Guyana Times Daily - September 26, 2015

Jagdeo to Govt: Investigate Glenn Lall’s Vigilante Killing

New US Ambassador to Guyana Arrives

saturday, september 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo to Govt: Investigate Glenn Lall’s vigilante Killing

Given the Government’s commitment to launch investigations into extrajudicial killings, former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is challenging the David Granger-led Administration to investigate the tragic murder of Kenny France which was allegedly committed by Kaieteur News Owner and Publisher Glenn Lall.

The controversial businessmen could find himself in hot water if Government dares to take up the challenge and thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding that particular case which occurred in 1994.

“He was shot and killed in cold blood and there was no inquest, he was never charged for manslaughter, murder of anything else… Will there be a (Commission of Inquiry) CoI into that judicial killing,” the former President questioned, referring to the coldblooded murder of France.

President David Granger recently disclosed

that moves are afoot to establish a coroners department to aid in the investigation into the series of extrajudicial killings which will forever stain Guyana’s history – an announcement that sparked countless conversations on the number of unsolved murders that need to be investigated, including those allegedly committed by Lall.

According to reports, Lall allegedly “shot and killed” 30-year-old Kenny

France. Lall was never arrested nor were charges ever instituted against him. Facts related to the case stated that Lall and three friends were driving on the East Bank Public Road when he “spotted” one Oclive Marshall in a yard.

According to reports, Lall felt that Marshall was one of the individuals who had attempted to burglarise his home. He stopped his car and demanded that Marshall accompany him to

the Police station – the nearest one was at Ruimveldt, five minutes away.

Fearing that Marshall would be beaten by Lall and his cohorts, his aunt, Pamela France demanded that she be allowed to accompany him to the station.

By this time, a number of villagers had gathered and the aunt demanded identification, which Lall could not provide.

At this point, Lall reportedly whipped out his .38 weapon and demanded Marshall enter the vehicle. Lall spoke roughly to the aunt who remonstrated with him and her husband Kenny France protested that he could not speak to his wife in that manner.

At this point, Lall shot France in the chest and the man fell to the ground dead. Lall and his friends then drove off and he later said that the shooting was “an accident”.

This account was disputed by Pamela Marshall and the dozens of villagers who witnessed what transpired. The Stabroek News reported that the Police took a statement from Lall, but

this was never released to the press.

Similarly, the Police never released their findings from their investigation into the distance between Lall and France when the fatal shot was fired.

Cold cases

Police Commissioner

Seelall Persaud had told Guyana Times that the establishment of a Cold Case Unit is underway. This announcement further deepened the possibility of the reopening of the Kenny France case.

Additionally, State Minister Joseph Harmon told this publication that there was a possibility that Government may reopen cold cases as well as launch investigations into the numerous unsolved murders that occurred over a particular period of time.

“We will investigate cold, warm, hot cases…,” he reiterated . At the time, Harmon could not recall the exact period into which Government wants to initiate the probe, although previous reports show that the period spans

2000-2008. Nonetheless, he explained that CoIs will be established to deal with “all” uncertain matters, insisting that affected families needed closure and Government intended to deliver upon that.

Former President Donald Ramotar had also sounded his calls for Government to launch an investigation into the murder of Kenny France. There is no statute of limitations on murder.

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

Fake SOP’s; flawed elections

September 26 – 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, September 27 – 14:30h-16:00h Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

September 26 – 14:55h-16:25h and Sunday, September 27 – 15:35h-17:05h

WEATHER TODAY

PPP calls for probe by int’l auditors

... slams GECOM Chairman for being “biased”

Amid the uncertainty regarding the entrance of fraudulent Statements of Poll (SOPs) into the Guyana Election’s Commission (GECOM) machinery on Elections Day and GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally’s refusal to look into the matter, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is pressing for clarity through a thorough investigation conducted by professional international auditors.

Jagdeo’s renewed calls for answers on the issue came in light of statements made by Dr Surujbally who obdurately maintained that there is no need for an investigation, calming conclusively that even if a probe is conducted, nothing of substance would be discovered.

His statements, however, did not settle well with the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). In a media release, the Party highlighted that such a position clearly demonstrates the “gross incompetence and an indictment of the organisation’s inability

to conduct a free and fair elections”, slamming the GECOM Chairman in the process. for his evident biasness in his line of duty.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo, speaking during a press conference at Freedom House on Friday, emphasised that the public deserves to know how fake SOPs entered GECOM and who was responsible for putting them there –a grave act which saw the integrity of the constituency’s votes being compromised.

The former President pointed out the slightest attempt to interfere with the will of the people of Guyana is a criminal matter and therefore requires an investigation by the Guyana Police Force –an act which should have been undertaken since the fake SOPs were discovered.

However, Jagdeo argued that having Police investigate the matter now could compromise the truth since he alleged that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan might influence the outcome, given his track record of interfering into operational matters of the Police Force.

“An investigation (by local Police) will not be transparent and above the board,” Jagdeo firmly posited.

Therefore, Jagdeo reasoned that the best way to shed some light on the issue would be through an investigation conducted by international experts.

Impossible to prove

On the other hand, Dr Surujbally declared that it would be impossible to prove who was respon-

sible for introducing the fake documents, concluding that the investigations would be useless.

But Jagdeo contended that such a conclusion ought to be done by professionals and not the GECOM Chairman, especially since the Opposition Party and a significant portion of the population distrust him.

The PPP/C Opposition in a press statement noted that the Chairman’s position confirms suspicions that his judgment is subjective.

Moreover, the Party renewed calls for Surujbally to resign from his post.

“The newly constituted GECOM should meet and must not allow Mr Surujbally to get away with his shenanigans,” it stated.

The PPP/C noted that the greatest and most valuable asset in any country is its human resources and therefore demands that GECOM be equipped with staff complement that can deliver free and fair elections.

“If Mr Surujablly does not value the vote by each elector then this is most unfortunate and reaffirms the loss of confidence the PPP has publicly expressed in him as Head of GECOM,” the Party stated.

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

Rice as a trope for Essequibo and Guyana

Many blame the Government for its deliberate indifference to the collapsed rice industry and the plight of rice farmers today. Perhaps this derives from a certain nostalgia when one considers what rice farmers represented to this country’s economy and what they have now become.

Rice is a trope for Essequibo and as rice goes, so does Essequibo. Most families have predominantly invested in rice farming, whether it was cultivating their own lands or lands which they rented, or being employed to work for rice farmers or millers or shippers. Harvest seasons see combines, tractors, trailers and trucks occupying the Supenaam-Charity road, while paddy is raked and dried on the road side - as temporary "drying floors".

Usually after the paddy was sold and debts repaid, families would inject substantial amounts of monies into the local economy by shopping for machinery, mechanical parts and fuel, groceries , clothes and other necessities which would take them through at least half way to the next harvest. Everyone in Essequibo depended on rice, not just those who planted it, but all who lived in the county as it affected the structure itself of the local economy which it fuelled for years. Rice farmers were some of our biggest investors.

Today, the ambiance in Essequibo is morose and as any random Essequibian would tell you: “things slow”. Taxi and bus drivers at the Supenaamstelling are among the best analysts of what’s going on in the country, as they sit anxiously awaiting the next boat of passengers to disembark while they slap dominos on old wooden tables on the stelling. Of recent, their complaints have had more to do with how scarce passengers are becoming. The same can be said for boat owners and the small shops and market about the wharf. They “dunnowha dis Government doin’!”.

In Anna Regina, where the market is opened all week except for Sundays, there is hardly a soul to be seen. The bus and taxi drivers face the same challenges as their colleagues in Supenaam. Even on Fridays, the Anna Regina market day is a shadow of what it used to be. The same goes for Charity, where several hotels, bars and restaurants usually busy on a Monday, are faced with only slight traffic. One prominent businessman from Charity explained that “gold price dropped and there is no rice market, so business [is] slow”. Indeed, the lost Venezuelan rice export market was devastating and it is hurting the country’s overall economy.

It is these growing signs of desolation on the Essequibo Coast, a rice county, that should sound the alarm for politicians and policy makers that it is time to live up to rice farmers’ expectations, since the election of a new Government. When people like Ramayya, Doerga, Naithram and Greenidge were promising during the APNU/AFC election campaign, prices of $7000 - $9000 per bag of paddy, they apparently had little regard for the impact that their unrealistic commitment would have on the lives of families across the country, including in Essequibo.

Now that the 200,000+ tonnes Venezuelan market is lost, even if we were to find an alternative to export rice/paddy, we would not be benefitting from the premium prices as under the Petro Caribé deal.

The Government has yet to come up with another "multipoint plan" - this time hopefully one that can be implemented immediately, to compensate rice farmers for their loss while sparing hundreds if not thousands of families from the risk of becoming impoverished. What many fail to understand in this unfolding tragedy, is that while Guyana has achieved most of the MDG targets for 2015, including poverty reduction, this rice crisis and the economic decline in general, will lead to new levels of poverty, perhaps like this country has never experienced in the past two decades.

So as rice farmers are immiserated where their latest harvest cannot even cover their expenses, and as it metastasises into the entire economy, this Government must assume its duty of intervention in one of the country’s most important export sectors. Should it chose to stick its head in the sand, it will be tragic not just for rice farmers, but for all of Guyana's human development.

The Government must stop governing with hate and spite

Dear Editor, The APNU+AFC regime, in haste and vindictiveness, has been creating a slew of problems relative to the Berbice Bridge.

During the elections, they promised a hefty reduction in the toll. Their hatred stems from the fact that the New GPC is an investor in the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BCCI), and that they are making a lot of money from this venture.

In fact, so ridiculous are they that they described one investment in the bridge by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as criminal. The same investment by the New GPC is seen as a cash cow. Therefore, it is clear that they are motivated by pure spite.

They demanded that the bridge’s management and Board reduce the toll by

some $300. When the BCCI Board explained the issues surrounding the matter, the Government arrogantly refused to listen and is upset that the members of the Board did not immediately execute their diktat.

It is interesting to note that while they want to demand that the Board carry out their instructions, even though the BCCI is a privately-held company, they are not intervening to assist rice farmers on the grounds that the industry is a private one.

Now they have created new problems and more expense for taxpayers.

In a bid to ‘punish’ the BCCI, the Government has introduced and subsidized the water taxi service, which will operate across the Berbice River.

At the same time, com-

muters from the Essequibo Coast and the North West District are calling on the Government to also reduce the fares they have to pay to be ferried to and from Parika and Georgetown respectively.

The differential treatment of various communities is bound to cause problems.

As far as the water taxi service is concerned, it is clear that this will have no impact on the bridge’s operations. Its impact is more on the taxi operators who operate the route from Rosignol to New Amsterdam than in the company itself.

The regime is just creating more problems than they can solve.

It is now time that the regime stop acting out of spite and hatred. This kind of behavior has resulted in large sections of the population feel-

ing alienated and discriminated against.

It is also sending a wrong message to investors, particularly Indo-Guyanese investors. The feeling is that the Government is not open to reason and is unwilling to talk; they are just prepared to issue orders.

Almost all the actions taken by the regime so far are impacting negatively on our economy and on the free democratic atmosphere that Guyanese have become accustomed to after twenty three years of the PPP/C administration.

Hopefully, the regime will learn from its mistakes and begin the act in a more evenhanded way.

Donald Ramotar Former President

of Guyana

Response to John William’s letter on transparency in the public service

Dear Editor, I refer to John Williams’s letter in the Guyana Times of September 24, captioned: “Minister Trotman should set the example of good governance”.

In the current deceptive and hypocritical new dispensation it now seems that Guyana is the Land of many Commissions of Inquiry (COIs) rather than the Land of many Waters. Unfortunately a COI into massive electoral rigging of the May 2015 general and regional elections was not established. I wonder if President David Granger will set up one in the interest of transparency. I agree with John Williams when he suggest-

ed that the new recruits into the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment may not have gone through a professional recruitment and selection process and that this information should not have been withheld from the general public. He is not wrong. I have been reliably informed that the new recruits he refers to are all PNC, APNU, and AFC party hacks who are now in the Public Service to serve as seat warmers at the expense of our taxpayers. For instance, what is the role of the Adviser to the Minister of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment? Was this invented position as

well as the others mentioned in Williams’s letter advertised in the four National Newspapers?

There is now a COI into the Public Service headed by Professor Harold Lutchman and this matter of the new recruits into Minister Trotman’s department should be brought to the attention of the Public Service COI. In fact, all new recruits entering the Public Service through the back door should be quickly reported to the COI in the interests of transparency in the new dispensation.

Furthermore, the names and photographs of all recruits entering into the Public Service should be published in the four National Newspapers

mentioning their contact information, place of employment, qualifications and occupation so that the public can verify whether such recruits are qualified and competent for their jobs in the Public Service. But even though the work of the Public Service COI is not completed as yet and new recruits are entering the Public Service, their respective particulars can still be published in the National Newspapers. This should be done in keeping with the interest of transparency and professionalism in Guyana’s Public Service.

Yours faithfully, Felix Small

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

National unity revisited India should monitor its aid in Guyana

Dear Editor,

Last week I wrote on “National Unity”. The gravamen of my contention was expressed thus “Though they may number in the hundreds, if not thousands, not one of those, chanting the mantra of “national unity”, at least as far as I can recall, has taken the time and energy to articulate in a document for public scrutiny, what this concept connotes, how it can be achieved and how will it manifest itself practically, pragmatically and politically.”

Obviously, I was not proficient enough. I was, unfortunately, misinterpreted in certain quarters to be critical of “National Unity” and was misconstrued as an obstructionist to any engagement between the Opposition and the Government intended to pursue the goal of “National Unity”. All I did was to explain that the protagonists of “National Unity” have abysmally failed to articulate its nature and purport and how it will manifest itself. Perhaps, a more detailed explanation from me is necessary.

Currently, we have an Executive Presidentmodified version of the Westminster Constitutional Model of which the doctrine of separation of powers forms the foundation and where governmental power is constitutionally devolved, broadly, into three organs, namely, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary with a series of checks and balances built-in the constitution itself, which ensures functional independence and autonomy in the discharge of certain responsibilities of identified constitutional bodies and where a multiparty political system is accommodated and democratically allowed to play a part commensurate with the popular support it enjoys as determined at elections held every five year.

