Guyana Times Daily

Lall does volte-face on confidence in economy

– funds $400,000,000 confectionery factory

Sueria Manufacturing Inc, located at 70 Eccles Industrial Estate, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was formally commissioned on Saturday, with President Donald Ramotar lauding it as an example of youth entrepreneurship.

The company is owned by Frank Sanichara and Teshawna Lall, with a claimed US$2 million or G$400,000,000 funding by Kaieteur News publisher, Glenn Lall, the father of Teshawna. It is involved in manufacturing a range of confectioneries, and other products such as nuts and biscuits packaged under the ‘Sueria’ brand.

President Ramotar, in brief remarks, said that for an economy to be sustained, it has to be rooted in production. He advised that the owners should enter into contract farming arrangements to ensure sustainable and quality supplies.

The company indicated it would focus on exports, and this move was also commended by the President.

The sentiment was that

it was surprising for Glenn Lall to accept the need to support local investment in Guyana, given that his newspaper has been on a crusade against development here. The Kaieteur News has painted a dystopian picture of Guyana being a crime-infested, corrupt country where business is always under threat.

Its skewed reporting on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, the Amalia Falls Hydro Power Project, the Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project, to name a few, did much to undermine these mega projects intended to provide a better business environment.

But these were all derided by Lall's Kaieteur News as "Jagdeo's secret projects".

Lall is also known for his scathing, personal attacks on several senior Government personalities, and viciously misguided criticism of President Ramotar as being "weak". But in an opportu-

President Donald Ramotar addresses the gathering at the launch of Sueria Manufacturing Inc investors he dislikes, is myopic, selfish and wrong.

nistic about-face, he thanked the Ramotar Government for making a project that is close to him possible.

According to observers, it would do Lall no harm if the Kaieteur News engaged in honest and ethical reporting, particularly when the issue affects the image of the country and the local investment climate.

They note clearly, that for Lall to express confidence in the economy, but yet use his newspaper to say otherwise, and unjustifiably castigate his competitors and

Meanwhile, in a clear rebuttal of the Kaieteur News' role in killing the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Head of State reiterated the need for cheaper electricity and to build the Hydro plant, which would be a plus for the manufacturing sector.

In March, the President had told the media that the project was back

with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board for consideration.

The President explained that the spending by Government on the social sector (more than 30 per cent of the National Budget), is indicative of the need to enhance local human capital, and outlined the gains being made in education, particularly in interior locations as part of human capital devel-

opment thrust.

He also repeated his call for support of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, which he described an Anti-corruption Bill, and said that he was calling a spade a spade when he stressed the need for its passage. He spoke of the Opposition’s non-support for many of the transformative projects which will benefit all Guyanese. The Kaieteur News has also been part of the Opposition's torpedoing of the projects.

Touching on the media's operations, he called for this to be used in a responsible way, as they possessed immense power and influence. He was obviously referring to the Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News

Publisher Lall, in brief remarks, thanked President Ramotar for helping to make the factory a reality. He was however silent to the President's call for a responsible press.

Climate Change to dominate CDB meeting here

The 44th Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Annual Board of Governors’ meeting slated to be held on May 28 and 29 will among other matters, focus on climate change, financial sector issues, debt and indebtedness of the region.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh made the comment during a recent interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) regarding Guyana’s preparedness for the hosting of the meeting.

During the meeting, Guyana will take centre stage with regards to the issue of agriculture and climate change. Guyana has been on the forefront of the global advocacy effort on the issue of climate and in particular on the peculiar threat faced by the small states of the Caribbean and the role of forest in contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Guyana is the only net exporter of food in the Caribbean and continues to see itself as potentially the food basket of the region.

Agriculture is not only viewed as an important opportunity for growth and investment in Guyana, but very importantly, as an important strategy for addressing some of the macro-economic challenges faced by the region.

