Guyana Times Daily

APNU explains position on AML Bill

Lindeners were sensitised on the position of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill when the coalition held a consultation there on Wednesday.

The forum held at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre, Mackenzie, was facilitated by Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon and provided a platform for residents to hear the views of

the coalition on the matter.

Last month, a similar consultation exercise was conducted in the community by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Solomon explained that the people of the region need to be more properly sensitised on the issue of antimoney laundering, and need to hear the views of all political parties involved.

Speakers on the panel included Opposition Leader David Granger and APNU parliamentarians Carl Greenidge, Basil Williams

and Joseph Harmon.

Also present at the forum was Linden InterimManagement Committee (IMC) Chairman Orrin Gordon and MP Rennis Morian.

Addressing the gathering, Granger noted that the steps taken by the Opposition in opposing the bill will eventually produce good results.

He explained that it might not be long that illegal money garnered from elements such as tax evasion, narco and human trafficking and smuggling is “cleaned up.”

Unfair situation

Additionally, he stated that in instances like these, the perpetuators are the ones who get rich through the illicit means, while ordinary citizens are struggling.

“Sometimes people have so much that they don’t know what to do with it; but that

money has to be cleaned up, and it is cleaned up through the banking system. But the problem is that money laundering is torturing the economy.

"If you’re manufacturing beer and a smuggler is bringing in beer from Venezuela, and you’re selling your beer for a $100 a pack and he’s selling his beer for $50 a pack, soon you’ll be out of the beer business,” he explained.

In addressing the gathering, Greenidge said the issue of the AML Bill is a very technical one and he was pleased to be given the opportunity to consult with the people since it affects all Guyanese.

He noted that it is important to pay attention to all that is being said about antimoney laundering.

Greenidge said the antimoney laundering and the prevention of the financing of terrorism legislation was

passed in 2000 and strengthened in 2009; however, Government sought to make it stronger in 2013.

But Greenidge noted that there was no prosecution under the legislation in 13 years.

“That legislation was already in place and yet nobody has been prosecuted. Why do we see that happening? If the legislation has been in place and has not been implemented, why is it that you are convincing people to pass new legislation?

Legislation

"The legislation that is in place, it is good, it is reasonably strong but the point is, if you are going to improve on this legislation, what is it going to do? The legislation has a number of weaknesses. We decided to examine the legislation before power is given,” he noted.

He added: “The world has agreed that it is necessary to put in place laws that will prevent people from financing terrorists. Money laundering affects a colony and it affects the people in a colony.”

Williams in his address indicated that the Bill is targeting persons with large sums of cash and poor persons who carry small amounts of cash will not be affected.

In a question and answer segment, one resident pointed out that persons need to be more properly sensitised on the issue.

Trio charged for Shamdas Kirpilani robbery

Atrio appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry in connection with the armed robbery committed on a Shamdas Kirpilani employee.

Rajiv Singh of East La Penitence, Georgetown and Howard Rambarose, 21, of Lot 6 Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara were both charged with robbery under arms and pleaded not guilty to the charge. It was alleged that on Friday, December 20 at Georgetown, being armed with a handgun, they robbed Mahesh Chetranie of $17,250,000, property of Shamdas Kirpilani.

The third defendant , Joan Persaud, who was charged with accepting the sum of $300,000 knowing that it was stolen money, also pleaded not guilty.

Rambarose and Chetranie, the store manager, collected the money and boarded the company vehicle to make the deposit at the bank. While in the vicinity of Avenue of the Republic, Chetranie was held at gunpoint by Rambarose and Singh, who relieved him of the money and made good their escape.

Bail was granted to Rambarose in the sum of $370,000. Singh and Persaud had both been granted bail late last year. The trio is expected to make another court appearance on April 2.

Patil Group to establish medical college in Guyana

The DY Patil Group, one of the largest private educators in India, will soon begin construction of a medical college at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

According to General Manager Dilip Kawad, other colleges in a later phase will include Engineering, Allied Health and a Master's in Business Administration.

The Patil Group was established in 1983 and the group’s activities span the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture and sports.

It has over 180 institutes of learning, encompassed in three universities based out of the cities of Navi Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur in India.

The group runs three medical colleges and hospitals with a bed strength capacity of over 6000 and provides affordable healthcare and medical attention to scores of people.

The DY Patil International Cricket Stadium at Navi Mumbai is rated as one of the six best stadiums in the world and is the finest sporting facility in India. They also run several international schools in India and abroad.

Kawad said recognising the need for a firstclass medical college in the Caribbean, the group decided to establish its universi-

ty in Guyana because of its interest to build a strong link with Guyana and to offer Guyanese a medical education without the need to leave their home country if they so choose.

The group will engage a Guyanese construction firm to build this facility and will employ Guyanese and world renowned faculty to ensure that it offers the best possible education to its students.

First batch

The first batch of students will begin their courses in early 2015, Kawad said.

“In addition, the group will utilise local faculty for some of the courses and will engage other Guyanese in gainful em-

ployment during construction and later for its operations at the university; this facility will be a net foreign exchange earner,” he said.

In light of the group’s statement, Guyana Times sought clarification from the company on a number of issues, which it is yet to respond to.

These include the total sum of money to be invested in this project; the amount of students that would be accommodated at the institution; under whose administration will the institution fall; the length of time it would take for construction and how soon it will begin; if the lec-

turers would be Guyanese; whether there will be any collaboration with the University of Guyana and other Caribbean universities; whether the group is in receipt of any grants, tax waivers or any other assistance in setting up the college; if the land at Turkeyen is leased or if it was purchased; and whether there are other partners locally that will be working along with the group.

Last December, Kawad announced that the company is in talks with the Government for the development land in the Canje Basin and the agreement is still under negotiations. He was at the time responding to recent media reports regarding the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the company and the Government for the cultivation of 50,000 hectares of land in the Region Six area.

He had explained that the final agreement is still subject to the terms and conditions that are under negotiation and will only be concluded when both parties are mutually satisfied with its contents.

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

Fear in classrooms

Recent talks have called for a higher level of professionalism among our teachers, as they play a most pivotal role in Guyana’s development. Since Government is investing so heavily in the Education Sector, teachers must stop and go through a serious period of introspection.

The reason some students quit school or drop out from a course of study seldom lies in the subject content. Most times, especially at the younger age level, the issue was ‘fear’ of the teacher.

Despite compelling evidence to the contrary, many teachers still believe that fear – of failure, of being reported home or to the headmaster, of ridicule, of an unpleasant consequence and of the teacher – are prime motivators for students to do high-quality work. The intentional creation of fear in the classroom is one of the most widely used strategies for regulating student behaviour and encouraging academic achievement.

But fear compromises the ability to learn. From basic educational psychology, maximum learning is driven by curiosity, which leads to exploration, discovery and mastery. In turn, mastery leads to pleasure, satisfaction and confidence to yet again explore. So the more a child experiences this cycle of wonder, the more he/she can create a lifelong excitement and love of learning.

This salubrious cycle of wonder, however, can be stopped by fear. The fear response is deeply ingrained in every human brain. Under any kind of threat – hunger, thirst, pain, shame, confusion, or too much, too new or too fast – the response is geared toward safety. For many students, this means to quit entirely, leading to prolonged absence and truancy.

Fear is a very powerful emotion. It has a very strong effect on the mind and body, because it is one of the natural survival responses of human beings. It tells human beings what to do and if not dealt with in the classroom of young learners, they will quit.

The basic premise of the biological or physiological explanation for the occurrence of fear and anxiety is that problems with brain functioning lead to anxiety disorders. For example, current research indicates that generalised anxiety disorder is caused by excessive neurological activity in the area of the brain that is responsible for emotional arousal, and this increased level of arousal is experienced as anxiety.

This excessive neurological activity is thought to stem from the fact that certain inhibitory neurons whose purpose is to reduce neurological activity are not functioning properly.

The implication here is that learning theorists believe that fear and anxiety are classically conditioned responses, and thus are learned behaviours. In other words, fear and anxiety develop when a fear response has been paired with a previously neutral stimulus and as a result of that pairing (conditioning), the previously neutral stimulus now elicits a fear response.

So it is vital that teachers remove all suggestions of fear from the classroom. What they are doing via fear is simply creating their own lack of success and hence the lack of success among their students.

On the other hand, a sense of safety is also possible and this comes from consistent, attentive, nurturing, and sensitive attention to each child’s needs. Safety is created by the predictability of love and concern and these do not come from rigidity in the timing of activities. They derive from the consistency of interaction from the teacher.

This tells, or should tell, teachers that, aligned with content, knowledge and skill, is the human element of teaching.

Teachers must use the most powerful teaching tool they have, that is, their personality of love and acceptance (of the child). Their smile, voice, and touch can make a child feel safe, and this is what can make a world of difference.

A safe and loving classroom milieu may very well be what is needed to curb any kind of absenteeism and truancy that the entire education system, along with parents, is now fighting.

School’s out

Police and their tactics of harassment

Dear Editor,

I recently read a letter in your columns on these bribe seeking police officers who are supposed to serve and protect us. I am in total agreement with the writer and have now myself fallen victim to the harassment tactics used by the police.

On March 20, as I plied my trade as a taxi driver, in the vicinity of ScotiaBank on Robb Street, Georgetown, I stopped for my passenger to exit the vehicle without obstructing the free flow of traffic.

A Police Lance Corporal (name provided) rode up beside my vehicle and instructed me to drive to Eve Leary (traffic Head Quarters) citing that I had committed an offence by pulling up alongside a parked vehicle. On my way

Dear Editor,

Please publish as encouragement to and recognition of the hard-working members of the above group.

A gathering of near to 1000 persons of all ages and religions witnessed an alcohol-free Phagwah Mela at the Enmore Blossom Scheme playfield, carefully organised and wonderfully executed by hard-working and disciplined members of the Enmore Youth Development Group.

The packed playfield was testimony to the plan-

to Eve Leary, while being escorted, he stopped me in the vicinity of Bishops’ High School and asked that I produced my documents, which I did. After being satisfied that my documents were in force, he asked to me “what I am going to do”, so I asked him to be more specific since I did not understand.

He then said “will you leave something or you going to Eve Leary”. In my thoughts I did nothing wrong since I was only dropping off. I decided that I was going to Eve Leary.

At Eve Leary, I realised that these junior ranks inherit their behaviour from their seniors since they would explore every avenue to find a fault. An Inspector (name given) said he was not satisfied with my seating ca-

pacity – which can accommodate seven persons – and inspected my vehicle and witnessed it’s a seven-seater capacity as indicated on the Certificate of Registration.

Not satisfied, he left and went to the GRA to verify this information only to return five hours later with an employee from GRA who carried out an inspection and informed the said Inspector that the vehicle is indeed a seven-seater by manufacturer’s specification.

Much to my dismay, the officers continued to insist that it's wrong and my vehicle should remain in custody and I must return the following day to uplift same. This forced me to seek counsel and the assistance of the media before my vehicle

was released.

I found this type of decision making to be poor and absurd and not befitting persons who are holding such offices.

All the officers displayed poor ethics and professionalism. In my opinion, they are not suitable to be in such a positions, whereby they are dealing with the public.

Here, the evidence exhibits itself, that the police would pursue every avenue to frustrate and harass law abiding citizens to indulge in giving bribes.

It is my hope that the relevant authorities will take note and act in preventing the police from executing this harassment onto citizens.

Respectfully,

M Azimullah

Youth Development Group

ning, marketing and coordinating of the event and the group must be heartened and encouraged by the large turn-out.

The many businesses and individuals who contributed in various ways to making the event a success must also feel proud that this bunch of young people did not disappoint.

The example set by Romel Putulall and his members is worthy of emulation by other villages, since it is our youths who will be the leaders and decision-makers of our tomorrow.

Our youths need to seek their rightful place in society.

This group started with less than 12 persons. What I saw as the very active membership ran into 50 – smiling, connecting with the residents, serving sweetmeats, fetching benches to make people comfortable.

And I saw delegation in motion: the emceeing of the programme was rotated so that quite a few members of the group were exposed to addressing the crowd.

I echo hereby the pos-

itive sentiments of the Enmore community and I invite our youths, and parents in the whole, to come on board so that Enmore specifically can fertilise a youth movement which straddles all cultures and religions in Enmore. To the group members: Keep marching forward. The residents of Enmore are behind you. Be our sensible leaders of tomorrow.

Great Job!

Proudly, Taajnauth Jadunauth

Stabroek News has again embarked on an exercise of misinformation

Dear Editor,

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic notes another brazen attempt by the Stabroek News to tarnish the character and successes of the former Bharrat Jagdeo Administration.

The opposition-aligned newspaper in a recent editorial sought to poison the minds of its readers with smut and street talk about the former President.

Such statements and pronouncements by a newspaper which continue to flaunt it’s so called “independence” is highly inaccurate, mischievous and a far cry from the truth.