From the bits and pieces I have gathered from the proponents of “National Unity/National Front Government”, concepts which incidentally are unwittingly used interchangeably, though conceptually different, they are advocating the formation of a singular government comprising of all the major political parties, including the PPP, APNU and AFC. A natural consequence will be the creation of a wholly and radically different governmental and constitutional structure from that which

now exists. Indeed, inevitably, such a model of government will result in the creation of a one-party state, a la, Cuba and China. The proponents of this concept, either by design or through a lack of foresight, are not disclosing this aftermath to the public and the consequences which are likely to flow therefrom. I am unaware of such model of Government in the British Commonwealth. In this oneparty state, I surmise that there will be no Opposition in the Parliament; so there will be no parliamentary scrutiny of public expenditure by the Executive and there will be no need for the Executive to account to the National Assembly on either policy or finances, more specifically, through the Committee of Supply, the Public Accounts Committee or any of the Standing and Sectoral Committees in the National Assembly; so the Parliamentary Committee System will become sterile; indeed, Parliament will be a very placid and docile institution performing only a law-making function and to not an accountability one. Even in the discharge of the law-making function there will be no Opposition. In this new dispensation, the Auditor General office will become irrelevant because there will be no Opposition to scrutinize the Auditor General’s Report in order to hold the Executive accountable for public expenditure. The Constitutional Service Commissions, whose composition comes from a process which yields nominees from both the President and the Leader of the Opposition, and which perform an important check against Executive abuse of power, will all become impotent and incompetent because they will be no Opposition. These Commissions, if they continue to exist at all, will therefore be comprised, presumably, of only government nominees and will therefore lose their functional independence. Significantly, in the absence of an Opposition, I do not know through what process judges will be appointed and consequently, what quality of independence would the judiciary enjoy. So this pivotal institution to which the citizenry can turn for protection against abuse of their constitutional rights and freedoms and against abuse of executive power will no longer be able to guarantee independent decisions and deliver justice in ac-

cordance with law and free from political and other influences. The Constitutional Rights Commission will be another casualty because they are constituted by parliamentary driven process with an Opposition input similar to that of the service Commission but with an additional input from civil society organizations. This is yet another check against Executive power. Since there would be no Opposition in Parliament, these Commissions will lose their efficacy and functional autonomy and will practically become obsolete. I can continue to give more examples. I have, thus far, only touched the tip of the iceberg. But I believe that I have made the point, at least, to the intelligent reader.

The advocates of a “National Front/National Unity Government”, therefore, has a duty to explain whether they are agitating for the creation of a system of government devoid of those checks and balances and if not, who will perform those checks and balances and how it will be done. Hence, my call for a white Paper on the concept. In any event, a referendum is a mandatory course of action which must be embarked upon to effect the fundamental constitutional changes which are requisite in order to make “National Front/National Unity Government” a reality. So the populace will have to decide and they must be adequately informed about the decision that they are being asked to make and its consequences. Therefore, voluminous information must become publicly available to, an accessible by the masses.

Advocates of “National Unity/National Front Government” therefore, cannot continue to mindlessly invoke the names and works of Cheddie Jagan and Forbes Burnham as architects of such a formula as a camouflage for their own failures to articulate how this formula will unfold and manifest itself and the benefits that it will bring to the people of Guyana, which incidentally, must far outweigh its inherent dangers. If they are serious, they must put pen to paper now. It is a task which requires both scholarship and erudition. I doubt not their capabilities.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP

Dear Editor, A week ago, the PNCled APNU/AFC government announced that it will acquire two vessels from India on a line of credit, committed last January during President Ramotar’s State visit to Delhi, for use in the Northwest region. When President Granger met Prime Minister Modi on Thursday to seek India’s assistance on the border conflict with Venezuela, the PM made mention of US $50 million access credit as well as the ships that were committed to Ramotar. It is hoped that the road as well as the ferries will be accessible to everyone and that movement of people and employment relating to the ferries as well construction of the access roads will be available to all regardless of ethnicity. Indians should not be discriminated against in employment and in the awarding of contracts as seem to be happening since the APNU/AFC Government took power in May.

It is recalled that India provided an access credit to the PNC when it was in Government during the 1970s to acquire buses that plied the road. It is well documented that Indians were discriminated against in employment on the bus-

es as well as in transporting passengers. Few Indians were hired among hundreds as drivers, conductors, mechanics and clerks. The buses were neglected and not maintained and soon they broke down and were left unused. As political freedom fighter Leyland Roopnarine and so many Guyanese would attest to from first-hand experience, Indians were hardly allowed to use the Tata buses when fewer and fewer remained in service especially during the 1980s.

I can attest that in 1983 after I boarded a bus for a ride from Rosignol to Georgetown and the bus was all set to depart, the African driver and conductor announced that it was out of service. Most of the passengers were Indians who boarded the bus after lining up on a first come basis after they could not get on board the previous bus. As soon as we disembarked, the conductor announced it was “in service” and started the reboarding; Africans rushed in and occupied all the seats. Indians were left stranded and had to seek other means of transport to their destinations. Some hopped on bull and horse drawn carts as that was becoming the popular mode of transport dur-

ing the 1980s. I was heading for Timehri; so a bull cart was out of consideration. It was an African driver of a mini-bus that gave me a “squeeze” to Georgetown; I was so thankful to him after being left stranded. The other African passengers asked him “why he put a coolie with us” and I could feel their hatred and contempt for Indians on board the 70 kilometer journey. The driver ignored them and when I reached Georgetown, he helped me onto another bus with my luggage to Timehri. The PNC government never paid for the buses and realising that it would never be able to retrieve the debt, India forgave it. We should not exclude the possibility of this scenario being repeated. The Indian Government should take cognizance of the racist abuses suffered by Indo-Guyanese and other ethnic groups in Guyana between 1965 and 1992. In its generosity towards Guyana in offering aid for local transport, India should take appropriate measures to ward against a repeat of the racist abuses of the past inflicted on Indians, Amerindians, Portuguese, Chinese and others.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Page Foundation

By Isadora Fox

Why manners count

Back in the late ‘60s, my father owned a charm school where youngsters in the greater Boston area could transform themselves into gracious adults. In the Fox household, using your fork like a shovel – or sampling every chocolate in the box – was a cardinal sin. So when my 19-monthold daughter, Sasha, scribbled on a restaurant wall using a french fry and ketchup as a modified quill and ink, the family legacy was called into question.

I quickly realised that children may be born with a number of innate abilities, but behaving politely is not one of them. And so the onus is on you to teach your little fair lady or gent how to behave in polite society. Read on to learn how to raise a courteous, friendly child who is at home in any social situation.

P’s & Q’s for parents

Etiquette guru Emily Post once said, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”

The operative word here is awareness. Around the 18-month mark, a child begins to understand that other people have feelings just like his, so this is the time to start teaching children that their behaviour affects others. Easier said than done, of course. What parent hasn’t looked the other way when

she hears the greasy thud of a chicken nugget hitting the kitchen wall? Here’s what you need to know and how to get started.

Fact #1: Good manners

es from an early age are at a distinct disadvantage, say experts. An ill-mannered child is a turn-off to adults and children alike; while children aren’t likely to be of-

are a good habit. “Behaving politely is a way of life, not just something you pull out when you’re at a wedding or fancy restaurant,” says Robin Thompson, founder of etiquette-network.com and the Robin Thompson Charm School in Pekin, Illinois. “It’s important to start as early as you can so manners become something a child does automatically, whether she is at home or away.”

Fact #2: Polite behaviour will help your child’s social development. Children who aren’t taught social grac-

fended by a playmate who neglects to say “excuse me,” they don’t relish the company of a child who doesn’t know how to share or take turns. “You wouldn’t send a child off to preschool without a healthy snack,” says Sheryl Eberly, mother of three and author of 365 Manners Kids Should Know (Three Rivers Press, 2001). “Sending her into the world without knowing social graces is equally problematic.”

Fact #3: Learning manners is a lifelong education. “It won’t happen overnight,

and you need to take it slowly,” says Eberly. Introducing one new social skill a month – teaching your two-year-old to say “hello” when another person addresses him, for example, and rewarding him with praise when he does so – makes the process manageable for everyone.

Equally important is keeping your expectations in check. “There’s only so much a small child can do,” reminds Eberly. That same two-yearold is not going to curtsy when ancient Aunt Mabel comes over for Sunday dinner. But she can greet her at the door and sit happily at the table for a limited period of time.

Fact #4: Your behaviour counts. “That means that when you ask your partner to pass the salt, you do it with a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you,’” says Eberly. But it goes beyond that. Think about it this way: How would you feel if your child gave a fellow tricycler the finger when he cut her off on the sidewalk? If the thought doesn’t thrill you, keep your hands and fingers on the wheel while driving. Inappropriate expressions of anger are rude, too.

Fact #5: Consistency is important. Acquiring good manners takes lots of practice and reinforcement, so make sure that you, your partner, and your caregiver are encouraging (and discouraging) the same behaviours. If your husband lets your child fling food during meals and you don’t, your child won’t know what’s expected of him. (www. parents.com)

(Continued from Friday)

By Mary o’donohue

Here are some examples of powerful ways to talk about integrity with children:

1. Invent scenarios that encourage children to think about their choices. It’s important as parents to give our children a non-judgmental space in which to share their responses. More than anything else, you want their honest answers. It isn’t a test; it’s more of an exploration into integrity, into learning what the right thing is and how to actually do it, especially when there is peer pressure involved. And certainly not every choice they make will be popular with everyone. Let your children know that it’s not about what oth-

er people think.

“What would you do if…”

…you saw your best friend stealing a scarf from the teacher’s desk?

…you noticed that your grandmother dropped a $20 bill the same day you wanted to buy a popular new video game?

…you saw the last piece of chocolate cake in the fridge but knew your sister was hoping to have it for dessert?

…you jokingly said something at recess and later heard it repeated as a rumour?

…you witnessed a classmate being bullied in the hallway at school?

2. Show diagrams. Sometimes – often, in fact – there will be gray areas. When this happened with my children and a particular question of the day, I actually took out a piece of paper and drew an image of two boxes with some space in between. I coloured one in fully and left the other one blank. Between the two boxes was an area that I shaded in slightly. That was the gray area.

3. Help children empathise. I told my children that sometimes we are faced with ethical decisions that fall into that gray area, and we are not sure how to proceed. In that case, I suggest they ask themselves a few more questions like “How does my decision affect others? Am I considering other people’s feelings? Can I imagine myself in someone else’s shoes?” This is where children can rely on empathy. If they can identify with the person who would be most hurt in a situation, like the teacher whose scarf was stolen, they can find the most ethical choice.

Often children don’t realise how the things they do – and don’t do – affect other people. Using empathy as a guidepost to navigate these difficult dilemmas makes all the difference. What other ways can you think of to teach children empathy and integrity? (www.pbs.org)

Ramjattan selling gun licenses

... has enormous wealth secreted abroad – Opposition Leader

Former President and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday made a startling allegation, contending that the newly appointed Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is engaging in the sale of gun licenses – a contributing factor to his overwhelming wealth of resources.

Describing Jagdeo as a “billionaire,” the Public Security Minister recently said that the former President’s “wealth of resources” should be placed under the microscope, even as he rejected the proposal to have all Members of Parliament (MPs) likewise declare their assets and source of income. It was Jagdeo who had made the proposal to the Government; one which Ramjattan now describes as “wholly outrageous.”

In response, Jagdeo on Friday said the Vice President is attempting to distract the Guyanese public from the issue at hand. “I think Mr Ramjattan does not want to declare his assets and income. So what do you do? You find a whipping horse… but I think

Ramjattan owns substantially more assets than I do abroad,” the former President contended. However, he said if he is as rich as Ramjattan claims, it is clearly because he is being financed by him. “The only way I can own billions of dollars is if Ramjattan, from what I have heard, has given me some money from the sale of gun licenses.”

Nevertheless, the Opposition Leader reminded the press that he had made a proposal to assist the David Granger-led Administration

in the establishment of an Asset Recovery Unit. “I said… why we don’t work together on getting a piece of legislation that would force every Member of Parliament to declare all that they own abroad. Don’t send it to the Integrity Commission where it sits and nobody knows about it, have it deposited in the Parliament.”

He said that stiff penalties should be put to guarantee enforcement. “We should put in a huge penalty, for people who make false declaration. If they are found to own some asset that they didn’t declare, you can prosecute.”

However, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government is still to accept the proposal made by the former President.

Jagdeo had made the proposal at a time when Government itself had announced that it had established a Code of Conduct for all MPs. It is against this backdrop that questions are being asked whether Government would accept the proposal of the former Guyanese leader.

UNICEF Guyana partners with Govt to achieve 100 % birth registration

Minister

The Ministry of Citizenship in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be embarking on a mission to achieve 100 per cent birth registration in Guyana.

This announcement was made by Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix and UNICEF’s Resident Representative Marianne Flach on Friday, at a press conference at the Ministry of Citizenship, which is a ministerial office within the Ministry of the Presidency.

These steps will be accompanied in the future by a

larger plan of action, which would address issues such as supply and demand, including decentralisation and access to efficient and quality services, budget and expenditure that is supportive of increased birth registration and management and coordination issues to support birth registration for all; including those living on the coastland, rural areas and in the hinterland.

Currently, Guyana boasts of a registration rate that is between 89 and 92 per cent. However, Minister Felix and the Resident Representative are of the

Govt to clampdown on errant airlines

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix in association with Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes will be clamping down on errant airlines which are responsible for transporting individuals to Guyana who do not have the required documentation.

This is according to Felix, who said this action became necessary after it was recorded that more foreigners continue to enter the country via airlines without presenting basic documents like Visas.

During a media conference at his office, Felix disclosed that several persons were denied entry to Guyana this week because they did not possess the obligated financial and documentary resources to sustain their visits.

In fact he said, on September 23, about seven Haitians arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were refused entry because they had insufficient funds.

