Guyana Times Daily

Calls made for inquiry into GreenidgeGoolsarran connection

Formula for appointing chancellor a political process –Justice Singh

PSC warns about sanctions over stymied money laundering bill

Three new constituencies to be added to

Finance minister outlines Guyana’s challenges to lending institutions

Republic Bank customer wins $1M in Deal on Wheels promotion

844 get house lots at Zeelugt

PSC warns about sanctions over stymied money laundering bill

Some countries have already begun to beef up sanctions as a result of Guyana’s failure to pass the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) revealed.

“Due to the failure to pass the anti-money laundering legislation by the set deadline, some countries are already implementing sanctions. The Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank, for instance, has issued a letter to the commercial banks in Trinidad and Tobago regarding doing business with Guyana and engaging in foreign currency transactions,” the private sector umbrella body said in a full-page advertisement in this newspaper on Friday.

According to the PSC, the cautionary letter has caused TT companies to increase scrutiny of Guyanese companies with which they do business systems. There are reports that companies are not able to reinsure, the commission said, noting that the inability to acquire insurance would have a negative effect on those seeking or servicing mortgages. Many questions are now being asked about the legitimacy of Guyanese companies and their transactions, which were previously routine and normal. This has resulted in a burdensome process for transactions such as purchasing a foreign currency draft, which now requires the completion of lengthy forms and the carrying out of a due diligence procedure for each transaction.

With the slow progress on addressing the deficiencies in the anti-money laundering act, the PSC believes that correspondent banks will further increase their queries regarding customer transactions. Consequently, the cost of doing business will rise, as companies attempt to offset losses due to increased restrictions and delay.

The body noted that jurisdictions which are not compliant with the tenets

of the anti-money laundering law also run the risk of certain correspondent banking relationships being terminated and curtailed access to foreign currency and cross-border payment transactions. Referring to the pending law, the PSC urged “Parliament to approve the measures in whatever form to avoid the disastrous effects on our business sector and the average Guyanese citizen”.

Guyana had missed the August 26 deadline that was set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) for the enactment of the bill, as the government and the opposition were unable to reach consensus on the bill. However, an extension was granted until November.

Blame game

The government and opposition continue to trade blame on who is responsible for the delay in the passage of the bill. On Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon accused the opposition of dragging its feet on the legislation at the level of the Special parliamentary select committee. He believes that Guyana will have to return to the CFATF International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) in November empty-handed.

“The way things are going, it is not unreasonable to feel that Guyana will be returning with empty hand, no enacted amendment bill,”

Dr Luncheon, who is also head of the Presidential Secretariat, told the media. Government, he said, had welcomed the move by the parliamentary select committee to meet on October 14 to discuss the anti-money laundering amendment bill, but the meeting was unfruitful. “Unfortunately, the outcome was no different... as was in the days just before the commencement of the recess, delay tactics were instituted by the opposition. Delays, delays and more delays,” Dr Luncheon stressed.

At the meeting, members of the parliamentary select committee were read information from a document sent by the CFATF to the government. Dr Luncheon also believes that the opposition might be plotting its next move on how to blame the government for the country’s failure to enact the bill. But he made it clear that government has worked with stakeholders to produce a menu of measures and interventions to meet the new November deadline in keeping with the multilateral evaluation report by the CFATF.

Opposition Leader David Granger on Friday said the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is in the process of taking evidence from stakeholders, noting that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which will be responsible for implementing the bill, once passed, has received severe criticism, since its establishment some four years ago. He could not state the number of stakeholders interviewed nor give an estimated time for the completion of that process.

Back in June, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, upon his return from the CFATF forum in Nicaragua, said the success of the FIU was a major contributing factor that allowed the country to receive an extension of the deadline. According to Nandlall, the FIU submitted a series of reports to CFATF in 2011.

Formula for appointing chancellor notorious – Justice Singh

By Leana Bradshaw

Acting chancellor of the judiciary, Justice Carl Singh has described as notorious the formula for his appointment as the substantive head of the highest judicial body in the land – the Court of Appeal.

“There is now a formula which I believe has now become notorious that the president must obtain the agreement of the leader of the opposition. The appointment to the office of chancellor or to the office of chief justice is essentially a political process, and so it is whatever the president and the leader of the opposition find agreement on, that is in relation to a specific person,” he outlined.

Singh, who has been acting in the position since 2005, declined to further comment about the issue, saying that his permanent appointment to the position of chancellor is not one in which he should pronounce on, since Guyana’s Constitution makes it a political process. He told this newspaper that he would welcome whatever decision is made for the permanent appointment of a chancellor.

Both former President Bharrat Jagdeo and the incumbent, Donald Ramotar had been willing to appoint Justice Singh and current Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang to the substantive posts, but then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and now Opposition Leader David Granger have rejected the candidates. Granger

even went further earlier this year to propose that the posts of chief justice and chancellor be advertised both locally and in the Eastern Caribbean, where other jurisdictions share Guyana’s laws.

Selection and appointment

This, Granger said, was to ensure that the people of Guyana can be assured of the best possible person being appointed. He believes this is the way forward, allowing the process of selection and appointment to move away from the gridlock that existed, since the period in which Jagdeo and Corbin were president and opposition leader respectively.

Under the Guyana Constitution, “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall each be appointed by the President, acting after obtaining the agreement of the leader of the opposition”.

According to Granger, while he does not oppose the appointments of Justice Ian Chang as chief justice and Justice Singh as Chancellor, he wants transparency.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon, however, said Granger’s proposal falls outside the constitutional provisions and would be a totally new-route which the government is not prepared to embrace at this time.

Former chancellor of the judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard had told Guyana Times last month that there was need for constitutional offices to be occupied by confirmed personnel. Outstanding positions include those of chief justice, chancellor of the judiciary and ombudsman. Justice Kennard noted that consensus between the opposition and government was important in reaching a decision for confirmation of persons to these offices.

Kennard said he did not see any agreement materialising between the two sides soon, but hoped that consensus would not be reached in the too-distant future. “I hope that the president and the opposition leader would be able to resolve whatever difficulties surrounding the outstanding appointment of these critical positions. They should be able to sit and discuss such matters as mature politicians to determine who gets the positions,” he said, adding that those currently in acting positions “ought to know where they stand”. (leanab@guyanatimesgy.com)

Robust interaction at Caricom reform consultations in Jamaica

Change was in the air in Kingston, Jamaica for the past week as the Caricom Reform Process was the focus of attention at national consultations.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, who led the team at the consultations, expressed satisfaction at the robust interaction with the various stakeholders. “I was quite pleased with the exercise,” he said on Thursday evening at the end of the consultations, which saw the Change Facilitation Team engaging with the stakeholders to get their views on the way forward for the community and areas of priority in developing the 2014-18 strategic plan.

The recruitment of a Change Facilitation Team resulted from discussions among heads of government at their intersessional meeting in Suriname in 2012 after receiving a report on the review of the secretariat. The leaders agreed that it was necessary to re-examine the future direction of the community and the arrangements for carrying this for-

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

ward, which would include the role and function of the Caricom Secretariat.

The strategic plan will, among other things, identify the priority areas of focus for the community and guide the restructuring of the secretariat. The facilitation team, which has a three-year mandate, is being assisted with resources from the United Kingdom, through the Department for International Development (DFID), and began work in the Caricom Secretariat last November.

Jamaica was the 10th

member state of the community visited by the team as it seeks the widest possible input into the process. The consultations included a session with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her Cabinet. The team also met with Opposition Leader Andrew Holness. The private sector, labour, civil society and youth also presented their views, as did the Caricom institutions based in Kingston and the University of the West Indies (UWI). All the stakeholders spoke of their commitment to the integration movement and expressed their desire to make it work in an equitable fashion. Major areas of priority which arose from the discussion included the need for a plan to engender sustainable economic growth and development; solutions for the transportation challenges within the community; the need for greater public education and communication and greater attention to climate change issues. The Change Facilitation Team will be in Belize in the coming week.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Countrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East south-easterly to east north-easterly at 2.05 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:21h and 16:32h reaching maximum heights of 2.70 metres and 2.80 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:08h and 22:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.41 metre respectively.

Three new constituencies to be added to ERC

By Samuel Sukhnandan

The Appointive

Committee of the National Assembly will be submitting a report on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) when Parliament resumes, as it seeks to add three new constituencies to the list of commissioners.

Committee chairman Dr George Norton told Guyana Times on Thursday that this change was made based on a recommendation, which was later accepted by all members of the committee, aimed at bringing new life to the commission.

Dr Norton explained that the ERC comprised representatives from seven different constituencies. These

“We added on another group which is referred to as the cultureethnic group which contains the three main ethnic groups – Indian, African and Amerindian that will each nominate one person and that will bring the total number to 10. That is what we agreed upon” – Appointive Committee Chairman Dr George Norton

included a representative from the three main religions – Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, labour, the private sector, youth, and women affairs organisations.

He said, “We added on another group which is referred to as the cultureethnic group which contains the three main ethnic groups – Indian, African and Amerindian that will each nominate one person and that will bring the total number to 10. That is what we agreed upon.”

New commission

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member of parliament told Guyana Times that before the recess, the appointive committee was prepared to make the report, but was unable to do so, because of other pressing issues. According to him, the matter is up for discussion during Parliament, which will be provided with a list for its approval and once approved, the various entities will be written to. They in turn will nominate persons and meet to appoint a new commission.

The appointive committee chairman said he was hoping that the list would be accepted by Parliament, noting that there was indeed a role for the ERC and the new addition to the commission will help to bring about the changes needed to revive the commission.

“We hope that nobody will judge the function of the ERC that should form now on any past commission that existed before,” Dr Norton

Appointive Committee

Chairman Dr George Norton

remarked.

He admitted that there were many concerns raised about the previous commission, and stressed that he saw no reason why people should question the new ERC, which he hopes will deliver on its objectives as stipulated by law. While he did not disclose the names of the organisations that the committee has come up with, he said they were all reputable organisations that would hopefully appoint the most suitable persons to serve, ensuring that the ERC becomes a vibrant commission.

Previous commission

In June 2011, then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin had secured an injunction against the ERC, barring the chairman and two commissioners from taking any decision, making any recommendation or issuing any direction on behalf of the constitutional body. Corbin was also granted an order to have the current commissioners and chairman of the ERC refund to the state all monies they

Guyana among PANCAP partners meeting to craft sustained response to HIV

Guyana will be among the national AIDS programmes, donors and regional partners represented at a meeting of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV & AIDS (PANCAP) October 21-23, at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, in Port of Spain. Consensus on priority programmes and needs, and increased national leadership to sustain the regional AIDS response are among the expected outcomes of the meeting.

With funding from the PANCAP Round 9 Global Fund grant, the meeting is being convened by the Coordinating Unit of PANCAP, and is part of the process to facilitate increased country ownership by giving countries a stronger voice to determine the overall regional AIDS response, the Caricom

Secretariat said in a statement.

The meeting is being held against the backdrop of intensified efforts by the Caribbean region to meet the targets of the 2015 millennium development goals (MDGs) and to position itself in the post-2015 health

and development agenda.

In this context, the meeting, organised into plenary, panel discussions and working group sessions, will, among other things, assess regional and national progress towards achieving the targets of the 2010 PANCAP Resolution and those of the 2011 UN High Level Meeting; update programme managers on key national, regional, and global developments and lessons learned; and share approaches for increasing value for money. Measures to strengthen national programmes and to harmonise partners and activities in the regional response will also be the focus of this meeting.

A key highlight of the three-day meeting is the launch of the publication “Legal and Policy Perspectives on HIV and Human Rights in the

Caribbean”, which were edited by Sir George Alleyne, chancellor and professor emeritus of the University of the West Indies and Labour Law Professor RoseMarie Belle Antoine of the same university. The publication is an outcome of the “path-breaking symposium” on HIV and Human Rights organised by the university, PANCAP and UNAIDS.

Under the chairmanship of recently-appointed PANCAP Director Dereck Springer, the launch will be held in the Jade Room of the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, from 19:00 to 21:00h. Dr Douglas Slater, the newly-appointed assistant secretary general for human and social development in the Caricom Secretariat, will deliver the feature address. PANCAP is a regional partnership established

by Caricom heads of government in 2001 to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean.

collected after August 2007 when the life of the commission expired.

However, in November of that same year the injunction filed against the ERC officials was thrown out of the High Court. The judge had said that the case was baseless. The commission’s chairman at that time, Bishop Juan Edghill, who was also blocked from performing his duties, resigned from the post, to join the People’s Progressive Party/Civic election campaign. Edghill is now the junior finance minister. (samuelsukhnandan@ guyanaimesgy.com)

The ERC has been functioning without commissioners and a chairman for some time. While staff is attached to the commission, there is little known about the work they have been doing. The opposition during the 2012 and 2013 national budgets had cut funding for the constitutional body, but this was later restored through a court order.

The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security among all ethnic groups. (samuelsukhnandan@guyanatimesgy.com)

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

New approach to TB

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally, every day, more than 200 children under the age of 15 die needlessly from tuberculosis (TB). It estimates that as many as one in 10 TB cases globally (six to 10 per cent of all TB cases) are among this age group, but that number could be even higher, because many children are simply undiagnosed. This is, indeed, shocking, considering the fact that TB is a disease that is preventable and curable.

According to the Director of Programmes for the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nicholas Alipui, most of these children referred to earlier, live in the poorest, most vulnerable households. It is unfortunate that so many of our children have to die for want of a simple, affordable cure, especially where there are community-based options to deliver lifesaving interventions.

Last week, the WHO launched the first-ever action plan, which outlines key measures to specifically deal with children and TB. The launch of the roadmap follows increasing awareness on the urgent need to address the issue.

The action plan entitled, “Roadmap for Childhood TB: Towards Zero Deaths”, stresses the need for crucial funding to fight the disease. It estimates that US$120 million per year could have a major impact on saving tens of thousands of children’s lives from TB, including among children infected with both TB and HIV.

The US$120 million a year in new funding for addressing TB in children from governments and donors includes US$40 million for HIV antiretroviral therapy and preventive therapy (to prevent active TB disease) for children co-infected with TB and HIV. It is expected that the funds will also go towards improving detection, developing better medicines for children, and integrating TB treatment into existing maternal and child health programmes.

Also, getting more paediatric health professionals to actively screen for TB with better tools, that is, drugs, diagnostics and vaccines, will help capture the full scope of the epidemic and reach more children with life-saving treatment sooner.

WHO points out that that experts are now seeking to broaden the net and involve organisations and agencies beyond the national TB programmes that have contact with children. As much as possible, the roadmap recommends that TB services for children be mainstreamed into existing children’s health services, and more responsibility and accountability be given to primary care providers.

Dr Tom Kenyon, director of the Centre for Global Health at the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, was quoted as saying that by scaling up existing tools and investing in improved approaches for the future, we can turn the tide on this hidden epidemic. But it is necessary that we put these tools in the hands of frontline health-care workers and use every opportunity to identify children at risk for TB.

He argues that moving to this type of family-centred or community-centred approach, however, will require effective collaboration and joint planning among TB control programmes, maternal and child health services, and HIV services.

Similarly, José Luis Castro, interim executive director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, suggests that if we can shift TB diagnosis and treatment out of specialised programmes and into other existing maternal and child health activities, we automatically gain reach and scale.

Like WHO, we believe that by integrating critical child TB interventions into community health services, we will contribute to the global goal of ending preventable child deaths. The next step will require investment and engagement at all levels, including families, frontline health workers, and community leaders.

Certainly, the roadmap which builds on the latest knowledge of the disease identifies clear actions to prevent these child deaths and it is hoped that governments and other partners involved in the TB fight will take its recommendations seriously.

