Guyana Times Daily - December 9, 2015

tuesday, december 8, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

RDC 10 wants more employment under CIIP

– request made for additional funding

While over a hundred persons from across Linden have been able to become meaningfully employed under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), some Regional officials believe the project should be extended to far-flung areas in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

At a recently held statutory meeting at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Linden, Councillor Gordon Calendar expressed disappointment that CIIP has not been extended to areas such as Kwakwani, Aroaima, Coomacka and Ituni.

Calendar said under the programme 150 Lindeners have been employed, consisting 75 from Wismar and 75 from Mackenzie, however many more persons desperate for employment have shown interest. He added that an initiative by Regional Chairman Renis

Morian to clean up the entire stretch of the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway sought to render assistance to those in need, however it was discovered that persons on CIIP were also working on the highway project.

Additionally, he noted that while CIIP had set out to employ only 150 persons 167 had turned out and it was a difficult task in refusing those persons who were “in need” of employment.

He said there is some level of confusion, thus arrangements would soon be put in place to have the situation sorted out so that a better system can be put in place to better accommodate and pay additional persons. In doing so, about three unregistered persons would be paid out of pocket.

Similar sentiments were also echoed by Councillor Charles Sampson who made recommendations for rep-

resentation to be made to extend the benefits of the programme to other communities currently not benefitting:

“This programme should not only be confined to Linden alone and its environs. In all fairness this programme should be extended to Coomacka, Ituni, Kwakwani and Aroaima because they have similar concerns like Linden. I want us to make the requisite rep-

resentation to have this programme regularised to include the other communities.”

Meanwhile, Morian said a request was made for additional funding to assist with the programme, adding that he is aware of the situation the Council is faced with in terms of securing funding for additional persons on both CIIP and the highway clean-up exercise.

The Regional Chairman also said plans are being made to have the situation sorted out.

4 jointly charged for GGMC employee’s murder

Four men were on Monday jointly charged for the murder of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Engineer Trevor Abrams.

The men were initially charged separately. However, the Prosecution made a successful application for the separate charges to be withdrawn and for the men to be charged jointly for the murder.

Ryan Paddy, Orin Arthur, Steven Prescott and Uree Varsyack were slapped with the indictable charge which stated that on February 27, 2015, at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), they murdered Abrams pursuant to an arrangement with an unknown individual whereby money was given to them as consideration for them causing the death of the Engineer.

Abrams, 31, of Lot 129 Samatta Point, Grove, EBD, was shot at least four times by the occupants of a Carina 212 motor car in the vicinity of Demerara Distillers Limited. The young man

was driving his silver grey Toyota Allion bearing registration number PSS 6855 when the Carina pulled up alongside him. Several gunshots were reportedly heard as the two cars sped away. From all indications, Abrams attempted to escape and accelerated away, but crashed into a utility pole and ended up in a nearby canal.

Arthur, of 213 One Mile Linden; Varsyack, 26, of Mahaicony and Paddy were previously charged for storming Sterling Products Limited in 2014 with the intention of robbing it and killed security guard Wilbert Stewart during the botched robbery.

Attorneys Latchmi Rahamat and Dexter Todd who appeared for the accused complained that the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) has been continuously postponed owing to delays as the Police file remained incomplete. They lamented that their clients were suffering as they have been on remand for a long time. The case will continue on January 11.

Pandit jailed for fraud

A64-year-old Pandit was on Monday jailed for one year after he was found guilty of a fraudulent conversion charge by Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Pandit Krishna Lall Persaud, of Area M Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was placed before the Court on the charge which stated that between July 1, 2013 and July 31, 2015 while being solely entrusted with US$8000 for safekeeping by Pandit Mavlankar Nohar, he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit.

During the trial, the Court heard that the Virtual Complainant and the defendant were known to each other as they were from the same religious fraternity. Police Prosecutor Adduni Innis, in presenting the case to the Court, gave evidence to show that the VC was an overseas-based Guyanese, who usually travelled to Guyana and spent time at the defendant’s home.

The Court was told that during the period in question, the VC gave the defendant US$8000, which is equivalent to G$1,600,000, for safekeeping. When the

VC returned to Guyana and requested that the money be returned, the defendant told him that he kept the money hidden in a plastic bag which his wife accidentally burnt. A report was made and the defendant was arrested and charged.

In his defence, the defendant stated that the VC travelled to Guyana from time to time as he was constructing a house at Grove, EBD. He stated that the VC and he had an arrangement whereas the VC would stay at his home for a monthly cost of US$600, which is equivalent to G$120,000. The Pandit stated that the VC had left US$7000 with him; however, he had returned that sum. He further related that the VC asked him to borrow a sum of cash, but he refused as he did not have the amount requested. He further added that it was his opinion that the VC made the false allegation as he owed him US$20,000 in lodging debts.

The Magistrate did not believe this and found the defendant guilty as charged. She took into consideration his age and other mitigating factors and sentenced him to one year in prison.

tuesday, december 8, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, December 8 – 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, December 9 – 14:30h-16:00h.

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

Tuesday, December 8 – 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, December 9 – 15:10h-16:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

As public outcry grows

Govt pressured to scrap Specialty Hospital MoU

– after Finance Ministry deceived stakeholders

By Edward LaynE

s public outcry mounts over the Government’s decision to handpick disqualified contracting company Fedders Lloyd to construct the controversial Specialty Hospital here, stakeholders have now called on the Government to scrap the recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and retender for the project after it deceived the public on the facts surrounding the deal.

Over the weekend, sections of the media publish the Tender Evaluation Report done in 2012 in relation to the construction of the Hospital which showed that Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited was administratively disqualified, while Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited and Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Ltd were the only two companies which were considered, having met the requirements.

was in conformity with the Public Procurement Act.

Ram, the Vice President of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc – the local arm of Transparency International, added that he would be asking his organisation to urgently examine the matter.

Meanwhile, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

company’s lawyer, Khemraj Ramjattan, was now a Government Minister.

“Scrap the whole thing and retender… (Because) they (the Government) lied to the public,” Gaskin declared.

He, however, believes Government, based on its stated position, will move ahead with Fedders Lloyd, but highlighted that legal action may be the last option to block the Administration.

Gaskin said he stood ready to support any citizen who would challenge the Government in court.

Already, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has said it would consider mounting a legal challenge if the Government did not retender the project.

Former Government Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey, in an invited comment, said the release of the Tender Evaluation Report was not necessary for the retendering of the project, since by law Government was bound

Surendra was awarded the contract, since it was the lowest bidder, but it was later fired.

Speaking to Guyana Times, transparency advocate Christopher Ram called on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to revisit the entire transaction.

“In view of the public disquiet on this matter, the Government should revisit the entire transaction, including the retendering,” he said, adding that the Government should satisfy itself that the award of the contract for the project

added his voice to the calls for Government to retender the project, given the emerging facts which clearly show that the Public Procurement Act was breached.

Joseph also called on all other “right-thinking” organisations in Guyana to add their voices to the call.

Economist and transparency advocate Ramon Gaskin said Government should have moved to retender in the first place, pointing out that even before this report was made public, there was already a shadow of corruption hanging over the selection of Fedders Lloyd, since the

to retender. These revelations made it even more compelling for a new tendering exercise to be embarked upon, he said.

Dr Jeffrey maintained his initial position that as a matter of law, the project should have been put to tender.

“They are supposed to open this matter for tendering process and they are supposed to allow other people an opportunity…

Ramjattan is a senior member of the Cabinet and he is in a position of kind of a conflict of interest and, therefore, they (Government) have to be even more transparent than the PPP/C,” he had told Guyana Times Other stakeholders have also called for Government to abandon the current arrangement and retender, since there is now evidence in the public domain which proved that Fedders Lloyd was indeed disqualified after it failed to meet a number of criteria during the tending process in 2012.

The Specialty Hospital, a project initiated by the then PPP/C Administration, is aimed at catering for complicated surgeries, ranging from heart operations and organ transplants to cosmetic surgeries. In 2012, a US$18 million contract was awarded to India-based company Surendra Engineering, which was tasked with designing and building the controversial facility. The funding was provided by the Indian Government through a Line of Credit. In January, the contractor’s services were terminated owing to several contractual breaches. The matter was taken to the High Court and compensation was accordingly awarded to the Government.

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Acceptance, not tolerance

Delivering an address at the commissioning of the ISA Elementary School and the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) at their East Street, Georgetown Secretariat, President David Granger took pains to emphasise that there is no place for religious or other forms of “extremism” in Guyana. He referred specifically to recent terrorist events in Paris and California that had received wide publicity after the number of lives taken.

The President rightfully pointed out the absence of religious extremism in Guyana that has prevented the kind of violence that has unfortunately become increasingly common across the globe. This is an achievement for which Guyana can be very proud. While the three major world religions of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are represented widely in Guyana there can be no question that one of the reasons why violence occurs is when there is an insistence that everyone must follow only “one path”.

When this position is taken, those “outside the fold” are automatically deemed to be of lesser worth - at the very least - or not even fully human, at the worse. Back in the 15th century, for instance, the enslavement of millions of Africans were “justified” because they were not in possession of “a soul” by the interpretation of the Christian Church of its Bible, at the time. While the Church has moved a far way from that type of extremism, we still have interpretations of some religious texts that deem non-adherents to be of “lesser worth”.

It will not take much to justify extreme actions against such individuals since they definitionally have some sort of “defect”, moral or otherwise. There have been killings of some persons who disagreed with the premises of Planned Parenthood, for instance. While we have had some academics, including the famous French economist Thomas Piketty, who claim that the resort to violence by extremist groups such as ISIS against the status quo, it is clear that the rejection of “the other” appears to be a necessary precondition in extremist violence.

The President spoke of the need for “tolerance” between those who practice or adhere to different paradigms with conflicting premises. “Tolerance”, however, implies going along with something you know to be not exactly right or correct: one tolerates that thing because of respect for the adherent but because one chooses to overlook that defect. “Tolerance” can, and has, been quickly jettisoned when some self imposed limit is reached. And from that point it is left totally to the formerly “tolerant” to decide how condignly to treat “the other”.

We believe that the world has reached a point in the evolution of human societies when groups must practice “acceptance” of the other and their practices with the understanding that as sentient beings others must be free to live their lives in a manner they are comfortable with - once they do not harm others. We see this “tolerance” breaking down in front of our eyes today, when a group can be condemned as “terrorists” simply because some co-religionists are practicing terrorism but others committing the same terrible actions are not deemed terrorists because they belong to the dominant religion.

Acceptance is not easy because the practitioners of dominant paradigms are in possession of the “one truth” The possibility that they could be mistaken is not entertained, so if one were to accept another “truth” that would be a contradiction in terms. “Truth”, however, is perspectival, relational, historical, and conditioned by so many other factors that it takes a great deal of hubris to claim a monopoly on its possession.

That hubris is what leads to the certitude that under certain circumstances, it is even salutary to kill someone “for their own good”. That “good”, of course, is defined by the killer. The President is to be commended for raising this vexed question that has erupted in violence in too many locale s. We must continue the discourse, lest it breaks out here.

GECOM's PPP Commissioners 'grandstanding'

Dear Editor,

I am now the longest serving commissioner on Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), 2007 to 2015. For those eight years I have seen two significant negative phenomena that have raised their ugly heads from time to time at GECOM: the removal of commissioners or attempts to remove commissioners with no explanation to the electorate whose votes the Commission is ultimately intended to guarantee and protect; and political grandstanding by some Commissioners.

The most recent grandstanding is the ludicrous contentions of Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj. They have gone public on three issues: (1) The preparedness of GECOM for the local government elections, (2) The need for more public education on local government and (3) The need for the CEO of GECOM to withdraw his motion challenging the validity of the Petition and submit the Commission to the scrutiny of the Court by allowing the Court to hear the substantive Petition.

On the question of the preparedness, I will not

comment.

On the question of education on the local government system, I agree unreservedly that there is need for much more public education, suffice to say that this has been my view for umpteen years. What is of equal concern is the statements in relation to the Petition. I find Commissioners Benn, Shadick and Gunraj call concocted conflictual, and hypocritical.

GECOM’s records will reveal that it has no history of requiring the CEO to seek guidance on the construct of any case, once the initial go ahead had been given to response to any motion brought against it. Once Counsel was retained the CEO/GECOM relied on Counsel to determine its response based on the material facts availed to Counsel and the case that could be built on those facts and the related legal provisions and arguments. It can be no less than conspiratorial for Commissioners to want to play the role of Counsel and more than that deny the CEO the means of responding that the Justice System avails to him. It is even more glaring that two practicing lawyers would

propose such a non-law approach to legal matters. The issue of fee is but a red herring. This has never, never being the concern of GECOM when the beneficiaries of GECOM’s response were those who are now the Petitioner.

Two of the Commissioners who are seeking to determine GECOM’s course of action are members of the list which is bringing the Petition. One is even an originator of the Petition, who withdrew on becoming a Commissioner. There is a clear conflict of interest. How can one be party and have an interest in the Petition and want at the same time to determine the response? This would be the perpetration of crass conflict and a conspiracy to disable the respondent.

In 2006 GECOM, the then CEO, Gocool Boodoo, admitted, to the AFC, that a seat in Linden had been wrongly allocated to the PPP/C and that the wrong would have been corrected. He however proceed to announce the known incorrect result and subsequently advised the AFC that their only recourse was to the Court. This wrong doing was further perpetuated when GECOM, through

its Counsel, used technical grounds, founded on the manner in which the matter was filed, to have the case quashed. Now arrive, Benn, Shadick and Gunraj to accuse GECOM of the immorality of not exposing itself to the scrutiny of the Court in a circumstance where GECOM has not employed deception as was the case in 2006. Surujbally was untouchable in 2006 when he allowed the Counsel and the law their course even in the face of deception. Now that he once again agrees to allow Counsel and the law their course he is declared an enemy of the State, transparency and democracy although there has been no admission of wrong doing by GECOM. At the end of all of the grandstanding and charade it is the Justice System that must provide the avenues for motions, responses and determinations as is constitutionally mandated. Concoction, Conflict and Hypocrisy cannot be condoned in the search for Justice and the building of democracy.

Yours sincerely, Vincent Alexander GECOM Commissioner

AFC is in turmoil Syrian crisis: A ticking time bomb

Dear Editor,

The downing of a Russian fighter jet by the Turkish air force has now created a much more dangerous situation in the region.

Subsequent events have raised many more questions as to the real motive behind the shooting down of the Russian plane.

While it is true that some dispute exists as to whether the fighter jet crossed into Turkey’s airspace or not, that country insists that the plane was in its airspace and that they warned the pilots more than 10 times that they had violated Turkey’s airspace.

On the other hand, Russia insists that its aircraft never entered Turkey’s territory and further its pilots were never warned. The surviving pilot confirmed this.

There was clearly no justification for the shooting down of the aircraft.

Why then did the Turkish military commit this terrible and dangerous act?

We must take note that

even though Turkey is a member of NATO and country the has its own agenda.

