Guyana Times Daily

APNU presses Isaacs on local govt bills

May 5 monument to be erected at Palmyra

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Region’s exports will grow by 1.5 per cent, imports 4.5 per cent – ECLAC

PPP/C chides AFC for double standards

wednesday, september 11, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

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APNU presses Isaacs on local govt bills

n the ongoing row over the delayed assent of the four local government bills that were passed in Parliament recently, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Tuesday called on the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs to fulfil the obligations of his office by sending the four bills to the head of state for his approval.

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But the clerk said he had sent the bills to the Attorney General's Chambers for scrutiny as the Parliament Office does not have its own draftsman.

In the meantime, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the bills recently reached his desk as they were being scrutinised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

This, he said, was done to ensure the bills are fully scrutinised before they are sent to the president.

Nandlall said because the

bills are substantial in volume, this might have caused a delay in them getting to him earlier.

The bills are the Local Government Commission Bill, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill and the Fiscal Transfers Bill.

These bills, the APNU said, were passed by the

National Assembly and were due to be presented to the president in accordance with the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

APNU made reference to Article 170 (2) of the Constitution which provides that, “When a bill is presented to the president for as-

sent, he shall signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.”

APNU referred also, to Article 170(3) which provides, “Where the president withholds his assent to a bill, he shall return it to the Speaker within 21 days of the date when it was presented to him for assent with a message stating the reasons why he has withheld his assent.”

APNU said it recognises that these articles do not state who has the responsibility for presenting the said bills to the president and that, until the president is presented with the bills, the prescribed time cannot be said to have elapsed.

"Standing Order (SO) 67 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, nevertheless, clearly reposes responsibility for the presentation of the said bills to the president, in the clerk of the National Assembly.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The Qualfon investment

The event itself may have passed without much fanfare, but the sod-turning exercise last week for the construction of the first ever multimillion-dollar call centre campus site at Providence, East Bank Demerara is yet another significant development in Guyana’s quest to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). This was made possible due to the fact that Guyana’s information technology sector is rapidly growing.

The government must first of all be commended for enabling this investment as it has put the necessary legislative and infrastructural mechanisms in place for it to become possible. The administration has made it clear that it intends to fully utilise information and communication technologies (ICTs) to push Guyana’s development forward and has since invested millions of dollars in fibre optic cables, among other initiatives, to accommodate this.

Also, Qualfon must be applauded as it has proven that it has the right vision and courage to make such a huge investment here – an initial US$4 million. After eight years of doing business in Guyana, Qualfon has demonstrated that it has what it takes to become ever more competitive at international level in the ICTs field.

The state-of-the-art complex the company is hoping to build is expected to offer career opportunities and educational development for thousands of Guyanese. It will, ultimately, offer an accredited university which would provide classes, career guidance, learning laboratories, arts and cultural programmes and a shared library system. We gather that this complex will be similar to the one at Silicone Valley in Bangalore, India, where thousands of young people are recruited and trained to work for various international companies in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and other countries, from the campus based right in India.

This is the most significant investment the company has made anywhere in the world and, over the next few years the campus will become the largest business hub for Qualfon. This is a prime example of a major international company saying it has extreme confidence in Guyana, and surely this means well for the country as a whole as other investors are noticing and would want to benefit from the massive investment opportunities that are currently available in the various sectors, ICTs being a main one.

Qualfon’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Marrow had some very positive words to say about Guyana being a prime location for investment in ICTs, and more specifically business outsourcing, which the government could use to its advantage. He said Qualfon is making this major investment in Guyana because this is the country that has so much to offer, and further that Guyana provides the perfect location for Qualfon.

That aside, the Qualfon investment is very significant, not only because its shareholders have shown that they have confidence in Guyana’s business climate, but because of the many benefits the project itself can bring to Guyanese citizens.

For example, the state-of-the-art campus is expected to create some 6000 jobs over the next five years. If one were to do a survey and ask young people what are their top five wishes as citizens of Guyana, it is almost certain that creation of more job opportunities would be placed very high on the list.

However, while 6000 jobs alone will not suffice in dealing with the unemployment situation here, it will certainly go a far way in absorbing the large number of young people who graduate from high school or university. We should mention that the company already employs over 1500 persons.

Kudos are indeed in order to Qualfon for making such a huge investment in Guyana’s ICTs sector and for providing hundreds of Guyanese with employment opportunities!

In remembrance of Stephen Campbell

Looking out for the well- being of schools

Dear Editor,

The minister of local government and regional development just commended all regional administrations and the departments of education, along with the headteachers, teachers, parents and students for their roles in ensuring that the various schools were prepared and ready on September 2 to receive students for the academic year 2013-2014.

Now we all know that there were a few hiccups, and this is how life pans out. But overall though, things went quite well. A big relief

for me was the ease of traffic, as I did not experience the anticipated build up.

One stretch on the East Coast did create some slowness. This is the part covering where the APEX school is located. It may be wise, for a drive way to be built, that allows for vehicles not to be on the highway, when stopping to drop-off students. The school itself can be mandated to do this too. It will entail a little detour into its two premises and this will really help to rule out any wasting of time. I was doubly alert, when

the Education Ministry of commented on the aspect of caring for the facilities. Recently, a whole lot of money went into building a few new schools and maintaining and upgrading existing ones. Some of the work that was done to existing buildings proved that some people just do not appreciate what government is doing.

One friend of mine, who worked on a lot of our schools, told me that furniture and windows should not be attended to that frequently. It is just that many of us take these things for granted. If a

window is shattered or pulled own, it should be looked at right away. This may mean at a cost to the culpable party, but so be it, as this is the way we show responsibility.

I think that if Guyanese really value education, they will all lend a hand in making sure that schools and their environs be treated with utter respect. These buildings are ours-not the government as such.

Yours sincerely, Schoolteacher Name withheld by request

Our local food is better

Dear Editor,

The Agriculture Ministry of has just has announced a new project that will help to reduce Guyana’s importation of several dairy products. Guyana on the whole is importing way too many things. We have better stuff right here and yet we fall victims to all kinds of myths.

Our cattle here can give us enough and a whole lot extra meat and milk. We do not even have to worry about the pelts, as this is another big by-product. Since many

overseas Guyanese like local, even when they are in the cold, we can have a market there as well.

The plan now is that the Agriculture Ministry, the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority are about to implement a livestock farm, of about 500 acres. These three bodies will also work with five cooperative groups. This venture has already succeeded in getting the atten-

tion of investors. When it is all said and done, Guyana will be producing pasteurised milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream. We pay way too much here for these imported products. It is not like the overseas ones will guarantee a better taste either – just make the comparison with our plantain chips. I see that there are some overseas ones selling here and even a damaged taste bud will rate the local one as superior in taste, and

they sell for a lower price too.

There will be employment here too. Down the road, I can indeed see that indeed we will reduce our import and therefore reduce the cost of imported food into our country. Now how about our fruits and other plant produce? We have to go this route too – we cannot continue to waste what we have been blessed with.

Yours truly Lesmore Paris

You

Attacks by bees should be pre-empted

Dear Editor,

A recent attack on someone by bees was kind of waiting to happen. I can add a whole lot more, but I think that the point is very clear – we just do not take things seriously.

This particular victim was a 73-year old Bartica woman, who succumbed after a swarm of deadly

Africanised bees attacked her at her Potaro Road residence. I keep hearing many stories of bees lodging all over the place. I think that we should search them out and then carefully remove them.

We need groups of people who must be mandated to search for insects likes bees and animals on the

whole, which are dangerous. They have to be put away. People’s lives are much too precious to be left to chance.

If there are volunteers, then let it be – the society should be safe for children to play too.

Sincerely,

Sasha Mangal

Behind schedule is not to be excused easily

Dear Editor,

The Region Four chairman is working to ensure work plans for the year are fully accomplished, especially in the areas of health, education and public works. He admitted that he is not too pleased with the level of execution, as a lot of work is still behind time – in some cases more than 50 per cent. This is very annoying and it speaks of a very terrible culture that must be addressed.

I know in many countries, there is the punch in/ out system, and it is from this record, a person gets his money. The first minute of lateness means that one quarter of an hour’s pay is deducted; after 15 minutes, one half hour goes out the window; and after 30 min-

utes, the worker loses the hour. We have to do something about lateness. We are too laid back.

These days, even students arrive late and one invigilator in a tertiary institution was asking how much longer to wait before starting the examination. We can do better. We do so in other countries that do not allow for this laxity. Also, when we have to keep appointments at the various embassies, we are surely punctual.

The thing that got to me was how many schools were caught lapsing on day one of the new school year. The University of Guyana (UG) is apparently still not firing as things like time tables and assignment of lecturers for courses have not

been finalised. How about the many students who are clamouring for grades as this will facilitate their choosing of courses? I reiterate the call for us to do better.

Now, it is good to note that progress is being made in some areas such as the maintenance of health centres and schools, but to me, this does not mean that there should be a lapse in other areas. In fact, even with the schools, some were totally unprepared to open. The idea is to combine good work with punctuality.

How about instituting some kind of penalty for tardiness with these contractors?

Yours truly, Virgill Barrow

PNCR-PPP/C comparison will show the facts

Dear Editor, The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is claiming credit in an area that the party had little or no interest in. It boldly announced that it aided in the development of Amerindian people, during its stint in office, from 1964-1992. The PNC demitted office in 1992 and this means that in 25 years, nothing visible was done. Now look where this particular situation is –the actual land demarcation and titling, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, the Solar Panel Project and the One Laptop per Family

Project.

Today, because of the hard work of the ruling People’s progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) since 1992, Amerindians are enjoying Guyana to the highest level. We have health facilities and personnel in the interior, input into sports and culture, and even the returning of Indigenous peoples to their villages, to serve, after having been heavily invested in.

Exposing more of the bare-facedness of the PNCR, I have to ask who was responsible for the near-starvation of Guyana for a very

long time? Cost of living was so high, people resorted to all kinds of illegalities and the back-track operation really flourished.

Things like split peas, flour, sardines and even straws for drinking were quite extinct. Someone must now make a table and compare every period and every sector what obtained during the era of the PNCR versus the PPP/C. The balance sheet will show the reality of how really terrible the PNC was.

Regards, Samuel Gouveia

Do not take the law into your own hands

Dear Editor,

This matter about a man who claimed he was wrongfully accused of stealing clothing is a bit disturbing. Two wrongs cannot make a right. We have to let people

know that even if a thief is subdued, there is no place for vengeance. I am reminded of what happened in Sophia and Berbice recently – villagers got angry and vented their

anger, killing two people. I just hope that citizens will allow the law to run its course.

Yours faithfully, Komal Deodatt

Page Foundation

How to teach your child that being violent is not okay

BY EMILIA LAMBERTO

With fighting, killing and negative behaviour in movies, video games, TV shows and cartoons, a parent’s worst fear is often that her child will become violent. Fortunately, correcting and redirecting bad behaviour – as well as suggesting alternative ways to deal with anger – can be effective ways to raise a non-violent child. When a child becomes violent, there are also ways to diffuse his anger, showing him that his behaviour is unacceptable.

Instructions

Talk to your child about being violent.

Explain that everyone gets angry at some point; telling your child to not get angry is unreasonable. Tell him instead that anger is natural but expressing anger in negative ways – such as biting, hitting, pushing or yelling – will get him into trouble.

Encourage your child to find better ways to deal with her anger.

When she becomes angry, tell her to go to her room to draw, pet the dog or write in a journal to help her calm down. Explain to her that you understand she is angry, but before dealing with the problem she will need to cool down for a few minutes.

Help him find a way to resolve a problem by talking and explaining his feelings.

Ask him to tell you why he is upset. For example, he may say, “Joe is playing with my favourite toy

and I want it.” Next, ask him how that makes him feel; he may say, “It makes me angry and sad.” Ask the other person involved how that makes her feel (or tell him how you feel if he is being violent toward you). Tell him to explain what he wants and then explain what you

tablish boundaries and authority by directing her to her bedroom –which should have no TV or other fun distractions for the punished child. If she refuses, guide her there. When she calms down, you may then explain why she was put there. Always remain consistent

want from him. Figure out a way to meet in the middle to resolve the issue. For example, if he wants a toy that another child is playing with, perhaps the two children will agree to take turns playing with the toy.

Teach him how anger affects others. Ask him how it would make him feel if someone were violent toward him. Explain that being violent – whether physically or verbally – is hurtful and it is not very nice.

Utilise time-out.

