Guyana Times Daily - August 11, 2015

$221B 2015 Budget at a glance…

Govt delivers tepid reforms; paltry increases

3

– announces 5-10 per cent pay hike, minimum wage increase

– rhetoric dominates lacklustre presentation

– pensions increased, bridge toll axed by $300 – sports sector omitted, Amaila Falls Hydro Project ‘parked’

Westford not removed from PPP/C’s list of parliamentarian candidates

GuySuCo gets $8.2B stop-gap injection

– Govt to make “hard decisions” after CoI findings Agriculture Minister hospitalised with heart ailment Police probing overseas Guyanese death

Break-ins at NA secondary schools… School staff working in collusion with thieves – Armogan PPP unwilling to comment on Granger’s proposed Crime CoI – says will wait until it's established, starts work

tuesday, august 11, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

I am not “abandoning” Guyanese

– Jagdeo says in explaining return

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has defended the move of former President Bharrat Jagdeo to return to the helm of the political unit, saying that the decision was a unanimous one made at the levels of the Central and Executive Committees.

The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, on Monday was responding to queries as to the reason the former President has been given the post when he was reportedly politically inactive over the last four years.

“We felt that at this point in time, he is the best of the 18-member Executive, in terms of who can represent us best in Parliament,” Rohee told journalists on Monday.

Rohee’s name, along with former President Donald Ramotar had been touted at the Executive level of the Party as possible candidates for the leadership post; however, Rohee said both he and Ramotar withdrew their names and made way for the former leader.

“I give way to him, I supported him as the Opposition Leader,” Rohee said, when asked about his reason for giving up the fight. He said members of the Central Committee floated Jagdeo’s name, which was later taken to the Executive Committee of the party. According to him, Jagdeo remained a member of the Executive and Central Committees and although he was not a part of the actual operations of the Party, he was always there.

The former President also defended his decision to return to active politics, saying that the change in circumstances here has forced him to do so.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Friday, he related his reason for accepting the post of leader of the Opposition PPP/C.

Since demitting office back in 2011, Jagdeo has been keeping a low profile. He said while it was rumoured that he was be-

hind the operations of the Ramotar Administration over the last three years, that was far from the truth, as he has been at the forefront of some rewarding operations internationally.

“Many people thought I was the figure behind the Ramotar Administration. That is not true. I wanted to spend my time doing other work, internationally. And I spent a lot of time doing pro bono work in the financial and environmental fields ... I had started doing some lucrative work that I was being paid for. So I thought this is where I would spend most of the rest of my life internationally,” Jagdeo told this publication.

The former Guyanese leader said the change of administration and the new A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC] Government’s “incessant” attempt to denigrate his and the PPP/C’s legacy was the driving force behind his decision to return to the political scene.

“Of course, I had an interest in the political development, because there was an incessant campaign by APNU to denigrate the legacy of PPP/C, my legacy. I had actually said that I will not go back to Parliament or seek any constitutional post, following my demitting office in 2011. A lot of people have been asking me that. When I said that, I had every intention of retiring from politics.”

Jagdeo said he had an interest in the PPP/C remaining in office, because it meant the “protection of my legacy”. And although he was on the international scene, he still paid attention to what was happening in Guyana.

The former President said had the PPP/C won this year’s elections, he probably would have been back in that circuit, helping with the Economic Commission which former President Ramotar said he had every intention of setting up. However, the circumstances have changed, Jagdeo said, as people have asked him, under intense pressure, to

return because “they believe that I can defend the legacy”.

Jagdeo said had the new Administration started off differently, he probably

would have been under less pressure to return to this demanding portfolio. “But they started off on a witchhunt; they started off by firing persons based on their

ethnicity or political affiliation. They started off by denigrating everything we did although they are benefiting from it, saying that the economy is bankrupt and that is far from the truth. So I know that getting into active politics this time is something that will shut down many of my international work. But my Party needs me now, they have made it clear. Our supporters need me and I am not going to abandon them,” the PPP/C leader said.

“So, even if it means to go back to Parliament as Opposition Leader, I am going to do it. I am prepared to go into the trenches again and battle in the debates to ensure that they do not distort what we have recorded.”

Jagdeo said the PPP/C has a constituency to protect, and his and the PPP/C’s entrance into Parliament is to see just that happens. According to him, the PPP/ C’s presence in Parliament would not be a repeat of what APNU and the AFC did with their combined one-

seat majority.

“We are not going to do what they have done: try to shut down the country for three years. We are going to push them to do things that they have promised. We want them to pay the public servants, we want them to pay the $6000 bag for paddy like they have promised the rice farmers. We want them to safeguard the sugar industry, give help to the miners. We want that to happen and will push for it. And that is why I’m going back and will be engaged in the debates,” he stated.

He reiterated, “And yes, some people will say that you said that you will not go back, but the circumstances have changed. I am not abandoning the Party and the people and by people, I don’t mean only the supporters of the PPP/ C, I mean the people of this country, I have a responsibility to see that their standard of living does not deteriorate,” the former leader argued.

Westford not removed from PPP/C’s list of parliamentarian candidates …party says former Minister “innocent until proven guilty”

Embattled former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford who is currently before the courts on alleged charges of fraud remains on her Party’s list of parliamentarian candidates, with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) insisting that the former Minister was “innocent until proven guilty”.

The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, on Monday answered with a resounding “no” when reporters asked if Dr Westford’s name had been removed from the list. However, when asked if she will be showing up to Parliament whenever the Party decided to go, the General Secretary said, “Let’s wait and see”. He added that when the

Party finally returned to Parliament, answers would be “as clear as crystal”.

Rohee stated that the Party always maintained that a person was “innocent until proven guilty” in response to questions on whether the PPP was concerned Dr Westford might taint the reputation of the Party. He further said that the Party did not want to act prematurely on the issue.

The former Public Service Minister and her Personnel Officer, Margaret Cummings were brought before the courts on July 29, to face larceny and forgery charges respectively, in con-

nection with the alleged illegal transfer of eight highend vehicles, which were the property of the Public Service Ministry, to themselves and friends.

Westford was slapped with four counts of attempting to commit a felony and granted bail in the sum of $800,000. She pleaded not guilty to the four charges.

The 42-year-old former Minister allegedly tried to have the motor vehicles transferred to four persons.

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

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

It is alleged that Cummings signed the supposed receipts that issued the transfers to the abovementioned persons. The court heard she was accused of four counts of intent to defraud after allegedly forging several receipts to indicate that Lewis, Walker, herself and Beaton had purchased the mentioned vehicles. Cummings also pleaded not guilty to the charges. Cummings was granted bail in the amount of $300,000 for each of the charges against her, for a total of $1.2 million.

The charges were officially lodged against the accused following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack after it was sought by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, August 11 – 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, August 12 – 14:30h-16:00h

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

Tuesday, August 11 – 14:35h-16:05h and Wednesday, August 12 – 15:20h-16:50h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy rain showers followed by sunny weather prevailing in the afternoon. Clear skies with light rain showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to South South-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 01:48h and 14:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.28 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:54h and 20:15h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.93 metre respectively.

$221B

By Michael younge

Government on Monday presented a $221 billion Budget to the National Assembly which, apart from increases in Old Age Pension and modest pay hikes for public servants, contained none of the necessary massive reforms or transformative projects that could pull the country out of the current pre-recession slide that has characterised the economy since the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during his almost three-hour lacklustre presentation, explained that the budget was presented against the backdrop of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s desire to see the Guyanese dream of attaining what he referred to as a “good life” accomplished.

Budget 2015 was then packaged under the theme “A fresh start: The Good Life in the Green Economy” by Minister Jordan who spent a significant portion of the beginning of his speech berating the former Government and its management of the socio-economic affairs of the country, while praising his Government for the way it handled several crises since it took office.

“This budget, Mr Speaker, may have been long in coming and would be unavoidably short in implementation, given the limited time remaining in the year. It, nevertheless, remains an important document, not only from a constitutional standpoint but also for the fact that it sets out in some detail, the APNU/AFC Government’s development agenda to 2020, and several of the policies, programmes and projects that the populace can expect, in pursuit of that good life,” the Minister said.

He maintained that all Guyanese yearn for the good life – one in which the country’s patrimony is exploited in a sustainable and responsible manner catering for good jobs that provide permanent incomes, access to decent affordable housing, health care, pure water, sanitation and education.

Minister Jordan spent an inordinate amount of time pointing out what the Government’s vision was for the next five years in office.

He did not deal too

much with any sector during his presentation, but referred generally to several socio-economic challenges that confront the new Government as it sought to effectively implement a fourmonth work programme until Budget 2016 is crafted.

The Budget presented to the sixth sitting of the 11th Parliament, which was boycotted by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), barely made any concrete and specific projects for the year ahead; instead the Minister cautiously referred again to Government’s expectations generally.

Five per cent salary increases

The highlight of Minister Jordan’s presentation came when he purported to announce measures that would

see Guyanese reaping the benefits of his Government’s brand of the “good life”.

He announced a five per cent increase in wages and salaries for the largest category of public servants. This contrasted heavily with specific promises that top figures in the Government, including President David Granger, had made on the campaign trail.

President Granger had promised a 13 per cent pay hike for workers, but Minister Jordan on Monday only announced a five per cent increase along with a hike in the minimum wage.

“Mr Speaker, this Administration is committed to reducing the income distribution gap within Government and will ensure that increases granted to lower income level brackets

will substantially raise the disposable income for those most in need. Mr Speaker, I wish to announce an increase in the minimum basic salary of each public servant to $50,000, effective July 1, 2015. This translates to a 26.4 per cent increase for those still earning the old minimum wage of $39,540 and 17.1 per cent for over 4000 public servants earning the current minimum wage of $42, 703,” he said.

Additionally, effective July 1, 2015, all other public servants will receive a five per cent salary increase plus an additional $5000 monthly which Government alleged would mean a greater increase in the lower income brackets.

Minister Jordan reasoned that a worker currently earning $50,000 will have a monthly increase of $7500, or 15 per cent, while an employee currently receiving a salary of $100,000 would get a 10 per cent increase.

“Since the bulk of the public servants earn $100,000 and below, these are substantial increases, more than was promised to these categories of workers. These increases are payable to workers who were employed on or before January 1, 2015,” the Minister said. He also announced that effective September 1, 2015, every part-time hourly paid school cleaner will receive $312 per hour, reflecting a 54 per cent increase.

Editor (Ag): Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Inquiry into criminal violence

Speaking at a symposium organised by the Cuffy 250 Movement, "State of the African Guyanese", held at the Critchlow Labour College, President David Granger promised to appoint a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the wave of killings that scarred the society between 20002008. When he had been the Opposition Leader in the 10th Parliament, he had moved a motion in this regard but had set the chronological parameters of the COI between 2004 and 2008.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) which was then also in the Opposition benches, but not in coalition with Mr Granger's A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), supported the motion but asked for a broader time frame as did the People's Progressive Party/Civic. Eventually the Motion was passed but the COI was never instituted mainly because it was overtaken by political events, which culminated in elections in May of this year.

But if we are to understand the whys and wherefores of the killings 2000-2008, they will have to be placed within the context of the political protests by the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) following the December 1997 elections, the first one after the seminal 1992 change of Government in 1992 that followed the first "free and fair" elections in twenty-eight years. Those protests in the streets of Georgetown were organised by the PNCR when the latter party claimed that the elections were rigged to ensconce the PPPC once again in power.

On January 12th 1998, the protests degenerated into riotous anarchy as roaming bands attacked, robbed and beat citizens of Indian descent. While the PPPC and the PNCR were eventually brought to the negotiation table and the Herdmanston Accord was eventually brokered and instituted, the January 12th riots were never officially investigated. In the years since, there have been accusations and counter accusations between the two parties and their proxies as to who were behind the violence.

The January 12th ethnic riots needs to be investigated because it also marked the start of a widespread round of criminal attacks on ordinary citizens and businesses. Between 1998 and 1999, over thirty businessmen, almost all of Indian Guyanese origin, had been murdered. There were a number of spectacular armed robberies, many of them blamed on the "Blackie London Gang". London, an ex-GDF Special Forces member, was killed in a spectacular shootout in 2000. His lieutenant, Andrew Douglas was to become almost as infamous as he was, as a leader of the "African Resistance" based in Buxton, following his breakout from prison on Republic Day 2002.

The loot from the Blackie London robberies amounted to hundreds of millions and was never accounted for after his killing and the arrest of most of his gang. It is widely speculated that much of the ill-gotten wealth found their way into the hands of those who wanted to introduce political change in Guyana outside of the legal political system. The violence from 2000 can in this way be seen as segueing from politics to crime and back into politics as the rhetoric of "political exclusion" by the PNCR was taken up by persons willing to travel a more radical path to effectuate "change".

From the protests of 1997 to 1998, every subsequent election has been followed by violent protests of varying intensity by the PNC and its successor organisations. Whether this a matter of correlation or causation between the protests and subsequent criminal violence is a matter that needs to be investigated empirically. This newspaper therefore supports the call for a COI into "the troubles" as Mr Granger calls it, but suggests that the troubles actually began after the Dec 1997 elections and this should mark the start of the Inquiry period.

We would also caution that the present coalition does not become a victim of what it accused the PPP Government of practicing in the Walter Rodney COI. To wit, use it to settle political scores.

Communities Ministry's response to Mr Whittaker on LGE

Dear Editor, Reference is made to a letter, signed by Norman Whittaker, captioned, ‘The Government’s assertion of its preparedness for Local Government Elections ought not to be the only determinant of the Nation’s readiness for those Elections,’ published in your newspaper on August 8, in which Mr Whittaker attempted to make a case for the further delay of the holding of local government elections (LGE). The Minister of Communities wishes to make clear, that the administration’s position on the matter is grounded in respect for the rule of law, respect for the rights of Guyanese to choose their leaders, and respect for democratic norms. Unlike the PPP regime, this administration intends to serve the people according to law, not rule citizens according to the whims and fancies of government officials.

The issue of LGE is not one of preparedness, but one of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana’s obligations to fulfill a constitutional and statutory requirement, and return sovereignty to the people who, according to Article 9 of the Constitution, “exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under the Constitution.” Mr Whittaker

will recall that on February 10, 2014, the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, was debated and passed, directing that elections be held on or before 1st August 2014. The PPP regime ignored that law, despite the public’s outcry for a return to democracy. We recall Leader of the Opposition David Granger’s public calls for the holding of LGE, we recall APNU’s sustained campaign for LGE, including weekly protests outside the office of the President.

The PPP regime is well aware of the importance of local government, Article 74 of the Constitution makes that abundantly clear. What is equally apparent is that party’s intense fear of placing decisionmaking power into the hands of ordinary people, where it rightfully belongs. The PPP’s terror of handing political power to Guyanese citizens stems from the fact that Freedom House knows that once Guyanese realize that they are the bosses and government is their servant, the PPP will never again be allowed to run a dictatorship in Guyana; the people will not permit it.

In his letter, Mr. Whittaker attempts, too, to distract Guyanese with red herrings, speculative nonsense, and cavalier and careless irrelevancies. First, Mr Whittaker should

be the last person to talk about disenfranchisement because, as the Minister of Local Government in the PPP regime, he was directly responsible for denying Guyanese their constitutional right to vote.

Second, GECOM’s officials have repeatedly said, both publicly and in meetings with the Minister of Communities, that they will be ready to conduct LGE, within the timeframe desired by the administration. One therefore wonders if Mr Whittaker is better informed about GECOM’s readiness, than Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Chairman, Dr Surujbally.

Third, Mr Whittaker, apparently, needs to be reminded that his party, the PPP, in its 2011 manifesto, had promised to hold LGE within one year of being re-elected. Of course, we know how that turned out. Mr Whittaker may need to be further reminded that in early 2012, he rose in the National Assembly and said, “The PPP and the PPP/C Government have always viewed local government reform and the need to have Local Government Elections as important not only for development but also important for the renewal of grassroots democracy in our country. We want to hold Local Government Elections. We want to hold Local Government

Elections tonight.” Obviously, Editor, the refusal of the PPP regime to hold LGE while that party was in office, and antiLGE rhetoric currently emanating from its officials, are at odds with the claim that Mr Whittaker made in the hallowed halls of the National Assembly.

