Guyana Times Daily

5 DEAD IN MIDDLE STREET MAYHEM!

wedneSday, november 13, 2013 | guyanatimeSgy.com

Agriculture Ministry gears up for rainy season

– 14 pumps installed at critical areas

The Agriculture Ministry has been “upping the ante” with respect to preparation for the December/January rainy season as plans are apace to have measures in place to safeguard possible impacts the season can incur.

Recently, 14 pumps have been installed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) at critical areas along coastal regions, so as to ensure maximum drainage capacity.

Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) system.

This move, according to Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is to further improve the country’s

“Our D&I system is presently prepared for different weather patterns. I say that because it is important to have effective drainage to withstand the rainy period and proper irrigation especially for rice and cash crop farmers, and looking at those areas, we are prepared,” he said.

Thus far, the NDIA has move some of its machines to several areas prone to flooding to assist in de-silting of secondary and primary canals, especially in Region Five and along the coast.

The NDIA is currently 90 per cent complete in clearing of primary canals.

“With respect to secondary canals, the NDIA has been mandated to assist the

RDC and water users associations, by having excavators deployed to have the canals de-silted and ready for the rainy season,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Minister Ramsammy remains confident that once the rainy period steps in, the NDIA will be ready.

However, challenges still exist with respect to internal drains in the city as it remains in dire need of maintenance. The internal drains are controlled by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

“These drains remain an overwhelming responsibility for the NDIA, as it is severely neglected, despite not falling under the pur -

view of the NDIA... we had little rain yesterday and some parts of the city have been flooded. That is because the internal drains are clogged up,” he said.

Some of the pumps in the city are non-functional and the NDIA is now in the process of working with the M&CC to ensure that the situation is remedied.

Meanwhile, an inventory has since commenced by the NDIA, to check the stock levels of fuel at all pump stations.

“I have said to them that I will not accept the excuse of unavailability of fuel to be a reason why a pump is not working,” Dr Ramsammy said.

Families of Middle Street victims in disbelief

By Vahnu Manikchand

The families of the four persons killed by a businessman who allegedly went berserk at his Middle Street, Georgetown home were in a state of shock Tuesday night, as they tried to come to grips with the news.

Those killed have been identified as: Lance Corporal 20293 Michael Forde and Constable 18053 Sherwin Pantlitz. Pantlitz, 35, of Dairy, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, sustained gunshot wounds to his head and died while receiving medical attention at the nearby Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to information reaching this newspaper, the constable was shot in the compound of the building where the gunman, 51-yearold Deryck Kanhai was seeking refuge during the standoff with the police. Officers were unable to reach Pantlitz, because of the steady stream of gunfire coming from inside the building.

However, they eventually got to him and rushed him to the nearby hospital where he succumbed shortly after. His wife, who was celebrating her birthday, became hysterical when she was told of her husband’s demise. She had

to be consoled by public-spirited persons.

When contacted, Pantlitz’s father, Daniel, said the news has shaken the entire family. He noted that his son had been in the force for more than 10 years. He disclosed that he has not seen his son in a while, but spoke to him last week.

Pantlitz has left to mourn his wife and two children, a 10-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. His colleague, Forde, of Dennis Street, Sophia, sustained gunshot wounds to his stomach during the standoff. Forde was placed in a police vehicle and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Unbelievable

When Guyana Times visited the home of the now dead drill instructor attached to the Tactical Services Unit, his mother and sister could not control their emotions.

Clair Garraway, the young man’s mother, was in tears and could not accept the fact that her only son was taken away from her. She said he had called her earlier in the day and had told her he loved her and would see her tonight (Tuesday night).

The distraught woman kept asking her daugh-

ter, Latesha Garraway, when Michael was going to be home because he should have been home already. She had managed to compose herself by the time the family watched a newscast showing the events during which she calmly asked if that was how her son died and then fainted as she got up.

The other two persons killed were employees of the Crown Taxi Service, which was housed at Kanhai’s property. They are 75-yearold Bonny Paul, a taxi driver, and Vanessa Williams, the dispatcher of the service’s Middle Street base. Efforts to contact their relatives were futile.

Another taxi driver, Paul Raman, called “Paulie”, 42, of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, was also

shot, but he survived his injury. He sustained one gunshot wound to his stomach and up to late Tuesday evening, he was undergoing surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to the injured man’s wife, Roxanne, she was at home when she got a call from her husband who told her that he was shot and was at the hospital. The woman said that she did not believe him; however, she left for the hospital and when she got there, she confirmed the horrifying news. Raman was shot after he defended another taxi driver who was being attacked by Kanhai. The businessman reportedly walked up to the taxi driver and shot him. (vahnum@guyantimesgy.com)

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

Youths and crime

Two months ago, we considered the problem of youth gangs in our society and pointed out that it was a “source of great concern to both the public and the law enforcement authorities” (Guyana Times editorial, September 2: “Youth Gangs”).

Earlier this week, Police Crime Chief Seelall Persaud revealed details of a criminal youth gang, the Hot Skulls, operating out of the Albouystown section of Georgetown. Several members of the gang have been incarcerated, three were recently killed in a shoot-out with the police, and a number of others were before the courts.

The crime chief warned, however, that the gang was still functional. He then went on to propose that even though the members of the gang cooperate with each other to commit their crimes, they do not have to protect each other’s interest.

We disagree with that assessment and hope that the crime chief would be briefed on the psychology of youth gangs. In “Youth Gangs”, we stated that such a perspective proposes that a life that entails unfulfilled desires becomes very problematic for young individuals, some of whom may lack psychological or social support. Gang involvement becomes an alternative that could create a sense of identity.

In gangs, this sense of shared identity, as with all agglomerations of shared identity, also contributes to a strong sense of shared fate. Gang members “look out” for each other, because they feel that ultimately they are looking out for themselves.

The organisation, symbols, and paraphernalia of the Hot Skulls Gang betray an imitation of the U.S. urban gang phenomenon that has bedevilled that country for decades. Inner city youths in the U.S. cities carve out territories or “turf”, which they violently “protect” from rival gangs.

It would appear that the Guyanese gangs have not reached this level of fissioning and competition but it should be expected. Part of the allure of gangs for Guyanese youths, in addition to providing a sense of shared identity amounting almost to “family”, is the present culture glamorising violence and living on the “wild side”.

The “Gaza and Gully” Jamaican ethos reinforces the attraction of the U.S. gang model for youths who see themselves excluded from the spoils of a materialist culture. Most worryingly for Guyana, however, just as in Jamaica, has been the willingness of some politicians to exploit the frustration of youths to further their own political ends.

Going back to the political riots in the 1960s, youths from depressed areas such as Albouystown and Tiger Bay were used to loot and burn the property of political opponents. Youths were also used to chilling effect during the protests in Georgetown dubbed “mo fyaah, slow fyaah” by the People’s National Congress (PNC) after 2000.

The creation of youth gangs for political ends were taken to its extreme conclusion when the five prison escapees ensconced themselves in the village of Buxton in 2002 and recruited dozens of youths in furtherance of their war against the Guyanese state, as well as terroristic attacks on innocent citizens.

Very soon, a replica of these youth “soldiers” appeared in Agricola. While the gangs’ leadership appear to have been decapitated by the armed forces in bloody shootouts, many of the youths they recruited are still alive and experienced in conducting criminal depredations to finance the coveted high lifestyle.

With the easy availability of guns in Guyana, it is not difficult to imagine urban gangs such as Hot Skulls linking up with the now more mature child soldiers to take the criminal activities of youth gangs to a whole new level.

We have seen that the opposition is once more girding up its loins to confront the government, now that it has defeated the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill (AMLCFT).

It is our sincere hope that it does not return to the violent confrontations of the post-2002 period that saw so many youths sacrificed as cannon fodder for political power.

UN launches Philippines aid appeal

The UN has launched an appeal for US$301 million (£190 million) to help relief efforts in typhoon-hit areas of the Philippines.

Thousands of people are feared to have been killed by Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the central Philippines on Friday. The UN says more than 11 million people are believed to have been affected by the storm, and some 673,000 displaced. The relief operation is being stepped up, but food, water and shelter are still badly needed, aid officials say Guyana Times reiterates its call for the government of Guyana to join the UN in offering humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines during this time of national tragedy.

Freddie’s failure on polling

Dear Editor, In his column on November 6, Freddie Kissoon, claiming that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will not accept the outcome of opinion polls, calls for political parties to employ independent pollsters to determine political support.

This is a complete reversal of Freddie’s position on polls. Freddie maintained throughout his University of Guyana (UG) teaching career (as stated in Kaieteur New and Stabroek News) that polls not commissioned by a party or a media house were not professional.

He gave greater credence to a party commissioned poll – like Dick Morris for the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2006 than an independently conducted poll by professionals at the Turkeyen Research and Polling Institute (TRPI) and North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) that historically accurately predicted the outcome of elections in Guyana and elsewhere.

In 2006, Freddie took the strange position to praise the Dick poll showing the AFC trending towards a victory, saying it was “an excellent poll because the AFC commissioned it”, as opposed to the NACTA poll that was not commissioned by the AFC or any other party. For Freddie, a party commissioned poll is more reliable than an independent poll. He praised Dick for using him as a consultant and condemned NACTA for not using his service as a consultant.

Freddie maintained that no “professional” poll can be conducted in Guyana without the pollsters consulting him. Thus, Freddie lambasted TRPI pollsters when a poll was first conducted in Guyana in 1991 by Dr Baytoroam Ramharack. Ravi Dev, Vassan Ramracha and Vishnu Bisram because

“we did not consult with him and paid him a fee”.

He showed up at our recruiting station at UG and poked fun at us. Then he viciously denigrated our professionalism saying “our polls were conducted in our basement apartments in the South Bronx”. Had we given him a fee, our polls would have been described as ordained from heaven – that is the character of the man.

The problem with party commissioned polls, especially in third world countries, is that pollsters have a difficulty giving their client bad news. If you tell clients in the third world they can’t win, you will not get any more work. That has been my experience in Mauritius, Fiji, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad, Guyana, India and Antigua, among others.

However, in the developed world, clients want to known their real support and weaknesses so they can address them to boost support. In New York, politicians asked me what they needed to do on the ground to improve their support. In Guyana, however, I remember for the 2011 election telling friends after I conducted independent polls that the PPP/C was running short of a majority.

Party people ignored me, telling the leadership “nah bother wid he, he nah like PPP/C”. The PPP/C insisted it would get between 60 per cent and 70 per cent. PPP/C lost the election. Similarly, in Trinidad in 2001, when the NACTA poll showed that the United National Congress (UNC) would not win the election, the UNC’s palace guard told Basdeo Panday “don’t bother with Bisram, he is Ramesh Maharaj man”.

Panday described me as an agent of the People’s National Movement (PNM) and lost the election. Had he paid heed to the poll’s findings, he would have remained prime minis-

ter. In 2007, NACTA found that the Congress of the People (COP) would not win a seat although other polls showed it winning the election. NACTA showed PNM winning 26 seats and UNC 15. That was the outcome.

