Guyana Times Daily

Ramjattan’s

– Amerindian leaders expose “sloppy planning”

BCCI’s right to fix tolls cannot be infringed on – banking equity partner

Hotels file bankruptcy proceedings against Dynamic Airways

PPP/C Councillor calls for multipurpose centre at Charity

Intruder shot while attempting to gain entry into Freedom House

Kross Kolor Records, GMN to hold conference on Guyana’s music industry

Obstacles, barriers preventing strong manufacturing sector to be examined – Minister Gaskin

By Kristen MacKlingaM

Guyana’s major exports; rice, sugar, bauxite, gold, logs and seafood earn over 80 per cent of export dollars as other countries continue to process these primary products making them “value added”.

The end result is that these countries are able to boost their revenues by selling or marketing these “value added” products on an international level.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, during an interview with this publication on Friday explained that in the upcoming months and years, focus is being placed on examining all the sectors and possibilities of Guyana adding value to its own raw materials

which the country is presently exporting on a large scale.

“We are exporting these products. Someone somewhere else is taking these products, process -

ing them and making a profit on the final product; value added products that they are turning it into. Why can’t we here do the same thing that they are doing there? Why can’t that processing take place in Guyana?” he asked.

Guyana Times was told that while some of the reasons as to why this is not happening is known, the Government needs to find a way to examine all sectors and all possibilities for adding value to Guyana’s raw materials.

“We are not investing in wood processing, manufacturing wooden products, gold products, or sugar products; we don’t have a bauxite smelter or an aluminum plant. I am sure the mark ups and profits are great (in the

other countries), not to mention the fact that we are employing their workforce. We have to examine why this is not happening in Guyana; what are some of the barriers and obstacles to the development of a strong manufacturing sector since we have been unable to stimulate that development up to now,” Minister Gaskin explained.

He made reference to the “excuse” that has been used consistently over the years – high cost of energy. However the Minister is not convinced that this is the only problem. “I think we have other obstacles to the development of the sustainable value added sector in Guyana. These require examination and we need to confront and resolve.”

Roopnaraine wants disparity of hinterland, coastland reduced – announces UG scholarship for hinterland top performer

Coming on the heels of results from the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has expressed concerns over the inequity as it relates to the performance of the students from the hinterland regions and those from the coastland.

He was at the time speaking at a press conference where this year’s CSEC top performers were announced. According to Dr Roopnaraine, he wants to see the disparity that exists between the hinterland and coastal schools significantly reduced.

“A great deal of attention will be given to this aspect of the education system,” he stated. Nevertheless, the Education Minister pointed out that he is encouraged by the overall performance of the students and would like to see this trend continue at all schools across the country.

“As a Ministry, we are focusing on ensuring that this trend continues and we will certainly maintain elements that seem to be working, while implementing new strategies to boost performance nationally,” Dr Roopnaraine stated.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam believes that despite a lot more work needing to be done to improve the performance of hinterland students, one cannot ignore the fact that these students have shown stellar improvement over the years. Sam specifically mentioned the Santa Rosa Secondary School in Region One (Barima-Waini), along with the Bartica and Three Mile Secondary Schools in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), all of which showed improvement at this year’s CSEC examination.

He also recognised the improvement of students from the St Ignatius Secondary School located in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). According to the CEO, the performances by these hinterland students indicate that there are some elements in these schools that needs to be replicated in other schools that are not doing so well. However, he pointed out that this is not a secondary level problem, hence it

needs to be addressed at the primary level.

“A lot of these factors depend on the quality of education that our children are receiving in the hinterland at the lower levels and we saw improvements generally at the Grade Six Assessment in Region Nine. We now want to replicate some of the things we would have done in Region Nine at schools in Regions Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and One so that three, four years from now we can see a similar type of growth at a higher level,” he stated.

In this vain, Sam said that the Ministry’s approach will now have to be comprehensive, noting that it should not be considered as a hinterland education, but as a rather a comprehensive approach as to how to best improve performances across the board.

However, the CEO explained that Region Eight is a particularly different scenario because of its deep geography and other elements going on in the region. On this note, he outlined that a specific plan will have worked out for this region. Nevertheless, Sam said the efforts seen in Regions One, Seven and Nine are sufficient to indicate that there is a base from which one can expect better performances from all hinterland students.

At this year’s CSEC examination Santa Rosa Secondary topped Region One with a pass rate of 62.6 per cent for Grades One to Three, while in Region Nine St Ignatius Secondary School recorded a pass rate of 63.15 per cent.

Among the country’s top 172 candidates who secured eight Grade Ones and more, three students are from the Santa Rosa Secondary and one from St Ignatius Secondary School.

Furthermore, in order to boost and motivate hinterland students to do perform better at the CSEC examination, Minister Roopnaraine announced a direct incentive for the best performing student from the hinterland regions. He revealed that Government is initiating the Desiree Fox Award, which will see the best performing students from the hinterland regions receiving a scholarship to the University of Guyana.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Local

Govt

polls…

Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, August 15 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, August 16 – 05:00h-06:30h

AFC will be “dead meat” if it goes solo

WEATHER TODAY FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

Thundery showers can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy rainfall expected in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy weather can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 05:20h and 17:38h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.61 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:15h and 23:29h reaching minimum heights of 0.58 metre at each low tide schedule.

Ramjattan's prediction could be fulfilled

Any attempt by the Alliance For Change (AFC) to contest Local Government Elections (LGE), which are being planned for year-end, to go solo without its coalition partner could see the Party suffering a massive defeat as a result of losing most of the political weight it had as a putative “third force” before the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

As preparations and discussions are underway for the hosting of the longawaited Local Government Elections in Guyana, it is

two parties have coalesced and formed the central Government. As such, a result of this would mean that the AFC would be weakened,” he stated. Guyana Times was told that a strategic move by the APNU/AFC Government, if they should contest the Local Government Elections independently, would be for them to all ‘civic persons’ from the local areas to participate.

However, he noted that if there is truth to what the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is trumpeting with regards to the AFC being “wiped out” in traditional PPP/C areas, or what is being deemed ‘Indian’ areas, then it would be catastrophic for the AFC.

Political Commentator, Dr Henry Jeffrey

unclear as to whether the coalition Government comprising the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC, will be contesting as a jointly unit or separately.

Political Commentator, Dr Henry Jeffrey, in a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, stated that this decision would depend on how the two political parties see their long-term future as a coalition.

“If they see themselves as a group together in the long term, then they will go to these elections and contest together. However, if they do not then they would be contesting the upcoming elections in the regions separately. It all depends on how both parties see themselves together in the future,” Dr Jeffery explained.

“If this is true and the AFC decides to go to the elections to contest solo and the Party (AFC) does not do well, then this will definitely weaken the AFC. In a sense, it would also weaken the APNU because these

“If this is done and the civic persons take part, then a loss on the part of the AFC in some areas, if they do occur, would not be so obvious. If they lose in areas where they are supposed to win, people won’t see it as the AFC losing. What the public would see is that the civic persons who contested lost and, of course, these civic persons can be members of the AFC or APNU and it would not reflect as if it were either Party losing,” Dr Jeffery elaborated.

Opposition Leader’s perspective Previously, former twotime President and now Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had com-

mented on the issue of Local Government Elections with regards to the AFC contesting solo. He had stated that should the AFC make such a move and lose, it will kick-start its demise in the political arena in Guyana and more so as part of a Government.

“Now they are subsumed; Granger will decide everything,” he said, adding: “They are baggage to APNU; they are peripheral to APNU’s main thrust. So when they come into the village, they only come with a little yellow flag to fool people; they no longer exist.”

Sunday Editor: Michael Younge

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

SVN: An Exemplary School

The results of this year's CSEC exams, in which Saraswati Vidya Niketan dominated the headlines by copping the top two places in the country and in the Caribbean, might have surprised many. While this newspaper has its doubts about the advisability of children at an average age of 16, writing twenty subjects, one has to acknowledge that it is an incredible feat for the number one student to not only sit for that number, but to actually achieve all grade 1's.

Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) - which means "Goddess of Knowledge's abode of knowledge" - is a school founded by the Hindu Swami (monk), Aksharananda. From his interview in our yesterday's edition, it is clear that he has some firm ideas on the imparting of an education to children. And from the results over the last few years, it is clear that those ideas work. In addition to the top two performances, SVN achieved an overall pass rate (grades 1-3) of 93 percent. Now while this is an impressive figure, even more importantly their matriculation rate (five subjects passed, including English and Mathematics) is a whopping 82%. When youths want to enter university or apply to any decent entry level white collar job, this is the minimum qualification sought but in so many instances cannot be produced.

While in the announcement by the Education Ministry about the 47 students that received at least 11 Grade 1's, 11 students from SVN qualified, that was only the tip of the iceberg: 53 out of 64 students secured passes in 11 subjects and more including English and Maths. In the latter two subjects, which are the bane of our teaching profession, even though the national pass rate figures improved, in neither did it touch 50%. On the other hand, SVN's English pass rate was 86% and Maths 93%.

Such results demand an explanation, especially against the most important background fact that, unlike Queens College and Bishops High School, SVN's pool of students are overwhelmingly drawn from the "ordinary" and "below average" performers at the NGSA. What this means is that while, for instance, Queens produced 19 of the 47 top performers to SVN's 11, the former receives the TOP 1 percent from the NGSA. Bishops, which collects the next 1%, was able to secure only 2 of the top performers. While as SVN's performance improved in the last decade (it was founded in 2002) and it has been able to attract some of the better performers at NGSA (the top student Victoria Najab transferred out of Queens) it has been able to make the "ordinary" student perform extraordinarily at CSEC.

In June, writing on another matter concerning Swami Aksharananda, Bonita Harris, an individual steeped in the search for educational excellence, wrote, "I have followed the development of his school at Cornelia Ida, Saraswati Vidya Niketan, and strongly recommend that head teachers and the Ecucation Ministry pay close attention to what is responsible for its academic success. It is the closest thing we have as a model school in Guyana." We write from that perspective.

The major difference at SVN and the general public Secondary Schools, is the discipline that is imparted to the children in their approach, not only to their studies, but to their approach to life. It is very difficult to disjuncture behaviour from performance, but somehow the Education Ministry seems unable to convey this idea to the heads of their schools. While there are some who scoff at the insistence of discipline, SVN's imparts it with love: "tough love" in action.

The second innovation is to pay the teachers better but have them give extra "lessons" right on the school premises but outside of the mandated "school hours". The present Education Minister has bemoaned the "lessons syndrome", but SVN has found a way to make it work positively.

We hope that "a hint to Beneba mek Quashie tek notice."

Abuses against Indo Guyanese are nothing new

Dear Editor,

This is in response to Donald Ramotar’s Letter titled “More Ominous Signs” expressing concerns about “racial and political discrimination against Indians” and his earlier letter complaining about the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) triumphant acts against Indians since the May election and their control of Government.

Discrimination and abuses against Indians has been in existence for a very long time. Prior to May 2015, if an Indian would complain to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government about discrimination or Police/criminal abuses against them, PPP leaders would most likely have called that Indian a racist or would have ferociously scolded that Indian by saying that the PPP is not an Indian Party but a Party for all.

Abuses against Indians became noticeable when the British and Americans decided to prevent Dr Cheddi Jagan from ruling Guyana. The People’s National Congress (PNC) then had complete power to go awry; even prior to the PNC/UF [United Force] coalition. Since 1960, Indians have noticeably been in a state of fear from violence handed

out to anti-Indians by persons of Afro-Guyanese descent. I lived along Robb Street, one block away from Freedom House, from 1958 to 1974. On a regular basis, I saw Indians being robbed and/or beaten as they walked, rode or drove on Robb Street; the presumption then was that Indians were PPP supporters and were visiting Freedom House which wasn’t true in most instances where they were just going about their own business. As a teenager, I was even pushed into the gutter at Robb and King Streets because I was wearing a red shirt. I learnt later that red was the PPP supposedly communist colour. I never wore that shirt or anything red again. Every IndoGuyanese I know has either been directly violated or knows of other Indians terrorised or killed in Guyana by what some may call criminals and others may call PNC thugs. I always find it difficult to distinguish between criminals and PNC thugs because the security services, which seemed to be never around to prevent the abuses perpetrates by predominantly Afro- Guyanese, was controlled by the then PNC Government. It stands to reason that the violence could have been sanctioned by the PNC Government. The abuses would later ap-

pear to be tied into the anti-PPP/C Government “slow fyah; mo fyah” programme that Mr Sam Hinds referred to in an earlier letter publicly posted. Some abuses were so gruesome that Indians do not ever talk about them. My cousin was on suicide watch for decades after witnessing a political/racial murder at Wismar, Linden on May 25, 1964. Some Indians will never again return to Guyana because of the abuses and bad memories.

Mr Ramotar should be reminded that the astute IndoGuyanese knows that one of the pillars of the PPP/C Governance framework is to maintain a state of fear among Indians so that when Indians vote it will always be against the PNC (APNU). This framework creates a huge vacuum for the security services to run rogue, whereby they see opportunities for unlimited enrichment and for executing personal vendettas – all illegal.

As history shows, Indians are survivors but the PPP/C has left them without effective political and security safeguards.

The APNU/AFC Government has an opportunity to save Guyana from its downward spiral of corruption, crime and degradation. But Guyana is now heading back into the Burnhamite/Hoyte days,

given Granger’s visit to Burnham’s memorial site; his pardon to scores of unnamed convicted criminals, mass Government recruitment of Afro-Guyanese, presentation of the country’s national awards to PNC personalities that Indians have serious suspicions about, the unfortunate unfolding of the “UF situation” in Government involving the stupefied AFC component in the coalition, Granger’s embrace of the tainted Electoral Machinery, the omnipresent fear of crime and crime, and much more. Given the unfazed support this Government receives from the ABC countries, a determined no-nonsense and politically-articulate Opposition is needed. This is the best opportunity for the PPP/C to reinvent itself. The PPP needs to significantly adjust its thinking and operations; to cleanse itself of seeing Indians as mere simpletons and a source of votes. The PPP should abandon its arrogance to genuinely listen to its critics and supporters; and the PPP should dispense with those who believe that they have to exemplify stupidity and dependence as PPP entry-level requirements.

Yours truly, F

Bacchus

Guyana needs a 3 to 5-star hospital

Dear Editor,

Does Guyana need a Specialty Hospital or a three to five-star general hospital? I beg this question in response to Rose Bacchus’ letter published in Guyana Times of August 13.

By definition, a Specialty Hospital is one engaged in the treatment, diagnosis, research, education, etc of diseases in medical fields such as cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and

endocrinology, ear, nose and throat, gastroenterology and GI, surgery, geriatrics, gynaecology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, ophthalmology, psychiatry, pulmonology, rehabilitation, rheumatology, and urology.

A Speciality Hospital is born after years of proven medical research, academia, and successful practice. Prime examples of Specialty Hospitals in the State of New York, for example, are

Memorial Sloan Kettering (cancer), Hospital for Special Surgery (orthopaedics), and New York Presbyterian Hospital (cardiology).

The information presented in the letter, ‘Baby Heart Foundation completes 31 surgeries successfully’ (in varying medical fields) etc, is supportive of the view that Guyana needs a three to fivestar general hospital, whereby such surgeries can be undertaken. From the foregoing

definition, this is not the role of a Specialty Hospital. We must be cognisant of the distinction between a general hospital and a Specialty Hospital.

Finally, the US$200 million hospital being constructed in Jamaica is not a Specialty Hospital but a fivestar general hospital to cater for medical tourism.

Yours faithfully, Abraham David

The private accounts: a concocted controversy

Dear Editor, I wish to continue to examine the attempt by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government to fabricate a controversy regarding their “discovery” of $60 billion in certain commercial banks in the names of certain semiautonomous statutory agencies. As I stated in a previous missive, it is mystifying how these accounts could have been labelled “private accounts” and how they could have been “discovered” when they are in the names of these agencies for decades; they are part of the accounting records of those agencies; they are audited annually by the Auditor General, whose reports are presented to the National Assembly annually and examined in great detail by the Public Accounts Committee, which is made up of the very persons who now claims to have “discover” them.

