Guyana Times Daily - December 6, 2014

saturDaY, DeceMBer 6, 2014 | guYanatiMesgY.coM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

GPSU clueless as ultimatum expires

By Alexis Rodney

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) seems to be backing out of any plan of action against Government, since hours after its 48hour ultimatum came to an end, there has been no word from the Patrick Yardeled trade union movement.

The GPSU had given President Donald Ramotar 48 hours for them to come to the table to work towards increasing the wages and salaries of persons employed within the public sector. In its letter to President Ramotar, the Union had also expressed its disappointment over the decision to impose what it deemed as minimal percentage increases for workers without first consulting with their representing body.

The organisation’s contention was that the five and eight per cent increases for workers proposed by Government was an insult to the working class.

Yarde had told the Guyana Times on Wednesday that given the fact that there have been no consultations between the two parties in this regard, Government should have taken the opportunity to redeem itself and do the right thing and meet with the Union leaders to iron out the issues.

But on Friday, the GPSU said that it had not received any response from Government and that the Union leaders were still holding meetings to determine a way forward.

Observers say it is clear that Yarde has no vision for the Union and that he had no plan even before giving the Government an ultimatum. “What we see here is someone just making noise. The GPSU has been boxed in a corner; they have no vision and plan of action and public servants have realised this,” a former labour Union leader told Guyana Times

Failure

Yarde has come under severe criticism for his leadership of the GPSU and even admitted earlier this week that he has been a failure to the working class. He, however, continues to boast of the almost two months long public servants strike he led in 1999 which, for most part, crippled the economy.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Yarde had told reporters that the Union was not accepting the imposed five and eight per cent increases for Public Sector workers since it was a slap in the face and an insult to Guyana’s working class.

He said that while it was not permanent, if such should be the case then the Union will agree to an interim eight per cent increase across the board for all employees until an agreement could be reached between the two bodies.

Yarde told this publication that he was prepared to lead and that the Union was prepared for any eventuality, citing the possibility of a major strike action if Government did not give a favourable response.

However, based on the current response and the absence of a stated plan of action by the Union, it is surmised that this year may be like every other year.

“Pompousness”

Civil society and Public Sector workers after his announcement on Tuesday had already predicted that this year would see no difference in the GPSU’s President “pompousness”.

They analysed the Union’s operations since he has been at the helm ridiculing his mannerism and “pretence”.

“Every year is the same thing with him and the people at the GPSU,” one man told Guyana Times

Meanwhile, several Public Sector workers, speaking with Guyana Times, have all expressed dissatisfaction over the Union’s inability to represent them.

“This thing has been going on year after year,” said a secondary school teacher in Berbice.

The teacher, who asked not to be named, said there were not many benefits she or any other teachers enjoy. She too shrugged at the proposed eight per cent increase, which she said will be taken back in taxes.

Fire Officer Mark Harvey also expressed similar concerns about the proposed increase. He said too that since be-

ing employed at the Guyana Fire Service, his end-of-the-year retroactive bonus has never passed $50,000. That he claims is discouraging. He also went on to compare the salaries of fire officers here with those of their counterparts in St Lucia.

“Although that is a smaller country and they have problems with their economy, they are taking home close to $2000 EC. This is ridiculous,” Harvey said.

In a release to the press, the Office of the President had declared that Public Servants and Members of the Disciplined Forces earning above $50,000 monthly as of December 31, 2013 are being granted an across-the-board increase of five per cent. Those earning less than $50,000 monthly as at December 31, 2013 would be receiving an eight per cent across-theboard increase.

Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said that unlike the notion peddled by the GPSU President, Government has, over the years, been in consultation with the organisation.

He said the problem has not been consultation, but being able to come to an effective decision. “I think where the breakdown has occurred over the years is that the negotiations have failed to produce a response that enjoys the support of the Government and the Union and I think this is one of the more recurrent aspects,” Luncheon said at his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday

He said the Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford will continue the engagement with both the Labour and Public Service Union. According to him, any planned action by the GPSU will not be “of significance. The likelihood is for the Public Service Ministry to engage in these deliberations that have been ongoing. “Negotiations have never ended.”

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

City Hall infighting

The recent heavy rains which resulted in severe flooding in most parts of Georgetown is yet another reminder that those tasked with managing the affairs of our country’s Capital City are more concerned about advancing their own self interests as against those of the residents.

Almost on every occasion there is a problem in the City, whether it is flooding, issues of solid waste disposal, allegations of corruption or mismanagement, there is internal fighting and blame throwing in full view of the public via the media.

Everyone wants to make the other person look bad. The Mayor and the Acting Town Clerk have been at each other’s throat. Now, it’s the Deputy Mayor and the Acting Town Clerk fighting almost on every issue that the Council is involved in. Guyanese citizens, especially those residing in Georgetown are sometimes in shock at the level of childish behaviour these officers display. No wonder conditions in the City are deteriorating.

Stakeholders have been belabouring the point of the need to clean up Georgetown. Certain parts of the City are littered with garbage, there are clogged drains and canals, pavements are blocked due to illegal vending, preventing persons from walking freely, dilapidated structures could be seen in some areas, there is no order and decency at the bus parks, and the list goes on.

Despite huge investments in garbage collection, public awareness and new landfills, the general appearance of the City continues to embarrass residents who are disgusted with the situation. Just recently the Acting Town Clerk slammed the “deeply politically aligned” managers at the City Council for not enforcing anti-litter laws to combat the indiscriminate disposal of refuse.

Even though there is irresponsible dumping of garbage in the City and its environs, very few persons are prosecuted. For anyone to engage in a blame game and saying it’s not their responsibility to enforce the anti-litter laws is unacceptable. It is incumbent on the Council to work along in bipartisan manner with all stakeholders, including the enforcement arm to ensure that the City is effectively managed.

The single-most worrying challenge for the Mayor and City Council remains solid waste management. This would require a genuine effort by all stakeholders to work collaboratively in order to arrive at practical and sustainable solutions. But if there is always infighting and blame throwing among officers managing the City, how can they make progress in any regard, or how would the Government take them seriously?

First of all, there needs to be a national policy on the issue of plastics and Styrofoam. Plastic shopping bags, carrier bags or plastic grocery bags are made from various kinds of plastic. Also, the many plastic bottles that are thrown all around the place clog up drains and canals, collect water, breed mosquitoes and have a wider environmental impact. The same effect Styrofoam food containers have on the environment.

Secondly, the issue of recycling would also need to be looked at. The Government has indicated a willingness to provide concessions to persons who import machinery for the purpose of recycling plastics. Unfortunately, the response has not been that favourable.

However, we believe that given the apparent lack of widespread interest in the recycling initiative, Government should lead the way in this regard and promote a recycling initiative of its own and hopefully the private sector will join in.

Certainly, there is much work to be done at every level if Georgetown is to be transformed into a modern city. However, this transformation will not be possible if the current crop of officers tasked with managing the City’s affairs continue in their usual reckless manner.

To begin with, the Mayor who has occupied that position for many years is largely viewed as ineffective, incompetent and too confrontational, and clearly does not have the confidence of other key stakeholders.

Remembering Mandela

commemoration by veterans of the

No one is oblivious to the fact that Eric Garner was intentionally or recklessly killed

Dear Editor,

The New York Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) condemns the decision by a Richmond County (Staten Island) grand jury, under the direction of Republican District Attorney Daniel Donovan, Jr, not to indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo for using an illegal choke-hold that killed Eric Garner. This shocking and outrageous decision defies logic.

No one is oblivious to the fact that Officer Pantaleo intentionally or recklessly killed Eric Garner. This horrific crime was witnessed by dozens of unbiased citizens and captured on video tape. The Medical Examiner of the City of New York ruled that Mr Garner’s death was a homicide.

Yet, in the face of this incontrovertible evidence, DA Donovan refused to directly indict Officer Pantaleo and allow the case to take its natural course with an ultimate jury or bench trial, as is done every day, in every other case. Instead, Mr Donovan engaged in a charade grand jury process –hiding his own congenital biases behind the majority white grand jury, while making a “wink and nod” submission to induce a

predetermined non-indictment (“no true bill”).

There is a proliferation of cases all across America where prosecutors who do not genuinely wish to indict or prosecute Police Officers who kill black men supplant jury trials with secret grand jury proceedings.

These “kangaroo” deliberations in fact serve as secret trials where prosecutors dump both incriminating and exculpatory evidence before the panel and prod jurors to use the standard of guilt or innocence to determine whether or not to indict. This was true in both the Eric Garner and Michael Brown cases. Ordinary citizens do not enjoy this privilege.

This abuse of the grand jury process renders our criminal justice system nugatory. A grand jury is not a trier of fact, or finder of fact. The singular, limited purpose of a grand jury is to investigate the potentiality of criminal conduct and determine if there is “probable cause “or a “sufficiency of evidence” to institute criminal charges.

This is a fraudulent and unjust practice that skews the process in favour of Police Officers, and fundamentally changes the fairness and configuration of the American justice sys-

tem. CGID believes that this practice violates the equal protection clause of the US Constitution, and is, therefore, unconstitutional.

Clearly, the Republican law enforcement and prosecutorial complexes do not value black life. They see us as sub-humans who deserve to be gunned down or treated like animals, with no accountability.

We are disgusted with the phenomenon of white police officers who deliberately murder black men with impunity, being enabled by Republican prosecutors who use grand juries, comprising individuals with potential prejudices, to decline indictments – Essentially manoeuvring to get them off. The black community can no longer sustain or tolerate this systematic killing.

There must be change now! Not tomorrow or sometime in the future, but now! We have, therefore, written Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Legislature and the New York City Council requesting that they enact the Eric Garner Law to ensure a fairer justice system and greater law enforcement accountability. We have proposed that the Garner Law mandates that:

(I) Police officers must live within the five boroughs of the New York City.

(II) Police officers who are found guilty of killing unarmed citizens must be personally liable for their own defence and civil penalties.

(III) Police officers cannot use deadly force in situations where unarmed suspects pose no threat to themselves or others, but must employ non-lethal methods to subdue unarmed, non-violent subjects, and must be thoroughly trained in these areas as well as in de-escalation tactics.

(IV) The Governor shall appoints a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute allegations of Police abuse or misconduct that result in death or serious injury, and that other cases involving the use of excessive force must either be indicted as directed by the District Attorney or be subjected to a preliminary/probable cause hearing by a judge.

(V) Police officers must be equipped with body cameras.

We will be engaging the Governor and our State and City representatives on this proposal.

Rickford Burke CGID President

Police reform was of major importance for effective performance

Dear Editor, The Home Affairs Ministry notes the frequent questions related to the work of the Strategic Management Department (SMD) within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and offers the following statement in the interest of clarity and to dispel certain misinformed positions taken by misguided sections of the media.

The reform process of the GPF was determined to be of major importance for the effective performance of the organisation, particularly in the area of its community relations. To this end, the SMD was established as the primary technical driver for the implementation of the Force’s five-year strategic plan.

The Ministry is concerned with the state of Policecommunity relations and the complaints which are made about Police misconduct. It is in that context that the Police reforms should be seen in terms of the general and specific objectives of the strategic plan.

It should not be forgotten that the GPF in its 175 years of existence has never undertaken a task of such complexity and magnitude.

Therefore, the mere formulation of a forward looking document, which addresses both operational efficiency and organisational cultural reforms, is not only a step in the right direction, but is an indication of a commitment on the part of the Ministry dedicated to bring the GPF in line with modern Police forces globally.

The SMD has done assessments and submitted proposals in pursuit of the objectives of the plan, and have been providing technical assistance in the development of action plans in this regard.

The Ministry has been in the forefront of this effort and appreciates the combined efforts of all the players actively involved in this initiative. Principal among the major interventions in that regard has been the recent commissioning of a management audit of the SMD.

Arising from the findings of that review, seven recommendations were made which will assist in enhancing the work of the department. These recommendations have since been communicated to the GPF for their implementation, which will be monitored by the Ministry. At the Ministry, we are satisfied that some work has been done and others are ongoing with reform and modernisation as the focal issues.

Among the initiatives which are proposed in the short term are a MultiStakeholder Forum and a Citizen Perception Survey. It is hoped that both of these mechanisms among others will inform a better understanding of the perceptions, expectations and potential contributions that stakeholders can provide to the Police in fulfilling their constitutional mandate in serving and protecting our people. However, it should be noted that these interventions will be in vain and doomed to failure in the absence of

ownership and the demonstrated commitment of the entire process on the part of the GPF.

The Ministry recognises that any institution steeped in a certain operational mode will sometimes quite unwittingly display signs of resistance at influential levels.

In the case of the GPF, although reforms are in themselves desirable, care must be taken that our expectations of a quick fix do not take root in unrealistic ways.

Results will not come overnight. At the same time, citizens and the Ministry quite rightly expect that the Police will take all reasonable steps to address the contentious issues of serious crime rates, road traffic safety, Police misconduct, domestic violence, and others which impact negatively on the society.

The Ministry will continue to support all efforts at reforming the GPF for the benefit of all Guyana.

Home Affairs Ministry

Preliminary Inquiries and Grand Jury hearings

Dear Editor,

While legal officers in Guyana and the Eastern Caribbean are debating whether or not it is right for magistrates to commit accused persons to trial by merely looking at statements taken by Police, decisions by grand juries in the United States not to indict persons have been controversial.

Two recent decisions where the juries decided not to indict two white men in Ferguson and Staten Island sparked off demonstrations and protests in the United States stating that their decisions were biased and racially motivated.

During the past 10 days, there have been mounting protests clamouring for a change in the legal system, stating that there were different laws for whites and blacks.

The protests were throughout the United States forcing President Barack

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Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to make public statements, and even some Brits protested in the streets of a few cities in the United Kingdom; I will try to look at the role of a magistrate in the Caribbean in dealing with a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) and that of a Grand Jury to determine whether or not an accused person should be indicted and prosecuted for the offence he was arrested.

The law dealing with PI was amended to save judicial time – rather than a magistrate hearing testimony from witnesses at a PI where accused persons or lawyers appearing for them can crossexamine the witnesses, the law has been amended that instead of a PI, the statements taken by the Police from witnesses can be filed in the court and serve on the prosecution officer/counsel for the Magistrate to make a determination whether or

shameful event

Dear Editor,

The President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar is currently on a visit to South and South Central Rupununi. At a meeting in Aishalton village on December 3 with village residents, two teachers under the influence of alcohol tried to disturb the meeting to the annoyance of villagers.

The teachers were calmed down by the President’s guard.

It is believed that a PNC/APNU supporter (name withheld) gave the teachers rum to drink so as to disturb the President’s meeting in Aishalton. This is totally shameful if true.

Peter Persaud

Opposition’s behaviour senseless

Dear Editor,

I am appealing to you for a space in your newspaper to publish my short letter. I am a concerned citizen and like any other Guyanese I do have my rights.

It is quite clear that the Opposition AFC and PNC/ APNU, under the leadership of Khemraj Ramjattan and David Granger, are making a huge mistake by trying to frustrate the PPP/C administration. But they continue to fail.

We, the residents of Fairview Amerindian Village in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) strongly condemn the futureless and senseless behaviour of the AFC and PNC/APNU political parties for having no regard for Guyana’s Head of State by not engaging in dialogue with him.

In this regard, we will not allow the AFC and PNC/ APNU political parties to enter our community just to

say what they want to say which would be based on empty criticisms. They have no regard for the democratically elected Government of Guyana. Who will have respect for the political Opposition who is only bullying and fighting for power through force?

As an Indigenous Chief (Toshao) of Guyana, I wish to inform the Guyanese people and the international community that Guyana’s political Opposition (AFC & PNC/APNU) in their stories about Guyana are lying against the Government of Guyana.

The Fairview Amerindian village fully supports the Government. Why? Because the Government provides developmental assistance to all the Amerindian Communities of Guyana.

