Guyana Times Daily

– says new Govt in “back door” talks to sell GuySuCo to friends, supporters

16-year-old boy allegedly sexually assaulted at Parika Police Station

– Constable under close arrest

China donates US$400,000 in equipment to Public Health Ministry

5 arrested after illegal gun, ammo found at Lethem Elisabeth Harper’s daughter beaten, robbed

Guyana-born NYPD officer’s body arrives for funeral

Minister Ally starts implementation of short-term social cohesion recommendations

Taxi driver on $150,000 bail for simple larceny

Guyana Goldfields announces first sale

Ramotar slams decision to use Red House as Centre for all Presidents “Find somewhere else for the others” – he insists

on

friday, october 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Elisabeth Harper's daughter beaten, robbed

As crime spirals out of control, the daughter of former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper in the 2015 elections was on Wednesday beaten and robbed by two armed men who invaded her Farm, East Bank Demerara home. This newspaper was told

Melissa Pollard, daughter of Elisabeth Harper, was at home when two armed men kicked opened a grille door, gaining entry to the house.

Reports are that about 10:00h, Pollard was at home when she heard a crashing sound followed by two men entering her house. She reportedly attempted to run but was cornered by the men who were

unmasked. As they accosted her, they demanded that she hand over cash and jewellery but she claimed she did not have any money at home. The two dealt the woman several blows about her body.

Guyana Times understands the woman sustained lacerations to the head, face, back and other parts of her body. The men tied up Pollard

and ransacked the home as she looked on helplessly. They reportedly carted off a quantity of jewellery, mobile phone and iPad, among other items.

After the men left, Pollard managed to free herself and raised an alarm. At the time of the robbery, the woman’s daughter had already left for school.

Harper, mother of the trau-

matised woman, expressed thanks to the Almighty for saving her daughter’s life.

She said the scenario could have been worse and for that she is extremely thankful.

Harper noted that her daughter was too distraught to speak with the media and was enduring a lot of pain.

The former PM candidate told Guyana Times her

daughter and granddaughter live alone and on the day of the incident, the bandits apparently thought that no one was at home.

However, she noted that Police responded promptly and has launched an investigation. She also noted that her daughter was taken to hospital where she was treated and sent away.

Minister Ally starts implementation of short-term social cohesion recommendations

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, on Thursday kicked off a national sensitisation programme in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in keeping with some of the short-term recommendations, which were made at the Social Cohesion Roundtable held on September 3, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

One of the recommendations at the Roundtable called for the implementation of sensitisation programmes, through conversations across the country with a target audience of stakeholders. The Social Cohesion Ministry decided to begin these conver-

sations in Region Six, before moving to other parts of the country.

Minister Ally, accompanied by Reverend Dexter Sansculotte of the AME Zion Church, visited the St

Francis Mission Community Development Centre in Rose Hall, Berbice, where the Ministry partnered with prominent civil society activist, Alex Foster, to meet and engage a wide cross section of stake-

holders of the region on social cohesion and how it can be achieved.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the event began on Tuesday and concluded on Thursday. However, it is the beginning of the countrywide conversations planned by the Ministry. It involved group discussions on thematic areas such as education, religion and culture and ways in which the Ministry can work to achieve national unity.

Speaking to the stakeholders, which included members from all of the religious organisations, schools, community development groups and private businesses, Minister

Ally said that the purpose of the activity was to involve citizens at the community level in a national conversation on the promotion of togetherness and national unity. This, she explained, was one of the primary mandates of her ministerial post.

“Social cohesion is high on the agenda of the developmental priorities for our Government. Therefore, the Ministry of Social Cohesion will work to ensure that Guyana becomes a cohesive society, to the extent that the inequalities, disparities and discrimination or any distinctions that define division are eliminated in a planned and sustainable manner,” the Minister told the Region Six stakeholders.

She noted that Guyana can only be a socially cohesive nation when citizens work together on a shared vision. This she said, can be achieved through community based

projects and programmes; an area being embarked upon by her Ministry.

As she outlined her plan for the achievement of cohesiveness in the country, she reiterated that the work must not be left solely on Government, but citizens have a responsibility to support the fulfilment of the mandate set out.

As part of the Ministry’s programme, Minister Ally said that the engagements will see more schools becoming involved since it was the belief of the participants at the Roundtable, that education at school level will greatly help the cause of the Ministry.

Additionally, Minister Ally highlighted that as part of the working plan formulated at the Roundtable, the Ministry will soon embark, on a series of training programmes, aimed at not only civil society but governmental functionaries as well.

5 arrested with illegal gun, ammo at Lethem

Five occupants of a vehicle were on Thursday arrested as they were attempting to smuggle an illegal gun and ammunition into Brazil.

According to information received, Police ranks attached to the Lethem Police Station conducted a search on a vehicle at the Guyana/ Brazil Multi-Complex crossing, where they discovered

six 20-gauge cartridges and a shotgun component. The ammunition and firearm component was found stashed in several parts of the motor vehicle.

As a result, the occupants of the vehicle – two Guyanese nationals and three Brazilian nationals – were arrested and taken to the Lethem Police Station where they are assisting with investigations.

Accompanied by family members and colleagues of the New York Police Department, the body of slain Guyanaborn NYPD Officer Randolph Holder arrived in his homeland on Thursday evening on Fly Jamaica for final burial rites.

Holder, 33, was shot to death on October 20 in the city’s East Harlem neighbourhood, becoming the fourth officer killed in the line of duty in the last year.

Tyrone Howard, 30, is accused of his murder.

Holder was responding to a report of a shooting near 102nd Street around 20:30h. He approached a group standing near an FDR Drive footbridge. There was an extended chase of one of the members of the group, who was on a bicycle. In an exchange of gunfire near East 120th Street, the officer was shot in the head. He was rushed to Harlem Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 22:00h.

friday, october 30, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, October 30 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, October 31

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

Friday, October 30 – 06:15h-07:45h and Saturday, October 31 – 07:05h-08:35h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the morning and early afternoon, while sunny weather is expected in the later afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres per second.

High Tide: 06:08h and 18:20h reaching maximum height of 2.71 metres and 2.77 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:54h reaching a minimum height of 0.56 metre.

PPP/C will fight privatisation of sugar industry – Jagdeo

– says new Govt in “back door” talks to sell GuySuCo to friends, supporters

n light of stirring reports that privatisation is one of the recommendations coming out of the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is adamant that this is not the best way forward to bring the industry back on its thriving feet.

Although Government is yet to officially release the findings of the probe, sources have related to Guyana Times that among the set of recommendations put forward by the team includes that the industry be privatized. This is to facilitate better outputs from the factories located at Blairmont, Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall, Enmore/La Bonne Intention (LBI), Wales and Uitvulgt.

According to sources, the CoI report noted that the privatisation of the industry is the most viable and reasonable option if GuySuCo is ever expected to make a profit.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that he is not at all surprised at this particular finding, since the Chairman had previously suggested privatisation, stating that it would be the only way to rescue the industry.

“He felt that privatisation is a solution so there wasn’t much value added in the Commission of Inquiry itself. He felt that going into the Inquiry and that was one of the recommendations coming out of the Commission of Inquiry. We believe that it is a backdoor way to closing the industry,” the Opposition Leader stated.

Jagdeo, who spoke extensively about the sector during some 50 outreach meetings held recently in both West and East Berbice, explained that if the indus-

try is privatised and the estates continue to operate at a loss, then the private owners would want to shutdown the estates because they would not be able to sustain it. This, he noted, would further devastate not only the country’s economy but the thousands of persons whose livelihood are dependent upon it.

“Government does not want to put public funds into the industry, which it badly needs now, but it’s ok to keep subsidising electricity in Linden. So we spend billions of dollars on this but we can’t help the sugar industry which had pumped billions of dollars into our economy decades ago and now it needs help, we can’t help the sugar industry,” he remarked.

Jagdeo recalled that when the PPP had assumed office back in 1992, the sugar levy alone was over 20 per cent of total revenue received by the State. Nevertheless, the Opposition Leader pointed out that while they were expecting this, the Party intends to take actions to ensure that the industry does not suffer a close down. “We made it clear, we’re going to fight the closure of any factory,” he posited.

It has been reported in the media that the report does not make any recom-

mendations for the closure of any of the remaining seven sugar factories; however, the issue of merging estates may be an alternative option suggested.

Moreover, Jagdeo further indicated that he was made to understand that Government is already having talks with prospective buyers. “I’ve heard that discussions have started with some private individuals – the friends and families syndrome that they (Government) talk about –about who is interested in buying into the industry. Those discussions have been taking place behind closed doors already,” he stated.

Outrageous statement

On the other hand, another one of the recommendations coming out of the CoI is the withholding of salary increases for the thousands of sugar workers employed at the various estates across the country. This leaked information has already much anger among sugar workers and reportedly led to them downing tools for three consecutive days earlier this week.

Based on information related to this newspaper, the report recognised that GuySuCo has been operating at a loss for a number of years and is already swamped in billions of dollars of debt. Consequently, the recommendation was made for the sugar company to hold back the salary increases for this year, at least until the industry can recover from its existing challenges.

But adding fuel to the fire, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder in response to the strike action reportedly said he is surprised at it since “GuySuCo workers are the highest paid in the country”.

Speaking on Holder’s comment, the Opposition Leader outlined that the

Agriculture Minister does not seem to know what he is talking about. Jagdeo underscored that a comparative analysis of the salaries across the region needs to be done for the Minister to see.

“(His comments), I think, is just as outrageous as his other comment when the workers strike, he said it’s political. That was similarly outrageous and these statements are designed to obfuscate what is really happening and their lack of interest in the industry,” the Opposition Leader noted.

According to Jagdeo, the withholding of salary increases is reflective of yet another promise broken by the coalition Government who had assured sugar workers of a 20 per cent increase in wages and salaries. He further pointed out that this new regime seems hell-bent on accelerating the country’s already declining economy.

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

Common ground on Diwali date

It is only a matter of a few days before Hindus across Guyana celebrate Diwali, however, there is still no consensus among the major Hindu groups here as to when exactly Diwali should be celebrated. There have been differing views presented over the past few days by the various groups based on their own reasoning as to the “correct date”. Some organizations are encouraging their members to light their diyas on November 10 while others are encouraging their followers to light their diyas the following day instead. This is perhaps the first time in many years that there is a lack of unity regarding observances of this auspicious occasion.

On his part, the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has gone ahead and declared November 10 as the official holiday “based on advice from Pandits and swamis”. However, major segments of the Hindu population are still unhappy about the decision as they believe that based on their methodology and their interpretation of the Hindu Calendar Diwali should be observed on November 11 instead.

The various parties involved are standing their ground and there seems to be no room left for negotiation and compromise on the issue as November 10 was already gazetted as the official holiday. This is indeed very unfortunate as in the first place there should have been a different approach to resolving the matter.

From the inception, we wish to state clearly that the Minister’s involvement in the debate between two Hindu groups is regrettable. This is not a political issue and it should have been left to the religious community, in this instance the various Hindu groups and their leaders to debate and discuss the issue and arrive at a common ground. The same should be applied for other religious observances where the Government has a role to play in declaring the day a national holiday.

It is even more regrettable since the perception is that the Minister is taking sides. In spite of the fact that there are widespread calls from across the country to review his decision, the Minister has not budged. Barring a few “consultation” sessions on the issue, he has shown no inclination whatsoever to seriously consider the diverging views on the matter.

Minister Ramjattan was quoted in the press as saying that it would be oppressively discriminatory to leave the decision to just one Sabha - the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. But what Ramjattan fails to mention is that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has the widest membership across the country, hence the organisation’s views cannot be treated lightly.

It should be mentioned too that in addition to their Mandirs and branches across the country, the Sabha also has a large network of Pandits that serve these Mandirs, yet the Minister went ahead and made a decision to change the holiday date for Diwali without properly engaging and consulting with the Sabha. Government’s decision therefore to blatantly ignore Guyana’s single largest Hindu organisation for an auspicious religious Hindu event is quite unfortunate to say the least. This decision has alienated a large section of the Guyanese Hindu population since most persons are horrified at the State’s involvement in religion.

Further, the action of the minister has given rise to the perception that there is no real interest in having a common position, and that there is no genuine desire to meet and consult with the aim of reaching an agreement in the interest of a united Hindu Community.

We believe that Ramjattan could save the day by handing back the issue to the two groups and taking the advice of the one which has the most local support, or better, they could arrive at a compromise. It is still not too late.

Going forward, one prominent Hindu Priest has suggested a National Calendar Committee for Hindus, at least for the two gazetted holidays, to be convened by a credible, respected person and to be composed of representatives from various Hindu organisations. Since all Hindus claim to use the same Panchanga (the name of the Hindu calendar) and follow the same rules of interpretation and mathematical calculations, it would be easier to resolve the differences we are currently dealing with.

