GuyanaTimes

Jagdeo tipped to be Opposition Leader

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

F

arriving at "consensus position" – Rohee

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo could become Guyana’s next Opposition Leader and Chief Parliamentary Spokesperson for the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) in the 11th Parliament, if he accepts a mandate from the party to serve at this level following the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo is seen as the most suitable candidate from a lineup of about five to lead the party at this historical conjuncture for its upcoming stint in the Opposition after it was narrowly defeated by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change coalition on May 11 at the polls. The PPP/C has filed an elections peti-

tion in the High Court to question the declaration of the election result by the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Speaking with the Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on

Thursday, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said that the party had embarked on what he described as “wide ranging discussions” and consultations across the country and within its membership. (See full story on page 3)

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Noise

– faces criticism from owners Ramjattan proposes 2:00 am closing time for bars

In light of the upsurge in crime and fatal accidents across Guyana, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is of the view that the late opening of bars and night clubs are contributing factors to some of the crimes that are being perpetuated and will soon implement a system to curb the amount of road accidents and murders.

Recently, Police stated that murders have skyrocketed over the past few weeks, followed closely behind with fatal accidents. The Minister in an invited comment told media operatives that his Government is concerned with the increase in crime and as such is proposing that all night clubs and bars operate until 02:00h.

be a popular one but with careful consideration, he is sure that it is the step that the Government will soon implement. He also highlighted that noise nuisance has been a sore issue in and around Georgetown and with the help of the Chinese, they will soon have equipment to test the level of noise at strategic locations around the country.

club owners, they had mixed reactions towards that implementation of the 02:00h closing time for bar and night clubs. Some thought that while they are ready to accept the ruling, it has to be on a level playing field.

“You cannot tell us that we have to close at 02:00h and when we look around, others are still operating… the situation will have to be policed to make sure that we are on a level play field”, one club owner stated.

“This drinking that causes a lot of drivers to make accidents… driving cause a lot of vexation that sometimes lead to arguments that ultimately lead to gun violence and then shooting that has happened over the past couple of weeks… It can stop”, he stated.

He averred that the equipment is of high quality and it will be used to being back some decency in society. On the other hand, the Police he noted, will have to be trained and more so, there will be more patrols on the roadways to make sure that citizens are adhering to the law of the land.

Ramjattan further admitted that this decision will not

However, when Guyana Times spoke with several

He further stated the Guyanese have a habit of coming out to party after midnight but as club owners, they will have to plan a marketing strategy to get patrons to come out earlier. The young entrepreneur also posited that it will also help to boost the already sat-

urated entertainment industry since all the players will bring their “A Game”.

A Manager of another popular night club disclosed that clubs in North America, especially Canada, have a

02:00h shut off time which is working quite well. He stated that the 02:00h close off time has become a standard feature in first world countries.

“In any case, the spending population either get drunk by 3:00h or they start leaving so I don’t not see any significant problem when it come to profit making”, he added. He too stated that Guyanese promoters and club owners need to formulate a marketing strategy to make sure their supporters come out early to party. He recalled his recent visit to Canada and while in the Night Club, the deejays put on the bright lights at 00:45h as an indication that the club is one hour away from closing.

While some thought that it is a wise move, it will not stop the murders and fatal accidents from happening. There are other factors that need urgent attention and once those are remedied, then it can be safely said that the nation is on the right path to reduce the high percentage of crime and fatal accidents.

“There are too many guns and ammunition on the streets… they are too many unemployed young people on the road… they are more than 60 pardoned criminals that were integrated into society… these are some of the issues that have to be addressed”, one night club owner stated.

The night club owner further admitted that in some instances, patrons are allowed with firearms into popular clubs, especially the more financially affluent patrons who have the spending , but he will only accept the 02:00h close off time once the With respect to the regular party people, some have already resorted to social media, criticising the Minister who they feel wants to control the lives of citizens. In an invited comment, one young woman stated that she leaves home just after midnight on weekends to party and if the 02:00h close off time is implemented, it means no social life for her.

Over the past months, the Police have prosecuted several hundred drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol; a huge chunk of that number being represented by partygoers who were heading home after night life.

SCHEDULE

Jagdeo tipped to be Opposition Leader

...PPP/C arriving at “consensus position” –

By Michael younge

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo could become Guyana’s next Opposition Leader and Chief Parliamentary Spokesperson for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in the 11th Parliament, if he accepts a mandate from the Party to serve at this level following the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo is seen as the most suitable candidate from a lineup of about five to lead the Party at this historical conjuncture for its upcoming stint in the Opposition after it was narrowly defeated by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change coalition on May 11 at the polls. The PPP/C has filed an elections petition in the High Court to question the declaration of the election result by the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Speaking with the Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on Thursday, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said that the Party had embarked on what he described as “wide ranging discussions” and consultations across the country and within its membership. “We have had robust and healthy discussions as result of those consultations at the level of the leadership of the party because now that we are in the Opposition, it behooves us to put these appointments to rest,” Rohee remarked.

“On the question of the Opposition Leader, we have basically settled on that… it is a consensus or I should say near consensus decision on the person to be the leader of the Opposition,” Rohee advised. Asked specifically about Jagdeo’s selection, Rohee held out that a final decision has not been arrived at but Jagdeo appeared to be a clear front runner for the post. “Mr Jagdeo has been considered. Mr Jagdeo is one of the strong contenders, but I will prefer us to await us taking up our seats in the National Assembly in order for us to reveal what we have come up with…,” a discreet Rohee stated.

Rohee’s utterances will no doubt act as a red flag to sections of the media and pro-government politicians

who have been firm in their criticisms of Jagdeo’s connection to the PPP/C and the future of the Party.

Asked whether he felt Jagdeo was bad for the PPP/C given the school of thought which suggests that the reason the party lost the 2015 was because of Jagdeo’s posture on the campaign trail and legacy while in office, Rohee responded in the negative. “I reject that outrightly. I believe Mr Jagdeo is more of a positive than a negative within the Party and outside of the Party and in the country as a whole,” he said quickly.

Influence vs control

In fact, the General Secretary mounted a strong defence of Jagdeo’s contributions to the PPP/C as both an Executive, former President and grassroots strategist.

“I have been to every single rally and a number of grand public meetings during the campaign and I have seen how the crowd has reacted to him. I have seen how the crowd has reacted to Mr Ramotar, our Presidential Candidate. And I have seen how the crowd has reacted to many other candidates depending on the area where the meetings and rallies were held…,” Rohee advised. He then concluded flatly, “Jagdeo is overwhelmingly more an asset than a liability and I reject completely the view by the antiJagdeoites that he controls the PPP/C.”

Rohee held the view that Jagdeo would have to be a very “powerful man” to be able to control and direct without question the entire PPP/C machinery and all of its members across the country. “So when you talking about control, I would make

Rohee

a distinction between control and influence…He has influence in the policies and decision making processes in the Party just like every other member, Executive and the Central Committee”, he noted.

According to Rohee, who was appointed General Secretary back in 2013 following the PPP/C’s 30th Congress, Jagdeo sits there in these two bodies (Central and Executive Community) and makes his contributions like everybody else and depending on the logic of arguments, force of arguments, the scientific strength/basis of the analysis put forward. “Comrades draw their own conclusions and decide whose view they support and whose view they do not support,” he argued.

Sticking with Jagan, Jagdeo Rohee said he understood the domestic and internal politics of the PPP/C and Guyana as a whole, and so he was not taken back by those who wanted to vilify attack and destroy Jagdeo’s reputation in order to force him out of the Party’s leadership. He recalled that the period when the PPP/C was founded in 1950 and as the Party developed historically and rendered its way through history to where it ended with Dr Jagan becoming the President in 1992.

“Through the entire process of the formation of the PPP/C save and except for the early stages….let’s say 1950 to 1957…there was no ‘bogie’ that was used against Dr Jagan as a national leader,” Rohee opined as he used history to drive home his point. He said that the split which took place in 1955 and resulted in two PPP/C’s going the polls in 1957 headed by Dr Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. “And then later on, after Burnham suffered a defeat at the polls, they then created the PNC (People’s National Congress)…now that was the time from ‘57 to ‘64 and even later when the communist ‘bogie’ was created as a result of the cold war. Dr Jagan was seen as the communist ogre in Guyana…the

monster…and he was painted in a particular light in the country and inside the Party…” Rohee recalled further.

He said that “what we are living through now is what we lived through then…certain media houses like the Daily Chronicle, and the Evening Post that carried a strong anti-communist line against the PPP and Jagan, in the same way that they are carrying a strong antiJagdeo line against Jagdeo painting him as the evil monster inside Guyana and inside the PPP.”

He said those who criticize Jagan then obviously

wanted to create divisions within the PPP.

“In the PPP they were saying that the best thing to save the PPP was to get rid of the communist Jagan within the PPP….I am not saying that there are not some in the PPP…a very small minority in the PPP that might be saying that Jagdeo is not someone in the best interest in the party. But I will be naive to say that this not the view of a small group within the party…but be that as it may…the point that I making is that the same way they painted Jagan…the same way they are painting Jagdeo”, he insisted.

He said that the Party has learnt many lessons from these historical occurrences as he stood firm that “Jagdeo’s contributions like many others helped to win the 2015 Elections.”

Sunday Editor: Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Same sex marriage

In a decision that is sure to stir debate, and even outrage, across the world, the US Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriages are not violative of the country’s Constitution. The worldwide reaction is guaranteed not because of the US military power, but more because of its “soft power” earned through its cultural reach and influence and projected from its active embassies.

For instance back in 2013, the last US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt called on the country’s leaders to repeal anti-gay laws and introduce LGBT rights. He was addressing a media workshop organised by his Embassy through USAID and the Society Against Sexual Orientation and Discrimination (SASOD).

Guyana is the last country in South America that criminalises same-sex acts using very severe anti-gay British colonial codes.

The previous administration, on numerous occasions had emphasised that individuals should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. But while antidiscrimination legislation had been passed by the National Assembly, it was not assented into law by the previous Presidents because of deep concerns expressed by the religious communities.

For instance, while expressing “love” for individuals engaged in same sex relationships, the Christian community contended, “It is evident that homosexuality is an offence to religion, morality and public convenience.”

During the last Parliament, a Special Select Committee was tasked with assessing “the attitude of Guyanese, especially parents and children, to corporal punishment and its possible abolition, the attitude of Guyanese, particularly the families of victims, criminologists, and professionals, on capital punishment and its possible abolition, and the attitude of Guyanese to any changes in the legislative provisions and criminal code regarding consensual adult same sex relationships and discrimination, perceived or real, against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexual and Transgender persons.”

The APNU/AFC members of the Committee wanted to unbundle the corporal punishment issue from the same sex one, indicating that the latter was problematical. Earlier this month, President Granger had indicated that while he was a devout Anglican Christian, he would be guided in making a decision on any future legislation by public opinion and international normative practices.

Guyana has repeatedly been pressed by the UN to take action to give full rights to the LGBT community.

In the US, the Supreme Court considered marriage as a human rights issue. Back in 1967, addressing laws that banned inter-racial marriage in the state of Virginia, Chief Justice Earl Warren had written, “Marriage is one of the ‘basic civil rights of man’, fundamental to our very existence and survival.”

In a case two years before, Justice William O Douglas had argued: “Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred. It is an association that promotes a way of life, not causes; a harmony in living, not political faiths; a bilateral loyalty, not commercial or social projects. Yet it is an association for as noble a purpose as any involved in our prior decisions.”

And it was in this vein that Justice Anthony Kennedy extended this right to marriage to same sex couples. In concluding, he wrote:

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage.

“Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilisation’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

The debate in Guyana on LGBT rights has lagged.

Boggles the mind that the AG made this “discovery” by chance

Dear Editor,

Mr Basil Williams, Attorney General, has alleged that “it was only by chance that he recently found out about yet another debt that the PPP/C administration left Guyana to pay”.

Mr Williams was referring to the judgement granted by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in a case filed against the State of Guyana by Rudisa Beverage Company of Suriname.

It boggles the mind that the Attorney General made this “discovery” by chance, when I repeatedly, and ad nauseum made this information public, both when the judgement was awarded, as well as on numerable times thereafter.

On almost every occasion

that I spoke on this matter, I explained why, and on what basis, this judgment was granted.

The truth is Guyana has failed to amend its laws to bring them in conformity with the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, in terms of ensuring that certain goods of Caricom origin are not levied with tax and customs duties when imported into Guyana.

During the hearing of the case, the Rudisa Company undertook before the CCJ, that were Guyana to remove from its laws, the offensive provisions, they would withdraw their case against Guyana. The CCJ adjourned the matter for this to be done.

As a result, the then Finance Minister Dr Ashni

Singh tabled the necessary amendments to the Customs Act in the National Assembly on two occasions.

On both occasions the joint opposition, which held a majority in the National Assembly, voted against the amendments.

Messrs Basil Williams, Khemraj Ramjattan and Carl Greenidge spoke emphatically against the amendments on each occasion. In both instances, I explained to the House that the case is pending at the CCJ, and if the amendments are not passed, judgement will be granted against Guyana.

My appeals fell on deaf ears . The astonishment expressed by the Attorney General on this issue is bewildering. The reality is that

Guyana remains in violation of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and many more lawsuits can be filed. Therefore, rather than engage in political ramblings on this issue, it would be prudent if the AG could ensure that Guyana complies with its Treaty obligations.

The second “debt” referred to by Mr Williams, is in relation to $57M which he claims was awarded against the State in a matter brought by Trinidad Cement Limited. No such award was made. The only monetary order made in that matter relates to costs and it is nothing close to $57M.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall Former Attorney General

Discontinuing Amaila is a blunder APNU+AFC will regret

Dear Editor,

The APNU+AFC government has signaled an intention to end the Amaila Hydroelectricity Project. There could be only one reason why the new government would even consider such an irresponsible and reckless move – Amaila is a major transformative project that has the PPP/C’s footprints and DNA all over it.

The major policy and governance guideline for this Government is anything with a PPP/C footprint must be rejected. It is the only plausible reason I could think of why the APNU+AFC government is determined to end the Amaila Hydro-electricity Project.

But choosing to terminate a project that is transformative and that would push Guyana further up on the development trajectory simply because it is a project conceptualized and brought to implementation stage by the PPP/C is foolhardy, a terrible blunder and injurious to the overall welfare of Guyana and the Guyanese people.

Indeed, the decision to ter-

minate the Amaila Project, if confirmed, is injurious to even APNU+AFC. This project has the potential to vastly enhance APNU+AFC in the governance and management of Guyana on an upward development trajectory, more than any other initiatives presently under consideration.

Availability and access to adequate, reliable and affordable electricity is an imperative for Guyana’s development.

While I do not want to rank which pre-requisites are the most important for sustainable development in our country, one thing is certain – without affordable, reliable and sustainable access to electricity Guyana’s hope of moving up to a high middle income country by 2025 is hopeless.

Indeed, without access to cheap, reliable and adequate energy, Guyana will have a difficult time to sustain its status as a middle income country, much less getting up to a upper middle income country.

Amaila is a large part of the solution. With Amaila all of Guyana’s immediate needs for electricity would be met

and with Amaila we can lower our electricity cost from about US$0.32 to under US$0.10 per KWH of energy.

This would mean not only lower costs for households, allowing them a better standard of living, but also lower costs would make industries more productive, efficient and profitable. Guyana’s industries would lower cost of production and become more competitive with similar industries from other countries.

We will be more competitive on the local and international markets. More industries and more employment would be created.

These are practical benefits of Amaila. But besides all of this, Guyana has already invested major resources on Amaila. Investors have been mobilized. The best part of the story is that Guyana does not have to invest a single dollar in the construction and operation of Amaila.

We simply have to purchase the energy generated at an agreed cost starting from about half of what we generate energy at presently and then up to 66 percent savings. In addition, the annual subvention of more than $9B to GPL would end, freeing up these resources for community development projects and initiatives. Our highways and streets could be affordably lighted up everywhere in Guyana.