Albertino Peters Toshao (Village Chief) Fairview Amerindian Village

not to commit the accused persons to trial before a High Court Judge and a jury.

In the British legal system even if an accused person is committed to stand trial before a judge and jury, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) can still intervene and nolle prosequi the case and free the accused.

The DPP also has the power to indict an accused person even if the Magistrate committed the person to stand trial. In other words, the DPP has full authority to determine if an accused person can be tried by a judge and jury.

In Guyana, one of its leading lawyers Murseline Bacchus challenged the constitutionality of the law, which allows committal from statements stating that his client in a rape case or his attorney had the right to cross-examine the witnesses at the PI and he was denied this because he could not have done so when he

was committed to stand trial merely from statements. Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang agreed with Bacchus. Over in the United States, a Grand Jury hearing is equivalent to a PI where the jury has to decide whether or not a prima facie case has been made out against the suspect. It is not a trial per se but an inquiry where the Grand Jury is to establish whether or not a prima facie case has been made out to indict and prosecute the suspect(s).

In my view, the mistake made by the grand jury in both the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases is that the jury treated their function as that of a TRIAL instead of an INQUIRY.

Their role was merely to ascertain if there was enough evidence for the suspects to go on trial and NOT evidence to convict – which is beyond all reasonable doubt.

Oscar Ramjeet

200 plus animals impounded in November

Dear Editor,

The Home Affairs Ministry wishes to report that a total of 198 animals were impounded during the month of November, 2014 in pounds in A (Georgetown); B (Berbice); C (East Coast); and D (West Demerara) Police Divisions.

The Georgetown Unit accounted for 38 animals comprising 16 cows and 22 goats.

The Berbice Unit accounted for 161 animals comprising 31 horses, 95 cows, 11 goats, and 24 sheep.

A total of 10 animals were impounded in C Division and 23 in D Division.

Training sessions were conducted in relation to conduct and appearance on duty, the Pounds Act, Cattle Stealing Act and Roads Act for stray catchers.

The Ministry wishes to advise cattle owners to ensure that their animals are branded so as to facilitate their redemption when being impounded.

Home Affairs Ministry

Environmentally unfriendly buses

Dear Editor, Kindly publish this letter for me in Guyana Times . I wish to draw your attention to a major company (name given) that is guilty of poor environmental practices. This company transports its workers in buses which are very old and, as a result, emit lots of smoke into the atmosphere which can be a traffic hazard.

Our Country Guyana is promoting a green economy and the buses that are being used to transport its workers in are counterproductive to our country’s green economy movement.

It is unbelievable that

a company like this that claims to be consistently making profits has such buses being offensive to our atmosphere and moreso our environment. Can the company’s management change those buses quickly? It must be known that the fight against climate change is not for Governments only but for individuals and organisations as well. So let us all get involved in the war against climate change and its dangerous consequences.

Yours sincerely, Paul James

Page Foundation

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins sans Frontières – MSF) said the situation was “far from under control” in Sierra Leone, that the “situation is alarming” in Guinea and, while progress was being made in Liberia, there was no room for complacency. “The outbreak is far from over, as a single case can start a localised epidemic,” it said, reporting infection chains starting in remote rural areas with no access to treatment centres or testing facilities.

MSF said case numbers had dropped in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, where there was now surplus bed capacity, but added that many international agencies “seem unable to adapt to the rapidly changing situation” with outbreaks in Bong, Margibi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount and River Cess counties. In some areas, such as River Cess, patients must travel for up to 12 hours by road to reach a functioning laboratory and a community care centre, it said.

Guinea, where the outbreak started,

was “long overlooked by international efforts”, according to MSF, which said the response was “painfully slow”. It said Guinea’s taskforce for dealing with Ebola was improving, but that the caseload in November, month on month, was up 25 per cent. It added: “New areas are reporting infections and 17 of Guinea’s 33 prefectures have reported cases in the past three weeks.

“Like in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the absence of implementing partners willing and able to manage case management centres and a lack of trained staff have been a bottleneck and the source of large delays.”

Infection is increasing “alarmingly” in Sierra Leone, said the report, and local healthcare workers were carrying the burden. The latest number of confirmed cases in the country is 5978.

It said the UK’s contribution in Sierra Leone has yet to have an impact two months after its aid programme was

Continued from thursday

announced. The UK and China have sent teams to build Ebola centres in locations including Port Loko, Freetown and Makeni, the worst-affected of the country’s 14 districts.

Non-operational

MSF said the UK’s promise to build and provide resources for an additional 700 beds had yet to be fulfilled. “As of 27 November, only 11 of these beds were operational, and only 28 patients had been treated. While the remaining centres are under construction and scheduled to open soon, they will not be running at full capacity until well into the new year,” it said.

Since the UK Government’s announced plans for six hospitals, only one has opened, in Kerrytown, an hour’s drive from Freetown. About half of the available beds were Government-run or run by the armed forces, with another 40 per cent run by MSF, it said.

The Department for International Development (DfID) said UK aid was helping to fund many more beds than accounted for in the new hospitals announced three months ago: “UK funding means that right now 686 UK-funded treatment and isolation beds are operational to diagnose and treat people who have Ebola.”

DfID added that it had trained 4000 healthcare workers who are all in Africa, mostly in Sierra Leone, that teams in Freetown were burying all corpses in the city within 24 hours and that three labs funded by British aid were now up and running.

“In the absence of adequate facilities to isolate, diagnose and manage Ebola cases, Sierra Leonean healthcare workers are struggling,” MSF said. “[We are] deeply concerned about contamination of uninfected patients and healthcare workers where staff are not necessarily trained to manage Ebola patients and where infection control measures cannot be assured.” (Excerpt from The Guardian)

By Kim ABrAhAm And mArney StudAKer-Cordner

Responding to Disrespect

Most parents face mild to moderate disrespectful behaviour from their children from time to time. But what’s an effective way to respond?

Decide which behaviours need to be addressed. Most children have engaged in mildly disrespectful behav

as rolling their eyes at a parent, at least a few times in life. Sometimes it’s as they’re walking away; sometimes they do it before they realise, “Oops, mom’s still standing in front of me!”

This is an example of a behaviour that you may choose to “let go,” and instead focus on larger issues of disrespect (such as yelling, swearing, slamming doors, screaming

“I hate you,” depending on your child’s age.) Who hasn’t heard Mom say, “If you keep making that face, it’ll freeze that way!” Sometimes it’s hard for a teen to hide their discontent – and honestly, isn’t it that way for all of us? On the other hand, if your daughter rolls her eyes at you every time you turn around, you may decide that enough is enough and this behaviour versation. As a parent, it’s a judgment call, but most parents agree there are times when you’ll want to “pick your battles”. Don’t take responsibility for your child’s disrespect. One of the reasons a rude child is so upsetting to us is that we often feel it’s a reflection of our parenting. If you’re sitting around the table with Uncle Bob and Grandma Jean and your son blurts out something rude or inconsiderate to you, it can trigger feelings of anger and embarrassment. “What kind of parent will other people think I am if my child is acting this way?” As hard as it is, remember: your child’s behavior is a reflection of him – not you.

Define for your child what disrespect is. Talk to your child about which behaviour is respectful and which isn’t. We often expect our children to know things without spelling them out. Children who are younger tend to think in terms that are “concrete”. You have to actually tell them “When you yell at me, it’s disrespectful.” Don’t assume that just because your child has reached adolescence, he has insight into how his behaviour comes off to other people. Sometimes it’s even hard for us – as parents – to pin down. There are times it may be a tone of voice or just the way something was said that sounded like it had “attitude”. Again, decide if those are things that can be let go from time to time or if it’s frequent enough that it’s a pattern that needs to be addressed.

(Excerpt from empoweringparents)

Prorogation fallout...

Granger nixes PSC's ‘Solomonic’ proposal

Leader of the Opposition, David Granger has rejected the proposals made by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to end the impasse between the Opposition and the Government which last month forced the President to prorogue Parliament.

On Thursday, PSC, in a lengthy document, called on President Donald Ramotar to reconvene Parliament before December 31. Additionally, it was recommended that the No-Confidence Motion against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government be shelved, allowing for a month’s moratorium during which critical issues would be dealt with. During the period of moratorium, the PSC said commissions such as the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) should be placed into operation, in addition to the setting of a date for the long-awaited Local Government Elections.

These proposals in the form of a letter were sent to President Ramotar, the Opposition Leader and Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan. Guyana Times has been reliably informed

that though the letter was sent to the Office of the President, it has not been seen by President Ramotar because he is out of the district.

In response to the proposal, Granger on Friday claimed that many of the issues highlighted by the Commission were placed on the table for months if not years ago. He explained that these areas of concern were extensively discussed during a number of meetings with the President but to no avail.

The Opposition Leader recalled that on February 26, a meeting was convened by the President to deal with outstanding matters in particular the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill of 2013. Meetings were also held in June and in October, but proved to be futile.

“Actually, the President has successfully prevented serious discussion and the resolution of these issues for the past nine months; everything that the Private Sector spoke about is on the President’s table,” Granger posited.

He added, “Nobody should tell me now that I should

speak to the President about Local Government Elections; I mean I have written, I have been picketing for eight weeks.”

Sympathetic

Although he was sympathetic to the initiative put forward by the PSC, Granger maintained that the issues have been covered exhaustively by the President, but no solution has been found. “This letter should be sent to President Ramotar directing him to come to the Opposition and resolve these problems.”

He maintained that APNU will continue to

throw its support behind the AFC with regard to the NoConfidence Motion. “We cannot withdraw it, because we did not propose it. When we return to Parliament, we will decide what is to be discussed.”

APNU’s Basil Williams expressed similar sentiments. According to him, “if it could not be done in two years, I don’t know how it will be done in one month.”

He said, however, that the Opposition has long called for the end of the prorogation, but it is the President who remains bent in his ways.

Meanwhile, the Guyana

Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said the absence of public civility and citizenry holding elected officials accountable are the principal problems that hinder good governance.

According to the GTUC, the consequences of these have led to run-away corruption, violation of laws and transgression of rights, which are ignored, masked or encouraged by the culture of dominance that has been allowed to reign supreme.

In keeping with Article 13, 149C and 38A, the GTUC on Friday called on workers and citizens to take up their rightful place at the table of

the nation’s management and decision-making.

According to the GTUC, the position by the Opposition, APNU and AFC, that there would be no dialogue with the Executive unless Parliament has returned to normalcy must be respected.

“While the GTUC sees the Executive’s position that dialogue be the pre-condition to reconvene Parliament, a violation of the spirit and intent of the Constitution, it nonetheless ought to be considered in light of accepting that everyone has a right to their opinion and must be given a hearing.”

GTUC made its position clear, however, that elections have and never will solve our problems. “The people have to solve their problems and fashion a culture for good governance and these require vigilance or activism and holding elected and government officials accountable to laws and regulations established to protect and safeguard the nation and all its people.”

According to the trade union, this is a principal feature present in progressive societies and must be given a chance to work in Guyana.

Goldsmith accused of Canje businessman’s murder, remanded

Agoldsmith was on Friday remanded to prison for the murder of a Canje businessman whose partly decomposed body was discovered at his home on Wednesday morning.

Dean Sunthgolaw, of Canefield, East Canje, appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver in Court

Two of the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between December 1 and 3, 2014 at Sheet Anchor, Canje, he murdered Terrence Mc Lean, 62, of Number Two Village Canje, Berbice.

Sunthgolaw was remanded until Monday when the matter comes up in Court One before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus for a report. The body of McLean was discovered in his home with suspected stab wounds.

went to the Police station and gave him certain instructions. “One was not to give any statement either written of oral unless I am present.”

Persaud said that he subsequently went to the Reliance Police Station to meet Sunthgolaw, but was told that he was at the New Amsterdam Police Station. According to Persaud, when he arrived at the New Amsterdam Police Station, he was told that his client was taken to the Albion Police Station. “Your Worship, I called the Albion Police Station and was told that I couldn’t see my client until after 8:30 this morning. I am surprised that I met him

outside just now and he told me that he was charged for the murder of McLean,” the attorney told the court.

Persaud claimed that the accused was beaten and told to sign a document. “His ability to read and write is very limited,” he argued. Sunthgolaw then seized the opportunity to speak. “Two lash with the helmet… Is a big helmet, he slap me up. To be honest, me na know fo read and write too good,” he said.

The accused, who is the father of one, is said to be a firsttime offender. Magistrate Weaver ordered that the accused be taken for medical treatment and returned to court on Monday.

Eyew tness

Executive abuse...

...in AFC

The AFC, fighting for its survival, claims that “Executive power’s being abused” in Guyana. Damned right it is!!

Just that it’s not with the “Executive” they’re talking about - the President. The wankers are merely projecting their disgusting dictatorial Executive excesses over the last two years onto the President. They really ought to take the timber out of their eyes.

Attorney-at-law

Charrandas Persaud representing the accused on Friday told the court that he spoke with Sunthgolaw before he

Police, acting on information, visited the home of the accused on several occasions, but were never able to make contact with him. On Thursday, the 38-year-old Sunthgolaw turned himself in and allegedly gave a confession statement to the Police.

Taxi driver charged with fraudulent conversion granted $60,000 bail

Fifty-four-year-old

Michael Belle of Lot 215 Freeman Street, La Penitence Georgetown, was granted $60,000 bail after being arraigned with a fraudulent conversion charge.

The unrepresented taxi driver appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The man pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on November 16 at Cross Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, he fraudulently converted $95,000 which was entrusted to him by Virtual Complainant (VC) Diana Persaud for him to purchase vehicular parts.

Look at what happened two days ago at their Congress - out of which were supposed to be announced the nominations for Executive positions. All day long the media fraternity was kept waiting for the press conference that’d reveal the names. No press conference...no names!

But this isn’t surprising to this Eyewitness. The AFC’s conclave descended into a veritable brawl because the rank and file were absolutely livid about what has happened on the nominations for the Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates.

And this is where the “timber in the eye” comes in. With elections looming like a tsunami over the populace - who the heck cares about who’s gonna be the dogcatcher?? People turned up to pick their thoroughbreds. But guess what?? By Executive fiat, Ramjattan, Hughes and Nagamootoo - Leader, Chairman and Vice-Chairman - had taken those positions off the table and left just the grunge jobs like Secretary and Treasurer and such like!!

The three Executives of the AFC’ve already decided that Vice-Chair Nagamootoo will be the Presidential candidate and Chairman Hughes will be his sidekick as Prime Ministerial candidate. A tremendously heated question and answer period ensued as to how exactly THAT decision was made!

Since it was the turn of the “African” leader of the AFC to be the top gun at the upcoming elections, they wanted to know on what grounds Ramjattan could foist his buddy Nagamootoo on them. Ramjattan was shouted down when he tried to defend the indefensible!

And these are the people who’re talking about “Executive abuse”. The only abuse we see is that which they keep on “throwing” at President Ramotar. In fact, the President was forced to head off the biggest “cuss down” in the history of Guyana by the Opposition on the “NoConfidence” Motion.

The matter will be called again on January 5.

No facts were read in the court and the prosecution had no objections to bail. With this, bail was granted in a sum of $60,000. Belle implored the Magistrate to reduce the bail amount but Magistrate McLennan told him “$60,000 is a good amount of money for bail” and suggested that he can borrow from a relative if he didn’t have it.

Duo gets $150,000 bail on larceny charge

Aduo was on Monday placed on $150,000 bail after being arraigned on a larceny charge when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Forty-three-year-old Mahadeo Deonarine and 26-year-old Joanna Chand pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on October 8 at Georgetown, he stole $3,298,000 from

Anand

There were no facts read pertaining to the matter and the Police Prosecutor noted that the file has not yet been completed.

The matter is adjourned until January 15, 2015 where they will appear before Magistrate Judy Latchman. However, until then, they are to report regularly to the Brickdam Police Station.

