Guyana Times Daily - August 29, 2015

Bandit uses powerful magnet to rob Corentyne business

Corentyne farmer robbed, frustrated with Police inaction ...Police response unsatisfactory − businessman

AFC/APNU likely to go to local polls together Nagamootoo

Guyana needs renewed focus to fight HIV/AIDS

Narine still "person of interest" in CrumEwing case –Crime Chief

Concerns mounting over new Speaker’s style

5 charged for armed robbery more charges to follow Aspiring Caterer pleads guilty to cell phone theft records poor performances Shortage of teachers at Wakapao frustrates parents

saturday, august 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt blocking full readiness for local polls – GECOM

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Friday said that the new Government was blocking its attempts to fully prepare for the long overdue Local Government Elections this year by not taking adequate steps to remove the legislative blockade in the way of the hosting of the elections under a new and improved system.

As a result, GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield met with Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan to discuss issues relating to the state of the affairs in relation to the hosting of the elections.

Both Lowenfield and Bulkan were accompanied by senior and technical staff.

In a statement to the media following the meeting, GECOM said the

need to address crucial issues was determined by Lowenfield to accentuate to Minister Bulkan the need for prerequisites, which were outside the remit of GECOM, to be addressed conclusively.

“Specifically, Mr Lowenfield made it abundantly clear that GECOM

cannot proceed to prepare a Preliminary List of Voters for the conduct of Claims and Objections for the purpose of finalising the respective Registers of Voters that will be necessary to conduct Local Government Elections in the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils

(NDCs) and the six Municipalities in Guyana”, the statement said.

Additionally, GECOM argued that existing legislation relative to the preparation of the Preliminary List of Voters required that the List be prepared from the Official List of Electors that was used for the 1992 General and Regional Elections. The elections body explained this legislation must be amended to clear the way for the List to be extracted from the up-todate National Register of Registrants.

The Commission said too that the proposed (draft) amendment, among others, has already been prepared in one document, which was discussed and finetuned by GECOM’s Legal Officer and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of the Legal Affairs Ministry.

The statement has noted that it was imperative that it be made abundantly clear that until and unless GECOM is given the legal authority to extract the Preliminary List of Voters, the Commission cannot move forward with its Work Plan for the conduct of Local Government Elections.

“Mr Lowenfield pointed out to Minister Bulkan that in addition to the need for the amendments to come into force, he (Minister Bulkan) in his capacity of Minister of Communities is required to issue an Order declaring the Local Authority Areas in which Local Government Elections will be held,” the GECOM statement noted.

Minister Bulkan was advised by the CEO that housing communities at the Municipalities of Corriverton and Anna Regina and the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council had grown beyond their respective boundaries.

Lowenfield emphasised that the authority to extend the boundaries of these Local Authority Areas was vested in the Minister of Communities, and urged that this matter be addressed with alacrity towards ensuring that the concerned citizens were given the opportunity to participate in the Local Government Elections.

“In response to the CEO’s presentation, Minister Bulkan gave the assurance that his Ministry will move immediately after GECOM green-lights the draft amendments to have them approved by Parliament. Further, he gave the assurance that his Ministry would be focusing attention towards addressing the publication of the Order declaring the Local Authority Areas in which Local Government Elections will be held, as well as the concerning the boundaries of the Municipalities of Corriverton and Anna Regina and the Bartica NDC,” it concluded.

saturday, august 29, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, August 29 – 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, August 30 – 05:00h-06:30h

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

Saturday, August 29 – 16:00h-17:30h and Sunday, August 30 –16:45h-18:15h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected in the morning, with heavy rainfall in the afternoon, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

High

Low

Sole-sourced State Audits

Govt to fork out $50M to handpicked Ram, Goolsarran

– Auditor General’s office subverted

Strident critics of the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram and former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, both of whom were “solesourced” by the Government for the purpose of the forensic audits, will cost the State in excess of $50 million, approximately two-thirds of the net figure allotted to be spent on the probes into State agencies.

This disclosure, which was made during the final hours of the consideration of the Budget Estimates, took the House by total surprise, because, not only was it discovered that these two individuals would be cashing in on hefty chunks of taxpayers’ monies, but the Government

finally admitted that the auditors were hired without going to public tender as was required by the law.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking to reporters shortly after Budget 2015 was passed, noted that this was another act of deception by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

“There was no public tender in sourcing them…no public tender whatsoever. These are some of the worse acts of corruption by this Administration. These were the people who lectured about probity and accountability and being transparent,” Jagdeo stated, exposing the coalition’s duplicity once again.

Jagdeo had already revealed that the haphaz-

ard manner in which the Government decided to embark upon these audits was in complete violation of the law, but noted that the only reason the PPP/C did not take the matter to the courts was because the Party did not want to give the impression that it was scared of being scrutinised.

“We don’t want people to think we have something to hide and that we are afraid of these audits and that is one of the reasons why we haven’t moved to the courts to stop this audit, because we don’t want people to think we are opposed to the audit,” he stated.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had also previously noted that the entire undertaking of the forensic audits was completely unconstitutional.

He too noted that the recruitment process of the auditors was an infringement of the Public Procurement Act.

“It is beyond dispute that those auditors were handpicked by the Minister of Finance without any public procurement process embarked upon…This mandatory statutory process was wholly ignored by the Minister of Finance and millions of dollars of services have been contracted to audit, ultra vires and in breach of the laws of Guyana and persons were simply handpicked by the Minister of Finance and given jobs. There was absolutely no public tendering. This is what is called “sole sourcing”, a concept that was ve-

hemently criticised by the very persons who now practise it,” Nandlall exclaimed.

Compounding unlawfulness

Both Nandlall and Jagdeo recognised and highlighted that the manner in which the forensic audits were being executed completely undermined the Office of the Auditor General.

Compounding the unlawfulness, the politicians pointed out that Goolsarran and Ram were hiring other auditors to assist in the process when they did not have

the authority to do so.

“Not only does the Minister have the authority, but he gave these handpicked auditors the instructions to hire more auditors,” Nandlall said, arguing that the power to do this lies with the Auditor General Deodat Sharma.

Requisite skills

The contention was also made that Goolsarran and

Ram did not even possess the requisite skills to conduct forensic audits.

“Normally when you do an audit, you get all your findings and you submit a management letter and the management responds to your findings… But every day they are releasing little bits to the newspapers to make it a political process… they are not competent and they do not have the skills,” Jagdeo had stated.

“We in the PPP will support any forensic audit, but for a forensic audit to be fair and to do its work to find corruption, you have to have the skills to do that and I submit that these two persons, they are political operatives. They do not have the skills to practise forensic audits…We are in favour of hiring a reputable international company, in a transparent process to do this, to do forensic audits of all of our accounts,” he added.

Conflict of interest

The argument was also made that both Goolsarran and Ram represent a clear conflict of interest.

An accredited accountant had already urged the David Granger-led Administration to engage one or more international accounting firms to conduct the forensic audits it is undertaking at several State agencies, arguing that some of the local firms identified present a clear case of conflict of interest and could destroy the credibility of the work they are being contracted to do.

“Given their ties to this Administration and obvious animosity towards the PPP/C, this is a clear case of lack of independence and conflict of interest. Goolsarran and Ram, who are members of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), should be reminded of that body’s code of ethics which mandate integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour. Both gentlemen should, therefore, do the honourable thing and distance themselves from this engagement,” the accountant urged.

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

Editorial

Coherent immigration policy needed, not xenophobia

Guyana’s hospitality towards immigrants is renowned; the mere fact that we’re a cosmopolitan country of at least five different peoples, with the Amerindians who account for nine separate nations, allows us to cultivate and maintain friendly relations with others.

We have always promoted a flexible immigration policy to encourage not only South American and Caribbean travelers, but visitors from around the world. There is no need to further defend that Guyana needs foreign investments much like any other country, whether on an individual or corporate scale.

However, the reader would recall the then Opposition pitting of Guyanese against foreign investors in Guyana, in particular the Chinese and the Brazilians, many of whom have established businesses and are residing in the country. Resentment was sensed in particular from those in the diaspora who were led to believe that the country was being raped by the Chinese and the Brazilians at the grand detriment of local citizens.

It seems as though the anti-immigration sentiments of the APNU/AFC have found grounds on which to thrive with the coalition’s ascension to power. Citizenship Minister Winston Felix who secured a newly invented position which drastically reduces the mandate of Public Security (formerly Home Affairs) Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, incarnates the fear harboured of endangering Guyana’s relationship with its neighbours as well as our image in the international arena.

Earlier this month Minister Felix justified his refusal to grant entry to eight Indian nationals who had no visas and allegedly no return tickets as they entered Guyana on July 19, by stating that the Government was reviewing our “systems” and as such “deemed it necessary to disallow entry to the country at this time, both to be fair and non-partisan and to send a message to anyone who thinks that they will take advantage of our legendary hospitality.” Indeed, the image of eight foreigners on the CJIA tarmac does speak of our “legendary hospitality”, and so did the Minister’s disregard for consultation of the Indian High Commissioner.

To bring further embarrassment to Guyana in the face of observers, during the 2015 National Budget debate, Minister Felix displayed his ignorance of basic immigration policies and management. He declared to the House that the Grangerled administration was “not averse to visitors or to having investors” but that “Guyanese must have an equal play,”.

He went on to supposedly "prove" his point by demonstrating that applications for work permits for cooks and labourers are processed despite there being Guyanese available for such jobs and showed the House that in 2012, 1050 work permits were granted to 991 Brazilians and 24 Chinese respectively while in 2015 so far, 304 permits were issued of which 236 granted to Brazilians. While Felix did indicate that he didn’t “want a lopsided situation… where our own people do not have access to our lands to do what other people are doing,”, he should have pointed out that these numbers represent 0.14% and 0.04% of the Guyanese population for 2012 and 2015 respectively. How does this threaten Guyanese accessibility to the job market?

The importance of immigration is translated through the country’s dire need for foreign skill and expertise from which Guyanese can benefit, much like the Chinese did before they became a super power in the last decades. Also, deterring investors with both financial and human capital is a foolish move considering the nature of our emerging economy which needs to be become more attractive to foreign investments. We still have this luxury that many developed countries no longer have access to.

Finally, there is the case where Guyanese may not want to occupy positions readily taken up by immigrants, or do not have the skills necessary, especially in the building and construction industry. Those who readily criticise Chinese and Brazilian investors must be unaware of the fact that the center of international affairs is gravitating to include dynamic exchanges with a stoutly booming South South cooperation, spearheaded by BRICS, in which Guyana over the years has secured a place.

Should Minister Felix further attempt to jeopardise Guyana’s progress and foreign relations by turning away investors and instilling needless fear in the minds of Guyanese, Guyana will become a loser on the international market, and remain at the heels of those who have no other intention but to ensure we remain in the periphery.

Fishing in the jungle

Muzzling of Free Press and Withholding of Information

Dear Editor, I do not think that anyone can sensibly take issue with the contention that a free press, specifically, and the free flow of information, regarding the business of Government and public expenditure, are indispensable prerequisites of democracy and economic prosperity. A quick scan of the world economies would establish beyond doubt that wherever these prerequisites exist, there is economic and social progress. The reverse is equally true. We experienced it in Guyana during the PNC dictatorship when economic and social progress ground to a halt in the absence of a free press and when information regarding Government business was almost non-existent.

Over the last few days of the consideration of the National Estimates, some worrying propensities emerged from this APNU/ AFC Government. The fact that the Government is only four months old aggravates the situation. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who holds ministerial responsibility for the State media, reportedly sanctioned a reporter from the Chronicle Newspaper because of an article written, which though adverse to the Government, was objective and factual. This was followed by another unbelievable and shocking public revelation that the Prime Minister will now have to approve the headlines of the Chronicle Newspaper. That a Prime Minister and First Vice President’s, the second most powerful execu-

tive officer in the land, only responsibility is a newspaper, a television outfit and a government information agency, is by itself highly fascinating. He exacerbates it with further self-miniaturization by now performing the functions of monitoring the headlines of the Chronicle newspapers. My contention is that such political censure constitutes an assault on freedom of the press and on democracy. This attempt by the State to muzzle and control the information which is disseminated to the public and their interference with press freedom must be condemned.

The fact that the Government Information Agency is now headed by Beverly Alert, an APNU/ AFC activist and candidate for that coalition at the 2015 elections and that there has been a complete changing of guards at the editorial levels, both at GINA and the Chronicle, where persons have been simply handpicked and placed in high positions, frog-leaping long standing editorial staff, are all indications that political tentacles have deeply penetrated the state media. This is the very state media, which the Prime Minister has repeatedly assured, will be free from all or any political influence and direction. Indeed while in the Opposition, they cut budgetary allocations to these agencies because they claimed that they were contaminated by political influence. At the time, GINA was headed by a career journalist, Neaz Subhan. He was not and never was a can-

didate for the PPP. Indeed and ironically, he was once a Member of Parliament for the PNC.

The approach of this coalition Government to press freedom can be gleaned from an incident which occurred just a few hours before the conclusion of the examination of the Estimates by the Committee of Supply last Thursday morning. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Nicolette Henry, in answer to a question seeking information about a particular budgetary allocation of thirty-six million dollars, disclosed that this sum was used, inter alia, to fund the inauguration of the new Government at the National Stadium. A media outfit carried a story on this matter shortly thereafter. The story came to the attention of the Minister while the business of the Committee of Supply was still ongoing. The Minister denied that she made this disclosure and she demanded that the story be recalled by the news agency. There was also a demand that the news agency be banned from the Parliament.

The story embarrassed the Government and exposed their false public proclamations that the inauguration event was funded by friends, supporters and wellwishers and not tax payers’ dollars. Significantly, their reaction was instinctive and natural and it is here that one gets to see the true nature, characteristics and authoritarianism of this Government. As it turned out, the video and audio re-

cordings revealed that the news report was accurate and the Minister was attempting to deny what she had earlier said and therefore was attempting to lie to the House in order to withhold information from the public. If we do not firmly resist these early manifestations, this nation is heading for a dictatorship that may be worse than the Burnham years.

I am fortified in this view by the attitude of the Ministers to the answering of questions posed by the Opposition in the Committee of Supply requesting information about budgetary allocations. There was a marked aura of arrogance and reluctance and a discernable effort by most of the Ministers to withhold or conceal information. Many Ministers promised to supply information before the conclusion of consideration of the Estimates but never did so. Some of this information they had in their possession and could have given it immediately but they flippantly refused to do so. The supply of this information is neither gratuitous nor discretionary; it is a mandatory obligation on the part of the Ministers and an entitlement of the citizenry. Fortunately, there is a competent Opposition and a vibrant press. The scrutiny will become more rigorous and the exposé more revealing as the Government exits its honeymoon period.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP Attorney-at-Law

Opulence at the cost of the people

Dear Editor,

The trend in the first 100 days reveals a party obsessed with vulgar opulence, beginning with the extravagant inauguration of the President.

We were all told that the inauguration at the National Stadium was a private affair supported by the rank and file and by supportive businesses around the country. Every senior member of the Cabinet, led by Honourable Joseph Harmon, promoted the event as being privately supported while vehemently denying that Government resources were used.

