21st July 2013

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, July 21 from 14:30h to 16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, July 21 from 15:20h to 16:50h.

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.

11 more doctors to serve Region Two

The health sector in Region Two will be significantly boosted as 11 more Cubantrained Guyanese doctors graduated on Saturday at the Suddie Public Hospital after successfully completing their one year internship there.

The doctors, Suzette Alana Regnold, Deoram Kajram, Smolana Swan, Andy Da Silva, Marlon Sooknarine, Chavita Bisnauth, Patricia Lewwai-see, Cardel Mc Watt, Suresh Seurattan, Kiloutie Das and Vijay Persaud successfully completed their seven-year training programme (six years in Cuban and one year at the Suddie Hospital). The doctors were trained in general medicine, internal medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology and obstet-

rics and surgery.

Speaking to the graduands, officials of the Cuban government, doctors, nurses and medical technicians in the boardroom of the Suddie Hospital, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud charged the newly-trained doctors to give of their best and to serve their fellow Essequibians with love. He welcomed the team home and encouraged them to do their job in a professional manner.

Persaud thanked the Cuban government for the solid partnership with Guyana, which enabled the training of young people to become doctors.

The regional chairman said Guyana has prospered from the arrangement, and lauded former president Bharrat Jagdeo,

who was instrumental in negotiating the agreement.

“We are indeed grateful for this help, it has indeed boost the health sector in Guyana, many persons are benefiting and the partnership signed was a fruitful venture.”

Persaud also posited that the Cuban Medical Brigade has invested tremendous support into Guyana’s health sector, noting that their work has been priceless.

Meanwhile, University of Holgrin, Medical Science Director Dr Katia Maria Ochoa Agnilera said Cuba was happy to host the students, and challenge them to further their studies in their various field.

According to Agnilera, the best repayment the doctors can give to Cuba is

to give of their best, serve the people honestly and with love.

Dr Duniesky Cintra Cala of the Cuban Health Ministry and Dr George Delgado, the head of International Collaborators Worldwide also spoke at the graduation.

Suzette Alana Regnold and Deoram Kajram, who obtained gold medals in the general medicine course, said they are happy to be back home to serve their people.

Both students thanked the governments of Guyana and Cuba for making their dreamof becoming a doctor a reality.

The newly-graduated doctors vowed to give of their best and described their stay in Cuba as challenging, but fun-filled.

The parents of the graduating students also lauded the medical agreement between Guyana and Cuba, noting that it has enabled their children an opportunity to make them proud.

The parents of Suresh Seurattan told Guyana Times that they are happy their son is now a doctor as their sacrifices have paid off.

The parents of Deoram Kajram also expressed similar sentiments.

The occasion was also attended by Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, Suddie Public Hospital Committee Chairman Shanta Springer and Region Two Health Committee Chairman Humace Udit.

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

Infrastructure for development

One of the most glaring differences between the Caribbean and the fast growing economies of emerging Asia is the gap in their stock of physical infrastructure. The gap is obviously more pronounced when compared against the developed countries in Europe and North America and is the major hurdle that must be overcome if the region is to embark on a sustainable growth trajectory. For Guyana, the gap is even wider considering its lag vis a vis its Caribbean Community (Caricom) partners.

The infrastructure gap is most pronounced in transportation and communication networks, poor water and sanitation services and the anaemic capacity to generate energy to meet growing demand. According to the latest World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, on a scale of one (worst) to seven (best), the quality of infrastructure in the region is 3.6, while in emerging Asia the figure is 5.4 and even higher in advanced countries.

The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean invest on average only 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per year in infrastructure. This is not enough to improve the quantity and quality of capital stocks. If the investment rate were doubled, the long-term rate of economic growth could be accelerated by an estimated two percentage points per year. Moreover, if investment rates of around 4-6 per cent of GDP could be sustained for 20 years, the infrastructure deficit that the region has in relation to emerging Asia could be eliminated.

Recognising this necessity, the World Bank (WB) has recalibrated its stance of major infrastructural projects in the poorer countries from which it had retreated after an initial thrust in the 1950s and 1960s. In February, the WB, in conjunction with the G20, committed itself to reinvigorating its infrastructural focus, specifically with regards to large hydro-electric projects. Cognisant, however, of its strained circumstances precipitated by the economic crisis in the developed economies, the WB announced that governments must consider alternative financing models to leverage private capital into infrastructure.

The public-private partnership (PPP) model, as this approach is called, in fact is presently taking precedent in the ongoing negotiations for the 17th replenishment of the bank’s low-income country arm, the International Development Association (IDA). At the first IDA 17 meeting, in mid March, “maximising development impact” was proposed as an overarching theme. The bank justified the approach by stating: “The focus on regional transformational projects arises from the recognition that they have the potential to catalyse very large-scale benefits to improve access to infrastructure services beyond borders and promote joint action to tackle shared challenges.”

Closer home, the largest lender to the region, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) in its 2013 Latin American and Caribbean macroeconomic report, “Rethinking Reforms: How Latin America and the Caribbean Can Escape Suppressed World Growth,” also pushed the PPP vehicle for infrastructural investment, “In addition to providing more financing, PPPs have the potential, if properly designed and supervised, of bringing about efficiency gains in the delivery of infrastructure services.”

We have taken pains to demonstrate the acceptance by the international financial institutions (IFIs), which have the widest comparative perspective on developmental needs and priorities, that infrastructural investment, in general and hydro-electric power generation in particular, is key to economic growth and that the PPP model is the way to go in the absence of sufficient domestic savings to make the necessary investments.

We emphasise this in light of the opposition’s refusal in Parliament last Thursday, to even debate the two bills on the Amaila Falls Hydro electric Project (AFHEP) which is being financed through the PPP mechanism. At a very minimum, the action will cause the IDB to delay its due diligence report on the project and thus delay this project for at least another year.

This is not the time to flex political muscles and we call upon the opposition to do the right thing so that our infrastructural bottleneck can begin to be opened up.

A sad day

Dear Editor,

On Friday July 19, persons awoke to the news that the joint opposition had voted down the Amaila legislation (bill to amend the hydro act and motion to raise the debt ceiling). July 18, 2013 will be the day the opposition sought to kill hydro, to kill Amaila Falls.

As if they had forgotten, the first attempt at doing it from the state level was over a generation ago, the Upper Mazaruni project, incurring a huge level of national debt, and ultimately leaving the country bankrupt on their departure in 1992. No thanks to Carl Greenidge.

As the current Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh pointed out, the bankruptcy of the country in 1992 and the run down state of the economy, social services and infrastructure, are today juxtaposed with one of the top macro-economies in the region when measured against debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), debt to exports, share of income in debt service, and an economy that is strong and vibrant with hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars in the bank.

Despite repeated statements in the media by A Partnetship for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) that they were supportive of the hydro project on the actual day in question, on July 18, they voted “no”. More revealing, is the fact that they did not even seek to put up a debate on the

bill or the motion. Indeed, they had no questions or issues before the matters went to Parliament on the project – and in the Parliament, they had no questions again.

Yet on the final day, on July 18, they opposed the necessary amendment to the hydro act and the debt ceiling motion. And this follows the consultation that had been progressing for years, with ample engagements with key stakeholders. Indeed, the consultations were testimony to a new model, with the government providing presentations, copies of agreements, tours of the access roads, and meeting with key stakeholders such as Sithe Global Group and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), and among others.

Why did they oppose the legislation? Simply put, they wanted to negotiate for other non-related matters and were holding Amaila Falls project hostage. And like any terrorist, when they did not succeed, they sought to destroy what they – the joint opposition – all knew was vital and important for the national interest and for the country. This is akin to a kidnapper who asks for a ransom and, when not successful, assassinates the hostage. No conscience and no concern for what is good and proper. They simply acted with a vindictive blow calculated to inflict harm, to punish and to destroy.

Where was their sense of negotiating in the nation-

al interest? Dealing with issues based on the issue itself and not holding a gun to one’s head demanding what is clearly not related. Ignoring the national interest, what the private sector and every rational, reasonable person would say “yes” to, they denied. They said “no” to the single, largest investment to come in our history – an investment led by one of the largest investment funds in the world with international support from institutions such as the IDB, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and China Rail.

Amaila would bring power through Linden, that town with huge taxpayer subsidies for the residents and power costs that are much more expensive than Guyana Power and Light (GPL), yet most of the community pays less than 10 per cent what GPL customers pay. In 2012, people died over paying for the true cost of power supplied.

Yet, APNU and the AFC in one blow imposed their selfish will on the country. It was the one key opportunity to reduce electricity cost –to allow the 166,000 customers of GPL and the 900-plus customers of Linden, and the hundreds of self-generators, and those thousands looking to join the grid, to now risk losing that chance that will lower generation costs from 20-30 U.S. cents per KWH (G$40-$60 per KWH) to 10-11 U.S. cents/KWH ($20-$22 per KWH), almost half the current cost.

The loss of this opportunity is more than a loss of economic opportunity. It is a blow that will ricochet against those other major investors looking for major infrastructure projects, and indeed for every investor. A sad day for investment, investors, consumers, development, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), jobs, competitiveness, business, and all that one hopes for in our small country.

A sad day all due to a reckless group of opposition leaders bent on holding the country and its people hostage. A simple act of terrorism! I feel the wound. I feel shot. I feel the pain. Like a victim falling, I ask, “Why?”

I close my eyes. Hope fades as I see the face of my oppressor. No emotion, no words, and no concern. My mind reels from the impact. But like the phoenix, I will muster to myself the strength, saying to myself, “We cannot fail. We cannot allow ourselves to fail now. We have come so far. We must succeed. We must persevere.” Today, I appeal to all my brothers and sisters to rise up against those who seek to destroy what we have long sought for – a country of waters harnessing our hydro potential for our improvement and prosperity. Let’s be all that we can be. Let’s overcome this blow. Let’s try to put Amaila back on track? What can you do?

Sincerely, R. Thomas

Hot spots can change, so cops must be doubly alert Advice for boat captains

Dear Editor,

Crime-fighting calls for a concerted and intense effort and I am sensing this movement now more than ever now. Actually, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that stakeholders have identified a number of criminal hot spots and the stern advice is that the police must respond appropriately.

Such talk is coming out because of the recent spike in armed robberies and other violent crimes. It is not rocket science at all to devise some plans now. I also alert members of the public to realise that criminals go wherever they sense looting may be profitable. Hot spots then can shift around.

I think firstly of more prominence in terms of visible officers – they must be seen by all. Evil minded people just get scared seeing police around. This must be the norm and I suggest that many sudden and arbitrary patrols be made.

As for the hot spots, crime zones as such, what can be done as well is that a strong network of communication be set up. It might be too late to nab the criminals after a crime is committed, and this can be a bit dangerous at times. So if instant calls can be made as soon as anything suspicious is noticed, and the police should show up, the criminal elements will be most hesitant. They would not have a clue who are the ones watching

and making the calls. Make the criminals jumpy.

A recent study from the London Centre for Economic Performance shows that police patrols are a highly effective tool for cutting crime. The study, published in the “American Economic Review”, looked at the impact of the increased use of police patrols for a period after the 7/7 London terrorist attacks in 2005. In the wake of the 7/7 attacks, crime fell by around 12 per cent in areas where police patrols were most concentrated. What are we waiting for?

The next thing is that more raids have to be done. A few weeks ago, weekend raids led to the confiscating of all kinds of expensive gadgets. In fact, it was better – the cops got a few guns. This is very important. Where guns are concerned, we have to get them off the streets. I am for road blocks and the police must now be more equipped. They ideally should have some kind of radar equipment to pick up hidden guns.

An atmosphere of criminality kills business. We cannot allow a few bad eggs to destroy this land. We are quite stable economically and it would be a big shame for us to suffer a setback all because of these few rotten characters. The police, I dare say, must be respected or feared.

Yours sincerely, Jameel Rafeek

Dear Editor,

It is time to do some stock taking as regards what is transpiring on the waterways in Guyana. Over the last 18 months, 42 persons have died and the death toll of 25 last year was highest in the last decade. Some kind of monitoring must be put in place.

In many countries, navigational licence rules are strictly enforced and these must comply with the relevant safety bodies of the countries concerned. This kind of system applies to all water vessels too – motor cruisers, sailboats, narrow boats, open boats, like canoes and rowboats, and even some dug-outs. Safety across board is vital.

In Guyana, since we are more concerned with passenger and cargo boats, there is where we have to

focus. I have seen many river vessels dangerously submerged even as they are making some long journeys. In the event of waves from another close-passing vessel, this can be most threatening. The vessel safety is very vital.

As for the captain and people who actually drive the boats, something has to be done here too. There is no way to really watch who is driving. I recall an expe-

rienced fishing captain explaining what happened to him at sea. He took a break and allowed another person to drive – lo and behold, the boat struck a sandbank. It took them a tide’s wait to get over that obstacle.

Experienced boat drivers can read not only the weather, but the actual surface of the water. They instinctively know where and what to avoid. When it comes to collision, I put this down to to-

tal carelessness. To be hit by a passing boat, or vice versa is not what anyone would expect.

From a layman’s perspective, I have a few safety essentials – make sure that the size of the boat is concomitant with the purpose of the vessel and that it can compensate for the dimensions of the waterway and what can possibly happen weather and tide wise; be ready for strong flows at locks, weirs and other places where water is taken in or out of the waterway –rapids can be so tricky; give a long blast at blind spots; look out for canoes and dinghies; and watch out for floating tree trunks and other debris.