In October 2013, when NACTA revealed that UNC – People’s Partnership (PP) would lose six corporations, the poll was dismissed even by the PNM. The results showed UNC lost six corporations. Last week, when I reported that the NACTA poll showed PNM would win the by-election in St Joseph, I was criticised by both the UNC and Independent Liberal Party (ILP).

Opinion polls conducted on behalf of parties, like for the AFC and People’s National Congress (PNC) in 2006 and 2011 respectively, did not live up to the highest standards of professional, rigorous and nonpartisan polling. They were largely rogue polls conducted by fly-by-night operators. They were non-transparent and non-professional. The pollsters predicted that the party that hired them would win.

Freddie saluted those polls even though anyone with a modicum of common sense will tell you that those polls make no sense. But Freddie praised them even though NACTA and TRPI had a history of accuracy of their predictions. For Freddie, any poll showing the PPP/C would lose an election is a perfect poll, even if it is a straw poll or an unscientific poll.

On balance, the record of NACTA and TRPI polls has been quite impressive. Polls have proven to be a better guide to electoral prospects than any drawing room or newsroom gossip and Freddie’s analysis of elections. Freddie’s comments are nothing short of black magic. Unfortunately, there is very little understanding among the common people, by Freddie, and even me-

dia persons of what the polls mean.

Polls are the best way to monitor the popular mood and it provides useful information to the public via the media. Systematic collection of public opinion is necessary in new fragile democracies like Guyana in order to know how people are thinking. The public needs to know how people are making up their mind regarding voting over a defined period of time.

Tracking opinion polls of the electorate performs this crucial role in the absence of regular elections. In a racebased society like ours, scientific sample surveys of public opinions are one of the few ways in which the voice of the people gets registered. People vote for their race based party even when they are not pleased with its performance. Polls are the only way for the voters to tell their parties they are dissatisfied or satisfied.

Freddie wrote that polls must be scientific – he is 23 years late. TRPI and NACTA took that position since 1990. Since 1990, Freddie wrote he would conduct his own polls. But 23 years later, he has not done any. But he continues to attack others who make genuine effort, using their own personal funding, to institutionalise polling in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Freddie says polls must be commercialised. In other words, it must be done for money and Freddie must be a consultant to the pollsters otherwise it is a bad poll. Ravi, Vassan, Baytoram, and Vishnu used their own money to fund polling and we don’t pay unqualified consultants like Freddie.

Please conduct your own polls Fred and stop displaying jealousy of our success at polling!

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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

24-hour power supply to Mabaruma after discussions with residents

Dear Editor, I write about no small matter. Your headline, “No time-frame for 24-hour power supply to Mabaruma –Hinds” (Stabroek News, November 11, has been read by everyone as a quote from me, which it is not. I fear that it propagates an altogether different message from what I did actually write.

And, indeed, I would even argue that it is inaccurate. And worse, I fear that, in your headline, the message that you represent wrongly as a quote from me is, “You all suppose to get 24hour electricity, but Hinds say he got no plan to give you all 24-hour electricity.”

A truer headline would have been, “24-hour power supply to Mabaruma after discussions with residents – Hinds”. I do have a timeframe in mind, and I have stated it, “after discussions with residents about sus-

tainability”. We have been working towards increased and improved electricity supply long before the questions were asked.

The supply in Mabaruma has been increased from four hours to six hours, each day. The supply is being extended as funding becomes available for increased generation, and for an upgraded and extended network. A 24-7 supply of electricity does not come – indeed, there is noth-

ing that comes –with the wave of a magic wand.

It would be good if we could consistently send the message, and assure our fellow citizens, that we Guyanese would have in time all that we would want – but we have to work for it with our hands and heads and hearts, individually and altogether.

There are no goods, no services, no rights, no entitlements, other than that which we work to produce and share with each other. Production comes first, and there is a lot to learn by everyone. We would learn a lot along the way as we do things.

The pace of growth and development would be related to our rate of learning many things, in everything that matters. In this regard, we are establishing, one after another, small mini-utilities in various hinterland

population centres.

We are looking to use poles provided by local people, using local woods. It has not been easy and it has not been done before, and we are encountering all the learning issues in doing new things.

We are appointing the chairperson, and the majority of the board-members, from amongst local persons, along with three more experienced persons, one each from the Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU), the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and the parent company, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Let us not exacerbate our development pains but, rather, help to make them easier!

Sincerely,

Samuel Hinds Prime Minister of Guyana

Information session on Doobay Medical Centre

Dear Editor, An information session highlighting the work done at the Doobay Medical Centre in Guyana will be hosted by the Vishnu Mandir Global Outreach Programme on November 17 at Vishnu Mandir, 8640 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario at 16:00h.

The Doobay Medical Centre is providing affordable dialysis care to Guyanese irrespective of their religion, race, status in society or political affiliation. We are quite aware that there is a significant Guyanese population in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that still feel very connected to our homeland and read your newspaper.

We would therefore like to reach out to Guyanese in the GTA through your medium to come and learn about the work of the Doobay Medical Centre in Guyana.

The programme will

feature singer Aditi Sahani-Seth from Mumbai (Bombay), India, as well as other artistes from Guyana. Dr Doobay, the architect behind the project, will provide the update of the activities in Guyana.

Refreshments will be served and attendees are

requested to be seated by 15:45h. For more information: please call the Vishnu Mandir on telephone number 905-886-1724; Leonard on 416-497-3555, or Omkar on 905-840-3717.

Yours truly, Omkar Persaud

Matters of indiscipline are hard to overcome

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) recently disclosed their intentions to iron out societal issues, with their main focus on matters of indiscipline. Addressing such matters is not always an easy task but it is nevertheless a remarkable step to aid in the decrease in corruption.

Too frequently, young boys can be seen idling aimlessly around the streets of the city. This sometimes is seen as the first step towards criminality, particularly since many of these young boys resort to using drugs and engaging themselves in other unlawful activities.

This act of delinquency should ideally be addressed immediately and if necessary by tactful or legal force.

Additionally, offering counselling to these individuals can assist in steering them in the right direction; primarily since many of these youths have come from broken homes and have lacked the guidance and attention that they so deserve.

A recent tendency has surfaced where entertainment promoters find it appropri-

ate to host social events at public places such as gas stations which often encroach onto roadways and further obstruct traffic. These events need to be monitored and addressed by the relevant authorities.

During the Linden protest, I must illustrate gratitude to the Buxton community for not engaging in protests and looting activities in support of the Linden crisis. The development of the Tipperary Hall in Buxton has been offering classes and funding to many students who need it.

Not so long ago in Berbice, I witnessed five young masons overindulge their hard earned money in a rumshop.

These are only a few forms of indiscipline that I have encountered over time and sometimes all it calls for is self-realisation and for these matters to be brought to the attention of the individuals guilty of indiscipline.

I look forward to the approaches that PPP/C will take in addressing matters of societal disciplinary issues.

Sincerely, Janet

Rachtoo

Motivating learning in young children

The amount of dependency on adults is another indicator of motivation. Children with strong intrinsic motivation do not need an adult constantly watching and helping with activities. Children who have a lower level of motivation or are extrinsically motivated need constant attention from adults and cannot function independently. Since independence is an important aspect of quality learning, this dependence on adults will greatly limit children’s ability to succeed in school. Parents can increase the likelihood of their child’s building independent motivation by providing toys and activities that play to the child’s natural creativity and curiosity. Often, these are the simplest, most basic playthings: blocks, little plastic “people,” a toy car or two, and crayons and paper. These things encourage children to invent their own worlds rather than depending on an adult to entertain them.

The last indicator of motivational level is emotion. Children who are clearly motivated will have a positive display of emotion. They are satisfied with their work and show more enjoyment in the activity. Children without appropriate motivation will appear quiet, sullen and bored. They will not take any apparent pleasure in their activity and will often complain. As a parent, you are probably the

best judge of your child’s moods. That cranky, whiny voice is usually a good indicator that a child doesn’t feel very good about herself and needs a new adventure of some sort.

Developing motivation

Newborn infants are born with a tremendous amount of intrinsic motivation. This motivation is aimed toward having some visible effect on the environment. When infants can actually see the results of their actions as a reward, they are motivated to continue those actions. These attempts toward control are limited within the young child, and include crying, vocalisations, facial expressions and small body movements. Toys that change or make sound as the child moves them are therefore strong motivators.

As infants grow and continue to mature (nine to 24 months), more voluntary, purposeful movements are possible. This gives them more control of their environment. This wider range of control allows children to feel that they are successful. Success leads to higher self-esteem and feelings of self-worth, which leads to strengthened motivation. As children continue to develop during this time period, they are better able to make decisions and plan what to do to gain control of things around them. They are beginning to set their own goals for activi-

ties. This success is not based upon adult standards, but totally upon the child’s ability to accomplish the goals that he has set out for himself.

By two years of age, children are developing the ability to execute a sequence of events in order to achieve a goal. They also have an appreciation for standards and begin to evaluate their efforts. By three years of age, children become interested in doing things well, as opposed to just doing them. They have an idea of various levels of competency in performance and judge their success by their own internal standards. Therefore they have much less need for adult feedback about the quality of their efforts.

Preschoolers (age three to five years) are beginning to be more involved with verbal problem solving skills. They direct their own learning through speech and use vocal communication to direct their own behaviour to solve problems. Young children are often heard talking themselves through a series of actions that lead to the solution of a problem. As children get older, this “talking out loud” will become an internal monologue. This newly developing ability to problem solve is the basis for motivation at this stage. Having the self confidence to know that one can solve a problem motivates the learner to accept other new and challenging situa-

(part two)

tions, which in turn lead to greater learning.

Enhancing motivation

For parents of young children, the goal should be to appropriately support the development of motivation so that there is a proper foundation for optimal educational growth. Parents should be very cautious about the use of many extrinsic rewards, as this can severely interfere with the child’s motivational development. Praise for an accomplishment is appropriate, but be sure that your child is doing a task because she is interested, not because she thinks it will bring praise from you.

Difficulties arise when adults or others within the child’s environment enforce external standards and replace the internal reward system with one that depends upon outside forces to supply all of the rewards (candy, money, excessive praise). Children then begin to feel successful only if someone else rewards them for accomplishments. They lose their intrinsic motivation and may only feel success when someone else judges them as successful. In such situations, children may not develop feelings of self-worth, and will judge their own value by someone else’s standards. Your child should never need to ask, “Did I do well?” She should know and be confident in her own successes. (nasponline.org)

Why is teamwork important in the classroom?

BY LISA MCQUERREY

What is a classroom manager?

For students to achieve a comprehensive, well-rounded education, integrated teamwork on several fronts is vital. Teamwork is necessary between students, between students and teachers, and among parents and educators. The more teamwork fundamentals exhibited, the more opportunity exists for students to learn the vital skills of compromise and collaboration.

