Guyana Times Daily by Gytimes

Rejection of Rodney CoI

Granger, PNC remain “enemies” to the truth – former President

Former President Donald Ramotar says the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and its Leader David Granger continue to prove daily that they are not interested in arriving at the truth surrounding the death of International Historian, Dr Walter Rodney and therefore must be seen as key enemies of the notion of truth.

Ramotar’s comments come on the heels of a decision by President David Granger, who also heads the PNC, to reject a request for an extension and adjournment of the proceedings of the CoI until February 2016.

CoI Chairman, Sir Richard L Cheltenham, made the plea via a letter to the President requesting an adjournment to February 29, 2016, to submit the Report of the Findings of the Rodney COI.

The Commission which was initiated by former President Donald Ramotar is probing the circumstances which led to Dr Rodney’s death back in 1980.

When contacted on Tuesday

for a comment, the former Head of State expressed his displeasure with the President’s decision.

Asked what he thinks could be the real reason behind the President’s decision, Ramotar reminded that the evidence which came to light during the hearings pointed to the involvement of President Granger’s party – the People’s National Congress.

“It’s hard not to conclude there is a desperate effort on behalf of the PNC of which Mr Granger is the leader not to get the whole truth out,” he said.

Attorney General Basil Williams during the news conference also deemed the Rodney CoI as a waste of taxpayers’ money which could be otherwise utilised.

“We keep churning up millions of dollars but there are people who need money and there are things to do in this country… It has been decided, we’ve had enough… The inquiry had enough adjournments,” Williams contended as he justified Government’s decision to abruptly end the life of the CoI.

But, Ramotar in defence of the spending on the Rodney CoI said that it is an incident for which all Guyanese need answers, as well as the fact that the Rodney family needs closure, which was one of the key reasons behind the establishment of the Commission.

“The whole truth needs to come out on this issue so that we as a nation can heal,” Ramotar said.

He noted that Guyana’s reputation is at stake, since the truncating of the inquiry will have an effect on the reputa-

tion of the country as the international community could very well view this as an attempt at “trying to cover up and to hide things”

“I must say that it is very sad President Granger is taking this position to truncate this inquiry because you know during the tenth Parliament when the President as Leader of the Opposition, he called for numerous inquiries, none of which mind you are important as this inquiry because the Rodney incident is a wound on the conscience of this nation and the only way for this to heal is for us to have a full and uncompromising report…” he said.

He called on the President to reconsider his position and allow the panel to conclude its work.

Ramotar said based on his understanding, the Commissioners are only seeking the extension in order to properly peruse the evidence presented and compile a comprehensive and accurate report.

“The aim of the termination

now will prevent them from giving a full report, to assess all the evidence that has been given and millions of dollars have already been spent on this inquiry. They only need a little bit more so that we can have a full report in this matter. I am not happy they have truncated this inquiry when it means so much, not only to the people of Guyana but, Professors, university lecturers all over the world in Africa, the Diaspora … are making inquiries and they are anxious awaiting this report,” Ramotar stated.

Justice for Walter Dr Walter Rodney, a founding member of the Working People’s Alliance, died on June

13, 1980, when a bomb said to be planted in a walkie-talkie device exploded while he sat in a car outside the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown. His family and members of the party he founded maintained that his death was the mastermind of the then PNC Government, led by Forbes Burnham.

Meanwhile, the Commission has until December 15 to submit its final report of findings of the Rodney CoI, following an announcement by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that more time had been granted for the Commission to submit its report.

5 Cubans fined for forged passports

Five Cuban nationals were on Tuesday fined $100,000 each by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for uttering forged passports and conspiracy charges.

The defendants – 25-yearold Craftsman Dianh Jose Lautoledo; Andy Lau Almager, 33; fisherman

Maikel Edwards Hernandez, 35; Auto Parts dealer Enrique Hidalgon Lopez, 44; and 32-year-old fish vendor Xavier Hernandez Ferrer all pleaded guilty to separate charges. It was alleged that on December 5, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with intent to defraud, they uttered separate forged US passports to Rudyard Westburg, a Manager of Suriname Airways.

It was also alleged that

between November 13 and December 5 at Georgetown, they conspired with person or persons unknown to forge US passports by inserting photographs of themselves bearing to show other names.

Additionally, both Almaguer and Lautoledo were charged with a third offence. They pleaded guilty to separate charges that stated between November 29 and December 5 at Georgetown,

they failed to comply with conditions granted; that is to say having being permitted to stay in Guyana between November 13 and 28 – they overstayed their allotted time. Almaguer was fined $20,000 while Lautoledo was fined $30,000.

Defence Counsel Peter Hugh told the court that the men came to Guyana for Christmas shopping. He asked that each be fined rather than imposing a custodial sentence.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the Cubans bought the fake passports for US$2000 from an individual. However, the he noted that the Police is still on the hunt for that individual. Should they not pay the fine imposed, they will each spend three months in prison.

Former President Donald Ramotar

Dianh Jose

Enrique Hidalgon Lopez

Xavier Hernandez Ferrer

Maikel Edwards Hernandez

Andy Lau Almager

wednesday, december 9, 2015 |

10 – 14:30h-16:00h.

on: Wednesday, December 9 – 15:10h-16:40h and Thursday, December 10 – 15:45h-17:15h.

Weather: Thundery rain showers can be expected during the morning and early afternoon hours, while heavy rain showers are expected in the later afternoon. Clear skies with thundery showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 02:56h and 15:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.44 metres and 2.58 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:45h and 21:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

AFC Diaspora groups divided –

Ramjattan accused of condoning financier’s excesses

major power struggle is allegedly ongoing within the Alliance For Change (AFC) as its Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, continues to allegedly undermine the other Executive Members for the sake of its powerful financier, who reportedly provides a cheque of a large amount to the party.

The allegation is being made by former AFC Executive Member, Dr Asquith Rose, who, in a letter to Guyana Times, noted that this has been ongoing for the past seven years.

According to the former member, the AFC leadership has allowed the financier, Sasenarine Singh, to dictate not only the party’s politics but to determine who should be members.

“At present, there is a major power struggle between the AFC phantom groups in North America because of this individual who wants to dictate to the groups and those who disagree with him are banned for life from the AFC,” Dr Rose alleged.

He explained that as a consequence of the significant contribution by Singh to the party, Ramjattan has taken a conscious decision to allow him to do as he pleased.

“In July 2013, the Leader of the AFC told the Queens New York group that it is an independent organisation, but changed his mind after the AFC financier threatened to resign from the party,” he further alleged.

Dr Rose provided a copy of the correspondence between Singh and Ramjattan which corroborated his claims.

In the letter, Ramjattan backpedalled on his words by assuring Singh that the particular AFC grouping is divided into two chapters: the Queens chapter and the New Jersey chapter.

“Mr Ramjattan has reneged on his statement which has placed the AFC in turmoil. He has told several members of the AFC that the financier is worth more than all the members of the party because of his money,” Dr Rose claimed.

Dr Rose further claimed:

“In 2012, the AFC Leader presided over a meeting in New York and allowed the AFC financier to ban two members for life from the party based only on the financier’s side of the story. The two persons were not asked to present their

side at the clannish family picnic. What a lawyer! A few days ago, the same financier again banned two other persons using the same clannish method at his family picnic and the Leader accepted his decision. Is this a leader?”

The former member noted that the AFC was in serious trouble and the only way it could remain relevant on the political scene was if it stayed with its current coalition partner – the A Partnership for National Unity.

“…or else it will become like the defunct UF which was in a coalition earlier. Also, no third party has survived more than three election cycles in Guyana. The AFC is at this stage now, so to all and sundry, do not waste any more time with this fledging small third party. It will implode very soon,” Dr Rose predicted.

In justifying his state-

ments, Dr Rose highlighted the manner in which the party completely discarded its Executive Member, Dr Veersammy Ramayya, who had to resort to a public denouncement before the party acknowledged his efforts.

“Just look at how the AFC treated its most senior member on the Corentyne, Mr Ramayya who had to threaten to resign from the AFC before they recognised him. If the AFC could act so selfish and disrespectful to this individual, then the other members who are of less standing in the AFC are doomed,” Dr Rose posited.

Guyana Times placed several calls to the mobile phones of Ramjattan and Executive Members Moses Nagamootoo, David Patterson, and Dominic Gaskin, but all went unanswered and were not returned.

Former footballer remanded to prison for discharging loaded firearm

wen “Solo” Pedro, 40, of Lot 61 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was remanded to prison on three counts of discharging a loaded firearm by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Pedro, the owner of Ballerz Sports Bar and a former Western Tigers football team player, pleaded not guilty to all three charges, one of which stated that on Friday, December 4 at West Ruimveldt, he discharged

a loaded firearm at Gordon Smith, a Police Officer, with intent to cause bodily harm.

It was also alleged that on the same day at West Ruimveldt, he discharged the said firearm at Police Constable Owen Holder.

Pedro was also charged for discharging a loaded firearm

at Ryan Spencer on December 4, at West Ruimveldt.

The prosecution’s facts revealed that on the day in question, the two Police Officers responded to a threat made by Pedro. The Court heard that around 16:00h, when the ranks approached the defendant, he opened fire on Spencer. It was stated by Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones that Pedro was not a licensed firearm holder.

Bail was refused for Pedro, and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman for January 12.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Executive Member Dr Asquith Rose

Sasenarine Singh

Owen Pedro

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

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

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Editorial

Early pregnancies and need for national discourse

Afew days ago, this newspaper carried a news story which contained shocking revelations about two teenage girls, aged 13 and 15, from the Lower Pomeroon area (Region Two), who became pregnant and subsequently gave birth to twins. The article also cited other cases of adolescents, particularly from the hinterland areas in the country, becoming pregnant.

Of note too is that as recent as last Sunday, it was reported that a 14-year-old girl from the Pomeroon River was hospitalised after she tried to abort her unborn baby and injured herself. From all indications, the teenager, who was two months pregnant, reportedly attempted to abort the foetus at home. After developing complications in the process, she was immediately rushed to the Suddie Hospital where she underwent surgery. This is a typical example of what happens when one becomes pregnant at a very young age and possibly gets into a state of depression owing to one’s condition.

The fact that our students, as young as 13 years old, who ought to be at school educating and preparing themselves to face life’s challenges are engaging in such unwholesome and life changing activities is very worrying. Our adolescents will certainly have to face the consequences later down the road of these poor choices. The resulting problems could be many; for example: severe health complications for both the mother and child and serious social and economic problems.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), although adolescents aged 10-19 years account for 11 per cent of all births worldwide, they account for 23 per cent of the overall burden of disease due to pregnancy and childbirth. The Organisation has reported that 14 per cent of all unsafe abortions in low- and middle-income countries are among women aged 15-19 years. About 2.5 million adolescents have unsafe abortions every year, and adolescents are more seriously affected by complications than are older women.

Many health problems are particularly associated with negative outcomes of pregnancy during adolescence. These include anaemia, malaria, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, postpartum haemorrhage and mental disorders, such as depression.

Likewise, the social problems, both for families and the community, are many. Many girls who become pregnant have to leave school. This has long-term implications for them as individuals, their families and communities. For example, when an adolescent girl becomes pregnant, her entire life is affected as her focus can no longer be her academic studies; she would now have to dedicate all her energies and resources to child rearing and caring. In most cases, the male partner is also similarly affected.

That said, we believe that in many of these cases, especially in girls under 15, such pregnancies are not the result of a deliberate choice but rather an absence of choices and of circumstances beyond a girl’s control. Early pregnancies reflect powerlessness, poverty and pressure from partners, peers, families and communities. Hence, there is need for approaches that build girls’ human capital; help them make decisions about their lives, including matters of sexual and reproductive health and offer them real opportunities so that motherhood is not seen as their only destiny.

Girls need to have access to both sexual and reproductive health services and to the right kind of information so that they can make informed choices about their own lives. In many communities, especially in the hinterland areas, these services are lacking.

In May 2011, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution urging member states to accelerate actions to improve the health of young people. It included these specific measures: reviewing and revising policies to protect young people from early childbearing; providing access to contraception and reproductive health-care services and promoting access to accurate information on sexual and reproductive health.

Certainly, it is time that the issue of teenage pregnancy be brought to the fore for discussion and debate at the national level; and more importantly to craft a way forward to deal with the problem. At the same time, it is imperative that the Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) step up their campaigns, especially in hinterland areas where there seems to be a high prevalence of teen pregnancies, some of which occur as a result of the teens being raped.

It is quite unfortunate that in spite of the cases referred to earlier being highly publicised via the media, the authorities here have not seen the need to convene a national dialogue on how best to address the issue of teenage pregnancy and its accompanying social and economic problems.

GECOM should welcome the full scrutiny of the courts

Dear Editor, Guyana Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander, in a letter to the press published on December 7, 2015, has labelled the positions adopted by Commissioners Robeson Benn, Bibi Shaddick, and Sase Gunraj as “.... concocted, conflictual, and hypocritical” on the application made for GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield to strike out the petition of Ganga Persaud intended to have the courts hear, examine, and determine the conduct and results of the 2015 National and Regional Elections.

Mr Alexander, in closing his fulminations against the positions of his fellow Commissioners, closes with the great advice: “Concoction, Conflict and Hypocrisy cannot be condoned in the search for Justice and the Building of Democracy”.

The simple facts of this matter would seem to indicate that there is much to be concerned with at GECOM – not least of which is Alexander’s rush to spring to the defence of Messrs Steve Surujbally and Lowenfield and ( again) to act as GECOM’s mouthpiece.

When the question was raised at GECOM’s statutory meeting as to whether CEO Lowenfield was authorised to have an application made to quash the elections petition, the answer given was an emphatic “ No “! Lowenfield was advised, we were told, to “Defend” against the petition – he being named as the re-

spondent of record. No request was made, nor advice sought, of the Guyana Elections Commission on the undertaking of an application to strike out the petition. The recent desperate attempts at GECOM, now backed up by Commissioner Alexander’s letter, are to attach the widest possible “legal” interpretation to the word “defend”.

