Guyana Times Daily

friday, april 18, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Five charged for Foulis businessman’s murder

Five persons were charged for the murder of Foulis businessman, Rajendra Sunil Singh when they made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday.

Doednauth Ketwaroo, 27, a contractor of Good Hoop, East Coast Demerara; Tony Thomas, 27, of Bel Air Park, Georgetown; Michael Lewis, 36, a taxi driver of Sheriff Street, Georgetown; Adony James, 31, of Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown; and Sheldon Chase, 34, a miner of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, were all remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan.

They were not required to plea to the indictable charge which stated that between April 5 and 9, they murdered Singh at the Le Repentir Cemetery.

Ketwaroo and Lewis were represented by Attorney Gordon Gilhuys while James was repre-

sented by Attorney Syndell Ferrell.

In his presentation to the court, Gilhuys accused the investigators of severely beating his clients to get a confession and for them to sign the caution statement, and as such, requested the Magistrate to instruct the Police to take them for a

medical checkup.

He also noted that his clients had alibis to confirm their whereabouts during the time of the kidnap and murder. The attorney also requested the medical certificate after his clients would have been examined.

Ferrell also told the court that her client was beaten

and requested for James to be taken to the hospital for a medical examination.

No visible sign

However, Prosecutor Stephen Telford said by looking at the men, it is clear that there was no visible mark of violence on them, to indicate that they

were beaten.

But Gilhuys said not because there is no visible sign, it means they were not beaten.

The Magistrate has since instructed the Police to take the prisoners to be examined by medical personnel. Nevertheless, Prosecutor Telford requested for bail to be refused and a date set for fixture, while positing that there are 31 witnesses to testify in the matter.

The Magistrate remanded the men to prison. They will make their next court appearance on May 21.

Security

However, security at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was beefed up moments before the men made their grand appearance. They were brought in an open back Hilux vehicle, with heavily armed police ranks.

As they stepped out of the vehicle, the relatives of the men were heard shouting and screaming for justice to prevail, claiming that they are innocent. “Is wicked, they wicked to charge them innocent people,” one woman stated.

“Hold up bhai, hold up… they nah get nothing against you to lock you up for long,” another woman shouted.

The commotion caught the attention of passersby who looked in to get a glimpse of what was happening.

The men were eventually taken into the holding area, then to the court room for the charges to be read. The men stood silently in the courtroom as the charges were jointly read to them in the presence of their lawyers.

It was reported that the kidnapping stemmed from the sale of several of the businessman’s properties, which led to greed for money.

It is believed that the men were business associates and would frequent Singh’s house, thus, they were well aware of his business deals.

The kidnappers attempted to extort money from the businessman, but their plan failed.

On the night in question, their main target was reportedly Singh’s teenage son whom they thought was in the car with him.

On the night in question, the businessman would have seen their faces; hence, they were left with no alternative but to take him along.

They also confessed to making contact with Singh’s wife, demanding $50 million for his safe return as they believe he had the money at home. After they realised the Police had gotten involved in the matter, they reportedly lowered the ransom to $25 million.

After three days and their demands were not met, the suspects reportedly shot the businessman twice to the head aback the La Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown.

GT&T services resume on Essequibo Coast

– after 24-hour shutdown

Thousands of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company (GT&T) customers on the Essequibo Coast were affected following a 24-hour service disruption that ended about 16:00h on Thursday.

The disruption was caused by a damaged GT&T cable. According to reports, all mobile, landlines and GT&T Internet-powered devices were shutdown.

The sudden shutdown had created communication barriers in businesses, pub-

lic and private agencies. Customers who use GT&T BBM service on the Essequibo Coast said they want back their time on data.

Apart from Internet services, all ATM machines on the Essequibo Coast were down and many persons had to join long lines in the bank.

Many persons have described the situation as very frustrating and expressed relief on the resumption of service.

Protest erupts after NA shooting

Residents of Caracas Village, West Canje Berbice, took to the streets of New Amsterdam on Thursday morning to protest the shooting to death of a resident in the area on Wednesday night.

This publication was on the scene and spoke to several agitated residents, all of whom, were angrily calling for justice over the death of Errol Lindo.

The deceased was shot thrice reportedly by a prominent businessman in the town over an suspected land dispute.

One resident Lewis Nelson angrily said: “… we need justice… the higher authorities have to look into this”.

“He fired one shot pon de man, that not enough, he fire two, and when the man fall down, he made sure he fire a next one," another resident claimed.

“We want the

Government to look into this, he only fleecing we our money.

"Every time 'Bristol' want, we give him money…Errol was a hardworking man and he don’t trouble anybody, he does do farming and work with rice farmers in Black Bush…,” another claimed.

Chanting

The protesters converged at several locations in the town chanting, “We want justice…we want justice”, with their placards bearing several different messages, including “One man dead, we need justice”.

The protesters were making their way to the Central Police Station to continue their protest, but the ranks hastily intercepted and cordoned off the area, so they could not gain entry.

The residents are alleging that this was not the first incident in which the businessman demolished someone’s home as one resident, Andrew (only name given), told this publication that he was also a recipient of the man’s harsh and unfeeling treatment in this regard.

“Only last year he bruck down me house, me na get money fo bribe no body so he get off.

"I on me own after that,” he said, while pointing out that several other poor hardworking residents in the area have borne the brunt of the businessman’s actions.

Justice

“We will continue our protest until justice is served …,” they said, while claiming that the matter of the land dispute between Henry and Lindo was won by the deceased and that

was an aggravation to the businessman.

In an invited comment, B Division Commander Brian Joseph said he saw no need for the protest action as justice will prevail once witnesses come forward and give the necessary statements that would implicate the alleged murderer of committing the crime.

“Witnesses need to cooperate with the police and come forward and give evidence and statements, so the alleged murderer can be brought to justice,” Joseph said.

He disclosed that three persons have demonstrated their willingness to testify and give evidence against the alleged murderer.

Meanwhile, the alleged shooter Charles Henry, also called Bristol, remains in police custody as investigations intensify.

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

Conversations about gender inequality

Guyana over the past 40 years has come a long way in not only giving greater recognition to women legislatively, but has managed to significantly close the gender inequality gap. Today, women on the whole are no longer seen as persons confined to the home, with their primary role being to tend to the needs of their families.

They are virtually in every profession, moving away from traditional fields such as teaching and nursing, to being doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officers, soldiers, and even pilots. Sometimes, the calls for gender equality, or equal opportunities for women appear to be hollow cries, as more than 55 per cent of the workforce in the public service are women. The situation is practically the same with lecturers and students at the University of Guyana and teachers in the public school system.

The views of women are well ventilated in the National Assembly, and are done so by women on both sides of the House. Even in the school system, girls are the top achievers at the NGSA and the CSEC examinations.

Speaking of the strides made, in her budget presentation, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster reported to the House that, at the recent 58th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March, to review the challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls, Guyana reported good progress in its efforts to reduce hunger, increase access to social services and benefits, improve enrolment in and completion of primary education, and empower women.

“Guyana, by virtue of adopting a people-centred development approach, has come a long way toward mainstreaming gender equality and the empowerment of women in national policies. Recognising the importance of creating space for women to contribute to society, strong advocacy was done at the international level for stand-alone goals to be included in the Post-2015 Development Agenda with respect to issues on gender equality, the economic advancement and support of our women and girls, and the protection of women’s rights,” she said.

While these pronouncements indicate laudable strides made in the empowerment of women generally, all is not well, as the issue of domestic violence and the stigma and perception of the scourge still remain, even though it has changed significantly.

At police stations and outposts, victims are seldom shunned, but the issue of domestic violence never seems to abate. The police have reported that there have been three domestic violence related deaths thus far this year.

Domestic violence has been a dark side to the achievements and efforts to empower women and unless tackled through a holistic approach involving the churches, temples, masjids and the school system, by raising awareness of the social ill, the culture of beating the woman for her perceived wrongs will remain. In all of this, women also have a role to play.

Though the Government has legislated laws to address this problem, one gets the impression that enough is not being done to generate a change in attitude and approaches, particularly, among the lesser intellectually endowed in rural and some urban areas, where the situation mostly occur.

Apart from domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation of vulnerable women remain a cancer to society, and must be dealt with robustly, regardless of the perpetrator. Many would recall a case involving a prominent city businessman in which he walked free fortuitously in a matter involving a minor.

A few years ago, an East Coast Demerara businessman who killed his wife, an incident that caused public outrage, was set free due to poor prosecution work. These are only two examples of where the perpetrators would have gotten off for their alleged misdeed.

When one considers what currently obtains, it is reasonable to suggest that the conversation on equal opportunities for women should be broadened, focusing more on women’s and girls’ security and gender justice.

The spread of secondary performance across Guyana is the mark of “greater” parity in the system

Dear Editor,

Clearly, the writer of your editorial on April 17 intentionally or accidentally missed the point of my letter on April 16.

I am sure that I pointed out that the spread of secondary performance across Guyana was the mark of “greater” parity in the system – the example cited regarding CSEC performance in two schools in Essequibo being just one

aspect of the overarching point.

In addition, I was at pains to point out that this happened as a result of a well thought out plan on the part of the Ministry and that all is not perfect yet, but there are “encouraging signs”(the evidence to support this is readily available).

I would have thought that your editorial team would have seen the value

in echoing the Ministry’s interest in supporting schools across the country rather than the myopic viewpoint expressed in the editorial.

As it relates to the primary grades assessments, I will make a thorough submission at a later date.

Olato Sam, Chief Education Officer Ministry of Education

Editor’s note: It does seem that the Chief Education Officer is a bit tetchy. All we said was: “What the Essequibo experience does teach is that parity is possible, but the Ministry must have a programme in place and more importantly, must ensure that the programme is executed so that the goal of parity becomes a reality.” Does he disagree? And is he suggesting that the purpose of the press is to “echo” officialdom?

Guyana needs a rice standards body

Dear Editor, Harvesting of the present rice crop is coming to an end where farmers are making full use of the sunny weather. While harvesting is now apace in the northern parts of the Essequibo Coast, millers have upped their prices from $3100 to $3500 for a bag of paddy.

It was a relatively small crop considering farmers harvesting an average of 25 to 30 bags per acre, while in the northern area the yield is an average of 20 bags per acre.

Signs are pointing now in the direction of increased competition for farmers’ paddy and

a resultant increase in the new prices of $3500, though this is still small, compared to the $4000 being offered for last crop paddy.

This is a significant disparity in the prices paid for farmers’ paddy early in the crop. However, the difference has greatly increased. It is not clear what is responsible for this sudden jump in the paddy prices. With the current trend, it is expected that at some point these prices will level off. Rice farmers who sold their paddy early in the crop are worried as millers began offering more competitive prices for poor quality paddy. This is un-

doubtedly a bold move to capture a greater share of the export market for rice and paddy.

If poor quality rice and paddy enter the markets, the implications for rice farmers can be quite serious indeed and they will have grave difficulties in selling their paddy to millers.

The consequences of substandard paddy and poor quality of rice entering some of our markets are already being felt. However, the high stocks of this crop and last crop paddy and rice in the country would add further pressure on the low prices being offered.

A transparent and efficient regulatory system

is essential to ensure that farmers who sold their paddy before the increase must receive the difference in their payments.

Guyana needs a rice marketing consortium standard for standards and quality relating to paddy and rice. This body will monitor standards for trade so millers cannot contaminate the international markets with poor quality rice and paddy. This body will be responsible for consistent WTO-TBT regulations.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Freddie should conduct a poll

Dear Editor,

Freddie Kissoon sought to besmirch my polling reputation in another section of the media. Such an attack requires an equal response that was not published. His was a crude unsubstantiated, odious comment – hallmark of an uneducated person.

He penned: Vishnu Bisram is “no pollster” while attacking Abu Bakr, whose intellect dwarfs that of the disgraced columnist. Freddie is no academic. Freddie’s line of reasoning on my polling is illogical – no premise and no argument – just an unsubstantiated comment –the hallmark of an uneducated person.

I note that Freddie was denied a degree in Toronto, that he himself admitted to in the media, and sent home. Now, he passes judgment on the academic pursuits of others. There are too many stories swirling around Freddie in Toronto.

Those of us in the loop in Toronto know why he was denied a degree and sent home and we prefer not to embarrass him. I also wish to note that I never blackmailed businesses for a free beef or pork burger; I am a person of integrity.

Since Freddie has admitted that he does not read much, one can understand why his knowledge is so limited and why he has been making so many factual blunders in his writings. His writ-

ings are personality driven and filled with venom against people who don’t support him financially.

Freddie never conducted a survey after promising annually to do so for the last 24 years. I have consistently maintained that I do not conduct polls for a living. Rather, I have done it as a free service to the people of Guyana and her diaspora and the greater Caribbean region.

I use my salary to pursue charitable and social work worldwide, including conducting opinion polls. And I am currently in India doing same. I am using my personal money to fund research and polls.