Correcting misinformation on Guyana’s election in Trini paper: compensate victims

Dear Editor,

One Luana Lezama penned a misinformed missive in Trinidad Newsday pertaining to the May 11 Guyana general elections. She stated: “A house connected to an official of the (ruling) PPP/C was raided and paraphernalia used to create fraudulent ID cards etc, were seized”. That is not a correct report of the events of the day. There was fraud but the PPP alleges it was carried out by the other side in cahoots with elements in Gecom. This is a classic case of blaming the victim.

Based on Guyana media reports, the police did raid a house on elections day following an allegation (that turned out to be unsubstantiated) by supporters of the opposition (PNC) APNU/AFC coalition that fake election documents were being produced at a location. The home was located in a PNC stronghold in South Georgetown — common sense suggests it would be insane for any individual (especially a known PPP/C activist) to engage in such an illegal act of skulduggery while residing in a PNC community.

No such equipment or fake IDs were found. Neither Gecom nor PNC/ AFC made such report. Another house, owned

by PPP/C supporters, was set on fire by a mob in the presence of police and officials of the opposition parties. The fire department did not put out the fire and made no serious effort to do so. Several neighbouring properties also went up in flame.

The Government offered no compensation to the proprietors. Those who set the house ablaze were videotaped, but the police took no action. The opposition politicians did not condemn the behaviour of their supporters. There was no prosecution of the arsonists and the Government has made no effort to book the culprits who roam free.

According to media reports, the person (Pastor) whose home was torched was contracted by the PPP/C to provide meals for elections day workers (PPP/C polling agents) and transported meals from his home to polling stations.

Rumours were rife that the Pastor was involved in electoral skulduggery when all he was doing was delivering food to polling stations; the rumours were encouraged by then opposition elements, and the man’s family terrorized and his house set on fire.

The police made virtually no effort to protect the family or their property

after the raid to the home.

The Pastor was told he should know better than “to live in a PNC stronghold and be preparing meals for the PPP/C”. In other words, the victim was blamed for violence perpetrated on him based on his political affiliation and ethnic background –living in the wrong community or supporting the wrong party – a violation of the right to political affiliation. He should not live in a PNC community if he wants to support the PPP. How is this different from Burnhamite thinking?

As reported in the media and as alleged by the PPP/C, while that property was set on fire leading to a bonfire drawing attention away from the election day process, electoral skulduggery was going on at polling stations in Georgetown and surrounding areas: Some voters were involved in multiple voting by simply washing off (the nonpermanent ink) that was used in those selected polling stations; they impersonated the identity of voters who had migrated or were out of district.

Lezama also incorrectly stated that the Guyanese economy made “no progress over the last 20 years”. That too is not factual.

The World Bank, IMF,

CDB, IDB and Caricom Secretariat all reported that the Guyana economy is virtually the only regional country to have experienced sustained growth over the last 23 years (with declines in some years). But, Guyana grew an average of over 2 per cent per annum over the last 23 years even when other South American, Central American and Caribbean countries were experiencing periods of recession.

In contrast, the Guyana economy contracted between 1965 and 1992 -- a fifth of what it was in 1965. International institutions reported that there was an average of minus 2 per cent per annum negative growth between 1965 and 1992.

And the new Finance Minister (Jordan) reported last week that since the May 11 elections, the economy grew negatively by 2.5 per cent.

The victim should not be blamed for election day violence and for earning an honest day’s income. It is not too late for the Government to compensate the victims of election day violence and arson and for the police to find and prosecute those involved in the arson.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

Established pundits of the ethnic divide

Dear Editor, “Stabroek News” columnist Dave Martins attempts to get into the "ethnic divide" conversation in his last Sunday column and suggests some of the very reasons why the ethnic divide exists in the first place.

He claims that during the elections campaign there were proposals that we "must address the dilemma of the ethnic divide that is hanging like a millstone around the country’s collective neck. Some of the most listened to voices in the country have been raising this shout. The list includes a number of established pundits (Ruel Johnson, Ian

McDonald, Freddie Kissoon, Ralph Ramkarran, Henry Jeffrey, Allan Fenty)"

His "established pundits" are all from one race group or condescendingly, self-mortifying Indians who subscribe to the position that Indians either do not exist or do no matter. He knows of no other writers, artists, social commentators, community leaders other than the ones his own blinkered vision sees and he proves the exact point he is trying to disprove: that the blinkered vision driven by racial interests and considerations continue and even through him.

Martins bemoans the lack of heroes as exist in

Jamaica and Cayman Island etc but is unable to grasp that even with a new administration Guyana is set to go through the violence and violations, the discrimination and prejudices that foster and widen our ethnic divide.

Perhaps, he has his head in the sand or up somewhere else and is unable to see and place Guyana’s many ills in context.

Who is going to create cohesion? The SN and its columnists, all with their ethnic and race axes that grind away daily? Martins must know that he too has a column because he subscribes to all of SN’s known biases.

What is sad about Martins’ list of heroes is

Belizians going to the polls next week

Dear Editor, Belizeans are going to the polls on November 4 either to elect a new government or to give the incumbent UDP another fiveyear term of office. Prime Minister Dean Barrow has decided to call early elections - 17 months earlier because he feels that the performance at the local government elections held seven months ago was excellent - winning all but two of the districts.

The incumbent UDP is seeking a third term, but the opposition PUP is confident of victory since it is strong in the rural areas. Belize is the only Englishspeaking country in Central America and like Guyana which is the only Englishspeaking in South America, has border dispute with

Guatemala while Guyana has with Venezuela. They were both British colonies; Guyana gained independence in 1966 while Belize formerly known as British Honduras did itself from the British in 1981. They are both members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and both accepted the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final appellate court.

The landscape of the two countries is almost the same and there is close affinity between the two countries dating back to the1950s when Alfred Crane, father of Victor Crane was appointed Chief Justice, and today the current Chief Justice is another Guyanese, Kenneth Benjamin. There are four other Guyanese judges in that country, Denis

Hanomansingh, Courtney Abel, S Hafeez, and Shauna Griffith.

Well known Guyanese Dr Ulric Trotz is based there heading the Climate Change office in the region while Dr R Frazer until recently served as President of the University of Belize. The Chief Education Officer was also a Guyanese.

Guyanese are looking out to see if there will be another change of government in the region since it seems as if a wind of change is blowing in the region.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves is expected to announce election date very soon since the deadline for polling is March 30 next year.

Oscar Ramjeet

the mediocrity that it presents as Guyana’s “excellence”. I would give him Philip Moore but Kissoon and Fenty’s “Cook Up”? But then Martins’ own derivative music would make the cut in that sad group.

To provide the exception that proves the rule, Martins mentions ShivnarineChandrapaul. But now that Shiv Chanderpaul has stood with, and been honoured by, his fellow Hindus of the

Hindu SwayamsevakSangh, who knows, Martins might just cut him from his heroes’ line-up which also has no women. Not even Martins’ wife with all her heroic conservation work makes the cut.

But then Martins is celebrated as a True Caribbean Man which means that his gender and race biases must be inviolable.

I would urge Martins to step out of his narrow mind in a week or so and look at

the spectacular Diwali motorcade. It is the best annual parade in Guyana and probably in the Caribbean and beyond.

That is excellence. And it is heroic because it is done not with national financing but through funds from mandirs and private businesses, all of them being Hindus. But in Martins’ world view of Guyana we do not exist or matter.

Shanie Jagessa

Page Foundation

BY GINA STEPP

Unfortunately for many, home can be anything but a safe haven. Men and women alike may find their home a fierce battleground. For children it may be where they are most vulnerable to assault, misuse or deprivation, ironically at the very hands of those who have a duty to safeguard and nourish them. Even the elderly may have reason to fear those who should be their caretakers.

Humans are very social beings: all of our essential needs are dependent in some way on relationships, especially with those who nurture us from birth. The human brain develops in such a way that our stressresponse systems are intimately connected to systems that interpret the moods and actions of those around us.

When social cues tell us others are calm and safe to be around, our own physiological state is regulated accordingly and we relax our vigilance. On the other hand, when we sense threats or negative emotions, we respond by going on alert.

A stressed state cannot be maintained indefinitely without serious mental and physical consequences. Extended or repeated periods of so-called hyper-arousal can cause changes in the neural system that are very difficult to reverse. It is therefore incomprehensible

enough that any human being would feel compelled to abuse and distress another; but it is particularly difficult to understand such inhumanity when it occurs among those who would logically share similar needs, goals and values within the most fundamental group in society, the family.

Unfortunately, however, family violence is not at all uncommon, possibly because of the very fact that families spend so much time together and have so many emotional ties (and therefore potential emotional stressors). But for these same reasons, and because our family impacts our potential as human beings so fundamentally, family violence may be the most harmful form of violence humans can encounter. What do researchers know about this problem and the factors that cause families to resort to harmful, self-destructive behaviours? How can communities help families replace violent relationships with healthy ones?

The scope of the problem

The inhumane treatment of family members by their closest relatives – those who above all others should be their protectors and allies – is not a new phenomenon, nor is it an uncommon one. And no society is immune to it. Mostly hidden and historically non-criminalised, family violence may take the form of intimate-partner

violence, child abuse, sibling bullying or elder abuse. (For a discussion of the latter, see “A Painful Secret”.) In addition to physical brutality, researchers often extend the term to cover nonphysical forms of maltreatment such as neglect and psychological abuse, although there is

the end, then,” conclude the researchers, “we need a def inition of family violence that is narrow enough to avoid labelling every fam ily potentially violent and broad enough to include the concept of nonphysi cal violence.”

As hard as it may be to

some debate over just how far the definition can be effectively applied.

For example, in their textbook Family Violence Across the Lifespan, Pepperdine University’s Ola Barnett, Cindy L. MillerPerrin and Robert D Perrin point out that nearly all children have occasionally pushed, hit or shoved a sibling. Therefore, if all such aggression were defined as family violence, the term would become almost meaningless. On the other hand, some forms of psychological abuse that do not cause overt physical injury may have severe and pervasive human consequences. “In

define the term, measuring the prevalence of family violence as a social problem has proven no less difficult. The most obvious reason is that the majority of family violence takes place in the privacy of the home, and only a small percentage of occurrences are reported. These tend to be the most tragic incidents—those that result in serious injury or death. Even then, some fatalities may be classified in official records under criminal categories that are not taken into consideration when national and international family violence statistics are compiled.

Further complicating the

that in some countries, many violent acts between family members are still not considered crimes. For instance, a United Nations study released in 2006 reported that “at least 102 of the 192 Member States have no specific legal sanctions against domestic violence, and marital rape is not a prosecutable offence in 53 countries.” Even in the United States, criminologists began to categorize certain acts of intrafamilial violence (such as marital rape) as crimes only as recently as the 1970s.

For all of these reasons and more, family violence statistics published by various government sources are widely considered to be underestimates. Barnett and her co-authors call it “such a complex multidimensional problem that no single set of numbers or statistics can adequately capture the phenomenon.” In their view, “the risk of victimisation and injury, at least for women and children, is likely greater at home than on the most dangerous city streets.”

Of course, children’s individual capacity for resilience affects how they will

observe and experience: not all children exposed to violence become violent themselves (see “Who Am I? The Question of Youth Violence”). But just as extended family can strengthen protective factors leading to resilience in children exposed to family violence, so the tolerance of violence by the surrounding community (including the media) plays a role in how negatively children are affected by violence in the home. As Miller-Perrin told Vision, “as a culture, we need to work at being less accepting of the different forms of [family] violence.”

Intimate-partner violence

Interpersonal violence among adults in a family setting was once referred to in research as “domestic violence,” “marital abuse” or “spouse abuse.” However, a broader term was considered necessary to cover violence that occurs between current as well as former marital partners, separated marital partners, and current and former cohabiters. As a result, the term intimate-partner violence (IPV) has now entered into general use among researchers; its definition is sometimes expanded to include violence between individuals who have an intimate dating relationship.

The broadening of such definitions is important, particularly in communities where marriage is declining. Early research into family violence neglected to separate data relating to married couples from that relating to cohabiting couples. The assumption at the time was that differences between the groups were unlikely. However, more recent research conducted in the United States and Canada consistently indicates that IPV is significantly more prevalent among cohabiters than among married couples when the two groups are considered separately. A 2006 study conducted among five Latin American cultures found similar results. “If a woman cohabits in Latin America,” wrote authors Dallan F Flake and Renata Forste, “she is more likely to experience violence than if she is married.” Further, they note, “while marriage is critical to reducing abuse among Latinas, there is a tendency for women to cohabit rather than marry. (vision.org)

TO BE CONTINUED

Guyana still ‘blacklisted’ by CFATF

remains “high risk” destination on FATF’s list despite US quibble

Regardless of the phraseology utilised when debating the issue, the fact remains that Guyana is still noncompliant with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements and by extension, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) requirements.