Teachers and paraprofessionals

Many classroom environments employ the use of paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, student teachers and even parent volunteers to help with fundamental classroom exercises. This assistance frees up the time for the lead teacher to focus on skills development and classroom management. To be effective, good communication and teamwork between the adults is vital to ensure that students are getting the time, attention

and levels of instruction required. Typically, each adult in the classroom is tasked with carrying out specific duties and responsibilities in a collaborative manner.

Co-teaching

In many academic settings, teachers in different departments team up to ensure a continuity of instruction for students. A fifth grade science teacher focused on scientific measurements and calculations might collaborate with a fifth grade math teacher who teaches volume and measurements. As a team, the teachers create a crossover educational experience in which students of both educators have the opportunity to see how statistical information can be used in the different disciplines.

Teachers and parents

Parents play a vital role in a student’s education, particularly during the formative years. When teachers and parents act as a team, it can reinforce positive behaviors and learning skills developed in the classroom and practised at home. When students see educators and parental figures working together, they learn to value education and get academic and behavioural support both inside and outside the classroom. Parent-teacher teams that communicate well can share information about the student and help devise ways to individualise learning approaches to best meet the student’s needs.

Student collaboration Team or group work in a classroom teaches students the fundamental skills associated with working as a collective unit toward a common goal. This type of teamwork introduces a variety of skills that will be valuable for students later in the workforce, such as communication, compromise and collective effort. In any type of group work, students must agree about who will handle various components of a project and work in tandem using one another’s strengths to accomplish assigned tasks. This teaches time management, resource allocation and communication skills. (work.chron.com)

Farmers enlightened on cost-effective measures

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), through a collaborative approach with the Agriculture Ministry, on Tuesday convened a cost of production workshop, where technical officers and farmers were enlightened on ways agriculture in Guyana can be sustainable through a cost effective approach.

The workshop, which was held in the Royal Pavilion Room, Regency Suite, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, also saw a pilot project being launched on methodologies adopted thus far, to ensure cost effectiveness. Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy in opening remarks alluded to the fact that farmers are also entrepreneurs and like any other business; cost of production plays a major part.

He added that for Guyana to continue to be the bread basket of the Caribbean, access to markets and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices are necessary. Thus far, the Agriculture Ministry has been playing a lead role in ensuring that the necessary systems are in place to assist farmers countrywide.

“The time has come for us to recognise agriculture for what it is… it is also true that the cost of agricultural products have never been absolutely calculated or estimated and that is because there are certain costs that are routinely neglected,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy reiterated the importance of developing a model for cost of production for any agriculture enterprise, making mention of the recent move

by government to have fertiliser made available to farmers at a subsidised rate, forcing the price for the commodity to be significantly reduced from $7000-10,000 per bag, to now a mere $5000.

According to the agriculture minister, a similar move is also expected in the aquaculture industry as the ministry is in the process of acquiring fish food at a reduced cost.

Farmers are entrepreneurs

“Small or large, our farmers today that produce for the commercial market are entrepreneurs… once we accept that farming is part of the entrepreneurship in any country, then we must also accept that the cost factors is a critical component of the agriculture business.

Whether we are rice farmers, sugar cane farmer, cash crop farmers, an aquaculture practitioner – whatever we do – we must be clear on this cost of production be-

cause we are doing this as a business and to generate a profit,” the minister reminded. He made a call for such

a workshop to not be a oneoff, but rather on a continuous basis, where the results of such a model can be highlighted.

Meanwhile, IICA’s representative to Guyana, Wilmot Garnett underscored the importance of such a workshop in providing guidance for

producers and processors for crop improvement. He added that any successful agriculture enterprise strives on innovation, and as such, the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, especially through organised groups are essential.

“The incorporation of appropriate technologies, rules and responsibilities of farm operation, and the quality of output is also important,” Garnett said.

The IICA representative also made a call for farmers to be proactive by effectively analysing the market so as to produce for those that are readily available, rather than what is in abundance.

The workshop also saw farmers and technical officers being exposed to the benefits of the new cost production model “One Crop and One Livestock”, data requirements, stimulating proposed policy impacts and recommendations on the way forward.

wednesday, november 13, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

Police unveil security plans for Christmas season

Type of Patrol Time Location

Vehicle Patrol

Vehicle Patrol

Vehicle Patrol

Dragon Alpha (Plain Clothes)

Vehicle Patrol (Uniform)

Vehicle Patrol (Uniform)

Motor Cycle Patrol

07:00h- 19:00h Upper East Bank

19:00h-07:00h Upper East Bank

07:00h-19:00h Around Georgetown

19:00h-07:00h Around Georgetown

07:00h-19:00h Central GT/Lower East Bank

19:00h-07:00h Central GT/Lower East Bank

08:00h-18:00h Central Georgetown

Table indicating some of the areas that will be patrolled

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday rolled out its security plans for the Christmas season with major emphasis on A Division (Georgetown), the hub for commercial activities in the country.

A Division Assistant Commissioner, Commander Derrick Josiah disclosed that security arrangements for the Christmas season will intensify from November 15 to January 15, 2014.

“This is being done in order to ensure that citizens carry out their activities in a safe and secured environment. It is expected that there will be an increase in commercial activities in the city and its environs and also an increase in traffic,” Josiah said, as he addressed members of the private sector and the media at the Officers Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The force is also hoping to minimise criminal activity, traffic congestion and

road accidents during the specified period.

According to Josiah, several methods would be employed to ensure the force’s objectives are fulfilled. Georgetown will be divided into five sectors, each led by an assistant superintendant of police or cadet officer, along with adequate ranks.

Additionally, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Intelligence Section will be heightening their operations around commercial banks, hotels, nightspots, post offices and around key business places.

Patrols will also be executed around the city and the Georgetown Prison by Aberdeen patrols (armed ranks on foot patrol), cordon and search and mass patrols. Foot patrols will be done between 07:00h to 13:00h and 12:00h to 19:00h daily; however, during December 2224 and December 29-31, foot patrol times will be adjusted.

Commander Josiah said community policing groups (CPGs) will play an integral role during the Christmas season, noting that they will be working along with the police to conduct mobile patrols in Alberttown/ Queenstown, Alexander Village, East La Penitence, Golden Grove/Diamond, Kitty/Campbellville and North/South Ruimveldt, among other areas.

While A Division is geared toward crime fighting, Josiah underscored the need for more staff. The division has a staff 604, a shortfall by 315.

“The current establishment is in place since 1977 and from then to now, there have been a number of new legislations which require additional staffing units. For example, Drug Act, Piracy Act, Trafficking in Persons and Domestic Violence Act,” he complained. Similar activities will be executed countrywide for the Christmas season.

Eyew tness

The rains are here...

...and so are floods

Looks like the December rains are here. So what if it’s November? You don’t mess with Mother Nature...and we’ve certainly been messing with her big time for the last couple of hundred years. Well... not all of us. While the rest of us were grubbing along behind bullocks and such like, the “developed” countries were belching out all that carbon dioxide from their factories. That’s how they became “developed”, didn’t they?

So with the weather pattern all messed up, we’ve become like England. No. Not developed or anything...just with weather that you never know whether you’re going to have rain or sunshine. We might as well start walking around with umbrellas as a fixture of our accoutrements, no? Anyhow, this being Guyana, and more specifically, this being Georgetown, if it rains, then it must flood. And so said...so done.

Now, we hope no one’s surprised because this’ll mean we’re all certifiably insane. They say if you do the same thing every day but expect a different result...that’s insanity. So if the good burghers of our (once fair) city continue to dump garbage left, right and centre (especially the now ubiquitous Styrofoam containers) and our even higher Lord Mayor Hamilton Green continues to refuse to arrange for the garbage to be picked up, we really didn’t expect the rainfall to run into the ocean like a dose of salts, did we?

Well, as an affirmation of our collective sanity, it does appear everyone expected flooding. Everywhere you went in the city, pallets were hurled by businessmen into the surging, garbage-filled water, hoping they’d stick and allow customers to enter and part with their money. People were prepared.

Some pallets did float away. It confirmed that the water was too deep for chivalrous gentlemen to throw their cloaks on the ground for fair damsels to cross. With all the raw sewage, the coat would’ve been ruined beyond repair, in any case.

As your loyal Eyewitness eyed the debris

when the water started to recede by the afternoon, he wondered (idly) at the promise of the opposition and the government officials to work hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder (not belly to belly, since that would mean “we done dead already”) to clean up the garbage before the rains. And the floods.

Ah well... It’s the thought that counts, isn’t it? And after all, we can always count on that U.S. ambassador to launch another “Operation Clean up” when it’s all over.

...and so is Lewis the Loud

What would we do without Lincoln Lewis?

More to the point, what would the MuckrakerKN and the Stabber News do without the loudmouthed one? After all, on any slow news day, they can always depend on him to fill an entire page with his vitriol. Never about anything remotely concerned about labour, mind you. After all, why should he concern himself with the travails of that downtrodden bunch – he’s only the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and some workers or the other pay his salary.

In the interest of full disclosure, your Eyewitness must confess that Lincoln the Loud does provide quite a lot of grist for his mill. But you, Dear Reader, must’ve already figured that one out. Anyhow, this time the missing-in-action labour leader weighed in on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill (AMLCFT), which the joint opposition killed. And left the entire business community – which pays the salaries and wages of all workers – up the creek without the proverbial paddle. Lewis says “legitimate” businesses won’t be affected. It’s obvious his head’s been affected.

...and the track’s dead

The athletics track over at West Coast Demerara is at least two years behind. The latest excuse was they needed five weeks of sunshine to complete it. Well, we can kiss the track goodbye for this year!

Gonsalves wants DR suspended from CARIFORUM for court ruling on Haitians

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has called for the suspension of The Dominican Republic from the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) as the fall out continues from the constitutional court ruling that could render stateless, thousands of people of Haitian descent living in the Spanish-speaking country.

In a November 11 letter to President Danilo Medina, the St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister said he had also written to Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro recommending that The Dominican Republic be suspended from the Caracas-led PetroCaribe initiative.

“As you are aware that the 1X Summit of Petrocaribe is scheduled for Caracas on December 16, 2013. If the situation for the citizens-by-birth of The Dominican Republic of Haitian descent is not favourably altered, I intend to raise the matter forcefully at this summit,” Dr Gonsalves wrote.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom), as well as the Washingtonbased Inter-American Commission on

Human Rights (IACHR), have criticised the ruling made on September 23, with the IACHR saying that it “retroactively modifies legislation that was in effect from 1929 to 2010, and thus would strip Dominican citizenship from tens of thousands of people born in The Dominican Republic”.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin La Rocque said the ruling “raises a serious question about the status of the numerous… Dominican Republic nationals of Haitian extract” while St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves in a letter to President Danilo Medina said the court’s decision was “unacceptable in any civilised community”.

