Toshaos sworn in as JPs
Budget 2015 makes no provision for “horses and dogs” – PPP/C
Preferential treatment of Linden over Skeldon "dangerous" ...warns Lumumba
Task force aimed at “Restoring Guyana” underway
President commissions 45-seat school boat at Charity Cook remanded after found with 2lbs weed
saturday, august 22, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
The opening ceremony for CARIFESTA XII commenced on Friday in Haiti with 15 other participating countries celebrating the Caribbean Festival of Arts.
The event commenced with a parade of all participating countries, a 51-contingent drum show and a dance by the host country, Haiti. The day then concluded with a grand concert that featured Caribbean artistes Mikaben, Rutshell, J Perry and Renette Desir, at the Kiosk Occide Jeanty , Port-au-Prince, Haiti. During the parade, the Guyana delegation was at-
tired in colourful cultural wear and the procession was led by the “El Dorado Girl”. It also featured persons covered in body paint, done by Bravo Arts.
The 100-plus member delegation was aligned and costumed in various categories of the cultural arts of the Caribbean.
Pueblo Science, a Canada-based NonGovernmental Organisation whose aim is to advance science education in low-resource communities and countries like Guyana, hosted a three-day workshop for science teachers that ended on Friday.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Thursday revealed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has privatised the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and has been leasing the property for a mere $1000 per month.
The Minister pointed out that “The PPP/C Administration, while in Government, spent millions on renovations on what was known as the Red House, and then renamed it the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre. But, this was state property until 2012, until the PPP/C established a company called the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc.” He added that “this property is now leased to the company for 999 years, for $1000 per month”, he disclosed.
In addition, the Minister of State pointed out that those sitting as Executives of the Company are all in-
dividuals who are connected to the PPP/C in one way or another. These individuals, he said, include the late Janet Jagan, Hydar Ally, Indra Chandarpal, former President Donald Ramotar, Michael Khan, Kellawan Lall and Nadira Jagan along with Geoffrey DaSilva.
According to Harmon, this is only one of many such acts by the former Administration and the Government will be uprooting these. He said these matters were all being handled by the Asset Recovery Unit which has been set up. Further, additional audits and Commissions of Inquiry can be expected, he stated.
The training was a result of collaboration between St Stanislaus College Alumni in Toronto and the local Education Ministry.
Dr Mayrose Salvador, one of the trainers, told the Guyana Times, “We are helping them come up with activities they can do in their classrooms to get the students excited about science.” She said this
The NGO was in Guyana under the Rural Initiative for Science Education (RISE) programme. The main aim of the programme is to create a “portable” educational model for use in diverse settings without constraints of geography and equipment. Five volunteers from Toronto were here in Guyana facilitating the programme and training the 80 teachers from across the country. The teachers were mainly trained on how they could effectively use science experiments in their classrooms and how to construct them from local materials.
was the NGO’s first time in Guyana. According to Pueblo Science’s website, it has completed successful projects in Thailand, the Philippines, Canada and other countries.
The organisation strongly believes that by sparking an interest in science at an early age, it will be able to jump-start fundamental changes in social attitudes about science and help young people to understand the impact of human activity on the environment, health, and communities.
Some 114 Amerindian Toshaos from across Guyana’s administrative regions were on Friday sworn in as Justices of Peace at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock told reporters the men and women were now in the legal position to execute their duties for the coming years. The Minister stated that there was much work ahead as he has plans to help his Amerindian brothers and sisters.
Allicock stated that these individuals would now work towards proper management and accountability in their communities, which the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry will be assisting them with.
These Toshaos are now able to perform marriage ceremonies, sign birth certificates and other legal documents within their communities.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, August 22 – 09:30h-11:00h and Sunday, August 23 – 10:30h-12:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, August 22 – 08:30h-10:00h and Sunday, August 23 – 09:35h-11:05h
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.
Thundery with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy rain showers expected in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East to East South-easterly between 0.89 metres and 3.12 metres per second.
High Tide: 09:15h and 21:37h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres at each scheduled high tide.
Low Tide: 02:44h and 15:07h reaching minimum heights of 0.84 metre and 0.96 respectively.
By Michael younge
pposition Leader
Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday took the 2015 National Budget debate to a higher level, ripping the David Granger Government’s measures and economic underpinnings in the document apart, while exposing what he called the “lies”, deception and misinformation therein.
Jagdeo, speaking before Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, told the 65seat legislature that the new Government would “flat line” the economy with the manner in which the Budget is structured. He described the 2015 Budget presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan as “mediocre”, “vague” and “vacuous”.
Drawing first blood during the debate, Jagdeo took on Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge who sought to paint the picture that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government was incompetent in handling both the domestic and foreign relations of the country and turned out to be corrupt over its 23 years in office.
Jagdeo reminded Greenidge about his tenure in office and the fact that under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Guyana was bankrupt, pointing out in detail how that Administration sold State resources and transferred assets without any form of accountability and transparency.
He spoke about the series of privatisations that took place without valuation and any independent analysis while the PNC was in office because the Government wanted to “share the spoils” ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Opposition Leader spoke about the steps taken by the PPP/C to correct the wrongs perpetuated by the PNC by halting the questionable privatisations that were taking place.
Jagdeo said that four pages of a document from the 1950s and three pages of a document from the 1970s were used to procure goods and services for the Guyanese people by the PNC, but this changed with modern procurement legislation.
Venezuela
Jagdeo scolded the Government over the manner in which it is handling the border controversy with Venezuela, dealing the Foreign Affairs Minister several blows while exposing the weaknesses in the new Government’s posture towards neighbours and other international partners.
He advised Greenidge to change his posture and to accept invitations to dialogue on matters that are sensitive, while asking the Government to advance functional levels of cooperation with Venezuela.
“Attitudes are very important … you have to talk to each other,” Jagdeo told the National Assembly.
He said that the PPP/C was behind the Government fully and would not support any act that would see Guyana’s territorial sovereignty threatened.
He said that the David Granger Administration has to
be careful about its language and the agreements entered into with other actors.
Nothing for rice
Shockingly, the Opposition Leader revealed that the Government lied to the country when it said that it was offering a subsidy to rice farmers of $23 billion to assist them while they are having difficulties accessing more markets for their rice.
“There is no $23 billion ….it
saturday, august 22, 2015 |
sickler” as it was in a hurry to remove monies within the banking system therefore contributing to the shrinking of funds.
“Transfer the monies today,” Jagdeo told the Minister if he was confident that it was the right thing to do in an economy that was experiencing economic hardship.
“This Budget does not focus on creating wealth,” Jagdeo said, adding that it focused on “redistribution” and was not
is a paper transaction,” Jagdeo told the National Assembly as the Government benches fell silent and with some signs of worry emerging on the faces of the Government parliamentarians.
Jagdeo, who is a former President, called on the Government to honour its promise to the rice farmers of $6000 per bag of paddy and $9000 per bag of rice.
“The industry cannot look forward to any help from the Government,” he said as he exposed the fact that the new Administration did not understand the importance of the sector’s contribution to macroeconomic stability and its overall Gross Domestic Product.
Confidence crisis
Jagdeo said that there was a “confidence crisis” developing in Guyana since the new Government took office explaining that the circulation of money in the system was on the decrease.
“People are losing their jobs in the Private Sector,” Jagdeo said, as he warned the Government that there was a decline in the retail trade and import and contractors had to lay off many people.
“The economy has slowed down,” Jagdeo said, arguing that the Government failed to implement “anti-sickler” measures that could turn the fortunes of the economy around.
Jagdeo lectured an upset Jordan that the Gross Domestic Product was equal to private investment, private consumption, Government spending, and net export. He said that the Budget did nothing to address these issues considering the changing economic dynamics.
He said the Government’s measures appeared to be “pro-
He questioned whether the APNU Government was alleging that the Norwegians, Sithe Global, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Black Stone Inc and China Rail and the PPP/C Government were all corrupt and conspired against the people.
“There is no loan,” Jagdeo preached as he said, contrary to what was said by the new Government, that the only loan that was being taken was $40 billion from the IDB as some $80 million was coming from Norway and other interests.
He said that the Government was throwing a tantrum as the only monies that would be paid back was a mere US$2 billion over a 20year period even though the largest private investment in the history of Guyana would be developed with a capacity to provide 1 050 gigawatt hours per hour.
Jagdeo called on the new Government to say what was its alternative as he charged that the David Granger Administration killed the project.
“Amaila Project is ultimate act of sovereignty….it was situated in the Essequibo and even Venezuela which sits in the IDB did not object to this… they killed it because it started under us…It is criminal not to go through with the project,” Jagdeo said.
even doing it properly.
The Opposition Leader questioned why the Minister was giving monies in the Budget to pensioners and taking it back as he pointed to the fact that the Finance Minister failed to state the amounts of the subsidies withdrawn from pensioners for utility services and the National Insurance Scheme.
“He has it philosophically wrong,” Jagdeo told a hyperactive Parliament as he warned that the “economy will flat line”. Jagdeo said a good life could not be achieved in this way.
The former President, who back in 2011 was declared a Champion of the Earth by Time Magazine for his work in the area of Climate Change, questioned how the Government could pursue a green economy when it had no policies that could deliver on this vision.
Jagdeo said that there was no green initiative as the Government appeared to have abandoned the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) even though this strategy has the ability to decarbonise over 90 per cent of the energy sector.
He said that the Minister again misled the country when he spoke on the financial soundness of the PPP/C proposed Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project arguing strongly that the new Government understood nothing about its composition.
Jagdeo waded into the Government by providing figures which seriously compromised those delivered by the Finance Minister as he said that the project could never cost Guyanese over $150 million in the long run.
Salary increases
The Opposition Leader, placing the Government on the back foot, called on the Finance Minister to give a public commitment not to increase the salaries of Ministers of Government above what was being offered to the Public Servants.
“If he cannot give that assurance, then there is something sinister afoot,” Jagdeo said to loud thumps on the Opposition desks.
Jagdeo said, while there has been much hue and cry about his salary and pension while in and out office, the new Prime Minister in just three months is earning more than he was, even though he (Jagdeo) served for 12 years as President with some 18 years of service beforehand in the public service.
Could have done more
The PPP/C frontbencher argued that his Opposition would never oppose the positive measures contained in the Budget, but had the Government worked with the framework within which the initial Budget was framed, it could have done more for Guyanese in 2015.
“$12 billion more would have been available,” Jagdeo said, explaining that the new Government could have used $1.6 billion for schoolchildren and while giving workers 15 per cent more which would have amounted to $6 billion.
Immediately after Jagdeo’s speech, the Opposition walked out of the Parliament in protest of Government’s changing of parliamentary tradition which dictated that the Opposition Leader be the penultimate speaker in the Budget debate.
Editor (Ag): Michael Younge
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
In the midst of an uncontrollable crime situation which up to now cannot be tamed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Guyanese are presented with initiatives on which the Minister has placed equal if not more importance. Among these, are his famous moves to install a 2 am curfew on bars which, as any sound sociologist would acknowledge, will encourage illegal underground activities and rebellious behavior from those regular party crowds and their party entourage. Then there’s the initiative to reinforce the capacity of armed forces by introducing horses and “canine elements” as Minister Ramjattan indicated, so that we could measure up to the Canadian Mounties, to which our Public Securities Minister dearly aspires. However, the Canadians have a full-fledged armed police force with specialised units which could function perfectly fine without Mounties who, for years now, are being seen more as a national emblem than a security force.
But the initiative which strikes as most irrelevant to the context of crimes which are currently defined by armed robberies, murders, rapes and other physical assaults often with an ethnic undertone, is the one aimed at addressing Cybersecurity. If Minister Ramjattan was to personally conduct a survey on regular Guyanese on the streets, one wonders how many would find the pertinence of reinforcing cybersecurity in a country which is presently being ravaged by deathly crimes and witch-hunting, tainted with the hues of ethnic discrimination.
The Public Security Ministry has yet to explain what is meant by implementing a cybersecurity strategy and how regular Guyanese citizens, most of whom hardly conduct online transactions, would be under cyber threats. With regards to private and public sector transactions and online safety, the Public Security Ministry should have also produced the requisite numbers which would reflect their vulnerability through the number of attacks or attempted attacks rebutted. In sum, what Ramjattan should have done, was convince the Guyanese people that they need and would be much safer under the umbrella of a cyberstrategy.
However, as seems to be the trend of the coalition Government, public consultation and research backed initiatives are to date far flung from the methodology it employs. In the case of the Public Securities Ministry, it is evident that the Minister and his staff are in dire need of advice on how to address crime and security in Guyana. But Guyanese are yet to elucidate whether the Minister understands the nature of crimes, the correlation between the crime increase and the election of the new Government, or if he simply chooses the use the ostrich approach due to his incapacity in the position he now occupies.
In all fairness to Ramjattan, during his parliamentary budget presentation, he did produce some numbers which according to him proved that crime began to increase since February, “long before” the Government was elected. Unfortunately, Ramjattan once again failed to find the correlation between the then Opposition imposed political crisis leading up to the elections and the crime increase. If one were to compare crime rates preluding to each election in Guyana, it is most likely that these would be higher than usual. While discriminately and erroneously inventing a link between the rise in crime and the sacking of Amerindian CSOs, he failed to connect the dots between the lack of financial resources caused by the unreasonably imposed budget cuts by the then Opposition of which he himself was a part and the rise in crime, fuelled by underlying social factors such as unemployment.
His incapacity to link cause and effect was worsened when he defended that the CSOs weren’t paid since April by the previous administration. Surely, the Minister must have remembered that his party was part of the Opposition consensus to slash the then Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s budget which totaled $1.1 billion, inclusive of $796 million allocated to the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme, under which the CSOs fell. Yet, the previous administration provisioned the stipends of CSOs up to April. Minister Ramjattan has also omitted that APNU/AFC is responsible for respecting the contracts of the Government of Guyana, whether verbal or written, regardless of the change in administration, as befits the internationally recognised principle of continuity.
APNU/AFC
Dear Editor, It seems as though the APNU+AFC has no idea on how to develop Guyana. The 2015 budget reveals that they made wild promises to the Guyanese people and spoke robustly of having better plans than the PPP/C for the social and economic development of Guyana.
However, one wonders if these promises were just an attempt at grabbing power by any means and through whatever deceit that could be conjured. Almost 100 days into its mandate, the Government has shown total disregard for the Guyanese people and our freedom and has started to put Guyana on a backward slide in terms of our democracy and social and economic progress.
One would have thought that their natural disposition to silent dissenting voices would not have extended to the Parliament of Guyana. This is the first time since 1992 that MPs have been strictly restricted in their presentation. While various encouragement were utilized in the past to have MPs not going on forever, there was flexibility to allow a robust, intense and extensive scrutiny of the budget. The debate so far
has limited MPs from robustly, intensely and extensively scrutinizing the 2015 budget.
The effort to muzzle the leader of the opposition is perhaps the most repulsive attempt to ensure that the 2015 budget isn’t examined. Clearly, the APNU/AFC is fearful of being exposed by the Opposition for its lack of vision and its clueless approach to a development program to keep Guyana on a trajectory of upward development.
The coalition’s effort to muzzle Bharrat Jagdeo stems from fear that he would expose them to the people of Guyana. Jagdeo has earned a reputation which attracts the attention of every citizen, supporter or not, regarding his view on the budget.
Additionally, the APNU/ AFC wants to restrict scrutiny of the examination of the details of the 2015 budget. This is where Ministers must answer detailed questions about their specific allocations. Under the PPP/C mandate, seven days were allocated to this exercise, as the standing orders permit. Often, the APNU/AFC was unable to use the total time allocated.
The PPP/C did not try to
restrict examination but allowed for as much time as possible. The length of time depends on the ability of the Opposition to ask questions and to reveal details of expenditure relating to any activity.
Now, the Government seeks to reduce the scrutiny of the 2015 budget by Opposition MPs and this begs an answer as to why it’s so intent on the Budget not being examined.
