Caribbean Times International - Week Ending July 25,2013

2 NEWS

LIAT lands first flight at Ogle airport in Guyana

LIAT Airlines landed its inaugural official flight at the Ogle International Airport in Guyana on Monday at 15:30h. The flight Grantley Adams International Airport at 12:30h filled to capacity. Present to witness touchdown of the 50-seater Dash 8 aircraft was Guyana’s Transport Minister Robeson Benn, who stated that one of the barriers for the Caribbean has been regional connections.

He noted that LIAT’s operation out of Ogle will help to address this issue. “So, not only are we resolving the problem with respect to Ogle and the Caribbean region,

but we are also laying basis and foundation for reaching further afield into South America with these types of aircraft”.

The minister cited northern Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana as possible destinations.

He posited too that with the upcoming football world cup and Olympic Games in Brazil, the transportation issue needs to be tackled aggressively.

He said the Ogle International Airport is a transformational initiative that the government and private sector came together to accomplish, with the aim of enhancing air transpor-

tation in and out of the country.

Benn disclosed that there has been great interest at the level of Caricom with respect to this particular project, since the regional bloc’s headquarters is not more than three miles away from the airport and business meetings are constantly held there.

The minister also thanked all the developmental partners especially the European Union for making the project possible.

“I remember the interest from former President Bharrat Jagdeo in this project, and Finance Minister Ashni Singh and I want

to acknowledge their efforts, contributions and foresight with respect to having the realisation of this transformational project,” he added.

Security

Turning to security at the airport, the transport minister has ensured that all basic steps have been taken to make sure the airport is a secure facility.

He stated that persons who want to engage in illegal activities will always be encountered, but the ministry; the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; airport employees; and relevant authorities such as the Customs Anti-Narcotics

Unit (CANU) will work together to ensure persons do not get away with breaking the law.

Ogle Airport security consultant Harold Hopkinson said the airport has learnt from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s security mishaps: “We will not make those basic mistakes, and we have a competent team of persons that will stem the tide of illegal narcotics and drugs; we have CANU and the police… we have a constant report and we share information; therefore, we have a good thing going.” He reiterated that the cameras are effective, adding that they

work 24 hours and have backup systems in place, in case something goes wrong.

Several passengers also gave their opinion on LIAT’s new operation out of the Ogle Airport.

Pansy Raphael said, “The flight was very smooth, it came on time which I am happy for and it came close to where I am living, I live in Campbellville, so I just have a five minutes drive to get home.”

Andrew Mitchell, who is a visitor from Antigua, said, “It was an excellent flight; the pilot did a great job and it was very nice to come in this side of the country.” (Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Some Chinese business operators refusing to use Jamaican banks - financial investigations officials

Justin Felice, the chief technical director of the Financial Investigations Division (FID) in Jamaica, says that the reported targeting of Chinese business operators by criminals is directly related to the reluctance of some members of that community to use the banking sys-

tem.

"Why are they being targeted? They drive around with cash, when they go to the wharves they pay with cash, why? Because they don't use the banking system," the FID head told editors and reporters at the Jamaica Observer's weekly Monday Exchange at its Beechwood Avenue head-

quarters in Kingston.

“The criminals aren't stupid; they know who to target looking for cash. So we have to educate them to put the money into the system, but they don't want to do that because they don't want to pay the 25 or 30 per cent tax we have to pay," Felice said.

"Everybody should

be in the tax system," he noted.

Jamaican media two Sundays ago reported that criminal elements, including police personnel, have been extorting money from some Chinese business operators.

On Monday, Albert Stephens, principal director of the Financial Crimes Investigations Unit (FCIU), said although not a new, the issue spells ‘bad’ for Jamaica.

"We have a growing Chinese population in Jamaica and most of them have their own businesses and they employ a lot of persons, [and] they are being targeted. It has been going on for some time but it is just now being reported. These are the things that deter people from investing in the country," he noted.

Following the publication, Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington said that the police had initiated dialogue with members of the Chinese community in the country, especially those who operate businesses, to get a better understanding of the particular vulnerabilities of this group and to effect measures to protect Chinese persons and their business interests in Jamaica.

He said all cases of crimes against Chinese nationals, which have been reported to the police, have been investigated with arrests made in some.

He said in a recent case, swift action by the police resulted in the arrest and charge of the robbery suspects, one of whom turned out to be a member of the Island Special Constabulary

Force. An illegal firearm was also seized.

But he said the investigation was stalled after the victims failed to attend the identification parade and co-operate with investigators.

In the meantime, the police have urged Jamaican business persons to, among other things, "avoid large cash transactions or on-person conveyance of large volumes of cash between home and work. Use courier services for cash movement and seek assistance from the local police," who have "been authorised by the Police High Command to give assistance".

"Jamaica has a welldeveloped and stable banking and financial system; use it. It is safe and it reduces your vulnerability significantly," he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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EDITORIAL

Caricom transportation

There are some who advise that it does not serve any purpose to discuss the relevance of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in the present era. We disagree vehemently. As we were reminded at the 34th Heads of Government meeting at the beginning of this month in Trinidad and Tobago, Caricom was founded 40 years ago with some very specific objectives in mind.

While it may have imitated integration moves in Europe, the founders of the regional integration movement were quite explicit that the litmus test for success or failure would be whether, in the end, the lives of the ordinary Caribbean citizens had been improved by its work.

And to be very candid, by that test, based on the effort and resources expended on the venture, the results have been very paltry. We do not have to conduct any retrospective review to reach this conclusion or to maintain it. Apart from the backslapping that had been scheduled for the 40th anniversary, the leaders gathered for the four-day meet had solemnly promised that “transportation” would be the main item on their agenda.

In fact, Caricom’s Secretary General Irwin LaRocque had emphasised that the summit would specifically consider recommendations from a special Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), comprising transport ministers from the region who had met in June to discuss the issue.

From the very beginning, with even Caricom’s precursor, the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), transportation challenges had loomed very large for the effort to tie together an archipelago strung along more than 1000 miles of sea–including at the beginning, two on the mainland of South and Central America. The removal of this constraint becomes even more urgent since the raison d’être for the organisation was trade–which was soon ratcheted up to a single market and economy. In the months leading up to the summit, the air transport situation in the region became even more dire and we can utilise this subset to evaluate Caricom’s response to just one challenge.

Since the launch of Caricom, most of the larger territories continued to focus on establishing their own airlines–Trinidad with “British West Indies Airways (BWIA)”, Jamaica with “Air Jamaica”, Guyana with “Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC)”, and new member Suriname with “Suriname Airways”–all servicing mainly the old metropolitan countries. It was left to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, to push the sole “regional” airline Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) focusing on intra-regional transportation.

During the four decades of Caricom’s existence, the airline industry had demonstrated time and again that it was one of the most competitive and cutthroat in the world. Even globe straddling pioneers such as Trans World Alliance (TWA) and Pan American World Airways had long disappeared. Air Jamaica foundered and was absorbed by Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), which had succeeded the bankrupt BWIA–but was itself on the ropes. The GAC had folded at the beginning of the millennium and its private successors had also crumbled.

Before the meeting, Prime Minister of St Vincent, Ralph Gonsalves had pointed out the deleterious effect Trinidad’s subsidies to CAL (US$40 million last year) was having on LIAT’s bottom line and promised to bring this up. The subsidy was, of course, against the principles of the Caricom Treaty and its Common Air Services Agreement.

Imagine then, the sentiments of regional observers at the blandness, not to mention baldness, of the final communiqué of the summit on transportation: “Heads of government with regard to the re-introduction of the Single Domestic Space (SDS) in the interest of hassle-free travel in the region has mandated the Caricom Secretariat in collaboration with Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and other relevant agencies to coordinate and commence discussions on the strategy for the reintroduction of the SDS. They referred a number of issues in this sector to the Bureau of Heads of Government, including better coordination among airlines in the region, with a view to providing a better service.” If this does not make Caricom irrelevant, what else does?

Caricom head wants greater assistance for developing countries

The seventh general meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), its associated institutions and the United Nations began in New York Monday with Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque underscoring the importance of providing aid to developing countries like those in the Caribbean to ensure their future socio-economic development.

In addition, La Rocque, who said the forum provides an excellent opportunity for discussions on issues of benefit to Caribbean people, also urged the world community to assist in the fight against crime which he said was strangling the Caribbean's development.

“Secretary General Ban KiMoon, with the current global events, all of which demand your attention, it is heartening that our Caribbean Community's biennial encounter is of sufficient importance to ensure your presence," LaRocque said, noting that the 15-member grouping placed much importance on the deliberations.

"These biennial meetings are not merely ritual encounters or polite engagements, but are vital working sessions in which discussions are of necessity, strategic, pragmatic, forward-looking and results-oriented. The meetings provide an excellent opportunity for regional and international technical experts, who are well informed and well positioned, to exchange views, diagnose current cooperation and to identify concrete projects in specific priority areas which will yield results on the ground, ensuring tangible benefits to the citizens

of the Caribbean Community," LaRocque stated.

Opportune timing

He noted that the meeting was taking place at a time when the world is contemplating the future beyond the global development compact represented by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He noted that Antigua and Barbuda's diplomat, John Ashe, was also assuming the presidency of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly beginning next month that will be crucial in setting the stage for the launch of the post-2015 agenda.

"We have a great interest in developments in relation to its elaboration, and our Community will take an active role in the deliberations with a view to ensuring that the region's interests are adequately and effectively addressed,” the Caricom official explained.

He added that one of the critical areas in which the UN and Caricom have forged an enduring and important partnership is citizen security, which he described as "an issue of paramount concern to the Caribbean Community". Such, he said are the dimensions of the scourge of crime and insecurity in the region that Caricom leaders have made security the fourth pillar of the Community.

Crime

LaRocque pointed out that Caricom fully understands that crime in the Caribbean cannot be solved by such interventions alone and must do its part to help itself and has since developed a targeted strategy

to address the issue.

Further, the secretary-general indicated that the region's call for reliable, accessible, and sufficient climate financing, through mechanisms such as the UNFCC Green Climate Fund to allow it to build

He said another key area for Caricom is non-communicable diseases (NCDs) recalling that the UN High Level Meeting convened in September 2011 at the initiative of the regional grouping had focused global attention on the scourge that NCDs represents.

"The assistance and expertise of PAHO/WHO (PanAmerican Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation) contributed greatly to the success of the initiative which culminated with the adoption of a Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. Continuing multi-sectoral action is required for the implementation of the Political Declaration and for the preparation of the comprehensive review in 2014.

"It is our understanding that all UN Resident Coordinators, by a joint communication of UNDP and WHO, have been mandated to ensure that the UN System gives priority to supporting implementation of the Political Declaration. This is deeply appreciated. In the Caribbean, we look forward to the coordination of the efforts of the UN System by UNDG LAC, a commitment made when it visited the Caricom Secretariat last November. In this regard, a UN inter-agency support group in the Caribbean would be useful," LaRocque added. (Excerpt from CMC)

Jamaican cop charged with murder

ASt Ann policeman in Jamaica has been charged with murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice following the controversial shooting of a vendor in Brown's Town on Friday, July, 12.

The policeman, Constable Ricketto Graham, 26, of Gayle in St Mary, was charged following investigations into the controversial shooting which resulted in the death of 21-yearold Christopher Hill of Treadlight District in Clarendon.

It was initially reported that Hill was shot during a confrontation with the police about 4:30 am on the day in question on Wesley Crescent in Brown's Town, in St Ann. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Sunday, July 14.

The policeman, who was charged following an investigation into the matter, was given bail in the sum of Ja$600,000 when he appeared in court Tuesday after a successful application by attorney-at-law Oswest Senior Smith before Resident Magistrate Vaughn Facey. Graham was ordered to surrender his travel

the policeman was given bail in the sum of Ja$600,000 when he appeared in court tuesday

documents, while a stop order has been issued at all ports. He was also ordered not to interfere with the witnesses.

According to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), initial police reports stated that two police officers, dressed in plainclothes, were on foot patrol in the Brown's Town area when they allegedly noticed that a man was coming towards them and appearing as though he wanted to run.

The officers reportedly announced themselves by shouting: "Police, put your hands in the air and don't move!" The man did not stop, but allegedly continued to advance at the policemen after repeated instructions that he stop and follow the instructions of the officers. The man was fired at by one of the officers after he allegedly pulled what appeared

to be a ratchet knife from his waist. When he allegedly continued moving towards the policemen a second shot was fired and the man fell. He was subsequently taken to hospital where he was admitted. A knife was recovered from him, the police reported.

However, civilians gave a conflicting account to that of the police, INDECOM said.

"Based on information collected during the initial investigation, it was apparent that there was an intent to wound Mr Hill, and so Constable Ricketto Graham was taken into custody (on July 12, 2013) where he remained until a ruling from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions."

INDECOM has applauded the co-operation of the police and civilians in the matter. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana gov’t not giving up on Amaila project

– Minister Benn says door open to opposition

By Samuel SukhnanDan

The Guyana government said it will ensure that works for the Amaila Falls project continues, despite the recent move by the joint parliamentary opposition to vote down the project. This announcement was made during a site visit on Tuesday, where representatives from all media entities were invited to view for themselves, the progress made thus far on the project, specifically as it relates to the completion of the road at the seven sections.

Media operatives were given an aerial view of the project site, onboard the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Bell helicopters. The journey began over section two of the project site, which led to sections three, four and five.

The plane landed at section six, where the media was given an opportunity to meet with the contractors. Soon after, media representatives were flown over the Amaila Falls and the area for the electricity sub-station.

Cheap electricity

Works and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn who led the team of journalists on the site visit said “if the project collapses, it will immediately affect employment and the failure to bring in cheap electricity to our country”.

Benn stated that proper consideration must be given to the project, so that it can continue. “This is a national project and it’s about Guyana advancing into the future,” he said.

The minister noted that the site visit was aimed at sensitising the public through the media of the importance of the project. “Everyone should have a clear understanding so that they can support the project because it’s a national project... no one... at the end of the day should be able to say that they didn’t understand this important national project.”

Meanwhile, Benn told media operatives that government remains open to have another discussion with the op-

position on Amaila. “We think that they would see the light and whatever concerns, misunderstanding or confusion they may have on their side is cleared up and that we would want to be able to ... clear it up.”

Legal action Benn said that while government is mulling legal action against the opposition on the matter, there is no immediate plan to have the needed finance made available for the project, by any other means except through Parliament.

“If government could have done it without the

national consensual support it required, it would have done so. But that is the cleanest and neatest way to get it done and that is why we came to the Parliament to seek approval and which we were astounded by.”

The works minister said many hours were dedicated by government members to discuss this issue with the opposition at the last sitting of Parliament, but at the end, the joint parliamentary opposition voted down the project.

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for

Change (AFC) were also given the opportunity to visit the project site and made it public that they were satisfied with the work of the project thus far.

They are scheduled to make a next trip to the area, but have not indicated when they will do so. The opposition, during their visit, also spoke positively about the involvement of many young Guyanese working on the project.

At the time of the visit, the opposition also said the invitation from government was a signal of its willingness to

be more open with opposition members.

Amaila Falls Project Manager Walter Willis said at least 67 per cent of the road construction is completed.

Willis explained that when the contract was scrapped between government and Synergy Holdings Inc, at least 28 per cent of the road works were completed. He admitted that matching the money against the work carried out by that company is a contentious matter. However, he stated that government did everything possible to keep the project going.

Limited finance

Questioned as to how longer the project can go on, given the limited financing that is available, Willis said regardless of the current situation, as engineers, they will seek to complete the work that is left unfinished.“We will continue with the work until the end of the year because we have to substantially complete this road project by the end of this year and we are on track for that so far.”

Digicel (Guyana) considering 4G, LTE network

By Danielle CampBell-lowe

Digicel’s

Chief Executive Officer

Gregory Dean said the telecommunications company is intent on upgrading its network to one consistent with a 4G and LongTerm Evolution (LTE) service, as Guyana awaits the passage of the Telecommunications Bill. During an interaction with the media on Monday, Dean noted that the upgrade to 4G and LTE network is currently being stymied by the lack of certainty in the local market.

He explained that such an upgrade would obviously require much more capacity at an affordable price.

Dean divulged that Digicel is interested in moving beyond being a mobile service provider to a comprehensive telecommunications provider with a full range of communication services, including Internet and fixed lines. He added that there are many “grey areas” and problems with the sourcing of bandwidth.

Data services

“There are issues in terms of who can bring in cables and this has even

driven the government to bring their own fibre so that they can have bandwidth. In a liberalised sector, every operator will be looking to see from where they can get bandwidth, because once you start offering more and more data services, the key factor is bandwidth into and out of the country,” the CEO said.

Addressing the issue of rates, Dean vowed that with full and open competition, Digicel will guarantee a reduction in international call prices. He noted that rates will come down if competition is alive. “We have seen what happened on the domestic rates when Digicel came in, and we believe the same will occur in an environment of true liberalisation.

There’s no reason why this wouldn’t happen.”

Commenting on whether those rates would be on par with those in Caribbean countries, Dean said the major difference between Guyana and other countries is the population spread in relation to geography and providing services in remote areas.

