Guyana Times Daily - December 17, 2014

AFC dodges financial scrutiny

… but insists party “financially sound”

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is being accused of ducking scrutiny of its financial status, although insisting that it was financially sound and would be ready to campaign whenever elections is called.

Treasurer of the party, Dominic Gaskin has re-

futed claims made by a former councillor for the AFC Haseef Yusuf that no financial statement for the last fiscal year was presented at the party’s National Conference on December 6. Yusuf, a few days after the conference, alleged that corruption and unaccountability were rampant in the party. “At this year’s Conference, the AFC went further by not presenting any financial statements whatsoever! They have moved from an inaccurate and unaudited one to none at all,” Yusuf said in a letter dated December 7, 2014.

According to Yusuf, in 2012, when the party last held its National Conference, the AFC presented an inaccurate and unaudited financial statement. He noted that this “was in direct contravention of Article 15 Section 9, which spoke of the appointment of an Auditor on an annual basis, and Article 7 Section 4(b) says, “The business of the

National Conference shall be to receive the Report of the Treasurer.”

Double standard

This, according to Yusuf, is the manifestation of a double standard on the part of the party since it has been very vocal in its quest to hold the Government accountable for monies spent from the Consolidated Fund.

“Yet once again the AFC leadership is singing about accountability and the need to wipe out corruption. Once again I will reiterate that the AFC is the most corrupt political party this country has ever seen. Unfortunately, the worse is yet to come from the AFC. I had made many revelations to AFC’s Leader Ramjattan in my e-mails to him, but corruption runs deep within the AFC and all are consumed,” he said.

But Gaskin, in a recent interview with Guyana Times, made it clear that the financial papers were presented

at the National Conference. According to Gaskin, each member was outfitted with a booklet which contained all of the financial information that was necessary. This was also confirmed by AFC Youth Leader Trevor Williams, who told Guyana

Times on Monday evening that the financial report was included in a package that was presented to every delegate at the December 6 National Conference.

When asked about the content of the report, Williams noted that he was not at liberty to divulge such information. Further pressed on the party’s financial status, Williams said it was “financially sound”, explaining that while the AFC “would never not need or want funds” whenever elections are called, they will be ready to “campaign and compete”.

At the AFC Convention, Ramjattan, Chairman Nigel Hughes, General Secretary David Patterson, and Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo were all re-

elected to their respective posts within the party. According to information received from party officials, their nominations went unopposed at the Convention. Additionally, social media activist Mark Ross and Dr Versammy Ramayya are among 12 persons who were last Saturday elected to serve on the National Executive Council (NEC) of the AFC. Others included Trevor Williams, AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Cathy Hughes; Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman; former MP Sarah Punalall; MP Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Abel Seetaram; Vladmir Glasgow; Michael Carrington; Neilson McKenzie; and Charrandass Persaud.

Digicel makes $1M donation to Lifeline Counselling, Hope Foundation

Digicel Guyana Inc on Tuesday continued to spread Christmas joy by donating $1 million respectively to two organisations that have been instrumental in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in Guyana.

The two organisations that benefited from the monetary donation were Lifeline Counselling and Hope Foundation.

On Tuesday, Hope Foundation received its cheque at the phone giant’s head office at Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston.

At the simple handing over ceremony, Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope explained that Digicel continued to donate to vulnerable groups in Guyana. He added that it has been contributing to the two organisations for the past seven years with the aim of boosting their capacity to continue their work, pledging his company’s continued commitment to the two organisations.

He added that the donations are done on a yearly basis around the Christmas season, since most persons are sharing good tidings around this time. Hope also reflected on a number of projects that the company has completed during the festive season including the distributions of gifts to the children of remote areas that Digicel serves. The final project, he said, is a Children’s Christmas Party for those living around the Kingston area.

Hope Foundation Youth Director Carol Livan thanked the company for its continuous support, and stated that the donation would be used, as per normal, to enhance the services the organisation provides. Livan noted that Digicel has been supporting the Hope Foundation in a meaningful way.

Officials from Lifeline Counselling were not present at the ceremony, but their cheque is ready for upliftment.

wednesday,

FERRY SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Parika Departure - 13:00h

Supenaam Departure - 13:00h

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014

Parika Departure - 14:00h and 01:00h

Supenaam Departure - 14:00h and 01:00h

Low

Remigrant Lexus scam...

US couple faces jail because of Glenn Lall

The US-based remigrant couple, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan caught up in the Guyana tax fraud case involving Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall could face charges in the United States if the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) there finds out that funds for the two Lexus SUVs were transferred to their accounts to facilitate the purchase of the vehicles.

Such a probe has become necessary since, according to documentation submitted by the couple to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the tax exemption, Naroontandeo was a cleaner in the US while his wife was a housewife. It is unclear how with their incomes they would have been able to raise over US$186,000 to purchase two brand new Lexus SUVs.

And since Gharbassi does not have a licence to drive either in the US or Guyana, it would appear that if the money was the Brijnanans’

one of the Lexuses was being purchase as a “spare”.

Sources have said that Lall would have likely transferred the over US$186,000 (GYD$$37M) to the couple’s bank account to in order for them to purchase the two brand new vehicles, which they later imported to Guyana under the guise of the remigrant duty-free scheme being run by the Government. This would explain why the vehicles were being driven by Glenn Lall and his wife Bhena, and were never taken over to Berbice where the elderly couple resided when they returned to Guyana.

According to US laws any cash over US$10,000 transferred to an account must be declared as income and the transfer of the US$186,000 under US tight system would have raised red flags at the level of the IRS, since the banks would have to transmit that information to that Government agency. Once an investigation is carried out in the US,

which is likely follow after the completion of the local case, the IRS is expected to ask the couple to declare the source of the US$186,000.

A US lawyer surmised that the couple could argue that the funds were given as gifts, but according to the IRS, even this is subject to taxes.

more than the annual exclusion for the calendar year: tuition or medical expenses paid for someone (the educational and medical exclusions); gifts to a spouse; and gifts to a political organisation for its use.

Under the remigrant programme, Guyanese who would have resided overseas for more than five years and are returning to Guyana to reside are entitled to certain benefits. These include a duty free waiver for vehicles and tax exemption for household items. The duty free is awarded on the condition that “the motor vehicle cannot be leased or transferred within three years of registration and providing the registration license, fitness and registration and insurance are submitted for inspection at the Guyana Revenue Authority every six months”.

The donor is generally responsible for paying the gift tax, but under special arrangements the recipient may agree to pay the tax instead. A gift, according to the IRS, is any transfer to an individual, either directly or indirectly, where full consideration (measured in money or money’s worth) is not received in return. The general rule is that any gift is taxable. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. Generally, the following gifts are not taxable gifts: gifts that are not

The Brijananans on their application form indicated that they were returning with two 2013 Lexus Suburban L57 and listed the engine number along with the other prerequisites. One of the requirements for being allowed the duty free concession on import of vehicles is that the vehicle had to be owned for at least six months prior to the application. On the application the engine numbers for the vehicles were listed as JTJHY7AX7D4100270 and JTJHY7AX6D4094851 with the registration dates in the State of New York being September 25, 2012 and March 32013 correspondingly.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

A reason to celebrate

Not often local pageants produce outstanding contestants, and for this reason, Guyanese generally look at them for the fun of it. But in recent years, things have changed somewhat, first with Alana Seebaran winning the Miss India Worldwide Pageant, making every Guyanese proud as she finally brought home a crown for Guyana.

This is after many years of Guyana sending contestants to various pageants, but mainly the Miss World and Miss Universe contests, with no success, except in 1967. In that year, Shakira Baksh came close to striking gold, placing third in the Miss World Pageant in London, and subsequently creating a name for herself as a fashion icon and international model.

Some 47 years after, in the same pageant, in the famous City, a girl from the bustling town of Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast shot to fame by securing a place in the top 10. Even though the beautiful and well-spoken Rafieya Husain did not win, she managed to win the hearts of many, not only in Guyana, but throughout the world.

From the online media reports and blogs, Guyanese viewed the achievement of stardom, naturally with Husain, but for followers around the world, it was more an accomplishment for Guyana, the only English-speaking country on the South American continent. The recognition is significant to Guyana mainly because of two reasons.

The first being it is a shot in the arm for the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry which has been vigorously promoting Guyana as a premier tourist destination through the programme, “Destination Guyana”.

With the Homecoming Guyana initiative in 2015, Guyana can find a good Ambassador in Husain in not only promoting the initiative, but also promoting Guyana as a tourist destination to the world. This aside, being Miss World Caribbean, young, lovely and possessing charm, grace and an intelligent mind, coupled with her new found fame, the Tourism Ministry should at least consider widening its distinguished Ambassadors’ list.

Secondly, the other reason has to do with the name of the country, since many abroad still do not know that Guyana exists and that it is on the South American continent, much less being aware that it shares a common history with many countries in the Anglo-phone Caribbean.

Guyana on many occasions has been confused with Ghana, a country on the vast African continent, and only recently, in light of the spread of the Ebola epidemic, US Republican Congressman Darrel Issa, not once but thrice confused Guyana for Guinea, a West African country affected by the virus.

At least by now, more people who did not know of Guyana have been made aware through Husain as the pageant is followed by millions worldwide. While Guyana is known for producing some of the best cricketers in the world and some very fine diplomats. We do not enjoy the popularity as Jamaica, which is known internationally as the Land of Reggae Music or Barbados identified globally as a premier tourist destination.

But Guyanese on the whole are proud of their identity even though their country is not as popular as they would want it to be. The claim cannot be dismissed that the low international profile of some countries has affected their nationals in a number of ways. One example that quickly comes to mind is professional wrestler and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) show stopper Kofi Kingston, a Ghanaian by birth, but had to be billed as a Jamaican as not many Americans could have identified with someone from Ghana.

Luckily for Guyana, no one has been placed in a ‘Kingston situation’ and it is for this reason that every Guyanese, irrespective of which side they sit on the political divide, should celebrate the achievement of Husain. The good news has no doubt brought some refreshing air to the crime and mundane and sometimes empty politics which on a daily basis dominate media coverage.

Kissoon fears results of Rodney CoI more than PNC

Dear Editor,

I absolutely agree with Dennis Wiggins in the letter on December 16, headlined “Freddie has stumbled on this one.”

Mr Wiggins has provided the readers with some powerful reasons why the CoI on Rodney’s death is necessary. Mr Wiggins makes it obviously clear that the Rodney family needs closure in this case.

He also pointed out

that the CommisionersSir Richard Cheltenham, J Samuels-Brown and Seenath Jairam - are experienced and competent so there is no reason to question there integrity.

Mr Wiggins also rightly pointed out that this CoI is not a PPP/C commission, "The PPP/C is not conducting this enquiry." Mr Wiggins makes make judicious statements which all rightly support a commis-

sion into Rodney’s death. He points out that regardless, this inquiry, for historical and moral reasons, it is necessary.

I couldn›t agree more.

Mr Wiggins also made a very telling point, that is, this enquiry has nothing to do withthe political nature of PPP/C vs the PNC. Everyone wants to know the truth about this tragedy. This is an excellent piece by Mr Wiggins!

Every Guyanese should read this article, including Freddie Kissoon. This is how to do an intellectual analysis of an event without displaying political bias. I don›t think Kissoon will get to this level but at least he can try! Kissoon has more fear of the results of CoI than the PNC. I wonder why?

Rakesh Singh

The Presidential Guard Service respects the rights of all citizens

Dear Editor,

I refer to SN in particular and those of the media fraternity in general who may be inclined to daily worship at the altar of political expediency and sensationalism. It is a foregone conclusion truth will suffer.

Truth is sacrificed on the altar of political intent as a means of influencing minds and achieving outcomes consistent with a concocted reality. To do so, the so called fourth estate erects windmills of quixotic proportions which they then proceed to attack with their pens of de-

ception and rusty armor of hypocrisy.

The quixotic flight of fantasy gives flight to something else, something much more enduring than power - Truth! Trust! Honesty! And integrity. It is in this context that I wish to address the allegations of an incident in Ishalton made by John Adams, allegedly an APNU activist, as publicized by SN.

On the day in question the Office of the Head Presidential Guard received a number of phone calls, some repeatedly, from various news agen-

cies. An individual who stated she was from Prime News called on three occasions.

She wanted to know about the allegation and Mr Granger’s call for an investigation, the name of the Head Presidential Guard and how many security personnel comprised the President’s Security detail.

Two reporters from SN approached the Security at Bidford House and enquired about the whereabouts of Mr Singh.

Having being told I was not in, they ventured to Office of the President where

they told the Security, they were sent over by the Security at Bidford House who told them Mr Singh is at Office of the President! From the very outset, SN reporters began with subterfuge and deceit! Lies were to follow. SN claimed it spoke to a Guard after the newspaper was unable to make contact with me. The Guard, according to SN is reported to have said Mr Adams was not slapped, but rather, “school boy tapped behind the head”.

Who is AFC/APNU’s Muslim representative?

Dear Editor,

As you are aware that Muslims comprise of 12 per cent of the total population? The Hindu and Christian communities have members among the ruling and Opposition parties.

which affect us and represent our interests.

The Muslim community needs political leaders, members of Parliament, among others to articulate our position on issues

I find this lacking terribly in the main Opposition political parties, unlike the ruling PPP/C, which has five MPs who are Muslims.

What I find strange, is that members of the Muslim community financially support these Opposition groups, retain some of them in their legal matters and provide other

The Presidential Guard...