Minister Singh recognised CDB’s support to Guyana and the institution’s optimism about the country’s outlook. Earlier this year, the institution’s President William Warren Smith made several pronouncements about the country, including the fact

that Guyana, along with Haiti and Suriname are expected to lead the region’s growth in 2014. He also praised the vibrancy of the Guyanese economy.

CDB funding in Guyana has been used for financing social and economic infrastructure such as schools, road and water projects, building more disasterresistant structures, community skills training and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Guyana has benefitted from the special development fund and as well from loans totalling almost US$28 million to strengthen sea and river defence systems.

Preparations on track

Meanwhile, Dr Singh said planning and preparation for the meeting which started some time ago, have intensified over the recent days and weeks.

“It is an extremely important event in the annual calendar of events for the Caribbean, and Guyana considers itself privileged to host this meeting,” Minister Singh said.

Minister Singh noted that the meeting is happening at an important time for the region and institution, that itself has an important mandate.

He pointed out that the region is facing an extremely severe economic challenge that requires hard decisions, firm resolve and strong will to confront and overcome them. He noted that since its establishment, the CDB has grown in strength and size and has discharged in a most admirable fashion its mandate of supporting such

economic and social challenges across the Caribbean.

The Minister said the meeting will serve to focus on the institution with regards to the role it can play in consolidating on the support to the region.

Dr Singh explained that the meeting, which will comprise several components, in addition to being a meeting of the shareholders of the CDB for the annual reports, performance over the past year, audited financial statement and so forth, importantly brings together the economic leadership of the region to reflect and deliberate on the challenges of the region and to chart a course forward for confronting those challenges.

The Minister noted that more significantly, the economic leadership together, will seek to define or help to influence the role that the CDB will play in helping the region and the individual member states to confront those challenges.

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected during the morning hours and into the afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions can be expected during the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Wind: North easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:42h and 20:21h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.44 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:14h and 13:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.61 metre respectively.

Craig woman suspected killed by “supernatural forces”

Amother of five was on Sunday morning found dead in a drain a short distance away from her home at Craig Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD), leaving relatives to believe that she was killed by a “supernatural force”.

Marcel Cummings, 42, of Lot 183 3rd Street Craig, EBD was found lying face down in the drain with her hands to her face as if she was praying. Her body bore no physical marks of violence, leaving residents to suspect that she might have drowned.

Moments after her body was discovered, relatives found three diaries belonging to the woman, one of which literally described the way she was going to die.

According to information received, the woman was an ardent worshipper of Christ and of recent, stated to act in the most abnormal of ways.

According to relatives, she gave the impression that she was a messenger of the Lord, anointed to spread His Holy name and to cleanse the souls of her family so that they could lead a Godly life.

The former employee of Pritipaul Investment attended the Brethren Church in the area and was actively involved in every event the church had organised. Villagers and members of the Christian community are all in a state of shock, describing the actions of the woman months before her death as strange.

Ivor Cummings, a brother of the dead woman said a few months before her death, his sister’s behavioural pattern changed dramatically.

He recalled her getting out of bed at various hours after midnight and would hear her praying on top of her voice, followed by a heavy stamping in the upper

flat of the house where she resided with her children.

“Get out in the name of Jesus… I demand you to get out… in the blood of Jesus… I know you are here, I order you to get out,” were some of the utterances of Marcel, her brother recounted.

Waking up neighbours

On Wednesday evening, the man added that she woke up about 03:30h in the morning and started to pray on top of her voice, waking neighbours in the process.

“This yard is dirty… the Lord wants to visit me but the place is too dirty… you all need to clean this place so that my Lord can come,” she shouted on top of her voice.

She then collected a bottle of olive oil and sprinkled it around the yard, claiming that she was cleansing the environment to welcome her Lord and Saviour, Ivor added.

However, on Saturday, Marcel went to work as per normal but after sometime, Ivor received a telephone call from her place of employment, informing him that she was ill.

As he arrived at the facility at Houston, he saw his sister sitting on a chain and went to the supervisors to

enquire what occurred.