If your child continues to act violently despite your discussion, es-

with discipline or else you will negate your authority.

Reward your child for kind behaviour.

It is one thing to scorn your child when he is behaving inappropriately but it is another to reward him for good behaviour. Positive reinforcement works wonders with children. Whether your reward is verbal praise, a tasty treat or a star on a behaviour chart, you are acknowledging your child’s good behaviour as well as correcting his negative behaviour.

Watch your language.

Children pick up words and phrases from those around them, so if you’re walking around your house using insulting words or phrases, your child may think it is okay implement them into her vocabulary.

Tell your child right away if she uses a word that is hurtful or disrespectful. Give her an alternative word. For example, if she says, “Shut up!” to a sibling, she could instead say, “Please be quiet. I need to concentrate.”

Step in immediately if any sort of violence breaks out among your child. Grab him by his shoulders and look him directly in the eye. In a firm but calm manner, tell him, “You do not hit. Go to your room right now until you calm down.” After he has calmed down, explain to him why his behaviour was inappropriate and suggest alternative ways to deal with his anger.

Tips and warnings

Younger children, such as babies and toddlers, will not understand big words and phrases. Instead of trying to explain to a younger child what he is doing wrong when he hits, say a simple word such as “gentle” or “easy” and touch his hand gently to your face. If he is biting, gently move his head away and touch where he bit you and firmly say, “No. Hurt.” Remain firm but do not get over-excited or angry. Often, younger children only act this way to get a reaction out of someone.

By remaining calm, he is not receiving the reaction he desires and eventually he will stop. (ehow.com)

How can I explain war to children?

Most young children, under the age of eight, have a difficult time understanding abstract concepts. War can be an especially challenging one, since most conflicts are happening in faraway places that may not seem real to children. What’s more, young children often have oversimplified views of war and the multilayered (sometimes centuries-old) conflicts that cause it can be way too difficult for a young mind to grasp. For example, if you discuss war with a kindergarten class you’re likely to hear something like: “When we fight at school the teacher tells us to talk it over and compromise. Why can’t grown-ups do the same thing to stop war?”

So how to respond to your child when he catches a glimpse of the evening news and starts inundating

you with questions? Usually the best way to talk about a tough concept like war is to find some analogy in the child’s own experiences to help him get a handle on it. For example, children may not understand all the political, religious, and social aspects of a war, but they certainly understand pain and loss. So explain what’s happening by using examples of how war can separate families and drive people from their homes. Whenever possible, try to listen to your child before talking to him – your child may have very different worries or concerns than you might think. If your child is silent on the issue, ask an open-ended question like, “What do you think about what has been going on this week?” This allows him to take the lead and address the areas that worry him most. It also helps to read age-appropriate books that illustrate these ideas. And be sure you always emphasise to your child that although these are scary things to hear about, he is very safe and not likely to be affected by foreign conflicts.

(Parents.com)

Gonsalves lauds Guyana’s housing drive as extraordinary –

invites local builders to tap in on opportunities in St Vincent

Guyana’s housing development is an extraordinary one and should be shared with the region, St Vincent Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said on Tuesday during a tour of the East Bank Demerara corridor to witness the many housing schemes there.

“I do not know of any programme of this magnitude anywhere else in the Caribbean; in the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS,” Dr Gonsalves was quoted in a Housing Ministry report as saying.

During the visit to several schemes along the East Bank, including Eccles, Mocha Arcadia and Providence, accompanied by Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, the Vincentian leader lauded the policies and initiatives undertaken by the government to make access to housing affordable for its citizens.

Extraordinary

He explained, “We, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, we are reputed to have the best housing programme, but this one, the scale of it, because of the amount of vacant lands you have is extraordinary, and the prices are very good. It is only because of the cross subsidy, the people of Guyana – I don’t know if they fully appreciate what they have here”.

According to Dr Gonsalves, the developmental model being adopted in Guyana also allows for the integration of private sector development, taking into consideration low-middle-income and middle-income settlements.

Alluding to the significance of this, Prime Minister Gonsalves said, “I like the idea because of the amount of space you have, you can integrate private sec-

tor development houses of a bigger kind with the low middle income and middle income houses. Obviously, when they are integrated, they will give a particular effect; it’s extraordinary and this is a success story that must be told to the region.”

Testimony to his confidence and belief in the model, Dr Gonsalves extended an invitation for local private developers to travel to St Vincent and

APNU presses Isaacs...

APNU argued that Standing Order 67 prescribes that, “Every bill passed by the National Assembly shall remain in the custody of the clerk who shall, subject to Article 164 of the Constitution, at the earliest opportunity, submit the bill to the president for his or her assent.”

The words “shall remain in the custody of the clerk” are mandatory.

APNU noted the fact that, despite the clerk being required to submit the bills for assent “at the earliest opportunity”, that is to say without unnecessary delay, the four bills which were passed on August 7,

over a month ago, seem not to have been presented to the president.

APNU said considers that it would constitute a breach of the duty and an abdication of the specific responsibility of the clerk of the National Assembly for the said bills to be submitted to the attorney general and minister of legal affairs after their passage by the National Assembly, as there is no provision in the Constitution or Standing Orders authorising such a procedure.

The coalition called on the clerk, therefore, in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders,

to discharge his responsibility by submitting the said four bills to the president for assent, forthwith.

Response

Meanwhile, in a swift response to APNU’s complaints, Isaacs said the four bills were submitted to the chief parliamentary counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers, to ensure that all of the amendments made by the relevant Parliamentary Select Committee and the National Assembly were inserted.

Isaacs explained that several queries were made, and to date, the

to work towards further enhancing the housing development there.

“The state-owned housing and land development cooperation does good work, but also there is scope for private sector development and they have the liquidity and there are opportunities, obviously, you will get a greater return than if you leave your money in the bank… the people also from the private sector who are investing, I would like some of them to come to St Vincent to assist with the investment programme for housing,” he stated.

New vision Minister Ali acknowledged Dr Gonsalves’ role in spearheading a new vision of the region and to leading the whole process of integration.

“I am very delighted that Dr Gonsalves himself is leading this effort at looking at examples within countries and to see how we can apply different examples in the region to further strengthen our programme.

"Many people may not know but Dr Gonsalves has a very, very strong social programme in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and that is one country within the region that has consistently done well and has been able to bridge the income gap, the equality gap very nicely”, Ali said.

chief parliamentary counsel has not returned the bills to him.

“I checked with the Attorney General’s Chambers on several occasions and was told that the bills were/are still receiving the attention of the legal draftsmen”.

He reminded that the Parliament Office does not have a legal draftsman to ensure that the amendments are properly inserted after bills are passed.

“You would recall that there was a number of complex amendments which required a legally-trained person to insert in the bills after

As to the outcome of the visit to the various housing developments, Minister Ali expressed gratitude to the St Vincent Prime Minister for opening the way for the sharing of information and possible integration.

Ali explained, “He has given us some good ideas on how to further improve the housing programme here and to further expand it. I think he is indeed a man of the region, he has a good understanding of all the countries within the region and the social fabric within the region.”

Integration

Added the minister: “We are looking forward to two things; to have our private sector benefiting from the integration with St Vincent, and the prime minister has opened the door for investment there in the housing programme through the state-owned company and then we also have a lot of private investors who will be here during GuyExpo.

"We are looking to collaborate to have a St Vincent investment forum for GuyExpo and this is how the region should work together so that we can ensure that the liquidity and the capital within the region stays within the region so that we can build the region with each other’s strengths.”

they were approved by the National Assembly”, he said.

According to the clerk, the Parliamentary Management Committee has recommended that a legal division be created at the Parliament Office to deal with bills after they have been passed by the National Assembly.

In the absence of such a division, the office has traditionally sought the assistance of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that all amendments are correctly inserted before a bill is presented to the president for his assent.

Father of four sentenced to one year

On Tuesday, a man was sentenced to one year imprisonment after he changed his plea to guilty before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Keith Tuesday changed his plea to guilty after he told Magistrate Latchman that he wants the matter to be finished as soon as possible stating that he has his four children to maintain and being in prison awaiting trial does not help him do that.

Tuesday first appeared

in court on August 9 when he pleaded not guilty to the charge which read on 8 August at Alexander Street Bourda, he had in his possession an improvised utensil for the purpose of smoking cocaine.

He was unrepresented and told the court that police ranks had stormed his yard and had planted the instrument on him.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail on the first court date stating that the defendant had a prior matter in court similar to this offence

and was sentenced to one year imprisonment. And also he had another matter concerning unlawful assault for which he was serving two months.

Magistrate Latchman on Tuesday considered the fact that he already spent sometime in the lockups and he did not waste the court’s time going through a trial. He was fined $5000 and sentenced to one year imprisonment which is to be served after he completes his one year sentence for the previous narcotic charge.

Fisherman remanded for assaulting neighbourhood police officer

Afisherman was on Tuesday remanded to prison after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.

Fizal Mohamed, 42, of 22 Yarrow Dam, West Ruimveldt pleaded not guilty to the charge which read on September 6 at Yarrow Dam, Ruimveldt he assaulted Jermaine Yaw causing him actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt stated that Yaw is a neighbourhood police officer attached to the Ruimveldt Police station and on the date, he was acting upon a report which was made and had cause to speak to the defendant. Mohamed picked up a piece of wood and dealt him a lash to the back.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat told the court that his client, Mohamed, has a wife with whom he has four children and strongly denies assaulting Yaw who pushed opened his door and entered his house.

The prosecution did not object to bail but Magistrate

Judy Latchman, however, remanded him to prison. The matter was transferred to court 10 for September 20.

Man remanded for threatening and abusing woman

A man was on Thursday remanded to prison after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to two charges.

It was alleged on August 30 at East Ruimveldt, 30 year old Fidel Collins of 627 East Ruimveldt made use of threatening behaviour to Denise Jackman whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. He pleaded not guilty to the charge as it was read to him but pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which read on August 29 at East Ruimveldt, he unlawfully assaulted Jackman.

He told the court that he is married with four children and is a taxi driver and mechanic. He went on to say that Jackman came to his gate and called his mother out of bed to speak to her. He stated that she was going to spit on her and he dealt her one slap across her face.

Based on his explanation, Magistrate Judy Latchman entered a not guilty plea for him.

The complainant, Jackman, stated that she and the defendant did not have any problems; it was between herself and another male by the name of Mark Soloman. She went on to say that Soloman deals in marijuana and she had taken the police to the place where he sells it and he was arrested. She added that the police had asked her to go to the police headquarters at Eve Leary to give her statement.

She said that she was going home when Collins had interfered with her and she told her mother who advised her to go to his mother to make a complaint. She added that while at his house conversing with his mother, he came out and started to deal her several slaps.

There were no objections to bail put forward by the Prosecution but Collins was remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to court 10 for September 23.

Eyew tness

Contretemps...

E...in the chicken business

very year, we go through the same thing. It used to be just around Christmas time.

But now it’s all the time: there’s a shortage of chicken and prices go through the roof. Then we fret and fume (mostly the housewives) and permission is granted for chicken to be imported and prices level off. But never, ever falling back to where it’d been. And so we start from a higher base waiting for the ever escalating spiral to continue upwards.

As some fella said some time ago – about a matter which mightn’t even have been this important – this confounded nonsense must stop!! It’s been 10 years now we thought we had the problem licked. During the 1990s we were deluged with chicken quarter-legs from the U.S. to such an extent that young children thought U.S. chickens didn’t have heads and feet.

Everything was going fine: as some other fella had promised some other people at some other time – there was a “chicken in every pot”. Or at least a chicken leg quarter.

In the meantime, there were thousands of individuals who’d started to raise “white fowl”. “Pluck chicken for sale” signs popped up everywhere. Those who didn’t like the frozen chicken legs or might want some variety in their chicken parts – breasts for instance – now had a choice. And most importantly, a whole lot of small people could make a living.

Then the big boys came in. These were the ones who could follow the developed countries and manufacture chickens in factories. A huge cash outlay is necessary with need to supply vaccines, feed and water in conveyer-belt factory manner. They persuaded the government that they would not only bring down the price of chicken – but would soon enough produce so much we would be exporting to the rest of the Caribbean.

To bring down costs they’d also be setting down farms to produce corn and other inputs for chicken feed. They just wanted one thing from the government: being new at the business, they wanted protection from the imports. The

government complied, slapped on a 100 per cent tariff on imported chicken – which now needs a licence. It was protection of an “infant industry”, we were told.

