Guyana Times Final

AFC has betrayed sugar workers – Ramsammy Granger says

– party joins APNU's call for closure of industry

afraid of Rodney CoI

By Alexis Rodney

Former Commander of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and now Opposition Leader, David Granger said he was not fearful of the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI)into the killing of Dr Walter Rodney, stating that he was on travel duties overseas when the incident occurred.

Granger, the leader of the People’s National Congress (now Reform) under whose administration Rodney was killed, is seen as a key witness in the incident. It was widely alleged that then President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham used GDF Sergeant Gregory Smith to hand Rodney a bomb which exploded in his lap while he was sitting in a car outside the Camp Street Prison.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Granger said the establishment of the Rodney Inquiry may very well be a political move by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to tarnish the reputation of the PNCR, a few years before the general elections.

He deemed the timing of the inquiry’s establishment subtle, pointing out that the government, which has been in office for more than 21years, had previous opportunities to set up the Commission.

Granger said the PPP/C’s decision to establish the inquiry, apart from what has been fed

Lowenfield

to the public, may have stemmed from its realisation that “the tide of public opinion is turning against” the administration.

However, he maintained that he was not afraid of the truth. “What I’m afraid of, however, is a tendentious Commission of Inquiry, which seems to have determined guilt even before evidence has been collected,” he told Guyana Times in the interview.

Granger believes that the alleged plan by the Government to stain the political movement will eventually backfire. “If the Commission of Inquiry does its work, it may arrive at conclusions, which might be contrary to what they (the PPP/C) expect,” Granger said.

In Belgrade

Reflecting on Rodney’s assassination, the retired Brigadier explained that he was on travel duties in Belgrade, Yugoslavia at the time. He said he was made aware of the incident through the news. Granger said the PNCR and now A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) never had any qualms over the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry.

What the coalition is concerned about, he reiterated, was the appointment of GuyaneseTrinidadian Senior Counsel Jairam Seenath, which has been described as contentious. tuRn to PaGE 3

Caribbean countries can tap IDB US$8M initiative

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has launched the 2014 call for proposals of the Initiative for the Promotion of Regional Public Goods in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The initiative is based on the premise that the countries of the region share challenges or opportunities for development that can be addressed or seized upon more effectively and efficiently by means of regional cooperation.

In 2014, the initiative will provide up to US$8 million in grants to finance regional public goods (RPGs) that are produced collectively by a group of IDB borrowing member countries.

Even though the initiative is open to the promotion of RPGs in any development area covered by the IDB, alignment with the IDB’s operational priorities is a selection criterion.

The other two selection criteria are the value added of a regional (vs national) approach to addressing a development challenge or opportunity, and the pros-

pects of sustaining the benefits of regional collective action beyond the support of the Initiative.

The initiative is the bank’s most prominent grant instrument to support intra-regional cooperation and the collective design of development solutions in LAC. Demand for its resources has intensified in tandem with the increasing importance of multi or bilateral South-South cooperation (SSC) in the development agenda of most LAC countries.

The interest in SSC among the bank´s borrowing members is a reflection of the fact that the region is a source of innovative development solutions that can be shared and replicated by other countries in LAC and in other parts of the developing world.

Since 2004, the RPG initiative has financed 92 projects, investing a total of US$73 million in promoting RPGs. An additional 13 projects for US$10 million selected under the 2013 CFP are in the last stage of the approval process.

All proposals must be presented in accordance with the call for proposals guidelines and must be submitted online before April 24.

Meanwhile, in another initiative, the bank is urging Caribbean countries to participate in a project that would finance projects and research studies to improve financial and private sector development policies in the region. The IDB said on Monday that the deadline for receiving proposals for the initiative being undertaken in collaboration with the Spanish General Trust Fund is May 15.

Financial risk management

The IDB said that proposals should be for activities that fund specific interventions aimed at improving financial risk management in the agricultural sector in order to reduce price volatility, improve productive capacities and fiscal stability.

“These may include activities related to derivative market development, portfolio insurance, credit scoring techniques for rural and public banks, agricultural value chain financing schemes, among others,” it said noting that at least Euro 100,000 (US$131,237) would be provided for “activity grants” for implementation of activities that include impact evaluation methods and generate lessons learned.

The IDB said that research grants of Euro 20,000 (US$26,250) would go towards diagnostics, impact evaluations, comparative studies or case studies, and other applied research leading to policy recommendations.

“Projects will be evaluated on innovativeness, ability to generate and empirically document impact, and overall quality of the proposal. The IDB will publish the results of the MAP grants as part of its research publications. Ideally, activities and research grants will be implemented in less than one year,” it said.

Packed programme planned for Easter, Phagwah holidays

The Tourism Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority are encouraging all to join in the exciting and exhilarating line up of activities planned for Phagwah and Easter 2014.

From participating in traditional kite flying in the National Park and along the Seawall, travelling to partake in the adrenaline-filled Easter Rodeo in Lethem, enjoying the grand Phagwah celebrations across the country or taking the ride of a lifetime on the world renowned Pakaraima Safari, all are assured of having a grand time during the upcoming holidays.

For many Guyanese, their activity of choice varies during this period; where some prefer to bask in the religious nuances of the occasion, others prefer to relish in the revelry and excitement surrounding all of the fun-filled events that are staged across the country during Phagwah and Easter.

Whatever the choice, this celebratory period will be littered with a multitude of events stretching from Berbice to the Brazilian border; each expected to attract thousands from at home and across the ocean.

This electrifying period commences with a Phagwah Bazaar on March 8, a Grand Phagwah Mela on March 17, followed by the Pakaraima Mountain Safari from April 12-20, Rupununi Rodeo on April 20 to 21, and the ever popular Bartica Regatta with its impressive line up of activities beginning on April 19 to 20.

Additionally, there will be a grand three-day concert titled “Bollywood, Live with the Stars” on March 21 at Tuschen Sports Club, March 22 at Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) and March 23 at Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, Berbice.

All of the activities will culminate on Easter Day, Monday April 21, when the skies over the city will be adorned with kites of all shapes, colours and themes expertly navigated by the thousands of Guyanese; activities also include kite flying at Number 63 Beach.

With such an impressive itinerary, it is anticipated that the next few weeks will see an influx of visitors, particularly with the country’s largest Rodeo looming.

Easter weekend in Rupununi sees the annual rodeo, a popular national event being staged in vaquero country, as competition runs high among the various ranches of the region. Now a popular national event, the rodeo brings thousands thronging to the destination, by planes, cars, or 4x4 trucks.

Opportune time

According to GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh, this period is an opportune time for Guyanese to explore all the country has to offer.

“We always advocate for more domestic tourism and for more Guyanese to travel the length and breadth of their country. Here we have the Phagwah/Easter period filled with dozens of activities

across the country and we are encouraging persons to visit these places, experience local culture and seize the opportunity to get to know Guyana,” Haralsingh encouraged.

In their bid to provide even more persons with the opportunity to experience Easter Rodeo, several tour companies are offering special packages from as low as (US$250) $50,000! These include Dagron Tours and Adventure Guianas; persons interested in the Dagron Tours can call 223-7921 and those for the Adventure Guianas, 2274713 for further details.

Whatever the choice, regardless of the preference, one thing is guaranteed; Guyana is the destination of choice for the upcoming period and visitors and locals should be prepared to be swept up in the flurry of activities planned to commemorate the cherished occasions of Phagwah and Easter.

Wanted bulletin issued for Cuyuni murder suspect

The Guyana Police Force on Wednesday issued a wanted bulleting for Natton Anthony Stoute of Helena, Number Two, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara for questioning in relation to the murder of Bibi Shaneeza Bhola.

The murder took place on February 26 at Rock Creek, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

Stoute, who is of mixed race, is one of two men, who were last seen at the woman’s shop at Rock Creek.

The wanted bulletin comes almost one week after Crime

Chief Seelall Persaud revealed that police are in possession of surveillance footage of the murder suspects.

Stoute and another are believed to have left the area after robbing and stabbing the woman to death.

Bhola, 35, of Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was on Thursday last found dead in her shop at Rock Creek, Cuyuni River.

Based on reports, Bhola operates a shop in the area, and about 02:30h on Thursday morning, a relative left the premises after the woman closed the business place.

Investigations revealed that the relative went back to the woman’s shop later in the morning where he recognised that the door was locked from the outside and thought that something was amiss.

The relative upon gaining

entry into the house; saw the woman’s motionless body. Her abdomen bore a stab wound. When checks were made for the two tenants, there were no signs of them and their belongings. It is believed that the men carted off cash, jewellery and other valuables items.

The woman operated the shop while her husband worked in a mining camp. Her husband was not around at the time of the incident, but was later contacted. The woman leaves to mourn her husband and two children.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Stoute is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-1333, 225-8196, 225-2722, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with confidentiality, the police said.

Lowenfield is new Chief Elections Officer

– after Benn withdraws application

Keith Lowenfield, a former Guyana Defence Force Officer, was unanimously appointed Chief Elections Officer on Wednesday, replacing Gocool Boodhoo who was let go by the Elections Commission when his contract expired nearly two years ago.

The substantive Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Calvin Benn, who had also applied for the post, earlier this week withdrew his application, virtually clearing the way for Lowenfield. In a statement, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) said Benn was not interviewed because he tendered a letter dated March 10, 2014, regretfully informing the entity that he was no longer interested in the post and, by way of said letter, was withdrawing his application for the post. “Benn submitted in his letter that he had engaged in some serious reflection during a recent period of illness and has concluded that it would be unwise for him to compete for the position of Chief Election Officer,” the GECOM statement read. Further, he also expressed regrets to the

Commission for any inconvenience which might have been caused by his change of heart.

GECOM said its full membership on Wednesday “decided unanimously to the appointment of Mr Keith Lowenfield to the position of Chief Elections Officer and Commissioner of National Registration”. The decision was taken at a special meeting of GECOM in the Commission’s Boardroom.

T he Commission’s decision has brought to an end a very lengthy and meticulous process: (i) advertising the vacancy locally and overseas; (ii) shortlisting suitable candidates from the 14 applications received; (iii) determining procedures for the interviews; and (iv) conducting the interviews, GECOM said in its statement.

Of the 14 applications received, four were deemed by the Commission to have met the criteria and were shortlisted to be interviewed. They were from Danville Davidson of Jamaica; Savitri Singh of Washington, U.S.A.; Benn; and Lowenfield. Davidson and Singh were interviewed via Skype.

Well wishes

Immediately following the Commission’s decision, Lowenfield was summoned to the meeting and was informed accordingly. GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally took the opportunity to congratulate Lowenfield on being appointed to head the Commission’s Secretariat and expressed his confidence in his ability to honour the respon-

Granger says not afraid...

Jairam, along with Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Chairman of the Commission, Richard Cheltenham, was sworn in before President Donald Ramotar on February 24, to examine the facts surrounding the death of the late Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Co- Founder. The party’s claim surrounds Jairam’s apparent ties with the PPP/C, since he was among the key players in a recent matter involving the government. Granger said his presence on the Commission would be prejudicial.

Like the WPA, the PNCR has also raised concerns about sections of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the Inquiry Commission. Granger zoomed in on ToR Number Four, which directs the Commission “to examine the

sibilities of the position of Chief Election Officer, the GECOM statement read. “All of the Commissioners also took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Lowenfield and wish him well in his new position,” the statement added.

Responding to the sentiments expressed by Dr Surujbally and the Commissioners, Lowenfield thanked them individually and collectively for the confidence that the Commission has placed in him through its decision to appoint him to the position. In so doing, he undertook to carry out the relevant duties to the best of his abilities without fear, favour, and discrimination, the GECOM statement said.

Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) congratulated Lowenfield even before GECOM made an official announcement of his appointment. “APNU is confident that during Mr Lowenfield’s tenure as Chief Elections Officer, there will be noncontroversial and properly administered elections,” the opposition coalition said in a terse statement.

from front page

report on the actions and activities of the State, such as, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the National Service…. To determine if they were tasked with the surveillance of and carrying out of actions, and whether they did execute those tasks and carried out those actions against the Political Opposition, for the Period January 1, 1978 to December 31, 1980”. He said the content is very much unfair and prejudicial as it suggests that persons within the disciplined forces at that time were involved in Rodney’s assassination. The APNU leader explained that the ToRs should be primarily concerned with finding out the truth about Rodney’s intention during the time he died.

Asked if the party has received an invitation from the Secretariat to par-

ticipate in the investigation, Granger responded in the negative; however, the party was invited to meet with the Commissioners. He pointed out that if there was no redress of the ToRs, the party will recluse itself from participating in any way in the inquiry. President Ramotar had told the gathering at the swearing-in ceremony at the Office of the President that the main reason behind the establishment of the Commission was the requests made by the political activist’s widow, Patricia Rodney, other individuals, and organisations. It was also noted that the then ruling PNC under the stewardship of the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was fingered as the mastermind behind the bomb blast that killed the educator, an allegation that was denied by the political party.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Marketing rice

With the “Spring” rice harvest in full swing after last year’s record breaking 500,000 plus tonne production, there are now frantic efforts to find markets for the approximately 200,000 tonnes beyond the 200,000 tonnes that we are shipping to Venezuela. In addition to the efforts of private exporters, the export of Guyana’s rice was spearheaded by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) which should be answering questions as to why farmers are once again being forced to sell their paddy at below the break-even price of $3500 per bag.

Starting in 1994, there was a levy of $1200 on every tonne of rice exported and this sum went directly to the GRDB – in addition to various fees and licences that it collects and charges players in the industry. Last year, therefore, this entity must have collected more than $500 million to develop the industry. The question we pose is, “How much of this half-a-billion dollars went toward securing new markets after it was clear for the past few years that the industry has been on a roller coaster, as far as prices were concerned because of limited marketing outlets?”

Marketing of rice was supposed to be on the agenda ever since we lost the preferred EU markets by 2008. We shall not even mention the compensatory funds for the EU to prepare us for that eventuality. How much of those funds went into marketing? In retrospect, the opening up of the Venezuelan market for our rice and paddy saved the industry from a catastrophic implosion. This rescue act was not as a result of the GRDB’s effort, but of former President Bharrat Jagdeo who personally met and negotiated the deal with then President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela.

Under the arrangement, some of the funds we owe Venezuela for our oil imports on concessionary terms under PetroCaribe are used to pay the local farmers and millers that supply the paddy and rice shipped. In essence, this is an oil-for-rice barter arrangement that is a win-win proposition for both countries. Contrary to what has been floated, with the precarious food situation in Venezuela, it is unlikely the arrangement will be discontinued anytime soon, even if – in a very unlikely scenario – the Venezuelan Opposition were to seize power. There is also the quite considerable sum we would still owe Venezuela for oil already supplied.

But the need to market our rice and smooth out the volatility in paddy and rice prices cannot be dealt with in a passive manner. There has to be an overarching plan. Unfortunately, even though the GRDB’s website mentions a “2012-2022 Strategic Plan”, which presumably would have dealt with this issue, among others, like all the other headings, this one is bereft of data.

In the meantime, it would appear that the millers and other private exporters will have to step up to the crease until the GRDB assumes some sort of focus. It was therefore heartening to learn that a 50,000 tonne contract was, in fact, recently inked via this route. Maybe the $1200 per tonne levy ought to be waived for this shipment.

But there is also another arrow in the quiver of the government through which we might be able to market our rice: our embassies abroad. Ever since the beginning of the present state system and the exchange of ambassadors, the selling of their nation’s products has been one of the primary functions of ambassadorial offices. The local U.S. Embassy, for instance, is constantly hocking their goods in this tiny country. What exactly are our diplomatic officers doing abroad when it comes to selling our products in general and rice in particular?

The Foreign Service has also for over a year been “executing” a diaspora programme funded by the International Office for Migration. Have they located any strategically positioned Guyanese abroad that might market our rice?