Furthermore, Turkey has ambitions of becoming a big regional power. Therefore, from the very inception of the civil war, they supported the opposition forces in Syria who agitated against President Asad’s government.

The Turkish military forces have also attacked/ bombed the Kurdish fighters whenever they launched attacks against ISIS forces.

Even though this information is known to the international community, (and despite the fact that Turkey is a member of NATO), the US and other NATO member countries who are involved in the fight against ISIS have remained silent on Turkey’s support for that group.

It is clear that for the NATO members, it is more important to get rid of President Asad and they are pursuing this with vigour, without regard for the Syrian people, whose rights are being trampled

upon.

Why this attitude?

Mostly, it relates to Syria’s strong and consistent opposition to Israel.

A Syria friendly to Israel would help to bury the Palestinian problem.

The idea was to allow ISIS to grow in strength so it would be in a better position to destroy the Asad government.

All of those calculations changed when the Syrian government sought the help of Russia.

They began to hit ISIS where it hurts and its forces have begun to lose strength.

The Turkish and NATO regime changers are very much alarmed at this development, complaining that Russia has been attacking the ‘moderate’ opposition forces as well.

Who are these moderate forces they are talking about?

They are Al-Qaeda forces or are closely allied to it. Indeed, Al-Qaeda is ‘moderate’ in comparison to ISIS, but it too is a dangerous terrorist organisation.

The reaction of NATO in closing ranks with Turkey is instructive. Moreover, the UK has joined with the other NATO forces to bomb Syria.

Meanwhile, NATO announced this week that its membership is growing with the addition of another Eastern European country.

Russia claims this is just another act of provocation against it.

All these actions suggest that the activities being conducted in Syria by NATO forces, while being promoted as anti-ISIS, is also clearly anti-Russian.

This is a very dangerous situation and if more Russian planes are shot down, the already explosive situation will escalate into something much worse.

And as it pertains to the future of Syria, that decision should lie in the hands of the Syrian people, and not NATO and/ or other foreign organisations.

Sincerely

Donald Ramotar

Observance of Bodhi Day

Dear Editor,

We have all read at one time or another, the story of Prince Siddhartha (the ninth incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu) meditating under the bodhi tree and became a fully enlightened Buddha. This awakening to the truths of life and the universe is what is called Nirvana. He saw through the duality of “me versus them”, transcended the limitation of time and space, and entered the boundless realm of Nirvana. He said “Now I am awake, I shall wake the world”.

Why should we be concerned with Nirvana? If we pause and take stock of our lives, we’ll see that human existence is limited in terms of both time and space. Life spans no more than a few decades, and the body usually grows little more than five or six feet tall. Nirvana frees us from such limitations and allows us to break out of our shell of delusion. In Nirvana, life permeates all space, “traverses the three realms of existence and spans the ten directions.”

The word Nirvana also refers to the state of bliss, harmony, and being at ease with the world around us. When we speak of nir-

vana as the ultimate happiness, we are still talking about a self which feels this happiness. The same self is grounded in oneness and in total harmony with all causes and conditions.

Many people have preconceived notions that a life of cultivation means a life of solitude and meditation, maintaining a wall of indifference between the practitioner and others. Living a life in Nirvana means being at ease with all that one encounters, at peace with all circumstances.

Nirvana is not to be found in any one place or at any one time. In this sense, Nirvana is like fire. Fire is not something that exists in and of itself. It is created when two flints are rubbed together or when we strike a match. When enlightenment and compassion shine through delusion, Nirvana will present itself, and we will see firsthand that Nirvana does exist. How can we enter Nirvana? Let me offer three suggestions. In Nirvana, there is no attachment to the phenomenal self. To realise Nirvana, one must first see that this being we call self is nothing but the accumulation of karma and

as such is impermanent and does not exist independent of others. Once we are rid of this fixation we have about ourselves, then we can experience the great liberation of selflessness. From selflessness, we can then find our true self. This true self is our timeless Buddha. The true self that the Buddha referred to here is of course our Buddha Nature. When we realise our own Buddha Nature, we are stripped of the delusion of seeing the physical body as permanent and independently existing.

When we see Buddha nature as our true self, we are like a piece of gold that regains its lustre after purification. Nirvana is without blemish and is most wondrous and perfect. The serenity and joy that are experienced in nirvana are not something that can be described in words.

Having said this, it is also something that we all can experience, and it is available to us at all times. The instant we extinguish the fires of delusion is the instant we experience nirvana.

Sincerely,

Pandit Chrishna Persaud

Dear Editor,

For the past seven years, the Alliance For Change leadership has allowed one individual to dictate not only policies but also determine who should be members of the AFC. At present there is a major power struggle between the AFC groups in North America because of this individual who wants to dictate to the groups and those who disagree with him are banned from the AFC.

Because of his yearly cheque to finance and sustain the AFC in Guyana, the leader of the AFC has given this individual full power to do what he wants and the rest of the leaders have also allowed it. In July 2013, the leader of the AFC has told the Queens New York group that it is an independent organization but changed his mind after the AFC financier threatened to resign from the party. In 2012, the AFC leader presided over a meeting in New York and allowed the AFC financier to ban two members for life from the party based only on the financier’s side of the story. The two persons were not asked to present their side at the clannish family picnic. What a lawyer? A few days ago, the same financier again banned two other persons using the same clannish method at his family picnic and the leader accepted his decision. Is this a leader?

No wonder the AFC has

lost more than 8000 votes in the last election compared to the 2011 election. Lest we forget, the same leader criticized Jagdeo for using the same method to kick him out of the PPP. The truth is the AFC members are drifting away from the party while its leaders continue to live in a bubble. Crime has skyrocketed and the leader who used to heap criticism on Clement Rohee is clueless about how to reduce it. He should resign.

Most of the AFC members have now realised that they were used in the last election by leaders who have discarded the principles of the party for money. The AFC is in serious trouble and it has to stay with APNU or else it will become like the defunct UF which was in a coalition earlier. The AFC is at this stage now, so to all and sundry, do not waste any more time with this fledling small third party. It will implode very soon. Just look at how the AFC treated its most senior member on the Corentyne, Ramayya who had to threaten to resign from the AFC before they recognized him. If the AFC could act so selfish and disrespectful to this individual, then the other members who are of less standing in the AFC are doomed.

Regards, Asquith Rose

Page Foundation

We all have our own views on screen time. Many parents are of the opinion that too much television and web surfing is bad for the development of young minds. Of course, it is trying to define what ‘too much’ means; that causes problems for parents. You have to ask yourself what is an appropriate amount of time for the age of the child in question. In addition, factors like how much their peers are exposed really counts, too. This is especially the case if children start to feel resentful about being denied access to things like tablets and video games – all too often the cause of friction in family life.

When it comes to video games, children can appear to get lost in an immersive world and that causes some parents difficulty. Nevertheless, few adults worry about children getting equally as immersed in other media, say books, for example. The trouble is that screen time – and video games in particular –becomes a vexed issue in many households. If denying screen time ends up being something of a punishment in your home, then something has got out of kilter. In most cases, video games and other screen-based media can be helpful to the wider learning of children and should not necessarily be viewed as bad things to which access should always be limited. After all, adults use their screens to learn, read and have fun all at the same time, so why can’t children?

According to a research

programme conducted by the University of Oxford, children who play video games are not turning themselves into zombie-like consumers of media. Far from it, in fact. Children who played video games for anything under three hours per day were found to have no negative outcomes from their chosen activity. Perhaps it is worth mentioning that the study was roughly equal among boys and girls and there was no discernible gender bias.

compared to their non-playing peers. Furthermore, a group of video gamers who played daily were rated as better behaved by their teachers. According to the study’s co-author, Allison Fine Mishkin, this suggests that, in small amounts, “video games are a valuable and valid form of play”. Mishkin, who is a graduate student at Oxford Internet Institute, went on to suggest that parents, therefore, do not need to fear gaming as an activity that children indulge in.

sites where parents can feel relaxed about their children playing games.

Go for child-focused games

Limited play beneficial

Indeed, there was found to be some unexpected benefits of playing video games for limited amounts of time each day. The researchers discovered that children who regularly played video games for under an hour a day faced a diminished likelihood of fighting or being bullied when

Of course, exposure to games which have material that is not appropriate for the age of the child playing can have a negative outcome. Few parents would be relaxed about younger children playing games that featured violent or adult themes, for example. When it comes to exploring the world through game play, however, there are plenty of

Child-focused brands like Marvel Kids, Pop and Lego all have websites which are aimed at children and, crucially, provide games which parents can feel confident in without needing to monitor. Take the Spider-Man or Avengers games at Marvel Kids, for example, which offer a number of progressive levels, but also feature educational activities, as well. The most forwardthinking brands know that many parents remain suspicious of gaming, to some degree, and develop their content accordingly, ensuring the environment remains safe and childfriendly.

One of the criticisms that are often thrown at video games is that they seem to lead to or promote behavioural disorders. But can gaming really do this? Again, the science seems to suggest otherwise. In a US study, the common condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was looked into within the context of video games. (parenting.co.uk)

Part 1

When your child plays video games, it gives his brain a real workout. In many video games, the skills required to win involve abstract and highlevel thinking. These skills are not even taught at school. Some of the mental skills enhanced by video games include:

Problem solving and logic* – When a child plays a game such as The Incredible Machine, Angry Birds or Cut

The Rope, he trains his brain to come up with creative ways to solve puzzles and other problems in short bursts

Hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills. In shooting games, the character may be running and shooting at the same time. This requires the real-world player to keep track of the position of the character, where he/she is heading, his speed, where the gun is aiming, if the gunfire is hitting the enemy, and so on. All these factors need to be taken into account, and then the player must then coordinate the brain’s interpretation and reaction with the movement in his hands and fingertips. This process requires a great deal of eye-hand coordination and visual-spatial ability to be successful. Research also suggests that people can learn iconic, spatial, and visual attention skills from video games. There have been even

studies with adults showing that experience with video games is related to better surgical skills. Also, a reason given by experts as to why fighter pilots of today are more skilful is that this generation’s pilots are being weaned on video games.

Planning, resource management and logistics

The player learns to manage resources that are limited, and decide the best use of resources, the same way as in real life. This skill is honed in strategy games such as SimCity, Age of Empires, and Railroad Tycoon. Notably, The American Planning Association, the trade association of urban planners and Maxis, the game creator, have claimed that SimCity has inspired a lot of its players to take a career in urban planning and architecture.

Multitasking, simultaneous tracking of many shifting variables and managing multiple objectives. In strategy games, for instance, while developing a city, an unexpected surprise like an enemy might emerge. This forces the player to be flexible and quickly change tactics.

Quick thinking, making fast analysis and decisions

Sometimes the player does this almost every second of the game giving the brain a real workout. According to researchers at the University of Rochester, led by Daphne Bavelier, a cognitive scientist, games simulating stressful events such as those found in battle or action games could be a training tool for real-world situations. The study suggests that playing action video games primes the brain to make quick decisions. Video games can be used to train soldiers and surgeons, according to the study. Importantly, decisions made by action-packed video game players are no less accurate. According to Bavelier, “Action game players make more correct decisions per unit time. If you are a surgeon or you are in the middle of a battlefield, that can make all the difference.”

Accuracy. Action games, according to a study by the University of Rochester, train the player’s brain to make faster decisions without losing accuracy. In today’s world, it is important to move quickly without sacrificing accuracy. Strategy and anticipation – Steven Johnson, author of “Everything Bad is Good For You: How Today’s Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter”, calls this “telescoping.” The gamer must deal with immediate problems while keeping his long-term goals on his horizon. (Excerpt from raisesmartkid.com)

Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry

President rejects extension request

By: Devina Samaroo

Arequest for an ad-

journment to complete the proceedings of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) was denied by President David Granger.

The RCOI Chairman Sir Richard L Cheltenham made the plea via a letter to the President, requesting an adjournment to February 29, 2016 to submit the Report of the Findings of the RCOI.

This disclosure was made by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams on Monday at a media conference at his Ministry on Carmichael Street.

Williams emphasised that the RCOI was a waste of taxpayers’ money which could be otherwise utilised.

“We keep churning up millions of dollars but there are people who need money and there are things to do in this country… It has been decided, we’ve had enough… The inquiry had enough adjournments,” Williams contended as he justified government’s decision to abruptly end the life of the RCOI.

Asked whether the People’s National Congress (PNC) had any personal interest in grinding the RCOI to a halt, Williams responded in the negative, noting that there is no evidence that implicates the PNC.

“As far as I am concerned from where the commission is, the PNC has been entirely exonerated by the evidence… No one was closer to this alleged incident than Gregory Smith and Gregory Smith’s

sister who came and testified… she said clearly that the PNC, Prime Minister Burnham nor the state at the time was responsible for Rodney’s death… The evidence is clear and there is no evidence stronger than that,” Williams posited.

Meanwhile, the RCOI Chairman had previously stated that the move by the David Granger-led Administration to stop the proceedings will not speak well for the fairness of the final report.

The RCOI was convened in February 2014 by former President Donald Ramotar. According to reports, the RCOI had some 66 sittings with a total of 29 witnesses giving evidence; three of whom are still to be cross-examined.

Cheltenham said there were adverse evidence provided against many individuals who were alive, who have not been provided with an

opportunity to come forward to confront that evidence and comment on it.

He said the Commission would be disinclined to make any adverse findings on such, adding that if it was found that it was necessary to make a finding, commissioners would be sure to add that the individuals against whom the evidence was given did not have the opportunity to comment on and any comment made should be subjected to that omission.

He said the decision of the executive to bring to an end the public hearings may well have implications for the thoroughness of the report as witnesses still to testify will not be heard and some of the terms of reference not adequately supported by testimonies so far will remain in that incomplete state.

However, the current administration strongly believes that the money is being unnecessarily expended on the Commission, which it argues has gathered enough evidence.

Ramotar has already condemned the actions of government explaining that: “It simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already.”

Dr Rodney, a founding member of the WPA, died on June 13, 1980, when a bomb said to be planted in a walkie-talkie device exploded while he sat in a car out-

tuesday, december 8, 2015

Exmouth accident

side Camp Street Prison in Georgetown.

His family and members of the Party he founded maintained that his death was the mastermind of the then PNC government, led by Forbs Burnham.

Meanwhile, the Commission has until December 15 to submit its final report of findings of the Rodney COI following an announcement by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that some more had been granted for it to submit its report.

Nagamootoo was quoted by an online news agency despite the fact that no official records exist to support the extension. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

Charity businessman granted bail

Thirty-four-year-old

Alex “Joe” Williams, of Lot 227 Charity Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Monday granted $350,000 bail for an accident at Exmouth, Essequibo.

He made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Monday at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

The businessman was slapped with two charges –causing death by dangerous driving and failing to render assistance. He was not required to plead to the indictable charges.

The Police are alleging that on December 5, 2015, Alex Williams drove HB 9832 in a dangerous manner thus causing the death of 20-year-old Khemraj Singh of Hampton Court Village. Singh was riding motorcycle CG 7210 at the time of the accident. The Police are alleging that following the collision, Williams fled the scene. He was subsequently nabbed by Police.

