Guyana Times Daily

EBD NDC gets tractor to boost garbage collection

Residents of several communities along the East Bank of Demerara will now benefit from better garbage collection with the provision of a new tractor to the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

The $5.2 million Massey Ferguson tractor, which was on Thursday handed over to the NDC, was obtained through a collaborative effort between the NDC and the Local Government Ministry. The vehicle was purchased with a subvention from the Ministry and money acquired by the NDC.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker, after hand-

ing over the keys to the representatives of the Diamond/ Herstelling NDC, explained that the NDC has been one of the most proactive in Region Four.

“They have been working to gather resources and they have been working to use these resources to bring service to the people, these include in the areas of drainage, solid waste collection, and so on,” Minister Whittaker noted. The tractor, he said, will boost the latter efforts.

NDC Chairman Peter Abai expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for its intervention and pledged his continuous cooperation towards the development of the community for the benefits of the residents.

$6.5M raised so far in Beharry/

Habitat housing drive

The Beharry Build partnership between Edward B Beharry and Company (EBB) and Habitat for Humanity Guyana (Habitat Guyana), which was launched last year, has since realised approximately $6.52 million to support the provision of affordable housing for extremely vulnerable Guyanese families.

To date one home for a single mother of three and two sanitation blocks, one for a disabled person and the other for a terminally-ill beneficiary, have been constructed. Plans are currently underway to finalise construction of two additional homes, Habitat said in a release. The official handing over of funds to Habitat Guyana was made at the company’s Training Facility in Charlotte Street, Georgetown on March 6. Beharry Build is a 12-month partnership that will help families with no or limited access to commercial mortgages receive single-family homes.

Recipient families are not required to reimburse the cost of their homes; however, they are required to volunteer during the construction of their homes. This partnership is a joint pilot initiative with provisions for extension that will enable more families to realise their dreams of homeownership and break the cycle of poverty. This partnership is a social marketing initiative. For each Chico, Champion and Indi branded product sold, Habitat Guyana receives one Guyana dollar. The monies raised will contribute to Habitat’s efforts to alleviate poverty housing through construction of homes and community development initiatives inclusive of youth empowerment

programmes, disaster risk reduction and response training, and the like.

Corporate responsibility

The EBB/Habitat Guyana relationship is one characterised by corporate responsibility in an atmosphere of collaboration to further the prospect of Guyanese families realising the joy of home ownership and improved livelihoods.

The company has been in operation since 1937. Starting from humble beginnings, it is now one of the largest food manufacturing and distribution companies in the Caribbean. The organisation has an extensive range of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certified products including spices, noodles, confectionery, baking products, and pasta. The company’s distribution area includes Suriname, Trinidad and most of the Caribbean, and also extends to North America.

Habitat for Humanity Guyana Inc began its work in 1994 following an invitation from then President Dr Cheddi Jagan. It was officially registered in Guyana in 1995. Since then, the organisation has supported more than 3000 families within the country’s 10 administrative regions, through partnership with affiliates, home partners, volunteers, and sponsors to build simple, decent and affordable housing for low-income earners. Also, the organisation has undertaken home repairs, rehabilitation works, and assisted in accessing secure tenure.

With a new programme direction, added focus will be placed on community development, disaster risk reduction, and social action and awareness. Via resource centres, the organisation seeks to make a stronger impact on communities through training, mobilisation, and planning of various community-driven projects.

GHRA blanks Rodney inquiry invite – claims ToRs aimed at reviving racial strife

Akey human rights group here has turned down an invitation to testify at the inquiry into the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, claiming that at a time of much speculation over general and regional elections, the proposed Commission of Inquiry (CoI) could be read as the worst form of electioneering.

President Donald Ramotar recently swore in the three-member Commission headed by Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham.

He will serve alongside Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, and Guyanese-Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam.

In a statement to the media on Thursday, the GHRA said in response to the invitation to contribute to the inquiry into the death of Dr Rodney, and after studying the Terms of Reference (ToRs), it wrote the Administrator of the CoI indicating its unwillingness to associate itself with the work of the Commission.

Ethnic division

“The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is of the view that the proposed Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Dr Walter Rodney has greater potential for reviving rather than healing ethnic division in Guyana.

Should this indeed be the outcome, it would be a travesty of Dr Rodney’s major contribution to Guyana,” the rights body said.

Moreover, the GHRA said the failure to consult the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rodney’s party, on what may be perceived as opportunistic ToRs, rob the initiative of credibility.

Numerous calls have been made over the past three decades for a CoI into the death of Dr Rodney.

The closest this long-demanded Commission came to realisation previously was in 1995 when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) government invited a team appointed by the International Commission of Jurists to assess the evidence available for holding such an inquiry.

The idea of the Commission floundered on the inability to go forward with extradition proceedings of the main suspect Gregory Smith (now deceased) from Cayenne, French Guyana, because Guyana could not assure France that the death penalty would not be invoked against him.

Further, efforts to mount an inquiry generated much acrimony and were resisted by the government, the most persistent being in 2008 following a much-publicised picket of the government by Dr Rodney’s son, Shaka Rodney.

Absolute pardon

The GHRA said the rationale for the proposed Commission is puzzling. "While its ToRs numbers (i) to (iii) suggest it is a criminal investigation, the last paragraph specifically rules out any criminal charges resulting from it. The CoI states that all persons who may be found guilty of any kind of act related to Dr Rodney’s death are to be granted an "absolute pardon," the statement said.

The rights body said the alternative rationale is that the CoI is intended to strengthen a process of ethnic healing between the major races in Guyana.

However, “this possibili-

ty is ruled out by number (iv) of the ToRs, which is provocative. That clause requires the CoI to investigate the extent to which the many quasi-political military organisations existing in Guyana at the time of Rodney’s death, were tasked with surveillance against the ‘political opposition’, rather than against the WPA”.

In this respect, the GHRA charged the clause provides an opportunity for inserting the ruling PPP/C into events in which it was marginal at the time and for generating a stream of horror stories from that era into the work of the Commission, with rich potential for stirring up Indo-Guyanese resentment against the People's National Congress (PNC).

Earlier this week, WPA leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said although the Alliance was never informed or invited to the appointment of the commissioners, its members still found it necessary to review the ToRs.

“I believe most of the people around the table were seeing the terms of reference for the first time. The terms of reference were published in the Official Gazette, but not made widely public,” Dr Roopnaraine told Guyana Times

While he declined to disclose what exactly was discussed at a Monday meeting of the WPA executives, he noted that all concerns raised will be communicated to President Ramotar.

Among the issues reviewed was that of persons being granted absolute pardons in respect of, or incidental to all acts or things done, including offences committed in connection to the death of Dr Rodney.

Dr Roopnaraine said the current procedures planned for the inquiry are far from what the WPA had in mind when the motion was passed in the National Assembly in 2005.

In that motion, he said, the WPA was able to craft compromises and amendments to ensure it received the unanimous support of the National Assembly.

Appointment

Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has questioned the appointment of Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam as a commissioner.

The party said that in 2012, after the parliamentary majority in the National Assembly reduced the Budget, Jairam was retained by the PPP/C Administration to represent the government in the case that was brought against the Leader of the Opposition, retired Brigadier David Granger and Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman.

“Given the very sensitive political nature of this Commission, the Partnership would have hoped that the PPP/C Administration would have selected commissioners that are politically neutral, and individuals with no links to the PPP/C Government so as to at least give the perception of impartiality.”

Dr Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980 while sitting in his car on John Street outside the Georgetown Prison. His brother and other WPA activists at the time had accused Smith of giving Rodney a walkie-talkie to test against the metal fence of the jail. A bomb had been planted in the communications device.

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 Jagans

As is now becoming a new tradition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is celebrating the lives of their founders – Dr Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet Jagan. Dr Jagan was born and died in March while Mrs Jagan also died in that month.

March, as the harbinger of Spring, when life bursts anew, is aptly symbolic of the role these two individuals played in bringing the hopes and aspirations of so many of the people of this country into life.

The facts of their lives are two well known to be rehearsed here; it is the significance of their achievements that must be stressed, since there is a concerted movement afoot, to whitewash their roles out of our history, under the rubric of “historical revisionism”.

It is said that “cometh the hour, cometh the leader” and so it was with the young Jagans. Arriving from the U.S. in 1943, they found a Guyana that fermenting under the pressures induced by the Great Depression that had segued into WWII. They returned without significant material wealth but with a wealth of knowledge that has served the country in its times of need.

They knew after WWII was over, the franchise would have to be given to the previously excluded masses in the fields and factories. The older politicians also knew this: even though not publicly released, it was common knowledge that the “Moyne” Royal Commission had recommended universal suffrage. But those politicians had been so habituated into catering to the previously enfranchised middle class that they did not have the wherewithal to widen their appeal and reach.

It was the Jagans’ historical role that they were posed of both ideological and methodological postulates to analyse the society and to suggest changes that were necessary to move it forward to join the comity of nations they saw emerging out of the war. It is to their credit that they attempted to work with the existing groupings but soon saw that the latter could conceive of only “reforming” the existing imperialist system, and not of changing it, root and branch. With youthful enthusiasm they struck out on their own.

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) was launched in 1946 as a seemingly innocuous “discussion group” at the public library but it was anything but that due to the topics they introduced for discussion and, more importantly, for the Marxist ideological tools they introduced to interpret the issues. The previous year, the Jagan’s had attended the Caribbean Labour Congress that was held in Georgetown, which most of the radical labour leaders of the region attended.

The Jagan’s realised that the travails of the working class of Guyana were not unique but were merely symptomatic of the underlying structural conditions precipitated by a colonial government executing the programme of a plantocracy unwilling to change. The PAC then was able to analyse the challenges facing the colony in a more holistic fashion than the older ethnic-based organisations that were inevitably blinkered because of the trenches they occupied.

Dr Jagan’s role in contesting, and winning a seat to the Legislature in the 1947 general elections, in which the franchise was enlarged but still restricted, was seminal but so was the role of Mrs Jagan in launching a women’s group along with the other two members of the “3 J’s” – Jessie Burnham and Jane-Phillips Gay.

Prior to this, women were expected to be like children – seen and not heard, even though they had to labour equally in the fields and factories. Key to Dr Jagan’s success in entering the Legislature, where he launched an unprecedented struggle for the working class, were the efforts of many youthful radicals who had been fired by the discussions within the PAC.

The PPP/C’s launch in 1950, with the announcement of imminent universal franchise, in this fashion had already been laid. The rest, as they say, is history.

Awareness lacking on the part of UG

Dear Editor,

The event came and went as though it never occurred. I am talking here about the University of Guyana (UG) Annual Career/Open Day Fair. It had a good theme: “Honouring the past, moulding the present, and transforming the future”.

However, the whole thing was trivialised and not well promoted, and as expected, the consequence was that it was not well supported.

If our UG is to be true to the fact that it is the premiere academic body in this land, then certain things must follow. The event is annual and so it should really be built up. The organisers

should have utilised skills and experience from its publicity department. They could have joined with communication students and gone to the various media outlets and apprised the public of what was in store. I saw neither banners nor posters on our roads or sea wall. I am very disappointed with what transpired.

I remind readers that the university was founded some 50 years ago, having as its major goal the preparation of the best and brightest minds among our people. The big cry in today’s world is the lack in human resources.

In this regard, I want to know why no one is screening potential students and advising them on areas of studies. It is always so predictable that we turn out so many people from the areas of social science, namely social work and sociology. How about gearing more people for science, mathematics, literature and language studies and careers? We do have great demands in these areas.

Right now a lot of sprucing up is done and this means money. I do emphasise here that a good building and upto-date facility are not what universities are about. Yes, the physical infrastructure

should be there, but it is the variety and quality of the student body that will ultimately matter.

I am hoping to be informed more about UG – a regular publication, spaces in the print media and special programmes on television and radio. These kinds of things will tell me that we are making progress and are an excited group of people. They will also whet the appetite of the high school students across Guyana.

Sincerely, UG student Name withheld by request

The City Council’s 2014 budget

Dear Editor,

A quick glance around the city of Georgetown for which Mayor Hamilton Green and the City Council have responsibility could only lead us to deduce that they have no plans for improving the conditions under which the citizen of Georgetown live. In such cases, the budget is merely an exercise of adhocracy.

Our government recognised this laxity on the part of the City Council many years ago. That is why, notwithstanding the fact that the existing legislation allows the council to prepare and approve its own annual estimates, government has sought through the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry to ensure that annual budget estimate of the council emanates out of a process of consultation with residents.

Government also wants

to ensure that this focuses inter alia on providing core services, such as proper drainage, efficient solid waste management, vending in markets and market tarmac under good sanitary conditions, and removal of thick vegetation, ensuring that the incidents of breeches of building codes are addressed.

In addition, we have sought to work with the council to get the body to address the inadequacies and inefficiencies highlighted in the Keith Burrows’s report. These include issues of transparency of procurement, accountability, debt collection and management.

Quiet recently, more so since the appointment of Town Clerk Carol Sooba, the council has sought to distance itself from this transparent arrangement that is aimed at assisting the council to do what

is right for the citizens of Georgetown and by extension Guyana.

I wish to highlight several of the inadequacies which the ministry has discerned from a close examination of the council’s 2014 budget proposals.

The council in its 2014 budget proposal plans to expend $2.302 billion dollars out of anticipated revenue inflow of $2.505 billion revenue. In other words, the council plans to spend almost 250 million dollars more than what it plans to receive.

There is no explanation as to how the council will finance this deficit. The ministry, after carefully examining the budget, has noticed that employment cost and employment overheads stand at 56 per cent of total anticipated inflow, and a mere 28 per cent of this inflow is set aside for capital works.

Overtime continues to be high in the budget and the budgeted staff strength, which in the Ministry’s 2013 review was already high, increased by four per cent for 2014. That means the council plans to add more numbers to the already underutilised staff. Provisions are also made in the budget for increases for the council’s stipend and allowances, as well as gratuity for a poor performing council. This is unheard of. In short, the council plans to spend almost 70 per cent of rates and taxes for 2014 on themselves and staff, with a current liability of $1.3 billion dollars, including debts to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Sincerely, Public Relations Unit PPP/C

African History Month a resounding success at ACDA

Dear Editor,

This February, the Akwaaba Centre of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) was the hive of cultural and economic activity for the celebration of African History Month. Three main activities attracted hundreds of schoolchildren, young adults and senior citizens to the centre.

The first and busiest activity was the brainchild of Violet Jean-Baptise, Aisha Jean-Baptiste, Clementine Marshall and Shamane Headley. It was ACDA’s first month long cultural exhibition.

Entitled “Sankofa”, 21 schools and seven groups from Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo visited the exhibition. They were all treated to an emotional and educational experience, comprising a lecture, guided tour, video and storytelling. Individuals ranging in ages from six to 72 attended the event. Photographs, sculptures, artefacts, books, cloth and wooden carvings were on display.

