Guyana Times Daily

thursday, may 29, 2014|

High electricity cost stymieing region’s growth

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Caribbean

Development Bank

(CDB) President, Dr Warren Smith, said the region must unlock the opportunities for competitiveness and growth through the capitalisation of renewable energy, contending that for far too long, Caribbean countries have been affected by the high cost of electricity.

Delivering an insightful presentation during the opening ceremony of the 44th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Board of Governors meeting, Dr Smith contended that the region’s inability to achieve high rates of economic growth is due to its lack of competitiveness, which is linked to the high cost of electricity.

According to an enterprise survey conducted by the World Bank in 2010, at least 30 per cent of Caribbean firms identified electricity costs as a major constraint to doing business.

“The combination of high diesel and heavy fuel oil costs and the inherent inefficiency of diesel technology, which accounts for the majority of the generation in Borrowing Member Counties (BMCs), are the principal contributors to these high electricity prices. Further, these fuel prices are subject to the

volatility of international oil markets, which are highly responsive to shifts in geo-politics,” Dr Smith explained.

This problem, he said, is further compounded by small market size and the absence of economies of scale in the generation of electricity; with many of the generation facilities gradually approaching the end of their useful lives. As a result, these facilities do not benefit from the efficiencies inherent in the new technologies built into generators of more recent vintage.

“The macroeconomic impact of the high cost of imported fuel and the consequential high electricity

price are reflected in deteriorating performance indicators in most BMCs. High levels of debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and depletion of foreign reserves are directly related to this dependence on imported oil. High electricity prices erode the competitiveness of the regional economies and, therefore, their ability to earn the required foreign exchange to pay for imports, including oil,” Dr Smith further explained.

Frontal attack needed

If the region is to transform its competitiveness landscape, there must be a frontal attack on energy costs and the poor state of

the existing electricity infrastructure.

The CDB President ruled out the perception that with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean is energy poor. In support of his argument, Dr Smith said: “Guyana alone has enough renewable energy potential, mainly in the form of hydropower to meet all of its electricity requirements for the foreseeable future; supply all of the needs of immediate neighbours, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago; and still have enough left over to sell to neighbouring Brazil.

tries,” he further explained.

It is time the region creates the requisite path for the effective development of renewable energy technology, allowing for the needed transformation of the energy landscape. According to Dr Smith, Jamaica has the potential to meet up to 30 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable sources such as wind, solar, mini-hydro and waste-to-energy. But this is not limited to Jamaica, but to other countries within the region. However, in moving forward, there is need for legislative and regulatory

mal performances are in check, thereby ensuring that there is a level playing field among consumers, investors and the Government.

For the past decade, the region’s economic expansion rate per annum has remained below the global rate of 3.8 per cent; lower than the four per cent average for other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and even below the average for emerging and developing countries. The region’s economic expansion rate has stood at two per cent.

Alluding to The World

The situation is similar for Suriname.”

He said too that Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have great potential to generate their entire base-load electricity requirements from geo-thermal sources.

Act now

“Although their domestic markets are quite small, technological advances in the development of undersea transmission cables would allow these countries to exploit their relatively large geo-thermal reserves for export to neighbouring coun-

changes.

“We need to change the legislative framework, at the national level, in order to facilitate access for renewables by altering the monopoly on generation where this exists in BMCs. Revisions in the framework should ensure equitable pricing for supply from independent power providers or small, distributed renewable generators of electricity.”

According to him, all BMCs should follow in the footsteps of Barbados and Jamaica, which have already enacted the supporting legislation. Countries should ensure equitable tariffs and rules for opti-

Bank’s “Doing Business” Survey and the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, the CDB President said the Caribbean’s ranking does not compare well with other countries in the area of competitiveness.

From a total of 189 countries surveyed for the Doing Business index, the average ranking for the Caribbean is 100.

The rankings confirmed that BMCs will have difficulty maintaining existing markets and penetrating new ones, unless there is radical transformation in the way business is done. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

US citizen busted with cocaine in frozen fish at CJIA

Less than a week after a Guyanese Power Lifting Champion was busted at the John F Kennedy International Airport, after admitting to swallowing cocaine pellets (see full story on page 12), a US citizen was busted in Guyana on Wednesday attempting to smuggle a quantity of cocaine in frozen fish.

Members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) intercepted the 52-year-old woman at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as she was about to board a BW 526 Caribbean Airlines flight bound for the United States.

During check-in, CANU ranks realised that the woman was acting in a sus-

picious manner and thought that something was amiss; hence, her suitcase was pulled and searched.

More than six pounds (over three kilograms) of cocaine was found in the frozen fish in the woman’s suitcase.

Head of CANU, James Singh confirmed that the woman was escorted to Georgetown and is being interrogated by members of the Drug Enforcement Unit. The woman is expected to be charged before the week is over.

Another bust

On Friday last, four men attached to the Timehri Handling Service (THS) were arrested following the discovery of a quantity

of cocaine on a Caribbean Airlines flight destined for Toronto, Canada.

According to information received, 2.2 kilograms of cocaine were found in the aft hold (the belly) of a BW 606 aircraft by airline security during a routine search about 13:00h on the day in question.

The aircraft, sources said, had stopped over at the CJIA about 12:11h from Port of Spain, while on its way to Toronto.

After landing at the CJIA, the plane’s baggage was off-loaded from the aft hold and it was during a sweep of the hold as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that the drug was discovered.

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected during the day with light rain showers in the afternoon. Clear skies to partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East north-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:30h and 16:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.55 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:31h and 22:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.68 metre respectively.

Burnham declared war on WPA – Kwayana

…says it was necessary for PNC to survive

By Alexis Rodney

Leader of the People’s National Congress 1970s regime, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, had made public his intention to crush the country’s political opposition and had declared war on the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), co-founder of the party, Eusi Kwayana said on Wednesday.

He was at the time continuing his testimony at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, being held at the Supreme Court Library . Kwayana, who began his testimony on Tuesday, was at the time referring to a publication tendered to the commission as evidence in which Burnham publicly declared his intention to anillihate the Working Peoples’ Alliance, and the Peoples' Progressive Party (PPP) led by the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Strongholds Burnham, he recalled, was addressing his party’s Third Biennial Congress at the National Exhibition Park Sophia on August 26, 1979. Kwayana quoted from Burnham’s speech to his party, referring to the WPA as the “Worst Possible Alternative”.

“The Worst Possible Alternative has no use, as their pickets outside Eve Leary last month showed, for the formal Opposition because they say the leader of the formal Opposition does not know what he is doing,” Burnham said. He continued, “Comrades, we are now in the Roman Amphitheatre. The lion and the gladiator cannot

Eusi Kwayana said the PNC Regime had plans to wipe out all Opposition

both survive; one must die and we know that the People’s National Congress will live”.

Asked to explain the statement, Kwayana surmised that Burnham must have been speaking to the Working People’s Alliance. He spoke of the formal and informal Opposition that Burnham had mentioned, referring to the People’s Progressive Party and the Working People’s Alliance respectively. “Let me tell the formal Opposition this”, Kwayana read to the inquiry, “ the worst possible alternative has held its last meeting at Linden; that is the last meeting that they have held at Linden, and the PPP has also held its last meeting in Linden. “Why this attack on the PNC proletarian strongholds? They realise that we hold the urbanised proletarian working class. They realise further, that we have made substantial in-roads amongst the rural agricultural workers, as successive elections have established and

proved. Therefore, it is the hope that, with glossy radical rhetoric, they, the PPP, can ride into office on the backs of the Worst Possible Alternative. But comrades, let me say this: “Never the day canoe bore punt”, Kwayana reported Burnham as saying. It continued: “Comrades, they had better make their wills, because so far as we are concerned, we are not asking them for quarter and we will not give them any”.

The former leader of the Working People’s Alliance, when asked what he thought of that statement said: “We knew it was a threat, we didn’t know to what extent the threat would go in 1979. It was a declaration of war, let them make their wills… it was directed to the Working People’s Alliance”, Kwayana testified.

Kwayana, whose birth name is Sydney King, related that the PNC Government, considered a capitalist form of leader-

ship was publicly rejected by citizens. He spoke of the then Government establishing its own constitution, which citizens referred to as the “PNC constitution”. He pointed to the doctrine of party paramountcy which the PNC government had embraced, declaring that whatever rules were made were hard and fast. He cited comments made by Burnham when he travelled to two Caribbean countries. While in Jamaica, Kwayana related that Burnham had said that he was running a “one party government in a multi-party system”. While in Barbados, the former President declared “we don’t tell people what to drink, we tell them what not to drink”.

He said that the then Opposition Leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan had raised concerns about his actions; however, Burnham responded that he had other way to win elections.

Leadership Speaking on his role in the Working People’s Alliance, Kwayna informed the commission that he was a member of the collective leadership of the party.

He joined the party many years after leaving the two main opposition parties. He said he was ousted from both the People’s Progressive Party and the People’s National Congress as he was deemed a racist.

He noted that his only wrong was seeking to bind the two main races together, since he had an innate interest in multi ethnicity.

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

Russia-China gas deal

Russia and China have just concluded a major gas deal

– one that had been in the making for the last two decades. What made the Russians sign on the dotted line now was that they had not anticipated the flight of capital and the possible sanctions on export of energy to Europe – by far Russia’s largest source of foreign currency. Faced with the threat of economic isolation and due in China in May, Putin rushed to clinch the deal.

China will purchase 38 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia for 30 years, potentially worth US$400 billion. The sales will not start immediately – new gas-fields in Eastern Russia need to be developed and pipelines have to be laid first. But four years from now, in 2018, the gas will begin to flow.

Natural gas is a major export for Russia. Exports to Europe in 2012 were an estimated US$66 billion – more than 10 per cent of Russia’s entire exports. Russia (and USSR earlier) has been supplying gas to Western Europe since the 1980s.

However, given the events in Ukraine, there is now talk of Europe reducing its dependence on Russian gas. Imports of shale gas from the US and developing shale gas reserves within Europe are being discussed. Unlike petroleum, natural gas cannot be freely bought or sold without costly infrastructure, such as pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals. Therefore, any meaningful shift by Europe will hit Russia’s exports.

Clearly, Russia needs to reduce its dependence on a single market and tap additional markets. The deal is a big step in that direction. China gains by getting a large, dedicated supply of a clean fuel. China’s premier Li Keqiang has spoken of a ‘war on pollution’ – using more natural gas instead of oil or coal will help. This deal has implications for Russia’s energy trade, Asia’s energy supplies and the global gas market at large, for several reasons. For one, Russia can now play Europe against China and vice versa, while not being at the mercy of either.

This is the first time Russia will look for new markets for a key resource. After China, it will be natural for Russia to look further east to the other energy hungry Asian economies for similar deals – Japan and South Korea in the immediate neighbourhood and a bit further off, India. Such cooperation will also require large infrastructure investments from the Russian side – particularly LNG terminals. That will provide business for all sides, Russian as well as the energy importers who will need to invest also to ensure the financial and operational viability for these projects.

This is an opportunity to bring down natural gas prices. Iran and Russia have the world’s largest and second largest reserves of natural gas: Russia has less than five per cent of the global LNG trade while Iran is absent, thanks to the many sanctions imposed on it since 1979. Qatar, third in reserves, is the biggest player in the LNG business with one third of the global market. Trinidad is the sixth largest LNG producer in the world. If Russia can be brought into the world LNG market, currently dominated by countries with smaller gas reserves, it will be good for importers and help lower world LNG prices.

In the long term, this deal could perhaps see Russia and China shift away from the dollar – even though nothing has been mentioned about that. Russia and China already have extensive trade (approximately US$90 billion) in China’s favour and can potentially use the yuan for this trade.

There are two possible scenarios that might emerge. Given the events in Ukraine, Russia’s energy sector may face sanctions from an enraged NATO. This would restrict the options for most gas customers that would not want to antagonist the West. But then again, with this agreement Russia may become a potential future bridge between Asia and Europe.

Promoting local art

The

RPA works in tandem with GRBD, and has come a long way

Dear Editor,

In a previous letter, I highlighted the cause of poor quality and non-germination of seedling paddy. I must also pay tribute to people giving sterling service like Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; the full complement of the GRDB Board of Directors and the General Manager Jagnarine Singh, who initiated a full investigation into the Burma Research Seedling Complex and its overall operations; and not forgetting Dr Mahendra Persaud.

That letter and its indepth revelation brought about some robust and admirable transformation at the Burma Research station and

its field operations extension services. The RPA works in tandem with GRBD and has come a long way too.

High commendation should go to Mr Kuldip Ragnauth, who is head of GRBD extension service. This official is fully acknowledged by rice farmers everywhere, as a super advocate and tireless proponent of the six-point practice. He is articulate, approachable and a very committed individual, who has command over his extension staff.

My close encounter with Mr Ragnauth occurred as a result of he and his extension staff undertaking an experimental plot on my three-acre farm. His experiment encom-

passed the six-point plan, which is scientifically based and its application must be very timely.

I was never left alone in the field; a farm school session was regularly held every other week until the plot was harvested. Up-to-date scientific data was recorded on the progress duly made on the plot.

The display of excellent services were a result of working with the farmer and it is one of the best ways to transfer scientific technologies to all.

I was very reluctant to cultivate the GR Number 10 variety because of a genetic problem which takes the form of ‘lodging.’ It falls flat before harvesting. However, Mr Ragnauth counselled me

into planting this particular variety because of its high yield. I did so and the result was astonishing; I harvested 55.5 bags of 155lbs per acre. Other varieties yielded 40 bags per acre in recent crops. Lastly, the overall transformation which my letter brought about was a manifestation of a hidden truth, and that is not all Guyanese are patriotic in their work ethic. I trust and hope that after the recent resolutions and transformations the Research Extension Service and GRBD Board will not fall back into their former slots once again.

Yours faithfully, Ganga Persaud

Subsidised fertilisers needed on time

Dear Editor,

Sowing of the present rice crop has commenced in Region Two, where farmers are making full use of the weather and the water from the Tapakuma irrigation canals. Cultivation has commenced in all parts of the Essequibo Coast and the exercise is moving apace with the advent of the rains. It is anticipated that some 32,500 acres will be sown for this crop. Some young rice will be 18-20 days old and would need Nitrogen (Urea) and Phosphorous (TSP) fertilisers. Field trials and actual farm use have shown that when fertilisers are properly used on the required days, the results can be a significant advantage to the farmer. Rice farmers are worried

that the $5 million which was budgeted as subsidies for fertilisers would not reach them in time and they would have to buy their first dose of fertilisers at a very high price from wholesalers.

The consequences of these high prices are already being felt as farmers began buying their fertilisers from outside sources. Considering the critical nature of the current situation, it will be wise for the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Guyana Rice Producer’s Association (RPA) to lobby the Guyana Government and the Agriculture Ministry to expedite the purchasing and shipping of the fertilisers in all the rice growing regions urgently.

Fertilisers are necessary for normal plant growth in

rice and are considered the primary plant food elements. Therefore, fertilisers are needed for rice production and should be applied at the right time.

If the plants are deficient in Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous, they are left stunted and tillering is reduced. The leaves become erect and yellow and the younger leaves turn pale green, starting from the tip. Effort should be made to get the fertilisers on time, as the loss of rice would create a shortfall in terms of accessing new markets.

The sowing with fertilisers on time and harvesting of an early crop will enable the industry to meet its commitments on the export market. However, farmers find themselves at a disadvantage

from the outset in obtaining these fertilisers because it is stored too far from the central part of the region and the transportation costs add up to the same if they buy it in their area.

Some wholesalers and distributors are delivering the fertilisers directly to the farmer's doorstep at the same cost as the Government. Some of these fertilisers are found to have short weight as much as 15-20 lbs when purchased from these outlets and is a major problem in many rice growing regions. With such unscrupulous dealers, many farmers only discover their costly mistake when their harvest fails.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Sham benefitssolidarity no one

Dear Editor,

Recently, I read a news article in which Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, when asked his opinion about the case of Alex Griffith, the 15-year-old boy who was taken away from his mother and shot in the mouth by Cadet Officer Franz Paul, said that he was not aware of this issue.