I hope these help.

Yours faithfully, Imran Hosein

Another blow to the business community

Dear Editor,

Another gun robbery – this time two gunmen, posing as customers, were able to cart off close to $1 million not long after they bold-facedly carried out an attack on the East Coast Demerara. This now seems to be the norm. It is creating panic in the society.

My mind is going back to the kick-down-the door days, when people’s first questions related to if there was an attack, and who was the victim. What is even worse is that this is the eighth time that this particular business place has been robbed. It begs the question of camera sur-

veillance. This should be a must for business places, especially when large sums of money are constantly being collected.

People want a climate of safety before they invest in and operate a business. When armed robberies are on the increase, the bad repercussions are frightening to consider. These include a negative impact on the investment climate and this can deter or delay both domestic and foreign investment, and hence growth; higher cost of doing business, because of the need to employ different forms of security, and this diverts investment away from busi-

ness expansion and productivity improvement; businesses losing, arising from the actual looting; loss of output because of reduced hours of operation, including avoiding night shifts, or loss of workdays arising from outbreaks of violence; and avoidance of some types of economic activity.

Sporadic crime waves in Jamaica was the reason for migration of many business men. They just left the country. These spurts of crimes were also blamed for slowing down the rate of return of migrants back to Jamaica. Only last week, a returning Guyanese was attacked. The implications are clear – crimes, particularly the ones with guns, always prove the death of businesses. Maybe, the business communities should get together with the Guyana Police Force and do some brainstorming. Instead of businessmen suffering huge financial losses, they should seek to be proactive and invest time and money in the local force. I am sure that some added safety measures can be put into place.

Respectfully submitted, Business owner Name withheld by request

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

It’s the holidays: most of us are off having fun, trying to unwind after a tough year at school. None of us are really thinking about school work, textbooks, or assignments. Most of us wait to do our holiday assignments the week before school reopens anyway.

Some of us may have already received our reports from last year while the rest of us are still waiting for ours. CSEC and CAPE students are expecting their results early next month. Based on our results we’ll either be allowed to move forward on our chosen career paths or we’ll have to find some alternative plan. But we’ve done all we can, we just have to see in August whether it was enough.

But not all students are at this stage of finality in their school lives, many of them are heading back to school at the end of the holidays. So I would like to encourage them to use their resources effectively. As I’ve mentioned before, the Internet is a powerful tool. I’m a fan of the Khan Academy website, but there are so many other sites and videos and resources up on

Using our resources

– Theodore Roosevelt

the Internet to help students.

YouTube was a tremendous help for me, especially in Sixth Form. There were so many helpful tutorials, practice questions and detailed explanations to choose from. If students use their initiative and use the Internet to help them understand even the most difficult topics they’re covering in school. Eventually students mightn’t need to go to extra lessons at all: I never did. Why go to lessons at six in the morning when you could learn the same thing at your own pace in the comfort

of your own home (bed?!)?

The video tutorials can be fast-forwarded, paused, or repeated over and over so the student can learn at whatever pace is comfortable for them.

Of course learning things on the Internet shouldn’t replace going to school – after all, we’re social beings and we need to interact and negotiate amiable relations with our friends. But in time, it probably could – and should – replace the lessons syndrome.

Currently, most of the resources I’ve found useful are UK A-level sites, or first-year

college resources like MIT Physics intro. But of course those aren’t tailored perfectly to the CAPE syllabus. So some of my time was wasted trying to find sites and to compile videos that were applicable to the work I needed to cover. But with time, as CAPE becomes more established on the Internet, and as more Caribbean people create sites specifically for CSEC and CAPE students, it will be much easier to use the Internet to better explain what we’re learning in schools, than to learn those things at lessons.

Already CXC has put up their Notesmaster website which offers syllabi for all of the subjects for free. In addition to the syllabi, they accompany each objective in the syllabus with links to notes, videos, or other helpful resources. Additionally, countries like Jamaica already have websites (especially for English Literature) that help to explain concepts and coach their students for their exams.

It’s a new type of learning environment. Students are no longer completely at the mercy of their school or lessons teachers, they can now learn extra, at their own pace. In some schools in Silicon Valley students do lessons at home on the Internet and “homework” at school with teachers.

The Internet and communication technology are giving us the chance to have more resources at our fingertips than our parents ever had the chance to have access to. So let’s take this opportunity we’ve been given and use our resources wisely.

Cross-cultural differences respecting others

Talk about stereotypes are aware of ra cial differences by the time they are pre schoolers. As they get older, children develop an image of most racial or ethnic groups surrounding them. You can help your child avoid stereotyping by actively challenging them if they arise. In a non-threatening way, try to find the roots of your children’s generalisations and let them know that while you understand why they might believe a stereotype, it is in fact, not true. Help your child understand the concept of ‘stereotyping’ and how to identify it – whether it’s based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, etc. Talk with them about how stereotyping can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Be a role model for children and young people Children learn their attitudes from the adults around them. We all have ways of thinking and acting that may seem natural to us but aren’t necessarily what we want to pass on to our children. In fact, if we don’t examine these attitudes carefully, they can be harmful to our children’s understanding of the world. As a parent, it is important to understand your own learned prejudices about people. It is also important to make sure that you show your children the most positive ways to interact with the world in which they live. Think about the stereotypes you have about people whose race and/or ethnicity differs from your own and explore your biases. Talk with your children openly and positively about race, religion, ethnicity and cultural similarities and differences and work actively to help your children develop healthy racial attitudes.

Model healthy attitudes by:

• respecting and learning from others

• valuing differences

• bridging cultural gaps

• rejecting unfair stereotypes finding common ground creating new bonds

Meaningful cross-cultural interactions are the most effective way to reduce prejudice and encourage respect for and understanding of human differences. Different cultures can be explored through art, music, literature, festivals and community celebrations. Children can also develop an appreciation for diverse cultures through multicultural toys and storybooks, television programmes and movies.

Encourage diverse friendships

Encourage your children to explore friendships with children from different ethnicities, religions, and cultures. Their lives will also be enriched by your own diverse friendships. Look for opportunities to expand your circle of friends to include people of different backgrounds. There’s a good probability that many of these friends will have children too.

Emphasise similarities

Encourage your child to search for what they have in common with others instead of how they are different. If your child identifies how she/ he is different from someone, you might say: “There are lots of ways you are different from other people. Now let’s try to think of ways you are the same.” Help your child see how similarities outweigh differences.

And finally... It is important to help your child feel accepted, respected, and valued, as children who feel badly about themselves sometimes treat others badly, and are sometimes a target for bullying. Children with strong self-esteem value and respect themselves and are therefore more likely to treat others with respect and be respected. Try to recognise and respect differences within your own family by expressing and demonstrating acceptance of your children’s differing abilities, interests, and styles and valuing and respecting the uniqueness of each member of your family.

(www.kidshelp.com.au)

International Financial and Economic Report

Chairman, Guyana Americas Merchant Bank

This week was dominated by Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Dr Ben Bernanke who presented his Monetary Policy Report on Wednesday morning to the House of Representatives. He was quite clear that there would be no retreat from an extremely easy monetary policy, arguing that the U.S. economy could be restrained in the coming quarters by federal fiscal policy.

If, for example, the economy did well, then the “pace of asset purchases could be reduced somewhat more quickly”, or the opposite, if the economy turned out to be more sluggish.

Table one, which are either at or above the level of the beginning of the month, but beneath the peaks of July 5 when the 10-year reached 2.73 per cent and the 30year 3.68 per cent.

Dr Bernanke made a big distinction between asset purchases which have the goal of raising the near-term outlook for the economy and interest rate levels together with forward guidance which sets the background for monetary policy and will remain unchanged for a long time ahead.

The Federal Reserve “Beige Book” that came out on Wednesday saw a U.S. economy that maintained a

ued currency, cheap labour and huge infrastructure investment helped fuel enor-

Nevertheless, the Federal Reserve chairman said that asset purchases now totalling US$85 billion a month would slow later this year. Interest rates immediately dropped to 2.47 per cent for the 10-year U.S. Treasury down from 2.55 per cent, but has since risen to 2.54 per cent today. The current level of U.S. interest rates can be seen in

“modest to moderate” pace in recent weeks bolstered by housing and manufacturing. Meanwhile, the Chinese economy has slowed down to the forecast rate by officials of 7.5 per cent. But, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the current rate of expansion is not sustainable as it has become too reliant on investment credits. An underval-

mous growth but, this may be coming to an end and a shift of emphasis from exports to domestic consumption adds to China’s growth problems.

From a growth rate of 14 per cent in 2007, expansion has fallen to 7.5 per cent and seems likely to fall further even if there is no serious dip in spending. A growth rate of seven per cent or slightly

less seems to be on the cards in 2014 which is good by any standards but low by past experience in China.

This is, in turn, alongside the rising level of interest rates in the U.S. is badly affecting access to markets by emerging countries as investors have become scared. Borrowings, which rose to US$50 billion at an annual rate in January this year, have fallen off a cliff so far in July being less than US$5 billion at an annual rate and again only of the best-rated companies.

The economic data was unexpectedly mixed this week with retail sales (Monday) and housing starts (Wednesday) not doing as well as anticipated. Retail sales rose 0.4 per cent in June following a 0.5 per cent increase in May which was less than previously reported.

On the other hand, manufacturing in the New York area in July expanded at the fastest pace in five months. Business inventories rose only 0.1 per cent in

May while consumer prices increased by 0.5 per cent largely as a result of a big advance in gasoline prices.

Industrial production (Tuesday) rose 0.3 per cent in June after being little changed in May while home builder confidence rose sharply. Yet, housing starts fell 9.9 per cent in June to the lowest level in almost a year led by a slump in multifamily projects.

On Friday, initial jobless claims dropped 24,000 to 334,000 in the week ended July 13, the Philadelphia Fed Survey rose to 19.8 from 12.5, and leading indicators were unchanged in July.

In overseas news, the Reserve Bank of India raised interest rates by two per cent and said that it would reduce liquidity to help the rupee which had fallen to over 60 to the dollar. This followed the decision last week by the Brazilian Central Bank to raise interest rates by 50 basis points to 8.50 per cent as well as Indonesian decision to increase interest rates by an-

BY GEOFFREY BELL

other 50 bps to 6.50 per cent on July 11.

China announced that its second quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 7.5 per cent from a year earlier and less on a quarter by quarter basis. All of this raises the question of whether the Chinese economy is slowing down and it looks like it will grow less than forecast by the IMF at 7.8 per cent in 2014.

The pound sterling rose to US$1.52 as the minutes came out showing that the Monetary Policy Committee voted nine to zero and held its bond purchasing programme at £375 billion as well as keeping interest rates unchanged at 0.5 per cent.

This week both the Euro and the pound sterling strengthened slightly against the dollar to 1.31 and 1.52 respectively today from 1.30 and 1.51 last Friday. The Japanese yen continued to fall and is now at 100.5 from 99.2 a week ago.

The Swiss franc and the Canadian dollar were unchanged at 0.95 and 1.04 while the Australian dollar was up to 0.92 today from 0.89 last week. Interest rates also showed little movement over the week with the two year Treasury down slightly to 0.31 per cent from 0.32 per cent last week while the 10 year and the 30 year are at 2.54 per cent and 3.63 per cent, from 2.53 per cent and 3.59 per cent, respectively.

The Dow Jones is up by 0.6 per cent, gold at US$1285 per ounce up from US$1275 and oil at US$108 a barrel from US$105 last Friday.

Eight persons died while on duty this year

Eight persons have died to date in the line of duty for 2013; taking the total to 62 since 2007, Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul said in response to a questioned raised by Brigadier (retired) David Granger in the National Assembly.

In a series of questions, the opposition leader asked the labour minister to disclose “the names of persons whose deaths have occurred as a result of any accidents or diseases arising out of and in the course of… employment and whether inquests or investigations have been conducted in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Chapter 99:10 of the Laws of Guyana between January 1999 and April 2013”.

In a written response to the National Assembly on Thursday, Minister Gopaul said while there were no reports of deaths due to occupational diseases, 62 persons died due to industrial accidents since 2007. In the four-page report, the labour minister disclosed the names, and place of employment of the deceased in addition to their place of employment at the time of their deaths.

According to the report, only Dassram Singh, an employee of Puran Brothers had died at the workplace in 2007. Singh reportedly died on July 20,

2007.

However, the numbers of deaths at the work place increased in 2008 with nine deaths at major companies, including Barama Company Limited, Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Rusal Bauxite Company and Mahaicony Rice Limited.

By 2010, the numbers of deaths in the work place increased to 19, the labour minister pointed out. John Rodriguez, Rebe Meyer Cleveland, Lioing Pounding and Jason Fraser died on different occasions at the Barama Company Limited in 2010 while two persons, Karen Roopnarine and Keith Hibbeizt died at the Robertson Mining Company on March 2, 2010. Additionally, George Campbell and Evelyn Elliot died in the line of

duty at RK’s Security Service on two separate occasions. Other fatal accidents occurred at Max’s Construction Company, Diamond Gold Incorporated, Innovative Construction Company and Micobie Reservation among others.