“They told me that she started to pray at work and in her prayers she told them to stop being unfaithful to their spouses.”

In the evening, he said his wife agreed to spend the night with her as they realised that she was not herself. Just around midnight, Marcel was seen with a towel tied around her face praying.

He said that earlier in the day, his family had decided to attend church on Sunday so his wife got up

gone to her brother’s house in Diamond, but after he telephone, he was told that she was not there. Soon after, he saw a gathering a short distance away from the house and again thought that it was her performing one of her public praying sessions.

“I sent my son to check but he run back and tell me that Marcel was lying in the drain and she was dead… when I reach, I see her lying face down with her hands to her face as if she was praying…”

about 05:00h, and started to make preparations to go to church.

About 06:00h, a relative went to check on the woman, but discovered she was not in the room.

He thought that she had

The Police were summoned and they examined the body, which was subsequently taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home.

The woman leaves to mourn her five children and five siblings.

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

Revisiting Global Warming limits

The warnings that Guyana faces a possible droughtinducing El Niño weather pattern should remind us about its evidently forgotten cause: global warming. By the 1990s everyone knew that the earth was warming up. Policymakers demanded a simple statement on the dangers of this change and what could be done, but there was no consensus in the scientific community.

An advisory council of scientists in Germany then reasoned that since during the 12,000 years of human civilisational activity, Earth’s climate had fluctuated within a narrow band, we should prevent global average temperatures from rising more than 2° Celsius (or 3.6° Fahrenheit) above what they were just before the dawn of industrialisation.

By 2009, nearly every Government in the world had endorsed the 2°C limit — global warming beyond that level was deemed “dangerous”. Every year, the world’s leaders met at UN climate conferences to discuss policies and emissions cuts that they hope will keep us below a 2°C increase. Climate experts churned out papers on how the world could adapt to a 2°C level of warming (or less). Two decades later, there’s just one major problem with this picture. The idea that the world can stay below a 2°C temperature rise looks increasingly impossible.

The Earth’s average temperature has already risen 0.8°C since the 19th Century. And if one considers the current rapid rise in global greenhouse gas emissions, the 2°C limit would be exceeded by mid-century – and reach 4°C or more by the end. Which exceeds the “dangerous” level.

Getting back on track for 2°C would, at this point, entail the sort of drastic emissions cuts usually associated with economic calamities, like the collapse of the Soviet Union or the 2008 financial crisis. And we would have to repeat those cuts for decades.

The climate community has been slow to concede defeat. Back in 2007, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a report noting that the world could stay below 2°C – but only if the violators started cutting emissions immediately.

The years passed, the major violators did little if anything, and emissions kept rising. Earlier this month, the IPCC put out a new report claiming we might still stay under 2°C. But dramatic actions would have to be taken – of which there are no signs – and extract carbon dioxide back out of the atmosphere – for which the technology does not exist.

However, all might not be lost. Researchers from the Tyndall Centre have suggested some initiatives that might be attempted even though some, like “geo-engineering”, efforts are quite far-fetched.

Some scientists have pointed out that we could, in theory, cool the Earth by putting sulphate particles into the atmosphere that reflect the sun. The downside? This could have very negative side effects, such as intensifying global rainfall patterns – such as El Niño and La Nina – exactly what we want to avoid. And also it would not alleviate other dire impacts of our carbon-dioxide emissions, such as ocean acidification.

What is more likely is that policymakers could concede that 2°C is unworkable and instead work to stay below a slightly higher limit like 2.5°C or 3°C. This sounds easy: we simply accept that we’re going to face higher climate risks and try to adapt. And even if 3°C of warming is riskier than 2°C, it’s less risky than 4°C.

But there is a hitch. As one researcher points out, relaxing the limit might make global climate talks even less productive than they already are. The temperature limits themselves would suddenly be open to negotiation and endless squabbling. The Tyndall researchers worried that this could allow the world to drift into a situation where 4°C or 6°C is accepted as inevitable.