Well, the “infant” killed off all the small chicken and farmers kept on growing – but the prices never came down!! Nor did we ever export. And the irony is that with the latest “exception” for chicken importation with a 100 per cent tariff (where the importer can still make a profit and undersell the infant!!), we’ll be importing some from Suriname! Isn’t it time we allow our “infant” to grow up?

...in the doctor business?

It might turn out to be a storm in a teacup – but even a small spilled cupful of boiling tea can cause quite a lot of damage. Especially if the storm spills it on sensitive parts of one’s anatomy. We’re talking about the obvious miscommunication between the Health Ministry, the chief medical officer and the Guyana Medical Council on the status of the large batch of doctors that just returned from Cuba.

The council has its rules – and even though these might sound like protecting entry into an exclusive club – they do serve a purpose. But the council knew about the impending influx of doctors and so did the health officials. Couldn’t they have coordinated the accreditation of these new doctors with a bit more finesse?

It doesn’t give the public much confidence in these new doctors when they hear they mightn’t be qualified – when it’s just a matter for transcripts to be delivered. Let’s not spoil what is certainly a good thing.

...in the stones business

What’s this allegation that President Donald Ramotar doesn’t know what he’s talking about – or is ill advised – on whether we should be importing stones? Is it really a question of who has the biggest stones?

wednesday, september 11, 2013 |

May 5 monument to be erected at Palmyra

The design of May 5 Monument, intended to commemorate the arrival of the first East Indian immigrants here has been selected and the winning entrants were presented with a $500,000 cheque by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Monday.

The winning design crafted by Philbert Gajadhar and Winslow Craig, was one of five entries submitted for judging by a panel which consisted of Tota Mangar, Colonel Linden Ross, Naudia Madhoo, Neaz Subhan and Ivor Thom.

we are now finalising the paper work. They have agreed that they would be giving us two acres of land in that area to develop this monument site… suitable landscaping will also be undertaken.”

The monument will be sculpted in bronze, 12 feet high, 12 feet wide, double life size, and mounted on a ninefoot high base. Describing the sculpture, a model of which was on display, Gajadhar said,

gestures “behold”, while the second with hand resting on the shoulder of the first, looks back urging the others on.

“The relationship of the figures become increasingly complex as the viewer’s eyes move from the base to the heads. The rhythms of the figures are parallel and give a sense of quickening motion which conveys strong emotion,” Gajadhar said.

“It shows six figures in a forward thrust, it describes the lives of ordinary Indian people in their routine of everyday life with each carrying something of importance.

The minister said that

Minister Anthony congratulated the winning duo, who have collaborated on other works, and said that the judging for the designs which had to meet certain criteria was very close. The monument was originally earmarked to be placed at the Highbury Plantation, the first landing spot for East Indian immigrants, however, it was then decided that it should be placed at a location that is more travelled.

Man found dead in Grove

The body of a man was discovered in Grove, East Bank Demerara, early Tuesday morning with stab wounds.

The dead man has been identified as Seepaul Beharry, 53, called “Seelo”. He was found at Market Street, Grove, with stab wounds about his body.

According to a police release, the man had stab wounds to his throat and abdomen. His body was removed and taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Based upon information reaching Guyana Times Beharry did not have a fixed place of abode and used to sleep at various places. He used to hang out around the old Grove Market and did odd jobs for the vendors there.

The vendors told this newspaper that the man was a good person who used to help around; however, he can be a bit “disgusting” when he is drunk. The women there were still in a state of disbelief that the man is dead and the manner in which he was killed, noting that he did not have any problems with anyone.

One woman said she was told that around 06:00h on Tuesday morning, a man was heading to work when he saw “Seelo” on a bench at the market with apparent

bloodstains about his body.

The man raised an alarm and upon inspecting, it was observed that the man’s throat was slit.

Meanwhile, the brother of the dead man, Dhanraipaul Beharry told this publication that he is surprised at the manner in which his brother met his demise since the man had no enemies.

The man said around 07:30h Tuesday morning, his nephew came and told him that his brother was stabbed at the Grove Market. The man said that no one has any idea as to what happened to his brother and who committed the gruesome act.

He said his brother used to sleep about the place despite efforts to stop him. “For the past 25-years, we trying to get he to come home, but he didn’t want that, this is the life he choose so we had to leave he.”

Dhanraipaul noted that he and his brother had a good relationship, but they have not been spending much time together recently. He said that he last saw his brother on Saturday.

The man described his brother as an honest person. He said despite his brother living on the streets consuming alcohol a lot, he never got into any illegal activities. The post-mortem examination on Seepaul Beharry

is expected to be conducted today. Police are continuing their investigations.

after consultations with the Region Six Regional Democratic Council, it was decided that Palmyra, at the head of the junction, east of the Berbice River Bridge was a suitable location.

“The land where we thought would be a good site is owned by GuySuCo, and we have since spoken to them and

"Their jahaji bhandal (ship bundle) loaded with food, spices, herbs, clothing, jewellery, their gods etcetera, religious texts, drum, karaahi,(cooking pan) tawa, (flat circular metal for cooking roti) grass knives (scythe), cutlass and rice plants. The figures are presented in a straightforward realism with the human factor ever present. They are being led by Ram and Khan, the first two Indians to set foot in Guyana,” he said.

He said the leading figure

He added that the monument touches on national and ancestral interests, “containing some of the visual symbols associated with conditions that often beset man and presents to us a segment of reality which ties our own lives to history that is reflected in the immediate drama of contemporary living”.

The monument should be completed within two to three years, once all arrangements are put in place. During the period 1838 and 1917, 238,000 East Indians came to Guyana as indentured servants. Approximately 75,000 were repatriated, but the others remained to contribute significantly to the nation’s development.

Natural Resources Ministry to unveil strategic plan

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is currently in the process of finalising its first strategic plan as it takes into consideration mining, forestry, environmental protection and protected areas management.

But even as the ministry adds the finishing touches to this crucial document, it is negotiating with the European Union (EU) on the formulation of a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA).

In 2003, the EU adopted its FLEGT action plan after considering the increasing public concern with the social, economic and environmental consequences of illegal logging and related trade worldwide. The establishment of bilateral VPA’s between the EU and timber-producing countries such as Guyana formed a critical part of the action plan.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, negotiations on the FLEGT VPA only commenced after widespread consultations with key stakeholders. “We have developed a detailed roadmap with the assistance of local and international stakeholders and set an ambitious timeline of September for effective implementation,” he reported during the opening ceremony of the 28th Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry

Commission (LACFC).

Guyana boasts of having approximately 18.3 million hectares of tropical rainforest, covering approximately 87 per cent of the country’s 21.1 million hectares. But sustainable economic growth in the forestry sector can be crippled with illegal logging which can also cause social and environmental problems; hence, strong governance, sustainable forest management and forest legality are critical for the industry.

Feasibility study

Simultaneously, the country is conducting a feasibility study on the benefits to derive from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the mining sector. According to the

natural resources and the environment minister, the initiative will assist Guyana in making informed decisions. “These along with other programmes such as Independent Forest Monitoring and various certification or accreditation schemes are all new initiatives that we now undertake that need to be cast in a regional context as we seek to build synergies in our approaches.”

In February, a Multistakeholder Group (MSG) was established by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. The MSG has the mandate to promote a high-level of transparency within the mining sector, but is instrumental in preparing the country’s candidacy for the EITI global transparency standard.

Read a book...

Satiricus always liked books. But from an early age he suspected books didn’t like him. But he persisted. And he figured he could read most books pretty good – once they were about people. Satiricus liked reading about people. His goal was to read people like a book. So at 11:00h last Monday, when Education Minister Priya Manickchand called on everyone to read a book, Satiricus decided to read the Jhaat. Like a book.

My life as a Jhaat

Me name Rum Jhaat. Ah use to be in the PPEE. But then Ah hang me hat where me hand cyaan reach. And ah had to leave without the hat. Ah get the hat after ah turn lawyer and ah think it gonna make me leader. Burnham was a lawyer, no?

Well, at least ah think it gonna make me rich. And then ah could be leader. So ah use the PPEE name to get all kinda clients from the countryside. But no matter how hard ah try, no body see me like a big time lawyer. Like the Doods. Is all kinda small cases ah getting. But ah stick it out in the PPEE or else it was gonna be starvation time. And ah became a drinker. Also, because ah figure with all them old men around, when the Big Man gone, ah woulda get me chance. But what mek me real vex was when the Old Lady pick Jagdesh over me for president. The man younger than

me!!! OK. So she did bail me out a couple of times when some country people complain to she that ah overcharge them. OK. More than a couple of times. You got to catch you hand when you can catch you hand. Ah so vex ah wanted to flounce out right away. But ah remember ah coulda get another duty-free car. So ah didn’t move from me PPEE seat until ah get me car and ah sell the other one for a good profit. In the meantime, ah start to carry news to the Americans. What ah didn’t hear, ah mek up. The Americans like juicy gossip. Then the Americans hook me with The TrotMan. They fund we and lend we a fella doing polling by the name of “Dick”. He tell we that we gonna win the election. And we believe he. Ah buy a new suit for the swearing in. Ah cuss too bad when all we get was a handful of seats. But at least ah coulda get a new duty free car. The next election me old buddy Naga Man join we. And NoGel, who always used to look down he nose at me as a lawyer. Ah could never figure out why he join we. But now ah know: was to earn US$5 million as a spy in we KFC party. And what hurt me more than anything is he didn’t share a cent with me. So now ah lose corn and husk... because everybody laughing at we. Is back to hustling clients from the countryside.

The end

85 receive house lots at Zeelugt

The Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) on Monday continued its housing drive with its second One Stop Shop for the year held in the ministry’s Brickdam compound.

Some 85 applicants pulled their lot numbers for plots situated at Zeelugt, Phase 2, East Bank Essequibo. The 2013 one stop shops are conducted under the theme: “Live the Guyanese dream, home ownership made easier”. Applicants select their house lots, make their payment, and are issued with their allocation letter. At the end of this process, they can have their Agreement of Sale made out and make arrangements to access funds for building their homes.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, before getting underway with the processing of allocations, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali explained that the previous focus was to consolidate the existing infrastructure in the housing areas to encourage occupancy.

Major challenge

He noted that as a result, many housing schemes have seen rapid response to building and construction. However, the major challenge of electricity supply has seen close collaboration between the Guyana Power and Light Company and the Housing Ministry to fasttrack this aspect. Monday’s

housing to every segment of society, notwithstanding the difficult political environment existing in the country today. There are plans for a further eight one stop shops before the end of the year, to distribute 6000 new house lots. In September, there will be one for Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast, while in October, such an exercise will be held for Zeelugt, phase three, Lust-en-Rust and Kilcoy/Chesney. In November, more than 1000 lots will be distributed at the Guyana National Stadium for the Covent Garden Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Three one stop shops planned for December will see lots distributed at De Willem and Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara and

One Stop Shop saw the processing of applications made up to, and including 2006. Government invested $90.5 million in infrastructure to ensure that the lots are available to benefit 383 persons. Minister Ali reported that the entire infrastructure has been completed with the exception of electricity which will be completed early next year at a cost of $5.160 million.

The total investment will be $95.7 million with an average of $1.75 million per household. Total revenue expected to be garnered by government is $25.5 million, which means that government’s subsidy is $70.2 million or 73.35 per cent.

Minister Ali said that this displays government’s commitment to providing

Providence phase three, and Farm Phase three, East Bank Demerara. The housing sector has already expended $649.6 million on infrastructural works, which contributed significantly to the development of 2254 new house lots. The ministry distributed 636 house lots, processed 1540 titles and constructed 48 turnkey houses for young professionals.

Two community development plans have been finalised for Tuschen, Region Three and Ordnance Fort Lands, Region Six. Additionally, during the first half of the year, a One Stop Shop exercise was successfully held at Enmore, Region Four.

With regard to home improvement subsidies, 52 of

Moco Moco students on scholarship at GSA

The Agriculture Ministry has sponsored two students from Moco Moco, Region Nine, to study at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), fulfilling a promise by Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy to residents of that community some time back.

the targeted 200 subsidies have already been disbursed to eligible families in areas such as Lusignan, Block D Bath, Eliza and Mary and Ankerville, benefiting more than 234 families.

Hinterland regions

Meanwhile, 34 subsidies were disbursed under the hinterland housing pilot, while another 36 homes have been selected for complete replacement, in areas such as Manawarin, Massara, Kwatamang, Annai, Whitewater, Oronoque and Katoka. About 490 people are slated to benefit.

