Guyana Times Daily - July 29, 2015

Samad urges Govt to pay attention to

– eyes UG VC post, but wasn’t offered anything

DPP recommends charges against Westford

Young mom dies after giving birth at GPHC

Bandit drops gun, loot in botched Melanie robbery

Red Thread pushes for $15,000 uniform voucher assistance

GT&T yet to appoint new CEO Ramotar roasts Govt on abrupt end to Rodney CoI

wednesday, july 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Baramita miner stabbed to death

Aminer was on Monday evening stabbed to death during an argument with another man at Baramita, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

The dead man has

been identified as 40-yearold Morvin James also of Baramita. According to Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the incident occurred around 18:30h. Reports further re-

vealed that James was involved in an argument with another man, who subsequently attacked him and fatally stabbed him to the chest. The suspect managed to escape and has since gone into hiding.

The Police have launched a manhunt for the man as investigations continue.

Over the past few years, the number of murders in the remote community of Baramita has increased.

Only in February last, the body of a male was discovered with stab wounds.

According to information received, Mark Joseph’s body was discovered in a clump of bushes along the Baramita Roadway by pas-

sersby. The Police at the outpost were summoned and the body was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital Mortuary. Joseph sustained stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.

july 29, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 29 – 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, July 30 – 14:30h-16:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, July 29 – 14:50h-16:20h and Thursday, July 30 – 15:45h-17:15h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy to light rain showers in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East South-easterly between 0.89 metre and 3.57 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:35h and 15:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.48 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:39h and 20:58h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.72 metres respectively

Transfer of state vehicles DPP recommends charges against Westford

...PPP says Govt exerted pressure

irector of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack has recommended that criminal charges be brought against former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Officer, Margaret Cummings for allegedly illegally transferring several Government vehicles to themselves in the dying days of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government. However, the opposition hit back early with claims that the DPP was pressured to advice on charges against Westford.

The file from the DPP with the recommendation was returned to the Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum around 14:00h on Tuesday. Police said that they were likely to file the charges against the former Minister and the official later this week. Westford and the other persons to whom the vehicles were transferred have since returned them to the State, but Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had insisted that a criminal probe was initiated and that had to be taken to its finality. Westford has remained mum on the issue thus far.

The alleged illegal transfer of the vehicles was uncovered following a request from Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

who had written Public Service Ministry Permanent Secretary Hydar Ally requesting that he re-issue a letter, dated April 14, 2015, requesting the transfer of registration for eight vehicles into the names of Westford, Wayne Walker, Delroy Lewis, Gary Beaton (who is said to be Westford’s spouse) and Osbert McPherson. A change of registration for two vehicles for Walker was sought; one for Lewis; one for Westford; three for Beaton and one for McPherson. The letter was signed by Cummings for Ally.

Pressure

Meanwhile, in its statement the PPP said it has noted the pressure being exerted on the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP’s) Chambers, to advice in favour

of bringing charges against members of the Party. “The Party further notes efforts by the Granger Administration to persecute PPP members using the Police and the Courts to do so. The Party wishes to remind of statements made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.”

The PPP said Greenidge’s statement is not the only one which is centrally directed to exert pressures on the DPP’s Chambers, the police and ultimately the courts. “Minister of State Joseph Harmon was purported to have publicly declared that “we are going after the big fishes.” According to the PPP clearly, the aim is to achieve a goal that is consistent with a political-motivated agenda of the Granger Administration.

“The PPP, therefore, urges the DPP’s Chambers, the Guyana Police Force and the Judiciary, to act independently of any political interference. Moreover, the PPP registers its concern over the increasing attempts by Granger and his cohorts to give orders and directives to constitutional office holders, which by its very nature, constitutes a serious threat to our democracy and the erosion of the doctrine of separation of powers.”

Vehicles returned Guyana Times had earlier reported that all the vehicles were handed over to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Sharief. Initially, the PPP/C had disclosed that it had met with Westford, and advised her on the course of action to be taken regarding allegations of fraud levelled against her. “I met with the comrade and we had some discussions and she was advised on a course of actions to take and I believe that she is taking those courses of actions,” PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee had said. Senior executive of the PPP, Gail Teixeira had also stated that the first thing that is to be done is to investigate and see if the story has any merit. Then, based on what is found, the Government should act accordingly. She added that many court cases have been thrown out on small technicalities, so she would advise that the investigations be properly and thoroughly carried out in accordance with laws and protocols that are in place when it comes to such matters. Teixeira noted that this was how she would expect the Government to deal with such a matter, although, she added that “some of their behaviour show that they don’t mean to do that”.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Diversionary politics

Over the last two weeks, Guyanese have been ‘intrigued’ if not completely ‘amused’ by the revelations made by selfconfessed Death Squad member, Sean Hinds.

During what appeared to be a sit-down gaff with a local journalist and not a probing hard hitting interview as it is being described by some, Hinds made some sweeping if not totally spurious allegations against former and serving members of the Guyana Police Force linking them to death and phantom squad killings, and at least two unsolved high-profile murders of anti-PPP/C political activists.

He has also demonstrated a willingness to have discourse and an ongoing information sharing session with the new Government but not the police force whose reputation he has been impugned by his accusations.

As expected, State Minister Joseph Harmon, Public Security Minister KhemrajRamjattan, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee and at least one highranking retired policeman, whose name has been invoked, have all added their slant on the Sean Hinds conundrum.

Hinds has since turned himself in to the police in the company of his lawyer Nigel Hughes who is also the incumbent Chairman of the Alliance for Change. While Hughes’ representation of Hinds, who is a convicted criminal, is in keeping with his legal code of ethics, it has raised eyebrows because of his other hat in the AFC. His party leader is now the Minister of National Security and has denied any amnesty for Hinds, even though this has been criticized by some legal luminaries.

Hopefully, the police will now do their work whether or not Hinds, who is refusing to cooperate, speaks and gives more credible, factual and truthful information about the executioners and intellectual authors of the criminal enterprise here which has claimed the blood and bodies of scores of innocent Guyanese - civilian and police - over varying periods of time.

Evidently orchestrated, the entire Sean Hinds saga can be viewed as an exercise in diversionary politics because for a short-period of time, the public’s attention has swayed from the serious domestic issues that will continue to eat away the bill of health of this country’s socio-economic status if not addressed frontally.

The truth is, Hinds crept out of the dark and into public limelight at a time when the crime rate was increasing rapidly and the Government, which was elected on a promise to reduce crime, was demonstrating high levels of incompetence in terms to even putting a plaster that would hold until more long term solutions were crafted and implemented.

People were growing inpatient and desperate.

They were losing confidence in the Government’s ability to deliver on many things included in its 100-day plan. At the time Hinds started to “sing”, the Government was under extreme pressure to explain why Local Government Elections could not be held this year and why the phased reduction of VAT could not commence immediately as well as why significant promised increases of 50% and 20% could not be given to nurses, teachers and other public servants.

Hinds’ startling claims were also made at a time when the economy was slumping into a pre-recessionary state as a result of decreasing remittances, growing economic uncertainty on the part of investors and private sector businesses and a general slowdown in domestic as well as foreign direct inflows and investments.

It is also apt to note that Hinds, appeared in the media, making much ado about extrajudicial killings and other State sponsored human rights violations, at a time when the new APNU/AFC Government was accused of violating the rights of hundreds if not thousands of poor and average Guyanese by firing them from the jobs and dismissing them because of the administration lacked confidence in them or they were allegedly corrupt and supportive of the PPP/C.

It cannot be forgotten either that the ex-policeman’s tirade climaxed as the rice industry’s crisis deepened while platitudes were offered as Government panicked being incapable of finding a long term solution to the problems being encountered.

That aside, the costly audits, Commissions of Inquiry, revamping of State boards and forensic probes have yielded nothing rather than a functional difference in how one Government choose to manage public affairs as opposed another. This is vindicated by the Government’s willingness to “let heads rolls”

It would appear that the divisionary politics of the political forces here worked for a short period of time but as the dust is settling and the police are investigating the allegations, reality is kicking in again as people continue feeling the squeeze.

Now with all this silence from Hinds and the new Government, the problems being faced since May 11 are being amplified. No amount of marketing and public relations will make people to forget the point when their standard of living drops so precipitously.

Green observations for Mayor Green

Dear Editor, Captivated by the cleanup campaign for President Granger’s inauguration I have been observing the efforts to improve the city and surrounding areas. The weeds and garbage have returned so I suppose the authorities are taking a break.

In Guyana, weeding and garbage removal is done by too few, too infrequently and too many litter too frequently. Littering has invaded our culture. The authorities will have to find ways to change attitudes and put more money and effort into cleaning. The Mayor used to complain bitterly about non-cooperation from the People’s Progressive Party Administration and even tried to pass the blame

for the Council’s failures. Now the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change is in office, that excuse is no longer accessible and more importantly, there is nothing standing in the way of progress.

There is a lot of discussion about Styrofoam, recycling, drainage and reservoirs which are all important, but I think we are missing the obvious. Our drains, parapets, trenches and canals are weed infested and they return to this perilous state in less than a month after they are cleaned due to our tropical climate and vegetation type. Aside from the dumped of inorganic material, the main culprit is the antelope grass. This specie was imported into Guyana some-

time in the 1980s for livestock.

It is a superfast tall growing grass, invasive, bulky, sharp and incredibly resilient since it grows by both joint and by seed. Less problematic species are wild eddo, “alligator spoon” and even the attractive lotus flower on Sheriff Street. If the authorities can get rid of the antelope grass, it would have gone a long way towards keeping our waterways and parapets clear. This will however, require a combination of machinery and manpower and a concentrated and sustained effort to remove each and every last joint.

And that brings me to another point. Why in heavens name are we using heavy machinery on metal tracks to clear drains and simultane-

ously damage our roads and parapets already compromised by the constant flooding?

We need lighter more suitable equipment or trench cleaning gangs, which will do a more thorough job as well. Evidence of the destruction can be seen on the back road which was cleaned for the President’s accession to office in May and which is now again weed infested and filled with potholed parapets. I have also seen the silt being spaded up between Mc Doom and Peter’s Hall but then left there on the road for several weeks. Grass is now growing on the asphalt.

Respectfully,

Ravi Ram

NY Guyanese support legislative bill to recognise minority faiths

Dear Editor,

The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), led by Guyanese Ashok Ramsaran, and the Federation of Hindu Mandirs comprising mostly of and led by Guyanese, joined a number of other advocacy groups and community leaders last week at a press conference organised by New York State Senator Tony Avella, to urge New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign into law, Senate Bill S.903/Assembly Bill A.8122, which would explicitly recognise Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths in the State’s religious incorporation law.

The Bill amends the definition of “Clergyman” and “Minister”, to include Pandit, Swami, Guru, Granthi, Imam, Moulvi, Maulana, and other

religious titles.

For the Bill to become law, it must be signed by the Governor who has not indicated any sign of approval or nonapproval.

The Bill will go a long way in assuring religious freedom for minorities in the New York State which is home to hundreds of ethnic groups and people of all faiths.

Senator Avella, who represents a large district comprising of Guyanese, South Asians, and other immigrant communities of all faiths, helped to push through the Bill in the State legislature. Senator Avella said he was “proud to have worked with Assembly Member Brennan and my colleagues in the legislature to pass this Bill in both houses”. Assemblyman Jim

Brennan, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, also urged the Governor to sign the Bill into law.

Among the groups and individuals joining Senator Avella to urge the Governor to sign the Bill are GOPIO, Federation of Hindu Mandirs (USA), Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Sant Sagar Gurudwara, Bellerose, the Kapurthala Sports and Cultural Club, the Shaheed Udham Singh Society, the Al-Muneer Foundation, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and other religious and cultural institutions.

“Recognition of New York State’s diversity of people of different faiths and from different ethnic origins is im-

portant for continuing social progress and this Bill is an important step in that direction. Senator Avella and Assemblyman Brennan are to be complimented for their efforts”, said Jhairam Persaud, the Guyanese-born President of GOPIO Upper New York Chapter.

Both the Guyanese Naidoo Veerapen, General Secretary, Federation of Hindu Mandirs (USA); Co-Chair of GOPIO Cultural Council and GOPIO Life Member and AshookRamsaran; President of GOPIO International thanked Senator Avella and Assemblyman Brennan for their contribution and acknowledged their support to the Bill.

Sincerely, Vishnu

Bisram

Regarding libellous letter on Mainstay

Whyaka elections

Dear Editor,

Pursuant to the libellous letter published in the Stabroek News on July 27, concerning the Mainstay/Whyaka Village Council and Toshao’s election held on July 22, the newly elected Village Council and the residents of Mainstay/Whyaka Village hereby make the following statement:

* We wish to thank the Returning Officer and team for conducting the election in a most transparent manner

* We are pleased that sections of the Amerindian Act relevant to the election was read and fully explained to residents

* We were given the opportunity to ask questions and to seek clarification on any matter with regards to the election

* In consultation with the Returning Officer, we decided that we will first elect the Toshao after which we would then elect Councillors. We further decided that we would give enough time so that residents could have the opportunity to come and cast their ballots

* At 12:15h, in consultation with the Returning Officer, it was decided that at 13:00h we would close the Toshao’s election, after which the ballots will be counted

* At 13:00h before closing, we ensured that there were no persons who didn’t get the opportunity to vote and we

were satisfied that everyone who wanted to cast their ballot had done so. The voting for Toshao was declared closed

* The counting of ballots was done in our presence and the result was declared

* We proceeded to have the nomination and election of Councillors which was once again done in a transparent manner

* All votes were cast by secret ballot

The newly elected Village Council and the residents of Mainstay/Whyaka wish to clearly state that we find no fault with the way the elections of the Toshao and Councillors were conducted on July 22 and the time allotted to conduct this activity was reasonable and acceptable. We wish to strongly condemn any action by anyone who seeks to discredit the elec -

tions that were held on July 22, 2015 at Mainstay/Whyaka. We wish to clearly state that in our opinion, Ms Yvette Hastings, Ms Victorine Allicock and their team carried out their duties in a most professional manner without fear or favour.

Furthermore, the Mainstay/ Whyaka Village Council will

take legal action against any future libel published in the media, as this is aimed at disrupting the peace in the village and cause divide among residents.

Regards, Toshao Joel Fredericks and residents of Mainstay/Whyaka

Government should not weaken community policing groups

Dear Editor,

It is reported that the Public Security Minister has allowed for all community policing group (CPG) vehicles across the country to be given to the Police.

The Government’s justification for such a move is to equip the Police Force with more resource to reduce crime in Guyana.

Community policing had always been a policy for the People’s Progressive Party Government, as it helps to prevent crime and build social capital and leadership in the community.

According to

Criminologist David Garland, “This network of partnership arrangements and inter agency working agreements is designed to foster crime prevention and enhance community safety primarily thought the cultivation of the community involvement and the dissemination of crime prevention ideas and practice”.

