the said debate from June 27 to the new date following a request by the APNU.

Decisions on the matters at the upcoming Parliament meeting are critical to ensuring that the IDB timetable for board’s consideration of the transaction is achieved. Government of-

ficials have indicated that key documents pertaining to the environmental studies of the project have been published on the bank’s website (http://idbdocs.iadb. org/wsdocs/getdocument. aspx?docnum=37866620) in keeping with the mandatory 120-day Pelosi requirement before being voted on by the U.S. chair on the board.

Dr Singh said this requirement satisfies one of the key conditional ties for the project to be voted on by the bank’s board of directors at the end of October.

Government has engaged key stakeholders including the opposition during key points of the project’s development. In early last year, Sithe Global made presentations to the media, private sector groups and opposition parties.

Various meetings were also convened at the Office of the President for presentation to the opposition in March 2012, March 2013 and most recently in June of this year.

Without parliamentary support, Minister Singh expressed the concern that in the absence of timely parliamentary support, progress with the Amaila project could be threatened as critical deadlines are looming and expiration dates on certain commitments expire this year.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will be collaborating with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Agriculture Ministry to ensure greater yields and improved varieties of cassava.

This is in an effort to boost production for the making of farine for export, as it has been attracting much attention in other Caribbean countries.

During a recent media briefing, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the locally produced commodity has been gaining popularity outside of Guyana’s shores and his ministry is placing added efforts to maintain its demand on the export market.

Niche market

“While Brazil for example produce their own farine, Guyana’s farine is becoming a niche market in Brazil… and is now getting attention in the Caribbean,” he pointed out.

The minister pointed out that with the input of the FAO, there will an increased output on the part of producers.

“The greater yield will increase the income of the farmers so without more land or investment, the farmers will increase their income and we’re looking to at least double their in-

come”, he said.

The agriculture minister pointed out that large scale cassava production is mostly concentrated on the East Bank Demerara and noted that its export provides the opportunity for the semi-industrialisation of the commodity, moving it from just a way of subsistence living.

In this regard, Dr Ramsammy said his ministry is building a factory to produce farine for export.

“Presently, the production of farine is largely one on a manual basis, farmers cultivate their cassava, they clean it by hand… they use local Amerindian technology. However, we have over the last couple of years provided some level of technology by providing a grinder,”

the minister pointed out.

Meanwhile, the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will also be giving technical support, alongside the FAO.

“IICA will work along with the Ministry of Agriculture, NAREI, the engineers at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and with GuySuCo, the GuySuCo Apprentice School in Port Mourant, for the fabrication of the various components of this plant and we’re hoping that the first such operation will be introduced in Region Nine later this year.”

In the past, government had collaborated with IICA to set up a factory, but it proved unsuccessful due to

lack of planning.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry is also looking to place more emphasis on the production and processing of turmeric in hinterland regions.

Dr Ramsammy said the main challenge is having it transported to markets on the coast, since it is very expensive.

As such, the ministry has purchased a semi-processor which will aid in reducing the weight of the commodity when transporting it.

Semi-processors

“The Ministry of Agriculture is procuring semi-processors to be located in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, that will partially process the turmeric and therefore reduce the weight to be transported to the final processor in Georgetown,” he explained. He continued: “We could reduce the cost of transportation. That’s because you’re going to process down eight pounds of turmeric to one pound, that’s the ratio”.

Dr Ramsammy said the semi-processors were bought from India and they are currently awaiting their arrival in Guyana.

The first one will be stationed in the Hosororo village, Region One, while Regions Seven, Eight and Number 63, Corentyne, Berbice will also benefit from it for the processing of other spices.

Jamaican senate passes Defamation Bill

The senate Friday passed the Defamation Bill (The Defamation Act 2013) without dissent, after 10 minor amendments to the bill were made during the committee stage of the proceedings.

The bill will be tabled in the House of Representatives next Tuesday, but there was no indication Friday, whether it will be passed before the parliament takes it summer break this month. In the meantime, Justice Minister Mark Golding reiterated government’s support for a press complaints body to deal with issues between the media and the public.

Senator Golding, who was closing the debate in the Senate on the Defamation Bill, said that the establish-

ment of the body by the media is fundamental in ensuring press freedom. He

suggested that an effective complaints procedure and mechanism would also prove less costly to the media, simpler and a more consumerfriendly approach to dealing with problems with the public.

“I really think the time has come for the Jamaican media to get together and exhibit the level of responsibility to put aside whatever divisions in the past that may have prevented it from becoming a reality and bring it forth, because I do think that the Jamaican public would benefit in great measure by an effective complaints body in the press industry,” he added. (Excerpt from

Research shows chronic diseases are the leading health problems in Barbados

RMore land for food, shelter – TT PM

Ten years after over 20,000 persons lost their jobs with the closure of Caroni 1975 (Ltd), Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Friday sought to bring comfort to them when she promised more land for both housing and agricultural purposes.

Highlighting the importance of food security to the nation’s development and stability, PersadBissessar said apart from the then People’s National Movement (PNM) government, displacing so many thousands of peolpe’s livelihood, the move to close Caroni also threatened the nation’s food security.

esearch conducted between 2002 and 2006 in Barbados has shown that the major causes of death are heart attack, stroke and cancer which are all chronic diseases. The Barbados National Registry (BNR) announced at their lecture on Wednesday that Barbadians must pay close attention to their health to reduce the risk factors which can be modified.

The Pan American Health Organisation states that more than two out of three deaths in the region are from non-communicable diseases, and in 2004

heart disease was the leading cause of death. It has also been found that the highest death rate from cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Americas is the English Speaking Caribbean.

“We started in July 2009 so the first eighteen months

of the registry we had 529 heart attacks, an average of 352 a year more or less that works out to one heart attack a day in Barbados,” said Angela Rose Director of the BNR.

Unfortunately about half of the heart attack patients die before they actually reach the hospital which means that it is possible that persons are not aware of the signs of a heart attack, and they don’t manage to get to the hospital in time.

Speaking at a ceremony at Centre Pointe Mall in Chaguanas, where a total of 405 land leases were distributed to former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers, Persad-Bissessar said the closure of Caroni (1975) Ltd and the once thriving sugar industry, played a role in the country food import bill growing exponentially past the billion-dollar figure.

She said Friday’s distribution ceremony is important in that the land leases given to ex-Caroni workers

could now be used to farm and contribute to the reduction of the nation’s food import bill. Saying food production equals food security which is critical to the nation’s continued development, Persad-Bissessar described the distribution as an important role in the rejuvenation of the agricultural sector.

Friday’s distribution ceremony had as its theme, “Promised Land” and saw the distribution of 273 residential leases and 132 agricultural leases. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Egypt investigating complaints against ousted Morsi

Egypt’s public prosecutor’s office says it is investigating complaints against ousted President Mohammed Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood. They include spying, inciting killing protesters, attacking military barracks and damaging the economy. It did not say who had filed the complaints.