The international human rights group, Amnesty International and the Organisation of American States (OAS) have also expressed concern over the ruling and the U.S.-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) said the ruling had turned The Dominican Republic into a “ticking time bomb”. (CMC)

Garbage in de council, poll men in de s*ity

De big talkin in GT de garbage town now is that de actin town clerk Carol Sober gon clear up de garbage before Christmas. But de problem is that unless Sober clean out de mayor-fuh-life Green Ham from de s*ity council, dey gon always have garbage in de s*ity. If garbage in de council, dey gon be garbage in de street. That is common sense. But common sense not so commin wid de mayor-fuh-life after all.

In fact, since de mayor-fuh-life is garbage, dey gon always have garbage in de s*ity. Any primary school child know that. De other day Sober was busy gettin rid of spoil meat in a place whah does sell meat. Is time fuh de town clerk get rid of tings whah spoil right in de council in front she eye. That gon help every ting else.

Now another letter writer expose another lie man. Only de other day, one letter writer expose Mook Lall. Now is Freddie Kissmansoon turn. Apart from likin to kiss men, Freddie like when people give he poll. But because one man in New York who from Guyana ain’t give he poll, de Kissman get vex and give de poll man one big cuss-out. But it was plenty of de New York Guyanese poll men that de Kissman had want poll from. It was de mud headitor who had to end up givin de Kissman a warning fuh he own good. De headitor self tell people that he not sure if de Kissman woulda be able to handle all dem pollin just like that.

After all, de headitor advise de Kissman to stick to he kissin and leave de pollin to de headitor he self and he bass man wid out de “b”, who also happen to be a big Mook. De headitor seh dem two could handle any kinda poll in de country.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So wid de headitor and de Mook tekkin all de pollin in de s*ity, no pollin ain’t leff fuh de Kissman!

Guyanese teen charged with sodomising cousin

AGuyanese teenager charged with sodomising his five-yearold cousin has been ordered not to return to Guyana. This was one of several conditions imposed on the 15-year-old boy, who was granted TT$70,000 bail with his uncle as surety to cover all charges, when he appeared in a Trinidad’s court.

The five offences spanned over a two-year period and allegedly took place at the child’s home. The other charges include two counts of grievous sexual assault and two counts of serious indecency.

He was not called upon to plea to the charges which were read to him by Magistrate Annette McKenzie in the San Fernando First Court.

Attorney Sherry Ramoutar said the teenager lived with

his uncle in Williamsville. His parents live in Guyana. She said the teenager did not attend school but was learning a trade. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan asked for certain conditions to be attached to bail.

He said the teenager lived about half-a-mile away from the child and frequented the house because other relatives lived there. The magistrate ordered him to stay away from the victim’s home, surrender his TT and Guyana passports, be barred from obtaining a new passport and have no contact with the victim.

She explained to the teenager’s uncle that he would be responsible for bringing him to court. If he failed to do so, she told him it was possible he would have to pay TT$70,000. The matter was adjourned to December 9.

(Trinidad Guardian)

november 13,

GDF renames air corps in honour of retired colonel

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has renamed and dedicated its Air Corps headquarters in honour of Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Lawrence Hillary London on Friday.

The headquarters will now be known as Air Station London. Chiefof-Staff (CoS), Brigadier Mark Phillips; former chiefs of staff, Major General Norman McLean; Brigadier General Edward Collins; Rear Admiral Gary Best; senior serving GDF officers and a number of special invitees, welcomed and hosted Lieutenant Colonel London

man and sport administrator.

According to a GDF release, in his reflections, London recounted his beginnings as an aviator and subsequent commanding officer of the GDF Air Corps.

“My life changed on October 20, 1970, when 10 young, energetic, fearless men left Guyana to pursue a career in aviation. We were the second batch of Guyanese to attend the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to train for the U.S. commercial pilots’ licence,” he said. “I was already selected for the GDF’s standard officers’

and members of his family, at the dedication ceremony.

The CoS acknowledged and thanked London for his sterling service to the GDF and for dedicating his energies to building and strengthening the Air Corps during his tenure there. He also recounted London’s accomplishments within the GDF as both an avid sports-

course and understood then, that on my completion of flight training, it would have been life in the army.”

Rich experience

Speaking about his overall military experience, London said his richest experiences from an officer cadet, through to commanding officer, were embedded

in his interactions with the soldiers and a military culture which was rooted in “very informed non-commissioned officers. That rich experience and knowledge was also provided by a group of officers who were technically superb and dedicated,” he recounted London thanked Rear Admiral Best, Brigadier Phillips and the leadership of the GDF who thought it appropriate to recognise his contributions to Air Corps in that manner. He also expressed thanks to Defence Board Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon. “While this facility now carries my name, it is also an acknowledgement of these men and women with whom I served,” he said.

Acknowledging all the close and very meaningful friendships which aided in moulding and developing his career, London said, “I accept this tribute in the name of all of those with whom I got the honour to serve. To the members of Air Corps, you have something to remind you that I will always be a member of this corps. I expect that this corps remains professional and continues to produce men and women who become role models and leaders in this nation. Remember, the sky is no longer the limit. Space is now our new final fron-

Distinguished career

A native of New Amsterdam, Berbice, Lieutenant Colonel London attended the Victoria High

School, where he excelled in track and field and also captained the Berbice Under-17 football team. His military career spanned some 20 odd years. He was trained in the U.S., UK, France and the

USSR and gained both the commercial “fixed wing” and commercial rotorcraft pilot’s licences with instrument and instructor ratings.

Some of the appointments he held in the GDF Air Corps were as officer commanding (OC), fixed wing, chief pilot, and training pilot, and as commanding officer from 1979-1987. During his service, he played a pivotal role in the selection of students for training as pilots and aviation engineers.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics and a master’s in aviation management, both from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

London is married to Donna London and is the father of six. Air Station London is a military facility located at Timehri, within the environs of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Exciting third day of drama expected

After two thrilling days of drama, the National Drama Festival continues today with another two plays on the schedule this evening.

“Unequally

Yoked”

The first play, which commences at 18:00h, will be performed by Praise Prophetic Arts. The name of the play is “Unequally Yoked”. The play was written by Marcia Underwood, and will be directed by Olatunde Griffith. The stage manager is Monifa Philander; Lighting and Sound designer, Olatunde Griffith; Costuming, Camille Benjamin.

Actor Character

Olatunde Griffith Shawn

Marcey Parker Older Beryl

Trichelle Bollers Esther Ryan Nedd Desmond

Adeyei Bacchus Vibert

Kendacy Williams Monica

Odessey Peters Monique

Kellon Ault Dale

Corlene Short Samantha

Kellon Ault Dave Olace Griffith Iysha

The play is about the ways in which being unequally yoked can affect someone. Not necessarily the traditional way as portrayed in the Bible of an unbeliever and a believer, but being unequally yoked has various consequences. With a few laughs and some solid lessons, this play is sure to be grand.

“A Darker Side”

The second play, “A Darker Side”, will be done by Untamed Productions. The playwright/director is Tashandra Inniss and stage manager Alicia Charles.

Actor Character

Leslyn Fraser Sis Taylor

Melika Edmonds Abigail Taylor

Mark Luke Edwards Pastor Sills

Sean Thompson Ryan Dover

This play features a staunch Christian mother whose love for God and obsession with religion puts a strain on the relationship with her daughter, eventually making others question her faith.

National Drama Festival 2013 highlights [Day 2]

Berserk man kills four

– shot dead after hours-long standoff with police

By Michael younge

Abusinessman was shot dead after going berserk on Tuesday and slaying four persons, including two policemen and two staff of a taxi service, in a mid-afternoon standoff, during which police were forced to use tear gas in attempts to flush him out of his Middle Street, Georgetown home.

Gold miner Deryck Kanhai, 52, died after police stormed his home.

Before this, Kanhai murdered 24-year-old Lance Corporal Michael Forde and his colleague, 35-year-old Constable Sherwin Pantlitz, who both had responded to the shooting. The businessman also slew Crown Taxi Service dispatcher Vanessa Williams and one of the drivers, Bonny Paul. Another taxi driver of the service, Paul Raman, of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara, was injured during the mayhem.

Police have since recovered two pistols – a .32 and a .22 from Kanhai’s home, along with a shotgun.

Police account

In a statement, police said about 13:30h, ranks responded to a report received that a man armed with a gun was discharging rounds indiscriminately at Middle and East streets, Georgetown. On arrival at the scene, the police found the bodies of Williams and Paul lying on Middle Street. Enquiries also revealed that Kanhai, a licensed firearm holder, “who had apparently gone berserk, had retreated into his home above the taxi service”.

According to the police, a standoff ensued between the police ranks and Kanhai as efforts were made to arrest him during which there was exchange of gunfire and the use of tear smoke by the police. During this period, Lance Corporal Forde and Constable Pantlitz were shot dead by the businessman. Police said ranks subsequently stormed the building and came under fire. They returned fire and Kanhai was fatally shot.

“The Guyana Police Force wishes to express sincere condolences to the relatives of the two police ranks and two civilians

who lost their lives in this tragic encounter.”

Pacing around Guyana Times understands that the man was spotted earlier in the day pacing and making rounds around the building, which he owns that houses the Crown Cabs Taxi Service and one other business in the lower flat. A Crown Taxi driver who requested anonymity said he and some other drivers were having a conversation near the base around 13:15h when Kanhai walked up to them and grabbed him by his neck. “He hold on to my neck and Paulie knock he hand way and ask him what happen to him...I say this man going crazy or something and de man turn and look at Paulie and mek Bam! Bam and shoot Fat Man to de ground,” the man explained.

He said the drivers pushed away Kanhai and his gun fell after which they attempted to assist “Paulie” while running for cover. At this time, the other workers in the taxi service and the nearby businesses heard the gunshots and ran for cover. The taxi driver reported that the man walked calmly into the taxi service and continued to shoot rounds into the building. The lone dispatcher on duty ran into the bathroom. “The man walk straight in deh behind she

and knock on the door and shoot she dead, dead all over she body,” another eyewitness disclosed.

The police were summoned by nearby businesses and onlookers as the man continued to fire rounds into the air indiscriminately. The lawmen were greeted with the bodies of Williams and Paul, which were lying on Middle Street by the time they arrived. Kanhai had retreated to his home above the taxi service after he saw the police approaching.

Tear smoke

In an effort to flush out the businessman, police released several cans of tear smoke into Kanhai’s home, adding to the drama that saw several nearby schools dismissing classes prematurely. There was also panic in the adjoining streets which house active business places including pharmacies, shopping complexes, and restaurants. Persons were seen running helter skelter and screaming as the use of the smoke intensified. “I can’t believe what happening. My son here and he crying because the tear smoke reach ‘till in school and affect his eyes....I didn’t know all of this madness happening, but I tekking my child home,” Rita Persaud said as she hustled into a vehicle with her seven-yearold son.

‘This is crazy. I hear-

ing bullets non-stop and I ain’t able wait to find out whether is police and thief or robbery...I know what a gun sounds like and when I hear that sound, class over and school dismissed for me,” a teacher at a nearby school related.