Community policing as a policy helps to fight crime beyond the traditional Police driven agenda for crime prevention.

Community policing has been associated with more apparitional claims to both generate greater par-

ticipation, and possibly leadership, from all sections of the community in crime prevention while targeting social harms from sources other than just those classifiable as “crimes”.

Community policing across Guyana has encouraged “communitarian” and “social capital’’ oriented ambition of replacing fearful, insecure communities with ‘’responsibilised’’ safe and secure ones.

We hope that community policing will not be at the fault line of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For

Change Government. The Government of Guyana needs to implement poli-

cies to support more active community policing, rather than disable them. Sincerely, Sara Khan

Page Foundation

BY STACY-ANN GOODEN

It seems like it was just yesterday when I gave birth to my daughter, Princess. Now she’s gearing up to attend kindergarten.

There is so much preparation involved. Granted, I attended kindergarten in Jamaica so this experience is not only a first for her, it’s also a first-time experience for me too. And I’m blown away at how much preparation is involved.

A few weeks ago, I received a message from my daughter’s school that she needed to attend a kindergarten screening. The faculty member stated that they would ask her simple questions to figure out where to place her. I couldn’t imagine our little girl having any difficulties because we’ve been homeschooling, in addition to her attending preschool for the past few years.

use a landline these days. So for the past few weeks we’ve been teaching her our cell phone numbers.

2. Home address

Princess knew the name of our street and town we live, but she didn’t know the zip code.

3. How to spell and write your name

All those days working on letters

6. Recognise simple words

We’ve actually been working with Princess on sight words for awhile now and she can read on her own.

Despite being ready academically, I was shocked to learn how ill-prepared we were in terms of knowing personal information and that they would get this in-depth. Parents aren’t allowed to sit in on the screening process. However, Princess did fill me in on the types of questions she was asked.

According to core standards, kindergarteners are required to learn things like prepositions, verbs and nouns. So, they have to enter kindergarten already knowing the basics among other things as well.

This new standard is one of the main reasons why I decided to quit my full-time job. That said, here are 6 things your child should know before attending kindergarten:

1. Home phone number

At four years old, Princess had no knowledge of our home phone number. For the record, neither do I. I know that’s pretty sad, but we really don’t

have paid off. She has no problems spelling and writing her name.

4. Colours and shapes I remember hearing that you learn colors and shapes in kindergarten. Now it seems as though you should already know it by the first day of school.

5. Independence

Children should already know how to brush their teeth, use the bathroom, wash hands and dress themselves. The teacher emphasised that there is no hand holding and they encourage students to do things on their own.

I just assumed they’d ask her to identify colors and shapes, see if she knew the alphabet, and how to count from one to 10. Princess knows all those things like the back of her hand and she can count beyond 200 at this point. With common core being an educational standard, my husband and I want to make sure we stay on top of everything. I’ve spoken to other parents who have expressed concern over the new educational guidelines. They believe that kids should focus more on play and less on education during the first few years. I certainly agree that kids should have fun, but education is extremely important and children should begin early.

This new standard is one of the main reasons why I decided to quit my full-time job. Our daughter’s education is critical, and even though she’ll be able to opt out of the Common Core exams when she gets older, I’d still like to be there to help her through these crucial years. (MSN)

BY LORIE MARRERO

Yes, our children bring much joy to our lives, but it’s hard to focus on that when you just stepped on another Lego in your bare feet. They are the source of much of a home’s mess, so what can we do to prevent some of that – or at least feel better about how you’re preparing them for their own adult lives? Stick to these rules:

1. Always set a good example

Organising habits are something that children do observe and absorb. Start pointing things out to them as soon as they are old enough to understand.

“Mommy is checking my calendar first before I say ‘yes’ to Aunt Judy about the movie.” “I write everything down so I won’t forget.” “Every day I clean up the toys so I won’t step on them and get hurt.”

2. Just as we have homes for ourselves, teach children their stuff also has its own homes

of real life. When things do have a home, you know where to put them back quickly and easily soon enough after using them. Labelling shows children where the homes exist and even helps younger children with reading skills.

The old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place” is a great adage, but we don’t quote that to promote a perfectionistic ideal. It’s a rule of thumb, and it’s key to live joyfully and messily in your homes as a part

3. Offer age-appropriate calendars, to-do lists, and checklists Schools often provide children with a daily planner, and you can help guide them to write in it and check it each day. When there are chores or tasks they can do, always write them down on paper and put a check box next to each so they can experience the satisfaction of crossing things off a list. (Using lists also reduces nagging and makes you one step removed from being “the bad guy,” who is making them do the chores!) And when you are packing for a trip, give children their own packing lists. You will need to check their work, but it promotes the concept of having procedures to follow.

4. Institute regular routines and habits to stay clean and maintained Have children help each evening to clean up what they have taken out. Back to school is a perfect time to teach them about going through your clothing and assessing it at least once a year. What still fits? What can we donate? You can take children with you to stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill when you drop off your items, explaining that donating keeps usable items out of the landfill and the sale of them helps people get jobs and services in your town.

5. Be patient. Children are never going to be as diligent as you about keeping the house clean Unless you happen to have an extremely unusual child who likes to vacuum!? We can teach them many things but they may not “stick” or show up until they are young adults and responsible for their own living spaces. Regardless, we keep on teaching and reinforcing these habits and watch for signs that it’s sinking in. (MSN)

GT&T yet to appoint new CEO

Some two months after Radha Krishna Sharma resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T), its parent company the United States-based Atlantic Tele Network (ATN) is yet to appoint someone to fill the post.

Sharma tendered his resignation in May; however, it did not take effect until June 18, 2015. Guyana Times made contact with several senior officials of the company, who all indicated that there has been no word on whether a new CEO will be appointed soon or if anyone is being considered.

This newspaper was told that the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Justin Nedd, who was named interim CEO moments after Sharma tendered his resignation, is still acting in the capacity. None of the officials could say whether he is being considered for the post.

In a telephone interview with Guyana Times shortly after the news hit the public, Sharma had explained that the time has come for him to take a hiatus from the corporate world and cited other interests. He reiterated that his resignation might have come as a surprise to all, but maintained that “it’s nothing more than wanting to take a break”.

Sharma worked with Barclays Bank in the 1980s and served as CEO of Demerara Bank and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, and Director of the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit, Ministry of Tourism for 22 years. He then took over the reins of GT&T in January 2013 from retired Major General Joseph Singh who briefly returned as CEO for the telecommunication giant after the departure of Yog Mahadeo.

Nedd has served as CFO since 2013 and has an ex-

The former Presidential Adviser stated that the PPP/C has always stood by the law and would not hesitate to uphold the laws regardless as to whom may be accused. Before the investigation was launched, President David Granger had disclosed that Government was in possession of evidence that showed several state vehicles being transferred to the former Minister and Beaton who is a serving member of

Bandit drops gun, loot in botched Melanie robbery

Abandit got more than he bargained for when he pounced on a woman who had stopped her car to fix a punctured tyre on the Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara Public Road Tuesday afternoon.

tensive background in finance, administration, and information technology, including previous roles with GT&T. In a release from the company following Sharma’s resignation and the CFO’s appointment as interim CEO, it was mentioned that Nedd made a strong mark and earned the trust and support of his colleagues.

“He rapidly assumed significant responsibilities and has shown an ability to get things done. We are pleased to entrust him with the interim CEO role and are confident in his ability to lead GT&T forward.”

Nedd stated that he was thrilled to take on this expanded role at a truly exciting time at GT&T. He disclosed that the company is innovating for customers across all aspects of the business, and intends to lead the way in a new, more competitive environment.

“From our new blazing fast broadband speeds, to customer service upgrades, to better mobile plans and devices, GT&T is on the move. We are, and will be, continually providing more value and greater capabilities to our customers,” Nedd added.

the Guyana Defence Force. The evidence also pointed to two senior officials within the Ministry. Minister Harmon had noted that irregularities were recognised on documents from the GRA which indicated that vehicles were being transferred to the four persons. The vehicles include seven highend brands. Permanent Secretary Ally brought the issue to the attention of the Minister of State who launched the investigation.

Police said in a statement that investigations were being conducted into

the armed robbery that occurred about 13:40h at Melanie Damishana Public Road, during which Bibi Zalifa Bacchus, 36, of Nooten Zuil, East Coast Demerara, was robbed of $200,000 and a cell phone by a man armed with a handgun. Investigations have revealed that the suspect held

her up and demanded the articles which she handed over and escaped on a bicycle. In his haste to escape, the suspect was struck by a motor car and the stolen money and the firearm fell on the roadway.

The suspect, however, abandoned them as publicspirited persons responded, and he joined a motor car that is believed to have been driven by an accomplice and escaped. The stolen money and the firearm, a .32 revolver with four rounds, and the bicycle have been recovered as they were handed over to the Police by residents on their arrival at the scene shortly after.

Red Thread pushes for $15,000 uniform voucher assistance

One of Guyana’s leading NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) Red Thread is pushing for an increase in the value of the school uniform vouchers from $1500 to $15,000.

Government announced its intention to scrap the $10,000 “Because We Care” Cash Grant initiative which undoubtedly benefited many children in the country; however, it was keen on sustaining the $1500 uniform voucher programme. With the phasing out of the cash grant, Government had noted that there is a high possibility of additional money being pumped into the school uniform voucher programme.

However, Red Thread’s contention is that the $1500 offered is simply insufficient and cannot adequately assist a family to get a single child ready to return to school.

“We appreciate the reported commitment of Government to continue the school uniform voucher programme and its prom-

ise to consider increasing the amount. We would like the amount per voucher to be increased from the present sum of $1500 to at least $15,000,” the organisation said in a media release.

Red Thread listed the current prices for school attire: skirts $900- $1700; shirts $1500- $2000; long pants $3000 up (the bigger the size, the more you pay); bags $3500- $4000; a pair of shoes $3500 and a pair of socks $300. That

amounts to an estimated total of $12,700- $14,500 to purchase a single uniform to send one child back to school. “These are very basic (and of course cheap and inferior) items and there is still the need for us to deal with the cost of stationery, textbooks, transportation, lessons fees, assignments and projects, plus other contributions demanded by schools,” the organisation pointed out.

In addition, Red Threat noted that there were some issues with regard to using the voucher. “The voucher is used to purchase different school items, readymade pieces of the uniform, uniform materials or stationery. Depending on what we buy, if the item costs less than the voucher amount, we have to take something else even if we don’t need it. We also have to pay the difference if the balance on the voucher is not sufficient to cover the cost of the extra item taken,” the organisation explained.

As such, Red Thread recommended that there be

an increased voucher and arrangements in place so that if there was a balance, it should be given to the customer in cash so she/ he was not forced to make an unnecessary purchase. Moreover, Red Thread said it was in strong agreement with recommendations made by other officials concerning breakfast for schoolchildren as many of them attend school in the morning without having a meal.

“In 2001 to 2011 when Red Thread organised a literacy programme for schoolchildren at our centre, we were forced to provide a meal at each session after one child told us he couldn’t focus on the work because he was hungry and we realised that this was a widespread problem,” it pointed out.

Red Thread said that these little adjustments would help to ease the “already heavy burden” on grassroots parents, especially single parents. As such, it is calling on the Government to consider these recommendations.

wednesday, july 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Writ delays sentencing of Lamaha Street accident accused

Acausing death case took a twist on Tuesday afternoon when the defence filed a writ application against Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

According to Attorney Glen Hanoman, the writ was filed as he believed that he had not been given sufficient time to prepare a case. He called the time given by the court “unconstitutional.”

Attorney Hanoman is representing Bishnarine Persaud, a jeweler, who was charged almost a year ago for causing the death of Mayor and City Council Handyman Leon Hunte

in an accident on Lamaha Street on September 10, 2014.

Guyana Times understands that about 23:15h on the day in question, Persaud was proceeding East along Lamaha Street at a fast rate when he collided with Hunte, a pedal cyclist, who was proceeding in the same direction.

Investigations proved that the now dead man was stuck from behind and as a result, he was flung some distance before landing on the roadway.

An ambulance was summoned to the scene but by this time, Hunte was already dead. Persaud, on the other hand, sustained

injuries and was taken to the Woodlands Hospital where he was treated and subsequently sent away.

Police launched an investigation which led to the instituted charges.

On Tuesday, the defence was scheduled to continue the trial by presenting on their case. However, the relevant witnesses were not present and thus a new date was requested. Magistrate Latchman refused this request and asked the defence and the prosecution to close the case so a decision can be made.

However, Magistrate Latchman was thwarted when Attorney Hanoman

filed for the writ application at the High Court, thus delaying the ruling. The lawyer explained that the adjourned dates given by the court have been too fast in coming, making it impossible for him to “adequately represent my client.” Thus, he said Chief Justice, Ian Chang will make his decision on the writ today so that adequate time can be given to get potential witnesses to lead a sufficient defence for Persaud.

Even so, Magistrate Latchman cancelled the decision. She gave the next adjourned date for the defence to present its witnesses for September 30, for a fair defence.

Driver charged with theft of cellphone remanded

Adriver was read a charge of simple larceny on Tuesday when he made his first appearance in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Troy Bentick, who is gainfully employed as a Driver, pleaded not guilty to the offence of simple larceny when he was read the charge for the first time. Bentick stated that on

July 10, he did not steal a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued $175,000 nor a phone case valued $9000 from Angenie Parrio while she was on Cummings Street, Bourda,

Georgetown.

Bentick was not represented nor did he give his address to the Police. Magistrate McLennan refused bail. He is expected back in court on August 10.

18-year-old gets 2-year sentence for stealing cellphone

Ateenager was sent to prison for two years on Tuesday after being found guilty of stealing a $100,000 cellphone.

Dominic Morris, age 18, made what was his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts Tuesday where he made a submission before Magistrate Faith McGusty on his innocence. He was not represented by an Attorney.

The teenager stole a Samsung Galaxy S4 cellular phone from Melanie

Deen on April 16, while she was walking from Regent Street towards the East Coast bus park, in Georgetown. Guyana Times understands that she was talking to her mother at the time when the phone was snatched from her hands. After committing the act, Morris tried to escape by running through the arcade but the Virtual Complainant (VC) raised the alarm and several public spirited persons chased after the accused and appre-

hended him. They found the phone on his person.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Sean Blackman prosecuted the case in Courts Eight and Nine. He stated that he presented three witnesses to testify on the incident during the trial. Morris had the opportunity to question the witnesses; however, the charges proved correct.

Magistrate McGusty sentenced him to two years in prison.

Eyew tness

Government's responsibilities...

...and rice

Ah!! How quickly they forget!! We're talking, of course, about what politicians do after that whirlwind courtship they call "elections campaigning". Like all courtships, political campaigns are dominated by promises. While not necessarily promises about delivering the moon and stars to get into a girl's jeans, the politicians aren't too far behind to have their way with voters behind the curtains of the voting booths.