11 deaths last year

According to the report, there were six reported fatal accidents in 2011 while in 2012 there were 11 reported fatal accidents in all with five persons dying at the Hanka Gold Fields.

Meanwhile, the eight registered industrial fatal accidents occurred at GPL with the deaths of Sean Scott and Parmanand Ramroop while Gopaul Jagdeo died at the GuySuCo Skeldon Estate and Joseph Harry at the GuySuCo Albion Estate; Trevor Grant of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) died during a vehicular accident. The most recent deaths occurred at the Bosai Bauxite Company when Kesta Grant, Trenton Garner and Michael Williams died in a vehicular accident.

“There were no inquest conducted, however, internal investigations by the Labour Occupational Health and Safety Department were conducted. The ministry’s records also show investigations

conducted by the Labour Ministry in collaboration with other agencies,” the labour minister said.

The opposition leader had also made a request for Dr Gopaul to disclose the actual dates, the names of the magistrates, coroners or other “competent persons”; however, the labour minister said his ministry has never appointed a magistrate or coroner to conduct any inquest into the industrial accidents.

“However, our occupational safety and health officers would have conducted investigations into some of these accidents in keeping with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:10 of the Laws of Guyana, and recommendations were put forward as to how to prevent the recurrences of these accidents and to indicate whether charges should be made for any infraction of the act,” he explained.

Dr Gopaul also pointed out that three employers were prosecuted for failing to report an accident in keeping with Section 69 (one) of the OSH Act. M&M Snacknette paid a fine to the court while the matter against the Kishan Aluminum Company was struck out of the court. Cevon’s Waste Management was however fined $40,000.

Coconut theft accused on bail

Aman was granted his pre-trial liberty when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Devon Nichols, 25, of Phase Two, East La Penitence, pleaded not guilty to a charge of larceny which stated that on July 18 at Castello Housing Scheme, Ruimveldt, he went into a fenced yard and picked coconuts valued $600, belonging to Michael Lewis.

Police Prosecutor Vernetté Pindar had no objections to bail and Nichols was granted bail in the sum of $5000. He will appear in Court 10 on July 22.

Eyew tness

No palaver?

...about “one nation”?

The word “palaver” entered the English language via Portugal and Africa. It’s from the Portuguese “palavra” – “word” – which was used to describe the discussion between tribespeople and traders. The discussion must’ve been interminable – because that’s what the word connotes nowadays. There’s to be a palaver by African Guyanese and everyone else is excluded.

And guess who’s most ticked off about the exclusive nature of the palaver? None other than Freddie Kissoon, who has been trumpeting the “plight” of the African Guyanese arguably more than any of the “full blooded” Africans touted as participating. Kissoon feels strongly that he ought to be among the brethren and sistren grounding on that day.

But sadly he was firmly rebuffed. We’re a bit intrigued by this development because we’ve been taught for so long that we’re “one people and one nation with one destiny” – we’ve come to accept it. Hey, the national anthem teaches us we’re “sons of one mother, Guyana the free”, doesn’t it? We know there’ll be differences between members of even a family, but to split into separate camps and exclude others who want to join in the palaver? Well!!!

Imagine the rebuff to Kissoon came from Dr David Hinds who’s defined himself all these years as a “Rodneyite”!!! Is the exclusion of supporters, based on their race, part of the Rodneyite philosophy? We wonder if Dr Hinds and company have thrown out Dr Walter Rodney’s thoughts on the subject as expressed in “Groundings”? And here we thought that if we weren’t white we’re “black”.

We wonder if the Reverend John Smith, of 1823 Rebellion fame, would’ve been excluded if he showed up at the palaver? But Dr Hinds, with his long sojourn in the U.S., is familiar with the debate about whether to exclude or include friendly “outsiders”. The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured Peoples (NAACP) of William Du Bois in the U.S. did include them, but Marcus Garvey didn’t take too kindly to that, did he?

So maybe the present organisers of African Guyanese are more Garveyites than Rodneyites? But there’s hope. Hinds did allow that maybe after this first palaver, he and his cohorts might allow Kissoon and others of his persuasion (like Dr Rupert Roopnaraine?) to join the discussion. We hope Kissoon isn’t too miffed. Sometime or the other, everybody feels that they have to let their hair down...and not be on guard that they’ll say something politically incorrect.

Then the real palaver – a discussion between two sides – might fruitfully begin.

...in GECOM

It’s now very clear there was no palaver in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on their shameful handling of the Gocool Boodoo Affair. As we have been emphasising ever since the story broke, all of the principals in GECOM acted in a most unprofessional manner. The bottom line is that, in his decade-long tenure in the elections body, never once was Boodoo ever evaluated and warned over any alleged transgression.

Now comes a most shameful plethora of innuendoes and accusations on Boodoo in a MuckrakerKN editorial. The gist of this mudslinging is that Boodoo was also a thief. Names were called. This is libellous and we hope Boodoo doesn’t let them get away with it.

But Vincent Alexander keeps on insisting Boodoo used a “wrong formula” and not just a wrong value for the ones unknown in the correct formula. This, he asserts, proves Boodoo didn’t just make a “mistake”. We’ll make it simple, so hopefully even Alexander will understand. In electricity, Power (P) = Current (I) x Voltage (V), or P=IV. Now in Guyana we have two types of voltages 110 and 220. If we mistakenly use” say, 110 instead of 220, we haven’t changed the “formula”. Boodoo mistakenly used 40 seats rather than 65 as the divisor in the correct formula.

...in Parliament

President Donald Ramotar is justified in dubbing the opposition’s torpedoing of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project a “terrorist act”. By threatening the livelihood of civilians, the opposition hoped the government would buckle. This is the definition of “terrorism”.

Land surveyor board to be established soon

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said that a new, proposed bill brought before Parliament is aimed at regularising and restoring some level of order to the surveying sector.

The Land Surveyors (Profession) Bill 2013 is also intended to raise the bar on standards and operational procedures of the profession.

According to the minister, the board should comprise five members, including the commissioner of Lands and Surveys Commission and three land surveyors with at least 10 years practice in Guyana.

It seeks to, among other things, establish a board of land surveyors, the registration and licences of land surveyors and the regulation of the practice of land surveying. The board of land surveyors is expected to prescribe any additional qualifications necessary for registration as a land surveyor, adopt procedures for the review and approval of the courses of study in land surveying at institutions of higher education based on prescribed educational requirements and to examine the qualifications of persons holding a certificate of competency in land surveying and desiring to practice as a land surveyor in Guyana.

The board will also hold responsibility for the adoption of procedures for accreditation of persons with relevant practical experience and qualifications in land surveying awarded by institutions of higher education. Its functions will include the prescription of requirements for the continuing professional education of land surveyors, maintenance of a register of persons approved as land surveyors and the promotion of high standards of professional conduct among persons engaged in the practice of land surveying.

Surveyors will be re-

quired to obtain an impression-type metal seal to be used for all final drawings, plans, specifications or reports as evidence of authenticity.

Yearly renewal of licences

They will also be required to secure an annual licence of registration which will come at a cost to surveyors in private practice.

However, anyone who has obtained a certificate of land surveyors under the former act and whose name is still on the register is entitled on application to the board and payment of the prescribed fee to be registered under the act.

The bill also stipulates that no defect or irregularity in the form of certificate held or the process by which a land surveyor received a certificate shall affect the entitlement of a land surveyor to be registered.

Persons applying for licensing by the board must have knowledge of several subject areas including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, geometry, mapping, determination of latitude and datum transformation.

The minister can appoint a land surveyor to be registrar of the board based on recommendation of the

board as well as advise the minister after consultation with the professional body representing land surveyors on the need for amendment to the laws relating to land surveyors.

The bill stipulates several penalties including fines and suspension of licences for various offences and breaches to the proposed regulations.

The presentation of the bill has been deferred to the next sitting when it came up before the National Assembly on Thursday evening.

24-hour pharmacy opens doors

Since the opening of the Smart Aid Pharmacy at 207 Barr Street, Kitty, Assistant Pharmacist Sandeep Ramsarran said the facility has been receiving a fair response from nearby residents.

The pharmacy was opened on Wednesday and Ramsarran said the influx of customers is seen mostly in the afternoons after working hours.

“We’re only like four days old so people are now finding out about the business. We had flyers going around the area so we had a lot of people come in and check what we have, saying they would come back to support us,” Ramsarran said.

He noted that when customers ask for items that

are not in stock, they would seek to make provisions from them.

The new pharmacy was commissioned by former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who used the opportunity to emphasise the importance of checking for expiry dates when purchasing goods, especially pharmaceutical drugs.

During the small opening ceremony, he also urged citizens to purchase medical drugs from licensed facilities.

“Only licensed facilities,

licensed pharmaceutical facilities could sell prescription medicine and you could have over-the-counter that doesn’t need a pharmacy licence. But anything to do with prescription will have to have a licence,” he pointed out.

Dr Ramsammy, who is the current agriculture minister, urged Guyanese to support the Health Ministry in ensuring expired goods are not sold for consumption, urging them to inspect items properly before making purchase.

He noted that the establishment of the medical facility signals a step in the right direction with citizens recognising the importance to cater to the health needs and well-being of others. The opening of the pharmacy saw patrons benefiting from free blood pressure, HIV and glucose testing.

The Health Ministry’s Blood Bank was also on hand to conduct a blood drive, in which the first 50 donors received a free bottle of Ferrovite, compliments of the NEW GPC and Smart Aid. Meanwhile, the first 50 customers benefited from free bottles of Listerine and Protox Insect Spray, while there was free sampling of Geddes Grant Limited products.

Govt optimistic of support for anti-money laundering bill

− despite opposition voting down Amaila project

By Samuel Sukhnandan

Government remains optimistic that the opposition will vote in support of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Finance of Terrorism Bill, given the wide consultation of the legislation.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall told Guyana Times recently that there is still hope that the August 26 deadline for the passing of the bill could be made possible, with cooperation coming from all sides of the House. These comments come even while the opposition has voted down the Amaila Falls Hydroelectricity Amendment Bill, as well as the motion to raise the debt ceiling for the project. After hours of deliberation between both sides of the National Assembly, the opposition eventually used its one-seat majority to reject the project.

Nandlall said “government is in a position where it has no choice”, but to remain hopeful about having

the bill passed on time. The minister noted that several explanations were given, as to the importance of having the bill passed at the earliest time possible. He reiterated the importance by stating that unless Guyana implements the recommendations, which have been suggested, every single Guyanese would be adversely affected by the consequences.

“So we are optimistic that the opposition will

eventually come around and support it, but in the meantime, we (government) are moving ahead with the work of the special select committee and though the opposition’s participation in the committee has not been as robust as we expect it to be, we hope that when the bill is presented in the National Assembly, it will get the support it needs,” Nandlall added.

The minister noted that it is recognised by all members sitting on the committee, which comprises three from the government side and four from the opposition that an accelerated effort is needed to complete work on the bill.

Nandlall explained that the main task of the committee at present is to examine submissions made by stakeholders, who were invited to do so through the press.

Clause by clause examination

“We are examining those suggestions and we are going through the bill clause by clause and hopefully we will complete the work so that the bill can be presented in Parliament before the crucial August 26 deadline,” Nandlall asserted.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) has confirmed that Guyana’s deadline for submitting relevant documentation with respect to the amended act is August 26. Guyana has to comply with the body’s requirements by November

2013, the date assigned this year for a follow-up. However, the act and other documentation must be submitted prior to November.

Guyana was unable to present the act in Managua, Nicaragua because the opposition wanted more time to review the document. The opposition accused the government of dragging its feet and waiting for the last moment to bring it before the National Assembly. Recently, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said the party will do what was necessary to ensure that the act is a good piece of legislation.

Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon said at a recent APNU press conference that the party will be examining the bill carefully before there is a consensus.

Citizens and the Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Bibi Ali-Hack, along with other officials, have made submissions relating to the AML/CFT. He said the APNU will work carefully to ensure that there is good legislation.

After failing to meet the first deadline to pass the bill, Nandlall met with officials of CFATF to seek an extension for the submission of the approved AML/ CFT. The body had granted Guyana the extension, but if it fails to submit the bill for a second time, it will face a number of sanctions that will negatively impact financial transactions involving the country.

Expert

Satiricus was nothing if not aware he wasn’t the brightest bulb around. And if he ever forgot his limitations his buddies (not to mention his dear wife) were only too happy to remind him. So when NoGel Huge, the big time lawyer (who’s about to get “silk” any moment now) promised to bring on an “expert” to clear up all the confusion about the “racism” case, Satiricus breathed a deep sigh of relief.

His poor head had been spinning from all the charges and counter charges. Even the first lawyer for the prosecution, AG NandaBall had appeared confused. So Satiricus hadn’t felt too much like a dope. And when Satiricus heard who the expert was – he jumped for joy. David Hands was a “political scientist” declared NoGel. Satiricus had read somewhere that “political scientists” just called themselves “scientists” to give themselves some authority.

After all they couldn’t very well conduct experiments like real scientists, could they? But Satiricus didn’t give such arguments too much mind. The proof in the pudding, his dear father had always told him, was in the baking. Like the very best of scientists, David Hands could predict how the political pudding would turn out every time.

