Guyana Times Daily

PLE to be ready next weekend

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Saturday confirmed that its Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) will be ready and available to all the political parties and stakeholders next week after the recently concluded Seventh Cycle of Continuous Registration.

This confirmation was given by the Deputy Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Vishnu Persaud.

Persaud told Guyana Times in a telephone interview that a report containing the information and findings obtained from the last registration cycle was submitted to the Commissioners of GECOM and is currently being reviewed by the body.

According to the DCEO the report will be discussed at GECOM’s next statutory meeting on Tuesday and thereafter should be made available by Saturday after being entered on the National Registrar of Registrants.

“The PLE should be ready by next week…then we will begin posting them in every division, in every sub division” Persaud explained during the telephone interview with this publication.

He also said that after the PLE was published, the Claim and Objections

Deputy Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud

period would commence for 21 days. The first 14 days would be for both claims and objections while the last seven days would be dedicated purely to objections.

When asked what number of persons were registered during the latest exercise, Persaud said that there were approximately 6000 new applications but was unable to verify the exact number.

The Seventh Cycle of Continuous Registration ended on December 31, 2014, almost two months ahead of its previously scheduled date, that is,

February 27.

GECOM in a release to the media said the decision was made during the 436th Statutory Meeting of the Commission held on December 9, 2014

GECOM noted that as of Wednesday December 21, 2014, 4277 registration transactions were completed, with 3116 being new registrants.

Of the new registrants, 1457 are persons 18 years and above while 1659 are registrants 14 to 18 years of age.

Meanwhile, the number of registrants requesting changes to the information on their ID Card so far amounts to 611, while those requesting transfers equal 550. The percentage of verification currently stands at 95.8 per cent.

Section Six of the National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08 makes it obligatory for persons who meet the registration criteria to apply for registration.

Persons eligible for registration could be prosecuted, fined and/or even sent to prison for failing or refusing to apply for registration. In the case of eligible persons under the age of 18 years, by the qualifying date, the parents/guardians could be prosecuted for failure/refusal to apply for registration.

Technician remanded on robbery charges

Atechnician of 261 One Mile, Wismar, Linden was remanded to prison after being slapped with five robbery charges.

Marlon De Freitas, called “Natty” appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded not guilty to four counts of break and enter, and larceny. He also pleaded not guilty to one count of larceny from a person.

The first charge alleged that between September 14 and September 18, 2014 at Jordan Road, Silverton, Linden, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Michelle Jackman and stole a $70,000 Android cellphone, a BlackBerry Bold cellphone worth $45,000 and a $97,000 Hewlett Packer (HP) laptop.

The court heard that on July 18, 2013, De Freitas broke into the house for Quincy Forde and stole his Samsung cellphone worth ($20,000) and a BlackBerry smart phone worth $60,000.

It was also alleged that between June 8 and June 9, last year at the McKenzie Market, De Freitas broke into Sherry Fraser’s business place and stole $200,000 worth in groceries and a $15,000 compact disc (CD) player.

It was further alleged that between October 9 and October 11, 2014 at Amelia’s Ward, De Freitas broke and entered Ronette Albert’s house and stole an Acer laptop worth $200,000, two gold chains and pendant worth $34,000, two pairs of earrings valued $74,000, two cellphones worth $108,000, two bottles of skin cream valued $25,000, a pair of garden gloves worth $1,500 and a reel of duct tape $600―all amounted to $365,100.

De Freitas was also charged with stealing a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Tushi Small at Wismar, Linden on August 27, last year.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not present the facts in court but opposed bail due to the nature, gravity, prevalence of these crimes and the penalty the offences attract.

He said the Police in Linden are investigating other matters in which De Freitas can be charged. Grant said De Freitas was a flight risk since he had been evading the Police for some time. De Freitas was arrested on Tuesday, January 20. Bail was refused and the case will be called at the Linden Magistrates’ Court on January 27.

Brothers charged for illegal possession of car

Two brothers were remanded on Friday after they were charged for the illegal possession of a Toyota 212 motor vehicle when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate PriyaSewnarine-Beharry.

Delon and Quansie Small are accused of possessing the stolen vehicle which was allegedly used to commit a series of robberies and unlawful activities.

The vehicle was found in

their possession on January 20, at Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown.

Police are also alleging that a number of Police garments were found in the vehicle.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them. Their Attorney’s application for bail was refused after Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that investigations are still ongoing.

They will make their second court appearance on January 27.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 25, 2015 – 08:30h-10:00h Monday,

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

Sunday, January 25, 2015 – 07:40h-09:10h Monday, January 26, 2015 – 08:20h-09:50h

FERRY SCHEDULE

WEATHER TODAY

Winds:

History has shown that while there can be impatience at the pace of change in moving a society forward, there is an even greater need for continuity to ensure the stability that ensures the change becomes lasting.

But as they have done since the elections of November 2011, the Opposition will be questioning as to why President Donald Ramotar has not veered from the path of his predecessor President Bharrat Jagdeo. They are sure to stringently question the continuity in Ramotar’s campaign for the May 11 elections that is already underway. The Americans have an apt and pithy statement that answers the question.

It was a southern saying, popularised during the Jimmy Carter presidency when Bert Lance, his Director of the Office of Management and Budget declared in Congressional testimony that he could save Uncle Sam billions if he could get the government to adopt the motto, "If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!"

And that is a truth that guyanese could well understand ― governments should fix the things that are broken and leave those that are not, well alone.

President Ramotar obviously learnt that lesson well from Dr Cheddi Jagan and that is why even though he faced the Opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) that tried

to block every one of his initiatives with their one-seat majority, guyana was able to outperform most of her neighbours in the region, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica.

What were some of the broken “things” that President Jagdeo fixed to place guyana on a more stable trajectory?

Suddenly thrust into the Presidency in 1999 after the People's National Congress (PNC) street violence forced President Janet Jagan out of office, Jagdeo moved to alter the political system that had been corrupted by the Burnhamite PNC regime after 1964.

The most extensive constitutional changes were signed into law by Jagdeo in 2000 that began by dismantling the central edifice of Forbes Burnham ― the allpowerful President who was for all intent and purposes, a constitutional dictator.

For example, the power of appointment of constitutional commissions was removed from the President and transferred to the National Assembly. The supervision of the work of the Auditor general was transferred from government to the National Assembly.

The President’s discretionary authority over pensions was removed. Burnham’s perfunctory methodology of consultation with the Leader of the Opposition was strengthened to ensure “meaningful consultation”.

The head of the critical and autonomous guyana Elections Commission (gECOM) was to be appointed by the President from a list provided by the leader of the Opposition. Should President Ramotar not have maintained continuity with these policies?

But power is not exercised in a vacuum, and the Jagdeo constitutional changes also created, or augmented, powerful new centres of countervailing power for the Opposition.

In the National Assembly, four new Sectoral Committees were created ― Economic, Social, Natural Resources and Foreign Affairs ― which could scrutinise the entire ambit of

governmental activities in real time.

The Opposition Me,bers of Parliament (MPs) rotated the chairs of these committees as well having a proportional share of members. There was also a Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform. Outside the institutions of the state shared by the Executive and the Opposition, the wider society was brought into the power structure through the creation of four “Rights” Commissions and an Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

They are the Indigenous Rights Commission, Rights of the Child Commission, Women and gender Equality Commission and a Human Rights Commission. Was President Ramotar not to have maintained continuity with these?

But his most significant contribution was to introduce, pass and sign into law the constitutional stipulation creating a two-term limit to anyone elected to the presidency after 2000.

Even though there was an extensive campaign in 2009 within his party and in the wider community to convince him to run for a third term, Jagdeo steadfastly held them off and in 2011, established the precedence for the first time in Guyana for a President to voluntarily vacate office. And he did this even though he was 46 years old.

Even though the Opposition has never given him credit for this act, Jagdeo’s remarkable fidelity to the rule of law did not pass unnoticed in the international community.

When he went as head of the Commonwealth team to observe the just concluded Sri Lankan elections this was how the newspaper Ceylon Today viewed his role:

“Many foreign polls observers are here from different bodies in the world. The Commonwealth has sent former guyanese President Jagdeo who limited the passage of the presidency in that country to two terms and signed that constitutional decree having completed his second term in office as President, he gracefully retired and went home. In contrast, President Mahinda Rajapaksa cut short his second term, to seek a mandate for a third term through the constitutional amendment he got passed in Parliament where the President office could contest any number of times.

"The arrival of Jagdeo as a Commonwealth polls monitor to monitor Mahinda’s third presidential poll looks extraordinary in nature as he comes as a man who had limited the tenure of the Office of a President two terms coming to monitor the election of a president who seeks a third term by virtue of an amendment passed in his favour.”

Is this one of Jagdeo's transformative innovations, the Opposition would have President Ramotar jettison after his second term which he will begin after May 11th? (To be continued)

Sunday Editor: Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Democracypro or anti?

The Guyanese public has been informed that the constituent members of A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), said to encompass the lucky number seven, are now sequestered with members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) to negotiate a coalition, “looking mainly at bringing an end to the damaging 22-year PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] regime”, in the words of the l eader of APNU, David Granger.

It took more than a month for the two sides to agree to the AFC demand that the negotiations be “secret”, but Mr Granger assures us that the negotiations of the remaining issues will be consummated within another month.

Up to now, apart from the AFC’s demand that the public not be privy to the deliberations of the conclave, and their goal to depose the PPP/C Government, the only other issue made public has been the “non-negotiable” demand of the leader of the AFC that his party lead the coalition. In other words, that the presidential candidate of the coalition, if it is to come to fruition, be from the AFC.

As it is, Mr Ramjattan has left it ambiguous as to whether this individual will be his hand-selected Presidential candidate for the AFC, Moses Nagamootoo, or himself. Even though the AFC is claiming they are seeking to lead “a pro-democracy” coalition, neither party to the negotiations has mentioned a word as to what might be the democratic substance of the possible union.

As we wrote last month in our Editorial, “Coalition building”, from the foregoing, we can begin to discern the course the coalition negotiations will take and the possible outcome. From Ramjattan and his partisans, they are entering what is called a “coalition of convenience” with PNC/APNU: both groups just want to replace the PPP/C in Government.

Ramjattan is totally consumed with “getting back” at his ex-comrades in the PPP/C, who, in his estimation, have “done him wrong”. He, of course, is also motivated with having a powerful position in any new Government, and this is why he will bargain very hard with APNU.

Looking ahead, even if formed, “coalitions” of convenience are very unstable, since the centrifugal forces of self interest are not countered by comparable centripetal forces for some higher cause such as “democracy”.

If, for instance, the new coalition were to win the upcoming elections, there will be bitter, internecine battles over leadership and programmes. We saw this play out with the PNC-UF coalition of convenience that was formed in 1964, under US-CIA prodding, to oust the PPP. The PNC ditched the UF even before their term of office was over.

That experience brings to the fore another handicap to the “coalition of convenience” in the unfolding scenario between the AFC and the PNC/APNU: the effects of the “disequilibrium of size”.

As we saw with the “coalition” that constitutes APNU, the PNC is so much larger than any other “partner”, it is quite difficult for them to give much credence to the opinions of the “minnows”. While they provide cover, or in the case of the AFC in the National Assembly created the “one seat majority”, their demands can become irksome.

In Guyana, the Opposition parties have rejected the proposal of the PPP/C to initiate talks for a “coalition of commitment”. In this type of coalition, the parties come together because of their commitment to certain overarching values that transcend the parties’ base urge to gain power.

While such coalitions are more difficult to form, because they demand a certain level of trust that can only come from demonstrated expressions of values in action, they are more durable.

While the AFC promised such possibilities when they were launched, the sirens of political power proved too seductive for them. APNU, dominated by a PNC seeking to hide its historic dictatorial excesses, will not veer from its founder-leader insistence that they should never cede control to others. We predict no coalition will ensue.

Discrimination under PNC extended to every field of life

Dear Editor,

Permit me to point out that the Kaieteur News refused to carry this letter of response to Frederick Collins.

As an educator of over 35 years, and one quite familiar with dyslexia in its various manifestations, I find it rather difficult not to diagnose Mr Collins letter in the KN as possessing the elements of a dyslexic writer, since it seems clear that Collins read into my response to a previous letter of his content and intent that were non-existent.

Either that or Collins chose to see what he wanted to see rather than what had actually been written. He discards empirical and first hand evidence as if to say the individuals spoken to were lying whereas he, Collins, who spoke to no one, knows the truth about the experiences of others.

In effect Collins is not only guilty of that which he accuses me, but he practices “transference” as a defensive mechanism. As a social scientist, while conceding that everyone has a “perspective”, contrary to what Collins penned, I have no “agenda” in my remarks about racial persecution during the PNC dictatorship.

I wrote factually – people suffered economic, political, religious, and cultural discrimination at the hands of the PNC. This is supported by numerous researches and publications.

For example Dr Ken Danns, who wrote his PhD thesis on “Power and Domination in Guyana”, wherein he described with copious details, the discrimination against Indians in the Disciplined Forces. Did he have an agenda?

Professor Prem Misir

and other scholars also documented the racism experienced by Indians and other groups during the PNC dictatorship.

The eminent Bajan novelist George Lamming and the Nobel Laureate VS Naipaul exposed and condemned the racism and ethnic persecution practiced by Burnham’s regime. Did they have an agenda?

Then there is Eusi Kwayana who wrote that the politically directed violence by the “kick down the door bandits” against Indians amounted to “ethnic genocide”. Did he have an agenda?

Actually, it is Collins who exposes his agenda in dismissing the racism and human rights violations experienced by Indians and other ethnic groups during the dictatorship. Did he not for instance hear Rabbi Washington on the radio castigating Indians in the most racial terms?

There are certain facts of history that are taken as public knowledge; no one questions their truthfulness – examples being election rigging, banning of foods, racial and political discrimination, dictatorial rule, lack of press freedom, among others.

It is shocking, therefore, that Collins would ask for “evidence” to support a known, documented and accepted fact that nonsupporters of the PNC were victimised. Collins is attempting “to perfumigate” the era of PNC misrule.