Additionally, these agencies are required by Section 80 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act Chapter 73:02, to submit to the subject Minister, annual reports and audited financial statements which the Minister is mandated by the said Act to present to the National Assembly, again, to the very persons who claim to now “discover them”.

I have been an MP for nearly a decade and I know that these documents were laid in the National Assembly by the subject Ministers at regular intervals. These accounts and the monies contained therein would have featured prominently in all these documents. The unfortunate reality is that it may very well be the truth that those who claim this “discovery” are seeing them for the first time. Hopefully, someday the Guyanese electorate will realise how little their elected representatives read of what is presented to them in the National Assembly. Certainly, a Government cannot be blamed for the failure of an Opposition to read documents which are presented to them.

The statutes creating these agencies, for example, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Act and the Guyana Forestry Commission Act, make them into corporate bodies with all the attributes of a limited liability company.

Accounts established since 1979

There are boards with directors vested with the legal authority to run and manage the affairs of these agencies, including, the fiscal autonomy to maintain their own

accounts, hire staff, own assets, attract liabilities, enter into contracts, take and grant loans, etc. These two agencies are among those whose accounts were “discovered” at commercial banks.

The truth is that these two agencies were created as semi-autonomous statutory bodies in 1979 and obviously not by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) but by the People’s National Congress Government. These accounts were established in commercial banks since 1979. In 1979, the PPP was some 13 years away from governmental power. The impression conveyed, therefore, that these accounts were PPP’s inventions, is absolutely false. The same rings true for most of the other agencies identified.

Quite apart from Acts which create them, the Constitution also allows those agencies to retain their own funds. Article 216 of the Constitution provides: Article 216 – “All revenues or other moneys raised or received by Guyana (not being revenues or other moneys that are payable, by or under an Act of Parliament, into some other fund established for any specific purpose or that may, by or under such an Act, be retained by the authority that received them for

GRDB Burma Rice Research Station fails to deliver solution for ‘Red Rice’ control

Dear Editor, Red rice is a weed also known by many farmers as “jaranga”, “overhang” or “weedy rice”. It belongs to the Oryza genus to which the normal cultivated rice also belongs. This noxious weed is gradually becoming one of the most destructive weed which is present in over 60 per cent of the rice cultivation in Guyana and causing an estimated average yield loss of more than 25 to 40 per cent in moderate to severe cases. It is once again alleged that the Rice Research Station headed by Dr Mahendra Persaud seems to fail the industry miserably to provide a solution to this problem faced

by our resource poor farmers who are already struggling to sustain rice as a business. I was reliably informed that all these “fat cats” of the People’s Progressive Party who played a lead role in the industry now sit back idly, allowing this dreadful weed to take over the rice industry as they wait to blame the coalition Government for neglect of the industry.

This is unfair to the poor farmers who need and look up to the team of Research Station for the proper advice and solution to their problem, as well as quite unfair for the Government since this entity are supposed to be providing that needed technical guidance

and service to the farmers.

Should this ‘red rice’ be allowed at its current pace, the rice production in Guyana will see a greater decline in the coming crops. The Government should not bear the blame for the losses due to this weed but take the step to correct this situation now.

It is my call once again for removal of these dormant “fat cats” and overhaul of the Rice Research Station and for the Chairman, Mr Claude Housty, and the GRDB to look in to this situation swiftly so that this plague to the industry can be restricted.

Sincerely, T Ross

the purpose of defraying the expenses of that authority) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Fund.”

Lotto Fund

Often times, the words in the brackets in Article 216 are conveniently and deliberately omitted by those who wish to contend that all public monies must be deposited forthwith in the Consolidated Fund. I observe from his budget speech that the Finance Minister is the latest proponent of this falsehood. Article 216 of the Constitution, the Acts creating these semi-autonomous statutory bodies and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, all provide, expressly and in clear language that certain public funds can and indeed must be lawfully kept separate and apart from the Consolidated Fund. For example, an extra budgetary fund is defined by the FMMAA as “… a fund established by an Act for a specific purpose and funded by a specific earmarked revenue, that operates apart from the Consolidated Fund with the result that the transactions of the fund are not included in the annual budget”. That Act also permits the establishment of deposit funds to be operated by Ministries separate and apart from the Consolidated Fund. Additionally, the Government Lotteries Act provides for the establishment of a development fund where monies are to be deposited. Section 7 of the Act provides thus:

Section 7 (1) “all moneys received from the sale of tickets in every Government lottery shall be paid into a deposit account in the Accountant General’s Department and such account shall be called the Government Lotteries Account”.

Section 7 (3) “at the end of each financial year there shall be paid into the Development Fund of Guyana, after allowing for all expenses and the amount reserved for priz-

es, the amount standing to the credit of the Government Lotteries Fund”.

This is the famous “lotto funds” that we keep hearing about. It is the Government Lotteries Act which provides for it to be deposited in this Development Fund and not in the Consolidated Fund. Article 216 of the Constitution clearly contemplates and provides for this to be done as well. Indeed, if these monies were not deposited in this “Development Fund” and instead, placed in the Consolidated Fund, it would constitute a violation of Section 7(3) of the Government Lotteries Act and accordingly, would be unlawful. I am fortified in this view by the fact that the word “shall” is used in Section 7(3), thereby signifying a mandatory obligation to put these monies in this Development Fund. I hope that as a nation we can read a little more and talk a little less. In any event, if and when these monies are placed in the Consolidated Fund, I will challenge it in the Court and put this matter finally to rest.

The above are all examples where the law has provided for monies to be lawfully held in a place other than in the Consolidated Fund.

The fact that they are not in the Consolidated Fund does not mean that they are not public monies or that they can be whimsically and capriciously used. They remain public funds to which the Government and other authorised agencies will have access in accordance with the law which governs them.

Obviously, they must be audited by the Auditor General and included in the audited statements of these agencies.

PNC left these accounts empty In the circumstances, I submit that there is absolutely nothing wrong, illegal or irregular for these accounts to have been maintained at the private banks. Indeed, and to the contrary, the laws, many passed by the PNC, authorise same to be done and some of these accounts were actually opened by them. The only difference is that when the PNC Government left office these accounts were basically empty. When we left Government they had some 60 billion dollars in them.

More importantly, and ironically, the Minister of Finance should really seek legal advice on whether he can, unilaterally and without the ostensible authority of the boards which manage those agencies, simply highjack those monies and place them in the Consolidated Fund without these agencies defraying their expenses and discharging their obligations. I have no doubt that the withdrawal of 60 billion or even 30 billion will have certain adverse consequences both on the banking sector as well as on the economy. But I prefer to defer to those who are trained in this area to expound on those ramifications.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP Attorney at Law

Moon sighting

TheCentral Islamic Organisation of Guyana wishes to notify the public that the moon for the month of Zul Qada was sighted on Saturday evening. The new month of Zul Qada begins today, Sunday, August 16.

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

With the recent release of CAPE and CSEC results, pretty much everyone’s mind is on education and schooling. And it all got me to thinking about a 2011 TED Talk by Salman Khan (the founder of Khan Academy, NOT the Bollywood actor). I used Khan Academy a lot in high school and I still use it now in Med School.

The beauty of these videos (apart from their clear and concise explanations) is that you can pause and repeat specific portions as many times as they want. There’s just no escaping the fact that everyone learns at his or her own pace. The current classroom, with its onesize fits all method of teaching, just doesn’t account for that that fact. But in our pedagogical model, teachers don’t really have a choicethey’re given a syllabus to cover and a specific number of hours to cover that material. If they're conscientious, they’re constrained to teach

“Don’t waste inspiration” – Salman Khan (founder

of "Khan's Academy"), “The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined”

at a particular pace, never mind the actual needs of their students.

That’s why Khan’s "Flipped Classroom" idea is so attractive and why some schools in the US are already using it as part and parcel of their curriculum. The gist of the concept is that kids look at the videos at home, and do the tradition al homework at school instead. This way, students can actually learn the ma terial at their own pace at home and the classroom time can be used by the teacher for productive oneon-one time with the student, instead of the usual passive session where the teacher talks at 30 students. The in-class sessions can be interactive, productive discussions of the concepts covered.

student on those particular areas.

While it’s true that in the current classroom situation, a student is free to just ask the teacher to clarify the topic they’re struggling with, from what I’ve seen in school so far, that

This is probably why loads of students turn to extra lessons for help.

In many school, every couple of weeks we get tested as a part of our coursework grade. And whether or not a student gets 70% or 95%, the class moves on to teach new concepts. But the thing is, the new concepts usually build on the concepts taught previously, especially in subjects like math. So if a student only has a 70% understanding of the concepts taught before, their foundation will be extremely shaky.

The Khan Academy site shows dashboards in which the teacher can pinpoint exactly where each of their students is progressing, where they’re lagging and precisely what concepts they’re struggling with. And then they can hone in on those concepts and work with the

so neatly. First off, when would the students ask the teachers? During class time most students don’t want to interrupt the session to hold back the rest of the class. And they would be holding back the class: students who’ve already understood the concept would just be sitting twiddling their thumbs.

And there’s precious little time outside of the classroom Most teachers have different classes throughout the day so it’s impossible to track them down outside of the class.

Sites like Khan Academy test you until you score that 100%;until you have a complete grasp of the topic. And then the following topic builds on the previous one.

In Guyana, the one-laptop per family program already offers the platform for this type of e-learning. Frankly, I believe that the KA approach is the wave of the feature – you learn at your own pace and you choose how to internalize and interlink concepts to broaden your knowledge base. Especially for a country like ours where we have a shortage of good math and science teachers, the approach is going to be revolutionary.

Signs that you are raising lazy and irresponsible children

How do some children grow-up to be lazy and irresponsible? Do you think that you are raising lazy and irresponsible children? Have a quick look at the signs that you are raising lazy and irresponsible children.

It is the responsibility of the parents to imbibe good disciplines in their children from the beginning of their childhood days. Too much pampering may spoil your children. So parents should know where to draw the line. Whenever you find signs that your child is going out of the track you should immediately try out ways to bring your children on the right track of life. Here are some signs to find out that you are raising lazy and irresponsible children. Have a look at these.

Your children do not know to wait

When your children get what they want without having to wait, it is a sign of spoiling your children. This will make them think that they can get anything they want at any point of time whether their parents can afford it or not. This is very dangerous as this will make their want grow as a never ending process.

Your children throw tantrums constantly

If you find your children throwing tantrums every now and then with or without any reason, then be sure you are raising an irresponsible child, who does not know where to stop.

Children are always dissatisfied

If you cannot satisfy your children with anything then it is time to take care of them. Otherwise in future they will have to face a lot of problems in life. They will be never satisfied with anything and will lead towards a frustrating life.

They do not value their possessions

If your children do not take proper care of their possessions and put their things here and there thereby losing their things, they are irresponsible children. This is to be rectified as soon as possible.

Children do not help others

For toddlers it is ok not to clean up their own room

or take proper care of their books, but when children are a little grown up and still do not help you in smaller tasks like cleaning up their own room that means that they are lazy children.

Children cannot accept a “no”

When your children react unnecessarily and cannot hear a “no” from anyone, this is a sign of irresponsible behaviour. Even if your children rebel after hearing a “no”, learn to say “no”. Do not accept all the demands of the children. Sometimes rejecting your children’ unreasonable demands will be for their own good only.

Try to control everyone

Children who are ill mannered and bossy often forget the difference between their peers and adults. They expect everyone to listen to them. They order adults to get those things that they want immediately, and if they do not get those things on time they start throwing tantrums that lead to unnecessary conflicts at home.

Embarrassments If you find your children embarrassing you in public and you are unable to control them then this is the sign that you are raising irresponsible children at home. They do not know how to respect others, not even their parents. They are selfish and whenever their selfish ends are not met they become rebellious and do not even care for their parents.

You need to give in Just because you want to pacify your child if you need to surrender to their needs or give in to them every time then it is a sign that you are raising irresponsible children. This makes the children think that a little whining can get things be in their favour and their parents will give in. This may become dangerous for the children to deal in their future.

Parents should always remember that it is not their responsibility to clean up the mess for their children or to make their bed before bedtime when they become a little older. Instead children should be taught to be more responsible both for themselves as well as for others. (India Parenting)

Hotels file bankruptcy proceedings against Dynamic Airways

...services in Guyana will not be affected – Capt Gerald Gouveia

By Kristen MacKlingaM

In spite of recent reports of financial turmoil, Captain Gerald Gouveia, the local representative for US-based airline Dynamic Airways, is denying that the airline is facing ‘involuntary bankruptcy’ as filed by three United States (US) hotel companies.

In a media statement on Friday, he noted that the three hotels in the US filed bankruptcy proceedings and have cited Dynamic International Airways for non-payment of hotel service bills. The monies owed to these hotels amount to over US$100,000.

However, Captain Gouveia maintained that these proceedings will not affect service in Guyana.

“Dynamic’s entrance into the Guyanese market continues to be a rewarding one,

giving Guyanese non-stop flights from Georgetown to New York at an affordable cost. We recognise its period of service like any other airline came with challenges; however those challenges were met with the determination to deliver superior service to the Guyanese people,” Gouveia stated.

According to Gouveia, after extensive financial and operational fitness review process, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Show Cause Order, confirming that Dynamic International Airways is ready and capable to receive flag carrier status in United States and become an international scheduled airline.

“This order issued by DOT is publicly available. In the past, similar attempts by certain lawyers and tour operators allegedly concerned for

public interest proved to be nothing more than a misguided attempts of manipulation of public opinion,” Gouveia further stated.

He reiterated that Dynamic International

Airways’ service to the Guyanese market is “here to stay” and the bankruptcy proceedings of the hotels in question will in no way hinder the service of airline provided here in Guyana, since there is absolutely no credibility to the claim of bankruptcy.

To support this, Captain Gouveia disclosed that Dynamic Airways is doing very well business-wise in Guyana. He referred to a recent meeting he attended, where the discussion centred on the airline looking to expand its flights in and out of Guyana. He also noted that the airline is looking to expand its cargo operations and that on Thursday it saw some 230 passengers departing Guyana heading to the United States.

Captain Gouveia added that “The airline has been ap-

proved by DOT to become a flag carrier”, and will be expanding its services to include more frequent flights between the John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The official reaffirmed that the airline has received positive outlooks on its business operations since it began its services last year.

In a statement circulated to the press last evening, Captain Gouveia called the reports of bankruptcy on the part of Dynamic Airways as being “misleading”. His statement read; “Dynamic Airways has not filed any bankruptcy.” It reiterated that the airline is doing very well and is planning to expand on its current operations.

On Thursday, August 13, court documents filed in New York indicated that Dynamic

Airways has been forced into Chapter Seven bankruptcy proceedings. This threat of bankruptcy comes shortly after the airline’s first anniversary of operations in Guyana, which commenced in July 2014.

Since Dynamic Airways’ arrival in Guyana, it has encountered difficulties with regards to flights from its New York to Georgetown route being grounded. One major incident occurred last December when a number of passengers were left stranded at JFK during the Christmas period.

Nonetheless, the airline has managed to maintain a substantive customer base which is a result of Dynamic Airways’ relatively affordable prices in comparison with Fly Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines, which also fly the New York route.

Police conducts outreach at Angoy’s Avenue

In an effort to foster a better a relationship with East Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) communities, the B Division of the Guyana Police Force has embarked on a series of outreaches and community interaction programmes.

On Monday, ranks of the Division met with residents of the troubled Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam in a continued attempted to foster a Police/community relationship.