If a pollster does not hire him as a consultant, then the poll would not be professional. Neither TRPI nor NACTA hired Freddie as a consultant and, therefore, he rendered our polls unprofessional and conducted in Bronx basement apartments. Here is a man denigrating poor Guyanese and social workers like us when he himself lived in a basement in Toronto.

Freddie condemned the neutral polls of TRPI and NACTA, but praised the polls of Dick Morris and Cadres, commissioned by AFC, just because of a consultancy fee he obtained. It is noted that many informed me that several businessmen have given Freddie a consultancy and he did not bother them in the media.

Those who did not pay the price – evidence abound with attacks on food outlets when businesses refused to give freeness. I also note Kissoon did not attack the Morris and Cadres polls that predicted the AFC as being close to “victory” in 2006 and 2011.

The NACTA polls I conducted, not commissioned by any party, but by newspapers, predicted victories for the PPP with PNC in second place and AFC a distant third. The actual results of both elections mirrored those of NACTA and did not even come close to the findings of Morris or Cadres.

I challenge Freddie to conduct a poll for the next election in Guyana and I will also conduct a poll as I have been doing annually since 1992 out of my own pocket. If Freddie’s findings are closer to the outcome of the election than NACTA’s, I will cease and desist from conducting polls in Guyana. If the finding of my poll is closer to the outcome of the elections, Freddie will cover the cost of my poll and cease and desist from all writings. I doubt Freddie will agree to this condition because he knows that the NACTA’s polls have been historically accurate as he himself praised the poll in 1997, 2001 and 2003.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Inept politicians (Part two)

Dear Editor, I use the term “memory loss” specifically because in earlier struggles for Amerindian development, I emphatically recall the many requests we made for administrative and financial training for the villagers, so that they could manage their own affairs responsibly.

Fortunately, these requests fell on fertile ground so that the Government and their donor agencies were able to fulfil these needs. Arising out of this, we saw the establishment of village offices, training for toshaos and councillors, and eventually the establishment of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), along with the Youth Programme Initiative.

And in Sydney’s own words, we had training up to the throat, and what was needed now was the financial assistance so that the real development can be realised.

This financial assistance, channelled through and using the NTC to prioritise these financial investments, as so eloquently enunciated by the Minister, saw the villages acquiring tractors, trucks, boats and engines, and ventures into sheep farming, cattle farming, fish ponds and the list goes on.

These investments as we are all aware, has made a tremendous improvement to the way of life in the Amerindian communities, as Sydney should be well aware of, since the Annai village of which he was once Toshao, benefited from these programmes.

As I stated previously, I can forgive the joint Opposition, for “they know not what they do”, but for my friend Sydney Allicock to deny the Amerindian communities access to this Amerindian Development Fund is tantamount to betrayal of the people who bestowed upon him the high esteem of a leader.

Or, is it like some other communities have begun to

voice, that he is no longer his brothers’ keeper, but is only interested in his own community’s development, and is no longer keen to be an esteemed Leader.

This logic, I make bold to pronounce on, may be the reason Sydney, in his utterances in the budget debate, questioned the NTC’s ability or voluntary involvement in the prioritising of the Amerindian funds by the NTC, which has its democratic grounding, in sub-district council elections, then unto district level, before we even arrive at the NTC.

Finally, I would like to advise the Amerindian people that we must try to never get the condition of “memory loss” like Sydney, for as the saying goes “lest we forget, events are likely to repeat themselves”.

The repetition I allude to here involves the joint Opposition whether they come as the PNCR or with the APNU, or with the AFC, that they lifted not one finger or put one penny towards a development fund for the Amerindian people, or the demarcation of our lands, which this Government has embraced wholeheartedly since winning the General Elections and now deals with the extension of same.

Instead, they call our investments in development

“trinkets” and question our consultation process, utilising the NTC, to prioritise the fund.

Yet, we remember their type of consultation, which saw the near destruction of Linden, and the holding to ransom and starvation of the communities of Regions Seven, Eight and Nine for what the rest of the nation dubs free electricity, as billions of dollars are now budgeted for and passed without a murmur for this expenditure.

Lest we forget, I now remind the Amerindian peoples of Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine that we should never again place the combined Opposition in a position to deny the people our right to the Amerindian Development Fund. So come next elections, we must remember the fertile ground this Government has been to our requests and needs, lest our pleas fall on the arid soil of the Opposition and our development reverts back to a “hand to mouth” existence. No more “memory loss”. With thanks and best regards, John A Fredericks Region Nine

Page Foundation

Fun Easter facts for children

Easter is the holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. Easter is also known as Pasch or Pascha.

Some people believe the word Easter comes from the pagan holiday honouring Eostre the pagan goddess of spring which symbolised rebirth. Others believe the word Easter comes from the German word eostarun meaning dawn and white.

Easter is now celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on the Spring Equinox between March 22 and April 25, at the end of Lent on the last day of Holy Week. Holy Week starts off with Palm Sunday, the Thursday is Holy Thursday, which commemorates the day of the Last Supper; Good Friday, the day of Jesus’s crucifixion; and Sunday, the day Jesus rose (Easter).

Symbols of Easter

Eggs: During Lent, eating animal products includ-

ing eggs was not allowed. Hens still laid eggs so by Easter there were a lot of leftover eggs, hence the egg

was born. The traditional word for painting Easter eggs is called pysanka. Exchanging painted

as a symbol of fertility and new life.

Rabbits: Rabbits and hares were also symbols of fertility. In folkore, the Easter Bunny is a hare not a rabbit and lays eggs. Real hares and rabbits do not lay eggs. The idea of the Easter Bunny originated in Germany. Germans believed the Easter Bunny was a white hare that would leave colourful eggs for good girls and boys on Easter morning. The girls and boys would wake up Easter morning and build nests out of sticks and leaves so the Easter Bunny can leave them the eggs. This is how the first Easter hunts started. Original Easter baskets were made to look like nests now children receive colourful baskets filled with eggs and candies from the Easter Bunny. The first edible Easter Bunnies were made in Germany in the early 1800s. They were made of pastry and sugar.

Easter is the second

largest candy consuming holiday. Halloween is the first. Every day, five million marshmallow chicks and bunnies are made to prepare for Easter. When most people eat chocolate Easter bunnies they eat the ears first. The most popular chocolate eggs are Cadbury Cream Eggs. The Guinness Book of World Records stated the largest Easter Egg made was 25 feet high and made of chocolate and marshmallow. Every year, there is a big Easter Hunt at the White House in Washington, DC to celebrate Easter. The first Easter Egg Hunt or Roll at the White House was in 1878!

Kite flying: This tradition is said to have begun in commemoration of Christ’s ascension to heaven.

Traditional processions: In various countries across South America and Europe, processions mark the commemoration of the Holy Week.

For San Luis Potosi, Mexico, the city’s most iconic tradition takes place on Good Friday, it’s known as the Procession of Silence.

Nearly 2000 people from more than 25 guilds come together to participate in the procession, which starts at dusk. The entire ceremony is done in silence with dimmed street lights, as guilds make their way to Plaza del Carmen, carrying various religious emblems related with the passion and death of Christ, according to VisitMexico.

Easter lilies are sometimes called the “white-robed apostles of hope,” because they were reportedly found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ sweat fell to the ground in his final hours.

Hot cross buns. At the feast of Eostre, the Saxon fertility goddess, an ox was sacrificed. The ox’s horns became a symbol for the feast. They were carved into the ritual bread. Thus originated “hot cross buns”. The word “buns” is derived from the Saxon word “boun” which means “sacred ox.” Later, the symbol of a symmetrical cross was used to decorate the buns; the cross represented the moon, the heavenly body associated with the goddess, and its four quarters. Still later, the cross was symbolic of the cross of the crucifixion.

Continuation of U.S.'s LEAD Project provocative – Dr Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said the continuation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project in Guyana despite Government’s request for it to hold until the two countries complete discussions is provocative.

Dr Luncheon was at the time addressing the media at a post-Cabinet briefing, just three days after his return to office due to illness.

The Cabinet Secretary has already gotten on top of his game, calling out the U.S. authorities for having the USAID LEAD Project still in operation even in the face of Government’s disapproval.

The Cabinet Secretary disclosed that they met with U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt on April 9; however, he failed to mention that the project is ongoing. This “non-disclosure of continued implementation of a disapproved project speaks of… sheer horror,” he stated.

Dr Luncheon noted that during the meeting, they reiterated Government’s commitment to reengage in bilateral discussions. Asked whether Government will contemplate engaging in talks with the U.S. Government on a way forward with the project, he

said there is a realm of interventions which will impact the bilateral relations between the two countries.

He disclosed that while he is inclined to communicate with the U.S. authorities, he is yet to comprehend why they would take such a course, since Government has been explicitly clear on its position.

“Therefore in my own thinking, the effort has to be made to characterise the Government’s position with the greatest degree of finality. This is the Government’s position and that is what I will be undertaking on my return to office and in my anticipated engagements with the U.S. authorities,” he noted.

Dr Luncheon explained that the reengagement with

One arrested in Albouystown during attempted robbery

Aman was arrested after he attempted to commit a robbery on a businessman in Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, on Thursday morning.

According to information received, about 11:00h on the day in question, Rafeek Singh, a businessman and his wife were alerted to noise at the back of their home and on checking; they were confronted by a man who was attempting to gain entry into their house.

The man was reportedly using a ladder, and upon seeing the businessman, he discharged a round in his direction. Police ranks on patrol in the area responded to the sound of the gunshot and on approaching the scene, the armed man discharged several rounds at them.

Police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a release stated that the man was subsequently arrested and an unlicensed .45 Smith and Wesson Pistol with five live rounds were found in his possession.

Three spent shells were also recovered by the police at the scene. The man is expected to be charged shortly.

U.S. authorities is on the basis that they would not be engaging in talks under duress.

“That’s the basis for our reengagement and that is not renegotiable,” Dr Luncheon said. He further noted that Government is not at all prepared to discuss the project and its components while the said project is being implemented.

However, Dr Luncheon clarified that the issue will in no way rupture the relationship between the two countries. He was responding at the time to questions on whether Government was just not speaking on the LEAD Project or would cease to have any dialogue with the U.S. at all.

“There is nothing that I could see on the table right now that contributes to a sentiment of that sort, we don’t have any issue on the table that would indeed threaten the bilateral relationship, the diplomatic relationship between the Government of Guyana and the Government of the United States of America,” Dr Luncheon noted.

The USAID was contracted to execute the $300 million International Republican Institute (IRI)-funded project. However, Government has rejected the project, stating that there are certain aspects within it that they are not satisfied with.

The U.S. Ambassador had maintained that the project was good for Guyana and the Embassy will go ahead with it. Despite the controversy, the LEAD Project has been supported by the Opposition political parties, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Businessman forced to flee after shooting NA man – in police custody

Businessman Charles “Bristol” Henry was forced to flee for his life Wednesday night when residents turned on him after he shot dead a man of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam during a dispute over a plot of land.

Police in Berbice are investigating the gunning down of Errol Lindo of Caracas Village, West Canje, Berbice. The 52-yearold self-employed man was a farmer in the Black Bush area. Henry owns the Bristol Mini Mall.

According to information received, the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a plot of land where the deceased had constructed his home. Police sources told Guyana Times that Bristol, along with four of his employees went to the said land, and proceeded to demolish the structure erected by the late Lindo. While in the process of breaking down the wooden house, two women, armed with cutlasses, approached the men and one of them issued a threat: “I gon drop everybody.”

Reports are that Henry told his employees to ignore the women which they did.

Self-defence

Police said that shortly afterwards, Lindo arrived on the scene, armed with an axe, and attacked Henry by firing several chops at him. Henry claimed that he became fearful for his life and drew his firearm, which he had concealed in the waistband of his trousers and discharged a round at Lindo’s leg.

However, despite being hit, Lindo allegedly kept attacking him, Henry claimed, noting that he was forced to discharge two other rounds at the man. Once Lindo collapsed, a large crowd converged on the scene and allegedly attacked Henry, verbally and physically. He managed to escape via a neighbouring yard, while his employees were forced to leave the area. Henry’s Carina motor car, which was parked in front of the said yard, was set afire and completely destroyed by residents.

Meanwhile, Lindo was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds in the left leg and neck. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Information received is that Lindo, who originated from Black Bush Polder, had been squatting on a piece of land in Caracas for a number of years now and the land dispute is allegedly still before the courts. According to reports, Henry is the owner of 22 acres of transported land at Lot 1 Caracas Village, West Canje, Berbice, which he claimed he inherited from his cousin Gordon Bristol and from then, he began encountering difficulties with several squatters in the area. Following the chaos that ensued after the shooting, B Division (Berbice) Commander and other senior officers rushed to the scene to bring calm to the situation. Henry, a licensed firearm holder, was subsequently arrested and his firearm seized. Police investigations are ongoing.