However, him seeking to deride my claims, engaging in a vitriolic attack, and being downright nasty do not alter the truth about life experiences during the ethnic dictatorship.

Persecution takes many

forms and is not restricted to physical, cultural and religious abuses, and such abuses should not be derided and equated with the tactic of a victorious party replacing political appointees (ethnic patronage and clientelism).

But even then when Burnham sent an all African contingent (no Portuguese, Amerindians, Chinese, Indians) in 1969 to an international expo, was that just rewarding supporters? There was no racism?

Victims describe Burnhamism, the crux of racial persecution, as “hellish”, being denied access to their cultural foods and having other aspects of their culture marginalised.

Indians and other victims complain that discrimination against them extended to every field of life, from housing to sports, to security, to music, to food, to employment, to the right to religious freedom, etc.

Can Collins peruse the scholarship lists awarded during the Burnham dictatorship? Can he explain why Indians had to practically beg the PNC for a Government to Government scholarship from India then?

It is public knowledge that Indians and other non-supporters of PNC (Portuguese, Chinese, Amerindians and others) were persecuted. Many atrocities were committed. Burnham and his apologists like Collins tried to explain that his discrimination was “political” rather than “racial”.

But as American law has taught us, racial discrimination has nothing to do with “motive” and everything to do with effects. The insidious nature of PNC racism is well documented in countless sources. Every scholarly

piece on ethnicity on Guyana has endorsed this view. For Collins to not acknowledge that Indians and others were victims of racism suggests a racist ideology. Indians and others were victims of racial discrimination in virtually every facet of life during PNC rule; that fact was never disputed. Has Collins looked at the data on Government spending by Burnham that essentially benefited his own supporters, whereas agriculture, for example, under the trust of feeding the nation was neglected in Indian communities?

In New York lectures, Dr Jagan and Eusi Kwayana addressed the issue of widespread racial and political discrimination and victimisation under the PNC; the PNC relentlessly persecuted those who spoke out against racism and or the dictatorship. The Internet has endless reports and commentaries on racial discrimination.

“Guyana Under Siege”, by Rakesh Rampertab is a good read on the subject. Professor Bertrand Ramcharran also wrote a few excellent pieces on racial discrimination. Proceedings from the Rodney Inquiry provided further proof of human rights abuses and racism.

Peeping Tom (January 13) exposed the racial discrimination experienced by Indians in the security forces. There are numerous examples of racial persecution. Denying Indians and others the right to vote in Guyana was an act of racial persecution not dissimilar to the experience of blacks in minority ruled Rhodesia, apartheid South Africa and Jim Crow America.

GAWU still awaiting Govt's response on Board position

By Vahnu Manickchand

The

Guyana

Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) is yet to receive a response several months after its President, Komal Chand, turned down an invitation to sit on the Board of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) but requested that a Union representative be given a spot there instead.

According to Chand, he responded in July last saying that he cannot sit on the Board because of his superior position in the Union, but never got a reply as to whether a representative of the Union other than himself will be accepted to sit on the board.

“We want to have our own nominee but they want to select one,” the Union’s President told the Guyana Times

During the annual Enmore Martyrs rally last year, President Donald Ramotar had extended an invitation for Chand to sit on the Board.

He said this move is necessary to ensure that the management does not “short change” workers.

President Ramotar had publicly offered the invitation minutes after Chand had told those at the forum that the time had come for a new Board to be installed.

“A new Board of Directors is long overdue, since the last Chairman became the new Chief

Executive Officer, leaving GuySuCo headless and the present Board headless,” the GAWU President said.

Alliance For Changes (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan at the time had opposed the offer extended to Chand, stating it is preferred that a Union representative be given the position instead.

Ramjattan had said that Chand is a highly respected trade unionist and should remain at the helm of GAWU and keep the union from compromising its integrity.

In August last, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy announced former Education Minister Shaik Baksh, as the Chairman of GuySuCo’s Board.

Other members on the Board are Dunstan Barrow, Dr Dindyal Permaul, Keith Burrowes, Badri

Persaud and Geeta SinghKnight; while current Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Corporation, Dr Raj Singh, sits on the board as an ex-officio member.

Over a week ago, GAWU had called for an inquiry into the sugar industry even as GuySuCo announced days before that it has surpassed its 2014

GAWU President Komal Chand

sugar production target of 216,000 tonnes.

Last month, Dr Singh said that grinding operations ended on December 24 and noted that this is the first year since 2005 the Corporation was able to surpass its production target.

Dr Singh explained that going forward this year, more focus and energy will be placed on increasing production, reducing the cost of production, enhancing the

Attack ideas and issues, not people

Dear Editor,

It is so shocking and appalling to read about the intense level of personal attacks in so many of the writings (and even in some of the news items) in the daily newspapers in Guyana.

Why should we call people by some many foul, contemptuous, illmannered, highly offensive and disgusting, malicious and just downrightly nasty names because we do not approve of what they do, write or say?

And the people who often pen this willfully destructive language so proudly like to present themselves to the world as intellectuals decorated with so many degrees. And so they attack and the counter ― attack continues unabated that readers are forced to ask themselves: Is this all these guys have to write about?

There is absolutely nothing to gain from tearing down other people. As Alfred Tennyson wrote, “No one ever got very high by pulling other people down.”

When a person viciously attacks another, it does not advance our knowledge of the issue, and more importantly, it doesn’t advance the effort towards a solution.

Our newspapers should not reflect the toxic, crude, malicious, distasteful and hate-filled writings that are so common on the Internet. It is time that we move on the higher ground and deal with the ideas and issues and stop these personal attacks.

It is so tempting to think that we got the upper hand over someone whom we have maligned and denigrated. The reality is that we have just revealed by this action our own weakness and personal vindictiveness.

Writing in whatever form is a vital medium of communication, and in so many ways it reveals so much of our inner self and personality. A pen (now the keyboard) in the wrong hands can provoke so much ill-will, and even violence and destruction. In the hands of an enlightened soul, it can inspire people, build bridges of hope and fulfilment, and remove superstitions, ignorance and fear. In no other way do we reveal to the world so much of who we really are than in our writing.

Cecil Ramkirath Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

mechanisation programme, growing the market base and diversifying its lines of business with new products; particularly valueadded products.

The Corporation, during the current out of crop maintenance will focus on getting the factories ready for production by mid February 2015.

In the coming year, GuySuCo will analyse the effectiveness of the new initiatives that were introduced in 2014, including the use of briquettes for steam generation, bio-fertilisers and legume fallow, among its many other new initiatives.

The first crop production target of 75,000 tonnes was surpassed by some 5000 tonnes, prompting the Corporation to revise the 2014 target and raising hopes that the industry was beginning to turn the corner after a dismal 2013.

Last year, sugar production came in at 186,500 tonnes – the worst performance in 22 years, according to GAWU.

Guyana has been taking steps to turn the tide of the industry’s fortunes and meet a production target of 300,000 tonnes soon, and is projected to reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

However, GuySuCo continues to operate at a loss, even with more than 15 years of billions of dollars in investments.

ECB executive warns over

“weakened”

European Union

Atop official at the European Central Bank (ECB) has warned that unemployment and low growth are undermining the foundations of the European Union.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Benoit Coeure, a member of the executive board of the ECB, said the Bank could not create lasting growth as that was down to governments.

He urged Governments to speed up economic reform. On Thursday, the ECB launched a €1.1 trillion economic stimulus plan.

Entrenched unemployment

Coeure said: “We’ve done our part on Thursday. Others have to do their part.” He said there was “nothing” the ECB could do to lift the growth rate of Europe in a “lasting way”.

“We can make it cheaper to invest, but people have to want to invest and that is the role of Finance Ministers, that is the role of

Discrimination under PNC...

If Indians did not experience racism, the group of Indians who hosted David Granger in Richmond Hill last July would not have asked him to apologise for the PNC's persecution of Indians.

The banning of cultural foods and religious paraphernalia used by Hindus and Indian Muslims were acts of persecution. As an example, ghee plays a very important role in Indians’ religious practices (pooja, Koran Sharief) and rituals relating to the preparation of disposal of the dead. It could not be acquired.

Flour, raisins, split peas, channa, cardamom, black till and numerous other items that were banned are all important ingredients central to the lifestyle of Indians.

When dhal was banned, one Minister commented “only one community is objecting about banning of split peas”. What is wrong with Indians protesting about not being ableto eat their favourite dietary staple. Indians informed me they were told to go back to India to eat roti and dhal when they complained about the ban of both items.

Is that comment not inherently racist? Is that not ethnic persecution? The following excerpt from a speech of Burnham’s amply illustrates racist ideology of the comrade leader and his party. At a public meeting to PNC supporters, Burnham thundered:

“Comrades! Who mined the gold?” They responded: “We do comrade leader”. He asked: “Who has the gold?” They responded: “The Indians, comrade leader”. He implored: “Then take back your gold.” Is that not racist?

Who invented the kick down door banditry and who were the victims? Who controlled the KSIs? Who controlled trade prior to the nationalisation thrust? And what happened to the Portuguese and Chinese when privatisation was effected?

I ask Collins, who coined the term “Putagee Mafia”? Is that not a case of scapegoating the Portuguese group? Was there ever an apology from Hoyte when he called David DeCaires a member of the Potugee Mafia?

When the a Chinese man’s daughter was raped at nation -

Government,” Coeure said. Coeure said the ECB would be making that point at the Eurogroup meeting on Monday when the ECB holds talks with Finance Ministers from the eurozone.

“With low growth, entrenched unemployment –people being dragged out of the labour market – we are seeing the whole political foundation of the European project being weakened. This cannot last for too long,” he said.

“Being patient is just a risk we don’t want to take.” Record low interest rates have failed to boost the 19-country euro area.

So, the ECB plans to buy €60 billion bonds each month from banks until the end of September 2016, or even longer, in what is called quantitative easing (QE).

QE in theory increases the supply of money, something that keeps interest rates low and encourages borrowing and therefore spending. (BBC News)

from page 4

al service, prompting him and his extended Chinese family to migrate, was that not an act of persecution or was it merely a result that Collins says comes from a change in Government? Collins is wrong on persecution. He needs to face hard facts. Certain racist policies are indefensible no matter how much one loves his party. The media and civil society should introspect bias against Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Amerindians and other ethnic groups under PNC rule or under any Government. Collins and others should not criticize for criticise sake from the sundry of their comfortable chair with nothing substantive to say.

They should conduct a survey among Portuguese, Chinese, Amerindians, Indians and others about their experience during the PNC era and reveal the results. In the meanwhile, no amount of derision from Collins or other detractors will discourage me from seeking a solution to our racial conflict and building a race free society.

Vishnu Bisram

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm not involved at all in matters political - at ― least at the organised level with political parties and such like. But that doesn't mean that I'm apolitical. That'll be foolish.

We don't have to read Foucault to realise that politics has a role in every single interaction between human beings. And since we are by definition, social creatures, that means that we just can't ignore politics.

Foucault, of course, was talking about the power tussle that's immanent in every relationship. Contrary to what some may try to convince us ― there's no such thing like real equality when it comes to power.

Whoever has it will do what it takes to keep it - even though it means keeping others in the relationship in a dependent status. I come to

oting...for the very first time!

"A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user." Theodore Roosevelt

classes, it's accepted that the lecturer has more power that me or the other students. That they have just decided to not give us our grades ― even though their fight is with the UWI Administration, just exposes that power imbalance more clearly.

But like I said, that's generally accepted. But we frequently miss the power plays within groups that are ostensibly "equal". Like in our lab groups, for instance: there's invariably one person who will try to grab "leadership" or at a minimum show that "they know more".

However, like I said, while I haven't been involved even though those who know my Dad believe so, I know those who're in charge of the political system wield a whole lot of power over all of us ordinary citizens. So I'm pretty excited that this year that I'm finally going to be able to vote!! Imagine that!! Me deciding the future of the country! OK. I know I'm exaggerating a bit. But that's what

our individual decisions will do when our votes are finally counted and totalled. And from my smattering of knowledge from "Caribbean History", that's already progress. There was a time, within our parents lifetime, when it was not who voted that counted; but who counted the vote!

So I'm assured that my vote will not be wasted, provided that I put that "X" within that box opposite the symbol of the party of my choice. And this, of course, is the million-dollar question.

I totally agree that people voting for parties based on just racial identification has been the bane of our country's history. But the question as to why they do so has to be answered. Are they just "stupid" or like "sheep" like some say? I don't think so.

I think that the individual competition for power is translated between groups – which are combinations of those same individuals. So there is a chicken and egg

question in a democratic election.

Individuals are easily persuaded that their individual issues are similar to those of individuals "like themselves". And once there is some truth to that statement, then the groups voting for their "own" have to make some sense to the individuals in their group.

The way I see it is that the laws of the country ― and they are already there ― must be enforced to ensure equality of treatment between individuals.

So when the time comes to make choices at the group level, individuals will have no reason to divide themselves according to their group identity. They will simply vote for the party with the stand on general issues that they favor.

Is Guyana there now? I think not. But it's our duty to have the character to do what's best for Guyana.

In the meantime, I'll be looking at the actions of the competing parties.

Fire safety for children: How to keep babies, toddlers and young children safe from home fires

(Continued from Saturday)

What to teach your children about fire safety

There are a few things that are critically important to teach young children about fire safety, in addition to planning and practicing a fire escape route:

* The stop, drop and roll technique – stop moving, lie down and roll if clothing catches fire.

* Crawl through rooms and hallways to avoid smoke inhalation.

* Touch doors before opening – if the door is hot, don’t open it.

* Never re-enter the building for any reason once safely outside.

* Fire is a tool, not a toy.

* Never pick up matches or lighters if found. Instead, tell an adult right away.

Never leave children unattended around any fire hazard, including cooking stoves, candles, portable heaters, or any other heat source. Teach toddlers and young children to stay at least three feet away from any common heat source or hazard in your home.

What to do during a home fire

Heat and smoke are actually more dangerous than the flames in a home fire. Inhaling hot air can burn the lungs, and smoke inhalation can cause lung damage or asphyxiation. People are three times more likely to die from asphyxiation than burns in a home fire. During a fire, carbon monoxide is released, a poisonous gas that can also lead to death.