SN was setting the stage to give some credence to its concoction by inferring, if not slapped, Adams was in one way or another assaulted by Presidential Guards! But here is the catch!

Our Standard Operational Procedure dictates whenever ranks are out in the field, the Team Leader communicates only with their Officer-inCharge and or the Head Presidential Guard. No one else! Therefore, no other individual in the Presidential Guard would have been privy to ANY information coming out of Ishalton!

Undeterred by its loss of decency, SN crudely plowed along. It took a nasty swipe at the kind of security offered the President because of what I allegedly told them: “The ranks had not returned from Region Nine (Upper Takau/Upper Essequibo)”, and then they went on to state, “and he subsequently had not been able to speak to them”.

What could be clearer than this? I am stating honestly and factually that the men had not returned. Therefore, they could not have been paraded before me. They were not present before me so that I could have systematically dealt with the issue!

Now I ask you the general, intelligent, read-

ing public, how does this translate to “Presidential Guard Service has no means of communicating with its men in the field,” as stated by SN?

The fact is that the ranks never reported any such incident as alleged by teacher Adams, whose story was taken up by SN and leader of the PNC/ APNU Mr Granger who called for an investigation. They were not aware of any such furor over in Georgetown! And I suspect it is simply because it never happened!

Or, if teacher Adams was indeed assaulted, it was by someone in the crowd who took umbrage to his disrespect for the President. Apparently he was too inebriated or full of himself as an APNU representative to understand that unlike him, the 200-odd citizens in attendance at the meeting were genuinely interested in what the President had to say.

When interviewed the Officer and ranks denied having any knowledge of the allegations made by teacher Adams. They did admit, however, there was one individual who appeared to be under the in-

fluence of alcohol, had a beer bottle in his hand and was shouting questions at the President.

Noticing the individual’s demeanor and the fact that he was armed with a potential missile, two ranks positioned themselves closer to him. Even though our responsibility is to neutralize or eliminate any threat to the life of the President in any geographical location by all and any means necessary, regardless of which ruling party he or she may come from, there was no verbal or physical contact with the individual.

And this is simply because at the time, even though he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, he was more of a nuisance, than a threat. Therefore, there was no need for verbal or physical intervention which does not translate to not being prepared to neutralize or intervene.

The two ranks in question are over six feet tall. They collectively weigh over 400 pounds. They are Martial Arts specialists trained in unarmed combat – combat karate, mixed martial arts –crowd psychology and self-

awareness. In fact they are trainers!

Together they have over 28 years of experience in the Presidential Guard. Between them, they have over ten subjects at the CXC. I leave it to you, the general readers to draw your own conclusion. Had anyone of them indeed slapped teacher Adams, where he would have been today?

Lastly, at the conclusion of any presidential engagement, our security protocol is not to distance ourselves from the President, but in fact converge around. Even if a Presidential Guard was tempted to follow and slap teacher Adams silly, he would have been violating that protocol, teacher Adam’s rights as a citizen of this country, and endangering the life of the President.

All of this translates to working against the intentions of the President’s visit in Region Nine. It cannot and it will not happen under my watch.

forms of assistance. This in my opinion is tantamount to ‘using’ the Muslim community.

Therefore, please inform me who is the Muslim representative in the AFC/

APNU, and which Muslim organization or Masjid they are affiliated to so that I could make contact with them.

Mohamad Ikbal

Attempting to paint the Presidential Guard with a political tar brush therefore will not pass muster. Each year around this time when police promotion comes around I am reminded of the price I paid for my independence of thoughts, principles and forthrightness.

But because of my ability to differentiate between the role I am playing as Head Presidential Guard Service and who I really am, I have stayed

the course professionally. Neither my role nor who I am would allow me to be a ‘Crocodile in Arapaima’s skin’.

The Presidential Guard Service will always have the highest respect for the rights of all citizens of Guyana. We are professionals.

Rohan

Singh Senior Superintendent of Police Head, Presidential Guard Service

Queens Atlantic hosts Christmas Tree light up

The Queens Atlantic Investment Inc

(QAII) Group of Companies Tuesday evening hosted a Christmas Tree light up in the compound of the entity’s headquarters, Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Scores of persons from all of the companies witnessed the light up, which was spiced up with lively carol singing and greetings.

Executive Assistant Lisa Ahmad said the event will now be an annual exercise with the aim of keeping the Christmas spirit alive within the companies.

She noted that employees had always wanted to embark on the venture, but was waiting on the right

time to do so.

General Manager of Global Printing and Graphics Inc Trevor Bassoo, in his remarks, noted that the company saw the Christmas Tree light-up as fitting, as it brings the spirit of the season to the working environment.

Bassoo said that the initiative was inspired by all levels of staff across the entire group of companies, and was made possible with support from management.

The programme was chaired by Michael Younge, Editor of the Evening News.

QAII is an investment group consisting of media, health, pharmaceutical and other companies.

It was incorporated in

Guyana in 1999 and is run by a board of directors. The company’s aim is to effectively develop by improving the standard of goods or services produced by each of these companies.

Emphasis is placed on creating jobs for local individuals as well as to be less independent on foreign corporations for products such as drugs and other medicines, printed material and hardware items that can be produced locally to the same standards as those currently imported.

With strong business ethics and integrity coupled with quality standard, consumers are assured of exemplary products and services.

City strike called off, workers to get pay hike

By Royden James

Government on Tuesday took steps to ease the plight of the vendors affected by the closure of the Bourda and Stabroek Markets.

An extraordinary meeting was held Tuesday evening of officials of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Labour Ministry, and a decision was taken to effect the wages and salary increase for the striking workers; hence, the markets will be opened from today as usual.

On Monday, the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) withdrew the services of its members, because the M&CC had refused to accept the recom-

mendations of the Council’s finance personnel and training committees, with respect to improved benefits and working conditions for the Union’s workers.

This was done under a collective bargaining agreement that the Union had accepted.

Efforts by the acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba to address the issue saw a “round robin” attempt being made to the Council to at least approve the City Council workers’ benefits.

Five Councillors signed on to the agreement, but several others, including the Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase Green refusing or otherwise abstaining.

However, controversies abounded because of alleged misrepresentation and discrepancies on the

agreed amount in terms of the increases for Union

workers.

Prior to Tuesday evening’s meeting, Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul and Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker met with vendors of the Stabroek and the Bourda Markets and also with the acting Town Clerk and sought to bring resolution to this current impasse. Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle also engaged the Union and the Council on the issue.

Government’s main interest lay in its concern for the many vendors, who were unable to access their stalls in the markets on Monday and part of Tuesday.

It was, however, reported that the Clerk of Market did facilitate a number of the vendors, who had perishables, and they were able to access their produce.

Dr Gopaul shed light on the issue of the blame game and rights of the workers. He emphatically declared that these workers should not have been treated with such gross negligence. In affirming his support and commitment to rectify the ongoing impasse, the Minister placed the blame squarely on City Hall, for not ensuring that the workers’ interests were looked after, in the first place. He also explained that, as the City Hall workers take the strike action, their interest must be protected "They have an obligation to ensure that vendors conduct their business, without any loss, in terms of both the sale and in goods.”

Dr Gopaul made mention of his awareness that some vendors dealt with perishables, and he committed himself to facilitate appropriate and immediate action as he believed that the vendors were suffering unjustly because of the selfish nature of City Hall.

Held at ransom

The two-day standoff had virtually held stallholders attached to the Bourda and Stabroek markets as well as the Municipal Abattoir at ransom.

But Sooba noted that now that the increase is approved, the markets will be back to normal from today and she was hoping that there were no further hiccups to halt the process.

The acting Town Clerk alleged that the mayor would always find issues at the last minute in an effort to raise an alarm. She noted that since the salary increase will now have to go through a new, short process, she was hoping that no other issues arise pertaining to the changing of percentage.

President dismisses calls for recall of prorogation powers

President Donald Ramotar has dismissed calls made by Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Nigel Hughes for his prorogation powers to be taken out of the Constitution.

President Ramotar asserted that Hughes and other members of the political Opposition are using the Constitution, “the best within the Caribbean”, as a tool to rig the elections.

At a recent forum discussing the effects of prorogation on Guyana, Hughes called on all Guyanese to begin some form of political agitation to have the prorogation clause removed from the country’s Constitution.

His contention was that it lends much to an “unfair and dictatorial stance by any one Head of State”. Hughes, who was speaking to a small gathering on the “political consequences of prorogation of Parliament”, said the freedom to prorogue Parliament at any time has severe consequences.

The President had suspended Parliament on November 10, after the combined Opposition threatened to proceed with a NoConfidence Motion against his Government at the first post-recess sitting of the National Assembly. He said his actions were aimed

at preserving the 10th Parliament and giving the parties an opportunity to engage in talks on matters that failed to gain adequate parliamentary consideration.

After the Opposition spurned his invitation, Ramotar said he would dissolve Parliament and set a date for elections.

In response to Hughes’ accusations, the President reiterated that prorogation was a tool available in all of the Commonwealth countries’ Constitutions. He noted that Guyana has never abused that constitutional power, as has been done by several other countries.

Ramotar said Guyana has the most advanced Constitution within the re-

gion. This, he noted, was confirmed by international representatives who were present during the last constitutional reform. Under Article 70 of Guyana’s Constitution, the President has the power to bring the sittings of Parliament to cessation, without any explanation. The power vested in the President could see him recalling Parliament and proroguing it as often as he sees fit.

“The reality of this power vested in the President under Article 70 of the Constitution is as you have now a minority Government, traditionally associated with one oriented cultural ethnic group which is exercising absolute power without even having to go to Parliament to be subject to some form of scrutiny,” Hughes said

The AFC Chairman gave a historic review of the prorogation of Parliament, which was a legacy of British rule and was never struck from the Constitution becoming instead vested in the executive President.

“Overlooking the handing of such power to an Executive President, it means that the Head of State would have no justification of his prorogation of Parliament”

Even at the review of the Constitution in 2001, that section was again over-

US couple faces...

looked, Hughes pointed out, noting that Guyana needs to act on having this kind of power taken away from the President.

“It is my hope that we don’t wait for the 31 of December to start serious political action agitation,” Hughes warned. He argued that something being constitutional does not make it a just, right, or acceptable law.

“Whether or not the powers exercised by the President to prorogue Parliament are technically permitted under Article 70, it cannot be allowed to continue, because we live in a multiracial society in which one section totally dominates the political, social and economic spheres.”

However on the Bill of Laden for the products, the engine numbers were listed as JTJHY7AX6D4096745 and JTJHY7AX6D4094851 respectively. This clearly indicates that one of the serial numbers did not correspond with the serial number on the application.

Further, for the vehicle numbered JTJHY7AX6D4094851it was noticed that the date on the New York issued certificate of title was March 3, 2013. This means that the vehicle was not owned for more than six months before the application was made by the Brijanans. This is in clear violation of the regulation surrounding the application for remigrant status and duty free concession.

Guyana Times reported on Tuesday that the State audit against Lall’s business, Kaieteur News, is still ongoing and that any investigation over in the United States could lead to the source of the funds that were used to pay for the two Lexus SUVs.

The Lalls as well as the Brijnanans could face jail time in the US. According to sources in the US Lall operates numerous other questionable businesses as a front to shield his shady money, as well as ownership of several properties in Guyana and the United States.

Reports are that Lall or his wife, or both in some cases, reportedly owned, or used to own, four properties in Liberty Avenue, Lefferts Boulevard, Hollis and Sutter Avenue in New York.

Lall also only recently sold the property on Lefferts Boulevard for close to US$500,000 in August in what appears to be an effort to get rid of some of the ‘assets’ in his or his wife’s name before any audit is conducted.

According to information received, Lall is also desperately trying to sell the one on Sutter Avenue. Guyana Times has a picture of the property with the ‘for sale’ sign bearing his wife’s name. Lall also reportedly owns a commercial building in Coral Gables, Florida, where he runs a business operation which is not making a profit currently.

Three other businesses are believed to exist under the names Bhena and Glenn Investments, Bhena Lall Inc and Bhena’s Footwear Inc in the United States and each of them seems not to be generating a profit.

Lall also paid US$1 million in cash for a property on Regent Street, Georgetown, making it a pattern of paying for the properties he owns in US dollars (cash), said one Guyana Times source.

Man fined for using abusive language to former partner

Clifton Walters, 58, of A Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was fined $2500 after pleading guilty to a abusive language offence.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Tuesday afternoon.

It was alleged that on December 15, at East La Penitence, Georgetown, he made use of abusive language towards Cheryl Dick, to which he accepted.

According to the information read in court, Walters and Dick were once involved in a relationship and that the defendant is always in the habit of abusing Dick.

On the day in question, Walters went to Dick’s house

and accused her of having an affair while using a series of expletives. A report was then made to the station and Walters was arrested.

The defendant then begged for forgiveness, and told the court that he accepts her being with someone else and is “alright with that” and that “if she is happy, I am too.”

The court then fined the defendant $2500 and informed him that a default in payment of the fine would result in three days imprisonment.

The defendant was also placed on a bond to be on good behavior, and was again warned that failure to keep the bond would result in him spending four weeks in jail.

Contractor on $100,000 bail for forgery

Sixty-two-year-old, Keith Profitt of Lot 46 Fourth Street, Albertown, Georgetown, was placed on $100,000 bail after being charged for uttering a forged official document.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Tuesday morning.

