Guyana Times Daily

Teen charged for Plaisance

14-yearold drowns while on Church camp at Orealla

Essequibo farmer harvests first batch of Kuroda carrot

Man allegedly beaten to death by stepson

Body builder in Friendship accident succumbs

Teen charged for Plaisance murder

John Hetsberger, 18, of Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown, was on Thursday arraigned for the murder of Jennifer Ann Mendonca, who was found dead in her home at Prince William Street,Plaisance, East Coast Demerara on Saturday last.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on August 9, he murdered Ann Mendonca. Hetsberger was remanded to prison by Magistrate Alex Moore when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

He will make his second court appearance on September 13.

Mendonca was found bound and gagged on her bed on Saturday evening last by her son moments after he returned home from work.

Guyana Times was told that based on Police intelligence, they managed to crack the case on Monday evening during continuous investigations.

A Police source confirmed that the teenager was taken into custody on Monday evening and during interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the heinous crime.

However, the teenager is well known to the now dead woman and her son, since they would call upon him to assist with chores in and out of the house.

Mendonca was found dead by her son after neighbours contacted him at his place of employment claim-

ing that their calls had gone unanswered.

He rushed home and found his mother’s motionless body lying on her back in her bed. Her mouth and hands were duct-taped, while her head was covered with a pillow.

On the night of the discovery which occurred at about 21:00h, he told media operatives that he last spoke to his mother in the day as she was preparing meals. The distraught son said that he works and she took care of the home and cannot come to grips with her death.

Initially, he said that there was indeed a feud between his family and his neighbours, and he thought that they were responsible for his mother’s death.

He recalled that about two weeks back, two men went into the home but he did not report the matter to the Police upon his mother’s persistence.

He also suggested that it was cold-blooded murder and the perpetrator removed a DVD player and jewellery to distract the Police as they carried out their investigation.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination was performed on the body of Mendonca and it gave her cause of death as asphyxiation due to strangulation and blunt trauma to the head.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary on Wednesday.

Students’ performance at CAPE dips slightly

Students’ performance in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) saw a slight decrease in the overall pass rates, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said.

Manickchand was at the time announcing the results of this year’s top performers at the National Centre for Education Research and Development (NCERD) building in Kingston, Geogetown.

She pointed out that this year there was an 85.07 per cent pass rate when compared to the 86.6 per cent recorded last year.

A total of 798 candidates wrote the exam, with 64 per cent being females. These students were from nine secondary schools and three private institutions. There were some 3465 subject entries.

Guyana offered 40 units at this year’s examination, of which 12 units saw candidates attaining a 100 per

cent pass rate, counting Grades One to Five. For 25 of the units, students se-

cured a pass rate of 75 per cent or higher with Grades One to Five. No unit recorded pass rate below 50 per cent.

For the first time, Digital Media was written and secured a 100 per cent pass rate.

The pass rate in Pure Mathematics remained steady at 58.59 per cent this year compared to 57.73 per cent the year before.

Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies recorded a pass rate of over 95 per cent. The top performers at this year’s CAPE examinations are Cecil Cox and Deowattie Narine. The two Queens College students both secured Grade One passes in seven units.

Cox, who was among the country’s top 10 performers at last year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations with 16 Grade Ones, obtained seven Grade Ones at CAPE. Narine on the other hand gained two Grade Ones and five Grade Two.

The other outstand-

ing performers from QC are Andy Sattan, Prashant Shivdas, Kaleshwar Singh and Benedict Sukra ,all acquired two Grade Ones and five Grade Twos. Akeila Wiltshire secured six Grade Ones while Sasha Woodroffe obtained five Grade Ones.

Speaking to Guyana Times, Sattan said he was delighted when he received the news of his success at the examination. However, he said he had worked hard and was very pleased with the results. The aspiring Engineer is looking

to attend the University of Guyana to further his studies.

Shivdas, on the other hand, said he was not surprised when he heard the news as he too had worked hard and knew he would have succeeded. Wiltshire was also one of the top performers at last year’s exams. She had obtained 16 Grade Ones and one Grade Two.

Woodroffe was also delighted with her results, as she related to this publication that she was not ex-

pecting to do well since she had some difficulties with some subjects.

The young lady added that she will be going back to school to do CAPE before moving on to the University of the West Indies to further her education.

Meanwhile, Chaitram Mohamed of St Rose’s High School was able to acquire four Grade Ones and four Grade Twos from his eight CAPE subjects. Karran Singh also of St Rose’s High

also secured six Grade Ones and four Grade Twos.

Bai Shan Lin says it employs 151 Guyanese

Amid claims of discrimination in the rate payment to Guyanese, Chinese firm Bai Shan Lin on Thursday disclosed that it has some 151 locals on its payroll.

In a release, the company said for interior employees, most of the Guyanese salaries are payable by performance; in other words, the more you have worked, the more you will earn.

Making reference to truck drivers, the more trips a driver makes, a higher salary will be earned. For inventory staff, the same system applies. The higher amounts of inventory of blocks, a higher the salary of that employee will be.

For heavy machinery operators, the more cubic metre of logs skidded; a higher salary will be earned. However, most of

the salaries paid to interior staff by Bai Shan Lin are more than $60,000 per month.

For office/clerical staff, Bai Shan Lin has different categories of payment of varying staff positions; that is Cleaner, Supervisor, Manager, Deputy General Manager, Finance Controller, Managing Director, etc. But the minimum salary for the above

mentioned positions is at least $60,000 per month.

For contracting, Bai Shan Lin has the consultant doing ESIA, contracting for doing inventory blocks. However, those who are working for the contractors, will be paid by the contractors who are responsible for their salary payments. This category of workers also earns more than $60,000 per month.

$326M veterinary lab commissioned

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

With assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Government through the Agriculture Ministry on Thursday commissioned a $326 million Veterinary laboratory at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

With the rise in demand for meat products on the international market, Guyana has seized the opportunity to become equipped with the necessary tools that would ensure safe and healthy meat is exported. The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Dindyal Permaul during his presentation, said the laboratory is geared at protecting consumers from diseases transmitted by animals as well as protecting domestic agricultural products.

He said the brand new edifice is among an illustrious family of Agricultural entities, all designed to serve the growing need of the sector.

Numerous benefits Manager of the laboratory Dr Dane Hartley, told the gathering that there are numerous benefits that could be derived from the establishment of veterinary services laboratories.

Based on a UN report, Dr Hartley revealed that by the year 2050, the world would need 70 per cent more food than it currently produces and consumes. He said that while Guyana can boast about being a “food- secured” country, there still remains an urgent responsibility for it to assist other nations in meeting their nutritional needs.

He said whenever food

leaves the shores of one country for another, citizens of the receiving country would want to be confident that the meat is of optimum health and value.

He said the establishment of the laboratory gives this assurance “through systematic monitoring of the health status and diseases, demonstrating that our livestock is of equal quality as everywhere else”.

The laboratory he fur-

South America, by facilitating research and other educational and scientific activities.

Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Ali Baksh, said Government has already spent over $300 million to further develop the agricultural potential in the country.

The establishment of the new laboratory, he noted, will assist in scientific research, an important com-

ther stated benefits the GLDA in the most significant way, highlighting that it has now created the environment that will see the meat being exported in considerably larger quantities.

Through the GLDA, the laboratory serves as a contributing factor in supporting livestock farmers and all those who form part of the continuum which extends to the wider world. The laboratory he noted too will also serve as a network of the veterinary laboratories within the Caribbean and

ponent to the sector. He said the Ministry is also seeking to involve all other ministries and sections of the society to take advantage of the services offered by the Ministry, especially in areas of scientific research.

He pointed out that Guyana is very fortunate not to be plagued by diseases such as the “Foot and Mouth diseases, among the animals, which gives the country optimum freedom to export the meat”.

Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar has said

that persons need to change the face of the agricultural sector, since it is the basis of one’s livelihood.

President Ramotar said many persons are still embracing the notion that being involved in agriculture is reserved for the poor and uneducated. According to him, Guyana, like many other Caribbean countries, depends on agriculture for its livelihood.

Vehicle out of poverty Agriculture, he said, has been able to take many people out of poverty worldwide.

He cited the role the sector plays for countries such as China, which has had some major food challenges.

“They have taken more people out of poverty than probably the rest of the world put together. And it means that it is the demand. Right now, there is more and more demand for meat and meat products in places like China and South Africa that are coming out of poverty and can afford to have more proteins in their meals.”

He said with Guyana being an agricultural country, it should strive to take advantage of such opportunities.

The Head of State, who was at the time delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony of the GLDA’s Veterinary Laboratory at Mon Repos, said with Caricom countries spending close to US$4 billion every year on food importation, it gives an idea of the great potential of agriculture for Guyana, should it participate in the market, both regionally and internationally.

The commissioning ceremony came to an end with the unveiling of the plaque and a tour of the spanking new facility

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

Blurred lines

Adangerous trend is developing in Guyana where there is a blatant and clear misuse of the notion of press freedom for personal attacks on businesses, public officials, foreign investors, and organised interest groups. It is becoming evident that sections of the media are engaging in yellow journalism, libel and slander, and political campaigning.

Each media house is entitled to its own editorial position and may endorse various political groups. It is, however, unacceptable when news reports lack balance and credibility or are engaged in the proliferation of concoctions.

These same sections of the media believe, by virtue of their reporting that they are acting in the public’s interest when they take on the roles of the investigative detective, judge, jury and executioner. The truth is that they are doing a major disservice to the populace and are in breach of the basic tenants of journalism.

Despite this, some media outfits continue to be in denial about their hidden agendas. They turn a blind eye to the valid objections being raised by businesses, Government and civil society about their abuse of the notion of press freedom and their positions of influence as they seek to grind axes.

It appears that there is an acceptance in Guyana that the news must no longer be factual and, consequently, there are too often blurred lines between pursuing and inventing truth.

In addition, some media houses appear comfortable even when sued for the deliberate distortion and misinformation disseminated by their establishments with the aim of injuring and bringing into disrepute the reputations of hard working patriotic Guyanese businesses, investors, officials and young professional public servants.

The media here, no doubt, believe that somehow issuing retractions and minor corrections usually will suffice for the damage and harm of their actions. This is most worrying, because the notion of responsible journalism and confirming information as far as possible appears to have been thrown out the window.

Unfortunately, civil society, these investors and other stakeholders do not have the luxury of having mechanisms or associations in place that will be bold enough to upbraid the media in a fair and independent manner when media practitioners violate their rights.

These stakeholders cannot issue a call for media houses to be sanctioned for the spread of deliberate misinformation, but are wholly dependent on a court system which takes an inordinately long time to hear and determine matters where stakeholders and people are alleging that the actions of media have caused much harm.

No media house is empowered by the Constitution of this country to pursue and attempt to punish people because of their perceptions of the actions of those people. No media house should feel comfortable profiting from the earnings of articles and broadcasts that are wholly skewed, untrue and part of revenge plots.

There is urgent need to advance legislation aimed at strengthening Guyana’s libel and defamation laws, in light of this new media trend. Some form of regulation is needed to ensure that, apart from the courts, there is an independent entity that can hear and determine complaints against media for their excesses.

No one is in agreement with censorship but there is a clear need for the media to be held accountable, as it would appear that self regulation is not working as it should. A look at the news pages of some media houses and the number of lawsuits filed against them would prove that this position is worthy of consideration.

In the end, the victors must be the victors and they must be afforded the opportunity to benefit from the dissemination of wholesome, true, unbiased and professional journalistic practices. Anything else cannot be accepted or tolerated.

If we do otherwise, then we become part of the problem and are in full support of this new form of uncivil, excessive, irresponsible and revengeful journalism that is trending.

Someone must draw the line.

All forest operations are in compliance with Guyana’s laws

Dear Editor,

The operation of the ForestRY Sector of Guyana is governed by the Forest Act 2009 which clearly prescribes the legal requirements of various aspects of forest operations in Guyana. One of such requirements allows holders of State Forest Exploratory Permits to engage in limited commercial harvesting to a maximum of 25 per cent recoupment of exploratory cost.

According to the Act, where no percentage is prescribed (25 percent), the Commission may on application grant an exploratory permit to any person to carry out exploratory operations within specified areas of State Forest with a view to applying for a concession in respect of that area or any part of it.

The Commission may also grant permit to cut and take specified kind and quantities of forest produce from that exploratory areas for testing, research and limited commercial purposes to the extent necessary to recoup no more that the appointed percentage of the cost and expenses (excluding capital expenditure) incurred in the exploratory operations during the life of the permit. All forest operations in Guyana are in compliance with this

legal provision.

The Laws of Guyana allow for the formation of commercial relationships in the form of Partnerships, Joint Ventures, mergers and acquisitions, etc. The Forest Act 2009 stipulates in Sections 15 and 16 that if a company which has been issued a forest concession wishes to engage in any type of such relationship they must first seek the approval of the Commission and follows a standard process.

Bai Shan Lin, IN accordance with the legal provisions of Sections 15 and 16 of the Forest Act 2009, has established Joint Ventures with the following local forest operators: Haimorakabra Logging Company, Kwabanna Wood Products Inc, Puruni Wood Products Limited, and Wood Associated Industries Company Ltd (WAICO).

Bai Shan Lin is also working with small and medium size operators in the area of equipment support through rental agreements. This form of cooperation enables small loggers, who may not have the level capital resource capability to allow maximum sustainable utiliSation, to be able to do so. This contributes to the boosting of the sustainable livelihoods at the communi-

ty level.

These arrangements have benefited both the local partner and the investor, and by extension the forest sector and it allows for the maximiSing of synergies from such partnerships.

Guyana’s National Log Export Policy does not prevent the exportation of logs, but established the framework within logs can be exported from Guyana. The forestRY sector has in place a graduated scale of export commission computed on the free on board export price for logs.

These prices are continuously revised taking into consideration local and international market rates. The Log Export Policy consists of schedules A and B and can be accessed at the GFC’s website.

These rates are among the highest rates in the world in tropical timber producing countries. Attention is drawn to the species of Wamara which attracts a rate of 15 per cent. Prior to 2009, the rate for all species of logs was two per cent.

Additionally, this has been of significant benefit to local operators at small and medium size level whose concession may not have an abundance of the traditional commercial species such as Greenheart and Purpleheart.

Guyana’s forestry sector is operating at 30-40 per cent of the maximum sustainable annual production level. This trend has been recorded for the past decade and continues to be the case to date.

Bai Shan Lin’s operation is in keeping with the maximum sustainable level set for the allocated concessions.

Over the past 10 years, the range of production and timber was 308,000m3 to 502,500m3. This can be compared to the annual maximum sustainable level of 1,600,000m3 and represents one third of the maximum sustainable level.