Maybe it fears the revelation that many of the projects and programs rejected under their Opposition mandate are now being pursued. However, there’s nothing wrong with continuing and building on the PPP/C’s programs, although an explanation is needed as to why they previously previously rejected these programmes.
People-oriented programs like the “Because We Care” vouchers were abandoned, while the Government tries to hoodwink people into thinking that a nominal increase in the school uniform voucher makes for this betrayal of every family with children in school.
The Government cannot bare to face scrutiny for abandoned projects such as
the Amaila Hydroelectricity project, the Specialty Hospital. It cannot face questions on security, education, health, housing, agriculture, sports, youth and other development issues.
It is afraid that the examination of the budget would expose its ethnic approach to governing. It is fearful that the Opposition would have justifiably used the expenditure examination to expose how it has selectively dismissed people based on ethnicity. The APNU/AFC doesn’t want the Amerindian people to be further convinced it has reduced and restricted the development programs which benefitted and developed communities for years. Worse, their behavior during the Parliamentary debate on the 2015 budget reveals that the stripes have not changed. Their name is now APNU/AFC, but the PNC demeanor and genes are evident; there is a natural disposition towards dictatorial style of governing. Unfortunately, this Government carries signs of Burnhamite governance characterized by muzzling, discriminating and dictating.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Dear Editor, The new Government deserves the time and space to do its job, each of which has been afforded.
Even one of the country’s newspaper columnists, notable for criticizing the previous Government, has morphed into an AFC col-
umnist and is busy looking the other way when not focusing on Dr. Cheddi Jagan. It is a setback, therefore, to learn that this coalition Government of national unity, which is what it advertised itself as during the elections, is now resorting to censorship inside the na-
tional assembly to stop the Opposition.
The Opposition, which has duties to all Guyanese, should be allowed ample time to do its job; that is, critique the budget presented by the Government as was usually done in the past.
This motion to reduce the Opposition’s time for critique, brought by none other than an AFC member, is in effect a gag on the people in their own house.
Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab
Dear Editor, I write on an issue that is presently affecting the residents of Hope Town Village, West Coast Berbice.
Many youths in Hope Town are turning to drug abuse. The time youths spend on sports is particularly important to whether they receive positive developmental outcomes from their participation. Youths who spend more time in sports activities have greater benefits than youth who participate at other activities or not at all. With greater time commitment, Youths develop better mastery of skills and superior knowledge of tactics and strategy. This can lead to the development
of strategic thinking which is helpful in all aspects of life, including the ability to find and excel in the job market. The important fact is that youths who make a commitment to sports receive greater developmental benefits.
We the residents of Hope Town have been trying since last year to get our community ground operational, but were unsuccessful and were reached many barriers by an APUN/AFC councillor. The community ground is presently in a deplorable condition. We were made aware by an AFC member, that, the former PPP Administration had provided millions to an APNU Councillor last year to do de-
velopmental works on the ground.
If this is true, nothing was done to the community ground to date. All the materials that were taken off from the fence around the ground are placed in the said APNU Councillor’s personal yard.
We the residents of Hope Town are demanding a forensic audit to be done into the funds granted for the upgrade of the ground as well as the materials which would have been moved from the ground to the councillor’s personal ground.
Sincerely,
Lisa Grant
Dear Editor,
I wish to comment on an article in the Stabroek News of Tuesday 28th July 2015 headlined “Roopnarine promises to work with WICB to find a solution”.
While the Government, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) have decided to meet, why are stakeholders of Guyana Cricket such as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) and the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) continually being ignored? This seems to be the basis of problems, GCB given the questionable circumstances under which it was elected and the fact that it cannot represent the majority members of the cricket fraternity.
The Cricket Administration Act 2012 (CAA) evolved from a country-wide consultation process that utilized contributions from all cricket stakeholders throughout Guyana including the GCB, BCB, GCA, ECCB, UDCA, WDCA and EBCA, and yes the WICB and was not imposed on anyone.
One must remember that legislation was recommended as a permanent solution to our cricket crisis by Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang and the Bill was subjected to twenty (20) meetings of the Parliamentary Select Committee representing all stakeholders, and comprising at least four (4) highly respected lawyers.
There was total consen-
sus on the part of all parties at the Parliamentary Select Committee level to pass the Bill. There was no opposition when the Bill was passed into law.
It is misleading for the President of the WICB and Director Anand Sanasie to say that the CAA was imposed on the members. The present Government was the Opposition during the process of the CAA and it fully supported the Bill. We now expect that the Government will ensure that the Bill is implemented in order to resolve the cricket crisis.
The members of the UDCA and in particular the residents of Linden are anxious to see this Act implemented now that the glimmer of hope provided by the Act for our youngsters seem to be fading fast with each passing day as national cricket teams, junior and senior, male and female, are being selected without any consideration for youngsters from Linden. This is an injustice and is totally unacceptable.
The CAA will restore democracy and order, accountability and integrity to our woeful cricket climate if it were to be implemented.
With regards to the WICB town hall meeting, this could only be described as a flop. It was quite evident from the start that WICB President Dave Cameron came to hoodwink the Government into supporting his friends on the illegal GCB instead of listening to the constituent members of Guyana Cricket.
He also said that the problems cannot be resolved in the
courts, totally oblivious of the fact that his local representatives were instrumental in selfservingly having the cricket matters locked up in court by injunction of the principal members in our cricket viz: Berbice Cricket Board, Georgetown Cricket Association, East Coast Cricket Board, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Parliament, the AttorneyGeneral, the Minister of Sport and the Cricket Ombudsman.
The entire Town Hall meeting was stage-managed and did not provide the climate for interactive discussions that could have made it meaningful.
It is important to note that for the two and a half hours of that Town Hall cricket meeting, not one of the 120 odd attendees spoke in favour or in support of the GCB. The one and only support for the GCB came from President Dave Cameron himself and that probably tells the whole tale of the complicity on the part of the WICB in the wrong-doings and shenanigans of the GCB.
As I said before the entire Town Hall event seemed to be orchestrated for the benefit of misleading the Guyanese people including the Government. Certainly it did nothing to bring us any nearer to resolving our Cricket crisis. In my opinion only free and fair elections through implementation of the CAA would.
Sincerely,
Marvin Burns Executive Member
The Upper Demerara Cricket Association
Dear Editor, In the course of conducting an opinion poll last week, almost every business person I spoke with is of the view that the new coalition Government should pay all of the outstanding debts of and honor every contract signed by the predecessor regime. According to them, money owed to BK Tiwari, New Guyana Pharmacy, and other businesses for contracts completed should be paid forthwith in order to boost circulation of money necessary to kick start the stalled economy. They note that BK Tiwari employs hundreds and is forced to lay off workers because of Government’s policy of withholding payment for contracts that were executed months ago. They believe that the Government should honor all contracts signed by the previous administration as is the internationally recognised norm when Governments change.
The business community notes that the economy is on a slide as a result of tight money circulation, the coalition’s cancellation of contracts signed by the previous Government, and the reluctance of the new Government to honor commitments made by the preceding regime as well as to pay outstanding debts to business.
They say that the coalition’s policy to withhold payments on outstanding debts and cancelled contracts have resulted in businesses retrenching workers and lack of new investment that has led to a slowdown in growth. They feel that the new Government is sending the wrong signal to the private sector which does business with the State that it will not honor future contracts and will not make payments for work done. They say the coalition is discriminating and vicitimising companies that conducted business with the PPP administration.
The business community feels that the Government should not discriminate against any business on account of political affiliation or ethnicity of owners.
The business community is also critical of the Government’s policy of terminating employment contracts
or the firing of State employees on account of race or political affiliation. They claim to abhor political vendetta and witch hunting and call for an end to racial victimisation. Many among those in the business community who voted for a change in Government claim to oppose the replacement of PPP rule with what is perceived as a policy of political victimisation by the coalition and are disappointed that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is silent on discrimination against Indians and Amerindians. They do not approve of the new government’s discriminatory policy of getting rid of workers based on ethnicity (Indians and Amerindians) and party (PPP) affiliation. They urge the new government to pursue a policy of racial equity.
Yours truly, Vishnu
Bisram
(Continued from friday)
BY JAMES LEHMAN, MSW
But here’s the deal: I don’t think beating yourself up is the answer to anything. I think that shame and remorse only make the problem worse; they only make you angrier on the inside as a person.
I understand that parents do get worn down; often they’ll try to be consistent, but if they don’t see change right away, they give up. Personally, I think giving up after a few days or weeks is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a parent. Changing a behaviour takes a long time and it takes consistent application of new principles and ideas in order for children to incorporate them on the inside. And until then, your child needs a parent to structure his life and set limits on him, because he’s a child – not a little adult. Children don’t think like adults, they don’t see the world the same way as adults do, and they don’t experience things the way we do.
he wants a career that’s worthwhile, or wants to make some money. He’s thinking about saving money, investing in things, and his future. Most 22 year olds aren’t thinking along those lines yet because their brains are still developing.
What you can do to become more consistent
Rely on simple, concrete ideas: It’s so important to keep it as simple as possible. For instance, I used to have parents write down the rules that they
* What are the rewards?
* What are the consequences?
All of these rules were written down on a piece of yellow paper, and then the parents began to incorporate them. I advised parents to read this list out loud to themselves every morning. Some thought that was crazy. They’d say, “How can I do that? I’ll feel stupid.” But the concept of rehearsal and reinforcement is important with parenting, too. As a parent, you need to rehearse this new information.
get help. There are parenting programmes, classes, support groups and professionals out there who can help you.
Setting down the new rules
A young child’s mind works very differently from ours, and so does an adolescent’s. Until their early twenties, children’s minds are constantly shifting and changing in the way they operate. If you talk to a guy who’s 21, he usually wants the same thing as a child who’s 16 does: a car, an apartment, a girlfriend, a stereo system. He hasn’t changed very much; he’s not yet an adult. If you talk to that same person when he’s 30, he’ll say he wants security and predictability. Perhaps
thought were appropriate, and then we’d go over them. Afterward, they would start to follow what they had written down at home. This is effective because then it isn’t left up to your imagination or to memory. You have a list. I would ask parents to consider the following and supply me with an answer:
* What time is bed time?
* What time is hygiene time in the bathroom?
* What time is homework time?
The process of reading it out loud reinforces your new techniques and rules. Then you put them into practice. The day will come when you don’t need to read your list out loud, because you’ll be living it. It’s a simple tool but it’s one thing I teach parents in order to help them be more consistent.
Get the support you need: If you don’t understand how important consistency is and you don’t know how to apply it on a regular basis in your home, you need to
Parents ask me if they should sit down with their children immediately and tell them what the new household rules are. I think that the last thing that you want to do is make a big announcement to your children about all the changes that will be taking place, and then not follow through. What tends to happen is that you’ll feel better for a little bit, but then when you don’t follow through, it falls apart. Instead, the first thing you should do is start instituting your new rules. Expect resistance, depending upon the age of your child. If they’re five or six years old, expect tantrums. If your children are older, expect arguments and door-slamming. Although it might not feel like it at the time, these are all signs that your new techniques are working. Your child might push back, but stick to your guns.
After you start to successfully implement the new laws in your home, you can begin to talk to your children about the changes. If you have a pre-adolescent or teen in the house, I think it is important to sit down when things are going well and say, “I’m going to be doing things more consistently from now on. I haven’t really followed through and I’m not comfortable with the way I’ve
been setting the rules down. So from now on, curfew means curfew. If you come in two minutes after curfew or one minute after curfew, there will be consequences. If you come in on curfew or before, there will be a reward – and the rewards is that you get to go out again next Saturday night. Your room has to be clean by this time. Homework has to be done by this time. Your grades have to be maintained at this level in order for you to drive or to go out on the weekends at night.”
The older the child, the more resistance you will face. Expect to be tested. In fact, whether your child is four or 14, expect to be tested. Above all, don’t give in – the testing will diminish in time.
The other thing you need to ask yourself is, “Are my expectations realistic? Am I being consistent about the right things?” If you’re being consistent about a 19:00h bedtime for a young child, that’s great. If you’re being consistent about a 19:00h bedtime for a 13-year-old, I think you should take another look at that.
Remember, parenting, just like childhood, is a dynamic that keeps developing. It takes constant readjustments, flexibility and firmness. In the end, there is no “secret” to consistency – it’s just the willingness of a parent to take the time to stick to the rules they’ve laid out for their child. The benefits of consistent parenting are that your child will internalise your rules and values over time and learn to do things with simple reminders rather than conflict. (Empoweringparents.com)
Take back your children: How to teach and get respect (Part one)
WILLIAM J DOHERTY
This generation has determined not to repeat the mistakes of its own parents, who expected unquestioning obedience. But in rejecting outmoded models of authority, parents are now skittish about exercising any authority at all.
Children raised with insecure parents grow up too soon, become preoccupied with consumer goods and peer acceptance, and focus their lives on frenetic activity outside the home. They know that their parents love them deeply and want to communicate sensitively with them, but they also know that their parents are unsure about what to require of them and how to say “no” to them.
A family now in therapy has a 10-year-old boy, who is an angel in school, but who has started to call his mother a “bitch” at home. Rather than exercising legitimate authority, his mother responds by feeling sorry that her son is so distraught. (An appropriate exercise of parental authority: “You may not speak to me like that EVER, not even when you are angry. Go to your room and come back when you have a letter of apology.”)
The consumer culture of childhood In the new culture of childhood, children are viewed as consumers of parental services, and parents are viewed as providers of parental services and brokers of community services for children. What gets lost is the other side of the human equation: children bearing responsibilities to their families and communities.
Children should not only receive from adults but also actively contribute to the world around them, help care for the younger and the infirm, add their own marks to the quality of family life, and contribute to the common good in their school and communities. If children live only as consumers of parental and community services, then they are not active citizens of families and communities.
If we see ourselves only as providers of services to our children, we end up confused about our authority, anxious about displeasing our children, insecure about whether we are providing enough opportunities, and worried that we are not keeping up with the output of other parents. In a market economy, the service provider must offer what is newest and best, and at all costs, must avoid disappointing the customer.
(www.catholiceducation.org)
“Ramjattan
Residents of Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Friday afternoon staged a bold protest calling for the resignation of Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan following an incident which saw a businesswoman from the area being gunned down by bandits.
The residents said they were saddened by the situation and the lack of adequate Police patrols in the area.
As a means of exhibiting the level of their dissatisfaction, the residents used an old tree and several old tyres to block a section of the road, allowing only one lane of traffic.
One protester shouted, “We don’t need no Police, leh we live in war.”
Another concerned and frustrated protester stated that the situation has become overbearing, since very little was being done.
According to him, bandits have been causing havoc in their community, with innocent people losing their lives at the hands of these fearless perpetrators. He questioned why the perpetrators were targeting their community regularly.
The Sookchand family also turned out to protest the senseless killing of their relative Pamela Kendall.
One family member said “this is sad, it is overbearing”, stressing that they were hardworking people who were mostly rice, live-
stock and cash crop farmers.
Another resident cried out, “Me is a member in this community here and is every night, every night something happening; this na right at all, we fed up”. Every night abay deh in fear hay. We can’t rest in peace.”
The residents are claiming that the armed perpetrators use the backlands as a means of escape in all of the robberies that were committed recently. They are questioning whether or not something would be done as the situation has grown to a point of major concern, putting all the residents in fear.
“We want Ramjattan gone. He is sheer talks…. abbi a suffer night and day while he lock up tight in his
Others who were present said that they were appalled at the lack of concern shown by the new Government as far as fighting crime was con-
Growing public intolerance
Their calls come as public intolerance for crime reaches its highest peak in the year, with many political commentators and politicians calling for Minister Ramjattan’s removal because of his inability to get on top of the situation although he has been in office for well over three months now.
Only on Thursday, the Minister was at the centre of another scandal when he sought to make a nexus between the firing of the Community Support Officers (CSOs) and the hike in the crime rate, insinuating that Amerindians were responsible for the hike, and in the process evoking high dra-
Residents of Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Friday afternoon protesting the high crime rate
office….dat can’t right…abbi right not fuh vote for dem… Granger should kick he out from dah position,” another irate resident related.
cerned.