The man who is a contractor by profession denied the charge which alleged that on April 16, at Georgetown, with the intend to defraud, he uttered to Guyana Water Inc, one National Insurance Scheme compliance certificate #SE/06/314 in favour of himself, purporting to show

the same was issued by the National Insurance Scheme, knowing same to be false.

His Attorney Patrice Henry requested reasonable bail, noting that his cli-

ent was on $25,000 station bail and was reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as instructed.

There were no objections

to bail by Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones but he did ask for bail to be granted in a substantial amount, due to the nature and gravity of the offence.

Bail was then granted to the defendant in a sum of $100,000 and the matter stands adjourned until January 8, 2015 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Berbice resident remanded for robbery under arms

Twenty-seven-year-old Juan Reynolds was remanded to prison after being arraigned on a robbery under arms charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Tuesday afternoon.

The unrepresented defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge with alleged that on November 11 at 111 Miles, Madhia (Region Eight – Potaro-Siparuni), being armed with a shot gun, he robbed Susan Austin and stole a BlackBerry Bold cellphone valued $30,000, a Samsung cellphone valued $80,000 and $100,000 cash; totalling $210,000.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence, the penalty that the charge carries and the fact that a firearm was used in the commissioning of the crime.

The Berbice resident who is involved in gold mining was denied bail. His matter stands adjourned until January 19, 2015 and was transferred to the Madhia Magistrate’s Court.

Eyew tness Predators...

...in civil society

Since he's come into the business of commenting on the follies and foibles (and occasionally, the good deeds) of the movers and shakers (or who'll like to be!!) in Guyana, this Eyewitness has shied away from getting too personal. One has to draw a line somewhere - and a veil over some things, no?? But there comes a time - or an issue - when you've got to overcome your reservations and call a spade a spade.

The issue that's gotten this Eyewitness quite riled up is the reaction of the aforementioned "movers and shakers" to "domestic violence". As with one voice, they all denounce it most vehemently. And that's the first tip off. The "one voice" reaction suggests that the denunciation might just be shouted because it's politically correct. Who's gonna be FOR domestic violence??

But wasn't it said somewhere, "Not all who shout, "Lord!" "Lord!" will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven??" And a recent letter in the Chronicle conclusively showed that some of the most vociferous denunciations of domestic violence are among the worst practitioners of that particular brand of cruel and inhuman treatment. The fella in question is Lalloo Ram - no stranger to this column because of his insistence of preaching what Guyanese OUGHT to be doing on every issue under the sun.

After reading the letter and taking its challenge to examine the scanned copy of the divorce petition (uncontested) by Lalloo's wife on the worldwide web, this Eyewitness now understands why Lalloo has NOT ONCE commented on the burning issue of "domestic violence"over which the entire country's been transfixed for years!! He's been one of the most vicious and sadistic domestic abusers this Eyewitness has had the misfortune to read about.

We will pass over the multiple infidelities of Lalloo to his wife. While this inflicts extreme, mental anguish to a spouse, it's unfortunately quite common in Guyana among men who "have to prove they are men". They feel by paying some poor woman for sex, their manhood is "proven". How pathetic!! We won't even mention the verbal abuse of Lalloo calling the mother of his children "a whore". But what got to this Eyewitness was that the wife "was beaten and kicked so badly (by Lalloo) she started bleeding”. Is this being "a man"?

The children weren't spared - neither from the verbal or physical beatings. The man who's championed the right to sexual orientation taunted one son about being an "antiman", making the boy suicidal.

Shouldn't Lalloo remove the moral planks from his own eye before he preaches morality to the nation??

...getting awards

The Muckraker reported that its publisher Mook Lall received a trophy - one of those gaudy plastic cups they give to students - from the Pi55 Doctor of Guyana - Ramayya of the AFC. Now we're not surprised the AFC handed this out to the Mook. They know the poor fellow never got an award in his life!! Like they say with lotto - you got to play it to win it, no??!!

And of course, they've got to reward the Mook who carries the press releases via which their fearless leader Ramjattan wages his "revolutionary" actions!!

But surely the Mook knows what's in the cup. Ramayya's the fella who's famous for prescribing "cow pi55" as a cure for every disease known to man and then some!! Hence his name - the "Pi55 Doctor"!! But we suspect that the Mook eagerly accepted the cupful of pi55 because he hasn't been able to stop weeping ever since he said he was "threatened"!!

Ramayya assured him that if he drinks the cupful of pi55 is one draught, his weeping will cease!!

...and pubic plucking

We saw in the papers that Lalloo's fond of asking others personal questions. We'd like to ask him if it's true he can only "perfor m" if he's plucking his partner's pubic hair. Ouch!!! What a pervert!!!

Citizens urged to shun sketchy ‘civil society’ confab

...organisers to ‘bus-in, pay’ participants

he Donald Ramotar

TAdministration on Tuesday urged citizens to shun a “sketchy” civil society encounter scheduled for today at the Guyana National Council on Public Policy (GNCPP), noting that the group has ties to the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) and its leader is a man of questionable past.

Billed as a forum to formalise the over 4000 registered civil society organisations here, the shadowy GNCPP engagement is being seen in many circles as an attempt to create another group similar to that of the defunct "Reform" group, which joined up with the Desmond Hoyteled PNC in 2001 in an effort to oust the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) from office. From that time on, the PNC called itself the PNCR.

Guyana Times was told that organisers have arranged transportation and are also offering stipends for residents of Berbice and other outlying areas as part of a “social bribery scheme” to woo prospective participants to attend the meeting.

The Office of the President (OP) in a statement on Tuesday evening said that it is unaware of the existence and of the locus standi of the organisation in Guyana.

It noted that GNCPP Leader and organiser behind the activity, Phillip Mozart Thomas, “has been found to be of shady character”.

The Office of the President said many persons and organisations whose names have appeared either as speakers and to whom invitations were sent are unaware of the reason why their names were publicised, giving the impression that they are supportive of the December 17-19 event.

Several have indicated that this is not the case. OP said it has been informed that qualifications Thomas purports to possess are highly suspicious.

“Research has revealed that the institutions where Thomas purported to have received his qualifications are unknown institutions, and lack well established bona fides,” OP said in its statement.

Government said Thomas is known to have leanings in favour of the PNCR and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“He was one of the aspirants who had publicly declared an interest in replacing Robert Corbin as Leader of the PNCR. As we all know, David Granger managed to distance all the ‘wannabees’, including Thomas.”

According to OP, Thomas is also known to have questionable international connections from whom funding is being

given for the purpose of this specific event at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal Greater Georgetown. “Based on the above, the public is urged to disassociate itself from this farcical event and not to participate,” OP said.

On Tuesday, this newspaper reported that from the names of the persons identified, it is quite clear that the new entity is meant to provide further cover of the PNCR.The old "Reform” group started out as a civil society organisation that spoke to improving Guyana from a non-partisan standpoint. It included Stanley Ming, Eric Phillips, Jerome Khan, Peter Ramsaroop, Dr Mark Kirton and Supriya Singh. All of them were to depart the PNCR even though the suffix was retained.

The PNCR then attempted to secure cover by inviting "coalition partners" from existing "parties" to form A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in time for the 2011 elections. Since the formation of APNU, the PNC/R

has been embarrassed by the exposure that its "coalition partners"' are all "one-man" paper organisations with the exception of the WPA, which might be a "five- man" organisation. Only this weekend, former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, who is now very supportive of the Opposition’s positions and critical of his old party the PPP/C, made the latter point.

Of recent, the Alliance For Change (AFC) proposed that it could coalesce with the PNCR/APNU but demanded the leadership. Not surprisingly, this raised many eyebrows in the APNU including that of its Deputy Leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, since the AFC is deemed too minuscule to make such demands.

For its part, the AFC appears to believe that it has leverage because its Leader Khemraj Ramjattan has selected his Berbician friend Moses Nagamootoo as its Presidential Candidate to de-

liver Indian votes to APNU.

In a studied imitation of the Reform, Thomas appears to be putting together a group to camouflage the PNCR in case the AFC offer is rejected. In some of the daily newspapers on Sunday, the barely known Thomas published a full page advertisement listing among other names of persons he said were nominated to Guyana National Civil Society Advisory Council Board and the Guyana National Civil Society Council.

A number of the individual listed have confirmed with this newspaper that they were not contacted on their nomination and have no interest in being part of the organisation. Asked to respond to this on Monday, Dr Thomas said that all the individuals were actually nominated.

However, he said it is left up to them to respond. “If they attend the conference they have a choice of declining the invitation or accepting it,” Thomas said. The overwhelming sentiments of the persons on the list such as Christopher Ram and Dr Clive Thomas all oppose the PPP/C Government.

Thomas has criticised civil society organisations for being too docile in a time when their voices need to be heard. He said out of the over 4000 registered civil society organisations, only 22 per cent are active, but they are notably silent on matters of public concern.

Some of these organisations heatedly denied this accusation. Dr Thomas explained that the GNCPP has recognised the deficiencies in society and "has since been taking corrective steps".

He said local civil society organisations have become passive over the years, and it is time to change. He said, “We never stood up the way we should have stood up…”.

GNCPP, according to its website is a platform for members, who include all of Guyana’s civil society, including educators, students, journalists, businesses, professionals, ordinary citizens, religious organisations and public officials, believing in a democratic, free and peaceful Guyana.

The organisation, among other things, proclaims that human rights, social justice, the rule of law, pluralistic democracy accountable Government and environmentally sustainable development are common values, to which all Guyanese subscribe.

Most persons interviewed posit that if the organisation gets off the ground, since elections a will be held within the coming year, after a short period of activity, it will join the PNC/APNU coalition

Sterling Products murder-invasion – company beefs up security

In the wake of the armed invasion last Monday of Sterling Products Limited which left one person dead and another injured, Chief Executive Officer Ramsey Ali stated that the security of the building and compound will definitely be improved.

In fact, during a telephone interview with the Guyana Times , Ali stated that measures were already being taken to address the issue of security of the company.

Although Ali did not disclose the details of the new security plan, he assured that enforcements will be

made to guarantee better security.

Meanwhile, the reputed wife of Wilfred Stewart, the security guard killed by the gun-toting bandits, is in a drastic state as she cannot come to terms with the fact that her spouse is dead. Stewart reportedly died on the spot after the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately and subsequently relieved him of his firearm, a .32 revolver with six rounds.

When speaking with the Guyana Times via telephone, she noted that she feels empty and hollow.

The woman, who did not want to give her name, was very distraught. “I’m pregnant; this is a lot of stress, and I’m in a lot of pain. I can’t think about anything right now.”

She noted that the security firm via which her spouse was attached to Sterling Products, Edward Beharry Security Firm, contacted the family and agreed to offer assistance, but the details of such aid will be discussed during another meeting between the two parties.

Meanwhile, Mario Gohil, the chemist who was shot to his leg during the

Sterling Products attempted heist, was discharged from the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital on Friday.

“I’m feeling much better. Still using crutches to walk, I am slowly recovering. It will take about a month to be alright,” the Indian national told this publication during an interview.

Gohil explained that he was still in shock as he could not fully come to grips what had occurred.

“Mentally and emotionally, I still need time to come out of that incident.”

Ali noted that employees of Sterling Products Limited were extremely

shaken up by the incident and were currently receiving regular counselling.

On the same day Gohil was discharged from the hospital, the three suspects were released from Police custody.

A senior Police rank told

the Guyana Times that the evidence was insufficient to tie the men to the murder/attempted robbery and as such, they had to be released since the 72-hour detention period had expired.

Ali noted that since the release of the suspects, he was still waiting on the Police to provide an update on the situation.

Gun, ammunition and ganja found in Mc Doom home

Four men are in Police custody assisting with investigations following the discovery of a gun, ammunition and illicit drugs in a house at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday.

According to information received, Police conducted a cordon-and-search operation in the village during which a house at Middle Street was checked and an unlicensed 9mm pistol with eight matching rounds of ammunition were found.

In addition, 36 grams of marijuana was discovered wrapped in black bags in the living room area of the house. The four occupants were arrested. Charges are to be laid shortly.

Hip-hop revolution

Satiricus held his head in amazement. These Americans were just amazing!!! Six decades after the America's "kinder and gentler" took over the "White Man's burden" - they were still going strong. Talk about "fidelity to a cause"!!! But what amazed Satiricus even more was the creativity they showed in their altruistic task.

Take Cuba, for instance. When that ruffian Castro threw out that benevolent Batista - who'd raised property values so much with beach front Hotels and Casinos (with prostitutes), the American gringos hadn't given up. Even though they were a bit heavy handed with their "Bay of Pigs" invasion, they'd learnt from their mistakes, no??

Satiricus remembered the BBC documentary: "638 ways to kill Castro." Now if that didn't show stick-to-itiveness, what else could?? The assassination attempts included cigars poisoned with botulinum toxin, a tubercle bacilli infected scuba-diving suit along with a booby-trapped conch placed on the sea bottom, an exploding cigar, a ballpoint pen containing a hypodermic syringe and so on.

James Bond could've learnt a thing or two from the CIA!!

When that didn't work, they moved on to embarrassing Castro. There was that "thallium salt" concoction that would make his beard fall off!! Now that was clever wasn't it?? If Castro's beard fell off who'd listen to him?? Fast forwarding to this decade, we learnt the CIA was knocked off the job (after failing in 638 attempts, you'd think it was time, no??) and the USAID/IRI was hired.