Morsi was deposed by the army on July 3. The U.S. has called for his release from detention at an unknown location. Egypt’s interim leader Adly Mansour has promised new elections early next year.

The prosecutor’s office said it was investigating the complaints in order to prepare a file so that those ac-

Texas passes one

of the toughest anti-abortion laws in U.S.

Texas politicians have given final approval to one of the U.S.’s toughest anti-abortion bills, but opponents are set to challenge the legisation in federal court.

More than a thousand pro-choice and anti-abortion demonstrators packed the state capitol in Austin late on Friday night as senators voted on legislation that has made Texas the focus of nationwide abortion-rights activism. The senate passed House Bill 2 by 19 votes to 11 just before midnight local time. Texas governor Rick Perry is now due to sign it off.

Texas is one of several states that have sought to restrict access to abortions this year, but it has attracted the most attention

due to the publicity surrounding Democratic state senator Wendy Davis’s bid to block the bill with an almost 11-hour filibuster. “The key will be what the courts will do,” Sylvia Garcia, a Democratic senator for Houston and a former judge, said before the vote. “I think the Texas proposal is on a path to litigation, to being held unconstitutional. We’ll have to wait for the courts to ultimately decide.”

Last Monday a federal judge issued a ruling temporarily blocking the introduction of a new abortion law in Wisconsin. Like the Texas plans, the law calls for doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

18 killed in Moscow bus crash

Eighteen people were killed and 25 injured when a truck ploughed into a bus in a Moscow suburb on Saturday, according to the Russian emergency ministry.

An eyewitness video of the crash, broadcast on state television, showed the green and white passenger bus’s windows shattering as it split in half, forcing other vehicles on the road to

swerve wildly out of its way. Death rates from Russian road accidents are higher than in most Western countries, and lawmakers are moving to toughen drunkdriving penalties. The country has gained fame for its erratic drivers, with footage of cars overtaking on blind corners, rear-ending each other and careening off the road amassing millions of views on YouTube. (Reuters)

cused could be questioned. Among those named with Morsi are the Brotherhood’s leader, Mohamed Badie, and senior members of its political wing, the Freedom of Justice Party (FJP) including Deputy Director Essam El-Erian.

Morsi’s supporters, many of them members of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement he comes from, have been staging mass protests in the capital, Cairo, since the army’s intervention on July 3. They are demanding his reinstatement as president and say the military’s actions amounted to a coup. The army says it intervened to remove Morsi in response to protests by millions of Egyptians who accused him of becoming increasingly authoritarian and failing to tackle economic difficulties. (Excerpt

Bhutan’s opposition party scores upset win

Bhutan’s opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has scored an upset victory in the second parliamentary elections, and will take over power in the tiny Himalayan nation. The official website of Bhutan’s Election Commission says the PDP won 32 seats in the 47-member national assembly in Saturday’s voting, while the ruling Druk Phuensum Tshogpa or Peace and Prosperity Party (DPT) managed only 15 seats. Chief Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said official results would be announced on Sunday. The winning party needed 24 out of 47 seats up for grabs to form the next government in the Himalayan nation after two other parties were knocked out in a primary voting

round in May.

The polling marked only the second time in history that voters in the isolated kingdom, dubbed as the “land of the thunder dragon”, have elected a government. Remote Bhutan’s line of “dragon kings” ceded absolute power five years ago, introducing democracy to an electorate of fewer than 400,000 people. The royalist DPT won

the first election by a landslide in 2008 and bagged this year’s primary round with 45 per cent of votes. But recent gains by the PDP shook up the contest. The DPT had sought to win favour with rural communities – about 70 per cent of the population – by improving their access to roads, mobile phone networks and electricity in the past five years. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Four rescued after boat capsizes in Cuyuni River

Four men were rescued on Saturday after the boat in which they were travelling capsized in the vicinity of Matouk Falls, Cuyuni River, Region Seven. The incident occurred about 13:30h.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the men were travelling out of a mining location when their boat came into contact with the rapids in the mountainous area. The boat was carrying at least 12 persons, four who whom were initially missing but later found.

Immediately after the incident was reported, police went to the location to commence their search and rescue mission, but by the time they arrived, the four missing men were already on their way to Bartica.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford when contacted siad he was pleased to have received the news that the four men were accounted for, but at the same time lashed out at speedboat operators for using that particular route on their way to Bartica.

He explained that in most instances young operators use the diversion in order to meet in a timely manner, but while he understands this, he is of the opinion that the area is dangerous and no one should use it.

He recalled that this is third incident in that area

over a short period of time. The first claimed the lives of at least 10 while four were killed in the second incident. With the increase of accidents in the Matouk Falls, he posited that stern measures will have to be implemented for the defaulters.

“They are aware of the challenges in that particular area but yet, the traverse it… that range is prohibited by law but yet young operators ply the area in high speed, disregarding all the rules and regulations… if these four men had died, it would have been devastating,” the regional chairman disclosed.

In March, the Black Ange capsized in the Cuyuni River leaving four persons dead, namely Shawn Robinson of New Amsterdam, Berbice; William Patoir of New Amsterdam, Berbice; Junior Bandoo of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; and Clive Welcome also called “Basil” or “Bazzo” of First Avenue Bartica.

Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) officials in their investigations found that not all of the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident, hence, those who were equipped with life jackets were the ones saved.

It was also reported that the captain of the vessel, Junior Lyte was not qualified to drive the boat.

School retention programme a huge success at Dora

of the gathering at the

end of the implementation agreement for the School Retention and Child Labour Prevention Programme at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre

The Labour Ministry’s School Retention and Child Labour Prevention Programme has ended and the ministry has reported that it has been a huge success as it has drastically improved school attendance, punctuality and performance in schools, particularly in the Dora community and other surrounding communities along the LindenSoesdyke Highway, between Silver Hill and Soesdyke.

A ceremony was held at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on Thursday to mark the end of the implementation agreement of this programme that was created with the vision of ending child labour and retaining children in school.

Agreement

The agreement was signed in October 2008 between the Labour Ministry and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and provided funding for the elimination of child labour through the Tackling Child labour Through Education (TACKLE) project.

The TACKLE project was launched on September 28, 2011 as collaborative effort among the Labour Ministry (ILO)/the International Programme of Elimination of

Child Labour (IPEC) TACKLE project, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Education Ministry and the European Union (EU). This programme was aimed at ensuring all children remain in school, with the hope to reduce and some day end school dropouts and reduce, prevent and later eliminate child labour. This was done through the provision of transportation to and from schools, the provision of meals thrice weekly and snacks twice weekly.

Workshops

The programme was originally intended to serve for seven months but was later extended to 2013. It benefited 360 students of the Dora secondary, Kuru Kuru nursery and primary schools through the provision of transportation, nutrition support, numeracy and literacy, parenting workshops and psycho-social support.