“Ramjattan and Seelall send SWAT and SWAT ain’t doing squat to help abbi poor people,” some of the protesters said.
ma in the Parliament as the PPP/C sternly objected to the racist and discriminatory sentiments expressed by Ramjattan.
The Minister has also said that his crime-fighting strategy will incorporate the use of “dogs” and “horses” among other measures which have seen him being ridiculed by the public.
Police intervene
Meanwhile, Police met with the residents after clearing the road. It was agreed during the meeting that the Community Policing Group (CPG) will come out in full numbers as from Friday evening.
Police related that they have arrested two persons in connection with the shooting to death of the woman on Thursday evening.
According to the Police in a release, they are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of 57-year-old Kendall, who was shot to her head. Investigations have revealed that Kendall was in the kitchen area of her house, with the door open, when the armed perpetrator entered and shot her during a suspected robbery attempt.
She was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where she succumbed while receiving medical treatment.
Meanwhile, as the investigation continues, Police are to further question the dead woman’s husband, Deoram Soohand. He had provided an initial statement to Police of the incident.
Following the shooting
incident on Thursday evening, Soohand said he and his wife had just returned home and he headed straight for the bathroom. He said as his wife was about to close the door a lone gunman entered the house and demanded cash and jewellery. The woman started to scream and immediately ran out of the house as a gunshot went off.
The incident occurred about 18:30h. At the time of the incident, there was a blackout in the community.
Reports are that Kendall ran to her brother’s house situated about 100 metres away but collapsed on the step. She was picked up by her nephews who then realised that she was bleeding. She was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital.
Kendall leaves to mourn a husband and three children.
This is the fourth time the family has been attacked. There are reports that also on Thursday evening, armed bandits were seen under a house at Number 47 Village, two villages away from where Kendall was shot.
On August 4, eight heavily armed bandits chain sawed their way into the home where Minister Ramjattan was born and raised at Number 48 Village. When Police responded they came under fire and had their vehicle shot at.
On Day Five, the final day, of the 2015 Budget Debate presentations, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand and current Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, faced off as they addressed the education sector with all its achievements and lack thereof.
Frontbencher on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition side of the National Assembly, Manickchand stated that there was much to boast about in the education sector that her Administration
would have initiated in its 23 years in power. She noted that while there was always room for development, it would be demoralising for one to say that the entire system was faulty.
The former Education Minister went on to highlight the many areas that have seen major success under the
PPP/C regime such as the number of trained teachers in the country. She disclosed that under her party, the trained teachers increased from some 30 per cent to an astonishing 72 per cent.
As it relates to access, the Opposition parliamentarian outlined that currently in excess of 85 per cent of
the country’s nursery-age pupils have access to such facilities, noting that it was the highest figure ever in Guyana. To resounding applause from the Opposition side, Manickchand stated “Guyana – our little Guyana has achieved that Millennium Development Goal (MDG) that says every nursery-aged child must be able to access nursery education...where are we on the secondary education access; we are close to a 100 per cent and we have left programmes that should be brought, should implement that would see us before five years … taking us to a 100 per cent access,” she noted.
saturday, august 22, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
The wife of a convicted thief released an audible gasp on Thursday when Magistrate Judy Latchman sentenced her husband to an uncharacteristic 24 months in jail on a charge of simple larceny.
Yogeshwar Bisnauth, 55, of Campbellville, Georgetown, is a welder who had been on $100,000 bail after being accused of stealing a $4.7 million “Pit-bull” minibus.
On Thursday, Magistrate Latchman found him guilty of the charge after both the prosecution and the defence had presented their case in Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. During the trial, it was revealed that Bisnauth had removed several parts from the minibus, including the engine.
It was Bisnauth’s defence that the Virtual Complainant (VC), Dominique Jackson owed him $700,000 after he had done some work on the bus. It was stated in court that the VC had given the defendant extra keys to the bus as collateral, as he
was unable to pay at the time. Bisnauth said they had agreed that he could have the parts of the bus if Jackson was unable to pay for his service.
Thus, when the VC was unable to pay him, Bisnauth used the keys he was given, took the bus and removed the parts from it.
However, the prosecution put forward that the defendant’s claims were lies as the VC denied any knowledge of an agreement between himself and the
accused. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Vishnu Hunte indicated that the actions of the defendant show that he was not given such authority.
Magistrate Latchman ruled that she disbelieved the statements of the defendant regarding the alleged agreement he had made with Jackson. She also stated her disbelief of the defence’s main witness, Bisnauth’s wife, who was brought forward to corroborate his story. She said the witness was one of “convenience”.
In her ruling, the Magistrate said that she relied on the testimony of the mechanic who Bisnauth had tasked with removing the parts from the bus, it was not stated why he did not do this himself. She also referenced the testimony of the VC who said he did not agree to let Bisnauth remove the parts from his vehicle.
However, Magistrate Latchman said she mostly placed weight on the stated actions of the defendant. She said he went to the VC’s home, stole the bus, removed the parts and
then left it abandoned in a strange place that neither the VC nor himself was associated with. She said the fact that Bisnauth had the keys did not mean he had permission to take the bus.
Thus it was no surprise that she sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment, stating that his age should have been a factor that enabled him to make the right decision. However, he showed no wisdom for a man of his age. She said Bisnauth should have considered that persons worked hard for what they achieved.
His Attorney did present several mitigating factors before the sentencing to persuade the court to be lenient, but this proved futile. The lawyer stated that Bisnauth was a father of three grown children and the sole provider for his wife. She added that he suffered from diabetes and would require his medication about twice every day. In addition, it was heard that it was the first time that the mechanic was appearing at any court for a criminal offence.
Acouple were refused bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday after she heard the facts of a quarrel over water that got violently out of control.
In Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, it was revealed that on July 31, Pearl Harris, 28, of 71 South Sophia, Georgetown and Julian Craigen, 29, of 38 Norton Street, Lodge allegedly broke into the South Sophia yard of Virtual Complainants (VCs)
Shonette Marcus and Irwin Greece and proceeded to chop them up for the coveted water pipeline.
The court heard that on July 31, Harris, with intent to commit murder, wounded Marcus at her home, where she lives with her five children. Both defendants were also charged for chopping Greece with intent to cause him actual bodily harm.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Seon Blackman told the court that the VCs were neighbours with Harris. He explained that on the day in question Harris’ son was swimming in the trench area near
Marcus, using her bridge as a diving board. She became annoyed at this and asked him to stop, but he persisted, even when she threatened to turn off her pipe which enabled his family to get water.
The Sergeant said that it was as a result of her doing just that which caused Harris to go to speak to Marcus and a fight broke out with a cutlass and knives being used. As a result, Marcus and the father of her child, Greece, got injured. He said they both were seen by doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital and subsequently released. It was then that the matter was reported to the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost.
However, Marcus was not entirely without blame as she was charged for unlawfully and maliciously wounding Harris once the scuffle started. The 34-year-old housewife admitted as much in court on Friday.
Given her guilty plea, with explanation, Marcus was allowed to give her account of what happened that day. She said
everything stated by the Prosecutor was correct up to the time that Harris came over to her home regarding the incident between herself and her son. The housewife told the court that the mother did not let her explain what happened, but started to curse her about her treatment of her son and the closed pipeline.
Given such behaviour, Marcus said she went into her house and left Harris outside, but found that she had opened the pipe again the next morning. The woman stated that Harris did not simply open the pipeline but ran another pipe across her gate so she can get access to water from her yard. Even with this provocation, Marcus said she did not approach Harris, but waited for Greece to show up for him to speak to her.
However, Harris did not wait for Greece to confront her about the pipeline, but cursed both of them when they appeared in front of her yard. Marcus said herself and Greece left, but were confronted by Craigen at their gate with a cutlass.
The housewife said
Craigen chopped Greece twice on his arm and Harris came after her with a broken glass bottle. Marcus said she ran for a cutlass, but was cut by Harris on the left side of her neck before she got it. When she got the cutlass, Marcus said, she swung it twice and hit both Craigen and Harris. However, she slipped and it fell allowing Harris to pick it up and chop her and Greece on their arms.
At this point, Marcus was unable to say what happened next as she had lost consciousness and woke up at the Hospital.
After hearing this account of what happened, Magistrate McLennan said she was unable to record a guilty plea for Marcus as her account implies she did not do what she was charged for. Nevertheless, the Magistrate granted her bail of $20,000 and refused bail for both Craigen and Harris.
Their matter will be heard again in Court Dive on September 14. Magistrate McLennan said the couple can ask for bail at that time.
...in the National Assembly
“Yuh na need lamp fuh see wha clear in daylight”. And Guyanese shouldn’t need much more than the bare facts to conclude that the fears about “creeping authoritarianism” expressed before and immediately after the elections, have now been ratcheted up. Next stop, “Creeping dictatorship”?
At first, the worry was the appointment of all the exmilitary top brass as a phalanx in front of Granger - himself a Brigadier and former head of the Army. The fears expressed by a wide swathe of observers- including this Eyewitnesswas than each of these men were not only “trained” but CONDITIONED to a top-down, hierarchical leadership style. When the General yells “Chaaaarge!!”, he not only doesn’t expect the Captain, much less the private, to question him: he can have the questioner shot then and there! No democracy in that mindset!!!
There was the red herring about retired officers having the constitutional right to employment. Heck!! No one’s questioning that. What’s being questioned is when in a democracy the military-conditioned President only receives advice from his military conditioned kitchen cabinet - what kinds of decisions will be forthcoming? Surely no one thinks Ramjattan was consulted when his portfolio was divvied up with ex Commissioner of Police Winston Felix, do they? Well, we don’t have to speculate any longer - the other foot’s dropped. Several times, as a matter of fact, and every time it’s on the neck of our democratic traditions.
The latest jackboot to fall was on the right of the Opposition to question the government. This right of the minority to subject the majority goes to the very heart of democratic governance: auditor et altera pars - the other side must be heard. Take this away and what is the motivation of the minority to concede legitimacy to the majority? In the case of Guyana when the majority is by a single seat, such an abrogation of this fundamental right is a recipe for extraparliamentary action.
The asphyxiation of the minority began with the refusal of the Speaker to concede the routine request of Opposition MP’s to extend their time by 15 minutes. But the death knell was signalled when the Government moved and passed a motion to slash BY MORE THAN HALF, the time allotted for the Opposition to scrutinize the spending of the Government. Parliament is unique in having to give approval for spending. This right is now traduced to pointlessness. A “right” is not a right if it cannot be exercised.
This Eyewitness calls on all Guyanese - but especially supporters of the Government - to protest this attack on democracy.
“Never again!” should be the cry?
Democracy in divided societies is always a tricky business. In fact of the founders of liberal democracy - to which everyone genuflects to nowadays - JS Mill, said democracy can’t ever take root in such societies. His point was that if folks don’t see themselves as a common people, they will vote for reasons that have very little to do with reason and everything to do with emotions.
And he knew full well - as we in Guyana should - how the latter can be manipulated. So to even make a stab at creating and sustaining a democracy, governmental actions have to be seen as affecting all the groups in a society FAIRLY. The moment a group seems themselves singled out for discrimination while another is favoured, democracy “gone for channa”.
Right now, for whatever reason, the APNU/AFC coalition is singling out folks of specific ethnicities to throw on the breadlines.
The most atrocious was the firing of 1972 Indigenous persons. We have now crossed another line drawn in the sand. When will Guyanese say, “No more!!”?
Ramjattan asked PPP to not promote ethnic division. Then posits a connection between the aforementioned Indigenous peoples fired in the hinterland and rising crime rates on the coast.
So they commit crimes here and then run back to the interior?
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj on Friday blasted Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan for his crime-fighting strategy which apparently includes the introduction of more horses and tracking dogs in the law enforcement arena.
According to Seeraj, while the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government made a number of points in its presentations of the 2015 National Budget, he was far from pleased with Minister Ramjattan’s assurance that the security sector would be much enhanced with the inclusion of animals.
“Minister Ramjattan spoke of his strategy to deal with law enforcement and his famous speech about getting more horses and dogs to help in this campaign. He probably didn’t hear Honourable Jennifer Wade when she said criminals come rat-a-tat-tat not pow-pow. When you are faced with that kind of firepower as Minister Felix will tell you, you have to retaliate with superior quality of firepower not two bow-
wows and a hippity-hop down the road,” the PPP/C parliamentarian argued.
He stated that Government needed to “do better than that” and while the Public Security Minister was trying to justify his claims for this move by comparing it with the Canadian mounted police, it must be made public that this Police Force was established in the 19th Century.
In this century, Seeraj noted, the officers are not just mounted on horses and did not maintain their records of achievement because of the four-legged animals but because of their modernisation.
“They go about tackling crime now in stateof-the-art vehicles, don’t track down criminals with horses and tracker dogs… When talking with tackling crime, you have to be up to date with what you’re speaking about…I think the Minister of Finance made some allocations for crime-fighting which didn’t have anything to do, Sir, with making provision for horses and dogs.”
He urged Government to be serious about its job, especially the Public Security Minister.
“If the Minister of Public Security is not capable, he should seek advice. I think advice could be readily found in the form of the former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix… Ramjattan spent most of his working life working as a lawyer representing those accused of criminal activities, one would have thought that one dealing with competence that here is a Minister who has to go after criminals in a life before was representing those accused of crimes,” Seeraj concluded.
Adefendant charged for fraudulent conversion expected to be released and the matter against him withdrawn once he had compensated the Virtual Complainant (VC). However, Magistrate Ann McLennan told the defendant that the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts were not a “settlement court”.
Seymore Davis, 31, from Corentyne, Berbice is charged with fraudulently converting US$3390 (G$780,000) to his own use although it was given to him by Sundar Persaud
to be given to Deepak Ramsoop.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones shed some light on the matter when he stated that the VC and the defendant knew one another as they all hail from Berbice and the VC usually used the defendant’s taxi when travelling to or from Berbice.
He detailed that on August 14, Persaud used Davis’ taxi and asked him to give the money to Ramsoop when he travelled in the taxi later that day. However, Davis did not do this. Thus, the duo report-
ed the matter to the Police Station and the taxi driver was arrested and charged.
Davis admitted that he was guilty of the offence, but told the court that he can repay the amount to the VC, in parts. Davis explained that his brother-inlaw, Clement Leecock, had brought $360,000 to give to Ramsoop as a show of good faith that he was willing to pay them back for the money he had used without their say-so. He said he would receive the rest of the money within a week.
When asked what he used the money for, he ex-
plained about a bad business that did not prove as profitable as he first thought. He stated that his station bail was $100,000; and if he was released, he could also give that to Ramsoop as compensation. However, Magistrate McLennan refused him bail. She stated that he had admitted to his crime and thus would face sentencing for it. She suspended the sentence until the rest of the money was given to the VC next week. They are all expected back in court next Friday to settle the matter.
Acook was sent to jail on remand Friday on a charge of narcotics possession for the purposes of trafficking.
The defendant, David Cole, of 102 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, appeared before
Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer the charge. He pleaded not guilty, informing the court that he knew nothing of the drugs. However, it was heard in the court that 850 grams of
Cannabis sativa (weed) was found on him on May 22 while he was in Mackenzie, Linden.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones offered no detail regarding his arrest but neither was any objections to bail made.
Magistrate McLennan transferred the matter to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for August 26. She stated that the defendant can make an application for bail when he faces the Magistrate then.
Aman who is accused of robbing a West Berbice fisherman’s home last Sunday was on Friday refused bail when he appeared in a New Amsterdam court before Magistrate Mauricia Mittelholzer on three counts of robbery under arms.
Gopaul Seecharran, 20, of Macy Dam, Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) was not required to plead to the three indictable charges.
It is alleged that on Sunday, August 16, at Number Two Village, West Coast Berbice, while in the company of others and armed with a dangerous weapon that is to say a gun, he robbed Neeranie Kadir of one gold ring valued at $40,000.