“They said they want-

ed to stay for two weeks but I don’t know how they could do it when the highest amount of money any of them had was US$200. They did not even have anyone there to receive them,” Felix told media operatives. He noted too that attempts were also made by citizens of the Dominican Republic.

“Not only did they lack sufficient funds, but they wanted to stay at the Princess Ramada Hotel and Kanuku Hotel. I don’t understand how they would have stayed there when they lacked funds and again they didn’t even have visas,” the Minister reiterated.

Sanctions

In fact the Minister said, if this type of behaviour continues, government will have no choice but to consider the possibility of instituting sanctions so that the airlines can be “brought in line”.

“We do not have problems with the regular established airlines. It’s just the airlines that have become

well known for this type of negligence. Right now I have on my desk a document to circulate to the Minister of Tourism and they will send it to the airlines to ensure that these airlines are notified that these are the requirements,” Felix said. However, if the circulation of the document fails to curb the issue, then Government will have to resort to the sanctions.

Tightening up ports

Moreover, the Minister noted with concern that a Syrian national who was denied entry to Guyana from Brazil, was scheduled to travel to St Kitts. However, he was found in Montserrat and was then deported by authorities back to Guyana. In that regard, the Minister said: “It would appear that a number of people seem to want to use Guyana like a conduit to get to other countries, through illegal means, however, that will not happen. We have to tighten up our ports so that our country is not misused.”

view that there is much more to be done. “One child not registered is really one child too many,” Flach said.

In the meantime, Minister Felix expressed the Government’s appreciation for the collaboration, noting that it will go a long way in ensuring that the basic rights of Guyanese are met.

The legislative review will be spearheaded by Patrick Triumph, Chief Executive Officer of Triumph International Group, while the communication and education campaign will target television, radio, social media and other media.

saturday, september 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Colombian jailed for stealing money from GBTI’s ATMs

– found in possession of 92

fake blank visa cards

AColombian National was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded guilty to seven counts of larceny.

Freddy Rivera Vargas, 42, of Bogota Colombia, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on Monday, July 20 at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), he stole $20,000, property of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). He accepted the charge which read that on the said day at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he stole $100,000, property of GBTI. He also accepted the charges which read that on July 19 at Providence, EBD he stole $160,000 property of GBTI, and $60,000 from the Vreed-en-Hoop, branch. Finally, the defendant pleaded guilty to charges which

read that on July 17 and July 18 at Lethem, Central Rupununi, he stole $120,000 and $230,000, property of GBTI.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones, the defendant is a retired Army Major who entered Guyana legally via Brazil and was

granted two weeks’ stay in the country. It was revealed that the man was staying at the Princess Hotel, Providence, EBD and on one occasion went to the GBTI Vreed-enHoop branch where he used a fake visa card to withdraw $20,000. The fake card was detected and a sting operation launched. After a review of camera footage from various branches, it was discovered that the defendant had used the fake visa cards to withdraw cash at several other branches.

He was arrested at the Princess Hotel and a subsequent search of his room revealed he had 92 additional blank visa cards in his possession. He was also found with G$500,000 and the equivalent of US$405,000. He was then arrested and charged.

When asked if he had anything to say in relation to the charges, the defendant claimed that a man paid him $500,000 and had given him

the fake visa cards to make the withdrawals for him.

After reviewing the charges, the Magistrate sentenced the defendant to a total of five years in prison.

The defendant had earlier received a 7 month sentence in Court 11 by Magistrate Annet Singh and is expected to receive an additional sentence from Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three. The additional charges he will be facing in Court Three state that he stole $210,000 from GBTI’s Water Street branch in Georgetown on July 18. The same branch purportedly became his victim the following day when $80,000 was found missing. This spree of bank robbery continued on July 20 and 21 when $250,000 and $330,000 respectively were taken from the GBTI branch in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

16-year-old orphan remanded for narcotics trafficking

Ateenage girl was on Friday remanded to prison after she appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh in Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with trafficking in narcotics.

The juvenile, age 16, who hails from West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on Tuesday, September 22, at Front Road, West Ruimveldt, she was found in possession of 51 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor, Corporal Adduni Innis, on the day in question at approximately 21:30h, City Police Constable #19309 Lowe and other ranks were on patrol heading East on Front Road, when they observed the defendant and a group of individuals standing on the corner of the road. They conducted a search on the defendant and the cannabis leaves, stems and seeds were found in her bag. When questioned about the narcotic, she responded by saying, “Officer, I find the bag on the road.” She was arrested and charged. It was revealed in court that both of her parents are dead; as such, she has no parental figure in her life.

The Prosecutor objected to bail and the young lady was remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre. She will return to court on September 28.

Eyew tness Stone Age...

...financing mentality

One of the starkest signs of the befuddled and muddled thinking of the government (your Eyewitness is being kind - post-Eid bonhomie and all that!) on economic matters, is the recent outburst by Public Works Minister, David Patterson. The fella had the nerve to say that in no way, shape or form, will the Public Private Partnership (P3) model of financing public infrastructure be considered for the new Demerara River Bridge that's on the cards.

Now why would Patterson make this proclamation on behalf of his government? (He couldn't be just mouthing off to give the Muckraker a quote, could he?) What exactly are the government's objections to the P3 model - in which private financiers/corporations are offered inducements to invest in projects that's for the "common good"? They don't like the idea that the loans that finance the Bridge wouldn't count as "government debt" and swell our debt/GDP ratio?

Or is it they object to citizens becoming acquainted to the real costs of investments for infrastructure??

Or they just want to maintain the status quo where folks don't really know when "governments" invest, the funds are taken from their pay checks as taxes? And when those same folks smirk as to how "governments just can't run anything" and it still costs double (at least) than what the private sector would charge - it's their own money going down the tube. What the APNU/AFC government's doing is to tell ordinary folks that private investors, not the government, are screwing them - even though they don't know the first thing about financing even a dog pen!

The "funny" thing is that the interests rates the investors are getting for their investments in the bridge are LOWER that what they could've gotten back in 2007 when the Bridge was financed!! The other "funny" thing is that at the time, the World Bank had actually recommended the P3 model. Now it's not as if the World Bank was surreptitiously foisting another millstone on our third world necks. Right now - even as we write - the top economies in the world, G20, have placed the P3 model for their infrastructural development on the top of their Dec meet's agenda.

The final "funny" thing is that if the now government hadn't made their tolls-for-votes offer, in about three years toll rates would've been reduced to the nominal rates that Demerara enjoys, because the debt would come down drastically.

And in 12 years, the government would've taken over the bridge for next to nothing. That's what BOOT - Build, Own, Operate and Transfer means!

Not "boot out" private investors.

...Crime fighting

There's no let up on the spiking crime rate...so your Eyewitness is even willing to be updated on the progress made in throwing horses and dogs at those dastardly criminals. You'd remember a month ago when Security Minister Ramjattan was asked what's he doing about crimes - apart from the 2am curfew and gum amnesty - and he proudly announced, "Dogs and horses". We guess he figured if Lassie and the Mounties always "got their man" - why not our mutts and draycart steeds. The intrepid crime buster implied that the only thing left for him to do was to throw the kitchen sink.

But is it really so? Like suicide victims, criminals are incubated in nests. Why aren't these nests flooded with snitches or undercover operatives who'd gather information to be turned into "intelligence"? "Intelligence-led" policing isn't anything new or cutting edge - it's been tried since the 90's in places as diverse as England and Alabama.

But then again, the Security Minister is such a funny fella he might just be doggedly horsing around.

As he did with that 2: am business.

...motivation

The Berbice Water Taxis are oversubscribed and the government's overjoyed. They're extending it. But why the surprise? It's free, ain't it? And don't we want to extend the "hand-out" culture?

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

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy… Guyana’s troops able to defend sovereignty – Chief-of-Staff

Mark Phillips

Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Mark Phillips has said the strength of our troops on the border with Venezuela is adequate to defend Guyana against any act of aggression by that Spanish-speaking country.

On Wednesday the Army Chief told Journalists at the Ministry of the Presidency that there was no increase in the number of troop deployment at the border but that the country stands ready to defend aggression on the border.

Following up on this on Friday, Phillips told reporters that, “We wouldn’t give you the strength. We have adequate amount of troops to fulfil our objective but we would not give out our strength”.

And while there has been no reported increase of pressure from Venezuela, GDF soldiers from all bases marched through the capital, and there are also plans to have troops make parachute jumps outside Georgetown.

The exercise was conducted days after

President David Granger reported that Venezuela had deployed troops to the border. Venezuelan officials have not commented on any deployment of its own soldiers, except to say that the troops there were conducting exercises in the area.

Phillips said on Friday that throughout the GDF, troops at all bases have been sensitized about the activities at the Venezuelan border. “As I said, we are ready to define aggression. Our task is to define aggression on the settled border between Guyana and Venezuela,” he said.

Venezuela has long laid claims to about 40% Guyana’s territory. It has also extended its maritime claims after a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp reported that it had made a significant discovery of oil off the coast of Guyana.

Over the past week, Venezuela has been intensifying its military operations at the border, deploying heavily armed boats in the Cuyuni River inside Guyana.

On Wednesday, Phillips had told Journalists the National defence force was ready to deploy additional troops and equipment, if the situation had come to such a point.

In reflecting on the initial stage of this new development, he explained that over the past week there was a build-up of military personnel at the border by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela. The situation intensified over the weekend with the deployment of over 200 troops between

San Marten – a small town on the border and Ankoko Island. The GDF was also able to pinpoint missiles at a town named El Dorado which is approximately 57 kilometres inside Venezuela.

“What is (also) unusual is the deployment of military boats with machine guns in the Cuyuni River, and I wish to say that the Cuyuni River is inclusive of Guyana’s border. To deploy armed boats in the Cuyuni River is affront to our sovereignty,” the Chief-of-State made clear.

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman however said Guyanese ought not to be alarmed or become panicked into believing the country would be invaded by the Venezuelan Army or faced with guns and missiles: “When there is conflict, there are three stages: the show of force, the threat of force, and then there is the use of force… What we are seeing is just the show of force; there has been no threat or use of force; however, Guyana has been alerted… Venezuela is well aware that the world is watching… (and) we do not anticipate any use of force.”

According to Venezuelan media, that country’s Minister of Defence Vladimir Padrino López announced shortly after President Granger alerted the public to the intensified military presence, that its military officers are holding “operational exercises”. He did not elaborate on the number of soldiers and equipment involved in the operation.

Construction worker on narcotics charge gets community service

...

tells Magistrate he uses marijuana for insomnia

Aman was on Friday fined $15,000 and sentenced to three weeks of community service after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with possession of narcotics.

Errol Charles, 48, of 282 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on September 23, at Wismar, he was found in possession of 2.5 grams of cannabis sativa.

According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, Police ranks on patrol about 20:50h saw the defendant acting in a suspicious manner in the yard of Lot 22 Blueberry Hill and made contact with him. A search was conducted and the illicit drug which consisted of leaves, seeds and stems was found in the defendant’s possession.

Charles, in his defence stated that he uses the prohibited substance to induce sleep, since he suffers from insomnia. He stated that it was his first time before the Court and he expressed remorse for his actions.

Magistrate Ann McLennan, after reviewing the facts of the charge, sentenced Charles to three weeks of community service, along with a $15,000 fine.

Guyanese urge UN to end Maduro’s aggression

Athree-man protest was staged in front of the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP) building on Brickdam, Georgetown, in efforts to convey the message to the United Nations, that Essequibo belongs to Guyana despite what Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro may want the UN to think.

Socio-political activists Joseph Cummings and Dennis Atwell with others who share similar views, told Guyana Times their protest had begun outside the Venezuelan embassy several weeks ago, and was only moved to United Nations compound as the international UN meeting is currently in session.

“The United Nations is supposed to be in session, and seeing that the UN is in session, it therefore means that the protest action move from the Venezuela embassy to the UN.” Cummings stated.

He mentioned that the UN needs to understand exactly its role to protect peaceful people and maintain peaceful sovereignty.

Cummings explained, “As Guyanese, we are not for war and the world ought to know that Guyana is a peaceful country.” He added that Venezuela was always known as an aggressive nation.

The activist stated that he believes the UN ought to take an immediate stand against Venezuela to stop them from moving on any further with the matter, before the situation escalates and innocent blood is shed.

He also mentioned that what the neighbouring country is attempting to do is similar to what Israel is doing to the Palestinians, by trying to force their way and control onto the other country.

Cummings added however, that Guyana is a state and Venezuela is now trying to bully their way on the

country in efforts to make Guyana dependent on them.

“We are a state, and if they invade a state, it is a declaration of war.” Cummings said. He added also that Venezuela’s current actions, such as mobilizing troops, anti-aircraft missiles and purchasing fighter jets, can also be seen as declarations of war. He noted that Maduro’s antics on a peaceful and armless nation like Guyana threatens the nation’s sovereignty.

Cummings is urging the UN to quickly intercept and end Maduro’s rampage as Essequibo belongs to Guyana alone, since this matter was already settled since 1899.

To the Government of Guyana, the activist stated that they should not negotiate on the Cinderella County, but just speak to the Venezuelan President to refrain from his “nonsense”, and focus on the real issues that are affecting his people.

New US Ambassador to Guyana arrives

After being confirmed by the Senate in August and was sworn in as Ambassador to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on September 18, Perry Holloway arrived in Guyana Thursday.

A release from the US Embassy said Ambassador Holloway most recently served as PoliticalMilitary Counsellor at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (2013 – July 2014). Known as a talented leader, consensus builder and manag-

er, with broad, high-level policy experience in Latin America and in managing the interagency process, Ambassador Holloway will bring essential skills to the task of furthering bilateral relations with the Government of Guyana, an important US partner in Latin America and within the Organization of American States.