He pointed out that outside of the difference in geography, while other countries may have larger populations, Guyana may have a larger percentage of people in the diaspora.

Liberalisation

Dean explained that liberalisation would translate to open regulation and a simple modus operandi for all companies with no particular party having rights or benefits which other companies cannot access. “In terms of GT& T’s current arrangement, what we expect to see in a liberalised sector is that arrangement being no longer in place. Everyone is on a level playing field with no one having an advantage over the other,” he detailed.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT& T) currently has a monopoly

on landline and international services. Digicel is still awaiting a ruling on the constitutional motion filed in the High Court to decide the constitutionality of that monopoly.

Expansion of service

The CEO stressed that Digicel is looking to expand services in

Guyana’s remote areas and has recently added cell sites in Tumatumari and Micobi as well as along the trail leading to Mahdia.

Another site is expected to be commissioned next month in Matthews Ridge, and a few more sites before the end of the year. Dean ex-

plained that the objective of the company has always been to get as much population coverage as possible.

The company is, therefore, placing great focus on expanding the service and upgrade of data services which are poplar and remain in demand.

Manganese firm proceeding with investments in Guyana

Reunion

Manganese is targeting a silica manganese product at its Matthews Ridge, Region One operation in Guyana as it seeks to develop market access, employment and investment, the company’s executives said on Monday. They were at the time updating Guyanese officials on their activities.

The interest of Reunion Manganese in the silica product stems from a pursuit by FerroAtlantica of Spain, which is seeking to build partnership with the local company that was granted four prospecting licences covering 180,000 square kilometers in September 2010.

Based on preliminary works that included laboratory tests locally and overseas, the manganese-to-iron ration has been positive with con-

centrates good enough for what is referred to as the silico manganese markets.

“What is a selling point for manganese out of Matthews Ridge is phosphorous. The phosphorous limits are normally 0.15. A lot of the manganese out of Africa tends to have phosphorous levels above those limits and people prefer to buy low phosphorous manganese so that they can bring their phosphorous levels down,” Joel Byah from Reunion Manganese explained.

Low carbonate manganese was identified as another ingredient that makes manganese in Guyana advantageous as it is also a high market demand, according to Byah.

The company intends to buttress its own energy generation from diesel to hydroelectricity and

seek support in iron out bottlenecks to a successful operation.

It has already mapped a trans-shipment route

that includes travel from Matthews Ridge to Port Kaituma, through the Waini en-route to either Oldendorff at the mouth

Jamaican brothers accused of raping five, including 8-year-old girl, acquitted

The two brothers who were charged with the rape and assault of five females in Jamaica, including an eight-year-old, in the upscale community of Irwin Point in St James last year, were Monday acquitted of all charges in the Western Regional Gun Court after the prosecution offered no further evidence.

Twenty-one-year-old Sheldon Brissett and his 20-year-old brother, Kerron, were released after the prosecution called two of their 10 witnesses during the first day of the much-anticipated trial.

Attorney Lambert Johnson, who appeared for both men, told reporters that he was "very happy that justice has been done".

He said while he was not surprised by the acquittal of the men, he was rather astonished that the prosecution had

insisted on going to trial after the DNA evidence that they had volunteered to give did not place them at the scene of the assault.

The attorney also described the identification evidence as "exceedingly poor".

The trial was presided over by Justice Evan Brown.

The brothers were jointly charged with burglary, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of firearm, abduction

and assault at common law, as well as the sexual assault charges, including rape, buggery, sexual touching and grievous sexual assault, after they were pointed out at an ID parade.

The duo had argued that they were innocent of the charges and voluntarily offered DNA samples for testing.

The court was told that, on September 24 last year, an armed man gained access to the house where the females

were after he held onto one of the family members by her hair through a window and threatened to kill her if his accomplice was not allowed inside the house. She reluctantly complied.

It was heard that after the two men gained entry into the house, they ransacked the rooms and demanded that the occupants hand over their cellular phones.

The women, the court heard, were reportedly ordered to hand over money and other valuables, including laptop computers, then tied up.

The men then allegedly took the females, one at a time, to a nearby open lot and proceeded to rape them.

There were mixed reactions from Irwin Point residents Monday night to the news that the accused men were acquitted of the charges.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

of the Berbice River or Trinidad and Tobago.

Oldendorff Carriers (Guyana) Incorporated, is a company contracted

by the Russian, Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) for transshipment of bauxite from Aroaima.

Over the two years that the company has been given the green light to resuscitate the defunct and derelict manganese operations in the Matthews Ridge area, over US$45M has been expended.

The company has successfully overhauled the power station, office complex, vehicle and maintenance workshop and Pakera House as it was popularly known. Works are ongoing on the laboratory.

Reunion Manganese, an offshoot of a successful gold operation in Canada called Reunion Gold is headed by Executive Chairman David Fennell who brings with him a wealth of experience. (Excerpt from GINA)

Woman fined in Trinidad for lying on ex-boyfriend

Awoman in Trinidad who claimed her exboyfriend kidnapped and forced her to perform oral sex was Monday charged with wasting police time.

At the third court before Port-of-Spain Magistrate Cheron Raphael, court prosecutor Karen Arthur told the court that Naya Sinanan, of Longdenville, visited the Port-of-Spain CID at about 10.30 am last Friday where she made a report of kidnapping and assault.

Sinanan told the officers that she was at a car park on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain when her ex-boyfriend approached her, pointed a gun at her and forced her into his vehicle. She said he took her to Tyrico Bay and demanded she perform oral sex on him. She said he then relieved her of TT$4,000, a cellphone and her national identification card and driver’s permit.

Anti gang legislation coming soon to St Lucia

The government of St Lucia will soon enact anti gang legislation in Parliament as part of a strategic “no nonsense” approach to dismantling criminal gangs around the island. Many families continue to be plunged in mourning as a result of gang warfare, which has also eroded the social fabric of

the state. Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said St Lucia can no longer ignore the rise in criminal gangs and the attendant gun related violence and homicides.

“In the past we silently ignored the mushrooming of gangs in our midst sometimes under the misguided notion of freedom of association

but since when an association established for criminal enterprise to steal, murder and plunder at will is protected by our constitution? To date the police are working assiduously to deal with gangs and the negative gang culture that spawns anti social behaviour and organise crime. We will support their efforts by

enacting anti gang legislation as has been done in Trinidad and Tobago and about to be done in Jamaica,” Anthony said.

The prime minister also emphasized that communities have a key role in addressing the problems associated with gangs.

He said the police and citizens must work

in tandem in order to effectively dismantle criminal gangs and their associates.

Arthur said the officers took her to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital casualty department where she was examined and discharged. Officers then visited the man’s home in Laventille in search of him, but he was not found. They also visited the car park and Tyrico Bay in search of evidence.

Later, the man visited the police station where he stated his innocence. Officers then asked Sinanan about her claims and she said, “Everything I said was a lie.”

Raphael asked Sinanan why she made such a report, she said she was “angry and upset” as she said her exboyfriend contacted her current boyfriend and told him they were still together.

Raphael fined her TT$950 or three months hard labour. (TT Newsday)

The St Lucian leader also reaffirmed government's full support for the police to deal with gangs on the island. He says the safety and security of citizens and visitors alike remains paramount. (CaribbeanNews) St

Ja$1.75 billion hotel to be built in Kingston

Ground will be broken for the construction of a new Ja$1.75 billion Courtyard Marriott Hotel in New Kingston, Jamaica, later this week.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced that the groundbreaking will take place on Thursday. She made the statement on Saturday during her address at the closing gala banquet of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations’ (NAJASO) 36th Annual Convention, at the Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel in Montego Bay.

She also informed the gathering of other large scale investment projects in Jamaica, which she says shows positive signs of growing investor confidence in the country’s economy, such as the Riu Palace Hotel in Montego Bay, currently under construction at a cost of over Ja$3 billion; and a

major commercial development project for downtown Kingston that is “on the horizon.”

At the same time, the prime minister noted that work is progressing on strengthening the linkages between hotel construction and local manufacturers, as well as with local farmers in respect of food supplies for the hotels.

She added that while the private sector was proceeding with commercial investments, the government, through its agencies, was moving ahead with housing solutions for middle income and public sector workers, as well as for those contributors at the lower rung of the income ladder.

She pointed out that these activities are important in moving the country towards goals of economic growth and national development.

“I have likened our current Economic

Reform Programme to working out our business plan. I speak of creating a profitable enterprise for all our citizens.

I always speak of the importance of ‘balancing the books while balancing people’s lives.’ This requires, among other things, placing emphasis on poverty alleviation and eventual poverty eradication,” the prime minister said.

She emphasized that poverty reduction and eventual elimination had to be a central plank of the country’s policy if it wanted to achieve growth and development.

"I believe in the Jamaican people. I know we are a tough and tenacious people. …There is much we can accomplish if we apply our collective energy; our best ideas; our creativity as well as our capacity for hard work to driving the development agenda,” Simpson Miller indicated. (JIS)

Guyana, EU advance negotiations on forestry agreement

The National Technical Working Group (NTWG) has been involved in meetings and the second round of negotiations with representatives from the European Union (EU) relating to the Guyana-EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (EU FLEGT VPA).

The NTWG, represented by a 14-member delegation from Guyana comprising government

officials, indigenous community, private sector and civil society representatives, arrived in Brussels, Belgium on July 15 for the engagements.

Thematic areas discussed during the fourday session included an overview of the EU customs procedures related to FLEGT licensed timber, the progress made to date by Guyana, the road map for the VPA, legality definition and Guyana’s legality assurance systems.

Limacol CPL tickets going fast – Guyana’s events operations manager

- as final week approaches before inaugural tournament

With the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) just about a week away, ticket sales for the local leg of the tournament are going at a rapid rate, according to Guyana’s Events Operations Manager Alex Graham. Graham said the Limacol CPL, as expected for the Twenty20 (T20) format of the game, is attracting a multitude of fans. He said tickets are on pace to be sold out probably before July 31, when the first game is slated to be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Graham also urged cricket fans to secure their tickets early, as two of the stands are almost sold out.

With time drawing nearer, Graham expects the stadium to be sold out, as more persons are likely to rush to purchase their tickets closer to the opening game in Guyana and over the coming weekend, which also happens to be the

month-end.

In an interview on Monday, the event operations manager also provided an update on preparations for the Limacol CPL in Guyana. He said more than 90 volunteers from across the country gathered at the National Stadium on Sunday for a training session, aimed at ensuring their readiness for the greatest party in sports.

Graham said the volunteers, most with experience from previous similar events, were trained in nine functional areas for the matches, including cricket operations, event support, media and accreditation, customer service, hospitality, and entertainment.

Some 135 volunteers will be placed in the different job areas to ensure spectators have a comfortable and wonderful time.

The tournament will bowl off on July 30 and conclude on August 24. All matches in Guyana will be played at the National Stadium on July 31, August 2, and

August 4.

Tickets for Guyana’s Amazon Warriors’ first two games on July 31 and August 2 against Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Steel and Jamaica’s Tallawahs are: South West Stand (Green Stand) – Gy$2500 (US$12.50); North West Stand (Red Stand) –Gy$2000 (US$ 10); South Stand (Orange Stand) – Gy$2000 (US$ 10); and Grass Mound/ Party Stand – Gy$1500 (US$7.50). Both games start at 20: 00h. Ticket prices for the double header on August 4 are: South West Stand (Green Stand) – Gy$3500 (US$17.50); North West Stand (Red Stand) –Gy$3000 (US$ 15); South Stand (Orange Stand)–Gy$3000 (US$15) and Grass Mound/Party Stand – Gy$2000 (US$ 10).

Antigua Hawksbills will play Jamaica Tallawahs from 15: 00h while Guyana Amazon Warriors will clash with St Lucia Zouks in the feature game from 20: 00h. (Guyana Times)

TT’s Energy Minister discusses LNG with China

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Kevin Ramnarine engaged senior Chinese officials in discussions on establishing direct trade of LNG from China to Trinidad and Tobago and other energy-related matters beneficial to TT last week.

Additionally, the negotiating delegation had dialogue with representatives from various international civil society groups regarding the involvement of civil society organisations in Guyana and their contribution to the VPA process.

Following the successful discussions in Brussels, the NTWG will continue consultations and meetings to ensure the VPA process is developed in a participatory manner.

During his meeting with Deputy Head of National Energy Administration, Zhang Yuqing, and other officials from the Republic of China, Minister Ramnarine followed up on matters raised during the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to promote bilateral relations between both countries.

Ramnarine noted China’s advanced technology in CNG and renewable energy could be of benefit to Trinidad and Tobago. Dialogue also centred on possible partnerships and investment in both the upstream and the downstream sectors.

The People’s Republic of China im-

PM Kamla, others initiate legal action against opposition leader over e-mail claims

Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Local Government and Works Minister Suruj Rambachan are initiating legal action against opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley for alleged defamatory statements he made about them over the e-mail issue at a May 23 public meeting.

The pre-action protocol letter finalised Monday was issued by attorney Donna Prowell against Rowley. The action bars Rowley from repeating the statements or making “any similar defamatory statements,” failing which the parties will “immediately seek injunctive relief before the High Court” without notice to him.

The letters noted

Rowley’s statements when he spoke about the purported e-mails that he read aloud during a no-confidence motion against the PM in Parliament on May 20, accusing the government of a plot over the Section 34 issue. The letters stated that at a public political meeting at the Croisee, San Juan, on May 23, Rowley continued to use the purported e-mails as the basis for his assertion.

“Against the background of events during the 20th to the 22nd May, 2013, the public was particularly sensitive to his allegations grounded on the purported e-mails,” the letter said.

Apart from citing several paragraphs of Rowley’s statements at the meeting, the letter noted that Rowley had said if government officials decided to take action against him and to send him to jail, he preferred “to be in the jail in Golden Grove or in Frederick Street with the criminals than to be with the criminals in Parliament.”

The government officials said Rowley’s statements claimed they conspired with other government members with the aims of “killing

21 outstanding women honoured in Jamaica

Twenty-one outstanding women have been honoured for their role in advancing the cause of women, through their work in the Jamaica Women's Political Caucus (JWPC).

Honoured were:

Blossom O'Meally Nelson, Joan Browne, Merlene C Daley, Beryl Ennis, Maisie Gore, Jeanette Grant Woodham, Maxine Henry-Wilson, Gloria Langrin, Essene Lewis, Rev Dr Marjorie Lewis, Dorothy Lightbourne, Beverly Manley Duncan, Hermione McKenzie, Gloria Millwood, Violet Neilson, Dr Beverley Pereira, Dorienne Rowan Campbell, Donna Scott Mottley, Evelyn Smart, Marie Thompson and Faith Webster.

The 21, who have

made their mark in a wide cross section of fields in the society, were recognised for their yeoman service at the JWPC's 21st Anniversary Awards luncheon, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston last Thursday.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in a message read by State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, congratulated the women, noting that their recognition was a fitting way to celebrate the organisation's 21st anniversary.

"Today, we speak your names with pride into our nation's history, so that generations to come will bless you as they continue to build on the foundation," she said.

The prime minister pointed out that the Jamaica Women's Political Caucus has upheld the right of Jamaican women to be affiliated with the party of their choice.

Pointing to the JWPC's objective of raising the number of female parliamentarians to at least 40 per cent of the total members of Parliament, a vision that is reflective in the United Nations and its member agencies, the prime minister said she was aware of the many systematic barriers that have prevented the country from reaching that goal.

"However, I am also confident that through partnerships with civil groups, such as the Women's Political Caucus, we can hope for

a journalist, bribing the DPP, attempting to bug the DPP’s office, performing acts in breach of the Integrity Act, committing illegal acts, acting dishonestly, being guilty of misbehaviour in public office and being involved in corruption and a scandal of proportions analogous to Watergate.” The letter stated that Rowley knew the public meeting would be broadcast on a large scale and he “impliedly authorised and intended his defamatory words be published locally, regionally and internationally.” The trio’s attorney said the prime minister had been held up to “contempt, ridicule and shame” and the situation caused her to suffer “great pain and anguish.”

It also “caused citizens to think unfavour-

ably of the prime minister and damaged her integrity with them,” the letter added. It added that the defamatory words “have affected and will affect the esteem and prestige with which she is held by members of the public.” The letter claimed Rowley’s statements were caused by “malice, spite and/or illwill.”

The letter stated that Rowley ought to have known his defamatory words would have serious effects on the government officials’ reputations and would be repeated and republished by people who heard or read it; and that “gossip, reports, and rumours” affecting their reputation would result. Rowley has 14 days to respond. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

Barbados to host high-level SIDS conference in August

Barbados will play host to the third Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Global Inter-Regional Conference from Monday, August 26 to Wednesday, August 28.

a brighter future in line with the Millennium Development Goals, which include gender equality and the empowerment of women," Simpson Miller said.

In the meantime, JWPC President Merline Daley pointed to the fact that women represent 51 per cent of the population, yet their representational percentage in the Parliament and parish councils bear no relationship to that percentage.

