25th August 2013

National Steel Orchestra outplays Antigua

The Guyanese steel pan players of the National Steel Orchestra stole the performance at the Courtyard Marriott, Suriname at a playoff with Antigua and Bermuda Youth Orchestra Thursday evening.

According to head of the Music Development Unit, Andrew Tyndall, after Guyana’s steel orchestra participated in the CAFIFESTA Jazz Night, a challenge was issued by several countries including Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Bermuda; however, only Antigua turned up for last evening’s challenge.

The two bands met at the poolside of the Marriott where a crowd of listeners, including patrons of the hotel and the Guyanese CARIFESTA contingent, gathered for the session.

“We had no fears about it, we knew that we did our preparation and we

were ready for the task… and it was evident that it was cheese to chalk when you looked at Guyana’s performance and repertoire compared to the other bands that participated,” Tyndall said.

The Guyanese band played classical pieces, national and folk songs such as “Oh Beautiful Guyana”,

“Sanko Boy”, “Bamboo Fyah”, “Bangalie Baboo” and soca tunes including “Mr Fete”, “Baccanalist” and “The Vibes Can’t Done”.

Tyndall highlighted that participating in CARIFESTA XI was good for steel pan in general since the orchestra’s members will realise that there

are opportunities when playing the steel pan in the cultural industry, and they are also able to learn about different cultures.

During the playoff, the audience’s appreciation for the pan music was clear since there were constant cheers and loud applauses. There were also calls for “more, more,

more” and this lead to the pan players discarding their jackets and bringing on an explosive session of upbeat music.

Several of the patrons also joined in dancing, while those who were fa-

miliar with the tunes sang along.

The steel pan is one of the most popular musical instruments in the Caribbean, and it exudes sounds unique to the region.

52-year-old gets 48 months for indecent assault

Bhaliram Buchoon, 52, of Lima Village on the Essequibo Coast was charged for committing an act of gross indecency on a minor when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate's Court.

The machine operator allegedly committed the act on November 9, 2012. He was

sentenced to 48 months imprisonment.

Three witnesses testified for the prosecution and after sufficient grilling by state prosecutor Krishnadatt Ramana, Magistrate Scarce found Buchoon guilty of the act.

Buchoon was not in court and was sentenced in absentia.

Charity man jailed for break and enter and larceny

Allister Irwin Bess of Charity on the Essequibo Coast was sentence to 18 months imprisonment for break and enter and larceny when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

According to the police report, between May 31 to June 1, Bess allegedly broke into the stall

of Paulette Bowen at the Charity Market and stole four hard skirts valued $11,200, six jerseys valued $9000, two hard pants valued $5000, two gent's slippers valued $2000, two skirts valued $2000 and a quantity of beverage valued $10,000.

Three witnesses testified against him, and the court found him guilty of stealing the items.

Sattaur issues stern warning to vehicle smugglers

By: SaBatini DanielS

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur has issued a stern warning to persons smuggling vehicles from Suriname and Brazil into Guyana, saying it is only a matter of time before they are caught and placed before the courts.

In some instances, Guyanese would themselves purchase the vehicles in the neighbouring countries, fit them with false licence plates, and bring them to Guyana.

respectively.

Speaking with Guyana Times in a recent interview, Sattaur said the GRA has been working with the Brazilian and Surinamese authorities to arrest the illegal trade.

Guyana and Suriname, several years ago, in light of the thriving vehicle smuggling trade at their porous borders, met to strengthen collaboration to put an end to the lucrative business.

Reports

Recently, there were several reports of motorbikes being smuggled into the country through the Lethem route. Frequently, vehicles allowed across the border are later sold to Guyanese, who evade paying duty. According to reports, at least $1 million in duty is charged per vehicle.

Sattaur said continued emphasis is being placed on smuggled vehicles in the country through the Suriname and Lethem routes, noting that there has been a significant reduction in vehicles smuggled from Suriname to Guyana.

System

He credited the reduction to a system adopted by the two countries, which requires persons to report all vehicles leaving Suriname to that country’s authorities and upon arrival in Guyana, report to the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU).

“The mere fact that we have a system that can identify that these vehicles have not returned is an adequate deterrent to those who bring them,” he emphasised.

He explained that since every vehicle that comes into Guyana has a licence plate number, a driver and owner, which are all documented, this information is often used to trace and track the owners who commit the particular fraudulent act.

Sattaur was cognisant of the fact that persons often engage in nefarious activities to keep these vehicles here. “If a vehicle is to remain here, it will not have the same number plate it came with, the person would have fixed a Guyanese number plate on the vehicle, which is very difficult to detect at times,” he said.

The GRA commissioner general noted that vehicle owners are usually given a certificate granting their vehicles a three-week period in the country, adding that in some cases, persons who wish to stay longer request an additional week or two to have their vehicles in the country, and the GRA facilitates this.

Driver in accident hospitalised after beating from residents

The driver who was allegedly responsible for the death of Kenroy Reynolds is now a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital after he received a sound thrashing from irate residents of Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice.

Avenash Persaud, 31, of 246 Second Street, Hampshire Village, Corentyne, Berbice was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital in an unconscious state minutes after the fatal accident on Friday at the Number Five Village Public Road.

According to information received, the taxi driver received severe head injuries along with other injuries about the body. Up to

Saturday afternoon, this publication was unable to make contact with his relatives.

It was reported that the fatal accident occurred about 10:15h on the Number Five Public Road, West Coast Berbice, in which hire car HG 171 driven by Persaud hit down Reynolds.

Based on police investigations, it revealed that Persaud was heading in a western direction at a fast rate, while the pedestrian was standing at the corner of the road. It was alleged by the driver that as he got closer to the teenager, he (Reynolds) suddenly ran across the road. He attempted to stop the car, but due to the close poximity of the teen, he could not have

prevented the collision.

As a result of the collision, Reynolds reportedly received injuries and fell on roadway. He was subsequently picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to Fort Wellington Public hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

After the accident, Persaud was beaten by angry residents and then taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital in an unconscious condition where he was treated and admitted a patient.

The police are continuing their investigations. The motor car that was involved in the accident is at the Fort Wellington Police Station.

He disclosed that the GRA has been able to catch a few persons who engage in these illegal activities, warning others involved in the trade that they will be caught sooner or later. If a person is caught with an illegal vehicle, the vehicle will be confiscated and put up for public auction. Additionally, the culprit may have to pay a fine triple the worth of the vehicle.

Upsurge

Sattaur also said the GRA enforcement arm routinely conducts exercises in search of illegal vehicles. Recently, there was an upsurge of smuggling of motorbikes through the Lethem route from Brazil.

“With the recent problem, we have strengthened the arrangement that we have there… every day we have a report of what happens there and of the vehicles that comes and goes.”

In June, a minibus driver was arrested after police found in his vehicle two Honda motorbikes that were suspected to have been smuggled through Lethem.

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

The Guyana Defence Force

The army’s role as a key institution of the state, and indeed its sine qua non, predates the modern state system. In 1965, just before Guyana was to be granted independence, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was launched. It absorbed the colonial Volunteer Force and the newly formed Special Services Unit, and included several young officers that had been trained in England. One of those officers, Asad Isoof, recently passed away, while another, David Granger, is the present leader of the opposition.

The promotion of Colonel Mark Phillips to brigadier and his appointment as the country’s next army chief, succeeding Rear Admiral Gary Best, brings to the fore the question of the role of the army in 21st century Guyana. When the army was launched, its role was seen as a “modernising force” that would assist in transforming a tradition bound society. Then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, in fact, explicitly broadened the reach of the ethos of the army by forming a plethora of state organisations modelled on the GDF.

The Guyana National Service (GNS) was the prime exemplar of this thrust and was led by officers generally seconded from the GDF or (less infrequently) the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Its ranks consisted of youths from across the country – including students from the University of Guyana, and they were to be trained almost identically to the army. The aim was to instil “discipline” for the transformation of the society.

There was also a Guyana People’s Militia (GPM) that acted as a reserve GDF force. To emphasise their function, the organisations were lumped together as the “Disciplined Forces.” There were several civilian affiliates of the then ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) that also received military “disciplining” training.

The role and function of the disciplined forces were subsumed within the larger vision of the creation of a “cooperative republic” that was fundamentally socialist. Starting in 1989, however, then PNC leader Desmond Hoyte signed an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that in effect conceded the co-operative experiment had failed. The economy was reorganised along free enterprise lines as most of the previously nationalised “commanding heights of the economy” were privatised by the Hoyte regime and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government that succeeded it.

However, there was never an explicit deconstruction of the role of the disciplined forces and the reformulation of a new guiding vision. In 2003, a Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) was established to examine primarily the question of the ethnic composition of the forces but it took a more comprehensive approach and its 164 recommendations were quite far reaching.

Unfortunately the report became lost in the parliamentary approval process and, while it was subsequently approved, most of its recommendations, especially those of its composition, remain unimplemented. There were, however, several ad hoc initiatives, the most notable being the dissolution of the GNS and the GPM.

In the years since, there were sporadic calls for the reintroduction of the GNS to deal with problems manifested in the youth population. While the calls were couched in the language of “training” the youths and getting them off the streets, there is definitely an undercurrent of the old desire to “instil discipline” into them.