Now we learn that in fact, the 2015 budget catered for the cost of the grand though the APNU/ AFC announces that it couldn’t grant the 20% pay increase promised.

It was Nicolette Henry who let the cat out of the bag in Parliament stating that over $7M were used for the inauguration and for T-20 cricket at the National Stadium. Now Ms. Henry backed by Minister Trotman she denies she ever said so.

Mysteriously, the signal was lost for precisely those moments during the live online stream of the debate. Ms. Henry spoke out of turn and embarrassed her colleagues by revealing the truth instead of towing the line. Will she be rebuked?

Will Ms. Henry be treated like the Chronicle reporter and the Acting Chief Editor who did not follow the script?

The vehicle inherited by the Government Ministers seem not to be to their standards to the extent that the new Prime Minister will now travel in a vehicle that costs more than $22M, to

see his constituents who cannot afford that with their earnings of a lifetime. The new Attorney General will be getting a new $16M vehicle. Note these costs are duty free charges.

Roads are being fixed where ministers live. Home are rehabilitated because they are not good enough for them to live in. Offices are being redesigned, new furniture, new computers and phones are being obtained. Support staff to accompany ministers and help ministers are being employed at salaries way above the regular public servants and all these new positions are "jobs for the boys".

Ministers are travelling regularly out of the country; they miss no opportunity to travel. Unlike the PPP/C Ministers, they travel with support staff. The President mysteriously leaves the country regularly for business that is unknown to the public and even to Parliament.

When we add all this up to the cost of maintaining the largest Cabinet in the whole of CARICOM, we see a government that is more concern with opulence than with quality and sound governance. What requires Guyana with a smaller population than Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti, to have a larger Cabinet than Suriname, Belize, the Bahamas and Barbados?

The present government also has the largest roll of advisors for any government in CARICOM. Yet this government ended the employment of almost 2,000 Amerindian CSOs.

APNU+AFC is paying millions to its friends such as Christopher Ram, to do

audits. He earns through these contracted services, over $40M. These contracts were given without consultations, without advertising and tender and are wholly non-transparent.

The APNU/AFC spent years accusing the PPP/C Government of living a "Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey cart economy". Yet, in the first 100 days of their mandate, they have recklessly surpassed the lifestyle of the previous government.

Cutting socioeconomic benefits to the people is not acceptable when such extravagances are encouraged by the President himself. These expenses will negatively impact the almost recessing economy, and the huge reserve of almost $US1B, which is now being squandered on bad policies and trivial, pompous indulgences.

Guyanese should pay close attention to the actions of the Government, lest history repeats itself and we fall back into a dictatorship rule.

Sincerely, Leslie Ramsammy

Poll: Granger & Jagdeo lead in Likeability rating

Dear Editor, President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo lead fellow politicians in likeability rating as voters are divided by race and political affiliation in their likeability of a list of political leaders, according to the findings of an opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association.

The survey interviewed 430 voters (41% Indians, 31% Africans, 18% Mixed, 9% Amerindians, and 1% other ethnic groups) via face to face contacts to reflect the demographic composition of the population.

The likeability rating (positive or negative view) is not the same as an evaluation of the performance of the individual at his job. Rather, it is an expression of how well a person is liked

or disliked by the population. The likeability rating gives an indication whether a person will be acceptable by the population and have confidence in his or her ability to succeed at his or her political endeavor.

Based on the findings of the survey, President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo lead in likeability for the government and opposition while Khemraj Ramjattan has the lowest positive rating because of the rise in crime under his Ministry edging out former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee of the Opposition.

There are mixed likeability ratings of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Raphael Trotman, and Carl Greenidge. A large majority of the nation does not hold a positive view of Minister

of the Presidency Joe Harmon because of his firing of State employees and cancellation of contracts, among other reasons, with voters linking him to a host of national problems; virtually no PPP supporter and only half of AFC supporters has a favorable rating of him. The PPP supporters overwhelmingly support Bharrat Jagdeo as Opposition Leader with many APNU/AFC supporters (20%) also approve of him for that role. They feel he is the best leader for that role now. However, PPP supporters feel the party should prepare for leadership succession to make it attractive to voters in the next election.

Sincerely, Vishnu

Bisram

Misconceptions on Guyana’s underdevelopment

Editor,

Although I am in French Guiana, I am more bothered by the realities back home.

As one drives to French Guiana, one cannot help but be fascinated with the buildings and road infrastructures on that journey, except for those on the Guyana leg.

One is also amazed by the electrical, internet and transportation services, except on the Guyana stretch. I have made this trip several

Minibus experience nearly ended my life in Guyana

Dear Editor,

The recent very interesting letter by Stacy Cheong, headed “Need for better road conduct” reminded me of an incident on the very first morning of my recent visit to Guyana. I found some descriptions rather appropriate to what I experienced in a very personal way, for example “road bullies, ready to graze the vehicles of others” and “hardly any respect from drivers”.

On my 2-week visit, I was accommodated at a guest house close to Main Street, and decided to take a mid-morning stroll around the Stabroek Market area, to buy some urgently needed items - bottled water and face tissues. It was almost the beginning and end of my holiday.

I made some purchases at a shop near the market, and enquired from customers what minibus would take me along Main Street. One was passing along just then, the shoppers hailed it and the conductor invited me to board.

I attempted to do so, not realising the step-up was so high. The bus moved off and I was sent sprawling, my body half-in-half-out the bus, both driver and conductor unaware of my plight, until the women shoppers screamed that an “elderly woman” had fallen and her legs were sticking out. The minibuses behind on the same route were, in the meantime, trying to get past, honking their horns, shouting rude comments, seemingly unconcerned whether I

was left without body parts. The bus continued to move, unaware of the fact that the women were screaming to let the conductor know that I had not boarded. Both he and the driver then looked back and realised what all the fuss was about! The women then instructed the conductor how to help me into the bus. Sighs of relief all round. Needless to say, for this ‘performance’, I still had to pay the full fare.

It taught me a valuable lesson, however - never again to try to board a minibus on the move. From then on, I joined them at the park. Otherwise, I used a taxi. “Money talks and they’re all listening”.

Sincerely, Geralda Dennison

times and it always amazes and fascinates me. So as I sat in total frustration derived from comparing the two extremes, I decided to engage a Guyanese living here.

I questioned my friend as to why these smaller, less resourceful, less scenic, countries could be so advanced and miles ahead of us in just about every measurable way. His reply first startled me then it angered me.

He said that Guyana cannot develop and should not expect to develop due to an escalating homosexual culture and because, according to the Bible, the world will get progressively worse.

It was not the first time that I had heard this nonsensical and illogical argument, but having just observed the irking disparity of our country’s development as compared to that of Suriname and French Guiana, it pushed me over the edge.

With as much self-restraint and Christ-like decorum as I could muster I tried to engage my friend.

I first asked him to tell me which of the three countries has more homosexuals. My intention was to challenge his farfetched and baseless notion that homosexuality restricts the development of a country.

To further highlight the frailty of his conclusion, I even extended my summation to include Europe and North America, asking him again, to say which was more developed and which

has more homosexuals. For good measure, I asked if he ever travelled to our sister Caribbean Island, Barbados.

Then I asked for his take on the developmental progress of the two nations, visa-vis his “homosexual” argument.

By this time I perceived that he was sensing both my frustration and my disdain for his stance. But I could not end my rant before I dealt with his additional empty suggestion that Guyanese living in the “last days” necessitates our continued need to exist in poverty.

At this point my theological training kicked in as I sought to have him explain to me when the biblical “last days” began. Of course, he was either reluctant to answer my question or otherwise ignorant of the answer.

I assured him that the “last days” began well before all the now developed countries became developed. And that if his argument was to carry any substance, it would mean that no country should be developed because we are all now living in the “last days”.

Editor, what I havefound is that the average Guyanese citizen has been so abused and mentally scarred over the last decades that we are prepared to hide our heads in the sand and accept any notion - theological, political; or otherwise - to justify our brokenness, even illogical notions.

It is obvious to any Guyanese, especially those who have traveled, that our lack of human, technological and infrastructural development is due primarily either to political and governmental miscalculations, or gross administrative ineptness. To blame Guyana’s social and financial retardation on some moral or eschatological premise would amount to failing to remember the past and hence being destine to repeat it.

I hope and pray that this Granger-led administration keep front and center in their minds that Guyanese have suffered long enough. As I compare and contrast the fiscal disparities between us and our neighbouring counterparts, I long for the day that we could boost some semblance of their realities.

Unlike my dear friend, I do not believe that the gods have cursed us. Rather, I believe that God helps those who help themselves. I am therefore striving to do my best for my country, even as I hold President Granger to his word of alleviating Guyana of poverty in the near future. And I hope to realize this reality, even in these “last days”, with or without the prevalence of our homosexual comrades.

Pastor W. P. JeffreyPractical Christianity MinistriesFounder/ President

Page Foundation

Children spend half of their waking hours in school or school-related activities. Studies show that children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school than children whose parents are not involved.

There are many ways you can promote and encourage

solutions.

When attending school activities, take a written list of questions or concerns you want to address. Join the PTA or volunteer to help with activities in your child’s classroom. This will provide opportunities to be more involved in your child’s world at school.

Display a love of learning at home

To fuel your child’s natural interest and curiosity, celebrate learning. Ask questions, exchange ideas and allow your child to arrive at his or her own conclusions.

your child to do well in school and make the adjustments that come with starting a new school year. Here are a few pointers for helping your child develop positive school-year attitudes and practices.

Establish effective communication with your child’s school Start communication when things are going well with your child; don’t wait until there is a problem. At the start of the school year, contact your child’s teachers, get acquainted with them, and let them know you want to be actively involved in helping your student learn and grow. When there are problems, share concerns while the problems are small. Offer to work with school staff (your child’s teacher, an administrator) to find

Consistently and frequently encourage and guide your child

Show your child you value education by setting aside time to talk about homework and what’s happening in your child’s classroom.

Praise and reward your child for school successes (good grades on tests and homework assignments, good behaviour in class).

Don’t protect your child from negative consequences that result from failing to complete homework or not studying for tests. Making mistakes is a major way children learn how to cope successfully with the demands of school and life. Provide assistance and support when things aren’t going well for your child.

Create a home environment that is rich in books, educational games and projects that challenge your child. Above all, let your child see how much you enjoy learning challenges and activities.

Help your child be a goal-setter go-getter

Helping children set individual school goals allows them to “stretch” themselves, have new and different experiences, and perhaps find something for which they have a real passion.

Brush up on school behaviours

Go over behaviours like following instructions, getting the teacher’s attention appropriately, waiting for a turn, getting along with others, working quietly during study time, and others with your child so he or she can be ready to use them when the school bell rings.

Think positive, be positive!

If you are anxious and worried about school, your child will pick up on that, so model confidence, excitement, and optimism as the school year approaches and begins. (Boystown)

By Kelli J Shidler

Good nutrition is vital to the proper growth and development of children. The reality of childhood obesity is visible in our day-to-day lives; however, parents need to understand the dangers and warning signs associated with an unhealthy diet before it gets to the point of obesity. Among other complications, an unbalanced, unhealthy diet in children has a direct effect on how the body functions, from constipation to acne to depression.

Obesity & High Blood Pressure

In 2006, Nebraska had an adult obesity rate of 24.4 per cent according to a report by Trust for America’s Health. Children often learn from adults by example, so as the adult obesity rate increases, so does childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is defined as a child or adolescent having an excess of 25 per cent body fat. This can be determined by a skin fold test or a Body Mass Index (BMI) test.

High blood pressure is a very real and scary side effect of obesity. It is a crucial diagnosis in children, because it can lead to other serious complications such as kidney disease, heart abnormalities or problems with the nervous or endocrine system. If the high blood pressure continues without medical help, the constant pressure on the blood vessels can damage vital organs, and possibly lead to heart failure or stroke.

Constipation

Constipation is another common problem associated with poor nutrition. An improper amount of junk food such as chips, sweets, fried foods, and non-diet soft drinks may be problematic. Too much dairy (milk, yogurt, cheeses, and ice cream) in your child’s diet may also affect bowel movement. All foods, even junk foods, are fine in moderation. Boys Town Pediatrics recommends that parents follow the food pyramid to help keep a bal-

ance of nutritious foods in their child’s diet.

Acne

There are many common myths and misconceptions regarding the cause of acne. Among such causation myths are poor hygiene and an unhealthy diet. However, neither hygiene nor diet actually causes acne. It is rather an unfortunate consequence of overactive sebaceous (oil) glands. Yet, once glands become active acne lesions, it is possible for certain foods often associated with a poor diet to increase the oil supplies and worsen the severity and prevalence of such lesions. Including healthy and vitamin-rich foods into your child’s diet, especially those with Vitamins A and E, and drinking plenty of water, can lead to healthier looking skin.

Depression

We are all familiar with the saying, “You are what you eat.” If your child’s diet is consistently unhealthy, he or she will likely see a change in weight, and will physically feel the negative impact of the unhealthy foods. Inadequate nutrition often leads to a lack of physical drive, which in turn lessens a child’s stamina to play and participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities, and may also decrease his or her ability to stay focused and concentrate on cognitive tasks such as homework. This can lead to irritability, mood swings, behaviour problems, low self esteem, and even depression. If you think your child is suffering from depression, contact your child’s physician.? (Boys Town Pediatrics.com)

local polls together

Party done Ramjattan threatens to close businesses, bars at 12 AFC/APNU likely to go to

– if public outcry continues over 2am curfew

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has threatened to close businesses and bars at 12:00am if the public outcry continues over his self-imposed 2am curfew further enforcing the laws.

On Friday, in the face of public pressure, Ramjattan maintained his stance on his Ministry’s 2 am curfew, saying that any change to that would be to bring it forward, rather than pushing it backward.

Ramjattan on Friday joined Finance Minister Winston Jordon and State Minister Joseph Harmon at the postCabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

He maintained that there was a correlation between the consumption of alcohol and crime in Guyana, noting the he would not be backpedalling on the decision, which, according to him, has been producing favourable results. However, he did not produce any evidence to support his contention.

Evidently then, the Minister is the only one who appears to have seen results as he had promised that as a result of the curfew, there would be a reduction in crime and higher levels of productivity among the working populace.

Much to bemusement of his critics, neither has taken place.

“It is very much correlated; heavy drinking with violence, abuse of women and so on and I am not going to change that. The law is that it must be at 12 o’ clock. It’s only the high-ranking hotels and so on that can go until 2 in the morning,” he told Journalists.

The Public Security Minister said should there be any change in this regard, it would be to take it forward to the original 12am curfew.

Ramjattan said the things that will have to be done to see crime reduction will always be unpopular. However, he said he was willing to do these unpopular things to see a reduction in crime here.

“We have to set standards here, otherwise we’re going to have young people more out in the streets late at night, drinking and misbehaving.”

He said “a lot of the wives and women are saying it is a good thing because it has brought ‘my husband home earlier and he got a little more money in his pocket’”.

Last month, Government, through

the Public Security Ministry, introduced a 2am curfew for nightclubs and restaurants and bars countrywide while threatening to revoke the licences of those who fail to comply.