In common parlance, Guyana was “blacklisted” by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) after it failed to make significant progress in implementing required legislative reforms which would have aided in the international combat against money laun-

body – FATF.

Though Guyana does not appear on FATF’s “blacklist”, the country appears on the international body’s “highrisk and non-cooperative jurisdictions”.

Nevertheless, a quick Google search would show that the FATF “blacklist” is the common shorthand description for the international body’s list of “high-risk and non-cooperative jurisdictions/territories”.

Guyana Times reported on October 27 that “Guyana remains on FATF blacklist” and based on interpretation of the terminology, it means that Guyana is still noncom-

On July 7, 2015, at a reception which the United States in celebration of its Independence Anniversary, US Chargé d’Affaires was quoted in another section of the media as saying, "Tonight, I can offer my Government’s sincere congratulations to (Prime Minister) Nagamootoo on the parliament’s recent passage of fully compliant legislation."

dering and financing of terrorism.

Since being rendered “blacklisted” by CFATF, Guyana still has not made any significant progress towards achieving all the requirements set out by the international body. Therefore, with all technicalities aside, Guyana is CFATF blacklisted.

Eventually, amid the then Opposition’s objections to passing the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) proposed Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill, CFATF felt that they could have no longer influenced the improvement of Guyana’s situation and the matter was subsequently referred to the wider

pliant with FATF’s requirements or is still identified as a FATF “high risk and noncooperative state”.

According to a recently published FATF report, Guyana, despite the progress made, is still non-compliant with its recommendations.

“Since June 2015, Guyana has taken steps towards improving its AML/ CFT regime… However, the FATF has determined that certain strategic deficiencies remain,” an excerpt from the report stated.

The argument remains therefore that the assurances from Attorney General Basil Williams and former United States Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt that Guyana will become compliant following the passage of the A Partnership

for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) own version of the AML/CFT Bill were premature, inaccurate and misleading, since to date, Guyana is not fully compliant with FATF requirements.

After the Bill was finally passed in Parliament and became law this year, the Attorney General issued a statement which read “Guyana is now fully compliant with the FATF’s requirements.”

Based on the FATF’s report, this declaration, by any interpretation, is premature and inaccurate since Guyana still has “deficiencies”.

The former US Chargé d’Affaires also sought to assure the Guyanese populace that Guyana would become fully compliant with FATF’s recommendations following the passage of the Bill.

On July 7, 2015, at a reception which the United States in celebration of its Independence Anniversary, US Chargé d’Affaires was quoted in another section of the media as saying, "Tonight, I can offer my Government’s sincere congratulations to (Prime Minister) Nagamootoo on the parliament’s recent passage of fully compliant legislation."

However, the United States Government (USG) is boldly contending that its former Chargé d’Affaires’ comment was taken out of context. In an article published in the state-owned newspaper on October 29, the US Government posited that Hunt’s statement did not imply that legislation alone would address all FATF and CFATF recommendations.

“To suggest, as the Guyana Times has, that our backing for passage of such FATF/CFATF-compliant legislation meant that the USG believed no further action on AML/CFT was required by the Government of

Guyana is a wilful mischaracterisation of the USG position, created through an out-of-context use of USG officials’ quotations. At no time did USG officials suggest or imply that legislation alone would address all FATF and CFATF recommendations,” the US Government is quoted as saying.

Nandlall’s position

Meanwhile, contacted for a comment on the issue, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall explained that in November 2013, CFATF found that Guyana did not implement its action plan adequately; in particular, that Guyana failed to approve and implement the required legislative reforms. Guyana was mandated to pass the relevant legislation to address certain identified deficiencies. Countries were called upon “to consider implementing counter-measures to protect their financial systems from ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks ema-

nating from Guyana”.

Further, he added that in May 2014, again, the CFATF found that Guyana failed to make significant progress in addressing those deficiencies and in its public statement on Guyana, said “CFATF considers Guyana to be a risk to the international financial system. Members are therefore called upon to implement further counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. Also, the CFATF has referred Guyana to the FATF.

Nandlall explained that countermeasures could entail, among others, “the requirement of enhanced due diligence measures; introducing enhanced reporting mechanisms or systematic reporting of financial transactions; refusing the establishment of subsidiaries or branches or representative offices in the country concerned, or otherwise taking into account the fact that the

relevant financial institution is from a country that does not have adequate AML/ CFT systems and limiting the business relationships or financial transactions with the identified country or persons in that country”. Fast forward to October 2015, Nandlall said while some progress has been made, Guyana’s status has not changed. “FATF in its October 23rd 2015, statement confirms that Guyana continues to suffer from certain identified strategic deficiencies. Therefore, Guyana continues to “be a risk to the international financial system” and the counter-measures which can be taken against Guyana as advised by CFATF on the 29th of May, 2014, still remains,” he posited.

Nandlall also contended that Hunt’s statement suggested, as was arguably understood by most, that Guyana became fully compliant following the passage of the Bill.

friday, october 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Haitians arrested with ganja at Lethem

Three Haitian nationals and two Guyanese were on Thursday morning arrested at a house in Tabatinga, Central

Rupununi with 748 grams of cannabis.

Based on reports received, Police ranks at Lethem Police Station, dur-

ing an exercise conducted several searches in the area during which the cannabis, along with a stolen motorcycle, was discovered hidden

in a yard. The occupants of the house at the time were arrested, and were assisting the Police with their investigations.

Businessman on bail for assault, discharging firearm

Abusinessman was on Thursday placed on $230,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged for assault and unlawfully discharging a firearm. Randolph Williams, 26, of 214 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden denied the charge which stated that on October 25 at Omai Backdam, he discharged a firearm at Natasha Watson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Additionally, the man was also charged for assaulting Diane Edwards on the same occasion.

According to Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones there was a confrontation between Edwards and the

Randolph Williams

accused over money owed. The accused reportedly became annoyed and dealt Edwards several slaps dur-

ing which several public spirited persons came to her rescue. This annoyed the accused who pulled out a firearm and discharged several rounds at those individuals and one of the bullets hit Watson

According to the defendant’s Attorney Peter Hugh the incident was as a result of a confrontation between his client and Edwards due to her refusal to pay her debts to him.

Hugh alleged that after a confrontation, where the accused asked her for his money, the woman left and subsequently returned with a group of people, one of whom discharged a round at Williams which lodged in his right leg.

There was some contro-

versy as to how the accused was shot as the Prosecutor disclosed that Williams was apprehended with the wound after the allegation was already made, however Attorney Hugh argued that his client was shot by the complainant’s associate who is also a prominent businessman with a licence firearm in the said area.

Hugh stated his client has recently been released from Georgetown Public Hospital and requested that he be granted bail so as to recover from his injury. The application was granted and the Magistrate released the accused on $230,000 bail.

The case will continue on January 19, 2016 at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court.

Taxi driver on $150,000 bail for simple larceny

Ataxi driver was on Thursday placed on $150,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts charged for simple larceny. Afzal Khan, 51, of 149

Belle West, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara (WBD) denied the charge which stated that on August 12, at Garnett Street, he stole $297,000 property of Premroop Persaud, the Virtual Complainant (VC).

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the VC has decided to settle the matter and the accused has $130,000 in outstanding compensation for the VC. He revealed that the VC is currently in Trinidad, however, additional charges are likely to be laid against the accused. He explained that on the day in question, the Complainant parked his car along Garnett Street and left the money inside while he conducted business elsewhere.

Upon his return, he discovered that his car was broken into and the money was missing. A check of the CCTV footage from a nearby store revealed the accused breaking into the car and removing the money. A report was made and he was arrested and charged, but later released on station bail. Prosecutor Jones objected to bail based on the prevalence of the offence.

The prosecutor’s objections were overruled and the accused was placed on $150,000 bail. The matter continues on November 3.

Eyew tness Compliant…

…on AML/CFT?

“Compliant” can be used in two ways – and both were deployed in the ongoing struggle between the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC for legitimacy on the question of whether Guyana was getting its act together on the financing of terrorism and money laundering. Now the FATF – the Organisation in charge of ensuring countries clean up their act – is not to be messed with. Unless you’re one of the big ones like Britain, or some such.

There are so many reports about England laundering mega bucks, you’d think in their Chinese Opium Wars, they doped up the Chinese to take over their trade. And we’re not talking only about the laundering through real estate! But, this Eyewitness wants to check out the indignation of the new US Ambassador (NUSA) over statements this paper made on statements his Charge de Affairs (CdA) made about the APNU/AFC passing an AML/CFT law that would take Guyana off FATF’s blacklist.

The NUSA said his CdA never said no such thing. Now what exactly did the CdA say? Well, on the occasion of the US Independence Anniversary – no, not the one last year where the Yanks were quite miffed by what was later called a “feral blast” by a PPP Government Minister. This was this year where they were at that oasis of Americana in Guyana – the Marriott – with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Nagamootoo illustrated the first usage of “compliant” with his ingratiating, fawning and oleaginous meanderings on relations between the US and Guyana. Lest this Eyewitness be accused of concoctions he’ll quote the CdA from that paragon of journalistic rectitude, the Muckraker. “Chief of Mission, Bryan Hunt, said that the United States was pleased with Guyana. He told the gathering that 2015 has already been a transformative year in the relationship between Guyana and the US. Hunt said that in 2014, the US was seriously concerned about the economic and law enforcement implications of the Guyana government’s failure to pass new anti-money laundering legislation. “Tonight, I can offer my Government’s sincere congratulations to Nagamootoo on the parliament’s recent passage of fully compliant legislation.”

Now only being a poorly educated native, your Eyewitness is confused. If FATF had told Guyana that the only thing needed to get a complete bill of health from them was to pass a “compliant” AML/CFT Bill – and the CdA was saying that the APNU/AFC Bill was “fully compliant” shouldn't Guyana now be off the FATF bad books? So how come we still got to do some mo’ stuff?

And Mr NUSA, why quibble that we’re not in a “blacklist” when we still have to jump through the hoops? We still ain't “compliant” in the second sense of the word.

…teachers

This Eyewitness must say he’s humbled by the humility shown by the union of Guyana’s molders of our future: the teachers. After the massive 50% raise on Ministerial salaries that were already “massive” if the APNU/AFC in opposition were to be believed, the teachers’ union asked for a measly 25%!! Now if that doesn't make you see red, nothing will!

Here it is teachers are earning a pittance – generally around $48,000 take home if they’re trained. 25% is just another $12,000 bringing them up to $60,000. Now a Minister was making $579,000 and this was adjudged to not be a living wage. They got a bump up of 50% which took them up another $290,000!! Now who can tell me a Minister, with that salary and his air conditioned office, his air conditioned Government car with driver, his guards, gardeners and travel and entertainment works harder than a teacher?

This Eyewitness thinks this is a “sell out”. Teachers must come out in force to show they will not be “complaint” if they’re not treated like “quality” people.

…for frequent flier miles

PM Nagamootoo’s sucking up to the powers that be… local and foreign is not his only act of compliance. Word is with the flying miles he’s already clocked in… he’s compliant for a trip to sunny Acapulco!

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

PPP/C unveils plan to revive rice industry

The crippling rice industry is yet to receive the slightest signal of being rescued, and with utter silence and steadfast lack of involvement by Government, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), has developed a plan to revitalise the ailing sector.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, unveiled an extensive proposal which, when implemented, could help save the ailing industry.

For months, rice farmers across the country have been crying for help from Government, asking for the provision of some form of assistance to those adversely affected by low paddy prices, low-paying markets, among other issues.

But in completely ignoring their pleas, Government is persistent in the claim that the rice industry falls within the realm of the private sector and therefore those affected by the prevailing problems should not depend on Government for solutions.

Not giving up hope, rice farmers continued their protest against Government until finally Agriculture Minister Noel Holder requested the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) submit ‘suggestions’ for the betterment of the industry.

Jagdeo noted the PPP/ C-proposed plan will be submitted to the Rice Producers Association (RPA), which in turn will give it to the GRDB, which hopefully will provide the plan as its suggestion to Government.

Jagdeo noted also that the PPP/C will, at every event possible, vigorously advocate for Government to implement the plan so the burdens of rice farmers are lifted and the industry can survive.

The plan In the plan, the Opposition is calling on Government to resume negotiations with the Venezuelan Government with the intention of securing/renewing a “rice for oil deal” or to strike another viable contract which could see Guyana exporting

Guyana still ‘blacklisted’...

“I am not sure who misinterpreted what or who misquoted whom. What I do know is that having read what Mr Bryan Hunt has reported to have said in the local press, I formed the impression that the US was of the view that with the passage of the AML/CFT Bill 2015, Guyana became compliant with the requisite international standards and that the hitherto identified strategic deficiencies were rectified and remedied,” Nandlall stated.