She also confirmed that chaos erupted in the school as teachers were trying to get the children to safety and home as a result of the incident. Workplaces in close proximity saw staff collecting their belongings and running away from the tear smoke which was affecting them.

Patients at GPHC

The patients in the nearby Georgetown Public Hospital were also affected by the gunplay between the lawmen and the lone gunman who appeared to have had a seemingly never-ending supply of ammunition.

“I was going to the hospital to do check up and to mek sure that everything alright with my baby, but not me... I turn back because deh madness woulda mek me deliver,” 18- year-old Jill Jones explained.

“The police subsequently stormed the building, killing Kanhai. But, the high drama continued as a large crowd gathered, as word spread that Khanai was dead. Police employed all known strategies to get the body from the home to the van, to the hospital to

avoid any confusion with the crowd. Despite their warnings and best efforts, an ever-watchful crowd continued to observe all aspects of their investigation from behind the cordons and barricades which were later erected to restore order and keep unauthorised persons from the crime scene.

Recovering shells

Police officers were later seen picking up spent shells from in front of the building which was dotted with gunshot holes and broken windows. Two parked vehicles were also bullet riddled as a result of the incident. Soon after, Kanhai’s tattooed and bullet-ridden body, clad only in three-quarter pants, was removed from his home.

Speaking with Guyana Times shortly after the incident, the businessman’s brother, Aubrey, said he was told that a shootout was taking place while transacting business elsewhere. He confirmed that his brother was the owner of “a pistol and shotgun”. He explained that he last saw his brother alive on Tuesday morning and nothing appeared “off” or “wrong” with him.

Asked whether his brother had a mental issue or would often “trip” as was reported by several persons, Kanhai said, “Who say so... Well, I don’t know”.

Questioned as to

whether there was any truth in the rumour that the man had taken his own life after the ordeal, Kanhai declined to comment. “I ask the police if they shoot he...or he shoot he self and they say they don’t know... Well, I just like the police, I don’t know,” the distraught man said. The businessman, who was a licensed firearm holder, was Aubrey’s fourth brother. He was unaware if his brother had any immediate enemies or problems with anyone.

Clear the air

Meanwhile, the owner of Crown Cabs Taxi Service Abdool cleared the air after it was rumoured that he was somewhat involved in the shooting incident. He extended condolences to the families of the policemen and his employees.

“I am very disappointed. I don’t have words to explain what really took place here. I am still shocked,” he told media operatives, while confirming the identities of his employees who were killed during the mass shooting.

While the police’s efforts to bring an end to the chaos that took place on Tuesday are being acknowledged, they are also facing heavy criticism for the manner in which they dealt with the incident. “I feel the police tek too long to come and when some of the specialised ranks came, they came without bulletproof vests and appeared unprepared for the task at hand,” an eyewitness from a nearby pharmacy reported. It was also reported that even though the police surrounded the house, they did not enter immediately because Kanhai was utilising Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on his property to monitor their movements from the inside.

“I am proud of the police, because that man created havoc here and took the lives of innocent Guyanese. I am glad that they got the job done and he was not allowed to escape. I believe justice has been served... but I feel it for those who lost their loved ones,” Sharon Ganny, a street vendor reported.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Mayhem in Middle Street

As it happened...

• Around 13:15h, Deryck Kanhai walked up to several taxi drivers and grabbed one of them by his neck. Another taxi driver (Paul Raman) intervened, causing Kanhai to fire shots at him. The other drivers assisted the injured man as they ran for cover. Other workers in the taxi service and nearby businesses heard the gunshots and rushed for cover.

• The man then walked into the taxi service and continued to fire rounds into the building. The lone dispatcher who was on duty allegedly ran into the bathroom. Kanhai left the building and walked up the street with two guns in his hands before returning to the building where he lured the woman out of the bathroom and shot her.

• The police came around 13:30h and began assessing the situation; they came under fire from the man in the building. This episode continued for the next three hours. By this time, scores of people gathered at the corners of Thomas and Middle streets, and East and Middle streets.

• Dozens of police officers, including a number of senior ranks, were present at the scene controlling the crowd and trying to take down Kanhai. Constant streams of shots were being fired back and forth between the police and Kanhai.

• After approximately three hours of gunplay between the lawmen and Kanhai, the businessman was finally taken down. He was shot several times about his body by policemen who reportedly closed in on him around 16:15h.

wednesday, november 13, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

Middle Street Mayhem

Govt, opposition sympathise with relatives of those killed

The government and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have expressed condolences to the relatives of those killed in the Middle Street, Georgetown shooting by a lone gunman.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in a statement aired on the National Television Network said Tuesday was “especially a sad day in our nation’s recent history.” “Many of you may have heard by now four persons have been killed by one of our fellow citizens who began shooting at persons in the vicinity and at policemen who confronted him. He was eventually shot fatally by policemen.” Several persons are currently being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to Hinds even as the details of this tragedy are still unfolding, “on behalf of the government of Guyana, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, neighbours and communities who mourn tonight, I mourn, your government mourns with you. We have seen, just this week, too many acts of violence, many within families. The quick resort to violence is something to be concerned about and not to be taken

lightly or ignored by government or by us as citizens of this nation. Together we must strive to lower the level of frustration and anger within our society. We must remember what it means to be neighbourly, to be our brother’s keeper lending an ear and a shoulder to those in need, comforting and consoling each other. We have a duty to ourselves and to our nation to prevent violence in all its forms,” Hinds said.

He added that the Guyana Police Force deserves “our commendations for their valiant efforts to contain the shooting, and our condolences for the lives they lost. Our nation will always be indebted to the servicemen’s families forgiving

us their sons. I call on all of you, my fellow Guyanese, to keep the families and friends of those who mourn tonight in your thoughts and prayers.”

Meanwhile, APNU also in a statement said it strongly condemns the violence and calls on those responsible for public safety to take all necessary steps to put an end to the upsurge of violent crime that present a challenge to law and order in civil society.

“The partnership extends its sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of all who lost their lives in the Middle Street killings and the brutal murder yesterday in west Ruimveldt. APNU takes this opportunity to restate our position

that the safety and security of citizens under the current leadership of the minister of home affairs is severely compromised.

“APNU remains committed to working with all the relevant government agencies to ensure that all Guyanese can enjoy a good life in safe and secure communities,” the coalition said in a statement. According to the Guyana Police Force, the tragedy began unfolding just after 13:30h with the alleged shooter, who was identified as a miner and licenced firearm holder, Deryck Kanhai apparently going berserk, shooting at least two persons including a female dispatcher, Vanessa Williams, who was on duty at the Crown Cabs Taxi Service.

As shots rang out, passersby took cover and police ranks raced to the scene. Kanhai then retreated into his home above the taxi service. An initial attempt at storming the building was met by a barrage of gunfire. Two wounded ranks, Lance Corporal Sherwin Pantlitz and Lance Corporal Michael Forde were rushed to the nearby Georgetown Public Hospital where they later succumbed. The businessman barricaded himself in the property. Police subsequently stormed the building and came under fire. The ranks returned fire and he was fatally shot, bringing to an end an almost three-hour standoff.

The Guyana Police Force has also expressed sincere condolences to the relatives of the two police ranks and two civilians who lost their lives in the tragic encounter.

Serious plan needed to tackle domestic violence – Red Thread director

BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN

Red Thread said government has been lukewarm in its approach towards tackling domestic violence and contended that unless a serious plan is put together to fight the scourge, women will continue to die at the hands of their spouses.

Red Thread Director Karen DeSouza told Guyana Times on Tuesday that a concerted effort is needed to tackle the issue, which has increased in the past few months.

She believes that more financing is needed to strengthen current progammes and create new ones that will help root out domestic violence at the community level.

The women's advocate said in addition to making financial resources more readily available to fight this social ill, there is also need for recruitment of more skilled personnel, noting that there is a want at various levels in the country.

Referring to the Tuesday murder/suicide in West Ruimveldt, DeSouza said the incident points to a number of issues that needs to be addressed, especially as it relates to the attitude of the community to report these cases.

She said the family of the West Ruimveldt man who killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide, could have played a more active role by getting the couple to seek help.

A lot needs to be done

“At the level of our individual response, I think there is a lot that needs to be done. Relatives and neighbours have to do a lot better

A Division commander injured in early morning accident

Assistant Police Commissioner and A Division Commander Derrick Josiah was involved in an early morning accident on Tuesday at West Bank Demerara.

The accident occurred sometime around 04:50h at Goed Fortuin Public Road, WBD. Guyana Times understands that Josiah was in a

vehicle driven by a lance corporal heading to Georgetown when another vehicle came into their path.

The lance corporal, in an attempt to avoid hitting the incoming motor car, swerved away and crashed into a utility pole. Josiah reportedly suffered a fractured shoulder and other injuries about his body. He was rushed to Georgetown and taken to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.

The lance corporal also sustained injuries to his head and was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital for treatment.

The other vehicle also crashed. Its occupants included a pastor, who was taking his mother and an aunt to a diabetic clinic. One of the occupants of this vehicle is reportedly in a critical state. The police are conducting investigations.

in terms of responding and making reports to the police,” DeSouza said. The director also noted that while there are still many complaints about the police’s attitude towards reported cases of domestic violence, there have also been some police officials taking the issue seriously.

This is the same for many cases in the court following the training and direction of the chancellor’s office. DeSouza said many magistrates are now dealing with these matters in the way they should.

“Having said all of that, there is still way too much space for the individual response like ‘I don’t like you’, therefore I will not take your report… or the man is my friend and I will not take your report, there is still too much of that and we have to build into our system some checks and balances so that we have certain protocols to follow.”

DeSouza noted that steps should be taken to examine the efforts and absence of resources in tackling the scourge and plan a serious strategy to deal with violence, domestic violence in particular.

She said the domestic violence policy established some years ago is yet to be fully implemented, even though it was re-launched for the third time earlier this year. This policy was developed to increase awareness and involvement of all government ministries, in helping to curb this national scourge. She also reiterated the need for closer collaboration between non-governmental organisations that represent the rights of women like Red Thread and government.

Helping victims

The women advocate said NGOs have been doing their part and government has introduced programmes to curb domestic violence, but there is a need to review some of what is being done and ways in which it could support the work of these same NGOs which continue to help scores of domestic violence victims. The ministry has held consultations on domestic violence in several parts of the country, but these have not proven to be very successful as little was said after the consultations.

In 2008, the “Stamp It Out” campaign was launched; in 2009, the “Breaking The Silence” campaign commenced; in 2010, the government passed the Sexual Offences Act with harsher penalties for rape and abuse; and to date, work has been ongoing by various ministries, government departments, and NGOs to implement various plans and programmes to curbing the problem. Several women were killed or seriously wounded by their spouses so far this year.

Many domestic violence victims continue to visit shelters and other agencies for help. (samuelsukhnandan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Granger willing to re-examine anti-money laundering legislation

With just five days left for Guyana to comply with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader David Granger said the coalition is willing to re-examine the legislation at the level of the parliamentary special select committee.