The Museum of African Heritage provided the Guyanese history context by providing pictures and banners from slavery and the 1763 Slave Rebellion. This included a very detailed miniature sculpture of the 1763 Monument by the late icon Philip Moore. In two months, ACDA will repeat this month long exhibition format, under the theme, “Africans in Science”.

The second event for African History Month was a very successful youth entrepreneurship conference, entitled “Creating and Sustaining Generational Wealth”.

Eighty young adults from the Pan African Organisation (Guyana branch), the African Cultural and Educational Association of Essequibo (ACEA), Youth Vision of Linden, the Festival City Youth Organisation, the Sea View Cultural Group of West Berbice, ACDA, the University of Guyana (UG) and the general public were in attendance.

This one-day event, which was created to honour the 100th Anniversary of the establishment by Marcus Garvey of the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the 175th Anniversary of the Village Movement (Victoria in November 1839), was supported by Ambassador Robert Kopecky of the European Union (EU), who spoke on programmes available to Guyanese from the EU.

Other speakers included Audrey Gomes of the Small Business Bureau of the Trade and Tourism Ministry, Kevin Bonnett of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Hubert Forrester of the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Craig of the Partners of the

Americas, K Chattergoon of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), and Michelle Hennery of the Guyana Youth Business Trust.

ACDA would like to acknowledge Terrence Campbell (CAMEX Inc), Derrick Cummings (SBB), Glenyss Adams-James (Commonwealth Youth Secretariat), Dr James Rose (Director of Culture), Robert Persaud (Natural Resources Minister), Violet Jean-Baptiste (ACDA) and Nigel Johnson (Nigel’s Supermarket) for their financial assistance for this endeavour. This will be an annual event every African History Month.

The third major activity in ACDA for African History Month was the visiting of schools to assist them in their own activities. ACDA visited the Berbice Multilateral School in New Amsterdam and participated in the very colourful North Georgetown Secondary School sixth annual Culture Day.

Apart from this, ACDA visited the St John’s Golden Jubilee Club, comprising seniors at their request, and later hosted them at the Akwaaba Centre for a lecture tour. These 16 women are all above 65 years of age and meet every Wednesday to keep each other’s company in well-structured activities.

Yours truly, Eric Phillips

India’s massive elections

Dear Editor, India goes to the polls from April 9 in what is described as the largest and lengthiest democratic practice in the world. Over 814 million voters are eligible to cast ballots, an increase of 100 million voters since the election of 2009. All balloting will be done on computers.

The exercise will span some 36 days from the first date of balloting through nine separate dates or phases of voting to allow for different parts of the country to vote. Security and workers have to be transported to the various locations to oversee voting. There will be over 200,000 workers at 930,000 polling stations. Some 1,878,306 electronic ballot units will be used to cast ballots.

Among the new features in this general election would be the introduction of the “None Of The Above” (NOTA) option in the electronic voting machines, and the adoption of a voter verifiable paper audit trail system in some constituencies. In other words, voters don’t have to put an “X” next to the name of a candidate but can vote NOTA if they are not pleased with the choices.

In 2009, computers were used to cast ballots but there were no audits to determine if fraud was committed. Many people believe there was fraud in the

election as they did not expect the Congress to win a second term. Thus, the Elections Commission has decided to allow a paper trail to deter attempts at fraud.

This election casts the ruling Congress against the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as head of two separate alliances. There are also a number of regional cast-based and language based parties. The BJP governed India between 1998 and 2004, while Congress governed with an alliance over the last 10 years. This election will see corruption and ill-governance as major issues, along with livelihood and safety concerns.

Opinion polls put the BJP ahead and the Congress with a dismal showing. The Congress, with many of the allies pulling in different directions, is seeking to disassociate itself from it, and some of the Ministers have been caught in corruption scandals. The Congress is seen as very weak and ineffectual and opinion polls show the Congress with virtually no chance at re-election.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. He has been polling the most support among the candidates for Prime Minister. He is seeking to turn the election into a

vote for a strong, able government that does not waver in decision-making. But he is facing a strong challenge from a new entrant, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that stunned the nation with almost winning a majority in Delhi legislative assembly elections last December.

The AAP is led by Arvind Kejriwal, a former tax collector, who has been attracting a large following and could upset electoral outcomes in several key constituencies. He is an indefatigable fighter against corruption. He has threatened to contest against Modi in the holy city of Varanasi.

There is also a group of parties that have decided to come together presenting themselves as a third alternative to the Congress and BJP. They may do well in their own states where they are popular. The electorate is polarised and fragmented and anything could play. Campaigning is expected to be stiff. There are likely to be a lot of surprises in this coming election.

Held simultaneously with the general elections to the parliament are legislative elections to several states. People are expected to vote along traditional lines in the state elections.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

Page Foundation

Strategies to build trust with your child

Love does not come easy and its main foundations are trust and security. If these two exist in a parent-child relationship, it will be easier to deal with more difficult situations. Trust, safety and love are interlinked and nurturing these three things is essential to a happy family life and a happy childhood for your children. Here are seven strategies to build trust with your child.

Strategy number one –

Practise what you preach

Building trust with your child is similar to leadership. If the leader does the right thing, the people he or she is leading will follow. If you tell your child to eat vegetables and you do not eat them yourself, then you are sending the wrong message. Build the bond between you and your child by practising what you preach.

Strategy number two

– Learn to listen

Most adults do not develop good listening skills when talking to their own children. This is wrong. You should always listen to what your child has to say for you to gain his trust. Do not use

judgemental statements or come to the discussion with your own agenda. By knowing that you are listening, your child will feel more comfortable talking to you more openly about his life.

Strategy number three – Telling the truth

Telling your child the truth from the very beginning will result in a strong bond and of course, trust, comes along with it. As much as possible, deal with your child or children on an honest level; for example, if he or she asks if an injection from the doctor will hurt – tell the truth in the most age-appropriate way.

Strategy number four –Promises should not be broken Do not make promises to your children if you cannot keep them. This can be quite a challenge as situations may change. However, try and make an effort as breaking promises could be devastating to your relationship with your child. If you say you are going to watch a soccer game in the weekend, make sure you will do just that because if you don’t, the next time you promise something, they will doubt if you

are really serious about it. If it seems that you might not be able to keep your promise, tell your child in advance and explain why.

Strategy number five – Threats

If your child did something wrong and you threaten him that he won’t have TV for a week – make sure you can implement what you say. This is not a case of martial law; it is just a case of sticking to your word. Amazingly, this builds trust with your child.

Strategy number six –Appreciation of honesty

Make it clear to your children that you appreciate it when they are hon-

est. This will build a very trusting relationship between you and your child. Aside from that, you will be helping your child in becoming a person of integrity. As the saying goes – say what you mean and mean what you say.

Strategy number seven – Consistency

If you are spouting house rules be sure that you implement them. Make your children understand your expectations as well. It should be as clear as day. Make sure that you do not constantly change the rules so that your children will have no doubts about you at all. (wahm.com)

What to do when you catch your child stealing

The aim of responsible parents is to provide proper guidance to their children with the hope that they grow to be honest and sensible adults. As children grow there will be inevitable challenges for parents and there will be inescapable instances when a child will lie to you or even steal from you, their friends, or total strangers. Of course, stealing habits should be discouraged at younger ages, so that honesty becomes internalised. The challenge for parents is knowing what steps to take so that honesty is internalised.

Let your feelings settle first

Overreacting to your child’s actions causes more harm than good. Parents who are caught up with their emotions tend to spank their children hard until the irritation has subsided. It is important that you wait for your emotions to settle before facing your child. This way, you will be able to solve the problem in a calm and sane way. If there is a need for physical punishment, make it quick and light as possible. Remember that you are not there to judge but to stand as a guide.

Help the children understand that they have made a mistake

Children should understand that you are disappointed with their actions. They should understand that you are mad about what they have done but do not love them any less. Let them realise that stealing is bad. Talk to them while looking straight in their eyes (in a room without any distractions). Studies show that young children do not have the same abilities to reason as adolescents and teens; this means they often see things as all or nothing. This is why parents must reinforce the idea that the child is still loved but the action was bad; otherwise children will feel that they are bad and unlovable.

Let the child realise the consequences

After instilling that they have made a mistake, let them understand that stealing has a consequence. Tell them that stealing hurts other people’s feelings and also destroys their relationships with other people. When they steal from their siblings or their parents, they end up losing the family’s trust. When they steal from their friend, they put their friendship in danger. When children realise that stealing has a punishment, they will watch their actions.

Let the child return the stolen item

When you catch your children stealing, make them return the item that they have stolen to the rightful owner. If there is a need to accompany your children to the owners, do it. Returning a stolen item acts as a lesson for them and teaches humility. Your presence is also needed sometimes to act as a referee when difficult scenarios happen.

Do not put harsh labels on the children

Never attempt to speak harsh words or labels to your children. Never tell them that you would disown them because of what they have done. Avoid making them feel that they put shame on the family. Bad language is unnecessary and abusive. Remember that in this situation, you hate your child’s action not the child. The actions you need to implement when you catch your child stealing are not easy; they instead require wisdom and strength. The act of discipline is hurtful to parents but it is necessary to ensure that our children live to be good citizens. (wahm.com)

One dead, several hurt in Highway smash-up

Afirst-year theology student attached to the Hararuni Full Gospel Church met his demise early Thursday afternoon while three others were injured after the steering end of the vehicle they were in malfunctioned, resulting in a head-on collision with a truck that was proceeding in the opposite direction.

The dead man was later identified as Clifton Aaron Parks of Mahdia, Region Eight and those injured are Fabian William of Wakapao, Pomeroon River; Akelema (only name given) of Corentyne, Berbice and Seechand Singh of Mahdia, Region Eight.

The injured young people are all said to be in their mid-20s and were all admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Williams, according to hospital sources, was unresponsive to treatment.

According to information

received, at least seven students from the Full Gospel Church on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway were on their way to Sisters Village to attend a crusade when the accident occurred.

Swaying

Guyana Times understands that while descending the first hill/Hill Foot of the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, the steering end of the Tapir reportedly gave out, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which almost immediately veered into the path of a Bounty Farm Limited truck.

As a result of the impact, most of the students received injuries and were quickly transported to the East Bank Regional Hospital (Diamond Diagnostic Centre) where Parks, the driver, was pronounced dead on arrival at the medical facility. The three others were treated and transferred to the

Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention.

An eyewitness told the Guyana Times that the truck laden with baby chicks was on its way to Yarrowkabra to offload the poultry, when in the vicinity of Hill Foot, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, he saw the Tapir, which was swaying on the road as it came down the hill.

The truck driver, who is being questioned by the police, said he could not have done anything to avert the collision, since it happened within a “flash”.

He said after the collision, Parks, who appeared to have sustained the most injuries, had to be pulled from the wreckage. The other occupants of the vehicle, he added, were bleeding but, from all indications, were conscious. At least three of them escaped with minor scratches and bruises.

Chaos

It was chaos at the East Bank Regional Hospital when this newspaper visited the facility. The nurses were scampering for documents and medical supplies as the injured were being placed in ambulances to be transferred to Georgetown. The medical facility was assisted by the Guyana Defence Force in the form of an ambulance to transport the injured.

Relatives and church members rushed to the medial facility where they comforted each other. One person told media operatives that he was passing on the highway when he saw the wreckage about 14:00h. He and other persons assisted the injured out of the vehicle and took them to the East Bank Regional Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that the students have been living in the Hararuni Dormitory for more than a year and would normally attend various church functions. Parks, who was said to be the son of a pastor, was reportedly involved in an accident some time back resulting in several persons being hospitalised.

Foulis truck driver turns self in for teen’s death

The driver of the truck who allegedly on Wednesday drove over the head of runaway teenager Andre (only name given) in 20th Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara turned himself in to police on Thursday.

The man was accompanied by his lawyer. He is presently in police custody assisting with the investigation. Charges are expected to be laid as soon as today, immediately after a post-mortem examination is performed on the teen’s body.

The 14-year-old lad, commonly called Andy, was found on Wednesday morn-

ing in a pool of blood along 20th Street, suspected to have been run over by a vehicle. The teenager, former-

ly of 726 Foulis, had been living on the streets since earlier in the year.

The teenager, who lost his mother when he was just two years old, lived with an aunt in 19th Street Foulis, but left after he was scolded about his behaviour. The lad was found in front of a house where a Bobcat was parked overnight.

It is suspected that the teenager might have been sleeping under the vehicle when it drove off, crushing his head in the process. One woman was taken into police custody, but was subsequently released. Police are continuing their investigation.

GNBS staff arrested after allegedly being caught with bribe money

Three staff members of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) were taken into custody on Thursday by law enforcement ranks after they were allegedly caught red-handed with 150 marked $1000 notes during a sting operation.

Guyana Times was told that the staff accepted the money as a bribe to give clearance to a fuel tanker to

transport fuel into the interior. According to information, senior staff and police attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) planned the operation along with the driver of the tanker.

This was done after several complaints were made by the public about corrupt practices at the GNBS office. This publication was reliably informed that after

the businessman handed over the money to the three men, he contacted GNBS senior staff and the police.

The trio reportedly went back to the GNBS office located at the National Exhibition Site, Sophia, Georgetown, where they were confronted by the police. The money, according to sources, had already been divided among the three.

Four arrested during foiled robbery

The quick response of members of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday might thwarted an armed robbery on the Rubis Service Station, Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, resulting in four men being taken into police custody.

Police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker, in a statement,

said that about 10:30h on Thursday, police received information that a total of four men were seen in a parked motor car and on a motorcycle in the vicinity the Rubis Gas Station at Mc Doom.

Whittaker said police responded to the report, and upon their arrival at the gas station, the motor vehicles

with the men sped away, but ranks gave chase and apprehended the men.

During a search of the car and the men, an unlicensed 9mm pistol, with six matching rounds was uncovered. Both the motorcycle and the car have been impounded. Police are continuing their investigations.

GWI driver charged for causing death by dangerous driving

Shawn Ravindra Ramai, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) driver accused of killing a food vendor in a hit-and-run-accident, was on Thursday placed on $2.09 million bail.

Ramai appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failure to stop after an accident, failure to render assistance to a victim, and failure to report the accident to a police station.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, February 26, on Mandela Avenue, Ramai was driving company motor

vehicle PRR 2923 when he struck down cyclist Claude McPherson.

Ramai, 27, a father of three, pleaded not guilty to all four charges and stated through his Attorney Jones Goddett that four weeks prior to the accident, he had reported problems with the brakes of the vehicle to the company which were ignored.

Attorney Goddett added that on the night of the accident, it was raining heavily and the lighting on the road was bad, and as such, his client did not see Mc Pherson until he had been hit.

He noted that on the

charge of failure to stop and failure to render assistance, Ramai did stop but was attacked by the crowd that had gathered at the scene. In fear for life, Ramai ran to the vehicle and drove away.

