epaper

Poor labour turnout retarding GuySuCo’s growth – President Ramotar

Poor labour turnout retarding GuySuCo’s growth – President Ramotar

…calls on media to give Corporation a chance to breathe

The best days of the sugar industry is still ahead said President Donald Ramotar, who also noted that the industry has been affected by the need for restructuring as well as low labour turnout in the fields.

Speaking at a press conference at State House on Saturday, President Ramotar urged the media to give the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) a chance to breathe, since he said it has been given a lot of bad publicity lately.

He said GuySuCo should be given the opportunity to concentrate on work that is necessary to bring back the industry to full vitality since he has every confidence the best days of the sugary industry is yet to come.

Low Labour turnouts

“The difficulties GuySuCo has been facing in recent years has to do with the need for restructuring as well as a result of the trading regime that has occurred internationally. Therefore, GuySuCo has to change because those changes have been occurring internationally,” he said.

Only last month, the President had said the world market prices for sugar are discouraging, but that the

Corporation would have to continue to find ways of being cost effective, efficient and productive.

Ramotar also said GuySuCo needs to adapt to address the situation of low labour turnout in the fields, and noted that it has been operating as a whole at just over 60 per cent turnout in the fields, while in some estates the labour turnout has been as low as 40 per cent.

He named the Uitvlugt Estate as one example where labour turnout has been as low as 40 per cent.

“GuySuCo has to change because of the local labour situation in our country where we do not have huge surplus of labour anymore,” Ramotar stated.

Targets

Emphasising the need for the restructuring of the sugar industry, President Ramotar also called for support and understanding from stakeholders, including the media. He said criticism is always welcomed, but it must be constructive.

“The industry is important to us not only as an economy but psychologically. It is responsible for all of us being here in many ways and we should give as much sup-

President Donald Ramotar

port to it as we possibly can,” he said.

Despite the challenges in the sugar industry, President Ramotar highlighted that GuySuCo recently surpassed its target in reaching 79, 900 tonnes of sugar and that even the Skeldon Sugar Factory, which has been under so much scrutiny since its modernisation, reached its target of 13, 795 tonnes of sugar.

He also noted that the Berbice and Rosehall Estates and the Enmore Packaging Plant have also been doing well. GuySuCo was recently commended by the President for surpassing its first crop target of 74,842 tonnes of sugar.

The President had acknowledged that this

achievement was not easy and expressed admiration for the persistence and hard work of the GuySuCo community of stakeholders, who made it possible.

He had said the attainment of this goal had not been without major challenges, many of which hamper efforts to make the corporation viable and sustainable.

President Ramotar had encouraged the management, staff and other stakeholders to use the opportunity to further motivate them to greater accomplishments, especially taking into account GuySuCo’s traditional contributions to the social and economic development of the country.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had said it is very encouraging to see GuySuCo performing at a level of its potential.

“This is testimony to my faith in the industry, and also allows for the detractors of the industry to pause a little, because I have heard the explanation of bad management and so forth, and my question is how come when the weather is good, even in the last three years, GuySuCo performs at its potential,” he had said early last month.

Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir

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

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Editorial

Modi foreign moves

India has always been a very important partner with Guyana in the latter’s quest for development. Even though starting from a very low economic platform because of their shared colonial depredations, India extended aid to Guyana directly through loans and grants, scholarships, the programs from its Cultural Centre, and just as crucially, taking the side of developing nations during multilateral negotiations with the developed world.

Narendra Modi demonstrated that he was thinking outside the box, not only on domestic issues, even before he was officially ensconced as Prime Minister of India. He invited the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) including the leader of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, to his inauguration. This move was unprecedented and raised hopes that the political temperature in the region will be decreased.

Now that he has taken charge in New Delhi with his deployment of “less government and more more governance”, Modi appears ready to make his mark in the foreign arena. He announced that his first foreign visit will be to the landlocked neighboring state of Bhutan later this month. This is a signal to China that India will be more assertive on border issues since Bhutan and India both have concerns in that area.

Even though US President Barak Obama called the Indian PM following his landslide victory at the polls and invited him on a state visit to his country, Modi appears in no hurry to accept that invitation. He will however, be attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) opening session in September and will take the opportunity to meet him them. Not necessarily only at the sidelines of UNGA but also in a visit to the White House.

The US is anxious to put their ten-year visa ban on Modi behind them since there are a host of issues, strategic and economic, that they would want to settle. One would be the refusal of the previous Indian regime to allow US retailers like Wal Mart to directly bring in their goods into India. Modi has already signaled a softening of this policy by allowing e-Bay to initiate e-commerce in India. There are also their mutual concerns on China.

But the biggest buzz is over the announcement that Modi will be attending the BRICS summit in Brazil, July 15-17. There he will interact with his peers from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa. The focus in Brazil will be on moving ahead with the BRICS Development Bank (BDB) that was mooted at the previous (fifth) BRICS Summit in South Africa, last year.

Such a bank will provide countries like Guyana with a new source of funding, especially for the infrastructural projects that the World Bank accepts are necessary, but for which it claims it cannot provide the funds. It has suggested the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, that has been criticized by the Opposition in Guyana. Another reason for the BDB is to signal the developed worldespecially the EU and the US - that their foot dragging on opening up the World Bank’s governing structure will not prevent the BRICS from deploying their reserves for development of poorer nations and their own members.

Modi has signaled that he will be visiting Japan to solidify his personal and country ties with the Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, as one of three persons the latter follows on Twitter. In Japan, Modi will want to expand the Japanese investment in India from their beachhead in Gujarat, in addition to discussing key bilateral and regional issues in the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the AsiaPacific region.

With Modi being just three hours away from Georgetown for the BRICS Summit, Guyana should seize the opportunity to invite the Indian PM to visit this country. Modi was in Guyana on a private visit in August 2000, and always maintained an interest in this country’s development.

Why Indian Arrival is celebrated

Dear editor

Indian Arrival was celebrated last weekend in Trinidad and is being celebrated in New York today at the Smokey Park in Little Guyana, Queens. In Guyana, we celebrated Indian Arrival a month ago.

Indian Arrival is an event to thank the ancestors for their contributions to society. Indian Arrival celebrations have been held in some Caribbean societies for decades and it was only recently it has been accorded national holiday status on a similar footing as Emancipation Day accorded to our African brethren.

Obtaining a holiday for Indian Arrival was a most difficult achievement in Trinidad and Guyana. From New York, a few us contributed to that struggle in Guyana, including Vassan Ramracha, Baytoram Ramharack and Ravi Dev joining our counterparts Ryhaan Shah, Sandra Khan and the GIHA group (based in Guyana), among others. I was among them.

And in Trinidad, those in the forefront of the struggle included stalwarts like Ramdath Jagessar, Samaroo Siewah, Kamla Persad, Kumar Mahabir, Rajnie Ramlakhan, Trevor Sudama, Rajiv Seunarine, Ashram Maharaj, Ken Vidia Permasad, Vassan Ramracha, Rennie Ramracha and I, among others from the Society for Propagation of Indian Culture.

I salute the efforts of those who contributed to the struggle to grant Indian Arrival national recognition as a holiday.

The celebration pertaining to Indian Arrival has been to recognize the immense contributions Indians have made to the Caribbean region and from there to North America.

We celebrate their overcoming the adverse working and social conditions they experienced on the ships that brought them to the Caribbean, their persecution on the sugar plantations where they were bonded, and their oppression by racist governments during self governance and post-independence.

Indian Arrival celebrates the overcoming of the difficult conditions Indians endured during the entire period of bounded indenturedship and the establishment of a strong Indian presence in Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and other societies.

The arrival of Indians to Guyana began in 1838 and to Trinidad in 1845. Indian indenturedship terminated in 1917 as a result of the protest carried out by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Party of India relating to the abuse of the indentured laborers and the robbing of their hard earned wages.

The introduction in the region of Indians has added to the cultural mosaic with new foods (curry and spicy

cuisine), religions, music, language, clothing, skills, crafts, plants and herbs, etc.

Indian Arrival has brought Diwali, hosay, Ram Leela, Eid-ul-Fitr, Phagwah, Dussehra, and other cultural and religious observances. The contribution in the development of agriculture has gone beyond plantation life.

Indian Arrival recognizes how Indians spectacularly saved the sugar industry from certain collapse during the 1840s. In addition, the contributions they have made in growing food to alleviate hunger and starvation in the colonies and that they continue to make till this day.

Historically, the inspiration for celebrating Indian Arrival Day was derived from the Indian Centenary Celebrations of May 1838 in Guyana and of May 1945 in Trinidad. Subsequently, the Indian Revival and Reform Association (IRRA) that included Jagessar, Mahabir, etc, had approached the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha with the idea of hosting this event in Trinidad.

A few members of the IRRA merged with the Hindu Seva Sangh to commemorate the celebration throughout the country. What began as a centenary celebration grew later into a national festival and in 1995 it became a national holiday in Trinidad.

In Guyana, Indian Arrival holiday was similarly obtained. It was Yesu

Persaud’s group and later Dev’s GIHA that popularized Indian Arrival celebrations. Another group was established by the PPP/C during the 1990s, and today Indian Arrival celebrations are held throughout the country.

A holiday was granted in 1988 to mark the 150th anniversary as a one off occasion, but the PPP/C government has made Indian Arrival into an annual holiday over the last decade.

The sacrifice and hard work of the indentured laborers have borne rich dividends which, unfortunately, they themselves did not enjoy in the Caribbean. In their fight to survive and prosper, many obstacles were thrown in their path, all of which they overcame without resorting to violence.

And nations owe a debt of gratitude to them for enriching their societies for leaving behind a rich legacy that we enjoy today. As various communities celebrates their arrival, descendants of the pioneers of Indian immigrants must pledge to continue the struggle for their place in the society with the same zeal, indomitable spirit, and self-esteem which marked the character of their fore-parents to add to their contributions and to protect against those who seek to destroy the Indian people.

Submitted by Vishnu Bisram

Startling revelations coming out of Rodney CoI

Why Guyana descended from its rich potential in the early 1970s to a deadly state, whereby by in 1980, the nation saw committed in its capital city, Georgetown, the worst political assassination in the history of the Englishspeaking Caribbean?

Now, revelations coming out of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into how and why Dr Rodney suffered such an ignoble death grip the nation with fascination and shock.

When world-renowned scholar, Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated in a bomb blast in his car in Georgetown on June 13, 1980, the Guyanese nation had descended to a dark, deadly depth, with sinister and mysterious undercurrents.

Never again

Now, 34 years later, the Government of Guyana has convened a Commission of Inquiry to probe that dark period of the nation’s history. Despite an international outcry and whispers of political conspiracy and citizens speculating on allegations of how and why Dr Rodney was killed, Guyana, for decades, never inquired into why the nation had sunk to such a dysfunctional social depth.

