Guyana Times Daily

saturday, March 29, 2014| guyanatiMesgy.coM

Relatives flay action of Mahaicony mom

Awena Rutherford, 21, formerly of B Field Sophia and of Perth, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, who allegedly killed her two children by giving them a dosage of rat poison, remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital under police guard.

She is suspected to have drunk the same substance on Thursday evening after reportedly poisoning her children Jabari Cadogan, one, and Odecia Cadogan, four.

Hospital officials confirmed that the woman is a patient in the Female Surgical Ward, but from all indications, she did not ingest the poisonous tablets as she claimed.

The woman is being closely monitored since she is said to be “troubled” person.

Ursilla Rutherford, the woman’s grandmother, sat on her bed in her Princes Street, Lodge home and broke into tears as she looked at her two dead great grandchildren’s photographs.

Blame

“Awena can’t put no blame on she children father… she had she way since she was a child,” the woman cried.

She claimed that the young mother always illthreats her children to please the man she was seeing at the time.

The woman further alleged that her granddaughter was always a troubled young woman.

The elderly woman recalled that after her daughter, who is Awena’s mother, took ill her health deteriorated drastically because,

the young woman was apparently more interested in going out with boys rather than taking care of her mother.

The grandmother recalled that on Thursday evening, she realised that something had happened, but no one at home offered to tell her.

The 88-year-old woman said her daughters left home in haste for Mahaicony, but after insisting and threatening them to walk the streets and scream; she was eventually told of the situation.

Devastated

Though Awena is known for her irresponsible behaviour, the family is devastated that the children were killed.

Rutherford, who held onto her stomach and the pictures of the dead grandchildren as she cried, alleged that she once attempted to kill her.

She strongly condemned the alleged act by the young woman and called for her to face the full blunt of the law.

In addition to Rutherford, one of the woman’s aunts al-

leged that it was not the first time Awena tried to kill herself.

The aunt recalled on New Year’s Night, she was in Georgetown when she received a telephone call from a male companion of the young woman who claimed something was amiss at the woman’s Mahaicony home.

“We left and went up but we called and called for her but end up breaking the door to get into the house when we saw her lying on the ground with the carbon tablets next to her and her two children photos in her hands… when we asked about the children, she said that they were at some friend’s home,” she explained.

Pity

The aunt added that Awena is a good “trickster”, noting that she does things to make people pity her. The relative said too that the father of her children who resides overseas never “short change” his children.

“He always takes care of them and Awena cannot say that he never used to take

care of them… anything she called and asked for, she gets.

"Even if he wanted to take his children and leave her behind, he was right.” she said.

The aunt said although Awena was having a relationship with the father of her children, she was engaged to another man.

Another relative Mayon Hunte said on the day in questioned, the woman went to an Internet café and telephoned the father of her children.

Though Hunte was not sure about what was said, she said from all indications, the two had a row over the phone.

She recalled that the children were staying at Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara, but she collected them and went home.

Premeditated

The relative is contending that the killing of the children was premeditated.

The children did not deserve to die in that manner, Hunte said, adding that at the hospital on Friday, the woman looked as happy as ever.

“When I close meh eyes… I will be satisfied,” the woman said Awena told her on her hospital bed.

Hunte said the family will not condone such behaviour and called for the police to investigate and take action.

The woman allegedly killed her two children by giving them a poisonous substance on Thursday night at their Perth, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara Home.

Guyana Times reported that the young mother might have fed the children carbon tablets, which are commonly used to kill rats.

The children and their mother were rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital, but on their arrival, Jabari died while receiving medical attention.

His sister and mother were then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

But even as family members prayed for the fouryear-old to recover, they were informed by the doctors and the police that the child had succumbed.

2014 budget estimates now online

The Finance Ministry said Budget 2014 Estimates volumes one to three and the Minister’s Budget Speech titled “A Better Guyana for All Guyanese” are now available on the Ministry’s website www.finance.gy.gov.

Government has made these important documents available to the public, and to the world, as part of its continued commitment to transparency, inclusivity and openness to its citizenry.

The estimates include all of Government’s expected revenues and spending allocations for the current fiscal year. The National Budget Estimates contains specific programmes and initiatives proposed by Government in keeping with its commitment to continued development of Guyana’s physical, social and economic infrastructure. This year’s budget remains the largest to date at $220 billion and was first presented to the National Assembly on March 24. Debates of the estimates will begin on Monday, March 31.

Teen who fell into mining pit regains consciousness

The condition of the 17-year-old young boy who fell into a mining pit on Thursday has been listed as stable by doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Kenny Rupert of the Amerindian community of Jawalla, Region Seven, is recovering well in the Male Surgical Ward of the medical institution, where he was taken late Thursday evening in an unconscious state.

A family friend told Guyana Times that Rupert has gained consciousness and seems to be out of danger.

She noted that while the teenager is talking, he can hardly do so and cannot walk.

The woman explained that the young man reportedly sustained serious neck injuries since his neck is in braces.

She also revealed that he cannot move his legs and complains of intense pain in his back, along his spinal area.

The publication understands that the incident occurred sometime around 15:30h at the mining region of Abau, which is located close to Imbaimadai. Rupert has reportedly sustained severe injuries to his neck.

Guyana Times was told that the teenager was working at the mining pit where the incident occurred. According to information received, he was standing at the edge of the pit when the ground caved in, causing him to fell inside. Rupert, reports revealed, fall on his head and sustained serious neck injuries.

Workers who were in the pit at the time took him out and rushed him to the Imbaimadai Health Centre, where he was treated and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was subsequently flown to the city where he was admitted at the medical facility in a serious condition.

129 more youths complete YEST programme

Some 129 youths received certificates for successfully completing training under the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) Programme, when the Sophia Training Centre held its 25th graduation ceremony on Friday.

The youths completed six months of free training at the non-residential facility located at Dennis Street Sophia, in areas such as catering, handicraft, information technology and office administration, masonry, plumbing and sheet metal, refrigeration and air conditioning, and welding and fabrication.

The programme caters for unemployed youths and school drop outs, with an aim of equipping them with a skill, thereby making them employable. They are also taught remedial mathematics and English, health education, life and communication skills and other extra-curricular activities to ensure that they are well-

rounded individuals.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who delivered the feature address, congratulated the youths, and urged them to move on to higher learning institutions and to pursue their career.

Minister Anthony said that Government recognises that education is a very important aspect of national development, while highlighting that the education sector takes up the largest chunk of the national budget.

“We recognise that if we are going to educate our people, we will have to expend some amount of money… we want to offer an alternative to the students who didn’t have a chance to finish school, and we realise that some children are more practical than some and the Sophia Training Centre gives them a chance to learn a skill and express themselves through various techniques,” Minister Anthony noted.

Privatise poorly performing estates – Urling

By Svetlana MarShall

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is calling for the gradual privatisation of underperforming sugar estates, as the way forward to address some of the many problems facing the ailing sugar industry.

cy. “Every year, you can’t keep running back to the Parliament or the national coffers for $6 billion.”

Urling at the time was speaking at a press briefing at the GCCI’s Waterloo Street Office, Georgetown.

Diversification

Although admitting that the $6 billion grant budgeted for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is necessary considering its current state, outgoing GCCI President Clinton Urling said the annual government subsidies to the corporation is an unsustainable strategy.

According to Urling, the Agriculture Ministry must get “serious” with GuySuCo and initiate steps for it to become an effective agen-

Due to the many problems facing sugar production, he said the corporation should accelerate its diversification plans to bail itself out of its current financial dilemma.

The GCCI is therefore calling for greater attention to be given to the production of energy, confectionaries, molasses and animal feed, among other byproducts of sugar cane. According to him, GuySuCo should transfer a percentage of its human and capital resources toward the production of other value

Ganja trafficker fined, jailed

Thirty-eight-year-old

Jeremy Scuffle was found guilty of ganja possession on Friday and sentenced to prison when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan. It was alleged that on January 21 at his Lot 3048 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown home, the defendant and the number two accused, Marcia James, had in their possession 605 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

It was reported that on the day in question at approximately 16:00h, acting on a tip, police went to the said address. With the defendants’ permission, the ranks entered the residence and conducted a search. The cannabis was found in a hole behind a cupboard in the

house.

The substance was then shown to the defendants; at this point, the number one accused Scuffle told the ranks that the substance was his and James, his girlfriend, was unaware of the ganja

Based on the prosecution’s evidence, the court found the number two accused not guilty and dropped all charges, since the prosecution failed to prove that James had any connection with the substance found.

The court found Scuffle guilty of the offence of possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. At this point, the defendant asked the Magistrate for leniency; however, she sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment and to pay a fine of $544,500.

added products; a move that can also generate revenue and employment.

The outgoing President contended that private investors might be able to produce sugar cheaper and at a faster rate. It was also suggested that other estates can be rented for other investment.

Underperforming estates

“Underperforming estates can be sold or offered at concessionary rental to multinational firms looking to invest and set up their manufacturing and industrial operations here.

This would absorb any employment that is lost as a result of the estates’ closing,” Urling said.

He, however, cautioned that the sale or privatisation of sugar estates should not be done in an arbitrary or illogical manner, but one that is well strategised.

“It has to be done in a clear framework and strategy. If you can attract investors that can produce sugar at a cheaper and faster rate, then you privatise some of the estates or sell them to a private firm looking to invest in other things, commodities.”

Currently, there are eight sugar estates with seven factories. The estates are Wales

and Uitvlugt estates in Region Three; Enmore and LBI in Region Four; Blairmont in Region Five; and Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon in Region Six. Of the eight, the Skeldon and Blairmont estates are experiencing serious problems.

APNU

APNU had called for the closure of the sugar industry, but subsequently backpedaled following heated debates and criticisms from all fractions of society.

However, APNU and the Alliance for Change (AFC) have already signalled their intention to axe the allocation for the corporation in this year’s budget, despite High Court ruling that they cannot.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said “any responsible Government would provide critical support for GuySuCo. According to him, it is unfortunate that the Opposition would want to slash such critical funds.

GuySuCo continues to play a leading role in the lives of thousands of Guyanese, not only those who are integrally involved in the production of sugar. The Government strongly believes that GuySuCo will overcome its many challenges and return to its former glory days.

The corporation spends about $15 billion annually on drainage and irrigation, which not only supports the cultivation of sugar cane, but rice also benefits in a major way.

The Agriculture Ministry remains optimistic that GuySuCo this year will begin a rapid progression towards the 300,000 tonnes of sugar goal. This trend is anticipated to continue with tonnage reaching a high of 450,000 by 2020.

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

Redistributing wealth

One of the accepted functions of budgets in modern economies has been the acceptance that there ought to be governmental programmes that would improve the lot of the poorer sections of society in direct ways.

Karl Marx’s exhortation that all wealth ought to be distributed equally has at least produced this genuflection to the quest for a more equitable distribution of goods via income redistributions. This orientation faced, and survived – albeit in an emancipated form – the direct attack in the last three decades from the neo-liberal innovations in governance that proposed the market as solving all the problems of distribution.

The PPP/C has consistently defined itself as a “working class” party and Government and has thus placed itself directly in the tradition of unapologetically delivering distributive justice. Constrained, however, by the inertia and momentum created by the neo-liberal policies of the Washington Consensus, imposed by the IMF in the wake of their Structural Adjustment Programmes accepted by the PNC in 1989, the effort has not received enough recognition.

The redistributive thrust is achieved via several mechanisms, one of the primary ones being the tax regime. Ever since the Jagdeo Administration was able to reduce the crippling debt servicing burden to manageable proportions, the administration has steadily increased the quantum of the monthly wages exempted from taxes.

At present this stands at $50,000 monthly or $600,000 annually – which, of course, places more money in the pockets of the poor, since if there was not this allowance in place, up to $180,000 would have been withheld by the Government at the 33.3 per cent tax rate. On first time homeowner mortgages of up to $30 million, the holders can deduct all their interest payments, which offers them a tremendous boost in homeownership and wealth.

The aged poor are helped with old age pensions. This monthly cash supplement has been increased annually from $3500 in 2006 to $12,500 last year and from May 1, to $13,125. They also are granted water allowances which have been increased from $20,000 to $30,000 annually and electricity allowances of $20,000 annually.

For the first time, in an effort to improve school attendance, the Government will distribute an education grant of $10,000 for every one of the 188,406 students in the public nursery, primary, and secondary schools, which will cost a total of $2 billion. This will help the poor.

One redistributive initiative that has generated some controversy has been a multi-billion subsidy on electricity being supplied to the residents of Linden. The Government is of the view that the township’s economic climate has improved and that the subsidy should be gradually phased out.

But the riots precipitated by the Opposition after this proposal resulted in three deaths and remind policymakers that when redistributive measures are introduced to deal with transient conditions, they quickly become seen as entitlements by the recipients and are always tricky to remove. This year, the transfer to the residents of Linden and Kwakwani through the electricity sector amounted to $3.2 billion.

The redistributive efforts can also be achieved by the Government through supporting programmes, which, if closed, would have a disproportionate disastrous impact on the poor. When the PPP/C assumed office in 1992, it scuttled the IMF demand that the Public Service workforce be cut by half.

Desmond Hoyte’s PNC Government had already begun the massive retrenchment programme, with almost 2000 persons made “redundant”. The use of the latter word, exemplified the IMF posture towards the poor, which the PPP/C thus saved from being thrown into the streets as is presently happening in Barbados. In the present budget, the Government has offered the same rationale for injecting funds into the sugar industry.

Today, there is a great debate between the connection of the neo-liberal order and inequality, especially in the developed countries. The PPP/C Government must be commended for its effort to confront such inequalities in Guyana.

Sloth rescue

History will judge Jagdeo with distinction

Dear Editor,

The slanderous tongue comes from a disappointed and malicious person. We live by information, not by sight; we exist by trust and faith in others. Our ears are the area and gate of truth, but it is the front door of lies and propaganda.

The truth is generally seen and rarely heard of; it seldom comes in fundamental sincerity and purity, especially from afar. Sometimes favour-

able, sometimes unfavourable. Therefore, receive with caution from the one that praises and with more caution from the one that blames.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo – history will judge you with distinction, even though your critics are so brutal and relentless in their unorthodox personal attacks. They have caused you, the PPP/C and your constituency great pain, but history will vindicate you as one of the greatest leaders

of this nation. Take comfort from the lessons of our predecessors and the harsh treatment which they were afflicted with by their people: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, etc. History asserts them all to be the best of the human species who ever lived on Planet Earth.

Honourable Sir, your contributions to this nation are enormous; you put Guyana on the road to development and

prosperity with global recognition and good will. You gave us destiny and hope in a confident future, you have made us all proud. You are the best of the best.

This is accredited with being honoured with six Honorary Doctorates and the title “Champion of the Earth”. Thank you Sir, don’t be apprehensive.

Yours truly, Hana Mohamed

Public advisory for motorists

Dear Editor,

The Public Works Ministry wishes to advise motorists that effective March 31, traffic on Camp Street will be prohibited from turning right into

Regent Street.

If you are driving on Camp Street, when you get to the intersection at Regent Street, you will no longer get a green arrow to turn right any longer. Regent Street is not be-

ing converted to a one-way street, only that right turns will be restricted from Camp Street into Regent Street.

Left turns into Regent Street will continue as before and overall motorists will have more ‘green time’ through the junction.

Yours truly, Aneka Edwards Public Relations Officer Public Works Ministry

The AFC has a serious credibility problem

Dear Editor,

Apart from its ability to stage drama and desperation for publicity, the Alliance for Change (AFC) has a serious credibility problem.

The AFC parliamentarians walked out at the start of the 2014 budget presentation by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday to register their protest against not being consulted in the preparation of the budget.

Recall, that the AFC

leaders were repeatedly invited by Dr Singh to participate in Government’s 2014 budget consultations and they refused to show up, similarly and equally true for those of the People’s National Congress (PNC)/ A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leadership.

Two days later, the AFC has announced its intention to participate in the budget debates commencing next week. What does this mean?

In the first place, the AFC walkout of Parliament was a publicity stunt, they wanted to steal the moment from the budget presentation, but it backfired.

Convinced as they are that their participation would be meaningless because they were not consulted in the preparation of the national budget, then it would be useful for their individual and collective credibility to abstain throughout the 2014

budget debates as well. There has been absolutely no change in the fact that the AFC did not participate in the 2014 budget consultations, so it should remain faithful to its position, as it did at the start of the budget presentation to avoid reducing themselves from active participants in national decision-making to one of a passive listener.

Sincerely, Kwame Mc Coy

The rice sector has been achieving incrementally greater outputs

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) wishes to congratulate the Government of Guyana and in particular Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, for the presentation of the largest budget ever in the National Assembly.