"This situation must change if Jamaica is to realise her fullest potential," said Daley, who reported that the JWPC has trained more than 800 women in campaign management and candidacy over the years.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

The high-level meeting will see approximately 250 delegates including ministers and senior technical experts from the 43 SIDS, members of the United Nations Community led by undersecretary general for economic and social affairs, Wu Hongbo, and several members of major groups of international, regional and local non-governmental organisations, heading to Barbados to discuss a number of issues critical to the development of small island states.

This meeting will be preparatory for the third international conference on the sustainable development of SIDS to be held in Apia, Samoa, in September 2014.

Barbados Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr Denis Lowe, explained that the three-day conference will bring together the three SIDS regions to finalise

a document which will form the basis for international negotiations towards the 2014 conference.

In addition, Lowe noted, “It will be a time for the SIDS to showcase their progress on issues, [such as] climate change, and establishment of the Climate Change Centre for the Caribbean.”

Lowe explained that next month’s conference would also give Barbados an opportunity to showcase its achievements relative to the programme of action on the sustainable development of SIDS since the inaugural conference, which was held in Barbados in 1994.

Among those achievements, he said, was the approach being taken through the development of the green economy as well as work being conducted in the area of oceans and oceans management.

The minister indicated that the upcoming inter-regional conference would give Barbados an opportunity to showcase its best practices globally, and to establish linkages for future cooperation with other SIDS.

‘Parklets’ aid transformation of Toronto’s Church St.

An urban experiment which aims to bring life to Church St. in downtown Toronto could follow up with trials on other main streets throughout the city.

The Church St. pilot features the installation of ‘parklets,’ wood decks with planters and public seating, on parking spaces for a few blocks south of Wellesley.

“This is a creative way to expand and animate the public realm without a major rebuild of the streets or sidewalks,” says Nancy Chater, of the Planning Partnership. “’Parklets’ are appearing in North American cities. Church Street is leading the way for Toronto.”

The Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Association (BIA) and the 519 Church St. Community Centre commissioned the planning firm to design the ‘parklets’.

The ‘parklets’, which get the name because they cover over street parking spaces, are being built with support from

about a dozen apprentices and journeypersons from the Carpenters & Allied Workers Loc. 27, Vaughan, and others from the General Contractors section of the Toronto Construction Association. Home Depot is donating the lumber and materials.

The design has been successfully established in other North American cities, including Vancouver, San Francisco and New York.

Built flush to the sidewalk, the wood decks will be buffered from the street by wrap-around walls of planter boxes.

Some of the spaces will feature public built-in benches, while others will be restaurant patios with moveable café tables and chairs.

The ‘parklets’ are prebuilt in modules at Loc.

27’s training centre by a dozen or so apprentices and journeyperson carpenters before being transported to Church St. for final assembly.

Mike Yorke, president, Loc. 27, sees the

Church St. pilot as an example of what main streets in downtown Toronto might consider doing for the 2015 Pan American Games.

“Starting in 2014, we might start to see dozens of streets putting them (‘parklets’) up.”

“From the carpenters (union) perspective, not only do we want to build the city, but we want to be city builders,” he adds, pointing out that ‘parklets’ represent a sea of change in how people want to live downtown.

The city's Public Realm Office has also been looking at how ‘parklets’ could fit into other neighborhoods, says Chater.

“The ‘parklets’ will invite the community and the City to visit Church Wellesley Village and experience its unique vitality as a Toronto neighborhood,” says Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam.

Organizers anticipate a favorable response (from businesses) to creating more ‘parklets’.

Guyana anticipates sharp increase in tourist arrivals during July-August season

Guyana is anticipated to surpass tourists’ influx into the country for the July-August season compared to last year, despite the exit of Delta Airlines.

During an interview with Guyanese media earlier this week, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh said the highest number of tourists was recorded in July last year as the country received 24,000 visitors while in August that year, the number

was 22,000 visitors.

“This year, because of the Limacol CPL and other planned activities such as Jamzone and celebrity artistes coming to Guyana, we are looking to see by the end of July over 29,000 visitors and in August over 32,000 visitors.”

Compared to last year, the influx of tourists to Guyana would be up by 115 per cent despite Deltas exit earlier in the year.

Haralsingh said all flights are currently booked and Caribbean

Airlines (CAL) is also looking at putting on extra flights.

He expressed hope that Fly Jamaica will start operations towards the end of July so that it can transport tourists to the country.

According to the director, the exiting of Delta from Guyana has affected the influx of tourists into the country to some extent, but asserted that the slack has been picked up by CAL and Suriname airways.

“Both airlines are flying now with higher

numbers in terms of load factor,” Haralsingh indicated.

According to the GTA

director, while Delta was in the country, CAL was flying at 50/55 per cent load factor while currently it is flying at full capacity. He stated that the country now has healthy cross border traffic from Brazil and Suriname, which is also impacting tourists’ arrival in the country.

Subsequently, he disclosed that this is making a significant impact on hotels in the country since bookings have risen at the hotels and occupancy is very high as is usual for this period.

The spike in tourist arrivals will have a severe impact on Guyana’s economy since more jobs are being created and more foreign currency is coming into the country, Haralsingh noted. Meanwhile, government has also approached COPA Airlines, which is based in Panama to examine the possibility of having that airline operate in and out of Guyana as well. It was also disclosed that from October, Fly Guyana Airlines will launch scheduled operations out of Guyana.

Children traumatized after family brutally killed by relative in TT

Nine-year-old

Laila Subhan and her broth-

er Salim, six, two of the

three survivors of last Thursday’s brutal massacre in Trinidad, which left three family mem-

bers dead, are receiving counselling as they remain severely traumatised, police said Monday.

The children witnessed the murder of their father Berrico “Bull” Subhan, 46, a cattle farmer along with their sister Sheriffa, 14, and four-year-old brother Musaf. The three were stabbed last Thursday night by their cousin Silvan Alladin, 38, who according to reports

Silvan’s lap, while Salim stood next to her, until police arrived. Silvan was subsequently shot and killed by police after they ordered him to drop the knife but he refused and began stabbing Laila in the leg.

Speaking to reporters Monday, a senior police officer confirmed that the children were undergoing counselling and are so far responding well.

visited their home at Avocat Village, Siparia Old Road, Fyzabad and asked their mother Rasheeda Alladin, 30, to spend the night.

To date, it remains unclear what provoked the murderous attack on the family. On that night, it was reported that Silvan, an excavator operator of Cuchawan Trace, Debe turned his hidden an-

ger on the entire family. Using an eight-inch knife, he first stabbed Berrico. Sheriffa and Musaf were bound and gagged with duct tape and then fatally stabbed. Rasheeda, whose throat was slit, managed to run out the house screaming for help. Berrico collapsed and died in the front yard. Laila and Salim were held hostage, Laila being held on

Their mother Rasheeda remains warded in stable condition at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). She was removed from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) over the weekend and placed on a ward. Hospital officials said she has been responding well to treatment. Berrico and his children were laid to rest on Saturday, Rasheeda did not attend. Police continue their investigation into the tragedy which has rocked the Muslim community in the month of Ramadhan. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

Essequibo gets 11 more Cuba-trained Guyanese doctors

The health sector of Guyana’s Essequibo region, Pomeroon/Supenaam, will be significantly boosted as 11 more Cuba trained Guyanese doctors graduated on Saturday at the Suddie Public Hospital having successfully completing their one year internship there.

The doctors, Suzette Alana Reynold, Deoram Kajram, Smolana Swan, Andy Da Silva, Marlon Sooknarine, Chavita Bisnauth, Patricia Lew wai-see, Cardel Mc Watt, Suresh Seurattan, Kiloutie Das and Vijay Persaud successfully completed their seven-year training programme (six years in Cuban and one year at the Suddie Hospital). The doctors were trained in general medicine, internal medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology and obstetrics and surgery.

Speaking to the grad-

uands, officials of the Cuban government, doctors, nurses and medical technicians in the boardroom of the Suddie Hospital, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud charged the newly-trained doctors to give of their best and to serve their fellow Essequibians with love.

He welcomed the team home and encouraged them to do their job in a professional manner.

Persaud thanked the Cuban government for the solid partnership with Guyana, which enabled the training of young people to become doctors.

The regional chair-

man said Guyana has prospered from the arrangement, and lauded former president Bharrat Jagdeo, who was instrumental in negotiating the agreement.

“We are indeed grateful for this help, it has indeed boost the health sector in Guyana,

many persons are benefiting and the partnership signed was a fruitful venture,” Persaud said. He also posited that the Cuban Medical Brigade has invested tremendous support into Guyana’s health sector, noting that their work has been priceless.

Meanwhile, University of Holgrin, Medical Science Director, Dr Katia Maria Ochoa Agnilera said Cuba was happy to host the students, and challenge them to further their studies in their various field.

According to Agnilera, the best repayment the doctors can give to Cuba is to give of their best, serve the people honestly and with love.

Suzette Alana Reynold and Deoram Kajram, who obtained gold medals in the general medicine course, said they are happy to

be back home to serve their people.

Both students thanked the governments of Guyana and Cuba for making their dream of becoming a doctor a reality.

The newly-graduated doctors vowed to give of their best and described their stay in Cuba as challenging, but funfilled.

The parents of the graduating students also lauded the medical agreement between Guyana and Cuba, noting that it has enabled their children an opportunity to make them proud.

The parents of Suresh Seurattan told the media that they are happy their son is now a doctor as their sacrifices have paid off.

The parents of Deoram Kajram also expressed similar sentiments. (Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Jamaican police accused of using ‘professional witness’ to secure conviction

The integrity of the justice system in Jamaica is again facing the possibility of further erosion, in light of allegations that the police have used a so-called “professional witness” in order to secure convictions.

The matter has been referred to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn after the allegations were made last Friday by senior attorney Valerie Neita-Robertson, who also complained that she had since last year tried, but to no avail, to get information from the Office of the DPP on a previous case involving the said professional witness who is now deceased.

The person, according to Neita-Robertson, was used by the police to act as an eyewitness in situations where actual eyewitnesses do not come forward or in cases where there was no witness at all.

The issue came to the fore in the Home Circuit Court in the case of Omar Nicholson and his nephew

Oniel, who are accused of murdering Detective Sergeant Desmond Carter during the robbery of a food establishment in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in 2006.

During last Friday’s hearing, Neita-Robertson, who is representing Omar Nicholson, alleged in court that the late Dylan Millanaise, the witness being relied on by the prosecution, was a “professional witness”.

She said that Millanaise had been the main witness in more than one murder case, including the murder of a policeman in Clarendon, and requested the prosecution disclose to the defence Millanaise’s statement in that case.

The attorney complained to the court that she had previously sent letters to the prosecution requesting this and other information regarding Millanaise. She also presented a similar letter to the prosecution last Friday.

The case has been before the Circuit Court since 2007.

Following the airing of Neita-Robertson’s concerns, Justice Gloria Smith said that the director of public prosecutions will have to make a decision on the “next step” in light of the fact that the main witness is dead, in addition to the allegations being made by the defence.

The men’s bails were extended until October 4, when the case will again be mentioned.

Following the adjournment of the case, Neita-Robertson showed Jamaican media copies of letters she sent to the prosecution, complaining that there had been

no response to her previous letters, dated July 31, August 31 and October 1, 2012, requesting disclosure.

“At this stage we are beyond disturbed as to the treatment of our client, Mr Nicholson,” she wrote in a letter dated January 31.

“If the Crown does not intend to fulfil its fair-trial obligations toward Mr Nicholson, or is unable to proceed any further with this matter, then we ask that, in the interest of justice, you formally discontinue this prosecution and allow Mr Nicholson to begin putting the pieces of his life together again,”

Guyana can be new agricultural investment hotspot for Middle East investors

Ajeenkya D Y Patil

Group Chairman and honorary consul general to Guyana in Mumbai, India, Dr Ajeenkya D Y Patil is of the view that agriculture in Guyana “is a winning proposition with positive advantages for all stakeholders involved”. In a recent press release from the group, it was announced that this opportunity will be presented to potential investors in Dubai this coming November.

Dr Patil has stated that investing in Guyana “is a financially viable and potentially profitable proposal for investors in the region due to the global growth in demand for agriculture produce”.

“The region [Guyana] is unexploited and is economically robust and politically stable. It will improve the quality of life of the average Guyanese citizen and increase the economic vitality of the country. And all of this backed by the experi-

enced management of the Ajeenkya DY Patil Group.”

Additionally, given the lack of annual rainfall in the Gulf region, highscale commercial food production is not viable; hence, Middle East countries continue to safeguard food security and supply issues by investing overseas.

Another key indicator is the population boom in the region, meaning local agriculture is unable to meet the consumption demand.

For many years, Africa and the Philippines have been popular destinations for Middle East investment in agriculture. However, a new market has emerged to rival these traditionally strong investment partners. Hence, the look at Guyana.

McKinsey study

A McKinsey study in 2008 revealed the country’s agricultural potential; with aquaculture

ajeenkya

d y Patil group chairman and honorary consul general to guyana in mumbai, india, dr ajeenkya d y Patil

(the farming of aquatic organisms including fish and crustaceans) valued at US$350-$450 million; fruits and vegetables

US$250-$350 million;

forestry

US$200-$300 million and bio-ethanol

US$500-$ 600 million.

It was observed that Guyana already has a well-established export industry. It currently exports to Canada, the U.S., nearby Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, while also trading as far afield as the UK and the Netherlands. In fact, 75 per cent of Guyana’s exports enter destination markets duty-free, making it an attractive trading partner.

Guyana’s other advantages were also observed by the group, including its highly fertile soils, particularly in coastal areas which offer large development initiatives, while an abundance of grassland can

be used for producing beef, milk, mutton, fruits and other non-traditional crops. The country has also been certified as foot and mouth disease free, an added advantage in exporting meat products.

In addition, its large expanses of land have never been used for modern agriculture and are therefore totally free of agricultural chemicals, meaning it can be certified for organic production in one year, rather than the standard requirement of three years. This has definite economic benefits for the country given that organic produce has a premium price in most developed countries.

It also emphasises that Guyana offers

a serious alternative to consider in addressing potential future food security issues.

This alternative has been identified by the Ajeenkya D Y Patil Group, which has exemplary experience in agriculture, as well as education, healthcare and sports.

They have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Guyana for 65,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin to be used for agriculturerelated projects, which could include dairy processing; rice milling and processing; fisheries and poultry; fruits and vegetables; and sugar cane production with ethanol and power.

“It can’t work” Gov’t senator joins calls for suspension of smoking ban in Jamaica

Former Jamaican minister of national security and justice and current government senator, K D Knight, has lashed out against the handling of the imposition of the ban on cigarette smoking in public spaces declaring “it can’t work...It haffi change”.

Senator Knight, at a People’s National Party South West St. Catherine constituency anniversary banquet Saturday night, pointed out that in addition to fines ranging from Ja$50,000, for a first office, to Ja$1 million and imprisonment for a third

offence, people could be arrested for smoking in their own home or their “yard”.

“Smoking at home, with a helper, a gardener and a day’s worker, so Dr Ferguson says my home is a workplace. I can’t smoke in me yard! After I come from court one evening, and I am tired and a want cool out, I can’t put up my foot and smoke a cigarette in me house?” Knight questioned.

“But, that no nothing yet: A policeman comes

and charges me (for a third offence), I plead guilty because I was smoking, I go to court, there is no fine this time.

The third time you must go to prison! That’s rubbish. That no mek no sense. You can’t send a man to prison for smoking in his yard, or for smoking at all, because if a man commits the offence of smoking ganja three times, there is no mandatory penalty. But, ganja is illegal, and there is no mandatory sentence,” he commented.

Senator Knight suggested that the right thing for Jamaica’s Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, to do is to admit that the ban was misplaced, and take legislation to Parliament to address the issue.

“It can’t work so, Doc. That’s not how People’s National Party administration works. I not doing anything anti-party, but I will do things pro-people, and what I will do, I will join people out there on the streets to demonstrate against it, if there are no changes to it,” he cautioned.

The ban on tobacco smoking imposed by Ferguson via a ministerial order last week Monday, has triggered controversy over the suddenness and the lack of information. The regulations were gazetted only the Friday before imposition of the ban. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Gordon says he won’t bow to pressure

Chairman of the Integrity Commission in Trinidad and Tobago Ken Gordon has again dismissed as “wild and irresponsible” the claim that his May 15 meeting with the leader of the opposition was secret and was held to plan a political conspiracy. In a statement last Friday, Gordon also revealed he had recused himself from the Section 34 e-mail probe at the first meeting of the new commission on July 4, eight days before any

request was received.

Earlier last week, he replied to calls from lawyers representing the prime minister and the Attorney General, who had written to him earlier in the week asking him to recuse himself. In his letters to them, Gordon said he had already done so. AG Anand Ramlogan replied, however, that the “noble and decent thing” for Gordon to do would be to resign. The demand for Gordon to recuse himself arose from a meeting between Gordon

and opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley at Gordon’s Glencoe home.