The intervention on Mr Lowenfield’s behalf at the courts remains unauthorised and he could, arguably, be held responsible for the costs incurred thereto.

Of greater importance, however, is the question of “Justice” which Mr Alexander, seemingly, holds in such high regard. Would it not be fairer to say that the application to strike-out the elections petition is an attempt to deny the electorate (of all political persuasions), and the nation as a whole, the opportunity to have a full hearing, examination, and determination by the courts of the process, conduct of, and results declaration of the May 2015 elections?

Further, does not the application suggest that GECOM is attempting an avoidance of full court and public scrutiny with respect to its performance against its constitutional mandate?

GECOM’s reputation has been called into grave question by one of its major stakeholders, and there is general disquiet over the fact of the penetration of GECOM by fake Statements of Poll, and by the nature and import of the allegations contained

in the Ganga Persaud petition. GECOM would be vindicated if it allowed itself to be scrutinised, fully, by the courts and was successful in its defence. If not, GECOM and the electorate, and Guyana would benefit from a process which could only identify the appropriate tasks and interventions to have delivered free, fair, transparent, and tranquil elections to Guyana. This is what should underpin, in my view, any talk of genuine democracy in Guyana. Any other course would tend to identify the “conspiratorial” attributes Mr Alexander writes of.

On the issue of “conflict” raised by Mr Alexander, it is self-evident that the appointments of Benn and Shaddick as GECOM Commissioners post-dated their presence on a list of candidates. More importantly, an individual named Ganga Persaud has petitioned the courts and not the head of the list he infers!

Surely this “conflict” could not be deemed as rising to a level which prevents the Commissioners from proposing remedies to a situation where unauthorised, costly, and delaying tactics are the resorts to a matter which is of critical national importance! It appears that Mr Alexander’s view is one where the abandonment by Benn and Shaddick of their constitutional and fiduciary duties, to satisfy the far-fetched “conflict” he construes, is a better position than having the Commission work to achieve a better-run organisation!

Mr Alexander refers last to an issue arising out of the declaration of the results of the 2006 elections. He attempts to juxtapose “accusations” of GECOM “immorality” of not exposing itself to the scrutiny of the courts. The issue, however, could not hinge on whether deception was a ruse then, or, even now as an excuse to dismiss out-of-hand the matters raised. What should be the over-riding interest is to have the law take its course in a manner that allows for a fullyventilated examination and determination of the issues raised in the petition.

A delay of justice is often, familiarly, described as justice denied. In this matter, Dr Surujbally’s action of casting his deciding vote against the motion to have CEO Lowenfield withdraw the application, in his name, to quash the elections petition is most regrettable. It suggests the complete disregard for the most elementary tenets of justice in a matter of grave national importance and that no satisfaction is to be expected from the Surujbally-Lowenfield combine at GECOM – backed up by Alexander! This situation reflects the real hypocrisy at GECOM which is mandated to – yes – guarantee and protect the votes of the electorate!!!

Yours sincerely, Robeson Benn

GECOM Commissioner

Christmas in Guyana! Fernandes Bread Box kicked off its Christmas celebration on Sunday evening Guyanese style with masqueraders and revellers at its Street Carnival (Marceano Narine photo)

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

Government wrong about Sovereign Wealth Fund

Dear Editor,

The Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) was first publicly discussed immediately before the May 2015 election when ExxonMobil disclosed a “significant” find of oil reserves. In theory, the SWF, or simply put the account where the savings derived from a country’s natural resources are deposited so that they may be used for investment and budgetary stabilisation measures, is one where the citizens after hearing its explanation would shake their heads and say “yes – that is a good idea”.

It is almost always discussed as a measure to ostensibly avoid the potential pitfalls of the over-referenced but universally false “Dutch Disease”. The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is right that a more careful analysis and understanding of comparative fundamental economic indicators will cause one to conclude that an SWF especially one fashioned on the Canadian and/ or Norwegian model is not what Guyana needs. Why?

Norway, for example, uses its SWF to park its savings from oil in financial assets in foreign countries and

its model has worked very well. The main reason the model has worked well for Norway is that the country has more invested capital per member of the labour force than any other country – this means it is the most capital rich country – so adding further to the Norwegian capital stock would not be a very productive use and/or investment for its surplus capital. Developing countries on the other hand, like Guyana, are at the other end of the spectrum, ie, they have less capital per member of the labour force than most other countries, so the more sensible long-term plan has to be to build up capital stock in the country. In so doing, all of the people of the country would more immediately and directly benefit from the profits of the natural resource extraction.

If the Government and its public information actors and activists feel that this is just Jadgeo or Ramson playing Opposition criticism politics then they may want to reference the book “The Plundered Planet” by one of the most globally respected developmental economists, Professor Paul Collier who is

also, famously, the author of book “The Bottom Billion”.

The People’s Progressive Party ought not to be the tutorial teachers for the current APNU/AFC Government, but the Party and the Leader of the Opposition are compelled and probably obligated to identify the failures of this current government since many of their decisions will have a long-term effect on the future of our country and the lives of all Guyanese people.

With each passing day, Guyanese are seeing the APNU/AFC Government adopt with humiliation the PPP’s developmental blueprint for Guyana eg the Amaila Hydro project which was described by the APNU/ AFC Government as “criminal” is now “back on the agenda”; the contract to build the Specialty Hospital which was described as a waste of time and taxpayers’ money was signed with the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan’s former client without being retendered.

Sincerely,

Charles S Ramson Attorney-at-Law and MP

Ruling Party in lead for St Vincent elections – poll

Dear Editor,

An opinion poll suggests that the incumbent Unity Labour Party will win re-election in today’s general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Opposition National Democratic Party is trailing the incumbent in popular support and in a majority of seats as well as for the selection of Prime Minister, according to the poll, conducted by Barbados pollster Peter Wickham of Cadres. Should he win, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves would have defied odds giving him an unprecedented fourth term. He was previously counted out and won re-election in December 2010.

There are hundreds of Guyanese living in St Vincent, with most taking up residency during the period of the PNC dictatorship amidst food shortages, political victimisation and high unemployment. It is not known how they plan to vote. But they have been sympathetic to Gonsalves who has been supportive of them. Gonsalves has also been very

supportive of the struggle against the PNC dictatorship during his student activist days and as a Professor in the Barbados-based UWI campus at Cave Hill since the 1970s.

There are 15 seats in the National Assembly, with eight needed to form the Government. Grenada has the first-past-the-post system unlike Guyana where Members of Parliament are selected under Proportional Representation based on the percentage of votes received by a party.

The ULP is defending eight seats to NDP’s seven. The opinion poll puts ULP in the lead in the eight plus one more and gives the ULP a chance in two other seats for a total of 11. The poll says the ULP could get up to 13 seats. For Prime Minister, the poll says some 61 per cent prefer Dr Gonsalves, while 37 per cent prefer Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace, and two per cent prefer other.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Page Foundation

The positive and negative effects of video games (Part two)

Situational awareness – Defence news reported that the Army include video games to train soldiers to improve their situational awareness in combat. Many strategy games also require the player to become mindful of sudden situational changes in the game and adapt accordingly.

Developing reading and Maths skills – The young gamer reads to get instructions, follow storylines of games, and get information from the game texts. Also, using math skills is important to win in many games that involve quantitative analysis like managing resources.

Perseverance – In higher levels of a game, the player usually fails the first time around, but he keeps on trying until he succeeds and move on to the next level.

Pattern recognition –Games have internal logic in them, and the player figures it out by recognising patterns.

Estimating skills

Inductive reasoning and hypothesis testing –James Paul Gee, professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says that playing a video game is similar to working through a science problem. Like a student in a laboratory, the gamer must come up with a hypothesis. For example, the gamer must constantly try out combinations of weapons and powers to use to defeat an enemy. If one does not work, he changes hypothesis and try the next one. Video games are goaldriven experiences, says Gee, which are fundamental

to learning.

Mapping – The gamer use in-game maps or build maps on his head to navigate around virtual worlds.

Memory – Playing first person shooter games such as Call of Duty and Battlefield series enables the player to effectively judge what information should be stored in his working memory and what can be discarded considering the task at hand, according to a study published in the Psychological Research. Concentration study conducted by the Appalachia Educational Laboratory reveal that chil dren with attention-deficit disorder who played Dance Dance Revolution im prove their reading scores by helping them concentrate.

Improved ability to rapid ly and accurate ly recognize visu al information – A study from Beth Israel Medical Centre NY, found a direct link be tween skill at video gam ing and skill at keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery. Another study found that people who play video games on a regular basis are better at registering visual data and are therefore quicker visual learners. They are also more resistant to perceptual interference, and are therefore able to learn for a longer period of time in distracting environments.

Most games do not reward players who play safely.

How to respond to frustrations

How to explore and rethink goals

Teamwork and cooperation when played with others – Many multiplayer games such as Team Fortress 2 involve cooperation with other online players in order to win. These games encourage players to make the most of their individual skills to contribute to the team. According to a

course of a civilisation.

Simulation, real world skills The most well known simulations are flight simulators, which attempt to mimic the reality of flying a plane. All of the controls, including airspeed, wing angles, altimeter, and so on, are displayed for the player, as well as a visual representation of the world, and are updated in real time.

Asset Recovery/wild goose chase

SARU operating illegally – AG admits entity toothless

The State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), which was established by the Administration to hunt for assets that initially belonged to the Government, is operating without legal authority, Attorney General Basil Williams indicated.

The Attorney General told media operatives during a press conference on Monday at his Chambers that there was presently no legislation empowering SARU.

“Let me get this thing clear, the authority for investigating crime in Guyana and preventing crime is the Guyana Police Force … When it comes to charging people for criminal offences, that stop is the Director of Public Prosecutions Office,” he stated, noting that SARU currently has no legal authority to do any of these things.

This is the position taken by the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister although SARU has been extensively involved in investigating alleged actions of an illegal nature and making recom-

mendations for charges.

So far, SARU, which is headed by renowned Economist Dr Clive Thomas, has recommended that the relevant authority consider laying charges against several People Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo, over allegations they were all involved in obtaining State lands at an undervalued market price.

Those named include PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, former Public Service Minister

Westford, former Natural Resources

Minister Robert Persaud, and former head of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Board, Shaik Baksh.

Nonetheless, given his position that the only authority for investigating crime is the GPF, when asked, therefore, if SARU was toothless, Williams responded in the negative.

“It can’t be toothless when it is constituted and it has a mandate,” he stated.

Williams added, “The legislation … is already on the draft board … the legislation will put all that to rest. An expert has been here assisting SARU in preparing that legisla-

tion.”

Previously, the PPP/C Opposition had raised grave concerns over the operation of SARU, which it contended was operating illegally.

Meanwhile, even as SARU continues to operate without legal authority, the public is yet to know what are the Terms of Reference and the identities of the staff.

The PPP/C always contended – since the establishment of this entity –that it was clearly being used for political purposes and was aimed at proving the alleged wrongdoings of the PPP/C Administration during its terms in office.

“On assumption to office, the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC took up the cudgels of what was a personal vendetta on the part of the owner of the Kaieteur News and transformed it into reality. Eventually, a morphed Opposition media/ Government vendetta became a civil juridical matter, thanks to a conspiracy between the APNU/AFC and the Kaieteur News,” the PPP/C had stated.

GDF Lance Corporal, 3 others remanded for illegal weapons

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Aaron Eastman, 27, of Lot 148 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Mark Anthony, 22, of Lot 1238 Canje Pheasant Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Andrew Davis Escott, 25, of Lot 155 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown and Ryan Escott, 37, all pleaded not guilty to the respective charges read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The first charge read to them stated that on Saturday, December 5 at Robb Street, they had seven rounds of ammunition in their possession without the required licences.

The second charge stated that on the same day at Robb Street, Georgetown, the four men had two firearms in their possession, knowing that they were not the holders of a firearm licence.

GDF Lance Corporal Eastman who is being represented by Attorney Mark

Waldron said that his client had no knowledge of the guns and ammunition being in the car as he was simply the driver and that the items were allegedly found.

Attorney Adrian Thompson who represented Andrew David Escott told the court that his client was merely a passenger and had no knowledge of the guns and munitions.

Ryan Escott’s lawyer, Peter Hugh, said his client has no pending matters before the court; however he told the court that his client was previously convicted and jailed for robbery under arms.

Anthony, who was unrepresented by an attorney, told the court that he never admitted to being in the vehicle with the other accused persons. He claimed that Police beat the other accused, forcing them to admit that he was with them.

The four men were remanded to court until January 6, 2016 and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court.

Jennifer

Attorney General Basil Williams

SARU head, Dr Clive Thomas

2 murder accused escape from Police custody

– wanted bulletin issued

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force are on the hunt for two murder accused who escaped from custody on Tuesday.

The men are 30-yearold Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander, of Lot 129 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and Robin Maxwell Thomas, 25, of Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The Police have since issued wanted bulletins for the duo who are wanted for escaping from lawful custody while at the Mackenzie Police Station. According to reports, they were charged for the murder of Shevon Gordon which occurred at Wismar on April 4, 2015.

Reports stated that 45-year-old Gordon and her husband had just returned home and were entering their premises when

they were confronted by two armed men. The men demanded a bag containing cash that Gordon had in her possession, but she resisted and was shot about her body.

The men then took the bag and fled the scene on foot. The woman’s husband and son pursued the ban-

dits; her son managed to catch up with the men and a scuffle ensued. During the altercation, the son was shot to his left thigh.

The men then escaped with the money. Both Gordon and her son were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where she was pronounced dead

Alleged motorcycle thief on bail

An accused motorcycle thief was on Tuesday placed on $150,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for theft.