On Thursday, APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) members of Parliament used their oneseat majority to vote down the bill.

Granger told Guyana Times that there are unresolved clauses in the bill to be dealt with at the parliamentary committee. He said the committee’s chairperson Gail Teixeira should have considered the consequences of concluding the work of the committee in the absence of the opposition.

Nevertheless, Granger said APNU is prepared to work. Asked whether Guyana would be able to meet the November 17 deadline; he said CFATF is more concerned about compliance and a legislation that is enforceable.

“If the bill is bad, they will know, if it is poor, they will know,” the opposition leader said.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has indicated that the AntiMoney Laundering and

Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill can be re-tabled, but stressed the importance of a common understanding between People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), ANPU and the AFC parliamentarians.

“Exasperated” Meanwhile, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) in a release said it is exasperated by the callous nature of the opposition that has again been revealed in the nonepassage of the anti-money laundering bill.

“Unlike the Amaila Falls Project, the Specialty Hospital Project or the CJIA, all of which aimed to move Guyana forward, the AML/ CFT amendment bill is intended to continue the status quo on how the private sector and individual citizens conduct business with their overseas partners. The defeat of the bill is a clear indication of the opposition’s willing-

ness to directly hurt the current economic climate and force a regression. It is clear that the opposition is gearing up for elections and wishes to effect economic instability in our country in order to create an economic platform from which to attack the PPP/C,” the PYO said.

The people of Guyana cannot continue to turn a blind eye to what is clearly an act of sabotage by the opposition, the PYO said, noting that the opposition’s rhetoric that they need more time to examine the bill is nonsensical.

“We just have to look at the records, the bill was in the special select committee from May 16, 2013, yet we are to believe that the intervening five months was not sufficient for the committee to complete the work on the bill. It is a childish excuse equivalent to saying that the ‘dog ate my homework’.

“The records show that the most vocal critics of the bill, Mr Ramjattan and Mrs Backer attended less than 42 per cent and 36 per cent of meetings respectively for the consideration of the bill. What is also clear is that the opposition on August 5, 2013 outvoted the PPP/C and further delayed any meetings until October, the month the bill was to be read again. They apparently believe that by using the Goebbels trick that ‘If you tell a lie... and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it’, they will get some kind of sympathy from the people,” the PYO said.

New PPP/C Region Two councillor sworn in

Juliet Nandranie

Coonjah was on Tuesday sworn in as a new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) councillor on the Region Two Democratic Council (RDC), replacing Wazeeda Bacchus, who resigned a few months ago due to personal reasons.

She was sworn in at the RDC boardroom, Anna Regina, Region Two, at the start of the council’s meeting statuary.

Coonjah took the oath

of office, which was administered by RDC Clerk Sunil Singh, in the presence of all the region’s councillors. Coonjah is an executive member of the Women's Progressive Organisation (WPO), the women’s arm of the PPP/C.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud and Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo welcomed the new councillor to the RDC. Coonjah previously served the council, and Persaud

GPL moves to beef up meter reading programme

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has commenced the first phase of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) programme to provide customers with more accurate meter reading every month, information about their energy usage and a system for recognising power outages without customer input.

In a statement, the company said the project is being financed under a loan agreement with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) facilitated by the government of Guyana for the sustainable operation of the electricity sector and improved quality of service.

Under the first phase of the pilot project, 2000 smart meters, which is a component of the AMI system, will be installed. The pilot zone extends from Avenue of the Republic to Vlissengen Road and North Road to South Road, including Regent, Robb and Charlotte streets.

The programme incor-

porates technology that allows electric meters to be read remotely and provide a wide range of benefits to customers, as well as operational savings through increased efficiencies to GPL.

Additionally, the AMI will eventually be implemented countrywide and serve as a platform to eliminate manual meter reading, provide remote monitoring of the electric distribution system and enable customers to manage their bills by tracking their consumption and demand via Internet.

“AMI has been proven to provide wide-ranging operational and customer benefits, including improved customer service and more options for our customers to manage their energy bills,” said John Cush, a consultant with responsibility for the implementation of the Sustainable Operation of the Electricity Sector and Improved Quality of Service Project.

GPL has approximately 138,000 meters sched-

uled to be read every month, but some remain unread because of severe weather, dogs, locked gates or other access problems. “With AMI, we will be able to significantly improve the daily meter reading rate, which will eliminate the vast majority of estimated bills,” Cush said.

Besides more accurate meter reading, AMI will provide customers with remote monitoring of the distribution network which will enable faster and more reliable power outage detection and restoration. In addition, the system will detect low voltage situations impacting a customer’s service; an ability to track consumption and demand, and provide assistance to adjust consumption to align with budgets, as well as a choice of billing cycles to better meet customers’ cash flow requirements. It will also seek to identify of individual service problems that may not be immediately apparent behind a circuitwide problem.

IDB to announce Juscelino Kubitschek Award winners next Tuesday

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will announce the winners of the third Juscelino Kubitschek Award of Merit for Regional Development in Latin America and the Caribbean on November 19.

said she brings a wealth of experience to the body.

He wished her well in her new position.

The award, created in recognition of a visionary former president of Brazil, acknowledges outstanding contributions by the region’s

institutions in two categories: economics and finance and social, cultural and scientific achievement.

The winners will be announced at a press conference scheduled at 16:30h in the IDB’s Enrique V Iglesias Conference Centre, 1330 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, with the participation of IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and Ibero-American

Secretary General Enrique V Iglesias, who chaired the award’s selection committee. For this third award, the selection committee received a record 496 nominations from organisations in 28 IDB’s member countries. The winning institutions in each category will receive awards of US$100,000. In the event of more than one winner per category, the prize will be divided equally.

SUDOKU

You should take pride in what you do. Don’t worry about the changes going on around you. Concentrate on what makes you happy, and strut your stuff.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Listen carefully, but don’t bend to what someone else wants if it doesn’t suit you. Make changes based on past experience. Don’t lead anyone on; be upfront and keep moving.

You probably won’t please everyone, but as long as you are true to your word, you will command attention and respect. A favorable change in a relationship will bring you good fortune. Look over your personal financial matters. Money may come from an unexpected source. A quick change of plans will be required to accommodate a shifting situation.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Avoid impulsive moves based on emotional or personal incidents. Your focus should be on reaching your goals and turning whatever you do into a sweeping success.

(March 21-April 19)

You’ll be restless and emotional today. Don’t feel pressured to react when you should be reviewing and re-evaluating. Time is on your side, but caution will be required.

(April 20-May 20)

High energy and enthusiasm will bring good results. Turn a power struggle into a positive situation that will allow you to do your own thing. Romance will bring greater happiness.

(May 21June 20)

Get in touch with old friends or colleagues. Finding out what others are up to will encourage you to implement a positive personal change. Make your opinions known, but don’t start any arguments. Pay your own way, but no one else’s.

Getting together with friends or peers will be enlightening. The conversations you have will open your eyes to new possibilities. Love is in the stars, and relationships can be improved.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll be drawn to change, and emotional situations will develop among your friends and co-workers. Don’t make a rash decision based on hearsay. Protect your interests and your heart.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Make travel plans, sign up for a course or gather information about a subject that interests you. No matter how, where or what you learn, it will end up being beneficial.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Stick close to home and take care of any renovations, decorations or changes you want to make. Prepare for something that you are looking forward to -- it will turn out well.

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Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

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YELLOW PAGES

wednesday, november 13, 2013

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One two storey house at lot 93 Atlantic Gardens, ECD; upperflat-3 bedrooms, kitchen and bath; lower flat-2 bedrooms, kitchen and bath. Call 592-619-4483, 592-656-7471

EXECUTIVE TWO STOREY BUILDING 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230

Gas station land. Size: over one acre Phone Ms Liverpool on 625-7582, 681-9293.

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Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer. The most powerful spiritualist in the world. Are you suffering from the following problems? (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection. Private and confidential. Phone: 674-2112.

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Small business space suitable for technician shop, taxi base, etc. Phone: 691-7164, 231- 2619.

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Two modern apartments at Campbellville, hot & cold water, etc Phone: 219-4535

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Two modern apartments at Campbellville, hot & cold water etc. Call: 219-4535

Recently constructed bond with house and office space on the same lot, centrally located in Broad Street, ideal for business or manufacturing. Phone: 623-0425, 6092876

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Suddie Hospital to host Diabetes Health Fair

The Diabetic Foot Centre of the Suddie Public Hospital will be hosting a health fair on Friday in commemoration of World Diabetes Day. Diabetes educator and nurse attached to the centre, Shareshmie Nankoo said the fair aims to make citizens more aware about diabetes and its complications.

Nankoo told Guyana Times that the fair will be held at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground and at least seven booths will be on site.

Health professionals, she said, will be on hand to provide information and materials to persons interested in knowing more about the non-communicable disease that has been on the increase in Guyana.

Special services will also be provided to persons at the fair. These include foot screening, blood sugar testing, blood pressure testing, physiotherapy and medications. The team will also provide education on diet, type 1 diabetes and wound care management.

According to Nankoo, paraphernalia including tshirts, bags and pamphlets will also be distributed at the health fair. Nankoo said these will help to spread the message about diabetes and how persons can seek help

in this regard. The nurse said, in the Essequibo region, there is a high number of reported cases of persons becoming diabetic, and this is based on a number of factors. She said diet and exercise are two areas that are lacking in people’s daily lives, not specifically in Essequibo, but throughout Guyana. This culture, she said, must change and people must know more of the illness and how to prevent it.

The fair, she noted, is one step in getting the message closer to persons in the Essequibo region that diabetes is a dangerous disease. She also noted that because of lack of education on the

part of persons, they often find out too late that they are diabetic, which often times leads to them having to have parts of their bodies amputated. The nurse said it very important to address the issue at the earliest stage, and this must start with health professionals getting the message out on diabetes.

Nankoo with the support of the business community within the Essequibo region and Radio Guyana Inc, was able to raise funds to host the health fair. The fair is just one of many the centre is planning to host throughout the country.

Police, residents corner bandit in Linden robbery

Abandit who robbed an employee attached to Gizmos and Gadgets, Linden branch, was on Tuesday caught by police ranks with the help of publicspirited citizens.

The incident occurred around 12:00h. The sales clerk attached to the entity was reportedly robbed some $1 million in cash by the gun-toting bandit, who tried to escape after hijacking a car at Mackenzie.

According to reports, Shibikie Pollard, a sales

clerk attached to the business, was held at gun-point as she was about to deposit the sum at the Republic Bank, Mackenzie location.

After he took the money, the unidentified bandit hijacked a car that was parked alongside the roadway at Republic Avenue to make good his escape. No one was in the car and its keys were left inside the ignition.

However, the bandit was cornered in the vicinity of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) office

at Kara Kara and Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie after public-spirited citizens and police gave chase. Residents in the area related that they heard shots being fired as the policemen on duty in the area chased the driver of the stolen car.