State witness, Joseph Hamilton, last week told the Commission he agreed to testify because he wants to reveal what he knows of that dark period “of the country’s history. I don’t want to see this country live through that ever again. I want young people to know the history, and to never repeat it. I want to clear my conscience, to be free”.

He was echoing the goal of one of the Terms of Reference of the Commission’s work, which seeks to establish the climate and atmosphere in Guyana in the period 1978–1980, which would

have caused and resulted in the death of outstanding international scholar and populist political leader, Dr Rodney.

The Walter Rodney CoI comprises three distinguished legal minds of the Caribbean, who in the two sessions of its sitting have established a professional, rational and impartial reputation. The Commission’s credibility across the Guyanese nation, both in the diaspora and locally, is now soundly intact, with citizens paying keen attention to the testimonies, witness accounts and revelations of mind-blowing political intrigue.

PNC’s resistance

The Commissioners, eminent legal scholar from Barbados Sir Richard Cheltenham, outstanding legal luminary from Jamaica, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, and distinguished legal intellectual from Trinidad and Tobago, Seenath Jairam, have gained the respect of all Counsel appearing at the Commission.

The Commissioners have gained the praise of all Counsel involved in the Commission’s work, as demonstrating impartial professionalism and a keen sense of gathering the

Co-Leader of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, pays keen attention to the Commission’s daily hearings, and sits through the entire day in the audience. He is due to testify.

Now an active Member of Parliament representing the WPA in a political alliance with the PNC in the Parliamentary grouping A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr Roopnarine holds the position of Deputy Leader to APNU’s leader, Brigadier David Granger, who is also leader of the PNC. Granger’s name was mentioned in testimony from ex-Army Chief, Major General McLean, last Thursday.

truth.

The People’s National Congress (PNC) has resisted calls to probe the assassination, and now distances itself from the Commission’s probe, claiming that the current ruling People Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) convened the Commission for its own political motives.

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment, said he rejects the PNC’s claims, noting that the investigation is “long overdue”.

“The Guyanese people want closure on this terrible period. It is high time we conduct a thorough investigation into the atmosphere and state of the country that would have caused Dr Rodney to be killed. This was under the PNC Government that such a horrible thing happened. They must face the Guyanese citizenry, and stop finding excuses. We carried this burden too long. It is time the Guyanese people know the truth.”

The Commission’s work sees the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) also come under the microscope, as Dr Rodney was leader of that party when he was assassinated.

Granger

McLean testified that Granger was a “point man” between the Army and Police after the fatal Dr Rodney bomb blast.

Despite the Commission’s hearing being 34 years after the actual event of the Rodney assassination, many of the political, Army, Police and other leaders of the period under probe are around.

The Commission has adjourned its sittings, to be resumed June 23 next.

It is the first time in this country’s history that an international Commission of Inquiry of this magnitude and historical significance has been convened. Attorney General Nandlall said he is honoured that President Donald Ramotar has convened the Commission under his watch as Minister of Legal Affairs, and noted that the Government of Guyana wants to see, coming out of the Commission, a full and detailed report of how and why Guyana got to a point where its political leaders were in fear of their lives, and one was so brutally killed.

“Under the PNC in that period of 1978-1980, Guyana was a place of fear, with the Army and

Police and House of Israel, all attacking and beating political opponents. Then, even independent media was banned in this country, along with basic food items. We must investigate these things. We owe it to the citizens of this country, that the truth of what caused Dr Rodney’s death, and why so many were beaten and brutalised, just for holding a political opinion,” Nandlall said.

Nandlall said the Commission’s work “is about closure of this terrible period in the history of Guyana; it’s about justice for the family of Dr Rodney; and it’s about gathering the answers we need so that we never again see such inhumane things repeated in this country”.

The Minister said “this is about seeing that justice is done, and it’s about our history, and it’s about the WPA knowing the truth surrounding the circumstances in this country that caused Dr Rodney to be killed”.

Revelations coming out of the Commission show Guyana in 19781980 was under the vice-

grip of dark underground forces, operating through the notorious religion sect, the House of Israel, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, spies and double-agents working in clandestine undercover conspiracies, leading figures of the PNC Government, and international espionage agents, including a shadowy foreign figure then operating out of the Pegasus Hotel, who trained Army and Police spies and Police Intelligence undercover officers in the operation of deadly weapons. (GINA)

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

It’s been happening for a while: girls have been outperforming boys in school at every level. For example, in QC there are more girls than boys- a clear indication that there are more girls who scored within that top 1% at NGSA.

Throughout High School, our Speech Nights were all heavily dominated by girls collecting the top prizes. Fast forward to CSEC and you’ll notice that the girls have been consistently topping not only the country, but the Caribbean as a whole. At the CAPE level, girls maintain their excellent scores and eventually get into the tertiary institutions of their choice.

So what’s going on? Are girls more driven than boys? But we know that much of what we’re “driven” to do is the result of socialization. So what has changed in the socialization process? Is society not ensuring that boys should also be high flyers as they were as recently as my father’s generation? I think so.

The imparting of education from nursery all the way to Med School where I now am is geared for passive learning. But at the same time, boys

are socialized to feel they must not be passive. Shouldn’t we relook at this element of pedagogy?

Are girls built smarter, with superior intellect? Well, all my scientific training up to now assures us that while there are definite physical and physiological differences in our brains, it does not impact on what we measure as “intelligence”. We’ll just have to get back into the socialization processes in the family, school, mandirs and be more conscious of where we made a wrong turn.

dinate isn’t going to work either.

Some religious bodies wax nostalgically about keeping women barefoot and pregnant. But even they know that if we’re all created equal in the eyes of God, we really must allow our potential to flower.

“Girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice.”

Anon - Old nursery rhyme

But in the end, whatever the reason for girls doing better than boys in school, the fact remains that it keeps happening. And when all of those girls who got better grades get into University and get their degree, they’ll be ready to enter the workforce and they’ll have the qualifications they need to be hired.

So we have girls who’re qualified to have ‘high-pow-

ered’ jobs; girls who are willing to do whatever it takes to have a successful career; girls who don’t have to be dependent on anyone for financial support. Soon, most of your doctors will be females, your lawyer will be a woman, and you might even elect a woman as President. Again.

So how will boys deal with a world where many females are dominating the jobs and roles that have so long been considered as masculine? The outburst of violence against females isn’t the answer. Keeping the glass ceilings to keep women subor-

So we return to the question of socialization. It’s really not fair for our boys to have to conform to certain fixed patterns of being ‘manly’. If I had a son, who preferred to paint instead of playing rugby, would I make fun of him for not being manly enough? No. If my son cried when he was sad, would I tell him to stop and keep it all in because “real men” don’t cry? Nope. But in our society today, there’s just so much pressure on both males and females to be what society wants you to be, instead of who you truly are.

And unless our boys start trying to give the girls a little bit of competition in schools, we might eventually see a reversal in roles and maybe shoot past an equalitarian society to a society completely dominated by women.

Chronic parental conflict:

How it can be harmful for children

By Kathy EugstEr

Give your child some information

Children need to know a bit about what is going on between their mom and dad when there is parental conflict. You need to be honest with your child in a brief and reassuring manner. You should not, however, provide them with any long explanations or emotional details of the conflict. A brief explanation that mom and dad are having problems getting along with each other or agreeing on things, and that there is some effort being made about working things out or getting help is all that is necessary. It is important also to reassure your child that you will always love him or her.

Children tend to be egocentric and if not told about what is happening in concrete terms, your child may imagine that the conflict is all about him or her and may take the blame for the conflict. Make sure your child knows that the conflict and arguments are not his or her fault. If your child believes that the fighting is about him or her, it will cause huge amounts of stress.

Don’t criticise the other parent in front of your child

Children find it easy to complain about and criticise their own parent, but find it very difficult to hear criticism of their parent coming from someone else, even if it is from the other parent.

Children identify with both parents and should not have to feel guilty about loving each parent. Children may experience, either consciously or unconsciously, a parent saying negative things about the other parent as a personal attack because it is a put-down of that aspect of themselves that identifies with the other parent. This has the effect of diminishing a child’s self esteem, not to mention the danger of weakening parent-child relationships.

Differences in parents and parenting styles are normal and children will have their own unique experiences with each parent. By respecting their own differences, parents teach their children an impor-

(Part two)

tant lesson on empathy and respecting individual differences in others.

Be careful when talking to others about the other parent and make sure you withhold critical comments about the other parent when children are present or even in the vicinity. Remember that children can overhear conversations extremely well even if they are out of sight. Phone conversations are especially important to be careful with. Don’t let your child take sides Your child should not be encouraged to take sides or to empathise with you against the other parent. When there is conflict between parents, a child may feel like he or she has to align with one parent to gain approval from that parent. However, this comes at the expense of feeling guilty for abandoning or rejecting the other parent. It also unbalances a healthy family structure when one parent and child are aligned together against the other parent. The danger in the long run would be to turn your child against the other parent.

Don’t make children your confidantes

There can be a huge temptation for you to lean on your child for support if you are in conflict with the other parent, but please resist this temptation. Even if your child seems to be coping well and seems to be happy and well adjusted, leaning on your child for support is very damaging to him or her and can lead to longterm problems. The message children need to see and hear is that you are in control of things and know what you are doing. Remember that they are children and you are an adult dealing with an adult problem.

It is important for you as an adult to get support for yourself from a friend, relative, or professional and not to struggle with these issues by yourself. Be careful if your child is starting to seem like a friend, adult, or second parent in the home; children need to be children. (kathyeugster. com)

International female Qaseeda singers to grace ACIC

Toronto-based, international recording female Qaseeda singers, Guyanese-born, Nazima Hossain and her mother, Sakina Hossain, will be special guests at the “Shukrana (thanksgiving) programme” on June 15.

According to a release, the programme begins at 13:00h at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), West Coast Demerara.

Nazeema and her mom, Sakina, along with another sibling, Shameeza, some years ago formed a singing group that originated from the island of Leguan. They started singing at the very early stages through the Amsterdam Masjid, Leguan under the theme programme, “Glimpses of Islam through the Ages”, a musical play depicting the Prophets of Allah, from Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (SAS).

This play was performed throughout Guyana at many masjids and also at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown. It grew in popularity over the years even with the migration of Nazima and family in 1993, to Toronto, Canada.

Household song

They continued to sing their beautiful qaseedas in mostly English. They caught the eyes and ears of Pakistaniborn music producer, Nadeem Ali, and through the Avenger Productions of Toronto, produced their first album in 1995/96, fittingly named “Glimpses of Islam”.

The catchy tunes on this album soon became very popu-

lar in the Caribbean and North America, and in Guyana, the song, “Whether you go to churches, whether you go to mandirs”, soon became a household song for Guyanese. All the lyrics for these songs, and for the other albums are produced by Zaman Mirza and Rafeek Mirza (formerly of Endeavour, Leguan), now residing in Canada and the US respectively.

