Guyana Times Daily - June 4, 2015

14-yr-old girl allegedly impregnated by father Girl, 6, hospitalised after being sexually assaulted

Govt under pressure for hold up of Police transfers Berbice hospitals spent $25M on window curtains

Caribbean-US officials meet on security issues in Bahamas

Caribbean and United States officials are meeting in The Bahamas to discuss emerging threats to citizens and their communities in the Region.

The US State Department says top officials are participating in the three-day US-Caribbean High-Level Citizen Security Dialogue (HLCSD), which began on Wednesday. The State Department said that the US delegation comprises Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta S Jacobson; Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), William R Brownfield, and Acting Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, Beth Hogan

A14-year-old student of Wakapao Secondary School was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) after she was found to be five months pregnant allegedly for her father.

of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

It said the three-day event “strengthens the United States’ citizen security partnership with the Caribbean, defines current and emerging threats to citizens and their communities and results in collaborative responses to address them”.

The meeting comes as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) marks its fifth anniversary. The meeting is closed to the press, but the State Department said Jacobson will lead a discussion on the CBSI and future opportunities for collaboration. It said Brownfield will lead a discussion on countering narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean, and Hogan will lead a discussion on chal-

lenges impacting Caribbean youth.

During her visit to The Bahamas, Jacobson will also hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Perry Christie and Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell. She will also engage with senior Government officials and leaders from the private, education, and civil society sectors, the State Department said.

The State Department said CBSI brings all members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Dominican Republic together to collaborate with the US on efforts to reduce illicit trafficking, increase public safety and security, and address underlying causes of crime and insecurity throughout the Caribbean.

City students in scandalous sex tape ... Ministry

shocked, launches probe

The Education Ministry has launched an investigation into a tape that has surfaced, purportedly showing students of a city school engaging in sexual acts.

The video recording has gone viral, making its rounds on social media. On Wednesday, two sexually explicit videos were sent to Guyana Times by concerned citizens and parents who expressed their growing concerns over the worrying trend that is developing in the school system in Guyana, as it appears that some of the country’s learning institutions and classrooms are being turned into bedrooms which are facilitating underage sex.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

camera at some intervals, the other clearly was not.

tions were in progress at the time.

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand had intervened in another episode which took place some months ago, under her Government’s tenure by offering counselling to the students involved while explaining to them the consequences of their actions when the incident was exposed at the St Roses High School.

In the meantime, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, speaking with Guyana Times related that until contacted, he was not aware that the videos existed and were being circulated.

The father who had fled when the discovery was made is presently in custody at the Charity Police Station. According to G Division (Essequibo CoastIslands) Commander Kevin Adonis, the case file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

According to reports, the child tried to abort the baby by consuming a quantity of pills. The mother was then informed and rushed her to the health centre. When nurses there checked her, it was discovered that she was five months pregnant. The health workers then started

the matter, a source reported.

The Toshao of the community, Lloyd Perreira, lamented that incest was common in Wakapao, and said they have launched a programme among churches in the community teaching that “incest is wrong”.

14-yr-old girl impregnated by father – parent in custody to question the 14-year-old, but she refused to speak. She was then brought out to the Suddie Public Hospital where a Police investigation was conducted. The child then divulged who was responsible for her state. It appeared that the family wanted to cover up

Girl, 6, hospitalised after being sexually assaulted

Asix- year-old girl from Onderneeming Village on the Essequibo Coast is presently at the Suddie Public Hospital after she was sexually assaulted by a neighbour.

Information revealed that the child was abused by her elderly neighbour. She then told her mother

who immediately rushed her to the Suddie Public Hospital. The child is said to be in immense pain.

The matter was reported, and G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) Police are presently hunting for the accused, who disappeared as the news quickly spread in the neighbourhood.

The videos depicted students from forms Three and Five of the school engaging in sexual activities in the classrooms there.

While one of the coupled students was aware that they were being recorded, smiling and looking at the

The four students – two male and two females –were clad in their uniforms as they engaged in the activities, done in a classroom which appeared to be empty.

This publication upon investigation was made to understand that the writing of the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) examina-

Dr Roopnaraine however has promised to speak with the principal of the school today and to launch a full investigation into the matter. He said that the necessary actions will be taken according to the outcome of the investigation.

Berbice hospitals spent $25M on window curtains

...Norton orders probe

The Public Health Ministry has launched an investigation into reports that the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) has spent $25 million to purchase window curtains for the New Amsterdam and Port Mourant Hospitals, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). This is according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Leslie Cadogan.

Cadogan made the announcement on Wednesday during a visit to the New Amsterdam Hospital by the newly appointed Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton. Last year the regional administration approved a $6.2 billion budget to be spent on health, education, drainage, irrigation and administration, along with several smaller headings. The Permanent Secretary stated that he could not see the justification in the purchase, and will immediately launch an investigation.

Meanwhile, Minister Norton, who had earlier met with the BRHA Board after touring the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje on Wednesday, expressed alarm at some of what he saw on his tour. Dr Norton had a firsthand look at the five regional stores which are housed in the compound of the National Psychiatric Hospital. “There were hundreds of beds sheets and the hospital complains of not having bed sheets,”

he stated. Norton said there was milk in abundance while the New Amsterdam recently suffered from a shortage of milk. He also spoke of the large number of new car jacks which was in storage. “Why does a hospital need so many car jacks?” he questioned and added that many of the other items which are currently in store leave much questions unanswered.

Among some of the items stored in abundance include pampers, which the New Amsterdam Hospital up to Wednesday midday did not have in supply. Bed sheets were also reportedly short at both the New Amsterdam and National Psychiatric Hospitals but at the stores when Dr Norton visited, there were several hundreds. He has ordered an investigation.

thursday, june 4, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 4 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, June 5 - 05:00h-06:30h

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

Thursday, June 4 – 05:10h-06:40h and Friday, June 5 – 05:55h-07:25h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings : Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5 – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers interrupted by thundery showers can be expected in the morning, with thundery showers expected in the early afternoon afternoon. Heavy rain showers are expected to return in the late afternoon, giving way to thundery showers in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 05:23h and 17:53h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:25h and 23:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

Govt under pressure for hold up of Police transfers

…accusation of interference surfaces

lose to three weeks after Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud made some highlevel changes in the command of key departments within the Force, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is yet to give the clearance for these to take effect.

Observers say the holdup of these transfers goes against everything President David Granger had espoused while in Opposition. It was Granger who initially had asked Persaud to put on hold the transfers explaining then that he wanted Ramjattan to take up his position first. Operational matters within the Force are usually the sole mandate of the Police Commissioner, something which Granger had fought the previous administration on.

Minister of Citizenship,

Winston Felix, while in Opposition, had also lashed out at former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee for “politically interfering with the day-to-day administration of the Force”. Felix, a former head of the Guyana Police Force, had made specific reference to two instances, one on November 28, 2011 when he said he overheard a Police radio transmission where ranks were being instructed “not to arrest” or touch a “known OP Miscreant” or they would face prosecution. Rohee, in his defence, had sought to explain his decisions, but Felix asserted that the Minister’s role is to set policy and not to be involved in the day-to-day administration.

Mulling

Meanwhile, Minister Ramjattan in an interview with the Guyana Times stated that he was still mulling the transfers. He stated that while the transfers have been announced, he was presently reviewing them and would soon make a decision shortly. He said that he was presently engaged in several other matters that took precedence; hence, the delay in the transfers.

“This is clear interference, from what we were told by the President he asked that the transfers be delayed just so that the Minister can be guided, but now we see the Minister wants to review and mull,” a senior People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) official said.

The official said that Ramjattan was clearly attempting to interfere with operational issues of the Force and this should not happen.

Ramjattan told Guyana Times he has already met with the Police Commissioner and discussed the list of transfers and other matters of importance to the Guyana Police Force. The Minister iterated that he wanted the best protection for citizens thus it warranted the best leaders in the force.

While the decision on the transfers is pending, Crime Chief Leslie James remains at the helm of the Criminal Investigations Department, while Wendell Blanhum remains his deputy. The transfers had stipulated Blanhum would take over the Crime Chief position, while the in-

cumbent would be assigned to the Police Commissioner’s Office.

Although Blanhum is well qualified and has served 16 years in the Criminal Investigations Department, some thought that his appointment was premature. However, the top cop has the authority to make changes within the Guyana Police Force. One transfer that has taken immediate effect is that of former B Division Commander Brian Joseph as head of the Presidential Guard Service. This would have taken place mere days after David Granger was sworn in as President. At that time, the other transfers were put on hold after the President intervened. At that time, the Minister was not sworn in. Apart from the removal of James as Crime Chief, some other transfers were announced in B Division (Berbice) as well as C (East Coast Demerara), D (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) and E (LindenKwakwani) Divisions. Presently, Christopher Griffith who commands C Division is expected to be interchanged with D Division, which will also see Marlon Chapman being reassigned. Calvin Brutus who heads the E Division is expected to take up a position in B Division. In addition, there are expected to be some minor changes in the Traffic Department at Headquarters.

Bandits in deadly Turkeyen ambush known to Police

As investigations continue into the murder of Hardat Kissoon, 42, of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, during a robbery in a Route 44 minibus along the Turkeyen Public Road, the Police are hunting for two men who are known characters.

A senior Police rank stated that they have seen video clips of the two men taken by passengers in the minibus and were currently pursuing them. The men, he noted, are wanted for other robberies.

He also confirmed that at the time Kissoon was shot dead he was carrying a bag containing in excess of $500,000 and was evidently followed from ScotiaBank.

On Monday, Kissoon was shot dead by another passenger in the minibus in which he was travelling who relieved him of the bag containing the money he was carrying. He was shot once to his chest and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to information received, the now dead man boarded a loaded mini-

bus at the East Coast minibus park about 14:45h. As the minibus travelled up to the East Coast and into the vicinity of the University of Guyana access road, a man who was sitting in the back passenger’s seat requested to be let out. On his way out, he grabbed the bag containing the money from Kissoon. Kissoon, who was also sitting in the back passenger seat of the minibus, reportedly put up a fight, but the bandit whipped out a gun and shot him at close range.

The shooter then took the bag and threw it out of the bus through a window to an accomplice, who was waiting on a CG motorcycle. The minibus came to an abrupt stop after which the man exited, jumped on the motorcycle, and fled the scene. The injured Kissoon was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

One passenger told media operatives that the incident occurred right in front of him. He said it happened in a “jiffy” and seemed as though he was part of a movie. After the man pulled out the weapon, the passengers, he noted, started to scream in fear. The shooter was not wearing a mask and could be easily identified.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

The coconut industry

There is a widely held view that stakeholders involved in the Caribbean’s coconut industry have not given the sector the kind of attention it deserves, hence the reason for its falling standards.

Once again the issue of revitalizing and modernizing the sector is being placed on the front burner by donor partners and industry stakeholders across the region. The Road Mapping workshops which are currently being held for the EU funded “Coconut Industry Development in the Caribbean” project are an excellent initiative.

Project partners - the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Geneva based International Trade Centre (ITC) - are engaging industry stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Belize and Suriname to formulate Road Maps for market led development of the coconut and coconut products sectors.

Utilising a participatory approach, stakeholders across the coconut value chain in each of the project countries are expected to come up with Road Maps to address critical areas such as market options, production and productivity, support services and the policy environment among other areas.

The project is valued at 3.5 million Euros and is aiming to enhance the competitiveness of small scale coconut farmers, through the identification of market opportunities and value chain development plans; develop better synergies between national and regional programmes; improve access to advisory services for improved production, processing, commercialization and financing; and improve access to risk management instruments.

Financed by the EU under the 10th European Development Fund, the project will be implemented in the CARIFORUM countries of Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The demand for fresh coconut produce and coconut based health and beauty products have skyrocketed on both the regional and world markets. Many of the Caribbean countries that once had a booming coconut subsector have been unable to satisfy this growing demand.

From the 1980s onward production began to decline sharply as a result of loss of international markets for traditional products, ageing populations, loss of consumer confidence and growing pest and disease problems.

Here in Guyana, the situation is no different. On a previous occasion this newspaper had outlined the significant benefits that could be derived from the local coconut industry. We had also made some recommendations that were necessary for the revitalization and modernization of the sector, and for it to become a major export earner.

The coconut industry is a very promising one, and we hope that the Ministry of Agriculture will take the necessary steps to develop the industry as it relates to increasing production capacity and enhancing quality.

The key players involved in the sector must adopt a more proactive approach in order to take advantage of the high level of demand on the regional and international markets.

In Guyana, coconut ranks third after rice and sugar in terms of acreage cultivated. It is estimated that there are currently 24,000 hectares of coconut cultivation across the country with an average annual production of 90 to 100 million nuts. Due to a number of factors, production has seen a steady decrease over the last decade or so.

It was suggested some time ago that we develop a “Guyana brand” of coconut water not only for local consumption but for export purposes on a large scale. This is a very useful idea and should be taken seriously as coconut water is recognised as a major health drink internationally.

Also, then Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had noted that in the streamlining of the coconut industry, there is the possibility of developing virgin coconut oil for export and using shells to develop energy so that there is no wastage.

There is need for all stakeholders, including farmers, government, donor partners and the technical people to collaborate and work feverishly to bring the coconut industry to a much higher level where it can take its rightful place as a major foreign exchange earner.

The PPP/C faces a lengthy and arduous road ahead

Dear Editor,

Ever since his assumption to the highest office in the land, President Granger, in realpolitik form, has moved swiftly to provide effective leadership and institutional changes.

As a historian, author of several books on Guyana and the Caribbean, as well as the publisher of the Guyana Review magazine, he understands the history of the country very well and he is not shy about using power to effectuate the necessary changes that coincide with his vision for a new Guyana.

If current trends continue, Granger will in effect transform the course of Guyana’s history and he will have a lasting and pervasive impact on the political culture and Guyanese ethos.

While the Granger administration enjoys its honeymoon period, some hard facts should not go unnoticed. One, the governing coalition is not your typical coalition.

In general, coalition governments, as they exist in other countries, tend to capture much more than a mere 51 per cent of the electorate, and, coalitions are composed of parties where the smaller of the coalition partners can barter their support to exact concessions from the larger partner.

The bargaining power of the AFC has been reduced by a constitutional provision preventing post-election coalitions, as well as the Cummingsburg Accord, signed by both coalition partners.

Two, despite what the enthusiasts now proclaim, the APNU/AFC is not a govern-

ment of “national unity” (neither was the PPP/C).

The fact remains that the PPP/C is still the largest political party in Guyana (with 32 parliamentary seats). And, as the election clearly demonstrates, the electorate/nation remains ethnically divided, probably more so than previous elections.

The new government has a unique opportunity to expand on the coalition support by cutting into the PPP/C base before the 2020 elections. Granger, however, will have to control the partisan scrum by keeping the old PNC rear guards at bay while making genuine overtures to the supporters of the PPP/C.

He will have a greater impact on the Guyanese political landscape if he can bridge the racial gap between the two major ethnic communities and move the needle closer to a government of national unity.

A central feature of any democracy is reflected in periodic changes in government through transparently free and fair elections. An equally important characteristic of a functioning democratic system is the presence of a political opposition that operates within the ambit of the rules of engagement to support, critique or reshape public policy.

Whether the PPP/C can become an effective opposition party, depends on a number of basic factors, all of which centers around its ability to fully recover from its recent electoral defeat.

Reasons, among others, for the PPP/C’s electoral loss include, but are not limited to: arrogance on the part of PPP/C leadership, the undemocratic

nature of its party apparatus, long-standing accusations of corruption, a well-oiled opposition force that exploited the PPP/C weaknesses and placed the party on the defensive, an effective anti-PPP/C social media campaign, as well as its antagonistic relations with the USA, a country already weary of the antics of the nearby Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela.

However, there are two overriding characteristics defining the nature of what the PPP/C has become internally since its origin as a massbased party that has contributed to its overall image of a spent party, leading to its electoral defeat at the polls.

One, the party apparatus has been taken over by a small group of unprofessional “lumpen” element associated with its “working class” philosophy, truncating over the years the intellectual core that once guided the direction of the party.

The lack of a professional intellectual leadership placed the party in the hands of individuals who became vindictive against its opponents, often times treated as though they were enemies of the state.

Two, the Marxist principle of democratic centralism by which the PPP/C governed itself stifled criticism of its internal policy and leadership, creating an environment whereby few individuals at the hierarchical top dictated policies and exercised control, leaving little room for reforms based on constructive criticisms.

Ironically, the current crop of PPP/C leaders strayed away from the virtues of its founder/leader (honesty, incorrupt-

ible, humility, etc), while adherence to the core ideological values of the Jagans have placed the party in decline, and in jeopardy.