This is, therefore a nobrainer decision – we must complete Amaila because it is good for all Guyana. And the credit will go to APNU+AFC because it could be completed under their watch. Terminating the project because the PPP/C initiated it is a stupid move by APNU+AFC. While we know that APNU+AFC is capable of stupid things, we cannot accept recklessness in their continued effort to be vengeful to the PPP/C. The people must matter, not a war with the PPP/C. Those who voted for change did not vote for APNU+AFC to wage war with the PPP/C – they were supported because people wanted them to govern for the country and her people.

Assessing Auditor General’s Report 2014...

NEW GPC INC outperforms all competitors in pharma supply

The NEW GPC INC has examined the Auditor General's Report (AGR) for the year 2013, which was finally presented to Parliament after the hiatus due the prorogation of that institution and the ensuing 2015 General and Regional Elections.

It offers the following clarifications, as it has done in previous years, in an effort that the public may better understand how its tax dollars are spent on pharmaceuticals for the health sector.

The NEW GPC welcomes the AGR, as it eliminates a number of citations from previous years (such a lack of documentation) which should not have been mentioned since they were actually lapses in the audit process.

Bank Guarantees

However, to the Corporation's chagrin once again the issue of Banking Guarantees (BG's) was once again invoked without looking at the overall context of NEW GPC's performance. As we noted last year, Bank Guarantees are not meant to be valid for the original sum throughout the life of the contract.

Firstly, not all of the items on the original contract might be manufactured immediately since the Ministry of Health

(MoH) and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) take in or receive goods based on their own predetermined consumption pattern and that means deliveries are staggered throughout the year.

Secondly, staggering or phased delivery is also impor-

unless it can be utilised within that limited timeframe

Thirdly, when the pharmaceuticals are deliveries are made, the risk is obviously decreasing and hence a Bank Guarantee can be, and is, often renewed for a lesser, declining balance. This is standard business practice.

other limitations at the MoH.

The NEW GPC has never defaulted on any of its contracts to the MoH and GPHC.

In reference, to purchases by the GPHC, the report stated that there were Banking Guarantees's to the tune of $500 million against the major contract for $871.169 mil-

tant and specifically sought when items carry short shelf life.

So, for example, if an item has less than a year’s shelf life, such as diagnostic test kits, it is counterproductive to deliver all of it in one batch

But with the added emphasis on Bank Guarantees these days, the NEW GPC sometimes has to provide Bank Guarantees for stocks that were already delivered or are on hand and cannot be taken in due to space and

lion of which $716.290 million was paid.

The $500 million was thus obviously more than adequate to protect the contract since at the end, according to the Auditor General’s Report, there is only $2.982 million

(0.003 per cent of the contract) of supplies to be delivered. It meant that at no time there was need for the full amount of the contract to be guaranteed.

With references to the purchases for the MoH, the $2.3 billion contract was covered with Banking Guarantees of $2.5 billion, which also covered freight.

So while there was more than adequate coverage in Banking Guarantees, the AGR still complains that these guarantees did not extend beyond March 2014.

What is interesting, however, is that of the nine other suppliers, including International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) and the Pan American Health

the MoH is excessive as was raised by the AGR. It raises the vexed question of delivery of items already purchased by the Corporation but not requested to be shipped to the institutions.

Because NEW GPC has a large air conditioned warehouse this is in effect being used for storage for the customers' pharmaceuticals sometimes even after their contracted delivery date. This results in drugs becoming expired, for which the NEW GPC is routinely blamed by the media.

The AGR refers to the NEW GPC warehouse as the "Ruimveldt offsite", which is ironic since the year before the Government at great expense had constructed a

Organisation (PAHO), responsible for $423 million purchases, there was only a single Banking Guarantee of $71 million. More alarmingly, $192 million (or 45 per cent) of the items were not delivered by these other suppliers.

The NEW GPC understands that contracts, particularly the larger orders, sometimes overlap from a consumption point of view into the following financial year and, hence, it is not unusual that some items are not collected by the MoH at the end of the fiscal year.

However, the amount of undelivered pharmaceuticals to both the GPHC and

warehouse at Diamond and no pharmaceuticals were to be left at NEW GPC's warehouse. At that time, the NEW GPC had called for all of the Government's pharmaceuticals to be removed from its facilities since these were being stored at absolutely no cost. At present, the NEW GPC has become the "Ruimveldt offsite" for the MoH.

Officials at NEW GPC said they hope that with the new dispensation, that the above issues would be addressed and that also the Auditor General’s Office would at long last conduct a "value for money" audit of purchases from the Corporation.

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

I've been home a month now and there is evidence that my automatic compulsion to repress any thought of Medical School is waning. Fickle mind!! I've been thinking about this course called PECH (Professionalism, Ethics and Communication in Health), which we have to take in addition to our medical courses.

The line is that it’s all a part of training us to become "wellrounded doctors" – not just some jaded automatons treating diseases instead of treating the actual human patient.

And although I sometimes (most of the time) rant and complain about the added work we have to do for this course, I actually do appreciate the importance of such a course. I think anyone who’s ever stepped into a hospital has had at least a few instances where they’ve had to deal with a medical professional who really wasn’t very professional at all.

Whether most of us students are absorbing the things we’ve covered in this course and will actually apply them when we become doctors remains to

The importance of reflection

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest” – Confucius

be seen. But at least so far, there are a few takeaways that have already proved useful.

First of all, there's the notion of integrating work and action with the acquiring of knowledge itself – all within an ethical framework. I come from a tradition that insists that information isn't knowledge when one hears it or even cogitates upon it and integrates it with other ideas.

It becomes "knowledge" when it is put into action. And "in-forms" you. So PECH was not entirely a novel experiment.

In our first semester, a big portion of our assignments for PECH was to write a series of reflective essays. We were supposed to select news articles, videos or even TV shows, reflect on what feelings they evoked and then write down our thoughts on the matter.

And it wasn’t that bad, except for the part where our tutors kept telling us that we needed to dig deeper and pour out more of our feelings into these essays and it all felt like impromptu (and unwanted) psychiatric sessions. Kind of an extended Woody Allen movie.

But at least the course forced us to take the time to reflect on the things around us.

In this current time when the Internet is so accessible and there’s so much information accessible, so much information

just filters through, doesn’t stick and we don’t think much about all of this new information.

At the time, a piece of new information might cause you to think, “Oh. That’s interesting.” You’d pause for a moment, and then you’d keep scrolling and move onto something new and probably forget about that other thing. We don’t really process and internalise much of this information.

Of course, much of it isn’t really worth retaining. And this is where your ethical values come in handy: so that you have a framework – in addition to the purely "medical" or "scientific" rules to evaluate information. I don’t think there’s a prize out there for remembering all of the details of celebrity marriages. How do you ever keep up with the Kardashians??

But some of it, you should at least try to think about how the issue might impact on you, on your life and on the people around you. It’s nice to step out of your personal bubble and take a genuine interest in the things you read, hear or see, instead of letting them pass you by.

So slow down a bit in your incessant scrolling through information. Take some time to actually read though an article and pass it through your ethical screen before commenting, instead of forming an opinion off of just a headline.

UG VC sues UGSSA Head for $10M for defamation

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Jacob Opadeyi has sued the President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) Melissa Ifill $10 million for brewing a document disparaging his character and calling for his removal from the post at Guyana’s leading tertiary educational institution.

When contacted for a comment on the matter, Ifill said she was busy.

Just a few days ago, Opadeyi told Guyana Times that he and his lawyer were examining the documents sent out by members of the workers’ union calling for his immediate resignation to ascertain what legal course of action could be taken against them for the defamation of his character.

The two Unions – the UGSSA and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) – signed a petition among themselves signalling a vote of no-confidence in the Professor in his capacity as Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University.

The unions attacked the Vice Chancellor, saying that he is responsible for “eroding the powers of the Academic Board as pre-

scribed in the statutes of the University of Guyana; and compromising academic quality and integrity for the sake of cutting costs.”

In addition, the unions said Opadeyi is responsible for the “dictatorial, vindictive, micromanagement leadership style that is characterised by dishonest and deliberately misleading communications.”

He was also accused of altering terms and conditions of work without consultation with employees; failing to honour contracts with employees, including illegally withholding legitimate payments due to staff; among many others.

Opadeyi, adamant not to buckle under the pressure of those individuals, succeeded in securing an interim injunction against the UGSSA President over those remarks issued by the unions.

In the court documents seen by Guyana Times, it is stated that Ifill was responsible for issuing an email to several persons including junior and senior staff at the University, students and others in which she falsely published those defamatory words about his character.

“The said words and publications were calculated and intended to disparage the Plaintiff’s character, standing and reputation,” the court documents read.

Meanwhile, even in light of these circumstances, newly appointed Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said he will not interfere in the matter at this time.

Dr Roopnaraine related to this publication that while he understood that the University was facing serious situations and things needed to be fixed, he was not of the view that his interference would solve the issue.

He explained that he preferred to await the appointment of the new council and let the matter be dealt with at that level.

“I don’t like conflicts, you know, where they rule out any possibility of negotiation. What I would wait for frankly, would be the meeting of the new council which would be sometime next week. Let the new council come in. Unfortunately, the new council will be coming in to meet the petition of no-confidence so they will have to deal with that… I don’t think there should be any interference from me at this point in time. Given the situation which has unfolded, I think it would only be exacerbated by the Minister putting his hands there. We have a problem up there; they have to resolve it and I personally do not like conflicts with no room for negotiation,” he expressed.

Nonetheless, Dr Roopnaraine said he hopes the Vice Chancellor would do the “right thing” and remove himself from the position in which he was clearly not wanted.

With Opadeyi’s contract coming to an end in October, Dr Roopnarine said the decision is now in the hand of the new council.

AFC suspends Naithram over misappropriation of funds

– asked to refund money

By IndrawattIe natram

The Chairman of the Alliance For Change party (AFC) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Naithram, has been suspended until July 18 by the Party after he was found guilty, by Party Executives of misappropriation of funds and corruption.

Naithram, who is also the Chairman of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association (EPFA), has been stripped of all powers to solicit or conduct business on behalf of the Party until the suspension is lifted.

The Guyana Times understands that he has since been asked to refund $115,000 to the Party’s Treasurer, Roop Kumar Persaud, in Region Two after he claimed the money under false pretence.

The Regional Democratic Councillor was suspended upon his refusal to attend an executive meeting of the party, which was scheduled for June 14, 2015. That meeting was convened to discuss Naithram’s alleged misconduct as well as misuse of the AFC’s funds. This is according to a letter which was circulated among Executives of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) where he served as a Councillor for three years (2012-2014).

In the letter of suspension, records as well as evidence were produced to prove that Naithram was involved in misappropriation of funds and other acts of corruption, which breached Articles 6, Section 8 of the AFC’s Constitution. The letter further stated that in view of his misconduct he was suspended from his position as Chairman for the Regional Management Committee until the Party’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled to be held on July 18.

In another letter addressed to Naithram, which bore the subject “Refund of money falsely claimed”, he was upbraided for failing to attend several inquiries to defend himself despite being summoned and telephoned by the Executives.

The letter called on him to repay the sum of $115,000, $86,000 for double claims submitted by Naithram to AFC as well as A Partnership for National Unity Treasurers and $29,000 to the AFC

Treasurer Dominic Gaskin, Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, Chairman Nigel Hughes, General Secretary David Patterson, Vice Chairman Moses Nagamoottoo, as well as Executive Members Raphael Trotman and Cathy Hughes.

Naithram has been very instrumental in leading several rice farmers’ protests in Region Two which also landed him in the Magistrate’s Court. He was placed on

on July 10, 2014. The party said that the $29,000 was falsely obtained from the AFC’s treasury to clear expenses incurred by Naithram and four members of the ERFA to stage a picketing exercise in Georgetown.

Both letters were copied to AFC’s

a bond to keep the peace as to refrain him from staging any other rice farmers’ protest. It is also alleged that on many occasion he would stop cars and buses during these protest to solicit money for the AFC, which he converts to his own personal use.

Port Kaituma man on 4 charges pleads guilty, remanded

APort Kaituma resident was remanded to prison on Friday afternoon at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts as he pleaded guilty to four charges.

The 30-year-old accused is Calvin Caesar who allegedly stole approximately $441,000 worth in articles from the Virtual Complainant (VC) Clifford Hunte between May 22 and June 23.

He allegedly stole a portable BLU Tablet valued $70,000, two solar panels valued $35,000 and $40,000, a Dell Laptop worth $250,000, $10,000 worth in tools, a gas bottle worth $5000, a knife valued $4000 and an electric power drill valued $7000. They were taken from the accused’s home in Port Kaituma, North West District.

Caesar is also charged for resisting arrest and for unlawfully assaulting two Police officers – Clive Hazlewood and Colwyn Solomon, in the exercise of their duties.

Prosecuting the matter, Corporal Bharat Mangru told the court that the VC secured his home on May 22 and left for Georgetown for a few days. When he returned on June 23, he noticed that his home was ransacked and the aforementioned articles were missing. He reported the matter to the Police and an investigation was launched. The Prosecutor continued by telling the court that the Police received a tip that the items were in the defendant’s home.

When the Police got there, the Prosecutor continued, they found the defendant with the drill in his hands as he was fixing a door. He was told of the charge against him and when Officers tried to arrest him, he resisted the two officers.

Further investigations were carried out and the accused was charged for the offence. Thus, Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail. He stated that the offence the accused is charged with is quite serious in nature and is becoming more prevalent.

However, Caesar told the court that he was guilty of all four charges. He stated that he did not break into Hunte’s premises. The accused explained that someone had given him the items to sell, so he sold them.

For the other three charges, Caesar explained that the officers came to his home in plain clothes and did not identify themselves as Officers of the law, thus he did not know who was barging into his home and took offence at this. Nevertheless, Caesar said he allowed them to sit him in a corner of his home while they searched. The accused said that the VC was with them assisting with this.

He continued that one of the officers made a derogatory comment and he responded by calling him a “f…ing ass”, at which the Officer choked him. Caesar said the other Police Officer then started to cuff him to his chest and stomach while they instructed the VC to bring a rope.

He said he had no choice as he was “fighting fuh me life”, thus he bit both of the officers.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry presided over the matter. She stated that she will record a not guilty plea for the defendant as his explanation implies he was not guilty of the offence. The Magistrate also ordered that the prosecution investigate the claims made by Caesar and transferred the matter to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court for August 4. Bail was refused.

Guyhoc Park man abducted

– shot, left to die in Sophia

By Bhisham mohamed

AGuyhoc Park resi-

dent is nursing gunshot injuries to his chest and back after he was abducted from a popular car wash at Durban Street and Cemetery Road, Georgetown and taken to Sophia, Greater Georgetown, where he was shot on Friday evening.

Devon Chung was listed in a stable condition after a successful surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Based on reports received, Chung was in conversation with another man at the junction of Durban Street and Cemetery Road, when they were confronted by two armed men who held them at gunpoint.

The fiend who was with Chung at the time was forced to lie on the ground

where his licensed firearm and ammunition was taken away. The two men then ordered Chung into a waiting car which sped off the scene leaving the other man on the ground.

The gunmen reportedly drove to a location in Sophia where he was forced out of the car and shot once to his chest, once to his back and left to die. Guyana Times understands that, on their way out of Sophia, the driver of the car lost control and ended up in a nearby trench.

A Police source told this publication that the man was rescued by a passer-by and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was immediately taken into theater to have the bullets removed.

The source disclosed that, after receiving infor-

mation about the shooter’s identity and whereabouts, the Police stormed his home where they recovered a .32 pistol. His sister, who was at home at the time, was arrested along with another guy. They are being grilled by the Police to ascertain the main perpetrator’s whereabouts. Guyana Times understands that the shooter is a well known character in the town and a manhunt has been launched for the suspect.

This shooting incident came days after Paul Chow was shot and injured to his chest during a shootout at Butcher’s Bar on Millington Street, Georgetwon, which also left one dead.

It was reported that prior to the shooting incident, the now dead man and Chow had a heated argument af-

ter which the “Rasta man” left the shop, while Chow continued drinking with his army and Police friends.

After sometime, Guyana Times was told that the pool hall closed its doors for business, but Chow and his friends remained and were seen outside of the business place taking their drinks. It was during this time that the “Rasta man” returned with two other men.