He was arrested and taken into custody at the Mackenzie Police Station, where he is assisting with investigations. All of the money the robber stole was reportedly recovered

UG Rotaract Club raises $86,900 for Global Polio Eradication Initiative

In celebration of World Polio Day on October 24, the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana (RCUG) hosted a Purple Clothes Day event and managed to raise $86,900 (US$434.50) for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

For this event, Rotary International is required to raise funds and the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation will donate twice the amount raised. Therefore, every $1

raised is $3 toward polio eradication.

RCUG invited other Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs to host events to increase polio awareness in their target community. Participating clubs included Rotaract clubs of UG and Linden and Interact clubs of Queens College, Christ Church, St Roses and School of the Nations.

These clubs either encouraged members to wear purple jerseys or ribbons and give a donation to the cause. Polio is a viral illness that affects the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) causing paralysis. It can only be stopped with vaccination since there is no cure.

Even though the outbreak cases have decreased by over 99 per cent since 1988, polio remains endemic in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. The money raised by the clubs can now purchase approximately 2000 doses of the vaccine.

Three athletes wing out for scholarships today

By Treiston Joseph

Four of Guyana’s top track prospects:

Stephan James, Jevina Straker, Alita Moore and Chavez Ageday have attained scholarships to attend and train at the ASA College in New York, U.S.A.

The four athletes have received student visas for the scholarship that will last two years at the college.

However, three of the athletes Straker, Ageday and James will be winging out this morning at 06:15 hours to start their scholarship, while Moore will have to travel hopefully in a week’s time.

Moore’s delay is due to her being a member of the Guyana Police Force, and according to a source, some logistics have to be sorted out before she leaves for the scholarship.

While the athletes will be hitting an indoor season as soon as they land in the U.S.A, they will also have to prepare for a tedious two years of academic studies.

James and Ageday have elected to do Information Technology and computer repairs, while Straker will be doing a pharmaceutical course. Moore is scheduled to take on nursing.

Meanwhile, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson wished the athletes well, stating that he looks forward to establishing a better relationship with the college for future scholarships.

Hutson also revealed that the college contacted the athletes directly through a mediator in Val Barnwell, while the AAG facilitated the financing of the tickets for the athletes.

Straker is a three-time

Carifta gold medalist and has had the most success out of the four on the international scene. James would be next as he has been the most consistent of the four while bagging a South American junior and Under-23 bronze medals.

Ageday, despite his well documented struggles on the international scene, finally had some success earlier in the year, winning 100 metres Under-23 bronze medals.

Moore, on the other hand, has been steadily improving and is the only female in Guyana that can boast of beating sprint ace Alisha Fortune (Boyce/Jefford Classic 2013) who has dominated the female sprints for the last six years. Moore is also a double Inter Guiana Games (IGG) gold medalist, a feat Straker has also accomplished along with James.

Tendulkar the greatest cricketer in history, says Lara

Brian Lara believes that Sachin Tendulkar deserves to be remembered as the greatest cricketer in history.

The 40-year-old will start his 200th and final Test match in his hometown of Mumbai against West Indies on Thursday.

Tendulkar is the highest runscorer in international cricket, with 15,847 runs in 199 Tests and 18,426 runs in 463 one-day internationals.

“Tendulkar has had the greatest cricket career of anyone who has ever played the game,” said Lara.

Former West Indies batsman Lara, 44, and Tendulkar have similar records, with Test figures showing that Lara averaged just under 53 in his 131 Tests, with Tendulkar a fraction over.

Tendulkar, though, will end his career having played 69 more matches than Lara, as he becomes the first man to play 200 Tests.

“The impact he has had on his game, his country, the

rest of the world - is incredible,” added Lara, who scored 11,953 Test runs.

Tendulkar made his international debut aged 16 in November 1989 and last year became the only batsman in the history of the game to reach 100 international centuries.

“His stats speak for themselves,” continued Lara. “I don’t think there is any 16-year-old who is going to embark on the sort of career that Sachin Tendulkar has had and walk away from the game at 40 with such great achievements.

“He’s the Muhammad Ali and the Michael Jordan of cricket. You think of the great boxers and basketball players, but if you were to talk about the game then you would have to talk about Sachin.” (BBC Sport)

Ansa McAl pool competition set for this Saturday

Ansa McAl Trading, through its Carib Beer brand, is the exclusive sponsor of a lucrative pool competition set for this Saturday at the Centre Point Bar at Enmore, East Coast Demerara.

With attractive cash incentives and accompanying trophies at stake for the top three finishers, organiser Jacob Persaud is envisaging a large turnout

of players when action gets underway at 17:00 hours.

“This is an open competition so we’re inviting players from near and far to register and compete for top prizes. Registration has already started, but of course players can just turn up on the day and get registered,” Persaud said. The entrance fee is $1500 per person.

The winner will pock-

et $75,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up and third place finishers will receive $35,000 and $15,000 respectively, as well as trophies. According to Persaud, the Carib Girls and Pretty Love Sound System will provide added entertainment, while Ansa McAl Trading will provide giveaways for fans as well as players.

Namilco/Bakewell 20/20 cricket profiles

TheBerbice Cricket Board (BCB) Namilco/Bakewell 20/20 cricket competition will wrap up this weekend with the final and third place playoff at the Albion Community Centre Sports Complex. Over the next few days we will provide you with mini-profiles of the four teams that will be in action on Sunday. Today our attention is centred on the teams that will compete in the third place playoff: Universal Solutions Bermine and West Berbice.

Universal Solutions Bermine

The Universal Solutions Bermine cricket team over the last month has endured the twisting and sometimes cruel world of cricket.

A few weeks ago under the dynamic leadership of Berbice senior player Anthony D’Andrade and the calm guidance of manager Carl Moore they won the BCB Universal DVD 20/20 title after defeating West Berbice in the final.

During the semi-final of the tournament, they created a major upset when they defeated defending champions Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets. They however, came crashing down to earth after they were bowled out for a paltry 38 in 14.3 overs to lose to Albion Community Centre by ten wickets in the Namilco/ Bakewell 20/20 tournament.

The youthful Universal

Solutions Bermine team is however, quite capable of redeeming themselves in the third place playoff match in the Namilco/Bakewell 20/20 tournament scheduled for Sunday at the Albion Community Centre Sports Complex.

Universal Solutions Bermine batting will be spearheaded by Demerara based national opener Shemroy Barrington, former national Under-19 players Eugene La Fleur, Anthony D’Andrade, Devon Clements and Joemal La Fleur. They will be supported by former Berbice player Keion De Jesus, Hakeem Hinds, Trinson Bynoe and the hard hitting Damon Vantull. To be successful against arch rivals, West Berbice, the Universal Solutions Bermine team will have to see off their new ball pair of Raun Johnson and the

lively Keon Joseph.

National Under-19 fast bowler Romario Shepherd and national Under-15 pacer Nial Smith will share the new ball for Universal Solutions Bermine and they have both enjoyed great success of late, especially Smith, who bowled his team to victory in the Universal DVD 20/20 finals. They will be supported by leftarm spinners Eugene La Fleur and Damon Vantull, along with off-spinners Joemal La Fleur, Shemroy Barrington, Kevin Pellew and Devon Clements.

Universal Solutions Bermine team reads: Shemroy Barrington, Anthony D’Andrade, Eugene La Fleur, Joemal La Fleur, Devon Clements, Keion De Jesus, Hakeem Hinds, Nial Smith, Romario Shepherd, Damon Vantull and Trinson Bynoe. Manager: Carl Moore; coach: Julian Moore.

Former champion in the hunt as CCI chess qualifier starts

Former national senior chess champion Wendell Meusa has entered the fray and is among those seeking to challenge reigning champion Taffin Khan as the 2013 CCI chess championship qualifier tournament got underway on Sunday at the Carifesta Sports Complex.

Meusa became national senior chess champion in 2009 when he defeated two-time senior champion, Berbician Kriskal Persaud. Meusa did not defend his title afterwards and incumbent Taffin Khan has won three championships

consecutively since succeeding Meusa in 2010. According to the FIDE (World Chess Federation) website, the 25-year-old Meusa holds a rating of 1966, while 21-year-old Khan is rated at 1794.

Three other players along with Meusa, namely, Anthony Drayton, Roberto Neto and Chino Chung are on two points each, having won their first two matches at the end of Sunday’s play. Six other players are on one point apiece.

The competition has attracted five junior chess players who are also vying for a place in the senior’s league to challenge

reigning champion Khan, who will be defending his title later this month.

Play will resume today at the same venue from 17:30 hours when round three will be contested. Rounds four and five will be played on Saturday at the Guyana Legion Building, Carifesta Avenue and the final two rounds are scheduled for Sunday at the Carifesta Sports Complex. At the end of the tournament, the top seven performers will automatically qualify to enter the 2013 national senior chess championship with Khan.

The West Berbice first division team over the last few years has been described as the prince of Berbice cricket as they have developed a reputation of never reaching the throne to be crowned king as they always fell short at the semi-finals. They were finally able to reach the final of the BCB Universal DVD 20/20 tournament, losing to Universal Solutions Bermine.

On Sunday they will be playing the same Universal Solutions Bermine for the third place prize of $50, 000 in the BCB Namilco/Bakewell 20/20 tournament at the Albion Community Centre Sports Complex.

West Berbice challenge will be spearheaded in the batting department by openers Arthley Bailey,

a former Berbice senior player and the promising Raffiel Estriado. They will be supported by Sherwin Mc Pherson, Andrew Dutchin, the hard-hitting Keith Fraser, Leroy Bristol and Steffon Adams.

Former national Under-15 keeper Quacy Mc Pherson will don the gloves and is also quite capable with the bat.

West Berbice’s biggest hindrance to winning Berbice cricket championship is their suspected inability to dominate spinners, and success on Sunday will depend on how well they play the Universal Solutions Bermine spin attack.

West Berbice’s strength is their bowling attack with pace being the trump card. Test pacer Brendon Bess, national

pacer Keon Joseph and the impressive Raun Johnson form the strongest pace trio in Berbice cricket. They will receive support from skipper Krishnadat Ramoo, Berbice senior off-spinner Steffon Adams and left-arm spinner Leroy Bristol.

Former national senior cricket managerm David Blackm is the live wire of West Berbice cricket and will serve as the manager of the team.

West Berbice team reads: Keon Joseph, Arthley Bailey, Krishnadat Ramoo (captain), Sherwin Mc Pherson, Andrew Dutchin, Steffon Adams, Leroy Bristol, Quacy Mc Pherson, Raun Johnson, Brendon Bess, Kendall Bobb, Grisean Grant, Keith Fraser and Raffiel Estriado.