The demons which the post-Jagan leaders have nurtured internally have now engulfed the party, including a younger generation that has been inculcated within its ranks over the years.

From all appearances, the PPP/C has reached a point where there does not seem to exist the critical mass necessary to pull the party out of the Gordian knot in which it is embedded.

The party is in dire need of new leadership, organization and ideology if it is to emerge as a credible opposition force, and eventually, be seen as a government in waiting. It runs the risk of becoming left out in the corridors of power, as it will likely face criticisms from every corner of Guyanese society in its attempt to reinvent itself.

The PPP/C may do well to hastily begin to reconstruct its image, internally and externally, and allow credible leaders to emerge in a democratic manner. Its salvation may also lie with its ability to reduce the powers of the executive and promote constitutional reforms, which the Granger government has agreed to do. If coalition politics is the way forward, a renewed PPP/C should seek to build alliance with other parties, the AFC or APNU not excluded. Regardless, while opportunities exist for APNU/AFC to expand upon its support base, the PPP/C faces a lengthy and arduous road ahead.

Baytoram Ramharack

Provide details on the recent release of prisoners

Dear Editor, We have all noted with keen interest of the recent pardon of prisoners by both Donald Ramotar and David Granger.

We also know the name and crime of the prisoner re-

leased by Donald Ramotar. However, we don’t know anything of the 60 that was released by David Granger. Are we to blindly believe what he says that these prisoners are between the ages of 1824 and with minor convictions?

What if these persons get into crime again, how will we know?

What if these are family or friends of the present administration? Therefore in light of the above, I and many other Guyanese would be grateful

if your newspaper can seek details of the these recent release prisoners and publish same so that we the public can scrutinize and not take their words as gospel.

Name withheld by request

Urgent need to end constitutional crisis

Dear Editor,

Will the PNC coalition break out singing the old PPP/C shanty "in office, but not in power"? With GECOM now holding itself a fidgety constipated hostage by its own rigging incompetence, it cannot legally publish the 2015 election results in the Official Gazette. It is damned if it does and damned if it does not.

The law requires the Official Gazette must simultaneously publish and include the complete listing of the names of all MPs 15 days after the election date, not the date the results were announced.

May 26 was that significant deadline date when the Official Gazette was to have been published according to law, but which has not been done up to now by GECOM. The PNC coalition is in office but not empowered because GECOM has broken the law in more than one way.

Guyana has no legal government but pretenders without any legal authority to govern. Obviously the solution to the constitutional crisis is by law in the hands of the PPP/C or by the court. The latter is time consuming and costly.

Forgiveness is most possible if loud apologies and reparations can be offered. But it's not for me to say.

The working class who produces Guyana's food, sugar and rice and all things nice are completely defenceless requiring accommodative institu-

tional change. Now the PPP/C must demand and acquire the complete racial and ethnic balancing of Guyana's armed forces and civil service as a prerequisite to any negotiations.

Long after Wismar of 1964, nothing has changed in PNC behaviour or institutionalising of adequate defences. The cheese stands alone in its militarised mission of getting power by hook or crook. PPP/C supporters are completely defenceless.

That change must come now. Now the timing is most ripe. The two behemoths must go into conference and fix this GECOM mess. There is no better time. The political situation is very fluid.

Would the PPP/C prefer a PPP/C-AFC coalition? Would they demand Mr Granger step down? Obviously the PPP/C cannot pick their leader. The PPP/C may even ask that Mr Moses Nagamootoo also step aside completely for an ambassadorship to China or Cuba or Argentina.

Many compromises are required but the law cannot be broken to uphold and maintain it.

GECOM messed up and they must get off the scene. The AFC which has neither the brain power, nor resources to rig elections may come out as angels in this crisis.

The forgone conclusion that the militarized PNC machinery has everything at its fingertips to rig as they did the

May 11 elections compounds

GECOM's dilemma how to resolve the constitutional crisis.

Both Dr Surujbally and the CEO must go pronto. By the AFC's gullibility and lust for power they provided the cover for the mess. The right to croon may also be theirs.

If GECOM were to publish half of the legally required information, and omit the other half it will officially disenfranchise the other half in effect breaking the law. Which court will uphold breaking the law?

The PPP/C and APNU must immediately start talking with each other in a structured manner. It must not be done with a biased GECOM but with the UN or ICJ or some other mutual third party.

The Carter Center has proven it may be again useful even if it is fed up with Guyana. Whatever happens GECOM's many guilty crooks must go or be fired.

Right now there is no legal authority to fire anyone because GECOM has not granted Official Gazetted authority to exercise any such authority. The PNC coalition in effect is an illegal occupation power.

Those hence illegally fired or removed would win in court should they get together and file a class action lawsuit. The Town Clerk either goes back pronto to her seat or they meet her in court.

Sultan Mohamed

The Presidency of David Granger

Dear Editor

The Presidency under David Granger will be an undoubtedly significantly different one from previous Head of States. Over the past two weeks or so there have been perhaps more changes and different ways of doing things more than ever in Guyana’s history.

The sweeping changes started at Public Buildings (Parliament Building), where Granger officially started his Presidency. Every other Head of State prior to this started theirs at State House, the official residence of the President of Guyana.

That perhaps was the signal of changes to come and the attitude to not do things in the run-of-the-mill fashion as previous Heads of State including Donald Ramotar, Bharrat Jagdeo and Cheddie Jagan.

David Granger’s swearing-in was a public affair in Georgetown on May 16. It was at that swearing-in where he announced another grand public affair that no other President ever dreamed of— an official Inauguration Day— coinciding with Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary.

David Granger has sought to do things differently from his predecessors. He attended a church service on the Sunday following his swearing- in, an occasion to which he drove himself.

His fleet of Presidential cars (of three), consists of two outriders and another luxury van, to which he instructed the Police to not use loud sirens whenever he would be traveling.

Unconscionable dishonest acts against GT&T

Dear Editor,

I frequently wonder how GT&T can sustain itself with theft of its equipment, internal thefts, manipulations by staffers, and what I see as industrial sabotage of its equipment and facilities.

Despite the tens of millions of dollars annually (billions over the years in losses) by thefts and sabotage, GT&T continues to serve the nation and provide the best service they can.

They are truly a Guyanese company as I see it. They support all kinds of social, religious and cultural activities, without fear and favour; and at the same time, provide opportunities for young people as well as the mature crowd who possess a number of talents.

They are given public exposure and capacity building opportunities; financial support and awards.

The thieves, in any form, and the international saboteurs, make it so difficult for the servicing company, and the citizens of Guyana.

Students suffer, sick people cannot call for ambulances or for a doctor. They suffer for use of phones and internet service. I live in Atlantic Gardens, and I know how much we have suffered.

Recently a driver, obviously drunk, destroyed an entire cabinet with GT&T equipment and made good his escape.

Citizens in all areas need to be extremely alert. Be your own watchdogs. They know the people who are prone to such thefts of cables and equipment. Report them. If they are

afraid to expose themselves to the Police, call a prominent citizen in your area and ask him to report the person. Call me!!!

Help the Police and GT&T to catch them in the act, or give the location of the storage of stolen materials and equipment. Expose the ‘fence’; this is the person who receives the stolen merchandise.

When I saw the advisory from GT&T by text, I texted back and said they need to offer a reward for such information. I then observed that rewards were being offered. This is good.

Many in Guyana are not too familiar with the terms “industrial saboteur” and “industrial espionage”. These are known and most prevalent in Europe, North America, even India and China. Its ugly head is now penetrating Guyana and the West Indies.

Industrial espionage involves the compiling of intelligence/information gathered clandestinely, or undercover, albeit, it for the purpose of theft of ideas and systems of a company that is being targeted, with the aim of destabilizing that company or tendering below its bid.

Industrial sabotage is the criminal intent to not only penetrate and understand the secrets of a company or industry, but to make it unable to function by theft of employees; destruction of its equipment; make it difficult to support its customers; and lose faith with peoples of power.

In regards to what I see with GT&T, the pattern or modus

operandi/method of operation is very similar, and with this publication, they may change that pattern to confuse the investigators, but regardless, like fingerprinting or handwriting, no matter how much one tries to disguise them, in modus operandi, tell-tale signs are always left.

My concern is possible sabotage and criminal thefts of equipment. I most firmly opine that GT&T is under threat by internal thieves, regular thieves, but more so, by someone or some institution with international connections, that wish to change the landscape of communications in Guyana, for business opportunities.

If Industrial espionage or

sabotage were never in the minds of GT&T’s management, then they need to think of it now and study the possibility.

I am not in any way saying that GT&T must remain the sole provider of telecommunications services, be it landline, cellular or internet based. However, we must recognize that we were once in the dark ages, and GT&T stood with Guyanese to modernize our system of telecommunications. They are continuing to do this today as they upgrade their systems so that Guyanese can enjoy convenient and modern services.

Roshan Khan

Then a wave of community- mindedness swept over Georgetown over the past two weeks. This was undoubtedly kick started by Granger’s massive transformation around the (lost and forgotten) Independence Arch on Brickdam in Georgetown.

Perhaps, too, tons of garbage have been removed from Georgetown over the past days, inspiring the involvement of companies, citizens and spirit-minded Guyanese to bring back Georgetown to its renowned pride as the Garden City of the Caribbean.

The sudden inspiration and interest and involvement of Guyanese into this clean-up effort caught on like wild fire over the past days as intensified actions to clean up the Garden City, permeated the atmosphere. Psychologists can probably describe the background to these actions, but nevertheless it must be commended.

David Granger seems to be a simple man, setting a tone for what his Presidency would be like. Attired in a simple black or dark-coloureds long sleeve shirt, with a Guyana flag lapelled onto the sleeve, Granger’s Presidency would be remembered by many, as it seems.

While the previous Donald Ramotar Administration was dedicated and focused on building large infrastructural projects to improve life and services in Guyana, Granger’s Presidency will be a very simple one aimed at restoring Guyana to its nationalism and nationalistic pride.

It wasn’t a coincidence his first order of business as President of Guyana was to restore and clean-up the areas in and around the Independence Arch. To many, including myself, that historic monument never existed.

I never even taught about it when teaching Forts and Monuments in Social Studies in my classrooms at school simply because I never knew the structure existed. Over the past days, the arch has become one of the most photographed areas of Georgetown.

Corporate entities along with the present Administration and private citizens have come on board to restore the Arch, a gift from the Demerara Bauxite Company on Guyana’s achievement of Independence in 1966. I can hardly wait to visit this site during my next trip to Georgetown.

David Granger has put this monument back into our textbooks and this historical fact back into our minds and hearts.

This was poetic in every way –the restoration of the Arch, signaling the tone of the David Granger Presidency. A few days ago, he renamed the Convention Centre at Liliendaal in honor of Guyana’s first Executive President, a Chinese man, Arthur Chung.

Continuing to do things the Granger way, he renamed several ministries and created a few more that delineated their functions to a more specific way, for easier administration and monitoring I guess. However, this will create an additional cost to finance the payments of these new Ministers and agencies.

He changed the national Independence Day flag- raising celebrations from the National Park on Independence Eve (May 25) to the Independence Arch, much to the furor of the former Administration and a few. Also, he announced the return of National Awards and Medals in Guyana billed for later this year. This feature whereby outstanding citizens were selected and awarded with these national accolades was missing from the national factsheet since 2011.

And earlier today, David Granger announced he will pardon sixty prisoners currently serving time at the Prisons in what would be an annual Independence Day Presidential Pardon. These 60 persons, the government stated, would have committed minor and petty crimes over the past years. Many have applauded this move by Granger.

David Granger intends to do things differently. When heads were rolling from various agencies in 1992 after the PPP/C took government from the PNC, it was a tough time for many.

Several political figures that belonged to the PNC were sent packing. David Granger has vowed to keep all if not most of the persons that held positions under the PPP/C Administration, albeit them having had (open) political allegiance and ties to the former Administration. He however announced that they must now do their work in a professional manner. And so they must.

Continue on page 18

International Day of Yoga, June 21…

Yoga Sensation for the nation: Tip 3

Submitted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)

For the past two days we have had you guys on your feet doing tadasana “Mountain pose” and trikonaasana “Triangle pose”. Today we are letting you sit, but it’s on an imaginary chair. This magnificent asana is called Utkatasana (Chair posture) which has great benefits. You might not know but yoga is the best antiaging remedy with result guaranteed. Let’s follow these simple techniques as we are one step closer to a healthy lifestyle.

UTKATASANA (CHAIR POSTURE)

In this position the individual stands with the feet parallel and hands loosely at the side as in Tadasana. It’s known as “chair posture” since it may look as if the person is sitting. When doing this asana you need to take deep breath and hold the position so as to get the best out of it.

This asana has significant benefits such as: tones the leg muscle excellently, stimulates the heart, diaphragm and abdominal organs, stretches the chest and shoulders, strengthens the, ankle, thighs, claves and spine, and reduces arthritis and joint pain

TECHNIQUE

Stand in tadasana. Inhale and raise your arms upright to the floor. Either keeps the arms parallel, palms facing inwards, or joins the palms (optional) but do not bend the elbow. Exhale.

Inhale and bend your knees, trying to take the thighs as nearly as possible pushing your pelvis down as if you are sitting in an imaginary chair. Ensure your knees don’t go beyond your toes. Exhale.

Inhale and be comfortable or at least try to be! Ensure that

you keep your hand parallel to the ground sitting upright and lengthen your spine. Hold this position for a few seconds.

Exhale and return to the mountain pose. Relax and

go again from the start for at least five times. Drink on glass of water after you have completed this exercise. Hope you enjoy doing this today and eagerly awaits tomorrow tip.

Things dads should always do in front of children

By doing certain things dads can develop good values and behaviour in children. Dad’s demon-

strative mannerisms can help the children to learn their life’s lessons with ease and help them to get ready for healthy relations at every stage in life. If these minor things are taken care, parents need not worry about children and their behaviour in future.

Dad’s role in a child’s life is to prepare that child to face the world and win laurels at every stage of his or her life. All this is possible, if a child is properly groomed in his hands. Therefore, it is very important for all dads to set good examples. Let us take a look at the 10 things which dads should always do in front of children.

*Live a decent and respectful life, irrespective of financial and professional status.

* Set family rules which are always in tune with the interest of the larger society.

*Follow the rules.

*Outline a proper plan and set achievable targets for family.

*Demonstrate love and respect to family as this will subconsciously influence the child.

* Showcase positive mannerisms and decorum which are very attractive for a child to adopt.

*Follow the rules at every turn of life so as to set a proper example for the child.

(Excerpted from Indiaparenting)

PPP/C's call for recount

Only court can now grant request – GECOM

By Michael younge

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has adopted the official position that it is not in a position to grant requests made by political parties for a recount or final count of ballots cast at the 2015 General and Regional Elections, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud and rigging from the governing party’s main opponent.

A GECOM Commissioner told Guyana Times that the issue came up for discussion on Tuesday when the sevenmember Commission met to discuss outstanding issues with respect to the May 11 election and concerns raised by the main Opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The Commissioner said that a decision was taken that only Judiciary or

the courts at this point and time can order a recount of the ballots cast and that the matter was out of the remit of the both the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and the Commission as the governing body.

The Commissioner explained that the time for recounts “had passed” and as such, there was no provision for a recount of ballots except through the court, once the CEO had issued a final declaration and moved to gazette the results.

“At this point, the Commission will have await the ruling of the Courts”, the Commissioner reiterated. Guyana Times was also reliably informed that the Chief Elections Officer has reached an agreement on the way forward as far as the release of critical election in-

formation is concerned and the other forms of information with respect to the voting processes and outcomes on Election Day.

The Commissioner said that all other forms of routine and normal business were undertaken at the level of the Commission. A decision was also reached that would carter for the election results to be gazetted without the names of the MP's who would represent the PPP/C in Parliament. On Tuesday, Former President Donald Ramotar maintained that the PPP/C will not recognise the David Granger’s Government

City flooding:

Cabinet clears $75M to restore damaged drainage systems

Cabinet on Tuesday approved the sum of $75 million for various projects, including the desilting of the Kingston, Lamaha Street, Sussex Street and Meadowbank outfalls, in an attempt to alleviate the repeated flooding of the city.

The money taken from the country’s emergency fund will also go toward the inland clearing of the drainage pump under the Transport and Harbour building to East Lamaha Street, the drainage tunnel to Muneshwar boundary to east of the Avenue of the Republic, the concrete channel leading up to the pump station at John Fernandes and Toolsie Persaud along with repairs to some revetment. The sum will also cover emergency crews that will be required to clear blockages in and around internal drains.