The siblings credit their father Sheikh Nazir, who is also praised by his wife Sakina Hossain; the Razack family; the Mirza family; the late Imam Fazal (Amsterdam Masjid, Leguan) and family; Buddy Boy (Shafdar); the late Ramatally; Farouk Amin and family; Alim Shaw; Hajji Rahaman (K Rahaman and Sons); Khaleel Rahaman and family (Ruby,

East Bank Essequibo); present Imam of Amsterdam Masjid Shaikh Shahiroon Mohammed; Teacher “Zed” and John Khan and family; as well as their producer Nadeem Ali and Avengers Productions of Canada, for their tremendous success as singers.

The duo will be appearing at ACIC, Guyana’s leading Islamic centre and hub for the international cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and the rest of the world, for the first time.

The complex has recently completed phases one and two of a four-phased multimilliondollar upgrading/expansion of its facilities to better serve the needs of its membership and the hundreds of persons who use these facilities each year.

It is the centre of Sunni Islam in Guyana, and is the venue of more than 80 per cent of the national Muslim programmes and headquarters of several organisations and institutions, both local and overseas. The programme on June 15 will mark the official opening of phases one and two of the projects.

Guyanese are in for a treat on June 15, as these wonderful singers will be appearing at ACIC for the first time.

For more information, ACIC can be contacted by email: muslimjournal@yahoo.com or anna_ catherina_islamic_complex@ hotmail.com; telephone numbers telephone numbers 2690210, 276-0029 / 628-4179 / 2760232/625-6833; or visit their Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/annacatherin a. sunnatuljameet.9.

Cuba must be invited to Summit of Americas – Foreign Affairs Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said Cuba must be invited to participate in the next Summit of the Americas in Panama without any preconditions.

The Minister made the comment at the meeting of the Summit Implementation Review Group on Thursday, during the Organisation of American States (OAS) Assembly in Paraguay, South America.

Her statement came after a suggestion by one member state that certain conditions must be attached for Cuba’s participation.

“Madame Chair, I am finding it a bit difficult to understand why we are discussing this issue of Cuba’s presence at the summit. For Guyana, this is a non-issue and was already settled in Cartagena at the last summit. Cuba must be invited and there must be no conditionalities,” the Minister said.

This position was adumbrated by her colleagues in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

The Summit of the Americas

is a continuing series of summits, bringing together the leaders of the Americas, including North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America

The function of these summits is to foster discussion of a variety of issues affecting the western hemisphere. These high-level summit meetings have been organised by a number of multilateral bodies under the aegis of the OAS

In the early 1990s, what were formerly ad hoc summits came to be institutionalised into a regular “Summits of the Americas” conference programme.

At the 6th Summit of the Americas numerous leaders across the political spectrum said that the next summit must include Cuba. The ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas) states also added that they would boycott a summit without Cuba’s presence. A final declaration at the summit was also held up over the issue of Cuba.

Some Govt agencies not fully prepared to fight fires – Senior Fire Officer

Several Government agencies are not properly equipped or prepared to fight fires and this poses a serious risk to their occupants and state resources, Divisional Officer of B Division Fire Service, Compton Sparman said.

He told this publication that the information was obtained as “first strike officers” of the division are currently conducting familiarisation tours. These, he noted, were arranged to highlight some of the challenges that confront the Fire Department as they attempt to fight fires or other emergencies.

The New Amsterdam Hospital, New Amsterdam Prisons and Guyoil’s terminal at Heatburn Village, East Bank Berbice have all been found lapsing, he explained.

He noted that all of those institutions have fire-fighting capabilities that need to be improved.

During a recent visit to the Guyoil’s terminal at Heatburn Village, the officers zeroed in on the storage and fire-fighting capabilities there.

According to Sparman,

fighting capabilities at the terminal need to be boosted tremendously because of the amount of fuel that is stored there.

Sparman noted that the Guyoil’s outlet at Heatburn only has access to the water in the Berbice River to fight a fire should one occur there.

“Now if a fire should

break out where the tanks are, we will not be able to get to the back to get access to the water at the back,” he explained.

Sparman added that systems have been put in place to have waste stored in a reservoir for fire-fighting purposes at Guyoil at Heatburn.

Meanwhile, the fire officer reported that more attention has to be placed on arrangements to have patients evacuated should a fire occur at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Issues

He added that the New Amsterdam Prison “has its own issues in relation to firefighting, we just can’t arrive and start to work; we have to work in conjunction with the officers there who have a limited amount of training in fire-fighting”.

Eyew tness Historical rectification...

...on WWII

It’s cliched to say history is written by the victors. But it’s not often remarked that sometimes the losers do manage to get back on their feet - and tell their story. History does have its ebb and flow - and every dog might have its day. So we heard quite a bit of D-Day –June 6, 1944 – when the “Allied Forces” landed on the beaches of Normandy and went on to slog their way to the heartland of Germany to end the “Great War”.

Nowadays youngsters are being regaled with that narrative of the victors through the re-telling of the story of “Captain America”. He started as the classic 97-pound weakling who signed up to defeat those dastardly Nazis. But somehow in the commemorations and retellings of D-Day and the “war for democracy”, we never hear about the Russians and their role in the wareven though they were one of the “allies”. Maybe, even the major ally.

And you don’t have to take your Eyewitness’ word for it. As a staunch Canadian anti-communist wrote: “When the Allies invaded France, most of the war-battered German units they met were undermanned, short of armour, trucks, heavy artillery, almost immobile, and reduced to less that 40 percent combat effectiveness by previous hard fighting on the Eastern (Russian) Front.

Most important, Germany’s once splendid air force was almost extinct. German forces at Normandy had almost no air cover and were pounded by the Allies day and night by thousands of Allied air strikes and bombers. Few of us recall that close to 20,000 innocent French civilians were killed by our bombing raids!

The German Wehrmacht was not defeated in France, but on the Eastern Front, during 1941-44. The Red Army destroyed 507 German divisions, 48,000 German tanks and 77,000 German aircraft; 100 divisions of Nazi-allied Romanian, Hungary and Italy; and at least 450,000 Japanese soldiers, 32% of Japan’s total military losses.

Of Germany’s 10,000,000 casualties in World War II, over 75 percent came by fighting the Red Army. The German air force lost most of its planes and pilots on the Eastern Front. The gigantic battles on the Eastern Front ground down millions of lives.The Soviet Union lost over 20,000,000 people; besides, in the Pacific battles against Japan, they lost close to 1,000,000.

D-Day was just a diversionary sideshow to tie down German troops while the Red Army pushed towards Berlin.”

Think about it.

...on the Rodney Affair

But right here in Guyana we’re having our very own historical rectification of the years of living dangerously under Burnham’s PNC. Much of what’s coming out contradicts the account of the “victor” - the PNC. It’d long been known but was dismissed by the PNC’s machinery whose cogs are still in place. Just think of the house slave over at the MuckrakerKN.

Can anyone with even a shred of decency read the accounts of the Rodney CoI in that rag - and not throw up? There’s talk about parallel universes being realthe MuckrakerKN reporters had to have been attending hearings in that universe where Burnham doesn’t die on the table at Georgetown Hospital - and his “history” rules.

Look at their coverage of McLean’s testimony. The fella played the classic role of the three monkeys who “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil”. He had the chutzpah to deny he swore fealty to Burnham - even though after being catapulted into the Chief of Staff of the Disciplined Forces in July, he was right there in the front row at the PNC Congress in August.

But the Muckraker just reported that Mc Lean questioned the “authenticity” of documents!

...on Johnny Braff

Your Eyewitness heard Johnny Braff is in Guyana. His dad has all the records (in vinyl) of this local and regional superstar from the 60s. He must appear at the “Legends concert”.

Guyana's open skies expands...

Dynamic Airways comes on stream

– President Ramotar says venture yet another sign of investors’ confidence in Guyana

The formal launch of Dynamic Airways was welcomed by President Donald Ramotar, who described the move as another sign of strong confidence in the local economy.

Delivering the feature address to mark the occasion at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown, the President said the airline will help to also lower fares as it offers more competition in the Aviation Sector.

“I think this new venture, when it gets on stream, it will make a major contribution, not only to make it easier, but I hope we’ll get the same ease in our people moving to the different destinations that we will go to,” he said. “It will increase arrivals and improve tourism, develop agriculture and make a bigger contribu-

tion to the development of our society.”

The company’s operations will be handled locally by their agent, Roraima Airways. The new venture is something that will be good for all Guyanese, he added. He noted that the company will boost tourism and it is his hope that is so doing, more of the “tourist dollars” would remain in Guyana to further its development unlike other nations where 80 to 90 per cent of every dollar spent leaves the country.

Vote of confidence

A call was also made for more local produce to be utilised, to stimulate more agriculture development.

Echoing the President’s words, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn described

the venture as a vote of confidence in Guyana, particularly at this “precarious time of how we see ourselves as Guyanese”, both in the Parliament and outside of it.

“Perhaps we are in a situation where we think we run the risk of bringing to a halt the development opportunities, the growth that we have in our country that we want to avoid all of this as Guyanese, and we are particularly happy when a foreign operation such as this, a significant one in the air transport sector, would give us this vote of confidence,” he said.

Minister Benn added that he is looking forward to the flights, good service, sustainable optimised ticketing and seeing an enduring partnership that would help to further expand the aviation

market. Mention was made of the expansion plans for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which will all help the country to grow.

For Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, “It was another good thing for Guyana”.

The Minister said the capacity of the airline’s fleet of 767 jets will help to boost the agricultural capacity with their expansive cargo capabilities. Noting that the Caribbean imported US$5.2 billion worth of food in 2013, he said this venture will help to transport regional produce to markets further afield, and help to offset the need for imports from further afield.

Also delivering remarks, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, said that the developments occurring are not just rhetoric.

“Copa could not be rhetoric, Copa is here, Dynamic is

not rhetoric, Dynamic is here, the new airport project is not rhetoric, it is ongoing, the Marriott Hotel is not rhetoric, it is ongoing.

“Guyana is moving forward, we are moving forward regardless of which side of the political divide we may fall. This country belongs to all of us, the future belongs to all of us, and we all have a moral and ethical responsibility to leave something behind,” said Minister Ali

He further called on those gathered to recommit themselves to national patriotic development. The new airline will also help to boost the arrivals for the upcoming Guyana festival and tourism in general, the Minister added as he thanked all of the staffers and stakeholders who made the venture possible.

Dynamic Airways Chief Business Development Vice

President Tom Johnson outlined the company’s plans to hire as many local staffers as possible and described the venture as a great partnership. He also thanked all of those who made the launch possible and said that it was only done due to a dynamic team.

The US-registered airline, is gearing to commence New York and Torontobound flights from Guyana by month-end. The airline, which offers chartered and scheduled flights across the US and other international destinations, will offer increased cargo capacity particularly for produce, and is the latest to come on board the Guyana route, to capitalise on the busy peak summer season.