With regard to why the matter was not reported, Goddett stated that his client was in a state of shock and confusion, and could not act in a rational manner.

Noting that his client has never been convicted of any offence, Goddett requested reasonable bail, adding that Ramai was attacked while in the lock-up by a fellow inmate and is fearful for his life.

Suspect in $3.8M Perseverance burglary remanded to prison

Keyon Davis, from Croal Street, Georgetown, was remanded to prison for a Perseverance, Essequibo Coast burglary when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Thursday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. Davis was not required to plead to the indictable charge of burglary; however, when Prosecutor Krishna Datt Ramana applied the Administration of Justice Act (AJA), he was required to plead. His plea of not guilty was subsequently changed

after his explanation was heard.

Police alleged on March 5, Davis broke into the dwelling place of Gordon Williams of Perseverance Village and stole jewellery, cash and a cellphone worth a total value of $3.8 million.

The police report revealed Davis entered the home in the evening hours and stole $530,000 cash, one BlackBerry Curve phone valued $40,000; four gold bangles valued $91,200; one band valued $400,000; nine gold chains valued $1.6 million; one necklace valued

$350,000, 18 rings valued $690,000; three toe rings valued $ 24,000; and three pairs of earrings valued $80,000.

Most of the stolen jewellery, the cellphone and $13,900 in cash were recovered by the police.

Prosecutor Ramana objected to bail, stating that the offence is a severe one. The Prosecutor also told the court the defendant has three matters pending in court. Davis was not represented by an attorney.

The matter was adjourned to April 3 for statements.

Prosecutor J Ricknauth did not object to bail, but stated that Ramai should be required to lodge his passport at the East La Penitence Police Station and report to the station at 09:00h every Friday morning.

Ramai was subsequently placed on bail in the sum of $2 million for causing death by dangerous driving, $30,000 for failure to stop, $30,000 for failure to report the accident and $30,000 for failure to render assistance.

He is expected to make his next court appearance on March 27 at 09:00h for statements.

Sisters Village resident accused of marijuana possession

Marijuana possession accused Marvin James was remanded to prison until March 24 when he appeared before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of possession of marijuana.

James is alleged to have had on March 5, in his possession 122 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The 26-year-old man, who resides at 55 Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, was nabbed in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market after officers on foot patrol observed him acting in a suspicious manner.

He was subsequently approached and searched during which the substance was found in a green and white lunch bowl in his backpack.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail on the grounds of prevalence, seriousness, and no special reason being given by the defendant. The accused was not required to plead to the charge and had no legal representation.

Man charged for threatening girlfriend

Aman charged with using threatening language towards his girlfriend appeared before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on Tuesday, March 4, while in the vicinity of David Street, Kitty, Winston McBean, a 23-yearold labourer of 65 Public Road, Kitty had a disagreement with his girlfriend, Melissa Endow.

During the argument, he reportedly made use of threatening language. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Defence Counsel Paul Fung-A-Fat requested that his client be placed on a bond to keep the peace and afforded reasonable bail, since the virtual complainant did not wish to testify or pursue the matter.

Magistrate ChandanEdmond subsequently ordered the defendant to keep the peace and placed him on $15,000 bail.

Eyew tness House slave…

...at MuckrakerKN

One hundred and seventy six years after the abolition of slavery here, the practice still continues – in some places. And we don’t have to get into any kind of theoretical reasoning and all that jazz – we just have to look at the relationship of the publisher of the MuckrakerKN – Mook Lall – and his editor, Adam Harris. How else can you describe them than “master and house slave”??

That’s right – house slave. Not the field slaves who looked out for themselves and took every opportunity to get back at the massa for messing with him. The house slave, as Malcolm X reminded us, was so taken by working close to the master, actually came to believe he and the master’s interests were one. The master would have a fever or something and the house slave would be moaning, “We sick, massa? We sick.”

He was sick all right: sick in the head. Just like Harris. Look at what’s been happening with our house slave. Harris alluded in his “Dem Boys Seh” column that he flew up to New York to defend his master at the Muckraker’s libel trial. But Harris was in “economy class seat” just behind the toilets. The smell is worse than in the old slave quarters at the MuckrakerKN. But Harris would know that when his master flies up to New York, he always flies first class. On the sweat of slaves like Harris and others who’re forced to regurgitate the line, “We be sick just like you, Boss Man”. “Boss Man” is what modern house slaves call their masters. But Harris’ slave condition was exposed rather pathetically in how he carried on about food in the plane. It’s clear Mook Lall doesn’t pay Harris enough to buy food. Like the old house slaves, he probably eats the scraps from the master’s table. Harris’ reputation as a vacuum cleaner when food is around is legendary. You just have to attend any of the Christmas parties the Mook throws – “Crop over” fetes the masters used to hold for the old time slaves. So in his seat in the plane, Harris badgered the stewardesses the entire trip for food. Nuts, chips, drinks, his neighbour's discarded yogurt, whatever, the man gobbled down.

...in New York

The plane landed in New York where it was cold as ass. The master hadn’t even bothered to give Harris a coat. He had to take his sorry, shivering behind to his sister’s apartment where he got a squeeze. All in service of the “Boss Man” who was throwing back in balmy Guyana in the mansion at Nandy Park, built on the sweat of Harris and his ilk.

Funny thing though, the next day when the Muckraker’s NY representative gave his deposition, he confessed he was just a peon. Didn’t write news, didn’t read news or didn’t understand news published in the Muckraker. The person responsible was the Mook’s house slave, whom he admitted edited all the news in Guyana and which was just reprinted in New York.

So the NEW GPC’s lawyer, rather than waste his time with the NY nonentity, requested the deposition from the house slave responsible for content – Adam Harris. Harris, however, couldn’t be produced.

He was finally getting a full meal – courtesy of his sister.

...in Guyana

So Harris is back in Guyana and still in harness for his master. As we saw in Django Unchained, there are some slaves who’re willing to go down with the master when it all comes crashing down.

Govt hands over contracts for upgrade of UG science labs

The science and technology faculties at the University of Guyana (UG) will be further strengthened, as Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Thursday handed over two signed contracts to Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi for the execution of plans under the University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP).

The contracts handed over at UG’s Education Lecture Theatre are for the coordination and supervision of curriculum reform and the design and supervision of civil works.

The University of the West Indies Consulting Inc was awarded the contract in excess of US$499,000 to coordinate and supervise the reform of 15 Bachelor’s Degree programmes in the science and technology faculty.

Hydea, in association with RPA Rossiprodi and Sub-consultant CEMCO, was awarded the civil works component at a cost of US$368,014 for the design and supervision of the rehabilitation of 14 laboratories.

Minister Manickchand highlighted the importance of development, while noting that the improvement of a country’s human resources promotes equality and allows countries generally to improve.

Manickchand stated that tertiary and higher education institutions play a large role in the lives of nations. She added that for Guyana to develop rapidly and to improve the human condition, government must ensure that the University is ready and prepared, in order to produce graduates who can contribute to that development the country so desperately seeks.

“These projects will accelerate the pace at which we develop and prepare

our students and enhance that preparation process… we in the government are sure that the University is well poised to play its role in national, human and social development, and we are sure too that every partner must play its part,” Minister Manickchand said.

Manickchand noted that it was important to construct buildings, but it was also essential that the lecturers perform at maximum capacity, and students avail themselves of the various opportunities provided.

This project is a manifestation of government’s commitment to ensure that the University produces graduates that will be competitive in Guyana and across the world. “It’s one thing to tell you that we commit and we would like to see and not match that commitment with the financial commitment needed… here is a manifestation of the government’s tangible commitment to the University and Guyana as a whole,” she further stressed.

Project implementation

Vice Chancellor Opadeyi said he was delighted to witness the transformation of the University into a leading campus, not only in the region, but across the world. The UGSTSP is based on a US$10 million credit from the World Bank to the Government of Guyana, and is being executed by the Ministry, in collaboration with UG. Some work commenced earlier in the year.

Professor Opadeyi explained that implementation of the project is moving apace, and soon contracts will be awarded to persons who are conducting research, and based on the quantity of the research, the University will be ready from the future.

The project is aimed at strengthening the four

Hit-and-run accident

Deceased food vendor's relatives picket GWI

Family members of hitand-run victim Claude “Chippy” McPherson picketed the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) on Thursday afternoon, saying that the company has shown no concern for them ever since a driver of the entity caused the death of the man.

One week after his gruesome death, McPherson’s relatives staged a peaceful protest outside the company’s Vlissengen Road head office, registering their disappointment with the water company.

A call was also made for justice to be rightly served, since the accused, an employee of the water company, was released on $2.09 million bail when he appeared in court on Thursday.

science and technology faculties: Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences, Technology, and the School of Earth and Environmental Science to better prepare graduates for jobs in low-carbon industries and build sustainable capacity to operate the University and plan for its future growth.

Other areas to be focused on are improving the quality of science education through curriculum reform, support for research in lowcarbon development areas, improved physical infrastructure, and capacity building, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

“We are here because, since my husband died, nobody from GWI ever came, called, or sympathised with us during our time of grief, never. All I need is for GWI to come and sit down with me and my lawyer and try to work things out,”

McPherson’s widow Marisha McPherson said.

The woman, along with the couple’s three young children, and a few other relatives picketed the office.

McPherson said she worked alongside her husband for as long as she can remember, pointing out that she was unsure how she will be able to take care of their young children.

“I have three small children who are still at school. My sole breadwinner is gone, what am I gonna do now?” she asked, eyes filled with tears.

The man’s niece, Sarah Chase also expressed dissatisfaction with the utility company.

“I just want to know why is it GWI never faced the fact and be responsible for what happened. Even if this man worked for six months or six weeks, you must still show interest... no matter what they could still come to front and do something, even if it’s a

wreath they could bring and sympathise with us, is not a dog”, she said.

Last Wednesday evening, 45-year-old McPherson, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was standing on the road shoulder with his bicycle, waiting to cross the road when a grey Frontier, reportedly driven at a fast pace, hit him. The father of six, who had been selling vegetarian food on Mandela Avenue for more than 30 years, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.

It was reported that the driver, after hitting McPherson, failed to stop and render assistance.

However, relatives, the morning after the accident, conducted their own investigations, which led them to believe that a GWI vehicle had struck the man.

Several family members then approached the police and the water company.

48 Sophia schoolchildren found idling during visit by welfare officers

Some 48 school aged chil-

dren of Sophia were found idling at home during a recent visit by welfare officers to the area.

The visit was carried out on February 28 by the Education Ministry Schools Welfare Department in collaboration with the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, and the Guyana Police Force.

Within a few hours and a thorough walk around the E Field area, the teams found 48

children who were not in school. During visits to the homes of some of the children, parents, and guardians were told about their responsibility to ensure that their children receive an education.

It was noted that more males were absent and there seemed to be a significant number of secondary school-aged children who were either at home or playing with friends at the time officers visited the area. This is the first of many campaigns slated for 2014 as the Ministry intends to

intensify efforts to reduce nonattendance. The Ministry will continue to collaborate with all the relevant stakeholders and endeavours to have monthly truancy campaigns.

Persons who wish to report occurrences where children are not attending school regularly can do so by calling the Ministry’s hotline numbers 223-7891, 623-0550 or 6234010. You may also make contact with the Schools Welfare Department on telephone number 226-7062.

APNU welcomes increase in number of judges

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) has welcomed the President’s decision to increase the number of Puisne Judges to 20, in order to expedite trials and cut back on the backlog of criminal and civil cases.

In a statement, APNU said it continues to advocate for a strong and independent Judiciary. It noted that in June 2012, it tabled a motion calling on the National Assembly to ensure that the Judiciary receives its funding directly from the Consolidated Fund. Under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003, the Supreme Court is a Budget Agency under the Schedule of Estimates in the budget. “By making it a Budget Agency, the PPP/C Administration has made the Judiciary subordinate to the Legislature and the Executive,” APNU said.

According to the co-

alition, the Principal Act (FMAA-2003) is contrary to the separation of powers and infringes on Articles 222 and 228 of the Constitution of Guyana. “APNU, therefore, calls on President Donald Ramotar (if he is serious about strengthening the Judiciary), to do all that is necessary to ensure that the Fiscal Management

and Accountability (Amendment) Bills 2012 and 2013, which were passed by a majority in the National Assembly are retabled and assented to.”

APNU also called on President Ramotar to do all that is necessary to expedite the process that will have the following bills re-tabled, and given presidential assent – the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2013 and the Former President’s Benefits Amendments Bill 2012.

Executive commitment

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall last month announced that President Ramotar has issued the Puisne Judges (maximum number) Order 2014, increasing the number of Puisne Judges to 20. The Attorney General, in a release, had said that the order was issued on February 3 and was made pursuant to Section Three

of the High Court Act, Chapter 3:02. It was duly published on February 8, in the Official Gazette.

According to Nandlall, the decision to increase the complement of Puisne Judges was made after due consultation with the Judiciary. It is yet another demonstration of the Executive’s commitment to adequately resourcing the Judiciary and supporting its institutional strengthening in order to ensure that in the end, justice is delivered to our people efficiently, competently and with dispatch.

He said it is the administration’s hope that this new measure will assist in bringing much-needed alacrity to the rate at which cases are heard and determined in the judicial system. From all indications, it appears that the current complement of Puisne Judges is wholly inadequate to meet the volume of litigation engaging the justice system.

At a special sitting of the Caribbean Court of Justice in Guyana on February 19, in her farewell presentation, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Desiree Bernard echoed a call for an increased complement of Puisne Judges.

No body ain’t deh to pullice de pullice

De pullice pull a man in Essequibo before de court fuh assaultin another pullice. That’s how pullice does pick up fuh pullice. Now de man is a rice farmer who does wuk hard, unlike nuff pullicemen and pullicewomen who don’t do nutten fuh de whole day, fuh de whole week, fuh de whole month, fuh de whole year.

That is why some a dem promotions in de pullice farce does tek so long. And nuff a dem pullice does end up actin fuh a long time in whah ever position dem get, especially dem top cops. By de time dem get confirm, is time fuh dem retire. Is simply because de pullice does be actin like dem wukkin. De only time pullice don’t be actin is when dem tekkin a bribe. That is fuh real.

Whether de man in Essequibo was right or wrang, de court gon decide that. But de problem is wid de pullice. De pullice does call fuh dem mattie pullice to back dem up, but de ordinary man in de street ain’t got no body to call fuh back up. If de man in de street call any body, it gon gotta be de pullice too.

But as old people seh, that is like puttin cat to watch milk. Or rat to watch cheese. Or Mook Lall to watch de U.S. border. Or Adumb to watch food or write de truth. Or de Mayor-fuh-Life to fetch away de thrash from GT de garbage town. De pullice gon definitely need more pullice to pullice de pullice.