Twenty-one-year-old Collin Harry of Lot 18 Meadowbrook Gardens denied the charge, which stated that on November 6, 2015, in the company of others while at West Ruimveldt,

Georgetown, he stole a CG 125 motorcycle valued $240,000, property of Banks DIH employee Shawn Edow.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that the Police were in receipt of statements from neighbours who verified that they saw the defendant removing the motorcycle.

Harry, who works at a car wash on Lamaha Street, will return to court on January 7.

on arrival.

The suspects were arrested a few days later, charged and placed before the courts.

Alexander is also facing other charges including attempted murder and several counts of robbery under arms.

At the time of their escape, the accused were being held at the Mackenzie Police Station prior to attending a court hearing concerning a murder charge.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Alexander and Thomas are asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 444-3406, 4443274, 444-3512, 226-9941, 225-6411 and 911 or at the nearest Police Station.

All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Typist charged for simple larceny

A22-year-old typist was on Tuesday placed on $10,000 bail when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts charged for simply larceny.

Ashmalie Alves, 22, of Block 6 Sparta, East Bank Essequibo is accused of stealing a $400,000 gold chain belonging to boyfriend Tyson Collins.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that defendant and the complainant are in a common-law relationship.

Prosecutor Jones related that Alves allegedly left the house with the chain without Collins permission and reportedly sold the chain because of the defendant’s unwillingness to give her money.

The case will continue on January 7.

Eyew tness Changes…

…in Venezuela

After 20 elections in 17 years, the right-wing Opposition forces in Venezuela were able to make some headway against the Bolivarian revolution launched by Hugo Chávez against what he deemed to be the “right-wing oligarchy”. And it’s also 13 years since there was that 48-hour coup that ripped the mask from the forces operating behind the scenes to push the Opposition’s agenda. Mainly the US, through its IRI.

Well, here it is – democracy achieved what all the anti-democratic actions by the Opposition couldn’t achieve – and “justified” by them because the Chavistas were “manipulating democracy”. So what can we say? The Chavistas have lost the parliamentary elections democratically, but have won the bragging rights to boast they’re “democratic”. The billion-dollar question, of course, is whether it’s a Pyrrhic victory.

Let’s see what might unfold. The Opposition will definitely use their legislative majority to further stymie the programme of the regime. And the fact that that Programme has been on life support for a number of years won’t help. The collapse in the world oil prices hit Venezuela harder than most. Sitting on the largest oil reserves in the world, the citizens who were excluded from the gravy train for so many years by the oligarchy could be excused for expecting more than seven-hour waits in food lines from “their” Chavistas.

Like with the PPP in Guyana, the incumbency factor worked against the Government: the citizens couldn’t care less that the Opposition might have created the climate of fear that led to hoarding and shortages. Ditto that “external forces” – read the US – that kept raising the ante and pressure against the Government. Electorates are funny that way – excepting, of course, when the country’s divided by race or ethnicity.

But what’s in it for Guyana? Well, nothing much that we can call “positive”. Take the biggest body blow of all that was inflicted by the Maduro Government: the cancellation of the “oil for rice” deal that’s thrown our entire rice industry into a tailspin. Will the Opposition, controlling the legislature, look more favourably at us now that we’re both friends of the US and not given to “feral blasts”?

Don’t hold your breath. The right-wing Opposition would make the Chavistas look like jellyfish on the border question. They’re so hard-line, a full-scale invasion of Guyana would seem like a tea party for them. In fact part of the reason for the Chavistas’ late belligerence was to counter the Opposition’s charges of a “sell out” to Guyana.

So, as the Venezuelan Opposition gets more “spunks” via the democracy they denied existed, expect more pressure on our western front.

…in oil futures

There were those hoping that during the justconcluded OPEC meeting, Saudi Arabia would announce they’ll cut production to push up prices. But they pretty much stuck up their middle finger at the other members – especially Venezuela that’d begged and pleaded –NO PRODUCTION CUTS! And as sure as the sun rose in the east, prices plummeted to a new seven-year low –US$32/barrel.

That’s some distance from the heady days of US$132, eh? So what’s changed in the oil business that these folks are pretty much giving away the stuff – and making our reserves just so much “potential”?. The US and its shale oil, that’s what. In one decade, the US revolutionised oil production through “fracking”. Which is pretty much what it sounds like.

The bottom line is the US challenged the Saudi price control of the market and this the latter wouldn’t countenance.

So what we have here is a good, old-fashioned Mexican stand-off: the US on one side and the USsupported Saudis on the other.

Who’ll be left standing is the question.

…in sports?

Have you noticed that the coverage in basketball has now eclipsed that of cricket in the local papers? Is that the reality on the ground or of our sports writers?

Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander Robin Maxwell Thomas

Collin Harry

Consultations commence today

Chief Justice's appointment - Opposition Leader invited

With less than three months remaining before acting Chief Justice Ian Chang retires, Government is set to commence consultations on a replacement for the top judicial post.

This was revealed by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, on Monday at a press conference.

Williams told reporters that the first session of the consultations on appointing a judge to act as the Chief Justice will be held today.

“Those consultations will start on Wednesday next (today) at the Ministry of the Presidency,” he stated.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, President David Granger has already written the Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, inviting him to attend “meaningful” consultations on Wednesday.

Further asked about the nominations for the top judicial post, Williams said he cannot divulge that information, noting that it is with the domain of the President.

In October, Justice Chang confirmed to Guyana

Times that he will be heading on pre-retirement leave on February 23, 2016. He has been acting in the position since 2000. The Chief Justice apparently has more than 10 weeks of leave outstanding for this year.

Despite functioning in the position for over a decade, Senior Counsel Chang was never confirmed as Chief Justice. The substantive Chief Justice is Justice Carl Singh, who is currently acting Chancellor of the Judiciary.

It is unclear whether the present Administration would move to confirm Justice Singh in this position and then appoint a

Several attempts by this newspaper to ascertain this was avoided by several Government officials over the past months.

According to the Constitutional Reform process of 2000, mechanisms were introduced for meaningful consultations between the President and the Leader of the Opposition for certain appointments.

The reform process itself made the approval of the Leader of the Opposition necessary for some appointments, particularly those of the Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice.

Police, CFCN team visits injured rank, robbery victim

As the Guyana Police Force continues in its efforts to strengthen its relationship with members of the public, senior officers of the Force along with religious leaders attached to the Cops and Faith Community Network (CFCN) visited a rank that was injured while on duty and a robbery victim who was shot.

Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken headed the team of senior officers and they were joined by Pastors David Cole and Shane Mosley during the visits on

Tuesday morning.

The group met with businessman Nicholas Coates at his home at Bel Air Park, Georgetown, where he is recuperating. Prayer sessions were offered and he was given counselling by the religious leaders, while the Divisional Commander offered him words of encouragement.

Coates was attacked at his home by four armed men on November 23, during which he was shot and injured to his right foot.

Meanwhile, the officers and pastors also visited Police Constable 22445 Andrew July, who is currently a patient at

the Georgetown Public Hospital. Constable July, while on duty at a Police roadblock on December 4, was struck by a fleeing motorcyclist and received serious injuries, including a broken leg.

The injured rank was counselled by the pastors who also offered prayers for his speedy recovery as well as that of the other patients in the ward.

The Guyana Police Force has been benefiting through meaningful support being given by religious leaders attached to the Cops and Faith Community Network which was launched on September 12, 2013.

substantive Chief Justice.

Injured Police Constable Andrew July being counselled by pastors of CFCN. Also in photo is

Commander Clifton Hicken

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

Region 2 REO disrespects Chairman

– motion moved for disciplinary action

Region Two Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson came in for much criticism at the recent Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) statutory meeting where he displayed gross disrespect for the Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, who was also chairing the proceeding.

The meeting was held in the conference room of the Mainstay Resort on Tuesday. It is alleged that Hopkinson was asked by the Chairman why a letter was not yet dispatched to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) regarding the vacancies after the resignation of two Councillors.

In response, Hopkinson reportedly threw a tantrum where he shouted through a microphone, “I am the REO!”

He was at the time not honouring protocol where he was required to speak through the Chair of the meeting. The proceedings of the meeting revealed that Hopkinson failed to submit a letter to GECOM for the filling of the vacancy for the posts of Councillors, although the task was handed down to him almost two months ago.

Meanwhile, due to the disrespectful behaviour demonstrated by the newly appointed REO, the Chairman of the meeting asked for comments

from the Councillors regarding Hopkinson’s actions.

Alliance For Change (AFC) Member Naithram, who took the floor first, admitted that sometimes during the meeting, he too would be disrespectful, adding that he would always apologise. He therefore called on Hopkinson to do the same.

“It was very surprising to hear, a person from the public service to speak in such a manner, how can you ask the Chairman “what he can do”?

That’s a ridiculous manner. You are a paid public servant and you have the responsibility to represent the people,” Naithram commented.

But even as Naithram was making this point, the REO reportedly continued to argue, defending his re-

sponse. He was once again cautioned to speak through the Chair.

Next to voice her concern was People’s Progressive Party/Civic Councillor Beatrice Mittelholzer, who described the REO’s behaviour as “very indiscipline and disrespectful.” In fact, Mittelholzer pointed out that the REO was appointed to his position to strengthen the administrative aspect of the region and if the attitude he displayed was anything to judge by, then the region’s development would be hampered.

“Personally, from the attitude and disrespectful behaviour, you the REO displayed, I do not think you are the best person to be the REO of this region, you will not do a good job for the people…” Mittelholzer said.

Co-Chair of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Nandranie Coonjah also spoke out against the REO’s disrespectful behaviour. Coonjah highlighted that the RDC is the highest forum and it is a very powerful body for measures to be taken on addressing issues. On that note, she expressed her surprise that at such an honourable house, a REO who vowed to work together in developing the region, would display such behaviour.

Hopkinson’s response

When the time came for Hopkinson to comment on his own behaviour, he insisted that politics were playing out during the meeting. He then excused himself from the meeting by claiming that he was receiving an important call from his Permanent Secretary.

Nonetheless, reports indicate that Hopkinson eventually apologised for his behaviour. Contacted for more information on the matter, Hopkinson explained that “it is not a question of behaviour but a difference in tone.”

He noted too that his “behaviour” is a mere reaction to situations that occurred before, relative to the manner in which the REO is treated. According to Hopkinson, the REO is often disrespected by the Chairman.

Hopkinson also admitted to not writing to GECOM as requested but he defended his decision. “He just wanted me to write and say that two Councillors resigned. Why? GECOM already knows that,” Hopkinson stated, noting that if the Chairman had indicated to him who the replacements were, then he would have written the letter.

Meanwhile, as a result of the day’s proceedings, the Chairman moved a motion for disciplinary actions to be taken against the REO. This motion was approved by Councillor Mitteholzer and seconded by Councillor Dorren Jacobis. AFC Naithram also raised his hand for disciplinary actions to be taken against the REO. Guyana Times understands that the action will be decided upon at the next statutory meeting.

DRAGNET against spiralling crime

Satiricus was happy that Guyana was catching up with the developed world – especially in the world of Police tactics and strategies to apprehend criminals. And it was all thanks to Satiricus’ favourite crime fighter Rum Jhaat. Most people thought Rum Jhaat was just a fella who drank rum like a fish.

That he did, but that was part of his training so one day, he could be in charge of the Police and all the other forces to fight crime. He was really doing undercover work in the rum shops of Guyana. And now it was paying off. Having identified criminals in every nook and cranny (that's where most rum shops are) Rum Jhaat had now launched “Operation Dragnet” to nab those nasty criminals. Satiricus was rueful that most Guyanese didn't realise what intimate knowledge of crime-fighting that seemingly simple name signified. When Rum Jhaat was a lad growing up in the bushes of Berbice, he’d down a “half” of Bush Rum with his buddies, while catching “kaka bellies” with his cast net. kaka bellies would dart, jump and weave into the bushes and it took skill to catch them. That quality the young inebriated Rum Jhaat had. Then when TV came to Guyana, “Dragnet” was a crime fighting show he looked at every day and Rum Jhaat knew what he would do when he grew up. Dragnet was just like cast net!

Satiricus could still remember the opening lines of the show “Dragnet”: “Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the guilty." And now here was Rum Jhaat at the head of all the crime fighting forces of Guyana, throwing a Dragnet across the land. Satiricus just knew that the criminals would soon be dragged in like those kaka bellies in the cast net.

Who else but Rum Jhaat would launch an operation against crime when the Crime Chief said crime was not “spiralling”. The Crime Chief had figures he claimed showed while crime was “rising” it was not “spiralling”. Fact of the matter, he didn’t know how to fight spiralling crime. This sort of crime twisted and turned – just like those kaka bellies from the Jhaat’s callow youth.

But the Dragnet, like his cast net, would catch the spiralling criminals. If they jumped high – Rum Jhaat announced he would launch the Air Corps. If they jumped into the water, there was Rum Jhaat’s Navy to conduct “hot pursuit”. And finally in they ran into the bushes Rum Jhaat had his border patrols.

Who said “spiralling” crime couldn't be caught? Take that...Crime Chief!

Region Two REO Rupert Hopkinson

Govt, EU partner for sustainable management of sea defence

The Government has solicited the support of the European Union (EU) in taking action to improve Guyana’s sea defence system.

In this regard, the Public Infrastructure Ministry is in the process of finalising a coastal engineering design manual. This was disclosed at a two-day staff training workshop, which was kicked off on Tuesday at the Cara Lodge.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, during the workshop, explained that coastal engineering management was particularly important to Guyana given factors such as climate change and the fact that Guyana was below sea level.

The Minister emphasised that Guyana must look at sustainable and long-term solutions to sea defence. “It’s very important that we recognise that coastal engineering extends way beyond the construction of physical sea barriers,” he said.

Patterson added too that the production of a design manual and the discussions, which would come out of the workshop, were important in Government’s fight to ensure that the citizenry was protected.