He’d predicted his party, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), would win the elections in 1992. Well, they didn’t win... but they did scrounge up one “top up” seat. As Satiricus always said, it wasn’t whether you won or lost, it was how you wrote your manifesto. And WPA did have a wonderful, long-winded manifesto. Some people called it a “left over” seat, but Satiricus figured they were just jealous of the “bright” men like David Hands.

And just last year, look how Hands had called for Buxtonians to dig up the road in support of Linden – and eight persons had turned up. Everyone had predicted that, since WPA was now only four persons, they wouldn’t get more than that number. Hands has doubled the predictions and showed one and all what a good “political scientist” he was.

Then look at the man’s experience, thought Satiricus with a flash of annoyance. How could they doubt the man’s credentials? Hands had been lecturing for over two decades at Arizona State University – 2000 miles from where the West Indian community is. Satiricus was sure Hands could get any job at any of the so-called “prestigious” universities near New York. But he knew Hands didn’t want things easy: as a scientist, he loved challenges.

Hands also didn’t go in for fancy titles or the big bucks. He’d voluntarily remained as an assistant professor – the lowest man on the totem pole – with the lowest salary. Just so he’d experience what the masses did and with the same self-effacing modestly, Hands had refused to go with the big publishers when he produced his two booklets. Like the true man of the soil, he published them himself and hawked them on the Internet.

Satiricus was sure this was the expert that would shed light not only on racism in Guyana, but even on why he rejected Kissoon as a “brother”, and that wasn’t racism.

Bhajan laments poor support of Region Six Schools’ Welfare Department

Outgoing Region Six Education Officer

Shafiran Bhajan said poor support for the region’s Schools’ Welfare Department is having a great negative impact on the lives of students who need these support services the most.

Leaving no stones unturned, the senior education official in a recent interview with Guyana Times said she is disappointed that there is not a more a vibrant social services support system in Region Six to cater for problems that arise from time to time with adolescents, many of whom are from single parent homes.

“One of my other regrets is that the school welfare system with so many emerging issues and social factors that are inundating the school, the Schools’ Welfare Department is not fully staffed. About four years ago, our senior school’s wel-

Lindeners

fare officer left and that position has never been filled.”

She noted that the regional department only has three school’s welfare officers, and they serve the entire region.

“Because of this, we have not been able to give the parents the satisfaction of knowing that their children’s social needs will be taken care of,” Bhajan said.

Social issues

Noting that there have been truancy campaigns in the region, the regional education officer said “We cannot go to all areas and especially those that need us to be there almost every month. I know that there are many social issues facing our adolescents”.

She said too that there are problems in the homes, not only of single parents, but also those with both biological parents.

“Recently, a student

pay tribute to trio who died in last year's protests

Lindeners on Thursday evening gathered on the western end of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge to pay tribute to Allan Lewis, Shemroy Boyea and Ron Sommerset, who lost their lives one year ago while protesting.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, in his address to the gathering, noted that the oneyear anniversary of July 18 marked another significant date in history and the focal point of Lindeners’ struggle.

He said that struggle continues and it is important for the residents of Linden and Region 10 not to lose focus.

According to Solomon,

turned up at the Education Department with a big wound in the head after being battered at home. We tried to get help… even in Georgetown and there was none, so the child had to return to the home where there is someone that illtreats that child, and this is only a microcosm of what obtains.”

Bhajan also noted that many parents are hostile to their children, and noted that with the support of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, this problem can be addressed.

Substitute teacher

As she takes her exit from the system, Bhajan is disappointed at having failed to ensure that substitute teachers fill the space of those who attend the University of Guyana (UG) during instructional time.

“One of the main things that the regional administration and by extension the Regional Education Committee and the Education Department was looking forward to over the past decade is to have our primary school teacher, if they have to go to university during instructional time, to have substitute teachers there so that the pupils would not be disen-

franchised with regards to curriculum implementation.”

According to the outgoing education officer, about 185 teachers in the region every year attend UG during instructional time.

“Sometimes those who are doing school administration may be out for five days. We need to have substitute teachers to be there to take the place of the absent teacher because when all is said and done, you only have a given period to deliver a full plan curriculum. If it is not delivered, there will be a lot of gaps and those gaps can never be bridged.

No amount of extra lessons can make up for that. The current situation will have a negative impact on performances at the primary level of education,” she said, but noted, “I think that we are at a stage in education in Region Six

where we can only climb upwards because the stage has been set and all the support mechanisms are in place.”

on July 18, 2009, the United Nations had declared that day Nelson Mandela International Day of freedom, justice and democracy.

“The past must not be used or accepted as justification for the current state or backward stepping. We must ensure that the attitude is changed and it is time to grow up and to act in accordance with the responsibilities vested in you by the people and the laws you swear to uphold.

“The determination of the ancestors, Cuffy, Quamina, yes, Dr Cheddi Jagan and yes, Forbes Sampson Burnham, continue to inspire, energise the struggle of the people of this great region,” said Solomon.

Opposition's rejection of hydro power will affect manufacturing sector – GMSA

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) said the halt to the Amaila Falls project could result in higher electricity rates and the collapse of the manufacturing sector.

The GMSA in a release said for quite some years, the GMSA has been appealing to the powers that be to reduce the cost of energy which by itself is the single most debilitating factor inhibiting the incremental growth of Guyana’s manufacturing sector.

Companies that provide essential and social services have also been tottering under the impact of high energy charges that are reflected on the prices of their end products.

High energy costs continue to be the deciding factor that has turned away numerous foreign investors interested in utilising Guyana’s rich naturally occurring resources; it has put out of operation many new and existing business ventures all across the spec-

trum, and Guyanese numbering in the thousands have lost jobs because of it. The fortunes and prospects of this nation have been dwindling fast.

“The Amaila Falls Hydropower Electricity Project is, without doubt, the solution to this crippling dilemma. It is hardly difficult to predict and itemise the immediate benefits to Guyanese if and when this project is completed, the most obvious being the creation of jobs in the electricity sector itself, the emergence of new downstream enterprises, and a healthier manufacturing sector with entrepreneurs able to penetrate overseas markets farther than the Caribbean and North America, and satisfy customers and distributors with higher quality products in greater quantities,” the GMSA said.

The external image of Guyana is also at stake here, as is the country’s ability to attract consideration for further foreign assistance for deliberately throwing away the will-

ing contribution of the high globally ranked financial institution, the IDB.

“The GMSA adds its voice to the national chorus and implore the parliamentary House to pass the two pieces of legislation that are extremely critical to our ability to move forward past these initial stages of the Amaila project. Consideration must be given to the hundreds of people currently employed on the project itself, and the thousands more who will be able to work and earn as the project progresses. The livelihoods of all Guyanese are at stake. In addition, cost efficient and reliable energy is the pillar of any country’s economic development strategy and Guyana is no different. Any such strategy must necessarily be apolitical.

“The GMSA urge Parliament to put tit-fortat politics aside and do what is necessary to release Guyanese from the grasp of ordinariness,” the release concluded.

Region One chairman blames dishonesty for electricity problems

The inability of the Region One administration to provide more than six hours of electricity to Mabaruma residents is being blamed on the dishonesty of some, and the fact that the cost for electricity is being heavily subsidised.

Region One Chairman Paul Pierre told Guyana Times that the regional administration subsidises the electricity, which is budgeted for and could only cater for that amount.

“We do not have a metered system in Mabaruma so you would not have a system where a person will pay according to electricity utilised. That is one of the reasons why we have not been able to have 24-hour electricity.”

Electricity in the sub-district comes on at 17:00h and goes off at 23:00h. According to Pierre, there are plans to put the electricity system under management of a board.

“A management board

that can take control of managing that system, which I think would lead to increased hours of electricity and to persons paying the right amount of revenue for electricity consumed. Because the board will have to ensure that houses are metered and that a payment system is in place. They will have to ensure that the entire distribution of electricity is done in a more businesslike manner.”

Currently, persons pay for electricity in Region One as per appliances in their homes, and according to Pierre, some residents have not been honest in declaring all their equipment.

“You will find persons not showing to authorities everything that they have. So some persons are cheating the system. I think that is what is happening right now.” The chairman noted that at the regional level, efforts are being made to get residents to pay for the amount of electricity they consume. Residents pay a

tariff of $100 for each bulb in their home. “But at the end of the day, it is still subsidised.”

According to Pierre, the administration does not impose a penalty on persons who are found defrauding the system. “What we have put in place recently is that if we find you in any way erring, you get disconnected and you will have to reapply for reconnection.” This is done be paying the reconnection fee.

Meanwhile, several business persons told Guyana Times that the cost of running their generator is not as severe as in other parts of the country, mainly because of the low price of fuel in Region One. Gasoline is sold around $600 per gallon, which is far less than elsewhere.

In Region One, a large percentage of the fuel is legally obtained from neighbouring Venezuela. However, a lot of the fuel consumed there is smuggled across the border and sold at a cheaper price.

Scouts off to Suriname for cuboree, conference

Alarge contingent from the Scout Association of Guyana (SAG) joined by their counterparts from Grenada, left for Suriname on Saturday for the 13th Caribbean Cuboree being held from July 20 to 29.

A cuboree is a gathering of cub scouts from various countries in one place in a similar fashion to a jamboree for the older scouts. The

purpose of a cuboree is to provide the opportunity for boys and girls between the ages of seven and 11 years to interact, to experience different cultures and foster lasting friendships.

Guyana’s contingent include 18 cub scouts and eight leaders. Additionally, three commissioners from Guyana and one from Grenada departed on Thursday for

Suriname to attend the Chief Commissioners’ Conference. The conference is held in a different country within the Caribbean sub-region every year to discuss issues affecting scouting within the various national scout organisations. The event is being held from July 19-21.

The commissioners attending the conference are Chief Commissioner

Zaida Joaquin, Deputy Chief Commissioner (Administration) Domonique Van Sluytman and District Commissioner Charissa Rampersaud. They are joined by Grenadian Chief Commissioner Elijah St Louis.

The idea of cuboree was conceived in 1972 during the fourth Caribbean Jamboree, which was held in Barbados. The idea was the brain child of Maria Babb, assistant chief commissioner (Cub Scouts) of Barbados at the time.

After much urging, the matter was placed on the agenda of the conference of chief commissioners held in Suriname in 1974.

Barbados was invited to plan and execute an experimental cuboree during 1976. The first cuboree in Barbados was highly successful, but the next attempt at cuboree was not made until some seven years later when, in 1981 Trinidad and Tobago hosted the second cuboree.

Man who changed his name by Deed Poll to get passport

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Wednesday ordered the chief immigration officer to issue a passport in the name of Andrew Stanislaus Williams, an applicant who was refused the document after he had changed his name by way of Deed Poll.

Court documents revealed that Williams changed his name by Deed Poll in February 2013 and subsequently applied for a new passport to be issued in his new name.

Upon applying, he was informed by the deputy chief immigration officer that the Passport Office does not issue new passports to applicants who have changed their name by deed poll unless the applicant changes their name because of marriage.

The officer further stated that the reason for this is that persons were travelling to other countries and committing crimes and being deported and returning to Guyana where they would merely change their name by Deed Poll and apply for a new passport and travel once more.

Williams refused to accept this response and instructed his Attorney Charles S Ramson to write to the Passport Office to demand a new passport in his new name. After a response to the demand letter was not forthcoming, Ramson proceeded to the courts.

The attorney argued that every citizen in Guyana has the right to change his/her name and there was no legal basis for refusing the issuance of a passport to any citizen of Guyana who has duly changed their name in accordance with the laws of Guyana.

The chief justice agreed and ordered that Williams be issued with a new passport in his new name.

When contacted for a comment the attorney, Ramson, said “for years the

Corentyne chamber urges opposition to review position on hydro project

The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) is calling on the opposition to review its position on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) Bill.

The CCCC in a release said, “We cannot overemphasise the importance of this project since it is vital in so many ways in transforming our manufacturing and agro-processing sectors. This development in turn will create higher paying jobs and challenge our youth to be builders in every walk of life with the passing of this bill.

“By not supporting this

bill, we will remain underdeveloped and would leave our manufacturing companies at a disadvantage of not being able to compete with international companies, since the present cost of electricity is not competitive.”

Guyana has been waiting a long time for hydropower, the CCCC said, pointing out that the time is now to make this energy a reality.

“Renewable, affordable and reliable energy will help Guyana to move forward in a positive direction and enable enormous economic development,” the release concluded.

Duo on cannabis possession charge refused bail

Passport Office had practised this unlawful policy of refusing to issue passports to anyone who has lawfully changed their names by Deed Poll. While I understand that there was a legitimate issue that caused this policy to be initiated; no policy should deny the rights of citizens.

The message from the honourable chief justice is loud and clear and I am happy that this practise is reversed.

All government agencies have attorneys or have access to attorneys so they should seek advice for sensitive matters like this.”

Aduo was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry for possession of cannabis at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Joseph Barton, 32, and Denise Vanlong, 18, of Lot 17 Broad Street, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 18 at Charlestown, they had in their possession 30 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the facts, at 07:00h, ranks from the narcotics branch acting on information went to the

defendant’s address and conducted a search and found the suspected cannabis. The party was then taken to the CID headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown for investigation.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat, who represented both defendants, stated that the article was found in a milk tin which was left by someone in the house from a previous rental. The chief magistrate refused bail for both defendants. The matter was transferred to Court Five on August 9 for report and fixture.