Take the promise the now incumbent - but sadly, also now recumbent - coalition APNU/AFC government made on rice, to the people of Guyana. Now rice ain't just chicken feed in the Guyanese economy. Apart from bringing in hundreds of millions in U.S. greenbacks, the industry supports at least 100,000 Guyanese - and what's most important for this discussion - the majority of them being voters. So, as you could remember, they were wooed back in May with some expansive promises.

In the APNU/AFC Manifesto - not the "leaked one" ...they one they owned up to - under the heading of "Support for Rice Sector" it's clearly stated in big, bold letters that "The APNU/AFC coalition will "Immediately initiate a sustainable Rice Sector support programme which would include: Negotiation of additional new international markets for rice from Guyana."

So...hello????! What's this about rice being a private sector enterprise and that the "stakeholders" must get up and get when it comes to marketing?? And imagine this being said by all the head honchos at the conference (also promised in the Manifesto) to deal with rice issues!! Have the new movers and shakers just woken up and discovered that government hadn't nationalized the rice industry.

With all the data to digest in this plugged-in world, folks can miss a bit of information here and there. But not remembering who sells rice?? Jeez, that's like forgetting that Nagamootoo's from Berbice! But like your Eyewitness started out saying, rice voters will find out the fickleness of the politicians is as endemic in APNU/AFC as with the girl who sang "I never promised you a rose garden".

The trouble is that the new Government had to've known that the bottom would fall out of the Venezuelan market when they promised finding new markets. How does your Eyewitness know this?? Well Exxon had already struck pay dirt off our Essequibo coast before the Manifesto. And the U.S. had already moved aggressively to bump up their campaign to shake up - if not removeMaduro.

It was just a matter of adding 2+2. But when you're wooing voters, who cares if you tell them the answer's 5!!!

However payback can be a bitch.

...to "commercial sex"

It's not surprising Guyana was rapped on the knuckles once again by the U.S. about not taking their tip on TIP. Well...it WAS more than a tip, wasn't it? For years we were warned by the land that'd done away with TIP about throwing more of our traffickers into jail and throwing away the keys. They even honoured a daughter of the interior, Simona "I is" Broomes, who walked into those mining camps and brought out those TIP victims - so that the Government could see how it should be done.

But sadly the past Government was "hard ears". The present Government will surely get a better rating come next year when their performance is rated. Didn't the fearless "I is" Broomes wade into Bartica in a speedboat and pluck 29 victims of TIP and brought them all the way to Gtown? They WERE victims, right? But what confused Your Eyewitness was the report claiming "the govt didn't make efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex."

So apart from TIP, the Government's gonna make "working girls" unemployed?

...rice flour

So the Government wants to save the rice industry by having us revisit the rice flour "solution" from the seventies?

Rice-flour roti, anyone?

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

Rodney CoI...

PNC continues to deny allegations of killing Rodney

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

The People‘s National Congress (PNC) has maintained its initial position that it had nothing to do with the death of Dr Walter Rodney, and that the evidence presented so far in the investigation into his death should be disregarded.

This position was upheld by lawyer representing the interest of the party Selwyn Pieters.

The evidence before the Commission is that the PNC, which was the ruling Administration at the time of Rodney’s death back in 1980, had used a Guyana Defense Force Sergeant William Gregory Smith to plant a bomb in the walkie talkie to kill the young political leader. The party, which was then led by Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, claimed from the onset that it had nothing to do with Rodney’s death.

In fact, the party maintained, as reiterated by its new Attorney Pieters, that Rodney had in fact caused his own death my being involved in an illegal practice and at the same time was reckless in his handling of the device.

Pieters told Commissioners that Rodney had introduced himself as a rising tyrant to the Government. He took to calling the then Head of State “King Kong”, saying that everything he touched had turned into sh***.

He told Commissioners that they needed have some proportionality and balance when they retire, taking into consideration the varying evidence given by Working People’s Alliance (WPA) members about their “non violence”. He said the Commission will be tasked with resolving the conflict, where on the one hand, one WPA member Eusi Kwayana told the Commission that the party never had in its possession any illegal weapons, while on the other hand, party member Tacuma Ogunseye admitted that he along with WPA Leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine were engaged in the gathering of arms and ammunition.

He maintained that Rodney was a risk taker, and that it was because of that disposition and the decision made the evening of June 13, 1980 to collect the explosive device that caused his death.

Scotland also put forward the four theories which the PNC believed need to be examined. One is that the People’s Progressive Party might have had a hand in his death, that Rodney, because of his own negligence had caused his death and that the WPA, the party that he Rodney had co founded had set up the whole thing to have him killed.

Coincidence

Meanwhile, Commissioners were urged to consider the numerous coincidences in the evidence received, when they retire to make a decision on who really was responsible for the death of the historian. The widow and children of Dr Rodney were represented at the hearing by Barbados Queens Counsel Andrew Pilgrim. The three-member panel was urged to disregard every bit of testimony which may indicate that Dr Rodney was responsible for his own death. Pilgrim carefully examined the Commission’s Terms of Reference (ToR), and in no particular order focused on Terms of Reference Number 3 which implicates the role of Army Sergeant Gregory Smith in Rodney’s death. While the then PNC Government had denied knowledge of Smith, Commissioners must find it strange that Smith was whisked away to Kwakwani on a plane owned by the Guyana Defense Force; an arm of the State, mere hours after the explosion that killed Dr Rodney. He said there are no misgivings about that fact as there has been extensive evidence in this regard from eyewitnesses who saw the plane land, to the pilot himself Captain Gerry Gouveia. While it was said that the WPA had facilitated that flight, Pilgrim addressed the financial and technical capacity of the small political unit, to undertake such a move. There was absolutely no way the WPA, fighting for its very survival, was able to undertake such a task. He urged the investigators too to consider the time of the flight, which was very early in the morning. From this, it was inferred that there must have been some urgency to get the passenger away. Why this was so, was up to the Commissioners to ponder. He said the absence of the flight manifest was also to be considered. Captain Gerry Gouveia had indicated that he was able to locate all of the other flight information for that day except the manifest. That he said had to have been a conspiracy. Pilgrim said something had to be amiss too that after the explosion, and although his name had been given to the Police, there

was no search for Gregory Smith. The then Chief-ofStaff, Retired Major General Norman Mc Lean had, up to June 21, 1980, denied the existence of Smith, until his photograph and name were printed in the Catholic Standard. Pilgrim questioned why the Army would want to cover up the existence of Smith, although records show that his name

was on the Payroll up to the time his Rodney met his demise.

Pilgrim asked Commissioners to carefully consider all the evidence including the “Hickory Dickory Dock” flier which suggested that the intellectual authors had to certain that an event had taken place before any such thing is done. They were also asked to examine evidence which showed that Rodney was a challenge to the existing order the Government of the day. The young leader had achieved his PhD at age 24. The Commissioners are to examine the absence of the reports of Dr Skewes and Johnson which were never submitted during any of the previous investigations.

Meanwhile, WPA Attorney Christopher Ram told Commissioners that they have enough facts before them to come to a grand

conclusion. He said members and associates of the political unit have all given testimony that the party was part of a political struggle where the state was the aggressor. The WPA, he said, had found itself duty bound to protect itself against rogue elements of the Police and religious cult House of Israel.

He said there is no evidence before the Commission that would suggest the WPA had armed itself or any of its members, although it was a victim of frequent surveillance and violence.

He spoke extensively too to the Skewes and Johnson’s reports which he maintained was never presented to any prior investigation. It was obvious he said that the report did not fit the State’s narrative. He spoke of the report of a faceless, unidentified man outside being blown up outside the Georgetown prison. He said

because there was a monopoly of the press then, it was easy for Government to control the narrative.

He spoke too of the work of murder accused Gregory Smith and his surprise when Donald showed up at his house on the evening of June 13, 1980. He told the Commission that they needed to consider the account given by Smith in his book about his trip to Kwakwani on June 14, where he said that he was drugged and taken to a plane, the fact that he Smith was furnished with passport sometime later which he used to travel to French Guiana and the subsequent renewal of that passport in 1999 by the immigration office and the fact the Guyana Defence Force had Shepherd his identity, and even on his dying bed in 2003, Smith “did not have the decency to tell the truth about what really occurred on the fateful night.”

Young mother dies after giving birth at GPHC

Another tragedy plagued the Georgetown Public Hospital after a 21-year-old mother died three days after giving birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy.

Akeisa Richardson, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, gave birth on Friday last and passed away on Monday, for reasons unknown.

According to a release from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Richardson was experiencing seizures and was therefore immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she was being monitored.

However, she subsequently died. The release did not detail what could have caused her sudden death; however, it noted that a post-mortem examination has to be performed to ascertain what exactly went wrong.

Guyana Times spoke

with the godfather of the newborn, Jamal Mark, who was at the hospital at the time when the young mother gave birth.

He explained that she was healthy and perfectly normal after giving birth but for reasons unknown, she fell into a coma on Saturday.

“She was never sick, never. The only sickness she was experiencing was the sickness that came with pregnancy. Nothing was wrong with her,” he contended.

He told this newspaper that when he received information about her demise on Monday, the doctor did not provide much detail about the situation.

“We are still waiting on a response from the doctors because they do not believe that it was a natural cause. They do not believe that her heart gave out,” he related. Meanwhile, Mark asserted that the doctor handling the case does not speak English fluently, which adds

to the frustration the family is experiencing at this time.

“I think when you hiring doctors, especially foreign doctors, they should be vetted properly. I do not know what the process is, I am not a doctor but I think they need to take into consideration other people. The doctor that looked after Akeisa, he can’t even speak English properly so we couldn’t un-

derstand what was going on,” he posited.

Death rate

In the period 2007-2011, Guyana had a reported maternal mortality ratio of 86 deaths per 100,000 live births (this figure was estimated at 280 deaths per 100,000 by UN agencies and the World Bank in 2010).

However in 2013, the Health Ministry, based on the estimated number of births, recorded a maternal death rate of 79.7 per every 100,000 live births.

In 2014, a United Nations (UN) report ranked Guyana as the second in the Caribbean for the highest maternal deaths. Haiti recorded 380 deaths between 1990 and 2013, followed by Guyana with 250. The main direct causes recorded last year were mostly due to hemorrhagic conditions, hypertension in pregnancy, eclampsia and adverse effects relating to bleeding.

Norton urges end to maternal deaths

One day after a young mother died after giving birth at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Public Health Ministry on Tuesday morning commenced a threeday workshop on its Maternal and Child Health

Expanded Programme on Immunisation (M&C EPI).

Rice Flour

Satiricus, duffer that he was, could never get the hang of thinking "outside the box". Whenever challenged he'd just do things he'd heard about before. His teachers would throw up their hands, look to the up heavens and exclaim, "Sato, you have to think outside the box!!"

Now he was an adult and all, Satiricus accepted he just couldn't figure what the heck was OUTSIDE the box. So how could he think of it? But when his editor sent him to cover the conference on rice - which was NOT in crisis - , even he knew that some "out of the box" thinking was called for.

After all it was an out of the box action that'd gotten rice into a "not a crisis" mode. Here it was, Guyana'd been shipping a third of its rice to Venezuela at a premium price. But the Government got into a shouting match and told them where to get off!! Hey!! They were starving and needed our rice, no? So what if they could get rice from any of a hundred other sources? Satiricus would've had a chat with the Venezuelans on the side. But what'd he know? He didn't think "outside the box".

Speaking at the opening, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton pointed out that a large portion of the national health budget is allocated for the procurement of vaccines and training of staff. This, he added, is important because every mother and her child should be given the best quality of care.

The Minister stressed the fact that there should be no maternal deaths or infant mortality. “Every preg-

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

nancy should result in a live baby and a healthy mother,” he said. On this note, he informed the gathering that for the year 2015, there has only been three cases of maternal deaths recorded, and though the Ministry is aiming for zero, this is an improvement. Further, he highlighted several areas of improvement in the health sector with regards to immunisation.

Minister Norton highlighted that Guyana now offers 16 antigens/vaccines and its coverage is over 90 per cent. Also, for several years, the country has not recorded cases of vaccine preventable diseases, except for a few tetanus cases in adults, which were recorded more than five years ago. He added that in relation to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) HIV/AIDS transmission, the country has seen a reduction to less than one per cent.

The Minister urged workers to continue to do their best and not to allow little hindrances to become an excuse for a child

Anyhow he was at the "Non-Rice Crisis Conference". People were moaning and groaning about what the heck were we to do with all that rice. Pretty soon, we'd all be drowning in parboiled rice and paddy. There were lots of rice farmers at the Conference and from the dark mumbling and rumblings, Satiricus was sure they hadn't been told, there was "no crisis", Until one Government official thought outside the box!! As soon as Satiricus heard his solution to the rice non-crisis, Satiricus just knew that this was the kinda man he could never be. "How come I can't have these "out of the box" thoughts?" he moaned. All the man said was, "Let us make rice flour with our extra rice. We will also be saving on bringing in wheat."

How come no one had thought of this before. This would solve everything!! We wouldn't need money to pay for wheat...we'd be healthier....none of that gluten and all that. Satiricus just knew that Guyanese would love this solution. So what if rice flour couldn't make roti or bread that stuck together?

If baked rice flour goods became mushy ...then that would save us from chewing, no? Another benefit! Satiricus stood up and raised his hand. The chairman asked him, "Yes?"

"Can I nominate that fella for an OR? As a person who can think outside the box, he deserves an OR as much as the other great Guyanese we honoured a couple of months ago".

not being vaccinated. As he reflected on some of the remarkable efforts made by health care providers to ensure that every child in their catchment area is vaccinated, the Minister said that “it grieves me when I see little things like poor maintenance (of equipment) resulting in babies being deprived of vaccination… and this will be an area that we will be focusing on.”

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Guyana Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow who also addressed the opening of the workshop, noted that there has been slow progress in addressing infant mortality. “In ’91, the infant mortality rate was estimated to be 45.5… 2001 it had dropped to 38.5 and now 2015 the WHO (World Health Organisation) estimate… shows 32.0.”

Further, he noted that worldwide, only 68.9 per cent of the babies are fully

vaccinated. The workshop which is being held at the Grand Costal Inn, on the East Coast of Demerara, targets health care providers within the child health and immunisation field of the health sector. It is a collaborative effort between several partners including the Ministry, PAHO, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and aims at bringing staff up to date with the achievements of the sector, as well as its weakness and the way forward.

The workshop will touch on numerous areas including, adolescence health, vaccine distribution, reporting of statistics, immunisation and the way forward. The sessions are slated to be very interactive comprising presentations from various regions along with discussion sessions. The workshop concludes on July 30. (GINA)

Ramotar roasts Govt on abrupt end to Rodney CoI

Former President Donald Ramotar has bemoaned the present Administration’s decision to end the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) established to investigate the death of renowned Guyanese historian and leader of the Working People Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney.

Ramotar condemned the action of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government to truncate the life of this Commission as he explained that the decision made to establish the CoI was not inspired by any political motive.