Other developments in 2013 will see Zeelugt phase three providing for 800 more lots with a total investment of $700 million, while at Zeeburg, an investment of $220 million will see 300 more new lots. Roadwork upgrades have also been planned for Zeelugt, Zeeburg and Tuschen, benefiting 2500 people at a cost of $600 million.

Other major investments in Region Three for 2013 will see ongoing works in Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme with development in Lust-en-Rust. The total investment in those areas is $3 billion. Additionally, the main access road to the housing scheme has works scheduled to the cost of $400 million. That road is almost 60 per cent complete. Also planned for 2013 is the upgrade of the West Demerara Public road, under a joint initiative by the government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank.

The two youths were granted scholarships through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). The intervention is aimed at ensuring the community’s sustainability of its rice and beans projects.

Early in the year, Ramsammy, while on a visit to the community, to inspect the rice and beans projects, had promised that should the community select two youths, the ministry through the GRDB and NAREI would provide scholarships for them to study at the GSA.

“The Moco Moco farm has been struggling along, the first crop that was three four crops ago was very successful… but that was when the ministry was running it, so we did all the work, but the intention was for the

community to own the project and so in transferring the project to the community, it has struggled a little bit, and so we have been giving more hands-on support and in addition we are training their people,” the agriculture minister said.

“That is the intent of the scholarship, to have people trained in the relevant skills so they could go back and reduce the dependency on the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.

A resident of Moco Moco, who also benefited from a scholarship through the ministry, was trained as a mechanic at the GSA, and is employed by the GRDB,

providing support for the maintenance of all machines and equipment associated with the community’s rice and beans projects. Repairs to the equipment outside of the scope of this resident’s training and experience, are facilitated by experts from the ministry, Minister Ramsammy said.

He also reported that Moco Moco is benefiting from the Santa Fe investment, which has imported engineers and agronomists from Brazil, and consultants from other parts of the Caribbean. The ministry has asked that Santa Fe, through their engineers and agronomists provide a “helping hand” to the Moco Moco village, “so that they could really own the Moco Moco rice production”, Minister Ramsammy said.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the government has continued to support the community’s project under which 30 acres of rice and 11 acres of beans are being cultivated. The Agriculture Ministry, through the GRDB, has being supplying the community with fertilisers and other supplies, while the GRDB has assisted with a tractor.

Over 85 murders so far this year

There have been more than 85 murders so far this year and an overall six per cent jump in serious crimes, police reported on Tuesday.

In its periodic update in relation to the offences of murder and robbery under arms, police said that for the period January 1 to August 31, there has been an overall increase of six per cent in serious crimes in comparison to the same period in 2012.

The total number of reports of serious crimes made between January 1 and August 31 was 2658 compared to 2503 for the same period in 2012.

Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.

A total of 85 murders were recorded at the end of August in comparison to 82 murders for the same period in 2012, a four per cent increase. Of the 85 murders this year, 35 were of the disorderly type, 14 were committed during armed robberies, one was execution type, and 13 were domestic-related, while the other 22 are so far undetermined.

At the end of August, robbery under arms overall increased by three per cent, with 692 reports compared to 672 for the same period in 2012. The statis-

tics indicate an increase of 10 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a seven per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

In relation to traffic, there has been an increase of two road fatalities at the end of August in comparison to the same period in 2012, with 67 fatalities from 64 accidents compared to 65 fatalities from 61 accidents during 2012.

The period January 01 to August 31, saw reductions in relation to the other categories of traffic accidents – serious, minor and damage.

So far, pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 24 such persons having lost their lives at the end of August.

In addition, 11 motor cyclists, 10 pedal cyclists, eight drivers of motor vehicles, two pillion riders and 12 passengers of motor vehicles also lost their lives.

Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 48 of the 64 fatal accidents recorded at the end of August.

Traffic enforcement by the police during the period January to August resulted in a total of 57,372 cases being made against errant motorists; of this total 14, 824 cases were for speeding.

Region’s exports will grow by 1.5 per cent, imports 4.5 per cent – ECLAC

The foreign trade performance of Latin America and the Caribbean reflects the weak global economy. Regional export values are expected to grow by just 1.5 per cent in 2013 (three per cent in volumes and -1.5 per cent in prices) – which is similar to the 1.4 per cent growth observed in 2012.

Meanwhile, imports are expected to expand by 4.5 per cent, which will bring the region’s trade surplus down to US$8 billion dollars in 2013 (compared to US$41 billion dollars in 2012), according to estimates presented in Santiago in a new report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

In its annual report, Latin American and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2013, the commission states that the weak global economy continues to affect the buoyancy of world trade. The latter is expected to grow by around 2.5 per cent in volume in 2013. This would mean trade growing more slowly than global GDP for the second year in a row – which has not been seen since the 1980s.

Emerging recovery Mexico and Central America, which export mainly to the U.S., are predicted to benefit from the emerging recovery in that country.

However, limited European growth will slow exports from some South American countries that focus on that particular market. Latin American and Caribbean countries whose exports are mainly to China and the rest of Asia will prob-

ably chalk up higher volume growth, while at the same time experiencing a gradual change in demand from commodities to more processed products.

In terms of countries, Paraguay and Uruguay show the largest increases in export values in 2013 (33 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively), and this was largely due to considerable export growth in soybean and meat exports.

In contrast, some of the region’s countries are seeing their export values fall, such as Peru (- seven per cent) and Guatemala (- five per cent). Mexico, the region’s top exporter, will see export growth of almost three per cent. Brazil, the region’s second main exporter, will see a standstill in exports.

The document also shows gains in the region’s terms of trade between 2004 and 2011, which accounted for almost half of growth in gross national income in Chile (47 per cent), as

well as major contributions in Ecuador (35 per cent), Mexico (27 per cent) and Brazil (22 per cent). These figures show an excessive dependence on the cycle of international commodity prices (a crucial feature of the region’s development).

Mega-agreements

In the report, ECLAC states that one of the main features of the current international economic situation is mega-regional negotiations linking the main world production networks: Europe, North America and Asia. Several mega-regional negotiations under way are changing the face of world trade.

Some of the main examples include the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the U.S., the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (involving the 10 ASEAN members, and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) and the free trade agreements between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and between the EU and Japan.

All of these initiatives aim to create large economically integrated spaces at the regional level (in Asia), as well as at the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific levels.

These mega-negotiations include topics that are not regulated by the World Trade Organisation and that are important for international production networks. The agenda is becoming increasingly so-

phisticated, with a view to harmonising the operating rules of various production networks to facilitate the operations of multinationals in North America, Europe and Asia.

Mega-regional negotiations under way will probably have considerable impact on the geographical distribution and governance of world trade and investment flows over the next few years.

The scale of these initiatives could result in a redefinition of the rules of international trade by 2020. To date, this redefinition has taken place on the periphery of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and without tackling some of the pending issues on the trade agenda that are the most interesting to developing countries.

According to the document, as well as diverted trade and investment flows, these negotiations could result in the region’s countries facing restricted access to knowledge and innovation opportunities provided by new technologies, if the positions of the lobbies observed so far in the main economies prevail.

Mega-regionalism poses the challenge of improving the international economic standing of the region’s countries, which would help to produce sub-regional value chains and progress towards plurinational industrial policy practices.

The document therefore examines the potential of some sub-regional production networks, as well as suggesting policies that place learning about clusters and new-wave industrial policies at the heart of regional integration.

Global food prices continue to drop

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Price Index dropped for the fourth month in a row in August reaching its lowest level since June 2012.

The index, which measures the monthly change in the international prices of a basket of food commodities, averaged 201.8 points in August 2013, nearly four points (1.9 per cent) below its July value and 11 points (or 5.1 per cent) less than in August 2012. Last month’s decline was mainly driven by continued falls in the international prices of cereals and oils. Dairy, meat and sugar prices rose slightly.

The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 210.9 points in August, down 16.4 points (7.2 per cent) from July and 49.4 points (or 19 per cent) from August 2012. The steep decline reflects expectations for a strong growth in world cereal production this year and, especially, a sharp recovery in maize supplies.

The FAO Oils/Fats Price Index averaged 185.5 points in August, 5.7 points (or 3.0 per cent) below the July value and the third consecutive monthly decline. The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 239.1 points in August, 2.8 points (1.2 per cent) more than in July and 37 per cent above its level in August last year.

Prices

Prices increased last month for all the dairy products that make up the index, except butter, as export supplies remain limited in major trading countries. The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 175.0 points in August, an increase of 2.2 points (1.3 per cent).

Together with the Food

FAO Trade and Markets Division Director David Hallam

Price Index, the FAO released a new forecast of world cereal production in 2013. This is expected to rise to 2492 million tonnes.

The forecast has been revised upwards by 14 million tonnes (or 0.5 per cent) from the July forecast as a result of higher maize crops officially reported in Argentina and improved prospects in the EU and Ukraine.

At the latest forecast level, global cereal production would be 179 million tonnes (7.7 per cent) higher than in 2012 and a new record.

The recovery is predicted to be driven by a 10.5 per cent expansion in coarse grain output to 1285 million tonnes as well as a 7.6 per cent rise in wheat production to 710 million tonnes. World rice production is set to increase by 1.3 per cent, reaching a new high of 497 million tonnes, in milled equivalent.

The sharp increase in global production of coarse grains in 2013 would be largely on

account of a strong rebound in maize output (to 983 million tonnes), the bulk of which would originate from the U.S., where maize production is forecast to reach 343 million tonnes this year, some 25 per cent (69 million tonnes) higher than the 2012 drought-reduced level.

Cereal utilisation

Global cereal utilisation in 2013/14 is projected at 2413 million tonnes, down marginally from the previous forecast, but still 3.2 per cent higher than in 2012/13.

Based on the latest forecasts, total use of cereals for direct human consumption is set to expand by 1.2 per cent to 1094 million tonnes. This would result in global per capita cereal consumption remaining steady at just over 152 kg, with wheat at 67 kg and rice at close to 57 kg.

Based on the current projections of overall demand, the increase in stocks would drive up the global stock-to-use ratio to 23.3 per cent, the highest since 2002/03.

“The overall supply-demand situation for cereal markets is much improved over this time last year when drought-hit production and low stock-to-use ratios, especially for maize, raised serious concerns,” said FAO Trade and Markets Division Director David Hallam.

“Production is expected to rebound sharply and higher stock-to-use ratios should bring greater stability to world markets,” he said.

BBCI makes donations to D’ Edward mandir, Guyana Presbyterian Church

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has made monetary donations to the D’ Edward Vigneshwar Mandir and the Guyana Presbyterian Church for construction works.

Last Thursday, the BBCI donated $150 million to assist in the reconstruction of the D’ Edward Vigneshwar Mandir.

According to a release, the new mandir will have an upper-flat with a sanctum, fully air-conditioned; an open auditorium in the lower flat for cultural programmes – Hindi, music, dance and religious studies – for the young people, a kitchen, dining area and lavatory, and a storeroom.

“The company was privileged to have the opportunity to make a donation towards the D’ Edward Vigneshwar Mandir. The company decided to come on board mainly due to the fact that other than worshipping, the mandir will be used for other religious functions, cultural activities and learning to support the

come on board mainly due to the fact that the main objective of the camp site is to support the development of youth activities within the church and throughout the country. Also, other churches and organisations will be given the opportunity to utilise the camp site for hosting var-

development of youth activities within the mandir,” the BCCI said.

On Tuesday, the BBCI donated $50,000 to the Guyana Presbyterian Church for the construction of camp site at Lot 27 and 28, Number Two Canal, West Bank Demerara.

“The company decided to

ious events”, the BBCI said.

The BBCI does not only play the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor span and under the high span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities.

Natural Resources Ministry...

The initiation of the MSG followed after Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom in Norway, aimed at adopting the EITI global transparency standard in May 2012.

Through the committee, Guyana will strive to work with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank to undertake a study to determine Guyana’s readiness for the EITI. The study will see the participation of representatives from all levels of the extractive industries, including the miners. The principles and criteria of the EITI will allow Guyana to adopt international standards for the mining sector and promote greater transparency for the various sub-industries.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Gold and

From page 10

Diamond Miners Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG), the Amerindian affairs, legal affairs, local government, and natural resources ministries, Iwokrama International Centre, the Guyana Women Miners Association, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Audit Office of Guyana and representative from the bauxite, sand and stones companies are among members of the 19 members MSG.

EITI global transparency standard has been implemented in 35 countries since it was launched in 2002 in the United Kingdom. Over the years, it has grown tremendously to include the world’s largest oil, gas and mining companies. It increases transparency over the payments by companies from the oil and mining industries to governments.