Each consecutive National Budget since the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic came into office in 1992, has brought a new dynamism to the developmental paradigm of Guyana which has been accelerating at an unprecedented rate.

Stabilised macro-economic fundamentals and sustained growth indices have been consistently achieved over the past eight years, even as many countries are facing recession on a global scale. The discerning can draw a nexus between the party and the Government, because of the vision and legacy of the founding father of the PPP/C, Dr Cheddi Jagan, and other leaders who continue to drive the phenomenal patterns of progress in this country.

The struggles for viability in the agricultural sector, with the RPA’s obvious emphasis on the rice industry, and the struggle by the PPP/C for the restoration of democratic norms and for boosting development in Guyana, are symbiotic.

This does not diminish the achievements in every sector of national endeavour

by the PPP/C Government, since they all go in tandem. PPP/C budgets show clearly that the party works for all the people in the land without fear, favour or prejudice. The challenge is that constrained funds may sometimes force the prioritisation of projects.

Of recent times, the agricultural sector in general and the rice industry in particular, have taken on a development trajectory directly in line with national development under the PPP/C Government.

The RPA is therefore proud to be associated with a governmental construct that is a vital force and one which is not static or stagnant. This construct is inexorably taking Guyana to the ultimate goal of peace, progress and prosperity, through the confluences of development with a human face; a concept dear to Dr Jagan and the party.

Over the past two decades, the PPP/C Government has achieved a near-miraculous turnaround of Guyana’s social development and economic growth, and as a matter of public record, Guyana was worse than the famous Augean stables when the party took office in 1992.

Every sector has since been catalysed through transformative processes that moved the country from an international rating lower or on par with Haiti, to one which is today ranked

as a middle income developing country. With now stable macro-economic fundamentals, major financing and other international bodies continue to laud the prudent fiscal management of the country which has resulted in sustained growth over the years. This has been achieved despite the actions of the Opposition to cause retrogression in all the gains made.

The rice sector, which I have primary interest in, has been achieving incrementally greater outputs as a direct result of the Government’s interventions and facilitating measures implemented.

When one considers that during the tenure of the former regime, Guyana was forced to import low-quality rice for local consumption, the progress made today in this sector is amazing, as the export market share has increased tremendously. This was only possible as a result of the support availed to the agriculture sector by successive budgets of the Government.

The rice industry continues to remain one of the main pillars of Guyana’s economy and maintain its rating as the second most important agricultural industry in Guyana. The significant interventions in the areas of drainage and irrigation with improved facilities, along with ongoing works being undertaken to mitigate the effects of the

climate change phenomenon and other anomalies detrimentally affecting the agricultural sector, have redound to tremendous benefits in the sector.

The RPA also takes the opportunity to denounce the anti-developmental actions and destructive strategies, in and out of Parliament, taken by those who are intent on stymieing the development of the nation and the upward mobility of its people.

Budget 2014 has proven once again that the Government is for the people and no negative and anti-national actions will derail this country’s developmental trajectory under the PPP/C. While the budget has some constraints since we are still a developing country with limited resources, given where we were in 1992 to where we are today, Guyana is on track and cannot be derailed any longer. Every man, woman and child has been provided for in incrementally larger budgets each year.

Once again, the RPA extends kudos to the Guyana Government and Dr Ashni Singh for an exceptionally visionary and people-oriented Budget for 2014, aptly labelled “A Better Guyana for all Guyanese”

Yours sincerely, Dharamkumar Seeraj MP, General Secretary Rice Producers Association (RPA)

Thoughts on the 2014 budget

Dear Editor,

Well, the 2014 budget estimates have been read in Parliament and the Guyanese nation will now brace itself for the subsequent debates of those measures. We have certainly seen this script before and again, as in the past, the nation will be audience to the most bizarre spectacle one can experience in the legislative life of our nation... the summary gutting of a budget without a single

cogent argument to justify same.

Only the most cynical amongst us would not agree that the estimates, as outlined by the Finance Minister, were a reasonable breakdown of the expenditures intended for year 2014 and, for those given to superlatives, one can say that Dr Ashni Singh has again been masterful in his presentation of those estimates.

The erstwhile Opposition, however, will

see things very differently and are probably chomping at the bit not only to try and diminish the Finance Minister’s efforts, but to insult our collective intelligence by suggesting this budget cannot pass muster. In fact, their intentions are transparent to the point where they have prematurely began identifying the expenditures they will slash even before same have been debated. Again, we have seen this script before.

What I said was already in the public domain

Dear Editor, I write in response to an article appearing in Guyana Times on March 28 under the headline, “WPA has evidence Rodney was assassinated”. I hope this response will not be muted.

My discussion with your reporter, as I recall, was not for publication, but to assist her in her assigned duty of covering the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. She needed background information on the period of the assassination.

While I have no problem with what we discussed being made public, since most of what I said was already in the public domain, I do have problems with the inaccuracies contained in your article.

The most important of these are:

I never said Rodney was “in contact with the main suspect, a bomb electronic expert”. I have no knowledge of Gregory Smith being a bomb expert. What I said was he had expertise in electronics. In light of the pending Commission of Inquiry this deserves a correction.

• Your article went on to state: “He recalled the information given by Rodney’s older brother Donald, who was in the driver’s seat outside the Camp Street jail when a bomb hidden in a walkie-talkie exploded in his brother’s lap.” This gives the erroneous impression that Walter Rodney was outside the jail when he was assassinated. This is not true. Incidentally, I never said that Donald was Walter’s older brother.

• Your article stated that “his instructions to Walter, when he is testing this thing, was that he must come

At the end of the process, our nation will again be the loser. Our Parliament will be a bit sadder, and the citizens of Guyana made even more cynical, for they would have again been privy to another rape of the psyche which leaves them narcotised to the possibility of “real” progress.

It is my hope that the deliberations in Parliament will be governed by sober judgement and that our parliamentary officials will appeal to their highest selves in determining that which was best for the Guyanese nation.

out and activate the thing so that he, Smith, could get to see how it gets to respond”. That too is a gross inaccuracy. What I in fact said was that Smith wanted Walter to test the device in the vicinity of the prison fence to see how it would respond in the presence of expansive metal, but Walter refused to carry out those instructions.

• The article also gives the erroneous impression that I said “when Walter opened the paper bag, the device exploded”. What I said is that Walter activated the device based on Smith’s instructions to Donald Rodney on which switches were to be activated and the device exploded after this was done.

• Your paper’s report is misleading when it said he opined Rodney was “too trusting of people around him”. This gives readers the impression that I was inferring that Rodney was too trusting of people including his close associates, which is not what I said or implied. What I said to your reporter was that Rodney was too trusting of people who approached him, claiming to have an interest in the struggle. I was referring to persons who at that time volunteered service to the party and the struggle. I also said that Walter was not in Guyana long enough to understand the culture of people saying one thing, when in fact they meant something else. While these may seem to be simple misrepresentations in the context of the present pending Commission of Inquiry, we have to be very mindful of these inaccuracies.

Sincerely, Tacuma Ogunseye

I, however, have a severe crisis of confidence since I’m constantly reminded of the words of Dr Walter Rodney who said that “hope was no longer an open door to the future, but the illogical maintenance of an idea in contradiction with reality”.

Sincerely, Mark Agard

Page Foundation

BY GINA SHAW

When your baby is born, you quickly fall into a rhythm of regular visits with your paediatrician that continues throughout childhood. But many parents are more confused about taking their child to the dentist and caring for their teeth.

WebMD asked Natasha Mathias, DDS, a fellow of the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry in Montclair, New Jersey, to answer some of the most common questions she hears from parents – and some questions she wishes parents would ask, but don’t!

Q: Should my child see a paediatric dentist?

A: This is the most common question I get. “Why can’t I just take my child to my own dentist?” For the same reason you don’t take your child to your own internist – you take her to a paediatrician. Children are not miniature adults. Their bodies are very different, and so are their teeth. A paediatric dentist has expertise in those differences.

Q: Why should I take my toddler to the dentist when his baby teeth will just fall out anyway?

A: We may lose our primary teeth eventually, but their health is very important to our oral health over the long term. Once a baby tooth gets bacteria in there, it progresses pretty quickly, seeping through the tooth and going to the bone and potentially causing dental infections that can even be fatal. That’s the worst consequence. But even if that doesn’t happen, if bacteria lurk in the baby teeth, the enamel for the adult teeth may not be formed properly and they can be permanently damaged.

Q: When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?

A: When they get their first tooth or reach their first birthday, whichever is earlier. Many people are shocked that it’s so early. The older guideline was age three, just because that’s when general dentists found they could manage a child. But at three, we often find that damage has already been done from baby bottle tooth decay or cavities.

Q: How should I prepare my child for his first visit to the dentist?

A: Present it as something fun and exciting, and

as a sign that he is growing up. Tell your child that we will “count,” “brush,” and “take pictures” of his/ her teeth. By explaining the exam and the cleaning in these terms, your child will better understand the situation. Avoid negative words such as “hurt,” “drill,” “pull,” and “shot.” Don’t tell your child, “The dentist won’t hurt you” – this may never have entered his mind in the first place! Reassure him that the dentist and staff will be gentle and friendly.

Q: What should my child eat and drink to protect his teeth?

A: This is one of those questions parents don’t ask me, but I wish they would! First, don’t give your child juice all the time, especially the juice boxes. Most of them are not nutritious. If your child must have juice, follow the one-two-three rule: only one cup of juice a day, along with two glasses of milk and three glasses of water. The best snacks for a child are those that don’t come in a plastic package: fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Don’t peel your child’s apples and other fruit – the edible peels are where most of the nutrients come from, and they help to

Q: When is my child ready for “real” toothpaste?

A: As soon as they’re old enough to spit – usually around age three. Once they’re in enough control to be potty trained, they have enough control to spit out fluoridated toothpaste. “Children’s” toothpastes are like training wheels – they can’t do much harm. But they also aren’t all that useful. Make sure your child brushes his teeth after breakfast, not before, so they start the day with a clean mouth. And after brushing teeth at night, nothing else to eat or drink except water.

Q: When do I need to wean my child from thumb sucking or using a pacifier?

A: Prolonged pacifier or thumb sucking can deform a child’s upper dental arch and cause things like crossbite and protruding teeth. Children should be weaned from the habit by no later than two and a half or three years old. At that point, if any damage has been done to their bite by the sucking, we can usually undo it without too much difficulty. But if they get much past three and aren’t stopping, braces will have to fix it at some point later on. (WebMd)

What your child eats affects his or her teeth. Too many carbohydrates, sugar (for example, from cake, cookies, candies, milk, and other sugary foods and beverages), and starches (for example, pretzels and potato chips) can cause tooth decay. How long carbohydrates remain on the teeth is the main culprit that leads to tooth decay.

The best thing you can do as a parent is to teach your child to make healthy food choices. Here are some toothfriendly foods to serve your children along with some other tips:

Fruits and vegetables:

Offer fruits and vegetables as a snack instead of carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables that contain a high volume of water, such as pears, melons, celery, and cucumbers are best. Limit banana and raisin consumption as these contain concentrated sugar or if you serve these fruits, try to brush your child’s teeth immediately

after they are eaten. Cheese: Serve cheese with lunch or as a snack, especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses which help to trigger the flow of saliva. Saliva helps to wash food particles away from teeth. Avoid sticky, chewy foods: Raisins, dried figs, granola bars, oatmeal or peanut butter cookies, jelly beans, caramel, honey, molasses, and syrup stick to teeth making it difficult for saliva to wash the sugar away. If your child consumes these types of products, have them brush their teeth immediately after eating. Serve sugary treats with meals, not as snacks If you plan to give your child any sweets, give them as desserts immediately following the meal. There’s usually an increased amount of saliva in the mouth around mealtime, making it easier to wash food away from teeth. The mealtime beverage also helps to wash away food particles on teeth.

Get your children in the habit of eating as few snacks as possible. The frequency of snacking is far more important than the quantity consumed. Time between meals allows saliva to wash away food particles that bacteria would otherwise feast on. Frequent snacking, without brushing immediately afterwards, provides constant fuel to feed bacteria, which leads to plaque development and tooth decay. Try to limit snacks as much as possible and to no more than one or two a day. Brush teeth immediately after consuming the snack if possible.

* Avoid sugary foods that linger on the teeth. Lollipops, hard candies, cough drops, and mints all contribute to tooth decay because they continuously coat the teeth with sugar.

* Buy foods that are sugarfree or unsweetened.

* Never put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with milk, formula, juice, or soda.

* Offer your child plain water instead of juice or soda. Juices, sodas, and even milk contain sugar. Water does not harm the teeth and aids in washing away any food particles that may be clinging to teeth.

* Include good sources of calcium in your child’s diet to build strong teeth. Good sources include milk, broccoli, and yogurt. (WebMd)

New series of primary school textbooks launched

The Education Ministry on Friday launched the Revised Primary Science Easy Path Series “Science Around Us” for Grades One to Six in the public primary schools. The launch took place in the auditorium of the National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD) in Kingston, and was attended by children and teachers from a number of primary schools in Georgetown.

In delivering an overview of the review process, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Marcel Hutson lauded the group of writers which he said were from a number of schools around Georgetown who worked tirelessly to see this project become a reality. “The content of these books have been made relevant to the current scientific situations in our world today, and will serve to captivatingly engage

our Guyanese children in the learning of science in our primary schools,” he said.

During her address, Education Minister Priya Manickchand affirmed the indisputable economic growth that has been occurring in Guyana within the past eight years, and highlighted the Government’s stewardship in being able to continuously balance the nation’s economy – even amid

the global financial downturn – and create growth simultaneously.

With regard to education, the Minister pointed out that particularly in the area of textbooks, the Government was spending large sums on them, but not all children in the public school system got access to them. “We said we wanted every child in primary schools between Grades One to Six to be

able to have the basic class set of texts books (English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science) and be able to take them home and work with them when they are home from school,” the Minister said.

The Minister said that while the entire class set was available to schools, there were some issues with the science text and its relevance to the modern Guyanese classroom. So, a Gap Analysis was conducted which compared the older books to the corresponding curriculum guides, and the findings were used to align the revised books with the curriculum guides.

Teams of the local primary science educators were assigned for each grade level. The entire process was completed in three weeks and coordinated through the office of the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) and the Science Unit of NCERD.

The Education Ministry will continue to create relevant learning materials for the public school system that are of the best quality. The Minister promises that in the very near future, the Atlantic Reader Series for primary school students will be launched.

The 2014 budgetary allocation of $32.3 billion for the education sector will significantly improve the quality and provision of education in Guyana.

39 convicted for stealing electricity

Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) Divisional Director Colin Welch said of some 2039 illegal connections detected in 2013, some 489 persons have been charged, but only 39 have been convicted of electrify theft

Speaking at a Public Utilities Commission (PUC) hearing on Friday, Welch said though just a small per cent of persons found will illegal connections were charged and convicted, the removal of the illegal connections were done in high risk areas.

The majority of the illegal connections were detected at Cummings Park Sophia, Albouystown and some parts of the tri-veldt area.

Welch explained that most of the cases would have been dismissed in their respective courts for want of prosecution or failure of a witness to appear in the court to testify when the matter is called.

This, he said, could be attributed to the snail’s pace at which the legal system operates.

The senior GPL official maintained that while the cases take a long time

to be heard, the employees who were supposed to provide testimony against the offenders, in several cases, had left the company.

In the same vein, Welch related that at present, there are 120 cases pending in courts across the country.

Recently, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, retired Justice Cecil Kennard had said the appointment of too many young magistrates and judges to the bench can be blamed for the current severe backlog of cases and slothfulness of the justice system in Guyana.

Microsoft CEO unveils new software for iPad

Microsoft’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella on Thursday unveiled Office for the iPad, a software suite that includes programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and works on rival Apple Inc’s hugely popular tablet computer.

The app was to be made available for download on Thursday in the App Store at 11:00h Pacific time.

Office for the iPad corrects layout problems that users experience when accessing files they had saved on Microsoft’s cloud storage service, OneDrive.

The app has touch-enabled features that allow users to drag photos around Word documents and grab elements like pie charts in Excel.

“We are appointing members of the judicial system when they lack the necessary experience,” he said, pointing out that some of the magistrates and judges are somewhat tardy in their work.

According to Kennard, some magistrates maybe intimidated by the possibility of an appeal against a decision or judgment handed down by them, and as such, take very long to deliver on decisions and judgments.

This, he said is one of the major causes of the current accumulation of legal matters within the judicial system.