Seecharran is also accused of committing a robbery on Alisha Kadir on the same day while in the company of others and armed with a gun. She was robbed of a $10,000 gold chain.
Furthermore, Manickchand outlined that during the PPP/C tenure over 2000 children, mostly males, have been retained into the education system, causing the country’s school dropout rates to reach an all-time low. She added that Guyana, with the exception of 2011, has been topping the Caribbean at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) now Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations from 2006 up until 2014. According to the former Education Minister, Guyana needs a champion in education and not someone who will twist their hands in trying to develop the sector. She called on the APNU/AFC’s Education Minister to lay the Education Bill, to finish the inquiry into the education system so that Guyana can have a five-year strategic plan. However, she noted in doing all this, the
Government should include the PPP/C in its plans. On the other hand, current Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine assured the Opposition that the programmes which it left behind that were showing progress would remain in the system, but the others would not. He quoted Finance Minister Winston Jordan in his budg-
et speech, who said an effective education system requires a collaborative approach among all stakeholders.
Additionally, Dr Roopnaraine outlined that while the merging of the Education and Culture, Youth and Sport Ministries posed great challenges, they were all interlinked; hence, the need to have them placed under the umbrella of one Ministry. “The link between education and youth development is inherent and needs no expansion, as indeed maybe the link between education and sports especially in nurturing and developing our young athletes. It also has the advance of reinstating sports as part of the school curriculum,” he noted. Against this background, the Minister said all sporting facilities in the schools will be rehabilitated. Furthermore, Dr Roopnaraine explained that in addition to rais-
ing the uniform voucher by $500, a move which his predecessor lauded, his administration will be focusing on expanding the school feeding programme.
“At New Campbellville Secondary, there are about 50 students who regularly come to school hungry. We have to deal with the school feeding programme not just in the hinterland (but) on the Coast, in Georgetown, wherever children are coming to school,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister underscored that there cannot be effective access to education without looking at the supportive framework within the education system, including the teachers. Against this backdrop, he opined that the One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT) programme will be a more strategic approach of enhancing the delivery of education in the schools across Guyana.
The fisherman who was once charged and fined for assaulting an individual was also charged on Friday with robbery committed on Shaneeza Kadir. She was robbed of one gold chain valued at $10,000, and two gold bangles valued at $160,000.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Desiree Pilgrim objected to bail being granted to the defendant, citing the seriousness of the offence and there are other charges to be laid in relation to the injury inflicted during the robbery. She said if the defendant was granted bail, there was a possibility that he would not attend court.
Magistrate Mittelholzer told Seecharran that the court was not inclined to grant him his pre-trial liberty at this time and remanded him. The matter has been transferred to the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court for September 7.
Ateenager who told the Magistrate that she “hustles” as a prostitute for a living was brought into Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday to answer to the charge of simple larceny.
Tameka Cush, 19, of 104 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was hesitant to tell the court her job when asked details of herself after she pleaded not guilty to stealing over $140,000 worth in articles from Virtual Complainant (VC), Sihad Harrynarine.
The court heard that on August 18, Cush stole Harrynarine’s $9000 gold chain, his $80,000 diamond band, $40,000 gold ring and a cellular phone valued $20,000.
The matter was indictable, but Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones applied for an Administration of Justice Act ruling which allowed the defendant to have her mat-
ter tried at the Magistrates’ Courts.
The Prosecutor explained to the court that the defendant hired the VC’s car on the day in question to take her from Lisa’s Guest House to Sheriff Street. When she arrived at her destination, she grabbed his chain, phone and the other items, then ran out of his car. He reported the matter to the Police, and Cush was arrested and charged.
Jones stated that some of the items were found on her when she was apprehended by the Police, and she was able to lead the Police to the other items, though she maintained her innocence.
Magistrate McLennan transferred the matter to Court 10 for Magistrate Alex Moore to determine Cush’s fate. She is expected there on August 31. Cush was told that she will be remanded until then.
...says contract not renewed by PPP/C
ublic Infrastructure
PMinister David Patterson has publicly defended Government’s decision to dismiss former Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharat Dindyal, saying that the decision was made since during the tenure of the last administration.
The Minister was addressing the National Assembly as he participated in the 2015 National Budget debate on Thursday.
According to Patterson, the decision not to renew Dindyal’s contract was made since the time of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic
(PPP/C), as there was a letter showing this. The Board had decided that the contract would not be renewed and even the decision to refer the matter to the shareholder for consideration and final decision found that they made the decision based on several reasons, including his failure to respect the Board and poor management style. He said it was observed that the CEO’s style of leadership had been autocratic, leading to all kinds of dysfunction in the organisation.
GPL, he said, had invested over $150 million of taxpayers’ money last year, yet despite these investments, there continued to be a significant level of blackouts. The average frequency in some areas was more than others. In the last year or so, GPL has been consistently experiencing many problems, including the lack of proper plans.
Added to that, he said Dindyal was being paid a basic salary of $3.8 million, gratuity of $875,000, accommodation allowance of $500,000, security allowance of $525,000, leave passage $210,000 and medical allowance of 210,000 – a maximum of $6,196,249 monthly which translates into 74,354,994 yearly.
Government recently took a unilateral decision to end its engagement with Dindyal, who had served as the CEO of
the company for a number of years, now leaving the entity headless.
Dindyal had told Guyana Times that his contract had officially ended on December 31 last year, but he continued to serve in the post of CEO as part of an “understanding” between the then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and himself.
He explained that he had relayed to Minister Patterson that he still intended to part ways with GPL, but was prepared to remain as CEO for an interim transition period.
However, calls and even emails went unanswered when he sought the direction and advice of Minister
Patterson as to the way forward, the former CEO told this publication. Therefore, a dismissal letter with such short notice without any direct dialogue between himself and the subject minister was nothing short of a surprise, he noted.
Guyana Times was told that in terms of a contract both parties were expected to show some level of decorum, with regard to giving notice, as to whether someone will leave a job or was being relieved of their duties.
“I would have thought to be given notice of such a development and decision that was
made. The letter I received does not say who to hand over to and to operate GPL without a CEO or a head there is an astonishing reflection of what is happening and is to happen.
There is presently no project manager, no operations manager, the Deputy CEO is on leave and I was functioning in these capacities until the positions became filled,” Dindyal explained.
Meanwhile, in a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, it was stated that Dindyal’s substantive contract came to an end on December 31, 2014 and there was no renewal of his con-
tract.
“Mr Dindyal continued to serve as GPL CEO based on what was described as ‘an understanding’ between himself and the previous subject Minister, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. No written documentation has been provided with regard to this ‘understanding’… Mr Dindyal communicated to new subject Minister, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr David Patterson that he intended to part ways with GPL, but was prepared to remain as CEO for an interim transition period,” the statement said.
The Caribbean Voice (TCV), a local NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday hosted a National Stakeholders Conference to discuss suicide and suiciderelated issues at the Cara Lodge, Georgetown.
The one-day conference was attended by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, along with members of the diplomatic community, including local US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt.
While addressing the gathering of local activists and representatives from popular NGOs, both Government Ministers stressed on the need for a multi-sectoral approach to the issue and mentioned the need for legislation that address suicidal issues. Minister Lawrence urged per-
sons present to treat everyone with respect, since many times it was very difficult to notice someone who has suicidal tendencies
“Most suicidal victims are young people in their most productive years who will never know their full potential. As a result, we, as a people, we have to listen,” she said, emphasising that listening to someone was all they may need and as citizens we would all have to do our best in whatever way we can.
Over the years, Guyana has become the prime example of “how not to” address suicide, with Black Bush Polder in Berbice being known as the “suicide capital” of the world.
According to the World Health Organisation, Guyana suffers 44.2 suicides per 100,000 persons each year.
Speaking to Guyana Times, Bibi Ahmad, the Managing
Director of TCV, which was established in this country more than a year ago, explained that the event was geared at formulating a national conversation on suicide, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse and other issues. Suicide and suicide prevention are major areas of focus for TCV. This meeting with the key stakeholders should provide an action plan that the organisation would go forward with in the upcoming months. Ahmad added that in order to address suicide, other issues that were interrelated must also be brought to the fore.
The event featured plenary discussions on suicide and suicide-related issues. This session was extremely expressive and persons from local organisations shared some of the solutions they believe would help reduce the number of suicide cases in Guyana.
Two men appeared in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of manslaughter after they allegedly chopped a man to death who was about to rape a relative of theirs.
The men, 19-year-old Eon Scott and 20-year-old Junior Henry were not required to plead to the offence on Thursday when Magistrate
Ann McLennan read the charge of manslaughter to them.
Guyana Times understands that the men had caught the deceased, someone only known as Andrew, attempting to rape a young woman who was both sister and wife respectively to the defendants. The duo allegedly used knives that were close by and proceeded to stab Andrew until he was not moving.
In court on Thursday, the men, who said that they were miners, appeared nervous; Scott particularly barely opened his mouth when he was addressed by Magistrate McLennan.
The Magistrate transferred the case to Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court for September 2. The men were not granted bail as the charge is not bailable.
As the Guyana Police Force hosted its annual bursary awards for officers’ children who performed exceedingly well at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), awardees were urged to remain resolute in their quest for academic excellence and not get distracted by the many ills that plagued society. The ceremony was held on Friday at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, during which a total of $5,220,000 in bursaries was distributed. Some 141 students received $25,000 cash each along with a $2000 gift voucher to assist in the purchase of school uniforms. Addressing the gath-
ering, Assistant Police Commissioner (Operations) David Ramnarine pointed out that undertaking parenting as a member of the Police Force was a massive challenge. He called on the students to remain steadfast in their quest of further academic achievement so that the sacrifices of their parents would not be wasted. He went on to highlight that this was the era of technology, noting that computer science was on the raise. On this note, Ramnarine urged the students to become exceptionally computer literate. He further stated that Guyanese children were grappling with the use of correct English, noting that this was reflected in the
exam results annually.
“In your quest for academic excellence, also push to ensure two fronts: that you become sufficiently computer literate and that your English is at a standard that it should be,” he encouraged the young children gathered.
The Assistant Police Commissioner also recognised that the country’s youths were at risk from various scourges that plagued society; nevertheless, he encouraged them not to be distracted. “Your achievement is very signal; you have started well, do not be distracted,” he said.
Guest speaker Chief Education Officer Olato Sam also acknowledged the soci-
Preparations for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations are under way, the Planning Committee announced at the Indigenous People’s Rights and Resources Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Thursday.
Committee member Larry London told the Amerindian leaders at the event following the National Toshaos Conference that under the National Commemoration Commission and the Education Ministry, he, along with Kelly Williams and Bobby Vieira, will be charged with the responsibility of ensuing these celebrations are well planned and well executed.
London stated that the concept for next year’s celebration was for Guyanese to reflect on where they came from, to rejoice at where they were and to commit to where they were going and what legacy they intended to leave for their children over the next 50 years.
He added that the Commission also has the re-
sponsibility to ensure that every region and every village and every town was involved, and it intended to sit with Regional Democratic Council (RDCs) and other leadership of each administrative region to prepare a programme of activities that they would like to be done in their villages to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
London mentioned that whatever came out of that initiative was to be a part of the country’s national calendar of events for the celebrations. These celebrations will begin in March of 2016
etal scourges, which he said have inundated with situations of increasing criminality the younger generation. Sam outlined that a multisectoral approach was needed to address this.
“We, as a society, need to recognise that to address these social ills require a combined, collective multisectoral [approach] and it starts with events like this, where we openly support our parents, our children and we will find ways to work as a team to make the solutions come to the floor,” he stated.
According to Sam, all stakeholders such as social services and health services need to assist the schools in treating those children who have chosen the wrong path and bring them back on track. The Chief Education Officer then turned his attention to the parents, warning them that the secondary school environment was completely different from the sheltered primary school environment, so they should be more involved in their children’s lives as they go through this stage.
“There is absolutely nothing there (in secondary schools) that strong parental guidance and support cannot overcome. Parents oftentimes abandon children when they get into secondary schools when this is the time they need their guidance the most,” Sam noted.
Furthermore, the Chief Education Officer urged the students to commit themselves to their academic de-
velopment. He informed them that much was expected of them not only by their parents but society as a whole.
“This activity is investing in you a tremendous amount of potential and a lot of expectations. I certainly hope that you would internalise that concept and be best stu-
were Shania Harvey and Shermaine Clarke, who were both given $175,000. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars was each given to Shania Winter and Linford Isles, both of whom tied for third.
Meanwhile, the Police Consumers Cooperative Society recognised the
dents you can possibly be and ensure that your parents and the Guyana Police Force can be extremely proud in their investment,” he concluded.
In addition to the bursaries, 11 of the students were recipients of special awards. Sephora Persaud, who is the daughter of Assistant Police Superintendent Balram Persaud, tied with Naomi Stephen for the first spot and they both were awarded $200,000. In second place
achievement of Akeel Phillips and Tyrique Welch and awarded them with $135,000 each. Reshonah Gordon and Anuradha Rebai were given $115,000 each by the Police Credit Union, while Lezama Fletcher received $100,000 from the Guyana Association of Women Police.
Over the past five years, a total of 542 bursaries have been distributed to children of Police Officers.
and will run for the remainder of the year. Additionally, the Government’s plan is to “tone down Mashramani celebrations” in order to “hype up” Independence celebrations.
Committee members Williams and Vieira shared that their responsibility was to visit the regions and meet with regional officers and chairmen and plan for next year’s celebration. Williams stated that the duo will commence their tour by visiting Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Mabaruma in Region One (Barima-Waini) in the new week.
She said that the celebrations were meant to be nationwide and not centralised to Georgetown.
Vieira, who noted that his responsibility was to market the celebrations, added that the Government of Guyana was hoping to bring no less than 15,000 from the Diaspora to Guyana, and they were currently working on making this event the biggest celebration Guyana has ever seen.
Continuing its dental outreach back-toschool programme,
the activity to
East Bank Demerara on Friday.
During the day’s activity, more than 70 school-age children were attended to by the dentists working out of the mobile Dental Unit owned by the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.
Apart from cleaning and extractions, everyone was
given lunch packs, oral care packs and some other school supplies to help them get ready for the new school year. This is the second location Digicel has visited during its dental outreach which kicked off on Thursday, in Kingston.
Digicel’s new Sponsorship Executive, Louanna Abrams stated that the response in Timehri was overwhelming. “We were pleasantly sur-
prised to see today’s huge turnout, we are happy that the children came out and everyone got to see the dentist. Mission accomplished in Timehri.”
Digicel will be visiting Hararuni, Skeldon, Mahaica, Tuschen and Anna Regina as part of this year’s dental outreach programme which is a partnership with the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.
saturday, august 22, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
“We count, we matter” – PPP/C MP Dr Persaud says
By Devina Samaroo
he Government bench-
Tes fell silent when People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Vindhya Persaud chastised the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration for its exclusion of women from Budget 2015 and generally for its limitations on women in all aspects of governance.
Dr Persaud, known for her advocacy for human rights and women’s rights, vehemently criticised the new Government for not including any programmes or initiatives in its Budget for the development of women.
She made reference to the scrapping of the Women of Worth (WoW) project which was established under the PPP/C Administration, a public-private partnership which provided singleparent women with the re-
sources to start or expand their own businesses. Dr Persaud demanded that the Government explain what would now happen to these women.
“Where is the alternative? Tell me, I want to know,” she stated.
Dr Persaud highlighted that in the entire budget,
the word “women” was only mentioned three times, noting that this was completely disrespectful to the women of Guyana.
“We have been ignored. A fleeting mention of one of the most vulnerable and weakest group in this country … not a woman-centric initiative is mentioned in that
budget … Women’s developmental programmes have been blatantly neglected … No announcements of shortterm empowered initiatives, no benefits for single mothers,” she stated, noting that one should not have to finely scrutinise a national budget to locate allocations for this large and vulnerable groups.
She also chided the Government for the lack of women representation on the State Boards across the country.
“Three of 22 State Boards are chaired by women. Are you saying that there are no brilliant, capable, competent women in the country, Mr Speaker? I am affronted, I am affronted for all the women who you are telling that to,” she declared.