We have to do right by rice.

APNU’s wicked plan to close the sugar industry

Dear Editor,

The party that promotes blackmail and blacklisting as a model for development and as a way forward for Guyana – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – has now come out with another wild assault on our country, on sugar workers and on the sugar industry. They now want Guyana to end sugar. They want us to grow tilapia in the sugar cane fields.

Let me state that we will continue to build the sugar industry to be a lead industry in our country and we will work with the sugar workers to ensure that their industry continues to provide employment and economic and social gains for our people and our country. At the same time, we will build an aquaculture industry that will provide additional opportunities for our people to prosper.

Let me be unequivocally clear – APNU’s call to close the sugar industry is dead wrong. APNU’s plan to close the sugar industry is wicked and it is a plan of a party that has no moral right to even ask the people for the right to be the government one day.

APNU must recognise that it is this kind of reprehensible plan to punish people that it has never been able to win an election in Guyana. It is the reason why APNU and its main partner, the People’s National Congress (PNC), must depend on rigged elections, backdoor methods and blackmail to become the government. It happened in the 1960s. It will not happen again because the people of Guyana will never be fooled again.

As it has done before, APNU once again is threatening to close the sugar industry

of Guyana. In its latest attack on the sugar industry, APNU outlined its plan for Guyana’s development and that plan is plain as day – close down the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Should they be given a chance to govern, they will close the sugar industry and replace it with an aquaculture industry. They made it very clear in a press conference that it would make better sense to grow tilapia than to produce sugar. APNU’s model for development is to exchange sugar for tilapia. The government’s plan is sugar and tilapia.

Not the first time APNU, through its spokespersons Joe Harmon, a front bench Member of Parliament (MP), and Anthony Vieira, a former front PNC bencher, at an official APNU media conference, called for the closure of GuySuCo. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that APNU has called for the closure of the sugar industry.

Just last year, Vieira first described the plan to replace sugar with tilapia. At the time, I had thought it was his usual silly ranting and raving. However, with Harmon, at an official APNU media conference, they confirmed this is their development plan for Guyana: close the sugar industry.

When I mentioned this to many sugar workers, many thought I was joking. It may sound crazy, but unfortunately, APNU is dead serious about their plans. Yet, I am not surprised because APNU and its main partner, the PNC, have a history of being against the sugar industry and the sugar

workers, since they view the sugar industry as a stronghold of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and they have always been anti-sugar workers. They play politics with the sugar industry, instead of protecting the interests of our country and our people.

The truth is that there is a long history of the PNC and now APNU pursuing policies and practices that have been and are anti-sugar workers. They have made no secret that they will close the industry if they have a chance. I reject this notion and I reject this plan. I vehemently reject the position of APNU, not only as Agriculture Minister, but as a citizen of Guyana.

The present assault on the sugar industry is reminiscent of the assault on the industry by the PNC Government in the late 1980s when they began the preparation to privatise the sugar industry. It’s an ugly truth that Harmon, Vieira, Carl Greenidge and others in APNU and Alliance For Change (AFC) want the nation to ignore and forget.

In order to complete the privatisation of the industry, the PNC Government in 1989 gave Bookers-Tate an expensive management contract to manage the industry and prepare it for divestment under a World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Economic Reconstruction Programme (ERP). This preposterous plan in the late 1980s by the PNC is now surpassed by the idiocy of their present plan to replace sugar with tilapia.

I would like David Granger to deny that this is APNU’s idea of development in Guyana

and that this is their plan for the sugar industry. I would like to hear the position of the AFC. The truth is each time the PPP/C tries to financially support GuySuCo, they have tried to stop our efforts. Yet they have the audacity to say the PPP/C Government has starved the industry. Indeed, the PPP/C Government has provided more financial support to the sugar industry than the European Union (EU) has provided in budgetary support on the supporting action for sugar.

The announcement that APNU is calling on the PPP/C Government to close the sugar industry and replace it with tilapia might sound as a joke to many people listening. But APNU is dead serious in advocating the closure of the sugar industry in Guyana. Since the PPP/C took office in 1992, APNU’s main partner, the PNC, have on several occasions called for the closure of the Demerara sugar estates. My position as a PPP/C Cabinet Member and as a citizen of Guyana has always mirrored the position of the PPP/C that sugar’s future in Guyana is assured and that GuySuCo will continue to play a significant role in securing Guyana’s future. I am convinced that the best days for the sugar industry are ahead of us.

I concede that there are serious challenges confronting the industry, and I am aware that the industry has performed poorly in recent years, but I strongly dismiss and I unequivocally reject the claims by some, particularly those in APNU and the AFC, that sugar is dead in Guyana.

Continue on page 5

Small minds and poor journalism

Dear Editor,

I refer to Freddie Kissoon’s recent column titled, “Small minds pursue Singh, not Judy Lutchman”. Kudos for highlighting a growing deficiency in Guyana’s media: the use of journalism to guise political bias.

I noted the extensive coverage offered by the Stabroek News regarding the accident involving Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Mash Day. Some of the dailies carried a small, one day report on the issue.

But Stabroek News had a prominently placed article of the accident for almost every day for a week following the accident. Suffice to say, that there was not much “news” value to those articles.

It became clear to many that there must have been a personal vendetta by the reporter and/or publication against the Minister. Inews. com was probably the first to break the story. As a “journalist” I would expect that the comment sections are perused to gain insightful feedback on the story, even if a reporter is from a competing media house.

In the Inews comments on Facebook, someone alleged that fellow Parliamentarian

and Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan was also in an accident the same night!

Any reporter worth their salt would contact the man on Facebook who wrote the comment and follow up. Instead, Stabroek News thought it best to engage in lazy journalism and spend time regurgitating the same story for a week, instead of following a potential lead that was right in their face!

I would have gone to Durey Lane and Middleton streets, where the accident allegedly involving Ramjattan took place. There I would have asked around about the accident. I would have been informed that a vehicle was in fact in an accident in which the driver, who is a parliamentarian, hit another car in which two persons were injured and their car damaged. I would have uncovered that this parliamentarian also attempted to escape into his car to flee the scene but was stopped by one of the several bystanders who witnessed the accident and demanded that he pay for the damages incurred.

I would have discovered that the car (number given) was fixed by a body work-

shop and the damage so extensive to the right side of the car that it took the body workshop more than a week to fix. The car was finally released on March 5.

I would have checked with the local police station to see if a report was filed and if there wasn’t a report, well one can only assume that, just like the Minister, the persons hit by the parliamentarian was also paid off!

So how can Stabroek News report on just the Minister’s accident, and him as being “above the law” and beat the story to a pulp, when another parliamentarian reportedly was in a similar accident, just corners away, on the same night, for the same reason, also paid for the damages and did not report the accident to the police?

I am not going to comment on the Minister’s actions that night as it is already addressed through his lawyer. What I hope to highlight is that the media have a responsibility, just like the government officials they report on, to be fair and judicious in the execution of their jobs.

Sincerely,

T Henry Williams

APNU’s wicked plan...

I believe that 2014 will begin to reverse the recent poor performances and demonstrate that sugar is not only a viable industry, but that it is capable of being a lead industry again. Each time, during the last three years when the weather was reasonably good, GuySuCo’s production demonstrated glimpses of success. For example, in the last two full weeks of operation, GuySuCo has produced almost 18,000 tons of sugar.

The PNC/APNU and some of its bitter partners have peddled the lie that the PPP/C inherited a successful sugar industry and have mismanaged the industry to the point of destruction. I dismiss this lie and this myth that dishonest politicians and commentators are trying to promote.

The PPP/C did not inherit a thriving sugar industry. Rather the PPP/C Government inherited a dying industry, a broken industry in which every aspect of the sugar industry, from fields to factories, was in a dismal, dilapidated and neglected state.

The PNC inherited a sugar industry, which in the 1960s, routinely produced greater than 300,000 tons of sugar. But this production efficiency began to deteriorate and production fell to a low of 131,999 tons by 1991. The PNC cannot deny or hide the truth: they took the resources of the sugar industry and squandered it on failed ventures and mismanagement. The PNC’s sugar levy raped the industry and left it as a failed industry by 1991.

The PPP/C Government ended all efforts to privatise the industry. We ended any thought of closing the

Demerara sugar estates, one of the goals of the privatisation efforts. Under the PPP/C government, production increased from the 131,000 tons in 1991 to surpass 300,000 tons by 2002.

Under the PPP/C government, we have restored production and have surpassed 250,000 tons 13 times in the last 20 years, and three times surpassed 300,000 tons. But we knew production above 300,000 tons could not be sustained unless critical reconfiguration of the sugar industry is undertaken.

We have been doing such reconfiguration and this still requires more time. But the reconfiguration will prepare GuySuCo to again routinely produce more than 300,000 tons and to reach 400,000 tons by 2020.

New circumstances, such as reduced sugar price, climate change, dwindling labour pools, more expensive equipment and supplies that the sugar industry faced in the 1990s and up to now have killed many sugar industries around the world. In the Caribbean Community (Caricom), St Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago have all ended sugar. Jamaica, Cuba and other countries have down-sized sugar. In Guyana, we face the same enormous challenges. But instead of lamenting the changing circumstances and being overwhelmed, we have boldly embraced the challenges and seized opportunities. The experience has been painful and the set-backs frustrating. But we have also not been devoured by confronting the challenges.

The community knew of Andy’s plight and did nothing

Dear Editor, I woke up the other day to a haunting photograph that would remain with me for the rest of my life. I make mention of the lad, Andy Motie, whose life was snuffed out of him when he was crushed to death by a motor lorry. Tears flowed from my eyes as I looked at that mangled body of a youngster, who just did not get the opportunity to live a normal life.

According to most of us, he was a nobody, one who would hang around the village doing odd jobs for people who would underpay him or maybe don’t pay him at all. Some might opt for the easier humanitarian route in giving him a meal, but nothing in the line of seeing that Andy went to school, played with his friends or saw to it that he got a proper place to sleep at nights – basic needs for another human being.

The reality is that Andy was a nobody – one who lived a horrible life and died an equally horrible death.

From page 4

The truth is there is a silver lining and we will succeed in reaching our goal and sustaining production at over 400,000 tons per year. The success of sugar in the future has nothing to do with the gloom and doom of the enemies of the industry, but depend on our most valuable asset – those persons who toil day by day in the sugar industry, the employees of GuySuCo.

In these difficult times, when challenges seem more than opportunities some may feel the need to savagely attack our efforts. But the workers and managers have been sticking to the task at hand – reconfiguration of the industry for another century of leading the economic growth of Guyana.

I am, therefore, offended by the plan of APNU to close the sugar industry and I call on all Guyanese, particularly those in the sugar estates, to reject the blackmail politics of APNU and let them know that we will stick together in solidarity to ensure they will never have the chance to close the sugar industry of Guyana.

I salute the workers of Guyana and I salute the young Guyanese, who with deficits in experience, but with a strong sense of commitment, have been managing the industry in these difficult times. Make no mistake though that our best days are ahead of us and sugar, like it did before, will secure a beautiful and sweet future for Guyana and Guyanese.

Respectfully, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Agriculture Minister

Now that he is dead, the blame game begins. Many blame the truck driver for brutally crushing him to death and protest for him to be charged. Personally, I would not be so judgmental. I would hold him guilty many times over if he knew there was a sleeping lad under his truck and recklessly got into his vehicle and drove off without waking him up.

But I doubt this was the case, I don’t believe that the truck driver was that heartless. All of the above are likely possibilities, but like I said, this is certainly an accident for which that truck driver would say if I had known, this would not have happened.

However, I would reserve my scathing rebuke for the people of the community who knew of the lad’s plight and never reported it to the relevant social services representatives. They never did. Their primary objective was to exploit a seemingly wayward teen.

Instead of seeing to it that he got help from the relevant authorities, they were busy exploiting the youngster. It exposes the depravity of the people of that community, they have lost their moral compass, and they have no soul. They should hang their heads in shame of what became of this lad, somebody’s child, a fellow human being.

Andy might have died in seclusion alone crushed to death under a truck where he sought a warm comfort at nights, but his death is not that of a nobody. He was somebody, abandoned by all of us who knew better.

Andy was one who never had the opportunity to have a normal life because we let it happen. Nevertheless, he will be remembered by an all-seeing God. The great God of the universe saw when he died and would mark his grave on that great day.

Sincerely, Neil

Adams

Page Foundation

Travelling solo or with a partner or even a group of friends is easy compared to travelling with little children. Juliana Shallcross, managing editor of HotelChatter.com and VegasChatter.com doles out her tips for flying with babies and toddlers, of which she currently has one of each.

For a lot of us, flying is one of the most nervewracking things to do in these modern times. But flying with a baby is a hundred times harder than flying alone. First, there’s the gear that you have to bring. Then, there’s the limited space issues. And then, there’s the baby itself. Will she or he sleep? Will she or he cry? Will your seat mates understand or just give you dirty looks? Worst of all, you can’t even take your usual Xanax or down two glasses of wine before the flight takes off because you need to be fully “in the zone” to deal with whatever may happen during the flight. And I used a sports saying here because that is pretty much how I approach flying with children now. I even dress the part, wearing workout gear such as stretchy black pants, sneakers and a hooded sweatshirt with pockets.

In the past year, I’ve made a total of three trans-

continental trips with two babies and three short jaunts from Los Angeles to San Francisco. While the California flights are much easier to get through because they are shorter, they are no less nerve-wracking. Here are some tips for flying with babies and toddlers, that I’ve learned over the past two and a half years.

Pack what you need and then some I once heard about a family with a baby getting stuck on the tarmac and running out of milk and diapers and ever since then, I’ve always packed enough food, snacks, toys and diapers in case we get delayed either coming or going. Yes, this will make your diaper bag bulkier and heavier than you’d like but do you want to hold a screaming baby with an overflowing wet diaper on the tarmac? No, didn’t think so. This reminds me, you should also pack an extra pair of clothes, especially if you have a toddler as there will be at least one major spill while in-flight.

Bring a dish towel

Speaking of spills, when I first started flying with a baby, I would bring not just my own big pack of baby wipes but also a few sheets of paper towels in case of major spillage and/or blowouts. (Not the straight hair kind.) But I’ve since upped my game and I carry a dish towel from my kitchen. It proved especially useful on our last flight from New Jersey to Los Angeles when my two and a halfyear-old threw up yogurt-

say, when I was done scrubbing and san itising the rug, the spot where she threw up was sparkling clean compared to the rest of our row.

Buy extra legroom

If you can afford it, buy the extra legroom. It makes holding a lap child so much more comfortable. Not to mention, there’s more room on the ground for your bulky diaper bag. You can even lay the baby down on the ground too (with a blankie down first.) And while by

pecially if it’s a long- er flight. That way they can sit in their own seat, play with their toys, and if you’re lucky, take a nap.

Charge up your gadgets before the flight

You might be able to survive if your cellphone or tablet is on low battery life during a flight because you can always read a magazine or watch what’s on TV. But for a toddler, you better have that iPad or smartphone or even old-school portable DVD player charged to its full capacity before the flight.

covered blueberries just before landing. Don’t worry, Virgin America gave us a special biohazard kit so that we could clean up the mess on our own. I have to

airline regulations, children are allowed to sit on your lap until they are two years old, we suggest buying a seat for your child if they are over one and a half years old, es-

Get your gate-check tickets first

After you make it through security, go right to the gate and get your gate-check tickets for your stroller or car seats or both. Then let the kiddos burn off all their excess energy. As for what to check and what to gate-check, I still haven’t found the magic combination. But usually, I gatecheck at least one stroller and then regular check the car seats.

(Some parents fly with car seats but I haven’t done that as I dread having to lug the car seat through security.)