There were also persistent demands for “reform” of the GPF because of a number of the problems that became manifest. But while there were several studies conducted, until this year, there were no institutionalised programmes of change.

With the GDF, however, while the “cooperative socialist” innovations – such as officers swearing to the political leader of the country – have been jettisoned, the institution has been left to muddle along. This is unsettling for an organisation operating on “standard operating procedures”. This leads to confusion, as for instance, when the GDF was stationed in Buxton to deal with the bandits entrenched in that village.

We believe that it is also time that the role of the GDF be re-examined, reformulated and implemented.

Swimming should be encouraged

Dear Editor, Swimming has many benefits – it helps to build muscle without straining them, like running does. It is easy on joints and not likely to cause joint problems. It is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. It also keeps

your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body. Specifically on the medical side, there are also loads of positives. It builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. It helps maintain a healthy weight,

tones muscles and builds strength. It provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of the body’s muscles are used during swimming.

People need to get involved in swimming. I urge Guyanese take to swimming. Yes we need more

pools and I am hoping that this will be realised. We have creek visits aplenty and tourism is on the rise, and for both to really come off, safe and sound, swimming is a must.

Yours truly, Janice Hinds

No compromise in standards for food outlets

Dear Editor, I have visited local fast food outlets in many other countries and indeed those in Guyana need better conditions. Fast food joints in most countries operate with a generosity of waste that I doubt we will want to indulge in here.

Service is lacking here – the time factor is so nauseating. A long line at any top-notch fast food place is always moving. Here, it takes like forever to even place an order. Maybe, the system used now needs revamping. Whatever it is, I do know that slowness is the norm in placing and receiving a filled order.

I think that many other places must be inspected as well. Cultured service and strict hygiene are very necessary in this area. Food business calls for a lot and unless strict international codes and standards cannot be adhered to, then down with any one of them that violates.

Yours faithfully, Janice Hinds

Police can stop stolen items from being sold

Dear Editor, There are many illegal runnings in our streets and markets. This is why limers, pushers, peddlers and illegal vending must stop.

We have too many people crowding the place and the City Council must act to remove them. We just

do not know who is doing what. This kind of atmosphere is a threat to safety and comfort.

In any case of stolen property being bought, both the buyer and seller must be tagged. Many people have been complaining about illegal rings all over

the place – people sell for next to nothing many good items.

The police must move against this. They can even pose as buyers just to nab these people. I think that for too long we have been allowing hot stuff to go unnoticed.

It does not call for an Einstein to know that something is wrong, when a $120,000 piece of gadget can be had for a mere $25,000. The police should really get proactive here.

Sincerely yours, Colleen Walcott

Human trafficking must be treated seriously

Dear Editor, Trafficking in human beings for whatever purpose – sexual or labour exploitation – and the sexual exploitation of children, including child pornography, are despicable crimes affecting the most vulnerable citizens. We need strong actions against this crime. Within the European Union (EU), it is no different. The EU leaders are now enforcing new rules for tougher action against criminals responsible for child sexual abuse and trafficking, as well as better assistance for victims.

Our interior is very difficult to monitor and to curb any kind of crime against human beings is not easy. We are making some good progress so far, but we must go that next step quickly. If potential perpetrators have a fear of the seriousness of this trafficking thing, it may very well drive them to abort any association with it. This is the kind of culture we must establish. Again, there is the need for good people to inform on these crimes.

Respectfully, Carol Seepersaud

Prosecute all domestic violence cases

Dear Editor,

What happens if a man is charged with a domestic violence, but the wife/spouse/victim does not want to press any charges? Say the wife does not show up, does this mean that the charges should be dropped?

This is what seems to be happening on many occasions. I believe that if a crime has been committed, then the perpetrator must be sought out and be punished for it.

This pulling out by victims of violence and the court’s leniency add to an enhancing of domestic abuse, and mostly it affects women. Now, with this kind of attitude, who will be on the lookout for women who are being abused?

The opinion is quickly being established that if a female victim is serious, then she knows what do to. Let her fight her battle. I advocate that the court proceed with the case, even if the wife wants to drop the charges. Take the matter out of her hand. This may motivate more people to be on the lookout too.

We have had a bad time of domestic violence recently. We need to work closely with the police to make sure that all available evidence from all sources has been gathered and brought to the attention of our courts.

Sincerely, Fiona Francis

Education and gender-based violence

Dear Editor,

Females are at the receiving end of all kinds of lewd comments when they walk on the streets. It is like the established thing for males to do, hurling all kinds of dirty remarks at them.

The best that they can do is to ignore the males who make them. Someone should launch a campaign in this regard. If males cannot be decent, then they need to shut up. As a matter of fact, they need to be off the streets. It is time for females to stand up against this. They need to make reports to the police.

The ladies of Guyana

must feel comfortable on the streets. When young men and males on the whole gang up at street corners, they make life very uncomfortable for the females. These corner shops too prove very uncomfortable. Usually a group of males will be there, and I have personally objected to the way they offer rude remarks, when a female is making a purchase.

A project launched recently will focus on four main areas: personal development, leadership, life skills and employment, and I think that all four can be captured in one word, that is, education.

Education is free all the way through high school. To me, if people will only see how vital going through school is, then much of the violence will be eliminated. It will be shocking to get into the schooling background of the people who perpetrate and experience violence. Most of them forfeited school and hence frustration stepped in during very early adulthood. The obvious then is that violence results.

I repeat that the best form of empowerment is that of education, in any form too.

Yours truly, Sabina Edwards

The Linden-Lethem road must be completed

Dear Editor, Optimism must now be transferred to hard work. Guyana is extremely well positioned geographically and also it is naturally blessed with many things to create a gold rush scenario. I am sensing signs of this kind of eventuality, but we can hasten it with a few simple things.

This Linden-Lethem road is a must. As it is, the road is indeed a major stumbling block, hindering trade with extra regional partners. Roads are an integral part of the transport system of any country. A country’s road net-

work should be efficient, in order to maximise economic and social benefits. They play a significant role in achieving national development and contributing to the overall performance and social functioning of the community.

Roads enhance mobility, taking people out of isolation and therefore poverty. For any economy to develop, transport must start off first, which will later stimulate other sectors to develop in an orderly fashion.

We can take a look at the many new communities in Guyana. Those with the bet-

ter roads attract the more affluent and thus the better businesses. No wonder so many people complain when roads are not properly laid. In the U.S., the country’s road network allows for a thriving trucking industry. If Guyana can be inter and extra linked via good roads, then there will a boom in so many other areas. I hope that this project will be realised as soon as possible. It will make Guyana the metropolis that it really should be.

Respectfully yours,

Loaknauth Doobay

Contractors should compensate for bad work

Dear Editor, Many contractors give unsatisfactory performance and show total disregard for the convenience and safety of residents. The public works minister recently took action against two contractors in this regard recently. Hopefully, this will send a message to other contractors. Contractors have been taking things for granted for too long. They are insensitive and many times they leave

roads in very deplorable conditions. They know that people have to use these roads for a lifetime, yet they want to come in with heavily loaded trucks and wreck them, and just go off.

I call on the minister to do more inspections. When contractors do things like this, they make people totally angry and it is the government they end up blaming. So this must stop. They must be hauled in.

The next thing here too is that when people in the village are contributing to road destruction, the relevant authorities must be called in. Things like crossbars and uprights have been knocked over, all because some insensitive and unconcerned villager is refusing to abide by rules. We have to make some corrective moves here too.

Yours faithfully, Vibert Campbell

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

“Carpe Diem”. “Living in the moment”. They’re all phrases we hear almost every day urging us to ‘live life’. But it gets so easy to slip into the everyday monotony, our daily routines and never make time to try new things, to go after the things we really want in life. It’s so easy to just stay in bed and browse the Internet all day if you get some free time. But couldn’t you be doing something more worthwhile? Not necessarily work, but something exciting, something you’ve always wanted to do but you never had the time to actually do.

Do the things you want to do as soon as you get the chance. Also, the school holidays are almost up so any sane schoolchild should be doing their best to squeeze in as much fun as possible before they have to spend every weekday from 9 to 3 stuck at a desk.

But of course, saying that persons should seize the day doesn’t mean that we should be like these ridiculous YOLO’ers, who seem to think that an acro-

nym somehow justifies them doing things that could seriously harm them (and the

Seizing the day Development of the whole human being

– BOB MARLEY

people around them) – permanently.

It could mean that maybe you can finally try that hobby you’ve been planning to start for ages now. Go out, meet people, talk to people you might have never imagined you might talk to. Try some weird dish or fruit that you’ve always refused to try. Take your chances when you can. What’s that cliché?

phrase so much that it’s become a cliché. We tend to hesitate, some of us maybe a bit too much. Hesitation can help us censor what we’re about to say, not make rash choices.

But hesitation can also cost us, as we saw in the first CPL semi-final. Nicholas Pooran, on the ball that he got out to Permaul, clearly hesitated and was undecid-

ed about the shot he wanted to make, and it ended up costing him his wicket. And there are, of course, more everyday situations where you could be making the most of your circumstances, seeing as not all of us get the chance to be spectacularly bowled down by Malinga.

So don’t put things off, don’t procrastinate. Find something that inspires you and give it your 100 per cent – give it your all. Create memories and worthwhile experiences, instead of just putting things off for next week and then never getting around to it.