A post-mortem revealed that Singh died as a result of multiple injuries caused by the vehicular accident.

Williams was represented by Attorney-at-Law Roger Yearwood, who told

the court that his client was not a flight risk and would attend court as required. Yearwood also said his client, a father of two, was willing to lodge his travel documents as a condition for bail.

Police Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue did not object to bail. He told the Court that the businessman was on $200,000 station bail and reported for court voluntarily on Monday.

Following submissions by the defence lawyer and the Prosecutor, bail was granted. The defendant was required to surrender his passport in order to get bail.

tuesday, december 8, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Footballer charged for breaking and entering

Afootballer was on Monday placed on $30,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with breaking and entering.

Ransford Colridge, of Lot 34 Queens Street, South Cummingsburg, denied the allegation which stated that on September 17, at Rosemary Lane, Georgetown, he broke and entered the home of Mandela Archer with the intent to commit a felony.

The defendant’s Attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that his client was a local footballer at-

tached to the Western Tigers football team and on the day in question, he was simply walking past the house detailed in the charge when he was arrested by the Police. The lawyer stated that the defendant had no prior offences, and made an application for bail in a reasonable sum.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones made no objections to bail; however, he refuted the Attorney’s claims that the footballer was simply walking past the house when he was arrested.

Prosecutor Jones stated that on the day of the alleged

incident, the 26-year-old man was found hiding in the house naked. At the time, the Virtual Complainant’s son and daughter were at home.

In court, the defendant denied the allegations, telling the Court that he did not know the VC. However, she refuted his claims saying that she knew him as she shared a relationship with his cousin.

The Magistrate, after listening to both arguments, placed the defendant on $30,000 bail and transferred the matter to Court 10 for January 13, 2016 before Magistrate Alex Moore.

Miner remanded on firearm charges

Aminer who was reportedly caught with a shotgun and a rifle, along with a quantity of ammunition, at Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Monday slapped with illegal possession of firearm charges. Rocky Cumberbatch, of Lot 64 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, denied the allegations when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charges alleged that on Friday, December 4 at Apika Landing, Middle Mazaruni, the 32-yearold man was caught with a 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun and one Bushmaster rifle without being the holder of a firearm li-

The defendant, Rocky Cumberbatch

cence. Additionally, he was charged for illegal possession of 26 live rounds of .22 ammunition.

His lawyer, Latchmi Rahamat told the court that three persons were arrested in relation to the offences. She said one of the persons who were arrested, along with her client, had told the investigating ranks that her client was nowhere near the firearms mentioned in the charge. The defence lawyer claimed that the guns and ammunition were not found in the presence of the defendant. She posited that her client should not have been charged.

However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that the Attorney’s facts were incorrect. He said acting on information received, the Police went to the premises occupied by the defendant to whom they related the allegation. The Court was told that the defendant reportedly took the ranks to a trail behind the house and removed a ‘salt bag’ containing the items listed in the charges. He was arrested and charged for the offences.

The Magistrate remanded Cumberbatch to prison and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for December 30.

Eyew tness Tangled webs

…on Speciality Hospital

Ramjattan - and Ramkarran - should take a deep breath on this Fedders Lloyd business. And what a business it is! The story’s changing so fast and furious, the populace are getting motion sickness! In the first round that played out in 2012, as we have recounted in this space so there’s no need for a “long story”, Ramjattan pretty much wanted us to believe he represented a company that grossed a cool US$200M annually – bigger than any company in Guyana – for free!

Fella wouldn’t even represent a man who slipped and fell at some nightspot (before 2am even!) without a massive retainer – and yet he goes pro bono to the corporate crowd! Please Mr Ramjattan, nobody’s buying that – and you’re just ripping whatever shred of dignity lawyers have! The Ramjattan goes on record and says, “OK…I didn’t take any money then – but if the client ever gets to build the hospital, maybe then!” Client lost the bid, PPP castigated Ramjattan for using his MP position to push his “pro bono” corporate client then everyone thought Ramjattan would lie low. But money does strange things to people – especially when you’ve put in so many hours without billing them. To a lawyer like Ramjattan that’s on par with the seven cardinal sins. So as soon as he’s ensconced into high office up comes Fedders Lloyd and the Speciality Hospital – like the proverbial bad penny.

But pennies don’t just show up on their own volition – someone’s got to be hocking them. But as pure serendipity - since the other competitor had been disqualified - Ramjattan insisted he’d nothing to do with Fedders Lloyd getting the contract, WITHOUT ANY BIDDING. Time was of the essence and Fedders was “willing and able” said the Minister of Finance.

But what did that have to do with the rule for bidding?

The Ministry – not Ramjattan – who presumably had washed his hands off the US$200M whale – then said Fedders were second best and by the terms of the bidding process – second best gets the bride.

But that turns out not to be true - there’s no such rule in the bidding rules. Then the Ministry claimed Fedders had a lower bid and yet was disqualified –that too wasn’t true. They were actually disqualified for not submitting a list of equipment. But Ramkarran had now joined Ramjattan’s defence – pro bono, of course. And of course, there followed a new line of defence by both Messers Ramjattan, who now pulled off his mask, and Ramkarran: after the fraud the other guy had committed, the government could hire another “contractor”.

But the question Suroo and Duroo avoided was why wasn’t there a “bidding” before the “hiring”?

…on rice

Nagamootoo hit the trail over in Region 2… and like everyone knows, as rice goes, so does Region 2. But rice ain’t been “going” too well of late, after Nagamootoo’s government blew the contract with Venezuela. So, Nagamootoo’s was designated to pacify the restive 11 per cent he’d brought to the PNC-led APNU to make them win by a whisker.

While he was at some ceremonial gig in Mexico, he said he clinched a deal for rice sales. Said all that was left were to tie up some loose ends. Well, there are loose ends AND loose ends. And the loose end to sell rice or paddy to Mexico is like one of those ropes they berth ships to wharves. Humungous!!

Mexico’s in NAFTA with the US - which ships its southern rice under a 20 per cent tariff. So we’ve got to be 20 per cent UNDER the US price to even match up. This Eyewitness said – “of course we could ship rice to Mexico - if we were ready to give it away practically free”.

Well Nagamootoo’s government’s finally fessed up that the “Mexican governmental entity” they were negotiating with is a CHARITABLE one.

So will Nagamootoo tell his 11 per cent what price their rice’s gonna be selling at?

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

Guyana not fully compliant with CFATF

– AG finally concedes

By Devina Samaroo

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister

Basil Williams has finally conceded Guyana is not fully compliant with Financial Action Task Force (FATF)/Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

He was at the time briefing the media at his Ministry on Monday.

Notably, when the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill was finally passed in Parliament and became law this year, the Attorney General issued a statement which read: “Guyana is now fully compliant with the FATF’s requirements.”

Guyana is currently on the FATF light grey list (those that have developed an action plan) and on the CFATF enhanced follow-up list, Williams stated.

According to the Attorney General, there are a number of recommendations the country still needs to fulfil, however he noted that Guyana is making significant progress.

He explained that Guyana will remain on these lists until it deals with the outstanding recommendations.

However, he quickly pointed out that it appears it is an ongoing process: “Its unending… this is a regime to ensure that the international financial system is not affected by terrorist financing and money laundering and that appears to be ongoing.

He explained that Guyana is in the third round of evaluation where it is be-

Transgender sex worker commits suicide

commercial sex work-

Aer died Sunday night some two days after ingesting several carbon tablets, sending the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community into mourning.

Dead is Desmond Lyken, 24, called “Desiree” of High Street, Georgetown. He succumbed at about 19:00h at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

According to reports, Lyken was allegedly being abused by his partner of three years. Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Otis Pearson called “Otisha”, said Lyken’s partner broke his hand about a week ago during a dispute.

Guyana Times was further told that last Thursday Lyken caught his partner with a woman in the apartment they shared and was very disturbed about incident.

“A colleague who lives in the same building informed Desiree about what was happening and when she went there, she see the two of them together in the room,” Otisha said, while adding that Lyken immediately informed her but upon arriving at the residence, both Lyken’s partner and the woman had disappeared.

Otisha said subsequent to the discovery, a very upset Lyken had to be consoled.

While it is unclear what transpired between the two, this newspaper understands the couple appeared to friends as though they had worked out the problem.

However at about 13:00h on Friday, Lyken began vom-

iting and admitted to a roommate that he had ingested five carbon tablets.

Lyken was rushed to the GPHC where he succumbed on Sunday.

According to Otisha, Lyken’s death shook the LGBT community, noting that it was sad to lose a member in such a manner. The transgendered spokesperson pointed out that even though Lyken has been abused for years and was even encourage to leave his partner, he never did.

“She said she really like him and she even take him to Suriname recently. But he used to abuse her a lot, they have a lot of reports at the police station. If she had left him like we had told her to, maybe she wouldn’t take her own life,” Otisha noted.

Lyken’s death comes just over a month after LGBT activist Zenita Nicolson, 37, took her life by also ingesting carbon tablets. The woman was rushed to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital on October

26,where she admitted to ingesting 10 carbon tablets. She died several hours later. It has been reported that Nicolson was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her partner, a student of Texila University.

Only recently the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) called for law reforms on intimate partner violence in LGBT relationships.

SASOD recently collaborated with the USAIDAdvancing Partners and Communities (APC) Guyana Project to host the third in its series of monthly lunch talks on a range of topics. The sessions are being held in observances of the 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence (GBV), which got off on 25 November –International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and runs until 10 December – Human Rights Day.

The recently concluded session focused on “Barriers LGBT People Face in Accessing Services on Intimate Partner Violence” where a group a panellists shared their concerns on the matter.

Director of SASOD Joel Simpson during the discussions had explained there are laws that criminalise samesex intimacy and cross-dressing but on the other hand, there is a gender-neutral Domestic Violence Act and a Domestic Violence Policy which clearly says that homophobia is an impediment to service provision for homosexuals in abusive relations.

ing assessed on its ability to meet the relevant requirements. Based on the country’s performance, it will then move into the fourth round of evaluation where it is being assessed on its effectiveness and implementation of the said recommendations. But Williams was unable to say how many rounds of evaluation there

are, which led to his conclusion that the process is never-ending.

“I asked the same question (about the number of rounds) and that’s why I could tell you it’s unending,” he stated.

Furthermore, in explaining why Guyana is not fully compliant with CFATF/ FATF, Williams highlighted that several recommendations might have several components, therefore if a country satisfies nine of the ten components; it would still be rendered “not fully compliant”.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that Guyana still needs to address the issue regarding the length of time it takes before assets can be frozen or seized.

According to the Attorney General, there is a discrepancy regarding the time for the freezing of assets of a person listed by the United Nation Security Council Resolution. He explained that the entities in Guyana are required to check the

site and once they recognise a name and they are holding assets for that person, then they are required to notify the relevant authority. The authority will then have to verify the information and if confirmed, pass instructions onto the entity to freeze the assets in five days. However, according to Williams, Guyana allows for this to be done in seven days. Another issue is the need for established criteria for persons entering into supervisory authorities like Insurance Companies to prevent the likelihood of it being used as vehicles for terrorist financing and money laundering activities.

Moreover, Williams disclosed that following a meeting with CFATF in Trinidad and Tobago recently, the body lauded Guyana for its efforts in complying with some of the requirements. Guyana is now required to report to the next CFATF plenary in May on its compliance status, Williams noted.

Former Presidents’ benefits capping

Jagdeo, Ramotar challenge law’s retroactivity, legality

Former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar have filed lawsuits against the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government challenging the legality and retroactivity of the Former Presidents Benefits legislation which was passed by the National Assembly and enacted by the Government.

This was confirmed by Attorney General Basil Williams on Monday during a press conference. The lawsuits were filed by Attorney Murseline Bacchus and named the Attorney General as the respondent. While the separate Notices of Motion, which were filed since November 11, did not state any specific figures, they are seeking several declarations and orders as it relates to the monies being paid over.

The Bill in question was passed on July 9 in the absence of the PPP/C parliamentarians, who had refused to take up their seats, and was assented to shortly after by President David Granger.

The new Former

Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act has resulted in allowances allocated for water, telephone and electricity being capped by almost $300,000, that is, to $75,000 respectively. It also outlined that all benefits and facilities granted are subject to taxation.

However, in the legal documents filed by the two former Presidents, it was stated that the new law was unconstitutional and could not be

applied to them as former Presidents since they were in office before it was enacted. As such, both Jagdeo and Ramotar are asking the court to grant an order declaring same.

The court documents say the former Presidents are seeking “an order declaring that the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act (No 3 of 2015) does not retrospectively affect the benefits of the Applicant(s) as Former Presidents under the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009 who had demitted office before coming into operation of the said Act of 2015”.

Secondly, the Notices of Motion are asking the court to declare that the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 provisionally vested in the applicant property rights when they assumed the Office of the President (Jagdeo in August 1999 and Ramotar in December 2011) in which benefits became absolute when they demitted the Office of the President

(Jagdeo in December 2011 and Ramotar in May 2015) before the coming into operation of the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act No 3 of 2015.

Another declaration is being requested to say that the two former Presidents are entitled to receive the benefits conferred on them as former Presidents under the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 within a reasonable time after they demitted their respective offices.

Furthermore, Jagdeo and Ramotar asked the court to grant an order compelling the Minister of Finance, and/ or the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), his servants and/or agent on behalf of the State of Guyana to forthwith provide the applicants with the financial benefits conferred by the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009.

The 2009 Act codified a regime of benefits which were historically enjoyed by every former President of Guyana.

While the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2015 does not affect the $1.4 million monthly pension that former Presidents are entitled to receive, it limits household staff to three persons; security personnel to two persons; and clerical or technical staff to three persons, all of whom must not be engaged in any political work.

Additionally, the new legislation restricts former Presidents to two vehicles which are to be owned and maintained by the State.

The APNU/AFC Administration scaled back the benefits package for former Presidents, which it called “vulgar”. Government said that capping the benefits was a step in the right direction as it was cutting unnecessary expenditure.

The matters are scheduled for hearing on December 11 before Justice Navindra Singh.

Fumbles, Falters and Foibles

Does the APNU/AFC regime have a psychiatrist or a psychologist to assist at any time, any place?

If the regime does not, then it sure needs one. If there is one, the regime still has to look for another one. The way things are going, in particular, the dispersion of wildly discordant anecdotes, one is forced to ask: What is the mental state of those who control the levers of power? Are they sound?

Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine

Note the question is not about political competence but about the state of mind, although both may be inseparable. This is a serious question that emerges from the actions of this regime since it slipped into power about seven months ago. The question on the state of mind might not have mattered but the entire nation is affected by the actions of ruling APNU/AFC elites, even their die-hard supporters.

The daily, weekly and monthly eccentricities on important national issues have not only pushed the country into paralysis but would also make a stand-up comedian’s day, even in the jungle of Guyana.