Although the agreement for this project has come to an end, the government is looking for an extension, the nutritional and transportation support will continue on a temporary basis.

Labour Minister Dr Nanda

Motorcyclist killed in Parika accident

Amotorcyclist has become the latest road fatality after he was killed in a vehicular accident at Parika Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Saturday afternoon. The accident occurred about 17:15h.

The dead man was identified as Gavin Renville, 32, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, EBE. Police in a statement said that a driver is in custody as they continue to investigate the fatal accident that claimed the life of Renville.

Investigations so far revealed that Renville was riding along the Parika roadway, when he collided with the rear of a motor car that was proceeding in the same direction.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist received injuries and was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigations are continuing.

vouchers, and subsidy to pay for examinations, hot meals and hostels built in some areas to cater for children who live in far off communities so they could attend high school.

Dr Gopaul stressed on the importance of education and touched on the efforts being made by the government to ensure that is happening. He said opportunities are being created even after the completion of secondary school in the form of training through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Kishore Gopaul speaking at the ceremony highlighted that there cannot be a school in every community and the difficulties that the children of this area were facing was acknowledged by the ministry, hence the reason it being chosen for this project. It is the only community in the history of Guyana to benefit from such a project although other forms of support are being provided to other schools across the country.

Transportation

He acknowledged the main contributing factor to this situation was the need for transportation. The residents of certain communities such as Dora have very little access to transportation and this lead to the absence of children in school. He added this is an effort to eliminate trafficking in persons (TIP) and child labour.

“We do not want our children to be working… we will not fail to prosecute persons who are found trafficking our daughters and sons nor employing children and indulging in child labour,” he stated.

Minster Gopaul cited other initiatives from which children are benefiting including water transportation, uniform

He said $220 million is invested in the BIT programme to assist in training. He added there is an opportunity for everyone to develop through training just by approaching the Labour Ministry or BIT. He also said that there will be the provision of training for about 2000 persons this year. The minister said last year almost 30 heavy-duty operators were trained and acquired high paying jobs even before the completion of their training.

Flagship programme Kelvin Sergeant, an ILO specialist sustainable on Enterprise Development and Job creation, said the School Retention and Child Labour Prevention Programme is Guyana’s flagship programme under the TACKLE programme. He acknowledged when he returns to ILO’s Geneva office, he will make special recommendations for this project. He also urged the residents of the area to use the cooperative initiative to acquire transportation.

Assistant Chief Education Officer (secondary) Doodmattie Singh said this programme has done wonders and will benefit the students when they become parents because practices are handed down from generation to generation.

Four in custody for marijuana, cocaine busts in Berbice

Three men were on Saturday afternoon arrested after more than three kilograms of marijuana was found in bus in which they were travelling.

According to information received, police ranks were on a routine operation in New Amsterdam when minibus GHH 1532 was stopped. There were three occupants in the vehicle and they were reportedly seen acting in a suspicious manner.

During the search, a quantity of seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be cannabis were discovered neatly wrapped in plastic bags and on the floor of the vehicle. They were told of the offence, cautioned and taken to the New Amsterdam Police Station where the cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to three kilograms.

The men were arrested while the privately-owned minibus was impounded. Charges are expected

to be laid as soon as Monday. In another incident, on Friday about 15:40h, police on mobile patrol in the vicinity of Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice recognsied a man riding his bicycle and acting in a suspicious manner.

He was subsequently stopped and search during which it was discovered that he was carrying two pieces of neatly wrapped greaseproof paper containing a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine in the right side pocket of his pants.

Upon investigations, the man told police ranks that he had purchase the cocaine to smoke. He was told of the offence committed and arrested.

He was then taken to the Number 51 Police Station, where the suspected cocaine was weighed and amounted to one gram. He is expected to be charged on Monday.

Jealous lover stabs rival to death

Another triangular love affair ended brutal on Friday evening when a father of two stabbed his reputed wife’s lover to death at a small village on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The incident occurred about 19:30h in a place commonly referred to as Ideal Road.

The dead miner was identified as Kevin Harrison, 26, of Ideal Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway and formerly of Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara. He was stabbed at least four time to his back by his fiancé's estranged children's father during a confrontation at the woman’s home in the same village.

Heated argument

According to information, Ofeta Hinckson and Harrison were confronted by the suspect, Rudolph Singh at a shop in the neighbourhood. A heated argument ensured among the three people followed by a scuffle.

The woman reportedly left the shop, but was followed by the suspect who was in an angry state and more so, he was armed with 22 cutlass. Upon realising that Singh went be-

hind the woman, Morrison followed closely behind.

As he approached the house, he heard arguments and suddenly saw Singh attempting to chop the woman but he intervened, took away the cutlass and a scramble started between the two men.

Unknowingly, the suspect had a knife tuck away in his pocket which he subsequently pulled and stabbed the man to his back. Morrison reportedly fell to the ground died almost instantaneously.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Hinckson explained that she and Singh separated a while ago and then she started to befriend Harrison. They were together for the past seven years and their union brought forth two children who witnessed the murder.

Few drinks

The aggrieved woman added that on the night of the fatal stabbing, her fiancé (Harrison) visited her and they decided to go to the shop to take a few drinks. As they were there, her children's father who normally visits to bring things for his children appeared and an argument started among them.

The woman further stated that after the session at the shop, she left for home, but was followed by her reputed husband.

While at home, another argument started and he was about to chop her when Harrison intervened, she added. Hinckson went on to say that the angry suspect slammed her fiancé into the walls of the house, but he managed to take away the cutlass and threw it to her.

Soon after, she disclosed she heard her fiancé calling out to her saying “babes I get stab” and fell to the ground. Singh, upon realising that the man was injured, escaped from the scene.

The woman telephoned the police who visited the scene and took possession of the suspected murder weapon. The police are still hunting for the suspect who is believed to be hiding in Linden.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Saturday, the dead man’s mother, Shirley Harrison said she last heard from her son on Thursday evening. She explained that he would normally work in the interior and only came out a few days ago.

Tragic news

“Meh son and this gal de going around for sometime but they don’t live home… when I hear from he Thursday, eh said that he was at a friend house in Ideal Road,” she said. She got the news of her son’s demise about 20:00h and rushed to the scene only to find him in a pool of blood.

Harrison’s body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting post-mortem examination. He leaves to mourn his mother and six siblings. Police are continuing their investigations.

Bux to represent Guyana at Russian youth forum

The Russian embassy through collaborative efforts with Caricom and the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry has selected youth activist and Guyana Times reporter Umadevi Bux, as the first youth representative of Guyana to the International Youth Forum Seliger 2013 to be held in Moscow, Russia.

According to Russian embassy Charge d’ Affaires Petr Sizov, the move will hopefully bring about people to people diplomacy which is much needed in the rapid changing world.

Bux will be taking the responsibility of representing Guyana along with other Caricom youths from Barbados, Antigua, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts and Nevis.