Communi-ty Relations Officer attached to the Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police

(ASP) Alistair Roberts also presented two prefab goals and nets along with a football to the Hope Pentecostal International Church to be used on a nearby playground, which was initially upgraded by the Police two years ago under the supervision of Senior Superintendent Clifton Hickens.

Roberts noted that the equipment was being presented to the community to help to keep youths stay out of trouble. “We want to have the youths utilise their energies in a useful way. We don’t want them to be idle and getting into trouble.”

The presentation was made to leader of the organisation Pastor Dennis Charles, who ASP Roberts described as as a responsible person and someone who will ensure that the equipment is cared for.

Senior Superintendent and Acting Commander Errol Watts, who also visited the community, said that in his opinion jail is not a place for young people; they need to expand their energies for the betterment of the community.

“The Police Force wants to ensure youths have facilities available to them and that is why, as part of the Cops and Faith Outreach (CFO), we are

donating these things to you. The Police is not your enemy but your friend.”

Charles, in thanking the Police, noted that it was nice to have them on board with a project to help youths of that community.

The equipment was supplied by the Public Security Ministry. According to the action Commander, the Ministry contibuted Table Tennis equipment, which include a playing table given to the Whim Police Station. “The Ministry also gave us dominoes which we will use for our games day on Wednesdays, and flash lights which we

have given to the Number 51 Police Station.”

Also visiting the Angoy’s Avenue were Sub-divisional Officer ASP Marlon Taylor and Officer-in-charge New Amsterdam Sargent Marlon O’Donughue.

Meanwhile Taylor recently led a team of Police Officers to the East Bank of Berbice where they met with residents at Plagtracker. The surrounding communities stated that they were pleased with the services being offered by the sister Police Station, but need to see more “blue and black” presence in the community. According to the res-

idents, the Police have been able to keep the area free of serious criminal activity but have now been plagued by noise nuisance.

Taylor explained that there is a shortage of vehicles in the Division which prevents the Force from having regular patrols in those areas. He advised that persons in the community can volunteer their vehicles to help the Police patrol the area.

In another outreach, ASP Roberts took a team of doctors to Angoy’s Avenue for a medical outreach. More than 200 persons benefited from the exercise.

SunDAY, AuguSt 16, 2015 | guYAnAtimeSgY.com

PPP/C Councillor calls for multipurpose centre at Charity

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Regional Democratic Councillor (RDC), Beatrice Rozetta Mittelholzer, has called for the construction of a multi-purpose centre at Charity in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to house victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Mittelholzer made the call at the statutory RDC meeting for the month of August.

PPP/C

Mittelholzer, who is a social worker in the area, said that many abused victims do not have a home or someone to go to and often times are forced to return to the same situation due to lack of security.

She stated that part of the centre could accommodate these vulnerable persons as she expressed the need for more services to be made available to victims of abuse.

In responding, Region

Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said the proposal by the Councillor was an excellent one. He therefore gave the undertaking to write a letter to the Social Protection Ministry concerning the issues.

Ramdatt stated that apart from providing a shelter for abused persons, he feels there should be programmes put in place that are aimed to help in social rehabilitation of the victims.

Police fire damage building during chase

The window of a Meadow Brook Gardens, Greater Georgetown, building was shattered by bullets fired from ranks of the Guyana Police Force during a chase around midday on Friday.

According to the Police

Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ivelaw Whittaker, the incident occurred sometime around 12:45h. He disclosed that ranks where at the time pursuing a suspect who is wanted for questioning into murder and armed robbery probes. .

“During efforts to arrest a suspect who is wanted for questioning pending enquiries into a matter of an armed robbery and murder, the Police had cause to discharge rounds which accidentally damaged the window of a building in Meadow

Brook Gardens,” the statement from the PRO’s office read.

Nevertheless, the Police has reported that, fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident. However, the suspect did manage to escape the claws of the Police.

High anxiety

I...on crime

f there's one man who took a lot of stick from Khemraj Ramjattan in the last Parliament, it was Clement Rohee

- Minister of Home Affairs. Ramjattan was merciless about Rohee's supposed inability to bring down crime rates. Finally, with APNU, he even moved and passed a motion of "no-confidence" against Rohee in 2012.

With AFC/APNU coalition winning the elections, Ramjattan demanded and got Rohee's portfolio - now dubbed "Minister of National Security". Forget "Home Affairs" which sounded so mundane: Ramjattan was going to ensure the nation's "security". At his swearing in ceremony, he declared he had "comprehensive plans" on crime: "You rest assure (sic) that those (crime) rates, with those plans, are going to go down. I promise you that."

Well, another promise bites the dust - along with the other 21 his government promised to accomplish in 100 days. The police just announced numbers from the crime fighting front since the elections. And it was no surprise to any citizen that "serious crimes" exploded by an alarming 10% over 2014 - when Rohee was at the helm. Now if Rohee's performance was "abysmal" according to Ramjattan, this Eyewitness wonders what describes his stewardship.

Whimpering pusillanimity?

Now these "serious crime" statistics cover some real hair-raising stuff - "murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping." And in every instance, the numbers have jumped upwards. Citizens can now stop feeling embarrassed about locking themselves behind grilled doors and windows at night. And even that doesn't help. Remember the bandits who cut through the wall of Ramjattan's childhood home in the Corentyne?

So where was the "crime fighting plan" Ramjattan promised he'd crafted while he put up with Rohee's "incompetence"? Even Granger became impatient as the crime tsunami washed over the nation and summoned Ramjattan to a 4:am meeting with his (Granger's) advisors: Former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix, present COP Seelall Persaud, Former Chiefs of Staff of the Disciplined Forces Brigadier Edward Collins and Commodore Gary Best and Present Chief Of Staff, Mark Phillips. Why 4am? Well... duh!!! 4 comes after 2 and 2: am is when the bars close and Ramjattan has to head home!

Not surprisingly, they threw away Ramjattan's "crime fighting plan", written in the back of a bar napkin, which he'd obviously pulled out from his back pocket. With so many military fellas in one room, it looked like a reenactment of Eisenhower the allied armies planning for D-Day, the invasion of Normandy

But more than a month later, Ramjattan is still clueless and crime's still spiralling out of control.

What gives?

...and airy-fairy planning

With the Police release on the inexorable increase in "serious crimes" we know the "five point plan" Brigadier Granger and his military high command handed Ramjattan hasn't worked. Let's see why? The first "point" suggested the beefing up of security at borders across the country. That's right!! Coupled with that brilliant move was "the resuscitation of the Police’s marine wing to provide Police Officers greater access to inland waterways along with the use of animals, including horses and dogs", to go after criminals!!

So the criminals are fleeing via our "waterways"? The next "point" was to identify the pattern of crime countrywide and come up with a "strategy" to address same!! After issuing these reports for a decade, a "pattern" still isn't visible? We move on. Then was "police training" and more beat police. So we obviously have to wait another year for this to kick in.

Finally there were more "assets" to increase the "Police’s ability to go up in the air, to utilise aircraft and helicopter." Yup! Air and marine support. D-Day in Guyana! Are these guys for real?

...over GPL

There's no question SOMETHING's going on over at GPL headquarters with heads knocked over like ninepins. Does any of this have to do with improving the power supply? Or is it ethnic politics playing out?

PPP/C deems Govt’s reform committee partisan

– warns of attempt to weaken Constitution

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has noted with concern, the occasion and composition of the Constitutional Reform Committee which was recently established by President David Granger. The Party made its concerns known through a statement to the press on Friday evening.

The Government, on Thursday, announced that it had established a Constitutional Reform Steering Committee (CRSC), which will be mandated to draft a work programme and make recommendations for constitutional reforms Constitutional reform is an emotive subject among politicians in Guyana.

But the PPP/C, while claiming that it was never consulted, said that the occasion seized by the Granger-led Administration to establish a Government committee on constitutional reform, must be seen as the “Johnny come lately” approach.

“The composition of the non-parliamentary body, established by the Granger Administration is disturbing. The Granger-led Administration exhibited its fast-evolving mindset of autocratic authoritative decision making in this, another area of life in Guyana,” the Party said in the statement.

It said the members, individually and collectively of “this body”, are mostly known party political hacks, as they served and continue to serve the pure partisan positions of their Party.

“Those who are not are distinguished by their public hostility to the last PPP/C Government and/ or the PPP/C. Essentially, this move smacks of political opportunism/expediency. It reveals the resolve of the Granger-led Administration to inject its priorities into the Constitution of Guyana, without consultation and/or prior consent.”

The PPP/C spoke of constitutional reform, used by PPP/C founder Dr Cheddi Jagan, which it said used the constitution to enshrine Adult Suffrage.

“Consequently, the 1992 Jagan Government responded to the public opinion in embarking on constitutional reform.”

The resulting reformed Constitution placed Guyana in the forefront of parliamentary democracy. That reformed Constitution, 2001/2002, provided for the Parliamentary Committee on constitutional reform.

Ironically, that constitutional body never even received opposition interest, so much so, that in the 10th Parliament, the Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity Party entrusted with the chairman-

ship of that constitutional body never convened a meeting.

The committee established by the Government comprises of former Director of Transparency International and Attorneyat-Law Gino Persaud, Professor Harold Lutchman, former Magsitrate Geeta Chandan, former Chief Economist at the Central Bank Haslyn Parris, and will be chaired by Attorneyat-Law and Alliance For Change Executive Member Nigel Hughes.

Constitutional reform was a major platform for the Coalition during its campaign trail. The Party touted major changes to the governance structure including separate elections to elect a President and National Assembly members; a breakdown in presidential powers, changes to the composition of service commissions, among others.

“Constitutional reform has been a very hot campaign issue and we needed to put this on the front burner because there are some matters that we believe should be addressed earlier rather than later,” said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, to whom the committee will be reporting.

Nagamootoo emphasised that the Steering Committee will not be responsible for the implementing the reforms but will only be making recommendations to the relevant authorities who will then move to implement the respective reforms.

“The scope of the steering committee is to be able to tell us how broad the work will be, what are the priority areas to be reformed and how the reform process will do its work…this is not the committee that will actually bring in any of the reform,” the Prime Minister explained.

The Steering Committee, which was established by the Sub-committee on Parliamentary Affairs, has until December to compile and submit its preliminary report, which will be reviewed by the Prime Minister.

Subsequently, the

Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Affairs Subcommittee, will then report to that committee which will then report to Cabinet. Thereafter, a Constitutional

Reform Commission will come on-stream and it is this committee which will put into effect the changes to the Constitution.

According to Nagamootoo, the commission will have the involvement of civil society and political opposition, power and responsibilities to reduce abuse, avoid conflicts of interest and facilitate a more efficient execution of state functions.

It also promised to implement the separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and implement checks and balances to protect the independence of key Constitutional Office holders and prevent Executive abuse. It also committed to protecting the operational and financial independence of the Judiciary and Constitutional Commissions.

Intruder shot while attempting to gain entry into Freedom House

One man is now nursing a gunshot wound to his left shoulder after he was shot by armed guards while attempting to gain entry into the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Headquarters on Friday evening. The name of the man has not been released.

According to information received, at about 23:30h, a rural Constable who is attached to the Party’s headquarters as a guard observed a man mounted on a water trestle in the compound of the building, in an attempt to make his way on to the upper flat of the building.

The security guard reportedly attempted to confront the man but in the process, the intruder was seen pulling out a knife as he ad-

vanced towards them, thus resulting in a commotion. However, another security guard, who was armed, responded. He discharged a round hitting, the intruder in his shoulder.

The Police was summoned, and the shot intruder was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted under guards.

Police, in a release, stated that they are conducting their investigation into the shooting incident which occurred at about 23:20h. Up until now, their investigations revealed that the man was seen on the roof of the kitchen, a part of the premises. In efforts to apprehend him, the intruder attacked the security guard with a knife and was shot.

Record "serious crimes" explosion...

No direction from Minister, COP wants more resources

– moves afoot to move "No-Confidence Motion" against Ramjattan

Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed during his budget presentation in the National Assembly on Monday last that a whopping $21 billion was allocated to the security sector. He emphasised that the crime situation was "most pressing and depressing." However, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud is hoping that whatever is allotted to the Force, it will be enough to address its transportation woes.

Persaud has claimed the Police Force’s inability to respond to reported incidents in some areas was due to the lack of transportation resources. He noted that this issue has significantly affected some aspects of the Force’s work. During the previous People's Progressive Party's Administration, hundreds of billions of dollars had been expended to re-equip the Guyana Police Force (GPF), especially in the area of transportation.

Subsequently, the Government redirected several vehicles to the Police Force from the Community Policing Groups but the situation remains dire, according to the Commissioner of Police who is

hoping for a solution shortly. However, he was pleased with the allocation to the security sector in the National Budget. At least 12 vehicles were handed over to the top cop which were distributed in several division including, D (West Bank Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo) and B (Berbice) Divisions. Speaking with reporters on Friday, Persaud stated that among the areas of concerns, which were represented in the budget proposal from the Police Force, were for resources to cover the daily costs of running the organisation. These costs, he noted, in-

clude electricity, telephone, transportation, fuel, meals and recruitment and training.

“We would have budgeted for transportation since that is one of our weak areas and you know we have the expansion in our manpower that was granted last year, so we are doing recruitment for that and training,” Persaud noted. However, Minister Jordan during his presentation in Parliament noted that some $11.9 billion will be plugged into supporting the operations of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Fire Service, and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit. Meanwhile, he added that the remaining $9.1 billion will be directed towards the operations of the Guyana Defence Force.

According to Jordan, these allocations will be injected into improving the physical infrastructure, upgrade of the security fleet, and acquisition of tools and equipment within these security services. Additionally, the money will also be used to upgrade the security features of the machine readable passports, while another $9.7 million was budgeted for the acquisition of specialised equipment

for the production of machine readable passports.

Only on Friday, the Police disclosed that serious crime had increased by 10 per cent. Ninety-eight murders were committed, along with 76 road fatalities up until August 13.

The Police also stated that there has been an increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used, as well as over 31,000 cases brought against errant drivers up to the period July 31.

The law enforcement agencies have been severely criticised for seeming to be unable to get a grip on the “serious crime" explosion. Rather than manpower and resources, observers believe that there is no clear direction given by the Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan.

Ever since he took over civilian control from Clement Rohee, the coercive arms of the state have not been able to get a plan with projects and timelines. There is a serious groundswell for a No-Confidence Motion to be moved against Ramjattan.

One member of the Guyana Human Rights Association has indicated support for such a move and believes that if such a motion is introduced, MP's should be allowed to vote according to their conscience and not be forced to toe the party line.

Witchhunting

Satiricus wasn't surprised at the accusations of "witchhunting" being hurled about in Guyana following the elections. Satiricus was a real Guyanese and had grown up hearing about witches. Only thing in Guyana, people called them "Old Higues". But since nowadays, everyone used American lingo, like "summer holidays" and "halloween" and so on, why not call these Old Higues, "witches"?

All day long, these witches would move around like ordinary people - you'd never know they could do all the evil things witches do. Like waking up at night and peeling off their skin to fly through windows and enter houses where they would suck the blood of fat, suckling babies.

When he was a boy, Satiricus believed these stories and in fact was firmly convinced that one fair skinned lady neighbour was a witch or Old Higue. He used to wake up at at nights and stare at her house hoping to catch her flying out of her window in a "skinless" state. He never did. But he wasn't dissuaded from his conviction: after all, he invariably fell asleep before 12...which was the "witching hour".

But as Satiricus grew up he, realised that "witches" were very powerful tools for politicians. It was not for nothing that politicians were regularly denounced as "blood suckers". They were even more horrible than the regular Old Higue/witches: they actually preferred to suck the blood of grown folks. Preferably grown people who worked. As a boy, Satiricus' father would regularly cuss out "blood sucking politicians" whenever he collected his pay check. Because only some politicians were actually witches who could suck blood for themselves, some not born with the ability would have to hire witches to do their blood sucking for them. So when a government was in place, everything was hunky dory. The population would be told to work hard, eat well, take care of their bodies, etc... all to make sure that they were fat and plump - and chock full of suckable blood.