Banks DIH, DDL trucks collide in Essequibo

The driver of a Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) truck was injured after his vehicle collided with one from Banks DIH on the Essequibo Coast Thursday morning. The accident occurred in the vicinity of Somerset.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, only the driver of the DDL truck was hurt. He is now nursing wounds at the Suddie Public Hospital.

An eyewitness told this newspaper that after the trucks collided, the driver of the DDL vehicle appeared to lose control. The DDL truck then ended up in a nearby trench.

The eyewitness, who was riding a bicycle some distance away from the point of impact, said: “The heavy-duty trucks collided, bounced off each other and then went a distance.” Upon hearing the loud impact, many persons rushed to the scene and assisted both drivers out.

The Banks DIH truck, which was taking stock to Charity, suffered extensive

damage. Its diesel tank and rearview mirror were all broken, while the entire front of the DDL truck, which was transporting water, was damaged.

According to the Banks DIH Branch Manager for Essequibo, Munniram Singh, his workers were not hurt. He said, however, the truck cannot move on its own power, since the diesel tank is damaged. Singh said the stock is still in the vehicle waiting to be discharged. This newspaper tried to make contact with manager of DDL, but was unsuccessful.

Eyew tness

Carrot and stick...

...in inner city

Reading of the latest effort to get some changes going in Albouystown, your Eyewitness was overwhelmed with the famous song by the King. (You young whippersnappers don’t know who’s “the King”? There’s only one King, friends....Elvis Presley, who still rocks!) We have to print the lyrics in their entirety:

As the snow flies

On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’

A poor little baby child is born

In the ghetto

And his mama cries ‘cause if there’s one thing that she don’t need it’s another hungry mouth to feed In the ghetto

People, don’t you understand the child needs a helping hand or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some day

Take a look at you and me, are we too blind to see, do we simply turn our heads and look the other way

Well the world turns and a hungry little boy with a runny nose plays in the street as the cold wind blows In the ghetto

And his hunger burns so he starts to roam the streets at night and he learns how to steal and he learns how to fight In the ghetto

Then one night in desperation a young man breaks away

He buys a gun, steals a car, tries to run, but he don’t get far And his mama cries

As a crowd gathers ‘round an angry young man face down on the street with a gun in his hand

In the ghetto

As her young man dies, on a cold and gray Chicago mornin’, another little baby child is born In the ghetto

For “snow” just substitute “rain” and for “Chicago” substitute “Albouystown” and you’ll have a glimpse of what life’s like “in the ghetto”. Point is, life in Albouystown’s not going to be changed by well-meaning people

handing out hampers and what not. It won’t be changed also by the police charging round the neighbourhood like bulls in a China shop – as has been recently charged by residents. Albouystown’s problem is Guyana’s problem writ large. Just as we were mired in poverty for so long we’re now regarded as scum of the earth by even neighbours like Trinidad (you think a Bajan would’ve been harassed with a “pink form” while having a heart attack?) Albouystown has been mired in a culture of poverty that is very difficult to break.

We’re going to have to come up with programmes that address the root question of “culture” which makes the problem systemic and structural – “another baby born” into the same poverty-stricken world with all the same upbringing and expectations of failure.

...on Linden Radio Station

The Opposition politicians are so hungry for power, they just don’t care about who they trample over. Take the wannabe warlord of Linden, Sharma Solomon. He and his cohorts in APNU – locally, regionally, and nationally – have been screaming bloody murder that the Government’s controlling the airwaves in their town. They need a new, independent outlet.

But when the Opposition says “independent” you know they mean “Opposition” right? Look what they just did in the mining town. An upstanding member of the community scraped together all that he can muster, applies for a radio licence and begins broadcasting. He then runs into problems paying for the radio licence fee, much less run a profit.

But because the fella tries to stay neutral in the Opposition’s quest for seizing power, Solomon declares the man is about to lose his licence!!! But the Broadcasting Authority never said such a thing. Business, of course, falls off and deepens the downward spiral. But most viciously of all, Solomon withholds regional payments owed to the station – and denies this was the case!!

It’s been stick all the way for the Linden fella. Isn’t it time for a carrot, Solomon? Is he not a man and a brother?

City Hall PRO under scrutiny

Local Government and Regional Development

Minister Norman Whittaker has ordered an investigation into the authority and dealings of Royston King, a former acting Town Clerk and current Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

The investigation reportedly stemmed from a letter dated July 13, 2012, which was written by King to Patrick De Groot, Chairman of the Beacon Foundation.

In the letter seen by this newspaper, King told De Groot that he had received the organisation’s request to be exempted from the payment of rates and taxes to the Council since it was a non-profit entity.

King further told the Chairman that according to the Municipal and District

Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, Section 212, the Council may grant such exemptions to religious and not for profit organisations.

He also stated that he had seen the requisite documents and the Beacon Foundation had met all of the requirements to be granted tax exemp-

tion and the Council had no objections to the foundation being granted the concession. The letter was signed by King with his designation deemed as acting Town Clerk.

As such, the Beacon Foundation discontinued paying rates and taxes to the Council.

While the circumstances surrounding the discovery of this development is not known, acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba found out about the matter sometime last week and subsequently wrote to Minister Whittaker on April 10, 2014, notifying him about the development some two years after it would have happened.

In her letter to the Minister, the Town Clerk alleged that the exemption amounts to some $36.2 million.

An excerpt from the letter stated: “I am unaware that the Public Relations Officer, Mr Royston King has ever acted as Town Clerk of Georgetown and further has the legal authority to exempt anyone from the payment of rates.”

Sooba advised the Minister to find out whether King was the author who had penned the letter to the Beacon Foundation and if he was indeed the author, he should be required to “produce the authority” under

which he had done so.

Minister Whittaker, in a letter dated April 17, wrote the Police Commissioner and the Auditor General, contending that King was not Town Clerk or acting Town Clerk at any point in time.

Power

Further, Whittaker noted that the power to exempt owners of certain properties from liability to pay rates and taxes were either wholly or partially vested in the Council and not in the Town Clerk’s authority or of any other singular officer.

The Minister disclosed in his letter that the Council had never exempted the owner of the Beacon Foundation from any rates and rates.

“I confirm further that the City Council never exempted the owner/s of the property described in the letter of July 13, 2012, which purportedly bears the signature of Mr Royston King from the payment of rates,” the letter addressed to the Auditor General and the Police Commissioner stated.

The Minister has therefore ordered that an investigation be launched “with a view of instituting charges, if deemed necessary against Mr King”.

Attempts by Guyana Times to contact King for a comment on the matter proved futile.

However, this publication spoke to the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia ChaseGreene, who contended that the Town Clerk is not being truthful, and was only trying to get back at King after he took her to court.

She disclosed that while Sooba was not aware, the Minister of all persons should know that King had served as acting Town Clerk for a period of one week after Town Clerk Yonette Pluck-Cort was asked to vacate office.

She stated that the week prior to Sooba being placed in the position, King was given approval by the Council to oc-

cupy the chair until a suitable replacement was found.

“The Finance Chairman Junior Garrett even took him around the Council on a tour and introduced him as the acting Town Clerk and this information can be verified by anyone at the Council,” ChaseGreen noted.

As it relates to the decision to exempt Beacon Foundation from rates and taxes, ChaseGreene noted that it was a decision which was sanctioned by the Council and not solely taken by King.

As such, she disclosed that King or any other members of the Council are not afraid of

the investigation. On Wednesday, the Government had filed an appeal against the ruling of acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, which nullified the then Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud’s decision to appoint Carol Sooba as Town Clerk. In the appeal filed on behalf of the Local Government Minister and named the respondent as Royston King, Public Relations Officer of City Council, it was argued that the Chief Justice erred in his ruling .

Dr Luncheon diagnosed with cancer

Three days after his return to office following a prolonged sick leave, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday disclosed that he has been diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer.

He made this disclosure as he returned to his chair, hosting the weekly post-Cabinet briefing.

Dr Luncheon disclosed that the malignant disease has spread to his lungs; however, he decided not to un-

dergo any surgeries. He was reportedly diagnosed with cancer in 2013.

Dr Luncheon explained that he had decided to proceed on sick leave, while he dealt with his decision not to undergo treatments. While he has returned to work, the HPS is very much conscious of his health and so his duties and responsibilities have been limited as he is still recuperating.

“I have taken a decision not to do anything of an interventionist nature. That is what I want and that is what I’m abiding by,” he told reporters.

The 65-year-old Cabinet Secretary has been on sick leave for the past two months. Dr Luncheon recalled his previous illness when he was forced to also take sick leave for a prolonged period in 2012. Meanwhile, Dr Luncheon further disclosed that he is vacating his chair, and the process has begun for his replacement.

“My commitment is beyond doubt; I love this country and I believe there are more people that love Luncheon than hate him,” he stated.

On the Essequibo Coast

Kites, clothing on demand as Easter approaches

The demand for kites and clothing on the Essequibo Coast has increased as Easter gets closer.

A visit to the Anna Regina Market on Thursday revealed that kites and clothing were selling like “hot cakes” as many persons tried to cash in on the great Easter bargains.

Prices for kites range from $200 to $3000, depending on the design and size. The increase in sales has

undoubtedly boosted the retail industry.

Kite vendors were seen everywhere and even children made kites to earn a fast dollar for Easter Day. According to Kaminie Persaud, 15, making kites is her favourite hobby and she relishes the opportunity during the season while accompanying her mother to the market to sell them.

The teen was happily holding her kites as she accompanied her mother on a

busy market day.

Another proud kite vendor, Mohan Singh, said he buys kites from Georgetown and resells them on the Essequibo Coast.

He said as a vendor, he sells according to the season and demand. Singh said sales have been going well, noting that they are being purchased mainly by teenagers.

Meanwhile, many persons are in a rush to purchase brightly coloured clothing for the Easter Day lime. These include jeans, quarter pants and trendy tops. Despite the demand, prices have not increased.

Apart from shopping, many Christians attend church services. Housewives were also busy preparing cross buns for Good Friday. Many persons on the Essequibo Coast are preparing for picnics, bar-b-ques and family get togethers for the day.

Good Friday is a good day to be good

Today is Good Friday, and this is a good day to be good and do good. Every day suppose to be a good day to be good. De Christians does go to church. Dem does remember de Saviour who save dem from wotlessness.

De people on Earth was so bad that de Saviour had to come all de way to Earth to save dem. Dem still didn’t change so he fly back to Heaven. No wonder it hard to find plenty good people nowadays. Dem in de minority like de guvament.

Good people becomin an endangered species. Today, it got some people who gon get save and it got some who gon only wait fuh church time done. That is when lawlessness does start. It gon turn to another ‘rum till I die’ day. De rum shops does cooperate and do business over de gate.

Good Friday or not, some people all year round is sheer badness. It become a parta dem life. Old people does call dem “bad-minded” people. Dem spiteful and jealous of people who better than dem. De Bell Crier ain’t call no name, but some names done come to mind. Just watch de names whah does always appear in Adumb columns.

De Opposition got a lotta people like that. De budget debate expose all a dem. All who hate de Amerindians get expose. And that is all a dem in de Opposition. De guvament got some too. Dem hate the indigenous people and does treat dem like outcast.

Even when de Amerindians come to GT to protest, Green Jah and Rum Jhaat bring dem own people. Then dem cut de budget and tek bread and butter from de Amerindians. Now Rum Jhaat change he mouth in de Stabber after he done stab the Amerindians.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, rum is like bread and butter fuh Rum Jhaat. One of these days some body gon tek way Rum Jhaat rum and he gon know how dem Amerindians feel. Even de Saviour gon have a hard time to save Rum Jhaat soul!

D Division Police on community outreach

Ranks of D Division last week continued their outreach to several communities in an effort to build public confidence at the community level.

The outreach led by Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, aims to foster better police/ community relations.

Some of the communities visited include Parika, Leonora, Den Amstel, Vreed-en-hoop, Bagotville

and Patentia.

During the meetings, the police highlighted the need to garner public support in the fight against crime and encouraged residents to form and maintain community policing groups.

The divisional commander and team listened to the concerns raised by the residents and made suggestions on the way forward, while assuring them that the Guyana Police Force will continue to act in a professional manner

in carrying out its mandate of maintaining public safety and security.

Some of the concerns raised were police confidentiality, the uncouth attitude of some ranks to members of the public, truancy, removal of tint from vehicles, increased patrols, and noise nuisance.

Generally, the residents welcomed the approach by the police and urged that the meetings continue on a monthly basis.

Budget disapprovals were carefully done – Granger

The A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) said it exercised “careful and diligent scrutiny” when it approved and disapproved of the items in the 2014 National Budget.

This pronouncement by APNU came amid heavy criticism from Government and sections of the private sector on the moves by the Opposition to disapprove or approve sections of the national budget.

Opposition Leader David Granger maintained that the coalition would have honoured its initial decision to assent to projects that are of benefit to Guyana.