You don’t have to board at family boarding

After first class and priority boarding, airlines typically give families the chance to board before the rest of the plane. This is great because it gives you access to the overheard compartments and gives you a chance to get all settled in without feeling hurried. However, if you’ve got a squirmy baby or an overactive toddler, boarding before the rest of the plane just means you have to sit in a tight space with a baby for a little bit longer. Depending on your child, you may want to wait until the last possible moment to board.

Feed the baby on takeoff and landing

This is a tried and true tip for flying with babies. Make sure to breastfeed the baby or give them a bottle of milk or a sippy cup of water at takeoff and landing to help their small ears adjust to the plane pressure. And anytime you notice the pressure getting rough on your own ears, be sure to give the baby something as well –whether it be the bottle, boob, sippy cup or pacifier.

Bring both toys and treats I usually buy the girls small little toys before our trip and break them out on the plane. For my toddler, on our most recent flight, it was a My Little Pony horse and one of those invisible marker books. For the baby, it was a new electronic baby book. But a plane ride is also a great time to break out some special treats like lollipops. Regardless of how you feel about sweets during your everyday life, a lollipop is perfect for toddlers on an airplane. We’ve saved ourselves and the rest of the plane from epic meltdowns by giving the toddler a lollipop. In fact, the first time she ever had a lollipop was on descent into Los Angeles last fall. She went from screaming and crying, “No seatbelt, no seatbelt!” to telling everyone around us “I have a lollipop! I have a pink lollipop!” in just a matter of seconds. In fact, nowadays, the only time she ever has lollipops is on the airplane. And for when she goes [number two] on the potty. But that’s another story entirely. (jaunted.com)

Sugar industry can be saved – GAWU

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) believes that the ailing sugar industry here could be rescued, but it must be given sound professional leadership, which is badly lacking.

The union also said that the recommendation put forward by the opposition to stop the bleeding of the industry may not have been well thoughtout as it does not look at how a shutdown will impact the lives and livelihoods of more than 16,000 people.

In a statement on the renewed calls by A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) for the country to exit the industry, GAWU said a turnaround in the industry’s fortunes can be achieved with the appointment of a new Board of Directors with an able chairman. Professional leadership, the union said, is a crucial element needed for the industry. “With such measures, in addition to others, we see no reason why the industry’s output in under three years’ time cannot be once again significant and the industry becoming viable,” GAWU said, noting that between 1992 and 2004, the industry demonstrated its resilience and ability to come out of the doldrums.

Peak periods

In making its case for the saving of the industry, GAWU said during its peak periods the sugar industry employs approximately 16,000 workers in addition to facilitating about 1500 cane farmers. “One way or another, tens of thousands of Guyanese depend on the industry’s operations. It is the nation’s largest net foreign exchange earner and a large proportion of the industry’s multibillion-dollar revenue is circulated locally thus enhancing many business enterprises.”

The union further pointed out that many villages and communities in close proximity of sugar estates also depend heavily on the industry’s expansive drainage network. From this standpoint, the union is calling on the coalition to reconsider its position, emphasising that the livelihoods of the sugar workers and, by extension, their families should be seriously considered. GAWU expressed the hope that the political party changes its approach to one that is more positive, which would help to create a positive environment that

would help the industry to return to its glorious days, thereby fostering socio-economic development.

It was People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive Member Anthony Vieira, who suggested on Tuesday a switch from sugar to ethanol and/or aquaculture, considering the challenges facing the industry. But, according to GAWU, Vieira’s position on the industry is one of major contradiction. Although the former Member of Parliament of PNCR, the major partner in the opposition coalition, had thrown in his support for the production of ethanol as against sugar, he opined that Guyana would not be able to competitively produce the former. Therefore, the union is asking, “Why must we plunge into ethanol, which would require capitalisation and then back out of it shortly afterwards because it (ethanol) would not be competitive?”

Shelved programmes

Further, GAWU is asking why the sugar industry should be purposefully destroyed or drastically miniaturised and replaced by aquaculture. While acknowledging that aquaculture can aid in boosting Guyana’s economy, the union remains firm on the position that it should not be done at the cost of the sugar industry. In addition to calling for a shift from the production of sugar to ethanol and/or aquaculture, APNU had also accused the Agriculture Ministry of starving the industry.

GAWU explained that since the arbitrary 36 per cent price cut in 2006 for sugar sold to the European Union (EU), the industry’s challenges had became real. It was only one year after that the EU Accompanying

Measures was implemented with the disbursement of support funds to the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) sugar-producing countries, including Guyana. The toll of the price cut on the sugar industry was significant.

“Factories have been starved of important and costly components, certain field operations and infrastructural work have had to be shelved or only partly undertaken. This and other related factors saw lower sugar production and inadequate yields of canes per hectare,” GAWU explained.

Records show that EU funding from the price cut started in 2007, with Guyana receiving €91.5 million (G$21.5) billion from 2007 to 2011. For the years 2012 and 2013, the disbursements are said to have been about €45 million (G$10 billion).

“It is the understanding of the union that only a small portion of the total disbursements had been received by the sugar industry for the financing of the Enmore Packaging Plant and a few budgetary support,” GAWU said, arguing that all the disbursements be fully released to the sugar industry.

This move will prevent the industry’s capitalisation and field programmes from declining, thereby putting a brake on the industry’s deterioration. “GAWU, therefore, renews this call for the exclusive use of the EU disbursements to contribute to sugar’s recovery and also additional support.”

APNU has apparently gained the support of the Alliance For Change (AFC) on its call to exit the industry.

Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday said the opposition’s position on the sugar industry is irresponsible. “They are thinking about putting some 17,000 to 20,000 people directly out of employment, and they will be affecting also indirectly thousands of other people who depend on the sugar industry for a living.” He said too that the support his government is giving to GuySuCo is, in some way, “payback” because the corporation for many years had been subsidising the price of sugar for local consumers. President Ramotar stated that for more than a century GuySuCo has been instrumental in keeping the cost of living down in the country.

thursDay, march 13, 2014|

Caricom Heads set up advisory task force on climate change

– Ramotar lauds work of Climate Change Centre

President Donald Ramotar lauded the work of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCC) during his address to the 25th intersessional Caricom Heads of Government meeting at the Buccament Bay Resort, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The leaders agreed to establish a Caricom Climate Change Task Force to provide guidance to Caribbean climate change negotiators, their Ministers and the region’s political leaders. The CCCCC, along with the Caricom Secretariat has been tasked with setting up the task force and facilitating its work.

Guyana has been playing a lead role with regards to climate change, and priority projects on adaptation are outlined within its visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which seeks to address the effects of climate change while si-

multaneously encouraging economic development.

The Caricom heads also reaffirmed the mandate of the CCCCC, to develop in partnership with member states, a portfolio of bankable projects eligible for climate financing and which is to be presented to the donor community for support.

The centre is recognised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and other international agencies as the focal point for climate change issues in the Caribbean.

“This is a critical decision by heads at a time when efforts are underway through the UN (United Nations) to have a global climate change agreement by the end of 2015. We need to ensure that as a region, our voices are being heard on this important issue, and not only from our technical people, but from the collective political leadership in the region,” President Ramotar noted.

Global binding agreement

He also re-emphasised the need for a globally binding agreement on climate change. “We have to ensure that we push for a climate change agreement by 2015 which is ambitious in terms of emission reduction targets and providing climate financing,” the head of state said.

He also stressed that, despite the difficulties faced with climate financing and support for adaptation and climate resilience, the region needs to aggressively tap into opportunities that

exist now, while it organises for future possibilities.

The President noted that the CCCCC and Guyana have been working closely since its establishment and closer ties are being developed as part of the LCDS implementation. The CCCCC coordinates the Caribbean region’s response to climate change. Officially opened in August 2005, the centre is the key node for information on climate change issues and on the region’s response to managing and adapting to climate change in the Caribbean, its website states.

On June 8, 2009 former President Bharrat Jagdeo launched the LCDS that outlines Guyana’s vision to promote economic development, while at the same time combating climate change. A revised version was published on May 24, 2010 and subsequently the LCDS update was launched in March 2013. Major efforts have been taken to build the country’s capacity to adapt to the anticipated impacts of climate, including extreme weather patterns and sealevel rise leading to flooding.

The LCDS will support the upgrading of infrastructure and assets to protect against flooding through urgent, near-term measures. Specifically, the LCDS update, identified the project area “Climate Resilience, Adaptation and Water Management Initiatives” for which up to US$100 million will be allocated to improve Guyana’s capacity to address climate change, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Miner gets $200,000 bail for forgery charges

Leroy Vanderhyden, a 31-year-old miner of 168 Broad Street, Charlestown, was Thursday granted $200,000 bail on forgery and uttering a forged document charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The first charge stated that on April 12, 2013 at Georgetown,

with intent to defraud, he forged one gold declaration statement in his name purporting to show that it was issued to him by Mohamed’s Enterprise.

The second charge alleged that on the same day, he uttered the forged document to an official at the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in a bid to obtain a duty-free concession, knowing the same to be false.

Police Prosecutor

Michael Grant did not object to bail, but asked that it be granted in a substantial amount with conditions attached.

The Prosecutor, in stating the facts of the case, said the owner of Mohamed’s Enterprise was contacted after the declaration was tendered and denied issuing any declaration, but acknowledged purchasing gold from the defendant.

The court heard that the defendant uttered the docu-

ment with intent to obtain a duty-free concession from the Ministry to purchase an All-Terrain Vehicle.

He was represented by Attorney Jones Goddett, who made a successful application for bail.

Vanderhyden was granted $100,000 bail on each charge and must report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Friday at 17:00h.

He is expected to return to court on March 28.

Eyew tness Straw to gold...

...or BS in sugar?

Tony Vieira, who used to call himself “Mr TV”, now presents himself as a “sugar man”. To his credit, the two roles aren’t unrelated. He was a “sugar man” because his father owned a couple of sugar estates and none of his brothers wanted to labour in the fields. They also had the brains and drive to move on to less messy occupations. Tony remained stuck in the mud.

When the PNC nationalised sugar in 1976, his father’s estates became “property of the people of Guyana” and Tony was out of a job. Just couldn’t pass muster: even the PNC political appointees were not as willing to accept mediocrity as Tony’s father had. But with his father made a director of GuySuCo, Tony was allowed to open up a TV station, when Burnham personally had to approve the importation of a pound of potato? What can you say? Tony did have a fairy godfather.

Mr TV was now rolling in dough. But once the monopoly in TV was broken when the PPP/C took over the government – Tony’s venture collapsed. He just couldn’t deal with competition. Now like a bad penny, he’s shown up again –of course in the bosom of the PNC...playing once again, the role of “Mr Sugar”. But it ain’t sweet...in fact it’s downright embarrassing what a fool he’s making of himself.

He’s behind APNU’s call for the sugar industry to be closed down. This is the man who for two decades has been complaining that the PPP/C was pampering sugar workers – and now all of a sudden is worried about the welfare of sugar workers?! Who does he think he’s kidding? So he suggests that when he says “closed down” he doesn’t mean “closed down, closed down”. He suggests that maybe fish and ethanol can be produced on the land...and this will lead to so much profits raked in, the former sugar workers will be rolling in dough.

But then he blows his mamaguy when he announced that we’re having problems with sugar because we can’t get the cane into the factories fast enough. But that’s going to be no problem with the manufacture of ethanol. What a dolt! Ethanol, is produced when sugar is fermented by yeast. If the cane will lose sugar content in the making of sugar, it’ll also lose ethanol which will come from the sugar!

Gwan that side, Tony!! No wonder you’re on the rocks. ...in law?

Once again the UG programme in law is up in the air. Or is it in “limbo”? Which, your Eyewitness is informed, is just outside of hell. So the kids (we also know there’s been a few old geezers that passed through the programme – like Lalloo Ram and Nagamootoo) have survived the three-year obstacle course at UG and now don’t know whether they can attend Hugh Wooding in Trinidad to become qualified for entry to the bar.

Now what tees us off is that the agreement for Hugh Wooding to automatically accept our top 25 grads had expired, but discussions for renewal had never been consummated. Like the situation with rice markets, somebody dropped the ball here. And now the AG has to run to the Caricom HoG to plead for their intercession. Doesn’t look good at all. And not a good example to the budding barristers who will be expected to return and help sail our ship of state and all that.

Look. Either we open our own comprehensive law programme or else invite CLE to run our law school. Limbo is getting rather warm.

...in cricket

How about that Krishmar Santokie fella, eh? His story book (if belated) career in the Limacol CPL continues in the WI T20 against England. We can’t wait to see him in this edition of the Limacol CPL!!

GRA security officers accused of “roughing up” visitor

Aman was on Tuesday arrested and allegedly “roughed up” by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) security officers after he took a photograph while in the head office on Camp Street, Georgetown.

Shortly after his arrest, the man’s visibly shaken mother Samantha Pearson related what she knew of the ordeal to Guyana Times The woman said herself and her son had travelled to Georgetown to conduct business at the GRA head office.

She added that upon arrival, she instructed her son Roberto Pearson to go upstairs and make some inquiries. Pearson added that shortly after this, she saw her son being handled “like a criminal” by persons whom she suspected to be GRA enforcement officers.

The mother said the officers took her son out of the building and onto Camp Street. It was there that she witnessed a man on a motorcycle pointing his finger at her son while one of the officers repeatedly asked him if he was sure that this was the person. “Like he wasn’t sure cause the man (officer) had to ask he plenty time if he sure is the right body,” the weeping woman said.

The woman related that she does not know what is in the photo that was taken, and when she made efforts to find out the reason for her son being treated like a hardened criminal, the men paid her no mind and continued their violent undertaking.

Pearson also told this publication that her son was placed in a vehicle which sped off from the scene, with no one giving an explanation for her son’s treatment.

Confused

“It was a big vehicle, I don’t know, I was so confused, it looked like a diplomat vehicle,” the woman related as she awaited the arrival of her husband and other family members to go in search of her son at the city police station, where he was suspected to have been taken.

The young man, who was subsequently released from police custody on Wednesday, said he was wrongfully assaulted and was accused of wanting to kill a high ranking GRA official.

Pearson said he is fearful for his life and the security of his family after the GRA official threatened him with a gun.

The young man explained that he had gone to the Camp Street location to enquire about a business which was operating at Mon Repos when the incident occurred.

Brazil ‘helping out’ Guyana with DNA testing

Almost two years after the gruesome murder of businesswoman Jennifer Persaud and her two sons at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara; the DNA samples were sent to Brazil only a few weeks ago.

The 22-year-old man claimed that he was sent to meet, GRA official known as “Mr Shankar” to discuss the matter. Roberto said he got the shock of his life when the senior GRA official accused him of being part of a plot to assassinate him.

He said, Sankar drew a gun on him and threatened to kill him if he did not tell him, who sent him to assassinate him (Sankar).

The young man, who had marks of violence on his face, said he was threatened. He is alleging too that he was dragged out of the building and accused of taking pictures of the man’s vehicle.

Threat Roberto said the GRA officials placed him in a vehicle and drove to the police station without telling his mother what had transpired. He related that while in the vehicle, the men threatened to take him at the back of the “Gardens” and break his arms and legs.

According to GRA sources, there is a Sankar in the employ at the GRA Camp Street headquarters, and is the person who assaulted the young man.

Meanwhile, GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur said an internal investigation has been launched into the incident and a preliminary report has already been submitted.

He said that the entity will take action as recommended by the report. Sattaur confirmed that the young man making the allegations had entered GRA on “legitimate business” and was indeed referred to the GRA security officer by another staffer. He also confirmed that there was no security breach on the part of Pearson, and nothing wrong with him taking a photo while in the building.

This incident comes just about a week after Guyana Times/ TVG/ Radio Guyana Journalist Bhisham Mohammed was harassed by police officers after he took a picture of them using speed guns.

This is according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, who on Wednesday said the Brazilian authorities have agreed to lend their support to the investigation.