The young lady has been actively involved in numerous youth-base organisations and was also the first

representative of Guyana to the United Nations Alliance of Civilisation (UNAOC) Summer School 2012 in Portugal as well as a delegate of the team that represented the University of Guyana at the Model General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Cochabamba, Bolivia. She has been a member of the University of Guyana International Relations Affairs Association, the National Students Movement (Core Committee) and National Youth

Miner killed in Rupununi mishap

Aminer met his demise on Friday evening along Cotton Road after his truck got stuck while crossing the Rupununi River.

Dwayne Sancho, 23, of Central Rupununi is suspected to have drowned, his uncle Dirk Toney said.

According to information received, Sancho travelled along Cotton Road, South Savannah District and came to a halt in the vicinity of Cotton Road where he recognised that the bridge to cross was submerging in water.

In attempting to the cross the bridge, he ordered his two workers to walk in front of him as he drove so they can show him the path. While driving with caution, the truck reportedly slipped off the bridge and got stuck in the mud below.

Rising water

This forced the two workers and Sancho to use everything at their disposal to get out the stuck truck since the water was rising rapidly.

After sometime of trying to engage the winch of the truck, the fume from the exhaust caused one of the workers to feel unwell and that worker was reportedly taken into the tray of the truck to recover. Soon after, Sancho was reportedly heard complaining of feeling weak and suddenly disappeared.

After 30 minutes under the water, he was subsequently pulled out, but was already dead. His body was transported to Lethem on

Saturday morning.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday evening, the dead man’s uncle, Dirk Toney explained that his nephew was coming out of the Marudi Area and the mishap occurred the crossing at Cotton Road about 19:30h.

He disclosed that he was in Aishalton and upon receiving the news of the unfortunate incident; he travelled up to the area where he enquired what occurred.

Toney confirmed that there were two workers with his nephew when the tragedy occurred, one of whom had already fallen sick as a result of the smoke for the truck’s exhaust.

“At the time of my nephew’s disappearance, the other worker claimed that he was assisting his colleague to sit in an upright position when he heard Dwayne com-

plaining of feeling unwell.” Guyana Times understands that soon after the worker called out to Sancho, but there were no response. The worker reportedly searched the area, but there was no sign of his boss until he was joined by a passerby who assisted in the search.

“That took about 30-45 minutes… they searched and found him under the truck then placed him in the cab of the truck and performed a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but no avail.” The worker frantically crossed the bridge and found some help. Sancho was later placed onto an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) which sped off to Lethem. A post-mortem examination will determine the cause of the death of the young man who is survived by his parents and three siblings.

Missing man’s body found in Canje Creek

Parliament during her studies at the University of Guyana.

The youth activist has served as an executive member of the University of Guyana International Affairs Association in 2012 and as part of the coordinating team of the National Youth Parliament.

She has received an award as best analytical and reasoning debater/speaker in her capacity as human services and social security minister at the National Youth Parliament 2011.

The Seliger forum seeks to bring together young people to study and discuss issues in political science, economics, art, literature and culture with the aim of building an international community of young people based on the principles of peaceful coexistence, the promotion of personal and democratic liberties and recognition of cultural diversity.

Two day after Calvin Yearwood went missing after a swim in the Canje Creek, his body was fished out under the Canje Bridge about 15:00h on Saturday, a police source stated.

Yearwood, 25, a tractor operator of 1042 Cinderella City Amelia’s Ward went to swim in the Canje Creek on Thursday afternoon, but unfortunately, he never resurfaced after taking the first plunge.

About 15:30h on the fatal day, he was seen struggling in the water and later he disappeared. Attempts were made to rescue him but it was too late as he was about 30 feet away from his rescuers when he went down.

Jocelyn Yearwood, an aunt of the dead man explained that her nephew left home on July 4 for the interior and was utterly shocked to have received the news that he drowned in Berbice.

Jocelyn said she was not

convinced that it was him who went missing despite relatives in Berbice telling her that they recovered his bag with his belongings.

The distraught woman in tears stated that she telephoned the man who contracted her nephew to be told that the last time he visited the mining camp, Yearwood was there.

After a while, the woman received a telephone call from her nephew’s employer who informed her that he was not at the mining camp and that he only spent two days and left. At that point in time, she said that she broke down and had to come to grips with reality.

The woman explained that she was made to understand that her nephew telephoned his mother in the United Kingdom and requested that she send some money for him. His mother in turn, reportedly enquired from him, if he had informed his aunt that he was

in Berbice and upon learning that he did not, she instructed him to do so but he never did.

“I was not aware that he left the interior and went to Berbice until his mother called and informed me… My sister tried to tell me, but I held out that he was at work until I received the call from his employer,” she added. She claimed that upon information received from Berbice, family members formed a search party to look for him, but came up empty-handed after the first two days. “Now that his body was discovered, I will travel up to Berbice,” she noted.

Yearwood’s body was taken to the New Amsterdam mortuary where a post-mortem examination is expected to be performed. He leaves to mourn his parents who reside in the United King, his guardian Jocelyn Yearwood and his five siblings.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Keep in mind that old adage: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” It could prove to be quite useful when negotiating an important financial matter.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

People who are in a position to help you might not do so if they think they are being manipulated. To be effective, you must be totally sincere.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Beware of becoming so unduly enamoured with your own thinking that it blinds you to much better suggestions being offered by experienced people.

(March 21-April 19)

Resist temptations to team up with someone without knowing what that person’s plans or intentions might be. You may not like his or her ideas, or else lack the money to partake in them.

(April 20May 20)

Someone who is sincerely interested in your welfare might have some sage advice. Before settling on a plan or making a major decision, hear him or her out.

(May 21June 20)

If you let another do a job for you that you can easily handle yourself, you could regret it. Be more self-reliant.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

Even if material conditions are improving, it should not give you licence to be wasteful or extravagant. You may later need all the money you could blow today.

(July 23Aug. 22)

There’s a good chance you might be a shade too opinionated for your own good. Although you might feel that you’re making an impression, it’s the wrong way to do it.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you’re not careful, you could easily let the cat out of the bag regarding an important secret. Be extra mindful of not only what you say, but to whom.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t allow an extravagant whim to gain control of your wallet, which could easily happen if you’re palling around with a big spender whom you’re trying to impress.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Usually, you have an appreciation for the virtues, abilities and desires of your friends. Today, however, you might feel that your way of doing things is the only way.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

In your haste to promote something that you care about, there’s a strong possibility you could leave out pertinent information. Slow down a bit.

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Prime minister promises to help resolve concerns of Mahaicony farmers

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Saturday conducted an outreach at Mahaicony, Region Five where he toured several institutions and other places of interest and interacted with residents.

Among the institutions he visited were the stelling, market, koker, police station, the Amerindian Hostel, the technical and vocational training centre, diagnostic centre and several cash crop and livestock farms.