Chain of events

Moreover, in explaining the chain of events leading up to the present situation, Nandlall had told Guyana Times that specific directions were given and his Government precisely followed those directions and crafted the relevant amendments and regulations to the law.

“We did that and we forwarded that up to the examining bodies and consultants both at Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and American Regions Review Group (AARG) and at both levels we were told that our amendments were compliant and that our regulations were compliant,” Nandlall stated.

The new Government while in Opposition had put forward certain amendments which would have rendered Guyana noncompliant and which would have put Guyana through further scrutiny owing to the implications of those amendments, Nandlall explained.

He said APNU/AFC’s version saw the possibility of certain aspects of Guyana’s law that was already compliant becoming noncompliant. Also, he

rice again to that lucrative market that the Spanishspeaking country offers.

According to Jagdeo, President David Granger had the ideal opportunity to initiate these negotiations when he met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, however, he did not grasp at this prospect. Nonetheless, Jagdeo insists it is not too late, and is urging Government to resume negotiations. Secondly, the plan rec-

from page 7

said, some aspects of the proposed amendments conflicted with the recommendations Guyana was specifically asked to implement.

“We drew that to their attention whilst we were in Government but they used their majority in the Select Committee to frustrate our efforts in passing the compliant version,” Nandlall stated.

Nonetheless, the former Attorney General related that his Government submitted APNU/AFC’s version to the CFATF, but even it pointed out that the document was noncompliant with the recommendations.

“They pointed out that those weren’t the directions given and that those amendments being proposed put the country in further problems… CFATF said that to us in writing. We submitted that letter to the Select Committee and the majority of the Select Committee was still not persuaded, even by CFATF to that effect. So they maintained their position stubbornly and when they became the Government, they passed it through the Parliament in one sitting, they forced the amendment through in the absence of an Opposition,” Nandlall related.

Meanwhile, according to the FATF report, Guyana should continue to implement its action plan by ensuring and implementing an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; ensuring a fully operational and effectively Functioning Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); establishing effective measures for customer due diligence and enhancing financial transparency; and implementing an adequate supervisory framework.

ommends that Government work in close collaboration with the Commercial Banks to reschedule some of the loans belonging to farmers. Jagdeo explained that Government can negotiate with the Banks to review the terms of agreement of the various loans taken out by farmers who are struggling to repay their debts.

Jagdeo reminded that if farmers cannot repay their debts, many will eventually plunge into bankruptcy and this will affect the overall future of the rice industry.

The third point of the plan urged Government to suspend all payments on leases for those who have leases with Government. This Jagdeo noted will also see financial burdens being lifted off farmers.

Fourthly, the plan urges that Government issues a supplementary provision to the parliament for rice farmers which can help them directly with the purchase of seed paddy and/or fertilisers so they can return to the next crop.

Currently, many farmers have indicated their inability to produce next crop owing to financial difficulties. Jagdeo explained that if Government moves to lend monetary support to the farmers, the Opposition will wholly support that decision.

The plan also recommends that Government offer duty-free fuel and tax exemptions on equipment for rice farmers, particularly during this time of crisis. According to Jagdeo, rice farmers are facing low prices for paddy which makes it very challenging for them to generate enough revenue to sustain a livelihood and provide for commodities that are critical to their operations.

Additionally, the plan urges Government to explore other markets around the world for rice.

Government had initially taken the position that they will not help in negotiating rice markets for the farmers but Jagdeo is urging the Administration to rethink its decision.

Economic impact Jagdeo conceded that indeed the rice industry is a private one, but reminded that operations of this critical sector affect the lives of every Guyanese and therefore it is absolutely imperative that Government demonstrate appropriate interest towards the sector.

“Government’s position that the industry is private and shouldn’t look to Government for help is awful… this bothers me a lot because rice provides income for over 100,000 people directly and indirectly… Not only will rice farmers suffer, those persons who rely heavily on rice for various purposes will suffer should the industry collapse. Even though we know it’s private, it brings in income for a large number of citizens and it has a systemic economical impact of every Guyanese,” Jagdeo emphasised as he reiterated the call on Government to help the industry.

Attempts to take over Red House

Ramotar slams decision to use Red House as Centre for all Presidents “Find somewhere else for the others” – he insists

Former President

Donald Ramotar

has wholly criticised the decision taken by Government to transform the historical Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) into a research facility for all past Presidents.

During a media conference on Wednesday, Attorney General/Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams declared: “The building ought not to be used only for the late President Cheddi Jagan. We have other past presidents and all the past presidents should really be dealt with in that building. That is our position.” Williams disclosed that discussions are underway for Government to regain control of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and if that happens, indicated that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration will attempt to turn the ancient structure into a research centre for all

past presidents.

However, in an invited comment former President Donald Ramotar expressed that Government’s intention is a clear reflection of its “arrogance and vindictiveness”.

He insisted that Red House was the former home of “Guyana’s most prestigious President” and therefore concluded that it would be a blatant dishonour to share the building with the country’s other presidents.

“Dr Jagan lived in that house, it is the perfect memorial for him,” Ramotar stated.

Nevertheless Ramotar said, if Government truly wants to establish similar facilities for all of Guyana’s past presidents then it should pursue the option of utilising other buildings.

“There are many other

buildings that Government can use to set up similar centres for past presidents. I am completely against this decision,” he emphasised and suggested Castellani House or the University of Guyana (UG) as prime locations for such a facility.

Only three months after taking office, the APNU/ AFC coalition had indicated its interest in controlling Red House.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that the State Asset Recovery Unit was looking to control the building.

The Red House is located on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown. It was once the official residence of the Colonial Secretaries and prior to that was occupied and owned by Sir Eustace Woolford, a former speaker of the Legislature. Dr Cheddi Jagan lived there whilst he was the Premier of British Guiana from 1961-1964.

The Cheddi Jagan

Research Centre was officially established in 1999. Its intention was to promote research into and publish materials on the life, work and ideas of Dr Jagan - this will also promote research into the history of Guyana’s struggle for Independence and social justice, the history of Guyana as a whole from the early 1940s to the late 1990s.

Dr Jagan was well known around the world as an incorruptible freedom fighter and revolutionary who dedicated his life to the poor and powerless in Guyanese society.

GuySuCo to meet GAWU today

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has invited the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) to a meeting today.

The Union has since said that it “welcomes this long overdue step and has accepted the invitation. It is our fervent hope that this meeting is the start of negotiations in earnest on the wages issue for 2015”.

This meeting comes against the backdrop of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into GuySuCo recommending first and foremost, that the sugar company withhold salary increases for the hundreds of sugar workers employed at the various estates across the country. Although Government is yet to officially release the contents of the report, the leakage of this information sparked much anger among sugar workers and reportedly led to them downing tools for three consecutive days.

GAWU said in a statement that it recognised the success of the threeday strike action, which the Union believed was solid and demonstrated the unity of the industry’s workers in defence of their interests and rights. “We feel that this action, in a small way, influenced the meeting of GAWU/ GuySuCo.”

On the table for discussions are GAWU’s proposals for wage increases for 2015 and possible adjustments to certain fringe benefits.

“We are hopeful that these negotiations will bring positive and satisfactory results especially in the context of the exceptional performances of the workers during the crop which resulted in the surpassing of weekly targets on a number of occasions,” GAWU said.

Meanwhile, GuySuCo has lost more than $222.6 million over the three days as a result of the strike action which ended on Wednesday embarked upon by the workers.

The strike by sugar workers throughout the country had affected operations

at the seven sugar estates and factories belonging to GuySuCo.

The already cashstrapped and financially strained GuySuCo was forced to utilise diesel as its fuel source from Sunday to Tuesday instead of bagasse since its employees were not on site to execute their duties. The millions of dollars were spent on diesel at all seven of the sugar factories and estates. This newspaper was told that each day that the workers were on strike more than 3000 litres of diesel was used at every factory costing $600,000 daily, resulting in an average of $1.8 million being spent per factory – some $12.6 million for all seven factories.

The Sugar Corporation also suffered losses in sugar production of between 300 and 350 tonnes over the strike period at each factory – about $30 million. This meant that GuySuCo lost some $210 million in sugar production during GAWUorchestrated strike action.

This publication further understands that while the industry is in a state of flux, there is much uncertainty as to the way forward, since any more strikes of this nature can result in even more serious consequences for GuySuCo and the country on the whole.

Guyana Goldfields announces first sale

The Toronto-based mining company Guyana Goldfields Inc on Thursday announced its first sale of refined gold – 1400 ounces at an average price of US$1179 per ounce from its 100 per centowned Aurora Gold Mine in Guyana.

A statement from the company on Thursday said its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Scott A Caldwell, said the “plant ramp-up is progress ing well and we expect to reach commercial produc tion in the first quarter of 2016 and still hold an untouched US$52 million of overrun facility”.

The CEO also mentioned that this first gold sale for the com pany was “a true testament to the quality of the construction team at site”, and added that he was looking forward to this new phase of revenue generation for the company, as Aurora “ramps up” to becoming Guyana’s newest large-scale gold producer.”

plant has now been commissioned with saprolite (soft) ore. Hard rock will not be available until late in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Grade control drilling and mining reconciliation to date have continued to demonstrate that the ore-body is extremely robust showing improved grades and

the fourth quarter, the company now believes it is expected to declare commercial production at Aurora during the first quarter of 2016. All sales prior to commercial production will be credited against capitalised project costs, rather than recorded as revenue.

Guyana Goldfields Inc also shared that it expected to report the company’s interim consolidated financial statement results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 on or around November 13, 2015.

The statement noted that Guyana Goldfields Inc staff has taken over full operational control of the entire plant, including the primary crusher. The entire

tion would be declared once Aurora has the ability to mine and mill an average of 75 per cent of the designed capacity, composed of both hard and soft rock, without significant interruption with gold recoveries at or near expected production levels. Initially, the tonnage requirement was fulfilled with only soft rock ore; however, with the inclusion of the hard rock component and its unavailability until later in

Guyana Goldfields Inc is a Canada-based company, focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana. It is an emerging gold producer with the onset of its 100 per cent owned Aurora Gold Mine which achieved first production in mid-2015.

The Aurora Gold Mine has a total gold resource of 6.54 million ounces in the measured and indicated categories (62.83 million tonnes at 3.24 g/t Au) as well as an additional 1.82 million ounces in the inferred category (16.93 million tonnes at 3.34 g/t Au).

friday, october 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dynamic Airways plane ignites at Fort Lauderdale Airport

Aplane attached to the Dynamic International Airways on Thursday caught fire on the runway of Fort Lauderdale’s Hollywood International Airport, Florida.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the plane as a Boeing 767 which was en route to Caracas, Venezuela.

According to the FAA, the aircraft was taxiing for departure around 12:45h when the plane behind it on the runway reported that fuel was leaking. As a result, the left engine caught fire, but it was quickly extinguished.

It was reported that three passengers were taken to hospital with apparently minor injuries sustained while evacuating the aircraft.

Airport authorities announced that the entire

airport would be closed until further notice. It was unclear how many passengers were aboard the plane; depending on its configuration, the 767 can hold between 181 and 375 people, according to the company.

The airline’s local representative in Guyana, Gerry Gouveia stated that the mishap would not af -

fect the flights between Georgetown and New York.

In a release, the airline confirmed that while taxiing for an on-time departure from Fort Lauderdale to Caracas, Dynamic International Airways crew became aware of an engine problem.

The crew followed the emergency procedures,

shut down the engines and evacuated the aircraft in order to assure safety to all on board.

The release stated that the company was conducting an initial investigation and would issue further information once available.

“Safety of our passengers and crew members is the first priority of Dynamic International Airways,” the release from the company stated.

Dynamic International Airways is currently arranging accommodation and transportation for all passengers impacted by Thursday’s flight disruption. The airline expects to continue operation as per the schedule from today, October 30.

Dynamic International Airways took the opportunity to thank its passengers for their patience and support while its teams conduct their duties.

Diwali or Deepavali?

Two individuals who had a profound effect on me as a Hindu boy  were Swami Vivekananda and Swami Purnananda. The former had long passed away, but the remarkable books in his life and teachings were in circulation. Swami Purnananda, however, was a real, live presence who embodied a vigorous and adaptive, living Hinduism.

I still remember Swami Vivekananda bemoaning Hindus  arguing  about whether water should be thrown over their left or right shoulder during their ritual bath, rather than arguing about confronting existing challenges. Through his translations and transliterations of the Sanskrit texts, Swami Purnananda made the common rituals more accessible to all Hindus, and doused many such arguments by explaining the symbolism behind the performance of the rituals.

I was impressed there were evidently reasons behind the formerly rote-like performances. And if there were reasons, they could be interpreted as Swami Vivekananda had suggested. And as youths, we did.

Today Hindus of Guyana are engaged in a vigorous debate that has been thrown into the public sphere – whether Diwali should be celebrated on the 10 or 11 November and I have been wondering whether it is an iteration of the “water over which shoulder ” argument. And why this has taken precedence over the extant clear and pressing challenges.