On his reasons for not resigning, Gordon said the law made it clear that the commission “is not subject to the direction or control of any other persons or authority and that it has the power to do what it considers necessary or expedient.” He said whether or not there was a constituted commission on May 15, the identical circumstances could have occurred. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

57 graduate from GuySuCo Training Centre in Guyana

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Training Centre at Port Mourant held its 52nd apprentice graduation exercise last Wednesday at which 57 students sponsored by various sugar estates across the country all received certificates, allowing them to now be employable.

The areas in which the students were trained are refrigeration and air conditioning, fitting and machining, welding and fabrication, electrical installation, motor vehicle service and repairs and supervisory management.

The students achieved 103 distinc-

tions and 36 credits.

Guyana’s Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul congratulated the students and highlighted that they must view their future with optimism.

He added that it is a necessity in the sugar

industry at this time.

Such training opportunities are available through the management of GuySuCo and the minister stated that government wants to create more openings.

Despite the challenges being faced by

the sugar industry, there have been many positive steps made of which the industry can be proud. He noted that all the areas in which the students excelled are necessary to the viability of the industry, and said that adjust-

ments to the current academic curriculum are needed to lift the industry’s standards.

Manager of the training centre, Jainarine Sookpaul said it was another proud day for the institution, and that it is customary that before the start of the new training year, the students and instructors have to participate in a two-week camping exercise.

“We have proposed to reduce the general engineering programme in the first year to six months, after which we will have the apprentices in their specialised areas. Also to further enhance our instrumentation programme

to satisfy the current needs of our industry, (we are) upgrading our facility’s standards and concentrating on an increase of in- plant training, in both field and factory for our second year apprentices and staff,” added Sookpaul.

The GTC in collaboration with the board of Industrial Training (BIT) reintroduced the evening programme at Port Mourant after 15 years. This year, 224 persons applied for such programmes, of which 115 were selected. This programme attracted students from as far as Bath Settlement to Corriverton. (Guyana Times)

PM Kamla denies any knowledge of diplomatic passport instruction

Prime Minister

Kamla PersadBissessar has denied giving any instructions for Jack Warner's diplomatic passport to be withdrawn. When asked about Warner’s claims about his diplomatic passport being retrieved, Persad-Bissessar said the government does not do that.

"I do not have details of who would have requested it, but I presume that they have followed the process and the procedure in accordance with the regulations and rules surrounding the issuance of a diplomatic passport and the retrieval of such a passport," said Persad-

Bissessar last Friday following a ceremony to open a new NP gas station in Charlieville.

Warner last Thursday said he was asked by the Immigration Department

to return his diplomatic passport, on the PP government’s instructions.

According to Warner, he received a call from acting Chief Immigration Officer Keith Sampson about re-

turning his diplomatic passport within one week.

Persad-Bissessar said her experience with diplomatic passports was limited, as she received one during her tenure as a minister.

"For myself, I never had a diplomatic passport. The only time I got one was when I became a minister, so I presume that there is a process for the whole thing of diplomatic passports. I do not know the details of that matter because I gave no such instruction. I'm uncertain whether any minister could have done so, but as ministers we are issued a diplomatic passport and when we demit that office, we return

them," the prime minister related.

During a walkabout in Felicity last Thursday, Warner reiterated he had no problem returning the passport. He said: “At the end of the day I expect even worse than that. It doesn’t faze me at all. I don’t want people to feel this is a Jack Warner issue at all.”

Contacted last Friday, UNC deputy leader Suruj Rambachan said: “Any time someone ceases to be a minister one has to return any diplomatic passport they hold. When I was ambassador to Brazil I returned the diplomatic passport when I returned home.”

Asked by the media why the government didn’t seek to have Warner return the passport in April when he resigned and why it was being requested now, Rambachan said: “He should have returned the passport voluntarily himself when he ceased to be a minister.”

Asked why he (Rambachan) gave up his US green card when he entered government, as Warner said he had, Rambachan said he did not think it was ethical to continue to hold his green card after he became foreign affairs minister. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

FAO to increase its assistance to the Caribbean region

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations is transforming the way it works in the Caribbean to ensure a greater and more effective contribution to national and regional development.

This was the main message delivered by the organisation’s director general, Dr Jose Graziano da Silva, on a recent 12-day mission, which saw him meeting with government, civil society, private sector and partner agencies in several countries of the region.

Discussions focused on the future of the Caribbean food and agriculture sector, the challenges facing it, and how FAO can reengineer its assistance to better equip the region to establish more efficient and sustainable food systems.

Dr Graziano began the mission by attend-

ing the opening ceremony of the Caricom heads of government meeting in Trinidad and Tobago where he met with President Donald Ramotar, the lead head of government for agriculture and other regional leaders. He also held discussions with head of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Warren Smith, about how the two agencies can better cooperate to serve the region.

While in Trinidad, he also met with officials there and paid a courtesy call to the new Faculty of Food and Agriculture at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.

The FAO delegation travelled to St Lucia where Dr Graziano met with agriculture officials to discuss that country’s food insecurity caused by the decline of income from bananas, the main livelihood of thousands of small, rural farmers,

and compounded by the global economic crisis.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Graziano lauded the government’s efforts to reduce hunger. While there, Dr Graziano reiterated plans to create closer ties with the Eastern Caribbean member states of FAO, which have been hit by the decline of the banana industry and face ongoing vulnerability to natural disasters.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the delegation visited community projects which form part of the FAO-led Zero Hunger Challenge pilot initiative in the Caribbean. The project is currently focusing on strengthening the National School Meals Programme and developing backyard gardens and small farmer enterprises in the most vulnerable communities.

Other initiatives will target expansion and diversification of agriculture, improved nutrition, pro-poor employment, in-

come opportunities, and improved governance.

FAO is in the process

EU pleased with success of mangrove project in Guyana Jamaica Broilers buys American egg producer

European Union Ambassador to Guyana Robert Kopecký has lauded the partnership that has been developed between Guyana and the EU, specifically on the nation’s largest mangrove project. Kopecký made this comment while speaking with the media during a site visit to sections of the EU-funded project on the East Coast of Demerara last week.

The ambassador said from his first visit to now, he has been impressed with the work that has been completed, and noted that this will assist Guyana greatly especially during the rainy seasons.

“I have been in country for 21 months now, and we have been having challenges from nature side, some of them are hitting the coast and all these are showing how this project between Guyana and EU is very good,” he said.

The envoy urged that the Guyana government,

through the agriculture ministry, continue to invest into the venture.

He explained that mangroves are very critical to the preservation of sea defence structures and to prevent flooding.

Mangroves would see Guyana having an alternative to spending large sums to rehabilitate and build sea defences, Kopecký added.

“It’s all about dialogue and I’m glad that we have better partnerships and what might be a good start is strengthening theses partnership, we have a running project and I hope the government continues to invest in mangroves, because this will maintain the sea walls’ structures,” he added.

The visit by the EU ambassador, along with a team from the EU office, was aimed at observing the progress of the Mangrove Restoration Project, which is funded jointly by the government and the EU. The administration said it

does not view the mangrove restoration project as just a one-off project, but as part of a programme for shore zone management that started before this project and that will continue for as long as there is Guyana. The project, which started in 2010, caters for mangrove restoration under shore zone management and is allocated funding through several ministries inclusive of agriculture, public works, and local government.

Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy has said that with Guyana’s shores being battered every day by the sea, coupled with riverbed erosion and the challenge of climate change, such programmes are significant.

He said in Guyana’s case, defences against the rising sea level are necessary, and building capacity on the use of mangrove in this area is crucial to addressing such issues. (Guyana Times)

Early voting slow in Chaguanas West by-election

Only Twenty-four persons had cast their ballots by Tuesday in the special voting for the Chaguanas West by-election in Trinidad.

Tuesday, marked the second day for special voting at the Election and Boundaries Commission’s Special Polling Station at Eleanor Street, Chaguanas. Seventy-nine special voters are required to vote between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm up until Sunday.

According to the EBC, special electors who do not vote are required to return the envelope with

the unused ballot paper to the nearest registration area office or to the office of the Chief Election Officer’s office at Frederick Street, Port-ofSpain immediately after polling day, next Monday There are 27,051 registered voters in Chaguanas West. By 10 am Tuesday, when TT media visited, only three persons had cast their votes. Eleven persons had voted by 3 pm. On Monday, 13 persons had voted.

Speaking with TT media on Tuesday, Everil Ross, returning officer for the Chaguanas West Electoral District, said

Jamaica Broilers Group Limited (JBG) is buying an egg company based in the United States but has held back on disclosing the acquisition target until the deal closes around the end of August.

The Jamaican poultry company disclosed via a stock market filing that it plans to close sale on the company, a producer and broker of broiler-hatching eggs, within 45 days. The price of the acquisition is to remain confidential until the deal closes, Broilers said.

JBG President and CEO Christopher Levy said his company already owned broiler-hatching facilities in both the US and Jamaica, and that the current transaction was a direct expansion of the overseas operation only and would not affect the existing supply arrangements in Jamaica.

He said most of the eggs used in Jamaica are sourced from Jamaica Broilers' network of contractors, "and then we import to supplement the shortfall that we are not able to source locally", he added.

Levy said the acquisi-

tion would not affect local suppliers but would help JBG better service its overseas markets.

Levy said that, "eighty per cent of what we produce in the US is sold to third parties in markets such as Haiti, Mexico, or the same place in the US. The plan is for us to expand in those existing markets first."

The Jamaica Stock Exchange filing said the acquisition, if concluded, is expected to result in the doubling of Jamaica Broilers fertile egg-production output in the US. Levy said the sale agreement was signed on July 17 and that he expected the deal to go through. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Police still probing Bahamas beachfront tragedy after eight bodies discovered

The police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of eight bodies on the beach in Grand Bahama early Saturday.

They initially found six bodies, including that of a child, on a beach at Holmes Rock. Shortly after, two more bodies were discovered near a sunken boat, half-a-mile from shore.

he believes the number of voters would gradually increase later in the week.

“I think people are coming at their convenience, so it depends on how they are working and in some cases they might have to leave work early,” Ross said adding there may be a large turnout Saturday and Sunday when persons may not be working.

Special voters fall under 13 categories including members of the military, poll day staff and others of the Chaguanas West Electoral District.

(Excerpt from TT Newsday)

According to the police, it’s believed that all eight were illegal immigrants who were trying to make their way to the United States.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hulan Hanna said further checks were carried out along the shoreline and at sea to ensure that there were no other bodies.

“We got the assistance of the Americans and they took us about a half mile from the shore, and we were able to see a boat submerged in the water. Outside of the boat, two bodies were seen on the floor of the sea.”

He said assistance was being sought to refloat the boat as addition-

al bodies could be inside.

“We are hoping that our regional and international connections will help us determine who these people are”

Hanna appealed to the public to contact the police if they knew anyone, particularly from the area, who has been missing.

He said the identities of the victims were not known and added that autopsies would be performed to determine the cause of death.

“We don’t know the nationalities of the victims definitively, but again, the enormity of what we met here cannot be emphasized enough…. please for God’s sake and listen to us and do not do it to put your life at risk and the greater tragedy is the fact there is a child who has no more chance at life because somebody took a decision to have the child accompany them to this ill-fated journey,” Hanna said. (CMC)

Guyana police continues to benefit from overseas training in various fields

Several members of the Guyana Police Force continue to receive training in order to enhance the force’s professionalism and quality of services, acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell said.

During a recent press briefing, Brumell disclosed that a number of ranks have attended overseas training in Jamaica, Russia, USA, South Korea and Trinidad and Tobago in areas such as cyber crime, anti-corruption, information technology and financial investigations.

“We also continue to aggressively pursue training locally at the Felix Austin Police College and at the new officers training centre. We have completed programmes that include electronic intelligence operations which was conducted by the Brazilian Federal Police, staff develop-

ment, financial procedures, disciplinary procedures, traffic investigation, crime investigation and fraudulent documents,” the acting commissioner noted.

Brumell also revealed that a maritime training programme

aimed at equipping ranks to deal more effectively with piracy is presently on stream, along with a number of other programmes which are scheduled, including a station management course, a special prosecutor’s course,

a junior officer’s course and domestic violence seminars.

On the note of more specialised training, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud explained that there are several policing models, noting that in the most resourceful

countries, there are a lot of specialised training and a lot of overlapping while in Guyana.

“We have to adapt a model that allowed for general training and some level of specialisation due to the limited resources at their disposal. In training for general policing, you have to explore people in all different areas and it is for that reason they have this notion of transfers,” Persaud added.

This newspaper understands that as police ranks get themselves qualified in various fields, they are being transferred to man stations out of the city and within specific departments of the Guyana Police Force.

Recently, six ranks from the force were certified in electronic intelligence operation after undergoing a three-day training session from Brazilian specialists in

fighting organised and network crimes. The six officers from various sectors of the force gained a wealth of knowledge through practical exercises.

The training was a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force and the Brazil Federal Police, and focused on audio and video surveillance operations.

Deputy Police Commissioner, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said the training is an example of the cooperation between the two police organisations, noting that they have collaborated in previous exercises such as drug and people trafficking. Persaud was also cognisant that organised and network crimes are increasing, hence, he stated that Guyana must develop the capacity to effectively tackle these issues. (Guyana Times)

Jamaica gets 68 new doctors

The Jamaican medical system will be boosted by the injection of 68 newly trained medical doctors within weeks.

The Jamaican doctors graduated from the Medical Faculty of the University of Santiago de Cuba last Tuesday in a short and spicy ceremony that lasted an hour and 13 minutes, much less than any of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

And while there were no elaborate verbal utterances by those authorised to speak, the ceremony was resplendent with fascinating oral and cultural presentations.

The Jamaicans started their course of study in November 2006 with 70 students under the

Cuban education assistance programme, but two returned to the island by year-end for personal reasons.

Of the 68 graduates in an overall field of 717, including 373 Cubans, almost half the number of Jamaicans walked away with first class honours.

The majority of them will return home by late August to begin another phase of their medical journey and will be based at leading hospitals across the island for their internship, Kingston Public, Cornwall Regional, Spanish Town, and St Ann's Bay.

Dr Matthew Lloyd O'Connor, 26, emerged the most outstanding foreign student from a group of 344. The Lilliput, St

James resident, who attended Cornwall College, spoke on behalf of the foreign students, hailing the Cuban medical and education systems and expressing gratitude for the hospitality and kindness of the Cuban people.

"We will try to use the knowledge gained to improve health care in Jamaica," O'Connor told Jamaica media afterwards.

"In my own case, I will be working closely with my community to give back, because one of the principles of the Cuban system is giving back," said the Cornwall College head boy from 2005 to 2006.

The Jamaican doctors, dressed in laboratory coats, were greeted with loud cheers as

they went up to be recognised for their outstanding work.

"They are good students," said Professor Juan Carlos Sanchez, who teaches Medical English at the university and who has served as an interpreter for Jamaican delegations over the years.

"The Jamaicans are very popular and they are nice kids. I get on well with them," he said.

Unlike the typical Jamaican gradua-

from lounge suit to casual wear, includ-

“An act of sabotage”

- Finance minister condemns opposition’s nonsupport of Guyana’s hydropower project

Finance Minister

Ashni Singh said the recent vote by the opposition against the Amaila Falls Project can only be viewed as an act of sabotage directed against national development by all right minded Guyanese.

The minister, in his address to the National Assembly, stated that while the opposition has been given the opportunity to stand up for nation building and collectively work towards improving the lives of every citizen, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) chose to play political football with the issue.

“Why is it that this piece of legislation did not receive the benefit of the support of the APNU

and the AFC?” asked the minister. “It only can be described as a retaliatory vote…for the failed and thwarted attempt to frustrate the Standing Orders and disrupt the sequence of business.”

The guarantee of loans (Public Corporations and Companies) Act (Chapter 77: 01) was laid before Parliament on July 18 as part of a prerequisite for IDB funding of the Amaila hydro project. The amendments to this act are necessary in order to facilitate the implementation of the Power Purchase Agreement and to increase the amount of liability that can be guaranteed by the government to an amount which shall not exceed Gy$150 billion.

The government of

Guyana is providing Amaila Falls Hydro Inc (AFHI), a special purpose company owned by Sithe Global, a performance guarantee on behalf of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The guarantee’s purpose is to promote the implementation of the project.

No significant objections

Minister Singh noted that the project itself has not had any significant objections heard from the opposition parties nor government and therefore he is surprised and disappointed that the legislature took such a draconian approach to kill a bill that would ben-

efit the entire country.

Minister Singh said the move to derail the bill is an attempt by the joint opposition to frustrate the government at all costs. He noted that every attempt was made by the government to inform and keep the AFC and the APNU apprised of the project via several closed door consultations.

Threat to manufacturing sector

Meanwhile, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) said the halt to the hydropower project could result in higher electricity rates and the collapse of the manufacturing sector. The GMSA in a release said for quite some years, the GMSA has been appeal-

ing to the powers that be to reduce the cost of energy which by itself is the single most debilitating factor inhibiting the incremental growth of Guyana’s manufacturing sector.