Police behaviour in the community

Dear Editor, Social cordialities afforded police officers should now be addressed. It has become quite normal for police to be getting invitations for things like weddings – sometimes they just received the good-

ies from them. These things do not go down well. I recall a favour that I was asked to do a few months back. My next door neighbour took a ride to a police station to drop off a well-wrapped bag. The day

before he had come back from the sea, where he captains an indoor-engine fishing boat.

Police officers of this land must be very mindful of their responsibilities in the community. Getting too close to

people on a friendship for favour basis will compromise their work. They always have to set a very high example.

Yours sincerely, Nirmala Sharma

Anna Regina IMC has many problems

Dear Editor,

It was disclosed that the new Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Anna Regina municipality, Essequibo Coast is facing desperate times. One of its members has reportedly resigned over disagreement with the former mayor, who is now chairman of the market committee.

Walter Elliot, who served with me as a councillor for the past eight years during my tenure as mayor and deputy mayor told me that the former mayor has become difficult to work with at the IMC. Elliott said he was told by the chairman of the market committee that he and his wife have to give up their two stalls in the Anna Regina old market if he still wanted to be a serving member of the IMC, or

he has to resign.

I found this request to be a strange case since, Elliot and his wife were holders of these two stalls for some 30 years, before he was selected on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/) local government list of candidates in 1994 to contest the election.

What amazed me is that the chairman of the newly formed IMC market committee reportedly took two stalls in 2001 in the newly built Bush Lot market, without even applying to the council or the market committee, and was never sanctioned by the statutory meeting of the council, and no one saw this as a conflict of interest.

Elliot, a poor man without an income was forced to resign because he obtained his stalls legally. Elliot also told me that because he re-

fused to teach the new members of the IMC the local government laws 1, he was being penalised. This came about as the primary objective of the system. And in any case, only those who hugged the soup bowl were likely to benefit.

The taxpayers may criticise the new market chairman’s action against Elliot, but they do so as spectators.

The former mayor allegedly left the Anna Regina Town Council bankrupt with a debt of $20 million dollars in 2000 and went abroad for one year.

When I assumed office within the orbit of a bankrupt council, my commitment with the new town clerk, Ganga Persaud (now deceased) and the councillors, Ivan Narine, Hakim Khan and Dashing Persaud.

We wiped the debt off and started to pay the staff promptly and for the suppliers of goods and services. Our commitment to the principle and devotion helped us to survive and we even prospered with prudent management. How can the Local Government Ministry and the new IMC take the failure of the Anna Regina Town Council for the past 19 years to manage the financial hub of the market? We, the stakeholders, were never in favour of the old councillors and mayor in the IMC, since they left the council in a bankrupt state with millions of dollars in the collection of rates and taxes.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Former Deputy Mayor

Acid attack victim should seek medical compensation

Dear Editor, A young woman was recently doused with acid in the vicinity of Kitty, Georgetown. The victim is pleading for justice and the need for prompt action to be taken against the perpetrators. Hopefully this matter can be lawfully addressed allowing the victim all fairness due to her. In addition to this, my current concern is that of the

victim’s well-being.

As a result of the incident, the young woman encountered a blockage in her nasal cavity. Three attempts were made to surgically remove the blockage – all of which were futile. The victim is still currently unable to breathe properly without the assistance of an inserted breathing tube.

Excluding the physical and emotional trauma that

this victim has had to endure, she also has incurred unnecessary expenses for medical treatment.

I have over the years had a difficult time in having any faith in the medical fraternity in Guyana. A relative of mine was misdiagnosed by a doctor and as a result was subsequently subjected to the wrong treatment. This unfortunate misdiagnosis caused the patient

to plunge into bankruptcy as a result of having to pay for ongoing medical coverage over a three year period. It is only fair that these patients are able to seek some form of financial compensation, because the reality worldwide is that doctors are often inadequate by virtue of training and facilities.

Yours truly, Susana Walters

A UK resident’s perspective on goldGuyana’s rush

Dear Editor,

I have just seen a trailer for the Discovery Channel. How could Guyanese let so many people mine for gold in the rainforests of your country? They’re among the last untouched rainforests in the world.

And let’s face it; this world is all we have. I am proud to say my mother was from your country, I would have loved to go there one day. What’s to feel proud about?

We all have faced struggles financially, your country could have invited in scientists and biologists and felt proud of protecting something special. Instead the easy route was taken. It makes me want to weep.

You may think, what does she know, living in the UK with no worries? Well, you’re wrong, we all face uncertainty and what’s going to happen in the future? Life here is not rosy.

I live 15 minutes from a large newly built hospital but you can’t get an appointment at the hospital because you can’t get to see a doctor. We don’t heat the house because the bills are so high. Food and fuel cost a fortune. Sometimes we sit at work with hot bottles because the

government taxes employers to death, and the cost of heating is so high. Many are unemployed because there are no jobs. We all struggle, but we remain true to ourselves and what we are responsible for.

I won’t be watching this programme and I will try to persuade others that I work with not to. There must be another way of making money. I live in the UK, but I have a word of advice for Guyana. The people of your country (and my mother’s) should try and save your rainforests. You are its guardians and they could ultimately be your only hope for preservation.

My mother was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice. She left the country when she was in her teens to escape her abusive father. She met my father when he was stationed there with the British army.

She’s now in her 70s and lives in Sri Lanka with my dad. She always says it reminds her of home.

Kind regards, Elizabeth Harper United Kingdom (Address provided)

Another medical outreach

Dear Editor,

We have been having quite a number of medical outreach programmes across Guyana. The most recent was for the residents of Ituni and Kwakwani. I seldom go into those places but every time I am there, I tend to look around and my medical intuition tells me that apart from getting examined in a number of ways, residents need a sharp reminder about some things they need to get back to.

This pair seems to have little or no respect for women!

Dear Editor,

I have always wondered about the letter-writing ability of Dr Asquith Rose, and the reason he seems incapable of writing a simple letter to the press on his own. Since he appeared on the scene as a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-bashing letter writer, Dr Rose has always appeared as a co-writer with someone else.

First, with the “I-hatethe-PPP/C-because-theyrefused-to-pay-for-my-Ph D” Sasenarine Singh. And now that he has changed his alliance from the Alliance For Change (AFC) to the People’s National Congress (PNC)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and made it known that he will no longer be co-writing with Sasenarine Singh, he continues his assault on the government with one Harish S Singh.

The truth is, Sasenarine Singh and Harish S Singh are one and the same person. So much for credibility. This stunt reminds me of the PNC changing its name in 2011 to APNU, hoping to gain some credibility by remaking the seriously damaged PNC party, in the hope of fooling the electorate at the 2011 general election. These individuals appear to have no scruples or credibility, and will write anything to make those they oppose look bad.

In a recent letter, “Hopefully, writers will be guided by facts, and not half-truths on the Amaila project” (Kaieteur News, August 28), none other than the treasurer and national executive committee member of AFC, Opposition Leader David Granger’s son-in-law, Dominic Gaskin, had this to say, “Ultimately your readers will have to form their own conclusions, and in doing so it is hoped they will be guided by the facts and not influenced by such cleverly assembled half truths as contained in the above mentioned letter by Rose and Singh.”

Rose and Singh.

In a letter, “The dangerous precedence of the Geetanjali Singh saga” (Kaieteur News, October 16), Dr Asquith Rose and Harish S Singh attacked Education Minister Priya Manickchand for defending the constitutional rights of Geetanjali Singh to work in a position that she is clearly qualified to hold. In her defence of Geetanjali Singh, the minister made it quite clear that in addition to Geetanjali having all the qualities a woman of yesteryear was expected to possess, she was also the epitome of what we say women today should be.

Geetanjali Singh is a highly qualified professional who should be entitled to choose a career path of her own. There should be no barriers set to impede her professional goals because of the man she married. In a way though, the infantile argument of this duo, makes the point that Minister Manickchand made – they see her as nothing else but a good wife and mother, and so how dare she be appointed as audit director.

Both Rose and Singh have a common political agenda. Their goal is to badmouth the PPP/C administration every chance they get. By parroting the opposition’s call for the removal of Geetanjali Singh and/or her husband Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, they hope to weaken the government, thereby allowing the opposition a better opportunity to win the next election.

ments were deliberately hidden from the public at a time when the AFC was defiant in its opposition to the construction of the hydro power plant. As a serving member of Parliament, Cathy Hughes was obligated to vote along party lines on the Amaila Hydro Project. Wasn’t that a conflict of interest? Where is the condemnation by Dr Rose and his sidekick?

Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan stated publicly that both Nigel and Cathy Hughes recused themselves from discussions and decisions involving the Amalia Falls Hydro Electricity Project (AFHEP), although they were both AFC executive members. By their silence on this matter, Ramjattan’s explanation was obviously accepted by Dr Rose and Sasenarine Singh. Neither saw it as a conflict of interest.

Yet, despite being told repeatedly, and reiterated in Minister Manickchand’s letter which stated that it has been made clear that Geetanjali Singh does no work that involves her husband or any of the agencies he is involved in, heads or manages. She has recused herself and is recused from doing any work (audits, supervision of audits, management of audits and review of audits, among others) regarding agencies in which her husband is involved. She said that all the officers in the office are prevented from auditing accounts of agencies where their spouse or relatives are head or even work.

Sasenarine Singh accused Hughes of jury tampering. As a result, James Anthony Hyles, a former member of the notorious Rondell Rawlins (Fine Man) gang walked free of murdering 11 persons, including women and children in their Lusignan homes as they slept. Nigel Hughes was the attorney that represented Hyles.

In Guyana, oral healthcare is sometimes neglected and this is one area where prevention of dental problems was not tended to. In the general counselling sessions, a lot of the residents realised that they could have prevented some of their complications, especially where the general mouth is concerned. We owe it to ourselves to exercise great care in this area.

Any visit by a team of medical care professionals can be timetabled so as to be strategic and not necessarily routine. In time to come, with some good planning and preventive work, these visits will be much more fruitful and less demanding. Let us not forget that part. It is a big sacrifice the team members are making.

Yours sincerely, Virgill Greene

I will deal with the hypocrisy of Dr Asquith Rose and Harish S Singh, aka Sasenarine Singh, later in this letter as it relates to Granger’s son-in-law, and the lack of credibly of this duo. But let me deal first with the half-truths and smear campaign of Messrs

But if either Dr Rose or Harish S Singh, aka Sasenarine Singh, were truly interested in ethics and conflicts of interest, how come there was no condemnation by either of the glaring conflict of interest of Nigel Hughes and Cathy Hughes with the Amalia Falls Hydro Project? Nigel Hughes’ admission came only after being exposed as being the company secretary of Amalia Hydro Inc, and later confessed, “I acknowledge there was a conflict of interest and I assume full responsibility for it.”

His wife Cathy Hughes was public relations consultant for Sithe Global, the developer/investor in the Amaila Falls project. These prominent appoint-

In other words no woman can audit, supervise an audit, manage an audit or review an audit if her husband works at a place that is being audited. Yet, the opposition’s accusation of a conflict of interest is still being parroted by this duo.

When it was disclosed that Nigel Hughes wilfully remained silent as the Lusignan Massacre jury foreman, Vernon Griffith failed to inform the court that Hughes was his lawyer for six years, despite being asked specifically by the trial judge, Justice Navindra Singh, if he ever had a relationship with any attorney associated with the Lusignan Massacre trial, neither Dr Rose nor

In their letter, Dr Rose and Sasenarine Singh wrote, “Let us cut all the hogwash about attack on women since that is a gross untruth; this issue is about ethics, integrity and morality and it has nothing to do with Geetanjali Singh as a woman or a person”. If this was true, and they’re so concerned about ethics and morality, wouldn’t they have joined in my call for Nigel Hughes to be reprimanded? I believe Geetanjali Singh was targeted because they wanted to get something, anything, on Dr Ashni Singh, and also because this pair seems to have little or no respect for women! Now back to Dominic Gaskin. This man is the treasurer and executive member of the AFC. He is the son-in-law of Granger, Leader of the Opposition and leader of PNC/APNU. There is no evidence that he leaks inside information to Granger over dinner. But if we are to apply the same yardstick that is used to judge the finance minister’s wife, Geetanjali Singh, shouldn’t the AFC treasurer, Dominic Gaskin decline an executive position in a political party that competes for the same voting bloc as his father-in-law? Is this not a conflict of interest? And if not, why is this still being kept a secret by both AFC and PNC/APNU.

Dr Rose should be cognisant of the friends he keeps. If he is not the main architect of these hate letters, he does not need the likes of Sasenarine Singh to tarnish whatever credibility he has left. Let Harish S Singh, aka Sasenarine Singh, do his own writing. If on the other hand he is the architect, he should be man enough to stand alone and not hide behind Sasenarine Singh.

Yours truly, Harry Gill

Page Foundation

Writing a good research paper part two

Use footnotes and endnotes

As you write your first draft, including the introduction, body, and conclusion, add the information or quotations on your note cards to support your ideas.

Use footnotes or endnotes to identify the sources of this information. If you are using footnotes, the note will appear on the same page as the information you are documenting, at the bottom (or “foot”) of the page. If you are using endnotes, the note will appear together with all other notes on a separate page at the end of your report, just before the bibliography.

There are different formats for footnotes (and endnotes), so be sure to use the one your teacher prefers.

Note that footnotes can be shortened if the source has already been given in full in a previous footnote.

How to write a bibliography

A bibliography is a list of the sources you used to get information for your report. It is included at the end of your report, on the last page (or last few pages).

You will find it easier to prepare your final bibliography if you keep track of each book, encyclopaedia, or article you use as you are reading and taking notes. Start a preliminary, or draft, bibliography by listing on a separate sheet of paper all your sources. Note down the full title,

cards to double-check your bibliography. When assembling a final bibliography, list your sources (texts, articles, interviews, and so on) in alphabetical order by authors’ last names. Sources that don’t have authors (encyclopaedias, mov ies) should be put into alphabetical order by title. There are different formats for bibliographies, so be sure to use the one your teacher prefers.

General guide to formatting a bibliography

For a book:

Author (last name first). Title of the book. City: Publisher, Date of publication.

EXAMPLE:

Dahl, Roald. The BFG. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1982.

For an encyclopedia:

Encyclopaedia Title, Edition Date. Volume Number, “Article Title,” page numbers.

EXAMPLE: The Encyclopedia Brittanica, 1997. Volume 7, “Gorillas,” pp. 50-51.

For a magazine:

Author (last name first), “Article Title.” Name of magazine. Volume number, (Date): page numbers.

EXAMPLE: Jordan, Jennifer, “Filming at the Top of the World.” Museum of Science Magazine. Volume 47, No. 1, (Winter 1998): p. 11.

For a newspaper:

Author (last name first), “Article Title.” Name of newspaper, city, state of publication. (date): edition if available, section, page number(s).

EXAMPLE:

Powers, Ann, “New Tune for the Material Girl.” The New York Times, New York, NY. (3/1/98): Atlantic Region, Section 2, p. 34.

For a person: Full name (last name first). Occupation. Date of interview.

EXAMPLE: Smeckleburg, Sweets. Bus driver. April 1, 1996.

Compton’s

Multimedia Encyclopedia: Macintosh version, 1995. “Civil rights movement,” p3. Compton’s Newsmedia.

Magazine article:

Author (last name first). “Article title.” Name of magazine (type of medium). Volume number, (Date): page numbers. If available: publisher of medium, version, date of issue.