However, far exceeding the early attempt of Swami Purnananda to make Hinduism accessible to all, the internet today provides a veritable cornucopia of information. One does not need to read “panchangs” in Sanskrit to know about the phases of the moon. There are literally thousands of sites that will tell you more that you ever wanted to know about  the “tithis” of the moon as its “phases”  are called in Hinduism.

But those same web pages show that for thousands of years in India, the same data was utilized by different groups (regional and even castes) with  different starting dates to count the “lunar dates” and arriving at different dates for festivals. With Diwali, for instance, you have the situation where BOTH the 10th and 11th are being called “Amavasya night” in different parts of India  and Diwali is celebrated on BOTH those days there.

Hinduism teaches that it really doesn't matter how or when you make offerings to the Lord, male or female: it is your devotion that counts. And if, the Hindus in India in more than a thousand years have not started another Mahabharata War to settle their differences, why have we embarked down that path?

I had an early inkling that there was going to be a standoff on the date for Diwali. One of the protagonist’s path crossed mine and he complained that the “other side” refused to attend a meeting called to discuss the date for another  “darkest night” – the  birthnight or Janamasthmi of Sri Krishna. The arguments surrounding the calculations from the lunar calendar were a dress rehearsal for the present contretemps.

But ever since that conversation, I have been wondering if the dates for the festivals were really the cause of the war (causa belli) or rather simply the occasion for the war (casus belli) by the “two sides” – with Guyana Dharmic Sabha on one side and a host of others on the other There is no question that Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s  Dharmic Sabha straddled the Hindu community like a colossus. And with his passing, there are many vying to fill what they consider to be a power vacuum created.

One point of view was that “Dharmic” became powerful because of Pt Reep’s nexus with the PPP and its access to state power via which largess could be  provided to those who aligned with his Organisation.

But the Dharmic Sabha was built from 1974 when the PPP was out of power. Yet by 1992 it had long supplanted the older  organisations such as the Maha Sabha (which Pt Reep had left), and the Pandits Council headed by Pandit Gowkarran Sharma, them a Minister in the PNC Government. Without any “largess”. It was no secret that whatever benefits  was provided by Pandit Reep in the post-1992 era because of his being a Minister in the PPP/C Government, had also been previously funnelled by the PNC Government via the organisations and  leaders whom Pt Reep and Dharmic supplanted.

Are we going to have a replay of History? I hope that even at this late date the Hindu leaders can reach a compromise on essentially a disputation about  “form” and not the “substance” of our eternal way of life (Sanataan Dharma). We do not want to have a “PNC Deepavali” and a “PPP Diwali”, do we?

National top performers awarded

The Education Ministry on Thursday awarded the top performers of the major examinations for 2015. The ceremony was held at the National Culture Centre (NCC).

The auditorium of the NCC was overrun with educators and students from across the country, as they gathered to witness the award ceremony for the highflyers, some of whom have raised the standards of education in and out of Guyana.

The awards ranged from the top five performers of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) to the top performers of the Government Technical Education Examination (GTEE).

Awarded for their ex-

Meanwhile, in the category of Junior Secondary School top performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, out of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Secondary School, Guyana’s top student Victoria Najab received her award followed by Aliyah Rasheed of the Anna Regina Secondary School. Vamanand Hiralall of SVN, Jagindra Persaud of Anna Regina Secondary and Mohanie Sudama of SVN were also awarded for their excellent performances at the examination.

Top performers in the Senior Secondary School CSEC) examination –Joshanna Hopkinson, Ashley Anthony, Abigail Somrah , Paige Carter, Kadesh Daniels, Michael

awarded for her excellent performance in Commercial Food Preparation, in the area of Catering and Hospitality; Yvonne Pilgrim was awarded with her prize, as well as Sonia Araujo, Kimal Stephen, Roshana Morris and Asenna Moonsammy.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, in delivering his address told the students that their success at this level was just the beginning of greater successes to come.

The Minister implored the students to mount on their talents and academic prowess to become part of the transformation into 21st century students.

“It is of course a great pleasure to receive awards and be recognised, but I want to say that we want

ceptional performances at this year’s NGSA were Solomon Cherai out of Success Elementary, who secured a place at Queens College with the top marks of 530; followed by Shania Eastman and Celine Farinha of Success Elementary and Peter’s Hall Primary respectively, who also secured places at Queens College with 529 and 526 marks respectively. Shreya Persaud and Isabella Hussein of the Academy of Excellence both secured 526 marks.

Jaganan and Shananon Woodruff of Queens college – were awarded, along with Shawn Shewram of St Rose’s High School.

Head Teacher of Queens College Jackie Benn received the best performing Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) prize on behalf of her student Cecil Cox.

From the Carnagie School of Home Economics, Roshana Wright received the top award for best performer in the area of Garment Construction. Reanne Philadelphia was

the education you receive in the classroom to be a rounded education. I’m very happy that you are excelling academically, but it is not enough. I think we need to concentrate on other things like those that are not readily identifiable”.

Stressing the importance of education, Minister Roopnaraine said “I charge you high achievers, because you have a special duty and that is to join all efforts around you, and if efforts are not being made, you initiate them to bring about healing and reconciliation”.

friday, october 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Berbice Bridge Toll Standoff

Govt-BBCI reach agreement on subsidies

– uncertainty prevails over payment of $500M bond principal

With a steady back and forth between Government and the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI), the latter submitted a proposal to Government, accepting its proposed $40 million subvention for the reduction of bridge tolls.

This announcement was made by representative of the BBCI’s Board, Dr Surendra Persaud, whom the Government Information Agency (GINA) said was at the time speaking at the commissioning ceremony of a pump station on Wednesday. According to Persaud, the proposal covers multiple aspects of the relationship between the BBCI and the administration.

“Our proposal deals with the subsidy and other aspects of the relationship of the Bridge Company and the Government, reduced into a legal framework… while it is open to be amended, Government still has to perform due diligence by ensuring they agree with the clauses of the proposal,” Dr Persaud stated.

Junior Minister within Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson has since confirmed that indeed the proposal was sent by the BBCI, indicating their willingness to accept the subvention being offered by Government. She

disclosed that the document is currently before Cabinet being reviewed. Minister Ferguson further related that Government is expected to give BBCI a feedback on its proposal before the end of the week.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Berbice Bridge Company, Egbert Carter, explained that whilst much was said regarding the inability of the Company to readily accept the subsidy proposal, there was need to first notify all shareholders and “now that they would have agreed, we can accept the proposal made by the Administration”.

Back in August, the BBCI had rejected Government’s offer of financial support on the grounds that its shareholders were not consulted on the matter.

During its first Budget Presentation, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had announced that effective September 1, it will be re-

ducing the bridge toll from $2,200 to $1,900 for passenger cars and buses, along with a 10 per cent reduction for other classes of vehicles. It was explained that the Bridge Company will not lose, as the difference of the reduction will be borne by Government.

However, BBCI insisted its current financial position was impeding the implementation of the reduction. The Company had said it continuously pointed out to the Administration that the subsidy being offered to facilitate the reduction was insufficient to offset its debts.

Consequently, it requested that Government extend the concession period from 21 to 50 years or increase the bridge tolls by 55 per cent before it implemented the new fare structure. But Government refused.

In attempts to gain majority control of the Bridge Company in order to fulfil its promise of implementing toll reductions, Prime

Minister/First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo had announced last week that Cabinet has instructed the Finance Minister to buy out the shares the Demerara Distillers Limited has in the Bridge Company. DDL currently holds some 10 per cent of the shares. While the decision was made to subsidised the bridge, any change in the Concession Agreement and the Toll Order which is made by the Government requires the approval of the Trustee and the Shareholders.

In what has been the reason for BBCI directors requesting a meeting with its equity and debt investors, based on present cash flow projections including the subsidies, $500 million in bond principal debt repayment to investors must be paid by year end.

As such with this new announcement, uncertainty prevails as to how the $500M in bond principal will be paid to financiers.

16-year-old boy allegedly sexually

assaulted at Parika Police Station

– Constable under close arrest

A16-year-old boy is accusing a Police Constable of sexually assaulting him while he was being processed for an offence of assault at the Parika Police Station on Tuesday morning.

The teenager was reportedly arrested and placed to sit on a bench in the station since he was not allowed to stay in the cell with two adults. The teenager accused the Police Officer of fondling him among other things.

When contacted D Division (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) Commander Stephen Mansell told Guyana Times that a team comprising officials from the Office of Professional Responsibility was presently probing the allegation and the Constable was under close arrest. Commander Mansell added that the Constable was transferred from the Parika Police Station.

“He was under close arrest but he was transferred to another location pending the outcome of the investigations”, the commander stated. He pointed out that once the investigations are being completed, the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who will determine if charges will be instructed against the constable.

As of now, he stated that the teen’s statement was the only evidence implicating the Police rank since there

were no eyewitnesses. It is not clear if the teenager confided in anyone with respect to the matter. However, the young man is alleging that he is being victimised by the Commander.

“Set-up”

In an invited comment, the accused Constable denied the allegation, claiming that it was a set-up. He explained that on Monday evening, Police ranks arrested a teenager in connection with assault and he immediately contacted his superior who advised him not to put the teen in the same cell with the adult prisoners but rather to handcuff him and let him stay on the bench.

He stated that the bench was within the view of the prisoners in the cell. During the night, the Constable advised the teenager to contact his family, but he claimed that they did not have a landline number and provided a mobile number.

“I didn’t have credit in my phone so I told him that… and he say it was cool.” The Constable stated that about 03:00h, one of his superiors called to enquire “how things was going” and at the same time asked about the number of prisoners for court.

He stated that after providing the information to the senior Police rank, he went about his normal routine. A short while after, the prison-

ers got ready to be picked up for court at Leonora. The vehicle came after some time and the men were loaded into the van which left.

The Constable further stated that soon after the Corporal in charge of the station came and the young man started to behave in a disorderly manner towards her and he had reason to discipline him. At no point in time, he added, the Corporal intervened but allowed the young man to continue with the disorderly behaviour. It was at this time he made the disclosure that he was allegedly fondled by the Police rank. Out of anger of being wrongfully accused, the rank reportedly used explicit language in the station. The shift changed and the Constable left. Later in the day, he was summoned to the D Division Commander’s office where he was reportedly treated with disrespect.

He left without providing a statement and has not reported for work since Wednesday morning, but he planned on clearing his name by contracting a lawyer to defend him and declared his innocence. Meanwhile, the constable stated that on the night the teenager was brought into the station, he claimed he was 13, but during investigations, it was revealed that he was 16.

The Police are continuing their investigations.

Education standards need boost – President Granger

President David Granger has made

a general call for more to be done to bring Guyana’s educational standards up to speed with the developed world, since it remains lagging in this regard.

Addressing hundreds of Primary and Secondary School students at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday, President Granger bemoaned the condition of Guyana’s education system.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the 19th Annual National Award Ceremony for outstanding performance, hosted by Education Ministry.

While he acknowledged achievements of the top performers, he was more interested in those not performing well to come up to par.

“Every day, five children drop out of secondary schools. What is to become of them? Each year more than half of the students who undertake the National Grade Six Assessment fail. This means that our secondary education system is not producing the desired results.

It means that half of the students who enter the secondary school system may not be qualified to be there. This performance impacts on the quality of the results at the secondary level”, the Head of State told the massive crowd.

He related that fewer than half of those who wrote English A and Mathematics at the 2015 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CXC) examinations secured passes.

Granger said Guyana needs to correct the problems in its education sector as it cannot continue along this trajectory if it is to compete with its counterparts in the Caribbean.

The President said while he commends those who have excelled in the secondary schools, Guyana

China donates US$400,000 in equipment to Public Health Ministry

The Public Health Ministry has received US$400,000 in orthopaedic and trauma care medical equipment from the Chinese Government. The equipment was distributed to the Linden Hospital Complex and the Georgetown Public Hospital.

is aiming at universal secondary education - USE.

“Education is the gateway out of poverty. Education will unlock opportunities for employment for our young people. Education will help our young people to participate in the local and global economy. Each child, therefore, must be in school if that child is to avoid or overcome poverty. A child who is not in school is being disadvantaged,” the President said.

He said the country’s educational policies must continue to reward excellence while at the same time reduce or remove inequalities.

He however pointed out that the success of a few should not be the sole defining feature of the secondary school system since equality of the educational system could not be judged by the performance of the top one per cent of the population.

According to the Head of State, the quality of the educational system must be assessed with respect to the quality of the students’ performance.

Meanwhile, the President also noted that even within Guyana, secondary schools must seek to come up to that standard that would cause them to be equal with each other.

Former Policeman nabbed with gun, ammo at Puruni

An interdicted Policeman was on Thursday afternoon arrested following the discovery of an unlicensed gun and several rounds of ammunition during a raid at Puruni Landing, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.