The period referred to by Stabroek News was triggered by the February 23, 2002 Mash Day jail break and the beginning of a reign of terror in Guyana by criminals who the PNC hailed as “freedom fighters”

It was during that period the opposition-backed criminal gang of Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins attacked innocent Guyanese, shot and killed 11 law-abiding citizens including babies at Lusignan; 12 innocent Guyanese in Bartica and 13 miners who were working to make an

honest living at Lindo Creek, in the Berbice River.

The Stabroek News has once again embarked on an exercise of misinformation and a distortion of history, not to mention its efforts at besmirching the Jagdeo/ PPP/C Administration.

If the Stabroek News wants to write about history, then it must refer to the assassination of Walter Rodney in 1980, the killing of two innocent Guyanese at Number 63 Village during the 1973 elections and the range of terror that was unleashed in Guyana by the Burnham dictatorship under the threat that “our steel is sharper”.

Add to that the 1978 Referendum to vote for the “House and kill the Mouse” and the murder of Father Darke by PNC sponsored House of Israel thugs.

Rather than engaging in scandalous and vexatious allegations, the Stabroek News must come clean and provide the evidence in its pages.

The PPP/C is of the view that this milking of juicy gossip by the Stabroek News is nothing more than a rouse for witch hunting and a licence for the Opposition media to continue targeting Bharrat

Jagdeo. This objective is clear for all to see.

We wish to remind the Stabroek News and their backers in the political Opposition, that it was the Jagdeo Administration that brought an end to the reign of the “Fineman Gang” and immediately after, embarked on national consultations aimed at reforming the Guyana Police Force.

Further, it was the Jagdeo Administration that led Guyana through five consecutive years of economic growth, while the rest of the world was reeling from global recession.

It was under the Jagdeoled PPP/C Administration that Guyana initiated a plethora of socio-economic projects that have irrevocably laid the foundation to set into motion, the transformative process that is so evident throughout our country

It was this vision that resulted in Guyana rising from a State that was once the “eye pass” among its sister Caricom Member States, where Guyanese were painfully disrespected, and the country made a virtual pariah in the international community, to one that is now

Thank you to all participants

Dear Editor, On behalf of the members of Citizens Against Rape (CAR), we would like to extend a warm “thank you” to all citizens and friends who came out and supported our “Rising Against Rape” walk, on International Women’s Day, March 8.

The NGO strives to highlight the issue of the “rape culture” in Guyana and in time, develop strategies to assist in improving the laws of Guyana to protect rape victims against their assailants once charges have been pressed and also ensuring that the conviction rate of perpetrators are increased.

Currently, in a study high-

lighted by the Guyana Human Rights Association, the rate of convictions for cases going to court is one per cent. Rape is a violation of rights, rape is a crime.

The CAR team wishes to thank all the companies, organisations and individuals that came on board to assist with the walk which we believe is the first of this kind.

Appreciation also goes to the Mayor and City Council for the use of the Promenade Gardens and to Guyana Police Force for granting permission for the walk, ANSA McAL, Giftland OfficeMax, ScotiaBank, Farfan and Mendes, Xclaim Media Inc, Southland International Inc,

Banks DIH, UG Volunteers, Maxwell Thom – 93.1FM, Marilyn Trotz, Azariah Asim, Star Party Rentals, all media houses, SASOD, One Billion Rising-Caribbean – Dianne Madray, Yaphet Jackman, Allister Collins – Chairperson of the Guyana National Faith and HIV Coalition, drivers (Paul, Dane and Lloyd), photographers and all persons who came out with their slogans and marching feet.

Sincere gratitude, CAR members: Nicolette Roach, Colleen McEwan, Nicole Cole, Margo Boyce, Dr Raquel Thomas-Caesar, Jessica Xavier

lauded by all the multilateral financial agencies for exercising responsible fiscal management of the economy.

The Jagdeo Administration must be credited with the many successes in Guyana in the areas of public health, inclusive of four state of the art diagnostic centres, and new in-patient facilities at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

• The construction of numerous schools, upgrading of teacher training that now includes teachers from the hinterland; and other programmes notably the free uniform and school feeding initiatives, and the Hinterland Scholarship Programme have all resulted in an improved delivery of education throughout the nation’s classroom;

• The University of Guyana, Tain Campus

• The Hinterland Development programmes that are transforming the hinterland communities into self-sustaining socio-economical units

• The National Stadium

•The Guyana International Conference Centre

• The National Aquatic Centre

• The re-building of Guyana’s international image

• The 2007 ITLOS Award demarcating the maritime boundary between Guyana and Suriname

• The realisation of the Berbice River Bridge

• The upgrade of major roadways, culverts and bridges

• The fibre optic cable project that is intended to revolutionise the telecommunications sector

• The innovative One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme resulting in the distribution of 90,000 laptops to low income families, coupled with the installation of a computer laboratory in every school

• The internationally acclaimed Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) with its accent on development of a green economy, and its development components for Amerindian communities

• The on-going Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project

• The Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which when actualised will completely transform Guyana, both socially

and economically

• The proposed Specialty Hospital

• The distribution of thousands of house lots across the country

The reality is that Guyana has been placed on the relevant pathway to economic development since, development projects under the Jagdeo Administration continue to impact positively on the daily lives of its citizens.

In the view of the PPP/C, the Jagdeo-led PPP/C Government must be commended for the many wise initiatives taken with regards to Guyana’s development thrust.

What better testimony is there for all to see given Guyana’s seventh consecutive year of economic growth, which is continuing under Donald Ramotar’s Administration.

The period” to which the Stabroek News referred could only be described as a political petard in the hands of the Stabroek News and their controllers in the opposition.

Public Relations Unit, PPP/C Freedom House

Page Foundation

Dyslexia basics

WHAt Is dYsLExIA?

Dyslexia is a languagebased learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties

a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment, and in its more severe forms, will qualify a student for special education, special accommodations, or extra support services.

Moreover, most people with dyslexia have been found to have problems with identi fying the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning how letters repre sent those sounds, a key factor in their reading difficulties. Dyslexia is not due to either lack of intelligence or desire to learn; with appropriate teaching methods, dys -

Helping parents deal with the fact that their child has a disability

with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for

What causes dyslexia?

The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear, but anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the way the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions.

lexics can learn successfully.

How widespread is dyslexia?

About 13 to 14 per cent of the school population in the U.S. has a handicapping condition that qualifies them for special education. Current studies indicate that one-half of all the students who qual-

(LD) (six to seven per cent). About 85 per cent of those LD students have a primary learning disability in reading and language processing. Nevertheless, many more people – perhaps as many as 15 to 20 per cent of the population as a whole – have some of the symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up similar words. Not all of these will qualify for special education, but they are likely to struggle with many aspects of academic learning and are likely to benefit from systematic, explicit, instruction in reading, writing, and language.

Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People who are very bright can be dyslexic. They are often capable or even gifted in areas that do not require strong language skills, such as art, computer science, design, drama, electronics, math, mechanics, music, physics, sales, and sports.

In addition, dyslexia runs in families; dyslexic parents are very likely to have children who are dyslexic. Some people are identified as dyslexic early in their lives, but for others, their dyslexia goes unidentified until they get older. (ldonline.org)

BY BILL HEALEY

The school’s responsibility to parents

Because schools accept students with disabilities, they have a responsibility to provide support or see that appropriate support is available to parents as they pass through these various stages. The school may provide parent-to-parent support groups, which are divided by disability and facilitated by school personnel such as a school psychologist, counsellor, or teacher. Should a parent need individual counselling, the school should provide a list of counsellors with whom the parent could meet.

Reaching acceptance

Even after parents find acceptable ways to cope with their child and their lives by following a healthy path

beyond acceptance of their child’s disability, other complications can cause setbacks in adjustment, such as unanticipated experiences of being socially rebuffed by friends and strangers or being treated inappropriately by poorly informed educators. Such repeated negative experiences only aggravate the difficult process of remaining in the highest stage of adjustment. Parents, like professionals, readily perceive the inhumanity of persons who show little or no understanding or caring toward persons with disabilities or their caretakers. Peoples’ actions, more frequently than events, cause parents and the child to regress into states of anger, frustration, or other earlier stages of feelings and behaviours. Most parents need assistance to progress positively and without debilitating delay through the stages of adjustment. Their progress toward a level of reasonable acceptance, closure, and reconstruction includes an accurate understanding of reality, at least as they reach the usual and customary benchmarks in their child’s development. Professionals can help parents achieve a balance between their hopes and reality. For example, no need exists to engage in speculation about what a four-year-old child will be able to do when he/she has reached the age of 21. While most parents want and have a need for professionals to be truthful as a prerequisite to being recognised as trustworthy persons with credibility, they do not need information that is bleak and replete with dismal prognosis. The majority of parents will come to understand the realities and implications regarding their child’s achievement as the various stages of development are reached and passed. This, especially, is true if parents believe that educators put the child’s needs foremost in designing appropriate educational and related services. Not every parent may experience these stages of grief, suffering, and acceptance. However, as professionals, we need to be prepared to help parents work through these stages if needed. (ldonline.org)

Dismissed murder case

Biker’s relatives outraged at police’s work

Arelative of slain bik-

er Kirk Davis has expressed outrage over the manner in the prosecution dealt with the case, which resulted in Davis’ alleged killer Rondy Jagdeo being set free on Thursday.

Davis was gunned down on September 3 last outside his Seventh Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara home.

The outraged relative told Guyana Times that family members are not furious with the court’s decision, but rather certain factors relating to the case that was presented by the police prosecution.

She added that there were two main witnesses in this particular matter and the prosecution without a doubt had the case in its hands, but has failed to protect the witnesses; hence they reportedly left the country out of fear.

Statements

They said after taking statements from the two witnesses, they would have indicated to the police that they were fearful for their lives, but yet they were not given any sort of protection, and made a decision not to testify.

“I was at court on Thursday and from all indications, this man knew that he would have been freed since there was a parked motorcycle waiting on him… As soon as he was freed, he walked towards the holding area, picked up his haversack, jumped on the motorbike and rode off.”

As he was riding off, there were chants of “de police can’t hold me down” by his relatives, and more so, he had no remorse on his face, she added.

Davis’ relative blamed Jagdeo going free on the slop-

py work of the police.

The bottom line is, the Magistrate ruled based on the evidence that was presented to her by the prosecution, thus, the police should be disciplined, the relative added.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud on Friday said he believes the accused knew that he was going to be freed as a motorcycle was strategically placed for him on court day.

Unfortunate

He explained that it is quite unfortunate that another high profile case has gone down the drain, noting this time the police had no hand in Jagdeo’s release, instead, it is a civilian witness who failed to turn up to court to testify.

“Civilian witnesses have a duty to the state and we expect that they perform that duty,” he said.

Asked how the police intends to address the issue, Persaud noted that the police administration can only do so much, while adding that citizens have a moral obligation to come forward as witnesses in matters before the court.

The Crime Chief went on to say that the court can take actions in this regard by issuing arrest warrants for key witnesses and then the police will be responsible for keeping them in custody.

In the Jagdeo case, he said he was not sure why the court did not do that.

He explained that the prosecutor handling the case will now have to prepare a report, which will be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review

“The DPP (Shalimar AliHack) herself, in this case, can cause actions to be tak-

en; the DPP can instruct the Magistrate to reopen the inquiry,” he told media operations.

Persaud added that he will not speculate on whether the case should be reopened, noting that the DPP is capable of taking the necessary actions.

The Crime Chief agreed that the ‘no-show’ of witnesses in court cases is one of many issues the force is facing on a daily basis.

“We live in a society where we don’t create or shape culture but we try to enforce laws which regulate our functions,” he said.

In an invited comment on the matter, former Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard said while he was not keeping a tab on the case, he is of the view that there were other alternatives in the case.

One such alternative, he disclosed, was to issue arrest warrants for civilian witnesses.

If this was not done, then the court should explain the rationale behind the decision to throw out the matter, especially taking into consideration the nature of the case.

He added that the DPP has the authority to reopen the case.

Recently, DPP instructed that the Preliminary inquiry (Pl) into the murder of a man on Orange Walk earlier this year allegedly by Cricketer Carlyle Barton, be reopened.

The decision was made in accordance with Section 72 (2iia) of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Section 10:01.

In November, Magistrate Fabayo Azore discharged the case at the PI stage after police witnesses did not show up and video evidence of the

murder was not rendered, saying that a prima facie case was not made.

The video evidence showed the cricketer when he allegedly shot Shawn Nelson, with whom he had a long-standing friendship.

Meanwhile, Red Thread founder Karen De Souza said the Magistrate would have made her decision based on what was presented to her with respect to evidence.

She contended that a lot of work has to be done to ensure justice is served.

Businessman Rondy Jagdeo, 28, of Lot 159 Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, was freed by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Thursday.

All charges against Jagdeo, who was accused of killing his friend Davis on September 3, 2013, were dropped.

Shooting

It was also alleged that the suspect shot Davis until there were no bullets left in the gun.