The exact quote from Rohee was, “I have to confess that I’m not so much up to date on that because I was out for a while and I’m still to get a briefing”. I was then amazed at Minister Rohee.

I was further amazed, however, when I attended an event at Red House on May 23, at which Minister Rohee was the keynote speaker. The event was organised by the women’s branch of the PPP/C, the WPO, and was advertised as a “Solidarity Forum” with the Nigerian schoolgirls.

There were many incredible things about this event – beginning with the fact that most of the people present were completely unaware of the issue in the first place – something that was made evident when the moderator asked for those who knew about the kidnapped girls to show their hands and only about half a dozen hands were raised.

It’s amazing that so many people made the decision to spend several hours of their precious Friday afternoon engaged in showing solidarity on an issue they knew nothing about.

It was also incredible to see and hear comments about the preciousness of children and the importance of respecting their rights from religious leaders

such as Reverend Kwame Gilbert, Pandit Raj from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, and Sister Zahoora from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana.

I had been hoping to hear from the extensive Guyanese religious community for quite some time now, on issues such as young Alex Griffith’s distressing experience with the Police, as well as that of the young girls alleging rape and abuse at the NOC – but I have been waiting in vain seemingly. So it was nice to get evidence that these individuals and organisations were alive and well, and that they did indeed care about child rights, including, incredibly, those living as far away as Nigeria.

But the most amazing thing of all was the speech by Minister Rohee, in which he covered topics ranging from the missing Malaysian aircraft, speculations about alien life forms, along with a comprehensive analysis of the problems of post-colonialism and the origins of Boko Haram.

Rohee declared that he had spent much time contemplating this issue and who indeed seemed to have a great deal of insight into the matter. Boko Haram was apparently formed after some unemployed, criminally-inclined youth, who had previously been working for the politicians got ‘bussed off’ and decided to retaliate by forming his own organisation to terrorise his former bosses.

I was amazed at Mr Rohee’s keen understanding of this complex situation, as well as his commitment to international solidarity.

I was then reminded of a famous quote which says, “Charity begins at home”. It’s lovely that the WPO, religious leaders, random Guyanese people, and politicians are concerned about the missing Nigerian girls and it is indeed great to raise awareness of issues outside of Guyana and to show solidarity with other sufferers.

I too hope that the Nigerian girls are soon reunited with their families. However, I must say, that it is appalling that these same individuals remain silent on issues affecting Guyanese youth.

The fact is that we here in Guyana can do nothing about the situation in Nigeria – no matter how many petitions are signed, vigils held, etc. What we can impact are the circumstances of the youth in our own communities at home here in Guyana – youth who too often suffer violence and injustice at the hands of the Police and other adults who abuse their power.

Mr Rohee is able to find time to acquaint himself with the case of Boko Haram, but not about Alex Griffith’s situation, a young Guyanese citizen. We have had enough of sham solidarity and political grandstanding which helps absolutely no one.

Bring back justice and accountability to Guyana now! All the boys and girls of Guyana who have died and suffered at the hands of state officials and authority figures deserve as much justice and attention as the Nigerian schoolgirls!

Sincerely, Sherlina Nageer

The

Hope Canal sluice gate contract was never “yanked” from Courtney Benn contracting firm

Dear Editor,

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) wishes to clarify a Stabroek News article dated May 27, headlined, “Hope Canal sluice gates contract yanked from Courtney Benn”. The Hope Canal sluice gate contract was never “yanked” from Mr Benn’s contracting firm. We wish to clearly state that the headline and the article are misleading.

The construction of the sluice gates does not comprise an item of the Bill of Quantities of the contract with Courtney Benn. The contract awarded to and signed between the

Agriculture Ministry and Courtney Benn does not include the construction of steel gates. Rather, it is for the installation of steel gates. The installation of the gates is still part of Mr Benn’s contract.

From the outset, the NDIA was responsible for procurement of the requisite stainless steel materials for the fabrication of the gates. Thereafter, there would have been a handover to the contractor for installation. We deliberately did not include it in the contract so as to fast track the work.

As the project developed, the NDIA went to a public

bidding procedure to engage a contractor for the fabrication of the gates. This process has been completed and a contract was awarded to GNIC. The Minister has publicly spoken about subcontracting the fabrication of the gates on several occasions. In closing, it will be appreciated if Stabroek News would in future seek the comments of the NDIA before publishing issues relative to the agency. Indeed, the acid test for the truth of the matter should have been a call to Courtney Benn.

Public Relations Unit, Agriculture Ministry

Stray Catching Programme intended to improve traffic safety

Dear Editor, The Home Affairs Ministry wishes to advise the general public that the Stray Catching Programme, implemented since March 3, 2011, is intended to improve traffic safety on the main roads of Guyana by removing and impounding animals found straying thereon.

It is expected that cattle owners will contribute to the safety on our roads by ensuring proper supervision of their animals during their grazing periods.

The programme has achieved a considerable degree of success since its implementation. In 2011, there were two fatal, five serious, nine damage and three minor accidents involving strays.

In 2012, there was one report of a fatal accident, no report of any serious damage or minor accident in-

volving strays. For the year 2013, there was no report of any fatal, serious, damage or minor accident involving strays. However, for the current year, there was a report of a fatal accident involving a stray.

With regard to the claims that the programme is not very functional, such claims can be considered as unjustifiable. The cost of redeeming strays from a pound has increased over the years.

Victims who have suf-

fered on account of strays may not be satisfied with the cost for redeeming strays from the pound. However, cattle owners make complaints against the cost as being exorbitant.

There is no lack of workers for the programme. The most prevalent challenge that the Stray Catching Unit has faced is attempts to release strays when caught.

Respectfully submitted, Home Affairs Ministry

Page Foundation

MBY LIZ PERLE

y daughter got her first cellphone in seventh grade (after much lobbying, whining, begging, and squabbling). Because she took public transportation home from school, my husband and I decided it was a good idea from a safety standpoint.

There were no texts, the phone couldn’t take pictures, she was told how many minutes were allowed, and we did take it away from her as a punishment once (and it was very effective). Flash forward to the next child, four years her junior. He got a phone in sixth grade, mostly for the same reasons.

But technology had moved on, and his came with texting and photo abili ty, not to mention games. By then, our daughter had also become a text messaging ninja, and we’d upgraded our plan for unlimited texts (a very wise move) and re placement insurance.

Many parents wres tle with the issue of cell phones for children. What’s the right age for children to get cell phones, and what func tions are age appropri ate? And what about smartphones with their abilities to download apps

(not to mention their additional data plans!)?

These questions are best answered by asking other questions:

* How independent are your children?

* Do your children “need” to be in touch for safety reasons – or social ones?

* How responsible are they?

* Can they get behind the concept of limits for minutes talked and apps downloaded?

* Can they be trusted not to text during class, disturb others with their conversations, and to use the

harass others)?

* Do they really need a smartphone that is also their music device, a portable movie and game player, and portal to the Internet?

* Do they need something that gives their location information to their friends and maybe some strangers, too – as some of the new apps allow?

* And do you want to add all the expense of new data plans? (Try keeping your temper when they announce that their new smartphone got dropped in the toilet...)

***Just remember***:

When you hand children phones today, you’re giving them powerful communications and production tools. They can create text, images, and videos that can be widely distributed and uploaded to websites. They can broadcast their status and their location. They can download just about everything in the world. If you think your children’s technological savvy is greater than their ability to use it wisely, pay attention to the gap. Times may have changed, but parenting hasn’t. We’re still the parents. And it’s our job

Protect your children – staying smart online

Protecting your children from harm is just as important online as it is in the real world. As a parent or carer, you can play an important role in helping children have safe and positive experiences online.

The Internet offers an exciting world of experiences for children and the whole family. It can be entertaining, educational and rewarding. However, using the Internet also involves risks and challenges.

Children might be exposed to content that is sexually explicit, violent, prohibited or even illegal. They may also experience cyber bullying or be at risk from contact by strangers.

Children may – unknowingly or deliberately – share personal information without realising they may be subject to identity theft, or that they are leaving behind content that might not reflect well on them in the future.

By taking an active role in talking with your children about the risks and answering their questions or concerns about something that they find on the Internet you can help them stay safer online.

Understanding the risks

Sexual predators

When you meet someone in person it is easier to be certain that the person you are talking with is who they say they are or is at least the same age and gender as they say. This is more difficult on the Internet. It is easy to create a fake profile online.

Children tend to be more

naïve and trusting and are more likely to fall prey to strangers posing as children their own age. Sexual predators frequent chat rooms looking for children to target. They develop a friendship and may spend months “grooming” a child towards sharing information, photographs or meeting up.

Talk to your children about the risks and what to be wary off. Help them to feel comfortable talking to you about their online friends and encourage them to tell you if anyone asks them for photographs or to meet them in person, particularly it you don’t know them or haven’t met them or their parents before.

Inappropriate content

There is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate, particularly for children. There are a number of things you can do to help prevent your children inadvertently or intentionally accessing this content.

Internet content filters are a valuable tool for managing your children’s access to online material and activities that you believe are harmful. They can be used to help filter offensive web content and can be individually set for different members of your family. Some Internet content filters can set time limits for online use as well as help you monitor the online activities of your children.

While you can use filtering software to restrict the type of websites your children can access, they will not stop

everything. Taking an active role in talking with your children about the risks, answering their questions or concerns and being present will encourage them to come to you if they do come across an inappropriate site.

Having the computer in a common area, like the family room or the kitchen will make it easier for you to monitor their use of the Internet without having to be looking over their shoulder.

Cyber-bullying

Mobile phones and the Internet provide an easy and often anonymous way for children to bully and intimidate other children or to circulate hurtful gossip or embarrassing photos or video. While bullying used to be restricted to contact at school SMS, email, instant messaging and chat rooms can be used to reach children anywhere, including at home.

* Talk to your children and encourage them to let you know if they feel bullied or intimidated. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, and there are steps that they can take to address the cyberbullying. What is most important is that they tell someone.

* As in the real world, encourage them not to respond when someone is being aggressive or hurtful online. This can only make it worse.

* If someone is posting anything about your child online, especially personal information, contact your Internet Service Provider. Most likely your provider can have the information removed.

* Report cyber-bullying to your child’s school. If you have serious concerns for your child’s safety, contact your local Police.

Protecting personal information and privacy

If you are allowing your children to communicate with others online, talk to them about how important it is that they keep personal information private. Encourage them not to give out their or your email address.

If they have their own email or other online accounts make sure that they have a strong username and password that doesn’t reveal anything personal. For example the user name ‘Katy1998’ could reveal name, gender and age.

Educate your children about managing spam. Encourage them to delete any messages they get from anyone they don’t know. Ensure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date. If your children tell you that they have given out personal information online, contact your Internet Service Provider or the site where the information is posted to see what you can do to have it removed. (staysmartonline.gov.au)

Budget cuts bite deep

Hundreds of public sector workers not paid

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has expressed concerns over the large number of workers in the public sector who have not been paid as a result of disapprovals to estimates in the 2014 National Budget.

Speaking at his postCabinet media briefing on Wednesday at the Office of the President, Dr Luncheon said the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government would not sit idly by and allow workers to suffer as well as struggle as a result of actions taken by the Opposition parties during the 2014 Committee of Supply proceedings.

“It is not the intention of this administration to sit idly, talking about what to do as the livelihood of employees, many of them, pensionable civil servants appointed by the Public Service Commission are adversely affected,” Dr Luncheon said.

He also pointed out that the Government will be taking steps in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana and in conjunction with rulings that were made by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

He noted that it is “our contention that leads us the expected course of action” as he explained that the Constitution and court rulings “point literally and unambiguously to the solution” to the current problem faced by the Government.

Dr Luncheon said the Finance Minister will soon be approaching the House with a supplementary budgetary paper so as to restore funding to entities such as the Office of the

President, the Government Information Agency (GINA), the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Public Works Ministry.

Public servants to those bodies have not been in receipt of salaries as a result of the budgetary disapprovals, made by the Opposition in the National Assembly.

“My anticipation is that the Minister of Finance buttress by the powers and the authority conferred in him in the Constitution, armed with the ruling of the constitutional courts would be providing a response in what essentially we hope would be a short-lived denial,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

Both of the Opposition parties, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) had previously established that it would support a supplementary paper coming from Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh that does not include funding for a few projects that were voted down by the Opposition.

No support

However, it must be noted that the Opposition parties have expressed disapproval for the monies that were going to NCN, GINA and the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

They have repeatedly said that they will not support funding for NCN and GINA, contending that these are propaganda machines of the Government.

With respect to the University of Guyana (UG) Student Loan programme that was also disapproved

ingly reinstatement funding for the university.

Hundreds of public servants protest Budget cuts that put them out of jobs by the Committee of Supply, Opposition Leader David Granger and AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan said their actions were not premeditated.

They indicated that if the Government brings a Supplementary Bill to the House, they will most will-

fected and if income is affected, expenditure will be affected,” he posited.

In no uncertain terms, Dr Opadeyi said if the Government fails to return to the National Assembly for supplementary funding for the Student Loan Programme before the House goes to recess in August, the stated line of action will be taken.

UG’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi also weighed in on the issue, stating that if the Government of Guyana fails to return to the National Assembly for the restoration of the $450 million for the Student Loan Programme, the UG Administration will have no other choice than to shelf programmes.

“If we are not able to attract the more than 3000 loan students, it therefore means enrolment would be affected, and if enrolment is affected, income will be af-

Burnham declared war...

He spoke too of Rodney’s alleged assassin, Gregory Smith, whose book Assassination cry of a failed revolution, had presented several pieces of incredible evidence, which according to him, he had used to clear himself of the allegation laid against him. The allegation states that he, Gregory Smith had, on June 13, 1980, approached Dr Walter Rodney while he sat in his brother’s car outside the Georgetown Prison and handed over a brown paper

bag containing a bomb hidden in a walkie-talkie device. However, in his book, which was co-authored by Ann Wagner, Smith had denied ever giving Rodney a brown paper bag.

According to him, Smith was also trying to tie the Working People’s Alliance to him, saying that two party members, on the day of Rodney’s death had gone to his house informing him of this “terrible accident”.

According to Smith’s book, he claimed that the gentlemen had told him

But University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) President, Dr Patsy Francis; Vice President Melissa Ifill; and University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) President Bruce Haynes, in a united voice condemned the planned action by the university administration during a press conference held on Friday at the Senior Common Room (SCR), Turkeyen Campus.

The unions said that they will shut down both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses if there is any programme cut.

from page 3

that he needed to get out quickly and had “spirited him away to Kwakwani”.

Kwayana said that while Gregory Smith had indeed gone to Kwakwani, he had lied about being sent there by members of the WPA.

He said it was incredible too that Smith had claimed that he was offered a faked passport by the WPA to flee Guyana to French Guiana.

Kwayana heckled at the thought as he informed the inquiry that that was even more strange, since it was

impossible for members of the WPA at that time to access a passport, because of the political situation. “We could not leave the country”, he said.

Kwayana said, prior to the 1980 incident, he had never heard the name Gregory Smith.

In fact it was not until the explosion that he saw the suspect’s photograph in the Catholic Standard. He said Smith in his book continuously denied his involvement in Rodney’s death.

Movie Zone owner charged for possession of Ecstasy

The owner of popular DVD store Movie Zone, Jason Cummings, who was allegedly caught by Police with Ecstasy in his pocket pleaded not guilty to the offence of possession of narcotics on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The 31-year-old Cummings, of Lot 337 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, said, via his lawyer, Paul Fung-A-Fat, that he had caught a taxi, along with three other persons, and the pill was found on the ground of the vehicle and not in his pocket, as stated by the Prosecution.

The charge stated that a one-gram Ecstasy tablet was discovered in Cummings’ pocket.

The Magistrate remanded the defendant to prison until his next court hearing on June 2.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Deneshwer Mahindranaught, the prosecuting official, told Magistrate Fabayo Azore that on the night of Sunday, May 25, a taxi transporting the defendant, along with others, was stopped at a road block, and a search was carried out on his person.