“It is hardly difficult to predict and itemise the immediate benefits to Guyanese if and when this project is completed, the most obvious being the creation of jobs in the electricity sector itself, the emergence of new downstream enterprises, and a healthier manufacturing sector with entrepreneurs able to penetrate overseas markets farther than the Caribbean and North America, and satisfy customers and distributors with higher quality products in greater quantities,” the GMSA said.

Barbados gov’t unveils ‘ten-point’ plan to rescue ailing tourism industry

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, has unveiled a 10-point plan to revive the tourism industry in Barbados with an initial injection of BD$20 million in energy rebates for hotels and tourism-related enterprises. The sector has also been promised more as-

sistance in the up-coming financial statement and budgetary proposals, as government “pulls out all the stops” to revive the main engine of economic growth.

The initiatives were rolled out during a recent joint-press conference with Barbados’ Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler.

Among the measures to be implemented, Sealy said, included a credit voucher up to a specified amount in the Barbados equivalent to the Air Passenger Duty paid by British tourists who booked a two-week stay at participating hotels.

“We needed to do something special in our main market… The APD has had a devastating effect on the Caribbean region. We think this is a good way to counteract the impact of the APD, and allow us to have greater spending on the

ground and more bednights,” he added.

Other initiatives announced by Sealy included: a partnership with private operators to launch a villa marketing programme; a collaborative effort between the ministries of culture, tourism and the community groups to rebrand St Lawrence Gap into a 24-hour attraction; and government engaging a variety of multilateral private partners to build new hotels and resuscitate closed properties, starting with the Almond Beach Village Hotel in St Peter.

The tourism minister said government would also provide a BD$10 million window for the retrofitting of air con-

ditioning and lighting systems in the tourism and hospitality sectors, which is the first phase of the BD$150 million Energy Efficiency and Hotel Refurbishment Fund.

Sealy also introduced a special renewable energy drive that would allow hoteliers to earn five percent rebates on their electricity and water costs for the next 12 months, in the first instance, starting in October.

Another important segment of the plan is government’s decision to grant the hotel sector a 50 percent land tax rebate for investment in renewable energy initiatives, once a credible programme was implemented. (Excerpt from BGIS)

Holness proposes single education fund for Jamaican diaspora contributions

Opposition

Jamaica Labour Party leader Andrew Holness has called on the country's politicians to spearhead the coordination of the 'philanthropic opportunities' that exist in the diaspora, so they could have a more meaningful impact on national development.

Diaspora groups, he said, were fragmented and suggested that one of the ways in which they could be better coordination would be the setting up of a National Education Trust, where past students who contribute to their schools, for example, could pool resources in one fund.

"It is possible for us to harness the philanthropy that exists in the diaspora and use it to build schools, quality schools that will continue the cycle of human resource development and creation of which we benefit from now. That requires leadership, it

requires government sitting down, thinking the process out and building the institutions to manage it, but most of all, it requires trust," Holness argued.

He was speaking last Friday during a session of the 36th Annual Conference of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organisations (NAJASO) at Secrets Resort Hotel in Montego Bay. The Opposition leader, meanwhile, urged Jamaicans living overseas to begin to be more trusting of the country's politicians.

"There has to be a change in culture. Yes, you must be naturally sceptical of politicians and their motives, but I believe you can be sceptical without being cynical. And for the nation to move forward, we have to start building that 'trust bridge' so that we can get action in a more impactful way," Holness said.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Grenada reviving nutmeg, cocoa cultivation

-boosting mangoes production for export

to Canada

The Grenada government is placing particular emphasis on the rehabilitation and replanting of nutmeg and cocoa under its farm labour subsidy programme.

The programme was officially launched in St David last week and will provide employment for between 1,500 and 2,000 people working across the country.

Labourers under this programme will give approximately ten days service to farms in every parish.

Agriculture Minister Roland Bhola said, despite the tough economic times, government is still seeking to assist farmers however possible. He urged them to make maximum use of the opportunity.

“We still have a significant amount of acreage that is still left unclear. After Hurricane Ivan, persons have not gone back to the land, and when you analyze it, we may be tempted to say that these people are lazy and probably they don’t care,” the agriculture minister said.

“We also have to un-

TT local gov’t elections in two months – PM Kamla hints

Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar has hinted that local government elections will be held within the next two months, and general elections before the next two years is up.

“There was a battle in 2010, one in January for the leadership of the party and another in May for the government. Today we have another battle,” she said alluding to the Chaguanas West by-election.

She added, “In two months time there will be another battle, and in two year’s time, maybe less than two years, another battle.”

Persad-Bissessar was a special invitee at an extended morning service Sunday at the Devi Mandir, Vyas Hindu Complex on Caroni Savannah Road where she addressed devotees and leaders of the Hindu community under the aegis of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMs).

Also present were Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Transport Minister Chandresh Sharma, and Food

derstand that, what Hurricane Ivan did was not just throw down our trees and our houses down, but it affected the psyche of our people. Some of our farmers have not yet recovered from that blow, so we have to encourage them by clearing some lands and planting new crops,” he added.

Chief Agriculture Officer Daniel Lewis, in outlining some of the crops that will be targeted, said 50 acres in rehabilitation of nutmegs and 30 acres in replanting, 25 acres of avocadoes and 30 acres of mangoes.

He said the intention of planting more mangoes is to assist MNIB in enhancing its exports to the Canada market.

Nutmeg continues to be a strategic crop for Grenada and, despite a short decline in the output of nutmeg, the GCNA last year saw a significant increase in the income generated from nutmeg at over EC$22 million.

In addition, 2012 had the highest amount of money paid for nutmeg on the international market. (Excerpt from Caribbean News)

Production Minister Devant Maharaj.

General Secretary of the SDMS Sat Maharaj told the media that all the mandirs in the Chaguanas West constituency wanted to offer blessings to the Prime Minister and her candidate, Khadijah Ameen.

Thanking them for their support and asking them to join her in the battles being fought, Persad-Bissessar said the battles were part of

the war against poverty, and criminality, and to make sure that every creed and race find an equal place in the country. Meanwhile, despite being placed last in a recent poll, the PNM is confident of its Chaguanas West candidate Avinash Singh. The party’s public relations officer Faris Al-Rawi Sunday lauded Singh as capable of scoring a victory, saying he had all the elements of a winner. Al-Rawi, who

described Singh as well educated, said, “The fact is we have a very strong, capable candidate in terms of integrity and issues.

The poll, which was conducted by local company Solution by Simulation, showed Jack Warner, leader of the Independent Liberal Party as ahead of other candidates by 48 percent. Singh scored three percent in the poll. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

Granger calls on PNCR to recruit, reorganise and rebuild

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) held its second General Council meeting for 2013 on Saturday at the party’s headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, with its leader David Granger telling members that now is the time to rebuild, reorganise, and recruit. The opening session was chaired by party chairman Basil Williams during which General Secretary Oscar Clarke presented a report on the work of the party and the party’s secretariat for the period under consideration.

The oldest member of the party, Cecil Cunha (99 years old) who was present, was recognised by the council, a release from the PNCR said.

The general secretary also reported to the council that three new members had been appointed to the Central Executive Committee of the PNCR. They are Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford and Region One councillor Richard Allen.

The main address of the opening session was presented by Granger, who affirmed that the PNCR remains committed to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition.

He said that the PNCR was a mass-based party and not an elitist party, and, therefore, had a re-

sponsibility to the people of Guyana to provide leadership inside and outside of the National Assembly.

According to the release, in a stirring appeal to the General Council, Granger said the PNCR had a service responsibility to all of its constituents.

He outlined a plan of action for consideration by

the council’s plenary. Retired Brigadier Granger said that party offices in every region must be developed into multi-purpose centres and used as a base for Members of Parliament and regional councillors to meet with their constituents and provide services for the communities.

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY NADIA HUSSEIN

The largest children’s carnival parade in North America took place in Toronto on Saturday.

More than 2, 000 children played mas and performed for the judges during the Junior Carnival Parade, presented by the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival-Toronto.

“The children of today are the people that will be running our festival in years to come, so it is vital that we get youngsters enthused about the culture,” said event organizer Eric Delfish.

While the children danced joyfully and smiled gladly for spectators, they also knew there was an importance to the parade that went far beyond the pageantry of feathered and bejeweled costumes. All of the children attended mas camps where they learned about their heritage and the fight for freedom which their elders endured.

Band leaders and parents encouraged the youngsters to showcase their best moves for the panel of experts to songs such as ‘Fog Up De Place’ by Trinidadian Machel Montano and ‘Ready For De Road’ by Bunji Garlin.

For the third year in a row, the ‘Toronto Revellers’ took the title of Junior Band of the Year.

“I’m very proud of these costumes,” said band leader and for-

was a soca and calypso showcase, sponsored by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes, where young singers between the ages of 8-18 performed on stage.

Additionally, a Junior Steelband Showcase sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Steelpan included steel orchestras from Pan Fantasy and St. Jamestown Youth Centre. Other new activities included headpiece decoration, caricatures, a midway, and face and body painting.

This year, the parade route was shorter - east of Keele and Sheppard West, crossing over the William Baker Park bridge, then entering Downsview Park before ending on Carl Hall Road – but the change provided a better flow for

mer NBA player Jamaal Magloire about his group’s theme ‘Once Upon A Time,’ which featured incredibly detailed and vivid designs. The concept was brought to life in different sections including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Jack and the Beanstalk. The judges also decided that Magloire’s son, Jalen, who was dressed as Jack and his beanstalk, was the Junior Male of the Year.

Meanwhile, Faith Hermelijn was crowned Junior Queen of the parade. She was from the Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club whose camp had the theme ‘Heaven and Earth’. The group’s special effects impressed the judges as members danced through smoke or ‘the fog’ in the words of Montano.

As for the Junior King of the parade, Malik Adams represented Tribal Carnival’s theme ‘The Beauty of Nature’ as did Caneisha Edwards who

was the Junior Female of the Year.

The day began at 11 a.m. and ended with a family party from 3-6 p.m. which kept the Carnival vibes going strong. There

participants and better viewing for spectators.

The weekend’s festivities provided the perfect warm-up for the Grand Parade on August 3.

As Trinidad and Tobago’s first Miss Universe headed towards her 60th birthday, one thought kept popping into her mind: “It doesn’t fit,” says Janelle Penny Commissiong Chow. And she doesn’t mean her clothes. On June 15, Penny, as she has always been fondly called in Trinidad and Tobago, turned 60, a terrifying age, it would seem for a woman who made history in 1977 as the first Miss Universe in the history of the pageant to be a woman of colour. But Penny doesn’t see age as an issue. “There are so many pre-conceived notions of what ‘60’ is – first and foremost ‘old’, says Penny. “Retirement has traditionally been tied to the 60s and that image hangs over it, but it just doesn’t fit.”

Still stunning, Penny could easily be the envy of women decades younger. No one can believe her age. “Would it be any different if I looked a bit different? I don’t know. I can only talk from my experience,” says Penny. “One of the things I’m thankful for is that I have all my original body parts,” she laughs. “No fillers, no replacements, no substitutes.” This seems miraculous in a world she recognises as revolving

around instant beauty at all costs. What she has realised for some time is the older you get, the more you take control of your own life, and how you want to express yourself. Age brings many ‘what if’ questions, and Penny has travelled that route too. “You always look back at things you would have done differently, but you juxtapose that with things that happened in your life that had to happen. Then it starts to be a difficult choice as to what you would have done differently. For instance, if I had stayed abroad I would have pursued a whole different career, something in television, I think, but then I wouldn’t have had my daughter, Sasha, and she’s such an important part of my life.”

Looking back

Looking back on the night she became Miss Universe (in 1977) Penny says there are many fond memories. “I remember the simple things: walking on stage past the guy who was singing and feeling the vibe was so good and positive; the host, Bob Barker (famous for ‘The Price of Right’ game show, now deceased) saying when I walked passed

Ja$100 million for August celebrations in Jamaica

The government of Jamaica is to spend a total of Ja$100 million on Emancipation and Independence celebrations next month, Culture Minister Lisa Hanna has announced.

Hanna, launching the celebrations at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston Monday, said that despite fiscal constraints, the celebrations are vital given the role of culture in empowering the spirit of the nation during these times.

"While we are still going through periods of economic challenges, we are very clear that, as a country... our people and our youth in particular, must have cultural outlets for expression, contemplation, relaxation and celebration," she said.

"We felt that it was very important that, while we could not celebrate in the way and magnitude that we did last year, we would still be celebrating and using the opportunity to reflect on what we have done over the past 50 years," she added.

The activities, to be held under the theme 'Celebrating Jamaica: Triumphant, Proud and Free', formally closes out 'Jamaica 50' celebrations, which began last year.

According to Minister Hanna, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), both agencies of the ministry, will start the weeklong activities with the staging of the Emancipation Jubilee at Seville Heritage Park in St Ann on the July 31. Vigils will also be held in the various parishes.

Minister Hanna also announced that this year the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre will be the main hub for activities being held from August 1-5, with activities being held at the parish level. The Ranny Williams Centre will host an 'Independence village' as well as daily discussion sessions, dubbed "Independence Reasonings" that will explore topical issues.

In addition, there will also be the staging of the annual Mello Go Roun', JCDC's Most Popular Festival Song Ever Show, the National Festival Queen show, the National Gospel Showcase and the World Reggae Dance Competition.

The celebrations will conclude with the staging of the Grand Gala at the National Stadium on August 6. (Jamaica Observer)

him, ‘They sure love you, little one’; watching the tape after the pageant and seeing women of colour gathering around me and sobbing. I remember Miss Liberia sobbing. And then there was the memory of Miss Barbados and me jumping up on the bed and laughing after the pageant. We were like kids. I remember all of that more than the actual moment of being crowned. It wasn’t about me winning. It was about the victory, opening a door.”

She never felt that crown created any burdensome sense of responsibility in her life. “Responsibility dictates behaviour and winning never dictated how I lived my life. It is an event in my life. I guess because I didn’t come out of the beauty queen culture – I went into it from a business point of view because I had just returned to Trinidad to start a business – that I felt that way.”

Today, however, Penny looks forward to new adventures. “My daughter is going to university. For the last 19 years being a mother has defined my life. Now I’m looking forward to the phase after that part of parenting.”

No one knows what the future holds, but for the moment one thing

is certain. When it comes to Penny, 60 sure looks good. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

Jamaican reggae artiste ‘Luciano’ has been added to the list of performers slated for the Montreal International Reggae Festival.

The festival, now in its 10th year, is scheduled from August 16 to 18 on the Jacques Cartier Pier at the Quays of the Old Port in Canada.

According to reports

from Canada, the singer is scheduled to perform on Sunday, August 18.

Other Jamaican acts on that night include ‘Yellowman’, ‘Cocoa T’, and Freddie McGregor.

Christened Jepther McClymont, ‘Luciano’ is known for his positive songs including ‘Sweep Over My Soul’, ‘One Way Ticket’, ‘Moving Up’ and ‘Messenger’.

Ocho Rios is to play host to the sixth staging of the Jamaica International Reggae Film Festival, which will this year honour women in film with a posthumous tribute to Jamaican-American actress Madge Sinclair.

The festival was launched at the Cove Theatre at Island Village Ocho Rios last Wednesday by coordinator Barbara Blake Hannah and will be staged August 1-5 at Island Village.

It will feature some 25 films in categories such as features, shorts, documentaries, animation and videos.

"We're going to show them over four nights, from 7 p.m. to midnight, and on the fifth night, we give the awards," Blake Hannah explained.

"On Saturday night, we're going to have midnight movies which will probably go on until about two in the morning. We also have use of Cove Cinema for two

hours each afternoon, so we get to show the films doubled up, almost," Blake Hannah stated.

Admission will be free and there are some great films to look forward to.

There will be two firsts, where Jamaican movie-making is concerned. The festival will feature Jamaica's first gospel movie ‘Just Another Friday’ and also the island's first horror film, ‘The Croft’.

Patrons will be able to see Gia O'Meally, reggae singer J.C. Lodge's daughter, in a special episode of ‘Which is Witch’, a new British series.

Then there is ‘Hill and Gully’ from Jamaican-American Patrice Johnson, who is described as a brilliant actress, writer, and director.

There is also another series from England called ‘Dear Jesus’.

Documentaries are said to be of high quality and include ‘Lovers Rock’ out of England

and ‘The Land of Look Behind’, described by Blake Hannah as one of the greatest documentaries ever made about Jamaica and the Rasta culture.

Jamaican-Canadian singer Claudja Barry, who was present at the launch, enters with ‘Losing Paradise and Music’, a film giving a perspective on dancehall music and its impact on Jamaica.

Films aside, there will be workshops on acting, animation, and scriptwriting, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on August 2, 3 and 4.

There will also be a book fair, courtesy of Judith Falloon-Reid on Sunday, August 4.