The app will allow reading and presenting of documents for free, but will require a subscription to Office365 to enable writing and editing. A subscription for up to five computers and five smartphones costs $100 a year, but a personal version for one computer and one tablet costs $70 a year.

The subscription includes 20 gigabytes of storage space on OneDrive.

The Redmond, Washington-based software giant unveiled the app at an event in San Francisco where Nadella addressed re-

porters on his 52nd day as Microsoft’s chief executive.

“This, in a sense, is a cloud for every person and every mobile device,” Nadella said.

He built on comments he has made previously that Microsoft will develop key software for mobile devices regardless of whether they run on Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android or Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

Thursday’s announcement follows Microsoft’s move earlier this month to release a version of its OneNote note-taking software for Macs.

“There’s no tradeoff,” Nadella said. “What motivates us is the realities of our customers.”

Daniel Ives, an analyst with FBR Capital Markets, said the move to develop key software products for Apple devices is a “great first step”. Microsoft had previously resisted introducing Office for the iPad, preferring to leverage the software suite as a key selling point of Windows 8 tablets and its own line of Surface tablet computers. But those tablets have struggled in the marketplace.

“They finally looked in the mirror and realised they needed to go with the crowd in terms of iPads,” Ives said. “I think it signals there is change in Redmond, even if they picked an insider.”

saturday, march 29, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Photo Storytelling Seminar to highlight climate change set for April 4

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and Youth Challenge Guyana, on April 4 will host a Photo Storytelling Seminar to highlight the damaging effects of climate change.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Youth Challenge Guyana Director Dmitri Nicholson said the seminar, which is set for the Regency Suites Hotel, will attract approximately 50 youths between the ages of 16 and 29 from Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.

plained. This event will be done in partnership with the University of Guyana Centre for Communication Studies.

Following the seminar, a production will be done to send the message across the country, thereby edifying the nation’s youths on photography. The seminar and production are being done also to help persons between the ages of 16-29 compete in the upcoming “VYBZING Photo Challenge” contest.

dubbed “VYBZING”. “One of the main gaps between youth and the rest of civil society is a lack of voice to give expression to their views on the wider societal problems.”

Eyew tness Pushing mayhem...

...in Georgetown

He explained that the seminar will give youths the opportunity to learn basic photo storytelling or photojournalism skills to enable them to participate in the VYBZING Photo Story Challenge based on climate change. The challenge will run from March 31 to May 9.

“Also the seminar will bring youths together. It will help them to express their concerns on issues affecting them through photography,” Nicholson ex-

The VYBZING Photo Story Challenge is in keeping with a tradition upheld by the CDB. It was explained that Guyana will, this year, host the 44th Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting of the CDB during the week of May 26-29. Forming part of that annual meeting would be a youth outreach programme

As a result, VYBZING would give young people an opportunity to vocalise their understanding of critical development issues plaguing the society. “CDB wishes to engage the youth in the VYBZING Guyana Youth Outreach Programme ‘Youth Voices for Climate Change’,” a joint statement by the CDB and Youth Challenge Guyana said.

The storytelling photo challenge is just one of the four activities held under the programme. The others include a youth forum, youth presentation, and a youth communitybased project.

Trio facing assault charges

Atrio facing separate charges stemming from the same altercation were brought before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Coleen Thomas, 38, a teacher of the Queenstown Secondary School; Joanne Bowen, 40, of Lot 44 Stone Avenue, Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown; and Alexander Bess, 20, of the same address, all pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

It is alleged that Thomas, on March 22 at Campbellville Housing Scheme, made use of

threatening behaviour towards Bowen. It was also alleged that Bowen, on the same day and location, made use of threatening language towards Thomas, while Bess abused Bowen with intent to insult her.

Police Prosecutor De Niro Jones said the trio had no antecedents and he had no objections to bail. Bail was granted in the sum of $15,000 for Thomas, $10,000 for Bowen and $5000 for Bess. The trio were placed on a bond to keep the peace. The matter is scheduled to be recalled on April 9 in Court One before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

Man charged for assaulting reputed

Avictim of domestic abuse was advised by the court to get a protection order against the father of her children after she declined to pursue the matter at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Abigail Mc Donald on Friday declined to give evidence against Erwin Fraser, 39, of Lot 77 Meadow Brook Gardens, Greater Georgetown, who was charged with unlawfully assaulting her. Hence, Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan dismissed the matter for a lack of evidence and placed the defendant on a bond to keep the peace for 12 months. Fraser, who had pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, will be

wife

slapped with three months’ imprisonment if he breaks the bond.

Police Prosecutor De Niro Jones had told the court that on March 25 at the abovementioned address, the defendant and the virtual complainant were lying in bed, when he asked her a question she reportedly failed to answer. The defendant subsequently dealt the woman several cuffs to her mouth and about the body.

Mc Donald then related to the court that Fraser was in the habit of abusing her, but said she did not wish to proceed with the matter, since she had already moved from the home which the couple shared.

It’s of more than passing interest that people can promote street protests in Georgetown by the PNC/ APNU so blithely in the press. The latest one is by that inveterate scribbler Ms Maxwell. Now Maxwell herself is a very interesting character. You, Dear Reader would have seen her prolix, meandering letters almost daily in one Opposition newspaper or the other – the Stabber or the Muckraker. And would’ve wondered if this person has nothing better to do.

Well, just as it was explained by another columnist that it’s an organic disorder – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – that caused the AFC leaders to walk out of Parliament when the Finance Minister presented the 2014 Budget, Maxwell shouldn’t be blamed too much for inflicting all that verbiage on unsuspecting readers. She also has an organic problem: she suffers from “hypergraphia”. You never heard about hypergraphia? Well, maybe it’s time you did, since it appears to be contagious. Do the names Asquith Rose, Sasenarine Singh and Lincoln Lewis ring a bell?

According to Wiki – “Hypergraphia is a behavioural condition characterised by the intense desire to write. Forms of hypergraphia can vary in writing style and content. It’s a symptom associated with temporal lobe changes in epilepsy, which is the cause of the Geschwind syndrome, a mental disorder.” The writing can range from compulsively writing one word repeatedly to fill entire books, to the ridiculous meandering of Maxwell and company we see in the letters pages.

Be as it may, you can’t ignore these folks – some people take them seriously because they think whatever is written in black and white is “for real”. Recently, Henry Jeffrey discussed Maxwell’s scribbles and even commended it. Jeffrey has really come to seed ever since he lost his Minister “wuk”. So what was Maxwell meandering about this time? As usual it was about things that just didn’t make sense.

First off, she complained that whenever those pacifists in the PNC stage street protests in Georgetown – handing out flowers and such like to passers by, especially from the countryside – the big, bad PPP/C would rush out and put a racial spin on the actions of the apostles of peace and love. That Indian people were beaten or their businesses burnt and such lies. These were figments of the sick PPP/C’s imagination, of course.

But then, Maxwell goes on to explain how “infiltrators” always infiltrate the PNC’s love fests and commit mayhem. So then mayhem is created in PNC street protests? And we wonder how Maxwell knows so conclusively that it’s the work of “infiltrators”.

This, of course, has been the PNC’s line ever since Peacenik Hoyte’s “slow fyaah; mo fyaah” strategy. ...in the PNC

The problem with groups practising violence or treachery on “outsiders” is that the behaviour becomes imbedded in their collective consciousness. It becomes their “way of doing things”. In other words, their ‘habit”. And like all habits, you just can’t compartmentalise it. You goof off at the job and pretty soon you become a goof-off even when the job’s in your own house.

And that’s what’s going on with the manoeuvres in the PNC. Partisans of the PNC – and even some from the PPP/C – have scoffed at the PNC poll that was leaked to this newspaper. But they missed some important implications. Why wasn’t Greenidge mentioned as a possible candidate for the PNC/APNU to gauge who had more support – when they did this with the incumbent President Ramotar and former President Jagdeo?

It all goes back to the manipulations that are now in the PNC’s genes. And Greenidge is being shafted.

...in AFC

We wonder when the scramble between the two leaders of the AFC – Nagamootoo and Ramjattan – will break out into the open, now that they’ve agreed to a pre-electoral coalition with APNU. Who’ll be the “Indian” face to replace Roopnaraine to pair with Granger?

Poor Nigel Hughes has been left at the altar.

saturDay, march 29, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Port Kaituma arsonist succumbs to injuries North Ruimveldt

Two weeks after Linus La Cruz of Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One received burns after setting alight his house with his wife and four of his five children inside; he succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday.

Linus took his last breath about 03:20h while receiving medical attention in the burns unit of the medical facility. He reportedly suffered first degree burns to various parts of the body, including the back, hands and face.

Apart from the burn injuries, La Cruz was also suffering from other medical complications that might have taken a toll on his health over the past few days.

Police were waiting for his recovery so that he could have faced charges for the death of his wife Lurlene La Cruz, 39; daughters, Lea La Cruz, 14; Lavette La Cruz, three; and his sons Labron La Cruz, eight; and Levon

La Cruz, one. His other daughter, Lisa La Cruz, 12, managed to escape; thus, he was also likely to be slapped with an attempted murder charge.

Two Fridays ago, La Cruz went berserk and set alight his house with his wife and children inside. His actions stemmed from an argument with the woman. After set-

ting the place on fire, he ran out of the house but after he realised what he had done, he went to rescue his family but it was too late.

In the process, he sustained burns on his body. The couple’s second daughter, Lisa managed to sneak out of the house during the argument and ran to the police station where she made a

report that her father threatened to burn down the house.

The police at that time did not pay any heed to the child until a woman breathlessly ran to the station and informed them that the house was on fire and that people were trapped.

One day after the incident, police said about 20:45h on the fateful night, ranks at Port Kaituma responded to a report made by one of the woman’s daughters who claimed that her parents were involved in an argument and her father had threatened to burn the house down.

As the ranks were on their way to the scene, the police recognised that the house was on fire and later learnt that persons were trapped inside. The ranks reportedly attempted to enter the building, but the entire house was fully grilled.

The police and residents in an effort to put out the blaze, formed a bucket brigade, but they were unable to extinguish the blaze.

GAWU impressed with budget measures

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said it is impressed with the measures incorporated in the $220 billion National Budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday.

According to GAWU, the measures would improve the social conditions of all Guyanese while fostering development.

“We welcome all those measures even as we believe much more could be done. We are fully supportive of the ongoing subsidies to GPL and GWI, increase in pension benefits, grants for schoolchildren, among others. When accessed alongside some other budgetary measures, they would certainly bring some relief and contribute to a better quality of life of the beneficiaries,” GAWU said in a statement.

GAWU has taken stock of the continuing economic growth and has expressed the hope that the inflation rate remains within tolerable levels. With investment in the

agriculture sector, the union is convinced that this critical sector will continue to play a critical role in transforming Guyana’s economic landscape.

“We share the view that this sector is deserving of increasing attention by the Government considering the growing demands for such products today and the market in our own region and beyond that can be explored and tapped, while ensuring adequate, sustainable and cheap food for our people.”

The Donald Ramotar Administration during its budgetary allocations proposed $6 billion for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Relief

Though Opposition parties have lashed out at Government over the hefty sum budgeted for the corporation, GAWU said the money is being provided at a time when the industry is at a critical juncture.

“This will certainly be a relief to all stakeholders of the industry, especially the

thousands of workers, hundreds of cane farmers and their families and many others who conduct various transactions with the corporation and depend fully or partially on the industry for their sustenance and economic well-being.”

Meanwhile, PSC Chairman Ronald Webster, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), said the budget has been crafted to meet the needs of all sectors and regions of Guyana.

In the $220 billion budget, a whopping $6 billion was budgeted for GuySuCo, $500 million set aside for the rice industry and $200 million to accelerate the Agricultural Diversification Programme.

Under the Rural Development Programme, residents will benefit from a $1 billion allocation once the greenlight is given by the Opposition while US$4 million will be invested in the establishment of a hospitality institute.

Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was allocat-

ed $3.7 billion while Linden and Kwakwani will receive a collective $3.2 billion. Pensioners will enjoy a 50 per cent increase in assistance, bringing it to $30,000 per annum for pensioners who are GPL customers. Additionally, they have received a five per cent increase in their pension. Parents with school aged children will achieve a measure of relief with the provision of $10,000 for the school year for all schoolchildren in public schools.

An autopsy performed on the body of 75-year-old

Joyce Lewis who was found dead in her home at Lot 3630 Christiani Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown confirmed that she was strangled to death.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehal Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary on Friday. Lewis’s cause of death was listed as ligature strangulation which means that she was strangled with a cord-like object.

The one person who was arrested, minutes after the discovery was made on Wednesday morning, was subsequently released. Police Spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker on Friday stated that the police are still investigating the matter but no one is held for the murder.

The woman’s lifeless body was discovered about 08:30h on Wednesday by her sister who went to the house after she failed to make telephone contact with her.

Lewis was found lying on her back with her underwear around her knees and blood oozing from her mouth and nostrils. Her hands and feet were bound. A glass window at the back of the house was broken, but owing to the grille it was impossible for the perpetrators to enter the premises.

The police are working with the theory that the perpetrators may have got into the house via a bedroom window in the upper flat, since

there were several footprints on the white paint. The house was ransacked and a knife wrapped in a piece of cloth was recovered by the investigators at the scene.

Gruesome discovery

On the day of the gruesome discovery, Lewis’s closest friend told media operative that she spoke with the woman the previous night and she reportedly told her that a light bulb from the yard was blown and had to be replaced. The woman added that they had made plans to go shopping the following day to get the bulb and other items, but when she woke up the next morning and attempted to contact the woman, she did not get through.

“This was unusual, because as soon as the telephone rings, she would answer and if she sees a missed call she would return the call, so I telephone a relative in the area to check on her…,” the woman said.

Lewis’s home was burglarised a few weeks ago, but no one was arrested. Guyana Times also understands that the woman’s three dogs were poisoned by persons in the area. The elderly woman was described as a very quiet person. She had worked in the registration office of the Mayor and City Council. Her husband was an Inspector of Police, but he passed away a while ago after which the woman lived alone. She leaves to mourn her three siblings.

PSC welcomes hospitality institute

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) said the announcement of plans for the establishment of a US$4 million hospitality institute is a shot in the arm of the rapidly expanding tourism sector.

The Commission said although it would have liked to see more incentives being provided for the tourism industry, it is convinced that a

hospitality institute will have a positive impact on both the numbers of returning visitors as well as Guyana’s rating by international travel operators.

According to a release, the PSC said in the latter regard, the branded hotels such as the Marriott, which will open shortly, will provide a boost for business as well as tourist travel to Guyana and, in the medium term as experienced

in many other countries, will impact positively on the fortunes of the smaller domestically owned facilities, in part by establishing high quality standards across the hospitality sector.

The Commission said while the agriculture sector has improved, it would like to see improvement to veterinary and plant health facilities so that exports can be

certified to international standards.

The PSC said too that it is pleased that no new taxes have been introduced in Budget 2014, especially in the context of the tax reductions which the Commission has sought, and which were implemented in the preceding years, other than Property Tax which has escalated for most companies following the movement to 2011 property values.

The Commission, however, feels that much more has to be done to increase the level of collections of revenue from those who evade taxation so that the burden on the salaried employee can be eased and so that a thorough review of the capacity of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is also undertaken to ensure proper regulation and collection from the non-traditional sectors.

“The PSC is satisfied that many of its recommendations and proposals for the budget were taken on board and that, once approved, the further development of the private sector will be assured in 2014,” the release said.

The PSC noted that the sum of $7.7 billion has been allocated for rural and hinterland roads and would like to laud this provision since it is imperative for both the development of the economy and the social development of the people that communication channels in the hinterland be opened up.

“The Commission is also pleased at the allocation of $231.1 million for the rehabilitation and maintenance of interior airstrips. This is vital since access to and from the hinterland is essential for not only mining, but also large scale agriculture and tourism,” the PSC said.

69 ain’t able wid Assie hot seat

De budget done present and dem MPs waitin on de debate. That is when tings does get hot in de House. Not even dem fans and AC units does be able to keep dem MPs cool. Rum Jhaat had run hot and he run out to cool down by Gravi-T. Is a long time now he runnin and can’t reach wheh he goin. By de time he run back, it gon be sheer hot seat in de House.

And talkin bout hot seat, it got a man name Assie who gotta hot seat. Is a lil boy who livin pun de East Coast seh so. Dem people at 69 wasn’t able wid Assie hot seat, so dem was tryin to cool he down. But de water whah 69 throw run hot pun Assie hot seat. And Assie hot seat want more 69 water. That is because Assie hot seat does need nuff coolin down. De lil boy seh water alone ain’t enough to cool down Assie hot seat. He does have to get coconut water, steel drop and ice from Bourda to cool down Assie hot seat.