The problem was when the government changed and the new politicians couldn't trust the old hired witches to turn over the blood they sucked, to them. They wanted to hire their own blood suckers - more efficient witches - to do their blood sucking for them. Problem was - like the young Satiricus - they never could be sure who which of the old employees who were blood sucking witches and who were ordinary folks. Hence the "witch hunting" presently going on.

The trick was to sprinkle salt in front of the suspected witch. They couldn't cross the salt and you'd uncover them. So what new governments, like the new APANU/KFC, do is to hire some insiders to do the salt sprinkling and fire the witches. Satiricus wondered if this was what was going on at GeePeeEl.

NGO calls for Labour Officer’s dismissal

ANon-Governmental Organisation (NGO), is calling for the Labour Officer of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) to be removed, saying that he is corrupted.

The Justice for the Unjust (JFU) Organisation, on Friday, staged a protest demonstration outside of the Berbice office of the Social Protection Ministry at Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The group says that the Labour Officer has been working with the Ministry for 44 years, while at the same time giving no assistance to those who go in search of Government services.

Chairman of JFU, Deon Thomas, says that the Junior Minister of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, should ensure that officers in her Ministry act above board so that persons who are being underpaid get justice whenever they approach her Ministry seeking just that. “The whole of Region Six has one Labour Officer. The man isn’t doing his work and poor people are suffering.”

“We need new Labour Officers, about five or six… look how big this region is for one person to control.

The problem is that he has developed a close relationship with the business community and the job is not being done because many persons have contacted us saying that they are being under paid and that the Labour Department is not doing anything about it.”

According to Thomas, he visited one supermarket along with the Labour Officer after an employee had contacted the organisation. “He try to compromise and I tell him that this man should be charged and placed before the court. The man asked him for a week time to fix

everything. He should be paying the right wages years ago and now he telling me that he will write the man (supermarket owner) a letter,” an upset Thomas said.

Before picketing the Social Protection Ministry, the JFU had earlier in the week picketed two supermarkets and a store selling clothes, all in New Amsterdam. The JFU says those businesses have large work forces and have been severely underpaying their staff.

Meanwhile the Vice Chairman of the JFU, Ishmael King, says many Guyanese are being forced to endure an uneven playing field when they go in search of employment.

“No one looking into it, because whoever get money, all the justice gone over to them, so we have registered this body so that we can fight for justice for the poor.”

He says there are many private firms which underpay its workers and on many occasions have their employees working beyond the stipulated working hours without being paid

of the places pay above that,” he told the Guyana Times. Bisondial said employers will not get persons to work if they underpay them.

Bisondial acknowledged that he is the only Labour Officer in the largest region in the country, but said that he does not need another officer in the region because he can handle the work load. Asked whether he had been on the job for 44 years, Bisondial did not deny nor confirm the allegation. “It is a long time… I will tell you one day how long it is,” he said.

The Labour Officer, after showing this publication a pile of files representing persons that the Ministry has taken to the court, took the opportunity to send a strong warning to employers. “All employers in Berbice will have to comply with the law once I am here,” he said.

Meanwhile the owner of one of the supermarkets picketed by the JFU, noted that is not feasible to have the size of workforce that he has and pay the minimum wage.

for the extra time.

“They taking advantage of these workers because they need the money and this is a country with a high rate of unemployment so they tell these workers that is either that they accept what they are being offered or go home and the workers prefer to stay on the job and be victimised just because they have children at home to take care of and in most cases the worker is a single parent”, King said.

In an invited comment, Regional Labour Officer Ronald Bisondial said that he is above reproach and has not been involved in questionable activity.

According to him, his job is to ensure that all employers comply with the law and pay workers a minimum of $202 hourly, $1660 daily, $8080 weekly or $35,000 monthly. “Most

According to the businessman, if he has to pay employees at a rate equivalent to the minimum wage, then he will have to send home workers and will also have to open his business for shorter periods.

“It means that the Government will be getting less revenue. I try to help as many persons as I can because there are plenty persons who need a job.”

Meanwhile the JFU has vowed to continue protesting until there are more Labour Officers posted in the region. They also plan to picket other businesses that underpay workers.

The JFU organisation was set up to represent the voiceless and underprivileged. It has put Police brutality, domestic violence and sexual harassment as some of its priorities.

Outrage erupts over Govt’s decision to end Rodney CoI hearings

– Justice for Rodney Committee says move “disturbing”

The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee on Saturday severely criticised a move by the new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government which resulted in the end of the life of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) established by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to prove the circumstances that led to the death of the Guyanese Historian and International figure.

In a statement to the local, regional and international media, the Committee said it was disturbed by both the posture of the new Government and the utterances of its Chief Spokespersons on the matter, naming Governance Minister Raphael Trotman and Attorney General Basil Williams.

The Committee said that the move by the Government undermines justice for Dr Rodney, who was bombed to death back in 1980 while sitting a motorcar outside of the Camp Street jail.

“By making the recommendation to Cabinet to disallow more time for the testimony of crucial witnesses to allow for a smooth and proper completion of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Mr Williams is seeking to mold the public’s perception on the real historical meaning of this Inquiry. There are still crucial witnesses who should appear before the Commission, and the Justice for Walter Rodney Committee is calling on the Government to allow the Commission to complete its work in a timely manner,” the Committee said.

It argued that, as lawyers, Ministers Williams and Trotman should understand the importance of crucial material witnesses before a Commission of Inquiry. Explaining that they were indeed following the proceedings of the inquiry, they and the Cabinet would have known that the

to petition produces for the public at large a deep sense of the character of Government. As such, to make the claim without evidence to back up the claim that the extension sought by the eminent panel of Caribbean Jurists, that is the three commissioners, the lawyers representing the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Donald Rodney, and the Rodney family, would not deliver anything that is earth shattering is very perplexing,” the statement read.

inquiry was not a waste of time.

“Commissions of Inquiries are established to find the truth, and this inquiry was no different. The world is waiting on the findings of this Commission.

Rather than allow the continuation of the hearings for two weeks upon the request of the commissioners, and other interested parties, the Cabinet voted against due process. Mr Trotman’s characterisation of the ‘collective decision taken by Cabinet’ to disallow the continuation of the hearings for two weeks in his words, that is according to the report in the Guyana Chronicle of July 30, 2015, was not only to save the money of taxpayers, but also what he called ‘further embarrassment’, is particularly disturbing”, the Committee said.

It maintained that as a global committee of activists interested in fairness, equality, and social justice for Walter Rodney, it is appalled by any attempt to play with the truth in order to dismiss a Commission of Inquiry headed by a distinguished Caribbean Jurist, and which comprised two other acclaimed jurists.

“Non-Governmental persons and organisations cannot compel Government; we can petition Government. And the response of Governments

The Committee reminded Ministers Trotman and Williams that the proceedings of this inquiry are being closely followed by Guyanese and non-Guyanese across the world.

“Among those paying close attention to the inquiry are lay people, academics, media people, jurists, at least one Chief Justice in an important global jurisdiction, members of parliament in several locations of the world, Prime Ministers in several countries, and others. It is disturbing that Senior Spokesperson of a Government that came to

power on the banner of national healing and reconciliation would be involved in this kind of desecration of the Walter Rodney enquiry. Walter Rodney is a national hero of Guyana,” it remarked.

Taking another jab at the Government, the Committee noted that national reconciliation cannot arise in a vacuum as it can only come about through truth telling. The inquiry is about truth telling.

Earlier this month, Leader of the WPA, Dr

Rupert Roopnaraine, confessed that he was a signatory to the precipitous decision to scrap the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, but said that he is still prepared to offer his statement to commissioners who are yet to present their findings.

By making this admission, Roopnaraine, who was appointed Senior Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister in the new Government, has confirmed reports that the decision of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) dominated Cabinet to abruptly end the life of the Commission was unanimous.

The Commission of Inquiry came to an abrupt end in July, with lawyers representing various interests pleading for the most, two weeks, to complete the investigation.

Questions were raised about the WPA’s real position on this move, particularly because it has for years been calling for an independent probe into the cause of death of its leader.

Roopnaraine said, “It

was a Cabinet decision. We don’t break ranks at Cabinet on issues like that. We took a point of view and the consensus from Cabinet is inclined to take a particular position; that is it”. He continued, “My own feeling was that the Cabinet felt that the time had come for it to come to an end and that enough had been invested in the Commission and that it has had sufficient time to come to its conclusion.”

Republic Bank on board for Berbice Expo

Republic Bank has committed their support to Berbice Expo and Trade Fair 2015. This year the event will be held from Friday, September 18, to Monday, September 21, under the theme “Fostering National Pride, Advancing National Progress”.

Recently Republic Bank presented a cheque to the Berbice Expo and Trade Fair Secretariat, which will go towards offsetting over head expenses. Coordinator of the event, Tajpaul Adjodhea, is optimistic that this year the event will be bigger and better that the nine previous occasions. It is sponsored by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and is being held in collaboration with Government through the Ministry of Business

and seeks to promote tourism, craft and small entrepreneurial skills.

The Expo is usually held in the month of July, however this year the CCCC wanted to give the new Administration a chance to settle in. “The Berbice Expo has always been touted as a family event, and we want to keep it that way,” says Adjodhea. Over the past 10 years, the Berbice Expo has developed into a national event and sees an excess of 20,000 persons visiting each year.

In explaining the reason for choosing the theme, the Chamber President said there is need to showcase Guyana on the national stage, while noting that there has been proof of economic development. “A lot more has to be done in terms

of our economic progress. We want the Berbice Expo and other trade fairs to be a catalyst to kick-start and advance economic progress.

As a Chamber we don’t believe that economic progress should be confined to a few… This country can only grow if everyone moves in that direction.”

Among those that are expected to participate are are Digicel, Nand Persaud Rice Mills, the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Comfort Sleep, Banks DIH Ltd, ANSA McAL Trading, Beharry Group of Companies, E-Networks, Republic Bank, Demerara Bank and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc.

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

Chairman, David Armogan says he wants to see more

exhibitors coming from the non-traditional industries such as agro-processing.

“For too long we have been focusing on primary production; sugar and rice has been the mainstay of the Berbice economy, and both are in trouble. The prognosis in terms of our major production in Berbice is not so good, and so for us to come out of this situation that we have found ourselves in, we need to take greater risks in terms of venturing out into other kinds of businesses where we can make money.”

Booths for the Expo are priced between $30,000 and $50,000, while persons involved in craft will be offered free space or heavily subsidised rates under a special package which has been arranged to attract young entrepreneurs.

WANTED: A GOOD LEADER

DSukhai defends $2.1M dental work –

says it was her entitlement

ormer Amerindian Affairs Minister

Ryhaan Shah

r Cheddi Jagan who went on to be premier and President, was not without flaws both as a man and a politician but no one can deny that he was the most humble and hardworking of all our political leaders. Many see him as a naïve politician whose support for left wing politics made him out of step with the West. But to give him his due, he truly believed that the egalitarian ideals of socialism were the better alternative to the greed and inequalities of the colonial period from which we were emerging when he was premier.

He was outmanoeuvred by the wilier Forbes Burnham who had the backing of America and Britain. And the rest, as they say, is history. Burnham who had as much charm and charisma as Jagan was the worst of our leaders and every attempt to rehabilitate him as a visionary and exemplar will al-ways fall on stony ground. That President Granger has become part of the choir of praise for Burn-ham with nary a tempering word or phrase that he was misguided and corrupt demonstrates how much we are held hostage by our race politics.

Our political leaders continue to pander to race alignments almost by instinct. It is what their sup-porters expect – or so they feel – and with no courage or integrity of their own to lift themselves and us out of that rut, Guyana is set to suffer again a government ruled by racial considerations.

In short shrift, the APNU/AFC government has created even more division within our society mak-ing its social cohesion ministry wholly farcical.

The positive change promised has all but dissipated. There is widespread discontent and the Granger government has alienated over half of the country’s population, Indians and Amerindians, through its dogged pursuit of an ethnic cleansing policy.

The Amerindian group TAAMOG is suing Government for firing some 2,000 support officers, cit-ing discrimination. The lawsuit, the resignation of Dr Ramayya from the AFC, and Government’s abrupt sacking of GPL boss Mr Bharrat Dindyal, with no replacement in sight, together present a clear picture of the fallout that is occurring from the administration’s prejudiced policies and prac-tices.

Many AFC supporters are worried about what they see as PNC thinking and policies whereby all Indians (and now Amerindians) are made to suffer for the perceived ills of the PPP. But this is how it has always been. Indian Guyanese are targeted for violence for supporting the PPP and the con-tinued confessions of death squad member Sean Hinds confirms what many have long suspected with regard to the PNC’s hand in racially motivated violence.

All hopes for positive change under the new administration are dashed and given that in great part we do not have a culture of criticism which is fairly given and well received, there is little hope that Granger will be urged to change tack and alter course until, perhaps, it is too late.

Criticism here is always guided by whether you are seen as friend or foe and this unprincipled compromise has helped to create a society where mediocrity flourishes, where the mediocre are rewarded, and where they also attain leadership positions.

Wanted right now is a leader who would be fair (given our racial divide); would be morally upright (given our perverse political past); would be just (given our high crime rate with its racial over-tones); would be decent (given the lawlessness that has overrun our society); and would be capable (given our troubled economy). This leader would also have the maturity to respond well to criti-cism, good and bad.

It is clear that during its 23-year hiatus the PNC/APNU learned nothing. Its main agenda in govern-ment seems to be redeeming its past as if to try and prove again what 28 failed years in power nev-er could, and there is already fear in some quarters of an imminent collapse.

The countrywide disappointment with the Granger government gives the PPP a distinct advantage. Its return to parliament as the opposition should set the tone for a reenergized party. Radical re-forms must bring on board new ideas, a new political culture, and the kind of maturity and security that would replace sycophancy and cronyism with critical thinking.

It is flaccid leaders who need the cushiony sycophancy of yes-men. Strong, intelligent leadership demands critical thinking and Guyana needs such leadership if it is to progress.

We do not even ask for greatness. Right now, the country would welcome a good and just leader.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to shah@guyanatimesgy.com

FPauline Sukhai, has defended a dental bill paid on her behalf by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, claiming that her medical circumstances is her private business and the money utilised was her rightful entitlement as a Minister of Guyana.

“My dental fee was an entitlement and it was duly approved,” she said, maintaining that she will not disclose any informa-

tion with respect to what the money was spent on as it is her personal business.

She was at the time speaking to media operatives at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Saturday at the Party’s Headquarters, in Robb Street, Georgetown.

Sukhai explained that the sections of the media and sections of society sought to use this information as a political gimmick to influence Amerindian voters against the PPP/C, but all

efforts were in vain.

“The fact that it was peddled pre-election as a campaign gimmick; it did not resound in the hinterland as what was expected for the coalition Government,” the former Minister said, noting that the Party still grabbed the majority of the votes from Amerindian regions.

Sukhai maintained that the sum spent on her medical needs is her lawful entitlement, ridding herself of any responsibility for the appropriation of the funds.

Kross Kolor Records, GMN to hold conference on Guyana’s music industry

Kross Kolor Records, in collaboration with the Guyana Music Network (GMN), will be hosting a major conference to push for the revolution of the local music industry and initiate a more active conversation with the Government to speed up the process of establishing copyright laws in Guyana.

The event will take place on August 18 at the National School of Music in Brickdam and commences at 17:00h. Guest speakers will include Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes and Guyanese superstar Eddy Grant.

For years, Guyanese musicians have been battling with lack of local support,

weak copyright laws and poor intervention from the Government into the creative arts industry.