The programme was all about "aiding" Cubans, after all! Last year, USAID unleashed a Cuban Twitter, called "ZunZuneo" - after the hummingbird - to encourage Cuban youths to overthrow Castro. Well...ummm...actually the younger brother Raul. But they're all the same, no?? And this latest effort was a stroke of genius – hip-hop!! "Yup!!" thought Satiricus.

"If P Diddy and Jay Zee" could destabilise American values ...what was Cuba's Castros' socialism to the power of revolutionary hip-hop??

And Satiricus grabbed his headphones and listened to "Revolutionary" from Immortal Technique. USAID had spent US$53 million to pass on to Cuban hip-hop artistes:

[Men talking]

Yo load the f*** up (locked and loading)

You too (locked and loading sir!!)

Remember break that window when that cop comes in and blow that motherf***er’s head off

[multiple gun shots] (Got him!!)

Yeah load it up again cause these motherf***ers are gonna come back for us. (Were ready)

We gotta be prepared in this day and age, we gotta be prepared for whatever comes the f*** at us. (Word up)

Cause we are living revolutionarily. (Definitely]

[Malcolm X]

"It's liberty or death..., there's freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody!" [crowd cheers]

"Why the USAID spending all their money on conferences and not hip-hop??" moaned Satiricus in frustration. "Maybe they could've brought Beyoncé with Jay Zee!"

Husain to seize stardom to fight domestic violence

The reality of placing in the top 10 in the recently concluded Miss World Pageant in London is still sinking in for Miss Guyana World Rafieya Husain, who will also be performing duties as Miss World Caribbean for another year.

The Guyanese beauty, who hails from Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), plans to use her reign as Miss World Caribbean to continue being an advocate against domestic violence, not only in Guyana but throughout the Caribbean.

In a telephone interview with the beauty queen from her hotel room in London, she noted that the new title has opened many doors for her and she intends to use every experience to her advantage in

promoting Guyana, the Caribbean and to an extend the world.

Husain said it was indeed an honour to have been named Miss World Caribbean which gives her the platform to promote her fellow Guyanese and other delegates in the future.

Apart from spreading awareness on domestic violence, she will also be focusing on her studies in New York, where she is third year business management student.

Husain is expected to return to Guyana after the holidays to officially open an outreach shelter in February. At present, she intends to spend some extra time in London before travelling back to New York with her family.

In addition to the shelter, she will be working with her charity group to open a safe house for victims of domestic violence in the near future. She did not divulge any other information with respect to its location.

However, on the night of the pageant, Husain admitted that she was nervous but recalled her chorographer’s word: “Make sure you get your four counts while you are in front of the camera.”

This, she noted has definitely helped her to stay focus and not to be carried away.

She recalled being on stage when the announcement started for the top 25 delegates and as soon she heard “Miss Guyana”, she felt as if a load had come off her shoulders since she was very confident in ending Guyana’s 43 years drought in international pageantry.

“I was very satisfied at that stage, but when they call the top 10, I was extremely shocked that the judges saw potential in me.”

After that she was deafened by the screams from the Guyanese who were supporting her in her quest for the crown.

“This made me proud to be representing Guyana and to place in the top 10 was a dream come through, not only that it will put Guyana once again on the international stage, but will make room for other delegates to follow.”

Congratulatory messages

Ever since social media has been popping with congratulatory messages and the beauty is very much thankful for the continuous

Newly-crowned Miss World Rolene Strauus of South Africa with the five delegates who tied in the “Beauty with a Purpose” competition

support as she embarked on another year to fulfill her duties as Miss World Caribbean.

But the competition that put the icing on the cake was the Beauty with a Purpose Project where she tied with Miss Brazil, Miss Kenya, Miss Indonesia and Miss Indian for top honours. She said her project on domestic violence was her main reason for entering in the Miss World Pageant.

She noted that domestic violence does not only affect Guyanese, but the world as a whole.

While in Guyana preparing for the Miss Guyana World Contest, she selected domestic violence as her platform, and noted that her grandfather, the late Shafeek Khan, a former Regional Executive Officer, was special person.

Actually, the shelter to help victims of domestic violence has been named in honour of him.

After winning the pageant as a representative of Region Two, she stated a campaigned where she visited schools around Guyana distributing booklets and educating children about domestic violence.

She thought that by educating them at an early age, children will grow to shun the scourge, noting that anyone can become a victim.

“I may be a beauty queen, but I don’t consider it as that, but rather as Ambassador for Guyana….

She said she will definitely remember touring London with her fellow delegates, participating in various competitions in sport fitness, beach beauty and others.

“But I think the most memorable time in the pageant would have to be the downtime we had after rehearsals. It was a time when all the contestants come together at dinner and even afterwards we had a lot of friends coming over to my room which I shared with Miss Jamaica. ”

Even an Ambassador for Guyana can be a victim of domestic violence,” she added. Meanwhile, as she prepares to leave her friends in London, Husian said that she will cherish the moments they spent together.

She thanked her mom and aunt who to her have been her greatest supporters, the Miss World Organisation and local franchise holders, the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two, the residents of Anna Regina who came together to assist her with the outreach centre and more the people of Guyana, not forgetting her friends abroad.

Caricom hosts regional monitoring and evaluation workshop

Atwo-day Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop to provide training in the use of the Caricom online Monitoring and Evaluation Tool concludes today, at the Caricom Secretariat in Georgetown.

Participants at the workshop include professionals from Caricom Member States who work in the areas of youth development, education and crime prevention and security, a release from the Secretariat said.

Speaking at the opening, Director of Human Development at the Caricom Secretariat, Myrna Bernard said the online monitoring tool was very timely; and that monitoring and evaluation continues to take a more prominent role

as the ‘value for money’ paradigm takes traction.

Bernard noted that the practical sessions would afford hands on capacity building opportunities and enhance the technical skills of participants to use the tool. She said it would also assist in the development of benchmarking techniques.

Director of Strategic Management at the Caricom Secretariat , Craig Beresford, also stressed the value of the tool to the Caricom region. He said it would form part of the framework for implementing the Regional Strategic Plan and allow for transparency in the implementation of projects and programmes.

Sperm Whale washes up at Kitty

... draws huge crowd

Traffic along the Rupert Craig Highway moved at a snail’s pace on Tuesday morning as hundreds of persons abandoned their daily routine to get a glimpse of the 40-foot whale which washed ashore.

The whale was discovered dead on the Kitty foreshore near the Russian Embassy at 05:30h after first being spotted by fisherman Bridgelall Tiwaree on Saturday night entangled in his net approximately four miles off the coast of Demerara parallel to the Mahaicony River mouth.

On the scene, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard told reporters that a rescue team comprising the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society; the World Wildlife Fund (WWF); and the GDF had been searching for the whale since Sunday.

The team initially utilised a GDF helicopter on Sunday to do an aerial search of the area in which the whale was first seen.

When it came up empty handed, speedboats

were subsequently used on Monday to search for the whale, but this too proved futile.

“It apparently washed ashore Monday night during the high tide, but we found it this morning,” a Coastguard said. Though not a specialist in the field, he opined that the whale might have

died due to strangulation. “Apparently, he got strangled in the seine, because when we found it, it had a lot of seine in the mouth, trying to bite its way out.”

Search Leonard Jettoo who had made contact with the WWF on behalf of the fisherman told reporters that the whale could have been rescued had the authorities promptly responded.

According to him, although the report was filed since Saturday night, the authorities only kicked into action late Sunday afternoon.

But this was immediately debunked by the founding Secretary of the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society, Annette Arjoon-Martins.

Upon learning of the discovery on Sunday morning, she said, the Coast Guard was immediately notified and a search ensued. She explained that the Coast

Guard has been a member of the Marine Turtle Conservation Society since 2000 and responded by placing a helicopter at the disposal of the search team.

“What is important to

know, you can’t just go out there and cut off a net off a whale in the water.

"Let me stress, it is extremely dangerous; nobody in Guyana has the capacity to do that. Whales in distress react very violently; they can actually kill in the process,” Arjoon-Martins explained.

Recognising that it did not have the capacity to rescue the whale, the team was in frequent communication with experts from across the Caribbean, Venezuela and French Guiana who were offering advice on an hourly basis.

Had the whale been found at sea, ArjoonMartins explained, the search team would have sent photographs and videos to the experts, who would have subsequently travelled to Guyana to offer further assistance.

Removal

Country Coordinator of the Marine Turtle Project, Romeo De Freitas recalled the hours spent search -

ing for the whale. Now that it has been washed ashore, De Freitas is recommending that the whale be buried along the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway and its skeleton be uncovered after a year.

“My recommendation would be to move the whale from here as early as possible, because the whale’s entire body is made up of fat and once that starts to deteriorate, the entire Georgetown would smell for a month or two.”

He added, “My recommendation would be to get a couple of excavators, lift it onto a low-bed truck and bury it along the highway where there is white sand. Maybe a year after the bones can be recovered for exhibition purposes.”

De Freitas shared his recommendations with the Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Public Works, Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn who were also at the scene. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

Montrose supermarket robbery Second bandit

ID’d as UG student

The second bandit killed on Monday during the robbery of a Montrose, East Coast Demerara supermarket has been identified as a popular socialite and a student of the University of Guyana.

Police on Tuesday disclosed that the gunman was identified as 24-yearold Mahendra Sukull called “Vicky”, of Ramtahal Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

According to reports, three armed men arrived in a dark-coloured vehicle

around 19:00h and parked in an unlit street adjacent to the supermarket. They then entered the Lahago Supercentre, holding the owner, Latchmie Baburam, and three other female staffers, including her daughter, at gunpoint.

One of the employees related that the men began asking for cash and hitting

the 52-year-old businesswoman; when her daughter went to her aid, she was gun-butted to the head. Baburam was then shot in her left leg.

During the ordeal, a silent alarm was triggered and alerted ranks at nearby police stations. Upon arrival at the scene, Police came under gunfire. They returned fire fatally shooting Sukull in the process while the other bandit, wanted man Warren Blue, a former Policeman, went into hiding. After a few minutes, he emerged from a cupboard and opened fire on the Police ranks. He too was killed during the shootout.

The injured businesswoman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted. She is currently in stable condition. While at the hospital on Monday evening, Baburam’s husband, Hemat, told reporters that he was unsure as to what transpired since he was at the back shop at the time of the robbery. The man said that his daughter called and informed him about the incident and he rushed to the scene.

Police recovered two unlicensed .32 Taurus pistols and five live rounds along with a number of .32 spent shells. The bodies of the two bandits are at the Lyken Funeral Parlour. There was reportedly a third gunman; however, he successfully managed to escape from the scene.

Troubled Sukull was a Computer Science student at the tertiary educational insti-

tute. Reports indicated that the young man had a troubled childhood. According to an associate of the family, Sukull’s mother committed suicide when he was just 13 years old. He and his mother were living alone at the time.

The associate opined that the young man, though living with relatives, never had any proper guidance. Sukull was known by many and was a regular partygoer. On his social network profile, there were several photos of him at various events and

with popular promoters.

On the other hand, Blue was wanted by the Police for the September 2012 shooting of Agricola, Greater Georgetown teen Shaquille Grant. He had been on the run since then.

This robbery comes on the heels of the armed invasion of Sterling Products Limited last week when 10 men reportedly stormed the business, killing security guard Wilfred Stewart and wounding a chemist in the process.

Education Ministry saddened by attack on Pakistani school

The Education Ministry has denounced the fatal attack on a school in Pakistan, calling it “horrendous”.

In a statement released hours after the school was attacked on Tuesday, the Ministry expressed its sadness over the unnecessary and violent deaths of so many innocent children, teachers and other staff members of the school.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand extended sympathy to all the grieving families and loved ones, as well as the Government and the people of Pakistan.

“Every child has the right to education and every effort should be made to help children avail themselves of education opportunities.

"This right to education should never be interfered with, least of all through violence and intimidation,” the Ministry underscored in the statement.

On Tuesday morning, gunmen from the Tehriki-Taliban (TTP) group stormed a military-run school in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least 141 people of which 132 were children

from Grades One to 10.

While an additional 121 students and three staff members were wounded during the attack. Some 1099 students and staff were registered at the school.

The attack began when the gunmen entered the school and started shooting at random.

Army commandos quickly arrived at the scene and started exchanging fire with the gunmen. Students wearing green school uniforms could be seen fleeing the area on Pakistani television.

Vulnerability

Meanwhile, Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they killed over a hundred children because their parents helped the US to take down a group that was protecting Al Qaeda.

TTP Commander Jihad Yar Wazir told a reporter from the Daily Beast that the group was ready for a long war against the “US puppet state of Pakistan”.

“We are just displaced, but we are still in positions to attack wherever we want,” Yar Wazir said.

Yar Wazir justified the killings as fitting retribu-

tion. “The parents of the army school are army soldiers and they are behind the massive killing of our kids and indiscriminate bombing in North and South Waziristan,” which are the TTP strongholds.

“To hurt them at their safe haven and homes –such an attack is perfect revenge,” he stated.

Yar Wazir says the TTP has a long list of attacks that it will carry out in Pakistan against the security forces, whose efforts to crush the group are supported by the United States.

The regions where it is strong have served as a refuge for al Qaeda, which is the main American target.

This violent attack underscores the vulnerability of Pakistani schools, which was dramatically exposed in the attack two years ago on Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl shot in the head by a Taliban gunman outside her school in the Swat Valley for daring to speak up about girls’ rights.