Previously, Ambassador Holloway served in the Department of State as Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Bogota,

Colombia (2010 – 2013), Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Asuncion, Paraguay (2009 – 2010), Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Bogota, Columbia (2007 – 2009), Deputy Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (2005 – 2007), Andean Counterdrug Initiative Coordinator, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Washington, DC (2004 –2005), Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala (2000 – 2003), General Services Officer, US Embassy Quito, Ecuador (1997 – 2000), Administrative Officer, US Consulate Tijuana, Mexico (1994 – 1997), General Services Officer, US Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador (1992 –1994), Ambassador’s Staff Assistant, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (1990 – 1991) and Consular Officer, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (1989 –1990). Before joining the Foreign Service, he was a manager of Radio Shack

stores in Georgia and South Carolina.

Ambassador Holloway earned a BA in foreign languages from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a MA in International

Business Sciences from the University of South Carolina, and a MA in National Resources Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, DC. He is the recipient of three Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards, eight Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Awards from the Department of State.

Corneal transplant team to return to Guyana

The Subraj Foundation Transplantation Team will be visiting Guyana for its 23rdMission to perform a series of Corneal Transplant Surgeries on patients in the country at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The team is expected to be in the country from October 8 to 11, 2015.

The team headed by Dr Rahul Jindal has already visited Guyana with a record of performing 26 kidney and 17 corneal transplants. The first set of 6 corneal transplants was done in August 2014. And the second set of 11 was done at the Georgetown Public Hospital in July 2015.

Similar to their last mission the team from the USA will comprise three physicians Dr Jindal along with two Corneal Transplant Surgeons – Dr Stephen

Waller and Dr Joseph Pasternak. They will be accompanied by members of the Subraj Foundation Transplantation Team and George Subraj. They hope to complete another 10 corneal transplants during this visit.

According to Dr Shailendra Sugrim, Head of Department of Ophthalmology at GPHC, over the past two months her Department has been following-up the patients from the last visit and all have been doing very well.

The hospital in a release said that they have been generating a new list of patients that will be seen by the team for the next set transplants.

The team usually brings the donor corneas along with special microsurgical ophthalmic instruments to perform the surgeries. The visiting Corneal Specialists

will work along with local ophthalmologists to perform the surgeries. The cornea – the clear “glass-window” of the eyerefracts light and allows the entrance of light into the eye and this enables us to see. Any disorder that makes the cornea cloudy or opacified can cause severe visual impairment. Many patients who become blind by corneal opacities or disorders can regain their sight via corneal transplants.

The Department of Ophthalmology of GHPC is also encouraging any patient who have been previously recommended for corneal transplant by their ophthalmologist to visit the GPHC Eye Clinic with the letter of recommendation from their ophthalmologist along with all investigations that have been done. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

Acting President Nagamootoo appalled by the state of the NFMU buildings

Acting President Moses Nagamootoo during his visit to the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), located on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was appalled by the state of deterioration the buildings were in. Nagamootoo throughout the tour of the facility pointed out that there is a lot of space available that can be utilised if the right maintenance is done. “There are sound proof rooms available, and there is also lots of office space that is available”, he highlighted.

“I see a lot of solid space that can work, with a little broom work”, he said explaining that he is currently looking for better space for the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) to be housed.

“NFMU is paying $1 million in rent presently; Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is also paying a rent of approximately $1 million. So we have two units attached to the broadcasting sector that are housed elsewhere at an exorbitant cost,” Nagamootoo stressed.

The acting President however explained that

he will engage Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on “how stable the building at

NFMU is and whether it is feasible to maintain or should we knock it down and build a new structure.”

Nagamootoo noted too that “If we had been maintaining these buildings methodically over a period of time, they would not have reached this state where we consider them junk.”

Valmikki Singh, Head for the NFMU, highlighted during the tour that the building not only leaks but also floods during the rainy season. This was one of the reasons, he noted, the facility was moved to another location.

He assured Nagamootoo that if the buildings are “knocked down”, a new structure can be constructed within a year.

GNRSC announces plans for Road Safety Month

The Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) has announced some of its activities planned for Road Safety Month in November.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Chairman of the GNRSC Dennis Pompey outlined that the launching of Road Safety Month will be held in front of Parliament Building and while the date has not been confirmed thus far, he is encouraging stakeholders and members of the public to participate in planned activities.

Other activities to be held during that month include a school rally, road safety awareness

roadways.

The Chairman disclosed that two new Road Safety Associations have been launched – one on the East Coast of Demerara (Region Four) and the other on West Coast Demerara (Region Three ). Pompey noted that they are in the course of establishing an association on the Essequibo coast (Region Two) in light of the recent increase of road accidents in the county.

Also present at the press briefing were representatives of the two new associations, who detailed some of the works they have done thus far as well as plans for the upcoming Road Safety Month.

Chairman and found -

lined that his branch has also planned a series of activities in observance of Road Safety Month. These includes as church service and television interview on November 1; painting of pedestrian crossings at schools near the public road on November 8; a pep talk with drivers at the minibus park on November 11; and lectures on road safety at West Coast Demerara schools during that week.

Raising awareness

On November 15, the group plans to visit accident patients at various medical institutions, handing over hampers to families of fatal accident victims and to continue

walk, symposium, drivers seminar, first aid programmes for public transportation drivers, as well as a church service which will kick start the month of activities.

Moreover, Pompey voiced his concern over the climbing accident rate, urging road users to comply with the laws and regulations governing the usage of the country’s

er of the West Coast Demerara (WCD) Road Safety Association, Owen Trotz, said that his arm of the GNRSC was formed on September 16. Based in Leonora, WCD, Trotz noted that they work in close collaboration with the Police Traffic Department on the WCD.

Trotz, who has several years of service as a traffic rank under his belt, out-

with the school lectures. Additionally, the WCD Road Safety Association will also have an exhibition on November 22 which they are collaborating on with the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service and Public Health Ministry. On November 29, the group will wrap up their activities with an awareness walk.

Trotz also indicated that next week, a West Bank Demerara Road Safety Association will be formed.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the East Coast Demerara Road Safety Association, Romel Putulall, disclosed that some of the activities they have planned for during

Road Safety Month include a drivers’ seminar, a school march along with awareness talks and working with religious organisations to raise awareness on the issue.

According to Putulall, since their establishment on August 24, they have painted several pedestrian crossings and culverts

at Vigilance, Plaisance, Better Hope, Enmore and Good Hope; all communities along the East Coast Demerara corridor. However, the Secretary stated one of their constraints is financing and the Association is working with businesses along the East Coast to get their support.

saturday, september 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police $6M bribe

Part of bribe money recovered by investigators

Investigators probing the alleged act of corruption involving a number of ranks within Police B Division (Berbice), who are accused of taking some $6 million in bribe, have since recovered some of the money.

This was confirmed by Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum on Friday. However, he did not say what the amount was but according to the Crime Chief, investigators returned to Berbice on Friday to conduct further investigations and they were able to recover some of the money taken by the officers.

would we have held them,” he pointed out.

Additionally, Blanhum also confirmed reports that a known drug dealer from East Bank Demerara was the one who provided the money to pay the ranks. The Crime Chief noted that investigations are still ongoing.

Superintendent of Police was also fingered in the alleged corruption and has been transferred to Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, pending investigations.

Guyana Times understands the incident occurred since September 10, but the senior officials in the Division only recently got word of it. Police sources revealed that the ranks involved are from the Whim Police Station.

to the Station, however before entering the compound, the officers allegedly negotiated a settlement with the occupants instead of arresting them, and took some $6 million cash for freeing the bus and its occupants.

of the incident reportedly began spreading and eventually got to Acting Commander of the Division, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, who took the necessary actions against the officers involved.

Blanhum confirmed that the men who reportedly paid the bribe, are assisting with investigations. The Crime Chief explained that they have not held these persons since the Police are getting their assistance in the probe of police corruption.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it; we had to do a trade off… Besides, we don’t have any evidence against them right now, so on what

CID ranks rushed to B Division on Wednesday morning after it was reported by senior officials that some ranks within the Division were involved in an alleged act of corruption. A Corporal and three Constables have since been placed under close arrest for allegedly accepting some $6 million as bribe in exchange for giving a vehicle reportedly carrying cocaine and cash free pass during a road block.

An Assistant

On the day in question, the ranks were conducting a road block exercise at Salton, Corentyne, when they intercepted a minibus reportedly carrying a quantity of cocaine and a large sum of cash.

The ranks reportedly took the vehicle and its occupants

Further reports indicated that the men in the bus reportedly went back to the Station, where they informed the Assistant Superintendent about their misdeed and instead of taking disciplinary actions against the ranks, the senior officer allegedly took a portion of the bribe money.

This, the Police source added, reportedly angered one of the ranks as his share was “shortened” and as such he began complaining about it. Word

Guyana celebrates

–

This publication was told that Watts was informed of the allegations on Tuesday and immediately alerted his superiors at Police Headquarters. A team from CID was dispatched the following day to investigate the matter.

Furthermore, Guyana Times was told that a female officer is among the Constables under close arrest. Along with the CID, the Office of Professional Responsibility is also probing the matter.

World Maritime Day

Maritime sector to be further developed – Patterson

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson on Friday indicated that efforts would be made to strengthen the local maritime agency.

The Minister made this announcement at the opening ceremony of the World Maritime Day Exhibition, hosted by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the theme: “Maritime Education and Training” The exhibition is in the compound of the Transport and Harbours Department of the Ministry.

According to Patterson, while Guyana’s marine section of the transportation sector is slightly behind, government plans to direct more investments in the physical transportation sector of the industry, over the short- and medium-term.

While investments will be made to acquire modern vessels to boost the transportation sector, the Infrastructure Minister believes that training for those in the industry is also important:

“I’d like to task MARAD and everyone else to look at training to help develop a large cadre of maritime professionals. I have spoken to my counterpart minister in Jamaica, they have a well-established maritime school, with the hope that maybe from next year we can establish a full scholarship for eligible students from Guyana where they will only be required to pay board and lodging.”

Patterson added that with the advent of Petroleum exploration, investments will be made to enhance the necessary maritime standards so that MARAD can be better equipped to police the waterways, ensure the safety of those who travel and execute search and rescue missions, should there be a disaster on any of the oil exploration platforms.

Minister Patterson further said MARAD will soon address the issue of sunken and derelict vessels in the country’s waterways as they pose serious problems to the safety of boats plying the varying channels. As

such, a comprehensive plan to execute this objective will be developed.

“I know there are some areas that need strengthening; in that regard there is now a lawyer on board at MARAD who is tasked with reviewing the maritime laws to bring Guyana up to the international standard,” Patterson said.

Claudette Rogers, DirectorGeneral of MARAD, indicated that this year’s theme is most appropriate as maritime education and training continue to be a primary concern for policymakers and operators, given the fact that the advancement and expansion of the sector is heavily dependent on the skills of practitioners in the shipbuilding companies, port operations and onboard ships.

She added that since MARAD’s establishment it has sought to create synergies with other administrations, in the Caribbean Region and the United States Coast Guard to create and promote training exercises.

Friday’s event also saw a number of boat captains and bowmen being honoured for their outstanding efforts toward safety and in providing transportation on the waterways.

The United Nations implemented World Maritime Day to celebrate the industry’s contribution to world economy especially in shipping.

The annual event focuses on the maritime environment, safety and security for boats and ships.

saturday, september 26, 2015 |

Fatal accident down by 21% – Traffic Chief

With the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department upping its enforcement activities to ensure safe and proper usage of the roadways, Traffic Chief Dion Moore has reported that fatal accidents have seen a dip when compared to the figures from last year.

Speaking at a press briefing hosted by the National Road Safety Council on Friday, Moore noted that every accident that occurs is one too many on the country’s roadways, whether serious or not. The Traffic Chief outlined that to date, there has been 71 fatal accidents compared to 90 recorded last year. This represents a 21 per cent decrease.

These accidents have resulted in a total of 85 persons losing their lives, Moore reported. He noted that this figure shows a 13 per cent reduction in comparison to the 98 deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Additionally, 12 children were killed on the country’s roadways compared to 11 last year. On the other hand, there have been 291 serious accidents reported to date compared to 311 last year for the same period. In relation to minor accidents, there was also a slight decrease, with 369 cases reported thus far against 376 recorded last year.

However, accidents that resulted in damages to vehicles saw an increase, with 611 cases recorded to date in comparison to 586 for the same period last year. In addition, there have been 17,132 cases registered against persons for speeding; 1451 against persons driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and another 727 cases against drivers who breached the traffic light signals. The Traffic Chief said the CCTV cameras have aided the Police in identifying traffic light breaches.

Drunk driving and speeding

Moore went on to say that at the end of July, there was an increase in the number of accidents occurring; however, this was reduced following traffic enforcement activities. “Having recognised that (increase), the Traffic Department had embarked on intense enforcement activities during the month of August and as a result of that, we saw a reduction in accidents in comparison to the previous year,” he stated, adding that his intention is to have accidents overall reduced by at least 10 per cent by the end of 2015.

According to the Traffic Chief, speeding continues to be the number one contributory factor to accidents; as such, he is working to have this addressed. Moore added that another area of concern is drunk driving. However, he outlined that one of the enforcement strategies adopted to address this is the breathalyser test.

Moore explained that the “name and shame” campaign against drunk drivers has made persons more cautious but noted that it does not stop the culture of driving drunk. He highlighted that on a monthly basis, the Force gets about 100 DUI cases, however due to the lack of space they are unable to publish all.

“We have in excess of a 100 persons charged but you cannot put a 100 faces, it will take over a whole paper. We can only release at intervals, an amount per day and because of this fact, some people tend to believe they cannot be seen but when they least expect it, it will be there,” he maintained.

Task force established

Moreover, he explained that a task force was established and is currently working in four Police

Divisions – A (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara); B (Berbice); C (East Coast Demerara); and D (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo). “The Task Force will go into the respective Divisions, conduct enforcement activities but will stay, they will return,” he noted.

Moore noted that the task force has been doing an excellent job and with continued public support, a lot more can be done to ensure that the country’s roadways are safe for all the users as well as to ensure traffic ranks maintain a high level of professionalism.

On this note, the Traffic Chief disclosed that a oneday seminar was held on Friday for traffic ranks and one of area of focus is professionalism.

Partial collapse of Camp St Prison…

Not to worry – Prison Director assures …moves afoot to remedy situation

The collapse of the southern end of the old wooden structure of the Camp Street Prison on Thursday evening triggered immense fear in nearby residents, however Director of Prisons Welton Trotz assured there is nothing to be worried about.