EXAMPLE: Rollins, Fred. “Snowboard Madness.” Sports Stuff (CD-ROM). Number 15, (February 1997): pp 15-19. SIRS, Mac version, Winter 1997.

Newspaper article:

Author (last name first). “Article title.” Name of newspaper (Type of medium), city and state of publication. (Date): If available: Edition, section and page number(s). If available: publisher of medium, version, date of issue.

EXAMPLE: Stevenson, Rhoda. “Nerve Sells.” Community News (CD-ROM), Nassau, NY. (Feb 1996): pp. A45. SIRS, Mac. version, Spring 1996.

Online resources

Internet:

Author of message, (Date). Subject of message. Electronic conference or bulletin board (Online). Available e-mail: LISTSERV@ email address

EXAMPLE: Ellen Block, (September 15, 1995). New Winners. Teen Booklist (Online). Helen Smith@ wellington.com

World Wide Web:

URL (Uniform Resource Locator or WWW address). author (or item’s name, if mentioned), date.

EXAMPLE: (Boston Globe’s www address) http://www.boston.com. Today’s News, August 1, 1996. (Teacher Vision)

How to teach your children to write essays

BY LOIS WELDON

Creating an outline

The development of an outline is another essay writing aspect that is problematic for many children. They have troubles in developing logical progression throughout the sentences and paragraphs. If you managed to teach your children how to develop strong sentences, the next step is teaching them how to relate those sentences to one another.

Children also need to be taught how to construct paragraphs and create a logical connection between them. Make sure to explain the importance of the introductory and concluding paragraph, because these are probably the most important aspects of the essay structure.

Examples and practice: the most effective tools of developing essay writing skills

Abstract explanations will never result with success when it comes to children and learning. They really need to see examples of what you are trying to tell them. You can find plenty of great essays online, so make sure to use some of them as examples and show your children what works and what doesn’t work. When the children see good and bad examples, they will instantly get their own ideas and they will develop confidence in their abilities. Make sure to teach them that these essays should serve only as examples for understanding how this type of writing works, and don’t allow them to fall into the trap of copying someone else’s work. One of the most important things they need to learn is that creativity and uniqueness should be constantly present in their writing.

When it comes to achieving great skills of essay writing, you cannot expect them to be delivered with the first assignment. Practice will make your children much better thinkers and writers, so you should find the time to practice these skills with them over and over again. When you think about it, perfection is not exactly necessary, and the main thing you should be focused on is developing an increased vocabulary and better grammar skills. Essay writing can be very complicated even for adults, so don’t terrorise your children with your demands for perfection.

Transformation of Sanata Textiles Complex

Investments made by QAII – Taking innovative graphic design and printing to the next level

With vision, determination, and entrepreneurial savvy, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) has made significant investments in the acquisition of state-of-the art machinery and equipment for the printing industry.

Printing in Guyana had seen a drastic decline for a number of years, and the sector left much to be desired as printing establishments offered either poor quality print and/or sub-standard finish at inflated prices. The management of Global Printing and Graphics Inc (GP&GI) saw the shortcomings of the existing industry as an opportunity to introduce to the local market a much improved quality of print and finish comparable to what was available outside of Guyana at competitive prices.

GP&GI was incorporated in June 2007 to establish a state-of-the-art printery that would provide conventional offset printing jobs, which include labels, inserts, cartons, posters, brochures, annual reports, banners, calendars, books, magazines,

complimentary slips, business cards, and letterheads.

In keeping with the company’s mission statement to become the one-stop expert printing solution, GP&GI has invested significantly in machinery to ensure that customers receive highquality prints. The company has since made a name for itself, becoming increasingly popular in the business sector for its impressive print quality and consistent addition of technologically advanced print options, guided by high intervention of “flexible customisation”.

State-of-the-art equipment

To augment the printing needs and enhance the quality of graphics and print, the company acquired several presses including a stateof-the-art Man Roland 5-colour offset sheet fed press; a Naph Graphics Web press, and an Aquaflex flexographic press. These three modern presses totalling in excess of US$3 million have significantly enhanced the company’s ability to deliver print jobs faster due to superior equipment capabilities.

There are several advantages of offset printing compared to other printing methods. They include:

Consistent high image quality. Offset printing produces sharp and clean images.

• Quick and easy production of printing plates. Cost. Offset printing is the cheapest method for producing high-quali-

ty prints in commercial printing quantities.

This fully functional machine has the ability to produce superior print quality on both gloss and non-gloss paper. This allows for the printing of high-end promotional material such as calendars, brochures, flyers, magazines, catalogues and posters in commercial quantities.

In 2011, the company further invested in a digital offset sheet fed press, capable of printing on a wider variety of print material (substrates). This digital press was introduced to cater for clients who required smaller quantities of prints as well as a quicker turnaround service. Digital printing uses plate-less technology, and needs no make-ready and virtually no run ups. This results in the use of less time and material during the production period. Digitising the conventional offset printing techniques has seen added sharp quality indices in our printing business.

The high technological mix of print press acquisition for GP&GI has enabled

the company to deliver unmatched quality and reach higher levels of productivity as it is capable of printing over two million coloured pages or more than five million monochrome pages per month. Our digital technology offers the look and feel of traditional offset with genuine photo-quality prints.

Printing support services – finishing flow

To enable the provision of quality service, GP&GI also invested in several pieces of finishing equipment that allows for the following finishes:

• Spiral and wire binding

Saddle stitching

Perfect binding

Folding

• UV coating

• Embossing and debossing

• Cutting and trimming

Drilling and punching

Packing

The investment in stateof-the-art equipment has not only placed the company ahead of its competitors, but has ensured that it maintains the edge in the printing industry by being able to offer its products and ser-

vices at competitive prices. With prudent technological advances in the printing stream, GP&GI, through innovation, induced the customisation model thus enabling customers with value addition preferences in their print options.

The investment made by GP&GI also saw the employment of a number of skilled individuals who have today become a dynamic and experienced workforce. Training in the use of the equipment is conducted by both local and overseas experts at the introduction of new equipment and at regular intervals. This has contributed to the efficiency of the individual staff members and the company as a whole, resulting in a value added service to customers.

It has been almost five years since GP&GI opened its doors and it continues to fulfil its objectives by offering high quality and value at competitive rates in the designing, printing, and finishing of posters, books, brochures, booklets, magazines, calendars, catalogues among others.

Suspected bandit shot dead by police

Police have fatally shot a suspected bandit during an operation at Good Faith, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, police said about 13:30h, minibus driver Veerapen Jebode, 58, of Good Faith, returned home to a burglarised house.

Police ranks from the Mahaicony Police Station responded to the report, and during their investigation, they came under fire from two men who were in the area. The police returned fire and one of the men was fatally shot, while the other escaped into the backlands.

A .32 snub-nose revolver and a 9mm pistol were recovered at the scene by the police. A bag containing a pair of binoculars, a cellphone, and a cap were

also found. Police ranks are scouring the backlands in search of the man who managed to escape. Further investigations led to the arrest of a male suspect, while he was attempting to board a minibus. No other information is available at this time.

Up to press time, Guyana Times was unable to ascertain the name of the dead man. According to reports, the two unidentified men around midday on Friday ransacked the Lot 2 Good Faith house and carted off an undisclosed sum of cash and jewellery worth more than $700,000.

Suspicious movements

Speaking to this publication, via telephone, the owner of the house, Gangawatie Jebode said she was unaware that her house was

broken into, although she was at home at the time of the incident, which occurred just after the lunch hour.

Jebode explained that she was at the front of the house for a while and upon returning inside, she was greeted by the ransacked house. She said she subsequently informed neighbours about the incident and they decided to check outside for any suspicious movements. The police were also informed.

It was at this time that they noticed two persons coming out from a dam and about to jump into a minibus. Jebode said they followed the suspected bandits into the bus and minutes into the journey, the police were seen heading in the opposite direction towards her home.

The perpetrators then stopped the bus to get off when one of the neighbours shouted for the police to reverse and take them into custody. As the bandits tried to escape, neighbours blocked their pathway while police opened fire, managing to kill one of them on the spot.

The other suspected bandit was subsequently caught trying to board another minibus. Jebode said she was able to retrieve some of her stolen items when a bag from the now dead alleged bandit dropped to the floor. She disclosed that the bag contained a digital camera, some cosmetics, and a few pieces of clothing. She estimated that both men were in their mid 20s.

Police continue to investigate the incident.

Seismic vessel sails out of Venezuela

The seismic vessel that was seized by Venezuela’s navy last week sailed from that country Friday evening, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The vessel and its captain were only released on Thursday following a meeting between Guyana and Venezuela in Trinidad and Tobago. Earlier media reports had said that the vessel and its crew were released. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the RV Teknik Perdana sailed this evening from Venezuela,” the ministry’s terse statement read.

territory and the seizure was an act of aggression.

Eyew tness Mix-up...

...in sugar

Sugar union head honcho Komal Chand says neither he nor his union had any inkling of how the new sugar plan was put together. This is certainly not an auspicious portent of any turnaround in this beleaguered industry.

Even those who cobbled together the plan admit that labour shortage in the industry is one of the major challenges (if not the major challenge) to any success here. In fact, from what we’ve been able to gather (this demands “spycraft”, since the plan is being shared to only a select few), the plan itself bemoans the shortage of labour – in the fields and in the factory.

And well it might “bemoan”. Fact of the matter is no one’s going to be heading into those cane fields in the new economy the government has created. Somebody, somewhere along the line, forgot our history with sugar. It just doesn’t bring a rosy glow to anybody’s face when they think of the sugar fields. In fact, it most likely brings flashes of anger at the humiliations suffered there for hundreds of years – into the present.

So to keep the organisation that’s looking after the interests of sugar workers out of the loop when the future of the sugar industry is being addressed is for management – or whosoever’s in charge – to really shoot themselves in the foot. Chand may be a faithful foot soldier, but he’s come down to survival time. Sugar workers are in no mood for “salt soap”. They want the real deal as to what’s going down with sugar.

The Panama-registered RV Teknik Perdana was carrying out a seabed survey for Texas-based oil company Anadarko in conjunction with Guyanese authorities, when Venezuela’s navy boarded it last Thursday and escorted it to Margarita Island. The seismic vessel was contracted by Anadarko, one of world’s largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies.

search for hydrocarbons in the Roraima block offshore Guyana.

The company has a petroleum prospecting licence to

Reviving a decadesold issue with Guyana, Venezuela accused the ship of violating its maritime territory. The government of Guyana retorted that the ship was well within its

An earlier Foreign Affairs Ministry statement had described the incident as “unprecedented in Guyana-Venezuela relations”. It insists that the seismic vessel was in “Guyana’s waters when this regrettable incident took place”. According to the ministry’s statement, the Yekuma – an oceangoing offshore patrol boat that monitors the exclusive economic zone of Venezuela – trailed the seismic vessel before obstructing its path. Crew members were required to change their route and were directed to Margarita Island off Venezuela.

Carpenter accused of stealing engines granted bail

Acarpenter was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of simple larceny on Friday.

It was alleged that on October 16 at the BK International company, Charles Cox, of Lot 19 Hogg Street, Albouystown, stole two engine gears valued $27,000 and $22,000, property of Brian Tiwarie. He pleaded not guilty to the charge as it was read to him.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru stated that facts were as charged and he had no objections to bail, as the defendant has no known priors.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry granted bail in the sum of $50,000 and the matter was adjourned to November 14.

Truth of the matter is that we may’ve outgrown sugar. Even if we’re to get Skeldon and all the other factories running at full speed, our wages in the fields just won’t attract labour away from the jobs available in construction and in the goldfields – just to mention two competitors to sugar.

This situation isn’t going to change any time soon. And let’s not get carried away with “mechanisation”. With the number of drains between our canes and the consequent wetness of our soils, compaction by the mechanical harvesters will present an insurmountable challenge.

So we return to the need to engage the unions. From where we sit, we just don’t see how we’re going to be able to carry the Demerara estates. Our best bet would be to privatise them – and let investors get into crops from which they can make large enough profits to pay competitive wages. And if we’re going to privatise – even selectively – we’d better get the unions behind us.

...on media regulation

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) talks about “media regulation” and suddenly, if you go by the squeals from the opposition media, you’d think the PPP/ C’s sprouted horns. This same bunch of “liberals” are proud to boast of being inspired by the ideals from Britain. John Stuart Mill and his ringing defence of “liberty” and all that.

But we noticed not even a whimper when earlier this year, the British government moved to institute a draft royal charter that would create a press regulator. The control became necessary in circumstances almost identical to what confronts us today in Guyana and which the governing party is finally tackling.

In Britain, Rupert Murdoch’s paper’s hacking into phone records of private citizens was only the tip of the iceberg of the excesses wrought by an out-of-control muckraking journalism gone bonkers. Public outrage finally prompted official action – but even there Prime Minister David Cameron is dragging his feet.

In Guyana, the excesses of the MuckrakingKN put Murdoch’s News of the World to shame. The Guyanese people have to insist: enough is enough.

...on Ottis Gibson?

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) says WI head coach Ottis Gibson isn’t leaving for Glamorgan. This has to be a mess up on what would’ve been the best news for WI cricket, since we had the “3Ws” back in the day. Gibson’s a millstone on WI cricket. Please be gone.

Finance minister outlines Guyana’s challenges to lending institutions

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh met recently with several key international financial institutions in Washington DC in the United States to discuss ways in which these institutions can better serve the needs of Guyana and its regional neighbours.

Dr Singh returned earlier this week after representing Guyana at the 2013 annual meetings of the Boards of Governors of International

Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the 2013 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, and the fifth Meeting of Finance Ministers of the Americas and the Caribbean, according to a release from his office.

The meeting severed as a platform for Minister Singh to draw attention to a number of critical issues that affect Guyana and the region. Among the issues raised

were the special circumstances of the small states of the Caribbean and in particular, the peculiar development challenges faced by the region. He called on the international community, especially development partners like the international financial institutions, to take account of these circumstances in devising strategies to support the region in achieving sustainable growth and development.

The minister called for the use of more innovative instruments to be designed and applied in support of the region’s development efforts.

During Minister Singh’s visit to the U.S. capital, he met with several other key partners, including InterAmerican Development Bank President the Luis Alberto Moreno and other prominent members of the international financial institutions based in that city.

No incremental rise in Caribbean tourists – CTO

Caribbean countries welcomed a total of 15.6 million visitors between the period January to July this year, but regional tourism officials say there had been no “incremental difference” when compared to the same period last year.

But the officials say the actual levels “still remain above pre-crisis levels”, with 17 destinations recording increases in tourist arrivals –as high as 65 per cent – and other destinations “growing faster than the world average of 5.2 per cent”.

Figures released at the State of the Industry Conference (STOIC 2013), organised by the Barbadosbased Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), show that Anguilla, Aruba, Belize, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Guyana, Haiti, Montserrat, St Kitts-Nevis, and Suriname were the fastest growing destinations in the region.

The figures show the best monthly performances were in March and July, reflecting the celebration of Easter and carnival season respectively. The CTO figures indicate that the main markets for the Caribbean were either “relatively flat or declining”, with the United States showing “marginal growth” of 0.8 per cent during the period January to July, repre-

senting a total of 7.8 million visitors. The market share for the U.S. rose slightly from 49.6 per cent last year to 50.4 per cent while the Canadian market contracted by 1.5 per cent with only 2.1 million Canadians visiting the region in the first seven months of this year as compared with 2.2 million last year.

Caribbean travel website

The CTO said there was need to pay attention to the fact that Canadians took 1.6 per cent fewer trips to places other than the U.S., where the growth was 4.3 per cent. Tourist arrivals from the European market declined by 5.1 per cent so far this year with only 2.8

million tourists visiting regional destinations.