According to information, Police ranks at Bartica Police Station went to investigate a report of an indecent of assault and discharging a loaded firearm. The ranks travelled into the area

on October 27.

However, while in the area the Police ranks conducted a search on a house where an unlicensed .38 revolver along with three live .38 rounds along with three .38 spent shells were found. The occupant, an interdicted police rank, was arrested.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter. A ballistic test will be conducted to determine whether or not the firearm was used in other crimes.

In addition, a delegation of 15 medical specialists will be conducting training seminars art various public hospitals across the country. On Wednesday, the Health Ministry held a cocktail reception for the Chinese Delegation of Jiangsu Provincial Commission of Health and Family Planning. China’s Ambassador to

Guyana Zhang Limin, at the reception, expressed his pleasure at the fruitful bilateral relations that Guyana and China shares.

He emphasised the fact that the two countries have shared a very beneficial relationship which has seen improvements in the areas of health, economics as well as business for Guyana.

“Every year the Chinese Government, along with the Jiangsu Province, will continue to donate medical equipment to Guyana,” he announced, adding that they would be continuing the training exercise on an annual basis. “The Chinese Government has been making a great ef-

fort to assist Guyana in improving the health services,” he explained.

Also present at the event was Head of the Chinese Delegation, Lan Qing who expressed his appreciation to the Public Health Ministry, as well as the public for the hospitality that they have received.

Director of Medical Professional Services at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Sheik Amir, in his address to the gathering, reflected on the history of the relationship with China, stating that there have been over 30 years of cooperation between Guyana and China.

“Initially, the medical bri-

gade was smaller but as time went on, the need became greater. The medical expertise will be imparted into the young Guyanese doctors,” he stated, adding that thus far the benefits have been quite significant.

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Karen Cummings explained that the health care service in Guyana has significantly improved thanks to the contributions of the Chinese Government. She added that Guyana has benefited tremendously in the areas of health-care development, infrastructure, education and trade through assistance received from China.

Outpouring of condolences over Swami Vidyanandaji’s passing

Sympathy continues to pour out over the death of renowned Guyanese Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj, who touched the lives of many, both in Guyana and the Diaspora.

The 79-year-old spiritual leader and Director

1936, returned to the West Indies in 1976 as Guyana’s first ordained Hindu monk of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Back in April, the Guyana Sevashram Sangha hosted a day of honour, tradition and literature at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara where the book

ment on Thursday, Jagdeo said Swami Vidyanandaji has served Guyana, the Caribbean and further afield for over five decades with distinction. He noted that the passing of the Hindu scholar was a great loss to Guyanese since he was a beacon of light and a source

of the Guyana and United States Bharat Sevashram Sangha died in his sleep on Wednesday at the Long Shore Hospital in New York. Swami Vidyanandaji was a famous historian, theologian and strong believer in his spirituality. He fashioned his lifestyle after Swami Purnananda, who came to Guyana from India decades ago. Swami Vidyanandaji, who was born on July 3,

“Journey of the Guru” by Richard B Mahase was launched.

The book, which honours the memory of the founder of the Sangha – Swami Purnananda, is written from the perspective of Swami Vidyanandaji.

One such person whose life was touched by the Guru of the Cove and John Ashram is former President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. In a state-

of solace and comfort to those whose lives he touched over the years, both in Guyana and in the Diaspora.

“For me personally, he was a man of great moral and spiritual stature whose wise counsel and profound knowledge was always refreshing and inspiring. His calm demeanour and charming personality, his humility, his good humour and lively conversations, and his love and affection were quite

awesome and reassuring,” Jagdeo said in the statement.

The Opposition Leader recalled his early interaction with Swami Vidyanandaji, noting that the religious leader displayed resilience and provided solid leadership particularly to the

to so many that one cannot amply describe his achievements and contributions in such a short statement as this,” the Opposition Leader noted.

Jagdeo further stated that he always looked forward to visiting the Cove and John Ashram

Action Committee (IAC) has also expressed its profound sadness at the death of the Cove and John Ashram Guru.

“Guru Vidyananda was a beacon of spirituality whose guidance was much sought by thousands over the years he has been attached to the

Hindu community in helping to keep their spirits high and assisting in their subsequent empowerment through education, both religious and secular.

“Thus, the contribution of the Swami must be seen in terms of his work in the development of the moral fabric of the society and, in the broader context, their educational, cultural and spiritual growth and development. He meant so much

on Mahashivratri, during which Swami Vidyanandaji always found time to share his insightful thoughts and experiences with him. The former President extended his condolences to the Ashram family as well as the Sevashram Sangha in the United States. Back in November 2011, Jagdeo had presented Swami Vidyanandaji with a Medal of Service.

Meanwhile, the Indian

Ashram. His humility was exemplary and in providing spiritual guidance, he positively influenced many lives. He was foremost an inspirational figure with a humble disposition,” the Committee stated.

The IAC further extended its condolences to the executives and devotees of the Ashram on the passing of this most revered Guru, whose spiritual wisdom would be immensely missed.

GPHC supervisors graduate from training programme

Some 11 supervisors of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) on Thursday were awarded certificates after successfully completing a three-day supervisory management training session.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Principal Facilitator of the programme, Mandy La Fleur, said the purpose of the training is to equip middle management with necessary knowledge and skills so they can effectively supervise and monitor effective nursing care.

She added that the mission of Georgetown Hospital is to provide quality nursing care to patients. She intimated some senior and retired staff realized over the years that this had not been happening due to a number of reasons and so decided as a body to come together and lend support to GPH.

According to the 2009 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme, Guyana has an emigration rate of 33.5 per cent, most of who comprise

of the country’s university graduates and skilled workers, including that of the health sector.

The situation of nurses’ migration in Guyana is also amply revealed- speaking Caribbean, which reveals a vacancy of over 470 in the health sector in 2007. This represented a 54% vacancy in the nurses’ labour market – of which supervision, administration and management positions account-

ed for 90%.

The GPH accounts for the largest nursing workforce in the country and by comparison, have experienced the greatest attrition of skill and competence of advisors and mangers over the years. The loss of skilled supervisors has resulted in the placement of inexperienced and untrained supervisors to address the need, coupled with a lack of understand-

ing their roles, the inability to manage large volumes of nursing students and young graduates, while simultaneously performing basic supervisory duties posed a challenge to many and has resulted in sub-optimal nursing care.

La Fleur mentioned that training comprised of handling a number of critical areas that they saw deficit in, including understanding supervision, ward manage-

ment, code of ethics, performance standards, understanding monitoring, data collection and presentation, barriers to supervision, and planning for supervision.

In her remarks to the graduates Minister within Public Health Ministry Karen Cummings congratulated the graduates for completing the training programme in efforts to further enhance their competency and performance

on the job: “Regardless of whatever level you work at in the health sector, it requires nothing less than your very best. It is very important that you take every advantage of the training opportunities available to you through the Public Health Ministry and GPH as a means of developing yourselves even further.”

She added that as middle management, the role they play is very vital in a management compendium, as they are responsible for ensuring the objectives set by executive management are achieved as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Minister Cummings stated that it is therefore important the graduates foster a working environment that is innovative and creative.

The graduates are: Audrey Joseph-Halley, Glynda Mc Allister, Elaine Singh, Tessia Joe, Yonnette Garnette, Virginie Lord, Rhonda Henry, Shivani Ramdihol, Kemton Alexander, Patricia Lewis and Daneth Mingo.

While Halloween lovers will be crashing every possible Halloween party in Georgetown, partyholics will be heading to the Better Hope Community Centre ground, on the East Coast of Demerara for the first ever Guyana Night concert on Saturday evening.

Tickets are going like hot cakes and the venue is being prepared for one of the biggest shows to be held on the East Coast of Demerara.

The show will feature an all Guyanese cast with a special appearance by Trinidad’s Chutney monarch, Ravi B who is all hyped and ready to thrill his Guyanese fans.

As the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha prepares to celebrate the Festival of Light on November 11, the organisation will host a pre-Diwali Dinner and Concert at the Marriott Ballroom on Monday, November 9 commencing at 19:00h.

In addition to a sumptuous authentic Indian vegetarian feast, patrons will be treated to magnificent performances from Indian artistes and ZEE

TV Saregamapa finalists Bishakh Jyoti and Shreyasi Bhattacharjee.

Both Jyoti and Bhattacharjee are well known for their melodi-

Several of the Guyanese artistes are already in gear to perform for their fans who are expected to storm the venue this Saturday evening.

Thus far, those confirmed to perform at the show are Guyanese Baboo, Terry Gajraj; reigning Carib Soca Monarch Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo; Mahendra Ramkellwan; Sharmaine Blackman; Roger Hinds; Pooran Seeraj; Bunty Singh; Cecelia Samaroo; Rajesh Dubraj and Aaron Dasrat among others.

For the first time ever in Guyana, there will be four local bands on stage. These include Guyana’s number one Shakti Strings Orchestra,

ous voices since they have wowed audiences here in Guyana at previous functions.

The duo has also been part of the Lil Champs Singing competition in India. Their song repertoire promises to be a real treat with melodies rang-

Band.

The show will also feature spectacular dance routines from the Fire Fest Dancers, Nacha Gana Dance Group, Jewan Ka Nritya Dance Group, Shalita Dance Troupe and from the most popular, Granny Ivelaw as well as Sandella.

Emcee for the evening will be RGI’s Surida Negreadi and television personalities, WR Reaz and Joel Ganshaam. Admission to the show is $1000. Gates open at 18:00h. Showtime is 20:00h.

ing from yesteryear’s classic hits to the chartbusters of present day.

The Dinner and Concert will also mark the launch of the Sabha’s fundraising drive for the building of its new Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Dharmic Sabha has also organised rangoli competitions in several schools around the country to encourage student participation in the festival.

On Sunday, November 15, the Mahila Mandalee, the women’s section of the Sabha, will host a children’s Diwali party at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Georgetown.

Tickets for the Dinner and Concert are available at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Headquarters, Prashad Nagar.

TThe delegates have been drawn from across the country and are all eager to compete for the coveted title. The delegates are undergoing training in several aspects and are confident that

they will be ready for pageant night.

After the screening process, the best of the best were shortlisted and were further grilled on several issues. Those selected had to be between the ages of 18 and 25, must be single, have no previous criminal records, must not have a child and must be academically qualified.

Since they are all finalists, one delegate will walk away with over $4 million in cash and prizes. These include three weeks in a major city ahead of the pageant, and a two-year scholarship in the field of Social Sciences or International Relations. The Miss Guyana Universe competition is set for November 15 at the Princes Hotel.

Come November 15, the reigning Miss Guyana/Universe, Niketa Barker will be handing over her crown to her successor.

Pulse Entertainment will be doing it all over again this Halloween. Over the years, the Entertainment group has been promoting the best Halloween concept parties which saw hundreds in attendance.

From the sexiest outfits to the scariest were seen over the years. This year, the group will host its Halloween party showcasing Heroes and Villains. The event is set for this Saturday at Palm Court, Main Street, Georgetown.

However, this year, Pulse Entertainment will be giving back to the less fortunate children and patrons can assist in this initiative by purchasing a ticket to the event. A portion of the proceedings will go towards feeding a child in an orphanage identified by the group.

In addition, all the costumes and decorations used for the party will be distributed to several orphanages to decorate the play areas for the children. Be sure to donate

towards a worthy cause.

General admission tickets cost $3000 and patrons who wish to use the VIP balcony watch tower will pay $5000.

The VIP tickets are available at Glamour Designs while general tickets can be uplifted at Gizmos and Gadgets, Shoe Dazzle, Freightlink Express, That Look Boutique, Palm Court and Movietown DVD Club. The event is powered by Pulse Entertainment and door opens at 19:00h.

The third edition of Monster Ball will be held at the Gravity Lounge on Saturday, October 31, and from feedback received, it will be one of the scariest of all Halloween parties. This year, the party will be blowing all cylinders making it the biggest.

Those who attended the event last year would have had a

blast and the opportunity to get dressed in their funny costumes. This year will be no different. Everyone will be admitted free before midnight, with an admission charge of $2000 after.

Those who plan to attend the party can wear any costume of their choice. There will be special prizes for the funniest costumes, scariest

costume and best decked out couple. Once it gets dark, be prepared to party to the vibes of Blaxbee and Nuphoric out of Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition to the best in the music, costumes and partygoers, there will be Heineken specials all night. Be sure to head down to Gravity Lounge for “Monster Ball”.

Jamaican dancehall artiste, Macka Diamond will be performing inside Club 704 this evening. It will be the first time the talented artiste will be performing at the venue but she has performed in Guyana on several occasions. Her energetic performance and seductive appearance will indeed entice the audience.