Davis, wounded and bleeding, was reportedly thrown out of the vehicle while the killer fled the scene.

Davis was then picked up from his bridge and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died.

Jagdeo subsequently left the country after the police force alleged that he was the main suspect in the murder.

He returned home from Holland on October 23, 2013 and turned himself in at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) just after lunch on October 28, 2013, in the company of his lawyers.

Coast Guard gets vessels to boost security

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard on Friday received three new river patrol boats valued a whopping $340 million (US$1.7 million) from the United States Government to assist the army in strengthening security.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Coast Guard Ship Hinds moored at its headquarters in Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown, during which U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt, handed over the keys of the vessels to President Donald Ramotar.

The vessels, equipped with state-of-the-art communication systems, were built in the U.S. by Metal Shark Aluminium Boats.

Ambassador Hardt said the handover is the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries as they cooperate to combat transnational organised crime, and ensure freedom of commerce.

He disclosed that prior to the handover, the military

forces from the two countries have been engaged in training sessions on the operation and maintenance of the vessels, along with courses on marine patrol and interdiction. The training will be ongoing to prepare the local army to respond to any crisis, he said.

The Ambassador revealed that all of these initiatives – the provision of state-of-the-art patrol boats, communications equipment and ongoing training and support – are part of a more comprehensive regional security partnership undertaken through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

He noted that through the CBSI programme, similar vessels are already in operation throughout the Caribbean, boosting regional capacity to meet the illicit trafficking threat head-on. Vessels of this type are also being used by the U.S. military and navy around the world, he highlighted.

Canada streamlines visa application process

The procedure to apply for a temporary resident visa at the High Commission of Canada in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago has changed as of Tuesday, April 1.

According to a release, applicants may submit applications using one of the following two methods: Visa Applications Centres (VAC) and Online (e-app). Applications can be made through the two visa application centres in Port of Spain, Trinidad or Georgetown, Guyana. Applicants who are unable to submit their application in person to the VAC

office may courier their applications to one of the VAC offices at http://www.csc-cvac.com/ en-TT/selfservice/cvac_welcome or http://www.csc-cvac. com/en-GY/selfservice/cvac_ welcome

On the online (e-app) method, applicants may submit their applications via www.cic.gc.ca. Persons applying via an online application do not need to submit their passport until processing is complete and they are requested to do so.

Effective Tuesday, April 1, the High Commission of Canada will no longer pro-

vide in person and drop box facilities for submission of applications.

Citizens of certain countries are required to submit biometrics along with their applications.

“If you are required to submit biometrics, you should visit the VAC in person well in advance of your intended travel date. To see if you are required to provide biometrics, please visit www.cic. gc.ca,” the release urged.

Holders of diplomatic, official and special passports can submit their applications directly at the High Commission during opening

hours.

The High Commission of Canada to Trinidad and Tobago will be opened to clients by appointments only. A letter of invitation/interview convocation letter is required to gain entry.

“The Immigration Section of the High Commission of Canada appreciates your understanding as measures to modernise and streamline service delivery are implemented.

“For additional information on Immigration programmes and services, please visit: www.trinidadandtobago.gc.ca,” the release stated.

Coast Guard gets $340M in vessels...

“It is our hope that these vessels will likewise boost Guyana’s ability to disrupt and dismantle illicit trafficking in its waters and reinforce regional efforts. We put forward this hope, because our countries recognise that illicit trafficking destabilises economic progress, threatens public safety, and makes it more likely that vulnerable populations may be lured into criminal organisations,” the Ambassador stated.

Hardt added:

“Transnational trafficking has emerged as a major threat

to governance and security throughout the Caribbean, as the flow of drugs, arms, and even people generates large profits for criminal networks that, in turn, distort economies and undermine the rule of law, making it harder for countries to reach their national, social and economic goal.”

The Ambassador went on to say that the U.S. looks forward to continued collaboration with Guyana through the CBSI programme to build shared capacity in order to meet these diverse challenges.

In his remarks at the ceremony, President Ramotar expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for donating the vessels, which, he said, will definitely help to improve the efficiency of not only the GDF but all the Disciplined Forces in combating the various aspects of crime and criminal activities.

The President acknowledged the alarming increase in crime globally, and highlighted the need for close relationships among countries to combat this. He noted that

these vessels will not only be available to the Government and Disciplined Forces but also to other law enforcement bodies which will benefit from their use.

Ramotar went on to explain the “demarcation of duties”, pointing out that “defence” is not limited to protecting the borders but extends to providing an atmosphere within a country that will enable its people to feel safe and live in peace. He noted that the three vessels will go a long way in making an invaluable contribution to the improvement of security and crime-fighting in Guyana.

He implored the coastguards who will be using the vessels to care for them, as in doing so, they will extend their lifetime thereby allowing resources to be channelled into other areas. “I urge the army, the Coast Guard in particular, to ensure these vessels are used effectively so that CANU [Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit] can call to go after criminal elements and police can also get to use them,” he stated.

Infrastructure

Ramotar pointed out that the security sector provides a variety of jobs and opportunities. The President added that his Administration is committed to the development of Guyana hence the many investments in its infrastructure.

On this note, he disclosed that Guyana is well on its way to reaching another Millennium Development Goal (MDG) – achieving universal secondary education. Ramotar noted that his Government has shown its commitment in the education sector and this is proven in its budget in which the social sector gets the largest allocation every year.

The vessels are 31 feet long with a seating capacity of six; however, a maximum of 12 persons can be accommodated on board. Their maximum range is 200 nautical miles and maximum speed, 50-plus knots. After the commissioning ceremony, the small gathering of top officials from the security sector and dignitaries were given a sample of the vessels’ capabilities. The President and Ambassador were also given a tour of the boats and taken on a ride along the Demerara River.

Eyew tness Sleeping with...

...blood money

We weren’t surprised the newly-designated “Plenipotentiary Representative of the UK to Caricom” denied any responsibility for the effect of slavery on the peoples of African origin in the Caribbean. Even though she and her Government accept that it was inhuman, horrible, atrocious...or whatever negative adjective you want to apply – there’ll be no reparations in the present! “Those shameful activities belong to the past. Governments today cannot take responsibility for what happened 400 years ago,” she declaimed.

Well, when they carried on about how horrible the slave trade was in “commemorating” the 200th anniversary of its abolition back in 2007, then President Bharrat Jagdeo was one of the first to suggest that since they felt so strongly about the slave trade, then maybe it was time they did something about the effects of slavery. Like offering reparations. He made the comment in the presence of the then British High Commissioner to Guyana...and many persons thought he was “out of place”.

How dare he rain on the British parade when they were so busy patting themselves for ending something they introduced and prospered from? But hey...the British don’t like being reminded that the same moral standards they apply to others should be applied to themselves. They took over the Falklands 200 years ago. So if they’re not responsible for things back then, why not return the islands to Argentina?

“Well,” the British would retort, “the people of the Falklands held a referendum to say they wanted British rule, no?” Self-determination and all that. But as Argentina recently reminded them, isn’t it hypocritical for the British to now denounce the referendum by Crimeans to rejoin Russia? Sauce for the goose and gander and all that, no?

But like we said, even before Caricom Ministers decided to demand reparations from Britain and Europe, reparations are our birthright and reparations we will have. The British are used to changing the rules of the game to suit their interests. But like someone said before...the times, they are a ‘changin’. Slavery might’ve ended 170 years ago...but not the effects on the people of the Caribbean nor on the people of Britain.

As Eric Williams showed, it was slavery that provided the basis for the development of capitalism in Britain... and their vaunted “industrial revolution”. And their “light touch” financial innovations that spun gold from NINJAs.

Consequently, there’s more than enough money floating around the City of London to offer the modern equivalent of the “compensation” to slave owners in 1844, to the descendants of the said slaves, a hundred times over. A trillion?

...the enemy

On the same question of reparations, there was a very weird letter from Abu Bakr who appears to be the local informant on the French perspective on this evidently vexed (to Bakr) matter of “reparations”.

We notice Eric Phillips has answered some of the fulminations and excuses for the institution of African slavery in general – and that of the French in particular. We wonder, en passant, what Franz Fanon, who had more than a passing acquaintance with the French’s treatment of Africans, would’ve thought of men like Bakr. Black Faces, White Masks?

Anyhow, the point that grates us is Bakr’s snide dismissal of Walter Rodney’s seminal contribution to the economic historiography of Africa, as “that Europe somehow “underdeveloped” Africa.” So what do you call taking control of a continent, politically, economically and every other “..ally” you can think about...and then refusing to have industries introduced into them?

As a prophet once said, we have to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, Bakr.

...guilty consciences

APNU and AFC can’t get over the leak of their poll. They snucked in Jagdeo to determine whether the Donald’s support was “soft” – but were shocked it was not. Now they’re trying to claim Jagdeo’s gunning for a third term.

You can’t cash the same cheque twice – especially when it bounced the first time!

GPL Infrastructure Development Project nears completion

The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the China Export-Import Bank, through a concessionary loan of US$38.963 million is entering the final stages of the Infrastructure Development Project.

The project provides for the development and expansion of GPL’s transmission and distribution system.

This loan is supplemented by US$3.9 million from GPL’s revenue for preparatory works, including route clearing, site preparation and backfilling to above 2005 flood levels.

The project scope includes the construction of seven new 69/13.8kV substations, approximately 96km of 69 kV overhead transmission lines, the upgrade and expansion of three existing sub-

stations (Kingston, Sophia and Onverwagt) and the construction of a fibre-optic network, linking all substations from Skeldon in the East, Edinburgh in the West and Garden of Eden in the South to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at a New Control Centre at Sophia. The transmission lines and substations will serve to integrate major load centres

along the coast, and will provide the capability to move bulk power from large, efficient, heavy fuel oil fired generating plants in Demerara and Berbice to those load centres. Additionally, 26 new 13.8 kV primary distribution feeder outlets at the various substations will allow existing long, overloaded feeders, especially on the East and West Coast Demerara, to be segmented into shorter, more lightly loaded sections.

Improvements

These developments will result in improved quality of supply, system stability, improved voltage regulation, and reduction of technical losses. They will also prepare the system to accept and distribute power from the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project.

The first priority works on the West Demerara were completed and commissioned and are providing quality service to that region. These works are the expansion of the Kingston 69 kV Substation, the installation of a 69 kV submarine cable across the Demerara River from Kingston to Vreed-enHoop, construction of two new substations at Vreed-en-Hoop and Edinburgh, and construction of a 14km, 69 kV transmission line linking the two new substations.

The GPL release said in August 2013, the Sophia substation was upgraded; on September 2013, a new Sophia 69 kV substation and control centre (this will not be fully functional until the entire project is completed), and interconnection of New Sophia and existing Sophia upgrade; and a 10km, 69kV transmission line from New Sophia Substation to Good Hope Substation.

In October 2013, construction of 27km, 69kV transmission line was completed. The construction of 37 km, 69kV transmission line was completed in February 2014.

Columbia (Mahaicony) Substation is approximately 82 per cent complete and the New Georgetown Substation (North Ruimveldt) is about 88 per cent complete, both are expected to be completed by March 31.

The upgraded Onverwagt Substation (West Coast Berbice) is some 60 per cent complete, while the Golden Grove (Diamond) Substation is approximately 50 per cent near finish.

Rundee gon keep runnin

In athletics, it got good runners and bad runners. Some a dem win Olympics like de Bolt Man from Jamaica. Some never mek it so far, but dem is still good runners. Dem is people who know how to run good, and some a dem can even outrun people like de Bolt Man if dem get de chance.

One man run from de law de other day. Is no wonder he name Rundee. In fact, he so good that he run to a bike and then run away pun a bike. That had to be in memory of de man fuh who de case get call up in de fuss place, because he was a biker. But a reporter seh Rundee gon keep runnin.

Not too long ago, another man run from de law. But he was accustom to runnin pun dem cricket fields in GT de garbage town. De man used to play a lotta cricket in Queen’s Town, so maybe that was why de case was a royal run around in de court, not to mention de pullice who had dem own runnins wid de case.

This is de only country wheh people does see people do wrong tings and dem does run away and seh dem ain’t see. Or, as de pullice seh, de people who see does run away and don’t turn up to seh whah dem see.

De pullice on de other hand does claim that dem can’t run after people like dem. Well, accordin to de Home Affairs Minister, dem pullice officers can’t run at all wid all de belly whah dem got. De Minister can only hope and pray that de pullice gon instead get de belly to do wuk. Otherwise, he gon have to run dem home.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And in de meantime, two Headitors in GT de garbage town runnin from a mail, and Green Jah and Rum Jhaat runnin from one another poll. Green Bridge, Nagga Man and a lotta other people runnin from de same poll too.

Unions sue UG for various damages

The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) on Friday filed a writ in the High Court against the University of Guyana (UG).

UGSSA Vice President Mellissa Ifill said the writ was served on Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi by a Court Marshall.