First, Joe Harmon offered no apology for the lofty salary increases for Cabinet Ministers. Four months later he appeared in public apologizing for not offering an apology earlier for his brazen stance on salary increases. What is the purpose of this apology? It would take a special mind to figure out such a behaviour. I guess it is better to show some penitence sometime than never.

Second, and even before Joe Harmon, Moses Nagamootoo has, so far, expressed no compunction for his “Coolie” remark in Parliament. He has shown no remorse for insulting a majority of Indians in Guyana. Actually, he does not seem to care and his cryptic tone suggests that he may use the “C” word again.

Third, MP Charandass Persaud feels comfortable using obscene and offensive language to former female MP Vindhya Persaud. His hauled off the stage remark did not only create a stir among women’s rights activists but also happened around the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Worse still, C Persaud’s superiors have remained mum on the issue implying the affirmation rather than the condemnation of misogynistic violence.

Fourth, President Granger’s no show at the recent global conference on climate change in France is shocking. His absence suggests his government has not placed the issue of climate change as a high priority when most countries in the world have done so. His no show is strange.

Guyana is in a position to benefit from various environmental programmes like the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) with Norway and other international agencies. The President’s presence in France would have only enhanced Guyana’s position on climate change and related matters. Does the President believe he is competing with Bharat Jagdeo on national environmental issues? One can only wonder.

Finally, and strangest of all, it was reported in the dailies that the Minister of Governance would ask ExxonMobil for an advance payment on future receivable oil proceeds. The citizenry did not have ample time to soak in this information when the Minister came out in public and denied ever saying anything about an advance payment. Whether or not he said so deserves a brief analysis since one is not sure about the antics of the regime.

I see the need to generate revenues from oil sooner than later but to ask for an advance payment is a bad move because it mirrors national prostitution. Put simply, national prostitution is when a country is willing to sacrifice its natural resources for an advance payment without knowing exactly what will happen in the future such as any serious consideration of the vagary of world market prices and the repercussions of locking into the jaws of multinational corporations.

ExxonMobil is a multinational corporation with enormous experience in foreign investment. It is not in Guyana because of liberal humanitarian sentiments. It is there to maximise profits from oil. When a country asks for an advance payment it is bargaining from position of weakness, and therefore will have to bow to the needs of the foreign investor at the expense of host country. This behaviour is not peculiar to developing countries like Guyana. They are generally impatient and oscillatory when negotiating with foreign investors. They want quick profit from their investment to ensure political security, namely to project an image that government is progressive. By contrast, foreign investors implicitly believe they are the risk-takers and poor host countries are the risk-avoiders since the latter do not have to invest the capital.

Research has shown that multinational corporations tend to have enormous control over poor governments to a point where they become a state within a state. In consequence, poor governments are regulated by very multinational corporations they are supposed to regulate. Guyana may become a victim not a victor of its natural resources if it is ready to accept an advance payment from ExxonMobil.

The problem here is that the regime is desperate to meet the post 100 day manifesto and has therefore engaged in desperate dialogues at the local, national and international level. However, the dialogues have revealed desperate outcomes as evidenced by the flip flop approach with the advance payment on future revenues from oil. Where is the psychiatrist? You are needed.

(lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu)

GWI Boss under fire for cronyism

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Richard Van West Charles is coming under fire for handing out “jobs for the boys”.

The newly appointed CEO recently hired two persons, who he admits to knowing, for positions within GWI without advertising the vacancies.

Guyana Times understands that Lance Mars and Lear Goring, both of whom are reportedly close friends of the GWI CEO, were employed as a consultant and manager of the Debt Recovery Unity respectively.

API 2015 talks

Contacted for a comment on the allegations, Dr Van West Charles admitted to knowing the individuals.

When repeatedly asked by this newspaper if the two individuals were his friends, Dr Van West Charles continuously stated, “I know them”, he did not deny they were his friends.

“They are not my relatives… they are not related to me but I know them,” the GWI head responded.

He explained that there was no need to advertise vacancies for the respective positions.

Referring to the consultant position Dr Van West Charles posited that “there

GAWU slams GuySuCo for “charade”

By Kristen MacKlingaM

“Arrogance”, “intransigence” and “inflexibility” are some of the words being used by the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) to describe the actions and position taken by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) with regards to the workers’ Annual Production Incentive (API) for 2015.

One day before the conciliation meeting between the duo and the Labour Ministry, the union in a media statement on Monday blasted the sugar entity for its ‘avoidance’ in the spirit of negotiations as the two parties faced-off on previous occasions for API discussion.

According to GAWU, GuySuCo at earlier meet-

ings which were held on November 18, 20, and December 03 rigidly stuck to its offer of one day’s pay for every 85,000 tonnes of sugar produced as an award for the API to sugar workers this year.

The union maintained that at the first meeting it insistently sought to have the dispute resolved through compromise by shifting from its claim of 32,500 tonnes sugar per day’s pay to 37,000 tonnes sugar, which was based on the average for the past four years.

Referring to a media statement, which the cash-strapped sugar entity released on December 03 where it reported that the meeting of that day ended in ‘a deadlock,’ GAWU stated that the said meeting was a “charade” by GuySuCo.

GAWU reiterated that the sugar corporation made no tangible effort to have the dispute resolved, positing that GuySuCo ‘ignored’ the union’s call at the last meeting for a settlement of the dispute. <<Guyana Times>> understands that this settlement would have seen the sugar company paying the days’ pay that it proposed for this year and an agreed date in 2016 for the additional days’ pay as agreed to by both parties.

“Such arrangement had its precedent in the past. This proposal the union urged GuySuCo to consider favourably which would ensure workers are not discontented during the harvest of next year’s first and second crops,” the union’s release said.

is no need to advertise”. He pointed out that Mars has a three-month contract with GWI.

With respect to the position of Debt Recovery Unit Manager, Dr Van West Charles said Goring had applied for the job; he was interviewed and subsequently hired. Asked whether Goring applied under his stewardship, the GWI CEO was unable to confirm.

“Maybe… I can’t remember,” he stated. However, he defended the individual’s position by insisting that he needs someone he can trust to manage that sector of the entity.

“You know the debt in GWI is significant… it’s about $3 billion. I am personally overseeing this issue therefore I have to work with people who I have confidence in, to be able to recoup this money,” he stated.

Since assumption to office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration was heavily criticised for handing out “jobs for boys”.

In most cases, arguments were made that some persons employed were severely unqualified for the

respective positions. Such incidents include the hiring of Veersammy Ramayya as Region Six Regional Executive Officer; Chief Executive Officer of the New Amsterdam Hospital Colin Bynoe; Director of Health Services in Berbice Jevaughn Stephens, the appointments of prime ministerial representatives in the various regions; the need for three vice presidency positions and the need for approximately two ministers within each ministry; among others. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

tuesday, december 8, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ongoing state audit

Legal Affairs Ministry PS sent on leave

– AG says law books, computer parts missing

Findings from an audit being carried by the Auditor General’s Office into the Legal Affairs Ministry indicates that some Commonwealth Law Books valued at $2.5 million and computer parts worth over $2 million have gone missing.

As such, a decision was taken to send off the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS) Indira Ananjit on 52 days administrative leave when this revelation was made.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams during a media conference on Monday stated that Ananjit had already

been sent on leave over two weeks ago.

He explained that the Legal Ministry unearthed the missing computer parts and law books as result of an audit still ongoing by the Audit Office.

Guyana Times understands the period examined was between 2013 and now.

Minister Williams noted that PS Ananjit began serving at the Legal Affairs Ministry from July 2012 and was working in that capacity for the duration of the period that the audit covered.

He said that: “The PS authorised those purchases and the books cannot be found.”

It must be noted that Melissa Tucker is current-

ly the acting Permanent Secretary in the Legal Affairs Ministry.

Meanwhile, as the audit and probes continue into the said ministry it is unclear at this time what actions will be taken concerning Ananjit should these law books and computer parts fail to be produced at the end of the investigations.

Though she was Permanent Secretary at the time the two sets of items went missing, it is yet to be disclosed whether or not she was the only individual who had access to them.

If she was not the only person who used these items or be responsible for them then it leaves many to wonder why she alone was sent on administrative leave.

Prior to Ananjit’s appointment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs in 2012, she held several posts in various organisations.

She worked at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Iwokrama, and the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) before moving to Legal Affairs Ministry.

In 2014 she had told the media that she had no plans of retiring “anytime soon” especially since she was ‘enjoying’ herself.

“As long as the government would have me, I’m here to serve. There were so many opportunities for me to go and work abroad but I was never keen on that. I love my country because I am a patriotic Guyanese,” she had related in an interview with another newspaper. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Agriculture stations for hinterland communities

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has announced that his ministry is working to establish Agricultural Research and Demonstration Stations in the hinterland in an effort to ensure agriculture continues in interior communities.

A three-day exercise was concluded on Friday last by representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Organisation of American States (OAS) aimed at pushing agriculture the Region Eight.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder who headed the team held meetings with residents at Kato, Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi. During the meetings several issues were raised about resuscitating agriculture in the region.

According to David Jwalla, a resident of Kato, the soil types in the region

are feasible for both orchard and cash crops. However, assistance is being sought to ensure that this vibrant sector is resuscitated. In the past, ground provisions were the only commodity planted in the area. Today, crops such as boulanger, pepper, cabbage, and rice are also grown.

Minister Holder lauded the efforts of residents in ensuring the region becomes self-sufficient, noting that efforts are apace to ensure that the much needed assistance is provided to the Region.

“Ensuring that agriculture continues in the region remains an important pillar in our agricultural development. Research remains another issue that is required and as such, we (Ministry) will be working to have Agricultural Research and Demonstration Stations developed in hinterland regions,” he said.

At the meetings at

Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi, similar issues were raised about access to market and employment opportunities taking centre stage, largely due to infrastructural limitations. According to residents, often times there are no access to markets for the produce. They appealed to the minister for assistance in marketing their produce.

The Agriculture Minister noted that the ministry is presently looking at sustainable food production systems within the communities can be developed. The ministry has also introduced some new crops to the communities, particularly spices.

A release from Agriculture Ministry said a pest control programme will soon be implemented in Region Eight targeting the community’s acoushi ant problem. The programme has already been introduced in Region Seven.

Stray animal causes yet another accident

Aman on Monday nar-

rowly escaped death when his vehicle skidded off the Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, road and ended up in a nearby trench, as he swerved from a stray horse That walked into his path.

The accident, which occurred at 12:30h, has left Thakur Karan, 55, of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, with injuries about his body.

Speaking with Guyana Times the injured man said he was travelling to the city from Parika when the horse walked onto the road and into his path.

“There was another vehicle coming from the west and when I swerved to avoid hitting the horse, I nearly hit the other car. But before I did, I barely turned to avoid hitting the other driver and ended up in this trench,” he said.

He said the vehicle turned turtle then slid into the trench.

“I was in the vehicle and water started to come in, I couldn’t do anything because I couldn’t move. I started to scream for help, I am fortunate that persons who saw what happened came to my

assistance immediately,” the shaken man said.

According to persons at the scene, they heard a loud screeching sound and subsequently saw the vehicle PRR 5800 in the trench.

“I was walking and I heard a loud noise and when I looked up, I saw this blue car flipping over into the trench. I heard the man inside calling out for help so I started to run to help the man and others who heard what happened came out to check. After they realised what happened, everybody work together to get the trapped man out of the vehicle,” an eyewitness who identified himself ‘Rolex’ said.

Meanwhile, Thakur noted his disgust with the number of stray animals along the West Coast Demerara road.

“I am so upset because this accident could’ve been avoided if the owner of that horse would have looked after his property properly.”

According to local statistics, stray animals continue to be one of the leading causes of road fatalities in Guyana. One in every six road fatalities are caused by stray animals as such, this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Guyoil launches first Christmas drive

In ushering in the Christmas season, the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) Limited on Monday launched its first Christmas drive to garner donations for the Guyana Relief Council (GRC).

Acting Managing Director Lesley Benjamin told the media on Monday that, over the years, the Oil Company has always had an interest in community programmes. She said the Company has given over $3 million to several charities so far for 2015, including the GRC and Help and Shelter.

During a media briefing at the Regent Street service station, Benjamin told the media that the organisation wanted to do something “different for the Christmas holiday” and thought of the GRC and its work to help persons in need.

Over the years, the GRC has rendered assistance to hundreds of families. The organisation also manages a shelter with self-contained rooms to temporarily accommodate individuals in need of help.

For this reason, the company is collaborating with the Council on its Christmas drive.

Donation bins will be placed at several Guyoil service stations across Guyana where persons can drop off kitchen utensils, bed sheets, clothing, and household items for the GRC. Smaller boxes will also be placed at these stations for monetary donations.

The boxes will be located at stations in Kitty, Diamond, Providence, Victoria and Heathburn and at Regent Street and Sheriff Street.

Individuals have until

Labourer accused of stealing co-worker’s motorcycle

Alabourer was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her charged with stealing his coworker’s motorcycle.

Lenard Alicock, 19, of Charlestown, Georgetown, an off-loader at the Meadow Bank Wharf, denied the charge, which stated that on December 2 at Albouystown, he stole one black 110 motorcycle with registration CH 2882 valued at $200,000, property of Randy Thorne. The Court heard that the two parties worked together,

and the motorcycle was recovered in Grove, at the home of the girlfriend of the defendant. Alicock stated that the motorcycle did not belong to the Virtual Complainant, nor did he steal it.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones related that the defendant was known to Police since he was previously arrested for a similar offence. As such, the Prosecutor requested that bail be denied.

The Magistrate denied bail and the young man was remanded to prison. The case will continue on December 22.

Carpenter jailed for theft

Acarpenter was on Monday jailed for three months by Magistrate Alex Moore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was found guilty of simple larceny.

Gregory Bharamdeo, of Lot 29 Anira Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, was found guilty of the charge which stated that between May 13 and May 14, 2015 at First Street, Alberttown, he stole a battery

valued $80,000, property of Rejan Fernandez. On the day of the incident, the Virtual Complainant reportedly parked his truck in front of his home and retired to bed. The Court was told that the VC awoke the next day and subsequently observed the battery missing from the truck. He then checked the CCTV footage from a nearby building which

December 22nd to drop off their donations.

GRC representative Lynette Carter told reporters that for this year, the Council has helped 407 in-

dividuals who needed assistance for various reasons.

The GRC is a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) known for rendering aid to persons whose lives were disrupted by manmade or natural disasters. The Council celebrated 21 years of service earlier this year.

revealed that the 43-year-old man removed the battery.

As such, Bharamdeo was arrested and charged for the offence. Having found the defendant guilty, the Magistrate sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment and ordered him to pay the VC $85,000. Should he fail to pay the money, he will have to serve an additional three months in prison.

Venezuela’s Opposition sweeps election

Astunning win by the Venezuelan Opposition could mark the end of an era for a political experiment launched 16 years ago by Hugo Chávez, who led a socialist-inspired transformation of South America’s oil-exporting giant and spearheaded resistance to Washington across the continent.