The move was met with severe criticism from sections of society and the political Opposition, which said that imposing such a restriction would do nothing to reduce the rising incidence of crime.

The curfew took its full effect since the beginning of July, much to the dismay of restaurant/bar proprietors, club owners and partygoers.

Guyana Times understands that although an official announcement was made regarding the curfew, many prominent bars still remained open past 02:00h.

The imposition of the 02:00h curfew even sparked many debates within the public domain, with the majority of the commentators condemning the Minister for this decision, citing that it was an extremely ineffective and poor move to fight crime.

But unrelenting in his cause, Minister Ramjattan has staunchly maintained that the 02:00h curfew can change the society for the better.

In a recent press release, his Ministry reiterated this position, pointing out that alcohol consumption is closely related to crime; violence, such as domestic violence; traffic accidents, and a decline in the productive capacities of the population, especially the young, along with other attendant circumstances, including the adverse effects of the proliferation of noise nuisance.

— Nagamootoo

Thirty days have passed since Government has announced its preparedness and expectation to have the long-awaited Local Government Elections that are supposedly to be held in December this year.

However, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition Government is still in limbo as to whether or not the constituent parts will be going to the polls together or as separate political bodies.

First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, told this publication that the decision of how the Administration would approach the Local Government Elections was yet to be made by APNU and the AFC.

He stated that it was “more than likely” that the government will contest as a coalition as a way of encouraging civil society to participate so that the emphasis would not be on contesting as political entities but to have more persons from civil society take part.

“But we haven’t come to a decision. These are options that are available,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

Conversely, political commentator Dr Henry Jeffery had previously told this newspaper that it would be a wise move for this new

Administration to go to the polls unified providing that it sees its future as a unit.

Many persons are of the view that should the AFC contest in the local elections as a single party and lose in the areas where it would have won had it contested jointly with APNU, this would support the fact that the AFC’s power and stronghold had weakened.

In fact, were the AFC and APNU to decide to go to the polls as separate political entities and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) dominate the areas and regions by itself, this in turn would hint to the conclusion that in the next General Elections in Guyana, the present Government would be out of office.

saturday, august 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Husband remanded for Berbice farmer’s murder

– gunpowder residue found on fingers

The husband of the murdered Number 45 Village cash crop farmer was on Friday placed before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with her murder.

Deoram Sookchand, 59, of Lot 19, Number 45 Village, Corentyne, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on August 20 at Number 45 Village, he murdered Pamela Kendal called Pam.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones revealed that the investigation was still ongoing and the outstanding statements were with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Deoram Sookchand,59, was remanded to prison for his wife’s murder

The defendant was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court for September 14.

The 57-year-old Kendall was shot to her head at point blank range and subsequently rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where she succumbed while receiving medical treatment.

Following the shooting incident , Sookchand 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. Sookchand also claimed that during the incident, he was in the bathroom and the pipes

were running.

The woman started to scream and immediately ran out of the house as a gunshot went off. Reports are that Kendall ran to her brother’s house situated about 100 metres away and 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.

The incident occurred about 18:30h. At the time of the incident, there was a blackout in the community.

During investigations, Police had noted that the defendant had given conflicting statements and consequent to that forensic testing revealed that there were traces of gunpowder on his hands. He was arrested and charged for the murder although the motive remains unclear.

5 charged for armed robbery

– more charges to follow

Five alleged hijackers who are accused of stealing a number of cars were arraigned before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

The accused are Christopher Nicholson, 18, a labourer from Tucville Terrace, Georgetown; Renaldo McKenzie, 35, another labourer from 7C Tucville; Mario Rodrigues, 16, a goldsmith from Guyhoc Park Squatting Area, Georgetown; Daniel Boutrin, 16, who works as a mason and is also a resident of 157 Guyhoc Park; and lastly Rosanna Gittens, the only female who is 35 years old and mother to four children.

The quintet is charged for robbing Dwayne Peters of a motor car, PTT 243, val-

ued $1 million which was in his possession last Monday while he was in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The car, however, belongs to Troy Aaron. The four men and lone female allegedly used a knife while robbing the Virtual Complainant (VC), also relieving him of his cellular phone valued $28,000 and $10,000 cash.

The gang, who has become known as the “Hijacking quintet”, is also accused of stealing a car from Hazlen Edwards, with licence plate HC 786 believed to be worth $800,000, but yet again the VC is not the actual owner as the car belongs to one Genevieve Williamson. The group also made off with ‘his’ cellular phone valued $5000 and two driver licences valued $4000.

The third charge against

the gang states that on August 25, the five accused were at Main Street when they set fire to one of Aaron’s Taxi Service’s car, PJJ 2432, which is valued at $1 million.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the five defendants were an established gang. He stated that it was a usual scheme of theirs to use Gittens to hire the cars to go to a planned destination where the men would surprise the drivers and hijack the vehicles.

The Prosecutor said that the Police received information about their whereabouts and went on a surprise raid. However, the officer said that it was the officers who were surprised because when the accused learnt that the officers were near, they lit one

of their stolen cars afire. Nevertheless, Jones told the court that the men and the woman were arrested and taken to the Police Station where further investigations were conducted. He said investigations still continue, but enough evidence was garnered to charge the five.

He told the court that other charges are yet to be laid against them, so he appealed that no bail be granted, stating that the nature of the offence is grave and too prevalent.

Magistrate McLennan seemingly agreed with this as she refused them bail and transferred the matter to Court Five, under the guidance of Magistrate Fabayo Azore, to be tried. The matter should begin in that court on their next appearance on September 18.

...in Parliament

All through the 10th Parliament (2011-2015), with the APNU/AFC opposition parties controlling the National Assembly, they argued strenuously for the doctrines of "separation of power" and "independence of the National Assembly" - all grounded in the overarching democratic principle of "representative government." The PPP/C Government, having secured the Executive, was trampling on democracy by ignoring the Opposition, they screamed.

But what a difference three months make, eh? Or is the difference due not to old Father Time, but to who now has power of the Executive? We've heard of "volte face" - but never have we seen "faces" - along with their "mouths"turned around like this! But then again, when you have a Government packed with so many military types, they're drilled to execute that "ABOUT TURN" maneuver on a dime, no?!!

The function of an Opposition in a Parliamentary democracy is to interrogate the Government - by any means necessary. Forget the nonsense about "not opposing for opposing’s sake". In the Anglo-Saxon tradition we inherited, justice in the Courts and in the Parliament is supposed to be arrived at through an adversarial process. Of course there are rules - Robert's Rules of Order and the House's own standing order.

So why did the Speaker not only acquiesce in the slashing of the overall time scrutinizing the estimates from seven days to a paltry three? Or make himself the handmaiden of the government during the exercise by ruthlessly denying the PPP-Opposition time to follow up their questioning of government ministers - when they were clearly dissembling to avoid the gravamen of the questions? Time, the Speaker intoned, in his role of Chairman of the Committee of Supply into which the Assembly had been transformed, was running out!

By these stratagems, the Speaker used the Procrustean "3-day bed" into which the entire debate had to be fitted, and then repeatedly chopped off the legs of the PPP's arguments to fit into that bed. And this is where something rotten is clearly present in the National Assembly - this kind of behavior by the Government and their Speaker stinks to high heaven. The urge for bureaucratic efficiency - totally arbitrarily defined or otherwise - can never be the yardstick for measuring the democratic imperative.

It is not only in the courts that justice must both be done and seen to be done, the Parliament, is in fact the granddaddy of the Courts and it was here that most of the traditions of Justice were born.

The citizens of this country better wake up or the stench might soon emanate from the carcass of democracy in the National Assembly.

...in

State media

The Chronicle published an editorial attempting to square the circle! They tried to "explain away" Moses Nagamootoo's arrogant bullyism of a reporter to toe HIS line. But in defending the high-handed action, the Chronicle stuck its foot into its mouth. Seems that they don't understand the difference between "State" and "government". The Chronicle is a STATE newspaper - that is - owned and operated on behalf of ALL the people of Guyana. The Government's merely in charge for a while.

So the Chronicle can't pose the question: "Should they EVER be critical of Government actions?" and then claim the answer is "not cut and dried"! It blasted well be cut and dried. And it certainly isn't that the government NEVER can be criticized. So moving from the general to the specific issue that caused the stink, when the government presents a budget that's in VIOLATION of laws it passed just a month ago --THAT'S A BLUNDER of the first magnitude!

And the Chronicle had better be critical of such actions! ...in women's issue

Playing on the progress by women's lib, a cigarette ad in the U.S. boasted, "We've come a long way, baby!!" Well, we Guyanese certainly have a ways to go when we exhibit frilly Barbie Dolls at a "National Women's Conference!

Corentyne farmer robbed, frustrated with Police inaction

ACorentyne man is seeking the intervention of the Whim Police Station after persons known to him broke into his home and removed several articles before changing the locks on the door and cutting down several fruit trees.

Selwyn Austin, 42, of

Alness Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) said about 15:00h on Thursday, his father, brother and another relative broke into his yard and used a chain saw to level several bearing fruit trees.

On Friday when this publication visited, the man was sitting under a neighbour’s house waiting on Police to arrive after reporting the matter on Thursday.

“Up to now, the Police can’t come and do anything about the matter. Is not the first time or the second time they break the place, is over and over and Police just hollering that is family matter and nothing being done.”

“They gon come when I take actions in me own hand, because I going to them and I can’t get justice…”

The man is alleging that he had to sleep out of his house on Thursday and was promised a visit by the Police.

Austin, who is upset over the situation, said the response of the Police is now forcing him to contemplate taking matters into his own hand.

The damage to his cherry trees, the cash crop and cattle farmer says, is estimated at $150,000 while the damage to his lime trees is more

Police charge six more for drunk driving

As the Guyana Police Force continues its traffic enforcement activities, six more drivers were “named and shamed” for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The men, all of whom are from Berbice, were placed before the courts where they pleaded guilty to the offence and were subsequently sentenced to pay a fine of $7500.

Dayanand Sampal of Lot 7 Section C, No 79 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on July 5, while driving motor vehicle PSS 2905 on the Number 74 Public Road, Corentyne. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol; as such, a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge was laid against him. Two days later, he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

On July 9, Jaipaul Ramnarine of Lot 10 Line Path

B, Corriverton, Berbice, was also tested with a breathalyser and found to be above the legal limit. He was driving motor vehicle HC 4601 on the Skeldon Public Road, Corentyne when the Police stopped him. Ramnarine appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court the following day and pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him.

Likaram Salbeer of

Lot 87 Number 60 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, also admitted in court that he was above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption when Police stopped him on July 11. According to reports, the man was driving motor vehicle PRR 874 on the Number 74 Public Road. He subsequently made an appearance at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on July 13.

Meanwhile, Repurderman Seepersaud of Lot 173 Block D, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on July 9, while driv-

than $300,000. “This soursop tree that they cut down was bearing and is more than $70,000 I lose.”

An outdoor toilet was also destroyed on Thursday and burnt together with the trees that were cut down or trimmed.

Austin confirmed that he and his relatives have had an ongoing property dispute, but said that he has been living there more than 30 years. According to him, on one occasion, agricultural equipment valued at more than $1 million was removed from his premises and after reporting the matter to the Whim Police Station, he was asked to give a statement.

After doing so and supplying the Police with a copy of his receipts, he was asked to get the persons that he made the purchases from.

ing motor vehicle PRR 1802 on the Skeldon Public Road. After Police found that he was above the legal limit, a DUI charge instituted and he later appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

A few days later, Chander Ramjass of Lot 91 Number 73 Village, Corentyne, was driving motor vehicle PFF 2718 on the Number 62 Public Road, when he was stopped and

tested with a breathalyser. He too was found to be above the legal limit and make an appearance at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, three days later on July 22.

Prabhudial Ramnarine of Lot 11 D Line Path, Corriverton, Berbice, also pleaded guilty to the DUI offence when it was read to him at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on July 20. He admitted to being above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol while driving motor vehicle CD 8662 on the Skeldon Public Road two days before.

When he returned to the Police Station with those persons, he was told that he had never made a report at the station and there was no statement there.

“That matter just leff so and nobody doing anything about it.”

Austin is alleging that one of his relatives is an inlaw of a senior Police Officer in the division and as a result, the Police are taking no action on his reports. ““They gon come when I take actions in me own hand, because I going to them and I can’t get justice…”the farmer added.

Wakapao decries spike in crime, calls for Police outpost

Residents living in the community of Wakapao in the Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are calling for the establishment of a Police outpost in their community in an effort to minimise crime.

Speaking at a face-thecommunity meeting held on Thursday last, residents told the newly-elected Regional Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt and Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah that crime was very high in the community.

One resident Louis Fredericks said that many illegal drugs were being sold in the community and many unreported crimes were happening. He explained that sale of marijuana was also prevalent in the community.

The resident said that persons were walking with sharp objects in their pocket.

Another resident also complained that persons were selling alcohol without any licence. One licensed liquor shop owner said that she would limit her sales and called upon others to do the

same. The community has a growing population of approximately 3000 residents. The Region Two Chairman called on the Toshao of the village, Errol Williams to sit with his Village Council and to set rules so that residents can follow. He called on the Toshao to also make representation for his community. It was revealed by the Toshao that the community has two Police Constables who were sometimes afraid to do their job.

Guyana needs renewed focus to fight HIV/AIDS

Guyana was urged to renew focus on handling the issue of HIV/AIDS during the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness (GBCHA) annual awards for Business Excellence on Thursday evening.

In his address to attendees, US Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt mentioned that Guyana has made progress in its fight against HIV/ AIDS, but added that renewed focus was required for groups at elevated risk for sustained transmission to sustain the gains and achieve epidemic control.

Hunt mentioned that when the United States first launched the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the word “emergency” understated the issue, as the world was facing a crisis, particularly in Africa where people were dying by the thousands because of the difficulties in accessing new antiretroviral therapies (ART) that were found elsewhere in the world. At the time, it was estimated that nearly one-third of the population of some subSaharan countries were infected with the virus and, more than 20 million mothers, fathers, teachers, doctors, nurses and children had died on that continent. AIDS had already wiped out an entire generation, producing 14 million orphans and vulnerable children. Moreover, much of Africa did not have the infrastructure to prevent, treat and care for people even if antiretroviral therapies could be made available. He added, however, in

five short years, the global community, including Guyana, with tremendous help from countless organisations, Governments and individuals, transformed the impossible to the possible. Prevention and treatment became the rallying cry. Hospitals and clinics were built or renovated, doctors and nurses were trained,

and people were urged to get and stay on treatment. Men and women were given condoms and programmes were launched to encourage their use. Pregnant women were educated about preventing HIV transmission to their unborn children by actively receiving treatment. Babies were born HIV-free and children who were infected were treated.

Hunt reiterated that

added.

“Laws criminalising same-sex intimacy and cross-dressing must be repealed and new laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity adopted. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities must be provided safe and supportive environments in which to obtain necessary health and HIV/

She added that it was the mandate of the GBCHA to mobilise the business sector in response to HIV/ AIDS and health awareness. Since its establishment seven years ago, GBCHA has collaborated with its members, governmental partners, as well as developmental partners to raise awareness of the HIV/ AIDS situation in Guyana. These partnerships have sustained prevention and support programmes.