Don’t live life regretting not doing the things we wanted to do, regretting not setting goals for ourselves and then doing our best to achieve them. Don’t leave yourself with moments filled with regret over not speaking up for what’s important to you. Or regretting not being open with the people around us.

There’re opportunities everywhere, we just have to go for them and take a few chances. Live for the moment! Seize the day!

By eliciting the universal and timeless values of love, peace, truth, right conduct and non-violence, which bring together the profound moral insights of the world’s great enduring civilisations, Educare helps to create a universal and unchanging frame of reference to give one a stable sense of identity.

An understanding of this calls for a more in-depth consideration of the term “spirituality”. The term has increasing mention in the national curriculum of a number of countries, but seldom does it find expression in curricular substance or in teaching and learning resources. Spirituality is a process that guides one to self-knowledge or knowledge of self. This is the realisation of one’s relationship and bond with the Divine, the ultimate reality. Knowledge sees diversity in unity, while selfknowledge sees unity in diversity. Sociologists point out that the only way that all men may harmoniously relate themselves together, would be their common identification with the Divine.

An understanding of spirituality helps to understand the universal and eternal human values as they truly originate from this ultimate reality and absolute truth – by whatever name people in different cultures may relate to it.

This brings us to “Learning To Be”, one of the four pillars of education defined in the report of the International Commission. In the most inclusive sense, “To Be’ refers to developing the whole human being, or a balanced development of the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual domains to endow one with an integrated personality.

By combining spiritual education with secular education in an integral manner, Educare lays the foundation for developing an integrated personality. It has been referred to as the harmonious development of a sharp intellect endowed with fundamental discrimination; a kind confers the ability compassionate heart with love for all; and competent hands that serve selflessly. Such a person is the combination of nobility and ability.

The most important manifestation of this whole human being or an integrated personality is character, and that is the goal of Educare. The human values of love, truth, peace, right conduct, and non-violence provide the foundation for character. Character alone confers the ability to exercise objectivity and a sense of personal responsibility to attain common goals of the society. Information, knowledge and skills gained through secular education are important tools and are prerequisites for righteous action, but these become ineffective when the personality lacks character.

Through the inculcation of spiritual insight, Educare provides the foundation for a noble, able, and stable character, or the development of an integral personality, the whole human being. All positive educational goals become achievable when the end of education is viewed as the development of character.

Viewed in this context, by defining the relationship that binds individuals in a society, Educare may yet prove to be the best way for Learning to live Together” – the third pillar of learning referred to in the report of the Faure Commission (1972) – and a key challenge for education in the 21st century. Rather than focusing only on the narrow self-interest of interdependence and common risks and challenges, Educare can raise the mind and the spirit to see true unity in diversity from a perspective that transcends differences in cultures, ethnicity and belief systems.

The recent trend of including citizenship in curriculums of many countries is a case in point. It is now well recognised that education has an important role to play in equipping future citizens with a sense of civic responsibility and willingness to serve the society. However, introducing citizenship as an additional subject in the classroom by providing information and developing related skills could hardly be expected to inculcate among students the virtues of civic responsibility or service to society.

Clearly what is needed is not mere information but a change in attitude of the students from one of apathy and cynicism to respect for others and towards duty to society. Such a transformation has to begin with introspection, or by looking inwards and developing a true perspective of one’s own identity, one’s relationship with the world around, and finally with the ultimate reality. ISSE – WI For more info please call – (592) 2262924, (592) 696-7344, (592) 642-1615.

Early morning fire leaves five homeless at Number Five Village

Five persons are now homeless as an early morning fire destroyed a Number Five Village, West Berbice home on Saturday.

Homeless are Seretse George, 38, a miner and his wife Felicia George, 32, along with their three children.

According to reports, when the fire started, two of the children, aged six and 10 were on the premis-

es, while the eldest sibling, Naomi Martin, who is said to be 15, was at a nearby shop to buy bread.

Martin told Guyana Times that she was returning from the shop when a neighbour told her that the house was on fire.

“When she tell me that the house on fire, I look and I see smoke and I think that is somebody burning rubbish. I drop the bread and the money and run and

start to cry.”

One neighbour said she spotted the fire emanating from a bedroom in the upper flat of the house.

The two-story house had four-bedrooms, two each on the upper and lower flat.

George said October would have made it two years since he and his wife built the house after they got married. The miner said he was on his way to Georgetown when he got a call informing him that his house was on fire.

He said on his return home, the entire upper-flat had disappeared.

“There was no upstairs, it was all gone,” George said, noting that he lost four television sets, a washing machine, two suites, a glass table and a computer, among other household items.

According to his wife, Felicia, her money was reduced to ashes in the blaze.

“I did done buy all them children school clothes already, everything for them.” However, the couple were unable to estimate their loses. The woman operates a business from her home.

Meanwhile, George said he had no insurance and was planning to insure the building as soon as he had completed painting the interior of the lower-flat.

Eyewitnesses say firefighters arrived after the entire upper flat was burnt and encountered some difficulty getting to the scene of the fire as repairs were being done on the Bath Settlement Road.

Calistro wins Region Two Amerindian pageant

Stunning beautiful 19-year-old Danielle Calistro was on Saturday night crowned Region Two, Miss Amerindian 2013 before hundreds at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

Calistro stole the hearts of the judges when she intelligently answered the final question: “Teenage pregnancy is prevalent in today’s society, what factors contribute to this problem and how as a queen you will alleviate such?”

Calistro, decked in traditional wear, said she will first educate her community by holding mini-seminars and spreading awareness about teenage pregnancy. After answering the question, she smiled and confi-

dently returned with her fellow contestants.

The first runner-up was Miss Capoey Anassa Henericks while second runner-up was Miss Betany Onika Marslow.

Miss Mashabo Delanie Paton won the Best Smile Prize, Danielle Calistro the prize for Best Talent while Eunissa Lewis walked away with the prize for Best Amerindian Wear.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said the pageant is hosted with the aim of selecting an Amerindian queen to represent Essequibo at the national level, noting that the person selected will also grace all upcoming Amerindian Heritage celebrations in September.

Speaking on develop-

ments in the Amerindian communities, the regional chairman said there have been tremendous changes over the years, notably in the areas of infrastructure development and health.

Persaud noted that today, there are several resident doctors serving in Amerindian communities and students are given scholarships to further their studies in the field of medicine.

The pageant was held under the theme “Honouring our stories, advancing our future”. Pageant Coordinator Yvette Tafares Hastings said the event seeks to boost the confidence of young Amerindian girls. “The pageant gives the young girls an opportunity to build confidence in their self as well as expose persons from the various communities on the rich Amerindian culture.” The show featured an introduction, talent, evening gown, Amerindian wear and question and answer segments. The girls were attired in traditional outfits, richly designed with materials from the forest. They spoke on alcohol abuse, environmental health, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, child labour and child abuse.

The newly-crowned Region Two Miss Amerindian 2013 is expected to represent Region Two at the National Amerindian Pageant slated for September 29 at the National Culture Centre. Calistro, an aspiring cosmetologist replaces Ahide Pearson, who took the crown in 2011.

Anna Regina stages first town day

The Anna Regina Town Council’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) in collaboration with the Region Two administration, and the business community on Friday kicked off the first Anna Regina Town Day.

The three-day event, which is being held under the theme “Fostering our community relationship, promoting our cultural history”, coincides with the 23rd anniversary of Anna Regina’s township.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who spoke on behalf of President Donald Ramotar, stated that the event is timely and significant as the region is in the process of development.

During his address to those gathered at the launch, which was held on the lawns of the Anna Regina Town Hall, Prime Minister Hinds charged that even as they celebrate, they must reflect on the improvements that have occurred over the last two decades in the region.

He then reiterated the need for togetherness to further advance the country. “We are in the early days of development, we have done much, and there is still more to be done… the job of building our country is ours, we have to

build this land,” he urged.

The developments in Anna Regina and Region Two as a whole are testimony that things are happening in the best interest of the people, he stated. “Growth and development brings challenges,” he said, as he alluded to the challenges faced by the government to make cheaper energy available to all Guyanese.

Much to celebrate

The region has much more to celebrate this year, and more especially, the township as they managed to top the country at the Caribbean Secondary School Examinations (CSEC) for two

consecutive years. This year, Zimeena Azealia Rasheed secured passes in 20 subjects, 18 grade ones and two grade twos, while Yogeeta Persaud copped the second position with 18 grade ones. Both of them are from the Anna Regina Secondary School. Last year, Abram Zuil Secondary’s Sarah Hack copped the Caribbean’s top CSEC spot with 16 grade ones.

Prime Minister Hinds congratulated the top performers and urged them to give back even as they move on. He also commended the teachers, the parents and the regional administration for the work they have been doing in the edu-

cation sector, and urged that they strive to further improve the performance.

Junior Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker said the event is an example of what the region can achieve once its people can work together.

Minister Whittaker congratulated the team whose members have worked hard to coordinate the programme.

“We need to reflect on what is expected out of this event,” Minister Whittaker said. He stressed that the people should use events such as this, not just to a showcase what they have to offer, but also their achievements and to provide opportunities for further investments.

Tourism

The region has over 20 historical sites, and Minister Whittaker added that the regional administration should seek ways in which they use those sites to create employment and encourage tourism.