The first course of action in a home fire is to attempt to escape. Heavy smoke and poisonous gases accumulate first near the ceiling. Teach toddlers to crouch low or crawl through rooms and hallways under the smoke to reduce exposure as much as possible. If you’re navigating your escape route with a baby, hold the infant securely under your body with one arm. This provides a shield for your baby if something should fall on top of you, and also keeps your infant as low as possible to the ground to avoid smoke and gas inhalation.

If you’re unable to evacuate the home because fire has taken over all available

exit routes, stay put. Cover cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep as much smoke and gas out as possible. Equip babies’ and children’ bedrooms with bright flashlights. If you and your baby or toddler are trapped, use the flashlight to alert rescue crews to your location through the windows. Teach children to do the same in case they become trapped alone.

BabyCenter.com recommends teaching toddlers to lie on the floor next to their beds if trapped in their rooms. If possible, teach your toddler to lie on the floor while shining the flashlight towards the window. This keeps your children as low to the ground as possible, where the least amount of smoke and gas has collected, while still alerting rescuers to his location. Firefighters are trained to look next to a child’s bed first upon entering a room, ensuring that they will find your child quickly – providing a few more valuable seconds to get your toddler outside safely.

If your children’ clothing has caught fire and they aren’t able to stop, drop and roll, quench the flames with blankets or towels. If possible, immediately treat the burns with cool water for three to five minutes and cover with a clean, dry cloth until help arrives.

Helping your children cope after a home fire

Babies are often too young to recall a home fire, but younger children are cognisant enough that a devastating fire can cause significant emotional problems after the event. Children must cope with the loss of their familiar home and their most prized possessions, and in the worst cases, possibly the death of a sibling, parent, or another loved one. Young children have a difficult time fully grasping the concept that things can be replaced, but people cannot. Toddlers may experience fear, confusion and insecurity in the days, weeks and even months after a home fire.

Insurance now recovering from major blow – Finance Minister

as GTM launches new insurance policies

By Jomo Paul

Guyana’s insurance industry has suffered a major blow over the past years but is now on the verge of returning to its former glory with more investments being made in the sector and more persons realizing the importance of insurance in Guyana.

This sentiment expressed by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh who was at the time delivering the feature address as the Guyana Trinidad Mutual (GTM) Insurance Company launched its new service policies at the Pegasus International Hotel on Friday evening.

The new service policies launched are the Medical Professionals Club, Special Motor Package and the Home Owners Comprehensive Policy both of which are relatively new to the market.

According to Dr Singh, Guyanese are not usually inclined to buy an insurance package and pay their premiums but only realize its importance when the times come for them to use it.

He pointed out that had it not been illegal for persons to drive without motor vehicle insurance, a lot of persons would have opted not to have insurance.

He pointed out that even now that it is illegal to drive without an insurance a lot of persons buy a minimal policy because the law requires them to be covered.

“Insurance suffered a body blow…but it has recovered,” he said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran lauded the initiative noting that the GTM directors must have certainly taken note of the huge influx of medical professional into Guyana to start providing such a dynamic service for the professionals.

According to Dr Ramsaran, services like theses will appeal to the medial fraternity while encouraging them to stay in Guyana and work rather than

go overseas where the same services are offered.

Meanwhile, GTM Managing Director Roger Yee provided an over view of the Medical Professionals Club (MPC) policy.

He highlighted that the packages will “inevitably change the face of property and motor insurance in Guyana.”

Yee said that the MPC provides a wide range of dynamic benefits to all medical professionals noting that it is not limited to doctors.

“In the business world, time is money; in the medical field time can mean life. It is

the presentation of an overview of the Homeowners Comprehensive policy contended that the policy is not the “ordinary” run of the mill home insurance policy.

“The policy offers coverage for a wide range of events, specifically it offers coverage for losses as a result of flood, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, windstorms, overflow of the sea, impact damage, falling trees, malicious damage, riots and strikes, subterranean fire and spontaneous combustion” said Singh.

She pointed out too that the policy also extends to a person’s legal liability, that is

therefore necessary to ensure that in the event a medical professional is deprived of the use of his or her motor vehicle as a result of an accident mobility is restored with minimal delay” said Yee.

He noted that the majority of benefits offered under GTM’s MPC and GTM’s Special Private Motor Comprehensive Insurance Package are new to Guyana and the GTM management is confident that local insurance providers will soon move to providing similar policies under their coverage umbrellas.

This he explained will be of immense benefit to the entire market.

Meanwhile, GTM’s Fire Manager Romona Singh in

to say, persons employed under them or invited guests.

Singh said “while the provision of medical services and treatment in Guyana has over the years improved significantly, should you require emergency treatment outside of Guyana persons are afforded the privilege at their option and additional cost to have emergency air ambulance coverage anywhere in Guyana or Miami.

The launch was also attended by GTM’s Chairman Ram Singh who delivered the opening address. He said he hopes that in time the new services introduced by GTM will become standard in the market.

Works to commence

soon on Stabroek speedboat landing

Benn exposes Harmon’s opportunism

By alexis Rodney

PWorks Minister Robeson Benn said A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its Executive member Joseph Harmon are very much aware of Government’s plans to renovate the speedboat landing at the Georgetown Stabroek Market and has labeled the party’s recent public comments as baseless.

The Works Minister was at the time responding to criticisms made by Harmon about Government’s alleged failure to address the needs of the Guyanese people.

Harmon, on Tuesday had taken members of the media to the Stabroek Market Landing, where, in the presence of commuters and passersby he condemned Government for the “deteriorating” state of the wharf which sees close to 5000 users daily.

But speaking to Guyana Times on Thursday, Benn said that the APNU is quite aware of the circumstances preventing the upgrade.

“Mr Harmon has general knowledge that we have been preparing to have these floating ramps. The question is with the time and tide to put it down”, Benn told Guyana Times. He said that the Ministry was working on acquiring a machine from the Drainage and Irrigation Authority (D&I).

The most recent attempt

was interrupted by a flood in Essequibo, when the equipment had to be quickly sent to the region to assist there.

Based on information from engineers, Benn said the rehabilitative work will have to be done during the day.

“I don’t follow what Mr Harmon is saying, he knows that it is a work in progress”, Benn told this publication.

Harmon was vocal in his condemnation of the Public Works Ministry when he warned that it will have a lot of things to answer for when it is ousted from government later this year.

He said they continue to unconstitutionally use up funds from the National Assembly, while failing to address serious matters.

“What these Ministers are saying and doing are unlawful and we cannot accept for another five years that kind of bullyism that is taking place.

"Mr Benn and any another minister or any other official in any other Ministry must understand that if they behave and act outside of the law, when, this Government changes they will have to answer to the people”.

Prison Services’ Standing Orders launched

The Guyana Prison Service now has an official documentation of Standing Orders that will be used as a guide in the execution of its functions.

The compilation of the Standing Orders began in July 2012 by a committee that was set up specifically for this task. Chairman of the Standing Order Committee, former Prisons Director, Cecil Kilkenny, said the documented list of Standing Orders is crucial for the effective execution of the functions of the service.

He explained that the Police Standing Orders, Prisons Act and Circulas were used as reference to compile the Standing Orders. The creation of new posts, introduction of new promotions, procedures for all ranks, and the re-introduction of the promotion board are among the areas covered in the Standing Orders.

“We can never ever sat-

isfy everybody… so when we look at what is going on with the Prison Service, the playing field was not leveled and that to qualify to become an officer, there wasn’t a promotion exam,” Kilkenny said.

Another critical area that the committee looked at was the maintenance of prison records such as the movement of prisoners. Kilkenny added that the task of compiling the Standing Orders was a tedious one, particularly when they lost about 80 per cent of their work due to technical problems.

Meanwhile, the Director of Prisons Welton Trotz, who supervised the process, said the Standing Orders will be the “Bible” of the Prison Service. As such, he charged the senior officers to ensure that the orders are filtered down to every officer.

“These orders will guide those persons that are presently here, will guide those

who are to come. It is an order to stay,” the director said. He noted that, the Standing Orders will be used in the promotion examinations, that way; every prison officer will be encouraged to know the orders by heart.

“Officers of the Prison Service, I wish to urge you to ensure these orders are followed and implemented, and that the junior ranks are brought on board,” Trotz advised.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the Standing Orders come at time when the Prison Service is undergoing major transformation and modernisation. The Home Affair Minister explained that Strategic Management Departments have been implemented at the Prison Service, the Home Affairs Ministry, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service.

“So what we have in law

Works to commence soon on...

He said that, upon winning the National and Regional elections, the APNU will make these things top priorities.

“I am saying that we have a commitment to work for poor people and we have a commitment to provide the kind of service for ordinary citizens and we will find that money wherever it is. There are a lot of monies floating

around here but are not being accounted for by the people who spending it. So we will find the money to spend on the poor people in this country”.

He said the minister had himself declared that the arrangements at the landings were not of the best, especially at peak hours when passengers were being discharged and loaded into ves-

sels.

Harmon said the situation is becoming increasingly hazardous, since the Demerara Harbour Bridge has limitations on the amount of vehicles allowed to pass.

“Mr Rolston AdamsGeneral manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge noted that the Demerara Harbour Bridge caters to an average of 17,000 vehicles

enforcement architecture is four civilian-led Strategic Management Departments driving a transformation process in the sector,” he stressed. The Minister disclosed that his decision to compile the Standing Orders for the Prison Service was triggered by the fact that there was no official documentation of the orders, coupled with the incident at the Mazaruni Prisons.

Rohee added that, he was looking for someone with the necessary knowledge and experience to head the process and noted that he could not have found another candidate as qualified as the former Prisons Director.

The first draft of the Standing Orders was submitted in May last year followed by a second draft in July then finally, the proposed documentation for approval. There are about 50 Standing Orders listed in the document.

From page 7

per day. Thus, transforming the stelling to perform better service will reduce the difficulties associated with commuters crossing the river”.

The Shadow Public works minister promised commuters that his party, within the first one hundred days of it being in Government, will find the money to have those floating ramps constructed.

Eyew tness

Threats...

...from local Chatree Granger

Your humble Eyewitness is informed that back in the day, the “Kshatriyas” were the warriors of India. He almost damaged his throat attempting to pronounce the word as spelt. He’s falling back on the pronunciation favoured by our Attorney General - Chatree.

Claiming that he was a member of this fraternity, the AG evidently told the Editor of the Muckraker, Adam Harris, that “knock got knock back”. He allegedly later sounded this caution to his old school chum at the same newspaper albeit in more colourful language.

The AG’s concern, was that if the Muckraker’s boss was going to permit and even orchestrate the vilest slander and allegations against folks in his publication, it was quite likely that those folks could be driven to take extreme action. A reasonable observation, no?? After all, even the law allows the defence of “provocation”.

Well, the Muckraker and its owner Glenn Lall didn’t think so. He claimed this was a “terrorist threat” and demanded that the AG be charged forthwith. (Lall didn’t actually say “forthwith”....With tears streaming into his grubby face-rag, and advised by his lawyer Ramjattan, he sobbed, “Me friken! Haul ‘e ass to jail right now!”)

Lall even took the matter to international agencies and carried on about for months. Granger and the rest of Lall’s Opposition cohort picketed, protested and also carried on about the “terrorist threat” by the AG. Well, there’s been an interesting development, which exposes the hypocrisy of that cohort. Evidently, there are some flyers circulating in the interior depicting Granger and some members of his Opposition coterie in a bad light exactly what the Muckraker was doing to Government officials.

(In Europe right now, one of the “bad guys” Hitler, is enjoying a revival, but you get the point?) Granger became livid. Blaming the PPP/C for the flyers, he warned AT A PRESS CONFERENCE: “I am worried about what the people would do to the publishers of that vile propaganda. I don’t know if the Police will be able to restrain those angry people.”

Now while some have cast doubt that the AG was a real soldier type “Chatree”, we all know that Granger is the real deal, local equivalent dubbed “Soldier Man” here. He even has the epaulets to prove it.

So if the AG’s caution to the KN was deemed to be a “terrorist threat” by Granger and his merry band of Opposition wankers, why hasn’t his even more explicit “threat” by a General to the PPP/C elicit condemnation by the usual band of suspects?? Like the Opposition Stabber, TI and the GHRA??

And mind you, the “angry people” Granger refers to are the thousands of soldiers he has drafted into his campaign!

...by the EU made good

While the Opposition are chortling over their entreaties to the western powers are bearing “fruit”, they should be careful since it’s coming from a poisoned tree. Take the EU’s holding back of funds that they’d already approved for supporting initiatives in the sugar industry and the sea defences.

These funds were compensation for the EU breaking a contractual obligation under the Lome Convention and the later Cotonou Protocol that was to last “in perpetuity”.

But having used and discarded us like the bagasse from our sugar cane, after unilaterally imposing a 36 per cent cut in our sugar prices, the money they’ve committed is simply to salve their conscience.

And as usual they imposed hoops that we had to just through before we could collect the money which ironically they complimented us for achieving, last September, ahead of schedule!!

The Opposition is allowing the EU to set new conditions that’ll hurt Guyana.

...on bus fares

Whenever gas prices go up, buses strike for higher fares - which they get. So how come they never come down, when, like now, gas prices have been slashed by 30 per cent?? Why’s the commuter always shafted??

Marine deaths down, but piracy increases

– MADRAD introduces new rules, regulations

By Vahnu Manichand

While the total number of fatalities from marine-related incidents has dropped by almost one half during last year, piracy was still responsible for the highest number of deaths in 2014.

This was disclosed by Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Claudette Rogers about a week ago during her yearend review presentation.

According to Rogers, a total number of 23 deaths were recorded in 2014 compared to 43 in the previous year. These were from boats accidents, incidents and piracy attacks.

In 2014, eight boat accidents were recorded from which they were four deaths.

The number of deaths from incidents was 10, representing a 50 per cent reduction. These were from 16 incidents recorded throughout the year, while the number of piracy attacks was increased by one in 2014 to four but the fatalities spiked from three in 2013 to nine last year.

set to sunrise and from sunrise to sunset during conditions of restricted visibility,” the Director General said.