“APNU from the outset demanded a budget that would be capable of developing the physical resources and improving the quality of life for Guyanese,” said Granger, adding that the 2014 Budget did not provide “sufficient public sector funding for economic development, education, employ-

ment, physical infrastructure, social protection and public security”.

On that note, the Opposition leader pointed out that the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) was defective. “The entire project was flawed... disruptive,” Granger contended.

He said that instead of

Cabinet approves five contracts for public works

Sector Tender Award

Public Works Provision of design consultancy and service for the East Bank Demerara Public Road (from Grove to Timehri)

Provision of design consultancy and service for the East Bank Berbice Public Road (from Stanleytown going south)

Provision of design consultancy and service for the West Demerara and Canal Polders Road

Relocation of buried and aerial cables and poles along the East Bank Demerara Public Road (between Providence and Diamond)

Construction of reinforced concrete drains, Lots 2 and 3 for the road improvement and rehabilitation programme on the East Bank Demerara (the segment of the four-lane expansion between Diamond and Providence)

Finance Consultancy to conduct workshop on monitoring and evaluation

CUS$593,000

US$397,000

US$586,000

investing money “in flawed projects”, the Government should have consulted with the residents in those communities to create projects that will benefit all.

He went on to explain that those communities have said they want technical and agricultural institutions.

Shadow Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ronald Bulkan related that Amerindians not only want these provisions, but were also pushing for the establishment of a development bank or union which would be able to offer them “developmental credit” to pursue economic activities.

Not against Bulkan maintained that contrary to what has been reported, the “APNU is not against the allocation of either that amount or fig-

ure or even a figure that is greater... we are certainly not against Amerindian development.”

He related that APNU is committed to “meaningful engagement” with the indigenous people, but the YEAP project was not the way forward.

Bulkan went on to indicate that the Opposition parties have voted against the expenditure of the funds, because it was informed that the monies would not be used for what it was requested.

He believes that the monies would go into politicising the Amerindian communities.

“What the Amerindians want is a hand up, not a handout,” said Bulkan as he explained the $30,000 per month which is provided to Community Support Officers (CSOs) was merely a handout.

He said a majority of the CSOs were members of the Progressive Youth Organisation, the youth arm of the People's Progressive Party.

On the issue of Amerindians coming all the way to the city to voice their disgust with the decision taken by the Opposition to disapprove funds that were allocated to the Amerindian Development Fund, Bulkan posited that the protest was a demeaning act on the part of the Government.

“Let me say this, I found it demeaning, humiliating, to see what the PPP has done to our Amerindian" said Bulkan.

However, at the scene of the protest on Tuesday, one man who only gave his name as Charles, spoke with Guyana Times. He said he was protesting because he wants the Opposition to restore the funds it disapproved.

“I’m protesting, because I want them to give us back our money, it is for our development, we need it in the villages,” he said. When questioned on how he would have made his way to the city from his home in Kamarang, Region Seven, he related that he became aware of the actions taken by the combined Opposition as the news had spread like wildfire through the villages in the interior.

He added that the National Toshaos Council provided transportation for them to reach the city and stand in solidarity against the action by the Opposition.

“I came here to protest because what they are doing is wrong, nobody did not pay me, I am not receiving payment for this, we want the monies from the budget to go into our villages,” Charles posited.

US$95,000

abinet has given its no-objection to six contracts, five in the area of public works and one for the Finance Ministry. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon at his post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, at the Office of the President, revealed the contracts that received Cabinet’s no objection. These are listed in the table below.

april 18, 2014

Ramjattan calls for establishment of development bank

Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday called for the establishment of a state development bank, geared at offering small business operators loans at competitive interest rates.

Speaking on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Programme, with support from the International Republican Institute (IRI) aired on TVG, Channel 28 Tuesday evening, Ramjattan emphasised the need for such a financial institution, stating that businesses in Guyana do not have credit readily available to them.

He further maintained that when prospective entrepreneurs would have gone through training, provided by various entities, they would still lack the resources needed to capitalise on opportunities in varying interest areas.

“It is one thing to create the educational status for students ready to go into entrepreneurial activities, but when they now go, there is no money for them to capitalise.”

Ramjattan, who was accompanied on the pro-

gramme by A Partnership For National Unity’s (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, said such an institution would go a far way in job creation.

On that note, Greenidge also said that such a venture would receive the support of APNU.

“I think we would be in agreement as it regards to the need of a development bank which addresses the need of the industry and agriculture,” said Greenidge.

It was disclosed by Agricultural Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy that small businesses in the agriculture sector had contributed close to $38 billion in revenue for Guyana in 2013.

Both parliamentarians say that there was need for greater investment in the education sector, particularly tertiary education.

Greenidge explained that while the Government is deserving of praise for physical

infrastructural development, the administration also needs to invest in the citizenry, so as to make the aforementioned investments “worthwhile”.

“The problem of our education system, whether at university or at primary schools, is not enough resources are being devoted to paying the people that are working there,” said Greenidge.

He added that “it is a kind of hardware, software problem” as he further elaborated the need for equal investment in the human resource factor of Guyana.

Ramjattan bemoaned the fact that Guyana does not have a law school and the Government’s unwillingness to increase the salaries of lecturers.

During the interview, both parliamentarians also touched on the area of security, noting that lack of proper security has contributed in a large part to the massive migration of professionals from here.

Draft bio-safety legislation to be completed shortly

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of drafting bio-safety/ bio-technology legislation, which is expected be concluded by June month-end after which it will be sent for approval by Cabinet and then to Parliament.

The draft bio-safety/biotechnology bill which has been developed by Consultant Teni Housty, entails contained use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)/Living Modified Organisms (LMOs), labelling, use of GMOs/LMOs for feed and food and release of GMOs into the environment.

The use of biotechnology in Guyana has not proven to be a threat to biodiversity or human health. It has been used in the agriculture sector partially due to strong economic support provided to Guyana’s economy from agriculture products and raw materials.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister

Robert Persaud stated that for many people bio-safety and bio-technology are very complex and because of the lack of familiarity in various areas, additional work has to be done to lift awareness and understanding of the threats and opportunities.

Minister Persaud said that there are opportunities in biodiversity, but those cannot be explored if there is not the necessary framework to

guard against what are the potential problems that can come about.

“We do hope that with the legislation and allowing us to fulfil our international obligation… that we will be able to distinguish ourselves as we would have done in other areas in terms of how we would be able to fulfil the obligations on the UN convention on biodiversity in which Guyana is involved,” Minister Persaud explained.

He expressed optimism that with this legislation Guyana will be able to distinguish itself as it did in other areas.

“This is just the start of

the consultation and public awareness, because I don’t want the private sector to believe that the Ministry will impose the legislation… we want to ensure that there is applicability in Guyana’s context in terms of what are the opportunities,” Minister Persaud pointed out.

Meanwhile, Housty said that putting together the 112page document was quite challenging. The process started with the technical information followed by the legal approach and the methodology adopted in looking at having bio-safety laws to protect the country’s people and its resources.

Opposition should explain rationale for budget disapprovals – Dr Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said the Opposition should offer Guyanese an explanation as to what precisely were their motives for disapproving sections of the 2014 Budget.

He said: “Exposing the administration to this non-starter and indeed the Guyanese people, our expectation of the future, our economy, workers on the breadline, why have they taken the decision to expose them to such indignity.”

Dr Luncheon added: “The actions of the Opposition, the decision they made must be explained as even a fool would know that the Appropriation Act contains provision inconsistent with a Government discharging its constitutional and its electoral mandate.”

The Cabinet Secretary at a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday was referring to the $37.46 billion, which was slashed from the $220 billion, 2014 National Budget.

An amended budget was passed subsequent to the consideration of the estimates of expenditure for the last scheduled sector, the Finance Ministry, following which the Supplementary Appropriation Bill Number Six of 2014 was passed.

“The annual exercise is formally in an Appropriation Act, less tens of billions of dollars originally proposed by the Minister of Finance would soon, we anticipate, be before President Ramotar for his assent.

Speaking on occurrences prior to the budget, Dr Luncheon said Guyanese should reflect on the pre-budget debate utterances which came from the Opposition camp.

The Head of the Presidential Secretariat added that the utterances should be looked at carefully, particularly in the context of what specifically happened following the deliberation of the budget estimates.

“We should note that negotiations were obviously felt appropriately in this season, but unfortunately they never got off the ground more often than not the commitments made by the opposition, they were not being honoured.”

Equally important, Dr Luncheon said, is an observation that the pre-budget utterances made by the Opposition,

very often departed in the outcome from the actual decisions that were made.

“It is an observation that recurred, agency after agency, ministry after ministry, the disconnect between what was promised and what was being promoted as the Opposition’s intention, and on the proverbial day of decision what actually was done.” Dr Luncheon added that it would be interesting to know, and interesting as well to have the Opposition explain the apparent disengagement, and even more interesting to have the Opposition share their rationale for the actions, decisions that they have made that in essence provided the provision in the Appropriation Act.

A total of $37.46 billion was disappoved from the 2014 National Budget. The Health Ministry suffered disapproval to the tune of $910 million. Under this funding the Specialty Hospital Project has been squashed along with several other critical developmental projects under the Health Ministry. Some of these include the provision of specialised clinical services for all Guyanese.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s $1.1 billion which was allocated for the Amerindian Development Fund’s (ADF) projects and programmes, which specifically target and encourage self sufficiency and economic and social development in the hinterland, has also been slashed.

The parliamentary Opposition parties voted against the $6.5 billion which has been allocated under the Public Works Minister, for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). In cutting the transport sector budget, other aspects were also affected such as the upgrade of hinterland airstrips.

The Opposition's disapproval of the $18.5 billion for initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) saw the entire policy and administration being disapproved capital budget totalling $22.3 billion. This affected the Amaila falls Hydro project, the EPA, Community Development Projects (CDPs), land titling project, the micro and small business enterprise development project and the Cunha Canal project.

Funds totalling $5.1 billion for Office of the President and several other key agencies which fall under it purview were also voted against by the Parliamentary opposition. These include the Government Information Agency (GINA), National Communications Network (NCN), Presidential Guard Service, Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Integrity Commission, Office of the Commissioner of Information and the Office of the First Lady.

First Lady brings smiles to Linden children

– with kite distribution

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar brought smiles to the faces of children in the town of Linden on Wednesday, when she visited the community and distributed kites on behalf of the Office of the President.

The initiative was part of efforts to spreading Easter cheer to the little ones. Ramotar and a team of young individuals visited and distributed more than 500 kites to patients in the children’s wards of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) and to children who gathered at the Linmine Constabulary Hall at Mackenzie.

In addition, a number of students who were unable to attend the distribution exercise as they were sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination were also catered for.

The children who were present were advised by the First Lady to take their education seriously, in a short message, which was extended on behalf of His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar.

“I have brought a message to the children which is to stay in school and take in their education, because that is the only thing that can move them from one

level to another, just like the kite flies in the air, free, happy, and youthful. So they must have a proper education to be whatever they want to be, and they can fly as high as those kites. That is what we want for our children. These are our future, no matter how much money we give them, the education is something that no one can take from them,” she noted.

Interactive session

The First Lady also engaged the children in an interactive session on the meaning and symbolism of Easter and kite flying.

“It signifies when Jesus Christ was crucified and

Gold board being audited amid investigations

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud said an external auditor has been contracted and is in the process of auditing the accounts of the Guyana Gold Board following reports of tampering.

The auditor is performing a full forensic audit of its activities, to assist with the current investigation by the Guyana Police Force.

In a recent release, the board sought to reassure the general public that “all gold purchased by the Guyana Gold Board are first stored under the strictest security systems where it is impossible to allow for any tampering”.

“If needs be, we will also be engaging international help,” Persaud had said during a previous interview with this publication.

Persaud had also maintained that the Bartica suboffice would remain closed until such time that the investigations by the police are completed.

The board two weeks ago had called in the police to investigate an issue of gold being tampered during the purchasing process.

According to a statement then, the board said to facilitate the investigation;

the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry had accepted its decision to temporarily close all operations at the Bartica sub-office.

Seven employees attached to the gold board have been detained from the onset of the investigations, however, there was no word on whether these employees were released or are still in police custody.

Subsequent to the discovery of the scam, the Ministry and the Board of Directors convened a meeting with various stakeholders, including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and licensed gold dealers to ensure that the issue does not disrupt the overall trading of gold, particularly in Bartica, Region Seven.

Earlier this year, the manager of the gold board’s Bartica office was not adhering to procedures in determining the purity of gold when purchasing the mineral.

Chairman of the board, Rishi Sookram had related that it was mandatory that all gold being purchased be sampled in order to determine its purity. He added that the manager was dismissed because he failed to adhere to that essential procedure.

then he was resurrected. He rose from the dead, from the grave and he went into Heaven. So when he rose from the dead, the people started rejoicing... Now in Guyana, we fly kites. The kite is synonymous to Easter,” she explained.