The former President said it was his desire to shed light on “one of the darkest and most controversial events” in Guyana’s post-independence history and political landscape, as well as assist the family and relatives of Dr Rodney in bringing closure to such a traumatic incident.

In a press release Tuesday, the former President stated that while the CoI was an expensive undertaking, it was definitely a justifiable one where all monies spent could be accounted for and were approved by the National Assembly except for a brief period when Parliament was prorogued and then dissolved.

“Indeed, it is no secret that Guyanese both in Guyana and those living in all parts of the world have, for years, called for a credible Commission of Inquiry into the death of one of Guyana’s most brilliant sons. This death has been a scar against the international reputation of our country. It is public knowledge that the Commission of Inquiry and the evidence adduced have attracted national and international attention and there is a great expectation that the Commissioners’ final report will answer many of the questions which have hung like a dark cloud over the death of Dr Rodney,” said Ramotar.

It was noted that for these reasons that the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had commissioned a book to be written and a television documentary to be done on the Inquiry.

“Strong umbrage”

According to the former President, he takes “strong umbrage” to the decision of the APNU+AFC Government to end the life of the Commission.

“I have no doubt that the Commissioners needed just a few weeks more to complete their tasks in a professional

way. 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,” the press statement read.

Ramotar went on to say that he was aware that per-

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

“These persons would have included former leader of the [People’s National Congress] PNC, Mr Robert Corbin. Evidence from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 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.”

It was further noted that the said guns have reached the hands of bandits.

“The PNC itself may have been invited and offered an opportunity to defend itself against some very damaging allegations. 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,” Ramotar said.

Meanwhile, the former President also stated that he was satisfied that history would record that the PPP/C Government established a credible CoI into the death of Dr Rodney and that it was a government comprising the PNC + AFC + WPA among others that killed that inquiry.

“At the time when this took place, they together formed a Government. I am also satisfied that enough evidence has been made public in this Commission for the people to draw their own conclusion regarding who were responsible for the death of Dr Walter Rodney. Nothing can change that,” he added.

Keeping it real

A desiderata for the PPP

The Granger administration is still enjoying its honeymoon. This is obvious, judging from the lack of serious media scrutiny and critique of the actions of his government. There is much that warrants criticism as the bliss of the honeymoon wanes. While the nation is currently focused on revelations about a “death squad” based on the televised interview with Sean Hinds, a self-confessed criminal, the country is being governed unchecked without participation of an effective opposition. Violent crime is endemic, the government continues to fire or send people "on leave" almost daily, and an economic recession is looming. But who is complaining?

In case we forget, the 2015 election was won by the coalition by a mere 1% of the voting population, which amounts to less than 5,000 electoral votes and provides the coalition with a 1 seat majority in Parliament. This is the “slimmest” margin of victory possible for any winning party. It’s victory was based on 51% to 49% (out of a solid 100), not one based on 60% to 40% or 80% to 20%. Since Guyana is a racially fractured country, no political leader, African or Indian (or Amerindian?), will be seen as a national leader, one capable of uniting the country. For these reasons, the ruling coalition must work to find common ground with the PPP for good governance. A "government of national

unity", as well as demands to reduce the powers of the executive, should be the call of the PPP as the party prepares to enter Parliament.

With the PPP trying to reconfigure itself and, presumably, still trying to determine how best to deal with the new dispensation, hardcore PNC elements within the Granger government will continue to seize every opportunity to embarrass and weaken the PPP. Accusations of corruption will continue. Yet no one has been arrested or charged. However, there are a few things that are worth mentioning as the nation prepares for an official entry of the PPP in Parliament.

One, the accusations of corruption attributed to the PPP can be seen as a distraction from the real issues at hand, particularly our declining economy and escalating violent crimes. The Top Cop responsible for fighting crime, Khemraj Ramjattan, (First Vice-President/ Minister of National Security) has already admitted to how difficult it is to do so, and, it seems as though Joseph Harmon and Ret. Brigadier Edward Collins have eclipsed his responsibility in this area. One wonders who is running Ramjattan’s ministry.

Two, Granger is a shrewd historian/ politician. He knows that the margin of victory that catapulted his party into power does not make his coalition government one of “national unity” or a genuinely

“inclusive” one. He knows that half the voting population, mostly Indians, did not support him. Granger would like to be seen as the leader who has bridged the racial divide and achieve that elusive dream of creating a truly multi-racial government, with more than a mere 51% support from the electorate. Granger must realise too that ongoing demonization of leaders of the PPP runs the risk of alienating Indians, a risk he is not prepared to take if he wants to further erode the PPP support base come next election.

Three, a democracy means that the opposition must have a meaningful role to play in governing the country. Granger knows that by taking up their seats in

Parliament, the PPP adds legitimacy to his government. If Burnham’s demons were rigged elections and authoritarian rule, Granger’s redemption lies in the hopes of being perceived as a leader for all Guyanese.

Fourth, the United States (as well as Canada and Britain) is pulling the strings of the Granger administration. The US government, given Venezuela’s aggression and Exxon’s discovery of a significant deposit of high-valued quality crude oil in Guyana’s territorial waters, is working behind the scenes to put an end to acrimonious and divisive national politics by seeking to establish a working relationship between the government and the opposition.

Given this political reality, the question that is on a lot of people’s minds is “How does the PPP plan to respond to these changes?” The PPP needs to secure its political base and shed its political baggage. As a first order of business, the PPP should heed the demands of the public, including its own supporters, to drop Dr. Bheri Ramsarran and Anil Nandlall from its list of Parliamentarians. They are political liabilities.

The PPP has to become an advocate for its supporters. This means taking an aggressive stand against the excesses of the government as its supporters continue to be victimized and sent on leave.

Clement Rohee promised stern action.

The PPP should seek a rapprochement and

lobby the US to help put an end to witchhounding, discrimination and what the party referred to as “ethnic- cleansing”.

In addition, the PPP has to clearly jettison even its nominal Marxist ideology and accordingly change its party constitution. The world has changed since Marxism-Leninism went kaput in the early 1990s with the end of the Cold War. Democratic centralism must be replaced by a system which creates an open democratic process that creates equal opportunities based on merit and public service for young, committed, capable and honest party supporters to rise to the top leadership position.

Finally, the PPP should tap into the abundant intellectual resource that lies outside the party core and within the diaspora. Globalization and the world wide web has made Guyana part of a global village where Guyanese, with expertise in many fields, are willing and capable of making a significant contribution to creating a viable political force capable of recapturing the imagination of the Guyanese electorate.

None of this is possible, however, unless PPP leaders are prepared to radically restructure the party and reshape its image.

Dr Baytoram Ramharack is an Associate Professor of Political Science (adj) at Nassau Community College. Send comments to BRamharack60@ gmail.com.

Glen Hanoman back as Rodney CoI lawyer

LeadCounsel of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry

(CoI) Glen Hanoman will today return to his post at the Supreme Court Library

building after it was agreed that his contract would be renewed.

This is according to Administrator of the Commission’s Secretariat,

Hugh Denbow. Hanoman, who was absent on the first day of the final two-day session of hearings, had indicated to this publication that he would

not be presenting himself in that capacity without him first signing his contract. His contract came to an end a month after the last sitting in March of this year. Denbow said Hanoman was expected to sign his contract this morning.

Hanoman was appointed Lead Counsel under the then Donald Ramotar Administration, and had

said that he would not be participating in the investigation until things fall into place.

He had explained that his contract came to an end in April, a month before the May 11 General and Regional Elections and said he was hoping that things would have fallen into place following the election. This has not happened, he said,

and his countless efforts to contact both the Ministry of the Presidency and the Secretariat’s Administrator had been futile.

Hanoman explained that he could not participate in the hearing in that capacity without first signing a contract. He indicated his belief that the new Government did not want him at the helm of the investigation.

wednesday, july 29, 2015 |

Maduro seeks support from UN Secretary General

Amid the ongoing controversy between the two South American nations Guyana and Venezuela over the ownership of the Essequibo region, the latter country’s President Nicolás Maduro is now seeking the support of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

During a conference in New York on Tuesday, Maduro delivered an elaborate speech justifying why he thought the area in question belonged to Venezuela.

Although most of the international community have thrown their support behind Guyana, Maduro still contended that President David Granger disregarded the 1966 Geneva Agreement by allowing US oil giant ExxonMobil a concession for oil prospecting in the Liz-1 Block, which is offshore the Essequibo Coast. "The Guayana Esequiba (Essequibo) always belonged to Venezuela even since the establishment of the CaptaincyGeneral of Venezuela in 1777 and in all the stages of the Independence," Maduro insisted.

Even as he seeks support from the UN Secretary General, international bodies including the Commonwealth and Caribbean Community (Caricom) and powerful nations like the United States and the United Kingdom have already voiced their support for Guyana. In 1897, Venezuela and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Arbitration in which they agreed to let an international arbitration panel decide the issue in a full and final judgement. That five-member panel unanimously in 1899 made a “full and final” settlement of the border as it is today.

In showing their support, the bodies maintained

Lawyer Nigel Hughes representing Sean Hinds

"I see nothing wrong", says AFC Chairman

Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Attorney Nigel Hughes has defended his decision to offer his legal service to the self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds.

Hinds retained Hughes as his Attorney before turning himself into Police custody for questioning into several serious crimes, including the recent stakeout of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s residence two weeks ago.

In an earlier interview with Guyana Times Hinds had stated that he was waiting on his lawyer who was overseas before turning himself in. However on Sunday evening, he disclosed that he met with his lawyer and a decision was made.

The following day, the former death squad member handed himself over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary, Georgetown, accompanied by Hughes. Attorney Hughes has come under

that resolution to international disputes must be done peacefully and in keeping with international law.

Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy here, Bryan Hunt has assured the Guyana Government and the people of Guyana that Washington was committed to extending its support in the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

“We stand with the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil as they work together to extract natural resources in a responsible manner that protects the environment,” he had said.

UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory James Quinn also pledged his support for Guyana, noting that the Good Offices approach, which was established by the UN as a mechanism to assist in resolving Venezuela’s continued claim to Guyana’s Essequibo, has not been as effective as it was intended to be.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s former Ambassador to Venezuela Dr Ishmael Odeen has recommended the Guyana Government seek as much support as it could as the controversy continues and intensifies.

He suggested that Guyana continue to build deeper relationships with select countries such as China, for its own border problems with Russia and India and Brazil and Colombia to counteract Venezuelan’s efforts to “purchase” the sympathy of some Caricom countries.

Also, he recommended that Guyana strengthen its relations with the United States Government in a “manner designed to encourage it to pressure Venezuela to accept the finality of the 1899 award”.

much criticism for his decision, given his political affiliation with the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition. However, the experienced criminal lawyer maintained that he is merely offering his services to someone who retained him.

Responding to comments of his representation being a “conflict of interest” in light of his involvement

with the governing party, the Attorney told Guyana Times “…I’m not in any Government office, I’ve never held any Government post but I’ve been a lawyer all my life”.

Furthermore, Hughes went on to say that he was retained by Hinds and has facilitated the response to the Police’s request for the man to be taken in custody for questioning, emphasising that it has nothing to do with his involvement with the Government or politics.

In the meantime, while many have criticised the Attorney’s decision, several of his colleagues are standing by his decision, positing that lawyers are allowed to take whatever cases that come their way. Speaking to this newspaper, Attorney Glen Hanoman explained that despite his “character”, Hinds has a right to retain a lawyer of his choice.

“Most, if not all lawyers have political affiliations but [this] does not mean they can’t practice objectively,” he

declared. Nevertheless, the experienced criminal lawyer stated that Hinds has publicly confessed and admitted to conspiracy to murder, an offence which persons are being jailed for, as such, he too should be punished.

Additionally, Head of the Guyana Bar Association Christopher Ram, also opined that the Attorney has a right to be practicing his profession, despite his political affiliation. Asked about Attorney Hughes’ advice to Hinds not to respond to questions posed by investigators, Ram outlined that the Attorney’s advice would be based on instructions given to him by his client.

Over the past few days, Hinds took the country and Diaspora by storm after he made some damning revelations about major events in Guyana’s history and levied accusations against several ex officials of the Guyana Police Force during an interview the HGPTV Nightly News.

Regional

IMF says The Bahamas faces challenges to further economic recovery

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says while The Bahamas economy is recovering, the outlook remains challenging. And even with the United States’ recovery and the opening of the Baha Mar mega resort, growth is expected to remain below pre-global crisis levels.

Against this backdrop, the Washington-based financial institution has called for structural reforms to strengthen competitiveness, raise potential growth, and lower unemployment; and for continued efforts to strengthen the fiscal position.

The advice was con-

tained in the IMF Board’s full report, released on Monday, following the Article IV consultation with The Bahamas last month.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by an estimated one per cent in 2014 on the back of increased tourist arrivals. Potential GDP growth is estimated at about 1.5 per cent over the medium term, which the IMF said was insufficient to generate a significant reduction in the high unemployment rate.

“Absent structural reforms, including in the labour market and the energy sector, significantly higher growth than currently projected will be required to absorb new entrants to the labour force and reduce the unemployment rate to single digits over the medium term,” it said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Technology summer camp to teach Curaçao’s children to build their own Android

Athree-day technology summer camp that will teach children in Curaçao from as little as age seven to as old as 12 years how to build their own smartphone applications and software is slated to be held from August 10-12.

Sponsored by CWD Technologies, with material support from Google Android, the project aims to create local technology history by training and arming the next generation of local tech scientist and engineers with the appropriate knowledge to build working applications for mobile devices.

Upon completion of the project, mobile applications from the top ten performing children will be featured on Google Android Market and the Amazon App store; which will in effect make them the youngest group of application developers from a Dutch territory to be featured on Google’s Android market.

In many other countries

software

children from as young as seven years old has been known to build mobile applications which are currently featured on various international Android market places.

However, none of them is known to be from a Dutch speaking country. So for the event organisations, achieving such a feat would certainly give Curaçao a well deserved place on the global technology map, and may chart a course of in-

spiration for other local youths who may have an avid interest in technological innovations.

The event, which is free of cost, would basically teach all participating children some of the foundation aspects of mobile software development, and would teach them how to build their own mobile applications for use on phones, tablets, and other supported devices.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Jamaica customs agency seizes millions in counterfeit goods

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) says it confiscated more than J$250 million (US$2.1 million) worth of counterfeit goods at the island’s ports of entry in just over a year.

Commissioner of Customs and the JCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Major Richard Reese, said the items included cigarettes, clothing, footwear, handbags, belts and hats –some intended for the local market, others destined for other countries.

He made the disclosure on Monday as he addressed the JCA’s five-day intellectual property rights training seminar for customs of-

ficers, where Director in the agency’s Border Protection Unit, Kalista Powell, also disclosed that the containers bearing the counterfeit products were intercepted between January 2014 and April 2015, following intelligence and joint inter-agency operations that involved local and overseas law enforcement entities.