De lil boy seh when he tired, he does go and tek breeze to cool down by a lil gyal. He seh he does throw back and lie down fuh a lil while by de lil gyal. But that does mek Assie seat get more hot. Hot like fire is whah de lil boy seh.

And when any body seat hot, dem does can’t sit down. Dem does have to get up. Well, Assie seat was hot hot. So Assie get up and run by de lil gyal lookin fuh de lil boy. By de time Assie reach by the lil gyal, he head get hot just like he seat.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So wid a hot head and a hot seat, Assie end up usin de palm of he hand. And de lil boy seh Assie like use de palm of he hand. So imagine how de lil gyal feel when she get de same palm!

Budget geared at stimulating growth – PSC

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has commended Budget 2014, contending that it provides measures to stimulate growth, building on the 5.2 per cent growth rate experienced in 2013.

The PSC said the fact that this growth was achieved in the context of a less than stellar performance of primary commodities, demonstrates that the economy is diversifying and becoming less dependent on the traditional pillars, agriculture and the primary extractive industries.

The rebound of the manufacturing and forestry sectors, the performance of which has been dampened in recent years, is most satisfying, the PSC said.

The chief business representative body believes that the measures contained in the 2014 budget will stimulate continued growth and is pleased at the social provisions, including the increase in Old Age Pension and the $10,000 per annum cash grant to parents of school aged children.

“While the provisions for a 50 per cent increase in the annual electricity subsidy for pensioners will undoubtedly provide much needed assistance to the elderly, the Private Sector Commission believes that the time has come for the gradual removal of all electricity subsidies and that those funds are invested in social services in particular old age pensions, so that pensioners would have no difficulty in paying their electricity bills, there would be a level playing field for all consumers and energy conservation measures would more readily be adopted,” the PSC said in a release.

Action welcomed

The body said low cost energy with reduced dependence on the vagaries of commodity prices for imported fuel is critical to the development of the manufacturing sector in Guyana and, in fact, for job creation and the quality of life across the economy.

“We therefore welcome Government’s commitment

to take all necessary steps to ensure the completion of the AFHP [Amaila Falls Hydro Project] and, in the interim, for adequate maintenance and improvements to the electricity distributions systems.”

The PSC is also pleased with the budgeted allocation of $1 billion for cleaning up the country and specifically the $500 million for Georgetown.

It believes, however, that in order for the funds to be effectively utilised and targets achieved, there must be energetic municipal leadership committed to improving the environment.

This, it said in turn requires that the enabling framework is in place, including structural strengthening of the local municipalities.

“The allocation of $1 billion for the development of entrepreneurship in rural communities is particularly pleasing to the private sector as a whole since the greatest boost to our economy will be a cadre of motivated entrepreneurs who can contribute to job creation and provide incentives to our young people,” the body said.

The PSC said it is particularly pleased at the allocation of $100 million for technical and other assessments associated with the dredging of the mouth of the Demerara River.

“The dredging of the harbour will have a direct and positive impact on the competitiveness of our exports since freight charges will be significantly reduced. This will undoubtedly have a spin-off effect on the economy. Reduced freight charges will also benefit Guyanese consumers by making imports less expensive,” the body contended.

CYEN, WWF in novel observance of Earth Hour

The Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) (Guyana) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas will today host an activity called “The Blackout Initiative” to observe Earth Hour, a global event organised by WWF.

Earth Hour is held annually towards the end of March, and encourages individuals, communities, households, and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol of their commitment to the planet.

The hour will be observed this year from 20:30h to 21:30h. Earth Hour seeks to engage a massive mainstream community on a wide range of environmental issues that plague the planet. Since its inception in 2007, it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and towns worldwide.

CYEN will use this ob-

servance to raise awareness among youths and individuals alike to encourage their promotion and support of sustainable development, while addressing environmental issues currently affecting society.

The initiative will take the form of an informative social gathering and will have various components inclusive of presentations, games, talent sessions, and taking an environmental pledge.

During the hour when lights will be switched off, light will be provided in the form of candles or diyas and glow in the dark accessories. A candle labryinth will be formed to depict CYEN/60+.

WWF Guianas’s support of CYEN in hosting this activity is a signal of the organisation’s commitment to building partnerships with stakeholders, in this case youth, to further its mission to create solutions to the

most serious conservation challenges facing the planet, helping people and nature thrive.

Earth Hour, headquartered in Singapore, is one of the first open-sourced environmental campaigns. It has grown from a symbolic event in one city into a global movement, crowd sourcing actions from individuals, businesses, organisations and governments to generate environmental outcomes.

CYEN is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life of Caribbean young people by facilitating their personal development and promoting their full involvement in all matters pertaining to the environment and sustainable development. The organisation promotes education and training, Caribbean integration, and community empowerment as tools to develop an ethic among young people that assists in the conservation and protection of natural resources within the wider Caribbean.

WWF Guianas is part of the world’s leading conservation organisation with a mission to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

GUYWID says budget assists those in need

The Guyanese Women in Development (GUYWID) has praised the 2014 budget, pointing out that it provides for the development of the country while assisting those in need.

The women’s organisation said measures outlined to boost the agriculture, especially rice, sugar and other agricultural sectors augur well for the growth of that sector.

“We welcome the allocation to Rural Enterprise Development which we know will accelerate growth in small businesses and other types of activities which will help to provide more jobs for those who are desirous of working.

“We are also pleased with the allocation to the tourism sector which will not only make us more tourist-friendly, but will create more jobs and oppor-

tunities for young people of all genders.”

The menu of measures to help those who are in need, such as the elderly and school children, is indeed welcome, GUYWID said.

“We call on all the parties in Parliament to support the budget, which we consider a good one and one which will help to make our country a better place,” the organisation concluded.

saturday, march 29, 2014

Shunning sugar industry will have dire consequences – Ali

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali on Wednesday came to the defence of the Government’s decision to pump $6 billion into the ailing sugar industry, saying the industry is viable.

A huge amount of the sum budgeted will go towards the payment of wages and salaries.

“The sugar industry remains vital for not only the people that depend on the industry but also the economy,” said Minister Ali. The Minister, who was at the time speaking in an interview with Guyana Times, related that approximately 184,000 people or 20 per cent of the population depend directly or indirectly on sugar.

He explained that were the Government to ignore the plight of the industry, the consequences would be dire.

While noting that the Opposition sees the sugar industry as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) political base, the Minister related that this is not the case.

He contended that the Opposition thinks the “investment is merely to protect

that base and not to insure that the perceived base is not hampered in any way, shape or form”.

The Minister went on to explain that the revenue gathered from the sugar sector accounts for just about 4.8 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year. According to him, the sector also account for over US$100 million in export revenue. That amount, he added, is 10.6 per cent of the total export revenue for Guyana.

Hope

He related that the Government had in the past made the same massive investments in the once failing bauxite industry with the hope that it would become self-sufficient; an investment which was not critiqued by the Opposition at the time. He further contended that the investments have since borne fruit as the bauxite sector is now one of the major contributors to the country’s economic stability.

Ali told Guyana Times that the same principles are being applied to the sugar industry with the aim of achieving the results enjoyed by the

bauxite sector.

He maintained that were the Government to adhere to the call to close the sugar industry, $1.6 billion would be taken away from the economy each month. In further defence of the decision by the administration, the Minister made reference to the U.S. automobile industry where the Government had bailed out the industry on more than one occasion, because of the grave socio-economic issues that would be birthed if the industry is closed.

He posited that the statement from the Opposition as it relates to the subsidy allocated to the sugar industry is “unfortunate.”

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand said he is appreciative of the measure taken by the Government to aid the sugar industry.

Pleased

“It is more pleasing to hear that the Ministry has approved another grant of $6 billion. We hope that the full sum will be released, because the industry is in need of great investment, especially in capital works for it to overcome the setback it has been

witnessing over the past few years.”

The GAWU President said the union is aware of the Government’s dedication to the sugar industry and the pivotal role it plays in Guyana’s economy. Chand said this was another opportunity for GuySuCo at the level of management to effectively utilise the funds. But this must start with the appointment of a new Board of Directors with an able Chairman, he stressed. He reiterated GAWU’s position that professional leadership is crucial for the industry.

On Monday, shortly after the budget presentation by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, Opposition Leader David Granger had contended that the move by the Government was not wise.

“We don’t want to throw good money at the bad,” he said, chiding the Government’s decision to stand firmly behind GuySuCo.

Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge pointed out that the Government was only thinking about itself when the budget was compiled. As it relates to the $6 billion allocation to the sugar industry, Greenidge maintained that money was not the solution to the problems faced by the sugar industry.

“They are going to come for $6 billion now and later in the year; they are going to come back for more,” Greenidge said. Greenidge lamented that the budget does not show any signs of growth.

“Expenditure is not growth, expenditure is not development… the Government is confusing development with spending,” Greenidge said.

More focus on foreign cooperation this year

The Foreign Affairs Ministry will continue to expand programmes of cooperation and to ensure that relations with neighbouring countries, as well as those in the wider hemisphere and in other regions are enhanced.

To this end, $947,798 million has been allocated in the 2014 National Budget towards the development of foreign policy. This sum will go towards ensuring effective and efficient co-ordination and management of the human, financial and physical resources necessary for the successful administration of the foreign policy of Guyana, and will also help towards advice and assistance in the implementation of the Government’s foreign policies and directives.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said Guyana will press ahead with deeper implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) regimes.

In this regard, he reminded that the Caribbean Skilled Nationals Act was amended and approved by the National Assembly on February 27, to

confer a contingent right to the spouse of a person who holds a Skilled National Certificate, to enable that spouse to engage in gainful employment or other occupation without having to obtain a work permit.

He said that it is anticipated that with the development of a Caricom regional strategic plan, the roadmap for socioeconomic progress in the region will be clarified within the current global and regional dynamics and the resultant strategic direction and actions once acted upon will boost the performance of the region as a whole.

Climate change

Guyana will also remain engaged as a serious partner in Caricom’s negotiations with third countries, such as the current trade negotiations with Canada and continued implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).

Further, Guyana will continue to be engaged in the activities of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and CELAC and

promote its interests and concerns at international fora, particularly in relation to climate change and the post2015 sustainable development goals.

In addition, securing markets for products and encouraging foreign investment remain paramount for the country’s economic growth, and efforts will continue in this regard. To this end, Guyana’s new mission in South Africa is strategically placed to fulfil this mandate.

Government will embark on the next phase of the Guyana Diaspora Project to consolidate plans in response to the interest shown by several Guyanese in contributing their skills and expertise in specific areas of national development.

The preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains central to the policies of the Government. Minister Singh pointed out that during 2013, there was an expanded programme of cooperation with Brazil and continued good relations with Suriname. He observed that following the detention of a research vessel

by a Venezuelan naval vessel in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone, which prompted the initiation of talks between the two countries, relations with Venezuela were kept at a satisfactory level.

Guyana’s unwavering support for the efforts of the Caribbean integration process was demonstrated by the country’s active engagement in strengthening the CSME across all sectors. In 2013, work continued apace, under Guyana’s coordination, on the revision of the existing treaty establishing the Caribbean Community, to update the institutional arrangements and modernise the region’s infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s diplomatic activity for 2013, will be recorded for its continued progress both at the regional and international levels, in the form of furthering bilateral relationships with states within the international system. Of significant importance have been agreements accorded with Caricom member states that are critical to regional security.

Digicel continues to support micro vendors

Digicel continues to support the development of communities, and as such, throughout the months of February and March, gave several micro vendors a “chance to grow their businesses” by providing them with vending stalls to enhance their trade.

These new structures, which were given to the vendors free of cost, replaced old stalls which made it difficult for them to vend in convenience.

Events and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope highlighted that “This is an opportunity for them to expand their trade. The initiative was geared towards focusing on members of our communities, who from time to time may go unnoticed, but at the end of the day provides a service to the people, while making a living for their families.”

The new sturdy stalls are made with aluminium and steel, and are also very visible. Among the recipients of vending stalls were a coconut vendor from Georgetown, a fruit vendor in Kitty, a cobbler in Melanie, a confec-

tioneries vendor on Water Street and a snack vendor at Agriculture Road, East Coast Demerara.

Digicel Group Limited is a leading global communications provider with operations in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 12 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$4.5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network. Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St Martin and St Barts in the Caribbean.

Alleged woman beater refused bail

A23-year-old man accused of assaulting the mother of his children was remanded to prison on Thursday after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan. Clive Forde, of Adelaide Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

It is alleged that on March 14 at Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, the defendant unlawfully and maliciously inflicted bodily harm on Revlana Smith.

Police Prosecutor De Niro Jones told the court that the defendant and the virtual complainant (VC) have lived together for six years.

The Police Prosecutor said that on the day in question, the defendant asked the VC to have sexual intercourse, but she refused,

so he picked up an iron and hit her. Jones noted that, according to Smith, Forde is in the habit of abusing her. It was also reported that the defendant used a .32 revolver to lash the VC in the mouth and dealt her several cuffs about the body as well.

The VC then told the court that the defendant is, in fact, her “child father”, so she does not wish to give evidence against him. During her statement, Smith unknowingly gave evidence to the court against Forde by stating clearly what he did.

The Police Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant will interfere with the VC if bail is granted. Therefore, Forde was remanded to prison. The matter is scheduled to be recalled on April 9 in Court One before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Janet Jagan remembered as a champion for women

Former President Janet Rosenberg Jagan was remembered as a champion for women and pioneer of the struggle for Guyana’s development at an annual wreath laying ceremony at the Cheddi Jagan Play Park, Anna Regina on Friday.

The occasion hosted by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was held to commemorate the life of the first female President of Guyana, with speakers lauding her struggle for a just society, describing her as the Mother of the Nation.

The fifth anniversary of Jagan’s death featured poems, songs and a reflection on the life and works of Mrs Jagan, with tributes pouring in from leaders of the Progressive Youth Organisation

(PYO) and the Women's Progressive Organisation (WPO).

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said March is a significant month for the PPP as it a period designated to remember the lives of late presidents, Dr Cheddi and his wife Janet Jagan.

He called on women to emulate the life of the Mrs Jagan, and continue the struggle for a better Guyana.

Mrs Jagan, a co-founder of the PPP, founded the WPO with the aim of mobilising women in the fight for a better Guyana.

Persaud said Essequibians are awareof Mrs Jagan’s legacy as she was the first woman elected to the Legislative Council

of Parliament, representing Essequibo. Mrs Jagan, a dental technician in her earlier days, served as Health and Labour Ministers.

Pioneer

Meanwhile, Region Two Vice Chairman and PPP First Secretary in Essequibo Vishnu Samaroo said Mrs Jagan was one of the pioneers who struggled for the development of Guyana.

He said in Essequibo, Mrs Jagan is best remembered for opening the first housing scheme at Wakenaam Success and the Huis t’ Dieren Health Centre.

WPO Executive Member Juilet Coonjah said the former President was a true champion of women as she recalled her fight for women’s rights and adult suffrage.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, Regional Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, representatives from the PYO and WPO laid wreaths at the Janet Jagan monument.

A Night of Reflection on the life of Mrs Jagan will be held on the lawns of State House, Anna Regina tonight.

Janet Jagan was born on October 20, 1920 and died on March 28, 2009. An American-born socialist politician, Jagan served as President of Guyana from December 19, 1997, to August 11, 1999.

She previously served as Prime Minister of Guyana from March 17, 1997, to December 19, 1997. She was awarded Guyana’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence (OE).

DDL expands management team

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Komal

Samaroo has announced two new positions as the company gears for further growth and expansion.

According to a release, Lennox Shaun Caleb has been appointed as Senior Process Improvement Manager, and Yeshwar “Joe” Bhagwandat as Senior Business Development Manager.

Caleb, who was a Queen’s College top student and a DDL Cadet, pursued stud-

ies in Chemical Engineering at Princeton University, U.S.A. Having graduated in 2007, he joined DDL and quickly moved through the management ranks as Engineer, Project Manager, Engineering Services Manager and Distillery Manager, where he served until this most recent appointment.

In his new role, which took effect on March 1, Caleb will be responsible for identifying, planning and executing opportunities for improving and optimising the efficien-

cy of the Liquor Production Operations across the DDL Group.

A key focus will be on exploring the availability and use of technology that can result in competitive advantages for the company.