Eddy Grant not performing at Guyana Festival

Contrary to articles published by Guyana and other newspapers recently, this publication was advised by the Tourism Ministry that Eddy Grant will not be performing at the Guyana Festival.

Guyana Times sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused as a result of the error. The Tourism Ministry source confirmed that Grant was one of the artistes who were first contacted to perform before his home crowd at the Night of the Legend Concert billed for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara on August 9.

However, from the inception, Grant indicated that he could not perform. The official stated that initially his photograph was placed on the banners, but

Eddy Grant

those had to be redone after he could not perform. If Grant had agreed to perform, it would have been his first here.

Nevertheless, the threeday event will see exciting events that will celebrate sport legends, culture, art, entertainment, food, music and much more.

On Day One, there will be an air show, followed by an international concert with drumming and lots of food. Day Two will commence with the Festival Games – where the Master XI will take on the President’s XI in football and cricket.

Famous names on the

rosters include Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Lennox Cush, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Clive Lloyd, Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, and Trevon Griffith. An unforgettable night of legends will see the likes of Dave Martins and others.

Day Three will see the electrifying National Cookoff with foods from every corner and every culture of Guyana represented at the Guyana National Stadium.

There will also be a Generation Next Concert with local artistes such as Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo and Vanilla.

Every evening of the festival, there will be Coney Island rides for the entire family, an arts and craft exhibition and sale, and a wide variety of food and drinks on sale.

Some Govt agencies not fully...

He noted that the recent fire at the New Amsterdam Prisons highlighted how deficient the prison officers are in addressing the situation.

“They were just throwing water even though they did not know the origin on the fire. When we got there,

we had to create something called a spray to create something called ventilation, so we can see what was burning, because the

fire was in an area where there was limited ventilation and there was a heavy build up of smoke because of the type of material that was burning,” he said.

He noted that the purpose for the visit was to get an understanding of the agencies so that there can be compatibility in terms of equipment, strategies and fire-fighting techniques.

“When we visit these places, we recognise that there are a lot of challenges that they face unknown to us, mainly because of the limited financial resources that they have to implement the necessary fire safety requirements,” said Sparman.

The exercise will continue with hotels and gas stations being targeted. The department will also be targeting GuySuCo estates. However, this will be done when the estates re-commence grinding.

Naga’s testimony

Satiricus was all agog. He’d also imbibed some grog.

But lying in his hammock looking at the Rodney Commission’s hearings on TV, he’d gotten a bit groggy. Was that the Naga Man sidling into the witness box? Satiricus closed his eyes and reminisced. What a guy - this Naga Man!! This was a history book walking around.

The only trouble, Satiricus conceded, was most people thought Naga Man liked to “cook the book”. Made up things, they said unkindly. Like that time he said Cheddi picked him to be his successor. Was in the Rupununi, when they were campaigning. Naga Man said Cheddi said, “You see that man over there? He will be my successor.” Trouble was even though there were a dozen other PPP fellas on the stage, no one else heard anything.

But Naga Man was sure was he, Cheddi had in mind. It must however be mentioned, Satiricus recollected, that Naga Man has done quite a heavy sampling of the local paiwari. “And that stuff is powerful,” confessed Satiricus ruefully. “So maybe Naga Man’s mind, might’ve been a bit fuzzy?”

But here was Naga Man making his statement on Rodney.

Commissioner: Please identify yourself.

Naga Man: Is me, Naga Man. I is a lawyer, just like y’all. I ain’t look fancy like y’all but I study all them big books in law school.

Comm: How long you been a lawyer?

Naga Man: Three years, sah.

Comm: Three years? But you look old enough to be me grandfather!

Naga Man: I start out when I already had a grandson, sah.

Comm: Is that the one you told to “shut yuh so-and-so mouth”?

Naga Man: Is that relevant, sah?

Comm: That shows how wet behind the ears you are, Mr Naga Man. This is not a court of law. The rules are relaxed. Anyhow let us hear your story, Mr Naga Man.

Naga Man: Well, Cheddi tell me Ah should be the contact with Rodney in 1979.

Comm: Did anybody hear Cheddi tell you this?

Naga Man: Well the Donald was there. He was there in the Rupununi too. But he say he ain’t hear nothing. He jealous me. I shoulda been the President.

Comm: OK, Continue with your story.

Naga Man: Well I use to meet Rodney all the time. I teach him everything he know. I really wrote the book he publish on the History of the Working People of Guyana.

Comm: Listen it’s getting late. You know anything how Rodney get killed?

Naga Man: Yes sah, He wanted a walkie talkie. And I know about these things. So I made him one but it look like I crossed a wire or two wrong . And the thing explode and kill the man.

Comm: Mr Naga Man, do you know the implications of what you’re saying?

Naga Man: Yes sah. I always hungry for publicity. Everybody gon talk about me now.

But ah got immunity right?

Comm: Not really, Mr Naga Man. Sorry.

CPGs receive equipment to boost operations

The Home Affairs Ministry on Friday formally handed over $15 million of operational equipment to boost the work of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) throughout the country.

According to a release, the community policing divisions of A2,B2, B3,C2,C3, D1, F1 and F2 each received a brush cutter, while a motor vehicle pickup was given to the Leguan CPG.

Two motorcycles were also distributed: one to the Berbice area and the

other to D Division CPG.

One fibre-glass boat each was given to the Wakenaam and Linden CPGs, while two All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) – one each– were handed over to the Lethem CPG and the Mabaruma CPG.

A 32-seater bus was also made available to aid in the transportation of members of community policing groups during community projects.

The equipment was handed over by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee to leaders of the various

Fire flattens house of popular Linden businessman

Linden fire officials are investigating the mysterious circumstances in which the house of popular businessman and Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) Chairman Dunstan Barrow went up in flames on Friday evening.

Guyana Times understands that the house, situated at Richmond Hill, Mackenzie, has been unoccupied for some time now since the Barrow family has

been living in Georgetown.

Persons in the area stated that electricity supply was not connected to the house at the time, leaving investigators to believe that it may have been intentionally set afire.

According to persons living in vicinity, they were alerted to smoke emanating from the house approximately 21:45h on Friday evening.

A neighbour reportedly

contacted the Linden Fire Station, which responded promptly, but was however unable to save the wooden structure which was shortly after engulfed in flames.

The family was informed shortly after the incident.

Persons living in the area also reported seeing a man who appeared to be of unsound mind, prowling in the yard of the house around the same time that it went up in flames.

“This whole thing was just unbelievable. Nobody ain’t know what really take place. We just notice the place on fire, somebody said a junkie was in the area and probably went around the house. Somebody run he away after they probably thought he had something to do with it, but I don’t really know,” a resident related.

Residents indicated that although the house was unoccupied, persons would occasionally check in to ensure all was well. Investigations are ongoing.

sunDAY, june 8, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

NICIL denies funding Specialty Hospital, CJIA Expansion

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) said it has absolutely no connection with the development projects for the construction of the Specialty Hospital and expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

NICIL made the pronouncement following a report published in another section of the press on Saturday, in which Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan reportedly said the entity is paying the contractors executing the Specialty Hospital and CJIA Expansion Project.

According to the news report, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger supported the view proffered by Ramjattan.

Ramjattan reportedly told the newspaper that his investigations revealed that the contractors are being paid up to date, through NICIL.

But, NICIL said the claim is false. “NICIL considers the statements by Mr Ramjattan, as disclosed by the newspaper, as dishonest, reckless

and highly irresponsible,” the release said.

The combined parliamentary Opposition in April, using its one-seat majority, voted against the $109 million budget allocation for the Specialty Hospital Project proposed under the Health Ministry.

This action by the Opposition resulted in the disapproval of several other areas under the line item, Regional and Clinical Services Capital Expenditures, while the Current Expenditures for this programme were approved.

This programme had contained seven sectors, includ-

ing the Specialty Hospital, which were all voted against, in light of the January 29 ruling of acting Chief Justice Ian Chang that the National Assembly does not have the right to cut or amend the national budget, but can only approve or disapprove of it, line item by line item.

Government had also blasted the Opposition for voting down the entire transport section’s budgetary allocation of $5.6 billion for the Public Works Ministry.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn had said that areas such as the Ogle International Airport Expansion Project, the purchasing of key equipment for the CJIA and the CJIA Expansion Project, along with repairs and maintenance to hinterland airstrips would be adversely affected.

Works on the two projects are ongoing, and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon had said that the workers are hoping to be paid sooner, rather than later.

Blackwater murder suspect still at large

The Police are yet to arrest the suspect who gunned down Bevaun “Saka” Anderson at Blackwater Landing, Konawaruk, Potaro, Region Eight.

Crime Chief Leslie James told Guyana Times that the Police are still on the lookout for the suspect, who has gone into hiding after committing the act.

Nevertheless, he is sure that the man will be arrested and placed before the court.

Guyana Times also understands that the gun that was used in the shooting, a .9mm pistol, might have been illegal.

Anderson, 30, of Lot 34 Jonestown, Mahaica, East

Coast Demerara, was reportedly shot twice to the back by his assailant on Tuesday.

According to reports, the young man and a group of

men were conversing when the suspect got involved in an exchange of words with Anderson.

It was at this time that the suspect pulled a gun from his waist and discharged two rounds, hitting Anderson in the process. He reportedly fell to the ground and died almost immediately. He was taken to the Mahdia Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem performed on the body of Anderson proved that he died from multiple gunshot injuries. Anderson is expected to be laid to rest shortly. He leaves to mourn his mother and six siblings.

Investigations continue into tortured Annandale teen

Investigations into the allegation of torture of 19-year-old Junior Thorrington of Eastville Housing Scheme, Annandale, East Coast Demerara are continuing, Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed on Friday.

James said that once a policeman has been implicated, the matter would have to be thoroughly investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility, before it is sent to any other entity or officials for recommendations.

This latest case comes on the heels of the 15-year-old Georgetown youth, who was allegedly shot to the mouth by a Police officer after being dragged from his home.

The officer is expected to make a court appearance on Monday.

The teenager Thorrington is still in the Burns Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, nursing second degree burns to both of his hands. The incident reportedly occurred between May 25 and May 27, while he was in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station, East Coast Demerara.

The young man was reportedly taken into Police custody for loitering and was later accused of being a member of a gang that had committed a robbery.

According to information received, the teenager, who is not mentally sound, lives

with his grandmother and would normally take little strolls in the community.

It was reported that after spending a few days in custody, he was subsequently discharged and it was then it was discovered that both of his hands were badly burnt.

During interrogation, the Police rank allegedly put methylated spirits on the teen’s hands, and set them on fire.

The rank involved reportedly offered the teen an undisclosed sum of money to settle the matter, but the offer was refused. Relatives of the tortured teen subsequently met with top ranks of the Guyana Police Force, who condemned the alleged act .