Ramotar told par-

ents who gathered at the Constabulary Hall to take good care of and also to work along with their families, especially children in ensuring that Guyana becomes a better place. Additionally, she encouraged them to work together to develop their communities.

“Their job is to ensure that our children are well taken care of. It should not be your child or my child, but the children of the community. The community must raise these children. That is the only way we can have unity and love in our communities... then the domestic violence will be taken care of, child abuse and all the social ills of the community can be eradicated...we have to work together,” she said.

The First Lady also took the opportunity to wish all Guyanese a happy and peaceful Easter holiday. Ramotar said it is her hope to reach all communities throughout Guyana through meaningful gestures such as this one before the President concludes his tenure in office.

ture by the President and First Lady was deeply appreciated and welcomed in the community.

In expressing gratitude on behalf of parents in Linden, Lyndon Cumberbatch said the ges-

Children of the Amerindian community of St Cuthbert’s Mission were also treated to a similar exercise by the First Lady and her team on Monday.

Regional

Venezuelan protests: Negotiators report progress in talks to end conflict

Negotiators for the Venezuelan Government and the Opposition have agreed to broaden membership in a truth commission that is to investigate the 41 deaths linked to weeks of political unrest in the country.

The Colombian Foreign Minister, María Ángela Holguín, who is one of the outside facilitators in the

talks, on Wednesday called the step a sign of “progress” in the effort to calm Venezuela’s political unrest.

But Opposition leaders criticised the Government for not accepting a proposal for amnesty to be granted to people arrested during the protests. Hundreds of university students staged another anti-govern-

ment demonstration late on Wednesday, marching barefoot in what they said was penance for the country’s economic and crime problems.

The agreement on the truth commission was announced following hours of negotiations on Tuesday night behind closed doors. Both sides described those talks as a much-needed if torturous attempt at dialogue in a country that has become increasingly polarised.

Heading into the meeting the Government of President Nicolás Maduro had insisted that any investigation of the protests be led by the Venezuelan parliament, which it dominates. But the Government partially met the Opposition’s demands for an independent commission by agreeing to include national figures trusted by both sides. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

ALP says “Cutie” innocent until proven guilty

The Opposition is claiming that the rulingUnited Progressive Party (UPP) has misrepresented a recent Privy Council ruling involving one of its representatives.

The London-based court ruled Wednesday that Antigua Labour Party MP Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin was wrong to believe the DPP had the authority to instruct the police to drop charges against him. They also ruled that the fraud charges brought against him

should stand.

Following the ruling, the UPP held a press conference, hosted by Chairman Leon Chaku Symister and candidate Joanne Massiah, calling for Benjamin to step down as an election candidate.

Antigua Labour Party Chairman Paul “Chet” Greene said members of the UPP were playing politics and giving the impression that Benjamin was found guilty of some offence.

“What was tried at the Privy

Council was a constitutional motion to see whether the DPP has the authority to direct or instruct the police.

The Privy Council ruled that the DPP cannot direct but he can certainly request,” Greene said. “What this does is set the stage for a case to now go before the court. One gets the impression, listening to Chaku and Joanne, that Cutie Benjamin was found guilty by the Privy Council. No such thing happened.” (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Mexico ‘cartel city’ Mayor arrested over extortion claims

The Mayor of the Mexican city of Apatzingan, a stronghold of the Knights Templar drug cartel, has been arrested on suspicion of extorting money on behalf of the cartel. Prosecutors say Uriel Chavez pressured city councillors to hand over US$1500

(£900) of their salaries to the Knights Templar. Chavez denies the allegations. In February, armed vigilante groups marched into the city in an attempt to “clear” it of the cartel. The prosecutor’s office said they had received a number of complaints against Chavez by local

councillors alleging he had taken them to a rural area. There, armed men claiming to belong to the Knights Templar demanded money for weapons, the councillors said.

Last year, farmers tired of being extorted by cartel members joined “self-defence” groups in the western state of Michoacan. They took control of a number of towns earlier this year, promising to rid them of the influence of the Knights Templar, a criminal organisation engaged in extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and the illegal methamphetamine trade.

The Government originally tolerated the groups, inviting them to join a Rural Defence Corps under the command of the security forces. (Excerpt from BBC News)

U.S. Violates its laws, treaties with attacks on Cuba like ZunZuneo

The U.S. Government violates its own laws and all international treaties by interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs, something Washington has done since 1959, the Panamanian sociologist and international analyst Marco Gandasegui said on Wednesday.

In an interview with Prensa Latina, Gandasegui, who is also a researcher at the Latin American Studies Centre and coordinator of the working group for Studies on the United States, attached to the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, denounced ZunZuneo, a destabilisation programme against Cuba.

President Barack Obama, he said, has not

modified the plans against Cuba and its right to selfdetermination, which are already under way or in the process of development by various U.S. agencies.

The programme ZunZuneo is part of projects that Washington is constantly preparing in its laboratories and, regrettably, the United States still manipulates the U.S. people with lies fabricated by its propaganda machinery.

Gandasegui noted that U.S. foreign policy has been consistent for over a century. The region or the country that has not surrendered to its domination is considered its enemy, and those dominated are regarded as “friends”.

Those looking for space to develop their own interests are subjected to de-

stabilisation policies and those who have expressed different objectives to Washington’s are victims of different kinds of attacks.

Some, he added, are attacked militarily, as in the case of Cuba in 1961, or by using “low-profile” warfare tactics. The latter has also been Cuba’s case since 1959 to date, and it is where the programme ZunZuneo comes in.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has participated actively in the low-profile warfare against Cuba for more than 50 years, and the “mobile message service for cellphones” that the United States implemented in Cuba violates all international agreements. (Excerpt from Prensa Latina)

U.S. Coast Guard offloads US$110 Million of cocaine seized in Caribbean interdictions

15

Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Legare offloaded approximately 3300 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated wholesale value of US$110 million at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach on Tuesday, following two separate drug interdictions in the southwest Caribbean Sea.

On March 15, a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Glace Bay, assigned to Joint Interagency Task Force South, patrolling the Caribbean Sea, identified a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs.

The vessel was boarded by the LEDET, but no

drugs were found. During the boarding, the fishing vessel caught fire and sank. All passengers aboard the vessel were safely disembarked. A subsequent search of the general area located approximately 97 bales containing approximately 2400 kilograms cocaine floating in the water worth an estimated wholesale value of US$80 million wholesale.

On March 19, crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Legare pursued a go-fast vessel in the southwest Caribbean Sea. An embarked, armed Coast Guard helicopter crew launched and fired warning shots in attempt to get the suspects to stop. The helicopter crew then fired disabling fire at one of the engines prompting the suspected smugglers to jettison 900 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated wholesale value of US$30 million. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

TT murder toll jumps to 132 as three more killed

The country’s murder toll is now 132 after three men were shot dead between Tuesday night and Wednesday. The victims were identified as Nkosi Harricharan and Julio Cumberbatch, both 24, and David Cumberbatch, 29. In the first incident around 18:15h on Tuesday, police said Harricharan was walking along Hubert Street, Belmont, when he was shot in the head by a gunman. Harricharan lived at Gonzales Hill, Gonzales.

About three hours later, Cumberbatch, the son of a retired police officer, was

shot dead while walking along Quarry Street, Diego Martin. Police said around 21:40h residents of Quarry Street, in an area called “Rat Hole”, heard loud gunshots. They found Cumberbatch and Nigel Ferguson, 20, suffering from gunshots wounds about the body. They were taken to the St James Medical Complex where Cumberbatch was pronounced dead on arrival. He was shot twice in the chest and once in the upper torso. Ferguson was treated and transferred to the Port of Spain General Hospital with wounds to both legs. In the latest incident, David Cumberbatch was pronounced dead on arrival at the Eric Williams Medical Complex, Mt Hope, Wednesday, after he was shot in the head after purchasing car parts at Bamboo Settlement #2, Valsayn. According to police reports, Cumberbatch, of Mercer Road, Diego Martin, and his friend Sean Thomas were in his blue Mitsubishi Lancer when they were shot at as they approached a fishing farm in the area. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

More than 150 million vote so far on biggest polling day in Indian elections

More than 150 million people have voted so far in India on Thursday in the biggest single day’s polling of the six-week-long general election due to end next month. The often bitter contest is being described locally as the most important election for decades.

It pits the centre-left Congress party, in power since 2004, against the Hindu nationalist opposition Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), which favours more “pro-business” economic pol-

icies. The Congress campaign is led by 43-year-old Rahul Gandhi, scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. The BJP’s campaign is headed by Narendra Modi, 63, who has been wooing voters with promises to reinvigorate India’s flagging economy and to create jobs for its youthful population. Since the first votes were cast earlier this month, turnouts have been reaching historic levels. So far an average of about 68 per cent of eligible voters have cast their ballots in each succes-

sive phase of polling, 10 per cent more than in the last general election five years ago. By early afternoon on Thursday, some constituencies, particularly in the volatile northern state of Uttar Pradesh, a key political battleground, were recording turnouts already approaching 50 per cent. Election officials said that more than 80 per cent of voters had cast ballots in four constituencies in the eastern state of West Bengal by the time polling stations closed at 18:00h. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Anti-Semitic fliers in eastern Ukraine denounced

U.S. officials Thursday denounced what one called a “grotesque” leaflet ordering Jews in one eastern Ukrainian city to register with a Government office, but the Jewish community there dismissed it as a “provocation”. The fliers were handed out by masked men in front of the main synagogue in Donetsk, where pro-Russian protesters have declared a “People’s Republic,” Jewish leaders there said. The document warned the city’s Jews to register and document their property or face deportation,

according to a CNN translation of one of the leaflets.

Geoffrey Pyatt, the U.S. Mmbassador to Ukraine, told CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” that a respected Jewish leader in Ukraine showed him a photograph of one of the leaflets. He called the document “chilling”. And in Geneva, where diplomats held emergency talks on the Ukrainian crisis, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the leaflets “grotesque” and “beyond unacceptable”. But the Jewish community statement said it was not clear

who was behind the fliers, and the self-proclaimed head of the “People’s Republic,” Denis Pushilin, denied any connection to them. Pushilin told CNN the handwriting on the flier wasn’t his, and the title attached to his name was not one he uses.

The reports come as Ukraine’s Western-backed interim government has been struggling to contain uprisings by pro-Russian political movements in several eastern cities, with both sides invoking the historical horror of Nazism in their disputes. (Excerpt from CNN)

Japan’s Abe dubs China vital partner amid territorial

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticised Beijing for trying to “change the status quo” with force in maritime disputes but said China was a vital economic partner, as a series of visits suggested a possible thaw in ties between the Asian rivals. Sino-Japanese ties have been strained by a territorial row over tiny disputed isles in the East China Sea and perceptions in Beijing that Abe wants to rewrite Japan’s wartime history and

tone down past apologies.

“China’s growth is a chance for Japan, and for the world as well. China is Japan’s largest trading partner and we are in inseparable relations economically,” Abe said at a symposium. “On the other hand, it is true that China is challenging the status quo with force in the East China Sea and South China Sea,” Abe said, referring to Beijing’s territorial rows with several Southeast Asian countries as well.

Scientists discover first Earth-sized planet that could support life

For the first time, scientists have discovered an Earth-sized

alien planet in the habitable zone of its host star, an “Earth cousin” that just

might have liquid water and the right conditions for life.

The newfound planet, called Kepler-186f, was first spotted by NASA’s Kepler space telescope and circles a dim red dwarf star about 490 light-years from Earth. While the host star is dimmer than Earth’s sun and the planet is slightly bigger than Earth, the positioning of the alien world coupled with its size suggests that Kepler-186f could have water on its surface, scientists say.

“One of the things we’ve been looking for is maybe an Earth twin, which is an Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of a sunlike star,” Tom Barclay, Kepler scientist and co-author of the new exoplanet research, told Space.com. “This [Kepler-186f] is an Earthsized planet in the habitable zone of a cooler star. So, while it’s not an Earth twin, it is perhaps an Earth cousin. It has similar characteristics, but a different parent.” (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

disputes

“It is necessary for not only Japan but many other countries to prompt China to grow peacefully as a responsible country.” China’s People’s Liberation Army is building submarines, surface ships and anti-ship ballistic missiles, and has tested emerging technology aimed at destroying missiles in mid-air. The military modernisation has also been accompanied by a more assertive posture in its territorial disputes. (Excerpt from Reuters)

New global collaboration for urban resilience announced

This year’s World Urban Forum has resulted in the creation of a new alliance between nine of the world’s largest United Nations (UN) and non-UN organisations joining forces to build urban resilience and to strengthen the social, economic and environmental fabric of the world’s urban spaces.

The Medellín Collaboration on Urban Resilience, announced at the seventh World Urban Forum in Medellín, Colombia, includes the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR); The World Bank Group; the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR); the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); the Rockefeller Foundation; the 100 Resilient Cities –Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation; the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group; and ICLEI –Local Governments for Sustainability .