GBCHA currently receives funding from member subscriptions and fundraisers, and continues to seek alternative sources of income to sustain and expand reach. The business coalition is currently one of the sub-recipients for Guyana’s Global Fund Grant and provides technical assistance to five Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which implement activities to reach key populations affected by HIV/AIDS.

She added that with the organisation’s recent name change and expanded mandate as of May 2015, GBCHA is building on the success of its hard work in HIV/AIDS to continue to respond to the epidemic and address other health issues. In this regard, the Business Coalition focuses on other chronic illnesses in addition to domestic violence and

Guyana made tremendous progress, and added that achievements to date include widely available HIV counselling and testing, improved access to treatment and uptake, improved availability of support services for HIV care such as lab testing, case navigation and Government-supported complementary programmes like the food bank, and perhaps, most importantly, significantly decreased HIVrelated mortality.

Human rights approach

Additionally, Hunt stated that the process also involved ensuring a human rights approach to health. Irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity, every single Guyanese citizen should have the right to access health care free of discrimination and stigma, he

AIDS-related services,” he stated.

The US diplomat also stated that as the primary point of access for such services, providers in both the private and public health systems must take proactive steps to ensure that their office environments are welcoming to all. “We need to continue working together to increase access to treatment for groups experiencing stigma and discrimination –whether actual or perceived.”

Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the GBCHA, Donna Roberts- Benjamin stated that this event has been hosted since 2008 to highlight some of the roles and responsibilities accepted by businesses and other entities to improve health in their workplaces and communities.

mental health.

The Coalition honours individuals and organisations in five categories, namely, Workplace Programme, Community Investment, Workplace Peer Educator, Media Action and Partnerships. For the year 2015, Scotiabank Guyana copped the Community Investment Award, while bank employee Avril Husbands won the Workplace Peer Educator Award.

Republic Bank Guyana Limited was the winner of the Workplace Programme Award and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) won the Partnerships Award. Tajeram Mohabir of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited was the winner of the Media Action Award.

Govt claims BBCI delaying toll reduction

BBCI says financiers must approve changes

Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday said Government was concerned about the setback in the timing for the reduction of the Berbice River Bridge toll, blaming the Bridge Company for the delay.

Despite Government announcing a $300 reduction in the toll, Jordan, meeting with Journalists on Friday, said there has been a delay in the first of the phased reductions of the toll.

Following his announcement during his budget presentation on August 10, Jordan said he met with executives of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) where he related Government’s intention to have the tolls for the bridge

reduced. The Company, through several executives, had laid out several requirements, which, according to Jordan, Government has conceded to. However, according to him, it has taken the Company over two weeks and several phone calls before an inconclusive response was finally received. Apparently, the Directors have now decided to place the matter before their shareholders. This, he said, is a major bugbear.

“With September 1 fast approaching, the Government is concerned that these delaying and dilatory manoeuvres appeared designed to frustrate the reduction in tolls and hold the travelling public hostage,” he said.

During his budget presentation, Jordan had indicated that from September 1 this year, the toll for passenger vehicles crossing the Berbice Bridge would be reduced from $2200 to $1900. The move, he said, was the first of a phased reduction of the tolls which he said have been a worrisome issue for Guyanese, particularly those living in Regions Five and Six.

The annual subsidy for the BBCI, Jordan informed, stands between $120 and $140 million.

Reduction of the Berbice Bridge tolls had been one of the promises made by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition prior to the May 11 General and

Regional Elections.

Meanwhile, it has been disclosed that the Bridge Company had assets of $8.9 billion of which $400 million was invested by equity shareholders, with the remaining $8.5 billion coming from interest bearing debts.

There are 950 million Preference Shares with a return rate of 11 per cent and redeemable at increasing percentages after 15 years; Subordinated Loan Stock – $1250 million, repayable in 2026; Bonds Tranche 1 – $3050 million, at nine per cent maturing in 2013; Bonds Tranche 2 – $2525 million, at 10 per cent maturing in 2017; and Loans – $450 million. As a result, the company has to pay over $800 million annually in in-

terest alone.

Some commentators had suggested that the previous PPP/C Government take over the $8.5 billion debt and reduce the tolls by accepting lower or no interest on the loans. In effect, it was pointed out, the Berbice Bridge would be nationalised and the taxpayers of Guyana would be subsidising the commuters of the bridge.

When contacted, officials of BBCI said they would be issuing a press statement today to explain that while they support totally the efforts to have the tolls paid by commuters reduced, the methodology utilised cannot violate the terms of the original contract signed by the Government and BBCI. As

such, all the investors and debt holders of the PublicPrivate Partnership project must be apprised of the implications of the changes and cannot be rushed into a time line that they had no part in setting.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had opposed a motion in the 10th Parliament for a reduction in the tolls because both APNU and the AFC were insisting that Government simply demand the Bridge Company amend its toll fee structure, ignoring all arrangements provided for in the contract. The twoparty Opposition eventually passed their motion because of their majority in the Assembly.

AFC/APNU likely to go to local polls...

Once the PPP/C gains control from the regional point of view while being in Opposition, it is highly likely that the ‘pillar of strength’ and ‘tower of control’ that the APNU/AFC presently has would be badly weakened from within, from the bottom to the top.

On August 10, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, while addressing the National Assembly, had trumpeted that Government would ensure that Local Government Elections were held soon in Guyana.

He even gave a time frame, citing that by the end of December 2015, citizens of Guyana would have already participated in these elections. However, he noted that the APNU/AFC coalition was awaiting word from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as to whether or not it could have the elections by the end of this year.

During the recent budget debate, Minister Bulkan failed to mention whether or not GECOM had confirmed a date for Local Government Elections. He did posit that APNU/AFC was awaiting approval from GECOM and that the decision would be made at the Elections Commission’s statutory meeting on August 18.

Meanwhile, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally had told Guyana Times over one week ago that during the statutory meeting on August 10, no ‘decisions’ were made in relation to the hosting of Local Government Elections.

He declared that while he read and saw reports attributed to Minister Bulkan concerning the elections, he

from page 7

was not aware that the setting of the date and time frame was one that was scheduled to be discussed formally by GECOM at its statutory meeting.

Dr Surujbally advised that the Commission did discuss the legal lacunae that stood in the way of the successful holding of the elections, but these issues were known to all the stakeholders who had interest in the holding of local polls.

He explained further that the Commission continued to do what it could at this time to prepare for the elections whenever they would be held.

“There are several prerequisite activities” that must be addressed promptly if elections are to be held in Guyana,” Dr Surujbally said, explaining that the current laws that are in force do not incorporate or support the brand new system that has to be used for the holding of the local Government polls.

These laws number 19 and date back to the system put in place back in 1994.

He pointed out that at present, the relevant laws that have to be changed or addressed, in one way or the other, are with the Attorney General’s Office for attention.

Dr Surujbally maintained that the Commission has played its role and made the relevant contributions so far.

However, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, when asked about what the laws sent to his office and what changes have to be made, stated that GECOM would have to comment on that.

saturday, august 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Narine still "person of interest" in Crum-Ewing case – Crime Chief

Although Regan Rodrigues also called “Grey Boy” was arraigned for the murder of ex-soldier Courtney CrumEwing, investigators are still continuing their probe citing Rajput Narine as a person of interest.

This was according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Friday who stated that despite bail being granted to Narine, he still reports to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters whenever he is stipulated to do

so. The investigation, he noted, will continue until the matter comes to a full closure.

A few weeks ago, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack had recommended that charges be instituted against Rodrigues since there was enough evidence to do so. At the same time, she requested additional information with respect to Narine.

A senior Police rank had told the Guyana Times that the file with the additional information would have been sent back to the DPP during this week, but it was not done. “Once the file has the necessary information requested by the DPP, it will be sent for advice,” the officer stated.

Narine was arrested in July for questioning into the killing of Crum-Ewing. However, he denied having any involvement in the planning, organisation or execution of Crum-Ewing, who died from a hail of bullets at Diamond, East Bank Demerara back in March.

“Grey Boy” was arrested for possession of an illegal

firearm and ammunition, but during investigations into that matter, it was found out that the weapon matched the one used in the execution of Crum-Ewing.

While in custody, Rodrigues told Police ranks that he was allegedly contacted by Narine for him to do a “hit” on social and political activist Mark Benschop.

Narine, on the other hand, during his detention, told investigators that he never knew “Grey Boy” per-

sonally and was never part of any plot to assassinate Benschop or Crum-Ewing. Narine was subsequently released on bail.

Crum-Ewing, a 40-yearold father of three, was gunned down execution style on March 10, while urging residents of the Diamond Housing Scheme to go out and cast their ballots on May 11.

An autopsy report proved that Crum-Ewing was shot five times – three bullets went to the head, while one struck the back of the neck and the fifth bullet entered under one of his arms. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited his shoulder.

It was also reported that the bullet wound to the back of the man’s neck was at point-blank range and gunpowder residue was also found on the back of the collar of the shirt that he was wearing. This newspaper was told that two .38 war heads were removed from the dead man’s head.

Speaker clears up controversy

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland has asked that an online news agency be responsible in its reporting, while calling on the Guyana Times Newspaper to correct information published in its August 28, 2015 edition regarding monies spent on the presidential inauguration on May 20, earlier this year.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry had raised objections to the article published by the online news agency Citizens Report, where it claimed that millions of taxpayers’ dollars was spent on the inauguration. She said the article took her explanation out of context.

Replaying the recording of the Junior Minister was the first order of the day when parliamentarians gathered on Friday. Dr Scotland told them that they have listened and needed to the judge for themselves.

“I have arranged for the recording to be heard, immediately after I have stopped speaking, so that members can judge for themselves what transpired and see

whether the grounds exist for the report by the online news service, or by the Member of Parliament.”

The Guyana Times article said that during the final day of the consideration of the Budget Estimates late Wednesday evening, Minister Henry succumbed to pressure from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament (MPs) and belatedly conceded that millions of dollars were indeed expended on this event..

PPP/C MP Charles Ramson Jr asked the Minister about a particular allocation under “subsidies and contributions to local organisations” under “Cultural Preservation and Conservation” within the Education Ministry and she disclosed that the $35.69 million was spent on the inauguration and the T20 matches recently held in Guyana.

But Henry, in explanation, said she said $1 million was spent to give a facelift to the stadium, during the same time of the President’s inauguration.

Education Ministry wants renewed partnership with parents – as school reopens Monday

The Education Ministry is calling for a renewed partnership with parents and teachers as school reopens on Monday and the new school term commences with much expectation.

In a statement to the media, the Ministry said it hoped that students and teachers had an enjoyable holiday and were now prepared for the 2015-2016 academic year as it reminded students that it was important to attend school every day, and it was equally important to be punctual.

The Education Ministry also acknowledged the ster-

ling contributions of parents, and encouraged them to continue investing their time and other resources in the children’s schooling. Forming long-term relationships with class teachers, attending parent-teacher meetings and regular visits to their children’s schools are some of the ways parents can participate in the process.

The Ministry stated that it expected nothing less than the commitment and professionalism of teachers across the country, and looked forward to working in partnership with them, and all oth-

One-month recess for

The National Assembly will go into recess on September 10 for a period of one month. Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on October 10, 2015 and during the period of recess, there will be no sittings of the National Assembly or meeting of Parliamentary Committees and/or sub committees.

This was announced by Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland, who addressed the National Assembly on Friday after the motion was put forward by Government and passed in Parliament confirming the recess period.

During the past year, the Guyana Parliament was not productive as it should have been in its sessions owing to a period of prorogation which denied the Members of Parliament sittings for nine continuous months.

Following the General Elections on May 11 which saw a change in Government for Guyana, the former Administration and now Opposition Party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had not been present at some sittings owing to the fact that it was not pleased with the results of the general election stating that the process was “rigged” by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) with the help of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The PPP/C had argued that the recent general electoral process was not ‘free and fair’ and failed to make its appearance in the National Assembly until a few weeks ago when the National 2015 Budget debate began.

er education stakeholders to mould the minds of Guyana’s children. Meanwhile, it was mentioned that the 2013-2015 batch of teachers of the Cyril Potter College of Education are invited to visit the Personnel Department of the Education Ministry, 21 Brickdam, Georgetown, to sign their contracts, and are required to provide supporting documents, including a valid passport, 2 passport size photographs, Identification Card, NIS Card and Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate (where applicable).

Parliament

Chief Whip of the PPP/C, Gail Teixeira, on Friday in her address to the House after the motion of recess was put forward, stated that she did not intend on making her few words “a political statement”.

“This is a simple motion to do with recess, Sir…I just want to say that the House has an enormous amount of work to do, this is the people’s house and the people’s business that we are addressing and whilst we think that we deserve a rest and I’m sure all politicians deserve a rest at some point. But nevertheless we have a lot of work to come back and do here. So whilst we are not opposing the motion for recess, we believe that we must hasten back and start a lot of work that has to be dealt with,” she told the Members of Parliament.

Concerns mounting over new Speaker’s style

The criticisms levelled against recently-appointed Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, about his alleged partisan rule over the House do not speak well for the new A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, according to the Opposition.

The first-time Speaker, who was appointed by the new David Granger-led Administration, has been accused by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of being biased in presiding over the 11th Parliament so far.

He has been accused of going against constitutional conventions and parliamentary norms in favour of the Government and even siding with the Administration to “muzzle” the PPP/C.

The PPP/C had made several complaints during the week-long Budget debate and the subsequent three-day examination of the estimates. It claimed that members’ respective time for presentation during the debate was often indiscriminately cut short, while Government Members of Parliament (MPs) were allowed full time and even received un-

interrupted extensions to their allotted time.

What was more chaotic was the move by the Government’s side to downplay former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, by seeking to have him speak before Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and not before the concluding Finance Minister, a move that is said to be uncharacteristic to parliamentary practices over the last two decades.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira had accused Government’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally, of going against the norms when she made the suggestion in the National Assembly. The de-

cision, the Opposition said, was not repealed by the Speaker, who had the right to pronounce on the matter.

Teixeira had argued too that the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, was even asked to carry out his research which would confirm the parliamentary practice and norm is the Opposition Leader is the penultimate speaker during the Budget debate.

“Parliamentary conventions and norms are that the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister close the debate and that is proven in the parliamentary records… what she [Government’s

Chief Whip Amna Ally]’s saying is nonsense,” Teixeira said.

“They frighten Jagdeo, you know; the main problem is they terrified of this man – ‘cause when he get up and talk economics and finance, some people will get diarrhoea in this place,” she told reporters in a subsequent interaction.

The PPP issued a release claiming that the Government was trying to muzzle Jagdeo and Opposition Members of Parliament from fully participating in the 2015 National Budget debate.

The Party asserted that the Government’s Chief Whip was desirous of breaching entrenched parliamentary conventions and practices which were religiously upheld in the last 23 years.

“Leaders of the Opposition – Mr Desmond Hoyte, Mr Robert Corbin and Mr David Granger always — spoke immediately before the Government Minister who closed the annual Budget debate and where neither person was constrained by time limits,” the PPP said in its statement, noting that the call to move up Jagdeo on the list was purely malicious.