The Public Infrastructure Minister also acknowledged the EU’s role, and noted that the international body has been a major donor to Guyana in terms of sea defence. He further stated it was important that the Ministry and EU came together to train staff and inform them about the manual before it was completed.

Sustainability

Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to Guyana Jernej Videti? also hailed the need for sustainability in Guyana’s sea defence system. He stated that coastal engineering was an important sector, which has seen the Government and EU working together to solve issues.

In terms of Guyana’s sea defence, the Ambassador

said as a result of the lack of adequate maintenance of existing barriers along with the gradual destruction of mangrove forests, the protection of Guyana’s coastal zone was drastically reduced. This reduction, he said, has increased the need for rehabilitation, while long-term sustainable measures became urgent.

The diplomat concluded by stressing that the manual would be a useful and easily accessible tool, and he expressed hope that it would be used to build a strong strategy for Guyana.

The manual aims to provide appropriate and practical guidance for application of methods and techniques in regard to the design and implementation of coastal engineering projects in Guyana.

These projects concern new construction or repair and rehabilitation of existing sea defence; and the prevention of the erosion of oceanic, estuarine, and recessed coasts; coastal flooding; and heavy damage from wave attacks on valuable coastal commercial, urban, and tourist communities of Guyana.

The manual was put together by a team of four consultants, including a coastal engineering specialist, a geotechnical specialist, and an engineering specialist. These consultants spent time in Guyana interacting with a number of agencies. Focus areas in the document included integrated planning for sea and river defence works in Guyana, the physical site condition and data collection issues, and natural flood protection systems along Guyana’s oceanic coast and river banks and their relevance to the shore zone management process.

Tuesday’s workshop primarily saw the participation of Public Infrastructure Ministry employees from various departments and agencies. Today, the workshop will touch on a number of areas – including design of coastal flood protection

City congestion M&CC to assist with traffic management

Tstructures, design of river flood protection structures, and the economics and feasibility of sea defence – before coming to an end.

he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be assisting with traffic management and control of roads during the Christmas season in Georgetown as part of its efforts to maintain and secure the widespread rehabilitative works taking place in the city.

This was announced at the Council’s statutory meeting at City Hall.

The move, according to Town Clerk Royston King, is to alleviate the congestion of the city during the Christmas shopping rush.

A statement from the City Council on Monday noted that the municipality has an obligation to ensure compliance with all traffic regulations on the roads that

would be managed by the Council.

The Town Clerk also said the installation of upgraded bus stops was a vital aspect of its traffic management.

Meanwhile, Chief Constable (acting) Steven Bailey noted that the Constabulary has been restricted in its traffic duties owing to the lack of vital resources.

According to the Municipality and District Council’s Act, Chapter 28:01, Section 272 and 274, the Council has the power to construct, maintain and repair Council roads. It also has the power to determine carparks, road signs, and parking meters etc.

The acting Chief Constable said in January 2016, the Constabulary would be in a position to handle Council roads in the main commercial areas.

One of the bus stops being set up around the city

A section of the participants at the sea defence workshop

wednesday, december 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Keeping it real

Street names

MDr Baytoram Ramharack

ayor Hamilton Green and the City Council, in anticipation of the Golden Jubilee of independence, proposed the renaming of 50 streets in the city of Georgetown. One newspaper editorial condemned the idea as being “bizarre”, an idea grounded in an “obsession to erase history”, citing the confusion new names would generate, not to mention the tampering of established historical record caused by changing current names. Some notable Guyanese activists in the form of a letter to Stabroek News (December 7) concurred, citing the lack of “democratic instincts” and the fact that this is too mundane of an activity that is best left to the National Commemoration Commission. Fifty new names in Georgetown alone might be too much to handle. This is not to suggest that name changes are out of place. On the contrary, countries and Governments have changed names like changing diapers on a toddler. In fact, some countries have changed the name of their capital city, for one reason or another. Governments have also changed names of their countries (Burma to Myanmar, Ceylon to Sri Lanka, British Honduras to Belize, British Guiana to Guyana, etc). Incidentally, Georgetown was called Stabroek before 1812 when it was named after King George. Name changes to streets, cities and countries are generally attributed to setting the historical record straight. It’s a reflection of sovereignty.

I agree with the critics. Well, partially. Changing street names in the city by May 26, 2016 is too “rushed”, 50 names are too many and the City Council should occupy itself with more bread-and-butter issues that affect our daily lives. However, the world does not revolve around the streets of Georgetown. We can allocate new names to places outside of our primate city. What we need is a set of criteria and an appropriate methodology for doing so.

It was reported that at the City Council meeting, no names of enslaved Africans or indentured Indians were mentioned. So, I have some suggestions of my own, assuming that no national name recognition has already been allocated for them. First, I wish to endorse Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine’s call to name a street (or place) after “Bechu” As Clem Seecharan reminded us, Bechu (Odeen Ishmael identified “Bechu” actual name as Bhoshunath Chattopadhyay) was a Bengali, the “bound coolie radical in British Guiana”, who migrated from Calcutta at the age of 36. Bechu was indentured to Enmore Estate. His letters to the Daily Chronicle between 1896 and 1901 (he lived in Guyana from 1894 to 1901) consistently denounced the sexual exploitation of Indian women by white overseers, the withdrawal of hospital facilities, the abrogation of the labour code by plantation managers in their abuse of workers’ rights, the collusion between “protectors” of Indians, and the problems facing Indian immigrants in general. Bechu appeared before the West India Royal Commission on February 1, 1897, the first Indian in the Caribbean to do so. He was twice charged with libel (1898 and 1899), and threatened with deportation, but was found not guilty My second choice is James I Ramphal (father of Sir Shridath Ramphal). Ramphal, a Presbyterian schoolteacher, was a pioneer of secondary education in British Guiana. He was formerly a Headmaster, at the age of 20 of Helena Canadian Mission School, and later founded (with CA Yansen) the Modern High School in Georgetown in 1929. JI Ramphal, writing under the pseudonyms “Akbar Shah” and “Lala Lajpat” in the early 1930s in a weekly column, argued for a repeal of the obscurantist 1902 Swettenham Circular. The Swettenham Circular promulgated by Governor Alexander Swettenham did not make education compulsory in the rural areas if a child’s parents objected. Rather, the Compulsory Educational Ordinance of 1876 stipulated that in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, children had to go to school up to the age of 14, but in rural areas they had to go to school up to the age of 12. The Swettenham Circular allowed Indian parents to bypass the compulsory education ordinance. It essentially kept Indian girls illiterate. JI Ramphal was successful in his endeavour when the Circular was repealed on July 15, 1933. In 1934, with the withdrawal of the Circular in place, about 988 new Indian girls were attending schools throughout the colony, and the opening of a teacher’s training college in Georgetown in 1926 facilitated the first Indian women graduates in 1935: AR Khan, E Laila and IV Salamalay.

My third choice for name recognition is the Ruhomons: Peter and Joseph. The Ruhomons were born at Plantation Albion. Peter, born on August 2, 1873, is considered the first Indian intellectual in British Guiana. Joseph Ruhomon’s pamphlet of December 1894, based on a lecture he delivered in St Leonard’s School Room in Georgetown on October 4, “India and the Progress of Her People at Home and Abroad and How those in British Guiana may Improve Themselves, written at the age of 21, was the first book by an Indian about Indians in the colony, and the Caribbean. Upon its publication, the conservative Argosy (then a weekly, edited by a Scotsman, James Thompson), challenged the notion that natives were capable of governing themselves. The paper argued that neither “a Hindoo or a Negro” had the same scope for advancement and it was premature to assume that they were ready for self-Government. Joseph’s brother, Peter Ruhomon, born in 1880, was a journalist. He wrote under the pseudonym “the Pandit” and he was a leading light in the Susamachar [Wesleyan] East Indian Young Men’s Society in the 1920s and 1930s. Peter Ruhomon was an intellectual in his own right and his book the Centenary History of the East Indian in British Guiana (1947), reprinted by the East Indians 150th Anniversary Committee, offers a wealth of information about the progress of Indians in colonial Guiana.

These men, all influenced by their Christian faith (all writing under assumed pseudonyms in the local dailies), had a tremendous impact on all Guyanese, particularly Indians, regardless of religion or caste. They proved that they were no “coolie” or “sammy”.

(Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com)

Region 9 women trained to establish small businesses

ith the aim of de-

Wveloping the communities in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) by aiding in the improvement and personal growth of its women, the third “Self-Reliance and Success in Business” workshop was launched in Lethem on Monday.

Guyana Times was told that this five-day workshop is the third of its kind and is being conducted at the Indigenous Peoples’ Conference Hall in Lethem, Region Nine, with over 20 participants.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, First Lady Sandra Granger has taken this initiative to the region. The workshop is being funded by the Social Protection Ministry with support from the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

It was noted that all of the participants were selected from various communities throughout Region Nine. Among those communities are Aranaputa, Annai, Aishalton, St Ignatius, Tiger Pond, Karasabai, Culvert City, Parishara and Lethem.

This publication was told that while some of the women are already operating businesses which they own, others are hopeful and plan to establish small businesses of their own soon.

During her address to the participants at the opening ceremony of the workshop, the First Lady stated that she strongly believes that if persons do not truly understand the value of what they do then they will not appreciate their abilities.

“ I think it’s time women start putting a value on the things that they do and get some economic benefit when they can... you must yourself, value what you do and make sure that people value it too. Regardless of whether there is a monetary value for it,” she told the gathering.

Meanwhile, the region’s Chairman Bryan Allicock, in

commending the initiative posited that it will definitely boost the region’s economy as well as the country’s.

“This is a great step forward… and hopefully within the next four years there will be a lot of successful small businesses coming up,” Allicock said.

The facilitator of this workshop, Wayne Barrow, from Interweave Solutions assured that when the training programme concludes, its participants will “feel more empowered.”

As such, they will be able to complete their business and community development plans. According to Barrow, over 30 per cent of

the participants, who completed the programme in the

first two workshops held at other locations in Guyana, have been able to approach a micro-financing agency to fund their business ventures.

Meanwhile, Toshao Yusa Xavier of St Ignatius/ Kurupukari, acknowledged that a number of women in Region Nine have “great business ideas” but lack the knowledge on how to proceed to set up a business and build clientele.

A large number of persons, mainly women, hailing from the East Coast of Demerara, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and from Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), have already completed this type of programme and are “well on their way” to estab-

lishing themselves as successful business owners.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, in addition to taking this programme to the women of Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (MahaicaBerbice), Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in 2016, the First Lady plans to host an exposition to showcase and celebrate all the “business-savvy women” who completed the training. This event is scheduled to coincide with observances of International Women’s Day 2016. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Seated – First Lady Sandra Granger (centre) with participants at the workshop in Region Nine. Also in photo are Wayne Barrow (left) and Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Carl Parker (extreme right)

Tourism conference held to boost industry

Culminating Tourism Awareness Month

2015, which is being observed under the theme “Growing the Business of Tourism through Product innovation”, the Tourism Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) hosted a conference on Monday aimed at ensuring that Guyana’s tourism industry is taken full advantage of.

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh stated that the objective of the conference is to build and maintain competitive, profitable, sustainable and resilient businesses throughout Guyana.

The one-day event was attended by many stakeholders of the tourism industry and discussions were held in two categories; namely the Business of Tourism and Tourism Product Innovation.

The Business of Tourism discussions were headed by Strategic Marketing Lecturer from the University of the West Indies, Jennifer Barrow who shared on the topics such as pricing and packaging, and business to business marketing. Product innovation was handled by Eduardo Nycander, the CEO of Rainforest Expeditions in Peru; permaculture and ecotourism by Permaculturist Joseph Chin; and coconuts and tourism by Tourism specialist Gemma Wenner.

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes reminded those gathered that they are the ones who provide the products, the services and the experience visitors will yearn for and enjoy.

She noted that tourism

IGBTI donates $1M to charities

− David Rose School and Uncle Eddie’s Home also recipients

Tis a billion-dollar industry worldwide and the adventure, the leisure, and eco-tourism sector, are aspects that Guyana is well equipped with to provide to any discerning traveller.

“We are fortunate to recognise that we have all the facilities and that is the fastest growing sector in the world today. I am reminding you that there are still tremendous opportunities in the tourism sector today and many are failing to take advantage and make the best of it. The issue in Guyana is taking advantage of what we have been given, which includes the natural blessing of beautiful natural landscape, teaming with activities and the life changing experiences that will satisfy any visitor,” Minister Hughes stated.

She noted that for too long, Guyanese have not had the opportunity to enjoy their own tourism product. The Tourism Minister mentioned therefore that this was part of what the Ministry would like to achieve over the next 12 months; to continuously encourage persons

and provide opportunities at a competitive price so that they can see more of the products in Guyana, so that they can be the spokespersons in and around our own country.

Hughes noted that a major problem Guyana has been struggling with for many years in the tourism industry is the availability of finances to develop the industry’s full potential.

As such, she posited that the focus of the tourism programme for Guyana over the next 12 months is not only providing opportunities where persons are able to learn, share and be infused with what they can do with their own Private Sector businesses, but to also match those ideas with availability of funding from a range of sources.

She shared that in her six months as Tourism Minister, she has been pleasantly surprised to learn that there are indeed funds available for tourism products and innovative resources that Guyana can bring to the table. She added that quite often, the paperwork and project documentation that is required can be very overwhelming, even for the largest of businesses and therefore can be dissuading.

The Tourism Minister shared that the Ministry will be looking into ensuring that the support needed by businesses in terms of developing the product document to access the needed funds is high priority within the next year, as she added that she is on a mission “to put more feet on Guyana’s soil”.

n the Monday, December 8 edition of the Guyana Times under the caption “Stray animal causes yet another accident”, this newspaper inadvertently published the name of the man injured in the accident as Thakur Karan instead of Khellawan Singh. The accident occurred at 12:30h on Sunday, December 6, 2015.

he Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Tuesday donated $1 million to nine local charitable organisations. The annual event was hosted at the Bank’s corporate office.