While current President Nicolás Maduro remains in power, the strong anti-Government vote in Sunday’s congressional elections means he will no longer exercise unfettered control over the National Assembly. The Opposition has vowed to free jailed opposition leaders and roll back populist measures such as big subsidies for gasoline in an effort to revive the comatose economy.

The political earthquake comes as residents of South America’s biggest oil-exporter are facing some of the world’s worst inflation and crime rates. Politicians have been warning of a potential “social explosion”.

The Opposition won at least a simple majority in the elections: a minimum of 99 seats out of 167, compared with 46 for the ruling party, with 22 still to be called.

The remaining votes are crucial. If the Opposition clears a two-thirds super-majority, the National Assembly could replace Supreme Court Justices, attempt to force Maduro from power before his term ends in 2019 or change the Constitution. With a lesser margin, the Opposition would have fewer weapons but could still issue no-confidence votes or appoint electoral officials.

The Opposition win is a

sharp rebuke to a leftist movement that had maintained power by winning repeated elections and that had inspired similar parties that became dominant in Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina, forming a bloc fiercely critical of the US role in the hemisphere. Just weeks ago, Argentina’s left-wing party also suffered a stinging defeat, losing the presidency to a business-friendly opposition candidate, Mauricio Macri.

The results of Sunday’s elections immediately raised the question of how two sides who approach each other as enemies are going to share power. Many wondered whether Venezuela was veering toward more confrontation or the beginning of some kind of solution to a severe economic crisis caused by mismanagement and low oil prices. (Excerpt

St Vincent PM denies financial wrongdoing days before election

The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has issued a forceful denial to claims of financial wrongdoing on his part.

The claims began circulating on social media on Sunday, three days before Vincentians vote for a new Government on Wednesday.

Via his Unity Labour Party (ULP) Facebook page, Gonsalves denied holding a Swiss bank account with millions of US dollars in it.

In a statement issued

on Sunday, Gonsalves said he has instructed the Attorney General Judith Jones Morgan to contact the United States Government immediately under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to investigate a fraudulent bank document said to be proof of an alleged bank account domiciled at an address in Brooklyn, New York.

He has also instructed Police Commissioner Michael Charles to open a criminal investigation locally into the fraudulent docu-

ment.

This investigation is said to include any regional or international operatives currently working in St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as the involvement of INTERPOL; the Regional Security System (RSS) and the Joint Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre of IMPACS to assist in the investigation.

Gonsalves, who is National Security and Legal Affairs Minister, has also instructed the

Police Commissioner to alert the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to these investigations.

His statement said it was illegal under American, French, Swiss, European Union and Vincentian law to fabricate documents and make slanderous and untrue allegations against individuals.

The statement added that checks confirm that the account number given in what it called a fraudulent document does not exist. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now!)

AmBev gains control of biggest drinks manufacturer Banks in Barbados

The battle for Banks is over and the winner is AB InterBrew’s major Brazilian subsidiary, AmBev.

According to a shareholders circular issued by the Banks Holdings board on Friday, AmBev, through its subsidiary SLU Beverages acquired just over 50 per cent of the shares in the storied Barbados brewery last week when it agreed to purchase close to 6.5 million shares at Bds$7.10 on the floor of the BSE. Once the trades are settled, BHL will become a part of the world largest brewer of beer, Anheuser Busch InterBev. Meanwhile, rival ANSA McAL has given itself an exit strategy by raising by

AmBev’s acquisition of control over BHL means it would have purchased around two thirds of the 15 per cent of shares so far changing hands on the BSE

its offer to Bds$7.20 per share, but added for the first time the condition that it must get at least 51 per cent off the shares or the offer would be rescinded.

According to the BHL

board, that would be arithmetically and impossible unless AmBev sold some of its Banks shares to its rival for the company. That is unlikely to happen.

AmBev’s acquisition of control over BHL means it would have purchased around two thirds of the 15 per cent of shares so far changing hands on the BSE. This suggests that ANSA has the other five per cent, which when added to its shares acquired from the purchase of Blue Waters Holdings, would bring its stake in BHL to around 18 per cent at present. The BHL circular advises remaining shareholders not to pledge their shares to ANSA, stating that the requirement for 51 per cent was unattainable, and instead it should sell to AmBev, which its directors were doing with their own shares. (Excerpt from Caribbean360.com)

Brazil’s Rousseff seeks speedy vote on impeachment bid

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff urged Congress on Monday to cancel its summer recess in January and deal swiftly with a request for her impeachment to nip in the bud an attempt to unseat her that she called undemocratic and legally flawed.

Rousseff’s opponents are seeking to impeach her for allegedly breaking budget laws as she ramped up economic stimulus during her re-election campaign last year.

Their request was taken up last week in the Lower House of Congress, which was expected to name a 65-member committee later on Monday to report whether she committed an impeachable offence.

Rousseff’s aides have said she has enough votes to block impeachment in the Lower House, but that could change as her opponents whip up anti-Government sentiment.

An early vote before Brazilians get back from their January holidays may favour Rousseff, since the pro-impeachment campaign could gain momentum as a plunging economy is expected to worsen early next year, feeding unemployment and inflation. Rousseff said the country cannot wait that long for a decision because prolonged uncertainty will worsen an economic downturn that is expected to be the longest since the 1930s.

“In this situation of political and economic crisis that the country is living, I think it is important to call back Congress,” she told reporters in Brasilia. “It is not correct for the country to be kept waiting until February 2.”

If two-thirds of the House vote for impeachment, the President would be suspended pending a 180-day trial in the Senate, while the Vice President runs the country. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ballots dumped: UNC election papers found in river

Defeated leadership candidate, Dr Roodal Moonilal is challenging the fairness of Saturday’s United National Congress (UNC) internal election, saying it was riddled with fraud and irregularities.

His claim came after over a dozen blank ballot papers were found on the bank of the Katwaroo Dam in Penal on Sunday.

According to Moonilal, who led the Loyalists team, there were also reports of people seen with ballot papers outside polling stations in Central Trinidad, poor quality ink which could be wiped off, members’ names appearing several times on one list and in some cases the same names appearing in several constituencies.

He said there were also instances where members were allowed to vote although their names were not on the voters’ list, while in some stations mem-

bers whose names were not on the list but had a party card were not allowed to vote. Moonilal said his team also had a photograph of someone removing a ballot box from a polling station around 13:00h on Saturday, claiming that it was full and needed to be replaced. He said spoilt ballots were counted in Fyzabad.

“The overall assessment is that it was not fair and it was not free. The list was terribly inappropriate and that may have led to mass fraud,” Moonilal told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview on Sunday.

“I am not arguing that if all of the defects were taken that we would have been successful. Maybe the results would have been the same, but what this does is undermine the integrity and credibility of the system, and regrettably the persons who have won by this flawed process.” (Excerpt

Around the world

COP21: Carbon emissions “to stall or even decline” this year

Global emissions of carbon dioxide are likely to stall and even decline slightly this year, new data suggests.

Researchers say it is the first time this has happened while the global economy has continued to grow.

The fall-off is due to reduced coal use in China, as well as faster uptake of renewables, the scientists involved in the assessment add.

But they expect the stall to be temporary and for emissions to grow again as emerging economies develop.

According to the study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change and presented here at COP21 in Paris, emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry are likely to have

fallen 0.6 per cent in 2015. They increased by around the same amount in 2014.

Kenya’s Mandera residents find mystery graves near Somali border

People living in northeast Kenya say they have discovered at least 20 bodies buried in shallow graves.

The identity of the bodies is not clear, but one of the bodies is suspected to be that of a woman who was reported missing a week ago.

The bodies were found by a herder looking for his animals, who noticed signs of wild jackals in the area near the Somali border.

Kenya’s security forces deny charges they have been killing ethnic Somalis.

The residents of ethnic Somali-dominated districts in the region have repeatedly accused Kenya’s security

agencies of being behind the arrest and disappearance of youths suspected to have links with Somali militant Islamist group al-Shabab.

Since the reports emerged, the hashtag #StopKillingSomalis has been trending in Kenya.

The BBC’s Ferdinand Omondi in Nairobi said disturbing images circulated on social media on Monday morning, showing human body parts sticking out of poorly dug trenches.

A woman’s mutilated body provoked the strongest reaction. She is thought to be a mother of five, arrested four days ago. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Since 2000, global emissions have grown annually by two to three per cent. The slowdown has occurred

while the global economy grew by three per cent in both 2014 and 2015.

“We’re expecting a stalling in emissions, possibly even a little decrease,” said Professor Corinne Le Quere from the University of East Anglia, UK, who led the data analysis.

“The main cause is from decreased coal use in China. It’s restructuring its economy, but there is also a contribution from the very fast growth in renewable energy worldwide, and this is the most interesting part: can we actually grow renewable energy enough to offset the coal use elsewhere?”

China continued to be the world leader in emissions, according to the report, responsible for 27 per cent of the global total. (Excerpt

Migrant crisis: Germany heads for 1 million asylum-seekers in 2015

Germany has registered 964,574 new asylum-seekers in the first 11 months of the year, putting it on course for more than a million in 2015.

The number of migrants arriving has not slowed despite the winter cold, with a record high of 206,101 in November.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in August that the country expected 800,000 asylumseekers over the year.

Documents leaked in October suggested the Government was privately anticipating the arrival of up to 1.5 million.

Germany has registered more asylum-seekers than

any other nation in Europe, although about one per cent of its population, less per capita than several smaller nations.

Registered asylum seekers are not always accepted however, and rates of success vary from country to country. Fewer than 10 per cent of applicants last year in Hungary – which has one of the highest shares of asylum-seekers in Europe – resulted in a positive decision.

The rate in Germany was 42 per cent, while in Sweden – which registered the highest number of applications per capita – it was 77 per cent. Across the EU, the success rate about 45 per cent.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Surprise India-Pakistan talks spark optimism

South Asian analysts expressed optimism on Monday after talks were secretly held between arch rivals India and Pakistan in the Thai capital – a move that signalled a long-awaited thaw in frigid relations.

In a further surprise move towards rapprochement, it was announced Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold talks with Pakistani officials on Wednesday, the first visit to Islamabad by India’s leading diplomat in three years.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals have been high for decades with two of three wars fought over the dis-

Vatican leaks scandal: Pope’s advisers may be called as witnesses

AVatican Judge trying five people over the leaking of secret documents has agreed to let some of Pope Francis’s senior advisers be defence witnesses.

Officials who could be called include his Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin.

Those on trial include two journalists who published books detailing alleged financial mismanagement at the Vatican, and three members of a papal commission accused of leaking documents to them.

One of them, a priest, alleges a fellow defendant seduced him.

The two books published last month, Avarice by Emanuele Fittipaldi and Merchants in the Temple by Gianluigi Nuzzi, paint a picture of clergy greed and financial waste.

On trial alongside the two Italian writers are a

Spanish priest, Monsignor Angelo Lucio Vallejo Balda, his secretary Nicola Maio, and Italian public relations specialist Francesca Chaouqui.

Both the monsignor and Chaouqui were members of the commission set up by Pope Francis to investigate the Vatican’s murky financ-

es two years ago.

The priest says Chaouqui put pressure on him to leak the documents – and she seduced him in a hotel in Florence. She denies this claim.

Chaouqui insists that she acted at all times in the best interests of Pope Francis himself. (Excerpt from BBC News)

puted Himalayan region of Kashmir. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting separatist Muslim rebels in India’s part of the territory.

Pakistan National Security Adviser Nasir Khan Janjua and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval met in Bangkok on Sunday for the unannounced talks.

A joint statement issued after the meeting said “discussions covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues, including tranquillity along the LoC [Line of Control – the de facto Kashmir border].

“Discussions were held in a candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere,” the statement said. “They were guided by the vision of the two leaders for a peaceful stable and prosperous South Asia.”

Ajai Shukla, a strategic and diplomatic affairs analyst based in New Delhi, told Al Jazeera the Bangkok meeting “opens door for further dialogue, which is very welcome”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Obama: Don’t let ISIL’s “cult of death” divide US

The United States must not let ISIL’s “cult of death” divide the nation and American Muslims need to be enlisted in the effort to eradicate the group instead of being pushed away with hate, President Barack Obama said.

In a rare televised speech to the American people on Sunday night, Obama linked last week’s deadly shooting rampage in California to the influence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

Analysts said the speech was meant to reassure the American public after a spate of deadly international attacks in recent months, including the California shooting that killed 14 people on Tuesday.

“As groups like ISIL grew stronger amid the chaos of war in Iraq and then Syria, and as the Internet erases the distance between countries, we see growing efforts by terrorists to poison

US President Barack Obama

the minds of people like the Boston Marathon bombers and the San Bernardino killers,” Obama said.

The FBI continues to investigate whether the San Bernardino shooting was carried out by ISIL followers. According to recent polls, 57 per cent of Americans

disapprove of how Obama is handling the fight against ISIL, 72 per cent say the effort is going badly, and 60 per cent say it is time to send more troops into Iraq and Syria to battle the armed group.

Obama reiterated on Sunday that ISIL’s goal is to ignite a clash of cultures. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

tuesday, december 8, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

NA hospital plagued with problems – Health Minister

– admits Director of Health not qualified for position

Public Health Minister

Dr George Norton on Monday confirmed that the problems at the New Amsterdam Hospital far outweigh what is occurring in the neonatal department, but pointed out he has instructed that measures be put in place to counter the issues.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Dr Norton who is currently in neighbouring Trinidad, said he is very much aware of the numerous problems at the medical facility.

He said he recently visited the NA Hospital and became aware of the conditions of the neonatal department, a situation which was highlighted last week by Chairman of the Regional Health Committee Haseef Yusuf, who had himself expressed alarm at the state of the facility.

He said he had spoken to the Director of Health Services Jevaugn Stephens, who was instructed to have the issues sorted out. However, this seemed not to have happened as the situation has not changed, this newspaper was told. There have also been some concerns about Stephen’s ability to function in that capacity by both Councillors of Region Six and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Asked about this, Norton said that while the position requires that the ideal

candidate possess at least a Masters Degree in Public Health, many of the persons in the various regions filling this post do not have such qualifications. He however told this publication that Stephens is able to handle the job. He said apart from the issues in the Neonatal department, Stephens was also instructed to address some other infrastructural issues of the hospital. He was sure to point out that one does not need a master’s degree to address these “simple things”.

Late last week the Regional Health Committee Chairman had expressed alarm at the state of health service delivery in the region.

In a report, Yusuf highlighted some of the issues affecting the New Amsterdam Hospital and pointed an accusing finger at the admin-

istrating of the regional health system. Yusuf noted that the mortuary is plagued with low voltage and there is a problem with drug storage within the facility that often results in supplies being stored in unsuitable locations.

Yusuf, who submitted a detailed report to the Regional Democratic Council on Thursday, called for an investigation into the poor supply of drugs to the institution.

