Guyana Times Daily

Coconut picker feared drowned in Pomeroon River

Engine of crashed aircraft a priority – GCAA

Austria willing to offer tourism scholarships to Guyana

Nandlall demands apology from Stabroek News, Christopher Ram for "libellous" letter

Teen dies after Tundra slams into

Busy street junctions targeted for traffic light changes

Blairmont factory grinds to a halt

... after NAACIE calls strike

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

The middle management staff of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Blairmont Estate on Wednesday laid down their pens, closing the factory even as junior staff remained on duty.

Although the estate continued to operate, there was no grinding of canes as the boiler and laboratories are closed. Nine managers on the day shift walked off the job in protest over GuySuCo’s reluctance to adhere to a mandate to pay them an increase equivalent to two per cent of the wages for every year’s service they had up to 10 years.

The workers had earlier approached their union, the National Association of Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), calling for increases in wages and salaries so that new staff will not be earning the same amount, despite being on the same scale, and doing the same job, compared to those who have been there years before.

Unfair

The workers argued that it was unfair for young employees to come on staff and be paid the same as persons who had already served the Corporation for a number of years.

NAACIE successfully represented the workers’ cause and after engaging Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul. The Minister determined that it was fair for the workers to receive the two per cent increase the union requested.

The increases were due to five categories of work-

over pay increase

ers: technical, clerical, sugar boilers, supervisory and process women/plant foreman. During the 2012 negotiations, it was also agreed that the workers will receive increases ranging from five to 16 per cent, depending on their category.

The workers claim that only one of the two recommendations has been met by GuySuCo. NAACIE Branch Chairman Randolph Tappin said the workers are upset with GuySuCo. NACCIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph indicated that the Corporation had only given them the across the board increases, but failed to add the percentages which senior staff is expected to receive based on their years of service up to 10 years.

According to Tappin, Joseph said NAACIE officials have raised the issue repeatedly with GuySuCo, but it has not been addressed.

“We have been waiting since December last year and GuySuCo is not doing anything. It is not fair that

someone comes on the job today and don’t have the experience but they are receiving the same pay like you who are on the job for over 15 years,” Joseph reportedly told the workers. Tappin said the union subsequently informed GuySuCo that the workers will take industrial action if they fail to comply. “We have arranged a twoday strike and we will carry through with it.”

Meanwhile, cane harvesters have expressed concern over the action by the NAACIE workers. According to one harvester, it is going to affect them and they are not the ones who will benefit from the current strike.

The cane harvesters are represented by the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU).

One field worker, who asked not to be identified, said workers did a full day’s work.

“Look, now is after two and now we come out the field… is plenty cane we cut and if they ain’t grinding what gon happen to we cane what we cut,” the work-

er asked.

Contacted on the strike, Joseph told Guyana Times that he had indeed sanctioned the industrial action, noting that the workers’ voices are not heard.

He remarked that for years, the union has been involved in an uphill battle with GuySuCo for the benefits of its hard working employees. He complained that NAACIE’s workers, numbering less than 1000, are of the perception that GuySuCo seems to favour the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the largest workers’ union.

Arbitration Tribunal GAWU controls over 16,000 sugar workers, and according to NAACIE, the company would accede to their (GAWU) wishes and increases, but cannot come to an agreement to pay on what is owed to NAACIE’s employees, despite the ruling of the Norman Mc Lean Arbitration Tribunal of 2013 which directed the Corporation to pay the workers what was owed to them.

Joseph reasoned that the demands of NAACIE’s employees amount to a mere $11 million, while each year, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent to facilitate increases to GAWU’s workers.

According to reports, Minister Gopaul had also issued a statement to GuySuCo, cautioning that they should pay the monies owed to the workers as early as possible.

NAACIE represents workers, including all clerical and medical staff, sugar boilers, laboratory technicians, workshop supervisors, foremen and head office staff at Ogle and LBI.

Coconut picker feared drowned in Pomeroon River

Searches have intensified for a man who fell into the Pomeroon River while at the Charity Farmer’s Wharf sometime around midday on Wednesday.

Feared drowned is Andrew Miguel, who was believed to be intoxicated. He is said to be in his mid-40s. A search team was formed and is presently looking for the man, who is a known coconut picker.

Information reaching Guyana Times stated that Miguel is employed at Alfro Alphonso Tennesse Farm. He is formerly from Region One, but moved to the farm with his family about a year ago.

According to information received, the man was last seen around Charity consuming alcohol earlier in the day.

Reports indicated Miguel sent his wife Rose Miguel home, telling her he would reach her shortly.

The couple had gone to Charity to transact some business and purchase groceries. Miguel soon after reportedly went to a nearby rum shop with some friends and later proceeded to the Charity Wharf to get a boat to go home when he staggered and fell into the river.

Persons who were on the wharf at the time heard a huge splash, but saw no sign of the man.

GRA to issue plastic drivers' licences from today

Parliamentarians, some civil society groups, and first-time applicants for drivers’ licences are among the first who will receive the new plastic licence from today, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said.

According to the GRA, it will commence issuance of the new automated plastic drivers’ licences to members of the public for its pilot phase soon after. In this first phase, drivers will be issued with a plastic card that replicates the information that is currently found on the existing paper licence such as one’s photo, name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). In subsequent phases, the GRA will seek to enhance the new licence with additional security and other

sophisticated features to further reduce the likelihood of fraud and enable information sharing with relevant authorities.

The new plastic licence will only be issued to persons whose licences have expired and are, therefore, up for renewal; persons in need of a duplicate; and those applying for a new licence as a result of obtaining their Competence Certificate from the police or having a foreign drivers licence, the GRA said.

Jagdeo most formidable candidate – combined Opposition poll

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo would be the most formidable candidate that the Opposition parties, A Party for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC), could face in any upcoming general elections.

This was revealed in a poll conducted by the combined Opposition earlier this month, according to highly placed sources in the party.

Evidently worried that the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would call snap elections in the trail of their controversial stance on a host of issues, the combined Opposition rushed through their polling exercise even as their leaders fanned out on outreaches in PPP/C strongholds.

At the memorial service for PPP's founder Dr Cheddi Jagan at Babu John, in Berbice around the same time, General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee had suggested that the elections route might be the only way yo break the present "political logjam". President Donald Ramotar had also alluded to this possibility.

The Opposition parties have been taking identical positions on issues such as cutting the budget, even though the courts have ruled this is illegal, voting against the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Amendment Bill, and closing down the sugar industries (on which they later tried to backtrack).

On the other hand, they have been pushing for Local Government Elections. Their poll confirms their suspicions that they would fare very badly at General Elections if they were held now, and they would perform marginally bet-

ter at Local Government Elections.

Showing broadly similar results to the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) poll conducted several weeks before theirs, and which they attempted to discredit, the combined Opposition poll showed that in head-to-head contests, the PPP/C would obtain an absolute majority of 51 per cent if Jagdeo were to head the party's ticket.

If Ramotar were the candidate, the PPP/C would still emerge victorious in securing the Presidency/ Executive with 45 per cent of the votes. In first instance, APNU would secure 37 per cent of the vote and the AFC four per cent, while in the second, their support would rise marginally to 38 per cent and AFC,

to five per cent.

In both instances, APNU’s presidential candidate identified on the poll was present Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), David Granger. The opposition source that provided Guyana Times with the polling data, said that the Granger faction of the PNCR absolutely refused to place Carl Greenidge as a possible candidate on the poll.

The two have been locked in a bitter battle for the control of the PNCR. In Local Government Elections, the combined Opposition poll shows that they would perform much more credibly.

One political analyst, who was contacted to scrutinize the data, said that the Jagdeo factor would appear to pull more of the PPP/C's traditional voters out from their apathy, which was exhibited at the last elections, in any new elections. It is also possible that the Opposition's quibbling at

the arrangements to treat the former President's recent illness backfired by stimulating some "sympathy" votes.

The analyst speculated that the Opposition might have floated the name of Jagdeo as a candidate, even though he has indicated he would not be seeking a third term, to discern whether the support for a Ramotar candidacy was "soft". The results show that this was not significantly so.

In light of their findings, the analyst predicted that the Opposition will continue to push for Local Government Elections. Those findings by the combined Opposition poll, concluded the analyst, exposed the baseness of the the orchestrated campaign by the Opposition parties and their operatives in the media to vilify Jagdeo and to deny the sterling role he played in returning economic stability and security for citizens in Guyana.

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

Digital generation

There is a generation of people, mostly the younger, who are completely different from the preceding one.

A lot of today’s people are living in the digital age. Technology has become a way of life and people today just automatically absorb all things automated. Now it is nigh impossible for many to imagine a world that existed without all of the gadgets, electronics and numberless operations that computer technology provides.

Children now devote some 40 hours per week to television, video games and the Internet. Researchers are very concerned about the impact that technology is now having on children. Children are being consumed by the effects of modern technology.

Technology overall is indispensable, but it must be guided; if not, it can severely impair children by weakening social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Technology affects social development in children in many different ways. Children acquire electronic games, personal computers, and cellphones at very young ages.

Surveys indicate that about 82 per cent of children are online by the Seventh Grade and experience about 6.5 hours per day of media exposure. Most children communicate more through electronic devices and spend less face time with family members and peers. Text messaging and emails provide limited or no access to other people’s emotions, and the rich language of non-verbal communication and interaction is lost.

The quality of family time is compromised when children are using technology. Families are not talking very much during meal time, because of distractions like watching television, listening to music, checking emails, answering the phone and text messaging. This has become so disgusting (and disrespectful as well), that many adults have long given up on curbing it, even teachers at colleges and universities.

Social development is part of the nexus that includes family, as well as the many others in school, church and just about anywhere else. So when technology replaces human contact, it creates problems for proper social development.

Educators are now predicting that the current teen generation are heading themselves for a sort of mass loss of personal identity. By spending inordinate quantities of time in the interactive, virtual, two-dimensional, cyberspace realms of the screen, they are opining that the brains of the youths of today are headed for a drastic alteration.

A host of teenagers, ages 12 through 17, send 50 or more text messages per day and one-third send more than 100. This is no different from addiction that calls for instant gratification. Technology enables things to happen quickly, and as a result, children are growing up, expecting immediate fulfilment. They always want instant gratification.

If children want to hear a song, they can hop online and download it. No longer have they to wait for Saturday or Sunday to watch their favourite television shows – there are a host of channels offering children’s programming 24/7. This conditions them into inappropriate behavioural traits, when waiting is necessary. Impatience and anger are inextricably linked.

The natural brain chemical called dopamine is involved by all forms of addiction. The area of the brain crucial to the dopamine hits is called the accumbens nucleus, which is associated with the prefrontal cortex, an area at the front of the brain. Excessive dopamine hits might reduce activation in the prefrontal cortex, and in doing so, will tip the balance away from awareness of the significance, of actions. The focus is all about ‘good feelings’.

It turns out that involvement in any addictive technology offering activates the basal ganglia portion of the brain, that is, the region that releases this said dopamine. This is actually the same region of the brain that is affected by cocaine.

Soon, communities could very well be hemmed in by a group of people who will display a range of unwanted traits: obsessiveness, self-destruction, self-denial, withdrawal tendencies, loss of control and depression. The instinctive challenge is to find ways to change this course, while still reaping the advantages technology offers.

A public relations stunt at the expense of loyal support is risky business

Dear Editor,

I call it a public relations stunt done at the risk of losing loyal supporters. This is my firm assessment of the whole approach by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and its obsession with Linden.

By paying so much unnecessary attention to a community, it risks the loss of loyal constituents – this is my assessment of the PPP/C’s fixation with Linden.

The PPP/C has been on a campaign to win support from a constituency that has traditionally been an Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) stronghold, which this township has been time and time again in more ways than one.

There is no doubt that they have shown their abhorrence for the ruling party, while embracing the Opposition.

Notwithstanding, the PPP/C continues to dole out huge sums of money to this township, even though there is not the slightest ray of hope that it can ever come close to making any significant inroads in this, an Opposition stronghold.

Then the next logical question that comes to mind is why this obsession, when from all intents and purposes, it will turn out to be a serious mistake for the PPP/C if it fails to take heed of the glaring risk indexes along the way. When you take all the variables into account, this whole fixation with Linden boils down to a public relations stunt that has gone awry.

Popular letter writer T King’s letter headlined, “The PPP/C needs to boost its public relations”, aptly describes the ruling party’s mistakes. Though short in actual words, it speaks volumes of the party’s mistaken path to win votes – an obsession with the township quite to the neglect of its own constituencies.

Vishnu Bisram also alludes to this school of thought in a recent letter. He contends that the PPP/C is on a dangerous course that is bound to see them losing ground in known strongholds, while pandering to those of an unknown area where there is sure failure.

Bisram contends that the PPP/C is trying its utmost best in black communities to shore up its image that it is not a “racial party”. The PPP/C is doing its best to show to the world that it is not ra-

cially biased to the so-called Indian communities, but is a broad-based national unity party, hence, its obsessive display in bearing good gifts to the Linden community.

A former President did the very same thing when he took Buxton – a predominantly black community and a PNCR stronghold – under his wings. He was known to have gone there bearing gifts to that community, who in most cases squandered what he gave them. Tipperary Hall was rebuilt, while many other social reform programmes were instituted, all to the benefit of the gun-toting, crime-infested community.

In Linden, there is free electricity, well-paved roads, other social reform programmes such as Women of Worth (WoW) aimed at creating jobs for the citizens of that community and raise their standard of living. There is firm evidence that the index of their social standing has been raised. But have Lindeners taken full advantage of these programmes? And the answer comes back no!

While some are on the road to becoming the new middle class in Guyana, a considerable group of others are still in the habit of “loafing around” waiting on the PPP/C Government for more handouts. They behave as if everyone owes them something.

And you must understand where they are coming from. They behave that way because the PPP/C Government facilitates it, so why worry? This attitude is further encouraged by the Opposition, which continue to fool their supporters that, at every turn, the Government is duty-bound to give them what they want.

Lest my point be misconstrued, I am not calling for a total drying-up of funding for Linden, far from it, what I am fighting for is equity and fairness when it comes to the distribution of the nation’s resources for all Guyanese, whatever their ethnicity or political affiliation.

In that regard, Linden is no more important than Berbice. Therefore, we here in this county deserve better treatment than what obtains at the present moment. Like I said, the PPP/C is very accommodating when it comes to Linden, but it will blatantly disregard the cries for help from those in Berbice.

A very clear case of the party’s lopsided view in its mishandling of state resources was brought out in a letter penned by the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee. I refer to the letter penned by the Minister, a man I greatly admire, but he’s dead wrong on this one.

He gave the all-too familiar statement of the party being one of a “national unity party” when confronted with the question of neglect for its constituents, while responding to Bisram’s views on the Linden fixation by the ruling party. Instead of paying keen attention to the analysis, he went off on a tangent. What Bisram is saying and the very same questions I will pose to the Minister:

* Try convincing Berbicians or anyone for that matter why their roads remain potholed, while Linden boasts of well-paved roads among other modern infrastructure? The East Bank Berbice road and the Black Bush roads are prime examples of this.

* Why aren’t there any street lamps along the Number 19 Village road, or along the stretch of road on the eastern side of the Berbice Bridge?

* Why was the Berbice River Ferry removed from service and the people of that region allegedly told that they should either “sink or swim”. Why should they have to put up with such hardships in having to spend huge sums of money to transport their produce out from the many riverine communities?

* Why should Berbicians have to pay more for electricity, while in effect they are subsidising others?

* Why can’t we pay a reduced toll at the Berbice River Bridge?

What Bisram is saying is the naked truth. It is my honest opinion that the party is going about things in the wrong way. They believe that they are right, but they are wrong. In essence, they are ostracising honest, law-abiding loyal supporters and this is a dangerous path to take, because it means that those supporting areas are going to withhold their votes again and we risk the fact of going right back into PNCR slavery. Is anybody listening in the PPP/C hierarchy?

Sincerely, Neil

Adams

Behind the politics of GuySuCo

Dear Editor,

Is the question of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) more about politics or economics? Let’s consider the following. Advocates have arisen to close down GuySuCo on economic grounds.

Why the pretence about the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government spending billions of dollars where Guyanese sugar workers are employed?

Since Dr Clive Thomas of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has now emerged as a most strident critic on behalf of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which is strongly opposed to sugar, its workers’ welfare and Guyana’s economy, can much be left for imagination?

What, therefore, makes ethanol or aquaculture the best viable alternative after GuySuCo? What are the motives of those stories behind the story to close the industry?

There is no question in my mind that the Opposition APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) want to destroy GuySuCo because the PPP/C’s political base is employed in sugar production.

How are those workers to be gainfully redeployed?

Must Guyana’s most experienced and skilful agricultural workforce be terminated, leading to certain starvation in Guyana and export revenue? Agriculture is every

country’s national security.

Self-promoting People’s National Congress (PNC) sugar expert Tony Vieira claims it’s time to switch from sugar to ethanol and fish farming. But there is no indication how much expenditure or land is to be allotted from sugar to ethanol or even fish farming.

By switching to ethanol, all the Guyanese machinery and vehicles will have to be converted to ethanol consumption. Brazil uses ethanol based on its domestic pre-built machinery and technology. Obviously, the Guyana changeover will be costly and, inevitably, cause sugar workers to be retrenched with compensation packages.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Indian-based United National Congress (UNC) Government, led by Basdeo Panday, had the first opportunity to resolve the sugar workers’ issues, but instead squandered it and allowed the People’s National Movement (PNM) to trump

them.