Prisoners erupted in a loud applause following the thunderous crash of a part of the Prison which caused the sturdy metal fence to breakaway. The damaging impact was caused after water tanks attached to the ablution area broke away.

This incident follows two recent disturbances in the penitentiary compound where prisoners set ablaze several articles causing fire

sirens to rush to the scene.

These recent occurrences have raised some concerns in the public domain, as they brought daunting flashbacks of the 2002 jailbreak.

However, during a brief telephone interview with Guyana Times on Friday, the Prison Director assured there is nothing to be worried about, stating that the situation is currently being addressed.

Following the partial collapse of the Prison, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan visited the premises to examine the damages caused, Trotz stated. Trotz disclosed that no one received any injuries, prisoners did not escape and that moves are afoot to remedy

the situation.

In relation to the previous incidents, Trotz pointed out that the prisoners only started the fire to gain the media’s attention to vent their concerns, indicating that the public ought not to fear of another jailbreak.

Meanwhile, as of recent, the first incident at the Prison sparked a fight between cellmates resulting in a prisoner being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical treatment. During that ordeal, a mattress was set ablaze. Almost immediately thereafter, prisoners lit another fire to call the attention of media so they could vent their concerns and frustrations.

Cops bust human trafficking ring in T&T

Mexico to create special prosecutor to investigate country’s missing thousands

Northern Division

Police believe they may have uncovered a human trafficking ring after raiding an illegal brothel in Tacarigua on Wednesday night.

According to reports, around 21:30h officers from the Arouca CID led by Senior Superintendant David Abraham and Superintendant Hendron Moses raided the property on the Eastern Main Road in Tacarigua near Jubilee Street after they received several reports from neighbours of hearing screams coming from the house.

Police found two Venezuelans, a Guyanese and a Trinidadian woman, ages 28, 26, 24 and 21 inside. Investigators said the Venezuelans could not speak English but the Guyanese and Trinidadian women told the Police they were being held captive by a group of men. They women appeared to be healthy but were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt

Hope and medically examined.

While investigators initially believed at all four might have been victims of human trafficking, the Guyanese and Trinidadian became suspects after a Spanish translator was brought in to interview the Venezuelan women.

The Venezuelan women reportedly told Police they entered Trinidad illegally several months ago and were brought to the location, which is sometimes is used for illegal gambling and prostitution. They both

claimed that the two other women supervised the operation and would ensure that the house was clean, that they were fed and that they did not try to escape.

Officers of the Ministry of National Security’s Counter Trafficking Unit and Northern Division Police were interviewing the victims up to late Thursday in an attempt to obtain more information on the operation. The victims are expected to be placed in a secure custody and will receive counselling while investigations continue. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

PM Browne petitioned to fund animal control

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is being petitioned to put greater funding into animal control and to make the Dog Registration and Control Authority (DRC) functional.

An online petition on change.org launched just this week has already reached over 300 signatories of its intended target of 500. The petition argues the DRC

has not been functioning for over two years due to a lack of transportation and adequate funding.

It’s a view that was shared earlier this week by Executive Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, Karen Corbin and noted veterinarian Dr Radcliff Robbins.

They had spoken of their concern after an official in

the Agriculture Ministry said stray, feral and wild roaming animals were wreaking havoc and threatening disease outbreaks and huge economic damage. A huge variety of roaming animals were noted as problematic, including donkeys, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, guinea hen and others.

Corbin earlier this week accused the authorities of ignoring the animal problem and said talks with them had gone very badly. “I guess it’s difficult to expect, in particular, politicians to see that this should be a priority; dogs roaming the street.

They need to see it as a priority for all the reasons we have said, for public health, the economy, the tourism, all of that. They need to understand it is not just about the dog running loose or the donkey, it is about the health and safety of our nation,” Corbin said. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Doctor implicated in baby fraud case

Amedical Doctor is

The Police on Wednesday

and charged

According to Police re-

ports, a woman gave birth to a child last year and consented to giving the newborn to a couple she felt could provide better care for the child. The couple then reportedly submitted documents to have the child falsely registered as being their birth child. The documents stated that the child was born during a home delivery under Wynter’s supervision.

However, checks made revealed that the child had already been registered to the birth mother. The matter was reported to the Fraud Squad, an investigation launched and Wynter arrested and charged.

He is scheduled to appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court Wednesday, October 7. (Jamaica Observer)

Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto, told the families of 43 students who disappeared a year ago in southern Mexico, during a meeting on Thursday, that he would create a new special prosecutor for all of the country’s thousands of missing people.

Eduardo Sanchez, the President’s Spokesman, told reporters after the closed-door meeting that the families had presented eight demands and that

Peña Nieto had instructed his Cabinet to analyse each one and get back to them.

More than 25,000 people disappeared in Mexico between 2007 and July 31, 2015, according to the government. The students’ disappearance on September 26, 2014, brought the issue back into the spotlight.

Among the families’ demands are a new internationally supervised investigation of the disappearances and an investigation into those responsi -

ble for the initial inquiry, which the families believe was intended to mislead them.

Sanchez said after the meeting that there was not a clear timeframe for when the demands would be answered, but that it would be done promptly.

“Again and again we ask ourselves how could we trust again in an institution that tricked us,” the families wrote in the letter delivered to the President.

Grenada and China moving forward with air services agreement

Grenada and the People’s Republic of China are pressing ahead with plans to formalise an air services agreement.

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell made the announcement following his return from China, saying tourism was also among items high on the agenda during his trip.

Grenada is set to become the second country in the region after The Bahamas to formalise such an agreement with Beijing.

Mitchell says with Chinese investor Charles Liu’s multimillion-dollar tourism project in Mount Hartman, an air services agreement with China will be a fillip for the local economy.

“We proceeded to do so, so we are going to be the second country in the Caribbean that has signed on officially to air service agreement with the major project being planned by the Chinese investor Charles Liu in Mount Hartman area, which is almost a billion-dollar invest-

ment,” he said.

“If we can be able to have an air service agreement to get some form of transport from China to the Caribbean and to Grenada specifically, it can have enormous impact on the economy of our country.”

China is planning to initiate a regular flight to Cuba by way of Montreal, Canada next month. The Grenadian leader says his government plans to work with Cuba in order to benefit from a Chinese flight in the region.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Jamaican delegation to meet with coffee importers in Japan

Jand

amaica Agricultural Society

land onFriday to meet with importers of Jamaican coffee in Japan.

Grant made the announcement this morn-

ing during a press conference at the JAS office on Church Street in downtown Kingston. During the two-week visit, Grant and his delegation are expected to attend a special coffee show organised by the Coffee Association of Japan.

The other members of the delegation are Jason Sharp, Director of Coffee Traders and Chairman of Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association; Jeffery Hall, Director of Mavis Bank Coffee; Mark McIntosh, CEO of Wallenford Coffee Company; and Steve Robinson, acting Director General of the Coffee Industry Board. (Jamaica

Obama announces deal on cyber-spying with China’s Xi

US President Barack Obama announced on Friday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had reached a “common understanding” on steps to curb cyber spying and agreed that neither government would conduct economic espionage in cyberspace.

The two leaders also unveiled a deal to build on a landmark emissions agreement struck last year, outlining new steps they will take to deliver on pledges they made then to slash

their greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking after White House talks during Xi’s first US state visit, Obama quickly homed in on the thorniest dispute between the world’s two biggest economies - growing US complaints about Chinese hacking of Government and corporate databases.

“I raised, once again, our rising concerns about growing cyber threats to American companies and American citizens. I indicated that it has to

stop,” Obama told reporters at a joint news conference, with Xi standing at his side. “Today I can announce that our two countries reached a common undersanding on the way forward.”

The White House said the two leaders agreed to create a senior expert group to further discuss cyber issues, and a highlevel group to talk about how to fight cyber crime that will meet by the end of 2015 and twice a year after that. (Excerpt from France24)

Croatia lifts border blockade with Serbia

Croatia lifted a blockade on its border with Serbia on Friday, ending a week-long standoff that had plunged relations between the two Balkan states to their lowest since Yugoslavia broke up in bloodshed in the 1990s.

“Yes, the border is now open to all traffic,” an officer of the border police at the key Bajakovo crossing said by telephone. A Reuters reporter on the scene confirmed cars with Serbian plates were now moving into

Croatia.

The border spat was prompted by the flow of thousands of migrants across their joint frontier. More than 60,000 migrants have crossed into Croatia from Serbia in the past week.

Zagreb banned Serbian cargo traffic on Monday, demanding that Belgrade send migrants to Hungary and Romania, too, instead of exclusively to Croatia, a European Union member since 2013.

Croatian Prime Minister

Zoran Milanovic, whose Social Democrats face a parliamentary election later this year, warned that Zagreb was ready to block the border again “within a minute” unless Serbia complied with its demand.

Earlier on Friday, European Union enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn, speaking in Belgrade, called on Croatia to lift restrictions at the border, saying it had no alternative. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nepal constitution: New border protests block supplies from India

Fresh protests have broken out in parts of southern Nepal over the country’s new Constitution, adopted on Sunday. Demonstrators have blocked two of the main border crossings from India, shutting off vital supply lines.

The protesters, who belong to ethnic groups from the southern lowlands, say the new Constitution marginalises them. In Kathmandu, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has been meeting the leaders of Nepal’s three main political parties to try to find a solution to the crisis.

At one southern town, Birgunj, hundreds of riot Police have used tear gas to try to break up demonstrations. The BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder in Birgunj says the protesters are effectively shutting off the country’s main supply line.

With several hundred trucks stuck at the frontier, supplies including sugar, salt and cooking gas cylinders are being affected.

Nepal is heavily dependent on supplies from neighbouring India. BBC Nepali reporters in Kathmandu say long queues are forming at petrol stations as res-

Around the world

Saudi suggests pilgrims at fault over haj deaths, Iran angry

Saudi Arabia on Friday suggested pilgrims ignoring crowd control rules bore some blame for a crush that killed over 700 people at the haj pilgrimage in the annual event’s worst disaster for 25 years.

The kingdom’s regional rival Iran expressed outrage at the deaths of 131 of its nationals at the world’s largest annual gathering of people, and politicians in Tehran suggested Riyadh was incapable of managing the event.

Hundreds of demonstrators protested in the Iranian capital, chanting “Death to the Saudi dynasty”. With pilgrims frantically searching for missing compatriots and photographs of piles of the dead circulating on social media, the tragedy haunted many on the haj a day on.

“There were layers of bodies, maybe three layers,” said one witness who asked not to be named. “Some peo-

ple were alive under the pile of bodies and were trying to climb up but in vain, because their strength failed and they dropped dead.

“I felt helpless not to be able to save people. I saw them dying in front of my eyes,” he told Reuters.

idents stockpile fuel in anticipation of shortages.

Nepal’s new Constitution defines the majority Hindu nation as a secular republic divided into seven federal provinces. But ethnic groups in southern Nepal want more territory and rights for ethnic federal states.

A senior leader of the Madhesi ethnic group in southern Nepal, Laxman Lal Karna, said earlier this week that the new Constitution failed to address many of the issues and that protests would continue. (Excerpt from BBC News)

From Abidjan airport’s packed arrivals hall to the hotels and plush villas mushrooming across the city, Ivory Coast is booming, a rare African bright spot as the world’s biggest cocoa producer bounces back from years of turmoil and civil war.

With elections due in a month, many Ivorians had expected a pause in the post-conflict growth spurt, but such is the confidence in a smooth vote and a second term for incumbent Alassane Ouattara that the expected blip has not materialised.

An Algerian pilgrim told Algeria’s al-Shurouk television: “We saw death: People were stepping over the mutilated bodies in front of you, four or five on top of each other.”

Saudi King Salman ordered a review of haj plans, and Health Minister Khalid al-Falih said an investigation would be conducted rapidly and a final toll of dead and wounded calculated. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Booming Ivory Coast faces elections with confidence

The Government is predicting growth of 9.6 per cent this year, making the former French colony the stand-out performer on a continent being hammered by a slump in commodity prices, capital outflows and tumbling currencies.

The International Monetary Fund’s assessment is only marginally less bullish, while the bustle on the streets of the commercial capital attests to the turnaround in the four years since the nation’s second civil war in less than a decade killed 3000 people.

The airport had 1.3 mil-

lion passengers in 2014, double the tally from four years ago. A stone’s throw away, dozens of construction workers swarm around the inside and outside of the 261-room Radisson Blu Abidjan, one of several high-end hotels due to open before the end of this year. Kome Cesse, the entrepreneur behind the project, said the investment was based as much on faith in the government’s record since the war as the rosy outlook for Francophone West Africa’s largest economy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pope takes aim at global economic order in UN speech

Pope Francis has strongly condemned the craving for material gains and power, telling world leaders gathered at the United Nations that greed is destroying the Earth’s resources and aggravating poverty.

“A selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity leads both to the misuse of available natural resources and to the exclusion of the weak and disadvantaged,” he said in a speech to the UN

General Assembly in New York on Friday.

The leader of the world’s more than one billion Roman Catholics also appealed for world peace, while issuing his latest plea for the protection of both Muslims and Christians persecuted by armed groups in Syria and Iraq.

The 78-year-old South American pontiff also condemned global drug trafficking, which he said also leads to money laundering and hu-

man trafficking. Francis was welcomed on Friday to the UN headquarters on New York’s East River by Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and dozens of waving children.

Prior to his speech, the pope held a brief meeting with the UN chief and addressed an estimated 350 staff of the world body. He also paid tribute to UN workers who died in the line of duty.

Francis was the fifth pope to visit the global body. Francis, who has built a wide global following for his reformminded views, is on a visit to the United States and earlier enjoyed a rousing reception in the capital Washington DC. His agenda on Friday reflects both his global stature and his “of-the-people” approach, while taking him from the solemnity of ground zero to the struggles of East Harlem. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

saturday, september 26, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana alone cannot sustain Iwokrama

– Acting President says ‘stable funding base’ needed

By Kristen MacKlingaM

Despite its high prom-

ise and real ben-

efits to Guyana and the world, particularly in the area of mitigation efforts against climate change, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development cannot be sustained by Guyana alone.