He noted that there are a few other cases that the

Brazilians are looking into and the results should return to Guyana sometime.

The Crime Chief said in the past, the police solicited assistance from the Barbadian and Jamaican authorities to solve crimes. He made reference to the Sheena Mangar case where DNA samples were sent to Barbados and the samples from the Lindo Creek massacres which were sent to Jamaica.

Jennifer Persaud, 41, also called “Jenny”, and her two sons, Afridi Bacchus,

More people, vehicles using state-run ferries

Vehicles using the state-run ferry services increased by 44 per cent in 2013 and passengers’ movements saw a 17 per cent jump, when compared to 2012.

This, according to Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) General Manager (GM) Marclene Merchant, can be credited to the reliability of the ferries.

The GM disclosed that in 2012, passengers, vehicles and cargo totalled 282,784; 40,611; and 113,257 respectively.

However, those figures climbed in 2013 – passengers’ movements were 331,352; vehicles 58,502; and cargo 125,600.

These numbers represented 17, 44 and 10 per cent increases respectively. On the financial front, the revenue generated from passengers totalled $89,540,080; vehicles $227,122,020; and cargo $283,304,112 in 2013.

six, and 17-month-old Jadon Persaud, of Lot 67 Sea View, Anna Catherina, were found with their throats slit in a bedroom of their two-storey house. Bacchus was the woman’s son from a previous relationship, while the child was fathered by the main suspect Rudolph Earnest.

The now dead woman reportedly shared an abusive relationship with Earnest, a U.S. deportee. It was also reported that Persaud would frequently complain about the constant physical abuse she suffered. Just over a week prior to her death, it became unbearable and she put Earnest out of her house.

On the day of the gruesome discovery, Earnest was taken into custody, while the man’s uncle was apprehended the following day. Both men have maintained their innocence, but rela-

tives strongly believe that they are the perpetrators of the horrendous crime. It was reported that the bloodstained items, including a jersey that was found at the home of Earnest’s uncle, are the pieces that require DNA testing.

Persaud also disclosed that the samples taken from Patricia Young, whose body was found in the Paradise Cemetery, will be sent to Brazil for further testing and analysis. On this note,

he added that the police are still looking for one person of interest.

Young, 19, formerly of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, was found without underwear, her skirt pulled to her stomach, and the top and underwear she was wearing tied around her neck. Her boyfriend was taken into police custody

minutes after the gruesome discovery, but was subsequently released. The woman reportedly left home on Republic Day, just after midday to join her friends in the city to witness the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade. After she did not return, her boyfriend inquired from her friends as to her whereabouts, but no one knew where she was. It was after a few days that he reportedly found a slipper belonging to the young woman and went straight to the Vigilance Police Station where he lodged a missing person’s report, and told them about the slipper. The police reportedly accompanied the young man and relatives to the area where he found the slipper and, after a few minutes of search, the teenager’s body was found covered under some dried bushes.

IAC to re-enact Indian arrival with boat cruise

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has rolled out activities and events planned for 2014 as the organisation continues to foster the development of the rich cultural heritage brought by East Indians on their arrival to then British Guiana.

The IAC will be introducing its first ever boat cruise to re-enact the arrival of East Indians in Guyana. The boat cruise will be held on April 27 along the Demerara River.

“It is intended to re-enact aspects of the historic arrival East Indian ancestors from India 176 years ago, and to provide the opportunity for Guyanese to symbolically relive that journey which has impacted and shaped our nation in many ways.”

IAC is encouraging persons who are interested of

being a part of the cruise to be attired in outfits similar to those that were worn by their foreparents upon their arrival in an effort to make the event more surreal.

Symposium on suicide

At a press conference on Wednesday, IAC Executive Member Neaz Subhan disclosed that the organisation will also be holding several other activities, including a national symposium on suicide. The IAC calendar of activities kicks off next Monday as the organisation will be hosting its annual Phagwah Mela “Rang Barse” at Bath Tarmac, Bath Settlement Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

With Indian Arrival Day just a few weeks away, the IAC will once again be holding its Indian Arrival Day Mela.

Subhan in a statement said the organisation began with just one mela; however, over the years, it has expanded its melas to Berbice and Essequibo.

On May 3, the first

mela will be held at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground and the other will be held at the Albion Community Centre Ground on May 5.

Showcasing rich culture

These events will see performances from local and international artistes as the IAC endeavours to showcase the rich Indian cultural heritage.

In addition, the inaugural “Choka Fest” held in 2013 was a success, according to Subhan, who added that it will be expanded this year.

Meanwhile, Subhan added that the IAC is particularly alarmed over the increasing number of suicides that has been occurring, especially in the East Berbice region.

“The suicide rate here has attracted attention beyond our borders and resulted in a major international television news network producing a story highlighting this distressing trend not too long ago.

"The IAC believes this warrants interventions of national magnitude and had previously called on the authorities to declare the current situation of suicide on a national priority,” he stated.

IAC believes that the lingering consequences should be brought to bear on surviving family members, particularly children and the circumstances surrounding the reasons for such actions to be identified and addressed.

The national symposium on suicide is expected to be held in May and is expected to feature local and international experts.

Dem boys “d-sure” that Prezzi gon win elections again

It got a lotta people around who is all talk and no action.

Dem mouth does somehow open and tell people how to do every ting. But when is time to get down and start doin tings dem self, that does be a whole different story. Old people does call people like dem mouthaprekkeh.

Dem is people who does tell every body how to do dem wuk, but dem can’t do dem own wuk when de time come. Well, talkin bout gettin down and doin tings, dem boys who seh dem is boys specialise in that. But that is another story whah a reporter does tell dem other reporters whenever dem coverin Parliament.

But if yuh wanna know dem mouthaprekkeh, just look in de mud paper any day. Stony Virus is one a dem. De Virus man like talk bout sugar. But he does only talk bout sugar when he lil sweet. And he does get sweet from dem same bottle whah de same sugar whah he does talk bout does mek.

De Virus man couldn’t a run a t-vee station. But he does still try to tell people how much he know. Now it look like he call he self a sugar expert. Up to now, no body ain’t sure if he talkin bout de sugar in de cane fields or de type whah does be in dem flatty bottles whah he does walk wid in he back pocket.

Now Rum Jhaat is another mouthaprekkeh. Not from de dribblin alone, but from de talkin as well. De Jhaat very brave to use de word “lawlessness”. It had to be when he was lookin into one a dem mirrors at 7-owe-4, which is wheh he does deh from 7 p.m. till 4 a.m.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now finally dem mouthaprekkeh boys admit whah dem didn’t wanna tell Green Jah and Rum Jhaat. Dem boys admit that Prezzi Donald gon win de elections again. Dem so sure that yesterday dem seh dem “d-sure”.

Caricom moves ahead with Single

ICT Space

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) will focus over the next two years on unveiling the Single Information Communication Technology ICT Space as the digital layer of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister (PM), Dr Ralph Gonsalves said Tuesday evening that a roadmap to this end would be developed and presented to the Heads of Government Meeting in July 2014.

The community’s efforts to boost development through the use of ICT would be undertaken in tandem with the reform process for the years 2014-2019, Dr Gonsalves said at the conclusion of the 25th intersessional meeting.

Briefing the media from the Buccament Bay Resort in St Vincent and the Grenadines where the meeting was held, Dr Gonsalves, said the roadmap would include elements such as spec-

St Vincent and the Grenadines PM, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

trum management, bringing technology to the people and transforming them to digital citizens, diaspora re-engagement, cyber security and public-private partnerships.

Utilising ICT for the region’s sustainable development was the first substantial item on the heads’ agenda following the formal opening session on Monday.

The discussions were led by Grenada’s PM, Dr Keith Mitchell, lead head of government on ICT in the Caricom Quasi Cabinet. He spoke under the chapeau of `ICT for Caricom Transformation’.

Developing a Single Caricom ICT Space to enhance the environment for investment and production was identified as one of the key areas that the community should undertake in the short-term to become competitive.

As envisioned by its framers, the Single ICT Space will encompass the management of regional information, human resources, legislation and infrastructure in the sector to elicit maximum benefit for the region’s populace. The Single ICT Space and the region’s digital agenda 2025 will be constructed on the foundation of the Regional Digital Development Strategy (RDDS) which was approved in 2013, and will also have inputs from the commission on the economy and the Post2015 Agenda.

Geotextile tubes for Kingston sea defence

The Public Works Ministry will be installing a total of six geotextile tubes along the Kingston-Kitty sea defences to form a groyne field.

The initiative is part of the 2014 Sea Defences Programme.

This project will contribute to beach stabilisation and the retention of sediment drifting in a westerly direction along the Kingston-Kitty foreshore, the Ministry said in a statement.

“The works are currently being undertaken by the Sea and River Defence, Force Account Unit within the Works Services Group (WSG),” the Ministry noted.

Geotextile tubes are used internationally as a cost-effective material alternative for coastal and marine projects. The tubes are manufactured from geosyntheticbased materials which are factory sewn to achieve the desired formation.

Installation of the tubes is carried out by filling with

Meadow Brook man charged for unlawful assault

An employee of a popular waste disposal company was on Wednesday placed on $15,000 bail, when he appeared before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond to answer to assault and disorderly behaviour charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Leon Nero, 32, of Meadow Brook Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown pleaded not guilty to both charges; one of which alleged that on Saturday, March 8 at Meadow Brook Squatting Area, he unlawfully assaulted Clairmont Ellis.

The second offence stated that while at the East La

Penitence Police Station, he reportedly behaved disorderly towards ranks.

Ellis, the virtual complainant (VC) was also charged with threatening behaviour. He pleaded not guilty to the offence before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, which detailed that on March 8 at Meadow Brook Squatting Area; being armed with a cutlass, he made use of threatening behaviour to Nero.

He was placed on his own recognisance and his matter was transferred to Magistrate ChandanEdmond.

Both men are scheduled to return to court on April 7.

sand or suitable dredged material. For the groynes being installed at Kingston, white sand is being utilised as the fill material.

thursday, march 13, 2014

Rodney Commission to soon meet stakeholders

The Secretariat of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry seems to be making progress, as the threemember Commission that was set up to investigate the death of the political activist, will be returning to Guyana during the course of the new week, to meet with stakeholders.

Chairman of the Commission, Queen’s Counsel Sir Richard Cheltenham, Jamaica Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown and Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam had all departed to their homelands a few hours after meeting with the Commission’s Secretariat some two weeks ago.

Minutes after the meeting, Cheltenham had told Guyana Times that the limited time available had made it impossible for the Commission to meet with individuals and organisations as was intended.

“However, arrangements are in place for this to be completed in the near fu-

ture,” he promised. He said that the Commissioners would have kept in contact with the Secretariat, to ascertain its readiness for the commencement of the inquiry.

Cheltenham said that based on information received from the Secretariat, over 90 individuals and agencies were identified to testify at the inquiry. However, those persons were not yet approached. “There is a list of persons who may be of interest in helping us, but many of them have not been contacted,” Cheltenham had said.

Unsuccessful attempt

Guyana Times was unsuccessful in its attempt to find out from the Secretariat, the amount of persons and organisations that have responded to its invitation to come forward, and the number of individuals and organisations that were approached to participate in the investigation.

Head of the Secretariat Hugh Denbow speaking to this publication said such information could not be released without the consent of the chairman.

A few days after the consultation with the Commission, the Secretariat began placing advertisements in local newspapers, inviting persons wishing to testify before the Commission, to submit their statements containing the nature and substance of their proposed evidence. It said persons who wished to tender books, plans and documents were also invited to submit same.

The newspaper advertisement contained a section

of the Terms of Reference (ToR) which include the examination of facts and circumstances immediately prior, at the time of, and subsequent to the death of Dr Walter Rodney; to enquire into the cause of the explosion in which Dr Rodney died, whether it was an act of terrorism, and if so, who were the perpetrators; and the issue of persons being granted absolute pardon irrespect of, or incidental to all acts or things done, including offences committed in connection to the death of Dr Rodney.

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine had written to President Donald Ramotar relaying the party’s reservations over sections of the ToR, including the granting of an absolute pardon to all persons “irrespect of, or incidental to all acts of things done, including offences committed in connection with, or in relation to the death of Dr Walter Rodney”. The Head of State is yet to reply.

Security at Stabroek Market woeful – vendors

Sstalls continues to be woeful.

Some vendors, who requested anonymity, fear-

ing victimisation, said adequately security at the market is severely wanting, pointing out that there is little or no security at the facility during the day or night.

ken into twice. The vendor said that even though reports were made to both the Guyana Police Force and the City Constabulary, nothing was done.

Some vendors say that at the end of every business day, they remove most of their merchandise, to avoid the sticky hands of intruders.

Another irate businessman is calling on City Hall to look into their plight, contending that the Council demand taxes from vendors.

This publication tried to solicit a comment from Market Clerk Simone Mc Kene but its attempts proved futile.

Vendors are pleading with City Hall to wake up from its slumber and address the situation, which they say is spiralling out of control.

Hope Canal Project progressing well – Dr Ramsammy

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

The $3.6 billion East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Hope Canal Project is making significant progress, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said.

The multimillion - dollar four-component project includes the construction of a structure with a channel which will work in conjunction with three other components: the high level sluice outfall structure, the conservancy head regulator and a public bridge.

On Tuesday, Dr Ramsammy disclosed that the conservancy head regulator is approximately 98 per cent completed. According to him, the National Drainage

ponent is approximately 78 per cent complete. “We have delayed Courtney Benn (the contractor) for a little because as those major structures are put in place, we have to do the relevant tests to ensure that they have met specification before we allow him to continue,” the minister explained. However, the tests have been completed and the contractor has been given the green light to continue the project.

Almost complete

The construction of the embankment, however will take some time he said, but the canal has been largely completed. “So significant progress has been made and with the major elements have been com-

dents during the rainy season.

Subsequent to the 2005 floods, but mostly the 2008 floods that hit Regions Four and Five, the Agriculture Ministry through the NDIA commenced the exploration of a Northern Relief Channel with the primary objective of improving the EDWC’s safety standards to withstand the intensity of hydrological disasters.

The NDIA was given the mandate to strategise a plan to undertake the necessary hydrological and hydraulic studies and an Environmental Management Plan.

CEMCO/SRKN Engineering, in association with Mott Mc Donald was awarded the consultancy

and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is currently making arrangements for the conservancy head regulator to be commissioned.

“I am hopeful that in a couple of week’s time, once all the arrangements are made, we will commission it,” he said, noting that all the major structural elements are in place, including the doors.

Progress is also being made with regards to the construction of the high level sluice outfall structure, despite some delays. This com-

pleted, I expect that things will move much faster,” the Agriculture Minister said as he alluded to the overall project.

On February 15, the Agriculture Ministry commissioned the $350 million bridge which forms part of the project.

When completed, the EDWC Hope Canal Project is expected to offer real solution to problems faced by farmers. Flash floods in villages on the East Coast of Demerara in the vicinity of the EDWC had severely affected farmers and resi-

project to the value of $64 million with a time span of 14 months.

When completed, the channel will join the conservancy at a point on its north-eastern embankment and then cut across 10.3km of the coast.

The excess water from the conservancy will be drained into the canal via a three-door sluice at that end, running along the excavated channel and spilling into the Atlantic Ocean via the eightdoor high-discharge sluice structure. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

GDF, Brazilian Armed Forces holding talks on border issues

Officers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Brazilian Armed Forces are currently engaged in discussions at a Regional Meeting of Military Exchange, which opened on Tuesday.

The local delegation is being headed by Colonel George Lewis, Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Battalion, while Brigadier General José Luiz Jaborandy Rodrigues, Commander of Brazil’s First Jungle Infantry Brigade, is heading the six-member Brazilian team. Both officers are responsible for border operations in their respective territories, the GDF said in a release.