Commenting on the report which was presented to the Regional Democratic Council, People’s Progressive Party/Civic Councillor Zamal Hussain pointed out that many of the items being purchased to be used in government buildings is of a very poor quality. He said a monitoring system needs to be put in place.

Police nab 4 after attempted Corentyne robbery

Police ranks in B Division (Berbice) came in for much praise Monday as they were able to apprehend four men who had committed a daring daylight robbery on a Corentyne businesswoman.

According to reports, sometime around 10:00h Monday, vehicle HC 4442 with four male occupants was seen outside a grocery shop at Liverpool Village, Corentyne owned by a 53-year-old woman. Two of the men, one of whom had a bag with a long object inside, went into the shop and confronted the businesswoman.

The police in a statement said the men de-

manded cash and assaulted the woman in the process. However, the businesswoman raised an alarm and this caused the men to immediately return to the vehicle and drive away.

A report was made at the Police Station and other Stations were alerted and told to be on the lookout for the perpetrators.

The statement noted that a Corporal armed with a service shotgun stopped the vehicle outside the Albion Police Station, where the suspect with the bag containing the long object managed to run away.

He was pursued and apprehended by the Corporal. A search of his bag re-

vealed an unlicensed sawnoff shotgun along with six cartridges.

Meanwhile the other three suspects had driven away in the car. Two of the other perpetrators were later arrested in a taxi at a police roadblock along the approach to the Berbice River Bridge.

The fourth suspect driving the getaway vehicle, managed to pass through a roadblock at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice but was apprehended at another roadblock in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The four men are in police custody assisting with investigations.

US Embassy observes International Volunteer Day

In observance of International Volunteer Day, commemorated on 5 December, the US Embassy’s Youth Action Network (YAN) visited schools in Georgetown to enlighten students on volunteerism.

During the visits to four schools, members of YAN discussed the value and benefit of volunteerism and encourage students to become agents of change in their respective communities and schools.

Students attending the sessions expressed a strong desire to become engaged and make a difference in their communities. The schools visited were Marian

Meanwhile, with regards to GuySuCo’s claim of paying out a “hefty” sum of $1.868 billion in Weekly Production Incentives (WPI) and Cane Harvesters’ Personal Production Incentive (PPI) for this year thus far, the union stated that this information is touted clearly to ‘misinform, misguide and hoodwink especially the public.’

GAWU explained that for the past 30 years the API’s payment with the exception of one instance in 1990, had been five days’ pay and it was as much as

Academy, Charlestown Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary and the Tutorial High school.

The YAN is committed to raising awareness on issues affecting youth in Guyana and promoting advocacy by motivating youth to volunteer and take action to effect change.

As part of its mandate to give motivated youth an opportunity to promote their involvement in volunteerism, YAN undertook several community service activities this year. Some of these projects included a food and clothing initiative for the homeless in Georgetown; participating in the International Coastal

Clean-up and improving the environmental conditions of three youth friendly spaces in Berbice.

International Volunteer Day 2015 was observed under the theme: “The world is changing. Are you? Volunteer!” International Volunteer Day is a celebration of people serving as agents of change in their communities and working towards global peace and sustainable human development.

It provides a chance for volunteer-involving organisations and individual volunteers to promote their contributions to development at local, national, and international levels.

from page 11

23.5 days in 2012.

The media statement by the workers’ union went on to say that WPI and PPI are incentives which are earned based on attainment of set weekly production targets and the attainment of established levels of productivity.

As the Corporation is poised to easily surpass this year’s sugar production target of 227,000 tonnes, decision to refuse to negotiate a compromised proposal of the API shows its refusal to recognise the hard work of sugar workers and their vital contribution to the economy,

said the union.

GAWU further stated that the crop at this time is virtually nearing closure with several estates about to cease operations and reminded that the workers have performed well with the industry on its way to a turnaround.

The workers’ union added that there is still time left for GuySuCo to ensure workers in the sugar industry receive their “just, earned remuneration” for their work performances in 2015. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Gafoor underscores GTI graduates' economic contribution

As 650 graduates of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) venture off into the working world, Gafoors Guyana owner Sattaur Gafoor charged them to remain focused and tap into their potential in order to contribute meaningfully towards the continued development of Guyana.

Delivering brief remarks during the 64th graduation ceremony, Gafoor pointed out that all of Guyana’s thriving industries depended on welders, electricians, electrical engineers, and mechanics among other technical personnel. On that note, he highlighted that Guyana needed skilled workers – people who would put their hands and their backs into keeping the wheels of industry grinding.

“If we put together all of our qualified people to provide for all the skills re-

degree that you are disadvantaged. On the contrary, based on my own experience, skilled people earn more than those who have studied at university for over four years and leave with a BSc degree in sociol-

the price of gold returned to its former glory, Guyana would see a plethora of activities and jobs being created that would require the services of GTI graduates.

Additionally, Gafoor advised the students to plan their careers thoroughly.

“Have a vision of what you wish to achieve over the next five years – what is to be achieved year by year. From time to time you will face challenges – remain steadfast, never lose sight of your ultimate goal. These challenges help you build determination,” he stated.

Further, in quoting Nelson Mandela, Gafoor stated: ““Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, as he urged the graduates to never lose sight of their vision.

Additionally, the businessman pointed out that the GTI has been educating

quired only for these areas, I doubt whether we will be able to fill 50 per cent of the required vacancies,” Gafoors stated.

He noted that there was no country with vast natural resources like Guyana that can develop without technical skills.

“Yes, we do need accountants; yes , we do need managers, but the real people to develop any country are those with the skills. You are the ones who will provide employment to the accountants, the managers. Do not feel that because you do not have a university

ogy. Seldom can they find a suitable job to pay as much as you will earn,” he pointed out.

Moreover, he highlighted that there were numerous development projects that were soon expected to come on-stream and which would require the services of persons with technical skills.

He stated that Government would soon be pursuing the hydroelectricity project and the country would soon be a blooming producer of oil and natural gas.

He noted too that once

students who have excelled in many fields.

“…some of whom are industrialist Mr George Jardim who invented the robotic gravel pump for the gold mining industry. Previously, riverbed gold mining was done by divers – dozens of whom lost their lives caused by underwater cave-ins… in education: the very Principal of GTI, Mr Benn and…four graduands from GTI won national awards,” he stated.

Gafoor, in conclusion, congratulated the students and wished them a great future.

Water woes ahead for Region 3 rice farmers –

should pump

The multi-million dollar pump and pump station located at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara (WCD) is presently ‘out of service’ and rice farmers in the area are worried that if heavy rains continue they would suffer devastating losses.

Reports are that the recently established facility ceased operations about three months ago and to date efforts to rectify the problems are yet to be executed.

Guyana Times understands that almost one month has passed since the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) contracted an individual to fix the pump and pump sta-

not be fixed urgently

tion.

One source associated with NDIA told this newspaper that the man employed to do the repairs does not have the necessary skills and experience to handle the project.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Region Three Julius Faeber on Monday stated that while he is aware the NDIA has assigned someone to deal with the matter, it is unclear when this project will be completed.

He explained that at present the pump has been dismantled and some repairs had commenced but this was some three weeks ago.

However to date the pump and facility are nonfunctional.

Faeber noted that the outfalls are ‘silting up” and this pump being operational is crucial for the nearby areas to avoid flooding and major losses by both residents and rice farmers.

In April of this year several residents of Windsor Forest experienced minor flooding after the door to the koker broke.

The breakage occurred due to the wearing away of the left ‘guiding strip’ and the constant pressure of high tide on the structure.

However the pump station which had been recently commissioned was in full operation to remove the excess water from the inland area. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

tuesday, december 8, 2015 |

Suspended GRA employee breaks silence, denies corruption allegations

Acting Law Enforcement Manager of the Guyana Revenue Authority Troy Vannooten, has denied allegations by the tax regulatory body that he was engaged in corrupt practices.

Vannooten was suspended for two months without pay after he was accused of accepting bribe from persons who were involved in a scam dating back to last September.

However in a statement on Monday, Vannooten said his suspension was “unjust, unfair and without merit.”

He maintained that the “trumped-up” internal allegations against him is mainly because he has ruffled feathers within the government’s lone tax collecting agency regarding corrupt practices.

The man further stated that as an enforcement officer, he was strict with stamping out all illegal activities within GRA.

He noted he never took any bribe regarding the incident where a truck of chicken that had originated from Suriname was confiscated by law enforcement personnel in September 2015.

According to reports, Vannooten along with at least two other staff accepted a sum of undisclosed cash for the release of the Leyland DAF truck.

In a suspension missive communicated to Vannooten the Human Resources Manager cited that he breached the GRA code of conduct, offence No 16 which states ‘failure to obey known rules and codes of conduct, conflict of Interest and post-employment codes.’

However, Vannooten said he acted within the rules and regulations of the authority regarding the detention of a Bedford Suriname lorry, which had contained some 400 boxes

of foreign chicken that had an aggregate street value of some $2.8 million and at all times his superiors were updated.

“The information received from the police was that they have held the truck and would like to hand it over to GRA’s custody since the goods are perishable. I then instructed the head of enforcement for Region Six to get a team of officers and proceeded to the location. At the same time I made contact with about three officers from Georgetown and we went up the Corentyne,” the man said in his statement.

According to him, at that time there were already two GRA staffers who were found in a car in proximity of the lorry, and they were in the presence of another man who apparently was the owner of the goods. These two officers, he said in his statement, were scheduled to travel to the interior that morning however they were carrying out an unsanctioned exercise in Region Six. They have since been fired by the GRA.

In an incident report submitted to Commissioner General (CG) Khurshid Sattaur it was revealed that one of the occupants exited the vehicle and identified himself as Phillip Paruag, an Enforcement Officer attached to LIED of GRA and

indicated that he had detained the truck with its contents and were escorting the truck to Georgetown for further investigation.

“I was told that driver of the lorry and another guy was heading to Georgetown to purchase sprout brand (animal feed) when they were approached to hire the lorry to Georgetown,’’ Vannooten highlighted.

He disclosed too that the incident was brought to Sattaur’s attention the following morning via a mobile call, who later instructed that a sum of $700,000 be paid to GRA as fines.

“The CG instructed me to collect $200,000 as conveyance as a fine for the truck that was transporting the chicken, and $500,000 as fine for the chicken itself. I had never received any money. The taxes that were paid to GRA was received by another staff located at the GRA centralised building on Camp street, and an official receipt was issued.”

Vannooten said in his statement that he had recommended in his final report on the incident that the two officers who were initially found at the scene should be suspended since they were culpable of malfeasance. He said what is shocking is that the suspension letter he received is vague and did not explain his wrongdoings in investigating the seizure of the illegal chicken.

He said he has written to Chairman of the Board Rawle Lucas to have the board review the circumstances leading up to his suspension and also into departmental corruption.

Vannooten said he will allow due process in the matter, however he has suffered gross embarrassment as a result of the suspension and also that he is now on the breadline for two months.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

Save for a rainy day and do your best to put your financial affairs in order. Prepare to head into the upcoming year free from problems.

Spend time with the people you enjoy being with most. Lend a helping hand to groups in your community geared toward helping the elderly, abandoned pets or those in need. Your contribution will be gratifying.

Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs. A change regarding your position may cause concern. Jump from one thing to another to ensure that you don’t lose momentum financially.

Everything will work in your favour if you go about your business. Picking up items that will enhance your looks or make someone you love happy should be on your agenda.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty. You know what’s best for you, and anyone trying to curtail your freedom or your ability to advance must be put in his or her place.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Getting together with people who share the same concerns or interests will enable you to explore new ventures or prospects. Anything is possible if you join forces with the right folks.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Scan the want ads or online job postings in order to discover something of interest. An energetic activity will help you ease stress. Accept the inevitable and keep moving forward.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Your insight is uncanny. Share your thoughts and follow through with a plan. Preparing for the end of a year can be daunting if you leave everything to the last minute. Start now.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Use moderation in all that you do. Distance yourself from emotional melodramas. Help others, but don’t make unrealistic promises. Invest in your future, not entertainment and indulgences.

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

Partnerships and professional tactics will decide your future. If you broaden your outlook, share your innovative ideas and step up to the plate, you should have no problem accomplishing what you set out to do.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Questionable situations will have to be dealt with carefully. Do your research and don’t depend on others to come up with solutions. You must get your emotions under control.

Personal improvements will lift your spirits and help you gain the confidence needed to head in a direction that you only dreamt about in the past. Romance is highlighted.

Benjamin to launch boxing archives on Wednesday

Boxing pundits of yesteryear oftentimes engage in a good old conversation of the exploits of past boxing legends, the likes of Patrick Forde, Lennox Beckles, Lennox Blackmore, Kenny Bristol and the myriad of punchers who have institutionalised the sport locally.

The debates have been furious, but with no way to confirm the data, most debates ended as they had started, with both parties unsure of whether they were right.

These occurrences have highlighted the need for archival data to clarify such issues and former Continental of Americas welterweight champion Michael Benjamin has accepted the challenge to create a forum that documents the historical data of past and present pugilists.

The former boxing champion has teamed up with businessman and boxing enthusiast Maurice Pyle to effect changes to the status quo, and will join with Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle, Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) President Peter Abdool, and other boxing enthusiasts to launch the first-ever boxing pictorial museum at the Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis Boxing Gym, Independence Boulevard, on Wednesday afternoon.

The museum will display the photos of a wide cross-section of boxers –past, present and even deceased. Later on, the collection will include Coaches, as well as others who have contributed to the development of the sport.

At the moment, photos of several local pugilists are completed and ready for display, including those of “Six Heads”, Gary St Clair,

Wayne Braithwaite and Leon “Hurry Up” Moore. The females have not been forgotten and there are also portraits of those who have distinguished themselves.

These include Gwendolyn O’Neil, who is a five-time world champion, and current world champion Shondell Alfred. Abdool and Ninvalle have also had great input at the administrative level, and have also etched their names into boxing in the face of vast odds and they will also be depicted for their efforts.

Several corporate entities and individuals have contributed handsomely to the project, including Ramchand’s Auto Sales, Claude Raphael’s Real Estate, German’s Restaurant, Dr Max Hanoman, Abdool and Abdool’s Insurance Brokers, Eddy Grant, Oasis Waters, Joe Harmon, John Fernandes Limited, Bryden and Fernandes, Modern Optical and Kaieteur News. Meanwhile, last Friday afternoon, Benjamin visited the Beterverwagting office of ANSA McAL Trading, where senior executive Troy Cadogan committed to a sum to complete the project. The former pugilist extended gratitude to his benefactor, while pointing out the importance of the donation.

Benjamin also said that he has had discussions with Ninvalle and Abdool and they have both given their blessings to the project.

Benjamin also intimated that apart from converting the gym into an archival location, he envisages a place where boxers could congregate for social and other activities.

He believes that the time has long come when contemporary pugilists can research the records and status of their predecessors in order to carry on the proud tradition.

“A boxing archive of a well-documented account of those past boxers’ activities may just be the variable to bolster the hopes and courage of our current boxers, thus igniting renewed hope, vigour and vitality in their breasts,” opined Benjamin.