Meanwhile, junior Agriculture Minister Ally Baksh, who hails from Essequibo, said the region has come a long way in terms of development as he offered a brief history on Anna Regina since it became a town in August 1990.

Minister Baksh highlighted agriculture as one area that has seen significant developments, and urged the people to know their history, know where they came from and where they are.

Regional Chairman Parmanand Persaud also reiterated the need for togetherness to further the region’s advancement.

“Education is a hallmark for the regional administration,” Persaud said, as he applauded the efforts of the relevant authorities for monitoring all aspects of the education sector, thus, making the region successful.

Persaud promised that the regional administration will continue to assist and make representation at the national level to further move forward the region’s health, education, security, water, electricity and infrastructure.

The event will feature activities such as a cultural show, a street lime, an exhibition, Anna Regina Town Queen Pageant, street football, domino competitions, and interaction with the public on development of the township, visits to historical sites and a social evening.

Won’t give up...

...on Clement Rohee

When you’re being constantly picked on, you either have a breakdown or you could become so tough that the brickbats and slingshots don’t matter. They’re of no effect. You’ve become tougher. In the case of Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, the constant attacks have certainly made him tougher. Now that the man’s been chosen to become the general secretary (GS) of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the critics are going to be pouring out of the woodwork.

Some so-called insiders are already clamouring for him to step down from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), drawing on the example of President Donald Ramotar. Well, right up front we can say – the presidency is a tad more taxing than the MOHA, don’t you think?? But I tell you what: I think Rohee should stay right where he is. We all know of the vicious campaign the opposition’s been waging to have him out of MOHA. For him to step down would send a wrong signal.

It’ll assure the opposition that their “get Rohee” campaign – with the “no-confidence motion” in Parliament to the attempted frame-up in the Linden Commision of Inquiry (CoI) – has been successful. To stand against this kind of nonsense goes with the defence of the very essence of cabinet governance. A minister can only be removed by the president. If the president thinks Rohee can’t or shouldn’t be handling those two portfolios, then the decision is his. Not the opposition’s. The courts have reaffirmed this decision and we can’t be undermining the courts.

There’s no question that Rohee has assumed the GS position at a very key point in the PPP/C’s history: both the founders who nurtured him and others are gone. Inevitably, then, the GS’s position has to evolve to deal with present contingencies. One obvious change is that the position can become more collegial – the incumbent can be assisted to a greater extent by other members of the executive committee (Ex-Co) and central committee (CC).

There’s been the election of some new blood to the Ex-Co and the CC and what better way than to “blood them” with new responsibilities?? On the other side of the coin, the MOHA needs continuity at this stage with the strategic plan being implemented for its transformation from a “police force” to a “police service”. The security sector is a key concern of the same constituency that Rohee will be mobilising under his GS hat.

This is not an inconsequential confluence of responsibility and authority.

...on Amaila

While the Alliance For Change (AFC) leadership in the form of Khemraj Ramjattan is trying to take his feet from its mouth on the Amaila Falls hydro project, his camp followers still spout the party line. The “know nothing”, retrograde party line. M Maxwell, the compulsive letter-writer, is a typical example. He googles the web and declares that “overnight capital costs for hydropower projects in the U.S. is US$2.94 million per megawatt (MW)”. “Overnight” costs are pretty much all the physical costs.

And then he asks archly, “If America can build hydropower projects at US$2.16 million per MW lower than Guyana and American companies can make a profit doing so, why should a dirt poor, godforsaken, trampled, struggling country like Guyana pay US$5.1 for hydropower?” Can you believe such asininity??

Even on the physical costs, where’s Maxwell living not to know that all the equipment, among other items, originate in the developed countries and are cheaper there?? But most importantly are the financial costs. Americans wouldn’t have to pay the US$55 million for “political risks” that we have to because of the opposition’s antics. Ditto on high interests costs. And we can go on about our inaccessible terrain and so on. But what’s the point? They don’t want development in Guyana: that will cook their goose.

...on prognostication

As your Eyewitness predicted, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will face the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) final. And will be victorious. Hail the champion Warriors!!

Modernisation of police force moving apace

As reforms with the security sector continue to move apace, the Strategic Management Department (SMD), which was established in May, has been working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Thus far, the SMD has undertaken several strategic change initiatives in line with its mandate of providing critical support to the force’s institutional modernisation programme. The force on the other hand, has already begun to see initial impacts of the change development programmes.

A release from the GPF stated that since commencing operations, the SMD has conducted several baseline projects aimed at determining the current conditions in the force, especially regarding its comprehensive management.

Studies were conducted, including a baseline survey, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analyses, communication audit, and a force field analysis. The reports of these activities were submitted to the force’s administration for ratification and further action.

Several presentations were made by members of the SMD to executive and middle managers of the force on featured topics such as understanding strategic management, middle management challenges and the importance

of communicating change in an organisation.

During May, the SMD embarked on a rigorous baseline survey specifically targeting probationers (members in the force for about three to five years). Issues regarding improved salary and physical working conditions, along with some general improvements in welfare were key revelations emanating from that baseline survey.

Strategic documents

The SMD continued to work throughout June, July and August, drafting several strategic documents for review and further implementation by the GPF, particularly in relation to the issue of transportation. To this end, an activity evaluation was completed which informed the formulation of a draft vehicle acquisition strategy.

The release stated that as the SMD continues to push ahead with its work, it anticipates the establishment and subsequent engagements with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) for which the GPF is responsible.

Critical to moving forward with this change process is the completion and submission of action plans related to the five strategic priority areas: operational priorities, developing people, developing partnerships and performance and infrastructure.

The SMD comprises a high-level team of 10 civilian professionals tasked with overseeing the implementation of the force’s strategic plan.

This body is headed by Patrick Mentore and includes Rosanne Purnwasie (team leader), Mona Bynoe (strategic planning officer), Kenneth Bentinck (project coordinator), Hermanetta Andrews (monitoring and evaluation coordinator), Enid Thom-Alleyne (risk management officer), Richard Francois (change communication officer), Trovana Azeez (change facilitation officer), Shameza David (research officer) and Ian James (analyst).

The security sector is in the process of implementing a massive five-year (2013-2017) reform strategy to keep up with the changing trends of a modern society and to ensure more effective functioning of law enforcement agencies. This reform strategy was launched by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee in December 2012.

Implementation of the plan, which was crafted by the UK based CapitaSymonds Consultancy, will cost approximately $35 million annually. It focuses on four specific, but critical areas in the force, namely: administration, succession planning, integrity/probity (professionalism) and public relations and communication.

Guyanese-Canadian awarded for community service

NSookram was highly praised by his nominator and supporters for many years of assistance to newcomers to Canada and for his longstanding cultural leadership within the CanadianCaribbean community.

For 10 years, Narine has organised and hosted an annual concert “Caribbean Dreams”, to showcase new and upcoming talent and to promote pride in youths growing up within the CanadianCaribbean community.

Some of these new talents have since gone on to perform professionally; all have gained from Narine’s efforts to celebrate diversity and to break down barriers between people from all walks of life. These annual concerts have also attracted participants

from elsewhere in Canada and the U.S.

In addition to his very hands-on efforts in organising every aspect of “Caribbean Dreams” concerts, Sookram has showcased many young, local talents through his weekly radio show, “Caribbean Spice” on 100.3 Sound FM Radio, Radio Waterloo. He has hosted this community radio show for many years, to share West Indian and local Caribbean music and culture with listeners.

He has also promoted many grassroots community initiatives or events onair. Performers, listeners and even local businesses have gained from Sookram’s personal efforts to bring everyone together in supporting each other.

Sookram devotes count-

less hours of his time to teaching English as a second language to newcomers, helping them with homework or with having their certifications evaluated by Canadian standards.

His generous voluntary efforts have assisted others to obtain or to keep employment in a challenging economy, in turn allowing those individuals to support themselves and their families and to feel welcome within their new community. Sookram’s volunteer work stretches back to his youth in Guyana, where he created a youth group at age 14, to enable Guyanese youth to learn and grow in supporting their community.

Charity He continues his volunteer involvement with Guyana today, as the founder of Active Vision Charity Association, which provides books and school supplies to Guyanese youths.

Sookram has been an outstanding role model to newcomers to Canada and his community. He is a very deserving recipient of the Waterloo Award.

The Waterloo Award is the city of Waterloo’s highest civic honour and is given to someone with considerable difference in Waterloo, and possibly beyond, without thought of personal or financial gain.

Waterloo Award recipients receive an artist-crafted pin and recognition from the mayor at a televised city council meeting in the fall. Their names are inscribed on plaques that hang in council chambers as a lasting recognition of their contributions.

Guyanese scholar an inspiration in Canada

Like all young boys,

Vishal Singh aimed to have a cool job when he got older, such as a firefighter or a jet pilot. Maybe both. Growing up in the South American nation of Guyana was certainly no impediment to dreaming big.

But parental pressure being what it is, Singh was compelled to think more practically, so it was computer science that he “fell into” to appease his mother and father. Thanks to hard work, he had the opportunity to study at Queen’s College in Georgetown, considered one of the country’s best schools, followed by two years of computer science at the University of Guyana.