While Chow was reportedly concentrating on the two men, the third man came from the other side and discharged two rounds at him. It was at this time, the ranks attached to the Criminal Investigation Department pulled out his firearm and retaliated by shooting the man to his chest. The dead man is yet to be identified.

Father, son charged with attempted murder

Afather and son duo was on Friday granted $350,000 bail each, after they appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court charged with attempted murder.

Chuman Chowtie, a 42-year-old businessman and a father of four, along with his 19-yearold son, Hemant Chowtie of Three Friends Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam), were not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on Sunday June 21,with intent to commit murder, they wounded the Virtual Complainant (VC), Ramdharie (only name given). Ramdharie is presently hospitalised and in a stable condition.

The defendants were represented by Attorneyat-law Neil Boston, who stated that his clients are

prominent businessmen. Boston told the court that both of his clients were at home on the night of the incident and revealed that neither of the defendants have any previous convictions, nor do they have any pending matters while making an application for bail.

Police Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack made no objections to bail, which was granted in the sum of

$350,000 each. Magistrate Scarce informed the defendants that bail was granted on the condition that they report to the Suddie Police Station on a regular basis and surrender their passports to the court. They were also ordered to desist from communicating with the VC.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on July 17 for the commencement of trial.

Eyew tness

Man in the muddle...

...Bulkan

For a fella who most figured would be a nebbish kinda-guy, blending into the background, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan’s sure dominating the news. For all the wrong reasons.

Seems he lost the plot as to why President Granger ostensibly (not to mention “ostentatiously”) changed the “Local Government Ministry” to “Ministry of Communities”. He wanted a shift from the former’s bureaucratic connotations to the warm and fuzzy ambiance of what “communities” are all about. OK, Bulkan?

Early in the day, there was Bulkan’s public humiliation of Clinton Collymore. Was there the need for him to keep the old codger waiting for an hour then slipping out the back door - and finally dismissing him via a letter? While not as louche, crass and uncouth as Nagamootoo’s dissing of former PM Sam Hinds, it wasn’t far removed.

More recently, there’s his public spat and dumping of BK Int’l from the Haags Bosch Garbage Dump. Is this a case of revenge being served cold? Surely no one’s forgotten Bulkan’s battle with BK over the sand pit the latter was operating next to his Shingle and Moulding factory at Yarrowkabra? B

ulkan even arranged some coal burners from the area to picket BK to exploit the “David vs Goliath” angle. To no effect.

Now Bulkan tells the Chronicle (Gosh!! How things change!!) that the IDB - funded of the project - told him they want BK off. But confronted by the Stabber that the IDB can’t do that...he confessed that...well...it’s wasn’t so direct, but the IDB isn’t “satisfied with the work”!

Why Bulkan!!! Stretching the truth, aren’t we?? So BK responds with a strongly worded press release that they’ve actually performed above and beyond the call of their contract. And that they’d even been stiffed on payments by the previous regime.

While he wasn’t crude enough to mention it, your Eyewitness is sure that part of BK’s indignation had to’ve been ignited by all that cleaning and sprucing up of the Independence Arch he’d plunged into to inaugurate President Granger.

And while he’d done that purely from altruistic and patriotic motives, surely Bulkan should’ve taken notice. “Hand wash hand” and all that, no?

Then there’s the issue of Carl Parker, an APNU candidate and activist, being appointed CEO of Region Nine. What happened to the vow that Regional CEO’s will be “nonpolitical”? And finally (whew!! thank goodness) there’s Region Seven CEO Bradford being picketed by residents.

Just because Bradford was at the Anglican Mass with Prezzie doesn’t mean you’ll try to earn brownie points!! Prezzie doesn’t play that game, does he?

...and woman

But it’s not only Bulkan who can’t seem to get with his Prezzie’s programme. Look at Simona “I is” Broomes, junior Minister of Social Cohesion. Is it a coincidence she’s also a Minister in a newly renamed Ministry intended (ostensibly and ostentatiously!) to bring us all together in love and unity?

When the President chaired the first Cabinet meetingwith even juniors like “I is” Brooms in attendance - couldn’t they have clarified what the new names were all about?

Anyhow, while no one has officially pointed out to the former woman miner that TIP isn’t about wiping out the oldest profession, the court was invited to pronounce on her telling the Public Service Commission to hold up on all appointments. Until she gets back to them.

Well, a fella who had a sense of constitutional propriety was rewarded by a quick answer from the court.

Which informed “I is” Broomes in no uncertain terms that she should keep her hands, nose out and mouth of the business of constitutionally constituted bodies.

Could some lawyer please file a motion on behalf of the working girls of Bartica?

...on rum

Minister of National Security Ramjattan just decreed that all loud music - like in rum shops, bars and nightclubs - must cease at 2:00 a.m. Easy for him to say. He starts drinking at sunrise and by 2:00 a.m. the next day, he’s sobered up!!

3 charged for murder of Rubis Account Executive

Police have instituted charges against three men for the murder of Rubis Account Executive

Jason Cort after they would have given investigators confession statements and a detailed account of what transpired on the night of the fatal shooting.

The three men are expected to make their first court appearance where the charges of armed robbery and murder will be read.

A senior Police rank told Guyana Times that two of the men would have confessed to the murder of the young executive on Friday and another handed over his confession statement later that afternoon.

Nevertheless, Guyana Times understands that the Police are continuing their investigations.

Jason Cort, 27 of Lot 262 Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens, Greater Georgetown, was gunned down moments after returning to his Meadow Brook Gardens home on June 18.

Based on reports, he was shot once to the chest by a gunman who escaped on foot. According to information reaching this publication, Cort was in the lower flat of the house while his girlfriend, Shauna Garraway, was in the upper flat when he was reportedly confronted by a group of men armed with handguns.

Cort was relieved of his licensed firearm, a sum of cash and a cellphone.

Based on previous reports, the now dead man and the mother of his child were out earlier in the night. They returned home to check up on his aunt and drop off some coconut water they had earlier purchased.

As they reached their place of abode, opened

the door and went inside, Garraway hurried to the upper flat to collect a coat, as they had intentions of watching a movie at Princess Theatres on the East Bank, while Cort continued to the lower flat to place the coconut water in the freezer.

As she was on the upper flat of the house, Garraway reportedly heard an explosion, followed by a male voice inquiring about money. She rushed back into the room, where she hid and called 911, as well as several family members and friends.

A close friend of the family then arrived at the scene, checked the area and informed the young lady that the coast was clear to come out.

It was then that she saw the father of her child lying unconscious in the lower flat of the house. Upon checking, the distraught girlfriend and friend discovered a bullet wound to Cort’s chest.

He was rushed to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. As the Police arrived on the scene, they dusted the area for finger prints and collected the spent 9mm shell that was left behind.

Jagdeo tipped to be...

Rohee said that the PPP/C is likely to stick with Jagdeo and its group of democratically elected leaders just as it stuck with Dr Jagan until he became President on the tide of free and fair elections.

On 8 August 1999, Janet Jagan announced that she was resigning as President for health reasons, and that Jagdeo would be her successor. Because the Prime Minister is the President’s legal successor, Jagdeo took office as Prime Minister on 9 August, so that he would be positioned to succeed Jagan. He was then sworn in as President on 11 August. At age 35, he was one of the youngest Heads of State in the world. Jagdeo was re-elected for another five-year term on 28 August 2006, with the PPP/C garnering 54.6 per cent of the votes. It expanded its majority, by two, to 36 seats in the 65-member Parliament. He was sworn in for anoth-

Anna Regina Town Day 2015… Council inviting bids to purchase management rights

Councillors from the Anna Regina Interim Management Committee (IMC) are calling on interested companies, groups or private individuals to place their bids for the management of the upcoming Anna Regina Town Day celebrations which are slated for August in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

According to the Town Clerk, Diane Critchlow, it was agreed by the IMC to

sell the management rights of the Town Day. She stated that in doing so businesses can get to further advertise their product and company.

Critchlow stated that the bids must state the proposed activities and must be submitted to her office by June 30. She further explained that this year’s cele-

Commerce, however businesses can still come on board to adopt by bid.

Commenting on last year’s event, Critchlow said that it was a success and that she is confident many overseas-based Guyanese and businesses will to purchase the rights.

The Town Day celebra-

er term on 2 September. At the PPP/C’s 29th Congress, Jagdeo received the highest number of votes (777) in the election to the Party’s Central Committee held on August 2, 2008. He was then elected to the PPP/C Executive Committee on August 12, 2008. In late 2011, his term of office officially came to an end as a result of the term limit amendment to the Constitution, piloted by his Government, and signed into law by himself, which created a two-term limit for anyone elected President after the year 2000. He was succeeded by the PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar who was elected President after the November 28, 2011 General Elections. Under the Constitution, President Jagdeo’s term officially ended on December 3, 2011 after President-Elect Ramotar took the Presidential Oath of Office.

bration is the third since the Council began to celebrate Town Day. She added that Region Two does not have a functioning Chambers of

tion usually lasts for three days and brings Guyanese closer together. It was established to celebrate the achievements of the Town of Anna Regina. Last year, the events were held on the tarmac situated in front of the Council’s office and featured a number of games for children. Persons attended in great numbers to enjoy the “street football and lime”. Town Day 2014 activities included a pageant,

floodlight football, a “street lime”, bicycle races and exhibitions amongst others, which are hoped to be duplicated this year.

Persons found illegally dumping garbage will be prosecuted

“Anyonefound guilty of dumping garbage within the Township of Anna Regina and the market area will be taken before the court and prosecuted.” This was the strong warning issued by the Anna Regina Town Clerk, Diane Critchlow, following the erection of a billboard with information about the new strategy on Wednesday.

According to Critchlow, residents and vendors are dumping their garbage carelessly around the market area, creating an untidy environment. She said that despite the Town Council and Public Health Department’s warnings, persons still con-

“A

tinue the practice. The Council, at its last statutory meeting held on June 4, made an agreement to erect the billboard and to penalise persons who do not

sublime night:

Guyanese,

adhere to the rules by imposing charges on them.

A trailer, which will act as a mobile garbage container, was placed next to the market for vendors to dump their garbage. The Town Clerk also added that in addition to the trailer, bins will be placed around the market so that vendors have easy access to proper garbage disposal.

Critchlow stated that residents usually visit the market in the wee hours of the morning and dump bag of garbage in the area. She also revealed that Constables attached to the Council will be on the look-out for these “litter bugs”.

Mexican poetry” for National Library on July 1

The Embassy of Mexico in collaboration with the National Library invites the public to “A sublime night: Guyanese and Mexican poetry” at the Conference Room of the National Library on Wednesday, July 1 commencing at 18:00h. This event will feature a multi-star Guyanese cast who will recite Guyanese and Mexican poems in an atmosphere of Mexican culinary delights and music. The talent of Guyanese and Mexican poets is recognised regionally and internationally.

The prominent local ar-

Lawrence

tistes who will be participating in this event are Dr Seeta Roath, Margaret Lawrence, Gem Madhoo, Gentian Miller, Kojo McPherson, Petamber Persaud and Ruel Johnson. They will each

present a Mexican poem followed by a local composition.

The Mexican poetry will range from the works of preColumbian poet and King Netzahualcoyotl to contemporary authors such as José Emilio Pacheco. In this journey through time and words: colonial period poet Sor Juana depicts the fatuity of a portrait; Amado Nervo makes peace with life in the dusk of his days; Nobel Literature Awardee Octavio Paz enchants words to be heard by his lover; world recognised Xavier Villaurrutia anguishes for a bitter love and Jaimes Sabines provides

an illusory cure for love-sick people.

The Embassy of Mexico will also provide hors d’oeuvres, offering a taste of Mexican cuisine which is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

This event will mark the opening of the tenth Mexican Movie Cycle in Guyana. Two contemporary Mexican movies will be screened at the same venue at 18:00h on Thursday and Friday next. Admission is free.

Battle of the lushes

Satiricus was no great “sport man”. He just enjoyed hanging out at the back-street bar with the guys. “OK,” he confessed to himself, “It wasn’t a ‘bar’just an old rum-shop”.

But as a habitué of his old rum-shop, he knew who were the “sport men” in Guyana. While Satiricus tended to dismiss many of their exploits as “urban legends”, he’d run into them enough to know that their reputation was well deserved.

Satiricus, of course, was thinking of the Rum Jhaat and Naga Man. Both of these fellas had been born in Hindu homes and their names were living proof that there was something to those folks checking “the book” to name their children.

Which parent would have the prescience to name him son “Rum Jhaat” at birth without knowing that he’d be a lush by the time he became a teenager? Rum till I die!! was his motto!

And Naga Man? “Naga” was Hindi for “snake” - and he did turn out to be that - just ask his old comrades from the PPCEE!! But “Naga” was also short of “Nagara” - that incessant drumming that just forced you to dance.

Naga Man loved his Nagara music - especially when he was drinking. Which was every day! And the drunker he got, the louder he liked his booming music. But here it was, he and his buddy had gotten into power - and look what Rum Jhaat went and did. Ordered all music in rum shops and bars to stop at 2:00 a.m.

“2:00 a.m??!!!” he screamed at the Jhaat. “How de hell you can do dat! 2:00 a.m. is just when I getting into me Nagara dancing!” Satiricus just happened to be in the right time at the right place and heard it all. Rum Jhaat just took another swig of the Bush Rum, that the two of them drank for old times’ sake. “Budday!! You know I does start drinking wid me roti in the morning. By 2:00 a.m., I done!! My driver does drag me home den!”

“Dat is always yuh prablem!! Is only you...you... you!!!” Naga Man screamed. He was getting real worked up. “You know I does really start fuh drink at 11:00 p.m. and by 2:00 a.m., I just getting crank up! And when I get crank up, I need me music at top blast!”

“Naga, me friend. Is de big man tell me fuh do da. Da man does just sip brandy!” said Rum Jhaat in amazement.

“But hear nah. Now dat yuh air-condition you new house...play yuh music inside and doan disturb anyone!”

Suspected kleptomaniac in court again

Albert DeFreitas is no stranger to those employed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. For the fifth time running, the accused was brought to Court One to answer charges of simple larceny on Friday.

The 51-year-old who works as a Fisherman was remanded to jail on Friday morning, with his accomplice 24-year-old Oalin Yansen, by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after appearing before her again on charges involving theft.

This time, DeFreitas with Yansen stood accused of attempting to break into a vehicle bearing registration number PMM 4105, the property of Vindyartie Ganesh while at the Kingston, Georgetown, seawall on June 25.

The men were not successful but Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru elaborated for the courts’ understanding that the accused tried to open the car while his partner acted as a look out. They were caught redhanded in the act of prying the car open and were arrested and charged.

Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail for DeFreitas stating that the defendant has several matters ongoing at several courts, one being in Court Three on the charge of simple larceny.

Both DeFreitas and Yansen denied the charges against them. Yansen told the court that he is a Sign Artist from Albouystown. He explained that he was not committing any offence but was on his phone at the time of the incident. He said the VC walked passed him and implicated him in the offence.

However, DeFreitas boasted to the court that he has his own fishing boat where he works as a Fisherman, indicating that he has no reason to steal.

Even so, Guyana Times discovered that the accused has appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts several times after being accused of simple larceny, robbery and attempt to

commit a felony.

For this year alone, the accused has been named in a robbery charge where he was accused of making off with items valuing approximately $2.1 million from Thomas Richardson Hassin and $824,000 from Joy Karen Smallwood.

In January he appeared in court for attempting to break into the home of Praim Narine, damaging one of his properties.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry refused both Yansen and DeFrietas bail. They are expected back in court on July 7.

Finance Minister leads team to Caracas for PetroCaribe meeting

Finance Minister Winston Jordan led the way to Venezuela on Saturday, along with a team consisting of General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh, GRDB Quality Control Manager Allison Peters and the Finance Ministry’s Head of Department Manager ,Donna Yearwood.

The team left Guyana on Saturday morning to journey to Trinidad and then Venezuela, where they are expected to have a lengthy discussion with the relevant authorities from the Maduro administration about the PetroCaribe agreement, as

Vendor remanded for allegedly selling cocaine to Police

Avendor was on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court after she appeared before him to answer to the charge of narcotics trafficking.