During a meeting held by the Central Mahaicony Perth Village Farmers Association, Prime Minister Hinds highlighted that Guyana has been making progress through the years, and the country is in a better position through the work of Guyanese.

“Farming is certainly the initial work for all countries, for all people… maybe 50 per cent or more people are involved in farming and as things improve, as drainage and irrigation improve, as knowledge improves generally less people are involved in farming and then more people are involved in other things like education and health,” he told residents.

Investors

He added that Guyana has been trying to bring investors to develop the country, through which more employment for youths will be created.

Guyana is still a poor country, it is through the work of everyone that it will to become rich. The Institute of Private Enterprise Development has also donated $150,000 to the pig farmers association to buy supplements for their animals and to improve their facilities.

Region Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth expressed appreciation to the prime minister for visiting the village, and listening to the concerns of farmers and other residents. He added that support at the regional level will always be given to the farmers association.

Support

“We at the regional level will continue to give whatever support possible to the group and we’ll like to see the group expand… this part of Region Five is producing not only for Region Five but the country and the Caribbean as a whole,” added Bisnauth.

Region Five has been bringing forth the highest rice production and for the first crop of 2013, it produced 101,262 tonnes, maintaining its stellar performance. In 2012, it produced 150,000 tonnes or 37 per cent of the total production.

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The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made by pig farmers in the community since they have been assisted and their lives have been progressing. He added that even though

Among the issues pointed out by the Mahaicony residents, was that their farm lands flood during the rainy season and even though they have made several complaints to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), nothing is done.

Hinds told residents that the government has put in place a drainage and irrigation division to deal with such matters and he will seek to help end their problem.

Draft master plan for zoo to be unveiled Tuesday

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in collaboration with the Protected Areas Commission, Beharry Group of Companies and Conservation International Guyana will unveil a draft master plan for development of the Guyana Zoo under the Three Parks Initiative on Tuesday.

The Three Parks Initiative seeks to upgrade facilities and enhance security in the urban parks in Georgetown.

The presentation will be held at the National Park parking lot, Carifesta Avenue entrance, Georgetown, at 19:00h.

The draft master plan is the result of a partnership between the Natural

Resources and Environment Ministry, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Beharry Group of Companies and Conservation International Guyana. The presentation announces the beginning of a long-term effort to modernise and transform the zoo by implementing the highest international standards in zoo animal welfare and by allowing Guyanese and visitors to connect with the rich natural world that exists beyond the limits of Guyana’s urban landscape.

As such, the ministry is inviting all stakeholders to the presentation and is urging them to contribute to the transformation of the zoo and Guyana’s green spaces.

England close-in on first Test win

England took three late Australia wickets on Saturday to assume a commanding position going into the final day of an enthralling opening Ashes Test.

Chasing a target of 311, a record score to win a Trent Bridge Test, Australia were going well on 161-3.

But in a potentially decisive twist in the final hour, England removed captain Michael Clarke, Steven Smith and Phil Hughes in the space of 18 balls to reduce the tourists to 174-6 at the close, still 137 runs adrift of the finish line.

England had earlier added 49 runs to their overnight total to post 375 all out, with Ian Bell completing his 18th Test century and Stuart Broad scoring 65.

Broad, the subject of a major controversy over his decision not to walk on Friday, followed up with an impressive display with the ball, breaking Australia’s 84-run opening partnership and removing Clarke for 23 in the closing stages of a sweltering day in which England had toiled for long stretches without reward.

Pitching the ball up to Clarke, Broad drew a faint edge from the Australia captain and wheeled away in celebration as Matt Prior took the catch.

The festivities were put on hold as the umpires verified that the ball had carried into Prior’s gloves and were delayed still further when Clarke called for a review. But when Hot Spot showed the smallest of marks on his bat, the skipper had to go.

The dismissal of Australia’s leading batsman marked a total shift in

the momentum of the match as Smith was trapped right in front of his stumps by Graeme Swann, who had previously bowled 22 wicketless overs.

Two overs later, Australia were six wickets down as Hughes – who scored an unbeaten 81 in the first innings – was struck on the back pad after missing a spinning delivery from Swann and given out on review.

The experienced Brad Haddin and debutant Ashton Agar – promoted to number eight after his firstinnings 98 at the foot of the order – survived until the close, but with so many runs still required England must be firm favourites to go 1-0 up in the series when play resumes on Sunday.

Australia, who have only once – in 1948 – successfully chased more than 250 to win in England, made the ideal start with the bat as open-

ers Shane Watson and Chris Rogers put on 84 in 24 overs either side of lunch. On a sluggish pitch, they deployed the method that had worked so well for Bell, refusing to force the issue but instead playing very late, scoring lots of runs through third man and taking singles wherever possible.

Watson always looked the more likely to lose his wicket and so it turned out as he was lbw to Broad for 46 after playing across his front pad.

Ed Cowan walked out on a king pair and took 16 balls to get off the mark before cutting Steven Finn – who was not introduced until the 29th over of the innings – for four.

But England made another breakthrough on the stroke of tea as Cowan attempted an expansive drive at part-time off-spinner Joe Root and got a thick edge to slip. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

A Cook* c Clarke b Agar 50 J Root c †Haddin b Starc 5 J Trott lbw b Starc 0 K Pietersen b Pattinson 64 I Bell c †Haddin b Starc 109 J Bairstow c †Haddin b Agar 15

M Prior† c Cowan b Siddle 31 S Broad c †Haddin b Pattinson 65

G Swann c Clarke b Siddle 9 S Finn not out 2

J Anderson c Hughes b Siddle 0

Extras: (b2, lb13, w1, nb9) 25

Total: (all out, 149.5 overs) 375

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-11, 3-121, 4-131, 5-174, 6-218, 7-356, 8-371, 9-375, 10-375

Bowling: J Pattinson 34-8-1012, M Starc 32-7-81-3, A Agar 35-9-82-2, P Siddle 33.5-1285-3, S Watson 15-11-11-0

Chanderpaul injures hamstring

DERBY, England –

Derbyshire left Old Trafford with a defeat and a major injury concern over West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The 38-year-old suffered a problem with his left hamstring batting in the Falcons’ reply to Lancashire’s 165-9 in their Friends Life T20 contest and though he was able to bat on with a runner, he was clearly struggling.

There appears no way he will be able to play in Sunday’s North Group match against Yorkshire at Chesterfield (14:30h) – a match Derbyshire must win after last night’s 12-run defeat – and the club will now wait until the injury settles down to see how long Chanderpaul could be sidelined.

“The early prognosis is that he’s sore,” said head coach Karl Krikken. “He’s struggling for Sunday but we’ll see.

“He’s a remarkable man and you never know but it could be long-term. We’ll know more in the next 48 hours.”