She added that MARAD has distributed over a 1000 life jackets across Guyana and has placed Standees at various Stellings where boats operate to educate passengers with the necessary safety tips.

Additionally, Rogers revealed that three buoys were placed in the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Chalmers and Sting Ray Crossings; while the buoys

service.

Meanwhile, there has been a number of dredging exercises, with the “Steve N” removing 618,000 cubic metres of spoil at a cost of $72,000,000 last year. Particular emphasis was placed on dredging Chalmers Crossing and the Demerara main ships channel.

“The Chart datum within the Demerara main ships’ channel was increased from 4.5 metres to 5.1 metres and the chart datum in the Essequibo River from Modder Bush to Chalmers Crossing increased from 0.9 metres to 2.1 metres. With this achievement in the Essequibo River, the Transport and Harbours Department ferry can effectively operate,” she said.

Rogers continued saying that her department is not only focused on ensuring the safety and protection of passengers and operators but also to the environment. To this end, she revealed that MARAD has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agriculture Ministry for

Rogers explained that the preliminary results from investigations into the various boat accidents revealed that they are mostly caused as a result of unlicensed boats and unlicensed operators.

Taking action MARAD had embarked on various safety awareness campaigns during last year and going forward this year, the Director General noted that these exercises will be continued.

She said there will be several other new implementations to ensure the safety of passengers as well as operators and their vessels in 2015.

The Director General had outlined that her department will continue to sensitise school children and the public about the importance of wearing life jackets and for boats to use horns, whistles or other sound signalling apparatus while operating on the water ways.

“So with effect from January 1, vessels operating in Guyana will be required to be fitted with a whistle or any other sound signalling appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and they also have to be fitted with navigational lights and shall be exhibited from sun-

and day marks in the Essequibo River were replaced.

Four bouys were being replaced at Rattle Snake, Bartica Crossing.

On the other hand, MARAD had examined and issued 26 certificates to boat operators to service areas beyond Bartica as well as another 21 licences to bowmen operating in Annai. Several vessels were also inspected in those areas, the Director General remarked.

She went onto state that operators will now have to submit photographs of their vessels and boats during the registration and licensing process. Rogers noted that this new requirement is designed to enhance the safety standards within MARAD.

In addition, there has been continuous dredging of the main ships channel and other facilities within the Harbours of Georgetown, the Director General noted.

She further noted that in an effort to reduce the congestion along the East Bank carriageway and the crossing of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), the Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop ferry night operation was introduced. Rogers stressed that since its introduction in 2013, to date over 175,000 persons have utilised the

Budget preparations will continue – Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said preparations for the 2015 National Budget Presentation will continue although General and Regional Election have been called.

Dr Luncheon, who was at the time speaking at his weekly press conference on Friday morning, noted that while the life of the 10th Parliament is now “history,” the Government sees no reason why 2015 National Budget should not be compiled.

“There is no significant reason why the budget for the year 2015 will not be usually prepared. I do believe, I can speak reasonably, that is by concluding that the 10th Parliament is history. There couldn’t conceivable be at this stage in the electoral calendar naming of a date for elections for some mysterious sort of occurrence of returning to the

days of the 10th Parliament. The 10th Parliament can be considered history”, he said.

According to him, it would be appropriate for Guyanese to look forward to the dissolution of the 10th Parliament rather than the Government abandoning its plans for the 2015 National Budget.

“I think it would be more reasonable and consistent for us to be contemplating on the dissolution of

the 10th Parliament and the President’s announcement of a date”, Dr Luncheon said.

However, he explained that while the budget will be prepared as any other year, its presentation will be done in the 11th Parliament, which will be convened after the General and Regional Elections and the installation of the Executive.

“What is obviously be given is that the budget and its presentation for the 11th Parliament will of course be subsequent to the conclusion of the General and Regional Elections and the installation of the Executive that succeeds in this 2015 General and Regional Elections, so there will be a budget, it is being prepared but it will be as is usually presented to Parliament and we understand that it’s the 11th Parliament of Guyana,” Dr Luncheon further explained.

Paediatric surgical care to begin shortly in Guyana

Ateam consisting four members from the University of Calgary and Baby Heart Foundation, has completed a visit to Guyana, to discuss plans for the establishment of Paediatric Surgical Care (PSC) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The team leaders, Dr Debra Isaac, Senior Heart Transplant Surgeon, Calgary University and Professor Kishan Narine, General Surgeon, Calgary University visited from January 19 - 22.

an incinerator to extinguish the ships’ generated waste.

The purpose of the visit was to allow Dr Rodrigo Soto, Paediatric Heart Transplant Surgeon, and Roy Glenn Morris, Biomedical Engineer, both of Baby Heart

Foundation, to have a look at the local facilities, allowing them to scope and evaluate the current capacity of the GPHC.

Their ultimate goal is to create the capacity for PSC for children with congenital heart disease. Training for local staff to manage the facility after its establishment will also be addressed. Further, they will be providing some of the necessary equipment that is vital for the establishment of the facility. During their visit, they were given the opportunity to tour the GPHC and review patients, who were currently awaiting surgery.

There are plans for the team to visit again shortly.

Baby Heart Foundation has been working in develop-

ing countries for over 20 years, providing assistance to them, to create the capacity to have Paediatric Cardiology surgeries conducted locally. At present, children in need of heart surgeries are sent to The Dominican Republic, where they are operated upon by the Baby Heart Foundation. This process is funded by the Government of Guyana. In 2014, more than 14 children benefited from this process, and all underwent successful surgeries by the foundation. With the establishment of this facility locally, many more such children will benefit, as the cost to Government will be reduced. Baby Heart intends to begin these surgeries as early as June 2015.

130th birthday of Lions Club International Founder celebrated

The Diamond-Grove Lions Club in collaboration with the Georgetown-Stabroek Lions Club recently hosted a cabaret fundraising dinner at the Pegasus Hotel in recognition of the 130th birthday of the Lions Club International founder Melvin Jones.

In honouring Melvin Jones, fellowships were awarded to Past President Diana D’Ornellas from the Georgetown-Stabroek Lions Club and Charter President Indira Anandjit.

Past President Thomas Nestor and Immediate Past President Petal Ridley from the Diamond-Grove Lions Club were also honoured.

Each Lion received an inscribed wall plaque and a lapel pin that would identify them as a Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF).

In addition, their names will be displayed on a com-

puterised plaque in the Lions Club International Federation Recognition Room at Lions International Headquarters, Oak Brook Illinois, USA. Meanwhile, Justice Brassington Reynolds, in de-

livering the feature address at the event, challenged the Lions to be the change they want to see in society while performing services to communities and to remember to be LIONS ―“looking into our nation’s safety”.

“You don’t have to be a Scientist, an Engineer, a Doctor or a lawyer to be of service to your community. You need just to be… Each of you seated here is an opinion shaper in your own right…and therefore each of you is uniquely positioned to lead through your own dynamic example,” Reynolds charged.

In 1971, Jones, who was a Chicago businessman, encour-

aged his club ‘The Chicago Business Circle’ to go beyond promoting good business practices. He convinced the members that selfless service to others would create a better community – and a better world – for all.

Jones recognised that a network of clubs working together could do much more than individual clubs acting alone. Therefore, he invited similar groups from around the United States to a meeting on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois and thereafter the new group assumed the name of one of the invited clubs “Association of Lions Clubs”. Hence, Lions have been helping people since 1917.

In 1973, the Association and Lions Club International Foundation recognised the need to establish a special commendation for a particular dimension of service.

As a result, the Melvin Jones Fellowship was created. It must be noted that the fellowship is not an award but rather a recognition given to humanitarians.

The pre-nup negotiations

Satiricus’ ears perked up. After years of hemming and hawing and fervent denials, Rum Jhaat of the KFC had come out and fessed up that he was open to tying the matrimonial knot with GrainJa and the Pee-an-See.

“Isn’t this sweet!!?” murmured Satiricus to himself. “History is repeating itself.” Satiricus had heard the story from his Daddy so many times.

Once upon a time, the Pee-an-See just couldn’t get rid of the PPCEE no matter how hard it tried. And by golly it tried! Its leader Burnt Ham was a fella who salivated when he just thought about power. So up came the good, ole Land of the Yankee Dollar Bill (YANKS), who created a new party called “United Farce”.

Not “The United Farce” ...that’s another story. Just “United Farce”! And in no time at all, lo and behold (that’s how Satiricus’ Daddy talked), United Farce entered the elections and picked up four seats.

The money flowed like honey to United Farce from the YANKS. The United Farce hated the PPCEE because that party was for the great unwashed masses. “And you know money goes to where money is,” said Satiricus Daddy, “and the money people went to United Farce!”

So up came another election and by now the YANKS were supporting both the Pee-an-See and United Farce. So even though the Pee-an-See didn’t like United Farce Burnt Ham thought those rich folks looked down on him the YANKS told them they had to tie the knot. As the YANKS say, it was a “shotgun” wedding!!

And by golly, the married couple of the Pee-an-See and United Farce ousted the PPCEE. But like most shotgun weddings, the groom really didn’t like the bride, and as soon as the honeymoon was over, the Pee-an-See started to take advantage of United Farce. “And if you think domestic violence is bad now, you should hear about that story,” thought Satiricus.

So after a couple of years, United Farce had to get a divorce. “But the poor dear got nothing from the marriage... and pretty soon it just petered out,” concluded Satiricus’ Daddy.

So Satiricus was happy when he heard Rum Jhaat say, “Dis time na lang time!” (That was how Rum Jhaat spoke.) Even though the YANKS had funded his KFC party and a Big Dick Poll and he had gotten five seats he remembered the fate of United Farce when the YANKS told him he now had to hitch up with the Pee-an-See.

“Me gat fuh wear de pants,” said Satiricus. And using his lawyer’s “town” voice concluded, “And me want a prenuptial agreement.” Satiricus wondered whether Granger would allow himself to be neutered.

Bush Lot CPG accuses Middle Dam CPG of identity theft

Members of the Bush Lot Railway line and the Bush Lot New Housing Scheme Community Policing Groups (CPG) are accusing officials attached to the Middle Dam CPG arm of falsely using their names to uplift money from businesses in the community.

Speaking with the Guyana Times, Pramdat Sukra, Chairman of the Bush Lot New Scheme CPG said his group is very concerned as to what is going on.

He informed this newspaper that members of the Middle Dam CPG planned a Fun Day event without notifying the other two CPGs in the community.

In so doing, Sukra said the group printed letters asking for donations towards its Fun Day and distributed the letters to business persons in the village.

However, what Sukra said bothers him is the fact that the group did not properly identify themselves in the printed copies of letters requesting donations.

This, he is concerned, will cause businesspersons to assume that the CPG he chairs is part of the Fun Day activities.

“They did not properly identify themselves on the letters and the business people think it’s everyone that is involved,” Sukra said.

He then added that because it’s the first ever Fun Day event being held by the group, the circumstances surrounding the request for donations are even sketchier.

When Nand Kishore, Chairman of the Middle Dam CPG was contacted, he admitted to neglecting specification of the name of his group on the letters.

But he also explained that the CPG Fun Day is held fairly often.

He explained that the Middle Dam CPG is the first CPG to have been formed in the community and has always been referred to as Bush Lot Community CPG, which is what he claims to have written on the letters.

He further added that

each CPG has its separate Chairman and contested that persons would never assume that all CPGs are involved because his CPG’s name was not specifically stated.

He explained that at the bottom of each letter, he has signed his name, which would instantly give understanding to businesspersons that the letters are coming from his group.

Sukra said "they never indicated to us" what they planned on doing.

"When persons pass around with the donation letters, they tell them to tell us that its tickets for the Fun Day they are selling," he pointed out.

To further clear his name, Kishore said he sent copies of the letter prepared by group to Coordinator of CPGs, Dennis Pompey, Bush Lot Village Neighbourhood Democratic Council among other organisations. However, efforts to contact Pompey to better clarify the matter were unsuccessful.

President lobbying for reduced electricity tariffs

By Erica Williams

President Donald Ramotar is in negotiation with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) over a possible reduction in electricity tariffs.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Friday, President Ramotar said the proposal was made to the power company following the significant drop in fuel prices on the international market.

The price for fuel has been dropping around the world since last June, with the latest price of fuel in Venezuela being recorded at US$39.19 per barrel, the lowest in almost half a decade.

According to the President, the proposal was tabled before a decision was taken by his Government to reduce Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) fuel prices by 30 per cent.

“I had asked GPL to examine the possibility for reduction of electricity in light of the fuel cost and I had done this before the fallen fuel prices internationally were reflected locally,” President Ramotar said.

Citizens across Guyana have repeatedly complained about the high cost of electricity. Due to the high electricity tariffs charged by GPL, some consumers have

resorted to stealing electricity.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary Joseph Harmon had called on the Government to find ways to reduce electricity tariffs and “get off Guyanese backs.”

In response, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had appealed to the Opposition to refrain from speaking in a manner that may cause GPL’s customers to think their stealing of electricity is justified.

GPL is reported to have suffered up to 45 per cent in losses over the past 10 years. Hinds had stated that reduction seems to have stalled a year ago, at about thirty to thirty one per cent. GPL has been on a continuous quest to reduce its losses over the years.

If the electricity tariffs are reduced, Guyanese will likely pay less than many Caribbean countries, especially those whose generation of power is based on petroleum products.

The Prime Minister had stated that the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) indicated that the cost of generation and delivery run between US 30 cents and US 40 cents (G$63 to G$84) per kWh. In Guyana the cost to produce and deliver electricity is US 33 cents per kWh.

APNU claims Govt stifling Rupununi’s development

The main Opposition party, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) has accused the incumbent People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government of stifling growth and development in the Rupununi areas (Region eight and nine).

Speaking at a press conference on Friday at his Hadfield Street Officer, APNU’s Leader David Granger reported his findings after a trip to the region last weekend.

Granger said “the PPP/C is hampering the Rupununi’s long term development and hindering the happiness of people living there…the vast Rupununi region is a zone of contempt and neglect”.