Harvesting of forest products, such as logs, have a significant remaining room for expansion given that the current level is far below the maximum sustainable allowable production.

Many of these species such as Wamara were only five years ago, deemed as Lesser UtiliSed Wood species. However, with emerging markets in India and China for these species, they are now harvested in commercial quantities and have expanded the species utilisation of Guyana.

Opposition must cleanse itself from bitterness

Dear Editor,

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) commends Minister Irfaan Ali and his hard working team at the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry for successfully staging the first ever Guyana Festival.

This visionary initiative not only provided a platform to display our diverse culture, sport and arts, but served as another opportunity for all Guyanese to harmoniously preserve and celebrate the rich traditions brought to these shores by our fore parents.

Our party is extremely heartened by the tremendous unity demonstrated by the camaraderie and harmonious atmosphere created by the thousands who flocked the venue to be part of this historic initiative.

Indeed this event signals another manifestation of our nation’s characteristic trait of warmth and hospitality. All of our people must also be commended for the role they have played in nurturing a true Guyanese identity and remaining steadfast as one people, of one nation, with a common destiny.

National tolerance has been the beacon for national harmony. This has been manifested through various means including the arts, and has transcended all boundaries despite our multicultural, multireligious and multiethnic genome.

In fact, tolerance has been the bedrock of our nation’s advancement pre and post Independence. Events like the Guyana Festival have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that gains can be achieved when working in cohesion for a common objective.

It is in this context that our party urges the Opposition to be cognisant of what can be derived from meaningful engagements. Guyana and its people must not be deprived of a bright future through the creation and securing of jobs and improving their lives through transformative projects.

Our party, since its establishment, has proven its commitment to improving the lives of all Guyanese. This holds true for us while we were in the Opposition and since we have been in Government since 1992. History and the overwhelming evidence in every Region of our country can so testify.

The Opposition must genuinely muster the resolve to be true to its campaign promises to work assiduously for the betterment of the lives of all Guyanese. Also the Opposition must muster the resolve to cleanse themselves from the obsession with petty, partisan and vindictive policies,

to adopt a more positive approach that would bring our people more economic benefits.

While there will be differences and disagreements, the bigger picture of success as a nation must always be the focus.

Our party urges the Opposition to reflect on the true meaning of success with the holding of the Guyana Festival and other similar events which have served to bring our people together.

The Opposition must be reminded that despite the atrocities perpetuated on the nation by the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime, our party in the19741976 period provided critical support to the then PNC Government in the interest of the nation and the Guyanese people.

In this regard, the PPP/C has proven its commitment time and again to putting the nation and the welfare of its people first. We supported the progressive measures the then Government initiated on a number of issues notwithstanding our policy and critical support.

We believe that despite being in the Opposition there must be a genuine commitment to discharge responsibilities for fostering the welfare and wellbeing of our people and nation. This begs the question: Why can’t the Opposition, notwithstanding the competitive political atmosphere resolve to be cooperative for the betterment of the nation in general and its support in particular?

This is what every citizen especially its supporters must ask the Opposition Leader. Why can’t they put the nation first just as the PPP did and continues to do? The Guyanese people of this nation deserve nothing less. The politics of using their combined one-seat majority to hold the nation to ransom would only continue to hurt Guyanese.

Every Guyanese, including the supporters and members of APNU and the AFC would benefit from cheap and reliable electricity from the Amaila Falls Hydro Project and the modern healthcare that the Specialty Hospital would offer.

As visionary projects are introduced, they are premised on continuously improving the lives of all Guyanese. Unfortunately, the Opposition has proven that with its combined oneseat leverage, it is about what they want and not what they are prepared to support for the benefit of the people of Guyana.

The Opposition has only given lip-service to working for the betterment of

Guyanese. The question that must be asked is what has happened to Granger’s call for a “social contract”?

Coupled with the fact he now touts “one nation” at the same time divides the nation by holding it to ransom.

We call on the Opposition to be truthful to the oath of working for a better Guyana and stop infecting the nation with bitterness and divisions. We urge them to work together in unity to achieve the common goal of a brighter future for all. This can only be achieved through the building of confidence and trust so that Guyanese can develop a sense of assurance that the Opposition is truly concerned about their welfare. We have achieved confidence and trust in our diverse culture, sport and other aspects of social life in Guyana. The Opposition has an opportunity to join and build trust for our nation’s future.

The PPP/C-led Government has restored confidence in the nation and for its future. The economy continues to grow despite global challenges and investors have demonstrated their confidence in Guyana.

We welcome the confidence shown in the arts through the Guyana Festival. Our country needs more activities like these to bring our people together. We once again would like to commend the organisers and hope that the Guyana Festival would become a permanent fixture in the country’s cultural landscape in the future.

Respectfully, Freedom House, PPP/C

Selwyn Pieters is still out of touch

Dear Editor, I refer to the letter written by Attorney Selwyn A Pieters, practising in Canada, published in your newspaper of August 13, headlined, “Objection was misplaced”.

Pieters is still out of touch as he is now saying that I had objected to the standing of the GTUC. This is highly erroneous.

In another letter, his complaint was that in his absence I could not enquire of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) about the attendance of Lincoln Lewis, his accredited witness, to testify. The CoI was discussing the attendance of witnesses for the period up to October. I also enquired about Donald Rodney, Cecil “Skip” Roberts, and Major General Norman McLean,

among others.

Pieters, recognising the paucity of his contention, now attempts to move the goal post. The claim to the wide powers of his standing in the CoI, confirms the correctness of my position to ask about the attendance of any witness accredited by the CoI.

Pieters’s ignorance of our procedures in Guyana is again manifest in his contention that some “imagined” objection was summarily dismissed by the three members of the Commission.

In Guyana, such summary dismissal as alleged must have been based on a prior application or submission by counsel to the CoI. I made no such application or submission to the Commissioners.

All forest operations...

Logging activities in Guyana are guided by strong forestry guidelines, such as the Code of Practice for Timber Harvesting. From previous and current studies of the forest sector, including annual assessment of forest area change, there has always been very low impact of logging activities on the forest.

This is evident in the most recent Monitoring and Reporting Verification System (MRVS) Report covering 2012 indicates that the forestry sector as a driver accounts for 240 hectares (ha) of deforestation and 113 ha of forest degradation, while Guyana’s total deforestation and degradation amounted to 14,655 and 1,963 ha respectively. These figures equate to 0.0013 percent of the total deforested and degraded land cover change in 2012 by the forestry sector.

This by no means is a compromise in commit-

At all material times I was motivated by a spirit of inquiry. Perhaps Pieters can get in touch and share with our readers what was my application to the CoI concerning him and his client that was dismissed.

Pieters’s attack was a complete surprise to me because of a conversation we had when he expressed a desire to have a certain benefit, which he was negotiating with an official of the CoI. In fact, I thought I was helping him, he having suddenly departed Guyana before the end of the session.

I am reminded at this time of Ezekiel Chapter 39:7 in the Holy Bible. “And I will not let them pollute my holy name anymore”

Yours faithfully, Basil Williams

from page 4

ment to the Agreement with Norway, as the forestry sector has been unable to meet its maximum sustainable level. Bai Shan Lin’s operations in the forest sector in no way adversely impact on the maintenance of the forest cover in Guyana.

The GFC has in place a wide network of monitoring outposts that allows for effective real time monitoring of forest operations. The GFC also has a complement of high caliber field staff that has the relevant resources to effectively monitor forest operations countrywide.

Specifically in Region 10 area, the GFC has several Monitoring Stations, some of which are in operation 24 hours a day: Linden, Ituni, Kwakwani, Bissaruni, Hururu, Haimorakabra,

Kurunduni, WAICO, and UNAMCO. Collectively, these stations are manned by 50 forest officers and accompanying support staff. More specifically, at Bai Shan Lin’s operations at Bissaruni, there are 10 resident forest officers and they are supported by the legality monitoring team that comprises approximately 12 forest officers. In addition period checks are done by the Internal Audit Unit of the GFC.

Altogether these help to ensure that there is strong forest legality and forest governance at the concession level, including at Bai Shan Lin.

Submitted by Guyana Forestry Commission

Page Foundation

Page Foundation

BY JANET LEHMAN

We often forget that children aren’t born with a built-in sense of respect for others. While each child has a different personality, all children need to be taught to be respectful. From birth, children learn to manipulate their world to get their needs met – this is natural. But it’s our job as parents to teach them respectful ways of doing this.

People wonder why children have gotten so much more disrespectful these days – we see children and teens arguing with adults (or ignoring them outright), using foul language, copping an attitude, and not using manners or respecting those in authority. Sadly, this has become the norm for many children and teens. In my opinion, it really is a different world right now than the one we grew up in. Movies, music, video games and television all seem to glorify a disrespectful, angry, rude way of dealing with others. This means that in some ways we have to work harder as parents to teach our children to be respectful. Added to this is the fact that parents are also busier than ever before, which makes it much harder to respond immediately to our children. Let’s face it, it’s easier to let things slide when you’re worn out and stressed from working so hard.

Another phenomenon that has increased over time: Many parents have a hard time looking at their children in a realistic light. In some ways, our own parents were less defensive and more open to the fact that their children were not “perfect.” I can’t overstate how important it is to be willing to look at your children realistically, noting both their strengths and their areas

of weakness. This allows you to see inappropriate behaviour as it happens and address it – and not make excuses or ignore it.

So how can you change the culture in your own house if disrespectful behaviour is starting – or is already a way of life? Here are nine things you can do as a parent today to start getting respect back from your children.

Remember, your child is not your friend. It’s not about your child liking you or even thanking you for what you do. It’s important to remember that your child is not your friend – he’s your child. Your job is to coach him to be able to function in the world. This means teaching him to behave respectfully to others, not just you. When you think your child might be crossing the line, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Would I let the neighbour say these things to me? Would I let a stranger?”

If the answer is no, don’t let your child do it, either. Some day when your child becomes an adult, your relationship may become more of a friendship, but for now, it’s your job to be his parent: his teacher, coach and limit setter – not the buddy who lets him get away with things.

Catch disrespect early and plan ahead if you can It’s good to catch disrespectful behaviour early if possible. If your child is rude or disrespectful, don’t turn a blind eye. Intervene and say, “We don’t talk to each other that way in this family.” Giving consequences when your children are younger is going to pay off in the long run.

It’s really important as a parent if you see your child

being disrespectful to admit it and then try to nip it in the bud. Also, if your child is about to enter the teen years (or another potentially difficult phase) think about the future. Some parents I know are already planning how they will address behaviour as their ADD daughter (who is now 11) becomes a teenager. They’re learning skills to prepare for their interactions with her at a later time. This can only help them as they move forward together as a family.

Get in alignment with your mate. It’s so important for you and your mate to be on the same page when it comes to your child’s behaviour. Make sure one of you isn’t allowing the disrespectful behaviour while the other is trying to intercede. Sit down together and talk about what your bottom lines are, and then come up with a plan of action – and a list of consequences you might give –if your child breaks the rules.

Teach your child basic social interaction

sound old fashioned, but it’s very important to teach your child basic manners like saying “please” and “thank you.” When your child deals with her teachers in school or gets her first job and has these skills to fall back on, it will really go a long way. Understand that using manners – just a simple “excuse me” or “thank you” – is also a form of empathy. It teaches your children to respect others and acknowledge their impact on other people. When you think about it, disrespectful behaviour is the opposite, negative side of being empathetic and having good manners.

Be respectful when you correct your child. When your child is being disrespectful, you as a parent need to correct them in a respectful manner. Yelling and getting upset and having your own attitude in response to theirs is not helpful and often only escalates behaviour. The truth is, if you allow their disrespectful behaviour to affect you, it’s difficult to be

behaviour immediately. Use these incidents as teachable moments by pulling your children aside calmly, making your expectations firm and clear, and following through with consequences if necessary.

Try to set realistic expectations for your children around their behaviour. This may actually mean that you need to lower your expectations. Don’t plan a huge road trip with your children, for example, if they don’t like to ride in the car. If your child has trouble in large groups and you plan an event for 30 people, you’re likely to set everyone up for disappointment and probably an argument!

It’s important to remember that your child is not your friend – he’s your child. Your job is to teach him to be able to function in the world. This means teaching him to behave respectfully to others, not just you.

If you are setting realistic expectations and you still think there might be some actingout behaviours that crop up, set limits beforehand. For example, if you’re going to go out to dinner, be clear with your children about what you expect of them. This will not only help the behaviour, but in some ways will help them feel safer. They will understand what is expected of them and will know what the consequences will be if they don’t meet those expectations. If they meet your goals, certainly give them credit, but also if they don’t, follow through on whatever consequences you’ve set up for them.

Clarify the limits when things are calm. When you’re in a situation where your child is disrespectful, that’s not the ideal time to do a lot of talking about limits or consequences. At a later time you can talk with your child about his behaviour and what your expectations are. Talk about what happened afterward. If your child is disrespectful or rude, talk about what happened (later, when things are calm) and how it could have been dealt with differently. That’s a chance for you, as a parent, to listen to your child and hear what was going on with her when that behaviour happened. Try to stay objective. You can say, “Pretend a video camera recorded the whole thing. What would I see?” This is also a perfect time to have your child describe what she could have done differently. Don’t take it personally One of the biggest mistakes parents can make is to take their child’s behaviour personally. The truth is, you should never fall into that trap because the teenager next door is doing the same thing to his parents, and your cousin’s daughter is doing the same thing to her parents. Your role is to just deal with your child’s behaviour as objectively as possible. When parents don’t have effective ways to deal with these kinds of things, they may feel out of control and get scared – and often overreact or under react to the situation. When they overreact, they become too rigid, and when they under react, they ignore the behaviour or tell themselves it’s “just a phase.” Either way, it won’t help your child learn to manage his thoughts or emotions more effectively, and be more respectful.

Understand that if you haven’t been able to intervene early with your children, you can start at any time. Even if your child is constantly exhibiting disrespectful behaviour, you can begin stepping in and setting those clear limits. And children really do want limits, even if they protest loudly – and they will. The message that they get when you step in and set limits is that they’re cared about, they’re loved and that you really want them to be successful and able to function well in the world. Our children won’t thank us now, but that’s okay – it’s not about getting them to thank us, it’s about doing the right thing.

(Empoweringparents.com)

GECOM says Voters’ List “safe”

...but awaiting official report from PPP/C

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has defended its database and information management systems, saying that it is open to scrutiny from any political party with concerns.

This comes in the wake of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) levelling accusations that the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) is padded and promising to reveal this in a report to the commission.

The party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee made the claim on Wednesday at an emergency press conference held at Freedom House. According to Rohee, the party’s attention was drawn to some irregularities that were found in the PLE.