The timing of Chanderpaul’s injury was

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

also crucial to Derbyshire’s chances of winning the match against Lancashire. He was on 26 and the Falcons were going well at 85-2 after 10.3 overs when he went off for treatment and, though he went on to make 39 before being run out in the 14th over at 102-3, the steam had gone out of their charge.

Stephen Moore’s 74 off 42 balls with five fours and five sixes was important for Lightning after they slipped to 34-3 in the sixth, though Mark Turner (4-35) and Tim Groenewald (3-32) did well to hold them in check in the lat-

er overs.

Wes Durston gave Derbyshire a good start before he was out for 48 off 29 balls with six fours and three sixes at 66-2 in the eighth over and though Wayne Madsen tried to keep his side in contention with 36 in the second half of the innings, his dismissal at 140-5 at the end of the 18th over spelled the end of their chances and they finished 153-6.

“I think they got 15-20 too many,” added Krikken. “We had a couple of bad overs in the middle but pulled it back really well.

“We were chasing it down well and then Shiv went in the hamstring and we lost momentum. That was crucial. Another good couple of overs there and we would have been well placed to win.

“It’s all fine margins but I’m quite happy with how we played. Hopefully, on Sunday we’ll have the rub of the green.”

There is better news for Derbyshire of Tony Palladino, who was kept out of the Championship match at Durham last week with an abdominal injury.(First published on This Is Derbyshire)

Matteo Trentin wins stage 14 in Lyon

Matteo Trentin won the race to Lyon as Chris Froome retained his overall lead after stage 14 of the Tour de France on Saturday.

Italian Trentin, an Omega Pharma-Quickstep teammate of Mark Cavendish, won a sprint finish after being involved in an 18-man breakaway group.

Britain’s race leader Froome finished more than seven minutes behind Trentin, but crucially, in the peloton alongside his main rivals for the race victory.

Froome leads Bauke Mollema and Alberto Contador by more than two minutes.

The Team Sky rider’s advantage was reduced by more than one minute on stage 13 when Contador and Mollema successfully rode away from him in a frenetic race dominated by crosswinds.

However, stage 14 was more relaxed and, once a breakaway group which contained no riders who were a threat to Froome’s overall lead had been allowed to race

clear, Team Sky marshalled the peloton to the finish.

“The first 80 kilometres was pretty flat out and trying to chase the guys up the road was not an easy task,” said Froome, who leads Mollema by two minutes, 28 seconds, with Contador 17 seconds further back.

The route featured seven categorised climbs and looked perfect for a large breakaway group to establish a stagewinning advantage – and that is exactly what transpired.

Germany’s breakaway specialist Jens Voigt was in a group of four riders who tried to go clear early on and the quartet were soon joined by 14 other riders, who included Britain’s David Millar.

The 18 riders built up a lead of more than six minutes and only split up when Julien Simon sprinted clear on the penultimate climb of the stage, 15 kilometres from the finish line.

The Sojasun rider was trying to become the first French stage winner of the race’s 100th edition, but he was caught in the closing cou-

Moyes’ first

game at Manchester United ends in defeat

David Moyes suffered defeat in his first match in charge of Manchester United as they were beaten 1-0 by the Singha All Stars in Thailand.

Teeratep Winothai scored the only goal on 50 minutes at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, beating Ben Amos at his near post.

“It wasn’t a brilliant result but this wasn’t one we desperately needed to win,” said Moyes.

“It is one we needed to get prepared to win games.”

Wilfried Zaha, who signed from Crystal Palace last season, and 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj were both given debuts by Moyes and came the closest to finding the target.

Following Wayne Rooney’s return to England for treatment and the absence of Javier Hernandez, Robin van Persie and Nani, it was an opportunity for the youngsters to impress.

ple of kilometres as Michael Albasini and Jan Bakelants took up the pace.

Simon tried to contest the sprint but Trentin, who is usually one of Cavendish’s lead-out men, was the quickest finisher and he pipped Orica GreenEdge’s Swiss rider Albasini on the line with American Andrew Talansky of the Garmin-Sharp team third.

Today’s 15th stage is the longest of the race at 242.5 kilometres and finishes with the 21 kilometres ascent of Mont Ventoux - the Provence mountain that claimed the life of British cyclist Tom Simpson 46 years ago today.

Froome, who is expecting another tough day in the saddle, said at the end of stage 14: “A climb like Ventoux at the end of a 240 kilometres stage is brutal and I’m expecting big time gaps on the general classification. (BBC Sport)

Sharapova names Jimmy Connors as her new coach

World number two Maria Sharapova has named eight-time Grand Slam title winner Jimmy Connors as her new coach.

The Russian, who lost in the second round of Wimbledon to Michelle Larcher de Brito, announced on Thursday she had split with coach Thomas Hogstedt.

Sharapova, 26, said Hogstedt was “not able to travel in the near future” and has

linked up with 60-year-old Connors.

“I am really excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming tournaments,” she said.

Connors said on Twitter: “Excited to be working with four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova. Adding to that number is the goal. Looking forward to some fun & hard work!”

Announcing her split with her former coach, Sharapova said in a statement: “After almost three years of working together, Thomas Hogstedt and I decided to part ways.

“I am very thankful for all his work, and wish him much success in the future.”

Sharapova worked with American Connors in 2008, just before the Australian Open.

She won three Grand Slam tournaments between 2004 and 2008, adding the French Open in 2012 to her list of major titles.

Connors previously coached Andy Roddick, who he helped reach the final of the U.S. Open in 2006, the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2007 and the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that year before they split in March 2008.

Connors won five U.S. Open titles, Wimbledon twice and the Australian Open once as a player, topping the world rankings from July 1974 to August 1977. (BBC Sport)

“We have brought him here to give him a chance. It is the first time I have worked with him and had a chance to see him up close.

“He will certainly be part of the squad and we will see where we can fit him in as often as we can.”

Januzaj, signed from Anderlecht in July 2011, was given a squad number for Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game in charge of United in May.

“It is always good when you give a young player a chance and he shows up. He did that tonight,” added Moyes.

“The more he plays like that the more opportunities he is likely to get.”

United now travel to Sydney, where Van Persie and David de Gea will join the squad. They are scheduled to play matches in five different countries before beginning their Premier League title defence on 17 August. (BBC Sport)

“Wilfried did well,” said Moyes. “He gave us something different.

Rough diamond Manley shines in Donetsk thanks to astute coaching

After three days of competition at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships, one name was on the lips of everyone when the issue of who had been the revelation of the championships so far was discussed: Jamaica’s 400 metre winner Martin Manley.

Most of the smart money before the final of the event on Friday evening had been on USA’s Ryan Clark, who had run a youth world-leading time of 46.33 in the semi-finals, or perhaps Manley’s compatriot Devaughn Baker.

Manley had arrived in Donetsk with a best of ‘only’ 46.95, although he gave a hint that he had plenty still in the tank when he improved to win his semifinal in 46.65.