Careers in Guyana

“There was a narrow selection of careers in Guyana, however, which meant computer science jobs were saturated with candidates,” Singh pointed out. At the same time, the political situation in the country had become very tense, prompting the family to emigrate.

“Dad’s side has lots of relatives in Toronto, so that’s where we went,” said

Singh. As teachers, both his parents qualified for selfsponsorship in Canada; their skills gave them enough points for permanent residency. The family landed in Toronto in 2006.

“Despite the fact it was spring and the locals were wearing short sleeves, we put on our winter clothing. It was cold!” Singh said with a smile.

Beyond adapting to the weather, Singh’s parents had to adjust to Canada’s sometimes unkind labour market. The last thing the local economy needed, it seemed, was more teachers. His father found a fac-

tory job to make ends meet, while his mother worked as a cashier. It is not an uncommon story for many new immigrants.

No easy life

“The move was very hard for our parents,” said Singh. “They had to give up every penny they had for the sake of their two boys.” The comfortable nest egg they had built back home evaporated quickly. “The currency exchange destroyed their savings,” he noted.

Singh began looking for a school in Toronto where he could resume his education in computer studies. He chose Centennial College partly for its reputation, and partly due to the fact the college was familiar with foreign education credentials.

“I enrolled in the computer engineering technology programme because Centennial recognised some of my course credits from the University of Guyana.” He found the practical college courses informative and interesting, but sees the benefits of having a university education, too.

“Both college and university are very effective at teaching, but in different ways. University emphasises theoretical knowledge, while college teaching is done in labs with the technology in your hands. The practical college approach is a little more fun,” he admitted.

As part of his programme’s co-op education work term, Singh went to Sears Canada to perform vulnerability assessments on the retailer’s servers to analyse its network security risks. The work was challenging, which required him to learn quickly on the job.

With some excellent work experience under his

belt, Singh returned to Centennial to pursue a degree in software systems design – one of the first degree programmes offered by an Ontario college. He graduated with a grade point average of 4.037, the third highest GPA in the programme’s history.

Software designer to teacher

It was while Singh was still studying at Centennial that he became aware of a new bachelor’s of education in technological education programme offered by York University. Because of the college’s affiliation with York, he was eligible to enter the programme seamlessly. The idea of being a teacher, like his parents, intrigued him.

“There are not a lot of teachers who are technologically savvy at the high school level,” said Singh. Despite the surplus of new teachers who cannot find work today, it is anticipated there will be a shortage of technology teachers in many school boards.

“The pay scale for a software engineer is much higher than that of a high school teacher. But the connection you make with students is far more rewarding,” said Singh. The programme put him in front of grade 10, 11 and 12 students to teach, and he is encouraged by the feedback he has received from students and fellow teachers.

Singh also volunteers to tutor high school students in mathematics, English, computer science, biology and physics at Pathways to Education, a programme for youths from low-income families. Not surprisingly, many of the new immigrants in the programme took an instant liking to Singh, whose journey from Guyana parallels their own.

Singh credits Centennial for putting him squarely on his path to success. Professors such as Nina Jagaric and Ilia Nika provided him with plenty of guidance and insight early on, showing him that a college education opens doors to other opportunities, be it working at a national information technology centre, earning a degree or transferring into a major university.

Not my fault, man

Satiricus was a relieved man. Here it was, he’d been teased his entire life for not being the brightest bulb around. Satiricus had accepted it as his lot...he just didn’t have what it took to be a high-flyer in the brains department. If the truth be told, his grades at his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) back in the day was quite a way from being even dubbed average. He’d always felt badly about all those Grade Threes on his slip. But now he found out his poor performance had nothing to do with his brains or his effort or lack thereof. Nothing to do with the fact that he’d preferred to sit on the benches in the cinema than the benches in school. Nothing to do with his preference to reading spy novels than his English textbooks. The less said about mathematics, the better. It all had to do, according to the opposition leader GrainJa, with “educational apartheid”. That explained it all!!! It had never really been his fault. He was a victim of the nefarious forces in society that had discriminated against him and his “kind”. They were ghetto-ised by the apartheid government that had different standards for different people. He’s always suspected there was something fishy that his friend Hari, had gotten all those Grade Ones. After all, Hari was the same fella who sat next to him at the cinema...his eyes glazed over when he had to add “2+2”...and his highest literary accomplishment was reading comics.

Hari must have been a beneficiary of the apartheid system. But now Satiricus was confused. How exactly did he and Hari end up on opposite sides of the apartheid divide? Satiricus thought deeply. Not exactly an easy task for him. Then suddenly it dawned on him. Hari had six toes on each foot and he only had five. The government was giving preferences to six-toed people!!

Now Satiricus was really teed off. Hari had never told him about the benefits he’d gotten from his having six toes. The sly dog!! He was never going to speak to Hari again. But that wasn’t enough. He knew what he was going to do. He’d get in touch with GrainJa and suggest that these beneficiaries of educational apartheid be exposed.

The first thing Satiricus was going to do was suggest that no one wear socks or shoes. At best they could wear sandals or slippers. This way everyone would know who had five toes and who had six. Satiricus was very excited about this. But just then his youngest son bounced into his room. Satiricus saw he had six toes.

What was he to do??

Projecting climate change

We have learnt that changes in climate have occurred and these have been mainly linked to high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Scientific studies such as the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007 (IPCC FAR) indicate that continued GHG emissions at or above current rates, would cause further warming which could lead to catastrophic changes for the Earth.

To understand how these changes will affect us in the future, climate change scientists use computer-based climate models to generate projections of future climate scenarios for coming centuries. Projections of future climate change are generated using Atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs), which are founded on accepted physical principles and can project aspects of climate, such as temperature and rainfall, for several decades or more into the future. AOGCMs can give different projections of future climate depending on which Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) scenario is used.

more intense tropical cyclones.

Precipitation is projected to increase in many parts of the world and this can lead to an increased risk of flooding in many areas.

Temperature increases are likely to cause major changes in ecosystem structure and function, and could place

20 to 30 per cent of plant and animal species at increased risk of extinction. Changes in temperature and rainfall will have a damaging effect and terrestrial ecosystems, such as forests and savannahs. Climate change is also projected to greatly reduce water resources.

threaten or destroy coastal structures; raise water tables and increase the salinity of rivers and aquifers.

Some effects of climate change, such as changes in rainfall, temperature patterns, and sea level rise, will potentially result in a number of changed health outcomes.

All the changes projected may translate into ecosystems disruptions, floods, landslides, storm surges and droughts, among other impacts. These threats will impose severe social and economic constraints to Guyana and would need to be addressed with effective adaptation measures.

With 90 per cent of the population and 75 per cent of the main economic activities concentrated on the low-lying coast, Guyana is particularly vulnerable to negative effects of climate change on its economy, human livelihoods and ecosystems. As noted in the precious article, Guyana is already suffering greatly from changes in climate.

In the Newweek, the IPCC will release its Fifth Assessment Report which is expected to provide updated projections for climate change.

In order to avert the potential disaster that climate change poses to the world in general and developing

Projected climate changes for the world

The IPCC SRES developed a set of climate change scenarios that show various combinations of demographic, economic and technological driving forces could affect future GHG emissions. The various emissions projections under different SRES scenarios are widely used in the assessments of future climate change.

The IPCC projects that the increase in global temperature by the end of this century is likely to be in the range of 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Celsius, depending on which SRES scenario is used.

The projected effects of global warming include sea level rise (in the range of about 0.2 to 0.6 metres above 1990 levels by the end of the century), which will threaten low-lying coastal areas, especially small islands and coastal cities, and melting glaciers, which will increase the risk of flooding. Other effects include the contraction of snow cover, permafrost and sea ice, increased frequency of heatwaves, and

Declining crop yields due to higher temperatures will threaten food security and worsen malnutrition and starvation in many parts of the developing world, especially Africa. Human health would also be at risk due to an increase in vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and an increase in deaths due to heat stress as well as extreme cold in higher latitudes is predicted.

Projected climate changes for Guyana

In Guyana, studies project that by the end of this century, temperatures can increase by up to four degrees Celsius, weather patterns will become more extreme and sea level is projected to rise to as much as two feet.

Many sectors of the country will be affected negatively. The agriculture sector, for example, is very likely be negatively affected by climate change through decreasing yields caused by greater drought like conditions mainly.

Sea level rise will inundate wetlands and lowlands; accelerate coastal erosion; exacerbate coastal flooding;

countries in particular, a concerted international effort is required, with leadership and cooperation from developed and developing countries alike. Guyana has taken significant efforts to address climate change

In next week’s article, we will discuss approaches to addressing climate change globally and in Guyana.

Information used in this feature was extracted from the following reports: The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007 (IPCC FAR), Guyana’s Second National Communication (SNC) in Response to its Commitments to the UNFCCC (2012) and The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review (2007)

This article was prepared by the Office of Climate Change. For additional information, please contact the Office of Climate Change, Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown on telephone number 2235205 or via email at info@lcds.gov.gy , web site: www.lcds.gov.gy

Conundrums and conflicts

By MohaBir anil nandlall Part ii

The establishment in Guyana of a Specialty Hospital of the kind conceived to be constructed at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, in the ordinary course of things, cannot be opposed by a sane mind. Expectedly, there was no known objection emanating from the Alliance For Change (AFC), initially. However, the objections to and criticisms of the project came in an avalanche when Fedders Lloyd Inc was disqualified from the bidding process as a non-compliant bidder. The criticisms came largely from the AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan. Not surprisingly, it became public knowledge subsequently that Fedders Lloyd Inc is his client. Again no one in the AFC sees the conflict. At least they have said nothing publicly about it.