After the PNM, led by Patrick Manning, took over from the UNC Government, it rapidly moved to destroy that party. The sugar industry started to decline and the PNM swiftly proceeded to shut it down by promising workers private land plots for agriculture with a signed agreement.

But Manning’s PNM never honoured the agreement mainly because the mostly Indo-Trinidadian workers supported the UNC. Guyana’s PPP/C Government must now decide how it will resolve Guyanese workers’ problems especially as it affects its base.

Trinidad’s sugar lands were not subsequently used for agriculture anyway. The PNM instead built taxpayerfunded housing projects on those lands and distributed them mostly to its supporters

The PNM Government completely ignored their non-payment of loans, rents and utility bills, as they were mostly serving as PNM vot-

ers’ bank in the targeted constituency.

After the UNC coalition Government led by Kamla Persad-Bissesar regained power in a landslide victory in 2010, it began to distribute scarce leftover lands to sugar workers for agriculture and poultry rearing, etc.

With food now the highest expenditure on its import bill, Trinidad is about to drastically cut down its (TT$4 billion) expenses by large-scale food production in Guyana following Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Opposition parties in Guyana, on the other hand, insist on destroying Guyana’s agricultural base because of political vendettas.

Guyana’s PPP/C Government must, therefore, be very mindful of the Opposition’s desire to shut down GuySuCo. It must not allow Guyanese workers to suffer because of PPP/C’s negligence or because IndoGuyanese are considered a guilty race by presence or numbers.

Unless the PPP/C Government resolves the issues surrounding GuySuCo, which ensures the viability of Guyana’s agriculture and survival of its supporters, it, inevitably, will become condemned and be held accountable. Sugar cannot await resolution when the party is not in government.

Sincerely, Vassan

Ramracha

The AG’s Chambers does not superintend the DPP’s Office

Dear Editor, I wish to refer to a letter of some length published on March 17 in another section of the press, headlined “Was the PPP/C playing political games with the Lusignan Massacre trial”, purportedly written by M Maxwell.

From the outset, I believe that M Maxwell is a pen name. I have my suspicions of who is the real author. The letter makes a number of hysterical and unbridled allegations. Some are simply unworthy of a response.

Some attempt to ensnare me in the situation in which Nigel Hughes found himself, in relation to the foreman of the jury in the Lusignan Massacre murder trial. And yet some attempt to convert the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) into the prosecutorial realm of criminal proceedings in our legal system.

A wise man once told me that even the most bizarre allegations, if not challenged, can become the truth in the deductive process of certain minds. I wish to avoid such possibility.

The PPP/C as a political party plays no role in the prosecution of criminal matters. In fact, the Constitution specifically insulates political

influence from the prosecutorial process. The assertion, therefore, that the PPP/C failed to deliver a conviction in the Lusignan Massacre is simply ludicrous.

The impression conveyed that the Attorney General’s Chambers superintends the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the discharge of that Office’s functions is equally grounded in pure ignorance.

Article 187 of the Constitution vests in the DPP the power to institute, undertake, takeover, continue, or discontinue criminal proceedings within the State of Guyana. It specifically provides that in the exercise of those powers, the DPP “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.

The DPP has already issued a public statement on this matter when Hughes posed the question enquiring of the DPP and the Attorney General why one accused person was converted into a state witness in the Lusignan Massacre murder trial. I deliberately ignored Hughes, because I reckoned that he must be aware of the provisions of Article 1 187 when he posed such a question to the Attorney General.

The letter next proceeds

to link me to Vernon Griffith, the foreman of the jury in that infamous trial, by contending that I had “a more recent relationship with Griffith” and later on that I had “a more recent non-hostile relationship with that juror”. Unfortunately, the author did not explain the nature and purport of this “relationship” between Griffith and me. However, I surmise that there is only one issue to which he can be referring.

In October 2011, Manoj Narayan, Attorney-at-Law, and an associate in my law firm, filed an action for libel for and on behalf of Griffith. I recall that when the Hughes situation became public, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, in his haste to defend the Chairman of his party, held a press conference and produced those legal proceedings in his attempt to implicate me.

Fortunately, the press quickly deciphered his attempt. Reporters who were present informed me that they examined the documents produced by Ramjattan and the documents were signed by Narayan and not me.

More fundamentally, neither Narayan, nor, of course, myself, appeared in any murder trial in which Griffith was

How can AFC say the economy is slipping?

Dear Editor,

I read the Alliance For Change (AFC) column in another section of the press on March 16 under the headline, “As economy slips, AFC holds the key to unlock our gridlock”.

I am not aware that our economy has slipped. At least Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh never made this declaration so far. But if the AFC is claiming that our economy is slipping, it is purely a matter of its own propagandistic rubbish as usual to save the party from the people’s verdict at the next general elections. But by the way, the AFC has already committed political suicide.

If the Finance Minister declares that there is a slippage of our economy, then the information would be credible. But if such is the case with our economy, the AFC and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) ought to be blamed for deliberately trying to make Guyana ungovernable through budgetary cuts and voting against transformative projects by misusing their one-seat majority in Parliament.

Amerindian people is based solely on trickery.

The AFC claims in its column that “Hinterland residents (mainly Amerindians) are continuing to live in wretched conditions”. This is a known and blatant lie by the AFC.

Is this the reason why the AFC, in December 2013, moved a motion in Parliament to cut $500 million in supplementary funding for Amerindian peoples’ development, which failed miserably? Is this the reason why AFC, acting in concert with APNU, deliberately cut $25 billion allocated for Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in the 2013 National Budget, which provided for Amerindian development projects?

Certainly, the AFC and APNU are not interested in the Amerindian peoples of Guyana and merely want to use them as digits in their rusty voting machine.

a juror, more so the foreman. That was the gravamen of the complaint against Hughes. So, unfortunately, for Ramjattan and, by extension, the AFC, common sense and logic triumphed over gullibility. The story never made it.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

The AFC and APNU are simply power-hungry and want Guyana to be in a state of social and economic ruin. But they will never, since the people of Guyana know fully that they are incompetent to manage the country’s affairs.

In relation to the Amerindian peoples of Guyana, the AFC is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing and all its talk about what it can do for Amerindians is nothing but deception, designed only to get their votes at election time. So basically the AFC’s position on Guyana’s

But if the AFC claims to have the Amerindian peoples’ interest at heart, can it say what is its position on (a) the Amerindian Affairs Ministry; (b) presidential grants to Amerindian communities; (c) its plan for Amerindian development; (d) the Annual Conferences of the National Toshaos Council (NTC); and (e) a policy on Amerindian relations with the Government?

I am giving the AFC up to April 6 to publish its position on the topics mentioned and its failure to do so will certainly ventilate the perceptions of many Amerindians that the AFC is not qualified for their political interest.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Page Foundation

BY BIRGITTE FROM DENMARK

Narcissistic parents

mould children to fit their own ideal image

A newborn is completely dependent on his parents to meet his most basic physical needs.

However, the narcissistic parent will attempt to perpetuate this dependence to the point where the child is not permitted to develop his or her own identity but is rather forced to become ‘one with’ the narcissist until there is no perceived difference (on the part of the narcissistic parent) between the parent and the child.

In this way the child is considered to be part of the narcissist parent.

From the parent’s unconscious point of view, the child becomes an instrumental extension of himself or herself.

The child becomes the parent’s source of “narcissistic supply” and the means of satisfying the parent’s high need for attention.

These children are moulded and shaped to realise their parent’s dreams, goals, and fantasies. It is ‘life by proxy’.

A list of archetypical narcissistic traits

* Narcissist parents take ownership of their children’s successes

As mentioned, the narcissistic parent feels deprived of recognition and lets this unful-

filled need guide their actions.

In other words, the goal is personal attention and external recognition.

If the child doesn’t live up to these unspoken needs, the parents may react with quite a large emotional scale ranging from contempt, rage, pouting, silence to emotional, psychological, and even physical abuse, at the extreme end.

Basically, there is an unwritten, one-way agreement from parents to child, and when the parents feel that children are reneging on this agreement, they will feel they have been unjustly treated and betrayed.

In their mind they have ‘sacrificed’ everything for their children’s successes, remember!

However, when the children are successful, the parents tend to take credit for their children’s successes.

For example, if a child is congratulated for an award or recognition, the narcissistic parent might respond with something like, “He gets his academic ability from me. When I was his age I always had the highest grade in the class.”

Or, “I spend hours at the hockey arena, get up early every morning to take him to practice, and work extra hours to make sure he always has the best equipment.”

It sounds good, but what they are really saying is, “I have sacrificed my entire life for my child. They wouldn’t

be where they are if it wasn’t for me, therefore, I am the one that really deserves the accolades.”

In some cases, this can even go so far that the parents become envious or jealous of the children’s recognitions and accomplishments.

Needless to say, this may cause a lot of confusion since these children are simply pursuing the goals outlined by their parents, yet they receive conflicting emotions when they realise success.

* Narcissist parents struggle with empathy and emotional connection

The personal needs of these parents are so overwhelming and dominant, that there is little space for the needs of others.

This means that

it! When you find yourself in emotional turmoil how much are you able to not only feel other people but also satisfy their emotional needs? Not much!

According to statistics, narcissist parents were most likely raised by narcissists who were unable to give them the unconditional love they needed.

As a result, when these children have children of their own, they tend to perpetuate the cycle because they are constantly focused on their own unmet needs.

* Narcissists often use emotional blackmail

Narcissistic parents can be indulgent and very affectionate as long as children are obedient. However, they might also become angry

(ConClusion)

disobedience.

The showing of love is conditioned on how good the children make the parents feel, and this inconsistency or unpredictability tends to create emotional insecurity and codependence.

The parent needs the child in order to feel good. And the other way around the child becomes responsible if the parent feels bad.

Children become confused by the vacillation between approval and punishment, and these mixed signals may cause feelings of betrayal because the same person who gives them love and stability is also the one who takes it away.

Very unbalanced narcissist parents will often be engaged in criticising their children and then justifying these ac-

a form of manipulation. They will constantly exalt one child and list all their good points with the implication that another child is unworthy or does not measure up.

As adults, children raised by such toxic parents may feel like they have to earn love. That love is dependent on something else, like their achievements.

Because of the unstable emotional climate in their childhood, as adults they fear abandonment if they do not perform according to expectations.

In order to ensure that they are needed, they often perceive their primary role to be ‘taking care’ of their spouse, partner, parent, friend, or employer.

* Narcissistic parents must always be in control Parents with narcissistic personalities exercise controlling behaviour by telling their children how they should feel, how they should behave, and what decisions they should make.

The result may be that these children never really develop their own interests because they are always being told what their preferences should be. In this way the space for children’s autonomy is very little.

As children grow, the natural desire is to pursue the development of their personality, independence, and bounda-

However, independence is a threat to a narcissist parent because the consequence is that they will not be needed anymore. Remember, children are the source of narcissistic supply or self-esteem.

In an attempt to maintain status quo, narcissistic parents might resort to various types of controlling behaviour and control mechanisms in order to enforce compliance and prevent autonomy.

* Control mechanisms and controlling behaviour

There are several control mechanisms that narcissistic parents might employ to have their children meet their needs.

* Guilt driven control: This kind of control says, “I have given my life for you. I have sacrificed everything for you.”

It creates a sense of obligation in children and makes them feel as if they ‘owe’ their parents and must show their appreciation by making them happy or complying with their wishes.

* Co-dependent control: This kind of control says, “I need you. I cannot face life without you.” Children are often prevented from having their own relationships or friendships because it threatens their status in the parents’ lives. In this way, children come to feel responsible for their parents’ happiness and well-being and are easily manipulated through guilt. (positiveparenting-ally.com)

Engine of crashed aircraft a priority – GCAA

As investigations continue into the airplane crash which occurred just off the Arau airstrip, Region Seven on Tuesday morning, acting Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Chaitrani Heeralall said over the next few days, emphasis will be placed on removing the aircraft’s engine.

Heeralall told Guyana Times that once the engine has been removed; it will be shipped to the manufacturer for inspection if GCCA investigators cannot determine the cause of the accident.

The official said she was not properly debriefed on the situation at the crash site, but noted that investigators returned on Wednesday afternoon.

Heeralall said more information on the crash is expected today, while noting that she is confident that the wrecked aircraft is secured.

Three of the injured passengers onboard the crashed aircraft have been discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries, Ivor Williams, 32, of Bachelor Adventure remains hospitalised.

Hospital officials told Guyana Times that his condition is being closely monitored.

This crash is the third for the year; the last occurred at Olive Creek, which led to the death of Canadian Pilot Blake Slater, 23, and Guyanese Cargo Loader, Dwayne Anthony Newton

28.

According to reports, the single-engine Piper aircraft crashed after taking off at the decrepit Arau Airstrip, Kaikan, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) about 11:14h.

The four injured men were rescued around 16:00h by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Corps after the pilot had been in constant contact with the Timehri Control Tower.

They were subsequently medivaced to the city and treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Immediately after the accident, the GCAA in a statement said the injured passengers were employees of Bernard Singh, the pilot of the aircraft. They were on their way to another region. Singh, the owner of the crashed aircraft, is also the owner of several mining camps in the interior.

It added that the pilot of the privately-owned aircraft, bearing registration number N87619, made contact via satellite phone with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) at Timehri Control Tower, resulting in GDF medical personnel being flown into the area.

The release added that the GDF helicopter located the crash site minutes after its location was related by another private operator, Emile Jahan of the Hinterland Aviation Inc, via the crashed aircraft’s Global Positioning System (GPS).

In January, a singleengine, 13-seater Cessna Caravan crashed in the dense jungle of Middle Mazaruni.

It was reported that the last contact with the pilot of that aircraft was a “Mayday Call” (emergency call), which was transmitted to another aircraft in the area

Austria willing to offer tourism scholarships to Guyana

Newly-appointed Austrian Ambassador Gerhard Mayer on Wednesday presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar and reaffirmed his country’s dedication to deepening the cordial relationship it shares with Guyana.

President Ramotar said the two countries have been engaged in EUCARIFORUM and Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) mechanisms which have allowed for collective pursuit of cooperation pro-

grammes and the advancement of issues of mutual interest on the international agenda.

“The continuity of accreditation to Guyana will provide us the opportunity to explore avenues for the deepening of our relations at the bilateral level,” the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported the President as saying.

He also acknowledged the importance that Austria attaches to the Caribbean sub-region. Austria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Caricom in 2008 which has

given impetus to its relationship with the Caribbean.

The MoU allows for partners to focus on areas of mutual concern such as energy, sustainable forestry management, and combating climate change.

Ambassador Mayer informed that his country is willing to offer scholarships particularly in the field of tourism, for which Austria is known.

He also reassured his Government’s willingness to facilitate a greater Caricom involvement at its United Nations Office in Austria’s capital, Vienna.

LaRocque welcomes APD revision

Caribbean Community (Caricom)

Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has welcomed the announcement by United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne on the restructuring of four-band Air Passenger Duty (APD) system.

at the time. The aircraft had departed for Imbaimadai after overnighting at Olive Creek.

The aircraft was spotted after an estimated 11 hours of search by a GDF helicopter in the vicinity of the Marikina Mountain. Meanwhile, about a week prior, a Cessna 206 aircraft belonging to Fenix Airlines veered off the runway of the Ogle International Airport (OIA).

This tax has negatively affected the region’s tourism sector and the realignment to a simpler and fairer two-band system is in keeping with the proposals advanced by the community.

The community had from the outset expressed its concern that the manner in which the APD was applied, discriminated against Caribbean destinations given that it was calculated according to the distance between London and the destination country’s capital city.

For example, the APD tax on a ticket to Hawaii

was less than the APD tax on a ticket to the Caribbean. The community through high-level political and diplomatic representatives, the CTO, the Diaspora, as well as affected airlines and friends of the Caribbean, lobbied strongly and ultimately successfully for a fair application of this tax.

The Secretary General thanked the British Government and praised all who lobbied for the amendment of the discriminatory tax.

“Our community and its supporters have been steadfast in their efforts to have this tax applied more fairly and these efforts have not been in vain,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

In referring to the action taken by the British Government, the Secretary General said this response was a tangible demonstration of the value of dialogue in addressing issues of concern.

Taxi driver charged for larceny

Gregory House, 42, of Lot 59 Recht Door Zee, La Parfaite Harmonie, East Bank Demerara, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the charge of larceny from a person after appearing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

It is alleged that on March 13 at Water Street, Georgetown the accused stole one gold and diamond band valued $500,000; property of Badrinauth Seeraj.

The defendant told the court that he is a taxi driver. House told the Magistrate that he was walking in the vicinity of Stabroek Market,

when two plain clothes policemen apprehended him and stated that he was wanted.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that the defendant was positively identified by the virtual complainant. Blackman also noted that the defendant has other court matters for sim-

ilar offences. Additionally, the prosecution went on to object to bail because of the seriousness of the offence and the penalties attached. Bail was granted in the sum of $200,000. The defendant is expected to make another court appearance on April 9.