Charmaine Munroe, also known as “Lady Cham”, “Lady Mackerel”, “Money Goddess” and “Macka Diamond,” she is in Guyana and has been making several television and radio appearances urging fans to come out and be a part of the event.

“Tek Buddy” and “Don’t Disturb Mi” among others, she will undoubtedly leave the fans begging for more. Music for the event will be provided by Slingerz Family, alongside DJ Puffy and DJ Feelings. Deejay Garwin will also be in the house. In addition, there will be specials performances by Brazilian dancers.

Admission to the event is $2000 and there will be X-Tra beer specials all night long. This is one party you do not want to miss… Door opens at 20:00h.

Known for her hits, “Don Girl”, “Tek Con”,

While the adults will be having a blast on Saturday evening at the various Halloween parties around the city, Princess Fun City is making sure that the children also have a grand time. Come this Saturday, the fun starts at Fun City, Princess Hotel where children can be a part of the most exciting Halloween party.

Games, snacks and costumes will be in galore and Princess Fun City is all making it happen. This year, will be somewhat difference since the management of the establishment has put up a whopping $50,000 as the grand prize for the

child who is decked with the most impressive costume.

There will be face painting, free candies for the children and excitingly, they will be blown away as they watch horror scenes in 7D. The action does stop there, since there will be other attractions that will definitely wow the little ones. So the place to take your children this Saturday is the Princess Fun City. Admission is absolutely free along with parking. The action starts at 12:00h. The event is sponsored by Princess Hotel, Chico, Smalta and Kit Kat.

Last weekend, Westsiderz

Entertainment has its Vehicle Sound

Off at the Good Fortune Ground and from feedback, it was off the hook.

Now that is over, patrons are getting themselves ready for the Wales Car and Bike Show which is expected to be steaming hot. All plans are in place for the successful hosting of the show.

“Settlement of All Disputes”, is set for this Saturday with lots up for grabs, including trophies and cash prizes.

The theme came about after several disgruntled car and bike owners thought that they should have won in their respective categories in the last showdown.

In essence, the time has come for redemption. So far, over 30 categories are catered for.

The categories will include Best Graphic, Best Lights, Best Theme, Best Interior, Best Engine, Hardest and Xtreme Sound (car, bike, SUV and bus). The Car and Bike Show, over the years, has taken on a new dimension and has seen innovative creations on cars, bike, SUVs and other

Producers Burchmore

Simon, Simeon Browne and Andrew King, better known as “Drew Thoven” are three of Guyana’s top music producers. They have worked separately in producing outstanding music and also teamed up to work on the upcoming Christmas Album set for release on November 8 under the Kross Kolor Records label.

The founder of Guyana’s Music Network and the CEO of Kross Kolor Records,

such as seven-time Road March and three-time Soca Monarch King Adrian Dutchin; four-time Road March Queen, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts; three-time Soca Monarch King, Jumo Primo; three-time children’s calypso and twotime Junior Calypso winner Tennicia Defreitas, Cellink Kids stage winner Jovinski and many others.

Kross Kolor Records has officially been ranked as the top recording studio in Guyana and it has so far been the

of vehicles and sound clash, patrons will be fully entertained by DJ David Hype, Power Sonic Sound System and DJ Darren.

Tickets for the event cost $700 in advance and more at the gate, while vehicle passes will be available at a cost of $1500. These passes can be picked up at Annett’s Shop, Patentia, West Bank Demerara; Star Cars, Leonora, West Coast Demerara; and Deal on Electronic, Strathspey, East Coast Demerara. The show is being promoted by EPIC Entertainment and the gates open at 18:00h.

In 2011 Simeon Browne joined the Kross Kolor label because he thought his potential was not fully recognised and wanted to expand and explore. Hence, he felt Kross Kolor was the perfect place to do so.

Since signing onto Kross Kolor as an arranger and producer, Browne has worked with some of Guyana’s top artiste such as the duo X2, Vanilla, and Big Red to name a few.

He is an avid songwriter

Burchmore Simon was given the name “Man with the Golden Touch” because of his cultural influences and artistic developmental skills.

Simon is naturally gifted and started getting into music at six years old. He formed a band called the EC Connection and has survive almost 16 years as a professional musician.

The name “Burchmore Simon” speaks for itself because this outstanding producer has made many contributions to the development of Guyanese music.

Simon is responsible for the formation and recognition of various talent developments

crowning glory of Burchmore’s achievements.

Simeon Brown, Born on April 17, and nicknamed “Lil Jay”, is a gifted producer who can truly be referred to as a go getter. He is the eldest of four children who grew up with his grandmother thus he truly learned the value of hard work.

Browne got into music from a very young age where he began singing in church and expressing his writing skills. He excels in his writing since he sees himself as being a writer more than singer and also taught himself how to play the keyboard.

and also someday wishes to become one of Guyana’s leading producers.

Finally, Drew Thoven is a young upcoming producer, musician and writer. He started producing professionally about a year ago, arranged tracks over the past three years and has been involved in film scoring for under two years.

When asked which artiste inspired him to get into the music production field, Thoven stated that there was not a one off thing but everything that he was listening to at the time. He works closely with Kross Kolor producers and artistes.

Simon, Simeon and Drew

have all enjoyed working on the “Christmas with Us” album, and know once they continue down the path of producing great Guyanese music, it will gain international recognition.

Aconcert promising to deliver some of Guyana’s promising young poets and hip hop artistes is set to take centre stage at 704 Sky Lounge on Sunday, November 1.

Scheduled to commence at 20:00h, the concert will feature several prominent poets who are good at what they do.

These include Franale Holder, Rage Young, Ruqayyah Boyer, Tiffany Bonner, Jomo Paul, Blaze Antonio and several others. This is the second year for the event and based on the promoter, she intends to have it on a monthly basis at the 704 Sky Lounge.

However, with the artistic line-up on November 1, the patrons are bound to have a blast. They are all ready to showcase their talent. Other poets who are interested in performing at the show are free to check out the Hip Hop and Poetry group on Facebook for further details. Admission to the event is $2000. Doors open at 18:00h.

Guyana Softball Cup 5 bowls off today

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

After months of planning, D Day has arrived for the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), which is set to bowl off the Guyana Softball Cup 5 today.

The highly-anticipated three-day tournament has attracted a total of 26 local and foreign teams, who will compete in the Open and Masters categories.

Ten high-quality and competitive teams will compete in the Open Division, while 16 well-oiled units, comprising players over age 45, will do battle in the Masters segment.

A total of 48 matches will be played during the three days. Twenty-six games will be played today; 17 on Saturday, including four semi-finals; and seven on Sunday. Sunday’s games will take place at the DCC Ground in Queenstown, starting at 11:00h and concluding under floodlights.

Apart from the Open and Masters finals, four female teams will play in two semifinals and a final. Wolf’s Warriors are the defending champions of the Open category, while Floodlights won the Masters division in 2014. The Open champion will receive $800,000, while the Masters winner will pocket $600,000.

The MVP in both categories will receive a gold bracelet, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.

Apart from the on-field action, spectators stand to benefit handsomely as three return tickets to Barbados, compliments of Survival Travel Agency, will be up for grabs. All spectators need to do is retain their ticket stub and listen for their number on the PA system.

The tournament is sponsored by Stag Beer, GTT,

Rubis Guyana, Survival, Trophy Stall, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta, WJ Enterprise, Mike’s Pharmacy, Rohan Auto Spares and A&R Jiwanram Printery.

Below are the games on today.

09:30h at Police Ground, Eve Leary: Pitch One: Brooklyn Queens Legends vs Albion. Umpires: Eddie Nicholls and Reneka Isaacs; Pitch Two: NYSCL Legends vs Regal Masters. Umpires: Linden Matthews and Ava Barker; Pitch Three: Tristate Masters USA vs Mahaicony. Umpires: Linden Wilson and Trevor Ritney.

09:30h at Everest Ground: Pitch One: Savage Masters vs Parika Defenders.

Umpires: Abeina Parker and Zaheer Mohamed; Pitch Two: Shakib XI vs Petama Enterprise. Umpires: Albert Das and Wayne De Cambra; Pitch Three: Regal vs Wolf’s Warriors. Umpires: Lentza Khan and Nigel Hope.

09:30h at DCC Ground: Pitch One: Floodlights vs Orlando Florida. Umpires: Andrew Allen and Deon Fessal; Pitch Two: SCI Miami vs Wellman.

Umpires: Clyde Layne and Joseph Jeffrey.

09:30 at GCC Ground: Pitch One: Hyde Park vs NYSCL All Stars. Umpires: Rishie Ramsaywack and Javed Mohamed; Pitch Two: US Mercenaries vs Corriverton. Umpires: Raymond Mohamed and Cyril Garnath.

09:30h at Malteenoes Ground: Karibee Boyz vs Zameer XI. Umpires: Daniel Richmond and Patrick Edwards.

09:30h at GNIC Ground: Invaders Masters vs New York President’s XI. Umpires: Mark Scott and Randolph Rose.

09:30h at Ogle Ground:

New York Better Hope vs Industry Super Kings. Umpires: Gyananand Sookdeo and Richard Albert.

12:30h at Police Ground, Eve Leary: Pitch One: Brooklyn Queens Legends vs Tristate Masters USA.

Umpires: Eddie Nicholls and Reneka Isaacs; Pitch Two: NYSCL Legends vs New York President’s XI.

Umpires: Linden Matthews and Ava Barker; Pitch Three: Invaders Masters vs Regal Masters. Umpires: Linden Wilson and Trevor Ritney.

12:30h at Everest Ground: Pitch One: Mahaicony vs Albion. Umpires: Abeina Parker and Zaheer Mohamed; Pitch Two: Hyde Park vs Petama Enterprise. Umpires: Albert Das and Wayne De Cambra; Pitch Three: Regal vs Karibee Boyz. Umpires: Lentza Khan and Nigel Hope.

12:30h at DCC Ground: Pitch One: Floodlights vs Wellman. Umpires: Andrew Allen and Deon Fessal; Pitch Two: SCI Miami Orlando Florida. Umpires: Clyde Layne and Joseph Jeffrey.

12:30h at GCC Ground: Pitch One: Shakib XI vs NYSCL All Stars. Umpires: Rishie Ramsaywack and Javed Mohamed; Pitch Two: Zameer XI vs US Mercenaries. Umpires: Raymond Mohamed and Cyril Garnath.

12:30h at Malteenoes Ground: Corriverton vs Wolf Warriors. Umpires: Patrick Edwards and Daniel Richmond.

12:30h at GNIC Ground: Savage Masters vs Industry Super Kings. Umpires: Mark Scott and Randolph Rose.

12:30h at Ogle Ground: New York Better Hope vs Parika Defenders. Umpires: Gyananand Sookdeo and Richard Albert.

Banks Beer Inter-Ministry/Corporation futsal

Action to continue tonight with 8 games

Action in the Banks Beer Inter-Ministry/ Corporation futsal tournament will continue tonight with eight thrilling games at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

A combined media squad will face the Sport Ministry in what should prove to be a very interesting and exciting contest between the two squads.

Digicel will also be in action against the Labour Ministry, while the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) will match up against the Health Ministry.

Banks DIH will face NEW GPC in the night’s action, while Lands and Surveys will open the night’s action against the Ministry of Presidency.

Courts Guyana will also be in action as the major furniture store does battle with Bounty Farm, while the Barber’s Association will take on the Guyana Fire Service. The eighth match of the night will see the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) playing against the Mayor and City Council (MCC). Action in the tournament is set to start from 18:30h.

Adams to lead Wakenaam in ECB/Busta Festival

All-rounder Ricardo Adams will lead defending champions Wakenaam when the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB)/Busta 40-over festival bowls off on November 13.

West Indies U-19 allrounder Kemo Paul will serve as his deputy.

The squad also includes wicketkeeper batsman Wayne Osboure, pacer Seon Venture, left-arm spinner Imran Khan, Nokta Moses and Oyono Sampson.

Wakenaam will travel to neighbouring Leguan to open their defence against the home team.

The squad reads: Ricardo Adams (Captain); Kemo

Oyono Sampson and Seon Venture. Wakenaam defeated Central Essequibo in the final of the previous competition

Lokram Narine;

Wins for Hamid’s XI and Goed Bananen Land

Play in the Ramnarine Appiah Memorial T20 cricket competition for second division teams in the East Canje/Lower East Coast Berbice, area continued last Sunday, with Hamid’s XI and Goed Bananen Land coming out victorious.

At Goed Bananen Land Ground, the hosts won the toss and inserted the Kendalls Union Big Team, who compiled a challenging 174-9 in their allotted 20 overs. Navendra Mangra

topscored with 43, and got support from S Baker (31) and Dasrath Debidin (21). Bowling for Goed Bananen Land, Javed Ali was a one-man army taking 6-41. In reply, Goed Bananen Land made a spirited reply, but fell short by five runs. They eventually scored 1698 off their allotted overs. R Britton made 35, Ali 26, D Cyril 22, and Imran Hussain 21. Mangra returned to take 3-21 and A Ramnarine 2-33.