Cathy and consultancy

It is now public knowledge that Cathy Hughes, an executive member and Member of Parliament for the AFC, owns a public relations company. This company was retained by the Sithe Global Group to do public relations work when the Amaila Falls Hydro Project received its first bout of criticisms. The chief critic again was her party, the AFC. I disclosed this conflict of interest situation publicly on two occasions. Both times, I received letters, from Nigel Hughes, her husband, chairman of the AFC and company secretary for Amaila Hydro Electric Project Inc (AHEPI) demanding a retraction. I ignored both. It is obvious that the rank incest which contaminates these associations is oblivious to the AFC.

Hughes and hydro I have no doubt that the disclosure that Nigel Hughes functioned simultaneously as chairman for the AFC and the company secretary for Amaila Hydro Electric Project Inc is a shock from which many have not yet recovered. His decision to resign from the party rather than the company must have bewildered his supporters more than anything else. The fact that his leader disclaims knowledge of his dual role

speaks volumes. To whom did he make his alleged disclosure that he is the company secretary for Amaila Hydro Electric Project Inc when his leader is unaware, is indeed a million dollar question. Certainly, the disclosure was not made public and only that could have possibly dissipated the impregnable conflict of interest which he eventually admitted. Alas, this public disclosure is almost four years late.

A foreman’s furor

Those who are still recovering from the Amaila Hydro Electric Project Inc conflict of interest debacle were dealt another blow when it was disclosed that Nigel Hughes had a lawyer/client relationship which lasted some six years with the foreman of the jury in the just concluded Lusignan Massacre murder trial. In this case, the judge embarked upon an exceptional procedure and specifically enquired from each juror, in the presence of all the lawyers, whether they had any relationship of any kind with any of the lawyers. The disclosure of this previous lawyer/client relationship came from neither the juror nor the lawyer.

The information about this relationship became public only after the trial. The juror has since admitted the relationship and was banned for life from ever serving on a jury. No such admission has come from Hughes. The case lasted six years. All the court documents were signed by the same lawyer. Only that lawyer appeared at the trial of the case. I draw no inference. I leave that to you.

Suspected murderer commits suicide

Richard Lord, 26, formerly of Wales, West Bank Demerara, who allegedly hacked his two children to death at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo earlier this month was on Saturday discovered hanging in a clump of bushes on the Zeelugt foreshore. His body was decomposed.

Police on August 6 issued a wanted bulletin for Lord who reportedly hacked his two children, Kimberly Houston, five, and Ahmad Lord, two, to death and left his reputed wife Nazalena Houston, 26, hospitalised, nursing several chop wounds. The woman is currently in protective custody of the Human Services and Social Security after she said she is fearful for her life.

On the night of the chopping incident, the two children were rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital and were pronounced dead on arrival, while the mother was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted.

According to reports, the incident stemmed from an argument between the man and his reputed wife, whom he accused of having an affair.

Man allegedly steals US$2000, replaces with counterfeit

Aman is in police custody after he allegedly stole US$2000 from a friend with whom he shared a house for the past six years at Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice.

Chononman Vadri, 27, of Lot 87, First Street Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice, allegedly stole the money from the businessman Harrinarine Singh between August 1 and August 23, and replaced it with counterfeit.

According to information received, on Friday, Singh reportedly went to collect the money which was in an envelope in his bedroom to pay for goods he ordered, but upon counting the money, he realised something was amiss.

The businessman reportedly told investigators that when he felt the money, he instantly knew they were false notes. He immediately contacted the police who launched an investiga-

tion which led to the arrest of Vadri.

During investigations, the suspect reportedly told investigators that someone had given him the money to facilitate the exchange, but did not divulge the name of the individual.

As police continue their investigations, the suspect is expected to be charged as soon as Monday with possession of counterfeit currency and simple larceny.

Moray House screens “Seawall” on Tuesday

“TPersons in proximity recalled hearing screams and when they went to the couple’s house, they found the woman and her two children covered in blood. They were picked up and rushed to the medical institution. Immediately after the incident, the suspect fled the scene.

During the argument, Lord became angry, picked up a cutlass and reportedly dealt the woman and children several blows about their bodies.

he Seawall”, a film by Guyanese-born, award-winning filmmaker Mason Richards will be screened at Moray House, Camp and Quamina streets, Georgetown on Tuesday.

Seawall is a narrative short film shot entirely on location in Georgetown and centres around

Marjorie, a Guyanese woman, as she prepares for her 10-yearold grandson’s move to America to be with his mother.

Struggling with loneness, abandonment, audiences watch as Marjorie sacrifices her happiness for her grandson’s future. The cast and crew consist of local Guyanese non-actors, non-professionals and students working alongside Mason and his crew from Los Angeles. The film offers a rare glimpse into the day-to-day lives of a Guyanese and stunning captures how emigration affects those left behind. The show begins at 19:00h.

Labourer murdered in Parfait Harmonie CANU seizes over 70kg of cocaine thus far

Residents of Parfait Harmonie woke up on Saturday morning to find the semi-nude battered body of a labourer in a pool of water on the access road. The discovery was made about 06:00h.

The dead man was identified as Robert Manna, 55, a father of two of 3957 Westminster, Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. His head had a gaping wound and he was face-down in the pool of water.

According to information received, a man whose name was given as “Ramesh” has since been taken into police custody assisting with investigations. Guyana Times understands that Manna’s body was found in front of the suspect’s home.

A number of bloodstains were also discovered in the suspect’s house and yard. Crime scene experts have taken samples of the blood as evidence. However, no murder weapon was found. Manna’s body was taken to the Ezekiel’s Funeral Home for a post-mortem examination.

Phillip Baburam, a brother of the dead man told Guyana Times that he last saw his brother on Friday evening about 21:00h when he left their home.

He said they were taking a few drinks and watching cricket when Manna informed him that he was going out for a few minutes.

The flustered brother stated that he persuaded him not to go since he was already highly intoxicat-

ed, but this was in vain. Upon leaving, Baburam reminded him that they have to work early on Saturday morning. He added that it does not matter how late its gets, his brother would return home.

“He tell me nah tek worries… he go come back in time… At about 06:00h this morning (Saturday), a friend come to meh house and tell me that meh brother deh in a pool of water on the road and he dead,” Baburam cried.

He said without hesitation, he rushed to the scene where he saw blood oozing from his brother’s head, which had “big cut”, while his face was in the water and his pants were half way down. “I tek a shirt and cover he… and then I start call out to people in the area,” he said.

The man further disclosed that a friend lives a few feet away from the spot where his brother was found, and he thought that he might have heard some commotion during the night. The distressed man stated that as he walked into the friends’ yard, he recognised blood on the concrete pathway and as he entered the lower-flat of the house, he saw another set of bloodstains. This, he noted, made him suspicious.

The aggrieved brother added that by then, the police came and took him into custody. He described his brother as someone who never hurt anyone. The man leaves to mourn his two children and three siblings.

The Custom Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) with a small staff of only 28 has been working against all odds to create a dent in the drug trade, seizing some 70 kilogrammes of cocaine and close to three kilogrammes of cannabis thus far in the year.

These seizures were made during routine checks at Guyana’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; house raids and in some cases in mails being posted via the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).

However, in light of the recent bust in The Dominican Republic, CANU officials are holding out that they are not to be blamed for the drugs in the rice shipment passing through the Guyana National Shipping Corporation Wharf, noting that they were removed from the facility two years ago.

Guyana Times understands CANU ranks cannot visit the facility unless approval is given by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khrushid Sattaur, or when they are called in to assist with investigations when there is a drug discovery.

On this note, information reaching this publication re-

vealed that the main reason for the 69 kilogrammes of cocaine leaving Guyana is as result of the non-functioning scanner that was installed at the facility. In addition, it was disclosed that the scanner was down for more than seven months, resulting in a team including Commissioner General Sattaur travelling to China to procure another one.

This publication further understands that the first scanner which was installed could not have scanned a filled container and the goods most times had to be physically checked. The scanner reportedly worked for seven months and encountered problems.

Although the GRA knew that they were going to procure another scanner, they have not consulted the Police Narcotic Branch or CANU for their inputs. “What we need is a scanner that will be able to scan containers that are packed, not one that can only scan empty containers,” an official stated, adding “These are some challenges that need to be corrected before we can really monitor and intercept cocaine when they are shipped overseas.”

The CANU official also divulged that the drug had to be inserted in the rice before it

left Guyana, noting that it is highly impossible for it to be loaded onto the container.

Sattaur recently stated that the GRA was forced to review its operational procedures not only to prevent drugs smuggling, but to assure some level of security in the system.

Speaking with this publication on Friday, the GRA boss stated that from all indications, the normal procedures were followed which meant that when the vessel was loaded, members of the Drug Enforcement Unit were present at the wharf and conducted normal examinations.

He said large amounts of paddy and rice leave Guyana at any given time and it would be virtually impractical for the GRA to be involved in every stage of the process. “We use what is called a risk-profiling that determines which exporters are high-risk, which further tells who should be put under greater scrutiny and ultimately whose shipment should be put through a thorough investigation.”