However, in the RSC Olimpiyskiy stadium, Manley uncorked a time of 45.89, the second fastest clocking ever seen in the history of the championships, to drop more than a few jaws.

“Awesome, I did this for my coach (Donald ‘Danny’ Hawthorne). He has been waiting for me to shine like this. He told me that I’d run 45. He didn’t say when, where or how, but I came out here and did it.

“He has helped me with my confidence a lot. He is behind me, each morning he calls, telling me: ‘Martin do this, Martin do that.’ It paid off. You have to sacrifice a lot, I’ve missed a lot of exams to be here so I’m proud to be the World youth champion,” said Manley.

Barely a year ago, the gangling Manley had, in the words of one Jamaican official, “been struggling to break 15 seconds for the 100 metre!”

Well, to be fair, he was a lot faster than that but it was still apparent that Manley was no budding Usain Bolt or Asafa Powell at this stage of his career. However, the respected Hawthorne – the early mentor of the likes of Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade – saw the rough diamond of a potentially outstanding 400 metre runner, who still needs a bit of polishing but has started to be cut into shape over the last 12 months.

“It also means that my coach is a very good man, if he can look into the future and tell what I was going to do like this. I wanted to run the 100 metre and he transferred me to the 400 metre, I told him then that I didn’t want to do it but now I have

Local hotel chain, Sleepin International offered sponsorship for the upcoming Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic IV, scheduled to be held on August 17 at the Police Sports Club Ground and August 18 at Mackenzie

Sports Club ground, Linden. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hotel chain, Clifton Bacchus, stated that he is overwhelmed to have the opportunity to partner with the organisers to ensure that there is enough hospitality and comfort dur-

no regrets.”

Manley, in lane six, was disciplined enough to stick to his race plan of running a controlled first half of the race as Clark, one lane inside, went past him by 150 metres but the Jamaican had paced himself better and come down the home straight line a train.

“I glimpsed him (Clark) on my left shoulder and he came past me, then I waited until I came into the home straight. At that point, I told myself that I can’t go home with silver, I had to get gold. I didn’t panic and no pressure was there,” reflected Manley.

Inevitably, Manley was asked who the first male 400 metre World champion of the year was going to tip to follow in his footsteps and win over one lap of the track at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow next month.

It was an easy question for Manley to answer, the current Olympic and World champion Kirani James, the only man who has run faster than him at the World Youth Championships.

“For me it’s Kirani. He ran under 44 at the Olympics; he ran 43.9 at the Diamond League last week. I’m looking at him to run 43.3 or 43.4 this year,” said Manley, who revealed that the Grenadian has been a big influence on him. “I watch his (James) videos every night, I really love his style and I try to mimic everything that he does. In fact, my coach always tells me that I run like him,” added the prodigious Jamaican teenager, who moved up to second place on his nation’s all-time list for the event, behind a certain Usain Bolt. (IAAF)

ing the two-day meet, according to a press release.

Also according to the release, athletes from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Suriname are already confirmed to compete at the meet that will see the heats and three distance finals being held on day one at Eve Leary and all other finals on day two at the MSC ground, Linden.

Technical delegate on the management committee for the fourth edition of the Boyce and Jefford Classic, Cornel Rose thanked Sleepin for their contribution, indicating that it is part of ensuring that all the right systems are in place for an international competition.

Apart from dolling out lucrative cash prizes to clubs and athletes, the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic is aimed at establishing a prominent place for athletics in Guyana where leading local athletes match strides with their Caribbean counterparts.

Guyana starts competition in Caribbean karate tournament

Almost 30 karatekas from the Guyana Karate College (GKC) travelled to Barbados under the leadership of Sensei Jeffrey Wong on Friday morning for Caribbean Karate Championships this weekend.

The team underwent weeks of rigorous preparations at their various dojos: Timehri, Marian Academy and the Malteenoes Sports Club.

The teams selected are Boys 8-10: Tyler Orderson, John Mc Grath and Antoine Herod; Girls 8-10: Hannah Farinha, Rebecca Ramlall

and Rachel Ramlall; Boys 11-13: Yannick Rameshwar, Mark Wong and Michael Hing; Girls 11-13: Alliyah Wong, Tashana Wong and Alyssa Persaud; Boys 1416: Otto Harris, Carlos Gonsalves and Desmond Fernandes; Girls 14-16: Christy Dey, Mickelly Rahaman and Ashley Seelall, Adult Male: Eric Hing, Romel Rameshwar and Mathew Hurry, Adult Female: Jennifer Rameshwar, Nikita Clarke, and Claire CheeksMartelly; Masters: Aubrey Bettencourt, Kennrick Cheeks and Medharishi Ramdhani.

The other karateks selected for the individual divisions are: Boys 8-10: Sashan Ramkumar, Boys 11-13: Jonathan Connelly, Girls 1113: Rhea Connelly, Girls 1719: Kerry Ramkumar. Team GKC, first runnerup at the last International Karate Daigaku World Shotokan Karate Championships held in Toronto, Canada last year, defeated many karate powerhouse countries along the way. The camp feel confident that it will do Guyana proud on the international stage once again, this time at the regional level.

Hearts of Oak "Teach Them Young" camp begins Monday in Berbice

Heart of Oak Football Club will begin its annual ‘Teach Them Young’ annual football camp on Monday.

The event will be held at the All Saints ground and is open to boys and girls between six and 12 years old. The programe will be run for five weeks and will teach the youths the fundamentals of the sport.

Organiser Neil Humphrey said among some of the topics that will be covered are: diet, etiquette and basic skills needed in the classroom. The camp will focus on theoretical and physical aspects of the game while videos will also be used as part of the five-week camp. Over the years the Hearts of Oak FC ‘Teach Them Young’ camp has seen many persons who attending the camp going on to join football clubs.

Nash hits scintillating 199 in Kent win

Cheltenham, England – Brendan Nash retired ill on 199 as Kent secured their first four-day win of the season after an enthralling final-day at Cheltenham.

Requiring 411 for victory from 96 overs, Kent won with two wickets and 14 balls remaining thanks largely to the brilliance of Nash, who had to retire through exhaustion with 21 still needed to win.

Nash, the Australia-born former West Indies batsman, struck 26 fours and a six in his 230-ball innings and was only eight short of his career best, made for Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago, when he retired after batting for five hours on the hottest day of the year.

The game was finely balanced for most of the day, but Nash and skipper James Tredwell swung it Kent’s way with an eighthwicket stand of 58. Teenage paceman Craig Miles was the most successful of Gloucestershire’s attack with four for 68, while there

were two wickets apiece for Will Gidman and Benny Howell.

Gloucestershire’s bid for a third County Championship win of the season got off to a great start when Will Gidman had Sam Northeast caught in the gully by Michael Klinger from the second ball of the day.

But Rob Key took successive boundaries from James Fuller’s first over to emphasise that this pitch was still very much a batsman’s paradise, on which 1188 runs had been scored in the first three days for the loss of just 11 wickets.