The meeting is being held under the theme, “Continued Friendship and Partnership towards Enhanced Border Security”. Colonel Lewis, in welcome and introductory remarks, said he believes that the officers’ presence here is indicative of the importance that Brazil places on improving

military cooperation with Guyana, as well as the continued friendship between the two armies.

Mutual cooperation

He further stated that Guyana and Brazil face common challenges to national security and noted that some of these challenges will be discussed with a view of coming up with possible solutions . He told his counterpart, too, that the GDF was willing to assist its counterpart to overcome any security challenges it may face, as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 Football World Cup as well as Olympic Games.

“General, I am sure that as we exchange information during our discussions and deliberations, common solutions will be found and additional areas of mutual cooperation will be identified between our two armies,”

Colonel Lewis added.

He also pointed to the Takutu Bridge and the road link from Lethem to Georgetown, which he said

are achievements which both governments could be proud of, but noted that the additional security challenges this posed for both militaries will also be discussed with a view to realising the common mission of making both nations safe.

In brief and similar remarks, Brigadier General Rodrigues noted that his team was here to ‘join hands’ so that solutions to common problems could be arrived at. “... so we will raise our ideas and we would come out of this meeting strengthened, as together we are strong,” he noted.

The Regional Military Exchange is held every two years, and the host country is rotated. It is essential to the objective of strengthening relations and ties between the two militaries and improving border security.

The GDF and the Brazilian Armed Forces have enjoyed a fruitful relationship over the years, particularly in the area of training.

Report into Control Tower fiasco expected today

At least three persons are likely to face disciplinary actions by way of suspension as the Guyana Civil Aviation (GCAA) wraps up its investigations into the incident where an Air Traffic Control Officer abandons his post on Saturday while a Caribbean Airlines plane was midair.

According to information received, the GCAA officials were up to late Wednesday afternoon interviewing staff of the Control Tower. The report of the findings is expected to be presented to the Transport Minister as early as today.

A senior official told Guyana Times that it is not clear what sanctions will be taken.

The official said if staffers continue to act in an irresponsible manner; there will be serious implications as the Control Tower is understaffed.

The investigation was launched on Saturday in light of the incident that occurred midnight on Friday. In a release, the Public Works Ministry stated that in order to facilitate the investigation, three persons have been removed from duty.

It further stated that the in-bound Caribbean Airlines flight to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was in contact with the Area Control Centre, which provided a replacement Air Traffic Controller to ensure the safe landing of the aircraft.

It was reported that the Control Tower has a staff complement of about 40, including assistants and supervisors, which means the facility is understaffed by 10. Immediately after

the incident, a senior official at the facility said the young man went into work on Thursday afternoon last at 16:00h and was supposed to be relieved from his post at midnight, but his replacement did not report for duty.

He added that at no point in time did the young man inform his superior that he was not comfortable working beyond the call of duty, noting that if this was done, alternative arrangements would have been made. He explained that at any given time, an aircraft would take about nine minutes on its approach for landing. The source posited that at the time the aircraft was about to land, the young man left the tower but clearance was subsequently given after a senior staff filled the void. When the senior official arrived in the room, he immediately gave clearance for the BW 425 Flight to land. Guyana Times understands that getting air traffic controllers to work beyond the call of duty is a major problem in the industry.

Venezuela rivals march a month after first deaths

Supporters and foes of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro took to the streets of Caracas again on Wednesday a month after similar rival rallies brought the first bloodshed in a wave of unrest round the OPEC member nation.

Red-clad sympathisers of Maduro’s socialist government held a “march for peace” while opponents wearing white gathered to denounce alleged brutality by security forces during Venezuela’s worst political troubles for a decade.

Police and soldiers lined the streets with riot gear ready and many Caracas residents chose to stay at home. Two opposition supporters and a pro-government activist were shot dead in Caracas on February 12, galvanising an incipient

protest movement and leading to near-daily clashes in Caracas and some western Andean cities.

At least 22 people have died, with victims on both sides. Maduro, a 51-year-old former bus driver who won

Doctor sues hospital in Jamaica, wins J$4.2M

Ajury of six on Tuesday awarded a medical doctor J$4.25 million in damages, plus legal costs, in a libel suit she brought against Bustamante Hospital for children and her former boss.

The award follows six days of evidence and submissions before Justice Leighton Pusey in the Supreme Court. Following the verdict, Dr Sandra Williams-Phillips, 56, expressed elation during an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“It has been four years of an unbelievable fight. Among the medical community they make their own laws... I stood up to everybody and I won,” said Williams-Phillips, who has been practising for 30 years.

“I’ve been vindicated,” she said with an easy chuckle. “The other doctors will now have strength.” WilliamsPhillips filed her libel lawsuit in June 2010 against the South East Regional Health Authority, the attorney general and Senior Medical Officer Michelle-Ann RichardsDawson over a notice concerning her that was posted in various sections of the radiology and cardiology departments of the Bustamante Hospital in February of that year.

According to the lawsuit, the notice stated that Williams-Phillips was dismissed and if she’s seen there, the senior medical officer should be advised immediately. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

election last year to succeed the late Hugo Chávez, has declared victory over an attempted ‘coup’ against him and appears to be in little danger of being toppled by a ‘Venezuelan Spring’.

But students are vow-

Caribbean

ing to keep the protests going, meaning protracted instability could bring more bloodshed and represent a further drag on Venezuela’s already troubled economy.

“The opposition are causing all the violence. They should think a bit smarter. The street barricades make no sense, they just cause violence,” said government supporter Marcos Alacayo, 46, among hundreds of ‘Chavistas’ at a square in east Caracas.

“They’re trying to make out the nation is in a bad state, but that just isn’t true. More people have access to healthcare, education and good food than ever. That’s what they don’t understand. Before Chávez, no one had what we have now,” added Alacayo, who works for a state-run higher education programme. (Excerpt from Reuters)

TT opens doors to Caricom nurses, offers more aid to weather-struck St Vincent

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has invited nurses from the Caricom region to work in TT in a bid to ease the country’s nursing shortage.

Persad-Bissessar’s offer to Caricom on Tuesday to accommodate regional nurses willing to work in TT was the latest in a string of invitations to regional states during the meeting, heightening TT’s profile in the regional grouping. It was sealed at Monday night’s Caricom dinner, when Persad-Bissessar and Gonsalves duetted on the pop song “That’s What Friends are For”.

The PM also gave further assistance to St Vincent to help that island’s ongoing efforts to rebuild after last year’s devastating damage from torrential rains and widespread flooding.

Persad-Bissessar hand-

ed over TT$150,000 worth of water pipelines and materials to repair St Vincent’s devastated water systems. She was showered with praises for almost 20 minutes by St Vincent Prime Minister, Caricom chairma, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who noted TT has already given aid in materials and other facilities estimated at around US$2.4 million.

“She’s shown herself to be a true friend of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. I want to express the deepest thanks on behalf everyone to my sister Kamla...TT responded immediately after the hurricane due to the generosity of spirit of Kamla,” Gonsalves said, adding, “She has a deep sensitivity to things – it touches her, it’s a noise in the blood, an echo in her bones.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

a source of prodigious talent, depth of

ideas – World Bank

From apps to fight rising crime levels to elearning tools for preschool and up, the World Bank says a prodigious talent and a depth of ideas reside in the Caribbean.

The Washington-based financial institution said it’s a potential that could secure the economic future for the region, and, more specifically, valuable career opportunities for the youth.

The bank said a central part of the recent Digital Jam 3.0 conference in Jamaica was an opportunity for the shortlisted contestants to pitch their app ideas to industry leaders from across the world.

“But they weren’t just

work.”

The World Bank said currently access to finance is a major barrier for entrepreneurs across the spectrum, adding that such a network would work to “revolutionise investment and access to finance for wannabe tech startups, as well as give the wide Caribbean Diaspora a clear route into investing back into the region.

there to listen but to act, and so while the finalists put the finishing touches to their presentations, the

AG after baby’s death at Mt Hope Hospital: Maternity in TT needs urgent look

TT’s maternity sector requires urgent attention, says Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. He said if there was evidence to suggest that the death of a baby boy whose head was slashed during a C-section birth crossed from the realm of civil law into a criminal case he would have no difficulty in referring it to acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard. Ramlogan was fielding questions from the media after Tuesday Public Accounts Committee meeting in Parliament. He is expected to get a detailed file from Health Minister, Dr Fuad Khan. In an interview with the TT Guardian on Tuesday, Khan said given the nature of the investigation and the details which had emerged thus far, it was wise to seek legal advice from Ramlogan.

The AG also warned that the matter must not be prejudged as that would prejudice the outcome of the investigation. He said the loss of a baby under such circumstances was bound to cause outrage and had personally affected him as a father

Ramlogan, who said he was awaiting the report, said: “I will take a hard and cold look in the facts on this matter to see where the system fell down with such terrible, horrible and fatal consequences.” He said during his private practice he did

extensive work in the field of medical negligence to the extent where doctors were “deregistered.” He added: “I think that professional and institutional negligence is one that the State has a duty and a responsibility to look at because we cannot shirk from our duty and responsibility to wider patient population when it comes to these matters.

“The public health care system in Trinidad is one that requires political examination, bearing the law in mind, because the law imposes the duty of care and certain standards of care, and those minimum legal standards must be met.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Caribbean’s private sector met to begin the process of creating the sub-region’s first angel investors net -

“It (Digital Jam 3.0) really is beyond a competition, it’s beyond a conference, it’s really laying the basis for a full ecosystem, which is what we wanted to do,” said the World Bank's Fabio Pittaluga, who created the Digital Jam and KingstOOn projects. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Salvadorean presidential candidate demands fresh polls

El Salvador’s conservative presidential candidate, Norman Quijano, has called for Sunday’s election to be annulled. Preliminary results from the run-off suggested he had lost by fewer than 7000 votes to former left-wing rebel Salvador Sanchez Ceren.

A manual tally is under way and the official results are expected to be announced on Friday. Quijano demanded a new poll be held after the electoral council denied his request for a vote-by-vote recount.

El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal is checking that records from polling stations match electronic tallies from the preliminary count, but it dismissed Quijano’s call for a recount of individual votes.

Quijano said that “on a national level, between 30,000 and 40,000 votes were stolen”, and demanded fresh polls. Members of Quijano’s conservative Arena party also walked out of the manual vote tally, which they had been monitoring, forcing a temporary halt to the process.

According to the preliminary results, Sanchez Ceren has 50.11 per cent of the vote to Quijano’s 49.89 per cent. But Arena party president Jorge Velado told reporters he had “proof” that his party won the presidential election.

The poll and the controversy surrounding it reflects the deep political rift that still divides the Central American nation more than two decades after the end of its civil war. (Excerpt from BBC News)

G7 frets over annexing of Crimea

Leaders of the G7 group of nations have called on Russia to stop all efforts to “annex” Ukraine’s Crimea region.

They said if Russia took such a step they would “take further action, individually and collectively”.

The G7 leaders also said they would not recognise the results of a referendum in Crimea this weekend on whether to split from Ukraine and join Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s National Security Chief has warned of a major Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s borders.

Andriy Parubiy said Moscow had not withdrawn its troops after carrying out military exercises near Ukraine’s eastern and southern frontiers last month.

He said the Russian army “is only two to three hours” from Kiev, adding that Ukraine’s “units are positioned to repel attack from any direction”.

‘Deeply flawed’

The Group of Seven industrial nations – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US –along with the European Union urged Russia to “cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea”.

“In addition to its impact on the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of

Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea could have grave implications for the legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states,” they said in a statement released by the White House.

They are of the view that Sunday’s referendum, asking the people of Crimea if they want to be a part of Russia or Ukraine, has “no legal effect” as it is in “direct violation” of Ukraine’s Constitution.

“Given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral force,” they claimed.

The G7 leaders repeated their calls for Russia to deescalate the crisis by withdrawing its troops, talking

directly with Kiev and using international mediators to “address any legitimate concerns it may have”.

EU President Jose Manuel Barroso said he hoped EU countries would keep their “very united and firm position because we don’t want to see, one century after the First World War, exactly the same kind of behaviour of countries annexing other countries”.

Polish PM Donald Tusk said it may be time for the EU “to consider the possibility of having second phase sanctions” against Russia.

At a joint news conference with Tusk, German Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated the EU could sign the “political part” of a longawaited agreement on closer ties with Ukraine later this month. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Massive explosion shakes New York

At least two people were killed after a massive explosion and raging fire Wednesday morning in Manhattan’s East Harlem, authorities said.

Two buildings collapsed in the blast, which may have resulted from a gas leak.

Firefighters were still frantically picking through rubble in search of survivors, hours later, fire officials said.

At least 18 people were injured. Five of the injured were taken to Harlem Hospital, including a child in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

A number of people were missing.

The identifies of the two women who died were not available.

Mount Sinai Hospital was treating at least 14 patients, including one with a brain injury, and two children. Three were in serious condition, a spokeswoman said.

More fatalities appeared likely. Fire officials reported that two survivors suffered life-threatening injuries.

Near 116th Street and Park Avenue, once the heart of New York’s large Puerto Rican community, about a dozen firefighters tore at mounds of bricks in a search for survivors from the two buildings – a piano store and

an evangelical church.

As gas and electric utility workers tore up pavement in an effort to shut gas lines, people gathered in the streets, many crying.

One woman tried in vain to find her husband, Jordy Salas, who may have been on the second floor of one of the collapsed buildings. She fainted and was taken to a hospital.

“We’re expending every effort to locate each and every loved one,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters at the scene. “Hopefully we’ll find that some of them are in other parts of the city and have just not been located yet.”

(Excerpt from CNN)

Around the world

“Alright,

good night”: final message from missing Malaysian jet

The last radio transmission from the cockpit of missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 was “Alright, good night” it emerged in Beijing on Wednesday.

Malaysia’s Ambassador to China, Iskandar Sarudi, said one of the pilots said “Alright, good night” as the flight switched from Malaysian to Vietnamese airspace, according to Singapore’s “Straits Times” newspaper.

Meanwhile, authorities announced a third possible final sighting of the plane. Air Force Chief, General Rodzali Daud said air defence radar showed an unidentified object at 02:15h on Saturday about 200 miles (320 kilometres) north-west of Penang.

“I am not saying it’s flight MH370. We are still corroborating this. It was an unidentifiable plot,” he said.

This is the third reported sighting of possible evidence of the fate of the plane, which had earlier been reported to have turned back and flown west as far as the Strait of

Malacca before vanishing.

It is unlikely the plane would have flown across Malaysia without being detected by civilian radar unless its electrical systems, including transponders allowing it to be identified by radar, were either knocked out or turned off.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing with 239 passengers on board early Saturday morning. Initial reports said it fell off civilian

radar screens at 01:30h about 35,000 feet above the Gulf of Thailand, between Malaysia and southern Vietnam. It sent no distress signals or any indication it was experiencing any problems and no confirmed wreckage has been found, despite a vast search. Malaysian authorities have defended their handling of the hunt for the missing Boeing 777 but acknowledged they still are unsure which direction the plane was headed when it disappeared. (Excerpt from France24)

Tunisia sex workers call for brothel to reopen

Agroup of prostitutes has called on the Tunisian Government to reopen a brothel in the coastal resort town of Sousse, after a court ruling shut it down more than a year ago.

A delegation from the sex workers met with the Vice President of the Tunisian Constituent Assembly, Meherzia Labidi, on Tuesday to appeal for her help.

They handed over a petition signed by 120 women calling for the brothel to open for business once more, in a meeting filmed by Tunisian radio broadcast-

er Mosaique FM and shared with CNN Arabic.

Labidi, of Tunisia’s Islamist party Ennahda, which holds a majority of seats in the assembly, told the sex workers that deciding whether to reopen the brothel was up to the Interior Ministry but that she would do what she could to help them.

The official, who had her head covered, added, “But we still have to recognise that any premise where prostitution commonly takes place, here or anywhere else around the world, is a real problem in itself.”