Ereena Thomas, 39 of Sparta Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, on June 26 at Anna Regina, she sold two grams of cocaine to Police Constable 21668. The defendant told the court that she is

well as to negotiate the contract as it relates to paddy and rice. On Monday and Tuesday, the delegation is set to engage Government Officials from the Maduro administration in discussions relating to the extension of the rice and paddy contract with Guyana.

Minister Jordon will also be attending a meeting relating to the PetroCaribe Agreement on Monday.

The delegation is expected to return to Guyana early Wednesday morning.

Guyana exports 36 per cent of its rice to Venezuela and once the deal is made, rice farmers can expect a better price. Last

year’s contract agreement was secured by the former Agriculture Minister, Leslie Ramsammy; General Manager Jagnarine Singh; and the General Secretary of the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA); Dharamkumar Seeraj.

The GRDB, along with the RPA, under the stewardship of Singh and Seeraj has maintained a very good relationship with the rice officials from the Maduro administration. They managed to maintain amicable ties within the confines of the rice sector and marketing and, as a result, markets were also recently opened in Panama.

Man slapped with 2-week sentence for pelting niece with bottles

scheduled to leave the country on Tuesday and that the Constable was “taking out spite on her”.

Bail was objected by Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack on the grounds that the defendant has been previously charged with similar offences, and has several pending matters of similar nature before the court.

The Magistrate refused bail and the woman was remanded to prison. The matter was adjourned to July 22 for commencement of trail.

Aman who threw bottles at his niece was slapped with a twoweek sentence by Magistrate Annette Singh on Friday.

The accused, Rawle Duncan admitted in Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts that he threw bottles to harm Saskia Moses on June 23 while at their home in 203 Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. However, he said that the young lady threw a bottle at him first and he simply retaliated.

However, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Adduni Inniss, told the court that

Duncan lives in a hammock behind the house while his niece is the caretaker.

On June 23, about 10:00h, the Virtual Complainant (VC) saw the accused throw garbage in the yard and confronted him about it. He became annoyed and they got into an argument which led the accused to pelt her with the bottles he still had in his hands.

The matter was reported to the Police and the accused was arrested and charged for the offence. Magistrate Singh sentenced him to spend two weeks in jail for his actions.

SunDAY, june 28, 2015 | guYAnAtimeSgY.com

Govt Ministers tour Giftland Mall ahead of July 2 opening

By Devina Samaroo

Finally set to have its official grand opening in four days, the country’s new Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson were taken on a grand tour of the multimillion dollar Giftland OfficeMax Mall site on Saturday, July 27.

“I am very excited and I can’t wait for Thursday to be here when they would have the grand opening for what would be the single biggest innovation in commerce in Guyana, at least in my 53 years in public life. I hope Guyanese would all share that excitement on Thursday when the doors would be officially opened,” Nagamootoo expressed his delighted after an hour long tour of the colossal building.

The Government Officials were firstly taken to examine the power plant site where huge generators were set up. The power plant, which costs in excess of US$4 million, will be in operation on a 24-hour basis. The facility will generate 3.8 megawatts of electricity on a daily basis and can serve the over 6000 households in the mall’s environs. The mall will also have its own sewerage treatment plant and water well.

The officials were then taken for a tour of the entertainment complex itself- the strip which will feature a whole line of activities such as fine dining restau-

rants, sports bars, Brazilian grills, and pubs; and inside the mall itself which will feature brand named stores such as Levi’s, Jennifer Lopez and Dockers, among others.

Probably the highlight of the tour was the screening of movie trailers in one of the state-of-the-art movie theatre centres within the mall. Caribbean’s high rating entertainment facility, Caribbean Cinemas, will

have eight movie theatres in the mall. The theatres boast the latest technology and recliners which will guarantee the best cinema experience in the country.

Open in phases

However on a sad note, when the mall will be opened to the general public on Friday July 3, the full package of excitement and entertainment will not be made

available.

Chairman of the Company, Roy Beepat, told the Guyana Times that the mall will be opened in phases as there are many more works to be completed. Though a lot is still to be done to create the full-blown entertainment complex, Guyanese can enjoy the Caribbean Cinemas, services from four restaurants, the gift store “Gifttronics”, the sports stores “Sportsmax” and all of the other Giftland superstores.

Also, the bus terminal will be operational where the route 44 buses will be diverted to drop passengers off directly at the mall. Republic Bank will have an ATM machine at the mall for consumer convenience. Beepat said he is currently engaging the other commercial banks across Guyana to establish ATM facilities in the mall.

In between, more restaurants are slated to be

opened within the first few weeks and another set will be opened within the next two months. Stores including The Polo Club, America Today, Tommy, Calvin Klein and XoXo, will be opened before September. Towards December, it is expected that the video arcades and supermarkets will be opened.

was in the pipeline long before construction commenced. Being the first of its kind in Guyana, the mall aims to introduce a number of exciting amenities such as free drinking fountains; valet parking; a playground featuring zip lines, rock climbing and bungee jumping; and a 90-station sheltered bus terminal.

First of its kind

The Giftland OfficeMax Mall will be completely selfsufficient. It will have its own power plant which will have a team of full-time electrical and mechanical engineers and power plant technicians who will man the system on a 24-hour basis. The power plant engineering team will include engineers from PDV Consultants and from Guyana.

The Giftland Mall project has been in the making for over six years. The company had acquired the land in 2007 and construction began in 2009. However, the project

The mall will also be featuring a 560 feet “strip” comprising of four fine dining restaurants, sports bars, Brazilian grills, and pubs for evening entertainment. It is expected to create job opportunities for over 2000 people. Part-time job opportunities will also be provided to students of the University of Guyana.

Meanwhile, with all the exhilarating features and amenities the Giftland Mall has to offer, the Water and Holmes Street business will soon be closed to pave way for the world-class shopping plaza.

US$3M world-class Caribbean Cinemas to open July 3

Caribbean Cinemas, the largest and fastest growing movie theatre chain the Caribbean, will be opening its doors to the public on Friday, July 3, with the aim of changing the meaning of entertainment in Guyana. The US$3 million entertainment facility is housed in the soon to be opened Giftland OfficeMax Mall in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Boasting eight gigantic modernised screens, Guyanese are guaranteed to experience movie magic in the comfort of high-back reclining chairs, digital surround sound systems, stateof-the-art projection technology, stadium seating and the

latest trend in movie theatre design.

Caribbean Cinemas plans to have a diversity of film programming that will cater to all segments of the population, ranging from top Hollywood blockbusters including action, comedy and suspense, to more serious or light-hearted films including dramas and musicals. “We sincerely hope many Guyanese will visit our theatre together in the years ahead with their families, spouses and friends to laugh, smile and cheer and cry together while enjoying the magic of the movies, in what our company slogan refers to as ‘The Best Entertainment, in the Very

Best Environment’,” a press release from Caribbean Cinemas representatives read.

Caribbean Cinemas, which was founded in 1968, now has multiplex of theatres throughout the Caribbean including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St Thomas, St Croix, St Maarten, Trinidad, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua, and Aruba.

Movies to be released on its opening day include Insidious 3, Jurassic World in 3D, Spy, Ted 2, Inside Out in 3D, and Terminator Genesis. Tickets cost are guaranteed to be cheaper than the existing prices on the market in Guyana.

Time for a conflict of interest law

There is urgent need for an anti-corruption policy that would include conflict of interest issues. The previous government was accused of such unethical conduct on a number of occasions and with good reason, and the issue has already surfaced with the new administration. Also with good reason.

Ryhaan Shah

Corruption includes unethical conduct which includes conflicts of interest. For this reason, many private businesses and governments hammer out policies on conflict of interest that both define the dilemma and include recommendations on how to deal with it.

It is a corrupt practice and as with all corruptions it eats away at the very foundation on which good governance is built.

An article in the “Journal of Business Ethics” defines conflict of interest as a “situation in which a person has a private or personal interest sufficient to appear to influence the objective exercise of his or her official duties as, say, a public official, an employee, or a professional”.

The concept is broad and is not only about corruption involving finances. The journal’s article states that it is “about the presence of factors – any factors – that a reasonable person might think is likely to bias a decision maker’s judgment”.

In a nutshell, it is when the public good is compromised or undermined by personal interests, and when the situation is not corrected, the objectivity of any decision taken or work done where there is a conflict of interest becomes suspect and can result in entire organizations or governments being held as corrupt.

A public policy guideline would help government and our public servants consider whether there are any biases, family relationships or friendships that would bring their impartiality into question. There could be a level of self questioning even before a task is undertaken especially if it relates to the issuance of contracts, grants, permits, or licences.

Any relationship that would raise any question or doubt in the mind of any reasonable person should be seen as a conflict of interest.

In matters of business and governance, perception is everything and it is imperative, especially in the spending of state funds and in the allocation of state contracts, that there are no relationships with beneficiaries that would compromise the integrity of a transaction.

On its website, Transparency International states that conflicts of interest can occur both in the public and private sector. An example from the public sector is that of Bosnia Herzegovina.

The country passed a conflict of interest law that restricts elected officials, executives, and advisors in government institutions from certain activities, including promising employment, granting privileges based on party affiliation, giving gifts, and providing privileged information on state activities.

Among Canada’s laws there is a Conflict of Interest Act that establishes clear rules of conduct for public officials. The first rule states that a public official is in a conflict of interest when he or she exercises an official power, duty or function that provides an opportunity to further his or her private interests or those of his or her relatives or friends.

The UN Convention Against Corruption makes specific reference to conflict of interest and emphasizes the importance of transparency and standardization in codes of conduct for public officials, public procurement practices, and the management of public finances. The range of offences linked to conflict of interest issues includes abuse of power and influence-peddling.

Should vociferous critics of a government be contracted to investigate that government? No, because there is a very reasonable public perception that this situation is fraught with biases that conform to all definitions of conflict of interest and raises immediate doubts about the impartiality of that investigation.

Yet, this is the current situation with regard to audits being conducted on the PPP/C government’s accounts, and where there was a host of critics who hammered that administration whenever it stepped out of line, they have all become eerily quiet.

Our partisan loyalties run so deep that we would enable the very corruption we railed against because everything is about politics and who we favour, or not.

It is clear that, as a nation, we have no acceptable standard of ethical behaviour. We are numb to any sense of fairness and justness, and seem to lack even that twinge of conscience that would guide us to do the right thing.

Because such situations will undoubtedly recur, and to the country’s detriment, it is time for an anti-corruption policy – or better yet legislation – that would include conflict of interest issues. This would help us regain our sense of propriety.

Bradford likely to return as Region 7 Chairman

… as angry Barticians intensify protest to remove him

Amid much controversy, Regional Chairman for Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni)

Gordon Bradford is likely to return to his post when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration appoints its Regional Chairmen for the administrative regions it won in the 2015 Regional Elections.

During an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, Bradford, in an invited comment, said he was asked by the Government to accept the nomination for the position, which he did.

He made it clear that regardless of a few disgruntled citizens, he will serve his community if asked to do so by the government of the day.

Recently, a group of residents from the area launched a massive campaign objecting to Bradford’s return as Regional Chairman.

Residents have been engaging in a series of daily protests and television programmes aimed at raising awareness to the various problems they have with the current Chairman.

During their protest actions, residents who claim they voted for the APNU/ AFC coalition, are demanding that their Government listen to their cries and let Bradford be gone.

“We don’t want him. He don’t do anything for we. We want someone young and dynamic to fill the position,” one resident told this publication. The disgruntled citizens complained that Bradford did not live up to their expectations of the leadership they need.

“There is no representation. We have all sorts of problems within the small communities that nobody knows about and there is nothing being done,” another resident expressed.

The resident insisted that she voted for a Government of her choice and that it is the Government’s right to listen to the people’s concerns and yield to their desires.

“If they put back Bradford, then we will know that this Government don’t care about change either and that they just in it for power and to help them friends out,” she concluded.

Residents indicated that they will continue their protest actions against Bradford until Tuesday, July 2 when the Grangerled Administration is expected to announce who the new Regional Chairmen will be for the seats they won in the 2015 General and Regional Elections: Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Bradford told Guyana Times that he believes the protests by these “handful” of individuals are politically driven.

“I don’t really understand why they are out doing this. It’s a few questionable people doing it and I am questioning the real motive behind these actions,” he said.

Bradford said he is aware of numerous people who still throw their support be-

hind his return as Regional Chairman, noting that the minute group who are protesting for his removal do not have a strong case.

“It’s not a lot of people doing this, so they do not represent the entire Region Seven. Bartica alone is not Region Seven. They say I am not approachable and all these things but I never declined to see anyone. When you call me, have I ever pledged my unavailability?

You can call anytime and I am always here, am I right?” he posited.

Further, Bradford debunked the claims being made by the protestors, indicating that it was under his stewardship under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) in which Region Seven was transformed.

“Look at Bartica, there has been a lot of development during my tenure, under my stewardship. We have more secondary schools, more primary schools, there are more hospitals, there is a mortuary now, there are wells in the hospital compounds, the roads are better, things were happening,” he boasted.

Grantley Waldron to chair CoI into collapse of mining pits

– Trotman meets with key mining bodies

Government on Saturday announced that Grantley Waldron was appointed Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) established by President David Granger to probe several mining pit collapses which has led to the death of several miners in recent times.

In a statement to the media, the Ministry of Governance also said Colin Sparman from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association would serve as a member, along with a representative from the Social Protection Ministry.

The Commission’s Technical Advisor would be Jo Bayah. “The appointed members of the Committee are knowledgeable and competent in their respective fields”, the release stated.

The CoI will commence on July 1 and upon completion on July 31, they are to submit to the Minister of

Governance, a full report detailing the findings along with recommendations for Cabinet’s deliberation on the immediate and long-term actions to be implemented, for the enhancement of the health and safety of the labour force of the mining sector.

Following a directive by

His Excellency, President David Granger, to launch an inquiry into the collapse of mining pits, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, on Friday held the initial meeting with the members of the Committee to layout the mandate.

The issue of safety in the mining sector is one of par-

amount importance to the Government of Guyana. In recent times, a number of reports have reached the Ministry of the Presidency and the general public about the collapse of pits and other incidents resulting in injury and in some cases, the deaths of miners.

Meanwhile, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman, on Friday assured members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) that the new Administration is committed to working closely to with all stakeholders in the mining sector to ensure its continued contribution to the local economy is sustained.

In this regard, he also stated that the Government intends to fulfil its mandate and will be examining a range of measures so as to ensure the continued growth of the sector.

Minister Trotman was at the time meeting with Executives of the GGDMA and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, a key regulatory agency for the sector.

The meeting specifically focused on a range of issues raised by the GGDMA on how the sector can be improved in light of the prevailing world market prices and the Association expressed its willingness to work with the Administration in addressing issues such as security in the mining sector, compliance and enforcement of the Mining Act and regulations, implementation of waiver for double cab pickups for miners, implementation of waiver for fuel for the mining sector, rehabilitation and use of hinterland roads.

The meeting agreed on a number of actions which will be unfolding in the coming days and Minister Trotman assured the members of the GGDMA that the Government intends to have a collaborative approach towards addressing the challenges within with the sector to ensure the sustainable growth and development of mining in Guyana.

Younge’s Take

King liars!

There is a dangerous willingness by parts of the electorate and media which are supportive of the APNU+AFC coalition Government to passively condone its lies, somersaults on promised policy initiatives and Valentine’s Day vows thus far.

Those who constitute part of the group described above are allowing themselves to be railroaded by confusing, inconsistent, arrogant and manipulative rhetoric being used by the politicians in power to explain the paradigm shifts that have taken place since they have executive power, following the mandate given by the electorate at the May 11 polls.

This is shameful, and in fact reprehensible from any stand point. A lie is a lie. If you make a promise and you do not intend to keep it, then you have lied deliberately to the electorate and populace with the aim of securing their trust and votes in order to achieve a greater good which is political promotion and aggrandizement.

It seems that some Guyanese have been hypnotised with the Government’s promise to make the notion of “national unity” a reality here to the point where they are accepting everything thrown their way blindly, even if it is clear that something is amiss.