The two UG associations through their presidents, Dr Patsy Francis and Bruce Haynes are seeking damages in excess of $100,000; damages in ex-

cess of $100,000 for fraudulent conversion of the plantiffs’ members’ salary and wages including deductions from the plaintiffs’ members salary and wages for NIS [National Insurance Scheme] deductions and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) between January 2014 to March 2014; damages in excess of $100,000 for breach of statutory duty to remit deductions from the plaintiffs’ members’ salary and wages for NIS payments and PAYE as mandated by the Provisions of the Income Tax Act and the National Insurance and Social Security Act, Chapter 36:01 of the laws of Guyana; costs; interest; and further or other order the court may seem just.

UG is commanded within 10 days after the service of the writ inclusive of the day of service (March 21, 2014), to make an appearance to be entered on its behalf in response to the suit. Failing to do so, the plaintiffs (UGSSA and UGWU) may proceed and judgement may be given in the university’s absence. The writ was taken out by attorneys Nigel Hughes and Kendaise Rodney for the plaintiffs.

FFTP, Republic Bank build homes for underprivileged families

Five families are now the proud recipients of new two-bedroom homes, thanks to Food For The Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFTP) and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, which have partnered to build homes for underprivileged families. The homes are located in Diamond/Grove, East

Bank Demerara; Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara; Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice; and Johanna North, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne Coast.

Housing Ministry to pay greater attention to squatting

The Housing and Water Ministry will this year place major focus on residents living in underdeveloped conditions. Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, speaking to Guyana Times earlier Friday, revealed that a significant portion of the 2014 housing budget will address the major issues faced by squatters.

The Minister noted that almost all squatters occupying Government lands fall within the low-income bracket, pointing out that the Government has a special package for these households.

Ali said low income fami-

lies can look forward to further reduced prices on houselots. He said he was unsure whether Government would allow squatters to remain on their respective plots and have the area regularised, as squatters may have to be relocated.

Ali had said earlier that Government was concerned about the well-being of all Guyanese, including those who may be occupying lands illegally or without the relevant titles. He said the Housing and Water Ministry has a responsibility to engage persons in squatter settlements to have them un-

derstand the importance of having well-structured and planned communities, which can only be realised through regularisation.

Last year, 973 lots in squatter settlements were upgraded. Works included the paving of roads, the installation of drainage, septic tanks, and water networks.

Ali had said too that the first step towards regularisation is the execution of a new occupancy survey that would seek to identify those persons who would benefit directly from the process and those who may become disenfranchised as a result.

W&R producing organically treated water

Wieting & Richter (W&R) produces its Crystal Spring bottled water which features a revolutionary organic treatment.

The water retains its natural artesian purity, clarity, and taste. W&R is among only a few in the world who have implemented this sort of bio-polymer organic treatment to drinking water.

Crystal Spring is the

only drinking water on the local market whose product development has led it to a state of untainted goodness which allows the consumer the enjoyment of a rare level of quality, which otherwise would have been “compromised in traditional purification processes” in most cases.

W&R’s new organic water treatment is non-toxic and unscented, and kills all

waterborne diseases, bacteria and fungi on contact. The bottled water is available in 600-millilitre, 1.5-litre and five- gallon sizes in selected stores, mini-marts, and restaurants countrywide.

The company also manufactures Party Ice from the same purified water that is organically treated. They can be contacted on phone numbers 686-8590 and 2266150. (See ad below)

Speaking at the handingover ceremony of the home at Lot 59 Johanna North to Deonarine Shewpersaud last week, FFTP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kent Vincent said the organisation was committed to helping the poor in Guyana and was extremely grateful for the assistance afforded by Republic Bank in the construction of the homes.

He further stated that the FFTP is a ministry to the poor and depends on businesses and individuals for donations to realise projects of this nature. He informed the gathering that the FFTP intends to build no less than 120 houses this year, and appealed to corporate Guyana to assist in making this a reality. The FFTP has been

working to improve the living conditions of the less fortunate in the 10 regions of Guyana, and has built, under its housing project, approximately 3000 two-bedroom wooden homes, free of cost, across the country.

Happy

Speaking on behalf of Republic Bank, its Rose Hall Branch Manager, Harry Dass Ghannes, said the bank has been serving communities and making donations not only to the FFTP, but sports and other nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). He said the bank was very happy to be associated with the housing project and would be pleased to continue in the future.

Shewpersaud, a 58-year-

old father of two, thanked the FFTP and Republic Bank for making life comfortable for his family. The proud new homeowner said the family lived under deplorable conditions before the acquisition of his home and he was extremely thankful for the generosity of Republic Bank and the FFTP.

In an invited comment, Region Six Vice Chairman Bhopaul Jagroo praised the FFTP for its tremendous assistance to the poor and said whenever it assisted the poor, the organisation helped the communities in which it built. Four more families are set to benefit from the collaborative effort of the FFTP and Republic Bank, and the homes are near completion.

Message from Hon Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali

INTERNATIONAL WORLD WATER DAY 2014 - ‘WATER & ENERGY’

How to manage sustainable energy and water resources is a heated discussion occurring across the Globe. Every nation is debating the best way to ensure consistent energy supply as well as ways to ensure safe water for the future. The fact that the production and distribution of safe water also depends significantly on energy supplies is also a major issue affecting every country. Hence, the selection of the theme ‘Water and Energy’ for the 2014 observance of International World Water Day is to be commended as these two resources are vital to the future of every nation; Guyana in particular requires a large scale public education initiative on the need to conserve on both of these vital resources.

It is not uncommon to observe the average Guyanese complaining about a disruption to their water service during a power outage without understanding the link between the two occurrences. It is important that customers of the Nation’s most important utilities take the time to understand the relationship between water service and electricity. Indeed, electrical energy is the life-blood of the water sector as this is the only means by which the water utility can extract and distribute water to the country. Without the partnership of the two utilities much of the progress and expansion of the housing sector occurring now would not be moving at such an extraordinary pace.

The question is therefore how do we sustain energy supplies and manage our water resources in order to secure an optimistic future. The answer to this question is in the hands of every Guyanese as we must act now to reduce our carbon foot print. We have all seen the headlines about the fuel crisis facing the World, the very fuel needed by the utility to power every aspect of our lives; electricity

not only provides power to our homes and offices but is critical to our security and expansion of Guyana’s economy. In fact the very foundations of our most critical industries including our business and education sectors can be severely crippled if Guyana faced an energy crisis. No modern society can exist without energy supplies and Guyana is no exception; but what are Guyanese doing in their own homes to combat the challenge of maintaining sustainable energy?

Indeed, there is no water service without a consistent supply of electrical energy. This fact will be critical to every Guyanese within the next decade as the water sector continues to experience massive growth. The current expansion of potable water in Guyana is unprecedented in our history. Linden will benefit from two state-of-the-art water treatment facilities and other vital improvements under the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank US$12 Million Linden Water Supply and Rehabilitation Programme. New water treatment facilities to improve quality are expected in highly populated areas including Cornelia Ida to De Kinderen; Diamond-Herstelling, Good Banana Land-Sheet Anchor-No.19 and immediate environs, as the customers’ demands have moved from the supply of water to the enhancement of quality. This expected investment by the Government of Guyana will benefit in excess of 70, 000 Guyanese. Such expansion requires large amounts of energy. Is every Guyanese prepared for a future in which we have to give thought to every drop of water we utilize or every time we turn on a switch? The time is now to truly take cognizance of the need to sustain our energy and water supplies through conservation. The Government of Guyana has invested in the longevity of Guyana’s energy and water sectors as each utility has an energy management unit; in fact each new Government of Guyana programme to expand water supply includes considerations for reducing energy consumption and costs. However, the most beneficial acts to reduce energy and water consumption will happen in our very homes. I challenge every Guyanese to take up the mantle of energy and water conservation.

I commend Guyana Water Inc and the Guyana Power and Light Company for their educational initiative aimed at students in celebration of the theme of International World Water Day, since it is in the molding of young minds that we can truly achieve a future that is ripe with progress because of the habits of a generation that is truly focused on sustaining energy and water.

Deborah Backer passes on

By Svetlana MarShall

Former Speaker of the National Assembly and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)

“Iron Lady” Deborah Jan Backer died Friday morning after battling cancer for months. She succumbed to her illness at the Davis Memoriam Hospital, Trinidad and Tobago.

In expressing deep regrets, the PNCR broke the shocking news, plunging the political fraternity, the legal affairs sector and by extension the rest of Guyana in a state of sadness.

At the Leader of the Opposition’s Office, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, a minute of silence was observed at approximately 11:00h in the absence of David Granger, who was out of the district.

PNCR Chairman Basil Williams, who was undoubtedly gripped with sadness, told a news conference that he received the devastating news just before 07:00h from Granger.

“The People’s National Congress Reform and the A Partnership for National Unity [APNU] have lost a great icon, a freedom fighter, a champion for women’s rights, a soldier for justice and I have lost a sister,” an almost tearful Williams said.

Williams expressed condolences to Backer’s close family and friends.

Comrade

Hailed as a sister and a comrade, Harmon said Backer’s death is an irreplaceable lost to the PNCR, APNU and the Bar Association of Guyana. Her unflagging commitment, tireless pursuit of social justice and infectious good humour will be missed.

“We have loss a cherish colleague, a friend for all season, a creative parliamentary and political leader, a Guyanese patriot of rare quality,” he said.

Meanwhile, Greenidge did not fall short in recognising her role in the PNCR and subsequently the APNU in defending the party’s position in the National Assembly.

“In terms of her capacity to master the Standing Orders, to understand the Standing Orders, to recall them and to be able to use them to telling effect, she does not have

a pair in the House. She was also quick on her feet, someone who could have adjusted to the twist and the turn in the debate and therefore as a colleague, she was a major asset.”

Without a doubt, APNU will miss her as a woman who commanded respect and served the people of Guyana selflessly, he said.

Major loss

“It is a major loss to the APNU and we are surely going to find difficulties filling her shoes.”

Shortly after noon, vehicles lined in front of her Meadow Brook residence, as close family and friends gathered in much sor-

row. The family declined to speak to Guyana Times, requesting privacy.

In February, the attorney resigned as an APNU MP and by extension Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. In December 2013, she fell ill. Early January, she was flown to the U.S. and received treatment at a hospital in Florida.

Backer obtained her Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago in 1983 and a Bachelor of Law at the University of the West Indies in 1981. She previously served in the National Assembly during the period 1997-2001 and 2001-2007, before her last appointment in 2011. She resigned as an APNU Member of Parliament in February after falling ill late last year.

In addition to her parliamentary role, she served on the Georgetown City Council in 1994. At the time of her death, she was a member of a number of important organisations such as the Lions Club International and the Women Millennium Caucus.

Backer was a tower of strength – APNU’s Chief Whip

By Svetlana MarShall

Around the country, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) flags are being flown at half-mass in observance of the passing of Deborah Jan Backer; an outstanding attorney and politician by heart.

When Guyana Times visited the PNCR’s headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia; sorrow filled the air as the officers on duty reflected on the life of the great leader who fought many verbal battles in her pursuit to uphold women’s rights and social justice.

In his reflection, the PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke recalled that Backer joined the party back in 1993, just before the staging of Local Government Elections in 1994, under the leadership of late President Desmond Hoyte. Since then, Backer had given her unwav-

very powerful public speaker, Clarke said the former Deputy Speaker was an independent thinker, someone who stood up for what she believed in. In delivering platform speeches during election campaigns, he said without a doubt, she commanded the attention of her audience; gaining respect across the na-

ering support to the party until she drew her last breath.

Powerful speaker

“She has contributed immensely to the development of the party during her years of service and she will be remembered for her many contributions… at the last congress in 2012, we were talking about constitutional reforms… and she willingly undertook to spearhead the work, unfortunately, she could not have concluded that work.”

Describing her as a

tion. “She had a rare talent,” he said.

Holding back tears, Clarke said he will forever remember Backer as a woman with great humility.

Questioned about memorable moments he shared with Backer, the PNCR General Secretary said in 1998, upon his appointment, Backer greeted him with much joy as she saw him as a supportive individual.

“For me, that was good, that was one of the high points, I give her high marks for her humility.”

Guyana has lost a patriot – APNU, PNCR

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have hailed the late Deborah Backer as a patriot and stalwart who showed unflagging commitment in her tireless pursuit of social justice.

In a joint statement, the two political entities said their late member will be deeply missed.

“The untimely passing of our sister and comrade Debbie Backer is an irreplaceable loss to her party, to our partnership, to the bar, and to the nation. We shall miss her infectious good humour, her unflagging commitment and her tireless pursuit of social justice. Unusually for such a vociferous parliamentary combatant, she was admired and respected across the aisle. As she was fond of saying when-

ever, as Deputy Speaker, she assumed the Speaker’s chair, “I expect that there will be order and silence in the House”.

This remark was always greeted with peals of laughter, an acknowledgement of her quick wit and ever ready repartee from the frontbench, usually an invitation to counter heckling and disorder. She made heckling into an art form, sharp and withering though never personally wounding. The National Assembly has been a duller place for her absence.