The CTO figures showed that only 10 destinations showed improved numbers over the 2012 level. There was a 4.1 per cent drop in arrivals of British nationals to the sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) for the period January to July, with Caricom countries registering a 1.7 per cent fall off in United Kingdom arrivals.

CTO Chairperson Beverly Nicholson Doty told reporters that the Caribbean travel.com website launched in February as the latest initiative to increase visitor arrivals had so far attracted in excess of 700 hotel properties. “We believe it is a significantly robust vehicle for marketing the region that is available on several platforms... but that is not where the selling stops,” she said, pointing to other initiatives.

“We have to look at multiple ways of funding regional marketing... and recognise that we just can’t depend on governments, we need private sector participation.” she said. The chairperson noted that “one of the important components that we continue to forget is that our individual countries are doing things all across the

world all the time and that there is tremendous impact that can be had with us collaborating”.

“Extremely important to me is that we forget the diaspora too often in terms of promoting the region as a critical component of our overall strategic marketing plan,” she added.

Emigration Cards

CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley said discussions were moving in a “positive” direction regarding the removal of some of the hindrances to travel within and to the Caribbean.

“It is difficult to explain to the public of the Caribbean why they have to take their shoes and their belts and everything else off every single time they go through various hubs,” he pointed out.

The CTO figures show that 13.4 million visitors arrived on cruise ships at the end of July, with the officials regarding that as a “mixed performance” and accounting for an overall marginal decline of 0.8 per cent as against last year. The CTO said all major hotel performance indicators were positive to the end of August and that indications are that the two to three per cent growth in 2014 is the best to be expected. (CMC)

De mayor-fuh-fuhlife Green Ham is a rotten man

Guyana is a place wheh nuff tings does back up and tek a long time to get clear. In GT, de garbage town, de mayor-fuh-fuh-life Green Ham leavin all de garbage to back up pun de road. When de road can’t tek no more garbage, people does start throwin dem garbage in de drains. Then de drains does start backin up. When de drains start backin up, de water does can’t flow when de rain fall. The de people house and land does start backin up wid water.

Of course, when all that happen, de smell does start backin up too. But people like de mayor-fuh-fuh-life Green Ham don’t mind de rotten smell when tings start backin up. Green Ham nose done get accustom to rotten smell since in he days in de PEE-N-CEE.

Was not lil bit rottenness dem PEE-N-CEEites used to get on wid when dem was in guvament. And Green Ham used to be chief cook and bottle washer fuh de rotten operations department, which had sheer rotten people wukkin in it to carry out all de rotten events and activities wid rotten money.

So was nuff rotten money get hide away in 1992 when de people decide to kick out all de rottenness whah used to go on. Is no wonder nuff a dem don’t want de anti-money laundering bill to pass in de House. Some a dem tremblin even in dem sleep.

So nutten rotten never bother Green Ham. Rottenness don’t mean a ting to de mayor-fuh-fuh-life. Green Ham deh very much at home in wid rottenness. De man even lookin rotten now and that does only happen wid dead people.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! That is why a lotta people seh de mayor-fuh-fuh-life Green Ham is a walkin dead. Judgin from de looks, dem ain’t far from de gospel truth.

Region 10 body in road safety initiative

The Region 10 Road Safety Association has embarked on a number of activities in the Linden community over the past few weeks, aimed at making the roadways safer for both motorists and pedestrians in the community.

One of the more recent projects was the painting of a “No Entry” sign at the entrance of the emergency area at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) on Wednesday. Association chairman Kevin Barron, who was present during the painting of the sign, said the decision came after much concern was expressed by persons within

the community over the callous attitude of some drivers who traverse the particular area.

“There were lots of complaints about drivers going into the emergency area and parking there, so after a consultation with the hospital administration and the Mackenzie traffic department, we decided to paint a “No Entry” sign at the entrance to the hospital.

“We are asking motorists to please adhere to this sign and also to please be very cooperative with the security guards who are there to do their jobs and enforce what is right,” he explained.

Republic Bank customer wins $1M in Deal on Wheels promotion

Ryan Flatchman is $1 million richer as he walked away the winner of Republic Bank’s annual Deal on Wheels promotion on Thursday.

Second place went to Christina Nicolson, who received $600,000, while the third prize was awarded to Gavin Campion, who received $400,000.

Kenrick’s Auto Sales received the Auto Dealer Referrals prize. The trio was randomly selected by Shaundelle Brotherson, a Republic Bank customer.

The draw took place at the bank’s Camp Street location and served as the culmination of the three-month loan campaign that commenced on June 1 and originally ended on August 31. However, customers were given until the end of September to enter the promotion.

Customers became eligible upon the disbursal of their Deal on Wheels auto financing loans. The Deal on

Wheels promotion is in its 11th year and the bank sees it as a way of giving back to its customers.

Eighth Rockstone Fish Festival launched

The eighth Annual Rockstone Fish festival, billed for October 26 and 27, was launched on Friday by the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry.

The community of Rockstone, some 18 miles from Linden, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), is renowned for hosting the fish festival, Guyana’s largest, an attraction for both tourists and locals alike.

A two-hour trip will allow persons to experience camping, fishing, bird-watching, or the delights of the Essequibo.

During the launch held in the boardroom of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry on South Road, Georgetown, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh, who officiated, assured that the ministry remains supportive of the activity, now heralded as one of the biggest fish festivals in the Caribbean.

The Rockstone Fish Festival is part of the Tourism Ministry’s calendar of events, and is very integral to the development of tourism in Rockstone. At the launch, the planning committee outlined the preparations underway to transform the community of close to 250 persons into a hive of activity, ranging from the grand fishing competition to river expeditions.

Rockstone Tourism Association (RTA) President Lynette Benn reported that all arrangements are being made to ensure that the festival remains fun, entertain-

ing and safe, while arrangements have been made for an improved venue and expanded parking facilities.

Benn disclosed that adult tickets cost $500, children’s $300, and admission fees for vehicles range from $1000 for cars to $10,000 for trucks. More than 5000 visitors are expected to throng Rockstone for this year’s festival, which will be jointly hosted by the ministry, the GTA, and the RTA.

Prizes will be offered for the biggest catch of the day in several categories, and it will be a winner-takes-all stake. Other activities include melon eating and fish deboning competitions.

First staged in September 2006, the festival is intended to promote the location as a major tourist attraction and generate income and opportunities for residents of the community. This year, it begins on Saturday, October 26 and continues with some activities starting as early as 04:30h the following day, including the fish-catching competition in the waterway, which teems with freshwater fish, including one of the largest in the world, the Arapaima (a protected species).

The area also boasts a rich population of birds – at least 140 species – and is a natural habitat for the giant otter, big river turtles, howler monkeys, labbas, iguanas, bush hogs ,and black caimans. It is also home to Guyana’s National Flower, the Victoria Amazonia or the Victoria Regina.

Men remanded for robbery of electronics store

Two men were on Friday remanded to prison after they appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

David Lynch, of Lot 148 Cooper Street, Albouystown, and Raymond Harvey, of Lot 16 Duncan Street, Albouystown, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that between October 5 and October 7 at Robb Street, Georgetown, they broke and entered Central Electronics and stole several items, along with an undisclosed amount of cash totalling $9.2 million.

According to the facts, on October 5, the proprietor of Central Electronics secured his store and left. When he returned on October 7, he noticed that the front door was broken and upon checking, he discovered that some items, along with the money, were missing. He then

checked the Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras, which showed Lynch breaking into the store, taking the articles, and making his way to the getaway car, with licence plate number PEE 716, which Harvey was driving.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat, who represented Lynch, told the court that his client was arrested after he was seen on the surveillance tape, but then the police said the person on video was not him. He went on to say that someone said they saw a car belonging to Harvey. He then made a request for reasonable bail for his client.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, along with the likelihood that once granted their pretrial liberty, the men would not return to court.

Bail was refused, and the matter was adjourned to November 8.

saturday, october 19, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Family Commission shifts attention to men

The life of the National Family Commission has been extended for another year, and greater focus will be placed on improving family life across the country. The commission’s mandate was renewed by Cabinet on August 1.

Commission Chairman Dr Kwame Gilbert said during its last year, the body focused on parenting and hosted several workshops aimed at effecting change in that area. Those workshops, he said, have resulted in significant progress being made.

But this year, the commission has shifted its focus to men and the roles they play and ought to play within the family. According to Dr Gilbert, the focus on men is aimed at changing the culture of Guyanese men, specifically their stance on domestic violence.

Men have a greater role to play in family life and as such, must provide for their families not only financially but morally as well. “We believe that men have a greater role to play, especially against that backdrop of ending domestic violence. The commission has condemned domestic violence, saying

its implications are far-reaching and something that “Guyana can ill afford”.

Several organisations, including the Men’s Affairs Bureau, the Catholic Diocese, and the Assembly of God

Church, have joined the commission and plan to work closely with men. Additionally, the chairman noted that steps will be taken to make amendments to legislation, with the aim of strengthening the support given to families across the country.

In efforts to promote family values, the 1912 cinematography legislation is just an example of one piece of legislation that will be resurrected to ensure that the media is monitored for appropriate content.

Moreover, there will be some level of censorship of television and radio programmes as well as printed material. This, the chairman believes, will ensure the restriction of content that does not augur well for family life.

The National Family Commission was established in 1998, but was dissolved some years later. The life of the commission was renewed in 2012. It was re-launched last year, with the aim of facilitating a better quality of life, one that promotes stability in families. The commission comprises persons from various organisations from around the country.

Family Court could be opened before year-end

The operationalisation of the Family Court has been delayed, as the furnishing of the building has not yet been completed. This is according to acting chancellor of the judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, who told Guyana Times, in a recent interview, that he was hopeful that the court would become operational before year-end. The court was scheduled to be open earlier this year.

According to the acting chancellor, everything other than furnishing has been put in place to facilitate the court’s operation.

Justice Singh highlighted that systems are in place to ensure that highlytrained personnel guide the functioning of the court. On that note, he disclosed that a judge has been identified to take charge of the court. He declined to provide a name, saying the identity of the person selected “will emerge in due time”.

High Court judges

Additionally, High Court judges are being trained to adjudicate there. “All of our High Court judges are competent to adjudicate in the Family Court,” Justice Singh said.

He noted that the rules

governing the operation of the court were finalised and passed in the National Assembly during the latter part of 2012. “It would be different to the extent that the new rules make provision for it (the Family Court). Of course, there are new measures that are going to be adopted with recourse to mediation of case management. Those would be new procedures that would presently obtain,” he explained. It is expected that the services of the court would be mostly sought by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA). Back in 2010, former Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand said the establishment of a Family Court was prompted by observations that Guyanese family units are affected by societal demoralisation. When open, the Family Court will address issues related to divorce, division of property, adoption, guardianship and custody to name a few. The court, located in the Supreme Court compound, was constructed following a decision by Cabinet in 2009 to have the court established.

Region 10 body...

Traffic mirror

Barron noted that recently, a traffic mirror was erected at the corner of Greenheart Street, Mackenzie, to assist road users who had difficulty in viewing oncoming traffic. A number of pedestrian crossings were also repainted at various areas in Linden.

“We put the mirror on Greenheart Street, because there was a blind spot... when you’re coming up the street and you’re looking for oncoming traffic from the left, because of the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) basketball court, which is blocking the view of oncoming traffic, we placed the mirror to make it easier for persons to see oncoming traffic.

From page 10

“That worked out very good and we received a lot of praises for that. We even got a letter from the commissioner, thanking us for implementing such a system and it’s working out very effectively,” he noted. In addition, Barron disclosed that plans are also underway to convert Pine Street, Mackenzie into a one-way street as a result of traffic congestion.

The association also met with members of the E Division traffic department, stakeholders within the community and Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon on Saturday to discuss ways of improving road safety in the community. Another meeting is also planned for sometime next week. Barron noted too that the association is gearing up for activities to mark Road Safety Month in November.

TVG, RGI among broadcasting entities issued with licences

Nine broadcasting entities that have submitted their relevant documentation for licences to continue to operate were on Friday presented with their licence certificates by Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Chairperson Bibi Shaddick.

She stated that the licences for television and radio are issued under the Post and Telegraph Act and assign the frequency and the specifications of transmission.

Five television stations were presented with their licences at the small handing over ceremony at the GNBA office, Hadfield

Street. These are Television Guyana Incorporated, GWTV Channel 2, Pinnacle Communication Incorporated, Multi Technology Vision (MTV) Incorporated, and CNS Incorporated. Those receiving radio licences were Radio Guyana Incorporated and Telecor, Cultural and Broadcasting Incorporated. Cable licences were given to Atlantic Cable Networking and E-Networks.

Shaddick explained, “These licences were ready before today, but the law said that we have to advertise them in the official Gazette, so we wanted to have a number ready before we advertise.” She also highlighted

that the law requires the licences to be exhibited in the place of business like TIN certificates are exhibited.

Shaddick added, “This is just to publish that licences have been granted for 2013, we have a list of people who are calling in trying to make last-minute negotiation, which we really cannot make”.

The GNBA chairperson believes that all other stations that have not yet submitted their full documentation to receive licences to continue broadcasting “will get themselves in order” by the October 31 deadline.

Earlier this month, the GNBA had disclosed that a number of broadcasting enti-

ties are yet to submit all outstanding documents to the board and failure to do so would result in them being deemed illegal broadcasters. As such, she disclosed that these entities have until the end of this month to submit the relevant documents.

Eight radio and television station operators, including the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), are yet to submit all outstanding documents to the GNBA board. The other stations are STVS Channel 4, The Guyana Learning Channel, National Television Network (NTN), Rambarran, WRHM, Tarzie in Bartica, and the New Guyana Company.

Granger urges reconvening of border committee – says Venezuela’s action intended to intimidate

Opposition Leader David Granger on Friday called on President Donald Ramotar to reconvene the Border and National Security Committee, which will create avenues for Guyana and Venezuela to resolve some of the recent territorial controversies.

According to Granger, the Venezuelan Navy’s move to seize the RV Teknik Perdana seismic vessel last week in Guyana’s waters was done to intimidate the country, and he cautioned the administration to not allow this to escalate. He said with the convening of the committee, major emphasis should be placed on Guyana’s response to the “unprecedented seizure of an unarmed, scientific survey vessel by the Venezuelan Bolivarian Navy,” although permission was granted for the vessel to conduct exploration in Guyana's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Additionally, the opposition leader called for the government to adopt the June 2001 Report of the Border and National Security Committee, which was submitted to then President Bharrat Jagdeo. At that time the committee was cochaired by Granger. It is the belief of the opposition leader that the committee should work in accordance with the

2001 report.

“The report recommended, inter alia, that the highest level of consultations for discussion and resolution of issues pertaining to border and national security issues should take place between the president and the leader of the opposition. This level of engagement represents the core of the bipartisan approach,” Granger explained.

At the level of the National Assembly, the report expressed the need for a standing committee of Parliament to be established to tackle border and national security issues, through the engagement of ministers and shadow ministers.

“The bipartisan process should be supported by a technical or academic com-

ponent in the form of an Institute of Border Studies, a strengthened Frontiers Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the review or consolidation of existing institutions where there is overlap and duplication in functions or which, simply, are ineffective,” Granger added.

He opined that the problem will escalate, if Guyana fails to show resolve, noting that the international community should be approached for support. “Right now, we are relying on the Good Officer Process under the secretary general of the United Nations but we have the ability and the opportunity to go before the Caribbean Community, go before other international organisations to seek a solution.”