A significant portion of the items forfeited by the owners, she said, were destroyed in April.

Investigations are underway in relation to the other items. “Persons have been charged and court proceedings are ongoing,” Powell said at the seminar staged in

collaboration with the World Customs Organisation. Hailing the success of the operations, Major Reese said that counterfeiting and piracy of authentic products were “illicit businesses on which criminal networks thrive”.

“This is one of the means by which organised crime criminal networks also fund their illegal activities. The Jamaica Customs Agency will continue to collaborate with our partners, local and international, as we make every effort to remove the profit from organised crime and facilitate legitimate trade,” he assured. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Immigration Minister offers to step aside

Attorney General Stedroy Benjamin has offered to step down as Minister responsible for Immigration. Benjamin told news conference on Tuesday that he has indicated his intention to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

The Opposition United Progressive Party has been calling for Benjamin to be removed from the position and for an independent investigation to commence.

Benjamin says he is willing to step aside to allow for an independent investigation into the operations of the Immigration Department.

The department has been under intense public scrutiny after Government confirmed visa waivers for 14 Syrians

Immigration, Labour and National Security Minister Steadroy Benjamin

who are being investigated as part of a smuggling ring.

The Minister confirmed receiving reports that several of the Syrian men currently in Police custody had been working here illegally. Benjamin said if the reports turn out to be true, then the authorities would decide how to act.

“Clearly, that’s a matter the Labour Department

would have to investigate. I am hearing these things but I don’t ever get involved in the administration of those kind of matters,” he said. The Minister hastened to add that, “The Labour Commissioner, I’m sure it’ll be brought to her attention, will take what actions she deems appropriate. Clearly, if the law is broken it would have to be dealt with.” Benjamin said the men would have required work permits to be engaged for paid labour. A source close to the investigation told Observer media that at least three of the Syrian men who came here as visitors earlier this year, were caught working on the night of their arrest on July 22. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

MFK Trading Boss’ murder Journalist, HGPTV in hot water over alleged defamatory broadcast

– ex- Assistant Commissioner mulling multi-million $$ lawsuit

By Michael younge

Assistant Police

ormer

FCommissioner Steve Merai on Tuesday made a formal report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force following what he deemed to be a defamatory and slanderous broadcast news report on HGPTV Nightly News presented by Journalist Travis Chase linking him to the murder of MFK Boss Mohammed Khan.

Khan was murdered on August 21, 2014 after disappearing from the local scene. His dismembered body was found at Cummings Lodge.

On the newscast, Chase was interviewing murder accused Lennox Wayne who is also known as “Two Colours” who is currently on remand in the Camp Street Jail. The broadcast interview appeared to have been conducted via the telephone.

Wayne accused Merai of being part of the plot to murder the businessman and recounted on that newscast an encounter he reportedly had with the former top cop.

Speaking with the

Guyana Times on Tuesday, Merai said that after viewing the newscast, he immediately contacted his legal counsel and was advised to take up the matter with the relevant policing authorities first before taking private legal action.

“I went to the Beterverwagting Police Station made my complaint and it was recorded in the Occurrence Book. I spoke to a CID officer and provided a statement,” he said during the interview.

He was adamant that all of the information broadcast was false and it was done maliciously as no one attached to the media house attempted to get a response to what it reported as “new revelations” and “confessions”.

He said that at no time did Wayne gave Police information which linked him to the murder of the businessman.

“The only time I met this man was in the presence of the Crime Chief and other ranks. He could not provide any evidence against me at that time and made it clear that I did not kill nor

Obama chides African leaders who cling to power

Barack Obama has chided African leaders who refuse to give up power in the first speech at the African Union headquarters by a US President. The scolding came in the course of his address on Tuesday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to the 54-member continental bloc.

was part of any plot to kill the businessman,” an angry Merai recalled.

He said that he was cleared after “Two Colours” made the initial allegations by the Director of Police Prosecutions.

“Now he is telling a whole different story and I believe he was put up to this. Someone is concocting these lies and using these people,” he said.

Merai is now concerned about his safety and that of his family as he believes that the irresponsibility of the statements illegally obtained from “Two Colours” could see him becoming a possible target for those close to the MFK Boss.

If the Police did not respond effectively within a responsible time frame, Merai said that he would privately sue the principals of the television station and the journalist.

“I know it’s a lot of offences they commit,” he said.

Only last week, the same media house broadcast other information which implicated Merai in extra-judicial killings and misconduct while in public office.

Warplanes attack air base near Yemen’s Aden

Warplanes attacked Houthi militia in control of Yemen’s largest air base North of Aden on Tuesday, seeking to expand territorial gains made by Saudi-led coalition forces since they captured the southern port city last week.

Witnesses said big explosions were heard at the alAnad base, 50 km (30 miles) from Aden, which has been held by the Iranian-allied

Houthi movement for much of a fourth-month-old civil war and commands the approaches to Aden.

A Saudi-led Arab coalition allied with southern secessionist fighters retook much of Aden last week in the first significant ground victory in their campaign to end Houthi control over much of Yemen and restore exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Once one of the world’s

busiest ports, Aden sits near the Bab al-Mandab shipping lane; a major energy gateway for Europe, Asia and the United States via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

A ceasefire called by the coalition to start on Sunday evening fell apart almost immediately, posing problems for relief organisations seeking to expand deliveries of emergency aid amid severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gunmen who carried out India’s Punjab attack were Muslim:

Three gunmen who fought a 12-hour battle on Monday near the Pakistan border were Muslim, the Punjab Police Chief said on Tuesday, contradicting speculation that the attack may have been carried out by Sikh separatists.

“The inspection of the bodies shows that the assailants were Muslims,” said Sumedh Singh Saini, Director General of Police in the northern state,

speaking to reporters at the Police station that came under attack.

Ten people, including four Police, three civilians and the three militants, were killed in a prolonged battle that began early on Monday morning, the first of its kind in Indian Punjab in more than a decade.

The attack bore the hallmarks of similar attacks in the neighbouring region of Jammu, which has seen more frequent operations

Police

by gunmen hitting security posts in recent years.

Saini did not elaborate why Police concluded the gunmen were Muslim and declined to confirm whether or not they were from Pakistan, as some Indian security sources had suggested. He said Police had not yet identified the assailants, as they were not carrying any identifying papers or documents. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“Africa’s democratic progress is also at risk when leaders refuse to step aside when their terms end,” Obama said. “No one should be President for life.” Obama said he himself was looking forward to handing over to his successor.

“I have to be honest with you: I just don’t understand this,” he said. “Under our Constitution, I cannot run again. There’s still so much I want to get done to keep America moving forward. But the law is the law and no one is above it, not even Presidents.

“And, frankly, I’m looking forward to life after being President. It will mean more time with my family, new ways to serve, and more

visits to Africa.” Obama singled out Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza – whose re-election to a third term provoked weeks of unrest in the small central African nation – as an example of the dangers of trying to stay put.

Obama also called on Africa to end “the cancer of corruption” and embrace democracy to ensure continued progress. He also warned

African governments against cracking down on Opposition groups and dissent. He said Ethiopia “cannot unleash the full potential of its people” if it jails journalists and restricts legitimate Opposition groups. Ethiopia claims that journalists have been detained because of crimes. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

wednesday, july 29, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Samad urges Govt to pay attention to current issues

– eyes UG VC post, but wasn’t offered anything

By Jillicia Pinder

Former

Alliance

For Change (AFC) Consultant, Professor Dazial Samad who had once declared that the coalition between the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was never going to happen is urging the new Government to pay more attention to current issues and not get sidetracked in “digging up the dirt” of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

He also said that he would welcome the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana and insisted that he was not offered any job by the current Administration although he had campaigned for them.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Samad stated that there were many issues that were affecting persons in Guyana and the Government was yet to take notice, leaving the citizens feeling neglected. Samad stated that the cur-

rent Administration should not only look to the past on criminal activities that may or may not have occurred, as it was even more important to remedy the current situation and look to the future. He stated that he understood the current Government’s dilemma, with the alleged misuse of funds by the previous Administration, but it still needed to communicate to the people and convey to them that they did matter and that there was hope for them in Guyana. “Let them know what is going to happen and when, and strive towards that goal for a better Guyana.”

An example of those suffering are Berbicians, explained Samad, as there were many issues that this county faced on a daily basis. He added that there was tremendous suffering in Berbice, “With that suffering, I really do not see the light at the end of the tunnel,” The former AFC member shared that the most prevalent issue in the coun-

ty is the issue of starvation, which he knew of firsthand.

Samad said additionally, many persons have to travel long distances for water, and the county also faced power outages that occurred at least every hour every day. He also mentioned that crime in the area was at an all-time high, as the people have become desperate in their will to survive. He said to make matters worse, there were no jobs in the county whatsoever. He

shared that he had broached the idea of establishing job banks in all 10 regions, but that was yet to be taken up.

Willing to serve

Meanwhile, since resigning as Director of the UG Tain Campus, Samad said he has been unable to find employment and he has offered his services to the new Administration. He mentioned that he had shared his desire to serve in any area of Government, in-

cluding technology, education, energy, drainage and irrigation. Samad’s name was mentioned as one of the possible candidates for the post of UG Vice Chancellor and when asked about this, he shared that he thought the position was a “hand in glove fit” for himself. He added that he has done the exact same job in Malaysia, South East Asia, Africa and the Middle East and to some extent in Canada, and was more than qualified to do the same in his home country. He added that if given the chance to be Vice Chancellor of the University, he would accept in a heartbeat, as he was very sure that he could turn UG into a worldclass learning institution in no time. He stated that the move to a better university is about ideas and the implementation of these ideas and not “skulduggery or tomfoolery”. He further added that leaders were sometimes too self-serving and self-centred, and in some cases, lacked the imagina-

tion to help a country grow. He shared that the same applies for UG.

Samad, however, applauded the work of the Government so far, but stated that it had a long way to go. “I think the current Government has a mandate to clean up this country and I think they’re doing that quite well. However, something must be done to remedy and alleviate the current situation of the problems faced by real people living their real lives in this nation,” the Professor stated. He added that the ideas for a better Guyana were present as stated in the ruling party’s manifesto, but stated that it was now just a matter of implementation. Moreover, Samad added that implementation was not just about money as it was about will, and there were many “bright persons” in this country and the Government should make use of them for quicker goal achievements.

GBTI floats measure to cut late payment to rice farmers … says enforcing

By Vahnu Manikchand

As rice farmers continue to grapple with the issue of late payments for paddy supplied to millers, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) John Tracey has advised Government against enforcing the Rice Factory Act, stating that it will be counterproductive for the sector. He suggested that the players consider the possibility of introducing a negotiable financial instrument for timely payment to rice producers. “It is done in other countries. Rather than the late systems of payment, I think this is an instrument that we can use in its place,” he stated.

The GBTI boss noted that the instrument can be designed at a later date but explained it is an ‘I owe you’ (IOU), that will carry an interest rate which provides producers the option of taking it to the bank and discount it or use it to self finance their next crop. However, he stated that the bankers will have to be willing to accept this negotiable financial instrument as part of its banking service.

In his advice to Government, the Bank’s CEO floated the idea of establishing an agricultural bank. He noted that the commercial banks can also provide this service but will have to be willing to take the risk. Tracey added too that Government may want to consider granting con-

Rice Factory Act ‘counterproductive’

cessions to the commercial banks in order for it to be passed onto agri-borrowers, which will go towards reducing the interest rates.

Tracey was at the time delivering a presentation at the National Rice Industry Conference on Monday, organised by the Agriculture Ministry. The Rice Factory Act stipulates that farmers be paid in full after 42 days of the purchasing the paddy, otherwise the millers can face penalties. However, this legislation has not been enforced with millers owing farmers for months at a time, and according to the GBTI boss, it makes no sense having a regulation that cannot be enforced. “I think enforcing the Rice Factory Act will be counterproductive. I often say if you de-licence some of the millers, the next crop you have less mills to buy the paddy and so you will overburden them and they will have a bigger funding gap and it just wouldn’t work,” he pointed out.

Furthermore, Tracey opined that Government needs to implement a legislation that can be enforced without having any consequence on the operations of the industry. The Bank’s CEO stated that the success of the rice industry is a collaborative effort between many of the players over the years. Presenting on lending to the rice industry, Tracey said that lending was high during the years 1997 to 2002 and declined from that year to around 2008, when it started to soar again.

According to the GBTI boss, this was as a result of the European Union (EU) lending the Guyana Government a grant of 6.5 billion euros to be invested the sector. “It led to an increase in production… increase in the financing and a concomitant increase in production… and so it put us in a good position to exploit the Venezuelan market when that came along shortly after,” he added. Tracey remarked that because of that funding, Guyana was able to increase production significantly, which continued to the subsequently climb over the recent years. He disclosed that the facility was referred to as the “rice competitive facility” which

saw rice producers acquiring loans with nine per cent interest rates while input suppliers and rice millers were given an 11 per cent rate.

He explained that the fund totalled about $1.9 billion and was revolved for about two and a half time, for almost three years resulting in the industry getting a “considerably boost”. Tracey further mentioned that the fund was administered via GBTI and allowed 14 per cent for the write off of loans.

He proudly revealed that “very little” of that provision was used, saying it was “minimal to the best”. “There were probably about five defaulting loan applications, none of course in the mill-

ing sector… (This) just goes to prove that the industry can sustain taking financing from the commercial banks and doing well with it,” the GBTI Boss added.

On another note, Tracey emphasised on the role of the various actors in the manufacturing chain, pointing out that value chain concept in the rice industry shows rice producers holding approximately 70 to 75 per cent of the value input into the production of rice while the miller merely contributes about 10 to 20 per cent of the final value in the chain.

He posited that the culture within which the industry operates needs to be changed in particular the payment structure between farmers and millers. “The way the industry operates, there is a time gap between when you produce and when you sell and get your money back… Millers when you take paddies from the producers, they don’t get back their money for a number of months, at a minimum three months, perhaps longer than that. If millers are to pay the farmers immediately according to the Rice Factory Act, there will have use self financing. On the other hand, if we take the producers and they don’t get their money from the millers and they want to go back into the crop, they have to find the finance from themselves,” he declared.

Tracey underscored the importance of understating the cost of financing op-

erations in the rice industry, noting that even self financing has a cost attached to it. He expressed his empathy with the farmers who do a lot of self financing to get back into the crop while at the same time stating his understanding of those millers who have to self finance to pay the regulated 50 per cent.

The CEO of GBTI commented that finance is the grease that makes the rice machinery run, as such much needs to be done as it relates to financing rice production. He explained that the total value of paddy produced in 2014 is approximately $46 billion while the total finance lent to the industry by the commercial banks is $9.4 billion, therefore leaving a “funding gap” in the industry of about $36.6 billion. “It’s a tremendous gap to operate efficiently in,” he declared. The Bank official further explained that the gap was covered through government intervention and self financing.