Fourth, Mr Whittaker claims to be concerned that young people may not vote in LGE because they will be distracted by Christmas. May I point out to the former Minister that it is not government’s place to legislate who votes, rather, it is the duty of the administration to carry out the law and facilitate its enforcement.

Finally, Mr Whittaker expresses concern that political parties be ready. And that is where the PPP and the APNU+AFC coalition do not see eye to eye. It is the view of the Minister of Communities, that ordinary Guyanese individuals and groups, in addition to political parties, should be empowered to administer their own affairs. In fact, politics should play the smallest role, at the local government level.

Yours faithfully, Mark DaCosta Research Officer to the Minister Ministry of Communities

Carl Parker should be investigated for allegations of corruption

Dear Editor, I observed that the Chairman of the Regional Tender Board for Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), Carl Parker, has invited eligible bidders for 38 capital projects, 31 current projects and 28 capital purchases – supply of goods as published in the Kaieteur New of July 27. It must be noted that while the other regions would have attach the estimated cost for each of these projects, Carl Parker has not done so. Residents are

claiming that this is a recipe for corruption since bidders will not be in a position to bid because of the lack of guidance on the estimated cost per project. And this will result in secretive “bargaining” only between Carl Parker and the bidder.

Knowing the corrupt reputation of Parker, the Rupununi residents are claiming that skullduggery is bound to take place since he has merged with a clique of building contractors and engineers favourable to such actions.

However, can Parker say why there is no project for the Hostel which is badly in need of repairs and stocks? Also, he should explain why no 4x4 vehicles are purchased for the Regional Chairmanand Vice Chairman including other Regional Democratic Council personnel for the execution of their tasks in the Rupununi.

His position as Chairman of the Region Nine Tender Board Administration is questionable in legal terms since he was not appointed by the

National Tender Board. The many claims of Parkers corruption are worrisome and it is therefore important that Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan put an immediate halt to the excesses of Carl Parker.

In my opinion, he should not be appointed to the Regional Executive Officer’s position for Region Nine.

Yours sincerely, Michael Antone

Government should not pay Rudisa

Dear Editor,

I am pleased to note that others share my position and now some adverts have appeared in the print media. I also express thanks to the numerous persons who have called me and have spoken to me, with support for my position.

Secondly, I hold no brief for Banks DIH nor DDL and I have a duty to our people, especially those who have elected as a Member of Parliament between 1992 and 2015.

I restate my position that Government should not pay a dollar to Rudisa/CIDI. Since my letter I decided to go to the CCJ site to listen to the arguments in the case.

I invite you to visit http:// www.caribbeancourtofjustice.org/judgments-proceedings/audio-video-recordings June 3.

Also you can listen to the executive summary of the decision of the court on this site. Remember however, that these are the main arguments, but the written pleadings are more substantial.

After listening to three hours and five minutes of oral arguments and testimony of Rudisa/CIDI attorney and CFO, the former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and the learned CCJ judge the following are pellucid. The CCJ ruled that

Guyana did not produce any evidence to show that the Environmental Tax, which Rudisa/CIDI paid at the point of importing there beverages into Guyana, were passed on to consumers.

Rudisa/CIDI acknowledged that they under invoiced – that the parent company knowingly submitted invoices to CIDI that were below the true cost price of the goods.

Rudisa/CIDI said that they took a cut on their profit margin, in order to sell at a competitive price in the GUYANA market. Rudisa/CIDI* said that 55% of its production is sold in Guyana. Rudisa/CIDI provide their documentation to substantiate what they paid as environments tax. We thus will not herein, second guess the CCJ’s decision, but there is a larger Court, ‘The Court of Public Opinion’ , meaning that the consumers and taxpayers of Guyana, who have paid and will again have to shoulder the financial burden if we do not fight against this greed by Rudisa/CIDI. I appeal to you the consumers and taxpayers in Guyana to stand firm and united against our government paying anything to Rudisa/CIDI. While the CCJ said that Guyana did not provide any evidence that the Environmental tax was

passed on to consumers, anyone in business would know that Rudisa/CIDI had to pass it on. Rudisa/CIDI did acknowledge that the effect was that they took a lower profit margin. So I leave it to you to make up your own mind.

On the issue of under invoicing, wow Guyana has now a serious case to bring against Rudisa/CIDI. Our tax laws allow the Commissioner to fix value of imported goods, especially if he feels that the invoices reflect under valuation of imports. We have the sworn testimony online of Rudisa/ CIDI to this effect.

In my earlier letter I spoke of the possible evasion of profit tax by Rudisa/CIDI. What should be the responses?

First the principals of Rudisa/ CIDI, should walk away from the award. They won a moral victory and Guyana has changed the law.

Second, our Government should now arm itself with the financial penalties to Rudisa/CIDI for the under valuing of invoices and short payment of VAT Third should Rudisa/CIDI not walk away from the award, consumers must boycott all Rudisa/CIDI products for example, Thrill beverages, Heineken beer Kia motors and a few more.

Manzoor Nadir

Public Sector professionals must remain loyal to Guyana

Dear Editor,

Recently, work colleagues and friends of mine have informed me that almost daily they have had to come to my defence from negative criticisms stemming from my association with the previous Administration, my health and my decision to stay on and support the new Government. Professional associates, coworkers, and subordinates will attest to the objective, fair and practical manner in which I have always conducted myself at both the organisational and national levels. I have come to realise that a large part of the criticisms I receive stem from the level of bitterness and contempt some sections of the general public feel toward the previous Administration. It is understandable that in any new Government there will be changes and certain key positions will be affected by this change. However, I still firmly believe that persons appointed by the previous Administration should be given a fair opportunity to serve and especially if they were not part of a/the political party’s machinery. In my situation, I had good jobs with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United Nations when I was asked to serve within the Public Sector by the then

President – how do you say no – likewise I am sure there are others with similar experiences.

The previous Administration suffered from several management related problems. One such problem was that it became the norm for instructions and directives to be given verbally to senior government functionaries and public servants. I do not think it is necessary to point out the issues involved with same, but in this new dispensation, I would like to suggest that strong attention be given to the bureaucratic process for issuing and carrying out instructions. It should be made Government policy to ensure that written instructions are given to senior public officials. This will allow greater clarity, transparency and accountability.

I now move to the issue of state appointed Boards. I recall during my tenure as a Director at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), many of the issues that the industry faces had evolved long before the time of my appointment. However, all the blame for the failures of the entity were laid squarely at the feet of the Board at the time. It is now critical that Government provides clear objectives and directions for the newly appointed GuySuCo board, in

Selective prosecution against the PPP and supporters but not against racists

Dear Editor, Anyone who engages (d) in misconduct or violates the law should and must be dealt with by law. But I note the following inconsistencies in filing criminal charges for public misbehaviour or public comments.

Dr Bheri Ramsaran was slapped with a criminal charge for threatening a female who violated his space and who uttered what Bheri claimed to be an outlandish outburst at him and who also disrupted an interview he was conducting that promoted his verbal assault on her. No charge was filed against the person who violated his space.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo was charged for reporting what those from the Opposition camp stated (anti-Indian racist remarks) in campaign stumps. He was also charged but not the campaigners of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) who actually made the racist comments.

A mob burned down a few houses in Sophia because of the owners’ political affiliation with the People’s Progressive Party. No charges were filed against the arsonists and the racists.

Freddie Kissoon made vile and blasphemous com-

Appointment

ments against a Hindu religious leader and Hinduism. No charges were filed. Several young Africans uttered derogatory racial slurs and engaged in constant racial jeering and abuse of a swami at a Vreed-En-Hoop. No charges were filed. The daughter of an APNU Member of Parliament publicly urinated on and set the PPP flag on fire. No charges were filed. Is this equality before the law and equity in justice? Or are we returning to the era of injustice of post 1964?

Yours truly, Vishnu

Bisram

of Leguan CPG Liaison Officer

should be reconsidered

Dear Editor,

addition to providing all the resources needed. In fact, the Government, where they are majority shareholder in the organisations should provide clear guidelines so that performance can be measured. And performance should be measured to ensure Boards are held accountable with consequences for non-performance. Importantly, subsequent board appointments should be tailored to meet the changing needs of the entity.

In addition, I have observed that on many occasions, persons are appointed to Boards of organisations in sectors they are not very familiar with. It is essential that a comprehensive orientation package is provided which includes a candid report of issues and challenges the organisation faces.

Finally, my advice to professional persons working in the Public Sector is to ensure that decisions made to push you out do not affect your loyalty to Guyana. I will not let that happen to me. On moving forward, I intend to establish a NGO to assist in educating prospective investors and ensuring that tax payers’ monies are well spent when concessions are granted.

Yours sincerely, Keith Burrowes

The Executive of the Leguan Island Community Policing Group (CPG – G2 Division) refuse to support the new appointed Liaison Officer, Kamal Roy Narine. In April 2015, the members of the G2-Division elected John Hayes as the new Vice Chairman and National Community Policing Executive (NCPE). Narine was expelled in May 2015 from the Leguan CPG for misuse of the statutes of the policing groups. Editor, our purpose is to provide a peaceful and secure community of everyone in Leguan. We take a stand on being neutral and do not discriminate. With Kamal Roy Narine as new Liaison Officer, this is impossible, considering that he was appointed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, thus bypassing the CPG Administrator.

This smacks of political favouritism.

Narine tries to establish, in the meantime, his “own” personal policing group. This new group must be integrated in the Leguan CPG, according the statutes of the policing groups. Narine is also the Chairman of the Managing Committee of the Leguan Police Station and so far has done little. Narine is also allegedly currying favours with other bodies in pursuit of his own personal ambitions.

He also allegedly indulged in drunken driving on his motor bike but is said to be a good friend Mr Downer, a Sergeant attached to the Leguan Police Station, who in turn is believed to protect him. Editor, we spend innumerable hours on the road, patrolling by foot, bicycle, motorbike and vehicle at day and night, clean-

ing the road ways, hospital, health stations and beaches. We distribute food hampers to the poor, look-out for missing persons, and we formed a youth group of no less than 80 members. The people of Leguan like us and they trust the Leguan CPG more than the ranks of the Leguan Police Station. On other hand, Kamal Roy Narine has not yet earned a good name on the island. We are very hopeful that the Public Security Ministry reconsiders the decision to appoint Narine to Liaison Officer for the Leguan Island Community Policing Group.

Sincerely yours, Hans Buer (PRO) John Hayes (Vice Chairman and NCPE) Leguan Island Community Policing Group

Page Foundation

Parental roles: How to set healthy boundaries with your child

BY DEBBIE PINCUS MS LMHC

People talk a lot about the need for “boundaries,” but what does this word really mean? As a parent, you can think of a boundary as the line you draw around yourself to define where you end and where your child begins. This isn’t always easy. And let’s face it, children push the boundaries every day, all the time. They are wired to test us and see how far they can go; it’s in their nature. As parents, we sometimes cross boundaries ourselves in our attempts to fix things for them. Understand that one of our most important jobs as parents is to stay loving and separate from our children. We do this by clearly defining our principles, staying in our role as a parent, and sticking to our bottom lines.

How do you know if your child is pushing boundaries?

Here are some examples:

* Your 13-year-old walks into your room without knocking on the door and doesn’t respect your privacy.

* Your 10-year-old interrupts your conversations with other adults without saying “excuse me”

or waiting politely for a chance to get your attention.

* Your teen tells you how to run your life after your divorce.

* Your young child tells you what to do and throws tantrums if you don’t do what she says. How does it feel when boundaries are crossed? Sometimes we get clear indications that it’s happening, while other times, it’s more subtle. You might feel anxious or uncomfortable, angry, tense, embarrassed, resentful, or put upon. Other times, you could react by feeling diminished, as if a

rug has been pulled out from under you, or simply put in a position that doesn’t feel right. You might also see your child stepping in to a place he doesn’t belong, by giving you dating advice, for example, or acting as if he’s the one in charge. (We’ll talk more later about how to establish healthy boundaries, and how to step back into your respective roles.)

Over-functioning for our children

When we get anxious about our children, we often over-function for them and that’s when boundaries can get blurred. This means that we do too much for them,

and “get in their box” instead of staying in our own. When this happens, we’ve forgotten where we end and where our child begins.

At the root of all this is anxiety. When you become nervous about your child’s success or ability to handle things in life (whether it’s in school, with friends, in sports, or with his or her ability to behave appropriately), it might feel as if you’re alleviating stress by jumping in and taking control instead

of letting your child work things out for himself.

Believe me, I understand that it’s painful to see our children struggle in life; we love them and feel responsible for them, so we naturally want to make things better for our children and “fix things.” But know that when you aren’t able to let your child work through obstacles on her own, you’re denying her an important experience – the experience of how to overcome disappointment, how to deal with an argument with a friend, or how to talk to her teacher about a grade. I’m not saying that we should never help, guide, coach and teach our children; of course we should – that’s a huge part of what it means to be a parent. What I’m saying is that we need to let them try to

...think of a boundary as the line you draw around yourself to define where you end and where your child begins.”

fight their own battles when possible and appropriate, rather than taking on their battles for them. Letting your child work through

things is a way to respect them by observing their boundaries – and your own.

How do you know if you might be blurring boundaries as a parent? Here are some signs:

* Doing for your child what he can (or should) do for himself.

* Constantly asking questions; interrogating your child over everything.

* Letting your child invade your boundaries as a couple—making your children the center focus at all times.

* Over-sharing with your child about your life; treating them like a friend rather than your child.

* Giving up your parental authority and allowing your child to take control of the household.

* Living through your child vicariously; feeling as if their achievements are yours, and their failures are yours as well.

* Your child is upset, and you fall apart.

How does it feel for you as a parent when this is happening? Sometimes, it might not feel bad. For example, you might feel like you’re simply sharing with your child even though you’re over-sharing. An important thing to ask yourself in this case is, “Is it my child’s role to listen to this particular problem or story? Is this too much for her? Would this be something more appropriate to share with my mate or a friend?” If your child is giving you advice on your dating life, you may have “invited them in.” If, on the other hand, you’re worried you might be living through your child vicariously, ask yourself, “Am I relying too much on my child’s successes to feel good? Do I need to start focusing more on my own goals?” And if your child is controlling the house with his moods, behavior or demands, sit down and ask yourself, “Am I playing the role of a parent who’s in charge, or am I giving up control of the house to my child out of fear or anxiety?” What parents might not be aware of, in all these instances, is that they’re operating from anxiety in some way. The best advice here is to try not to react from your emotions, but instead, stay in your parental role and respond from your principles. This is the best way to recognise those parent-child boundaries and honor them.

(www.empoweringparents.com) To be continued

tuesday, august 11, 2015

GuySuCo gets $8.2B stop-gap injection

– Govt to make “hard decisions” after CoI findings

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

The beleaguered Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is set to receive an $8.2 billion bailout package from the David Grangerled Administration to ensure its sustainability for the remainder of the year, as the cash strapped Corporation continues to battle its financial woes.

This announcement was made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the presentation of the National Budget 2015 in the National Assembly on Monday. The Minister made the announcement even though his A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government while in Opposition had opposed measures by the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to provide assistance to the ailing in-

dustry at various points in times.

Back in March 2014, APNU MP and now Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge had accused the PPP of pouring money down a “dark hole”. He maintained that his party would not be supporting further bailouts for the sugar industry and insisted that the then Government find a short-term and long-term solution to the woes faced by GuySuCo.

But Finance Minister Jordan told Parliament that “the industry continues to grapple with an unsustainably high cost structure, with production currently averaging US$0.40 per pound of sugar, almost three times the world market price. Recognising the need to drastically reform the industry, the Government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry [CoI] to “investigate

Govt delivers tepid...

No special increases were announced by the Finance Minister for nurses, teachers and even members of the disciplinary forces as had been promised.

In fact, Government had promised Policemen, in particular, a 20 per cent pay increase while on the campaign trail. This was even contained in an earlier version of the coalition’s manifesto which was leaked to the media and then partially withdrawn.

There were no increases in the income tax threshold, but an adjustment in the taxable income after the deductions were made for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) payment.

No massive infrastructural projects

Unlike the PPP/C’s $220 billion Budget which included several small and large scale infrastructural projects, the new Government’s budget based on Minister Jordan’s speech would only include routine fixing of community roads and drains, existing national air, river and land transport network and facilities, and the upgrading of sections of the country’s drainage and irrigation systems.