Among the charities that benefited from donations are the David Rose School for Handicapped Children, Uncle Eddie’s Home, Salvation Army, Guyana Red Cross and Food For The Poor.

GBTI Manager

(Administration) Sean Noel said that charities plays an important role in societies and such works have a huge impact on those who benefits.

“We want the organisations to know that they can turn to the Bank, I believe that it speaks well for us that we are involved in this initiative of giving and sharing, especially around the holiday season,” Noel said, adding that GBTI is involved in very significant programmes that are con-

ducted to support young people, senior citizens, sporting organisations and educational activities.

Representatives of the benefiting charities thanked the Bank for its support.

Speaking at the event, June Herod of the Dave Rose School expressed her pleasure that the bank is giving back to those in need. “I am pleased at the job they are doing. This donation will help in the further development of all the oraganisations,” Herod said.

International Anti-Corruption Day 2015

Government violating transparency norms − PPP/C

− corruption has disastrous impacts on development –UN

Guyana joins the rest of the world today in observing International AntiCorruption Day 2015 and the Opposition Party is recommitting itself to the fight against the scourge of corruption.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is calling on all Guyanese to be vigilant against corruption and corrupt practices.

According to a media statement from the Party on Tuesday, it views corruption as a disease which attacks the foundation of democratic institutions. This, it said, includes the distortion of electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape; the only reason for its existence is to solicit bribes.

It statement further noted that one consequence of such an aberration is the stunting of economic development and the overall prosperity of the citizenry as a whole.

The Party posited that despite talks about transparency, accountability and due diligence by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition

Government, it has thus far been in violation of transparency norms which the APNU/AFC claimed to uphold and defend when in Opposition.

The PPP/C referred to the “recent violation of Tender Board procedures” in the award of a contract to Fedders Lloyd for the construction of the Specialty Hospital. The press release further stated that similar infractions in the tendering process were evident in the awarding of contracts to clean up the city and in the forensic audits.

UN message

Meanwhile, according to the United Nations (UN), corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. It undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability.

Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon in his message for International AntiCorruption Day this year stated that corruption has disastrous impacts on development when funds that should be devoted to schools, health clinics and other vital public services are instead diverted into the hands of criminals or dishonest officials.

“Corruption exacerbates violence and insecurity. It can lead to dissatisfaction with public institutions, disillusion with Government in general, and spirals of anger and unrest. On International Anti-Corruption Day, I call for united efforts to deliver a clear message around the world that firmly rejects corruption and embraces instead the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance,” he said.

(kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes

Representatives of the various organistions that received donations from the Bank

Former President and wife host Christmas party for children at there Goedverwagting home, East Coast Demerara

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

Around the world

Syrian Opposition groups discuss peace push

Saudi Arabia is hosting a three-day meeting in Riyadh to try to unite the Syrian Opposition before potential talks with the Government of President Bashar al-Assad. There have been attempts to do this before, but this time international peace efforts are gaining momentum.

There is a need for the Opposition to speak in one voice and present a common vision for Syria’s future. The alliances in this conflict are a complicated maze: There is no clear way through.

There is a spanner in the works already after the decision by Saudi Arabia not to invite the Democratic

Union Party (PYD), the largest Kurdish group, and its armed wing, the YPG. Its allies, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have not been invited either.

Instead, they will be holding a separate meeting in Syria’s north-eastern province of Hasakah.

The Saudi meeting comes amid international efforts to

restart peace negotiations with the Syrian Government and there is a need to create a delegation to represent the Opposition.

Global and regional powers recently met in Vienna and agreed on launching peace talks and a political process, but there was no agreement on Assad’s role in that process.

Foreign backers of the warring sides disagree on whether the Syrian leader can stay in power during the transition process. The Opposition is just as divided.

“The majority of the Opposition believes Assad is part of the problem. There can’t be a solution unless he steps down immediately,” said Louay Safi, who was a member of the Opposition delegation which attended the first peace conference held in Geneva last year.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Donald Trump’s Muslim US ban call roundly condemned

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has provoked condemnation from across the political spectrum, by saying Muslims should be banned from entering the United States.

Republicans, Democrats, Muslim leaders, the United Nations and foreign leaders criticised the call as dangerous and divisive.

Trump said many Muslims nursed a “hatred” towards America.

He said they should be banned “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”.

His campaign manager said that would apply to “everybody” – would-be immigrants and tourists. But Trump told Fox News it would “not apply to people living in the country”, add-

ing that Muslims serving in the US military would “come home”.

Trump’s statement was delivered as the US comes to terms with its deadliest terror attack since 9/11.

Last week, a Muslim couple, believed to have been radicalised, opened fire and killed 14 people at a health centre in San Bernardino.

Trump’s proposed ban prompted a horrified reaction from Republicans and others.

Rival candidate Jeb Bush called Trump “unhinged”, while former US Vice President Dick Cheney said it “goes against everything we stand for and believe in”.

“Just foolish,” said Republican Arizona Senator John McCain. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Caribbean Economist posthumously honoured by Govt of Cuba

Internationally recognised Caribbean Economist and scholar the late Professor Norman Girvan was on Monday posthumously honoured by the Government of Cuba for his outstanding contribution to wider Caribbean integration and for his commitment to and support of the ideals of the Cuban Revolution.

At a ceremony held here Monday, at the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) the Cuban Government in a proclamation accompanying the Medal of Friendship presented to his widow Jasmin, hailed Girvan’s work as an educator, regional official and champion of the cause of freedom and independence in the wider Caribbean.

US to deploy spy plane in Singapore amid China tensions

The United States has agreed with Singapore on a first deployment of the US P8 Poseidon spy plane in Singapore this month, in a fresh response to China over its pursuit of territorial claims in the South China Sea.

China, which is at odds with Washington over the South China Sea, said on Tuesday the move was aimed at militarising the region.

In a joint statement after a meeting in Washington on Monday, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter and Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen welcomed the inaugural deployment of the aircraft in Singapore from December 7 to 14.

A US defence official

said further deployments in Singapore could be expected. The move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea.

China claims almost the entire energy-rich waters, through which more than US$5 trillion of maritime trade passes each year. The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

“I think this kind of increase in military deployment by the United States and pushing regional militarisation does not accord with the joint long-term interests of the countries in this region,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Girvan served as a senior academic at the University of the West Indies and as Secretary General of the

Association of Caribbean States (ACS) prior to his untimely death in 2014.

But it is his role in helping to win the release from a US prison of the famous Cuban Five that Girvan is most appreciated by the Government and People of Cuba. The Cuban Five were among guests at the ceremony that was also attended by top Government officials, members of the Caribbean diplomatic corps here, a number of leading academics from across the region and the current Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

The presentation ceremony was held ahead of the formal opening Tuesday of the 9th

International Conference of the Caribbean Studies Centre at the University of Havana. In accepting the award, Mrs Girvan described her late husband “as a true friend of the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban people who admired the progress your country has made over the years despite the blockade.” She thanked the Government and people of Cuba for the honour and recognition bestowed on her late husband.

Jamaican-born Girvan at the time of his death served as the United Nations Good Officer in the quest for a solution to the ongoing border controversy between Venezuela and Guyana.

Rift between Rousseff and VP aggravates Brazil political crisis

Brazilian Vice

President Michel Temer has further distanced himself from the President with a letter of complaints, moving into a position from which his allies say he can make a full break from her troubled Government or lead the country outright if she is impeached by Congress.

In a letter to President Dilma Rousseff, following days of speculation regarding a growing rift between them, Temer grumbled that Rousseff sidelined him from major cabinet decisions and no longer trusted his Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), her main ally in the governing coalition.

His letter was published by O Globo newspaper and its contents were confirmed by Temer aides. The PMDB, an ideologically amorphous party with a history of moving across the political spectrum and aligning itself with power, is divided over

impeachment proceedings begun last week against Rousseff, a leftist who first took office in 2011.

The Opposition launched the impeachment effort charging that Rousseff used accounting tricks to disguise the cost of economic stimu-

lus measures as she campaigned for re-election last year. A Congressional auditor said the practices broke public finance laws. The President, who has denied wrongdoing, currently appears to enjoy enough support in Congress to defeat an impeachment vote, a lengthy process expected to last well into next year. But Temer controls crucial votes of moderates in his party who together could tip the scales against the President, whose popularity has tanked in the midst of a severe recession and a massive corruption scandal involving state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Global and regional powers recently met in Vienna and agreed on launching peace talks and a political process, but there was no agreement on Assad’s role in that process

Brazil’s Vice President Michel Temer (L) talks with President Dilma Rousseff during a ceremony to announce the adaptation criteria in the AM and FM broadcasting grants, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, November 24

Mrs Jasmine Thomas-Girvan with Guyana’s Dr Mark Kirton (right) and Suriname’s Ruben Martoredjo of the Institute of International Relations (IIR) at the University of the West Indies just after receiving the award on behalf of her late husband

wednesday, december 9, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

International Aviation Day

3 honoured for service to aviation sector

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) honoured three long standing members of the aviation fraternity on Monday.

At a simple ceremony at the Air Services hanger at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, Ankar Doobay of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Gary Sahai of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Bholanauth Baijinath of Roraima Airways Limited were the honourees.

Speaking at the event, Vice President of NATA, Captain Gerry Gouveia in recognition of International Aviation Day spoke of the

officials development of the aviation sector in Guyana. He said while Guyana has come a long way with respect to avi-

ation, there still needs to be much improvement in the area of ‘Search and Rescue’. This, he said, should be a

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Murdering Rodney a second time – vulgar interference with the justice system

D“top priority.” Considering Guyana’s rough terrain and the unfortunate mishaps that recently occurred, equipping a better search and rescue unit should certainly be of importance, he stressed.

Sonia Noel Foundation to host blood drive

The Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts, in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry, will be hosting a blood drive on Thursday.

The blood drive will be at Water Chris Hotel and Restaurant located on Waterloo and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, from 12:00h to 18:00h.

The Foundation, in a statement, said December was considered the most festive time of the year and it would be a great gift to donate a pint of blood that could save someone’s life.

“We all need to be more caring of each other and, as such, we are honoured to be associated with the Ministry on such a worthy venture,” the Foundation’s founder, Sonia Noel said.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton stated, “One unit of blood has the potential of saving three lives. Become a Good Samaritan today: donate blood to save more lives.”

Persons donating blood will get the opportunity to win free dinners at the Pegasus and Marriott Hotels.

avid Granger as President of Guyana has denied a request from the Chairman of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry for more time to complete the Report of the Commission. His Government had earlier in July this year abruptly ended the Inquiry by the Commission, with many important witnesses, like Rodney’s comrade, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, still to testify. In part, the closure was designed to prevent Granger himself testifying, something he has steadfastly refused to do.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

In announcing the closure of the Commission’s work, Attorney General Basil Williams had declared that the Rodney CoI was a waste of time and merely a witch-hunting exercise. Bringing the CoI to an abrupt end and now denying the Commission time to complete its report are injustices and nothing short of torpedoing the work of a Commission that was tasked with finding out the circumstances and identifying who were responsible for the heinous murder of Walter Rodney. It is a barefaced and reckless interference with justice.

The Rodney murder was an ugly moment in our history, even in the context of the long period and long list of lawlessness and reprehensible behaviour by the then People’s National Congress (PNC). It was an event that will forever be a stain on the otherwise proud Guyanese story. We may never be able to bring justice by having those responsible face the consequences of their action in a court of law, but at least as a nation, the CoI was intended for us to have a sense of justice by confronting the ugly truth of an assassination that shamed a whole nation. The CoI was intended to bring closure and allow us to heal.

Granger and his PNC colleagues may want to hide the shame associated with the PNC because the CoI will confirm the ugly truth of a centrally directed conspiracy to murder a young Guyanese hero for political reasons. But for people like Roopnaraine, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, who are now immersed in the belly of the beast, and for whom Rodney’s death was a criminal travesty, they have now shamefully abdicated their duty to the hundreds of thousands who have demanded justice for decades.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) tried for decades to establish a CoI. At one time, Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and Roopnaraine were fierce advocates for a Rodney CoI. Now they have succumbed to the hunger for power and have been lured into abandoning their own conviction that Rodney was killed by the State machinery and that some of their newly embraced comrades in A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) were very much part of that machinery.

But the world knows – Walter Rodney, a young Guyanese freedom fighter, was brutally murdered more than 35 years ago. Even those who have been incriminated in the death of Walter Rodney do not deny this terrible fact which remains in our national psyche as a shameful blemish in our short sovereign history. What has been clearly revealed during the CoI is that the State under a PNC Government was involved in a centrally directed plot to murder Rodney.

Donald Ramotar, as Guyana’s President, followed the path of justice and served the national interest when he established the CoI. In choosing the persons to sit on the CoI, the then President, as head of a PPP/Civic Government, was careful to chose a panel of judicial and legal champions in the Caribbean and a process that was above-board. This was too important an investigation and called for absolute credibility.

APNU/AFC has sought to frustrate and torpedo the path to justice by denying the Commission the right to listen and study the testimony of important witnesses. Now APNU/ AFC is denying the CoI time to complete its report. Clearly, APNU/AFC is trying to muzzle the Commission and vulgarly interfering with justice.

But they will not be able to twist the arm of justice and prevent a verdict that will legally document what we all know – Rodney was murdered in a centrally directed plot. Some of Rodney’s close comrades are now cowardly cradled within the belly of the beast and are joining the likes of Granger to murder Rodney a second time.

(Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com)

From left: Honourees, Captain Gary Sahai, Holanauth Baijinath and Ankar Doobay, along with NATA

Sonia Noel

Consultations on marijuana reform to begin – AG

As momentum increases and with more people pushing for a review of the current legislation governing the usage of marijuana, Government will soon be embarking upon an extensive consultative process to get the general public’s views before it makes a definitive decision.