VIP guests include US Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater, Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño, Carl Bradshaw, Cindy Breakespeare, Gia O'Meally and NoMaddz, who also entered the festival with ‘Real Jamaican Girls.’ (Jamaica Gleaner)

Expedia, the world’s leading online travel agency, has revealed its Expedia Insiders’ Select 2013 list, an annual ranking of the very best hotels on Expedia sites from around the world, predominantly determined by Expedia customers. Four hotels in the Caribbean ranked in the top 100 of the list including the Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica; The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort in Willemstad, Curacao; Grande Bay Resort in St John, US Virgin Islands and Galley Bay Resort and Spa All-Inclusive in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

Hotels on the Insiders’ Select list are rated on a number of factors, the most important of which is the scores from more than one million verified Expedia customer reviews received during 2012. Just 650 hotels are exclusively selected from a pool of more than 205,000 properties available on Expedia-branded sites worldwide.

The exclusive Insiders’ Select list empowers travelers by helping them identify the hotels in their chosen destination that have been recognized by other travelers as delivering

an excellent guest experience. Hotels that make the list benefit from additional marketing and exposure from Expedia as well as the distinction as one of the best hotels available to the millions of consumers who visit Expedia sites every month to shop for and book travel.

“Travelers have an increasingly voracious appetite for online reviews and they have become critically important to their purchasing decisions. Delivering a superior guest experience is more crucial than ever before and our research shows reviews drive increased demand as well as the ability to charge a higher price per room - and that’s when hotels really benefit”, said Marco Tagliatti, vice president of lodging supply for the Expedia group in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Round Hill Resort takes great pride in being included in Expedia Insider’s Select as we value offering our guests superb quality experiences,” said Linda Lawrence, director of sales and marketing, at Round Hill Hotel and Villas. “We look forward to our continued relationship with Expedia as partnering with the on-

line travel leader has allowed us to increase our bottom line by becoming more visible to a wider audience.”

Round Hill Hotel and Villas has long been known as the pinnacle of beauty and elegance among boutique Caribbean resorts. Known for understated glamour, discreet and impeccable service, and warm Jamaican hospitality, the exclusive, award-winning resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica is renowned as one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean.

Taking out the global number one spot in this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select is One&Only Palmilla Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, followed by Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort near the Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. In third place is Marrol's Boutique Hotel in Bratislava. This global ranking celebrates hotels all around the world, representing various accommodation types and star ratings. More than 650 hotels in the 2013 rankings are found in more than 450 cities in more than 70 countries, making this a truly global recognition program. (Caribbean News)

Investments in Guyana’s health care proving effective

-Rupununi woman able to see again after three years

Afifty-year-old

Guyanese woman who hails from Annai, North Rupununi, Region Nine, is now able to see again after three years following intervention by Guyana’s Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran. During an interview Tuesday, Stephanie Bartholomew said she will forever be grateful to the health ministry and the surgeons at the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Hospital in Berbice who through unwavering dedication, aided in the restoration of her sight.

In June, Minister Ramsaran visited Annai, conducting one of his many outreach programmes; a trip which has proven to be successful in more ways than one. Upon learning that the health minister was in the area, Bartholomew and her husband Richard wasted no time in meeting the minister and his delegation.

A vocal Richard

Ja$100

The government of Jamaica is to spend a total of Ja$100 million on Emancipation and Independence celebrations next month, Culture Minister Lisa Hanna has announced. Hanna, launching the celebrations at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston Monday, said that despite fiscal constraints, the celebrations are vital given the role of culture in empowering

Bartholomew said upon telling the story of how his wife gradually became blind and totally lost her sight three years ago, systems were put in place for them to journey to Region Four to receive medical assistance.

“These medical teams use to be coming now and then but when she go, they use to tell her that nothing is

wrong with her eyes, but she use to go back every time they come because she started seeing blur, then three years ago, it went completely,” the man recalled. The man said his wife was unable to do her daily duties, including sewing which she did to earn a living.

With funding from the health ministry, the elderly couple travelled

to Region Four where Stephanie was examined at the Diamond Regional Diagnostic Hospital. Realising the severity of the problem, she was immediately transferred to the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Hospital.

“When we got there, they discover that she had an infection in her

right eyes, so they had to treat her for that before doing the surgery on July 14.” Stephanie was diagnosed with cataract.

She is now able to see again in her right eye as she awaits another surgery.

Her next surgery will be conducted in three months.

The Port Mourant Ophthalmology Hospital was constructed to the tune of US$13 million with the objective of offering free eye care service to the people of Guyana, in addition to foreigners. Since it was declared opened on July 25, 2009, hundreds of Guyanese have been treated.

million for August celebrations in Jamaica

the spirit of the nation during these times.

"While we are still going through periods of economic challenges, we are very clear that, as a country... our people and our youth in particular, must have cultural outlets for expression, contemplation, relaxation and celebration," she said.

"We felt that it was very important that, while we could not cel-

ebrate in the way and magnitude that we did last year, we would still be celebrating and using the opportunity to reflect on what we have done over the past 50 years," she added.

The activities, to be held under the theme 'Celebrating Jamaica: Triumphant, Proud and Free', formally closes out 'Jamaica 50' celebrations, which began last year.

According to Minister Hanna, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), both agencies of the ministry, will start the weeklong activities with the staging of the Emancipation Jubilee at Seville Heritage Park in St Ann on the July 31. Vigils will also be held in the various parishes.

Minister Hanna also

announced that this year the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre will be the main hub for activities being held from August 1-5, with activities being held at the parish level. The Ranny Williams Centre will host an 'Independence village' as well as daily discussion sessions, dubbed "Independence Reasonings" that will explore topical issues.

In addition, there

will also be the staging of the annual Mello Go Roun', JCDC's Most Popular Festival Song Ever Show, the National Festival Queen show, the National Gospel Showcase and the World Reggae Dance Competition. The celebrations will conclude with the staging of the Grand Gala at the National Stadium on August 6. (Jamaica Observer)

President Ramotar receives volumes of Janet Jagan’s speeches

President Donald Ramotar last Thursday received a copy of Volumes I and II of late President Janet Jagan’s speeches in the National Assembly, the preface for which was authored by President Ramotar.

Professor David Dabydeen, head of the Caribbean Press and Guyana’s ambassador to China, during a courtesy call presented the head of state with the books as well a copy of his latest novel ‘Johnson’s Dictionary.’

Professor Dabydeen was quoted by the Government Information Agency as

saying a batch of the two volumes of speeches is on its way to Guyana via sea. Mrs Jagan was president from December 19, 1997 to August 11, 1999. She previously served as prime minister from March 17, 1997, to December 19, 1997.

Last Monday, Professor Dabydeen presented the initial volume of speeches of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham to Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman at Parliament.

He also gave insight into his latest novel.

“It’s about the journey taken from the days of

slavery and indentureship, when they were

barely literate in the English Language to the

point at which they won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature twice, so that’s the role of ‘Johnson’s Dictionary’ in the way we achieved literary and linguistic excellence,” he explained.

The back cover of the book reads: “Told by Manu, this novel journeys through 18th century London and Demerara in British Guiana, recounting experiences that might be dreamed or remembered. With a diverse set of characters – including slaves, lowly women on the make, lustful overseers, sodomites, and pious Jews – these characters come alive from

artist William Hogarth’s engravings; Hogarth himself also appears as a drunkard official artist in Demerara, from whom the slave Cato steals his skills and discovers a way of remaking his world. From the dens of sexual specialties, where the ex-slave Francis conducts a highly popular flagellant mission to cure his clients of their man-love and preach abolition, to the sugar estates of Demerara, this novel revels in the connections of empire, art, literature, and human desire in ways that are comic, salutary, and redemptive.”

Essequibo girl defies all odds in becoming a medical doctor

By IndrawattIe natram

As a small girl

growing up in the indigenous environment of Capoey on the Essequibo Coast, Smolana Swan always had the vision to change things in her community and to become someone who serves people. Swan, as she acquired her early education, still was not sure what exactly she wanted to do; however, as she entered secondary school, she set her sights on becoming a medical doctor.

After much persuasion, the young woman said it was her single mother, Magdalene Henry, who eventually nurtured her strength and focus on becoming a medical doctor.

Focused

The 25-year-old said she was focused on making her mother proud as well as the people of Capoey Amerindian community as being the first doctor to hail from the village. Swan said she entered the science and technology stream at the Anna Regina Multilateral School to gain much knowledge in the field of science.

She said being in the science field set the foundation for her to become a doctor.

After graduating from secondary school in 2006, she applied for a Cuban scholarship through the government of Guyana. She said with a spark of luck, she

got into the programme. She praised the government for providing such an opportunity to her.

Swan said her acceptance by the Cuban government to study medicine drew her closer to her dream. The young lady left Guyana to pursue that dream at age 19. She said for her, it was a huge change in her life. Swan said she had to change everything and adopt the new way of life in another country. Despite the many challenges, she managed to prevail with determination and courage.

The young doctor explained that the seven years she spent away from her family groomed her into a responsible person. She explained she has grown to care, respect and to treat her fellow humans with much love and compassion.

She said her general medicine course taught her to respect as well as care for the old and young. "During my training, I enjoyed every bit of it, I feel so privileged to be given the opportunity to serve, to care for my fellow human beings, I am so happy and thank God for seeing me through this and for blessing me to complete my medicine course, in return, I will only serve my people."

Swan said having returned to Guyana and graduated as a certified general medical doctor, she will visit her community and provide much needed medical services. She said the community of Capoey had long waited for a doctor and she is proud to have an opportunity to make an impact.

When asked how she plans to serve persons

from the Capoey community, Swan said she will do home visits, patient care and assist her people whenever they visit the hospital. She also said she shared her number with the toshao of the village so that medical advice as well as referrals can be given promptly.

Support

The doctor said she is very happy to be back in Essequibo and thanked her mother and her aunts for the support they have given her during her studies. Swan, who is the eldest child of her mother, said she always wanted to set a good example for her other siblings to follow and she is happy she did.

She said the longer one takes to realise one’s potential, the longer the process of achieving that will take.

The young doctor’s mother, Magdalene Henry said she is happy to have her daughter home and she thanked the government of Guyana for providing her with the opportunity to realise her dream. Henry, who is headmistress of a nursery school, said it was her desire for her daughter to be ambitious in life.

She said the best thing a parent could offer a child is a sound education. The mother said she made many sacrifices for her daughter to become a doctor and she is very proud of that.

U.S. professor compiling biography of Burnham

Professor Linden Lewis from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bucknell University, USA is currently compiling a biography on late Guyanese President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Currently, the Barbadian national, who has recently returned to Guyana, is in the process of collecting data.

A few days ago, he conducted three interviews with persons who worked closely with the late president, taking the total number of interviews conducted thus far to 31.

Additionally, he has already gathered a wide array of documents on Burnham.

In 2011, the book ‘Caribbean Charisma: Reflection on Leadership, Legitimacy and Politics’ was published and Professor Lewis was instrumental in writing one of the chapters under the caption “Linden Forbes Burnham (192385): Unraveling the Paradox of Post-Colonial Charismatic Leadership in Guyana”.

The overwhelming interest shown following the publication had inspired the Bucknell University profes-

sor to do a comprehensive study on the life of Burnham.

Using our resources

By Anu Dev

It’s the holidays in Guyana: most of us are off having fun, trying to unwind after a tough year at school. None of us are really thinking about school work, textbooks, or assignments.

Most of us wait to do our holiday assignments the week before school reopens anyway.

Some of us may have already received our reports from last year while the rest of us are still waiting for ours. CSEC and CAPE students are expecting their results early next month.

Based on our results we’ll either be allowed to move forward on our chosen career paths or we’ll have to find some alternative plan. But we’ve done all we can, we just have to see in August whether it was enough.

But not all students are at this stage of finality in their school lives, many of them are heading back to school at the end of the holidays. So I would like to encourage them to use their resources effectively.

As I’ve mentioned before, the Internet is a powerful tool. I’m a fan of the Khan Academy website, but there are so many other sites and videos and resources up on Using our resources – Theodore Roosevelt the Internet to help students.

YouTube was a tremendous help for me, especially in Sixth Form. There were so many helpful tutorials, practice questions and detailed explanations to choose from. Students should use their initiative and use the Internet to help them understand even the most difficult topics they’re covering in school. Eventually students mightn’t need to go to extra lessons at all: I never did. Why go to lessons at six in the morning when you could learn the same thing at your own pace in the comfort of your own home (bed?!)? The video tutorials can be fast-forwarded, paused, or repeated over and over so the student can learn at whatever pace is comfortable for them.

Of course learning things on the Internet shouldn’t replace going to school – after all, we’re social beings and we need to interact and negotiate amiable relations with our friends. But in time, it probably could – and should – replace the lessons syndrome.

Currently, most of the resources I’ve found useful are UK A-level sites, or first-year college resources like MIT Physics intro. But of course those aren’t tailored perfectly to the CAPE syllabus.

So some of my time was wasted trying to find sites and to compile videos that were applicable to the work I needed to cover.

However, it was only until 2003 that he began to gather information.

According to Professor Lewis, while there are countless documentaries and newspaper articles on the former president, there is no biography.

“One of the things about us in the Caribbean, we don’t do enough of that biographical work...I think perhaps the most biographies are probably on Eric Williams,” he said.

Professor Lewis said he is working to complete the biography on the late Guyanese president by 2015.

But with time, as CAPE becomes more established on the Internet, and as more Caribbean people create sites specifically for CSEC and CAPE students, it will be much easier to use the Internet to better explain what we’re learning in schools, than to learn those things at lessons.

Already CXC has put up their Notesmaster website which offers syllabi for all of the subjects for free. In addition to the syllabi, they accompany each objective in the syllabus with links to notes, videos, or other helpful resources. Additionally, countries like Jamaica already have websites (especially for English Literature) that help to explain concepts and coach their students for their exams.

It’s a new type of learning environment. Students are no longer completely at the mercy of their school or lessons teachers, they can now learn extra, at their own pace. In some schools in Silicon Valley students do lessons at home on the Internet and “homework” at school with teachers.

The Internet and communication technology are giving us the chance to have more resources at our finger tips than our parents ever had the chance to have access to. So let’s take this opportunity we’ve been given and use our resources wisely.

Bollywood’s 'Shudh Desi Romance' enters Toronto film festival

More good news for ‘The Lunchbox’. The film, which is being presented by Karan Johar in India, has been selected for the Toronto International Film Festival. Apart from this, Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra film 'Shuddh Desi Romance' has also been selected for the festival.

The film's name was announced in the first list of films selected for the

38th edition of the festival, which will take place from September 5 to 15.

"It is great news for the film. We have been selected for the Gala screening, which will take place in the first weekend of the festival. This will also be the North American premiere of ‘The Lunchbox’, so everyone associated with the film is thrilled. Most likely, the cast members will be traveling with me," said the director Ritesh Batra. (TOI)

Sanjay Dutt's hope of leaving jail dashed

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt's last hope of leaving the jail were dashed Tuesday as the Supreme

Court refused to revisit its March 21 verdict upholding his conviction under the Arms Act and the five-year jail sentence.

The actor who surrendered May 16 to serve a three and a half years' jail term, remaining out of his five-year sentence, will now step out of prison around November 2016.

Sanjay Dutt had pleaded to the court to revisit its March 21 order which upheld his conviction.

The court then offered him partial relief by reducing his sentence from six years, as awarded by the trial court, to five years.

The court on March 21 gave the actor additional time to surrender and to serve the remaining period of his fiveyear sentence. (TOI)

Salman Khan to face serious charges in hit-and-run case

AMumbai sessions court ruled Wednesday that Bollywood actor Salman Khan would be tried under the stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the 2002 hit-and-run accident.

The court said the actor will now be tried under Section 304 (III) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). If found guilty, Salman could face 10 years in prison.

The matter has been posted for further hearing Aug 16.

Earlier, Salman had been tried by a metropolitan magistrate under the less severe Section 304A of the IPC relating to rash and negligent driving, which stipulates a maximum of two years in prison.

However, the metropolitan magistrate, after examining 17 witnesses in the case, had invoked the more serious charge under Section 304 (III) of the IPC against the actor. Salman had challenged this order in the sessions court.

One person was killed and four others were injured when a Land Cruiser allegedly driven by Salman in an inebriated state ran over a group of footpath dwellers in Mumbai's Bandra suburb in the early hours of Sep 28, 2002. (TOI)

Sleepless Shah Rukh worries doctors

Two newborn babies can be more than a handful. And Shah Rukh Khan, who is juggling fatherhood and 'Chennai Express' is pushing the envelope, defying his medical team's warnings. To start with, he had been advised at least 10 hours of sleep to help his weak shoulder recuperate faster.

But a source told Indian media, "Last week, SRK shot a tough song with Deepika for 18 hours a day over two days. Later, he shot an ad for the entire day. Also, he is dubbing for ‘Chennai Express’ till at least 3 in the morning. He reaches Mannat by 4 am and is up by 8am. Post which he moves on to his important meetings for the day. He hardly sleeps."

Besides, he had also been advised

to avoid crowded public places but he seems unmindful. The source added that, "He is planning to cover two cities every day on his promotional tour. Also, a video game based on the film is being launched and he plans to perform live stunts to launch the same. His team is worried with his plans and concerned about his health." (TOI)

‘I don't believe in comebacks’ - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

There were reports of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being approached for films with Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but the actress isn't keen to divulge anything. "It is too early to talk about projects now. Nothing has been finalised yet," she said.