In the second match at the same venue, Hamid’s XI won their second game of the day to stay in contention for a semi-final spot. Hamid’s XI won the toss against Seawell and took first strike, and scored a challenging 204 all out in 20 overs.

Asif Gajnabi made 43 and S Latchaya 30. Bowling for Seawell, R Gajnabi took 3-33 and S Shivrantoo 2-24. Seawell in return displayed a spirited effort, but were bowled out for 152 in 17.3

overs. Lakeshwarnauth Ramdass made 55 and A Ramsaroop 29. Zamin Hamid was again among the wickets taking 3-12 and Hassan Hussain 2-14. The tournament continues on Sunday at Goed Bananen Land Play Ground.

Kendalls Union Big Team will play Hamid’s XI in the first game from 09:30h, while Goed Bananen Land oppose Rose Hall Cricket Club from 13:30h.

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Brathwaite, Russell counterattack steals

D/L

practice win

Abreakneck 193-run eighth-wicket stand between Carlos Brathwaite and Andre Russell transformed West Indians’ position from dire to dominant in the Colombo practice match, which the visitors went on to win by 43 runs. The Sri Lanka Board President’s XI’s chase was cut short by rain at 21 overs. Their response of 103 for 3 to West Indians’ 318 was found to be well short via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

West Indians had been 109 for 7 after 30 overs, before Brathwaite walloped

seven sixes and 10 fours to make a 58-ball 113. Russell struck six sixes to make 89 from 54, helping propel West Indians beyond 300, before both batsmen got out in quick succession, and the innings ended in the 49th over. The President’s XI began poorly when Danushka Gunathilaka, who is in the ODI squad, was dismissed for 13 by Ravi Rampaul. Recent Test debutant Kusal Mendis hit 32 from 46, and Lahiru Thirimanne hinted at a return to better form, in his preferred format, with 41 from 48. Russell and

5th Brusches Basketball Classic

Jason Holder took the other two wickets.

Earlier, left-arm seamer Isuru Udana and legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna seemed to have West Indians pinned, when they claimed two wickets each by the end of the 26th over. Only Darren Bravo, from among West Indians’ top seven, made it past 20. Seamer Binura Fernando was expensive, but claimed three wickets - including those of Brathwaite and Russell - towards the end of the innings. Suraj Randiv delivered five overs for 20 runs and took one wicket. (Cricinfo)

colts, ravens advance to semi-finals

The Colts and Dynas Ravens will represent Georgetown in the semi-finals of the fifth annual Brusches Classic that continued on Tuesday evening at the Burnham Hard Court.

Ravens in the opening game of the night got a bit of revenge on the Plaisance Guardians with a dominating 71-49 win after suffering a loss to the East Coast side over the weekend in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League.

Guest player for the Ravens Jason Squires alongside the athletic Tyrone Hamid topscored in the win with 13 points each, while Ryan Gullen supported with eight points. Enoch Matthews shot his way to 11 points, while Trenton Woolford scored nine points for the losers.

Meanwhile, the Colts pulled off a close 70-65 win

against the Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters to advance to the semi-finals.

Dave Causway led the way for the Colts with a game-high 21 points, while Shane Webster dominated the low post with 20 points as they combined for 41 of Colts’ 70 points.

In the loss, Travis Burnette led the way with a team-high 19 points, while Royston Siland netted 10

points.

With the score at 54-46 entering the final quarter, Colts were able to hold off a late surge by the Pacesetters to come out the victors. Action in the Classic is slated to continue today in Linden at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) court where the Colts and Ravens will meet to decide which Georgetown team will make the final of the tournament.

Over-35 Touch Rugby Tournament

The Guyana Police Force Rugby Football Club will be hosting a Touch Rugby Tournament at the Guyana Police Force Ground, Eve Leary on Saturday at 16:00h

The Tournament caters for males over 35 years and will see competition between males from the Trinidad Enthusiast Over 35 Rugby Club and over-35 males from Rugby Clubs in Georgetown.

The players set to take

part are: Bertram Taylor, Lawrence Smith, Kenneth GrantStuart, Vernon Duncan, Michael Whitehead, Ovid Austin, John Lewis, Wayne Hutson, George David, Henry Wilkie, Wesley Licorish, Dwayne Thomas, Larry Adonis, Stuart May, Aluko Venture,

Chase, Barrington Brown, Wayne Lawson, Terrence Mc Almont, Ton Vugman, Terrence Grant, Michael Carrega, Gerald Fowler, Olsen Olivere, Raul Warren, Colin Sultan, Peter Champayne, Charles Garraway, Alair George, Leonardo Wharton, and Trop Yhip.

Digicel Guyana Open Golf tournament launched

– LGC pleased with Digicel's support

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), in collaboration with telecommu-

nications provider Digicel, on Thursday launched the 2015 Digicel Guyana Open Golf two-day championships, and according to offi-

cials of the LGC and Digicel, the tournament is expected to be bigger with a higher level of competition when it tees off on Saturday at the

Lusignan Golf Course. The launch was held at Digicel’s Barrack Street Head Office where LGC President Oncar Ramroop, Club Captain Chatterpaul Deo, Club Public Relations Officer Guy Griffith, a few of the overseas players along with Digicel Senior Sponsorship Executive Louanna Abrams and Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara were present.

Abrams pointed out that Digicel was pleased to be part of the development of golf, pointing out that the company was happy to be a part of the biggest golf championship in Guyana.

“Digicel in our continued commitment in the development of youth and sport in Guyana encourage all Guyanese to support golf, because it is a sport which is increasing in its popularity,” Abrams said.

She added: “Over the years, the LGC has provided an excellent service and continue to push for the development and growth of golf, an initiative Digicel is pleased with.”

According to Abrams, she is thrilled that players from Canada, the United

States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and French Guiana will be on hand for the event and she expects keen competition among the golfers.

Club President Ramroop said that the LGC was happy that Digicel continued to shower its support and sponsorship towards the development of the sport especially the Club’s biggest tournament.

He added that he was overwhelmed after seeing lots of overseas players already in Guyana gearing up in preparation for the competition and was hopeful that the event attracted some 80-odd players.

During his remarks, former Digicel champion Roger Rajkumar, an overseasbased golfer, also expressed gratitude to the telecommunications company for embracing the Guyana Open Golf tournament.

Rajkumar said that he was pleased to be back in Guyana and to be part of the competition this year.

The former champion also signalled a warning to the other competitors especially the local golfers, stating that the overseas contingent would be aiming to give

good accounts of themselves. Rajkumar’s colleagues – Canadian

and US-based

Mohamed

– also echoed similar sentiments. Meanwhile, Club Captain Deo pointed out that the tournament would be played in the Medal Play format with the golfers competing in five categories –the usual First Flight (0-9 handicap); Second Flight (10-18); Third Flight (19-28); Ladies Flight (0-36), and for the first time the Senior Flight, which caters for golfers ages 60 and over.

According to Deo, like the previous years, the overall champion in the Men’s division will be the player with the Best Gross, while on the distaff side, the winner will be the person with the Best Net.

When the tournament tees off at 05:30h on Saturday – or earlier if the number of entries increases by today –Avinash Persaud and the phenomenal Joann Deo will definitely look to defend their respective titles.

Admission for the twoday Open is absolutely free. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy. com)

Milo Jumpstart Sports Camp begins this weekend

The Milo Jumpstart Sports Camp, catering for youths between the ages of seven and 16 as well as their parents and guardians, will begin on Saturday with the first in a series of free sport and nutrition clinics at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Speaking to Programme Coordinator Merson Jones, he explained “that all systems are on stream for Saturday’s camp and they hope to train children to play cricket, football and most important understand the integral role nutrition plays in sports”.

The aim of the programme is to help young people to become healthy, successful, and functioning teenagers and adults. The programme will be catering

to youths between the ages of seven and 16 and their parents and guardians. The overarching aim will be to teach youths that fitness can be fun, to promote the many benefits associated with participation in organised sports and physical activities and also to reinforce the necessary role of parents and guardians in positive youth development.

Parents and guardians are invited to take their children out to the GDF Ground where they will have the opportunity to be engaged in a range of sporting disciplines, with the chance to win prizes. The entrance fee is one empty 400g pack of Milo.

Tour of Guyana Five-Stage cycling…

Ospina, Ramirez underline Team Coco’s dominance on day one

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Carlos Ospina and Jaime Ramirez won the first two stages of the Tour of Guyana FiveStage cycling on Thursday to inspire Team Coco’s dominance on a day drenched with searing heat.

With stage three set for today from Wales to Parika from 08:00h, Ospina is the overall leader after the tabulations were done at the end of the two stages.

Opsina and his Team Coco’s partner Darren Matthews are locked at the top of the table with an overall time of four hours, 50 seconds (04h: 00m: 50s), while overseas-based Guyanese Geron Williams, riding for Continental Cycle Club, is a mere second behind on four hours, 51 seconds (04h: 00m: 51s).

The remainder of the top 10 is: Alanzo Greaves (04h: 00m: 53s); Marloe Rodman

Thursday’s opening stage started from Corriverton and ended at New Amsterdam, covering a distance of 46.6 miles, and Ospina immediately stamped his authority

Greaves (Team Mengoni), Leal (Team Gillette Evolution), Geron Williams (Continental), Eastman (Team Coco’s), Rodman (Heatwave), Marlon

end of the race, but it was on Carifesta Avenue that Ramirez, the 2012 FiveStage champion, made the decisive move and crossed the finish line all alone in a time of two hours, 22 minutes, 57 seconds (02:22m: 57s).

Geron Williams came in second, followed by Rodman, Matthews, Greaves, Leal, DeNobrega, Ospina, Marlon Williams and Jeffrey in that order.

Today’s third leg will span 35 miles. The penultimate stage on Saturday will be contested from 07:30h from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles, while the fifth and final stage on Sunday will commence in Linden at 08:30h and finish in Georgetown, also going for a distance of 62 miles. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

on proceeding, outsprinting Matthews to win the race.

Race officials stopped the clock at one hour, 37 minutes, 58 seconds (01h: 37m:

(04h: 00m: 55s); Raul Leal (04h: 00m: 56s); Hamzah Eastman (04h: 00m: 59s); Paul DeNobrega (04h: 01m: 00s); Marlon Williams (04h: 01m: 00s); and Mark Harris (04h: 01m: 00s).

58s) when Ospina crossed the line, and 10 other riders who followed received the same time.

They were Matthews, and the others who placed from third to 11th, namely

Williams (Team Gillette Evolution), DeNobrega (Team Alanis), Harris (Team Coco’s) and Andrew Hicks (Trojan).

Stage two, which was contested from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue in the sweltering mid-afternoon heat, was highly competitive with the lead exchanging hands on several occasions during the 60.4 miles stretch.

Team Coco’s Jamal John led for a considerable distance after pulling away from the pack at the start, but he was pulled in by the chasing pack at Trafalgar.

Jeffrey of Team Coco’s and Marlon Williams then broke away at Lichfield in a two-way battle, before the former pulled away from his rival at Weldaad.

Jeffrey could not hold on to the lead for too long as the pack connected at Airy Hall and held together until they reached Lowland, where the Team Gillette Evolution’s pair, Orville Hinds and Michael Anthony, seized the advantage by opening up a sizeable lead.

However, Anthony could not keep up with the pace, and the heat seemingly took its toll on Hinds, as the pack reconnected with the duo at Strathspey.

The lead exchanged hands towards the business

Stag Elite League

Alpha, Slingerz register wins

By TReisTon Joseph

The two “big dogs” in Guyana’s football, Alpha United and Slingerz FC made up some ground on Pele FC in the standings when action in the Stag Elite League continued on Wednesday evening at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Alpha “The Hammer” United was able to put the hammer down and conquer Fruta Conquerors with a 2-0 win to move to 19 points; two points behind League leaders, Pele FC.

The first half of the match provided some tense moments that failed to scorch the back of the net for both sides, as the teams were continually searching for an offensive flow to their attack.

Nevertheless, the halftime break would prove revitalising for the Alpha side as Delon Lanferman scored

his eighth goal of the season in the 53rd minute to become the joint leading goalscorer with Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson of Pele FC. Stellon David would seal the deal with a late goal in the 87th minute to shatter all hope of a Fruta Conquerors’ comeback.

Meanwhile, Slingerz FC were in full attack mode with a 4-0 trouncing of Buxton United.

The inexperience of the Buxton side was glaring especially on the defensive end of the field.

Anthony “Awo” Abrams led the way with a double for Slingerz in the 77th and 89th minutes but it was Colin Nelson who opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Three minutes later in the 39th minute Julian Wade would double Slingerz’s lead as the West Side squad dominated the game. Action in the League will continue this weekend.