Granger said he was not impressed with the joint statement from Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Venezuela’s Minister for Foreign Relations, Elias Jaua Milano following their meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He pointed out that it did not address the dangerous use of, or threat of the use, of armed force by Venezuela against Guyana which is a contravention of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations.

“The meeting solved nothing, the meeting simply decided to reconvene in

Calls made for inquiry into GreenidgeGoolsarran connection

Several members of the business community and the wider civil society are calling for a commission of inquiry into the connection which existed years ago between former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge and former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran. A thorough investigation into the circumstances which prevailed at the time they both served under the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration has revealed the following findings:

1. In October 1983, Carl Greenidge is appointed as finance minister.

2. In 1984, mere months later, Greenidge’s sister is appointed to a senior position in the audit office.

3. In 1987, Greenidge’s People’s National Congress (PNC) government appoints Anand Goolsarran as deputy auditor general.

4. In 1990, Goolsarran procures a prestigious scholarship for Greenidge’s sister to pursue postgraduate studies in England, at a time when only those favoured by the PNC could get any scholarships, much less to Western destinations like England, to do postgraduate studies.

5. Later in 1990, mere weeks later, Greenidge’s President Desmond Hoyte rewards Goolsarran with appointment as auditor general.

6. In October 1992, Greenidge leaves office as finance minister after the PNC dictatorship falls with the return of democracy to Guyana.

four months’ time, we feel that reference should have been made to the fact that Venezuela used force against an unarmed civilian vessel in Guyana’s waters,” he lamented.

Granger said the seizure can hinder future surveys, explaining that “it was designed to intimidate... so it must affect other civilian operators who would not want their vessel impounded and their captains brought before courts in Venezuela... it’s a long-running campaign by Venezuela to intimidate Guyana.” On Thursday the two foreign affairs ministers agreed to explore mechanisms to address the issue of maritime delimitation. They are scheduled to meet within the next four months to continue negotiations.

When Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro visited Guyana in August, the two nations had recommitted to the search for a peaceful and practical settlement of the longstanding border issue in accordance with the Geneva Agreement of 1966. Under the Good Offices Process, President Ramotar and President Maduro agreed to reappoint the personal representative of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (Good Officer), Professor Norman Girvan for another term.

7. In March 1993, mere months later, Goolsarran approves transfer of Greenidge’s sister out of the audit office, although she has not so long ago returned from England with training under a prestigious scholarship specially procured by the audit office at Goolsarran’s behest.

8. Meanwhile, in relation to the period from 1983 to 1992, during which Greenidge served as finance minister, no audited accounts are produced. For almost all of those years, Greenidge’s sister and Goolsarran both served in the top brass of the audit office.

9. At no point in time from the 1980s up to today has Goolsarran ever expressed an opinion on any real or perceived conflict of interest arising from Greenidge and his sister’s simultaneous appointment, whose dates coincide with striking precision, and also coincide with the period of non-accountability and non-submission of audited accounts

10. In his self-serving, self-published book on accountability in Guyana during the period from 1985 to 2007, Goolsarran is completely silent on the fact that Greenidge’s sister was parachuted into the audit office immediately after her brother became finance minister and parachuted out of the office immediately after her brother demitted office

11. In addition, nowhere in his self-published book does Goolsarran express any concern about any real or perceived conflicts of interest that may have arisen from Greenidge and his sister’s parallel appointments, and the role that this might have played in facilitating non-production of audited accounts in Guyana during the worst decade of misrule in Guyana – all this while Goolsarran himself presided as auditor general

12. A commission of inquiry should be launched immediately into Goolsarran’s role in the failure to account for a single cent of public money during the last decade of PNC rule, his complicity in covering up Greenidge’s mismanagement of the Guyanese economy, and by extension, his role in propping up the undemocratic and oppressive PNC dictatorship. He should be incarcerated for the rest of his life for playing a central role in protecting and keeping in office a regime that inflicted untold and unknown harm against the Guyanese people

Jamaica to get J$1.3B budget support from EU

Jamaica is to receive 9.2 million euros (J$1.3 billion) in budget support, the European Union (EU) revealed this week. This adds to the seven million euros already paid in September, the EU said, adding that the disbursement will be made in two tranches. The disbursements were announced by Andris Piebalgs, EU commissioner for development, at a meeting in Washington with Jamaica’s Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips last Saturday.

“The two disbursements relate to programmes sup-

porting the continued and successful implementation of the Jamaican Strategy for the Adaptation of the Sugar Industry 2006-2020,” the EU said in a news release.

“More particularly, they aim at improving the standards of living and well-being of the Jamaican communities living in sugar-dependent areas.”

According to the EU, the programme has contributed to creating a commercially viable sugar cane industry by the completion of the sector privatisation and social developments which in-

clude:

a) alternative livelihoods which have been supported with 5.300 micro-grants approved to vulnerable workers; and

b) improved facilities (including housing) and services at schools and clinics granted to displaced workers and their families.

The EU said that the Jamaican government remains committed to macroeconomic stability policies and is making every effort towards Public Finance Management Reform. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

TT PM Persad-Bissessar defends attorney general

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Thursday defended Attorney General Anand Ramlogan declaring that there is “hard evidence” to support claims by Ramlogan and other speakers on the United National Congress’ (UNC) local government elections campaign platform, against Independent Liberal Party (ILP) candidates and officials, regarding criminal conduct.

Persad-Bissessar said Ramlogan continues to enjoy her full support and has not breached his duties as AG. The

Press institute expresses concern over threatened lawsuits in St Lucia

The International Press Institute (IPI) on Thursday expressed concern over the intent behind threats by at least three high-ranking St Lucian public officials to sue a local radio broadcaster for defamation after the broadcaster read on-air a Caribbean News Now article alluding to possible wrongdoing by members of the current governing party. IPI noted that questions

have arisen not only as to which content the officials found objectionable; but also as to why the latter have chosen to sue a broadcaster who read a publicly-available news item without comment and not the regional, United States-headquartered online news site that actually wrote the article.

Timothy Poleon, host of the programME “Newsspin” on Radio Caribbean International, read the

article in its entirety on September 25, the same day it was published by Caribbean News Now. The article suggested that the U.S. government’s recent decision to terminate security-related assistance to St Lucia, ostensibly over apparent human rights violations, may also have been influenced by a local “propaganda campaign” that some claim deliberately misled the United States into can-

celling the visa of Richard Frederick, a former St Lucian government minister, in 2011.

At least three government officials – Legal Affairs Minister Phillip La Corbiniere; Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries Minister Lorne Theophilus; and Senate President Claudius Francis – have now stated their intention to sue Poleon for defamation. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Six Caribbean nationals arrested following deadly smuggling trip

United States law enforcement authorities confirmed Friday that six of the 11 Caribbean migrants, who survived a deadly smuggling trip that ended when a motorboat capsized seven miles off Miami Beach, have been arrested. Law enforcement and immigration authorities said those arrested include the Bahamian-born captain of the 25-fOOt boat, Naaman Davis and Jamaican-born crewman George Lewis.

The arrest comes as authorities investigated the boat accident involving Haitian, Jamaican and Bahamian migrants.

The U.S. Coast Guard said four people were killed and 11 rescued after the boat carrying the Caribbean migrants capsized early

Wednesday. Officials said the six people arrested were previously deported from

the U.S., and that most of them had been convicted of serious crimes.

Lewis faces a charge of attempted smuggling of the migrants, officials said. The fatal voyage reportedly began in the Bahamas, and ended at about 02:00h (local time) Wednesday when U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued the survivors. The criminal complaint said six of the Caribbean migrants interviewed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified Davis and Lewis as the alleged smugglers.

“Another one of the migrants interviewed stated that prior to their being brought ashore, Lewis had directed them all to tell the Coast Guard that the vessel captain swam away and never came back,” according to the complaint. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

AG was set to have responded at the UNC’s meeting last night in Gasparillo to a newspaper article which alleged ILP interim deputy leader Anna Deonarine was cleared by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard regarding her purchase of a Range Rover luxury SUV from the United Kingdom.

Asked following the opening of the Duncan Street Police Post, whether allegations and counter-allegations of criminal conduct between the PP and ILP had turned the local government election campaign into

a guttersnipe campaign, Persad-Bissessar replied: “I cannot speak for what the other parties are doing. For the Partnership, the allegations being made by members on our platform are based on solid evidence. We have solid evidence to back up these claims.”

Focusing on the ILP, led by her former trusted lieutenant Jack Warner, Persad-Bissessar said: “From the other platform all you get are half truths, lies and innuendos. I am seeing that coming from the green platform.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Bermuda voted Best Island in the Caribbean

Bermuda has bagged the honours as “Best Island in the Caribbean and Atlantic” for the 11th year according to Condé Nast Traveller’s 26th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which rank the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts in the world. Adding to the kudos, several Bermuda resort properties were ranked highly in the Conde Nast Traveller poll topped by The Reefs, which was again voted the Top Resort in the Atlantic.

Other Bermuda properties among the “Top 15 Resorts in The Atlantic” were Pompano Beach Club [2nd], Rosewood Tucker’s Point [6th], Cambridge Beaches [tied for 8th] and Fairmont Southampton [14th]. The Readers’ Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of

Condé Nast Traveller, on newsstands and online now. This year, Condé Nast Traveller had a recordbreaking 79,268 readers participate in the survey, close to double the number of survey takers in 2012. These travellers cast 1.3 million votes for more than 16,000 properties around the world. In the survey, one reader commended Bermuda for its “fun blend of British, American, and Caribbean culture,” while another reader cited “endless activities: historical sites, golf, scooters, superb shopping and dining, museums, gardens, perfumeries and aquariums, too!”

The island’s “lovely scenery,” highlighted by signature “pink sand beaches and aqua blue waters,” was another reason it scored such high marks among visitors. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Barbados Water Authority inks US$58M deal with Canadian corporation

The Barbados Water Authority and the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) have negotiated an agreement for US$58 million to modernise the institutional setting of the water and sanitation sector in Barbados and improve the efficiency of operations.

The strategic contract was signed Thursday by Dr Atlee Brathwaite, Chairman of the Barbados Water Authority and Luc Allary, the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s (CCC), regional director for Business Development for Central America and the Caribbean.

The signing took place at the offices of the High Commission of Canada, located at Bishop’s Court Hill, St Michael and was witnessed by Dr David Estwick, minister of agriculture, food,

fisheries and water resource management; and Canada’s High Commissioner to Barbados, His Excellency Richard Hanley.

Minister Estwick, during a brief address, noted that the contract will also allow for the roll out of almost 100 000 smart meters across the island.

The meters which will provide customers with an improved system to monitor water consumption and provide them with better information on consumption patterns and billing. He noted the loss of the precious water resource through a few faulty meters.

Minister Estwick however noted that the West Coast Sewerage Project is not included in the venture, as the final design package is now being worked out.

India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria on slavery’s list of shame – report

Anew report claiming to be the most comprehensive look at global slavery says 30 million people are living as slaves around the world.

The Global Slavery Index, published by the Australia-based Walk Free Foundation, lists India as the country with by far the most slaves, with an estimated nearly 14 million, followed by China (2.9 million) and Pakistan (2.1 million).

The top 10 countries on its list of shame accounted for more than three quarters of the 29.8 million people living in slavery, with Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Bangladesh completing the list. In terms of countries with the highest of proportion of slaves, Mauritania in West Africa topped the table, with about four per cent of its 3.4 million people enslaved, followed by Haiti, Pakistan, India and Nepal.

Myanmar construction workers carry baskets of stone during the construction of a road in Naypyidaw in 2006. Despite the UN’s labour agency lifting restrictions against Myanmar this year over its failures to act on complaints of forced labour, around 380,000 people remain enslaved in the country

The index, whose authors claim it contains the most authoritative data on slavery conditions worldwide, is the product of Australian mining magnate and philanthropist Andrew Forrest’s commitment to stamp out global slavery. Forrest, ranked by Forbes as Australia’s fifth richest man, with an estimated net worth of US$5.7 billion, adopted the cause after his daughter volunteered in an orphanage in Nepal in 2008, where she encountered victims of child sex trafficking. Forrest is a signatory to the Giving Pledge started by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, whose members commit to donating at least half their wealth to philanthropic causes. The index, which draws on

Marathon gamers at risk of blood clots

Apainter who developed a blood clot in his leg while spending hours on his bed playing video games has sparked concerns about a potentially wider risk among extreme gamers. Three doctors from Middlemore Hospital investigated how the 31-year-old man quickly developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while using his holiday to play PlayStation games. They say the rare case should serve as a cautionary tale to all gamers.”We were looking after a patient who came into the hospital, and we were interested in this guy’s story,” said respiratory physician Dr Conroy

Wong, a co-author of the study published this month in the Journal of Medical Case Reports.

The man presented with pain and swelling in his left leg after sitting on his bed for seven to eight hours each day of his holiday with outstretched legs playing PlayStation games. He developed leg pain associated with calf swelling and erythema as early as the second day, and despite increasing pain, played on before arriving at hospital two days later. Doctors noted he had no history of trauma to his left leg, recent surgery or previous DVT, nor was there any family history of DVT. (Excerpt from NZ Herald)

10 years of research into slavery and was produced by a team of four authors supported by 22 other experts, is the inaugural edition of what will be an annual report. It ranks 162 countries according to the number of people living in slavery, the risk of enslavement and the robustness of government responses to the problem. (Excerpt from CNN)

Jets bomb Syrian city after intelligence general killed

Syrian air force jets bombarded the eastern city of Deir al-Zor on Friday after heavy overnight clashes and the killing of one of President Bashar al-Assad’s top military intelligence officers, activists said.

General Jama’a Jama’a was shot dead on Thursday by snipers in the midst of a battle with rebels including forces linked to al Qaeda, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

His death, celebrated by rebels and opposition activists, marked a significant setback for Assad’s bid to retain a hold over the city, capital of the eastern oil-pro-

Kenyan attack: Westgate

mall bodies probably gunmen's

Two charred bodies pulled from Kenya’s Westgate shopping centre on Thursday are “highly likely” to be two of the attackers, an MP has told the BBC. Ndung’u Gethenji, chairman of the committee investigating the attack, said AK47 rifles used by the militants were found next to the bodies.

The authorities will now conduct forensic tests on the bodies. At least 67 people died when suspected alShabab militants stormed the Nairobi shopping centre on 21 September.

The attack sparked a four-day siege in which large parts of the shopping centre were destroyed. The Kenyan

One of the suspects is a Norwegian national

authorities have released the names, or nicknames, of four suspects in the attack, but have given few other de-

tails. Gethenji said the bodies recovered on Thursday were likely to be militants because the army does not use AK47s. He said another body recovered from the rubble was likely to be a soldier.

Officials initially said 10 to 15 gunmen were involved, but CCTV footage appears to show only four militants.

The BBC’s Newsnight programme has revealed that one of the suspected attackers is a 23-year-old Somaliaborn Norwegian national, Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow.

His family fled to Norway in the 1990s, but he returned to Somalia in 2009 and allegedly joined the Somali militant group. (Excerpted from BBC News)

Saudi withdrawal stuns UN Security Council

Saudi Arabia angrily rejected a UN Security Council seat on Friday, accusing the UN body of “double standards” over the Syria war and other trouble spots in an unprecedented diplomatic assault.

The Saudi move sparked disarray at the Security Council where it only won the seat on Thursday at a UN General Assembly election.

Russia criticised the Saudis’ “strange” decision, but the kingdom got a more understanding reaction from Western nations.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Saudi Arabia did not immediately send notification of its decision to reject the term, due to start on January 1. Diplomats said it could be possible to persuade the Saudi government to reverse the decision.