Is no wonder some a dem pullice believe dem can do any ting, anywhere, any how, to any body at anytime. But dem reporters who de pullice harass ain’t tekkin it so. De top cop gon have to come down and explain whah really goin on in de pullice farce!

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! That is de only way de top cop gon be able to prove that at least he not a farce within de whole pullice farce.

Guyana to fight UWI’s snub of law students

Guyana has vowed to fight the decision by the University of the West Indies (UWI) to not automatically place 25 University of Guyana (UG) Bachelor of Law (LLB) students at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall told the Government Information Agency (GINA) last week that the administration will spare no effort in resolving the recent decision by UWI Council for Legal Education.

He said as part of an agreement between UWI’s Council for Legal Education and UG, every year, 25 automatic placements were offered by the Council for Legal Education to UG for entry into its Hugh Wooding Law School.

The Council, however, recently took the decision that UG’s 2014 batch will not be guaranteed any place at the institution.

Minister Nandlall, who met with UG’s Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi, at his office on Wednesday concerning the issue, said since the decision taken by the Council in February in Barbados, government has, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry,

made several interventions including writing to Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and requesting his intervention.

Matter of priority

He said government also sought to engage the heads of government to address the issue and they have agreed that the matter will be addressed at the next heads meeting, which is scheduled to take place this weekend.

“Government considers this as a matter of priority because it puts in jeopardy the life and welfare of a number of students who would be completing the LLB programme at the University of Guyana in the

year 2014, and as well, it jeopardises the entire law programme at the university and it jeopardises the future of students who are already in the programme and those students who are desirous of entering the programme,” Minister Nandlall said.

He noted that government is always committed to ensuring its people, especially its young people, have access to education as it sees education as a vital tool to combat poverty and to advance citizens’ development.

“Therefore, government will spare no effort in ensuring that this impasse is revolved in a manner that is beneficial to our students at the university,” he said.

Meanwhile, Professor Opadeyi said he was pleased that government had chosen to intervene in the matter, and that action on the matter has been speedy, with it being tabled this weekend.

“Our students are not just Guyanese; we have students from outside of Guyana who come and study with us, so our interest here is to fight for the rights of our students so that they can become professionals. If we deny them the opportunity to have professional education, we will not able to move on as a country,” he said.

More than 40 names submitted for PPC

Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill said more than 40 persons and organisations have applied to sit on the highly-anticipated Public Procurement Commission.

He said those names are currently with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and will be perused at its next sitting.

Edghill, who was at the time answering questions from media operatives at a recent press conference, contended that it was the government who brought the Procurement Act to Parliament and subsequently passed it.

He said the Alliance For Change (AFC) is not respon-

sible for the government making steps towards establishing the Commission.

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan had previously stated that the party submitted the names of Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram and former Auditor General Anand Goolsaran as prospective commissioners.

Ramjattan, who has been lobbying for the establishment of the Commission, noted that as a result of the PPC not being established, Guyana has been losing out on millions of dollars each month.

According to another AFC member, Cathy Hughes, the non-establishment of the PPC is preventing the National Assembly from

moving forward with other matters of national concern.

According to Hughes, AFC’s concern has always been the high level of corruption, principally on contracts being issued.

The executive member of the AFC questioned the absence of the Commission, noting that the government has the final say in the awarding of contracts to those who would have submitted a bid.

Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Clinton Urling had said that the absence of the PPC is one of 20 barriers to Guyana’s competitiveness. Urling had said that wellbuilt public procurement rules meant more taxpayer monies would be saved.

Local drivers urged to shun used tyres

Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM) and Pirelli, one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturing companies, are encouraging local motorists to use new tyres as used tyres can pose serious dangers to road users.

AINLIM Auto Component Manager Arlene Ramessar said the local company is working closely with Pirelli to offer new durable tyres at very affordable prices so that motorists will be encouraged to buy them.

“AINLIM became a distributor of Pirelli recently and we are encouraged by the response of motorists and farmers so far to this brand. We are hopeful that

motorists think seriously about their safety and safer tyres mean safer roads,” she added.

Pirelli’s Regional Representative Angelo Giuseppe Ceara, who recently visited Guyana to conduct a workshop for employees of AINLIM, also highlighted the importance of having new tyres on vehicles and the attendant safety motorists will experience during his presentation to employees of the local company.

Ceara said Pirelli – the fifth largest tyre manufacturer based on revenue –is currently focused on developing high-quality and high-technology products and services with low environmental impact. Among

its popular products are farm, passenger and truck tyres.

Pirelli, founded in 1872, is present in more than 162 countries throughout the world and has entered the Guyana market to deliver the same highquality and high- technology products and services with low environmental impact to all Guyanese.

“This effort is championed by AINLIM, who is already known for quality products and we support, fully, all safety and low-impact environmental initiatives. Together, AINLIM & Pirelli are doing our part to promote safe driving in Guyana!” Ramessar declared.

Essequibians remember Dr Jagan at wreathlaying ceremony

Former President of Guyana and Founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Cheddi Jagan was remembered at a special wreathlaying ceremony held at a play park named after him at Anna Regina.

The wreath-laying ceremony was organised by the PPP in commemoration of Dr Jagan’s death anniversary. Jagan passed away 17 years ago on March 6. The programme featured poems, songs, and lectures that traced the life of the politician.

Giving the feature address was Minister within the Agriculture Ministry and PPP Central Committee Executive Member, Alli

Baksh. During his reflection, Baksh said Dr Jagan was a teacher, father, and a politician who had every Guyanese at heart. He said Jagan made a vow to liberate Guyana ensuring that the nation secured a future and that democracy prevails.

Legacy

Baksh said Jagan’s legacy is a rich one and everyone should follow in his footsteps.

“Dr Jagan is the man that restored democracy in Guyana, what Jagan has worked to achieve for Guyana let’s preserve, let’s work to continue his principles, let’s continue to move the party forward, let Jagan legacy live on,” Baksh said.

He added that the late

PPP leader was an ordinary man who made tremendous changes in Guyana. He explained that in 1953, the PPP won the election; however, the party did not get to execute its rights to govern. “He stood the test of time when he was placed in jail for defending the rights of the people,” Baksh noted in reflection on the strength of Dr Jagan’s convictions. He added that Dr Jagan in the fight for independence committed himself to struggling for Guyana to be free and democratic.

Vision

Another PPP stalwart and Historian Isahack Basir hailed Dr Jagan as a man with a vision that transformed Guyana. Basir noted that 58 plantations were on the Essequibo Coast in reflecting that the conditions labourers worked under were cruel and inhumane. He said under those inhumane circumstances, Dr Jagan fought for recognition of the people. Basir stressed that persons should appreciate the vision, spirit, and history of Dr Cheddi Jagan and practise his teachings. He stated that Jagan founded a profound party not for recognition but for the betterment for all Guyanese.

Wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument by Baksh, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, PPP/C MP Cornel Damon, Progressive Youth Organisation official Parmesh Persaud, Women's Progressive Organisation representative Juliet Coonjah, as well as representatives of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and Guyana Rice Producers’ Association.

As part of the activities to mark the death anniversary of Dr Jagan, a floodlight cricket competition will be held on the Walton Hall Sports Ground on Saturday from 15:00h. Several teams have already indicated their interest to participate in the competition.

NOC Director gets training in juvenile justice

Local United States embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt recently met with Devanand Ramdatt upon his return from Washington after participating in the prestigious embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange.

Ramdatt participated in an IVLP exchange on “Children in the U.S. Justice System”, from January 27 to February 14. Ramdatt, who is Assistant Director for the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme within the Culture, Youth, and Sport Ministry and directly oversees the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), shared his IVLP experiences with the Chargé d’Affaires.

He highlighted some insights he acquired with regard to protection and rehabilitation of youth, and discussed how he intended to apply the knowledge gained from his experience, to benefit his organisation and more

particularly, at-risk youth within the NOC. He also pledged to undertake work towards strengthening interagency collaboration regarding juvenile justice in Guyana.

Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene participated in a similar programme in January 2013.

During his exchange programme, Ramdatt and his global counterparts examined international cooperation to combat trafficking in children and child exploitation, including the Hague Convention on international child abduction.

Participants were introduced to the U.S. judicial system with special emphasis on the legal structures in place to protect children.

They also gained exposure to the juvenile justice system in the United States and had the opportunity to compare best practices in treatment and rehabilitation tailored to the needs of juvenile offenders and their fam-

ilies. This exchange programme was specifically designed for judges, attorneys, social workers, and non-governmental leaders advocating for children’s issues.

Chargé d’Affaires Hunt encouraged Director Ramdatt to build on the many professional linkages made with U.S. institutions and other IVLP participants from countries throughout the world to strengthen his work.

Hunt reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s commitment to work with the Guyanese Government on issues that are of mutual interest to both countries and contribute to the improved well-being of Guyana’s most valuable resources – its people, through capacity building and institutional strengthening.

The International Visitor Leadership Programme is the flagship professional exchange programme of the U.S. Department of State, which annually brings to America approximately 5000 foreign nationals from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience America firsthand.

The visitors are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, the arts, business, and other fields.

Among the thousands of distinguished individuals who have participated in the IVLP since its inception almost seven decades ago are more than 290 current and former chiefs of state and heads of government; 2000 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished leaders from the public and private sectors.

Crabwood Creek residents slam Fire Service

Residents at Grant 1651, Lot 65 Crabwood Creek are still agitated about the alleged late response of the Guyana Fire Service to the recent fire there, which completely razed the homes of two sisters who reside overseas.

Guyana Times understands that Dropadi Baichu, 81, a pensioner living in the United States and her sister, Chandrawattie Ramlakhan,

71, the grandmother of Satesh Lilman who was residing in her home, lost everything in the blaze, which occurred at approximately 17:30h on Monday. The blaze is suspected to be electrical in origin.

Lilman, 32, along with his wife and two daughters, are still contemplating their next move; they lost everything.

According to information received, the fire reportedly

began in a room of the upper flat of the house situated at Grant 1651, Lot 65 Crabwood Creek that was occupied by the Lilman family.

However, Lilman only became aware of the inferno when a neighbour who saw smoke billowing from the upper flat of the building sounded the alarm. According to reports, the man could not save anything due to the intensity of the heat.

The house located at Lot 66 was occupied by Baichu’s son Rajkumar Lokhai, 56. Dropadi, a pensioner who is currently visiting Guyana, witnessed the destruction of her home.

Rajkumar is also a U.S. citizen, currently residing in Guyana. Like Lilman, he is a farmer. He was not at home when the fire started and was unable to save anything.

All clothing, important documents, photographs and other family valuables, which included farming equipment, were destroyed by the fire.

According to relatives living overseas, the tragic loss of these homes cannot be quantified. All family members are distraught and saddened. All the victims are currently staying with family and neighbours.

GRA says online payment system coming soon

Corporate and financial commercial institutions are on board with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the anticipated rollout of its online tax payment system this month, the tax body said in a release.

The GRA is currently engaging key stakeholders, even as some agreements have been signed to ensure the necessary tests are carried out before the system is launched. The initiative seeks to bring to the public a more convenient and faster payment option as the GRA moves to optimise the use of technology in its provision of services, allowing tax payments to be done via the Internet or telephone from the comfort of one’s home, office or other suitable locations.

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

ed at Camp Street. “I think this is a great breakthrough. Therefore, to be able to offer this service through the Internet… we should be seeing a reduction in the number of persons visiting our office,” Sattaur said.

Three Parks Initiative progressing

Early last year, Sattaur met representatives of all local commercial banks for talks on the online tax payment system. He was accompanied by representatives of the GRA Information Technology (IT) Department. During that engagement, the commercial banks had agreed to work along with GRA’s IT Department to have a tax payment feature added to the banks’ websites so that taxes can be paid online.

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur is convinced that the new system will be welcomed by all stakeholders since it will lessen the onerous time customers and clients have to spend on site and promote security for taxpayers engaged in money transactions.

Accommodation and parking for clients has been an issue the GRA has had to address since the bulk of its operations were consolidat-

The system, which is similar to those established by several utility companies for electronic bill payments, will seek to promote several noble objectives. Chief among them is providing more convenience and security for clients who often flock the GRA’s 200-201 Camp Street Headquarters to conduct business, particularly as deadlines approach. It will also relieve congestion in the building as well as on the streets as it relates to parking.

Additionally, taxpayers who, for one reason or the other, may not be able to use the computer or telephone to transact business will be able to use the over-the-counter service of the nearest Bill Express location. The GRA will soon provide details of the obligations and requirements for persons using the system, and the value limits for payments and relevant taxes for which payment can be made.

Caricom heads to focus on ICT at next week’s confab

As Caricom continues to position itself to take full advantage of opportunities to spur economic growth and development and, by extension, create the kind of environment in which its peoples are comfortable and safe, it has increased its focus on Information and communication technologies (ICTs) given the importance and pervasiveness of that sector.

Mindful of the way ICT has changed the entire global landscape, heads of government of Caricom will next week direct their attention to ICT when they gather in St Vincent and the Grenadines for their 25th Intersessional Meeting.

At the two-day meeting, which begins on March 10, ICT will be twinned with human resource development as the other key area of focus towards the Community’s sustainable economic development.

Economic prospects

The Community’s economic prospects will be considered and heads of government will receive recommendations from the Commission on the Economy, which they had instituted following their last meeting in July 2013.

ICT has emerged as a priority area for the region in every member state where national consultations for the Community’s Five-Year Strategic Plan were conducted.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, who has participated in many of those consultations, said recently all gov-

ernments of the region have identified ICT as a key pillar and enabler for their country’s socio-economic transformation and development.

“It would be terribly remiss of us if we do not, daily, constantly seek ways in which to move ICT to the place of key enabler and catalyst for all we seek to accomplish as a region and as a people,” said Ambassador LaRocque, who has characterised ICT as the new frontier for regional integration.

In preparation for the Intersessional Meeting, a special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) was held in St George’s, Grenada, in January, to lay the groundwork for the heads of government’s discussions.

Grenadian Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, who is the Community’s lead head of government on science and technology, including information and communications, said, as he addressed the Special ICT COTED Meeting: “We need to find a way of leveraging

the use of ICT to change our current paradigm as a region, and to optimise our development.”

The deliberations in St Vincent and the Grenadines will centre on the development of a Single Regional ICT Space, resource mobilisation, cyber security, and crafting the Caricom Digital Agenda for 2025.

As part of the holistic regional ICT thrust, publicprivate sector partnerships are paramount in considerations.

Single space

The Single Regional ICT Space is conceptualised as the digital layer of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The CSME’s fundamental objective is to achieve a single economic space that will foster growth and will result in sustained development with consequent improvement in the standard of living of all Caribbean peoples.

As envisioned by its framers, the Single ICT Space encompasses the management of regional information, human resources, legislation and infrastructure in the sector to elicit maximum benefit for the region’s populace.