Region 2 Schools' Mash Competition ends on high note

The Children’s Mashramani Competition in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) came to an end on Friday following three days of heated competition.

The event which kicked off on Wednesday had created quite a buzz in the town of Anna Regina, with schools from across the region flooding the Anna Regina Centre ground to participate in the dramatic poetry, calypso, physical display, dance and masquerade segments.

On Friday, children from nursery, primary and secondary schools strongly competed in the dance and masquerade segments. The event, which saw individual and group participation, quickly gained momentum as the children dished out spectacular performances.

In the age five to seven dance group, Sparta Primary School copped the top spot while Mainstay Lake Primary came in second followed by Queenstown Primary School.

But Mainstay Lake Primary made

a major come back in the age eight to 10 dance category, as they danced their way to the top of the chart, leaving CV Nunes Primary and 8th of May Primary Schools behind.

Most of the dazzling performances were in keeping with this year’s

Mashramani theme, “One

Culture, One Celebration”. The winners who were all decked out in their

ful costumes will represent the district in the national school’s competition billed for February in the capital city, Georgetown.

He said over the past years it is evident that the “Rupununi has become a victim of unfair trade practices” pointing to the fact that mostly good imported from Brazil are available in the supermarkets and shops in the region.

He said this was a direct result of the Government’s failure to adequately pump resources into the development of the region.

APNU's Member of Parliament Annette Ferguson, who was also part of the team that visited the Rupununi region, noted that the physical infrastructure of the area was in a deplorable state and in wanton need of being remedied.

Elections will not interfere with exams

– other arrangements will be in place, say officials

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

Amid cries of concern from sections of the public and political onlookers regarding the clashing of the date for General and Regional Elections with the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), officials from the Education Ministry Office of the President and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) assured that elections will not interfere with the students’ examinations.

President Donald Ramotar took to social media on Wednesday to give surety that systems will be in place to make certain students are able to sit their exams without disturbance or disorder.

“In regard to the concern that students who are scheduled to sit CXC exams on May 11 will be affected, please note that the Ministry of Education will put adequate systems in place to ensure students are able to sit their exams without disruption by the day’s election activities,” the post of Facebook read.

The Education Ministry also gave reassurance to students and parents that the examinations will not be interrupted.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand said

the Ministry is in consultations with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and other stakeholders to discuss and derive a suitable plan in the best interest of the candidates.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) also revealed that they are assessing the situation and as soon as an appropriate decision is made, they will make the announcement.

Some observers argue that the request by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to GECOM to desist from using private venues as polling stations will pose a problem.

Last elections, observers believe the number of secondary schools utilised as polling stations outweighed that of primary and nursery schools.

Therefore, it was noted that a possible solution to the apparent problem would be for GECOM to utilised more primary and nursery schools instead.

Another “way out” as suggested by the public is to provide a different venue for students to write their examinations.

Needless to say, solutions to this problem are available.

In fact, Manickchand said she is baffled as to “what the uproar is about” as it relates to the setting of elections date.

“It’s only in this country you see this nonsense being perpetuated, in other countries people eat, sleep and go about their daily lives at elections time,” she pointed out.

Her comments came in wake of the Leader for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger’s comments for the President to reconsider the May 11 election date.

Granger felt the President made a mistake in the selection of the date and as he expressed concern that the date coincides with CSEC and CAPE.

However, Manickchand suggested that “maybe the Opposition isn’t ready for elections so they want a new date”.

Furthermore, she asserted that it is her “sole duty to ensure that students are not disadvantaged during the period of elections”.

After President Donald Ramotar announced the date for elections on Tuesday last, following the prorogation of Parliament on November 10, 2014, concerns of its clash with examinations had arisen after it was realised that examination for certain subjects will be held on that same day across the region.

A copy of the CSEC time-

table obtained by Guyana Times, reveals that subjects scheduled to be written on that day are Agricultural Science (Double and Single Awards); Theatre Arts; Electrical and Electronic Technology (Technical); and Food and Nutrition Paper Two.

CAPE subjects scheduled to be written on that day include Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit One – Paper Two; History Unit One –Paper Two; Art and Design Examinations to begin for Unit One, Papers Two and Three, and Unit Two, Papers One and Two; and Communication Studies Paper Two.

AFC “leadership choice” conference in limbo

– yet demands lead of coalition with APNU

With May 11, 2015 announced as the date for General and Regional Elections, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is yet to officially announce a date for the hosting its “special” conference to elect its Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates. Yet it is locked in negotiations with the A Partnetship for National Unity (APNU) to form a coalition which it demands it heads.

Analysts are in agreement that APNU cannot take the AFC leadership demands seriously unless they name the individuals they expect to lead the coalition. It is assumed that since negotions are already underway, leader Khemraj Ramjattan’s unilateral choice of Moses Nagamootoo as the AFC’s Presidential Candidate and Nigel Hughes as the Prime Ministerial Candidate will be proffered during the negotiations.

Since President Donald Ramotar has announced that elections will be held on May 11, it was expected that the AFC will convene a special national conference to elect its top brass officer bearers for the upcoming elections as had been promised but it appears that the point will become moot and members at any subsequent conference will be handed a fait accompli

The party at its December 6, 2014 National Conference did not elect as promised, the

two office bearers citing that the President needed to announce a date for the hosting of General and Regional Elections before they proceed in that regard.

However candidates for the posts were previously announced with AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan openly endorsing the party’s Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo and Chairman Nigel Hughes for the posts of Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates respectively.

The other previously named candidates for the Presidential candidacy were Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes. Nominations were also received for Prime Ministerial candidate Raphael Trotman, Cathy Hughes, Dr Veersammy Ramayya and General Secretary David Patterson.

Patterson on Thursday told reporters at an AFC press conference that the date for the special conference had not been settled on by the party’s executives. He however lamented that the date would be announced “shortly.”

But the party’s leader said that the date would not be announced until after the current date announced by the President was cemented by way of proclamation.

Ramjattan has already affirmed that the Party’s Vice Chairman and Chairman will be elected as the party’s Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates when

the conference is called. Ramjattan speaking to media operatives on Wednesday said that his party members will more than likely respect the endorsement of the party’s leadership and elect Nagamootoo and Hughes as the party’s two candidates. It would appear that he is signalling the fait accompli that will emanate from the coalition talks with the APNU. He reaffirmed that in his personal opinion, Nagamootoo and Hughes are ideal for the party’s the Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates for the upcoming general elections.

AFC had claimed that its conference which was initially scheduled for October 26 to name the head of its slate was postponed to December 6, since the party was unsuccessful in passing its tabled No-Confidence Motion.

The party at that time had said that the conference was dependent on the passage of the No-Confidence Motion that the party brought against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Donald Ramotarled Administration.

But due to the non-passage of the No-Confidence Motion, the party claimed it “was forced” to abandon the late October date and reschedule its biennial congress for December 6. 2014. It appears that if the Congress is even convened it would be to give a pro forma approval to the leader’s choices.

Antiguan national nabbed at CJIA with cocaine in stomach

An Antigua and Barbuda National was on Saturday morning nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with several cocaine pellets in her stomach.

Njila Fomdar, 23, was about to board a Caribbean Airline flight when she was seen acting in a suspicious manner.

Ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch became sus-

picious when they recognised that she was sweating profusely and acting in a strange manner. The woman was grilled and admitted that she swallowed the cocaine pellets.

Fomdar was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was given a laxative to excrete the pellets. A hospital source confirmed that the woman had already excreted several of the cocaine filled pellets.

She is under guard at the medial institution and once all the pellets are excreted it will be weighed. She will be charged for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking in the new week.

On Tuesday last, Alex Macy of Lot 60 Middle Road, Skeleton, Berbice was intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with 12.25 kilograms of cocaine in his possession.

On the day in question at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Macy was about to board a Dynamic Airways flight to the United States of America when ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit saw him acting in a suspicious manner.

They decided to conduct a search on the two suitcases he had in his possession. While conducting the search, they noticed two ‘Bob Marley’ designed bags which grew their suspicion more. When they opened the bags, they found the drugs in several packets of rice and flour. He made his court appearance on Thursday last and was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The matter will be called again on February 9.

US upset over non-passage of AML Bill

BY ERICA WILLIAMS

Charge d’ Affaires at the US Embassy here Bryan Hunt has expressed dissatisfaction over the non-passage of the Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, while adding that he is hopeful the Bill will be supported when the new Government is formed after the upcoming elections.

During an interview with Guyana Times earlier this week, Hunt pinpointed the non-passage of the Bill as one of the greatest downfalls of the 10th Parliament.

“I think one of the great tragedies of the last Parliament is the fact that the parties could not come together and pass the critical Bill for Guyana,” he said.

Members of the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had voted against the passage of the Bill in the National Assembly back in November 2013.

The Opposition had contended that there were several unresolved issues with the Amendment Bill that must be addressed before it is passed by the House and signed into the Constitution.

They parties firmly stated that they want the Bill to be returned to a Parliamentary Select Committee for further

discussions and clarification.

However, Hunt further told this newspaper that “the Anti-Money Laundering Legislation is not something anyone disagrees for; frankly, it is not something that anyone in this day and age disagrees on.”

He added that the guidelines of the Bill are very clearly and precisely stipu-

the Bill immediately after the upcoming elections when Parliament reconvenes. He said the legislation should be quickly brought back by whichever party gains governance.

With a fresh start, Hunt said he also expects that the Bill will also be passed with unanimous support because, “frankly that what should

US Charged affaires Bryan Hunt

lated from the international bodies. “The guidelines from the international bodies to deal with this are quite clear and transparent.”

He expressed disbelief that politicians allowed politics to be the benchmark for the outcome of the Bill.

“So the fact that politics was allowed to prevent the passage of that sort of sort of national interest legislation is really a great tragedy,” Hunt disappointingly said.

Hunt expressed the hopeful desire for the passage of

have happened in the first place.”

Since the non-passage of the Bill, there have been a number of measures recommended against Guyana by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) back in 2014.

CFATF referred Guyana to its global body, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in May 2014, according to a statement released back then by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall. The report

said:

“As a result of not meeting the agreed timelines in its Action Plan, the CFATF recognises Guyana as a jurisdiction with significant AML/CFT deficiencies, which has failed to make significant progress in addressing those deficiencies and the CFATF considers Guyana to be a risk to the international financial system. Members are therefore called upon to implement further counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. Also, the CFATF has referred Guyana to the FATF.”

Hunt reiterated the damning effects of the nonpassage of the Bill. He said, “This is something Guyana is suffering from because of failure to pass the legislation.”

Remittance costs and the time it takes for remittances to be processed have increased, further, the time it takes for international monetary transfers for businesses have also increased along with its costs.

This downward spiral Hunt said happened all because, “Guyana’s Parliament could not come together and pass the legislation.”

Persons living abroad attempting to send money home to their families have complained of the high cost.

Some persons have said when trying to send money to Guyana they have had to produce documents they never had to produce in the past.

Remittances have over the years accounted for a significant percentage in Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with approximately 20 per cent of Guyana’s GDP in 2011, being contributed by remittances.

Guyana was able to avert blacklisting quite a number of times and the Government has said that this is largely due to the high level commitment of the Government coupled with demonstrable actions taken in the country’s attempts to comply with recommendations made to address the technical deficiencies identified in the country’s AML/CFT regime.

Man accused of stealing money from partner granted bail

Twenty-five-year-old, Kevin Vanfare was granted $65,000 bail after he was accused of stealing his partner’s money.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

It was alleged that between January 21 and January 22 at Georgetown, he stole $100,000 from Ronda Phillips, to which he denied.

According to the facts, the parties share a relationship and on the day in question, Phillips went to bed

along with Vanfare. It was heard that the money was in the Phillip’s pocket and when she awoke she noticed the defendant missing and the money gone. The court heard that the pocket was cut opened.

A report was made and the defendant was subsequently arrested. However, the money was not recovered.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant had no objections to bail. With that, bail was granted to Vanfare in a sum of $65,000. The matter is scheduled to call again on January 26.

gang rape…

Teen claims there’s a recording of the horrific incident

By Bhisham mohamed

The 18-year-old teenager, who was allegedly gang raped after attending a party organised by his best friend on Old Year’s Night at Vreed-en-Hoop, has told his mother and sister that there is a recording of the men committing the act.

The teenager is now in the Psychoatric Hospital in New Amsterdam receiving medical attention. His mother told the Guyana Times on Saturday that she had informed the Police of such a recording but they have failed to follow up on the accusation.

Days after the incident reached the media, the Police had arrested the friend of the victim by he had denied being involved in such a cruel act.

The mother explained that after her son escaped death on New Year’s Night, he told his sister that the men who committed the act showed him the video. The video was recorded on a mobile phone.

From all reports gathered, the teenager who is from Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara was drugged and gang raped allegedly by several men, including his friend. The distraught mother who is staying close to her son at the medical institution is urging the Police to take immediate action, noting that her son might never regain his full senses.

ment. “He is not eating, not walking and he always saying carry he home,” the woman stated.

The doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital, she noted, explained that by sending her son to the Psychiatric Unit of the Berbice hospital, he will recover at a faster rate. She admitted that they have been monitoring his condition and have given him several injections.

ah talk all kind of madness and the doctor say is because of the incident… like he still traumatise.”

The worried mother said even if her son pulls out of the present condition, he will be traumatised for life and embarrassed.

She continued to refute reports that her son was mentally ill even before the incident had occurred. “He use to make jokes and enjoy he self where ever he go… as he walk down to the road he use to sing hard and he de always willing… You can go in the village and ask anybody, meh son nah bin mad… is this Old Year’s Night thing got me son this way.”

She also said that he was a hard worker, claiming that if he were mentally ill, he would not have gotten a job. “This wuk at the supermarket is not he only job… he wuk with other people before and he does count he money right right and bring it home… he does give me some and give me some to save,” she cried during the telephone interview.

The woman also implicated an uncle of her son’s best friend, whom she claimed was going to shoot her son when he started to behave “bad” upon seeing the video. He reportedly took the teenager and threatened to shoot him, but he managed to escape after someone raised an alarm.