GRA, Food and Drug Department part of worldwide anticounterfeiting operation

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), in collaboration with the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department, participated in one of the largest international anti-counterfeiting initiatives. Through these two agencies, Guyana joined 111 countries in an international week of action titled “Operation Pangea”, which targeted the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines, where some 543,531 packages were inspected by Customs and regulatory authorities, of which 19,618 were seized.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of 9,482,646 units of potentially dangerous medication with a value of US$35,859,018. In its third year of participation, the GRA took its campaign to various ports of entry with the aim of sensitising Customs officers, not only on the dangers associated with purchasing pharmaceuticals online, but also the need to record all medications entering Guyana. This campaign was complemented by the airing of a special edition of GRA’s television programme,

“Let’s Talk Tax”, which focused on the dangers of procuring pharmaceuticals via the Internet, and GRA’s and the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department’s role in monitoring such imports.

As the largest global Internet-based operation focusing on illicit websites selling counterfeit medicines, Operation Pangea VII engaged police, Customs and national regulatory authorities to target websites supplying fake and unapproved medicines, and to increase awareness of the serious health risks connected to

purchasing medicines online.

Public awareness campaigns were conducted in many countries, with Guyana alone producing six. Operation Pangea VII was coordinated by INTERPOL, with the World Customs Organisation, the Permanent Forum of International Pharmaceutical Crime, the Heads of Medicine Agencies, Working Group of Enforcement Officers, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, Europol, and supported by private sector companies including the Centre for Safe Internet Pharmacies, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and LegitScript.

Operation

The week-long operation targeted the main actors involved in the illegal online medicine trade: Internet Service Providers (ISPs); electronic payment systems; and delivery services. More than 9610 websites linked to illicit online pharmacies were identified and shutdown, in addition to the suspension of payment facilities of illegitimate pharmacies and the disruption of a substantial number of spam messages.

A dedicated operations centre at INTERPOL’s General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France served as a central hub for information exchange among the participating countries and agencies.

Additionally, the goal of the International Week of Action was to protect the public’s health by increasing public awareness about the dangers and risks associated with purchasing medicines and medical devices from websites. Other goals included identifying the producers and distributors of counterfeit or otherwise illegal pharmaceutical products or medical devices, targeting these individuals or businesses with civil or criminal action, and seizing counterfeit and illegal products and removing them from the supply chain.

Eyew tness

E...on Rodney and violence

usi Kwayana’s testimony before the Rodney CoI is certain to set the cat among the pigeons. Kwayana has an enviable record for telling it as it is – even if it takes some doing to figure out what the heck he’s saying about “it”! But then, sages have always been known for speaking in parables, no? The 89-year-old veteran politician informed the Commissioners that he would be giving “history lessons” to them in his responses.

Well, one lesson was a clear as day-clean. Kwayana said that in no way, shape or form was the WPA or Rodney engaged in stockpiling arms and preparing for a violent overthrow of the illegal PNC regime. Now this goes directly against what WPA veteran Rupert Roopnaraine declared a couple of years ago. Somebody’s lying through their teeth!

In a bombshell dropped out of the blue, Roopnaraine had declared gratuitously that Rodney was directly involved in building an armory. Kinda like the young Castro preparing for the attack against the Moncada army barracks back in 1956. But that was the whole point, wasn’t it? As a world class historian of Third World struggle, Rodney would’ve known the denouement of that venture. In a number of interviews, Rodney had always maintained that violence was only an option when all others had been tried. Rodney was organising a “popular” uprising.

But like Nagamootoo, who still maintains Jagan picked him to be his successor – even though no one ever heard this, Roopnaraine stoutly stuck to his “stockpiling arms” story. Most thought the story was actually a “fable” designed to offer Roopnaraine’s new political boss, David Granger, a “get out of jail card”. Granger, after all, could now assert his PNC was simply defending the state against a treasonable insurrection. But here we have it from the horse’s mouth...and Kwayana’s one horse who had Rodney’s confidence. Rodney never planned to use violence as an option to remove the PNC back in 1979.

We hope some reporters are going to follow up on this angle and ask Roopnaraine some pertinent questions. While we’re fortunate to have Kwayana still around. Mouth open, story jump out!

...on Marriott

Well, the info on the Marriott deal is all out there now. Everyone knew the structure of the deal...so apart from finally knowing who the equity investors are, we wonder what the hullabaloo is all about? But not surprisingly, the folks over at the Muckraker want to know, in the inimitable words of Mook Lall, via his “Dem boys seh” that’s transcribed by his house slave: “How dem two Hong Kong people get 67 per cent of de place fuh US$8 million while de Government who put in US$20 million, ain’t get nutten.”

So we’ll explain in language even the Mook might understand. Might. Let’s say, the Mook wants to open a sweetie factory. The money, he (say $8 million) and his house slave (say $4 million) put in is called “equity”. They own the factory. The loan from the bank to complete the factory (say, $27 million) doesn’t mean the bank owns the company. This stake is called “debt” and must be repaid.

If they’d wanted money (say, to bring in the machinery) to get things going, they might’ve asked Tony, the Mook’s best friend for say, $20 million. But Tony doesn’t want equity and he doesn’t want to give a loan. So Tony gets “preferred shares” where he gets dividends before de Mook and his house slave And if the sweetie factory closes, and is sold off, he gets back his money before the Mook and his house slave.

Get it now, Mook?

...on engineer

Minister Rohee put the Mook in his place. The fella had one of his reporters ask about the Government denying his sweetie engineer a visa. Rohee, dared him to show even a letter that such a visa was requested. Never gonna happen!!!

Porous borders a threat to fight against illegal arms – Rohee

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said Guyana’s many porous borders pose a great threat to efforts to combat the trafficking of illegal firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Specialised Training Course on Combating Illicit Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives for Legal Practitioners at the Police Training Centre on Wednesday.

According to Rohee, Government remains committed to tackling illegal trafficking. The Minister said for this reason, Government had signed onto the United Nations (UN) Convention of Illegal Trafficking and Firearms; and hence, presented the Firearms Amendment Bill 2013 which was recently passed in the National Assembly and signed into law.

“We are committed to the fight against trafficking of firearms and its components of firearms, as well as explosives. The fact that we have borders with so many countries and the constant clearing of our porous borders is indeed a challenge in

fighting this problem,” the Minister said. The fact that Brazil, our largest neighbour, manufactures the Taurus pistol compounds that problem.

He went on to say that Guyana is surrounded by three countries and has managed to maintain peace at the borders. He noted that development and peace go hand in hand and one cannot happen without the other. Rohee added that development is the thrust of the administration, so it is important to maintain peace and development by combating issues such as illicit trafficking.

Multilateral agencies

In addition, Rohee pointed out that disarmament also plays a part in ensuring that peace and development is sustained on the international level. According to Rohee, Government is committed to sustaining these three principles – peace, development and disarmament – in order to maintain the state of affairs within countries so that greater prospects can be achieved.

“The Government is committed to working with all multilateral agencies at a bilateral level to bring these three components into one for our country’s progress

balance be taken into consideration between those who seek pre-trial liberty in the courts and the victims who have suffered physical and economic damage,” he stressed.

The training course is being held by the Home Affairs Ministry with funding provided by the US Embassy. The training will be conducted by instructors from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).

Glenn Lall challenged to produce visa rejection letter of Indian engineers

Hand development,” he stated.

Rohee went onto highlight that when persons are charged and taken to court for possession of illegal firearm or the commission of a crime using an illegal firearm, they are granted bail by the court. The Minister noted that when hearing such cases, legal practitioners should look for a balance in the pre-trial liberty of individuals who are charged with gun crimes, as well as the legal and human rights of the victims.

“It is important that this

According to statistics reports, there are more than 2.5 million illicit weapons in circulation within the Caribbean and Latin America. Guyana has been working closely with the Caribbean through the US-initiated programme, Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) to curb this stigma.

However, with the passage of the local Firearms Amendment Bill, traffickers of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and or related components can now find themselves facing a maximum fine of $5 million or jailed for a period of 10 years if found guilty at the level of the High Court.

Guyanese injured in Suriname transferred to homeland

The six Guyanese who were reportedly involved in a serious a vehicular accident in neighbouring Suriname on Tuesday have been transferred to Guyana on Wednesday.

According to information reaching this publication, the Toyota Hilux owned and driven by Kevin Foo, a Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) manager was on its way back to Guyana from Nickerie, when the vehicle suffered a blowout and flipped several times before coming to a halt at the side of the road.

They all reside in Vreeden-Hoop, but went on a weekend trip to Suriname to meet with church members.

The driver, his wife Vanessa Foo and another relative, all suffered serious injuries, while three other relatives received minor injuries.

They were rushed to a

hospital in Nickerie; however, on Wednesday, they were taken in an ambulance from Nickerie to the border on Wednesday, where they were picked up by an ambulance from the Skeldon Hospital, and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital. However, due to her condition, Vanessa Foo was immediately transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Her husband and a relative up to press time were still waiting to be transferred to the Georgetown hospital.

According to reports, the ambulance that was supposed to be used for the transfer is not in a proper condition and the driver refused to drive it. The brakes of the vehicle are reportedly not working well.

Reports indicate that it is a norm for patients to wait long hours due to the unavailability of an ambulance, and though the authorities know of the problem, they turn a blind eye to it.

The authorities have

been allegedly informed about the state of the vehicle, and the need for a tyre to be replaced since September 2013, but only on Wednesday was someone sent to purchase one.

According to the De Ware Tijd online news, the Toyota Hilux with Guyanese number plate was heading to Nickerie, when the accident occurred.

Police said that about 175 miles from Nickerie, the vehicle suffered a blowout and flipped before coming to a rest at the side of the road.

De Ware Tijd said that five women and a man were injured. Two of the persons were said to be in serious condition.

There has been a significant increase in the number of Guyanese and Surinamese using the ferry service at Moleson Creek crossing. A bridge that will link the two countries is now seriously being considered.

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has denounced statements made by Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, accusing the Guyana Government through former President Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Home Affairs Ministry of rejecting the visa applications of two Indian engineers, whom he had contracted to help him set up a confectionery factory here.

Rohee made the comments while speaking in his capacity as General Secretary at the People’s Progressive Party weekly news conference on Tuesday. He was at the time responding to questions raised by Kaieteur News Editorin-Chief, Adam Harris, which stated that the former President had failed to grant visas to two Indian Engineers.

“I totally reject that, I totally reject that. And I say it is a confounded lie. I don’t know where that is coming from, and I think it’s all meant to undermine the Ministry of Home Affairs." He continued, “let them produce the rejection letter, I want the rejection letter to be produced and published in the Kaieteur News”.

The engineers were being brought into the country by Lall to work on a confectionery factory. The allegation is that the former President and his High Commissioner to India, Ronald Gajraj, had

denied visas to the Indian engineers that he (Lall) contracted to come to Guyana to set up the machinery and provide technical assistance.

At the launching of Sueria Manufacturing Inc, the confectionery company, at its Eccles Industrial Site location last week, Lall had said that the visa denials by the Jagdeo regime were because the company was connected to him. The company is owned by Lall’s daughter and son-in -law. When Guyana Times made contact with Lall last Friday for a comment, he told this publication that all he had to say was already published in the Kaieteur News. Guyana Times was attempting to find out the names of the engineers and the reason he (Lall) had taken such a long time before lodging his complaint.

Lawyers, Police begin training to combat arms trafficking

Several officers from the legal system are currently undergoing a three-day training course on combating illicit firearms, ammunition and explosives.

The training session is being hosted by the Home Affairs Ministry and is funded by the US Embassy; it began on Wednesday. The course will be conducted by instructors from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).

Pot tell kettle he bottom black

De other day a preacher pun TV seh de world gon end soon. He seh that, in de last days, certain tings gon happen that gon be hard fuh de human mind to understand and fuh any body to explain. Well, that preacher deserve a medal, because right hey in Guyana, it got tings happenin that no body could understand.

Dem is tings people does call mystery. And talkin bout mystery, de other day some people find a man dead pun de road in Eccles. Dem call de pullice. De pullice come to de scene and seh is a hit and run accident. When de people check de dead man properly, dem see is a bullet kill de man.

So how de pullice coulda seh that was a hit and run is a mystery. But de bigger mystery is how some a dem pullice man get to wuk wid de pullice in de first place. Of course de other mystery is how dem can keep dem pullice wuk fuh so long! Some body shoulda come at that time and hit de pullice and run away. Then that woulda been a hit and run!

The UNLIREC representative pointed out that because of the proximity of the countries surrounding Guyana, traffickers find an easy conduit to transport illicit arms and ammuni-

The course will see 24 participants from various agencies, including: the Home Affairs Ministry, Legal Affairs Ministry, Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Guyana Police Force. Speaking at the opening ceremony, UNLIREC instructor, Juliet Solomon, said that this course will provide guidance to judges, Police and prosecutors when handling trafficking of firearms cases. She noted that persons from each agency will have the opportunity to interact with each other and exchange information, which will strengthen their relationship.

tion between the countries. She went on to say that this is one of the challenges that the UN faces when tackling the crime of trafficking.

Solomon thanked the Guyana Government for allowing this exercise to be held, noting that it will benefit the participants in curbing crime in Guyana, while the country continues to

work along with other countries regionally, in order to combat the illicit trade in firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Bryan Hunt, noted that the issue of illicit trafficking is a serious problem, as such, countries should collaborate to address it. He

explained that such security programmes that are done in collaboration with the Guyana Government are an indication of how important bilateral relationships are in combating such issues. Hunt added that highlights the true meaning of partnerships we have to have with countries in the Region under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) programme.

The Deputy Chief of Mission pointed out that illicit trafficking is a global problem, particularly in the US as he made reference to

Is like a certain man who talkin bout corruption and he in de middle of corruption all he life. Wid out corruption he woulda never deh wheh he deh today. So it musbe be a mystery when a backtrack man could turn back and talk bout other people who he claim doin wrong tings. That same man turn round and talk bout people who ain’t got brains. Well well!! What a mystery. Imagine a brainless man tellin de nation about people who ain’t got brains. As old people seh, only in Guyana tings these could happen.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But a bigger mystery is people who does fall at de foot of people who ain’t got brains and call dem boss man. Is a even further mystery to try and find out whah deh in people like dem brains. That is mystery whah gon mek history!

crimes, particularly shooting incidents, they opted to bring UN experts to conduct the training so that an international perspective is brought to the table, all the best strategies that can be used collectively to investigate, to successfully prosecute and to bring to justice those who choose to engage

the recent shooting in the state of California. However he noted that while the US is not in a position to lecture anyone on this, given its recent history of gun-related

in gun violence or trafficking in illicit firearms, ammunition and explosives.

trained and better equipped to go forward within your own society to [put] into practise the methods, the international best practices that are going to be shared with you,” he stated.

Additionally, he urged the participants to take advantage of all the information that will be provided to them during the training, so they can better perform their duties. “I am confident that the information[that is] going to be provided to those of you taking part in the course will be, not only from the theoretical, but very much from the practical perspective and when you leave here, you leave better

CDB pumped over US$27.4M into Guyana’s poverty fight

Guyana has accessed over US$27.4 million in grants under the Caribbean Development Bank’s flagship Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Programme.

This was revealed on Wednesday by the Bank’s President, Dr Warren Smith at the opening of its 44th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.

The BNTF, the CDB’s principal programme for direct poverty reduction for more than three decades, is designed to help poor and vulnerable communities in 10 participating countries improve their access to basic public services. This is done through the provision of social and economic infrastructure, the development of skills to improve their chances of finding jobs, and capacity building towards empowerment and community engagement.

Boosting rural power

To date, Guyana is the largest beneficiary –Borrowing Member Country – of grants under the BNTF. Several projects in road construction and rehabilitation, installation or improvement of water supply networks and rural electrification have been funded under the BNTF 5, BNTF 6, and the recently launched BNTF 7 programmes, with support from the Government of Guyana.