Irregularities

He explained that the irregularities with the names surfaced while checking the PLE for some communities, which are traditionally People’s National Congress Reform/ A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) strongholds. Rohee said from all indications, it appears as though the PLE is padded.

“GECOM needs to explain to the nation the surge amounting to 78,000 plus new registrants appearing on the PLE, whereas the pattern over the years has been approximately 11, 000,” he stated.

The General Secretary is demanding a complete breakdown of the new registrants and their areas of origin. These irregularities, he noted, came from Regions Four, Three and One.

He said the sudden spike in the numbers of registrants is worrisome to his party; hence, the need for them to do a house-to-house verification to find out where the additional names came from.

But, newly appointed Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Vishnu Persaud, told the Guyana Times that while he is defending the institution’s da-

tabase, he will not be responding to allegations of a “might be” nature.

Persaud in a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Thursday said that GECOM will await the report that is to be forwarded to them by the PPP/C before making any formal response to the allegations of list padding.

The DCEO said “in the interim, in the absence of any official report, I would safely say we stand by the accuracy of our systems” noting that GECOM is “open to any concerns about GECOM’s database by any political party.”

When questioned on what might have led to the increases in the areas mentioned by the ruling party, Persaud declined to comment in the absence of the report.

He however said that there are several factors to which the increases could be attributed in any given area over a particular period of time. He said that rises can be attributed to an “effective public education campaign” orchestrated by GECOM. Additionally, Persaud pointed out that the increase on the PLE could be because of increases in the issuance of Birth Certificates by the General Registrar’s Office.

Meanwhile, Leader of the APNU David Granger told Guyana Times that his party did not arrive at the same conclusion as the PPP/C.

He said that his party has

not colluded with GECOM to pad the lists for any given areas, noting that he does not find the increases in those areas to be odd. Only last week, Chairman of GECOM, Dr Steve Surujbally had dismissed an accusation of partiality made by PPP/C Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir.

Nadir during a radio interview had stated that the Chairman was being propelled by an Opposition agenda in his preparations for the hosting of elections in Guyana. In adhering to that particular agenda, Nadir said Dr Surujbally had ignored legitimate concerns of the Commission that would have been brought to the fore by PPP/C Commissioners on the board.

Nadir is quoted as saying: “Surujbally and the Opposition are preparing for a national election because they feel that the no-confidence motion will succeed… all plans are for national elections and I would say to Steve directly: you are preparing for national elections because you are driven by [an]Opposition agenda.”

Disappointing

He further explained that the statements made by Nadir are somewhat disappointing, noting that he is unaware of the reasons that would lead the former Minister to make such a statement in the public domain.

He said that “political elements should have over the years, because of his track record, be mature enough to cease such slander; they all know it’s not true. But I am not holding my breath on things to change; instead I’ve put on armour…”

On that note, Dr Surujbally challenged Nadir to produce evidence of the assertions that were made against him. He said that if Nadir can produce evidence of him voting in favour of any given political party at any time, then his accusations may have some validity.

Vaitarna says wood processing plant to be completed by year-end

Indian logging compa-

ny Vaitarna Holdings Pvt Incorporated has said that construction of its sawmill is near completion.

The company in a press release on Thursday said it expects that the project will be completed by yearend, but did not state when it would begin value added operations, instead of exporting raw logs.

According to reports, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud had said that construction the company’s mill would begin in the first quarter of 2014, but well into the third quarter.

However, physical construction had not begun.

But the company noted that initial work has commenced, which include the design for the facility. Vaitarna Holdings said an agreement was signed with a local design consultant on March 12 for the design of the facility.

The release said “the necessary design for the sawmill has been approved by management and we have floated tenders for the contractors”, noting that the design has since been finalised.

The company also refuted claims that it had failed to purchase machinery for

Linden Primo freed after accuser fails to attend court

The man who reortedly fired a shot during the recent chaotic Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has been freed after his accuser failed to show up to give testimony.

Linden Primo had the charge against him dismissed by Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond on Thursday, owing to the absence of his accuser.

Primo was charged with threatening behaviour. The allegation against Primo, 54, of 41 Farm Village, Mahaicony, was that on July 27, he used threatening behaviour to Alieshaw Barker, thereby resulting in a breach of the peace.

Primo is a security guard attached to the Mahdia Gold Corporation.

The Magistrate had released him on his own recognisance when the matter was first called. According to Police, the woman had alleged that she had gone to the auditorium at Congress Place when Primo whipped out a gun from his waist and pointed it in her di-

rection and allegedly discharged a round.

PNCR leaders had said that Primo was part of the security detail of the Returning Officer for the elections and he had responded by firing to prevent a stampede caused by delegates of Linden, who claimed that they were disenfranchised at the Congress.

He was nabbed moments before boarding a Caribbean Airlines Flight destined for the John F Kennedy International Airport.

Hours after the shooting at Congress Place, party leader David Granger told media operatives that the internal security of the PNCR has launched an investigation into the incident.

Party Chairman Basil Williams is on record as saying that the shot was fired in the air after there was a “situation” at one of the polling stations. He said someone was in “danger” of being trampled; hence, the unknown individual fired a shot into the air to disperse the crowd.

Williams told reporters that the shooter was in no way connected to the PNCR Administration. Guyana Times understands that the man was a member of the Returning Officer’s Team. In responding to the outcries, the guard took out his firearm and fired a single shot into the air.

the plant, pointing out that orders have been placed for two wood misers WM 4000 and other prerequisite machinery.

The company contended that the equipment would be shipped to Guyana once the structure of the building is nearing completion.

Vaitarna Holdings holds 737,814 hectares of forest, making it the second largest forestry concession holder in Guyana. The company is a subsidiary of the Coffee Day Group –based in India. Coffee Day, acquired the State Forest Exploratory Permit for 391,853 hectares of forest in 2010.

Still no word on probe into remigrant scheme

Almost two months after Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett had announced that a probe into, and review of, the Remigrant Scheme was underway by the Auditor General’s Office, there has been no update on the issue.

At present, the Auditor General’s Office is conducting an investigation into alleged scams involving senior Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials and some remigrants regarding the misuse of the scheme.

Some overseas-based Guyanese are apparently taking advantage of the scheme, whereby they are importing vehicles and personal effects into the coun-

try, but are not remaining to live in Guyana, as the scheme requires.

Birkett had told Guyana Times during an exclusive interview that the issue was duly noted and investigations were underway, which would see an end to the scam.

Rodrigues-Birkett said that initially, the probe was to look into that specific aspect of the alleged fraud, but she asked that it be widened to incorporate whether persons who applied and were granted re-migrant status, actually live here in Guyana.

The remigrant programme initiative seeks to create a framework for overseas-based Guyanese to

come back and make meaningful contributions to their birth land.

When the Guyana Times made attempts to contact the Auditor General Deodat Sharma, the efforts were in futility as numerous calls placed to Sharma’s cellular phone went unanswered.

A call placed to his office was answered and a message was taken by his secretary.

However, up to press time, Sharma did not respond.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been forced to revoke the re-migrant status of several persons under the programme.

The remigrant scheme is administered by the Foreign

Affairs Ministry in conjunction with the GRA.

The Ministry is responsible for determining and granting remigration status to applicants, while the GRA administers the tax exemptions under the act.

Under the remigrant scheme, a Guyanese who is 18 years and above, who has been residing legally overseas for a minimum of five consecutive years and is now returning to Guyana, can benefit.

Also, Guyanese students/ graduates who have attended or are attending a training institution and residing overseas for a minimum of four years and are now returning to Guyana, can also benefit.

Man remanded for escaping police custody

East Bank Demerara.

Appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday before Magistrate Ann McLennan, was 42-year-old man Ashley Blair who lives at Soesdyke,

It was alleged that on August 10, at Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden, the defendant was arrested for an indecent exposure charge. He later escaped from Police custody. There were no facts presented in court, however Blair pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded until September 11.

Construction worker granted bail on charge of causing death by dangerous driving

On Wednesday morning, a 39-year-old construction worker appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after being charged for causing death by dangerous driving.

The charge, which was read by Magistrate McLennan alleged that on February 16, at Marudi Public Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the defendant, Floyd Archer, drove vehicle PPP 9953 in a manner dangerous to the public, and caused the death of Jasmine Northen.

Archer, who resides at Lot 209 Yarowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden is a fa-

ther of three children ages five, eleven and a one-year-old. His fourth child is said to be on the way. The defendant was represented by Attorney Mark Conway.

According to the Attorney’s facts, on the day in question, his client was returning from Linden at around 22:00h when the light from an oncoming vehicle blinded him causing him to swerve on the road. As a result, he collided with a truck that was park at the road shoulder.

The Attorney added that the truck was involved in an accident and that was the reason it was parked on the roadway. He con -

tinued by saying that safety cones were erected but were covered, adding that his client claims he did not see them.

The Attorney assured the court that his client is not a flight risk. He backed his statement saying that the accident had occurred since February and Archer still comes to court to prove his innocence.

There were no objections to bail by Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones. The defendant was therefore granted bail in the sum of $500,000 and will return to court on October 21 where he will then face Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Dredge operator accused of fraudulent conversion, remanded

A47-year-old man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday in Magistrate Ann McLennan’s courtroom facing a fraudulent conversion charge.

The charge alleged that Franklin Peters, between September 1 and September 30, 2013 at Kamarang, Pataro River, was solely entrusted with three ounces, 12 penny weight of gold valued $1,040,000 and a 17 car-

at diamond valued $100,000; totalling in value $1,140,000 by the Virtual Complainant (VC) Hazel Patterson to deliver to Clive Obermuller.

Peters pleaded guilty before Magistrate Ann McLennan to the charge laid against him. Prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that Peters works with the VC in the interior as a dredge operator.

He said that on the day in question, Peters was entrusted by Patterson

to deliver the said materials to Obermuller since he was coming out of the back dam. He converted the said items to his own use and was never seen again until August 12 when he was confronted at the Stabroek Market by the VC accompanied with Police officers.

Magistrate Ann McLennan then sentenced him to three years imprisonment.

Man remanded for alleged illegal ammunition possession

At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday, Dwayne Wallis, 25, was remanded after he faced a charge of possession of an illegal firearm.

It was alleged that on August 10 at Georgetown, Wallis had in his possession one round of .32 live ammunition.

The defendant does not have a firearm or ammunition licence.

According to the facts read by Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones, the Police were carrying out a search and on the day in question, they saw the defendant driving a car. They stopped the defendant and conducting a search. While carrying out the search, they found a magazine and the ammo in a pocket under the steering wheel of the car. Further investigations were car-

ried out and the owner of the vehicle said that the defendant did not have any permission to use his car, hence it was further alleged that he stole the car. The defendant, who works at “Just Wash” car wash pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded until his next court date which is on September 15.

Eyew tness

The beat goes on...

...in

“democracy” tutelage

Even as the US’s “democracy” project in Iraq’s being rolled back by ISIS and in Egypt by the Generals, fractured in Ukraine, and under threat everywhere else, that great country isn’t going to be deterred from pushing its greatest export. The news that the PPP/C Government has finally come to its senses and seen the light is most welcome.

The US must understand that the PPP/C’s just slow when it comes to exotic American things like “democracy” and decaf coffee. (Have you tried to get the former in a PNC leadership election or the latter in any coffee shop??)

Our problems with democracy go way back. The British had to send out lagging boys from Eton and Harrow (not to mention Scottish and Irish overseers) to tutor us so we’d be ready to govern ourselves. White man’s burden and all that, old chap.

Trouble was, too many of us just couldn’t pick up the nuances of the concept of democracy. We were too literal. As Burnham explained, we just read what was “one the lines”. To be real democrats, you had to read “between the lines”. The PPP/C especially thought “one man-one vote” and “majority wins” meant just that. How naive!! One of the most misguided leaders leading Guyanese astray was Cheddi Jagan.

He thought just because he won the elections back in 1961 by the rules that were in place (the same rules that elected British Governments) this was “democracy”!! The British were about to go along with him – they figured he was just a bit misty-eyed and would wise up sooner or later to the real meaning of democracy. And that’s when the Americans first decided that the British Lion had just gotten too soft in the head (apart from losing its teeth) in Guyana. Their CIA recruited that exemplar of democracy Burnham (who’d read between the lines), changed the rules of the democratic game, and have us 28 years of democratic rule. But some Guyanese are “hard ears” – they went and elected Jagan again in 1992, under the new rules Burnham had written.

So now the US has to start all over again with us –this time using their IRI - the rules of the game have to be changed once again for “real democracy” here. Which means “NO PPP”! When will we get it?? Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!

...against the Chinese

Philip Bynoe wrote a factual and non-polemical riposte to the Muckraker’s hatchet job against Bai Shan Li and their operations in Guyana. Hey!! It’s not just Chinese – but all businesses that’ll try to maximise their profits. When the Canadians owned Demba and the Americans owned…?, did they do any different?? When the official policy of the PPP/C, the PNC and the AFC to develop our economy is to “attract” International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to invest, what’s going to be different in their modus operandi??

We must be vigilant in ensuring our laws are fair (to us at least) and firmly applied. And this is where, from what Bynoe’s revealed, the Muckraker’s been sensationalising the issue with its usual cavalier approach to the truth.

It has gone to the usual suspects in its Opposition stable to do the tag-team routine we all know so well. The Muckraker makes all kinds of outrageous claims and either Harmon of APNU or Ramjattan of AFC comments. One wonders if they’re even called!!!

The Opposition must come out clearly and make a statement as to where they stand on foreign investment. Broke as it is, it’s not going to come from the US. China’s US$4 trillion gonna talk.

...naked rice

The Essequibo Paddy Producers showed up in GT at the Sidewalk Cafe. Thank goodness, its President (and AFC’s Councillor) Naithram (one name) didn’t strip naked. With Mayor Green and the garbage, town people can only bear so much.

GECOM Chairman wants PPP/C to provide evidence of irregularities

The People’s Progressive Party civic (PPP/C) should provide evidence to support the claims made against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Chairman of the electoral body Dr Steve Surujbally has said.

The party, through its General Secretary Clement Rohee has levelled allegations against GECOM, claiming that the ongoing Claims and Objections period is flawed and filled with irregularities.

The party had late last month signalled its discontentment with the move by GECOM to move ahead with the Claims and Objections period, although some persons were not “properly registered”.

However, the GECOM Chairman during a telephone interview with Guyana Times Thursday evening said that Rohee’s claims need to be proven.

He said his experience with GECOM over the years has shown that political parties always claim that they are in receipt of evidence against such activities.

However, these are never shared. If this is done, he explained then all concerns could be addressed.

He said he is looking forward to receiving the infor-

mation, noting that that is the manner in which political parties should operate.