Duo before court for unlawful wounding, assault

Aduo brought before the courts on Wednesday was placed on bail after they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

Colin Joseph, 24, a conductor of Lot 1084 Tucville Housing Scheme, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to an unlawful wounding charge. It is alleged that on February 16 at Georgetown he unlawfully wounded Seon Yansen. In the

same vein, Seon Yansen, 28, also pleaded not guilty after it was also alleged that on February 16 at Georgetown, he assaulted Colin Joseph.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat told the court that is was a simple altercation

between the two men and asked that both of them be granted reasonable bail.

Bail was granted in the sum of $50,000 for Joseph and $15,000 for Yansen. The duo is expected to make another court appearance on April 9.

Man accused of conspiracy to commit a felony

Aman appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday charged for conspiracy to commit a felony before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

June Mc Lennon, 28, of Lot X Durban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that during the period of July 17 to September 10, 2012 at Georgetown in the company of another person, the defendant tried to obtain through false pretense the sum of $400,000 from the virtual complainant Latoya Janet June Whitehead.

Man on bail for

Attorney Patrice Henry appeared on behalf of the defendant. Henry noted that his client had no previous convictions and pleaded with the Magistrate to grant the defendant bail.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant had no ob-

jections to bail and told the court his facts are as charged. Bail was granted in the sum of $200,000 on the condition that the defendant report at CID headquarters every Friday at 09:00h. Mc Lennon is expected to make another court appearance on April 9.

allegedly assaulting

the mother of his children

Mickhil Perreira, 37, of Lot 54 Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the charges alleged against him in the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty.

It is alleged that on March 1 at Festival City, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown the accused assaulted Christie

Ramlagan, the mother of his children. It is also alleged that on March 11, Perreira made use of abusive language towards the virtual complainant.

Attorney Paul Fung-A-

Eyew tness Bastardising history...

...on the Jagdeo era

There’s a reason why the Opposition and their handmaidens in the media – notably the MuckrakerKN and the StabberNews – are so rabid when the subject of Jagdeo comes up. Or when it doesn’t even come up and they drag in all sorts of red herrings to bring in the man’s name. The reason is – for the first time in the history of this country, they faced a leader who was prepared to fight fire with fire and to give even better than he got.

With all due respect to his mentor Dr Cheddi Jagan, whose legacy he reveres, Cheddi was too kind...and his enemies confused kindness with softness and appeasement. But you’re supposed to learn from the past, no? And Jagdeo showed that he wouldn’t be mocked by Desmond Hoyte, who sarcastically vouched that the “only language the PPP respected was force”. Such thinking came out of Jagan’s magnanimity in which he overlooked personal slights for the establishment of peace.

So you have the Muckraker crowing when Jagdeo, who delivered growth rates that the rest of the Caribbean only dreamt about, became ill. Cavilling at flying a sick expresident to a foreign hospital – even though the same President had once facilitated same for the Opposition Leader. And only on Holi Day, when people are supposed to do some introspection, up comes the StabberNews – ostensibly to chide the Opposition for not signing the AML/CFT Bill. But they had to drag in Jagdeo, of course.

Fat told the court that the defendant has an untarnished record. Bail was granted in the sum of $10,000. The defendant is expected to make another court appearance on April 9.

In their usual “throw talk” style, they blamed him for all the acts of violence, murder and mayhem that occurred between “2003 –2011”. They dragged in Roger Khan and the “crime wave triggered by the 2002 prison escapees” but not once did it mention the Opposition’s role in all of this. We’ve talked about the cop out of “false equivalence” – when journalists strain to show that the raped and the rapist are somehow morally equivalent. Blasting Jagdeo, they don’t even bother to mention the Opposition. But everywhere operates in a context... and the Stabber and the rest of the Opposition must be hoping the electorate’s forgotten that context. It was one in which Blackie London murderously accumulated a war chest from the blood of PPP supporters – and was draped with the flag of Guyana as a hero by no other than Desmond Hoyte, leader of the PNC.

Those who have ears, let them hear.

....on Buxton terrorism

Desmond Hoyte then called for “slow fyaah and mo’ fyaah” and we saw the rise of the so called “Buxton Resistance”, adding to the war chest. Even though the Stabber and the Opposition would have us forget, let it be known that when they talk of the 2002 prison escapees, the leader Andrew Douglas was a member of Blackie London’s band. And from those escapees, with men, women and children (remember the child soldiers?) giving them succour not only in Buxton – but across the land, the state came literally to be under the gun.

How many policemen died? We hear time and again for Inquiries into the killings of “young men” by death squads. How many have shed a tear for the dozens of policemen – more than the total in the entire history of this country – or called for an inquiry for them? And this is the silencing of history and its bastardisation when it comes to the role of Bharrat Jagdeo.

His enemies are still livid that he did not lie down and play dead like some of his erstwhile comrades who have now shown their true colours by lying in bed (with the covers pulled up) with the PNC.

And the colour is yellow!

...on AML/CFT

But let’s look at who’s to gain by not passing the AML/CFT: the same people who robbed and maimed and murdered to build a war chest for their political sponsors.

Nandlall demands apology from Stabroek News, Christopher Ram for "libellous" letter

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister

Anil Nandlall has threatened legal action against Christopher Ram and the Stabroek News if they do not apologise for what he has deemed "libellous" claims written by the former in a letter.

The AG is referring to a letter written by Ram and published in the Stabroek News on Tuesday under the headline, “It is the President’s duty alone to appoint three members of the Judicial Service Commission”.

According to Nandlall, the letter made several allegations, which alluded that he is incompetent and guilty of dereliction of duty as the principal legal adviser to the President and the Government of Guyana.

On Wednesday, Nandlall, through his Attorney, Sase Gunraj, wrote letters to both Ram and Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud, asking them to apologise for making such allegations. In the identical letters, which were sent to this publication, it is stated

that the allegations made by Ram “are not only libellous but are reckless and accentuated by malice”.

Nandlall further stated that the allegations have caused him great public ridicule, odium, contempt, embarrassment, and humiliation, both locally and internationally. He added that they have also brought disparagement to the offices of Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament, positions he all holds.

Retraction

The AG’s Attorney is demanding that a retraction of the libellous letter be published, along with an unreserved apology. The Attorney further stated that seven days will be given for a retraction to be printed and failure to do so will result in legal proceedings being filed against both parties.

Earlier this month, Nandlall filed an injunction against another local newspaper, Kaieteur News, restraining it from publishing any further defamatory comments against him as

GRA to issue...

This service will only be facilitated at the Authority’s Camp Street Headquarters and initially will only be available to persons who currently obtain their licence in Georgetown. According to the GRA, drivers in the regions will continue to use the paper (booklet) licence as provided by the certifying offices (police stations) in the regions until the automated plastic drivers’ licences system is decentralised. Additionally, provisional, hire car, and conductor licence holders are also required to continue using the booklet licences. The cost for the new automated licence is the same as the old.

Five-day waiting period

The GRA said persons applying for the plastic licence will be required to submit/ lodge the following documents and return after five working days so as to prevent congestion at the headquarters and give the GRA ample time to verify highly sensitive data provided: the expired driver’s licence, one passport-sized photograph, official identification or valid passport, and their TIN. Additionally, applicants will be required to have their photograph taken.

was done in two editions of its daily column “Dem Boys Seh”.

The affidavit named Editor Adam Harris, Publisher Mohan "Glenn" Lall and the National Media Publishing Company as respondents. Nandlall’s legal team, which includes Gunraj, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, Euclin Gomes, and Ganesh Hira, said in the affidavit that the Minister is claiming some $30 million for the public embarrassment caused by the two articles.

“The aforesaid libel was calculated to cause and did cause me great public embarrassment, held me up to odium and ridicule, and to disparage me as the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament, both nationally and internationally,” he said in the court document, which was seen by this newspaper.

The libellous columns were published on February 28 and March 2 titled “Tax Dollars Going to Sleep-In” and “Ah Kneel Deh Pun A Hustle” respectively.

They will be issued with a five-day driver’s permit and lodgement slip upon completion of the application/registration process. Upon their return, the applicant will make payment, affix their signature on the licence, and sign off as uplifting same. As currently obtains, the licence will remain valid for three years, but the GRA is seeking to extend that time.

The GRA will notify the public about the details concerning the rollout of the second phase of the automated plastic drivers’ licences. The new state-of- the-art plastic licence card was launched on Tuesday, March 11, simultaneously with the online tax payment system.

The latter offers taxpayers the opportunity to make faster payments for various taxes from the comfort and convenience of their home or office. Among the taxes for which payment can be made are: personal Income tax, Property Tax, Corporation Tax, and Value-Added Tax. The purchase of motor vehicle licences can also be done using the new payment system. Additionally, these services are provided over-the-counter at any Bill Express location.

Teen dies after Tundra slams into tree

Ateenager is now dead while three others are hospitalised after the vehicle in which they were travelling slammed into a tree at Ruden Rust, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Tuesday evening.

After desperate attempts by doctors at the Leonora Cottage Hospital to save his life, 14-year-old Ryan Brascenio of Lot 3 Mora Village, EBE took his last breath Wednesday evening following the accident.

Those injured are Ronald Chand, 19; Ryan Nandlall, 12; and Mohammed (only name given), 12, all of Mora. They are all at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing several bodily injuries.

Based on reports, the former student of Parika/Salem Community High School was in the tray of a Toyota Tundra bearing registration GMM 8991, along with a few relatives, when the driver who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol lost control and crashed into an almond nut tree.

Several young people were thrown into a nearby trench as a result, including Brascenio. They were all picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where the injured were treated and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but, unfortunately,

the teenager succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the vehicle, Orvando Holder, is in police custody, assisting with investigations.

Cynthia Chand, one of the sisters of the dead teenager who was also in the pickup, could hardly recall what occurred on the fateful day. She explained that they were at a family get-together and around 18:00h, the driver of the vehicle offered to take them for a drive.

She said they drove up the street, and as they were heading back to the house, the vehicle skidded off the road. Unfortunately, the driver stepped on the accelerator rather than the brake, and the vehicle slammed into the tree with a lot of speed.

An injured Chand said she crashed through the windscreen and into the trench. As she was getting herself out of the water, she saw her brother being assisted out. She said she did not think of her injuries and rushed to assist her brother.

After he was pulled to safety, she added, he started to bleed from his mouth and nostrils, and was immediately placed in a car and whisked away to the medical institution. While there, she said, doctors tried their best, but her brother might have incurred internal injuries.

The teen’s mother,

Sharmila Chand, reiterated that the family had a get-together during which she saw the young people, including her son, boarding the Tundra and upon inquiring, she was told that they were going for a drive.

She said after a while a young child ran breathlessly to the house and informed them that the vehicle was involved in an accident. Dropping everything she had in her hands, she rushed to the scene only to find her son in the back seat of a car crying out for pain. At that moment, she instructed the driver to drive to the hospital where her son was treated by at least 12 doctors. The grieving mother said they were in the process of putting her son into an ambulance when he started to bleed heavily through his mouth and nostrils. He was taken from the ambulance, and was on his way back into the Accident and Emergency Unit when he collapsed. She said at that point, reality struck her and she realised that her son was no more. The woman said her son’s death is a major blow to the family. She described him as a quiet and helpful child. He leaves to mourn his brother and three sisters. A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on Friday.

UK pledges more help for Caricom to fight climate change

Newly-accredited United Kingdom Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Victoria Dean, on Wednesday pledged to play the role of advocate for the Region in the pursuit of its objectives.

Delivering remarks after presenting her credentials to Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, at the Headquarters of the Caricom Secretariat in Greater Georgetown, Dean said the UK will play the role of conduit for Caricom’s views on the global stage and support member states in their relations with third states with respect of trade.

She recognised that despite being vulnerable to external shocks and climate change, countries of the Community were resilient, adaptable, and creative.

“The current economic situation in some Caricom members highlights that challenging environment we all find ourselves in. And it also highlights the vulnerability. Exogenous shocks come hard and fast in this Region,” she said.

“The peoples of the Caribbean are resilient

and adaptable, and have to be. Climate change is perhaps the most serious and alarming of these challenges, and will require that resilience and adaptability to come to the fore, along with creativity, investment, and forward planning,” the Ambassador said.

In light of the priority Caricom Heads of Governments have placed on climate change, the British High Commissioner said she would use her time to work with the Caricom Secretary General in ensuring that climate change is kept at the top of the agenda, and to ensure that support from the UK was delivered.

Support High Commissioner Dean said the UK was also interested in continuing to support the reform process in the Community in “practical and very tangible” ways.

“I am an avid believer in the importance of regional cooperation and integration, and the many often unseen and unexplained benefits it can bring to countries and citizens.

"That said, it means I also know how complex and tricky the development and integration experience can be; these bodies take time and care to build; and the UK firmly believes there is a growing role for Caricom to play and wants to work with you to help foster that,” she stated.

Meanwhile, LaRocque told Dean that he was convinced the strong and mature relationship between the two parties could meet the challenge of finding reasonable solutions to issues that arise between them.

“We have done so in the

past and I have no doubt that we will so do in the future.

"We will continue to work together steadfastly and aggressively on the things that we do agree on, in the interest of the security, prosperity and sustainability of our respective communities and the global population,” Secretary General LaRocque stated.

He made his remarks at the ceremony to accept the Letters of Introduction of the Ambassador.

“UK-Caricom relations are as diverse as they are deep, spanning from diplomatic and commercial to social and cultural ties, strengthened by a vibrant and active Caribbean Diaspora in the UK,” Secretary General LaRocque said.

UK-Caribbean Forum

Those ties are bolstered by the UK-Caribbean Forum, which provides an important opportunity for identifying, discussing, and agreeing upon the priorities for cooperation bilaterally, regionally, and multilaterally, he noted.

He added that Caricom looked forward to another productive exchange in June on issues of mutual importance such as security, climate change, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, sustainable trade, and economic growth.

The Secretary General said the Community was appreciative of the UK’s support, through the Department for International Development (DFID), to its adaptation to climate change and in the on-going reform process.

He noted that progress in the two-pronged change process that involved a

Strategic Plan for the Community and the transformed Secretariat had been satisfactory.

“With your assistance, as part of the Strategic Planning process, we have been able to conduct wideranging consultations in every member state of the Community as well as in two associate members. The Draft Strategic Plan is well advanced and will be ready for the Heads of Government Meeting in July.

"The in-house change team here at the Secretariat has been working closely with the Change Facilitation Team to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our organisation,” Secretary General LaRocque told the High Commissioner.

On other issues, Ambassador LaRocque noted that Caricom Heads of Government, at their Intersessional Summit last week, reiterated their desire for a “substantive exchange” with the UK and other European nations on the issue of Reparations for Caribbean Slavery and Native Genocide.

This exchange, he said,

Cricket runnin down and Rohee mek de Headitor run

Cricket deh in Guyanese blood. De cricket fans does run to see cricket every time Guyana lucky to get a game or two once, which is upon a blue moon…no thanks to de W-High-C-B. That is of course whenever de rain allow dem to run to de ground to see a couple a players run around.

But de people who runnin de game a cricket in Guyana does do a lotta runnin too. Dem fellas at Gee-C-B doin a lot more runnin than whah de players doin. Not even Narsink can run so much like how dem fellas runnin.

Dem fellas runnin to pose in photos fuh de press just to impress. Dem runnin from givin answers bout de cricket problems. Some a dem even runnin from admittin that cricket gotta lotta problems in de fuss place.

Then dem runnin to meetins all over de region and beyond. Plus dem gotta lotta runnins among de cricket boards. And yet Guyana can’t win a game and can’t get any picks pun de Waste Indies team. And yet de selectors runnin around bluffin de cricket fans.

Some a dem Dee-C-B cricket fellas also runnin. Dem is de fuss setta people who run fuh elections and then run from givin dem names. Now dem runnin when de media call dem. And all de while dem runnin de cricket down, along wid dem Gee-C-B fellas.

Now de Gee-C-B runnin to de court to prevent de cricket bill from passin thru de House. Dem fellas at de Gee-C-B prefer to pass de buck rather than pass de bill. Is not that dem Gee-C-B fellas don’t know bout bills.

Dem know bout other kinda bills, especially bout dem bills whah dem does pass on fuh de Gee-C-B to pay. Dem know good bout runnin up bills when dem go to all de overseas meetins. Yet nuff a dem members runnin from payin dem dues.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now another kinda runnin goin on. Rohee mek de Headitor run back to de Mook and de A-Gee gon mek Lalloo run pass he own house!

was in the context of development and in the “spirit of the mutually respectful and amicable relations” the parties enjoyed.

Noting the High Commissioner’s wide experience in matters related to the European Union, of which the UK is a key member, he urged that the nation become an advocate for the Region in the EU and other fora with respect to how the policy of graduating small middle-income countries from concessionary aid based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita was applied.

Agri Ministry vehicles to test biofuel from Albion plant

Twenty vehicles from the Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will shortly begin using renewable fuel, as the sugar company has started fuel production using ‘blackstrap’ molasses at its Bio-Ethanol Demonstration Plant in Albion, Region Six.

According to Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, “Now that Albion Sugar Factory is grinding, which means they have access to molasses and the production of ethanol, they have begun again the production, the blending is being done; blending of regular fuel with the bio-etha-

nol and we have now identified the 20 Ministry of Agriculture and GuySuCo vehicles that you will see within a matter of days with the stickers that they are using E-10 fuel,” Minister Ramsammy said.