Work ethic pays off for diligent Chanderpaul

– discipline, rigour, hard work have been Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s pillars of success, attributes that have contributed to his longevity, as he prepares to join an elite club of Test cricketers to have played 150 Tests

Nearly two hours after West Indies started training at the Wankhede Stadium, Shivnarine Chanderpaul got his turn to bat at No. 5 in the nets. Wearing an elbow, hip and rib guard, Chanderpaul got up from his seat, stretched as far as he could and then walked in to bat. He did not knock the bail to mark his guard, a ritual he follows during matches, as he quickly assumed his peculiar stance to face the first ball. For the next 25 minutes, Chanderpaul either left the balls, tapped them or flicked them towards the leg side or played the ball at the very last minute with minimum fuss. Not once did he hit a stroke in the airthe only West Indies batsman in Tuesday’s practice session to do so.

Discipline, rigour, hard work have been Chanderpaul’s pillars of success, attributes that have contributed to his longevity. On Thursday, as India will shed tears to celebrate the beginning of Sachin Tendulkar’s final match, people in Guyana will stay awake to proudly watch their own son walk in to his 150th Test. It is a milestone no one in the Caribbean has reached, and

probably never would.

Even if Brian Lara remains the most popular West Indies player of this generation, Chanderpaul has quietly amassed his own set of records playing alongside, and after, Lara. They are the only two batsmen to score more than 10000 Test runs for West Indies. Chanderpaul has six fewer centuries than Lara, who finished his career with 34 tons. However, if there is

one statistic Chanderpaul will be proud of, it is this: from 2007, he has averaged 70.52 in 48 Tests. Among the 78 batsmen who have scored at least 1000 runs during this period, no one, including Tendulkar, has averaged more.

To call Chanderpaul a freak comes easy. But, in essence, he remains a phenomenon; a machine whose expiry date might be drawing closer, but it

nevertheless continues to run smoothly without any creaking noises.

“It takes a lot of work. You have to put in a lot of work,” Chanderpaul said, after training in Mumbai on Tuesday. “As an individual you have to pick yourself up to go to the nets, do a lot of work, practice the way you go bat in the game. There are so many things you have to do – training, keeping the fitness and ev-

erything that takes to get on the park and get your work done. And also maintain a standard you think will help you to succeed at the highest level.”

That last part, maintaining high standards, is the ‘USP’ of the great players and Chanderpaul never compromised on that. Like Tendulkar, Chanderpaul has made changes to his stance, his backlift and other subtle technical shifts, but the one constant has been his solid temperament. As he showed against Australia at Bourda in 2003, when he hit a 69ball century, he could shift gears, but he always knew that the best way he could help and guide the West Indies batting was by resisting any temptation and stonewalling the bowling. Among contemporary batsmen, he has the lowest strike-rate in Test cricket. No one bowler can confidently say that he ever had a hold over Chanderpaul.

Lara might have scored triumphant and memorable match-winning centuries, but he was never as successful as Chanderpaul in stitching valuable partnerships with the tail. “I know we have had a lot of players in the past who played a lot of shots. But I have

also looked at a lot of other players and tried to find a way you can fit in, and a way you can add value to the team. I figured out that might be the best way for me,” Chanderpaul said.

Perhaps the most unique characteristic Chanderpaul has is that he has managed to absorb West Indies’ constant slide down the rankings table and never allowed the team’s downwards spiral to affect his own form.

“Especially not winning,” Chanderpaul said, when asked about the most challenging moment of his career. “We started turning some corners. We started to move back up the rankings. We need to keep fighting.”

Personally for Chanderpaul, he would ideally like to overtake Lara as the highest run-maker in West Indies. Currently he trails his former teammate by 1015 Test runs and if possible also log the highest number of centuries in the remainder of his career. The batsman remains optimistic.

“I never thought I would get this far in the beginning but who knows where we can go if we keep persisting,” he said, with a chuckle, when asked if he might aspire to play 200 Tests. (Cricinfo)

Minister Whittaker presents equipment to Paradise Sports Club

The Paradise Sports Club, under the presidency of Rudolph McPherson, was the recipient of several pieces of sports gear compliments of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. Fulfilling his commitment made in March of this year during a walk-about

in the community, minister within the ministry, Norman Whittaker, handed over the package, which consisted of sport balls; specifically footballs, volleyballs, and cricket balls to McPherson at a simple ceremony at the Paradise Community ground on Sunday. The minister subsequently committed to de-

liver two trophies, provided the sport club is able to organise a football competition targeting neighboring villages.

McPherson accepted the gift on behalf of his organisation and thanked the minister for the kind gesture. He assured that the equipment would be utilised by the youths.

Over 70 riders confirmed for “Ride for Life”

– cyclists, officials head to Berbice today

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Over 70 local and overseas cyclists will compete in the seventh annual five-stage cycling event under the theme “Ride for Life”, an initiative of the Ministries of Sport and Health and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat.

Chief organiser, Hassan Mohamed, in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, indicated that 72 cyclists from Guyana, along with two Columbians and a Barbadian have confirmed their participation in the gruelling 226 miles, fourday event.

The three foreign riders, Columbians Jaime Ramirez, who is the defending champion, along with fellow countryman Antonio Jose Alacon Gonzalez and Darren Matthews will represent Team Coco. The trio will be joined by local based riders Christopher Holder, Raynauth Jeffrey, Michael Anthony and Junior Niles as Team Coco’s representatives.

Mohamed told Guyana Times Sport that while riders from Suriname and the French Guiana have indicated an interest in this year’s race, they are yet to confirm participation.

Meanwhile, Mohamed revealed that all the logistical arrangements are already in place for the event.

Before they head to the Ancient County today, the riders and officials will assemble at the Sport Ministry office on Main Street at noon where they will be addressed by key officials of the ministry, the NSC and the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).

Among the persons expected to deliver pep talks to the participants are Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

The opening stage on Thursday will start from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46.6 miles) from 07:30 hours; stage two will be on the same day from Rosignol to

Georgetown (60.4 miles) from 14:00 hours.

Stage three will take place on Friday from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09:00 hours, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07:30 hours the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles. The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08:30 hours and finish on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown on Sunday, covering a distance of 62 miles.

As was the case in previous years, the event will be held with the objectives of increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/ AIDS among participants and the public, and increasing HIV/AIDS activism and volunteerism among the participants and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Team Coco’s Jaime Ramirez is the defending champion, but Guyanese Paul DeNobrega stole the spotlight on the final stage from Linden to Georgetown last year. Ramirez recorded victory in record time, while DeNobrega, also riding with Team Coco, copped the junior title.

Ramirez, who won the

first stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, clocked nine hours, 46 minutes, 51 seconds (09h: 46m: 51s) to erase the previous record of 10 hours, 29 minutes, 39 seconds (10h: 29m: 39s), achieved in 2011 by another Team Coco rider, Michael Larsen.

DeNobrega finished in the runner-up spot with a time of nine hours, 57 minutes, 01 second (09h: 57m: 01s), while Antonio Alarton copped third spot in a time of nine hours, 58 minutes, 07 seconds (09h: 58m: 07s).

Rounding off the top ten were Guyana’s Raynauth Jeffrey (09h: 59m: 59s); Team Coco’s Darren Matthews (10h: 00m: 42s); Aruba’s Gino Hodge (10h: 05m: 19s); Guyana’s Eric Sankar (10h: 05m: 25s); overseas-based Guyanese Paul Choo Wee Nam (10h: 05m: 36s); and the Suriname duo of Murvim Arumjo (10h: 05m: 37s) and Moses Ricketts (10h: 06m: 02s).

In the Junior division, DeNobrega won ahead of Jeffrey and Raul Leal, who occupied second and third spots respectively. The top Veteran rider was Kennard Lovell, with Junior Niles in second and Ian Jackson third.

Police ahead after first day of ISAC

By Treiston Joseph

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) finished on top with 98 points after the first day of the Inter Services Athletics Championships (ISAC) on Tuesday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) finished on second with 71 points, while the Guyana Fire Service, the City Constabulary and the Prison Service remain at the bottom failing to tally double figures.

In the track action, GDF’s Cleveland Forde ran away with the men’s

5000 metres topping GPF’s Nathaniel Giddings who finished second and GDF’s Tyshon Bentick, who got third.

GPF’s Jonella Jonas won the female 3000 metres in dominating fashion out running GDF’s Karlissa Atkinson to win the event.

Tracy Moses out of the GPF won the female long jump with a leap of 5.29 metres, while GPF’s Cindy Fraser finished second with a jump of 5.26 metres.

Tandika Burgess out of the GPF completed a sweep for the Policemen with a jump of 5.23 metres.

Meanwhile, Olympian

Winston George qualified for both the 100 and 400 metres by winning his preliminary rounds on the first of the event.

Darren Fraser also won his heat in the men 100 metres, while Shawn Semple took the first heat in the men’s 400 metres. In the women’s 100 metres heats, former junior sprint champion Letitia Myles won her heat while current sprint ace Alita Moore won her heat. The second day of the championships is set for today at the Guyana Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, from 11:00 hours.

Cotton Tree Die Hard, Bath through to semi-finals

Cotton Tree Die Hard and Bath registered convincing victories in their latest preliminary matches to earn spots in the semi-finals of the 2013 Norman Singh Memorial second division 20/20 cricket competition, which was specially organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in West Berbice.

In Cotton Tree Die Hard’s second round victory over Blairmont Community Centre resulting in them earning the bye through to the semi-final, Blairmont Community Centre did well to score 132-3 in the reduced 16 overs.

Berbice Under-19 batsman Nick Ramsaroop led the way with 65, but with Jagdeo Persaud scoring 53, Cotton Tree easily reached 136-3

with more than three overs to spare.

Bath meanwhile dismissed Achievers for 58 in 12.3 overs in their third round match with off-spinner Ravi Gossai doing the damage with 4-8 from three overs. Led by opening batsman Chetram Dhanpersaud’s 37 not ou, Bath then strolled to a nine-wicket victory in just 6.5 overs.

Hopetown United advanced to the third round by defeating Bush Lot New Generation. They will now clash with D’Edward with the winner earning the bye to the final.

Below are the summarised scores from the games.

At Cotton Tree: Cotton Tree Die Hard beat Blairmont Community

Centre by eight wickets. Blairmont Community Centre 132-3 from 16 overs (Nick Ramsaroop 65, Abdul Subhan 32, Roshan Gafoor 2-18) Cotton Tree Die Hard 136-3 from 12.3 overs (Jagdeo Persaud 53, Roshan Gafoor 29, Shabeer Baksh 2-33).

At Bath: Bath beat Achievers by nine wickets. Achievers 58 from 12.3 overs (Ravi Gossai 4-8, Vinod Ramjattan 2- 6, Kapil Armogan 2-12) Bath 60-1 from 6.5 overs (Chetram Dhanpersaud 37*).

At Bush Lot: Hopetown United beat Bush Lot United by seven wickets. Bush Lot United 76 from 18.2 overs (Amin Ally 4-10, Derick Cadogan 3-10, Emerson Benjamin 2-21) Hopetown United 77-3 from 15.1 overs (Ruel Edwards 30).