The GBTI CEO outlined that many factors can be deemed the cause of the “funding gap” such as the perception of high interest rates, minimised finance cost as well as farmers and millers inability to borrow. Tracey outlined that the consequence of uncovered gap is delay in payments to farmers. However he noted that a lot of political, social and economical consequences and cost can be incurred, which can be much more risky than taking financing from the banks.

Every life has value and purpose

– First Lady tells Linden forum

First Lady Sandra Granger on Friday last saluted Guyanese women for their sterling contribution to national development, through the diverse roles that they play in moulding their families, communities and the nation at large.

She was at the time speaking at the Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference held at the Egbert Benjamin Centre at Mackenzie, Linden. According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, the conference, which was held under the theme, “Knowing your purpose” was organised by the Women of Mission International (WOMI), a non-profit organisation based in the United States.

The First Lady spoke of young Guyanese women who died at the hands of their partners long before they were able to realise their true purpose and reach their optimum potential; women who are lured into prostitution under false promises of employment; and teen mothers who are forced to drop out of school.

She informed that nearly 25 per cent of babies in Guyana are born to women under the age of 19 and one per cent of that amount to girls under the age of 16. She noted that 88 girls under the age 15 delivered babies last year –a clear indication of the level of

statutory rape being committed. These girls, she said, are made to feel that their lives lack value and purpose.

“I believe that conferences such as this and the work of organisations such as WOMI can bring about the changes we need in our society by helping girls and women achieve their full potential... Every life has purpose and every life has value. Too often we

as women undervalue ourselves,” Mrs Granger said.

During a panel discussion, Valerie Patterson, who is a Member of Parliament, spoke on entrepreneurship opportunities and financing for women. She said that women can be just as successful as their male counterparts in any field they choose. Patterson pointed out that in Linden more women are heading business-

es because they are known to be more prudent and can better interact with suppliers and buyers. However, there is still a huge equality gap that must be bridged, since women have to overcome the challenge of balancing business and family, she noted.

“The world needs women entrepreneurs and we must provide the necessary tools and resources to ensure that women-led enter-

prises flourish,” Patterson said. Adding to this discourse, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Chairman Rennis Morian spoke out against the bureaucracy that prevented women from branching off as entrepreneurs and assured of the support of the Regional Democratic Council to prioritise issues affecting women.

The issue of domestic violence was also thoroughly discussed. Carwyn Holland, who was part of the panel, said that two out of three Afro-Guyanese women in Guyana experience physical violence from their partners.

He stressed the need for the Guyana Police Force to be more proactive and professional when dealing with reports of domestic violence. Lurlene Nestor, who served in the Eighth Parliament, spoke on women in politics and outlined the challenges and sacrifices that they are forced to make in order to take up roles in the political arena. She urged women to become more active in politics so that they can be part of the decision-making process.

The aim of WOMI is to develop social, economic, and educational development programmes for women of all ages, providing them with necessary resources to make them self-sufficient.

PAHO/WHO calls for urgent action to curb hepatitis

On World Hepatitis Day ( July 28), the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) highlighted the urgent need for countries to step up action to prevent viral hepatitis infection and to ensure that people who have been infected are diagnosed and offered treatment. This year, the Organisation is focusing particularly on Hepatitis B and C, which together cause approximately 80 per cent of all liver cancer deaths and kill close to 1.4 million people every year.

In the Americas, an estimated 13 million people are infected with Hepatitis C, while the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B ranges from less than two per cent to four per cent. Between 2008 and 2010, three per cent of all deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean were associated with liver cancer, liver failure, acute and chronic Hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Know the risks

“Most people who are infected with hepatitis are not aware of it, which increases the risk of gradual liver function decline, cirrhosis and liver cancer as well as the risk of transmitting the virus to others,” said Rafael Mazin, senior PAHO/ WHO adviser on HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis. “These viruses cause disabilities, work absenteeism, and the need for long-term treatment and care, including in some cases costly liver transplants.”

WHO is alerting people

to the risks of contracting Hepatitis from unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing drug-injection equipment. Some 11 million people who inject drugs have Hepatitis B or C infection. Children born to mothers with Hepatitis B or C and sex partners of people with Hepatitis are also at risk of becoming infected.

The Organisation emphasises the need for all health services to reduce risks by using only sterile equipment for injections and other medical procedures, to test all donated blood and blood components for Hepatitis B and C (as well as HIV and syphilis) and to promote the use of the Hepatitis B vaccine. Safer sex practices, including minimising the number of partners and using barrier protective measures (condoms), also protect against transmission. A vaccine for Hepatitis B has been available since 1982. All the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have adopted the vaccine in their national immunisation programmes, with coverage rates averaging 90 per cent. In addition, more than 99 per cent of blood units collected in these countries is screened for Hepatitis B and C.

Demand safe injections

Approximately, two million people per year contract hepatitis from unsafe injections. These infections can be averted through the use of sterile syringes that are specifically designed to prevent reuse. Eliminating unnecessary injections is also an effective strategy to pro-

tect against Hepatitis transmission. There are 16 billion injections administered every year. Around five per cent of these injections are for immunisation, a further five per cent for procedures like blood transfusions and injectable contraceptives, and the remaining 90 per cent to administer medicines. For many diseases, injections are not the first recommended course of treatment and oral medications could be used.

Be vaccinated WHO recommends vaccinating all children against Hepatitis B infection, from which approximately 780,000 people die each year. A safe and effective vaccine can protect from Hepatitis B infection for life. Ideally, the vaccine should be given as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. The birth dose should be followed by two or three doses to complete the vaccine series. WHO also recommends vaccinating adults who are at increased risk of acquir-

ing Hepatitis B.

These include people who frequently require blood or blood products (for example dialysis patients), health-care workers, people who inject drugs, household and sexual contacts of people with chronic Hepatitis B, and people with multiple sexual partners.

Since 1982, over one billion doses of Hepatitis B vaccine have been used worldwide and millions of future deaths from liver cancer and cirrhosis have been prevented. In a number of countries where around 1 in 10 children used to become chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus, vaccination has reduced the rate of chronic infection to less than 1 in 100 among immunised children. To date, there is no available vaccine against Hepatitis C.

Get tested, seek treatment Medicines are now available that can cure most people with Hepatitis C and control Hepatitis B infection. People who receive

these medicines are much less likely to die from liver cancer and cirrhosis and much less likely to transmit the virus to others.

WHO, therefore, urges people who think they might have been exposed to Hepatitis to get tested so they can find out whether they need treatment to improve their own health and reduce the risk of transmission. Earlier this year, WHO issued new guidelines for treatment of Hepatitis B infection. These recommend using simple non-invasive tests to assess the stage of liver disease to help identify who needs treatment.

WHO also calls for prioritising treatment for those with cirrhosis – the most advanced stage of liver disease and for the use of two safe and highly effective medicines, tenofovir or entecavir. Continued monitoring using simple tests is important to assess whether treatment is working, and if it can be stopped.

In 2014, WHO issued guidance for testing and

treatment of Hepatitis C infection. WHO recommends providing testing for people considered at high risk of infection and ensuring treatment for those who have the virus with several effective medicines, including new regimens that use only oral medicines. WHO will update recommendations on drug treatments periodically as new antiviral medicines become available and as new evidence emerges.

World Hepatitis Day 2015

This year, WHO’s flagship event took place in Egypt, a country that has one of the world’s highest Hepatitis burdens. It is estimated that 10 per cent of the population between 15 and 59 years is chronically infected with Hepatitis C. Between 2007 and 2014, more than 350,000 people with Hepatitis C have been treated. Since the introduction of newer, more effective medicines in 2014, the number of people being treated continues to increase.

Today, 32 dedicated treatment centres are providing treatment at the Government’s expense. Egypt is also highlighting hepatitis prevention.

WHO is helping the country develop national blood safety standards and has selected it as one of three pilot countries for its new Global Injection Safety Initiative. WHO will provide support over the next three years to reduce unnecessary injections and help transition to the exclusive use of syringes that can only be used once.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Worrying about matters beyond your control will add to your stress. Look for a creative way to increase your cash flow and secure your future. It’s up to you to bring about positive change.

Love and romance are highlighted. Your confidence will soar if you collaborate with people who can help propel you to success. A promising offer is evident.

It’s a perfect time to make improvements to your surroundings and lifestyle that will add value and comfort to your home. Monetary gains are within reach.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Lending or borrowing money or belongings will be to your advantage. Before you point fingers at others, you should make sure your own actions are reputable. Negativity will lead to disappointment.

When asked to make a move, act quickly or the offer may be withdrawn. Put extra effort into your work and educational pursuits. Greater financial freedom is heading your way.

Do something out of the ordinary. A short excursion with friends will take your mind off of your woes. All work and no play is bad for your physical and mental health.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Unanticipated changes will confuse you. Accept what is out of your control instead of letting it bring you down. As time passes, you will realize you were spared distress and loss.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

New friends will get a charge out of your engaging wit and sense of fun. Join a group of individuals whose ideals and beliefs mirror your own.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Take a step back and let things unfold naturally. A detailed project that requires concentration or endurance will help you forget about what’s going on in your personal life.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Don’t get drawn into a battle of wills with someone who is looking for a fight. The less reaction you show, the easier it will be to ward off hassles or challenges.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Refuse to be tempted by a dubious offer. Don’t jeopardize your reputation or step into a vulnerable position. Problems will escalate if you are deemed untrustworthy. Stand behind your words.

Get involved in something that motivates you. Donating your time or services to a cause close to your heart will be rewarding in more ways than one. You can make a difference.

UEFA head Platini to announce FIFA presidency bid

Michel Platini, the head of European soccer’s governing body UEFA, is to announce in the next few days that he will stand for the presidency of FIFA, a source close to the former France international told Reuters on Tuesday.

The 60-year-old Platini, a former France and Juventus midfielder, has been UEFA president since 2007 and had been widely expected to throw his hat into the ring to succeed Sepp Blatter, who announced his plan to stand down two months ago.

Platini’s impending announcement, expected before the end of the week, is likely to prompt other contenders to confirm their

plans to stand.

South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, a former FIFA vice-president, is expected to announce his candidacy next month, while Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, beaten by Blatter in May’s presidential vote, is also considering running in next February’s election.

The vote will be held at a special ‘elective congress’ in Zurich on Feb. 26.

Blatter, who has been president since 1998, was re-elected for a fifth term in May, but amidst the fall-out from the arrest of nine soccer officials, including some senior FIFA and ex-FIFA officials, he said he was “laying down” his mandate.

Platini has long been the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Blatter and last week his supporters indicated that he has picked up

widespread support from leaders of the continental confederations.

A former protege of Blatter’s, Platini turned

into one of his biggest critics and he has said FIFA’s corruption scandal “disgusted” him and gave him “stomach trouble”.

But the Frenchman’s own critics will focus on his support for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar.

Platini, part of the FIFA executive committee since 2002, voted for Qatar, despite FIFA’s own technical report flagging up concerns about the searing heat in the Gulf state.

That may be a difficult line of attack for his two possible Asian rivals to take however, given that Qatar is part of the Asian Football Confederation.

Three outsiders have

also said they intend to run - Liberian FA chairman Musa Bility, former Brazil international Zico and ex-France winger David Ginola.

Ginola had intended to stand in May’s vote but was unable to get the five nominations from football federations needed to be a candidate – a problem Zico has conceded he will probably encounter.

The deadline for candidates to formally present their nominations, with support, is Oct. 26 and they will also have to undergo integrity checks, led by Domenico Scala, head of the ad-hoc election committee. (Reuters)

IOC expects USA 2024 bid despite Boston pullout Mo Farah braced for World Championship titles defence

The International Olympic Committee remains confident the United States will deliver a bid to host the 2024 Summer Games despite Boston’s withdrawal from the race on Monday.

“For the IOC this was always about an American bid put forward by the United States Olympic Committee,” IOC President Thomas Bach told reporters on the opening day of an Executive Board meeting in the Malaysian capital on Tuesday.

“This invitation phase is also an opportunity to determine which city will eventually be chosen by a National Olympic Committee. We are confident that USOC (U.S. Olympic Committee) will choose the most appropriate city for a strong U.S. bid.”

Just hours before the Kuala Lumpur meeting opened, USOC rescinded Boston’s bid to host the 2024 Games after the mayor said his city’s taxpayers could not afford to host the large-scale event.

The news is the latest setback for the Olympic bidding process and comes after four cities dropped out of the running for the 2022 Winter Games.

Chinese capital and 2008 Summer Games host Beijing will go head-tohead with the little-known Kazakh city of Almaty for the right to host the 2022 Olympics when the IOC elects the winner at its 128th Session in Malaysia later this week.

The IOC has since passed a string of reforms to make bidding more attractive to cities.

“USOC have made it clear that they would still very much like to see a U.S. city host the Olympic Games 2024,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.

The deadline for applicant city submissions for the 2024 Games is Sept. 15 with Hamburg, Paris, Rome and Budapest already having entered the race.

“We are confident that the U.S. will make the right choice and that they can still put forward a strong candidate by 15 September,” Adams added.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has said his city, which hosted one of the most successful Games in U.S. history in 1984, was interested in taking Boston’s place. The United States last hosted the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996.

The IOC will elect a winning bid in 2017. (Reuters)

Great Britain’s Mo Farah says he is ready for the “heavy” training needed to convert good form into successful defences of his 5,000m and 10,000m world titles in Beijing in August.

The 32-year-old, who set 2015’s fastest 3,000m time in victory at the Anniversary Games, completed the same double at London 2012.

“There is still a little bit of work to be done,” said Farah.

“The next couple of weeks will be heavy weeks and then I will ease down a bit.”

Farah has continued working with coach Alberto Salazar despite doping allegations against the American, delivering strong results under scrutiny.

He finished just 0.12 seconds outside his own British 1,500m record in Monaco on 17 July, a week after an emotional 5,000m win in Lausanne.

Farah will spend the next month away from his family at his training base in the French Pyrenees before travelling to the British team’s pre-championship camp in Fukuoka, Japan. Despite beating the

world’s best at both 5,000m and 10,000m in the last two major championships, Farah says there is no room for complacency.

“I’m confident, but you never know,” he said. “I should go out there and hopefully try and win the 10,000m for sure. And then the 5,000m is going to be a little bit tougher, to be honest with you.

Farah says he will be spurred on by the memory of the 2011 World Championships in Daegu when he came into the 10,000m final as the fastest man over the distance

that year, but was run down by little-known Ethiopian Ibrahim Jeilan in the final 35m.

“The Kenyans and the Ethiopians are really strong - they always have someone coming through, so, in terms of the depth, it’s really strong,” Farah added.

“Anything can happen. Like four years ago, in 2011, it was Jeilan. I wanted to win the race. He came from nowhere.

“I need to keep doing what I’m doing, enjoying what I’m doing - keep smiling.” (BBC Sport)

Chand talks emotional strain of gender case

Indian sprinter Dutee

Chand says she is glad others will not face similar abuse to her after being cleared to compete following a landmark gender case.