The Single ICT Space and the region’s Digital Agenda 2025 will be constructed on the foundation of the Regional Digital Development Strategy (RDDS), which was approved in 2013, and will also have inputs from the Commission on the Economy and the Post-2015 Agenda.

(Caricom Secretariat)

Work on the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s Three Parks Initiative is progressing and Head of the Protected Areas Commission, Damien Fernandes said the project is on track to finish on schedule.

Last year, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide of South Australia to develop a programme to foster cooperation for biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable environmental management practices.

The Memorandum signed was geared at providing support for the Protected Areas Commission and the Three Parks Initiative to enhance green public spaces in Georgetown. The bilateral agreement will facilitate advancement of biodiversity conservation, sustainable management practices, and enrichment of the social and cultural capital of both regions.

The Zoological, National and Joe Vieira Parks were identified for renovation under the Memorandum of Understanding and so far, much work has been completed.

The Joe Vieira Park on the West Coast of Demerara has, so far, seen the reconstruction of its fence, while the pond was excavated to a depth of eight feet to prevent the growth of vegetation. Two “no swimming signs” were also installed. The work cost $5 million.

Work on the National Park is about 85 per cent completed. Protected Areas Commission Civil Engineer Kip Austin explained that the objective of the project was to raise the level of the ground six inches.

The $8.8 million project has, so far, seen work be-

ing executed on the Athletics Track, while revetment work along the canals has been completed. A contract for the construction of a parking lot and cycle shed was also signed.

Commissioner Fernandes said the National Park will always remain the home of sporting activities in Guyana. “It is an important place where schools that have no training ground could come and carry out their training.”

Plans

Those were some of the things that were taken into consideration when plans were being made to restore the park. “We want to bring the facility back to a place where it could serve its functions as facilitating athletics development in Guyana. When the space is not being used for athletics purposes, it is opened for the general public.”

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said the Three Parks Initiative was undertaken under the pretext that it would restore government’s interest in citizens’ social welfare. He said some 7000 persons visit the National Park on a weekly basis, pointing out that government is forced to use the limited resources it garners from activities to maintain the

park, since citizens use its services free of cost.

“So, we are appealing once again to the corporate community – the private sector to support us in continuing these kinds of investments. The different sporting and recreational grouping to come in, the different NGOs that utilise these facilities,” Persaud said, pointing out that the facilities belong to the citizenry.

Meanwhile, work on the Zoological Park is expected to be completed by mid-year. Fernandes said a new petting zoo would also be constructed in such a way that would allow visitors to interact with the animals. He said all animals for the petting zoo would be docile. “Those cages would feature things like Black Caiman, macaws, water birds, and those kinds of animals.” The facility would allow for the animals to be changed regularly. The commissioner said the organisation is still seeking to engage the private sector in the whole process. “At this point, we are trying to invite the private sector to raise additional funds. Since the government has committed by putting in the resources to build these new facilities, we want the private sector to come on board”.

Robber jailed for four years

Jamal Cromwell, of 26 Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was on Thursday sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of robbery under arms.

Cromwell, who appeared before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, was

convicted of robbing Lavern Griffith of $400,000, one shoulder bag valued $2500, and personal documents on November 22, 2013 around 11:45h in the vicinity of the New Building Society on the Avenue of the Republic.

Cromwell was charged and placed before the courts after he was identified as the perpe-

trator during an ID parade. In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Mc Lennan stated that robberies were too frequent in society and were a serious concern. The defendant, who had no legal representation, is expected to make another court appearance on March 16 to answer to another count of robbery under arms.

Two dead in Venezuelan opposition protest – official

AVenezuelan soldier and a motorcyclist were killed in a standoff with opposition demonstrators who had set up a barricade along an avenue of Caracas, the Vice President of the ruling Socialist Party said on Thursday.

Demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro have for weeks been staging rallies and setting up barricades, leading to clashes with security forces and government supporters. At least 20 have been killed.

Troops were called in to the neighbourhood of Los Ruices in eastern Caracas on Thursday and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse several hundred demonstrators who had set up a barrier along a welltrafficked principal avenue.

“We have learned that a motorcycle driver was killed by a sniper,” said Diosdado Cabello in an unrelated press conference at the National Assembly. “And a member of the National Guard was also killed in the same place by a sniper.”

The mayor of the Caracas municipality of Sucre, where

the events took place, said via his Twitter account that a member of the National Guard had died.

Officials did not respond to requests for information on how the soldier died and additional details on the incident.

Maduro on Wednesday called on pro-government organisations known as “colectivos”, which opposition leaders describe as paramilitary groups, to break apart barricades that protesters have set up in primarily affluent neighbourhoods.

Unrest

Those demonstrations have brought Venezuela’s worst unrest in a decade.

Street protests helped briefly topple the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez in botched 2002 coup.

Yet there seems to be little chance of a Ukraine-style change of government, given that the protests have remained relatively small and the military appears to remain behind Maduro.

Meanwhile, according to the BBC, a group of United

Barbados tourism needs "frills" and a "game-changer"

This is the view of St George South Member of Parliament Dwight Sutherland, who urged tourism promoters to add frills to Barbados’ “core business” – sun, sand, and sea.

The “frills” include medical, sports, heritage and environmental tourism, areas where Sutherland complained Barbados was not placing enough attention. He said that with its good cadre of doctors and other professionals Barbados could be a major player in the area of medical tourism.

He said Barbados’ emphasis needed to be on carving out niche tourism mar-

kets because “cut-price tourism is not part of our domain”. He told government to “go back to the niche marketing that made Barbados the beacon in terms of tourism attraction”.

“The Ministry of Tourism needs something called a game-changer,” Sutherland told the House. “We are at a stage where we have a pretty mature tourism product. But what will give it that cutting edge? We need to reinvent and we need to re-engineer the tourism product,” said Sutherland.

He was contributing to debate on two tourism-related bills in the House of Assembly on Tuesday. (nationnews)

Former Marxist leader closes in on El Salvador election win

Aformer Marxist leader looks poised to win El Salvador’s presidential election runoff on Sunday as voters embrace his ruling party’s social programmes despite opposition allegations that he plans to veer the country to the radical left.

Polls show Salvador Sanchez Ceren, a top leader of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) army during the country’s 1980-92 civil war, with about 55 per cent support ahead of the runoff vote, enough to secure his party a second consecutive term.

His opponent Norman Quijano, the conservative

Nations-appointed human rights experts has asked Venezuela for “prompt clarification” of allegations of abuse against anti-government protesters.

The six independent experts said that they were “deeply disturbed” by allegations of cases of arbitrary detention of protesters.

They also asked for urgent clarification on reports that some detainees had been beaten and tortured.

At least 18 people have been killed since the protests started a month ago.

The six experts – Frank La Rue, Maina Kiai, Mads Andenas, Juan Mendez, Christof Heyns, and Margaret Sekaggya – are charged by the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva to monitor, report, and advise on human rights issues.

In a statement, they said they were worried by “reports of the arbitrary detention of various journalists and the suspension of the broadcasting activities of TV channel NTN24”.

“The country needs more, not less information on the ongoing protests,” they added. (Reuters)

former Mayor of the capital, San Salvador, trails with about 45 per cent amid waning support for his rightwing Arena party.

Quijano has warned the Ceren will move El Salvador to the radical left and bow to the influence of Latin America’s leading U.S. antagonist, socialist-led Venezuela.

Affable

Sanchez Ceren, an affable but media-shy 69-yearold, denies those claims and has courted the vote of moderate conservatives who have broken with Arena.

He is also promising to

expand social programmes, such as free school supplies and pensions for the elderly, that have won support among the poor.

“We will dedicate all our energy, all the experience we have accumulated fighting for the people for so long, and we will put it all to work to deepen these changes,” Sanchez Ceren said on Sunday at a rally before thousands of supporters waving red flags.

After fighting a series of U.S.-backed governments during a 12-year civil war that killed about 75,000 people, the FMLN became a political party as part of a 1992 peace deal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba agrees to open talks with EU on new political accord

Cuba accepted a proposal by the European Union to open negotiations on a new political accord, saying on Thursday it was willing to discuss human rights as part of discussions that would end what it considers a one-sided relationship with Europe.

On February 10, the EU agreed to begin negotiations with Cuba to increase trade, investment, and dialogue on human rights in its most significant diplomatic shift since Brussels lifted sanctions on the communistruled country in 2008.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Cuba welcomed the proposal as it “signifies the end of the unilateral policy of the EU towards Cuba”, adding that Havana was ready to start negotiations.

“On the basis of equality and mutual respect, Cuba is completely willing to discuss any topic, including human rights, about which we have many concerns about what is happening in sev-

eral European countries,” Rodriguez said.

The EU office in Havana said it had received Cuba’s response “with great satisfaction” and negotiations would begin soon.

Cuba is eager to eliminate the European Union’s “common position” on Cuba, enacted in December 1996, which places human rights and democracy conditions on improved economic relations.

To do so, the two sides will have to reach a new accord that is agreeable to all 28 member states, including Poland and the Czech Republic, which have taken a harder line on Cuba given their own communist pasts. After more than a year of discussions, EU foreign ministers decided last month to seek better ties with Havana to support the Caribbean island nation’s market-oriented reforms and to position European companies for any transition to a more open economy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaican Accountant General’s Dept under fire

The

Accountant

General’s Department of Jamaica has come under fire for late reconciliation of bank accounts for extended periods, which Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis has said leaves

the entity exposed to the risk of fraud and loss of public funds.

The issue, which is one of several highlighted in the 2013 report of the Auditor General, which stated that the audit of the depart-

ment’s accounting records and financial transactions revealed weaknesses in the internal controls governing the management of bank and trust fund accounts and preparations of related financial statements.

Monroe Ellis noted that reconciliation of five bank accounts were in arrears for periods ranging from three to 10 months.

She said: “Our review of bank reconciliation statements for 10 accounts revealed several reconciling items being carried on the statements for protracted periods (the earliest date noted was 1980). We were, therefore, unable to determine whether authenticity of unresolved debits and credits totalling J$401.2 million and

J$19.3 million, respectively. The department may be exposed to the risk of fraud and loss of public funds if bank accounts are not reconciled monthly and adjusted items are not investigated and cleared on a timely basis.”

On Tuesday, Opposition Member of Parliament Karl Samuda, raising the concern during the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament which has been examining the audit report, criticised the agency for dropping the ball.

Accountant General Carlene Murdock, in the department’s defence, however, said “all bank reconciliations have been brought up to date to December 2013 and some to January 2014”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Crimea votes to join Russia, accelerating Ukraine crisis

Crimea’s Parliament voted to join Russia on Thursday and its Moscow-backed government set a referendum on the decision in 10 days’ time in a dramatic escalation of the crisis over the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula.

U.S. President Barack Obama led European Union and Ukrainian criticism of the proposed vote, saying it would violate international law.

The sudden acceleration of moves to bring Crimea, which has an ethnic Russian majority and has effectively been seized by Russian forces, formally

under Moscow’s rule came as European Union leaders held an emergency summit groping for ways to pressure Russia to back down and accept mediation.

The 28-nation EU condemned Russian actions in Crimea as illegal, voiced support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but took only minor steps suspending talks with Moscow on visas and a new investment pact while warning of tougher steps if there is no negotiated solution within a short period.

In a signal to Moscow, Obama announced plans to punish Russians and Ukrainians involved in

what he called “threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, ordering the freezing of their U.S. assets and a ban on travel to the United States. A U.S. official said Russian President Vladimir Putin was not on the list.

“The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian Constitution and violate international law,” Obama told reporters at the White House.

“Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China plane “flew near North Korea missile path”

South Korea has criticised a North Korean missile test which it says took place as a Chinese passenger plane flew in the area.

Tuesday’s launch was one of several missile tests conducted by Pyongyang in recent days.

“There were no accidents, but a very dangerous and serious situation could have occurred,” a spokesman said.

A Chinese Foreign

Ministry spokesman expressed concern and said Beijing would seek more information. North Korea often conducts short-range missile tests, and has fired several missiles into the sea, off its east coast, in the past week.

The missile tests coincide with annual joint U.S.South Korea military drills, which Pyongyang condemns as provocative.

The Chinese plane, which carried more than 200 pas-

UN says west of Central African Republic ‘cleansed’ of Muslims

Most Muslims have been driven out of the western half of conflict-torn Central African Republic, where thousands of civilians risk being killed “right before our eyes”, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Thursday.

The bleak warning came as the country’s Foreign Minister pleaded with the UN Security Council to urgently approve a UN peacekeeping force to stop the killing.

Widespread violence in the former French colony has claimed thousands of lives since Seleka, a coalition of mostly Muslim north-

ern rebels, seized power a year ago. Attacks intensified in December when “antiBalaka” militias drawn from the majority Christian population stepped up reprisals on Muslims.

“Since early December, we have effectively witnessed a ‘cleansing’ of the majority of the Muslim population in western CAR,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres told a meeting of the 15-nation UN Security Council on the crisis in the impoverished and landlocked country.

“Tens of thousands of them (Muslims) have left the country, the second ref-

ugee outflow of the current crisis, and most of those remaining are under permanent threat,” he said.

The council is considering a UN proposal for a nearly 12,000-strong peacekeeping force to stop the country from sliding toward what a top UN rights official called “ethnic-religious cleansing”. If approved, the UN force would likely not be operational before late summer.

“Just last week, there were about 15,000 people trapped in 18 locations in western CAR, surrounded by anti-Balaka elements and at very high risk of attack,” Guterres said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kashmir students hunted for cheering Pakistan

Dozens of Kashmiri students who cheered for the Pakistani cricket team during a recent match against India could face sedition charges, police have said, but the Indian state’s elected leader has called for leniency.

Authorities were trying to track down the 66 university students for questioning, police officer NKS Chauhan said on Thursday.

Later on Thursday, the Hindustan Times newspaper had reported that a senior state official had told them that the sedition charges had been dropped. AP news agency reported that officials had not yet confirmed if the charges were dropped.

tional activities and creating a ruckus on the university campus,” Meerut police chief Omkar Singh told AFP news agency.

Omar Abdullah said any sedition charges would be “unacceptably harsh”.

sengers, was heading from Tokyo in Japan to Shenyang in China on Tuesday, South Korean officials said.

The North Korean missile was launched at 16:17h local time (07:17 GMT). The plane passed through its trajectory seven minutes later, they added.

“An aircraft passed by as the ballistic missile fell. On a safety level, this is a serious issue of concern,” said South Korea’s Defence Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok.

“The failure to protect the safety of civilians by issuing an advanced navigational warning according to international norms is a serious threat.”

Qin Gang, a spokesman from China’s Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday that Beijing attached “high importance to the security of national civil airlines”.