A court ordered the brothel to close around November 2012, after a lawyer argued before a judge on behalf of neighbours in the area. The case came at a time when radical Islamists had launched a campaign in several parts of Tunisia against the licensed brothels. The head of the delegation told Labidi, “There is no problem. ... We were attacked by the Salafists, radical Islamists, who attacked us and closed the premises by force.” (Excerpt from CNN)

Africa

Dispatches of crude and combustibles to Cuba decreased between 23 and 32 per cent and the cut for the other Caribbean and Central American countries was 14.8 per cent in 2013 versus 2012.

Figures for the delivery of crude and combustibles to Cuba and the other nations of PetroCaribe show that last year (2013) there was a reduction in dispatches of between 42,000 barrels per day (bbls) and 52,000 bbls.

Last year, deliveries from state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) to Cuba re-

duced between 23 and 32 per cent versus the 104,000 bbls of 2012. “We have a total of 70,000 to 80,000 bbls that we are sending to Cuba. We process it and we are attending to the Caribbean market from there,” Venezuela’s Petroleum and Mining Minister Rafael Ramirez said during the Venezuela-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission meeting this month on an undisclosed date. This means Cuba is getting between 24,000 and 34,000 bbls less, Ramirez said. The reduction of deliveries to the rest of PetroCaribe was 14 per cent, which trans-

lates to between 121,000 to 103,000 bbls. The report out of Venezuela said the reduction for the most part was in the dispatch of combustibles, particularly diesel, because of the need to satisfy the domestic (Venezuelan) demand to power its thermo-electric generation plants. PDVSA delivers to the rest of the Caribbean from the Cuban refinery at Cienfuegos, Cuba. The refinery is owned 51 per cent by Cuban stateowned oil company Cupet, and 49 per cent by PDVSA. Exports that come from the company Cuvenpetrol are booked as Cuban. (Trinidad Guardian)

In a recent survey by the Canadian-based research organisation the Fraser Institute, Namibia has been ranked the second most favourable investment destination for mining and exploration activities on the African continent. “This means that the investor confidence in Namibia’s government is good and most importantly that the security of tenure in Namibia is guaranteed. Furthermore, it means that we have a favourable mining regulatory framework and policies in place,” commented the Mines and Energy Minister Isak

North America Asia

U.S. stocks declined on Wednesday, putting the S&P 500 on track for a third straight decline after its most recent record high, as concerns grew over the strength of China’s economy.

London copper, seen as a proxy for China’s economic health, fell for a fourth day to its lowest level since July 2010. Recent China data suggested an economic slowdown, while the country’s first-ev-

Europe

The slow recovery of Europe’s industrial sector has been boosted by a better performance in countries outside the euro bloc.

Industrial output in the 18-nation eurozone fell 0.2 per cent in January compared with December. But in the full 28-country European Union (EU28), output was up 0.1 per cent, reversing December’s falls. Compared with a year ago, industrial production grew 2.1 per cent in the euro area and 2.4 per cent in the EU28.

Jonathan Loynes, an

er bond default last week increased concerns financing deals that use the industrial metal as collateral could unravel. The S&P materials index fell 0.3 per cent. Investors also continue to monitor geopolitical developments as earnings season has drawn to a close and amid a light economic calendar, leaving no catalyst to push the benchmark S&P index higher after its most recent record close on Friday.

“We’ve climbed so far, to continue to climb is definitely going to be a see-saw move,” said Rick Meckler, president of LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New Jersey.

“There are enough investors willing to take profits here that they continue, on any bad global news, to start to make some sales. Here, certainly China is a big part of it and the Ukraine situation is really not cleared in any way.” (MSN)

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific airways posted a 204 per cent increase in profits in 2013 to US$2.6 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$335 million, £201 million). The airline said the boost in profits was largely attributed to an increase in leisure and business travel to the Pearl River Delta in southern China.

However, Cathay Pacific warned that low cost carriers were eating into profits.

Shares in the firm de-

Middle East

Katali on Monday.

Responding to questions on the ranking, the Minister said factors that have made Namibia a country of choice for mining and exploration activities include political stability, good infrastructure, telecommunications and trainable people.

According to the survey, Namibia improved its world ranking from 45th out of 93 jurisdictions in 2012 to 30th out of 96 jurisdictions in 2013. This ranking places Namibia second in Africa after Botswana, which ranked 25th in 2013.

The Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies was sent to about 4100 exploration, development and other mining-related companies around the world.

The survey, conducted from October 2012 to January 2013, represents responses from 742 of those companies and covers 96 jurisdictions.

The companies participating in the survey reported exploration spending of US$6.2 billion (about N$62 billion) in 2012 and US$5.4 billion (about N$54 billion) in 2011. (allAfrica)

clined, as profits were less than analysts had been expecting.

“The operating environment remained challenging throughout 2013, for [Cathay Pacific] and the aviation industry as a whole. It was therefore encouraging to see an improvement in our overall performance,” said chairman Christopher Pratt in a statement.

The airline carried 29.9 million passengers in 2013 – an increase of 3.3 per cent

from a year earlier. However, it said its cargo business continues to be weak after a slowdown in 2011.

Cathay Pacific is one of the world’s largest carriers of air cargo. “Despite current adverse market conditions, we remain confident in Hong Kong’s future as an air cargo centre,” Cathay said in its earnings report. Ivan Chu is set to take over as chief executive of the airline this month. (BBC News)

economist with Capital Economics, said: “The 0.2 per cent contraction in production was weaker than we had expected.” He said the figures amounted to a “disappointing soft start” to the year and were “another reminder that the eurozone’s economic recovery remains fragile”.

Countries in the EU but outside the eurozone that recorded rises in production included the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

Germany, Europe’s big-

Market statistics

gest economy, saw a monthon-month rise of 0.4 per cent in January. The UK’s industrial sector was up 0.1 per cent after a gain of 0.5 per cent in December. However, France’s industries contracted 1.4 per cent on the year, accelerating from a decline of 0.2 per cent in the year to December.

The fastest growing industrial sector is capital goods, with companies investing in new equipment. The energy sector is the only sector that is shrinking on a monthly and annual basis. (BBC News)

Plans have been revealed to build a new 60,000seat stadium in Dubai.

Funded by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the facility would be located close to Dubai Sports City and is expected to be ready by 2018, Construction Week Online reported.

The project was revealed as the UAE Football Association outlined its bid to host the 2019 Asian Cup. They said games would be played at the cricket stadium and a smaller 25,000-seat

stadium currently under construction in Sports City will also be included as a stand-by venue.

The 2019 tournament is set to be expanded to 24 teams. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) requires bidding nations to have six suitable stadia and an eightman delegation, headed by Dr Tran Quoc Tuan, were also shown potential venues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The capital plans to hold games at Zayed Sports City and the Mohammed bin Zayed

Investors' guide

Market analysis

Include in this section a description of the industry, information on your target market, evaluation of your competition and market test results.

Company description

Brief description of your company including the nature of your business and factors that will make your business a success. Include a description of how your product or service will meet

a need and any potential clients identified as having that need.

Management and organisation

Details about ownership of company, management and board of directors (if applicable). Qualifications, experience and education are important to provide readers with an insight as to how these individuals fit into the organisational structure and what they

Business concept – Abatement

Stadium, while the Garden City would stage matches at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium.

The UAE is competing against bids from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Thailand for the right to host the Asian Cup for the second time, and first since 1996, but UAEFA board member Yousef Khouri believes their experience at hosting top class sporting events gives them an advantage. (Arabianbusiness)

can bring to the table in their designated roles.

Marketing and sales management

Describe the marketing strategy and how you intend to drive sales. Include market penetration strategy, growth strategy, distribution strategy and communication strategy. Sales strategies should also be included to provide information on sales staff and activities. (Business Dictionary)

Commerce: Reduction in the amount of a bill or charge such as demurrage, overtime penalty, or rent. Environment: Elimination or reduction of polluting or hazardous substances (such as asbestos) by either removing them completely or lessening their effect through better waste management.

Legal: Suspension of a court action, or bringing it to a close before the final decision.

Taxation: Rebate given in levies or taxes under special circumstances, such as in aftermath of natural disasters.

AFC has betrayed sugar workers – Ramsammy

– party joins APNU's call for closure of industry

The Alliance For Change (AFC), led by Khemraj Ramjattan, has betrayed sugar workers, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said as he lashed out at both the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) over talks to shut down the ailing sugar industry.

In a press statement late Wednesday night, Dr Ramsammy said AFC’s move to endorse APNU’s position on the closure of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), is a clear indication of AFC’s betrayal.

“The AFC and APNU see a future for Guyana without sugar and if they are given an opportunity to determine Guyana’s future, they will close down GuySuCo and deprive thousands of a job and of a living,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy said prior to the 2011 General Elections, both the AFC and APNU told sugar workers that they would have increase their pay by 20 per cent once given the opportunity to govern the country. He said this proposal was made at a time when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was of-

fering six per cent. Despite the opposition’s position, the Agriculture Minister made it clear that the PPP/C sees a Guyana where sugar is still playing an integral role in the country’s economy.

“The PPP/C will stand firmly behind GuySuCo and with the sugar workers of Guyana. We have, and we will continue to invest resources as much as we can to ensure that GuySuCo is a major part of Guyana’s development. This was our position yesterday; it is our position today, and will be our position tomorrow.”

CPC completes fine-tuning of APNU’s amendments to AML Bill – sends proposal

Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cecil Dhurjon on Wednesday afternoon submitted the two A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) draft amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill, to the Parliamentary Select Committee to which it was committed. According to Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who is part of the committee, one set of the amendments captured the APNU proposal and the other, the counterproposal from the Government side.

“We began to look at APNU proposal, but we didn’t get very far as the proposals are problematic, and to go through them to

back to Select

assess their impact on the bill itself and the Principal Act, proved to be a time-consuming exercise,” Minister Nandlall stated. “The APNU members themselves made several amendments to their own proposals and that vindicates government’s earlier view that those proposals were hurriedly put together and their impact not properly examined,” he added.

Institutional changes

“The Chief Parliamentary Counsel has tried his best to capture all the proposals and they are still making changes to this, now that they are seeing it for the first time, they are raising objections, thus making it a circuitous exercise.”

Once the Committee has completed the process of fully perusing the APNU’s

Committee

draft amendments, Minister Nandlall said they would then have to examine the Government’s counterproposal. Minister Nandlall said the Administration still maintains that all this is unnecessary, since a Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) compliant bill was already prepared and approved by the Committee some two months ago, and can easily be enacted.

“The changes that are being made now are institutional changes to the very structure of the Principal Act, and even if we approve them, I believe it would be prudent to send them to CFATF for their imprimatur, since they may run the risk of not meeting the approval of CFATF, thereby rendering the exercise in which we are engaged

a futile one.” The Select Committee is scheduled to meet again on March 25.

Shortly after the culmination of the meeting at the Parliament Building on Wednesday night, APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon expressed satisfaction. “Good work by the CPC and it was worth waiting for,” Harmon said. He was also pleased with the outcome of the meeting, explaining that with the submitted drafts, Committee members are now considering the draft amendments tabled by the opposition. “I think we had a very productive meeting this afternoon, and we have actually completed certain sections.” On Wednesday, major attention was given to the structural composition of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Duo accused of killing Fyrish woman appear in court

Two men were on Wednesday remanded to prison when they appeared on a joint charge of murder of a Fyrish, Corentyne woman last Friday night.

The duo appeared in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. Anthony Singh Balrup, 26, an ex-Police Constable of Lot 15 West Reliance, East Canje, and Solomon Milton, 23, of Lot 20 Nigg Settlement were accused for the fatal shooting of Patricia Samaroo at Fyrish Village.

In reading the charge, the Magistrate told Balrup and Milton that they have been charged contrary to common law and it is alleged that on March 7, at Fyrish Village, Corentyne, Berbice in the Corentyne Magisterial District, they murdered Samaroo at her sister’s home about 23:00h.

Both men were represented by Attorney Mursaline Bacchus, who, when asked for the particulars of the two men, said he was not inclined or obliged to provide such.

At this point, the Magistrate told him she will do so, but he was of the view that she should not be asking any questions since it is a capital offence and his clients were not placed on bail.

He then directed his clients to desist from answering if questioned by the Magistrate. However, when questioned by Isaacs-Marcus, Milton told her he was 23 years old, after which Bacchus

instructed him not to answer any more questions. When Balrup was asked about his age, his answer was “I have nothing to say at this moment.”

Detective Denish Baichoo, the officer in charge of the investigation, was called to the stand to give the particulars of the accused and Bacchus also objected to the Magistrate asking the witness any questions regarding his clients and requested that she make a note of his objections. She subsequently refused his request, and the information about the two accused were given by Baichoo.

Prosecutor Godfrey Playter asked for

bail to be refused, bearing in mind the serious nature of the offence and the fact that there is a third perpetrator yet to be captured. He added that the sister of the murdered woman, who was also shot during the home invsaion, is still listed as critical in the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The Prosecutor also told the Magistrate that Balrup, the number two accused, is presently on bail after appealing his case for several offences of possession of narcotics. Both accused have been remanded to prison and the case was transferred to the Albion Magistrate’s Court for March 25.

THURsday, maRcH 13, 2014|

Buxton man chops wife, commits suicide

By Bhisham mohamed

Two days after brutally chopping his wife about her body over her alleged infidelity, a cane harvester was found hanging from a tree in a farm aback Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on Wednesday morning.

The dead man was subsequently identified as Dexter Yaw, 38, of Lot 74 Sideline Dam, Buxton. His wife, Yonette is nursing several chops to her breast and arms. Based on reports received, the man went berserk on Monday evening after his wife told him that she had applied for a job and that she was due to start on Tuesday. He was reportedly against her going to work based on past experiences, and an argument ensued during which he picked up a cutlass and chopped her.

When his wife fell to the ground, Yaw thought she was dead, so he left the house. He was not seen alive again.

Speaking from her bed, Yonette told media operatives that on Monday about 22:00h, she told her husband that she had got a job and was starting the following day. He became annoyed and subsequently repeatedly chopped her about the body.

The injured woman said he then left the home, and as she laid in a pool of blood, hoping someone would come to rescue her. After some time, she heard a voice calling out to her, but she refused to answer thinking that it was her husband returning to finish her off.

She managed to pull at the wardrobe and manoeuvre it behind her bedroom door, to prevent the man from gaining access. She said after the person continued to call out, she realised it was her son and she started to scream.

He reportedly forced his way into the bedroom only to find his mother lying on the ground with her breast slashed

Dexter Yaw

and hand badly chopped. He raised an alarm and members of the community came to his mother’s aid.

The woman was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was treated. She was released on Wednesday. Yonette disclosed that this was not the first time her husband attempted to commit suicide. Guyana Times was told by members of the community that the woman was constantly accused of infidelity.

Meanwhile, after Yaw did not return home, his family thought that he had gone into hiding, until his daughter who operates a shop in Buxton on BlackBerry Messenger saw a photograph of a man who appeared to be her father hanging from a tree.

The young woman, upon seeing the photograph, reportedly locked her shop and rushed home, but in the process, she saw the hearse coming out of the dam and thought the best thing to do was to stop and enquire. Upon doing so, she was given a chance to view the body, which she positively identified as her father’s.

Yaw leaves to mourn his three children and wife, among other relatives. His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyanese dies on St Vincent cargo vessel

AGuyanese crewman is dead and another critical after falling ill on a St Vincent-registered vessel which left Guyana for St Lucia last Thursday.

In a statement, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) said the St Vincent and the Grenadines registered ship – MV LADY ZAI departed Georgetown on Thursday, March 6. On board were 10 Guyanese crew members and a consignment of cargo in bulk, with its destination being the island of St Lucia.