“If they see some anomaly, then they need to touch with GECOM, before you go on television or before you make a press conference,” he related, speaking about Rohee’s public claims.

The PPP/C has also raised concerns over the sharp increase of new registrants on the Voters’ List.

Since the commencement of this new cycle of Claims and Objections, there has been an increase from 11,000 to 78,000 persons on

the Voters’ List.

Dr Surujbally said the claims by the party gives the impression that in one Claims and Objections period the increase has only now begun. However, he clarified that it is far from the truth.

“It has been happening over years, over several cycles of continuous registration,” he said, noting that in the first three cycles, which began sometime in 2007, the figure had come up to over 50,000 and now several years later, it is at 78,000.

Explanation

One of the “immediate” explanations for this increase, Dr Surujbally noted is the decision by the Home Affairs Ministry to issue an increased number of Birth Certificates, “Tens of thousands of birth certificates over the last few years,” he claimed, continuing: “So one would expect that people would register now because they have their birth certificates.”

He said persons are also taking advantage of the Public Education Campaign by the electoral body. “We are having the brochures, the panel discussions; people know that they should be registering if they want to vote.”

Political parties are also mobilising their constitu-

ents, Dr Surujbally asserted, noting that it is obvious these activities would spur the interest of persons to be registered.

He went on to explain that there is the continuous migration of persons from riverain and rural communities to new housing schemes.

According to him, there were times when those persons were never registered because of the far- flung communities where they lived, but moving out to the coastland, they are taking advantage of the registration process.

Nothing to fear

Dr Surujbally said he has nothing to fear, but he stands by the accuracy and integrity of the National Register of Registrants, which will be entered into the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE), then to the revised Voters’ List, then the OLE.

GECOM had announced late last month, that beginning August 4, citizens would be allowed to visit GECOM offices around the country to make their Claims and Objections known.

Having raised objections over this, Rohee had later said that the party was concerned because Local Government Elections will involve only residents of voting age in the six municipalities and the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) around the country.

In this situation, the concern of the PPP/C-nominated Commissioners of GECOM and the party that 37,000 voters still have to be placed in constituencies must be publicly answered.

He explained that before the closure of the Sixth Cycle of Registration, the party had formally registered its concern to GECOM over the number of persons still to do transfers and had sought an extension of the cycle.

No-confidence motion put people in problems

Ever since de KFC talk bout no confidence, it look like two people start losin confidence. And is not only Rum Jhaat and de Nagga Man, although dem got no confidence. Is not even Green Jah and Green Bridge. Dem busy showin each other who more confident to be de leader.

It got another two who deh at a newspaper, one wukkin fuh de other. One gotta wood problem and de other gotta poll problem. De newspaper man start talkin bout other people wood and de Kissman seh de poll man from New York ain’t got no poll to show any body.

Nobody ain’t understand why one man would go after another man wood so hard. He show photos of the man wood. And dem wood was not any ordinary wood. He even rent a plane and fly just to see de man wood. Plus he send people in secret to tek photos of de man wood. He ain’t bother try to find out how de man come to get all that wood. All it show is that he had wanna talk bout de man wood. A reporter seh he offer de man some sweetie in exchange fuh some wood. But dem kinda wood is expensive wood. And no sweetie nor sweet talk can’t pay fuh proper wood.

De only conclusion is that de newspaper man gotta wood problem. Even a doctor seh so after he see de newspaper man. De problem is that he gotta problem wid anybody who got good wood. It got to be that he self ain’t got good wood, or nobody ain’t wanna see he wood.

A reporter seh de newspaper man shame of he own wood, and people who used to use he wood don’t ever want use it again. That means he wood ain’t gettin any use and old people know that tings whah don’t use fuh long does stop wuk.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And look out tomorrow fuh de Kissman who talkin bout de New York man poll.

Rescuers have intensified their search for the two men who remain missing after a Motor Tanker Swift Dolphin capsized off the Corentyne Coast in Guyana’s waters on Tuesday.

The vessel, which was sailing to Georgetown from Suriname, capsized around 21:10h about 49 nautical miles at St Andrew’s Point. The Captain and a crew member are still missing.

On Thursday, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) skyvan did a reconnaissance of the area. In addition, the Hampton Rose – a re-supply vessel -- was deployed to the area. It departed the Boat House, Stabroek Market at 14:30h and is expected to reach the site around 21:00h.

According to acting Harbour Master Michael Tennant, three surveyors, a diver and a GDF Coast

Guard officer are on board the Hampton Rose. Upon their arrival, they will mark the wreckage and scour the area for the missing men. Furthermore, Oldenboff, a bauxite company that operates out of the Berbice River has also dispatched a vessel to join the rescue exercise. Meanwhile, the two rescued crew, who are on board MV Joanna I, are expected to arrive sometime this evening at Port Georgetown.

There they will be met by MARAD and Coast Guard officials, members of the Guyana Police Force and a Government medical officer. The release stated that the Maritime Administration Department’s (MARAD) Search and Rescue Centre remains activated.

No conclusion has been arrived at as yet with respect to the fate of the missing men.

Guyana on high alert as Ebola threat deepens

The Health Ministry said it has already stepped up alertness to any threat of the deadly Ebola disease which broke out in West Africa some months ago.

The Ministry said following a meeting convened by the Director General of the World Health Organisation(WHO) with the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, all countries have been instructed to take certain steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

In Guyana, he said these activities have been “rolling out quietly over the past few weeks as the situation in Africa evolved and was analysed by the Ministry relying on the best guidance of the WHO”.

According to the Ministry, it has been closely following developments internationally and convened a meeting of its Emergency Response Committee and immediately strengthened and reinforced directives and measures already in place.

“The committee is, even as this release is being made, in the process of strengthening port health, surveillance and clinical systems.”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud has been instructed to immediately expand the realignment of human resource to support the unfolding effort and has also been instructed to keep the media updated.

Ebola is not airborne and can only be transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who has the disease.

Coordinated response

Meanwhile, the Ministry said in its statement after discussion and deliberation on the information provided at the August 6-7 meeting with the WHO Director, the committee advised that: The

Ebola outbreak in West Africa constitutes an “extraordinary event” and a public health risk to other states; the possible consequences of further international spread are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most at-risk countries.

As a result, a coordinated international response is deemed essential to stop and reverse the international spread of Ebola.

The committee made specific recommendations to three categories of countries: states with Ebola transmission – declare national emergency and put in place systems to respond to the outbreak; states with potential or confirmed Ebola cases and unaffected states with land borders with affected states – heighten surveillance; and put contingency plans into operation, strengthen monitoring and control measures

Besides, there should be no general ban on international travel or trade; restrictions outlined in these recommen-

dations regarding the travel of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases and contacts should be implemented.

States should provide travellers to Ebola affected and atrisk areas with relevant information on risks, measures to minimise those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure.

States should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD and, where appropriate, the capacity to manage travellers originating from known Ebola-infected areas who arrive at international airports or major landcrossing points with unexplained febrile illness.

Risk of exposure

The general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure. States should be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (eg health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola.

Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90 per cent.

It is one of the world’s most virulent diseases. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care.

During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick people and deceased patients.

The Ebola virus can devastate families and communities, but the infection can be controlled through the use of recommended protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.

Kaneville mason shot dead during robbery

Amason was on Thursday morning cold bloodedly gunned down in Ali’s Street, Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) by three men who attempted to rob him of his mobile phone and gold chain.

Dead is Mark “Baby Dodo” London, 24, of 252 Grove Squatting Area, EBD. He was reportedly shot once to the chest by one of the men who was armed with a handgun. According to information received, London and another friend, Keyland (only name given) were walking in Second Field when he was attacked by three men on bicycles, who demanded that he hand over his mobile phone and gold chain.

London reportedly put up a fight during which he was shot. As a result, he ran a short distance but subsequently collapsed and died on the roadway. The men did not succeed in relieving the man of the items.

After a few hours, his body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem. The Police have launched a manhunt for the three men who were seen escaping on pedal cycles.

Colis London, a brother of the dead man told Guyana Times that as he was heading home on Thursday morning, he saw his now dead brother and a friend walking towards the Grove Public Road.

He noted that moments after he reached home, he received a telephone call from a friend informing him that his brother had been shot.

He said at first, he was a little hesitant, claiming that he did not believe what he was told. He nevertheless rushed to the scene where he saw his

brother lying on the ground. He was already covered with a sheet and the Police were carrying out their investigation.

London related that from information gathered, his brother was attacked by three men who attempted to rob him, but was shot in the process. He added that his brother who was trying to escape,

ran a short distance and collapsed.

Persons in the neighbourhood said they recognised the young man running, holding onto his chest, but suddenly collapsed. Upon looking closely, they realised that blood was oozing from his chest.

After a few minutes, he stopped breathing, the woman said. They immediately contacted the Police who arrived on the scene after a few minutes. The friend with whom London was walking was being questioned by Police ranks.

In addition, Nicola London, a sister of the dead man said that her brother was a decent man and was surprised at the way he met his demise. While she was not sure what had occurred, she claimed that she was at home when she received the news of his death. She lives a short distance away from his home and from where the shooting took place. She recalled several days ago, her brother was threatened by someone who owed him money and he would have made a complaint to the Police. She was not sure if that matter had anything to do with his death, but is calling on the Police to investigate the matter thoroughly so that the culprit can be brought to justice.

“Baby Dodo” leaves to mourn his parents and siblings.

AFC expresses readiness for elections

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has declared its readiness in the event that any election is held after the passage of its no-confidence motion.

At the party’s weekly press conference on Thursday, General Secretary David Patterson said that the AFC’s preparedness can be seen in the fact that they submitted the no-confidence motion against the Government.

The AFC on August 7 tabled a motion of “Noconfidence” against the Government, which was first proposed by AFC ViceChairman Moses Nagamootoo and seconded by the party’s Executive Member, Catherine Hughes.

The General Secretary noted that a similar motion was presented to the Trinidad Parliament and was accepted and debated; hence, the AFC is confident that the same will prevail here with the support of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“Once the motion is approved, the possibility arises for the majority [of] members to request the Speaker to reconvene Parliament during the recess on a matter of public importance.

This option will not be exercised unless we [are] certain that all of the majority Opposition will be available to ensure the successful passage of our motion,” the party General Secretary explained.

Review

He added that should this happen, then the debate is likely to commence at the first sitting of the National Assembly after recess. Already, the Clerk of the National Assembly has reportedly completed reviewing the submissions and a ruling by the Speaker is expected soon.

Patterson went onto say that should the motion be passed, then the law stipulates elections be held within three months. He said that

his party tabled the motion and is therefore prepared to debate and pass the no-confidence motion.

The AFC’s General Secretary noted that while the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has proclaimed its readiness, the party will still need to be sure; hence, they have a meeting scheduled with officials of the Commission.

Meanwhile, AFC Executive Member Dominic Gaskin said the country has been threatened with snap elections ever since People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office in 2011, noting that the AFC has been ready since then.

The party’s executive member pointed out that Government continues to spend “public monies” without any proper authorisation from the National Assembly.

He added that Government “… continues to blatantly ignore the approval and disapprovals of

the National Assembly in relation to its spending. Then what would be the purpose of going through the budget process another two times before the (constituted 2016) elections.”

Questioned whether the party prefers to have the hosting of snap elections or the Local Government Elections, Gaskin explained that it does not matter since all they want is for the country to be governed according to the laws.

No-confidence motion

The one-line motion contained the sentence: “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no-confidence in the Government.” It was delivered by Patterson and Gaskin, and has a gestation period of 12 days.

The combined Opposition, which gained a one-seat majority over the PPP/C Government which has been in power for the past 22 years, has expressed repeated disappointment in the admin-

istration, whom they claim has been involved in financial impropriety and has failed to adhere to decisions of the House of Parliament, among other things.

The AFC party has claimed that Government has failed to adhere to the decisions of the National Assembly and continues to unlawfully spend monies without the approval of the House.

The decision to file the motion was fuelled after it was disclosed that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh spent some $4.5 billion from the 2014 Budget that was not approved by the National Assembly.

UG to re-open online application process

The University of Guyana (UG) will reopen online application for one week, starting from today and ending at midnight on August 20.

The university is provid-

ing this final opportunity for persons who may wish to study at the institution for the 2014-2015 academic year, which commences on August 25.

Applications must be

submitted online through the university’s website: www.uog.edu.gy.

The list of available programmes and the general and specific entry requirements are also available on the website.

The university is advising applicants that along with the processing fee of $500, a late fee of $2000 will be charged for all applications submitted during this period.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony for the new academic year will be held on Friday, August 23 at 17:00h in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus.

Interested persons can contact Registrar Vincent Alexander on office number 222-5575.

Caricom moves to harmonise CSME business rules

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has started work towards creating a harmonised framework within which companies and other businesses can be established and operate in the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Caricom heads gave this mandate to ensure that the rules for establishing and operating businesses in one country apply throughout the CSME. The consultant, BKP Development Research and Consulting in consortium with AESA, has been awarded the contract to strengthen the CSME regulatory and market regimes.

The two-year consultancy started last month (July), with funding through the 10th

European Development Fund and is expected to be completed by July 2016. There are four result areas within the project. In addition to the single jurisdiction, the project will also strengthen the framework for regulating competition, strengthen consumer protection and create the structure for companies from startup to bankruptcy.

It is expected that systems and practices for business complaints administration and determination of competition disputes will be put in place through the training of staff of national competition authorities. A number of deliverables will also focus on enhancing consumer protection within the CSME.

Demtoco records $719M mid-year profit

The Demerara Tobacco Company (Demtoco) has recorded a $719 million mid-year profit, but a dip in sales during this period compared to last year.

In the Interim Financial Report as at June 30, published on Thursday, it was stated that sales for this year up to June was recorded at $2.9 billion when compared to the $3.2 billion that was made during the same period last year.

Additionally, the company’s profit after taxation was set after a deduction of $565 million in taxes. Some $1.2 billion was generated from operational activities during that period. The report was presented and approved by the Board of Directors on August 11.

According to Demtoco Chairperson Amanda Cavill de Zavaley, the company’s gross revenue for the first half of the year saw a nine per cent decrease. This, she noted, was mainly driven by challenging economic conditions such as lower gold production, contracting marketing opportunities for rice and a slowdown in investment. She added that the

increased presence of illicit trade and low-priced competition also contributed to the dip in sales.

“The mining sector of the economy which is important to our business has experienced significant difficulties for the first half of this year. The unfavourable price for gold has resulted in a decrease in production when compared to the same period last year, which has led to the closure and scaling down of a number of local mining operations. This, along with other foreign currency sectors has led to an increase in exchange rates compared to the same period last year,” she stated.