He added that “necessary measures” should be taken when conducting military drills to “ensure the security and safety” of civilian ships and aircraft. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The students of a university in the northern city of Meerut were suspended after Sunday’s televised cricket match, in which India lost to Pakistan, Chauhan said.

“The SVSU administration on Wednesday submitted a written complaint against unknown persons for indulging in anti-na-

“We have registered a case and the probe is on,” Singh said. “If evidence is established against the accused, there is a set legal procedure to be followed in such cases. The law will take its own course,” he said, adding the charges would be ones of sedition.

However, the Indian Kashmir Chief Minister

“I believe what the students did was wrong and misguided, but they certainly didn’t deserve to have charges of sedition slapped against them.”

Sedition carries a possible life sentence. Calls to the College of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University in Uttar Pradesh state were not immediately returned on Thursday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UK police face new probe over racist murder

The British Government has ordered a second major inquiry into the role of the police following “profoundly shocking” new revelations of the racist murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence two decades ago.

The move on Thursday follows a fresh review which reveals further concerns about the police’s actions, namely their use of undercover officers to spy on the Lawrence family as they campaigned for justice.

The Macpherson inquiry in 1999 found the police investigation into Lawrence’s murder six years earlier was seriously flawed and marred by “institutional racism”, a

finding viewed as a watershed moment in British race relations.

Now, the new government-commissioned review found that London’s Metropolitan Police had an agent working close to the Lawrence family who passed information to the officers compiling the police submission to the Macpherson inquiry.

The review by leading lawyer Mark Ellison also found evidence to suggest that one of the officers involved in investigating Lawrence’s murder was corrupt.

However, Ellison said he was unable to confirm or

deny claims made by one undercover policeman that he had been tasked to find intelligence to “smear” the Lawrence family after the murder.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Home Secretary Theresa May said the findings were “profoundly shocking” and announced a judge-led public inquiry into the work of undercover police.

“Stephen Lawrence was murdered over 20 years ago and it is deplorable that his family have had to wait so many years for the truth to emerge. Indeed, it is still emerging,” she told lawmakers. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Caribbean & Latin America

Cayman Islands government backs reinsurance industry

Representatives from the Cayman Islands reinsurance industry will be in full force at the SIFMA Insurance and Risk Linked Securities conference in New York March 4-5, speaking to delegates about the strength of the Cayman offering for reinsurance and catastrophe bonds.

With its solid history as the provider of the very first catastrophe bonds and its continued leading position in this sector, as evidenced by the more than 200 transac-

North America

tions listed with the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange, the Cayman delegation has plenty to talk about. The Cayman Islands published a new insurance law last year that provides a special category of licence designed for insurance linked securities and the jurisdiction is also home to a growing number of innovative insurers and reinsurers.

The delegation, which includes senior representatives from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and the Cayman Islands Stock

Exchange, was encouraged by the Minister of Financial Services, Wayne Panton, who said: “The Cayman Islands government is fully supportive of this initiative. We recognise that reinsurance is an area that Cayman is uniquely and well-positioned to serve, in light of our long history in the securitisation, insurance and investment funds space. We will continue to work with industry to provide the support for healthy and continued innovation going forward.” (Caribbean News Now)

Disney overhauls troubled interactive unit, lays off 700

Walt Disney overhauled its struggling interactive division in a sweeping reorganisation that will reduce the number of video games it develops and alter its advertising strategy to focus more on the fastchanging mobile market.

As part of the revamp, Disney will lay off 700 employees, roughly one-quarter of the interactive division, according to a person with knowledge of the layoffs. A

Europe

Disney spokeswoman would not confirm the number.

Disney’s games and online division has for years been a persistent money loser and a small but significant drag on a corporate empire that spans movie-making and television to cable network ESPN, theme parks and cruise lines.

As with other major game publishing houses, Disney has been trying to keep up with rapidly shifting consumer preferences and an explosion in mo-

bile gaming worldwide. In 2010, it bought mobile game developer Playdom for over US$500 million, an acquisition that has yet to bear significant fruit.

“We are trying to consolidate things and focus largely on the mobile platform,” the president of Disney Interactive, Jimmy Pitaro, said in an interview with Reuters. “The industry is moving very quickly in that direction and we’re making that transition.” (Reuters)

European Central Bank keeps interest rates at 0.25 per cent

The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept its benchmark interest rate at its record low of 0.25 per cent. The bank slightly raised its forecast for growth to 1.2 per cent in 2014, but dropped its inflation estimate.

Eurozone interest rates have remained unchanged since November 2013, when the bank said it expected “a prolonged period of low inflation”. In February, eurozone inflation was at 0.8 per

cent, well below the ECB’s two per cent target, which has prompted deflation worries.

However, the ECB has been confident that eurozone economies are recovering from recession. The bank decided to leave the rate unchanged as there were continued signs of recovery, ECB president Mario Draghi told a news conference in Frankfurt.

“We saw our baseline by and large confirmed,” he said. “There is a continuation of a

modest recovery.” Possible threats to growth included geopolitical risks such as tensions in Ukraine, Draghi said.

“The geopolitical risks in the area could quickly become substantial and generate developments that are unforeseeable and potentially of great consequence,” he said. Nevertheless, the bank slightly raised its projection for eurozone growth in 2014 from 1.1 per cent to 1.2 per cent.

(BBC News)

Africa

Power restored in South Africa as energy emergency ends

South Africa’s power emergency was lifted on Thursday night, said state power company Eskom. The firm, which provides 95 per cent of the nation’s electricity, had imposed rolling blackouts during the day.

The company had earlier said that heavy rains had made much of the coal used at power stations too wet to burn. Industrial customers had been asked to cut energy

Asia

usage by at least 10 per cent.

Big firms switched to generators, but many smaller enterprises had no back-up.

After seven days of rain there are expectations of more blackouts on Friday.

Eskom tweeted on Wednesday; “As we experience load-shedding, customers can expect two to four hours of power outages at a time.”

While it is the third time an energy emergency has

been announced in the past two weeks, there have not been widespread blackouts since 2008. At that time, factories and mines were forced to close, leading to a credit ratings downgrade for South Africa, a sell-off of the currency, the rand, and an outflow of investment. Years of underinvestment have left Eskom struggling to meet energy demand, which is expected to double over the next 15 years. (BBC News)

China needs to curb risks posed by booming online finance

China needs to regulate booming online financial services firms to curb the risks they pose to the wider financial sector, the former president of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Yang Kaisheng, said on Thursday.

Tens of millions of people have flocked to Internet companies’ wealth management products since last year, attracted by interest rates on

Middle East

deposits higher than those the banks offered to customers, which remain subject to a cap of 3.3 per cent for oneyear savings.

Individual savers have not been the traditional target market for China’s commercial banks. “If they (online financial firms) are allowed to do whatever they want for too long, the chances that something could go wrong will become bigger and the impact on

First Gulf Bank to

the stability of financial markets will be bigger,” Yang said on the sidelines of China’s annual parliament meeting. Yang went on to say that the China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission and the People’s Bank of China are currently working on rules to regulate the nascent industry, but he was not aware of their timetable. (Reuters)

set up US$1.07B sukuk

in Malaysia

Abu Dhabi’s First Gulf Bank, the third-largest bank by assets in the United Arab Emirates, will raise 3.5 billion ringgit (US$1.07 billion) with Islamic bonds in Malaysia, according to a statement on Thursday by credit rating agency RAM Ratings.

The Islamic bond, or sukuk, programme will be issued by the bank’s funding unit, FGB Sukuk Company II Ltd. RAM

rated the programme ‘AAA’ or Stable on the bank’s size and high likelihood of government support, as the Abu Dhabi ruling family owns 64 per cent of the firm.

First Gulf Bank follows numerous institutions to find funding in Malaysia’s sukuk market, the world’s largest. More than two-thirds of global sukuk issuance in the first half of 2013 took place in

Malaysia, followed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

“The ratings also incorporate the bank’s excellent profitability, robust capitalisation, expanding franchise and moderate asset quality,” said RAM. Funds from the programme will go toward expanding the bank’s day-today business. RAM did not indicate when the first issuance will take place. (Middle East)

ow, with an approved market research in place, it’s time to address the two main forms of market research:

- Qualitative research: an exploratory, limited way to gauge the needs of your target demographic, focused on a smaller group with higher detail. These include focus groups and in-depth interviews with selected individuals. An example of this would be to approach a group of surfers at the beach with your surfboard designs, to gather a small amount of high quality opinions from a dedicated group.

- Quantitative research: surveys of much larger groups with the intent of garnering hard statistics to use for future financial plans. Examples of these are surveys conducted over the phone, by mail and

on the Internet. These results tend to be of lower quality and diversity, but can be compiled quickly to formulate a larger picture of the targeted area.

Ideally, a company would employ a mix of both kinds of research to gain the best perspective on their customer base. There are many kinds of research – coolhunting,viral marketing, concept testing, demand estimation and online panels are all methods market researchers employ to garner results. The findings from the research should be compiled by your marketing team through comprehensive charts and tables to be presented to management.

Once the marketing manager presents the final results, the company should move on to the product testing phase.

The product testing phase

takes place after the completion of the product manufacturing phase and before the product launch. This can be done on qualitative and quantitative bases as well, but if you intend to use large groups for quantitative tests, you should be aware of the physical constraints that were not there during the survey phase, as you must produce enough of the product for testing purposes. A simple example of this is the software beta tester, who is hired by a company to endlessly use the software in search of bugs and glitches. In this example, you would need to devote a lot of manpower and hours to clean and temper your product. If your product is something simpler, such as food, you need only serve your product and record a survey response. (Business Dictionary)

Offences under the Litter Prevention Regulations

ter prevention warden to enter the premises for the purpose of enforcing the removal of litter. That person will produce the legal document and necessary identification prior to entering the premises.

* The authorised officer or litter prevention warden may in keeping with the Regulations, take other person/s necessary, and ensure that he leaves the premises secured against trespassers as he found it.

New Litter Regulations will be enforced in Guyana in March. A robust public awareness campaign and engagement of relevant stakeholders to garner their support and ideas for success in ridding our city and country of the littering bane, is currently ongoing. The regulations will be implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has authority under the regulations to appoint litter wardens.

Let us take a look at some of the main offences under the Litter Regulations.

It is an offence to litter in a public place

Under the Litter Regulations, it is an offence to litter in a public place, particularly:

1. To deposit litter in a public place;

2. To deposit litter from a moving vehicle onto a public place; and

3. To cause or permit per-

sons to commit offences 1 and 2 above.

Any person/persons found guilty of any of these offences under the Litter Regulations shall be liable to a fine of between $50,000 or three months’ imprisonment in the case of an individual, and $100, 000 in the case of a business entity.

The absence of a waste receptacle is not an excuse under the law!

Penalty for repeated offence

A person, who was convicted under any section of the Regulations, and repeats the offence, will be required to double the maximum fine attached to the offence. In the event that the person fails to pay the attendant fine within the specified timeframe, the offender can be imprisoned for a period of up to three months

Who will enforce the removal of litter?

The local authority (Neighbourhood Democratic

Council and other agencies chosen by the Minister) and litter prevention wardens will enforce removal of litter. In cases where a person litters a private premises so as to cause or contribute to the defacement of the premises, the local authority or litter wardens may give notice (orally or written) to the person littering, the owner or occupier of the premises, to remove the litter and restore the premises to a satisfactory condition. The notice may also be given personally by registered post or may be posted up in some obvious position on the premises on which the litter has been left.

Failure to comply

A person who fails to comply with the requirements of the notice may on conviction be fined $20,000 and $5000 for every day the breach is continued after conviction. In addition, the local authority may without prejudice enter the premis-

es to remove the litter, and may recover expenses incurred from the person who has committed the offence.

Power to enter premises

The Regulations empower any authorised officer of the local authority or lit-

* This person should be allowed to carry out their task undisturbed. However, if any person hinders, molests, prevents, or interferes with the rights of the authorised person they may upon conviction be fined ($20,000)

Removal of derelict vehicles

In cases where derelict (abandoned or neglected) vehicles are left in a public place to contribute to the

defacement of that place, the local authority or litter prevention warden may give notice to the person/s responsible to remove the vehicle within 48 hours. Failure to comply carries a fine of $30,000 and $5000 for every day in breach of the notice. The derelict vehicle may also be removed by the local authority, and expenses incurred recovered from the person in default.

Join us next week as we continue to share what you need to know about the Litter Enforcement Regulations. Let us do our part to help eliminate litter in Guyana. You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

New health post commissioned at Maikwak

Government continues to invest in the development of hinterland communities, as seen in the recent commissioning of a health post in Maikwak, Region Eight. The facility that costs over $8 million is critical to the provision of health care, in a safe and conducive environment, to the residents of the community.

The building was commissioned by Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker while on a visit to the region. He was accompanied by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ronald Harsaywack, and the Assistant REO Shameer Arjoon.

The structure was completed in January 2014, and boasts an examination room, a waiting area, a malaria department and washroom facility.

Minister Whittaker noted that the health post is just one of many similar projects that the PPP/C Government has been realising around the country. “We put projects like these where not only the people request them, but where

we see the need for these projects,” he said.

To this end, he pointed out that the ruling administration has been ensuring that every single Amerindian village has facilities to dispense not only health services, but education.

“In every village, there is at

least a primary school. In some villages, the bigger ones we have primary schools, in others, we have secondary schools. In some villages, we have health huts; in some, health centres, and in others we have hospitals… all of these things have been happening over the last 20 plus years under

the PPP/C,” he noted.

Minister Whittaker said that this is as a result of the government’s determination to bring education and proper healthcare to people, all over the country, with a focus on Amerindians.

The old wooden health structure that served as a health post

was infested with mites and bats, and leaking in rainy periods.

The construction of the facility was awarded by the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board to contractor Salim Yusuf for $8.5 million. The new building stands about 50 metres away from the old structure.

Harsaywack pointed out that the health post is a perfect illustration that shows that as the coffers allow, government over time is able to provide better services to its people.

“It teaches us a lesson that as our country grows, as we develop, as our economy can facilitate, we move towards bigger and better things… I am sure in another couple of years we will have something bigger and better for you,” he told the residents.

The regional administration will look into fencing of the facility in the near future and to set up at a radio set that has already been delivered, AREO Arjoon said.

SUDOKU

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There are many interesting events happening around you. Get involved in as many as possible in order to broaden your horizons and make new friends. An unexpected benefit is likely.

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Now is a favourable time to step into the spotlight. Demonstrate your expertise in a factual, knowledgeable and inspiring manner, and some appealing offers will come your way.

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Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere out for six weeks

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will be sidelined for at least six weeks after fracturing his left foot.

The 22-year-old sustained the injury in a challenge with Liverpool's Daniel Agger in the 12th minute of England's 1-0 friendly victory over Denmark. However, he played on until the 59th minute of Wednesday's match at Wembley.