During the elections campaign, the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition promised to pay more attention to the music industry and help local artistes in their endeavours, particularly by establishing copyright laws.

Chief Executive Officer of Kross Kolor Records Burchmore Simon, during a brief telephone interview with the Guyana Times, related that the event will serve three purposes.

The first being to promote the launching of Guyanese sounds, like the

ring bang rhythm. Ring bang is a Caribbean fusion of music genres, a philosophy, and an aesthetic propounded by Eddy Grant in 1994. Among ring bang’s stylistic influences are calypso, reggae, soca, and zouk.

The second objective is to renew calls for the implementation of copyright laws in Guyana. Many have contended that the absence of modern copyright legislation has paved the way for the creation of a lucrative enterprise in intellectual piracy, stagnating the growth and development of the local creative industry.

The third purpose is to explore how the local music industry can contribute to the development of Guyana’s tourism sector. A vibrant music industry significantly impacts a country’s tourism and this is ev-

ident from the experiences in other Caribbean nations like Trinidad and Jamaica.

Simon, who has been involved in the music industry for most of his life, said if authorities incorporate local music with tourism, it can do wonders for both industries.

“When you go to carnival in the other countries, this is a major tourist attraction, they play the local music, they have their artistes perform and the tourists who come in for carnival will return home and that music will stay with them and they will start to talk about it and that’s how it is promoted,” he explained, noting that Guyanese can begin to take baby steps to reach this stage.

“I believe it is an evolutionary process that will only get better with time,” he said.

Younge’s Take

Scooby Doo Politics

Since coming to power back in May of this year, the David Granger Administration has spent much of its time establishing Commissions of Inquiry (COIs), probes, audits and various and sundry investigations into several State and semiautonomous agencies.

Ostensibly, it would appear that the Government is attempting to use these COIs to investigate the workings of these entities with the aim of trying to find solutions to the problems that beset them.

But a closer analysis would led to the ineluctable conclusion that these probes are being done to vindicate and legitimise the big noise that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration had made while in opposition against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) about "corruption, cronyism, siphoning off of funds and state assets, and mismanagement of various projects."

As a result, the Government is working overtime to ensure that they select individuals to be part of the probes and COIs that will hand deliver the kind of results that it craves.

Therefore, Guyanese should not be surprised by the composition of these bodies. It should have been expected that controversial opposition personalities such as Christopher Ram, Anand Goolserran and Nigel Hughes, amongst others who lobbied against the PPP/C during its tenure in office, would now rise to stardom under the new Government receiving plaudits, work and other assignments at the expense of the public purse.

In the same vein, the announcements of the new members and Chairpersons of State Boards should not be surprising as it is expected that a Government such as the one in office with its PNC pedigree would want to tighten its grip, influence and control over every facet of the State apparatus.

In addition, the move by the Government to amend the Standing Orders in Parliament to give itself majority membership on Committees so as to secure their Chairmanship is also not surprising.

Similarly, the decision to launch mass firings of key professionals who served at the helm of various entities is also not surprising to those who understood the philosophy of the APNU and AFC which are political organisms that preach one thing to access power, but do another when it has seized that power. The Government is clearing the way for the appointment of scores of partisan party supporters who were promised jobs in various entities.

In essence, the entire thrust of the Government’s first 100 days in office is to undermine the legacy of the PPP/C and to bring the reputation of its leaders into disrepute.

The David Granger Government is behaving like a Scooby Doo Government. It is looking for clues everywhere to solve a mystery of corruption and, like Scooby, runs the risk of looking in all of the wrong places.

In the process, it is cutting the nose to spoil Guyana's face when one looks at the questionable credentials and independence of those that it has appointed as sleuths to achieve its political goal of unearthing massive corruption occasioned by the PPP/C.

The Ministers too, in typical Scooby Doo style, are making lots of blunders in the execution of their duties much to the amusement of senior staff and the PPP/C who are sitting behind the scenes and looking on.

They are spending too much of their energies and efforts trying to give the public the impression that as new Ministers they are more competent than those who served under the previous Government, to handle their business.

The point is, the PPP/C, when it returns to Parliament on Monday to participate in the budget debates, must waste no time in exposing the shenanigans being played by this new Government on the people.

The Party must, at some point, ask for the Government to provide the Parliament with the costs associated with the establishment, operation and funding of every single Commission of Inquiry, audit or investigation launched by the President and his Cabinet. This cost will no doubt be in the hundreds millions. Auditors like Ram and Goolsarran do not come cheap.

Hide original message

The PPP/C must ask for the terms of reference, membership of all these COIs and their official reports. The Party must bring to light the fact that despite harping about corruption, the new Government using Scooby Doo methodologies and tactics, has failed to unearth any massive fraud, corruption scandal.

Amerindian Spokespersons support $10M lawsuit against Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister

Prominent Amerindian

Spokespersons have thrown their full support behind the $10 million lawsuit filed against the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock, and his Permanent Secretary, Wibert Welch, over the unlawful dismissal of 1972 young Amerindians who were employed as Community Support Officers (CSOs) under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

The lawsuit was filed by Peter Persaud, President of the Amerindian Action

Movement of Guyana.

Former Amerindian Affairs Minister, former Ministerial Advisor Yvonne Pearson, and PPP/C Member of Parliament Aleister Charlie have all registered their disappointment over the unjustifiable sacking of these Amerindian youths.

“They were denied the opportunity be engaged meaningfully…an opportunity to enhance their skills, their capabilities; an opportunity to willingly contribute to village development, denied their stipend of $30,000 per month, deny

their children and families, particularly those who were single parents and depended n their monthly payments to assist them. I believe this is one of the worse travesties that could have occurred in the history of this country with respect to indigenous youth…it is truly a devastating blow to our indigenous youths,” Sukhai related.

Pearson slammed the Government for disrespecting the rights of Amerindian people, particularly the right to work like any other citizen in this country.

“It is our people clear as day that is not being respected…” she said, pledging her full support behind the lawsuit.

Charlie, who represents Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) which is the largest hinterland region in Guyana, related that all the CSOs from the region are greatly affected by this decision.

“The young people are the future of our country. With this, I on behalf of all the CSOs of my region are in full support with the lawsuit that has been filed against the government…it is disheartening, disturbing, dis-

Sukhai defends...

“It appeared as if Minister Pauline Sukhai misappropriated the sum but Minister Pauline Sukhai is not responsible for the Ministry of Health’s support budget and I do not have direct hand on the finances and I did not spend that money because I had a direct hand in signing off and approving of such sums, it went through the normal course of an application and an approval… Minister Sukhai, like any other individual who received medical support under the PPP/C Government is entitled as a national or as an Amerindian, unless they are telling me that I am not suppose to enjoy any benefit that was available under the position I held as Minister,”

the former Minister contended.

Moreover, Sukhai speculated that the hullaballoo and attacks against her is based on her ethnicity.

“Is it that Minister Pauline Sukhai who features popularly in the matter of receiving dental assistance, is the criticism being levelled against Pauline Sukhai because she is an Amerindian, is it that an Amerindian Minister is not entitled to dental support,” she rhetorically purported.

Additionally, the former Minister posited that it is not discriminatory that she and other officials are entitled to millions of dollars for dental treatment when the layman is not entitled to the same. “It is not discrimina-

appointing with the quashing of the CSO,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to the court document, the termination of the services of the 1972 Amerindians CSOs, who were employed under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) of the then Amerindian Affairs Ministry, is a blatant infringement of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Articles 40, 149, 149(A), 149(D) and 149(G) of Chapter 1:01).

The document also states that the firing of these individuals is against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the International Covenant on Economic and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Vienna Declaration, all of which impose an obligation upon the State of Guyana to preserve and protect indigenous people’s based on principles, inter alia, of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, non-discrimination, equal treatment, right to self-determination and right to work.

The A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration fired the CSOs in the hinterland regions across the country because it was believed that their operations were political.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said it was always found that the programme, which has been in existence for several years, was being used by the previous Administration for political purposes. This being the case, he said, their sacking was justified.

The PPP/C already supported the move, dubbing the firing as another blatant

incident of ethnic discrimination.

“Apart from the devastating impact that this discriminatory action will have on these individuals and their families, it removes from the Amerindian village economy at least $270 million per annum. This act violates all international practices, norms and laws relating to indigenous people,” the PPP/C argued, as it called on the APNU/AFC Government to immediately reverse what it described as a grave injustice perpetuated on Amerindians.

Thoracic Surgeon joins Georgetown Public Hospital team

Guyanese-born Dr Cheetanand Mahadeo has returned to his homeland to offer his services after travelling overseas to undergo a two years training programme.

Dr Mahadeo recently completed his fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at the McMaster University and has rejoined the medical team at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Originally from Crabwood Creek, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Dr Mahadeo left Guyana in July 2013 to pursue his fellowship in thoracic surgery and returned last month. Thoracic surgery is a medical field in which the specialist performs operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest.

According to Dr Mahadeo, since the hospital does not have a Thoracic Surgeon, he thought it best to do his fellowship in this field to help offer better care to patients. He said specialising in this field was a life changing experience, adding “the training is incomparable to anything we have locally; it exposed me to an entirely different approach to take care of patients.”

The doctor’s area of skill is treating everything outside of the heart, such as lung cancer, other cancers in the chest and chest masses. In addition, pa-

tients will not be the only ones to benefit from Dr Mahadeo’s expertise, but doctors also. The Thoracic Surgeon is part of the graduate education programme at the Hospital and as such, will be teaching residents both theory and practical.

He disclosed his plans to develop thoracic surgery at the hospital by creating the first Thoracic Service in Guyana and said he has been working closely with the GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Khan. “We have been trying to get a list of equipment, a budget, proposals and quotations for the basic essential stuff,” the Doctor stated. He further noted that support from Government is integral in making this project a reality. Dr Mahadeo is also a General Surgeon.

tory… If anyone who applied to the PPP/C Government for assistance, medical dental otherwise, they were supported, I myself piloted many requests on behalf of indigenous individuals who needed overseas assistant and many of them were successfully cured,” she related.

Meanwhile, in the lead up to the General and Regional Elections 2015, when news broke that Ministers were engaged in exorbitant spending on medical treatment for various purposes, former Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon noted that this privilege is extended to individuals outside of Cabinet, even Opposition members.

Gun amnesty to take effect from September 1

– Church Movement to oversee programme

As the Guyana Police Force reports that more illegal firearms are being found on the streets of the country, the Public Security Ministry has announced that the Gun Amnesty Programme, which provides for persons to hand over unlicensed firearms and ammunition to the authorities without facing prosecution, will take effect from September 1.

Ramjattan told the Guyana Times that they are currently working out a few more details before the implementation of the programme, such as the location where the firearm would be lodged. “We are trying to work out a couple of areas where we are going to ask members of public to bring it in because we have to have safe places where the guns can be lodged,” he stated.

Furthermore, the Public Security Minister disclosed that the Church Movement has been identified as the civil organisation to oversee the Gun Amnesty Programme and collect the firearms. Ramjattan had previously stated that they have realised that persons may not be too inclined to hand over firearms to the Police, as such, they will have an independent organisation to oversee the programme.

Last month during a press briefing, Minister Ramjattan had stated that he needs to consult with the Top Cop on the way forward in implementing the programme to determine whether incentives will be given to those who take advantage of the amnesty pe-

riod, or whether persons would face harsher penalties for failing to submit their illegal weapons within the amnesty period. This consultation was since completed.

“So all of that is part and parcel of my projected plans for the next couple of months… Indeed we are going to grant an amnesty so they can start their collection and bring it to the nearest Police Station,” he had remarked.

Meanwhile, President Granger has reiterated the importance of removing illegal firearms from the streets of Guyana. He noted that there is a large amount of illegal weapons, as such, they need to find the source of these firearms and stop them from whichever countries they are coming from.

“The important thing is to seize more illegal firearms; more important than

that is to stop firearms from coming into the country. No point in having an amnesty and the weapons continue to come,” he pointed out.

In its 2015 election manifesto, the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had promised an amnesty period for persons to hand over unlicensed firearms and ammunition to the authorities without facing any prosecutions.

In efforts to curb the number of gun-related crimes and rid the streets of unlicensed weapons, the APNU+AFC coalition had outlined in its elections manifesto that it will be implementing an amnesty programme for the surrender of illegal weapons, which will be backed by a “Voluntary Weapons Collection” Programme.

“The amnesty programme will be accompanied by a special fund to provide alternative opportunities for training, development of generating projects, credit, etc, for youth at risk, and sports, scouting and other cadet like schemes for youth in schools and religious organisations,” the manifesto detailed.

On Friday, the Police reported that despite a four per cent decrease in the number of gun-related robberies, the Force has seized a total of 74 illegal firearms comprising of one sub-machine gun, 43 pistols, 18 revolvers, five shotguns, six rifles and one pen-gun. This represents a whopping 28 more illegal firearms that were seized when compared to the same period last year.

APNU, AFC hijacks

Toshaos

Conference –

Amerindian leaders expose “sloppy planning” of event

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

Failing to upkeep its manifesto promise to “depoliticise” the National Toshaos Council (NTC), the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration seemed to have made matters worse as NTC Executives and key Amerindian Leaders are up in arms over the sloppy planning of the NTC conference.

At a press conference on Saturday, former Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, slammed the coalition Government for the unethical and unlawful procedures taken to organise the National Toshaos Council Conference, which is now set for August 17.

However, according to officials, the Government failed to inform NTC members (who are Toshaos) within the stipulated timeframe and hijacked the planning of the conference, which was the responsibility of the council.

According to the former Minister, the standard procedures require that the agenda for the conference be coined and crafted by the NTC Executives and the date for the conference be decided upon by the NTC. However, this was not the case this time around under the new APNU/AFC regime.

When the NTC would have arrived at a mutual decision, the information

would be submitted to the Ministry for approval, and the Minister would then contact the Toshaos informing them of the date of the conference, one month beforehand.

“This whole fanfare of the coalition Government being paragon, being virtuous and being consultative and trying to depoliticise the NTC is a farce,” Sukhai posited, noting that the APNU/ AFC Administration blatantly discarded the law and undermined its promise to the Guyanese people.

Additionally, former NTC Head, Yvonne Pearson, dubbed the entire planning as being heavily influenced by the APNU/AFC because Toshaos were not even consulted during the process.

“The Act says that every Toshao is a member of the council so when the new Administration spoke about consultation, here is where they are lacking in what was being said, what was touted before election, there was no consultation. I am speaking because I was called; I received numerous calls,” Pearson said, noting that only a few persons received an indication of the conference slated for Monday.

“How do we expect the full participation of all our newly elected Toshaos at this upcoming conference?” Pearson wondered.

Similar views were expressed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Aleister Charlie,

who was also present at the press conference.

The National Toshaos Council Conference will begin on Monday next week with a series of activities aimed at improving the lives of the country’s indigenous peoples; however, executive members and other members of the Amerindian community expressed their discontentment with the way the conference was planned out.

The NTC, which is made up of Toshaos from several Amerindian villages, meets annually to form discussions with Government officials about issues and policies which affect this nation’s first people.

NTC Chairman Derrick John told this newspaper that he was deeply concerned about what would happen at next week’s conference. He shared that he was only informed of the confirmation date from his deputy on Tuesday, and only received the confirmation letter on Wednesday when he showed up to the office of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry.

This has been the case for many other Amerindian leaders.

Another Executive Member of the NTC, Joel Fredericks told this newspaper that he was “not pleased” with the way this conference was planned, especially as it relates to the short notice that Toshaos were given about the event.

Outrage erupts over Govt’s...

Former President Donald Ramotar, who established the Inquiry, has already condemned the actions of the Government explaining that “it simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testimony”.

Ramotar said that he

was aware that persons whose names have been called by witnesses in significant ways were to be invited by the Commission to make a contribution.