Surprisingly, most, if not all, of the medium scale projects announced by Minister Jordan were projects inherited from the PPP/C at a mature stage of development or conceptualization.

Minister Jordan announced in Parliament that his Government had parked the hallmark Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project which was being pursued by the PPP/C, because it would be

and inquire into the current state of cane cultivation, production and marketing of sugar, molasses and other by-products including power.

The economic well-being of the sugar industry is critical to the protection of jobs and growth of the economy, as well as the contribution it makes to GDP, exports and foreign exchange. The Government is committed

From page 3

senseless to continue the venture given the overall burden it would present to taxpayers.

“The problem, Mr Speaker, is that as currently configured, it would not only be irresponsible, but a downright criminal act of deception, were we to proceed with the Amaila Falls. Our investigations have revealed that at the current cost of almost $1 billion, the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) would be required to make annual payments amounting to US$130 million to the operators of the hydro facility, which will total US$2.6 billion over the 20-year commitment period of the power purchase agreement. Mr Speaker, this does not include Guyana’s contribution of at least US$160 million (US$45 million for the road, US$80 million equity through Norway, and US$35 million loan from [InterAmerican Development Bank]IDB); and the garnishing of US$65 million of our foreign reserves,” Minister Jordan said.

Critiquing GPL, he said, it would be delusional to suggest that the company has the competence to handle such a financial burden, explaining that the company was known to have poor operational, financial and technical capability.

“The company suffers from high energy and technical losses and fuel price volatility. It would require not only massive tariff increases, but guarantees taxpayers, through the treasury, will provide transfers to meet this obligation. It also assumes that businesses would be willing to aban-

don their lower cost power generation and take the chance that GPL will be able to satisfy their energy demands. Added to this, is the fact that Guyana would be left with all the contingent risks of the project,” he reported to Parliament.

Jordan said the Government discovered that as configured currently, the cost of financing was too high, and it strongly supported the experts at the IDB, who had considered the project to be too risky to attract the Bank’s financing.

“Over the next five years, we will adopt a more integrated approach to providing for our energy needs. We will examine all sources of energy – fossil fuels, wind, solar, bagasse and, of course, hydropower. We will commence feasibility studies for a large hydropower development in the Mazaruni region. This will be done in collaboration with Brazil. We will encourage independent power producers and suppliers to construct energy farms and sell energy to the national grid. We will construct and/or promote the construction of small hydro systems in areas such as Moco Moco, Kato and Tumatumari, and will power all of our new townships, starting with Bartica, using alternative energy sources,” he remarked.

There was no mention of the sport component of governmental obligation which was treated separate and apart from other sectors under the PPP/C which allocated millions for the development, training and upkeep of entities and key stakeholders in the sector.

to supporting the reform efforts.”

Former Guysuco Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Rajendra Singh had requested some $16 billion from the Government to help the industry stay afloat, predicting closures for the factories across the country if the money was not released within a week’s timeframe.

Subsequently, the sugar company received a sum of $400 million from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica which allowed the company to continue its operations.

The Government had also injected an additional $3.8 billion into the industry but the industry continued to struggle. In order

to help GuySuCo stay alive for the remainder of 2015, Government intends to inject an addition $8.2 billion.

However, Minister Jordan quickly noted that this “stop-gap” measure is not a sustainable approach, noting that the APNU/AFC Administration is awaiting the report of the CoI into GuySuCo to determine its next course of action with regards to the sugar industry.

The APNU/AFC Government has committed itself to the full recovery of the sugar industry, noting that it will be working towards this no matter how long it takes.

However, some members of the Administration, includ-

ing the new Chairman of GuySuCo and Presidential Advisor, Dr Clive Thomas have proposed the notion of privatising the corporation. Meanwhile, despite the struggles the industry is currently enduring, Jordan indicated that brighter days may very well be ahead for sugar.

“Sugar production was recorded at 81,271 tonnes at the half year. On the strength of this slim improvement in performance relative to the similar period last year, sugar production for the entire year 2015 has been reduced from 245,079 tonnes, envisaged by the previous Administration, to 219,913 tonnes, a marginal increase of 1.7 per cent over 2014,” he said. Between 2008 and 2013, annual sugar production, which averaged 220,362 tonnes, was considerably below the average production level of 286,084 tonnes for the preceding period 20002007. Following its disastrous performance in 2013, when a mere 186,770 tonnes were produced, a modest target of 215,910 tonnes was set for 2014. The final output for 2014 was 216,186 tonnes.

Ruby murder case to continue at Leonora Magistrate’s Court

The taxi driver who was charged with the murder of a farmer in Ruby made his second appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Joel Brandon, 30, of 3 Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was not required to plead to the indictable charge last Friday which read that between July 22 and July 31 at Ruby, EBE, he murdered Davonan Sookram, age 37. He was represented by Attorney Jed Vasconcellos. Last Friday, Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones informed the court that on July 27, the accused went to the deceased man’s home and

picked him up in his car. That was the last time that Sookram was seen alive. It was further revealed that on July 31 at approximately 16:00h, Sookram’s decomposed body was found in Ruby Backdam, beneath a jamoon tree.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the accused to prison and transferred the matter to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for August 20.

Sookram’s body was discovered with a suspected bullet wound to his head along the Ruby access road. According to reports received, a formal missing person’s report was made

to the Police after days had passed and the man did not return home. Relatives then established a search party and went in search of him. During the search, they received a call that the decomposed body of a male was spotted in a clump of bushes.

As they arrived on the scene, the Police who were already there granted relatives access to view the body. It was then that his wife, along with others, positively identified the body as that of Sookram. The Police then launched an investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Brandon.

Homeless man charged for stealing from employer

Ahomeless man was on Monday fined $50,000 after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court

Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with stealing from the home of the woman who employed him.

Anil Basil, a 40-yearold fisherman, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on August 2 at Albouystown, Georgetown, he stole from the home of the Virtual Complainant

(VC) Odessa Williams one PlayStation game console valued $58,000, one pot set valued $40,000, one perfume set valued $12,000 and a bottle of shampoo valued $1000; all to the total value of $111,000. According to the facts as presented by Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, on the day in question the defendant was cleaning the VC’s yard which she employed him to do. She subsequently discovered the articles miss-

ing and confronted the defendant who admitted to taking the items. The matter was reported to the Police and the defendant was arrested. He took the investigating officers to the persons whom he sold the items to and the pot set was recovered.

In court, the defendant requested that the Magistrate be lenient with him and that she allow him to work and compensate the VC. The VC also pleaded with the Magistrate for

leniency towards the defendant as he did not deny the offence when she confronted him and was quite truthful. She stated that she wished to give him a second chance at “freedom”, adding that she never intended for the matter to get to the court.

After reviewing all of the facts presented, Magistrate McLennan fined the defendant $50,000 with an alternative of two months in prison.

Pensioner charged for defecating in public

Apensioner on Monday appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with defecating in public. The man,

68-year-old Robert Bisram pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on July 23, at 163 Belleview, West Bank Demerara, he defecated in a walkway.

His Attorney Melville

Duke requested self bail stating that the elderly man is a family man and that the allegation which holds no merit was made by his neighbour, with whom he has an ongoing conflict over a plot of land.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones made no objection to bail which was granted in the sum of $2000. The matter was transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court for August 20.

Eyew tness Finally exhaling...

...on oil

With the announcement that ExxonMobil struck oil just before the elections, the new Government thought they’d be able to get away with all the wild promises they’d made on the campaign trail. Why else would they promise to bring in LESS money (cut VAT, reduce corporate taxes etc.) while spending MORE (raise salaries of Government workers, pensioners etc.) and not plunge the country into bankruptcy?

So yesterday, in chastened tones, the APNU/AFC Finance Minister fessed-up that they “can’t suck cane and blow whistle at the same time”. Presenting the Budget for the next four months, he admitted that most of their promises had to be deferred. What he couldn’t say was that they’re gone for channa. They’d sworn up and down that they would fund the promises from “savings” they’d generate after cutting “PPP’s waste”. Now, either they’re even more wasteful than the PPP - or there was no waste to begin with. But don’t expect them to admit either.

After being flown by helicopters to the ExxonMobil oil rig in the ocean (feeling like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible!) there were hopes of a respite. But those was dashed pretty early when the Government (via Minister of National Patrimony, Raphael Trotman) conceded that the ExxonMobil rig had departed our waters just a couple of weeks after their oil strike.

They would’ve been told by ExxonMobil that there was no deus ex machina in the form of oil, to save them. Right off the bat, drilling for the black gold more than a mile under the sea water and then going another three miles into the Earth’s crust ain’t cheap. Costs at least US$170M annually... and it takes a heck of oil to just cover your costs. And when oil has plunged below US $40 per barrel, you’re talking about a whole new ballgame.

With ExxonMobil... they’d have to also factor in the “political risk” of taking on the Venezuelans - with whom they’ve already had a run-in or two. This political risk adds huge insurance costs onto the underwater production costs and makes it difficult to compete with shale oil that’s being squeezed out right in the heart of America. The way things are going in the oil industry, oil’s not going to be contributing any greenbacks to finance our budget for at least a decade.

So in the meantime, let’s see where the APNU/AFC Government’s going to source funds to bring Christmas to Guyana in August.

As they promised!!

...in Berbice

Well... looks like the AFC’s “man in Berbice” Ramayah decided he couldn’t hold his breath any longer. The fellow had taken so much stick from all around - especially his local nemesis in the form of some chap named Haseef Yussufyou can’t blame him for thinking he would’ve gotten some sinecure once APNU/AFC snucked in. Not nepotism or cronyism or anything like that, of course.

While some think he’s a mere “Herbal” doctor - or “bush doctor” in the local patois - according to the SN, (via which medium he announced he was quitting the AFC) Ramaya, actually has two Bachelor’s - one in third world politics and the other in international politics, not to mention a master’s degree and a PhD in psychology. Your Eyewitness feels the fella SHOULD be teed off.

What else but rank discrimination against Berbicians would stop the AFC from finding a job for a man of the people, with those qualifications?

As Ramaya said, “Nobody in Berbice did not get a job.”

...on Ministerial appointments

The PPP’s making heavy weather of Ramjattan, the National Security Minister, for not making a squeak about the new Finance Minister being made Chair of NICIL. When he’d raised all kinds of hell about Ashni Singh doing the same.

Doesn’t the PPP realise that Ramjattan’s an extraordinary mind and “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”??

Look how he reversed himself about being “dead meat”!!

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

Tuschen shopkeeper brutalised by armed bandits

Amother of two is now a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) nursing severe injuries following a beating she received from three armed men who stormed her Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo home on Sunday evening.

Jasaline “Usha” Zaman, 31, a businesswoman of Black Water, Phase Two, Tuschen Housing Scheme, was brutally beaten with guns by the three men who escaped with an undisclosed sum of money, jewellery and a quantity of phone cards.

Guyana Times understands that one of the ban-

scaled the fence, pulled her out of the washroom and started to assault her while demanding money. Suresh, an uncle of the businesswoman, disclosed that at the time of the incident, the woman’s two children were at home.

He explained that after the men pulled her out of the washroom, they duct-taped her hands and mouth and took her to the upper flat of the house where they continuously asked for money and jewellery. While upstairs, they locked the woman’s five year-old daughter in a room and also gagged and bound her eight-year-old son.

dits was subsequently arrested on Monday morning and was at the Leonora Police Station assisting with investigations.

According to information received, Zaman operates a grocery shop in the area and about 19:30h on Sunday, she closed her business for the day, but before going into the upper flat of the house, she went to use the washroom located at the back of the house.

The three armed men reportedly subsequently

Out of fear, the woman reportedly handed over a quantity of money and jewellery to the men but that was not enough. They continued to assault the woman and asked for the day’s earnings from the shop.

Again, she cooperated and told them that that money was in a black plastic bag in the shop. They demanded the keys to the business which were handed over. However, the door was not locked, so two of the men then went into the shop and

collected the money and a quantity of phone cards.

During the ordeal, the woman’s son managed to free himself, jump over the fence and raise an alarm which saw residents running to render assistance. Upon seeing this, the three men scaled the fence and ran towards the bushes.

Suresh further explained that residents picked up the woman who was covered in blood and immediately contacted her husband, Ramesh Narine Sammy and informed him of the incident. He, in turn, contacted the Police and reported the matter.

About 10 minutes later, the husband arrived at the home only to see his wife bleeding about the body. He collected her and rushed her to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where she was treated and subsequently transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she was admitted.

Guyana Times was told that the three men were taken into the area in a white motor car which was parked some distance from the house, but after the driver heard the child screaming, he reportedly drove away.

Persons in the neighbourhood saw the car, but did not realise it was involved in the robbery. Nevertheless, the three men were left behind. They reportedly hid in the bushes and as the place got brighter on Monday morning, they were seen making their way out.

The Police were contacted and one of the men arrested while the remaining two escaped. The suspect in custody had a quantity of phone cards that were taken during the robbery. The Police are on the lookout for the other men.

Man shot on Camp Street by biker

ASouth Ruimveldt man is nursing a gunshot wound to his left foot after he refused to stop his motor car as requested by two armed men along Camp Street, Georgetown on Sunday evening.

Police probing overseas Guyanese death

Afather of four was on Monday morning found dead along the Yakusari, Black Bush Polder road suspected to have been involved in an accident, since his wrecked motor car was fished out of a nearby canal.

The dead man has been identified as Ramdas Soman, 51 of Queens, New York, US, formerly of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to reports received, Soman was found by his brother Lionel about 06:30h during a search oper-

ation after he went missing. His body bore minor bruises consistent with a vehicular accident.

Soman reportedly arrived in Guyana on August 6 to attend his mother-inlaw’s funeral which was held on Sunday at Number 72 Village, Corentyne. He was due to return home shortly.

Lionel Soman told Guyana Times that after the funeral, his brother called

and informed him about 19:30h that he was at the Yakusari Entrance heading to his home.

At 20:00h, Lionel claimed that his brother did not show up and his sister who was with him suggested that they wait another 15 minutes. After that time elapsed and the man did not show up, he drove to the Number 51 and Springlands Police Stations to enquire whether or not there were any reports of an accident, but Police ranks confirmed there were no such reports.

He then went to a few guesthouses in the area to look for his brother, but there were no signs of him. The worried brother claimed that on his way home, he did not see any vehicle along the Black Bush Polder road.

However, he ventured out early Monday morning in his boat with three others in search of his brother. As they travelled along the waterway, they saw the man lying on the parapet in a mo-

tionless state.

At the same time, he saw a Police vehicle passing and stopped them.

As they searched further, they came into contact with the motor car bearing registration number PTT 1933 belonging to BB Exotic Gardens submerged in the water. The car was completely wrecked. Lionel believes that his brother might have been under the influence of alcohol and as such, lost control of vehicle and ended up in the canal.

From all indications, the man received injures and managed to get out of the wreckage, but subsequently died. The access road, the brother stated, is in a deplorable state. The Police in a release stated that they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

The body was taken to the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary where a post-mortem examination is scheduled for Wednesday.

According to information received, Nievelder was driving along Camp Street when two men drove up alongside

Seretse Nievelder, 29, of South Ruimveldt Park, Greater Georgetown, was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital and was listed as stable.

him and demanded that he stop the car. The now injured man refused and the pillion rider whipped out a gun and discharged a round hitting him to the left foot. Police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

Agriculture Minister hospitalised with heart ailment

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder is currently hospitalised at the Caribbean Heart Institute after some issues occurred with his heart and lungs.

Reports are that Minister Holder was complaining of chest pains on Sunday and was rushed to the institute. Holder was unable to attend the 6th sitting of the National

Assembly, in which the Budget 2015 was presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin shared that he was very worried about his colleague and was very much shocked when he heard the news but wishes Holder great health and strength.

Doctors are currently

monitoring the Minister’s condition closely, even though he is listed as a stable.

Director of Public Information Imran Khan explained that Holder is currently at the Heart Institute and is “walking and talking” well, but doctors remain adamant about keeping him for observation.

Construction worker fined for narcotics possession

AConstruction Worker was fined

$15,000 on Monday for being in possession of the illegal drug cannabis sativa (marijuana).