“We have lost a cherished colleague, a friend for all seasons, a creative parliamentary and political leader, a Guyanese patriot of rare quality. To her Husband Steve and Children Natasha and Nigel, the Peoples National Congress Reform and A Partnership

for National Unity extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy,” the joint statement said.

Backer joined the People’s National Congress (PNC) in 1994 and became a candidate for the party on its list of candidates to contest the Georgetown Municipal Elections that year.

Following the election, Backer was selected among 10 candidates to represent the PNCR in the Georgetown Municipality. In 1997, she was again selected as a candidate for the party in the General Election of that year and was elected a member of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana from 1998 to 2001 and was reelected at each subsequent General Election, 2006 and 2011, until her resignation in February 2014 due to illness.

In 1997, Backer was co-opted to the Central

Executive Committee of the party and brought new and fresh perspectives to the deliberations of that forum.

Because of her work and contributions among the rank and file members, she was elected to the Executive Committee at the Biennial Congress in 2000.

In 2004, she was elected Vice Chairman of the party at the Biennial Congress of that year and served until 2006.

An active member of the party’s General Council, she undertook the task of reviewing the party’s Constitution as recommended by the 2012 Congress, but regrettably was side-lined by illness.

As a parliamentarian, Backer served as shadow Home Affairs Minister, Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, APNU Chief Whip Amna Ally expressed condolences to the grieving family, noting too that Backer was an asset and a role model in the PNCR/APNU party.

“Debbie has been a tower of strength not only in our party but in Parliament. She often had the Government side swinging; when they say something, she rebutted. She has served us faithfully and we will miss her.”

Surprised Ally recalled that she had spoken to Backer just a few days ago, and from all indications, she was “doing quite fine”. “So this news came has a major shock for me,” Ally added.

Another PNCR member, Cheryl Sampson said “Debbie was someone you will never forget. I love that sharpness of her thinking, I served for a short while with her in Parliament and by the time the people on the other side said something; Debbie had the answer.”

Sampson noted too that the former APNU MP found pleasure in doing field work, meeting the regular man in the street. “I met Debbie years ago, when her sisters were at high school; this little one would have come along and I never knew that she would have turned out to be a woman of such great calibre.”

Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Nigel Hughes also offered his condolences. “I think the country owes her a debt of gratitude, I extend condolences not only on behalf of my family but the Alliance For Change to her family and the party… she was a tremendous woman,” he said.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali also expressed condolence to Backer’s family. He too also paid tribute to the role the former MP played in the National Assembly.

In addition to being a politician, Backer was also a founding member of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers. Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang during a brief interview with this publication said Backer was always very courteous when in court.

“She was always prepared. She has had many appearances before me but she has had quite a few and I never had a problem with her. She did her work and her passing is a loss too to the profession,” he said.

AFC mourns Backer’s passing

The Alliance For Change (AFC) said it is saddened at the passing of former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) frontbencher Deborah Backer and extends most sincere condolences to her family, relatives and colleagues in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and APNU.

The party in a statement said Backer served Guyana with distinction and her prowess as a member of the National Assembly; the depth of her research, eloquence of delivery, quick wit, charm

and knowledge, especially of the Standing Orders, will be held as a standard to which new members would aspire and to which members of longstanding will hold themselves. Backer's competence as an attorney was no less outstanding, the AFC said in a statement.

“All our lives have been enriched as a result of the tireless work of Deborah Backer in the Assembly, courtroom and with organisations to which she was a member. The AFC salutes Mrs Deborah Jan Backer and mourns her passing", the statement concluded.

Backer’s passing leaves irreplaceable void – Trotman

House Speaker Raphael Trotman said the National Assembly is deeply sorrowful as the passing of former Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Deborah Backer.

Trotman said Backer was a long-standing member of the Assembly; having served in various capacities from 1998 to 2014.

In a statement, Trotman said at the time of her resignation in February 2014, she was the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, member of various standing and special select committees, and the main Opposition’s

spokesperson on foreign affairs, public safety and national security.

“She has made an indelible mark on the political fabric of Guyana and her monumental contribution in the fight against injustice, inequality, and intolerance will be everlasting. Hers was an indomitable and beautiful spirit and her passing will leave a void that is irreplaceable,” Trotman said.

The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk and staff of the Parliament Office extend deepest sympathy to her family, colleagues and friends in this time of grief and sorrow. “May her beloved soul rest in peace,” the Speaker’s statement concluded.

12th Safari launched

The 12th annual Pakaraima

Mountain Safari was launched on Friday with the aim to increase participation of locals and promote community-based tourism in Amerindian villages.

The launching was held at the Tourism Ministry’s South Road Office.

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali speaking at the launch, described the event as “an adventure of a lifetime”.

The eight-day adventure begins on April 12 and ends on April 20.

The organisers of the Safari are hoping to have a convoy of 40 vehicles, inclusive of motorbikes and ATVs and will see participation from Jamaica, Trinidad, Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela.

Chief Organiser Frank Singh, who has been with the Safari for the past 12 years, said this year a new Pakaraima Mountain Safari Club will be launched, to

make the event more organised.

Those desirous of joining the club will have to pay an annual fee of $25,000.

Meanwhile, Minister Ali said this year the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism Ministry will be providing 4×4 trucks for some 30 persons.

As usual, this year’s Safari will correspond with the Rodeo celebrations in Lethem, Region Nine.

saturday, march 22, 2014|

GECOM registration officers urged to maintain high standards

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) registration officers (ROs) have been reminded to provide services of the highest standards, keeping in mind that the image and reputation of the Commission are at stake.

This was emphasised by Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, during an address to the ROs at a meeting held on Wednesday, March 19 at the Ocean View International Hotel.

Dr Surujbally noted that the ROs would be raising the bar of their performance, and stakeholders’ satisfaction, as they interface on a daily basis with members of the public to conduct registration transactions.

He pointed out that the provision of excellent ser-

vices in an atmosphere of courtesy is absolutely necessary to enhancing and maintaining the reputation of the Commission and Secretariat.

Noting that this meeting was the first at which Keith Lowenfield was participating as the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Dr Surujbally highlighted the upward progression of the newly-appointed CEO and urged the ROs to use this as an example to upgrade themselves towards advancement within GECOM. The GECOM Chairman urged the ROs to give their fullest support to Lowenfield.

In his maiden address to the ROs, as the substantive CEO, Lowenfield underlined that under his stewardship, the GECOM Secretariat will be guided by the relevant

laws and the policies of the Commission throughout the day-to-day operations. In this regard, he underscored the need for him to get the ROs fullest cooperation above and beyond the call of duty when necessary.

Moreover, he was unambiguous in anchoring his position that the new culture that he would be attempting to promote was based on honesty and efficiency in the delivery of services, watchwords that must guide the ROs and their staff in the delivery of their responsibilities. He added that there was no place for duplicity, deviousness and deception under his stewardship.

The meeting was organised to bring the ROs, from all of the 28 GECOM registration offices across Guyana, up to date with the state of preparedness for the commencement of the Sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration.

Further, the meeting was used to emphasise procedural issues relating to the Sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration, and further discuss issues associated with boundary descriptions for constituencies in the local authority areas.

Resource persons at the workshop were Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer Calvin Benn, acting Assistant Chief Election Officer Deolall Ramlall, Logistics Manager Colin April and Voter Registration Manager Beverley Critchlow.

Benn receives report on Timehri Control Tower walkout

– decision to be taken on sanctions

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Acting Director Chaitrani Heeralall told Guyana Times the preliminary report into the incident whereby an Air Traffic Control Officer abandoned his post while a Caribbean Airlines plane was midair over the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was submitted to Transport Minister Robeson Benn on Friday.

While she did not divulge the findings of the report, she confirmed it would have suggested disciplinary action against the employees at fault. The report will be presented to a board and the final decision will be tak-

en with respect to sanctions to be imposed on the employees.

The report, according to sources, was completed more than a week ago; the reason for the late submission to the Minister is unclear.

Nonetheless, this publication was told that the three persons involved in the fiasco are likely to be suspended, while there was talk of at least one being sent home permanently.

According to information, investigators were told that the young man on duty at the time of the incident claimed that he was ill and would have informed his supervisor who was at a function earlier with other members of the

GCAA.

As he informed his supervisor that he was unable to work through a second shift (the 00:00h-08:00 shift) owing to his illness, it was only then the official realised that the employee who was supposed to reliefvethe young man was not at work. Attempts to make contact with the relieve Air Traffic Controller proved futile.

However, immediately after the incident, a senior official at the facility said the young man went into work on Thursday afternoon at 16:00h and was supposed to be relieved from his post at midnight, but his replacement did not report for duty. He added that at no point in time did the young man inform his superior that he was not comfortable working beyond the call of duty, noting that if this was done, alternative arrangements would have been made.

The young man left the tower as the aircraft was about to land, but clearance was subsequently given after a senior staff filled the void.

The GCAA, in a release the following day, stated that the in-bound flight was in contact with the Area Control Centre, which provided a replacement Air Traffic Controller to ensure the safe landing of the aircraft.

Guyana Times understands that getting air traffic controllers to work beyond the call of duty is a major problem in the industry.

An investigation was immediately launched into the walkout, resulting in the three persons implicated being relieved of their duties to facilitate the process.

GECOM embarking on Sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will commence the Sixth Cycle of Continuous Registration on Monday, ending on June 21.

Anyone who will be 14 years or older by August 31, 2013, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalisation, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, is eligible for registration during this exercise.

During this registration exercise, persons who are eligible for registration are required to visit the Registration Office that is responsible for their areas of residence to apply for registration.

Such persons must be in possession of the relevant source documents as might be necessary to support their applications for registration.

These are original birth certificate issued by the General Register Office or a valid Guyana Passport, original marriage certificate (and original birth certificate) – in the case of a name change

by way of marriage, original deed poll and original birth certificate – in the case of any change of name by deed poll, and original naturalisation certificate issued by the Home Affairs Ministry and original birth certificate/valid passport – in the case of naturalisation.

Evidence (photocopy/duplicate) of an application having been made for naturalisation will not be accepted.

Source documents

Baptismal certificates, expired passports, photocopies of relevant documents or letters from priests, elders, headmasters, village captains/toshaos and justices of the peace or existing ID cards will not be acceptable as source documents for registration.

All persons who will be eligible for registration, but are not in possession of the relevant supporting document(s) stated above are urged to take immediate steps to acquire the said documents in order to facilitate their re-

spective registration during this continuous registration exercise.

Persons who were already registered could, if necessary apply for a name change in the case of the change of name(s) by marriage or deed poll, since they were registered, or apply for correction(s), if there is incorrect information on their National ID Cards or apply for a transfer if they have changed their addresses since they were last registered.

Additionally, persons who are already registered could request that their photographs be retaken, if the quality of the photograph on their ID cards is unacceptable, or collect their new ID cards if they have not done so as yet.

Registration offices

GECOM has 28 permanent registration offices located in all of the 10 administrative regions. Persons are required to visit the registration office that is responsible for the registration of

persons in their area of residence to apply for registration or uplift their National Identification Card if they were previously registered and have not done so as yet.

The registration offices in the various regions are: Mabaruma Registration Office, Port Kaituma Registration Office and Moruka Registration Office, Region One; Charity Registration Office and Anna Regina Registration Office, Region Two; Parika Registration Office and Pouderoyen Registration Office, Region Three; Diamond Registration Office, Area ‘M’ Diamond, Soesdyke Registration Office, Soesdyke Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Office, South Georgetown Registration Office, Action Tyre Building, Croal and Smyth streets, North Georgetown Registration Office, former Prime Time Building, Church Street, Georgetown, Transfiguration Church (Annex) Mandela Avenue, Sheriff and William

streets Registration Office, Coldingen Registration Office and Better Hope Community Centre, Region Four; Mahaicony Registration Office and Fort Wellington Registration Office, Region Five; New Amsterdam Registration Office, Kaitano Building, Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, Kildonan Registration Office and Corriverton Registration Office, Region Six; Bartica Registration Office and Kamarang Registration Office, Region Seven; Mahdia Registration Office and Paramakatoi Registration Office, Region Eight; Annai Registration Office and Lethem Registration Office, Region Nine; and MacKenzie Registration Office and Wismar Registration Office, Region 10.

The office hours during which persons could apply for registration/collect ID cards are Monday to Friday, 09:00h to 13:00h and 14:30h to 18:00h; and Saturdays from 10:00h to 14:00h.

The offices will be closed

on Sundays and holidays

“It is the civic duty and legal responsibility of all Guyanese who will who meet the eligibility requirements to apply for registration during this Cycle of Continuous Registration.

Future elections

"By so doing, they would be ensuring that they are included on the official lists of electors for future elections, if they meet the other eligibility criteria, apart from being issued with National ID cards,” GECOM said.