She survived, became a Nobel Prize laureate and global advocate for girls’ education, but out of security concerns has never returned to Pakistan. (see story on page 15)

Landmark ruling on paper committals stayed

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister

Anil Nandlall succeeded in having acting Chief Justice Ian Chang’s ruling to quash Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus’s decision to commit Ray Bacchus to stand trial for the offence of rape, stayed.

The Magistrate’s decision was challenged by Attorney Mursaline Bacchus on the grounds, inter alia, that the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03 under which his client was charged and committed was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Subsequently, in his ruling last month, Justice Chang ruled that Paragraph Five of the First Schedule to the Sexual Offences Act purports to disallow cross-examination of the makers of prosecution witness statements, which he pointed out is inconsistent with Articles 144 (2) (d) and (e) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

He further ruled that Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus acted in violation of the defendant’s rights under Article 144 (2) (d) and (e) when she disallowed cross-examination of the makers of prosecution witness statements tendered against the applicant in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

However, Nandlall on November 25 filed an application for a Stay of Execution on the Chief Justice’s ruling at the Appeal Court. The matter was called up on Tuesday before Justice of

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Appeal BS Roy. The Attorney General along with Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon appeared for the Magistrate, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police, the named applicants seeking a stay of execution of the Chief Justice’s ruling.

Attorney Perry Gossai, who filled in for Attorney Bacchus, entered an appearance on behalf of the respondent, Ray Bacchus. During the proceedings on Tuesday, the Attorney General relied on both written and oral submissions. He submitted that the appeal filed has every likelihood of success and, therefore, the stay of execution should be granted. He cited several cases to support that contention.

Additionally, Nandlall outlined that the Magistrate acted lawfully, within her ju-

risdiction and scrupulously complied with the Sexual Offences Act in committing the accused. He pointed out that the Chief Justice fell into error by quashing the Magistrate’s ruling on the ground that the Sexual Offences Act was unconstitutional, since that was not an issue the Court was properly moved to determine and significantly, that was not an issue canvassed before the Magistrate.

Procedure

The Attorney General further highlighted that there is a clear and settled procedure by which legislation is challenged for want of constitutionality, contending that the will of Parliament cannot be struck down by a side wind through a collateral challenge.

In addition, Nandlall articulated that the effect of this judgment is that committal proceedings for all offences under the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 8:03 may be invalid. As a result, all of the committal proceedings which have been completed by Magistrates in all the districts in Guyana since the last amendment to the Sexual Offences Act in 2013 may now be invalid based on this ruling and, therefore, may have to be done de novo thus creating an overwhelming backlog for Sexual Offence cases.

On this note, the AG urged the Court to consider not only the rights of the ac-

cused as guaranteed by the Constitution but the rights of the victims to have a determination of the guilt of persons accused of the offences covered by the Sexual Offences Act now stood in abeyance owing to the Chief Justice’s decision.

He further requested that the court be cognisant that its pivotal function was to strike that vital but delicate balance between two competing interests. On the one hand, that of the victorious party, and in this special circumstance, that of the victims of sexual offences, who ought to have their cases determined in theirs and the public’s interest.

After listening to the arguments of the Attorney General and Attorney Gossai, the Appeal Judge granted the Stay of Execution on the decision of Justice Chang that was delivered on November 14.

In his ruling, Justice Roy said: “It is well established that this court has an unfettered discretion to order a stay of an order under appeal if the justice of the case demands it. In a case in which the question of ordering of a stay arises, the role of the court is to make the order that best accords with interest of justice. Where there is a risk of harm to one party or the other, whichever order is made, the court has to balance the alternatives and make a decision as to the course which is likely to occasion the least injustice.”

Route 42 buses following more profitable routes

Passengers of public transportation have yet another ailment with the transportation system. Residents of Craig, Friendship and other travellers who use the short Grove buses, East Bank Demerara (EBD), have been complaining for months about the minibuses working the Diamond route when they should be working the shorter route. The bus operators on the other hand stated that the fare is more lucrative on the latter route.

Gakaran Sukhdeo of Old Road, Craig, EBD, said that the short route Grove buses have been working both the routes – Diamond and short Grove – since the beginning of the year.

The very upset commuter said that if this was the only issue then maybe it

would not be such a problem, but claimed the drivers stop working the short Grove route at around 14:00h and resume around 17:00h, leaving passengers stranded until those buses resume working.

Sukhdeo said the situation is very frustrating, since a crowd can usually be seen at the bus park waiting for these buses and there is a rush to get to the lone short Grove bus that may be working during those times.

One female commuter of the short Grove bus park expressed her frustration, saying the buses are truly “overdoing it” at the expense of commuters who rely on them. She said that the buses work fine in the morning but in the afternoons there is a long line of them in the Diamond route section because of the

fare that Diamond passengers pay.

Saga (only name given), a driver of a short Grove bus, explained to Guyana Times that the fare to go to Diamond is $160 while the fare to go Craig or Friendship, is barely $100. He said drivers “ga go way de money deh” and working the short Grove route does not bring in as much money as going into Diamond.

A tout that was close by also gave his comment on the issue, stating that the rise in the price for gas price and the high cost of vehicle parts all contribute to bus operators needing more “money fuh survive”. However, when it was mentioned that gas prices only increased a few days ago while this operation by the short Grove buses has been going on for months, no comment was given.

First Lady spreads Christmas cheer to Linden children

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar brought smiles to the faces of scores of children in the Linden community on Tuesday, when her Foundation handed out gifts and goodies to more than 400 boys and girls.

Children who turned out to the Bayroc Sports Centre and Constabulary Hall were entertained by members of the First Lady’s Foundation and Santa Claus, in addition to being treated to refreshments.

The First Lady stated that her Foundation, in collaboration with President Donald Ramotar, has been involved in a number of toy donation drives across the country around Christmas time since 2011.

A solution was proposed by a commuter on the short Grove bus park. Sherry (only name given), stated that the buses should be given specific zones to work and this will solve the problem. She explains that once the buses are zoned then this will regulate the various routes where they will be compelled to work.

However, Gakaran Sukhdeo, told this publication that he had approached the Public Works Ministry about the issue to see what could be done. He said a Ministry official had told him that only two things can be done – to increase the price of the fares so the buses will work the routes with no complaint or change the route number to specifically label the buses as 42 A and 42 B, as Sherry had proposed.

“It’s more of a family event…every child would look forward to something for around Christmas, it’s not only the religious aspect of it, but in looking at the family aspect, the children, parents coming together to have a nice time,” she noted.

The First Lady, amid loud singing of Christmas carols by children at the Bayroc Sports Centre, explained that it was always rewarding to spread cheer to the little ones around this time of year.

“You see the smiles on their faces and it gives you a feeling of contentment. Growing up, this is what brought us together … our Foundation, every Christmas we would go from place to place giving toys to the children…I am really happy to be here to share with our children. They are the future and if we make them happy, then they will take this happiness into their lives…”

A similar exercise was conducted at Black Bush Polder. Children of the Coomacka Mines area are expected to be treated by the First Lady and her team on Monday. A grand party at the State House in Georgetown is expected to round off the Christmas cheer activities, the First Lady said.

NA Hospital Meanwhile, in Berbice, youngsters in the children’s wards at the New Amsterdam Hospital had a surprise on Tuesday when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) arrived to brighten up their day.

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) PPP/C Parliamentarian Fizal Jaffarally and other Party officials spent time with the children and handed out gifts and goodies.

According to Jaffarally, it was an honour to be able to visit the children’s wards and meet some of the youngsters throughout the region who unfortunately have to spend some time at the hospital. “It is never easy to see small children so ill, especially at this time of year, so hopefully we managed to cheer them up a bit and with any luck they will make a speedy recovery and be home in time for Christmas Day.

“As the New Year approaches, we look forward to continuing our work with the local community which we view as a fundamental part of being a responsible and community-minded organisation. Volunteering our time is our way of showing gratitude for the support that we get from the entire Region Six,” Jaffarally said.

Around

Taliban go on killing spree at Pakistan school, 132 students dead

At least 132 students and nine staff members were killed on Tuesday after Taliban gunmen broke into a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar and opened fire, witnesses said, in the bloodiest massacre the country has seen for years.

More than eight hours after militants slipped into the heavily guarded compound through a back entrance, the Army declared the operation to flush them out over, and said that all nine insurgents had been killed.

The attack on a militaryrun high school attended by more than 1100 people, many of them children of Army personnel, struck at the heart of Pakistan’s military establishment, an as-

and said that all nine insurgents had been killed

sault certain to enrage the country’s powerful Army.

Wounded children taken to nearby hospitals told Reuters most victims died when gunmen, suicide vests strapped to their bodies, entered the compound and opened fire indiscriminately on boys, girls and their teachers.

“One of my teachers was crying, she was shot in the hand and she was crying in pain,” said Shahrukh Khan, 15, who was shot in both legs but survived after hiding under a bench.

“One terrorist then walked up to her and started shooting her until she stopped making any sound. All around me my friends were lying injured and dead.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelans march against United States sanctions

Thousands of Government supporters in Venezuela have marched through the streets of Caracas to denounce the recent approval of sanctions by the US.

Experts in last ditch effort to save endangered rhino

The next few months are critical for the survival of the northern white rhino, as an expert panel races to save it from oblivion. Some pin hopes on an assisted reproduction programme, but the procedures involved risk harming some of the five animals that remain on Earth.

Dvur Kravlove Zoo in the Czech Republic, which owns the captive rhinos, said specialists would everything within their power to save the sub-species. But he told BBC News: “When you have just five remaining specimens, there are many opinions on what should be done with them. There are different institutions involved.”

Wearing predominantly red, the protesters called on the United States to respect Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro addressed his supporters at the end of the march and accused the US of trying to intervene in his country’s domestic affairs. The sanctions against Venezuelan officials were approved last week.

The bill was passed by the House of Representatives last week after being approved by the Senate. It is now likely to be signed into law by President Barack Obama.

It targets current and former Venezuelan officials who directed “significant acts of violence or serious human rights abuses against persons associated with the anti-government protests in Venezuela that began on 4 February”. (Excerpt

The rhinos have been hunted to near extinction for their valuable horns. A 44-year-old male, Angalifu, passed away at the San Diego Zoo this weekend.

This leaves just one male rhino – an elderly bull called Sudan, who lives semi-wild at the Ol Pejeta animal park in Kenya. He is considered incapable of mating naturally.

Jan Stejskal from the

Dvur Kravlove Zoo is home to a 31-year-old female called Nabire. This autumn, the zoo began a project to harvest eggs from her for in vitro fertilisation. This would involve creating a rhino embryo using sperm already banked by the Institute for Wildlife and Zoo Animals Research in Berlin, Germany. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Guyana cops 17 distinctions at Royal Music Academy exams

Guyana has copped 17 distinctions at the Royal Academy of Music exams this year. This is according to Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

At the Choral Song Award ceremony Monday, Minister Anthony indicated that Guyana’s students have great potential as all of the 25 students of the National School of Music who wrote the exams passed – 21 with exceptional grades.

Andrew Tyndall, the administrator of the National School of Music, told the Guyana Times that the students wrote the Royal Schools of Music exams (Grades One to Five) on November 1 at The Bishops’

Topping the performers was Kollesha Edwards, who wrote the Grade Five exam and achieved 97 per cent.

Tyndall said that the top student has been with the school since she started the Grade One level of the programme. He explained that she has learnt much regarding music composition and the arranging of music.

Musical landscape

In 2011, the National School of Music, at Brickdam and Old College Road, Georgetown, was launched. The school houses five classrooms, a performance auditorium, a library to boast a comprehensive repertoire of Guyanese mu-

sic and a specialised storage room to accommodate musical instruments and related equipment.

The main objective of the school is to provide a range of services, knowledge and skills for young talented Guyanese interested in various forms of music and musical instruments.

The highest grade of music study the school offers is Grade Eight, where advanced musical composition is practised so students have the skills to become music conductors or compose their own music or even analyse music.

The administrator noted that the school makes a host of musical instruments available to students for learning their use.

However, it was advisable for students to have their own instruments to ensure greater success as music is a subject that requires much practice.

Minister Anthony informed that the music school also supports the revitalisation of steel pan music in the school system by providing teachers.

This initiative has seen great success with an increasing number of schools competing in the Mash Steel Pan competition. Dr Anthony explained that there will now be a separate competition for the schools because of the number of school bands entered for the next competition.

Latin American exports fell in 2014 – IDB study

Exports from Latin America will drop by about 1.4 per cent in 2014, the first decline in exports since the collapse of international commerce during the 2009 financial crisis, according to a study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The decline marks the third straight year of low performance in foreign trade, caused in part by low international commodities prices and weak international demand, according to the Latin American Trade Trends Estimates 2014.

The study reveals that although exports from the region fell, the results varied from country to country. Ten countries reported increases in sales abroad, in some cases even higher than the world average. But those numbers did not make up for the drop in exports in the rest of the countries. While some countries benefited

from the economic recovery in the United States, others were negatively affected by the fall in exports to the rest of the world.

Because of its size, Brazil was the biggest contributor to the fall in exports. Argentina and Peru reported the highest rates of shrinkage, followed by Venezuela and El Salvador. Colombia, Chile and Panama suffered moderate drops. The increase in Mexico’s exports was the most important because of the country’s size. Exports from Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Dominican Republic were the most dynamic. Honduras, Paraguay and Uruguay saw increases in exports, but at a slower pace. Finally, Costa Rica exports rose, but only marginally. The study includes detailed reports for 18 Latin American nations.