Chand, 19, had been banned since last summer after failing a hormone test.

But the Court of Arbitration for Sport has suspended “hyperandrogenism” rules, which will be scrapped if athletics bosses cannot provide new evidence.

“I know people started suspecting whether I was a woman or a man. All the honour I earned - I lost,” Chand said.

“My friends used to start asking what’s wrong with me, and started to avoid me. In training centres, where girls

used to share rooms, I was kept separately.”

The ruling will allow Chand to compete for India in the World Athletics Championships in Beijing in August.

Chand told BBC Hindi that she “always knew” she was going to win the case but admits she has also suffered from a loss of form.

“I never thought I would lose, because I always knew I was not at fault,” she added.

“I am very thankful to the judges that they have taken a close look at my case and given the decision in my favour. I have got justice. I am a normal girl.

“When I got to know the judgement - I can’t tell you

how I felt. I am happy that noone else will have to hear all the abuse that I had to hear.”

Chand, who missed the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games during her suspension, has been the first athlete to challenge the regulations, introduced in the wake of the Caster Semenya affair in 2009.

The South African teenager was asked to take a gender test shortly before winning the 800m at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin but subsequently returned to the sport, winning an Olympic silver medal at London 2012.

In a statement, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)

said the new regulations had been adopted “following a lengthy and comprehensive consultation exercise” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Athletics’ governing body said it would meet the IOC and experts as soon as possible “to discuss how best to address this interim ruling” which lasts for two years. Chand’s initial suspension was applied by the Athletics Federation of India in line with the IAAF’s guidelines on women testing for high levels of naturally occurring testosterone. The Indian champion’s legal team argued the ruling was discriminatory and flawed at a hearing in March. (BBC Sport)

De Nobrega sets new record at Grenville Felix Memorial 50-miler

Paul De Nobrega of Team Alanis has won the second annual Grenville Felix Memorial 50mile road race, setting a new record when the event was staged on Sunday in Berbice.

De Nobrega took 21 minutes and nine seconds (21:09s) off the record set by Mario King of United Cycle Club in 2014 to finish in a time of two hours, one minute and 47 seconds (2:01:47).

It was a close battle to the finish line between De Nobrega and Michael Anthony after the two had broken away from Raul Leal and Stephano Husbands with fewer than two miles left in the race.

Husbands was forced to watch from behind as Leal crossed the finish line before him to cop the third position.

Earlier, the quartet made a break from a pack of 10 riders with 13 miles left in the race.

Twenty-six riders were sent on their way by Joan Pear, daughter of the late Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Engineer

Husbands each

took of the eight sprint point prizes, with the others going to Mark Harris and Alanzo Ambrose.

The event pedalled off from outside the Felix home at Canefield, East Canje and proceeded to Number 51 Village, Corentyne before returning to the point of origin for the finish.

A total of 52 cyclists registered for the event which was held for seniors, juniors, veterans and ladies. The females rode from Number 36 Village.

The first veteran to cross the finish line was Jaikarran Sukai in a time of two hours, four minutes and 50.67 seconds (2:04:50:67) ahead of Stephana Fernandez and Junior Niles finishing in that order. For the juniors, Romello Crawford was the first to cross the finish line followed by Raphael DeYoung and Jamal John. Toshanna Doris won the female category with Christine

Matterson second and Mercia Dick third.

The event was organised by Coach of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC), Randolph Roberts. Wasim Hassnu was given a special prize for being the first FACC rider to finish the race. Meanwhile, Club Patron Errol Alphonso, in brief remarks before the start of the event, noted that he was impressed with the support the event has been receiving and urged the cyclists to continue training. “You must work with the clock… aim for timing and I will like to see more young cyclists being involved. I will encourage the Felixes to extent the race to beginners in the future… you have to start at an early age,” Alphonso said.

Felix’s daughter Joan speaking at the presentation thanked all of her siblings and the participants for making the event possible.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Another T20 bash, another T&T win

So the established order has been reaffirmed. A Caribbean T20 tournament is played and Trinidad & Tobago are victorious.

When the West Indies Cricket Board disbanded the traditional inter-island Caribbean T20 tournament after the January 2013 edition to form the Caribbean Premier League that year, the cricket-loving public of the twin-island republic were the most resistant to the change. Their understandable aversion was based on the historical domestic dominance of the “Red Force” in the format, which has seen them win four of six (T20) tournaments and represent the Caribbean well in the now discontinued Champions League.

The WICB mooted the noble idea of spreading Trinidad’s talent around to the respective territories in order to make the CPL more competitive. In this year’s edition each team except Jamaica Tallawahs had its fair share of T&T playersGuyana Amazon Warriors had Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons and Sunil Narine; Barbados Tridents had Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Rayad Emrit, Navin Stewart, Imran Khan and Akeal Hosein; St Lucia Zouks had Shannon Gabriel; and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots had Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran.

CPL 2015 was an indication of the board’s vision coming to fruition, with St Lucia Zouks and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots contesting for finals positions strongly going into the last week of the preliminary round play.

Whether it was the con-

troversial former minister of sport Anil Roberts demanding the T&T name be removed from the Red Steel franchise last year; or accusations that too many players linked to the famous Queen’s Park Cricket Club were being selected in the Red Steel team during the draft process; or a premature online petition for Dwayne Bravo to removed as captain, T&T has been at the centre of various CPL storms big and small. Red Steel in this year’s CPL was on paper clearly not as strong as a fullstrength Trinidad team would be. But after struggling in away fixtures and being bottom of the table (despite having played fewer games) - they timed their run into form perfectly, winning six of the their seven home matches with the aid of a powerful “12th man” crowd factor at the Queen’s Park Oval.

No other players epitomised the pleasure of playing at home as much as the Bravo brothers. Darren struggled for form after his match-winning knocked helped West Indies draw the recent Test series against England, and his CPL form of 30 runs in six innings away from Port-of-Spain reinforced the point. But his two devastating 80-plus scores versus former champions Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs at the Oval showed wonderful glimpses of why he has regularly been compared to Brian Lara.

While other promising young batsmen worldwide such as Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli and Joe Root continuing to evolve, “Lil Bravo” has certainly stagnated, and West Indies fans continue to wait for him to re-establish himself to a similar level.

Bravo Sr and Kieron

Pollard provided an interesting subplot to the tournament. The two were ridiculously dropped from the West Indies World Cup squad and Dwayne stripped of the West Indies ODI captaincy, which most fans and media (and the duo themselves) saw as the players being victimised for their roles in the pull-out from the India tour - though the WICB claimed otherwise. Both players will have been glad to have taken their teams to the championship game, given the pressure they have been under.

Since being axed from the ODI team, they helped Trinidad & Tobago win the domestic 50-overs tournament in January. Bravo’s bowling has regained spark: he was the leading wickettaker in both the IPL and now the CPL. Pollard’s allround contributions were key to Mumbai Indians winning the IPL, and so was

his captaincy in getting Barbados Tridents to the CPL final.

It is well documented how West Indies cricket politics drove Bravo into retiring from Test cricket, denying the side his services in the longer format. Pollard’s captaincy gained great reviews during the CPL and it makes the WICB selectors’ decision to entrust Jason Holder with the one-day captaincy when he is still establishing himself as a player look premature.

The international players were a bit disappointing in this year’s CPL, with none of them really being supremely dominant, though they contributed in key phases in various matches. In the lists of the top 10 run scorers and wicket-takers, West Indies players occupied seven and eight spots respectively.

Such performances show that if further player-versus-board issues don’t surface in the coming months, the Caribbean side have most bases covered looking ahead to the 2016 World T20.

Arguably the most impressive international acquisition was South African left-arm chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi. First spotted by Marlon Samuels during West Indies’ recent tour to South Africa, Shamsi kept many batsmen in check with his variations. It will be interesting to see if the South African selectors give the 25-year old an international call-up.

Off the field two lingering positive and negative stories stood out. The owners of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders acquiring a controlling stake

in Red Steel was a great fillip for the CPL organisers. Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan could not have asked for a better investment than seeing the Red Steel win. The Indian franchise’s involvement could open new doors for the CPL. Other IPL teams could partner Caribbean franchises, Indian players might play in the CPL, and Trinidad local Sunil Narine could come back to play for Red Steel in future tournaments.

At the other end of the spectrum, some trepidation is being expressed about the amount of money Caribbean governments and corporate entities are paying to host matches. The Antigua government could no longer afford to do so, which is why the Antigua Hawksbills franchise was disbanded.

In recent articles on ESPNcricinfo and in the Jamaica Gleaner, renowned veteran West Indies journalists Tony Cozier and Tony Becca noted concerns about the situation. The CPL will at some point before the 2016 tournament have to tackle the issue, because nobody wants it to end abruptly like the Stanford T20.

The aim of the CPL from a West Indies senior team long-term perspective is to make money that the same governments and corporate entities are not interested in giving the WICB. The WICB needs to be able to invest in all levels of the local game to help West Indies senior cricket revive from its current decline, especially in the longer formats. It is incumbent that all parties involved get this dynamic right. (Cricinfo)

YELLOW PAGES

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Sepp Blatter deserves Nobel Prize, says Vladimir Putin

Fifa president Sepp Blatter deserves a Nobel Prize, says Russian president Vladimir Putin.

World football’s governing body is engulfed in a corruption crisis, including an investigation into the award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia.

Yet Putin is a big fan of the under-fire Blatter, 79.

“People like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition,” he said.

“If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel Prize, it’s

those people.” Blatter announced he would be stepping down on 2 June following the arrest of

leewards squeeze home in last- over win

Mrinal Wadwha’s calm head made all the difference as Leeward Islands squeezed past Windward Islands by a single wicket with three balls to spare in their Regional Under-19 Championship contest here Monday.

Entering a tense encounter at 111 for seven in the 38th over with a further 32 required for victory, Wadwha kept his nerves and batted nearly three-quarters of an hour for his unbeaten 11, to see the Leewards to their target of 142 in the final over.

Playing in the fourth round match at St Elizabeth Technical High School, he put on a crucial 21 for the eighth wicket with Saeed Williams who struck 30 before becoming the first of two wickets to fall to off-spinner Johnel Eugene.

No such drama was envisioned when the Leewards cruised to 111 for four on the back of opener Tyrone Williams’s top score of 43 off 68 balls.

He struck four fours and two sixes to give his side momentum as wickets fell around him.

The Leewards lost him at 72 for four but a fifth wicket stand of 39 between Saeed Williams and Jaeel Clarke

(16) seemed to put them firmly in command.

However, once they were separated, five wickets tumbled for 28 runs in quick time to set up a nervous finish to the game.

Othneil Lewis was the best bowler ith three for 22.

Earlier, Ryan John had also displayed nerves of steel in a knock of 36 not out as he bailed the Windwards out of trouble and steered them to 141 all out off 39.3 overs.

He faced 54 deliveries and counted three fours, and posted 34 for the sixth wicket with top-scorer Josiah Hilton whose 47 came from 94 balls and included three fours and one six.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph (3-11) and Colin Archibald Jr (3-27) finished with three wickets apiece.

(CMC)

seven Fifa officials as part of an investigation that saw 14 people indicted on corruption charges.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

Blatter has said he has a “clear conscience” and is planning to remain in office until Fifa holds an extraordinary congress to elect his successor next February.

“We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now,” added Putin in an interview with Swiss television.

“I don’t want to go into details. but I don’t believe a word about him being involved in corruption personally.” (BBC Sport)

reggae Boyz have much to be pr oud of, says star Barnes

Houston Dynamo forward, Giles Barnes, believes Jamaica’s CONCACAF Gold Cup experience was a turning point in the nation’s football, despite the defeat to Mexico in Sunday’s final.

The Reggae Boyz, bidding for their first ever confederation crown, went down 3-1 to Mexico in the championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.

However, it was the first time a Caribbean side had reached the final of the prestigious competition and Barnes said it represented a significant moment.

“We should be proud as a nation with what we have been able to achieve…then again we are going to take heart from it,” said Barnes, who scored crucial goals for Jamaica throughout the tournament.

“But congratulations to Mexico as well as they have done well in the second half, but it was a learning experience.”

Jamaica entered the tournament as massive underdogs but managed to top Group B with seven points, following a gutsy 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in Los Angeles, a 1-0 win over Canada in Houston and a similar verdict against El Salvador in Toronto. They then edged Haiti 1-0 to reach only their thirdever Gold Cup semi-final before stunning defending champions United States, 2-1, to clinch a spot in the final.

Barnes said Sunday’s defeat had hit the team hard but they were as proud of their achievement as they were said about the eventual loss to Mexico.

“There were a lot of tears in the locker room, but they were not only tears of sadness, but tears of pride,” said the 26-year-old.

“We’ve done so much for Jamaica’s football, and to see your brother next to you crying, man that was something … it’s just a lot emotions going on now.”

The other Englishspeaking Caribbean team, Trinidad and Tobago, topped Group C but then bowed out with a quarter-final loss to Panama. (CMC)

NFL commissioner upholds Tom Brady’s 4-game suspension

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the four-game suspension handed down by in May for Brady’s role in the Deflategate scandal.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided on Tuesday to uphold the fourgame suspension handed down in May for Tom Brady’s role in the New England Patriots’ “Deflategate” scandal.

“I entered into the appeal process open to re-evaluating my assessment of Mr Brady’s conduct and the associated discipline,” com-

missioner Roger Goodell said in the conclusion to his 20-page ruling. “Especially in light of the new evidence introduced at the hearing — evidence demonstrating that he arranged for the destruction of potentially relevant evidence that has been specifically requested by investigators — my findings and conclusions have not changed in a manner that would benefit Mr Brady.

“Notwithstanding my enormous respect for his accomplishments on the field and for his contributions and role in the communi-

ty, I find that, with respect to the game balls used in the AFC Championship Game and the subsequent investigation, Mr Brady engaged in conduct detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football.

“The four-game suspension is confirmed.”

Brady wanted full exoneration after an independent, but league-commissioned, investigation found that Brady was “generally aware” he was playing with underinflated footballs during January’s AFC

Championship game. Brady has professed his innocence and has the backing of the NFLPA, with the union saying it would take the case to court if Brady’s suspension was not completely lifted.

While Brady’s cooperation with the investigation conducted by Ted Wells was described as limited, he testified under oath in front of Goodell at his appeals hearing on June 23. The hearing lasted more than 10 hours and Goodell’s decision was expected to be announced this week. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Regan Rodrigues memorial road race set for Sunday – Persaud hunting 4th straight win

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The West Demerara roadway will be converted to a battle ground on Sunday when national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed stages the 11th annual Regan Rodrigues memorial 50mile cycle race from 08:00h.

Rodrigues, who died in August 2004, was the founder of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries, and that company has been sponsoring the annual race in his honour. This year would be no different.

While all the riders will be hunting victory, Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club's (CWCC) top wheelsman Robin Persaud will look to continue his fine showing in

this specific race.