Another thing, this Eyewitness thought Trotman had resigned from the AFC when APNU made him Speaker. So imagine his surprise when he saw the paedophile-accused, pontificating on the “excessive” Constitutional powers of the President!! Wasn’t he advising Hoyte when the Constitutional Reform process was going on?? Why did he acquiesce in retaining the present powers??

Or was this virulent PNC stalwart too preoccupied with keeping his promise to “apposite, expose and depose the PPP/C”?

...in PNC

Carl Greenidge, the man who wants to be head of the PNC, also chimed in on the issue of “Executive abuse”. And of course, he didn’t have the guts to confess how he’s been abused not only by the Executive of his PNC party but by the Chief Executive - David Granger!! He weaseled his way out like the AFCites by dumping on Executive President Donald Ramotar. But when did Greenidge ever show any gumption??

Whatever we may say about Greenidge - there’s no doubt he was in the trenches with the rest of the PNC when the chips were down in the 80s. He bit the bullet and drank from the poisoned chalice as PNC’s Finance Minister when he announced that “Guyana was bankrupt”. So where does Corbin get off by rigging the party’s elections in Granger’s favour against Greenidge??

And when Granger did it one mo’ time to Norton, couldn’t Greenidge have spoken up against “Executive abuse”?? But then that calls for some backbone, doesn’t it?? Better to beat up on Ramotar! The abused reject becomes the abuser.

...in GPSU

But probably the most egregious example of Executive abuse is within the GPSU. How can anyone take Patrick Yarde seriously when he is so obviously a leech like Hamilton Green who just won’t go away??

Canada to Guyana: Capitalise on renewable energy opportunities

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles has stated that the potential for renewable energy is growing worldwide, and as such, she urged Guyana to capitalise on the opportunity to diversify its national energy supply to include more renewable energy and less fossil fuel.

Delivering the feature address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) annual Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony, Dr Giles said the time is now for Guyana to incorporate a larger mix into its energy profile; thus, reducing foreign imports of fossil fuel.

This, she noted will guarantee Guyana’s security while at the same time increasing options and reducing costs for businesses.

She noted that like Guyana, Canada also has immense natural resources with energy accounting for a sizeable and growing share of its gross domestic product.

“Directly and indirectly, Canada’s energy sector accounts for hundreds of thousands of jobs for Canadians in every sector of the economy: skilled trades, manufacturing, clerical jobs, and the financial sector, economic and strategic resources that will likely grow with technological innovation,” she stated.

The Canadian High Commissioner further outlined that the Sustainable Development Technology of Canada (STDC), a notfor-profit organisation that finances and supports the development of clean technologies, aims to de-risk clean technologies in order to attract private sector investments and make way for opportunities that will ensure commercial success.

According to the High Commissioner, the SDTC has plugged some Cdn$684 million into 269 projects.

“These investments support jobs, furthering the research, development and demonstration of innovative clean energy technologies. With global clean technology demand estimated to grow from Cdn$1.1 trillion in 2012 to Cdn$2.5 trillion by 2022, international markets will create enormous potential for Canada’s clean technology industry,” she mentioned.

Dr Giles explained that this type of investment has advanced four new clean energy technologies from concept to commercialisation, while adding that such initiatives provide opportunities for Guyana to move closer towards becoming a knowledge-based economy.

She underscored that this provides opportunities for Guyana to move closer towards becoming a knowledge-based economy, add-

ing that small and medium size economies can reap early benefits from investing in renewable solutions for power generation that is liable, low cost and provides a base load power solution.

Tailored solutions

The Canadian High Commissioner revealed that the SDTC is currently engaging both local and international companies that are working in Guyana’s mining sector in order to offer tailored solutions that use renewable fuel sources such as garbage, biomass, high-density bio-carbon, solar and renewable diesel.

“These options can of-

fer real growth opportunities for SME’s in Guyana’s manufacturing and extractive sectors which are heavily reliant on affordable, reliable power. The coming years and decades will pose real challenges for energy consumption and security, particularly as we move more and more toward cleaner energy solutions,” Dr Giles said.

She added: “In the same way a firm diversifies its investments, or even markets, firms should also consider diversifying their energy sources to mitigate risks and maximise potential for growth. All countries, and particularly developing countries such as Guyana that have huge potential to develop renewables, should be encouraged to seek out safe, secure energy sources to help ensure sustainable economic growth.”

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh acknowledged the presentation of the Canadian High Commissioner on renewable energy, noting that the Amaila Falls Hydro Project will allow the local private sector to reap such benefits.

Over the years, Government has been vehe-

mently pushing the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, pointing out that it will significantly benefit the business sector.

However, the Opposition political parties have squashed the idea, and as such, refused to allocate monies for the project.

Trio arraigned on possession of narcotics charge

Atrio appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before presiding Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday afternoon to face a possession of narcotics charge.

Thirty-five-year-old Troy Sealy and 33-year-old Dodson Nowel who pleaded not guilty were placed on $50,000 bail while 29-yearold Dexter Bristol who plead guilty to the charge was fined $15,000 along with four weeks community service.

Should be default on his community service sentence, he would be imprisoned for six months.

The allegation read that on December 5, at Lot 228 North Road, Silver Town, Linden, they had in their possession a narcotic, that

is to say, three grams of cannabis.

The court heard that on the day in question at around 05:40h, acting on information received, the Police went to the above mentioned address (known to be Sealy’s residence) where they found Nowel and Bristol.

A search was carried out and the Police found a transparent Ziploc bag with contained the illegal substance. According to information at that time, the men did not admit to the offence but after further investigations were carried out, the trio was arrested and charged for the offence.

Sealy and Nowel will reappear in court on December 10 at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Food For The Poor donates to health sector

Food For the Poor (Guyana) Inc on Wednesday donated large quantities of medical supplies and equipment to the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation, the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) and the Linden Hospital Complex.

At the handing over ceremony were Food for the Poor (Guyana) Chairman Kent Vincent and representatives from the BRHA and the Linden Hospital Complex.

Vincent said whenever the organisation gets medical supplies and equipment; they are distributed in various parts of the country so that all Guyanese can enjoy the benefits of proper healthcare.

He said it is also a good experience to work hand-inhand with the health sector in Guyana, noting that they have always been partners of the organisation.

Dr Harripersaud Chand of the Skeldon hospital, who represented the BRHA, stated that the generous donations from Food For The Poor have given the health sector of Guyana another boost.

He said the organisation has always been finding way

over to the year to give back to the health sector in whatever ways it can.

Dr Chand pointed out that the items donated are essential and sometimes critical to providing a high standard of healthcare service.

“All of the items have met the criteria of the policies,” Chand stated.

Meanwhile, Donella Drakes, a Stores Supervisor of the Linden hospital com-

plex, said the donation from Food For The Poor will surely go a long way in providing healthcare to patients who visit the institution.

“Everytime Food for the Poor is donating things to the health sector, they always remember the Linden Hospital Complex, so I want to thank them once again for this kind gesture and I know this donation will definitely help us a great lot,” Drakes said.

Food For The Poor Guyana Inc recently donated 18 medical beds to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as part of its continued commitment to the health sector.

They had also donated more than 200 bottles of sanitiser and a quantity of wipes to the Health Ministry to further assist the Ministry as it continues to prepare to combat the threat of the Ebola virus.

Rummie and Nagga wanna be prodigal sons too

Mouth open, story jump out. Bag buss, every ting fall out. Well, some body buss de AFC bag de other day. Rum Jhaat bag buss down, and de Nagga Man bag buss down right after that. And if any body know de Rummie and de Nagga, both of dem got some real big bags wid a lotta tings hide away in dem from a very long time now.

So a lotta tings fall out when de Rummie and de Nagga bags buss. Dem own member U-Stuff seh Rummie and Nagga tings scatter all over and tings still fallin out up to this day. On de other hand, de one in Essequibo had drop he pants and expose another kinda bag (he only had one), which nobody had wanna see.

But plenty more bags gettin buss down, especially now that de AFC under pressure wid de Con Vention, which gon have a lotta contention, and which is wheh dem hope to convice every body that de Rummie and de Nagga ain’t two of de biggest con men in de country.

Is a good ting Guyanese people always lookin out fuh people who lookin to con dem. So is no wonder Rum Jhaat and de Nagga Man havin a hard time to con people nowadays, like how dem use to con de Pee-P-P.

That is exactly why Cement Roti seh de Pee-P-P find some prodigal sons and daughters in Berbice. He seh all de prodigal pickney wanna come back home to de Pee-P-P because de con men bags get buss down, even though Samad de Nomad gone again.

Uncle Cement seh it look like Samad de Nomad still ain’t mek up he mind after all these years. And once Cement seh some ting, it does be hard like concrete. Nutten or nobody can’t change that, unless is Cement he self.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So look out fuh de two con men at de Con Vention. Dem wanna become prodigal sons too! But Uncle Cement is a hard man!

Region Three being cleared of illegal garbage piles, bulk waste

The Cleanup My Country, Regional Community Cleanup and Bulk Waste Removal Programme is conducting a community cleanup exercise in all 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) of Region three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

The exercise seeks to remove illegal garbage piles and bulk waste from residents in the communities.

In a bid to address the issue of illegal dumping, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has taken stringent measures to persecute persons who are caught dumping at the road corners, and in and along drainage systems.

Regional Chairman Julius Faeber said there are an increasing number of illegal garbage piles around the region, noting that it is “very unsightly”. Recently, through an in-

tervention by the Regional Office, three persons were charged and placed before

the court for dumping along the Crane Embankment Road.

According to Faeber, these persons were caught in the habit of dumping along the road. Subsequently, the motor lorry number was recorded and taken to the Vreed-enHoop Police Station.

The lorry was tracked and the culprits were arrested and placed before the Court where they were re-

quired to pay a fine.

Faeber stated that communities are monitored daily by Environmental Health Officers (EHO) and, or by Environmental Health Assistants (EHA), who are responsible for enforcing the litter laws.

“Should anyone be found littering, the EHO has the mandate to take that person to Court on behalf of the RDC.”

The Regional Chairman pointed out that the lack of education about the impact of littering on the environment is the result of such unconscionable behaviour of dumping garbage on the roadways.

“More radio and television awareness programmes are needed. At the NDC level, we need to do more to reach out to the people and equip them with the knowledge of the negative impact of littering and encourage them to use other avenues to get rid of their garbage.”

The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has been calling no persons to be more environmentally conscious and dispose of their garbage by utilising the Solid Waste

Service Providers operating in the regions, or the service provided by the RDC/NDC. Additionally, the Ministry encouraged the public to lodge a report at the NDC or the nearest Police station if a person is caught littering.

Under the Litter Regulations, it is an offence to litter in a public place, particularly to deposit litter in a public place, to deposit litter from a moving vehicle onto a public place and to cause or permit persons to commit the above offences.

Anyone found guilty of these offences shall be liable to a fine of $50,000 or three months imprisonment. In the case of a business entity, a fine of $100,000 will have to be paid.

Last month, a team of litter wardens were appointed for the City to enforce the provisions of the regulations.

Since then, more than 14 littering cases were brought before the court.

These Litter Wardens are part of a campaign to reduce the amount of garbage and littering, especially during the upcoming Christmas Season.

AFC leadership farce...

Patterson to challenge Ramjattan for “Leader” spot

By Jomo Paul

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has confirmed that the stage is set for the hosting of the party’s biennial National Conference at the St Stanislaus College on Brickdam, Georgetown today. However, the event has been deemed a sham by analysts, given the earlier pronouncements by the party’s leader on his choice for certain positions.

Up to late Friday afternoon, organisers were busily preparing the venue for the conference. Some 300 delegates have already been reportedly confirmed for the National Conference.

Officials from the party on Friday confirmed with the Guyana Times that there were not many new faces among the nominees for top party posts. At present, the leadership corps of the party consists of Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, Chairman Nigel Hughes, Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo, General

Secretary David Patterson, Youth Leader Trevor Williams, and Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes.

The party’s conference will see the election or re-election of office bearers for several posts within the party, including General Secretary, Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Party Treasurer.

According to AFC spokeswoman Beverly Alert, Cathy Hughes has been nominated for the position of party Chairman. Ramjattan on Friday told Guyana Times that there were a host of nominations going into today’s conference. The incumbent leader explained that all of the necessities were in place and the conference was expected to be a success.

Confident

When asked about the possibility of him being reelected as the Leader of the party, Ramjattan said he was very confident of his re-election. Ramjattan also confirmed that Patterson has been nominated for the top spot within the party. He was, however, unable to state who were the other nominees for the post.

The conference will see all of the positions within the party’s leadership core being up for election.

However, while there was a statutory nomination period and deadline, there are also nominations from the floor on the day of the conference. It is expected that there will be a host of nominations today.

AFC Member of

Girl, 14, missing

Safiyyah Sookram, 14, of Schoonard, West Bank Demerara has been missing since Monday 1, and her father Shazad Sookram is pleading for her safe return.

Sookram suspects that his daughter ran away from home for reasons he is aware of, but he did not want to say much, adding that everything is confidential.

“She’s just 14 years old and we don’t want her life story in the papers.”

According to her father, the teen ran away from home before but she would always return within a day.

Sookram continues to hope that his daughter returns home safe and sound.

“We’re not angry, we’re not upset, and we’re just appealing to her to come home.”

The distressed father mentioned that the family received several calls informing them that his daughter was seen in the vicinity of Albouystown and Sophia, but when he visited the villages, she was not there.

Safiyyah Sookram

Nevertheless, he is pleading with the public to continue helping him find his daughter.

The tearful father is begging his daughter to return home.

Safiyyah was last seen wearing a burgundy skirt, a pink shirt with green/yellow sleeves and a black kimar (kimar may not be worn).

Persons who may have information on Safiyyah can contact her family on telephone numbers 645-6338/ 617-7709 or the nearest Police station.

Parliament (MP) Cathy Hughes, in a recent brief interview with Guyana Times, had noted that she was not aware of any nominations on her behalf being forwarded to the General Secretary.

However, she explained that she “may be” nominated for posts within the party. “That doesn’t mean I am going to accept, but I may,” said Hughes.

When contacted last Tuesday, Youth Leader Williams said that as far as he is aware, he was not nominated for any leadership position within the party, but insisted that if nominated, he would not shy away from any position. “I have not been nominated… but if nominated I don’t think I would decline,” said the AFC Youth Leader, adding that “I am open to nominations… I am open to their confidence.”

When asked about his future with the party and the probability of him being elected to office, Williams was adamant that he has political ambitions, but given the current state of affairs

with respect to Parliament, any pursuit of that at this point would be “distracting”.

He confessed, “At some point I do see myself running for higher office.” When asked whether he believes there will be any change in

the leadership of the party at the upcoming congress, Williams said that none of the leaders should go to the conference without expecting a challenge for their respective roles within the party. He explained that “it would be an interesting conference”.

Some observers have noted that confusion may reign at the AFC conference given the reported growing dissent within AFC’s core leadership.

One observer explained that former AFC Councillor for Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Haseef Yusuf may be present at the conference. He may be one person of interest at today’s conference. Yusuf has publicly chastised the leadership of the party, calling for a complete overhaul of the party’s fundamentals.

saturDaY, December 6, 2014 | guYanatimesgY.com

Guyanese progressively forgetting their culture – Dr Anthony

Hope residents dissatisfied with road works

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said it is disheartening that Guyanese are progressively forgetting their cultural heritage.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Dr Anthony stated that while it is a sad reality, the Ministry is doing its part to sustain Guyanese culture, and is urging all Guyanese to do the same.

Masquerade bands have

been traced to the days of slavery. “Mother Sally”, “the Mad Bull” and the “Long Lady” are all the unique components of this Guyanese culture.

Traditionally, band leaders would forge a path through areas with rum shops where they were certain to find a generous audience.