As such, Iwokrama still needs a ‘stable funding base.’

This is according to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who was at the time addressing a diplomatic luncheon in the capacity of Acting President due to President David Granger’s absence in the country presently.

He stated that action is being taken at Government level and through diplomatic initiatives, to have the Commonwealth and ‘climate conscious countries’ enter partnerships similar to the 2009 Guyana/Norway agreement.

“That would be a win-win situation for all. Iwokrama’s current financial model includes funding from various sources including earned revenues from services and investments (from businesses and partners), donor funding and intellectual property and services (including ecosystem services) to meet its core costs of an estimated US$1.2 million annually. My charge to you today therefore is to examine how partnerships can be developed to finance and further the work of Iwokrama,” Nagamootoo told the gathering.

According to the Acting President, in the debates and negotiations for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, much emphasis is being placed on the means of implementation of the new Agenda and particularly on the need for a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development.

It was noted that the document of the recently concluded Third International Conference on Financing for Development held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 2015 includes several concrete policies and actions in this regard.

“There are many opportunities for collaboration – at the national level, through south/south and north/south cooperation and among likeminded states wherever they may be geographically. What are needed to move forward are political will and an understanding across every divide, of the importance of sustainable development to the creation of a better world and the critical role that entities such as Iwokrama can play…There is a growing international awareness of the reality of climate change and an acceptance that it is being caused by human actions,” Nagamootoo emphasized.

Guyana Times understands that a Working Group of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change has advised that sustainable forest management and reducing deforestation are cost effective mitigation measures, which further reinforce the relevance of Iwokrama’s work in the context of the inter-relationship between climate change and sustainable forest management.

As such, Iwokrama has since commissioned a new business plan which will pursue the development activities within the Centre with a view to reducing its dependence on donor funding. It was explained that the Centre embarked on sustainable timber operations in 2015 and continues to invest in its eco-tourism business. Meanwhile, training services continue to grow with Universities and educational groups using the Iwokrama Forest as a living laboratory.

Nagamootoo further em-

phasized that over the years Iwokrama has played a significant role in conservation, community economic development and research, all of which have had tremendous spin offs.

“Iwokrama can continue to play an integral part in Guyana’s development in the context of the new United Nations Development Agenda which comes into effect shortly and which will guide the development paradigm for the next fifteen years. Indeed, as we speak, the United Nations General Assembly has today (Friday) opened the UN Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, a high level plenary of the Assembly under the theme: ‘Transforming Our World: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ “.

The Summit continues until September 27 during which time Heads of State, including President David Granger and other high ranking government representatives will speak to an agenda that, in the words of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon is, “a roadmap to ending global poverty, building a life of dignity for all and leaving no one behind,” Guyana’s Acting President posited.

According to Nagamootoo this is also a clarion call to work in partnership and intensify efforts to share prosperity, empower people’s livelihoods, ensure peace, and heal our planet for the benefit of this and future generations. The Agenda also addresses actions for the preservation of the planet and the fight against cli-

Miner sentenced to community service, fined for possession of cannabis

Aminer was on Friday fined $15,000 and sentenced to three weeks community service after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court

Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with possession of narcotics.

Colbert Johnson, 33, of 501 Phase One, Wismar, Linden pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on September 23 at Wismar, Linden he had in his possession 2 grams of cannabis.

According to Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones, ranks on patrol in the area saw the accused enter a tenement yard and became suspicious of his behaviour. They approached him, conducted a search on his person and the narcotic was found in his left hand. When questioned, he admitted ownership of the drug, saying he uses it for medicinal purposes.

“I do use the weed because I suffer from seizures

and it does help me to relax. And on the day when the Police arrest me I went to visit my sister but I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” he stated in his address to the Court.

Magistrate McLennan after reviewing the charge sentenced the defendant to pay a fine of $15,000. She also informed the defendant that he is sentenced to serve three weeks of community service at the Wisrock Police Outpost.

mate change while expanding on the eight Millennium Development Goals which were adopted by the UN in 2000.

“Guyana has been visible in the debate on sustainable development and the climate change debate, most notably beginning with the Earth Summit and throughout the years at different fora including the negotiations for the post 2015 development agenda under the auspices of the UN and the many meetings of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In the wider sustainable development agenda, there is the Guyana REDD+Investment Fund (GRIF) which is a multi-contributor trust fund for the fi-

nancing of activities identified under the Government of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The concept of REDD, or reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, is that governments, companies or forest owners in the South should be rewarded for keeping their forests instead of cutting them down while REDD+ includes sustainably produced forest products,” he added.

Guyana Times further understands that with the adoption of the 2015 – 2030 development agenda that has sustainable development at its core and the upcoming climate conference to be held in Paris in December of this year, it is obvious that climate adaptation and mitigation will play a major role in the implementation of the 2030 agenda. This agenda has the elimination of poverty as its overarching goal.

Nagamootoo underscored the importance of Iwokrama whose mission is, “To promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by undertaking research, train-

ing and the development and dissemination of technologies.”

He urged that opportunities be explored to keep the vision alive and the Centre viable.

“Like many other non-profit organizations, Iwokrama has suffered from recent upheavals in the world’s financial architecture which has impacted heavily on its own financial stability. The Secretary General of the Commonwealth was briefed about the financial constraints faced by the Centre and Guyana’s inability to continue its financial support to the Centre on its own. Our task therefore is to promote the value of sustainable forest management nationally and internationally within the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”

Meanwhile, Nagamootoo added that the Commonwealth Secretariat has completed a financial review of the Centre. It has been seeking additional sources of finance to support the work of the Board of Trustees in placing it on a secure financial footing. However, it has at the same time expressed its inability to increase funding for the Centre. (kristenm@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyana gives good report to WTO review body – Foreign Affairs Minister

Foreign Affairs

Minister Carl Greenidge along with a high profile delegation attended the 3rd trade policy review, to which all members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are subjected. The review was held between September 1517.

The review saw discussions centred primarily on the treatment of public corporations as it pertains to procurement and subsidies along with the environmental tax. Based on the reports and updates given by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, the body seems satisfied and has asked Guyana to honour its obligations which are mainly the reporting on issues and ensuring that the commitments they’ve made are honoured.

Guyana reported that since the new Administration took office, the legislation regarding the imposition of the Environmental Tax was repealed.

The WTO also heard that public corporations such as the Guyana Sugar Corporation, while it receives subventions from Government, the subventions are made within the context of international trade law, therefore it is not a grant given to the

company so that it can produce sugar at a high cost to sell for a much lower cost. In this regard, companies will now have to declare the amounts that were transferred to them by the National Assembly.

The review body was also informed that Guyana has enacted new pieces of legislation that have incorporated suggestions and comments from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Act of 2015, took into account the recommendations of CFATF.

“We told them we are aware of Guyana’s sliding position in relation to competitiveness, the World

Bank’s global index of competitiveness which ranks Guyana extremely poor. We explained to them that we are doing our best to try and ensure that the points raised in those discussions could be dealt with,” Minister Greenidge explained. He added that Guyana will notify the WTO of measures that have been taken which have implications for trade, and those measures that perhaps conflict with its obligations temporarily and what Guyana proposes to do about them. Towards this end, an undertaken was given to report by the end of September 2015. Specifically, these are measures that deal with Government’s procurement, competition policy and the management of state-owned enterprises, along with its agricultural diversification strategies for non-traditional sectors.

Trade Policy Reviews are an exercise, mandated in the WTO agreement in which member countries’ trade and related policies are examined and evaluated at regular intervals. Significant developments that may have an impact on the global trading system are also monitored. All WTO members are subject to review, with the frequency of review depending on the country’s size.

saturday, september 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Skeldon Co-Gen Power Plant...

Board of Directors of SEI conduct familiarisation visit

The newly appointed Board of Directors of Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI) held its first meeting on Tuesday, September 21, at the Skeldon cogeneration plant. Deemed a “visit of familiarisation”, the meeting included first hand updates on the current state of affairs of the plant; an inspection of the site, plant, and equipment; and discussions with key personnel on the requirements for immediate and medium-term restoration of the installed energy capacity.

This meeting represented only the second such since the incorporation of the company on February 3, 2015, after the first meeting which was held on May 8. The fixed assets of the new company essentially represent the energy generation assets of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) Skeldon 2 investment which was commissioned approximately six years ago. A se-

ries of necessary follow-up meetings is planned, with view of properly and completely establishing the new corporate entity.

During deliberations, the Board comprising Chairman Lloyd Rose and Directors Gobin H Harbhajan, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya and Leslie Gonsalves engaged officials including GuySuCo Skeldon General Manager K Bramdeo, Factory Manager R Loncke, Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer Outar Remhit and Wärtsilä Plant Operations and Maintenance Manager Eldon Watson.

The undue degradation of the facilities, inherent technical deficiencies, deferred maintenance attendance and related operational difficulties were reported and carefully noted. Major ongoing rehabilitation works on the diesel generation plant were observed – the operation and reliability of which are critical to the stability and security

of electricity supply to the East Berbice community, as well as to GuySuCo’s factory operations. As such, several urgent and immediate issues require the attention of the Board of Directors, including technical support, technical audit, budget, working capital inputs, management and organisation structuring.

The installed capacity of the main equipment of the plant is 2-unit x 125 tons per hour steam generators (boilers), 40Mw electricity generators comprising 2-units x 15Mw of steam generation (bagasse/heavy fuel oil), 2-units x 2.5 Mw plus 1-unit x 5.0Mw of diesel generation (heavy fuel oil). It supplies both electrical energy (electricity) and heat energy (steam) to GuySuCo ‘s Skeldon factory operations as well as surplus electricity to the Guyana Power and Light interconnected grid, under a Power Purchase Agreement. (GINA)

Demerara Bank makes donation to Suddie Public Hospital Paediatric ward

In keeping with their corporate responsibility Demerara Bank Limited Region Two (PomeroonSupernaam) branch on Friday made a donation to the Paediatric ward of the Suddie Public Hospital.

The donation of a flatscreen television, bed sheets, children’s books, along with window curtains

were presented by Branch Manager Anna Abraham accompanied by Devendra Persaud, Raywattie Lucknauth, Davie Ramawad and Bibi Latif.

Children’s Advocacy Centre commissioned in Region Two – calls for the introduction of guidance counselling in schools

BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

In an effort to increase successful prosecution of child sexual abuse and provide services that will protect abused children, Blossom Inc, a child care and protection group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, Childcare and Protection Agency, and Rafieya International Vision and Hope (RIVAH), on Friday commissioned a Children’s Advocacy Centre in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam.

The Centre is accommodated at the Shafeek Khan Outreach Centre at Land of Plenty, Region Two. The commissioning coincided with Child Protection Week being celebrated under the, “Strengthening Families to Protect Children”.

Services to be offered include, forensic interviews, crisis intervention, counselling, trauma focused therapy, parenting sessions, child and family advocacy, referrals (medical examination) social services, case review,

tracking, and education and prevention.

Speaking at the launch Region Two Chairman Davanand Ramdatt said the Centre came at an opportune time, pointing out that children need attention at an early stage. He said the Region Two Administration through its RDC is willing to partner with Blossom Inc and other stakeholders in strengthening ties that protect children.

Ramdatt said child abuse is the worst form of abuse, outlining that Essequibo has one of the highest rates of suicide as opposed to Child Abuse. He added that on a daily basis children are being abused within their families and because of victimization they are afraid to speak out. He urged people to be more conscious when dealing with children and said that young people are assets to be developed and not problems to be solved.

“Guidance counselling”

The chairman said he strongly believes children

must be guided at an early age and as such recommends that guidance counselling to be done at Secondary Schools. He said in an effort for any organization to develop there must be private/public partnership. He urged Blossom Inc to make the Sexual Offense Act public so that persons can become aware of it. He also noted that many times children “wander” from their families and homes due to abuse.

Ramdatt urged leaders of the communities to work with young people and to provide counselling when needed. He is of the view that there needs to be a more child friendly environment at Police Stations so that an abused child can feel comfortable when reporting an abuse, pointing out that confidentiality is important.

Meanwhile Commander of G Division Kevin Adonis, during his address said the protection of children must first start at home. He said the Guyana Police Force is happy to partner with

Blossom Inc in protecting children and further explained that the GPF on the Coast have formed many youth clubs to get persons involved, especially teenagers. Thus far there is one rape case, ten cases of sexual activity of a family relative and one case for rape of a child under age 16, he pointed out.

Digicel representative Jacqueline James said Digicel as a major donor to child welfare, is happy to join in partnership with Blossom Inc in fostering the development of children.

Phillip Anthony from the Child Protection Agency said the Centre has been established at the most appropriate time. He said that through private/public partnership there is need for the establishment of effective laws, programmes and facilities to protect children, adding that there must be a multidisciplinary approach. From January to June, he said, there have been 334 reported child abuse cases in Guyana.

Representing RIVAH foundation was Juilet Coonjah who said RIVAH is happy to partner with Blossom Inc in providing the facility to house the services. RIVAH was established by Miss World Guyana Rafeiya Husain now Miss Carribean during her Miss World Pagent Beauty with a Purpose segment.

A representative from Blossom Inc Nicola Foo, said the Children’s Advocacy Centre is designed to house all the agencies involved in advocacy and protection issues of children under one roof. It will accommodate investigators, counsellors and DPP officials. The children will be interviewed at the Centre as opposed to public places such as Police Stations.

Blossom Inc is a registered Non-Governmental Organization with a mission to build and strengthen the relationship between children and their families in order to safeguard the physical and mental wellbeing of all children.

According to Abraham the bank usually makes yearly contributions to various organizations towards their development. She said the donation is a way of giving back to the community, hence brightening the lives of young people in the ward. She also said it is her wish for the children who are admitted in the ward to make use of the contribution. The donation was gifted with the intention of providing a more comfortable environment for children in the ward.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the Hospital was Doctor Allan Richmond. He thanked the Bank for the donation which he said came at an opportune time. Richmond said currently the television in the ward is out of order. The doctor said he is happy the Bank recognized the needs of the Hospital. He also noted that children will feel at ease in child friendly environment. Last year the Bank made a donation to the New Opportunity Corps. Children from as far as Moucra, Wakenaam and Onderneeming will benefit from the donation.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. Dwelling on the past is a waste of time and energy. Focus on what you can do, and get started.