Mahaica- Mahaicony area, water remains high. All six pumps are working; however, the pump at Lamaha Street requires some work on the discharging. It is working but because of the lack of use, the pipe work to the pump has been in a bad state,” he told journalists.

ing apace, as there has been interest shown by a number of international organisations regarding funding in this regard. He informed that the Government of Japan already has funds in place for the project, while the European Union (EU) has indicated its interest in coming on board.

Cabinet has also approved the establishment of a multi-discipline task force which the Minister planned to start working on immediately. The task force will be responsible for several areas of development, but will focus primarily on drainage, traffic management and the rehabilitation of roads.

In what was initially reported as a robbery in Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has now turned into a murder after the homeowner confessed to stabbing a relative during a drinking spree on Sunday evening.

The dead man, Darson Ramatar, was stabbed to his neck and face during a brutal attack by a family member, who after the incident reported that the young man met his demise while attempting to gain entry into his house.

The suspect, who is now expected to be charged with murder, was at the Grove Police Station on Wednesday when he confessed. He reportedly told the Police that, on the night of the stabbing incident, he lied to the Police and also forced those in the yard to do same.

In addition, during investigations conducted by the Police, several statements were taken which did not correspond with the story told by the suspect.

Guyana Times understand that on the night of the incident, the owner of the house had invited a few

friends and family members to join in a birthday celebration of another relative. After consuming alcohol for some time, an argument ensued over “rum”.

It was during this argument that the suspect collected a knife and stabbed the 23-year-old man. After receiving the stab wounds, Ramatar collapsed in the yard and was left there to die.

It was first reported that Ramatar was stabbed to death on Sunday morning during an alleged attempted robbery at Kaneville, Grove Village, EBD, with at least four other accomplices. According to information received on Monday, the now

until the party is satisfied that its concerns related to the allegations of systematic and internal rigging of the May 11 General and Regional Elections are addressed forthrightly by both GECOM and the judiciary.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield turn to page 8

Kaneville homeowner to face murder charge

dead man, along with four other men, was attempting to break into the house in the same area when one of the occupants of the house stabbed him to his throat. It was reported that the young man fell to the ground and upon seeing this, the four other men made good on their escape.

The Police was summoned and the injured man was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, However due to the injuries, he was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The homeowner and his wife were subsequently arrested and taken to the Grove Police Station where they were grilled about the man’s death. Ranks had then stated that they did not buy into the story told by the man and his wife at that time.

A source had told the Guyana Times that the Police therefore had to definitely establish whether or not the homeowner was telling the truth. The duo held out that he was killed during an attempted robbery until they confessed otherwise.

This was disclosed by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson during a press briefing at his Ministry on Wednesday. According to the Minister, within Georgetown reports are that floodwaters have receded significantly in those areas that were affected by Sunday morning’s rainfall.

“It is reported that water has receded in Georgetown. However, in some areas on the East Coast in some lowlying areas, water is still there. Unfortunately, in the

Patterson said while Government was trying its best, persons should be aware that it will take some time before the situation comes to a satisfactory level.

“Citizens should be informed that this is not a solution to the drainage problem. It is just an attempt for the next six weeks to ensure that should there be another period of tide in rainfall, the time taken to get the water off will be less,” the Minister said.

He said things were mov-

The task force, he said, is a broad-based framework and all the relevant stakeholders will have a representative on the team which will also comprise persons from City Hall, the Force Account Unit of the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the Ministry of Communities.

He related that upon completion he hopes that there would be a holistic plan for the renewal of Georgetown. “It shall be a medium-term endeavour. We have been contacted by individuals who are interested in sharing their theses and ideas. The task force will be meeting with them to listen to those ideas and provide a realistic long-term solution,” Patterson said.

Young Policeman fined for liquor theft

APolice Officer was Wednesday fined $15,000 by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks from his co-worker.

Kevin Beauran, 20, of 77 Durban Street, Lodge, who is a member of the Guyana Police Force’s Tactical Services Unit, pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which

read that on March 28 at Georgetown, he stole 25 Banks Beer valued $4500, 10 Maltas valued $1920 and 2 one litre Coca-Colas valued at $400, property of the Virtual Complainant (VC), Christopher Dharamraj.

According to Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the VC and the defendant are known to each other as they are both members of the Police Force. The Prosecutor stated that on the day in question around 16:30h, the defendant was assisting the

VC to remove some alcoholic beverages from the King Plaza Hotel which the VC is in charge of.

The defendant reportedly took the beverages and placed them in a bag after which he stashed it in a nearby drain. This was seen by persons who were present at the Hotel who then related the incident to the VC. A report was made to the Police who arrested the defendant and put the allegation to him after which he was charged.

The Magistrate reprimanded the young man, telling him as a law enforcement officer he should have known better.

The defendant told the court that he was sorry for what he did, stating that he and his friends had recently graduated from the police college and decided to take a swing at the alcohol.

As the items were recovered, the Magistrate fined the officer $15,000 with an alternative of three weeks in prison.

Man jailed for narcotics possession

Aman was today sentenced to 33 months in prison after he was found guilty of two charges of possession of narcotics by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Oswald Moses, 39, was convicted of having in his possession on March 1, 15 grams of cocaine and on March 3, 235 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The unrepresented defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

After reviewing all of the facts presented during the trial, the Magistrate sentenced the defendant to two

Only court can...

Ramotar was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with this publication at the party’s Freedom House headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown. Ramotar said that Granger’s Presidency and Government will be treated as a “de facto regime” by his party because they are occupying office against the will of a majority of the electorate which participated in what should have been a democratic process to elect a new Government back in May.

Ramotar maintained even at this point and ahead of plans to execute an opening session of the 11th Parliament of Guyana

that the election was rigged and his party has evidence to this effect. “It is a de facto Government... It is there not as a result of the will of the people… because of this they will not be able to continue sustained economic growth and social progress”, he contended.

He explained that it would be difficult for the PPP/C to accept the election results and the imposition of a de facto Government because there has been a calculated and clearly thoughtout effort by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to deny the party its legal right to a recount of ballots cast at important stages in the process.

The former Head of State continued by saying that GECOM, which is headed by Dr Steve Surujbally, also appear unwilling to cooperate with the former ruling party’s request for several critical pieces of information with respect to the tabulation and declaration of votes casted on May 11.

“I do not know why they are taking so long. In normal circumstances, these things are done long ago... way earlier in the process. This is also adding to the concern of many of our supporters who are wondering why they are taking so long… are they trying to adjust, cook up something up… to prove these elec-

years and nine months on each charge which will be served concurrently.

Additionally, he was fined $45,000 on the possession of cocaine charge and $317,350 on the possession of cannabis charge.

from page 7

tions were free and fair”, Ramotar said while explaining that the Commission has so far failed to gazette the results and release them publicly.

He argued that if GECOM and the party now occupying Executive office had any respect for the hundreds of thousands of persons who voted for the PPP/C, they would have long agreed to a recount or final count of the election results which would have removed lots of tension from the society and vindicated their claim that the election was free and fair.

Despite this, the PPP/C will continue its protest actions and calls for a recount.

Eyew tness

Rusty...

Y...on the rules in communities?

our Eyewitness is going to give the players in the new administration the benefit of the doubt as to some (most?) of their actions since the inauguration. Or even before the inauguration.

Maybe they’re rusty on the exercise of power and that’s why they keep putting their feet into their mouths?? After it’s been 23 years in the wilderness - and even a saint like John the Baptist, had his challenges.

But you’d think fellas who were exposed to all the “highhandedness” they claim, would be a tad more sensitive to allegations that they might be behaving like abused children who grow up to be abused parents.

Take this abrupt and high handed treatment of Clinton Collymoore at the new “Communities Ministry”. This used to be the “Local Government Ministry”, children.

“Communities” was supposed to represent the “kinder, gentler and warmer” new dispensation rather than the bureaucratic-sounding “local government”. Sounded plausible.

Seems Collymoore didn’t show up for work for a couple of days and when he finally did after receiving a summons , he was kept waiting because Minister Bulkan was in the loo. So he waited... probably figured, how long could that be? Even for an oldster like him (late 70s?) probably with “motion” challenges, an hour should take care of business, no? No.

Seems that after that time the Minister still didn’t appear and Mr Collymoore was probably getting worried. But upon enquiry, he was told the Minister had to run off to see the President. (We hope he washed his hands.)

We know that Brigadier is an ex-army man and all that - and probably likes promptness in his staff. But couldn’t the Minister at least have greeted Mr Collymoore?

After all, if the new Govt wants to hold Local Government elections pronto (Communities elections?? Your Eyewitness is getting light headed) Mr Collymoore and Mr Alexander literally wrote the book on the subject. And Mr Alexander has said he ain’t PNC no mo.

But to rub salt into Mr Callymoore’s wound, after being sent home, he received a letter telling him that he’d been fired - with all benefits forfeited.

Quite reasonably, Mr Collymoore pointed out that since he was advisor to the Local Government Minister and there was no Minister to advise, why should he’ve come in? Like most Guyanese, it probably took the poor fella a week to figure out that “Ministry of Communities” had replaced “Ministry of Local Government”.

But the “kinder, gentler and warmer” connotations of Communities was probably lost to Mr Collymoore when he read his dismissal letter.

So your Eyewitness returns to the question of “rustiness” and the exercise of power. Isn’t there something called “due process” that demands Minister Bulkan give Collymoore a hearing?

...on the rules in public security

Another instance of probable rustiness on the rules of authority was when First Vice-President and Minister of Public Security (sounds kinda North Korea-ish, no?) Ramjattan ORDERED the Commissioner of Police to fire the cops who’d tortured the poor kid over at Leonora.

Now it’s possible that after the “Ministry of Home Affairs” was renamed the “Ministry of Public Security” (funny enough, not warmer sounding) the rules on the powers of the Minister over the COP were changed.

Possible....but not probable, since the Parliament would’ve had to pass some new laws and regulations.

Even though Ramjattan was the kid’s attorney and most Guyanese like your Eyewitness are still outraged, the Minister exceeded his authority. Like democracy, the regs might be a pain in the ass, but we gotta follow the rule of law.

...pumps

Isn’t it funny (not “ha ha” funny) how no one’s talking about why the Georgetown four of the six pumps were out of commission? So can we have an explanation as where all the money allocated to fix the pumps went?

Ramotar urges Urling to address concerns professionally

Former President Donald Ramotar has urged businessman Clinton Urling to address his concerns about the party’s workings professionally.

Urling, who was a candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) at the recent election, made some scathing remarks against former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

APNU+AFC’s

During a recent interview with Guyana Times, Ramotar firstly registered his disappointment in the way in which the businessman handled the situation. In a letter to the Stabroek News, Urling blamed Jagdeo for the failures of the PPP/C.

When questioned by media operatives on Wednesday, Urling said as long as Jagdeo remains “the de fac-

list of parliamentarians

to” leader of the party, he will not participate in any PPP/C related activities. “If Jagdeo remains the de facto head of the party, I will not be involved in any decisions or activities that the party plans and that would include even if I’m offered a position to be a MP (Member of Parliament),” he asserted.

However, while respecting everyone’s right to an

opinion, Ramotar said if Urling had an issue, he should have raised the matter internally before taking any other action. “If he felt so strongly… then I think that he should have raised it in our meetings,” Ramotar said.

Ramotar said there is an outlet for that sort of sentiment to be expressed within the party and therefore, he is taken aback and extremely disappointed that Urling would opt to address his concerns in the media.

Respect for PPP/C

Meanwhile, when questioned by reporters, Urling noted that he is not fearful about publicly expressing his views, “That’s my view and I always advise people to live the truth and your truth and your beliefs should always align with your actions.”

Asked if he will be joining the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For

Youth leaders stand by

Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, Urling said his intentions are to focus on his studies. But in light of all of this, Urling indicated that he still holds the PPP/C in high regards, adding that he still respects the party.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee also registered his disappointment in Urling’s critique of former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s leadership and his alleged stranglehold on the party’s machinery.

Rohee noted that Urling is entitled to his opinion and that does not necessarily reflect the party’s position. “I think it is more perception. You know what they say, perception is more like reality, but its Mr Urling’s perception,” he said.

The General Secretary pointed out that the businessman merely joined the party about two months prior to the election, as such he is not in any position to pronounce on the party or its members. Rohee further stated that one has to be with the party for a number of years in order to understand and learn its culture and inner workings. In the lead up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections, Urling left his position as Director of Blue Caps to focus on his political career by throwing his support behind the PPP/C.

coalition’s decision

…but disappointed with level of youth representation

In the wake of the revelation that youth activists Christopher Jones, James Bond and Trevor Williams will not return to the National Assembly when the 11th Parliament is convened next Wednesday, June 10, Bond and Williams have broken their silence. They stated that though they would have wanted to see more youth representatives on the list of parliamentarians, they will support the decision which has been taken by the leaders of the coalition.

Speaking to the Guyana Times via phone on Wednesday evening, Bond related that while he would have hoped to see a number of youths in Parliament, given the fact that the coalition had been preaching youth empowerment and had received the support of that population, he was respectful of the decision which was taken. He also disclosed that he was not particularly disappointed that he was not selected.

“I am not disappointed. I feel no disappointment. I support whatever decision was taken by the leaders. However, I feel that there should have been greater youth representation in order to serve the youths at that decision-making level. It is not about me, but rather about the youths. I believe personally if the decision were mine to make, there would be more young

people, but I am not the President and I’ve said it on one or more occasions that I trust the vision of the President and I still trust his vision and judgment,”,” the attorney at-law said.

According to Bond, the list of the selected Members of Parliament (MPs) was borne out of the fact that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had formed a coalition, and as such, the number of parliamentarians had to be “trimmed”. Hence, his exclusion from the list.

The young activist disclosed that while this will not stop him from being active in his causes, he will be taking a backseat in the coalition government.

“There will come a time when it is truly young people’s time and the older generation will allow young Guyanese when that time comes to participate and function in the upper echelons of State,” Bond said.

Work continues His AFC counterpart, Williams, another passionate youth advocate, told Guyana Times that while there was always a desire to get the job done, to enhance opportunities which are available to youths and to improve their lives overall, being selected for Parliament was not up to the individual, but was made based on the consider-

ation of several factors.

Williams said that while disappointed, he too respected the decision, even as he offered an apology to the youth population for not being adequately represented.

“I feel apologetic to them. If it was up to me, it would have been different. Unfortunately, that is not so. I know that they would have supported our themes and our messages .... Let us not become discouraged. There are lots of posts to be filled and young people may be put there. It is not the end of the story,” he said. He posited too that there were other agencies and organisations which will continue and which are in place to represent the youths.

The former MP noted that he was hoping that those who are in place in the Parliament, despite their ages, adequately address

the problems and needs of the young population.

Social NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) Blue CAPS has come out in support of the APNU+AFC MP list, which was submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission, stating that the young parliamentarians in the 10th Parliament did not adequately represent the needs of the youths. However, Williams stated that it was a reckless and unfair comment since there were many instances in which the young parliamentarians had worked to promote youth interests.

“It is a very different thing being in the Opposition and being in Government. Compared to the other Parliaments, the 10th did not underachieve. Even as a backbencher, I tabled motions in the interest of the young people, we supported the youth budget, the records are there…,” he stated.

The three youth and sports activists had carried the parties’ messages throughout the bruising elections campaign.

Though not selected for any ministerial posts, it was widely expected that the youngsters would have made the cut for Parliament, but this was not to be. It is unclear whether the three men would be selected as Parliamentary Secretaries or take up any of the presi-

dential adviser positions to be created.

Meanwhile, there were no real surprises on the list except two brand new MPs from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – Audwin Rutherford and Jermaine Figuiera. Richard Allen of Region One (Barima-Waini) who was forced to retire from the 10th Parliament due to ill health has returned, as well as Jenifer Wade of Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) and John Adams of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara. Attorney Charandass Persaud of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has been given the nod ahead of Veerasammy Ramayyah and Michael Carrington is in for Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and all 25 of the Ministers and Junior Ministers will take up seats in the House, which is expected to be convened on June 10.

President David Granger has already come under scrutiny for selecting a Cabinet of older persons. One report suggested that the average age of the members of the Cabinet appears to be 55, although 60 per cent of the voting population is between the ages of 18 and 35. Granger had, however, defended this, saying that youths are adequately represented in his Cabinet.

“You can’t fake experience. We need the experience. There are only two persons in the entire Cabinet who have had Cabinet experience and we need to ensure that persons who have experience in other fields are in positions to lead those ministries,” the President had explained.

Granger had further explained that the reason he appointed Ministers within the Ministries is so that they can understudy the senior ministers and be in a position to take over in a few years’ time. “What you see now will not be what will exist in a few years from now. We have a lot of young Ministers and a lot of female Ministers too who will be graduating.” He said the Cabinet will provide “an apprenticeship” for younger and other Ministers.