Dr Smith said the development of a reliable electricity supply to rural Guyana was of critical importance. “Over the last three years, the BNTF Project in Guyana has been very quietly including Photo Voltaic (PV) components, where relevant, in the social infrastructure sub-

projects being undertaken,” he told the 44th Annual Meeting of the CDB’s Board of Governors meeting being hosted in the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

PV systems are often the solution of choice in these remote areas where diesel has to be moved by river transport at relatively high costs. Under BNTF 6, 10 of these sub-projects which included PV systems have been completed, for a total installed capacity of 7.115 kilowatts (KW) to date. Of these 10, five are in Region Nine, addressing poverty in villages of the North and South Rupununi Savannah of Guyana’s hinterland, covering the sectors of education, health, and water supply.

“It is estimated that these 10 operational subprojects have changed the lives of nearly 5000 citizens,” Dr Smith said.

In one such case, that of Kwatamang Village, Upper Takatu, Upper Essequibo, there was no grid-connected electricity supply and a couple of manual hand pumps was the only access to water for residents.

The inclusion of 700 watts of PV installed capacity in the sub-project design for the operation of a submersible pump in the borehole has allowed for the distribution of water to five standpipes in the village. This has improved access substantially, and provided for running water at the village primary school and health centre.

Water is pumped to the elevated storage tanks and through the distribution network provided by the

No need to

panic – BRHA CEO

says …following discovery of Chikungunya disease in Berbice

Health Ministry Vector Control Services Director, Dr Reyaud Rahaman has on Wednesday confirmed that there are indeed several reported cases of the Chikungunya disease in Berbice, more specifically the Canje and Angoy’s Avenue areas.

Dr Rahaman said the disease was discovered due to the diligent work of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), led by Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo and his team. They managed to nab the disease in its early stages.

According to reports, the Chikungunya disease was detected by staff of the Accident and Emergency Department of the New Amsterdam Hospital following numerous reports from residents.

These mosquitoes are found mostly in discarded containers, pointing out that though drains are not a huge breathing ground, they thrive in thick vegetation. He advised residents to keep their surroundings clean and remove all receptacles in their yard so as to ensure source reduction.

“Once you do that, it will decrease the breeding place and you are basically cutting down the amount of mosquitoes… thus it is a lesser chance of you getting infected… vase with water in it, another primary breeding spot for these pest to lay their eggs,” he warned.

project. The entire village of 408 persons – 220 males and 188 females, including 65 youths – are beneficiaries of a regular supply.

According to Dr Smith, seven more BNTF sub-projects for Guyana, which will include PV installations (an estimated added four kW) –six water and one education – are already under implementation. Of the 17 subprojects mentioned which include PV (10 completed and seven under implementation), 13, or 76 per cent, are in the water sector, indicative of the demand for a cost-effective and reliable means of delivering essential water to residents.

Energy source

“Some of the water supply systems are being installed in villages where there was no electricity for operating pumps such as the Kwatamang Village case cited; however, in others such as at Annai, expensive and unreliable diesel generation for pump operation is being replaced with a cleaner and less expensive energy source,” the CDB President explained.

The installation of 1.9 kW of PV capacity at the Annai Secondary School when it was recently extended under BNTF 6, has facilitated the use of computers, enhancing educational opportunities for older students, particularly those taking the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams. The BNTF participating countries are Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Health Ministry had collected samples which were sent to a Trinidad and Tobago laboratory, where several cases were positively identified as the Chikungunya disease.

“At the moment we are working very closely with the environmental officers and the Berbice Regional Health Authority Administrative Office to give technical advice and assist in every way possible to support the existing team and to create additional teams to assist in controlling this disease,” Dr Rahaman said.

He said the disease can be controlled, noting that a vector control team was summoned to Berbice a few weeks ago in response to complaints by residents of mosquito infestation in the region.

“We did not come here

for the purpose of the Chikungunya disease, but to discuss vector borne diseases etc; however, once we were appraised of this issue, we commenced several fogging exercises in both the Canje and Angoy’s Avenue areas,” he said.

Measure in place

According to Dr Rahaman, the BRHA and the Health Ministry have put measures in place to handle the threat since the mobilisation of health workers is ongoing.

“This is one of the most important aspect of vector control… added to that, we will continue our fogging exercise and sensitise and strengthen persons in the Environmental Health Department within the region, on this disease,” he stated, while assuring that health professionals in the region are competent enough to address the problem.

The Chikungunya disease, Dr Rahaman said is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

Dr Rahaman assured that they will continue to work diligently to ensure this scenario is addressed as soon as possible to prevent an outbreak.

Some of the symptoms are intense unbearable joint pain, very high fever, skin rashes and other complications.

BRHA CEO, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo said the Region Six health authority has declared war on the mosquitoes carrying the disease, telling Berbicians that there is no need to panic.

“It is a domesticated mosquito living in and around your home… they live in the little plastic and other containers you discard inappropriately in your surroundings, so be vigilant, avoid creating breeding place for these pest,” he advised.

They said the region will continue to educate and assist residents about the disease.

Meantime, according to unconfirmed reports, there have been over 133 reported cases of the disease in Berbice.

ILO conference discusses forced labour, migration

Labour migration and employment strategies, strengthening ILO Convention 29 on forced labour, and facilitating transitions from the informal to the formal economy are the priority items on the agenda of the 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference, which got underway on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland.

The conference is being attended by worker, employer and Government delegates from the ILO’s 185 member states. It is expected to focus on “Building a future with decent work”.

Guyana’s delegation is being led by Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul and Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle. Representing local workers is Seepaul Narine, Treasurer of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, while the employers’ delegate is Jerry Goolsarran, Consultant to the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries.

The International Labour Conference, among other things, is responsible for supervision of the application of conventions and recommendations at the national level. It examines the reports which the governments of all member states are required to submit, detailing

their compliance with obligations arising out of ratified conventions.

It is also the body that crafts and adopts international labour standards in the form of conventions and recommendations. The conference is also a forum where social and labour questions of importance are discussed and every two years the conference adopts the ILO’s biennial work programme and budget, which is financed by member states.

Since the adoption of the Declaration on Fundamental

Principles and Rights at Work (1998), another important function of the conference is to examine the Global Report covering the four fundamental rights, namely: (a) freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; (b) the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; (c) the effective abolition of child labour; and (d) the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

The conference concludes on June 12.

Fire destroys home in Belle West

While one house was destroyed by fire last evening, the swift response from the Guyana Fire Service and neighbours helped save another house that was home to a family of six.

The fire of unknown origin started at approximately 21:00h on Tuesday evening and quickly engulfed the concrete house.

Neighbours formed a bucket brigade in an effort to save the home that was next to the burning building and managed to contain the flames until the fire service arrived at the scene.

Chandradai Etwaru, the neighbour who almost lost her home to the fire, told Guyana Times that she was asleep when her daughter woke her up with the news of the fire.

She said she quickly went to inspect what was happening and saw the fire coming from the middle room of the rented house next door.

“Me get up and me see the middle room inna dem people house, like wan big fire already,” said Etwaru.

Etwaru further pointed out that after she saw the flames, she ran outside and raised an alarm, after which neighbours formed a bucket brigade in an effort to save the blazing building.

When questioned as to whether there was anyone

in the home at the time of the fire, Etwaru responded in the negative, pointing out that the persons renting the house are usually in the interior.

However, Etwaru noted that the children of the two persons would usually come and clean the home on weekends and were there up to last weekend.

“Mumsy and uncle Derrick live deh, but dem deh ah Mahdia, dem got one shop deh, but them pickney does come clean every weekend,” said Etwaru.

Other neighbours who were at the scene of the fire

Hotel Tower likely to reopen Monday

Head of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) Sherwood Clarke said the management of Hotel Tower is hoping to reopen the facility on Monday following talks with the union on Wednesday.

Speaking to Guyana Times shortly after the meeting, Clarke related that company Director Salim Azeez said management plans to reopen the hotel on Monday, but it can only do so with the support of its staff.

Clarke said the proposal made by Azeez was rejected, noting that the Director wants the workers to return to the company without being paid salaries that were owed to them.

“They want the workers to go back without pay and the workers said ‘no’, they are not going,” said Clarke.

Previously, Clarke had stated that the decision of staffers at the Hotel Tower to accept the proposal made by the company is left up to them, pointing out that a complaint has since been lodged with the Labour Ministry.

Subsequent to the meeting on Wednesday, the doors of the hotel remained locked and the workers once more had gathered in anticipation of receiving their salaries after the deliberations.

On Monday, the hotel in a release said that it will be making steps to facilitate payment to staff members who were affected by the abrupt closure of the hotel.

The cash-strapped entity had explained that the decision taken by management was a last resort.

“It was taken, especially given the number of employees that were likely to be affected. In recent times, the

hotel has seen a dramatic decline in business and despite the best efforts of management; the hotel was still unable to meet certain financial obligations.”

The company explained that although it is “asset rich”, it did have sufficient cash to pay its employees, hence, the temporary suspension of operations.

Regret

“Management is aware that the employees have families and dependents to provide for and sincerely regrets any hardship caused by the decision to close the hotel,” the company had said.

It was also pointed out that as a result of a lack of funds; electricity at the company was cut on May 24. With respect to the guests who were staying at the hotel when the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) disconnected electricity to the building, it was related that arrangements were made for them to access “alternative” facilities.

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle said the company by not paying the

workers puts itself at risk of being sued.

He suggested that the company sells some of its assets to pay the workers.

Just about 40 Hotel Tower workers on Saturday took to the streets in front of the establishment, protesting the decision by the company to abruptly close its operations, and for not paying them.

“We want we money, all of we money…lock out with no pay,” the workers shouted in protest, calling the action by the hotel’s management an injustice.

Speaking to Guyana Times at the scene of the protest on Saturday, Shop Steward Lynette Taylor said the employees were summoned to a meeting last Friday afternoon, where they were told that the entity will be closed and they would not be paid.

“He just tell us he ain’t got money to pay us and he closing the door for six weeks.... I don’t know if that’s law in Italy, but that don’t work here in Guyana... I working here 22 years now and I want my money,” an angry Taylor said. According to the union representative, the new management of the hotel seems to be uncertain about the future of the establishment.

She said on several occasions, a Manager, whom she referred to as “Mario”, gave conflicting reports on the way forward.

Meanwhile, the Manager of the company’s flagship Flame Restaurant, Theresa DaSilva related that the union had instructed the workers to return to work on Saturday; however, when they reported for work, the doors were “chained”.

National powerlifting champion busted with cocaine in US

Guyana’s National Power Lifting Champion Colin Aubrey Chesney of the mining town of Linden is now in the custody of drug enforcement officers in the US after he admitted to swallowing cocaine pellets.

The national athlete was busted on May 24, moments after disembarking a Caribbean Airlines Flight out of Guyana at the John F Kennedy International Airport during a routine search by custom officials.

told Guyana Times that the circumstances surrounding the fire were “fishy”, noting that the building did not have any electricity.

“It look fishy, it look real fishy,” said one man.

The neighbours further contended that the fire may have been deliberately set, given the fact that the house does not have any electricity and the last time occupants were at the home was over the weekend.

When this publication left the scene, firefighters were still conducting investigations into the incident.

So far, based on reports received, the man had passed 33 pellets in his intestinal passage.

On the day in question, Chesney was seen acting in a nervous manner which drew the attention of a few custom officers. He was subsequently escorted to a private room where he was questioned, during which he started to sweat profusely.

He admitted to custom officials that he had swallowed “foreign bodies”, thus he was taken for an X-ray where the objects were detected. He was taken to a medical facility where he excreted 33

pellets containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. The actual weight has not been released.

However, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) said that they are assisting with the local investigations with the hope of finding the source of the drug here in Guyana. A senior official stated that Chesney remains in a medical facility under guard. He is expected to be charged shortly.

The offical added that they were not in possession of the actual weight of the co-

caine that was trafficked, but confirmed that Chesney admitted to swallowing the cocaine moments after boarding the flight to the US.

In April last, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested Godfrey Cassius, who arrived on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana, with an alleged US$300,000 worth of cocaine.

Drug agents at the JFK International Airport found nearly 18 pounds of cocaine concealed in a bag of custard powder in his suitcase.

CBP officers arrested Cassius and after inspecting his bag, they found eight packages of “Champion” custard powder. Officers opened the bags and found a white powder that had a strong chemical odour. The powder was tested positive for cocaine.

Cassius, of Guyana, was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security investigations. He was later prosecuted and remanded to prison. The total weight of cocaine was about 18 pounds.

20 youths join BK Group’s Apprenticeship Programme

BK Group on Wednesday commenced training for 20 youths from the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment (SKYE) initiative.

This is the third consecutive year that the BK Group is supporting the SKYE initiative. In 2013, 10 youths from SKYE were a part of the BK Group Apprenticeship Programme.

The apprentices will be part of a six-month training programme at the company’s quarries for training in varying fields, including as heavy-duty equipment operators, mechanics, welders, carpenters, and general construction workers.

The SKYE project supports the goals of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) which seeks to combat the core causes of crime and violence, enhance public safety and security, while

offering job skills and training to at-risk youths in Guyana.

The apprentices will be paid a monthly stipend, at the minimum wage, and will be provided with all meals, accommodation, and laundry services. In addition, while on the training programme, the apprentices will have full access to the company’s club and entertainment facilities located on site.

Before leaving for the BK Quarries in the Mazaruni, the new apprentices met with the company’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Tiwarie at BK’s Kingston, Head Office. The group was also briefed by BK Group Marketing and Sales Director Briony Tiwarie.

“The BK Group is pleased to be part of such a beneficial initiative. It is our belief that the apprentices will receive a wealth of knowledge while at the quarries,” said Ms Tiwarie.

She noted that much focus will be placed on the apprentices to ensure that they become positive and creative individuals in order to make meaningful contributions to society.

Good foundation Tiwarie added that, “Over the years, persons who received training from BK have gone on to earn significant sums in the mining and construction sectors, both with BK and other companies, as such, we believe that the best way we could help improve society is by providing useful and valuable training to young people at our facilities.”

SKYE Project Officer Tomaisha Hendricks, speaking after the briefing, said: “We are very excited about this programme. The BK Group has been working with us from the very inception; the company has been one of the few to sign up and to provide the

opportunities for training that many of these young people would not otherwise be able to access.”

Hendricks added that: “We are also happy that while we are able to provide training for our young people, BK is also able to meet some of its manpower needs as the apprentices complete the programme and enter the workforce.”

The SKYE programme supports youth who are secondary school dropouts, youth who have completed formal education, but require additional skills in order to gain employment and youth caught up in the criminal justice system.

The SKYE Project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and is implemented by the Education Development Centre (EDC), based in Boston and Washington in the USA.

Nine-year-old allegedly runs away from home

Nine-year-old Joseph Osborne of Lot 45, Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, has been reportedly missing since last Thursday after he did not turn up for school, leaving relatives to believe that he ran away from home. At the time of this disappearance, he was staying with his parents’ friends, along with his sister. His mother is reportedly in the interior while his father lives in Barbados. This is not the first time the lad had left home due to issues; he also did about three months ago.

child suffers from an eye infection, which he got as a result of a hit he received from someone, while he was staying in South Ruimveldt.

The woman added that the Police are looking into the matter. She however claimed that he is due to revisit the optician’s office on June 17.

this has somewhat made the search much more difficult.

Anthony Cordis, an uncle of missing lad in a telephone interview told Guyana Times that they have been searching for him in various communities in Georgetown, but their efforts so far have been futile.

Stigma, discrimination driving HIV epidemic in Caribbean – PANCAP

The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has affirmed that Professor Brendan Bain’s testimony in the Orozco vs AG Belize (2012) case is not consistent with its goals to reduce stigma and eliminate discrimination.

The regional body said it is in dissonance with ongoing work to remove discriminatory laws and affirm human rights.

PANCAP said although the partnership is inclusive and members are free to have their individual views and beliefs, it is of the view that, on principle, Professor Bain’s action was not compatible with his leadership position.