Political high ground

Firstly, the new Government has managed to pull the wool over the eyes of many of their fervent supporters as it continues to breach critical aspects of the historic Cummingsburg Accord which sealed the coalition deal and delivered Government to their fold.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s comment in Parliament that people want to put him against President Granger and sow seeds of discord by pointing out the breaches and non-delivery of promises made in the Accord is nothing short of rubbish and an argument which lacks potency.

Surely, Mr Nagamootoo does not expect the public to believe that the battery of lawyers in the APNU and AFC were so incompetent while negotiating the Accord that they did not recognise that the Constitution mandates that the President chairs Cabinet.

Does he really believe that Guyanese should overlook the fact that he is the Information Minister all over again despite the lofty promises made that his Prime Ministership would be enhanced with all sort of perks?

Guyanese will also never forgive the coalition Government for its decision to lock youth out of Government and Parliament. No excuse is acceptable.

If they were good enough and competent to speak at political rallies and other marketing events for the coalition, they are good enough to be appointed strategic posts within in the Government and Parliament.

Get real Mr Harmon!

Interestingly, one day after Guyana Times writes an editorial on crime and the increase in criminal activity, the new Government via State Minister Joseph Harmon decides to announce that the Public Security Minister is dealing with the issue in a strategic manner.

Has Mr Harmon forgotten that it was his Government that promised to return safety and security to Guyana and to dent the criminal enterprise here? Unfortunately, 38 days and counting in office and the Minister has not managed to announce any strategic plan to curb the onslaught of crime.

Expect the delivery of rhetoric, rhetoric and some more rhetoric!

The new Government should also be given accolade for breaking the Caribbean record held for establishing Commission of Inquiries (CoIs) and dismissing staff after assuming office.

It appears that everything the previous Government did was either corrupt, bad, poorly planned or grossly mismanaged. It is hoped that the PPP/C will ask sooner than later for the cost of all of these probes and CoIs.

It is noteworthy to point out that the Government promised Guyanese no witch-hunting and the roll out of a sound plan to rejuvenate the economy, but it appears that it is still operating as if it is in Opposition.

Guyana cannot progress if the people refuse to hold the Government accountable and criticise it when it is wrong.

The same scrutiny that obtained when the PPP/C was in office must prevail now. It appears the only the PPP/C is taking the Government on…all of the other watchdogs and human rights bodies have selectively chosen to sleep during these first 100 days.

Guyana Goldfields starts production at Aurora mine

After 19 years of investment, the Guyana Goldfields Inc is set to begin the production of gold at its Aurora mine location in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The company, on Friday, announced that the commissioning phase of its operations is currently on schedule and it anticipates completion by the end of the upcoming six-week period with official commercial gold production in September. The commissioning phase includes the dry and wet commissioning of various aspects of the gold milling process.

The company said that this new development will see “massive benefits in royalties to Guyana’s Government…, tremendous transfer of skills, technology and science to Guyana... sustainable benefits to small business from procurement and communities benefiting from Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships”.

It stated that after 19 years of exploration involving the latest of technologies and over a US$300 million investment, it is finally realising its corporate mission of “Building a First Class Mine; Caring for the Environment; Building Communities and; Creating Opportunities”.

“The journey to commercial production started 19 years ago when the Guyana Goldfields Inc began exploration of the mineral potential in Guyana. Many areas were explored without much success. However, in 2003 the company started a vigorous exploration programme, which included extensive diamond drilling in the Cuyuni area resulting in the discovery of the Rory Knoll Deposit at the Cuyuni Aurora Project Site,” the company expressed in a release.

It said that during the exploration phase, the company employed some 150 Guyanese workers. It also

said that so far, for the period January 2014- June 2015, Aurora Gold Mines Project (AGM) and the Gurvan Saihan Joint Venture (GSJV) has contributed to over $1.2 billion PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and some $226 million NIS (National Insurance Scheme). The benefits to Guyana’s economy, the company said, have been tremendous, noting that it is expected to continue throughout the life of the mine.

The benefits include “Mining Royalty” of eight per cent on gold sales at a price of gold over US1000 per ounce, 30 per cent corporate income tax at a projected value of US$509 million, payroll taxes at a projected value of US$67 million and excise tax on petroleum with a projected value of US$43 million.

In 2008 the International Finance Corporation (IFC) took an equity role in Guyana Goldfields. Consistent with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy role to protect the environment, Guyana Goldfields was able to benefit from the rigid standards imposed by the IFC such that, today, the Aurora Mine is one of the most modern mines both environmentally and technically. In addition, the latest in management techniques and computer tools are in use, the company said. It said one of the greatest barriers of building the mine was the lack of local skills in Guyana to create a first class environmentally sustainable mine with the main intent of being able to ensure that the most up to date technology was utilised in the destruction of the cyanide that is used in the recovery of gold. This resulted in an international tendering process which ultimately yielded a joint venture.

Together the joint venture partners, GSJV, a registered Guyanese compa-

ny and the AGM subsidiary of the Guyana Goldfields Inc embarked on the building of the mine. At the peak of the construction phase, both companies maintained a temporary work force of almost 1200 employees and other local contractors, which included experienced and skilled workers totaling some 400 Peruvian engineers, technicians, and skill sets not available in Guyana for the particular construction.

During this construction phase, all employees with GSJV and AGM enjoyed very satisfactory conditions of employment including attractive and competitive wages and salaries including various insurance benefits for themselves and their families, in addition to regular bonuses.

The mine has been the hive of activities over the last 18 months. Thousands of Guyanese workers and their Peruvian and Australian counterpart s worked around the clock to meet very strict schedules. Guyanese worker were exposed to the latest technology and a significant number of them received training. With the completion of the construction phase, there will be gradual reduction of the construction workforce to facilitate the transition from mine construction to mine operation, which is expected to become full effective in July 2015.

In anticipation, the company said it looks forward to bringing the appropriate benefits to the people of Guyana combined with its ever developing Corporate Social Responsibility Programme which includes grants to over 30 community groups, a women’s procurement programme, communities outreach programmes, artisanal miners medical emergency assistance and many other support/assistance programmes.

Multi-disciplinary task force to address City’s drainage

The terms of reference of the Cabinetapproved multidisciplinary task force, established to present a holistic plan for the further restoration and renewal of Georgetown, have been expanded to address more areas. The task force is now expected to tackle drainage, traffic management, and urban rehabilitation of all the towns and urban centres in Guyana.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, addressing a press conference at the Ministry’s Kingston office, explained that the President and Cabinet, in recognition that flooding is not unique to Georgetown, had tasked him

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson addressing the press conference at the Ministry

with arriving at a holistic plan to address the issues.

To this end, the Minister explained that he is in the process of augmenting the

Millers told to

depened less on GRDB

for markets

Amid cries of limited market for the country’s bumper rice production, the Guyana Rice Development Board ‘s (GRDB) representative, Dharamkumar Seeraj, said millers ought to lessen their dependence on the GRDB and begin to seek rice markets in their own private capacity as a collective bargaining organisation.

For years, millers have been complaining of the lack of a sustainable market for rice, sometimes even blaming the Government and the rice board for failing to execute its mandate.

Earlier this year, Chairman of the Rice Producers’ Association Committee, Jinnah Rahman, chided the board for its inability to secure markets for the bumper harvest. However, Seeraj explained that it is not the constitutional responsibility of the GRDB to secure rice markets for the rice producers.

He noted that, traditionally, it was the millers themselves who would seek their own markets and that it was only recently these millers have apparently become solely dependent on the board to find markets for them. “Before the Venezuela (PetroCaribe) Agreement, the rice board did not export a single pound of rice or paddy…it is not its function,” he insisted, noting that the rice industry was totally privatised and that the millers had no other choice but to secure their own markets.

Though not constitutionally required, Seeraj said the GRDB would still intervene and help the rice producers in their quest to find markets for their crop.

Despite this assistance, Seeraj said millers ought to recommence the process of seeking their own markets.

“I have been talking to millers about getting organised so they can address marketing in a more strategic way,” he disclosed.

“We have always encouraged millers to form their organisations so they can do it in an organised way,” he added. Seeraj said an organised team would be better in securing markets rather than taking an individualistic approach.

task force’s membership and terms of reference to address other flood prone areas including those the administration will be very soon seeking to develop into towns. These are Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the restoration and renewal of Georgetown, Minister Patterson explained that the Ministry will be giving itself until 2020 to have Phase One of this plan completed. He said that the goal is to preserve the uniqueness of Georgetown, including the Stabroek Market which will be addressed under the plan. Like the city, the market’s restoration will be done in phases. (GINA excerpt)

GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh, during a previous interview with this newspaper, explained too that the rice industry is fully privatised and that prior to 2010, when the board assumed partial responsibility for marketing Guyana’s rice products, the Private Sector marketed and exported 100 per cent of the rice produced.

He explained, however, that subsequent to the Government coming on board, those Private Sector bodies became complacent and sought to depend on the Government to facilitate all of the exports.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers’ Association Naithram has been urging rice farmers across the country, particularly in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne), to form representations among themselves. He explained that these associations will be pivotal in expressing the concerns of rice farmers across the country.

Currently, the public mostly knows about the concerns of the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) rice farmers due to their representation led by Naithram. With representations all across the country, the public and relevant authorities can become aware of the problems affecting rice farmers in Guyana and not just on the Essequibo Coast.

He explained that an association would decrease the chances of competition among members and thus promote the local industry as one by having a single unit marketing Guyana’s rice. “Let’s say Tom Jones is selling to Jamaica for $420 and Harry may turn up and sell at a different price, it won’t be good for the industry,” he rationalised.

Guyana’s debt to Surinamese firm is nothing new – Nandlall

...says APNU/AFC brought disaster upon themselves

Former Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, has lashed out at the current Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, for acting like Guyana’s debt to the Rudisa Beverage Company of Suriname is a novel discovery when, in truth, it was the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition who were responsible for bringing these troubles upon the country.

“It boggles the mind that the Attorney General made this ‘discovery’ by chance when I repeatedly and ad nauseum made this information public, both when the judgment was awarded, as well as on numerable times thereafter. On almost every occasion that I spoke on this matter, I explained why, and on what basis this judgment was granted,” Nandlall told the Guyana Times In May 2014, the

Caribbean Court of Justice ordered the Government of Guyana to repay to the beverage company US$6 million for charging an environmental tax on its imports of beverages into Guyana when the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas guarantees Caricom states and products exemptions from such duties.

The then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration was desperately trying to avoid falling into the pits of this adversity, but the then combined Opposition appeared to had other plans.

The PPP/C was attempting to amend the existing legislation which did not allow for any exemption in relation to the Caricom Single Market and Economy arrangement however, the combined Opposition who had a one-seat majority in the 10th Parliament did not support the motion.

Moreover, the Surinamese firm had agreed to drop the charges against Guyana once it changes its legislation, and even with the presented escape from debt, the Opposition did not support the legislative amendment.

As a result, the then Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, tabled the necessary amendments to the Customs Act in the National Assembly on two occasions. On both occasions the Opposition, which held a majority in the National Assembly, voted against the amendments.

Basil Williams, Khemraj Ramjattan and Carl Greenidge spoke emphatically against the amendments on each occasion, Nandlall said in an attempt to refresh their minds. He added that in both instances, he explained the importance of passing the amendment but his cries were all in vain.

Therefore, Nandlall registered his utmost bewilderment by the statements of the Attorney General which suggested that the debt was incurred by the PPP/C’s wrongdoing and that is was a big surprise to the new Government.

Meanwhile, regardless of that, Nandlall pointed of that Guyana is still in violation of the revised Treaty of Chagaramas- which means more lawsuits can be filed. “Rather than engage in political ramblings on this issue, it would be prudent if the AG could ensure that Guyana complies with its Treaty obligations,” he urged.

Lawrence outlines plans to improve lives of vulnerable groups

The Government will be embarking on a holistic programme to promote much needed measures that will support persons who are faced with challenging situations. This was told by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence to the National Assembly on Friday, as she outlined the Government’s plan to stem poverty in Guyana.

Minister Lawrence explained that the Social Protection Ministry has begun the process of restructuring and strengthening the various departments, filling long outstanding vacancies and prioritising all programmes. She announced that all of the “children’s homes” will be refurbished as to ensure that the country’s children are placed in a homely setting, and “not one that will leave you with tears when you visit”.

In August, the Ministry will be opening a Probation and Child Welfare Office on the East Bank of Demerara to facilitate the citizens residing in that area and on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

The Ministry is also exploring the establishment of a children’s home in Linden, Minister Lawrence said. “This, the people of Linden will tell you, is at the top of their list, for our children who are taken off the streets or come into contact with the law must either remain at the Police Station for which there are no provision, or at the Linden Hospital…this is not the way this Government will make provision for our children,” Minister Lawrence emphasised.

Elderly

The Palms will be demolished, and a new structure will be constructed. However, Minister Lawrence noted that constructing a new building requires a significant amount of financing, but the Ministry will plan for it.

It will also be looking at new methods of payment for pensioners and public assistance recipients.

Moreover, Government’s commitment to the opening of a Legal Aid Clinic in the mining town of Linden will be realised.

Women Also to be realised is the Government’s commitment of building a half-way home for women, Minister Lawrence stated. “It is our intention to ensure that those persons who seek shelter at our various homes are assessed and given second chances through the use of the Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration,” she further noted.

In keeping with the new administration’s commitment to support families, the Ministry is forging ahead to undertake a national mapping of social issues and will be preparing a strategy to address these, and ultimately develop a plan of action involving national stakeholders.

“It has become clear and worrying, the despicable way under which womenfolk exist; the daily struggles they face in an attempt to combat domestic abuse; trafficking in

persons and the dire financial constraints which leave them in the hands of unscrupulous exploiters. In the same vein, we witness the way in which the elderly are treated and deprived of social amenities. Youths are just as vulnerable,” Minister Lawrence pointed out.

She said that youths need to be mobilised for entrepreneurial purposes and policies need to be implemented for the development of women and the elderly.

Trade Unions

In order to fully address the needs of workers, there has to be the re-establishment of a cordial relationship with trade unions. According to the Minister, this process has already begun. Recently, the Minister met with leaders of several unions to discuss workers’ rights and welfare.

“We cannot divorce them from the social process, thus the intention to revise relevant labour legislation and to support all legally constituted and functioning trade unions so that they can better represent workers’ rights, cannot but augur well for the labour movement,” she said, while expressing gratitude to the National Assembly for restoring the annual subvention to the Critchlow Labour College.

The Ministry has already removed the ban on the limitation and inspection by labour officers to places of employment and is also working to establish two units, namely a Public Relations and a Statistical Department, to allow the public to become “au fait” with the work and assistance offered by the Ministry.

The Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility of governing and protecting the rights and interest of the Guyanese nation, irrespective of race, creed, colour, situation or circumstance.

(GINA excerpt)

Elisa Hamilton still hopeful for fulfilment of scholarship promise

The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations top student for 2014, Elisa Hamilton, was promised a scholarship to a university of her choice by the previous administration. Though no one from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has contacted her about the offer, she still remains hopeful of attending her dream school.

The young lady had earlier expressed interest in attending Yale University in the United States, when the previous Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, announced that “the top two CSEC and CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination) students will be offered scholarships to any school of their choice”. However, the same

administration then sent Hamilton a letter, through the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, stating that the scholarship was only valid in China, Cuba and Guyana. The letter also said that the scholarships are only in the fields of Dentistry, Engineering and Mechanics.

Upon receipt of the letter the young lady was disappointed and mentioned that it was “a breach in the promise made” by the former President, Donald Ramotar. Hamilton, who had attained 19 Grade Ones and a Grade Two, still hopes to attend Yale University to further her education in the field of Medicine.

Additionally, it was revealed that due to the absence of the Appropriation Act, the previous Government was unable to fulfil its obligations as it re-

lates to the scholarships .The new Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, said that he will examine the programme and make recommendations as to improve the Scholarship Programme. The new Government said that “because of our emphasis on young people and the fact that a commitment was given to the awardees, we will honour that promise and make it up to them in 2015”. In a telephone interview, Hamilton said that the Government has not yet made any contact with her but she is currently weighing her options as it relates to furthering her education. This particular programme has been under public criticism for a number of years; between 2012 and 2014 two out of the four participants took of the offer because of the issue regarding the universities offered.