Otherwise, she has been too busy with baby Aaradhya and doesn't like to term her hiatus as a 'break.' "I don't believe in comebacks. When was I away from the indus-

try that I have to make a comeback now? I was always involved in it, so there is no point, in terming it as a 'come-

back'. Yes, I was enjoying a slight break with my daughter and I thoroughly loved it." (TOI)

Jackie Shroff launches hepatitis awareness drive

Kicking of a hepatitis awareness drive, veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff Tuesday called for greater awareness of the killer disease and urged people to take it seriously.

"It is a serious issue and I request everyone to participate in the cause as there is very limited, limited awareness about Hepatitis. People should know, only then they will be careful about it," he said, launching an email and SMS campaign as part of the build-up to the World Hepatitis Day to be observed on Sunday.

He kicked off the campaign by sending an email to state Health Minister Suresh Shetty with a message that calls for "Knowing, Confronting & Eradicating Hepatitis". (TOI)

‘I'm not a porn star’ - Poonam Pandey

Controversy queen Poonam Pandey, ready for her Bollywood innings with bold project, ‘Nasha,’ is fed up of being compared to Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone.

"I am tired of this comparison. I don't know why people compare me with Sunny Leone. I'm here to act and you will see me acting in the film. There are intimate scenes in the film, but there is also a love story. I'm not a porn star. Please don't compare me with Sunny Leone," Poonam said.

Poonam, who grabbed headlines during the 2011 Cricket World Cup when she offered to go nude before Team India if they won the trophy, is confident that audiences will be satisfied with her performance in ‘Nasha.’

“So far people have only seen my bold pictures, now they will see me acting in ‘Nasha’, and I assure they will

be completely satisfied with my performance in the film," added the young actress, who keeps her fans abreast with her daily activities through online networking platforms. (TOI)

Kim and Kayne splash 500, 000 pounds on `gold toilets`

Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Kanye West have splurged over 500,000 pounds on four gold-plated toilets for their new Bel Air mansion.

The Hollywood couple has been staying at Kardashian's mum, Kris Jenner's house, while their pad undergoes extensive renovations, the Sun reported.

The duo has now started buying lavish furniture and fittings for their state-of-the-art bathrooms, since they have got the completion date.

The rapper has also ordered six special-edi-

tion beds from the company that supplies London's Savoy Hotel, costing 114,000 pounds each.

The duo has also filled their kitchen with Electrolux gear, worth 500,000 pounds, and a Swarovski- encrusted fridge freezer. A source told the

publication that the new parents expect the interior to cost twice as much as the property.

The insider added that the couple is spending more than a million on a security system alone.

The pair welcomed their first child North, in June. (TOI)

Ryan Reynolds a nervous flier

Actor Ryan Reynolds admits his fear of flying makes him lose all his confidence on airplanes and he becomes extremely nervous.

The 36-year-old actor hates flying across the world for his acting career.

"I'm a terrible, terrible flier. I lose all my confidence when I'm on a plane. I hate it, hate it so much," femalefirst. co.uk has reported.

Reynolds, who is married to actress Blake Lively, claims a scary skydiving mishap when he was a teenager that left him with this phobia, and despite playing a jet pilot in "The Green Lantern", he was still not able to overcome his fears. (TOI)

‘Glee' star Cory Monteith's character to die in tribute episode

‘Glee' creators have confirmed that they will be dedicating a tribute episode to the tragic star Cory Monteith and kill off his on-screen avatar Finn Hudson, in the show.

Creator and executive producer of the hit show, Ryan Murphy, told Deadline that they will begin shooting the two episodes in late August, so that people can physically go back to work, the Mirror reported.

Murphy said that his team would then do an episode that will deal with the death of Finn's character and follow that with a long hiatus.

He insisted that his team was not sure if they should shut down the show or come back in December and January.

Murphy added that all the options were considered, and decided to do what the cast and crew felt best. (TOI)

Nelson Mandela biopic to premiere at Toronto Film Festival

The film adaption of Nelson Mandela's memoir ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ will have its world pre-

Amanda

Seyfried watched

porn for 1st time at age

Amanda Seyfried has revealed that her first encounter with pornography was at the tender age of six.

The 27-year-old star, who is playing 'Linda Lovelace' in the upcoming biopic, told GQ that the flick had a guy dressed in a cop costume with a girl going down on him, Contactmusic reported.

She confessed that it was the first time she saw a penis, which was very graphic for her. (TOI)

6

Steve Jobs' death left Ashton Kutcher emotional

Actor Ashton Kutcher, who plays the lead role in a biopic based on Steve Jobs, says he had a "bizarre emotional reaction" when the Apple co-founder expired in 2011.

"When Steve Jobs passed away, I

had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didn't know what it was. I was like, 'Wow, why am I so shook up about this?' And I started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I could," Kutcher said in a statement.

This special connect helped the actor portray the late tech wizard with more authenticity in his upcoming biopic "JOBS".

The movie chronicles Jobs' darkest days, biggest triumphs, his dreams, hopes and passions and his aspiration to change the world, as well as question the impossible.

PVR Pictures will release "JOBS" across Indian theatres Aug 16. (TOI)

Russell Brand turns yoga teacher

Actor Russell Brand has turned into a yoga teacher and is teaching the art of meditation at a yoga studio in West Hollywood.

Along with actress Demi Moore, Brand is one of the few students who is leading classes on tantric meditation after taking a course on the exercise, the sun.co.uk has reported.

Moore and Brand have both taken master classes in tantric meditation, which qualifies one to lead sessions that can be attended by about 40 people.

"The studio that Russell attends has some very advanced classes. He's now at the stage where he's so experienced in certain areas that he can lead the exercises," said a source. (TOI)

The most sought after celebrity babies across the world

Smiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

Idris Elba, the ‘Luther’ star, would play South Africa's anti-apartheid icon in the film, the BBC reported.

The other films to be screened at the festival include ‘The Fifth Estate’, a film based on Julian Assange starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the WikiLeaks founder.

Colin Firth starrer ‘The Railway Man’ and ‘August: Osage Country’ with Meryl Streep will also debut at the event. (TOI)

uri Cruise (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes)Helicopter hopping Suri (7) made heads turns and raised eyebrows with her good looks and her penchant for makeup and high flamenco style heels. Often featured in the list of best looking celebrities during her younger days, she once reportedly had a wardrobe worth $3 million.

Harper Beckham (David and Victoria Beckham) - Victoria and David Beckham's bundle

of joy and child number four, Harper has been a paparazzo favourite ever since she was born two years ago. The motherdaughter duo is often snapped as they sashay down runways while Victoria travels the world for her designer label related work.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt) - Six-yearold Shiloh is a part of a six children brood shared by parents Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. While three of her siblings played small parts in Angelina's upcoming film ‘Maleficent’, Shiloh decided to stay away and is not expected on the silver screen anytime soon.

Blue Ivy Carter (Beyonce and Jay Z)

- Blue Ivy is one of the most pampered celebrity babies. The multi-mil-

lionaire musical couple reportedly spent 1 million pound to furnish her nursery with extravagant goods that include a solid gold rocking horse and a Swarovski diamante encrusted high chair. The couple also tried to trademark the name 'Blue Ivy.' Aradhya Bachchan (Aishwarya and AbhishekBachchan) - One of the most photographed Indian celebrity toddlers of all time, Aradhya belongs to the first family of Bollywood. As a young globe trotter she has accompanied her mother to various film festivals and other celebrity dos around the world. Kept away from the media glare for the initial few months, the Bachchan beti is now sighted frequently in cute eye catching designer outfits. (TOI)

Eighteen young men and women were on Sunday revealed to the Guyanese public as contenders in the Miss and Mr Guyana Talented Teen pageants this year slated for September.

This is the 12th edition of the Simpli Royal Miss Guyana Talented Teen Pageant and the introduction of the Mr Talented Teen contest which is expected to be steamy-hot, based on the line up.

The Miss Guyana Talented Teen contestants are Miss Cummingsburg Crystal Fraser, Miss Peter’s Hall Tiffany Bonner, Miss Enmore Chelsea France, Miss Liliendaal Riona Howell, Miss Plaisance Tiffany Ferguson, Miss Lethem Onika Rose, Miss Campbellville Jamaise Klass, Miss Victoria Greneshawana Cummings, and Miss Linden Romichell Clement.

The Mr Guyana Teen contestants are Mr Parika Kevin Smith, Mr Lacytown Omkaror Brumell, Mr Beterverwagting

Kefa Smith, Mr Grove Fazil Rahaman, Mr West Bank Demerara David Loncke, Mr Anna Regina Dennis Glasgow, Mr Diamond Linden Isles, Mr New Amsterdam Royden James, and Mr Prashad Nagar Mark Junor.

The nine males were sashed by reigning Mr Guyana/ United Nations Teen Devon Hernandes, while the beauties were sashed by reigning

Miss Guyana Universe and newly- crowned Miss Guyana World, Ruqayyah Boyer.

At the simple sashing ceremony, there were a few past beauty queens including Miss Talented Teen 2007 Jenelle Cox, Ulex Atwell, and others. The reigning Miss Guyana Talented Teen Sharona Haniff was also present at the prestigious event.

They claimed the teen pag-

eant has shaped their careers.

Miss Guyana PlusSize Queen, recently certified Dr Pertab was also at the event and reminisced on her time in the pageant and the challenges she was confronted with during her pageantry career.

Speaking with reporters, Simpli Royal Chief Executive Officer Pamela Dillon explained that this is the 12th year for the Miss Talented Teen Pageant, but the first for the Mr Talented Teen Pageant.

She disclosed that for the past 11 years, young men were trained to escort the young ladies on stage, noting that this is the first year they are being asked to compete.

“These young men are going to go through the rigors of pageantry…training…they will definitely be doing a charity…they are going to develop their talent…they are learning ballroom dancing and they are learning to behave in a social background,” Dillon added.

On pageant night, the contestants will be competing in a national wear, swimwear, evening gown, talent and intelligence segments.

The crowned Miss Talented Teen will represent Guyana in a similar pageant in a Caribbean territory.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Military base among possible heritage sites in TT

The Trinidad and Tobago government is currently viewing three historical sites in Cedros, the former United States military base, the Balka Mandir and the old Cedros Rest House, for restoration and as possible heritage sites.

Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Clifton De Coteau, Head of the Historical Restoration Unit of the Work Ministry, Rawle Mitchell and members of the National Trust last week visited the sites with the aim of making recommen-

dations for their restoration.

De Coteau told reporters that the National Trust is committed to restoring the old rest house with the idea of converting it to a museum and library.

However, he has to await a report, he said from Mitchell who will advise on the work that has to be undertaken.

On the former military base, seven underground bunkers with an equal number of gun turrets nearby can be found. However only two were cleared for partial viewing.

On restoration works on the military base, which was built during World War II De Coteau said the idea will be to seek advice and assistance from the US government.

During the US occupation of the area, he said that at least two German submarines were sunk.

And on the Balka Mandir, which is built next to a dormant mud volcano that last erupted about eight years ago, De Coteau said that the owners of the site would have to be consulted.

Restoring and maintaining the sites, he said will create sustainable employment and will add to the local domestic tourism products.

At present the National Trust has a list of 382 sites of buildings of interest to be preserved as heritage sites and the ministry has submitted another 29 for approval.

Dossiers on the sites are nearing completion after which brochures will be prepared by the National Trust to familiarise the public with all the sites. (TT Newsday)

Health benefits of coconut water

Coconut water could potentially be the greatest energy drink in the world, and to top it off, it's all natural. Coconut water contains more potassium than the majority of energy drinks. The chloride it holds is at 118g, and it's natural sugars extent to about 5mg.

Coconut water is very beneficial after a bout of diarrhoea, as it replaces fluid loss. This fluid is ideal to maintain body fluids when a person gets dehydrated.

A study published in the ‘American Journal of Emergency Medicine’ suggested that coconut water can be successfully used as a short-term intravenous fluid for hydration and resuscitation of critically ill patients in the remote regions of the world where medical resources are not available.

Abundant in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, coconut water makes a wonderful energy drink.

Coconut water is a natural electrolyte and isotonic beverage which helps increase the body's metabolism. Therefore, it can greatly benefit people who are struggling with weight issues.

Drinking coconut water helps a person to lose weight as it is low in fat and it keeps a person feeling full. It also reduces food cravings.

Coconut water promotes health as it is rich in potassium and it also helps to reduce the risk of hypertension and strokes. Due to the minerals, potassium and magnesium, present in coconut water, the risk of kidney stones is greatly reduced. It is considered to be safe for children, and for pregnant, and breastfeeding women. If you are taking potassium supplements it is recommended to regulate your potassium levels since coconut water is high in potassium. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Drumming in Guyana has been considered a dying art, but recently, many organisations have been collaborating to resuscitate an art form considered a vital part of Guyana’s cultural heritage.

The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) with a grant of Gy$1 million from the Cultural Centre of the IDB in Washington D.C., is collaborating with the donor organisation to revive drumming in Guyana.

The drum is one of the central components of African culture, with Africans called the “Children of the Drum”. Africa is considered a “drum continent” because nowhere else in the world and on no other continent can there be found a larger diversity of drums.

The drum is considered “the unifying language” of Africa, and drums play a significant role in most ethnic groups. African drums have

three very distinct and different roles: they are musical instruments, ceremonial objects and a means of physical and spiritual communication.

ACDA realised drumming was a dying art in Guyana during the United Nations International Year for People of African Descent in 2011. Contributing factors included the death of older artists, the lack of drums, and the lack of drumming teachers.

In Berbice, drummers resided only in Weldaad and

New Amsterdam. On the Essequibo Coast, there was a single family: a father, two sons and a daughter, who practiced the art.

In Demerara, where more than 40 percent of AfricanGuyanese reside, there has been a revival in Buxton where a group called Buxton Fusion has been active for the last 4 years. In Linden, there is also a group called Flame of the Heart, which is determined to keep the art alive. In Georgetown, four groups, led by Majek Fingers Drumming Group and the National Dance School, which have some African drummers, have all joined in the revival fight.

In 2012, ACDA wanted to create a drum renaissance in Guyana, and especially to have this revival during its 20th anniversary this year; the organisation views drumming as a central feature of its annual Aug. 1 Emancipation festival.

A few years back, ACDA

was hard-pressed to find drumming groups to participate in events when asked by schools, groups, businesses, ministries, and local communities.

The “Drum Renaissance Programme” came to fruition after being funded by the IDB’s Cultural Centre in Washington, administered through its local office by Ava Yarde.

This project has several goals: to resuscitate drumming in Guyana and in villages; ensure key cultural activities are spearheaded by drumming corporations; to establish three drum centres in Berbice,

Demerara and Essequibo to teach drumming as well as the history of the drum; introducing the art and love for drumming in selected schools in the three counties; hold a drum competition at the upcoming Emancipation Day festivities; to establish an annual drummer’s conference to bring “elder” drummers throughout Guyana together; establish an annual national drum making competition to generate interest and to create the first set of local drums for the African Museum, and to establish a drum museum at ACDA’s Thomas Lands head office. (Information by Eric Phillips)

Star of the Week

The band leader of Blues Carnival Fusion for the past three years, Narissa Ali is a talented young woman, who was born in Canada to Trinidadian parents.

With West Indian lineage and direct links to the ‘mother state’ of Carnival nations in the Caribbean, Narissa grew up being a part of the annual Caribana tradition in Canada.

In 2011, she founded the mas band and has now taken a break from her job as a digital marketer to work fulltime on Caribana.

Once she gets an inspiration, Narissa draws the sketches and then asks her band members to figure out how to go about building it. Although her ideas are sometimes bizarre, her band members are usually there to back her up and bring the design to life.

Dr Lorde calls for anti-doping legislation in Barbados

The chairman of the Barbados National Anti-Doping Commission (NADC), Dr Adrian Lorde, wants his government to speed up the passage of legislation against doping in sport.

Addressing an Anti-Doping forum in Bridgetown on Saturday, Dr Lorde said a Barbados Bill Against Doping in Sport has stalled for the past seven years.

He said that since 2006, a draft was formulated but progress has been limited.

Two Guyanese in Canada’s Auty Cup squad

"We met with succes sive Ministers of Sports who requested that we update the bill because a lot of changes would doping since then and that has been the status of the bill," Lorde was quoted by the Nation newspaper. "I had hoped that one of the Ministers

of Sports would have championed the bill as recently happened with Anil Roberts in Trinidad

and Tobago."

Trinidad and Tobago have since joined Bermuda, Jamaica and The Bahamas as Caribbean countries with anti-doping legislation on their books.

"Barbados and the other Caribbean countries are lagging behind, and for Barbados, who would have been one of the leading lights in anti-doping in the region, it would have been embarrassing for us not to have our bill in place," said Lorde.

TT’s cyclist climbs UCI rankings

After his recent string of performances on the international cycling circuit, double Junior Pan American silver medallist, Justin Roberts jumped 27 places up the International Cycling Union (UCI) junior world rankings.