Venezuela "ends" bid to restore full U.S. ties

Venezuela says it has “ended” steps towards restoring diplomatic ties with the U.S., after comments by the woman nominated as the next envoy to the UN. Samantha Power said this week she would seek to combat what she called the “crackdown on civil society” in countries including Venezuela. She was speaking at a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The remarks prompted an angry

response from Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.

“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela hereby ends the process... of finally normalising our diplomatic relations,” said Venezuela’s foreign ministry in a statement. It objected to Power’s “interventionist agenda”, noting that her “disrespectful opinions” were later endorsed by the state department, “contradicting in tone and in content” earlier statements by Secretary of State John Kerry. Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been strained in recent years. They last had ambassadors in each other’s capitals in 2010. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Warner’s passport recall an election tactic

Agovernment directive to withdraw former FIFA vice president and up-coming Chaguanas West by-election candidate Jack Warner’s diplomatic passport could be a wellengineered plan to take him out of the election equation, a legal source is alleging. The diplomatic passport, issued to all government MPs, gave Warner protective immunity and without it, he is now open to possible extradition by U.S. law enforcement authorities, the source said.

“Remember Warner’s

son, Daryan Warner, has been named as a cooperating witness into an FBI investigation into FIFA corruption.” Warner, at a Chaguanas West meeting, strenuously denied that he or any of his family members is being investigated by U.S. authorities. But the legal source, requesting strict anonymity, insisted, “Without the immunity provided by his diplomatic passport, the U.S. can now request Warner’s extradition.”

He continued,“The timing of the government’s re-

trieval of Warner’s diplomatic passport is very opportune and relevant. “It would be a challenge for the government if he wins the Chaguanas West byelection. It could spell the downfall of the People’s Partnership government. Other dissatisfied government MPs will want to leave.” The TT Guardian contacted the U.S. Embassy, asking if that country put pressure on the TT government to retrieve Warner’s passport and if he was under any investigation in the U.S.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

School personnel and teachers must not be smokers – Jamaican education minister

Ronald Thwaites says that with the ban on smoking in public spaces, including in and around educational institutions, teachers and other persons working in schools should lead by example to uphold the law.

“I realise how addictive tobacco is, and I realise the power of the spurious argument about personal liberty that often is trotted out in this regard, but school personnel and teachers must not be smokers. Otherwise,

the children are going to see you, so why shouldn’t they do it? It can’t work. We don’t want to institute a rule. We want to exalt each other as members of a common enterprise to say, please don’t do this...,” he said.

Thwaites was speaking this week at the annual back-to-school conference at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, hosted by the Education Ministry Region five office.The education minister said that a similar attitude should be adopted

in the consumption of alcohol as well as gambling, which are “pervasive” in some urban schools. He decried the lack of clarity in the society’s values and attitudes, which are serving as “contrary signals” to children. “You know one of the reasons why values and attitudes (haven’t) really taken on in Jamaica –that campaign – because we don’t know what values and attitudes we really believe in.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Grenada to focus on rehabilitation of nutmeg and cocoa cultivation

The Grenadian government is placing particular emphasis on the rehabilitation and replanting of nutmeg and cocoa under its farm labour subsidy programme. The programme was officially launched in St David on Tuesday and will provide employment for between 1500 and 2000 people working across the country.

Labourers under this programme will give approximately ten days ser-

vice to farms in every parish. Agriculture Minister Roland Bhola said, despite the tough economic times, government is still seeking to assist farmers however possible. He urged them to make maximum use of the opportunity.

“We still have a significant amount of acreage that is still left unclear. After Hurricane Ivan, persons have not gone back to the land, and when you analyse it, we may be tempt-

ed to say that these people are lazy and probably they don’t care,” the agriculture minister said. “We also have to understand that, what Hurricane Ivan did was not just throw down our trees and our houses down, but it affected the psyche of our people. “Some of our farmers have not yet recovered from that blow, so we have to encourage them by clearing some lands and planting new crops,” he added. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Broadcaster may replace retiring leader of Dominica opposition party

Apolitical leadership role for broadcaster Lennox Linton has emerged as a hot topic discussion in Dominica. The current leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Edison James, has announced that he will be retiring soon, and has confirmed that he would support Linton, currently based at Freedom FM in Basseterre, for the position. ames told Winn FM that the UWP, the main parliamen-

tary opposition in Dominica, would be addressing the leadership issue at its next delegates’ conference. He indicated that no nominations have been made so far, but acknowledged that Linton’s name was being mentioned. Lennox Linton has been described as a media campaigner for the UWP. His radio programme on radio station Q-95 in Roseau has frequently targeted Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, with the broadcast-

er accusing Skerrit of corrupt practices. Linton supporters see him as more than a worthy rival for Skerrit. UWP leader James was asked about that matter.

“Yes I was asked a direct question if Mr Linton’s name were to come forward for the leadership of the party would I support him, I said yes, we in Marigot have decided to ask him to be the candidate for the next elections and he has accepted that,” James confirmed. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

CDB approves Liat loan for purchase of new aircraft

The Antigua-based regional airline, LIAT, Friday said the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is providing US$65 million in loans to the four shareholder governments of the company.

It said the loan, approved on Thursday, to Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica will assist with the purchase of aircraft in the context of a fleet modernisation project. LIAT said that the loan

agreements “provide for the loans to be on lent-to and repaid by LIAT over a 13 year period following a grace period of two years”.

It said co-financing for the project is being provided by shareholder equity contributions and from the sale of LIAT’s existing aircraft. The fleet modernisation project involves the replacement of LIAT’s aging fleet through a combination of lease and purchase of aircraft; the transition costs associated with the changeover; the upgrade of maintenance facilities and other institutional strengthening activities. “The project provides LIAT with the most cost-effective means of improving the reliability of its service and consequently its contribution to the socio-economic development of the region. It will have significant impact on the operational efficiency and financial performance of the airline. Realisation of these results will require the involvement of all stakeholders.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Barbados’ health minister calls for more local research

With developing countries now dealing with heavy constraints in relation to spending, it is time that evidencebased medical research is specified to local settings.

Speaking on this, Health Minister John Boyce, stated that this would result in resources being funneled into areas where they could be most effective. “While the global burden of disease is overwhelm-

ingly in developing countries, investment for health research remains focused on diseases affecting communities in highly industrialised regions.

Developing countries therefore need to prioritise research as it relates to their own setting. Countries like ours are cognisant of the fact that we need to maximise resources at a time when national budgets are constrained.

“We are challenged to de-

mands of high cost of health requirements and we are challenged to be creative in reducing the burden of disease in our society.

At the same time, we are faced with the challenge of managing other health conditions that are neglected internationally, in terms of research, such as tuberculosis, asthma, hypertension and nutritional deficiencies, including obesity,” he stated. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

Five guilty in Costa Concordia trial

Acourt in Italy has convicted five people of manslaughter over the Costa Concordia shipwreck off Giglio island which killed 32 people in January 2012. Two officers, the helmsman, the head of cabin service and the head of the crisis team were given up to two years and 10 months in jail for multiple manslaughter, negligence and shipwreck.

They had agreed plea bargains and may avoid custodial sentences. Captain

Francesco Schettino is being tried separately. He is charged with multiple manslaughter for causing the shipwreck and abandoning the vessel with thousands still aboard. His case will resume on September 23, and his request for a plea bargain has been rejected by the prosecution. The five defendants were Roberto Ferrarini, director of the Italian cruise company’s crisis unit, cabin service director Manrico Giampedroni, first officer Ciro Ambrosio,

Indonesian helmsman Jacob Rusli Bin and third officer Silvia Coronica. They received prison sentences ranging from 18 months to two years and 10 months as the court agreed to plea bargains in order to avoid a lengthy trial.

The heaviest sentence was given to Roberto Ferranini who was ashore as the disaster unfolded and in charge of coordinating the cruise ship company’s response to the crisis. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trayvon Martin’s father speaks in Miami amid post-verdict vigils

Aweek after the not guilty verdict was delivered in the George Zimmerman trial, a large crowd of supporters for Trayvon Martin and his family gathered outside of the federal courthouse in Miami, Florida., to press for further federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teen’s shooting death.

“I’d like the world to know that Trayvon was my son. He was a loved child. He did nothing wrong and we’re

not going to let them persecute him the way that they have,” Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin, said on Saturday.

“I vowed to Trayvon, when he was lying in his casket, that I would use every ounce of energy in my body to seek justice for him. I will fight for Trayvon until the day I die. Not only will I fight for Trayvon, I will fight for your child as well,” Martin said. A Florida jury found Zimmerman not guilty

of second degree murder and manslaughter on July 13. Zimmerman says he shot the teen in self defence.

The Miami vigil is one of over 100 “Justice for Trayvon” vigils, planned by Reverend. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, taking place outside of courthouses across the country. On Saturday Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, planned to attend a vigil in New York City with Sharpton, who also hosts a show on MSNBC. (Excerpt from MSNBC)

Police attacked outside Paris after Islamic veil arrest

About 250 people clashed with police firing tear gas in a Paris suburb on Friday, in apparent protest over enforcement of France’s ban on Islamic face veils.

Four police officers were injured and six people were arrested, while a 14-yearold boy suffered a serious eye injury from a projectile, police said. YouTube videos showed demonstrators hurling projectiles at a police station in Trappes, a gritty suburb southwest of Paris, while a number of bins were set on fire.

Around a dozen vans carrying riot police were deployed to the area, while a helicopter was dispatched to carry out surveillance of the town.

Order was restored at

Around 250 protesters clashed with police firing tear gas in the Paris suburb of Trappes on Friday night after police checked the identity of a woman wearing a Muslim veil, French authorities said Saturday. Six people have been arrested

around 03:00h when the crowd began to disperse. The clashes were apparently sparked by the arrest on Thursday of a man accused of assaulting a police officer after his wife was stopped for wearing a full-face veil – illegal under French law. “Her

Turkish police fire water cannon at Istanbul protesters

Turkish police fired a water cannon on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered to march to Gezi Park in central Istanbul, which has been at the heart of fierce demonstrations against Prime Minister Erdogan’s rule.

Saturday’s protests were triggered when police blocked access to the park where a couple, who met during last month’s anti-government rallies, were planning to get married and

had posted an invitation for guests to attend online.

Groups of riot police chased protesters down side streets leading away from Taksim square where Gezi park is located. The police intervention was the first in a week in Istanbul after protesters marched on Taksim last weekend, angered by a government-sponsored bill which stripped an architects’ and engineers’ association involved in the protests, the TMMOB, of its final approval authority on urban

planning projects.

What had started as a small protest against the planned redevelopment of Gezi Park triggered a nationwide wave of protest last month against Erdogan, accused by his critics of becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Five people died and thousands were injured in the police crackdown on the protests across Turkey, which posed the biggest challenge to Erdogan’s decade-old rule. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Australia intercepts boat with asylum seekers

Aboatload of 89 asylum seekers has been intercepted off the coast of northern Australia, a day after the Australian government announced that boat people will no longer be resettled in the country. Tony Burke, the immigration minister, said on Saturday that the group – “entirely or almost entirely” Iranians –would be offered the choice of either pressing ahead with an asylum claim and being sent to Papua New Guinea, or transfer to an-

other country.

Earlier, a protest at an Australian-run immigration detention camp in Nauru turned violent, with some of the asylum seekers injured, officials and witnesses said.

Buildings were torched as hundreds of asylum-seekers escaped detention during riots at the refugee facility, witnesses said on Saturday.

The riots on Friday night saw detainees take control of the immigration processing centre on the remote Pacific island of Nauru and

arm themselves with knives and steel bars.

As of midnight Australia’s immigration department said all the asylum-seekers had been accounted for and order had been restored.

An immigration spokeswoman said that most of the major buildings including the accommodation blocks, medical centre, dining hall and offices had been destroyed during the protest, which involved about 150 detainees. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

husband reacted in a hostile fashion, insulting and hitting the policeman,” Jean-Marc Galland, a senior official for Yvelines département (region), where Trappes is located, told Reuters. “The man was placed in custody for that reason.” (Excerpt from France24)

GPL hoping opposition will restore $5.2B subsidy

The management of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), its board and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds are slated to meet with two parliamentary sectoral committees to discuss restoration of the $5.2 billion subsidy cut by the opposition, to the power company earlier in the year.

During the meeting to be held on July 26 and 31, GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal said the team will be willing to answer questions relating to “GPL, the Infrastructure Development Project and other concerns that might arise about GPL”.

Speaking with Guyana Times during a recent interview, Dindyal said “hopefully after these engagements, we will have a sense of if there’s any change of heart and some indication on what’s going to happen with the $5.2 billion”.

However, if all indications are negative, Dindyal said the company will have to be advised by government on the next step forward.

As it stands, Dindyal said GPL continues to hold off on any tariff increase as advised by President Donald

GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal

Ramotar.

The increase was intended to take effect from this month and “so if we delay and we have to do it again, obviously, we can’t recoup that kind of money to keep the projects on schedule”.

The power company was proposing a 26.7 per cent increase in tariff rates to sustain critical projects after the parliamentary opposition use their one-seat majority to cut the government subsidy to the entity.

In the meantime, the GPL boss said the delay in the realisation of the Amaila Falls Project

could see the company having to invest more money into the establishment of new power stations, which would prove useless when the project comes into being.

He explained that without the hydropower project, GPL would have to resort to continue using fossil fuel, which is become more expensive.