“Work mechanisms and double-standards on the Security Council prevent it from carrying out its duties and assuming its responsibilities in keeping world peace,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Therefore, Saudi Arabia... has no other option but to turn down Security Council membership until it is reformed and given the means to accomplish its duties and assume its responsibilities in preserving the world’s peace and security,” it added.

The government said “allowing the ruling regime in Syria to kill and burn its people” with chemical weapons is “irrefutable evidence and proof of the inability of the Security Council to carry out its duties and responsibilities.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

France rules mayors cannot refuse to marry gay couples

Fducing province.

A death notice published on Facebook said Jama’a’s body was being flown back for burial on Friday in his home village of Zama in the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean - the heartland of Assad’s Alawite sect. Syria’s two and a halfyear-old uprising began with peaceful protests but has descended into a brutal civil war with sectarian dimensions. Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority has largely joined the revolt against four decades of Assad family rule. Minority sects such as the Alawites, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam, have largely stood behind the president.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

rance’s highest court ruled on Friday that the country’s mayors cannot refuse to officiate at same-sex marriages, rejecting a bid by a group of mayors who claimed gay marriage went against their moral or religious beliefs.

The Constitutional Council’s ruling followed an appeal by mayors and registrars opposed to France’s controversial bill legalising same-sex marriages, which came into effect in May this year. They argued that the same-sex marriage bill should have included a “freedom of conscience” clause, giving officiators the right not to carry out samesex marriages if it conflicts with their personal religious or moral beliefs. The lack of

such a clause in the bill goes against the French constitution, they claim. But the Council, France’s highest legal authority, rejected this argument in its ruling on Friday morning.

“The Council judged that, in view of the functions of a state official in the officiating of a marriage, the legislation does not violate their freedom of conscience,” the Council said in a statement.

Jean-Michel Colo, the Mayor of Arcangues in south-west France who hit headlines in June when he became the first official to refuse to marry a gay couple, denounced the Council’s decision. “The Constitutional Council has been manipulated by politics. It is a political decision,” he told AFP. (Excerpt from France24)

Australia's bush fires claim their first victim

Bush fires blazing in Australia’s New South Wales claimed their first victim Friday after a man died of a suspected heart attack defending his home against the blaze on the NSW Central Coast.

Australian media reports said Walter Lindner, 63, collapsed while battling alongside his neighbour to save his heritage-listed homestead. He was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead. Meanwhile, more than 20 bush fires continued to burn uncontrolled across the state despite the easing weather conditions, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Authorities say hundreds of homes have been lost with the worst hit areas in the

Blue Mountains, a World Heritage area to the west of Sydney, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air.

Firefighters were battling 98 fires across New South Wales as of late Thursday, according to the state’s Rural Fire Service. Earlier Thursday, the fire service tweeted that 34 blazes were still out of control.

More than 100 firefighters were battling flames in Heatherbrae, where one fire has so far destroyed 3500 hectares (8649 acres), the service said. New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell warned at a news conference Thursday that hundreds of homes could be destroyed by the time the crisis is over. (Excerpt from CNN)

TT McDonald’s supports local suppliers

McCafé, the world-famous McDonald’s coffee house segment, will offer pastry products from Nichossa Restaurant Bakery and Desserts in San Fernando to customers at their new McDonald’s Gulf View location. This agreement is the latest of many partnerships between McDonald’s TT and local suppliers to provide customers with food items of the highest quality and freshness.

North America

Nichossa Bakery will provide the McCafé at McDonald’s Gulf View, which recently celebrated its opening on October 9, with fresh pies and muffins.

Apart from pastry items and other desserts, McCafé offers an array of coffees and hot beverages. The new partnership mirrors McDonald’s TT’s arrangement with Maria’s Bakery in Port of Spain for a host of dessert items such as cookies, croissants, muffins

and pastries.

Lesley-Ann Dopson, owner of Nichossa Bakery, said she was pleased when Arcos Dorados approached them to be a supplier for McDonald’s.

“Nichossa is proud to be associated with the world-famous McDonald’s brand and to share our locally-made products with their customers. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with them,” Dopson said. (Trinidad Guardian)

Wall Street rises as Google’s surge to record high leads tech rally

Caribbean Africa Asia

The S&P 500 resumed its record-breaking climb on Friday and was on track for its best weekly gain in more than three months, boosted by earnings from Google, Morgan Stanley and other big companies. Google Inc (GOOG.O) was the top performer on both the S&P and Nasdaq 100 .NDX indexes, surging to a record high of US$1007.19 a share a day after it delivered forecast-beating results. The shares recently traded up 12.5 per cent to US$1000.25 while the S&P technology sector .SPLRCT gained 1.4 per cent. Wall Street was also boosted by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will delay trimming its stimulus measures due to the damage inflicted on the economy by the partial U.S. government shutdown that ended on Thursday. Google is the second component of the S&P 500 to top US$1000, following on the heels of Priceline.com (PCLN.O), which crossed that mark earlier this month. Priceline was up 1.9 per cent at US$1051.89. “There are a couple of companies that are

Europe

doing well and God bless them, but is that the rule or the exception?” said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial in Waltham, Massachusetts.

The S&P 500 was on pace for its third straight gain and seventh climb out of the last eight sessions. The benchmark index earlier this week was boosted by investor hopes Washington would reach a deal to end the fiscal stalemate, and gains were underpinned on Friday by the outlook for continued easy monetary policy from the Fed. (Reuters)

GM will integrate Russia into its Europe business

General Motors Co. will integrate its Russian operations into its GM Europe business in a move that will help the automaker’s struggling Opel brand.

Russia is forecast to surpass Germany as Europe’s biggest new-car market within five years despite a recent slowdown in the country’s

economy that has led forecasters to predict a five per cent drop in vehicle sales to 2.79 million this year. “This is the right decision at the right time. Russia is an important part of the European market and for Opel it is the third biggest market in Europe,” KarlThomas Neumann, GM Europe President and Opel CEO, said

today in a statement.

GM’s business in Russia is currently run by GM International Operations based in Shanghai. Not only will Opel’s own sales in Russia be consolidated at GM Europe, so will those of Chevrolet, which sells more than twice as many cars in Russia, and GM’s premium brand, Cadillac. (Automotive News)

Africa: Namibia in top ten for over a decade

Namibia has been listed at number six on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, one of the only eight African countries to make the top ten since 2000 along with Mauritius, Botswana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Seychelles, Tunisia and Ghana.

The seventh Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) released recently confirms that overall governance continues to improve at the continental level. The countries that have experienced overall governance improve-

ment since 2000 are today home to 94 per cent of people living on the continent. Madagascar, Eritrea, GuineaBissau, Somalia, Libya and Mali constitute the six percent of African people living in a country that has experienced governance deterioration since 2000.

According to this year’s index, Namibia has showed the most progress in the category of Sustainable Economic Opportunity ranking sixth out of 52. Sustainable Economic Opportunity measures the necessary conditions for eco-

nomic development, inclusive of sound public management, a competitive business environment and robust infrastructure.

Namibia scored 69.5 out of 100 which is higher than the African average of 59.2. Namibia has shown an improvement of +2.3 since 2000 ranking 4th out of 12 in the Southern African region. Namibia scored 4th out of 52 in the category of Safety and Rule of Law, being 3rd out of 52, and scoring highest in the sub-category Infrastructure. (allAfrica)

China’s economic growth picks up speed in third quarter

China’s economic growth picked up pace in the July-to-September period, the first rise in three quarters. The world’s secondbiggest economy grew 7.8 per cent from a year earlier, up from 7.5 per cent expansion in the previous quarter. The official figures also showed growth in industrial output, retail sales and fixed asset investment.

After years of blistering growth, China has seen its pace of expansion slow recent-

Middle East

Kuwait has made a bid of £1.5 billion

(US$2.42 billion) to buy a London real estate development that includes City Hall, an amphitheatre, offices and shops and restaurants, it was reported on Friday.

The Gulf state is keen to buy the More London complex next to Tower Bridge in what could be Britain’s biggest property deal, The Times reported. It said that St Martins, the property division

ly and there have been fears that growth may slow further. China has set a growth target of 7.5 per cent for the year. Analysts said the latest numbers indicated that it was likely that Beijing would meet this.

“This is an indication that China’s economic growth is holding up in a range which is within the comfort zone of both the Chinese policymakers as well as global watchers,” said Song Seng Wun, a senior economist with CIMB

Research. Over the past few decades China has relied heavily on its exports and manufacturing sectors as well as government-led infrastructure spending to help boost growth. However, a slowdown in key markets such as the U.S. and Europe has hurt demand for its exports. As a result, it has been trying to spur domestic demand to offset the decline in foreign sales and also to rebalance its growth. (BBC News)

of the Kuwaiti government, is in discussions to buy the 13acre site.

More London includes City Hall, the headquarters of London Mayor Boris Johnson, a sunken amphitheatre called The Scoop, office blocks, shops, restaurants, cafes, and a pedestrianised area containing open-air sculptures and water features, including fountains lit by coloured lights. The buildings were designed by Foster and Partners

architects and some are still under construction.

In July, it was reported that Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund will invest up to US$5 billion in British infrastructure assets over the next three to five years.

According to London’s The Financial Times, Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) will seek to invest in existing projects in the country that are already creating cash flow. (Arabianbusiness)

* Outline a PR and advertising campaign. investors will want to know how your product will be marketed to the masses. Present it to them as if they are the target audience, and make them want to buy it. A catchy logo or slogan can also help reinforce

the image of your product as a complete one, and attract them to your product. Last but not least, stay professional. Investors –especially venture capitalists and angel investors –are offered products all the time. Make sure you maintain the image of someone

who they can trust their money with. Be realistic with your projections and don’t exaggerate – professional investors will see through inflated numbers instantly, and your presentation will come off looking like a poorly conceived infomercial. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Analytics

The field of data

844 get house lots at Zeelugt

By saBatini daniels

Approximately 844

house lots were distributed to Guyanese for phase three of the Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo when the Housing Ministry staged its fifth One Stop Shop exercise for the year on Friday.

The lots, which ranged from low income to middle income, cost $92,000 to $300,000. Speaking at the event hosted at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said the

government will invest $700 million in phase three of the housing scheme for infrastructural development. He stated that this was in addition to the $20 million it has already spent on land clearing, adding that $54.7 million was invested in the provision of electricity for the community.

“For every single family that have benefited from a house lot today, the government has invested on your behalf almost 830,000,” he underscored. He said taking into consideration all the payments, there is a difference of $537 million, hence the administration will actually make a loss. However, Ali stated that to the government, this was not a loss, since it is investing in its people, their lives and their future.

“We consider this to be the subsidy that the government pays on behalf of you, so for every single lot, there is an average subsidy of 76.7 per cent into that phase three… whatever is the value of the land, you are only paying 24

per cent of the value of the land,” he pointed out.

More lots

The housing minister also mentioned that the ministry is working on developing 300 more lots at a cost of $240 million at Zeeburg, while it is working on developing 1270 house lots at a cost of $800 million in Lust En Rust, West Coast Demerara. This means by the end of the year, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will distribute more than 2400 house lots in Region Three at a cost of $2.9 billion.

He added that government remained committed to ensuring that every single Guyanese owns a home, emphasising that this dedication needs to be shared among all stakeholders and political parties. “Because more and more in society, we are seeing a lot of petty politics and politics that can derail the development process…, but I want to assure you that this government will stay committed to a politics that brings great

improvement in the living conditions and livelihoods of people all across this country.”

Security of homeownership

President Donald Ramotar, who was also present at the One Stop Shop, acknowledged knowing what it felt like to live in a rented house and what it felt like to finally own one’s home. “When you finally get your own home and you get your roof over your head, you get that secure feeling that no one can put you out and you are the king of our own home… we believe that when you have that security of your own home, that you have greater peace of mind.”

He noted that government has also put systems in place to aid low and middle income homeowners in accessing affordable concessionary interest rates instead of commercial interest rates. Ramotar highlighted that these rates are possible, because the government does not tax the interest earned by the banks on loans.

He explained that the government sees Region Three as a significant area where a housing boom is developing, thus it realises the need to provide more jobs in this region, so persons can work close to home. He revealed that the state is aggressively working to address this area, making reference to the fibre-optic cable, which is being laid, as a means of creating these job opportunities once completed. (sabatinid@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Nigerian national deported

ANigerian national David Nduka was deported from Guyana after he infringed upon the immigration laws of Guyana, the Home Affairs Ministry said.

In a release, the ministry said that on Thursday, August 15, Nduka applied for a Republic of Guyana Passport at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, where he presented a passport application form and Guyana Birth Certificate #471 in favour of John Clarke. Upon questioning, Nduka was unable to produce his correct address and the correct names of his parents and it was detected that his accent was uncommon for that of a Guyanese national.

Upon further questioning, Nduka stated that he

was a Nigerian national, who came to Guyana on a small boat from Suriname. He then handed over his Nigerian passport which had no immigration entry stamp. He further stated that while in Guyana, he met an individual called Joseph who informed him that he could assist him in obtaining a Guyana passport. Nduka had met with Joseph on Wednesday, August 14 and obtained a passport application form and a Guyana birth certificate. The birth certificate contained genuine information but was fraudulently obtained. Nduka could not provide Joseph’s correct name or address.

On August 16, Nduka was charged with enter-

ing Guyana via sea without the consent of immigration and making a false declaration for the purpose of procuring a new passport. He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before presiding judge Ann McLennon, and pleaded guilty to both charges. McLennon fined the Nigerian man $50,000, with an alternative sentence of six months imprisonment. Nduka paid his fine and was escorted to Springlands immigration department from where he was deported.

The Home Affairs Ministry said it was committed to enhancing the security of Guyana’s borders and meting out punishment to offenders in accordance with the Immigration Act.

october 19, 2013 |

Four killed in Coverden smash-up

By Bhisham mohamed

Four persons were on Friday morning killed when a Mahdia passenger bus toppled following a collision with a sand truck at Coverden, East Bank Demerara.

The accident occurred about 11:00h. Dead are: bus driver Felix Marc, 42, called “Borty” of 34 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and Delroy Evans and Loretta Evans, both of Mahdia. The fourth person was identified as Pulmattie Samaroo of Mahdia who succumbed late Friday afternoon.

According to information received, Repish Bhagwandin, 19, of Hope, ECD was driving motor lorry GPP 8495, which was loaded with sand, when he allegedly attempted to overtake another truck that was parked on the roadway. Bhagwandin’s truck ended up in the path of a Route 72 minibus bearing registration number BPP 3521 that was proceeding in the opposite direction and a collision occurred.

As a result, Marc and Delroy Evans died on the spot, while Loretta Evans succumbed while receiving medical attention at the East Demerara Regional Hospital (Diamond Diagnostic Centre). At the scene, traffic was moving at a snail’s pace, while the truck was in a nearby trench and the completely wrecked minibus was on the parapet with blood everywhere. Public-spirited citizens were assisting the injured into a vehicle which subsequently sped off to the centre.

Bhagwandin was later taken into police custody, and refused to give a comment. He was at the time crying out for pain in his abdomen and other parts of his body.

Split in half

A passenger of the bus, Akeem Cave explained that he had dozed off and was awakened by a loud sound. “When I open meh eyes, I see the bus split in half and me and another passenger manage to come out and when we look around. I see Borty and another man on the road… and another lady and a baby we hear gone to the hospital,” he related.

He added that there were eight passengers in the bus and they were all headed to Mahdia but they were supposed to collect a few people in the mining community. He

noted that the minibus driver was not speeding, since he had picked up a passenger just before the accident.