Growth and development

Collectively, these organisations work in over 2000 cities globally, with over US$2 billion of existing funds committed annually toward advancing resilient and sustainable urban growth and development.

The collaboration is based on the challenges cities face in promoting sustainable urbanisation, in particular the increasing urban exposure to various shocks and stresses. There are nearly 180,000 people added to the urban population each day and, by 2030, there will be nearly 5 billion urban dwellers, representing 60 per cent of the world population. There are also some one billion people living in informal settlements without adequate access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation, and in locations exposed to hurricanes, cyclones, flooding, earthquakes, epidemics, as well as crime, and other manmade threats, including serious risks from catastrophic climate change.

The aim of the collaboration is to facilitate the flow of knowledge and financial resources necessary to help cities become more resilient to disruptions related to climate change, disasters caused by natural hazards, and other systemic shocks and stresses, including the socio-economic challenges associated with rapid urbanisation.

Collaboration

“It is with pleasure I welcome the formation of this collaboration,” said UN-Habitat Executive Director, Dr Joan Clos. “Each of the institutions in this group brings both unique and shared expertise. Individually, we have accomplished much; together, we offer far more through our collective support to local governments in building resilience in all cities in the world.”

The UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margareta Wahlström, said: “There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for urban resilience in recent years. This new collaboration represents a consolidation of those efforts as we prepare for an explosion of urbanisation in the 21st century, when more urban space will be created than at any time in history. Over half the world’s population now lives in urban areas and this will grow dramatically in the coming generation. We must prepare for it.”

“The World Bank commits over US$2 billion a year to support urban resilience in developing countries,” said Sameh Wahba, Acting Director of the World Bank’s Urban Development and Resilience Department.

“This collaboration across organisations is a significant step towards facilitating the flow of additional financing to cities and ultimately ensuring that shocks to the urban system don’t undermine decades of economic growth and prosperity.”

“The IDB is proud to be part of such an important partnership with these global institutions in the sec-

tor,” said Vicente Fretes Cibils, Chief of Fiscal and Municipal Management Division at the IDB. “The IDB’s Urban Development and Housing strategy aims to promote environmental conservation, the management of urban natural resources, and adaptation to climate change. Our main objective is to make cities more resilient with interventions that have a positive impact on the largest number of poor households.”

“Building resilience is a priority for cities everywhere so that they are prepared for the shocks and stresses we know they will face,” said Dr Judith Rodin, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “Over the past decade The Rockefeller Foundation has worked globally to support cities as they build their resilience, and we are seeing incredible momentum, further evidenced by the joint commitment being made today.”

Build resilience

“In an endeavour as important as helping cities build resilience, the greater number of partners, the better,” said Michael Berkowitz, President of 100 Resilient Cities - Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation. “This collaboration will ensure that cities have access to the most powerful financial and technical tools to deal with shocks and stresses, and is directly in line with our goal of having best practices shared across the globe.”

“For the developing world, this will be the century of urbanisation,” said Francis Ghesquiere, Head, GFDRR Secretariat. “This creates huge opportunities, but also many challenges, including the concentration of vulnerable populations and the risk of major disasters. Through the “Medellin Collaboration on Urban Resilience” we and other partners are committing to provide cities with the support they need to improve urban planning, investment, and become more resilient.”

Cola giants back voluntary guidelines on land tenure

PepsiCo has joined fellow beverage corporation the CocaCola Company in giving its official support to a set of global guidelines that protect the rights of poor and vulnerable people to land, livelihoods and food security.

Initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security in 2012, the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure promotes secure ownership rights and equitable access to land, fisheries and forests as a means of eradicating hunger and poverty, supporting sustainable development and protecting the environment.

The guidelines call for the commitment of both the public and private sectors, and include recommendations to safeguard local people’s rights in the event of large-scale land acquisitions, warding off the phenomenon of land grabs.

PepsiCo has published a policy recognising its obligations to respect and protect the rights of local people and encouraging its supplier countries to meet certain standards, including the principles listed in the voluntary guidelines.

“PepsiCo is committed to doing business the right way and has a zerotolerance for illegal activities in our supply chain and land displacements of any legitimate land tenure holders,” according to the land policy.

In addition to fair and legal negotiations on land

transfers and acquisitions in developing countries, the company has pledged to carry out social and environmental assessments across its global supply chains, beginning in Brazil, its top sugar-sourcing country.

Coca-Cola commitment PepsiCo is the second big beverage company to give its support to the guidelines after the CocaCola Company publicised a commitment to land rights in November 2013.

Working with Oxfam, Coca-Cola committed to help protect the land rights of communities and conduct assessments in some of the world’s top sugarcane-producing regions, in addition to implementing a zero-tolerance stance on land grabbing.

As part of its commitment, the multinational said it would publicly advocate that food and beverage companies, traders, and sourcing country Governments endorse and implement the voluntary guidelines.

Both the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have also vowed to increase their participation in the Committee on World Food Security to further demonstrate support of responsible land rights practices.

“Securing the official commitment and operational support of both PepsiCo and the Coca-Cola Company is tremendously significant for the implementation of the voluntary guidelines and we hope that more large private companies will follow their lead,” said Marcela Villarreal, Director of FAO’s Office for Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development. For this purpose FAO is currently working on a private sector technical guide for the implementation of the voluntary guidelines, in collaboration with major private sector actors.

“FAO considers compliance with the voluntary guidelines as the baseline for all our partnerships, and we call on all of our current and potential partners to support them,” Villarreal said.

Cabinet approves four diplomatic appointments

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon at his postCabinet media briefing at the Office of the President on Thursday announced Cabinet’s approval of four diplomatic appointments.

Ambassador Sule Oztunc of Turkey has been appointed the new non-resident

Ambassador to the Republic of Guyana. She will be resident in Venezuela.

Ambassador Giovanni Rene Castillo Polanco has been appointed the new non-resident Ambassador of Guatemala to the Republic of Guyana, and he will be resident in Trinidad and Tobago.

Approval was grant-

ed for Elnur Ikhtiyar Oglu Sultanov to be appointed non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Guyana, and will be resident in Brasilia. Simon Tucker will be the new High Commissioner of New Zealand to the Republic of Guyana. He will be resident in Canada.

Queenstown man jailed for two weeks on narcotics charge

Rudolph Carrington, 42, a miner from Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast was jailed for two weeks for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Carrington appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Tuesday at the Anna Regina

Magistrate’s Court. The father of five pleaded guilty to the charge. According to police, the defendant on April 11, had in his possession two grams of cannabis.

The defendant admitted that he had the narcotics. He explained that he only came out of prison on April 3, and had lost his appetite, so he decided to use the drug to open-up his appetite.

The defendant was sentenced after the court was told that he had had a similar matter at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

Cuts to CJIA expansion project “injurious” to tourism sector – Ali

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali has stated that the combined Opposition does not take Guyana's development seriously. He was at the time giving his views on the cuts to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project.

He stated that from the inception one of the critical infrastructural developments for the tourism sector was the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

He highlighted several reasons why the expansion is absolutely necessary for the development of Guyana and more so the tourism industry.

Category One Status

Citing that it is important for Guyana to attain Category One Status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), he said gaining such status does not only entail the country having good security systems, but the infrastructure and the airport must be to a certain international standard.

“In expansion of the market, the configuration of the airport – in terms of size, space, and facilities –does not fit into the present international benchmark,” the Minister pointed out.

Achieving Category One status would have ensured ease of travel and operational efficiency, while attracting international carriers to Guyana. However, it was now not possible, because of the action by the Opposition, Ali said.

He noted that the Tourism Ministry has been talking to major airlines about servicing Guyana and one of the fundamental problems these airlines have is the length of the CJIA runway, which is too short for larger aircraft. Therefore, lengthening the runway is an essential component in securing the presence of existing carriers and increasing the port’s attractiveness so that other carriers will want to come to Guyana.

He told Guyana Times that major airlines that are doing long-haul flights from

North America to Guyana are changing their fleet to larger, more efficient aircraft and these require longer runways. “So, if we [are to] have the facilities to meet where the industry is going, then it is very critical for us to develop that infrastructure now,” the acting Tourism Minister stated.

Transfer point

Guyana can become an exceptional transfer point and a major hub in this region, thanks to our geographical location and the fact that our national language is English, but our facilities and the cost of fuel hinder that possibility.

He pointed out to this newspaper that these issues require intervention and they are intervening at the CJIA level.

“As we expand the tourism product, as more branded hotels come to Guyana, as our advertising campaign kicks up in high gear, more traffic will come into Guyana.” Ali stated.

In highlighting the importance of the expansion project to the tourism industry, he stated that during the 2013 Christmas season, passengers had to stand outside on the apron of the airport for close to 35-40 minutes, because there was no room inside the airport for these passengers.

He stated that this is-

sue posed a challenge for the immigration, customs, and security departments, and more so, it is not a good welcome for visitors to be met with an overcrowded arrival terminal.

The Tourism Minister opined that for the abovementioned reasons, the Opposition and the people of Guyana should see the CJIA expansion as a nonpolitical issue.

“This issue that we cannot afford to play politics with, issues that affect the development of our country are at stake. The CJIA, health-care issues and security will fall into these categories. We need to develop that type of paradigm where we block major developmental projects from the political harshness, because it will also send a positive signal to investors who are thinking about making investments into Guyana,” the Tourism Minister stated.

He added that it was a tragedy that the project was blocked and whatever we can do to correct this tragedy must be done. He stressed that the Government of Guyana and the combined Opposition need to work together and the Opposition needs to understand that this is an issue, which needs to be placed in a developmental paradigm and they need to support this issue.

21-year-old fined for cannabis

A21-year-old labourer was fined

$15,000 and sentenced to four weeks’ community service when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan charged with the possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The charge read that on

April 13, at Albouystown, Dwayne Isaacs Riley was found in possession of three grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Particulars of the charge read that on the day in question, a police patrol stopped and carried out a search on Riley and the substance was re-

Digicel sponsors first-ever “Big Fish" Competition

Digicel on Thursday continued its support for fishing as a recreational sport by sponsoring the first-ever “Big Fish” Competition.

Organised by the Bass Tracker Fishing Club, which was formed in 2011 under the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and is a regular winner of the annual Fish Festival held at Rockstone, the “Big Fish” Competition will give individuals an opportunity to show their fishing prowess, by catching the biggest fish of the day.

Digicel Sponsorship and Events Manager Gavin Hope said in a release from the telecommunica-

tions company: “We have been supporting the Bass Tracker Fishing Club’s participation in the annual Rockstone Fish Festival for several years, so it was with no hesitation that we took the opportunity to continue to support their efforts to raise awareness for fishing as a recreational sport in Guyana.”

covered in his left pants pocket. An arrest was subsequently made and the defendant was taken into police custody.

The unrepresented Riley, who resides at a squatting area aback of John Fernandes Terminal, on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Proprietors of businesses and taxi drivers within the vicinity of Pine Street, Mackenzie, Linden, are urgently calling on the relevant authorities to deal with a visibly rotting King Palm tree in the area.

The tree, which looks to be more than 30 feet tall, is located at the back of the premises of Chanzar’s Enterprise owned by John Caesar. He said, however, that he rents the plot of land, which is owned by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (M&TC). Persons who conduct business in the vicinity have expressed serious concern, noting that if the tree falls, great damage may be done to limb and property, since a car park is located in close proximity and the area is usually busy with persons.

Caesar, who wants to know who is responsible for dealing with the tree, said he has recently spoken to Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon who had promised to look into the situation.

“This tree is currently a hazard, because a whole section is rotting out. If it falls down, it can cause destruction to limb and property and people’s lives. We are asking what can be done and urgently because if the breeze blows heavily then this tree can come down anytime. It can even cause damage to the power lines,” he related.

Caesar added that he was told by the Linden M&TC that the Council does not have the relevant equipment to cut down the tree. According to the businessman, the Council also said someone can be provided to do the work, but he would have to stand the expenses of approximately $25,000.

“We are saying no, because my piece of land is here and we are renting it

“We are encouraging persons to sign up and be a part of the competition; the winners of the competition will receive trophies and prizes for first, second and third places.”

The “Big Fish Competition” will be held on May 1, 2014 at Rockstone, Linden. Persons interested in entering the competition can register for the event at the club’s office located on Sheriff Street between Duncan and William Streets.

Speaking at the handover of the sponsorship cheque, Captain of the Bass Tracker Fishing Club and organiser of the event, Scheral Sugrim said: “The club’s objective from this event is to further raise awareness of fishing as a recreational sport and in the absence of the annual Easter weekend fishing competition, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, we decided to organise this competition.

Rotten palm tree at Mackenzie a hazard – business community

from the Town Council. The authorities need to come and look into this situation to see what must be done,” Caesar stated.