This is where the construction of the additional power stations will come in, as the company will have to cater for the increasing demands of electricity across the country.

These new stations,

he said, would be a waste of investment when the hydro project eventually gets on stream.

“So that’s money that is going into expensive equipment which would have to eventually sit idle. So timing here is everything and it appears as if we’re going to face some substantial delay so we’ll have to look and see what we do,” he pointed out.

He said it is a serious concern that a lot of money has been invested to develop the hydro facility to the stage it is at currently, and the further delay would result in the contract price going up.

The combined opposition on Thursday night in the National Assembly used its one-seat majority to vote against the Hydroelectric Power (Amendment) Bill 2013 and a motion which sought to allow the government of Guyana to raise its guarantee limit from $1 billion to $150 billion (US$75 million).

This move by the opposition came despite the government tried extensively to justify the importance of the projected US$840 million Amaila Falls Hydro Project for the development of Guyana.

Port Kaituma clothes vendor stabbed

APort Kaituma clothes vendor is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing two stab wounds about her body.

The injuries were reportedly inflicted by her estranged reputed husband during a misunderstanding in the mining community.

The injured woman

was identified as Yonette Barrington, 42, of Mc Doom, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD).

According to information, Barrington and her reputed, husband Sean Jones had an argument in the vicinity of the Port Kaituma Bus Park during which he allegedly pulled out a sharp object and

stabbed the woman to her neck and hand.

The argument stemmed from an accusation by Jones about Barrington’s unfaithfulness.

The woman was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital where she was admitted but was later transferred to the Georgetown hospital on Saturday morning.

In a release, the GPHC confirmed that the injured woman arrived at the medical facility on Saturday about 09:57h with stab wounds.

Her condition is listed as stable. The stabbing incident was reported to the police and the suspect has been arrested and is assisting with investigations.

LIAT to start operations at Ogle on Monday

Regional Carrier, LIAT is expected to start operations at the Ogle International Airport (OAI) on Monday, with its first batch of passengers arriving from Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados.

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Zulfikar Mohammed on Saturday morning explained that the Caribbean carrier was supposed to start operation last week, but due to some internal issues, this was not possible.

He indicated that while “talks” are in the air about the commencement of flight at the OAI, LIAT officials have not made contact with him thus far.

Nevertheless, the director is ecstatic about the first international flight at the facility, noting that the LIAT will still operate out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

He explained that LI 512 will operate a daily flight from Barbados and is expected to arrive in Guyana about 13:15h and depart about 15:30h. The CJIA flight will be an overnight one with LI 774 arriving sometime in the evening and leaving early the next morning.

With the expected first flight at Ogle, he said the facility is well prepared to handle the influx of regional passengers. “All systems are up and running, immigration, security and others, we are ready to go,” Mohammed added.

With the introduction of the regional flights, parking facility remains a critical issue at the airport, but airport officials said this matter will soon be addressed.

Captain Gerry Gouveia when contacted for a com-

ment also expressed his excitement and described the development as big “breakthrough”.

“It will be good to have passengers connecting via Barbados and Trinidad out of Ogle,” the captain said.

In March, the OIA was declared a regional hub, as it was presented with a runway Class Two Certificate by the GCAA. At the official ceremony, LIAT airlines also made its inaugural landing at the OIA.

Addressing the gathering at the historic event, President Donald Ramotar said the aviation sector has made significant contributions to the development of the economy.

The head of state reiterated that the air transport sector, particularly the OAI, has helped to open up Guyana’s interior, allowing access to the public sector and creating investment opportunities for private companies.

In addition to the connection within the Caribbean, he also urged the OAI management to look at providing linkages with Africa and South America.

Meanwhile, the OIA can also accommodate regional class aircraft like the Turbo Prop, Dash 8s and ATRs flights operated by Caribbean Airlines, as well as executive type class aircraft.

It was determined that the proximity to Georgetown would give the airline a competitive advantage since flying into Ogle would mean reduced flying time and an annual fuel reduction for LIAT. In 2012, LIAT operated approximately 667 flights to Guyana and 804 flights the previous year.

Body of miner recovered in Mazaruni River

The body of Glendon Parks, 27, a miner of Santa Mission, East Bank Essequibo, who fell into the Mazaruni River after he was stabbed, was recovered on Friday evening.

According to information received, the miner’s body was discovered about 18:00h by a search party.

It was found a short distance from where he was stabbed.

The body was transported to the Bartica Hospital mortuary and subsequently to the Lyken’s Funeral Home.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on Monday.

Parks was stabbed to his chest and subsequently fell into the Mazaruni River on Wednesday evening.

Investigation revealed that he was involved in an argument with another man on a floating mining dredge at Kangaruma, Middle Mazaruni River, during which he was stabbed to his chest, and fell into the river. The suspect in the stabbing has been arrested and is in police custody pending charges.

Finance minister condemns opposition’s attempt to sabotage Amaila project

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the recent vote by the opposition against the Amaila Falls Project can only be viewed as an act of sabotage directed against national development and all right minded Guyanese.

The minister, in his address to the National Assembly, stated that while the opposition has been given the opportunity to stand up for nation building and collectively work towards improving the lives of every citizen, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) chose to play political football with the issue.

“Why is it that this piece of legislation did not receive the benefit of the support of the APNU and the AFC?” asked the minister. “It only can be described as a retaliatory vote… for the failed and thwarted attempt to frustrate the Standing Orders and disrupt the sequence of business.”

The guarantee of loans (Public Corporations and Companies) Act (Chapter 77:01) was laid before Parliament on July 18 as part of a prerequisite for IDB funding of the Amaila hydro project. The amendments to this act are necessary in order to facilitate the implementation of the Power Purchase Agreement and to increase the amount of liability that can be guaranteed by the government to an amount which shall not exceed $150 billion.

The government of Guyana is providing Amaila Falls Hydro Inc (AFHI), a

special purpose company owned by Sithe Global, a performance guarantee on behalf of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The guarantee’s purpose is to promote the implementation of the project.

No significant objections

Minister Singh noted that the project itself has not had any significant objections heard from the opposition parties nor government and therefore he is surprised and disappointed that the legislature took such a draconian approach to kill a bill that would benefit the entire country.

“All of us in this House have at one time or another advocated the harnessing of Guyana’s hydro power potential and indeed gone further to recognise the merits of the Amaila hydro power project,” he said. He further stated that is why the projects failure to be realised is damaging to all Guyana, including the AFC, the APNU and PPP supporters.

The minister quoted a

member of the opposition as saying “The supporters of the APNU do not live on one side of the country while supporters of the PPP live on another side of the country. They live in the same villages, they live in the same streets, they live next to each other, they are served by the same electricity grid, they work in the same business, offices, and factories whose growth, production and productivity and profitability and expansion will phenomenally and favourably be influenced by affordable and reliable power.”

Minister Singh said the move to derail the bill is an attempt by the joint opposition to frustrate the government at all costs. He noted that every attempt was made by the government to inform and keep the AFC and the APNU apprised of the project via several closed door consultations.

Wide consultations

These consultations occurred over several months, as government tirelessly

tried to facilitate the inclusion of all stakeholders. Since 2012, the joint opposition met with Sithe Global for a walk through of the project. On March 14, 2012, government presented a detailed overview of the project and invited questions and concerns to be raised, yet no one did. The public and opposition were once again given the opportunity to be briefed on the project during the 2012 budget debates, during which the development of the road leading to the hydro site was discussed.

Minister Singh further noted that in addition to the vast long term benefits, the hydro project is expected to offer the country, the current investor’s presence in Guyana also builds international credibility for foreign direct investors to confidently invest.

The Amaila Hydro Project is being funded by several major international financers including the IDB, Blackstone Group, Sithe Global, China Development Bank and China Railway First Group. The involvement of these financers is seen as boosters to the government of Guyana as their involvement is expected to promote international investor confidence for future projects.

“Shame on the opposition!” scolded the minister. “As a Legislature, we should be doing everything possible to attract investors such as these to Guyana; not chasing them away like the opposition is trying to do.”

Guyana can be new agricultural investment hotspot for Middle East investors

Ajeenkya D Y Patil Group Chairman and honorary consul general to Guyana in Mumbai, India, Dr Ajeenkya D Y Patil is of the view that agriculture in Guyana “is a winning proposition with positive advantages for all stakeholders involved”.

In a recent press release from the group, it was announced that this opportunity will be presented to potential investors in Dubai this coming November.

Dr Patil has stated that investing in Guyana “is a financially viable and potentially profitable proposal for investors in the region due to the global growth in demand for agriculture produce”.

“The region [Guyana] is unexploited and is economically robust and politically stable. It will improve the quality of life of the average Guyanese citizen and increase the economic vitality of the country. And all of this backed by the experienced management of the Ajeenkya DY Patil Group.”

The group has noted that untapped Caribbean countries’ rich, fertile soil holds food security and investment opportunities. Well-established export trade and duty laws make it an attractive proposition.

Additionally, given the lack of annual rainfall in the Gulf region, highscale commercial food production is not viable; hence, Middle East coun-

tries continue to safeguard food security and supply issues by investing overseas.

Another key indicator is the population boom in the region, meaning local agriculture is unable to meet the consumption demand.

For many years, Africa and the Philippines have been popular destinations for Middle East investment in agriculture. However, a new market has emerged to rival these traditionally strong investment partners. Hence, the look at Guyana.

McKinsey study

A McKinsey study in 2008 revealed the country’s agricultural potential; with aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms including fish and crustaceans) valued at US$350-$450 million; fruits and vegetables US$250-$350 million; forestry US$200-$300 million and bio-ethanol US$500-$600 million.

It was observed that Guyana already has a well-established export industry. It currently exports to Canada, the U.S., nearby Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, while also trading as far afield as the UK and the Netherlands. In fact, 75 per cent of Guyana’s exports enter destination markets duty-free, making it an attractive trading partner.

Guyana’s other advantages were also observed by the group, including its highly fertile soils, particularly

Rains expected to continue for next 24 hours

The Agriculture Ministry has advised that the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is over Guyana and rainfall is likely to remain for the next 24 hours.

In addition, a spring tide advisory is in effect from today to Saturday, the ministry said in a release.

Rainfall is expected to range between 2.0mm to 25.0mm. Given for the past 24 to 48 hours based on the radar images, coastal and near inland areas have had large amounts of rainfall with values ranging from 6.3mm to 80.0mm, flood prone areas will be already saturated with water and given that the current conditions do not support a decrease in the precipitation over these areas,

there is a strong possibility that these flood prone areas can continue to experience flooding conditions.

Only recently, a thunderstorm with heavy winds and lightning woke residents of Region Two.

The fierce winds also resulted in many old trees collapsing and the roofs of poultry pens being removed or the pens themselves being blown away.

The continuous rainfall experienced during the past two days added to residents’ woes resulting in many flat houses being inundated with floodwater.

On Thursday, heavy wind which flipped a single engine aircraft at the Ogle International Airport was recorded travelling at a speed of 35 knots per hour, a very unusual occurrence.

in coastal areas which offer large development initiatives, while an abundance of grass land can be used for producing beef, milk, mutton, fruits and other non-traditional crops. The country has also been certified as foot and mouth disease free, an added advantage in exporting meat products.

In addition, its large expanses of land have never been used for modern agriculture and are therefore totally free of agricultural chemicals, meaning it can be certified for organic production in one year, rather than the standard requirement of three years. This has definite economic benefits for the country given that organic produce has a premium price in most developed countries.

It also emphasises that Guyana offers a serious alternative to consider in addressing potential future food security issues.

This alternative has been identified by the Ajeenkya D Y Patil Group, which has exemplary experience in agriculture, as well as education, healthcare and sports.

They have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Guyana for 65,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin to be used for agriculture-related projects, which could include dairy processing; rice milling and processing; fisheries and poultry; fruits and vegetables; and sugar cane production with ethanol and power.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Don’t be stingy in involvements with your friends. Yet, by the same token, don’t think that you have to break the bank in order to win acceptance. Let moderation be your watchword.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

It’s OK to be proud of your achievements when speaking to your friends, but don’t call a project finished when you still have abundant loose ends that must be tied down.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

In order to appease family and friends today, you might feel obligated to promise them much more than you can deliver. It’s best to be honest with both them and yourself.

(March 21-April 19)

Even if asked, it might not be too wise to advise a friend on how s/he should handle a financial matter. Although you’ll mean well, your suggestion could make matters worse.

(April 20May 20)

Don’t make the mistake of trying to force your opinions on someone who doesn’t want to hear them. Something that you feel strongly about might nonetheless be totally wrong for your listener.

(May 21June 20)

Poor eating habits and a lack of exercise could be at the base of your sluggishness. Analyse your lifestyle honestly, and do something about the flaws that you find.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

Have fun and enjoy yourself, but not at the expense of others. If you singe anyone’s fingers in your quest for happiness, your pleasure will quickly turn sour.

(July 23Aug. 22)

Even though major accomplishments are possible, you might still fall short of your mark. Selfdoubts could overwhelm you if you’re fool enough to believe them.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Be fair in your dealings with others, but don’t go overboard by making self-penalising concessions. There’s nothing wrong with expecting good things to happen for you.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

This should be a rewarding day as long as you don’t do anything at the last minute to take the edge off your victory. It’s not smart to alter something that’s working so well.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Just because conditions in general tend to favor you today, that doesn’t mean you should lower your guard. If you do, your fragile success might collapse.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

There’s no need for you to embellish your achievements. Should you do something worthy of praise, the events will speak loudly for themselves and the accolades will be justified.