In adopting an active position of opposing the decriminalisation of anal sex between two consenting male adults in private, Professor Bain has undermined the public health and human rights goals of PANCAP.

This view was communicated to Professor Bain during the 15th Meeting of the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (PACC), a Technical Committee of the PANCAP Executive Board, which was held via teleconference on January 15.

Professor Bain subsequently resigned as a member of the PACC on March 14. PANCAP recognises Professor Bain’s significant contribution to the HIV response in the Caribbean, including treatment and training and to the work of the partnership and its governance bodies.

“Our region is at a critical point where further progress towards an AIDS-free Caribbean is premised on mobilising a strong and coordinated multi-sectoral effort to remove the legal, social and cultural obstacles that prevent universal access to a wide range of comprehensive and high quality health services, the Caricom entity said in a release.

‘Discriminatory’ laws

cess to HIV-related services, and stigmatising and discriminatory legal and policy measures are common in the regional legal systems.

A 2012 Lancet Study estimates MSM prevalence in the Caribbean to be the highest in the world at 25.4 per cent. This is in comparison to one per cent in the general population. The UNAIDS Modes of Transmission (MOT) modelling tool estimates that 32 per cent of new cases in Jamaica and 33 per cent in The Dominican Republic occur among MSM. Recognising these challenges, the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018 is premised on the understanding that ending HIV is not possible until the human rights of all people, and particularly those most vulnerable to HIV, are fully realised.

In response to the compelling epidemiological evidence that key populations continue to be vulnerable to HIV, PANCAP in collaboration with UNAIDS, mounted a programme of activities, which is continuing, under the theme “Justice for All”.

The aim of the programme is to promote activities consistent with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which all countries are committed. More specifically, it is intended to achieve one of the goals of the United Nations High Level Meeting Political Declaration (2011) to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV by 2015 and to uphold the human rights and dignity of all.

“I told the woman that if he was by me, I would have called her already… It was like about six ‘O’ Clock, so I contacted an uncle and other relatives,” the woman stated.

She also related that the

Annette Osborne, grandmother of the missing child told Guyana Times that she was at home on Thursday evening when she received a telephone call from his guardian enquiring about his whereabouts.

Based on information received, the child attends the Caribbean First Class School located at the corners of Cummings and Light Streets, Georgetown. Guyana Times understands the child was seen in school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but did not show up on Thursday; hence, the teachers contacted his guardian and informed her.

This publication also leant that the school does not wear an official uniform;

He could not say the reason for the child leaving home, but is hopeful that he returns home soon. Cordis also noted that the child’s disappearance is seen as a strange circumstance. The Police have been contacted and are working with relatives with the hope of finding the lad.

Anyone with information on the child is asked to contact the family on telephone numbers 218-3000, 6648503, 675-0727 or the nearest Police station.

Currently, 11 Caricom states have laws which criminalise consensual same-sex relationships between adults in private. The Global Commission on HIV and the law has found that countries which criminalise same-sex sexual activity have higher HIV prevalence rates among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) than countries that do not; that criminalising HIV transmission harms HIV prevention and treatment; and that guaranteeing access to reproductive health services can help reduce HIV risk.

Specific to the Caribbean, stigma is named as the main reason for the lack of attention to marginalised groups in the prevention efforts, and their general lack of ac-

Phase one of the programme involved a series of National Consultations in Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname and St Kitts and Nevis and a Caribbean consultation on Justice for All and Human Rights Agenda involving parliamentarians, faith-based organisations, youth, private sector and civil society leaders. Outcomes of the Caribbean consultation are a PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap 2014-2018 and a PANCAP Declaration: Getting to Zero Discrimination through Justice for All.

Regional Black group supports reparations

– but says Caribbean “can’t claim much in the way of economic clout”

Asenior official of the New York-based Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) says the demand by Caribbean countries for reparations for slavery from Europe “possesses enormous moral authority”.

Don Rojas, the IBW Director of Communications writing in the Nation, considered the most prestigious and influential progressive magazine in the US, noted also the Caribbean “can’t claim much in the way of economic clout”.

Rojas, the former Press Secretary for slain Grenada left wing Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, also noted that the region has “suffered over 400 years of slavery and colonialism at the hands of European powers, mainly Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Sweden.

“Reparations for centuries of brutal oppression and exploitation of enslaved African people in the Americas is, undoubtedly, the great moral imperative of our time,” said Rojas, a former Executive Editor of The New York Amsterdam News newspaper and the first Director of Communications of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), the largest and oldest civil rights group in the US.

“The so-called pragmatists, who argue that the question of reparations is impractical, unachievable,

utopian, a waste of time and energy, are those who are ignorant of the moral power of a cause whose time has come,” he added.

Rojas said throughout the Caribbean discussions of reparations are starting to “alter the political narrative, reformulating analysis of economic history, linking the challenges of future socioeconomic development with the need for reparatory justice, indeed reshaping the very fundamentals of public discourse in the region”.

He, therefore, urged that, in the US, “a revitalised reparations campaign can and must become a critical component of the civil and human rights movements of the 21st Century.

“Reparations is not history, a thing of the past, it is about historical justice. And until justice is done, reparations will always be relevant, will always be a

struggle for today and for tomorrow.

“We are beginning to witness a huge intellectual paradigm shift in the Caribbean and in other parts of the African Diaspora,” he said, noting that one of the more prominent figures driving this shift is Sir Hilary Beckles, chief architect of the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) 10-point reparations plan and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados. Caricom’s breakthrough, 10-point plan, adopted during the 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St Vincent and the Grenadines in March, calls for, among other things, a formal apology for slavery, debt cancellation from former colonisers and reparation payments to address the “persisting psychological trauma” from the days of plantation slavery. (Caribbean360)

Dominica Opposition party leader describes Ministers as “rapists”

Opposition Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) in Dominica, Lennox Linton, described Government Ministers as “rapists”, during an address at a youth rally on Sunday, CBN4 News reported.

“Our Government harbours rapist Ministers and we oppose extortion of sexual services for young people seeking facilitation to their own development,” Linton said. He did not identify the Ministers in question; however, the crowd, especially the women, made it loud and clear that they agreed with that statement by chanting, waving and shouting Linton’s name.

Linton said that there was a report at the Police station filed on June 19,

2013, seeking assistance from one Minister, who asked a young lady to come to his home at 12:15h and then tried to force himself on to her.

He added that those who

continue to sit there and not say anything are simply giving comfort to the politics of pollution and mark themselves as providers of silence to the Ministers.

Rape and other forms of sexual assault by Government Ministers and others in a position of power is by no means an uncommon phenomenon throughout the Caribbean. Inevitably, however, the allegations are covered up or otherwise “settled” before coming to court.

It is a matter of public record that, in Saint Lucia, Tourism Minister Lorne Theophilus, and President of the senate Claudius Francis, have both been arrested and charged with rape. In each case, the matter was settled “out of court”. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

TT Prime Minister mum on controversial ganja video

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar remained mum on Tuesday on the controversial video allegedly showing a man resembling a Government Minister rolling a suspected marijuana cigarette while in a hotel room with two women.

Congress of the People (COP) General Secretary Clyde Weatherhead confirmed that the party has obtained a copy of the controversial video from TV6 for review.

Weatherhead said COP’s political leader Prakash Ramadhar had indicated that Sport Minister Anil Roberts, who is yet to confirm or deny whether the man in the video is him, had spoken with him on the issue and had agreed to meet with some senior party officials on the subject.

In a brief telephone interview with the TT Guardian last evening, Weatherhead,

who was attending his uncle’s funeral, said he himself was yet to view the video.

In fact, he said, no COP executive member had viewed the video, since Roberts, a member of the party, requested he be present for the viewing.

“We are in the process of making arrangements to meet with Minister Roberts

and we will view the video with Minister Roberts at his request,” Weatherhead said. Also contacted by cellphone, COP Chair Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan said she was at a conference at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, and could not comment.

Persad-Bissessar opted not to comment on the video when she was approached by reporters after the formal opening of the $26 million Metal Industries Company Ltd (MIC) Technology Institute at Clarke Road, Penal. She said: “I have no further comment on that. I made a statement of Saturday. I have no further comment on that matter.” On Saturday, Persad-Bissessar said she would only make a decision on Roberts’s political future with the party after carefully examining the existing evidence. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Jamaicans form private equity firm on Wall Steet

Flush with US$30 million in capital to invest, a group of Jamaican bankers and investors has set up shop on Wall Street where they plan to give Caribbean investors close access to the global capital markets.

Commonwealth Partners, which is led by former Financial Services Commission (FSC) head, Rohan Barnett, has already partnered with an existing broker dealer outfit in New York and a Cayman-based pension fund administrator.

What is more, the USincorporated private equity firm is on the verge of finalising a deal that will see it recapitalise and partner with a Jamaican-based financial services institution.

“We will utilise our numerous local and overseas relationships to grow our funding base and deliver the financial services model that

the market is demanding,” Barnett told the Business Observer.

Indeed, the newly-formed company’s primary focus will be on acquisition of hard assets, both in the Caribbean and the US, as well as developing an investment portfolio targeted at highly rated emerging market opportunities.

No doubt the investment house’s stance on raising funds is reflected by its inclusion on the board of the 30-year-old rainmaker, Paul Simpson, who led Proven Investments’ first US$10million rights issue after coleading the largest private placement in the Caribbean, which saw Proven raise US$20 million.

Commonwealth’s board and management also include Jamaicans who are veteran bankers in the US, such as Director Wayne Seaton and Chief Financial Officer,

Weldon Maddan, who had 12 years experience with Citigroup North America.

The strategic alliance with the Cayman Fund Administrator gives Commonwealth a customer base and a platform which spreads into several Caribbean markets, while the soon-to-be-acquired stake in the Jamaican financial services institution gives the Cayman entity a toehold in the fund administration business in Jamaica.

Tying them all back to the brokerage in the US positions Commonwealth as an integrated financial services platform which gives investors in the Caribbean and among its Diaspora direct access to the global capital markets, while enabling them to increase their participation in capital market opportunities back in the region. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

TT pioneers online ‘knowledge network’

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) in the West Indies is pioneering an ambitious online learning project.

Coursera, one of the biggest online university course providers, is forming a partnership with the Government to provide a network of online learning materials across the Caribbean country.

Tertiary Education Minister Fazal Karim said it would raise the skills needed for the country to compete. Karim said it would open up a “world of opportunity” for Trinidad.

Coursera is a major provider of so-called MOOCS –massive open online courses – that offer online university

courses free. The US-based company now has almost eight million students registered.

But this project in Trinidad will be the first time that a MOOC system will have been designed for an entire country, described as a “national knowledge network”.

And Lila Ibrahim, of Coursera, says that it could be a model for creating education networks in other countries.

In Trinidad, Coursera is working with the Government and the University of Trinidad and Tobago to provide online courses, learning materials and television pro-

grammes. There will be learning centres on the university campuses where students will be able to get help from mentors. There will also be accreditation and college credits from the online courses. It will be promoted by the knowledge.tt website, which will be a gateway to free online courses in areas such as business, technology, computer programming, entrepreneurship and music.

Karim said it was a “very important step” for Trinidad, which is already on target to have 60 per cent of young people participating in further and higher education by next year. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Vote counting begins after Egypt’s poll

Polls have closed in Egypt’s presidential election which former Army Chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to win.

Following three days of voting, polls closed late on Wednesday and the ballot counting commenced immediately. Preliminary results are expected early today, AFP news agency reported.

The vote was originally due to conclude on Tuesday, but was extended until 21:00h (1800 GMT) on Wednesday to allow the “greatest number possible” to vote, state media reported.

Poor turnout of voters during the first two days of the polling cast doubt over the level of popular support for Sisi.

Earlier in the day, state and privately owned media loyal to Sisi put the turnout at between 37 and 46 per cent of the electorate of 54 million. In a speech last week, Sisi had called for 40 million votes, or 80 per cent of the electorate.

The Electoral Commission said that over Monday and Tuesday, the scheduled two days of polling, just 37 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots – a number well below the nearly 52 per cent who voted in the 2012 election that brought Islamist leader Mohamed

Morsi to power. The lower turnout than Sisi had sought will sound a warning that he had failed to rally the level of popular support he hoped for after toppling Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elect-

ed President, following street protests last year.

The Democracy International observer mission said the decision to extend polling raised questions about the integrity of Egypt’s electoral process.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Maya Angelou was “the brightest light”

US President Barack Obama has led the tributes to Maya Angelou, describing the poet, author and activist as “one of the brightest lights of our time”.

He hailed Angelou, who has died aged 86, as “a brilliant writer, a fierce friend and a truly phenomenal woman”.

She made her name with the memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which charted a childhood of oppression and abuse in the Deep South in the 1930s.

Her family described her as “a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace”.

In a statement on Facebook, they said she passed away quietly at home in WinstonSalem, North Carolina, at 08:00 EST (12:00 GMT).

“Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belaboured by a loss of acuity or comprehension,” they said.

“She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being... The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.”

– Obama

Maya Angelou died on Tuesday night

Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian award, in 2011.

He said: “Over the course of her remarkable life, Maya was many things – an author, poet, civil rights activist, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer, and dancer.

“But above all, she was a storyteller –and her greatest stories were true. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Rohit Shekhar: The sevenyear battle to prove who I am

An Indian man has won a landmark court battle to be proved the illegitimate son of a leading politician. In a society where many children born out of wedlock are disowned by fathers, it’s thought the case could open the floodgates for many similar claims.

Thirty-five-year-old Rohit Shekhar stands proud, with an air of vindication. He wears a pristine white shirt and the surroundings of his home in posh South Delhi bear the hallmarks of upper-middle-class living.

He smiles and says: “I must be one of the first in the world to fight to be proven a bastard.”

For seven years he fought a paternity suit against one of India’s most powerful politicians – 88-year-old Narayan Dutt Tiwari, who has held numerous cabinet posts for the Congress Party in a political career spanning six decades. The word “bastard” was frequently used in court, he says.

“This patriarchal system in India doesn’t accept me or my mother,” he says.

“This discrimination becomes even more severe and much uglier when you leave the rich urban areas and move to the hinterland.”

Many Indian politicians are known to have enjoyed long-standing extramarital affairs but this is generally not discussed in the open and the Indian media mostly refrain from exposing them.

It’s also extremely rare for the woman to publicly admit an affair or having a child out of wedlock.

So Shekhar’s paternity suit caused a sensation. (Excerpt from BBC News)

CAR Seleka rebels kill many in Bangui church attack

At least 11 people have been killed in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic.

Eyewitnesses said members of the Seleka militia group threw grenades before shooting indiscriminately at the Church of Fatima in the capital Bangui.

The mostly Muslim Seleka rebels have been involved in heavy fighting with mainly Christian fighters in the anti-balaka militia since March 2013.

The conflict has displaced about 25 per cent of CAR’s 4.6 million population.

The attack on the church followed hours of fighting in the PK5 neighbourhood of Bangui. Eyewitnesses said those inside the Catholic Church were seeking shelter from the clashes.

The priest of the church, Jonas Bekas, told Reuters that the death toll would probably rise because there were so many wounded.

“It would have been much worse if the anti-balaka militia had not come to defend us” he said. It is the worst attack on Christians in the country since the Seleka rebels were ousted from power in January 2014.

The Seleka Prime Minister Michel Djotodia was forced to resign as President after failing to stop anti-Christian attacks. Since then, there have been widespread reprisals against Muslim civilians, who were almost completely driven out of Bangui in what the UN said amounted to ethnic cleansing. (Excerpt from BBC News)

55 sentenced in Chinese mass trial

At least one person has been sentenced to death and 54 others found guilty following a mass trial in China’s restive Xinjiang province for a wide range of crimes including terrorism, separatism, and murder, state media has reported.

The verdicts were delivered before a crowd of 7000 at a sports stadium in Yining city in the northern prefecture of Yili.

The mass trial followed a similar event last week in the region where 39 people were sentenced to jail on “terrorism” charges.

China is waging a yearlong “anti-terrorism” operation after a series of attacks, but has focused on Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur minority. Beijing blames the recent spate of attacks on separatists from the region.