Bhagwandat, who is the holder of an MBA from the University of Liverpool in the UK, joined DDL after working for a number of years with Colgate Palmolive Caribbean. He started at Colgate Palmolive Guyana in 1995 and held various roles in that organisation, the most recent being Team Leader for the Western Caribbean. He joined the DDL team on January 13 this year, and has been familiarising himself with the company's business relationships and arrangements, both locally and in the Caribbean.

Commenting on the new appointments, Samaroo said “I look forward to Shaun and Joe playing key roles in the further expansion and growth of DDL. They are

Forum on sexual violence slated for Sunday

The Colwyn Harding Support Group, Help and Shelter, Red Thread and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) will be hosting a Public Forum on the Use of Sexual Violence in Gross Human Rights Violations on Sunday.

The forum will begin from 14:00h to 17:00h at the Saint Stanislaus College’s auditorium, 1-3 Brickdam, Stabroek.

According to a release, it is part of these organisations’ activism to commemorate International Day for the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims observed on March 24 annually.

done to curb this heinous crime.

“With more frequent allegations being made against the police for utilising forms of sexual violence as a means of torture to interrogate those in their custody, over 570 cases of child sexual abuse being reported to the Childcare and Protection Agency in 2013, and with a prosecution rate of about one per cent for rape cases in Guyana, the collaborating human rights groups have taken note of how sexual violence is destroying society and are determined to work towards securing justice for victims who suffer in silence because of Guyana’s flourishing rape culture,” the release said.

both very well qualified and boast impressive track records in their careers so far.

I believe their leadership in their respective areas of focus will further strengthen the DDL organisation.”

On the day itself, the groups continued their picketing exercises outside the Providence Magistrate’s Court where Colwyn Harding, Teneisha Evans and Tiffany Edwards were responding to charges of assault and disorderly conduct against Constable Singh, who allegedly beat and raped Harding with a condom-laden baton. On that evening, the groups also appeared on a special television programme on Sexual Violence and Human Rights in Guyana on HBTV Channel 9.

The forum is being organised to raise awareness on the scourge of sexual violence affecting society and to come up with a plan of action on what more can be

Speakers at Sunday’s public forum will include Sharon Harding, mother of Colwyn Harding, Danuta Radzik of Help and Shelter and Wintress White of Red Thread, among others. The event will be moderated by SASOD’s Secretary Zenita Nicholson, who is the inaugural, 2014 recipient of the U.S. Embassy’s International Woman of Courage Award.

The public is encouraged to come out to this forum and be apart of the discussions leading to the development of a community-led plan of action for curbing this heinous crime. Given the failures of the state to protect its citizens from violence, concerned Guyanese must take action.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez denied bail

Acourt in Venezuela has rejected a bail application by one of the opposition leaders, Leopoldo Lopez, who was arrested more than a month ago.

He is being held in a military prison outside the capital, Caracas. The Government accuses Lopez of fuelling violent protests that have left at least 37 people dead since the beginning of February.

Lopez denies the charges. His lawyers have said he should remain free while the investigation proceeds. An outspoken critic of the Government, Lopez was charged with inciting violence and the destruction of property.

His arrest was ordered shortly after the first mass protests in Caracas, on February 12. Three people were shot dead at the end of rival marches. Two were anti-Government protesters and one was a Government supporter.

Lopez went into hiding for nearly a week, but handed himself in during an Opposition march through the streets of the capital on February 18.

“I present myself to an unjust judiciary. They want to jail Venezuelans who want peaceful, democratic change,” he said.

An appeals court in Caracas has now reject-

ed his bail application and renewed the charges.

Announcing that 37 people had been killed since the unrest began, Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz also gave a figure of 500 for the number of people injured.

The Government is also looking into numerous claims of human rights abuses in detention, for which several officials are currently being investigated, says the BBC’s Vladimir Hernandez.

Earlier this week, President Nicolas Maduro said opposition leaders had rejected several invitations to join him and discuss the current crisis.

The Vatican has said it is willing to help negotiate a solution for the political crisis. Vatican spokesman Reverend Federico Lombardi mentioned its former ambassador to Caracas, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as a possible mediator in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

The Holy See and Cardinal Parolin are “certainly willing to do whatever is possible for the good and serenity of the country”, Reverend Lombardi said.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua has also renewed calls for the Opposition to engage in talks with the Government.

“We are willing to use a more conciliatory tone in order to encourage dialogue,” said Mr Jaua.

The Opposition blames more than 14 years of what it says are misguided leftwing policies – launched by the late president, Hugo Chavez – for high inflation, rampant crime and the shortage of many staples.

Maduro says the whole protest movement is part of a right-wing plot backed by the United States.

On Tuesday, he announced the arrest of three air force generals who were allegedly planning an uprising against the government.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

El Salvador Opposition admits presidential vote defeat

The main Opposition party in El Salvador has said it accepts defeat in the presidential election held on March 9, after losing several appeals for a recount.

The Arena party says it will make “democratic, serious and honest” Opposition to the new President, former rebel leader Salvador Sanchez Ceren.

Arena candidate Norman Quijano lost the vote by 0.22 percentage points. El Salvador remains deeply divided 22 years after the end of its civil war.

Quijano had complained that votes for the governing candidate were counted

twice. On Tuesday, the electoral court rejected his party’s latest appeal for a voteby-vote recount.

In a statement, Arena says it was willing to work for the success of the country’s democracy.

“As proof of our democratic vocation and respect to the institutions, we accept the Supreme Court’s decision against a vote-byvote recount,” read the statement. We will be watching the Government and making sure it respects the law. But we will be the first ones to applaud their achievements.”

Sanchez Ceren, from the

governing FMLN party, was widely expected to win the runoff vote by a comfortable margin, after getting very close to securing a first round win.

Quijano made gains in the past weeks of the campaigns. He made repeated comparisons between Sanchez Ceren and the leftwing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose Government has faced nearly two months of protests over inflation and crime.

Quijano warned that economic chaos would follow in El Salvador if his rival won. (Excerpt from

Four men killed in shoot-outs with TT police

Four men are now dead after being shot by police during two separate incidents between Wednesday night and Thursday morning in Trinidad, as law enforcement officers clamped down on crime in several communities across Trinidad. The killings took the toll of people killed by police for the

year to 11. The dead men were identified as Anthony Hospedales, 18; Satrohan Ramdhanie, 23; Jeremy Clunis, 23; and Gilbert Brown, 25. In the first incident on Wednesday, officers from the St Margaret’s Police Station, Central Division Task Force and Highway Patrol killed two bandits during a shootout after they intercepted a ve -

hicle the men had earlier stolen at gunpoint from a taxi-driver in Couva.

About seven hours later, Clunis and Brown were also killed by lawmen during a shootout at McDonald Street Extension, Chinapoo, Morvant.

According to police reports, police went to a house to execute a search warrant for arms and

ammunition. While approaching the house, they were fired upon by unknown persons and they returned fire. On checking the house, the officers found two men with gunshot wounds. They were taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Jamaica: PSOJ launches public sector discount programme

Jamaica’s private sector lobby group has moved to ease the financial burden on public sector workers, who have had to endure multiple wage freezes for the last several years.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) launched its Team Jamaica Public Sector Value Card Programme on Tuesday. The programme will allow the nation’s more than 120,000 public sector workers, who will be issued with Team Jamaica value cards, to benefit from discounts at participating merchants.

“The participating merchants are asked to provide a reward discount to Team Jamaica card holders who spend at their businesses, and that reward goes directly on the card,” explained PSOJ President Christopher Zacca at the launch ceremony held at the organisation’s offices in Kingston.

The participating merchants so far are Altamont

Court Hotel, Alternative Power Sources, Appliance Traders Limited, ATL Automotive, GasPro, Michi Super Centre, Pepsi, Singer Jamaica and University College of the Caribbean.

“The rewards earned can be used at any participating merchant, which provides for greater spending within the network. Most importantly, the rewards are instantaneous and can be used immediately and at a number of different stores,” Zacca said, adding that the organisation is looking forward to having more companies on board as the programme gains momentum.

The programme is being administered by ePayment Group, who will hold fiduciary and technical responsibility for the programme.

After all public sector workers are signed up for the programme, the PSOJ plans to sign up all Government pensioners, who will also benefit.

(Jamaica Observer)

Rival supporters demonstrate outside Parliament Building in TT

Rival supporters of the main political parties in Trinidad staged demonstrations outside the Parliament Building on Friday with at least one Government Minister claiming he had been assaulted.

Government supporters were there to back the multibillion-dollar highway in the south of the island that the Highway Re-route Movement (HRM) has even gone to the courts in a bid to stop sections of it being constructed.

In addition, there were also chanting and musical support for Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, who earlier this week dismissed one of her ministers over his disorderly conduct onboard a domestic Caribbean Airlines (CAL) earlier this month.

Supporters of the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) heeded the call from their leader, Dr Keith Rowley to assembly outside the building as a mark of protest against the alleged corruption being perpetrated by the Persad Bissessar administration.

TT Prime Minister Kamla

Rowley said he also wanted the Integrity Commission to probe the award of the contract for the water recycling plant to be built on the outskirts of the capital. He has threatened to take the matter to the courts.

Apart from the rival supporters, members of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) and the Non-Government Organisation group, Fix it TT, also staged demonstrations outside the building.

Rowley, who tabled a private members motion in Parliament calling for Government to stop a multibillion-dollar contract awarded to a company with alleged close ties to the ruling coalition, said proper procedures had not been followed in the tendering process.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Putin calls Obama to discuss Ukraine

Russia’s Vladimir Putin has telephoned President Barack Obama to discuss the U.S. proposal for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

Obama suggested that Russia put a concrete response in writing, the White House said in a statement.

According to the Kremlin, Putin suggested examining how the situation could be stabilised. Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine has sparked international condemnation.

In the hour-long phone

call, the U.S. President urged Putin to avoid the build-up of forces on the Russian border with Ukraine.

The two leaders agreed that their Foreign Ministers would meet soon to discuss the next steps.

The U.S. proposal, developed in consultation with Ukraine and other European countries, includes the deployment of international monitors to protect the rights of Russian speakers in Crimea, and the return of Russian troops there to their bases.

Obama received Putin’s

call in Saudi Arabia – the latest leg of a trip which also took the U.S. President to Europe where the Ukraine crisis dominated discussions.

The Kremlin said in a statement that the Russian President drew Obama’s attention to “the continued rampage of extremists” in Kiev and various regions of Ukraine.

Putin suggested examining possible steps the global community could take to help stabilise the situation, the Kremlin statement said.

Meanwhile in New York, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon said he had been assured by President Putin that the Russian leader “had no intention to make any military move”.

Russia’s reported troop movements near Ukraine’s eastern border – described as a “huge military buildup” by NATO – has triggered fears that Putin’s interest in Ukraine is not limited to Crimea. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taliban attack on Kabul guest house "brought to an end"

ATaliban attack on a guest house in Kabul has come to an end with police killing the last gunman inside, Afghan military sources have told the Reuters news agency.

At least four people were trapped inside the guest house during the attack, officials say. Afghan special forces were rushed in to fight the attackers, police said.

Fighting continued for much of Friday and the AFP agency has reported that a girl has been killed. Security has been tight in the Afghan capital, one week ahead of

the presidential election.

Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir told the BBC that there were four attackers, including one who detonated explosives in his vehicle, allowing the others to get inside the guest house.

It was unclear how many people were trapped in the guest house, which is run by U.S.-based NonGovernment Organisation (NGO) Roots of Peace.

Roots of Peace Country Manager Hajji Mohammad Sharif Osmani told Reuters news agency that four people were inside the building

during the attacks as the rest had all escaped.

But officials also said they had been told by a man rescued from the building that six others were inside.

A number of foreigners were among those moved out of nearby residential buildings.

There are several guest houses in the same street as the one attacked on Friday, as well as campaign offices for several presidential candidates.

The Taliban on Friday put out a statement saying they had carried out the attack. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China's President Xi Jinping pays visit to major trade partner Germany

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Germany for the third leg of his European Union tour. While trade will likely dominate talks, Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine are also expected to be on the agenda.

Upon his arrival at Berlin’s Tegel airport on

Friday, President Xi told reporters he had high hopes for his two-day visit to Germany, China’s most important trade partner in Europe.

“I’m attaching the expectation to this state visit [that we will] draw up a blueprint for Germany and China’s future relationship,” Xi told reporters

Around the world

New objects spotted in MH370 search

An air and sea search for a missing Malaysian passenger jet in the southern Indian Ocean has moved 1100 kilometres north, where a New Zealand air force plane has spotted “objects” that could be related to Flight MH370, Australian authorities said.

The sightings would need to be confirmed by ship, which was not expected until Saturday, the Australian Maritime and Safety Authority (AMSA) said.

The dramatic shift in the search area came after the AMSA coordinating the operation received new infor-

mation from Malaysia that suggested the plane ran out of fuel earlier than thought.

The shift followed analysis of radar and satellite data that showed the missing plane had travelled faster than had been previously calculated, and so would have burned through its fuel load quicker.

“We’re still waiting on imagery ourselves,” said an AMSA spokesman, according to the AP news agency.

The latest twist underscores the perplexing and frustrating hunt for evidence in the near three-week search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which van-

ished from civilian radar screens less than an hour into a Kuala Lumpur to Beijing flight.

Malaysia says the plane was likely diverted deliberately, but investigators have turned up no apparent motive or other red flags among the 227 passengers or the 12 crew.

Malaysian officials said the new search area was the result of a painstaking analysis of Malaysian military radar data and satellite readings from British company Inmarsat carried out by U.S., Chinese, British and Malaysian investigators. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Egypt police clash with anti-Sisi protesters

Five people, including an Egyptian female journalist, were killed in Cairo as police clashed with protesters demonstrating against ex-Army Chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s presidency bid, a security official said.

The violence erupted as supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi took to the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and other cities on Friday to vent their an-

at Berlin Tegel Airport.

The Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were then received at Schloss Bellevue by German President Joachim Gauck with military honours.

President Xi’s two-day visit is his first to Germany since taking office last year.

On Friday afternoon, he was scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following his lunch with the German President. Xi was also expected to deliver a speech later in the day about China’s role in the world. Following his Berlin visit, he was scheduled to visit EU headquarters in Brussels.

Ahead of his arrival in Berlin on Friday, President Xi expressed his optimism for closer economic ties with Germany, which is already its most important trade partner in Europe. (Excerpt from dw.de.com)

ger at Sisi, who overthrew the Islamist nine months ago.

Mayada Ashraf, 23, who worked for the privately owned Al-Dustour newspaper, was shot in the head while covering clashes in the northern neighbourhood of Ein Shams, the official said. A further three people were killed in the same violence.

Four people were wounded in clashes in

the northern province of Damietta, Health Ministry official Khaled al-Khatib told AFP news agency.

In Cairo’s eastern neighbourhood of Madinat Nasr, students from Al-Azhar Islamic University hurled petrol bombs and stones at riot police who fired tear gas to disperse them, security officials said.

Underlining Egypt’s deep polarisation, clashes also erupted between Morsi supporters and his opponents in the northern Cairo districts of Ein Shams and Matareya, the officials said.

Ten Morsi supporters were arrested in clashes with security forces in Damietta province, and 28 were arrested in the southern Minya province for carrying leaflets hostile to the military and the police, they added.

Demonstrators in the southern Cairo working class district of Helwan and in Fayum province, southwest of the capital, fired birdshot and police responded with tear gas, state news agency MENA reported. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India abstains from antiLanka resolution at UN

In a brave decision marking reclamation of foreign policy from narrow political interests, India abstained from voting on a United States-sponsored resolution on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. While India had supported it in 2012 and 2013, the latest resolution was much tougher, calling for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations in the island nation.

The resolution passed with 23 votes in favour, 12 against and 12 abstentions.

India's abstention comes after MEA raised the red flag on the resolution, saying it would be create precedents that would be difficult to withstand. Colombo, too, had mounted a strong diplomatic offensive with the Indian leadership, including long meetings with the National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon. Pakistan did its best to help Sri Lanka by proposing a separate vote on the operative paragraph 10 (deemed most offensive) hoping to remove it totally from the res-

olution, but it failed 16 votes to 25. BJP Leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for India's abstention. "I congratulate Manmohan Singh for ordering the Indian delegation in UNHCR not to support the dangerous U.S. resolution seeking international probe into the so-called human rights violations during 2009 anti-LTTE war by Sri Lanka," Swamy said in a statement. (Excerpt from Times of India)

saturday, march 29, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Deborah Backer laid to rest

Tributes poured out Friday afternoon in the St Andrew’s Kirk Presbyterian Church Brickdam, when hundreds congregated to reflect on the life of the late political stalwart, Deborah Jan Backer.