FROM PAGE 12

“With the Commission now to be abruptly aborted, none of this will take place. I am therefore forced to wonder whether the decision to bring the life of the Commission to an abrupt end is one that is intended to avoid these witnesses from giving evidence and face cross-examination,” he said in a letter to the press.

Ramotar expressed satisfaction that “history will record that a PPP/C Government established a credible Commission of Inquiry into the death of Dr Walter Rodney and that it was a PNCR + AFC + WPA that killed that inquiry.”

“These persons would have included former leader of the PNCR, Mr Robert Corbin. Evidence from the Guyana Defence Force has been tendered before the Commission to the effect that Mr Corbin obtained from the Force over 150 machine guns. At that time, he was at the Ministry of National Mobilisation. Those guns have reached the hands of bandits. The PNCR itself may have been invited and offered an opportunity to defend itself against some very damaging allegations.”

Berbice Bridge subsidies negotiations.... BBCI’s right to fix tolls cannot be infringed on – banking equity partner

The number one promise in the first 100 days, published in the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change manifesto, was the reduction in the tolls of the Berbice River Bridge. After taking office and recognising that the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) is a private company, the Government announced that reducing the Berbice bridge tolls would require negotiations with the BBCI and payment of subsidies to allow this to happen.

The statement was positively recognised by various investors in the Berbice Bridge, who have expressed support for accommodating the Government's request, once their property rights in the bridge are fully honoured. Many of the investors committed to invest in the BBCI in 2006, almost 10 years ago. However it was revealed by one of the banking entities that has a large financial stake in the BBCI that in the negotiations late last week while the Government will match the amount being reduced in tolls with direct payment to BBCI from the Consolidated Fund, the Government is ignoring the contractual right of the entity to modify the existing tolls to ensure that the agreed to cash flow for payments to investors be maintained. The banking institution, which claims it was representing the views of the other private investors, is insisting that the Government is arbitrarily shanghaiing it to go along with a campaign promise for which it bears no responsibility.

The Government used the Public Private Partnership vehicle to evade taking the risk of having to carry debt on its portfolio so that it could be seen as more creditworthy. However it is now imposing obligations on private investors and prevent-

ing them from maintaining a cash flow to compensate them for their investment and for taking the risk.

The Berbice Bridge is one of Guyana’s first publicprivate partnerships with a broad cross section of the financial sector investing. In 2006 over G$8 B was invested in various financing instruments, such as bonds, subordinated debt, preference shares, and common

vestors rely on the rule of law and the Government honouring agreements entered into, such as the Berbice Bridge Concession Agreement entered into by the Government and the BBCI. Already, some investors are not deriving their returns due from the bridge company, due to the lack of implementation of changes in tolls, required under the Concession Agreement. This cannot con-

shares. Investors include the NBS, NIS, all the major banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and some of large corporate Guyanese entities. Since the bridge opened at the end for 2008, most investors have been paid their return on their investment – returns are either interest or dividends, depending on whether it is a debt or equity instrument. Debt instruments earn interest returns. Equity instruments such as preferred and common shares, earn dividend returns.

Common shareholders have never been paid a dividend. In 2014, the NIS, which owns all of the preferred shares, did not receive its preference share dividend.

The manner in which the negotiations are conducted by Minister Jordan, is critical to maintaining Private Sector investor confidence in public projects. Private in-

tinue in perpetuity.

The political attacks on tolls, along with the 2014 opposition (now Government) motion, had derailed the implementation of toll increases necessary to secure payment of all the investors. In 2014, after an eight-year moratorium, starting repaying principal to the bond investors in the project. In 2014, over $500 million in bond principal was repaid placing much pressure on cash flows. As such, the negotiations will need to recognise past actions of not implementing toll changes mandated under the Concession Agreement, the current situation of reducing tolls today, and the impact of todays’ changes on the future of the concession, since today’s action will render any future toll increase difficult.

The negotiations are likely to require consultations with most of the financial sector of the country given

AFC will be “dead meat”...

According to Jagdeo, the Alliance For Change no longer has any “leverage”, given their “marriage” with APNU and any attempts to act solo will reveal the truth in his position.

As it stands, the entire Alliance For Change elections machinery is in disarray and the Party has been torn by a series of internal rifts, infighting and divisions since the May 11 elections.

Recently, another AFC Executive and former Parliamentarian Dr Verasammy Ramyya resigned, explaining that he was disrespected by the new Government and the people of Berbice were left out in the cold. Before entering

the coalition with APNU, leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan had predicted that if that happens, the “AFC would become ‘dead meat”. He explained that the Party’s support among the Indian Berbicians constituency would desert them en masses. A Local Government Election would test this theory and with the present disillusionment with the direction the coalition has taken most observers say Ramjattan’s prediction will come to fruition.

PPP/C in LGE with Surujbally Meanwhile, in June, the PPP/C had no qualms about its position as it related to contesting in the upcoming Local Government

how many of the top financial institutions invested. These institutions, are major financial intermediaries, who receive monies from the general public. At stake also is the NIS, who has had trouble securing good investments.

Negotiation are likely to require the full engagement of the BBCI management, board, shareholders, as well as the Trustee for the debt investors. Debt investors include major commercial banks, pension funds, insurance companies, the NBS, and the NIS. It is likely that the Trustee and the shareholders will all have to meet to agree any proposed changes to the terms of the agreement, to ensure that all property rights, which relate to the right to receive their returns and repayment (past, present and future) are fully honou red and not prejudiced by the current proposals.

For many investors, preservation of their property rights in the project is important. Any changes in tolls directly affect the value of their investment and the likelihood to repay. Any change or erosion of this fundamental ability to implement tolls, directly affects their investment and property rights. Any deprivation of the right to implement the toll formula per the Concession Agreement without adequate compensation, is likely to be construed as a constitutional issue surrounding deprivation of property rights. Additionally, it will trigger breaches of the Investment Act that protects private investors. As such, the manner and principles of the negotiations, if not handled fairly to ensure that investors are not deprived of their returns and repayment, will have far reaching constitutional and legal implications. from page 3

When Government takes over NTC

OElections.

The Opposition Party has maintained that it is concerned about contesting these elections with Dr Steve Surujbally as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Since the PPP/C lost the May 11 General and Regional Elections, it has repeatedly called for the resignation of the GECOM Chairman, although GECOM is composed of six Commissioners- three from the APNU/AFC Government and three from the PPP/C. Those calls have even taken the form of protests which saw former President Donald Ramotar, as well as, members from his past Cabinet picketing in front of

GECOM’s Headquarters on High Street, Kingston.

The PPP/C maintains its allegations that the electoral body conspired with the present administration so as to rig the recently held General Elections. The former Government offered the body’s refusal to do a national recount, as well as several disputed Statements of Poll, as evidence of the alleged “collusion”.

Local Government Elections were last held in Guyana in 1994, despite stipulations stating that it is supposed to be held every four years.

Efforts by this newspaper to contact several prominent figures in the AFC proved futile on Saturday.

nce a year, the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) comprised of all Toshaos of Guyana, gathers for a conference in Georgetown which lasts for several days and where discussions are engaged with the Government on issues affecting indigenous peoples. The conference is planned and organised weeks ahead by the executive committee of the Council in collaboration with the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry. The selection of the date of conference is done through consultation with the NTC executive body, and formal invitation communicated to each member of NTC at least two to three weeks in advance.

This year’s NTC conference however, came almost as a surprise to everyone for several reasons; the first being that in the past, it was usually held during the last quarter of the year, after Amerindian Heritage Month, to facilitate coordination of both activities. Then, there seems to have been little communication between the Ministry and Amerindian communities, since few Toshaos were informed, up to when the conference was officially announced, of the event. The third surprise is that quite a few members of the Executive Committee, such as NTC Chairman Derrick John, outgoing Secretary Basil Cornelius and Executive member Joel Fredericks, claim that the Council itself was not part of the preparation for the conference. The absurdity of this is highlighted through the fact that it is the NTC which is tasked through Part IV, Section 43 (3) (a) of the Amerindian Act No 6 – 2006, to announce its meeting one month in advance in at least one national newspaper.

While some are dissatisfied at the sudden notice, others are skeptical at the eventual outcome of the conference. This begs an answer as to the new method employed by the Indigenous People's Affairs Ministry regarding the increasingly limited access of Amerindians in the decisionmaking process of matters of prime importance to their communities, as well as to the application of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), provisioned for by United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and which has been an integral component of the approach used in the past by the Ministry in major events such as these.

The Government’s rush to host the NTC Conference, in the midst of intense preparations for the upcoming Amerindian Heritage Month, leads one to wonder if this has anything to do with the APNU/AFC 100-Day Action Plan. Section 18 of the plan does state: “An Indigenous Peoples Rights and Resources Conference will be held and the National Toshaos Council re-assessed and depoliticised”. However, the NTC receives its mandate by Part IV of the Amerindian Act No 6 – 2006, and Section 43 (2) grants the Minister status of ex officio member. Also, it is a Government funded organisation. Consequently, depoliticising the Council might entail altering the Amerindian Act itself.

Even if this was possible, such a major shift in the modus operandi of the Council would oblige the Indigenous People's Affairs Ministry to consult with the Executive Committee and all members of the NTC. It is highly likely that national consultation would have to be conducted, as no Toshao or Village/Community Council can legitimately make decisions that do not represent the majority consensus of their peoples. As such, a decision couldn’t possibly be made to reform the NTC by bypassing the principle of FPIC and the Toshaos, each democratically elected to represent the interests of their people. However, if the Indigenous People's Affairs Ministry continues to disregard FPIC in blatant disrespect of Amerindians and their leaders, nothing really guarantees that the NTC will have a decisive say in the outcome of its own future.

However, actors of the civil society and international organisations have the power to influence sectors in which the Government is failing in its service to the people, including in indigenous rights. Yet, it is disturbing that the most important organisation which defended Amerindian rights in Guyana, remains utterly silent. This silence has become deafening since the change in Administration, and may have come as a result of the association of some of its members and affiliates with the Government. If not, it could also mean that politics is now dominating and strangling indigenous rights, as it drowns out the voice of what were some of our most vociferous indigenous rights activists.

Nevertheless, Guyana’s indigenous peoples have come a long way in the fight to secure their rights, to the point where Village Councils are quasi autonomous. Subsequently, it might take more than a few mechanical handouts to “selected” Toshaos for the Government to be able to deconstruct the National Toshaos’ Council by the end of the designated and imminent 100 days.

Sport allocation included in MOE’s budget

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has clarified that the sport allocation for 2015 is included in the Ministry of Education’s budgetary allocation. Unlike the previous administration, which had sport as a separate ministry, sport is now a department within the Education Ministry.

Finance Ministry

Winston Jordan, during his budget presentation last week, did not mention an allocation for sport, which caught many in the fraternity by surprise.

“At the moment the money is included in that lump sum [for the Education Ministry], so it will be a question of how much of that money we access to carry out the sports programme,” Dr Roopnaraine mentioned.

WHow the monies would be expended is yet to be determined, the minister pointed out.

“I have to sit and work out with the minister within the ministry Ms [Nicolette] Henry, who has specific responsibility for sports. We have just established the sports commission and really it’s the sports commission which is going to determine programmes and activities. And it’s really only after the commission has designed its programme that we’d be in a position to cost the programme and to essentially make recommendations in relations to financing,” Dr Roopnaraine explained.

The minister also highlighted that the ministry is currently in the process of putting together commissioners, who would serve on the National Sports Commission with direct responsibility for a specific cluster.

“So you would have a commissioner who would be responsible for cricket, you would have commissioner who would be responsible for rugby, a commissioner who would be responsible for racing. That commissioner will in effect make up a team and deal with the specific issues of the particular sport and bring back what he is doing and reporting and so on to the commission. So that’s how the commission will work,” he divulged.

WICB Women’s Super50…

Jamaica set to defend title against unbeaten Barbados

Defending champions Jamaica will take aim at their second straight title when they take on unbeaten Barbados in the final of the Regional Women’s Super50 today.

The two topped the standings after the fifth preliminary round of the competition was completed on Friday, and will now do battle at the National Cricket Centre for the honour of Caribbean women’s champions.

Barbados were outstanding throughout the roundrobin phase, topping the standings with 18 points from three wins with one tied game and one no-result.

Jamaica, meanwhile, finished second in the standings on 16 points, after also winning three, but losing one and enduring one no-result.

Today’s final will be a repeat of the first round clash when Barbados prevailed over the Jamaicans by 32 runs in a contest at Caldrac Sports Club.

On that occasion, Jamaica were let down by their batting. Chasing a mere 173 for victory, the Jamaicans faltered badly and failed to get past 150.

Their batting did not improve significantly afterward, even though they

went on a winning streak to close out the preliminaries strongly.

Following their abandoned game with South Windwards, they defended 148 to crush the lowly North Windwards by 16 runs in the third round before beating then leaders Trinidad and Tobago in a pivotal fourth round game by 19 runs in Couva.

In the fifth round game on Friday, they put up perhaps their best showing of the tournament, posting 210 for five to overcome Guyana by 86 runs on the

Duckworth/Lewis method.

One of the keys for Jamaica will be the form of West Indies batting star Stafanie Taylor, who has already stroked two half-centuries in the tournament.

Barbados, meanwhile, will see winning the final as the crowning of a great campaign over the last two weeks.

They too suffered a second round washout at Gilbert Park against Guyana and then proceeded to whip South Windwards by 126 runs after getting up to 212 for eight batting first

at National Cricket Centre. Their batting clicked again against North Windwards in the fourth round as they raised 201 to win by 181 runs and they passed 200 again in a rainaffected tie with T&T in the last round on Friday.

The key to Barbados’ success has been their batting with opener Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Kyshona Knight, Malissa Howard and captain Shaquana Quintyne all getting half-centuries throughout the tournament. (CMC)

Mills still to hear from Steele

Dfinal of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

Top-seeded Djokovic, 28, broke in the opening game and once in the second set to win 6-4 6-4.

In the final, he could face Britain’s Andy Murray, who will go to second in the world rankings if he beats Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the other semi.

In the women’s semi-finals, Simona Halep beat Italian Sara Errani 6-4 6-4.

Romanian Halep, who is playing her first event since losing in the first round at Wimbledon, will now meet either world number Serena Williams or 18-year-old Swiss Belinda Bencic in the final. (BBC Sport)

espite making a Facebook post to allay fears over his disappearance, Edino Steele has not contacted his mentor and coach Glen Mills of Racers Track club.

The 28-year-old 400-metre runner Steele, who has been under the guidance of Mills for the last five years, was dropped from the Jamaican team after neither his coach nor the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) were able to make contact with him for the World Championships training camp in Japan.

Mills, who is also the coach of Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Kemar BaileyCole, said “no” in response when questioned if he was contacted by Steele.

“Somebody showed me something he posted,” Mills told the Jamaica Observer.

“At this time, I am reserving my comments until I am fully aware of what is happening,” said Mills.

Steele has a personal best of 45.19 seconds achieved in June 2015, which he followed with 45.25s at

Jamaica’s Senior Championships, where he finished fourth and was selected to Jamaica’s team to the World Championship.

But following poor performances on the Diamond League circuit, Steele went off the radar somewhat. He recently reached out through his Facebook page, informing fans that he was safe, but needed time to refocus.

“I’m just going thru a ruff time in my life and I need a little space and time for my thoughts to gather,” Steele said in his post.

“I can’t go out there and give 199% on the track... as I always do for ‘team Jamaica’,” he continued.

“Times like these [I] wanna be around my family to help me through this ruff time,” he added.

Steele’s misfortune provided a lucky break for 30-year-old Ricardo Chambers, who was drafted at his expense.

Both have been representing Jamaica since 2007 and Chambers is also at a loss where Steele is concerned.

“I haven’t heard anything about his situation as yet,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I’m hoping that he is OK, though,” he added.