Those sentenced on

Tuesday faced charges ranging from intentional murder, separatism, and leading or participating in “terrorism groups”, People.cn, the website associated with the ruling Communist Party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, said.

The public sentencing highlighted the aim of the ruling Communist Party claim to strike down any “violent terrorism, separatism and religious extremism”, according to the prefecture’s deputy Party secretary Li Minghui.

Beijing says separatist groups in Xinjiang are seeking to form their own state called East Turkestan. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ukrainian PM in Russia border demand

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has called on Russia to control its border to stop “terrorists” from crossing into his territory.

Yatsenyuk said Kiev could solve the crisis quickly if Moscow stopped meddling in the situation.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Kiev’s policies were pushing Ukraine into “fratricidal war”.

Earlier this week, rebels and Government forces were embroiled in some of the worst fighting of the crisis so far.

The separatists say they lost up to 100 fighters as they

tried to seize Donetsk airport from pro-Kiev forces on Monday. Ukraine’s Interior Ministry says the military is now in full control of the airport.

On Wednesday, gunfire was reported in Donetsk city and rebels attacked a military base in the city of Luhansk causing casualties on both sides.

Speaking on a visit to Germany, Yatsenyuk said the situation in the east was deteriorating and Russia’s involvement was causing huge difficulties.

“A number of trucks full of live ammunition, full of Russian-trained guerrillas crossed the Russian border

into Ukraine,” he said.

“We ask Russia and Putin to block the border to Ukraine. If Russia is out of this game we can handle this situation in a week.”

Meanwhile, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it had re-established contact with a monitoring team it reported lost in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, but it continued to refer to the group as “detained” and their fate is unclear.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called newly-elected President Petro Poroshenko to congratulate him on receiving a “strong mandate”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

thursday, may 29, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Marriott manager appointed

... Dr Luncheon says project will be profitable

Along-serving executive of Marriott International, Roberto Grisi has been appointed General Manager of the local Marriott Hotel.

Grisi will assume his new post from June 1, according to a press release issued by the company on Wednesday.

Presently, he is General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba over which he has presided since its opening in 2013. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is an independently operated division of Marriott International.

According to the company’s website, Grisi brings a wealth of experience to the position complemented by a highly respected operational excellence and strong leadership background after serving in many executive hospitality positions around the globe, including Washington, DC; Venezuela; Mexico; and the Dominican Republic.

He began his career in 1984 in food and beverage and subsequently garnered numerous management positions at several Marriott properties, including Hotel Manager at CasaMagna Marriott in Cancun, General Manager at the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel in Santo Domingo and most recently, Venezuelan Country Manager, responsible for the successful operations of the three renowned Marriott resorts there.

A native of Bolivia fluent in Spanish and English, Grisi is a graduate of the esteemed Aspen Institute of Leadership and has received many sales and marketing accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Mustang Award.

This new development in the Marriott Hotel saga comes, as the Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon lashed out at the continued criticism of the Government’s decision to invest money from the National

More than 25 Caricom Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) from across the region are expected to participate in a Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) Advocacy Workshop.

The two-day activity begins on Thursday at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

The workshop’s objective is to equip CYAs with knowledge of the CSME and also prepare them to engage peers on regional integration issues. The activity is hosted by the Caricom Secretariat with the assistance of the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund.

Over the course of the two days, the CYAs will participate in interactive ses-

Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) into the project.

“Scandalous are and have been the assertions made repeatedly in the media by opponents of this investment,” he said, adding that the recent disclosure of the investors in the project should have been adequate explanation for the Government’s decisions.

Luncheon pointed out that the delay in announcing the investors was as a result of the investors meticulously scrutinising aspects of the project in a bid to ensure that profits on their investments were not a fallacy.

Assured investors

“Investors in equity and in debt assured themselves beyond any reasonable doubt about the project’s viability and other important considerations,” said Dr Luncheon.

He said Republic Bank’s decision to fund the project should also be a source of “definitive assurance” in the area of profitability.

Dr Luncheon stressed that there is a lack of A Grade facilities to accommodate visitors and the Marriott Hotel will change that, and at the same time, offer overseas visitors another familiar name in accommodations.

In that regard, the Head of

the Presidential Secretariat pointed out that acquiring “accommodations with a capital A” for the delegates of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) proved to be tasking, given that a lot of the hotels offer substandard service.

“I can tell you about the mad scramble to find accommodations and not any kind of accommodation... accommodation with a capital A,” said Dr Luncheon, adding that “it is clear that the offerings are inadequate and as Guyana becomes more and more a destination for tourists, and as the tourism brand improves”, it is evident that entities such as the Ramada and Marriott Hotels are needed.

He said when officials make enquiries at hotel businesses in Guyana a “litany of woes are thrown up” as their management try to defend the unavailability of certain pertinent resources and facilities that are prerequisites in effectively operating a hotel.

In this regard, he pointed out that when one considers the steps being taken by the Government to market Guyana’s tourism sector and significantly boost the tourism project, “investments along the line of Marriott become necessary”.

When questioned by re-

sions including presentations on Caricom and CSME for Youths and the Free Movement of Skills and Occupation. A highlight of the workshop is a field trip to a local Caricom exporting

company to facilitate a practical look at the CSME processes in operation. Other areas of training will include public speaking, understanding the media, and creating youth-friendly mes-

porters at the post-Cabinet press briefing whether or not it would have been a good idea to invest in local companies such as Hotel Tower which recently closed its doors, Dr Luncheon responded in the negative.

“Investment into the Tower Hotel were not entertained by Cabinet, I think the fact that it has closed it’ doors abruptly anyhow addresses a minimum concern about a viability in that venture,” he said.

He opined that if the manager of Hotel Tower had been more cognisant of the need for marketing and proper management at the entity, it would not have been going through the current crisis whereby it may be facing a lawsuit by workers.

AHI and Republic Bank Limited recently announced the completion of the financial arrangements by Republic Bank for a syndicated borrowing of US$27 million in debt financing for AHI.

The two entities in a release said the money will be spent on the construction of the Marriott-operated hotel and the shell of an Entertainment Complex.

Republic Bank, on behalf of its consortium of lenders, has received approval and the transaction is expected to be concluded shortly.

sages.

There is an increased effort this year for the workshop to be practical and youth-centred.

The formal opening ceremony of the Caricom Youth Ambassadors CSME Advocacy Workshop will take place at 09:00h on Thursday, at the Grand Coastal Hotel. It will feature remarks by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett; Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRoque; a representative of the European Union’s Delegation to Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago; and Dean of the Caricom Youth Ambassadors, Cindy Morquette. The Caricom Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP) was established to facilitate youth participation in the regional integration process.

Veteran broadcaster attacked, robbed – fought

off three bandits

By Vahnu Manikchand

eteran broadcaster

VFarook Juman fought off three bandits who attacked and robbed him late Monday evening while he was heading home. The incident occurred around 23:00h at Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice.

Guyana Times understands that the entire ordeal lasted about 20 minutes during which Juman and the bandits had a prolonged scuffle. While Juman sustained injuries at the hands of the men, he also dealt out blows, damaging the face of one of the men.

Juman related to this newspaper that he was at an event on Monday evening and left around 23:00h. He was later attacked on the Williamsburg Access Road. The broadcaster said that he was a few yards away from the event he had emceed and while he was at a dark spot, he was attacked from behind.

He claimed that one of the men held onto him and placed a weapon to his neck. Juman said initially he thought it was one of his friends joking around, but he realised it was serious when the man ordered him to hand over his belongings.

Battle Juman said he was not intimidated by the situation, but was thinking how he could get out unharmed. He said he held onto to the hand that was choking him to slacken its grip and managed to free himself by twisting the hand, causing the man to drop the weapon.

While this was happening, the other two men were running through his pockets, relieving him of all the money, both US and Guyana dollars, that he had in his possession. During the search, one of the men noticed the firearm he was carrying about his waist.

Juman recounted that he and two of the men began fighting for the firearm as he tried to push it down into his pants. Then one of the bandits retreated, leaving only his masked accomplice to battle with Juman. During this time, Juman said he noticed light emanating from a house about two yards away

and fought with the bandit until they got there. “We are slamming each other into the fence, on the road…I had to do everything to get him where the lights were,” he said. The radio broadcaster went on to say that he began beating the bandit and when the two others saw this, they ran away. He then called for help and people began coming out. Juman noted that residents, when they realised what was happening, summoned the Police.

“The neighbours come out and they even call the people at the event I was at and informed them… and even as everybody gathered and surrounded us, he was still fighting me to get my firearm. The people had to tell him to let go of it and then he did, but ran through the crowd and got away,” Juman said. Juman noted that the Police are looking for the three men, one of whom residents have identified.

He said during the ordeal he saw “all colours of spectrum” but kept his calm and concentrated on protecting himself and others, whom the men could have attacked later that night. Juman is urging victims of such confrontations to not be intimidated by “scoundrels”.

“It’s a matter of mind over money… you have to have constructive thinking and concentrate on saving yourself rather than material things… whatever happened took me by great surprise. I never thought that this would happen, but I know the bandits got an even greater surprise because they did not expect me to put up a fight, a man twice their age dig some lash.” (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

Bus conductor charged for possession of narcotics

Aminibus conductor accused of trafficking cocaine was on Wednesday refused bail after he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-five-year-old Euchald Frank, of Lot 40 Victoria, East Coast Demerara, faces a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The charge stated that on Monday, May 26, at Hadfield

Street, he had in his possession 2.5 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Bail was refused to the father of one after the Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Deneshwer Mahindranaught, objected, stating that no special reason was proffered. The defendant is scheduled to make his second appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on June 12.

Green breaks up City Council meeting after seeing Shawn Hinds

The struggle for pow-

er and control of the Georgetown City Council continued on Tuesday, when the weekly statutory meeting of the local government body was convened but was called off shortly after as the Deputy Mayor and Mayor concluded that the environment was not “conducive” to holding a meeting.

It was on those grounds that the Mayor made the decision to adjourn the meeting indefinitely.

According to Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase Green, there had been sightings of

“shady characters” in and around the compound of the City Council and as such, several of the councillors have since spoken out expressing fear for their lives.

“I came into the statutory meeting today and there were shady characters inside of the building, which has over the period of time caused some staff members and councillors to be fear-

ful for their lives” said the Deputy Mayor.

In that respect, Mayor Hamilton Green related that he has instructed the constabulary to heighten security in order to ensure the safety of the city councillors is not jeopardised.

“I asked the constabulary to be cognizant of those facts and to take appropriate action... it is a matter of concern to us...that intervention is part of a wider scheme to distract us from our duties and to make the council, duly elected, impotent” said the Mayor.

Town Clerk Carol Sooba in a subsequent interview with Guyana Times, related that the shady character that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were making reference to was her bodyguard Shawn Hinds.

Sooba pointed out that the Mayor had raised an issue about the register being absent when the meeting was called to order, but the queries were not directed to her so she did not respond. Sooba told Guyana Times that had

the Mayor directed the question to her, then she would have responded accordingly, informing him of the whereabouts of the councillors’ register.

Amid all of this however, Royston King was nowhere to be seen. King had filed legal action on May 13, after acting Chief Justice Ian Chang had ruled that Sooba is allowed to act as de facto Town Clerk until someone moves to have her removed from the post.

However when the ‘quo warranto’ was called before the acting Chief Justice, he recused himself from the matter saying that it was a conflict of interest, since he would have made the initial ruling that Sooba could continue to function in her post.

As such, the matter was sent to Justice Diana Insanally who last week Thursday granted the ‘quo warranto’ to King’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, in her chambers. Sooba will now have to, through her attorney, show cause as to why she should not be removed from the post.

Enmore woman was murdered – autopsy

The post-mortem examination performed on the body of Keila Persaud, who was found dead in her Lot 29 Enmore North, East Coast Demerara home on Monday revealed that she was stuck to her head.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh on Wednesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary. He gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and haemorrhage of the brain.

With this new development, the Police are expected to continue grilling the main suspect, Persaud’s reputed husband, Nazeer Khan, who reportedly found the woman’s body on Monday on the floor of their bedroom around 11:00h with several marks of violence.

S Persaud, the daughter of the dead woman, main-

tains Khan is responsible for her mother’s death. She called on the Police to institute charges against him. The distraught daughter stated that her mother had a bruise on her face, with black and blue marks which

Stalled Linden trans-shipment terminal being used as mechanic shop

The Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) multimillion-dollar Container Trans-shipment Terminal is currently being used by Metallica Commodities Corporation Guyana Limited as a “mechanic shop”.

The Container Transshipment Terminal forms part of an incomplete US$4 million Project, which was initiated back in 2009 by GNIC, in collaboration with the then Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP).

On Tuesday, Guyana Times confirmed that Metallica, which has secured the exclusive rights to mine Dimension Stone and Aggregates at Omai Gold Mines Limited Mining Lease area in Region Seven is renting the facility from GNIC.

Clinton Williams said a decision was taken to rent to facility in an attempt to prevent it from becoming a “white elephant.” He added, “We thought that we [should] utilise it for other purposes. In fact, we are hoping to encourage other companies to utilise it for storage.”

The Container Transshipment Terminal was built to facilitate containerised cargo to and from Brazil, but the project came to a halt as GNIC awaits the Governments of Guyana and Brazil to rehabilitate the Linden/Lethem road, which forms part of the route.

tween Guyana and Brazil, noting that Linden would have been an ideal community to construct a terminal to facilitate the shipment of cargoes.

It was a welcome initiative by GNIC and in collaboration with LEAP, the construction of the multimillion dollar facility began in 2009 and by March 2010, the first phase had been completed.

However, in February 2012, the second phase of the project was put on hold. According to GNIC, it will pursue the project upon completion of the project.

indicated that she was beaten.

“If my mother had fallen, then her body would not have other marks as if someone beat her….”

Crime Chief Leslie James said now that the post-mortem examination has been completed, a decision will be taken whether or not to institute charges against the woman’s reputed husband. If this is to be done, he noted, the Police will have to gather enough evidence.

It was reported that Persaud went to bed on Sunday evening as normal, but in another room. Khan, who was in the other room, reportedly fell asleep and when he woke up the following morning, he found her lying on the floor near the bed.

The woman leaves to mourn her five children, siblings, and other relatives.

During a visit to Metallica’s Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara location, an official would only confirm that the company is operating at the site, but refused to divulge information pertaining to the employment base. It is also unclear how much money is being paid to rent the facility.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, GNIC Chief Executive Officer

“Once the road would have been completed, we would have had traffic coming from Northern Brazil transshipped here and then out to the Caribbean and elsewhere, but that project is taking a longer time than it should have,” Williams said.

The US$4 million Container Trans-shipment Terminal Project birthed after a team of business experts had conducted a fact-finding mission in the Brazilian cities of Boa Vista, Manaus and Belem in 2007. Based on studies conducted, the experts had concluded that great potential lies be-

This includes the construction of a 7.3 metre wide roadway to the waterfront, where a 61m x 12m wharf will be constructed to facilitate the mooring, loading and off-loading of barges. The third and final phase includes the installation of equipment.

In February, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett informed the National Assembly that the Guyana-Brazil Joint Technical Working Group has recommended that an engineering design be done for the Linden-Lethem road. This is necessary for the project to be accelerated, complementing work already done.

Grove man threatened to kill spouse – court told

AGrove resident who threatened to kill his reputed wife after she allegedly had inappropriate conversations with men on Facebook, according to court documents, was placed on a bond to keep the peace.

Ganesh Ramsingh, of Grove, East Bank Demerara, appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday to answer to the charge of using threatening language.

The charge stated that on Monday, May 26, at Grove, the defendant threatened to kill Indranie Gafoor. The Virtual Complainant and the defendant got into an argument over alleged in-

appropriate behaviour and he told her he would choke her to death, among other threats to cause serious bodily harm. Gafoor became fearful for her life and made a report to the Police. Her spouse was subsequently arrested and charged. The defendant, who was unrepresented, is scheduled to return to court on June 2.