Terry Garraway, 40, of the Kwakwani Waterfront, Upper Berbice River pleaded guilty to the charge which stated he had three grams of marijuana on his person on August 8.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the Police

was on patrol duty on the day in question when they saw the accused acting suspiciously and stopped to search him. It was then that the illicit drug was found. There were two small transparent plastic bags and two white paper bags filled with seeds and leaves that were rolled up like a cigarette.

Garraway was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where the array of seeds and

leaves were weighed and he was charged for the offence.

When asked by the court if he was indeed in possession of the marijuana on his person, the defendant admitted, calling it weed.

Magistrate Ann McLennan fined him

$15,000, and sentenced him to complete four weeks in community service at the Kwakwani Police Station.

Canal Polder man shot over money row while gambling

Alabourer was shot three times to his body following an argument with another man during a gambling spree at Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara on Monday.

Steve Benjamin, 30, of Canal Number One Polder, is nursing gunshot wounds to his upper back and is said to be in serious condition.

According to information received, Benjamin was in the midst of a few men when an argument broke out in connection with nonpayments of bids. One of the men reportedly got annoyed, pulled out a hand gun and shot Benjamin three times before escaping.

The others reportedly scattered as the gunshots went off. The injured man was picked up and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Police have launched an investigation into the shooting incident.

Berbice suicide rate continues to climb – poison and rope end lives of Canje neighbours

Two men in New Area, East Canefield, Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) who worked at the Rose Hall Sugar Estate took their lives reportedly after having issues with their spouses.

On Saturday evening, a mother of three returned home and found her husband hanging by the neck from a rope attached to the door of a bedroom in their one-flat three-bedroom house at 779 New Area Canefield Settlement. Dead is Wayne Williams, 43, an estate worker who was released from his job and paid off three weeks ago after receiving an injury at his work site. It is also reported that following the injury he was not as physically capable as before. This publication understands that on Saturday Williams had an argument with his wife and picked up a cutlass which he attempted to use it on her, but she escaped by running out of the yard.

While family members refused to provide informa-

tion on the incident, neighbours say that Williams was accused of being gay and being unable to perform sexually. His wife and children left the home shortly after the cutlass incident on Saturday. When they returned shortly after 19:00h, the discovery of his hanging body was made. Williams had attempted suicide previously by ingesting a poisonous substance and was admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital. On several occasions, it is reported that he threatened to take his own life. Meanwhile, Darren Bhagwandin 23, a Dock Operator attached to the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, of 1012 New Area Canefield Settlement, also died on Saturday after ingesting a poisonous substance. It has been reported that Bhagwandin drank the poison after being told by his girlfriend that she wanted to sever the relationship between them. A post-mortem is expected to be performed on both bodies on Wednesday.

Break-ins at NA secondary schools –

school staff working in collusion with thieves – Armogan

Region Six Chairman

David Armogan is of the view that the recent break-ins at secondary schools in New Amsterdam were carefully planned and involved staff working at those schools. Within the space of seven days, thieves broke into three of five secondary schools in New Amsterdam and in the process carted off more than $5 million worth in items. During these break-ins, several security guards were tied up, beaten and one was raped. During the same period, an attempt was also mad to go into the two other secondary schools in the town.

In those attempts, one security guard was injured and had to seek medical attention while another saved herself from the group of armed men by jumping into a trench. A female guard attached to one of the schools that were not broken into fled and hid in nearby bushes after she was attacked by a man brandishing a cutlass.

Armogan says it is a new trend that is developing in the town, whereby schools are being raided. “I think this has to do with the fact that we are now registering children for the new school year and as a result of that what invariably happens is that a fee is charged for registration and other purposes.”

According to the Regional Chairman, it is not by chance that thieves are breaking into schools and finding money. He says they have been receiving information and acting on it. “I think what has happened there is that thieves and the fellows that roam around the school areas and given information be persons who are working within the system. They know exactly where the money is and where to go and pick it up so it has to be collusion between the people who are working within the school system and these people who are operating on the streets and that is why it is happening to all the schools.”

“What we find is that once the takings are today is that the school gets raid tonight. It is a very terrible situation developing and they are tying the guards which is a very dangerous situation too because the lives of these guards is also at stake and I think people need to come out and talk about it.”

Meanwhile, the Police have been asked to beef up patrols in and round the school areas, especially at nights while schools have been instructed not to keep money in the premises of the school.

Berbice

Bridge toll

reduction

Passenger

cars and buses’ reduced by 13.6%, others’ 10% – Bridge Company subsidy not announced

With effect from September 1, the Berbice Bridge toll for passenger cars and buses will be reduced by 13.6 per cent while all other types of vehicles will be reduced by 10 per cent.

The 13.6 per cent will see passenger cars and buses being reduced from $2200 to $1900.

This announcement was made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan as he presented the National Budget for the remainder of the fiscal year 2015.

“Over 150,000 Guyanese live within Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and traverse the Berbice Bridge to access education and health services, conduct business and travel

could result in legal or economical implications.

The then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had opposed a motion in the 10th Parliament for a reduction in the tolls because both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) were insisting that Government simply demand the Bridge Company amend its toll fee structure, ignoring all arrangements provided for in the contract. The twoparty Opposition eventually passed their motion because of their majority in the Assembly.

At the time, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) strongly supported the PPP/ C’s stance since it understood that a breach of the

at least one of those investors have hinted that maybe the Government should buy out its shares.

Almost every major financial institution in Guyana has a financial stake in the Berbice Bridge primarily through bonds, and any interruption of those fixed payments could have disastrous effects as the disruptions ripple through the economy.

Chairperson of the PSC’s sub-committee on trade, Ramesh Dookhoo, who was once PSC Chairman, had told <<<Guyana Times>>> that if Government were to take another approach towards lowering the tolls, chances are investors would end up suffering owing to the considerable losses the Bridge Company would be recording.

on a daily basis. Thousands more traverse the bridge annually. This Government has heard the cries of the people and will alleviate the burden of the high fares imposed on them,” Jordan stated.

Government had proposed to subsidise the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) in an effort to reduce the tolls – a move which was highly welcomed by stakeholders.

However, during his Budget Presentation, Minister Jordan failed to mention the net sum of taxpayers’ monies which will go towards subsidising the Company to offset the reduction of the tolls.

Stakeholders already contended that the most feasible approach of reducing the Bridge Tolls would be through a Government subsidy as any other method

terms of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financial arrangement would send the absolute wrong signal to the international financial institutions and investors vitally necessary for Guyana’s development.

Having learnt that the APNU/AFC coalition Government’s new intention was to actually engage in constructive discussions with the Company about the possibility of a Government subsidy to realise the toll reductions, stakeholders were greatly relieved and pledged their support for this move.

Although the Berbice Bridge generates $1.5 billion annually, the shareholders owning the Bridge have never been paid any dividends on their massive investment. They appear to have made their investment as a matter of patriotism and

“Investors shouldn’t be allowed to suffer and if it is done, subsidies should be put in place…,” he had stated.

Guyana Times had also spoken to the Chairman of the Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCCI), Rajnauth Ramroop who said the reduction of the tolls “will affect the Berbice region in a positive way. We have been calling for a reduction in the tolls for a long time and we welcome the move. It is not safe for us in the region to be paying so much when the Demerara [Harbour] Bridge is not even so much.”

Since the construction of the Berbice River Bridge, commuters specifically from Region Five and Region Six have bemoaned the fees structure and have been calling on Government to lower the tolls.

$38M NJASM Humanitarian Mission training centre and counselling facility commissioned

– Minister Lawrence, US Chargé d’affaires commit to partner with Private Sector for improved social services

A$38 million skills training centre and counselling facility was officially opened on Sunday by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence and US Chargé d'affaires Bryan Hunt, at Area Q, Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Region Six (East

ing roles,” Lawrence noted. She said the provision of social services is a great challenge, because often, the results are not quantifiable or easy to measure and added that it requires diligent, committed and consistent efforts in order to ensure success. “As a

Berbice-Corentyne).

Both Chargé d'affaires Hunt and Minister Lawrence promised to work with agencies that are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

The multimillion-dollar New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir (NJASM) Humanitarian Mission Skills Training and Counselling Centre will be equipped with facilities for a welding and wood joinery shop, a skills training centre which aims at creating jobs in the community, along with a skills training centre that will empower young minds. Phase Two of the project will see a home for the elderly being established in a second building which is still to be constructed.

Speaking at the commissioning of the project, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence commended the NJASM Humanitarian Mission for taking the initiative and said that she was delighted to learn that one of the main goals of the project was to alleviate poverty through the provision of social services and the promotion of education and empowering vulnerable groups.

However, she noted that her Ministry sees the difficulty people face and recognise the importance of partnerships in helping to address those challenges. “I urge you to continue your work of reaching out to those who are less fortunate, those who have been overcome by social ills, tragedy or ill health… We need your help to restore families, to sensitise and educate our men about the way to treat women and about the need to embrace woman’s chang-

Government we will continue to strive for the improvement in the quality of social services and greater social protection. I wish to extend a hand to all those who are willing to partner with us for human development and to take this opportunity to remind us all that everyone has a role to play in achieving the desirable society we wish to see.”

US Chargé d'affaires Bryan Hunt also committed the United States’ support towards efforts being

Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan in brief remarks explained that there were many challenges which the local chapter of the New Jersey Humanitarian Mission had to overcome. He explained that another organisation has established a building which sits about 100 metres away had advised Government not to lease the plot of land to the New Jersey Humanitarian Mission; a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) with similar goals.

“In Guyana today there are many social and environmental problems that face us and even so, we have more organisations established to deal these problems, the problems still seem to be going unabated. I believe this is because many more organisations are involved in looking at the problem rather than putting resources to find solutions to the problem…”

He said if one looks at the amount of studies that have been done and the amount of papers that have been presented, in terms of social problems and compare it with programmes where money is involved to empower persons by training them and giving them life skills to provide alternative employment, one would find that we are lacking. “And that is why today I am extremely happy that the Humanitarian Mission of

made to break the cycle of poverty through empowerment and education. He said Governments cannot do it alone and civil society has a critical role to play in addressing social ills plaguing our society. “We support the outstanding work by organisations like the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey in trying to bring about grass roots involvement by citizens in the United States and in Guyana in order to make a difference at the community level.”

Hunt underscored the importance on investing in education which he said is the driving force of all social and economic development.

New Jersey has taken this initiative to do exactly that which is not so prevalent in our community; that is empowering our people.”

Also attending the commissioning were Junior Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jaipaul Sharma, Chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission Leila Ramson and former Chairman of Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) Yesu Persaud.

The Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission’s Skills Training and Counselling Centre is the brain child of Pandit Surish Sugrim who is the Cheif Executive Officer of the organisation.

tuesday, august 11, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s economy dipped in 2014 – Finance Minister

– projects a 3.4 per cent growth in 2015

After recording eight consecutive years of growth, Guyana’s economy took a dip in 2014 after it registered a 3.8 per cent growth, representing a significant reduction from the initial expected growth rate; and despite a “slump” in economic activities a 3.4 per cent growth by the end of this year has been projected.

Presenting his inaugural budget to the National Assembly on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed that a 3.2 per cent growth recorded in the first half of 2014 represented a slippage compared to the same period in the previous year. He noted that as a result of this performance, the growth rate for 2014 was trimmed from an initial projection of 5.6 per cent to 4.5 per cent.

“Unfortunately, even that lower growth rate was not achieved, for the economy contracted to 3.8 per cent. This was the first sign that the economy was slowing down, with the rapidly deteriorating political climate being identified as a significant contributory factor,” the Minister stated.

Jordan pointed out that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has been blamed for the “slump in the economy” since its assumption to office; however, he noted that the economy’s performance last year was under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic

(PPP/C) Administration.

“We have all heard and read the dire warnings of some previous officials of the former Administration pontificating on the slowdown in the economy, as if this occurred since our assumption to office; as though they did not recognise the clear slowing of growth last year when they were in office – as borne out by the [Gross Domestic Product] GDP growth figures; as if they did not know that sugar was broke and needed a substantial lifeline from the Government; as if they did not know that the Venezuelan rice deal would not have continued beyond this year; as if the they did not know that their proroguing and dissolving the Parliament and their post-election antics would heighten uncertainty, causing businesses to withhold investment,” he outlined to the National Assembly.

While underscoring that 2014’s occurrences has set the platform from what is realistically anticipated for the economy’s performance at the end this year, Jordan went on to highlight Government’s 2015 expectations. According to the Finance Minister, upon his assumption to office, significant preparatory work was already done on the expectation of the economy’s 2015 performance.

He noted that the initial profile of the economy portrays that the previous Government was projecting resurgence in growth to 5.3

per cent, compared to the 3.8 per cent achievement last year. The Minister explained that except for four main sectors – sugar, bauxite, gold and wholesale and retail – there was modest growth targeted for all sectors of the economy.

Consequently, Jordan informed the House that with the first half-year performance, the ambitious expectation of a 5.3 per cent growth in 2015 was tempered to 3.4 per cent. He remarked that half-year, which was substantially under the former Administration, recorded a miniscule 0.9 per cent showing no signs of what was needed to attain a growth rate of 5.3 per cent.

“The failure of the economy to realise the planned growth rate in 2014, and the below par performance in the first half of this year, is conclusive evidence that the economy had slowed down long before our Government’s entry into office. There are, however, encouraging signs that there will be recovery in many sectors that will allow us to achieve the 3.4 per cent revised growth rate,” he declared.

Moving onto sectoral performance, the Minister outlined that it was expected that the global reduction in fuel prices at the beginning of 2015 would remain throughout the year and gold prices were unlikely to rebound with any major impact during 2015. He added too that with the domestic production of food ex-

Small Business Expo in pipeline

Plans for the Small Business Expo that is to take the place of GuyExpo for the year 2015 is running fairly well according to Business Minister Dominic Gaskin.

Gaskin told Guyana Times that with this initiative, they will be able to reenhance small businesses. He shared that while the event is not specifically targeted just at small businesses, he hopes that they will take the opportunity to be reinvented.

He mentioned that this event is not a permanent replacement for Guyana’s biggest Trade Fair and Exhibition, but an opportunity to take the event back into its former glory.

Minister Gaskin had shared that he would like the focus of the event to be the promotion of Guyanese

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

businesses and not a crowd of foreigners making the works of Guyanese appear inferior. The Business Minister mentioned that the Government would like to be

sure that if it chose to carry on this event, that the model and format used was aligned with its vision.

The Minister said he believed that GuyExpo was designed to be a trade fair to promote Guyanese businesses and the Government of Guyana would like to ensure that the priorities of the grand event were so aligned. He noted that he is aware that many businesses, both large and small, do rely on GuyExpo as a money-making venture and it was, therefore, important to them. Gaskin added that if the event was only seen as a money-making venture or an entertainment event, while he has no problem with money making or entertainment, these were not the priorities of the Business Ministry.

pected to continue growing and prices even further stabilised; therefore, another year of low to moderate inflation was anticipated with the inflation target set at 2.5 per cent.

“Mr Speaker, were the monthly marginal increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded since January to continue, even if there were moderate increases in global fuel prices and consumer spending during the second half of the year, the inflation rate should not exceed 0.5 per cent,” he added.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister went on to say that this year, the overall deficit of the balance of payments is project-

ed to improve to US$113.4 million from the US$116.4 million recorded last year.

According to Jordan, this improved deficit will be achieved because of a projected smaller deficit in the current account, despite a substantial fall in net capital inflows.

He also informed the National Assembly that merchandise exports are estimated at US$1.1 billion, a small decline of 2.6 per cent.

However the Minister explained that the merchandise imports are budgeted to fall even faster from US$1.8 billion in 2014 to US$1.6 billion or 13 per cent.

This, he noted, leaves a net merchandise deficit of US$0.4 billion or about two-

thirds that of last year’s. Net services were projected to decline by 18.5 per cent, he added. Jordan further stated that along with a small reduction in transfers, these movements are expected to result in a substantial improvement in the current account deficit from US$0.4 billion in 2014 to US$0.2 billion in 2015. The Minister remarked that the capital account is estimated to deteriorate from US$210 million in 2014 to US$61 million, in 2015.

Under the PPP/C regime, Guyana recorded it’s longest period – eight years – of uninterrupted real economic growth from 2006 to 2013, varying 3 to 5 per cent in independent Guyana.