Masquerade performances today are a shadow of what they were in the years gone by. “Mother Sally” and “Long Lady” are rarely seen.

While the “Mad Bull” has survived, enough time and effort are not taken with the costumes as before.

“Masquerade has been a challenge for us because a lot of the people are not being working in their village bands… over the years, we saw a dwindling of these bands,” Minister Anthony said.

He stated that Guyana probably has less than 10 bands in the country, and in order to resuscitate this culture, significant effort would have to be made.

The Minister noted that throughout the last two to

three years, the Ministry has been working with various stakeholders to run workshops with the aim of teaching the different aspects of masquerade bands.

“We have a good partnership with the New York-Guyana Cultural Association and up to about a month ago we had a symposium… one of the main thing that came out of that workshop is teaching persons how to make masquerade costumes.”

The Minister highlighted that Stanley Greaves assisted a great deal with the workshops which were conducted at the Burrowes School of Art.

Additionally, the Ministry has been working with bands to teach them how to use the types of drums and learn the different dance steps.

“I think sometimes people look at the masquerade and they don’t recognise that there are different dancing steps,” Minister stated.

Conversely, he highlighted that the Ministry has worked with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the National Dance School to create DVDs and instruction manuals teaching the dance steps.

Nevertheless, Dr Anthony stated that “it’s not only a Ministry’s job” but the people in the community need to change their attitudes and learn their heritage in order to sustain it through constant performances.

“If we don’t, we will lose a valuable part of Guyana’s history.”

Native languages

Guyana is often referred to as an English-speaking country, but what many fail to realise is that the native language consists of more than just English.

In fact, there are nine distinct Amerindian languages in Guyana.

But an increasing number of Amerindians are speaking English, resulting in the younger generation forgetting their native tongue.

“If people don’t speak their language, they’re go-

ing to lose their language,” the Minister said.

The Ministry, with the help of the University of Guyana and several researchers, has compiled dictionaries of seven Amerindian languages.

These have been reprinted and distributed throughout Amerindian communities.

Dr Anthony stated that dictionaries on two other Amerindian languages are being compiled and should be completed sometime next year.

Furthermore, the Ministry is working with Amerindian groups to help sustain their languages.

“We reprinted a number of grammar books and circulated it into the Macushi community and the teachers were able to use it to teach Macushi to the younger children.”

Another initiative aimed to sustain the Amerindian language is one through music.

For the first time ever, a concert has been organised for this weekend at the Guyana National Cultural Centre where Amerindian groups will perform different genres of songs in their native languages.

This initiative aims to popularise Amerindian languages by getting more Amerindians involved in composing and performing songs in their own tongue.

The Minister also noted that the concert is a great opportunity for persons to be exposed to the distinct languages of Guyana.

Additionally, the Ministry is working on a project to collect cultural and mythical Amerindian stories in their original language and then have them translated to English.

All these initiatives are aimed to preserve and sustain Amerindian culture in Guyana.

“I don’t think we’ve been talking much about (Amerindian languages), in many of the countries in the Caribbean for example, these languages have long been extinct….If we don’t sustain them, if we don’t preserve them, if we don’t get people to speak in them, we’ll lose them.”

Residents of Hope, East Cost Demerara on Thursday expressed concerns over the state of the main access road, while vehicle operators are dissatisfied with quality of maintenance work done.

The Public Works Ministry has a continuous maintenance programme until the major works are carried out on the road.

When Guyana times visited the village, some of the residents were vocal, and according to one resident, Roy Kingston, there is need for the Public Works Ministry to intervene.

Residents say the work currently being done is causing great discomfort to them.

“This here I can’t tell what exactly they did to this street, both sides of the street is blocked, when rain falls, this place is in a mess, we are fed up with this and we need this situation to be addressed now,” Kingston said.

He said too that earlier in day, Engineers had visited the area with additional machineries which further blocked sections of another street, but residents stood their grounds and make sure that it did not happen.

“As if what they are doing is not enough, this morning these people come in here with one set of big trucks, and hymacs and other materials, we had to let them know they are not leaving anything on these streets, we had to let them

know what they have here is already enough,” Kingston said.

According to another resident whose name was given only as Tony, it is difficult to understand why the Public Works Ministry will continue to carry out works in the area and not engaging the community about what they are doing.

“We need our street back, this is utter disrespect from the Ministry of Public Works,” he said.

He pointed out that the Ministry had issued a statement to the residents of the community, stating that they will meet with the res-

idents to discuss the issue, but to no avail.

“We lodge a complaint before to the Ministry, they send we a letter saying that they will come and keep a meeting at the school, but up to now nobody never come, we want to know what to do because we are frustrated,” he added.

According to reports received, only recently, there was a newly- constructed bridge in the said area that was also poorly done.

The Public Works Ministry is expected to visit the area soon to discuss the matter with residents.

Pushcart vendors “more than noise nuisance” – Traffic Chief

Amid the bustling Christmas shopping season in Guyana, the usual heavy build-up of traffic and blaring horns are inevitable.

Pushcart vending, especially music pushcart vending are on the rise as many try to earn that extra money for the holidays.

Traffic Chief Hugh Denhert said these vendors are more than a noise nuisance.

The Traffic Chief said vendors would normally roam the streets or park badly, adding to the buildup of traffic jams during the busy season.

“They block up the place, they obstruct the flow of traffic when they park... they’re a nuisance.”

He noted that he understands their need to earn a living, but he urged them to “let good sense prevail” and conduct their operations in an appropriate manner.

Denhert stated that if the vendors continue to block traffic, the traffic Police will have to take strong measures to deal with them.

A music pushcart on the road corner in the City

However, as it relates to noise nuisance, the vendors are urged to follow the guidelines that were previously set for them.

Last year July, a move was made to regularise pushcarts vendors under the condition that they are in a designated location and do not play loudly and utilise their earphones. At the launch of Road Safety Month 2014, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had promised a clampdown on the vendors who breach the code of conduct.

Massy Guyana Limited cops GCCI’s large Business of the Year award

… Private Sector urged to excel despite political gridlock

B y V ahnu M anikchand

Massy Guyana Limited has copped the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) large Business of the Year award on Thursday evening for its good performance in the areas of financial growth, customer satisfaction, internal processes improvements, employee relations, development and corporate citizenship.

GCCI held its annual Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony on Thursday at the Savannah Suite, Pegasus Hotel. Speaking at the ceremony, President of GCCI Lance Hinds pointed out that the Chamber’s role is to support the growth and sustainability of the Private Sector; as such, it is important that those businesses that perform exceptionally well be recognised.

“If all of these businesses are expanding and investing in their facilities and services, and investors continue to show interest and make inquiries, don’t we have a responsibility as national stakeholders to ensure that this investment in Guyana that is currently in progress is justified and secure? That the faith shown in this economy is rewarded, and the excitement that is being generated inside and outside Guyana continues, and is turned into our national advantage,” Hinds mentioned.

The GCCI President noted there are delegations and large companies that are interested in entering the market and have approached the Chamber to get a complete picture of the local business environment. On this note, he added that the members of GCCI, as well as the private sector, will have to be more prudent and responsible.

With the current political climate and challenge the country is facing, Hinds pointed out that all eyes are on the Private Sector to

see how it progresses during this current state of Guyana’s political gridlock.

“Everybody is watching us now to see how we conduct ourselves during this period of some uncertainty… The Chamber believes

sees manufacturing companies, service providers and franchise holders that can compete with competition from anywhere in the world. He added that persons should be proud of this, as it represents eight years of uninterrupted growth.

Dr Singh believes that there are a lot of hard working Guyanese people who are willing to make the efforts to ensure that the country becomes a better place. “I believe we have a collective responsibility to ensure that we practice the profession of competitive politics… we need to learn to speak with each other a little bit more and I believe this will serve our collective cause better,” the Minister stated.

Additionally, the small Business Award of the

that this is a time for maturity and level headedness, and not some of the political mechanisms that have characterised our landscape in the most recent past.

According to Hinds, the country is currently at a crossroad of its history and future, adding that the way its national affairs, political and democratic processes are dealt with, will set the tone and direction of the nation for years to come.

In the meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh believes that this current situation that Guyana is experiencing will result in the country emerging stronger in the end, having learnt the lessons of political gridlock.

“Having learnt and discovered the lacuna in our Constitution and the rest of our legislative framework and having corrected ourselves with the accumulation of experience and benefit with the passage of time, like the child falling of the bicycle, these are growing pains we must experience,” he stressed.

The Minister remarked that a lot has been achieved in the country, noting that when he looks around, he

Guyanese pick up CSEC top awards

B y d e V i S eitara M in J a M aica

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Thursday awarded four Guyanese students for their outstanding performances at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

This year, Guyana copped the award for most outstanding candidate overall which was awarded to Elisa Hamilton from Queen’s College, as well as most outstand ing school which went to Queen’s College. The stu dents for both CSEC and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE) were honoured at a cer emony attended by offi cials and dignitaries from across the Caribbean Region at the region al headquarters of The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.

The awards included a plaque of recognition, a cash prize and a diction ary. But students were also given letters for full schol arships to pursue stud ies at the Mona Campus on the condition that they complete and excel at the CAPE exams. Some of the CAPE students are already enrolled in the first semester of their programmes at UWI Mona.

was awarded the most outstanding student in business award. Ryhan Chand achieved grade ones in 13 subjects. The final student Kishan Critchlow of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School was awarded for being the most outstanding student in technical/ vocation education.

Continue to work hard Vice Chancellor and Chairman of UWI, Professor Nigel Harris told students to continue work -

Harris, who has had an illustrious career not only as an academician but in regional development, noted that although the Region was plagued by various issues, CXC was one example of the Region succeeding and producing brilliant scholars, politicians and academics for the future.

Other achievements

Overall, Jamaica received three awards while Trinidad copped nine awards for both CAPE and

Guyanese have been no strangers to sweeping the awards at CSEC every year. Last year five of eight students were among those awarded for their achieve -

Year went to the New Guyana School; while proprietor Jason Wang of China Trading copped the young Business Executive Award. The Chamber’s Award was presented to both Patrick Sooklall of Impressions and Christopher Ram, while the Media Award went to the Stabroek News.

The Public Service Award of Excellence was presented to the Government’s Analysis Food and Drug Department while the Corporate Citizenship Award went to Republic Bank Limited. Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Gordon Lyken of the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour.

Also, the Award for Innovation was given to Sterling Products Limited, while the Long Service Award went to Modern Industries Limited. Camex Restaurant Incorporated took away the President’s Award while the Past President Award was presented to Clinton Urling.

Meanwhile, a posthumous award was presented to the widow of former Private Sector Commission Chairman, Ronald Webster, in recognition of his contribution to the sector.

that will help to build characters. He acknowledged that many criticisms are made of students who sit more than the average subjects but the awardees are well rounded: some dance, sing, and debate among other things. “Knowledge learning is important, but there are a number of important things. The book knowledge is not always

ments. Guyana was awarded the most outstanding student prize, which went to Yogeeta Persaud of the Anna Regina Multilateral School. She achieved grade ones in 18 subjects.

The Guyanese students this year dominated the CSEC awards only. Hamilton achieved grade ones in 19 subjects.

The most outstanding award for humanities went to another Queen’s College student: Aliyyah Abdul Kadir. She achieved grade ones in 15 subjects. A third Queen’s College student

important... being able to communicate and speak as well... other interests such as debating will make you rounded individuals. And I know we don’t have nerds here like people think.”

Harris, a UWI stalwart and an outgoing Vice Chancellor at UWI Mona in May next year, is Guyanese and a former Queen’s College student. He said the student’s achievement was the first step to success. “You can’t slack off now; if you want these scholarships, you have to continue working.”

Minister of Education in Jamai ca, delivered the keynote address, challenging students to use their success and knowledge to benefit the Caribbean Region. “The quest of our time is not to prove our brilliance or our acumen, but rather to make the exception the norm. You share a part in that, having succeeded so well and as you, seek your fortunes and own your own careers, surely the question in your mind should be how can your success and the breadth of knowledge you have been able to gain, the roundness of character become the characteristic of the entire Caribbean Region.”

He added that the education received by students through CXC wasn’t any lesser than those available in First World countries. “Recent times we have had the selection of Rhode scholars taking their place among colleagues at Cambridge and Oxford and sometimes exceeding expectations. There is no reason our students can’t match strides with the best of the world.”

He added though that while many of the region’s brilliant minds are serving other countries he hoped they will return to serve their countries.

The Guyanese students told Guyana Times they were continuing studies at the CAPE level. All said they were interested in attending UWI and are pursuing CAPE studies at Queen’ss College.

Regional

COP20: Peru must give indigenous people means to combat climate change

Peru is home to the second largest block of Amazon rainforest after Brazil and has promising forest protection schemes (including REDD+) in four national parks. But the country has a poor record for fighting deforestation, with rampant illegal mining and logging, slash and burn agriculture and insufficient land titling for indigenous groups.

Tropical rainforests play a crucial role in the health of our planet, especially as carbon sinks. Their importance is highlighted further given the drastic emissions reductions recommended by last month’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. International donors seem prepared to lay down large sums to protect forests, yet their future still hangs in the balance.

At the UN Climate Change summit in September, Peru signed a US$300 million (£191 million) deal with Norway to reduce net deforestation to zero by 2021, with the aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Peru committed to increase by five million hectares the land titled to indigenous peoples and to respect their territorial rights enshrined in the Consultation with Indigenous Peoples Law (guaranteed in the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 169).

The deal was welcomed by Julia Urrunaga, the Environmental Investigation Agency’s Director for Peru. However, she pointed out that

Peru’s Government announced this year it would open up the same amount of land for forest concessions on the back of a new law which seeks to attract investment to the slowing economy.

At the centre of the debate about how to best protect Peru’s 73 million hectares of Amazon rainforest are the indigenous people who inhabit it.

The anti-logging campaigner Edwin Chota and three other Ashéninka native leaders were killed in Peru’s Ucayali region in September over land they had spent a decade trying to secure for their community. At least 57 activists have been killed in Peru since 2002, making it the fourth most dangerous country to be an environmental

defender.

For Ergilia Rengifo, the widow of Jorge Ríos, one of the leaders, it was clear: “We are the guardians of the forest. Not only for us but also for all. We make sure to keep the water clean, the air clean. Why don’t they value that? Why don’t they give us the title we have been asking for 12 years now?”

But Peru’s President Ollanta Humala doesn’t see it that way: “I don’t agree with labelling them as guardians of the forest; for that the state should hire park guards,” he told The Guardian in a press conference. “I think that’s reducing their importance to simply forest guardians. I believe those communities need development.”

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

Venezuela may sell PetroCaribe debt

According to a blog post by John-Paul Rathbone and Andres Schipani in the Financial Times, Venezuela may sell out its Caribbean friends to capitalist Wall Street by securitising debts owed under its US$3.5 billion a year PetroCaribe subsidised oil programme.

Under severe pressure from the continuing decline in the price of oil, Venezuela is reportedly trying to raise desperately-needed cash by selling debts owed to it by The Dominican Republic and Jamaica to Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Three countries – The Dominican Republic,

Jamaica and Nicaragua –together account for US$10 billion of the US$14.5 billion total owed to Venezuela under the 13-country PetroCaribe programme.

In the case of The Dominican Republic, the US$4 billion owed to Venezuela would reportedly be sold to Goldman Sachs

for US$1.75 billion. The Dominican Republic would then issue new bonds and, with the proceeds, buy the debt from Goldman.

Goldman Sachs is also reportedly holding discussions about doing the same for Jamaica’s PetroCaribe debts.