The factory can easily support the fuel needs of the vehicles, the Minister stated. He explained that the factory is able to produce 1000 to 2000 litres of fuel per day, and, as such, should, within a month makes 45,000 litres of E-10 fuel.

The bio-ethanol plant, a collaborative effort of the Agriculture Ministry and GuySuCo, was commissioned in August 2013. It

was established to support the development of the agroenergy sector, and utilises molasses, a by-product from the sugar production process, to produce ethanol of purity greater than 99 per cent.

The effort to blend the bio-ethanol produced into E-10 blends for utilisation in vehicles is a movement to introduce renewable energy to the public. With this awareness, supporting policies and ensuring evaluation, it is hoped that private investment would catapult this industry into commercialisation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Busy street junctions targeted for traffic light changes

The traffic flow at one of the busiest junctions in the city –Regent and Camp Streets, will be modified shortly, the Public Works Ministry said on Wednesday.

This move, the Ministry says, will see a faster discharge of traffic and reduce waiting time.

According to Terence O’Brien, head of the Traffic and Highway Lights Department of the Public Works Ministry, a study was done on the Regent and Camp Streets Junction to understand the dynamics of traffic here by Chief Transport Planning Officer Patrick Thompson. The data from the study, which included traffic counts and left and right turning movements, was inputted into traffic software that models and simulates junction movements.

The junction analysis revealed that if two right turns and no parking on the eastern side of Camp Street between Robb and Regent Streets were to be restrict-

ed, the flow of traffic would be improved significantly and the delays would be reduced by approximately 70 per cent, from 94.5 seconds to 31.4 seconds.

“The objective is to create a straight-to-straight continuous flow incorporating a filter lane. This will allow a greater volume of traffic to be discharged, while, at the same time, reducing the cycle time,” O’Brien explained, according to the release.

Synchronisation

Against this backdrop, all traffic lights junctions along Camp Street will have to be adjusted and synchronised to keep up with the changes at the Camp and Regent Streets junction.

Road signs, both vertical and horizontal will be installed shortly by the Traffic Signs and Maintenance Department to guide motorists into the appropriate lanes, as they approach the junction.

He also divulged that traffic engineers have completed the geometric im-

provement design for the junction at Lamaha and Albert Streets and will embark on a citywide traffic study this year commencing at key junctions, such as Irving and Lamaha Streets, Camp and Lamaha, Vlissengen and Sandy Babb, Vlissengen Road and Regent Street.

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Traffic Department continues its effort to maintain the 50 traffic lights in and around the city, despite the numerous accidents and vandalism. A significant investment was made with the use of protective barriers, locally manufactured heavy-duty cabinets, and tamperproof locks. Depleted spares are now sourced from other suppliers, O’Brien noted. The traffic lights were installed by CMS Traffic Systems Limited of India and commissioned in July 2007. Financing was made possible through a line of credit (LoC) from the Indian Exim Bank of US$2.1 million.

Calgary University team to perform paediatric cardiac surgeries

As the Health Ministry continues its strategic partnerships with international health institutions, a team of cardiologists from the Calgary University on Sunday arrived in Guyana to boost the country’s paediatric cardiac services.

The five-member team, headed by Professor Debra Isaacs will be focusing on paediatric cardiac surgeries, and building local capacity to conduct these surgeries. They will also be working with staff from various hospitals around the country to improve cardiac services, primarily for babies.

This is according to Professor Isaacs, who noted that they have visited Guyana a number of times and it feels like home. Over the past two years, the group has worked with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to establish the Guyana Paediatric Cardiology Steering Committee (GPCSC), which is solely responsible for the vetting of cardiac patients for further

Bush Lot residents kill nine-foot anaconda

Residents of Bush Lot on the Essequibo Coast on Tuesday killed a snake measuring approximately nine feet in length that was in a nearby trench.

The snake, suspected to be an anaconda popularly called a “camoudie”, was noticed by a villager who was riding along a street, as it made its way out of the trench around 14:30h.

At the sight of the large snake, the resident raised an alarm and summoned other villagers who gathered around the snake. A cast net was then thrown over it to prevent its escape and the reptile was chopped and beaten to death.

One resident, Faieda Bacchus, said she was scared for her life, because the trench, which was cleared of

bushes some weeks ago, was infested with snakes and was

dangerous to traverse, especially at night.

The bridge across the trench is the main entrance leading to the new Anna Regina Market. Children usually use the bridge on their way home from school in the evening. Residents said they are afraid, since there are likely more snakes in the trench.

Snakes are particularly feared in Guyana, since communities often contain patches of dense vegetation and also lie close to forested areas, which are ideal habitats for some snakes.

Most persons are unable to differentiate between species dangerous to humans and livestock and others that are benign.

intervention.

The committee has been tasked with overseeing the development and ongoing management of accessible and modern paediatric cardiology at the GPHC, for the benefit of Guyanese children.

Key members of the committee such as Dr Frank Dicke, a Paediatric Cardiologist from Alberta Children’s Hospital and Dr Isaacs, will be working to establish the cardiac programme that will facilitate these surgeries locally.

Cardiac clinic

A cardiac clinic will also be established. Under the auspices of the clinic, paediatricians and nurses will be trained, provision will be made for a database of electronic medical records and evidence-based plans for monitoring and follow-up for paediatric patients with heart diseases.

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said this clinic should be up and running later in the year.

Additionally, the team

will also work with the Medical Council of Guyana, on improving its services and standards, and the Medical Department of the University of Guyana.

According to Robert D Levy of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of British Columbia, who will be working with the medical students in the area of asthma, it is a privilege to work with such a dynamic group of students.

He said one in every 10 Guyanese suffer from asthma from the time they are infants and this is a problem that can be cured.

Earlier in the year, another team from the University was in Guyana, and conducted a series of seminars on chronic kidney disease/transplant services in Guyana. They also met with Government officials on that aspect of health care. Guyana has thus far benefited tremendously from strategic partnerships, with the University of Calgary, and other universities and organisations.

Annual State House Affair to

The People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will on Sunday, March 23, host its Annual State House Affair and Family Fun Day on the lawns of State House, which is located on Main Street, Georgetown. This family event will see patrons enjoying music by the Shakti Strings Orchestra which will be teaming up with young Avenash and many other singers.

Additionally, there will be dances from various troupes from around the country and other cultural items.

Children attending the event can enjoy face painting and a wide variety of games. And all can enjoy the well-stocked food and drink bars. The fun starts at 15:00h and admission for adults is $200, while children are free.

thursday, march 20, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt gives $300M to help millers pay farmers

In what is being de-

scribed as a “bailout” by the Government, farmers are expected to be paid in excess of $300 million by millers.

The money represents payment for paddy supplied to millers last year. According to Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, the farmers will be paid directly by the millers, but representatives from the Ministry and Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will be on hand to oversee the process.

Ccommitment

He said most of the millers have given their commitment to the Ministry to begin payments by today. He explained that these representatives will remain throughout the process to ensure transparency on the part of the millers.

“We are giving them the funds, but the payments to the farmers must be made by the millers,” said Minister Ramsammy.

Dr Ramsammy indicated that the millers are expected to repay the monies to Government after they would have sold the rice for the current crop.

He noted that everything has to go through the Government and this way, he explained, the monies given to the miller to clear old debts will be deducted from the payments they will receive as monies for rice

that would have been exported by the Ministry and GRDB.

In the same vein, Rice Producers Association (RPA) President Leekah Rambrich said “the bailout from the Government is a welcomed initiative”.

He explained that this move by the Agriculture Ministry and GRDB would ease the current discontent in the industry. He maintained too that the payments would be able to carry the farmers through to the next crop. “They will be back in the fields as soon as possible,” said Rambrich

He also noted that the farmers are hoping to complete the current harvest season before the May/June rains. He explained that the forecast shows possibility of very high levels of rainfall

which could be detrimental to farmers, and result in losses amounting to millions of dollars if they are not able to reap the rice before the rains come.

The announcement by the Minister would come just days after rice farmers in Essequibo took to the streets in protest of the current prices for paddy, and the incessant delay in payment for their products on the part of millers.

Essequibo farmers last week milled around the Anna Regina High Bridge armed with placards, chanting “We want more price for paddy this crop, we want we money now”.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Naith Ram, who is the Chairman of the Essequibo Farmer’s Group, said a request was made one year ago for the group to meet with President Donald Ramotar and Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, and to date, nothing has been done.

Naitram said there has been a significant decrease of $1000 for a bag of paddy compared to the last crop. He is of the opinion that the rice industry is not being given the attention it deserves. The AFC Councillor also explained that some farmers are owed for approximately seven months and they need the money to keep their businesses afloat.

Mother of four gets $2M to construct home

Scotiabank and Habitat for Humanity Guyana on Wednesday launched the second phase of the Scotiabank/Habitat “Build a Home” Promotion as part of the bank’s major “Bright Future” philanthropic initiatives.

The beneficiary under this second phase is Althea Boucher, a mother of four children between the ages of six and 14. Boucher lived with her family in a section of a factory in Beterverwagting in poor conditions for over eight years, experiencing theft on various occasions.

Having moved from the factory, the family currently resides in an apartment that is too small to cater to their needs. In a simple handing over ceremony held at Scotiabank’s Robb Street branch, Habitat for Humanity Guyana National Director Rawle Small said it is always a joy to make an individual, and more so the life of a family better.

“This is not just an investment in another home, but an investment into a family and we could not be more proud of doing so,” Small stated.

Boucher, with a beaming

smile, thanked God for his many blessings. The mother highlighted that she has been through a lot of struggles, but her faith remained very strong in the Lord.

She also expressed gratitude to Scotiabank and Habitat for Humanity, Meanwhile, Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani was delighted in handing over the cheque to Boucher and her four daughters. She noted that the bank was very elated the last time they had to take part in such a project and they are hoping that Boucher will have her home

by Christmas.

Boucher received $2 million for the construction of her home which will be built at Parfaite Harmonie on the West bank of Demerara. Additionally, the First Assemblies of God Church where the family worships will also be providing funds.

A call was made for other sponsors to come on board and help with the furnishing of the home.

The “Build a Home” partnership commenced in March 2013 to raise funds to construct a home for the first beneficiary, a widowed mother of two, who was born with a disability. Unlike the first phase, where funding came from public support via acquisition of Soctiabank loans, the second phase will see funding provided by Scotiabank in Guyana through the Soctiabank Global Bright Future Programme.

Under this programme, Soctiabankers can apply to the bank’s head office for corporate funding to support major charitable projects. This partnership is expected to continue for the next two years.

Coast Guard reportedly drowns at highway resort

ACoast Guard attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) met his demise on Monday, reportedly drowning at a creek along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

Dead is Wayne Paul, 22, believed to be from Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

According to information received, Paul was in the company of his colleagues when he reported jumped from the bridge into the creek.

Paul, who was described as a good swimmer, might have hit his head after he landed in the water. His colleagues saw him floating shortly after and thought he was fooling around.

However, when they re-

alised that something was amiss, they went to check on him.

The young man was

pulled from the water in an unconscious state, but died on his way to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Attempts to contact the relatives of the dead GDF officer for a comment proved futile.

However, on the young man’s Facebook page, friends poured out their heart for him, but while some of them are holding out that he drowned, some are of the opinion that something fishy happened.

One friend, who reminisced that Paul was very good swimmer, said he is not buying the drowning story.

His body is at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

UG refutes claims of failing law programme

The University of Guyana on Wednesday refuted claims by certain entities that its law programme is failing.

Of recent, since the news surfaced that the Hugh Wooding Law School, Council for Legal Education will not be guaranteeing any of the 25 automatic placements at the school this year to local students, members of the public, media and other stakeholders have painted the law programme at the university as a failing one.

It was noted that students have become disheartened and disinterested in the programme due to the fact that the certainty of acceptance into the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) law school is not final or definite.

According to one claim, attendance at law classes has not only dropped, but persons were reportedly dropping out of the programme and in some cases, switching to other programmes.

Speaking with Guyana Times, UG Public Relations Officer (PRO) Paulette Paul said the institution was very much amused by the rumours circulating.

She told this publication that contrary to reports, the university is not suffering a loss of students, nor is the law programme in a state of collapse and failure.

Paul further put the rumour to rest which suggested that students were dropping out of the programme. She questioned what sane person would invest so much money into a programme and then proceed to drop out simply because of a temporary situation.

The UG Public Relations Officer’s comments were supported by University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) President Richard Rambarran.

He told this publication that while some of the law students had expressed doubts and a desire to quit, none of this has materialised since Attorney General Anil Nandlall spoke to them last Friday.

Comfortable

He told Guyana Times that many students felt comfortable by the Attorney General’s pronouncements, and are no longer willing to abandon the programme.

Head of Department of the UG Law Programme, Sheldon McDonald echoed similar sentiments expressed by Paul and Rambarran.

McDonald divulged that the students were briefed on the position of the matter by Nandlall and subsequently had discussions with him.

He also dismissed rumours that classes are being affected, declaring that the programme is going on as per normal and is not likely to be affected as the Government and the uni-

versity are working together to solve the matter.

One second year law student, who spoke to this publication under the condition of anonymity, declared that initially she was unsure and was confronted with the idea of dropping out of the programme, but was given hope to stay after the meeting with Nandlall.

During the meeting, scores of anxious law students who gathered in the CBJ Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus, expressed concern over the apparent crumbling of the agreement between the Council and UG, regarding the automatic placement of 25 students annually at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

The Attorney General told the students that they should not become anxious just yet as he was certain the Council for Legal Education would accede to the wishes of Caricom Chairman, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Dr Gonsalves has since written to the Hugh Wooding Law School’s Council for Legal Education to accept the local law students.

Kidney Foundation bemoans cost for dialysis treatment

– Joe Singh says matter a front burner issue

Despite six dialysis centres in the country, the cost for treatment remains a challenge, a problem the Kidney Foundation of Guyana is seeking to address.

Speaking with Guyana Times in a recent interview, President of the Foundation, Major General (retired) Joe Singh said this matter remains a burning issue.

He noted that the foundation will forge a closer relation with the Health Ministry, utilising a broad, collaborative and strategic approach to tackle the issue.

It is estimated that about 7000 persons in Guyana have symptoms of kidney failure, or are in the advanced stages of the kidney failure. While the problem could be due to the patients’ failure to do medical checkups or follow their doctors’ prescribed treatment, many cannot afford the cost for dialysis.

To counter the latter problem, the foundation will work with the Health Ministry’s Chronic Disease Department to increase access to dialysis treatment.

Secretary of the Foundation, Dr Claudette

Harry, who was also part of the interview, underscored the need for proper channels of kidney transplant services.

On this note, she highlighted post-operative care and the legal aspects covering transplant as imperative matters, which must at all times follow established procedures.

Dr Harry explained that given the hefty price for a kidney, the foundation does not want persons to vend their kidney willy-nilly.

More importantly, the foundation wants the extraction to be done in the correct manner, principally to save lives and prevent greed.

Awareness

The foundation intends to also work closely with dialysis centres to raise awareness of kidney related problems and how they can be prevented.

Its mission is to promote public awareness about prevention, treatment and consequences of kidney and urinary tract diseases; to support national healthcare efforts aimed at reducing illnesses caused by hypertension, diabetes and obesity; and, to encourage partnerships that mobilise financial and other resources to assist individuals who suffer from, or are susceptible to, chronic kidney disease.

In Guyana, there are incidences of chronic kidney disease among patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and other non-communicable diseases. This condition damages a person’s kidneys and decreases one’s ability to a live a healthy life. The kidneys perform very varied and complex functions which are essential to preserve

one’s health. Consequently, chronic kidney disease can in itself lead to high blood pressure, anaemia (low blood count), weak bones and poor nutritional health, among others. However, early detection and treatment can control the progress of chronic kidney disease. When chronic kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, and may require dialysis or kidney transplant. Both are expensive and burdensome for the patients, caregivers and health budget.

Heath Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran recently reminded the citizenry that healthy living comes from proper diet and exercise.

“In taking the first step to prevent chronic kidney disease, let’s pledge to encourage more healthful eating by using less salt, less sugar and less fat and be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. I encourage you to cultivate active health seeking behaviours, that is, get to know your nearest health centre, join the clinic and have regular medical checkups.”

Medex Building staff relocated –

some staff sent on leave

Some 50 staff members, who were stationed at the Medex Building, have already been temporarily placed at various locations within the Health Ministry, Minister with the port folio, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said.

According to Dr Ramsaran, a few hours after the fire on Tuesday, he met with all the affected staff members, and they were informed about their new placements at the Ministry.

The employees were relocated to locations according to their units. There were four units housed at the Medex Building, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

These are the Division of Health, Science and Education; Environmental Health; National Food Policy Unit; and Veterinary Health Unit.

Minister Ramsaran assured that quick action was taken to find accommodation for the stranded staff, but noted that while this was done, the new accommodation is not comfortable.

He said the Ministry is cramped, and as such, he has approached the Government for funding to upgrade the various locations in the Ministry the staff are placed.

“The Ministry will be seeking to fast-track the al-

location of funds for renovations to make the work force comfortable,” Dr Ramsaran noted.

Guyana Times understands that the Health Science and Education Division are placed at a Ministry building in Kingston, while the other three units are at the Ministry’s Brickdam office.

In addition, Dr Ramsaran revealed that with the limited space available, the Ministry was force to send some staff on leave, which they have accumulated.