The legalisation and decriminalisation of marijuana is currently a burning social issue worldwide. In Guyana, groups have come forward and pressed the Government for a review of the laws; which they deemed as archaic.

This call was recently heightened after local football star, Vibert Butts, Guyana’s first World Cup football scorer, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

In fact, Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Nigel Hughes, who is a lawyer by profession, is already preparing a petition against stiff marijuana penalties. He also took the liberty of drafting a new Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2015 which seeks to soften the penalties for marijuana possession. This Bill is expected to be laid in the National Assembly soon for debate.

The law currently stipulates that any person found in possession of cannabis shall be liable to a fine not less than $10,000 or three times the monetary value of the drug and 10 years’ imprisonment. Trafficking the drug carries a heavier penalty.

Consultation

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams told a news conference on Monday that he is unsure of Government’s position regarding the calls for legislative reform on this issue.

“I don’t know what Government’s position is because we haven’t addressed this matter yet at Cabinet,” he stated.

Williams also noted that there needs to be extensive consultation on the issue, because everyone’s views needs to be taken into consideration.

“You believe that everybody in Guyana wants marijuana to be legalised?” Williams posited.

According to reports, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo already signalled his intention to discuss the matter with the other People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Members of

Sugar industry API 2015 talks

Conciliation ends in deadlock

By Kristen MacKlingaM

Parliament.

The Rastafarian community for years has been calling for a review of the legislation.

Only recently, a protest was staged outside of the Attorney General Chambers where persons were calling on Government to review the laws.

Notably, calls are not particularly being made for the legalisation of the drug but for the Government to relax the harsh penalties for marijuana possession.

Commitment

Both the PPP/C and the current Administration had committed to reviewing the law in the lead up to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

In fact, days after the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) revealed it would examine the legalisation of marijuana if it was elected to office, the Alliance For Change (AFC) echoed similar sentiments, saying the law should be a tool of reformation, not condemnation.

AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo, now Prime Minister, had stated that the current laws in Guyana were too strict. He stressed that these laws needed to be humanised.

“In Guyana, we are not traversing new grounds. We believe that too many people are in our jails today for the use of the drug. I don’t see anyone in jail for tobacco or alcohol and so we have to be careful that we do not criminalise our young people and condemn them to a jail for the possession of marijuana. In terms of trafficking, then the law will deal with that. The purpose of the law is to rehabilitate. The purpose of laws should be for reformation and rehabilitation, not for condemnation. We want, as the AFC, to humanise our laws, to make our laws applicable to reform and rehabilitate rather than to condemn and destroy,” Nagamootoo expressed. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

The deadlock between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) with regard to workers’ Annual Production Incentive (API) for this year continues.

In spite of the Union and the Sugar Corporation agreeing to move to conciliation after weeks of debate, no solution was decided on

when the conciliation meeting ended on Tuesday.

GAWU President Komal Chand told Guyana Times on Tuesday that the meeting, which occurred under the aegis of Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle, lasted over four hours. However, despite both parties deliberating and presenting their cases for that lengthy period, they were unable to narrow the difference between what each was proposing.

“GuySuCo’s position re-

mains unchanged … we call upon them to let us find a settlement,” Chand stated.

He emphasised that the Union was urging that the sugar entity “compromise” and “adjust” so as to reward the sugar workers for the hard work and determination that they have exhibited during 2015.

According to the GAWU President, because the parties have not been able to reach an amicable agreement in relation to the quan-

tum for the 2015 API, another meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday. This meeting will be held at GAWU’s Boardroom in Kingston, Georgetown. Guyana Times was told that the Union would accept the move by the Sugar Corporation to pay the workers a percentage of their API before the end of 2015, provided that GuySuCo paid the remainder before the end of March 2016. (kristenm@ guyanatimesgy.com)

President Granger to grace Linden stakeholders luncheon −

LEN to be officially launched

By UtaMa Bell

President David Granger is expected to headline a much anticipated Linden and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice ) stakeholders luncheon, slated for the Watooka Complex, MacKenzie, Linden on Thursday.

The “mix and mingle” affair is being presented by Regional Members of Parliament and stakeholders under the theme, “Uniting towards the development of Region 10”.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is also expected to be part of the event which will also see the attendance and presentations of various members of Cabinet, Linden Interim

Management Committee

Chairman Orrin Gordon and Regional Chairman Renis Morian, among others. Attendees at the event are expected to share views on how to keep the region and Guyana moving forward.

An organiser, Regional Member of Parliament Valerie Patterson said she has received confirmation from the Office of the President that His Excellency will grace the event, which Lindeners have been anticipating since August.

She said as part of the programme, President Granger will unveil a newly erected ‘Welcome to Linden’ sign located at the entrance of the town, at Millies Hideout

President David Granger

on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway on Thursday.

Patterson added that the President will then proceed to the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) on Republic

Avenue, Linden, for an official launch. Although LEN has been in operation for approximately six years, it will now be officially launched, according to Patterson who is also the Enterprise’s Manager. The business Enterprise recently received a facelift ahead of its official launch on Thursday.

“The reason we can do this is because we received an appropriation of $155 million dollars in the 2015 budget and this is the first time we have received money from Government... $100 million was set aside for credit and loans, and the $55 million, $30 million of that was set aside for rehabilitation of the building,” she noted.

PM Nagamootoo to attend Argentine President’s inauguration

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will represent Guyana at the inauguration ceremony of Argentina’s newly elected President Mauricio Macri in Buenos Aires, set for Thursday.

According to a state-

ment from the Prime Minister’s Office, he will depart Guyana today and return on Saturday.

Macri was elected on November 22 in a run-off election following General Elections on October 25. He succeeds Cristina de Kirchner as the South American nation’s Head of State.

The former Mayor of Buenos Aires, who ran under the banner of Cambiemos (“Let’s Change”) – a coalition of mostly centrist non-Peronist parties – took 51.4 per cent of the vote. He narrowly defeated Daniel Scioli, the governor of Buenos Aires province, who campaigned as the heir of the outgoing President de Kirchner.

Attorney General Basil Williams

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Prepare for the festive season. Financial gains look promising, with many contracts, settlements and winnings heading your way. Travel plans will give you the incentive to tie up loose ends.

Make a point to share your thoughts, plans and feelings with someone special. The support you receive and the input that’s offered will give you the momentum you need to reach your goals.

Take on a challenge, but don’t underestimate any opponent you face. Positive change is heading your way. Prove that you are responsible and ready to handle whatever challenge you encounter.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Getting together with old friends or reminiscing about the past will spark new enthusiasm and lead to the revival of hobbies and activities that you used to enjoy. Romance is encouraged.

Bide your time and focus on jobs you have left unfinished. Being productive will make you look good and help you avoid troublesome emotional encounters. Listen to the voice of experience.

Uncertainty will plague you. You should delay making a decision if you have doubts about the situation. It’s better to be safe than to appease someone who’s taking advantage of you. Treat yourself to some pampering.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Taking a trip or expanding your knowledge will spark interest in an unusual vocation. Consider your options and how you can turn something you love doing into a moneymaking venture.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t be afraid to be different. It’s your special way of doing things that attracts interest and attention. Romance should take top priority. An offer is heading your way.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Rumors will circulate if you haven’t been honest with someone. Caution must be taken while traveling or dealing with authoritative individuals. Giving the wrong answer will result in trouble. Protect your reputation.

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

Finishing what you start should be your main objective. You will feel relieved and in the mood to celebrate with someone you love once the work is done. Make an impression by planning something lavish.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Size up your situation and make decisions based on your findings. Don’t let your emotions lead you down the wrong path. Change can be good if your motives are pure.

You’ll have a creative way of dealing with personal matters. Your actions, consideration and affection will play important roles in your day. Love and romance should take precedence over more humdrum matters. Show how much you care.

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

Oscar Pistorius - bailed, tagged and free to roam

Oscar Pistorius, who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013, was granted bail on Tuesday and has the freedom of South Africa’s capital Pretoria as he waits to appeal his conviction in April.

The Paralympic champion, nicknamed “Blade Runner” because of the prosthetic legs he uses to race, was granted bail of 10,000 rand (£456), after spending the last two months under house arrest at his uncle’s home in a wealthy Pretoria suburb.

Pistorius had been meant to serve the rest of a fiveyear sentence there but the Supreme Court upgraded the 29-year-old’s conviction to murder from culpable homicide last week. He will appear in court on April 18 to give an update on his appeal at the constitutional court.

He faces a minimum 15year sentence for shooting Steenkamp in a case that has fascinated and divided South Africa, a country beset by high levels of violent crime.

Rights groups say the white track star has received preferential treatment.

On Tuesday, South African High Court Judge Aubrey Ledwaba said Pistorius could leave the house between 7 a.m. and noon and, with permission from the authorities, travel within a radius of 20km (12 miles).

Pistorius has been ordered to hand in his passport and wear an electronic tag.

When he was arrested in 2013, Pistorius had to set aside bail of 1 million rand, but on Tuesday he argued for a reduced amount, saying his means had diminished.

“I have lost all my assets and only possess my personal assets,” he said in his written bail application.

“I have no income, but will continue to seek employment ... It was difficult to obtain employment due to my conviction and correctional supervision conditions.”

Pistorius lost millions of dollars in endorsements and sponsorships, after reaching the pinnacle of his fame in London 2012 when he became the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, reaching the 400-metres semi-finals.

Pistoruis, who also said in his application that he had enrolled in a correspondence course for a degree at the London School of Economics, was dressed in a black suit and tie and appeared calm during the proceedings.

There was no immediate comment from Steenkamp’s family. Barry Steenkamp, Reeva’s father, welcomed the murder conviction last week, saying “it was a fair decision”.

Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux said the appeal would cite grounds including the appeal court reconsidering a trial court finding that Pistorius felt his and Steenkamp’s life were in danger when he fired the shots. (Reuters Sports)

With a name like his, Tyson Fury was not destined to be a shy and retiring wallflower.

Since becoming world heavyweight champion, the 27-year-old British boxer has been living up to his name, provoking fury well beyond the ring with his pronouncements on homosexuality, women, fellow athletes and a range of other topics.

One of sport’s biggest upsets, Fury’s victory last month over long-standing world champion Wladimir Klitschko has earned him a spot on the shortlist for the BBC’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award.

But along with recognition of his sporting achievement, the man who calls himself the “Gypsy King” to honour his Irish travel-

ler heritage has also gained much wider exposure for his controversial views since his overnight rise to global fame.

An online petition calling on the BBC to deselect him because of comments widely seen as homophobic has now gathered close to 100,000 signatures.

“Young people need sports personalities that they can look up to, not people who express outrageous homophobic views, which can cause bullying and selfharm,” the petition reads.

It cited an interview with the Mail on Sunday newspaper in which Fury, a bornagain Christian, said three things needed to happen “before the devil comes home”. These were “homosexuality being legal in countries”, along with abortion and pae-

LeBron James signs lifetime Nike deal

Nike has signed Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James to a lifetime deal in what one source familiar with the negotiations said is the largest single-athlete guarantee in company history.

“We can confirm that we have agreed to a lifetime relationship with LeBron that provides significant value to our business, brand and shareholders,” Nike said in a statement. “We have already built a strong LeBron business over the past 12 years, and we see the potential for this to continue to grow throughout his playing career and beyond.”

A company spokesperson would not say how much Nike paid. It is believed to be the first lifetime deal in the shoe and apparel company’s 44-year history.

“I’m very humble, man,” James told reporters after Monday’s practice. “It’s been an unbelievable time for myself and my family, and I’m just grateful that Nike and [Nike founder] Phil Knight and everyone over there just believed in a skinny-old, skinny 18-year-old kid from Akron, Ohio, and I’m happy to be a part of such a great company.”

A source close to the deal told ESPN that it easily surpasses the 10-year, $300 million deal Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant signed with the world’s largest shoe and apparel brand last summer.

“LeBron and I have been in love and

obsessed with Nike since we were kids,” Maverick Carter, James’ business partner, said Monday. “Having built a totally innovative global business with them has truly been a dream come true. We are so excited to be taking the business to an entirely new level. For LeBron, he’s thrilled to know he’s a Nike guy for life.”

James commented on his affinity for the brand, how important his first Nike deal was and what the new agreement means to him.

“It meant a lot to me even when I signed my first deal just to be with Nike, and it means even more that they’ve given me this,” James said. “It’s like I said, very humbling and grateful, and I’m going to continue to do my job and represent the brand the best way I can, like I know how. Hopefully, people see that.”

Carter will manage the deal, which was negotiated by Main Street Advisors’ Paul Wachter, who also negotiated the deal for John Henry to buy the Red Sox in 2002 and represented Beats By Dre in its $3 billion sale to Apple last May.

Although other companies have negotiated lifetime deals -- Adidas has structured them with Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and soccer great David Beckham, while Reebok has a lifetime deal with former Philadelphia 76ers point guard Allen Iverson -- Nike has never announced a lifetime deal before.

It’s assumed that Michael Jordan has at least a de facto agreement for life. Nike acknowledged to its investors in October that the Air Jordan brand, which began in 1985, had surpassed $2.2 billion in annual sales. Nike has made more versions of James’ shoe than for any other athlete outside of Jordan, who is on his 30th Air Jordan. Both James and Nike’s business has grown exponentially since 2003, when Nike signed James on the eve of the NBA lottery to a seven-year, $90 million deal, its largest athlete deal ever at the time.

Nike has made 13 versions of James’ signature shoe, and annual sales in 2015 for his line are estimated to top $400 million. (ESPN)

Shortlisted for BBC award, Tyson provokes fury with words

Tyson Fury

dophilia.

The BBC defended Fury’s inclusion on the award shortlist.