New consumer items to carry zero VAT

Though it failed to implement a radical reform in the tax system or have any significant reductions in taxes like it had promised on the campaign trail, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government proposed to have over 20 key consumer items added to the list of commodities which attract zero Value Added Tax (VAT).

This move will see Government losing $680 million in total revenues.

The commodity items attracting zero VAT will now include yogurt, fresh carrots, Milo, Ovaltine, Nestum, mustard, mayonnaise, locally-produced fruit juice, locally-made chowmein, vinegar, locally-made uncooked pasta, ketchup, chicken sausages in packets, locally-produced Chinese sauce, baking powder, liquid detergent, household cleaning agents, rolls of paper towels, and computer printers for non commercial use.

“It is our fervent hope that retailers will pass on the benefit from the removal of VAT from these items to the consumer, through the lowering of their prices,” Finance Minister Winston Jordan told the National Assembly during the budget presentation.

Previously, the zero-rated items were a supply of ice for fishing purposes; a supply of knotted netting of

twine, cordage or rope, made up fishing nets and other made up nets of textile materials; a supply of fungicide, herbicide, weedicide for agriculture purposes; a supply of harrows, cultivators, scarifiers, ploughs, weeders and hoes; a supply of machinery used for preparing animal feeding stuffs;a supply of locally produced garments; a supply of sewing machines and of spools, cops, bobbins and other similar products used therewith; a supply of sacks and bags of a kind used for the packaging of goods; a supply of the services of transporting passengers or goods by air from one place in Guyana to another place in Guyana, subject to the signing of an agreement between the Government and the supplier of the service; a supply of river or land crossing services subject to the signing of an agreement between the Government and the supplier of the service; a supply of veterinary drugs as determined by the Commissioner, among several others.

Meanwhile, Jordan also proposed amendments to the Customs Act which will see tax exemptions on fishing boats, spare parts, equipment for fishing boats and equipment and supplies for use in the processing plant which the Commissioner General is satisfied are imported for use in the fish/ seafood and the aquaculture industry.

Also, he proposed that Toshaos in approved Amerindian Communities shall be exempt from Customs duties on motor vehicles and All Terrain Vehicles. A proposal was also made for eligible members of the Joint Services to be exempt from the payment of excise tax for motor vehicles.

Moreover, in relation to the Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR), Minister Jordan proposed that in ascertaining the chargeable income of a person who is eligible for Mortgage Interest Relief there shall be allowed a deduction against his chargeable income, the amount of the interest paid to the Financial Institution in the year proceeding the year of assessment.

Also, in ascertaining the amount of the refund payable on the eligible relief, the Commissioner General will ascertain the chargeable income of the taxpayer. If it is determined that the chargeable income is not sufficient and will result in reducing the chargeable income below zero, then the refunds paid on the mortgage interest relief to the taxpayer will be reduced accordingly and he will not be eligible for the full relief. The other change is that lending and licensed financial institutions will not be required to provide a statement of interest paid on the mortgage annually.

Govt finally pays $23B debt to rice farmers

– crisis continues as new markets not secured

Over 7000 disgruntled rice farmers will finally be receiving their long-overdue payments for paddy supplies to millers as Government intends to release $23 billion to assist the millers in settling their debts. However, there were no announcements of Government securing new markets to relieve the present crisis in the industry.

During the budget presentation in Parliament on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced that $23 billion will be allocated to support payments to the rice farmers who were owed billions of dollars altogether for the supplies made to the millers throughout the years.

It was reported that millers experienced extreme difficulties in paying the rice farmers for the supplies received, owing to Government’s own default. Government needed to disburse some US$15 million to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) so it can pay off millers who needed to settle their debts with the rice farmers. Jordan reported that rice farmers were owed in excess of US$17 million.

For years now, many have complained about rice farmers being squeezed by payment delays, which they blamed on the lax enforcement of the Rice Factory Act.

The Act stipulates that in the event a rice miller pays half of the monies owed for

paddy on receipt of the rice and fails to complete payment within the required 42day timeframe, the miller is bound by law to pay farmers interest that is two per cent higher than the going interest rate of the Bank of Guyana.

Owing to the millers’ constant failure to pay rice farmers over the years, the amounts owed to them have now accumulated and will continue to accumulate if more stringent enforcement measures are not put in place.

With another harvesting season about to begin , rice farmers were growing frustrated over the fact that they are still owed. Many of them expressed grave concern over the situation, particularly with regard to how they would stand their expenses for this next crop.

Many farmers were suffering from paddy bug infestation, while another fraction had heavy loans to take care of at the banks and labour to pay.

But this situation is nothing strange as it has been happening for years and rice farmers have grown tired of the noncompliance with the laws.

Jordan, during his presentation, underscored the importance of the rice sector and Government’s critical role in helping it stay afloat.

He pointed out that the industry has recorded consistently higher levels of out-

put, breaking the 400,000 tonne barrier, in 2011, and the 500,000-tonne bar, in 2013. For 2014, rice output attained an impressive 635,238 tonnes, an increase of 18.6 per cent.

“As buoyant as this new record-breaking output appeared, however, the warning bells were being rung of the industry’s inability to align output with domestic and external demand, resulting in the build-up of significant paddy stocks in the system – a situation that was compounded by unresolved issues such as outstanding payments to rice farmers,” the Minister said, noting that Government’s intervention was imperative.

The Minister did not offer any hope to the beleaguered farmers and millers that the Government was making efforts to secure new markets.

Meanwhile, millers' representation bodies were calling on the GRDB to assist in compensating millers who had rice/paddy shipments stranded at the wharves due to Venezuela’s cancellation of their shipments to their country.

The Millers Association and the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) had called on the GRDB to play a greater role during the ‘rice industry crisis’ and assist in some way to compensate for the estimated US$2 million the millers stood to lose as a result of the stalled rice shipments.

Jagdeo says budget shameful, carbon copy of PPP/C’s initiatives

Soon-to-be sworn-in Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday blasted the APNU/AFC Administration and more so the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, for presenting a number of the PPP/ C’s initiatives and plans in his 2015 budget in hopes of making the public believe that these are initiatives of the APNU/AFC.

Jagdeo, in a brief press statement on Monday evening, moments after the budget presentation, accused Minister Jordan of being “lengthy in generality” and having “lofty goals” in his budget speech.

“He failed miserably to be specific in policy prescriptions and initiatives to address the pressing issues facing various constituencies in Guyana.”

He said that the Minister “shamelessly presented many of the PPP/C Administration’s projects and programmes in health, education, housing and water, roads, drainage and irrigation, enhancing accountability and the environmental services sector among others as new initiatives. It is seriously underwhelming”.

Sources close to Jagdeo told this newspaper that soon he would deal with the budget in great depth as the Party was underwhelmed by the new Government’s cut-andpaste approach to such an important policy document which appears incoherent.

The budget presentation

which was also aired live on several news stations was met with mixed reviews from some prominent members of the business community.

Ambitious but challenging Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) President Ramesh Dookhoo, told Guyana Times on Monday night that such a move by the Government in presenting this year’s budget was “ambitious but also admirable”.

He stated that the fact that the APNU/AFC Government was looking to spend so much of money will stimulate the economy as he pointed out that the changes to wages and salaries was a definite plus.

However, he noted that there was a lot of disappointment with the non-replacement of benefits for schoolchildren.

“I hope something is done about this and that it is done in the near future for these schoolchildren and their benefits. Hopefully with this budget some depression can be lifted from

the business community and things can see a change from tomorrow (today) and we can see where the economy is going. I am sure the guys from the construction industry will be happy because projects will soon be rolling out,” Dookhoo explained. Guyana Times was told that during the earlier part of this year the economy did not move forward as it should have owing to political crises and ‘back and forth’. Now that such a move has been made in the National Assembly, he was hopeful that “things will be put back on track”. He further stated that the Government will have a lot of work cut out for it in order to spend such a large sum of money for the rest of this year. “This will be a great challenge for the APNU/ AFC Government to spend this money. They will have to work extremely hard with a lot of efficiency. But now that this has started, they can focus on procurement issues and other big issues,” Dookhoo added.

Ramaya resigns from AFC over personal, Berbice neglect

– had opposed coalition with APNU

Alliance For Change (AFC) General Secretary David Patterson said he is unaware of the impending resignation of Dr Veerasammy Ramayya from the party.

Hailing from Whim, like Moses Nagamootoo, Ramayya had single handedly campaigned for the AFC in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), which resulted in the party earning 12,000 votes at the 2011 polls. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) 2015 rally was held in front of his home.

But following the 2015 General and Regional Elections, Ramayya indicated that he no longer wanted to be a part of the party which he was once deeply devoted to.

“Had it not been for me, the Opposition would not have had the majority to file a No-confident Motion… and the PPP would have still been in power today because we would not have had elections this year,”

Ramayya said.

During an interview with Guyana Times at his Berbice home, Ramayya said the APNU/AFC coalition Government has no respect for him.

“They offer me $180,000 to sit in an office in Georgetown and take complaints from people and report to Khemraj. I want to work for the people of Berbice and serve them,” the politician said, noting that all he wanted to do was to serve the people of Berbice but the coalition is not allowing him to do so.

“What I wanted to do is to be able to fix all of the sports grounds in Berbice and to clean up the hospital compounds, but I have to have the authority and power to be able to do so,” he asserted.

Ramayya has not yet tendered his resignation to the party, nor has he internally expressed his dissatisfaction but instead, resorted to the media to signal his intentions to AFC officials.

Ramayya continued to

lash out at the AFC, contending that the coalition simply used him and dumped him after it won the election; after he worked tirelessly to help the coalition to win the election.

“They did not even invite me to the Inauguration ceremony of President David Granger held at the National Stadium. I spent my money to organise meetings in Berbice dur-

ing the campaign period. Now when I go to the office in Georgetown, the office is empty because all the boys get Minister jobs and big positions with some Ministry,” he said, expressing anger at the perceived disrespect.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Ramotar telephoned Ramayya on Monday evening to speak about his concerns. Ramayya was heard by this publication telling the former President that he will be restarting his television programme to fight for justice for Berbicians.

Asked about his future plans, the herbal doctor told <<<Guyana Times>>> that he plans on forming his own

movement and continue to fight for Berbicians.

He noted that most of the senior positions in Government have gone to persons of one particular ethnic group which he thinks is unfair considering the way things were under the PPP/C.

Meanwhile, in one section of the media, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan is quoted as saying that, “It is about serving the people rather than looking for money… I thought that he wanted to serve and all the indications were that he was going to serve but we are not going to simply condemn him; he is a very hard working fellow.”

Ramayya was the only party executive who did not vote in favour of the coalition when it was proposed and had voiced his disappointment to both Ramjattan and Nagamootoo because they had earlier claimed that they will never coalesce with APNU. Ramjattan, the party’s Leader had declared that if the AFC were to coalesce with APNU, they would be “dead meat”.

Ramayya’s departure from the AFC is being seen as a big blow to the coalition and is expected to throw a wrench in the wheel of the APNU/AFC forward movement in Region Six.

Trinidad’s Opposition PNM claims TT$15M bounty on party leader’s head

ATT$15 million (US$2.3 million)

bounty is on the head of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Leader, Dr Keith Rowley, the party is claiming.

And on the heels of sexual harassment claims levelled against him by a journalist, Rowley accused the Government of hiring people to kill him and lie on him.

The allegation of the hit being ordered on Rowley’s life was levelled by the party’s San Fernando West candidate, Faris Al-Rawi, during a meeting in the constituency over the weekend.

He said the Ministry of National Security was aware of the death threat and had dealt with that “clear and present danger”. According to him, Rowley’s security had been tightened. “The very big issue is who wants Rowley dead and why? That is a serious issue that cannot escape us. Who

wants him dead? Why do they want him dead?” questioned Al-Rawi who is also one of Rowley’s lawyers.

“We are facing a desperate opponent,” he added, suggesting there was a character assassination on Rowley’s character by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s United National Congress (UNC). Speaking at a meeting in Scarborough – the capital of Trinidad’s sister isle Tobago – on Sunday, Rowley said that, for the first time in his 30 years of politics, he felt afraid for his life.

Leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Jack Warner also said he was also aware of the death threats against Rowley and was “happy” his security had been beefed up. But Minister of National Security Carl Alfonso said he had not received any official information that there was a threat on Rowley’s life. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Fistfights, sporadic reports of fraud in Haiti elections

The legislative elections had been postponed for nearly four years because of a political showdown between Haiti’s Executive and Opposition. They have been billed as a crucial test of the country’s electoral system ahead of a presidential vote in late October.

Sunday’s first round sought to fill two-thirds of the 30-member Senate and the entire 119-member Chamber of Deputies in the nation still struggling to recover from a 2010 earthquake that devastated the capital and surrounding areas.

But a number of polling stations across the Caribbean country of 10 million people had to wait for ballots a few hours after voting was supposed to start at 06:00h (1000 GMT). In

capital, at least three voting centres were shutdown by authorities after fistfights broke out as partisans attempted to stuff ballot boxes and engage in other visible irregularities. At one voting centre in downtown Port-auPrince, groups of young men ripped up paper ballots as heavily armed Police shot into the air to re-establish order. Rocks were thrown in response before authorities closed the polling station.

Argentine primaries point to presidential run-off vote; bonds climb

Argentina’s presidential election is likely to be battled out in a tight run-off vote after Sunday’s party primaries indicated ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli would struggle to win outright in the first round.

The prospect of a headto-head between Scioli and his more business-friendly rival, Mauricio Macri, sent Argentine bond prices higher, with defaulted US dollar discount bonds hitting a two-month high.

Macri has promised to unravel swiftly outgoing President Cristina Fernandez’s controls on the economy to free up the market, while Scioli has pledged gradual change and vowed not to destroy Argentina’s strong social safety net.

With 94 per cent of votes

counted, official results showed Scioli and the ruling Front for Victory winning 38.40 per cent while Macri’s Let’s Change alliance secured 30.10 per cent of votes.

“With these results a ballotage looks most probable,” said political analyst Fausto Spotorno. Argentina’s primaries provide an accurate account of public opinion ahead of the first round of the election on October 25, with voters able to nominate a candidate across party lines. As the final results trickled in, Argentina’s defaulted 2033 US dollar Discount bonds rose as much as 1.47 per cent to a two-month high of 100.917 before easing off, Thomson Reuters data showed. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua PM challenges Opposition to bring evidence of Govt involvement in smuggling ring

sections of Port-au-Prince, voters also grew exasperated after being told they couldn’t cast ballots because their names weren’t on official voting lists.

Mexican missing student activist killed in Guerrero state

AMexican community activist who helped families search for their missing relatives has been killed. Miguel Angel Jimenez Blanco’s body was found near his home in a town in the South-western state of Guerrero.

He had led search parties after the disappearance of 43 students in the nearby town of Iguala last year threw light on hundreds of other missing people.

Guerrero is a region plagued by gang and drug violence. At least 15 people were killed there over the weekend.

Jimenez Blanco’s body was found in the taxi he owned in the small town of Xaltianguis. He had been part of an organisation which had supported the search for the students in the hills around Iguala. He

had also helped dig up a number of graves of murdered people that were found during the search for the students.

He had helped organise a group called ‘The Other Disappeared’, mostly women who meet every Sunday to search the hills for the remains of their loved ones.

The search parties started in November last year, a few months after the 43 students were abducted and presumably killed in Iguala on September 26, 2013.

Since the group began work, it has found 129 bodies, which were handed over to the authorities for identification. In a BBC interview, Jimenez Blanco said that after Iguala, 300 families had come forward saying they had missing relatives too. (Excerpt from BBC News)

“This is very frustrating. Are they trying to discourage voting?” gardener Gerald Henry complained after election workers turned him away. In the crowded

Local media also reported the closure of numerous polling places in other sections of the country and scattered arrests of people accused of voting more than once. Observers from various political parties complained election officials did not give them access to voting centres. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

New visa system for Haitians

The Dominica Government says it will soon announce a new visa system for Haitians wanting to enter the island. Despite being a member of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom) grouping, Haitian nationals require visas to enter most if not all of the Caricom countries.

Immigration Minister Rayburn Blackmore, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio Monday, said that over the past six months there has been a review of the issuance of visas to Haitian nationals.