Deception is apparent. Think carefully before you make a commitment you will live to regret. Appearances will not be accurate. Don’t jeopardize a friendship by acting rashly.

Procrastination will be your downfall. Travel and education will go hand-in-hand. Don’t miss out on a great deal just because you are unable to make a quick decision.

Think twice before you lend or borrow money or prized possessions. You may feel generous, but your bank account will suffer if you pick up the tab for friends and family. Stick to your budget.

Miscommunication will delay your progress. Know what’s expected of you before you start a new project, or you will face delays redoing what you have already done. You will earn respect if you are not afraid to speak out about important issues. Stick to the facts. You will outdo the competition if you control your emotions.

Take action; you have the energy and drive to get ahead if you make security your first priority. A career opportunity will develop through an unexpected resource. Celebrate with someone you love.

Minor health issues will bog you down. Work on a creative project that will keep you away from groups. If you need help, ask a trusted friend or relative.

Don’t be limited by what others say or do. Your instincts are sharp, so stick to your game plan and you will get ahead. Indecision will result in a missed opportunity.

Love is on the rise. A chance to run your own business or make extra cash doing something you love is feasible. Network in order to meet a prospective client.

Keep life simple by finding out what the competition is up to before divulging your plans. Upgrading your job skills will bring financial rewards. Nurture an important relationship. You have to do what’s best for you. Regardless of any sob stories or excuses others give, it’s your reputation that is on the line. Sever ties with someone taking advantage of you.

FIBA donates tabletop game clocks to GABF

– Hinds donates to Kwakwani

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) recently received its first set of donations from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the form of five tabletop scoreboards/game clocks.

The gesture of support to the local body was evident when FIBA’s Regional Director Victor Mansure made provisions for the game clocks to be sent to the GABF for which the local federation’s president Nigel Hinds was very appreciative.

Meanwhile Hinds along with Dennis Clarke, veteran table official, visited Linden on Thursday and made the donation of the game clock to Secretary of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court, who received it on behalf of Ann Gordon, a FIBA certified Coach and national champions Kwakwani Secondary School.

In a statement Hinds

said “the International Basketball Federation had promised us the GABF some assistance towards the development of basketball. Arising from this we have received five outdoor/ indoor clocks earlier this month (September 5th and the Federation has made a decision to give to the communities or organisations that need them the most. At the top of the list are Youth Basketball Guyana, they will be getting one, Kwakwani through the Linden Amateur Basketball Association will be getting one, St Rose High School, St Stanislaus High School and we have one other for the community Linden area will be getting an outdoor and outdoor/indoor clock.”

The GABF boss said “This is in keeping in our effort to promote basketball and to have support gear in place to enhance the sport and allow more playing of basketball. We appreciate the gesture by FIBA and we certainly look

forward to the clocks being used often and as frequently as possible to allow for more exciting games and allow the fans to be more involved in the game. So we hope through the Linden Amateur Basketball Association that Kwakwani will have their clock, and there will be more exchanged games between Linden and Kwalwani, and this will allow for first division one and high level games in Kwakwani.”

Hinds, a former national added that “Its our initiative of an outreach to FIBA that resulted in this donation of equipment. Initially, we were looking for more support like backboards, rings, uniforms for the referees and any equipment that will help us to give to our constituents. We were told by the regional development officer of FIBA that this is how they can start initially, and this is the first step of what really we will hope a continually relationship with FIBA and the GABF.”

Fudadin heads list of RHTY&SC’s

The general public has assisted the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s (RHTY&SC) Cricket Development Committee (CDC) to select the club’s greatest and most popular 25 cricketers over its 25 years history.

A total of 192 members of the public voted via emails/ letters and their votes, along with the CDC decided the final list.

Players were selected based on performances for the club, personal discipline, loyalty to club, contribution to the club’s activities, role model status and the role they played in assisting the club to attain its present status.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who spearheaded the process, stated that during the period 1990 to 2015, a total of 1,342 cricketers have represented the RHTY&SC at different levels, and selecting the top 25 was a difficult task.

West Indies players Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon and Shemaine Campbelle, along with Neil Williams and Major James Fraser topped the list for the top five.

Williams was the first RHTY&SC member to rep-

resent Berbice and Guyana at any level and had the distinction of building the club record for most runs, most centuries, most wickets and most catches, while Fraser, a Major in the Guyana Defence Force, represented Berbice at the senior level and is one of the most profile batsmen in the history of the club.

The full list of the top 25 RHTY&SC cricketers are (1) Assad Fudadin (2) Royston Crandon (3) James Fraser (4) Neil Williams (5) Shemaine Campbelle (6) Renwick Batson (7) Khemraj Mahadeo (8) Shawn Grant (9) Esaun Crandon (10) Ravi Narine (11) Delbert Hicks (12) Andre Percival (13) Desmond Fraser (14) Jason Sinclair (15) Inderpaul Mohan (16) Micheal Trim (17) Micheal Hicks (18) Abdel Fudadin (19) Joseph Arokium (20) Clinton Pestano (21) Eon Hooper (22) Dominic Rikhi (23) Raymond Haniff (24) Shawn Perriera (25) Erva Giddings.

The cricketers would be honoured at a special ceremony later this year as part of the club’s Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration.

Those receiving honourable mention were Troy Mathieson, Micheal

Rengasami, George Paddy, Nyeem Abdool, Sulaman Sahid, Parmanand Tikapersaud, Randolp Keseram, Steve Cecil, Steve Rengasami, Sham Veerasammy, Shevon Marks, Randolp Latcha, Eon Gibson, Ingray Dey, Hassan Hussain, Raymond Cecil and Permaul Sukra.

The club is now in the process of indentifying a list of 25 outstanding administrators for the same period, who have served the club beyond the call of duty. Among those expected to be honoured are the late Farouk Kudrath, Keith Foster, Davon Hicks, Ravin Kissoonlall, Keith Hicks, Terry Pike, Leon Wiggins Sr, Franklyn Ross, Isabella Smartt, Neville Beaton and Moses Ramchanden.

The RHTY&SC was formed in 1990 by threetime Guyana, Caribbean and Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St Francis Community Developers. From being a mere cricketing entity the club has successfully transformed itself into a dynamic and Guyana’s most progressive youth and sports club/NGO with over 200 programmes/activities hosted on an annual basis.

Who will carry the burden of WI now? Irate Simmons slams “outside interference” for Bravo, Pollard omission

By AKEEM GREENE

As new generations of world cricket stars are brewing, West Indies are still seen as being in search of their star to take the world by storm.

Undoubtedly the Caribbean Region has a huge surplus of raw talent, but questions linger of whether they have the ability to adapt to the strains of international cricket while carrying a team that is in desperate need of a player who not only has the technical assets but more importantly the mental capability to lead a competitive

posed 58 in his first innings at the international level and the label “next Lara” began being heard.

Bravo scored five more half centuries after that but had to wait until a year after for a tour to Bangladesh to get his maiden Test century with a huge 195 in 2011. His next two centuries came quickly with a 136 and 166 against India in the same year. A 127 at the end of 2012 helped propped a disappointing year.

The talented left-hander had to wait until a year after to get another century with a match-saving 218 against New Zealand in 2013.

Windies team.

Looking around the cricket fraternity, names such as Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson stand out. Why? They are consistent performers and display dependable traits that any team would desire.

What has to be the most remarkable feature of these players are their age as the quartet are between the ages of 24 - 26. Admirably, two of them have been entrusted captaincy of their sides with the other two not being far off the prestigious job.

The countless centuries and more importantly their consistency has allowed their nations to place their faith in them.

However, in the Caribbean, finding a player that stands out is a difficult task since most struggle with the common issue of consistency.

The highest ranked West Indies Batsmen are Shivnarine Chanderpaul at 10th and Marlon Samuels at 27th; both men are well past their 30s. The Windies selectors seemingly have done away with Chanderpaul who was perhaps the Region’s most dependable batsman with much hope now left with Daren, Michael,and Bravo.

Bravo who made his debut in 2010 against Sri Lanka stroked a well com-

Since then Bravo has scored a 109 in 2014 against the same New Zealand side in Port of Spain but has only passed fifty on three occasions after getting that century.

Such periodic dips in his scoring ability in Test cricket has made him average 41.22 after 37 Test matches. Darren who is the brother of former West Indies Captain Dwayne Bravo needs to be more consistent for the Caribbean, if the Region intends to be a world force again.

Bravo whose technical game seems sounds, most times loses his wicket through a loose shot which is attributed to a lapse in concentration. Test cricket speaks for itself, “a test” and patience and concentration are vital attributes for a batsman to be successful in this form of the game.

Bravo who constantly shows glimpses that he has the pedigree for international cricket, is failing to live up to the expectations of the many supporters of WI cricket.

Being at the international stage for five years, Bravo should have produced more considering his ability. The new talents who are facing up for the challenge are Jermaine Blackwood and Kraigg Braithwaite. Blackwood, who was plucked from the first class scene after a productive sea-

son, made his debut in 2014 against New Zealand and made a shot filled 63. Since then he has grown in stature and scored some important runs for the Caribbean, including 123 not out against England which helped the Windies achieve a competitive first innings total.

The Jamaican certainly has the ability to succeed at this level but controlling his aggression is critical. Being aggressive is a great attribute but sometimes the balance between being aggressive and reckless needs to be drawn. He showcased that he has the temperament to bat with a match wining 47 not out against England ear-

need to develop is better rotation of the strike at the crease, too many occasions opposition bowlers have tied them down at one end while finding ways of getting them out.

These players are well aware they have a humongous task in leading this side to a respectable point in world rankings; the talent is there but what is needed is consistency and a greater level of concentration by them.

Time is ticking for the West Indies Cricket team, changes have been constantly occurring and results need to start happening.

The usual stars Chris Gayle,

lier this year.

In that same series Blackwood got his maiden Test century with 122 not out. Blackwood only has played 10 matches but with the proper guidance, he is expected to have a long and successful career. Another talented batsman is Kraigg Braithwaite.

As an opening batsman, he has the attributes for a long and successful Test career. The Barbadian righthander has a high score of 212 in his 22 Tests and gives the batting line-up some amount of stability.

Being named vice captain of the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka shows the confidence the WICB selectors have in him. What Bravo, Blackwood and Braithwaite

Dwayne Bravo are either not a part of the Test side or have lost interest. The lucrative nature of the shorter formats have kept players like Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell out of the longer format, players who definitely can be a major asset in the longer formats.

The elevation of Jason Holder as Captain will hopefully give the Caribbean side a new sense of purpose. Holder, whose ascension to captaincy was given firm affirmation by stalwarts Brian Lard and Viv Richards who are confident the all-rounder can lead West Indies to success.

The upcoming Sri Lankan tour should be a start of more consistency by players. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons on Friday courted controversy when he slammed “interference from outside” as the reason for the omission of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the one-day squad, for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

The 52-year-old Simmons, who took charge of the squad back in March following the ICC Cricket World Cup, said he, chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd and captain Jason Holder, were all in favour of the Trinidadian duo’s

provoked the ire of many, with several critics branding the move as victimisation, stemming from the role both players had in the controversial abandoned ODI tour of India last October.

Simmons said it was now “disappointing” that with both Bravo and Pollard available for selection, those with influence were ensuring the players remained sidelined.

“I don’t think that it (selection) was done as professionally as it should be done, [there was] too much interference from outside and in this

re-inclusion but “people” had used their “influence” to keep them out of the squad.

In a candid interview with reporters on the final day of the West Indies camp at the 3Ws Oval, Simmons castigated such interference as “wrong” and said it had robbed the region of its best ODI squad.

However, he did not say who the interference was coming from.

“I think it’s disappointing from the fact that I haven’t got the best 50-over ODI squad that we can select in the Caribbean,” an irate Simmons said.

“The chairman, Mr Lloyd, he came and he gave an exceptional speech saying that he thinks it is time they are back in the squad and he gave exceptional reasons for them being back in the squad.

“Unfortunately, when we went into the selection [meeting] we lost it 3-2. Him and myself – the captain doesn’t have a vote in this – but the captain also gave his views as why they need to be back.”

He continued: “That’s not the disappointing fact, the disappointing fact is that you can lose 3-2 in a vote-off but there is too much interference from outside in the selection of the ODI squad and it’s disappointing for me to know that in any aspect of life … [people would use] their position to get people into a squad for in this case, get people left out of a squad.

“It is wrong and I don’t like it and that is my beef with the selection of the ODI team.”

Bravo was sacked as captain and along with Pollard, controversially axed for the ODI series in South Africa last January and also overlooked for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The decision by selectors

case, I even go as far as saying maybe influence because the reasons that were given for them being out,” Simmons complained.

“It’s disappointing for me … because we want to have our best squad, the chairman put it to us that we need to have our best squad and it’s not so, so I’m disappointed about that squad.”

After taking over as coach, Simmons met with both players who indicated their willingness to continue representing West Indies, but only in the shorter formats.

The Trinidadian said while he could not guarantee Bravo and Pollard their selection, he had secured their commitment to the management set-up of the squad.

“There was no agreement reached [with the players]. I can’t go and say, ‘oi you’re selected’. I had a chat with every one of them saying ‘this is the way I think things should be done, are you happy with the way I’m going to do things’,” Simmons explained.

“And everyone to a [man] were happy with the way things were going to run, happy with the captain, happy with everything that was to move forward. So once they had bought into our philosophy as to the captain and myself then it’s about selection.

“I can’t go and tell them, ‘hey, you’re in the squad’ so I think that’s all I could have done.”

Bravo averages 25 with the bat and has taken 199 wickets at 29 apiece with the ball in 164 ODIs while Pollard averages 25 from 91 ODIs and has scored just one century and half-century in 2-1/2 years.