It became 48 for two when Daniel Bell-Drummond was bowled by Miles, but Nash was quickly into his stride and he took four boundaries from one over from Miles, with two struck through midwicket, one driven through extra cover and the other cut to third man.

Play was held up for nearly 10 minutes after the batsmen complained that the sun was glinting off scaffolding above the sightscreen at the Chapel End –

a problem that was solved by groundstaff putting a big cover over it.

Kent reached 110 for two at lunch and Nash brought up his 52-ball half-century in the second over after the interval with a cover-driven boundary off Will Gidman. Key put on 85 for the third wicket with Nash, but he then flicked at a ball from Miles and fell to a tumbling leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick for 42. Nash found another good partner in Ben Harmison, who had contributed 23 to a partnership of 64 when he was caught behind attempting to cut a Howell delivery.

Two overs later, Nash reached his third century of the season with the most fortuitous shot of his innings, a thin inside edge off Fuller that just evaded Roderick behind the stumps and raced to the boundary. His hundred came off 119 balls and included 16 fours and a six, driven over midwicket off Tom Smith’s left-arm spin. (Cricinfo)

WI, Pakistan clash in first ODI today at Providence

– Gayle set to play 250th ODI in front of sold out stadium

By Rajiv Bisnauth

After recent bouts of indifferent results by the West Indies and Pakistan teams, both will be looking forward to winning this five-match ODI series beginning today at the Guyana National Stadium.

Today’s match, which starts at 09:30h, is a good opportunity for both sides to start on a positive note and hopefully take forward the momentum for rest of the year.

West Indies come into today’s match with back-toback victories against Sri Lanka and India in Jamaica in the just-concluded tri-nation series but equally failed to reach the finals with below par performances in Trinidad and Tobago where they suffered defeats to the same two teams.

That being said, West Indies beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the last ODI to be played in Guyana two years ago. However, the visitors won the five-match series 3-2 after the home team suffered consecutive defeats in the first three matches in St Lucia.

Similarly, Pakistan had a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, losing all three of their group games last month in England.

The WI/Pakistan series includes five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.

The second ODI will also be played at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday while the remaining ODIs will be played in St Lucia on July 19, 21 and 24. The two T20Is will be played at the Arnos Vale Cricket ground in St Vincent on July 27 and 28.

Milestone

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle will become the third West Indian to play in 250 ODIs if he features in today’s game. The other two West Indians to achieve that milestone are former captains, Brian Lara (299) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (268).

The 33-year-old Gayle made his ODI debut against India in Toronto on September 11, 1999 and has so far accumulated 8682 runs at an average of 38.24. His strike rate stands at 84.51. He has scored 21 centuries and 45 fifties.

“To get 250 ODI’s is always good, it takes a lot of years and my service to West indies has been good and actually I am glad to serve the West Indies in so many occasions,” Gayle told the media at the conclusion of the team’s training session on

Saturday at the National Stadium.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s unpredictability could again come to the fore, but Gayle said the regional team cannot underestimate the talent they have and their ability with both bat and ball. He noted the Caribbean side respects that.

“We can’t take them for granted, but we have to use the home condition as an advantage,” added Gayle.

When question on Mohammad Irfan, the 7’ 1” fast bowler, possibly the tallest known cricketer in the world, Gayle said: “It’s going to be a unique experience and it’s difficult to re-enact those sorts of things, but out in the middle we have to face that challenge.”

Return of international cricket

Meanwhile, a capacity crowd is expected as international cricket returns to Guyana after a two-year hiatus.

Guyana has not hosted international matches as a result of the dispute between Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and government of Guyana following the body’s controversial elections in 2011. The last international game played here was between the same opponents on May 5, 2011.

West Indies squad: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith.

Pakistan squad: Misbahul-Haq (captain) Nasir Jamshaid‚ Ahmad Shahzad‚ Muhammad Hafeez‚ Asad Shafiq‚ Omar Akmal‚ Shahid Afridi‚ Saeed Ajmal‚ Wahab Riaz‚ Junaid Khan‚ Muhammad Irfan‚ Asad Ali‚ Omar Amin‚ Abdul Rehman‚ Haris Sohail and Muhammad Rizwan.

WI, Pakistan clash in first ODI today at Providence

Gayle set to play 250th ODI in front of sold out stadium

Greaves wins Malta Supreme cycling meet

Roraima Bikers Club (RBC), Alonzo Greaves added more silverware to his cabinet when he won the feature 35-lap event of the second annual Malta Supreme 11race cycle programme at the National Park on Saturday.

Greaves, who won his 11th race of the season, took the top position in one hour, 15 minutes and 33 seconds; he also copped two sprint prizes. Following Greaves were Jude Bentley, who took six sprint prizes, Warren ‘40’ McKay, Raynauth Jeffrey, Robin Persaud and Albert Philander respectively.

In the co-feature, Junior Niles took the veterans’ under-50, five-lap trophy

and prime prize, defeating Kennard Lovell and Shameer Baksh who got second and third respectively.

Jeban Crawford took the juniors and juveniles’ 10-lap race in 25 minutes, 20 sec-

onds. However, third and fourth place finishers, Silvio Innis and Shaquille Agard shared the two sprint prizes. Akeem Arthur came in third. Raphael Leung won the BMX boys’ 12-to-14 years,

three-lap race ahead of Rawle Small and Ricardo Ceres respectively while Ceres took top honours in the BMX boys’ nine to 12 years two-lap race ahead of Stephan Wilkinson and Aaron Gomes respectively.

Jamal John took top honours in the three-lap BMX boys Open race ahead of Christopher Griffith and Jason Jordan.

In the 12 to 14 years, boys’ and girls’ three-lap race, Romello Crawford took home the winner’s trophy while Alfie Sonoram and John (sprint prize winner) occupied the runners-up positions.

In the five-lap veterans’ over-50 race, Wilfred Thom

was the only starter and pocketed the spoils.

Monty Parris won the veterans’ over-60 year’s race ahead of arch rival, Maurice Fagundes the only two starters. The mountain bike race and sprint prize was won by Ozia McAlley in 13 minutes, 39 seconds. Keon Thomas and Julio Melville placed second and third respectively.

The two-lap BMX boy’s six to nine year’s race was won by Sherwin Sampson while Alex Leung and Jeremiah Harrison came in second and third.

At the prize giving ceremony, national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, organiser of the event, thanked

Jose Felicien, Banks DIH’s sales representative for sponsorship, and the cyclists for participating in the meet and making it a success.

Felicien handed out the prime prizes as well as the trophies to the winners and the runners-up of the events.

The sales representative also congratulated the cyclists for their participation and pledged the company’s continued support for future cycling events. Meanwhile, at 09:00h the cyclists will take their talents to the open road of Berbice to compete in the annual 55-mileroad race to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Ballot Box Martyrs.