Truth Simply the

Independence Day

Professor Daizal Samad

Two years ago, I was honoured in the extreme to have been asked to give the keynote address at the Rose Hall Town flag- raising ceremony to commemorate our nation’s Independence Day. My pleasure in doing this duty was increased many-fold, because I am myself a Rose Hall boy.

Rose Hall has or had good people. Indeed, the mother from whose breast I drank milk was a second or third -generation African whose name was Doreen. After a 30-year absence from this nation, I came back and immediately sought after her. She had passed just days before I came back.

In Rose Hall Town they called her Short Doreen. What you see of me or hear from me is partially her creation. All my degrees and my titles and such simple things spring from her love and the discipline that she insisted I must possess. Pain is not being able to say thank you after a gift was given.

People like Gladys and Santy and Mr Lashley and “Cat Eye” Hardat and Sunny Bulluk cannot be thanked enough. I am leaving out many people, but you know who you are, and you have my gratitude. And now there are still good people: Petal, Caako, Condence, Anne, Coach Cort, Marx and Samantha Wilson and so many others. These are people that make Independence Day special.

On May 26, 1966, our nation won its Independence from Britain. I remember as a 14-year-old boy the euphoria that took hold of this nation. Independence meant political freedom to make our own choices. But freedom or independence to do what? What choices do we make as a nation? Why do we choose to do what we do or want to do?

After all, Independence could mean having the freedom to destroy ourselves and to damage others. But really that is not freedom; that is exactly the opposite of freedom. Independence means being free to exercise our responsibilities to our nation, our towns, our

regions, our families, and ourselves.

Our nation became free. But free to do what? Drink beer and break bottles on roads? Free to beat our wives? Free to cuss up? Free to whistle at school children as they return or go to school? Free to make noise from our cars simply to draw attention to ourselves?

These things are signals of intellectual paralysis! It is betrayal and it is self-betrayal. Freedom is not having the liberty to expose our foolishness and stupidity. Independence is about thought and care and being responsible. Freedom is about wisdom to make the right choices and do the right thing.

But to speak of independence of a nation is a difficult thing, and many of us would be lost to think about such enormous thoughts. Many times, you are told about what you could or should do for this nation. I say that if this nation does for you, so shall ye do for this nation. I would say that if you serve that which is best in you, if you serve your own decency and goodness, then you serve this nation of Guyana.

If you serve yourselves, then step by step you will serve our Guyana. We start with our individual lives and move on to our families and then to our neighborhood and then to our town and then to our Berbice and then to our Nation, our Guyana. This is when our nation shall be truly independent.

Our nation shall be independent when we resist our own base instincts; when we do not do violence; when we do not hate our neighbours; when we do not steal nor covet. Independence is being joyful when my neighbour prospers, and about my neighbour rejoicing that I have prospered by good and decent means.

Independence is when each child can go to school without being hungry or in rags. It is about young people finding jobs without having to sell their flesh for that job. We are independent when our police act like police second to none; when our teachers teach for the love of it; when our elderly are taken by the hands and led across the road as they led us when we were children.

Independence is about simple and quiet decency, and great joy at the goodness of our people under the skies of Heaven. For this must be a nation under God, a nation known for its grace where we build schools and universities, where we live as one people, one nation, with one glorious destiny. Anything less is imprisonment.

Watching pornography may shrink the brain – study

Porn sites attract more visitors each month than Twitter, Netflix, and Amazon combined; a third of all downloads contain porn; and the Internet now hosts 4.2 million porn websites.

Against this backdrop, the findings of a new German study may give pause for thought: men who watch pornography may be shrinking their brains and dulling their responses to sexual stimulation.

The study’s lead author, Dr Simone Kühn from the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, said the research provided the first evidence for a link between porn consumption and reductions in brain size and brain activity in response to sexual stimuli.

It was the first time researchers found a possible link between regular viewing of pornography and physical harm, and suggested that watching porn could shrink parts of the brain linked to reward and moti-

vation.

The study, published in the JAMA Psychiatry journal, also found that men who watched a lot of porn tended to be lazier.

Dr Kuhn and her colleague Jurgen Gallinat from Berlin’s Charite University recruited 64 healthy men between the ages of 21 and 45 years for the study. The men were quizzed about their porn-watching habits.

The researchers also took images of the men’s brains to measure volume and to see how their brains reacted to pornographic pictures.

They found noticeable differences in the men who regularly accessed sexual videos or images compared to those who did not.

According to Dr Kuhn: “We found that the volume of the so-called striatum, a brain region that has been associated with reward processing and motivated behaviour was smaller the more pornography consumption the participants reported.

“Moreover we found that another brain region, that is also part of the striatum that is active when people see sexual stimuli, shows less activation the more pornography participants consumed.”

Dr Kuhn nevertheless indicated that the study could not prove that pornwatching caused changes to the brain.

“It’s not clear, for example, whether watching porn leads to brain changes or whether people born with certain brain types watch more porn,” she said.

“Unfortunately we cannot answer this question based on the results of the present study,” she added.

Dr Kuhn noted that other behaviours are linked to changes in brain size and functioning.

“Basically everything that people do very frequently can shape their brain structure and function,” she said. (Caribbean360.com)

Younge’s take Collateral damage

It is a travesty that excuses are still being made, even though the ship has sailed, as to why Guyana has not passed and enacted its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment (AMLCFT) Bill.

It should be made clear that no excuse proffered by the combined opposition political parties will suffice and mitigate the negative consequences that are facing Guyana as a nation.

Actions are louder than words, and Guyanese have got the message very clearly. They understand now that they are merely collateral damage in the psyche of opposition parliamentary parties that will do everything conceivable to cripple government’s ability to manage the socio-economic conditions here.

What is also clear is the fact that, the opposition’s actions have undermined the integrity of Guyana’s financial sector, and both domestic and foreign direct investments here.

The Alliance For Change and A Partnership for National Unity, which hold themselves as the combined majority opposition, have squandered the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to put Guyana first and to rise above the petty politics.

These parties have also exposed their lack of political maturity, because they are engaged in all sorts of delaying tactics to create a crisis situation, whereby they can have the upper hand over the Executive, so that political blood could be extracted.

The leaders of the APNU/AFC fellowship have also introduced a wide range of extraneous matters into the picture, with the aim of creating a hostage situation so that ransom can be demanded.

Commendably, the government has not panicked and appears firm in its pursuit that it will not bargain with an opposition that seems ruthless and determined to derail development.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic, which is no newcomer to struggles and hardships of this nature, has responded to the criminal- like attitude of the opposition with pure modern diplomacy.

This party appears willing to stand with the citizenry and business sector, whose futures are being sacrificed because of the sheer stubbornness and political horse trading. Again, the party demonstrates its ability to network among the grassroot people and other stakeholders by rolling out (way ahead of the opposition) Town Hall meetings and other consultations to achieve buy-in.

The opposition has also failed to find fault with the Bill in its present form, even though it proposed some non-compliant amendments. It is now the last hour and it would be interesting to see what other delaying tactics will be employed by the opposition.

It is the last hour and the decision that must be made is not complex, but very simple, even though it can be argued that sometimes many have difficulties understanding elementary variables.

The opposition must express their support for the Bill unconditionally and agree to establish a task force or mechanism to address their other extraneous concerns after its passage.

Failure to do this would send a clear message that the APNU/AFC party is protecting its interests in the underground economy and is in support of money laundering.

The opposition has dealt with the passage of this critical Bill badly from the outset. Its public relations and spokespersons have failed to convince the citizenry that the positions and postures adopted by the APNU/AFC grouping are right, principled, just and patriotic. APNU and AFC are benefiting from bad advice and have lost yet another selfengineered political battle to the PPP/C, which has exposed the deficiencies in the opposition’s psyche and membrane for all to see. David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan must be having headaches as the bill of health of their political parties is deteriorating. The parties continue to drown in the river of their own political defeats and sadly, someone is holding back the lifejackets and no one is unwilling to render CPR. When the time is right, it will be revealed that this someone is the citizenry of Guyana. No excuse proffered is acceptable and will suffice for those who are already hard-hit by the negative consequences that will flow from the Bill’s nonpassage.

As a matter of fact, the integrity of Guyana’s financial sector and the investments made by local businessmen in the economy and development of private enterprise, have been reduced to mere “collateral damage”.

Farmers’ battle to cope with climate change could spark rural renewal

Shifting world agriculture to a “climate-smart” approach will not only help prevent future food security crises but holds the promise of sparking economic and agricultural renewal in rural areas where hunger and poverty are most prevalent, argues a new Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) publication.

On the one hand, the magnitude and scope of climate change’s impacts on agricultural systems means that boosting rural communities’ resilience and adaptive capacities is essential to safeguarding world food security, notes FAO’s “Success Stories on Climate-Smart Agriculture”, released on Friday.

Rising temperatures and an increased frequency of extreme weather events will have direct and negative impacts on crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture productivity in the years to come, as clearly indicated in the most recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Vulnerable, farming-dependent populations in the developing world are particularly at risk.

But at the same time, the compelling need to deal with the challenges posed by climate change offers an opportunity to transform the way food systems use natural resources, improve agriculture’s sustainability and promote poverty reduction and economic growth, the publication adds.

Highlighting cases studies in “climate-smart agriculture” from around the globe, FAO’s document shows that many rural communities are already successfully making the transition to new

forms of farming better suited to the rigors of a warmer world.

“A shift to climate-smart agriculture will not only help shield farmers from the adverse effects of climate change and offer a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but can also improve farm yields and household incomes, leading to stronger, more resilient communities,” said FAO Deputy Director General Helena Semedo.

“We can no longer afford to separate the future of food security from that of natural resources, the environment and climate change -- they are inextricably intertwined and our response must be as well,” she added.

Climate-smart agriculture

The model of climate-smart agriculture that FAO is promoting seeks to address three broad objectives: sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes; help rural communities

and farmers adapt to and become more resilient to the effects of climate change; and to reduce or remove agriculture’s greenhouse gases emissions, when possible.

Exactly how farmers go about tackling these goals can change from place to place, depending on local circumstances.

FAO is collaborating with national and local partners around the globe to help them develop locally-tested solutions that work for them.

For example, in the highlands of Mount Kilimanjaro, the organisation has partnered with farmers to reboot an 800 year-old agroforestry system known as Kihamba, which supports one of the highest rural population densities in Africa and provides livelihoods for an estimated one million people.

An agro-ecosystem similar to a virgin tropical mountain forest, Kihamba maximises the use of limited land, provides a large variety of foods all year round and maintains groundwater health, among other environmental services.

Meanwhile, a project in China is giving yak herders new knowledge and tools to restore degraded grasslands, improving the efficiency and productivity of their herds while sequestering atmospheric carbon.

In the Andes of Peru, FAO is promoting the conservation of local varieties of maize, potatoes and quinoa, each bred over centuries to thrive in specific climates and altitude conditions. Ensuring wide biodiversity of crops and animals will be critical in adapting agriculture to climate change.