In contrast, she highlighted that the previous Government made significant strides in establishing programmes designed to propel women.
“The Guyana Women’s
Leadership Institute, having been very much involved in that institute, I admire the rate at which women are churned out more than one time a year, equipped in various areas so that they can be financially empowered,” she stated.
Persaud also highlighted that the Government implemented no substantial programme or initiative that can benefit the elderly people, noting that the meagre increase in the Old Age Pension was insignificant given the fact that it eliminated the water and electricity subsidies for this vulnerable group.
As it relates to youths, she pointed out that Government also did not put enough effort into developing programmes that will aid in the enhancement of this group.
She noted that after all the talk of unemployment, Government was engaging in “wanton witch-hunt-
ing” which resulted in more unemployment, snatching bread from the mouth of families all across the country, resulting in more poverty.
The parliamentarian also touched on the topic of crime, expressing great concern over the fact that Guyanese cannot even feel safe in their own homes anymore.
“I am tired of the meaningless excuses…We are now looking over our shoulders when we open our doors to enter our homes because we know not what lurks there…persons have become deluged by paranoia…people have to swallow constant loss and move on every time they lose their small or large earnings,” she said.
Moreover, Persaud proposed that the Government establish a fund to assist families who were affected by violent crimes, particularly in a situation where the breadwinner of the family was killed during such incidents.
The APNU/AFC government was once again warned about its management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the sugar industry on the whole before the country suffers catastrophic results.
PPP/C Parlia-mentarian, Odinga Lumumba, told the National Assembly on Friday that by not allocating subsidies to the sugar corporation but ensuring that Region Ten benefits from electricity subsidies would give the nation the impression that there was ‘preference’ being meted out to certain citizens.
“Should we assume that Linden, Ituni, Kwakwani have the God given right to get subsidy and GuySuCo and sugar be put to pasture?” he asked.
Lumumba cautioned the administration on how it handles such situations as
he told the APNU+AFC coalition that if Region Ten which is basically populated by Afro-Guyanese can get subsidy then GuySuCo and sugar which mostly revolves around Indo-Guyanese must be able to benefit from this
too. He also stated that Regions Eight and Nine which are predominantly Amerindian communities must also receive subsidies.
“You cannot on one hand put your foot down on GuySuCo, sugar and pretend the electrical subsidy in Linden must be left alone.
Sugar is the social economic lifeline of thousands of Indo Guyanese and electricity subsidy is a social lifeline of thousands of Sfro Guyanese in Linden….GuySuCo and sugar represent dozens and dozens of communities, thousands of residents and thousands of children,” Lumumba explained.
He noted that most countries have financial commitments to a particular entity such as the United States of America (USA) where public transportation is subsidized.
According to Lumumba if the USA were to desist from subsidizing this then it would incur disastrous and catastrophic results in their economy as well as affect the direct employment and livelihood of millions of people.
He also chided that only a narrow thinker would talk about GuySuCo in the context of Skeldon Sugar Industry alone and lamented on the APNU+AFC’s choice of placing Dr Clive Thomas as Chairman of the corporation.
“Dr Clive Thomas is not the answer to GuySuCo… even the deaf knows he is anti-GuySuCo, anti-sugar. Even though his input might be sound he should not have been appointed as Chairman…Mr Speaker, I know, and the national assembly knows that if Dr Thomas and his team decide tomorrow and they recommend closing GuySuCo,
his Excellency Mr David Granger with the same breath must put an end to the electricity subsidy of Region Ten. It got to go hand in hand, it can’t be one sided,” Lumumba maintained.
He further stated that Guyana’s only option is to find a methodology, perhaps a “magical” one to get the European Union to increase the price of sugar so that the country can bring in some form of profitability,
“GuySuCo needs proper management and continuous subsidy,” the PPP/C Member of Parliament added.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, in his presentation to the House emphasized that all can attest to the state of the Sugar Industry in the country but that this is not the first time that sugar is in ‘distress’.
“GuySuCo will recover and 2015 will mark a new turning point in the performance of GuySuCo. We have made major changes in management. We have also identified the members of the New Board of Directors which tool control from July
1,” he posited. With regards to the Skeldon Sugar Factory, he stated that it is not an understatement to say that the factory has not functioned to expectation.
However, government is of the view that with the completion of the work in the Commission of Inquiry, recommendations made will enable the administration to address some of the pressing issues affecting the industry.
“We will continue to build the sugar industry to continue its role as a lead industry in our country and we will work with the sugar workers to ensure that their industry continues to provide employment and economic and social gains for our people and our country. The perilous state of the Sugar Industry must not be under-estimated. It is not business as usual and a major restructuring of the industry is an essential pre-requisite for its survival,” the Agriculture Minister acknowledged.
He told the National Assembly that GuySuCo anticipates a production of 146,300 tonnes for the current crop which would take production for the year to just over 227,000 tonnes.
Despite some setbacks occasioned by inclement weather, the Corporation is focusing on all its efforts to achieve this target, Minister Holder stated.
GuyanaTimes was told that all estates have commenced operation and the initial yields have been ‘encouraging’.
“Worker turnout has been improving and this trend, if maintained, augers well for the remainder of the crop. Major challenges remain at Skeldon and
the East Demerara estates where there is the greatest concentration on mechanization. The recently held National Cane Farmers’ Conference highlighted the problems to marketing out sugar, as well as the quality of canes delivered to the sugar factories,” the Minister further explained.
According to the Agriculture Minister, the need for a review of the National Cane Farming Committee Act (1965) was evident and steps will be initiated soon to commence this process.
Also arising from the conference, was the need for a closer working relationship between cane farmers and the estates to more thoroughly deal with issues which confront farmers.
“Work is proceeding in all these areas…A new Board of Directors for GuySuCo has been constituted which includes representation from both the cane farmers and the Sugar Union. However, I regret to inform you of the Opposition’s decision not to have a representative on the Board,” said Minister Holder. In closing, he further stated that he would not paint a picture that “we have it all under control” because the industry has a rough and rugged road ahead and its future shape would not be known until later in the year.
“It is incumbent upon all stakeholders; however, to seriously support the efforts to keep the industry alive and it can only be kept alive if it becomes sustainably viable.
Notwithstanding, the government will be investing over $12B in the industry in 2015,” Minister Holder concluded.
saturday, august 22, 2015 |
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has expressed its deep concern over the continuous firing of Public Sector employees, which it said seems to be politically influenced. In a release to the media on Friday, the commission said it is more than likely that the move has its political motives.
It said that the dismissals with the authorities not adhering to established procedures and not allowing for natural justice.
The PSC said the laws which govern the termination of one’s service is clear, including the fact that just sufficient cause for dismissals must be established and that such cause must relate to the conduct and capacity of the employee. The Termination of Employment Act further places the burden of proof for establishing cause on employer and, consequently, if just and sufficient cause cannot be established, there can be no valid or lawful grounds for dismissal.
However, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, addressing similar concerns when asked about the number of persons so far dismissed by government, told Journalists on Friday, that while he could not provide the exact number at the time, that “it is nothing like thousands of employees being fired”.
He explained that the persons, who were identified, were doing primarily political work for the People’s Progressive Party
Civic (PPP/C) and were being paid by the government.
“We made a distinction where that is concerned. We were not concerned about what political party you represented, but if you are doing government work, we have no problem with that. If you are being paid by government to do party work we have a problem with that, because the party must pay for you to do the work”, The Minister stated in defense.
He said the previous government had manipulated Public Sector Employees, by placing them on contract.
“This was a jeopardy that the PPP placed a number of public servants in. Had they been in the traditional public service, there is a particular procedure which has to be followed. But they forced a lot of public servants to go on to this service, by giving them an inducement of gratuity every three or six months and some of them took that”.
What that did, he explained, was gave the government at that time the control over “these public servants because they knew that every time their contract came up for renewal, if they did not behave themselves in a way that government considered to be appropriate, then they could be let go”, Harmon explained.
Meanwhile , the PSC said the majority of those dismissed /terminated in public humiliation gives credence to wide spread perception of political discrimi-
nation and victimization despite human rights guaranteed in our Constitution and labour laws and in international treaties and Conventions.
“The Private Sector Commission is alarmed at the climate of fear which has arisen in the national community because of what is being seen as selective dismissals and would like to urge that the labour laws on termination and discrim-
ination and best practices inhuman resource management be followed to allay fears of victimization and political discrimination”
The Commission has now called on the State and its agents to build confidence and cultivate an environment conducive to fostering national trust through fairness, equality of treatment, non-discrimination, and social justice for all citizens.
The opposition PPP/C has always been accusing
Government of embarking on a witch-hunting spree aimed at discriminating against professional employees with whom the administration has personal issues with.
“The PPP/C wishes to draw attention to the vicious ongoing witch-hunt that the de facto Granger administration has launched in the public service and beyond… the witch-hunting exercise is proceeding at a fast and furious rate,” PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee had said recently.
He had argued that since the APNU/AFC coalition gained executive power, there was no hesitation in their decision to sack Permanent Secretaries, Presidential Guards, Contract Workers, Media Workers, Chairman and Members of State Boards, Diplomats and Regional Executive Officers. Not only have they terminated the services of these individuals, but Rohee pointed out that the new Government was callous enough to withhold their legally due benefits.
He urged those who were wronged to come forth and, by all means, fight for justice to at least ensure they receive their benefits. Rohee said the PPP/C will also be taking its role seriously in representing these “victimised” individuals by writing letters and holding press conferences to raise awareness of the ill-treatment being administered by the Granger-led administration.
As the National Assembly wraps up the Debate presentations on the 2015 Budget on Friday, the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, despite all its talk of having an inclusionary Government, has refused to meet the parliamentary Opposition half way as it relates to the number of days allotted for the consideration of this year’s Budget Estimates.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition was expecting the allotted seven days to consider the estimates; however the 33-seat Government has suggested that the estimates be considered and completed in three days.
During the evening break of Friday’s sitting, the business sub-commit-
tee met to discuss the issue. Government’s Chief Whip Amna Ally informed reporters that the Committee has decided to extend the hours for the consideration of budget estimates. Hence, the sessions next week will commence from Monday to Wednesday at 09:00h and will run until 23:00h each
night instead of ending at 13:00h.
Opposition Member on the Committee, Irfaan Ali, related that during the meeting Government not only refused to stick to the Standing Order, which allows for a maximum of seven days, but further dismissed the Opposition’s proposal for a five-day period as a compromise.
Following the refusal of this compromise, the PPP/C went on to further offer a reduced time of four days along with extended hours, but this too was rejected by the Government, as its used its one-seat majority to defeat accountability and transparency by make it three days.
“Tonight marks another night where the Government gave lip service to inclusivity, compromise, transparency and ac-
countability,” Ali told the Guyana Times following the meeting. He explained that the examination of the estimates was critical in holding the Government accountable and have it answer questions as it relates to the $221 billion 2015 Budget that was presented in the House on August 10.
He underscored that it was important to note that in 2012, 2013 and 2014 when the very APNU/ AFC Government was in Opposition, seven days were utilised for the examination of the estimates.
“The PPP/C Government was never afraid of scrutiny. The question is why is this Government afraid? What is it they are hiding? The limitation to questions would severely affect us to have them held accountable,” Ali pointed out.
The Guyana Restoration Project Chairman, retired Major General Joseph Singh informed Amerindian leaders at the Indigenous People’s Rights and Resources Conference on Friday, of the establishment of a task force for the “Rehabilitation, Restoration and Renewal of Guyana”, in which they were all very eager to play a part.
Singh told the leaders that Guyana was superb in terms in natural beauty and resources, and diverse in its forestry, rivers, soil type, minerals and numerous waterfalls. He added that Guyana also had a multiethnic population which was the country’s greatest resource.
He said, however, that the country that was once known as “the Land of Hospitality” or “the City of El Dorado”, has suffered significant deterioration in many aspects of the Guyanese life, including, unplanned settlements, inadequate traffic flow, garbage build-up and occasional flooding in many areas.
Singh shared that the deterioration has continued because of the many failures of society, including failure to enforce laws and standards, lack of physical planning for growth and renewal, lack of routine and necessary maintenance and general neglect of the poor, homeless, aged, disabled and other unfortunate ones.
Singh shared that the vision of the task force for a rehabilitated, restored and renewed Guyana was to restore civic pride, and to make Guyana a hub for commerce, tourism and development –to restore Guyana as a land of “great attractiveness and prosperity, and one which offers a good life for all its citizens and visitors”.
He shared that the task force also aimed to tackle several major issues that society desperately needed to resolve.
The former Army head noted that the city and six towns all drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The situation is worsened by alleyways, mains and lateral drains, and drainage canals often being blocked by heavy vegetation and solid waste. The problem is then compounded by lack of maintenance of sluices and outfalls. The task force plans to develop a drainage mechanism that effectively drains the country during periods of heavy rainfall; hence, reducing the obstructions to economic activity as well as the health and livelihoods of citizens.
Another issue that Singh mentioned which was in dire need of attention was proper management of solid waste. The retired Major General
stated that solid waste was a by-product of modern living that can have a negative impact on the quality of life of communities and the environment in particular. He mentioned that this problem was monumental in almost every Guyanese community and it must come to an end. He shared that his task force was seeking to recommend well-developed “best practices” in the area of solid waste management, which can be employed in all areas of Guyana. These are to include predictable garbage collection, recycling, conversion of organic waste into compost and removal of derelict vehicles.
Other areas that Singh mentioned that require a great deal of assistance in “restoring Guyana “, include traffic management; sustainable urban, rural and hinterland physical renewal; and welfare management of the homeless, addicted and mentally challenged.
He announced that a draft of the Restoration Plan, including a detailed plan and budget for phase one activities will be completed by October 2015, and the task force hoped to begin implementation of the programme by November 2015.
According to Singh, the “Restore Guyana” Project is an instrument for the rebranding of Guyana, where Guyanese can be inspired to see the need for change within themselves, families, schools, religious institutions, neighbourhoods, communities, regions and country. Only by such systematic changes in ethics, attitudes, behaviour and a sense of responsibility in all of us will the Restore Guyana Project be sustainable.
Several Amerindian leaders after admitting that the retired Major General’s plan was very ambitious and his presentation was a “mouthful”, stated that a project as such should be implemented within the school curriculum to get the youths started on a better tomorrow. Others added that this move required dedication and hard work, declaring that they were committed to the cause.
saturday, august 22, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Macedonian Police have fired tear gas and stun grenades to drive back refugees trying to cross the border from Greece after they spent a night stranded by an emergency decree that had effectively sealed the Macedonian frontier.
Five injured refugees were taken to a hospital on the Greek side of the border on Friday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said.
An MSF spokesman told Al Jazeera that injuries were caused by plastic bullets and tear gas.
Witnesses said the bor-
der reopened around 16:00h local time (14:00 GMT) after being closed overnight, and refugees were pouring through.
More than 3000 people had been waiting on the Greek side for the border to open, Al Jazeera’s Ivan Corkalo reported from the border town of Idomeni.
Macedonia deployed several hundred policemen and soldiers to secure the frontier.
“They shoot us today, they shoot us today, I can tell you, I see it. We were in front of the place. Officer people in Macedonia, they
shoot the people,” a refugee, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters.
Macedonia is one of the major transit points for refugees trying to get from Greece to other European Union (EU) countries. At least 44,000 have arrived over the last two months.
Refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, many of them Syrians, spent a cold night on the border on Thursday as Macedonia declared a state of emergency and effectively blocked its southern frontier to refugees. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
North Korea put its troops on a war footing on Friday as South Korea rejected an ultimatum to stop propaganda broadcasts or face military action, prompting China to voice concern and urge both sides to step back.
South Korean Vice Defence Minister Baek Seung-joo said his Government expected the North to fire at some of the 11 sites where Seoul has set
up loudspeakers on its side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the countries.
The South earlier rejected an ultimatum that it halt anti-Pyongyang broadcasts by Saturday afternoon or face attack.