Wilshere will miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final with Everton and Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Bayern Munich.

Arsenal then have a north London derby with Tottenham at White Hart Lane the following Sunday and also play fellow title contenders Chelsea and Manchester City before the end of the month.

It was initially thought Wilshere had escaped serious damage after the Football Association carried out scans on Wednesday evening.

It emerged the fracture was so miniscule that the scanning equipment inside Wembley Stadium failed to

detect it when the midfielder left the pitch.

A further examination by his club on Thursday discovered a crack in the navicular bone, which runs along the top of the foot.

The news will no doubt have been a huge surprise to Wilshere, who confidently told reporters after the Denmark match that he was fine before speaking of his desire to finish the season strongly with Arsenal.

"It is a bit sore, but just a bruise," he said. "I have had a scan already and I will be all right."

Arsenal will be compensated for the injury as part of the FA's insurance policy,

and will not have to pay for Wilshere's wages while he is on the sidelines.

Wilshere's career has been hampered by injuries, including a stress fracture of his right ankle that ruled him out for the 2011-12 campaign and forced him to miss Euro 2012.

He has played 41 games for club and country this season, but in December he served a two-game suspension for an abusive hand gesture.

Television pictures appeared to show him raising a finger towards the crowd during the 6-3 defeat by Manchester City. (BBC Sports)

Heather Watson beats Belinda Bencic

in Indian Wells

Heather Watson reached the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Swiss Belinda Bencic.

The British number three will now face Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat her at Wimbledon in 2012.

The 21-year-old said: "This will be a different atmosphere, but I'm really looking forward to playing her again."

Britain's James Ward, 27, was beaten 6-2 6-3 by Frenchman Paul-Henri

Mathieu in the final round of men's qualifying.

Watson, who is ranked 134th in the world after a disappointing 2013, added: "I'm so pleased with the way I'm playing at the moment."

Referring to her meeting with world number three Radwanska, who has beaten her comfortably in both their previous meetings, she said: "I'm not going to give away my tactics, but I'm not going to go in playing the same way I did the other two times."

British number three Ward won his first match at

the tournament on Tuesday and had plenty of chances against Mathieu, who reached a high of 12th in the world rankings in 2008. He had six break points and was ahead in numerous Mathieu service games, but could not take advantage.

British number one Andy Murray, who has a bye in the first round, will play either Rafael Nadal's 2012 Wimbledon conqueror Lukas Rosol or a qualifier in the opening match at the year's first Masters series event. (BBC Sports)

Nicolas Anelka 'quenelle' gesture had 'anti-Semitic' link - FA panel

Nicolas Anelka was banned for five games because the 'quenelle' gesture he performed is "strongly associated with anti-Semitism", says the independent panel that ruled on the case.

But the commission added it was "not satisfied that Anelka was or is an antiSemite or that he intended to express or promote antiSemitism".

It also revealed that the Football Association wanted a longer ban.

Anelka gestured after scoring for West Brom against West Ham on 28 December.

After a two-day hearing, the 34-year-old French striker also received an £80,000 fine and was ordered to complete a compulsory education course.

The 'quenelle' has been popularised by French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, who is a friend of Anelka's but has seven convictions for anti-Semitic hate speech.

Anelka has denied the charge, an "aggravated breach" of misconduct which referred to "ethnic origin, race, religion or belief".

In the hearing, he maintained that the gesture only intended to "say hello" his friend. He also said he did not accept Dieudonne was antiSemitic and did not know the controversy surrounding the comedian at the time he did the celebration.

The commission, however, found the celebration was "strongly associated with anti-Semitism" because it was "strongly associated with Dieudonne".

The three-man panel said: "We agree with the FA that is it not possible to divorce that association from the gesture".

Anelka now has seven days in which to appeal if he wishes to do so. West Brom have already suspended him until the outcome of the appeal process.

Anelka's five-match punishment is the most lenient that could have been imposed under the FA's new anti-discrimination rules, which were brought in for racism cases surrounding Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Chelsea captain John Terry.

Suarez was banned for eight games after racially abusing Patrice Evra, while Terry received four games for abusing Anton Ferdinand. (BBC Sports)

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup, Mirpur…

Mathews keeps Bangladesh winless

Sri Lanka’s spinners effected a mid-innings trauma and Bangadesh returned the favour, before Angelo Mathews’ collected 74 not out overcame a collapse and sealed victory. The hosts’ bowlers made a game of the dead rubber, carving through Sri Lanka’s inform top order early in the chase, but a target of 210 had always seemed insufficient, even on a worn pitch. Bangladesh’s lack of ambition both with the bat and in the field perhaps ceded crucial moments to the oppo-

sition, who strode home by three wickets, and one over remaining to extended their unbeaten run in the country.

The Bangladesh openers had made 74 before Ajantha Mendis made the incision that began a top-order haemorrhage - five wickets for 45 runs. Mendis befuddled Shamsur Rahman with an off-break, hitting him on the pads with a ball that would have clipped leg stump, before sneaking one under Mominul Haque’s bat four balls later.

Mushfiqur Rahim at -

tempted an injudicious scoop off Chaturanga de Silva three overs later, and was also trapped in front, before part-time offspinner Ashan Priyanjan struck twice in his three overs. Perhaps eager to complete his second consecutive halfcentury, Anamul Haque advanced to Priyanjan’s first ball, but chipped it to Lahiru Thirimanne at midwicket, who snaffled the chance in a diving second attempt. Shakib Al Hasan sought to spur a now-flagging run rate, but in the 34th over, an inside edge off an attempted shot through cover carried to short midwicket. His demise left the team at 119-5. They would never really recover.

Finisher

That Sri Lanka’s innings was not similarly derailed was thanks to Mathews’ increasing appetite for finishing matches, allied with a sharpening cricketing wit. Sri Lanka never faced a tall required rate, so he shelved his familiar belligerence and forged an innings of restraint. He struck at 71 and only played three violent strokes in the innings - an advancing six over long off and two heaves through midwicket, one of which brought the winning runs. Bangladesh made a late surge, dismissing Chaturanga de Silva and Thisara Perera when Sri

Jamaica want nothing but win, says Taylor

Jerome Taylor and John Campbell have declared that the team is going into today’s game against the Leeward Islands with one thing in mind, and that is to get maximum points. The fast bowler strongly believes that his team has a good chance of defeating their opponents.

“The team is very upbeat and looking to go into the game and taking maximum points. It is four days of long and hard cricket and so we are not underestimating any one, but we are taking nothing less than a victory,” Taylor told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, moments before departing Sabina Park en route to St Kitts.

Taylor said that he was pleased with his form, but that the team needs to fire in all departments.

“From time to time our strength have been in the bowling, but there are times when the batters come good and the bowling don’t click, and so as a team we need to be consistent in every area.

“I am pleased with the way I am bowling and I hope that it stays and I know that it will improve more,” he said.

Opening batsman John Campbell also said that the team is on a high and he wants to contribute more to the team.

“The team is bowling and batting good and so we are confident of a victory against the Leewards, who are a good team, but once we apply ourselves and play as a team, then I don’t see why we should not come out with maximum points.

“The first game I scored a half-century batting for more than four hours and I want to improve on that. I want to bat as long as possible, take as much time to get in and set myself to get a good score. Once I get a good start I can capitalise on that and make a good contribution to the team,” Campbell noted.

(windiescricket)

Jerome Taylor

Lanka were in sight of victory, but Mathews did not allow losses to rattle him.

Sri Lanka’s collapse had occurred at the outset. Kusal Perera swiped at an Al-Amin Hossain short ball, sending a thin edge to the keeper, before Kumar Sangakkara was handed his first failure of the tournament, nicking to slip as he cover drove. With plenty of overs remaining to achieve the modest target, Mahela Jayawardene may have hoped to bat himself into touch, but he was thwarted by his partner before he had made a run. Lahiru Thirimanne called him through for a single, then sent him back, after Jayawardene had traveled most of the distance to the other end. He was short by a distance, leaving Sri Lanka at 8-3.

Ashan Priyanjan and Thirimanne promised a sustained resurgence, as they became accustomed to the pace of the pitch, but a Mushfiqur hunch brought another wicket: Ziaur Rahman, who had bowled only 12 overs in the series, drew an outside edge from Priyanjan in the 14th, before Thirimanne departed eight overs later, as Rubel Hossain sprinted around from long-on to take a catch in front of the sightscreen.

At 75-5, Mathews and de Silva joined to provide the definitive partnership in the match. Like Mathews,

de Silva began sedately, but soon was matching his captain shot for shot, showcasing particular ease against spin, as he mined gaps square of the wicket, and found the fence when the bowlers missed their lengths. Their march was measured and efficient, with 82 runs off 98 balls,

but it was not without incident; Mathews edged just wide of the keeper on 21, and de Silva had two leading edges fall short of fielders. Mushfiqur was perhaps also guilty of allowing the match to meander. Too many of Sri Lanka’s runs were achieved without risk.

(Cricinfo)

Bangladesh innings (50 overs maximum)

Anamul Haque† c Thirimanne

b Priyanjan 49

Shamsur Rahman lbw b Mendis 39

Mominul Haque b Mendis 1

Mushfiqur Rahim* lbw b de Silva 4

Shakib Al Hasan c Mathews

b Priyanjan 20

Nasir Hossain c Jayawardene

b Lakmal 30

Mahmudullah b Lakmal 30

Ziaur Rahman b NLTC Perera 12

Arafat Sunny not out 2

Rubel Hossain b NLTC Perera 0

Al-Amin Hossain not out 0

Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-10) 17

Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 204

Fall of wickets: 1-74 (Shamsur Rahman, 18.2 ov), 2-76 (Mominul Haque, 18.6 ov), 3-87 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 21.5 ov), 4-106 (Anamul Haque, 29.1 ov), 5-119 (Shakib Al Hasan, 33.2 ov), 6-174 (Mahmudullah, 44.3 ov), 7-183 (Nasir Hossain, 46.3 ov), 8-203 (Ziaur Rahman, 49.2 ov), 9-203 (Rubel Hossain, 49.3 ov)

Bowling: RAS Lakmal 10-0-322 (1-w), NLTC Perera 8-0-29-2 (1-w), SMSM Senanayake 101-37-0 (1-w), PC de Silva 100-33-1, BAW Mendis 9-0-55-2 (2-w), SMA Priyanjan 3-0-11-2

Sri Lanka innings (target: 205 runs from 50 overs)

MDKJ Perera c †Anamul Haque b Al-Amin Hossain 0 HDRL Thirimanne c Rubel Hossain b Arafat Sunny 33 KC Sangakkara† c Nasir Hossain b Al-Amin Hossain 2 DPMD Jayawardene run out (Mahmudullah/Rubel Hossain) 0

SMA Priyanjan c †Anamul Haque b Ziaur Rahman 24 AD Mathews* not out 74 PC de Silva c †Anamul Haque b Mahmudullah 44 NLTC Perera run out (Rubel Hossain) 15 SMSM Senanayake not out 7 Extras (b-4, w-5) 9 Total (7 wickets; 49 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (MDKJ Perera, 0.2 ov), 2-6 (Sangakkara, 2.1 ov), 3-8 (Jayawardene, 3.3 ov), 4-47 (Priyanjan, 14.4 ov), 5-75 (Thirimanne, 23.1 ov), 6-157 (de Silva, 39.3 ov), 7-193 (NLTC Perera, 47.1 ov) Bowling: Al-Amin Hossain 10-242-2 (1-w), Rubel Hossain 6-025-0, Shakib Al Hasan 10-0-27-0 (2-w), Ziaur Rahman 10-0-341, Arafat Sunny 7-0-46-1 (1-w), Mahmudullah 6-1-30-1 (1-w)

WI persist with World T20 squad

West Indies will play the three-match Twenty20 series against England with the same squad they had named for the upcoming World T20 in Bangladesh, as they look to get some practice ahead of defending the title they won in 2012.

Darren Sammy will lead an experienced side that includes the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Ravi Rampaul and Denesh Ramdin.

The team will be without Kieron Pollard, who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained from playing a charity football match in January. Fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell, who was a surprise inclusion in the World T20 squad, could receive his first limited-overs cap before West Indies make the trip to Bangladesh. There was once again no place in the team for Tino Best, who hasn’t made an international appearance since January.

West Indies’ T20 form has been poor lately, having lost five of their last

six matches, including a six-wicket capitulation to Ireland in Kingston last month. They play the first of three matches in Barbados on Sunday.

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith. (Cricinfo)

"I am better off coaching myself" – Afridi

The Asia Cup is Pakistan’s first tournament under a newlook team management, with Moin Khan as coach and Zaheer Abbas as chief consultant. The regime change has coincided with a stunning return to batting form for Shahid Afridi, whose unbeaten 18-ball 34 against India and a brutal 25-ball 59 against Bangladesh were instrumental in Pakistan reaching the final.

But correlation, Afridi has said, didn’t quite mean causation. While praising the support staff for backing him, he said he was essentially his own coach.

“It was different earlier, it’s not that it was not good,” Afridi said, after Pakistan’s practice session on Thursday. “The support team that we have now are all knowledgeable and keep you positive. As I’ve said earlier also, having played at this level for so many years, I don’t need a coach. I am better off coaching myself. I know very well what to do and what not to do. It’s about having the right people to back you and support you.”

Pakistan, Afridi said, had peaked at the right time in the tournament, and this would help them at the World Twenty20 as well.

“I’ve already mentioned before how important for us this series is,” he said. “The World Twenty20 is coming up after this. I think we peaked at the right time, that was the requirement.”

Pakistan have never beaten India in an ICC world event, be it the 50over World Cup or the World T20. Asked if they could overcome the jinx when they meet in the World Twenty20 on March 21, Afridi said he wouldn’t think about it till the Asia Cup ended.

“I’m not looking that ahead,” he said. “My and my team’s focus is just

Pakistan are in the Asia Cup final because of Shahid Afridi’s exploits with the bat

on the Asia Cup final at the moment. When the World Twenty20 comes, we will talk about the IndiaPakistan then.”

Afridi said India and Pakistan should play each other more frequently.

Friendship

“It should be like that only,” he said. “Pakistan have always supported India at every step. Despite threats, Pakistan have always toured India. I think cricket can only revive IndiaPakistan relations. Sport brings friendship. The way I enjoyed my cricket in India, I never enjoyed anywhere else. We are after all neighbours. The relations should be good between us. Cricket can only help better the relations.”

This year’s IPL, like most other editions before it, will not include Pakistan players. “Ask your Indian government,” Afridi said, when his views were sought on this. “Why ask me?”

Afridi will turn 35 during the 2015 World Cup, and will have entered the 19th year of his international career. But the thought of retirement, he said, had not entered his mind yet.