Joint Services conduct medical outreach at Albouystown

ADivisional Commander

Clifton Hicken on Saturday dubbed the first Joint Services Medical Outreach a success, while reporting that calls are being made for it to be held quarterly.

The medical outreach, held between 08:30h and 15:30h on the Basketball Court at the corners of Hunter Street and Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown, saw scores benefitting.

He said representation would be made on behalf of the residents to acting Commissioner Police Seelall Persaud, who will in turn explore the possibilities of granting the residents’ request.

However, Hicken said the he was pleased with the support garnered from the community, since Impact Albouystown was launched some three months ago.

The Commander said the medial outreach is a collaborative effort between the Medical Corps of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force, with the aim of enhancing trust between the Police and the community.

He also noted that the initiative was welcomed by the residents who turned up in their numbers to receive medical attention.

This initiative, he added, was the

first collaborative effort between the GDF and the Police and will certainly not be the last. However, he posited that when Impact Albouystown was initially launched, residents were skeptical, but after they realised the objective of the project and the benefits, they bought into the programme.

Furthermore, he stated that the programme incorporates law enforcement services and social intervention activities such as vocational training for young people. He maintained that a significant part of its efforts in the initiative is aimed at empowering Albouystown youths to develop skills to become productive and meaningful contributors to society.

Meanwhile, Major Nateram, Officer-in-Command of the Medical Corp of the Guyana Defence Force, told Guyana Times that persons benefitted from general medical, general dental, prescription, and HIV counselling and testing services.

He added that there were several doctors at the venue to ensure that residents were treated well. Nateram said similar exercises were done in Berbice, Linden and several other communities during the Amerindian Heritage celebrations in 2013.

Low gold declaration “worrying” – President Ramotar

Describing the reports of low declaration of gold in Guyana as “worrying”, President Donald Ramotar is of the belief that there may be a lot of hoarding of gold by miners.

“That is a very worrying situation at this point in time. The gold price has been a little bit down, although I still think that miners are making money, they are not losing.

“I don’t think they are losing, but there has been a drastic reduction in declaration which means there seems to be a lot of hoarding taking place,” Ramotar told reporters at a press conference at State House on Saturday.

Information from the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) indicates that declarations are below the recorded level for the corresponding period for 2013. Approximately 136,240 ounces of gold were declared between January and April, while during the same period last year, some 151,758 ounces were declared.

“They are probably hoarding to see if prices go up and that nature, but it is a serious issue that can have an impact on the economy,” he pointed out.

A most notable example of gold hoarding affecting an economy was in

1933, which forced the US Government to sign an executive order “forbidding the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion, and gold certificates within the continental United States”.

The order criminalised the possession of monetary gold by any individual, partnership, association or corporation.

The stated reason for the order was that hard times had caused “hoarding” of gold, stalling economic growth and making the depression worse. The penalty was $10,000 and/or up to five to 10 years imprisonment.

Gold prices are set to drop next week, with traders expected to eye assets such as a stronger US dollar and upbeat equities after solid labour market numbers from the US highlighted a recovering economy. Prices steadied above $1250 an ounce on June 6.

Persuasion

Meanwhile, President Ramotar is hoping that, with persuasion, miners will make their declarations to the GGB.

“The Minister (for Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud) met them last week

and spoke to them about the seriousness of this, so I hope that we don’t have to use any coercion, that by persuasion they will make their declaration known,” said President Ramotar.

Government recently stated that it is cracking down on illegal gold trading entities across the country with the assistance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as one of the measures to increase the level of gold declarations.

This followed a meeting on Wednesday at the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry with the subject Minister, GGB Chairman, Dr Gobind Ganga, the President and executives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and private dealers.

The GGDMA and licensed gold dealers were encouraged to support Government’s effort to increase gold declarations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry in a release said the GGB has begun working with the relevant stakeholders of the gold mining sector, including the GGMC and the GGDMA to ensure that there is greater transparency and accountability of transactions by licenced gold dealers and entities to trade gold.

This is an ongoing collaborated effort which has been initiated with the full support of the GGDMA. In addition, the GGB is working with all stakeholders and business entities which have been granted the relevant permits to trade gold by the GGMC and the GGB to ensure that they are compliant with all rules and conditions of the legal trade of gold.

Additionally, the GGB has begun a sensitisation programme about miners’ legal obligations when buying and selling gold.

Furthermore, the GGB would like to assure all miners that the services at the various offices are continuously improving by reducing the process time for transactions and ensuring that its customers receive the full satisfaction of the services offered.

High-level teams working to prevent spread of Chikungunya

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran says that several high-level teams are working in various parts of the country with the aim of controlling and preventing the spread of the worrisome Chikungunya virus.

He explained that focus is being placed on building the Ministry’s capacity to respond to the outbreak of the disease in various parts of the country.

Dr Ramsaran also confirmed meeting several key stakeholders yesterday to discuss possible means of collaboration to further strengthen the Ministry’s efforts.

The meeting was held at the Minister’s office, Brickdam, Georgetown. It saw discussions on what the disease is, prevention measures, and possible areas of collaboration between the different entities.

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was

the successful discussions between the Ministries of Health and Education, which resulted in them agreeing to work together to create sensitisation of the disease in schools.

Meanwhile, the Minister expressed the view that the reason the disease has not reached Georgetown is linked to a series of fogging exercises in the city. He said that persons in the city were also sensitized and took precautionary measures in protecting themselves.

Ramsaran also stated that most of the Ministry’s resources have been diverted to Berbice to assist in preventative measures in the area.

Thus far, there have been 15 confirmed cases of the disease in the East Berbice area –eight females and seven males, with one case being a toddler. The cases are mainly from Canefield Canje, Number 2 Village, Cumberland and New Amsterdam.

WCD residents fume over long blackout

West Coast Demerara residents on Saturday slammed the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) for having to contend with a six-hour power outage, which caused them much inconvenience.

According to reports from residents, the blackout started about 08:00h on Saturday and power was not restored after 14:00h.

Several West Demerara residents told Guyana Times that GPL continues to offer

poor services, with any proper explanation.

When contacted, a GPL official said she was unaware of the blackout, but would investigate the matter and return a call to Guyana Times

The call was not returned and this publication made several attempts to contact her after the promise, but to no avail.

Some Geogetown residents have also complained of experiencing similar problems.

Review by Pat Dial (Part One)

Weaving Water

By Ryhaan Shah

In the last generation, whenever a new publication by a Guyanese writer came out, whether it was fiction, history or even Mathematics, it was always widely read and seriously discussed by educated groups.

Today, Guyanese writers and their writings are much more known and recognised abroad than they are in Guyana and this failing is present even in University of Guyana circles.

Last year, Ryhaan Shah published her third novel, “Weaving Water”, which has an unmistakably Berbice flavour and reminds one that several of the eminent Guyanese writers, such as Edgar Mittelholzer, Wilson Harris, Ian Carew and the Dabydeens, were Berbice-born.

World of Guyanese politics

Weaving Water tells the story of the last indentured immigrant ship from India, the recruitment process, the long sea-voyage, the harshness of the regimen of work, integration into the society, interaction with African neighbours, being drawn into the world of Guyanese politics of the 20th and 21st centuries, and eventually, as part of the Indian community, being forced into a new cycle of emigration.

By far the most important sub-plot of the novel is the enigma of a child born at sea in a terrible storm and whose

mother died in childbirth, and who was adopted by the childless couple, Ramdat and Parvati.

The novel begins with the milieu of the 19th century Indian immigration fading away into the 20th century with the last ship, the <<SS Ganges>>. There are still the deceit of the immigrants, the hardships of crossing two oceans in a small, slow vessel, still the regimen of semi-slavery with whipping and the logies with their horrible sanitation and lack of privacy.

Superficially, some of the abuses of the 19th century had been removed, but they were still all there in essence in 1917. The only difference was that the immigrants were immediately integrated into the already settled Indians as part of their jat or community, and this gave them a stronger morale to face the severities of their indentureship and plantation life and work.

Bond

The experience of being jahajis, or shipmates, created a bond between the immigrants which transcended all the distinctions of caste, religion, language or province which they knew in the Old Country.

This jahaji unity and being integrated into the settled Indian community created a togetherness which was strengthened by the fact that the Indian community was consistently under siege from the Planter Class, which wielded economic and admin-

istrative power against them, their African neighbours whose leadership barely tolerated them, the Creole and Western Culture which had no tolerance for their culture, and religions and the threat of a Christian missionary onslaught on their Hinduism and Islam.

The novel then goes on to describe the process of building a new society. The full understanding that money is not to be merely consumed but must also be used to generate new wealth; the cultivation and growth of the spirit of entrepreneurship and with it the taking of risks and resultant economic betterment; the building of new homes and the acquiring of other material comforts such as furni-

ture. Family life was stressed and marriage and the bringing up of children was a norm which all observed.

And religious rites and duties were maintained. In addition to celebrating marriages and festivals, the villagers entertained themselves by games of dominoes and rather club-like gatherings in their bottom-houses. This type of village was typical among the Indian immigrants and their descendants and was reminiscent of the pre-Industrial Revolution village life which George Elliot describes in her novels.

The Indian village had regular contact with the neighbouring African village and socialised in such things as dominoes tournaments. The African villagers carried a life-style which was different from their Indian neighbours, but despite differences, there were good relations and many friendships.

Sudden intrusion

Into this quietude and peacefulness of village life, politics suddenly intruded. The villagers first heard of Independence and rejoiced at its advent. The Cold War – the global conflict between the Western Powers and the

Soviet Union – quickly came to be projected into Guyanese politics and one of the main weap ons of the Western side was to stimulate racism and racial conflict in Guyanese politics. Politics soon dete riorated into racial con flict between Africans and Indians. The omy of the country col lapsed, Law and Order broke down and the standard of living quickly fell to the lowest in Western Hemisphere.

Violent criminals who robbed and killed and maimed roamed everywhere and Indians felt they had no protection from the Police or Army.

Reality

Pushed by real fear for their lives, they fled in thousands to Suriname, the West Indian islands, Venezuela, Canada and the US and anywhere else they could. Both Africans and Indians saw that the politicians they supported, trusted and believed to be saviours had their own agendas and were using them as stepping stones to achieve their own ends.

But the chaos had already enveloped them all when they grasped the Reality. Within this picture of abject despair, there was a faint glimmer of hope that Guyana would once again emerge a happier place and that the diaspora would create something of Guyana wherever they were and that contact would be maintained with their homeland.

In all of this, there is a strong storyline en-

richened by a tapestry of inter-personal relationships, suspense, drama, pathos and the enigma of Neela manifesting the feminine aspect of the Divine, qualities which make the book more than a socialhistorical novel.

The enigma of Neela is a thread running through the whole narrative. The author offers a puzzle challenging readers to resolve it, providing just a few clues.