The veteran rider has won the event an unprecedented three times in succession, and no doubt he would want to add another trophy to his large collection.

Persaud clocked one hour, 56 minutes, 50 seconds (01h: 56m: 50s) to win the 2014 event.

Kravitz Jeffrey was the junior winner, while Davendra Ramnarine and Ozia McUally won the veteran and mountain bike divisions respectively.

Sunday's race will roll off from the Wales Police Station, proceed to Bushy Park, Parika, before returning to Schoonord for the finish.

The veterans, mountain bikers and females will turn at Uitvlugt on the upward journey and return to Schoonord for the finish.

The top six finishers and the top three in the junior, veteran, mountain bike and female categories will be rewarded. There will also be a special prize for the top over-60 rider. Eight prime prizes will also be at stake.

The race is being coordinated by national coach Hassan Mohamed, who said that Rodrigues was an avid sportsman and supporter of the disciplines, especially cycling.

Rodrigues was a former president of the Guyana Cycling Federation and the CWCC. He was also a motor-racing champion.

Members of the Rodrigues' family, as well as staffers of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries will be on hand to witness the race and assist in the presentation of prizes.

Football’s future looks bright as Heart of Oak host youth camp

More than 60 youths will be exposed to the basics of football while also learning essential life skills in the Heart of Oak “Teach Them Young” football camp which is now in its third week.

The annual camp caters for beginners of the game and exposes them to the rules, techniques and exercises.

Organiser and facilitator Neil Humphrey says the main focus is discipline. “In any sport that one wants to get involved

in there is need for discipline. Even in the classroom and when they go to work they will have to be disciplined if they are to be successful,” Humphrey noted.

During the five weeks of instructional activity, participants are being exposed to lectures on life skills, HIV/AIDS, the laws of football, and etiquette in the home. Already, they have received lectures from medical personnel.

The “Teach Them Young” football camp is being held at the All Saints

Ground, and is open to boys and girls between six and 12 years old. Topics being covered include: diet, etiquette and basic skills needed in the classroom.

Among the sponsors are Yikes Depot, Republic Bank, Stretch D Dollar, J’s Supermarket, A Ally and Sons, The Candy Shop, Gilgers First Choice Pawn Shop, Kirk Alphonso, Keith Humphrey and Wayne Seymour. The camp concludes on August 22. (Andrew Carmichael)

Hassan, Crandon wins .22 Precision Pistol Shooting Competition

Azad Hassan and Vyvian Crandon were declared winners in the senior and junior divisions when the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) smallbore section ran off a .22 Precision Pistol Shooting Competition over the weekend at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) ranges.

Hassan recorded 180 points to win the senior category beating into second position Surujballi Persaud who amassed 175 points, while third place went to Joshua Ramlakhan who recorded 171 points.

Crandon amassed 184 points to triumph in the

junior division. In second spot was Devindra Persaud who recorded 180 points while Sean Austin was third with 171 points.

The seniors shot from the 10 and 12.5 metre distances while juniors shot from five and 10 metre distances.

Handgun captain Dale Hing who supervised the competition stated that Precision Pistol shooting has always been the foundation marksmen and women need to develop. He said whether they continue in that category or move on to other fast-paced shooting disciplines like practical pistol and action pistol shooting, their foundation will re-

main strong.

“With this foundation and the basic marksmanship and safety principles combined with practice, discipline and the right attitude, a shooter’s performance will improve,” Hing added.

Meanwhile, the next Practical Shoot will be the annual Modern Optical Cup team competition set for the end of August at the Timehri ranges. The competition will attract teams from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Presidential Guards, Bank of Guyana Security and the Guyana NRA.

gcB assists guyana’s blind cricket team

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has extended support via a financial contribution to the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GuyBCA) that will be participating in the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WICCBVI) Competition which begins today in St Lucia.

GCB President Drubahadur wished the team success for the tournament, noting that he was amazed by the team’s discipline and eagerness to go out there and compete. He further stated that he was confident that they would produce an outstanding performance.

The President added that he has always admired the zest the players have shown

although they are visually impaired. According to him, this is a lesson for those persons who are not deprived of their sight, to value theirs and at the same time, appreciate those who are visually impaired. Drubahadur posited that the GCB has always been supportive of GuyBCA and would continue to be so as they play a very integral role in society.

GuyBCA Executive Member Cecil Morris thanked the GCB for its support. He said that the donation would go a far way in getting the team ready for a successful tournament. He also acknowledged the GCB’s support from the inception of the Association.

Morris recalled that the GCB assisted the GuyBCA in the formation of its con-

stitution, and aided it with coaches and other resources to keep the cricket ongoing. Morris explained to Drubahadur that being blind or visually impaired can be very depressing and cricket acts a top entertainment for many of these persons, especially the younger ones. He said that the players have been looking forward to this Competition; hence, they are extremely grateful for the contribution. This year will be the eighth Regional Championship. Guyana has never won a title; the closest they got to it was third in 2008. Jamaica is the defending champions for the 40-over Competition, while Trinidad and Tobago hold the T20 format title.

wednesday, july 29, 2015

McKinnon dominates GSSF practical shoot

Practical shooters of Guyana were on Saturday given a chance to display their accuracy and speed while managing power, compliments of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation with the support of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Ryan McKinnon emerged as the leading marksman, collecting 350 points to cop the overall top honours. Ray Beharry (241.64) and Mohamed Qualander (213.21) finished second and third respectively. So dominant was McKinnon’s performance that he won all four categories, namely Yoga without the Toga, Over Under, Zig Zag and Mad Dash. It was another fun afternoon in the blistering sun at the GDF Timehri Ranges as new and experienced shooters alike showed up to test their skills against each other in four challenging courses of fire.

Built around safety, the sport simultaneously measures the ability of the competitor to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full-power handgun in a fun, fair, and competitive environment.

The Match Director and President of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud commended the dedication and hard work of members before she declared the match open.

The safety element for this match was monitored by Guyana’s internationally certified Chief Range Officers: Michael Blake (Range Master) and Ryan McKinnon.

Competitors’ scores are tabulated by dividing total points by the time it takes to shoot those points on the targets in each stage which results in a Hit Factor (HF). The highest HF wins full stage points and the percentage difference in HFs is calculated and points are awarded to the other competitors against this.

The shooter with the highest accumulated points from

all stages in a match wins overall. All the stages in this match were designed to be dynamic, thus no set arrangement of the targets. Courses of fire in the sport are often designed so that the shooter must be inventive.

For example, the first stage named “Yoga without the Toga” consisted of 14 paper targets and two No Shoot (NS) or penalty targets. Misses on scoring targets or hits on NS targets would attract a penalty of –10 points per shot.

The start position saw shooters having to be seated flat on a yoga mat with legs crossed. Once the signal was given to start, shooters had to retrieve their unloaded firearm, make it ready while moving to engage targets downrange.

The shooters’ ability to move uprange safely was tested as they had to be cognisant of ‘the 180 rule’ then sprinting around walls to engage the remaining targets, some of

Bowlers give guyana...

From that point, Jamaica imploded. On a two-paced pitch, the hosts’ bowlers put the brakes on the scoring, and panic took hold of the batsmen. Roberto Simpson (0) was removed by medium pacer Torrington, while Mckenzie (13) and Mario Duncan (1) were dismissed by Walters in his fourth over.

Torrington then uprooted the middle stump of George Seymour (2), as Jamaica lost half their side before the end of the 11th over.

Nedd brought himself on and completely confounded the lower-order batsmen. He discovered the turn available on the pitch, and immediately removed Kevon Anniford and Romanie Jacob within the space of three balls.

Nedd spun one sharply to find the edge of Anniford’s bat him without scoring and Jacob was clean bowled also without scoring.

Alphius Bookie then got into the act, removing Michael Thompson (0) before a brief shower sent the players off.

When play resumed, Nedd had Andre Blake caught and bowled also without scoring, while Bookie claimed the final wicket of Christopher Green caught at the wicket for three.

Guyana will play the Windward Islands in the final round on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium.

Other final round games will see Barbados opposing Trinidad and Tobago at Albion, while Jamaica faces the Leeward Islands at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.

Hetmyer misses out...

When Hetmyer perished at the hands of off-spinner Nicholas Kirton, who claimed two for 37, Keemo Paul then stroked an unbeaten 29 to see Guyana home.

Paul faced 45 balls and counted three fours and one six, adding 31 for the third wicket with Baldeo and another 35 for the fourth wicket with captain Travis Paul who finished on 19 not out. Earlier, Barbados had

gotten a top score of 65 from opener Lee-Germon Gaskin as they finished on 216 for eight off their 50 overs.

Gaskin struck four fours and three sixes in an innings requiring 128 balls, and got support from Shamar Springer with 36 from 33 balls and Akil Greenidge with 28.

Barbados lost Lenico Boucher without scoring with just three runs on

which were to be shot through open windows.

The second stage “Over Under” consisted of six paper targets and two NS targets. Competitors started backing the course of fire or facing uprange, on the start signal one had to turn around, retrieve the firearm from a table and engage three targets only, perform a mandatory re-load before finishing the stage. All except one shooter ended up finishing the stage shooting under the table.

The third stage “Zig Zag” was as the name suggested and consisted of 11 paper targets with two NS targets. Once again, the shooters’ agility and ability to quickly navigate through the mini-maze while deciding which targets to engage from where, while either moving or stopping at strategic spots to be able to see targets positioned behind hardcover walls.

The fourth and final stage named “Mad Dash” required the shooters to start seated on a chair with their heels touching the chair legs and hands on their knees. The unloaded gun was placed some distance away, on the start signal, shooters had to quickly dash to retrieve their gun, make it ready and engage the three paper targets and two falling plates, one of the targets could only be visible through an open port.

This saw some competitors creatively moving to various shooting locations to try to gain advantage and cut down their time with less movement which ultimately created difficult target presentation.

GABA secures CASH for all affiliated clubs

The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has gained approval from the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its affiliated clubs to train at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The sessions are expected to be a monthly feature according to GABA and will be managed by the Association.

However, the NSC highlighted that “any activities for which it deems important can/will take precedence over practice pe-

riods approved”.

Meanwhile ,the GABA intent on hosting a knockout tournament in August that will last for just six days and will also continue the development of their sport through Under-23 competition.

GABA President Junior Hercules also pointed out that the recently-held King of the Hard Court Tournament will determine seeding in the upcoming knockout tourney scheduled to start no later than August 10.

LABA meeting with clubs today concerning U-23 championship

The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) will meet with its affiliated clubs today to discuss the upcoming Under-23 Inter Club Basketball Championship which is set to bounce off early next month.

The club captains and representatives are asked to attend the meeting which will be held at the Toucan Call Centre in Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden for an 18:30h start.

All clubs including the Kashif and Shanghai Kings, Retrieve Raiders, Wismar Pistons, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Block 22 Flames, Bankers Trust Falcons, Victory Valley Royals and the Half Mile Bulls are expected to attend the meeting.

The age limit for all players is that they must be born after December 31, 1992 in order to be eligible to play in the championship.

LABA President Lawrence Simon will chair the meeting which will also be attended by the Association’s Executive Members.

the board but Gaskin and Greenidge put on 65 for the second wicket, before Gaskin and Springer added a further 48 for the fifth wicket.

Ronaldo Alimohamed (240) and Keemo Paul (2-42) picked up two wickets apiece. (CMC)

Editor’s note: Guyana now stand on 19.1 points, leading Windward Islands (13.7) and Jamaica (13.4)

WICB Regional U-15 Tournament

Bowlers give Guyana easy win

By raJiv BisnauTh

An abject batting display by Jamaica paved the way for a crushing nine-wicket victory by Guyana in Round Four of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-15 One-Day Tournament played on Tuesday at the Albion Sports Complex.

A combination of good bowling and some injudicious shot making by the Jamaica batsmen saw the visitors routed for 27 in 17.2 overs.

The target of 28 proved to be too meagre for Guyana’s strong batting line-up. Eventually, only one batsman was dismissed, and when the target was achieved Guyana had 42.1 overs to spare.

Robin Williams (2) was the batsman dismissed. Jason Sinclair was unbeaten on 13 and Orlando Jailall on two.

Digicel Nationwide School Football Tournament

The hosts took wickets at regular intervals to deny momentum for the visiting side.

The tourists won the toss and batted on a flat dry-looking pitch, but their decision backfired as they collapsed without showing a fight.

Left-arm spinner and Man-ofthe-Match Ashmead Nedd (3-3) was the pick of the Guyanese bowlers while medium pacers Alphius Bookie (2-2); Qumar Torrington (2-7) and Haifa Walters (2-14) all combined to decimate a clearly dispirited Jamaica side in which only opening batsmen Kirk Mckenzie offered any meaningful resistance in getting to 13.

Seven batsmen were dismissed without scoring.

The visitors suffered an early blow, losing Zavier Burton in the fourth over. Burton (6) was run out after a mix-up with his partner Mckenzie.

turn to pg 23

Final 4 to battle today at Leonora Hetmyer misses out on second century as Guyana top table

B

The final four teams of the Digicel Nationwide School Football Tournament will face off today at the National Track and Field

Centre Ground, Leonora for a spot in the final which is slated for August 2.

Three-time defending champs Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary, threetime finalists Waramadong Secondary, Chase Academy and Annai Secondary are the final four teams that remain in the Digicel School Football Tournament. Christianburg/Wismar will meet their most familiar foe in Waramadong which will eliminate all chances of the two schools meeting in a fourth straight final, while Annai will play against the lone Georgetown school left in

the tournament, Chase Academy.

All teams are brimming with confidence especially Annai who routed Dolphin Secondary 13-0 on Sunday in their quarterfinal.

However, facing a side like Chase with the combination of speed, skill and defence might pose a few problems for the Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) side.

Annai are known for their brilliant passing and ability to keep the ball, but the size and speed difference of Chase might prove the deciding factor in the game.

Meanwhile, Christianburg/Wismar are favourites against Waramadong since they have defeated the side all three times for the coveted title from 2012-2014.

The physicality of the Linden-based side has always posed a problem for the much smaller Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) side that is known to be a side that prefers less contact.

The semi-finals are slated for a 17:00h start at the National Track and Field Centre where both games will be played.

First class batsman Shimron Hetmyer narrowly missed out on his second successive hundred as Guyana easily brushed aside Barbados by seven wickets in their fourth round Regional Under-19 Championship encounter here Monday.

Chasing 217 for victory at Chedwin Park, Guyana ended on 218 for three off 33.2 overs, with opener Hetmyer falling agonisingly two runs

short of triple figures for 98. The 18-year-old lefthander faced 68 balls and struck 16 fours and one six, and was at the centre of two key stands that put Guyana on course for an easy victory. He put on 48 for the first wicket with wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach who scored 11 and then added a further 104 for the second wicket with Balchand Baldeo who made 23 off 52 balls.

continued on page 23