APNU/AFC Reg 10 Chairman

Sharma Soloman jinxed; Renis Morian tipped

Former Chairman for Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice) Sharma Solomon will not return as the leader for that region, despite protestations from the mining town.

This was confirmed by Chief Whip of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Amna Ally despite General Secretary of the party, Joseph Harmon telling reporters that he would be quite surprised if Sharma is not returned in that capacity and after President David Granger had noted that Sharma was in adherence with the party’s policies and he did not doubt his commitment.

Ally, who spoke to Guyana Times on Saturday afternoon, said that a list of candidates was submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and Solomon’s name was not there. As such, she noted that his name was not extracted.

However, Ally further intimated to this publication that it is impossible that everyone who has worked for the party will be given a position since that list submitted had comprised of more than 95 persons.

“We had a list of more than 90 persons. You cannot expect that everybody will be chosen. Out of that 90 something persons,

only 33 were selected to be Ministers and so not everyone’s name can be extracted. There are a number of people whose names were submitted to be candidates and he was not the only one whose name was not extracted, many others were not extracted. Not everyone was selected,” Ally opined.

Amid reports that former Parliamentarian Renis Morian, has been selected for the position, Ally was questioned on the criteria which was utilised for the selection. However, she told Guyana Times that as it stood, she could not comment on that and the question will have to be posed to President David Granger, who is the leader of the APNU and who had made the decision.

Since reports began emanating that the Regional Chairman will be replaced, the mining town of Linden had launched a protest calling for the decision to be reversed since residents were of the belief that Solomon had really worked for them and the town.

Sharma, who is a friend and colleague of the controversial Vanessa Kissoon who was suspended in 2013 for misconduct in the party, was visibly absent from the coalition’s list of Candidates when it was handed to the GECOM on April 7, weeks before the election.

He was later named however as the Campaign Manager for the coalition in Region 10 in the lead up to General and Regional Elections and was instrumental in healing the rifts between that town and the party.

While he could not be reached for a comment when Guyana Times tried on Saturday, Solomon in numerous releases over the weeks had said that despite the fact that his name had been excluded, he has served the region with pride and integrity and his record was easily verifi -

able.

“I remain humbled and grateful for the opportunity presented to serve the people. Though some may think I am extinguishable, Region 10 and those who desire a politics of development and not a politics of destruction and tear down, rest assure you will hear from and see Sharma Solomon. I am Guyanese and will continue to play a positive role in the development of our people and this dear land,” he had said.

He had noted that public service is one of the greatest honours in man’s earthly life and he was proud of what he had managed to accomplish for the region and will not give up in that regard.

“In response to questions asked about the accomplishments of the last Regional Democratic Council (RDC) let me say, our policies and programmes were guided by the philosophy to play a role in helping the people to determine their destiny consistent with the spirit and intent of Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution.

In keeping with this the RDC provided requisite leadership to ensure the enabling conditions were made possible for residents and their community development,” Sharma had related.

Youths help needy with basic necessities

The GroveDiamond Youths in Development group donated basic necessities to the less fortunate in the Grove-Diamond community.

Approximately 70 persons benefited from the distribution of clothes, food items and other basic utensils on Saturday when the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) held a distribution drive for those in need in the community.

President of the group, Chattergoon Jadootat aka “Tony”, told the Guyana Times that the group assembled at the Diamond Community Centre where the items were distributed to persons who they had become quite acquainted with. He stated that the group has a list of persons in the Grove-Diamond community who require assistance ever so often and make it their duty to ensure that they are well provided for.

The youth group was established nine years ago by youths from the GroveDiamond area. Jadootat shared that the group has grown tremendously over the years, but they were quite humble in their initial aims to simply assist whenever they can.

He said that their goals have grown ambitious as of late as they not only feed and clothe those less fortunate than themselves, but also seek to empower them. The group’s President shared that they

The distribution on Saturday where numerous persons were provided with basic necessities

have started skills training where disadvantaged youths are taught technical skills that can build their confidence, their minds and make them productive persons in their various communities.

This was indicated when asked about the resulting inertia that occurs when persons tend to depend on such NGO’s. Jadootat said that the Grove-Diamond Youths in Development group will be developing persons, not simply answering their temporary ailments but equipping them to sustain themselves. For instance, counsellors are being considered for the community. He explained the advantages of this for

edification of minds as well as emotions in order to create balanced individuals. “We are trying to get into the homes,” Jadootat stated. “We want to show them a different side of life.” He shared the story of a three-year-old child that his group came across some time ago.

He said the child was brilliant with a great memory, but his parents did not have the means to constantly send him to school, as they should have.

However, through the assistance of the youth group, the President stated that a member of the village came forward to sponsor the education of the child for the next five years.

Camp Jaguar Lance Corporal fined for setting colleague on fire

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal, who pleaded guilty to setting a Private soldier on fire causing grievous bodily harm, has been fined a sum of $120,000 in the Berbice Assizes.

Lance Corporal Cleyon Douglas had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that, on June 25, 2005, he doused Welton

Hazel with gasoline, with the intent to main, disfigure or disable causing him grievous bodily harm.

However, Douglas’s Attorney Charrandass Persaud had requested an adjournment to allow the defendant to adapt a certain course of action.

When the case was called on Wednesday, the victim told the court that he was

compensated and requested the court to show mercy on the accused, who expressed his regret for committing the act.

Upon request he told the court that he was paid the sum agreed to and was satisfied with it. The Judge then fined the Lance Corporal to an alternative of six months in prison.

turn to page 18

BK shocked by continued attacks on Haags Bosch

– says Bulkan’s good faith in question

Construction giant BK International has said that it is deeply shocked by the comments which have been attributed to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, which was published in another section of the media on Saturday.

According to the company, it would seem that despite only taking office on May 23, 2015, Minister Bulkan has already formed an opinion against BK and the works which were carried out at the Haags Bosch landfill site. “It simply is not possible for any official to comprehensively review all material concerning Haags Bosch, review all correspondence, review the 20 odd three inch binders of contracts, interview all personnel and do all other things necessary to conduct

a comprehensive and fair review of the issues between the parties, or to make fair comment on the issues,” the company said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The company further added that it was even more disturbing that the Minister has chosen to shun the court order which was issued for the Ministry to settle its debt with the company for the works which were carried out. “Even more troubling is the fact that a Minister elected on the backbone of an electorate voting for change, morality and support of the rule of law chooses to ignore the unequivocal wording of a court order ordering the Ministry to pay BK International for ongoing works. Despite this nonpayment, the Minister continues to hold BK liable for

Venezuela’s spurious border claims…

alleged deficiencies, when none exist. To date, no person has been turned away from the site. BK continuing to operate the Landfill to the highest standards, funding the project completely from its own coffers for more than one year,” the BK group intoned.

To this end, the company said that Minister Bulkan cannot claim to be negotiating in good faith while he continues these vitriolic attacks in the newspapers daily.

In that section of the media referred to by the company, Bulkan is quoted as stating that the Haags Bosch sanitary landfill at Eccles, East Bank Demerara is a disaster and an “environmental time bomb” declaring that BK International has failed in its management

of the site and, as such, the Government wants it gone. “We are looking to have a parting of ways, a separation and a divorce in the Central Government, and BK operating or responsible for management of that site, because they have failed and we want them off of the site,” Bulkan told the other entity.

The bone of contention between the Ministry and the company arose after Bulkan reportedly indicated that the Inter-American Development Bank, which funds the project, wanted BK removed from managing the site.

He said that the bank would not have expressed dissatisfaction with the contracting firm specifically, but rather with the manner in which the site was being managed.

Camp Jaguar Lance Corporal fined for setting...

Police Prosecutor Natasha Backer reported that Douglas, then 19, and Hazel, then 21, were both soldiers attached to Camp Jaguar based at New River, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), when the incident occurred. Douglas of Apartment 18 Cocorite Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, had an altercation with Hazel prior to the incident. The defendant had reported to his superiors about the acts of alleged inappropriate misconduct, coupled with physical assault on the part of Hazel. It had also been reported that during the evening, Douglas could not sleep and went to the fuel bay where he accessed the flammable substance

which was poured on Hazel and set him on fire as he slept. Hazel was awakened after smelling gasoline and experiencing a burning sensation to his skin. The fire destroyed sections on the camp along with ten AK-47 riffles, one M70 riffle and two general purpose machine guns. The attacker went into hiding but returned to the ruined camp the following day and was airlifted along with Hazel to the city. He was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital for burns and other injuries, while Hazel was admitted at the same institution where he remained a patient for several weeks being treated for third degree burns. from page 17

Commonwealth backing Guyana

The Commonwealth on Saturday said it stands as one and speaks with one voice in its commitment to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as it offered full support for the position adopted by the Government of Guyana against spurious and illegal claims made by the Bolivarian Republic

of Venezuela to parts of the country’s land and seas.

“We are an association of 53 member states worldwide, accounting for one quarter of the United Nations membership. Commonwealth member governments, individually and collectively, are also committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to the rule of law”, the

Freddie does not understand purpose of elections

Dear Editor,

Contrary to what controversial columnist Freddie Kissoon recently penned in a daily newspaper in Guyana, the election outcome is not about “the development ranking” of Guyana. It was about choosing a government that will be in charge of the development of Guyana.

Freddie penned: “What this election results show is that in the Caricom area, the least modern nation is Guyana”. From what logic or reasoning is that conclusion formed? There is no evidence to support it.

The election was not conducted to determine the development stage of Guyana. Is this what Freddie taught students at UG for 25 years? No wonder, UG is in the shape it is.

Freddie claims he has two degrees in Guyanese history although no university offers such a degree. Development concepts are not taught in history except if one is studying history of development.

Perhaps Freddie should consider enrolling in classes in political science or economics or sociology; in those subjects, he will learn about

development and modernization theories, political parties and elections.

The Guyana election was held to determine which party or political force would govern the nation. In fact, all elections around the globe are held for that purpose unless it is a referendum on an issue.

As best as I know and as Caricom will attest, no referendum or election was held in any member state to determine which Caricom country is the least or most modern. And one cannot make such a determination based on an election result to choose a national government. No self-respecting, competent academic would form such a conclusion from the non-existence of evidence to support a claim. No editor should allow such a claim to be printed in the pages of a paper.

Freddie must stop his unwarranted, malicious, despicable, untruthful attacks against our nation, the PPP/C and good, honest, decent people. Fred, why don’t you seek to educate your self rather than pen trash?

Vishnu Bisram

Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, made these remarks on Saturday on his arrival in Georgetown for meetings with leaders of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

“There have been recent developments including a claim by a neighbouring country over Guyana’s

land and maritime areas, and the Commonwealth has moved swiftly and appropriately in collective solidarity with Guyana,” the Secretary General said.

All Commonwealth Foreign Ministers have been kept informed of this development. The Secretary General has convened the Commonwealth Ministerial

Group on Guyana, which is now scheduled to meet in New York in September. This situation affecting Guyana has also been placed on the agenda of the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, which is also taking place in New York in September.

At the last Commonwealth Heads of Government

Discontinuing Amaila is a blunder APNU...

But even with all the above, there are other reasons why the move to terminate Amaila is foolish. In May 2014, the Caribbean Development Bank held its Annual General Meeting in Guyana.

During the conference, the President of the CDB alluded to the need for the Caribbean to frontally reject fossil fuel-based energy and to embrace a new energy paradigm. Dr Warren Smith insisted that energy cost and reliability represent one of the greatest barriers confronting development in CARICOM.

I agreed then with Dr Smith that energy cost is an albatross weighing CARICOM countries down and stifling our development. This remains an unswerving conviction on my part.

More than 90 percent of CARICOM’s energy is fossilfuel dependent. For two major reasons CARICOM countries must pursue a new dispensation and a new paradigm: one is purely economics for all the above reasons and the other is environmental and climate change.

The high and volatile price of electricity is suffocating economies in CARICOM and abandoning fossil fuel-based energy in this context is an economic imperative. Electricity prices in the Caribbean are among the highest in the world, and they fluctuate greatly with the global price of oil.

The primary cause of the high cost of electricity is that most Caribbean countries use diesel and heavy fuel oil for electricity generation. Trinidad and Suriname at about 6 US cents per kilowatt hour are among the lowest cost and similar to charges in the USA.

But Antigua at 42US cents and other countries that pay more than 30 US cents pay tariffs that are unsustainable. Guyana’s tariff rates are at about 32US cents per kwh.

For Guyana and her CARICOM sister nations, except Trinidad and Suriname, while oil-based energy is important for our present development, its cost is prohibitive. Because of its prohibitive cost, oil-based energy is “sucking the blood” out of the economy and prosperity of our countries today.

Outside of this also is the fact that oil-based energy systems contribute to CARICOM’s carbon footprint. It is true CARICOM’s carbon emission rate is low, but a substantial portion of our carbon footprint is from fuel. Herein lies our second imperative – an environmental and climate change imperative.

At this juncture of CARICOM’s history and our realities, a new energy paradigm, forged by technological advances, resource and environmental constraints and socioeconomic demands, has emerged.

This paradigm is based, not on a finite stock of fossil fuels, but on a virtually limitless flow of renewable energy - sun, wind, water, wood, the earth’s heat - and on the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen. The truth is within a short period, CARICOM’s energy industry could be totally revolutionized.

I predict that by 2030, CARICOM’s energy would be based on alternative forms of energy, with fossil fuel-based energy accounting for less than 20% of the Region’s energy.

In Guyana, for example, hydroelectricity and solar energy can displace more than 90 per cent of fossil fuel-based energy by 2020. The same can be said for countries like Dominica, St. Kitts, Grenada and others, which can develop geothermal energy – energy from the heat of the earth’s core.

It is in this context that Amaila looms large. Terminating the Amaila project now disregards these realities and the pursuit of a new energy paradigm for Guyana and CARICOM.

Guyana embraced the notion of a new energy paradigm within our LCDS model of development, articulated by the PPP/C Government since 2009. The investment to make the Amaila Hydroelectricity Project is a concrete expression of our commitment to a new energy paradigm. More than any-

Meeting, held in Sri Lanka in 2013, the Commonwealth leaders, “… reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the maintenance and preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“The Commonwealth remains steadfast in its support for the Government and people of Guyana,” the Secretary General concluded.

thing else, Dr Warren Smith’s call for a new energy paradigm in CARICOM in May 2014 was an endorsement of Guyana’s energy strategy. It is unfortunate that the APNU+AFC Government is signaling its intention to dent Guyana’s progress towards a new energy paradigm. It is sad that Guyana’s efforts to contribute to the global response for a more sustainable environment and to stall any further global warming and climate change is being jeopardized by a visionless and irresponsible government.

Nations that anticipate and position themselves for the transition away from fossil fuel are likely to reap an array of social, economic and environmental benefits.

Those who remain mired in the status quo will only prolong the fossil-fuel legacy of ecological instability and political insecurity, leaving them less prepared to face the challenges of the new millennium.

Guyana having taken a bold stance towards attaining a new energy paradigm, will blunder big time should we give reality to a reprehensible decision to terminate Amaila simply because it was a PPP/C Project. I condemn the intention of APNU+AFC. It is an anti-Guyana and anti-Guyanese people action.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy from page 5

Serena under no pressure to complete Grand Slam

Such has been Serena Williams's iron-fisted dominance of women's tennis that the American is one Wimbledon title away from achieving a 'Serena Slam' and halfway toward completing a rare calendar Grand Slam.

While Wimbledon was abuzz on Saturday at the prospect of the world number one winning her fourth major in a row, Williams did not want to stress out at the prospect of pulling off a feat she last achieved as a 21-year-old in 2003.

"I don't feel any pressure to win all four," said the 33-year-old U.S., Australian and French Open champion.

"It doesn't make it feel any different, which I think

is a good thing," added the world number one, who is being tipped to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to pull off the calen-

dar slam.

"Maybe if I would happen to win here, then maybe I might start feeling it after that.