These results reflect a generalised drop in the pric-

PAHO reports decline in babies born with HIV in Caribbean

– Guyana leading the way with zero cases

The number of babies born with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean declined by 78 per cent between 2001 and 2013, according to a new report from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Last week, it was revealed that Guyana has been able to keep the situation at bay, eradicating every instance of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV. At the launching of the Guyana Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) acceleration framework and campaign to improve maternal health recently, the UNAIDS representative said Mother-toChild Transmission of HIV was not a reality in Guyana.

The report, “Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in the Americas”, takes stock of progress in the region’s countries toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Using data from PAHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS, the report estimates that 10,700 babies were born with HIV

ready made progress toward that goal,” said Massimo Ghidinelli, Chief of PAHO/ WHO’s HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Hepatitis Unit. “We need a final push to ensure that 100 per cent of pregnant women have access to sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment, which can save their lives and reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to their babies.”

es of basic products and the different patterns of external integration among the countries in the region. In contrast with a three per cent increase in exports to the United States, exports within the region itself suffered the worst drop, eight per cent. The weak economic activity in Europe led to a four per cent drop in its demand for Latin American products. Asian imports from Latin America fell by about five per cent because of the slower growth in the region and China’s reorientation of its growth toward internal consumption.

In 2015, stronger demand from the United States should benefit the region, especially Mexico and Central America, while the lower growth rates expected in China will continue to affect the principal exporters of agricultural products and minerals in South America.

in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2001. By 2013, the number had declined 78 per cent to just over 2300, representing around five per cent of all babies born in the region to mothers with HIV. The countries and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean have set the collective goal of reducing that proportion to less than two per cent by 2015. So far, nine countries and territories have reached that goal: Anguilla, Barbados, Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the United States.

“Ensuring that all children in the Americas are born HIV-free is possible, and countries have al-

In 2013, 87 per cent of the 11 million women who gave birth in Latin America and the Caribbean attended at least four prenatal visits, a benchmark for adequate prenatal care. An estimated 74 per cent had access to HIV testing and counselling – up from 62 per cent in 2010 – and 93 per cent of HIV-positive mothers-tobe received antiretroviral treatment, a significant increase over the 59 per cent who received treatment in 2010 and only two percentage points short of the target for 2015.

“The region of the Americas has strong health systems, and many women are accessing prenatal care not just once but four times,” said Chewe Luo, UNICEF’s top expert on HIV. She cited the integration of HIV testing into health systems as another success story in the Americas, but said gaps remain in providing prenatal services for adolescent girls.

Congenital syphilis

The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean made more modest progress toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, which can be prevented through early detection and treatment of affected women. Fifteen out of a total of 50 countries

and territories in the region have achieved the goal of no more than one in 2000 babies being born with syphilis, the target set for 2015. Among women who received prenatal care in reporting countries, more than 80 per cent were tested for syphilis. This level of coverage has been stable since 2011 but falls short of the target coverage rate of 95 per cent. Very few countries report data on the number of pregnant women who have syphilis and are receiving treatment. Among the countries that do, the proportion varies from 13 per cent to 100 per cent, with seven countries and territories reporting that 95 per cent or more of pregnant women with syphilis received treatment in 2013.

The report notes that further progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of syphilis will require improvements in early access to prenatal care, increased use of rapid syphilis testing – a simple procedure that can be performed on site – and better follow-up for women who test positive.

Ghidinelli said PAHO/ WHO will redouble its efforts to mobilise resources to help countries eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

The report “Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in the Americas” was presented last week during a panel discussion organised by PAHO/WHO as part of a series of activities for World AIDS Day. In addition to PAHO/WHO and UNICEF experts, representatives of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) also participated.

No progress yet on DNA facility in Guyana

At the commissioning of Government's state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee indicated that work was going to be done assiduously to make deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing facilities available in Guyana. But it appears such developments are not forseen in the near future.

In a telephone interview with Guyana Times, Minister Rohee explained that the position remains the same as it was at the time of the commissioning on July 14.

Rohee had previously noted that while the laboratory does not offer DNA testing, it is currently engaging the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to have this component in the near future.

Speaking with this publication on Tuesday, Rohee stated that discussions with the Bank have not yet begun and there is no immediate update to be provided on the project.

Rohee was unable to say when any such discussions with the IDB will commence. After several delays and setbacks, Guyana’s first forensic science laboratory was commissioned, to the tune of $1.49 billion.

However, several persons have noted that based on the condition of the laboratory, it is not worth being

labelled as state-of-the-art.

“Why build a lab if DNA testing won’t be done? It is one of the main components of solving a crime,” Omah Benner remarked.

Benner stated that considering the situation, it exemplifies a lack of prioritising in the security sector. Furthermore, a handful of persons have vented their frustration over the fact

that it takes “too long” for DNA samples that are sent for testing in Trinidad and Tobago to return to Guyana.

Pointing out to the Nyozi Goodman’s situation, Sonya Mohamed noted that it took well over five months before the results were known. Moreover, she stated that the results were available but the Police took a while before it was collected.

She pointed out the need

Granger fetes Bartica children

Ofor the speedy availability of DNA testing facilities in Guyana to ensure such delays will not hinder investigations within the nation.

However, although the laboratory is not equipped with DNA testing, it has a highly specialised evidence recording system for information management.

It also specialises in the analysis of toxic substances, narcotic drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, forged documents and biological fluids.

The two-story facility is located in the compound of the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, and occupies an area of 12,000 square feet.

The ground floor contains the administrative offices, the library and research area, conference room, security monitoring, evidence submission and washrooms.

The top floor houses the chemistry, toxicology, documents and evidence trace departments.

Rohee, in remarks at the commissioning, said “these new techniques are all part of modernising a system in keeping with international best practices as well as an instrument to deterring would-be criminals and their activities in our country, all aimed at reducing the level of crime and I have no doubt that this laboratory will have a significant contribution in that respect”.

Man charged for damaging vendor’s pepper sauce

Carlos Henry, 43, of Grove, East Bank Demerara, pleaded guilty to the offence of damage to property on Tuesday, when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. On December 11, at the Stabroek Bazaar, Georgetown, it is alleged

that he unlawfully and maliciously damaged one bottle of pepper sauce valued $1000, property of Pamela Welcome.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that on the day in question, Henry was at Welcome’s stall and requested two boxes of food, which he and a friend ate. The court heard that

Henry refused to pay the full cost of the food and damaged the bottle of pepper sauce after Welcome insisted that he pay her in full.

He was ordered by the Magistrate to repay Welcome for the damaged item and told that a default in payment would result in two weeks imprisonment.

pposition Leader David Granger was definitely feeling the Christmas spirit, as he brightened up the festive season for the children of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader visited the town last Monday, with his wife, Sandra, to play Father Christmas as he delivered toys to the children of the area at the coalition’s Christmas party held in their honour.

A host of other members of APNU went along with Granger to Bartica to assist. Member of Parliament Amna Ally was among the Opposition Leader’s entourage.

Shondel Hope, Regional Councillor for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), was also in attendance as she had been instrumental in the organisation of the party for the children, which was held at Two Miles Primary School.

There were over 350 children in attendance and all were treated to toys and a joyous day.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

You will be able to win others to your side. A romantic liaison at an appealing destination will strengthen your bond with someone special. Enjoy the moment.

Get your financial security in place. Have a discussion about your monetary situation with your financial adviser. Include family members who will be influenced by your decisions.

Professional gains are possible if you take the time to do an in-depth search before moving forward. Highlighting your versatility will attract someone who is influential and willing to help.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Suspicious or jealous behaviour will lead to a rift with someone. Be honest about your feelings and give whomever you are dealing with a chance to be heard before you jump to conclusions.

An unexpected encounter with an old friend will bring back fond memories. Loosen up, have some fun and find a place where you can enjoy friends, co-workers or relatives.

A minor mishap at home will remind you to be more careful. You’ll have trouble keeping matters in perspective. Someone you trust will have the answers you are looking for.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Attend a community event that all family members will enjoy. A pleasure trip or some judicious pampering will help take care of the stress you have been experiencing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Follow up on an interesting job prospect. Your high energy will make it easier to take care of business and complete your to-do list. Hard work will lead to satisfaction.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Someone close to you will need help. Your outgoing personality will capture attention and give you the push you need to finish what you start. Meetings, seminars and business trips will prove fruitful.

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

You’ll have trouble getting the facts from business and personal partners. It’s in your best interest to verify the credentials of people you plan to associate with.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Gifts and money are heading in your direction. If you let your imagination take over, you will come up with ways to please the ones you love. Your vision will attract interest.

Be precise when giving instructions in order to avoid wrong impressions. Problems and anger will result if you are misunderstood or misinterpreted.

Jamaica seeking Tallawahs permission

Four rounds of the new West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) professional four-day tournament have gone by and stakeholders of the Jamaica Franchise are yet to confirm a name.

Meanwhile, Guyana Jaguars, Barbados Pride, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, Windward Islands Volcanoes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes have all acquired franchise names.

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven said discussions are being sought with the United States-based Chalak Mitra Group (CMG), the franchise owners of former Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 (T20) champions Jamaica Tallawahs, to use that name.

“We are trying to get the owners of the Jamaica Tallawahs to allow us to use the name,” said Heaven, who is also deputy chairman of the Jamaica Franchise’s

board of directors.

“That would further help to develop the brand and also make it become a household name rather than once a year [during the CPL] you hear ‘Jamaica Tallawahs’.

“We are seeking to discuss that possibility, but at the same time, we are working on another name if that doesn’t work. We are also working through some other options to come up with a name.”

The JCA boss said a decision could be made by next

month, but insisted that strategic thinking has to go into the naming of the Franchise.

“Off the top of my head I’m looking to have it by the end of January. We are not bound by a timeframe right now, but we want to make sure we have a name that means something, not just something we pick up bythe-way,” said Heaven.

The WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL), which began in November, is on a break until February 2015. The Jamaica Franchise are currently second in the sixteam standings.

The board of directors for the Jamaica Franchise is chaired by Don Wehby. Other directors include Dennis Hickey, executive director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo); Wayne Sutherland, treasurer of the JCA; Dr Akshai Mansingh, a JCA director; and attorneyat-law Delano Franklyn. Jamaica Observer).

Fifa dismisses complaint from Garcia over report

Acomplaint by the man who spent two years investigating World Cup corruption claims for Fifa has been dismissed by football’s governing body.

US lawyer Michael Garcia’s findings were released as a 42-page summary by Fifa-appointed independent judge Hans-Joachim Eckert.

Garcia said his summary was “incomplete and erroneous” and he appealed against it to Fifa’s Appeal Committee.

However, it has now ruled that Garcia’s complaint is “not admissible”.

In a statement, Fifa said German Eckert’s summary was “neither legally binding nor appealable”.

Garcia was appointed by Fifa to lead the investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar following a series of damaging allegations.

A complaint by two whistleblowers who said their confidentiality was compromised after they gave evidence to Garcia’s inquiry has also been dismissed by Fifa.

Phaedra Al Majid and

Bonita Mersiades, who worked for the Qatari and Australian bid teams respectively, spoke to Fifa about alleged corruption on condition of anonymity.

They said they were “clearly identifiable” when Eckert’s summary of Garcia’s report was released.

But Fifa says there are “no grounds” for opening disciplinary proceedings.

“No names were mentioned in the statement and any information provided was of a general nature,” a Fifa spokesman said.

“Thus, there was no divulgence of any information of a confidential nature.

“The chairman reviewed all provided material and

stressed that, since the participants in the investigation had gone public with their own media activities long before the publication of the statement of the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber Judge Eckert, the breach of confidentiality claim had no substance.”

There have been calls to release the full report in the wake of Garcia’s complaint, but Fifa has said it cannot do so for legal reasons.

However, Fifa is meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, this week when it will vote on an amendment to its ethics code that could lead to an edited version of the full report being released. (BBC Sport)

McCullum mulls opener’s role for World Cup

NewZealand’s regular captain Brendon McCullum has suggested that he could play as an opener in the 2015 World Cup as the side looks for a settled combination before the tournament in February-March.

In 13 innings this year, New Zealand have tried out four opening pairs with Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder having played the most games. However, with Ryder out of contention for a World Cup spot, the second opener’s slot has seen a few shuffles. James Neesham was tried out during the home series against South Africa and with Guptill injured for the first two ODIs of the ongoing series against Pakistan, New Zealand opened the batting with Anton Devcich and Dean Brownlie. Brownlie was given the axe on Guptill’s return though.

McCullum expressed confidence in the New Zealand middle order, which has also contributed to the argument to possibly promote himself.

“We’ve got a No 3 and No 4 [Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor] who I believe are as good as any No 3 and 4 in the world,” McCullum told stuff.co.nz. “Then a guy like Luke Ronchi scoring runs significantly down the order who can close out

games and we’ve got experience and hitters too.

“[Opening] probably suits my game as well, there’ll be no stone unturned, we’ll definitely be having a go. I also think Guppy [Martin Guptill] and I go well as a combination.”

McCullum has opened in 84 ODIs, scoring 2480 runs at 33.06 - better than his career average of 30.05 - and has struck three of his four ODI hundreds in that position. McCullum and Ryder are the third-most successful opening partnership for New Zealand in ODIs - with 1069 runs in 22 inningsand the McCullum-Guptill pair have made 795 runs with an average of 44.16. His last ODI innings as an opener came during the 2011 World Cup and since then he has played in the middle order.