Important documents lost

Meanwhile, the Minister pointed out that the early morning fire has not only left the staff without a fixed office, but has destroyed decades of important documents and equipment valued in the millions. He said among those documents, was the entire history of the Medex Training Programme, that is, over 30 years of work.

Other important documents from each unit were also lost. According to the Minister, he was informed that only a small amount of these documents were backed up and can be retrieved.

Dr Ramsaran said he was told that a large volume

of health education materials for promotional activities was lost, so too were refrigerators used to store samples.

The Minister said while the equipment can be replaced, it will take time and money to do so. However, he noted that it will be difficult and almost impossible to retrieve the decades-old documents destroyed. This unfortunate situation, he said, is almost a repeat of the problems the Ministry faced in the 2009 fire.

The Medex Building went up in flames early Tuesday morning while the security guard attached to the facility was asleep in his guard hut.

The fire began sometime before 03:00h; it is believed to have started in the middle flat of the building.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told Guyana Times that when firefighters arrived at the scene, the blaze had spread throughout the middle flat of the building; and due to heavy winds from the ocean, controlling the blaze was virtually impossible.

Given the fact that the structure was an old wooden building, it was quickly engulfed in flames. The Guyana Fire Service is investigating the situation to determine the cause of the fire.

Council of Legal Education looks to expand TT law school

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Jamaican Queen’s Counsel (QC) and the head of the Council of Legal Education (CLE)

Jacqueline Samuels-Brown has asked the Caribbean Community (Caricom) for financial support to aid the expansion of the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago (TT).

This request comes following a request from Caricom to have 25 graduates from the University of Guyana (UG) Law Department receive automatic entry to the Hugh Law School for 2014.

Speaking with the press at the Supreme Court’s Mediation Centre on Wednesday, Samuels-Brown indicated that the Council of Legal Education tabled two proposals in a letter

addressed to the Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque.

In the letter, the Council asked that Caricom provides funding to undertake capital development at the Hugh Wooding Law School with regards to expansion, or assist the Council soliciting interest free loans. Details of the letter were dispatched to Attorney Generals (AGs) of member states. However, it was noted that the recent request by Caricom following its Heads of Government meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines had caused some concern since the TT law school has serious accommodation problems.

The Legal Council of Education chair explained that some 300 graduates from the Faculty of Law, St

Augustine will be seeking entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School. “By the treaty establishing the Council of Legal Education, UWI’s graduates have automatic entry, bearing in mind, we already have a population at the law school now of over 400, and bearing in mind that the law school was built to accommodate less than 200.”

CLE’s contention

Caricom nationals must take into consideration safety and health issues, she added, pointing out too that the availability of lecturers to guide and train students must also be considered.

Based on these factors, the Council has agreed to continue the arrangement to give the 25 top Guyanese law students automatic entry

into the Hugh Wooding Law School, but this time based on the availability of space.

“As the Council of Legal Education, we are aware of our mandate which is to provide training of our law-

yers to serve the Caribbean Community and we believe that in carrying out that function, we have to ensure that standards are maintained.”

Prior to the request by Caricom on behalf of Guyana, the Council of Legal Education had denied Guyanese law students automatic access to the Trinidad law school.

The agreement between UG and Council expired in November 2012; however, it was extended to 2013 based on a request from the Guyana Government.

However, during the first meeting of the Council in February, the issue arose, but following a heated debate, the majority on the Council voted against Guyana’s request for the extension of the agreement which dates back to 1996.

Though provisions have been made for 2014; current UG law students remain concerned over the future relationship between UG and the Hugh Wooding Law School. Last Friday, Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall met with the Guyanese students, assuring them that a longterm solution will be instituted to prevent future limbo.

Caricom had also requested that a review be undertaken on the provision of legal education in the region with regard to the increased need for legal services in the Caribbean.

It was stated that a review of the system was last under taken more than 40 years ago, despite rapid changes. (svetlana@guyanatimesgy.com)

Venezuela slums shun protests for community work

Opposition activists in the slums of eastern Caracas hope to unseat President Nicolas Maduro, but not by blocking streets or burning tires. They plan to build parks and fix roads to show that the Opposition can do more for poor neighbourhoods than the ruling socialists.

The capital’s slums have seen hardly a trace of the smouldering barricades and violent demonstrations that have engulfed middle-class areas for over a month in the South American OPEC nation’s worst unrest for a decade.

In the sprawling Petare slum, a hillside maze of red-brick homes and humble shacks that was once a stronghold of support for late socialist leader Hugo Chávez, Opposition organisers say the rock-throwers are missing the point.

“We don’t want violence or blocked streets, that’s not how we’re going to get rid of this president,” said

Junior Pantoja, a municipal councilman who works in Petare with Opposition party Justice First.

“We’ve won over more ‘chavistas’ than you can imagine. How? By working. That’s more effective than marching. “In Petare and other slums that dot the hillsides on the far east of Caracas, many see the unrest as a revival of street protests that began 12 years ago as a failed effort to dent the appeal of the charismat-

Former Bogota Mayor’s dismissal approved

Colombia’s Council of State approved the dismissal of Gustavo Petro as Mayor of Bogota, the most important elected position in the country after the presidency.

The decision on Tuesday came fourth months after the former rebel turned leftist stalwart lost his job, sparking legal appeals and street protests by his supporters in the city of seven million.

Maria Claudia Rojas, president of the Council of State, told a news conference it had rejected all appeals and therefore “the decision to dismiss (Petro) should be executed”.

It is now up to President Juan Manuel Santos to for-

mally declare Petro’s dismissal. Petro, who is accused of violating constitutional principles by ending the awarding of trash collection concessions to private companies, tweeted: “Although I know there is sadness in all democratic hearts of Colombia, the struggle for peace and democracy continues.”

Elected to a four-year term in 2011 to oversee the Colombian capital, Petro was sacked and banned in December from holding public office for 15 years. Petro has alleged a conspiracy against the left and the current peace talks between the Government and FARC rebels. (Al Jazeera)

ic Chávez, who died of cancer last year.

Petare, made up of hundreds of neighbourhoods that run from groups of zinc shacks to humble but ornate homes, has been an example of how the Opposition can use clear-headed public policy to challenge the Government even in poor areas.

An Opposition Mayor won the district in 2008 by tapping into discontent with the socialist incumbent and

consolidated support by paying attention to problems in poor communities.

That marked a change in approach for the Opposition after years of attempting to force Chávez from office with a bungled coup, a two-month oil industry shutdown, and virulent verbal attacks on the President and his supporters.

Many poor Venezuelans say they support peaceful demonstrations against soaring inflation and chronic product shortages. But they also say protests have intruded on their daily lives and are doing little to weaken Maduro.

Food shortages have worsened as blocked roads and constant public order disruptions have crimped deliveries. As barricades close streets and protests shut or re-route bus services, slum residents who already face formidable commutes now find themselves spending more time in transit. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahamas PM accused of "abuse of power"

Prime Minister Perry Christie’s admission that he intervened with a local bank in an effort to help The Bahamas Government’s chief valueadded tax (VAT) coordinator Ishmael Lightbourne save his home was “inappropriate” and an “abuse of power”, Opposition Leader, Dr Hubert Minnis said on Monday.

Minnis said Christie’s actions likely left the bank in question in a difficult position where it felt it had no other choice than to give in to the Prime Minister’s wishes.

Christie made the revelation in the House of Assembly last Thursday as he defended Lightbourne from what he called “vicious attacks”.

“I called the managing director of the bank and asked the managing director, she was travelling, I said please call me. She called me. [I said] what can I do as Prime Minister to stop this man from being put out his house today?” Christie said.

International Bank had secured a court order to repossess Lightbourne’s Cable Beach home. “I was ashamed, and all [of] The Bahamas should have been ashamed at the Prime Minister’s response,” Minnis said.

“That was totally inappropriate. When the Prime Minister said he called the bank, the bank manager to see what can be done, that can be interpreted, that’s abuse of power. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Grenada Government, St George’s University aim to develop medical tourism sector

The Grenada

Government says it is collaborating with the St George’s University and other foreign investors to build a substance abuse rehabilitation centre that will become the flagship for the island’s medical tourism.

Among the major investors backing the initiative is the New York-based Ambassador at Large for Grenada Rabbi Michael Melnik, who has been de -

scribed as a longstanding friend of Grenada.

A Government statement said on Monday he was part of a high level delegation of international investors who met with Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell to discuss the project which will be a publicprivate sector partnership.

The statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that Dr Mitchell noted the importance such facilities will have on the lives

Police car death shocks Brazil, says President Rousseff

Brazilian President

Dilma Rousseff has offered her condolences and said the nation was “shocked” after a woman died when dragged by a police car along one of Rio de Janeiro’s busiest roads.

Mother-of-four Claudia da Silva Ferreira, 38, had been hurt in a shoot-out in the shanty-town where she lived. Policemen threw her into their patrol car’s boot, which opened by accident when it drove off.

Relatives said Ferreira had been “treated like a criminal”. She was dragged for more than 300 metres (1000ft) before the car stopped at a red light.

Two policemen then got

out of the car, put Ferreira back in the boot and drove to a nearby hospital, where she died.

Footage of the incident, which happened on Sunday morning in the Madureira neighbourhood, was shown on Brazilian television.

“The death of Claudia has shocked the nation. Claudia da Silva Ferreira had four children, was married and used to wake up in the early hours of the morning to go to work in a Rio hospital,” wrote Rousseff in her Twitter account.

Three policemen have been arrested, accused of acting inhumanely and ignoring calls from residents to stop the vehicle. (Excerpt from BBC News)

of many Grenadian citizens abroad who will like to return in their twilight years but who do not yet have the confidence in the local healthcare system to do so.

“Other clientele will include other international citizens who will like to take advantage of the safety and comfort of our shores while recovering from various ailments. A comprehensive health services facility can go a long way in propelling the economy as

well,” the statement said. Chancellor of St George’s University, Dr Charles Modica said that the establishment of a medical tourism facility would further solidify the joint partnership between the University and the Grenada Government, as well as provide a rich legacy of working to ensure that healthcare is comprehensive, affordable and improved for all. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

U.S. teacher arrested for enticement of minors from Belize

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says a Dade City middle school teacher in southern Florida has been arrested for enticement of minors from Belize.

ICE said that special agents from its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) nabbed David Wendel Thompson, 48, of Seffner, Florida over the last weekend and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, Thompson used the social network Facebook “to attempt to knowingly persuade two minor females from Belize to engage in sexually explicit conduct”.

The complaint said that, in February 2014, Thompson had “sexually explicit conversations with a 13-year-old and a 15-yearold female in Belize. “In those conversations, he discussed flying to Belize to meet the minors and to engage in sexual activity with them,” it said.

On March 14, Thompson took a flight from Tampa, Florida to Belize City, with a layover in Miami, according to the complaint, but he was refused entry into Belize. He was arrested at the Miami International Airport on his return.

ICE said the investigation was conducted under HIS’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators.

(Excerpt

Ukraine preparing withdrawal of troops from Crimea

Ukraine is drawing up plans to withdraw its soldiers and their families from Crimea, Kiev's security chief says. Andriy Parubiy said they wanted to move them “quickly and efficiently” to mainland Ukraine.

Earlier, pro-Russian forces seized two naval bases - including Ukraine navy’s HQin Crimea. Kiev says its navy chief has been detained.

It comes a day after Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Moscow absorbing the peninsula into Russia.

A referendum in Crimea on Sunday, approving its split from Ukraine, came nearly a month after Kiev’s proRussian President Viktor Yanukovych was replaced by Western-leaning interim authorities.

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called the crisis in Crimea “the gravest threat to European security and stability since the end of the Cold War”.

There were charged exchanges in a session of the UN Security Council, during which US envoy Samantha

Power said her Russian counterpart Vitaly Churkin “showed more imagination than Tolstoy or Chekhov”.

“Russia it seems has rewritten its borders but it cannot rewrite the facts,” said Ms Power, who was then accused by Mr Churkin of dropping “to the level of the tabloid press”.

Mr Parubiy, in a news conference, set out more details on Kiev’s position in light of the events in Crimea.

He said arrangements

Israel bombs Syrian posts over Golan attack on its troops

Israel launched air strikes on Wednesday against Syrian military sites in response to a roadside bombing that wounded four of its soldiers, but both sides signalled they were not seeking further escalation.

The Syrian army, embroiled in a civil war, said one soldier was killed and seven were wounded in the air raids on three targets.

Although Damascus condemned the Israeli attacks, it stopped short of any direct threat of retaliation and affirmed its focus on defeating insurgents.

Israel, by announcing the air raids, as opposed to its official silence about past strikes on arms from Syria believed destined for

Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas, appeared intent on delivering a message of deterrence to President Bashar al-Assad.

“Our policy is clear. We hurt those who hurt us,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet in public remarks.

“Syrian elements not only allowed but also cooperated in the attacks on our forces,” he said, and by taking military action now the Jewish state wanted to ensure calm was re-established along its northern frontier.

The attack came less than a month after Hezbollah accused Israel of carrying out an air strike on one of its bases on the Lebanon-Syria border. It vowed at the time to respond. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India to not support Western sanctions against Russia

With Russia facing sanctions from the United States and some other countries after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine, India on Wednesday made it clear that it will not support any “unilateral measures” against the Russian Government.

“India has never supported unilateral sanctions against any country, eg, Iraq or Iran. Therefore, we will also not support any unilateral measures by a country or a group of countries,” sources in the Government said.

The remarks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin explained the situation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who under-

lined India’s position on “unity and territorial integrity” of countries and hoped a diplomatic solution would be found to the issue.

Earlier this month, National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon had said, “There are legitimate Russian and other interests involved and we hope they are discussed and resolved.”

The U.S. and the EU have imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow’s actions in the Black Sea peninsula. Australia has also announced its decision to impose financial and travel sanctions on a dozen political figures from the region. (Excerpt from Times of India)

were now being set up to introduce visas for Russian nationals travelling to Ukraine.

And he said Kiev was seeking UN support to “proclaim Crimea a demilitarised zone”, which would involve the withdrawal of Russian troops and the “relocation of Ukrainian troops to continental Ukraine as well as facilitate evacuation of all the civilian population who are unwilling to remain on the occupied territory”.

Ukraine is also leaving the Moscow-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) alliance, and is preparing for military exercises with the US and the UK, Mr Parubiy added.

With reference to plans to withdraw troops and their families, Ukraine’s interim Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya told the BBC that they would not be forced to leave if they did not want to.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Teenager, army officers killed in violence in Egypt

A13-year-old boy was shot dead on

Wednesday in southern Egypt in clashes between police and supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, a health official said.

And in Qalubiya province, north of Cairo, two Egyptian soldiers were killed in a shootout with Islamist militants, the Interior Ministry said, adding six militants were killed and eight arrested in a raid on a weapons storage facility.

Political violence, which has dogged Egypt since a popular uprising toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011, is expected to intensify as the country prepares for a presidential election, due in a few months, that Army Chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win easily.

The Interior Ministry said a Brigadier General and a Colonel, both bomb disposal experts, were shot dead in the raid on members of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, Egypt’s most active militant group.

The Sinai-based group has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks, including an assassination attempt on the Interior Minister last year.

A health official later said a student, 13, was shot dead in clashes between police and pro-Morsi protesters in the city of Beni Suef, south of Cairo. The Interior Ministry said 12 protesters were arrested.

Demonstrations also erupted in the capital. Medical sources said around 40 pro-Morsi demonstrators were wounded by birdshot or tear gas near Cairo University. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Malaysia plane relatives dragged from news conference

Frustration with the search for missing flight MH370 boiled over into chaotic scenes as Chinese relatives were dragged away from journalists.

They were attempting to speak to Chinese journalists outside the daily press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

A BBC reporter was pushed away from the relatives, who were carrying banners criticising the handling of the case.

Teams from 26 countries are trying to find flight MH370, which went missing on March 8 with 239 people on board.

One of the relatives, a middle-aged woman, cried: “They give different messages every day! Where’s the flight now? Find our relatives! Find the aircraft!”

The Malaysian Government said later it regretted the scenes and ordered an investigation, saying “one can only imagine

the anguish they are going through”.

The BBC’s Jonah Fisher faced a wall of police when trying to speak to relatives after the news conference in Kuala Lumpur

During the daily briefing, Malaysia’s Acting Transport Minister rejected reports that emerged on Tuesday that the plane

had been spotted in the Maldives.

A local councillor on the island of Kudahuvadhoo has told the BBC that about 10 people described seeing a large aeroplane some hours after it disappeared.

The Acting Transport Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, also said the authorities had investigated

almost all the passengers and crew of the plane, but had, so far, found no information of significance.

“We have received passengers’ background checks from all countries apart from Ukraine and Russia,” he told reporters. There were two Ukrainians and one Russian on the plane.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Zuma’s South African Nkandla home upgrade “unethical”

South Africa’s top corruption fighter has said President Jacob Zuma has “benefited unduly” from using state money to improve his rural residence.

The changes to Zuma’s private home, including a pool and cattle enclosure, cost taxpayers about US$23 million.

In a more than 400-page report, Public Protector

Thuli Madonsela accused Zuma of unethical conduct.

She said Zuma, who faces

re-election in May, should repay costs for some of the unnecessary renovations.

The refurbishment of the residence in Nkandla, in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, has turned into a major political controversy in South Africa.