Govt asks GuySuCo Board members to resign

...terminates CEO

The David Grangerled Administration on Wednesday terminated the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr Raj Singh with immediate effect and instructed the members of the Board to tender their resignations.

The termination of Dr Singh came Wednesday afternoon, a statement issued by the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The statement read that GuySuCo has been suffering increased losses over the years, noting that in 2014, the Sugar Corporation received a $6 billion bailout. For this year, the Corporation has requested a $16 billion bailout package.

“On the directive of Cabinet, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder issued the letter of dismissal to Dr Singh and it takes immediate effect. In addition, members of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors have been instructed to send in letters of resignation with immediate effect,” the statement added.

The Board was chaired by former Government Minister Shaik Baksh and included: Dunstan Barrow,

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) and Geeta Singh-Knight, and Dr Raj Singh who sat on the Board as an ex-officio member.

Way forward

According to Government, over the years, GuySuCo has been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at the financial and production levels”. It said to ensure that the Corporation continues to survive, the Government will be putting in place an Interim Management Committee that will take effect from today and which will oversee the Corporation for at least six months.

“Before the end of this month, the Government will establish a Commission of Inquiry to look in to the operations of GuySuCo and chart a way forward. The

Government wishes to assure workers of GuySuCo that they will be paid and there will be no closing of the Sugar Corporation.”

Guyana Times reported earlier this week Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan assuring Berbicians that the Government has committed itself to the full recovery of the sugar industry in Guyana and will be working towards this no matter how long it takes. Ramjattan, who is also Second Vice President, made the promise when he appeared on a live television programme in Berbice on Saturday

evening.

“The recovery of the sugar industry will take forever, but whatever time it takes to save the industry, we are going to do it and we are going to do it by making the right decisions. We have to make the right decision, because it is a bad set of decisions that have caused the industry to be in the state it is,” he said.

Just last week, GuySuCo reportedly told workers’ unions – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) that it was unable to pay sugar workers for the month of May. The news got worse when reports surfaced that the already cash-strapped entity had failed to account for some $154 million of employees’ Credit Union savings owed to GAWU.

The Union had to make a “regrettable, but unavoidable decision” advising GuySuCo to cease deductions from workers’ earnings in this regard.

GuySuCo has received the sum of $400 million which will allow the company to continue its operation

for the remainder of this week. The Corporation has received the money from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica. As part of that loan arrangement, the Bank holds GuySuCo’s receivables from the sale of sugar.

Management

While President David Granger has persistently pledged his support for the sugar industry, he has been critical of the management of the Corporation. During a recent interview with this publication, he said his Government will soon be making critical decisions that will put the industry on “a sound footing”.

Granger had in the past called for the privatisation of the industry, but of recent he has floated the commissioning of an intense investigation into the operations of the industry, particularly since there have been numerous reports of workers not turning up for work, among other things.

“We’ve been calling for a turnaround plan. We were asked from time to time for subventions, but we had asked them [the former Government] in turn what was the plan to make the industry viable … that is

the stage where we are at now… to ensure that the industry doesn’t collapse and the means of financing are identified,” the President continued.

Agriculture Minister Holder, in an earlier interview with Guyana Times had highlighted that he intended to commission an inquiry into the operations of the Sugar Corporation as one of his top priorities. He noted that it was absolutely necessary that a commission of inquiry be conducted, since the sugar industry was a vital part of the country’s economy.

Cabinet approves multi-disciplinary task force to deal with city’s drainage

The establishment of a multi-disciplinary task force, which will include members of the civil society, has been approved by the Cabinet to aid with the City’s transformation under the new Government and completely turn the drainage situation around. This was announced by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on Wednesday during a press conference at his Ministry’s Boardroom, Wight’s Lane, Kingston, Georgetown. The task force, for which the Minister is working on its terms of reference, is expected to begin work after two weeks. I t is intended to address the city’s drainage, traffic management, and urban rehabilitation, and will com-

prise of three aspects; focus on the drainage system in the city, traffic management and other general rehabilitative works. The first area of priority is that of drainage.

The task force is expected to present a holistic plan for the further renewal of Georgetown and serve as a realistic long-term solution to the drainage situation in the capital city.

Despite its approval, discussions between the Minister and the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) are still pending, as this will allow him to review the legal aspects of the works in accordance with the various Acts.

Minister Patterson also outlined that he is examining the option of having the

city mapped in order to get a clearer picture of the drainage alignment, so that better results can be produced after the force concludes its rehabilitative works.

The Minister also noted that some hard, social and political decisions would have to be made in the near feature, with regards to some possible relocation of houses along the East Coast Demerara that may have been built in very low lying areas and are subjected to more consequences of flooding as a result of even a small amount of heavy rainfall.

Further, the Minister desires to have a website and a Facebook page created to allow more input from the civil society in the works that will be done.

SPS consults on Guyana’s fishing sector

The fishery sector in Guyana and the Caribbean is a fundamental source of livelihood and sustenance of inhabitants. The resource contributes to food security, poverty eradication, employment, foreign exchange earnings, development and stability of the rural community, culture, recreation and tourism.

The sub sector also provides direct employment for more than 120,000 fishers and indirect employment opportunities for thousands of others, particularly women in the processing, marketing, net making and other support services. This was expressed by European Union’s (EU) ambassador to Guyana Robert Kopecký, as he addressed attendees at a Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures Stakeholder (SPS) consultation at the Regency Suite, Georgetown on Wednesday.

The first of eight countries to be visited, the con -

and cooperation options for producers and traders; compliance with and adoption of quality standards relating to food production and marketing, including standards relating to environmentally and socially sound agricultural practices and organic and non-genetically modi-

maritime space in Caribbean African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) countries is substantially larger than the land space. The total area of the Caribbean ACP states amount to about 484,716 square kilometres, where as the maritime space is over two mil-

sultation was carried out to make an “assessment of the ground” in Guyana, seeking to understand both the strengths and weaknesses of the sector in Guyana. The consultative process provided participants with the responsibility to ensure that the project is understood so that it could move forward.

The project is funded by the European Union, which has made specific commitments on development cooperation cover improvement in the competitiveness of potentially viable production, including downstream processing through innovation, training, promotion of linkages and other support activities, in agricultural and fisheries product; development of export marketing capabilities, including market research both for trade between CARIFORUM (The Caribbean Forum) States and the parties as well as the identification of options for the improvement of marketing infrastructure and transportation, and the identification of financing

fied foods; promotion of private investment and public-private partnerships in potentially viable production; and improvement in the ability of CARIFORUM operators to comply with national, regional and international technical, health and quality standards for fish and fish products.

Kopecký said that it is hardly surprising that the

lion square kilometres. “It then means that 82 per cent of the Caribbean countries is occupied by the sea. The Caribbean economies depend on the sea and our capacity to preserve the maritime environment,” he said

In the Economy Partnership Agreement signed between the EU and CARIFORUM, back in 2008, he said the aspect relating to

sanitary measures received a well deserved attention. It was therefore decided that sanitary will play a central role in the Caribbean corporation under the 10th European Development Fund.

“It is this framework that the corporation projects, including the projects under which today’s activity was funded. Recently in corporation with CARIFORUM, we are having nationwide consultation not only in Guyana, but in all CARIFORUM member states,” he said

“These things are hitting the ground and the implementation is really happening. We are engaging with partners and CARIFORUM to make these corporation programmes more effective. I believe that it could be good; be very important as it tackles an issue that is centre in the region, monitoring the fisheries and agriculture environment,” Kopecky said.

According to him, aquaculture is another subsector where the goal is to satisfy the region’s growing need.

Globally from 2008, aqua production was reported to be 52.5 million tons of fish valued at US$100 billion and there was a projected growth of 6.6 per cent since then

He said there is great potential for expansion in ecology sustainable aquaculture production within the region. This can be achieved both in land using fresh water and in the coastal area.

“As we are here for national consultation, let’s take the example of Guyana where fishery contributes to food security with over 30,000

tons of sea food consumed nationally.

It contributes to the economy of over 60,000tons of fish are exported on a yearly basis. It creates employment with over 5000 person are employed directly and makes over 6 percent of Guyana’s economy,” Kopecký stated.

Meanwhile Deputy Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Secretariat (CRFMS) Susan Singh said the consultation was intended to facilitate discussion on the issue of sanitary measures focused on the capacity of the environmental monitoring programs in support of the SPS program.

“The activity was part of a larger regional scale project that is financially supported by the EU under the 10th European Development Fund. And the SPS project is implemented by the inter American Institute for cooperation in agriculture in

partnership with other major agencies in the region including Caricom,” she stated.

The current project seeks to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of CARIFORUM states to achieve competitiveness. Singh said that while the sector has great economic potential, “we have not been realising those benefits simply because of our failure to respond to international health requirements. She said the SPS challenge is a complex one as it spans the entire food system network at the country level and also at the regional level.

Singh further said that within that complexity, the project has identified three common threads including dealing with the national and regional legislation framework, dealing with the SPS government systems and looking at capacity.

thursday, june 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

No flood-related illnesses reported − Dr Cummings

Minister within the Public Health Ministry Dr Karen Cummings has said that residents living in areas that are prone to flooding should take precautions for their own safety. Cummings made this comment even as she informed that her Ministry will be doing all it possibly can during the rainy season.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at a joint press conference with the Public Works Ministry, Cummings related, “From the health perspective, they are health implications of flooding and, in situations like these, there are increases in asthmatic attacks and vector borne diseases. We at the Ministry will be alerting health centres to be opened and be alert, ensuring that they have all gears and medications to treat illnesses associated with flood water.”

She added that persons in these communities will have to take a pivotal role in ensuring that they have mosquito repellents available and keep their surroundings clean.

“We will do our best... in these RDCs (Regional Democratic Councils) there

are technical health personnel there and so we will be working with them to be apprised of the current situation.”

She noted too that the Ministry has made a hotline number available for persons to call, should there be any unusual outbreak of any

skin infections, leptospirosis, jaundice or any noticeable change in behaviour.

She said there has not been any significant rise in reported health complications since the flood, and that the health centres have enough pharmaceuticals to address the situation.

UG law students outline concerns about their careers

President of the University of Guyana (UG) Law Society, Mannison Dennison, expressed extreme dissatisfaction about the uncertainty that students of the Law Department are plagued with as it relates to their admission to the Hugh Wooding Law School, which enables them to complete their Law Programme.

In an interview with Mannison Dennison, he explained that over the past

mately 400 students.

Reflecting on the provision for the foreign students who are currently pursuing their Bachelor Law Degree at the University of Guyana, in past years it is noted that these students are not a part of the 25 that would be selected for the Law School in Trinidad. Prior to that as well, the Council of Legal Education last year had made provisions for an additional 10 students, however there were not any eligible students at that time.

In a telephone interview with the Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, he explained that he have recently received some information from the Council of Legal Education and, prior to a conversation with former Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, it is assured that the 25 students will be selected to further their studies at the Law School this year. However as it relates to the foreign students, the matter is still under discussion as the authorities seek to address these concerns. Investigations reveal that there are currently four foreign students concerned about their placement on

in relation to a meeting soon, however no update has yet been given. They have also indicated that if the relevant authorities have an interactive session with the students and enlighten them with the various opportunities that exist if one fails, persons will feel a sense of motivation.

Placing emphasis on the creation of a law school in Guyana which will seek to ensure that not just a minority of the students will be

years the treatment given to these students are totally iniquitous. Many of the current final year students have concluded their examinations but are unsure about their future due to the mere fact that out of the 70 students that have been enrolled, only the top 25 will be selected for admission to the Law School.

According to a statement released following a letter written to the Council of Legal Education, last year, it was pointed out by Chairman Jacqueline Samuels-Brown that accommodation for the students who reside on campus has been a major issue, thus a limited amount of students are given the opportunity to be a part of the Law School. It was stated that the school was built to accommodate some 200 students, but have been facilitating approxi-

the Law School.

This publication spoke with a few of the students of the Law Department at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus who uttered that they have been placing tremendous efforts from the time they started their Bachelor of Law Degree Programme.

Many are optimistic that they will be chosen to be a part of the Hugh Wooding Law School due to all the sacrifices and hard work they have been putting in to ensure that they are a part of the selected batch. On the other hand, they are also concerned about the students who will not be a part of the batch, stating that this can severely impact their future since some lose their hope after that point.

Students also expressed that promises have been made by Minister Williams

selected but a greater proportion of the batch, the students are of the hope that this initiative, which was raised by President David Granger during the pre-election period, will be carried out as planned. At a forum held at the school’s campus during the campaign period, President David Granger had said that one of the immediate long-term goals of the coalition would be to establish such as a school so that students pursuing a career in law would not have to go overseas to earn their degree.

Students are upholding great anticipation in reflection of the many pledges made by President Granger, who emphasised that he will be working towards ensuring that students are well equipped as they progress towards earning the different levels of education.

Tain double murder Man kills ex-wife, her lover

By Nafeeza yahya

ACorentyne Berbice man, early Wednesday morning, hacked to death his ex-wife and her new lover in a barbaric attack in the man’s Tain, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) home.

The attack has shocked the small community, but residents said they saw it coming due to the constant tussle between the trio over the past year. Dead are 38-year-old Parbabattie Vrayuen called “Nicki” of Kilcoy, Corentyne, and her companion, 56-yearold Ramdat Persaud called “Buddy” of 62 Johns Settlement, Corentyne. Police in ‘B’ Division have since nabbed the killer Ian Boodhoo, who has allegedly confessed to the double murder. His arrest came hours after the discovery of the

stairs, and feh tell Buddy but a door been done open so me push am and see Buddy dead on the bed and the lady with she neck cut on the ground. In the bedroom was bare blood all ova, me holler and then neighbour come and then call the Police,”

scene.

According to a man, who lives a few houses away, he was about to leave for work when he heard of the gruesome murder. “As soon as we stepped into the house, blood was visible every-

bloody remains of Vrayuen and Persaud.

The discovery was made around 06:30h at Persaud’s home after his senile uncle Eddie Ramdanan, who occupies a portion of the lower flat of the house, noticed a broken window at the side of the house.

Ramdanan related.

The double murder has sent shockwave through the quiet community of Tain. When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, hundreds had already gathered, desperately trying to get a glimpse of the bodies. The acrid scent of fresh blood filled the air

where; from the doorway to the bedroom you can see the trail of blood as it lead to the bodies,” the man related.

Persaud was discovered naked on the bed with a gaping wound to his head, with the blood seen dripping from the soaked mattress onto the floor. Vrayuen was found in a crouching position in her

He ventured upstairs to inform Persaud and noticed that the door was ajar. He pushed the door open, at which point he stumbled on the couple’s badly chopped bodies on the bed.

“Me went backyard to empty me tenny and see ah window bruk me go up-

as many persons were seen covering their faces. Police were carrying out investigation at the crime scene.

After completing their investigations and the bodies removed, curious onlookers quickly made their ways to the upper flat of the house to get a glimpse of the crime

underwear next to the bed.

She too had a single gaping wound to her neck that gave the impression that someone tried to decapitate her.

In another room, there was an open bottle which was suspected to contain a poisonous substance. This gave the impression that

it was a murder/suicide. However this theory was later ruled out with the alleged confession of Boodhoo.

The suspected murder weapon, a bloody cutlass, was found a few feet away in the upper flat of the house. The lower and some sections of the upper flat were also ransacked, however no one can say for sure if this was done by the attacker or unscrupulous people who were on the scene. The incident reportedly occurred sometime between 23:00h Tuesday night and 04:00h Wednesday morning.

Argument

Guyana Times was informed by neighbours that the couple was having an argument earlier in the night, around 20:00h, but did not hear anything after until the discovery of the bodies in the morning.

Reports reaching this newspaper related that there was a previous incident with the reputed husband and Persaud, where Persaud was chopped with an axe to the head. Relatives, who asked to remain anonymous, said that Persaud, Vrayuen and Boodhoo were all drinking when Boodhoo found out that Persaud and Vrayuen were in a relationship. A heated argument ensued that led to a physical confrontation.

In that incident, Boodhoo chopped Persaud with an axe causing him to suffer cranium fracture and be hospitalised for several weeks. Bodhoo reportedly fled the country to Trinidad and

only returned three weeks ago. The incident reportedly occurred at Vrayuen’s residence at Kilcoy earlier this year. Persaud, who is a United States (US) citizen, would spend time with Vrayuen whenever he would visit. The relative disclosed that since the incident Persaud never went back to the US. He was however due to leave later this month for one of his daughter’s wedding on July 4.