Through the efforts of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana punches far above its weight category in climate change discussions. We should initiate discussions on achieving more realistic global warming goals.

Rogue Monkey

Government pensions and those who do not deserve them

Dear Editor,

I am raising this issue to draw its attention to Cabinet, the Human Services and Social Security Minister, the Home Affairs Minister and the general public.

There is a growing trend that should be of concern to those loyal Guyanese who have stayed here in Guyana and worked all their lives. I refer to the number of “foreign Guyanese” who choose to retire here after giving most of their useful years to a foreign Government in foreign lands as far as Europe, USA, Canada, the Caribbean and Suriname.

They re-migrate when they are old, and when they have little to offer their country of birth and then hope to reap some of the benefits rightly due to those who remained.

Many collect their pensions in those foreign lands, then come home and begin applying for all kinds of duty-free concessions as ‘re-migrants’ to Guyana, thereby cheating the GRA of much-needed tax dollars and denying our country vehicle and other import taxes. They use their age as an excuse to apply for free water services, a concession that rightly belongs to those Guyanese who stayed here and have contributed to the development of this country. Bear in mind these “foreign retirees” have huge foreign savings, their foreign pensions, and in most cases, insurance.

They have their children, who could ‘gift’ them many things, including cash, and many do, yet after contributing little or nothing to this country in their lifetime, they wish to “draw down big”.

They come seeking every means of benefiting from the fact that they were born here, not only trying to get free water but wishing to collect on the pension provided for our elderly. This has to be a strain on the small budget we have in this small economy.

Someone I know lived with her husband all her life in Suriname. They never paid a cent into our taxing system, and, other than owning an NIS card, never paid a cent to NIS.

After the death of her husband, she returned to Guyana, hoping to collect NIS as a pensioner. Her argument was that since she had maintained her Guyanese citizenship, she was entitled to collect her late husband’s pension and NIS death benefits and spousal benefits, and hers as well.

When I enquired how she figured that she had a right to all that after living all her life in Suriname, her shocking reply was, that all she got from her husband’s estate, and benefits and savings in Suriname were not enough for her. So she came home to collect NIS, etc, and return to Suriname.

Another one, who had a house here but lived her entire life in Canada, did not

want to pay water and travelled all the way here to get free water. I told her she is not entitled. Her request will hinder another dedicated and poor Guyanese from enjoying the benefits. We have a limited budget for such things, and our dedicated Guyanese have the first right.

More often than not, these re-migrants to Guyana criticise our roads and talk about “our high crime rates”. Listening to these criticisms frustrate and annoy me. I often ask them very politely why did they give all their lives and energies to a foreign nation, and now they have nothing to offer, come home to rest in Guyana.

If it were so better there in Europe or North America or Barbados or Suriname, then remain there for the rest of your lives. Their ironic response is they came for quiet and peace and cannot get it. Then they would move on to condemning our Police, our roads, our market, our Government.

One lady’s claim was that on the death of her husband, even though he paid nothing to NIS, she is entitled to benefits because the NIS card says: “On death or injury produce this card to the NIS.” She made her claim and was told to return. She really thought she would collect a pile of money. When she returned, she learnt that neither she nor her husband had made any contribution and so she was not entitled to anything.

It was then she learnt also that presentation of the card did not automatically entitle her to benefits. That those words were there so that upon presentation, the card would go through a verification process to find out if the person contributed anything to the scheme. If they did then they would be rewarded according to their level of contributions. I have tried before to explain to her and many others that NIS is an insurance scheme. You get what you put in.

Of course anyone who has maintained their citizenship has the right to return to the country of his/ her birth, but he/she should not come with any magical expectations, and should remember too that they have to pay their fair share here for services.