The North’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement the military and the public stood ready to safeguard its regime even if it meant fighting an all-out war, and
it rejected the idea of restraint in an apparent rebuff of China’s calls.
Official media said Pyongyang’s military was not bluffing.
China, which remains reclusive North Korea’s main economic backer despite diminished political clout to influence Pyongyang, said it was deeply concerned about the escalation of tension and called for calm from both sides. (Excerpt from Reuters)
AMauritanian court has upheld a twoyear prison sentence against three anti-slavery activists who were arrested during a protest against bondage in the West African nation.
In an open letter from prison published on Wednesday, one of the accused, Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, vowed to continue his fight against slavery and appealed for the United States and European Union to put pressure on Mauritania to act against the practice, in-
cluding stopping financial aid.
“From my dark cell I urge them to mobilise all legal and diplomatic means, including the suspension of all financial aid, to push the Government to take real action to eradicate slavery as well as the racism and exclusion underlying it,” he wrote.
Abeid, runner-up in the 2014 presidential elections and head of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA), was jailed in January
alongside two other activists.
The three activists were arrested in November last year while protesting slavery and were found guilty of “belonging to an illegal organisation, leading an unauthorised rally, and violence against the Police”.
The two others convicted were Bilal Ramdane, an assistant to Ould Abeid, and Djiby Sow, a civic and cultural rights campaigner. Sow has since been released on parole due to health problems. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
saturday, august 22, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com
By IndrawattIe natram
President David Granger on Friday afternoon commissioned a spanking state-of-the-art 45-seat “David G” school boat equipped with safety jackets at Charity in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). He was accompanied by First Lady Sandra Granger. After a ceremony during which the First Lady sprinkled coconut water on the boat, persons were given a
ride on the boat . The boat was constructed by Pomeroon boat builder Brian Peters and measure 25 feet in length and eight feet in width. The boat was the fulfilment of a promise made by President Granger during the 2015 election campaign to the people of Pomeroon.
Addressing the huge gathering at Alfro Alphonso Complex at Charity, President Granger said that the new boat would ensure
that every single Pomeroon child attended school.
The newly-elected President noted that during the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) campaigning exercises, the parents of Pomeroon requested a boat to transport children in the area. He said residents complained that the dropout rate in the area was high and as such, a boat was needed to assist in making transportation easier.
Winners of the third drawing in the TRINCHLORO
“Clean and White Sure Cash” Promotion on Friday collected their prize money of US$100 each at ANSA McAL Trading Ltd Head Office, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. The third drawing
Coast Berbice; Janet Singh of Grove, East Bank Demerara and Savitrie Persaud of North Cummingsburg, Georgetown.
Brand Coordinator Nigel Dodson congratulated the winners and assured that ANSA McAL will not only ensure that they receive a great product but will con-
the first-place winner receiving US$5000, second place US$3000, third place US$1000, and fourth and fifth place US$500 each. Additionally, 15 persons will win US$100 in the three consolation drawings.
To enter the Promotion, persons are required to place a TRINCHLORO
was held at Jaigobin’s Supermarket, Anna Regina, Essequibo. The winners are Gloria Bourne of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Parbatie of Robb Street, Bourda; Shailendra Arjune of Bush Lot, West
tinue to reward its loyal customers through promotions such as the TRINCHLORO Sure Cash.
This promotion will give 20 TRINCHLORO customers the chance to win $2 million in cash with
Granger was in loud praise of Alfro Alphonso Group of Companies which he said was very supportive of the initiative.
“You don’t have to have a party card to enter the boat; it’s for all Guyanese children….all Pomeroon children will benefit...,” the President noted.
He said the boat was a gift and a direct investment towards the education sector’s development,
“Every child has to go
to school, if they don’t have uniform we will provide; if they don’t have books, we will provide; if they don’t have shoes, we will provide.”
The President said once a nation was educated and necessary resources were provided to ensure that an education was obtained, increasing numbers of persons can become self- sufficient.
He urged parents living in the Pomeroon to become self-employed through agro-processing and to make
use of the coconuts that are available.
“What we want to see, Charity, the boys and girls coming out from school to get into agriculture, even if you growing rice. This country must not depend on overseas and import things,” Granger noted.
Also attending the commissioning were Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) members Samad Baksh and Julian Cummings.
“Spiritual healer” in TT accused of 91 sexual offences against a minor
A44-year-old selfproclaimed spiritual healer has been slapped with 91 charges related to his alleged sexual activity with a young girl. Krishna Singh, a deportee, was denied bail when he appeared in court on Thursday on the charges.
He is accused of 81 counts of sexual penetration of a female, five counts of grievous sexual assault, and five counts of sexual intercourse with a female between the ages of 14 and 16 years.
The sexual offences allegedly occurred between May 12 and August 6 this year, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service said. Singh was denied bail and remanded into custody, until September 16, after Police informed the court that he
had similar charges pending in the same jurisdiction.
Following a Police trace, it was also discovered that he was deported from the United States after being convicted of similar offences.
Singh, who is also known by the aliases “Shelton
and “Shelford Roberts”, faces additional charges of resisting arrest and assault.
(Excerpt from Caribbean360)
New airport opens with US$98M price tag in Antigua
Ashiny new VC Bird International Airport terminal opened on Thursday amid much pomp and ceremony, and apparently with a price tag to match.
Clean & White label along with their name, address and telephone number in entry boxes provided at all leading supermarkets countrywide. The Promotion ends August 28.
When the project was announced in 2011, the initial cost was US$45 million. That sum was increased to US$75 million by May 2013, and during the terminal’s opening ceremony on Thursday, Permanent Secretary in the Tourism
Ministry Paula Frederick Hunte quoted the final cost at nearly US$98 million.
Despite the cost, however, tourism stakeholders expressed high hopes for the new facility. “This facility, at a cost of approximately US$98 million, is one we can all be proud of, and I am confident will help ensure the bright and successful future of Antigua and Barbuda,” she said.
Projected to be able to process up to two million
passengers per year, the new airport will not only service the 18 existing operators at VC Bird International, but also the three new carriers that will be making the inaugural flights to the new terminal during the 2015 winter season.
Jet Blue will begin service from JFK on November 5, Air Italia from Milan on December 13, and Seaborne Airlines from Puerto Rico on December 20. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)
By IndrawattIe natram
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud has urged hundreds of Essequibians in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to pay attention to youths at an early stage and not to ignore them or become complacent.
Persaud was at the time speaking at a graduation ceremony on Friday at the Richard Faiikall Police College in G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) at Suddie for adults, children and Police Youth Groups members who attended a computer training programme.
The Commissioner told the gathering that parents needed to pay much atten-
if you ignore your children they might end up in the wrong hands and eventually become the threats to com-
munity,” Persaud posited.
tion to their children at an early stage and warned that if youths were ignored, then they could become victims of “bad” gangs.
“Pay attention, every day the bad gangs are recruiting, they need fresh blood,
He urged parents to enrol their children during the August vacation in available courses and youth groups; hence, keeping them away from predators.
He urged persons to make use of the training
available and to stay until completion. Speaking on summer courses, he said he was happy to enrol in the courses, taking the opportunity to develop knowledge in IT.
Partnership
Speaking to ranks from G Division, graduands, special invitees and regional officials, during his feature address, Persaud said he would like to applaud the efforts of Zara Realty Holding Corp, which made the training possible, and the many contributions the company has made to Guyana.
“They are all Guyanese that have done well overseas and, as such, they want to give back to Guyana, apart from training people in IT, medical outreaches are held via Guyana Medical Outreach,” the Police Chief said.
Persaud added that Zara Realty has constructed three computer centres, commenting that in today’s world Information Technology was of paramount importance. He said one needed to become competitive in the world of work and the programme was designed to empower persons in the field. He said capacity would be developed by the Police Force to deliver a programming course and computer infrastructure.
The Commissioner said
The Peruvian Congress has approved legislation that allows the country’s air force to shoot down small planes suspected of carrying illegal drugs. Peru produces more cocaine than any other country and antinarcotics agents say most of it is smuggled to the US.
The bill was passed unanimously 89-0 and is expected to be signed into law by President Ollanta Humala. However, officials say the US has expressed
its opposition to restoring so-called aerial interdiction. Peru halted the tactic in 2001 after an American missionary and her infant daughter were killed in an attack on a plane wrongly identified as carrying drugs.
The plane was brought down by the Peruvian Air Force but it was a joint operation with the CIA. The US, which sponsors antidrugs programmes across South America, has opposed attacks on suspected
drug planes since then.
Other countries in the region – including Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia – already permit such planes to be shot down, albeit with strict guidelines. Officials in Peru say about half of the cocaine crossing its border is being taken via small planes to Bolivia.
President Humala vowed to make combating drug trafficking a priority when he took office in 2011.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
the Guyana Police Force was committed to delivering all the IT training free of cost. He noted that use of IT was one of the Force’s approaches to crime-fighting, stating that people will earn more and learn more.
“You have to be occupied meaningfully away from smoking drugs and misbehaving,” he further said, referring to youths.
Programme and Skill Vocational Training.
Elaborating on the community scan, he said there was where the Force would identify persons or organisations that could contribute meaningfully to society. He said after the scan was completed, a community security network was formed whereby persons would identify projects.
The networking, he said, has, over the years, built amicable relationships between the Force and the community.
Community involvement
Meanwhile, giving an overview of the course was IT Trainer, Constable Gladwin Hanover, who said eight courses were executed at the Police College at Suddie. From the eight courses, 218 participants graduated. The courses attracted persons from the community as old as 83 and young as six years old.
Hanover said 199 persons were trained in 2013,
Zara Realty Holding Corp Vice President Jay Subraj, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said that the Computer Centre was a partnership between Zara Realty and the Guyana Police Force. He said these centres can only be successful with the help of the community.
Subraj said IT was very important in a child’s life and he was happy to see many children participating. He further said that many times persons would ask why Guyana was such a focus for Zara Realty Holding and noted that Guyana was a favoured country and the people were humble.
G Division Commander Kevin Adonis, in brief remarks, said it was the third graduation for the Suddie Zara Computer Centre and to date, it has trained over 609 persons in the field of IT.
He said the graduation was a proud moment for the G Division and recalled that the Centre was opened on
Persaud commended the efforts of the IT trainers and the work done during the delivery of the courses.
The Commissioner said the courses serve as a social crime prevention strategy of the Force, adding the strategy has four components namely: a community scan, Environmental Crime Protection, a Youth
273 persons in 2014 and 218 in 2015. The programmes include three adult programmes – two foundation and one advanced; one Police recruit foundation and four summer programmes.
Hanover said the College will be introducing a PC repairs and maintenance programme before the end of the year.
June 8, 2013. He added that the courses offered have helped the Division to improve its social networking relationship with the community.
Participants of the training also expressed their gratitude to the Police Force and Zara Realty.
Brazilian prosecutors investigating a major corruption scandal have filed charges against the speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha.
He is accused of taking US$5 million (£3.2 million) in bribes to secure contracts with the state oil giant, Petrobras. Cunha denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated. He is an outspoken critic of President Dilma Rousseff. Charges have been submitted against ex-President
Fernando Collor de Mello. Collor de Mello was in power between 1990 and 1992, when he resigned hours before the Senate was due to vote on his impeachment for corruption. Brazil’s Attorney General, Rodrigo Janot, has accused Cunha of corruption and money laundering.
The charges against Collor de Mello have not been disclosed. He was on a previous list of people under investigation over the Petrobras corruption scandal. He has also denied
any wrongdoing. Collor de Mello’s office has posted a message on Facebook accusing the Attorney General of “playing for the media”.
“Everything could have been clarified had the senator been given the right to examine the accusations and offer his explanations,” reads the post. Collor de Mello says he is “the main victim of this plot”. The Supreme Court will now have to decide whether to accept the charges. As Congressmen, both men would be tried by the Supreme Court.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
ARIES (March 21April 19)
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
(May 21June 20)
CANCER
You may have to be the one to take charge if unsettling issues arise concerning a loved one. Clear thinking and levelheadedness will break down emotional barriers and provide stability to others.
Listen and observe. You will learn about leadership if you pay attention to someone in a position of authority. By tackling and overcoming different obstacles, you will gain self-confidence.
Set aside time to go over important legal or medical documents. If you are too free with your personal data, someone will meddle in your affairs. Private matters must be kept secret.
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
PISCES
(Feb. 20March 20)
Don’t waste time arguing. Make better use of your day by implementing minor homeimprovements. Plan to entertain friends once you have your place in order. You’ll impress everyone with your handiwork.
Don’t be afraid to show off a little. Networking and mixing business with pleasure will yield some interesting returns. An unexpected surprise will brighten your day.
Try a unique approach to spicing up your love life. Collaborate with people you respect in order to come up with ideas that will improve your environment or surroundings.
Sharing your thoughts and feelings with family members will lessen your stress. An elderly relative will provide unique insight and solutions to help you overcome your worries.
Legal, insurance or financial matters must be taken seriously. Play by the rules or risk losing out. Once you consider the consequences, you will do the right thing.
Put your leadership skills to work. Take on a challenge and prove to yourself and others that you can take control and masterfully put your plans in motion. Make subtle changes to your looks in order to enhance your confidence. Get out in social settings that allow you to mingle. You will meet interesting people who will lead to a new beginning.
Someone will disagree with you. Let your feelings be known without becoming hostile or aggressive. It may be necessary to distance yourself from the situation until you feel less aggravated.
Break away from your routine and try something new. An industry or community event will provide a backdrop for an interesting encounter. Romance is looking good.
The BCCI is contemplating appointing separate head coaches for Test and limited-overs formats for the India team. Its official position, as revealed by board secretary Anurag Thakur, was that it would appoint a coach before the South Africa series in October and the cricket advisory committee has been given the freedom
ting a foreign coach get assistants of his choice. Instead, the BCCI has stressed that the head coach will have to work with Indian assistant coaches.
It has resulted in eligible overseas coaches being apprehensive of taking charge. The BCCI is understood to have been in touch with three recently-retired cricketers - all of whom have
to decide on the structure of the coaching staff, but ESPNcricinfo understands the position may be split.
According to board insiders, the BCCI over the last month has approached at least half a dozen overseas candidates. None of them have been forthcoming to accept the full-time role, primarily for two reasons: most of them are associated with a Twenty20 franchise or league and wouldn’t like to part ways with a lucrative short-term assignment.
The other factor that has worked against attracting an overseas candidate is the BCCI’s emphasis on not let-
assumed coaching responsibilities with T20 franchises.
The high-profile cricket advisory committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman is likely to interact with them over the coming fortnight.
Thakur hinted that team director Ravi Shastri would remain in contention, but stressed it would be up to the advisory committee to formalise the structure and the number of coaching staff required.
“I think it is very important to have a full-time coach for any team. We have taken some time to de-
cide and most probably in the month of September, we will finalise the coach,” Thakur said in a chat with Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar during the lunch break of India’s second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday on Sony Six.
“[Ravi] Shastri is holding the position of the director for the last few months and he has done well with the Indian cricket team, the boys have given us a good feedback about him, so the only issue is if we want a full-time coach then what would be the set-up. We can’t be having 10 people with the Indian cricket team.
“So we have left it to the cricket advisory committee to decide how many people will be required, how many coaches will be required, whether a bowling coach, a batting coach, a full-time coach or a director. Let them take a call, come back to BCCI in September and before the South Africa series, I can assure you that we will take a call on that.”
Shastri continues to be a contender for one of the positions. Thakur and Shastri, team director for almost a year, are believed to have discussed the roadmap in a meeting in Colombo on Thursday. With Shastri having developed a good rapport with India Test captain Virat Kohli, he could well continue to look after the Test team while the new coach may be in charge of ODIs and T20s. (Cricinfo)
Trinidadian Olympic silver medallist and track and field pundit, Ato Boldon, has said that a win for world’s fastest man Usain Bolt over Justin Gatlin would be similar to boxing great Muhammed Ali’s win over George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle.