The man, who was happy to be alive, said, from what he heard, the truck was overtaking a parked lorry when it came into the path of the minibus. The driver of the bus could not have prevented the collision, he added.

Visit Delroy Evans’ aunt, Crystal Mansfield, when contacted, told Guyana Times that her nephew lived in Mahdia and visited her home at Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway on Monday. She explained that on Friday

person she is close to was him… and her mother is in Cayenne and is coming down tomorrow,” the relative said. Evans’ parents and other relatives are in Mahdia and are to travel to Georgetown today.

Devastating news

morning, he and his threeyear-old daughter, Mia, left her home about 08:00h and took a bus to the park to catch another to travel to Mahdia. She said about 11:00h she received a call from two young women who informed her that he was involved in an accident.

“I put on my clothes and went to the scene… when I reach there, I didn’t see anybody… somebody advise me to go to Georgetown and when I reach at the parlour, I see him and his body was damaged…,” she cried.

Mansfield added that her great niece Mia is in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital. She is conscious and reportedly crying for her father. “This girl live with her father since she was born… so the only

Tersilla Mc Lean, a cousin of the driver, Felix Marc told Guyana Times that he left Mahdia on Thursday morning about 02:00h. She said he slept on Thursday evening at Plaisance and left early Friday morning for the bus park to take a busload of passengers to the mining community. She added that she was on her way from Mahdia on the morning of the accident when she received a call from a friend relating the devastating news.

“He has been driving for a long time and was always a careful driver… he was never involved in an accident… This is his first and the last,” Mc Lean disclosed. She further stated that from all indications, her cousin could not have avoided the collision. Marc leaves to mourn his reputed wife, four children, his parents and two siblings.

Attempts to make contact with the relatives of Loretta Evans proved futile.

The bodies are at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting post-mortems. Police are continuing their investigations. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

Make a personal and professional assessment and plan how you will improve your career and domestic situations. If you pay attention and work hard, you’ll make some fascinating discoveries.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Don’t let anyone dictate what you can and cannot do. Voice your opinion and follow through with plans that will point in a rewarding direction. Romance is highlighted

Getting involved in an unusual group or situation will be enlightening. Express your thoughts and firm up a commitment. Now’s the time to branch out and go for the brass ring.

Double-check your motives and weigh the pros and cons of making a lifestyle change. It may not be easy, but it will be rewarding. You cannot live a lie or ignore your needs.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

You are in a good position at present. Don’t be afraid to negotiate to get what you want. You are in the driver’s seat, so take control and make your dreams come true.

(March 21-April 19)

Plan to have a good time. Engage in activities that are conducive to love and romance. Keep in mind that you don’t need to overdo it to have fun.

(April 20-May 20)

Emotions are on the rise, and dealing with personal matters or the problems of co-workers could be a tricky process. Be willing to compromise, and strive for equality.

(May 21June 20)

Your actions will make a difference. You will receive rewards for your ability to find solutions and make things happen. A change of heart will lead to happiness.

If you travel, you’ll discover people, places and activities that make you feel alive. A sudden change in your financial situation will encourage you to make personal improvements.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Thinking about the past could lead to a reunion with old friends. Email someone you miss or make plans to travel to old, familiar places. New beginnings will rejuvenate you.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You will please and impress the people you encounter. Your polished and precise way of presenting yourself and your abilities will lead to an interesting turn of events.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Make positive changes to your living quarters using innovative ideas and doing the work yourself. Take pride in the way you look and make simple changes that can keep you up to date.

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R Kelly promises great show

Just when almost everyone thought that international R&B singer R Kelly will not be performing at the Redemption concert slated for tonight, the superstar touched down in his private jet at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) just about 15:00h on Friday to a warm Guyanese welcome.

Moments after landing on local soil, the singer participated in a press conference and expressed his excitement to be performing in Guyana for the first time. The singer, who looked jet-lagged after his flight from Chicago, said that he was ready to perform before his fans, noting that they can “expect the unexpected”.

“When I said I have to do a show, I like to choreograph my show and make it look as if it wasn’t choreographed, because I am a very spontaneous person: I love to have fun on stage… I never made it look as if I am working; I look at it as going on stage and have a lot of fun, so I create my own show,” the superstar added.

He also said once his single fans come out to the concert, they will leave having made friends with the persons close to them, thus he urged them to come out in their numbers whether they are single or not.

R Kelly, born Robert Kelly, said his fans already know a lot about him, but reiterated that he is human, a father of three and loved to have fun. He also loves to play basketball and eat Mc Donald’s.

When asked about his songs which basically talk about women, he said he is inspired to write those songs, because he loves women and more so, he grew up with a lot of women in his household. His songs, he added, are about what women go through in life.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali welcomed the artiste to Guyana on behalf of the government. Ali explained that the Redemption: Night of Legends Concert is the biggest to ever hit Guyana, especially with the international artiste performing. He noted that the event will boost tourism in Guyana, since members of the diaspora are expected to travel home for the concert.

He thanked Hits and Jams Entertainment and McNeal Enterprise for getting the artiste

to perform in Guyana. These two entities, he noted, have set the bar for other entertainment groups in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Kees and his band, along with Ravi B, arrived in Guyana a few hours earlier and were excited to be performing on the same stage as R Kelly and famous Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage. They explained that they have performed at a number of events previously and are ready to please the Guyanese audience with their variety of music. Patrons can expect a carnival-like atmosphere with lots of energy, with some tunes for the lovers.

Trinidad’s number one crossover band, Karma, with Ravi B, Nesha B and Gregory replaced JMC 3Veni, which was originally billed to appear. The concert will be held at the Guyana National Stadium with VIP accommodations on the field and general admission seats in the stands.

Those who already have their general admission tickets are fortunate, since new prices of $5000 have been stipulated, and the VIP tickets which previously cost $20,000 will now be $25,000 each. Tickets purchased for the August 21 Jamzone Super Concert are still valid.

BCCI, ECB against ICC chairman’s role

The BCCI and the ECB are in agreement over the dilution of power to be exercised by the new ICC chairman and would like the role to be reduced from head of executive office in the ICC to that of a convenor.

The BCCI president N Srinivasan and ECB chairman Giles Clarke met on Wednesday in London and one of the developments from that meeting is expected to be a proposal to re-examine the powers and responsibilities of the first ICC chairman, a position expected to come into being as of 2014.

Srinivasan and Clarke’s discussions took place on the eve of a two-day ICC Executive Board meeting which began in London on Thursday. An official privy to their talks told ESPNcricinfo that Srinivasan and Clarke, “agreed that there is no role for the chairman in the ICC.

It is just an additional layer of bureaucracy which they believe is not necessary. So they are proposing the role of the chairman as a meeting convenor or facilitator on a rotational basis.”

It is understood that the central reason behind this turnaround of opinion rests on the fact that one of the most powerful committees on

the ICC is the Finance and Commercial Affairs committee, chaired by Clarke and of which Srinivasan is a member.

It is possible that the prospect of control over this committee being reduced with the arrival of a chairman with greater powers may have played a part in what, if it transpires, will be a change of heart around the new position.

Until Wednesday, both

Srinivasan and Clarke were the frontrunners in assuming the role of the chairman which had been recommended by the ICC Board in 2012, in which both Clarke and Srinivasan are members.

The move to introduce a chairman in 2012 was taken in order amend the ICC constitution and turn the role of the ICC president into a ceremonial one, while vesting executive powers in a new chairman.

At the time the Board had said then that the creation of the post of chairman was “consistent with recommendations in the Woolf Report.”

Lord Woolf, leading the ICC’s independent governance review, had submitted a 60-page report last year wherein he made 65 radical recommendations around the governance of the ICC.

One of his recommendations was a complete revamp of the ICC’s executive structure, while another suggested a decline in the role of Full Members and the handover of powers to independent directors.

Of all the Woolf recommendations, the creation of the post of chairman was being taken on by the ICC’s executive board with alacrity, but may be curtailed even before it begins. (Cricinfo)

Hoffenheim demand replay after

Stefan Kiessling’s ‘ghost goal’

Hoffenheim are set to protest against a freak goal awarded to Bayer Leverkusen when Stefan Kiessling headed the ball through a hole in the side of the net.

Referee Felix Brych failed to spot that Kiessling’s header flew wide of the post in the 70th minute of Leverkusen’s 2-1 Bundesliga win on Friday.

Hoffenheim managing director Alexander Rosen said: “It’s a scandal.

“That was no goal, there are no two ways about it. We are definitely going to protest.”

Brych, a FIFA referee,

said that no player had indicated it was not a goal.

“I had a slight doubt but the reaction from the players was clear - nobody was against [the decision],” Brych said.

“I checked with Kiessling. But no-one, not even him, said that it wasn’t a goal. The ball was in the net and for everyone on the pitch it was a legitimate goal.”

In April 1994, Bayern Munich beat Nuremburg 2-1 after defender Thomas Helmer was awarded a goal despite the ball not going in.

Nuremburg lodged a complaint, and Germany’s

Juventus and Livorno told to pay Chelsea compensation

Juventus and Livorno have been ordered to pay some of the £14 million compensation Adrian Mutu owes to ex-club Chelsea.

Mutu, 34, was sacked by Chelsea in 2004 for a positive drugs test and served a ban, before moving to Livorno and then Juventusboth free transfers.

In 2010, it was ruled the Romanian should pay Chelsea £14 million for a breach of contract, but the Serie A clubs have now been told to help foot the bill.

FIFA said the clubs are “jointly responsible, together with the player”.

The statement received from a FIFA spokesman on Friday read: “According to the decision of the DRC [Dispute Resolution Chamber], the clubs, Juventus and Livorno, are held jointly responsible, together with the player, Adrian Mutu, for payment of the amount of compensation that the player has been ordered to pay to the club, Chelsea.

“The concerned parties were notified of the relevant

decision on 7 October 2013.

“In accordance with art. 67 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, this decision may be appealed against before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”

BBC Sport has learnt that the legal team of Serie A champions Juventus has already started putting together a case to present to CAS.

Former Romania international Mutu was one of new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s first big-money signings when he arrived from Italian side Parma for £15.8m in 2003.

After a bright start to his career at Stamford Bridge, the Blues forward suffered problems on and off the pitch.

He had difficult relationships with managers Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho before he was sacked by the club for testing positive for cocaine.

Chelsea sought compensation from Mutu in order to recover a large amount of the fee they paid to sign him, a bid that FIFA, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and

finally - after five years of legal disputes - the Swiss Federal Court supported. The compensation figure, based on lost earnings, was calculated on the length of time Mutu’s Chelsea contract had left to run, and was the highest handed down by FIFA.

Now, Juventus and Livorno have been told to pay towards the compensation, with Chelsea holding them liable because they signed him for free.

Mutu signed for Juventus in January 2005, but could not immediately join the Italian giants because they had their full quota of nonEU players.

Instead, a deal was brokered with fellow Serie A club Livorno so that they signed the Romanian, who was available on a free transfer, until Juve could offload one of their non-EU players.

Mutu never played for Livorno and eventually made his first appearance for Juve in May of that year.

The Romanian is currently at French Ligue 1 club Ajaccio. (BBC Sport)

Jamaica’s WBC champion to defend her title in Mexico

Football Association ordered a replay, which Bayern won 5-0 on their way to clinching the title.

Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol said: “It’s definitely bitter for us and something like this has already happened once, and that game was replayed so I think we’re going to see this game again.

“Anything else would be a joke. You can’t replay a Bayern Munich game, but not a Hoffenheim game.”

Kiessling said: “I didn’t really see it, I turned away but I was surprised to see the ball in. I didn’t know how it got in.” (BBC Sport)

Kingston, JAMAICA

- Jamaica’s Alicia Ashley, the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight champion, will defend her title in Tijuana against Mexico’s Zenny Sotomayer on October 23. The fight will be the third title defence for Ashley following victories over

Maria Elena Villalobos last year and Panama’s Chanttal Martinez earlier this year.

Her reign began in July 2011 after she defeated Christina Ruiz in New York to take home the vacant title.

Ashley’s opponent Sotomayer has a 10-5-1 record, and her last fight was an unsuccessful bid to win

the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight title, losing to the champion Kitty Wilson Castillo.

“I am ready to go,” said Ashley, known for being ring savvy and who has a 19-9-1 record.

“I hope that my opponent is, too, as I would like it to be a good fight.”

Campbell applauds Smartt’s contribution

BRIDGETOWN,

Barbados – West Indies Women’s coach Sherwin Campbell has showered praise on allrounder Tremayne Smartt, who had a good match against New Zealand in the opening contest of the Women’s T20 International Series.

Smartt, a tall seam bowler, had the impressive figures of 4-0-12-1 with the new ball and was involved in two run outs of New Zealand batters. Her accurate spell helped to peg back the visitors as they were bowled out for 81, chasing 104 for victory.

“She has become our ‘go to’ new ball bowler. She has the ability to make things happen with the new ball, up front and she keeps doing the job for us. She is a hard worker...and she always gives 110 percent no matter the situation.

You could say she’s a

‘smart’ allround cricketer,” Campbell said.

“She has worked really hard on her fitness and her fielding and we are seeing the results of that work.

We all know she can bat and we rely on her for some

runs at whenever she gets a chance. She has opened (the batting) for us before so we all know she can do the job when called upon.”

Smartt, 28, is quiet on and off the field and goes about her business in a du-

tiful manner. She is a qualified WICB coach and works with the development of young children in her native Guyana.

“I was pleased with my performance and I was happy we came away with a victory. I like to stick to my role in the team and that is to look for those early wickets and build the pressure. I really enjoy what I do on the field, but off the field I prefer just to sit back and relax,” said Smartt.

“If you give me the ball I will look for wickets for the team. If I have to bat I will look to put some runs on the board for the team. In the field I’m always thinking about a catch or a run out.

I’m always locked on when I’m out here.

“We played really well against New Zealand and we will look to do the same against England. We just have to stick to the basics and play to our strengths.”

(WICB)

Lorenzo fastest as Marc Marquez crashes

Championship leader Marc Marquez crashed in practice on Friday for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix as title rival Jorge Lorenzo finished fastest.

The 20-year-old Spaniard, who is closing in on the world title in his rookie season, came off his bike early in the afternoon session.

He was uninjured and was able to return to the circuit 20 minutes later.

Marquez finished the day second fastest, 0.294 seconds behind Lorenzo, who clocked one minute 28.961secs.

the afternoon run but we went back out with the second bike, which had a totally different geometry, and we had no time in which to change things. Thus, we used the initial set-up for the entire session.”

Spain’s Alvaro Bautista had the third-fastest lap, 0.477secs down on Lorenzo, with Marquez’s Spanish team-mate Dani Pedrosa fourth at 0.517secs.

The Caribbean side lost the second game by 63 runs, the third by 198 runs and the fourth by four wickets, before keeping the series alive with 67-run win on Wednesday.

With Bangladesh leading the series 3-2, it is a must-win situation for the hosts. Their vulnerability against spin and the inability of the top and middle order to pull their weight, the task today will definitely be a huge one.

Tested by the pitches, the West Indies were let down by their batsmen as they failed to cross the 200-mark in the series. The struggling side will have to work on its batting frailties; only openers Leroy Lugg and Tagnarine Chanderpaul passed 50 from the five previous games.

Spearheaded by fast-bowler Ray Jordan, who continues to impress with his pace and movement, is a key figure in the bowling unit. The West Indian part-time medium and slow bowlers have also done a commendable job and will need to continue.

However, all eyes will be on another home-turf boy, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, who has been the team’s standout performer in terms of his economy and consistency with taking wickets.