“We have reviewed the system… and in due time we will be making an announcement as to the way forward. The intention is to have a system whereby it can be more transparent. We are just waiting to have the administrative system put in place and also our intention is to have proper

vetting system.

If persons were issued visas to work on a farm, we have to know where that farm is and we have to ensure that we do not facilitate an enterprise whereby persons come into the country legally and live illegally and that’s not healthy for any democracy,” Blackmore said, adding that under the new system, Haitian nationals could apply in person for visas rather than rely on an employer.

“So the system we have developed would require one who wants to apply for a visa to do so directly via the quick pack system… and the application will be returned via the mail.

“That is being done to ensure that we have proper check and balances and management of the process going forward,” he told radio listeners. (Jamaica Observer)

That’s what Prime Minister Gaston Browne has told Opposition Leader Harold Lovell in response to his claim that Immigration Minister Steadroy Benjamin was involved in a smuggling ring in the twin-island nation and should resign to pave the way for an investigation into the matter.

Browne also charged that while Lovell was trying to “shame” the Administration, government had already made headway in cracking down on the illegal activity which he charged had started under the United Progressive Party (UPP) Administration.

“Harold Lovell and other members of the UPP indicate that they have evidence to confirm that there were (practices of) wrongdoing by the minister and I challenge them to provide that information to the media,” Prime Minister Browne said in a statement on Sunday.

The UPP charged that

Benjamin had signed dozens of visa waivers and work permits for Syrians, which facilitated their illegal entry into the United States.

The Minister had offered to step down from his position temporarily, while an investigation was conducted. But Browne refused to accept that resignation since it “might construe that there was some form of wrongdoing... and, as I said before, there is no evidence to that effect,” he added.

In fact, the Prime Minister said, authorities have been investigating reports of a smuggling ring over the last few months and the UPP had “prejudiced” the probe.

“There are individuals who we are about to conduct sting operations on and they allowed this thing to be blown out of proportion and now become a public issue when we had clandestine investigations taking place,” Browne said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Turkey hit by series of attacks

Six members of the security forces have been killed in a series of attacks in Turkey amid rising tension between the Government and Kurdish militants.

In south-eastern Sirnak province, four Police Officers were killed by a roadside bomb and a soldier died when gunmen fired on a military helicopter.

In Istanbul, a Police Officer was killed in clashes after a car bombing.

Meanwhile, the city’s US consulate was attacked by two assailants. A leftist group said it carried out that attack.

The outlawed

Revolutionary People’s Liberation Army Front (DHKP-C) made the claim in a statement on its website, which described the US as the “chief enemy of people in the Middle East and in the world”.

One of the two women assailants in the attack on the consulate was wounded and detained, and a rifle and other weaponry were seized, Istanbul’s Governor said in a statement.

The DHKP-C named the detained woman as Hatice Asik.

A car bomb attack was carried out on a Police station in the Sultanbeyli area of Istanbul

The group previously claimed a 2013 suicide attack on the US embassy in the capital, Ankara.

The US Consulate said in a tweet that it was closed until further notice.

In the other attack in Istanbul, on a police station in the district of Sultanbeyli, a car bomb was detonated killing one attacker and injuring 10 people, including three police officers.

Two suspected militants and a police bomb disposal expert were killed in ensuing clashes. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later attended the policeman’s funeral, which was broadcast live on TV. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Deadly bomb attack on Kabul Airport

ATaliban suicide bomber has attacked a checkpoint near the entrance to the international airport in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing five people.

Local officials said at least 16 people were injured in the blast.

The incident is the latest in a series of recent deadly attacks following the announcement of a new Taliban leader.

Talking after the attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accused Pakistan of sending “messages of war” and harbouring terrorist training camps.

Kabul’s Deputy Police Chief, Sayed Gul Agha Rouhani, told reporters that a suicide bomber had driven a vehicle into the first checkpoint on the road into the airport.

Images showed a large plume of smoke rising from the site of the blast and locals reported seeing ambulances approaching the scene.

A Taliban spokesman said the attack, which happened at about midday (07:30 GMT), targeted a convoy of foreigners.

But officials said the five people killed included four civilians and a border Police Officer. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Around the World

Temperatures soar in deadly Egypt heatwave

Twenty-one people have died and 66 others were hospitalised with exhaustion as soaring temperatures and high humidity hit Cairo and other parts of Egypt, the Health Ministry has said.

The victims, who all died on Sunday, succumbed as temperatures reached highs of 47 degrees Celsius, in conditions made less bearable by elevated humidity levels.

Fifteen people died in Cairo, four in the western province of Marsa Matruh and two in Upper Egypt’s Qena province, the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Those who died, includ-

ing seven women, were all aged over 60.

Sixty-six people were admitted to hospital after suffering from exhaustion, including 37 who are still under observation, it added.

“There is a big rise in temperature compared with previous years. But the problem is the humidity which is affecting people more,” said Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar. “Long exposure under the sun is a killer”.

Meteorological officials confirmed that temperatures in the capital and some parts of the country were higher than average.

“The temperature is

higher by four to five degrees than what is usually seen, and the humidity is very high this month,” Waheed Soudi, head of analysis in the Egyptian Meteorological Authority told the AFP news agency.

“The peak temperature in the shade was 38 degrees Celsius in Cairo on Sunday, which means it was 47 degrees under the sun or in places with bad ventilation.”

On Monday, the temperature touched 37 degrees Celsius by late morning, with state media reporting that the heatwave was expected to last until the middle of August. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Germany Govt gained from Greek crisis – IWH study

The Greek debt crisis has saved the German Government some €100 billion in lower borrowing costs because investors have sought safety in German bonds, a study has found.

Even if Greece defaults on all its debt, Germany would still benefit, says the German IWH institute.

Greece is hoping to reach a third bailout agreement, worth up to €86bn, with its creditors this week.

Germany has funded €90 billion so far and wants tough conditions for a new deal.

Greece missed two key payments to the International Monetary Fund in June and July, before a deal on a bridging loan was thrashed out by EU leaders.

The terms of the third bailout need to be reached by August 20, when Greece’s next debt repayment to the European Central Bank becomes due.

Greek Finance Minister

China TV star to be ‘severely’ punished for mocking Mao

Chinese authorities have ordered a state broadcaster to punish one of its anchors, popular TV celebrity Bi Fujian, for insulting Communist Party founder Mao Zedong at a private banquet, according to state media.

Bi was filmed singing an old revolutionary opera while mocking Mao and his legacy. After the video went viral in April, he publicly apologised and was suspended by his employer, China Central Television (CCTV).

Bi is most known in China for hosting a popular talent show, “Avenue of the Stars”.

The China Discipline Inspection Daily, a newspaper under the party’s anticorruption commission, said on Sunday that discipline inspectors found Bi in violation of “political discipline” for harming Mao’s image.

According to the report, the Chinese State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television ordered CCTV to deal with the matter “severely” and to educate people within the broadcasting system.

CCTV did not respond to requests for comment.

In the video, which censors subsequently wiped from the Chinese blogo-

sphere, Bi used a vulgar Chinese insult to describe Mao and claimed that “he has ruined us all”.

Commonly regarded as the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, Mao has suffered a decline

in esteem since governing the Communist Party after its establishment in 1949.

His policies, which led to famine and the death of millions, have been critiqued by the ruling Communist Party. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Euclid Tsakalotos is one of the key negotiators with the EU and IMF

Greek officials said negotiations were in the “final stretch”, prompting shares in Athens to jump more than two per cent. But leading figures in Berlin were cautious that a final deal was close.

Chancellor Angela

Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said “thoroughness comes before speed” and Christian Democrat MP Ralph Brinkhaus suggested that interim bridging finance would be better than “rushing into a bad agreement”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

India temple stampede in Jharkhand leaves 10 dead

At least 10 people have been killed and 20 in-

jured in a stampede at a temple in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials say.

Pilgrims have been marking a Hindu religious festival in Deoghar town.

It happened as pilgrims tried to make their way into the complex, a district official told BBC Hindi.

Deadly stampedes are common during Indian religious festivals, which attract large crowds with few safety measures in place.

The stampede at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple began after pilgrims surged towards the shrine

shortly after the doors opened early on Monday, an official told the AFP news agency.

Monday is considered an auspicious date to visit the shrine, which includes a main temple and 21 smaller ones devoted to Shiva, the god of destruction.

Pilgrims sleeping in the six kilometres (four miles) long queue were trampled as others pushed towards the doors, senior Police official SN Pradhan said.

“Many tried to rush to the head of the queue which led to chaos and as some of them fell, the devotees got trampled.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 NEWS

tuesday, august 11, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

PPP unwilling to comment on Granger’s proposed Crime CoI

– says will wait till its established, starts work

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

One day after the announcement by President David Granger of his plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the killings during what he labelled as the “troubles” between the years 2000 and 2008, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has stated that details of this process needs to be shared with the public.

General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee, during a media briefing on Monday at his Party’s headquarters, posited that until this CoI is established, the PPP will not be able to voice its satisfaction or dissatisfaction on this matter. However, he noted that certain information needs to publicised by this commission when it does come into being.

“The terms of reference of this Commission of Inquiry have to be done publicly. Everything has to be done publicly as we (PPP/C) have done in the case of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. Also the cost of the establishment and operations of this new CoI needs to be brought into public light as well,” he said.

Who killed Sash Saw According to Rohee, the

Guyana Police Force already has evidence in its possession concerning the executions of former Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, also known as “Sash Saw”, who was brutally gunned down at his La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara (ECD) residence along with his siblings and security guard.

“The Police have statements and reports attesting to the real killers of Sash Sawh. This has to come out when this Commission of Inquiry is established by Mr Granger. All of this needs to be brought out when the evidence is brought forward,” the General Secretary further stated.

With regards to the position of the PPP/C as it relates to President Granger’s decision to have such a commission established, Rohee said that only when the overall evidence for the incident(s) is brought to light and made public, then his Party will voice either its satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the matter.

On Sunday last, President David Granger, while addressing a gathering at the Cuffy 250 third annual “State of the AfricanGuyanese Forum” held at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, stated that “in due course” he will ensure

Bandit caught after foiled hijacking

Police on Monday night

captured a man who hijacked a West Side Taxi Service motor vehicle at Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, but his accomplice managed to escape. The incident occurred around 21:00h.

The detained man was identified as Mike Johnson of Tucville, Greater Georgetown. According to information reaching the Guyana Times, one of the men took the taxi from La Grange, West Bank Demerara base to travel to Houston, Greater Georgetown.

The driver of the taxi, Lawrence Singh told this newspaper that while in the vicinity of Mc Doom, the passenger informed him that he had to “pick up something” from someone in the village and then head to Houston to collect his car.

“When we stop by the Shell Gas Station in Mc Doom, another man come in the car and take out a gun and told me to turn into the street. When we reach down at the back, they took all the money and told me to go out into the bush, but I was re-

luctant,” he related.

The man noted that by this time residents began rushing out enquiring what was transpiring. This caused one of the men to run into the bushes, while his accomplice identified as Johnson jumped into the taxi and sped away. However, Singh followed him out to the public road where he flagged down another vehicle and traced the car to Sheriff Street.

He noted that Police ranks were already informed of the incident and while at Garnett and Sheriff Streets in the vicinity of Royal Castle, ranks on patrol duty confronted the perpetrator. Upon spotting the Police, Johnson fled the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. This time, however, the Police discharged a round causing him to jump into a nearby trench.

However, he was subsequently captured. The man sustained several bruises about his body and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical treatment. Up to press time Monday night, he remained there under guard.

that all of those “mothers’ children” who were killed will have their deaths investigated.

The Head of State said that the opening of these cases is lawful and he has already begun discussions

with the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams on the said matter.

“When you have young men being shot in the back of their heads with their hands tied, when you have

so many deaths which have not been investigated, when a Minister of the Government has been assassinated and you don’t even have an inquest into his death, it is something stink, something stink and we are going to investigate those deaths,” President Granger told the gathering.

During the period 2000 and 2008, Guyana was hit with one of the most murderous crime sprees in its history, with the reign of armed gunmen creating a “state within a state” in Buxton, drug lords and hitmen, corrupt Police, phantom squads and other death squads that almost brought the country to a state of anarchy.

This period also saw the deadly Mash Day 2002 Camp Street jail break, killing and robbing of villagers surrounding Buxton, reprisal gunning down of unarmed youths, executionstyle killings of Policemen, murders of businessmen, disappearances of individu-

als, kidnappings, high profile robberies, hijackings and shootouts between criminals and Joint Services ranks.

A dossier of the persons who were killed was produced and published by the Opposition to bring awareness to the unsolved murders, shootings and disappearances, as sections of civil society called for inquests into those killings. There have been no dossiers of those killed by the bandits who had been holed up in Buxton.

Meanwhile, no official date has been set for the official opening of the Commission of Inquiry into these deaths. A motion had been drafted in 2012 by President Granger, who was at that time Leader of the Opposition, which sought to have the said issue addressed but it was unsuccessful in the 10th Parliament. This motion had sought to open cases of every unnatural death.

Protests return to Ferguson streets, state of emergency in effect

Protesters regrouped in Ferguson, Missouri, on Monday evening after a state of emergency was declared, aimed at preventing a repeat of violence the night before on the anniversary of the Police shooting of an unarmed black man.

Protesters, some waving flags, beating drums, and shouting anti-Police slogans, assembled on a street near the site where Michael Brown, a black teenager, was shot dead by white officer Darren Wilson a year ago and ignited a national firestorm on race relations.

The emergency order was issued for the St Louis suburb and surrounding areas amid tensions between residents and Police after officers shot and critically wounded an 18-yearold man in an exchange of gunfire Sunday night that marred what had been a day of peaceful demonstrations.

Prosecutors charged the man, Tyrone Harris, who was in critical condition in a hospital, with four counts of assault on law enforcement, five counts of armed criminal action, and one count of shooting a firearm at a vehicle. His bond was set at US$250,000.

St Louis County Executive Steve Stenger said he made the state of emergency declaration because of “the potential for harm to persons and property”.

In Ferguson, a few merchants said they were ready to protect their businesses with firearms, while store owners pleaded for calm.

Dellena Jones, an owner of a Ferguson hair salon vandalised on Sunday night, boarded up a smashed window and had a sign displayed in a window still intact that read: “We Must Stop Killing Each Other”.

On a day of civil disobedience called by activists to protest the shooting of Brown and other unarmed black men across the United States by Police, 57 people were arrested as they broke through barricades at a courthouse in St Louis and blocked the entrance, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said.

Among those arrested was Princeton University professor and activist Cornel West, according to a protest organiser.

On Monday afternoon, dozens of protesters were arrested after blocking rush-hour traffic on Interstate 70 a few miles (km) from Ferguson, according to a Reuters witness. The protesters could be seen sitting or kneeling with their hands secured behind their backs, flanked by Police officers and vans with doors ajar.

Separately, clergy and civil rights groups led a rally of more than 100 people through city streets, shouting, “This is what democracy looks like” and “Black lives matter”.

Tensions grew as dark-

ness set in on Monday, with several confrontations between Police in riot gear and demonstrators, many wearing masks, were threatened with arrest.

Among the demonstrators was 51-year-old Ferguson resident Roberta Lynch, who said relations between the Police and community had changed little over the past year.

“They are doing the same old stuff, taking our rights,” Lynch said. “They need to give us our space.”

The death of Brown and a grand jury’s decision to spare the white officer from criminal charges led to a wave of demonstrations that boiled over into rioting and arson at times and spawned sympathy rallies across the country. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Scenes from Parliament Chambers where Finance Minister Winston Jordan delivered his maiden Budget presentation

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Deal with troublesome issues by making positive changes to your living arrangements. This will help dissipate any tension that is building up. Getting along with others will help you find a workable solution.

Forget about sticking to your schedule today. Social activities will relieve your stress and recharge your batteries. Get out and enjoy time spent with friends, relatives or a loved one.

Try not to overreact to matters that you can’t change. Take a moment to reflect on all the positive aspects and situations in your life in order to improve your outlook.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Before you place blame on someone else, look at the reasons for your own behavior. Unless you have all the facts, you are likely to make an inaccurate judgment.