Using The Dominican Republic proposal as a template, securitising all of the past PetroCaribe debt would bring in a total of US$6 billion. Cancelling the programme completely, including Venezuela’s strategically-important Cuba programme, would provide the equivalent of another US$3.6 billion a year – still far short of the US$25 billion a year in fresh external finance that Bank of America estimates the country needs to maintain imports even at the current depressed levels. (Excerpt

Mexico missing students: Pena Nieto visits Guerrero

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has visited Guerrero state for the first time since students disappeared at the hands of local Police. However Pena Nieto did not visit the town of Iguala, where the 43 students were taken in September. He sent his Interior Minister and National Security Chief instead. The President announced an economic re-

covery plan for the city of Acapulco, struggling with gang violence and the impact of a hurricane last year.

“We are here because after what has happened, we recognise that Guerrero’s most important economic activity has slowed.” he said. Two weeks ago, the US embassy in Mexico advised its nationals to “defer non-essential travel to Acapulco”.

Las week President Pena Nieto an-

nounced a new security plan for justice and Police reform. Federal security forces have been sent to dozens of towns in the states of Guerrero, Mexico, Michoacan and Morelos.

Federal Police and troops will replace municipal forces in Acapulco and more than 30 other towns. The reform is aimed at tackling mistrust in the authorities following the disappearance of 43 students. (Excerpt

Caricom sends Electoral Observer Mission to Dominica

On the invitation of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has mounted a Caricom Electoral Observer Mission to monitor the General Elections to be held on December 8.

The Caricom Electoral Observer Mission comprises members from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as from the Caricom Secretariat.

The mission will liaise with their counterparts from the Organisation of the Americas and the Commonwealth Secretariat to observe the process in the interest of transparency and good governance.

The Caricom Electoral Observer Mission will be headed by Lena Champa Sahadeo, Deputy Chief of Elections, from Trinidad and Tobago.

The mission will meet with the Dominican electoral officials, the leaders of the political parties as well as other stakeholders. A courtesy call will be made to the Prime Minister. The mission will also monitor the final days of the campaign and the technical preparations for the elections.

On the day of the elections, the Observer Mission will monitor the electoral process, including the opening of the poll, the voting process, the closing of the poll and the counting of ballots. The mission will issue a preliminary statement based on the mission’s observations and findings. A report of the General Elections will be subsequently prepared and submitted to the Caricom Secretary General. The mission will be in Dominica from December 4 to 11.

Time to throw off shackles of slavery, says Jamaica’s National Security Minister

National Security Minister Peter

Bunting says accepting the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Jamaica’s final court is ensuring that the island is truly emancipating itself of years of slavery.

Bunting noted that the debate on the CCJ was taking place at the same time Jamaica was involved in a debate on Reparation, saying “both address the impact of slavery and colonialism on the societies of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean”.

He told legislators earlier this week that while the Reparations debate focuses on receiving economic compensation for the enslavement of the African people, the impact of these historical crimes go far beyond just economics.

He said Caribbean academic, Professor Hilary Beckles, speaks of “the stress profile and psychological trauma of slavery and apartheid” which has left Caribbean societies psychologically broken.

“Symptoms of this brokenness are evident in a negative identity and a feeling of inferiority still carried by many. One current manifestation is the epidemic of skin bleaching which is self inflicted and probably does the victim more harm in the long term than a bout of Chik-V.

“More insidious however, is the legacy of distrust and dependency. The seeds of this distrust and dependency were deliberately sown by the plantation owners to control the slaves,” he added.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Rich nations “failing to help Syria refugees”

Affluent nations have taken in a “pitiful” number of the millions of Syrian refugees uprooted by the country’s civil war, placing the burden on Syria’s ill-equipped neighbours, according to Amnesty International.

The London-based rights group, in advance of a December 9 donors’ conference in Geneva, deplored on Friday what it called the shocking failure of rich nations to host refugees.

“Around 3.8 million refugees from Syria are being hosted in five main countries within the region: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt,” Amnesty International said in the statement.

Highlighting what it referred to as “the pitiful numbers of resettlement places offered by the international community”, the group said that Russia, China and the Gulf Arab states had not offered a single location for resettlement of refugees.

Meanwhile, the European Union as a whole,

excluding Germany, has pledged to take in only 0.17 per cent of refugees residing in countries bordering Syria.

“The shortfall ... is truly shocking,” said Sherif Elsayed-Ali, Amnesty International’s head of refugee and migrants’ rights.

“The complete absence of resettlement pledges from the Gulf is particularly shameful. Linguistic and religious ties should place the Gulf states at the forefront of those offering safe shel

ter.”

The failure of wealthy nations to share the burden had placed an increasing strain on host countries, which were largely ill-equipped for the influx of people escaping violence in Syria.

Amnesty International said it was calling for the resettlement of five per cent of Syria’s refugees by the end of 2015, and an additional five per cent the following year. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India cataracts scandal: Arrests over “botched” surgery

Adoctor and a charity owner have been arrested after 10 patients were left in danger of partially losing their sight following cataract surgery in India.

Officials suggested the patients had contracted infections at the charity-run medical camp in Amritsar.

Manjit Joshi, who set up the camp, was detained by

police along with Dr Vivek Arora, who carried out the surgery.

India’s medical infrastructure is under intense scrutiny after 15 women died following sterilisation surgery.

Tens of thousands of older people are operated on for cataracts in charity-run camps and Government hospitals every year.

China arrests

The operations are generally considered to be low risk and easy to perform.

The BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder in Amritsar says all of the cataract patients who claim to have lost their sight were poor villagers attracted by the offer of free treatment.

Joshi organised the cataract surgery in the Gurdaspur district of Amritsar on November 4.

Before he was arrested, he told the BBC that 49 people had been treated and all had received proper care.

However, some 20 patients later said they had not been able to see since removing their bandages.

Our correspondent says 10 of those patients are in danger of losing sight in one eye, and one patient who had already lost sight in one eye was in danger of going blind. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ex-Security

Chief Zhou Yongkang

Ex-security chief Zhou Yongkang, the most senior Chinese official to be investigated for corruption, has been arrested and expelled from the Communist Party, state media report.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate, China’s top prosecuting body, said it had opened a formal probe against him.

Before he retired two

years ago, Zhou was the head of China’s vast internal security apparatus.

Many of his former associates and relatives also face corruption probes.

Since coming to power, Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched a highprofile campaign to weed out corruption among party and Government officials.

Zhou was accused of several crimes, including “seri-

Around the world

ICC withdraws charges against Kenyan President

Prosecutors dropped charges of crimes against humanity against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, marking a failure for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the highestprofile case in its 11-year history.

Judges in The Hague had on Wednesday given prosecutors a week to decide whether to proceed against Kenyatta, who was accused of fomenting ethnic violence after the 2007 election, or withdraw the charges.

Prosecutors have said Kenyatta, the first sitting President to have attended a session of the court, used his powers to obstruct the in-

vestigation, especially since becoming head of state last year. Kenyatta’s lawyers denied this.

The collapse is a blow to the court, which has secured only two convictions, both against little-known Congolese warlords, and has yet to prove it can hold the powerful to account.

Many Africans accuse the court of unfairly targeting their continent, while a lawyer said it had failed victims of the post-election bloodshed in which 1200 people were butchered.

“The evidence has not improved to such an extent that Mr Kenyatta’s alleged criminal responsibility can be proven,” prosecutor

Fatou Bensouda said in a court filing.

Kenyatta received the news at a meeting of Kenyan officials and business executives, who applauded. Some hugged him. His reaction, “One down, two to go”, referred to his wish to see similar charges dropped against his deputy, William Ruto, and a Kenyan journalist.

Diplomats say the case has been a distraction for the administration, despite official denials. But the economic impact has been limited, in part because most investors have long thought the case against Kenyatta was falling apart. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Hundreds of thousands evacuated from path of Philippine typhoon

due to super-typhoon Hagupit in Surigao city, southern Philippines on December 5

Around half a million people fled coastal villages and landslide-prone areas in the central Philippines on Friday, a day before a powerful typhoon was expected to hit the island nation where thousands died in a storm 13 months ago.

Typhoon Hagupit weakened slightly as it churned slowly across the Pacific, dipping below the Category Five “super typhoon” level, the Philippine weather

bureau PAGASA said, but was likely to remain destructive when it hit land on Saturday.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific cancelled more than 150 flights to central and southern Philippines on Friday and Saturday. Ports shut across the archipelago after the coastguard suspended sea travel.

“Over 100,000 families are already in evacuation centres,” said Corazon

Soliman, Social Welfare Secretary. “Multiply it by five (persons per family), that’s 500,000,” she said, adding that most of the residents had volunteered to leave.

The eastern islands of Samar and Leyte, which are still recovering from last year’s super typhoon Haiyan, could be in the firing line again.

“I am afraid and scared,” said Teresita Aban, a 58-year-old housewife from Santa Rita in Samar province, wiping away tears and trembling. “We’re prepared but still fearful. We haven’t finished repairing our house. It still has tarpaulin patches – and here comes another storm.”

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva said 200,000 people had been evacuated in the central island province of Cebu alone.

“Typhoon Hagupit is triggering one of the largest evacuations we have ever seen in peacetime,” said spokesman Denis McClean. (Excerpt from Reuters)

NASA launches Orion spacecraft into orbit

NASA’s new Orion spacecraft was launched into orbit seen as a major step towards deep space exploration.

ly in the flight.

“We still have a bunch to go.’’

ous violations of party discipline”, “accepting large sums of bribes”, “disclosing party and state secrets” and “committing adultery with several women” as part of corrupt transactions, Xinhua news agency reported (in Chinese).

Zhou’s arrest was announced in a statement by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, released late on Friday night. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The unmanned orbital’s journey reached a high point of 5800 kilometres on Friday, ushering in a new era of exploration that could one day put people on Mars.

It marked the first time in 42 years that NASA sent a spacecraft built for humans farther than a couple hundred miles from Earth.

The previous time was the Apollo 17 moonshot.

“Very exciting,’’ Mark Geyer, NASA’s Orion programme manager, said ear-

NASA is now “one step closer’’ to putting humans aboard Orion, Charles Bolden Jr, NASA Administrator, said.

He called it “Day One of the Mars era”. NASA had initially postponed the launch of the unmanned spacecraft earlier on Friday.

Al Jazeera’s Andy Gallacher, reporting from Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, said the delay was more of a frustrating start to Orion’s historic launch than a disappointment.

“Technical issues, high winds and stray boats aside safety is a top priority for the space agency and there is still a 25-day launch window for NASA’s best new hope,” he said. He said that at the Kennedy Space Centre there was “a palpable sense of anticipation for what Orion could achieve and a sense that pride is back in the US space programme”.

The conical spacecraft looks similar to the Apollo capsule that took astronauts to the Moon in the 1960s and 1970s, but slightly larger and with modern electronics. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bourda Market vendors lament losses from constant floods

– call for market to be rehabilitated

Following the recent flooding in the City, the Bourda Market was shut down for a several days, resulting in numerous vendors losing out on sales.

Vendors of the Market are very upset over what they termed a “usual occurrence” whenever it rains.

In fact, one of the vendors said even a trickle of rain would cause sections of the marketplace to be deluged.

When Guyana Times visited the market, many vendors were hesitant of voicing their opinion for fear of being victimised.

Several vendors recounted an incident when a vendor publicly expressed his disgust about the flooding and was removed from operating in the market.

Nevertheless, a handful of dejected vendors told this publication how the flood affected them.

Luana Bratt, who retails shoes and other fashionable items counted her losses to be more than $100,000. Bratt said she had already stocked up on goods for the Christmas Season, but then came the flood that practically damaged everything.

“I had a whole suitcase of clothes that damage all my shoes, everything.”

She said the market was closed for days, resulting in her losing out on sales.

“We study if the rain fall if we gon get Christmas, so we have to pray and ask God for good business and the money. We ain’t seeing the customers coming into the market cah even if lil rain fall, the customers don’t come in.”

Similarly, Elizabeth Springer said the situation really put a damper on her Christmas plans.

“I haven’t bought anything yet. I was supposed to buy some carpet and up to now nothing, so I’m just hoping for the best, at least if I get food, that’s it.”

She stated that the situation is not a new one and it is getting worse, noting that on a

number of occasions, the market was closed for days following heavy downpours.

Nirvana Singh did not incur any damage to her goods, but said the situation is unbearable.

“In hay always flood and if you nah prepare and it come unexpected, it gon be bad.”

Singh and several other vendors also called for the market to be repaired.

“The Council ain’t really concern about cleaning it and that’s bad for people health and it just affecting people’s business. Anything ain’t do as yet… hope is the best we can do for now,” another vendor told Guyana Times

In addition, Bratt and Springer expressed disgust over the drainage situation.

“I’m very much annoyed about it,” Springer said.

The vendors of Bourda Market are crying out for the standards and facilities to improve, noting that they cannot continue to endure the turmoil and losses whenever it rains.

In fact, Springer remarked that no compensation was provided, yet the vendors still had to pay the full rent for the stalls.

Geotextile tubes have improved Kingston, Kitty seawall shoreline

Post-installation surveys carried out on the geotextile tubes along the Kingston/Kitty seawall indicated that the shoreline has improved with much wider foreshore area, the Ministry of Public Works has said.

According to the ministry over a three month period – April to July - the Ministry of Public Works installed six tubes to form a groyne field. The project is an initiative under the 2014 Sea Defences Programme. Amitab Babulal, one of the Ministry’s Sea Defence Engineers who executed the

years, the sediments have been moving towards the Demerara River channel, which would pose a challenge to marine/maritime businesses and operators,” Mr. Babulal explained.

Due to the success of the beach material retention, the Ministry is identifying other vulnerable sites to replicate the exercise. According to Jermaine Braithwaite, a Senior Engineer of the Ministry of Public Works, geotextile tubes contribute to the long-term shoreline management and promote sustainable protection of the

on Leguan and Devonshire Castle, Essequibo.

The works comprise the installation of three geotextile tube (geotube) groynes of length 100m and circumference 6.4m long. Each groyne was constructed by sandfilling two 50m long geotextile tubes which were installed with a butt joint interface to form a continuous unit along the design alignment for each groyne.

Babulal also noted that the tubes have minimum impact on the environment and are low maintenance. “Geotube structures are also a cost-effective al-

project, stated that over the past few months there have been significant sand deposition recorded on the foreshore area.“The geotextile tubes have contributed to beach stabilisation and the retention of shell/sand/sediment drifting in the westerly direction. In recent

shoreline.“Parts of Guyana’s shorelines have experienced erosion and overtopping due to the impact of high energy waves, and we have a rapid installation method that could help mitigate these adverse effects,” he added. Areas under consideration include No. 63 Beach, sites

ternative when compared to traditional marine materials and methods. They are fabricated from a high–strength, specially engineered, woven textile with special high-strength seaming techniques to resist pressures during pumping operations,” he added.

Guyana Goldfields Inc receives Outstanding Achievement Award

Guyana Goldfields Inc (GGI) is pleased to announce that it has received the Outstanding Achievement Award given for notable corporate development success in the past year. This award was presented at the Mining Journal Awards dinner at the Mines and Money conference held on December 4th in London, UK.

The company received the award for its success in obtaining its project financing requirements in 2014 through the completion of two transactions which resulted in raising total gross proceeds of US$ 226.5 million towards the development and construction of the Aurora Gold Project.

The transactions composed of a US$185 million senior secured project finance facility with a consortium of senior lenders

as well as a non-brokered private placement equity offering in the amount of US $41,523 million (or Cdn$44,400 million).

Scott A Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer, states: “We are honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award which represents the significant achievement of raising funds in a difficult financial environment and reflects the quality of the Aurora asset. We would like to once again thank all parties involved in these transactions and the dedicated team at GGI.”

GGI was advised by Endeavour Financial Limited (Cayman) on the project debt financing.

The Mining Journal Outstanding Achievement Awards have been established to honour those individuals and organisations who have made a notable

contribution to the industry and who stand out from the crowd.