The church’s auditorium was hardly able to contain the massive crowd as many sought to catch a glimpse of her body, which laid peacefully at the entrance of the church. The congregation heard of a multifaceted individual, a mother, lawyer and parliamentarian, who stood for all that was good. The Lions Club of Durban Park described her as “a woman of Steel” while the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers said she was a champion.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman said Backer was more than a colleague. “She was like a very close sister,” he said.

He noted that it was impossible for him to chronicle her lifetime of achievements in just a few minutes. All he could say then, however, was “thank you and goodbye”. Quoting from the Bible, Trotman said there is indeed a time for everything.

“A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” he continued: “I believe that today we should do both, weep and laugh, mourn and dance, because this is the way Debbie would have done it.”

Trotman said it was unfortunate that Backer, like

sorrowful congregation into an arena of cheerfulness.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Nandlall told the congregation that the jovial Backer had always been a force to be reckoned with.

He recalled that the two were seated opposite each other in the National Assembly. He

she did not live to make them a reality. “She was supremely confident,” he said, adding “Confident without being selfcentred or conceited”.

Granger said Backer’s philosophies of life were shaped not from what she experienced at the National Assembly, but from the foundations that were set in her early years, embracing home and family. “She was very Kingston, very Bishops', and very St Andrews. These were the values she took into her personal life, into her marriage and what she taught to her children”.

A dedicated leader

Expressing condolences to her family, Granger said Backer was indeed a woman for all people. “Her leadership in the Guyana Society for the Blind, in the Guyana Association of Lions Clubs, in

was thankful that her numerous heckling and jeering was not directly centred on him. “I was within ear shot of all the biting and criticisms that emanated from that direction. Fortunately for me, I was the popular chosen person on our side. In that regard, I happily and gladly deferred to my colleague the Minister of Home Affairs and Mr Neil Kumar, who were persons more regularly chosen by Backer for her political commentary,” he said to loud roars of laughter and applause.

He also recalled the many cases fought against the lawyer. Nandlall said Backer

the Linden Legal Aid Centre, in the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers. All of this was an expression of the value she placed on humanity.”

Backer, a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly died last Friday morning from a terminal illness. She obtained her legal education at the Hugh Wooding Law School in 1981. She later served as a Councillor in the Georgetown City Council in 1994. Through the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), she joined the National Assembly in 1997 and had served in the Seven, Eighth, Ninth, and

many others, who have served Guyana with distinction, was never bestowed any national award or honour. However, he encouraged everyone to take a page out of her book. “As a leader and colleague, she was worthy, she was upstanding and she was outstanding. Her bravery, her assiduity, her perspicacity and political prowess, vastly exceeded that of many men and women combined,” he said.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall transformed the

has undoubtedly made an indelible mark in Guyana’s Parliament and the party in which she served. He expressed condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Guyana to her relatives and friends.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chairman David Granger said Backer was so committed to her work; she could have been Guyana’s first female Senior Counsel or its first female Speaker of the National Assembly. Unfortunately,

10th Parliaments. She had also served as a lawyer for over 30 years. In February, the attorney resigned as an APNU Member of Parliament and by extension Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. In December 2013, she became ill. In early January, she was flown to the U.S., where she received treatment at a hospital in Florida. She leaves to mourn her husband and children, a host of relatives, friends and colleagues.

Agro-processors brainstorm advancement of sector

Agro-processors across the length and breadth of Guyana are calling on the Government, Agriculture Ministry, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and other stakeholders to devise a plan to improve the viability of their businesses.

Agro-processing is the transformation of primary agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables and fish into processed commodities

of the new, struggling businesses. However, some have remained persistent at a more or less subsistence level.

There appears to have been a resurgence of agroprocessing in Guyana in recent years.

Not that the practice had ever disappeared completely, but a significant number of new agro-processing enterprises have sprung up across the country to the extent where the industry –

International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Friday.

Proprietor of Savory Foods, Melissa Barnwell while thanking the Agriculture Ministry for the support over the years to the small entrepreneurs, said more can and needs to be done for the industry if it is to grow and flourish. She noted that just as the Government and the Agriculture Ministry have been plugging money into

like jams, jellies, sardines, and salted fish, etcetera.

The argument for agroprocessing as a major economic pursuit in Guyana is not a particularly difficult one to make. Guyana’s large agricultural sector makes the country a prime location for agro-processing.

That apart, agro-processing provides steady employment for a significant number of people, including the differently- able.

There is also the matter of the significant potential for building the food export market abroad and, of course, the fact that agroprocessing does not necessarily require excessive levels of financial investment.

Overtime, less than enough has been done by Government and lending agencies to support, particularly the micro enterprises in the sector, which has resulted in the death of most

excluding the major manufacturers in the local sugar and rum sectors – is reportedly worth in excess of $300 million.

The sector, however, is not without its significant problems not least of which is the high cost of electricity.

Stumbling block

In fact, it is no secret that the primary stumbling block to the growth of the sector locally is the fact that high electricity costs as a percentage of overall production costs mean that processors cannot hope to compete with many other countries on the international market

With this being emphasised, several agro-processors expressed their views and opinions on the many issues which are hindering their small businesses’ performance at the Agro Processors Forum held at the Guyana

the rice and sugar sector, the Government can afford to make financial resources available to the agro-processing sector.

The businesswoman contended that while she understands the Government is investing in the rice and sugar sector due to the fact that they are major income earners for the country, the agro-processing sector too needs the support and if given half the chance and financial resources as is being given to the other sectors, they too can become one of the major contributors to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

Barnwell noted that in addition to all of this, the Ministry needs to facilitate partnerships between the processors and the financial institutions of society which can cater to the needs of the small enterprises.

Brumell says goodbye

With emotions running high and a sense of pride, outgoing Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, DSM, walked onto the lawns of the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, to a cheering crowd gathered to witness his farewell parade on Friday.

Brumell, who acted in the capacity of Commissioner from December 19, 2011 until he was appointed to the substantive post on October 7, 2013, has served the Guyana Police Force for some 36 years in various departments and divisions. He will officially demit office on Monday.

During his farewell parade, he inspected the march party and took the salute of the various sections with the force such as: the band, horse riders, canine trainers, motorists and drivers.

In addressing the gathering, Brumell noted that his long and rewarding years of service to the noble organisation has ended with him spending two and a half years in the highest office of the force. He said that his journey was not an easy one since he gained and lost many friends.

vent incidents such as the unfortunate Linden standoff. Another area, he said, that needs work is dealing with the regular man in the street and hostile targets.

In addition, he mentioned that more needs to be done in preparing the officers to deal with domestic related issues. He stressed that there have been great advancements in technology which have already began to assist in solving crimes; however, more training is necessary to make ranks computer literate.

He urged the ranks to be the shining example of what the Force should be, and urged officers to strive to: be the best in whatever they

The outgoing Police Commissioner opined that over the years, the Police Force has changed drastically and has lost its pride and honour. “The honour of distinction of being an officer, male and female, has fallen. No longer is an officer respected in society; no longer is he trusted; no longer is our uniform worn with pride. I envision a Guyana Police Force where we would return to our founding principles to ‘Protect and Serve’ and to regain the trust of you (members of the public),” he stated. Nevertheless, he noted that over the years, efforts

have been made to reverse this and make the Guyana Police Force more efficient and community-friendly. He pointed to the fact that the SWAT team will be the new breed of officers who will be tasked with maintaining law and order along with suppressing any activities which threaten the country’s safety.

Training is critical

He explained that training remains critical within the Force and expressed his hopes that this will continue. He noted that training in crisis management is direly needed so as to pre-

for the youths. Brumell advised the lawmen to desist from intimidating law-abiding citizens, but to drive fear into those who disregard the law.

Be good examples

“For far too long, our image has taken a beating,” Brumell stated, while encouraging the ranks to support his successor, whom he advised to listen and fulfil the needs of the officers.

The outgoing Commissioner is said to be the most accessible Police Commissioner to have led the Force. His open and frank attitude has led to the rebuilding of police-community relations, while his treatment of Divisional and Branch Commanders, giving them greater latitude in decision making, is credited with strengthening internal hierarchy relations and boosting morale.

Brumell stated that if this is true, then the new leader should further these trends set by him. He said that while he would have loved to continue heading the organisation, his age is against him and so now he will hand over the reins to his succes-

do, regain the trust of the people, and be good example

sor, current Deputy Police Commissioner and Crime

Agro-processors brainstorm advancement...

She explained at the initial stages of her business, it was difficult for her to acquire the financing which she needed to start her business.

“The criteria that you have to fill and the documents that you have to produce are too numerous and even when you get them, they still turn you down. So I believe that some system needs to be in place so that the producers can be supported and financed,” she emphasised.

Another producer wasted no time to make known his challenges.

Nateram Ramnanan, who manages his small business, Original Juice at Charity, Essequibo Coast, stated that the electricity cost to maintain his business is exceptionally high and too taxing on his profits.

He feels that an agree-

ment can be drawn between the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) and the producers to afford them a decreased electricity cost.

He also made mention of the many difficulties which agro-processors face in the sourcing of packaging materials for their products.

“When you import materials, the taxes you have to pay on these materials are so high that sometimes you just want to stop it. It doesn’t make sense investing a lot of money into these ventures and then you cannot reap the benefits of it,” he noted.

Suresh Paryag, Managing Director of Surya Delights, the only producer of cashew nuts on a large scale in Guyana, expressed desire for a market for his products. He noted that he does not believe enough is being done to

encourage agro- processors to expand their businesses even if they wish to.

The processors also bemoaned the lack of certified farmers to provide the necessary raw materials for them to produce on a large scale. They are calling on the Agriculture Ministry to establish an association for certified farmers to which they can approach and source the primary products which are needed.

Solutions

The forum was hosted with the aim of identifying the problems which are hindering the development of the agro-processing sector and to discuss and find solutions to these issues.

Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Ali Baksh, told the gathering that the issues raised will be

well noted and the Ministry will be looking to find solutions to those issues.

He promised the processors that the forum will not just be another workshop or talk shop, as initiatives agreed to would be implemented.

In addressing the issue of markets, he related that the Ministry is working to find an amicable solution between Guyana and other countries so that the call can benefit.

“We cannot tell Trinidad or another country not to send their products here and expect them to accept other products on their market. It would be hypocritical and unfair of us to do so. So while we understand the need for the markets for the local products, we must also be conscious of the repercussions if certain decisions are taken.

Chief, Seelall Persaud. He informed Persaud that being at the top is a lonely place, while warning him that there will be long hours and many sleepless nights. “Your decisions can and will never please everyone, but they are your decisions. You will be bombarded with calls all day, every day. Meetings will dominate your agenda… requests will come from all sides. You will be defined by the stand you take on issues,” Brumell said to Persaud.

Noble office

The outgoing Police Commissioner noted that his office is a noble one and he advised his successor not to bring it into disrepute, while respecting those under him in order to gain respect from them. “I must let you know, if you treat them like crap, they will perform like crap,” he warned.

Brumell made his emotional farewell to the Guyana Police Force in the presence of his family members, President Donald Ramotar, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Army Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, senior members of the Guyana Police Force and other dignitaries, including U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt.

In his parting words as Police Commissioner, he thanked the members of the Police Force for the opportunity to serve them and also thanked his family, more so his wife, for their understanding while he was away for long hours. He also thanked God for guiding him and giving him all he has. Brumell noted that now he will be retiring, his time will be dedicated to his family as he makes up for lost time. He requested that his and his family’s privacy be respected, since he is now out of the spotlight.

from page 16

But be rest assured that the Ministry is working to find a solution that will benefit all,” Ali remarked.

The Minister also made mention of the issue of the cost of electricity and what measures the Ministry will be taking to address the issue.

“We at the Ministry understand the plight of you the agro-processors and we are working tediously to find a solution, but it is not something that can be done overnight. It will take time to accomplish this,” Baksh revealed.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who was not present at the forum, spoke to this publication and addressed some of the many issues which were raised.

In relation to the sourcing of the markets, Dr Ramsammy lamented that while the Ministry is doing

everything it can in this regard, it cannot put products on the international market that are not ready to compete with other products which are more well designed and marketed.

“Yes, we are sourcing markets and there are many agro-processors who can attest to this fact, but there is only so much that can be done by Ministry.

"The other processors need to take responsibility for the packaging of their products in such a way that it appeals to the local, the regional and the international markets because at the end of the day, there is too much competition. We at the Ministry cannot go to them and design their labels and package their products. That is their responsibility, the rest is up to them,” he remarked.

SUDOKU

A change in your routine will provide a new path of achievement. Keep an open mind. Consider all the options and choose the one with the most benefits.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

An unexpected financial gain could be imminent. Generosity will be your downfall. You can’t buy love. A fair and practical approach will be required for progress.

20-March 20)

Have confidence in your plans, and continue down your chosen path. With some positive input and a creative idea, you can make your dreams a reality.

21-April 19)

Don’t allow frustration and disappointment to cause problems at home or work. Actions speak louder than words. Despite the situation, do what needs to be done.

(April 20-May 20)

If your intentions are sincere, you will gather support for your plans. You may face some criticism, but, in time, others will respect your efforts and applaud your determination.

(May 21June 20)

Confusing changes may be occurring within an important partnership. You may feel you are being pulled in several directions. It’s OK to say no if you feel stressed or unsure.

You are in need of a change. Break out of your routine. Travel, enroll in an interesting course, engage in recreational activity or take time to reconnect with an old friend.

(July 23Aug. 22)

A minor disagreement or misunderstanding can cause a delay in your plans. Make your intentions clear, without criticism or accusations, in order to get back on track quickly.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t let a procrastinator hold you back. Ask questions and be open and flexible where change is concerned. Scrutinise documents and proceed with your plans.

23Oct. 23)

You’ll be stressed out by too many obligations. Don’t be a pushover. Say no to anyone asking for too much or urging you to do something that isn’t in your best interest.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Someone may be trying to undermine your achievements. Remember to speak up and set the record straight. Taking a firm stance will help you to stay focused and in control.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

You may be thrown off balance by an unexpected obstacle. Pay attention to the actions of others before making a move. Don’t commit to anything without considering the outcome.

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David Moyes: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson would not do a better job at United’

David Moyes says his predecessor as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would have done no better at Old Trafford this season.

The ex-Everton boss has been criticised for United’s poor performances, with one supporters’ group planning to have a plane banner flown in protest.

United are seventh in the Premier League, 26 points worse off than at the same stage under Ferguson last year.

“If Sir Alex was here it would be difficult for him as well,” said Moyes.

“It could have been the case no matter what this season, but it has been so un-

Man United, which is why we have to look to continue a policy of building, improving, getting better and that’s

what we’ll try and do.”

The Scot highlighted the number of United players approaching the end of their careers as evidence even Ferguson, the most successful manager in the British game, would have struggled to improve the side’s form.

Midfielder Michael Carrick and defenders Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic are 32, while centreback Rio Ferdinand is 35 and 40-year-old Ryan Giggs is in his 24th season at the club, now as a player-coach.

“People are aware there is a squad that is ageing, so I think it would have been a tough season for whoever was in charge of Manchester United this year,” he said.

Sony Open: Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic into final after walkovers

Top seeds Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will meet in Sunday’s Sony Open final after both their opponents pulled out of the semi-finals in Miami. Djokovic, the second seed, progressed when Japan’s Kei Nishikori withdrew from their match with a groin injury.

And Nadal also went through without hitting a ball after Tomas Berdych was laid low by gastroenteritis.

“I woke up at 7.30am with pain in my stomach,” said the Czech seventh seed.

“I am disappointed about not getting a chance to play.” Nishikori, who beat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, felt a problem when he went for his morning warm-up on Friday.

“I couldn’t move from side to side,” said the 20th seed.

“I really felt it in the last match against Roger, the quarter-final. I had it before Indian Wells, and I hurt it in Delray. It wasn’t 100 per cent yet.”

Djokovic, who is trying to win the Miami title for the fourth time, also had a walkover in the third round when Florian Mayer pulled out with a groin injury.(BBC

Nico Rosberg fastest, Lewis Hamilton fourth in Malaysian GP

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg beat Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen to set fastest time in second practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel was third as the fastest three cars were split by just 0.061 seconds.

Rosberg’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton was fourth from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, both of them within 0.2secs of Rosberg.

Williams’ Felipe Massa was sixth, from Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren’s Jenson Button.

The second Williams of Valtteri Bottas and Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg completed the top 10, from Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne and McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen.

Rosberg was just 0.035secs quicker than Raikkonen, while Vettel’s

Nico Rosberg

lap was impressive as it came on the second lap on the faster ‘medium’ tyres.