Police ups training to boost professionalism −

Ramjattan admits that public trust important to fighting crime

In light of the recent upsurge in crime, the Guyana Police Force continues to train its members to work closely with the public to regain its trust

Police Force.

Delivering the feature address, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan pointed out that he has managed to acquire

spectful and courteous and exhibit the etiquette that is going to make those people out there feel that this is but a person that is noble and honourable rather than this

you spot them immediately and ensure that the reports do come so that we can have a Police Force that is bereft of those who will give it a disreputable character…

and according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, public trust is one of the major barriers in effectively fighting crime.

Over the years, local law enforcement has been struggling with the lack of public confidence; as such, the Police Force teamed up with the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Programme (ICITAP) of the United States’ Department of Justice to have some 27 senior ranks undergo a twoweek training programme on how to enhance the public trust in the Guyana

funds to further equip the Force with the necessary resources needed, noting that these should be used to reduce the spate of crimes in the country.

According to the Minister, the crime rates cannot be reduced with the absence of public trust and confidence in the Police Force. “That confidence can only be built when the individual policeman, whether he be the lowest rank or the most upper rank, lead the examined life; rather than simply urging them to do as he wills. It is not going to happen! We have to be re-

a person that is deceptive and a bully,” he declared.

Ramjattan recognised that professionalising the Police Force was going to be a “hard task”, but he emphasised the importance of having a law enforcement agency that was led by officers with good leadership skills.

Against this backdrop, the Public Security Minister outlined that all the “rogue cops” needed to be rolled out of the Force. He urged the senior ranks to keep an eye out for these characters so that they can be identified and corrected or be got rid of.

“As Minister, I urge that

saturday, august 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt urged to invest in IT sector

– lack of jobs in sector highlighted

As the Guyana Police Force closed several of its computer training programmes on Friday, the sponsoring company Zara Computer Centre is calling on the Government of Guyana to invest more in the Information Technology (IT) sector.

IT consultant Nardeo Singh, attached to the US-based Zara Computer Centre, is urging the Government of Guyana to create IT Centres across the country in order to have a more tech savvy population.

Singh was at the time speaking at the closing ceremony for several computer training programmes, where Public Security Minister and Second Vice President, Khemraj Ramjattan, was also present.

Singh pointed out that Guyana was some 10 years behind in technology and warned that if Government did not take action to reverse this, the country’s economy would fall. He disclosed that Zara has invested close to $600,000 in the IT sector since 2007; however, he noted that while more persons are being trained, there are no efforts to create jobs for these persons.

“I’m afraid training is going to become a bad word in Guyana because there are no jobs,” he stated. The IT expert urged Government and other stakeholders to invest more resources in the sector so that opportunities are created for those Guyanese who would have benefited from such training initiatives.

To this end, Singh proposed two steps that Government should take. Firstly, he advised that in order to foster job creation in the 10 regions throughout the country, Government should remove technology from all the Ministries and put it under a new Ministry. He added that Government should also create state-ofthe-art technology centres in each region and hire personnel from the regions in order to boost employment.

and I can tell you that when that happens, members of the community come forward and give the information and then you can react,” he stated.

turn to page 14

Finally, he suggested that Government remove itself from a position of influence, authority and control over Internet framework, and transfer the responsibility to the private telecommunication companies while monitoring them.

“Don’t do it, that’s not a Government thing… Everybody got to eat. You need the Private Sector to be an equal part in using Information Technology so you can grow your economy and mark it today, if these things are not done, this economy will be like the nursery rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty had a great fall’ and none of the Guyanese will be able to put it back together ,” he declared.

Nevertheless, the Zara Computer Centre representative said his organisation would continue to support the Police Force in its efforts to encourage computer literacy among Guyanese.

Ramjattan acknowledged the importance of being computer literate, pointing out that having young people engage in computer studies would distract them from the many social ills plaguing society.

“Getting our young people more involved in educational and skills training will go a far way. The idleness, it takes away from kids wanting now to the negative thing, the adverse things… When you teach them computer training in the various programmes that you have, how to use it in basic and elementary programmes and even to repair computers, it takes kids away and it starts firing their imagination as to what great things they could do, what creative things this can do and that will help our society in the long term,” he mentioned.

According to Ramjattan, this initiative by the Police is a softer approach to the broad issue of crime fighting. He added that the Private Sector should also be actively involved in such programmes that will see troubled communities and their members have the opportunity at a fresh start.

Some of the computer training programmes held were for adults such as adult civilians, Police Officers and staff of other Ministries.

Young persons from the Police Youth Clubs were also present along with several children who were part of the summer programme. At the end of the training programmes for this year, some 316 persons completed training with a dropout record of 31 compared to 71 recorded last year.

Bandit uses powerful magnet to rob Corentyne business

…Police response unsatisfactory – businessman

ACorentyne businessman is accusing Police at Whim Police Station, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) of not responding to a reported robbery in a timely manner.

Soonderlall Ketwaru of Liverpool Village, Corentyne says after 24 hours Police have not acted on a promise they made to visit the crime scene after his business was robbed by a lone thief on Thursday afternoon.

The businessman explained that at the time of the robbery he had just left the business place and his wife went out to close the gate when an intruder entered the shop.

According to him, the man used a powerful magnet to move the bolt on the other side of the door and open it. “When she come back, she see the bandit in the shop trying to open another draw. He done take out the phone cards and money from this draw and going to open the other one

to take out the money.”

Ketwaru said his wife, who was alone in the shop, approached the intruder and enquired what he was doing. “He run out of the shop and she run behind him. He run over the road and she keep behind him and hollering ‘thief’. A boy name Bertie start to chase and me neighbour come and lock the shop door.”

He explained that Bertie, who was on a bicycle, managed to hold on to the es-

caping thief. “But he start to cuff the man in he face and belly and he get away and jump over a trench and gone.”

The businessman said the matter was reported to the nearby Whim Police Station’s Criminal Investigations Department.

“They come with me and say they will come back to take a statement on how much cash loss and how much phone card loss; they never return; this is Friday

afternoon…”

According to Ketwaru, the incident occurred about 14:00h on Thursday.

He said a telephone call was made to the Police Station about 19:00h on Friday to report that the man who had forcefully gone into his shop and removed cash and phone cards was selling phone cards on the road at a reduced price.

“No Police response. Today [Friday] I was passing by the pay office and I see him selling a $500 card for $400. Me and another boy jump out of the car and run after him but he escape. I am still waiting for the response of the Police…”

Ketwaru says the man who took away $80,000 worth in cash and phone cards lives at an area called Tiger Bay which is in the vicinity of the Whim Police Station.

In recent times, several persons have complained of the apparent slothfulness of personnel attached to the Whim Police Station.

Tropical Storm Erika wreaking havoc across Caribbean

Tropical Storm Erika is expected to hit southern Florida on Monday after battering the Dominican Republic and Haiti with “life-threatening floods” over the weekend, the US National Hurricane Centre said on Friday.

The greatest risk was heavy rainfall over northern Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with up to 12 centimetres in some areas. This could cause “life-threatening flash floods and mud slides,” the hurricane centre said.

As Erika neared the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, its sustained winds were measured at 80 kph, the centre said.

On Friday, Erika lashed

Furthermore, Ramjattan underscored that the Force needed to work on its confidence building process, noting that this can only be done by inculcating professional values in officers through training initiatives such as this.

Meanwhile, Chargé d’ Affaires of the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt, has reiterated his Government’s intentions to collaborating with Caribbean countries to enhance their crime-fighting capacity. Hunt further outlined that for officers to effectively carry out their duties, they must gain and retain the trust and confidence of the communities that they pledge to serve.

“Absent such trust, law

Puerto Rico with powerful winds and heavy rain a day after killing at least four people in the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Emergency officials were searching for several missing people after rain-triggered landslides on the small, mountainous island on Thursday, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a radio broadcast.

Overflowing rivers and landslides washed away several roads and bridges there, and Tourism Minister Robert Tonge posted photographs and video on Facebook showing widespread flooding in the capital.

enforcement professionals will never receive the community intelligence necessary in order to prevent crimes from happening or the information from community members that is critical to the successful arrest and prosecution of those who engage in criminal activities. The United States is well aware of the importance that the Government of Guyana and the leadership of the Guyana Police Force have placed in addressing the very low levels of citizen confidence in the Police that seem to persist in this society,” he stated.

However, the Embassy official underscored that these efforts would never be sufficient unless there were effective oversight measures

The hurricane also battered the Virgin Islands as it moved across the Caribbean and appeared to head for the Dominican Republican, northern Haiti and eventually south Florida, the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre said.

Florida has declared a state of emergency.

Governor Rick Scott made his declaration that Erika “poses a severe threat to the entire state” shortly after forecasters adjusted the trajectory of the storm to show that it is predicted to go through the middle of the state. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

to ensure both professional standards and effective procedures were in place to investigate and sanction those officers who violate such standards. According to the Chargé d’ Affaires, sustainability and partnership are key components in developing the capacity of the law enforcement agencies. Hunt further noted his Government’s intention to foster collaboration between Caribbean countries in improving their crime fighting capabilities. “Our commitment to broad partnerships that advance citizen safety signals underscore the fact that people often understand security in a personal way on their street corners, on a bus to and from work, or in

their markets. Forging effective partnerships requires an understanding of and an ability to address fundamental links between local, transnational and white collar crime, and the nexus between these threats and the big social and economical challenges the region faces,” he highlighted.

During the first week of the training, emphasis was placed on internal affairs –investigating the misconduct of Police employees and how to identify what went wrong as well as remedying it. One of the US-based instructors, Gary Bennett, charge the 27 participants to also adopt initiatives on their own that will seek to enhance their professionalism in order for them to be good police officers.

Aspiring Caterer pleads guilty to cell phone theft

Ambitious is the word that comes to mind after hearing the story of Nicholas Kissoon, Carnegie student by day and freelance sex worker by night. He was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday to face a simple larceny charge after allegedly stealing a cell phone from one of his clients.

Kissoon, barely 17 years old from 124 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt , admitted in Court Two that he was guilty of stealing a HTC cellular phone of Ashton Adams, valued at $100,000 on June 3, 2015 while he was leaving the Virtual Complainant’s car on Front Road, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

He said that he had taken the cell after Adams refused to pay him for his services as the VC had hired him for a Chinese friend of his. Kissoon admitted that he thought that he could have gotten along relatively well with the Chinese man, thinking of him as a possible partner. However, he stated that Adams refused to pay for his service and thus he was obliged to take his phone as payment.

The phone thief said that he did commit the illegal act but it was not on June 3, 2015 as alleged by the Police and the VC, but June 3, 2014. He complained of being set up by officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), naming Officer Bacchus as one Police Officer who stated “I going down this time.”

Guyana Times understands that the Police Officers do indeed know the accused as he has been reported several times to a number of Police Stations around Georgetown for several cases of theft. However, Kissoon maintained that since he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan

in 2011, he has tried hard to not appear in court again. He said that he had asked the Magistrate to send him to Carnegie as his punishment that time as he was quite interested in becoming a caterer.

The court heard that he was unemployed at the moment but is a serious student at Carnegie. However, Kissoon did admit that he is in need of cash sometimes and is thus forced to resort to his old job of being a sex worker “now and again.” The young man was quite unequivocal as he appealed to the Magistrate to believe him.

He told this publication that he would be forever grateful to Magistrate McLennan for giving him a chance when he appeared before her in 2011. However, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones indicated that the accused was telling a tale. He stated that the VC was relieved of his cellular two months ago when the accused hired him to go to Herstelling. However, he said that Kissoon changed his destination midway and asked the taxi driver to take him to his home on Laing Avenue instead. Upon reaching there, the prosecutor said the sex worker opened the car door and snatched the VC’s cell phone, running through an alleyway where he escaped.

The VC reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested and taken to the police station. Even so, Magistrate McLennan stated that she was unable to record a guilty plea as the accused said that the incident happened more than a year ago. She thus recorded a not guilty plea and granted $2000 bail for the accused. He is expected back in court on September 4.

Around the World

Austria, Libya count dead as number of migrants crossing Mediterranean soars

Austria said on Friday 71 refugees, including a baby girl, were found dead in an abandoned freezer truck, while Libya recovered the bodies of 82 migrants washed ashore after their overcrowded boat sank on its way to Europe and scores more were feared dead.

The United Nations refugee agency said the number of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe had passed 300,000 this year, up from 219,000 in the whole of 2014.

Three Bulgarians and an Afghan were arrested in connection with the truck deaths. The victims – 59 men, eight women and four children, including a girl of one-two years old – were probably from Syria, Police said.

the Mediterranean in 2014.

Ashley Madison founder steps down

The founder and chief executive of the Ashley Madison infidelity dating website, Noel Biderman, has stepped down.

A statement released by the firm said his departure was “in the best interest of the company”.

The senior management team will take over leadership until a new chief executive is appointed, it added.

Details of more than 33 million accounts were stolen from the website, which offers people the chance to have an affair.

mation to justice.”

Canadian parent company Avid Life Media, which owns the site, has offered a reward of C$500,000 for information about the Ashley Madison hackers.

The leaked data, stolen by a group calling itself Impact Team, also included 200,000 emails belonging to Noel Biderman.

Norwegian security researcher Per Thorsheim confirmed to the BBC that they appeared genuine.

“I saw one email or two emails and I could verify the sender, the recipient, the domains and everything so it has to be an email from the CEO’s mailbox,” he said.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said more than 2500 people have died making the sea crossing this year, compared with 3500 who died or went missing in

At least 180 were either dead or missing in the Libyan disaster. Both tragedies were a result of a renewed surge in migrants seeking refuge from war and poverty that has confronted Europe with its worst refugee crisis since World War Two.

Vietnam grants amnesty to 18,000 prisoners

Vietnam says it has granted amnesty to more than 18,000 prisoners to mark the country’s 70th anniversary of independence from France. Thousands convicted of murder or drug-related of-

fences will go free, while 34 foreigners are also among those given amnesty.

However, observers say political prisoners are not expected to be freed.

Tens of thousands of prisoners have been granted presidential amnesties since 2009.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quy Vuong said no one guilty of “crimes against national security” would be released.

The government also said that the amnesty showed the ruling Communist Party’s “humanitarian nature” and would help inmates “become useful citizens”.

Human rights groups and some Western Governments have criticised Vietnam for jailing dissidents, and say more than 100 political activists remain behind bars. (BBC News)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European Union leaders were ready for an emergency meeting, if needed, to discuss the refugee crisis.

A security official in the western Libyan town of Zuwara, from where the

doomed migrant boat had set off, said there had been around 400 people on board. Many appeared to have been trapped in the hold when it capsized on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Hungarian Police arrest four people over the discovery of the 71 bodies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“We are actively adjusting to the attack on our business and members’ privacy by criminals. We will continue to provide access to our unique platforms for our worldwide members,” the firm’s statement said.

“We are actively cooperating with international law enforcement in an effort to bring those responsible for the theft of proprietary member and business infor-

“There’s no doubt about that.”

Biderman, a former sports lawyer, launched the website in 2001.