Section Six of the National Registration Act, Chapter, 19:08 makes it obligatory for persons who meet the registration criteria to apply for registration. Persons eligible for registration could be prosecuted, fined and/or even sent to prison for failing or refusing to apply for registration.

In the case of eligible persons under the age of 18 years by the qualifying date, the parents/guardians could be prosecuted for failure/refusal to apply for registration.

Engine of crashed plane not yet removed

The engine of the Piper aircraft which crashed at Arau, Region Seven on Tuesday morning moments after taking off from the airstrip there is still to be removed from the crash site, acting Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Chaitrani Heeralall confirmed Friday.

Heeralall said the GCAA is in discussions with several local airlines with the intention of getting them to travel to the crash site to bring out the engine. She said at this point in time, only helicopters are accessible to the area, but at the same time, they have to make sure that there are no risks involved during the operation.

The official stated that investigators are presently reviewing the specification of the engine to determine the most suitable means of transportation to the Ogle International Airport (OIA).

Heeralall reiterated that once the engine has been removed; it will be shipped to

the manufacturer for inspection if GCCA investigators cannot determine the cause of the accident. She could not confirm if the aircraft was overweight but disclosed that four persons were removed from the wreckage, along with their personal belongings.

The acting GCCA Director explained that passenger belongings includedcereals, clothes and other small items. However, all the documentations with respect to the flight path were collected from the aircraft and the investigators are presently reviewing them with the hope of determining what went wrong.

Not properly briefed

Subject Minister, Robeson Benn when asked to comment on investigations into the crash, said he will not comment on the matter unless he is properly briefed.

However, Ivor Williams, 32, of Bachelors Adventure

remains hospitalised while the other three injured men, including the pilot were discharged.

According to reports, the single-engine Piper aircraft crashed after taking off at the decrepit Arau Airstrip, about 11:14h on Tuesday.

The four injured men were rescued around 16:00h by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Corps after the pilot had been in constant contact with the Timehri Control Tower.

They were subsequently taken to the city and treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Immediately after the accident, the GCAA in a statement said the injured passengers were employees of Bernard Singh, the pilot of the aircraft.

They were on their way to another region. Singh, the owner of the crashed aircraft, is also the owner of several mining camps in the interior.

It added that the pilot of the privately-owned aircraft, bearing registration number N87619, made contact via satellite phone with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) at Timehri Control Tower, resulting in GDF medical personnel being flown into the area.

The release added that the GDF helicopter located the crash site minutes after its location was related by another private operator, Emile Jahan of the Hinterland Aviation Inc, via the crashed aircraft’s Global Positioning System (GPS).

Trinidad: Aspiring lawyer, 14, shot dead by relative

Ahurting Omadavee

Lavia was still trying to come to terms with the untimely death of her 14-year-old daughter Thursday.

Speaking with the media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, Lavia said her daughter Murchanna, whom she described as a loving child and a bookworm did not deserve to die at such a tender age. “I never had a complaint. God gave me the best child and He take she away...you didn’t deserve this baby you didn’t deserve it,” Lavia cried.

Unfortunately, Lavia’s daughter died at the hands of a relative. According to police, Murchanna was reading a book at her Stoer Drive Extension, Petit Valley, home around 20:00h on Wednesday.

Her relative, 15, was nearby playing with a loaded gun when it went off. Murchanna was hit once in the chest. She was rushed to the hospital by her brother and uncle, but she died while undergoing treatment. According to police, the sus-

pect later claimed he heard a loud explosion and found Lavia, a Form Three pupil of Providence Girls’ High School, lying outside the house.

The suspect was assisting police in their investigation up to Thursday night, but the gun still had not been found.

Aspiring lawyer

On Thursday, the child’s mother, who said she was at a wake when the incident occurred, said her daughter always wanted to attend Providence Girls’ High and told her she would win a scholarship so her parents would not have to worry about financing her education. She wanted to study law.

“She would say “‘don’t worry I would get a scholarship and you would not have to spend a dollar’”. She loved to read. She would bring home books from the library and just read. She was reading when it happened,” the senior Lavia said.

“She don’t lime, she don’t go MovieTowne, she would

just stay home and read. She didn’t even have a boyfriend.”

At the family’s home Thursday, relatives gathered to offer support to the grieving mother. Many expressed their disbelief that such an incident had occurred. Many of the relatives were heard saying the relative would have been shocked at what he had done.

Her brother, Anthony, said she was loved by the entire family and was an allA student. He said, however, that they would forgive the relative for his mistake, because he did not mean to kill her and hoped the world would do so, too. He said, however, he had warned the relative about the bad company he was keeping.

A woman, who said she was the child’s grandmother, said she sat down and created the first name for the 14-year-old victim. The woman added that Lavia wanted to attend Providence, because she had attended the school. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

saturday, march 22, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana committed to sustainable forest utilisation – Persaud

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud said Guyana has not shirked it responsibility even though the global community has largely reneged on commitments to provide resources to developing countries to keep their forests intact.

According to the Minister, Guyana remains committed to ensuring that its forest resources are used wisely for development, but in a manner that recognises the need for future generations of Guyanese to enjoy access.

The Minister, who was at the time speaking on the occasion to mark International Day of Forests 2014, said Guyana remains committed to the principle of sustainable utilisation of these very important forest resources for socioeconomic and other development.

In his message to mark the occasion, Persaud said this is being done in keeping with environmental best practices, and in a manner that contributes to combating climate change globally.

Commitments

“We join with other likeminded countries and partners in insisting that the international community and developed nations make good on their commitments – both financial and in reducing emissions of green house gases to agreed levels, so that the remaining forests of the world can have, and thus be able to provide a future for us.”

By 2014, Guyana, and other like-minded developing countries have made considerable advances in addressing Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus (REDD+) and climate change challenges that were being discussed at these top international fora since 2007.

But Persaud said regretfully, there is still no firm financial and other relevant commitments coming from

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has announced that Region Two will be getting two more heavy-duty pumps to boost its drainage and irrigation network system.

Dr Ramsammy was at the time speaking to hundreds of rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast on Thursday at a special farmers’ meeting.

Dr Ramsammy said while the rice industry is facing some serious challenges, the Ministry is making invaluable investment in the drainage system.

He told farmers that provision will be made in an effort for their farmlands to receive adequate drainage and irrigation. On this note, the Minister said farmers should not just focus on

the international community and developed countries that provide the necessary framework to transform the ideas discussed and agreed on since 2007, on a global scale.

“We in Guyana have long recognised the value of the forest to our socio-economic, cultural-spiritual, and environmental well-being. Guyana’s forest covers approximately 85 per cent of the country, contains over five GtCO2 in above ground biomass, and is estimated at 18.5 million hectares.

"It provides a home to over a 1000 plant and animal species that live in and depend on the ecosystems that the forests provide,” Persaud noted.

Undisturbed forest

He said today, Guyana’s forests stand as one of the largest tract, of undisturbed forest in the world (25 per cent of the world’s remaining forest) and houses almost 40 per cent endemic species of plant and animal life.

The Minister said many parts of Guyana’s forest are also home to its indigenous peoples, who have lived in and protected the forest for generations in the past.

With forests being one of the most multi-dimensional resources in the world, it supports both renewable and non-renewable utilisation, and a range of forest goods and services.

“While we have been harvesting our forests commercially for hundreds of years, yet we have maintained 99

paddy and “play the blame game”; but pay attention to moving the industry forward.

The Minister stated that two pumps will be dispatched to the Essequibo Coast to assist in drain-

per cent of our forests intact and are credited by internationally credible auditors as having one of the world’s deforestation rates.

“This, we have been able to do by forging strong partnerships – partnerships among the Government, direct and indirect Guyanese stakeholders, especially our indigenous peoples, foreign investors, local and international NGOs, the international community, amongst others,” he said.

Model Since 2008, Guyana has put forward a model for the world that showed how “low carbon, low deforestation, climate resilient development” was possible.

The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which resulted from this model sets out the case that forests were worth more alive than dead.

It also emphasised the need to protect against climate change, and to stimulate future growth using clean energy, and non-deforesting economic activities.

Important in this model, was the need for world leaders to agree on a necessary international climate treaty in Copenhagen in 2009, a legally binding climate agreement where all countries accept their responsibilities for climate change action, including deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from historical polluters.

“This unfortunately did not materialise, and while the case was made for interim funding for developing countries to protect their forests; this also has not been very successful.”

In the face of all these disappointments, however, Guyana has continued to work with forward-thinking countries like the Kingdom of Norway on visionary approaches to sustainably using forests while maintaining or reducing deforestation and forest degradation levels.

age. He said his office has received numerous complaints from farmers over poor drainage and heavy siltation.

A new heavy-duty pump will be installed at Lima while another one will be sent to Three Friends and Devonshire Castle.

The pumps are a gift from the Indian Government.

Dr Ramsammy said with the pumps at farmers’ disposal, thousands of acres of rice lands will benefit from adequate drainage and irrigation, and less flooding.

Meanwhile, in an effort to significantly boost drainage and irrigation on the coast, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said a hymac is currently clearing the outfall at Hampton Court.

SUDOKU

You need to be proactive to exploit an opportunity that comes your way. Stress your qualifications and achievements, and you will make a good impression.

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Advancement or a change in career could be coming your way. Your peers are very impressed with your accomplishments, and new employment opportunities will soon open up.

Show your competitive side to come out on top of any challenge you face. Break away from your routine and try an unconventional project to highlight your creative talents.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

It’s time to make a clean sweep. Put your affairs in order and donate or dispose of unwanted objects. Refresh your environment, and your mind will feel refreshed as well.

(March 21-April 19)

Take a look at the bigger picture. You can broaden your horizons by getting involved in new interests. Staying well-informed will give you a better understanding of different people and cultures.

(April 20-May 20)

You will be approached by someone wanting details of your investment dealings. Don’t gamble. Ignore promises of instant financial rewards, and keep your money matters private.

(May 21June 20)

You may have a false impression of the circumstances surrounding you. Get all the facts before you make any accusations or declarations, or you could damage your reputation.

There is some conflict going on around you. Zero in on your own objectives, or you may be caught up in the middle of an unpleasant emotional situation.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Set your sights on a particular goal. You have all of the talent necessary to succeed, but you may have to resort to some unorthodox methods to get what you want.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Even though you work hard, you may fall short of your objectives. To speed up your progress, develop a different method to achieve your goals.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Rather than depress yourself by reliving past problems, set your sights on the future. Decide what is needed in order to enjoy life to the fullest, and go for it.

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South Africa v Sri Lanka, World T20, Group 1, Chittagong

Battle

of the perennial bridesmaids

South Africa have not won a knock-out match at an ICC event in 16 years, since they lifted the Champions Trophy in 1998. Sri Lanka have reached three tournament finals in the last four years, two in World T20s, and lost all of them. The pair of perennial bridesmaids are lining up to see if one of them catches the bouquet this time.

Sri Lanka are among the favourites to do it. They have a good all-round squad and some of this format’s headline players. This is also the last tournament for their two longest-serving batsmen. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene will retire from

Twenty20 internationals at the tournament and there will be no better way than to send them off with a trophy.

For a change, South Africa are not among the picks to win. Middling form in limited-overs cricket despite being the top-ranked Test team in the world, and embarrassing exists at the 2012 World T20, in which they lost all three Super Eight matches and the Champions Trophy, where they were bundled out in the semi-final by England, has seen them lose ground. But South Africans remain hopeful that on day their fortunes at major tournaments will change.

Both had two warm-up games, Sri Lanka lost one to West Indies and beat India. South Africa stuttered but recovered to beat Bangladesh A and rolled Pakistan. Not much can be read into that. A clearer idea of how these teams stack up will be known after their first game. South Africa have the recent edge over Sri Lanka having won a series against them, Sri Lanka have the major tournament edge having beaten them at the 2012 event but at the end of the day it will boil down to which bridesmaid can reach up higher, beyond what they thought they could, to try and hold on this time. (Cricinfo)

Champions League draw: Man Utd v Bayern Munich, PSG v Chelsea

Manchester United have been drawn against holders Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Chelsea face Paris St-Germain.

Spanish champions Barcelona play La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid meet Borussia Dortmund.

The first legs will be played on 1-2 April, with the return matches on 8-9 April.

This year’s final is to be

Chelsea boss

Jose Mourinho to contest improper conduct charge

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed he will contest a charge of improper conduct brought by the Football Association.

held at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Saturday, 24 May.

“We can’t allow Manchester United’s current position in the Premier League table to affect our mindset for this game”

United overturned a 2-0 deficit against Olympiakos to book their spot in the last eight, while Chelsea saw off Turkish side Galatasaray.