Chambers will now join Javon Francis, Rusheen McDonald, Peter Matthews, Jonia McDonald and Dane Hyatt in the 4x400m relay pool. (Jamaica Observer)

Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day…

Herath’s 7 razes India for 112

After having made 377 look like 150 against Pakistan recently, Sri Lanka were back to their old ways of making sub-200 targets appear 350-plus by choking the life out of India’s chase. Their bowlers had failed to build any pressure in the first innings, but they hardly released it on the fourth day. India needed 153 to win with nine wickets in hand at the start of the day, but

Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal bowled them out to complete a sensational win. Not counting the forfeiture of The Oval Test in 2006, this 192 was the eighth highest first-innings deficit turned around into a Test win.

Dropped in the last match and lacking the bite in the first innings, Herath put more body into the ball, bowled hardly a bad ball in 21 overs, went

past Bishan Bedi to become the third-most successful left-arm spinner in Test history, and registered the second-best figures in Galle. This was a return to what Sri Lanka do really well: runs to play with, in-and-out fields so they are both attacking and defending at the same time, and their spinners landing everything on a penny.

The Galle International Stadium is an open ven-

Last week Australia were sent in to bat and were bowled out for 60. This week the tourists sent in a modest Northamptonshire side at Wantage Road and found themselves humbled again, this time by a rollicking effort from Steven Crook, a former South Australia Under-19s player who has latterly found the knack for hundreds in his adopted country.

A contemporary of Mark Cosgrove and Shaun Tait among others, this was Crook’s third century in two seasons after waiting more than a decade for his first. Through a combination of intelligent placement and plain old thumping he gave a grateful crowd something to cheer about and Australia’s new captain Steven Smith something to think about. Crook ended a memorable day by snaffling a catch at third slip, as David Warner pushed out stiffly at a Maurice Chambers ball angled across him.

Doubtless the Australians would not have been delighted with the day’s proceedings, which saw them play untidily between occasional patches of

strong cricket. Adam Voges dropped a slips catch, there were several misfields and, late in the day, Peter Nevill fumbled a stumping that would have ended Crook’s innings at 119.

Duly reprieved, he hammered Nathan Lyon’s next two balls beyond the longoff and long-on ropes to go to his highest first-class score. Northants’ last three wickets tallied 123. Traditionally a wrist spinner would have been called on to mop up the tail, but Smith did not dare to use Fawad Ahmed, who

gave up 48 runs in six confidence-sapped overs.

Smith would have hoped for better when he sent the hosts in to bat, on a pitch that was tinged with green but quickly showed less sign of life than had been witnessed in the Tests at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge. This may have had something to do with the bowlers concerned, for Peter Siddle and Pat Cummins were unable to threaten in the same way James Anderson and Stuart Broad had done. Siddle was economical to

ue with few stands in a sparsely populated city, but India would have felt there was no air to breathe on the fourth day. A day earlier they were almost certain of a win, but a turnaround began their inexplicable resistance to DRS and an excellent counterattack by Dinesh Chandimal. If that turnaround was unexpected, on the final day it was predictable that Sri Lanka would make India work hard for every run on a turning pitch. Eventually India did not work hard enough, in terms of applying themselves technically, folding for their lowest total against Sri Lanka. Working extremely hard was a 37-year-old portly spinner, fighting sore knees and a dodgy back, realising he needed to spin the ball harder to make a helpful pitch respond to him. And he did so emphatically. Having taken out KL Rahul on day three, Herath removed nightwatchman Ishant Sharma with the first ball he bowled in the morning. In an 18-over spell that followed, either side of lunch, he bowled just two half-volleys, one short ball and took six wickets for just 35 runs.

In the face of Herath’s unerring accuracy, the India batsmen seemed to overplay the threat of the arm ball, either staying leg side of the ball or pushing out in front of the pad.

Herath still managed to produce a wicket each of four kinds: Ishant Sharma was out lbw although he might have been hit outside the line, Rohit Sharma was bowled staying beside the line of the ball, Wriddhiman Saha was stumped when beaten by one that dipped on him and ripped past him, Harbhajan Singh sensationally caught pad-bat, R Ashwin caught at mid-

on in a desperate attempt to break the shackles, and finally Ajinkya Rahane through an edge to slip to end India’s final resistance. Credit was also due to Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep, who tested the overnight batsmen thoroughly.

Ishant, the nightwatchman, was dropped at second slip in Pradeep’s first over, but Pradeep’s bigger impact was in beating the first-innings centurion Shikhar Dhawan outside off on three occasions with balls that held their line.

SCOREBOARD

Australians’ misery

begin with, but was unable to break through an opening stand that reached as far as 68 before Ben Duckett’s impish contribution was ended by Mitchell Marsh’s inswinging first ball. It was Marsh who actually looked most threatening of all the pacemen, moving the ball at a brisk pace to bowl Rob Keogh playing down the wrong line and then have Josh Cobb taken at slip next ball.

The hat-trick was averted confidently by the 17-year-old Saif Zaib, who showed plenty of poise before his cameo was ended by Lyon’s offbreak. Kyle Coetzer’s dogged stay ended soon after when his patience finally flagged and he was bowled trying to swing Lyon into the Northampton town centre, and at 273 for 7 Warner and Shaun Marsh were starting to think about a few evening overs.

Instead they were put on hold by Crook’s brazen hitting, which featured shots all round the ground and a temperament unfazed by the fall of Northamptonshire’s ninth wicket when he still required three for a century. A nifty pull shot through backward square leg took

him there, the milestone taking just 77 balls to reach.

The entertainment continued against increasingly flustered Australian bowling, with Crook and last man Richard Gleeson adding 52 in a mere 46 balls. Crook hurtled comfortably past a century in the session, ultimately making 123 after tea.

When Gleeson was finally out, lbw to be Cummins’ third wicket, the Wantage

Road faithful stood to applaud Crook’s boldness. Many of the attendees then promptly left their seats and the ground, leaving Australia’s openers to see out the day’s final five overs in front of a much reduced gathering. They had started the day hoping to be the prime attractions, but ended it as extras in the star turn of a little-known countryman. (Cricinfo)

WICB loses US$.5M from Champions League

With money already at a minimum the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will find it even more difficult to run the game in the region, as funds continue to dry up.

The organisation’s latest stream of revenue to run dry is the Champions League fees. Of course no fault of their own, the Champions League has been scrapped by the three ruling bodies, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

Under the arrangement from the three associations that ran the Champions League, each of the cricket boards that had representation at the tournament got US$500,000.

President of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), Azim Bassarath told T&T Guardian that the WICB had an arrangement with the territorial boards that the monies will be split 50-50 when the WICB ran the regional T20 tournament. T&T went to four of the six Champions League and hence benefitted the most amongst the six regional territories. Guyana was represented at the event once, while under the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Barbados Tridents went once.

With the new arrangement with the CPL, the

WICB would have gotten the entire US$500,000 and this obtained last year when the Tridents went to the tournament in India.

A major portion, over 65% of the money that the WICB earned was channelled towards development in the territories with the remainder retained by the board.

Recently CEO of the WICB Michael Muirhead was quoted on Cricinfo as saying: “The WICB was also concerned about the impact on domestic teams. “It’s what funds the region will be devoid of, not the board. Everything does not just go in the WICB coffers as that money has to be shared. You can’t just say what money the board will be missing out on.”

The Champions League was scrapped

because the organisers thought that it was not catching on with the fans and also sponsors. They found it to be costly to keep on the calendar and with the BCCI losing funds as the major partner, they decided to put a stop to it.

There has been talk of a mini IPL coming on stream with matches to be played in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but the BCCI has not announced anything concrete on the matter. It would involve the top four teams of the IPL playing for the title.

During the Champions League, the number of IPL teams used in the tournament was always a major talking point among other cricketing countries who thought that there were too many teams coming from India.

(Trinidad Guardian)

India A v Australia A, A-team tri-series final…

Spinners, Gurkeerat help India A seal trophy

India A had called Australia A as the hurdle they haven’t been able to cross. Much of that had been down to a lack of control with the ball. On the day of the final, they managed to address that. The four spinners bowled 39 overs between them, took eight wickets between them and went at well under five-an-over. Australia A could not find acceleration - there were only two fours in the last 20 overs. Then Gurkeerat Singh produced a fine, unbeaten 85-ball 87, and India A found the trophy in their hands. It hadn’t been a comprehensive victory though. Mayank Agarwal had reached the safety of his crease, but was hung in midair when Chris Lynn’s throw found its mark. That ugly mistake caused a collapsefive wickets for 49 runs which included Unmukt Chand popping a catch to short cover and Kedar Jadhav taking a full toss and sweping it straight to deep square leg. Shot selection had been an aspect they had talked about, said coach Rahul Dravid, but there appeared some lessons were still left to be learned. But the required rate always hovering at four or under at the time helped India A stay afloat.

Gurkeerat, batting for the first time in the series, was the game-changer. He made a measured half-century and blunted Australia A at the time when they had been their most aggressive. He had come in at 82 for 4, held back until 137 for 5 and then unfurled classy ondrives to keep his dressing room and the Chennai crowd on the edge. Late cuts, little nudges, cover drives and importantly the resolute forward defensive as India A slowly reclaimed the upper hand. With only 14 runs to win, he went four, six and six to seal the game. Besides his innings, there were other factors adding to the typical drama of a lowscorer. Sanju Samson was pushed down to No. 8 and the moment he stepped out,

Australia A targeted him. There was more than a bit of chirping. Travis Head and Chris Lynn got in his ear even before he’d faced his first ball. Joe Burns got into the act at drinks, and even the umpire intervening didn’t quite make a difference. The crowd added to the rancour as well, to the extent that the police had to go into the stands and calm them down.

Australia A needed four wickets, and they knew removing one of these two would bring the bowlers out. This was the crunch. This was where the game needed to be closed out and Indian sides in the past have been lacking in that department. This side, as recently as Monday, couldn’t do it with the ball in hand. But today Samson and Gurkeerat managed to weather the hostility and ensured the spinners’ good work earlier in the innings meant something.

Simple plans had been laid. India A bowled at the stumps, refused to give bats-

men the pace they might have preferred. With a hint of uncertain bounce, getting the spinners away wasn’t easy. Karn Sharma and Axar Patel bowled 20 overs that cost a mere 62 and yielded five wickets. The part-timers, Gurkeerat and Karun Nair, chipped in as well - 19 overs for 75 runs and three wickets. There was enough emphasis on getting turn out of the pitch, but a greater one was placed on not offering bad balls. The plan worked to such an extent that India A were able to pull back a quick but scratchy start from Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns. The Australia A captain had as many as three chanceshe could have been run out in the second over, Samson spilled a catch in the third and Khawaja only just cleared mid-off the next ball. He capitalised on his luck for a total of 76 runs - his fifth fifty-plus score in six innings. But then the spinners started wheeling away and rest of the line-up could not muster much. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Australia A innings (50 overs maximum)

UT Khawaja* c Sandeep Sharma b Sharma 76

JA Burns c & b Gurkeerat

Singh 41

TM Head c Chand b Sharma 20

CA Lynn c Pandey b Nair 5

CJ Ferguson c Agarwal b Gurkeerat Singh 21

MS Wade† lbw b Sharma 1

AC Agar c Nair b Patel 15

A Zampa not out 15

NM Coulter-Nile c & b Patel 5

JL Pattinson c Patel b Kulkarni 11

GS Sandhu not out 0

Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-9) 16

Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 226

Fall of wickets: 1-82 (Burns, 13.4 ov), 2-138 (Head, 26.3 ov), 3-148 (Lynn, 29.5 ov), 4-159 (Khawaja, 32.1 ov), 5-164 (Wade, 34.2 ov), 6-190 (Ferguson, 41.4 ov), 7-194 (Agar, 43.2 ov), 8-207 (Coulter-Nile, 47.2 ov), 9-224 (Pattinson, 49.4 ov)

Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 6-0-

50-0 (3-w), AR Patel 10-0-252, DS Kulkarni 5-0-32-1 (1-w), Gurkeerat Singh 10-0-42-2 (2-w), KK Nair 9-0-33-1 (2-w), KV Sharma 10-0-37-3 (1-w) India A innings (target: 227 runs from 50 overs)

MA Agarwal run out (Lynn) 32 UBT Chand* c Burns b Agar 24

MK Pandey lbw b Agar 9

KK Nair c †Wade b Coulter-Nile 0 KM Jadhav c Ferguson b Zampa 29 Gurkeerat Singh not out 87 AR Patel c Khawaja b Sandhu 16 SV Samson† not out 24 Extras (lb-1, w-7) 8 Total (6

CAr rENtAlS

Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

SHALOM ENTERPRISE 2 CROAL STREET, STABROEK. INQUIRE ABOUT OUR DRIVING PACKAGE & INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S PERMIT (JOIN US ON FACEBOOK) 2273869/622-8162/644-7052

PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE TRAINING CERTIFICATE COURSE. 29 JUNE 2015; REGISTER NOW AND SAVE. CALL: 223-1506/6817567/694-8322

Private Custom’s brokers certificate training course. All importer/exporters and others who trade is on the increase globally and locally. Learn how to prepare custom documents. Date :4th August 2015 (for three weeks). Classes from 2:00-4:00 pm and 5:007:00 pm (optional). For more information call:694-8322 or 223-1506. Register early and save$$$

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 2273553/225-3315

FOR SALE

Clean Garden earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer and HP scanner - $25,000. Call 2252676 or 601-5285.

Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 2750322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

wSMALL OFFICE/BUSINESS SPACE, STABROEK AREA. TEL: 2312619/691-7164

Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking. Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089

YELLOW PAGES

Three Storey 75ft’x 30ft’ bldg, open floors, 2 offices, 2 washrooms, driveway. 25B Princess St, Charlestown. Tel : 223-0654, 225-0605

Two Self contained single bedroom furnished apartments for rental. Self contained 7 bedroom bungalow idea for family/ guests/ students local or overseas long/ short term rental. Contact # 622-7097 / 624-7111

Tain Corentyne Berbice, Opposite UG Campus. Tel # 675-5648

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

ALCO REFRIDGERATION: Repairs done to fridges, walk-in freezers , washing machines, Auto A/C, gas stoves, etc. Tel # 666-2276/6002210

Repairs and spare parts for fridge, freezers, A/C, washers, Dryers, Stoves, Microwave. Call Ni C k –683-1312/627-3206

Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134

Is your child experiencing difficulty in reading or looking for a private tutor for your child? Experienced A.Beka Trained Phonics teacher. Contact Samantha 223-6672

K. LAKERAM - BUILDING CONTRACTOR, DRAWING OF PLANS, WEEDING, SPRAYING OF GRASS, MASON, TILING, PLUMBING, CARPENTRY, PAINTING & GENERAL HOME MAINTENCE. FREE ESTIMATES. TEL: 216-0671/6220267/692-8464. EMAIL: klakeram. construction@gmail.com

Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,337-4510,337-

Fast growing food item importer/ distributor seeking salespersons to work in the Berbice & Demerara area. Must have a vehicle, experience and police clearance. Attractive salary and commission offered. Call for interview 231-8344 Fast growing food item importer/ distributor seeking canter driver, Delivery person and warehouse staff. Must have experience and police clearance. Attractive salary offered. Call for interview 231-8344

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

We buy lands in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Farm, Herstelling, Uitvlugt and Elsewhere. Call: 675-7292 / 611-7223

Petama Ent/Motor Trend softball… 5 games on today in Georgetown

Action in the inaugural Petama Enterprise/ Motor Trend softball cricket competition is set to continue today with five games in Georgetown.

The Guyana National Industrial Corporation ground on Woolford Avenue will host one game starting at 09:30h between Regal Masters and Park Rangers. Four matches will be played at the Demerara Cricket Club ground in Queenstown, also starting at 09:30h.