Culture Ministry welcomes Phil Dunlap Trio

The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in collaboration with the U.S. embassy on Monday welcomed the Phil Dunlap Trio jazz band to Georgetown.

In the past, the company has sponsored many events that benefited communities on both the eastern and western sides of the bridge, and many other regions such as Georgetown, Linden, Parika and the hinterland.

The trio will be performing in Guyana from September 8-14.

Their visit was made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs, and is part of the Jazz Ambassador Programme, which was es -

tablished in 1961 to encourage cultural exchange between Americans and citizens in other countries.

The trio will be performing in a series of jazz concerts and will be involved in educational workshops during the week. These include a jam session with some of Guyana’s top jazz players, an educational presentation and performance at the St John Bosco Boys Orphanage, in-depth workshops with

students and staff from the National School of Music and educational presentations and performances at Bishop’s High School and Berbice High School. They will conclude the week of activities with a free concert at the Theatre Guild on September 13 at 19:00h. The band consists of Phil Dunlap, (keyboard) Nicholas Jost, (bass guitar) and Marty Morrison (drums).

Police, bandits trade shots during Montrose robbery

BY: SVETLANA MARSHALL

Three armed bandits escaped with close to one million dollars in cash and jewellery after holding more than three persons at gunpoint at a Montrose, East Coast Demerara residence on Tuesday night.

Reports indicate that three bandits invaded the two-storey house shortly after 20:15h. A 19-yearold girl, along with several taxi drivers, was held at gun point while the teen’s 23-year-old sister went into hiding. The gunmen escaped with approximately $400,000 in cash and $350,000 in jewellery. At the time, the taxi drivers, were operating from the Montrose residence, which is also the base for Shamo’s Taxi Service.

Speaking with the press hours after the incident, the 23-year-old who appeared shaken said she hid in a section of the upper flat of the house after seeing the gunmen. “They were looking for me, they were asking where I was and if I were going to call the police,” she recalled. Her younger sister, who was in the back room of the upper flat, was not so lucky. The bandits had placed a gun to her head and dragged her into a room where several taxi drivers were held captive. “She was asking who are you? Who are you? And they point the gun at her, I was looking at it because I was hiding. Then they took her in a room, with some of the drivers.” The bandits also ransacked the building in search of valuables. However, upon hearing the arrival of a vehicle outside, the 23-year-old called out for help.

Cries for help

“I shout bandits in the house! Bandits in the house! So people can hear! Then

they started saying the girl in the house! The girl in the house! And they were looking for me.” While the bandits were still in the house, she escaped with the assistance of her father and police. However, the police were unable to apprehend any of the bandits. During the ordeal, which lasted for approximately 30 minutes, the gunmen had discharged several rounds, but no one was hurt.

The proprietor of the house and taxi service, Babita Narine, said she was not at home at the time of the incident. Narine and her husband had left their two daughters at home to go to a nearby gas station. It was while returning from the gas station she got word that armed bandits had invaded her home and held her

children at gun point, along with several taxi drivers.

“So when we reach home, we hear the children screaming, the bandits were tumbling in the house and gunshots firing.” As screams for help emanated from the house, Narine stood on the road helplessly as she awaited the arrival of the police from the Sparendaam and BV police stations.

According to the mother, the bandits gained access to the heavily grilled house through the lower flat. She explained that the door was opened because the taxi service was still in operation. They had removed the $400,000 from the centre table and an altar in the lower flat. This is the second time bandits have attacked the family. The first time was March this year.

High time Caricom discuss legalising marijuana – PM Gonsalves

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has written to the chair of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) grouping calling for a discussion on the medicinal and other uses of marijuana.

In his letter to Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, who is also the Trinidad and Tobago head of government, Gonsalves said it is high time that Caricom addresses regionally “this matter in a sensible focus not hysterical manner”.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the marijuana plant has a bundle of proven and potentially beneficial uses and while it is true that its use and abuse and the consequential

criminalisation of its cultivation, possession and supply have impacted on the health, welfare and security of the people.

Gonsalves in his letter made a plea for “a reasoned debate” led by Caricom political and civic leadership in the context of the legislation of marijuana.

He said the matter should be explored at the next meeting of the Bureau of Caricom leaders scheduled for Trinidad on September 13.

The letter added that preparatory work can possibly be done so as to place the matter in the agenda of the Caricom Inter-Sessional summit to be held here in February next year. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

CIOG member’s son gunned down – bandits cart off millions during robbery

BY: WHITNEY PERSAUD

Tragedy struck Tuesday evening when gunmen killed the son of a senior executive of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) during a robbery at their Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara home.

The Namdar family had their only son, Vicky Namdar, 27, snatched from them after bandits shot him several times, killing him on the spot. When this newspaper arrived on the scene, family members were in tears and screams were loud in the silent community after the horrific crime.

Officials from the CIOG, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali and other close family members and friends gathered at the family’s residence to offer their comfort.

According to reports, around 19:00h, the Namdar family was going about their business as usual when some six armed masked men entered their home demanding cash and other valuables. Speaking with Guyana Times, father of the deceased Goolzar Namdar, who is the CIOG’s regional vice president on West Coast Demerara recalled what really transpired.

“I was at home after visiting the mosque and my son was in the shop on the other end of the house, I went inside to the washroom and was preparing for the evening prayer I would usually do home when I heard a gunshot outside,” Namdar said. After this, he said he heard a male’s voice outside demanding cash and valuables at which point he realised that the family was under attack. However, despite the horror and wanting to reach to the safety of his wife, he stood still with his grandson nearby.

“Give we everything” Namdar said he heard the bandits telling his wife,

“Give we everything” and she was in tears, but as she promised, she handed over a bag with all the valuables and important documents to them.

“We had another worker sitting there eating with us and I believe it’s about five or six of them scrambled everybody and got them on the ground,” he added.

The still shaken man said that upon collecting their loot, the bandits made good their escape. He said no one tried to call the police at the said moment as everyone was in shock, but he quickly rushed to the shop to check on his son only to find him lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to his throat and blood streaming from different parts of his body.

“I did not realise that he was shot inside the shop because from outside; probably they shot him from outside… everything happened in about five minutes and my wife give them all that they asked for,” the man explained.

He added: “I went to check on my son and I saw him lying there in a corner and I knew he was dead by then, but we still took him to the hospital… I can’t say what kind of gun they shot him with… they took away a bag containing all our valuables, passports and all our important documents,” Namdar related.

Gun butted

The father of the deceased said that his wife was also beaten during the robbery.

“I just heard my grandson screaming for papa, but I couldn’t say anything because if they saw me, they would have killed me too.”

CIOG President Fazil Feroze was also at the scene, and in an invited comment, he told reporters that the killing has left the entire local Muslim community in a state of shock.

“It’s sad to see the devastation of this family, a family that has been good to this community, the Namdar’s are known for their generosity and hospitality and they have served this country at a national level,” Feroze noted.

The CIOG president admitted that crime is escalating in the country, and to this end, he made a call for the Guyana Police Force to continue building on their efforts to combat the scourge.

“We could only call on the GPF to protect the vulnerable in the country… the CIOG sympathises with the family… we could only say that we will be here in this state of loss, and hope that the police will move quickly to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Minister Ali said the Namdar’s family is one of the most loving families that one could find in the region.

“They have been giving service to all religions… they have been helping people all their life and this evening this young boy was killed by the cruel hands of bandits, he was a very loving son, it’s very sad,” the minister said. He said that everything will be done to bring the perpetrators to justice. About 18 months ago, the family opened their grocery shop. The deceased leaves to mourn his wife, two young children and his mother and father.

16-year-old boy charged in shooting death of 11-year-old girl in Jamaica

Detectives from the Major Investigation Task Force (MIT) this morning charged a 16-year-old boy in connection to the shooting death of an 11-year-old girl at Bread Lane, Kingston on Thursday August 1.

Police say that the boy went through a question and answer session with his attorney, after which he was charged with murder. He is booked to appear in court at a later date.

It was reported that about 18:30h Tashanique James of a North Street address and three other

people were standing in a yard when unknown assailants entered the area and opened fire hitting them. They were taken to hospi-

tal where Tashanique was pronounced dead and the other people admitted in stable condition. (Jamaica

New Delhi gang rape suspects found guilty

An Indian court has found four men guilty of raping and killing a 23-year-old student in the capital, New Delhi, last December. Sentences for the men, who face the possibility of death by hanging, are expected to be handed down on Wednesday.

Judge Yogesh Khanna announced on Tuesday: “I convict all of the accused. They have been found guilty of gang rape, unnatural offences, destruction of evidence.. and for committing the murder of the helpless victim.”

At least three of the four men will appeal the guilty verdicts, their lawyers said.

VK Anand, the defence lawyer for one of the men Mukesh Singh, told reporters outside the courtroom:

“My client was simply driving the bus. He confessed fairly that he was driving the bus but he did not know what went on inside.”

A P Singh, the defence lawyer for two ohers, called the convictions “political” and said he would appeal

on behalf of both of them.

“We will now go to the High Court with our appeal,” he told reporters. “This is a political conviction.” The lawyer for the fourth convict, Pawan Gupta, could not be immediately reached for comment.

A fifth defendant was setenced to three years in jail last month as he was found to be only 17 years of age at the time of the crime. Another suspect hanged

himself while in prison.

The parents of the victim, who wept in court as the verdict was announced, have been at the forefront of calls for the defendants to be hanged for their part in the December 16 attack, saying that they could only have closure once the four were executed. “We will not accept anything below the death penalty,” the victim’s father told the AFP news agency. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Russia and western powers head for UN clash over Syrian chemical weapons

Western powers are heading towards a clash with Russia at the United Nations over how to enforce the surrender and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal.

American, British and French diplomats were meeting at the UN in New York on Tuesday night to draw up a resolution that would set deadlines for Bashar alAssad to give up his chemical weapons backed by the threat of force.

However, a major standoff loomed as Russia made clear it would not abandon its Syrian ally. Instead the Russian foreign ministry said Moscow would push for a security council declaration on disarmament, which would have no binding authority and would not allow the use of force against the Assad regime.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, insisted the disarmament process would work “only if the U.S. and those who support it on this issue pledge to renounce the use of force, because it is difficult to make any country –Syria or any other country in the world – unilaterally disarm if there is military

Bombs target

action against it under consideration”.

Russia proposes to work with the Assad regime and the UN secretariat to lay out a “workable, precise and concrete” disarmament plan with a timetable but no chapter seven enforcement mechanism. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Iraqi Shi’ites and Sunnis, at least 20 dead

Bomb attacks targeting both Shi’ite Muslims and Sunnis killed at least 20 people in Iraq on Tuesday, part of a spiral of violence that raised has the specter of a return to the fullblown civil conflict of 2006-07.

In the ethnically mixed province of Diyala, a car bomb targeted Shi’ites in a marketplace in the village of Anbakiya, killing five people in the third such attack of the past two months, police said.

“A white car parked near a barber’s shop inside Anbakiya market exploded. I got shrapnel in my head and my family took me to Baquba hospital,” said 24-year-old college student Ali Kadhim. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack, but Sunni Islamist groups including al Qaeda, which view Shi’ites as nonbelievers, have been regaining momentum in Iraq, galvanised by civil war in neighbouring Syria.

Central

African leader sacks army chief after 100 killed in clashes

The president of Central African Republic dismissed the head of the armed forces on Tuesday after days of fighting with gunmen loyal to ousted leader Francois Bozize that left 100 people dead, a government spokesman said.

Calm returned on Tuesday after fierce clashes between government forces and pro-Bozize fighters in Bossangoa, Bozize’s home region, about 300 km (185 miles) north of the capital Bangui.

The fighting was the latest sign of instability since the Seleka rebel group seized power in March in the landlocked former French colony, plunging the nation of 4.5 million people into chaos and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

President Michel Djotodia, the former leader of Seleka, named General Ferdinand Bombayake as the new head of the armed forces in a series of changes to military top brass, state radio announced.

Bombayake was the head

of security for ex-president Ange Felix Patasse, who was toppled in a 2003 coup by Bozize.