However, despite these challenges, the Demtoco Chairperson noted that practical management efforts along with smart cost management has resulted in the company’s expenses being slashed by 15 per cent. This, on the other hand, has helped to mitigate the impact on its profit after tax which was recorded at 13 per cent below the figure given for last year.

“Continuous management efforts will be applied

Gaza: Damage to agriculture will have long-lasting effects

The fighting in Gaza has forced farmers and herders to abandon their lands and has paralysed fishing activities, bringing local food production to a halt and severely affecting livelihoods,the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned.

Recovery in the agricultural sector, once hostilities cease, will require significant external assistance over the long term.

The recent fighting has resulted in substantial, direct damage to Gaza’s 17,000 hectares of croplands as well as much of its agricultural infrastructure, including greenhouses, irrigation systems, animal farms, fodder stocks and fishing boats.

According to the latest update by the FAO/World Food Programme (WFP)coordinated Food Security Sector (FSS), Gaza has lost half of its population of poultry birds (broilers and lay-

of damage to agriculture from being completed,” said Ciro Fiorillo, head of the FAO’s office in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

“With the latest ceasefire holding, however, a series of field visits to agriculture sites has been initiated under the leadership of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and with FAO and other FSS partners participating, as part of a broader Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) process. That activity will continue, security conditions permitting, and will lead to a detailed report on damage to agriculture and recovery needs,” he added.

Local produce

The Gaza Strip imports most of what it eats – however, locally produced food represents an important source of nutritious and affordable food, and some

products such as eggs and many vegetables. Upward spikes have ranged from a 40 per cent increase in the price of eggs to a 42 per cent increase for potatoes to a 179 per cent spike in the price of tomatoes.

With local food production halted and food imports curtailed, virtually the entire population of Gaza (about 1.8 million people) is currently reliant on food aid. WFP, together with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) regularly assists about 1.1 million people.

Additionally, about 700,000 people are currently relying on the extraordinary food distribution carried out by the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs, UNRWA, and WFP.

Emergency fodder

to cost-control initiatives whilst aggressively pushing toward supporting and defending market position to ensure continued delivery of shareholder value,” Cavill de Zavaley pointed out.

In addition, Demtoco Directors have approved a second interim dividend of $18.72 share to all shareholders that are already registered as at August 30. The register will be closed from August 26 to 29, to facilitate payment of the second interim dividend.

In April this year, the company revealed its annual report for the financial year 2013. It had raked in $1.8 billion in after-tax profit for that year, representing a 10 per cent increase over 2014.

Some $3.5 billion was generated by operating activities for the period January 1 to December 31, 2013, of which a total of $1.47 billion was paid in taxes, while $14.59 million was spent on capital expenditure. The overall revenues rose by six per cent and earnings per share improved by 10 per cent to $79.

ers), either due to direct hits on their shelters or lack of water, feed or care resulting from access restrictions.

Animal feed

Around 64,000 head of small ruminants are in need of animal feed and water in order to avoid further animal deaths and the additional erosion of herders’ productive assets.

Meanwhile, losses by Gaza’s fishing sector so far are estimated at 234.6 tonnes over the period 9 July-10 August – equivalent to 9.3 per cent of local fishers’ yearly catch.

“Up to now, ongoing military operations have prevented detailed assessments

28,600 people in Gaza rely on farming (19,000 people), livestock raising (6000) and fishing (3600) for their livelihoods.

“Under the most recent ceasefire, many farmers and herders are now able to access their lands, however, resumption of food production faces serious obstacles given the damage sustained and shortages of water, electricity, inputs and financial resources, as well as ongoing uncertainty regarding the possible resumption of military activities”, said Fiorillo.

Food prices in Gaza have fluctuated considerably compared with before hostilities began, registering significant increases for certain

As soon as a permanent ceasefire is established, FAO with support from Canada will distribute fodder to feed 55,000 small ruminants throughout Gaza for 45 days. The organisation is also positioned to distribute 4000, one-cubic metre water tanks to help herders water their animals.

“We have a programme that supports the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods of Gaza fishermen, herders and farmers,” said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.

“We need to get this back on track as soon as hostilities cease, to promote not just survival of Gaza’s people but their self-reliant development.”

Guyanese student places second in COTA Essay Competition

Martha Bohlale Rakuoane, a student of the Helena J Robinson High School, Turks and Caicos Islands, won the US$1000 first prize of the Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administrators (COTA) Essay Competition 2014. Jessica Ramnauth of Brickdam Secondary School, Guyana, was awarded US$750 for placing second, while Justin-Timothy Frater of Cornwall College, Jamaica, won the US$500 third prize.

The schools which the winners attend will also receive a laptop computer each. The prizes for the competition were

jointly provided by COTA and the Caribbean Association of Banks Inc.

The competition was held from April to July. Seventeen students from across the Region entered the competition. They were required to write an essay on the topic

“The tax code is a road map for law-abiding citizens and businesses to pay what they legally owe, not an obstacle course to be gamed and gotten around”.

The entries were examined by an independent evaluator selected by the Executive Council of COTA. The evaluator noted that the essays

showed evidence of being well researched with good argumentation and understanding of the distinction between tax evasion and tax avoidance. As the community grapples with the challenges of higher demands on a dwindling public purse, it is hoped that today’s teenagers – the potential future taxpayers –will obtain an increased understanding of their civic duty through COTA’s public education programmes. There is also the expectation that among the youths, an interest could be engendered in the field of tax administration as a career choice.

Bodybuilder in Friendship accident succumbs

Delon Harlequin, 32, of Lot B Grant Scheme, Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was involved in a vehicular accident in the vicinity of the Friendship, EBD Service Station, succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The bodybuilder reportedly took his last breath on Thursday morning in the Intensive Care Unit around 03:00h. He had suffered lacerations to the head, a broken leg, damage to the pelvic bone and other bodily injuries.

His mother, Merle Harlequin, told Guyana Times on Thursday that she received the news of her son’s death on Thursday morning after a nurse from the Georgetown Public Hospital contacted her.

She was a little surprised at the devastating news, claiming that her son did not receive life-threatening injuries.

Delon Harlequin

Doctors, she added, told her that the King’s Jewellery World employee had too many medical complications due to the injuries he sustained.

Harlequin was reportedly on his way home when he was struck by a motor car that sped out of the Friendship Service Station on Tuesday evening.

As a result of the impact,

Harlequin was flung off his motorcycle and landed in a nearby trench, hitting his head on a concrete structure in the process. The driver of the car reportedly fled the scene, leaving the car behind, but was subsequently arrested by Police.

The injured man was picked up and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre from where he was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

There he was rushed into theatre where he underwent emergency surgery.

Guyana Times understands that the young man was a member of the Guyana Police Force and is a powerlifter who has won a number of titles. His father was also a member of the Guyana Police Force.

Meanwhile, the management and staff of NEW GPC INC have expressed sincere condolences to his entire family.

Man allegedly beaten to death by stepson

Aman was allegedly beaten to death by his stepson on Wednesday night at Port Mourant on the Corentyne.

Dead is Deochand Singh, 48, also called “Mike” of Free Yard Port Mourant. He was brutally beaten, chopped and stabbed by his stepson Inderjeet Sewdhan, 20, who resided with him.

Police said in a release that the murder occurred around 20:30h. Singh, Police said, was allegedly beaten and stabbed about his body by his stepson. The suspect has been arrested and is in Police custody assisting with the investigation.

According to reports, Singh was in an intoxicated state, returning home after attending a wake in the area when he was accosted by the alleged perpetrator who was awaiting his return.

He was stabbed about his

neck and body,as a result of which he succumbed. It was alleged that after killing the man, the suspect allegedly with the assistance of two other unknown characters attempted to dispose of the corpse by throwing it into a nearby trench.

The Police said they arrived on the scene around 21:15h after receiving a call about a murder in the area and upon investigating, they discovered the shirtless body partly submerged in the trench at the side of the yard.

From all indications, the deceased was mercilessly beaten and stabbed as his badly battered body bore several wounds and numerous marks of violence.

“I think their main objective was to dispose of the body in the pond for the alligators to feed on, but this didn’t work out,” a source disclosed.

14-year-old

Police said there was no way one person could have committed the murder and they believe that the suspect must have had at least two accomplices. Additionally, reports are that three persons were seen acting in a suspicious manner earlier within close proximity of the murder scene.

Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation said the wife of the deceased has been accused of hiding the weapon used in the murder and hurriedly washed off the blood from her son’s body. Police said during questioning, they allegedly received conflicting statements from the woman.

Up to press time, the wife and the 20-year-old remained in Police custody. Police are also searching for a third suspect whom they suspect might have fled to neighbouring Suriname.

drowns while on Church camp at Orealla

A14-year-old boy drowned on Thursday while swimming during a church camp in Orealla, Corentyne River.

Andrew Dayal Singh of Number 71 Village left his home on Monday with some members of the Praise Tabernacle Fellowship Church of Bloomfield for a four- day trip to the area.

Samuel Singh, a member of the group said they ventured to an area called “Chalk Hill” and as they were making their way down to the creek, the lad was the first to head into the waters.

“We were all going down the hill towards the creek and Andrew ran down starting to take off his clothes and I told him to be careful as he went into the water, he was the tallest so he went far out.”

ter kept pulling him in and none of us there knew how to swim.”

Samuel related that they quickly summoned the village’s professional diver who went to retrieve him, but when he did, it was too late.

According to the dead teen’s father Basil Dayal Singh, his son will be missed dearly as he was a willing and joyful individual, who answers to the call of help to anyone.

Kako Village receives outboard engine, $500,000 to build boat

Mario Hastings, Toshao of Kako Village in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven received a 40-horsepower Toshiba outboard engine from Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai recently.

He also received a cheque valued $500,000 to be used for the construction of a boat. Improved transportation in hinterland communities has aided the transformation of village economies and in bridging the development gap between Guyana’s hinterland and coastland regions.

The Ministry said it has

been supporting the improvement of transportation by water and land over the years in several Amerindian communities.

The Ministry has spent millions of dollars in grant funds to assist several communities with vehicles. These villages had previously relied on the service of private vehicles for transportation, which sometimes proved difficult for schoolchildren as their availability was not certain.

Residents highlighting their constraints had moved Government to also provide each village with a tractor that could be used to as-

sist with road maintenance works, as well as to bolster agricultural activities in those areas.

Improved road conditions have given way to more economic activities as it became easier and less costly to transport agricultural produce to the coast. Vehicles have been purchased through Presidential Grants since 2009 for a number of villages in the hinterland. Minibuses and boats allow for the transport of farmers’ produce and villagers to market and children to and from school. ATVs and pick-ups have also been given to communities.

Essequibo farmer harvests first batch of Kuroda carrot

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

Day after day, farmers are creating their own means of being self-sufficient and one farmer on the Essequibo Coast has undoubtedly convinced other farmers that certain crops can be grown here.

Farmer Jai Mangal, who hails from Zorg Village, on the Essequibo Coast, has planted two beds of Kuroda carrots, which surprisingly grew. The farmer’s move to cultivate the carrot is in keeping with the Agriculture Ministry’s policy of growing more to avoid unnecessary importation.

Mangal, also known as “Ola”, is a Boat Captain by profession, but does farming as an alternative to supplement his family’s income.

told agriculture officers about his plans to cultivate carrots.

He explained that Dyal, along with a few other boys were playing in the water and he called out, saying he drowning, but then said he was joking.

“After a while, we saw that he was struggling in the water, but by the time we realised he actually needed help, it was too late, the wa-

His father said he lived a peaceful life serving God and helping others. When this publication visited the family, the mother was still in a state of disbelief and was unable to speak. Andrew Dayal was a student at the Line Path Lutheran School and leaves to mourn his parents and sister.

The farmer proudly harvested two beds of Kuroda carrots and is the first farmer in Guyana to take up the initiative of planting carrots on the Essequibo Coast.

Mangal harvested his carrots within six weeks of cultivation. According to the farmer, he was at a meeting organised by the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association (GAPA) when he

He said he was told to contact the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) for support and technical advice on how to cultivate the crop.

The farmer said he adhered to some of the practices while he was at home.

Mangal, who inter-crops tomatoes with carrots, said the plants had no disease and he only had to apply

some fertiliser to the carrots with usual watering. The carrots were cultivated in his kitchen garden. The carrots harvested were about five centimetres thick in diameter. They were planted in sandy soil, three to four inches apart in rows at least a foot apart.

Mangal, who said he will be vending the produce at the Suddie Market, noted that he will begin cultivation on a larger scale.

Hindu College top student cops 7 ones, 4 twos

Students from the Cove and John Ashram’s Hindu College on the East Coast of Demerara have once again outdone themselves at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

With an overall pass rate of 91.2 per cent, the school has done well yet again, according to the school’s Principal Rajkumarie Singh.

Some 27 students sat the examination this year, two less than last year, and of the 13 subjects offered by the school, four students wrote 11 subjects, namely Phalma Devi Ram, Rajendra Ori, Amrita Nirmaul and Tarick Ramnarace.

Ram, a resident of Cane Grove, Mahaica, is the school’s top performer with 7 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos. She was followed in the second spot by Ori, a Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara student, who secured three Grade Ones and eight Grade Twos.

The third position was taken by Nirmaul with two Grade Ones and nine Grade Twos.

Ramnarace came in fourth with two Grade Ones, seven Grade Twos and two Grade Threes. The school’s most improved student was 17-year-old Ramona Richmond, who obtained seven subjects, including Mathematics and English with Grades Two and Three.

Four students wrote 10 subjects; three students wrote nine subjects; six wrote eight subjects; another six wrote seven subjects and three wrote five subjects.

100 per cent

The school recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in five of the 13 subjects it offered at the examinations. These are Agriculture Science, Integrated Science, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business and Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM).

The pass rates in oth-

er subjects are as follows: English A, 84 per cent; English B, 82 per cent; Human and Social Biology, 90 per cent; Office Administration, 96 per cent; Mathematics, 68 per cent; Religious Education, 80 per cent; and Social Studies, 88 per cent.

Proud Singh said she is proud of the students’ performance at this year’s examinations, since they were not high achievers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), but the school took them in and worked with them.

She said emphasis was placed on compulsory subjects such as Mathematics and English, which saw improvements over the past two years.

The Principal stated that her dedicated teachers have significantly contributed to the success of this year’s CSEC performance.

Though the school has recorded a slight decrease

from last year with the girls dominating the top spots, this year saw the male students catching up.

According to Singh, she does not allow her students to take extra classes outside of school nor does she keep such classes; however, she explained that exceptions are made for those in need of extra classes.

“Even though we are [a] private school, we operate differently from other schools. Our children are taught in a very religious and disciplined environment which creates a blend of high moral and behaviour,” she pointed out.