According to reports, rice shipments that are a part of the PetroCaribe deal are not usually subjected to scans because of an agreement.

mArch 11, 2010 |

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

You’ve got Lady Luck in your corner. Money will come to you unexpectedly. A project you want to pursue will be possible. An interesting way to boost your income will develop.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(Feb.20March 20)

Make your mind up based on what others think. Relationships look promising, and the fruits of some will help you reach goals that may not have been attainable on your own. Socialise with people who can bring ideas and solutions to the table. Big plans can be made and high returns expected. Your hard work, dedication and creative imagination will be recognised by the people who count.

(March 21-April 19)

Re-evaluate your current position in a work or family situation. Look at any opportunity even if it takes you from one geographical location to another. Follow your heart and your dreams.

(April 20May 20)

An emotional event will bring out the best in you. Appreciate time spent with the people in your life who bring you the most joy. Live, laugh and be merry.

(May 21June 20)

Do your best to bring about reform in your immediate environment or larger community. People less able to take a stance will appreciate your tenacity.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

An unexpected change is likely to alter your plans. Be mindful of others, but don’t forgo something you want to do. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

(July 23Aug. 22)

Work on your situation at home. Whether you make physical, emotional or financial changes, you and yours will end up feeling satisfied and happy with the results.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Express your feelings and you will find out where you stand and what it will take to secure a bright future. Don’t try to buy love; earn it.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Update your look and take measures to improve your health and physical appearance through exercise and diet. The changes you make will lead to new beginnings. Love is in the stars.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Discipline will pay off in the workplace. Jump into opportunities that will allow you to meet new people and learn new skills. Broadening your perspective will bring about valuable personal changes. Expect opposition or problems while traveling today. Stick close to home and make the changes you’ve been contemplating that will lead to a happier domestic situation. A personal relationship will take a major shift.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

YELLOW PAGES

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Child remains hospitalised after NA accident

Nine-year-old Sunil Bharrat of Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, who was struck down by a motorcyclist on Monday last remains in serious condition.

Bharrat is suffering from a fractured neck and is a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Hemwattie Bharrat, the mother of the injured lad disclosed that she had sent him to purchase some ice and after a few minutes, she received a message from her other son that he got into an accident.

She explained that after she heard the news, she rushed to the scene, but “When meh go deh, the police de done carry he to the hospital,” she said.

Sunil sustained severe abdominal injuries, a fractured neck along with cuts and bruises on other parts of the body.

Times , the motorcycle bearing registration number CF 5482 was reportedly proceeding along the roadway about 45 kilometres per hour when the lad ran from in front a motor car which was parked on the other side of the road, and into the pathway of the motorcycle.

The rider applied brakes and the front wheel came into contact with him which resulted in both the motorcyclist and the pedestrian falling onto the roadway. They both received injuries about their bodies.

They were then picked up and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where they were seen and examined by a doctor.

The youngster was admitted a patient of the medical institution and his condition is said to be stable but serious, while the motorcyclist was treated and sent away.

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It was reported that Sunil collided with the motorcycle on the Mount Sinai Public Road, West Canje Berbice.

According to information reaching Guyana

The police have since launched an investigation into the accident. The motorcyclist was subsequently released on bail as police continue their investigations.

Environmental compliance high on GGMC’s agenda

Guyana’s mining sector is dynamic as it continues to be a pillar of economic growth and development for the local economy. Over the years, there have been various opportunities and challenges which the government has undertaken to ensure the extractive industries remain sustainable.

The Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry’s Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is a public entity that has been able to meet many of the challenges and opportunities as the lead regulatory agency for the mining sector.

The GGMC has evolved over the years, and continues to promote the diversification of the economic base of Guyana through the mineral sector by facilitating new opportunities and providing a regulatory system to confront the new and emerging challenges of the various sub-sectors.

The commission is also tasked with regulating, on behalf of the government all activities within the mineral sector in accordance with GGMC’s Act and Regulations through enforcement of the conditions of mining licences, mining permits, mining concessions, prospecting licences (for large scale operations), prospecting permits (for medium and small scale operations) and quarry licences.

Further, through the coordination of the Natural Resources and the

Environment Ministry, the GGMC is working along with other sector agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission and the respective law enforcement agencies; to enhance compliance and monitoring of all related mining and environmental regulations.

With new and expanding mining development in the various districts; the Natural Resources Ministry has mandated the GGMC to increase its efforts to collaborate with other government agencies to tackle social issues that arise, including trafficking in persons, prostitution and narcotics use.

To continue the wave of expansion within the mining sector, the ministry has mandated the GGMC to focus on increasing the presence of mining officers in the various districts to strengthen monitoring, compliance and enforcement of the Mining Act and regulations. This resulted in meaningful representations and interactions with stakeholders within the sector during various open forums with the minister. The commission will be facilitating this expansion by constructing 11 new mining stations in several mining districts including Lethem, Bartica. Aranka, Aremu, Eclipse Falls, Kamwatta, Kaburi, and Arau/Eteringbang, to increase the presence of monitoring and compliance staff on the ground.

Jamaica Tallawahs stand tall to lift inaugural Limacol CPL title

– comfortably beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets

The Jamaica Tallawahs comfortably lifted the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title on Saturday night after they comfortably defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

Man-of-the-Match Chris Gayle batted through the innings to be left undefeated on 47 as the Tallawahs reached 129-3 in 17.3 overs, replying the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ meagre total of 128-5.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors batsmen failed to increase their scoring rate until the final two overs when Christopher Barnwell and James Franklin tried to push the score to a respectable total. Prior to that, only Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin reached double figures and both of them found it rough reaching to their eventual scores.

Sixty-two 62 out of the le-

gal 120 balls failed to yield a run, leaving the Guyana franchise in their biggest quandary of the tournament.

Wicket-to-wicket bowling by the Jamaican Tallawahs

bowlers also ensured that the Amazon Warriors batsmen were kept in check.

In response, Chadwick Walton was sedated before he let loose on Tillakaratne

Dilshan with a four and a six off consecutive boundaries. The bowler then trapped him lbw for 13, which brought Kumar Sangakara to the crease with Gayle.

With the introduction of Sunil Narine, he troubled Sangakara, beating the outside edge on several occasions. But while the run rate mounted marginally, the bowlers failed to pick up wickets although Ramnaresh Sarwan tightened the field to save singles at the half-way mark of the Tallawahs’ innings.

The pair was vigilant, hitting the occasional boundary, before Sangakara was caught by Franklin for 13 off 27 balls.

Subsequently, the Jamaica Tallawahs eased to their target with 15 balls to spare, lifting the inaugural Limacol CPL trophy in the process.

Meanwhile, Sarwan, at the presentation ceremony, said that his team fell short of 150 – the score the team

had set out to get, and took all the blame for the loss. He indicated, however, that he made the decisions and he will live by them, referring to Ramdin batting at number four.

Gayle was happy with the win and indicated that the tournament will only get better, as he received the winning cheque of US $250,000 and the trophy.

Jamaican Sheldon Cotterell, who played for

the Antigua Hawksbills, was named Future Star of the Tournament, while the El Dorado Catch of the Tournament went to Barbados Tridents Kyle Mayers. The Super Six of the Final went to Jamaica Tallawahs Andre Russell (88m), while the Man-ofthe-Match award went to Gayle, and the Player-ofthe-Tournament to Guyana Amazon Warriors Krishmar Santokie.

Sturridge strike secures Reds win

Daniel Sturridge was the match-winner for a second straight week as Liverpool won at Villa Park to make their best start to a season for five years.

The Liverpool striker finished off a flowing first-half move to score his eighth goal in seven league games.

Villa were outplayed early on but improved in the second half, with Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet twice denying Christian Benteke.

Both sides had late penalty appeals waved away by referee Mark Clattenburg.

Liverpool last won their opening two matches of the season in 2008-9 and this victory means Brendan Rodgers’s side extend their unbeaten run to 10 Premier League matches, a streak that began with a win at Villa Park in March.

The platform for victory was set during a first half in which the visitors were utterly dominant. Villa improved markedly after the break but the damage was done.

It has been a brutal start to the season for Paul Lambert’s young side. During their magnificent

victory at Arsenal and contentious defeat at Chelsea, they displayed tangible signs of progress but against Liverpool they looked flat and, perhaps, fatigued by those two demanding trips to London.

Kolo Toure did well to contain Benteke to just a handful of chances, while Gabriel Agbonlahor only threatened in fits and starts.

But Villa’s defensive problems remain - this was their 25th successive match without a clean sheet, a record they will look to put right in their next league match against Newcastle in three

ZC should treat its players better

David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s former minister of sport, said that cricket in the country is now in a critical state, following a financial crisis which almost resulted in a boycott from the players.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Coltart said that Zimbabwe Cricket was nearly $15-18 million in the red and the financial condition was affecting the board’s ability to look after players. The lack of international tours was further affecting Zimbabwe’s chances of addressing its financial issues.

“The association now is very much in the red. We estimate anything between $15-18 million in the red. That situation has been

compounded by the fact that there have been very few international tours, very few profitable tours, which undermines the ability of Zimbabwe Cricket to address that massive debt,” Coltart said. “And that, in turn, has meant that players have not been paid on time.”