According to MARAD, when the general cargo vessel, which reportedly belongs to KB Enterprise of Guyana, arrived in St Lucia on Sunday, a crew member had already died and another was ill. Prior to the ship’s arrival in St Lucia, the port health officials were informed of the situation, thus the vessel was quarantined.

According to the Health Ministry in St Lucia, the deceased was taken off the vessel and an emergency post-

mortem examination was done. St Lucian media quoting officials say the death reportedly occurred Saturday, hours before the cargo ship entered St Lucia’s waters.

The other crew member was simultaneously taken to the St Jude Hospital where he is being treated. The other members of the ship’s crew were ordered to remain on board where their condition is being monitored, until the exact nature of the illness has been determined.

This is a normal precautionary measure to protect the local population from contracting any communicable disease.

St Lucian health officials say they are working with the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, the police and the St Lucia Fire Service to contain the situation and address the health concerns.

Officials from MARAD in Guyana are in contact with their colleagues in St Lucia on the matter, and similarly are the health officials from the two countries.

SUDOKU

Some of your relationships may have grown stale or unfulfilling. Take a step forward, and look for new people, places and pastimes to stimulate your mind and get you back in the game.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

It’s time to effect some necessary changes. Whether you have to make an adjustment to your financial, intellectual or physical situation, it’s a good day to take action.

Keep your dealings with others to a minimum. Someone will consider your goals to be unrealistic. Don’t waste time trying to persuade others to see things your way.

Put your creativity to good use. Channel your energy into a project that interests you. If you do something that you find stimulating, you will make new friends along the way.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)

Financial or career gains could be heading your way. Approach your boss for a raise or send out your resume. Discussing opportunities with someone you’ve previously worked with will pay off.

(March 21-April 19)

Consider reconnecting with an old friend and take advantage of any travel deals that turn up. Romance is on the rise. A positive personal change is apparent.

(April 20-May 20)

Look after your interests. Some information you receive will be inaccurate. To save costly delays, you should verify every piece of information before moving forward.

(May 21June 20)

Change is in the air.

You’d be wise to check out real estate opportunities. Find a property or location you are interested in and make some inquiries. Relocating now could prove beneficial professionally.

Your plans are gaining momentum. It’s important to keep up the pace if you want to avoid being sidetracked by someone trying to outmanoeuvre you.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

If you keep an eye out, you will find an attractive deal. Muster up some courage and go after your dreams. You are likely to redeem some surprising benefits, as well as some recognition.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You will run into several pitfalls if you don’t take measures to ensure your success. Be happy with the results you achieve, however long it takes you to get them.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Let your adventurous side take over. Feel free to try something new, but don’t overestimate your abilities. If you let people with experience lead the way, you will reach your goal.

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Skeldon’s failure compounds sugar woes – Vieira

Former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament Anthony Vieira zoomed in on the consistent failure of the Skeldon Estate and Factory, as one of the reasons why an exit from the sugar industry was prudent.

Vieira was among the speakers, at a news conference on Tuesday, who laid out the rationale behind the A Partnership for National Unity’s recommendation that the country quit the sugar industry and pursue ethanol production.

He noted that since its commission several years ago, the Skeldon Sugar Factory has remained a “white elephant”, encountering many problems, including the expansion of its cultivation.

He explained that without widening the drainage canals or installing pipes or kokers in the old fields facing the Canje River, authorities blocked the water from the Canje from flooding the fields for some four years.

This, he noted, reduced the sugarcane yields by a considerable amount and caused the head office of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to launch an investigation, which confirmed that this should not have been done.

Insufficient cane Vieira also denounced the decision taken to expand the estate’s cultivation from 10,000 to some 30,000 acres.

He pointed out that this was done without considering key realistic factors such as: whence the money for expansion would be sourced; how the additional canes would be reaped, since there is a shortage of labour; and the overall expansion cost.

“You cannot build a factory to process or grind 350 tonnes per hour and put 220 inside… when you crush the cane, the juice you get has to go into the vessels that boil it – those require 350 tonnes per hour. It requires other vessels which keep clarifying the cane juice and then strike the sugars,” he highlighted.

He went on to say that this will have to be done with the expectation that the factory is not starting and stopping for the cane to build up in the dock, since the cane supply to the factory has not been rectified.

“Yes, there are problems in the fields, but the management of Skeldon itself has not resolved the issue of how they are going to get 350 tonnes of canes to the factory every hour.”

Article

He made reference to an article which he wrote on his website on the sugar industry in 2008. He disclosed that it stated that Skeldon was grinding at a rate which requires about 1800 tonnes of cane per day, that is, 93 tonnes per hour; however, after the expansion, the factory required a whopping 8400 tonnes per day.

“It was a totally unrealistic expectation, especially in view of the fact that you are going to lose the preferential price. Now, I don’t know if they are blaming the European Union ‘cause the preferential price was withdrawn,” Vieira declared.

According to him, GuySuCo and government were given more than US$100 million by the EU to invest in the sugar industry since 2006 in order to offset the losses in the market.

per cent of that sum.

“There is a systematic starvation of funds to the other estates to keep the Skeldon Project going,” he noted.

He continued that while the preferential price was indeed withdrawn, it was not done only in Guyana but in all of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) countries.

Sugar protocol He recalled that the sugar protocol, which has long incorporated preferential trade arrangements with the EU for certain ACP countries, was even challenged when the Australians and Brazilians took the EU to court.

During this time, he added, while the other countries were contracting their industries, Guyana was expanding its, without considering the fact that the country was not an economic producer of sugar and its production cost was double the international market price.

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He noted that unless the additional 20,000 acres of cane allow for 350 tonnes to be supplied to the factory per hour, the factory will continue to operate as it currently does.

However, then Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud did not see it fit to put the money in the sector, so, by 2008, the company’s Board of Directors began complaining that the estates which require $2.7 billion in rehabilitation capital for the factories only received 50

“We could never, in fact, build one factory and expect the whole industry [to be] productive,” he opined.

Vieira explained that the factory was initially built for co-generation, which is a concept that allows for the production of biogas as a byproduct, since a defuser is used to grind the cane rather than a mill.

Ex-policemen remanded on multiple charges

Two former police officers were Wednesday remanded to prison when they appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition and the use of threatening language.

Jarrel Huntley, 27, of Lamaha Springs, Greater Georgetown, and George Valledares, 35, of Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the three charges.

The first charge alleged that on Tuesday, March 11 at Camp and Barrack Streets, Georgetown, they had in their possession one 9 mm Glock pistol when

they were not the holders of a firearm licence.

The second charge stated that on the same day, the two ex-policemen had 14 live rounds of matching ammunition. The third charge alleged that on the same day, the two made use of threatening language to Surrendra Etwaroo over a cellular phone.

Attorney Bernard DaSilva, in association with Patrice Henry, represented the two accused. DaSilva said both men are currently employed by Annabel Offshore Services and requested bail in a reasonable sum, insisting that the gun in question was not real, and was, in fact, a toy. Defence counsel Henry also claimed

that Etwaroo and his clients are business partners, so it was strange that the defendants made threats over a cellular phone when they see each other on a regular basis.

Police Prosecutor Joel Ricknauth objected to bail, declaring to the court that the gun was real and not a “toy gun” as is being claimed by the defence attorney.

The men were granted $30,000 bail each on the threatening language charge while bail was refused on the other two charges.

The duo will make another appearance before Magistrate Latchman on March 28.

Should Guyana aim for the Gold Cup?

– asks Santokie Nagulendran

Recently, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) announced a talent pool of 50 young players to begin training for impending national team call-ups with the 2016 Olympic Qualifiers and 2018 World Cup Qualifiers being stated as the priority for the team.

While this is certainly a positive step from the GFF that is looking to move forward from a horrendous 2013, a year in which the national team failed to play one single game, a look at the list of players reveals that they are mainly under the age of 23 and no technical director, manager or coaching staff members have been named, posing the question….what direction are the Golden Jaguars heading in?

Firstly, there seems to be a prioritised agenda of looking at qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games and 2018 World Cup, with no mention being made by the GFF about the upcoming Caribbean Cup, which begins qualification rounds in May this year. There have been rumours that Guyana may not even enter the Caribbean Cup this year, due to the issues facing the administration, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet by GFF President Christopher Matthias.

Caribbean’s centre piece

The tournament is the centre piece for Caribbean football; it is held every two years and aims to exhibit the best in Caribbean talent. Importantly, it is a competition which sends the top four teams into the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament which would be the first ever FIFA tournament the men’s team in Guyana has ever qualified for, and would represent a landmark

achievement for Guyana’s football.

If the GFF wants to be taken seriously, they need to firstly enter the national team in the Caribbean Cup and duly ensure that all the correct measures are taken to see that the team has the best possible chance of winning the competition.

Had backroom issues such as pay disputes not hindered the team in qualifying for the 2012 Caribbean Cup (five senior players decided not to play after being offered only US$12 for a win or draw per person and $1.50 for a goal by the GFF), it is very likely, based on talent available and results achieved that year, that Guyana would have finished in the top four and qualified for the Gold Cup, which took place last summer, receiving global coverage from the media as a result of participation.

Qualifying for the 2015 Gold Cup would be a fantastic and realistic achievement for Guyana if they target it in the right manner, after which, there could be a focus on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup with a sense of confidence, it seems as if the GFF has jumped ahead and not formulated a realistic plan.

Best team

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is a tournament designed to find out who exactly is the best team in North America. Usually, the tournament is dominated by major footballing nations USA and Mexico, but the month-long tournament is covered by media around the world and gives a rare chance for four Caribbean nations to pit their skills against worldclass opposition.

In 2012, Martinique finished in the top four of the Caribbean Cup and consequently played in the 2013

of

ing 56,000. This experience proved invaluable to the development of the team, and is something Guyana can achieve if they place emphasis on developing the national squad.

This year, the Caribbean Cup qualifiers will be held on FIFAallocated dates, so European-based players such as Leon Cort and Trayon Bobb, will be allowed time away from their domestic clubs to put on the Golden Jags jersey.

Ranking

With players requiring Guyana to be ranked 70th or above in the FIFA World Rankings in order to earn a work permit to play in European countries such as England, it is necessary that Guyana organises its development so that they have every opportunity to climb the world rankings and provide the opportunities for its players to ply their trade anywhere in Europe.

South Africa v Australia, 2nd T20, Durban…

Hodge blows take Australia home

Brad Hodge clubbed the third and fourth deliveries of the last over over deep midwicket to haul Australia home in a seven-over shootout against South Africa in Durban. Steady rain had threatened successive washouts in the series but relented to allow a sizeable crowd some action.

Australia needed 15 going into the final over and Wayne Parnell conceded only a run each off the first two deliveries, but Hodge was to seal it with two balls to spare, the couple of sixes followed by one called wide for height.

David Warner was South Africa’s tormentor again at the start of the chase, as he and Aaron Finch took 21 off Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s first over. Warner then hit debutant Beuran Hendricks for three successive boundaries in the third over as Australia surged to 44-1 in three overs.

South Africa hit back with four strikes in the

next three, including Warner, caught in front for 40 off 16 missing a switch-hit against JP Duminy, whose only over went for five and produced two wickets.

Momentum had changed sides numerous times in the game, and South Africa seemed to have achieved the final swing in their favour, but Hodge wasn’t done yet.

South Africa had plodded to 11-1 in three overs after being asked to bat, but Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis took 69 off the final four, swinging and connecting six sixes between them, including successive ones off Dan Christian and Mitchell Starc.

The third and final game is scheduled for Friday at Centurion. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa innings (7 overs maximum)

HM Amla c & b Coulter-Nile 4

Q de Kock† not out 41

F du Plessis* not out 27

Extras: (b-2, w-6) 8

Total: (1 wicket; 7 overs; 37 mins) 80

Fall of wickets: 1-6

(Amla, 1.5 ov)

Bowling: MA Starc 2-0-24-0 (2w), NM Coulter-Nile 2-0-17-1, GB Hogg 1-0-5-0, SR Watson 1-0-14-0, DT Christian 1-0-18-0

Australia innings (target: 81 runs from 7 overs)

AJ Finch c Amla b Abbott 5

DA Warner lbw b Duminy 40

SR Watson c Abbott b Parnell 2

GJ Maxwell c du Plessis b Duminy 1

GJ Bailey* run out (†de Kock/Miller) 2

BJ Hodge not out 21

BJ Haddin† not out 4

Extras: (lb-2, w-4, nb-1) 7

Total (5 wickets; 6.4 overs; 39 mins) 82

Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Finch, 1.3 ov), 2-46 (Watson, 3.3 ov), 3-48 (Warner, 4.1 ov), 4-52 (Maxwell, 4.5 ov), 5-60 (Bailey, 5.1 ov)

Bowling: LL Tsotsobe 1-021-0, KJ Abbott 1-0-5-1, BE Hendricks 2-0-31-0 (1-nb, 1-w), WD Parnell 1.4-0-18-1 (1-w), JP Duminy 1-0-5-2 (1-w)

As it stands, Guyana has not played a game since November 2012 and as such the team has dropped from 86 to 154 in the world, meaning the top players in Guyana cannot play in Europe and use their experiences to subsequently help the national team.

Guadeloupe is an example of a country that has developed sensibly: they focused on the Caribbean Cup and used it as a stepping stone to qualify for the 2007 Gold Cup, where they remarkably finished fourth.

As a result of finishing fourth in the highly regarded tournament, players received offers from clubs in Europe, defender Miguel Comminges joined English side Swindon Town and striker Loïc Loval earned a move to Dutch Premier League team FC Utrecht. The opportunities the Gold Cup provides for Caribbean players is priceless; a Guyanese player successful in the tournament could earn a move abroad and secure a good salary for them and their families, whilst also inspiring the next gener-

ation of Guyanese players with their journey abroad.

In the case of Guadeloupe, they used their experience to plan and qualify for the next two Gold Cups, meaning the team became used to playing North America’s top teams on a regular basis and developing immensely as a result.

Experience

However, the GFF has made it clear they are looking to youth by naming a 50-man development squad made up pre-dominantly of players aged under 23, but one has to wonder why they would not include players such as captain Christopher Nurse, Leon Cort, Carl Cort and Trayon Bobb, all of whom played against Mexico in 2012 in the historically volatile Azteca Arena; surely their experience of such a game and their knowledge of the sport would benefit the younger, inexperienced players?

The players chosen for the development squad are all of a high standard, excelling domestically for clubs ranging from Slingerz FC to Alpha United and many represent the future of the Guyanese national team.

However, the fact remains that in international tournaments teams need a blend of young and experienced players to strike the right balance and garner success, as teams have shown throughout time.With a full-strength team sticking to this formula, Guyana can win the Caribbean Cup, they undoubtedly have the talent to be one of the best teams in the region, and if the team can consequently qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup as a result, it could be the first of many major tournaments for the Golden Jaguars.

GTTA launches Business School-sponsored tourney

By Treiston Joseph

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) launched the Business School Teams tournament on Wednesday at the National Gymnasium which is set to begin from March 14.

The tournament that will feature students under the age of 18 will run until March 17, when around 150 students and 20 schools are scheduled to participate.

President of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, was optimistic about the 2014 edition of the tournament that has been in existence for eight years although the tournament was not held last year.

“This tournament is truly critical to the success of our activities and the programmes of the GTTA in the sense that it specifically targets one of our competitive advantages which is the

youth, we got a lot of young nucleus of talent in the schools and to bring them together in competition is quite pivotal to moving and advancing the sport,” Munroe stated.

Managing Director of the Business School, James Bovell, noted that the tournament is beneficial to grooming the students of the nation.

“The Business School is pleased to have this opportunity to partner with the GTTA… as an educational institution we want to be able to play our role in terms of not only developing table tennis talent but also enhancing and fostering those values that would make students better students and better citizens of Guyana,” Bovell commented.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar was adamant that the tournament will build the youths into better competitors.