Premier League champions United beat their Greek opposition 3-0 in the second

leg on Wednesday to provide some much-needed relief for manager David Moyes and his players, who are struggling in seventh in the Premier League. But they now play Bayern, with the first leg at Old Trafford, and Moyes believes the German league leaderswho beat Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate in the last 16 - are favourites to win the competition and retain their European title. (BBC Sport)

Chigumbura keeps Zimbabwe alive

United Arab Emirates innings (20 overs maximum)

Shaiman Anwar c †Taylor

b Chatara 6

Faizan Asif run out (Sikandar Raza) 1 Khurram Khan* c Chigumbura

Chatara 4-0-21-2, T Panyangara 3-0-23-0, N Mushangwe 2-023-0, SC Williams 4-0-15-3, Sikandar Raza 3-0-15-2

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The Portuguese was charged after being sent off during his side’s 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.

Mourinho walked onto the pitch to speak to referee Chris Foy after Chelsea midfielder Ramires was dismissed.

“I have decided how I will respond and I don’t accept the charges,” said Mourinho.

Another Blues player, Willian, was sent off earlier in the match.

Mourinho has until 18:00 GMT on Monday to officially respond to the FA charge.

Mourinho was critical of Foy after the game at Villa Park as Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League was reduced to four points.

b Williams 26 SP Patil† lbw b Sikandar Raza 30

Rohan Mustafa run out (Chatara/ †Taylor) 4

Amjad Ali lbw b Williams 1

Amjad Javed c Panyangara

b Sikandar Raza 8

Ahmed Raza c Mushangwe

b Williams 0 EHSN Silva not out 13

Kamran Shazad b Chatara 21

AM Guruge not out 1

Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 116

Fall of wickets 1-7 (Shaiman Anwar, 1.2 ov), 2-8 (Faizan Asif, 1.4 ov), 3-66 (Khurram Khan, 9.5 ov), 4-67 (Patil, 10.4 ov), 5-68 (Amjad Ali, 11.2 ov), 6-75 (Rohan Mustafa, 13.1 ov), 7-75 (Ahmed Raza, 13.5 ov), 8-88 (Amjad Javed, 15.6 ov), 9-115 (Kamran Shazad, 19.4 ov)

Bowling: P Utseya 4-0-18-0, TL

Zimbabwe innings (target: 117 runs from 20 overs) H Masakadza b Guruge 2 Sikandar Raza c Kamran Shazad b Ahmed Raza 9 BRM Taylor*† c Shaiman Anwar b Silva 15

SC Williams c & b Guruge 0 V Sibanda c & b Khurram Khan 16 E Chigumbura not out 53 T Maruma not out 22

Extras (b 1) 1 Total (5 wickets; 13.4 overs) 118 Did not bat: P Utseya, T Panyangara, TL Chatara, N Mushangwe Fall of wickets 1-7 (Masakadza, 1.3 ov), 2-22 (Taylor, 2.4 ov), 3-24

Corriverton, Number 70 MYO to contest final of Price is Right Second Division competition

The two teams

Corriverton Cricket Club and Number 71

MYO won their respective semi-final matches to set up a rivalry final in the Price is Right Supermarket Upper Corentyne Second Division 50-over competition. The final is slated for Sunday April 6th, at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground.

Corriverton Cricket Club booked their place in the final when they defeated No.71 Cricket Club by 124 runs in a match which was reduced to 45 overs per side because of overnight rain.

Batting first, Corriverton piled up 250 for 8 in 45 overs with Amzaan Appalsamy topscoring with 97 not out (4x4, 9x6). He received good support from Clavern Beresford with 39 and Anthony Seeraj 25.

Bowling for Number 71, G. Jaggernauth took 3 for 62 off nine overs and K. Roopraj took 3 for 36 off sev-

en overs. In reply, Number 71 were dismissed for 126 with Faoud Bacchus doing the damage by taking took 6 for 22 off nine overs.

Soomdat Singh topscored with 68 (4x4, 4x6) and was supported by Deoprakash Ramdat 19. Eric Phillips took 3 for 20 off four overs bowling for Corriverton. Man of the match was

Amzaan Appalsamy with a top score of 97 not out. Meanwhile, Number 70 M.Y.O. had earlier earned the right to contest the final when they whipped Number 48 Challengers by 40 runs. In their semi-final game played at the Number 70 ground, the host chalked up 147 all out in 36 overs with Jameel Assad 37 and Niazi Khan 26 top scoring.

Bowling for Number 48 Challengers R. Ameer took 3 for 55 off nine overs and Akshay Homraj took 2 for 28 off six .

In reply, Number 48 Challengers were bundled out for a paltry 107 with B. Persaud topscoring with a hard-hitting 57.

Bowling for Number 70 MYO Niazi Khan grabbed 5 for 20 off nine overs, Mahmood Khan 3 for 35 off eight overs and Jameel Assad returned with the ball to take 2 for 23 off two overs.

Niazi Khan was later named man of the match and he will receive $5000 along with Appalsamy at the presentation ceremony after the final ,which is set for April 6th at the Skeldon Ground. (Andrew Carmichael)

Phillips,

Half-centuries from left-hander Omar

Phillips and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, led a steady Barbados batting effort on the opening day of their fourth round clash with Trinidad and Tobago.

At the close at Kensington Oval, the hosts were 243 for five after earlier winning the toss and choosing to bat first in the Regional FourDay, fourth round contest.

Phillips, who played two Tests for the West Indies during a players’ strike five years ago, top scored with 67 while Dowrich was unbeaten on exactly 50.

Left-hander Jonathan Carter chipped in with 45 while West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards got 41, to provide support for Barbados as they kept T&T in the field all day.

Shillingford shines but Jamaica hit back

West Indies offspinner Shane Shillingford made an immediate impact on his return to first class cricket, rattling Jamaica on the opening day of their fourth round, Regional Four-Day match against the Windward Islands here Friday.

His haul of four for 61 sent the hosts crashing for a season low 194 at Sabina Park, with Carlton Baugh Jr top scoring with an unbeaten 56.

By the close, however, Jamaica had hit back strongly with the Windwards collapsing to 56 for four after losing three wickets late in the evening.

They were coasting at 46 for one but off-spinner Jamie Merchant picked

up two quick wickets for 23 runs, to leave the Windwards still 138 runs adrift with most of their top order gone. Opener Tyrone Theophile was unbeaten at the close on 27.

SCOREBOARD

7-179, 8-192, 9-192, 10-194. Bowling: N Pascal 13-1-44-1, D Johnson 13-3-41-2, K Peters 9-3-20-1, S Shillingford 16-361-4, L Sebastien

(4 wickets; 17 Overs) 56

Extras: (lb1) 1 Still to Bat: L Sebastien*, Lindon James+, S Shillingford, T Theophile, D Johnson. Fall of Wickets: 1-8, 2-46, 3-52, 4-52. Jamaica 1st Innings Bowling: J Taylor 4-0-25-1, B Buchanan 3-1-10-0, Nikita Miller 5-211-0, D Bernard Jr 3-1-91, J Merchant 2-2-0-2.

Indies Women defeated Australia Women by 16 runs in their second warm-up match of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20.

ICC World Twenty20, Mirpur

India thrash Pakistan in Group Two

India began the Super 10 phase of the World Twenty20 with a commanding seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Mirpur.

Pakistan scored a modest 11 fours and two sixes in their 130-7, Umar Akmal top-scoring with 33 from 30 balls and Sohaib Maqsood

adding 21 off 11.

India’s openers hit six fours and two sixes, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma racing to 54-0 within eight overs. Three quick wickets fell but Virat Kohli (36) and Suresh Raina (35) guided them home with nine balls remaining. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan innings (20 overs maximum)

Kamran Akmal† run out (Kumar) 8

Ahmed Shehzad st †Dhoni b Mishra 22

Mohammad Hafeez* c Kumar b Jadeja 15

Umar Akmal c Raina b Mohammed Shami 33

Shoaib Malik c Raina b Mishra 18

Shahid Afridi c Raina b Kumar 8

Sohaib Maqsood run out (Jadeja/ †Dhoni) 21

Bilawal Bhatti not out 0

Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 130

Did not bat: Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan

Fall of wickets 1-9 (Kamran Akmal, 1.5 ov), 2-44 (Mohammad Hafeez, 7.3 ov), 3-47 (Ahmed Shehzad, 8.2 ov), 4-97 (Shoaib Malik, 15.2 ov), 5-103 (Umar Akmal, 17.2 ov), 6-114 (Shahid Afridi, 18.5 ov), 7-130 (Sohaib Maqsood, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: R Ashwin 4-0-23-0, B Kumar 3-0-21-1, Mohammed Shami 4-0-31-1, A Mishra 4-1-22-2, RA Jadeja 4-0-181, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-13-0

India innings (target: 131 runs from 20 overs)

RG Sharma b Saeed Ajmal 24 S Dhawan c Saeed Ajmal

b Umar Gul 30

V Kohli not out 36 Yuvraj Singh b Bilawal Bhatti 1 SK Raina not out 35

Extras (w 5) 5

Total (3 wickets; 18.3 overs) 131 Did not bat: MS Dhoni*†, R Ashwin, RA Jadeja, A Mishra, B Kumar, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets 1-54 (Dhawan, 7.6 ov), 2-64 (Sharma, 9.3 ov), 3-65 (Yuvraj Singh, 10.1 ov)

Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 3-0-14-0, Junaid Khan 3-0-23-0, Saeed Ajmal 4-0-18-1, Umar Gul 3.3-0-35-1, Shahid Afridi 3-024-0, Bilawal Bhatti 2-0-17-1

Ireland v Netherlands, World T20, Group B, Sylhet

Netherlands stun rivals to qualify

Stephan Myburgh

Netherlands pulled off one of the best chases in Twenty20 cricket, chasing 190 in 13.5 overs to break the hearts of their opponents Ireland and

Group B rivals Zimbabwe, who were watching with bated breath, to progress to the Super 10 of the World T20. Netherlands needed to achieve the formida-

ble target in 14.2 overs to vault from No. 3 to No. 1 in the group on net run-rate, which meant they had to bat in high gear throughout.

Stephan Myburgh gave Netherlands belief that they could pull it off with an electric fifty; Tom Cooper proved the team had the back-up after Myburgh departed, and the final flourish was delivered by Wesley Barresi, who ensured qualification with a massive six over midwicket with three balls left. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Ireland innings (20 overs maximum)

WTS Porterfield* b Jamil 47

PR Stirling c Borren b van der Gugten 7

EC Joyce run out (†Barresi) 28

AD Poynter c van Beek b Jamil 57

KJ O'Brien not out 42

Extras (lb 6, w 2) 8

Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 189

Did not bat: GC Wilson†, SR Thompson, AR Cusack, AR McBrine, TJ Murtagh, GH Dockrell

Fall of wickets 1-28 (Stirling, 3.2 ov), 2-69 (Porterfield, 9.1 ov), 3-88 (Joyce, 12.3 ov), 4-189 (Poynter, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: MR Swart 4-039-0, T van der Gugten

3-0-32-1, MAA Jamil

4-0-26-2, Mudassar Bukhari 3-0-26-0, TLW Cooper 1-0-8-0, PW Borren 2-0-19-0, PM Seelaar 2-0-15-0, LV van Beek 1-0-18-0

Bangladesh Women v South Africa Women

South

SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh Women innings (20 overs maximum)

Sanjida Islam st †van der Westhuizen b van Niekerk

Netherlands innings (target: 190 runs from 20 overs)

PW Borren* c Dockrell b O'Brien 31

SJ Myburgh c Joyce b Dockrell 63

W Barresi† not out 40

LV van Beek c Porterfield

b O'Brien 1

TLW Cooper c O'Brien

b Murtagh 45

BN Cooper not out 9

Extras (lb 4) 4

Total (4 wickets; 13.5 overs) 193

Did not bat: MR Swart, Mudassar Bukhari, T van der Gugten, PM Seelaar, MAA Jamil

Fall of wickets 1-91 (Borren, 5.6 ov), 2-98 (Myburgh, 6.3 ov), 3-100 (van Beek, 7.2 ov), 4-161 (TLW Cooper, 11.2 ov)

Bowling: PR Stirling 2-024-0, AR McBrine

1-0-24-0, TJ Murtagh 3.50-47-1, AR Cusack 1-0-22-0, KJ O'Brien 3-0-292, GH Dockrell 3-0-43-1

India Women v Ireland Women

SCOREBOARD

MEMO Scott-Hayward c Das b Pandey 15

IMHC Joyce* c Raj b Poonam Yadav 5 EJ Tice st

Ireland Women innings (target: 149 runs from 20 overs) CMA Shillington c Mehta b Pandey 47 ELC Flanagan retired out 16

England Women v New Zealand Women

Decision taken by GCA at its SGM

Pursuant to the order of the Honourable Chief Justice (AG), Mr Ian Chang, dated 27th February, 2014 which resulted from the hearing of the injunction filed by Mr Nazimul Drepaul, the Georgetown Cricket Association Executive Committee held a Special General Meeting on Thursday March 20, 2014 at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion.

As ordered by the Honourable Chief Justice the Agenda for that meeting was as follows:

1) To decide to waive the rules of the Georgetown Cricket Association – to provide for the annual general meeting (AGM) to be held outside the month of

January.

2) To set a date for the annual general meeting.