The ballots have now been cast ahead of track and field’s heavy weight showdown between world record holder Bolt and American Gatlin, in a men’s 100m final that seems destined for the hallowed annals of track and field history.
Bolt, the defending world champion and bona fide track and field legend, has
struggled for form for most of the season, having been hampered by injury. In the meantime, it is Gatlin who has blazed the track, racking up an impressive 27race win streak with several times in the 9.7s region. Bolt’s season best is 9.87s, the disparity Boldon says has many experts convinced Gatlin is the man to beat.
“I have a pool of 10 recently retired top sprinters and all of them were backing Gatlin,” former Olympic sprint star Ato Boldon told UK publication Sportsmail.
“Only one of them changed their mind on the Beijing outcome based on London’s race. The rest of us went, ‘Yes, OK, Bolt is
better than he has been all year’, but we’d not seen anything that convinces us that Bolt ought to start that race as favourite. That goes for the 200m as well,” he added.
“If Bolt is able to prove me and a lot of other people wrong this time round, it will be in the same vein as Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman and the Rumble in the Jungle where every expert said Foreman by a mile was too good. Even if this is not a fast time, if Bolt can find a way to beat Gatlin, given Gatlin’s last 12 months, it would be the greatest thing he’s ever done — forget the world records.”
(Digicel Sportsmax)
Ahead of the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, we take a look at the stars to watch at the Bird’s Nest.
With the 2015 World Championships set to start in Beijing on Saturday, Omnisport takes a look at eight athletes to watch.
Usain Bolt – Jamaica
Men’s 100m, 200m, 4x100m
No athlete will have more cameras trained on them than Bolt when he takes to the track at the Beijing National Stadium.
The four-time individual Olympic champion and five-time world championship gold medallist has been battling a pelvic injury this year but will still be the fans’ favourite for both the 100m and 200m, despite the impressive form of Justin Gatlin in both events in 2015.
Dawn Harper-Nelson –United States
Women’s 100m hurdles
If you are looking for a certainty for a gold medal at the Bird’s Nest, HarperNelson could be your best bet.
With Australia’s Sally Pearson – who has finished first or second at the past two Olympics and world championships - out injured, Harper-Nelson has the best pedigree in the women’s 100m hurdles, as the 31-year-old has won the past three overall Diamond League titles in the event.
Mo Farah – Great Britain
Men’s 5,000m, 10,000m
The poster boy of the 2012 Olympic Games has expressed unhappiness at
his name being dragged through the mud after doping allegations were made against his coach, Alberto Salazar.
There is no suggestion that Farah has done anything wrong and the 32-year-old will be happy to focus on competing this month as he looks to defend his world titles in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.
Caterine Ibarguen –Colombia Women’s triple jump
Five Diamond League victories from six meetings this year, overall champion in 2014 and 2013, and reigning world champion -
Ibarguen is the dominant force in the women’s triple jump but in no way a certainty to win in China.
Ibarguen has notched six of the top-10 jumps of 2015 - Russia’s Ekaterina Koneva has registered the other four - while Kazakhstan’s Olympic champion Olga Rypakova remains a contender after winning in the absence of her Colombian rival at the London Grand Prix in July.
Justin Gatlin – United States Men’s 100m, 200m There is arguably no athlete in the world in better form than Gatlin at the moment, with the 33-yearold American having run the four fastest 100m times and two best 200m marks in 2015.
Gatlin’s two previous doping bans - in 2001 and 2006 - have prompted some critics to question his pace, but the bronze medallist at London 2012 and silver medallist at the last world championships in Moscow could nevertheless
be set for gold in Beijing.
Shelly-Ann FraserPr yce – Jamaica Women’s 100m, 200m, 4x100m
Another member of Jamaica’s impressive sprinting stable, FraserPryce’s record just about matches that of her compatriot Bolt.
The 28-year-old will return to the scene of her maiden Olympic gold medal next week, while she will be looking to notch her third world title in the 100m against the likes of American youngsters Tori Bowie and English Gardner.
R eese Hoffa – United States Men’s shot put At 37, Hoffa may be in the form of his life having won two of the past three overall Diamond League shot put titles.
Having won bronze at London 2012 and finished fourth at Moscow 2013, Hoffa’s career looked to be on the slide. However, after topping the Diamond League standings last year, the American veteran will fancy himself next week against the likes of Poland’s Tomasz Majewski and Germany’s David Storl.
Jessica Ennis-Hill –Great Britain Women’s heptathlon
Alongside Farah, EnnisHill was the home nation’s athletics star at London 2012 as one of only three gold medallists. Three years on and
Ennis-Hill has struggled with an ankle injury that forced her to miss Moscow 2013, become a mother and qualified for Rio 2016 - and the 29-year-old will be looking to make a statement in Beijing ahead of next year’s Olympic Games. (Digicel Sportsmax)
The second day of the P Sara Test was almost a coming-of-age day of Test cricket for Virat Kohli’s India. They didn’t score hundreds of runs, they didn’t take tens of wickets, but they were persistent both with bat and the ball. When the runs didn’t come easily, their last four wickets ground out 74 to deny Sri Lanka a clear advantage. When the wickets didn’t come as readily as in the first Test, they refused to bowl loose balls or release the pressure, biding their time by just pegging away.
At the end of the second day, India had taken three Sri Lanka wickets, led by 253, and knew the hosts will have to bat last on a surface where the odd ball began to behave alarmingly. What’s more, Kohli’s gut selection, Stuart Binny, who failed with the bat, did a useful job with the ball, holding one end up and returning figures of 11-3-24-0 while coming heartbreakingly close to taking a wicket.
It was a day of attritional Test cricket. The game moved largely slowly but never flatly. There was just enough help on the pitch to keep the bowlers from getting disheartened, and enough resolve from the batsmen to keep the persistent bowlers at bay. India, enjoying some luck when they batted in the first session, dug in harder and for longer than Sri Lanka to get their noses ahead. In between, India found time for a ceasefire of sorts to wel-
come Kumar Sangakkara, playing his last Test, to the crease with a guard of honour. Sangakkara was made to fight harder than he is used to for his 32 off 87 before he fell to R Ashwin for the third time in the series. While Sri Lanka will be worried wondering how to replace Sangakkara, a man replacing an Indian legend found another small step in Test cricket. Wriddhiman Saha enjoyed the kind of luck Dinesh Chandimal did while taking the Galle Test away from India, but he was more sedate and old-fashioned in scoring his second half-century this series to keep Sri Lanka in the field for more than a session. Rangana Herath started the most frenetic spell of the day by taking out India’s last two wickets within seven runs of each other. Umesh Yadav, who had bowled his last 304 legal deliveries for just one wicket and was making a comeback, bowled a perfect
outswinger first ball to send back Dimuth Karunaratne but it was back to being hard work for both sides then on. Just like it had been in
the morning. On a hot day Dhammika Prasad and Angelo Mathews refused to offer any freebies. Ashwin fell early to a loose shot to Mathews during a spell when only two scoring shots were played in 28 minutes, and only one boundary hit in 57 balls. Saha and Amit Mishra enjoyed all the luck - ball hitting the off stump without removing the bail, ordinary pictures reprieving Saha, what seemed like a catch at the wicket not given, edges falling short of or flying over fielders - but batted with caution to add 46 for the eighth wicket. The last three wickets fell for 26, making it 74 added for four wickets in a little over a session. (Cricinfo)
India 1st innings
M Vijay lbw b Prasad 0
KL Rahul c †Chandimal b Chameera 108
AM Rahane c Karunaratne b Prasad 4
V Kohli* c Mathews b Herath 78
RG Sharma lbw b Mathews 79
STR Binny c Chameera b Herath 10
WP Saha† lbw b Herath 56
R Ashwin c Silva b Mathews 2 A Mishra c †Chandimal b Chameera 24
I Sharma lbw b Herath 2
UT Yadav not out 2
Extras (b 8, lb 13, w 4, nb 3) 28
Total (all out; 114 overs; 517 mi ns) 393
Fall of wickets: 1-4 2-12, 3-176, 4-231, 5-267, 6-319, 7-321, 8-367, 9-386, 10-393
Bowling: KTGD Prasad 24-7-
84-2, AD Mathews 15-7-242, PVD Chameera 20-2-72-2, HMRKB Herath 25-3-81-4, PHT Kaushal 30-2-111-0.
Sri Lanka 1st innings
FDM Karunaratne lbw b Yadav 1
JK Silva c Ashwin b Mishra 51
KC Sangakkara c Rahane b Ashwin 32
HDRL Thirimanne not out 28
AD Mathews* not out 19
Extras (b 2, lb 3, nb 4) 9
Total (3 wickets; 53 overs) 140
To bat: J Mubarak, LD Chandimal†, KTGD Prasad, HMRKB Herath, PHT Kaushal, PVD Chameera
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-75, 3-114
Bowling: I Sharma 10-2-31-0, UT Yadav 11-5-34-1, STR Binny 11-3-24-0, R Ashwin 14-237-1, A Mishra 7-1-9 -1.
Science will ultimately put out the doping firestorm that has engulfed athletics in the runup to the world championships, Craig Reedie, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said on Friday.
The governing body of athletics, the IAAF, has been in crisis since data from thousands of blood samples was leaked to two media organisations this month.
Three weeks of further leaks and allegations that the IAAF has been soft on dopers have overshadowed the run-up to its biennial showpiece, which opens in Beijing with the men’s marathon on Saturday.
WADA were asked to form an independent commission to investigate the allegations by German broadcaster ARD and British newspaper The Sunday Times that the IAAF had failed to probe hundreds of “suspicious” tests between 2001 and 2012.
“It’s been a little bit of a firestorm; I think the World Anti-Doping Agency
has been pretty clear in its views that the allegations were based on data that was questionable from a scientific and a legal point of view,” Reedie told Reuters in an interview on the eve of the championships.
“Our scientists and experts have already started working down in Monaco and we await the results of those investigations with interest.
“I would like to think that things are quietening down and I hope they are. At the end of the day, I’m quite certain science will prevail and we’ll come through this.”
Reedie welcomed the election of Sebastian Coe to the IAAF presidency this week, saying his fellow Briton was a “convinced anti-doper” who would be a powerful ally in the battle against the use of banned substances in sport.
He said Coe’s pledge to move to an independent anti-doping agency for athletics would not be in conflict with WADA’s work, suggesting the sport might sensibly follow the lead of cycling’s
governing body, the UCI.
“It won’t be conflicting in any way because whatever the IAAF do will come under the overall heading of the world anti-doping code and WADA regulations,” said Reedie.
“I think the best comparable example is that of the UCI, who have separated their promotion and development area... from its sanctioning body.
“It does actually remove the apparent conflict that one body is doing two things. I think it could well be helpful.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach earlier said in a news conference that Coe’s plans were “quite interesting” and would be discussed at an Olympic summit in October.
Reedie was keen to disassociate himself from comments attributed to him in an interview last weekend, when he was reported to be in favour of a blanket ban on countries whose athletes regularly doped.
Defending champion Serena Williams reached the semifinals of the Western & Southern tournament in Cincinnati but not before having her mettle tested in a 3-6 6-4 6-2 win over sixth-
three games and Ivanovic the next four before the world number one roared back to win the next three.
The Serb then grabbed the opening two games of the final set but Williams shifted into a higher gear
seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic on Friday.
Williams, who will be chasing a calendar sweep of the four grand slams at the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 U.S. Open, struggled with her serve and was forced to come from behind several times in a rematch of last year’s final.
“Out of the previous nine times we’ve played I think we’ve gone three sets at least six times so I know she plays really well,” the topseeded American said in an on-court interview.
“She’s been number one, she’s won a grand slam. I knew it was going to be a big test for me today and I’m really happy I was able to get through.”
“The situation as WADA sees it is very clear, we do not have that authority,” he said.
“All we can do is declare somebody non-compliant with the code and it is up to our stakeholders to take advice.”
The ban for a serious doping offence has recently been increased from two to
Ivanovic did well to contain her opponent’s powerful serve, most notably in the first set when she broke three times in four games to pull ahead 5-3 before delivering an incredible backhand winner to hold to love.
A topsy-turvy second set saw Williams grab the first
cussed,” Reedie said. “(But) if we introduced life bans, it is our legal advice that would not be regarded as
four years but Reedie said it was not viable to impose life bans.
“It’s a very topical issue every time doping is dis-
proportionate.
to win six in a row and advance.
The American landed only 31 percent of her first serves in the opening set and 47 percent in the second but was much more efficient in the third, chalking up 68 percent.
“I just decided that if I wanted to stay out here and keep playing I had to pick my game up a level,” said Williams who now has a 9-1 career record against Ivanovic.
“I had to do a ‘Serena’. I kind of like that actually.” Up next for Williams will be 14th-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, a 6-4 2-6 6-0 winner over Czech Lucie Safarova, seeded seven. In Friday’s other quarter-finals, third-seeded Romanian Simona Halep plays Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while unseeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic faces Slovakian qualifier Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. (Reuters)
“I don’t blame media for doing what they do; we have to react to it and I think we have reacted to it pretty sensibly, particularly in the creation of an independent commission to look at it,” he said.
“I think it will settle down. Frequently before any championship, there is a sort of seething hotbed of discussion and rumour and then the sport starts. I think it might well be that tomorrow morning’s marathon will be quite wonderful.”
“If we did it, we would immediately be in court, we’d lose the case and that does not make any sense at all.” Reedie said there was no complacency in those charged with fighting doping and put his faith in WADA’s independent commission as well as Saturday’s start of the championships to bring an end to the crisis in athletics.
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James Lewis of the Foreign Affairs Ministry will host a tapeball and domino competition on August 30 at the National Cultural Centre.
The competition will be a six-over-a-side tournament while the domino tournament will be a four-player team knockout event.
At stake will be trophies and medals for the tapeball tournament, while the domino tournament will have trophies and cash incentives at stake.
The closing date for entries is August 25. Interested teams can call Lewis on 672-6179 or 666-
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For Australia, The Oval has so far staged the Alternative Ashes. If Australia prosper here, it will not be just a consolation victory, it will be the Ashes as they imagined at the airport check-in that they might unfold: Steven Smith striking a Test hundred to belie his air of innocence, Michael Clarke directing affairs with an air of contentment and Peter Siddle producing threatening seam-bowling spells fuelled only, cricket folklore will have it, by a steady diet of bananas.
Instead, as Australia know only too painfully, it has not turned out like that. England, they will grouse, have rigged the pitches. After all, how can you trust a nation that just across town at the Barbican toyed with having Benedict Cumberbatch speak Hamlet’s soliloquy at the beginning of the play? Something is rotten in the state of England, they will say and, if it had not been, the Ashes would have been theirs. Friday at The Oval proved it.
This is not a quick pitch, quite the opposite, but it has dried fast, the Australians have enjoyed the sun on their back and it will be warmer still on Saturday, approaching a stultifying 30C. Storms, though, are threatening later in the Test - if there still is a Test. There probably won’t be.
There has not been anything approaching a close match in this unpredictable series and, with England still 175 runs short of avoiding the follow-on with only two wickets remaining, there is unlikely to be one here. Neither side has been able to fight back when under pressure. Some will blame oneday cricket. Non-stop schedules might also have a bit to do with it. It has been a series of exciting cricket and tired minds.
Everything witnessed at The Oval - indeed, in London once Australia’s victory at Lord’s is taken into account - has made England’s imaginings that they might force a 4-1 Ashes win impossible to credit. Faced by a daunting Australia total of 481,
Steven Smith brought up his 11th Test century
England’s assembling of 107 for 8 was feeble in the extreme, the captain Alastair Cook still left with one halfcentury in the series, Jos Buttler destroyed by a routine offspinner and Adam Lyth, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes all surrendering to disorganised hooks and pulls.
Lyth’s Ashes series sees him 105 for 8. He has looked overawed at this level. His maladroit pull to mid-on from Siddle’s second ball was one of his worst dismissals of the series. His Test chance might have come and gone.