Dangerous

The proprietor of Best Barbershop, which is located nearby, said he is very concerned.

“It’s dangerous even to the people passing on the road, because we don’t know which direction this tree would fall in, but in order to prevent disaster we want it cut down, because a lot of people does traverse here and that is what I’m worried about, because, at the end of the day, a life is so important. Nobody knows the day or time a heavy wind would come and this tree could come crashing down. What about people on the road? The power lines?” he added.

He also stated that like Caesar, he was told by the M&TC works supervisor that someone could be provided to cut the tree down at a cost of $25,000 and the Council can only provide a truck to remove the tree after it is cut down. Best further said that he was also told by the works supervi-

sor that there is uncertainty as to who owns the plot of land where the tree is located. He added that he was unconcerned about the land ownership and was just fearful of the destruction the tree may cause should it fall.

“So many people came to us with a lot of different ways and means and money that it requires to take it down. We talked to a man and he tell us $15,000, since he heard we talk to Mr Solomon, he up it by a 100 per cent. Now he want $30,000. One man come and say he would climb it for $6000 and that is just to climb it, so I don’t know what is really going on. We does be at our business just asking God for protection,” the businessman said. This newspaper contacted M&TC Town Clerk Jenella Bowen, on the issue, who said she was aware that there was a new works supervisor. She confirmed that he did speak to her about the situation; however, she explained that there is an issue since the Council is uncertain if the tree is situated on its land or Caesar’s leased land.

“We are not so sure in terms of measurement. If the tree is on our land, we will attempt to pay. There are people (in similar situation) who would allow us to pay and they pay it back when they pay rates and taxes. Let us say by chance if the tree is dangerous, but we don’t have the money to pay (to cut it down), as a resident you can pay and then we forfeit it in rates and taxes. So it depends on where the tree is, then we will know what to do,” she said.

The exercise to determine the ownership of the land was expected to be carried out on Wednesday by the Linden M&TC.

SUDOKU

Don’t divulge secrets. Make sure your work relationships stay free of emotional turmoil. Be truthful and clear. A casual remark could be misinterpreted.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

It’s great to get out and mingle, but before forming new friendships, make sure there isn’t a conflict of interest. A hastily made promise could result in an embarrassing situation.

Stay out of office debates and keep your opinions to yourself. You will get a lot more done if you are able to ignore all the disgruntled and bitter people around you.

Your energy level is low. Consider joining in some competitive games or sports to help boost your stamina. Show the people you love that they are a top priority in your life.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Strong alliances with your co-workers will enable you to make great strides. Pool your ideas for maximum effect. You will provide useful suggestions for improving efficiency at work.

(March 21-April 19)

Interesting new connections will contribute to your personal prospects. Meeting someone in a learning environment or at a community event will turn out to be beneficial.

(April 20-May 20)

Health problems will prevail if you aren’t getting enough rest. Financial concerns or demanding family members will add to your frustration. Keep your temper under control.

(May 21June 20)

Focus on your goals, but be careful not to spread yourself too thin. Timing and a steady pace will make a difference. Trying to take on too many responsibilities will be your undoing.

Don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you. Speak up and set your own rules. If you are assertive and you stand your ground, you will get the desired results. Do your own thing.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make an effort to cooperate with family members. Older relatives may be able to offer insight into your problems. Discuss family history with an elder to discover valuable information.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Be strict about the family budget. Frivolous expenses will deplete your savings if you don’t keep track of them. Accurate financial records are essential.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

You will be able to continue engaging in pleasant activities once you have resolved a minor family problem. Keep your emotions in check, or you may end up making matters worse.

GAPF names 12-member team for Caribbean championships

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) has named a strong 12-member team to represent Guyana at the eighth annual North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF)/Caribbean Powerlifting championships in St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The contingent includes nine male and three female lifters, who have been tasked with maintaining Guyana’s dominance at the event.

Currently, Guyana are the two-time defending champions, having won the title in 2012 and 2013.

According to a correspondence from the GAPF, the lifters were selected on the basis of their performance at the senior national championships held in November 2013.

The team is: Leon Rupertie (59kg Male Open), Tyrone Eusibio (66kg Male Open), Paul Adams (74kg

Male Open), Osmond Mack (74kg Male Open), Anis Ade-Thomas (83kg Male Open), Germain Snagg (83kg Male Open), Mariano Jeffrey (93kg), Karel Mars (105kg), Colin Chesney (120kg), Steffie DeNobrega (52kg Female Open), Chittra Ramlochan (72kg Female Open) and Kimberley MarsLoncke (84kg Female Open).

Badminton players off to Suriname Easter tourney

Aconfident Guyana badminton team has departed Guyana to participate in the annual Suriname International Easter tournament, which will commence today and run until Monday at the Walter Amo Sports Hall in Paramaribo.

The Guyanese will compete in the Under-15 and Under-19 Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles and the Open Singles.

During the 2013 tournament when the Guyanese competed in the Under-13 and Under-17 categories only, they captured eight medals, and according to manager/coach, Gokarn Ramdhani, they are looking to surpass that achievement this time around.

“Although the Guyanese

The Yuvraj SinghVirat Kohli partnership didn’t have a happy ending in the World T20 final, but less than two weeks after that night in Mirpur, their association in Sharjah followed a different script. Swapping India’s blue for Bangalore’s red, the pair made easy work of Delhi’s 145, helping Bangalore stroll to a eightwicket win. Yuvraj was circumspect to begin with but later on brought out his power game to not only outscore Kohli but help Bangalore march to the target with plenty to spare.

The bedrock of the chase was Kohli, who benefited from two let-offs in his 20s to remain unbeaten on 49. The pair added 84 in just 7.5 overs, nullifying the unbeaten 110-run association between Delhi’s JP Duminy and Ross Taylor that helped Delhi recover from a wobbly 35 for 4.

Bangalore were never under serious pressure during the chase, especially after opener Parthiv Patel gave the innings a push with a positive 35. He charged down the track to the seamers, forcing the ball down the ground and pulling a six, off the left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, out of the ground. After he was bowled in the ninth over, Bangalore were at a comfortable 62 for 2, giving Yuvraj the platform to play himself into form, with the security of Kohli at the other end.

players will be playing in a higher age group, we are still expected to do well,” Ramdhani said upon departure.

Guyana’s chances of “medaling” will be led by captain Narayan Ramdhani, who is set to compete in the Under-19 and Open categories. Vice-captain Jonathon Mangra will campaign in the Under-19 division, while assistant manager, Chris Persaud, will do battle in the Open category.

The other five players are Ronald Chang Yuen (Under-19), Hemraj Beharry (Under-15 and Under-19), Priyanna Ramdhani (Under-15 and Under-19), Ambika Ramraj (Under-19) and Krystal Peters (Under-19).

Albie Morkel, Yuvraj Singh and AB de Villiers celebrated as Bangalore took a clutch of early wickets

was clearly Bangalore’s night as Yuvraj and Kohli closed out the chase with more blows over the boundary. Yuvraj managed his first IPL fifty in 20 innings and the smile was back on his face.

Bangalore’s arsenal blazes to victory SCOREBOARD

Yuvraj didn’t look secure initially, taking his eyes off a short ball and hooking a boundary to fine leg. He found his groove with a flat six over longon off the legspinner Rahul Sharma and some wayward bowling by Nadeem gave Yuvraj the chance to pepper the leg-side boundaries with his favourite slogs.

Delhi needed wickets but when the chances came their way, they fluffed them. Jimmy Neesham fluffed the simplest of catches at short fine leg when Kohli was on 23, and when the batsman had added one more, he was put down by Mayank Agarwal at deep cover. Against arguably the best chaser in the world, regulation drops will come back to hurt. It

Delhi found it tough on a two-paced Sharjah pitch, struggling to get the run rate above five in the first ten overs. The loss of early wickets slowed them down. Agarwal fell top-edging a pull to square leg as the frustration to score began to build, and Delhi were pegged back further when Dinesh Karthik and Manoj Tiwary fell for 0 and 1 respectively.

The strategic timeout didn’t change Delhi’s fortunes as M Vijay, who had made a start with 18, was bamboozled by the legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Vijay was playing for the turn but the ball straightened and shaved the off stump. At 35 for 4 in the eighth over, Delhi desperately needed a big partnership at a good clip to compensate for the sluggish scoring in the first half.

It was a scratchy innings from Taylor as he cursed himself when he played and missed, in an effort to push the scoring. Chahal got it to turn and grip and the googlies were a handful for Taylor. The boundaries had dried up for seven overs before Taylor broke the shackles with a flick to fine leg off Ashok Dinda.

The momentum in the

Delhi T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

MA Agarwal c Kohli b Starc 6

M Vijay b Chahal 18

KD Karthik*† c †Patel b Morkel 0

MK Tiwary c †Patel b Aaron 1

JP Duminy not out 67

LRPL Taylor not out 43

Extras: (w 9, nb 1) 10

Total: (4 wickets; 20 overs) 145

Did not bat: JDS Neesham, WD Parnell, S Nadeem, R Sharma, Mohammed Shami

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Agarwal, 2.6 ov), 2-16 (Karthik, 3.3 ov), 3-17 (Tiwary, 4.1 ov), 4-35 (Vijay, 7.1 ov) Bowling: MA Starc 4-0-331, JA Morkel 3-0-18-1, VR Aaron 3-1-9-1, YS Chahal 4-0-18-1, AB Dinda 4-0-510, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-16-0

latter half was provided by Duminy, who unlike Taylor found the middle of the bat regularly. He lofted Yuvraj for a six to the sightscreen before scooping Dinda to the same area. Dinda was ineffective at the death yet again as he leaked 51 off his four overs. Delhi took 30 off the last two overs and 63 off the last five but in the end, 145 wasn’t enough. (ESPNcricinfo)

Bangalore T20 innings (target: 146 runs from 20 overs)

PA Patel† b Sharma 37 NJ Maddinson c †Karthik b Mohammed Shami 4 V Kohli* not out 49 Yuvraj Singh not out 52

Extras: (w 3, nb 1) 4

Total: (2 wickets; 16.4 overs) 146

Did not bat: AB de Villiers, JA Morkel, S Rana, AB Dinda, MA Starc, YS Chahal, VR Aaron

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Maddinson, 1.5 ov), 2-62 (Patel, 8.5 ov)

Bowling: JP Duminy 2-0-10-0, Mohammed Shami 4-0-30-1, WD Parnell 3-0-19-0, S Nadeem

2.4-0-32-0, R Sharma 3-0-331, JDS Neesham 2-0-22-0

Warner claims Centre of Excellence was never for sale

The Centre of Excellence is not for sale and never was.

So said leader of the Independent Liberal Party Jack Warner as he responded to newspaper reports that Concacaf had challenged his claim to ownership of the Centre of Excellence. Concacaf has filed a caveat against Warner, preventing him from passing title of the Centre of Excellence to any person or body.

In a release issued yesterday Warner said, “If anyone can come forward with an iota of evidence to support that the Centre of Excellence is being sold by Jack Warner to any consortium of businessmen, local or foreign, I will sell all my worldly possessions to that person for one dollar.”

“If Concacaf indeed has filed a caveat against me, all I can say is that both Concacaf and FIFA have unlimited funding and they can spend their money as they wish if they want to do that,” he said. Warner stated that Concacaf did not have any equitable interest in the Centre of Excellence and had no claims to ownership.

Warner said he was told by his friends in Government that this is just the beginning of many attacks to be

levelled against him, to discredit him as a person and “as a threat to the political landscape”.

He said was the told by some of his former Cabinet colleagues that the contents in the issue – in newspaper articles – was the subject of discussion in Cabinet only last Thursday.

“My sources have even told me this is a personal attack against me by the Attorney General and advised that I should not be shocked if he himself called Concacaf to pursue this ac-

tion.

Warner said if FIFA and Concacaf wished to allow this People’s Partnership Government to influence them to become embroiled in local politics, that was “sad and disturbing”.

“Instead of seeking to discredit Jack Warner, I wish to advise the ‘Piggy Partnership’ to focus on correcting the sexual immorality and corruption scandals that are now plaguing the coalition and leave Jack Warner alone.”

Warner said it was also

frightening that the local press could be influenced by the Attorney General.

“This is the same local press that found 100 DEA agents in Trinidad; the same press that cannot even inform us about outstanding stories such as emailgate; the multimillion dollar drug bust; the accident involving a Chaguanas West constituent whose leg was run over by the Attorney General’s driver, and the use of confidential information from a police file on a political platform. (Trinidad Express)

Pistorius trial adjourns until May; state mauls forensic expert

The murder trial of Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was adjourned on Thursday until May 5 after the state wrapped up three days of punishing cross-examination of a forensic expert brought by the defense.

Judge Thokozile Masipa granted the state’s request for a postponement to avoid conflicts with other cases. Prosecutor Gerrie Nelnicknamed “The Pitbull” for his aggressive style - tore into defense witness Roger Dixon, questioning his credibility and expertise.