Mother of two

According to relatives, Vrayuen was a mother of two, a 14-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter, who were both conceived from her first marriage. She lost her husband in an accident seven years ago. She re-

domestic cleaner for his uncle living next door. The relative said that Boodhoo would frequently threaten and verbally abuse Vrayuen since his return from Trinidad, and would try to get her to repair their relationship. The last occurrence of such was Monday last when Vrayuen threatened to go to the Police if he continues.

A post-mortem performed at the Port Mourant Hospital by Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgmohan confirmed that Persaud died from bleeding to the brain due to the chop wound to the head, and Vrayuen died due to shock and haemorrhage from a chop wound to the neck.

There was no trace of any poisonous substance in ei-

portedly then struck up a relationship with Boodhoo two years ago, much to the disapproval of his family. They however still shared a common law relationship where they lived together for a while. As things got worse, she broke off the relationship.

About a year ago she met Persaud while working as a

ther person’s system. Family members of Persaud, who was well known in the community and is said to be very helpful, are in the process of flying his body back to the United States for his burial. He leaves to mourn his two children and other family members who reside overseas.

18-year-old found hanging

The body of an 18-yearold young man was found hanging in his bedroom around 12:30h at his Bloomfield, Corentyne home on Wednesday.

Dead is Amesh Sehwack, known as “Ravin”. The discovery was made by his mother, Julie Sehwack, who went looking for the teen after he did not come downstairs for his lunch as is customary.

She was confronted by his lifeless body dangling

from a beam as she swung open his bedroom door. She started screaming and family members and neighbours ran to see what was happening. They then alerted the Police who came and removed the body.

The inconsolable mother who kept slipping in and out of consciousness still cannot come to grips as to the reason why her son would do such a thing. She recalled that earlier there was a misunderstanding between

the teen and his father, but it was nothing major that would make him want to end his life.

Sehwack was described as a very helpful person who was looking for work and in the meantime would assist with the household chores with his older brothers. His body was taken to the mortuary where a post-mortem is expected to be conducted soon. He leaves to mourn his parents, and two older brothers.

Regional

Brazil abolishes visa requirements for Jamaicans

Jamaicans planning to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Summer Olympic Games next year will have an easier time getting there as the South American country has abolished the previous visa requirement for citizens of the island.

Brazil’s most recent ambassador to Jamaica, Antonio da Costa e Silva, and Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Arnold Nicholson have signed the Visa Abolishment Agreement at the Jamaica Pegasus. The abolition builds on special visa cooperation between the two countries which was signed in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last year and extended the validity of visas from short periods to five years.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to Brazil Alison Stone Roofe explained that the visa abolition does not mean that inspection at the port of entry will be discontinued. In

fact, she said “scrutiny is even stricter where there is a waiver”.

Stone Roofe added that the visa waiver does not apply to those who intend to become employed, engage in research, traineeships, studies and social work, undertake technical assistance, or pursue missionary, religious or artistic activities. Prospective visitors should note, the Ambassador added, that they need a yellow fever vaccination certificate and that their passports must be valid for more than six months at the time of entry.

“Both countries are seeking to increase people-topeople contact between our shores, Brazil with a population of 200 million and Jamaica with a population of a mere three million. The visa waiver holds much promise for boosting this objective of both Governments,” Ambassador Stone Roofe continued. (Excerpt from the Jamaican Observer)

Prolonged drought leaves Caribbean farmers worried

St Lucian farmer

Anthony Herman was hoping that next year he would manage to recoup some of the losses he sustained after 70 per cent of his cashew crop withered and died in the heat of the scorching southern Caribbean sun.

But on June 1, the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season which coincides with the rainy season, the 63-year-old man, who has been farming for four decades, received “frightening” news about weather conditions in the region over the next year or so.

The 2015 wet season in the Caribbean, which runs from June to November, has been forecast to be drier than normal and a similar prediction has been issued for the 2016 dry season. This follows on a drier than normal dry season in 2015.

“It is frightening,” Herman said on the sidelines of the Regional Climate Outlook forum for the 2015 hurricane season being held here June 1-2. Herman, who is Board Secretary and Project Coordinator at the Bellevue Farmers Cooperative in Choiseul, St Lucia, says he will summon Directors to devise a response plan.

“When we hear of the threat of drought that’s going to be lengthened this year and going into next year, this to me, is frightening,” Herman stated.

“Frightening in the sense that I don’t think that we, as a Government, we as a people, have created the resilience that is necessary to combat drought. The water infrastructure that is necessary is not available, or where it is available, it is in patches,” he says. (Excerpt

Colombia’s new law punishing attacks on women

Lawmakers in Colombia passed a Bill on Tuesday imposing tough sentences for hate crimes against women. The Bill was passed with 104 votes in support and three against. It still needs to be signed by the President to become law.

Under the new law, those found guilty could face up to 50 years in jail. It imposes longer sentences on crimes where women are targeted specifically because of their gender, including psychological, physical and sexual attacks.

Presidential Adviser for Women’s Equality Martha Ordonez said that in Colombia a woman was the victim of a violent act on average of every 13 minutes, and that, every four days, one was killed by her partner. The brutality of the attack on Rosa Elvira Cely, a woman who was attacked, raped and murdered by a man in a park in Bogota in May, 2012 and the Bill was named after, brought the issue to the forefront of the national debate in 2012.

Thousands of people marched to demand justice for the 35-year-old, who was found half naked and with signs of torture on her body. She died of her injuries four days later.

Police arrested a man who was

Iraq, Venezuela see

“fair” price for oil

The top oil officials of Iraq, Venezuela and Angola said, on Wednesday, that US$75 to US$80 a barrel was now a “fair” price for oil, reflecting an emerging consensus on a possible new equilibrium for volatile markets.

“The equitable price will be between $75 and $80,” Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi told an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) semi-

nar in Vienna. “We share the same opinion of the Minister of Iraq regarding this issue,” Venezuela’s Oil Minister Asdrubal Chavez and Angolan Oil Minister Jose Botelho de Vasconcelos shared. Oil Ministers from Iran and Ecuador declined to comment.

Until last year, most members of OPEC had talked broadly about a price of around US$100 a barrel, but the rapid rise of United

studying at the same night school as Cely. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 48 years in prison. He was later sentenced to additional years in prison for abusing his underage daughters and raping another woman. (BBC News)

US$75-80 as

States shale and other higher-cost oil patches has increased competition, forcing them to rethink their medium-term expectations.

Since the group’s decision last November to maintain production despite a growing global glut, abandoning efforts to support prices and instead defending market share, few members have been ready to venture a guess at where prices may settle. Consumer na-

tions have generally said little about what they regard as a good price, since they’ve had little sway, but some big buyers appear to be in the same ballpark.

On Wednesday, India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, said at the same seminar that he reckoned around US$65 a barrel - plus or minus $2 or $3 a barrelwould be acceptable. (Reuters)

Royalton luxury resort coming to Antigua

Amulti-million-dollar all-inclusive resort will open in Antigua in another two years, bringing with it 2000 new jobs, Government has disclosed.

The agreement for the development of the 500-room resort under the Royalton Luxury Resorts brand at Deep Bay, Antigua was signed by representatives of the Government and the Sunwing Travel Group.

Construction is expected to begin this summer on

the Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa, as well as a residential complex with over 200 condominium units. “Slated to open in 2017, this development is expected to represent 2000 new jobs for Antigua and a massive injection to the economy,” the Government said in a statement.

The signing of the partnership came as the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority launched Caribbean Week in New

York, the largest event on the Caribbean tourism calendar. More than 180 people, including influential, top-tier leading media and travel trade and executives, attended the event that was also used to celebrate achievements of the past year, including the appointment of Special Economic Envoy Robert De Niro.

“With such a positive turnout of influentials and executives...and everything we are doing to achieve our

vision of becoming the economic powerhouse of the Easter Caribbean, we fully expect this energy to proliferate across all networks –from tourism to business to investments,” said Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy Asot Michael. He added that the event was “an incredibly important step” for Antigua and Barbuda to reassert itself in the North American market as the destination of choice.

(Caribbean 360)

3 survive after plane crashes off Belize into Caribbean Sea

All three occupants of a Tropic Air plane survived when the aircraft crashed into the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday evening.

Pilot Denfield Borland and his two passengers, Honduran national Eddie Bodden and American Arthur Rogers, were headed to Roatan, Honduras, after departing the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City, when the CESSNA-182 single-engine plane experienced mechanical difficulties around 16:45h, according to local

media reports. The aircraft went down between the Turneffe and Lighthouse Reef atolls.

The three men were subsequently taken to safety in a search and rescue operation, Elton Bennett of the Belize National Coast Guard told the media.

This is the second incident involving a plane from the fleet of the Belize airline in the last six months. On December 4 last year, as a Tropic Air plane tried to land at the Belize City Municipal Airpor,t it ran off the runway and landed a few feet away in shallow waters. Fortunately, the five passengers and pilot were not injured.

(Caribbean 360)

India bans Maggi noodles in Delhi for 15 days

Authorities in the Indian capital have banned the sale of Maggi noodles for 15 days after high levels of lead were found in batches tested in Delhi and the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Government has ordered countrywide tests of Maggi noodle samples amid a growing foodsafety scare, and several major grocery chains have already taken India’s favourite noodles off the shelves.

Maggi is a big seller for Nestle in India, with annual sales of about US$235 million. It is hugely popular with school and college students. However Maggi noodles have been at the centre of a controversy since laboratory tests on two dozen packets in Uttar Pradesh last month found lead nearly seven times the permissible limits and excess levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food additive.

“Tests in Delhi showed that 10 out of 13 samples contained lead beyond the permissible limits. Once we have all the results, Nestle

US

India will be given an opportunity to explain,” a news agency quoted Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry official G Gurucharan as saying. “Samples have been tested from all across the country; we are getting the results one by one.”

In a recent statement, it said it had had samples of its noodles tested in an internal and an external laboratory

which had found the product “safe to eat”.

The company also said that it did not “add MSG to Maggi Noodles, and glutamate, if present, may come from naturally occurring sources”. “We are surprised with the content supposedly found in the sample as we monitor the lead content regularly as a part of the regulatory requirements,” it added.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

politicians call for release of secret 9/11 report

The White House has urged to release 28-pages of classified information alleging Saudi Arabia officials helped to organise the 9/11 attacks.

Several members of the United States (US) Congress have joined calls for the release of classified pages from an intelligence report into the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US. The politicians argue that the 28 pages of classified text refer to allegations that Saudi Arabian officials were involved in helping to organise the attacks.

Former Florida Senator Bob Graham, who co-chaired the 2002

House-Senate Joint Inquiry, the first official investigation into 9/11, joined current congressional members on Tuesday as they publicly called for the release of the classified material. Graham told Al Jazeera that the US public would be “outraged” if they knew the truth.

“If the American people knew the full truth, I believe there would be an outrage that a country which alleges to be such an ally of ours has engaged in so many actions that have been so extremely negative towards the United States,” Graham said, referring to Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)

Around the World

South Korea test fires missile to counter threat from North

South Korea has said it has successfully test fired a ballistic missile that is capable of reaching most parts of North Korea.

The missile has been developed over the last three years in response to what it sees as an increasing military threat from the North. The launch was watched by the South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Last month, North Korea said it had fired a missile from a submarine for the first time. It also claims that it can now make nuclear weapons small enough to

fit onto a rocket.

The new South Korean missile, which has a range of at least 500 kilometres, was fired from Taean on the country’s western coast. It is scheduled to be deployed later this year.

The South Korean President said the rocket launch showed that her country possessed a substantial deterrence to resist North Korea. “North Korea will have no choice but to come forward for dialogue rather than provocation,” she was quoted as saying by Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.

South Korea has been upgrading its military hardware in a programme agreed upon with its main ally, the United States. This new missile is part of a system called the Kill Chain. This will give South Korea surveillance facilities and weapons that will allow it to launch a pre-emptive strike against North Korea within minutes if it detects a threat. There has been tension between North and South Korea, separated after the Second World War, for decades. (BBC News)

Obama signs Bill reshaping NSA phone records program

United States President Barack Obama has signed legislation reviving and reshaping surveillance laws that expired temporarily on Sunday night. The White House says Obama signed the Bill late Tuesday evening, hours after the Senate gave its final approval.

Obama said in a statement that he’s gratified Congress finally approved the Bill. He says his administration will move quickly to restore the lapsed surveillance tools.

The law eliminates the National Security Agency’s bulk phone-records collection

program and replaces it with a more restrictive measure to keep the records in phone companies’ hands.

Obama had blamed Congress for needless delays and an “inexcusable lapse” in national security tools. But he also praised some senators and House members for working in bipartisan fashion to come up with a compromise.

The legislation will phase out, over six months, the once secret National Security Agency bulk phone record collection program made public two years ago by former agency contractor Edward Snowden. It will be re-

placed by a program that keeps the records with phone companies but allows the Government to search them with a warrant. Senate Republican leaders initially opposed the House Bill, arguing first for an extension of the Patriot Act, the sweeping surveillance legislation passed in the days immediately after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was eventually forced to accept the House version unchanged after senators rejected various last-ditch attempts to amend it. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Greek PM calls for unity before debt talks Apple recalls

Greece’s Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, has urged Europe’s leaders to show unity and realism ahead of a key meeting on Greece’s debt crisis. International creditors will present new proposals for a deal to unlock funds at the talks in Brussels.

Tsipras has already put forward a new plan of his own. Greece has a €300 million International Monetary Fund (IMF) repayment due on Friday.

Greece’s current bailout arrangement with the IMF, European Central Bank (ECB) and European Commission runs out at the end of June, and the cash-strapped government has been haggling since

February over the release of the last €7.2 billion in funds.

As he prepared to leave Athens with several key Ministers, Tsipras said he was certain Europe’s leaders would “sign up to realism”. “We need unity, we must avoid division,” he said in a statement.

The latest draft deal has

been put together by international creditors following emergency talks late on Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. The details remain under wraps, but the document is believed to call for pension changes and an overhaul of labour

laws.

Tsipras will hear details of the plan when he meets European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday evening. The Head of Eurozone Finance Ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, is also expected to take part in the talks.

In a further a sign that all sides were pushing for a solution, a conference call was planned between Tsipras, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande, a French official said.

However, the Greek leader’s own proposals, which he described as “a realistic plan for Greece to exit the crisis”, were dismissed by Dijsselbloem as going “nowhere near far enough”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Beats speakers

Apple is urging owners of one of its Beats loud speaker systems to stop using the kit because it poses a fire risk. The firm says owners of the Beats Pill XL should return the product because its battery can overheat.

More than 230,000 units have been sold in North America alone since they went on sale last year, the recall is worldwide. At least one person has been injured by a defective unit.

“Apple has received eight reports of incidents of the speakers overheating, including one with a burn to a consumer’s finger and one with damage to a consumer’s desk,” reported the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in a statement. Apple sold the speakers for US$413.88 from its own site. The firm is offering to send a box to customers to return the product if they complete a web form. It is offering Apple Store credit or an electronic payment of US$330 in compensation to anyone who returns the item. However, it will reimburse customers the full price they paid if they provide a receipt or other proof of purchase. Apple paid US$3 billion to buy Beats Electronics, the speaker’s manufacturer, and Beats Music, its subscription streaming music service in 2014. (BBC News)

thursday, june 4, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

GRA, PGS square off over $6M liquor theft

The Professional Guard Service Incorporated (PGS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are at odds over who are the real thieves of the $6 million worth of liquor, which was carted off from the GRA warehouse at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

In a letter, PGS has condemned the robbery in the strongest possible terms, while noting its suspicions that a staff member of GRA might have colluded with the security guards that were implicated in the $6 million robbery. In a release to the media, PGS pointed out that, upon inspection of the warehouse on the day of the robbery, there were no signs that the container was broken into. More so, the key to the container is lodged at GRA’s Headquarters, which is only issued to authorised employees.

“We were also informed that the GRA Senior Bond Manager, who has migrated around the same time of the robbery and who was in charge of the location around that time of the robbery, has mailed in his resignation with immediate effect,” the statement added.

The private security firm further highlighted that a few days after the robbery, its management was summoned at GRA where the CCTV footage was reviewed and, based on that process, the two ranks who were initially questioned were found culpable of the act.

The two ranks were, however, handed over to the GRA Law Enforcement Department and the Guyana Police Force. Presently the guard service stated that they are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities, while iterating that they have a set of policies which requires every applicant to produce a police clearance, two character references and more importantly background checks are also done before they are hired.

On May 13, during

a routine inventory exercise, officers of GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division discovered approximately $6 million worth of foreign liquor missing from the Eccles Warehouse Facility. The Commissioner General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur, has since assured that the agency will spare no effort in having the perpetrators brought to justice. He noted that the revenue body had previously installed CCTV monitoring system to safeguard against such incidents, and this has significantly aided the investigation.