He said while the boxers’ records would comprise part of the institution, such data would be forthcoming since it required meticulous research.

Team Minions, Team Rising Stars dominate

Team Minions and team Rising Stars were successful on the second evening of the Farfan and Mendes Christmas team squash tournament at the Georgetown Club over the weekend.

Team Minions swept seven games en route to a demolition of their opponents team Bungatuffies, while team Rising Stars were equally dominant with seven wins over team “D”.

Gianni Carpenter was the sole victor for team “D” when he defeated Dominic Collins of Rising Stars in straight games. Despite that loss Rebecca Low fought to a 3-2 win over Jael Gaskin to spare team Rising Stars any

NBA roundup…

Warriors run record start

Golden State’s first game against the Nets went down to the wire, and the rematch seemed headed the same way.

With one of his electrifying flurries, Stephen Curry changed things in a hurry.

Curry scored 16 of his 28 points in the third quarter and the Warriors ran their NBA-record start to 22-0 by beating Brooklyn 114-98 on Sunday night.

Coming off consecutive 40-point games, Curry was having a relatively quiet and even puzzling night — he missed his first three free throws — before helping the Warriors regain control against a team that nearly beat them this season and looked capable of finishing the job this time.

“Just trying to see if I could get some room and figure out a way to impact the game,” Curry said, “and things started to click.”

They sure did, as Curry scored 11 points and threw a lob for Festus Ezeli’s slam during a 15-4 run to close the third.

“That’s what great players can do. Plus, he has a great team,” Nets coach Lionel Hollins said. “He doesn’t have to go out there and do it all the time. Last night he had 44. Two nights ago when they were in Charlotte he had 43. When he needs to he can and when he doesn’t need to he takes a backseat to those guys.”

Draymond Green added 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Klay Thompson scored 21 for the Warriors, who won their 26th in a row overall in the regular season, one behind the 2012-13 Miami Heat for the second-longest streak in NBA history.

Down 75-70 with 3:10 left in the third, the Warriors were soon ahead 96-85 early in the fourth.

“It’s one of our biggest strengths, is that we’re never out of a game and we’re always one little run away from putting a game away,” coach Luke Walton said.

The Warriors equaled another NBA record, tying the 1969-70 New York Knicks for the best road start at 12-0. They visit Indiana on Tuesday.

Thaddeus Young had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Brook Lopez scored 18 for the Nets, who had their four-game home

further blushes on the evening.

Georgiana Fernandes ensured team Bungatuffies had at least one victory as she topped Haley Carpenter (team Minions) 2-1, while Makeda Harding recovered well from a first game loss to Maya Collins to win 3-1, capping off a dominant night for team Minions, who have now beaten both their opponents. The tournament is expected to conclude on Sunday.

Complete Results: Nyron Joseph beat Larissa Wiltshire 3-0, Louis DaSilva beat Isabella Ramjohn 2-0, Mashal Allicock beat Teija

Edwards 2-0, Nechemiyah Levans beat Mohryan Baksh 2-0, Gianni Carpenter beat Dominic Collins 3-0, Michael Alphonso beat Madison Fernandes 3-1, Shomari Wiltshire beat Anthony Islam 3-0, Rebecca Low beat Jael Gaskin 3-2, Ben Mekdeci beat Alec Melville 3-0, Noah Rahaman beat Shiloh Asregado 2-0, Georgiana Fernandes beat Haley Carpenter 2-1, Aliyah Persaud beat James Mekdeci 2-1, Mikhail Persaud beat Beau Fernandes 2-0, Demetrius DeAbreu beat Kirsten Gomes3-0, Makeda Harding beat Maya Collins 3-1.

to 22-0 with win over

winning streak snapped. Lopez missed from point-blank range at the regulation buzzer on Nov. 14 and the Warriors beat the Nets in overtime at home. Walton said the Warriors let the Nets have too good a start in that one, when Brooklyn scored 36 points in the first quarter.

This time, Golden State bolted to a 9-0 lead and the only reason its 30-16 advantage after one wasn’t bigger was because the Warriors were just 5 for 14 at the free throw line — with Curry missing all three.

But with a season-best 38 points on 78 per cent shooting in the second period, the Nets trimmed it to 57-54 at halftime, then moved ahead in the third.

Ezeli had 12 points and Leandro Barbosa 11 off the bench.

Thunder 98, Kings 95

Russell Westbrook had his third triple-double of the season with 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds and Oklahoma

Nets

City rallied late to beat Sacramento. Kevin Durant committed 10 turnovers but hit the go-ahead jumper with 23 seconds left and two free throws with 4.4 seconds left to cap a 20-point, nine-rebound outing for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder won their fourth straight home game. Since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, it is 14-0 against Sacramento in Chesapeake Energy Arena and 23-4 overall.

NBA assists leader Rajon Rondo had 10 to go with seven points for the Kings. Rudy Gay scored 20 points for Sacramento, and the Kings missed a chance to force overtime when Marco Belinelli air balled on a 3-point attempt from the corner in the final seconds.

Grizzlies 95, Suns 93

Jeff Green’s dunk on an alley-oop inbound pass from Courtney Lee with 0.5 seconds left gave Memphis a victory over Phoenix.

The Suns’ last chance to tie the game came on Eric Bledsoe’s shot from the right corner. The two-point attempt was long, sending Phoenix to its fourth straight loss despite a late rally that pulled the Suns even.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 22 points. The inbound pass from Lee capped a fourth quarter in which he scored 13 of his 18 points. Mike Conley had 12 points and Mario Chalmers finished with 11. Green and Zach Randolph scored 10 points apiece.

Bledsoe led the Suns with 23 points and six assists and also had seven rebounds. Brandon Knight scored 17 points and Mirza Teletovic had 14. Alex Len had 12, while Jon Leuer finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Mavericks 116, Wizards 104

Wesley Matthews scored 28 of his season-high 36 points in the second half and Dallas beat Washington.

He hit 10 3-pointers overall and eight in the second half. The Mavericks took the lead early in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth. (Herald Sports)

India break blockathon to win series 3-0

The scorecard will say South Africa were bowled out for 143, another low score in series where they only passed 200 once in seven attempts. It will say India won by 337 runs to complete a 3-0 series win. But for anyone who didn’t witness the Delhi Test, it will take a closer reading to appreciate the extent of South Africa’s fourth-innings defiance and India’s struggle to bowl them out. Between them, India’s four specialist bowlers sent down 136.1 overs, bowled 87 maidens against a set of batsmen who had made up their minds to block everything.

In the end, South

The ball popped off that much-battered glove and settled in leg slip’s hands.

It was only fitting that Ashwin, the best bowler on either side right through the series, ended the match with another five-for, bowling Morne Morkel as he shouldered arms to a ball that drifted into him through the air and spun less than expected. He ended the series with 31 wickets and his fifth Man-of-theSeries award.

Till his dismissal, de Villiers had been a picture of calm at the crease, his footwork precise but not extravagant, moving him into compact positions from where he watched the ball closely

minimised their danger by playing almost impossibly late, and refusing entirely to go hard at the ball.

The one bowler who consistently worried him was Umesh Yadav. In two overs close to the lunch break, he got the ball to rear at de Villiers three times. Twice he knocked his bat out of his hands, smacking his top glove once and his bottom glove on the other occasion. When he came back into the attack late in the second session, he hit his glove with another lifter, either side of balls that jagged in, kept low, and struck him on the unprotected part of the knee.

India had a 72-over-

Africa simply had too much to do. AB de Villiers played out 297 balls, Hashim Amla 244, and Temba Bavuma and Faf du Plessis ate up a fair share of deliveries in a concerted effort of stonewalling. But to do so for more than five sessions was simply too much of an ask on a slow Feroz Shah Kotla surface that began deteriorating halfway through the final day.

Having lost only five wickets in 138 overs until tea on day five, South Africa lost their last five wickets in the space of 27 balls. Umesh Yadav, bowling fast and reversing the ball appreciably, bowled Dane Vilas and Kyle Abbott, and had Dane Piedt caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha diving in front of first slip.

But the big wicket was that of de Villiers, who had been at the crease since early in the final session of day four. Having defended resolutely and taken a series of painful blows on the glove, he wasn’t able to keep out an R Ashwin offbreak that spat at him from a good length.

and defended at the last possible moment. He was not getting as close to the pitch of the ball as Amla had consistently done, and there were more edges as a result.

However, his hands were impeccably soft, and the ball died a painless death a short distance from the bat and well away from the closein fielders.

If anything, his approach possibly made the pitch look better to bat on than it actually was. A number of deliveries misbehaved in one way or another over the course of the day, but De Villiers

old ball at the start of the day, and the first eight overs were shared among the two seamers - who tried, with little success, to unsettle Amla and de Villiers from around the wicket - the occasional leg-rollers of Virat Kohli, and the never-before-seen legbreaks of Cheteshwar Pujara.

India were waiting to bring their spinners on when the second new ball was available. With the pitch slowing down considerably, they were banking on getting some life out of it with a harder ball with a prominent seam. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Defeat against Porto could spell the end for Mourinho

The heat in the Chelsea kitchen is rising once again and it could become too suffocating for Jose Mourinho to continue if his team go out of the Champions League this week.

The Londoners need only a home draw against Mourinho’s old club Porto on Wednesday to reach the knockout stages and, if recent Stamford Bridge displays are anything to go by, the fans face a jittery 90 minutes perched on the edges of their seats.

Remarkably, the Premier League champions have already lost 11 games in all competitions this season, including four at home, and it seems almost inconceivable that their outspoken manager could survive yet another defeat against Porto.

Mourinho has tried every trick in the book in a bid to cajole an improvement from his squad, even briefly leaving out talisman John Terry and Eden Hazard, without any lasting effect.

Midfield linchpin Nemanja Matic summed up the immediate task facing his team mates and the coaching staff.

“We are in a difficult moment and it is going to be hard to come back from this but we have to try to resolve this situation,” the Serbian international told Chelsea TV.

“I think we didn’t deserve to lose the game,” said Matic after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Bournemouth, “but when you don’t score a goal, you also don’t deserve to win”.

Chelsea had offered false hopes of a revival before the game against Bournemouth, registering three straight clean sheets with a 1-0 home victory against Norwich City, a 4-0 win at Maccabi

Jose Mourinho

Tel Aviv and a 0-0 draw at high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

The main problem this season, though, has been a complete lack of firepower in attack.

OUT OF FAVOUR

Diego Costa is a shadow of the player who tormented defences 12 months ago and fellow striker Loic Remy seems to be totally out of favour with Mourinho.

Chelsea’s gamble to sign Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, following the Colombian’s poor season at Manchester United, has also backfired spectacularly.

The second-half performance against Bournemouth typified the London club’s glaring deficiencies as scoring chance after scoring chance went begging.

A string of crosses were delivered into the heart of the penalty box but, more often than not, visiting keeper Artur Boruc was able to watch the ball sail harmlessly to safety because no Chelsea player was on hand in the danger zone.

Eight days ago the axed Costa tossed his bib angrily into the air when he realised he would not be brought on from the bench at Tottenham.

The brooding Spain striker had the perfect opportunity to prove a point to Mourinho after being called on as a halftime substitute against Bournemouth but, not for the first time this season, he turned out to be a peripheral figure.

“We are not scoring enough goals,” said Mourinho. “It’s difficult for us to score goals.

“Scoring goals is a lot about individuals. The creation is collective but the finishing is something very individual and at this moment we’re not having that.”

Mourinho said he believed he still had the support of the club’s owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich who gave the manager a public vote of confidence in October.

The Portuguese, though, questioned whether some of his players shared his determination to turn things around.

“I only know one way which is to work and give my maximum every day and if some players are not capable of that, giving the maximum day by day, match by match, the collective pays for that,” said Mourinho.

(Reuters Spot)

Australia will not pity West Indies – Warner

David Warner

Australian batsman

David Warner has warned that there will be no mercy shown to the West Indies during the upcoming tour.

Kohli

0, CA Pujara 1-0-2-0.

Few have predicted anything less than complete annihilation for the visitors, particularly after a poor showing against a

Cricket Australia XI.

Warner has, however, warned that the team will not be taking the tourists lightly.

“Not at all. We have to come out and execute our skills as well as we can.

As a batting unit we know they are going to come real hard in the first session,”

Warner told Sky Sports radio.

“They did that when we were in the West Indies, they got early wickets against us. We had to play the sensible game of playing straight but that was for the conditions over there. Conditions here are a little bit in favour of the batsmen -- you can actually play your shots.”

The last time the two teams met, in their twomatch series in May and June, the Australians spanked the home team by nine wickets in Dominica and by 277 runs in Jamaica.

Warner is currently in fine form, after scoring 592 runs at an average of 98.66 in the recent threeTest series against New Zealand.

(Digicel Sportsmax)

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Richards backs West Indies for World T20 triumph

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Viv Richards believes West Indies can claim their second World Twenty20 title in four years at the 2016 edition of the competition in India.

West Indies legend Viv Richards has backed the team’s current crop of stars to mount a strong challenge for next year’s World Twenty20 in India.

The shortest form of the game has provided the Windies with their most impressive results in recent times, Darren Sammy’s side rising to second in the International Cricket Council’s world rankings.

Earlier in 2015 they claimed a T20

series win in South Africa, while they held reigning world champions Sri Lanka in a two-match contest.

Richards – who won two 50-over World Cups during his career – is confident Sammy’s men can repeat their success of 2012 and claim the title next year.

“I’ll back the West Indies any day [for T20 World Cup 2016],” he told Omnisport. “I think they have a phenomenal team.

“There is quite a wide range of individuals who are powerful enough to pick from.

“And, because of where it is being held in India, a lot of these guys have been gracing the Indian environment or the IPL [Indian Premier League] with their talent and been successful at it.

“So I guess the experience is there. There isn’t any particular need for them not to [win], but as I said, in a T20 environment, all options are open.”

Richards’ optimism is not shared by former West Indies Cricket Board member Baldath Mahabir, however, who fears for the team’s future in the Test arena.

Mahabir is concerned that a lack of success in the longest format will fail to inspire a new generation of Test

players, as Richards and his legendary colleagues did in the 1970s and 80s.

“We have a passion for West Indies cricket, we have this emotional attachment to the West Indies brand,” Mahabir is quoted as saying by Fairfax Media.

“I really don’t know where that will go with the younger people, whether they will see West Indies as a force or if they would want to see the individual countries play. That is something that could change dramatically with the younger people coming into the game.

“Anybody who is under 20 years of age would not have the same emotive connection with West Indies cricket that we had because we knew we were beating the world. These people would have no idea of [Gordon] Greenidge, Richards, [Clive] Lloyd and how good they were.

“They would know a team that has taken a battering the last two decades.

“Let us move 10 years from nowdo you think you would want to be associated with a brand like that? And branding is becoming much more important in the world of marketing and sport.