“The change at the head of the army today is linked to the current situation in the country’s north and the president’s desire to bring some corrections in the security sphere,” his spokesman Guy Simplice Kodegue said. Kodegue said an estimated 100 people had been killed in fighting in Bossangoa and nearby Bouca with Bozize’s supporters between Saturday and Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China's eye-gouge case: Boy begins implant surgery

The six-year-old Chinese boy whose eyes were gouged out has begun surgery that will give him prosthetic eye implants. Guo Bin is being treated at a private hospital in Shenzhen by a doctor who has volunteered his services. But the prosthetic eyes, which will look and feel like real ones, will not restore the little boy’s vision. Guo Bin was found with his eyes removed and covered in blood in Fenxi, Shangxi province, on 24 August. Police suspect

his late aunt was responsible. State media have reported that the aunt – whose motive for an attack remains unclear – killed herself six days after the incident by jumping into a well.

Police said they found Guo Bin’s blood on her clothes. The little boy’s parents say they do not know of any reason why she would have attacked their son.

Guo Bin and his family travelled to the southern city of Shenzhen on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for Dr

Dennis Lam told the AgenceFrance Presse news agency that the first operation involved fitting implants similar to artificial eyeballs to give volume to the eye in order to fit an eye shell. Guo Bin will then have a recovery period before the shell, or prosthetic eyes, can be attached. These will be then connected to tissue and muscle for movement.

After that sensory devices that generate electronic signals to help him identify shapes could be fitted. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Another car bomb targeted a Shi’ite tribal leader, who survived while three others were killed, and a blast in Hwaish village, also in Diyala province, claimed three more lives.

Sectarian tensions in Iraq and the wider region have been brought to the boil by the Syrian conflict, which has pitted mainly Sunni rebels against the government of Bashar al-Assad, whose Alawite sect is derived from Shi’ite Islam. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Int Airport

Piarco International Airport is seeking proposals from construction and design companies in Atlanta, to create design guidelines for a transformative airport-city development. The 168-acre North Aviation Business Park is billed as a way to bolster TT’s efforts to be known as the business gateway to Latin

America and the Caribbean.

“We are seeking proposals from organisations or individuals with relevant experience to prepare a ‘building design manual’ for tenants at our Business Park,” said Emmanuel Baah, marketing manager for the Airports Authority of TT. The manual is to help the airport clarify its expectations for ten-

Apple has unveiled two new handsets: the top-end iPhone 5S and a cheaper iPhone 5C at an event in California.

The 5S introduces a fingerprint sensor built into the phone’s main button to identify the user. The 5C comes with a plastic back in a choice of colours.

It marks a change of strategy for Apple which had not launched two distinct types of handset at the same time before. The iPhone is the firm’s most important product in terms of earnings power.

The new fingerprint system can be used to unlock the phone and provide authentication for purchases from Apple’s online marketplace. One analyst suggested the feature would help the handset stand out against its

European carmakers need to close more factories and cut more jobs, executives at the Frankfurt car show said on Tuesday, warning that any recovery in demand was likely to be long and slow as unemployment remained high and bank lending weak.

The bosses of automakers including Volkswagen, PSA Peugeot Citroen, and Ford Europe said on the

ants and ultimately recruit the right kinds of companies. The park is to include a free trade zone, a four-star hotel and conference centre and an airline maintenance repair and overhaul operations centre. It will also have zones designated for warehousing, offices, recreation, retail and entertainment.

(Trinidad Guardian)

5C

Android rivals.

“Touch ID is actually quite an elegant solution to an ever more significant problem: namely, the theft of mobile devices and, perhaps even more critically, the information stored on those devices,” said Windsor Holden from the tech consultancy Juniper Research. (BBC News)

opening day of the biennial event that sales in Europe appeared to be stabilising after five years of decline.

But recovery was not assured and likely to take years with the industry still needing to cut capacity to staunch losses at some manufacturers and ease price pressures on all, they added.

Peugeot, which incurred the wrath of French ministers and workers last

year by scrapping a major factory and 8000 jobs, said it would seek more plant cutbacks from unions. Volkswagen chief Martin Winterkorn said the European industry could do with closing around 10 factories, although he stressed the German carmaker itself did not need to make cuts thanks to strong growth in the United States, China and Russia. (Reuters)

Mauritius moves up by nine places this year to 45th place, becoming the highest ranked country in the region. The country benefits from relatively strong and transparent public institutions (39th), with clear property rights, strong judicial independence, and an efficient government (29th).

Private institutions are rated as highly accountable (14th), with effective auditing and accounting standards and strong investor

protection. The country’s infrastructure is well developed by regional standards (50th), particularly its ports, air transport, and roads.

Furthermore, notable improvements have taken place in the areas of market efficiency. Financial markets have deepened, lifting Mauritius’ rank up to 26th on the back of improved access to different modes of financing and financial services.

This is further reflected in company spending on R&D – which seems to be

increasing, albeit from low levels – thus somewhat enhancing Mauritius’ innovative capacity.

Furthermore, the country boasts an efficient goods market (25th) driven by greater foreign prevalence and more competition. The labour market is relatively flexible (55th), although the country does not deploy its talent efficiently: Mauritius ranks 92nd in its capacity to retain talent, and the share of women in the labour force remains low at 118th.

China’s industrial production rose by more than expected in August, the latest sign that the world’s secondlargest economy may be on the mend. Factory output climbed by 10.4 per cent from a year earlier. Most analysts had forecast a figure closer to 9.9 per cent.

Brazil’s finances are set to deteriorate substantially next year, leaving the government with few options to revive a sputtering economy and raising the threat of a credit downgrade.

The government is likely to miss its key 2014 budget target, the primary surplus, by as much as 50 billion reais (US$22 billion), delivering only about half its goal, estimates by Reuters and private economists show.

Unlike most other countries, Brazil’s most-watched budget goal strips out interest

Other data released on Tuesday showed that retail sales and fixed asset investment also rose during the month. China has been trying to boost its economy after its growth rate slowed for two quarters in a row.

“The better-than-expected figures showed the recovering momentum of China’s

economy is stronger than market expectations,” said Li Huiyong, an economist at Shenyin and Wanguo Securities in Shanghai.

“The three key drivers of China’s economy, including exports, investment and consumption, have shown [an] obvious rebounding trend in August.” (BBC News)

payments on its debt, meaning its overall deficit would widen if the primary surplus dwindles. Such an event could deal a major setback to Latin America’s biggest economy, which won its investmentgrade credit rating in 2008 through a commitment to fiscal responsibility and strong economic growth.

Growth, however, has slowed sharply since 2011, and President Dilma Rousseff has unleashed costly tax breaks and credit subsidies in response. The strategy has not only failed to support the economy, but

also has exacerbated Brazil’s fiscal woes. Meanwhile, with Rousseff expected to enter a hotly contested run for a second term next year, she is unlikely to make major spending cuts because they could anger her fragile political coalition.

A credit downgrade, already priced in by credit default swap markets for midnext year, would put Brazil’s rating just one notch above junk status, making government and corporate borrowing more expensive and further eroding economic growth. (Reuters)

Sales engineers

If you are afraid of forever being stuck in the construction field then you can look forward to finally throwing away your hard hat by working as a sales engineer.

Sales engineers are especially hired to sell technology and equipment to businesses. Unlike typical engineers, working in sales allows you to earn additional commissions apart from your regular salary.

If you have the brains

of CSI’s Grissom but would rather stay in a laboratory instead of working on the field then you can still fulfil your CSI dream by working as a forensic science technician.

Forensic laboratory technicians are responsible for and most concerned with analysing physical evidence instead of collecting any from the crime scenes. Acquiring additional background in legal management is also an advantage beyond simply earning a bachelor’s degree.

If your heart can no longer take the stress of working at a law firm, why not become a corporate attorney instead? Your work as a corporate attorney will primarily be limited to giving legal advice to businesses especially with regards to contracts, patents and IPOs. If you’ve discovered the career path you started isn’t all you hoped, there are lesser known jobs out there that will allow you to put your skills to work in an environment closer to your liking.

(Business Dictionary)

UG accounts in a mess!

– vice chancellor says audit unearths $482M debt, major irregularities

BY: SVETLANA MARSHALL

Major financial irregularities have been unearthed at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus following a financial audit conducted by experts from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In addition to the financial discrepancies, the premier tertiary educational institution has incurred a debt of $482 million. Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi made these disclosures on Tuesday during a press conference at the campus.

Based on the reports submitted from phases one and two of the audit, Dr Opadeyi said the university’s accounting system had collapsed over the years, creating major financial loopholes. Phase three of the audit was completed last Friday. The report is currently being compiled.

Ghost workers

The vice chancellor said the audit has indicated that there is a total lack of system control in the accounting processes at the university. It was explained that in December 2012, there were unpresented cheques totalling $19 million, of which $900, 000 is still dated.

It therefore means that cheques were issued but staffers failed to uplift their

salaries.

“When you are managing a bursary, when you have people not collecting their salaries, within two weeks you must raise and alarm. The alarm could be, do we have ghost workers? Why anybody in the current state of Guyana and UG would not collect their salaries?” he asked.

The audit also found 22 other reconciliation differences totalling $8.2 million in cheques which were drawn during that period August 2012 to December 2012, but were omitted from the general ledger.

A general ledger is a complete record of financial transactions over the life of a company; in this case UG.

Reconciliation

As a result, the information presented on the monthly reconciliation of the general account may not be reliable Dr Opadeyi said, noting that the financial documents bear no evidence of review and approval. “Data can be changed at any time in our accounting system,” he lamented.

It was also pointed out that the Students’ Accounts Management System has major flaws, leaving space for the creation of fictitious figures, noting that there is no audit trail.

“So somebody can just change the student ac-

count and we will not know who changed it, when was it changed, why was it changed. So a student who owes $200, 000, you can go the next day and see you owe zero,” the vice chancellor explained.

He reiterated that the integrity of the university’s accounting system has been weakened due to the lack of effective monthly reconciliation. He said based on the accounting base of the institutions, auditors have recommended that reconciliation should be conducted every day, if not once a week.

In some cases, however, reconciliation was not done in months. As a result, recorded errors or transactions can be very difficult to detect since there is no traceability.

Segregation of duties

But lack of traceability is not the only financial problem; the vice chancellor said UG is faced with a situation where there is limited separation of duties in the accounting system.

“We have a situation where there are instances where the person who is authorising a transaction, is the one recording the transaction and is the one reconciling the transaction. In accounting, we don’t do that, you must have two different persons doing this at least,” Dr Opadeyi explained.

The situation, he said is

the same for the payroll accountant. As a result, it becomes difficult to determine where someone is leaking cash out of the university.

A forensic audit is necessary to pinpoint the culprits if any but this too will be a challenging task, taking into consideration the unreliable financial system.

Additionally, software used to create the receipts is well over 15 years old and needs updating. “In that system, we would have had instances where receipt number can be reused, so you make payments to us and I give you a receipt and I generate another receipt using your receipt number for somebody else.”

UG’s Information Technology (IT) Control System was described as a “total mess” by the vice chan-

cellor, who explained that for many years, accounts use only one password to access the payroll software.

This custom must be changed, he said, noting that the password should be changed once there is a new accountant.

Turning his attention to phase two of the audit which focused on governance over the procurement and account payable processes, the vice chancellor said the auditors found that the university has no functioning tender committee and therefore contradicts with the University of Guyana Tender Regulations.

Contract committee

Also absent from the operations of the university is a contract committee. Currently, the bursary manages all the tenders. This has resulted in contracts being awarded to persons or companies without any justifiable reason; hence, transparency becomes a major problem.

“The risk of this is absence of adequate policy and procedure, absence of this would lead to inconsistency in the performance of the activities... lack of adequate oversight in the selection of the contractors... reduce the bursary ability to ensure transparency in the procurement process... thus creating an environment

conducive to fraud.”

Additionally, the university owes the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), a total of $482 million.

The vice chancellor said that he was prompted to conduct an audit into the financial affairs of the university after he observed vivid financial discrepancies shortly after his arrival. It was based on the findings of the audit which led to the dismissal of the Bursar John Seeram and the Senior Accountant Hazel Bentick.

Recommendations

Nevertheless to correct the situation, Dr Opadeyi said he is currently in discussion with the government of Guyana base on the recommendations given by the auditors.

The recommendations have been divided into two sections; those that require financing and those that require policies.

He said that the university will soon hire a consultant who will formulate and implement the necessary policies. It is the hope of the vice chancellor that once the plan is put forward, it would receive the support of the government.

SUDOKU

Love, romance and adventure should be included on your to-do list. Broaden your outlook, explore new places and indulge in events or activities that you find motivational.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Let your emotions take over when it comes to dealing with a domestic situation. Don’t be stingy with your take on matters. A new source of income encourage you.