The Principal added that

despite being a religious school, the institution is open to students of other religions as well.

“Although this is a Hindu school, we have several students who are not Hindus but we work with them and try to instil values that can be found in all the religions, so that our students emerge not only successful academically, but morally also,” she stated.

Top four

Guyana Times spoke with the school’s top four students and got their reactions to their results.

Sixteen-year-old Phalma Devi Ram told this newspa-

ly shocked with his performance. The Belle West, Canal Number Two resident said during the exams, it was difficult for him since he was living in at the ashram and had to be away from his family.

The overwhelmed 18-year-old said he did not expect to do so well, but is very satisfied, since he was able to make everyone proud who encouraged and stood by him.

Seventeen-year-old Amrita Nirmaul will be attending the University of Guyana to further her studies in Accountancy.

She said her results were better than what she was expecting since she had some

the school strives to produce more bright and disciplined students and provides the environment for this to happen.

Potential Singh claims that some of those who performed exceedingly well, were mostly troubled students, but she saw the potential in them and worked with them to develop themselves.

She went on to say that

per that she was expecting to do better, but is nevertheless pleased with her results since she had worked hard.

Ram said with her dedication and guidance of her teachers, she tried her best and in the end it paid off.

The aspiring lawyer will be attending Bishops’ High School to do the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The second top student, Rajendra Ori, was total-

challenges with some of the subjects.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Tarick Ramnarace credited his success to the fact that the school is a disciplined one.

He said all the early mornings and late evening classes paid off since he was able to achieve good grades.

The aspiring pilot will be starting an aviation course with Air Services Limited come September.

Some Region 2 farmers claim rice woes still to be fixed

Some Region Two rice farmers are again complaining that the many troubles in the sector are yet to be fixed and are calling on Government to address their concerns.

Only recently some of the said farmers had engaged in a “riotous” protest during which, Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Naithram (only name), who is also Chairman of a farmers’ group in the area took his clothes off while in a drunken stupor.

The farmers had also burned tyres and blocked the roadways. Some 19 of them including the AFC Councillor were later charged and were each granted $5000 bail.

Meanwhile, during a news conference held at the Sidewalk Café, the farmers said that they have been experiencing insurmountable pressure over the past year with no assistance from their representative, the Rice Producers Association (RPA) or the Government, through

the Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.

Essequibo is known to have the smallest number of rice farmers, with each owning only about 10 acres of land when compared to other areas such as Berbice.

Ninety-five percent of residents in the county also depend on rice production for their livelihoods.

Representatives of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association, during the press conference, bemoaned the conditions faced by paddy farmers in the region, declaring that they are at their wits end, with nowhere to turn.

The Association’s Vice Chairman Tage Persaud Seucharan, said paddy farmers have been struggling in the rice industry for many years now. According to him, it is a very heartbreaking situation for the farmers in the district.

Seucharan said that Government needs to come to the understanding that farmers could not be easi-

ly bought. He said that the RPA has not been making the appropriate representation for farmers in the region.

Farmers in the region face a number of problems including issues with prompt payment by millers, decreased prices for paddy, conditions under which farmers are paid by millers and the interest rate attached for late payment set

out by the Factory Act.

All these things are affecting their livelihood, he said.

“If we have to receive $2500 per bag of paddy, we cannot live”, he lamented, noting that the rice industry is often times compared to the sugar industry, which, according to him is quite unfair.

Seucharan questioned the reason for the current

price for paddy in Guyana, when the price for the product in other countries has not dropped. He also called for a revision of the Factory Act.

Secretary to the Association, Alex George, said that over 25 per cent of farmers in the Essequibo district are still to receive payments from millers for the paddy supplied.

He noted that while the

Government was contending that the farmers had received their full payment from the $400 million that was supplied to them, the truth is that, that money could not provide for full payment.

He explained that one miller owed over $900 million to farmers, while another owed $600 million. According to him, a mere $400 million could not suffice to complete payment to the farmers. What that money did was give some of the farmers a little amount of money.

George recalled a few years ago when the cost of production was far less than what it is now and the price they received for their paddy was twice the amount they receive now.

Rice farmers in the Essequibo district over the last two months have staged a number of protests, demanding that the Government address the problems they face.

The stage is set for rivalry as the Jamzone International Pageant is set for tonight at the National Cultural Centre which will see eight beautiful young ladies competing for the coveted title and US$10,000.

The delegates competing for the title are Miss Bahamas, Lexi Wilson; Miss Barbados, Dannyelle Leslie; Miss St Lucia, Marie Faustin; Miss Guyana, Soyini Fraser; Miss Jamaica, Joanna Sadler; Miss USA, Kadian Collins, Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines, Aphesha Matthews and Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Yaya Henry.

The delegates arrived in the country over the last few days and have indicated that they are having a grand time. They are all ready for the grand evening as they display their curves and moves with the aim of capturing the judges’ attention.

They will be competing in introduction, talent, display of national costumes, intelligence, evening gown, and fantasy wear. Miss Jamzone International is a very unique pageant.

One of Guyana’s most versatile singing sensations, and a member of the X2 band was recently listed as the recipient of the 2014 Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award in Brooklyn, New York.

Adrian Dutchin was duly recognised for his accomplishments in the performing arts that are representative of the inspiration derived from Guyana’s rich cultural heritage.

His span of appearances in the Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora with a cross section of top artistes has been impressive over the

years, and this has led to him being a recipient of the award.

The Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award ceremony is an annual event in Brooklyn, NY. On August 27, the committee will present awards to individuals for their work that represents meaningful contributions to the improvement of inter-ethnic dialogue and feelings of trust in Guyanese society at home and in the Diaspora.

In an interview with Guyana Times Entertainment, Dutchin thanked the committee for considering him for the award. He said

that the award serves as a motivation to aim for bigger things. He is currently on that track since he is expected to release two singles shortly.

He dedicated the award to his fans for their support over the years and more so, his family. The proud father of two is also the recipient of the West Indian Music Award (WIMA) for Best Performer of the Year which he won for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013).

Dutchin also received the award for the Best Soca Song in 2013 with “Jook”.

Guyanese who are accustomed to taking the long drive up the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway to be a part of the Jamzone beach party will now have to travel about 10-15 minutes when this year’s event is held.

This year, Jamzone Summer Break is set for August 24 at the Hits and Jams Water Park located aback Princess Hotel and Casino.

The Water World, the first of its kind in Guyana, will officially be opened in November, Director of Hits and Jams Entertainment, Kerwin Bollers announced recently.

The public will get a sneak preview of the venue when the Jamzone Beach Jam is hosted there next Sunday. “For the very first time, Jamzone will not be hosted at Splashmin’s and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the management of Splashmin’s for their many years of support,” he noted.

Asked about the capacity of the venue to host the mega events Hits and Jams has become known for, Bollers affirmed that the main focus is not for the Water Park to become a facility for concerts but to stand as an independent entity.

It is with this in mind that he concluded that the Water Park will be very family oriented and a getaway for persons who want to escape to someplace a bit more accessible, pointing out that the location is only 15-20 minutes away from the city.

Bollers further stated that the new Water Park will be equipped with state of the art games that have not even made its way in to the US market. Apart from these fun attractions, there will be several pools and the first man-made beach in Guyana.

There will also be other attractions that will cater for the entire family. As persons indulge in a day of fun in the sun, they can also treat themselves to grilled and creole food prepared at restaurants on site.

This Saturday, Club Monaco will come alive with carnival sensation K Rich from Trinidad, performing live for the first time in Guyana.

K Rich is known for his hit songs “Nothing Less”, “Wine Back” and his 2014 carnival hit “Go Down”. For this event, everyone will be admitted free until 23:00h.

Fete all night to the best music by the BOOM FM deejays while enjoying Club Monaco’s thrilling club atmosphere.

K Rich promises to give patrons an electrifying performance so you don’t want to miss this event. There will be bottle specials all night. K Rich live from Trinidad this Saturday at Club Monaco. Everyone free until 23:00h.

ABC’s Rising Stars Reality Show contestant, Lisa Punch, a Guyanese by birth had the opportunity to perform at the inaugural Guyana Festival 2014 which drew a huge audience at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, over a threeday period.

The songstress who was eliminated just before the quarter-final round expressed her excitement that she was actually called and asked to perform at the event.

In an interview with Guyana Times Entertainment, the songstress said that as soon as she received the call from the organisers, she jumped on the opportunity but had to get clearance from her management team which obviously did not have a prob lem.

In reflecting on her experi ence in the competition, he she said “It was amaz ing… It is one of the best experiences thus far in my entire life and I re ally enjoyed it”.

Soon after the stage performance in Los Angeles, she was contacted for the Guyana gig and this has ob viously helped her to take her mind off of the competition as she flew home to entertain her Guyanese sup porters.

Punch admit ted that there were some challenges dur ing her participation in the competition which were not that easy to cope with but even tually she overcame them with a smile on her face.

“Once you put your mind to something, it will come to reality especially when you do it with lots of love. Just don’t focus on the challenges but rather focus on what the reward will be”, she added.

At her last performance before elimination, she sang “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys. While she thought that she has done well, she thinks that America had the last say. She was caught in the bottom again and was hoping for a second save by the West Coast but this was not to be.

She had to beat 60 per cent, but fell short by a mere one per cent. “I don’t know what went wrong… I was totally enjoying myself ing a blast but ultimately, the votes weren’t enough to put me through to the next round”. She felt as if she has done everything she had to do and more so, did it to the best of her ability and with Guyana in mind, she

Currently, Punch with the assistance of an amazing management team is working on getting a record deal with Capital Records. “We are working on the next deal and we will keep going. We want what is best for Guyana… thing I can to let people know about Guyana and that is why when I was on Rising Star, I made sure that I mentioned my country Punch is known for

formed in Guyana and the Caribbean on a number of occasions. She is primarily known for singing Guyana’s

18 entertainment

Jamzone Summer Break 2014 activities kick off today with the highly anticipat ed international pageant slated for the National Cultural Centre this evening and several other activities over the weekend.

On Saturday, Kids Zone will be held at the Everest Cricket Club ground. This event was added to the list of activities for Jamzone, since parents often suggested over the years that Jamzone should be more children and family oriented. Kids Zone was created for children under the age of 13, so as to give them the opportunity to feel as though they too are a part of the country’s biggest event.

Kids Zone attractions will include children’s favourite personalities, such as Sponge Bob, Dora and Diego. Additionally, there will be face painting, clowns and other attractions. Special memorabilia will also be created just for the chil dren.

On Saturday evening, “Brazilian Night” is set to in vade Palm Court. Guyanese and tourists will get a chance to experience a bit of Brazilian culture when Hits and Jams hosts its ‘Brazilian Night’ under the Jamzone brand for the second consecutive time.

and unforgettable show. Bikers Fest was introduced to the Jamzone roster last year and was a tremendous success. The Hits and Jams team will again have the biggest names from around the Region come and showcase their street skills and talent. Fans can also look forward to seeing performances from Guyana’s best bikers. The show will see a combination of dirt and street bikes made for extreme stunts, mind-blowing flips, twists and tricks.

This show too is considered a family oriented event.

On August 18, the Jamzone International delegates will dedicate their time to visiting orphanages around Georgetown. Donations will be made to these organisations.

A10, 1994

This event will feature Brazilian bands that will perform live at Palm Court. Patrons would also be able to treat themselves to delicious Brazilian cuisine. As the action continues, Bikers Fest will be held on Sunday at the National Park, where fans can look forward to an exciting, thrilling

The week’s events continue on August 20 with the Black Tie Affair and Auction. The event, which will be hosted at the Pegasus Savannah Suite, will be a ticketed event and all proceeds will be given to a charitable organisation.

Each delegate participating in the Miss Jamzone Pageant will auction off an item they brought from their home country specifically for this purpose.

The satirical production – “Link Show” dominated the comedy scene for sometime before “Nothing to Laugh About” took centre stage. Now “Chow Pow Comedy Jam” has taken over the scene, but more recently with a new group of actors in the newest production “Bare Rikaticks”.

For the first time, The Re-Actors will host the new sequel that will leave patrons breathless and begging for more. The new show “Bare Rikaticks” will feature the new generation of comedians who are also seasoned in the business.

The show will comprise high-quality acting which includes dances, poetry, stand-up comedy and some singing which will undoubtedly keep you on the edge of your seat.

Those expected to perform in the new addition to the comedy arena are Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, Kirk “Chow Pow” Jardin, Nirmala Narine, Chris Gopaul, Michael Ignatius, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson and members of the Re-Actors group – Mark Kazim, Sean Thompson, Tash Inniss, Leon Thompson and Mark Luke Edwards.

Tickets for the event cost $1500 and are available at the National Cultural Centre and regular ticketing locations.

fa-

Noel Fiedtkou and wife Marcia Fiedtkou. He is the oldest of three children. When you speak about hobbies, Alexander enjoys almost anything, whether in the air, on land or even water.

Fiedtkou attained his primary education at Mae’s Schools then went on to St John`s College for two years. He subsequently went back to Mae’s Schools where he wrote the Caribbean Secondary School Certificate Examinations (CSEC) and was successful.

Immediately after, he commenced studies at Global Technology and graduated with multiple A grades in Advance Desktop Publishing. Further, he went on to Spectrum Airways where he graduated as a private pilot.

He is now pursuing his commercial licence at Aerial World Services in Trinidad and Tobago.

This talented young man is a very skilled individual in sport, since he has played successfully in numerous sports from a very young age. He was Guyana’s U-9 Table Tennis champion.

Later, Fiedtkou began his journey to become a commercial pilot in Ontario, after becoming a private pilot. He migrated to the island of

This streak continued until he was 13. He later moved on to being a force to be reckoned with at the annual Inter-schools and national schools athletic championships, where he participated in cycling, swimming, track and field, cricket and football.

Being a sport enthusiast, he ventured into the game of squash which ended after his first competition and a third-place trophy. He then moved into the field of motor racing as a junior go-karter and became one of the

Trinidad to study and become a commercial pilot, gaining experience internationally while flying to different islands in the Caribbean. He was also featured as ‘Star of the Week’ in Guyana Times

Fiedtkou is now a contestant in the Mr Guyana International 2014 competition and his platform for this competition is “Crime and unemployment”.

One of his many passions is to be a role model for children, to show them that if you set your heart to something, it can be achieved, and to show them that everything you do can makes a difference and makes you a better person.

WICB Regional U-19, 50-over cricket…

Guyana hunting history today at Everest

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

ever before has

NGuyana won both the Regional Under-19 Three-day and 50-over titles in the same year. That could change today, however, when Brian Sattaur leads the Guyana team on the field against the Windward Islands in the final of the 50-over competition at the Everest ground, Camp Road.