Supernatural

No one knows who Neela’s father was and her mother, Taijnie, was a very young girl who isolated herself and never spoke with other immigrants. She was regarded by most immigrants as a pariah and a person of loose morals, despite being a child. Her offspring, when she died in childbirth, was completely different from her.

The child, Neela, was very fair with red-brown hair and remarkably beautiful. Parvati and Ramdat, a childless couple, adopted her, but the other immigrants shunned the child and thought that there was something unnatural or supernatural about her.

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

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(Feb.20March 20)

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(March 21-April 19)

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(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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Sweet revenge!

– Guyanese ruggers turn table on T&T to win Southern Zone final of NACRA championship

By Treiston Joseph

Tension mounted when Darrel Scott of Trinidad and Tobago scored a 61st minute try to put the twin island republic up 8-3 during the Southern Zone final of the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) on Saturday at the National Park.

The bigger and stronger Trinidadians, clearly with the size advantage, bullied the smaller Guyanese for much of the game as they took the lead with 19 minutes left to play.

However, the speed and toughness of the Guyanese took its toll on the visitors as their effort on defence began to look lackluster.

With the Guyanese Jaguars dubbed “Green Power” moving forward, Vallon Adams broke through for a try to level

the score 8-8 in the 69th minute, much to the delight of the huge turnout at the National Park rugby field.

Captain of the Guyana side, Ryan Gonsalves, who in the first half scored a penalty to put Guyana on the board first, made another conversion to give Guyana the lead with just 11 minutes to play.

Substitute Christopher Singh, who came on in the second half, made a dashing run out of scrum down at the middle of the field to score in the 81st minute that sealed the deal for Guyana, crowning them the new champions. It was sweet revenge for the Guyanese, who suffered a 0-20 defeat at the hands of T&T in last year’s final.

“It’s a really great win for us, I feel good about it and to know last year I couldn’t play because I was away it hurt to watch Guyana lose,

so it feels great to come back and contribute to the win and this will do well for Guyana’s rugby,” Adams stated after the win.

Guyana will now go on

to play the winners of the Northern Zone, which will most likely be the United Stated of America, according to Peter Green, who is the president of the Guyana

Rugby Football Union (GRFU).

So can the Guyana ruggers pull off an upset over the mighty Americans? Green surely believe they can.

“Think it is just a matter of time, once we get there we will take them down and take them down hard,” Green boasted.

Patterson hails WICB/WIPA partnership

Kingston, Jamaica

– Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson said he is pleased that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) have buried the hatchet, and are working together for the good of regional cricket.

“A few years ago I was a part of a team that put together a governance report that sought to outline the best ways forward for West Indies cricket,” said Patterson, the keynote speaker at Thursday nights’s WICB/WIPA Player Awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

“One such recommendation was the call for an end to internecine warfare between the board and WIPA. This was in a bid to remove the master/servant relationship, and to accord our players the respect and dignity they deserve. Thankfully, this stained relationship seems to be a thing of the past,” he added.

The current chairman of the Caribbean Premier League Cricket Committee, also commented on a variety of topics affecting West Indies cricket throughout

his presentation.

Top among these were the role by Sir Frank Worrell in establishing WIPA, and the business of cricket, and how the WICB needed to “capitalise” to benefit of the region.

“Worrell should be made a patron saint for the significant role he played in setting up a players’ body, whose main purpose is to defend their wants and needs,” said Patterson, who also went on to give an example of Worrell’s contribution.

“The WICB (back then) refused his request for a

modest fee to tour India in 1948. The following year,” he quipped, “Worrell scored 684 runs for a Commonwealth side, which struck the board, and, entitled cricketers to start earning a reasonable wage for their craft.”

Awardees

The awards ceremony honoured players for their performances during the 2013 calendar year, saw young batsman, Darren Bravo, walking away with the major West Indies Cricketer of The Year award.

The left-hander, who during the year scored his maiden Test double century, also took home the West Indies One-Day Player of The Year award.

Off-spinner Sunil Narine, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, and batsman, Devon Smith, were the other West Indies Cricketer of The Year nominees.

The women’s Cricketer of The Year Award went to all-rounder Stafanie Taylor. Veteran batsman, Chanderpaul, was adjudged the Test Cricketer of The Year. Narine pocketed the Twenty20 Cricketer of The

Year equivalent, while the Emerging Player of The Year, was presented to young Barbados fast bowler, Miguel Cummins.

A total of 12 awards were presented with others being the First-Class Fourday Cricketer of The Year

(Nikita Miller), First-Class One-Day Cricketer of The Year (Shane Shillingford), and Under-19 Cricketer of The Year (Tagenarine Chanderpaul).

The two bodies also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to different individuals.

The WICB accolade went to former president, Edward “Teddy” Griffith, and the WIPA equivalent to former Windward Islands batsman, and current team manager, Lockhart Sebastien. (windiescricket)

Atwell opens up on Gonzalez’s bout

By Treiston Joseph

After his technical knockout in round

10 against Mexican Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC Featherweight world title on May 24 last, some observers said that the outcome against Clive “The Punisher” Atwell was premeditated and a foregone conclusion, while others believed that the situation with management might have affected the Guyanese boxer.

The pugilist held a press conference on Saturday at the Millennium Manor Hotel on Hadfield Street, sharing his thoughts on his bout, while speaking on the situation with his management team.

“I’m grateful for Guyana for every opportunity, whether good or bad, I’m grateful and Atwell is going to continue rising, Team Atwell is going to continue

rising…,” he said.

“…If all I had going in the fight was to market myself then the answer is yes; when I realised what I was into was a chance to market myself and if I won it would be to put myself in a better position,” Atwell stated.

Further, Atwell shed some light into the situation with his management team.

“Like every relationship, there is always ups and

downs and management relationship is no exception. Management has to protect their interest, I have to protect my interest while at the same time they are protecting their’s and I have to expect them to protect mine,” Atwell pointed out.

He added, “They might make decisions and suggestions that I might not completely agree with and I will always challenge it being

Successful Day of Interaction hosted in Moruca

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sport Commission in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two once again organised a successful Day of Interaction at Moruca in the North West District, Region One.

The journey from Georgetown to Moruca was made by road and river and the visiting contingent comprised Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, officials of the National Sports Commission and the Regional Administration of Region Two.

They were given a warm welcome as the officials moved around the community meeting residents and sensitising them of the purpose of the visit and encouraging their participation.

The community centre ground came alive as residents from various communities converged and participated in a number of disciplines, including football (male and female), volleyball (mixed), softball cricket (male and female) and domino (mixed).

The participating communities included Paloma, Karaburi, Huridiah, Santa Rosa/ Kumaka and Waramuri.

According to a release from the National Sports Commission (NSC), sport in the communities seem to be well organised as all five female teams were smartly attired in uniforms.

The female teams comprised players as young as 13 years. The young ladies displayed tremendous talent and skill. The NSC observed that with proper training, teams of the hinterland will match those in and around Georgetown.

“It is therefore necessary and important for the Guyana Football Federation to collaborate with the National Sport Commission

to organise programmes to reach these areas and assist in the development of football in the hinterland,” the NSC said.

Both Kumar and Persaud encouraged the residents (participants and followers) to continue using sport as an integral part of their entire development. They also expressed thanks to all for accepting the call to participate in the Day of Interaction.

As a means of encouraging sport development in the various communities, gear and equipment were distributed. The call was made for the gear and equipment to be utilised properly for the benefit of all. A presentation was also made to Headmaster of the Moruca Secondary School, Martin DaSilva, who promised that the gear and equipment will be properly used.

He said the presentation is a manifestation of encouraging youths to be involved in physical education and sport and academic achievements.

Clive Atwell, but at the end of the day it’s a relationship and there will always be ups and downs.”

President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, also gave his position on the bout between Atwell and Gonzalez.

“The performance that Clive gave quite frankly was at a world-class level. First of all, he proved that

Guyanese fighters belong at a world-class level and he was not blown out by Jhonny Gonzalez. It is our considered opinion had the fight not been stopped on a cut, which we felt was not bleeding into the eyes and did not constitute good reason to stop the fight, that Clive could have knocked out Gonzalez in the last two rounds,” Abdool highlighted.

CULT/EBFA U-17 League…

Manager of Team Atwell, Ronald Burch-Smith, revealed what went down in negotiations for Atwell’s purse.

“Ideally, the purse we would have liked was maybe around US$25,000, but given the circumstances and the value of the opportunity we thought it was worthwhile to accept it after discussing it with Clive. Clive was consulted on this and we thought that given the opportunities that could arise after the fight had he won or as we are standing now performed exceptionally well that, that was worth it and we accepted what it was around US$14,000,” Burch-Smith noted.

Meanwhile, Atwell will now head back to the drawing board where he will do some ‘house cleaning’ before continuing with his career. The defeat was Atwell’s first in what has been a promising career.

Agricola beat Kuru Kururu; Herstelling trounce Soesdyke

When play in the Cult energy drink sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-17 League continued on Saturday at the Grove Playfield, East Bank Demerara, two exciting games were the order of the afternoon.

In the main event, Agricola Red Triangle held their nerve to defeat a game Kuru Kururu Warriors 2-1, while in the first game, Herstelling, with a few supporters of their own, recorded their biggest win to date in their short history, a 7-0 trouncing of Soesdyke Falcons.

Agricola meant business from the inception, but had to contend with a determined Warriors unit that matched them every step of the way. Dakhown Matthews, Agricola’s captain, led his team from the front.

He opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a Warriors player handled the ball in the area; slotting home in the sixth minute.

The Warriors never let up on their offensive game as they sought desperately to even the score.

Their persistence eventually brought the desired results 32 minutes on, as Joshua Grant it was who blasted the nets to draw them level. But two minutes later, Agricola restored the advantage when Matthews took matters into his own hands yet again.

He collected the ball midway into the opponents half, worked his way forward before unleashing a powerful right foot shot which effectively turned out to be the winning strike. Both teams enjoyed a fair amount of possession thereafter with the Warriors coming close to equalising, as did Agricola.

But neither team was able to touch the score sheets again with Agricola taking full points and the Warriors, none.

The opening game saw Herstelling coming of age by turning in a huge performance in dismantling the challenge of Soesdyke

Falcons, 7-0. Coach Devon Winters’ hard work with his charges has been bringing rewarding results in the past two months at the senior level as well.

Herstelling dictated the flow of the game as they went on to record their biggest win to date. Leading the charge was Cion Alfred with a hat-trick, the first player from the club to achieve such a feat.

Alfred was on target in the 15th, 20th and 66th minutes and received admirable support from Denzil Devon who netted a double, striking in the 35th and 58th minutes.

There was one goal each for Oniel Sharp in the 42nd minute and Curt Rohee, who rocked the nets in the first minute of the game, the fastest goal of the tournament to date.

The competition will continue at the same venue on Saturday with two more matches. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals after playing each other once.