Pistorius, 27, is on trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot dead with four rounds from a 9mm pistol on Valentine’s Day last year in his plush Pretoria house.

The track star insists he killed the 29-year-old law graduate and model after mistaking her for an intruder hiding in the toilet.

Dixon, a forensic geologist and former police officer, testified that Steenkamp was standing at an angle to

Oscar Pistorius

the door with her arm out in front of her, suggesting she was reaching for the handle, when Pistorius shot her dead.

The testimony challenged the version of the state, which has sought to portray Pistorius as a gunobsessed hot-head who murdered Steenkamp after an argument.

But Nel heaped scorn on Dixon’s expertise, prompting Masipa to tell the advocate to restrain himself.

When the geologist said

on Wednesday he tested the sound of a cricket bat hitting a wooden door to see if it could be confused with the sound of a gunshot, Nel asked:

“Do you need to be an expert to do that? What expert skills did you use, wielding a bat? So your expertise was wielding a bat?”

At another point, Dixon confessed to being a “layman” with no professional experience in blood spatter analysis, forensic pathology or ballistics.

JADCO responds to CAS findings regarding Campbell Brown

The Jamaica AntiDoping Commission (JADCO) has issued a statement on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) report regarding circumstances surrounding Veronica CampbellBrown’s adverse analytical finding.

JADCO’s statement: The Jamaica AntiDoping Commission (JADCO) has received the final report of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concerning Veronica Campbell-Brown’s adverse analytical finding. JADCO acknowledges that some procedures carried out in the sample collection process on May 4, 2013, at the Jamaica Invitational Meet at the National Stadium, in Kingston, Jamaica were inconsistent with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standards. Specifically, no partial sample kits were used in the collection process.

We therefore, take this opportunity to state that there is no documentation in existence at JADCO, indicating that WADA gave the Commission permission to deviate from the standard, which is applicable to all signatories of the WADA Code.

After asking Dixon for another of his findings, Nel added: “I use the word ‘finding’ loosely”.

The defense has sought to prove that some of Pistorius’ neighbors mistook the sound of the track star breaking down the door with a bat for that of a gunshot. Pistorius says he broke the door in a frantic effort to save Steenkamp after realizing he had shot her.

The trial, which has garnered massive domestic and international attention, is due to resume on May 5, two days before South Africa goes to the polls for a national election.

Defense advocate Barry Roux is expected to call his next witness once the trial resumes.

Before the shooting, Pistorius was one of the most revered figures in sport, a man who had his lower legs amputated as a child but who reached the semi-finals of the 400m at the London Olympics in 2012 running on carbon-fiber prosthetic ‘blades’. (Reuters)

Currently, the restructured JADCO, working in concert with its recently appointed Chairman and Board of Commissioners, continues to refine and upgrade its operational procedures to remove any weaknesses in the system. As a result, we are continuing to recruit qualified employees to fill the necessary staff vacancies and assist in improving JADCO’s testing capabilities and public education programme.

In order to further strengthen the capacity of its testing programme, JADCO has taken the necessary steps to fully adhere to all the WADA International Standards, as we are now in possession of the partial sample kits. We have also trained two additional Doping Control Officers (DCOs) and we are currently in the process of recruiting additional DCOs and Chaperones and recertifying our current doping control personnel.

In its on-going effort to further build capacity, JADCO is partnering with the Canadian Centre

for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA). JADCO and CCES will be signing a Joint Initiative Agreement shortly, for a period of 15 months through which CCES will provide guidance, training and technical assistance to JADCO. This will enable JADCO to benefit from the experience of a National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) with over twenty years of anti-doping knowledge and expertise. JADCO, in partnership with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) recently successfully conducted five regional Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshops for secondary school athletes and their support personnel. JADCO’s public education programme is on-going and will continue to focus on providing the requisite antidoping information to all athletes, especially those in the JADCO‘s National Registered Testing Pool. Furthermore, the Government of Jamaica, in continuing to strengthen its commitment to preserving integrity in sport has recently approved a 63 per cent increase in budgetary support to JADCO for the 2014/2015 financial year. (Jamaica Observer)

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BcB congratulates Bishoo for bowling performance

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has offered congratulations to Guyana’s leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for his superb bowling performance against Trinidad and Tobago in the seventh round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day competition.

Bishoo bagged 9-78 in the first innings, the best bowling figures by a Guyanese, and then returned to capture 6-71 in the second innings for match-figures of 15-149.

In an invited comment, First Vice-president of the BCB, Anil Beharry, said despite Guyana’s poor performance this year, he is very pleased with the effort of Berbician Bishoo.

Guyana failed to win a game, losing four and drawing two.

He said the board is confident that Bishoo can return to the West Indies team sooner rather than later. Beharry added that when Bishoo was dropped for the penultimate game, he knew that he (Bishoo) would have returned with a bang.

“Bishoo is known to be a determined, hard-working, disciplined and talented cricketer,” Beharry said.

He is still baffled as to

Devendra Bishoo

how Guyana performed so badly, taking into consideration that this team was one of the best put together over the years.

Beharry called for a total overhaul of Guyana cricket if the country is to return to the top. “It is very painful to see how poorly we performed match after match,” he said.

Beharry questioned some of the players’ levels of commitment as well, but said with Bishoo’s outstanding bowling in the last match in particular, there is still

hope. The BCB executive asked for patience with the younger players who played, noting that with proper nurturing, they will deliver in the future.

“The cupboard is not empty; the young Rajindra Chandrika, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Ronsford Beaton, Vishaul Singh, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, Akshay Homraj, Raun Johnson and Shimron Hetmyer, among others, are very talented,” Beharry concluded.

GFRC president discusses local football crisis, referee development

By Treiston Joseph

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport and President of the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC), Alfred King, touched on the state of football and the development of referees during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times sport on Thursday.

With a motion having been filed for the removal of the president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias, citing no confidence in his leadership , King commented on the state of football after the Colin Klass administration.

“Over the last year, we would have relapsed and

I think we are worst now than we were at any other stage in football development where basically football is in a management crisis. There is no administrative authority in place to take care of the day-to-day management of football,” King told this publication.

Further,King shared what he believes will help to reform football in Guyana which will eventually move the sport forward.

“We need to first of all strengthen the executive arm of the GFF… what we have found recently is that people get elected to the level of the executive and because of their varying interests, skill sets, capacity

and so on you find it can be conflicting with what the general philosophy and of course the intention of the leader might be.

“And unless you can manage that properly you will always be in an environment where things are unstable and in an unstable environment there can be no real development. So fixing the structure right is a start and the structure starts with setting out what the Congress will be doing and we must do that,” King stated.

Meanwhile, wearing the hat of president of the GFRC, King noted that more games will allow their referees to hone their skills

to become technically better.

“The more games the better and of course they must be sanctioned by the GFF and once they are games that allow the referees to develop that is something we would encourage,” King noted.

Further, King believes that the GFRC is the most organized entity in football, while sharing what the overall intention is of the GFRC.

“We have a yearly plan, yearly budget and we mobilize resources to take care of our needs… right now there is a strategic plan to take us from 2014 straight to 2017.

“If you look at it you will

see details of how we plan to make the level of refereeing to one where we would be proud of producing referees that would be world rated or world class that can go and hold their own at FIFA finals and so on. That’s our mission, that’s our intention overall,” King mentioned.

Meanwhile King, who questioned the existence of a national team, noted that the sport of football in the wealthiest and most popular sport in the world and the development of the game should be pushed in order to produce a world -class and world- ranked team.

Sport ministry preparing anti-doping regime

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport, Alfred King, recently sat with Guyana Times Sport and discussed Guyana’s status as far as

anti-doping measures in sport are concerned. Guyana is a member of the Regional Anti-Doping Association (RADA) and King sits on the RADA board as Guyana’s

representative.

As regards anidoping,King stated: “The objective really is to encourage fair play and to encourage athletes to operate

cleanly or participate and compete cleanly.

“We are looking at education as well, because what we have found is that the athletes don’t understand the protocols involved in being tested, the importance as an elite athlete in submitting your whereabouts or your training schedule and things like that so you can be monitored.

“So, as it relates to anti-doping in Guyana, we are

now trying to organize for anti-doping activities ,” King stated.

Guyana also subscribes to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is the regulatory body for anti-doping,in the absence of a formal anti-doping agency.

Further, King revealed that Guyana has four Doping Control Offices (DCO), which was organized

by the GOA and should be responsible for conducting anti-drug testing and seminars and reporting the results, whether regionally or internationally.

However, the direction in which the government is moving according to King, is to have its own officer in place who will be responsible for anti-doping activities in the country and will be responsible for setting up anti-doping structures.

Berbice name 22-man squad for Under-19 Inter-county cricket

The Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) junior selection committee under the chairmanship of Leslie Solomon has named a strong 22-man squad to represent the Ancient County in this year’s Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 Inter-county tournament which is scheduled to start next Wednesday.

Talented Sharaz Ramcharran was appointed to lead the squad and will have West Indies Under-19 and senior Guyana batsman Shimron Hetmyer as his deputy.

Chairman of the BCB Special Events Committee

and Public Relations Officer, Hilbert Foster, stated that the squad will be involved in a two-day Elizabeth Styles coaching programme this weekend.

Coaches Micheal Hyles, Hubern Evans, Albert Smith and Winston Smith will conduct the two-day training clinic.

The main aim of the two -day clinic, according to Foster, is to prepare the team both physically and mentally for the tournament.

The players chosen are asked to report to the Albion Community Centre ground on both days at noon with their cricket gear and proper cricket attire. The full squad reads: Sharaz Ramcharran (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (vice -captain), Balchand Baldeo, Leon Andrews, Ashkay Homraj, Viendra Gooniah, Arif Chan, David Latchaya, Hakeem Hinds, Parmanand Ramdhan, Martin Singh, Grisean Grant, Dimitri Cameron, Nial Smith, Nicholas Seenarine, Deon Esau, Kassim Khan, Daniel Lewis, Nicholas Cameron, Nick Ramsaroop, Shivnarine Srikissoon and Avishkar Sewkarran.

CJ discharges injunction filed against Guyana Cup Fever

– Score’s Even will not participate

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Chief Justice Ian Chang on Thursday discharged an injunction filed against the Guyana Cup Fever which would have prevented the event from being staged on Sunday following another legal challenge mounted by horse owner Dennis DeRoop.

The ex-parte injunction secured by the owners of the Port Mourant Turf Club seeks to set aside the initial mandatory injunction and writ issued by Justice Sandra Kurtzious which ordered the organisers of the event to register ‘A’ Class horse Score’s Even to compete in the event.

Chang’s ruling effectively quashes any formal challenge mounted by DeRoop that could place the event in jeopardy.

The owner of the animal had moved to the courts to challenge a decision made by the club to disqualify Score’s Even from participating in the event after they had refused to register the horse. DeRoop is also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants and agents from holding the Guyana Cup Fever Horse Race Meeting on the date mentioned pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

The club’s owners had argued too that the horse race meet did not have any races open to ‘A’ Class animals and that the feature category catered for ‘C’ Class animals.

But DeRoop alleged that the organisers were in breach of the rules and regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, while stating that the organisers were discriminating against Score’s Even.

Justice Chang’s order now gives the orgainsers the “green light” to proceed with their plans for Sunday and leave DeRoop and Score’s Even as mere spectators.

DeRoop had told Guyana Times Sport that he was contemplating Contempt of Court proceedings against the organisers after they continued to refuse the horse entry into the event, even after the initial ruling.

However, with Chang’s ruling on Thursday, DeRoop said he respects the ruling and will not proceed with the matter.

Disappointed Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, Vic Oudit, in an invited comment on Thursday expressed his disappointment at the approach taken by DeRoop.

Oudit is of the opinion that DeRoop was badly advised on the matter.

The organisers have indicated that over 80 of the counry’s top horses have registered for the race meet.

The meet will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and, according to organisers, those rules would be rigidly enforced.

The feature race will be the ‘C’ and Lower race for horses over a mile and the

winner will ride away with $2 million. The secondplaced winner will receive $1 million, third, $500,000, and fourth prize, $250,000.

The Three-year-old Guyana and West Indianbred event will have the winner taking away $1 mil-

lion in the 1200- metre race. The second-place prize is $500,000, third, $250,000, and fourth, $125,000.

The Four-year-old event for Guyana and West Indiesbred horses, over 1600 metres, carries a winner’s prize of $700,000.

The E ‘1’ and Lower 1300metre event carries a winner’s prize of $600,000. The G’3’ and Lower race will gallop over a distance of 1300 metres and carry a winner’s prize of $500,000.

The I ‘2’ and Lower race will be run over 1000 metres and carries a first prize of $300,000, while the J ‘2’ and Lower winner will pocket $200,000 also over 100 metres.

The ‘H’ and Lower will run over 1200 metres with the winner taking home $350,000.