From all indications, this incident was orchestrated utilising the cloak of darkness in an effort to avoid detection of the activity and the identification of the perpetrators. Preliminary investigations have revealed that no current employee of the GRA is involved. As a result, the agency is urging members of the public, including members of the press to avoid speculations at this point. As investigations continue, additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Meanwhile as Police continue its investigations into the theft, GRA reiterated its call for persons not to pre-empt or stymie the process with unnecessary speculation at this point.

“Unfortunately such careless rhetoric has already been noted. Professional Guard Services, while commenting on the matter in a letter to the press on June 3, 2015, appears to be certain that a GRA employee was involved.”

The GRA said it views this claim damning and irresponsible and based solely on hearsay. “It is the Authority’s view that Mr Dougal Kirkpatrick the Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director, who penned the letter, should know better than to draw

hasty conclusions before the relevant authorities conclude their investigation and to irresponsibly publish the name of senior officers of its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division, who are involved in the investigation process,” GRA said.

The Authority said it is not denying that there was a GRA accomplice (or accomplices) involved but, with no substantial evidence at present, it would unethical to name and blame. “This is why the GRA was deliberate in its initial decision not to disclose the name of the private security firm when the issue was first reported.” What remains certain is that there was a serious breach in security protocol at the warehouse and, as a result, distrust has been created. Sattaur emphasised that maintaining the integrity of the GRA will continue to be his primary concern. However he is concerned that such thoughtless actions continue to jeopardise investigations which are in progress.

The Internal Audit Division of the GRA has since embarked on a comprehensive audit of the warehouse to determine whether other theft may have occurred and to ascertain possible weaknesses in the system of internal control that could have contributed to and prevented such occurrences.

Aman was Wednesday fined $40,000 by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates Court following charges of resisting arrest, disorderly behaviour and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon.

Levi Williams pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which read that on June 2 at the Stabroek Market Wharf he had in his possession a dan-

St Agnes, St Angela’s Primary to be closed

Parents and guardians of students attending the St Agnes and St Angela’s Primary schools are asked to note that there will be no school today and Friday, June 5.

The closure of the two schools is to facilitate the cleaning of sewage fa-

for 2 days

cilities which malfunctioned and caused disruptions to class sessions. The Ministry apologises for the inconvenience caused and commits to ensuring that both schools will be ready to welcome its students and staff on Monday, June 8.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians of the Chateau Margot Primary school are also asked to note that school will be closed today to allow for flood waters to recede and for the cleaning and sanitisation of the facility.

Live streaming of Parliament sittings to start next week

Guyana and Canada discussed on Wednesday ways in which the two countries can continue collaboration in the area of sustainable development when Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles paid a courtesy call to President David Granger at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Dr Giles described their discussions as broad ranging, stating that, “We spoke about natural resources development, and governance issues associated with that, and we also spoke about the planned legislative agenda for the Government.”

More importantly, the High Commissioner indicated that the streaming project which is funded by Canada, will cater for live

sittings of the National Assembly to be broadcast in real time, via the Internet, and this will begin officially next week.

The High Commissioner added that, “We are very excited to see that project come to full fruition next week”.

High Commissioner Giles is due to depart Guyana in the near future as her tenure comes to an end. She described her term as “an incredibly rewarding tour of duty.” Dr Giles was accredited as her country’s High Commissioner in September 2013. One aspect that has never ceased to amaze her, is the “incredible talent of the people and the dedication of the people of Guyana to the country,” the Ambassador

said. She opined that this nation is one of the few places in the world where someone in her position has the opportunity to work and “feel that every day when you get up, you can have an impact, because you have a partner on the other side of the isle to work with, and that has certainly been one of the most rewarding things of my two years here. There is something to do every single day. There is always an opportunity to have an impact and make a positive contribution.”

Dr Giles will be returning to Ottawa, the capital of Canada where she will be continuing her service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. (GINA)

gerous weapon – a knife without any lawful reason. The man also pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which read that on the said occasion, he behaved in a disorderly manner that resulted in a breach of the peace and resisted arrest by Constable Devon Layne.

According to the prosecution, on the day in question, the City Constables had been observing the defendant behaving in a suspicious manner for some

time. They confronted the defendant who attempted to run away. A scuffle ensued during which the defendant conducted himself disorderly and tried to resist arrest.

According to the visibly disgruntled defendant, he was guilty of the charges but had reasonable explanations. The man claimed that on the day in question, he was sharpening the knife for its owner – a miner.

He said the City Constables were in plain

clothes and did not identify themselves as police officers to him and as such, he refused to cooperate with them as he did not know whether they were officers or persons who were seeking to harm him in some way.

He said he was ‘roughed up’ and harassed by the officers and it was only until he put up some resistance that they showed him their identification badges after which he fully cooperated.

The Magistrate pointed out to the defendant

that his facts were different from those of the prosecution and highlighted the fact that he was known to the court as he had been previously charged with offences such as abusive and threatening language as well as disorderly behaviour. As such, the Magistrate fined him $10,000 each for the charges of disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest and $20,000 for the unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon charge.

Russian University proposes pact with UG

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine met with a delegation from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, on Wednesday to discuss collaboration between that university and the University of Guyana.

The delegation comprised the First Vice Rector, Professor Evgeny L Shchesnyak; Head of the

North and Latin American Department, Vladimir Valdimirovich; and Head of the International Protocol Office, Dr Evgeny Martynenko. They were accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi; Deputy Vice Chancellor – Planning and Development, Dr Elizabeth Ramlal; and

Vincent Alexander, former Registrar of the University of Guyana. The Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nikolay Smirnov and his deputy were also in attendance.

The thrust of the discussion was the proposed collaboration between the University of Guyana and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia; the proposed agreement for

Reconvening of Parliament set for June 10

After months of being prorogued and then subsequently dissolved, June 10 has now been set as the date for the 11th Parliament to be reconvened.

According to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, the date was made known to him by the President’s Proclamation which he received on Wednesday. The Proclamation states that the Parliament is to be reconvened on Wednesday, June 10 at 14:00h.

The date has been set even though the Speaker of the National Assembly is yet to be confirmed. However, according to Isaacs, the Speaker will be selected at the first sitting on that date.

As it stands however, he noted that practicing Attorney Roysdale Forde has been nominated by the Alliance For Change party as the most suitable candidate for the position.

While Forde is the only nominee at this time, and will possibly be the next Speaker of the House, the Clerk said that other nominations can also be made in the meantime and if it is that there are other contenders on the day in question then a vote will be taken.

According to the Cummingsburg Accord –which was signed between the two parties – the Speaker would have had to be chosen from civil society, in an effort to remain neutral and balanced and to maintain order in the National Assembly.

In the meantime however, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the minority in this year’s Parliament, has not yet submitted its list of representatives for the 11th

Parliament to the Guyana Elections Commission for it to be gazette, along with the official results of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

The party has indicated that it is still in the process of facilitating discussions to decide on whether it will be taking up the seats in the National Assembly and if it does, the members who will be representing the party.

Meanwhile, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition submitted its list to GECOM on Tuesday.

The list is headed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, followed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Ministers of the Ministry of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and Simona Broomes; Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman; Attorney

mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries; and the ongoing offer of scholarships to the Government of Guyana for undergraduate and graduate studies at the Peoples’ Friendship University.

provision of study opportunities to foreign students. Over 150 countries are represented in its student population in over 116 disciplines.

Guyana has been a beneficiary of scholarships to

in attendance. The meeting was cordial and both sides testified to the mutually beneficial relationship that has been established over the years and committed to the furtherance of this relationship in are-

The Peoples’ Friendship University has been in existence for 55 years and has always focused on the

the Peoples’ Friendship University sine the 1960s and currently has six Rusal scholarship students

as of mutual interest within the three spheres mentioned above.

Region 2 Public Health workers join cleanup campaign

General and Legal Affairs

Minister Basil Williams; Ministers of the Finance Ministry Winston Jordan and Jaipaul Sharma; and National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes; Ministers of the Public Health Ministry, Dr George Norton and Dr Karen Cummings; Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally; Ministers of the Ministry of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Keith Scott and Dawn Hastings; Ministers of the Education Ministry, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Nicolette Henry; Ministers of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry Sydney Allicock and Valerie GarridoLowe and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder have also been selected to serve in the 11th Parliament.

Ministers of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Annette Ferguson; Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin; Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix; Richard Allen (Region One –Barima-Waini); John Adams (Region Three – Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Jennifer Wade (Region Five –Mahaica-Berbice); Charandas Persaud (Region Six – East Berbice-Corentyne); Michael Carrington (Region Seven –Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Audwin Rutherford and Jermaine Figuiera, both of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are the others persons who will sit in the National Assembly for the coalition when Parliament reconvenes sometime next week.

Workers attached to the Public Health Department in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have joined in the countrywide clean-up campaign.

La Union Cremation Site and Onderneeming Sand Pit were the targets of the clean-up. The campaign coincided with World Environment Day. According to Senior Environmental Officer Shaleena Baksh, World Environment Day will be celebrated on June 5 and as such, the Department has planned the cleaning up exercises to kick off the month-long activities.

Apart from the cleaning up, on June 5 itself, officers from the Department will be involved in a seminar to educate food vendors on healthy practices and health education. This, she said, will be done via oral and Powerpoint presentations.

Baksh added that in the communities of Good Hope/ Pomona and Anna Regina Township, a best yard competition will be held. Expounding on this, she said persons from the communities can be involved in the activities themselves, noting that points will be given to persons with the most well-kept yard, cleanest drains and other categories of healthy environment practices. Schools

Workers busy cleaning the Onderneeming Sand Pit area

also will be entering the “best yard competition” where the best school will be awarded a cake. The school should be clean both internally and externally. Health talks will be conducted also with students from the Charity Dormitory. The Department is asking the entire Essequibo population to join with it in celebrating World Environment Day. Last year, the Department held similar activities.

Media should report on racial abuse of Swami, Indians

Dear Editor,

It is reprehensible that a media or a political figure has not condemned the racial abuse of Swami Aksharnanda.

A Swami is the highest ranking title of a Hindu religious figure outside of India, the equivalent of a cardinal or a bishop in the West.

It is worth stressing that no one should be abused (subject) to ridicule on account of one’s religion or ethnicity. No political leader (not Granger, Nagamootoo, Ramotar) has come out to condemn the abuse of the Swami.

A letter I sent to Kaieteur

News and Guyana Chronicle condemning the racial abuse of Indians and Swami was not published – is this change or an exchange?

The nation must be sensitized about the importance of respecting religious figures irrespective of their faith. The media and political leaders in particular have a critical responsibility to condemn and discourage such behavior .

It must be noted that the Swami was disrespected last year while in transit at Piarco International Airport, Trinidad by security agents while re-boarding

a CAL aircraft for the continuation of his flight from Guyana.

The Swami was subjected to a detailed, lengthy and thorough interview and search. A Swami is the equivalent of a cardinal or bishop in the Christian faith, none of whom were subjected to similar abuses or searches or disrespect by airline officials.

While everyone should be treated equally by security officials, regardless of religious background, the Swami was asked if he is “Muslim”. In multi-ethnic, multi-religious Trinidad (as well as Guyana), a trade-

Comments on warehouse theft irresponsible

Dear Editor,

As Police continue its investigations into the recent disappearance of a quantity of foreign alcohol at the Eccles Warehouse, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) wishes to reiterate its call for persons not to pre-empt or stymie the process with unnecessary speculation at this point.

Unfortunately such careless rhetoric has already been noted. Professional Guard Services (PGS) while commenting on the matter in a letter on June 3, appears to be certain that a GRA employee was involved.

The GRA views this claim damning and irresponsible and based solely on hearsay. It is the Authority’s view that Mr Dougal Kirkpatrick the

Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director, who penned the letter, should know better than to draw hasty conclusions before the relevant authorities conclude their investigation and to irresponsibly publish the name of senior officers of its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) who are involved in the investigation process.

The Authority is not denying that there was a GRA accomplice (or accomplices) involved but with no substantial evidence at present, it would unethical to name and blame.

This is why the GRA was deliberate in its initial decision not to disclose the name of the private security firm when the issue was first reported.

What remains certain

The Presidency of...

Change is always good but nevertheless hard to accept by many. Change is inevitable; we’ve heard that before. I find it hard sometimes to accept the changes of life, but I have seen that sometimes changes are not that bad. As for the fruits of the changes that David Granger has made so far and those forthcoming – only time would tell. But Guyanese, I’m sure are opened and willing to such changes as per the excitement and happiness being expressed across several sections of the Guyanese society.

As for the former Administration, I believe the PPP/C should regroup, strategize and re- enter the Parliament, prepared to represent their support base in an effective way.

I will now be looking forward to the PPP/C as an opposition party that would also do things differently now that they are in opposition, in that they would not behave like their colleagues in the last Parliament.

I expect too a change from the PPP/C, and am confident that this party of the workingclass people of Guyana, alive

mark bright orange yellow garment has long been associated with that of a Swami.

It is incomprehensible why a security official working for an airline (a government officer) does not know this fact – strange that in a multi-ethnic society people don’t know or understand religious titles except maybe those associated with their own faith.

And the security officials working at an airline counter are not trained in multireligiosity or being sensitive about people’s religion?

At any rate, a person’s religious background is not and cannot be the subject of an airline security related question. An airline employee or security official in the US would be subjected to discipline if such a question were asked of a passenger.

is that there was a serious breach in security protocol at the Warehouse and as a result distrust has been created.

Maintaining the integrity of the GRA will continue to be our primary concern. But such thoughtless actions continue to jeopardize investigations which are in progress.

The Internal Audit Division of the GRA has since embarked on a comprehensive audit of the warehouse to determine whether other theft may have occurred and to ascertain possible weaknesses in the system of internal control that could have contributed to and prevented such occurrences.

Guyana Revenue Authority

From page 5

and strong for over half a century, can and will outperform the expectations of its supporters and all Guyanese.

David Granger’s Presidency will be a historic one in our times and will be talked about for generations to come. Let us give him a chance to enact these changes, which I am optimistic and excited to see our nation become this patriotic and nationalistic icon we once occupied across the Caribbean and in the Western Hemisphere.

Guyana’s history is much more than PPP/C, PNC and Burnham. We have stood out for our quality of education; flora; fauna; colonial architecture; exemplary servitude of our citizens over the decades, like Sir Sridath Ramphal and Baroness Valeria Amos; our national songs –second to none I’m sure across the world – the feeling you get when you hear them being played or sung!

And our national symbols – the pride of our nation – the Independence Arch, a gift from a Bauxite Company to the people of Guyana in 1966; historic buildings; some of the most fine ancient architecture you would find any-

where in the world; and majestic Kaieteur Falls and our untouched, pristine forests.

Guyana stands out as the only English-speaking country in South America – the so-called gateway to this content.

Even if the David Granger Presidency does not build elaborate and fancy mega projects during the next five years, I would be very happy if the national pride can be restored to our tiny little Guyana, in the hearts of every 750,000 Guyanese; rebranding our country with national and patriotic awareness.

That not only lifts the self-esteem of every single Guyanese but I know David Granger, a historian, is fully aware of the trickle-down effects that would bring to our people.

The man knows that a proud people, loyal and devoted to the symbols of our nationhood and to our country, would stir up within themselves that innate desire to work and build Guyana – you cannot buy that for a million dollars anywhere.

Leon Suseran

I penned letters complaining to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar of Trinidad, Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran, then National Security Minister Gary Griffith, and selected officials of CAL, the Guyana government, and other officials of the TT government. Griffith promised to look into the matter but I got no follow up memo on actions taken. CAL promised an investigation but I got no further communication on the issue. No one else replied to the complaint.

The Guyana government should have filed formal complaint (lodged a protest) with CAL as well as with the government of T&T since a national of our country was disrespected – not just any national, a religious figure, and a ranking one at that.

Had the PPPC government done its job of standing up for an eminent citizen and a highly respected religious figure and protested, and had the PPPC demanded action against the security officer, and had the incident made the national and international news as it should have, perhaps those Guyanese who hurled racist abuses against the Swami last week would have thought twice about attacking him.

Although the abuse of Swami in Piarco made news in North America, I do not recollect it being reported as news in the media except Guyana Times, about the only media that is associated with credible, unbiased news and commentaries.

Vishnu Bisram

PGS cooperating fully with GRA, Police in probing liquor theft

Dear Editor,

We have worked for GRA since December 16, 2005 and we have never had a serious breach of security.

Recently it was discovered that four ranks were working the night in question when a theft occurred at the GRA Eccles Warehouse.

The senior management of PGS was informed on the May 14 by (name given), who is a member of staff of the GRA Law Enforcement Department, that there was an alleged theft of a large quantity of alcohol which took place on the April 21.