“We have to have a nursery, the nursery which is the reservoir for national players coming up and the more we can expose our students and the more we can expose them very young… it means that the very young table tennis players will be exposed to table tennis and more particularly to competitive table tennis and this will give them the opportunity to continue playing competitively,” Kumar purred.

Meanwhile, the tournament will run until March 17 with the closing date for all registration being on the opening day of the competition to suffice for late entries.

There will also be the addition of the Novices’ category to the tournament, while the top three finishers in each category will receive prizes.

Schumacher condition shows ‘encouraging signs’

Injured Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher has been showing “small, encouraging signs” in his fight for recovery, his family says.

“We are and remain confident that Michael will pull through and will wake up,” the relatives said in a statement.

Doctors in France have been working to bring the seven-time champion out of a medically induced coma.

The 45-year-old German suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps on December 29.

He has been kept in a coma to help reduce the swelling in his brain

‘Hard fight’

On Wednesday, Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, released a statement on behalf of his family because of “an increasing interest in [his] condition in light of the start of the Formula 1 season”.

The family praised the efforts of the French doctors at Grenoble hospital, but also warned that “it

was clear from the start that this will be a long and hard fight for Michael.”

“We are and remain confident that Michael will pull through and will wake up. There sometimes are small, encouraging signs, but we also know that this is the time to be very patient,” the statement added.

Investigators probing the accident said Schumacher had been going at the speed of “a very good skier” at the time of his crash in the resort of Meribel.

He had been skiing offpiste when he fell and hit a rock, investigators said.

Experts reconstructed events leading up to the crash after examining Schumacher’s skiing equipment and viewing footage filmed on a camera attached to his helmet.

Schumacher retired from racing in 2012 after a 19-year career.

He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000. (BBC Sport)

BCB, GDF host successful first aid clinic for clubs, schools

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as part of its Golden Jubilee programme on Sunday last hosted a successful one day first aid clinic for cricket clubs, schools and other sporting organisations in the Ancient County.

Over 40 individuals representing the top cricket clubs in Berbice, the Berbice Football Association, Berbice Volleyball Association, St. Francis Xavier Youth club, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary, Manchester High School and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club

among others attended the clinic, which was conducted by medical personnel of the Guyana Defence Force.

President of the BCB, Keith Foster, in declaring the clinic open, stated the board wanted to make sure that each major cricket club in Berbice have at least one member who have knowledge of first aid, in case of any emergency on the cricket field.

Noting that the BCB was fully committed to the allround development of cricket at all levels, he urged the participants to take full ad-

vantage of the opportunity to learn as much as possible and to educate other members of their organisation on first aid.

Head of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Hilbert Foster, expressed gratitude to the administration of the Guyana Defence Force for their support of the first aid clinic and expressed the hope that the relationship between the BCB and the army would be strengthen in the future.

The first aid clinic was conducted by a three-man team headed by Sergeant

Seon Duncan, Senior first aid Instructor of the GDF, and participants were also exposed to public demonstration of how to administer first aid.

Each club was also provided with a comprehensive first aid package on the necessary information on first aid. At the end of the clinic, representatives of the different clubs, schools and organisations expressed gratitude to the BCB for organising the programme as they are now better educated about first aid and how to respond if someone is injured.

On the other hand, the Windward Islands trashed Barbados by nine wickets in their opening round, before being beaten by hosts Trinidad and Tobago by 186 runs in the second round

They are currently tied with the Leeward Islands on 20 points after two games each. Jamaica lead the points table with 35 points (2 games), followed by Barbados 19 points (2 games), T&T 16 points (1 game), Guyana six points (2 games) and Combined Campuses and Colleges four points (1 game).

The Windward Islands have named an unchanged 13-man squad from their second round.

Admission to the venue is free on each day.

The Guyana squad for the third round reads: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Narsingh Deonarine, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell (vice-captain), Amir Khan, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph and Vishaul Singh. The Windward Islands squad reads: Liam Sebastien (captain), Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Romel Currency, Lindon James, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Nelon Pascal, Kenroy Peters, Dalton Polius, Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile. careers on the line...

DCB U-15 Inter-zone competition...

Georgetown slaughter West Demerara; East Coast defeat East Bank

Georgetown Under-15 boys had a meal of the West Demerara boys in their first round encounter of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-15 Inter-zone competition at the Demerara Cricket Club ground on Wednesday, winning by 278 runs.

Georgetown won the toss and opted to bat first. They finished with a massive 291-5 from their allotted 50 overs. Alphius Bookie slammed 109, which included 12 boundaries and one six, while Kurt Lovell and Joshua Persaud contributed 61 and 31 respectively.

Bowling for West Demerara, Daneshwar Kowlessar and Retesh Samaroo took two wickets each.

In reply, West Demerara innings was a shocker as they were rattled out for an astonishing 13 runs in 10 overs. All the batsmen were scoreless; nine of them were bowled and one leg before.

The 13 runs were all extras.

Ashmead Nedd led the way with the ball, snatching 4-0, Colin Barlow took 3-0

and conceded three extras, and Junior Phillips took 2-0 and conceded nine extras. Bookie was judged man of the match for his remarkable century.

Over at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, East Coast comfortably defeated East Bank by 19 runs. Batting first, East Coast got up to 175 in 49 overs. Bhaskar Yadram topscored with 47 and got support from Ramdeo Basdeo (40).

Extras amounted to 33.

Bowling for East Bank, Bhojnarine Singh captured 5-22, while Ricky Dass took 3-26.

In their chase, East Bank managed only 156 in 41.2 overs. Sagar Hiathiramani made 35, Ricky Dass 19 and Raule Douglas 13.

Basdeo was the destroyer with the ball, finishing with six wickets. His all-round effort earned him the man-ofthe-match award.

Berbicians benefit from BCB 75th anniversary medical outreach

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday last continued its Diamond Jubilee celebration with the hosting of a successful medical outreach programme at the J.C Chandisingh Secondary School.

Hundreds of residents drawn from the Lower Corentyne area benefitted from free medical care by personnel from the Guyana Defence Force. A team of doctors, dentists, nurses and medical assistants conducted the six-hour outreach, which was coordinated by the BCB 75th anniversary committee and special events committee.

Residents, who turned

up for the medical outreach, expressed their gratitude to the BCB for organising the event and praised the board for its involvement in community-based programmes that are making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Chairman of the Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster, expressed gratitude to Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Mark Phillips, for his support of the BCB Golden Jubilee celebration and stated that the Berbice Board was committed to not only making the Ancient County the best on the cricket field, but also to playing a role in the development of Guyana.

RHTYSC Busta Champion of Champions…

He stated that it was a pleasure for the BCB to assist members of the public to have access to free medical care and voiced his satisfaction at the turnout of residents at the programme.

The BCB has organised a year-long list of activities to mark the Golden Jubilee celebration. September has been designated the official month of the Golden Jubilee with a total of 20 major programmes planned for that month.

The upcoming Golden Jubilee programme would be the hosting of the Elizabeth Styles coaching programme and a BCB 75th anniversary exhibition for secondary schools in Berbice.

RHTGG, Albion book places in final

The cast for the final of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s (RHTY&SC) Busta Champion of Champions was decided on Saturday and the two favourite teams were left on the stage once again to battle it out for championship honours.

Playing at the Area “H” ground in Rose Hall Town, defending champions RHT Gizmos and Gadgets crushed Young Warriors by a massive margin, while Albion cruised past a lacklustre Port Mourant side by seven wickets.

RHTGG, winning the toss and electing to bat first, received an opening partnership of 24 in six overs between former national player Delbert Hicks and former national Under-19 player Dominic Rikhi, before Rikhi got an inside edge to medium-pacer Royden Phil into his stumps for 10.

Phil then struck with his next delivery to trap Jason Sinclair leg before for nought to leave RHTGG 24-2. Hicks and West Indies ODI player Royston Crandon then added 16 runs for the third wicket before former national junior player Shaquille Williams had the big-hitting Hicks caught for 20.

National player Rajiv Ivan (40) and Crandon (35) repaired the damage by adding 85 for the fourth wicket before both were dismissed by off-spinner Balram Samaroo to leave RHTGG 127-5 in the 24th over.

Former national Under-19 player Clinton Pestano then blasted 77 with 10 fours and two massive sixes and received support from national Under-19 captain Shawn Pereira 55 not out (3x4) as RHTGG reached a massive 285-9 off the allotted 47 overs.

Bowling for Young Warriors, Samaroo had bowling figures of 10-0-45-2 and Williams 10-1-493. In response, the visitors found themselves tottering at 9-4 in the fourth over as RHTGG opened with spin at both ends.

West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer was bowled by off-spinner Troy Mathieson for one, while Vishal Mohabir (01), Kassim Khan (05) and Ishwar Singh (nought) were all dismissed cheaply.

Kevin Ramdeen and Shaquille Williams then laboured to take the score to 82 in the 20th over before the former was trapped leg before by Ivan for 29. The rest of the batting quickly folded as only Williams with an impressive 50 offered any resistance.

Sasenarine Sukhdeo, who surprisingly batted at number 10, was left unbeaten on 13 as Mathieson took 4-21 from eight overs, Ivan 2-27 from six overs and Pereira 3-9 from 3.4 overs to bowl out the visitors for 135 in 27.4 overs.

Albion win

At the Port Mourant ground, the home players, who are re-organising to recapture the club’s former glory, were brought down to earth by a severely depleted Albion side, missing five national cricketers.

Batting first, Port Mourant were well placed at 67-1 in the 20th over after opener Andrew Lyght Jr was earlier dismissed for six by medium-pacer Satesh Dwarka.

Joshua Ramsammy and Devendra Thakurdeen added 56 for the second wicket before Thakurdeen in a careless piece of cricket was bowled by Jonathan Foo for 27. The dismissal of the talented Ramsammy for 25 engineered a massive collapse as PMCC folded for 122 all out in 42.3 overs as only Chandrasekar Arjune with 12 reached double-

figures for the remaining batsmen.

West Indies Under-19 left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie claimed 3-17 from 10 overs; Foo took 2-19 off 8.3 overs, while Sharaz Ramcharran had 4-15 from seven overs.

In response, Albion found themselves in trouble at 12-2 in the third over as Balchan Baldeo was caught at cover off mediumpacer Yogindra Harrinarine for six, while fellow medium-pacer Manoj Looknauth dismissed national Under-15 player Adrian Sukhwa without scoring.

National player Foo then took over and together with Sharaz Ramcharran took the score to 56 in the 10th over before Ramcharran was dismissed by left-arm spin-

ner Gregory Crandon for just two as Foo took the attack to the PMCC bowlers.

Berbice Under-19 player David Latchaya joined Foo and together they saw their team home with an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 67 runs as Albion reached 1233 off 21.1 overs.

The talented Foo blasted 81 not out with eight boundaries and four massive sixes, while an impressive Latchaya scored 20 not out (2x4s).

Bowling for a clearly disappointed PMCC, Yogendra Harrinarine, Manoj Looknauth and Gregory Crandon took one wicket apiece. The final of the tournament is scheduled for the Port Mourant ground on a date to be announced.

YBG, GABF set to address affiliation issues

to the federation.

However, with the YBG set to host their Sprite Challenge series this weekend, the letter noted that YBG has not formally asked the GABF for permission to use any of the referees, players or personnel affiliated to the federation which can cause sanctions, fines or expulsions being handed to those personnel involved in YBG’s activities.

The letter penned by the president of the GABF Nigel Hinds also noted that the

YBG not seeking approval is causing problems with management of the GABF despite appreciating the work that the YBG has done within the frame of youth basketball.

In an invited comment, director of the YBG Chris Bowman stressed “the concerns of the federation are being addressed.”

Meanwhile, the YBG Skill challenge series is still set to run off from March 16 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

EBDCA/Neville Sarjoo Memorial T20 continues this weekend

The Neville Sarjoo Memorial T20 Cricket Competition for clubs affiliated to the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA), is set to continue this weekend with eight matches at two venues.

Matches will be played in Laluni and the YMCA ground, respectively.

On Saturday, Laluni will host Nandy Park from 09:30hrs before Nandy Park clash with Sand Pipers from 13:00hrs.

Over at the YMCA

ground, Ruimveldt will clash with Diamond from 09:30hrs, while Herstelling and Combined United will meet from 13:00hrs.

On Sunday, hosts Laluni and Farm will meet in the first encounter, with Laluni and Eccles clashing in the second game at the same venue.

Uprising and Ruimveldt will clash in the first match at the YMCA venue, while Diamond will take on Herstelling in the second fixture.

By Treiston Joseph

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) on Tuesday released a letter warning all personnel about participating in any Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) events, stating that the events are unsanctioned by the governing body of basketball in Guyana.

The letter noted that there were informal discussions between the two entities which did not bear fruit , nor was a formal decision made thereafter on the status of the YBG’s affiliation

Hadi golf tournament set for Saturday

Golfers coming off the successful Morris Solomon Accounting Firm’s golf tournament will on Saturday tee off for the inaugural Hadi Worldwide Inc. Medal Play tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

Hadi Worldwide International, part of the Mohammed’s group of companies, and active supporter of social programmes in depressed communities, is pleased to sponsor this week’s event.

The chief executive officer of the company said his company focuses on poverty alleviation, but is happy to be associated with sporting activities as well.

Players will be competing for first, second and third best net, as well as

best gross and nearest-tothe-pin. There will also be a special prize for the best female player.

Given the excellent weather and course conditions, the field is wide open with last week’s winner Brian Hackett, Colin Ming, and Mark Lashley expected to do very well.

Keen competition is also expected from Gavin Todd, Clifford Reis, Alfred

Mentore, Ian Gouveia, Munaf Arjune, Pur Persaud, Bholaram Deo, Andre Cummings, Roy Cummings, Matti Weslin, Jack Harry, Sam Harry, Naro Dhanpat, Troy Cadogan, George Bulkan, Kishan Bacchus, David Mohamad and Jerome Khan.

Fierce competition is also expected among Christine Sukhram, Joann Deo, Shonella Webster and Juliet Prince for the special prize for the best female player.

Regional Four-Day Tournament……

Careers on the line as Guyana face Windward Islands

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Shivnarine Chanderpaul to their line-up, but the ca reers of several other senior cricketers are definitely on the line.

for an improved showing from their batsmen when they take on the Windward Islands in the third round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament, be ginning from 10:00h this morning at the Guyana National Stadium.

by hosts Jamaica by sev en wickets in the open ing round, before crash ing to a humiliating 131-run defeat in side three days against the de fending champi ons Barbados in their own back yard, the follow ing round. the Guyanese have their worries and need to sort them out fast. Their immethe game. Their run-

Test batsmen Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin and Narsingh Deonarine are the biggest culprit. With a combined total of 25 Test matches under their belts, Chattergoon’s scores to date from the four innings are 0, 13, 50 & 9, Fudadin’s contribution reads 21, 33, 0 and 12, while Deonarine has a total of 38 runs also from four innings; absolutely insignificant.

Further, statistics give Windward Islands the edge, after they have defeated their opponent at this level for the past three

cause of an injured thumb, is the only change to the 13man squad.

He replaces fellow left hander Chanderpaul Hemraj, who was called up for the last game against Barbados, but did not make the final eleven.

Chanderpaul will take over the leadership role of the side from stand-in captain Christopher Barnwell and will definitely boost the Guyanese batting line-up that was severely depleted for the first two games.

Further, batsmen Ramnaresh Sarwan and Leon Johnson are still unavailable because of injuries.

Meanwhile, Chanderpaul, who missed Guyana’s first two games be-

However, the Guyanese will try desperately for an improved performance, but that will depend largely on how quickly their batsmen can improve, since the bowling department looks of less concern.

Fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, who missed the last game against Barbados because of a side injury, has recovered fully, but he has not been included in the final squad.