A Government probe in December cleared President Zuma, who came to office in May 2009, of any wrongdoing, saying the improvements were needed for security reasons.

Correspondents say it was one of the reasons why Zuma was booed in December at the memorial service for Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black President.

At a press conference in the capital, Pretoria, Madonsela, South Africa’s ombudsman, said the cost of the Nkandla upgrades were now estimated at 246 million rand (US$23 million).

The original estimate for the work in 2009 was about 27 million rand, and the

public protector launched her investigation in 2012 after it was reported that about 206 million rand had been spent.

“The President tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment in the non-security installations at his private residence,” Madonsela said, reading from the report’s executive summary.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Africa

British Jamaican entrepreneur Levi Roots on Tuesday announced that he has signed a partnership deal to roll out a chain of restaurants under his famous brand name. Roots, speaking on the opening day of the Caribbean Competitiveness Forum at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston, said that the plan is to launch 30 to 40 outlets in five years

“The first one will be in 2015,” he said, adding that

North America

it will be at a location in Brixton, a district in South West London. Roots did not wish to reveal the identity of the partner at the moment but told the Business Observer later that the party is behind “one of the largest restaurant chains in the UK”.

There are over 50 different products under the Levi Roots brand, including juices, snacks, pastries, books and the popular Reggae Reggae line of sauces.

Roots rose to prominence in January 2007 when he appeared on the BBC television show Dragons’ Den, which allows aspiring entrepreneurs to present their business ideas to wealthy investors. Roots memorably sang about the virtues of his Reggae Reggae sauce and, in exchange for a 40 per cent stake in his business, secured the support of millionaires Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh for £50,000.

(Jamaica Observer)

U.S. stocks barely budged on Wednesday as investors paused after a two-day rally and looked ahead to comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. The S&P 500 was within one per cent of its intraday record high, though a drop in Adobe Systems shares weighed on the tech sector, and economic bellwether FedEx Corp hit a sour note in its outlook. Geopolitical concerns related to Ukraine also stayed in focus.

Adobe’s stock fell 2.3 per cent to US$66.96 and was the S&P

Europe

Anew £1 coin, billed by the Royal Mint as the “most secure coin in the world”, is to be introduced in 2017. The move comes amid concerns about the 30year old coin’s vulnerability to counterfeiting, with an estimated 45 million forgeries in circulation. The new coin is based on the design of the old three penny bit, a 12-sided coin in circulation between 1937 and 1971.

A competition will be held

500’s worst performer a day after the maker of Photoshop and Acrobat software reported firstquarter earnings. FedEx posted results below expectations and gave a weak full-year profit forecast, but the package shipper said it had been significantly hurt by winter storms, and the stock slipped 0.3 per cent to US$138.21.

“Investors have to ask, with the market at record highs, are they willing to shake off subpar earnings in the face of potential geopolitical events unfolding? So far they’re unfazed and relatively

calm going into the Fed, but it won’t take much to create some concern,” said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The Fed is not expected to deviate from its path when it announces its policy decision in a statement at 14:00h (1800 GMT), but market participants will be attuned to the subsequent news conference from Janet Yellen, her first as chair, for any clue on the speed of future stimulus cuts, as well as how soon interest rates might be raised. (Reuters)

Private investors have been urged to invest in the Kenyan film industry. According to the Sport, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario, the local film industry has all the potential to make great returns, if investors pledge to fund it. He was speaking during the inaugural Riverwood Academy Awards gala night held at Alliance Francaise on

Asia

After a year of waiting, the man running what could be the biggest-ever technology IPO finally lost patience with Hong Kong.

Joe Tsai, the Alibaba Group Holding executive in charge of plans for the highly anticipated deal, only abandoned hope of a Hong Kong listing in the last few weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. The company’s shareholding structure, giving senior managers sway over board ap-

Middle East

Nto decide what image to put on the “tails” side of the coin. In his Budget statement to the Commons, Chancellor George Osborne said: “The prerequisite of sound money is a sound currency.”

He said the £1 coin was one of the oldest coins in circulation and had become “increasingly vulnerable to forgery”. “One in 30 pound coins is counterfeit, and that costs businesses and the taxpayer millions each year,” Osborne

continued.

“So I can announce that we will move to a new, highly secure, £1 coin. It will take three years. “Our new pound coin will blend the security features of the future with inspiration from our past.

“In honour of our Queen, the coin will take the shape of one of the first coins she appeared on – the three penny bit.

“A more resilient pound for a more resilient economy.”

(BBC News)

akheel on Wednesday said it has awarded three contracts, with a combined value of almost AED563 million, for construction projects at its Al Furjan and International City communities in Dubai.

Among them are two contracts – together worth nearly AED526 million (US$143.2 million) – for the construction of 401 villas and terraced houses at its Al Furjan community, the developer said in a statement.

Saturday.

He said: “No matter the numerous plans and efforts by the Government to support this industry, we also need other investors to come on board. By doing so, we will make Riverwood a force to reckon with in the world of film-making.” Wario intimated that plans are underway by the Government to set up an arts

lottery, whose proceeds will be dedicated to the film sector.

Among those awarded at the gala night included Jonathan Mbithi, Margaret Wambui, Susan Kadide, Iya Embasna, Godfrey Kimotho, 24th Anniversary, Maisha Bure, Ruth Wacuka, Alex Mwaura, Janet Mbunga, Thomas Oyolo, Muthoni Thiongo and Mwendwa Mutua. (allAfrica)

pointments, would not pass muster with local regulators.

The final straw was the snail’s pace of a public consultation process of reviewing local listing rules on which Alibaba had pinned its hopes, the people said. That delay, coupled with a rush of Alibaba rivals seeking to tap the frothy U.S. tech market, forced the company’s hand in the end, the people said.

Last Sunday, after nearly a year of talks with Hong

Kong regulators and stock exchange officials, Alibaba said it will list shares in the United States in a deal expected to exceed Facebook Inc’s US$16 billion offering in 2012.

“Alibaba realised this was not a battle that they could have won within the time frame they were looking to float the company,” said Keith Pogson, managing partner for financial services at consulting firm EY in Hong Kong. (Reuters)

The first, covering 249 homes and valued at AED310.6 million, was awarded to Ginco General Contracting, the other to United Engineering Construction (UNEC) for 152 homes, contract value AED215.4. Under both contracts, construction is due for completion in 18 months, Nakheel said. Nakheel added that it has also awarded a contract for AED36.8 million to Metac General Contracting Company to build a new community retail cen-

tre at International City. Construction of the 79,000 square foot shopping and dining facility is scheduled to take 12 months. The community centre, where two-thirds of the available leasing space is already booked, will have 24 shops and six restaurants and coffee shops. The facility will serve residents in International City as well as people living at nearby Warsan Village, Nakheel’s new gated community of 940 townhouses. (Arabianbusiness)

For a new company, the annual budget is among the first things you should set up – that is, if you expect your company to last for at least a year. There are two main components – cash flow and expenses. Cash flow is not the same as profits. Profits are simply sales minus expenses at various reporting periods. The cash from profits sometimes has to be used right away to stock an inventory in advance. Cash flow refers to cash on hand that is readily available to pay the bills every month. A positive cash flow is extremely important for a start-

up business. While businesses can operate at a loss (revenue less expenses) for awhile, they can’t operate for more than a month or two with a negative cash flow. With a negative cash flow, your utilities will be cut and the repo man will come knocking on your door. If you see your cash flow about to go negative, rush to the bank to negotiate a line of credit or take out a loan, or better yet, do so before you foresee an issue.

Once you have positive cash flow, calculate your monthly income and deduct your regular expenses. This can be done with a variety of software, such as Excel or Money. Common monthly expenses include rent, insurance, payroll, utilities, inventory purchases and office supplies. These can be inputted as recurring monthly payments. Less predictable expenses can include repairs, maintenance, company vehicles, travel, sales, marketing and outside services. Instead of entering these as recurring charges, set aside a monthly budget for each. If the monthly budget is not used up, then it is saved into your cash flow. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Model

Graphical, mathematical (symbolic), physical, or verbal representation or simplified version of a concept, phenomenon, relationship, structure, system, or an aspect of the real world. The objectives of a model include (a) to facilitate understanding by eliminating unnecessary components, (b) to aid in decision making by simulating ‘what if’ scenarios, (c) to explain, control, and predict events on the basis of past observations.

Guyana accredits new Pakistani High Commissioner

Chairman dismisses objections to Jairam’s involvement Rodney Commission

President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday received Letters of Credence from newly-appointed non-resident High Commissioner Nasrullah Khan from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Guyana.

The High Commissioner said the relationship between the two countries is based on the strong foundation of mutual respect, both at the level of Government, as well as at the international level.

He noted that in today’s globalised world, geographic distance is of little consequence especially since Guyana and Pakistan share a lot of commonalities, including the passion and love for cricket.

He also conveyed his country’s gratitude for Guyana’s support for their candidacy on the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The High Commissioner’s friendly sentiments were reciprocated by President Ramotar, who said that cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral level, through forums such as the UN, Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Group of 77, among others, has significantly strengthened their relationship.

“Guyana looks forward to greater cooperation on all areas of common endeavours for the betterment of

our peoples… both countries have the opportunity to contribute to sustainable development goals that reflect the realities of our countries,” President Ramotar said.

The two countries are hoping to encourage their respective private sectors to enhance trade and commercial relations. Guyana and Pakistan have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations on November 10, 1967.

Further, Pakistan is one of the countries that pledged support for Guyana’s New Global Human Order which seeks to ensure human dignity and a better life for all, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Pakistani envoy calls on Minister Ali

Housing Minister

Irfaan Ali welcomed High Commissioner from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nasrullah Khan, during a courtesy visit at his Ministry on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Ali and the High Commissioner discussed the strengthening of trade relations between the two countries.

Minister Ali said Guyana is in a strategic position to be considered as a ‘packaging and processing’ hub between North America, South America and the Caribbean.

“These are good ideas, I will certainly send the Trade Commissioner to explore the possibilities to increase trade,” High Commissioner Khan noted, according to a release

The Tourism Minister discussed the possibility of a language exchange programme, which he said would be advantageous to Pakistan and integral to the advancement of the country on the international front. He explained, “Final year university students can come to Guyana to learn English, this would also be important to development.”

Minister Ali noted too the impact of the Caribbean Premier League

(CPL) and the contribution of Pakistani players, noting that opportunities abound for Pakistanis to travel to Guyana for the next CPL tournament matches to be played in Guyana, this year.

Alluding to accessibility to the destination, the Tourism Minister pointed to the advantages of COPA’s entry into the Guyana market and the remarkable re-

duction in travel time between countries.

“Connectivity will certainly open,” the Pakistani High Commissioner concurred.

Khan earlier on Wednesday presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President.

The High Commissioner is stationed in Brasilia, Brazil.

Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry Chairman, Sir Richard Cheltenham said any change to the Terms of Reference (ToR) has to be made by President Donald Ramotar even as he dismissed concerns raised about the impartiality of Commissioner, Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam.

Both the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) have objected to Jairam on the panel, owing to his appearance in court for the Guyana Government in the recently concluded budget cuts case.

For its part too, the WPA has called on Government to remove a paragraph from the ToR, saying that it had nothing to do with the politician’s killing. In a letter to President Donald Ramotar earlier this month raising a number of concerns regarding the inquiry, the WPA said “on the terms of reference proper, we have grave concerns that paragraph (iv) strays a considerable distance from the precisions of paragraph (i) that properly tasks the Commission with examining the facts and circumstances immediately prior, at the time of, and subsequent to the death of Dr Walter Rodney… how does the time period defined in paragraph a (iv) – 1 January 1978 to 31 December 1980 – qualify as being immediately prior, at the time of, and subsequent to the death of Dr Walter Rodney”? the WPA had asked.

The party, which was formed by Rodney, but now in alliance with the PNCR, said: “We are of the view that the scope of paragraph (iv) goes well beyond what is required for the determination of responsibility as expressed clearly in para (i). Instead, para (iv) runs the risk of opening a Pandora’s box that will guarantee an unwelcome poisoning of the political environment which, you will agree, is already toxic enough. We urge that paragraph (iv) be removed from the terms of reference,” the WPA said in

the letter signed by its leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Executive Member, Professor Clive Thomas.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Cheltenham said the issues raised by the Opposition parties cannot be addressed at the Commission’s level, but by President Ramotar.

Following the news conference, the Commission met with leaders of APNU and discussed issues pertaining to the inquiry. Minutes after meeting with Commissioners, APNU reported that it used the opportunity to convey to them its concerns about the CoI’s ToR and the selection of Commissioner Jairam.

Cordial

“The meeting was informative and cordial,” APNU said, adding that it hopes that the inquiry would prove to be a source of healing. APNU was represented at the meeting by Brigadier David Granger and parliamentarians, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Basil Williams and Joseph Harmon. The three-member Commission was sworn in on February 25 to probe the circumstances leading to the death of Rodney. He died when a bomb exploded in his lap some 34 years ago.

Meanwhile, Cheltenham told the media that the findings of the inquiry will in no way subject anyone found culpable for the historian’s death to penalty, since a section of the ToR provides for their complete immunity. The Chairman, along with the two other Commissioners, Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown and Guyanese-Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam was at the time addressing members of the media on the progress made by the Secretariat thus far.

Cheltenham stressed that persons who wish to come forward can do so with no fear.

“No one needs to fear whatsoever about coming forward and testifying. The last provision of the Terms of Reference exempts all

those who might have been involved in Rodney’s death in anyway whatsoever from prosecution,” Cheltenham said.

He reiterated that the main purpose of the inquiry is to quell all doubts by the public and offer closure to Rodney’s family, who has been calling for the inquiry. The Chairman said that although the hearing will be opened to the public, persons wishing to testify and who may not want to go public, will be allowed to do so privately.

He said too that provision has been made for overseasbased Guyanese, to give testimony using modern technology. The Commission on Tuesday met and had rewarding discussions with stakeholders, including the People’s Progressive Party, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Trades Union Congress and the Private Sector Commission, which have all indicated their willingness to work together in the investigation.

Available method

Cheltenham assured media operatives that the Commission will be using every available method to get its work completed. He said that the Commission, through the Secretariat, is still in the process of collecting all necessary information that would be very useful in the inquiry. These include newspaper clippings, books and statements written by the late educator. Asked if family members will be participating in the inquiry, the Chairman assured that Rodney’s older brother Donald, who escaped with injuries during the explosion, will be participating. He said he was unsure about Rodney’s children, but was informed that his wife Patricia would be in Guyana to testify. Being guided by the ToR, Cheltenham indicated that the Commission will be investigating the events prior and after the death of Rodney, between January 1, 1978 and December 31, 1980.

SUDOKU

There is a world of opportunity open to you, so don’t feel trapped in your current situation. Make yourself aware of the many possibilities available, and consider a new direction.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

If you are feeling unfulfilled, assess your current situation realistically, and prepare to make some changes. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move.

Love and romance are in the stars. Consider a change of scenery. Participating in a new and exciting social activity will have some surprising results. Don’t hesitate to try something different.

Inactivity is your enemy. Make an effort to go out with friends or find an interesting event in your community. The busier you are, the more energised you will feel.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Be sure to take extra care while en route to a destination. With encouragement on your part, a current companion will turn into a romantic partner. New friends will be impressed by your energy and enthusiasm.

(March 21-April 19)

This is a great day to spend an enjoyable time with friends, relatives and family. Good fortune is within reach. Consider making home improvements or looking at a property investment.

(April 20-May 20)

Networking can bring positive results if you connect with someone whose abilities complement your own. You will be well-regarded if you join an organisation whose principles reflect your beliefs.

(May 21June 20)

An incomplete project will be distracting. Share any problems you face with a colleague; asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Put less important affairs aside and focus on getting things done.

It’s vital to include some self-promotion in your business dealings. When others are aware of your innovative views, they will be more inclined to contribute to your plans.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Your abilities will be showcased if you are able to combine business with pleasure. Others will be inspired by your resourcefulness and integrity. New partnerships look promising.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take a break from everyday activities and surround yourself with people who are in tune with your creative and artistic aspirations. Sharing your ideas will stimulate a desire for new ventures.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t be too quick to reveal your personal affairs. It’s possible that someone may be trying to derail your plans. You can avoid problems with a slow and steady approach.

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Man United bounce back to reach Champions’ League quarters

Manchester United staged the comeback they required and lifted the pressure on manager David Moyes with victory over Olympiakos at Old Trafford to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.

Robin van Persie's hattrick overturned the visitors' two-goal lead from the first leg and gave Moyes some much-needed breathing space after Sunday's embarrassing 3-0 Premier League home defeat by Liverpool.

If the Netherlands striker - who was taken off on a stretcher late on with what looked like a knee injury - was the goal hero, then Moyes must also be indebted to David De Gea.

The goalkeeper made a crucial double save from David Fuster and Alejandro Dominguez moments before

Van Persie scored United's second in first half-stoppage time.

Van Persie's contribution has been questioned this season but he set United on their way with a penalty, scored a clinical second before the break, then provided the decisive goal with a 51st-minute free-kick.

Moyes, whose future has been at the centre of so much speculation, was all smiles as he made his way towards the Stretford End at the final whistle. He can now at least contemplate extending United's Champions League campaign, albeit as outsiders to claim the trophy. (BBC Sport)

Andy Murray and coach Ivan Lendl agree mutual split

British number one Andy Murray and coach Ivan Lendl have agreed to end their two-year partnership.