As you learn and grow spiritually, your plans for the future will take on a new direction. Look ahead with optimism, not anxiety. Direct, honest communication will ease your transition.

Take off your rose-colored glasses if you plan to renew a previous personal relationship. By romanticizing the past, you risk making the same mistake again.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Someone will not like the choices you make today, but you are better off looking out for yourself first. Refuse excessive demands and don’t sacrifice your needs to appease others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Rely on your skill, experience, knowledge and intuition. You have what it takes to get ahead, so ignore anyone who tries to hold you back or stifle your creative dreams.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Your words and actions will have a strong influence on others. Rely on tact and self-control in your personal and professional dealings to avoid a mishap.

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

Cut ties with the people who have been causing you anxiety or making you sad. If you are to achieve your goals, you have to direct your energy into independent pursuits.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Consider taking on extra work or looking for a betterpaying job. A positive change is brewing, so take the initiative and make things happen.

Don’t forget about people who have always stood by you in the past. Show those who count what they mean to you by sharing your feelings and extending a helping hand in return.

Phelps sets fastest time of year in 200m medley

Michael Phelps continued his brilliant comeback when he swam the fastest time in the world this year to win the 200 meters individual medley at the U.S. championships in San Antonio on Sunday.

The most decorated Olympian of all-time was ahead of world record pace after 150m, before fading slightly over the final 50m of freestyle.

He clocked one minute 54.75 seconds, significantly faster than fellow American Ryan Lochte swam to win the world championships in Russia in 1:55.81 on Thursday.

Lochte holds the world record of 1:54.00 from 2011.

“I feel so old it’s kind of

wild,” Phelps, 30, said in a poolside interview as the large crowd roared in approval.

“I’ve been away from the sport for a while and I feel like I’m kind of back where I used to be. It’s good to be here.”

After winning the 200m and 100m butterfly in 2015-world leading times on Friday and Saturday, respectively, there was no doubt that Phelps was back near his best form.

His Sunday performance was further confirmation that in Rio next year he could add to his record 18

Olympic golds.

“Ryan and I have been pretty dominant in that race from since we started racing back in 2004,”

Phelps said of the 200m IM.

“He’s such a big part that I love having in the pool when we get to race, so I’m looking forward to getting back in and competing with him.”

Either Phelps or Lochte has held the world record since 2003.

Phelps, who has three Olympic golds in the event and whose best time of 1:54.23 came at the 2008 Beijing Games, said the event would probably be in his 2016 Olympic plans.

Phelps made a great start on Sunday in the first 50m in his signature stroke of butterfly to turn in world record pace, and stayed ahead of the mark after the backstroke and breaststroke legs.

But his exertions caught up with him in the freestyle and he settled for a worldleading time.

Phelps is swimming at the U.S. nationals instead of the world championships because he was banned from the U.S. team after his drink driving arrest last year.

He is under supervised probation for 18 months and under orders from the judge who ruled in his case to abstain from alcohol for that period, something he has vowed to do until after the Rio Games. (Reuters)

Two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome will take part in the Vuelta a Espana, the third and final Grand Tour of 2015 which starts late this month.

The Team Sky rider, 30, became the first Briton to win the Tour twice at the end of July.

In Spain, he will attempt to become only the 10th cyclist to win two Grand Tours

in one season.

He joins Nairo Quintana of Colombia and Italian Vincenzo Nibali in a strong Vuelta field.

Quintana finished second behind Froome in Paris this year, Nibali was the Tour champion in 2014, while American racer Tejay van Garderen will also compete.

The race starts in Puerto Banus on Saturday, 22 August and finishes three weeks later in Madrid on 13 September.

A Grand Tour refers to one of the three major European professional cycling stage races - the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana.

The last man to win two in a season was Spaniard Alberto Contador, who won the Giro and Vuelta in 2008.

(BBC Sport)

Teams contemplate plans for Rio night races

As soon as the world championships concluded on Sunday, swimming’s top nations were setting their sights on an all together different proposition -- how to deal with midnight finishes during the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Next year’s Games schedule means some swimming finals take place at night, the result of broadcasters such as NBC seeking a peak audience in the United States.

In Kazan, the world championship finals normally finished at around 1930 local time, but Rio finals are slated for a 2200 start.

With media commitments, warm down, drug testing and the transport home, athletes in Rio de Janeiro will not be in bed until the early hours of the morning.

Of the top nations Reuters spoke to in Kazan, only Swimming Australia, who had originally opposed the decision, had seemingly cemented a plan to deal with late evening finals.

They will hold a weeklong, pre-Rio training camp later this year, with a twoday Grand Prix meet in between.

The idea is to replicate what the athletes will experience in Rio. The swim meet will finish at midnight both days, a Swimming Australia spokesman said, with athletes going through recovery, media and drug testing procedures as they would in Brazil.

“As athletes and staff, we have to familiarize ourselves with what it means for us all to stay in those time frames,” Jacco Verhaeren, Swimming Australia’s head coach, told

Rory McIlroy says he is completely ready to play in the US PGA Championship six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury.

Rory McIlroy has been given a clean bill of health ahead of the US PGA Championship, declaring himself “100 per cent” fit after an ankle injury.

The top-ranked player suffered ligament damage while playing football with friends in July, missing the Scottish Open, The Open and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational as a result.

McIlroy has been paired with world number two

Reuters.

“We want to experience it. We can talk about it forever but I really feel like they should live it once and get a feel for it.

“There’s no way we can copy the pressure and environment of an Olympics. But we want to get a clear picture of these times and be the best prepared team – and this is part of that.”

Higher Floors

Australia’s stance was in stark contrast to rival nations, with British Swimming remaining coy on the issue.

“We have planned for it but we don’t want to reveal our strategy,” said Bill Furniss, Great Britain’s head coach.

“We’ll handle the late night finals. We didn’t complain and it is what it is.

“They have given us a unique set of circumstances. Our target is to handle it better than other teams.

“Make no mistake, this [Kazan] isn’t the Olympics. Expect it to be 10-15 percent harder, which means we have to be more capable.”

To keep sleep in tact during competition, some nations are likely to accommodate swimmers on higher floors in the carnival city to avoid any noise distractions.

“We’ll start making adjustments in our training camps leading into Rio with our training times,” Frank Busch, USA Swimming’s head coach, said in a statement.

“There is a possibility that swimmers will be located away from the other athletes in the village.”

In January, German and

Swedish teams traveled to Rio to assess conditions, while the Danish Swimming Federation admitted it had yet to decide on how to deal with scheduling changes.

“It’s a challenge that the times have been moved,” said Lars Bach, Denmark’s high performance manager.

“It just depends whether we should shift the training times or stay calm and continue how we are used to getting success.”

Adjusting body clocks was less of a concern for the Japan Swimming Federation, which will raise the issue of practice times in the week leading up to competition with world swimming body FINA and the International Olympic Committee.

“We would like to ask FINA or the IOC if we are able to swim (at night) before the swimming starts,” said Tatsuo Ogura, the federation’s spokesman.

He smiled when asked if May’s Japan Open might be held at night.

“I don’t think so...because of television rights,” he said. For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, medal races were switched to the morning to coincide with prime-time viewing in the U.S despite swimmers’ complaints.

Seven years on, the general consensus from swimmers in Kazan was that start times simply have to be accepted.

Bruno Fratus, Brazil’s hope for sprint freestyle success, said: “It is going to be midnight for everyone. You’ve got time to prepare and anyone who is saying otherwise is just making excuses.” (Reuters)

Jordan Spieth for the first round of the US PGA and is confident he will be ready to tackle the Whistling Straits course.

“To play golf, it’s 100 per cent,” McIlroy said. “To go back on a soccer pitch, it wouldn’t be quite ready. “But to do what I need to do

‘All options have been exhausted’

WICB’s CEO says Caribbean side “95 per cent sure” of missing Champions Trophy

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

est Indies are al-

Wmost sure to miss out on a place in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England, after Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Michael Muirhead, declared that all options in trying to find an opponent for a series before the cut-off date for qualification have been exhausted.

The top eight teams in the ICC rankings as of September 30 this year will earn automatic qualification for the prestigious tournament. Currently, the Caribbean side is ranked ninth in ODIs.

Muirhead, speaking to the Antigua Observer at the weekend, said, “It is 95 per cent sure. We tried with England, but there is no slot to play them and we have just exhausted all of our options in terms of trying to get any opportunity before September 30 to put a tour in place.”

He added, “Results count

for everything because there are times when we will move in the rankings without playing a game but it all depends; it’s relative to the other nine teams so it happens that we have to save ourselves.”

The West Indies were down to play Pakistan and Zimbabwe in a tri-series before the September 30 cut-off, but that series was

shelved after the two teams pulled out.

Pakistan are currently above West Indies on the ICC ODI rankings in eighth place and victory in the Triseries could have potentially given the Caribbean side a boost.

Shastri calls for aggressive approach

India team director Ravi Shastri wants his side to take the game to their opponents when they face Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle.

Ravi Shastri has called on India to adopt a positive gameplan as they look to spoil the start of Kumar Sangakkara’s farewell tour in the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins in Galle on Wednesday.

Team director Shastri, who played 80 Tests for his country between 1981 and 1992, has taken over the running of the side after Duncan Fletcher’s coaching tenure came to an end following the conclusion of the World Cup earlier this year.

There have been calls for Shastri to be given the job full time, with captain Virat Kohli among those to voice his support for the 53-year-old.

India’s last series win on Sri Lankan soil came back in 1993, and Shastri has urged his players to alter that record with an aggressive approach.

“You don’t come to a cricket

ground to draw a cricket match so you play a brand of cricket where you look to take the game forward and you look to take 20 wickets, that is paramount,” he said.

“You have got to think how you can take 20 wickets to take the game forward and win the game.

“It is extremely important to start winning games. They have had the learning curve in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia.

“They have played a lot of cricket overseas and that experience factor will certainly come into play when they get back to conditions they are familiar with.”

Shastri has also backed Kohli’s decision to select five bowlers, a tactic perhaps employed in an attempt to stifle Sangakkara.

The elegant left-hander is set to retire after the second Test of this three-match series, bringing down the curtain on one of the game’s most illustrious careers.

India will be without opening batsman Murali Vijay for this Test as he struggles with a hamstring problem, meaning Cheteshwar Pujara may be asked to join Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order, with the under-pressure Rohit Sharma likely to remain at three.

The hosts have doubts over seamer Dushmantha Chameera, and could replace him with the uncapped Vishwa Fernando.

A 3-0 whitewash for the tourists could see them move up to third in the ICC Test rankings from their current position of fifth.

Meanwhile, any series win for Sri Lanka - who lost 2-1 at home to Pakistan last month - would see them leapfrog their opponents in the standings. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Late last month, it was reported that the WICB was working on having a series against India, following the cancellation of the tri-series.

Muirhead pointed out, “I had preliminary discussions with them [India] on that; however, they said

they had plans for that slot we had identified and it was a non-starter almost. It all started with India and if we had performed in India we wouldn’t be in the position that we are now.”

He added, as he referred to the West Indies aban-

What’s next for

Fresh off his latest snub from Floyd Mayweather, former unified junior welterweight champion Amir Khan is hopeful his next opponent will be Manny Pacquiao.

Khan (31-1, 19 KOs) campaigned hard for a potential Mayweather matchup on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas -- but Mayweather, as he has done multiple times now, elected to pass over Khan in favor of what figures to be a less dangerous opponent in Andre Berto.

Earlier this year, Top Rank founder Bob Arum expressed interest in promoting a fight between Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) and Khan, who is managed by Al Haymon. Arum also has discussed promoting a November fight card in Dubai, a market in which Pacquiao would be very well-received.

Khan is coming off a unanimous decision over Chris Algieri on May 29 and says a fight against Pacquiao, while not quite the magnitude as one against Mayweather, would be “one of the biggest” of his career.

“Obviously, I want to become a world champion again and I want to be in the biggest fights in boxing,” Khan told ESPN. com. “There was talk about a Manny Pacquiao fight happening and I believe Manny did say, ‘Yeah, I’ll fight Amir Khan.’ I have a lot of respect for Manny Pacquiao. We trained in America together and we were sparring partners. We’re still friends. Unlike Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao is more of a man, saying he will fight me even when it’s a dangerous fight for him.

“Honestly, I stay out of the negotiations but last I heard, there were talks about it maybe happening in Dubai. If it ends

up being the Manny Pacquiao fight, it would be amazing to have it happen in late November or December. If not that soon, maybe next year.”

Of course, the fight would require a rare working relationship between Top Rank and Haymon. Khan, who parted ways with Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach in 2012 after a four-year partnership, is confident the two sides could come to an agreement as long as the fighters want the matchup.

“I think if both fighters are happy to make the fight happen,

then it’s always possible,” Khan said. “My team would be happy to take that fight and it seems to me his team wants it. I leave it up to Al Haymon, if he thinks it’s the right choice for me.

“Me and Manny are both fighters. We’ll fight each other any time, anywhere. We’ll leave it to our teams, but I really think this fight can happen.”

Pacquiao hasn’t fought since suffering a decision loss to Mayweather on May 5, in what was the most lucrative fight in boxing history. Shortly after, Pacquiao underwent surgery on his right shoulder, which he said was injured going into the decision loss.

doned tour of India last October, “If we had played the games, we were obviously on top while we were in India and I honestly believe that we would have had a good showing, if not winning the series, we certainly would have gained some points from it and would not be in this position now.”

At the moment, West Indies are ranked ninth, two points behind eighth placed Pakistan and eight adrift of Bangladesh, whose recent series wins have moved them into seventh spot.

Pakistan moved from ninth place to eighth in the ICC rankings after winning their ODI series against Sri Lanka a few weeks ago.

With no one-day fixtures scheduled until the cut-off period of September 30 this year for Champions Trophy qualification, the top eight teams will remain unaffected.

Under the leadership of Brian Lara, West Indies won the tournament in 2004 in England.

Khan?

It was the Filipino star’s third loss in six appearances, however Khan says he doesn’t believe Pacquiao’s skills are in decline.

“I still think he’s a great fighter,” Khan said. “I don’t think he was a good fighter against Mayweather, he got the tactics wrong a little bit. Manny is a fighter who needs to throw combinations and Mayweather sort of took that away with his movement. I think having the shoulder injury as well, that was kind of in the back of [Pacquiao’s] mind.”

As far as that long-awaited fight against Mayweather (480, 26 KOs) goes, Khan will be forced to watch Berto, a current teammate of his under trainer Virgil Hunter, get it first. Mayweather, 38, has said the Sept. 12 bout will be the final act of his career. Khan remains hopeful that won’t be the case.

“Mayweather not picking me again, I mean, it just shows he is afraid,” Khan said. “I’ve been calling him out for a long, long time now. I couldn’t argue against his decision to do the Pacquiao fight, but when he picks Marcos Maidana ahead of me, who I’ve already beaten, and now someone like Berto -it does upset me in a sense because it is the biggest fight of my life and I really wanted it. Floyd is all about money and by fighting me, he would generate a lot of money -- but he doesn’t seem interested.

“I hope [Mayweather doesn’t retire]. I still want my chance. I still want to fight him and prove to the world there is a guy out there who can beat him. I mean, what’s the point in retiring and having the same record as Rocky Marciano’s 49-0? I’m sure he would want to do one better.” (ESPN)

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Vijay ruled out of first Test

India will be without opener Murali Vijay, their most consistent and prolific batsman over the last year, as they begin a three-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday. A hamstring injury sustained in Zimbabwe, said team director Ravi Shastri at the media briefing this afternoon, had not healed enough. “He is still under recovery, not fully recovered, and we don’t want to take a chance with weather like this and slippery outfield.”

President’s XI. Shastri said Vijay’s omission would be a “big blow” as he was the “inform player who has had a fabulous run in Test cricket.”

pected as India looked to decide on who would partner him at the top of the order: Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan. Vijay turned up at the India nets this afternoon, batting only against the spinners and testing out his ability to stretch forward. While visible movement appeared not to be a problem against the spinners, Vijay was seen shaking his right leg between deliveries, and it is this doubt over the internal injury that has led the Indians to sit Vijay out of the first Test. Shastri said Vijay’s experience and his “ability to play the long innings” would be missed in a batting line up that will bat wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha at No. 6 in their drive to play five bowlers in every Test match and push for wins.