Strive for excellence in whatever you pursue. If you get outside your comfort zone, you could learn some valuable information. Question what isn’t working in your life and prepare to make changes. Don’t leave anything to chance. Make moves that are unusual and unexpected, yet shrewd. Using the element of surprise in a competitive situation will give you the advantage.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Get out and get involved today. Meeting with people interested in unusual activities or hobbies will enrich your life. Romance should highlight your day.

(March 21-April 19)

There’s no need to act with undue haste. You have more options than you realise, so take a moment to examine the pros and cons before taking action. Moderation should be a factor in your decision.

(April 20-May 20)

Aggressive action will get the job done but also create opposition. It might be a good idea to work secretively until you have everything in place. It may take longer, but you will avoid discord.

(May 21June 20)

Call in favours and you will get a job done quickly, enabling you to do something enjoyable later on. If you let those who helped you in on the fun, you’ll develop a powerful support network.

A break will do you good and help you rethink your approach to life. Altering your living arrangements will be emotional but ultimately beneficial.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Avoid high-pressure situations today. Appeal to the emotional side of anyone making unreasonable demands. Review your relationships and make adjustments to the connections that are standing in the way of your progress.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Make your home more efficient and compatible with your lifestyle. A change of plans can be used to your advantage, but you must be prepared to roll with the punches.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Use your energy wisely. Take advantage of any chance you get to increase your worth. You can cut corners at home by setting a strict budget.

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PPP/C chides AFC for double standards

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has criticised the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) stance on certain major infrastructural projects, accusing the small party of supporting initiatives that profit individual members and pulling down those that its leaders cannot draw down from.

At a news conference on Monday, the PPP/C said the AFC’s recent release of a draft code of conduct for its leadership is nothing but an attempt to distract from what it has been contending all along. “AFC leaders are using their public portfolio in the opposition to push the agenda of their private business interests.”

This is most glaring in the efforts to sabotage the realisation of the Specialty Hospital by Khemraj Ramjattan and his AFC clique in the National Assembly, as he was employed by the company which lost out on winning the bid to construct the facility, the PPP/C contended.

“Interestingly, it was no other than Mr Nigel Hughes who rushed to the aid of Mr Ramjattan when the PPP/C had raised this very serious issue. Mr Hughes was quoted as saying “There is no rule in the profession that stops Ramjattan, who is a practicing attorney, from plying his trade as a lawyer.”

According to the PPP/C,

for those following the issue, they will recall that similar comments were in turn offered by Ramjattan in defence of Hughes, when his personal relationship with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project was publicised. “You will also know that AFC Member of Parliament, Mrs Kathy Hughes is employed as the public relations consultant for Sithe Global.”

Opportunism

“Therefore, it is easy to see that the longer this national project was dragged out, the more financial resources the company would have had to expend locally, and ironically; it was only when the company announced it would cease all financial interest and withdraw from the project, that there was a rush from the

AFC camp, inclusive of Mrs Hughes, to vote in favour of critical legislation they were opposing all along.”

The PPP/C said it is reminded of the AFC strenuous opposition to the Cheddi Jagan Airport Expansion Project and their vicious attacks against the Chinese construction company contracted to execute the project, only to witness their Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo leading a delegation from the very company in talks with his colleague and Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman.

“Then there is the party’s strenuous effort to attack the Marriott Hotel Project and then it was later publicised that the owner of the Pegasus Hotel was opposed to the project and had joined the AFC and had become one of their financiers.”

The PPP/C said the AFC sabotaging national projects for their personal gain is nothing new and was raised on several occasions, but that party’s leadership has consistently sought to defend itself and justify their actions. “It is only after they were caught red handed on this occasion, that they rushed to admit guilt and the ensuing drama unfolded with best actor Mr Nigel Hughes offering his resignation in an effort to reduce further exposure and criticisms of the leadership.”

UG staffer fired on allegations of sexual harassment

Astaff of the University of Guyana (UG) was sent home following allegations of sexual harassment on the Turkeyen Campus.

The unidentified staff was sent home on Monday, approximately three weeks after the commencement of the new academic year.

Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi said sexual harassment at any level will not be condoned by the university. Currently, the tertiary institution is reviewing its sexual harassment regulations.

Meanwhile, the vice chancellor also mentioned that late submissions of marks continue to affect the operations of the university. To date, there are still outstanding marks; a situation which is causing a domino effect. “It is incomprehensi-

ble. We cannot understand why a lecturer would not be able to mark examine papers within two months.”

Due to the delay, continuing students are unable to register for the new academic year or a new programme.

“We have a situation in the biology programme, the biology grade was delayed and when the results came out, people wanted to go into medicine, good performers could not enter the programme,” he said.

By the time the biology students applied for medicine, many were turned down not because they were poor performers, but the medicine programme had reached its student capacity.

Taking into consideration the situation and the students’ outstanding performance, the vice chancellor

intervened by creating space to facilitate the students.

Salaries continue to be a major problem also. The vice chancellor said special attention will be given to this area, noting that lecturers must be properly compensated. The UG administration is also embarking on a management audit to ensure that it is operating in keeping with the admission regulation and other policies governing the institution.

Quality assurance was also placed top on the agenda for the new academic year.

All programmes would be equipped with a second examiner while year three and four programmes will benefit from an external examiner.

“We are also working very hard to upgrade our facilities,” he said.

Woman in court for allegedly assaulting nephew

On Tuesday, a woman was brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of common assault. It was alleged that on April 30 at Bourda Street, Georgetown, Theresa Brown unlawfully assaulted Rondel King, that was, she threw a

cup of iced tea on him. She pleaded not guilty to the charge as it was read to her.

Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat who represented Brown told the court that his client is 54 years old with three children and resides at 307 Recht door Zee, West Coast Demerara. He further stated that she is a sales clerk and on the day in question, King, her nephew

had an altercation with her and it was his fault the incident occurred.

King told the court that he is going ahead with the matter.

The prosecution did not object to bail and Magistrate Latchman granted it in the sum of $20,000. The matter was transferred to Court 10 for September 20.

Late wickets allow Pakistan a way back

Zimbabwe allowed Pakistan to claw back into the match in the third session of the second Test in Harare after keeping the bowlers at bay for twothirds of the day on Tuesday.

The hosts had survived a treacherous morning session with only the loss of their openers before half-centuries from their senior batsmen, Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor, took them to 165 for 3 at tea. However, five wickets in the final session undermined the earlier good work.

Junaid Khan provided the first of the five breakthroughs when he had Malcolm Waller caught behind soon after tea, but it was Abdur Rehman who made the crucial dismissal when he trapped Taylor lbw while on the sweep. Taylor, who had been dropped at mid-off by Rahat Ali in Rehman’s previous over, was a touch unlucky though as the ball hit him marginally outside the line of off stump. But there wasn’t much resistance from Elton Chigumbura and Richmond Mutumbami, the last of the recognised batsmen, and

Zimbabwe’s innings was caught in the downward spiral. Tinashe Panyangara and Prosper Utseya scored useful runs against the resurgent bowling and sur-

vived long enough to ensure the team will come out to bat on the second morning. The pitch, which was thought to be under-prepared, mostly stayed true on

the first day. The final score could be much less than what seemed possible at one stage, but with the nature of the pitch still unknown, it could be a good first-innings total.

For Zimbabwe though, apart from Masakadza and Taylor, none of the batsmen were able to apply themselves against Pakistan’s tenacious bowling. Masakadza and Taylor had come together at the dismissal of Vusi Sibanda with the score on 31, but added 110 to settle the nerves after initial jitters. The century partnership between the two was a story of two halves: the first dominated by Masakadza and the second by Taylor.

In the initial phase, Masakadza looked to score freely while Taylor soaked up the deliveries. He stayed back against the spinners, but was quick to pounce on anything tossed up, preferring to hit over the infield. One such shot took him to his first half-century against Pakistan. Two overs later, he punched a quicker one to the cover boundary to bring up the fifty of the partnership, with Taylor scoring only 7.

In the next half though, Taylor assumed the role of the aggressor, announc-

ing his intentions with aerial boundaries off Saeed Ajmal and Rehman. The run-rate hovered around 2.5, but when the opportunities came, Taylor made sure he was ready. He reverseswept an Ajmal doosra, then creamed a full delivery from Rahat Ali to the cover boundary. When the partnership reached 100, Taylor had taken over the scoring, with 32 runs in the second fifty. (Cricinfo)

Massa to leave Ferrari as Raikkonen waits in wings

Felipe Massa

Felipe Massa has revealed he will leave Ferrari at the end of the season, amid reports that Kimi Raikkonen is to return to the team.

The Brazilian confirmed the end of his eight-year spell at the Italian outfit on Twitter, saying: “From 2014 I will no longer be driving for Ferrari.” Raikkonen’s deal is said to have been completed on Monday and could be announced imminently.

The Finn, 33, will join Fernando Alonso, world champion in 2005-6.

Massa, who has made 184 starts for Ferrari - winning 11 races - since joining them in 2006 from Sauber, added: “I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together.

“Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining seven races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective.”

Ferrari had been weighing up whether to bring back their 2007 world champion Raikkonen, sign the promising Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg or retain Massa, who has performed inconsistently as Alonso’s team-mate.

The Ferrari team had wanted to replace Massa with someone who would provide more reliable performance, and have for some time considered Raikkonen to be the best candidate. (BBC Sport)

Serena Williams and Nadal threaten Grand Slam record books

Not only are this year’s two US Open champions producing a season which will stand comparison with the very best, but they may also both end their careers with more Grand Slam titles than any other player.

Serena Williams now has 17 and, having won four of those in her thirties, will surely skip past the 18 won by Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert before throwing herself into the challenge of catching Steffi Graf’s Open era record of 22.

Williams turns 32 at the end of the month, but there is no sign that her form or motivation is waning.

Rafael Nadal has 13 to his name, leaving him one behind Pete Sampras and four behind Roger Federer, who is five years his senior.

Even if it is unrealistic to expect him to enjoy five healthy years, Nadal’s ability to bounce back from a chronic knee condition and to master both hard courts and clay suggest Federer’s record may not last as long as he would wish.

But that is a conversation for another day, as it is the records they are compiling this year that deserve greater attention.

Williams’s defeat by Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, and to Sabine Lisicki

in the fourth round of Wimbledon, slightly undermine her record, but she has still won nine titles, including two Grand Slams, and lost only four times all year.

And all this at an age when most elite players are living off their winnings or discovering that opponents do not find them quite so intimidating any more.

After spending virtually her entire life under the guidance of her father Richard, Williams started working with French coach Patrick Mouratoglou after a shock first-round defeat at

last year’s French Open. His words will not make comfortable reading for the top women players in the world.

“She has this rage inside that she can put on the court,” he told me. “It’s so tough for her competitors as she also has this ability to find a solution on court even though she is in trouble. She finds something deep inside to change the momentum. Sometimes when she clicks, she is just able to walk on the opponent - whoever is on the other side of the court.”

Williams has certainly become more consistent

Bach replaces Rogge as IOC president

German Thomas Bach has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee.

The 59-year-old lawyer and former fencing gold medallist replaces 71-yearold Jacques Rogge, who is standing down after 12 years in charge.

Bach was the favourite of the six candidates considered for the post in Buenos Aires.

He begins an eight-year term as president, with the possibility of a second, fouryear, mandate.

“I’d like to thank all my dear friends and colleagues who voted for me,” said Bach, who is the ninth president in the IOC’s 119-year history. “This is an over-

whelming sign of trust and confidence.

“I know of the great responsibility of being IOC president. This makes me humble.

“I want to lead according to my motto: ‘unity in diversity’. This means I will do my very best to balance all the different interests of stakeholders of the Olympic movement.”

Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, congratulated Bach on his election success.

“Thomas is a long-time advocate of the Paralympic movement and we look forward to working with him to further develop our relationship in the coming years,” he said.

Also in the running were Singapore’s Ng Ser Miang, Wu Ching Kuo of Taiwan, Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico, Ukrainian athletics legend Sergey Bubka and Swiss Denis Oswald.

Boxing chief Wu was eliminated after the first round, leaving five contenders in the final round of voting.

Bach gained 49 votes ahead of Carrion (29), Ng (6), Oswald (5) and Bubka (4).

Prior to the vote, Bach said his first priority if elected would be to ensure the smooth delivery of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, which have been subject to delays, budget overruns and concerns over the warm weather. (BBC Sport)

since starting work with Mouratoglou. She has won 14 of the 19 tournaments she has contested since last June, and the trophy cabinet constructed - at Williams’s insistence - in his Parisian academy may soon be too small for the task.