Under Lendl, Murray won his maiden Grand Slam at the 2012 US Open, Olympic gold and last year’s Wimbledon.

“I’m eternally grateful to Ivan for all his hard work,” said Murray, 26. “We’ve learned a lot as a team and it will be of benefit in the future.”

Lendl said it was time to “concentrate on some of my own projects, including playing more events around the world”.

The Czech-born coach, who has recently played exhibition matches in the United States and London, added: “Working with Andy over the last two years has been a fantastic experience. He is a first-class guy.”

Murray, who is in Miami to defend his title at the Masters Series event, said he planned to take some time before considering his next step.

“This is news which has

taken everyone by surprise. Murray has thrived under the guidance of Lendl, who told the BBC at the end of 2012 that he could see himself coaching the Wimbledon champion until the end of his career.

“This is not a decision which has been taken overnight. With Lendl wanting to play more senior and exhibition events, it appears he is no longer able to commit to the number of weeks Murray needs him for.

“Coaches come and go - Jimmy Connors only last-

ed one match with Maria Sharapova - but this is a big loss to Murray as he tries to recapture the form of last summer. They didn’t seem an obvious match at first, but a strong rapport developed as Lendl unlocked Murray’s Grand Slam winning potential.”

Lendl, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, was appointed Murray’s coach in December 2011 with the aim of bringing the “experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments”. (BBC Sport)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho charged with improper conduct

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association for improper conduct after being sent off during his side’s 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa last Saturday.

The charge relates to Mourinho going onto the pitch to speak to referee Chris Foy following the injury-time dismissal of Chelsea’s Ramires. Earlier in the game, Willian was also sent off for the Blues.

Mourinho has until 18:00

GMT on Monday, 24 March to respond to the charge.

The Portuguese boss, who saw his team’s lead trimmed to four points at the top of the Premier League after wins for Liverpool and Arsenal on Sunday, was critical of Foy after the defeat at Villa Park.

He said: “We must be very, very unlucky to have another refereeing performance like this one.

“This is not about one mistake from a referee. This is about a performance from minute one to minute 94.” Ramires was shown a

straight red card for a twofooted tackle on Villa’s Karim El Ahmadi, sparking a touchline fracas.

But Mourinho claimed he was trying to alert Foy after Ramires was pushed by Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who had already been substituted but rose from the bench to confront the Chelsea midfielder following his tackle.

“I don’t know why I was sent off,” Mourinho told BBC Radio 5 live. “I asked, but the referee refused to speak to me…” (BBC Sport)

Ramlakhan leads ECCCC U-19s to victory over Everest

Talented teenager Vishwanauth Ramlakhan played a responsible hand on Sunday to guide the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) Under-19 side to a comfortable six-wicket win over hosts Everest in a feature 40-over game.

Set a victory target of 134, the ECCCC lads replied with 136-4 from 28.2 overs with the right-handed batsman and captain, Ramlakhan, hitting a solid 42.

Aspectacularly executed direct free-kick by right back Kurt Welcome dashed all hopes Sunburst Camptown FC had of making a clean sweep of their two-match tour of Bartica.

In Monday night’s final encounter played at the Bartica Community Centre ground before a sizeable crowd, Welcome produced the winner from 25 metres out when he perfectly curled an outside right booter around Camptown’s wall that left second-half custodian Oswald Cornette unmoved 10 minutes from full time.

The game, which was evenly contested throughout, had home fans willing their side on at every play and when the deadlock was broken, there was eruption and celebration and thereafter Beacon controlled things.

The win stretched Beacon’s unbeaten run in over a year, and according to coach, captain and goalkeeper, Kwesi

The diminutive middleorder batsman stroked six fours and shared in a 53run third wicket stand with Rudolph Singh after the visitors were reduced to 17-2.

Singh slammed six fours in scoring 31 before he was dismissed with his team 12 runs short of victory. Ramdeo Basdeo (08*) and Gavin Moriah (03*) saw the ECCCC side to victory, with Rabindra Rooplall, Aleem Rasheed and Gavin Sookdeo taking a wicket each for Everest.

Batting first, Everest made 133 from 39.3 overs with Darshan Persaud hitting a topscore of 33 (4x4s) and Rooplall 14.

Off-spinner Satesh Jainarine was splendid with the ball for ECCCC, claiming 4-18, while Ramdeo Basdeo bagged 3-17. Ramlakhan was later named Man of the Match for his match-winning knock.

The game was played as part of the Everest Cricket Club’s 100th year anniversary celebrations.

Sanjay’s Jewellery golf tournament set for Saturday –

Webster wins Hadi’s competition

Registration is in full swing for this Saturday’s Sanjay’s Jewellery pairs golf competition at the Lusignan Golf Course, according to information emanating from the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), East Coast Demerara.

Sanjay’s Jewellery, who last year sponsored two exciting tournaments, will have a full crew of staff and well wishers on hand for the after-tournament festivities and presentation, according to a representative of the company.

Chatterpaul Deo, the LGC captain, said “that the golf club is buzzing with excitement for this innovative format of play, in which players will play in pairs against each other, with the combined lowest score per pair determining the winners.”

The club captain, in explaining the format, said that players will use 3/4 of their existing handicap, playing a stroke system.

mine winners to represent Guyana in a regional international pairs tournaments.

Last year, Alfred Mentore and Brian Hackett placed fifth in the Caribbean Play off held at the Millennium Golf Club in Trinidad and Tobago, which featured golfers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, Jamaica and St Kitts.

Club captain Deo said he is not predicting any winners as the current ground condition provides equal opportunity for all players and he would not be surprised if a pair of “dark horses” emerges from the pack.

Prizes would be awarded for the top three finishers and those with the best gross and nearest-to-thepin. Tee off is at noon.

Dinanath win

Hackett, Mike Gayadin, who each ended with net 66, in the Hadi Worldwide Inc. medal play tournament last Saturday.

As was predicted in the lead up to the competition, the field was wide open and it took several countbacks of the the back nine scores to declare Shonella Webster winner of the first place trophy, with Mike Gayadin second and Brian Hackett third.

The best female player with the lowest gross was Joann Deo with 94 with “Santo” Dinanath capturing the prize for the best gross with his superb 70, as well as the nearest-to-the-pin prize.

Jacobs, togetherness has been the key.

“We have been together since Coca Cola schools football and understand each other and that is the main reason we have been unbeaten in over a year. We also put a lot of emphasis on developing sound technical skills,” he related.

He added, “The level of football played in the game was very high and exhibited sound skills by both sides. I must however, compliment my defence for being rock solid. This win should serve as an incentive for administrators and clubs to get their acts together and let’s continue with the development of football in Bartica. The victory will also bring back some confidence in fans since the sport has been dormant for over a year. It also shows we have a lot of talent in Bartica. Hopefully, one day Beacon FC will be the number one team in Guyana.”

His opposite, Troy “Bugs” Prescod was gracious in defeat, praising the quality of the game and the performance of his youthful side,”Beacon were more aggressive and wanted the win more. I am proud of my team’s performance, but Beacon was the better team on the night where a very good goal decided a very good game.”

In the opening game of the double-header it took penalty kicks to determine the winner after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time. Malcolm Agostos and Rawle Smith were on target for Potaro Strikers, while Anil Williams and player/coach, Andy Bishop, netted for Mel Ballers who won 5-3 in the penalty shootout to take third place.

The quadrangular tournament was organised by ‘I’ Movement Promotions. Hopkinson Mining and Sky Launch Restaurant and Bar contributed significantly to the tour by the city side.

He added that this is the first time this system would be used and is a trial run for another competition later in the year, which will deter-

Meanwhile, the magnificent performance of Mohanlall “Santo” Dinanath, paring the course with a gross score of 70, a rare feet among golf players at the Lusignan Golf Club, was overshadowed by players Chatterpaul Deo, Shenella Webster, Brian

Mark Chung representing Hadi Worldwide Inc. congratulated all the winners and said that he was happy to see so many players and spectators in attendance, and promised repeat sponsorship next year.

Club captain Chatterpaul Deo noted in his presentation that many new players are coming out and was pleased to see Dino Bissessar and Richard Haniff among players in the field.

West Berbice upset New Amsterdam/ Canje to advance to final

West Berbice has advanced to the final of the 2014 National Communication Network (NCN) Under-15 Inter-zone tournament, after defeating New Amsterdam/ Canje by 12 runs at the Cumberland ground.

Batting first, West Berbice made 89-4 off their allotted 38 overs with Javed Karen topscoring with 39 (5x4s), while Seon Glasgow was unbeaten on 36. Bowling for New Amsterdam/Canje, Junior Williams claimed 2-6 from five overs.

In response, New Amsterdam/Canje reached 97-8 off 38 overs with Kevin Sinclair hitting an unbeat-

en 44 with two boundaries. Junior Williams returned to score 14, while Steve Deonarine made 12. Bowling for West Berbice, Sachin Veerasammy took 3-10, while Nicholas Sheurohan bagged 3-12.

With a deficit of eight runs, West Berbice batting a second time reached 141 all out from 52.1 overs with skipper Kris Ramnarine topscoring with a patient 55. Javed Karim supported with 31, while Sachin Veerasammy chipped in with 13.

Bowling for New Amsterdam/Canje, off-spinner Kevin Sinclair bowled superbly to claim 6-32. Needing to score 133 for

victory, New Amsterdam/ Canje surrendered their first innings advantage to lose outright by 12 runs after being bowled out for 121. Sinclair completed a fine all-round match, topscoring with 41 (4x4s), while Alex Algoo supported with 20 and Brandon Stewart 16. Seon Glasgow took 4-17, Nicholas 2-16 and Kris Ramnarine 2-14 for the winners.

West Berbice will now face the winner of the Lower Corentyne versus Upper Corentyne semi-final in the final. The NCN Inter-zone tournament is being used by the Berbice Cricket Board to select the Berbice Under-15 team for the 2014 Intercounty tournament.

England v India, World T20 warm-up, Dhaka

Choked by spin, England lose second warm-up

England found little improvement in their second World T20 warm-up against India and collected a second heavy defeat in as many days. Faced with a chase of 179, they never looked likely to get home and ended up well short.

There also remained uncertainty over the fitness of their captain, Stuart Broad, who bowled two overs in his first outing since the opening T20 against West Indies. He did not lead England in this match - Eoin Morgan

retaining the captaincy because Broad was only due to play a brief role - and there is precious little evidence for England to judge Broad’s health on.

England were choked by spin after the Powerplay, which yielded a profitable 51 for 1 against five overs of seam bowling. But by the end of the 12th over they had added only 25 more runs and lost Michael Lumb, stumped running down the wicket at

Suresh Raina.

With the required runrate approaching 13, Eoin Morgan slapped a full toss to long-on and Moeen Ali slogswept to deep square leg, rendering the 30 in 18 balls Jos Buttler managed worthless late entertainment.

That England got within 20 was due to the seven overs of seam bowling MS Dhoni allowed them to face - those overs collectively cost 69. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India innings (20 overs maximum)

RG Sharma c Hales b Dernbach 5

S Dhawan c Tredwell b Bresnan 14

V Kohli not out 74

Yuvraj Singh c †Buttler b Jordan 1

SK Raina c Jordan b Bopara 54

MS Dhoni*† not out 21

Extras: (lb 3, w 5, nb 1) 9

Total: (4 wickets; 20 overs) 178

Did not bat: STR Binny, B Kumar, A Mishra, Mohammed Shami, AM Rahane, RA Jadeja, MM Sharma, R Ashwin, VR Aaron

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (RG Sharma, 3.1 ov), 2-30 (Dhawan, 4.3 ov), 3-39 (Yuvraj Singh, 5.6 ov), 4-120 (Raina, 14.5 ov)

Bowling: MM Ali 1-0-4-0, JW Dernbach 3-0-27-1, TT Bresnan

3-0-31-1, CJ Jordan 4-0-371, RS Bopara 2-0-25-1, SCJ Broad 2-0-14-0, JC Tredwell 4-0-20-0, SD Parry 1-0-17-0

England innings (target: 179 runs from 20 overs)

MJ Lumb st †Dhoni b Raina 36

AD Hales b Kumar 16

MM Ali c Rahane b Jadeja 46 EJG Morgan* c Yuvraj Singh b Ashwin 16 JC Buttler† st †Dhoni b Jadeja 30

RS Bopara b Mohammed Shami 6 TT Bresnan not out 3 CJ Jordan not out 1 Extras: (lb 2, w 1, nb 1) 4 Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 158

Did not bat: IR Bell, SCJ Broad, SD Parry, JC Tredwell, CR Woakes, LJ Wright, JW Dernbach

Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Hales, 4.6 ov), 2-58 (Lumb, 8.1 ov), 3-87 (Morgan, 13.1 ov), 4-128 (Ali, 16.6 ov), 5-145 (Bopara, 18.2 ov), 6-157 (Buttler, 19.4 ov)

Bowling: B Kumar 3-0-271, Mohammed Shami 3-029-1, R Ashwin 4-0-20-1, SK Raina 4-0-23-1, RA Jadeja 3-0-23-2, A Mishra 2-0-210, VR Aaron 1-0-13-0

Netherlands v Zimbabwe, World T20, Group B, Sylhet

Zimbabwe prevail in last-ball finish

On Monday, Zimbabwe wanted to bat second in Sylhet. On Wednesday, they did.

On Monday, Zimbabwe’s captain Brendan Taylor asked his batsmen to put more value on their wickets. On Wednesday, they did.

On Monday, Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland went down to the last ball and they lost. On Wednesday, the margins were just as close but the result was different. Zimbabwe kept themselves in contention for the main draw of the World T20, despite making hard work

of chasing 141 on a surface which, on Monday, Taylor had assessed as a 180-run pitch. They needed much

SCOREBOARD

Netherlands innings (20 overs maximum)

MR Swart run out (Chatara) 3

SJ Myburgh lbw b Utseya 0

W Barresi† b Panyangara 12

PW Borren* c Chigumbura

b Utseya 8

TLW Cooper not out 72

BN Cooper c Panyangara

b Mushangwe 20

Mudassar Bukhari not out 14

Extras (b 4, lb 3, w 4) 11

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 140

Did not bat LV van Beek, T van der Gugten, PM Seelaar, MAA Jamil

Fall of wickets 1-1 (Myburgh, 0.3 ov), 2-14 (Barresi, 1.5 ov), 3-19 (Swart, 3.1 ov), 4-35 (Borren, 4.3 ov), 5-87 (BN Cooper, 13.5 ov)

Bowling: P Utseya 4-0-242, T Panyangara 4-0-38-1, TL Chatara 3-0-14-0, N Mushangwe 4-0-24-1, SC Williams 4-0-220, H Masakadza 1-0-11-0

World Twenty20 Group B, Sylhet

Ireland secure D/L victory over UAE

Ireland made it two wins from two World

Twenty20 games after beating United Arab Emirates by 21 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method to top Group B.

UAE posted a modest 123-6 before Ireland opener

Paul Stirling retired hurt after being struck on an elbow.

The Irish were 95-0 but lost three quick wickets before two floodlight failures and rain ended the game

United Arab Emirates innings (20 overs maximum)

Amjad Ali c Dockrell b Stirling 20 Faizan Asif run out (Murtagh/ †Wilson) 11

Khurram Khan* c Joyce

b Murtagh 16

SP Patil† c Porterfield b Stirling 0 Shaiman Anwar c & b O'Brien 30 Amjad Javed c Joyce b O'Brien 19 Rohan Mustafa not out 13 V Shetty not out 1 Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 7, nb 1) 13

Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 123

Did not bat: Ahmed Raza, Kamran Shazad, Sharif Asadullah Fall of wickets 1-35 (Faizan Asif, 4.6 ov), 2-46 (Amjad Ali, 6.1 ov), 3-46 (Patil, 6.4 ov), 4-88 (Shaiman Anwar, 13.6 ov), 5-90 (Khurram Khan, 14.3 ov), 6-115 (Amjad Javed, 18.6 ov) Bowling: PR Stirling 3-112-2, MC Sorensen 3-0-240, TJ Murtagh 4-0-20-1, AR Cusack 4-0-30-0, GH Dockrell

with Ireland needing 21 runs from 34 balls.

Ireland will reach the Super 10 stage if they beat the Netherlands on Friday.

UAE made a good start and were 31-0 from three overs before the wickets began to tumble.