“We are more or less there in terms of pace, which is very good news,” said Vettel. “For everything else we have to be patient. It is

still early days, we still have a lot of problems we need to solve.

“But when we get the package together we seem to be on the right page, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow and Sunday.” (BBC Sport)

India through to semis with another easy win

Indian fans have liked this movie so much they have watched it three times in a row. Now they won’t mind it in the semi-finals either. Forget whatever is happening with their administration in India, the cricket team has put in another big performance to become the first entrants into the World T20 semi-finals.

Once again MS Dhoni won the toss - the 15th consecutive time he’s done it in completed matches - once again a nervous opposition selfcombusted despite an early life to a top-order batsman, once again their spinners pulled things back, and once again the batsmen knocked off a sub-par total with ease.

Amit Mishra was the key man with the ball again, with three wickets, but R Ashwin once again bowled the dirty overs, and had two wickets to show for this time. Bangladesh tried to go hard at India, taking 13 off the first over, and Tamim Iqbal had been missed by Shikhar Dhawan, before Ashwin produced two wickets in his

first two overs, for just three runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipped in with Shakib Al Hasan’s scalp to make it 21 for 3 in the fifth over. All three had fallen to ordinary

shots, leaving the passionate home crowd shell-shocked.

Anamul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with a 46-run stand, but at 67 for 4 in 11 overs,

the ship had hardly left the harbour. Anamul looked impressive for his 44 off 43, and Mahmudullah tried his best to provide the late impetus with an unbeaten 33 off 23, but Mishra’s final over put paid to all hopes of a fight. The 20th over began at 131 for 5, but two Mishra deliveries later - a trademark stumping and a hole-out to long-off - Bangladesh had ceded control of the match again.

India are the only team apart from Nepal to have not conceded 140 in this tournament. And their record chasing such totals has been good: nine wins out of 10 before tonight. It wasn’t about to go bad here.

A familiar story unfolded when India came out to chase. Dhawan looked ungainly and fell trying to force his way out of a rough patch, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli saw India through with a second successive century stand. Both went to their fifties. The only time they saw trouble was when Rohit put one in the air, but

Berbicians to race again this Sunday

Berbice will this week again test their skills when the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) hosts ‘The People’s 40-miler’.

The event is being dubbed the “The People’s 40-miler because it has been sponsored by several business entities in Berbice,and is being organised by coach of the FACC, Randolph Roberts.

The race, which pedals off form Marks Bridge in New Amsterdam, will see continued rivalry between the FACC and Trojan Cycle Club (TCC) and will go onto the Corentyne up to

Tennis: The Sony Open

Number 43 Village, before returning to New Amsterdam for the finish.

Prizes will be awarded to the first eight finishers, the first two females, the first two beginners and the first two female U-16 riders. There will also be eight sprint -point prizes up for grabs.

TCC which has got the better places in the last events which were both held this month, will be counting on Andrea Green, Andrew Hicks, Romallo Crawford Jeban Crawford and Audrel Ross to keep the club’s flag

flying high, while FACC will be backing the veterans Syborne Fernandes, Wilbert Benjamin and Wasim Hassnu to steady the ship; the fire power will be in the legs of the younger riders like Elijah Brijadder, Ray Millington and Keith Griffith.

Race time is 09:00h.

Among the sponsors for Sunday’s event are Mara and Sons General Store, Benjamin Sports, Brods Lumber Yard, Hamid’s General Store of Hampshire, Steve Ramsuchit and Thuran Harris.

Williams, Li set up enticing Miami showdown

Serena Williams and Li

Na swept past familiar foes at the Sony Open on Thursday, setting up an exciting showdown for the Miami hardcourt crown between the world’s top ranked players.

World number one Williams continued her utter domination of Maria Sharapova with a 6-4 6-3 win over the fourth-seed-

ed Russian, while secondranked Li won a rematch of her Australian Open final, beating Dominika Cibulkova 7-5 2-6 6-3 to maintain her perfect record against the Slovakian.

A six-time Miami champion, the American’s victory ran her winning streak against Sharapova to 15 matches, a stunning run that stretches back to 2004.

Li’s mastery over Cibulkova may not span as many years but is no less complete, the Chinese veteran sweeping all seven of their meetings over a decade-long span.

Three of those wins have come this year, with Asia’s first grand slam singles champion defeating the Slovakian in straight sets at Melbourne Park, in

Sohag Gazi ruined Anamul’s catch by running back and into Anamul at deep midwicket.

It was yet another satisfactory evening for India even as manure has hit the fan back home. MS Dhoni, the man whose name has been drawn into court proceedings, promoted himself to have his first hit in this tournament, and finished the chase off in Kohli’s company. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh innings

Tamim Iqbal c Raina b Ashwin 6

Anamul Haque b Mishra 44

Shamsur Rahman c Sharma b Ashwin 0

Shakib Al Hasan b Kumar 1

Mushfiqur Rahim*† c Kohli b Mohammed Shami 24

Nasir Hossain st †Dhoni b Mishra 16

Mahmudullah not out 33

Ziaur Rahman c Jadeja b Mishra 0 Mashrafe Mortaza not out 6

Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 2) 8

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 138

Did not bat: Sohag Gazi, Al-Amin Hossain

Fall of wickets 1-20 (Tamim Iqbal, 3.2 ov), 2-20 (Shamsur Rahman, 3.3 ov), 3-21 (Shakib Al Hasan, 4.1 ov), 4-67 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 10.6 ov), 5-82 (Anamul Haque, 12.6 ov), 6-131 (Nasir Hossain, 19.1 ov), 7-131 (Ziaur Rahman, 19.2 ov)

Bowling: B Kumar 3-021-1, R Ashwin 4-0-15-2, Mohammed Shami 3-0-29-1, RA Jadeja 4-0-30-0, SK Raina 2-0-11-0, A Mishra 40263

India innings RG Sharma c Nasir Hossain b Mashrafe Mortaza 56 S Dhawan b Al-Amin Hossain 1 V

three sets at Indian Wells two weeks ago and now at Miami.

“Good challenge. The last time I played her (Williams) was in the (WTA Tour) Championships so it has been four months and this time we really can see how I have improved,” Li told reporters as she looked ahead to the final.

Sky’s the limit for protesting Manchester United fans

Unhappy Manchester

United fans will hope manager David Moyes keeps his head up against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday so he can see the banner they plan to fly overhead calling for his dismissal.

Newspapers reported on Friday that a supporter group had raised 840 pounds ($1,400) to pay for a light aircraft to trail a banner proclaiming ‘Wrong One; Moyes out’ around the ground as teams emerge from the tunnel before kickoff.

The BBC reported a request for donations had been met “almost instantly”.

The words refer to another banner displayed inside Old Trafford since the manager arrived at the start of the season proclaiming Moyes to be ‘The Chosen One’ as Alex Ferguson’s selected successor.

That banner has had

stewards placed behind it to keep fans away from it. Not all supporters approve of the overhead gesture, however.

“I can understand their feelings but it is not the way I would do it,” United Supporters’ Trust vicechairman Ian Stirling told BBC radio.

“He was the ‘Chosen One’ and we had Sir Alex Ferguson on the pitch at Old Trafford telling the fans to get behind him. The ‘Chosen One’ banner should not have stayed longer than the Chelsea game at the start of the season.

“We now have a ridiculous situation where stewards are guarding it.”

United, champions last season before Ferguson retired, are now seventh in the table and look unlikely to qualify for Europe unless they cause a major upset and win the Champions League. (Reuters)

saturday, march 29, 2014

Skipper Darren Sammy produced an electrifying, unbeaten cameo to propel West Indies to an exciting six-wicket win over Australia, and keep alive their hopes of a semi-final spot at the World Twenty20 Championship here Friday.

The aggressive power-hitter finished on 34 not out from a mere 13 balls as the defending champions chased down a challenging 179 – their highest ever successful chase in T20s – to win with two balls to spare.

fours and three sixes, had set the stage for his heroics in the penultimate over when he launched a ferocious assault on left-armer Mitchell Starc in an over that cost 19 runs.

The Windies’ hopes dimmed, however, when Sammy was held scoreless from the first two balls of the final over but he deposited the third ball – a full toss – over long off to revive his side. With six needed from the

last three balls, Sammy opted for the sensational over prudence, clobbering Faulkner for a straight six and sprinting off towards square leg in jubilation before the ball had landed beyond the ropes.

The victory, their second straight following their win over Bangladesh on Tuesday, lifted the Windies temporarily to the top of Group 2 with four points. They face Pakistan in their final game next Tuesday. (Windiescricket)

Sammy fires Windies to win in thriller SCOREBOARD

Sammy put on an invaluable 49 runs off 21 balls with one-day captain Dwayne Bravo whose 27 came from 12 deliveries, to pull the Caribbean side around from 130 for four in the 17th over.

Opener Chris Gayle had earlier given West Indies a flying start with a top score of 53 off 35 balls, posting an opening stand of 50 with Dwayne Smith (17), before adding a further 51 for the second wicket with Lendl Simmons who chipped in with 26 from 24 balls.

But with West Indies requiring 12 from the last over, Sammy twice cleared the ropes with seamer James Faulkner off the third and fourth deliveries, to deliver a breathtaking win and spark chaotic celebrations among teammates at the Shere Bangla Stadium.

Sammy, who counted two

Australia A Finch b Samuels 16

D Warner b Badree 20

S Watson st Ramdin b Narine 2

G Maxwell c Dwayne Bravo

b Badree 45

G Bailey* c Sammy b Samuels 12

B Hodge b Narine 35

J Faulkner c Dwayne Bravo

b Santokie 13

B Haddin+ not out 15

M Starc c Russell b Bravo 4

J Muirhead not out 1

Extras: (b 2, w 7, nb 6) 15

Total: (8 wickets; 20 Overs) 178

Did not Bat: D Bollinger.

Fall of Wickets: 1-33 (Finch, 3.4 ov), 2-41 (Warner, 4.5 ov), 3-41 (Watson, 5.4 ov), 4-77 (Bailey, 9.3 ov), 5-100 (Maxwell, 11.3 ov), 6-152 (Hodge, 17.5 ov), 7-154 (Faulkner, 18.2 ov), 8-171 (Starc, 19.3 ov).

Bowling: K Santokie 4-0-30-1, S Badree 4-0-37-2, M Samuels

2-0-20-2, S Narine 4-1-19-2, D Sammy 1-0-16-0, DJ Bravo 4-0-39-1, A Russell 1-0-15-0.

West Indies (Target; 179)

D Smith c Haddin b Starc 17

C Gayle c Maxwell b Muirhead 53

L Simmons c Maxwell b Bollinger 26

M Samuels c †Haddin b Starc 12

Dwayne Bravo not out 27

D Sammy* not out 34

Extras: (b 2, lb 6, w 2) 10

Total: (4 wickets; 19.4 Overs) 179

Did not Bat: D Ramdin+, A Russell, S Narine, S Badree, K Santokie

Fall of Wickets: 1-50 (Smith, 4.6 ov), 2-101 (Gayle, 12.1 ov), 3-107 (Simmons, 13.5 ov), 4-130 (Samuels, 16.3 ov)

Australia Bowling: S Watson

2-1-11-0, M Starc 4-0-50-2, D Bollinger 4-0-34-1, G Maxwell 3-0-28-0, J Faulkner 3.4-027-0, J Muirhead 3-0-21-1.

Bowlers, Edwards steer England to win

A69-ball 80 from Charlotte Edwards and six wickets shared between offspinner Danielle Hazell and pacer Natalie Sciver helped England Women rout Bangladesh Women by 79 runs, boosting their run rate and enhancing their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. The loss, their second in as many games, means Bangladesh are languishing at the bottom of Group B.

England won the toss and opted to bat but suffered a few jolts early on when Sarah Taylor, Tammy Beaumont and Lydia Greenway were dismissed for single-digit scores. Edwards and Sciver then shared a 50-run fourth-wicket partnership to boost a flagging scoring rate and push England’s total to a competitive 137 for 5.

Bangladesh were insipid in response, tied down by a miserly Hazell, who conceded only four runs in four overs for three wickets. Their top and middle order ate up deliveries without contributing too many runs to the score, reflected in a run rate of 2.90 at the end of their innings. After Hazell removed the top order in three of her first four overs, Sciver routed Bangladesh’s middle and lower order, finishing with 3 for 10. England’s dominance with the ball was evident in the fact that only three Bangladesh batsmen made double-digit scores. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

England Women innings

CM Edwards* st †Nuzhat Tasnia

b Salma Khatun 80

SJ Taylor† c Khadija Tul Kubra b Salma Khatun 7

TT Beaumont st †Nuzhat Tasnia

b Khadija Tul Kubra 2

LS Greenway lbw b Rumana Ahmed 3

NR Sciver c Fahima Khatun b Khadija Tul Kubra 20

HC Knight not out 18

JL Gunn not out 0

Extras (b 2, w 5) 7

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 137

Did not bat: GA Elwiss, D Hazell, A Shrubsole, RL Grundy

Bowlers: SalmaKhatun 4-0-26-2, Jahanara Alam 4-0-22-0, Rumana Ahmed 4-0-17-1, Fahima Khatun

2-0-19-0, Khadija Tul Kubra 4-029-2, Lata Mondal 2-0-22-0

Igloo Ice Cream supports GCB U-15 Inter-County Tournament

In collaboration with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Sterling Products Limited under their Igloo Ice Cream brand will sponsor the 2014 Inter-County Under-15 Competition, which will bowl off on Sunday 30th March, 2014.

Igloo ice cream is manufactured by Sterling Products Ltd, which is situated at Providence, East Bank Demerara. This company has been in existence for over 40 years. Igloo ice cream is well known for its creamy and delicious taste, and it is especially loved by kids.

It is available in 1/4pts, 1/2pts, 1pts, 2pts, 1/2gln, 1gln and 2 glns containers. It also comes in many flavours namely chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, cherry, and pino orange.

Igloo ice cream is accessible in all leading supermarkets, ice cream parlours in various areas and also in outlying areas.

Action will commence on March 30-31, 2014, with a President’s Xi taking on defending champions Demerara at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, while Essequibo and Berbice will clash at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The second round of the competition is slated for April 2-3, 2014. Essequibo will go up against Demerara at the Enmore Community Centre

ground, while Berbice will meet the President’s Xi at the Wales Community Centre ground.

The third and final round will be held from April 5-6, 2014. Berbice and Demerara will do battle at the Everest Cricket Club ground, while Essequibo and the President’s XI contest will take place at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

The sponsors and GCB Executives will be on hand to meet the players and officials at the Everest Cricket Ground on Sunday March 30th before the commencement of play.

The start of play for each day is 10:00h. The teams are as follows:

President’s XI: Stephon Williams, Khemchand Hardyal, Robin Williams, Mark Ramsammy, Danesh Kowlessar, Junior Phillips, Anil Singh, Azim Alli, Joel Fortune, Shivnarine Chattergoon, Quintin Sampson, Christopher

Campbelle, Chandrat Veerasammy, Brandon Corlette. The Manager is Clive Grimmond and the Coach is Julian Moore.

Demerara: Bhaskar Yadram, Paul Thomas, Alphius Bookie, Joshua Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Ganesh Jitlall, Ramdeo Basdeo, Ashmead Nedd, Sagar Hiathiramani, Bhojnarine Singh, Colin Barlow, Mark Baptise, Pradesh Balkishun, and Anthony Antonio. The Manager is Robert Adonis and the Coach is Gavin Nedd. Berbice: Kevin Sinclair, Surendra Budhoo, Alex Algu, Junior Sinclair, Steve Deonarine, Keith Simpson, Kris Ramnarine (Vice Captain), Seon Glasgow, Javid Karim, Dinishwar Budhoo, Kevon Anderson, Steven Kalamudin, Junior Williams, and Haifa Walters. The Manager is Rabindranauth Saywack and the Coach is Andre Percival.

Essequibo: Punraj Coldhar, Shane Wonge, Vishal Singh, Arnold Adams, Besham Moses, Joshua Jones, Ronaldo McPherson, Daeshan Indar, Orlando Jailall, Shamar Dhasrat, Govindra Gobin, Bomesh Ramgobin, Leanardo Bennette, and Wasim Mohamed. The Manager is Vickram Ramnarine and the Coach is Festus Benn.