Already with the Threeday title in the bag, copping it for the first time since 2007, the Guyanese are strong favourites to lift the 50-over trophy having been the only team to play unbeaten in the round-robin stage, which concluded on Wednesday.

The hosts emerged with six convincing wins from as many games, chalking up 36.4 points to gain automatic entry to the final.

At the start of the last round, Jamaica seemed on course to qualify for the final, but lost by nine wickets to the eventual finalists, the Windward Islands, who copped the maximum six points for the victory as well as 0.7 bonus points from their fast bowlers.

Bonus point Jamaica failed to secure even a bonus point from the game, as the Windward Islands finished on 21.9 points to edge out the boys from the Land of Wood and Water on 21.8.

In their head-to-head clash at the Albion ground on Tuesday, Guyana whipped the Windward Islands by 114 runs, racking up what was then the highest total of the competition (276-5) before restricting the visitors for 162.

It was Guyana’s largest margin of victory in terms of runs and one of two losses the Windward Islands suffered to go with three victories and one no-result.

Guyana’s impressive run this year has been led by West Indies Under-19 open-

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League today announced details of its Man of the Tournament prize which will see the winner walking away with a piece of land in Beaumont Park, St Kitts, worth over US$400,000.

Beaumont Park is a 350 acre property located on the slopes of a mountain with lush tropical vegetation in the north west of the island, only 30 minutes from the international airport. This prize will see the winner take ownership of a piece of land in one of the most exclusive developments in the re-

ers Shimron Hetmyer and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, as well as the supremely talented Kemo Paul in the batting department.

With a hundred and two fifties in the last three innings, Hetmyer is the com-

hundreds on the trot.

Chanderpaul has been more circumspect, and his approach has complemented Hetmyer’s flambouyance well at the top of the order. They added 129 against the Windward Islands and followed up with a record 176run partnership against Barbados at the National Stadium as Guyana posted 298-5, the highest total this year.

petition’s leading runscorer with 321 runs from six innings, and had it not been for reckless strokeplay the Berbician left-hander could have easily scored three

Both recorded hundreds against Jamaica to become the only two players to reach the three-figure mark in both versions this year. Chanderpaul has ammassed 233 runs from the six games

and would no doubt look to add to that tally on a wicket that he is all too familiar with, having joined the Everest Cricket Club a few years ago.

Paul has emerged as undoubtedly Guyana’s most exciting prospect this season, mixing grace and power with the bat, subtle variations with the ball and energetic fielding.

Four half-centuries from

He is Guyana’s second leading runscorer with 288 runs. That apart, he has shown his versatility with the ball, testing the opposition batsmen with some lively spells of seam bowling.

Sattaur, who is yet to

six innings is a clear indication of the role he has played down the order for Guyana and how well he has been able to build on the foundation laid by Hetmyer and Chanderpaul.

record a fifty in this his final year at the youth level, Akshay Homraj, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed and wicketkeeper Kemol Savory will all look to come good with

the bat and crown a flawless tournament for the host country.

Guyana’s bowling has been primarily spin-based and once again the likes of off-spinners Sharaz Ramcharran, Balchand Baldeo and Daimon Waldron, as well as the canny leg-spinner Steven Sankar, will look to exploit the Windward Islands’ perceived weakness against the slower bowlers.

The islanders struggled to get on top of the bowling against the Guyanese at Albion, with only Kersaki Jno-Lewis (42), skipper Ronald Cato (38) and Ryan John (38) getting past 30.

Turnaround

They would hope for a turnaround today, and given their commanding win against Jamaica in the last round, they would head into the game with renewed confidence.

John picked up 4-29 to lead the rout of Jamaica for 141 before openers Gidron Pope stroked 75 and Anson Latchman made 41 not out as they coasted to victory at 142-1 in 38.4 overs.

The first ball will be bowled at 09:30h today and admission to the venue is free.

Guyana squad reads: Brian Sattaur (Captain), Sharaz Ramcharran (Vicecaptain), Balchand Baldeo, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Akshay Homraj, Keon Morris, Kemo Paul, Steven Sankar, Kemol Savory, Niall Smith, Daimon Waldron and Akel Wallace.

Windward Islands squad reads: Roland Cato (Captain), Kersaki JnoLewis (Vice-captain), Doran Edwards, Markeron Gordon, Kharmal Hamilton, Sherman Hooper, Derron Hypolite, Ryan John, Anson Latchman, Sherman Lewis, Obed McCoy, Craig Phillip, Gidron Pope and Tonius Simon.

gion, which includes one and two bedroom apartments as well and two and three bedroom villas and boasts unique amenities such as a racing track, polo club, spa, casino, a boutique hotel and restaurants.

Speaking on the announcement, Limacol Caribbean Premier League CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, said; “This is a most amazing prize for the Man of the Tournament and testament to the support of the people and businesses across St Kitts and Nevis for CPL, for which, on behalf of the entire CPL family, I would like to extend

my sincerest thanks.” Vice President of Beaumont Park, Arthur Sharpe, said; “We are thrilled to welcome the Limacol CPL to St Kitts and be able to showcase our beautiful island to the rest of the world. We are proud to be offering this top prize to the Man of the Tournament, a chance to be part of the one of the most exclusive developments on the island and with that, a chance to enjoy St Kitts for many more years to come.”

Mr Sharpe will present the prize to the winner during the post-match presentation follow-

ing the Limacol CPL final game on Saturday August 16, 2014. The Man of the Tournament winner is decided by a closed voting system by each of the six team mentors, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andy Roberts, Courtney Walsh, Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge. Originally rebuilt for the 2007 ICC World Cup, Warner Park has gone undergone a major renovation including state-ofthe-art lighting facilities, making it the perfect venue to host the final of the 2014 Caribbean Premier League.

20 Seamers make it Pakistan’s day

Six thousand two hundred and twenty one days after earning his Test cap at the nearby Premadasa Stadium, Mahela Jayawardene’s life as a Test cricketer came a full circle as he strode out for the last lap at the SSC, his favourite venue. Everything seemed like it was as per the script: bright skies, a firm pitch with nothing for the bowlers, Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to bat and a solid platform by the openers. The farewell of one Sri Lanka’s best batsman couldn’t have been planned any better. Except, the Pakistan bowlers had their own agenda.

Jayawardene arrived at the crease for the 251st time, to a guard of honour by the Pakistan team and with the crackle of the firecrackers in the background, 25 minutes before tea.

He was 137 short of 3000 runs at the venue but could only shave off four runs in a nervous stay that ended in the first over after tea.

In the 16 deliveries that he faced, he was dropped once by the wicketkeeper off Junaid Khan before he was trapped by a sharp offspinner from Saeed Ajmal. He chose not to review, and rightly so.

Misbah-ul-Haq may have patted Jayawardene’s back but at that moment, the relief of having dismissed Kumar Sangakkara, their tormentor in Galle, was still writ on Pakistan captain’s face.

In a rare failure, Sangakkara had been dismissed for 22 as he chopped on a length delivery from Wahab Riaz. He had added 65 for the second wicket with Upul Tharanga, who scored 92, at 4.33 runs an over. Jayawardene’s dismiss-

al soon after gave Pakistan the upper hand. The bowlers struck five more times in the third session to take control.

It was a solid effort from Pakistan on a pitch that had nothing for the bowlers. They stuck to disciplined lines and found the odd bit of life.

Fortunately for Pakistan, it was one of those days where almost every time the ball did something, it induced a fatal error from the batsmen.

That Pakistan had eight wickets by the end of the day despite dropping a few catches was evidence of the number of chances created.

Junaid got the odd ball to move off the pitch, Wahab, playing his first Test in three years, generated hustling pace, Abdur Rehman was disciplined throughout and Ajmal did better than the Mars Rover by finding life where there was none.

And that, despite not being able to find a breakthrough in the first 33 overs during which it looked like the pitch was a bowler’s graveyard.

Then, Junaid went round the stumps, pushed the compact Kaushal Silva back with a sharp bouncer, before luring the batsman into a loose drive off a widish-length delivery.

Sarfraz Ahmed did the rest, taking a sharp chance low to his left, ending the opening stand at 79 - Sri Lanka’s best since the 118-run stand in Dhaka in January. Silva, who had picked up five boundaries through point off Wahab, was dismissed for 41.

It was Wahab, though, who caught the biggest fish, picking up the wicket of Sangakkara. Initially a bit wayward, Wahab corrected

Luis Suarez’s fourmonth ban for biting a World Cup opponent has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But the Uruguay striker, 27, can now train and play in friendly matches, including for new club Barcelona on Monday against Mexico’s Club Leon.

A full explanation of the Cas ruling will be published at a later date.

Suarez’s lawyers argued Fifa’s decision to suspend him from all “footballrelated activity” for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini was excessive. His competitive Barcelona debut is likely to be at Real Madrid on 26 October in El Clasico.

World players’ union Fifpro said it was “disappointed that the court had decided not to strongly diminish the sanctions” and “remain of the view the current sanctions are disproportionate in relation to his violation of the Fifa discipli-

nary code”. Suarez will still serve the remaining eight matches of a record nine-match international ban handed down by the world governing body after the Brazil 2014 group match on 24 June. In addition to being allowed to train and play in friendlies, the former Liverpool player - who has

yet to be officially unveiled at the Nou Camp following his £75m move to Barcelona - can also attend matches and take part in promotional activities.

Suarez will now also be available for Uruguay’s upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea in September and Saudi Arabia the following month.

his radar and posed problems with his pace.

He troubled Tharanga with short ones and eventually picked up the opener through a sharp catch by Azhar Ali at short leg.

Till then, Tharanga had looked on course for his second Test century despite not being the most fluent. Junaid induced a couple of false strokes from him in the first over as some deliveries seamed away, he was beaten by Ajmal’s turn, survived a stumping chance on 28 and picked up some runs off edges.

But he also picked up 12 boundaries, most of them emphatic hits through off. One such shot - a fierce cut off Wahab - helped him cross fifty for the fifth time in Tests.

Ajmal had troubled Tharanga through the innings. In his fourth over, he

beat an advancing Tharanga in the air only to see the wicketkeeper miss the stumping.

The blame could hardly be laid on Sarfraz, though, because the ball had kicked off

the pitch, smacking the keeper on the side of the head for which he required some treatment. The bowler also drew an outside edge off Tharanga but that dropped short of Younis Khan at first slip.

But a sign of Tharanga’s growing confidence was his two boundaries - both through the covers - off the spinner in the 47th over. However, he was dismissed 10 runs after Jayawardene’s departure, leaving the repair job with Angelo Mathews.

But all Mathews could do was watch as Pakistan picked up wickets at regular intervals at the other end. Junaid trapped Niroshan Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera lbw in the first over with the second new ball, the DRS ruling in Pakistan’s favour in both cases.

Mathews joined the others in the pavilion soon, edging a short of length delivery from Wahab to the keeper, down the leg side. He reviewed, but lost. Strangely, the DRS had not been used during the first 80 overs at all. It was that sort of a day.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka 1st innings

WU Tharanga c Azhar Ali b Wahab Riaz 92

JK Silva c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Junaid Khan 41

KC Sangakkara b Wahab Riaz 22

DPMD Jayawardene

lbw b Saeed Ajmal 4

AD Mathews* c †Sarfraz

Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 39

HDRL Thirimanne c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Junaid Khan 20

N Dickwella† lbw b Junaid Khan 24

MDK Perera lbw b Junaid

Khan 0

KTGD Prasad not out 4

Extras (b 4, lb 6, nb 5) 15 Total (8 wickets; 85.1 overs) 261 (3.06 runs per over) To bat HMRKB Herath, UWMBCA Welegedara Fall of wickets 1-79 (Silva, 32.5 ov), 2-144 (Sangakkara, 47.5 ov), 3-167 (Jayawardene, 54.6 ov), 4-177 (Tharanga, 59.3 ov), 5-215 (Thirimanne, 74.3 ov), 6-249 (Dickwella, 82.2 ov), 7-249 (Perera, 82.5 ov), 8-261 (Mathews, 85.1 ov) Bowling: Junaid Khan 21-569-4, Wahab Riaz 16.1-2-663, Abdur Rehman 19-4-49-0, Saeed Ajmal 29-4-67-1

Watson praises Woods after withdrawal

United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson praised Tiger Woods for taking the “high road” by ruling himself out of next month’s contest at Gleneagles. Woods, 38, has been suffering from a persistent back problem and had failed to qualify for the US team automatically.

Nevertheless, Watson was considering Woods as one of his captain’s picks. “My primary wish is for Tiger to be healthy and competitive,” said Watson. “I hope that he’ll return very soon.”

Woods had surgery on his back injury in March and has been told not to play by doctors after aggravating the problem at the recent WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. He said he was pain-free at the US PGA Championship a few days later but re-injured himself before his second round and went on to miss the halfway cut for just the

fourth time in 66 majors as a professional.

“Of course, I’m disappointed that Woods has asked not to be considered for the US Ryder Cup Team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be,” added Watson.

“However, I think we can all agree that we need Woods in this great sport,

and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process.” Europe will go into the tournament in Perthshire, Scotland, which takes place between 23-28 September, as the holders. Jose Maria Olazabal’s team beat the United States 14.5-13.5 at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois in 2012.

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Sports Reporter Rajiv Bisnauth bowled over by sweetheart!

– ties the knot

Guyana Times

Sports Reporter

Rajiv Bisnauth, who is also a decent opening batsman in the Media XI, was recently bowled over by love!

Bisnauth, of Hyde Park, Mahaicony married his longtime sweetheart Brianna Beharry.

The marriage took place on Sunday August 10 in Mahaicony.

Bisnauth has been working as a Sports Reporter for Guyana Times/TVG Channel 28/ Radio Guyana for the past four years.

The Management and Staff of the media group extend congratulations to the

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India hope for final twist

Rarely has a Test series flipped so abruptly. After the second Test at Lord’s, India were hailed as a more resilient version, finally capable under the enlightened leadership of MS Dhoni of competing over five days outside Asia. As for England, Alastair Cook’s captaincy was vociferously condemned and a new leadership group, from the coach, Peter Moores, to the national selector, James Whitaker, were desperately seeking any form of consolation.

Two Tests later and the final stage in this Investec Test series has taken on an entirely different complexion. India’s team selection has been strange, resilient is the last word that would be used to describe their pitiful batting display in the second innings at Old Trafford and it is Dhoni’s wicketkeeping and tactics that are now under scrutiny with his side 2-1 down with one to play.

Anderson has unpicked him with ease and he has still to pass 50 in eight attempts. He has one final chance to respond. A fast, bouncy pitch in south London might have been enough to win Steven Finn a Test recall, but those days have long gone and expectations are that England will retain the side that won so impressively inside three days at Old Trafford.