3) To decide whether the 2012 elected executives will function as executives up to and including the annual general meeting set in item 2 above.

Based on the ordered agenda the Members of the Georgetown Cricket Association decided:

1. Unanimously, to waive the rules of the Georgetown Cricket Association - to provide for the annual general meeting (AGM) to be held outside the month of January in the year 2014 only.

2. By majority, to set the date for the annual gener-

al meeting to be held on the 20th November, 2014.

3. By majority, that the 2012 elected Executives will function as Executives up to and including the annual general meeting set for the 20th November, 2014.

President Roger Harper and his executives would like to thank the members for giving him the opportunity to continue to serve them and cricket in Georgetown until 20th November, 2014.

The Georgetown Cricket Association is delighted to get on with its main business which is running cricket in Georgetown, thereby providing our players with the opportunity to showcase their talent and develop their skills.

GFA league set for grand opening tonight

By Treiston Joseph

The Georgetown Football Association (GFA) will look to give their affiliated clubs more playing time with the opening of their league tonight at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground, Camp Ayanganna.

The league will feature all the Georgetown clubs doing battle for the right to be called the best club in the Region.

However, after the march past scheduled for 18:00hrs, two games will be played with the opening encounter featuring Northern Rangers and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), while the featured encounter will see the Fruta Conquerors battling Sunburst Camptown.

General Secretary of the GFA, Odinga Lumumba, believes that the league will greatly improve the level of football being played by Georgetown and therefore will develop the game overall.

“We are going to find a more professional approach and a more aggres-

sive league because we will develop the game of football.

“In times past there were situations where these leagues were not finished but we will fulfil our obligations. The players depend on these leagues for their development and that will be the difference because we will fulfil our obligations to them,” Lumumba told this publication.

Meanwhile, the teams are gearing up for the tournament as coach of the Fruta Conquerors Calvin Allen sees his developing

team playing a thrilling brand of football.

“Team preparations have been going fine; we had about six to seven weeks of preparations which I think is good. We are going through a rebuilding process and the focus is to get them to play together and play an exciting brand of football as we move from strength to strength.”

He added, “They have been grasping what I have been trying to teach them and I’m enjoying it as a wonderful journey with this team as I expect them to do well,” Allen told Guyana Times Sport.

Coach of the Camptown team, Troy ‘Bugs’ Prescod, was highly optimistic that his team will do well in the league, “Preparation is going just fine, we right now are establishing a new brand a different brand of football than we are accustomed to, but we are not fully tuned as yet.

“I think we are above this league level and we should do fairly well,” Prescod told Guyana Times Sport via a telephone interview.

YGB holds successful challenge series

The University of Guyana is the winner of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Challenge Series which concluded on Monday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The University defeated Linden Technical Institute 39-22 to win the final with LaShawn Hooper of the university being named the Most Valuable Player from the tertiary institution.

Kwakwani Secondary was the winner of the un-

der-16 aspect of the five-onfive tournament ,defeating Marian Academy 43-29 in the final during the weekend-long activity. Domair Gladstone of Kwakwani was the winner of the MVP award.

The five-on-five format for the short basketball tournament was just the opening act for the 2014 year for the YBG, who will get their official season off in the coming months with their regional schools tour-

Kraft Junior Skill Level Tournament…

Wiltshire edges Cheeks in epic duel – Anthony Islam extends winning streak

Ten-year-old Shomari Wiltshire showed poise and patience beyond his years, holding his composure to narrowly withstand a stellar effort from Alex Cheeks on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club, during the Kraft Junior Skill Level tournament sponsored by Toucan Industries.

Night three of this tournament, which was organised by the Guyana Squash Association through the corporate backing of Digicel Guyana, proved to be the most exciting night of competition thus far.

This was mainly because of the five-game Wiltshire/ Cheeks match-up which provided a finals-like, gripping and entertaining showcase for spectators. The youngsters put on a classy display of squash and many are eager to see a rematch, if possible in the next tournament.

The epic battle pitted the speed, skill and pure athleticism of the 13year old Cheeks against the clever and tactically

sound Wiltshire. In the end, Wiltshire managed to prevail 11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 after trailing early in the fifth game.

Shomari’s older sister and former Caribbean champion, Akeila Wiltshire, on the other hand, suffered a tough loss in Category ‘A’ to Benjamin Mekdeci 118, 0-11, 3-11, 1-11. Akeila Wiltshire took the first game 11-8, which appeared to have been the wake-up call Mekdeci needed.

With that awakening,

Mekdeci switched on with full aggression, going for all his shots and pouncing on anything that was even slightly loose. Mekdeci held Akeila Wiltshire scoreless in the second game, and was close to replicating that feat in the third and fourth games as well.

In Category ‘C’, Michael Ramroop overcame Makeda Harding 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 116. Harding managed to win the second game against Ramroop, and that statistic may come in handy for the standings in this tightly contested group.

Meanwhile, the more timid of the Islam twins, Anthony Islam, has been quietly constructing an impressive win streak in category ‘C’. Islam’s most recent win came against Sarah Lewis in straight games 12-10, 114, 11-9. He has already secured wins against Ramroop and Savannah Mendes. At this point, Islam leads the Category ‘C’ standings as the only undefeated player remaining, with three wins from as many matches.

NAMILCO One Love Football Classic kicks off

Sunday

Anament, which will be the road to the National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF).

Meanwhile, George Yearwood of Kwakwani won both the free thrown shootout and skills challenge. Yearwood dropped five free throws to win the contest while completing the skill challenge course in 28.8s.

The three-point shootout was won by Stanton Rose of Kwakwani, who drained 12 threes to win the event.

ction in the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) One Love Football Classic will kick off on Sunday with a double-header set to signal the start of the 2014 competition. A total of 16 teams will be vying for a top prize of $1.2 million.

Following the opening ceremony at 17:00 hrs, when senior executives of the organising club, Fruta Conquerors, and officials of NAMILCO will address the gathering of teams and spectators, the first game of the 2014 tournament will kick off at 18:00 hrs at the Tucville ground.

In the opening encounter, Riddim Squad will face

Santos, while at 20:00 hrs in the feature game, Pele will take on Topp XX in a Georgetown/Linden clash.

The ceremonial opening will be attended by NAMILCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Bert Sukhai, and Chief Financial Officer Fitzroy McLeod, as well as executives of Fruta Conquerors, led by president Wayne Forde.

On the field of play, arguably Guyana’s number one football club, Alpha United will look to defend the title they won in 2013 against 15 other teams.

The contenders are Topp XX, Pele, Buxton United, Western Tigers, Seawall United, Fruta Conquerors,

Monnederlust, Riddim Squad, Netrockers, BV/ Triumph United, Guyana Defence Force, Santos, Slingerz, Camptown and New Amsterdam. The champion team will walk away $1.2 million richer, while the runner-up, third and fourthplaced finishers will receive $600,000, $400,000 and $200,000. Trophies will also accompany the cash prizes. Alpha United have won the tournament three times; the Guyana Defence Force have won it twice, while the Camptown lads have tasted success once. No tournament was held in 2011. (Avenash Ramzan)

Serme ends Fernandes’ world title bid

Despite a daring challenge from Guyana’s squash star Nicolette Fernandes, world number six Camille Serme of France prevented her from reaching the quarter-finals of the Women’s Squash Association’s 29th Women’s World Championship in Penang, Malaysia, on Thursday.

Fernandes was eliminated in the second round of the main draw (last 16) by Serme 14-12, 11-5, 11-3 in an encounter which lasted 38 minutes.

Coming off a phenomenal come-from-behind performance against former world number one Rachael Grinham on Tuesday, Fernandes seemed pumped and ready to create yet another upset.

From the “get go”, Fernandes asserted herself and took a 4-1 lead which she managed to build to 8-4. Fernandes even managed to take game-ball at 10-8, but a determined

Serme would not let up.

Serme delved into her arsenal and unleashed some potent drop shots and deceptive cross-court winners to work her way back into the game. Fernandes showed great resilience at first and took the advantage at 11-10 and again 12-11. Nevertheless, the six-time French national champion continued her surge and won the first game 14-12.

The first game seemed to have sky-rocketed the confidence of the world number six and she came out firing freely in the second to race away with an 11-5 win to leave Fernandes trailing 0-2 once again. In the third, Fernandes attempted to steal the momentum to possibly stage another comeback.

Her intentions showed as she was more aggressive and engaged Serme in two lengthy rallies to begin the third game. Both players were determined not to

ECCCC to play Rose Hall Estate

Tof sports on Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre

Starting at 09:00 hrs, representatives of the two clubs will test each other at volleyball and table tennis, before the cricketers get into action at 11:00 hrs in a feature 40-over match.

While the recently resuscitated Rose Hall Estate SC has not named its team for the cricket match, news out of the area is that they will be fielding a strong unit.

The ECCCC, who will look to expoit home conditions, will rely on skipper Bheemraj Ramkellawan, vice-captain Chetram Ramlall, and young brigade Vishwanauth Ramlakhan, Gavin Moriah and Rudolph Singh to lead the victory charge.

relent at this stage, brandishing their best shots.

Fernandes managed to stay within one point of Serme during the early stages of the third and final game (2-3) before the French national champion shifted her game up a gear.

Even though she would have been eliminated in the last 16 of the tournament, Fernandes may be able to find some consolation in her second win against former World Champion Grinham in less than 18 months.

Grinham is the only woman besides world number one Nicol David to have won the WSA World title since 2005; and David is on the quest for her eighth title. Fernandes was also awarded the 2013 WSA Sportsmanship Award earlier this week.

Courts supports GCF blitz tournament

With the aim of aiding youth development, furniture and appliance giant Courts (Guyana) Inc. has partnered with the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) to stage a one-day blitz (rapid play) chess tournament.

The one-day tournament is slated for today in front of the Courts Main street branch from 10:30hrs.

The tournament will focus primarily on players 20 years and below and over nine rounds will be contested with each game to be played over a 10- minute period.

On Friday at the company’s head office on Main Street, Trudy Abrahams, Marketing Officer, handed over the cheque to President of the GCF, Irshad Mohammed.

Abrahams said the company is pleased to partner with the GCF in its quest to promote the sport.

She added: “It’s our way

to support sport in Guyana. We will continue to support sport, and in particular chess, especially at the youth level, which is the base of development across all disciplines.”

Mohamed thanked the furniture and appliance giant for their commitment to the tournament.

“Chess is not only a game but it sharpens one’s knowledge of life,” he observed. A number of the country’s top chess players are expected to be in action today. The entrance fee is $500. Registration begins at 09:30hrs

Kumar urges youths to discipline, educate themselves

– lauds the ECCCC for outstanding progress

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Director of Sports, Neil Kumar, has urged youths on the lower East Coast corridor not to engage in illicit activities as he highlighted the essential purposes of education and discipline.

Kumar was at the time delivering the feature address during the Cheddi Jagan Memorial ‘Day of Sport’ presentation ceremony, held at the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) auditorium on Thursday afternoon.

The one-day activity was hosted by the club last Sunday, when athletes participated in four disciplines including track and field, ta-

ble tennis, softball cricket and volleyball.

“You must be in school; I will not encourage youths to be playing sports only, as a good education will bring success in life,” Kumar stated.

He added: “I understand that you must be involved in sport, but your priority must be your schoolwork. Your priority must be your academics,” he advised, after presenting the beaming youngsters with their medals and trophies.

Under the motto

“Discipline is the pillar of success”, the club was relaunched in March last year and the Director of Sport expressed his delight at the progress made thus far by

the bunch of executives, led by Chairman Taajnauth Jadunauth.

Kumar was particularly impressed by the pace at which the club was able to implement various plans, including expanding beyond cricket.

Kumar said he was pleased that the club was focused on developing the youth population of the East Coast Demerara community by providing avenues for them to exert their energies.

Chairman of the Community Centre, Desmond Mohamed, in his remarks urged the athletes to continue training, since according to him many great sportsmen have passed through the facility.

Meanwhile, results from the disciplines are as follow: track and field – Girls 100 metres (Cassie Tixie), Boys Under-16 100 metres (Bradley Mansfield), Boys Open (Jameal Jeune), Boys Under-16 110 metres (Bradley Mansfield) and Boys Open 110 metres (Jameal Jeune).

Table Tennis - Ray Lall was the winner in the single category, while the pair of Gavin Persaud and J. Hatin won the doubles category.

Lusignan and Colley Buds of Foulis won the junior and senior cricket competitions, while Enmore ‘B’ won the volleyball competition.

The one-day activity was held in memory of the late president Cheddi Jagan.

Women’s World Twenty 2014 Warm-up matches Dottin leads

Women to second warm-up win

Guyana 124-2 at tea against

CCC

At tea yesterday,Guyana were 124-2 in their regional four-day encounter against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at the three Ws Oval

in Barbados. Assad Fudadin and Narsingh Deonarine were 62 not out and 04 not out respectively,while Leon Johnson contributed 34 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul 08.