The Team Drive Phase Sport (DPS) representative made the biggest leap among the TT juniors, propelling into sixth position on the 1km Time Trial rankings, from a distant 33rd.

At the recently concluded Pan Am Games, the budding sprinter captured silver in the said event by smashing the national record with a time of 1:03.789 and went on to snatch another runner-up finish in the Men’s Sprint event.

The youngster now stands as the highest ranked TT cyclist on the UCI junior rankings.

Additionally, Roberts also made his debut into the junior Keirin rankings. Having produced a

men’s kilometre Time Trial on the final day of the Pan American Junior Cycling Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, recently. (TT Guardian file photo)

credible fifth place finish at the UCI Grand Prix in Beijing, China, earlier this month, the DPS rider now sits in 44th position. Countryman, Samuel Mahabir also moved five spaces up the junior men’s Keirin ladder into 47th position. He previously stood at 52nd. Although Roberts bagged silver in the Pan Am Sprints, he still remains in 32nd position on the junior men’s sprint table. Mahabir, on the other hand, slipped

from 52nd to 71st.

Female cyclist, Aziza Browne also had a slight improvement as she moved into 23rd spot on the junior women’s sprint rankings. She previously stood at 24th. However, the youngster slipped into 38th place on the junior women’s Keirin, slipping from 15th position.

These updated rankings were produced by the official UCI website on Monday. (TT Newsday)

Guyana names preliminary squad for Goodwill swim meet

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has announced a preliminary list of 15 swimmers to represent Guyana at the XIX Goodwill Swim Meet set for August 16-18 in Barbados. Those selected to commence preparations are Leon Seaton in the eight and under; Sarah King, Amy Grant, Nathon Hackett and Daniel Scott in the 11-12 years category; Accalia Khan, Joseph DeNobrega and Jamaal Skeete in the 13- 14 years division; and Jamila Sanmoogan, Soroya Simmons, Athena Gaskin, Hannibal Gaskin, Omari Dunn, Omar Adams and Derrick Ramsaroop in the 15-17 years category.

According to a release from the GASA, the selected swimmers achieved qualifying times during the recently held time trials and would have made B, C and D times. Guyana has the option of sending a full team of 40 swimmers, comprising four for each age group, but would not be able to do so this year.

According to manager, Jean La Rose, a lot of the swimmers have not made the qualifying time, and as such, the GASA will stage a swim- off on Saturday with the aim of expanding the current pool of players selected.

Following the swimoff, the final team for Barbados will be named.

The swimmers will be accompanied by a team

By RavendRa Madholall

Two Guyanese cricketers have been included in Canada’s Auty Cup squad to compete against the United States of America starting Thursday at the King City ground, Toronto.

All-rounder Damodar Daesrath and fast bowler Jeremy Gordon will represent the North American nation again in the two-day and one-day encounter.

Daesrath, a former Guyana’s senior team captain, is a right-handed batsman and off-break bowler while Gordon is a right-arm quickie. Both players have donned the national colours before and are prepared to make another impression.

Former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies batsman Gus Logie is still in the coaching position and has expressed confidence that the guys will do well. He has been in this position for the past two years after a break from the 2003 World Cup which took place in South Africa.

The 52-year-old Logie stated that the players have put in a lot of work and are physically and

mentally fit to match their skills against the touring USA side, which will be looking to retain their championship title.

Meanwhile, Daesrath, who represented Canada in several overseas trips in 2012 and earlier this year, said that he is highly confident of making steady contributions, once selected in the final X1.

“I [am] fit and ready again to play for Canada; it is indeed a great privilege to represent this nation in both formats of the game and I am confident of contributing with both bat and ball as well, once I find myself in the starting side,” Deasrath related during a telephone interview with this newspaper.

When contacted, Gordon said he was also

in an ecstatic mood. He made his debut in 2011 at the West Indies Cricket Board Caribbean T20 tournament and has since been a regular member. He was part of the squad at this year’s International Cricket Council Qualification tournament in Dubai.

“I am definitely delighted to be named again in the squad; I think we have a good side to come out on top against the USA players but we have to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities,” Gordon asserted.

Gordon played for the West Indies under-19 team during the 2006 season in the Caribbean. Both players hail from the county of Berbice in Guyana.

TT umpire for Junior World Cup hockey

Trinidad and Tobago’s Ayanna Mc Clean has been appointed to umpire at the International Hockey Federation’s Junior World Cup tournament scheduled for Monchengladbach, Germany, from Saturday to August 4.

The former national hockey player was scheduled to arrive in Germany Tuesday for the pre-tournament briefing and fitness test.

She has also accepted the appointment for the Pan Am Cup tournament in Mendoza, Argentina, from

September 21-28. The winner of the Pan Am Cup qualifies for the 2014 Women’s World Cup in The Hague. Mc Clean’s appointments follows being nominated for the World Umpiring Development Programme, a lead up to the World Cup and Olympic Games.

The Ventures Hockey Club member has also been appointed to carry the whistle as a neutral umpire at the South American Hockey Championships in Santiago, Chile, from March 6-16, 2014. (TT Guardian)

of officials, which include coaches Shyka Robers (eight and under), Isabal Cousa Fals (11-12 to 1517) and supervising coach Sean Baksh.

La Rose is being assisted by Ivan Persaud, with Leon Seaton serving as chaperone.

The Goodwill Swim Meet is held annually and is hosted on a rotational basis in one of the four participating countries.

They include Barbados, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The GASA release stated that the swimmers are currently in training from Mondays to Saturdays at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

Windsor Estates signs on as Guyana’s Amazon Warriors Founding Sponsor

With just days left to the bowl off of the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League, Windsor Estates developed by Navigant Builders has signed on as a founding Sponsor of local Franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors.

This announcement was made by Amazon Warriors Director Ravie Ramcharitar, who noted that the team was “thrilled and proud to have such a successful Guyanese on board, showing that Guyanese emigrants can still contribute to the nation’s well-being, especially in the game that breaks all barriers, which is what the Limacol CPL is striving to do.”

Signing on behalf of Navigant Builders Inc., President and CEO Danny Sawh promised to lay a robust foundation for the team in the tournament.

“It is always a pleasure to support events in Guyana. The Limacol CPL brings home an old Guyanese tradition in its most exciting format and Windsor Estates sees this event as an opportunity to reunite Guyanese at home and abroad, as we showcase our muchtalked about excellent

hospitality and love of cricket,” Sawh said.

Having signed on as a Founding Sponsor for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Windsor Estates will be featured extensively in advertising campaigns for the team and also showcased on the players’ uniforms.

Windsor Estates developed by Navigant Builders Inc, is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana and is currently constructing a residential area at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara, just minutes away from the Guyana National Stadium.

Amazon Warriors Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, Steven Sawh of Windsor Estates and Dwayne Lovell of the Guyana Amazon Warriors were all on hand to witness the signing.

The Limacol CPL tournament commences July, 30, 2013, in Barbados, with matches in Guyana on the July 31 and August 2 and 4, 2013.

Meanwhile, Corona Extra Beer, distributed by Top Brandz Distributors, has also joined the Guyana chapter of the Limacol CPL tournament. The signing

of this agreement gives Corona Extra Beer the pouring rights for beer at the Guyana National Stadium for all Limacol CPL matches.

“There are some moments when only a Corona will do and we at Top Brandz Distributors believe that the Limacol CPL in Guyana is one of those moments, as it will bring together all Guyanese for the sport that runs deep in our veins, the one game that truly unites us,” said Wayne James, managing director of Top Brandz Distributors at the signing.

Top Brandz Distributors has promised the presence of the “Corona Girls” and other surprises at matches to entertain the crowd at the action-packed games.

Corona will be sold in the various sections of the Guyana National Stadium on the days of the matches and the distributor has indicated that they will be doing a number of advertising campaigns in collaboration with the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise as they strive to make Corona Extra the preferred beer of patrons even after they exit the matches at Providence.

Guyanese Kadecia Baird now focused on World Championship in Moscow

To determine the brightness of a star, astronomers have to use different variables and like a star USA-based Guyanese athlete Kadecia Baird’s light is getting brighter with every 400m race she runs. Three weeks ago she won the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championship gold medal.

The 18-year-old, who won the World Junior silver medal in the 400m last year with a time of 51.04s, recorded 51.32s to capture CAC gold which qualified her for the 2013 World Championships next month in Moscow, Russia.

Returning to her home in New York after the performance and gaining praise from top officials in Guyana and Nichola Martial, Baird said, “The race was good. I went in hungry for the victory but it hasn’t hit me really yet that I won so I don’t know to explain the feelings. I did aim for a different time range but unfortunately I didn’t get it. I’m

'I'm

still happy and thankful though.”

However, the 400m specialist revealed her thought pattern before the race to this publication, indicating that her confidence was at a high especially due to the training she received in preparation for the prestigious event.

“The training was great once I have my coach Shaun Dietz my training is always going to be great I just have to learn to believe in myself and have faith. Going

into the race I was really confident because of my training all I need to do was run my own race and not focus on anyone else. That’s exactly what I did and gained the victory,” Baird informed.

With the two world class medals along with the regional Carifta bronze earlier in 2013, Baird is being looked at as a future Olympian by president of the Guyana Olympic Association K Juman Yassin who said that the athlete will receive proceeds from the Olympic Solidarity Fund.

With the World Championships in less than a month, Baird revealed that she is looking forward to competing with the world’s best as she aspires to achieve great things.

“I’m looking forward to competing in Russia, just training hard, running hard and having fun…going into World Champs I’m just going to focus on one race at a time and see what happens. Hoping for great things,” Baird stated.

fitter, faster

than before,' says Carter

Nesta Carter, Jamaica's fastest man so far this season, has upped his preparations for the IAAF World Championships to be held in Moscow next month.

Carter, who ran a season's best 9.87 seconds to win a 100m race at an IAAF World Challenge meeting in Madrid, Spain, last weekend, released a statement from the MVP training base in Lignano, Italy, last Thursday, saying: "I am feeling fitter and faster than ever before. My 9.87 seconds (season's best) is a stepping stone to my 2013 World Champs."

Carter, who was fourth at the JAAA National Senior Championships in June, and earned a place in the relay pool, will now replace outgoing champion Yohan Blake in the Jamaican line-up in the men's 100m at the World Championships that starts on August 10.

Blake had received a bye to the championships after he won the gold medal in the last Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011, but announced his withdrawal from the championships last week

after he failed to get over a hamstring injury that he suffered in April.

Usain Bolt, who had been disqualified from the 100m final in Daegu after a false start as he attempted to defend his title from Berlin, Germany, in 2009, will be given the bye, as he is the IAAF Diamond League champion.

Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade, who were second and third, respectively, in the final at the National Trials, will complete Jamaica's line-up in

the men's 100m, which starts on the first day of the Championships.

Carter was a finalist in the 100m in Daegu, and has led off several of Jamaica's 4x100m teams to gold medals and world records at the World Championships and Olympic Games. He pulled out of a meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, last Wednesday with a thigh strain, but is expected to be healthy in time for a Diamond League meeting in London next week. (Jamaica Observer)

Young Amazon Warrior Trevon Griffith eager for Limacol CPL

Trevon Griffith may be the youngest player on the Guyana Amazon Warriors team, but what he lacks in years, he definitely makes up for in confidence and fighting spirit. The Under-23 cricketer is convinced that the Amazon Warriors can win the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League, and he plans to play a significant part in making that happen.

For 22-year-old Trevon Abashai Griffith, playing in the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament is a chance to put the doubts about his form to rest; in fact, he relishes the challenge.

“I always take delight in representing my country at any level of cricket and because this is the first ever LCPL tournament, it will serve as a major benefit to me as a player,” Griffith said.

With a left-handed batting style often described as pugnacious, Griffith shot to prominence in 2009 as the top scorer in the TCL Group West Indies Challenge tournament, amassing 406 runs at an average of 40, even scoring a century against the Leeward Islands on his home ground.

His excitement level is at an all-time high with the knowledge that he will face his idol, Chris Gayle of the Jamaica Tallawahs, on August 2

in Guyana.

“I am definitely coming to play,” said Griffith. “I plan to display my best abilities and make my contribution to the Guyana Amazon Warriors and consequently to the entire league but I’m also hoping to advance my career and entertain fans throughout the Caribbean.”

Griffith has already been getting a lot of attention from both selectors and fans alike, and come 31 July there will be a posse of excited supporters in the stands, there specifically for him when the Amazon Warriors face the TT Red Steel. His family will be there too.

“My family is always supportive of every step I take in life. They are all incredibly proud that I have been chosen to play in the Limacol CPL and plan to give me a lot of encouragement throughout the tournament,” Griffith stated. (CPL)

Guyana’s Amazon Warriors begin...

Corruption and Sports Unit (AC& SU).

Commenting on the squad, Harper said, “I thought for the specific type of competition we have a very good group of guys here and I think we have guys with experience winning regional tournaments, we got some good international players and I think once we come together, exhibit great teamwork and believe that we can win we have a great chance of winning this tournament.”

Ex-West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was at the helm when Guyana won the first Stanford 20/ 20 in 2006 and the inaugural Caribbean T20 in 2010, will lead the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The 33-year-old Sarwan, who has captained Guyana in most

Canada whips Jamaica 38-14 in Caribbean Carnival rugby clash

By RavendRa Madholall

The Canada Wolverines whipped arch-rivals Jamaica 38-14 to emerge as champion in the specially-arranged Caribbean Carnival Rugby Festival match on Saturday evening at the Lamport Stadium, Toronto.

Canada, currently classed as 19th in the Rugby League International Federation World ranking, provided rich entertainment for the approximately 6000 fans with a 6 try haul.

The home side was first to get off the mark a mere three minutes into the contest when cunning veteran hooker Chris Diamond broke the seal with a dummy scoot that broke the Jamaican defen-

sive line.

Play was back and forth for the next few minutes before Jamaica conceded a penalty in front of the posts. Goal kicking wizard Steve Piatek made no mistake slotting home the two pointer to make it 8-0 to the home side much to the delight of the vociferous crowd.

Jamaica played with a great degree of commitment and enthusiasm and it paid off nicely as 10 minutes later they opened their account. Sheffield Eagles centre Corey Hanson went over in the corner to half the deficit. Christian Miller was particularly effective on defence wearing down the Jamaicans with punishing tackles.

It was only a matter of time before Canada could

score again and they did. Steve Piatek scoring his first International try, finishing a period of dominant attacking play from Canada.

Piatek was at it again, this time turning provider as he and Matt Wyles started a quick flowing movement that was finished by fullback Robin Legault, who added to his Canadian international try record, notching up his 11th try in his 11th appearance for his country.

This gave the hosts the lead 20-6 by the completion of the first half with them dominating proceedings.

The second half was more of the same from the Wolverines, but it started brightly for the Reggae Warriors.

The energetic winger

Adrian Mckenzie opened the scoring five minutes after the resumption to give the Jamaicans plenty of hopes but it was soon dashed.

Brett King finished a flowing move in the corner, notching his first international try. From one winger to another, ten minutes later it was Tony Felix who continued his impressive performances scoring for the second match in a row finishing in the corner for the Wolverines.

Robert Rodney then managed one more try for the Jamaicans before Geoff Bylund put the finishing touches on what was Canada's third successive Caribbean Carnival Cup victory when he scored in the corner at the stroke of full time.

from back page

T20 matches, has a record of 19 victories, 12 defeats and two no-results spanning matches in the Stanford 20/ 20, the Caribbean T20 and the Champions League T20.

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and mystery off-spinner Sunil Narine are the International and West Indies franchise players respectively.

They will be supported by openers Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Trevon Griffith and Martin Guptill; wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, all-rounders James Franklin, Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs and Narsingh Deonarine; left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie, fast bowler Keon Joseph and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul.

Guyana’s Amazon Warriors begin training camp

- Franklin and Guptill arrive on Friday; Hafeez, Narine and Simmons to join squad after WI/Pakistan series

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The Guyana

Amazon Warriors began a sevenday training programme as part of preparations for the July 30 start of the much-anticipated Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament. Ten of the 15 members started the training camp on Tuesday at the Guyana National Stadium under the coach Roger Harper.

New Zealanders, James Franklin and

Martin Guptill will join the squad upon their arrival on Friday while international star

Mohammed Hafeez, West Indies franchise player Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons will unite with the squad at the end of the West Indies/Pakistan series.

“The purpose of this camp is to get the players together. We wanted to get the players together, so we could do remedial work on their game and continue to set plans going forward and what

is expected of them,” said Harper.

The 50-year-old former West Indies vice captain said the camp is vital for the continued development of each player and that he wants to focus on the basics.

“We will be looking at all the basics, batting, bowling, and fielding. We need to examine each player’s game and work on the areas in which they need to improve,” said Harper.

“Their improvement will not happen over-

night because it’s a process, but they have to constantly work at their game for us to remain competitive at this level,

and we want to be able to emphasise this during the camp.” Harper said as part of the preparation, the

players will be sensitised on issues pertaining to corruption with an official of the Anti-