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Pioneering U.S. journalist Helen Thomas dies at 92

AWhite House birthday treat for President Barack Obama and Helen Thomas, who share the same August 4 birthday, in 2009

Helen Thomas, a trailblazing journalist who covered the White House for nearly five decades, has died aged 92. She died at her Washington apartment after a long illness, the Gridiron Club, Washington's historic press organisation, said.

One White House press secretary described her questioning as "torture" –and he was one of her fans, the Associated Press reports. She was particularly tough on former President George W Bush and persistently challenged him over the war in Iraq, describing him to another reporter in 2003 as the "worst president ever".

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Thomas covered the administrations of 10 presidents and was known for asking difficult questions. She was a fixture at White House news conferences and considered a pioneer for women in journalism. Veteran NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell tweeted that Thomas "made it possible for all of us who followed".

Born to Lebanese immigrants in Kentucky in 1920, Thomas found her calling while working for her student newspaper at school. She started out as a copy girl for a small Washington newspaper before moving to the United Press (UPI) wire service with whom she covered the presidential campaign of John F Kennedy.

Following Kennedy's election, the huge demand for stories about First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy helped Thomas secure her place within the White House press corps.

Over the next decade, she began to report harder news and became UPI's White House bureau chief in the 1970s -- the first woman to hold the post. From her seat in the middle of the front row of the briefing room, she would grill presidents and exasperate government spokespeople with her pointed, persistent questions.

"I have never covered the president in any way other than that he is ultimately responsible," she once said. Thomas was a pioneer for women in journalism, notching up a series of firsts during her career.

She became the first female president of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), the first female member of the Gridiron Club and the only female print journalist to travel with President Richard Nixon on his first trip to China.

As the senior news service correspondent at the White House, she was often the one who would end the news conference with the phrase, "Thank you, Mr President".

Her career ended under a cloud in 2010 after she said in an interview that Israeli Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home" to Germany, Poland and America. She later said she deeply regretted the comments, saying "they do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognise the need for mutual respect and tolerance".

Her husband, Douglas Cornell, who was the Associated Press's chief White House correspondent, died in 1982.

Commuters are advised that the southern carriageway of the East Coast Demerara road in the vicinity of Beterverwagting has been closed to road traffic. Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said the closure is necessary to facilitate repairs to a section of the roadway. Only traffic proceeding east will be allowed to pass through the area. Traffic proceeding west are asked to divert to the embankment road from Coldingen to Mon Repos. The situation is expected to return to normalcy by Tuesday.

Windies batting worries Davis

PORT OF SPAIN,

TRINIDAD

– The current state of batting with the West Indies team, especially in the OneDay Internationals (ODI) format, is worrying former WI and Trinidad and Tobago cricketer Bryan Davis who, in his recent column in the Catholic News, has called for a total improvement before the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Davis wrote, “The WI selectors should be carefully observing players from now. This includes observing their attitude, skills and willingness to be winners – which is judged by how hard they play and practice and how focused they are on the goal of being the world champions.”

He continued, “They currently enjoy that status in the T20 format but they need to realise that a different approach is required for the 50-overs game.”

The Queen’s Park Cricket Club administrator admitted that he is disappointed by the struggles of the team in three departments – batting, bowling and fielding.

“It is too inconsistent, wishy-washy,” he wrote. “When one is in a position to win a match convincingly, then one should never give up that advantage carelessly. However, this is what has been happening!”

Referring to the midway stage of the recent Celkon Mobile Series, which took place in Jamaica and here in Trinidad, Davis noted that the Tri-Nation Series began mere days after the ICC Champions Trophy in England.

“India emerged winners of that tournament, beating England in the final (although the 50 overs were reduced to 20 because of bad weather), and flew out to the West Indies to the heat and bouncy wickets without much time for acclimatisation,” he wrote. “The Sri Lankans were also in England where they worked their way to the semi-finals.

So, our players would have started with an advantage, having left the UK sooner than the other two teams, thereby having had an opportunity to rest and train in familiar conditions before aggressively tackling their opponents.”

Davis stressed, “but there are kinks in our armour! We seem to be shaky and not the stabilising force one would expect of a side that recently thrashed the world to become T20 champs! And this is where the problem lies as far as I am concerned. We seem to be still in the T20 mindset.

“It’s all well and good to generalise and issue statements saying that West Indians are attacking bats-

men, thereby trying to excuse wild hitting which cost us too many wickets – when we ought to have crushed the opposition.”

Referring to the Windies’ June 30 win over India, he wrote, “we had India at our mercy in Jamaica, batting at 142 for 3, going at 230, only to collapse leaving 10 vital runs to be scored for victory by our last pair who, thankfully, showed the right temperament in the situation.

“However, the margin of victory is important as a motivator, an inspiration, and a definite psychological advantage over one’s adversary.

At the completion of the match, however, it was India that held the psychological advantage, showing the Caribbean players the ‘never-say-die’ attitude of which champions are made.”

The former radio and newspaper cricket analyst pointed out, “Although we appear nervy in our chase we put ourselves in that position by fielding first on winning tosses. The reason put forward by the captains, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, is that the batsmen are better at chasing a total.”

Davis stated, “in my view, teams that prefer to bat last in ODIs are those which lack confidence in their batsmen. No cricket

team should prefer to bat second unless there are really abnormal conditions. Runs on the board are a most valuable asset and on winning a toss, one should never give the other team the benefit of investing first. When chasing, the fall of two wickets in quick succession can suddenly make the score look distant and the new batsman has to adjust not only to score runs but also to the added burden of taking no risks! It’s tough!

“When batting first, the batsman’s mind is at ease since he believes that he has ample time to achieve the team’s planned target, and the fielding team is ignorant of the batting team’s goal.”

The easy-going Davis said, “I’m just concerned that there is no agreed position on something as basic as whether to bat on winning the toss, regardless of who’s the captain, hence my belief that the decision comes from the coach.

And I repeat, this is a sure sign of a total lack of confidence, not only in the batsmen, but also in one’s bowlers.”

He ended, “I trust the selectors will examine the players’ consistency, the captains’ tactics and the coach’s preparation, observing closely those in the wings so that come World Cup 2015 the Windies will be ready.” (WICB)

Root’s 178 not out gives England total control

Joe Root scored a masterful unbeaten 178 to put England in total control against Australia in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Saturday.

The Yorkshire batsman batted throughout the third day as England lost only two wickets to close on 3335, a lead of 566.

At 22 years and 202 days, Root became England’s youngest Ashes centurion at Lord’s and shared partnerships of 99 with Tim Bresnan and 153 with Ian Bell, who made 74.

On another miserable day for the tourists, who

were bowled out for 128 on Friday to concede a 233-run first-innings lead, Bell was controversially given not out on three by third umpire Tony Hill despite appearing to be caught just above the ground by Steve Smith.

He took full advantage, unfurling some sublime shots after tea and marching towards his third consecutive century of the series, before dragging a long-hop from Smith straight to midwicket.

Root’s mature and composed innings was a timely reminder of his talent and

ends the debate over his promotion to the top of the order at Nick Compton’s expense.

Root, who scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand in May batting at number five, had only mustered 41 runs in three previous innings in the series.

But, having had a lucky escape on eight on Friday evening when he edged between wicketkeeper and slip, he struck the first ball of the day through midwicket for four and looked untroubled thereafter. (BBC Sport)

SCORE BOARD

England 2nd innings A Cook* b Siddle 8 J Root not out 178 J Trott b Siddle 0 K Pietersen c Rogers b Siddle 5 T Bresnan c Rogers b Pattinson 38 I Bell c Rogers b Smith 74 J Bairstow not out 11

Extras: (b11, lb8) 19

Total: (5 wkts, 110 overs) 333 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-22, 3-30, 4-129, 5-282 Bowling: R Harris 16-4-280, S Watson 12-5-25-0, P Siddle 21-6-65-3, J Pattinson

20-8-42-1, S Smith 14-065-1, A Agar 27-4-89-0

King covers all angles to ensure players focus...

Obtaining the dietary requirements of the team and in many cases for selected players, to guide the hotel’s kitchen staff is also part of King’s role.

King understands the psyche of a cricketer and insisted that his team wants the players to concentrate on their assignments. He posited that players should not have to burden themselves with issues that the think tank and organisers should handle.

“Being someone who has experienced that as a cricketer, the transition and the organising has not been that challenging. One of the challenges we faced was getting the players, which is minor. Some of the players have not gotten unto us to give us the information we need.

“We are trying to get them mentally prepared for cricket. I will absorb and our team will absorb the other aspects. We are trying to clear as much as possible, if not all, of the queries and worries before their camp starts on the 22nd of July,” the Level Two coach informed.

Security

Understandably, with the security guidelines set out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its territorial boards and organisers of tournaments around the world, it is imperative that King and team not drop the ball and lapse in this department. Simon Mc Bean, LCPL security officer, is the pointman on security issues. According to King, security detail will be on par with international standards.

These security arrangements were put in place for the first two matches of the West Indies/Pakistan series at the Guyana

from back page

National Stadium on July 14 and 16.

“Simon has also worked with us for the [ICC] World Cups (2007 and 2010) so he is no stranger to cricket. He knows what he is supposed to do; he is well equipped and knowledgeable of what is required for security.

“Again, no stone will be left unturned for security,” King noted. He added, “We have even noticed with the IPL [Indian Premier League] and the betting allegations... with that in mind and in a league such as this will certainly be on the ICC radar. We are ready and equipped to deal with that but hope that we don’t have to deal with that.”

Concluding, King stated that he understood the amount of work various personnel put in place when he plied his trade. Therefore, it is his chance to make players comfortable by going the extra mile for them to ensure they perform at their optimum.

The tournament bowls off with the Barbados Tridents playing St Lucia Zouks at the Kensington Oval on July 30. Further, plans have been in train for the Guyana leg of the tournament for months. On July 31 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Guyana Amazon Warriors play Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at 20:00h.

Guyana Amazon Warriors then square off with Jamaica Tallawahs on August 2 at 20:00h before a double-header on August 4 that involves Antigua Hawksbills against Jamaica Tallawahs from 15:00h and Guyana Amazon Warriors going up against St Lucia Zouks at 20:00h.

GASA names preliminary squad for Goodwill meet

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has announced a preliminary list of 15 swimmers to represent Guyana at the XIX Goodwill Swim Meet set for August 16-18 in Barbados.

Those selected to commence preparations are Leon Seaton in the eight and under; Sarah King, Amy Grant, Nathon Hackett and Daniel Scott in the 11-12 years category; Accalia Khan, Joseph DeNobrega and Jamaal Skeete in the 13-14 years division; and Jamila Sanmoogan, Soroya Simmons, Athena Gaskin, Hannibal Gaskin, Omari Dunn, Omar Adams and Derrick Ramsaroop in the 15-17 years category.

According to a release from the GASA, the selected swimmers achieved qualifying times during the recently held time trials and would have made B, C and D times. Guyana has the option of sending a full team of 40 swimmers, comprising four for each age group, but would not be able to do so this year.

GBTI Tennis Open…

According to manager, Jean La Rose, a lot of the swimmers have not made the qualifying time, and as such, the GASA will stage a swim-off on Saturday with the aim of expanding the current pool of players selected.

Following the swim-off, the final team for Barbados will be named.

The swimmers will be accompanied by a team of officials, which include coaches Shyka Robers (eight and under), Isabal

Wins for Dalip, Grant, DeJonge and Murray

Eighth seeded Bishan Dalip showed patience and grit to overcame a rain delay and Sewon McGarrell 6-4, 6-3 to progress to the last 16 of the GBTI Tennis Open on Friday at the bank’s recreational facility at Bel Air Park.

Dalip, who is known for his powerful serve and stinging ground strokes, was made to work over time in the first set, as both players showed why holding serve is quite important in any level of tennis.

McGarrell looked the more comfortable of the two while serving, as he held his serves to love in all the games in the opening exchanges, while Dalip found the going tough in cold, damp conditions.

As the game progressed, McGarrell began to relax and took the number eight seed for granted and that was all Dalip needed in the ninth game of the first set, while being up 30-15 on his service game.

With scores at 40-40 soon after, Dalip seized the initiative when he ripped a cross court forehand on second serve only to be put out by

Cousa Fals (11-12 to 15-17) and supervising coach Sean Baksh.

La Rose is being assisted by Ivan Persaud, with Leon Seaton serving as chaperone.

The Goodwill Swim Meet is held annually and is hosted on a rotational basis in one of the four participating countries. They include Barbados, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The host country also has the option of inviting a guest team and this year Barbados has invited the national federation of St Lucia as the guest team.

The GASA release stated that the swimmers are currently in training from Mondays to Saturdays at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

“Except for Wednesdays and Saturdays, this involves twice a day training sessions in the morning and afternoon for close to two hours for each session and land conditioning work on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” the GASA released concluded.

the unseeded McGarrell.

It was then game and set for Dalip who blasted his way through his next service game, to seal it 6-4. Then the showers came to close play for the evening.