The ODI squad is yet to be formally announced but is expected to be named next week. (CMC)

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Sepp Blatter faces criminal investigation

Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter, the head of football’s world governing body Fifa.

The attorney general’s office said he was suspected of criminal mismanagement or misappropriation over a TV rights deal and of a “disloyal payment” to European football chief Michel Platini.

Mr Blatter was being questioned, and his office was searched, it added.

Fifa said it was co-operating with the investigation.

Mr Blatter, 79, has run Fifa since 1998 and has always denied any wrongdoing.

‘Disloyal payment’

The Swiss attorney general’s office said the investigation surrounds a TV rights deal Mr Blatter signed with former Caribbean football chief Jack Warner in 2005.

“Swiss criminal proceedings against the president of Fifa, Mr Joseph Blatter, have been opened... on suspicion of criminal mismanagement... and - alternatively - misappropriation,” it said.

Mr Blatter is also suspected of making a “disloyal payment” of two million Swiss francs ($2m; £1.3m) in 2011 to Michel Platini, the head of the European football body Uefa, the statement said. It said the payment was “at the expense of Fifa, which was allegedly made for work performed between January 1999 and June 2002”.

Mr Blatter is due to step down in February and Mr Platini is widely expected to replace him. (BBC

Dotin, Taylor join Rally Round Dominica charity teams

Two of the region’s best female players

Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin will join the number of high profile athletes taking part in Saturday’s ‘Rally Round Dominica’ charity match.

Taylor and Dottin will play on opposite teams for the match which starts at 6 p.m. (7 p.m ECT). at Kensington Oval. The duo will join former Trinidad and Tobago and Manchester United player Dwight Yorke, as well as World Champion Yohan Blake, batting great Brian Lara, bowling great Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Hilary Beckles of the University of the West Indies.

The Twenty20 match will pit the University of the West Indies Vice

Chancellor’s Celebrity XI against the West Indies Cricket Board President’s Celebrity XI.

All proceeds go directly to the Dominica Government to assist with recovery efforts on the island, which suffered severe damage to property and loss of life from the passage of Tropical Storm Erika. The

game will be broadcast live on DigicelSportsMax television.

UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI: Sir Hillary Beckles, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Brian Lara, Floyd Reifer, Kavem Hodge, Shane Shillingford, Dwight Yorke, Yohan Blake, Shane Dowrich, Deandra Dottin, Dwayne Bravo, Rajindra Chandrika, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach, Ian Bradshaw.

WICB President’s XI: Jason Holder, Darren Sammy, Courtney Browne, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Denesh Ramdin, Kieron Pollard, Shai Hope, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Stefanie Taylor, Garth Garvey. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Conquerors win, takeover...

The game started with both teams exchanging possession in the mid-field before, Conquerors went into attack mode with a couple of attacks down the right and left flank that never really threatened.

During the first half, Monedderlust was always caught on the backfoot, often defending due to the Conquerors’ persistence in the attacking third.

However, Conquerors had one exceptional chance to take the lead in the first half but with a clear shot on goal could only manage to place the shot easily in the hands of Monedderlust’s custodian.

On resumption of the second half, Conquerors continued their forward play with an attack that

began down the right wing that was passed onto the boot of LaFluer who buried a low powerful shot to near post.

Braithwaite would find the back of the net in the 77th to equalise as Monedderlust went on to squander a few chances that could have won them the game.

However, Edwards shot in the 83rd minute sealed the deal for the host side as they moved two points clear atop the League table with six points.

Meanwhile in the earlier match-up Guyana Defence Force got their first win of the League with a 1-nil performance over Buxton United.

Buxton played an attacking style of football but

missed a number of defensive assignments that gave GDF numerous opportunities throughout the game.

Buxton also created a few chances that were blemished with wayward finishes that might have helped them come out on top especially in the latter part of the game.

Nevertheless, a Delroy Fraser shot in the 44th minute was enough to seal the deal in the match-up that was played basically on even keel.

The GDF side moved to fourth on the points table with their win over the East Coast side as the League will move into its third round on Sunday with games at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC). (josepht@guyanatimesgy.com)

STAG Elite League

Laparkan cycling at National Park today

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club’s top wheelsman Robin Persaud will look to keep a firm grip on the Laparkan Cycling title when the company stages its 11th Annual 11-race programme on the inner circuit of the National Park today.

Persaud, who also competes in the Veteran Under-50 category, has won the main race of the Laparkan programme for the past two years on trot, and he would no doubt be eager to complete a hat-trick of victories.

In 2014, Persaud won from a small field of riders, outsprinting three other competitors to win the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race in a time of 01: 17m: 53.82s.

Persaud was bunched with Christopher Holder, Paul Choo Wee Nam and Mark Harris for most of the second half of the race, after they lapped almost the entire field.

It came down to a straight fight among the four, and in the end it was Persaud’s superior sprinting ability that proved the difference, as he crossed the finish line mere metres ahead of Holder, who was left to occupy second.

In other results from last year, the indomitable Sherwin Sampson, who has made his age group events virtually his own, won both the BMX 9-12 and 12-14 races. In the 9-12, Jeremiah Harrison brought second, followed by Alexander Leung, while Thuran Garbarran took second spot in the 12-14.

Adrian Sharma was the other rider to win two races, copping the top podium position in the BMX Open and Mountain Bike races.

Other winners of the day included Amonika Gomes (BMX Boys and Girls 1214), Jaikarran Sukhai (Veterans Under-50), Linden Blackman (Veterans Over-50), Monty Parris (Veterans Over-60), Jamal John (Juveniles) and Jeremiah Harrison (BMX 6-9).

As has been the case over the past decade, representatives of Laparkan will

Robin Persaud

be on hand to witness the riders in action and later assist in the presentation of prizes. The day’s activities, which will pedal off at 09:00h, are being organised by National Cycling Coach, Hassan Mohamed. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

UCCA/4R 20/20 Cricket Tournament...

Wins for no 73 young Warriors, corriverton and yakusari caribs

Play in the organized Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) sponsored 4R Bearings continued last Sunday with three matches. No 73 Young Warriors, Corriverton and Yakusari Caribs were the victorious teams. Following are the summerized scores from the three matches played: At the Scottsburg ground No 73 Young Warriors defeated Scottsburg by 65 runs. No 73 Young Warriors batted first and scored 1355 of 20 overs, with skipper Lakeram Latchman scoring 48 not out and Chitram Ramjass 30 not out being the top scorers.

Bowling for Scottsburg Raymond Lowenfield took 2-21 and J Mc Calmon took 2-20. In reply Scottsburg were bowled out for 70 in 15.3 overs. Kevin Clarke

and James Hart scored 14 runs each. Bowling for No 73 Young Warriors Chanderkumar Ramjass took 4-20 overs and Claude Felix 3-13. At No 73 ground Corriverton defeated Crabwood Creek Young Royals by three wickets. Crabwood Creek Young Royals batted first and scored 140-5. Rabindra Singh 40 and Taleshwar

Atwell to face Gonsalves on “Brawl at the Mall”

– GBBC yet to receive medical from Azore

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) was successful in clinching a deal with WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Super Lightweight title holder, Clive “The Punisher” Atwell, to face Dexter Gonsalves on the Next Generation boxing card put on by the Giftland Mall.

Dubbed “Brawl at the Mall”, the eight-fight card was slated for this evening in the compound of the spanking new department store at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, but had to be postponed due the abrupt pull-out of Trinidad and Tobago-based Iwan “Pure Gold” Azore earlier this week.

Azore, who was down to defend his national Welterweight belt against Gonsalves in the feature contest, claimed he had injured his ankle and would be out of action for two weeks.

While up to Friday evening the GBBC was not in receipt of a medical from Azore’s camp, it went ahead with seeking an alternative opponent for Gonsalves, and it was able to strike a deal with the Dominica-based Guyanese Atwell for the now October 24 card.

According to the GBBC President Peter Abdool, Jamaican Sakima Mullings was also a name that came up for consideration, but he is currently close to 160 pounds and would not be able to shed the necessary weight in time for the clash.

Atwell and Gonsalves will enter the ring at the 140-pound limit, and they will compete for the FECABOX Super

Lightweight belt. According to Abdool, the winner of the bout is guaranteed a spot in the WBC Top 20.

At a media conference on Friday, Gonsalves promised to finish Atwell off early and add another win to his collection. “I will knock him out in four rounds,” Gonsalves boasted.

Atwell, speaking from his base in Dominica, was not too impressed by his opponent’s ramblings. “Everyone has a right to talk about knockouts,” Atwell retorted, adding that he will do the talking on fight night.

Speaking on the prospects of the fight, Abdool outlined: “Quite unintentionally, we have ended up with a world-class boxing match, and fans will be in for a treat.”

According to Abdool, all tickets purchased for the event are still valid, and all commitments to have the card in October will be honoured.

Apart from the main fight, Imran “Magic” Khan, a highly successful amateur boxer, will make the move up the professional ranks and will face David Thomas

in a four-round Lightweight contest, while Terrence Adams and Keeve Allicock will open the professional segment with a four-round featherweight showdown. In bout number three, Anson Green and Quincy Gomes will trade punches in a six-round Junior Welterweight clash. On the amateur side, Orin Bancroft of Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gym will take on Travis Hubbard of Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym in a Youth Lightweight fight; Tefon Green of Guyana Defence Force will trade punches with Dexter Wray of Republican in an Elite Flyweight showdown; Glenroy Smith of Essequibo Boxing Gym will confront Clifton Grayham of Republican in a Welterweight bout; and Nandkumar Singh of Republican will battle with Kelon King of Forgotten Youth Foundation in a Lightweight fight. Admission to the venue is $1,000 for adults in general seating, while children will be admitted upon payment of $200. (aramzan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Beepat 25 not out were the top scorers. Bowling for Corriverton Deoprakash Ramdat 2-16 and Faoud Bacchus 2-25 were the best bowlers on show. In reply Corriverton reached 141-7 off 18.5 overs. Eric Phillips 34 not out, Amzan Appalsammy 29 and Anthony Seeraj 20 did the job for Corriverton with the bat. At Yakusari ground Yakusari Caribs defeated No 52 Survival by 39 runs in a match reduce to 15 overs per side due to rain. Batting first Yakusari Caribs made 104-4 off 15 overs. Ramesh Iyana 36 and Terrance Bubhu 34 were the top scorers for the Yakusari Caribs.

In reply No 52 Survival were bowled out for 65 off 14 overs. Ramesh Iyana returned with the ball to claim 4-6. Chermani Iyana supported well with 4-8.

Stag Elite League: Officiating poor, says Lumumba

By TReisTon Joseph

With Alpha United currently stuck on two points for the fifth place position in the Stag Elite League, President of Guyana’s most successful club Odinga Lumumba noted that he was not worried but had some choice words for the officials.

Alpha to date while they have not lost a match they have not won either in their two games; managing to score two goals in two games.

“Football is football, but we got to look at more than that, talk to persons and get their opinions but the officiating is very poor,” Lumumba told Guyana Times Sport.

However, Lumumba did not want to lament on the officiating but also noted that his team is in a transition phase.

“We have a young team right now so it’s going to take a while,” Lumumba mentioned during a telephone interview.

Alpha played Slingerz FC in their opener at the National Track and Field

Trophy Stall golf tournament on today

Managing Director of Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunich, has expressed pleasure at sponsoring today’s golf tournament at the country’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The businessman confirmed his entity’s support for the one-day event by presenting a number of trophies to President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Oncar Ramroop.

Sunich, who has been involved in sponsorship of almost all of the disciplines in Guyana, said he was once again enthused to be part of golfing activities in the country.

“I have never played golf, but I intend to be a member of the Golf Club and play the game. About 16 years now I have been in association with the Lusignan Golf Club, providing trophies for many tournaments, and in fact I have been sponsoring tournaments for some six years or so,” Sunich said.

He expressed his desire to continue sponsoring this great game in Guyana.

Ramroop after receiv-

ing the trophies expressed gratitude to Sunich for the continued support towards the development of the sport.

Saturday’s game is expected to attract a large number of players. Up for grabs are trophies for first to

third position of the overall Best Net golfer, Best Gross and Nearest to The Pin. Teeoff is set for 12:30h.

The Greens are very fast and true, while the fairways and rough are much improved. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

Deo wins LGC tournament

With Guyana’s premier golf tournament, the Guyana Golf Open slated for next monthend, local golfers continue their intense preparation ahead of the two-day tournament.

On Thursday 18 golfers took part in the one-day tournament organised by the Lusignan Golf Club.

However, after an intense battle, Bholawram Deo emerged the overall champion with a net score of 68. Hilbert Shields occupied the second spot with a net score of 69, while Fazil Hanif finished third with a net score of 75. Nearest to Pin was won by Patrick Prashad, while Deo also copped the best gross of 84.

Fixture finalised for West Side 10/10 cricket

Organizers of the West Side 10/10 tournament have finalized the fixture for the one-day event, slated for Sunday at the C3 Recreational Park, Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice.

In game one West Berbice will oppose Ithaca from 12:00h; Bush Lot Challengers will play Blairmont from 13:30h; Cotton Tree Diehard comes against D’Edward Sports Club from 15:00h and Number Three Village and Bush Lot Rising Star will clash from 16.30h.

The two semi-finals and finals will be played under lights, commencing at 18.00h.

The event was planned to foster unity amongst the clubs along the West Berbice area.

The teams will be vying for cash prizes and trophies

to the value of $200,000. Players expected to participated are: Ruan Johnson, Keon Joseph, Steffan Adams, Grishan Grant, Brenton Wolford, Javed Saywack, Kirt Griffith, Troy Mackenzie, Romash Boodram, Pooran Persaud, Roshan Gafoof, Kevin Jawahir, Nick

Ramsaroop, Parmanand Ramdhan and Waqar Hassan. The kids’ zone will be opened from 16:00h, and will include Bouncy Castle, Trampoline, and much more. Admission to the event is $300 adults, while children will be admitted free. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

Meanwhile, Club Captain Chatterpaul Deo in an invited comment said he was pleased with the turnout of golfers.

The Guyana Open Golf tournament is slated for October 31 and November 1, at Guyana’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

By AvenAsh RAmzAn