He said at the time that he wanted to offer the same opportunities for both women and men seeking extramarital encounters. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iraq’s top Shia cleric voices support for protests

Iraq’s top Shia cler-

ic Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has voiced support for continuing protests in Baghdad and other cities in southern Iraq.

Sistani, 85, said that the Government must show it is serious about fighting corruption and improve services – not just introduce temporary measures to placate the public.

In a message delivered by a representative in a Friday sermon, Sistani also cautioned protesters who have staged weekly rallies to press demands for reform that they must guard against groups seeking to hijack their movement to further other interests.

The comments, delivered in the Shia city of Karbala south of Baghdad, came just hours before Iraqis started to gather in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to demand better services and an end to corruption.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from the Iraqi cap-

Rallies began last month, calling for better services like power, water and medical care, as well as an end to corruption [AP]

ital, said the protests had begun as a grassroots movement, with people frustrated about electricity shortages.

“Now it has become a popular uprising demanding change. They want Prime Minister haider al-Abbadi to reform the political system in the country,” she said.

“We cannot call these protests ‘anti-government,’ at least not for now, because these people are taking to the streets to give Abbadi support to push ahead with

US, China stress positives ahead of Xi trip

China and the United States stressed the positives in their complex relationship on Friday during meetings between US National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Chinese officials ahead of a US visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.

While the world’s two largest economies have important mutual interests, like trying to rein in North Korea’s nuclear programme,

deep disagreements exist over everything from Internet security to China’s claims in the South China Sea.

“We have seen our bilateral relationship evolve and strengthen in recent months. And we have found areas of broadened and deepened cooperation that we are certainly looking forward to building upon,” Rice told China’s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang

Jiechi, who outranks the Foreign Minister.

“At the same time, we have been able to discuss frankly our differences, which we both acknowledge need to be addressed effectively.”

Yang said that both countries had cooperated closely over the Iran and North Korean nuclear issues.

“With shared efforts on both sides, China-US relations have maintained a

trend of overall positive development recently,” he added.

Xi told Rice that China wanted “sustainable and steady growth” in ties with Washington.

“We stand ready to further promote our practical cooperation, effectively manage the sensitive issues between us and strengthen the friendship between the people of both countries,” Xi said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

reforms.”

The Prime Minister has responded to the rallies with a package of reforms that reduced the size of his Cabinet, and eliminated the three Vice Presidencies and the three Deputy Prime

Minister posts.

He has also ordered a revision of the Government’s pay scale and the annulment of financial perks enjoyed by senior officials, politicians and consultants. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

MSF charity accuses Bollywood film Phantom of ‘endangering staff’

Aid charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) says it is taking legal action over a Bollywood film it claims could endanger its staff in conflict zones.

MSF says the film Phantom depicts an aid worker for a “confusingly similar” fictitious organisation using a weapon - which its employees would never do.

The charity said the film could harm its work in places where its access depends on a reputation for neutrality.

The film’s producers have yet to respond to the accusations.

Phantom features an Indian soldier, played by Saif Ali Khan, pursuing Pakistani militants alleged to have planned the 2008 attacks on Mumbai.

His character enlists the help of an aid worker, played by British-Indian actress Katrina Kaif, who works for a charity named Medicine International.

The film does not mention MSF by name. (Excerpt from BBC News)

saturday, august 29, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

School of the Nations continues to excel at int’l exams

The School of the Nations continues to record astounding results in the Cambridge University International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Level (AL) examinations.

This year’s IGCSE grades show a whopping 90 per cent overall pass rate, with 40 per cent of students who sat examinations obtaining an A or B grade. Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish, Environmental Management, and Travel and Tourism all recorded 100 per cent passes. Mathematics recorded an 89 per cent pass rate, with 36 per cent of students gaining an A or B.

Among the outstanding performers were Wendy Calazans Persaud with three distinctions, three As, one B and one C; Rosanna

Fung with four As and two Bs; and Kesha Meerah with four As, two Bs and one C.

Some 150 students wrote the Cambridge University International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level Examinations. This year’s AL results show an 85 per cent overall pass rate, with a 100 per cent passes recorded in the following subject areas: Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, History and Environmental Management.

Among the top performers for AL were Kapildeo Singh with Distinctions in Accounting, Business Studies, Economics and an A in Mathematics; Riasoya Jodah with an A in Biology and Chemistry and a B in Mathematics; Simran Gajraj with a Distinction in Law and an A in Sociology; Aureyah Garraway Payne with an A in Psychology, a B in Economics and a C

This year’s IGCSE grades show a whopping 90 per cent overall pass rate, with 40 per cent of students who sat examinations obtaining an A or B grade

in Mathematics; Keisha Jagnarain with a Distinction in Law and a B in Sociology; and Keziah Daniels with a B in Biology, a B in Chemistry and a C in Mathematics.

Among the top performers for AS were Mohanie Anganoo with two As and a B; Ryhan Chand with two As and a C; Hannibal Gaskin with two As and a C;

NGO, medical students partner to bring smiles to orphans

Twelve medical students as well as volunteers from a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Save Abee Foundation, on Wednesday collaborated to bring smiles to the less fortunate when they visited the Guyana Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home and the Joshua House Children Centre.

A total of 74 children benefited from meals, toys, school supplies among other items when the Foundation and medical students who are soon to graduate visited the respective homes to spread cheer to the children. Sureain Sawh of Enforcers Care, New York, which is another NGO, provided funding for the food, school bags, and other school items.

Speaking to the Guyana Times, Sandip Homnaut, who is a volunteer of Save Abee, stated that the activity was a humanitarian effort to give back to the less fortunate.

“We hosted a few medical outreaches a few weeks ago, and some of the doctors that volunteered with us chose to go and spend some time with the children there and give back to our less fortunate. We need to work together to build a better future, together we can do more than apart,” Homnaut stated.

Jason James Ramcharan, one of the medical students who organised the activity, told this publication that the aim of the activity was to impact the lives of the children in a positive way.

“Yesterday’s activities weren’t about us, the sole purpose was to put a smile on the faces of the kids and in return we all left with a smile in our hearts. So it

wasn’t just about taking foodstuff and toys to the orphanage... the idea was spending time with the kids, playing with them and talking to them because that’s what actually impacts their lives. I want to encourage everyone out there who has a little free time to go visit such places... orphanages, senior citizens’ homes.... and even if you don’t have anything material to share, your time is invaluable. It’s a part of your life you will never get back. And serving others, that’s the real essence of life,” Ramcharan explained.

The young man revealed that he and his colleagues were aiming to host one

such initiative per month, and they were planning to facilitate a food and clothing drive in September.

Save Abee is a non-profit organisation that was founded by Sham Tilak and Asha Tilak. It is registered in the USA, and currently in the process of obtaining non-profit status in Guyana and Canada. The Foundation was set up with the aim of giving the children of Guyana the skills required to operate a computer efficiently. Save Abee is primarily focusing its efforts on the rural regions of Guyana where the lack of transportation and computers are a burden on the people.

Sophia Ally with one A and two Bs; Sunaina Boodhoo with one A and two Bs; Ajay Chowti with one A and two Bs; and Akash Jadonandan with one A and two Bs.

Kapildeo attributed his success to self-discipline and hard work. He stated that he tried to grasp most of the concepts in the classroom so that his revision

at home would be easier. During the weeks leading up to his exams he started working past papers and reading examiner’s reports, and he believes that that was the most important part in securing good grades.

Riasoya expressed similar sentiments thanking her family, friends, God, and many others who helped to get her where she was today. She also expressed gratitude to her teachers who have taught her life lessons in and out the classroom. Riasoya explained that she was forced to push boundaries and work extremely hard, but the feeling of validation and relief was worth it all. She stated that she hoped to use the knowledge and experience that she earned to one day come home and make a meaningful impact.

Mohanie expressed grat-

itude to all who supported her throughout the school year especially her parents, her teachers and friends who stayed up with her late hours to study. She continues to stand by her mantra, “Once you put in effort, you shall reap the benefits”. Finally, Wendy said that she was grateful to the teachers at School of Nations for giving her the tools, strategies, and support she needed to reach her goals. She is also grateful to her friends for the encouragement and her family for believing in her. Wendy’s father and brother were involved in an accident just a few weeks before exams and she attributed her determination to succeed to their strength to survive. She is also grateful to the anonymous parent who donated the money to pay for her exams during that very difficult period for her family.

CTO’s SG to help boost Guyana’s tourism industry

Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Secretary General Hugh Riley has agreed to render assistance to Guyana’s tourism sector, to help it reach new heights. This is according to Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes.

Hughes made the announcement at a reception on Thursday evening at Cara Lodge, Georgetown.

The Minister stated that the Caribbean was the most tourism dependent region in the world and attracted some 25-26 million visitors a year. In 2014, a total of US$28 billion was spent in the Region.

Riley has been at the helm of this effective and proactive regional Organisation for the past six years. Minister Hughes admits that she was confident that Riley could help boost Guyana’s tourism industry.

Hughes stated the Secretary General has arrived at a timely and historic moment, as the new Administration has just been installed, a new Tourism Ministry has been established and the budget debates have finally been concluded.

Guyana has been a member of the CTO since 1992 and has benefited from a number of initiatives and efforts over the years.

Minister Hughes noted that the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism Ministry have received an increase of 25 per cent in the budget allocation, and since Guyana was a member country of the CTO, the Ministry would like to discuss the country’s plan as it related to the growing sector.

She added that she would like the focus of development to be on Guyana’s

niche markets and vision for the future of tourism. One of the Ministry’s priorities is the development of community-based tourism.

The Tourism Minister expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration between Guyana and the CTO, and the fruitful discussions in areas that were mutually beneficial to Guyana and tourism in general.

Hughes explained that the Ministry has begun the process of looking at all the regions with the regional stakeholders to establish an inventory of Guyana’s tourism product. They are beginning to get the regions themselves to identify those prospects. To begin work with the CTO, the Ministry in the coming week will commence its Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) workshop.

“In Region Eight, we have assembled a team of 20 persons who will be going to Iwokrama to receive training. These are people who are already in tourism-related organisations, and we would like to take them to a level to expand their services.”

Secretary General Riley told reporters that the CTO

understood that Guyana’s Tourism Ministry already has a very sure path to focus on as to what Guyana’s tourism product should be. Riley stated that the CTO possessed the services, skills and tools to help to deliver on what Guyana’s national priorities were as far as tourism was concerned, and making sure that local communities benefit was a key part of the sustainability aspect of tourism.

The Secretary General related that the CTO was very happy that Guyana has taken the lead in that particular area and assured that the Organisation can surely assist in helping local communities to understand the value that tourism brought to their life and in helping all stakeholders to understand and further develop these communities.

The CTO, established since 1989, has been on the forefront of promoting and positioning the Caribbean as the most desirable yearround, warm-weather destination and the leading sustainable tourism destination as one sea, one voice, one Caribbean. The CTO, with headquarters in Barbados and offices in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish speaking nations, as well as a myriad of Private Sector allied members.

The primary objective of the Organisation is to provide to and through its members the services and information necessary for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people.

saturday, august 29, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Starr Computer hosts health technology seminar

Starr Computer on Thursday hosted a seminar for students of the Texila American University to make them more aware of the advancements in technology that they can benefit from in the medical field. The company’s director, Michael Mohan gave a brief presentation to the students present outlining the endless possibilities of technology in the healthcare sector.

Mohan explained that persons suffering from certain diseases could benefit; for example, photodynamic therapy could aid cancer patients, while artificial pancreases for person with diabetes, bionic eyes for the visually impaired and replacement body parts for the injured were also concrete possibilities.

He also mentioned that there were many applications that could be used as some software allow persons to find the nearest doctor/ hospital, pay hospital bills online, speak to trained doctors online, request appointments, purchase medication from pharmacies, and access insurance companies.

Another interesting addition to the medical field is the “virscan blood test”, and this means that you can now have your viral infection history diagnosed from

a single drop of blood. In certain countries, it is possible for persons to print body parts in 3D. Mohan also reminded the students about the advancements in prosthetics and how accessible they are.

Topics also discussed included stem cells and stem cell research and its attendant benefits including Alzheimer’s treatment, defective organ treatment, cancer treatment, spinal cord injury treatment and juvenile diabetes treatment.

As it relates to the future of medical technology, Mohan mentioned that there were smart robots, drones and driverless cars being developed and tested. He alluded to the fact

that the event hosted was a vital one for the medical students, since they were no longer going to be exposed to a “theory-only” course, with more practical work included in their studies.

Mohan said, “It is important for them to understand some of the changes that are taking place and with technology everything that we are doing right now in the medical field; there is a group out there that is actually taking things to a next level.”

He told this publication that his company wanted to bridge the gaps in the medical field and act like facilitators to those practitioners who would like to access certain technologies.

SASOD to LGBT Community: You are not alone!

The fact that depression hurts every segment of the population was clearly evident at a discussion on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community’s difficulties with mental health on Wednesday at the Dutch Bottle Cafe.

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted the discussion, which featured a documentary on how depression af-

Shortage of teachers at Wakapao frustrates parents

– poor performances recorded

Parents living in the Amerindian community of Wakapao and its environs in Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are concerned over the shortage of teachers there which they say is having a negative impact on the quality of education being delivered to their children at the village’s nursery, primary and secondary schools.

At a community meeting held on Thursday, parents from Yarashima, Mora and Correira vented their frustration. They claimed that come September the nursery school would have no teacher.

Speaking on behalf of residents from the community, a retired headmaster, Clifford Fredericks, said that the level of education in the community was very poor and the dropout rates were very high. He said the main factor contributing to the high dropout rates was the lack of teachers at the schools.

According to him, 23 students were scheduled to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations last May and 15 dropped out. He

Residents at Wakapao’s face-the-community meeting

noted that the children were not given adequate attention.

He said parents at Mora were eager to send their children to school, but there was sometimes no teacher.

When asked where was the headmaster of the secondary school, residents revealed that he left the village to attend the University of Guyana.

Fredericks said often times persons in the community were qualified to join the teaching profession and to give back to their community, but their applications were never fol-

lowed up or approved by the Department of Education.

Another resident, Leroy Williams said teachers were also absenting themselves frequently and were robbing the children.

“The primary school of a population of 120 students only have three teachers, tell me how can three teachers teach so much children and every day the population is growing,” another resident lamented.

Asked to explain what were the main reasons for the lack of teachers, the residents said that the community did not have proper ac-

commodation for teachers coming to their community.

Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt, who listened to the residents’ complaints during the facethe-community meeting, promised to forward all complaints to the Education Minister and the Regional Education Officer.

Ramdatt said from the regional level he would see what could be done according to the resources available in terms of the accommodation. Young people were also advised by the Chairman to apply for the teaching jobs.

fects gay men or men who have sex with men (MSM).

The documentary “You Are Not Alone” was released in November 2012 by Antoine Craigwell, a Guyana-born Journalist from the United States. He became interested in the effects of depression after

ciety’s condemnation and how this all pushed them into various levels of selfdestruction.

One young man told his story of a young boy who was interested in dolls and girl games, but was abused physically by his non-accepting father who thought

several of his friends displayed symptoms of the mental illness, to the extent of destroying their lives.