Guyana Goldfields Inc is a Canadian-based company, focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana, South America.

GGI is focused on the construction and development of the Aurora Gold Project scheduled for commercial production in mid-2015. The Aurora Gold Project has a total gold resource of 6.54 million ounces in the measured and indicated categories (62.83 million tonnes at 3.24 g/t Au) as well as an additional 1.82 million ounces in the inferred category (16.93 million tonnes at 3.34 g/t Au).

GGI also holds a significant portfolio of attractive exploration properties and holds cash and cash equivalents of US$68 million as of July 31.

saturday, december 6, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

APNU leaving no room for negotiations – Teixeira

President Donald Ramotar’s move to prorogue the National Assembly was the best decision, in hindsight, according to Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Kwame Gilbert. He said that the actions and views from the parliamentary Opposition after this was done would not have boded well for possible snap elections during that period.

Dr Gilbert made the comment as a guest with two other Government colleagues on a national television programme on Friday. “If the President had taken the decision to dissolve, and pretty much all of those matters that he outlined earlier, would have been made null and void. That was not in the best interest of the country,” he said.

The refusal of the Opposition to have any dialogue was not in Guyana’s best interest, he added, because some issues are not ventilated in the National Assembly. He said the prorogation was an opening provided by President Ramotar to have some of the necessary discussions that were needed and should have occurred outside of the Parliament.

Also appearing on the panel discussion were Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira and former Minister and now MP, Bibi Shaddick, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Do not fall prey

Teixeira said Government has to take all of the various views into consideration, especially since it has to be careful and not reckless like the political Opposition. She noted, however, that if there was a more sinister objective, “then Guyanese have to be more alert and not to fall prey to some of these manoeuvres of the Opposition”.

Shaddick said that the

inconsistencies of the joint Opposition on issues such as Local Government Elections, and the reconvening of Parliament clearly show they need dialogue. “They need to talk to each other and then they need to talk with the Government,” she said.

The issue of trust between the two sides of the House, particularly since the debacle of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) reneging on the joint agreement to incorporate Linden into the national grid and standardise electricity rates, remains a sore point.

Teixeira expounded on this point, stating that over the last three years, agreements have been made and then betrayed. She cited the attempts to pass the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill and the conflicting statements from APNU Leader David Granger and one of his executives, Carl Greenidge.

Mention was also made of the Linden negotiations, which saw PNC stalwarts Aubrey Norton and Vanessa Kissoon meeting with President Ramotar for nego-

tiations, and on the Budget and money laundering issues, Greenidge stood in.

“There seems to be a problem of leadership. Who’s speaking for APNU? Who’s speaking for parties within the APNU? Who’s speaking for the PNC?” She explained that the APNU, in particular always go to negotiations without leaving any “wriggle room” for negotiations, hence they refused to give any quarter, which politicians on both sides ought to do whenever they’re involved in such activities.

With regard to the holding of General and Regional Elections, all of the panellists agreed that the political Opposition was and is not ready for the polls. This sentiment, it was noted, was expressed by APNU representative Joe Harmon, recently.

Asked to comment on President Ramotar’s decision to inform the nation on the way forward, in light of the political Opposition’s refusal to speak, Dr Gilbert, who noted that the general populace was unhappy with the cutting of developmental projects like Amalia Falls and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion, said whatever decision is made will be “in the best interest of the country”.

The No-Confidence Motion had its genesis in June of this year, after the Alliance For Change (AFC) threatened to move it following the decision by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to restore funds cut by the Opposition.

The AFC with support from APNU had planned to push through the NoConfidence Motion against the Government at the November 10 sitting, but their move was thwarted when the President announced that he had issued the proclamation proroguing the National Assembly.

Tourism Month hailed a major success

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh has hailed Tourism Month 2014 a major success and promises that 2015 will be bigger and better.

Tourism Awareness Month 2014 was celebrated under the theme: “Tourism Entrepreneurship and Ambassadors moblised.” Addressing members of the media at the boardroom of the Guyana Tourism Authority on Friday Haralsingh said “the theme was chosen to highlight the people who have taken the risk to create so many businesses to boost tourism in Guyana.”

Tourism Awareness Month is used to create awareness, raise Guyana’s profile and celebrate its accomplishments. Haralsingh expressed optimism in the future of the tourism sector in aiding in the development of Guyana’s economy. “I am optimistic that tourism in the

near future will contribute significantly to Guyana Gross Domestic Product.”

Tourism Awareness Month was launched on October 31 at the Amerindian Village at the Sophia Exhibition site, along with the unveiling of the Destination Guyana and Homecoming Guyana logo. For 2014, tourism month was filled with numerous activities. These activities included the Tourism Awards, Launching of the Explore Guyana Magazine at the World Travel Market in London, Restaurant week among others.

The World Travel market attracted more than 5000 exhibitors, 200 participating countries, 98000 visitors and over £2.5B in transacted business and Haralsingh expressed satisfaction that Guyana was able to be a part of the event and promote itself. Guyana even took part in the Commonwealth fair, showcasing four boots of local produce from companies such as Namilco and Edward

Beharry. During the launch, Haralsingh stressed on the importance of Tourism being instilled in Guyana children from a young age, as such, it was revealed that Tourism will now be taught in schools. “If the children fail their subjects, they can still come out with a certificate in Tourism,” Harasingh said. For 2015, GTA has planned the North Pakaraima Mountain Safari for around Easter. A Tourism Information Center is also in the talks for Lethem. Haralsingh said a letter of intent was signed between GTA and Conservation International in Lethem. This letter will cater for the Rupununi Tourism Development. Events that were planned for Tourism Month and had to be postponed, will be carried out in 2015. Coming this Sunday, there will be the Berbice Wedding Expo, held at the Tain Corentyne University of Guyana Campus. There will also be several horse racing meets in Berbice.

Mc Doom 'fowl fight' murderer gets 66 years

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

Forty-four-year-old Mark Assing was on Friday found guilty of murder by a mixed jury and was subsequently sentenced to 66 years imprisonment.

Assing called “Jessie” of Middle Street, Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, was indicted with the murder of 38-year-old Abiola Eadie, called “Abbie”, whom he fatally shot in her face during an argument. The murder was said to have occurred between June 19 and July 3, 2012. During the trial, Senior State Counsel Judith

PSC pays tribute to consumer rights activist Eileen Cox

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Thursday expressed condolences to the family and friends of the late Eileen Cox, a consumer rights activist.

In a statement, the PSC said Cox played an extraordinary role in serving the people of Guyana, selflessly with great diligence and determination. “As doyenne of the consumer movement in Guyana, she pioneered the Caribbean consumer rights movement and dedicated her life to helping citizens across the Region,” the PSC recalled.

In her advocacy for consumers, she often came up against members of the Private Sector, but always addressed any issue with a consummate professionalism which won the respect of the entire sector.

“Ms Cox was a national treasure and she will be sorely missed by all who came into contact with her.” Cox died at the age of 96 on November 29. The consumer affairs stalwart and found-

ing member of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) exited this life peacefully at her home on First Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, Guyana. At her side was her daughter, Germany-based international author Sharon Westmaas and her grandson Miro Westmaas.

Born on January 19, 1918, Cox believed that any person, irrespective of gender, had the right to upward mobility, provided that the person proved

to be efficient in the specified capacity.

For decades, Cox had defied the odds in her drive to improve the standing of all women. She built a reputation of being compassionate, resilient, and persevering in this cause.

She joined the GPSU, and later the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union, but relinquished her post within those male-dominated organisations, citing the fact that the men appeared not to be interested in the equality of women and were not prepared to accept the viability of women in the work environment.

Fearless Cox, who once described herself as fearless, later joined forces with former First Lady Viola Burnham, to form the Guyana Consumers Association.

As President of the Guyana Consumers Association, she had the simple mandate to educate and represent the consum-

er’s interest to Government and industry, which led her to draft the Constitution of the Guyana Consumers Association between 1970 and 1971. It was realised with the support of the former First Lady, among others.

But in order to effectively address this mandate, Cox knew that she had to do more, and decided to liaise with the International Organisation of Consumer Unions in England. In 1971, she took her advocacy further still when she submitted articles that appeared in the daily Graphic newspapers. She also took the message to the airwaves on a fiveminute programme aired on the then Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) now National Communications Network (NCN).

Despite being in her nineties, Cox still continued in her valiant attempts to entrench her message and to foster positive action for her cause in any way she could. In 2013, the GPSU finally honoured Cox for her decades of service.

Mursalin-Gildarie presented 11 witnesses including the main witness Ayesha George, who testified that on the day in question Assing and Eadie had an argument over someone using his fowl to fight, causing it to turn blind.

She said that the deceased’s son subsequently came out and began arguing with the accused who then pulled out a gun and pointed it to the young man. The witness went onto say that Eadie stepped in front of her son, protecting him. Upon seeing this, the woman said that she also went between the gunman and the deceased as a peace maker, however Assing pushed her aside.

The woman recalled hearing a gunshot and saw Eadie bleeding through her mouth before collapsing. State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, testified that he removed a .38 bullet from Eadie’s head. After the prosecution closed its case, Assing was called upon to lead his defence and elected to do so in an unsworn statement.

The man denied shooting his neighbour and claimed that it was her brother who held him at gunpoint and attempted to shoot him but hit Eadie instead. However, witnesses testified that the broth-

er was not nearby when the incident took place and only showed up after the woman was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was admitted a patient but died several days later.

On Friday’s after presiding judge, Justice Navindra Singh, summed up all the evidence presented throughout the trial, the panel retired to the jury room to deliberate on a verdict. Some three hours later, the panel returned with a unanimous verdict of guilty. When asked if he had anything to say before sentencing was imposed, Assing begged the court to show mercy on him. His Attorney Peter Hugh, presented a plea of mitigation on behalf of his client requesting that leniency be showing to the 44-year-old father of five.

On the other hand, the State Prosecutor informed the court that the accused was previously convicted on two occasions for robbery. In a packed court room, Justice Singh told Assing that he should have accepted that he committed the crime when the indictment was read to him, instead he pleaded not guilty. The judge began the sentence at 60 years and added eight more years for the fact that a firearm was used to commit the crime. However two years were deducted for the time Assing spent incarcerated awaiting his trial in the High Court. According to reports, after Assing shot Eadie, her son Martin confronted the accused and he also shot the young man twice, however, he survived his injuries. After committing the crime, Assing went into hiding and a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest by the Guyana Police Force. He was apprehended last year in an abandoned house at Canal Polder, West Bank Demerara.

Simpli Royal is pleased to announce that the Miss Mashramani Queen Pageant is here once more after a peri od of absence. This pageant will serve as an excellent showcase of Guyana’s cultural diver sity, multiplicity of talent and aesthetic value in the context of our peo ples.

Under the theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration”, the organisers say they intend to showcase a seven-week reality series capturing the preparation and promotional aspects of the show and things Guyanese, making it a production that punctuates the uniqueness of Mashramani.

The Miss Guyana Mashramani Queen Pageant is billed for February 14, 2015 at the National Cultural Centre and the Mash Queen International is billed for February 22, 2015.

The segments include a sizzling national dress performance where each delegate will showcase her costume concept which will be on a topic of relevance and interest culturally.

The swimsuit segment will emphasise a healthy, attractive feminine figure for the delegate’s body type and top scores would be awarded for confidence, personality and stage presence -- this too must be a showcase of things Guyanese.

Next is the individual talent competition which sees each delegate doing a four minute presentation in song, dance and drama or playing of an instrument or a combination of these.

Again, a Guyanese

theme will be incorporated and they will be judged on execution, originality, creativity and entertainment factor. Evening elegance is next and is the most glamorous portion of the pageant and will attract scores based on elegance, carriage, poise and stage presence.

Each delegate will be interviewed live on pageant night, giving all of the delegates the opportunity to make a positive impression and to test her communication skills.

She must convey passion and her thoughts and ideas.

Eligible delegates must be between the ages of 18 and 25, never been married, never given birth, born female, good moral character, have not engaged in conduct unbecoming to the Miss Mashramani Queen Pageant, have not been convicted of any crime, and must be familiar with our culture as Guyanese.

During the upcoming weeks, Simpli Royal will be accepting applications and seeking collaboration with the business community to make the pageant a partnership that would be cherished and preserved

of the pageant and beyond. It would serve as a marketing tool which will highlight the unique heritage of Guyana, helping to carve our cultural branding, both at home and abroad.

Interested participants can call the Managing Director, Pamela Dillon on telephone numbers 231-8148 or 665-4565 for more information.

Three years ago, Vogue Model and Talent Agency was created under the wings of Ryan Seecharran, who was no stranger to the runway and catwalks across Guyana. He was known for his unique style while on the runway.

After hitting every major runway and catwalk, he decided to take a break and pass on his experience and talent to others, paving the way for Vogue Model and Talent Agency. Last year the name was changed to La Face Model Management. Under his management, La Face Model Management has been doing exceedingly well in the model and fashion industry, striving only to produce the best in model management.

Through the years, La Face Model Management has been involved in a number of fashion events, commercials and promotional events such as the very first Limacol CPL Cricket tournament in 2013, Guyana Fashion Week, and GuyExpo, a few just to mention.

The agency’s continuous strive for excellence led them to their very own fashion show called ‘Exotica’ which was held on February 9, at the Pegasus Hotel and featured international designer Roger Gary, along with some of Guyana’s young and talented designers.

It was not long after Exotica that Seecharran decided to make the event an annual one, going back to the original date of December which prompted the thought of ‘Allure’ – the fashion experience set for Sunday, December 7, at Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Allure is a fashion show and cocktail party that commences at 19:00h and promises to entice you from beginning to end with designs from Ryan Berkley and a feature from a new and upcoming guest designer, along with elegant and stylish garments and jewellery from some of the leading boutiques in Guyana.

and cocktail party tomorrow at Regency Suites.

Gravity Lounge on Tuesday last announced a packed Christmas event calendar with the aim of celebrating the season in a big way. According to the General Manager of the prestigious night spot, Navin Singh, the 2013 Christmas season was coined the Jingle Jam and patrons can expect it to be bigger and better this year.

This year’s lineup will see a total of five soca artistes and three international deejays performing.

According to Singh, patrons will benefits from lowered ticket prices. He further disclosed some of the

events to be staged this year. On December 13, Kerwin Du Bois will be performing live, while on December 17 Shurwayne Winchester alongside Private Ryan will be performing live. For the December 17 event, everyone will be free until 23:00h and tickets prices for both shows are set for $2500.

On December 20, Gravity Lounge will once again come alive when “Lead Pipe and Saddis” alongside Titan VCD will perform live, with early birds tickets costing $2000.

According to the Manager, this year they will also be launching the

Gravity passbooks. Each passbook costs $5000 and gives VIP access to all three events. This means you will only pay once, and have access to every event.

And the fun’s not done just yet. The Christmas special will be going right through the entire month of December. Every Friday in December, they will be hosting a special after work social, between 17:00-18:00h with an open bar.

At the after work social, patrons can drink Eldorado FiveYear-old Rum and Skyy Vodka free. Appetiser specials will also be offered. All patrons are asked to do is present their work ID and enjoy the specials.

To culminate the Christmas season, this Old Year’s night Gravity will be taking it back to when partying and dancing the night away was loved. On December 31, they entity will host a live performance by Soca sensation Patrice Roberts, with smash hits such as “Tempa Win”, “Sugar Wine” and much more.

To close the Christmas giveaways, Gravity has pledged to make a tangible donation to the Joshua House Children Home. Carlsberg Beer was named the official beer of Jingle Jam 2014.

Lara to feature in "Festival of Cricket"

The 2014 edition of the Big Bash League is set for an explosive start with defending champions, Perth Scorchers taking on an all-star Australian Legends XI - to be led by former Australian keeper, Adam Gilchrist, in an exhibition match on December 15.