“The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement,” it said in a statement.

“It is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs, either by the BBC or members of the panel.”

Fury has responded to the controversy with a series of sometimes conflicting comments in media interviews and on Twitter.

“Let’s not try and make

me out to be some evil person and I hate gays because I don’t hate anybody. I can actually say I don’t hate anybody,” he told BBC radio on Monday.

He had tweeted on Friday that he hoped not to win the BBC award as he wasn’t the best role model for children and that it should go to someone who would appreciate it.

But in following tweets he struck a more defiant note.

“I’ve got more personality than all the other competitors put together,” read one tweet. “Just to recap, I stick by anything I’ve said in the past, 10000% being the heavyweight champion makes no difference to me, I’m a roll (sic) model,” was another.

Fury’s controversial com-

ments have not been limited to the subject of homosexuality.

On women, he declared: “I’m not sexist. I believe a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back. That’s my personal belief. Making me a good cup of tea, that’s what I believe.”

Of fellow Sports Personality of the Year contender Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic heptathlon champion, he said: “She slaps up well.”

On Monday, even fellow boxers who had been thrilled about Fury’s title triumph joined the backlash against him.

Former British world champion David Haye labelled him a “moron” and said in a newspaper interview: “Come on man - just shut up.” (Reuters Sport)

Oscar Pistorius

LeBron James

SCG/Trophy Stall 10-over tapeball

Hillfoot, Kings, Rubis and Airport XI in semi-finals

Hillfoot, Kings XI, Rubis and Airport XI have moved into the semi-finals of the Soesdyke Cricket Groups (SCG)-organised, Trophy Stallsponsored 10-over tapeball cricket competition for teams along the East Bank Demerara corridor.

Playing in the quarter-final games on Sunday last at the Soesdyke Community Centre Ground, the four teams all recorded comfortable victories to stay alive in the tournament.

In game one, Hillfoot defeated Friendship by 24 runs. Batting first, Hillfoot posted 127-4 in the allotted overs, with Lanty Hinds hitting 41 and Avinash Mohabir, 29. Harry Pooran picked up 2-22 for Friendship, who were shot out for 103. Pooran returned to score 26, but it was Rickey Seeamber, who proved to be the star of the show, snaring 5-14.

Kings XI emerged with a seven-wicket win over Kuru Kururu in game two. Kuru Kururu managed 89-6 with Joel Alleyne scoring 28 and Mike Mickel taking 3-21. Kings XI then easily knocked off the target, reaching 91-3 in 8.5

overs. David Francis led the chase with a composed 36 not out. Game three proved a woefully

one-sided affair, as Rubis crushed a depleted Soesdyke Vishnu Mandir (SVM) team missing some key players. SVM tallied 75-8, with Naresh Ram topscoring with 31 and Pandit Raj scoring 25, as Olufemi Sandy took 3-21.

Jamal Hinkson then stroked 38 not out, as Rubis XI coasted to 80-1 in 6.3 overs.

In the final game of the day, Airport XI outplayed Sarah Johanna by the wide margin of 54 runs. Nigel Hugh hit 39 and Kevin DeJonge made 23 not out as Airport XI posted 123-8. Alex Alston claimed 3-26 for Sarah Johanna, who responded with 69-7 when the overs finished.

Harry Persaud made 16, as DeJonge and Anil Somwaru grabbed two wickets each.

The competition will wrap up on December 19 when the semifinals, third-place playoff and grand final are contested at the Soesdyke Community Centre Ground. In the first semi-final, Rubis will face Kings XI, followed by Airport XI against Hillfoot.

Action will bowl off at 16:00h and conclude under floodlights.

We can beat Australia – Ambrose

Curtly Ambrose feels West Indies can do more than just compete with Australia in their Test series.

West Indies believe they can shock Australia in their Test series, according to great fast bowler Curtly Ambrose.

The tourists were thrashed by 10 wickets by a Cricket Australia XI in a tour match, leading to fears they may be embarrassed in the three-Test series starting Thursday.

Despite those concerns, Ambrose – now the Windies’ bowling coach – said his team had come to Australia eyeing more than just being competitive.

“It’s not a matter of what we’ve changed. It’s the way going forward,” he told a news conference on Tuesday.

“We played against Australia

not so long ago in the Caribbean and even though we lost 2-0, there were moments and periods when we had them on the back foot, their backs against the wall, but never really finished them off.

“So we believe that we can compete, and not only compete but we believe we can beat them and that’s the whole focus – to beat Australia. Not just to compete but to win.

“We’re underdogs but sometimes it’s good to be that way. We have nothing to lose.

“As far as I’m concerned, Australia is the only one under pressure because they have to beat us because Australians and cricket in general expect them to steamroll us so they’re the ones under pressure, not us.

“We’re going to put on a good show.”

Since the teams met in June, the likes of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson have retired for Australia.

Asked if he felt the hosts were vulnerable due to the numerous changes, Ambrose said they would still be hard to beat.

“I wouldn’t want to say they’re vulnerable. They’re still a good team,” he said.

“They’re playing at home, they know the conditions better than us, we have a pretty young team as well.

“We are not playing as well as we should or we can play so it’s going to be interesting.

“I believe that we have enough bowlers in our line-up to create some problems and that to me is going to be very important.” (Digicel Sportsmax)

Neymar scoops Player of the Month award in 1st for Barca

Barcelona forward Neymar was named La Liga’s “Player of the Month” for November on Tuesday, marking the first time anyone from the club has won the award since its introduction in September 2013.

The Brazil forward scored five goals in three games during the month, including doubles against Villarreal and Real Sociedad and one against Real Madrid in the ‘Clasico’, and leads the overall scoring chart with 14 goals in 13 appearances.

Remarkably, Barca’s four-times World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has never won the award, while

his great rival, three-time World Player Cristiano Ronaldo of Real, has scooped it twice.

The award often goes to players with a relatively low profile such as Nolito of Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano’s Alberto Bueno, Eibar’s Borja Baston and Sevilla’s Vitolo. Prominent players who have not been honoured include Real’s Gareth Bale and Barca pair Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.

Barca swept the board at the La Liga awards for last season, however, with Messi voted best player and best forward and Luis Enrique best coach. (Reuters Sport)

NBA roundup…

Raptors beat Lakers in Bryant’s last game in Toronto

Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey wasn’t happy with his team’s defensive effort on Monday night — even if it did result in a victory.

L.A. erased a 10-point halftime deficit and entered the fourth quarter tied at 71 in the Raptors’ eventual 102-93 win. Led by Kobe Bryant, the Lakers went on a 15-4 run to open the second half and capped the third quarter off with five unanswered points.

Kyle Lowry poured in a gamehigh 27 points as the Raptors swept a season series versus the Lakers for the first time in franchise history. Toronto won the only other meeting of the season between the two teams, 102-91 on Nov. 20.

Terrence Ross, starting in place of the injured DeMarre Carroll, added a season-high 22 points for the Raptors (13-9), who snapped a two-game losing skid.

Bismack Biyombo added 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Raptors used a 9-0 fourthquarter run, highlighted by a Biyombo alley-oop dunk, to pull away.

Bryant had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers (3-18), who have lost three straight games and eight of their last 11.

Monday was Bryant’s final regular-season game in Toronto. The 37-year-old is retiring at the end of the season.

Bryant received cheers from the 20,163 in attendance at Air Canada Centre throughout the night, including multiple standing ovations.

Casey would’ve preferred the pro-Bryant crowd to send some cheers Toronto’s way.

Lowry took over in the second quarter going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc as Toronto went into the locker-room up 52-42. The Raptors guard had a game-high 19 points at halftime.

After falling behind 15-9 early, the Raptors outscored the Lakers 14-3 to take a 23-18 lead. Toronto led 25-22 after the first 12 minutes.

Ross, who picked off a Bryant pass and finished with a one-handed jam as part of a 5-0 Toronto run, led the way in the first quarter with 13 points and two rebounds. He had eight points in the first eight minutes of the game.

SPURS 119, 76ers 68

With new front office executive Jerry Colangelo sitting courtside, the Philadelphia 76ers showed him just how far away they are from becoming a competitive franchise.

Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and

Kawhi Leonard all sat out and the San Antonio Spurs still rolled past the Sixers, 119-68 on Monday night.

LeMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 26 points and nine rebounds and Tony Parker scored 12 points.

HORNETS 104, PISTONS 84

Cody Zeller had 20 points and the Charlotte Hornets snapped the Detroit Pistons’ four-game winning streak with a 104-84 victory Monday night.

Marvin Williams had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Kemba Walker had 14 points and nine rebounds for Charlotte, which has won seven of nine. Nicolas Batum added 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in another solid allaround game for the Hornets (12-8).

MAVERICKS 104, KNICKS 97

Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points and the Dallas Mavericks withstood a comeback attempt sparked by Kristaps Porzingis to beat the New York Knicks 104-97 on Monday night.

Porzingis finished with 28 points in his first matchup with Nowitzki, the German great he has been compared to for his perimeter shooting skills by a 7-footer.

WIZARDS 114, HEAT 103

John Wall scored 26 points one night after leaving a game with a sore knee, Gary Neal added 21 including a debated 3-pointer with just over a minute left and the Washington Wizards beat the Miami Heat 114-103 on Monday night.

CELTICS 111, PELICANS 93

Isaiah Thomas scored 22 points, Kelly Olynyk added 21 in a reserve role, and the Boston Celtics defeated the struggling New Orleans Pelicans 111-93 on Monday night.

SUNS 103, BULLS 101

Mirza Teletovic scored 21 points, including a follow basket with 0.3 seconds left, to cap the Phoenix Suns’ furious fourth-quarter rally in a 103-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

CLIPPERS 110, TIMBERWOLVES 106

DeAndre Jordan had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 110106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.

BUCKS 90, TRAILBLAZERS 88

Greg Monroe’s layup put Milwaukee ahead with seconds left and John Henson swatted away Meyers Leonard’s potential gamewinning shot to help the Bucks edge the Portland Trail Blazers 9088 on Monday night. (Herald

Sports)

Kyle Lowry

Rickey Seeamber

Neymar

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Johnson, Sukdeo highlight latest round of matches

An excellent display of fast bowling by national pacer Raun Johnson helped to propel Lower Corentyne/ New Amsterdam/Canje to an easy nine-wicket victory over East Bank/Upper Demerara, while Jeetendra Sukdeo’s all-round effort helped Georgetown overcome Essequibo.

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There were also wins for East Coast Demerara and Upper Corentyne as the Cricket Guyana Inc Local Franchise League (LFL) continued in matches across Guyana.

Playing at Farm Ground, East Bank Demerara, the home team were asked to take first strike after Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje won the toss. They found the going tough as they could only post 92 all out in 20 overs. Danny Narine was the only batsman to offer much resistance, top scoring with 29. Bowling for the visitors, Johnson was brilliant, claiming 5-29 off four overs, while former national Under-19 Captain Eugene La Fleur supported well with 2-14 off 6.5 overs.

In reply, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje raced to 93-1 in just 13 overs, with LaFleur returning with the bat to score 45 not out including 6 fours. Wyheid Edwards was the

29.

At Enmore Ground, East Coast Demerara defeated West Berbice by 16 runs in a low-scoring affair. Batting first after losing the toss, the home team limped to 95 all out in 49.5 overs as Krishnadat Ramoo and Waqar Hassan bowled tight spells, claiming 3-18 and 3-16 respectively. West Berbice, in reply, could only manage 79 all out in 32 overs. The pick of the bowlers for East Coast Demerara was Steven Sankar who claimed 4-22 off his 10 overs, while Vivian Albert and national pacer Paul Wintz had 2-20 and 2-23 respectively.

At Bourda, Georgetown beat Essequibo by 72 runs. Georgetown scored 174 all out in 48.4 overs after they won the toss and chose to bat. Sukdeo topscored with an impressive 70, stroking four elegant fours and one six. He was well-supported by Andre Stoll, who hit 25, and Andrew Lyte who hit 24. Bowling for Essequibo, Heimchan Persaud took 3-34 off 10 overs; Anthony Adams, 2-30 off 10 overs; Rayon Fredericks, 2-33 off 9.4 overs and Ricardo Adams, 2-35 off 10 overs. In reply, Essequibo were dismissed for 102 all out in 36.1 overs. Ricardo Adams topscored with 20. Bowling for Georgetown, Sukdeo

completed an excellent allround game by claiming 4-10 off seven overs, while Devon Lord had 2-16. Over at Wales Ground, Upper Corentyne defeated West Demerara by 29 runs after they posted 227-9 in their allotted overs. Rajiv Ivan topscored with 50 as he struck 3 fours and 2 sixes. Lloyden Lewis (28); Jason Sinclair (27) and Jonathan Foo (26) were the other major contributors. Bowling for West Demerara, Malcolm Hubbard had 4-36 off 10 impressive overs, while Ritchie Looknauth supported well with 2-35 off his 10 overs.

In reply, West Demerara fell short of their target by 29 runs despite a top score of 73 by Renaldo Renee. He struck 6 fours and 1 six. Chandrika Persaud was the other main contributor with 35. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Clinton Pestano claimed 3-50 off 9.2 overs and Eon Hooper took 2-28 off 10 overs.

Matches continue today, with Essequibo taking on Upper Corentyne at Enmore, West Berbice playing East Bank/Upper Demerara at Port Mourant, East Coast Demerara tackle Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje at Albion and West Demerara face Georgetown at GCC, Bourda.

Henry leads Caribs to victory over GDF

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) with great resistance and speed could not overpower the Yamaha Caribs as they lost 35-31 in what was a highly competitive match on Saturday when the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) Tens rugby continued.

During the tense battle between the two teams, player/coach of the Caribs, Theodore Henry was able to slip past GDF’s defensive line three times to score 21 points for his team.