She is also winning a frightening number of sets 6-0, and when matches threaten to spiral out of control - like in the US Open final, when Victoria Azarenka fought back from a double break down in the second set to force a decider - Williams seems to have the ability to

calm herself down and regain the initiative, often by walking at a funereal pace from one side of the court to the other.

As for Nadal, this year may well come to be considered as the most impressive year in the history of men’s tennis.

Seven months into his comeback after a sevenmonth lay-off to rest a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee, he has won 10 titles, including two Grand Slams, and been beaten only three times.

He has won 60 match-

es and, although John McEnroe’s Open era record of 82 wins and three defeats in 1984 will almost certainly remain just out of reach, Nadal is performing in the aftermath of an injury which he thought might end his career.

McEnroe himself is hugely impressed. “His will to win - I have never seen anything like it,” he told BBC Sport. “I think if he stays healthy he can easily win four or five more [Grand Slams] - no doubt about it.

“Let’s hope that he stays healthy because it would be great for our sport, and somebody’s going to have to step up.”

Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and London’s World Tour Finals remain on Nadal’s schedule, and he could yet win another Davis Cup with Spain. But even if fatigue catches up with him, he will almost certainly end the year as world number one, and nothing should diminish his extraordinary achievement.

Titles have been won in Sao Paulo, Acapulco, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Montreal, Cincinnati and now New York. Only three men have beaten him, so perhaps the next column should pay tribute to Novak Djokovic, Steve Darcis and Horacio Zeballos. (BBC Sport)

Motie-Kanhai, Chanderpaul, Hetmyer in Windies U-19 squad to face Bangladesh

– seven-match series slated for Guyana in October

St John’s, ANTIGUA

– The West Indies Cricket Board announced on Tuesday the West Indies Under-19 squad to face Bangladesh Under-19 in a sevenmatch One-Day Series, to be played in Guyana in October.

Leading run scorer in the recently concluded Regional Under-19 Tournament, Trinidadian Jeremy Solozano and chief wicket-taker Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai are the leading names in the 17-man squad. Also in the squad is Grenadian and Windward Island pacer Preston McSween who took the most wickets in the 50over version of the regional tournament.

The squad consists of six players from Jamaica who won the Regional Under 19 titles this year, claiming both the 3 Day and 50 Over trophies.

The regional junior side will take on the Bangladeshis at three venues – the Guyana National Stadium, Bourda and Everest.

West Indies Under 19 Squad: Fabian Allen (Jamaica), Jofra Archer (Barbados), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, (Guyana), Bryan Charles (Trinidad & Tobago), Tristan Coleman (Jamaica), Taryck Gabriel (Windward Islands, St Lucia), Shimron Hetmyre (Guyana), Jerome Jones (Barbados), Ray Jordan (Windward Islands, St

Full

Vincent), Alzarri Joseph (Leeward Islands, Antigua), Brandon King (Jamaica), Ramaal Lewis (Jamaica), Leroy Lug (Jamaica), Preston McSween (Windward Islands, Grenada), Marquino Mindley (Jamaica), Gudakesh MotiKanhai (Guyana), Jeremy Solozano (Trinidad & Tobago)

Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran was not considered for selection as he will be with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team participating in the Champions League. Should he become available following the Champions League he will join the West Indies Under 19 squad. (WICB)

schedule Sat, Oct 5 – Warm-up – Bangladesh U19 v Guyana U19 – Bourda (09am) Mon, Oct 7 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – GNS (day/night – 1:30pm) Wed, Oct 9 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Bourda (9am) Fri, Oct 11 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – GNS (day/night – 1:30pm) Mon, Oct 14 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Everest (9am) Wed, Oct 16 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – GNS (day/night – 1:30pm) Sat, Oct 19 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Bourda (9am) Mon, Oct 21 – Windies U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Everest (9am)

Camptown FC launch inaugural Stag Beer football tourney

The Camptown Football Club, under the Stag Beer brand, launched their inaugural Troy Cooke Memorial Knockout football tournament on Monday at a press conference at ANSA McAl’s headquarters, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

The tournament, scheduled to kick off on September 13 from 18:00h at the Camptown ground, Tucville, will feature eight of Georgetown’s top teams. Fruta Conquerors, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Santos Football Club, Pele Football Club, Western Tigers Football Club, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club, Alpha United and host Camptown

FC will be competing for the top purse of $500,000; second place will receive $200,000 and third, $100,000.

Founder of the Camptown club Rudy Bishop explained the importance of the tournament:

“Camptown is a community organisation so I am happy with this. Camptown at one time was one of the top clubs in most sports and I’m here trying to bring that back.

“The reason for naming it the Troy Cooke Memorial tournament was because Troy at the time was one of the top players after receiving his visa stayed back and played for Camptown, helping us to capture one of the first Kashif and Shanghai tournaments, along with the

elusive Demico League Cup.

But after he migrated shortly after that he died within a matter of months from a heart ailment he did not know about.”

Stag Beer brand manager, John Maikoo, said the company was pleased to be onboard with the tournament especially since it was working with the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), exclusively for the first time.

“This is the first time we will be working the GFA and we are pleased to be onboard with this tournament and the Stag brand will be looking for a clean and fair competition,” Maikoo noted.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of ANSA McAl

Darshanie Yusuf noted that due to the organisers that the company has been able to be a major part of sport development in the country.

“We have been sponsoring a lot of tournaments lately and the reason for this is because these persons have been coming to us with these great proposals and it is because of this we are one of the leading organisations in sports development,” Yusuf sated.

Meanwhile, on the opening night of the tournament Fruta Conquerors will face off against Georgetown Football Club (GFC) from 18:00h while Santos FC will challenge Pele FC from 20:00h.

Green defeats Fitzgerald in Open Singles

Sherwyn Green turned in a brilliant performance to defeat national champion Sudesh Fitzgerald and win the Open Singles on Friday last

when the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) hosted its Men’s League at the Malteenoes Sports Club. Green also teamed up with Nicholas Seetaram to win the Luck of the Draw Doubles after scoring four legs. The other pairs were Fitzgerald and Francis Correira and Delon Correira and Anthony Bissoondyal. In the Open Singles, Green played well to prevail over Fitzgerald in the match-breaker.

Under the format, six men were required to play 10 legs, two against each player. Green and Fitzgerald came out on top with nine legs each, each losing a leg to the other. The other players tried to keep up, but only

Seetaram managed to score close to these high shooters. Seetaram won four legs, two against Bisoondyal and another two against D.

Correia. Green and Fitzgerald had to be separated via a best-of-three series, which the former won 2-1.

The second leg of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) is set for October 17 – 21 in Suriname, hosting four sporting disciplines. Athletes will compete in track and field, swimming, basketball and volleyball.

According to the president of the Athletics Association of Guyana Aubrey Hutson, plans are in place for the association to host their IGG trials on September 14 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) is expected to stay with the same team from last year. Guyana Times

Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan have been picked to represent India A in two four-day games against West Indies A later this month.

Gambhir and Zaheer were dropped from the Test side late last year, and Sehwag last played a Test in March. All three were ignored for subsequent A squads, but this call-upcoming just before the start of a fresh season - will give them hope for a national comeback. Also back in the fold was the 32-year-old Mohammad Kaif, who last played a Test in 2006.

These matches clash with the Champions League T20, which could have played a part in some or all of these selections. Missing from the India A four-day side that toured South Africa last month are M Vijay, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Shikhar Dhawan and Wriddhiman Saha, who will all be playing in the Champions League T20.

Sport has confirmed that GASA will be using the results from last year’s IGG trials to select the 2013 team.

The male IGG basketball team, which was selected from this year’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), has already begun their training camp and should be fit come IGG to possibly win the championship. The volleyball team practice sessions are underway for the event and should improve on their performance from last year. The date for the final submission of teams by the National Sports Commission (NSC) is September 16.

IGG set for October 17-21 in Suriname Sehwag, Gambhir, Zaheer to play West Indies A

Khan

Zaheer and Yuvraj have spent the time outside international cricket working on their fitness in France. Not picked for the A sides, Gambhir represented Essex in county cricket.

India A squad for the first four-day game: Cheteshwar Pujara (capt), Jiwanjot Singh, KL Rahul, Manpreet Juneja, Rajat Paliwal, Harshad Khadiwale, Parvez Rasool, Bhargav Bhatt, Ishwar Pandey, Mohammed Shami, Ashok Dinda, Rohit Motwani (wk), Dhawal Kulkarni, Paras Dogra India A squad for the second and third four-day games: Cheteshwar Pujara (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sheldon Jackson, Abhishek Nayar, Paras Dogra, Uday Kaul (wk), Parvez Rasool, Bhargav Bhatt, Dhawal Kulkarni, Zaheer Khan, Ishwar Pandey, Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Kaif (Cricinfo)

Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped for the Champions Trophy and the tri-series in the West Indies, was chosen to lead the one-day side against West Indies A, and also India Blue in the Challenger Trophy, the domestic season opener. Irfan Pathan was picked to lead India Red. Delhi are the third side in the tournament by the virtue of being defending Ranji Trophy oneday champions, and are expected to pick their team and coach soon.

GCB will not make official statement on Lynch resignation

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has decided against making an official statement following the resignation of the board’s territorial developmental officer Monty Lynch last month.

This was disclosed by president of the GCB Drubahadur on Tuesday, when this publication enquired about the issue.

Drubahadur explained that the local governing body will not be going public, saying any employee has the right to resign at any time and for any reason.

“I don’t think that the GCB should go public whenever an employee resigns from the board. Each employee has the right to resign at any time and for any reason,” the GCB president declared.

Lynch also continued to remain tightlipped on why he tendered his resignation on April 18, but questioned why the GCB is choosing to remain mum on the issue.

Lynch, however, seems determined to go public on the issue, and said he will do so once he confers with his attorney.

Lynch replaced former West Indies fast bowler Reon King, whose tenure was cut short following the installation of the government-established Interim Management Committee in December 2011. King was the Cricket Development Officer (CDO).

When Lynch was drafted he was tasked with changing the fortunes of Guyana’s cricket, although there had been sporadic success at all levels.

His job description entailed the establishment of a secondary school cricket programme, supervising the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/GCB/Digicel

Grassroots and Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programmes and revamping the GCB coaching and cricket development programmes.

Lynch, a Guyanese by birth, migrated to England as a child and played three One-Day Internationals for England against the West Indies in 1998. A natural hard-hitting batsman and occasional off-spinner and a fine slip fielder, Lynch played one season for Guyana in the 1982-83 Shell Shield four-day competition.

He also played for the West Indies on the rebel tour of South Africa the following season. Lynch also played in the county championship for

Surrey between 1977 and 1994 and Gloucestershire from 1995 to 1998.

After retiring from First Class cricket he continued to play club cricket in Surrey and started his own sport equipment company, MAL Skills.

He was also the cricket coach at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford and Southern Rocks cricket team in Zimbabwe.

Lynch, who was appointed head coach of the Georgetown Cricket Club last September, is a Level Three English trained coach.

The GCB is expected to appoint a new territorial developmental officer soon.

Courts onboard for GTA junior tennis tournament

With the aim of aiding youth development, furniture and appliance giant Courts (Guyana) Inc. has partnered with the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) to stage a junior tennis tournament that serves off this weekend.

The company has injected $265,000 into the tournament, which will serve off on Friday and end on September 29 at the Non Pariel courts. An official opening ceremony will be held on Friday, after which the players will swing into action.

Public Relations Officer of Courts (Guyana) Inc., Kester Abrams said the company is pleased to partner with the GTA in its quest to promote tennis at the “grassroots level.”

Abrams said Courts has quietly contributed to the development of tennis at various levels, but feels the time is now ripe to venture into a tournament of its own.

Vice-president of the GTA, Grace McCalman, pointed out that it is a special moment for the associa-

tion, since it is currently intensifying its focus on youth tennis.

She added that the sponsorship has come at an opportune time, as currently Guyana’s junior tennis players are starting to hold their own in the Caribbean. McCalman made reference to young Afruica Gentle, who has won three Caribbean titles this year, as a shining example of the progress the GTA has made through its youth programme.

Courts Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings said the entity will continue to support sport, and in particular tennis, especially at the youth level, which he believes is the base of development across all disciplines.

Cummings added that his wish is to see a homegrown Guyanese player compete at one of the Grand Slams, noting that the process must start now with the Courts junior tennis tournament.

The players will be competing for trophies and matches will be held on weekends only.