Finn joined up with England after taking four wickets for the Lions against Sri Lanka A, but they were expensive wickets and his display was not quite as impressive as some reports made out.

ready shouldered a heavy burden. India’s campaign against Anderson, though, has given them extra determination to see it through.

s for Cook, respect for the way he stuck things out at the Ageas Bowl when the going was tough has blossomed into a general acceptance that his inner steel makes him England’s obvious leader in Test cricket for years to come. How could we ever have thought any differently?

Devotees of momentum can only conclude that the series is as good as over. But The Oval is not a bad place for India to make their last stand.

Initial descriptions of Stuart Broad’s protective covering after his nose was broken by a Varun Aaron bouncer at Old Trafford made it sound as if he would be wearing some kind of fearsome Promethean face mask. Sadly, that is not quite the case, although he will wear a nose splint to disguise the temporary damage to his boy-band countenance and after coming through a net session in good order he will be in the mood for some heavy chords.

The pitch will lack the pace of Old Trafford and England’s new-ball bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, have al-

India’s thoughts will centre once more on Virat Kohli. For such a feted player to fail so abysmally has been the turn-up of the series.

This should have been the series in which he proved his class. Instead,

England (probable) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Sam Robson, 3 Gary Ballance, 4 Ian Bell, 5 Joe Root, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Jos Buttler, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson. After being ruled out of the last two Tests with a leg injury, Ishant Sharma, hero of their victory in the second Test at Lord’s, could return in place of Pankaj Singh, whose popularity has been in inverse proportion to his wickets. Gautam Gambhir looks set to keep the opening slot. Stuart Binny cannot be entirely discounted as a possible replacement for Ravindra Jadeja. India (probable) 1 Murali Vijay, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja/Stuart Binny, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Varun Aaron, 11 Ishant Sharma.

Alpha United positive ahead of clash with Timbers

By TreisTon Joseph

Alpha United are upbeat heading into their clash with Portland Timbers scheduled for August 19 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Coach of the team Wayne Dover highlighted some of the aspects of the game his team has worked on since their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Olympia on August 9 on home soil.

“Having played our first game the results were not as we expected, so our session after were based mainly on offence and finishing.

“We have to gain three points from the game, anything less would mean we drop further down the table

so we have to focus on the finishing,” Dover told media representatives at a press conference at Water Cris on Thursday.

However, President of the Alpha United Football Club Odinga Lumumba was very critical of the support the club has received from corporate Guyana.

“Millions of people are watching these games, this is a tourism opportunity, this is a success story, we have conquered Harbour View of Jamaica and the Trinidad Defence Force, we have earned the right to be supported and we are not at that level.

“It makes you wonder where is the nationalism where is the togetherness,” Lumumba ranted at the

press briefing.

Lumumba also defended the amount of foreign players in the club. “Like any other club we have bought players, the clubs in England are not all English and it’s the same in Africa, and around the world.

“We are now an international team and in that sense we have to bring in international players… we are moving to a different level and it starts with us,” Lumumba quipped.

However, Lumumba is confident that the team can do well against the Timbers. “We think we are in a better position now than we were when we lost 1-0 to Olympia.

“Our major problem was match readiness and that was because the World Cup

was going on but we think we are in a better position now and so will be the Timbers but we are confident,” Lumumba highlighted.

Meanwhile, Dover also expressed confidence that his boys would be successful in their next assignment, noting that “The Latin teams play a different way as they play possession and use space and wait for gaps to exploit, but the Timbers play a more Caribbean style of football which I think will suit us in the end so I am confident,” Dover noted.

The game between Alpha United and the Portland Timbers will be played at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday at 19:00h.

US-based Surinamese arrives for Boyce/Jefford Classic

– Danielle Clark to match strides with Guyana’s best in 100 and 200 metres

ASurinamese athlete based in the US, Danielle Clark, has arrived in Guyana to participate in the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.

Clark is on a scholarship in the US and has represented her country at meets such as the Carifta Games and the Inter-Guiana Games, is in high spirits heading into the two-day event where she will compete in both the 100 and 200 metres.

“I am looking forward to this competition… I was invited and I’m happy to be here. I am aiming to break the 12-second barrier and looking for the top spot in both races,” Clark stated while training at the Police Sports Club Ground on Monday.

However, Clark will have

to meet one of Guyana’s best in Alita Moore, who was at the same venue training as well.

“I have heard about Alita Moore, and I know it’s going to be good competition,” stated the 22 year old who has personal best times of 11.9s and 24.28s in the 100 and 200 metres respectively. Meanwhile, Moore was in her own zone heading into the event and believes she will accomplish what she is aiming for. “I am prepared and once I am prepared I am always confident,” Moore revealed.

The two sprinters will meet in both the 100 and 200 metres at the event and will also be competing against USA-based Guyanese sprinter Brenessa Thompson, who is in top form heading into the track meet.

Courts rewards Alpha United efforts with sponsorship

ARelations and Promotions Officer of Courts Roberta Ferguson stressed that the club has the opportunity to put Guyana on the map.

“We (Courts) are very proud of their accomplishments and for them to reach this far in CONCACAF is to show how far they have come as a team,” Ferguson pointed out.

Meanwhile, President of the Alpha United Football Club Odinga Lumumba was humbled by the contribution from Courts, noting that other stakeholders should follow their lead.

“I have always said that enough companies are not putting themselves behind the wheel to move us forward.

“Alpha has been tried and tested…if a team is participating in such a high level of football you would want to believe that the people would want to come forward, we have gone beyond just being a Guyanese team, we are an international team. This support by Courts will enhance us and will give us the opportunity and the will,” Lumumba stressed.

Alpha United lost

their first match in the CONCACAF competition 1-0 to Olympia and will need a victory to avoid plummeting in the points

standing when they meet with Portland Timbers on August 19 at the Guyana National Stadium.

‘sued’ over

AColombian lawyer says he is suing world football’s governing body Fifa for £800m (1bn euros) over “moral damages” caused by refereeing at the 2014 World Cup.

Aurelio Jimenez, 74, says Brazil’s quarter-final win over Colombia caused particular “distress” and he was taken to hospital with cardiac problems.

Match referee Carlos Velasco Carballo came under fire after the tie, which saw the most fouls in the tournament.

Fifa said it had no comment to make.

Spanish referee Carballo was accused of not pulling players up on a number of heavy tackles during the

quarter-final in Fortaleza on 4 July, many directed at Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez.

Among his critics were former World Cup referee Graham Poll, who claimed Carballo had failed to take charge of the match.

Carballo was also criticised for not booking Colombia’s Juan Zuniga when he kneed Neymar in the back, fracturing a vertebrae in the Brazilian star’s spine and prematurely ending his World Cup campaign.

Jimenez said if he won the case, any damages would go to a government organization to improve the welfare of Colombian children.

Amazon Warriors slaughter Tallawahs to reach final

– win by 10 wickets

Danger man Andre Russell then came to the crease and started to play his big shots, hitting a couple of boundaries off the bowling of Ronsford Beaton to make the Amazon Warriors fans uneasy.

However, Russell was run out in extraordinary fashion when on 20 made off 12 balls.

Nkrumah Bonner hit a ball hard into the ground and as the ball was looping over the head of the bowler Krishmar Santokie, he just got his fingers on to it before the ball crashed into the stumps at the non- striker’s end. Russell was already halfway down the track.

Bonner was then given no chance to make up for playing a hand in Russell’s dismissal, as he was caught by Hafeez off the bowling of Santokie for 21 runs after he went after a ball going wide of off stump.

Late rally

The Tallawahs innings was helped somewhat in the 19th over after a couple of full deliveries from Ronsford Beaton were put away by Rusty Theron and Jerome Taylor. That over went for 16 runs.

The final over bowled by Santokie saw him being hit for a six by Theron, who would be run out before the over expired to leave the Tallawahs on 134-6.

Needing to score just over six runs per over always appeared to be an easy task at the small Warner Park and Simmons and Guptill made light work of it as they batted sensibly, while putting in the big shots every now and then to maintain their reputations as destructive

opening batsmen.

Simmons, who is now the leading run-scorer in the Limacol CPL after surpassing Gayle’s 363, brought up his half- century off 32 deliveries.

It came with a boundary as he top-edged one off the bowling of Taylor. The 50

also marked the 100 partnership with Guptill in an expensive over from Taylor that went for 18 runs.

Guptill, not to be outdone, brought up his 21st 50 in T20 competitions off 36 deliveries.

In the 15th over and with just five needed from 36 de-

liveries, the high fives and broad smiles began in the Guyana Amazon Warriors Camp with a very animated Curtly Ambrose leading the way in that regard.

And with 1 from 32 needed, Guptill struck a four through the hands of an already deflated Gayle to see the final score to an emphatic 138-0 from 14.5 overs, the Amazon Warriors winning by 10 wickets with 31 balls to spare.

Simmons was named

Man of the Match for his unbeaten 71 and could very well be a contender for the plot-of-land prize in St Kitts for the Man of the Tournament this weekend. He would be hoping to be among the runs in the final on Saturday against Barbados Tridents, despite breaking his lucky bat during his superb innings.

Guptill finished on 66 not out. The final on Saturday at Warner Park, St Kitts is billed for 16:00h.

SCOREBOARD

Jamaica Tallawahs innings (20 overs maximum)

CAK Walton† c Guptill b Narine 34

CH Gayle* c Simmons b Neesham 19

AC Voges st †Ramdin b Mohammad Hafeez 7 NE Bonner c Mohammad Hafeez b Santokie 21

AD Russell run out (Santokie) 20

J Theron not out 9

JE Taylor run out (Simmons/ Santokie) 17

Extras (lb 1, w 5, nb 1) 7

Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 134 (6.70 runs per over)

Did not batJ Blackwood, DE Bernard, DL Vettori, NO Miller

Fall of wickets 1-55 (Walton, 9.3 ov), 2-57 (Gayle, 10.4 ov), 3-72 (Voges, 13.3 ov),

4-107 (Russell, 17.3 ov), 5-107 (Bonner, 17.4 ov), 6-134 (Taylor, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 4- 0-19-1, RR Beaton 4-0-410, K Santokie 4-0-22-1, ND Stewart 1-0-8-0, JDS Neesham

3- 0-26-1, SP Narine 4-0-17-1 Guyana Amazon Warriors innings (target: 135 runs from 20 overs)

LMP Simmons not out 71

MJ Guptill not out 66

Extras (w 1) 1

Total (0 wicket; 14.5 overs)

138 (9.30 runs per over)

Did not batMohammad Hafeez, D Ramdin*†, JDS Neesham, CD Barnwell, ND Stewart, V Permaul, SP Narine, K Santokie, RR Beaton

Bowling: DL Vettori 3-0-240, DE Bernard 1-0-8-0, JE Taylor 3-0-36-0, J Theron

3.5-0-35-0, NO Miller 2-019-0, AD Russell 2-0-16- 0

By TreisTon Joseph

Courts on board for Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic summer 8-ball pool competition at middle Pocket arena sunday

Courts Furniture Store continued its sponsorship of the Boyce/ Jefford Track and Field Classic with a $300,000 cheque on Thursday at the store’s main outlet on Main Street.

The meet, which will be held this Saturday and Sunday in Linden, has become Guyana’s premier athletics event and has had the support of the furniture giant since the meet’s inception five years ago.

Media Officer of Courts Furniture Store, Trudy Abrams, was quick to note that it is because of Courts’s willingness to promote a comfortable way of life that has caused the well- known furniture company to support such a venture.

“This organisation (Boyce/ Jefford) has quickly become friends of Courts and this is something we are very happy to be associated with [since] it gives our athletes a chance to compete and, as you know, Courts is about having a comfortable and healthy living environment and sport is one of those ways to do so.

“This year we are told it is going to have a more international competition and we are expecting a lot of excite-

ment and good performances,” Abrams stated. One of the directors of the track and field classic, Edison Jefford, was grateful for the support of a top brand such as Courts.

“We are happy that our

track meet can be associated with the magnitude of this company, there will be good competition and all this is built into a very interesting package and we will have some of the best results this weekend. We want to thank

Courts for supporting us,” Jefford highlighted. The two-day event, which will provide in excess of two million dollars to clubs and athletes, will see some 46 events being run off over the weekend.

The trophies that will be

Top pool players from across the country will assemble at Middle Pocket Arena at Lot 39 Fourth Street, La Penitence, on Sunday for the second annual Summer 8-ball pool competition, starting at 15:00h.

According to organiser Ravi Ramlall, a competitive day of pool is expected as a number of seasoned players as well as up and coming ones are lined up to face each other.

Cash and trophies will be at stake and male players are required to pay

an entrance fee of $1,000, while females will be admitted free.

The day’s activities are being sponsored by Ansa McAl Trading Limited, Middle Pocket Arena, Brian Urling, Skipper’s Jewellery, Derick’s Variety Store, Sunil Pool Bar, Andrew’s Electrical and Contracting Service, Sir Cordet Speed Boat Service to Cuyuni Mazaruni and Royal Food Products. The deadline for registration is 17:00h on Sunday.

Amazon Warriors slaughter Tallawahs to reach final

By ReuBen StoBy

The mighty Jamaica Tallawahs looked like mere prey as the Guyana Amazon Warriors confidently stalked their target to eventually triumph by 10 wickets at Warner Park, St Kitts to reach Saturday’s final against Barbados Tridents.

Skipper Denesh Ramdin won the toss and had no hesitation in sending the defending champions to take first strike. The Tallawahs were restricted to 134 for 6 off the allotted 20 overs and Lendl Simmons (71 not out) and Martin Guptill (66 not out) made the run chase look easy, as victory was achieved with the opening partnership fully intact with the score on 138-0.

The Tallawahs innings started cautiously and progressed to 55 without loss, however, the part-

nership would be immediately broken with the introduction of Sunil Narine into the bowling attack. Chadwick Walton, who had survived a run- out chance when on 5, was caught by Guptill at long on for 24.

Chris Gayle, who although has failed to fire at the latter stages of the Limacol CPL but was still the leading run-scorer, would follow soon after to leave the innings at 57-2. The big- hitting Jamaican was neatly caught just inside the longoff boundary line by Simmons as he tried to hit Jimmy Neesham out of Warner Park. He had scored 19 off 23 balls.

Adam Voges, needing some runs after a dismal tournament, was then stumped when on 7 trying to advance down the track to Mohammad Hafeez to leave the score on 72-3 after 13. 3 overs.

continued on page 23

Plot of land in St Kitts is top prize for Limacol CPL Man of the Tournament – Beaumont Park providing exclusive piece of land worth over US$400,000