West Indies legend Brian Lara will join a host of former Australian stars in the Western Australia Festival of Cricket Twenty20 exhibition match, to be held at Aquinas College in Perth’s southern suburb.

The match, which was originally scheduled to be held on December 10, has now been postponed to 15, following rescheduling of games by Cricket Australia (CA), in the wake of the unfortunate demise of Phillip Hughes.

“The Festival of Cricket presents the public and corporates with a unique opportunity to not only watch a high-quality T20 match in a relaxed, social environment, but also to mix and mingle with many current and past greats of the game,” Gilchrist said.

“The chance to run around with a bunch of old mates and pit ourselves against the current BBL Champions is exciting and sure to be entertaining for all,” he added.

The change of dates though has left Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne scrambling for confirmation after having had to juggle prior commitments.

Australian Legends XI: Adam Gilchrist (c), Brian Lara, Andy Bichel, Matthew Hayden (tbc),

Jacques Kallis will not play for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL from next season, but will continue to remain with the franchise in his new role as mentor and batting consultant.

Kallis was first bought by Knight Riders in 2011 for $1.1 million, and then this February, when all the players were put back for auction, the franchise bought him back through the right to match card option for Rs 5.5 crore ($916,000). He was the most consistent performer for Knight Riders - their best batsman in 2011 and then in the top three in the following two seasons. Kallis

was also instrumental in the team winning their maiden title in 2012.

In the 2014 IPL, however, Kallis’ form dropped drastically - 151 runs with one half-century - and he was played in eight of the 16 matches. He had already retired from Test cricket in December 2013 and then announced in July this year that he was quitting from all forms of international cricket to focus on Twenty20. Knight Riders, however, felt they could utilise the 39-year-old’s strengths in a better way.

“KKR has been my Indian family for the last four years. I have built fan-

Michael Kasprowicz, Shane Warne (tbc), Justin Langer, Andrew Symonds, Jimmy Maher, Murry Goodwin and a WACA Future Star (to be confirmed).

Perth Scorchers: Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Hilton Catwright, Andrew Tye, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ashton Turner, Joel Paris, Sam Whiteman, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Michael Klinger, Brad Hogg, Michael Carberry and Yasir Arafat.

mentor

tastic relationships with the management and the players and have been very fortunate to assist KKR in winning two IPL Championships,” Kallis said in a media release, issued by the franchise. “Over the past year I have had a chance to think about my future and when KKR approached me with this long-term offer, I jumped at it. KKR is a great brand and am really looking forward to assisting them in my new role as mentor and batting consultant.”

Kallis will be part of the Knight Riders coaching staff comprising Trevor Bayliss, Wasim Akram and Vijay Dahiya. According to Venky Mysore, the franchise would continue to “benefit” from the long-term association with Kallis. “Jacques’ commitment to KKR has been brilliant and his contribution both on the field and in the dressing room has been superb. We are delighted to continue the association.”

Kallis will feature in the Big Bash League for Sydney Thunder and has committed to play in the Caribbean Premier League in 2015.

(Cricinfo)

Russell puts pen to paper for Renegades

West Indies allrounder Andre Russell has been signed by Melbourne Renegades to contest the Aussie Big Bash League starting later this month.

The 26-year-old limited overs specialist will be available for the first half of the Big Bash and joins the franchise which already boasts West Indies one-day captain Dwayne Bravo on their roster.

Currently in South Africa campaigning for Knights in the Ram Slam Twenty20 League, Russell said he was keen to get going ‘Down Under.’

“I’m really looking forward to getting to Australia and playing a key role for the Melbourne Renegades this season,” Russell said.

“The Renegades have a talented squad this year with a good mix of big hitters and great bowlers so I want to contribute to the team in both areas this season.

“The Melbourne crowds are well-known for being passionate about sport and I’m excited to experience that atmosphere at Etihad Stadium.”

Russell’s stock in the T20 trade has risen appreciably

in recent years. He has been a star performer for Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies domestic tournament – the Caribbean Premier League –and also represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

An energetic seamer and a powerful lower-order batsman, Russell has already played 38 OneDay Internationals and 30 Twenty20 Internationals, and Renegades coach Simon Helmot believes he will be an asset to the line-up.

“We’ve got some really

solid batting talent across the line-up and we were keen to add an explosive allrounder within our squad,” said Helmot, who coached Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in this year’s CPL.

“Andre fits that bill and increases our bowling options with the likes of Peter Siddle, Nathan Rimmington, Fawad Ahmed, Aaron O’Brien and James Pattinson as he continues his return from injury.”

The Big Bash runs from December 18 until January 28.

Morgan promises “no frills” captaincy

Eoin Morgan says he will take a “no frills” approach in his temporary stint as captain for England’s fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka.

Morgan, 28, takes charge while regular captain Alastair Cook serves a one-match suspension for his side’s slow over rate in the third ODI.

Dublin-born Morgan has skippered the ODI side on seven previous occasions.

“I don’t think there’s a style to my captaincy,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s no frills, it is what it is.”

He added: “I’ve always done it my way. Things won’t change. I play it as I see it.”

Sri Lanka currently lead the seven-match series 2-1 after winning the first and second ODIs before England won the third match in Hambantota on Wednesday.

Cook has been under pressure to quit the one-day captaincy, with ex-England

batsman Kevin Pietersen among those to call for him to quit.

Morgan diplomatically says it is “not an ambition” to take over from Cook as ODI skipper, but conceded he would accept the job if it was offered to him in the future.

“It’s something you can’t turn down,” he said. “When I’ve done it in the past, I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Morgan is currently in a poor personal run of form, having scored only 207 runs

in his last 13 one-day innings since his prolific series in Australia last winter.

But he said: “I’ve had a reasonably good run of form when I’ve captained the side in the past. If it can help turn around my low run of scores, then I’ll be even more pleased.”

Cook’s absence could allow Alex Hales to move up to his regular position of opener, with Ian Bell or James Taylor likely to come into the side.

Balotelli charged for Instagram post

Liverpool striker

Mario Balotelli has been charged by the Football Association for a post on social media which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.

The 24-year-old reposted an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram, which included the words “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew.”

The Italian tweeted to deny the post was offensive, before apologising.

He has until 18:00 GMT on December 15 to respond to the charge.

A Liverpool spokesman said: “We acknowledge the FA’s decision and the player will work through the process to answer the charge.

“While that process is ongoing the club will make no further comment.”

An FA statement read: “It is alleged the Liverpool player breached FA Rule E3[1] in that his posting was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper.

Clarke on course for first India Test

Australia captain Michael Clarke is on course to play in next week’s first Test against India in Adelaide after he came through a training session.

Clarke, 33, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, gave a moving eulogy for team-mate Phillip Hughes at the batsman’s funeral on Wednesday.

ing the image as “my unlucky moment.”

But he showed no reaction to the injury during a session in Sydney.

Balotelli had until 18:00 on Friday to submit an explanation for his comments to the FA and he reportedly provided evidence of the discrimination he has faced during his career.

The picture posted by the player had an image of Super Mario with the heading: “Don’t be a racist!”

The text read: “Be like Mario, he’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican.”

“He jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew.”

After receiving criticism on Twitter for the image, Balotelli tweeted: “My mom [sic] is Jewish so all of you shut up please.”

“It is further alleged that this is an ‘Aggravated Breach’ as defined by FA Rule E3[2] as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.”

He also described repost-

However, he later wrote: “I apologise if I’ve offended anyone.

“The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context it may have the opposite effect.

“Not all Mexicans have a moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money.

“I used a cartoon done by somebody else because it has Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I’m sorry.”

Balotelli, who will miss Liverpool’s match against Sunderland on Saturday with a groin injury, has scored only two goals in his 14 appearances for the club this season. (BBC Sport)

“As long as he’s fine to do the running and can bat he’ll play,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann said.

“We’ll get him batting on Saturday and see how he goes. We’ll be guided by medical staff, the captain himself and selectors.”

Opener Hughes, 25, died in hospital two days after being hit by a short-pitched delivery during a domestic Sheffield Shield game.

Clarke and the entire squad attended Hughes’s funeral in Macksville in New South Wales on Wednesday, and the skipper was due to fly to Adelaide to join the rest of the squad on Friday afternoon to prepare for the Test, which begins on Tuesday.

Hamstring problems

Kiwis draw series

Like the Test series that preceded the Twenty20 games, New Zealand forged a comeback to beat Pakistan by 17 runs in Dubai to square the twomatch series 1-1. A chase of 145 proved challenging

on a slow pitch and New Zealand’s slower bowlers made use of the conditions and relatively little dew to keep a tight grip on the chase.

Despite the early wickets, the result of Man-ofthe-Match Anton Devcich’s

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand innings

(20 overs maximum)

AP Devcich b Mohammad Hafeez 21

KS Williamson* b Shahid Afridi 32

DG Brownlie lbw b Shahid Afridi 0

LRPL Taylor lbw b Raza Hasan 7

TWM Latham c Anwar Ali b Umar Gul 26

L Ronchi† c Ahmed Shehzad

b Sohail Tanvir 31

JDS Neesham not out 7

DL Vettori b Umar Gul 0

NL McCullum run out (Ahmed Shehzad/†Sarfraz Ahmed) 4

KD Mills not out 6

Extras: (w 10) 10

Total: (8 wickets; 20 overs) 144

Did not bat: MJ Henry

Fall of wickets: 1-49 (Devcich, 6.6 ov), 2-50 (Brownlie, 7.3 ov), 3-58 (Williamson, 9.6 ov), 4-78 (Taylor, 12.5 ov), 5-116 (Latham, 16.4 ov), 6-127 (Ronchi, 17.6 ov), 7-127 (Vettori, 18.3 ov), 8-136 (McCullum, 19.1 ov)

Bowling: Anwar Ali 2-0-13-0, Sohail Tanvir 4-0-30-1, Umar

Gul 4-0-24-2, Raza Hasan 4-024-1, Mohammad Hafeez 2-020-1, Shahid Afridi 4-0-33-2

Pakistan innings (target: 145 runs from 20 overs) Sarfraz Ahmed† lbw b Devcich 1 Ahmed Shehzad b Vettori 33

Mohammad Hafeez c & b Devcich 9

Haris Sohail c Latham b Henry 3

Saad Nasim c Brownlie b Neesham 19

Umar Akmal b Neesham 10

Shahid Afridi* c †Ronchi b Neesham 28

Anwar Ali c Williamson b Mills 2

Sohail Tanvir c Devcich b Mills 11

Umar Gul c Taylor b Mills 0

Raza Hasan not out 0

Extras: (lb 7, w 3, nb 1) 11

Total: (all out; 18.5 overs) 127

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 0.4 ov), 2-18 (Mohammad Hafeez, 2.3 ov), 3-24 (Haris Sohail, 4.4 ov), 4-64 (Saad Nasim, 11.4 ov), 5-74 (Ahmed Shehzad, 14.1 ov), 6-97 (Umar Akmal, 15.5 ov), 7-104 (Anwar Ali, 16.5 ov), 8-121 (Shahid Afridi, 17.6 ov), 9-122 (Umar Gul, 18.3 ov), 10127 (Sohail Tanvir, 18.5 ov) Bowling: AP Devcich 4-0-162, MJ Henry 2-0-9-1, KD Mills

3.5-0-26-3, NL McCullum 3-0-16-0, DL Vettori 3-0-281, JDS Neesham 3-0-25-3

surprise spell at the top of the innings, Pakistan were in the game. The New Zealand bowlers had squeezed the equation down to 54 off the last five overs but with Shahid Afridi at the crease, Pakistan had more than a whiff of a chance. That chance evaporated in the 18th over, one of the worst of the innings, as Afridi was caught behind off a pull shot, after having smacked the previous ball bowled by a nervous James Neesham for a six.

Devcich opened the bowling for the first time in T20s and set up New Zealand’s good start with the wickets of Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Hafeez. Sarfraz’s lbw was a doubtful decision, whereas Hafeez lobbed a return catch off a straight length ball.

Even at 24 for 3 in the fifth over, Pakistan’s chase had not disintegrated. Ahmed Shehzad, playing his first game since a skull fracture, anchored the innings with a 40-run stand with Saad Nasim.

Nasim’s dismissal though instigated a stutter. Vettori, playing his first T20 international since 2012, dismissed Shehzad for 33. Umar

kept Clarke out of October’s one-day series with Pakistan and the bulk of last month’s one-day series against South Africa.

Lehmann says “mentally strong” Clarke is to keen to lead the team in the first match of the four-Test series although the coach will allow grieving players to miss the match if they do not feel up to it.

Meanwhile, former Australia fast bowler Merv Hughes has called for pacemen to send down an early bouncer in the Test to “clear the air” in the wake of the death of his namesake.

“There’s been bouncers bowled over 100 years

of cricket and this was an isolated incident,” said the 53-year-old.

“The longer it goes without someone bowling a bouncer, the more it’s going to be on people’s minds.”

Meanwhile, pace bowler Sean Abbott, who delivered the ball which struck Hughes, has yet to decide whether he will play in NSW’s next Sheffield Shield match against Queensland, which also begins next Tuesday.

NSW chief executive Andrew Jones said: “He’s in the same boat as everybody else. It’s a matter for him to see what he wants to do so we’ll let him make that decision.” (BBC Sport)

Akmal, Anwar Ali and Afridi fell in the next three overs and the match ended in the 19th. The wickets were neatly divided between the New Zealand bowlers - Devcich broke the top order finishing with 2 for 16, Neesham’s 3 for 25 scooped out the middle-order and Kyle Mills then cleaned up the tail. Both sides had gone into the game with a few changes. Pakistan brought back Shehzad and Gul in place of Awais Zia and Mohammad Irfan. New Zealand’s changes were also forced by fitness concerns. A tight hamstring kept Martin Guptill out, while Corey Anderson was rested as a precaution after being hit on the helmet during the first T20. Dean Brownlie and Tom Latham were brought in their place and Kane Williamson had hoped that the depth in batting could help the side do better than the 135 they managed in the first game. They did, but only barely. Williamson and Devcich did their job at the start of the innings, sharing a solid 49-run stand in seven overs. Williamson led the way, with pleasing footwork, especially against Gul, during his 32. After the Powerplay though,

things went downhill.

Hafeez added another lefthanded batsman to his tally with Devcich’s dismissal, Afridi got Brownlie and Williamson in successive overs which left Latham and Ross Taylor having to start all over again.

Taylor fell in the 13th over and the revival New Zealand needed, although a brief one, came in the form of a lively stand between Latham and Luke Ronchi, the latter repris-

ing his rescue-act role from the first match. Their 38run stand came off 23 deliveries courtesy Latham’s sweeps and two towering, successive sixes from Ronchi.

Both players fell in successive overs towards the end of the innings, but their stand had done enough to help New Zealand put together 51 runs in the last five overs and their pace eventually made the difference. (Cricinfo)

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Determined bowling and careless batting combined to give the Guyana Jaguars the advantage in dismissing Trinidad and Tobago Red Force for 198 on the opening day of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League fourthround match at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

The Guyanese closed the day on 27-1 with Rajendra Chandrika on 15 and Shemron Hetymer on four. Trevon Griffith made eight. The Jaguars trail by 171 runs.

Earlier leg-spinner

Devendra Bishoo (4-49) and off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine (3-25) combined to destroy the hosts in the

guyana take first day honours against t&t Red Force

final session.

Lendl Simmons (59), Yannick Cariah (51) and Jason Mohammed (48 not out) were the outstanding batsmen.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force after winning the toss and make first use of the surface, lost opener Evin Lewis (2), leg before wicket to Raymond Reifer (1-25).

Fellow opener Simmons was joined by Yannick Ottley and the pair took the total to 53 when Ottley was caught at the wicket off medium pacer Christopher Bramble (1-19) for 14.