Younge’s Take

Missed opportunity

The Alliance For Change Executives (AFC) on Thursday admitted that they may have missed an opportunity to pilot hallmark campaign financing legislation that could have prevented and made it impossible for an incumbent Government to misuse State resources while on the campaign trail ahead of the General and Regional Elections.

The party executives, however, blamed Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall for them not seizing the opportunity and not piloting legislation over the past three years in the National Assembly, where the party enjoyed a one-seat majority when combined with its ally A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Had the AFC acted, then some of their core concerns about the alleged abuse and misuse of State resources by the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would have not arisen.

AFC’s General Secretary David Patterson when questioned extensively by the media on the issue, while bobbing and weaving, said that the party had always been concerned about campaign financing.

“The question of campaign financing is something I must admit that we have always wanted to table. we have a draft and things like that, but circumstances have overtaken us on that…,” was what Patterson explained.

He however did not detail what those circumstances were that led to the AFC missing out on the opportunity to address this formidable issue.

The woman explained that her son started to speak a few words, but he has stopped responding to the treat-

The Police, however, are holding out that they have to take a statement from the victim before they continue with the investigations. His best friend was taken into Police custody twice but was released on bail. Vreed-en-Hoop

“Meh son like he gone senile… he

APNU claims...

She explained that “what we have recognised… is that the roads in which they have to use on a daily basis, these roads are in a deplorable state.”

It was also pointed out that the transportation costs in the region are particularly high given that is costs over $10,000 to get around the region.

“When you have pensioners getting 1312, now tell me how are these people living when you have to pay transportation costs of 10,000 dollars to get around the interior,” questioned MP Ferguson.

Meanwhile, APNU’s Executive Ronald Bulkan was also part of Granger’s last visit. He explained that in plain terms the region is a zone of Governmental neglect.

“I must say it was distressing, depressing and disheartening to see the state of dependency that the PPP/C Administration has on Amerindian communities…I state where they are totally disempowered and they are subjected to occasional handouts from the central Government,” said Bulkan.

It was also claimed that monies from the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) is being used to pay Community Support Officers (CSOs) to spread fear into the villagers by promoting “political poison.”

But AFC’s Leader Khemraj Ramjattan then blamed the Attorney General for the party’s failure to move past a draft, which he claimed they had conceptualised to table in Parliament.

His argument was that the AFC’s draft campaign financing legislation needed more input from the draftsmen in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

“We pleaded with the AG to have the draftsmen help us and he said no,” Ramjattan reported to a press conference.

He then alleged that the AG had also told them that even if the AFC tabled and went ahead with the legislation as a Bill, President Donald Ramotar would not assent to it.

“And so we didn’t kill ourselves, we started other things,” he reported casually. One can only wonder why the AFC went ahead with other Bills which they might have thought the President would not assent to.

Soon after, Ramjattan promised that the next Government would table and pass campaign financing legislation within 100 days of taking office “when” the AFC wins the upcoming elections.

On the other hand, even the party’s Treasurer Dominic Gaskin admitted that there was no legislation in place to address the issue of abuse of State resources and funds in the lead-up to General Elections during the media encounter.

The AFC continues to lambaste the Government for allegedly misusing resources and funds in the lead up to the polls without presenting any hardcore or empirical evidence to the media to prove their allegations.

A senior Government functionary on Tuesday following the President’s announcement of the May 11 elections date told this newspaper that the Opposition would start their misinformation and campaigning by alleging that there was a misuse of State resources.

The official, however, dispelled any notion that monies from the State coffers would be used by the PPP/C to prepare for elections. “The fears and apprehensions that are being expressed are completely without foundation. They are baseless and whimsical,” he said during the interview.

The official also boasted that since the PPP/C came to power in 1992, there has been no financial “misbehaviour”, reminding that the Opposition has so far failed to provide any tangible evidence to this nature, especially during election times.

“These are the very persons who… are unprepared to support legislation to regulate campaign financing. And they may be guilty of financial maneuverings, which cannot withstand the test of scrutiny and proper analysis. And that is why they are expressing aversion to campaigning financing laws,” the official declared.

The official reasoned that the Opposition’s intent is to set the platform for an atmosphere of tension, confusion, and chaos, which could translate into violence if people get the impression that Government is misusing funds for political purposes and is undermining democracy.

The AFC should not look for excuses for its missed opportunity.

CADVA, 1 Billion Rising pay tribute to Dr Faith Harding

By Devina Samaroo

Tributes continue to pour in for Dr Faith Harding, a longstanding member of the People’s National Congress and a former minister of government who passed on Friday evening at the St Joseph mercy Hospital.

grief-stricken friends from the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) and One Billion Rising (1BR), of which Dr Harding was an active member, gathered at the Pegasus Hotel on Saturday to pay tribute to the beloved Dr Harding as they opened a book of condolences for the public to record their deepest sympathies.

Her dearest childhood friend, Dr Dawn Stewart reminisced of their journey through their academic life together.

“She would mentor me. She was a positive influence on my life and my major in psychology in becoming a psychologiSt She was always there to lend a kind word in sisterhood.”

Dr Stewart related on her return to guyana, she and Dr Harding teamed up to empower women and children in the country.

Dr Stewart said only recently, the pair was planning to create a group on Facebook to mobilise women with the aim of providing an opportunity for them to understand their roles and rights during elections and bring issues that impact their lives and their children to the forefront.

The psychologist major is deeply saddened by her death but intends to continue her legacy by encouraging women and children to meet their full potential.

meanwhile, local musicians Y3K noted that Dr Harding played a significant

role in their lives.

According to one of the brothers, Kwasi Cox, Dr Harding always encouraged them to reach for the sky.

“You know local musicians in guyana do not get the kind of support they expect but she would just encourage us to reach our full potential.”

members of CADVA and 1BR also voiced their re-

youth and women related issues.

Dr Harding was born on October 5, 1947 to proud parents Egbert and Beryl Blackmore.

From a very tender age Harding displayed a love for academics and so it was by no surprised or accident that she excelled academically.

She attended St Ambrose and St Stephen’s primary

grets of Dr Harding’s passing as they extended sincere sympathies to her family.

The 67-year-old doctor had touched the lives of many throughout her well spent years. She has helped people at grassroots and was a mentor to everyone with whom she came into contact with in and out of guyana.

Dr Harding was one of guyana’s leading advocates for issues affecting women and children.

The impact of her contribution can be justly described as significantly impacting due to the selfless services she has given to her country and its people over the years.

Dr Harding had an unwavering passion and commitment to national issues and she always worked tirelessly towards addressing

schools and British guiana Education Trust High School and was an enthusiastic learner who enjoyed English Language, English Literature, Religious Knowledge, History and reading Nancy Drew books.

Exhibiting a love and passion for reading, young Harding demonstrated this in her ability to read various books. Her personal motto “readers are leaders’ was a great aid to her. Fascinated with the power of words and their meanings, at nine, she emphatically encouraged her friends to increase their vocabulary on a daily basis.

Dr Harding was instrumental in starting an education programme that was regarded as the best in the Caribbean and has been intimately involved in a wide range of volunteer projects

that turned around communities and local neighbourhoods in guyana. An example of some of the projects and programmes that she implemented included the Tiger Bay area. This saw her rallying a disparate community together to form a committed, rehabilitation group that was focused on rebuilding the community while being able to improve education and economic conditions for youth and women.

Over her short but very significant, hardworking four years as a minster of government, Dr Harding was able to launch an education and literacy programme. She also was able to institute a training programme geared towards job skills training creation and this also saw a number of persons having their selfesteem and pride among the citizens through a “miss Tiger Bay” pageant that raised money for local projects being instilled and motivated.

Continuing on some of the programmes she implemented, Dr Harding executed a community based project geared towards the empowerment of residents in the Den Amstel community where a large percentage of women and mothers lacked marketable skills. Recognising the importance of such an initiative, Faith helped with the building of a skill development programme that introduced sewing and cosmetology as viable careers.

In addition, Dr Harding was responsible for the establishment of a private, free clinic that provided counselling services for children and families infected and affected by the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, runaway youth, men and women victims of domestic violence as well as young victims of sexual abuse.

Ship busted with cocaine paid $12M fine before departure

After assumptions by persons in many quarters of secrecy in the amount received by the guyana Revenue Authority (gRA) for the release of the cocaine laden ship, the gRA has declared $12m as the fine paid.

gRA said the Owners and Insurers of Cyriot vessel, mV Deltadiep which was detained following the discovery of 185 packages of cocaine in a 40ft rack container, was represented by the law firm of Cameron and Shepherd.

It was further stated that the fine was levied by Commissioner general of gRA Khurshid Sattaur pursuant to the provisions made under the Section 224-226 of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.

The fine was arrived at

after one week of negotiations with the law firm and the precedent of the mV CFS Palamedes.

Earlier this month, the cargo ship was intercepted at Demerara River with approximately 192.42 kilograms of cocaine. The drug was estimated street value of $165.7 billion (US$800 million). However, gRA clarified this information stating that subsequent information revealed that the actual amount of cocaine on the vessel was valued $2.1 billion.

gRA further added that the vessel had left the Netherlands via Paramaribo, Suriname then proceeded to guyana to load bauxite and was scheduled for Belgium when it was intercepted in guyana.

The release stated too

that the packages of cocaine bore identification marks such as Rolls Royce, JR, Superman, XX, Playboy, Dolphin and Scissors logos.

According to previous reports, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) was called in by the guyana Revenue Authority (gRA), which received a tip-off from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) about possible contraband goods on board the vessel.

It was stated by gRA that the same vessel was discovered in 2007 with 300kg of cocaine and the fine was $15M, There no prosecutions in the matter after the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended no prosecution in the matter. The owners and persons travelling on the ves-

Fly

Jamaica to fly directly from NY to Georgetown

Fly Jamaica Airline

Fly Jamaica Airways will soon launch its direct flights out of New York to georgetown in their continuous efforts to facilitate hassle-free travelling for its customers.

The airline noted that passengers would normally complain of having to stop in Jamaica before reaching georgetown but assured them that soon this will be no more.

However, flights from guyana to New York will still have to touch down in Jamaica before departing to New York.

In November 2013, the United States Department of Transportation (DoT) had stood firm on its decision not to permit direct Fly Jamaica flights between Guyana and New York, denying the airline for a second time.

Nevertheless, Fly Jamaica will soon announce when the direct flights will be in effect.

Currently, the airline has

flights between Kingston and georgetown, from New York to georgetown; and from Toronto to guyana. moreover, Fly Jamaica will be celebrating three years of service with low prices that are “guaranteed” to be “unmatchable.”

Supporting Guyanese meanwhile, Fly Jamaica proclaimed their position in supporting guyanese.

As such, local musicians Y3K will travel to New York to represent guyana and the Caribbean at the 1BR concert to speak up against domestic violence, compliments of Fly Jamaica.

The airline also highlighted that they have been on tour with renowned guyanese artiste mysticknown for his popular song “Coolie Boy” and sponsored guyana’s miss Universe Queen Nikita Barker a trip to the miss Universe Pageant which will take place this evening in miami.

Patient at GPHC was in high spirits before committing suicide – son

Vishnu Narine, the 20-year-old son of Sheneza Farouk who reportedly jumped to her death from the window of the Female Surgical Ward at the georgetown Public Hospital (gPHC), said he spoke to his mother just two hours before her death.

The young man explained to this newspaper that he is totally taken back by his mother’s suicide. “I only spoke to her about six pm and she was fine, she was herself,” Narine said.

sel claimed to have had no knowledge of the drugs being on board.

Following the discovery, gRA said the captain and crew, two of whom were Polish Nationals and nine Filippino Nationals, were detained and escorted to the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) while the container was taken to gRA’s warehouse.

CANU, gRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) and the Drug Examination Unit (DEU) worked together to examine the ship.

The largest drug haul in guyana’s history was that of 1998, when the St. Vincent registered ship, mV Danielsen, was intercepted with over 3000kilos of cocaine.

The young man related that his 37-year-old mother was hospitalised since November 2014. He said his mother had started suffering from kidney failure which resulted in her entire body becoming swollen during early November last year.

After this was observed, Narine said he took his mother to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where she was hospitalised for a short period of time.

While at the hospital, he said his mother complained of receiving an allergic reaction to the tube that was inserted through her genital area which was intended to relieve the symptoms of her illness.

“When I went and told the nurse what was happening with my mother, she started to give me an attitude, so we ended up in a cuss out and I took a taxi

and carried my mother to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH),” Narine recollected.

However, the man related a different story while at WDRH, he said that his mother was treated very kindly while at the hospital. He explained that his mother’s condition had begun to improve and parts of her body were no longer swollen but subsequently after, WDRH referred Farouk to gPHC.

“I feel bad that my mother died. I don’t know what would have caused her to do that…I am having such a hard time believing that she is dead, my mom and I celebrate our birthdays in the same month. This is why I am having such a hard time believing she did that.” When Guyana Times spoke to Narine, he disclosed that the meten-meerzorg family was in the midst of preparing for his mother’s wake. A post mortem is expected to conducted on monday.

The former housewife leaves to mourn her two sons, Narine and his 23-yearold brother, Akash Farouk. The incident reportedly happened around 20:20h on Friday night. Other women hospitalised in the ward with Farouk reportedly said they were about to sleep when they saw the woman jumping through the window.

Miss Guyana hunts for Miss Universe title

In a matter of hours,

88 beautiful, intelligent and well rounded young ladies from across the world will take to the stage as they vie for the title of Miss Universe 2014/2015 in Doral, Miami, USA.

While social media has been buzzing with reviews and picks for the title, Miss Guyana Universe, Niketa Barker remains a strong contender but to Guyanese here and abroad, she is already a winner.

She has been recently featured one of the most popular entertainment news programme in the United States of America called Entertainment Tonight along with Miss USA and Miss Israel.

There she spoke about her teenage years when she became homeless following a fire that completed razed their Berbice home.

“I grew up in a small town…I lost my home in a fire when I was 15 years old. We lost everything. We were unable to save anything. Everyone ran out of the house with no shoes on their feet.”