“Obviously, the World Cup 2015 is going to be a huge thing for me and my team,” he said. “As long as I’m fit and give my life to cricket, I’ll continue playing the sport. I will sideline myself the moment I start thinking that I’m becoming a burden on my team. I will not give anyone an opportunity to talk.” (Cricinfo)

Telenec renews sponsorship of BCB U-15 tourney

At a simple, but significant ceremony held recently at the famous Albion Sports Complex, Bobby Deonarine of Tenelec Inc of Washington renewed his sponsorship of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Interclub Under-15 cricket competition for teams in Berbice to the tune of over half of a million dollars.

One of the speakers at the ceremony, Vemen Walter, the Human Resource Manager of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Albion Estate, was high in praise of the sponsor for his faith and the role he has played in the development of Berbice cricket.

He also praised the work of the BCB. He congratulated Tenelec for once again sponsoring this very important tournament where the nursery of Berbice cricketers are identified and nurtured.

Walter added that two of the Guyanese who were recently in Dubai with the West Indies Under-19 team, Gudakesh Moti and Shimron Hetmyer, are recent products of the sponsorship by Telenec.

He added that other

Roach on the road to recovery

Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, Kemar Roach, is just about ready to don the colours of the highprofile teams, raring to get back out on the pitch.

After being forced to withdraw from the West Indies tour of India last year due to a shoulder injury, Roach has been biding his time at home in Barbados.

Making his last appearance for the Brisbane Heat in the Champions League T20 in September last year, Roach had to bow out of the November tour be-

fore bowling a single ball.

Touted to spearhead the pace attack for the Windies in the sub-continent, Roach was on a plane back home ahead of the start of the second Test match in Mumbai. Taking some time out on Tuesday evening, Roach paid a visit to his alma mater, Ignatius Byer Primary, to drop morsels of wisdom and encouragement on the youngsters in the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme.

Himself a product of the initiative, Roach was the first member to move

on to play for the West Indies. Speaking to The Barbados Advocate during his visit, Roach explained that he was recovering from his injury and decided to make the most of his downtime by giving something back to his old school.

“I had a surgery on my shoulder. I had a broken bone and that was repaired in November. I’m still recovering and will be soon back to full fitness, so it is good to come out and get out with the kids and have some fun for a little bit. It’s been a while,” he said.

Noting that he had been healing well, Roach said that he would be making himself available for selection as soon as he was ready to roll again.

“The recovery has been going well. I have been doing all of my fitness stuff, all of my therapy. I have been in the gym pretty heavy for the last two weeks. It feels good and hopefully I can be fully fit to perform for Barbados and the West Indies again. It’s up to them to select me, so I am making myself available for the end of this month,” he said. (windiescricket)

successful cricketers who went on to represent West Indies such as Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon have all participated in the tournament.

BCB President, Keith Foster, thanked Deonarine on behalf of the board for his continued support. He noted that not many will invest their monies in Guyana when they live and earn overseas, but Deonarine is an exception.

Patriot Foster said that Deonarine, who is the uncle of West Indies middleorder batsman Narsingh Deonarine, is a true patriot of his country of birth and is always willing to assist young people here.

Anil Beharry, the first Vice-president of the BCB, was also high in praise for the sponsor and thanked him for his investment in the youths of Berbice.

Beharry said that many young people are lead astray towards the ills in society and this tournament is an avenue

to help them make meaningful contributions to the development of themselves and their communities. He added that international quality floodlights will soon be installed at the Albion Sports Complex and it is expected that many sporting activities will be held to keep our young people constructively occupied.

Beharry also pleaded with parents to make sure that their young children take full advantage of this tournament.

Deonarine, in a short but inspiring speech, said it was money well spent and he will always support cricket in Berbice, with the younger players taking priority. He said that he is happy to be part of the success of so many players who have come out of Berbice and gone on to represent Guyana and eventually the West Indies.

Telenec is also the sponsor of the premier 50-over First Division cricket competition in Berbice. That tournament is set to played in the second half of the year and the BCB is optimistic that Tenelec will be on board once more.

WICB Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana, Barbados clash in round two

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Both Guyana and Barbados suffered first round defeats in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)

Regional Four-Day Tournament, but with the second round commencing today at National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, both teams will look for full

points.

The game is a day/ night contest, beginning from 15:00h. The Guyanese were beaten by seven wickets earlier this week by Jamaica, but will look to capitalise on their home advantage.

However, the Guyanese will have history against them as they failed to get the better of Barbados the last time the two teams met in a First-Class game. Barbados beat the Guyanese by 96 runs at Kensington Oval.

Without Test batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who are both on the injured list, Guyana’s batting is obviously the main concern.

It was argued that the Guyanese batsmen spent too little time at the crease and the lack of concentration also caused them their demise in the opening round.

But, despite the enormity of the task ahead, Captain Christopher Barnwell said home turf advantage would play a crucial role.

"We will be looking to

exploit the home conditions to our advantage," Barnwell said during the side’s finishing touches on their preparation on Thursday.

“We had a major setback against Jamaica, where our most senior players (Shiv and Sars) were unavailable, we will miss them again for this game, but we are playing at home so it will be different,” he added.

Meanwhile, Head Coach Esaun Crandon disclosed that the buzz word for his side will be “execution”.

The 32-year-old former Guyana fast bowler said in order for a victory, they would need to stick to game plans and execute it clinically.

“Despite the loss to Jamaica, we came out with a lot of positives, but we must play better cricket than Barbados. Once we stick to our game plans and execute them the way we should, then I am positive of a victory,” Crandon disclosed.

"I think that we need a lot more consistency in terms of our batting,” he said.

The bowling department looks of less concern and, according to Crandon, he was satisfied with the

overall work of his bowlers in the opening match.

Promising young batsmen Tagnarine Chanderpaul and Chanderpaul Hemraj have been included in the Guyana squad.

Chanderpaul and Hemraj replace veterans e Chanderpaul and Sarwan, who have been forced out of the second round contest through injury after not participating in the opening round.

Tagnarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul's 17-year-old son, made his debut last year against the Leeward Islands and has to date scored 176 runs at an average of 22.00 with a highest score of 42.

He was among the most consistent batsmen, with two half-centuries and one century, playing for the young West Indies in the recent Under-19 World Cup in Dubai.

The 20-year-old Hemraj, who went under his first stint at the WICB Sagicor High Performance Centre (HPC) last year, has played three FirstClass matches for Guyana since making his debut against Trinidad and Tobago two years ago.

On the other hand, Barbados suffered a ninewicket defeat against the

Windward Islands within three days, but could expect another tough examination, since the Guyanese will be playing in their own backyard.

The title holders Barbados have named an unchanged 13-man squad from their opening round. Meanwhile, according to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), admission to the venue is free.

The Guyana squad for the second round reads: Christopher Barnwell (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Narsingh Deonarine, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Amir Khan, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph and Vishaul Singh.

The Barbados squad reads: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Rashidi Boucher, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kevin Stoute, Kenroy Williams.

In addition to the Head Coach, the Team Manager is Alvin Johnson, while Julian Moore will join the team as Assistant Coach.

GCB rolls out National T20 League

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced plans for the staging of a National Twenty20 League, which will be called the “Guyana T20 Cricket League (GTCL).

According to a release from the board, the competition will be contested among eight teams and will be held on an annual basis.

The competition will be played prior to the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) each year and can be used as a feeder for the Guyana Amazon Warriors teams this year and into the future, the release said.

"This is a great opportunity for more of our local players to be part of the Guyana team and to vie for greater heights,” the release stated.

The GCB is currently in discussions with two potential title sponsors, but has not yet finalised any formal arrangement with any entity in this regard.

Teams will be drawn from eight geographical areas and the competition has been structured to showcase as many players as possible, and is not intended to be a club or county arrangement, the GCB explained.

Teams will represent

the following jurisdictions:

Upper Berbice (Albion to Crabwood Creek); Lower Berbice (West Coast Berbice to Fyrish); East Coast Demerara; Georgetown A; Georgetown B; East Bank Demerara, including Linden; West Demerara; and Essequibo.

The GCB will also be seeking team sponsors for each of the eight teams with special preference being given to sponsors located within the geographical area of each team.

This will allow the teams to generate a following and spectator support from their particular geographical area and ultimately result in a higher level of competition within the teams who should take pride in representing the areas from which they came, the GCB said.

Discussions have already commenced with some potential team sponsors. The board will also be inviting at least 16 players from the Caribbean to be part of this tournament, which will be held during a two-week period in either May or June of this year.

“The rules for the tournament are currently being drawn up and one of the

features of the competition will be the allowance for local guest players; meaning that local players who may have missed out on selection within their geographical teams above may be eligible for selection with other teams, up to a set limit per team, so as to ensure that all eight teams maintain a competitive environment,” the GCB said.

There will be 28 preliminary matches, two semifinals, a third place playoff and a final played under floodlights. Matches will be played all across Guyana with the semi-finals and final slated for National Stadium at Providence and Albion. The winner is expected to cart off at least $10,000,000 during the inaugural tournament.

Persons or entities interested in coming on board with this new and exciting venture can make direct contact with the GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie at sanasiericky@gmail.com or the Marketing Manager Raj Singh at rsinsurance63@ gmail.com on or before March 31, or obtain further details on the GCB website: www.guyanacricketboard. com.

Scotiabank, Pepsi hold trials for U.S. scholarship

Three players from the Scotiabank/ Pepsi Schools football programme were recently evaluated by national coaches Wayne Dover and Sampson Gilbert of the Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA) for a scholarship to the ASA College in the United States.

The players are Shaka Lewis, Ronaldo Dover and Dominique Babb.

The trio was selected for football player evaluation after a pre-screening was done based on players academic qualifications.

The academic and player evaluation will now be submitted to the ASA College coach in New York where one will be selected for a full football scholarship oppor-

tunity at that College.

The ASA College men’s soccer team qualified for the USA National Junior College Athletic Association Division One Championships last year.

Before the technical evaluation, Programme Director, Colin Baker, explained to the players the nature of the scholarship and stated that it was in keeping with one of the main objectives of the Scotiabank/Pepsi School football programme.

He also expressed delight that the programme is now in partnership with the GFCA.

Under the new arrangement with the GFCA, 15 national coaches will assist with coaching of the players and assisting the

Physical Education coaches of the schools, who attended a coaches training course administered by Technical Director of the programme, Stanley Harmon. Harmon was also instrumental in making the scholarship opportunity possible.

The 2014 Scotiabank/ Pepsi Schools football tournament phase kicks off on March 15, featuring 24 schools from Georgetown, Berbice and Linden.

Most of the schools will be fielding a male and female team.

A total of 100 league games will be played among the three areas before the champion male and female teams from each area contest the semi-finals and finals.

Ray’s One Stop Auto Parts

Play in the Trophy Stall sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-15 League is set to continue on Saturday at the Grove Playfield with two more matches.

The clash of the day will be the Soesdyke/Grove Hi Tech showdown, both teams notching up wins in their opening encounters on Saturday last at the same venue. Grove defeated Diamond United 5-1, while Soesdyke were in more devastating form, hammering Herstelling FC 10-1.

Leading Soesdyke’s charge for victory will be Kevin Sobers and Tyrone Khan, who both netted three goals each in their

big win. Support will come from Shane Meusa, Shanon Samnauth and Raymond Khan among others.

Grove will look to Threvon Pluck and Alyne Haynes, who scored a double each against Diamond. Akel Forde, Kevin Padmore and Randy Smart will look to lend support. The opening game at 10:00 hours between Diamond United and Herstelling will be an interesting match given that both teams are chasing their first win of the competition. Herstelling, like Diamond, features one female player in their line-up and they have both looked well in play.

Indira Amardeo stood

between the uprights for Herstelling in the first half of their game, but was used outside in the second half.

She will hope to be a formidable force along with the skillful forward Devon Winter, who netted their lone goal against Soesdyke, Adrian Sattuar, Joseph Ramsarran, Narendra Ramkummar, Yadeo Kumar and Ajay Singh.

Diamond’s lone female, Diana Angoy, will hope to be on the winning side along with teammates, Jumo Geroge, Marvin Garnett, Dennis Bascomb, Delon dennis, Shamar Hicks, Godfrey Williams, Omarion Fowler and Vibert Chung, who netted against Grove.

As preparations for the fourth Hugh Ross Classic Bodybuilding and Fitness Show continue, the support of corporate Guyana continues to flow towards the hosting of a successful event.

The latest entity to come on board is Ray’s One Stop Auto Parts and Auto Sales, located at 74 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.

Owner Ray Seebarran in handing over his company’s contribution to the Hugh Ross Classic Committee noted that he himself is an avid gym member and recognises the importance and benefits of exercising.

Seebarran said that when it comes to athletes putting in the hard work to present themselves on stage for competition, it is highly

commendable and his company is pleased to play their part to make the show a success.

Hugh Ross, Chairman of the Hugh Ross Classic Committee, thanked Seebarran for his kind gesture, noting that it is appreciated. The show is set for March 29 at the National Cultural Centre, commencing at 19:00h.

Football coaches urged to be agents of change

– as Gender-Based Violence workshop concludes

By Avenash Ramzan

While every coach may boast of being a master at his trade, those attached to schools participating in the Milo Under-20 schools football championships have been urged to think beyond the game and be agents of change at their respective learning institution.

That was the recurring message by speakers at the conclusion of a twoday Gender-Based Violence workshop for coaches at the Health Ministry’s Boardroom on Brickdam, Georgetown.

Twenty-four coaches were involved in the workshop, which was conducted by Dr Ertenisa Hamilton and Nicolette Henry, and was organised by the Petra Organisation in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

At a simple closing ceremony on Thursday afternoon, Dr Hamilton en-

couraged the coaches to use the information gathered over the two days “wisely”.

“You have the ability to change lives. Use it [the information] wisely,” she related.

Dr Hamilton, who is attached to the Health Ministry, pointed out that the workshop was enlightening as she was able to get different perspectives on gender-based violence from the coaches during the interactive sessions.

“Take what you have learnt back to your students,” she advised.

Another Health Ministry representative, Joy Gravesande, implored on the coaches to share the knowledge they would have acquired with their students.

She pointed out that gender-based violence is a serious issue in Guyana, and one that should not be taken lightly, as it affects all sections of society.

Co-Director of the Petra

Organisation Marlan Cole said he hoped the workshop would achieve its intended goal, which is to use the coaches as the means by which the message of gender-based violence can be channeled through to students and those the coaches come into contact with.

Speaking on behalf of the coaches, Brian Smith said they were all grateful for the opportunity to discuss the subject and share information and knowledge, noting that the organisers should be commended for their insight.

The objectives of the workshop were to identify myths and attitudes used to justify gender-based violence, to explore and identify causes, and to discuss the effects on women, their families, society and the perpretrators as a whole.

Meanwhile, matches in the competition will continue this weekend at the Education Ministry ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

WICB Regional Four-Day Tournament

Seestory on page22

Guyana, Barbados clash in round two