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Vijay will be replaced by KL Rahul, who produced two 40-plus scores in the Indian team’s tour opener in Colombo against the Board

Prior to India’s departure for Sri Lanka, there had been reports that Vijay had some injury concerns but captain Virat Kohli said he expected Vijay to be “match fit” even before the start of the only tour game, on August 6. “No, I don’t see any issues with Vijay’s fitness,” Kohli said. “As far as I know, Vijay is almost 100% straightaway and I am sure he will be match fit even before the warm-up game.”

Vijay did not bat in the tour game, but that was ex-

In his last 10 Tests for India, from June 2014 onwards, Vijay has scored over 1000 runs in 19 innings with three centuries and six fifties at an average of 54.42. His solidity at the top of the Indian order, whether batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan or Gautam Gambhir in England and Dhawan or KL Rahul in Australia, gave India the platform that led to a far better batting performance in 2014-15, than on India’s previous tours to both countries in 2011-12. (Cricinfo)

Athletes criticize IAAF over doping allegations

Agroup of athletes led by Olympic discus champion Robert Harting has released a video message criticizing track and field’s world governing body over recent doping allegations.

“Dear IAAF, we cannot trust you anymore,” Harting, who is from Germany, said in the English-language video posted on YouTube. “We have to act now.”

Harting, a three-time world champion who won Olympic gold in London in 2012, has been a vocal critic of the International Association of Athletics Federations. He declined to be considered for the IAAF’s Athlete of the Year award in 2014 because he did not want to appear alongside candidates who have served doping bans, including U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin.

The IAAF responded by inviting Harting to its offices or one of the competitions to see personally the federation’s fight against doping and what it is doing in “rooting out the cheats and protecting the credibility of competition.”

“The IAAF very much appreciates and admires the passion, commitment and strength of opinion of all clean athletes and their feeling of intense frustration following the recent unfounded media accusations concerning the IAAF’s anti-doping program,” the Monaco-based

federation said in a statement.

“Therefore we would love to welcome Robert Harting, whose no-nonsense antidoping stance we greatly admire, to come and talk to us so we can address his concerns,” the IAAF added.

The Harting video comes after reports by German broadcaster ARD and The Sunday Times newspaper in Britain that blood doping was rampant in the sport, citing leaked test results from an IAAF database. The IAAF has strongly rejected suggestions that it had failed to follow up on the suspicious tests and that it wasn’t doing enough to uncover doping.

The media reports examined the results of 12,000 blood tests involving 5,000 athletes from 2001 to 2012, and concluded that 800 were suspicious. The reports said that 146 medals -- including 55 golds -- in disciplines ranging from the 800 meters to the marathon at the Olympics and world championships were won by athletes who have recorded suspicious tests.

“You damage our sport,” U.S. shot putter Eric Werskey says in the video.

Harting’s girlfriend, discus thrower Julia Fischer, holds up a handwritten message saying: “You broke my childhood dreams.”

“You put money over athletes,” says hammer throw-

er Kathrin Klaas, while 800-meter runner Robin Schembera adds: “I want to run against clean athletes, not monsters.”

Harting concludes with the message, “You betrayed my beliefs.”

The athletes say they demand “honesty, integrity, transparency.”

They hold up signs with #hitIAAF.

The doping reports were published ahead of this month’s world championships in Beijing, which the IAAF said is “causing stress and confusion” for athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency is investigating the claims made by ARD, and the IAAF said it is “comfortable that an independent, impartial assessment of the data and the follow-up action by the IAAF will now be made by the competent authority.”

The IAAF hit back at two scientists whose findings led to allegations this week of widespread doping in the sport, saying Saturday that their assertions are “seriously incorrect.”

In a scathing statement, the IAAF said the two Australian anti-doping scientists, Michael Ashenden and Robin Parisotto, were wrong to claim that the governing body didn’t act on suspicious blood profiles and “had no knowledge whatsoever of the actions taken by the IAAF.” (ESPN)

50 Grade 6 students complete RHTY&SC/ Republic Bank summer camp

– Ezla Moore cops top student award

Fifty Grade Six students from across Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) last Friday completed the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club/Republic Bank Summer Camp.

The camp, which was hailed as a huge success, was basically aimed at assisting the students to make a successful transition from the primary to secondary

level. The students were taught several subjects: English A, Maths, Social Studies, Integrated Science, and Spanish and were also exposed to basic coaching in the disciplines of cricket, basketball and volleyball.

Students were also involved in numerous lectures on topics of importance to them, including Peer Pressure, Drug Abuse,

HIV/AIDS, Suicide, Public Manners, Importance of Education, and Table Manners.

Camp Director Rohan Etwaru stated that each of the students performed exceptionally well and were now fully prepared not only for entrance into secondary school but also involvement in sports.

Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to Republic Bank for its continued investment in youths and for supporting the work of the RHTY&SC over the years.

Foster urged the students to develop a habit of reading and researching as they strive to fulfil their personal ambitions.

Sports, he stated, is a positive avenue for them to get involved in as it not only

would keep them physically fit but would keep them from the evil grasp of Satan and his negative influence.

Ezla Moore was named best student after achieving an overall pass rate of 93 per cent. Moore was also named Best Spanish Student, while the other awardees were Latchman Sanichar (Best English Student); Tyrese Rodney (Best Social Studies Student) and Justin Edwards (Best Integrated Science Student). The Most Improved Student

was Tatiana Hintzen. Each of the awardees received a special collection of educational materials. The camp was organised by the Educational and Sports Committee of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and the cricket teams of the club – RHT Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and SecondDivision, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets First-Division and Under-21 teams.

D’Edward Sports Club summer camp rescheduled

The D’Edward Sports Club summer camp has been rescheduled to mid-September, according to Chief Coordinator Rudolph Moses. Moses told Guyana Times Sport on Monday that organisers were left with no other alternative but to reschedule the fourweek summer camp, which was scheduled to commence last week owing to the current unplayable condition of the D’Edward Sports Club Ground.

According to Moses, the summer camp is open to both males and females between the ages of 12 and 19. He further mentioned that the camp will be reopened for registration, and interested youths hailing from the areas stretching from Shields Town to Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice can make contact with him on 675-6746. Registration is free. Further, Moses said, apart from the summer camp, a number of educational tours are also planned.

GCB makes monetary donation to GYO

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Monday made a monetary donation to Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) to purchase chain link mesh to upgrade their hard court cricket facility.

President of GYO, Surendra Heeralall, thanked the GCB for its timely contribution, as the GYO is in dire need of chain link mesh. He stated that he was confident that the GCB would come to their assis-

tance. He added that the relationship between his club and the Board is a healthy one and he hopes for the goodwill to continue for the betterment of cricket.

Treasurer of GCB, Anand Kalladeen, said the GCB is happy to be of assistance to GYO, noting that this club has always made its facilities available to GCB free of cost. He also hopes that the pleasant and professional relationship between the GYO and GCB continues, as

the aim of both these organisations is to produce quality cricketers to compete at the highest level.

“The current GCB is committed to the development of cricket. During the second half of last year, the Board has been distributing equipment and other necessities to clubs across the country to equip cricketers to better their skills. The Board will continue to assist clubs as the need arises,” the GCB said in a release.

Guyana’s newest club ready for Boyce/Jefford Classic

By TreisTon Joseph

he newest athlet-

Tics club on the block in Super Upcoming Runners (SUR) will make their debut at the sixth edition of Guyana’s most prestigious track and field event – the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic when it is held on August 1516 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden.

With little star power and a small amount of experience, SUR Head Coach Carla Rodney is still positive that the Club will do well.

“We will definitely try our best and like everyone else, keep our eyes on the prize,” Rodney told Guyana Times Sport.

Nevertheless, Rodney noted that preparations for

the event has been going well and highlighted that her athletes were eager to participate when the twoday meet rolls round this weekend.

“Our preparations are going ok; some of the kids were out with the flu but they will be fine. I believe mentally that they are ready for this meet, because everyone seems to be very hyped and ready to see what they can do,” Rodney pinpointed.

With their biggest star, Kevin Abbensetts ready for the event and their female star, Tirana Mitchell away on vacation and expected to miss the meet, Rodney shared the main aim for her Club.

“It really is just to give the new athletes a chance at exposure … for most it’s their first time that they will be taking part at this event so we just want to go and put our best foot forward and see where we are as a team,” Rodney noted.

The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic for the first time will bring four Jamaican athletes to the shores of Guyana.

The four Jamaicans are DeAndrea Whithorne (100m); Seidatha Palmer (100, 200m); Nicholas Maitland (400m) and Keno Burell (400m).

In addition to Jamaica, the meet will have athletes coming from Trinidad,

Kevin Abbensetts leads a couple of his clubmates during a training session on the seawalls ahead of the Boyce/Jefford Classic

Grenada, Suriname and St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad will feature Mark London and Tonya Nero, while the athlete from Grenada will be Kenisha Pascal.

Coming from St Vincent and the Grenadines will be George Hamilton, while the one Surinamese athlete will be Daniella Clarke.

The first-place prize will be $600,000, as some clubs have indicated that they will be merging, while the second-place prize will be $400,000; third, $250,000

$800,000

and fourth, $100,000.

The international events for men will be the 200m, 800m and the long jump, while for the females, they will be the 200m, 1500m and the triple jump.

The champion athletes for males and females will receive $50,000, while two outstanding performances will be rewarded with a gold chain each.

Gate prizes are worth up to $30,000 in cash, and gold chains will also be up for grabs when the event gets underway on the final day.

Women’s Cricket Super League receives 28 bids at first stage

Twenty-eight organisations have told the England and Wales Cricket Board they are interested in forming teams for the inaugural Women’s Cricket Super League.

The league begins next summer with six teams and will receive a £3m investment from the ECB over the next four years.

collaborative work outlined within the ‘expressions of interest’ received is really exciting.

“We are now looking forward to seeing how each of the 28 plans develop through the invitation-totender window.”

ECB director of England women’s cricket Clare Connor said: “Despite lev-

In its first season the competition will include only T20 cricket, but from 2017 will add 50-over matches.

The six team hosts are expected to be announced in December.

ECB Women’s Cricket Super League general manager Jo Kirk said: “The variety of the organisations involved and the extent of

els of participation in sport and exercise being a concern across the UK, participation in women’s and girls’ cricket has seen pleasing growth in recent years.

“We are really excited about the innovative opportunity that the Women’s Cricket Super League gives us to reach new participants and attract new fans to the game.” (BBC Sport)

Championship

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is pleased to announce that it has raised close to $800,000 from the recently-held Caricom Championship.

The funds will be used mainly to organise a threeday First-Division cricket competition for teams in

Berbice. A release from the Board explained that because of the high cost, it is finding it difficult to attract a single sponsor for this important tournament, resulting in this initiative. The release added that three-day cricket was critical in the development pro-

cess of players and the game in general.

In addition, the BCB is calling on other businesses, private individuals and former cricketers/administrators to come on board and help with the return of three-day First-Division cricket in the county. Contact can be made on 333-

2375, 655-4140 and 6236875 or at abeharry1970@ yahoo.com and ros_haniff2001@yahoo.com.

The Caricom Championship was won by the fast emerging Tucber/ Bermine/Police team, who beat Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets in the final under lights.

The BCB would like to thank the following sponsors who made the event possible: ANSA McAL under the Carib Brand; Sentinel Security; East Coast Cricket Board/Georgetown Cricket Association; Anand Persaud of NTN Television, Tain; Republic Bank Berbice Branches; Nand

Persaud and Company Karibee Rice; NPG Packaging; P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited; ENetworks, Massy Industries; Massy Distribution; Hand-in-Hand Group of Insurance; Raffik and Sons Construction Services of Williamsburg; B Debydeen, Caterer of Albion Estate Road, Corentyne; New Building Society Ltd; Soogee Seubarran; Balram Shane of Rose Hall Town; Sunshine Supermarket; Tribhowan Jagdeo; Ronald Williams of Apex Insurance Brokers Inc; Sandeep Ramdass of Ishmail Poultry, popularly known as Pampey; Asheik and Sons Motor Spares and Auto Sales; Safraz Photo Studio; Rocky of Palace Taxi Service, Restaurant and Bar; LaGrill Restaurant and Bar; D Harricharran of Beauty and Home Design; Sheik Mohamed of Tiger Sports Club; Office Express; Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club RHTY&SC; Trophy Stall of Bourda Market; Price is Right Supermarket of No 79, Corriverton; Venu Shopping Centre and Beauty Saloon and TVG.

Special thanks to the print and electronic media for the role they played and the management of GuySuCo, Albion Estate.

GABA Knockout Tournament

Colts prevail to win first Open title of 2015

secures U-23 title as well

By TreisTon Joseph

he Colts Basketball

TClub dominated the final of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Knockout Tournament to come out as champs on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Colts torched the Dynas Ravens for a 70-56 win in a physical yet comfortable victory for the ball club.

Both teams grinded in the first two quarters, in a slow-paced physical game as they went to the post early.

However, Colts utilised their perimeter attack a bit later in the second quarter and Shelroy Thomas went to the bucket a few times to open the lead to 36-27 at the

end of the first half.

On resumption, the Colts came out firing hitting a couple of threes to expand their lead to 12 before the Ravens started to grind away in the post with Ryan Gullen looking like a beast with his lowpost moves as the third period ended 49-43.

However, six points would be the closest the Ravens would come to tying the ball game, as the Colts had two runs, one in the opening minutes of the fourth and one at the end of the fourth to seal the win in a game that was much more physical than the final score suggested.

Thomas would end with a team-high 15 points while forward Shane Webster and guard Dave Causway would score 13 points each.

Fortune strikes again at World Masters Championships

Veteran sprinter and Guyana’s sprint queen, Alisha Fortune struck gold again at the World Masters

Championships currently being held in Lyon, France.

Fortune who won gold in the 40-44 100 metres in 12.35s, delivered for Guyana in the 40-44-year old 200 metres, winning the event in 24.77s for gold.

45 athletes were a part of the preliminary round, with Fortune having the best time in the prelims with 25.62s before going on to win the finals.

Fortune is also expected to be a part of the women’s 40-44 400 metres before the championships concludes on August 16.

Gullen ended with a game-high 16 points, while Ryan Stephney contributed 15 points to the losing side.

Meanwhile, in the Under-23 final, Colts demolished the Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters 93-56.

It was an all-round performance by the Colts’ younger side as forward Leonard Primo ruled the post with 20 points. Guards Stanton Roses and Jonathan Pooran scored 19 and 17 points respectively, while Denzel Dey had 16

points as the Colts attacked the Pacesetters’ defence from every angle.

The one-two punch of Nathan Saul (21 points) and Jahleel Duke (25 points) simply was not enough to motor the Pacesetters anywhere close to a win.

The win for the Colts was the first for the 2015 year especially after a number of losses to the Ravens side.

Star guard Thomas explained it best when he noted that his Colts side “really wanted it this time”.

Pegasus Hotel Guyana supports Archery Guyana

The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF), in collaboration with World Archery Americas, will be hosting its inaugural archery development seminar in Georgetown, which will be conducted by international archer/coach Diego Torres of Colombia.

Last Friday, Susan Isaacs, General Manager of Pegasus Hotel Guyana, at a simple handing-over ceremony held at the hotel, pledged its commitment to the support of Archery Guyana.

Torres will be hosted in Guyana by the GSSF for a period of 10 days in August 2015 to conduct the seminars for members of the Federation: the focus of which will be archery safety, the fabrication of PVC Bows and the correct form in archery.

“This will give participants the knowledge as to how to further develop this longstanding Olympic sport by making these lowcost bows which will then

be used for training and local competitions. Shooting practice sessions will be arranged to ensure that members learn the fundamentals of the sport

of Archery early on,” the GSSF said in a statement. GSSF President Vidushi Persaud recorded her excitement as to the fast-approaching start of Torres’ tour, highlighting commitment to achieving the goals and fulfilling the objectives of the Federation by facilitating such seminars as related to sport shooting.

Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Ryan McKinnon noted, “As always, sport shooting events demand that safety is always the number one priority. The GSSF has an excellent track record in this regard and we intend to do everything that we can to educate new competitors about being wsafe and about the rules of the specific sport in order to keep that record unblemished.”