His third strike came almost two minutes before regulation time ended with the Army team trailing by one point. Adding to the score sheet for Caribs were Captain Akeem Frazer and Alain Crawford with one try each and a conversion.

The Army’s scoring came from Avery Corbin who scored 17 points, while Jevon Eastman and Joseph

The Petra Organisation continues to show its support for the development of football by donating the winning trophies to the Upper Demerara Football Association for its Under-17 league that will kick off in 2016.

According to a Petra re-

try each and a conver-

In the second match of the day, the Pepsi Hornets got a walkover win against the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The GDF men lead the points table with 11 points; Pepsi Hornets have nine points followed by the UG Wolves and Yamaha Caribs on five points each, while the Police are in the cellar with one point.

lease, five 10-sized footballs will also be donated to the Association for the running of the tournament.

In the release, Petra noted, “Our Organisation is very happy to forge relationships with the different stakeholders in the football fraternity that will

help develop the sport. In this case, there is no doubt that in keeping with one of our mandates which is to help revitalise the sport at the youth level, this contribution will go a far way in allowing the Under-17 players in that area to be involved competitively.”

Continuation of the tournament is set for Thursday as the Police take on the Caribs at 16:30h at the National Park.

other not-out batsman on

Jeetendra Sukdeo in his bowling stride

From left: Alain Crawford, Akeem Frazer and Theodore Henry Rahaman supported with one

sion.

Powerlifters cop 8 gold medals at Commonwealth Championship

–16-year-old

Guyana’s powerlifters turned in a near-perfect performance last weekend by copping eight out of a possible nine gold medals at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship in Canada.

Sixteen-year-old Britney Mack was among the gold medallists, copping the prized medal in the 52kg Class of the Sub-Junior female category. She had a total lift of 257.5kg.

In the Junior male division, Rudolph Blackmon, competing in the 83kg Class, won gold with a total lift of 685.0kg.

Osmond Mack and Marino Jeffrey, who were both tested for drugs and are now awaiting the results, also copped gold in the Open male competition. Mack, competing in the 74kg Class, had a lift of 650.0kg, while Jeffrey, appearing in the 93kg Class, had a lift of 685.0kg.

In the 105kg Class, Karel Mars added his name to the gold medals list, accumulating a total lift of 650.0kg, while Masters 4 lifter Nairanjan Singh brought home gold in the 83kg Class, lifting 410.0kg.

Masters 4 is the category for lifters aged 70 and over.

In the Masters 2 division, which is for lifters between ages 50 and 60, the evergreen Winston Stoby and Edwin Spencer emerged as gold medallists. Stoby, competing in the 74kg Class, accumulated 637.5kg, while

Mack among medallists

Sixteen-year-old Britney Mack proudly displays her gold medal

Spencer, appearing in the 83kg Class, lifted 482.0kg.

Erwyn Smith, competing in the 93kg Class of the Open male category, missed out on gold, finishing with silver as he ended up second to compatriot Jeffrey. He had lifted 600.0kg.

In an invited comment, Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation

President Peter Green said he was excited by the performance of the lifters, noting that their hard work and commitment to the sport was paying great dividends.

He said he was particularly impressed by the exploits of Mack, pointing out that she was destined for greatness in the sport.

Ramnarine and Blair spur Kennard’s Memorial to semi-finals

The 2015 Raffik and Sons Construction Service’s SecondDivision 20-over cricket competition, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in Central and Lower Corentyne, continued with Kennard’s Memorial of Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, winning their final two Group D preliminary matches.

They ended the preliminary round unbeaten and atop the group, therefore earning a place in the semifinals.

In their match against Mibicuri Strikers, Kennard’s Memorial made 126-7 in their 20 overs before former Berbice Under-19 leftarm spinner Karamchand Ramnarine took 5-12 from three overs to bowl out Mibicuri for 79 in response.

With Devendra Sydney taking 3-23 and former Berbice Under-19 pacer Junior Blair 2-22, they restricted Port Mourant to 116-8 in their 20 overs, before Blair returned to score 35 to guide Kennard’s

Memorial to a six-wicket win.

Yet another former Berbice Under-19 cricketer, this time off-spinner Munilall Shivdyal took 4-16 from four overs, which, together with 3-20 from four overs from medium-pacer Altaf Hussain, helped Fyrish bowl out Albion Front Travellers for 95 in 20 overs. Yudendra Chinapen then scored 35 to see Fyrish

to a seven-wicket victory.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At Bush Lot Farm: Kennard’s Memorial beat Mibicuri Strikers by 47 runs. Kennard’s Memorial 126-7 in 20 overs (Andrew Persaud 32, Ravi Bassoo 30, Dwayson Watson 3-10, Richard Matadeen 2-22); Mibicuri Strikers 79 in 13 overs (Karamchand Ramnarine 5-12, Devendra Sydney 2-14).

At Bush Lot Farm: Kennard’s Memorial beat Port Mourant by six wickets. Port Mourant 116-8 in 20 overs (Devendra Sydney 3-23, Junior Blair 2-22); Kennard’s Memorial 119-4 in 17.1 overs (Junior Blair 35, Thomas George 23). At Fyrish: Fyrish beat Albion Front Travellers by seven wickets. Albion Front Travellers 95 in 20 overs (Munilall Shivdyal 4-16, Altaf Hussain 3-20); Fyrish 99-3 in eight overs (Yuvendra Chinapen 35, Ray Nelson 24).

Mahadeo propels Rose Hall Town into playoff

Former Berbice Under-19 cricketer

Khemraj Mahadeo turned in an outstanding all-round performance that propelled his team Rose Hall Town Bakewell to a nine-wicket win over Whim National in their final Zone K preliminary match of the 2015 New Building Society (NBS) Second-Division 40over cricket competition in Berbice.

The win left Rose Hall Town tied with Port Mourant and Tain Block Four on top of the zone, but due to a superior net run rate they advanced to the playoff round.

Mahadeo firstly took 5-20 from six overs with his off-spin to bowl out Whim for 157. Then, opening the batting, he struck 80 not out (10x4s).

He was first involved in a 73-run opening partnership with Vidal Crandon (33) and an unbroken 87-run second-wicket stand with West Indies female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle (30 not out) to steer Rose Hall Town to 160-1 in 23 overs. Elsewhere, led by 94 (6x4s, 6x6s) from Vinode Samaroo, Letter Kenny Young Stars made a decent 198 in 29.3 overs against Tain Block Four. However, Imran Khan slammed 82 (4x4s, 8x6s) to steer Tain to victory at 202-4 in 29.1 overs.

Khemraj Mahadeo

Other batsmen scoring half-centuries were Baichan Deonarine of Kendall’s Union A and Davendra Baijnauth of Kendall’s Union B.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At Whim: Rose Hall Town Bakewell defeated Whim National by nine wickets. Whim National 157 in 30 overs (Parasram Tilkutam 29, Khemraj Mahadeo 5-20, Randall Lewis 2-30); Rose Hall Town Bakewell 160-1 in 23 overs (Khemraj Mahadeo

80*, Vidal Crandon 33, Shemaine Campbelle 30*).

At Tain: Tain Block Four defeated Letter Kenny Young Stars by four wickets. Letter Kenny Young Stars 198 in 29.3 overs (Vinode Samaroo 94, Mahendra Maynard 3-25, Winston Charles 3-25, Veeran Baldeo 2-29); Tain Block Four 2024 in 29.1 overs (Imran Khan 82, Devendra Dullum 40, Mahendra Baldeo 29, Prem Kanhai 332).

At Number 19: Kendall’s Union A beat Courtland All Stars by eight wickets. Courtland All Stars 117 in 21.2 overs (Keon Sinclair 33, Ravin Seecharran 3-12, Baichan Deonarine 2-26); Kendall’s Union A 121-2 in 19.3 overs (Baichan Deonarine 56*).

At Number 19: Kendall’s Union B beat Fyrish Road by six wickets. Fyrish Road 119 in 25 overs (Richard Dhuman 3-10, Rakesh Kalicharran 2-15, Satesh Totaram 2-21); Kendall’s Union B 120-4 in 15.5 overs (Davendra Baijnauth 53, Hassan Hussain 2-18).

At Number 43: Number 52 Survival beat Number 43 Scorpion by 43 runs. Number 52 Survival 159 in 29.5 overs (Michael Kendall 45) Number 43 Scorpion 116 in 23.3 overs (Devion Baldeo 37, Dalton Harvey 3-30, Peer Tello 3-31, Michael Kendall 2-20, Suraj Persaud 2-30).

Karamchand Ramnarine

Farfan and Mendes Junior Christmas Squash Team Tournament

Team Minions crowned 2015 champions

Team Minions were crowned champions of the Farfan and Mendes Junior Christmas Squash Team Tournament on Sunday when they narrowly edged Team Rising Stars at the Georgetown Club.

Makeda Harding, Lucas Jonas, Daniel Islam, Aliyah Persaud and Mikhail Persaud were the victors for the champions as they edged Team Rising Stars 5-4 on aggregate. With Team Rising Stars relegated to second, Team Avengers had to settle for third place.

In an important match for Team Minions, Harding, an Under-15 player, pulled off her first victory over Under-17 player Rebecca Low in a solid 3-1 performance. Harding’s clean

sweep of matches earned her the Most Outstanding Girl Award, while Shomari Wiltshire copped the male prize with a 3-0 victory over Alexander Cheeks.

Nyron Joseph ensured he finished his junior squash career on a high note with a 3-1 victory over Ben Mekdeci, who threatened to pull off an upset when he won the second set and took the third one to deuce, before conceding the set, and the following two.

Joseph completed a fine junior career this year with the national junior and national senior titles, the first time a male player has done so since Roger Arjoon, and the first time for any player since Nicolette Fernandes, as noted by senior squash pundits.

Raiders top Flames

– Royals edge Jets

The Retrieve Raiders notched their second straight win with a 68-31 victory, while the Victory Valley Royals edged Amelia’s Ward Jets 60-57 to gain their first win in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Christmas basketball championship, sponsored by Banks DIH, on Monday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

The Raiders took care of their opponents with some good team play as Derwin Robertson had 16 points in the win after they controlled play by the end of the first quarter.

Their defensive traps stifled the scoring of the Flames in the second quarter, holding them to three points as the first half ended 29-10.

The Raiders maintained their hold on the game and led 46-19 through the third period before relaxing to win 68-31. Supporting Robertson

were Duel Garner and Keon Cameron each with 11 points and Alexander Rose with 10 points. The Flames’ best scorer was Aubrey Johnson with 10 points.

The second game was a see-saw battle as the Jets front court men in Allister Webster and his brother Adrian as well as back court shooting guard Orin Rose were unable to come out victorious, as Chris Williams found his touch in time to shoot 22 points which sealed the win for the Royals eventually.

The Jets were off to a good start as they had a 20-7 cushion when the first quarter ended with Rose looking dangerous from behind the arc, but the Royals would come into their own and take the lead by the end of the first half with a 30-25 advantage. Williams knocked one down from downtown with just six minutes remaining in the final period to give Royals a 50-45 lead. Williams would again nail one from three-point territory with just under five minutes to go to secure the lead for good.

The Royals’ back-up players were Nevin Glenn, who put together 17 points, and the battling Harold Adams, who played well for 14 points to bring about the victory.

The top players for the Jets were Allister Webster with 15 points, Rose had 10 as did Adrian Webster and Parrish Cadogan. The tournament continues tonight with two more matches from 19:00h.

laboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel.

Aliyah Persaud, awarded the prize for the Most Improved Girl, completed a sweep of her opponents with a 2-0 win over Mohryan Baksh, while Most Improved Boy

Daniel Islam completed a win over his twin Anthony in emphatic 3-0 fashion. Both players fought gamely throughout the tournament.

The event marked the end of another successful year for local squash and the Guyana Squash Association, in col-

Complete final day results: Nyron Joseph beat Ben Mekdeci 3-1; Daniel Islam beat Anthony Islam 3-0; Makeda Harding beat Rebecca Low 3-1; Lucas Jonas beat Dominic Collins 3-0; Aliyah Persaud beat Mohryan Baksh 2-0; Michael Alphonso beat Demetrius DeAbreu 3-2; Nathan Rahaman beat Haley Carpenter 2-1; Mikhail Persaud beat Mashal Allicock 2-1; Louis DaSilva beat Noah Rahaman 2-0; Madison Fernandes beat Abosaide Cadogan 3-2; Shomari Wiltshire beat Alexander Cheeks 3-0; Michael Ramroop beat Jael Gaskin 3-2; Kamir Khan beat Liam Carpenter 2-0; Samuel Ince-Carvalhal beat Gianni Carpenter 3-0; Christiana Fernandes beat Isabella Ramjohn 2-0; Chad DeAbreu beat Teija Edwards 2-1 and Larissa Wiltshire beat Taylor Fernandes 3-0.

RHTY&SC Busta Champion of Champions

Organisers put off final to January 2016

The Cricket Development Committee of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) has announced that the final of the 2015 Busta Champion of Champions Tournament has been postponed to Sunday, January 10, 2016.

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster disclosed that the Club had scheduled the final for this Sunday, December 13, at the Albion Cricket Ground under lights. However, he stated that

the decision to postpone was taken because several of the top players of the two finalists, Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets and Tucber Park, are involved in Cricket Guyana Inc Local Franchise Cricket 50over tournament. To play the final without those top players would mean a match lacking high standards, Foster reasoned.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets would miss the services of Royston Crandon, Eon Hooper, Rajiv Ivan, Clinton Pestano, Jason Sinclair and Shawn Perreira, while Tucber Park would be without the services of Joemal La Fleur, Eugene La Fleur, Romario Shepherd, Nial Smith, Hakeem Hinds, Devon Clements and Anthony D’Andrade if the final was to be played this Sunday.

In a release to the media, the RHTY&SC said it regretted any inconvenience the postponement may have caused, but noted that the decision was taken in the best interest of Berbice cricket.