“I would not like to see it happen but there is a possibility.” (Digicel

Uefa president’s lawyers to go to Cas over Fifa ban

Uefa president Michel Platini will find out this week whether his 90-day Fifa ban will be temporarily lifted.

Platini, 60, was suspended with Fifa president Sepp Blatter in October while corruption claims are investigated. They deny any wrongdoing.

His lawyers will attend a preliminary hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) on Tuesday.

Cas said a decision over Platini’s ban appeal will be made by Friday, 11 December.

The former France midfielder wants to run for the Fifa leadership but is banned from any football-related activity. Platini and Blatter have been suspended over allega-

tions that a “disloyal payment” of £1.3m was made to Platini in 2011 for work he carried out for Fifa between 1998 and 2002.

If Platini wins his appeal, the Fifa electoral committee has said it would review his case, but there is no guarantee he would be able to stand in the election to replace Blatter.

Blatter has announced he will stand down, and Fifa’s next president will be chosen at a special congress on 26 February 2016. (BBC Sport)

Perera tests positive for banned substance, out of NZ tour

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has tested positive for a banned substance and has been recalled from the New Zealand tour, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a release on Monday. Perera’s sample was provided for a random test by the ICC in the recent home series against Pakistan. Kaushal Silva will replace Perera in the squad for the New Zealand tour. The first Test starts on December 10.

In its release, SLC said that it would take all steps required by the ICC to have a further sample tested and “make every endeavor” to enable Perera to resume playing cricket at the earliest opportunity in compliance with the ICC’s regulations. Perera had been picked in all three squads for the tour.

An ICC spokesperson said Perera had been “provisionally suspended” pending the outcome of the disciplinary process to be followed under the ICC’s Anti-Doping

Code. “The ICC can confirm that Mr Kusal Perera has been charged by the ICC with an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to the ICC Anti-Doping Code after a sample he provided was

found to contain a Prohibited Substance,” the spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. “In accordance with the Code Mr Perera has been provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the disciplin-

ary process to be followed under the Code. The ICC will not make any further comment in this matter until such time as the disciplinary proceedings are resolved.” (Cricinfo)

CGI Local Franchise League 50-over

Wins for Essequibo, West

Berbice, Georgetown, NA/Canje

Round two of Cricket Guyana Inc Local Franchise League 50over cricket competition was contested on Sunday, with Essequibo, West Berbice, Georgetown and New Amsterdam/Canje winning their matches.

Among the outstanding individual performers were Essequibo’s Ricardo Peters, who slammed 111 against East Bank Demerara; West Demerara’s Keemo Paul, who scored a ton against West Berbice; West Berbice’s Kevon Jawahir, who claimed 5-59 against West Demerara; and Georgetown’s Devon Lord, who picked up 5-24 against East Coast Demerara.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At the Farm Ground: Essequibo defeated East Bank Demerara by 206 runs. Essequibo 346-8 in 50 overs (Ricardo Peters 111, Royan Fredericks 82, Parmesh Parsotam 40, Kevon Boodie 25, Shivram Persaud 3-31, Jermaine Ramroop 2-63); East Bank Demerara 140 all out in 34.3 overs (Stephan Browne 28, Leonard Caleb 25, Robin Bacchus 23, Anthony Adams 4-25, Ricardo Adams 4-27, Royan Fredericks 2-13).

At the Albion Ground: West Berbice defeated West Demerara by four wickets. West Demerara 223

all out in 44 overs (Keemo Paul 100, Akshaya Persaud 16, Safraz Esau 16, Kevon Jawahir 5-59, Keyron Fraser 3-28, Steffan Adams 2-48); West Berbice 227-6 in 46 overs (Andrew Dutchin 72*, Krishundat Ramoo 69*, Akshaya Persaud 2-38).

At the GCC Ground, Bourda: Georgetown defeated East Coast Demerara by 77 runs. Georgetown 209 all out in 49.2 overs (Sherfene Rutherford 53, Jeetendra Sookdeo 40, Kwame Crosse 31, Steven Sankar 4-40, Vivian Albert 2-29); East Coast Demerara 132 all out in 41.2 overs (Brian Sattaur 50, Kamesh Yadram 25, Devon Lord 5-24, Kellon Carmichael 2-24).

At the Port Mourant Ground: New Amsterdam/ Canje defeated Upper Corentyne by 36 runs. New Amsterdam/Canje 218-8 in 50 overs (Akeem Hinds 70, Eugene La Fleur 47, Joemal La Fleur 22, Clinton Pestano 3-30, Jonathan Foo 2-38); Upper Corentyne 182 in 48.4 overs (Clinton Pestano 37, Eon Hooper 31, David Latchaya 20, Eugene La Fleur 3-22, Royston Crandon 2-36).

The competition is set to continue today with another four games.

Semi-finals set for tonight

It’s the business end of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Georgetown leg when semifinal action kicks off tonight at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

Milerock FC cops GTT/Limacol Round Robin KO Competition

– Top XX settle for third place by defeating Winners Connection

By Akeem Greene

Backed by a ruckus home crowd Milerock pulled off a stunning performance to help them to a much deserved victory in the final of the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT)/Limacol Round Robin Knockout Competition, which was organized by the Petra Organisation.

The Linden team, decked in green and white, won 4-3 via penalty kicks after full time ended 1-1. Owen Williams opened Milerock account with a goal in the third minute. Milerock who had seemingly had more ball control, played with a high back line and were putting extreme pressure on the Victoria

the field as they felt their side had a chance to win the game. The goal brought a greater level of enthusiasm from the East Coast side as they pressed for a second goal but smart defending by the home team made sure the game went into extra time.

After a stalemate in extra time, penalties kicks wee the next option to decide the winner. It was here Milerock’s keeper Martin Leacock pulled a stunning performance by keeping out two shots by the Kings’ strike men. Leacock spoke of his performance stating that “its 50-50, you either go the right way or the wrong way but I’m confident in my abilities due to my coach”.

Considering the team

connection’s defence had a horrible slip up as the goal keeper pushed the ball in the air which sent it looping into the direction of the goal in which a defender had to quickly head the ball away.

In the 55th veteran Collie Hercules equalised, after a barrage of shots on goal sent a deflection in his path that he powered in the back of the net.

Top XX had a series of opportunities in the dying minutes but after the 90 minutes, the scores were 1-1. Extra time kicked started with Travis Watterton in the 95th scoring a penalty to put Top XX ahead. The drama continued as Winners Connection Rawle Gittens scored in the 98th minute to equalise the game and take the decider

Kings defence.

However the East Coast side, which brought a formidable crowd support to compete with the home team, had a wonderful opportunity to equalise in the 36th when Alden Lawrence was denied a goal by a brilliant diving save by the Milerock goalie, Martin Leacock. Usual point man of the Victoria Kings, Winston Pompey did not play with his usual demeanor and to some extent it pulled the sting out of Victoria’s attack.

did not have the best of starts, Milerock rebounded well to be crowned champions, and Coach Brian Joseph was extremely pleased as he said this win arguers well for the club and Linden football and the management are extremely happy.

Third place play off

to penalty spot.

Some Nervous kicks by the Winners Connection, players made them send the balls wide of goal as Top XX stayed calm to secure the third place spot and $125,000 along with a trophy. Milerock team walked away with the $500,000 cash prize as well as trophies. Second and fourth also received respective cash prizes and trophies.

Two exciting semi-finals are set for this evening’s action with Back Circle set to meet debutants Channel 9 Warriors who are having an extraordinary campaign in the tournament so far. Channel 9 Warriors like to play in attack mode, while Back Circle have the ability to keep possession of the ball, which is a key component in preserving leads. With the semi-final set for a 22:00h start, it should provide the fans with great entertainment.

pions of Georgetown, North Ruimveldt.

This match might just indicate who will win the tournament since both teams are well versed in both offence and defence coupled with their championship pedigree.

The second semi-final, which is set to start from 23:00h, will feature national champions Sparta Boss and defending cham-

Meanwhile, there will be three exhibition games along with a karate display which is expected to start from 19:00h.

In the38th minute on a counter attack by Milerock, Clarence Huggins, settled about 17 yards from the goal but sent it too wide, in a clear opportunity to double the lead. When it seemed set for a Linden victory, Akeem Williams of Victoria Kings scored in the 77th minute, a goal which sent the game, into extra time.

The goal saw a grove of Kings’ supporters storming

The third place game was not far off the pedigree of the final as this too went down to penalty kicks after extra time the game was 2-2. The 4-1 score after penalty kicks which was in favor of Top XX certainly did not illustrate the excitement on display. The two Linden teams battling, started the first half a bit scruffy but as the game progresed they grew in stature which saw Keon Sears of Federal Winners Connection score a penalty in the 33rd minute after there was a hand ball in the box.

In the 36th, Winners

Petra Organization head Troy Mendonca spoke how he is impressed with the success of the tournament but sees room for improvement, stating that the aim of the competition was to give teams a better chance to show case their skills which is the ratio behind the implementation of the round robin aspect. Mendonza also called for greater level of football education by the players but is confident a tournament of this nature will do great for the development of football in Guyana.

WICB PCL 4-Day cricket

Permaul, Motie spin Jaguars to innings win over Red Force

Experienced leftarm spinner

Veerasammy

Permaul snared a fivewicket haul on the final day to lead Guyana Jaguars to a comprehensive innings and 49-run victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in fourth round action of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day competition at the Queen’s Park Oval on Monday.

Rookie left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was also among the wickets, taking four.

It was the fourth consecutive win for the defending champions in this year’s competition, and it further extended their lead at the top of the points table.

Final scores in the match: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 210 and 216; Guyana Jaguars 475.

Resuming on 51-2 and needing to clear 265 to avoid an innings defeat, Red Force were dismissed for 216 in the second session of the final day. The

26-year-old Permaul bagged 5-62 from 31.1 overs, the 15th time he has taken five or more wickets in an innings in FirstClass cricket.

Fellow left-armer Motie claimed 4-43. Opener Kyle Hope made 74 for the twin-islanders, an innings that included 13 boundaries. Narsingh Deonarine chipped in with 47. Guyana Jaguars, the runaway points leaders at this stage, will next face Jamaica Scorpions in round five action, starting this Friday at Sabina Park.

SCOREBOARD

T&T Red Force 1st innings 210 Guyana Jaguars 1st innings 475

T&T Red Force (2nd Innings)

J Solozano lbw b R Reifer 1 K Hope c A Bramble b V Permaul 74

Y Carriah c S Hetmyer

b V Permaul 16

N Deonarine c S Hetmyer

b G Motie 47

J Mohammed*lbw b G Motie 12

Y Ottley b V Permaul 0

S Katwaroo+ lbw b V Permaul 15

YBG Age Group basketball tournament

President’s College rout Bladen Hall

– Alphonso leads Marian to U-17 win

The Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Age Group Tournament continued with seven games on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with action in three categories.

Anthony Yansen leading the way with 15 points and four rebounds.

blew away Bladen Hall Secondary 65-17. Kadeem Peterkin came up big with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Anton Fileen also played well with 17 points and seven steals.

North Georgetown topped Queen’s College 3124 behind Jayroll Shepherd’s 12 points and five steals. Omari Joseph had 11 points for Queen’s in the loss.

I Khan c L Johnson b V Permaul 2 M Richards c A Bramble b G Motie 15 U Muhammad c R Beaton b G Motie 16 K Kantasingh not out 9 Extras (4-b, 4-lb, 1-w) 9

In Under-15 action, Plaisance Secondary School topped St Joseph High School 28-14 to grab a muchneeded win.

Total (all out; 77.4 overs) 216 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-32, 3-136, 4-146, 5-146, 6-160, 7-163, 8-187, 9-191, 10-216 Bowling: R Beaton 13-2-47-0, R Reifer 8-3-35-1, V Permaul 31.1-14-62-5, G Motie 20.37-43-4, C Barnwell 5-2-21-0

Wendel Sedro is Mr Flex Night champion

Tattooed Surinamese bodybuilder Wendel Sedro topped the competition on Sunday night to be crowned Mr Flex Night at the National Cultural Centre.

In the overall pose-down of category champions, Sedro captured the attention of the judges with his size, shape, symmetry and muscularity, traits he earlier used to perfection to win the Heavyweight class.

For the win, Sedro copped $200,000, unseating last year’s champion, Guyanese Godfrey Stoby, who finished second overall. Stoby had earlier won the Under-176 pounds category.

Marlon Bennett, who won the Over-165 pounds category, was third overall. Alfred Jordan and Zalim Bacchus were the other category winners.

In the Men’s Physique, Suriname’s Daes Burgzorg emerged champion, leaving local boys Emmerson Campbell and Yannick Grimes to settle for second and third respectively.

Galimo Militia upstaged local crowd favourite Kavita Ganpat and her Surinamese rival Joelle Issa in the crowded Miss Bikini category, while the multi-talented Alisha Fortune won the Miss Best Legs ahead of Militia and Suelle Shepherd.

The night’s activities, organised by Flex Night Inc, were sponsored by Fitness Express, Southland International

Inc, Copa Airlines, Colour’s Boutique, International Pharmaceutical Agency and Gizmos and Gadgets among others.

Andrew Johnson led the way with 12 points for Plaisance in the win, while St Joseph’s highest scorer was Immanuel Younge with six points.

Tutorial High held off The Bishops’ High School 27-21 in a close and thrilling contest to pick up the tough win. Zion Gray was the game’s leading scorer, while Roydon Glasgow scored 12 points for Bishops’.

St Rose’s High defeated Marian Academy comfortably with a 27-15 win, with

In the only girls’ match of the day, Marian Academy topped Rose’s High School 11-5 with Georgianna Vyphius playing tough in the post with six points and 15 rebounds.

Meanwhile, in Under-17 action, President’s College

The final Under-17 match-up of the evening saw Marian Academy topping Bishops’ High 41-24 behind a big performance from Jordan Alphonso who ended the game with 17 points and seven rebounds. Timothy Thompson was the high point man for Bishops’ with 12 points and 18 rebounds. The Age Group Circuit Tournament will now break for the Christmas season and continue in January of 2016.

Uitvlugt Warriors win WDFA football tournament

Uitvlugt Warriors defeated Pouderoyen FC on penalties to win the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) tournament on Sunday night at the Den Amstel Ground.

Watched by a noisy crowd, the final ended 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, forcing the game to penalties. It ended 4-3 in favour of the Warriors.

It signalled a come-

from-behind victory for the Warriors, who were 0-1 down midway through the first half when Marvin Frank put Pouderoyen ahead with an angled drive across the goalkeeper in the penalty area.

The Warriors would later equalise though when second half substitute Keon Duke’s first touch was converted just inside the penalty area. Duke would later score the winning penalty during the shootout.

In the third-place playoff, Beavers FC defeated Stewartville FC 5-2.

Uitvlugt Warriors would now look to carry the form and momentum over to the WDFA’s annual Banks Beer sponsored knockout tournament, which kicks off this Friday. All matches will be played at the National Track and Field facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Slingerz FC are the defending champions.