Third win puts West Indies Women on top

WBangladesh Women innings

Ayasha Rahman c Sciver b Hazel 10

Shamima Sultana c Greenway b Shrubsole 1

Salma Khatun* c Greenway b Hazell 3

Fargana Hoque c Sciver b Hazell 1

Rumana Ahmed c & b Sciver 1

Lata Mondal run out (Greenway) 10

Nuzhat Tasnia† c Gunn b Sciver 5

Sanjida Islam c Knight b Shrubsole 5

Jahanara Alam b Sciver 2

Fahima Khatun not out 16

Khadija Tul Kubra not out 1

Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 58

Bowling: A Shrubsole 4-0-172, D Hazell 4-1-4-3, RL Grundy 4-0-9-0, NR-Sciver 4-0-10--3, JL Gunn 2-0-7-0, GA Elwiss 2-0-10-0

est Indies Women stormed to the top of Group B with their third straight win, after trouncing Sri Lanka Women by eight wickets at the at the Sylhet Stadium on Friday.

The victory was set up by left-arm spinner Shanel Daley, who grabbed four for 15 from her four overs to send Sri Lanka tumbling to 84 all out off 16.5 overs.

Prolific opener Stafanie Taylor then made the result a formality by anchoring a measured run chase, which saw West Indies reach their target with five overs to spare.

With the win, the Caribbean women moved to six points, virtually assuring themselves of a semi-final spot, with just one game left to play in the preliminaries.

(Windiescricket)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Women

A Jayangani b Smartt 3

B Mendis c Smartt b Daley 21

S Weerakkody c Dottin b Daley 11

H Siriwardene* c Taylor b Daley 9

P Kumarihami run out (Taylor) 2

L Kaushalya c Kycia A Knight b Mohammed 20

O Ranasinghe LBW Quintyne 1

K Prabodhani b Smartt 4

I Ranaweera LBW Daley 1

H Samuddika not out 1

R Vandort+ b Smartt 1

Extras: (b 5, lb 2, nb 3) 10

Total: (16.5 Overs) 84

Bowling: S Selman 3-0-21-0, T Smartt 3.5-0-15-3, S Quintyne

3-0-14-1, S Daley 4-0-15-4, A Mohammed 3-0-12-1.

West Indies Women (Target; 85) Kycia Knight st Vandort b Siriwardene 15 S Taylor not out 56 D Dottin run out (Kaushalya) 7 S Campbelle not out 9 Extras: 0 Total: (2 wickets; 15 Overs) 87

not Bat: S King, S Quintyne, A Mohammed, S Daley, T Smartt, S Selman, M Aguilleira*+. Fall of Wickets: 1-36 (Kycia

BCB hosts successful personal development seminar

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as part of its personal development programme for its young cricketers on Friday last hosted a highly successful one-day seminar at the St Francis Training Centre.

The seminar attracted 60 young cricketers drawn from clubs across Berbice and was sponsored by Vickram Seubarran of Universal DVD Club.

President of the BCB, Keith Foster, in declaring open the historic youth seminar, stated that his board was committed to the development of every junior Berbice cricketer on and off the cricket field and disclosed that they must be ambassadors of the Ancient County’s rich tradition of discipline, success and commitment.

The BCB president urged the attentive cricketers to not only become better cricketers, but also to place emphasis on developing social skills and acquiring an educational background.

Chairman of the BCB’s 75th anniversary and Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster, whose brain-

child it was to host the seminar, stated that similar programmes would be held regularly as the BCB strives to develop each of its players on an individual basis.

He challenged the players, who include West Indies Under-19 player Shimron Hetmyer, to take advantage of the BCB’s investment in their careers.

The seminar, which started at 09:00h and lasted until 17:00h, included lectures on a wide range of topics, including the structure

of Berbice cricket, Berbice cricket records, the importance of religion, drug abuse, captaincy, physical fitness, public speaking, public manners, social skills, peer pressure, field placement, mental toughness,the role of a sport ambassador,the importance of discipline, personal hygiene, the importance of education and umpiring signals.

The panel of experienced personnel who lectured to the young cricketers included Roman Catholic priest

Star Party Rental cycling pedals off today

Competitive cycling returns to the inner circuit of the National Park today when Star Party Rental stages its maiden 11-race cycling programme from 09:00h.

After providing sponsorship to several disciplines ever since it opened for business a few years ago, the entity has now ventured into cycling, joining a long list of corporate entities that have supported the 11-race cycling programme in the National Park.

National coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, said proprietor of Star Party Rental, former national cricketer Lennox Cush, was quick to grab the opportunity to sponsor the event, noting that he is hopeful for a

long and cordial relationship with the company.

As usual, Saturday’s programme will be highlighted by the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race, which normally attracts the country’s leading riders and those now seeking to make a mark at the senior level.

A band of leading cyclists, including Alanzo Greaves, Raynauth Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Geron Williams, Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony, Marlon Williams and others, are expected to face the starter’s order when action pedals off in the final race of the day.

The last event at the National Park was quite historic, with Hinds rewriting the record books with a tremendous ride in the feature race of the Diamond

Mineral Water sponsored 11-race programme.

The Lindener clocked one hour, 14 minutes, 45 seconds to become the new record holder for the fastest time ever for a 35-lap event at the National Park.

Other races carded for the day are the BMX Open, 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and BMX Boys and Girls 12-14, Juveniles, Mountain Bikes, Veterans Over and Under-50 and the Veterans Over-60.

According to Mohamed, top officials of Star Party Rental, including Cush, are expected to witness the day’s activities and assist in the presentation of trophies at the conclusion. (Avenash Ramzan)

Ramesh Vanan; Guysuco Human Resources manager Vemen Walter; RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster; BCB Second Vicepresident Hubern Evans; Office Administrator Alisa Moonsee; cricket coach Micheal Hyles and educator D. Somwaru, who is also an experienced umpire.

The young cricketers were also involved in a practical session of table etiquette under the supervision of Levi Nedd of the Guysuco Training Centre.

Walter, who has served as manager of the Berbice Under-15 team, lauded the BCB for regularly seeking to develop the social skills of its cricketers,while Evans and Hyles spent considerable time discussing the importance of mental toughness for cricketers if they are to fulfil their potential.

The young cricketers at the seminar included the full Berbice Under-15 team for the upcoming Inter-county tournament, and Under-17 and Under-19 players, in-

cluding Griesan Grantm Erica Lashley, Ashkay Homraj, Leon Andrews, David Latchyna, Kelvon Anderson, Adrian Sukhwa, Kris Ramnarine, Brandon Prasad, Sharaz Ramcharran and Kassim Khan

The cricketers expressed gratitude to the BCB and stated that they had learnt a lot and were in a better position to be ambassadors of Berbice cricket. They also expressed gratitude to Universal DVD for sponsoring the event.

ECCCC beat Rose Hall twice

Witnessed by a crowd of about 200, the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) defeated the recently resuscitated Rose Hall Estate Sports Club (RHESC) two times in a day last Sunday.

Playing at the Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara, the ECCCC first prevailed over the visitors by seven wickets in a 35-over game. Due to the game finishing early, the two teams decided to play a 10/10 match, which the ECCCC won by four runs.

In the first game, RHESC took first strike and mustered 92 all out from 22 overs with none of the batsmen getting a significant score.

The impressive left-

arm seamer Gavin Moriah bagged 4-31 from seven overs, while spinners Yuvraj Dyal and Satesh Jainarine snared 3-4 from two overs and 2-2 from 2.3 overs, respectively.

In reply, ECCCC coasted to 95-3 from 14 overs with Dyal hitting 32 not out and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan an unbeaten 20. A. Harold was the pick of the bowlers with 3-11.

The 10/10 game that followed was a more competitive affair with not much separating the teams.

ECCCC managed 98-5 after winning the toss and electing to bat with Dyal again among the runs with a topscore of 30. Skipper Bheemraj Ramkellawan chipped in with 20 as K. Isaacs collected 2-8 for

RHESC.

Despite a fine 38 from A. Haroldsingh, the visitors fell short of the target at 94-6 when the overs ran out. Dyal and Jainarine returned identical figures of 2-17 from two overs.

While the RHESC suffered defeats on the field of play, their table-tennis players returned the favour to their Enmore counterparts, beating the hosts in a twoway showdown in the club’s auditorium.

Meanwhile, the ECCCC will travel to Berbice on April 13 to face the RHESC in a return fixture.

Prior to that however, the ECCCC will host Vergenoegen in a 35-over match on Sunday, starting at 11:00h.

Bodybuilders to light up Cultural Centre stage tonight

– all set for Hugh Ross Classic 2014

By Avenash Ramzan

In what is expected to be a sizzling exhibition of muscles, chiselled physiques and dexterity, leading bodybuilders from across the 83,000 square miles of Guyana will hit the National Cultural Centre stage this evening for the fourth Hugh Ross Classic, set to start at 19:00h.

The event, which is viewed as one of the most prestigious local bodybuilding shows, usually attracts the leading male and female athletes from the top gyms competing in various weight classes.

According to Chairman of the Hugh Ross Committee, Guyana’s internationally acclaimed and award-winning bodybuilder, Hugh Arlington Ross, this year should be no different as several of the topbracket athletes have confirmed their participation.

This publication understands that over two dozens athletes are

confirmed to participate in the biennial championship, which was first hosted in 2008.

Ross, who was awarded the Medal of Service by the govern-

Golfers to battle

in

Torginol tourney today

Weeks of dry weather have made the Lusignan Golf Course treacherous for this week’s Torginol Paints golf tournament, sponsored by the Continental Group of Companies.

While the hard and dry fairways enable more distance off the tee, the greens remain largely unwelcoming to approach shots. The conditions will make for another trying week at the club and it will require patience and a deft hand around the green

for any winners of the event. However, this will not deter competitors, given that the season is picking up steam and a large field is expected to turn out for the sponsor, which has been a long-time supporter of the club.

Among those one would expect to be in contention are Andre Cummings, who hits a long ball, but has some comfort with his handicap; so too George Bulkan, who, since returning to golf, has been playing with a calm intensity.Tee off time is noon.

ment of Guyana, encouraged bodybuilding buffs to fill the venue, as his team of organisers has put together an exciting show for all ages.

He also urged athletes who have a desire to participate and have not yet registered to do so this morning at the weigh-in, which will be held from 10:00 to 13:00h at the National Cultural Centre.

There will be three female categories: bodybuilding for females who are of a more muscular body type; Miss Figure for athletes who are symmetrical and toned and the Miss Bikini for the softer and more feminine eye-pleasing type of figure.

The male categories are: Bantamweight- up to 65kgs (143lbs), Lightweight- up to 70kgs (144-154lbs), Welterweightup to 75kgs (155-165lbs), Light Middleweight- up to 80kgs (166176lbs), and Heavyweight (80kgs and over).

The respective category winners will then face off in the Overall battle to decide Mr. Hugh Ross Classic 2014.

Apart from the on-stage rivalry,

patrons will be treated to the chiselled structure of American Jeff “Classic” Beckham, the 32-yearold IBFF Pro athlete, who will be the guest poser.

The 280-pound bodybuilder, who arrived in Guyana on Monday on his maiden visit here and had been involved in several promotional events for the show, said he is keen on performing for the Guyanese audience.

While he has not revealed what exactly his performance will be based on, Beckham assured that it will captivate the crowd, especially the “fairer sex.”

Mr. Hugh Ross Classic 2012, Kerwyn Clarke, will be defending his title and will face stiff challenges from a number of seasoned bodybuilders and some new bodies on the block.

Tickets are on sale at the National Cultural Centre at $1500 each.

Kevin Pietersen enters 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League draft

batsman joins the Biggest Party in Sport

Kevin Pietersen

The excitement and anticipation surrounding the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (Limacol CPL) hit a new level today with the news that Kevin Pietersen is set to take part in the 2014 tournament. The showstopping batsman – who is England’s all-time leading run scorer in international cricket and is set to captain the Delhi Daredevils in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) – will be a star attraction for franchises when the Draft takes place in Jamaica on Thursday 3rd April. Pietersen will light up the tournament in the same way that he has been doing over his illustrious career in international cricket, and his inclusion in the Draft will boost excitement

for what is already an eagerly anticipated competition. After activating a secondment agreement in his contract with English county cricket team, Surrey, the charismatic right-hander will be available for the 2014 Limacol CPL.

Kevin Pietersen said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this year’s Limacol CPL. As soon as I was approached, I knew it was something I wanted to take part in. I have fantastic memories of playing T20 cricket in the Caribbean –especially when we won the 2010 ICC World T20 tournament – so I can’t wait to play in front of the magnificent Caribbean fans who create a truly unique and thrilling atmosphere.”

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO, Limacol CPL, said: “This is great news for the [Limacol] CPL and our fans. Kevin’s inclusion in the Draft is a real statement of intent about how we want to grow the competition year on year, and demonstrates just how far we have come in a short period of time. He’s a born entertainer, so the fans will love watching him play, and our younger players will get the opportunity to learn from his vast experience.”

Kevin Pietersen will enter the Draft alongside more than 200 other cricketers from around the world, and will be available for selection by any of the six franchises. The Draft takes place on Thursday 3rd April at 19:30h GMT, at Chris Gayle’s Triple Century Bar in Jamaica, with live coverage available on www. CPLT20.com. The tournament itself returns in July and August 2014, when the Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the St Lucia Zouks, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Antigua Hawksbills, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents.

About the Limacol CPL

The Limacol CPL is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. The inaugural Limacol CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport” featured six teams competing throughout the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills. The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged champions.

Limacol CPL II will take place in July and August of 2014.

Gavaskar to head BCCI during IPL; CSK and RR can play

Sunil Gavaskar will head the BCCI in respect of its IPL functions, and a vice-president of the board will carry out other duties, the Supreme Court has said. It also said, at the hearing of the IPL corruption case on Friday, that the IPL 2014 could continue with all teams participating.

The BCCI later said that Shivlal Yadav, the board's senior-most vice-president, will carry out the non-IPL functions. The court's interim order said employees of India Cements must have no role in the BCCI except as players or commentators.

It also said Gavaskar could appoint people of his confidence, and could decide on IPL COO Sundar Raman's continuance in that role. It directed that Gavaskar should be released from his contractual obligations with the BCCI as a commentator but said he should be compensated for his new role.

"I am deeply humbled and honoured that the Honourable Supreme Court of India has entrusted me with the job of being the interim president of the BCCI till the end of IPL 7," Gavaskar said. "Like with my cricket, I will give it my best shot."

Role

It's not yet clear what role Gavaskar will play as interim president during the IPL, given that the tournament has an established and experienced management structure in place. "The BCCI president is like a guiding force as far as the IPL is concerned," Sanjay Patel, the board secretary, told ESPNCricinfo. "The IPL has been run by its Governing Council in collaboration with the chairman and the CEO. That will continue, the management structure will remain the same."

Patel, who is also part of the IPL governing coun-

cil, said the only question that needed to be resolved was Sundar Raman's role.

"The only issue is whether Gavaskar would like the services of Sundar Raman. That is what the court stated today," Patel said. He said he would be meeting Gavaskar soon to work out a plan.

"The court suggested that for probity, for the public perception of an investigation that if Mr Srinivasan was, as the managing director of Indian Cements, concerned with the team which was under investigation, for the time being during the investigations he should not discharge the functions. The BCCI considered this and felt that it was perfectly right and can be done and Mr Srinivasan himself made that offer," BCCI counsel CA Sundaram said.

He said the BCCI was "very, very glad" that the court had not suspended the IPL or Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. "We were keen that all the teams should participate at this juncture, inasmuch as there has not yet been any kind of final decision as to whether the franchisees were responsible and if so what action should be taken. We felt that this was not the time to stop them from playing and for the effective-

ness of the IPL all eight teams playing at this juncture was important."

The two-judge bench of AK Patnaik and Ibrahim Kalifulla made it clear that it would reserve its final judgement till all hearings are complete. The next hearing will be on April 16, when the BCCI counsel would be given the first opportunity to present his arguments against the submissions made by the CAB. According to Sundaram it will take at least a "few more" hearings to get more clarity.

Conflict of interest

The case dates back to June 2013, when the Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma raised charges of conflict of interest in the formation of BCCI's two-member inquiry panel into the IPL corruption issue. A Bombay High Court ruling later termed the probe panel "illegal". The BCCI and the CAB filed petitions in the Supreme Court against this order, with the CAB contending that the Bombay High Court could have suggested a fresh mechanism to look into the corruption allegations. The Supreme Court then appointed a three-member committee, headed by former High Court judge Mukul Mudgal and comprising additional solicitor general L Nageswara Rao and Assam Cricket Association member Nilay Dutta, in October 2013, to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, India Cements, and Rajasthan Royals team owner Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Ltd, as well as with the larger mandate of allegations around betting and spot-fixing in IPL matches and the involvement of players. The committee had submitted its findings to the court on February 10. (Cricinfo)