Australia, in hindsight, will rue selection decisions during the series. Siddle, so routinely overlooked that he feared he might never play
another Test, gave them control; Mitchell Marsh, illogically left out at Trent Bridge as Australia relied on only four bowlers, took 3 for 18 and would have taken four had he not overstepped when having Mark Wood caught at the wicket shortly before the close. There is a no-ball epidemic in Test cricket and umpiring attitudes have caused it. Smith, an Australia captain-in-waiting, had prepared for his elevation to the job in satisfying fashion as his 11th Test match hundred helped Australia to a first-innings total of 481. It felt like a position of authority even before Smith and his eighth-wicket partner Mitchell Starc embarked upon a stand of 91 in 16 overs, Starc’s clean-hitting half-century coming with perfunctory shrugs at the ease of it all. When Smith dragged on a wide one from Steven Finn, ending a stay of 143 from 226 balls, England, it turned out, were broken. Series over? Can’t win the match? Faced by such truths, England collapsed. From 60 for 2, they lost six wickets for 32 in 11 overs; good bowling combated by witless batting. That after much talk before play of: “Bowled well first day, sunny day for batting, happy with how things have gone.” (Cricinfo)
The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), as part of its Silver Jubilee Anniversary (19902015) celebration, will host a “Night of Legends” programme in October at the St Francis Community Developers Training Centre. A total of 25 outstanding cricketers will be honoured for their services to the Club and their achievements over the years.
Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster stated that the Club was proud of its achievements over its 25year history and it has achieved much more than most clubs in Guyana, even those that have been around for centuries. The RHTY&SC every year undertakes 200 programmes/activities under the headings of sports, culture, education, anti-drugs, anti-suicide, youth development, charity, community development and religion among others.
In addition to the 25 cricketers to be honoured, the RHTY&SC will also be recognising the contributions of 20 outstand-
ing executives for the roles they have played in making the Club into Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.
The Club’s Cricket Development and Research Committees have shortlisted a total of 70 players who can be voted on by members of the public.
The list of players reads: Raymond and Stephen Cecil, Neil Williams, Ingram Dey, Randolph Keseram, Shawn Grant, Permanand Thikapersaud, Desmond Fraser, Joseph Arokium, Raymond Haniff, Inderpaul Mohan, Abdel Fudadin, Assad Fudadin, Esaun Crandon, George Paddy, Leonard Lashley, Andre Percival, Khemraj Mahadeo, Rajiv Ivan, Renwick Batson, Michael Trim, Rasheed Bacchus, Steve Rengasim, Leon Wiggins, Shan Veerasammy, Ravi Narine, Farad Punch, Jermin Punch, Sherain Murray, Jason Sinclair, Askhay Homraj, Brandon Prashad, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, James Fraser, Shailendra Shameer, Dominique Rikhi, Terrence Madramootoo, Sheldon Sampson, Vivian Byrant, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Eon Gibson, Leroy Bristol, Michael Hicks, Randolph Latcha, Delbert Hicks, E Barlow, Nyeem Abdool, Suluman Sahid, Plaffiana Millington, Clive Harry, Mahendra Srikissoon, Michael Rengasmi, Phillip Sampson, Shevon Marks, Mark Papannah, Rondall Lewis, Rasheed Bacchus, Troy Mathieson, P Sukhra, Takechand Beharry, Alston Hendrax, Tajpaul Gobin, Ajai Narine, A Hendrax, Rawle Ferreira, Loyydel Lewis and Eon Gibson.
Members of the Club can submit their nomination for their favourite RHTY&SC players (up to 25) via email at: foster_hilbert@yahoo.com or via post to the Club’s office, Area “H” Ground, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice.
Nominations must be based on the players’ personal discipline, performances on the cricket field and a positive role model status for youths. Each of the selected players will be honoured by the RHTY&SC during the “Night of Legends” and will also be featured in the Club’s 2016 Youth Review Magazine.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
In order to fulfil its promise that threeday cricket will return to Berbice in the near future, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), via President Anil Beharry, revealed on Friday that plans were moving apace to have the tournament staged very shortly,.
Beharry emphasised that while three-day cricket was not marketable, the BCB remained resolute that the Tournament must be reintroduced into the itinerary of Berbice cricket.
“We at the BCB are working feverishly to see the return of three-day cricket, but it is not marketable; it is expensive and for some reason sponsors don’t want to put their money into it, because it is not as exciting as the other forms of cricket, particularly with the advent of 20/20.”
He added: “Twenty/20
and 50-over are by the wayside compared to Test cricket, so we are appealing to sponsors and, if possible to the Government, to assist us to run off a three-day competition in the county of Berbice come 2015.”
The Three-Day Tournament will target all First-Division teams within the county, but, according to Beharry, the participation of all the teams will depend on the financial support received.
Presently, the Board has raised close to $800,000 from
the Caricom Championship held recently. Meanwhile, the BCB is calling on all clubs to get their respective grounds in order for the resumption of a hectic period of cricket.
Among the tournaments slated to be held during this period are the Berbice River Bridge 50-over FirstDivision, Telenec 50-over round-robin, a T20 FirstDivision, the A Ally and Sons Secondary School Under-17 and the Dalchand Rambharose Under-15 Tournament, which will be played during the new school term.
Further, the BCB is currently putting together several Junior and SecondDivision tournaments, which will also be played during the same period.
The Board continues to fulfil its mandate despite the challenges faced, and contributes significantly to Guyana and West Indies Cricket.
The C3 Recreational Park will be recommissioned today at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.
The C3 Recreational Park will be used to host cricket matches and other functions and will be developed into a friendly family-oriented venue with benabs, platforms, a clubhouse, paved walkways, a wi-fi centre and a mini water park.
Today’s events will see an exposition and West Berbice family night hosted by the committee. Patrons can expect to view and indulge in
vending booths, international bars, food court dining, games and inflated rides for children, while cartoon characters Barney, Dora, Diego, SpongeBob and Mickey will be in the house to entertain the children.
A live domestic band will also be in attendance featuring Bunty Singh, Aaron and Sandella, King Murphy Invasion One-Man Band among other performing artistes, and 71 Sound System.
Special entertainment packages are in store for children from “Tons of Fun” party ser-
vice.
On Sunday, the atmosphere will be transformed into a village party for a grand cricket extravaganza featuring the mighty Albion Cricket Club, Young Warriors, West Berbice and East Coast Demerara. There will also be a feature game between Trophy Stall Girls and Karibee Rice female team. The games are set to commence at 09:00h. Entry to the exposition and family night is cost $300 for adults while children under the age of 10 are free.
Former world record holder Asafa Powell has thrown cold water on recent statements that the United States were ready to dethrone Jamaica in the 4x100m event at the IAAF World Championships.
The Jamaicans have claimed the gold medal at the last five major games, setting world records at three of those meets. The trend began with Jamaica breaking the American re-
cord of 37.40 set in 1993 by clocking 37.10 seconds at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
The Jamaicans then broke that record in 2011, running 37.04 seconds and took it even lower with an astonishing 36.84 run at the London Olympics.
Powell addressed renewed optimism in the United States camp following a win over the Jamaicans in the event at the World
Relays held recently held in the Bahamas and the form of American star Justin Gatlin. “The question is: what’s new? They have been saying that since 2008 and I am yet to see. We are not worried about that, we are just trying to get our season together and just go out there and do what we are supposed to do -- talking won’t help right now,” Powell said.
The Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) International Under-19 Championships began on Thursday in Santo Domino, Dominican Republic.
In the opening of the Boys Singles Championships, Guyana’s Narayan Ramdhani qualified for the quarter-finals by defeating Kleiner Ventura of Dominican Republic 219, 21-8 in the first round and also defeated Samuel Garcia of Dominican Republic 21-4, 21-3 in the second round.
Jonathan Mangra of Guyana lost in a tough three setter in the first round to
Ariel Cline of Dominican Republic 13-21, 21-17 and 21-19.
In the Boys Doubles, Ramdhani and Mangra lost to Omar Caraballo and Ventura of Dominican Republic 21-18. 21-18
The tournament continues today.
Meanwhile, the Guyanese top Under-15 players Priyanna Ramdhani and Tyrese Jeffrey departed Guyana for the CAREBACO to be held in Dominican Republic August 24-30.
They will participate in the team tournament and the individual championships where Narayan and Jonathan will join them.
Giftland Sports Maxx delivered on its promise to award the winners of the Men’s 800 metres and Women’s 1500 metres run at the Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic with running apparel during a presentation on Thursday at the store’s head office at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
Police athlete Kevin Bayley won the Under Armour Men’s 800m, while Andrea Foster won the Asics Women’s 1500m.
The store outfitted the winners of both races with respective apparel to the value of $50,000 each.
The apparel for the athletes included running gear, training gear and sneakers. In addition, the athletes are expected to benefit on a long-term basis as Giftland Mall’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Ramdeo
signalled intentions for an extensive relationship.
Meanwhile, two other outstanding athletes, one male and one female from the Boyce and Jefford
Classic will also benefit from Giftland’s Ambassador Programme for a period of one year. The programme will ensure that airfare to com-
pete overseas, apparel, supplements and other training gear to improve their academic and general performance are funded.
After a lengthy break owing to the inclement weather, play in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) First and Second-Divisions’ tournaments will resume today at various venues in the capital city.
The final game in the Hadi’s World Inc/City Mall First-Division two-day competition will highlight the weekend action.
The game will be played between hosts Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Guyana Defence Force
(GDF) from 09:30h each day. West Indies batsman Leon Johnson is expected to turn out for the hosts.
Further, one game is scheduled to be played in the Noble House Seafoods Second Division two-day competition between hosts Police Sports Club and Transport Sport Club from 11:00h daily.
Meanwhile, five games are scheduled for this weekend in the New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Tournament.
For today’s fix -
Leon Johnson
tures, Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) will host Sophia, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will host Third Class, while Malteenoes Sports Club will host University of Guyana. On Sunday, Muslim Youth Organisation will play Ace Warriors at the GNIC Ground, and Gandhi Youth Organisation will oppose Diplomats Sports Club at the DCC Ground. Play on both days will start at 11:00h.
The Berbice Cricket Umpires’ Association (BCUA) will be hosting a one-day umpiring seminar for cricket officials at the Port Mourant Cricket Club today. The programme, which commences at 09:30h, will be used to bring umpires up-to-date with recent developments in world crick-
et and plot a course forward for Berbice cricket umpires.
Umpires will also have a chance to raise some of their concerns at the one-
day seminar.
The BCUA is inviting two representatives each from the following 11 senior clubs in Berbice: Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports
Albion
Port Mourant Cricket
Blairmont Cricket Club, West Berbice Cricket Club, Tucber Park Cricket
Young Warriors Cricket
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Dozens of young Guyanese on Friday graduated from the annual swimming camp organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in partnership with the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).
A packed closing ceremony took place at the National Aquatic Centre where the swimmers were recognised for their efforts, and urged to build on their newfound knowledge.
The six-week camp, which catered for 120 boys and girls between ages six and 16, was overwhelmingly attended, with 160 youngsters from across the country turning up to learn the intricacies of the sport.
The participants were placed into two groups, which were further divided into sub-groups to facilitate more intimate training and attention to the young swimmers.
It was reported that 95 per cent of the participants came to the camp with no prior knowledge of swimming, and had completed the six weeks with a solid foundation course in the sport.
After a four-week assessment, the stronger swimmers were taken to the National Aquatic Centre where they concluded the course.
At the closing ceremony, several officials of the Government and GASA addressed the participants, parents and special invitees.
Minister with responsibility for sport in the Education Ministry, Dr Nicolette Henry, lauded the parents for allowing their children to be involved in sport at such a tender age, noting that she embraced the notion of balancing education with sport.
In a stirring address, she also urged the youths to make maximum use of the opportunities being afforded to them in their formative years so as to shape their future.
“While you’re graduating here, I hope that you recognise what your abilities are. I don’t know your abilities, but your trainers would have recognised and they would have spoken to you. Understand that your possibilities are endless and you can be what
you want to be if you only decide to be committed to your own development,” Dr Henry declared.
The Minister challenged the participants to pursue their dreams, as she reflected on her experience. Dr Henry outlined that she was born and bred in the Ancient County of Berbice and became a Minister, despite not having the luxuries that the youth population enjoy now.
“If you believe in yourself and you take the opportunity you can become all that you want to be. On that note, I wish to say congratulations and I urge you to live your dreams and be all that you want to be,” she concluded to rapturous applause.
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, whose
speech followed a similar line, started off by asking the youngsters to repeat “I’m a big deal.”
“And because you’re a big deal, the Government of Guyana will continue this swimming programme to ensure that we continue to feed the various swimming clubs and associations out there so that Guyana could produce the best set of swimmers. Parents I would want to applaud you for encouraging your children to be part of this swim programme, but I would want to implore upon you that let it not only be the six weeks and this is the end of them learning to swim and perfecting the skill of swimming,” he asserted.
Jones also highlighted that the National Aquatic Centre was now available
to the public on Thursdays and Sundays, and while participants under 16 years would be able to utilise the state-of-the-art facility for free, the older folks would have to pay a fee of $1000.
“So you have the advantage now that you can return to this Aquatic Centre with your children and of course, they can continue to practise what they would have learnt during the sixweek programme,” Jones told the gathering. The young aspiring swimmers were given certificates of participation, while several of them showcased their versatility by entertaining the audience with some singing and dancing. The camp was conducted by a cadre of coaches led by the Cuban, Isabel Maria Cousa Fals.
By TreisTon Joseph
Olympian Winston
George and Carifta bronze medallist Andrea Foster will have a tough challenge ahead of them when the 15th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships begin today in Beijing, China.
It will be an uphill task for the Guyanese duo to battle their way into the final of their respective events.
However, Guyana’s biggest and brightest hope lies with George, who will be competing in the men’s 400 metres at the World Championship.
George has become Guyana’s most prominent and reliable athlete, often improving his times especially in the 400 metres. Despite his progression each year, George will definitely have to battle at the event to make his name.
The 400m specialist who only on June 14, 2015 broke Guyana’s national record with a mark of 45.31s (also his season’s best time) which is definitely good; yet George is ranked 59th in the world by the IAAF.
In addition, George has the 134th fastest time in the world this year; simply put, George will have to find a way to run his
personal best each time he steps on the track in hope of advancing to the final.
Nevertheless, if there is one Guyanese athlete that can accomplish that feat, it is definitely George, who is known for his work ethic as well as self-confidence.
The world’s fastest 400m athlete this year is Isaac Makwala from Botswana with 43.72s, while Grenadian Kirani James has four out of the 10 world leading 400m times with his best mark at 43.95s.
Meanwhile, the up-andcoming middle distance athlete Andrea Foster who will compete in the women’s 800m will find it even tougher and simply will have to put forth some miracle performances to move past the first round of her event. While it is not a knock against the talented athlete, her competition will be on another level than she is prepared for.
Hence, George will have to produce the goods for Guyana.
‘Lady Jags’ rip St Kitts apart 8-0
Guyana’s senior national football team- the Lady Jags- started their quest to Rio Brazil for the 2016 Olympic Games on a winning note, easily disposing of St Kitts and Nevis 8-0 on Friday afternoon in the Dominican Republic.
Playing at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristóbal, the ‘Lady Jags’ was led by a hat-trick from England-based striker Otesha Charles, while Mariam El-Masri, Kayla De Souza, Alison Heydorn, Calaigh Copeland and Olivia Gonsalves netted a goal each.
The Guyanese are in Group Four of the Caribbean Zone of the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, which also has Cuba, whom they will face on Sunday.
The Mark Rodrigues-coached squad is focused on advancing out of the group and further in the qualifiers with hopes of becoming the first team from the ‘Land of Many Waters’ to play at the Olympic Games. Group One will be hosted by Puerto Rico and fields Aruba, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Grenada. Group Two features St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago, to be staged in the latter country.
The Group Three games will be played in Suriname and the teams in this group are Dominica Republic, Dominica and Jamaica. Three teams will advance from the female category into the CONCACAF Women’s Summer Olympic Tournament for 2016.