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The innovative concept was launched on Saturday at the DCC pavillion, with members of the Organising Committee- Chairman Dexter Garnett, Daren Torrington, Uzzi Yisrael and Garvin Nedd- revealing the plans for the day. Garnett highlighted the purpose of the match. “The game of cricket is perhaps the only sport that exemplifies and promotes unity in every region in which it is played. It is therefore no mystery why cricket continues to be the number one sport. Our country has produced some of the most recognised cricketers in the traditional formats of the game and continues to mould the younger generation.”

The event will feature two teams- Roraima

pact on the patrons and by extension the entire nation,” Garnett said. He continued, “We have sent out letters to many prominent persons in our society and have been receiving very good responses so far for this game which we know would be a big hit. We also expect lovers and supporters of the game to come out in their numbers to see persons, who they perhaps never knew had the ability and talent to play this beautiful game, compete.”

The match is slated to commence at 18:00 hours under the newly installed floodlights at the venue.

Strikers and Kaieteur Thunders- consisting of a selection of leaders and prominent personalities from all strata of our society.

“The primary objective of this event is to promote national unity, co-operation and tolerance among our people while providing clean fun and entertainment within a family friendly atmosphere. We believe that such a demonstration by our leaders will have a positive im-

Among the persons confirmed to participate in the game are president Donald Ramotar, Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, PS Alfred King, Deputy PS Steve Ninvelle, Sheik Mohamed, Kemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer, Rabindranauth Seeram, Mark Harper, Roger Harper, Colin Stuart, Reon King, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, Gordon Moseley, Kirk “Chow Pow” Jardine, James Bond and Raphael Trotman among others.

Self contained apartments, fully furnished. Phone: 220-2130/6247111/622-7097. TOYOTA MRS 2 CONVERTIBLE. Price: $3 million negotiable. CONTACT 623-3899 One Toyota Camry in excellent condition. $1M. Call: 614-7856

West Indies v New Zealand, 1st Test, Kingston…

First test for new-look West Indies

West Indies have undergone a shakeup since they last appeared in whites. Darren Sammy has retired from Tests, Denesh Ramdin is captain now and their bowling looks vastly different.

Kemar Roach has returned to full fitness. The selectors have also recalled Jerome Taylor, who will hope to end a four-year wait since his last Test cap, and made a last-minute decision to recruit Jason Holder.

The penetrative ability of West Indies’ bowling has been a concern for a while but this squad - with Sulieman Benn and the returning Shane Shillingford as lead spinners - seems to have covered most bases.

Sunil Narine was discounted from consideration after he could not meet an ultimatum to join the squad by June 1 owing to IPL commitments.

Shillingford has been a standout performer for his side of late - he has 51 wickets in his last nine Tests - but this series marks his return to international cricket since being sus-

pended for a suspect action and New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has already voiced concern over how he will be monitored.

Recently any West Indies attack has been left mopping up a below-par batting performance. In the last 12 months, they have gone past 300 only twice and have also been guilty of doing well in one innings and failing miserably in the next.

Chris Gayle, who is scheduled to play his 100th Test at his home ground, would be eager to prove his fitness and provide a display befitting the fanfare for the occasion.

For the visitors, combating spin will gain top priority. New Zealand’s batting - especially their inform middle-order of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling - does have the capacity to rise above their mental block against quality spin.

Team news

Utilising spin is where the greater concern lies.

The search for Daniel Vettori’s successor has been frustrating. Jeetan Patel complicated the situation when he remained with Warwickshire and withdrew his name from consideration for this tour.

New Zealand drained the two practice games they had to the fullest as Jamaica Select XI’s openers batted twice in the second innings of the second match and the bowlers continued even af-

ter the home side was all out. Two notable positives were the performances of Sodhi, who picked up a fivewicket haul, and Craig, who claimed eight victims across two games.

However, concern surrounds the opening combination. Both Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford have had lean seasons and Tom Latham, if picked, would be playing his second Test.

Hesson had hinted at having settled on which two would head the batting order, but said it was a toss-up between Neil Wagner and Craig depending on how they assessed the pitch.

New Zealand (probable) 1 & 2 Two out of Hamish Rutherford/ Tom Latham/ Peter Fulton, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 Corey Anderson, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Ish Sodhi, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner/Mark Craig, 11 Trent Boult.

West Indies’ preparation for the series included a training camp in Barbados under the guidance of Garry Sobers, Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson. Gayle occupies the spotlight, both because of his landmark and for his fitness.

He looked out of sorts in the IPL and had consulted

a specialist in Germany regarding his back problem. Ottis Gibson, their coach, was hopeful of a full recovery. Gayle himself has said he is “fit, ready and raring to go.” A late call to include Holder in the squad also indicates he might feature in the XI if they decide against a second spinner.

West Indies (probable) 1 Kieran Powell, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Kraigg Brathwaite/ Kirk Edwards, 7 Denesh Ramdin (capt & wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Sulieman Benn/ Jason Holder, 10 Shane Shillingford, 11 Kemar Roach. (Cricinfo)

Cricket Zone USA supports EYDG

The sport segment of the Enmore Youth Development Group (EYDG) was given a major boost last Thursday when Cricket Zone USA presented a quantity of gear to assist the group’s recently formed cricket team.

Cricket Zone USA, owned and operated by Guyanese Ravi Etwaroo in New York, donated batting pads, bats, batting and wicketkeeping gloves, a plastic set for chil-

dren and badminton shuttles.

Etwaroo, who also made a signficant monetary donation to the group, said he is happy to assist the youths of Enmore, a village in which his family is rooted.

The USA-based Guyanese added that his business establishment has been making efforts to give back to society, and the presentation to the Enmore youngsters is just another

means of fulfilling that mandate.

In accepting the equipment, members of the EYDG said they were thankful for the support offered by Etwaroo and his entity, noting that the group is open to persons and businesses, who are willing to assist.

The primary aim of the EYDG is to provide an avenue for youths of the Enmore area to be meaningfully engaged.

Warm-up pool foundation completed

The foundation for the warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre has been completed and the arrival of the well-renowned Myrtha Pool Company is being awaited for the completion of the 25-metre pool.

The update was provided during a site visit on Saturday by the Sport Ministry to notify the general public on the progress of the pool.

“The foundation is finished and we are awaiting Myrtha Pool to come in and put in the pre-fabri-

cated walls; we can’t give a definite time line, but once they (Myrtha Pools) arrive it should take about three weeks. It is being reported that the 50-metre pool has a leakage, but we would like to say that the pool has no leakage,” Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Sport Minister, Steve Ninvalle, stated.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who was also part of the visit, noted that Sport Ministry is always open to questions and is pleased with the progress of the warm-up pool.

no government control...

“I don’t believe that there is any justification given what they are actually talking about…which is that they are against government control of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB),” Roopnaraine said.

“I don’t see anything in that Bill, and I will say it publically, that indicates any possibility of the government taking control of the GCB. The ground used to remove the third Test is without proper foundation, it’s ridiculous and I think it’s a case of very bad judgment. I am hoping that there will be some room for discussion on the matter so that Guyanese will not again deprive of watching Test cricket,” he said.

Dr Roopnaraine has challenged the WICB to show where in the Bill the government is given power over the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), since according to him, the Bill, when presented and passed without support from the AFC in Parliament, outlined that very limited role has been given to the Minister of Sport.

The only role the minister has as it relates to the operations of the GCB is to elect a cricket ombudsman, who will oversee the first election. That appointment is done in consultation with the WICB, according to Dr Roopnaraine.

Administrative guidelines

The Cricket Administration Bill seeks to provide legal administrative guidelines for cricket, which, over the years, has become a national sport.

Dr Frank Anthony, who presented the Bill to the National Assembly, had said it was drafted after extensive consultations with all stakeholders, and moreso, following recommendations in a ruling made by the High Court.

The Bill makes it legal for the GCB to be established as a corporate body comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice Cricket Boards, all of which will also be made corporate entities.

A section of the Bill will address the issue of phan-

“I personally never thought we would have achieved this type of development in sport; I’m very satisfied, things are not easy, but I’m very happy we have reached this stage,” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services, Deoraj Dalchand, revealed the reasons work has been halted on the pool. “We are waiting Myrtha Pools to come in; they have the walls and the plumbing to do and we have the decking to finish.

From back page

tom voting for the election of persons for administrative positions.

The National Assembly was also told that the Bill provides for better financial accountability. As such, the GCB, under this new legislation will be required to present timely audited financial reports to the National Assembly, as well as the National Sports Commission.

Cold shoulder

Meanwhile, Dr Roopnaraine further indicated that the Select Committee has done everything possible do to engage the WICB before the bill was finalised, but to no avail.

“The WICB did not take up any of the invitations we issued to them from the Select Committee, so I am very disappointed with the decision the WICB has taken. I believe that the WICB ignore all out attempts (the Select Committee) to come and participate with us in crafting the Cricket Administration Bill; we had written to Mr. Cameron and I know that arrangements were been made for Mr. Cameron to come to Guyana or send a representative,” Dr Roopnaraine said.

On May 30, a letter was sent to President Donald Ramotar from WICB president Dave Cameron, raising concerns about the Bill and requesting that the Head of State not assent to it until their concerns are addressed.

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony was asked to respond, and the minister wrote to Cameron requesting that he detail all his concerns with regard to the Bill. Cameron pointed out that the response had to be dealt with under the Presidential seal. He then informed Guyana of the decision to remove the match.

Government has since said that it does not discount that the WICB may be looking for a scapegoat in this matter since their agents in Guyana were restrained by a Court Order from acting or holding themselves out as officers of the GCB and as agents of the WICB.

“The 28-day curing period of the foundation would have elapsed as of yesterday (June 6) and Myrtha Pools have been informed. That is why we have stopped work on the pool because the decking needs to be done simultaneously with the pre-fabricated walls, but we have already met all the requirements of Myrtha Pools,” Dalchand highlighted.

Ninvalle also noted that the Sport Ministry wants to give Guyana the best possible facility, even if it means “going the extra mile.”

(Treiston Joseph)

Sweet revenge!

No

By Rajiv Bisnauth

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Dr Rupert Roopnaraine on Saturday revealed that the Cricket Administration Bill does not indicate any possibility of the Government intruding the game here.

He also slammed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the removal of the third Test match between West Indies and New Zealand from Guyana, claiming that the ground used is without proper foundation, ridiculous and a case of very bad judgment.

The Cricket Administration Bill was passed in the National Assembly on May 15, with the support of APNU. On Monday, the WICB indicated that the third Test match between West Indies and New Zealand, which was scheduled to be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence East Bank Demerara

from June 26 to 30, has been shifted to Barbados.

This is the second time in three years the WICB has pulled a Test from the Guyana National Stadium because of what they claimed political interference. In 2012, the third Test against Australia was moved to Windsor Park in Dominica.

Also, Regional FirstClass games scheduled for Guyana that year were relocated to Dominica.