Blatter tells swiss paper

'not a

candidate for FiFa presidency'

FIFA president Sepp

Blatter said in a newspaper interview on Saturday that he will not stand as a candidate to remain the head of world soccer's governing body at a special elective congress of member associations which he called for earlier this month.

"I am not a candidate, I am the president. And I want to hand over FIFA in good condition," the 79-yearold told Walliser Bote, a Swiss newspaper in the Valais region where Blatter is from.

The comments come a day after Blatter told Swiss

daily newspaper Blick that he had not resigned, attempting to distinguish between stepping down and giving up his mandate at the as yet unscheduled special congress.

A FIFA source later told Reuters that meant that Blatter still intends to stand down as FIFA president.

In Saturday's interview, Blatter played down his lame-duck status and highlighted the reforms that he hopes to push through.

"I will use all my strength and inspiration until my last working day to bring this ship back into safe harbour," Blatter is quoted by

Walliser Bote as saying.

A spokeswoman for FIFA said the quotes were accurate.

Although Blatter has said on several occasions that he will not stand again for president his comments about his intention to step down in the wake of the corruption scandal have been treated with scepticism by his critics.

"While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel I have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA," Blatter told a news conference on June 2.

"This is why I will call an extraordinary congress to be held as soon as possible, for a new president to be elected to follow me," he said.

Before starting his fourth mandate in 2011 Blatter said it would be his last term in office, but later changed his mind, saying that numerous federations had asked him to stand.

(Reuters)

sangakkara set to retire

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara will retire from Test cricket this summer.

The 37-yearold, who had already quit one-day and Twenty20 cricket, will finish his international career on home soil, in the second of the three-match Test series against India in August.

He announced his decision during the second Test match against Pakistan in Colombo and confirmed he has opted out of the third and final match.

est Test scorer of all time.

"This is my time to call it a day," he said on Saturday.

Left-hander Sangakkara is Sri Lanka's highest run scorer and is the fifth-high-

Since his Test debut in 2000, he has amassed 12,305 runs from 132 matches, with 38 centuries, 52 fifties and an average of 58.31. Sangakkara played his final T20 international in Sri Lanka's World T20-winning

"Ultimately, I'm taking it one day at a time and I'm not thinking that far."

Dressed in a psychedelic hot-pink and blue skinny tight pants and with her mass of long crimped hair falling loosely over her shoulders, Williams certainly looked relaxed for a woman marked out as the overwhelming favorite for this year's Wimbledon title.

While rival Maria Sharapova picked her out as "the one to beat" and called her achievements "incredible", men's champions Roger Federer and Andy Murray were more cautious.

"She's a phenomenal athlete across all sports. The stuff that she's done is obviously incredible," said

Murray.

"In terms of what she's trying to achieve this year, I think the easiest thing to do is to kind of get ahead of yourself.

"I'm getting asked questions about her winning four slams in one year. She still hasn't played her first round here.

"Grass is a very, very tough surface to win on, especially over three sets. Because you play badly for 30 minutes and a match can be over."

Federer added: "She's a great talent. But the biggest mistake would be to think being in the final of the U.S. Open already.

"To be mentally ready for the challenge when she

wants to be up for it, I think that's what's so admirable about her."

Williams certainly agreed with her peers.

"Being mentally tough is my biggest strength," said the top seed, who rather than playing any competitive tennis prepared for her pursuit of a 21st major on the manicured grass courts owned by golfing great Jack Nicklaus.

"My dad always said growing up, 'Tennis is so mental, you have to be really mentally tough'.

"I guess I really took that to heart. Also being the youngest of five really made me have to scrap and be tougher. All those things played into action." (Reuters)

Ronaldo slams 'false news' amid reports of Real rift

Reports that Cristiano

Ronaldo is unhappy at Real Madrid have been met with a strong rebuttal by the Portugal superstar.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at suggestions of a rift with Real Madrid, branding speculation about his future as "false news".

The FIFA Ballon d'Or winner is currently on holiday in Miami but has still been the subject of plenty of headlines in recent weeks claiming that he is unhappy with life in the Spanish capital.

Ronaldo's public backing of Carlo Ancelotti just a few days before he was sacked as Real coach intensified rumours that the 30-yearold could seek an exit from the Santiago Bernabeu during the close-season.

But, speaking to Portuguese newspaper A Bola on Saturday, he has reaffirmed his commitment to the club.

"I have not spoken to any press in recent times, only now an exception and only to reaffirm that [they] are absolute-

ly false news [stories] that have sought to create conflict between me and Real Madrid," he said.

"I am very happy at Real Madrid, focused and confident that the upcoming year will be full of success.

"I have not spoken to any press...while on holiday. [I would] sincerely like to stop with the false news and leave me in peace. Real Madrid and I are fine with each other."

Ronaldo showed his importance to Real again last season as he scored an incredible 48 goals in La Liga.

However, the Portugal superstar cut a frustrated figure at times as Real

failed to win any of the Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League titles.

Ronaldo showed his emotions during a 3-0 victory over Espanyol in January when Gareth Bale opted to shoot instead of squaring to his team-mate for a simple tap-in.

Since the end of the season he has been linked with a move to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, although it is said that such a deal would be unlikely until the 2016-17 season, while former club Manchester United are also rumoured to be monitoring his situation. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Dunga: Brazil coach apology for race comment in copa america

campaign last year and his last ODI in this year's World Cup. He signed for Surrey on a two-year contract in January, having previously played county cricket in England for Warwickshire and Durham. (BBC Sport)

Brazil coach Dunga has apologised for likening criticism directed against him at the Copa America to racist abuse suffered by people of African descent. Dunga was comparing the pressure he faced as Brazil captain in winning the 1994 World Cup, to criticism from local media over his side's indifferent form in reaching the Copa quarter-finals.

"I think I'm an Afro-descendant because I get hit so much." he said on Friday.

But Dunga, 51, later said: "I apologise to those who could have felt offended."

In a statement on the Brazil Football Confederation website Dunga added: "The way I expressed myself does not reflect my feelings or opinions."

Dunga played 91 times for his nation and is currently in his second spell as Brazil manager. He took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari following their 7-1 humiliation on home soil against Germany in the 2014 World Cup.

He previously managed Brazil between 2006 and 2010.

Wins over Venezuela and Paraguay meant Brazil topped their Copa America group, despite a 1-0 defeat by Colombia that saw Barcelona forward Neymar banned from the tournament after being sent-off for a headbutt.

Dunga's men face Paraguay in the last eight on Saturday night and are chasing their ninth Copa America title which they last won in 2007 . (BCC Sport)

I've never felt better before Wimbledon, says Federer

Roger Federer has not won a grand slam title since 2012, he is at that age when he keeps getting asked about his retirement plans, and he is about to bid farewell to another one of his contemporaries.

Rather than looking back on a stellar career that has earned him a record 17 grand slam titles, the 33-year-old Swiss declared on Saturday he has never felt better coming into Wimbledon.

"It's probably been the best preparation I've ever had for Wimbledon because we have a week more on the grass," Federer told reporters about the extended three-week grasscourt swing ahead of Wimbledon.

"Winning Halle has given me the extra confidence I guess it's going to take me

to win this title here."

Twelve months ago his hopes of hoisting the gilded Challenge Cup for a record eighth time were dashed in a heartbreaking five-set loss to world number one Novak Djokovic.

Rather than dwelling on what he failed to achieve as a result of that defeat, Federer was more focused on what the run to the final 12 months ago taught him.

"Last year's final ... if it does something, it goes to show that I was playing well. I wasn't playing great and I (still) made the finals," said the second seed, who tuned up for Wimbledon by winning his eighth title in Halle.

"I didn't expect myself to right away make the finals. To be honest, I was still somewhat on the way back (after injury niggles

in 2013). But things went faster than I thought they would."

His relationship with his co-coach, six-times grand slam champion Stefan Edberg, was also in its infancy but after working together for 18 months, Federer feels he is on the verge of reaping the rewards of that union.

"This year I feel my game is better," said Federer, who also switched to a bigger-framed racquet.

"I've gotten used to the racquet. This is not the first time I'm at Wimbledon with Stefan Edberg. The work I've put in ... I feel I could really aim for Wimbledon this year. Whereas last year, it was all about getting back."

This year's event will also mark the final hurrah for 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt, the last man to win here before the sport's Big Four of Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray began their Wimbledon dictatorship.

While Hewitt is the latest of his grand slam final victims to hang up their rackets, following in the footsteps of Mark Philippoussis, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, Federer is in no hurry to slip on the slippers just yet.

"I don't want to go there with my thoughts because the more I think about it, the closer I am to retirement," he said.

"Clearly I need to think about it eventually, but not for the moment." (Reurters)

argentina into copa america semifinal with penalty win

Carlos Tevez scored the winning spotkick as Argentina beat Colombia on penalties to reach the Copa America semi-finals.

Argentina dominated throughout but found Arsenal keeper David Ospina in fine form as he denied Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Nicolas Otamendi.

That meant penalties were needed and, after Colombia's Jeison Murillo missed, Tevez converted to seal a 5-4 victory. Argentina face either Brazil or Paraguay in Tuesday's semi-final.

It capped a memorable day for Tevez, who came off the bench to score moments after a move from Juventus to his hometown club Boca

Juniors was confirmed.

It was also a deserved win for Argentina who, having scored just four goals in their three previous games at the tournament, displayed their attacking intent from the outset.

They embarked on wave after wave of attacks but found themselves up against a Colombia side that had set up to frustrate their opponents.

And when Argentina did find their way through the Colombia defence, Ospina was there to deny them.

The goalkeeper, whose future at Arsenal is in doubt with the imminent arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea, produced a stunning double save to keep out Aguero's shot from close range and then somehow get back up

to fling himself at Lionel Messi's header on the follow-up.

That gave Colombia confidence, and they finally managed to muster a shot on target in the second half when Jackson Martinez powered a header towards goal, but Sergio Romero got down to make the save.

However, it was left to Ospina to keep Colombia in the game as he made another crucial save, this time denying Otamendi when the defender volleyed a corner at goal and Ospina pushed the ball onto his post.

With no extra-time in the Copa America quarter-finals or semi-finals, the game went to penalties and, after five were missed, Tevez stepped up to seal victory. (BBC Sport)

Winning the Ashes would be my best achievement - Cook

England captain

Alastair Cook believes that winning this year's Ashes series would be his best achievement in the game.

Cook led his team to draws in the last two test series against West Indies and New Zealand and will be working alongside a new coach Trevor Bayliss in the five Ashes tests starting on July 8.

"From where we've been if we did win the Ashes that would be remarkable, something I'd be very proud of. It would be my best achievement," Cook told reporters.

England left on Saturday for a four-day training camp in Spain where they will meet Australian Bayliss for the first time.

"We're in a unique situation that 11 days before an Ashes series none of us had met the new coach before, so going away seemed to be the best option," Cook said.

England made a terrible start to the summer when they slumped to 30 for four on the first morning of the opening test against New Zealand at Lord's before an aggressive partnership of 161 between Joe Root and Ben Stokes led their recovery.

"To me the summer started with that partnership," said Cook who became England's highest test

run-scorer during the New Zealand series.

"The way they played was very un-English -- a counter-attack scoring at six runs an over rather than trying to scrape through -and from that moment on there was a sea change in everyone's mentality."

England won the Lord's test and lost the second match at Headingley but the team's resurgence continued in a thrilling one-day series against the Black Caps which the hosts won 3-2 playing an exciting style of cricket under captain Eoin Morgan.

"English cricket feels

good at the moment," Cook said.

"Being away from the international game for a couple of weeks while the onedayers have been on, the way Eoin led that team, the cricket they have played has been fantastic to watch.

"I couldn't have been more proud. Five or six of those guys who were heavily involved in that team are going to be heavily involved in the Ashes and absolutely we can use some of that."

Australia won the last Ashes series 5-0 on home soil in 2013-14 but have not lifted the precious urn in England since 2001. (Reuters)

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BCB’S Caricom Championship… price is right sponsors upper Corentyne/skeldon

Popular supermarket, Price is Right, of Number 79 Municipal Market and Number 79 Village, Corentyne, has agreed to provide sponsorship for the Combined Upper Corentyne/Skeldon team to participate in the upcoming Berbice Cricket Board’s fundraiser event, the Caricom Championship.

The event is billed for July 5 at the Albion Community Centre ground.

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At a simple ceremony held recently, Vadisha Ragbeer, an employee of the supermarket, said that her company is happy to be the official sponsor of the Upper Corentyne/Skeldon team for the championship.

She added that they are pleased with the work of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association since it was resuscitated, highlighting the number of cricket competitions that have being played so far.

Ragbeer also mentioned that members of the board are well-respected individuals, who have gained the confidence of all in the area. She also commended the work of the BCB, despite its limited resources.

Vicky Bharosay, Treasurer of the UCCA and BCB representative, thanked the owner of Price is Right for the company’s continued support to cricket in the Upper Corentyne area. He assured the sponsor that Upper Corentyne will once again be a force to reckon with in Berbice and Guyana cricket, as it was in the days of Bhim

Caricom relay set for July 5

The Ministry of Education’s Department of Sports in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana will on Sunday July 5 stage a Caricom relay meet at the National Park, commencing at 16:00h.

The categories to be contested are male and female junior and male and female Over-50. The day’s activities will take the form of team races with each team allowed five persons.

There will be rewards for the top three teams, while there will also be individual and special prizes up for grabs. There is no entrance fee for athletes desirous of participating.

More information on the event can be had from Leslie Black on 673-8829 or Rajan Tiwari on 652-9570. The event will be powered by Banks DIH Limited, Payless Variety Store, Mohabeer Cambio, Star Party Rentals and Fullworks’ Seasoning and Blue Spring Water.

George when the team won national competitions.

Bharosay added that the sponsorship will cover travelling expenses, playing shirts and refreshments on the day of the game. In closing, he called on other sponsors to assist clubs/associations in their area and urged the teams to approach sponsors for help. He cautioned though that the cricket clubs must be accountable in order to build sponsors’ confidence.

Meanwhile, the senior selectors have named a strong Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon team for the tournament. The squad reads: Omesh Khemraj (Captain), Naeem Yacoob, Viendra Gooniah, Tameshwar Ramoutar, Thameshwar Kumar, Totaram Persaud, Tarick Chaitram, Latchman Roopchand, Junior Blair, Sherwin Murray, Charles France,

Devendra Jaggernauth, Davanand Chatterpaul, Parmeshwar Chatterpaul and Davendra Budhoo. The coach is Hubern Evans. The Caricom Championship will see the top eight T20 first division teams in Berbice competing in a 10-over knockout competition with the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80,000 and trophy. The runner-up will receive $40,000 and trophy with the losing semi-finalists getting $15,000 each. The participating teams are: Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Albion, Young Warriors/Edinburg/ Rose Hall Center, Police/ Bermine, Blairmont/West Berbice and Bush Lot/ D'Edward. Admission is $300 per person and action will bowl off at 10:00h.

Digicel

Senior Squash championship…

Veteran Callendar extends unbeaten streak

- Fernandes returns with win

Right handed veteran Alwyn Callendar continued his dominant run in the Digicel Senior National Squash Championships on Friday at the Georgetown club.

Callendar topped Joe Mekdeci 3-1 in another impressive showing while Jonathan Hohenkirk was also impressive beating both Hapoei Yang and Jonathan Antczak while only dropping one game along the way.

Taylor Fernandes, recovering from an ankle injury that ruled her out of the recently concluded Junior competition, returned to form with a 3-0 sweep of Rebecca Low, while Larissa Wiltshire was dominant in a straight game victory over Makeda Harding.

Daniel Islam continued

to show what is becoming characteristic fight as he narrowly missed out on a victory over Joshua Abdool, who prevailed 3-2.

Anthony Islam had better fortune as he defeated Ingram Edwards 3-1, and Reagan Pollard emerged victorious in a marathon five game match against Robert Fernandes.

In other results, JasonRay Khalil walked away with a 3-0 win over Alec Melville, while Nyron Joseph recovered from being 1-0 down after the first game to hold on to a 3-2 victory over Deje Dias. The tournament concludes on Sunday. Full Results: FemalesLarissa Wiltshire def Makeda Harding 3-0 (11/4, 11/6, 11/7), Taylor Fernandes def Rebecca Low

3-0 (11/5, 12/10, 11/9).