Earlier this month, Zimbabwe’s players boycotted their training ahead of the series against Pakistan and decided to form a union to negotiate for better pay. They reached an agreement with the board, after an assurance that ZC would clear their outstanding salaries and also pay them match fees. Shortly after the issue was resolved, fast bowler Kyle Jarvis announced his retirement from inter-

national cricket. The pace bowler opted out of the series against Pakistan to take up a county offer from Lancashire.

Coltart recounted an incident last year when he had met with a delegation of players and coaches, some of whom had not been paid for up to three years. Such treatment, Coltart said, was pushing players like Jarvis and Gary Ballance to leave the country for better opportunities and this exodus was dragging the game down further.

David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s former minister of sport, said that cricket in the country is now in a critical state, following a financial crisis which almost resulted in a boycott from the players. (Cricinfo)

weeks’ time.

Much of the credit must go to Liverpool, though, who once again displayed why there is a growing sense of optimism around Anfield.

The win over Stoke had been Liverpool’s first on the opening day since they last mounted a credible title challenge five years ago.

It was in that season they last won their opening two matches of a campaign, something they had only done twice in the previous 18 seasons.

There were more signs of encouragement at Villa Park.

Liverpool bossed the opening 45 minutes with a swagger and fluidity that, at times, Villa were unable to contain. Midfielders Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva were imperious and Philippe Coutinho was a constant threat as Liverpool’s frontline swapped places at will. His understanding with Sturridge borders on the telepathic. (BBC Sport)

McKay storms to Unitech Awning cycling victory

By Avenash Ramzan

Roraima Bikers Club cyclist Warren “Forty” McKay stormed to victory in the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race on Saturday when the third annual Unitech Awning 11race programme was hosted at the inner circuit of the National Park.

The experienced rider lapped the entire field of 31 starters in the early exchanges, cruising to victory unchallenged in a time of one hour, 17 minutes, 54.66 seconds (01: 17: 54.66).

Such was McKay’s dominance of the gruelling race that he carted off a lion’s share of the prime prizes. He copped four out of a possible eight.

It was a welcome return to the top podium spot for McKay, who had suffered a slump in form in recent months.

In a heated sprint finish for second position, Hamzah Eastman outgunned Wasim Gafoor and Alonzo Ambrose, who had to settle for third and fourth positions respectively, while

Paul DeNobrega rode in fifth ahead of Junior Niles.

Gafoor copped two prime prizes, while Eastman and DeNobrega shared the remaining two.

Earlier in the day, several of the country’s promising young riders and those not so young competed in the other 10 category races that formed the card.

Christopher Griffith won the BMX Open race ahead of Rawle Small and Deeraj Garbarran, while Small returned to get the better of Garbarran and Christian

Rajnauth in the BMX 12-14.

The BMX 9-12 race was won by Ammo Gomes, with Stephan Wilkinson finishing second and Imas Wason third, while Sherwin Sampson took the BMX 6-9 race from Alexander Leung and Jeremiah Harrison.

The consistent Jamal John again topped the 1214 Boys and Girls race, finishing ahead of Adrian Sharma and Toshawna Doris in second and third respectively, while Niles took the Veterans Under-50 event from Kennard Lovell

and Shameer Baksh.

Virgil Jones and Maurice Fagundes were the lone entrants in the Veterans Over-50 and Veterans Over-60 races, while Michael Anthony, Eastman and Andre Abdool were 1-2-3 in the Juveniles event. Ozia Mcaulay was the leading Mountain Bike rider, outperforming Stephano Husbands and Keon Thomasn.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, national coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan

Mohamed, congraulated the winners and thanked Unitech Awning for sponsoring the race, which was being held in memory of the late Continental Cycle Club rider, Noel Persaud, popularly known as “Pokan.” Mohamed also stated that the riders will be in action again on Saturday when an 11-race programme will be held to signal the conclusion of the 37th annual Teach Them Young programme, which is ongoing at the National Park.

WICB happy with success of Limacol CPL –

President Cameron heartened by response to tournament

St John’s, ANTIGUA

– President of the West Indies Cricket Board Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron said he is pleased with the success of the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament so far, and impressed with the response the League has received both regionally and internationally.

The WICB signed an agreement with LCPL with the goal of further developing and strengthening West Indies cricket by expanding the global fan base as well as increasing the number of West Indian cricketers under regional retainer contracts, and showcasing the talent and beauty of the Caribbean internationally.

Cameron says he believes these objectives are being met.

“The support of the

Limacol CPL by the West Indian fans has been overwhelming and this is evidenced by the sold out crowds at each and every match so far. That says to me that the interest and passion for the game is still there, and it’s our responsibility to continue to nurture that love which is what the LCPL is all about,” said Cameron.

“In addition, the entire world has come to play through the global reach and appeal that the Tournament has achieved. The combination of some of the best regional and international T20 players with the amazing carnival, party-like atmosphere for which the Caribbean is renowned has turned the eyes and ears of the world to our shores, and we could not be more pleased about that exposure”.

The Limacol CPL is be-

ing broadcast on television in India, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and the USA, reaching millions of viewers through such networks as ESPN3, Fox Sports, BT Sports and Sony. ESPN Caribbean also produces a weekly highlights show of the Tournament which airs on the ESPN Caribbean television network and online at ESPN Play. In addition, the Line and Length Radio Network offers live ball-byball commentary of all the matches which airs on 22 radio stations in the Englishspeaking Caribbean and reaches over 850,000+ listeners.

The Limacol CPL has also developed a strong presence on social media networks Facebook and Twitter with thousands of fans and followers keeping up to date on the latest news and match

information from the six franchise teams. Celebrities such as actor Mark Wahlberg – part owner of the Barbados Tridents – and Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson – sponsor of the Antigua Hawksbills team – who tweet about the Tournament have added to the interest.

Cameron said that he is impressed by the hidden talent that is emerging as a re-

sult of the League.

“Players like young Nicholas Pooran (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel) and the likes of Rayad Emrit (Barbados Tridents), Sheldon Cotterell (Antigua Hawksbills) and Steven Jacobs (Guyana Amazon Warriors) to name a few, that may have flown under the radar or been overshadowed by the bigger names in the region have now been

given their time to shine, and they are indeed taking advantage of that opportunity. I expect that the Limacol CPL will open many doors for these young men to play cricket all over the world and it’s satisfying to know that it all started with the LCPL.”

Limacol CPL

Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe agrees. “As the Governing Authority for cricket in the region, the WICB have shown great foresight and support in how they have partnered with us to develop the LCPL. While in our inaugural year of the tournament we recognise we have a long way to go to build and achieve all our mutual goals, we are warmed by the reception that the WICB and all local territorial boards have provided throughout and the passion with which they have interacted with us concerning our future development programmes which we think will yield far reaching results for the sport in the region.” (CPL)

Over 100 horses registered for today’s Guyana Cup meet

Over 100 of the country’s top horses will be in action today when Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC), stages the seventh annual Guyana Cup horse race meet at the PMTC.

Friday afternoon was the deadline for the submission of entrants, and according to a reliable source close to the organising team, 110 entries are confirmed for the ninerace card. Some of top jockeys from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S.A. and Barbados are expected to compete with their local counterparts from noon today.

The feature race is for horses classified B and Lower with a staggering $7,000,000 prize package with $3,500,000 and the Guyana Cup trophy for the winner over 1700m.

The main supporting race is a 1600m event for three-year-old horses born and bred in Guyana and

the West Indies. A trophy and $2,500,000 will be a stake during this race.

The two-year-old 1000m event for West Indies bred horses carries a top prize of $1,500,000 and trophy, while the E Class and Lower 1400m event has a winning take of $1,000,000 and trophy.

Other races carded for the day include the F Class, G3 and Lower, H and Lower, I and Lower, an event for winner of the JKL events and another three-year-old event for Guyana bred horses.

Apart from the rivalry among the horses and jockeys, the organisers have put together an entertainment package catering for both adults and children. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Slingerz Family, while there will be several giveaways for patrons.

More information on the event can be had from Chandu Ramkissoon (6249063 or 232-0633), Kris Jagdeo (624-6123 or 322-

Slingerz defeat

Topp XX at MSC

Slingerz Football Club demolished Bakewell Topp XX

4-1 when the 2013 ‘Goal for Gold’ football tournament continued on Friday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

Topp XX wasted little time getting the ball rolling as they notched a goal four minutes after the opening whistle when Colwyn David found the back of the net.

Fourteen minutes later

Devon Millington struck the equaliser for Slingerz in the 19th minute of the contest. However, things went downhill for Topp XX as the defence opened up to

allow Millington to score three other times in the 25th, 39th and 82nd minutes. Meanwhile in the earlier game Campton Football Club defeated Riddim Squad via penalty shootout after the two teams battled to a one all stalemate.

Campton opened their account early with a goal in the ninth from the boot of 3Shem Porter to close the first half of play.

Sheldon Hope they equalized for Riddim Squad with a goal in the 54th minute before time running out and battling each other in extra period to no avail. Campton won the penalty shootout 4-2 to cap off the win.

0369), Rajendra (6187278), Ramnauth (3375311), Romel Jagroop (624-1798) or Campton Sancho (690-0569).