Even as he looked at playing as an opener in ODIs, McCullum said that he will drop down the order to his No. 5 spot for the home Tests against Sri Lanka, which start from December 26 in Christchurch. McCullum had opened the innings in the recent Test series against Pakistan, where he also scored 202 in Sharjah, but insisted that move was to allow the side to play a specialist bowler.

“It’s back down to No. 5 for me in this Test series. It was a horses-for-courses option in Sharjah, we needed the extra bowling option over there,” he said. “I think you need to have a couple of players in the group who are quite fluid and it’s easier to do for the captain, there’s a bit more experience and a bit less pressure.” (Cricinfo)

Storey to attempt women’s hour world record

Dame Sarah Storey will bid to break the women’s Union Cycliste Internationale hour world record in February 2015.

Great Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian will be the first woman to take on the equivalent ladies’ race since a UCI rule change in March.

The existing record of 46.065km was set in 2003 by Dutch rider Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel.

Germany’s Jens Voigt and then Austrian Matthias Brandle broke the men’s record earlier in 2014.

“I’m excited and nervous at the prospect of being the first woman to take on the record in over a decade,” said Storey.

Austria’s Brandle set a new hour world record of 51.850km at Switzerland’s Aigle Velodrome in October, breaking Voigt’s previous record mark of 51.115km set a month before.

The Hour Record is the blue riband event for track cycling, and is a record that has recently enjoyed something of a renaissance after the UCI changed its rules about the use of aerodynamic equipment.

Storey’s attempt will take place at the end of round five of the Revolution series, being held at the Lee Valley VeloPark, which was used during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

UCI president Brian Cookson welcomed Storey’s

attempt: “After two UCI Hour Records in quick succession for the men, I am very pleased the existing women’s record will now be challenged.

“Dame Sarah Storey’s attempt will be eagerly awaited and I am sure it will prompt other top women riders to try to claim this prestigious record.”

In addition to Storey’s attempt, Sir Bradley Wiggins, 34, confirmed to BBC Sport he will try to break the men’s record next year.

Pietersen dropped by Delhi Daredevils

Kevin Pietersen has been left without an Indian Premier League (IPL) side- and an estimated £880,000 contract - after being dropped by Delhi Daredevils.

The Daredevils finished bottom of the IPL standings for the second straight year in 2014, and Delhi have

decided to undergo a major overhaul of their squad.

Delhi Chief Executive Hemant Dua said: “We have submitted our list of releases to the IPL governing council and I can confirm that we have released Kevin Pietersen, Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay among the marquee players. We have

only retained 11 players from the last season of IPL.

“We are looking at rebuilding our squad. He (Pietersen) has not played any cricket really this year. He was bought for £880,000. That frees up a lot of money.

“Karthik was an expensive buy. It was the decision of the Daredevils management. The rationale behind releasing some of the marquee players is going into the auction with a bigger purse and also look from the perspective of being cost effective.”

Delhi also released New Zealand duo Ross Taylor and Jimmy Neesham, plus South Africa fast bowler Wayne Parnell.

Yuvraj Singh, the most expensive player in last year’s IPL, was released by Bangalore Royal Challengers. Pietersen is currently in Australia playing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash. (Sky Sports)

T&T quartet in Nagico Super50 squad

Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine and Kevon

Cooper have been included in the T&T training squad in preparation for the Nagico Super50, which is carded to take place in T&T from January 15 to 25.

Bravo asked not to be considered for selection for the T&T four-day team for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional League. Bravo did not represent T&T in the first four rounds of the WICB League, which is now on a break until February.

The left-hander was also chosen for the West Indies Test team for South Africa which starts tomorrow, but asked to be excused, citing personal reasons.

Fast bowler Rampaul, who was left out of the 30man provisional West Indies squad for the ICC World Cup in February, has also not featured in the four-day competition this season due

to personal reasons.

The pair will add strength to the T&T team which has struggled in the four-day competition. T&T currently lies fifth in the sixteam standings with only one victory.

Spin bowler Narine, who was reported for a suspect bowling action in the Champions League T20 tournament in India earlier

this year has been included. Narine has been doing remedial work on his action, including sessions at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Cooper’s medium pace also came under scrutiny earlier this year during the Indian Premier League.

The squad reads: Mark Deyal, Jason Mohammed, Marlon Barclay, Lendl Simmons, Kjorn Ottley, Marlon Richards, Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Adrian Ali, Rayad Emrit, Kevon Cooper, Shannon Gabriel, Derone Davis, Yannick Ottley, Ravi Rampaul, Jeremy Solozano, Navin Stewart, Yannic Cariah, Justin Guillen, Evin Lewis, Ricky Jaipaul, Steven Katwaroo, Kavesh Kantasingh, Akeal Hosein, Daron Cruickshank, Imran Khan, Sunil Narine, Bryan Charles, Ancil Bhagan, Samuel Badree, Jahron Alfred, Sherwin Ganga and Nicholas Sookdeosingh. (Trinidad Guardian)

Berdych hires ex-Murray coach Vallverdu

World number seven Tomas Berdych has appointed Andy Murray’s former coach Dani Vallverdu for the 2015 season.

Vallverdu, 28, left Murray’s coaching team last month after five years, in a split described as ‘mutual’. Berdych, 29, had been looking for a new coach after most of his rivals made big-

name appointments.

He approached Ivan Lendl, the man who helped Murray to two Grand Slam titles, but said the eighttime major winner was “too busy”.

Posting on Facebook on Tuesday, Berdych said: “Dear fans and friends... my new coaches for next year will be Dani Vallverdu and Azuz Simcich.

Favourites sa look to make...

As one of the seniormost members in the squad, Samuels is expected to step up.

Team news

JP Duminy is unlikely to feature in the series, which will mean an opportunity for Cobras No. 3 van Zyl. Hashim Amla said there was a “very good chance,” van Zyl will debut in Centurion but that he probably would not bat in Duminy’s No. 7 spot. That may mean a jump up to No.6, with wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock moving into the more traditional gloveman’s position, or a radical decision to promote van Zyl to open ahead of the out-of-form Petersen. That would leave South Africa with six specialist bats-

men and would allow them to play four seamers and a spinner. If van Zyl bats lower down and they make use of seven batsmen, the debate is whether to throw the full force of their pace pack against West Indies, or include a spinner to do a containing job.

South Africa (probable): 1 Alviro Petersen, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Hashim Amla (capt), 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Stiaan van Zyl, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Kyle Abbott/Robin Peterson.

West Indies’ major concern is their batting because they are without Chris Gayle (back injury) and Darren Bravo (withdrew for personal reasons.) Devon Smith

“Thank you to Tomas Krupa and David Vydra for a great time and fantastic work.”

Murray met Vallverdu when the pair were teenagers at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Spain, and the Venezuelan worked closely with Lendl during the Czech great’s two-year stint with Murray. (BBC Sport)

will make a return to the top two, while Leon Johnson will likely slot into the spot Bravo may have occupied at No.3. Like South Africa, West Indies are debating whether to field an all-pace attack or include their spinner, Sulieman Benn. Either way, left-armer Sheldon Cottrell seems certain to play after taking five-wickets in the warmup game, perhaps ahead of Shannon Gabriel. West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Devon Smith, 3 Leon Johnson, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Jermaine Blackwood 7 Denesh Ramdin (capt & wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Sulieman Benn/Shannon Gabriel.

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Dilshan stars as England thrashed in 7th ODI

The full-house crowd might have come to bid farewell to Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, but it was another member of the trio of senior Sri Lankan batsman, Tillakaratne Dilshan, who led the home side to a crushing 87-run victory in the final ODI of the series against England. The result wrapped up the series for Sri Lanka 5-2.

The thought of trying to find replacements for Jayawardene and Sangakkara - both of whom may be playing their final ODIs at home - is enough to drive a Sri Lanka supporter to Arrack, so it must have been reassuring to know that Dilshan will be around to help with the transition.

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While Dilshan’s reputation might be as a relentlessly aggressive batsman, here he showed the other facets to his game: the subtly, the calm and the ability to read the match situation. With Jayawardene and Sangakkara falling early, he was obliged to rotate the strike, see off a demanding spell from Moeen Ali and provide a platform from which others could attack in the final overs.

For a time it looked as if Jayawardene, who has announced he will retire from international cricket after the World Cup, would reward the spectators with a vintage performance. He cracked the first ball of the innings - a long-hop outside off stump from Chris Woakes - to the boundary with a familiar cut and, in the next over, twice pulled more short balls from Harry Gurney to the boundary.

With runs leaking from the seamers, Alastair Cook introduced the off-spin of James Tredwell into the attack in just the seventh over. But with only two fielders outside the ring, Dilshan skipped down the pitch three times to drive Tredwell for two fours and a six in an over that cost 15 runs.

But it was not to last. In attempting to pull another short delivery from Gurney, Jayawardene instead guided the ball off the top-edge to Woakes on the deep backward square leg fence. The groans from the crowd told the story eloquently. Still, by the end of the mandatory Powerplay, Sri Lanka were 66-1 and set for a high score on a pitch that looked full of runs.

England’s spinners - and Moeen in particular - began to apply some pressure. Joe Root only conceded one boundary in his five overs, while Moeen

He also claimed a key wicket. With Sangakkara slightly tied down, his eyes must have lit up when he was presented with a full toss. But instead of punishing it, he picked out the fielder at mid-on and became the second man to walk off basking in the reception of an adoring public. Sangakkara had, when he scored 6, surpassed Ricky Ponting’s record for the most international runs across all formats in a calendar year.

Ponting scored 2833 in 2005.

Dilshan concentrated on rebuilding for the next dozen overs. He did not hit a boundary between the 15th and 27th overs, instead concentrating on seeing off a demanding spell from Moeen.

The Powerplay awoke him. Gurney, unable to take the opportunity he was giv-

Sri Lanka innings

DPMD Jayawardene c Woakes

b Gurney 28

TM Dilshan c Ali b Jordan 101

KC Sangakkara† c Tredwell b Ali 33

AD Mathews* b Ali 20

LD Chandimal not out 55

NLTC Perera c & b Jordan 54

S Prasanna run out (Jordan) 0

BMAJ Mendis not out 1

Extras: (lb-5, w-5) 10

Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 302

Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Jayawardene, 7.6 ov), 2-120 (Sangakkara, 23.5 ov), 3-156 (Mathews, 31.6 ov), 4-236 (Dilshan, 43.3 ov), 5-299 (NLTC Perera, 49.2 ov), 6-299 (Prasanna, 49.3 ov)

Bowling: CR Woakes 9-0-71-

0, HF Gurney 9-0-60-1, JC Tredwell 7-0-50-0, JE Root 5-0-22-0, CJ Jordan 10-055-2, MM Ali 10-0-39-2

England innings

AN Cook* c Jayawardene

b Lakmal 32

MM Ali b Dilshan 0

AD Hales c Prasanna

en to impress ahead of the rested Steven Finn, was hit for successive boundaries when his attempted yorkers came out as full tosses and Dilshan completed his century from a relatively sedate 122 balls with nine fours and a six. It was a full toss that accounted for him, too. Perhaps Chris Jordan was fortunate that the delivery was not called no-ball, but Dilshan swung it to deep midwicket to depart with six-and-a-half overs to go and left Sri Lanka in danger of falling perhaps 35 or so short of the 300 for which they were aiming.

But that only allowed Thisara Perera and Dinesh Chandimal more opportunity. Together they thrashed 63 from 29 balls in a blistering fifth-wicket stand and saw Sri Lanka plunder 65 runs from the final six overs of their innings. (Cricinfo)

b Dilshan 7

JE Root lbw b Prasanna 80

JWA Taylor c †Sangakkara

b Lakmal 2

EJG Morgan lbw b Dilshan 4

JC Buttler† c Chandimal b Prasanna 23

CR Woakes b MDK Perera 34

CJ Jordan lbw b Prasanna 0 JC Tredwell st †Sangakkara b Jayawardene 17

HF Gurney not out 6

Extras: (b-4, lb-3, w-3) 10 Total: (all out; 45.5 overs) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Ali, 1.2 ov), 2-28 (Hales, 7.2 ov), 3-51 (Cook, 12.6

BBCI supports KMTC Boxing Day horse race meet

– K Class race added to programme

By Rajiv Bisnauth

As part of its corporate responsibility, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has thrown its support behind the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Boxing Day horse race meet.

The meet is scheduled for the club’s track at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice. This is the fourth occasion that the company has supported the turf club for the year.

Organiser of the event and president of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard, received a cheque for $375,000 and the winner’s trophy which will go towards the prizes for the J1 and Lower. The winner in that race will receive $200,000, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $100,000, $50,000 and $ 25,000 respectively.

The presentation took place on Tuesady in the company’s head office at Main Street, Georgetown.

The sponsorship was well received by Kennard, who described the upcoming event as “the big Boxing Day horse race meet.”

Kennard stated that the race meet will feature some of Guyana’s finest bred horses.

“It’s important that we express our gratitude to Berbice Bridge Company for coming on board again, because as we all know, no sporting activity can be successfully promoted without sponsors,” he declared.

“I wish to thank Berbice Bridge Company once again and we are looking forward to their continued support in the future.”

He disclosed that the weather on the Corentyne is “excellent” and said that the race meet is expected to be an entertaining one.

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc., Omadat Samaroo, said that the company is pleased to once again support the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.

“This is not our first sponsorship with the club; we have been sponsoring throughout the year,” said Samaroo.