Another tragedy struck two years after when her father lost his life due to a chronic ailment but today she is two years away from obtaining a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Guyana.

“Its part of our curriculum to deliver 12 babies,” she told the ET’S Nischelle Turner. “The most amazing part for me is when the

baby is first born and before he or she takes that first breath. That moment of silence ― that’s the most amazing part for me.”

After the preliminary

competition Wednesday evening, Global Beauties said that there were some clear stand outs, good surprises, and of course, the disappointing ones.

They have listed Miss Guyana among the top 12 pick who could easily walk away with a Miss Universe crown. Her Caribbean counterpart, Miss Jamaica has also been creating some stir but the favourite for the title remains Miss Spain, Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines.

The judges for this evening pageant include celebrities such as Emilio Estefan; DeSean Jackson; Nina Garcia; Rob Dyrdek; Giancarlo Stanton; Manny Pacquiao; Kristin Cavallari; William Levy; Lisa Vanderpump and Louise Roe.

TODAY’s Natalie Morales and MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts will host this year’s pageant while Jeannie Mai takes viewers backstage and behind-thescenes. The 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant will be aired this evening at 20:00h on NBC. Local television stations will also be airing the pageant including TVG 28.

Guyana’s last contestant at the Miss Universe Pageant was Katrina Roshana.

Hundreds of Hindus celebrate Saraswati Jayanti

Hundreds of Hindus on the Essequibo Coast flocked various temples to observe the holy day of Saraswati Jayanti.

Saraswati Jayanti is observed on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha, commonly known as waxing moon in the Hindu month, Maagha, which is the period during January to February.

On the day, children and those studying worship the day by giving offerings and attending temples.

Special attention is paid to the children and those

attending school at all levels. The children are encouraged to participate in Saraswati puja and appropriate Bhajans are sung to the Goddess of learning.

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of the Vasant Panchami festival which is observed as Saraswati puja and ushers in the springtime. Young girls wear bright yellow dresses and participate in the celebration.

The colour yellow holds a special meaning for this celebration as it signifies the brilliance of nature and the

vibrancy of life. Yellow coloured clothes are worn and many offerings of yellow flowers are made in the performance of puja and gifts to each other.

Saraswati Jayanti is the birthday of Mata Saraswati the goddess of learning, knowledge and wisdom. Sara in Sanskrit means “essence” and swa means “self”, so Saraswati means “the essence of the self”. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. She is dressed in white (sign of purity) and rides on a white swan.

Theatre Guild awards set for January 31

The Theatre Guild of Guyana will once again honour persons and companies in the arts during its award show on Saturday, January 31 at the Theatre in Parade Street, Kingston.

The event is billed Night of Stars 2015 and will extend the initial idea of awarding members of the Guild who have demonstrated excellence in productions performed at the Guild.

In addition, for the first time since the awards have

been re-introduced, the Guild will recognise the excellence of others who have staged productions or worked over a number of years in support of the work of the Theatre.

The Theatre Guild Inc was founded in 1957, opened in 1960 and formally incorporated in 1961. Age and neglect had eventually rendered it unusable.

This year marks the seventh year since the Theatre Guild was re-opened in time for Carifesta X in Guyana in

2008.

Meanwhile, 30 awards in 17 categories will be handed out in what is expected to be Theatre’s first big moment of excitement for 2015.

The awards will be handed over during a top quality two hour production which will feature excerpts from past and future productions as well as performances from some of the awardees.

Guests will include international opera singer Katsuha Frazer, Keon Yearwood, Leslyn Lashly, Kijanna Lewis and pannist extraordinaire Michael Smith alongside Guild

event is free and

How far do you think Niketa Barker, Miss Guyana Universe will go at the Miss Universe Pageant?

“I think she has what it takes to meet the top 10, because she’s beautiful and everything, once she has the brains and she’s smart enough to answer the questions the way she is supposed to, I think she can make it because I watched her before and she’s nice and so. Compared to the other models, I think she has a shot against them.”

“I think she has a shot at this. She has the beauty for sure and if she has the brain, she will make it in the top three or even become the Miss Universe.”

“I think she will go make Guyana proud; she will go a great way. I have been following her on Facebook. I think she has the personality and she will go a far way.”

“I think she has a fairly good chance of reaching far, possibly winning because she’s both smart and beautiful.”

“I have no idea. She’s beautiful and I’m seeing the amount of support she is getting on Facebook, so even if she doesn’t make it far, like most of our queens, she will definitely make Guyana proud.”

“Yes, she can make it in the top 10, the top five. All I know: she’s beautiful, she has the perfect body, you know, she’s alright.”

“I think she will reach in the top five, because she’s really pretty and I think she will reach really far. I like her looks and talents, the way she carries herself, and everything.”

“Yes, she will do Guyana proud. She’s sexy; she’s hot. I think I have a crush on her. I think she will make it in the top five. I have full confidence in that.”

“I think she will go pretty far, she’s amazing at what she does. She will wow the audience. I think she will make it in the top 10; I even think she can go around the top five.”

Jaguars, T&T Red Force clash for NAGICO Super50 crown

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The 2015 champions of the NAGICO Super50 tournament will be crowned today as hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will meet the Guyana Jaguars in the final at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The match is scheduled to start at 13:30 hourrs.

The Red Force enter the championship match with a psychological home advantage, but the Jaguars will still be a hard nut to crack, taking into consideration they have played all their matches leading up to the final at the same venue.

At the start of the season, the Jaguars would not have been among the favourites to reach this far, given their inexperienced bunch of players, but they have defied the odds with excellent cricket, especially in the bowling department to shock the doubters.

Under the leadership of all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, the Jaguars were good enough to finish on top of the standings in Zone A after getting past Windward Islands Volcanoes and Barbados Pride, before suffering an upset loss to Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners in their last preliminary game.

However, the Jaguars qualified for the final, courtesy of a six-wicket victory over Jamaica on Thursday night in the first semi-final.

The batsmen all struggled to score quickly on the

‘Oval’ track, which means that a lot will depend on the 40-year-old Shivnarine Chanderpaul to provide the glue for the Jaguars, as he did in the semi-final.

Barbadian Raymond Reifer, one of only three Jaguars batsmen with halfcenturies in the tournament, will also be vital to the batting department.

Reifer scored a matchwinning unbeaten 84 against his countrymen, while stylish opener Rajendra Chandrika, who scored 52 in the opening game, is the other Jaguars batsman with a fifty. Chanderpaul and

Organisers of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Over40, 20-over roundrobin competition for teams in the Demerara sub-associations have released the fixtures for the eight-team tournament, which is being coordinated by the East Coast Cricket Committee and the Lusignan Cricket Club. The competition, set to bowl off on January 31, will be held in observance of the 18th death anniversary of Guyana’s former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan. It is expected to be completed on March 15. Eight teams- two from each sub-association- will vie for top honours. The registered teams are East Coast Bulls, East Coast Tigers,

Royston Crandon are the only players in the team with centuries to their names at this level.

have shown good form, and will be the key for the Jaguars against a much more competitive Red Force

Chanderpaul’s only ton in 88 matches at this level was made 17 years ago against Barbados in Jamaica, while Crandon’s only hundred was made on debut against the Windwards in Grenada eight years ago.

However, the Jaguars strength lies in the bowling department. The spin combination of Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Steven Jacobs and Crandon

batting line-up.

The Red Force played unbeaten in the preliminary round, and reached the final after fully capitalising on a limp batting effort from Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners to pull off an easy 41-run win on Friday evening.

Darren Bravo is expected to lead the Red Force’s batting along with elder brother Dwayne and

Kieron Pollard and Jason Mohamed, while emerging talents Steven Katwaroo, Jeremy Solozano, Evin Lewis and Kevon Cooper have all shown promise so far.

Rayad Emrit, can once again prove be a handful, while out-of-favour West Indies player, Dwayne Bravo, Kevon Cooper and Ravi Rampaul will look to create some impact with the ball.

However, Sunil Narine is clearly the Jaguars biggest threat and it will be important to see how they will adopt against him.

The Jaguars will be hunting their10th Regional 50-over title and first since 2005 when they beat Barbados at Bourda in fading light.

Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, will be contesting their 16th regional one-day final-having been champions on nine occasions, plus one shared.

Guyana Jaguars squad: Christopher Barnwell (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Trevon Griffith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Royston Crandon and Jonathan Foo.

T&T Red Force: Rayad

Emrit (Captain), Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Kevon Cooper, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Jeremy Solozano and Nicholas Sookdeosingh.

Georgetown Buffaloes, Georgetown Bears, East Bank Colts, East Bank Lions, West Demerara Mavericks, and West Coast Seals. Trophies will be awarded to the winner, the runner-up, and the Manof-the-Match of each game.

According to information emanating from the organisers, there will be 14 rounds, comprising two matches each with games spread across the Demerara corridor.

The action will start on January 31 at the Everest ground with Buffaloes against Colts and Lions versus Bears, while on February 1, Mavericks will play Tigers and Bulls will face Seals at Lusignan.

On the weekend of February 7-8, there will be

four games, with Mavericks against Buffaloes and Tigers versus Colts on the Saturday at Everest and Bulls versus Lions and Seals versus Bears on the Sunday at Wales.

On February 15 at Enmore, Mavericks will tackle Bulls and Tigers will face Seals, while on the same day at Meten-Meer-Zorg, Buffaloes will square off with Lions and Colts will confront Bears.

On the weekend of February 21-22, there will be another four matches, with Mavericks versus Lions and Tigers versus Bears on the Saturday at Wales, while on the Sunday at Demerara Cricket Club, Bulls will play Buffaloes and Colts will tackle Seals.

On February 28 at Lusignan, the double-header will see Bulls against Tigers and Buffaloes versus Bears, while on March 1 at Wales, Lions will collide with Colts and Mavericks will trade skills with Seals.

The weekend of March 7-8 will have four games, starting with Bulls versus Colts and Buffaloes against Seals at Meten-Meer-Zorg on the Saturday, and Tigers versus Lions and Bears against Mavericks on the Sunday at Wales.

The final weekend of competition- March 14-15- will also host four matches. The Demerara Cricket Club will be the venue for Tigers versus Buffaloes and Mavericks against Colts on the Saturday,

while the Lusignan ground will be the venue for the Bulls versus Bears and Lions against Seals games on the Sunday.

Interested persons can contact the following persons in the respective teams: Nazimul Drepaul on 6158683 for Georgetown Bears and Garvin Nedd on 617-9381 for Georgetown Buffaloes; Johnny Azeez on 649-0243 for East Bank Lions and Rohan Sarjoo on 668-1565 for East Bank Colts; Sudesh Persaud on 658-7943 for West Demerara Mavericks and Dhanpaul on 668-8865 for West Coast Seals; and Anil Persaud on 624-6098 for East Coast Tigers and Seeraj Bhimsain on 647-2480 for the East Coast Bulls.

Pee Wee League…

Grove Hi Tech brush

past Diamond United

The 2015 season of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) kicked off on Saturday at the Grove Playfield with the association’s Pee Wee Under-11 League, and the home team started off on a winning note with a 5-1 win over Diamond United FC.

With a commitment to youth development, the EBFA, which organised tournaments at the Under-13, 15 and 17 levels in 2014, apart from a

Senior League, which was contested over two rounds, is focused on attaining even greater heights this year.

Grove Hi Tech made a clean sweep of all the tournaments in 2014 and made their intentions clear that they intend to repeat again this year.

They controlled the game against Diamond for the most part and were guided to their win, compliments of double strikes off the boots of Devon Padmore and

Jamar Mayers.

Mayers was on target in the 9th and 18th minutes of the 30 minutes game, while Padmore hit the network in the 14th and 19th minutes. The other gal came off the boot of Jamaal Thom in the 25th minute.

Diamond’s consolation goal was netted by Joel Ross one minute before full time. The competition is set to continue on Saturday at the same venue.

South Africa v West Indies, 4th ODI, Port Elizabeth…

Reshuffled South Africa remain favourites

This series has not been a contest so far.

South Africa have secured three of the more comprehensive victories you will see and West Indies look as though they’d rather be doing anything else than playing cricket. Even the usual effervescent Darren Sammy, who was left out of the third match, has struggled to raise many smiles.

Being hammered for a 31-ball hundred in Johannesburg was a freak performance by a freak cricketer; the way West Indies played in East London was more disheartening to see. There appeared little will to fight it out with the bat, as witnessed by the shots of Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell, and insipidity in the field.

South Africa, though, have played impressive cricket, but despite AB de Villiers’ assertion that no wins are easy they must surely hope to be tested a little more ahead of the World Cup. The middle-order needs some time at the crease and there is set to be some shuffling of the line-up to ensure the likes of David Miller and JP Duminy can benefit.

They will not be fielding a first-choice side with both Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla rested with further rotation likely in the bowling attack. That could create an opportunity for West Indies, but only if they improve immensely from the first three matches. At the moment, a South African second team would beat them.

In the spotlight

This match should give us a chance to look at South Africa’s squad bowlers. There is a chance that the

trio of Wayne Parnell, Kyle Abbott and Aaron Phangiso could all play. The home side appear pretty set on their first-choice attack, but there has to be the expectation that an injury will strike at some stage during the World Cup so they all need to ready at a moment’s notice. Also, one of questions over South Africa’s attack, away from whether they need a specialist fifth bowler, is the death bowling - barely tested in this series - and Parnell and Abbott are other options for that role.

It is slim pickings for West Indies, but Jonathan Carter has actually shown a hint of fight since coming into the middle-order. Given what is happening above him in the order, it may not be a bad idea to elevate him.

Denesh Ramdin certainly seems a place too high at No. 5, while Narsingh Deonarine is not in the World Cup squad.

Teams news

It will be a differentlooking South Africa team. Amla and Steyn are already

confirmed as not being there for this match, while AB de Villiers will hand the keeping gloves to Morne van Wyk, who is not in the World Cup squad but is high on the reserve list should injuries occur although Quinton de Kock is well on track to be fit.