In the other camp, no questions should be asked about the Bangladeshis batting. Their “big three” Sadman Anik, Jassim Uddin and Mossadek Saikat will have to show up again today and this can spell trouble for the Windies youths.

British rider Cal Crutchlow was sixth fastest, while his Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate Bradley Smith recorded the seventh quickest time.

Marquez is bidding to become the first rookie in 35 years to win the premier class title.

“The day went well, especially in the morning,” said Repsol Honda rider Marquez.

“It’s a pity about the crash right at the start of

He leads the standings by 43 points and can win the championship on Sunday if he wins the race and closest challenger Lorenzo finishes third or lower.

Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi was fifth quickest.

Pedrosa’s afternoon practice session was disrupted when an engine mounting bolt, which was not properly locked, came loose, forcing him to stop on the track.

(BBC Sport)

Chanderpaul, who looked a bit scratchy earlier in the tournament, finally came to the party hitting 51 in the previous game. The young-left hander seemed to have finally tapped into his batting genetics and will need to hold his composure for this all-important encounter.

Berbician Shimron Hetemyer and Trinidadian Jeremy Solozano, along with their teammates, should also seek to provide more reinforcement in that department.

By now, the tourist must have heard that today’s venue will aid their battery of slow-bowlers, who have been causing all sorts of nightmares for the West Indians. Zubair Likhon, who picked up the only hat-trick of the tournament, along with Javed Rahuttul and skipper Mehedi Miraj, backed up by a few others, make up a devastating spin unit.

Admission to the venue is free.

More testing times likely for the bowlers in Mohali today

The metamorphosis of the Jaipur pitch from a good all-round one just a few weeks ago to a fertile 721-run farmland on which the batsmen committed cricketing debauchery made it clear that an ODI series in India has no place for bowlers.

Mohali is likely to be another batting paradise today with the curator, Daljit Singh, already saying that the good bounce and carryread: hit through the linethat the pitch afforded during the Champions League matches was a “dress-rehearsal” for the ODI.

The grass on the outfield has been given a neat crop too, meaning R Ashwin and Glenn Maxwell will have

more or less an equal chance of chasing down the ball.

The pitch in Jaipur was called a “beauty” by a television commentator inciting a quizzical response from the Australia captain. “You reckon that was a beauty?” George Bailey asked with a wry smile, after he had seen his bowlers plundered for a fortune and just getting a wicket in return.

Two days after that onslaught in Jaipur, Bailey’s scars were still fresh. “It’s hard to know what motivates bowlers on these wickets,” he said.

“I think I would like to see a little bit more help for the bowlers if they bend their backs and a little bit for the spinners.” The fast

Shikhar Dhawan

bowlers did derive some help in Pune, but maybe that was just an outlier. India wouldn’t complain with another flat pitch as it neatly neutralises Australia’s bowling advantage. Their top order took full toll of the favourable conditions in Jaipur and crafted a win out of what had been a shoddy bowling performance from India’s bowlers.

Ishant Sharma and Vinay Kumar’s inability to stick to a plan was there for everyone to see, and so was R Ashwin’s habit of doling out a long hop every over.

Australia’s bowlers were taken for runs off good deliveries, but the Indian bowlers, they were right-

ly punished for their indiscipline. In the end, you can only take six runs for a big hit, and that upper limit saved the Indian bowlers from not looking any worse than their Australian counterparts. From Australia’s perspective, their batting has made the most of a weak bowling attack and put up 300-plus totals twice already. Add to that the 200 they scored in the T20, and it suggests they could be equally potent in a bat-out. What they need is a sprinkling of grass - there was some on the Mohali pitch on the eve of the match, but will it survive the next 24 hours?

(Cricinfo)

GT&T indoor hockey championships begin Monday

The annual Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Indoor Hockey Championships is regarded as one of the most exciting tournaments on the local hockey calendar and on Friday the company continued its support of the sport by making a contribution to the 13th edition of the event.

The company presented a checque to the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) in its canteen and GT&T Director Roma Singh disclosed that the entity is proud to be part of the development of hockey in Guyana.

“GT&T is pleased to be associated with the Guyana

Hockey Board for the 13th consecutive year and we have recognised this board as a disciplined, well organised board and we are pleased to be associated with the tournament. We will continue to support sport general in Guyana,” Singh said.

She congratulated the board for its good work of promoting the game locally and internationally.

Receiving the donation, GHB Secretary Trisha Fiedtkou, expressed the board’s gratitude to the telephone company for its contribution to the sport and tournament.

“On behalf of the Guyana

Hockey Board we would like to thank GT&T for being onboard, this year being the 13th year.

They have been contributing to this tournament which has become the premier indoor tournament,” Fiedtkou stated.

The seven-day championships will begin on Monday at the National Gymnasium and will be played in four categories – first division, second division, veterans and females.

The tournament promises to be highly competitive. Seventeen teams will participate in this year’s competition with keen rivalries among the top clubs.

El Dorado golf tourney tees off today

Some 50 members of the Lusignan Golf Club will tee off from 11:00h today for the start of the El Dorado golf tournament at the East Coast Demerara fairway.

The top four players, along with the participants with the Best Gross, Nearest to the Pin and Longest drive, will be rewarded.

Club captain, Chatterpaul Deo, who has been featuring in the top

spots over the past three weeks, is expected to be in the limelight against the likes of William Walker, Alfred Mentore, Patrick Prashad, Clifford Ries and Mark Lashley, among others. In the female category, where much interest is buzzing, last week’s champion Shanella Webster will be looking to maintain her winning streak against seasoned campaigners, Christine Sukhram and Jo

Preparation in advanced stage for RSTC annual rodeo

The principals of the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) rodeo committee have already put most systems in place for the club’s annual rodeo, scheduled for October 27 at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

Coordinator Zaleena Lawrie told the Guyana Times Sport on Thursday that preparations for the event are in the advanced stage. According to Lawrie, there will be a number of new features since the event has gotten bigger as the years progressed.

She said the idea of bringing the event to the coast is to help persons who are interested in the sport and have never seen the activity and were unable to travel to an interior location where it is normally held.

Lawrie further indicated that 14 events are carded for the day with a number of regular events: steer roping, bare back bronco, male and female barrel race, wild cow milking, calf roping, wild bull riding, saddle bronco and the popular tug-

o-war. Vaqueros (cow boys) are expected from Brazil to match skills with their Guyanese counterparts. Local competitors are expected from the hinterland, including Lethem and the Rupununi.

For each event the best three participants will be awarded trophies and cash incentives.

The day’s activities will commence from 11:00h and admission to the venue is $1000 for adults and $500 for children under 10.

All Saints Primary win NA inter-school sports

AAnn Deo.

Webster sprung a major surprise on her debut at the course last Saturday, becoming the first female to win the second annual President’s Cup golf tournament, in honour of President Donald Ramotar.

Following today’s event, the players will switch focus to the Safeway Security Inc. tournament as preparations continue for the prestigious Guyana Open later in the year.

ll Saints Primary School successfully defended their Guyana Teachers Union/Ministry of Education annual track and field title for the InterPrimary Schools track and field championships. The event was held for primary schools in the New Amsterdam and East Bank Berbice areas. All Saints Primary School, with a total of 396 points, won the field events on Tuesday and the track events on Thursday. In the field they scored 204 and 192 points on the track.

Their nearest rival was Edingburg Primary with a total of 247 points. Edingburg made good representation for the schools on the East Bank of Berbice as the other two finished at the bottom end of the points’ table; Overwinning Primary had 48 points and Friends Primary, 16.

In the third position was St Theresa Primary with 220 points ahead of St Aloysius Primary on 159 and School f the Nations on 139 points. The other school to take part was Lochaber Primary of West Canje. They finished on 14 points, 13 of which came in the field.

On Thursday several of the schools’ young athletes turned in promising performances, especially in the shorter distances. The boys’ Under-8 80m was won by Trevon Williams of St Aloysius Primary with Shelema Simple winning the female race.

The boys’ U-10 100m final was taken by Clifferin Williams of St Theresa Primary with Treselle Mathews of All Saints taking the girls’ race. Joshua Heraclites of New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) won the boys’ U-12 100m and Diyante DeMattos, also of

NAMS, won the girls event. NAMS did not compete as a school but registered its U-12 athletes in order for them to get the opportunity to participate.

NAMS competed in the secondary schools track and field championships on Friday at the Edingburg ground.

Meanwhile, Notya Alexander of Edingburg Primary took the boys’ U-10 200m and Racwana Williams of All Saints ran away with the girls’ event. In the U-12 category over the same distance NAMS completely dominated with Joshua Heraclites and Khandi Griffith winning.

The 150m events for boys and girls in the U-8 category went to Trevon Williams of St Aloysius Primary with Shelema Simple winning the female race. (Andrew Carmichael)

Pee Wee round of 16 kicks off today

With the preliminary phase completed, action in the Round of 16 Courts Pee Wee football competition will kick off today with eight games at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

When action commences at 10:00h, the unbeaten St Pius will trade skills with Ketley Primary, a match that should set the tone for what is anticipated to be an exciting day of football.

FE Pollard, another unbeaten school, will face defending champions Marian Academy in the other game set to start at 10:00h.

Another team with an unblemished record after the preliminary stageNorth Georgetown- will tackle St Gabriel’s at 11:00h, with West Ruimveldt and St Ambrose going head-tohead at the same time.

East La Penitence will put their unbeaten streak on the line against Redeemer Primary from noon, with St Margaret’s and South Ruimveldt clashing in the other game set to start at that time.

In the final two games of the day, set to start at 13:00h, Enterprise Primary will square off with St Stephen’s and last year’s runner-up Tucville Primary will hunt glory against J.E. Burnham.

Under the tournament set-up, the teams were divided into six groups of four teams, where they contested a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third place finishers have advanced to the round of 16, where they will now battle for positions 1-16.

In an invited com-

ment on the eve of today’s matches, co-director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, said the patrons can expect a day of keenly contested games as the schools look gain a positive start to the round of 16.

Fellow director, Marlan

Cole, said support from parents/guardians, teachers and students was overwhelming during the three weekends of preliminary games, as has been the quality of football displayed by the two dozen Georgetownbased schools. He said the

Joseph leads KKTC to victory against Long Creek

Skipper Andre Joseph turned in a useful allround performance to guide Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC) to a 23-run victory over Long Creek in a feature tapeball match at the KKTC playground on Wednesday.

ECCB Trophy competition continues Sunday

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) 35-over Trophy competition will continue on Sunday with five games at various venues along the East Coast corridor.

organisers expect nothing less during the next phase of the Under-11 tournament.

At the end of the competition, which is a collaborative effort of Courts (Guyana) Inc., the Petra Organisation and Banks DIH Limited, the top four schools will receive a 32inch television set each to aid visual sessions in the classroom. In 2012, the four top schools were recipients of a laptop each.

All 24 teams will be given stationery vouchers and participation trophies from Courts (Guyana) Inc, while they have been provided with two footballs each and playing bibs, compliments of the Petra Organisation. The champion school will also receive a complete set of uniforms. (Avenash Ramzan)

At the Unity ground, Bravados will take on Avish Auto Sales, while over at Fairfield, the home team will clash with Mahaica Sports Club.

Enterprise A will have home advantage against La Bonne Intention, while Better Hope A and Golden Grove A will square off at the Better Hope Community Centre ground. Ogle will look to exploit home conditions against Lusignan B in the other game of this round.

Meanwhile, in last, Imran Khan stroked a century to lead Unity to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Dundee.

Below are the summarised scores from last weekend’s games:

At Unity: Unity defeated Dundee by seven wickets. Dundee 166 all out from 26 overs (Keith Fraser 29, Vishal Rampersaud 28, Keith Saroop 4-39, Davanand Mangal 2-24) Unity 168-3 from 17 overs (Imran Khan 100, Dellon Ross 31*).

At Ogle: Ogle defeated Golden Grove by nine wickets. Golden Grove 113 all out from 29 overs (Marvin Fitzpatrick 32, Anand Persaud 3-39, Chris Pattadin 2-27) Ogle 115-1 from 21.1 overs (Chris Pattadin 79*, Andre Gomes 17*).

At Better Hope: Plaisance defeated Better Hope B by one wicket. Better Hope B 164 all out from 25.1 overs (Roy Persaud 39, Kevin Kowlessar 25, Charwayne McPherson 3-39, Dwayne Andrews 4-32) Plaisance 166-9 from 33 overs (Charwayne McPherson 45, Kevin Kowlessar 4-24).

At Lusignan: Lusignan A defeated Enterprise A by 43 runs. Lusignan A 1766 from 35 overs (Krishna Deosarran 63, L. Deosarran 33, B. Samaroo 3-35, A. Kishan 2-37) Enterprise A 134-7 from 35 overs (Rohan Mangal 29, Jaheer Mohamed 25, Keon Franklin 3-14, Steve Ramdass 2-36).

At Fairfield: Fairfield defeated Strathavon by 26 runs. Fairfield 118 all out from 32.5 overs (Ramnarine Chatura 32, Deonarine Chatura 28, G. Hemraj 4-16, G. Sugrim 3-17) Strathavon 93 all out from 34.1 overs (G. Sugrim 24, Walter Bourne 4-8, Denhard Lovell 2-11).

GFF presents cash to affiliates

Affiliates of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) were on Friday presented with cash incentives as part of an arrangement the local governing body has struck with the clubs/associations during the ongoing Banks Beer National Premier League.

ations that were on hand to receive the monies were Alpha United, Den Amstel, West Demerara Football Association, Georgetown Football Association, Upper Demerara Football Association and Santos FC.

President of the GFF, Christopher Matthias, said the move forms part of the federation’s thrust to empower clubs and associations.

all the venues, noting that fans have been turning out in their numbers to witness the games. Representatives of the clubs and associations expressed delight at being able to benefit from the benevolence of the GFF, adding that it is a move in the right direction for the sport.

Batting first, the home team posted 116-9 from the allottment of 20 overs with Joseph leading the way with a topscore of 34. Joseph returned to capture three wickets for eight runs from four miserly overs, as Long Creek mustered 93-9 in reply when the overs expired. Randy Williams made 26 for Long Creek.

The win for the KKTC lads came against the backdrop of students of the facility cheering them on, as they displayed a high level of individual and team skills.

At a presentation ceremony at the GFF head office in Section ‘K’ Campbellville, officials of five affiliates were presented with a monetary package as part of an agreement set out prior to the start of the League, where the 16 participating clubs and member associations would be reimbursed via gate receipts.

At Friday’s ceremony, the clubs and associ-

“We don’t want to only develop clubs and associations technically and tactically, but also financially,” the GFF top brass pointed out.

Commenting on the progress made so far with the tournament, Matthias said the GFF is thankful for the crowds’ support at

On hand to receive the cheques were Colin Waithe (Alpha United), Denneze Lovell (Den Amstel), Christine Schmidt (West Demerara Football Association), Charmaine Wade (Georgetown Football Association), Cindy Saigon (Upper Demerara Football Association) and Rawle Adams (Santos FC).

WI U-19 in must-win situation to keep series alive …penultimate game today at Albion

By Rajiv Bisnauth

West Indies Under-19 will have to play to their full potential when they meet Bangladesh in the penultimate game of the seven-match limited overs series today to keep their hopes alive of winning the tournament.

Today’s game is slated for the Albion Community Center ground, beginning at 09:00h.

The Caribbean side, who rediscovered some spark in the previous game on Wednesday, will seek to keep the momentum going in the crucial game against the Bangladeshis, who will be equally determined to secure a win and seal the series.

After winning the opening match by six wickets, the young West Indies side suffered three straight defeats.