He added, “The sport creates great attractions not only to Berbicians, but those fans who come from as far as Linden and at times the West Coast of Demerara and even Suriname and other foreign countries to witness the events, while the proceeds are used by the club to upgrade and upkeep the track and facilities there.”

Meanwhile, the organisers have added a race for K Class animals. Further, several changes were made from the original programme.

The organisers have changed the feature A3 and Lower race to A1 and Lower. Also the G1 race has now been replaced by a F1 race.

The feature event on the day’s card will run for six furlongs for a top prize of $1 million, while the second place finisher will receive $500,000. Horses that place

Banks DIH Classic basketball tournament…

CARICOM partners with WICB to boost cricket in schools

Sthird and fourth will receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.

Other events billed for the day are the D3 with a winning purse of $500,000; the G3 for a $300,000 winner’s purse over five furlongs; and the J3 for $150,000 winner’s take over five furlongs.

The owner of the winning horse for the I1 and F1 races will collect $250,000 and $320,000 respectively. Registration closes on December 20, and no late entries will be accepted.

Kennard indicated that most systems are already in place for the race meet. He also pointed out that a massive renovation to the tune of $1.2M is currently being undertaken at the venue.

Horses can be entered through Roopnarine Matadial on 325-3192; Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316; Cecil Kennard on 6237609, 225-4818 or 226-1399; Dennis DeRoop on 3253301 or 609-9143; and Fazil Habibula on 657-7010.

Toothless Black Sharks fall to Knights 58-42

Canje Knights secured a come-from-behind win over Fyrish Black Sharks to keep Group A wide open as action in the Banks DIH Classic Basketball tournament continued on Sunday. The Knights won 58-42 after trailing 12-4 at one stage. Steve Roopnarine with a game-high 26 points ensured that the Black Sharks were not assured of a place in the semi-finals, but will have to wait on the game between the Knights and Rose Hall Town Jammers on Friday.

Roopnarine was accurate from outside the 3-point line and under the basket as he took the game away from the Black Sharks, who were toothless in the second half. After both teams were deadlocked 22-22 at the halftime mark, Roopnarine produced some excellent steals and combined with guard Kevin Emanuel (14 points) to close out the Black Sharks. Travis Sutton supported well with 12 points as the Knights lead the third quarter 42-32. Rayel Franklyn (14

points) and Keenan Williams (12 points) were the top scorers for Fyrish in a losing effort.

Both teams now have one win with the Knights having one more game to play, while the Jammers will be looking for their first win on Friday when the last game in the group is played. A win for either team would carry them through to the semi-finals. The final is set for Boxing Day. Meanwhile, the competition will continue today when Smythfield Rockers take on Ithaca

Hardliners at the Ithaca Court. The Rockers have already snatched a win when they beat New Amsterdam Warriors on Saturday and only need a win today to be assured of a place in the semi-finals.

The Banks DIH Classic Basketball tournament is organised by Vibert Garrett and is being played on a round-robin basis at the group stages with the top two teams in each group emerging to contest the semi-finals. At stake are cash incentives and trophies.

chools throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are being given an opportunity to vie for cricket nets as part of a new initiative announced by the Georgetown-based CARICOM Secretariat on Tuesday, called the “Pitch in Schools Project.”

The project will provide primary and secondary schools with an opportunity to vie for the construction of cricket net facilities or an upgrade to such facilities where they already exist.

The project emanated from a plan developed by Deputy Programme Manager for Sports at the CARICOM Secretariat,

and to generate greater interest and increased playing time in the sport through improved facilities.”

The CARICOM Secretariat says it has collaborated extensively with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in the shaping of the new initiative, hailed as a new era for cricket in schools across the CARICOM region.

Regional sponsors have also been invited to participate in the “Pitch in Schools Project” which officials hope would trigger the resurgence of the sport in the region.

“It is expected that coming out of this project, improved infrastructure and

John Campbell.

“The proposal will provide a means through which the infrastructure and facilities available in schools across the region can be developed as a step towards the improvement of cricket in schools,” said a statement released by the CARICOM Secretariat on Tuesday.

“The objectives of this project are to promote and facilitate quality participation and training in cricket

facilities will promote further participation in the sport from youngsters across the CARICOM region,” the CARICOM statement said.

“It is also envisioned that there will be year round access to training facilities through the presence of an all-weather practice surface and subsequently, an increase in the pool of cricket talent in the region as a result of greater practice and training options.”

David beats Whitlock at World Squash Championship

Seven-time champion Nicol David beat English qualifier Emily Whitlock to reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Squash Championship in Cairo. David, 31, won 12-10 11-9 11-1 against the 20-year-old from Macclesfield.

“She played really well for the first two games in particular,” David told the

tournament website. “She is a great young player.” David goes on to face French sixth seed Camille Serme, who beat Emma Beddoes of England 11-5 11-13 11-4 11-4.

England’s reigning champion Laura Massaro and compatriots Alison Waters and Sarah-Jane Perry play their last-16 matches today. (BBC Sport)

Sports and culture activity set for Haslington

In an effort to engage youths meaningfully, the Haslington Sparta United Sports and Culture Club (HSUSCC) will on December 27-28 stage a grand sports and cultural show from 10:00 hours each day at the Haslington Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara.

On December 27, the senior teams will participate in seven-a-side football tournament with cash and trophies at stake, while the feature match on the day will be a clash between Haslington Sparta United Football Club against Golden Stars.

The two teams will be competing for a beautiful trophy, donated by Michael Sancho, an overseas-based Guyanese, who, according to a release from the organisers, continues to give his support to the development of youths in the Grove/ Haslington district.

On December 28, the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 football teams from across the East Coast of Demerara will compete in a five-a-side knockout football tournament, while there will also be a six-over tapeball competition featuring teams from Enmore, Haslington, Golden Grove, Melanie, Paradise and Non Pariel.

According to the organisers, beginning at 18:00 hours on each day, young people will take the stage to perform their many pieces of poetry, songs, dance and drama. An art and craft exhi-

After starting the ball from the center the Guyanese strung together eight consecutive passes, working the ball from right to left then back to the right before Branford fished with Paragon’s first touch of the quarter being when they removed the ball from the back of their net.

Guyana then set low to absorb the Paragon press and created several counter attacking opportunities which went begging.

Paragon’s pressure would eventually break down the Guyanese defense when Leon Bacchus’ desperate at-

bition will also be presented daily. Patrons will be charged a minimal fee of $300 to enter the event.

Social Worker and Sports Organiser, Aaron Blackman, said the funds garnered from the event will go towards the acquisition of sports equipment for the HSUSCC.

“Please help us to make our communities more hospitable and free from criminal activities that are plaguing the nation presently. Our young people need opportunities to excel and grow in a positive atmosphere,” Blackman said.

He added, “”Our organisation is dedicated to the positive development of youths in our community and its environs. During these two days the young women in the community will also be encouraged to get more involved in sports and cultural activities, and as such, they will participate in rounders, football, athletics, cricket and stage performances.”

tempt to prevent a goal hit his foot on the goal line. The resulting penalty was scored by Trinidadian national player Akim Toussaint, but the Guyanese boys showed great maturity to maintain possession and run out the clock to secure their first international victory. Their real test was last evening when they came up against Trinidad and Tobago’s vaunted national junior unit. They will oppose the same side today and Thursday as well, before returning to Guyana on Friday. The team will have training sessions on the arti-

All-round Latif guides Regal to victory over SPR Enterprise

Richard Latif produced a fine all-round effort to guide Regal to a comprehensive 111-run win over SPR Enterprise in a 20over fixture on Sunday at Everest Cricket Club.

Latif first scored 28 as Regal posted 222-8 off their allotted overs, batting first. He then returned to capture 5-25 to help bowl out

SPR Enterprise for 111 in 15 overs.

Latif and Martin Dutchin laid the foundation with an opening stand of 52 before Dutchin went for 27.

Safraz Esau top scored with 31, Randy Budhu struck 23 and Ricky Sargeant 22 to give their team a challenging total. Danny Singh, Mark Harold and Wazir Husain

grabbed two wickets each. SPR Enterprise, which included several guest players from some of the top teams in Demerara, never looked threatening in response. Amir Nizamudeen and Greg Singh scored 22 and 17 respectively.

Budhu supported Man-ofthe-Match Latif with 3-29 as Regal pocketed $100,000.

Woodpecker Christmas badminton tournament underway

The fourth annual Woodpecker Products Christmas Singles badminton tournament served off on Monday last with a total of 12 games at the Queen’s College Badminton Courts.

The tournament is being played in Boys and Girls Under-11, 13, 15, 19 roundrobin Singles and Open Men’s knockout Singles.

In the Girls Under-13 round-robin play, Priyanna Ramdhani played unbeaten on the first day, beating Abosaide Cadogan 21-4, 21-9 and Priyanka Shivnauth 211, 21-1.

Cadogan would later rebound to win her next two games, beating Siya Persaud 21-5, 21-7 and Sudarshani Sooknarine 214, 21-0. Persaud then handed Sooknarine her second loss

14-21, 21-14, 21-10, before defeating Shivnauth 21-1, 21-7.

In the Under-19 Girls competition, Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Amanda Daniels 214, 21-0, Amanda Daniels defeated Nyckelle Yearwood 21-19, 21-10 and Abosaide

Cadogan defeated Nyckelle Yearwood 21-0, 21-2.

Two games were played in the Under-15 Boys Singles with Akili Haynes defeating Ransell Ramsaroop 19-21, 2117, 21-11, and Tyrese Jeffery beating Ransell Ramsaroop 21-13, 21-17. The lone match in the Under-19 Boys Singles resulted in a 21-19, 21-14 win for Narayan Ramdhani over Jonathan Mangra. The tournament will continue today from 16:00 hours.

Silent Night wins in the sun at Alness

Amidst loud screams in the hot sun, Silent Night defied the odds to win the feature race at the

ficial turf from 08:00 hours, in addition to being exposed to specialty skill sessions run by some of Trinidad’s top senior national players.

This developmental tour is the first step in the Guyana Hockey Board’s ambitious plan to develop and expose this group of youngsters to international competition with the intention of building a team for the 2016 Junior Pan American Cup in Toronto, Canada. This trip was made possible through an Olympic solidarity team support grant as well as the Ministry of Sport and individual sponsors.

Colin Ross was champion jockey of the day Alness Turf Club one-day horse race meet on Sunday. Silent Night left I’ll Get Another to battle with the other animals for second

Racing Stables to another win in horse racing, copping the $300,000 first prize. The J1 and Lower race was taken by Little, which was another win for Jockey Ross with Red Jet and Affinity bringing up the rear, while the J3 and Lower event went to Speed Vision in a close finish ahead of Lady Secret and Royal Stallion. From the same stable as Score’s Even, Royal Stallion was the first to finish the 1000m K Class race. The second place went to Its My Time ahead of Cart Man and Royal Intention.

Other winners at the one day event were Red Region in the L1 Class, while Young Turn About won the L3 class race from Willie Up Town, Fit to fight and Go Zapper. Colin Ross received the champion Jockey trophy.

South Africa v West Indies, 1st Test, Centurion…

Favourites SA look to make significant gains

Last summer was South Africa’s season of significant loss, as far as Test cricket was concerned. They were confronted with the retirements of two of their most experienced playersJacques Kallis and Graeme Smith - and they were defeated for the first time in a series since claiming the Test mace, by Australia. This summer, they plan on it being a season of significant gain.

Any margin of victory over West Indies will keep South Africa at No.1 but it is not just rankings points that they hope to gain. A new batsman, likely to be Stiaan van Zyl, will be blooded while JP Duminy recovers from a knee injury; a relatively new opener, Dean Elgar, will have the chance to cement his spot; and two new squad members, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, will have the opportunity to be integrated into the national set-up. It is a

time of personal growth for South Africa, which they believe they can afford to have

against the No 8-ranked side. West Indies are in a similar situation, with a squad that contains the experienced and the unknown. The stalwarts,

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin, have to usher the youngsters - most of whom are bowlers - through a transitional phase. That task will be made all the more difficult because of whom they are up against.

There is a clear distinction between the favourites and the underdogs and an expectation that this series will be one-sided. Neither team has been able to shy away from that build-up but both know that strange things happen in cricket and this series could spring a few surprises.

In the spotlight Alviro Petersen does not need to pick up a newspaper, glance at a website or listen to the sports news on radio or television to know that his form is the most scrutinised aspect of South Africa’s current Test squad. The 23

months and 23 innings he has gone without a century are enough to remind him of that. But Petersen has been known to up his game when there is increased heat on him, and his coach and teammates are tipping him to do exactly that in this series. Russell Domingo and Elgar said they could sense a big score was “just around the corner,” for the senior opener and he will want to deliver on those predictions.

West Indies’ batting is thought to be their soft spot in this series, which is why they will need a strong showing from their heavyweights, particularly Marlon Samuels. He has both history - he was the overall highest run-scorer in their previous Test series here in 2007-08and form - with two centuries from his last three international innings and a doublehundred in the tour matchon his side.

uyana’s junior Men’s hockey team made a successful start to their Trinidad tour when they defeated Paragon Hockey club in their warmup match on Monday evening. The Guyanese boys had

to work extremely hard to keep the game scoreless until the second half, with goalkeeper Medroy Scotland pulling off several good saves to keep his side in the game. A surging run from captain Mark Sargeant was neatly finished by Aroydy Branford halfway through the third quarter to give the Guyanese the lead. Branford would put his side further ahead 28 seconds into the final quarter when he finished a well worked team goal.