Stirling and Kevin O’Brien each took two wickets as the UAE could only muster 125 from their 20 overs. (BBC Sport)

1-0-10-0, KJ O'Brien 4-0-172, SR Thompson 1-0-5-0

Ireland innings (target: 83 runs from 14.2 overs) WTS Porterfield* not out 33 PR Stirling retired hurt 8 EC Joyce c Khurram Khan b Sharif Asadullah 43 KJ O'Brien c Shetty b Sharif Asadullah 0 AD Poynter b Amjad Javed 4 GC Wilson† not out 1 Extras (lb 2, w 7, pen 5) 14 Total (3 wickets; 14.2 overs) 103 Did not bat: SR Thompson, MC Sorensen, AR Cusack, GH Dockrell, TJ Murtagh Fall of wickets: 0-15* (Stirling, retired not out), 1-95 (Joyce, 12.3 ov), 2-96 (O'Brien, 12.6 ov), 3-101 (Poynter, 13.6 ov) Bowling: Sharif Asadullah 3-0-21-2,

World Twenty20 Group B, Sylhet

Steyn and du Plessis doubts for SA

SZimbabwe innings (target: 141 runs from 20 overs)

H Masakadza b Seelaar 43 Sikandar Raza c Seelaar

b Jamil 13

BRM Taylor*† c Borren b van der Gugten 49

E Chigumbura c Borren

b Seelaar 0

SC Williams run out (Jamil) 26

V Sibanda not out 9

T Maruma not out 0

Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 4) 6

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 146

Did not bat P Utseya, T Panyangara, TL Chatara, N Mushangwe

Fall of wickets 1-25 (Sikandar Raza, 4.3 ov), 2-87 (Masakadza, 13.3 ov), 3-87 (Chigumbura, 13.5 ov), 4-126 (Taylor, 18.1 ov), 5-140 (Williams, 19.5 ov)

Bowling: Mudassar Bukhari

4-0-26-0, T van der Gugten

4-0-22-1, MAA Jamil 4-0-301, LV van Beek 3-0-32-0, PW Borren 2-0-12-0, PM Seelaar 2-0-9-2, TLW Cooper 1-0-13-0

outh Africa’s T20 captain Faf du Plessis and pace spearhead Dale Steyn are in doubt for the team’s opening World T20 match against Sri Lanka on Saturday. The pair both have hamstring injuries which kept them out of South Africa’s final warmup match against Pakistan on Wednesday. A final call on their availability will be taken on Saturday afternoon, shortly before the match.

Steyn mildly aggravated the right hamstring strain he suffered during the third Test against Australia in South Africa’s first practice match against Bangladesh

A yesterday. Steyn bowled 2.2 overs before leaving the field and has since been receiving treatment. This follows a 10-day recovery period after Steyn initially sustained the injury on the first day of the Test. Then, he bowled 10.1 overs

before being unable to continue and took no further part in the first innings effort. Steyn bowled three overs in the second innings but was left out of the T20 series against Australia to complete his rehabilitation programme.

In a press release CSA said Steyn “will continue to receive treatment from the physiotherapist to give him the best chance of recovery for the opening match.” When the South African squad left for Bangladesh last Saturday, their team manager Mohammed Moosajee was hopeful Steyn would be ready for the warm-up match and even more optimistic he would play the first match. They are less confident of du Plessis appearing in their first game. The captain did not play in the Bangladesh A game at all and is a “5050 chance” for the Sri Lanka match. (Cricinfo)

Jagan memorial cycling hits Essequibo on Sunday

By Avenash Ramzan

The Essequibo Coast roadways will be buzzing with activity on Sunday when the third and final leg of the Cheddi Jagan memorial cycling trilogy is staged from 09:00 hrs.

After successful events in West Demerara and East Berbice, the organisers are hoping for a triumphant end to the 2014 races with the country’s leading riders set to face the starter’s orders.

National coach and chief organiser Hassan Mohamed told this publication on Wednesday that all systems are in place for what is anticipated to be a competitive day of cycling.

“As we speak, everything is in place for Sunday

and this will be the seventh year the event will be held in Essequibo,” he pointed out.

When action pedals off at Supenaam, then proceed to Charity and return to Anna Regina for the finish, participating riders will aim to join Michael Anthony and Alanzo Greaves as winners of the 2014 races.

Anthony copped both the senior and junior titles on the first leg on the West Demerara, while Greaves pipped Paul deNobrega in a tight sprint finish to cop the East Berbice race.

Come Sunday, deNobrega will look to go one step further and retain the senior title he won last year in Essequibo in a time of two hours, 17 minutes, 59 sec-

onds (02h: 17m: 59s).

However, he will face stiff competition from Greaves, Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Marlon Williams, Godfrey Pollydore, Orville Hinds, Robin Persaud and Anthony, among others.

Raul Leal, who recently resumed competitive cycling after being involved in an accident, won the junior division last year, while the experienced Kennard Lovell was the champion of the veteran’s race.

Julio Melville and Hazina Barrett copped the mountain bike and female categories, respectively.

While the senior and junior riders will go the full distance, the veteran, female and mountain bike riders

will start at Anna Regina, head to Charity and then return to the starting point for the finish.

According to Mohamed, “transportation for cyclists and officials only” will leave the National Sports Commission’s office on Middle Street at 05:00 hrs on Sunday morning.

The race is being sponsored for the seventh year in succession by El Dorado Trading and S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services.

Representatives of the company and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic will send the cyclists off from the starting point and will assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.

Kraft Junior Skill Level Tournament…

Harding continues to impress

Makeda Harding made her presence felt once again on the opening night of the Kraft Junior Skill Level tournament sponsored by Toucan Industries and organised by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its most loyal corporate sponsor, Digicel Guyana.

Coming off her breakout tournament victory of Category ‘A’ of the Bounty Farm Mash Handicap event, Harding continues to show significant improvements to her game. On Tuesday night, Harding, who is just 11-years old, secured a resounding 118,11-3,11-6 win against Sarah Lewis, one of the top contenders in Category ‘C’ of this skill level formatted tournament.

Harding’s precision and consistency in her serve gave her a lethal edge that Lewis could not recover from. Rather than volley Harding’s lob serves, Lewis chose to take them off the back wall, but that approach almost never worked in her favour.

Harding rode those quick points off her serves

for the early advantages, and sustained them during the game with an impressive variation of straight drives, lobs and cross-court shots.

In Category ‘D’, Demetrius DeAbreu completed a remarkable comefrom-behind win to sink Dominic Collins in five games. After losing the first two games 10-12 and 8-11, DeAbreu won three straight games 11-4, 11-1, 11-9.

Michael Ramroop also managed to come back from early leads in the first and second games to sweep Jael Gaskin 12-10, 11-9, 11-7.

Anthony Islam defeated Savannah Mendes 119, 11-2, 11-9, while Gianni Carpenter beat John Phang 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 115.

The Kraft Junior Skill Level tournament will continue each night this week, beginning at 18:00 hrs and it will be concluded on Sunday. The tournament is expected to heat up with action in seven different skill categories among 36 players entered in this year’s tournament.

GCC, Old Fort win fund-raising hockey tournament

The Guyana national men’s hockey team held it’s latest fund-raiser last Sunday at the GCC ground, Bourda, in the form of the DeSinco Trading Degree Antiperspirant Brands five-a-side one-day tournament. The day’s activities were well supported by all the clubs, as players

brought out their families for a day of fun and entertaining hockey. As expected, the GCC combination of Tiffany Solomon, Sonia Jardine, Aliyah Gordon, Sandy Roopnarine and Princessa Wilkie dominated the Ladies’ competition and played undefeated throughout to take home the title.

The Men’s competition was much more competitive with GCC’s Orange edging the Hikers’ Greens in a penalty shoot out to earn the right to face Old Fort’s Reds in the final.

Although the final was closely contested in the early exchanges, with the score being tied at 1-1 just

before half time, the second half was completely dominated by Old Fort as their exciting young duo of Omar Hopkinson and Shaquille Thomas combined to play intelligent, mature hockey and help their side to the 4-1 victory. This is the latest in several fund-raisers planned by the na-

tional men’s team in their effort to participate in the 2014 Indoor Pan American Cup scheduled for Uruguay from April 7-13. The team will be depending heavily on corporate sector support to supplement their fund-raising efforts in order to make their participation possible.

Fernandes topples former world champion again

– “I told myself to go in there and be a lion”

Guyana’s world renowned squash sensation Nicolette Fernandes pranced into the second round (last 16) of the main draw at the Women’s Squash Association’s (WSA) 29th Women’s World Championships in Penang, Malaysia, on Tuesday.

To get there, Fernandes once again completed an emphatic come-from-behind win against former world number one Rachael Grinham of Australia (4-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7).

Grinham, who won the Women’s World Title in 2007, won the first two games of the gripping encounter 11-4, 11-6. Fernandes found her-

self in perilous, but familiar circumstances against the current world number 15, but unleashed her aggressive side- her inner lion- to take control of the match.

Fernandes, who is currently ranked 20th in the world, was interviewed following her match and had this to say about her unbelievable comeback.

“The game changer, you guys will probably laugh, but I told myself to go in there and be a lion. I was too passive before and I needed to be more in it and be an animal on court.” Fernandes said according to Thatsquashthing.tumblr. com.

Utilising her animal instincts, Fernandes captured the third game 12-10 before completing the dramatic victory with stunning back-to-back wins in the fourth and fifth games 11-8 and 11-7 respectively. The match lasted an hour and three minutes.

Fernandes had previously defeated the former world champion Grinham in December 2012 in the first round of the main draw of the Women’s World Squash Open in Cayman Islands.

Coincidentally, Fernandes had lost the first two games and strangely enough, she had also won the third game by the

score 12-10. Fernandes was ranked 48th in the world at that time. The 37-yearold Grinham had been celebrating a milestone as she made her debut at the World Championships 20 years ago.

In the second round of the main draw (last 16), Fernandes will face France’s 24-year old, six-time national champion Camille Serme today. Serme is currently ranked number six in the world and has played Fernandes a few times in the past.

The two met at the Kuala Lumpur Open in Malaysia March 2013 and Serme had prevailed in straight games.

NSC to host LifeGuard Training & Certification Course

The National Sports Commission (NSC) in collaboration with the Canadian Life Saving Society will stage the second Life-Guard Training & Certification Course during July/August of this year at the National Aquatic Centre.

Patrick D’Almada, Head Trainer of the Canadian Life Guard Association will conduct the training programme.

Interested persons and organisations are invited to attend a pre-training session at the National

Aquatic Centre on March 29 from 16:00-18:00hrs, during which further information will be given.

Registration forms can be uplifted from the National Sports commission, 91 Middle Street, Georgetown, during working hours. For further information contact can be made with Stephanie Fraser on 661-0100, Karen Pilgrim on 660-4289, 225- 1553 or the National Sports Commission on 226-6247, 225-6340.

Smith, Bravo, carve...

By Rajiv Bisnauth

As turfites get ready for the highly anticipated excitement of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) post-Phagwah horse-race meet slated for the club’s Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne headquarters on Sunday, the organisers are working assiduously to ensure that all the logistics are in place for an exciting and quality event.

Towards this end, Ganesh Spare Parts under the BKT Agricultural and Industrial Tyres and Sissons Paints, on Wednesday came on board with a lucrative sponsorship package.

Organiser of the event and president of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard, received a cheque for $250,000 which will go towards the first prize for the ‘I’ and Lower event.

General Manager Roop Persaud made the presentation at the company’s subsidiary outlet located at 29-30 High and Princess Streets, Georgetown.

Persaud, speaking shortly after the presentation, said the company was once again pleased to be supporting the club, adding that it was not the first time that the entity has benefitted from the company’s goodwill.

“Ganesh Spare Parts has been associated with the Kennard Memorial Turf Club for several years and the continued sponsorship symbolises that ongoing relationship and recognition that the “King of Sports” is a part of the sporting mosaic in Guyana,” Persaud said. Kennard, in his response, thanked the company for their continued support to-

wards the horse racing industry, reminding that not only his club benefits from their generosity, but almost the entire sporting fraternity.

Kennard stated that the meet will be of a high standard, especially since the majority of the country’s top horses will be participating.

Eight races are billed for the day with over $6 million in prizes to be distributed.

The feature attraction will be the ‘A’ and Lower Class over a distance of six furlongs. The top prize is $1 million, while the secondplaced finisher will receive $500,000. Horses that place third and fourth will receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.

The other six-furlong races are the D3and Lower, ‘I’ and Lower, ‘J1’ and Lower and Three-yearold for Guyana-bred horses.

The winners of those four races will pocket $400,000, $250,000, $200,000 and $250,000 respectively.

The ‘G’ and Lower race offers a first prize of $300,000, while the Three-year-old event for Guyana and West Indies- bred horses has a top prize of $400,000. Both races will last a distance of seven furlongs.

The final race of the day is for J3 and Lower horses for a top prize of $150,000 over five furlongs.

The race is being conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and, according to Kennard, those rules would be rigidly enforced.

Admission to the venue is $1200 for adults, $600 for children, while parking ticket and programme cost $300 each. Race time is 12:20hrs.

However he could not complete his hat-trick because of a no-ball.

Earlier, Dwayne Smith gave the West Indies a flying start by powering his way to a top score of 60 after Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to field first.

Smith, who cracked eight fours and two sixes, compiled a quick-fire 47 with Chris Gayle who was the first to go for 12 in the sixth over.

West Indies were at one stage reduced to 55 for two as Andre Fletcher went for eight, but a third wicket partnership between

Smith and Bravo brought the Caribbean cricketers back on course.

Bravo scored 43 runs off just 31 balls; but the Windies lost momentum when Lendl Simmons fell for 10.

However Skipper Darren Sammy came to the crease and blasted 30 runs off 14 balls, including one four and two sixes, to take the score to 172 for five.

On Tuesday, West Indies crushed England in their first official warmup match of the World T20 tournament. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies innings (20 overs maximum)

DR Smith lbw b Prasanna 60

CH Gayle c NLTC Perera b Herath 12

ADS Fletcher lbw b Herath 4

DJ Bravo c Jayawardene b Lakmal 43

LMP Simmons c Chandimal

b Mendis 10

DJG Sammy* not out 30

AD Russell not out 2

Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 3, nb 3) 11

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 172

Did not bat: D Ramdin†, R Rampaul, SP Narine, SS Cottrell, MN Samuels, K Santokie, J Charles, S Badree

Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Gayle, 5.4 ov), 2-55 (Fletcher, 7.5 ov), 3-104 (Smith, 12.6 ov), 4-129 (Simmons, 16.1 ov), 5-154 (Bravo, 18.5 ov) Bowling: AD Mathews 2-014-0, KMDN Kulasekara 4-038-0, BAW Mendis 3-0-431, HMRKB Herath 4-0-20-2, S Prasanna 3-0-14-1, NLTC Perera

0.4-0-14-0, RAS Lakmal 2.20-16-1, TM Dilshan 1-0-8-0

Sri Lanka innings (target: 173 runs from 20 overs) MDKJ Perera c Charles b Badree 4 TM Dilshan b Bravo 43 DPMD Jayawardene c Narine b Rampaul 0 KC Sangakkara†

Limacol Caribbean Premier League 2014

Arthur and Nielsen to coach in Limacol CPL

Two former Australia coaches, Mickey Arthur and Tim Nielsen, will be part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (Limacol CPL) this year after the tournament confirmed the majority of the coaching positions.

Arthur, who was sacked from the Australia job shortly before the Ashes in England last July, will take charge of Jamaica Tallawahs while Nielsen will work with Antigua Hawksbills. Last year, for the inaugural tournament, Jamaica were coached by Paul Nixon and Antigua by Sir Viv Richards who this time will take on a mentoring role with the franchise.

Matthew Maynard, a former England assistant coach and Glamorgan coach, has been promoted to head coach of St Lucia Zouks having been the assistant last year and the positions are completed by Roger Harper (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Robin Singh (Barbados Tridents) and Simon Helmot (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel).

Nielsen said: “I was impressed by the standard of last year’s competition so I’m delighted to be involved in

Limacol CPL 2014. I’m looking forward to taking the reins of the Hawksbills and I hope that together with the rest of the coaching staff, and with the help of Sir Viv, who I am very excited about working with, we can take them to the trophy this time around.”

Tom Moody, the recently appointed Limacol CPL director of cricket, added: “We’re extremely pleased to have secured such a strong line up of talented and respected coaches for this year’s tournament. With their technical expertise along with the guidance from our legendary mentors, the standard of cricket this year is set to be higher than ever.”

In addition, some of the biggest names in the history of Windies cricket will lend their vast experience to the coaches and players in the Limacol CPL by acting as mentors – Sir Viv Richards, Antigua Hawksbills; Courtney Walsh, Jamaica Tallawahs; Desmond Haynes, Barbados Tridents; Gordon Greenidge, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel; Sir Curtly Ambrose, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Sir Andy Roberts, St Lucia Zouks. (Excerpt from Cricinfo and CPLT20)

Smith, Bravo, carve through Sri Lankans

Dwayne Bravo rocked the top order while Sunil Narine carved through the middle as defending World T20 champions West Indies humbled Sri Lanka by 33 runs in a warm-up match at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur here on Wednesday.

Narine grabbed four wickets to bury ambitions of recovery after Sri Lanka, chasing 173, were reduced to 18 for two in the fourth over until Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara attempted to rescue them with a 54-run third wicket stand that brought some stability to the scoring.

Opener Kusal Perera was dismissed cheaply by Samuel Badree and Mahela Jayawardene was sent back for a first-ball duck by Ravi Rampaul; but Dilshan and

Sangakkara repaired the damage to some extent before the beaten finalist in the 2012 tournament stumbled again. Bravo picked up three wickets including uprooting the stumps of opener Dilshan with a top score of 43 and Sangakkara.

Dilshan scored 43 off 36 balls, with six fours, while Sangakkara added 24 runs off 19 balls, with three fours, as the two brought the match to a crucial stage before Narine wreaked further havoc as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 139.

Bravo finished with figures of three for 29 while Narine topped the bowling with four for 24, including the scalps of Dinesh Chandimal (14) and Angelo Mathews (18) off successive balls.

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