SUDOKU

Your future will improve once you share your ideas with an influential person. Don’t be shy. You will be obliged to back up your plans with facts, so be prepared.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Your self-confidence needs a boost. Spend time with children or close friends and engage in physical challenges that will get your motor running. Give yourself a chance to have some fun.

It’s a good time to refresh your surroundings. Let those affected by your decisions have a say. Don’t make any oral agreements without doing thorough research. Protect your savings.

An unexpected partnership will provide you with a way to increase your income. Keep an open mind if someone offers to help you with your work. Expand a new concept of yours.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

You will lose respect if you allow others to take advantage of you. Don’t fall short because you put your needs last. Stand up for your beliefs.

(March 21-April 19)

An old partner is likely to want to reconnect. Your charm and attractiveness will stir up some interest with new and old acquaintances. Plan to socialise.

(April 20-May 20)

Your career path is questionable. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, consider what you do well and find a way to make it more engaging. Explore new possibilities.

(May 21June 20)

Use a little restraint in social situations. You should work hard to be more tactful and diplomatic. You will appear foolish or insensitive if you try to be the life of every party.

Don’t take any risks with your finances or career. You will encounter problems if your scheme backfires. Do your homework before making a move that could cost you.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Examine an investment idea, but avoid getting involved in a joint venture. Your reputation will escalate if you are loyal and giving.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

The creativity that has benefited your financial situation can be put to good use helping others. Offer your assistance, but be wary of taking on too many ventures at once.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Someone close to you is unclear about your feelings. Speak your mind and say what is in your heart. It’s not fair to leave him or her guessing.

‘Aggrieved’ members shun Matthias’ invitation to go public

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Christopher Matthias, has announced that the aggrieved members, who recently filed a no-confidence motion against him, have not responded to his invitation to challenge his leadership on a paid television programme.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday at the GFF office in Campbellville, Matthias labelled the aggrieved

members as “confused men with not-so-hidden agendas”, noting that they had 48 hours, which expired last Sunday, to take up the challenge.

At a meeting earlier this month, the members had highlighted just two concerns- that of voting rights and the re-convening of the Ordinary Congress- but later held a press conference highlighting a series of other concerns and lambasting Matthias’s leadership style.

That subsequently led Matthias on Friday last to issue an ultimatum to the members, whom he asked to appoint a leader who will act on their behalf, as they appear on national television to iron out the burning issues.

Matthias said the nation would be the judge

and once he is found guilty of any wrongdoing, he will resign with immediate effect. If the members were found culpable, they too would have to resign, Matthias contended.

Addressing the media on Wednesday and consistently referring to the constitution of the GFF, Matthias said the local governing body for football is still open to dialogue, even as its distractors are using other means to highlight their concerns.

Email

An email titled “Members of Congress versus Matthias in national debate on football” by Aubrey Henry was forwarded to the media on Tuesday afternoon.

The release stated, “Mr. Matthias, president of the Guyana Football Federation, we the members did not see it fit to accept your offer to have a public debate on national television at the expense of the cash strapped Federation; however, we are prepared to have that debate here in the print media that will be seen by the entire world and not just a few that the national television station will reach.”

Asked for his response to the email and the offer by the members, Matthias said he was unaware of such a document, as he was not in receipt of it.

Quizzed on what’s next for football, given that the deadline for the national discourse has passed with no cooperation from the aggrieved parties, Matthias said “development…the development of football.”

Public discourse

At a press conference on Friday last, Matthias challenged those members to select a leader who can represent their views and have a public discourse with him on national tel-

evision.

“Let’s go public as they seem to want to go that way,” Matthias told media operatives, as he repeatedly referred to a press conference hosted by the members on May 17 at the Water Chris Hotel.

The GFF head said he is allowing the nation to be the judge, and once he is found guilty of any wrongdoing at that public forum, he will resign with immediate effect.

If the members are found culpable, Matthias said they must also resign with immediate effect and apologise to the nation for what he termed “deceitfulness.”

No consensus

At the last Ordinary Congress on April 26 at the Regency Suites, there was a no-confidence motion against the incumbent, which led to the reconvening of the Congress within 45 days.

The Congress, observed by CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal, FIFA’s Developmental Officer Howard McIntosh and CONCACAF’s Legal

Advisor Bruce Blake, was a heated one from the onset as the leading local football executives sat down to discuss the state of affairs with regard to the game’s administration.

The re-convening of the Congress was arrived at by Matthias, who sought to settle the differences between the discontented associations, following a walking out and subsequent returning of six associations during the Congress.

These associations were the Georgetown Football Association (GFA); Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA); East Coast Football Association (ECFA); National Women’s Football Association (NWFA); Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) and East Demerara Football Association (EDFA).

The associations withdrew after the no-confidence motion against Matthias, which was filed by the EBFA and seconded by the ECFA, was discarded following a 9-9 tie

at the voting.

It is understood that the no-confidence motion did not follow the protocols required for the filing of such, as it did not state a reason for the motion, nor did it contain a letterhead or returning address.

Among the unfinished business at the Congress were the election of two Vice-presidents and the presentation of the GFF’s forensic audit report for the period January 1998 to December 2012.

Another walkout

Matthias explained on Friday last that the aggrieved members were invited to a meeting on May 15 via email to discuss the issues they needed to be addressed.

According to a trail of emails, which were provided to the media, only two associations responded- the Georgetown Football Association and the East Bank Football Association- highlighting voting rights for associations which are presently governed by Interim Management Committees and the re-convening of

the GFF Congress as the two issues.

Matthias said those requests made by the members were forwarded to FIFA and CONCACAF, but on the day of the meeting, there was another walkout as disagreement arose over the validity of members and non-members.

The GFF boss said he found it strange that those members would then go public a few days later with a number of other issues, when they had outlined only two in their email correspondence.

At that press briefing, representatives of the Georgetown Football Association; the Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA); East Coast Football Association (ECFA); National Women’s Football Association (NWFA); Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC); and East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) once again aired their concerns.

General Secretary of the GFA, Odinga Lumumba, revealed that all the organisations are pro-football, hence the noconfidence vote against Matthias.

“Let me make this clear: we’re not on an antiMatthias mission or crusade, we’re pro-football. The president of any association must be above board and must be a leader. Matthias running and finding weaklings to run under him, this is not his private and personal organisation…we have still left the door open for sensible discussion and meaningful resolutions,” Lumumba stressed.

During Friday’s press briefing, Matthias pointed out that any attack on his personality and leadership must be based on honesty, objectivity and facts, hence the move to have a public discourse for the nation to judge.

Letter to the

Sport Editor

Dear Editor,

I welcome the Cricket Administration Bill (CAB) which was recently passed by the National Assembly of Guyana. I took note of the fact that it passed with the support of both the Government and the main Opposition party. This Bill has been some three years in the making. It is the fruit of serious thinking about the future of Guyanese cricket and consultation with the widest possible cross section of the Guyanese public, including a parliamentary select committee.

Quite apart from this, even before the Bill was approved, important stakeholders in the cricketing community and important individuals and recognized cricket authorities, such as the former West Indies all rounder Roger Harper, supported the Bill on the basis of its known inputs and the objectives it is intended to achieve: the restoration of a game that has made a significant contribution to the development of our country.

I am encouraged by the fact that the CAB seeks to bring transparency, honesty and accountability to the administration of the game. I do not believe that there is a single Guyanese citizen who would not wish to see cricket so administered in our dear land. It is a given that a new administration can act as a spur to the development of cricket. And no one can seriously contend that in our current circumstances our cricket does not need a shot in the arm.

Without being too parochial I am constrained to note that when the New Zealand cricket tour starts in a few weeks time, there will be no Guyanese cricketer among the 11 representatives.

During my tenure as captain, my focus was always about WI cricket and not any one territory. Contrast this with the era in my lifetime when we had as many as six players in the West Indies team, and could offer to West Indies cricket six Test captains, including myself, Maurice “Pacheo” Fernandes, Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kalicharran, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Let me note here also that apart from the great batsmen who have graced the cricket field with our colours, Lance Gibbs was the first spin bowler to break the world record. Guyana has a proud and enviable record as a component of West Indies cricket. We must do everything to sustain that record.

That record can only be sustained if we grapple with our current problems and as a nation, accord cricket the importance it deserves. The Bill is an important step in this direction. It can remedy the problems and difficulties facing the game and allow it to flourish as part of the cultural tapestry of this nation.

The need for Guyana’s cricket to be provided with an environment in which it can flourish does not need an elaborate argument. Cricket in Guyana has been an agent for national unity, for bringing communities together, for ensuring Guyana’s recognition beyond its borders and for providing the means by which our individual cricketers could realise an upward movement in their social status.

In addition, Guyana must be able to return to the position in which it is a major contributor of talent, both in terms of cricketers and administrators, to West Indies and world cricket. A former Prime Minister of Guyana once told the story that he had difficulties Centioned such names as Kanhai, Butcher, Solomon and Lance Gibbs. According to him it was instant understanding and recognition.

That great American patriot, Thomas Paine, said that the American Revolution was an opportunity to make the world new again. The Bill is certainly not a revolution but it can decidedly offer this nation the opportunity to make Guyana great again as a contributor to regional and world cricket.

I am confident that the Bill can do this and I look forward to an era in which our cricket is again properly administered and a credit to every Guyanese citizen.

Clive H Lloyd Former West Indies Captain

Chris Jordan claims 5, as Sri Lanka bowled out for 67 runs,

– their third lowest total in one-day internationals

England have a 2-1 lead in the fivematch series heading into the fourth encounter at Lord's on Saturday.

Jordan, who also secured the man-of-thematch award after impressing with bat and ball in the first ODI, continued to press his claim for a place in England's test squad with another performance full of aggression and enthusiasm in Manchester.

"After we lost at Durham, we wanted to fight back hard," Jordan told BBC radio. "We were surprised at how quickly

we won but we're happy. I had an advantage of assessing the conditions and the lengths which got the most rewards, after James Anderson."

With rain in the air, England won the toss and elected to bowl first and that decision paid immediate dividends in the third over with Anderson grabbing the wicket of the dangerous Tillakaratne Dilshan (2), who scored 88 in the second match.

Anderson then accounted for Dilshan's opening partner Lahiru Thirimanne for seven, also caught be-

hind, before Jordan tore through the visiting middle order.

First the 25-year-old had the talismanic Kumar Sangakkara (13) caught by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler trying to play an extravagant shot before Dinesh Chandimal followed with a soft dismissal for six.

England's fielding, a problem area recently, was notably better than in the lost second one-dayer as England increased the pressure on the shell-shocked batsmen.

Spinner James Tredwell ousted Mahela Jayawardene lbw for 12 before captain Angelo Mathews became Jordan's third victim on 60-6.

Ashan Priyanjan was run out for two and then Jordan brought up his fivewicket haul with two further dismissals either side of Tredwell's second victim as England took the last six wickets for the loss of nine runs.

Chasing the low score, England cantered across the finishing line with returning captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell carrying England to the required total in 12.1 overs.

Cook (30) and Bell (41) were rarely troubled chasing the meagre total and the easy victory was assured in style with Bell hitting Rangana Herath for six to secure only their fourth ever 10-wicket victory. (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka innings (50 overs maximum)

HDRL Thirimanne c †Buttler b Anderson 7

TM Dilshan c †Buttler b Anderson 2

KC Sangakkara† c †Buttler b Jordan 13

DPMD Jayawardene lbw

b Tredwell 12

LD Chandimal c Bell b Jordan 6

AD Mathews* c †Buttler b Jordan 11

SMA Priyanjan run out (Bopara) 2

KMDN Kulasekara c Tredwell b Jordan 5

SMSM Senanayake c sub (CR Woakes) b Tredwell 0

HMRKB Herath not out 0

SL Malinga lbw b Jordan 2

Extras: (lb 3, w 4) 7

Total: (all out; 24 overs) 67

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Dilshan, 2.6 ov), 2-13 (Thirimanne, 4.5 ov), 3-32 (Sangakkara, 11.2 ov), 4-45 (Chandimal, 15.4

ov), 5-58 (Jayawardene, 18.1 ov), 6-60 (Mathews, 19.3 ov), 7-65 (Priyanjan, 21.4 ov), 8-65 (Kulasekara, 21.6 ov), 9-65 (Senanayake, 22.1 ov), 10-67 (Malinga, 23.6 ov)

Bowling: JM Anderson 7-2-10-2, HF Gurney 6-1-23-0, CJ Jordan 8-0-29-5, JC Tredwell 3-1-2-2

England innings (target: 68 runs from 50 overs) AN Cook* not out 30 IR Bell not out 41 Extras: (w 2) 2

Total: (0 wickets; 12.1 overs; ) 73 Did not bat: GS Ballance, JE Root, EJG Morgan, RS Bopara, JC Buttler†, CJ Jordan, JC Tredwell, JM Anderson, HF Gurney Bowling: KMDN Kulasekara

Hope burns brightly for Sharapova after Serena exit

It is not something Maria Sharapova would confess to publicly, but Serena Williams's

early downfall at the French Open means the statuesque Russian can now skip around Paris with

an extra spring in her step.

While Williams' unexpected second-round exit has offered a spark of hope to the 50 women still left standing in Roland Garros, nowhere was that hope burning brighter than in the Sharapova camp on Wednesday.

As Sharapova's 13-million plus followers on Facebook are aware, beating the younger of the Williams sisters has proved to be the one obstacle that has been insurmountable for the 27-year-old.

It has been 10 long years since Sharapova has beaten her American rival and since that joyful day in Los Angeles in 2004, the former world number one has slumped to 15 successive defeats, including in the French Open final last year.

"You always have to follow your path and always concentrate on your work and who's ahead of you and

not get worried about what's going on," Sharapova said after she reached the third round with a 7-5 6-2 win over Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.

"Obviously when you go on court you're aware of a lot of the upsets, not just in the women but in the men, as well.

"So it's great to get a win in that type of atmosphere."

Williams' demise carried extra significance for Sharapova as the 2012 Roland Garros champion had been on a quarter-final collision course with the American.

Instead of worrying and fretting over that possible showdown, Sharapova may now consider sending littleknown Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, the conqueror of Williams, a thankyou note if she is to lift the French Open trophy for the second time in three years on June 7. (Reuters)

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thursday, may 29, 2014

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Efficient CSK enter another qualifier

After a few off games, Chennai Super Kings held on to all their catches, after which Mumbai Indians fumbled in the field to clear the qualifier passage for the most consistent team in the IPL history. The game was won and lost in the final few overs of Mumbai's innings when they went from 140 for 2 in 16 overs to 173 for 8 in 20. Lendl Simmons' half-century had set them up beautifully, but Mumbai's batsmen fell one after the other as Super Kings bowlers remained accurate and stifled them with changes of pace. An edgy but quick start to the chase was driven home by Suresh Raina, who earlier in the day made his India comeback as the ODI captain.

Mumbai wouldn't have excepted such a facile defeat after a rollicking start provided by former Super Kings opener Michael Hussey and Simmons. They added 76 in 9.4 overs, finding gaps regularly and using the quick outfield and the slope of the Brabourne Stadium. A big, fighting total looked on the cards when Corey Anderson raced away to 20 off 10. R Ashwin, who had bowled well without success until then, drew a top edge to send Anderson back with the first ball of the 13th over.

A platform had been set nonetheless, and Super Kings were still looking at a stiff target. And Mumbai seemed well on their way, with 41 runs off the next 23 balls, but like he had done earlier, Ravindra Jadeja provided another breakthrough with Simmons' wicket. The ball had been turning, but this one didn't, and the Super Kings spinners did their job with just 57 runs in their eight overs. Their contribution was crucial because Brendon McCullum's comeback had meant Super Kings had no overseas bowlers.

Mohit Sharma and Ashish Nehra ended well as Mumbai kept mis-hitting the big ones and kept finding the deep fielders. Quite opposite was the start of the Super Kings innings. Praveen Kumar looked more incisive than any of the Super Kings quicks, but he was denied by Umpire Bruce Oxenford, who let Dwayne Smith get away with possibly the plumbest lbw of the IPL season. Oxenford suggested the ball was going down; it was Mumbai that were going down after this decision. Corey Anderson suffered

at the hand of his fielders, when Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu converged to attempt Faf du Plessis' catch, with neither going for it.