The Journalist told the Guyana Times that the idea for the documentary was born when he spoke to a fellow Journalist who confided that he had been drinking two bottles of Bacardi a day “to take the edge off”. He said it was initially to be in a written format, but he found that there was not much research on the issue of depression in the LGBT community. There is a number of works on depression in the whole, but nothing to target just how depression affects gay men.

His piece developed into a video as he learnt persons would be more attentive to what he was saying if visuals were used and some of his interviewees were quite willing to tell their story. This publication observed the afflictions of gay men, young and old, were evident in the documentary as they told their stories of child sexual abuse, isolation, so-

he could have ‘beat it out’ of him. However, the young man could not help his feelings and grew up living a double life that ate away at him and led him to substance abuse that slowly destroyed the life he had built for himself.

The Journalist expressed that it was these extremes of non-acceptance that set these men on such dangerous paths of self-destruction as it was a general need for persons to want to belong.

With this video, Craigwell said he hoped to shine some light on the suffering of such individuals and hopefully he would enable some understanding from wider society. He urged social organisations and agencies to become more knowledgeable about depression in the LGBT community as it could lead to a decrease in the plague of suicide in Guyana.

The Journalist said that suicide was the ultimate act by persons who suffered from depression if they were not taught how to deal with their depression.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Your reputation is on an upswing, and improvements to your financial situation are looking good. Pass your good fortune along to people who have contributed to your success.

Don’t let a lack of confidence prevent you from declaring your true feelings. Express your heartfelt fondness for someone and share your intentions and future plans.

You have a lot to contend with, but haste will not make matters better. Don’t overlook important facts or details. Do things right the first time and avoid having to start over.

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 be shy about showing off your skilfulness and dependability. If you keep up the hard work, rewards and opportunities will come your way. A responsible attitude will take you far.

Dispense with customary pastimes and try something out of the ordinary. Ask your friends to join you. Don’t take unnecessary risks with your health, and avoid a lengthy setback.

If you allow others to discuss their interests, you will learn many surprisingly remarkable things. Your creative juices will lead to a new beginning.

Don’t be afraid of a challenge. Staying on familiar ground will not motivate you. Invite suggestions and be courageous enough to try out something unusual in order to find a new passion.

It’s possible to be too trusting. Keep your personal information a secret and be cautious with your possessions and cash. Focus on what you are doing. Overindulgence should be off-limits for you.

You’ll feel lethargic and down if you don’t push yourself. A day trip will give you the boost you need to get back on track. Avoid investing in a questionable enterprise. Your lifestyle may be hectic, but don’t forget the people you care about most. Friends and relatives will be happily surprised if you make a point to stay in touch.

Stand up for yourself. If someone has been spreading rumours about you, set matters straight. People may give credence to the negative comments if you decide to sit back and say nothing.

Use your energy wisely. A new adventure will entice you, but be smart and take some precautions before you make your move. You are best off leading the way, not following others.

Jamaican Williams wins surprise hurdles gold

Jamaica’s Danielle Williams won the world championship 100 meters hurdles gold as her more experienced rivals crumbled under pressure on Friday.

She took the lead after the last flight, winning in a personal best 12.57 seconds ahead of Germany’s Cindy Roleder who also clocked a best time of 12.59.

Bronze went to Aline Talay in a Belarus record 12.66.

Danielle, 23, raced in the final alongside her 25-yearold sister Shermaine who finished seventh in 12.95.

It was the first time since the championships began in 1983 that two siblings had competed together in a final.

Two of the leading American hopes, Dawn Harper Nelson and Keni Harrison, were eliminated at the semi-final stage.

Harper Nelson fell and Harrison was disqualified for a false start.

In the final, 2013 world champion Brianna Rollins all but wrote off her chances by knocking down the first hurdle.

The American rallied but could do no better than fourth place in 12.67, passing Britain’s Tiffany Porter who led to the eighth flight before folding.

“I was just hoping I finished with a medal, I wasn’t sure where I finished, I knew it was close,” Danielle Williams told reporters. “I was just looking up at the screen waiting for the results to come up.”

Roleder, 26, regards her-

self as a heptathlete and was not even ranked in the world’s top 20 as a 100 hurdler going into the Beijing championships.

“That rocked,” she said. “I am super happy. I cannot believe what happened.

“After the semi-final I was gobsmacked for a little while but our physio Thomas Ring set me up again and my coach Wolfgang Kuehne also made me strong mentally.” (Reuters)

Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, two others, accused in lawsuit of rape

Derrick Rose, the 2011 National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, is being sued by a former girlfriend who alleges he and two friends drugged and gangraped her in 2013.

Rose’s accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, said she and the three-time All-Star Chicago Bulls guard dated from 2011 to 2013.

In August 2013, she said, Rose and two friends invited her to Rose’s home in Beverly Hills, California, where they slipped a drug into her drink with the aim of raping her.

The woman said she escaped the house but that Rose and his friends broke into her apartment later that night and gang-raped her while she was incapacitated, it said.

Rose’s accuser, who is

seeking unspecified damages, said she waited for two years to file the suit because she was “ashamed and embarrassed” of what happened.

“I am just focusing on staying healthy and getting ready for the season,” Rose, 26, said in a statement on Thursday. “I am not going to comment other than to say: I know the truth, and am confident I will be proven innocent.”

The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

A spokeswoman for Rose said in a statement the “plaintiff’s allegations are completely false and without any factual basis.”

“This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to shake down a highly respected and successful athlete,” the statement said. “Mr. Rose was in a non-exclusive, consensual sexual relationship with the plaintiff for over two years.”

“We have complete confidence that the case will be dismissed and that Mr. Rose will be vindicated. This lawsuit is outrageous.”

Rose, who missed a portion of last season because of a knee injury, averaged 17.7 points, 4.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in 51 games. (Reuters)

Bolt and Gatlin headed to Brussels, but will not meet

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin will race again in Brussels next month, but not against each other, organizers of the Van Damme Diamond League meeting said on Friday.

“No chance for rematch,” meeting director Wilfried Meert told Reuters in an email. “Will be Gatlin in the 100 and Bolt in the 200.”

Bolt ended American Gatlin’s two-year unbeaten streak with victories in both the 100 and 200 meters at the Beijing world championships, though his participation at the Sept. 11 meeting in Brussels is contingent on fitness, his agent said.

“Usain’s only scheduled race this year after Beijing is Brussels provided he comes through this meet fit and healthy,” Ricky Simms said in an email to Reuters.

“When he gets back to

Europe next week we will see how he recovers from the exertions of the past week.

“The big goal is Rio.” Bolt is expected to seek his third consecutive set of triple Olympic gold medals in Brazil next year.

Prior to Beijing, Bolt and Gatlin had not met since September 2013 when the Jamaican won the 100 meters and Gatlin finished fourth in Brussels. Overall, Bolt holds an 8-2 advantage in career clashes. (Reuters)

Judge releases Argentine FIFA suspects from house arrest

An Argentine judge on Friday released Hugo and Mariano Jinkis from house arrest while he examines a U.S. request for their extradition to face corruption charges related to alleged graft inside FIFA, soccer’s world governing body.

Judge Claudio Bonadio’s ruling came after he halted processing the extradition request this week for 30 days in order to seek more information from U.S. justice officials.

Argentine nationals Hugo Jinkis, 70, and his son Mariano, 40, are among corporate executives and former and current FIFA officials indicted on racketeering charges.

“Taking into account the satisfactory way Hugo and Mariano Jinkis have been fulfilling the house arrest conditions imposed on them, it is feasible to reconsider how they wait out this process,” Bonadio wrote in separate rulings for each defendant.

Soccer was thrown into turmoil in May when U.S. authorities accused the Jinkis and 112 others of corruption by taking part in a criminal scheme involving more than $150 million in

bribes and kickbacks.

Court documents showed that under new conditions laid out by the judge, neither Jinkis can stay away from his home for more than 24 hours at a time without the permission of the court. Both are forbidden from traveling more than 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the court in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.

The passports of the father and son, who are con-

trolling principals of sports marketing business Full Play, will remain confiscated and neither is allowed to travel outside the country.

A third Argentine businessman caught up in the FIFA investigation, Alejandro Burzaco, last month pleaded not guilty in a U.S. court to charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. (Reuters)

Sri Lanka take two on rain-hit day

Asked to bat on a testing, grassy pitch, India held on grimly - with some luck on their side - to keep the damage down to two wickets on a day that rain allowed only 15 overs of play. KL Rahul fell shouldering arms in the first over, Ajinkya Rahane was done in by seam movement soon after, but Cheteshwar Pujara - getting an opportunity in the absence of two injured openers - and Virat Kohli stayed together for 36 runs before heavy showers forced an early lunch. Rain continued to make frequent appearances, making sure no more play was possible on day one.

Once again Dhammika Prasad struck in the first over - he is making quite a habit of doing so in the first over of an innings or of a new spell. Also, much like Marcus North of Australia, Rahul continued the trend of making either a low score or a hundred. He now has seven scores of 16 and below, and two hundreds.

Despite Prasad’s form for seam movement back in,

Rahul left alone the second ball of the day in premeditated fashion, and had his off stump pegged back. Had he even covered the stumps, Rahul would have forced the umpire to make an lbw decision, which could have gone either way given how the ball hit the top of off stump. Rahane, the other centurion at P Sara Oval, got

off to a better start than in the first innings last week, but was done in by the same movement from a full ball from Nuwan Pradeep, who had taken Dushmantha Chameera’s place in the XI. The most crucial play of the session, though, belonged to one of the two debutant wicketkeepers. Kusal Perera, who does not

Burnham Memorial softball to culminate this weekend

The inaugural Burnham Memorial Softball 10/10 Knockout Tournament will culminate on Sunday at the Education Ministry Ground.

However, action in the tournament will continue today at the said venue from 09:00h.

Adelphi will play the winner of the West Demerara zone (Speed Boat or Wolf’s Warriors), while the Lower East

Coast winner (Better Hope or Success Warriors) will face Regal, Herstelling.

The winner of the South Star of Linden and Adventure of Essequibo Coast game will challenge De Hoop Sports Club.

The winner of the first game will take on the victors of game four while game two champions will play game three winners in the semi-finals the following day, as softball cricket makes a grand

return to the Education Ministry Ground. The top two teams will then battle in the grand finale.

The competition is being organised by the People’s National Congress Reform in collaboration with the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc, and is being played in observance of the 30th death anniversary of the late President of Guyana, LFS Burnham.

on 8, couldn’t resist pushing at a length ball wide outside off. This one from Pradeep seamed back in, took the inside edge, but Perera dropped a fairly simple catch to his left. Also, around the same time, Prasad had been taken out of the attack after three overs because of a fitness issue. Instead of being 28 for 3, India were only 33 for 2 thanks to five penalty runs because Perera had spilled the ball on to the helmet placed behind him.

but the lack of bounce was a worry. Most of the results at this venue have come through big first-innings runs, and a combination of spin and scoreboard pressure. Recent matches that have begun with early wickets have ended in draws. Rain did not help matters either.

keep in limited-overs cricket when playing alongside Dinesh Chandimal, came out with the gloves on. The only reason you could think of is that Perera bats higher in the shorter formats, and Sri Lanka are looking to get more out of Chandimal’s batting in Tests, and want him up the order. Be that as it may, Kohli,

Kohli and Pujara showed better discipline, but Prasad came back to force another impatient push from the India captain. Having scored only one run off the last 19 balls he faced, Kohli again played away from the body, but in a worrying sign a second edge in the first session of the Test fell short of the slips. The first one had come from Pujara.

The amount of grass left on this relaid pitch was interesting for the SSC track, the only maligned pitch in Sri Lanka. Under pressure to produce results, the SSC went the way of the grass,

Murray to face Nick Kyrgios in first round of US Open

Britain’s Andy Murray has been drawn against controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios in the first round of the US Open, which begins on Monday.

The 28-year-old has played Kyrgios twice in Grand Slams this year, winning in straight sets at both the Australian and French Opens.

World number 37 Kyrgios, 20, was fined $10,000 this month for an “insulting remark” to Stan Wawrinka.

Top seed Novak Djokovic takes on Joao Souza of Brazil in New York.

Women’s defending champion Serena Williams, who is aiming to complete a calendar Grand Slam, will play Russian Vitalia Diatchenko, while men’s defending champion Marin Cilic will face a qualifier.

Murray could face French Open champion

Wawrinka in the quarter-finals and second seed Roger Federer in the semis.

Can Kyrgios cause Murray trouble?

It is arguably the toughest possible first-round draw, it is certainly the most high-profile - Kyrgios will bring plenty of baggage on court against Murray, along with his powerful game.

The Australian, just outside the seedings, is playing under a suspended 28-day ban and $25,000 (£16,200) fine as his behaviour is closely monitored following the comments to Wawrinka.

On-court microphones picked up Kyrgios making a lewd suggestion about the Swiss player’s girlfriend.

The incident made global headlines and has raised the Kyrgios profile to such an extent that it is likely his contest with Murray will be a night match.

The Australian’s game, when firing on all cylinders,

is good enough to have already seen off the likes of Federer and Nadal.

“Kyrgios has had a lot of trouble against Murray, who’s able to defend against his game really well,” said Darren Cahill, former coach to Andre Agassi, at Thursday’s draw.

To add extra spice, if it were needed, Murray and Kyrgios are likely to meet again straight after the US Open when Britain face Australia in the Davis Cup semi-finals in Glasgow.

Nadal could block Djokovic

The main interest in the men’s draw surrounded which side Murray would be on, and where eighth seed Rafael Nadal would land.

The Spaniard’s slip down the rankings means he now lurks as a potential Grand Slam quarter-final opponent for his established rivals, this time Djokovic. Nadal will need to get past Croatian teenager Borna Coric in the first round, with the 18-year-old having won their only previous meeting.

In-form second seed Federer plays world number 33 Leonardo Mayer in the first round, with Tomas Berdych a potential quarterfinal opponent and Murray or Wawrinka in the semis.

World number one Djokovic remains the favourite, despite defeats by Murray and Federer in recent weeks.

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Schippers wins 200 meters gold at World Championships

Dutch flier Dafne Schippers pipped Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson by three hundredths of a second to win the women’s 200 meters at the world championships on Friday.

The former heptathlete, who won silver in the 100 meters behind Shelly-Ann

Fraser-Pryce on Monday, surged to the line in 21.63 seconds, the fastest time in 17 years in the half-lap sprint.

Thompson took silver in a personal best time of 21.66, while bronze went to her compatriot, twice Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, who ran

21.97. Fraser-Pryce, the 2013 champion, decided against doubling up in Beijing, while the schedule prevented Olympic champion Allyson Felix from running 200m and 400m and she chose the longer race, winning gold on Thursday. (Reuters)

Gatlin only has himself to blame – Johnson

Justin Gatlin has done nothing to dispel his negative public image, according to Michael Johnson.

Athletics legend Michael Johnson has criticised the attitude of Justin Gatlin since his return from a second drugs ban in 2010.

Gatlin has refused to talk to the British media since finishing second to Usain Bolt in the men’s 100 metres at the World Championships in Beijing, with his agent claiming he had been vilified.