On resumption on Saturday, the errors began pouring in from McGarrell who quickly lost the match within 25 minutes of the restart to send the Roraima club player Dalip on his way to the next.

Dalip was joined in the next round by veteran player Rudy Grant who outplayed and error prone, Kester Abram, in three sets: 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

In the Women’s draw, Effanie Doobay overcame junior player Jamaali Holmer 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. There were also wins for Joseph Dejonge over Ryan Panday 6-3, 6-3 in Men’s Singles. In other matches, Ronald Murray defeated Veeraj Jagdeo 6-3, 6-4 and Victor Demchenko loss to Albert Madramotoo 6-2, 4-6, 3-10.

The competition runs until August 3. Matches will be played weekdays from 17:00h to 21:00h and on weekends from 08:00h to 21:00h.

“Premium Cues” Georgetown leg set for today

At least 40 players are listed to contest the Georgetown leg of the “Premium Cues Showdown” Pools tournament today at Buddy’s Pool Hall on Sheriff Street.

Following three weeks of warmup tournaments, the competition is expected to be keenly contested as Georgetown players now get a chance to showcase their talent with the aim of reaching the grand finals scheduled for July 28 at Stabroek Sports Bar, above Idiho Restaurant on Brickdam.

The countrywide tournament is sponsored by Banks DIH Limited under the Premium Beer brand.

Premium Beer Brand Manager Jeoff Clement, said that because of the number of entries, the competition will start at 11:00 hours sharp and he is encouraging players to be at the venue on time.

The winner will take home a top prize of $60,000 and a trophy, with the runner-up securing $40,000, and third place $20,000.

Similar tournaments have been held on the East Coast of Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice, West Demerara and East Bank Demerara and the winners of the respective zones will compete in the grand finals.

The Georgetown players had a final warm-up tournament yesterday at Butcher’s Bar, Middleton Street, Newtown.

Other warm-up tournaments were held earlier this month at Buttsy’s Pool Bar at Shell Road, Kitty, Son’s Pool Bar at Sandy Babb Street, BL Beer Garden at Public Road La Penitence and Seepaul’s Sports Bar at Alexander Street, Kitty.

RCMTC&SF and PMTC race meet on today, despite the inclement weather

Entries topping the 70-horse

By Rajiv Bisnauth

mark

The Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facilities (RCMTC&SF) and the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) organised one-day horse race meet will go ahead at Port Mourant Turf Club today, despite the bad weather, according to coordinator, Bobby Vaughn on Saturday.

“We had some rain Friday and earlier this morning (Saturday), but that will not create any problem for the race. The track is good and once there is no continuous heavy rain, the race will go ahead. We have everything in place so I want to encourage the public to come out and enjoy a good day of horse racing,” Vaughu said.

Nine races are billed for the day and with all the big names set to be on show a competitive day of racing is anticipated.

An impressive lineup of animals from the Shariff, Habibulla, Jumbo Jet, Colin

Elcock’s Delmur and P&P Syndicate, Jagdeo, Asrafalli, Simply Royal, Senior Council Marcel Crawford, Night Eyes, Mahaicony, Jagmohan, Bacchus, Sukdeo and Singh racing stables, among others, have already entered their animals.

Organisers have also added a substantial amount of cash and other attractions to the day’s activities that total over $6.5 million in cash and trophies.

The feature race is classified for horses in the B Class category over 1200 metres, with the winner set to race away with a $1.5 million and trophy.

The other events on the day’s card are the E and lower race for a winning purse of $400,000 and trophy over 1300 metres.

Then there is an event for Three -year-old Guyana and West Indies animals for a top money of $350,000 and trophy over 1300 metres.

The Two-year-old race for Guyana and West Indies bred horses will be a 1000 metres affair with the animals running for a winning purse of $300,000 and trophy.

The G1 and lower event is a 1300 metres contest for a winning purse of $300,000 and trophy.

The G3 class match up will see the winner pocketing $300,000 and trophy and is another 1200 metres encounter.

The event for Two-yearold maiden animals bred and born in Guyana has a top money of $220,000 and trophy over 1000 metres.

The I and Lower race will be a 1200 metres affair with a first prize of $200,000 while the J and K class event will fetch a winning prize of $150,000 over 1200 metres.

The race will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA). Race time is 12:30h and admission to the venue is $1000.

Chris Froome third but victory within sight

Briton Chris Froome is set to win the 100th Tour de France after finishing third on the penultimate stage on Saturday.

Froome, 28, leads by over five minutes and will not be challenged today’s traditional procession into Paris.

“I can’t quite believe I’m sitting here in this position,” said Froome. “It really is amazing.

“I’m a bit lost for words.

I’ve still got to roll into Paris but this is the GC [general classification] sorted out. To finish it off like this is special.”

The Kenya-born rider added: “It was quite hard to stay on top once I got to three kilometres to go because I knew I had accomplished what I wanted to do.

I was overwhelmed.”

Team Sky’s Froome stayed on the wheel of closest competitors Nairo Quintana and Joaquim Rodriguez as they climbed to the summit of Mont Semnoz and the Briton was forced to push away spectators with about

three kilometres to go as they inadvertently threatened to impede his progress.

Quintana jumped clear late on to win and secure second overall while Rodriguez also moved onto the podium in Paris.

Spain’s Alberto Contador started the day behind Froome but cracked on the final climb to drop to fourth overall, finishing two minutes and 28 seconds behind the stage winner.

Germany’s Jens Voigt, the oldest competitor in the race at 41, had led a breakaway but was caught on the final hors categorie - the hardest rating - climb.

Froome will become the second successive British winner when he crosses the line on the Champs Elysees following Sir Bradley Wiggins’s victory 12 months ago.

He has led since stage eight and finished the 20th stage, from Annecy to Annecy-Semnoz on Saturday, with a lead of five minutes three seconds in the

Digicel schools football quarter-finals on today

The third annual Digicel Schools football championship will enter its quarter-final stage today with four games spread across two counties.

After weeks of intense competition across all 10 administrative regions, the tournament has boiled down to eight schools, which will head into today’s group of eight clash.

Quarter-final one will pit Leonora Secondary against Covent Garden Secondary at the Grove playfield from 15:30h.

The second quarter-final is between Ash Education Trust and defending champions Wismar/Christianburg, with action set to kick off at 15:30h at the Wisburg ground.

St George’s Secondary and New Amsterdam Technical Institute will face off at 15:30h at Burnham Park, while quarter-final four will bring together Santa Rosa Seconday and last-year’s runners-up Waramadong Secondary from 16:00h at the Education Ministry ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The winners of these games will advance to the semi-finals, which are billed for Wednesday at venues to be decided.

The grand final and third place playoff are billed for July 28 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

The third annual competition has attracted 147 schools. The previous winners were the Government Technical Institute in 2011 and Wismar/Christianburg Secondary in 2012.

RBC postpones Seawall Bandstand race

general classification.

Quintana’s first ever stage win also secured the Colombian the polka dot jersey for the King of the Mountains to go with his white jersey for the bestplaced rider under 25.

Peter Sagan, from Slovakia, took an an unassailable lead in the points classification with victory in the intermediate sprint to deny Mark Cavendish a chance of winning the green jersey.

But the Manxman will be aiming for victory as the tour concludes at sunset on Sunday in Paris as he bids to become the first rider to win the final stage on five occasions.

Cavendish, who has won the last four sprint finishes on the Champs Elysees, currently shares the record with the legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx.

The final stage will be under floodlights for the first time and is expected to finish at around 20:45 BST.

(BBC Sport)

Inclement weather has forced the Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) to postpone its Bryden and Fernandes 10-race event around the Seawall Bandstand.

The activity was planned for today, but according to president Brian Allen, the club took a conscious decision to reschedule the races in the interest of cyclists’ safety.

Speaking to this newscast, Allen has apologised to cyclists and fans for the postponement, noting that the club will run off the event as soon as the weather becomes favourable.

“At the end of the day, we want safety for the riders, and that the reason we decided to put the event on hold. As we understand it more rain is predicted for the rest of today [yesterday]

and tomorrow [today], so we don’t want to take unnecessary risks,” Allen pointed out.

For this event, the club has collaborated for the first time with Bryden and Fernandes, a subsidiary of the John Fernandes Group of Companies, to stage the 10race event.

Allen said the aim of utilising the Seawall Bandstand is to generate spectators’ interest in the sport, and he’s pleased that Bryden and Fernandes has seen it fit to assist in this regard.

Earlier this month, the RBC, in partnership with the National Milling Company (NAMILCO), attracted a massive crowd for the 10th annual Caricom Day event, held around the Seawall Bandstand for the first time, and Allen is confident the Bryden and

Fernandes’ activity will be just as successful.

When the event eventually gets underway, leading cyclists from across the country will compete in the feature race, the Bryden and Fernandes Classic, which will go for 30-laps, and carries a top prize of $10,000. The top six finishers will receive cash incentives, according to Allen. Other races carded for the day include the 1214 Juveniles (three laps), Junior/Catgory Four (five laps), Category 1-3 (five laps), Veteran Over-50 (five laps), Veteran Under-50 (five laps), Team Time Trial (four laps), Win and Out (eight laps), Mountain Bike Open (five laps) and Female Open (five laps). The top three finishers in these races will collect cash awards.

Ravens, Colts in finals of GABA playoff tourney

By Treiston Joseph

The Ravens Basketball Club ran away with a 74-57 blowout win over Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters Basketball Club to reach the first division final of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) top tier playoff held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday evening.

The Ravens interior defense and physicality wore down the guards of the pacesetters who would usually create shots for their teammates.

Ravens swatted and changed a number of shots in the paint as their 2-3 zone defence collapsed to clog the driving lanes to prevent easy buckets in the lane especially by Pacesetter guard Travis Burnett.

With their interior scoring somewhat neutralised by the Ravens and their mid range and three point shots dropping at an inefficient rate, scoring was hard for the Pacesetters as they lead grew tremendously late in the third.

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai was superb for the Ravens as he altered and blocked three shots in the game while scoring 17 points in the process, his teammate Ryan Stephany dropped a game high 25 point to lead the Ravens to crucial win to reach the final.

Burnet who lacked the outside shooting to hurt the Raves as they played him with space at the top of the arc despite dropping a team high 18 points had to work extra hard against the physical defence the Raves played. Nialon Loncke had 11 points in the loss for Pacesetters while Stephan Gillis was unable to get go-

Grenville Felix Cycle road race on today in Berbice

The second annual Grenville Felix 40 miles cycle road race in honour of Guyana’s oldest living engineer, Augustus Felix will pedal off to-

day along the road ways in Berbice.

The race will pedal off at 09:00hrs from the Canefield Public Road in front of Felix’s residence and pro-

ceed to the Taki Gas Station at Adventure Village on the Corentyne and back to the starting point for the finish.

Prizes will be awarded to the first four finishers, the

first two juniors, the first two veterans and the first juvenile to cross the finishing line.

The event is organised by the Flying Aces Cycling Club and is for cyclists attached to the club.

Felix, who was born in Betsy Ground, East Canje and resided for most of his life at his present address, worked for most of his life with the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Rose Hall Estate, rising to the rank of Senior Engineer, Engineering Manager and Factory Manager.

Felix, who celebrated his birthday last Tuesday, is a father of eight, all of whom live overseas.

Felix was always a member of a number of community and religious organisations using his spare time to repair cycle and make furniture.

Members of the Felix family will on hand to assist in the distribution of prizes.

ing with the three ball.

Bounty Colts topped the Pepsi Sonics 68-53 in their first division encounter to reach the final at the tournament.

Colts had an offensive showing as their inside scoring was fun to watch along with their ability to knock the three ball, their offensive game flowed during fast break runs and even during their half court sets as players used back door screens and hard cut to free themselves during the game for easy opportunities from beyond the arc or at the rim.

Dane Kendall had a team high 17 points while Shelroy Thomas, Sheldon Thomas and Nikkoloi Smith scored 15, 13 and 11 points respectively in the win.

Sonics who were outclassed in the encounter saw their star player Jason squires dropping a game high 22 points that couldn’t help push them for the win.

Meanwhile in the third division game Buxton topped the Bounty Colts 43-29 to reach the final of the division.

The high pace game saw a lot of turnover occurring as Buxton who made slight fewer mistakes and hit some tough shots to take the win in the scrappy game as Trevor Freeman dropped a game high 12 points for Buxton.

In the second third division game, the Pepsi Sonics forfeited the game to the Pacesetters after a discrepancy with a player who was not eligible to play third division basketball. Meanwhile the final for the event will be played today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 19:00hrs.

Windies batting worries Davis

By Marlon Munroe

The adage that when one loves his job he does not work a day in his life aptly fits Reon King, Guyana’s Cricket Operations Officer for the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League.

The former Guyana and West Indies pacer has always followed through (no pun intended), completing his tasks to the letter and producing a finished product worthy of adulation. This was his ethic as a cricketer and has been his mantra as an operations manager for the other times he had assumed the role.

All aspects of preparing for an event of this magnitude are being considered and explored, King, 37, emphasised.

“My role as cricket coordinating officer involves deal-

ing with all cricketing aspects with regard to the teams before they arrive in the country: getting their visas sorted, liaising with the coaches, management teams, organising the pre-tournament encampment and making sure everything and all things are in place until the teams leave”, King, who took 53 wickets in 19 Test matches for WI, told Guyana Amazon Warriors Magazine