In the first two games, Floodlight Masters will play Fisherman Masters on Pitch One, and Brickery Superstars will challenge

Farm at Pitch Two. At 12:30h, Floodlight Legends will tackle Savage Masters on Pitch One, and on Pitch Two, Herstelling Raiders will face Princess Hotel.

Meanwhile, the competition started last weekend with three teams record wins. Below are the summarised scores.

Parika Defenders defeated Park Rangers by six wickets. Park Rangers 135 all out off 19.2 overs (Mohamed Rafeek 44, Danny Mohanram 42, D.Canan 2-13, A.Wazim 2-23, A Ali 2-28) Defenders 1365 off 18.2 overs (M. Saffie 56, Bacchus 38, Hanoman

Singh 2-26). Floodlights defeated Savage Masters by 21 runs. Floodlights 167-6 off 20 overs (Uniss Yusuf 39, Wayne Jones 32 not out, Imtiaz Mohamed 28, Wallack Joseph 2-24) Savage 146-7 off 20 overs (S. Samaroo 31, Nadir Baksh 28 not out, Imtiaz Mohamed 3-27, Rabindra Singh 2-20). Regal Masters defeated Fisherman by nine wickets. Fisherman made 1115 off 20 overs (R. Mohan 29, Ramo Malone 19, David Harper 17, Falim Mohamed 2-8) Regal 115-2 off 11.4 overs (Rudolph Baker 71, Mahendra Hardyal 18).

T&T Secondary School visits Guyana

to business Call 612-6417, 6875653, 220-0708

Classified Ads

$5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921

Fyzabad Secondary School of Trinidad and Tobago is in Guyana for a two-day tour, compliments of Fruta Conquerors Football Club and the Guyana Beverage Company.

The teams, male and female, are down to play Fruta Conquerors Under-19 male and female sides. One match was played on Saturday, while the other is fixed for this evening at the

club’s Tucville community centre home ground.

Club President Wayne Forde told the media at the briefing held upon the team’s arrival on Friday, that the school’s visit coincides with the Fruta Conquerors holiday programme and will be used to showcase their skills against and unknown counterpart.

Managing Director of the Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman,

hailed the club’s initiative and welcomed the school to Guyana. Selman said that being a native of the twinisland republic and living close to where the school is located in South Trinidad, Fyzabad’s visit to Guyana carries plenty sentimental feelings.

Meanwhile, the coaches and players from the visiting side made it clear that they didn’t voyage to Guyana to lose.

Boyz donate $250,000 to 3 organisations

Jamaica’s national men’s senior football team handed over $250,000 to three organisations at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) offices in New Kingston.

After finishing second in the Gold Cup last month, the Reggae Boyz decided to donate a portion of their prize money to those in need.

The Jamaica Special Olympics football team received $100,000, the same as Mannings Boys’ Home in western Jamaica. Glenhope Nursery in the Corporate Area was handed $50,000.

“We started this a couple years ago, during the World Cup Qualifiers, where we contributed to Glenhope. Now, this is a continuation of that,” Roy Simpson, JFF senior team manager, said during a brief ceremony.

“The players decided that they are now privileged young men and came through humble backgrounds, so they

want to give to others who seek to emulate them,” he said.

“Before we played against Mexico in the Gold Cup final, the Special Olympics team was all over the me-

director of the Children and Family programme at the Child Development Agency, collected cheques on behalf of Mannings

dia, so we decided to contribute to those youngsters. The players will also be contributing funds to other organisations from money gained during the upcoming World Cup Qualification games, starting next month,” Simpson dis-

Leal extends Team Gillette Evolution’s streak

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

he Ansa McAl

TTrading-sponsored Team Gillette Evolution has been packing quite a punch this season, and one of the rising talents on the team ensured the dominance of the men in white and black continued on Saturday at the inner circuit of the National Park.

In the absence of his more illustrious teammates, among them 2015 top rider Orville Hinds, young Raul Leal sprinted to victory in the main race of the 39th annual National Sports Commission’s 11race programme, coordinated by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

Leal recorded his second win of the season, beating off the challenge of one of

the smallest fields to start the gruelling 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race in recent times.

Leal sprinted away from the main pack on the final 100 metres to record his first win at the National Park this year, after the five-man peloton engaged in what has become the customary ‘cat and mouse’ in the dying stages of the final lap.

With each rider looking on the other to make the move, Leal stepped on his pedals and never looked back, eventually completing a comfortable victory.

Race official Joseph Britton stopped his watch at one hour, 21 minutes, 44.81 seconds (01h: 21m: 44.81s). The time was considerably slower than Michael Anthony’s one

hour, 19 minutes, 17.41 seconds (01h: 19m: 17.41s) recorded last year.

In the battle for second spot, Junior Niles outsprinted his veteran counterpart Robin Persaud, while the young trio Raphael Leung, Nicholas Alphonso and Winston Primo occupied positions fourth to sixth in that order. Leal, Persaud, Leung and Niles shared the eight prime prizes equally.

The day’s activities started with the BMX events, which attracted the young riders who are currently participating in the 39th annual “Teach Them Young” cycling programme being conducted by Mohamed.

Simeon Chee defeated Alexander Leung and Jessica Mohabir in the BMX 6-9, while Yannick

The “Tiger” turns 41 today

AJohn won the BMX 9-12 and Adelia Hodge, Thuran Garbarran and John were 1-2-3 in the BMX Boys 1214. The 12-14 Boys and Girls was won by Marcus Keiler, with Toshawna Doris copping second and Whitney Poyer third.

Niles was the leading Veterans Under-50 rider, outgunning Ian Jackson and Shameer Baksh in that order, while the Over50 race was won by Linden Blackman.

Jaleel Jackson, Raphael Leung and Christopher Griffith were the three leading riders in the Juveniles event, while Ozia Mcaulay took top honours in the Mountain Bikes race ahead of Seon Budhan and Keiler.

NSC official Gervy Harry represented Director of Sport Christopher Jones, and assisted in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion. The riders will be in action again on Saturday at the National Park.

ugust 16, 1974birth of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. When he made his debut against England in Georgetown in 1993-94, he was the first teenager to play in a Test for West Indies since Elquemedo Willett in 197273. Chanderpaul’s slim frame encases the ideal temperament for a Test batsman. He scored only two hundreds in his first 53 Tests, but improved that ratio significantly after that. His career run-graph took a turn upwards from India’s tour in 2006 - he scored seven hundreds, 14 half-centuries and averaged 73.09 from 23 Tests in the next three years. In 2005, he had been appointed captain and celebrated with a double-hundred in his home ground in Guyana. But he quit the next year to concentrate on his batting. From then on Chanderpaul became a run machine, reaching 10,000 Test runs in his 140th Test, in 2012 against Australia - in characteristic fashion, while trying to save

Will Shivnarine Chanderpaul play Test cricket again? At 41, only time will tell

the match. He averaged 98.7 in 2012, scoring three hundreds, including his second double. He hung at the crease like a limpet during the many times the side was in trouble, and churned out hundreds, seemingly at will. But three years later the unthinkable happened - Chanderpaul, at the age of 40, was dropped from the West Indies side after scoring only one half-century in ten innings. (Cricinfo)

Team named for Caribbean squash championships

The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) has officially named its squad to participate in the upcoming Caribbean Senior Squash Championships, scheduled to be held in the Cayman Islands from August 17 -23.

The Guyanese are defending champions of both the male and female team events and will be hoping to recapture the overall team title, which they last held in 2013.

Guyana however, will be without several key players at this tournament due to various reasons.

Nicolette Fernandes, ranked 24 in the world, is

again unavailable, so too is former National Men’s champion Alex Arjoon and former Under-19 champion Kristian Jeffrey. The team however, will be boosted by the return of Richard Chin and Ashley Khalil. The full team is as follows: Men’s: Sunil Seth, Richard Chin, Jason Ray Khalil, Nyron Joseph and Nicholas Narain. Women’s: Ashley Khalil, Mary Fung A Fat, Ashley De Groot, Akeila Wiltshire, Larissa Wiltshire and Victoria Arjoon. Veterans: Alwyn Callender, Ramon Chan-A-Sue and Zanita Disalle.

The Team Manager is Ramon Chan-A-Sue.

Confident Guyanese off to ITF circuit

AGuyanese team embarked this weekend to make their mark at an International Tennis Federation (ITF) competition in the twin-island of Trinidad and Tobago. The team left last Friday and will be playing qualifying matches during the weekend to make it into the main draw, which will be played between August 17-22 at Shaw Park Tennis Facility, Tobago.

Coach Shelly DalyRamdhyan has great expectations for the team, especially the Under-14s. She noted that the Under-18 will be tougher since they need to win at least three matches to gain entry into the main draws, but she is still demanding everyone to play to their best.

The nine members representing Guyana are Jordan Beaton, Hemraj Resaul, Keenan Persaud, Mark McDonald and newcomer Ariel Khan (Boys Under-14); Daniel Lopes (Boys Under-18); Kalyca Fraser (Girls Under-14); and Nicola Ramdyhan and Aretta Dey (Girls Under-18).

Higher expectations are placed on the Under-14s, especially Keenan Persaud and Hemraj Resaul, both of whom had a good run at the last ITF competition as they were able to book a spot in the final.

Mark McDonald is also

one to keep an eye out for as he is riding the confidence of being 2015 GBTI Boys Under-18 winner. Ariel Khan makes his ITF debut and he did note that he is a little nervous, but excited to

His Mixed Doubles partner, Aretta Dey, will showcase her skills after a twoyear hiatus from the ITF circuit. She said, “I worked on my serves and ground strokes. The recovery is

because of the GBTI tournament and P&P camps, which would give them a competitive boost and a higher competitive level. They had intense training right down to the end.”

compete.

Daniel Lopes is set to play his first Under-18 ITF match. He related the level will be tougher, but has prepared mentally and tactically. “The matches are more mental, tactical and physical because everyone hits the ball harder, runs faster so I have to be more prepared.”

slow, but winning the GBTI Mixed Doubles has given me more confidence.”

Resaul noted that there will be good players on the ITF circuit, but he is training to better his results. “I tried to get more court time and push in six hours of training every day.”

Coach Daly-Ramdyhan said, “The readiness is there

She did point out the main limitation of preparing for international tournaments, which is the lack of excellent playing surface. Despite not getting on better surfaces earlier, she is grateful to GBTI and Harry Panday for allowing the team to conduct practice matches at their facilities.

West Indies can regain past...

Richards was chosen by Wisden in 2002 as the greatest ODI batsman of all time, as well as the third greatest Test batsman of all time.

A great all-rounder when it comes to picking sport, he was a keen soccer player having represented Antigua in World Cup qualification games. Richards, who did not lose a Test series as a long time captain (50 Tests), was positive about the future of West Indies cricket.

“There are so many wonderful players coming up each and every day. It doesn’t matter if soccer, basketball, athletics and other sports are attracting talented young hands with better financial returns. Cricket is in our blood for so many generations, it is only natural we produce gifted players without effort,” Richards added.

“A more carefully planned and realistic approach to the groundwork is necessary at the moment. Splitting up the side into countries is the best what with constraints on money and promotion we have to value the limited resources and pool. Some professional administration and grassroot initiations are required immediately so that we can weed out the frustrations which seem to come in the way among the players. It’s no problem at all to keep the Windies side together.”

“Windies cricket is all about passion and playing the game the way it should

be played. Even in Tests, our approach has always been of a positive nature and thankfully we have had some of the finest players to match the men like Don Bradman, Sunil Gavaskar and recently Sachin Tendulkar.”

Richards continued: “Sport comes naturally to us. Most of us play good levels in other disciplines too like in my case soccer, once. If we can stay focused on the targets to achieve I don’t see why we cannot take up our previous position of being the world’s best.”

Regarding his greatest moments in the game where he has had so many highs, he said: “Winning the two opening World Cups naturally and when we were ruling world cricket. The pleasure I have had of being able to play alongside the greats of the Windies sides cannot be explained in simple words.” Though never a slogger, he was best known for his destructive batting style and the swagger in his gait when walking slowly to or away from the crease. Another big moment of his career was when he was also respected the world over for refusing a blank-cheque offer to play for the rebel West Indies tour to South Africa in the early eighties when apartheid (meaning state of being apart in the Afrikaans language) was still imposed on the blacks and coloureds. (Khaleej Times)

Large turnout expected at guyana cup...

Among them are Trinidadian ace rider Nobel Abrego, Ronald Ali, Joshua Stephens, Prayven Badree, Kiran Razack, Brian Boodramsingh, Nela Mohammed, Nicholas Patrick and Michael Semple.

Also, three seasoned and

Kevin Paul, Junior Semple, Andy Ramnauth, Mahendra Sukhoo, Michael Sancho, Prem Chandra, Winston Apadhu, Prem Chandra, Micheal Sancho, Junior Sookhan, Russel Chichester, Ajai Sansarran and John Rodriguez among others.

experienced JamaicansBrian Blake, Andron Findley and Norman Malcolm- are here for the biggest meet of 2015.

The home base group that will be looking to defend their turf will be led by the likes of Paul Delph, Colin Ross, Rupert Ramnauth, Randolph Richmond, Yap Drepaul, Navin Ally, Rad Drepaul,

A star-stunned field will see a full gate of 16 horses breaking even in the feature A1 and Lower race where defending champion CP Got Even of the Elcock / Poonai Stable will definitely start as favourite.

However, the race has a line-up of pure class with the likes of Guyana’s only A class animal, Score’s Even. Also set to start are the

Jumbo Jet trio Jack in My Style, the newly imported Street Prince and Giants Time; and Spit Fire and Princess She Not of the Shariff Stable.

Diplomatic Cat and the newly imported Kazi Azaria of the Bacchus Stable, along with Perfect Wind Storm and Goodwill Boy of the Jagdeo Stable and the newly imported Three D of the Dookie Stable will be in the hunt for top honours.

There is also the reputable Lady Budapest and Western Charm, as well as Bridal Stone Corner and Run Nana Run.

A total of $7.5 million will be up for grabs in that race. The race will be contested over a distance of 1800 metres.

Other races listed on the programme are the Three-year-old race for West Indies bred horses; Two-year-old race for West Indies horses, E1 and Lower, Four-year-old for West Indies bred animals, F3 and Lower, G3 and Lower, Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses, I1 and Lower, J1 and Lower, as well as a race for unclassified horses.

Meanwhile, President David Granger and other top A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change government officials are expected to be grace the day’s event.

Admission is $2000, while parking costs $1000. The race

Large turnout expected at Guyana Cup horse-race meet – Over 100 animals confirmed to compete

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Over 100 of the country’s top horses will be in action today when the ninth annual Guyana Cup horse race meet is

staged at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice.

Thousands are expected to throng to the famous venue for the 11-race meet, which is dubbed the biggest and richest horse-race event in Guyana. This year a colossal $25 million in cash incentives and trophies are up for the taking.

All systems are in place for the mega event, which is expected to be a pulsating and action packed day of racing.

The track is in good condition and some fast times are expected to be recorded in the grand showdown.

All the top stables in the country have inked their names to be a part of the programme, with a number of them having multiple entries.

However, apart from the top line of horses to be on show, several leading jockeys, including some from overseas will add that international flavour to the day’s event.

Leal extends Team Gillette Evolution’s streak

West Indies can regain past glory, says Richards

By Moni Mathews

when he discusses the game.

eeting the great Sir Vivian Richards, the former batting genius from Antigua, after the days of the CBFS when the West Indies used to play here, was a different kind of

“We belong to an age where all forms of the game are wonderful ways of introducing new names to the great sport. We can and should continue with all three - Test, ODI and T20,”

an experience.

The commanding voice and the ‘kingly’ mannerisms of the former Windies skipper, who was easily the best player of his time in ODI and Test cricket, are still there

said Richards while talking to Khaleej Times at the Grand Hyatt on Thursday. Richards was here to host the annual Hyatt Gold passport members celebration.