But four-time Olympic gold medallist Johnson – speaking in his role as a BBC pundit – said Gatlin could be doing more to endear himself to the public.

“Justin has not co-operated with the authorities, Justin hasn’t shown any contritition, he hasn’t given any apology and he hasn’t sought at all to understand why people feel the way they do about him,” said Johnson.

“He hasn’t engendered himself to the public and said ‘Hey, I apologise’.

“He has to also understand that the excuse he gave for his second positive test would be difficult for any of us to buy – that it was a disgruntled physiotherapist that gave him a massage with a tainted massage cream and that’s how he ended up testing positive.

“True or not, he has to understand that that would be difficult for us to buy. If he understands that then he understands how we feel and that we can’t buy that.

“I saw Justin Gatlin’s interview with NBC after the 100 metres and I felt his pain. He is very hurt.

“I work for the BBC and I am very in tune to the British public and the British media and I felt from the very beginning that there’s a little bit of a difference here. We’re enjoying this storyline of the devil in Justin Gatlin and the hero in Usain Bolt.

“Gatlin hasn’t done anything to dispel that.

“When he won the 2004 Olympics, no one said he’s a drugs cheat. No one talked about that test because it was for an ADHD drug that he had been taking for 10 years. It was what we would all consider in the sport a minor infraction – probably wasn’t trying to get away with anything.

“But when he tested positive the second time, then all of a sudden everyone labels the two tests as evenly matched, so that the public feels like ‘You tried to get it away with it once, you got busted and banned, and then you came back and got a second chance and you did it again.

“That’s how it’s positioned and I think that’s probably what he has a problem with.

“Justin, though, has to understand. And this is all Justin’s fault, there is no doubt about that, this is all his fault.

“He did it, he was responsible, he was given the opportunity to come back into the sport and he has done nothing - zero - to engender himself back into the public and to get people to understand his situation.”

“Teach Them Young” cycling camp wraps today – NSC

11-race programme starts at 09:00h

Another group of aspiring riders will today graduate from the annual “Teach Them Young” cycling programme, organised by long-serving national coach Hassan Mohamed and funded by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Held for the 39th year in succession, the six-week

camp, which commenced on July 7, will wrap up with an evaluation 11-race programme sponsored exclusively by the NSC.

Young boys and girls, who attended the camp, which was held from 09:00h to 11:00h on weekdays at the

inner circuit of the National Park, were exposed to a packed programme, which focused on delivering to them the basics of the sport.

Mohamed said the camp was initially affected by inclement weather, but he deemed it a general success, as a lot was achieved when the weather permitted the outdoor training. A total of 39 youths registered for the programme.

Today, the participants will have an opportunity to showcase their new-found

knowledge, as several age group races are carded for the day. They include the BMX 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open categories, as well as the BMX Boys and Girls race.

After the youths have completed their races, the senior riders will take centre stage with rivalry in the Junior/Juvenile, Mountain Bike and Veteran categories, as well as the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational.

Last year’s main race was won by Marlon Williams

in a time of one hour, 16 minutes, 04.46 seconds (01h: 16m: 04.46s), while some of the other category winners were Jamal John (Junior/Juvenile); Jaikarran Sookhai (Veterans Under-50); Emmanual Gayrol (Mountain Bike); and Rakheem Blair (BMX Boys and Girls).

Today’s events will commence at 09:00h and will be attended by officials of the NSC, who will witness the races and later assist in the presentation of prizes.

CAREBACO Individual Badminton Championships: Most Guyanese through to the quarterfinals

The Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) Individual Championships, which started on Thursday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic at the Club Los Prados, saw all Guyanese advancing to the quarterfinals.

The countries taking part in the team championships are the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Panama, Trinidad, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Guyana.

Most of the Guyanese players won their firstround matches to reach the quarterfinals; the results are as follows:

Boys Under-19

Singles: No 3 Seeded player Narayan Ramdhani from Guyana defeated Dominic Howard from Barbados in Round 2: 21-10, 21-8.

Under-19 Mixed

Doubles: Narayan Ramdhani from Guyana and Anjali Paragsingh from Trinidad defeated Leonardo Chong from Panama and Franchesca Lebron from

the Dominican Republic in Round 1 21-7, 21-2. Boys Under-17

Singles: Jonathan Mangra from Guyana lost to No 2 Seeded player Reneldo Sinanan from Trinidad in Round 2 21-14, 21-19.

Under-17 Mixed

Doubles: Jonathan Mangra of Guyana and Vitmary Rodriguez of Puerto Rico

lost to No 3 Seeded players Joel Angus and Alana Bailey of Jamaica in Round 1 21-6, 21-12.

Boys Under-15

Singles: Tyrese Jeffrey from Guyana defeated Shomari Smith from Barbados in Round 1 21-13, 21-15.

Under-15 Mixed

Doubles: No 4 Seeded play-

BCB/Tenelec Inc U-15 cricket tournament…

Trio leads RHT Farfan & Mendes into semi-finals

The trio of Berbice Under-15 Captain Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair and Keith Simpson led the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15 team into the semi-finals of the 2014 Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Tenelec Inc Under-15 tournament.

Playing at the Area H Ground, RHT Farfan and Mendes obtained first innings points over a hapless Bush Lot Rising Star team, who then failed to turn up for the second day.

Batting first after losing the toss, RHT Farfan and Mendes rattled up an imposing 260-3 before declaring, with Anderson topscoring with an unbeaten 113, an innings which included eight boundaries. Fellow national Under-15 cricketer Junior Sinclair batted well for 53, while Keith Simpson, 30, and Brandon Corlette, 22 not out, supported well.

Bowling for the visitors, Navendra Prashad took two wickets for 87 runs off 15 overs, while Nicholas Shiurally claimed a wicket for 30 runs off six overs.

ers Priyanna Ramdhani and Tyrese Jeffrey of Guyana defeated Tijae Hinds & Imani Gaynor from Jamaica in Round 1 21-3, 21-8.

Owing to the storm heading to the Dominican Republic, the afternoon sessions of the tournament have been postponed and are scheduled to continue today.

In reply, Bush Lot Rising Star was given a rousing start by openers Adrian Ramnarine and Hanskumar Singh. The pair added 50 runs in just 10 overs before left-arm spinner Simpson removed Singh for 19 via the LBW route, while Ramnarine fell to the same bowler for a top score

of 34 at 57-2.

None of the other batsmen reached double figures as off-spinner Sinclair claimed five wickets for eight runs off six overs, while Simpson took three wickets for 10 runs off seven overs. The visitors were dismissed for 89, a deficit of 171 runs on first innings.

Batting a second time, RHT Farfan and Mendes lost Surendra Budhoo for five and the promoted pair of Justin Gobin and Clement King Jr for zero to be in a spot of bother at 253.

Sinclair (25) and Simpson then added 70 runs for the fourth wicket, before Sinclair was bowled by F Bhola for 30. Simpson and first innings centurion Anderson then laced into the Bush Lot bowling attack to add a further 85 before the close of play.

Simpson was unbeaten on a solid 70 with six boundaries, while Anderson scored his second 50 of the match and was on 51 when stumps were drawn. He was denied an opportunity to score another century when Bush Lot did not turn up on the second day, with RHT Farfan and Mendes enjoying a healthy lead of 351 runs with five wickets in hand.

RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15 team would now play Tucber Park in the semi-finals on a date and venue to be announced by the BCB.

saturday, august 29, 2015

ICC CEO tells Windies to buck up

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dave Richardson has stated he hopes the West Indies will be spurred on to never miss another Champions Trophy event, following the realisation that the team has no chance of participating in the 2017 event in England.

The CEO was responding to general questions following criticism by former ICC president Ehsan Mani of Zimbabwe and Pakistan for pulling out of the proposed September tri-series versus the West Indies. Both teams currently occupy 7th and 8th spot on the ICC ODI rankings with the Windies in

ninth spot and just out of the reckoning for the Champions Trophy which fields eight teams. Popular belief is that Bangladesh

and Pakistan have decided against playing the series so as not to jeopardise their places in the ICC standings.

UCCA T20 competition bowls off this weekend

The much-anticipated T20 cricket competition of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) bowls off this weekend with 16 matches at eight venues in the Upper Corentyne area.

This competition, which was scheduled to start earlier this year, was pushed back owing to a prolonged May/June rainy season.

The UCCA has now decided to start the competition this Sunday, which will see 20 teams battling for the 4R trophy and a winning prize of $100,000.

The competition will be played in four zones with the preliminary rounds being played on a round-robin, home-and-away basis, thus giving each team a fair chance of making the quarter-final stage.

This format is being used for the first time in Berbice cricket and credit should be given to the executives of the UCCA

for adopting formats like that of the Indian Premier League. The preliminary competition is expected to last for five weeks before the knockout stages begin.

The final will be played under lights at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex and with the list of events for the final, it is expected to be a grand one. This competition is being sponsored by Ricky Deonarian, proprietor of 4R Bearings of Georgetown, and is being organised by the UCCA.

Below are the games scheduled for Sunday.

At 10:00h, Number 52

Survival versus Number 58 Riot Squad at Number 53 Complex; Number 48 Challengers versus Yakasuri Caribs at Number 48; Number 70 versus Skeldon at Number 70; Number 69 Red Rose versus Number 64 Fighting Marines at Number 69; Crabwood Creek Sports

“Participation in global tournaments should not be a right but rather something that is earned,” stated Richardson who played 42 Tests and 122 One-Day Internationals for South Africa from 1991-1998.

He continued, “The ICC Board has resolved that qualification for all future global events should be merit-based.

Hopefully, countries, which miss out on qualification for a particular event, will be spurred on to taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.” Mani had cited the new arrangement in the Future Tours Programme (FTP) that was created during the “ICC Big 3” takeover as a major issue, which enabled Pakistan to pull out, which denied West Indies a final chance of pushing for Champions League qualification.

“Unfortunately, since the ICC meddled with the binding nature of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) last year, there is no obligation on any country to stick to commitments made to tour unless these have been confirmed in a binding contract.

“This ‘free for all’ nature of tour commitment opens it to manipulation which is exactly what has happened in this case.

“It also shows just how blindly the cricket boards agreed to the changes in

the FTP without understanding the consequences,” explained Mani. Richardson acknowledged this stating, “The ICC Board has already recognised the need to review the structure of bi-lateral cricket i.e. the Future Tours Programme (FTP) with a view to creating more meaning, context and value for these matches. To this end, there are joint discussions planned for the October ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and ICC Board meetings.” In 2013, the ICC announced the Champions Trophy would be replaced by the “World Test

Championship” in England 2017, followed by one in India 2021, so that cricket’s three formats could have one showpiece tournament each.

However, during last year’s controversial “Big 3” ICC takeover by India, England and Australia, Richardson stated that the Champions Trophy which previously accommodated all Test playing nations would be re-introduced in its current revamped structure, citing a struggle to find a suitable Test championship format and non-commitment from broadcasters.

Club versus Number 72

Cut and Load at Crabwood Creek; Springlands versus Number 69 Vikings at Scottsburg; Number 72 All Star versus Scottsburg United at Number 72; and Number 73 Young Warriors versus Young Royals at Number 73.

At 14:30h, Number 52

Survival versus Yakusari Caribs at Number 53 Complex; Number 48 Challengers versus Number 58 Riot Squad at Number 48; Number 70 MYO versus Number 64 Fighting Marines at Number 70; Number 69 Red Rose versus Skeldon at Number 69; Crabwood Creek Sports Club versus Vikings at Crabwood Creek; Springlands versus Number 72 Cut and Load at Scottsburg; Number 72 All Star versus Young Royal at Number 72; and Number 73 Young Warriors versus Scottsburg United at Number 73.

NSC dishes out support to local bodies

In an unprecedented move on Friday morning, the National Sports Commission (NSC) handed out financial and other support packages to various associations/agencies/individuals at the Commission’s office on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Representatives of the various bodies journeyed to the NSC office, housed in the Help and Shelter building, where new Director of Sport, Christopher Jones was on

hand to present the goodies.

Jones, in addressing those gathered in the boardroom of the Commission, said it was the intention of the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to support the growth and development of sports countrywide, and this latest move is a step in that direction.

Jones pointed out that the beneficiaries would have requested help from the NSC in the execution of

GT Beer Futsal Tournament...

their mandate, and also for upcoming events and programmes.

Representatives of the entities openly expressed their delight at the support given by the NSC, noting that they would re-double their efforts to improve the respective discipline that they were engaged in.

While the majority of the associations/agencies/individuals received monetary donations, some received trophies, scrabble and chess boards, as well as school packs.

The beneficiaries were: Guyana Masters Athletics Association, Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Guyana Blind Cricket Association, Guyana National Rifle Association, Mark A Walkes, Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Athletics Association of Guyana, Guyana Boxing Association, Tang Soo Do International Guyana, Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, Guyana Hockey Board, Best of the Best Martial Arts School, Guyana

Football Coaches Association, District Sports Council – Upper Mazaruni, Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club, Central Georgetown Police Youth Group, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Demerara Cricket Club, Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic, Rima Guest House, National Library, Neighbour to Neighbour Action Group, Titans Table Tennis Club and Clean Heart Youth Entertainment.

Night 4 finishes with close games

By TreisTon Joseph

Anight of close games that thrilled the huge crowd was the order of the evening when the GT Beer Futsal Tournament continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Thursday.

The first game of the evening delivered an exciting match-up that saw North Ruimveldt topping Beterverwagting (BV) 5-3.

BV started positively with an early goal in the third minute from Delroy

Dean. Orin Massiah replied for North Ruimveldt in the eighth minute, while Dean made it 2-1 for BV in the 12th minute heading into the halftime break.

Joshua Browne equalised for North Ruimveldt in the 16th minute, while teammate Gerald Gittens gave North Ruimveldt their first lead of the game at 3-2.

Linris Carrington put the North Ruimveldt men up 4-2 in the 21st minute, while Dean struck again in the 25th minute for a hat-trick to close the game to 4-3.

However, Gittens’ strike in the 27th minute sealed the deal.

Showstoppers prevailed with a 5-2 win against Broad Street in game two of the evening. Anthony Sancho scored a double for the Showstoppers in the 10th and 21st minute, while Dexroy Adams (8th); Marvin Josiah (11th) and Damian Williams (19th) were the other goal scorers.

Leon Richardson scored a double in the 13th and 25th minutes for Broad Street.

Albouystown squeaked

Albouystown with his shot in the 29th minute after scoring the opening goal of the game in the sixth minute. Delon

Williams was the scorer for Alexander Village in the 22nd minute.

The final game of the night was high-octane and fast-paced, but ended in an anticlimax with a 5-5 draw between West Front Road and Sophia.

Michael Oie scored a hattrick in the second, seventh and 26th minute to lead West Front Road, while Randolph Wagner (10th) and Michael Pedro (23rd) scored the other goals.

Shem Arthur dropped a double for Sophia in the fourth and sixth minutes, while Omallo Williams in the 16th and Sheik Kamal in the 19th minutes contributed to the scoreline. Sophia would have probably lost the game 5-4 if it was not for an own goal by West Front Road in the eighth minute.

The Tournament is expected to continue in the new week with more action.