We immediately began to investigate the report and questioned the ranks who all denied knowledge of the robbery. This was reported to the GRA Law Enforcement Department staff member and he was advised to contact the Guyana Police Force to investigate the robbery immediately.

He acknowledged same and said that they were reviewing the CCTV recordings. We kept constantly contacting the GRA Law Enforcement Department, and we were

assured that once they had found anything on the CCTV recordings they would notify us.

On May 29, we received a call from a Deputy Commissioner (name given) of GRA asking us to come and view the CCTV recordings.

Two senior officials of the PGS were immediately responded to see the CCTV recordings and possibly identify who were involved in the robbery. This was done and the very same ranks who were questioned were identified.

We handed the ranks over to the GRA and the Guyana Police Force to further investigate the robbery and we are working with these organisations.

This alleged despicable, dishonest act we strongly condemn, but it had to have the involvement of at least one GRA employee since, there was no break into the container and we were informed that the keys are lodged at the GRA Headquarters in Georgetown and are only issued to authorised GRA employees.

We were also informed

that a GRA senior employee who migrated around the time of the robbery, and who was in charge of the location around the time of the robbery, mailed in his resignation with immediate effect.

PGS has a set a policy of insisting that every guard provides the company with a Police Clearance Certificate and two character references, and background checks are also done as a pre-condition for employment.

All of the ranks at the location in question were issued with such certificates. Two of the four ranks were with the company for more than 10 years and had excellent files. I would like to assure you all that we will do everything we can to put an end to this matter and we are cooperating fully with GRA and the Guyana Police Force. We would also like to make it clear to our valued clients and the general public that we are not contracted to do any work at any GRA car park.

Dougal Kirkpatrick Managing Director

The work I undertook in procurement at GuySuCo speaks for itself

Dear Editor,

With reference to the letter by Sam Barakat on June 3, my response will be brief and to the point. What Mr Barakat has presented to the public is a skewed and factually incorrect version of events to support his central claim that my actions were a result of party affiliation, as opposed to commitment to working with government, and my appointments were politically motivated as opposed to a reflection of my core competence.

Mr Barakat claims, for example, that I was instructed by a Minister to deny him a project in 2012. Not only is that a simplistic representation of events but in 2012, that Minister did not have any jurisdiction over GuySuCo. When he did have such jurisdiction, I never received any undue influence from him on any issue.

The work I undertook in procurement at GuySuCo speaks for itself. It cannot

and should not be deliberated in the newspaper columns, and certainly not in defense of what is an unapologetically partisan attack.

I have committed to providing a new administration with a report on that work as is befitting the government of the day and in the interest of the industry. This is my final word on this matter.

Keith Burrowes

Ex-FIFA official details bribe-taking

Former top FIFA official Chuck Blazer admits that he and others on the executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the choice of South Africa as 2010 World Cup host. The American says he also accepted bribes over the 1998 event.

The admissions come in a newly released transcript from a 2013 U.S. hearing in which he pleads guilty to 10 charges. The U.S. has launched a wide-ranging criminal case that engulfed FIFA and led President Sepp Blatter to resign.

The U.S. prosecutors last week indicted 14 people on charges of bribery, racketeering and money laundering. Four others had already been charged, including Mr Blazer.

The U.S. justice department alleges they accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (£97m) over a 24-year period.

Seven of the 14 were top FIFA officials who were arrested in Zurich, Switzerland, as they awaited the Fifa congress. Two were vice-presidents.

The details of Mr Blazer’s guilty pleas came as prosecutors unsealed the transcript of the 2013 hearing in the Eastern New

York District Court. The admissions are part of a sentencing deal with prosecutors.

Mr Blazer was the second highest official in FIFA’s North and Central American and Caribbean region (CONCACAF) from 1990 to 2011 and also served on FIFA’s executive committee between 1997 and 2013.

In the transcript, prosecutors refer to FIFA “and its membership or constituent organisation” as a RICO enterprise - a Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organisation.

Mr Blazer says: “Beginning in or around 2004 and continuing through 2011, I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup.”

Earlier on Wednesday, South Africa denied paying a $10m bribe to secure the hosting of the 2010 event.

Mr Blazer also says: “I and others agreed to accept bribes and kickbacks in conjunction with the broadcast and other rights to the 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003 Gold Cups (the regional championship for national teams).”

Other admissions among

the 10 charges in the 40page dossier include U.S. tax evasion.

Federal agents investigating the tax evasion had detained Mr Blazer and he agreed to co-operate in the U.S. investigations.

He is said to have agreed to record his colleagues using a microphone hidden in a keychain.

The 70-year-old is said to be seriously ill, suffering from colon cancer.

In addition to the U.S. case, Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Blatter was given a 10-minute standing ovation by some 400 staff as he returned to FIFA’s Zurich headquarters a day after announcing he was to step down.

Reportedly close to tears, he urged his “fantastic team” to “stay strong.” He emphasised the reform work that FIFA now needed to undertake.

In his resignation speech on Tuesday, he said that although he was re-elected president by the congress last Friday it appeared the mandate he had been given did “not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football.” (BBC Sport)

Shehzad, Masood picked for SL Tests; Ajmal dropped

Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood and Ehsan Adil have been included in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the Test series in Sri Lanka in June.

Offspinner Saeed Ajmal, who was part of the squad in the two-Test series against Bangladesh, was left out because of his lack of impact with the remodelled bowling action. Ajmal picked up a solitary wicket in the tour game before the start of Bangladesh Tests, but couldn’t make it to the Test XI with Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah pipping him for spinners’ spots. He played two ODIs and one T20 on the tour, but managed just one more wicket.

Babar Azam, Bilawal Bhatti, Sami Aslam were also excluded, while Rahat Ali, Sohaib Maqsood and Sohail Khan continued to be unavailable due to their respective injuries.

Shehzad was dropped from both Test and ODI squads after the 2015 World Cup on disciplinary grounds. He was recalled for the Zimbabwe ODIs but remained on the bench throughout the threematch series. Shehzad is one of three openers - Mohammad Hafeez and Masood, being the other two - in the squad.

Interestingly, the selectors said they had considered the performance of Pakistan A players on their tour to

Sri Lanka recently but both Umar Amin, the top-scorer in longer format, and Fawad Alam, leading run-getter in the limited-over games, were ignored. For Aslam, his 47 runs from three innings in Bangladesh, went against him.

“While selecting the

squad, the selection committee considered the following key areas: suitability to play in varied playing conditions, potential to perform at international level, current form and fitness, performance in the previous tours of Bangladesh and recently concluded Pakistan A team’s tour of Sri Lanka, and feedback from the team management on the performance of players on Bangladesh tour,” PCB chief selector Haroon Rashid said.

“Fawad Alam, Sami Aslam and some other players were also under consideration but could not be included but they remain on the selectors’ radar. Rahat Ali (hamstring), Sohail Khan (back) and Sohaib Maqsood (wrist) are still on rehab after sustaining injuries and it is hoped that they would be available for selection in the near future. Selection committee has also kept its options open in case of need for the 16th member keeping in mind the extreme weather conditions in Sri Lanka.” Pakistan squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (vc), Misbah-ulHaq (capt), Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil. (Cricinfo)

Djokovic beats Nadal to advance in French Open

Novak Djokovic became only the second man to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open with a straight-sets victory in the quarter-finals in Paris. The world number one ended the nine-time champion’s reign 7-5 6-3 6-1.

The Serb, now two wins from completing the career Grand Slam of all four major titles, will play Andy Murray in the semi-finals on Friday.

Nadal, on his 29th birthday, suffered his first defeat in six years and his second in 72 matches at Roland Garros.

His only previous French Open loss came in the 2009 fourth round against Sweden’s Robin Soderlingbut this defeat was far less of a shock.

Djokovic, 28, went into

the match as the favourite, on a 26-match winning streak and as a man on a mission, desperate to add the French Open to his Wimbledon, Australian and US Open victories.

“It’s definitely a big win, a match that I will remember for a long time,” he said afterwards.

“You go through more emotions than for any oth-

er match. Of course, playing against Rafa in Roland Garros, it’s a special thing. It’s a special match.”

He added: “Tomorrow is a new day and I have to move on. It’s only quarter-finals, and I want to fight for the title.

“That’s what I came here for. I have to kind of direct my thoughts to the semis.” (BBC Sport)

Zimbabwe players given financial guarantee by PCB for tour

Zimbabwe’s cricketers were given a guarantee of US$12,500 each by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before they agreed to tour that country for a historic series last month, ESPNcricinfo has learned. The tour, the first by a Full Member team since March 2009, went ahead despite advice to the contrary from the Zimbabwe government’s Sports and Recreation Committee (SRC).

The individual payments were part of the US$500,000 the PCB is understood to have paid Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) before the tour. The PCB has not commented on the issue of any financial payments to ZC or the players.

The amount paid to the individual players is substantially more than nationally contracted Zimbabwean cricketers’ monthly salaries, which are US$6,500 a month at their maximum and comes with the players still waiting to be paid their World Cup fees.

The PCB initially offered Zimbabwe’s players US$10,000 each, which a significant number of players felt was too little given the safety concerns. That was the reason behind ZC issuing a press release on May 14, eight days before the first

match, confirming the suspension of the tour on the instructions of the SRC. Less than half an hour later, ZC recanted and said discussions were ongoing between the PCB and ZC. Insiders have revealed this was when the PCB upped their offer to Zimbabwe’s cricketers, offering to pay those that were still wary even more money to make the trip.

An agreement was reached on US$12,500 although one source believes some players may have still negotiated more money. The money is understood to have been paid in two amounts, the first on arrival and the second at the conclusion of the series, which could explain why Zimbabwe stayed on despite a suicide attack during their second ODI.

ZC is also believed to have benefitted financially from agreeing to be the first Testplaying team to tour Pakistan since 2009. One source revealed that Ozias Bvute, the former managing director of ZC, played a role in securing the deals even though he resigned from his post in July 2012. His resignation followed his implication in the mismanagement of an ICC loan to ZC but he remained an advisor to the board.

Bvute traveled with the Zimbabwe team as the head of their delegation, and ZC chairman Wilson Manase said his role was because of his experience in the country.

“Because of the terrain, I had to look back at the people we have in the administration who have the experience and I realised that Ozias Bvute has been to Pakistan before,” Manase told NewsDay . “Bvute was the most suitable candidate…We need someone like him who can understand what to do, what to say to the players among other things.”

The Zimbabwean team’s experience in Pakistan was described by several players in favourable terms. Sikandar Raza tweeted that Zimbabwe were”welcomed with open arms, smiles and love,” while Craig Ervine said he was “loving the passion for cricket in Pakistan,” and thanked the PCB for the “hospitality and security over this tour.”

Over 3,500 security officials were deployed to look after the Zimbabwe team, whose only movement in Lahore was between the hotel and the Gaddafi stadium. They were due to go shopping the day before their final ODI but the trip was cancelled after the suicide attack. (Cricinfo)

Athletics coach faces doping claims

One of the world’s best known athletics coaches is at the centre of doping allegations, according to a BBC investigation.

Alberto Salazar has been accused of violating anti-doping rules, including claims he was involved in doping U.S. record holder Galen Rupp, in 2002.

Rupp and GB Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah are part of Salazar’s U.S. stable, the Nike Oregon Project. There is no suggestion Farah has broken any rules.

Salazar and Rupp deny any wrongdoing.

Salazar is a U.S. athletics legend, who won the New York marathon three years in a row and ran himself unconscious in winning the Boston marathon in 1982.

He is now one of the world’s most successful coaches. The head coach at the prestigious Nike running camp based in Portland, Oregon, Salazar has worked with Farah since 2011 and has coached his training partner Rupp for 14 years.

His coaching philosophy involves intensive training and the use of the latest scientific techniques.

Rupp is the US 10,000m record holder and was 10,000m silver medallist at the London Olympics, behind Farah.

None of the Nike Oregon Project (NOP) athletes has ever failed a drug test. But the BBC has heard claims about some of Salazar’s methods including the use of banned steroids and unethical practices.

The BBC is aware of at least seven athletes or staff associated with the NOP who say they have gone to the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) with their concerns, though Usada does not confirm or deny investigations.

The allegations, which

come from a number of former athletes and staff, will feature in a BBC documentary on Wednesday.

The investigation into the Oregon Project - which is a BBC collaboration with US journalism organisation ProPublica - heard claims that American distance runner Rupp had been given the banned anabolic steroid testosterone in 2002, when he was 16 years old.

Steve Magness, who was

about the document, Salazar said it had been a mistake.

The 30-year-old left Nike after the 2012 London Olympics and went to Usada with his story.

Salazar declined to be interviewed for the programme. But in a statement he told the BBC the legal nutritional supplement Testoboost had been incorrectly recorded in the document as “testosterone medication”.

Salazar’s number two at the Oregon Project in 2011, said he saw a document showing Rupp’s blood levels, which said the athlete was on “testosterone medication”.

“When I saw that, I kind of jumped backwards,” Magness said.

“Testosterone is obviously banned... everybody knew that.

“When I looked a little further I saw it was all the way back in high schooland that was incredibly shocking.”

Since 2003, Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules have stipulated that athlete support personnel involved in doping someone as young as 16 could be liable for a lifetime ban.

Magness claimed when he questioned the coach

He added the “allegations your sources are making are based upon false assumptions and half-truths in an attempt to further their personal agendas”.

Rupp, who is one of America’s most drug tested athletes, strenuously denied ever using testosterone or testosterone medication.

The 29-year-old added: “I am completely against the use of performance enhancing drugs. I have not taken any banned substances and Alberto has never suggested that I take a banned substance.”

The programme heard claims that testosterone was seen on several occasions by athletes and staff, including a massage therapist at an altitude training camp in Utah in 2008.

Murray beats Ferrer to reach French Open semi-finals

Andy Murray dug deep to beat Spain’s David Ferrer for the first time on clay and reach his third French Open semi-final.

The Briton, seeded third, won 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 5-7 6-1 and will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the last four.

Murray, 28, missed a match point in the third set, but dominated the fourth to extend his unbeaten run on clay to 15 matches. The victory takes him through to his 16th Grand Slam semifinal.

It looked as though Murray might have let the chance slip when a 3-0 lead and a match point went begging in the third set.

However, two fabulous backhand passes helped him reassert his dominance early in the fourth and the Scot wrapped up arguably his best clay-court win after

three hours and 16 minutes.

“The third set was tough to lose having match point,” said Murray. “The groundsman watered the court and I went to the bathroom to take a few minutes and get my composure back.

“It’s going to be an extremely tough match against Novak. I’m going to need to play a high-quality match to have a chance.”

The Scot had his own landmark to achieve on Court Suzanne Lenglen,

however, as he targeted a first win in five attempts against clay-court expert Ferrer.

Murray was the more aggressive player, as expected, but also managed fewer unforced errors in a contest of

punishing baseline exchanges.

The normally rock-solid Ferrer struggled with his serve, making 11 double faults and winning just 33% of points on second serve.

There were 13 breaks in total as two of the game’s best returners traded blows, the first three games all going against serve.

Murray was broken to love in a poor game when he had the chance to serve out the set at 5-4, but took control of the tie-break after a woeful Ferrer volley.

The Scot reeled off 12 of 15 points as he moved 4-1 clear in the second, with Ferrer giving up his serve after an eighth double fault, and nine games out of 11 put Murray in command at 3-0 in the third.

Ferrer, 33, remains one of the best competitors in the sport though and fought his way back to level terms

before saving a match point on serve at 5-4. The Spaniard might have been unhappy with the courtside photographers, complaining to the umpire about their noise, but he broke again and served out the set to reignite his hopes.

Murray was under pressure and left the court to cool down, returning in superb form as he once again took the game to Ferrer and made his greater power tell.

A stunning cross-court pass gave him the immediate break in the fourth set, and he opened the next game with a copycat shot to grab the momentum and thrill the crowd.

There was no way back for Ferrer this time as Murray stormed into a 5-0 lead, and the Briton converted his third match point with a big serve followed by a fist pump in the direction of his team. (BBC

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West Indies v Australia, 1st Test, Roseau, 1st day…

13 wickets tumble on Australia’s day

He ended the day on 17 from 67 deliveries and had not scored a boundary; debutant Adam Voges had struck four fours in his 20 from 27 balls, perhaps the positive result of nervous energy.

David Warner had fallen early for 8 when he was surprised by extra bounce from a Jerome Taylor delivery and a leading edge was taken at point. Shaun Marsh, promoted to open in the absence of Chris Rogers, edged to slip off Jason Holder for 19, and Michael Clarke edged Devendra Bishoo behind after scoring a bright 18 off 28 balls, including one six over midwicket.