Simmons, who was in command right from the start, was partnered by Yannick Cariah and together they progressed to lunch at 78-2. Simmons was batting on 49, while Cariah was on 6.

Simmons went about his business after the interval to reach his 23rd half-century but perished soon after, offering wicket

keeper Anthony Bramble a catch down the leg side off pacer Ronsford Beaton (1-33).

However, Simmon’s dismissal saw the Red Force progress at a snail’s pace. The all-rounder Cariah, who has returned from injury settled nicely after getting a measure of the pitch and the bowlers. Cariah and Mohammed ensured that Simmon’s wicket was the only casualty during that session. At the interval the hosts reached 143-3 with Cariah progressed to 40 and Mohammed on 17.

At the resumption of the final session left the hosts scrambling after an inexplicable batting collapse triggered by Bishoo and Deonarine.

They lost the last seven wickets for just 55 runs. Meanwhile, score in the other fourth round games, Jamaica 165-7 in reply to Leeward Islands 103, and Barbados closed the opening day on 230-5. WICB/PCL

Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’ 3-on-3 tournament...

Pitbulls look strong in bid to defend title

efending champions Pitbulls seemed in ripping form to defend their title of the Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’ 3-on-3 tournament that continued on Thursday evening at California Square.

National forward Ryan Gullen was feeling it from the field as he led the Pitbulls with his long range shooting especially in the final game that saw them defeating Pacesetters ‘C’ 12-5.

Pitbulls defeated Above the Rim 9-4, Texas 7-2 and Rim Kings by a 13-5 score

Tline that will now qualify the defending champions for the finals on December 19.

Gullen was also instrumental in those wins with his versatile game of pulling up for the jumper, working in the post or cleaning the glass. Future Setters was also in the winner’s row with three wins and one loss in four games. Future Setters were able to defeat Colts ‘A’ 10-7, Rim Kings 12-7 and Texas 10-4 as they displayed great pace to their game. Their only loss came against National All-Stars by a 6-3 margin. Colts ‘A’ also won three games in the nights action

he nation’s top golfers will be engaged in keen competition when officials of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) in association with the Grand Coastal Hotel and Restaurant, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, staged the rescheduled one day competition today at the Lusignan Golf Course. The competition was originally billed for November 22 but was postponed due to the

but also lost two as well. The experienced team defeated the National All-Stars 1412, Above the Rim 7-3 and Texas.

In other results, Rim Kings defeated Texas 104, Above the Rim topped Pacesetters ‘C’ 11-9, Pacesetters ‘C’ topped Colts ‘A’ 12-10 in overtime, National All-Stars edged Above the Rim 9-8 in over-

male category while the female with the best net will also receive a prize. LGC Grounds Supervisor, Mike Gayadin, indicated that the course is in an excellent condition. Tee-off is set for 12:15 hours.

DMW International Indoor Hockey Festival…

GCC teams impress with big wins on opening night

Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) hockey players opened the 10th annual Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival with big wins in the Men’s and Women’s division on the opening night on Thursday at the National Gymnasium.

The Hickers drew the first win over GCC in a repeat of last year’s Veterans final, while the cliffhanger of the evening was the thrilling Men’s division duel between Old Fort and the National Under-19s, which ended at 4-4 through an equalising goal in the final minute.

The national Under-19s were up 3-0 by half-time in their Men’s division clash against Old Fort with the

the Under-19s who by now seemed well on their way to an easy victory. With the match wearing down and possession being shared by both sides there seemed to be very little that could be

latter seeming to fade as the game slipped away from their grasp. The second half would produce the most surprising 20 minutes of hockey that anyone could expect.

Six minutes into the second half, Aroydy Branford earned a penalty stroke and scored a fourth goal for

achieved in the final four minutes to change the outcome, but Old Fort saved the best for last.

A penalty stroke by Omar Hopkinson four minutes from full time seemed to inject the Old Fort side with a shot of adrenaline as they managed their sec-

shian Dunbar awarded 7th Degree Black Belt

Chief Instructor of the Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association, Shian Compton Winston Dunbar, has been awarded the 7th Degree Black Belt in Wado-Ryu Karate by the Wado-Ryu Academy of Guyana in collaboration with the Martial Arts Federation International of England.

Shian Dunbar said he was elated to be upgraded to Seventh Degree Black Belt, the highest ranking for Wado-Ryu karate style in Guyana.

Compton

Dunbar has been a practitioner of Wado-Ryu Karate since 1967 and was made Technical Adviser by Grand Master Hironori Ohtsuka 11 on June 1, 2005. Shian Dunbar instructs classes at Banks DIH Sports Club, Mae’s and Eccles Primary Schools weekly. Meanwhile, grading exercise will take place next weekend at Banks DIH Sports Club, while the endof-year social event of the Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association will take place on December 20 at the same venue.

ond just one minute later through speedy overlapping defender Aderemi Simon.

The floor seemed consumed with red as the red jerseys of Old Fort seemed to be everywhere at the same time with the rejuvenated side coming alive and pressing for further success.

Left wing Jason DoSantos entered the scoring circle on the left, weaved past two defenders and slotted home the team’s third in the penultimate minute. The inexperienced Under19s struggled to overcome their shock as the clock ran down and a threatening

Old Fort loomed in front of them.

In the final minute of play, Simon raced down the right side of the court, drawing the deep defence and threading a pass to a waiting DoSantos on the far post. DoSantos’ sweeping finish sent the Gymnasium into an uproar as Old Fort evened the score with seconds remaining and managed to draw the match at 4-4.

Despite a skilful solo run and score from Dwight McCalman and another from Captain Peter Jones, the Renegades suffered the

biggest defeat of the evening, a 2-12 loss, in their Men’s division clash with GCC. Orland Semple and Kevin Spencer scored four goals each for the victors, while Stephen Xavier and Rafael DeGroot both scored doubles. The final Men’s division match-up of the night saw national champions the Pepsi Hikers crush Saints 6-2.

The anticipated toe-totoe rivalry between arch-rivals the GCC Tigers and the Hikers never materialised as the Tigers mauled their opponents from the opening whistle ending with a comfortable 7-1 victory.

Kerensa Fernandes and Sonia Jardine with doubles and Ashley DeGroot Shebiki Baptiste and Lanica Persaud all got on the score sheet for the Tigers. The biggest reaction however, came from the first-time goal from newcomer Persaud and a skilful solo run from Maria Munroe that produced the lone goal for the Hikers.

Spice looked in impressive form in the other Ladies match-up of the evening as they demolished the Old Fort Shooting Stars 10-1. The Stars had no solution

for national striker Aliyah Gordon, who stormed her way to an unmatched seven goals, while teammates Tricia Fiedtkou with a double and Vanessa Pires with a single rounded off their tally. Owinter Henry managed the lone goal against the run of play for the Stars. The lone Veteran’s match of the evening featured the Hickers and GCC, the two sides who faced off both in last year’s final and this year’s national indoor championships final. The game produced outstanding goalkeeper from both Azad DeAbreu for the Hickers and Rawl Davson for GCC, which kept it to a much lower score in the end than was expected.

National midfielder Devin Munroe smashed in two for the Hickers in first half of play and GCC’s Devin Hooper managed to pull one back in the second half, but could not close the gap before full time.

The Festival continues for the rest of the week with games scheduled from 11:00 hours to 21:00 hours today and from 10:30 hours to 19:00 hours on Sunday with a presentation afterwards.

Finals set for Sunday at DCC

The Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares softball competition finals are set for Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, bringing an end to the 2014 softball season.

This softball tournament is also sponsored by Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall, Ariel Enterprise, Bel Air Rubis, Motor Trend, Nauth’s Motor Spares and Romeo’s Oil Seal. It started on August 10 and will conclude with seven games on the day of the finals, which will end under floodlights.

The action will bowl off at 10:00 hours with the Female semi-finals featuring Mike’s Wellwoman and Karibee Girls on Pitch One and Trophy Stall Angels versus Blue Divas on Pitch Two.

This will be followed by the third place Male playoff involving Parika Defenders and Slingers on Pitch One and Farm against Ariel Uprisers on Pitch Two; both games starting at 11:15

hours.

The Female 10/10 final will get underway at 13:30 hours, followed by the Masters 20/20 final between Floodlights and Mike’s Wellman at 14:45 hours.

The Open 20/20 final, which will conclude under lights, will start at 18:00 hours, with reigning Guyana

Softball Cup champions Wolf’s Warriors against losing Guyana Cup finalist Regal.

The top prize for both Male finals is $100,000, plus a trophy. The runner-up prize for both categories is $50,000 and a trophy. The Females will be playing for a top prize of $50,000, while

the losing finalist will receive half that amount.

The Most Valuable Players of the Male finals will receive $10,000 each and a trophy. There will also be prizes for centuries and fivewicket haul in the tournament. Admission to the venue is $200, while parking in ground is $500 per vehicle.

guyana cup re-match will go ahead as planned

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Secretary of the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC), Chattergoon Ramnauth, told Guyana Times Sport on Friday that the club will go ahead with the Guyana Cup re-match as planned, despite a breakdown in communication with its main sponsor.

Ramnauth indicted that communication giant Digicel has once again pulled the plug on its sponsorship deal with the PMTC for the race meet, following a meeting between both parties last week.

However, Digicel Events and Sponsorship Manager, Gavin Hope told Guyana Times Sport on Friday that the company was not aware of the re-match.

Further he indicated that Digicel is not in receipt of any official correspondence from the PMTC with regards the re-match, or was there any meeting with the organisers of the Guyana Cup re-match.

“As we speak I am not aware of the re-match, so to say that Digicel has once again pulled the plug on its sponsorship deal is not true,” Hope said.

Digicel originally pulled out of the Guyana Cup following the disclosure that separate horse-race meets will be held on July 27.

Both the PMTC and Budhan’s Memorial Sports Complex and Race Track

have planned separate horse -race meets, but Digicel ended the partnership, claiming that as a corporate entity, the company wishes to stay clear of conflicts.

Meanwhile, Ramnauth pointed out that over 60 entries have already been confirmed for the race meet.

Organised by business conglomerate Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables, the Guyana Cup rematch is billed for December 21, at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

Nine races are carded for the day with the feature being the D1 and Lower race. The winning prize is a whopping $1.5 million and the Guyana Cup re-match trophy. The race will be contested over a distance of one mile.

Other races billed for the day are the Three-yearold West Indies bred horses, Two-year-old for Guyana bred horses, E1 and Lowe, G1 and Lower, Two-yearold Guyana bred horses, H1 and Lower, I3 and Lower and J3 and Lower.

Horse owners are required to pay fifth per cent of a non-refundable deposit on or by December 13.

Interested persons can contact Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063 or 232-0633), Kris Jagdeo (624-6123; 3220369), Rajendra (Jim – Jo) 618-7278, Ramnauth 3375311, Romel Jagroop (6241798) and Sancho 690-0569.

Petra girls u-11 football resumes today

After being hampered by inclement weather over the past two weekends, the Petra Organisation’s Girls Under-11 football competition for primary schools in Georgetown is set to resume today with a total of nine games, spread over two rounds.

Action will commence at 10:00 hours with all the games slated for the Education Ministry ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

Three games from round two will get the ball rolling with Smith’s Memorial playing Stella Maris, followed by South Ruimveldt against Enterprise at 10:45 hours and St Pius versus St Margaret’s at 11:30 hours.

In the afternoon session, round three will take the spotlight with a total a

Farfan and Mendes Junior Christmas squash tournament… Larissa and Shomari

Wiltshire star on day two

Play in the Guyana Squash Association’s annual Farfan and Mendes Junior Christmas Squash tournament continued on Wednesday evening in all eight of the categories at the Georgetown Club Inc. squash courts.

In one of the feature matches of the evening Alex Cheeks again put up a fight against fellow national player Larissa Wiltshire but again came up short. Larissa won the first two games 11-3 and 11-1 but Alex started playing better in the third game and won it 11-7. Larissa seemed to re-focus in the fourth game and easily won it 11-4.

Shomari Wiltshire and Daniel Islam renewed their rivalry and even though Shomari won the match in straight games 11-4, 12-10, 11-8, Islam played extremely well and was unlucky not to win the second game.

In the match in category

A between national Under 17 players Ben Mekdeci and Alec Melville, there were several long rallies but Ben played the crucial points better and won in straight games 11-4, 11-5, 11-8.

Results in each of the categories are as follows:

Category H Mohyryan Baksh defeated Geovanna Dos Santos 115, 11-5.

Paige Fernandes defeated

Isabella Ramjohn 11-7, 11-4. Beau Fernandes beat Teija Edwards 11-9, 11-8.

Category G Kamir Khan beat Liam Carpenter 11-1, 11-2.

Category F

James Mekdeci beat Nathan Rahaman 11 – 4, 11 - 3

Gareth Da Silva beat Aliyah Persaud 11 – 5, 11 - 9

Category E Madison Fernandes beat

Kirsten Gomes 11-3, 11-3. Daniel Lowe lost to Nechmiyah Levans 5-11, 118, 0-11.

Zachary Persaud beat Nadine Jairam 11-5, 11-3.

Category D

Demetrius De Abreu lost to Ethan Jonas 5-11, 10-12, 3-11.

Category C Jael Gaskin lost to Makeda Harding 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 2-11.

Anthony Islam beat Maya Collins 11-4, 11-8, 11-5.

Category B Larissa Wiltshire beat Alex Cheeks 11-3, 11- 1, 7-11, 11-4.

Shomari Wiltshire beat Daniel Islam 11-4, 12-10, 118.

Category A

Ben Mekdeci defeated Alec Melville 11-4, 11-5, 11-8. Matches continue last evening at the Georgetown squash courts from 18.00 hours.

total of nine games set to be played, commencing at 12:15 hours.

West Ruimveldt will kick off against North Georgetown, followed by East La Penitence against St Stephen’s, Tucville versus Smith’s Memorial, F.E. Pollard against Stella Maris, South Ruimveldt versus St Pius and Enterprise against St Margaret’s.

After the preliminary stage, the top eight schools will move forward to the knockout stage, but the other four will also remain in the competition to vie for the remaining spots. The tournament is a collaborative effort of the Petra Organisation, Ansa McAl Trading under its Smalta brand, the Education and Health Ministries and Health 2000 (Guyana) Inc.

Ruggers return as champions

B y T reis T on J oseph

The Guyana national ruggers retuned to home soil as champions of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) championships that concluded on Thursday in Mexico.

After missing a year in 2013, the new champions returned with smiles laden across their faces to a rejoicing President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green.

Guyana came back from a 21-5 deficit in the

first half to defeat, powerhouse Mexico in the final of the tournament.

Debutant, Patrick King came off the bench to score five tries to cap off a brilliant individual performance while helping the team to their seventh title overall.

The players were met by a number of GRFU officials and the media as no government official journey to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to congratulate what is arguable Guyana’s most successful team in 2014.

Coach of the team

Guyana

Theodore Henry put it best, “To win 15’s and seven’s rugby in the same calendar year is no easy feat, if this was any other team or any other country, we would have been celebrate… we came off the plane went through immigration like any regular person and to me that process was disappoint I was upset about it personally,” Henry noted.

As the players continued to celebrate the win, King talked about the tournament and what it meant to him.

“I really couldn’t have done it without the experienced guys on the team, they helped me a lot and to know that I can contribute and help Guyana win the way I did is a great feeling… I couldn’t ask for anything better,” King noted.

Captain of the team, Ryan Gonsalves played up the heart of the team, “the word of the game in the huddle was belief, Mexico brought the game to us but we stuck to our plan because we knew they only hand a first half of rugby.

“Being down 21-5 at

the half and coming back to win is not easy to do some teams would have given up but we never did we kept going at them,” Gonsalves related.

Meanwhile, Henry and most of the ruggers consented that King was definitely the trump card for the team as the ruggers continued to shout that Guyana’s rugby is back.