Harbhajan did manage to pull things back, though, with slow loopy offbreaks to take out both the openers after they had raced to 60 in the first six overs. With the ball turning and gripping, it seemed we could have a tight chase, a feeling reinforced by McCullum getting stumped to make it 87 for 3 with 10.3 overs to go.

Raina, though, went on to display some of his vintage IPL form, in the company of David Hussey.

There never seemed any panic around. His six over

extra cover, off the bowling of Harbhajan, was the turning point in this innings. Even though D Hussey struggled to get going at the start, Raina kept the asking rate in check with well-placed shots that weren't necessary boundaries. As Super Kings took the game further without the asking rate getting out of hand, Mumbai kept getting pushed out with no death bowler in their ranks.

Raina, who has played every Super Kings match in the history of the IPL, soon matched the record for most scores of 50 or more in the event, 23, by which time D Hussey had also got into the act and all but ended the game. (ESPN Cricinfo)

4-0-42-3, R Ashwin 4-0-26-1, RA Jadeja 4-0-31-2, SK Raina 1-0-13-0

Chennai T20 innings (target: 174 runs from 20 overs) DR Smith c Pollard b Harbhajan Singh 24 F du Plessis c sub (BR Dunk) b Harbhajan Singh 35 SK Raina not out 54

BB McCullum st †Tare b Ojha 14 DJ Hussey not out 40 Extras: (lb 3, w 5, nb 1) 9 Total: (3 wickets; 18.4 overs) 176

Did not bat: MS Dhoni*†,

ov), 3-143 (Simmons, 16.4 ov), 4-150 (Sharma, 17.3 ov), 5-163 (Pollard, 18.4 ov), 6-164 (Tare, 18.6 ov), 7-164 (Rayudu, 19.1 ov), 8-166 (Kumar, 19.4 ov)

Bowling: A Nehra 4-0-34-2, IC Pandey 3-0-25-0, MM Sharma

Bollers reaching for the stars

By TreisTon Joseph

Once the laughing stock of his club, Elton Bollers from the Royal Youth Movement Athletics Club (RYM) is beginning to tap into his potential after recently clocking the second fastest 200 metres time by a Guyanese this year at the Hampton International Games two weeks ago in Trinidad.

“I can remember when I started in 2007 my coach would put me to run with some of the top females in the club and when I was beaten it was made joke,” Bollers reminisced.

Bollers, since his time as a rookie committed to what he terms as the “three D’s to success”, determination, dedication and discipline and now boasts a time only Olympian Winston George can boast of bettering on the International circuit in the last two years.

However, some might ask who is Elton Bollers? Others might even question his existence as an athlete since his star was never alluring enough to be mentioned with the likes of Stephan James or Chavez Ageday, both of whom made their names at the school national level and are now attending a scholarship programme in America.

“My high school career was a trying one (pause) I’m not sure how to describe it, I ran for the love and not for accomplishments. I ran because I knew I had the potential to b a top sprinter al-

though almost all were blind to it.

“I went into races knowing the best I might get is fifth and it’s not something to boast about, but that was the reality for me,” the 21year- old sprinter recalled.

So where did his motivation come from to continue the good fight ; and how does he feel about his 200 metres accomplishment which can be deemed as impressive, especially since he trains on the bumpy terrains in Guyana?

“You can never allow failure to get to you because they normally say failure is not fatal nor success is not final but it is the courage to continue… undisputedly I am one of the best sprinters in the country, coming a long way from below average, it’s an accomplishment for me.

“It means a lot to me, it’s a great achievement… I have worked tirelessly towards being a better athlete and towards being

able to better represent my country on the international scene,” Bollers noted.

Meanwhile, as Bollers is now beginning to flourish on the track, he is also flourishing academically after recently graduating from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, while having 11 CSEC passes.

Nevertheless, the top sprinter who is sponsored by Fitness Express believes that for continued sustenance at an Elite level, growth should start from the school level and assistance needs to be had from corporate Guyana.

“What would be good is to see that sport be throughout all the terms and not just in term and done.

“No athlete is an island and the athletes need the support from the private sector that’s necessary to move from the average athlete to Olympic standard,” Bollers noted.

Speaking of the Olympics, Bollers envisions himself making it to the ultimate showcase of athletics in the world.

“My mid-term goal is to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, I believe with the requisites I can achieve that standard,” Bollers quipped.

While Bollers has never competed at the School National Championships, his star is definitely beginning to shine brighter than some of his peers who were champions of the past.

east coast Busta 20/20 starts sunday

Twelve teams will begin the quest for top honours on Sunday, when the annual Busta 20/20 knockout cricket competition bowls off at five venues on the East Coast of Demerara.

All 12 teams will be in action on the opening day with the winners moving forward to the second round on June 7. The semi-finals and final are billed for June 8 at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club ground.

In the first round on Sunday, Better Hope will play hosts Ogle from noon; Buxton will travel to Lusignan to face the hosts from noon; Enterprise ‘B’ will have home advantage against Enmore from 10:00h, while Enterprise ‘A’ will face Unity from 13:00h in the second match of a double-header at the venue.

Strathavon will look to exploit familiar home conditions against Golden Grove from noon, while Bravado will look to upstage hosts

Fairfield, also from noon. According to chief coordinator of the event, Jowharilall Jitlall, the teams will not be allowed to have any guest players in their line-ups.

He also disclosed that the teams will be vying for a top prize of $50,000, while the losing finalist will receive $25,000.

Several schools record wins In Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) and Wisburg Secondary School (WSS) won their respective boys and girls titles when the curtains came down on the Scotiabank/Pepsi School Football Academy Linden leg at the Wisburg Sec School Ground.

Needing a win to retain their title, the Wisburg Secondary girls overcame Mackenzie High School 1-0 in a pulsating matchup. Kay Holder of Wisburg would break the deadlock with a powerful strike in the 38th min; MHS pushed hard for an equaliser as the game swung back and forth, all to no avail. Wisburg Sec ended with 11 points followed by New Silver City with 10 points, Linden Foundation nine points & Christianburg Wismar Sec and MHS both on seven points.

In the Boys match-up, a win for Wisburg Sec would have ensured a grab on the title and just like last year, Wisburg once again failed to muster any moves beyond the MHS backline as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat, as Leon Grenville 39th and Lorenzo Miller 57th ensured victory for MHS. They finished with 10 points; Christianburg Wismar Sec School 12 points; New Silver City & Wisburg Sec nine points each; and Linden Foundation four points.

In closing, Linden Coordinator Rollin Tappin thanked all the sponsors, the parents and the participating schools on behalf of the GSDF for their sup-

port for a well-attended and exciting tournament. Mr Victor Wright, Director of the Foundation, expressed similar sentiments.

All presentations will be made during the National Playoffs in Georgetown.

Georgetown Leg

At the Ministry of Education Ground, Christ Church Sec male team upset defending Champions Charlestown Sec by edging them 3-2 in a funfilled and exciting match. Charlestown opened the scoring with a Jamal Mingo strike in the 17th minute;however, Christ Church had other ideas and Wainwright Adonis equalised in the 25th minute with a beauty. Half-time saw the score on 1-1; Shamar Carrington made it 2-1 for Christ Church with a 32nd minute strike. Charlestown tried gallantly for the equalizer, but the players missed lots of goals. In the 55th minute, Troy Williams cemented the victory with a 55th minute goal, making the score 3-1. Last year’s MVP, Omari James, pulled one back for Charlestown in the 60th minute, but it was too late, because the whistle came as soon as the ball was kicked off the centre circle.

In the other two scheduled games,Lodge Secondary lost by walk-over to Tutorial High and Queen’s College winning by a walk-over from Tucville Secondary.

Meanwhile, in a female encounter at the same ground, East Ruimveldt Secondary defeated Charlestown Secondary

2-0. Little DIVA Flames player Trayton Barton opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a clinical finish, after she received the ball in the 18-yard box and Ronessa Baird scored in the 26th minute, after a solo run down the left flank and beating the keeper with a beauty on the 1st post. Charlestown tried desperately with Keonala Drayton leading the attack, but she was thwarted by good defensive work from Jada Forde. East Ruimveldt goalkeeper Decaycia Norville had an easy time in the goal.

In Berbice At the Esplanade Ground, New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary (NAMS) lost to Vryman’s Erven Secondary School (VESS) in a male game by 3-0. Osafo Mc Donald 8tminute and Alex Ogleton in the 31st and 48thminutes, were the goal-scorers for the winners.

Also at the same venue in another female game, Tutorial Academy Secondary School (TASS) defeated Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) 6-2. Abigale Walker’s 18thand 59th minute goals; Tamiann Savory 23rd, 48thand 60th minutes, along with Denella Joe’s 69thminute were the TASS goal-scorers. Ayana Kellmon 29th minute and Natasha Bowen 27thminute scored for BEI. TASS also defeated NAMS 4-nil in a male match. Joshua Butts and Shaquelle Beckles scored once, while Orin Glen netted twice.

Coaches benefit from football workshop

OJitlall said the organisers are keeping a close eye on the weather, but pointed out that the various venues are being prepared for the matches on Sunday.

The competition is being sponsored exclusively by Guyana Beverage Company, under its Busta soft drink brand.

ver 20 coaches on Wednesday benefited from a one- day football coaches workshop organised by the Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA) and the Ministry of Sport at the GNS Sports ground.

The programme was put together to benefit coaches that are new to the game in order to set them fundamentally.

“The programme was tailored to educate them from the basic standpoint of the roles of the coaches, hydra-

tion and nutrition, the warm up and cool down, the injury prevention, the environmental and the health and safety and goal- keeping and various aspects of the game.

“This programme was done in a way they can comprehend clearly and go back and teach the players,” president of the GFCA, Wayne Dover told this publication.

While he noted that the programme was successful along with the fact that it will benefit football greatly, Dover mentioned that

more programmes will aid in coaches becoming better teachers of the game.

“We need more of these programmes on a national level; we need programmes where the federation could invite FIFA representatives to educate the coaches in Guyana which is lacking at this moment so that in general the players can be thought the fundamentals, which would aid the development of the players and football by extension in the nation,” Dover highlighted.

Floodlights at DCC commissioned

History was created last weekend when the newly installed floodlights were commissioned by Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony at the ground’s location in Queenstown.

This new development was made possible through a collaborative effort between the club and the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

During his remarks at the event, Dr Anthony commended the two bodies for working together to make the project a reality.

From the start of the discussions between the GFSCA and DCC, both entities agreed that the project was worthwhile with Dr Anthony noting that in Guyana’s long cricket history, the DCC has contributed quite a lot to the development of the game.

The club is celebrating its 102nd anniversary this year and in the short period since the softball association came into being, it has also made a significant contribution to cricket in Guyana.

Dr Anthony said he particularly appreciates the softball association because it gives those who have retired from hardball cricket a chance to still be in the sport; and the GFSCA has also been able to host a yearly softball tournament which included players from

Guyana and overseas.

Acting president of the club, Ian John, also welcomed the installation of floodlights at the facility,

noting that it will provide an opportunity for older cricketers to engage in matches in the nights.

GFSCA president

Ramchand Ragbeer noted that several other clubs were considered, but DCC, which is known as the ‘Home of the Legends’, was selected be-

Media XI, Enmore O-40 square off Sunday

Aconfident Media XI will take on an Enmore Over-40 cricket team in a feature 20/20 match on Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre ground from 14:00h.

After their clash against the Georgetown Cricket Scorers and Umpires Association was rained out at the innings break on Monday at the GCC ground, Bourda, the Media XI, in their quest to remain an active unit, took up the offer to face the Enmore side.

While the Media XI boys have named an unchanged squad from the last game, the Enmore side is a relatively strong one with several top players from the East Coast village.

The East Coast side will be led by skipper Anil Persaud, who recently emerged as the second leading wicket-taker in the Demerara Cricket Board’s Over-40 20/20 competition, playing for East Coast Jaguars.

The squad also includes former national wicketkeeper/batsman and former national selector, Sheik Mohamed, attacking opener Eon Abel, and all-rounder Jacob Persaud, whose lower-order hitting and brisk medium-pace could play a

crucial role. Also slated to turn out for Enmore is Ramo Malone, whose exploits in the softball arena are well documented.

The Media boys will once again look to the in-form opener John Ramsingh for a solid start, as he will be partnered by attacking lefthander Rajiv Bisnauth at the top.

The middle-order, which was a huge disappointment on Monday, will look to rebound with the likes of Daniel Singh, Avenash Ramzan, Keon Blades, skipper Calvin Roberts and Sean Devers all hunting some much needed runs.

The left-handed Ravi Persaud, who made a sol-

id 24 in partnership with Ramsingh (32) to help revive the innings on Monday, will certainly hope to continue with his form.

The bowling will hinge on new ball pair Roberts and left-armer Kizan Brummell, medium-pacers Ishaka Jackman, Esan Griffith, Reuben Stoby and Blades, and spin twins Devers and Persaud.

Though it will be a friendly contest, the teams will be battling for five trophies, sponsored by Tiger Sports of Enmore Old Road, East Coast Demerara. Apart from the winner and runnerup trophies, there will be individual prizes for the Manof-the-Match, Best Batsman

and Best Bowler.

The Media squad reads: Calvin Roberts (captain), John Ramsingh, Sean Devers, Daniel Singh (wk), Ravi Persaud, Avenash Ramzan, Rajiv Bisnauth, Esan Griffith, Duncan Saul, Clifton Ross, Ishaka Jackman, Kizan Brummell, Reuben Stoby and Keon Blades.

The Enmore O-40 square reads: Anil Persaud (captain), Sheik Mohamed (wk), Eon Abel, Ramo Malone, Jacob Persaud, Jagdesh Persaud, Shameer Shahib, Vijai Dass, A. Khan, Asif Khan, Hemraj Pillay, Satesh Panday, Ganeshram Emamally and Ganeshram Dayaram.

cause it is considered as one of the leading cricket clubs in Guyana.

Ragbeer emphasised that this achievement took

tremendous efforts on both parties involved and other well-wishers, disclosing that the GFSCA has an interest in assisting other clubs.

Thompson clocks World Junior qualifying time

Brenessa Thompson

US- based sprinter

Brenessa Thompson clocked 11.79s on Sunday at the PSAL City Games at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. The time has met the qualifying standard to represent Guyana at the World Junior Games set for later this year.

Thompson also clocked a 24.70s in the 200 metres, but did not make the qualifying time for that event.

Thompson will now join Kadecia Baird and Jason Yaw, who have qualified for the event.

Thompson is one of the rising stars in sprinting at the high school level and competes for the Medgar Evers College in New York. Further, Thompson also represented Guyana at the Carifta Games earlier in the year and made the final in both the girls’ under-2 100 and 200 metres.

Whether the star will be able to travel to the prestigious championships where Guyana has found success only once from Baird with a silver medal, will be left in the hands of the Athletics Association of Guyana.

Hundreds participate in World Challenge Day activity

HMore than 1200 students participated in close to 30 minutes of free- arm exer-

undreds of students, athletes and public officials on Wednesday flocked the National Stadium at Providence to join the rest of the world in observing World Challenge Day 2014. The event, which was geared at promoting healthy lifestyles through exercise, attracted approximately 25 schools from the East Bank Demerara, stretching from Soesdyke to Houston.

cise led by fitness instructor, Noshavyah King. After the lively warm-up session, the students were addressed by Director of Sport Neil Kumar and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony. Both officials reminded the gathering of the im-

portance of living healthy lifestyles by consuming the right foods and complementing it with a daily dose of exercise.

Minister Anthony urged the students to set aside 30 minutes daily for exercise, even as he reminded them of the importance of acquiring a sound education. He said too many young people are becoming obese due to a lack of physical activity, a situation he urged the students to guard against.

After the speeches, mem-

bers of the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force wowed the students with some spectacular physical displays. The event was organised by the Sport Ministry and the National Sports Commission.