Voges was gifted a low full toss second ball to get off the mark with a boundary in Test cricket and by the time stumps arrived he had made a solid start. The Australians were generally careful in their 30 overs at the crease after the West Indies batsmen struggled to come to grips with the conditions and were skittled inside 54 overs.

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Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson collected three wickets each and it did not take long for the Australians to get back into five-day mode, having not played a Test since early January. The catching especially was outstanding, with Clarke, Voges and Marsh all making sharp takes of varying degrees of difficulty that ensured their bowlers were backed up.

West Indies went to lunch three wickets down but things quickly deteriorated further upon the resumption, when Shane Dowrich, Jermaine Blackwood and Marlon Samuels all fell within a four-over period. Ramdin and Holder put up some sort of fight but it seemed only a matter of time until Australia finished the job.

The batting conditions were not as easy as Ramdin might have expected when he won the toss, with the odd ball staying low and two batsmen - Darren Bravo and Taylor - struck on the helmet by quick, accurate bouncers. Nathan Lyon also extracted more than a little bit of turn, and combined with an outfield the speed of a wet golf green it made life challeng-

ing for the batsmen.

Still, they didn’t put up much resistance, with no partnership lasting 10 overs. Hazlewood made the first breakthrough when he moved a delivery away just enough to kiss the outside edge of Kraigg Brathwaite’s bat and Brad Haddin completed a simple catch to have Brathwaite for 10.

Shai Hope was able to strike five boundaries and his driving through the off side was most impressive, and Bravo also threatened to cause some problems with a typically classy start. Their 40-run stand was the best of the innings, but it ended when Lyon came around the wicket to Bravo, who on 19 edged and was brilliantly taken by Clarke low to his left at slip.

Hope fell for 36 off 54 balls when he tried to drive Johnson and his thick edge was superbly taken by a diving Marsh at gully. West Indies were 75-3 and it was the sort of situation in which the Australians would have been pleased not to see Shivnarine Chanderpaul walking out to bat.

Dowrich managed 15 before he dragged on off Hazlewood, and in Hazlewood’s next over he added the wicket of Blackwood for 2 when a thick edge was taken by Clarke, moving across from second slip in front of Shane Watson

at first. In the next over, West Indies lost the last of their top six when Samuels miscued a hook off Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood at fine leg took a well-judged catch. Ramdin and Holder tried to reassemble things but Johnson ended that idea when he bowled Ramdin for 19, the ball staying disconcertingly low for the first day of a Test. When Holder edged Starc to Marsh at gully for 21, the end seemed nigh, and the next wicket brought the score to 144-9 and allowed an extension of the session past the scheduled tea time. That ninth wicket came from arguably the best of the catches, when debutant Adam Voges ran back from midwicket with the flight of the ball, dived and clung on to get rid of Taylor for 6. A change to the part-time legspin of Smith had done the trick, even if Smith’s wicket came with what could only be described as a long-hop. Shannon Gabriel, one of Test cricket’s genuine No.11s, was then no match for Johnson, and edged to slip for 2 to complete a miserable start to the series for the home side. By stumps Australia were more than halfway to West Indies’ total, but as day one showed, things can happen quickly on this surface even if scoring does not. It was worth remembering that West Indies had been 85-3, too. (Cricinfo)

53.5 ov)

Bowling: MG Johnson 13.52-34-3 (1-nb), JR Hazlewood 15-7-33-3 (1-w), MA Starc 15-5-48-2, NM Lyon 6-120-1, SR Watson

thursday, june 4, 2015

ECCB, Everest congratulate Chandrika on Test selection

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) and the Everest Cricket Club have joined in congratulating opening batsman Rajendra Chandrika on his selection to the West Indies senior team for the first Test against Australia, currently underway in Dominica.

The ECCB said in a release it is extremely proud of “our very own” Chandrika and resolutely believes that his inclusion in the West Indies Test squad scheduled to play against Australia “was just a matter of time”, as he has over the years, established his prolific cricketing proficiency.

his mandate in a professional manner. Make good use of this opportunity. The East Coast Cricket Board therefore extends heartiest congratulations and best wishes,” the release concluded.

Meanwhile, the President, Executive and members of the Everest Cricket Club have wished Chandrika a long and fruitful career and noted that his elevation is a result of the hard work he had done over the years, a release from the club stated.

By virtue of his call up, the right-handed batsman has become a Life Member of the organisation.

board believes will deliver “with quality and excellence.”

The ECCB is calling on all Guyanese to rally around young Chandrika whom the

“It is indeed an honour for us to witness yet another dedicated member of the ECCB annual academy elevated to the highest level,” the release said. “The President and Executives of the ECCB, along with those who would have worked assiduously at the academies, are extremely jubilant with this priceless achievement.”

“And so we urge this discipline, patient and commitment young man to continue to work hard and execute

The club has also congratulated Travis Persaud on his selection as captain of the Guyana Under-19 team and expressed disappointment at the exclusion of the Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the West Indies side for the current series.

Underdogs win McBill memorial dominoes title

Underdogs tallied a chart-topping 85 games to capture the annual Mohamed McBill memorial dominoes title, which was contested on Sunday last at Carlos Sports Bar, Good Success, Wakenaam.

Seawall Boys copped the runner-up spot with 73 games, while Bad Boys, who drew the bye to the final, finished third on 68 games. Alex Chung marked 17 games, while Salim Chan scored 16 for the winners.

Earlier in the day, Underdogs had chalked up 79 games to win the semifinal encounter ahead of Seawall Boys on 75 and All Star 59. Chung got 16 and Amit Ramnarine 15 for Underdogs, while Toolie Sheriffudeen made 14 for Seawall Boys and Raj Narine 14 for All Star.

Vickram Ramnarine, Heera Sukram and Mohamed Kalam of All Star were the love birds. Underdogs received a trophy, while Chung took home the Most Valuable Player award and Suraj Harrinarine the prize for sharing the loves.

Coordinator Moses Ramnarine thanked the sponsor Safraz Sheriffudeen, the CEO of V Net Communications, which is located at 25 Delph Street, Campbellville, for his input and said the

dominoes fraternity of Wakenaam looks forward to the continuation of the tournament.

In brief remarks, Sheriffudeen congratulated the winners and thanked the other participating

teams for their involvement in the competition. He said that his company will continue to sponsor the competition, which was played in memory of his grandfather Mohamed McBill, a former resident of Wakenaam.

Female cricketers in the county of Berbice would be involved in a historic double wicket cricket competition on July 19 at the Area “H” ground. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), as part of its Silver Jubilee Anniversary, will be hosting the double wicket competition as part of its effort to promote cricket among females.

The tournament, which will be coordinated by the Cricket Development Committee of the RHTY&SC, will cater for 12 pairs and would be played on a knockout basis. The first and second rounds of matches will be played on a two-over per team basis, while the semi-finals and final will be four-over per side.

Players such as West Indies players Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, along with Plaffina Millington, Erica Lashley, Melanie Henry, Nikita Toney, Aleem Arokium, Diana Prahalad, Shabiki Gajnabi, Katina Mentore, Steffanie Rodney and Natasha Gangadeo are expected to play.

Secretary/CEO of the

club, Hilbert Foster, stated that the main aim of the competition would be to keep the cricketers active while at the same time attract new players to the game.

The Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes and the Tucber Park Under-15 teams will perform duties as fielders for the female cricketers. Interested female cricketers are asked to get in contact with the club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster on telephone number 337-4562 or email: foster_ hilbert@yahoo.com.

Trophies and cash will be given to the top three pairs.

Serena, Bacsinszky reach French Open semi-finals

Tand book her place in the French Open semi-finals at

Roland Garros. The 33-year-old American, seeking her 20th Grand Slam title, proved too powerful for her Italian opponent.

Williams required just 27 minutes to take the first set but was made to work hard in the second by 17thseed Errani.

She will face Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky who beat Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-4 7-5.

Williams, French Open winner in 2002 and 2013, hit 39 winners during a dominant display.

She had dropped the opening set in the previous three rounds but set the tone for a polished performance by breaking in Errani’s first service game.

A fine backhand passing shot handed Errani, 28, an immediate break back but Williams cruised to the opening set.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself... I’m surprised I’m still in the tournament, so this is really cool for me,” she said. Bacsinszky, 25, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal after overcoming unseeded Van Uytvanck, 21, in straight sets.

“For me, it doesn’t matter who I’m going to be playing against,” said Bacsinszky. “I just want to have one or two or three tactics and try to put them in the game.” (BBC Sport)

Errani upped her pace in the second, but it was still not enough as Williams broke for a 4-3 lead and she finished it off on her fourth match point. Williams remains on course for a 20th major singles title.

Guinness Greatest of the Streets football… National championship billed for this weekend normalisation committee adds...

Top street football teams from across the country will commence battle on Friday with the intention of becoming Guyana’s representative at the highly anticipated Guinness Caribbean Street Challenge later in the month.

The Guinness Greatest of the Streets football extravaganza national playoff will run from Friday to Sunday and will feature 16 teams from five zones, competing for over one million dollars in cash and prizes, but more importantly the honour of representing Guyana.

Top teams from the Georgetown, West Demerara, East Coast of

Demerara, Linden and Berbice zones are down to rumble for the coveted title.

On Friday, the action will take place at the Pouderoyen Tarmac from 19:30h, while the Demerara Park Tarmac and the National Cultural Centre Tarmac will also host games.

Representing the Georgetown zone will be champion North Ruimveldt, Festival City, Leopold Street, Sparta Boss, Globe Yard and West Front RoadGold is Money, while the Linden zone will be represented by winner Amelia’s Ward Russians and Wisroc.

The Berbice representatives will be title-hold-

er Manchester Boys and Unruly Gang, while the East Coast of Demerara will participate in the form of champion Beterverwagting A, Melanie B and Nabaclis.

Representing the West Demerara will be West Side Ballers, Showstoppers and Patentia Street Ballers.

The champion team of the national playoff will be $500,000 richer, while the team will also receive championship trophy and the opportunity to represent the country in the Caribbean Championship, which is slated to be held in Jamaica from June 26-29.

The second, third and fourth placed teams will walk away with $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 re -

spectively.

Speaking at the launch of the national playoff on Wednesday at the Banks DIH Sports Club, Guinness Brand Manager, Lee Baptiste, said that the company had made good on its challenge to expand and promote the tournament throughout the country, noting that the event has become a staple in the respective regions.

Tournament Coordinator Troy Mendonca said that Petra Organisation, of which he is a director, is always happy to be part of the event, positing that the camaraderie among and within the respective communities due to the event is nothing short of excellent.

Cricket academy in Berbice to start in July

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), as part of its Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebrations, will be hosting two major programmes next month as part of its ongoing effort to make sure that every youth fulfills his/her full potential on the cricket field and in the classroom.

The club’s annual Republic Bank Educational Camp will be held from July 6, while the annual TCL Cricket Academy will also start on the same day.

Both programmes will be held at the Area “H” ground in Rose Hall Town and, according to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, the club has already started to make arrangements to make sure that they are not only successful, but fulfill every objective.

The cricket academy will cater for a total of 100 youths between the ages eight and 18, and will be conducted by cricket coach

Delbert Hicks and several others. The main aims of the cricket academy, which will be held for two weeks, are to identify and nurture promising talent for the future, to get them to understand their role as a sports ambassador and to promote the “Say Yes to Education and No to Drugs” message.

The young cricketers will be involved in intense coaching to improve their batting and bowling, fielding

and physical fitness, while a lot of classroom work would also be done on a variety of topics, including the history of the club, structure of cricket in the Caribbean, captaincy, fielding positions, rules of cricket, importance of education, suicide and HIV/AIDS. Youths interested in being part of the cricket academy can contact the club on telephone number 337-4562 to register.

The educational camp will be conducted by senior Port Mourant Secondary School Teacher, Rohan Etwaru, and its main objective is to prepare the 60 students to make a successful transition from Primary to Secondary school when the new school year begins in September.

The students will be exposed to lessons in Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, Basic Spanish and Social Studies during the five-week camp, while they will also be exposed to coaching to learn

Blatter under investigation in US

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by U.S. officials as part of their inquiry into corruption at the world football body, U.S. media say.

The news came hours after Mr Blatter, 79, announced that he was stepping down from his role.

U.S. prosecutors launched a criminal inquiry last week, with seven FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland, part of a group of 14 people indicted.

Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter was reelected president of FIFA.

However, he said on Tuesday that it appeared the mandate he had been given “does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football”.

Mr Blatter said FIFA needed profound restructuring, adding that he would remain in post until an extraordinary congress was called to elect a new president.

No dates have been set, but under FIFA rules it is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.

from page 23

“The head of the Audit and Compliance Committee, which is an independent committee that FIFA has established, they have the responsibility to ensure that all the procedures are followed to call that Extraordinary Congress to elect a new president of FIFA, and also they have the responsibilities to implement and recommend to FIFA some of the critical governance reforms that Sepp Blatter spoke about yesterday [Tuesday] in his intended resignation announcement,” Urling outlined.

colossal surprise for anbody. Nobody expected that after a few short days after being elected to president that Mr Blatter would have resigned, but all these actions reinforce to the Guyana Football Federation and to all the arms of FIFA internationally the need to ensure that there is high ethical practices at all the federations of FIFA, and there are clear guidelines and policies implemented for transparency and accountability throughout the entire FIFA system at all levels,” the Normalisation Committee head divulged.

how to play cricket, volleyball and basketball. They will also be lectured on a wide range of topics, including peer pressure, public manners, choosing friends and drugs abuse. Students from Rose Hall Town, Tain, Belvedere, Port Mourant and Albion primary will be given priority at the camp, but Foster stated that students from other schools will also be considered once space is available. Entrance to both programmes is free.

He added, “So we await guidance from that entire process. Some folks have been asking if the challenger to Blatter on Friday, Prince Ali, whether or not he automatically assumes the position, that’s no. It’s an entirely new process, new folks would be nominated so come maybe December or early next year we might see completely new candidates up for the president of FIFA.”

Businessman Urling further stated that the current situation brings into focus the need for all arms of FIFA to exhibit “high ethical practices.”

“For us though at the federation, all the allegations, especially the ones relating to the CONCACAF officials, came as a huge shock and surprise to us…and then yesterday’s [Tuesday’s] announcement was prodigious. That was a

Urling was also quizzed on whether any official in Guyana has been fingered in the ongoing scandal.

“I wish if I knew the answer to that. The investigations are being carried out by the United States Department of Justice. The indictment, the document it’s available anywhere online; you guys can take a copy.

From that indictment, no Guyanese official has been identified, but according to the Attorney General of United States, who is spearheading all the investigations, those arrests that we saw last week are just the beginning or the tip of the iceberg, and who knows where that would lead,” Urling pointed out.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

13 wickets tumble on Australia’s day

Thirteen wickets made for an eventful opening day of the series in Dominica, and it was Australia who went to stumps in the slightly stronger position. Denesh Ramdin gave his men the chance to bat first, but they survived only two sessions for their 148 before Australia played out the final session of the day and went to stumps on 85-3, trailing by 63 on a surface that had proven surprisingly challenging.

Steven Smith was Australia’s rock during the home summer against India and again he appeared immovable, although he also found scoring difficult with variable bounce and a slow outfield.

National championship billed for this weekend

Normalisation Committee adds voice to football’s global crisis

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, said the body is concerned by the recent scandal that has rocked world football. Urling was speaking for the first time on the issue at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Addressing journalists at the GFF headquarters in Campbellville, Urling touched on the global crisis that has engulfed the game, more specifically the fact that CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb has been embroiled in the fiasco.

“His arrest has created an enormous vaccuum within the CONCACAF family. He has since been dismissed from the position as president of CONCACAF, and simultaneously been replaced temporarily by an acting president, which is Alfredo Hawit from the Honduras Football Federation, and he is being supported by a small committee of three, which will ensure that the competitions that were planned or are planned under CONCACAF continue,” Urling explained.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is set to commence in a

month’s time and, according to Urling, the members of the Mexican, American and Canadian Federations will undertake the task of running that tournament.

The FIFA scandal erupted last week when US prosecutors indicted 14 people.

On Tuesday, president Sepp Blatter said he was to step down, just days after he had been re-elected for a fifth term.

Of the 14 people indicted by the US on charges of racketeering and money laundering, seven were senior FIFA officials, including two vice-presidents.

The seven were arrested in Switzerland as they awaited the FIFA congress that re-elected Blatter and are currently awaiting extradition to the US.

Blatter said he wants to bring forward the date of the next FIFA congress so members can elect his successor “as soon as possible.” It is due to take place on May 13, 2016 in Mexico City, but Blatter said waiting until then will “create unnecessary delay.”

According to Urling, a four-month notice must be given ahead of any possible Extraordinary Congress to elect a new leader of FIFA.