Males- Joshua Abdool def Daniel Islam 3-2 (17/15, 11/6, 8/11, 6/11, 11/7), Jonathan Hohenkirk def Hapoei Yang 3-0 (11/9, 11/4, 11/9), Adam Alves def Medhi Ramdhani 3-1 (11/4, 11/13, 11/6, 11/5), Anthony Islam def Ingram Edwards 3-1 (11/4, 4/11, 11/6, 11/5), Reagan Pollard def Robert Fernandes 3-2 (1/11, 11/5, 12/10, 6/11, 11/8), Alwyn Callender def Joe Mekdeci 3-1 (11/9, 11/8, 3/11, 11/9), Nyron Joseph def Deje Dias 3-2 (8/11, 11/3, 11/1, 11/13, 11/4), Joshua Abdool de Alex Cheeks 3-1 (11/8, 9/11, 11/3, 11/8), Jonathan Hohenkirk def Jonathan Antczak 3-1 (12/10, 11/8, 6/11, 11/9), Jason-Ray Khalil def Alec Melville 3-0 (11/7, 11/5, 11/2).

Digicel Nationwide School Football Berbice leg…

skeldon High advance to 2nd round

Skeldon High have advanced to the second round of the Region

Six leg of the fifth annual Digicel School Football Tournament when they defeated Skeldon Linepath Secondary on Friday in their first round match played at the Skeldon Community Centre, ground.

Orisino Mosses sent Skeldon High ahead when he scored from the penalty spot in the 26th minute.

After some excellent goalkeeping by Odean Cort for Linepath, their strikers turned the pressure on Skeldon High as Alex Partab dribbled two defenders before releasing a powerful shot that went past a motionless Thophal Grey

from back page

standing in goal. The equalizer was not enough for Partab who put Linepath in the lead in the 47th minute as once again Grey watched the ball roll past him to hit the back of the nets.

With the clock ticking and Skeldon High trailing by one, Acheem Blade made a sweet pass to midfield player Raffell Hendrex who rocked the back of the net in the 50th minute. The score line remained unchanged (2-2) when the final whistle came. The game was decided from the penalty spot which Skeldon High won 4-3. (Andrew Carmichael)

Hero cPL to host all star charity...

and Nevis Association Of Persons with Disabilities and the Creative Youth Academy, benefitted from the proceeds.

This year’s chosen charity will be the St KittsNevis National Education Foundation (SKNNEF), which is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide deserving disadvantaged students with an opportunity to receive an excellent education. The Foundation's goal is to award 30 scholarships to disadvantaged students in the Federation.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the Hero Caribbean Premier League commented; “We’ve got some fantastic names from the worlds of cricket and entertainment due to take part in the charity match. With more names being announced over the coming days, the event is set to mark the pinnacle of celebrations in St. Kitts and Nevis. The Hero CPL is the Biggest Party in Sport, so we’re expecting a fun and colourful evening of entertaining cricket, whilst raising money for a worthy cause”.

Sir Viv Richards said; “St. Kitts and Nevis is a beautiful island and home to some of the most passionate cricket fans in the

Caribbean, so I hope the fans will be out to support us!”

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris, said; “I am particularly looking forward to being part of this Hero CPL allstar charity T20 match that brings together celebrities, cricket legends and current stars of the game, for a noble cause, during an exhilarating week of what is called the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’, at the most romantic cricket venue in the Caribbean, in the twin-island paradise of St. Kitts and Nevis...nothing could be better! I invite all to come out and enjoy this exciting event on the CPL calendar and by doing so give support to the St. KittsNevis National Education Foundation (SKNNEF), a non-profit organization that gives our disadvantaged students an opportunity to receive an excellent education, a fair chance and a fair share of the good things in life.”

The CPL charity match takes place on Thursday July 2 at 18:00h, Tickets are already selling fast, so fans are urged to log onto CPLT20.com or visit the Warner Park box office. (CPL Release)

Top seed Downes cruises in opening match

umber one seed

NAnthony Downes hardly broke a sweat in his first match of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Tennis Open, breezing past national player, Keenan Persaud.

The sign of nervousness was evident as Persaud started the game with a few shaky shots. He produced a handful of winning shots, but this did not make an impact on the indomitable Downes, who won the match 6-0, 6-1.

Former Caribbean Under-12 champion, Afruica Gentle, emerged victorious in her match against

GCF Time Trial…

Shivani Persaud. Despite the big swings launched at her, Persaud held her ground and made equally damaging counter shots at Gentle.

Her forehand was her biggest weapon, but Gentle played strategically by hitting balls, which were out of Persaud’s hitting range. Gentle won the match 7-5, 6-4.

In the Men’s Open, Bishan Dalip defeated Lemuel Ross 6-3, 6-3. The most anticipated match for the night came in the same category between Benjettan Osborne and Jordan Beaton.

Osborne served to begin the match, which featured two failed break chances by Beaton. He held his own serve, levelling the match at one game apiece. Osborne was immediately broken after that and appeared to lose all focus.

Osborne eventually picked up the pace and placed himself in the position to serve for the came at 5-4, but Beaton held on to break his serve and ultimately took the first set to a tiebreaker. Osborne turned on the ignition, stepped on

anthony, john win senior, junior races

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) rolled off its National Championship on Saturday morning with the Time Trial, which started at Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, and ended in front of the Rubis Gas Station at Bel Air.

Emerging as the respective category winners were Michael Anthony (Senior), Jamal John (Junior), Jaikarran Sookhai (Veteran), Brighton John (Juvenile) and Claire Fraser-Green (Ladies).

In the Senior race, Anthony of Team Evolution finished the course in a time of seven minutes, 50.54 seconds (07m: 50.54s), followed by teammate Orville Hinds, who clocked seven minutes, 56.28 seconds.

Team Coco’s Hamzah Eastman rode in third, clocking eight minutes flat.

Team Coco’s Jamal John was the leading Junior rider, completing the route in a time of eight minutes, 13.11 seconds (08m: 13.11s) followed by Romello Crawford (08m: 31.57s) and Andrew Hicks (08m: 37.08s) in second and third positions respectively.

In the Veterans division, Sookhai was timed at eight minutes, 49.35 seconds (08m: 49.35s), with Lear Nunes (08m: 51.16s) and Shameer Baksh (09m: 10.25s).

The Juveniles category was won by Brighton John (09m: 32.85s) with Kemo Logan (09m: 38.91s) second, while Claire Fraser- Green

the gas and raced to a 6-0 lead in the tiebreaker. He secured the set with a clean down-the-line winner to rack up 16 winners in the first set.

Taking the momentum

into the second set, Osborne broke his opponent's serve with a softly hit forehand shot. That trend of losing serves continued until the fourth game, when Osborne held serve and immediately

broke to go up 4-1. Osborne secured the next game which gave him the win at 7-6 (7-1), 6-2. He sets up another match with Rudy Grant, who is looking for the opportunity to settle

old scores. The two clashed in the last Open tournament in a three-set, which lasted over two hours. Osborne was the winner on that occasion, prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

(09m: 26.63s), Marica Dick (10m:14.16s) and Toshawna Doris (10m:41.29s) were 1-2-3 in the Ladies segment.

Today, the nation’s riders will compete in the road race, but unlike previous years when it was held from Linden to Georgetown, it will take the format of a circuit race, starting and ending in front of the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal.

Speaking to this publication on Friday, Racing Secretary of the GCF and long-serving national coach, Hassan Mohamed, said the road race will commence at 07:00h on the Southern carriageway outside the Ocean View International Hotel.

The race will continue West along the roadway, turn at the Russian Embassy, proceed along the Kitty Public Road, turn right on the Kitty Public Road and Vlissengen Road junction, proceed to Sparendaam, then turn right and return to the point of origin.

The Senior riders are required to complete 13 laps, which is equivalent to 149km, while the Veterans are mandated to do seven laps (79.96km), Juniors six laps (69km) and Juveniles/Ladies three laps (34km).

Last year’s road race winners were Geron Williams (Senior), Stephano Husbands (Junior), Claire FraserGreen (Ladies), Andrew Hicks (Juveniles), while Raymond Newton (Over45) and Stephen Fernandes (Under-45) won the Veterans categories.

Hero CPL…

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots defeat Tridents by 1 run in thriller!

The Barbados Tridents lost for the first time in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League as they were defeated by the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. A superb innings of 82 from Keiron Pollard was not enough to see the Tridents to victory as they suffered only their second home defeat in CPL history. The highest score in the Patriots

innings was just 27 but a cameo innings from Carlos Brathwaite and early wickets for Sheldon Cottrell gave the Patriots their first win.

The Tridents started well and were delighted to get Martin Guptill early, the New Zealand opener mistiming a drive to Jason Holder at mid-on. The big Kiwi had hit two sixes in his innings of 23 off 15 balls and was look-

SCOREBOARD

St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots

M Guptill c Holder b Rampaul 23

E Lewis c Peterson b Emrit 19

M Samuels* c Shoaib Malik b Emrit 8

O Peters c Smith b Pollard 27

D Thomas† b Mendis 7 Shahid Afridi c Smith b Rampaul 19

Sohail Tanvir c Smith b Pollard 3

C Brathwaite not out 22

S Cottrell run out (Pollard/†Carter/Pollard) 6 T Shamsi not out 1

Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8

Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 143

Did not bat : N Dutta

Fall of wickets 1-36 (Guptill), 2-55 (Lewis), 3-56 (Samuels), 4-82 (Thomas), 5-95 (Peters), 6-110 (Shahid Afridi), 7-119 (Sohail Tanvir), 8-128 (Cottrell) Bowling: Holder 4-0-180, Rampaul 3-0-36-2, Malik

3-0-17-0, Emrit 4-0-29-2, Peterson 1-0-7-0, Mendis 2-1-7-1, Pollard 3-0-27-2.

Barbados Tridents

D Smith c Guptill b Cottrell 10

D Munaweera c †Thomas b Sohail Tanvir 2

Shoaib Malik st †Thomas b Shahid Afridi 35

J Carter† c & b Cottrell 0 K Pollard* run out (Cottrell/†T homas) 82

J Holder c Brathwaite b Peters 4

R Peterson c Shamsi b Sohail Tanvir 0 N Stewart not out 5 Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 1) 4 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs; 98 mins) 142

Did not bat: BMAJ Mendis, RR Emrit, R Rampaul Fall of wickets 1-14 (Munaweera), 2-14 (Smith), 3-14 (Carter), 4-107 (Shoaib Malik), 5-112 (Holder), 6-116 (Peterson), 7-142 (Pollard)

Bowling: Cottrell 4-1-13-2, Tanvir 4-0-15-2, Brathwaite 4-0-20-0, Dutta 3-0-27-0, Afridi 2-0-22-1, Shamsi 1-018-0, Peters 2-0-26-1

ing dangerous prior to his dismissal.

His opening partner, Evin Lewis, could have been removed when he was completely deceived by a Ravi Rampaul slow ball bouncer that he top edged into the leg side but it landed short of the fielders in that region. The young Trinidadian survived that close call but couldn’t make the most of the life as he was out when he top edged another pull shot off Rayad Emrit to be dismissed for 19 off 25 balls.

Marlon Samuels promoted himself up the order to bat at three having been at five in the last match where he finished undefeated on 52. Here he gave himself more time to make an impact but the move didn’t work as he slashed the ball to third man just two balls after Lewis was dismissed. Emrit could have had three wickets in the over when Jason Holder failed to take a tricky catch over his shoulder that could have dismissed Orlando Peters.

Some tight bowling and early wickets meant that the Patriots limped to 63-3 off the first 10 overs of their innings. As hard as they tried to break the shackles the Patriots could not increase the scoring rate. Peters became the highest scorer of the innings on his way to 27 off 22.

Devon Thomas was out bowled by Jeevan Mendis at-

Hero CPL to host All Star charity match

Today the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced an all-star charity T20 game will take place at Warner Park, St Kitts on Thursday, July 2nd at 6pm (EST).

The match will bring together a host of cricketing legends and current stars to mark what promises to be an exhilarating two weeks in St. Kitts and Nevis where Warner Park will host ten Hero CPL matches from 30th June - 11th July.

The game between the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis XI and cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards XI, will boast an impressive list of all-star names

including; former England fast-bowler Darren Gough; Indian spin legend, Murali

Kartik; former West Indies batsman, Daren Ganga; Ashes winning Australian, Damian Martyn; former New Zealand cricketer and sports commentator, Danny Morrison and his fellow commentator and former West Indies paceman, Ian Bishop. The players will also be joined by three current CPL coaches; Simon Helmot, Eric Simons and Stuart Williams, alongside one of the best West Indies women’s cricketers in the region, Stefanie Taylor.

All proceeds from the game will go to a local charity. Last year, three charities including, Special Olympics St Kitts and Nevis, St Kitts

continued on page 22

tempting a slog sweep and Peters himself was dismissed by Keiron Pollard to leave the Pakistani pair of Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir batting together.

Afridi hit one of the largest sixes that you will see when he blasted Rampaul all the way onto the Kensington Oval practice pitches. He repeated the trick the very next ball with another massive Hero maximum. Being Afridi he went for three in a row only to be caught on the mid-wicket boundary.

Some late order hitting from Brathwaite took the innings run rate above a run a ball as his 22 off 10 balls lifted the Patriots total to 143-8 from their 20 overs.

At the beginning of the Tridents innings Cottrell bowled with real pace and aggression asking questions of both Smith and Dilshan Munaweera. However it was Tanvir that got the break through when Munaweera top edged a pull shot to the wicket having made two runs off 12 balls. Cottrell eventually got his reward for some superb bowling when he dismissed Smith and Jonathan Carter in the space of three balls, giving his trademark salute to celebrate.

That left the Tridents 15-3 at the end of the Powerplay and under pressure for the first time in this year’s CPL. At the halfway stage the Tridents had made

only 36-3 needing more than 10 an over. Shoaib Malik and Keiron Pollard were together with a huge amount to do.

Both men are hugely experienced and with eight overs to go they began to accelerate. Cottrell came back to finish his four overs, ending up with outstanding figures of 2-13 that included a maiden.

A brief shower held up progress and upon the resumption the Tridents continued their come back with Pollard reaching his half century off 40 deliveries. Malik also found the boundary, but Pollard’s power and placement was incredible. One four threaded a gap between two men on the cover boundary that were only 30 yards apart.

Afridi picked up the wicket of Malik to leave every-

U-23 Olympic Qualifiers…

thing in Pollard’s hands, even more so when Jason Holder departed well caught in the deep by Brathwaite. Robin Peterson was out first ball and Pollard was running out of partners. The equation going into the final over was 19 to win with Pollard on strike. He missed the first ball but then hit a six and a four before a no ball from Peters left the Tridents needing eight from three balls. A single from Pollard brought Nevin Stewart on strike to face his first ball. Stewart hit that for four to leave the Tridents needing three off the last ball. He could only manage a single as the Patriots won by one run. With two last ball finishes in two matches this year’s Hero CPL has really caught fire. (CPL Release)

Guyana playing for pride against Aruba today

ith back-to-back

W2-0 defeats in the opening two matches, Guyana Under-23 national footballers will play for pride today against Aruba in a bottom-of-thetable clash in Group Two action of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) leg of the Olympic Qualifiers.

Defeats against Cuba on Wednesday last and host Antigua and Barbuda on Friday, both at the Antigua Recreation ground, have booted Guyana from the tournament, leaving today’s game against Aruba, who also lost both their games, a mere formality.

However, both Guyana and Aruba will look to finish

the tournament on a high, and at least salvage some pride as they bow out.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said while the players are disappointed to suffer successive losses, there are determined to finish on a positive note.

“These lads are getting important lessons in fighting above their category and keeping their heads up. We and Aruba are behind the programmes of Cuba and Antigua right now,” Shabazz outlined. He added, “Those who do not want to accept that are not realistic to what has been happening in their programme and the new revival of ours. Our guys are disappointed but they are determined to finish the race.”