South Africa (possible) 1 Rilee Rossouw, 2 Morne van Wyk (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Farhaan Behardien, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Kyle Abbott, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

It has reached the stage where you suspect changes for West Indies will not make much of a difference and Jason Holder suggested that the same team heavily beaten in East London may get another chance. West Indies 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Narsingh Deonarine, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 6 Jonathan Carter, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Carlos Brathwaite, 9 Jason Holder (capt), 10 Jerome Taylor, 11 Sulieman Benn (Cricinfo)

Cameron welcomes challengers ahead of AGM

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron says he welcomes any challengers to the presidency of the regional cricket body when the WICB hosts its AGM in Jamaica on March 7. Speaking on the Sportsmax cable tv programme earlier this week, Cameron said: “I hope we do have some challengers. I believe if there are persons out there who believe they can do a better job then they should come forward. It is not an easy job. We in the Caribbean take the surrounding things for granted... we have Caricom, we have all the issues that we have together and then you expect to bring together a group of players from different countries and a group of directors...it is just not easy and it presents many challenges,”

Cameron said. He continued: “I don’t necessarily have all the answers, but if somebody believes that they do and the shareholders and directors believe so then by all means....” Cameron said the WICB, under his leadership, had put in place the franchise system and a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with

the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

“The big ticket items for me would be actually getting the MoU in place,” Cameron said. “Yes, it has caused some problems, but like the old adage says ‘you can’t make omelettes unless you break eggs.’ You ask me to ensure that it is not just the same business as usual and so we had to change that a little bit. Getting that in place was critical and also the relationship with the WIPA.”

Asked if based on the recommendation of the WICBappointed Task force, the MoU may come under question, Cameron said: “That MoU is in place. There are items that are being negotiated in terms of payment, but in terms of structure that is in place. We don’t expect that to change.”

continues

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BCCI issues ultimatum to WICB

The BCCI has issued an ultimatum to the WICB, asking the board to furnish the requisite $ 41.97 million as damages borne out of West Indies’ “sudden, arbitrary withdrawal” from the India tour last October. In a letter addressed to WICB president Dave Cameron and the intergovernmental Caribbean community (CARICOM) secretarygeneral Irwin LaRocque, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said that failing to respond within a week from receipt of his letter would force the Indian board to file legal proceedings in Indian courts.

In a two-page letter, a copy of which is in possession of ESPNcricinfo, Patel said that the BCCI had “acquiesced” to the CARICOM request last November which stated the WICB be given a grace period of 40 days to respond to the BCCI’s original claim. Patel had sent that letter on October 31, wherein he had broken the damages into various components. Calling the withdrawal, carried out by Dwayne Bravo and his team after the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, as a “monumental disaster”, Patel asked the WICB to respond within a period of 15 days from the re-

BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel called West Indies’ withdrawal from the tour last year a “monumental disaster”

ceipt of that letter. The BCCI had earlier already said that it had cancelled all future bilateral engagements with West Indies pending resolution to the matter.

“When CARICOM intervened in the dispute and requested BCCI to hold off on its claims for a period of 40 days from the deadline stipulated in its claim letter, the BCCI acquiesced to the same in the hope that an acceptable resolution would be achieved through CARICOM’s able mediation,” Patel wrote in his second letter, dated January 20. “However,

it is with regret that the BCCI finds itself in a position where its expectations have remained wholly unfulfilled, with there being no progress in finding a solution that is acceptable to the BCCI, despite the 40-day time period having long since elapsed.”

LaRocque had sent a letter to Patel on November 14, a day before the original deadline would expire, expressing WICB’s inability to compensate the BCCI and requested more time. But Patel stressed in the letter that even CARICOM would understand the BCCI’s annoyance considering Cameron had failed to present any workable solution. “The BCCI cannot any longer hold off from pursuing its claims against WICB in the appropriate forum being the courts in India. We trust that CARICOM will understand our position,” he wrote.

“If the WICB fails to comply with the requisitions contained in our letter dated 31st October 2014 within a period of 7 days from receipt of this letter, the BCCI shall initiate legal proceedings in the appropriate forum against WICB without further intimation.” (Cricinfo)

Cameron welcomes...

Concerning WI star player Chris Gayle’s recent criticism of the WICB selectors, Cameron said Gayle had been referred to the WICB’s disciplinary committee for his comments. “It has been sent to the committee. I am not sure how quickly they will convene a meeting or if Justice Saunders will just issue a reprimand or whatever the case is, but we do have a policy,” Cameron told Sportsmax. He would not say if WICB chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd, who cautioned the players not to strike while

in India, was influenced by the decision of the players to abandon the ill-fated India tour last year when his panel chose to omit former captain Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the World Cup squad.

“I don’t want to go on record as saying that could have influenced them but as Clive Lloyd was in the room, he pleaded with them not to do what they did. I am not sure how you separate the emotion of that situation with the selectors who were there. If it did play a part, I can’t really

say,” Cameron stated. Further on the abandoned India tour, he said it came down to a management issue. “The challenge was a breakdown in management. At some point we weren’t able to finalise the contracts until late because of the MOU... I think everything is a learning curve. Because the head coach got terminated when he did, the situation as to who was in charge and who was supposed to do what became a little bit blurred and that created some challenges.” (windiescricket)

for

22nd Ricks and Sari Agro

New team, same result for “Fishy”

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Riding for the first time for Team

Evolution, the country’s newest cycling team, Marlon “Fishy” Williams made a successful defence of the Ricks and Sari Agro Industries feature race on Saturday at the inner circuit of the National Park.

It was a case of new team, same result for Williams, who proved that he means business in 2015, starting the year with an emphatic win in the feature 35-lap School Boys and Novices race, which he also won last year.

The former Roraima Bikers Club cyclist sprinted away from his opponents on the final lap to win in a time of one hour, 20 minutes, 11 seconds to start the season on a positive note.

His former clubmate Alanzo Greaves finished second, followed by Hamzah Eastman in third, and Mark Harris, Alonzo Ambrose and Christopher Griffith in that order.

Greaves and Ambrose copped two prime prizes each, while there was one each for Jamal John, Junior Niles, Harris and Michael Anthony.

The season started off with the 12-14 Boys and Girls race with Rakem Blair chalking up the first victory of 2015, winning ahead of Daniel Periera. Niles won the Veterans Under-50 ahead

of Shameer Baksh and Jaikaran Sookhai, while Linden Blackman and Wilfred Thom carted off the Veterans Over-50 and Over-60 titles respectively.

Berbician Romello Crawford took top honours in the Juveniles race, as Jamal John had to settle for second and Christopher Griffith third. Seon Budhan won the Mountain Bikes category, while Christopher Goring, Esau Jaisingh and Jessica Mohabir were 1-2-3 in the BMX 6-9 Open.

Sherwin Sampson continued from where left off in 2014 by winning both the BMX Boys 9-12 and 12-

14, with Jonathon Jagdeo and Karim Anthony rounding off the top three in the 9-12 and Thuran Garbarran and Adeala Hodge completing the top podium spots in the 12-14.

Ricardo Sharma claimed victory over Damion Sukhdeo in the BMX Boys Open. The outstanding performers received trophies, cash and hampers from representatives of the sponsor, Production Manager Sven D’Oliviera and Accountant Shahzir Ali.

The day’s activities were organised by national cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed, who prom-

ised the riders another packed year of cycling programmes, both at the National Park and on the country’s roadways.

Mohamed revealed that he has two road races and two programmes at the National Park lined up for the month of February, while there will be two “Park” races, and three road races in memory of former president and founder of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Dr Cheddi Jagan, in March.

He also promised in 2015 to surpass the 42 programmes he staged during the past year.

Cricket Ombudsman issues warning...

Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, had told Guyana Times Sport that any decision by the GCB to proceed with elections as recently announced would be illegal if they were held outside of the procedures laid down in the Cricket Administration Act.

According to the Cricket Administration Act (Schedule 1, Section 7), the “elections to the Executive Committee of the GCB in respect of the first elections shall be held in accordance with Section 17 on the date appointed in writing by the Minister acting in consultation with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)”.

Part VII, Section 17 of the Act states that “the Minister, after meaningful consultation with the WICB,

shall be responsible for the appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman, who shall be responsible for the verifica-

GFF recognises service of Referee Instructors

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Thursday paid tribute to three Referee Instructors for their hard work and dedication in the areas of refereeing and referee development in 2014.

Instructors Abdulla Hamid, Ingram Johnson and Trevor Beckles were all recognised for their outstanding work in training and preparing referees accredited to the GFF and FIFA. They were each presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and a monetary reward.

During the brief ceremony, Chairman of the Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling congratulated the Instructors and encouraged them to maintain the high level of commitment and effort in 2015 as they work to improve the capacity of the next generation of Guyanese referees. Urling also indicated that in 2015, Referees’ recruitment, welfare and development will be paramount on the agenda of the GFF and resources will be made available to achieve those objectives.

Endurance Race/ Fun Day to start off GMR&SC season

tion of the Register of Clubs and for performing the functions of Returning Officer for the first elections of the membership”.

Further, Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony wrote to the WICB last week. However, should the Dave Cameron-led body not respond within the stipulated 21 days timeframe, Dr Anthony told this publication on Wednesday last that he would go ahead and set a date for the elections.

At this stage, it is unclear if the incumbent Drubahadur will seek a second term in office.

The AGM and elections are billed for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Pavilion.

The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) will open its season with the staging on an Endurance and Fun Day on February 8, at the South Dakota Circuit.

According to an official from the GMR&SC, the day’s activities will include a two-hour Endurance Race, Dexterity and Reverse races and a Time Attack.

The official added that competitors will be asked to pay $2000 to enter the competition and admission for spectators is $500. Starting time is 11:00 hours. Meanwhile, the Club will be staging its Annual General Meeting on Monday to elect office bearers and incumbent President John Carpenter is tipped to return unopposed.

Golden Jaguars display humanitarian side

Guyana’s flagship football team, the Golden Jaguars, is not all about playing football, but there is a humanitarian side to the team that has brought this nation tremendous glory in the football world.

On Friday, Technical Director Claude Bolton along with three players, Christopher Nurse, Vurlon Mills and Daniel Wilson, held an interactive session with children of the Ruimveldt Children Aid Centre (RCAC).

Organised by Normalisation Committee member, Stuart May, the 45-minute session saw the children going through a number of fun drills led by Bolton.

May informed that the session forms part of the Golden Jaguars Community Outreach Programme with the aim of pushing the excitement of football though the children, as well as some of the disciplines in life through the game.

“Like you can’t expect to become a good footballer unless you practice, unless you train and hopefully help with the idea of nutrition from an early age that if you want to be successful here are the role models, here are the Golden Jaguars, they can watch them train, they can see how they do it and start transferring some of these disciplines to their other aspects of life,” May said.

May also noted that educational pursuits in life also need a high level of discipline being practiced by the children in order for them to succeed. He pointed out that the session was also designed to help the children understand that they too can achieve, regardless of the background they have come from.

“We want to give them the focus to realising

that they are no different and that all of us started somewhere and came up through sport, business or whatever but you have to practice what you do, you have to attention,” he said.

May said sleep is vital for development, noting that with all the various computer games, around including X-box, can be a distraction, explaining that one has to take care of his or herself in order to attain the goals set.

Another Normalisation Committee Member, Dr. Karen Pilgrim, was also on hand to support the initiative.

Nurse encouraged the children to be positive and to never let anyone tell them they cannot achieve what they want to in life, noting that the Golden Jaguars are all ambassadors for Guyana which they represent through the world.

The Ruimveldt Children Aid Centre is an after-school center that provides for the needs of children, drawn from Ruimveldt, Alexander Village and its environs.

Vice-president, Ismay Murray, noted that they have about six programmes that they do at the facility including a feeding every day, recreation on Fridays, psycho-social counselling, literacy and numeracy daily, religious education on Sundays, dancing and music where they children are benefitting from steel pan and guitar lessons compliments of the Tina Insanally Foundation.

Murray noted that they strive to work with the children in the areas they are gifted.

“Next month we will be starting a tiling programme for the women in the area because we have a lot of single parents in the catchment areas and we want to teach them to become independent and

this would be sponsored by GT&T,” she said.

On a daily basis, the Runmveldt Children Aid Center would look after 35

to 50 children and is dependent on donations from organisations and members of the public and over-

seas in order to sustain itself.

Persons desirous of contributing to the center can do so through Administrative Assistant, Gloria Sagon, on telephone number 227-2092.

Cricket Ombudsman issues warning to GCB − says elections illegal

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Cricket Ombudsman, Dr Winston McGowan, on Saturday issued a stern warning to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) as he reiterated that any attempt by that entity to stage elections for several high level offices today would be deemed “invalid.”

Dr McGowan explained that there are laws governing the sport and he will be guided by those laws when the issue of the GCB elections is discussed.

He warned, “There is a law that governs the game now, so going ahead with the elections (today) would not be valid.”

Dr McGowan made it clear that “cricket has become legal now. There is an Act that governs the game so that must be followed”, when he was invited for a comment on the controversial GCB elections by this

newspaper. The GCB elections have been the center of much debate for the past week after the local Board announced that they will proceed, despite the elections being in contravention of the recently-passed Cricket Administration Act 2014.

However, having the required number of members to form a quorum today will

be a bit more difficult for the GCB following Monday’s pronouncement by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) that they will not be attending today’s meeting.

The BCB is one of two county boards to stage their elections so far this year, the other being the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), whose President Fizul Bacchus pointed out that unlike the

BCB, they will be participating in today’s AGM.

According to Bacchus, not only will the ECB attend the GCB’s elections, they will also take part in the electoral process once a quorum is present.

The ECB has been the only legitimate county board which has voted at the GCB’s past two elections.

The BCB had pulled out

of those elections, citing financial mismanagement among other irregularities by the GCB, while the Raj Singh-led faction of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) could not have voted because of a court order that restrained them from operating.

However, from all indications, the situation today will be no different with

the ECB being the only legitimate county board set to take part in the electoral process. The DCB was again restrained from operating after Justice Diana Insanally had granted an injunction on November 27 last, restraining executives from performing functions on behalf of the entity.