Conversely, there are many Guyanese who have served decades of their lives in service to Guyana and have then emigrated. To these belong the rights and benefits, offered to Guyanese who have never left, when they return. This is easily verifiable through income tax returns, tax receipts, pay slips, NIS contributions, sworn statements, etc.

The Government of Guyana has to be on the ‘watch’ for the smart ones who wish to collect and have never contributed a dime to our economy.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

Legal minds should comment on public pronouncements

Dear Editor,

As the public debate on local government continues, more and more it is becoming obvious that there is the need for the local intelligentsia to occupy its rightful place and not surrender its territory to political pronouncements and politicians.

Why are our luminaries silent and not providing the populace with enlightened views on the issues of the day; or posing searching questions to those who portray themselves as the sole authorities, generally, on our law and systems of Government, in particular.

There are many recent pronouncements, followed by deafening silence, which have caused me to pose that question. On this occasion, there is one particular pronouncement, on which I would appreciate our legal luminaries and scholars in political science to comment.

I am referring to the pronouncement of the Attorney General on May 15 in a local newspaper that there is dissatisfaction with, and

consequentially non-assent to, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, by President Ramotar because it gives “Executive power to anon-executive body”; and “the Commission by its very nature is not an executive agency but it is a Constitutional autonomous body like the other Constitutional Commissions and cannot be charged with executive responsibilities”

From my layman, and knowledge seeking perspective, my questions are:

1. If the apparatus of the State, under the concept of Separation of Powers, is embodied in three sets of organs: the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial, where does the Local Government Commission, constitutional or otherwise, belong in the scheme of Government? Is the Minister's right to deem it to be non-executive, simply because it is constitutionally autonomous? By that analogy would he be right to deem the Public Service Appellate Tribunal non-judicial simply

because it is a constitutionally autonomous body?

2. What was the intention of the Constitution when in Article 99(1) it states that “The Executive authority of Guyana shall be vested in the President….” but immediately goes on to state in Article 99(2) that “Nothing in the article shall prevent Parliament from conferring functions on other persons or authorities other than the President.”

I beg of our luminaries and scholars, some enlightenment on the aforementioned questions, less I naively conclude that the Attorney General has misled the President by virtue of his advice on this matter; and the President has overruled the National Assembly, not to mention that the Bill, in question, was unanimously passed by the National Assembly, inclusive of the vote of he who now argues that the Bill is unconstitutional.

Yours faithfully, Vincent Alexander

The importance of Information Technology

Dear Editor,

There is no doubt that there is great need for us all to keep abreast with technological advances in today’s world. Not so long, some health-care workers countrywide were privileged to undertake training in a basic Information Technology course. Those who were involved in the training included doctors, nurses, and clinical health workers.

As a teacher, I have found myself using various computer programmes, not only to prepare and present my daily lessons to my class, but to also help keep tabs on my classes and students, and I have found it to be quite ef-

fortless and time-saving.

Many occupations require individuals to have basic knowledge and understanding of computer fundamentals such as the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. In fact, many employers are now making it mandatory for applicants of any job to be computer literate.

The health sector is being proactive and anticipatory. To date, approximately 600-700 health-care providers have been trained from Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine and the initiative is expected to continue until all 10 administrative regions have been covered.

Additionally, I think it is shameful and annoying when one goes to a medical facility and has to wait indefinitely for workers to locate their written records of a patient or even in cases where medical records have to be forwarded to different doctors.

I am aware that implementing these facilities may be a bit pricey, but it will surely eliminate the hassle to retrieve data, in addition to minimising the cumbersome accumulation of paperwork.

Sincerely,

Farah Zulfikhar

Poor building construction can be hazardous

Dear Editor,

I must say how impressed I am to see grand structures being built all around Georgetown. However, it is extremely important that these buildings are being built in accordance to the relevant safety codes and regulations. It was brought to my attention that the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) is expressing grave concern as it relates to the growing number of high-rise buildings in Georgetown that appear defective. Hopefully, this discovery will lead to further investigation of those buildings.

Poor construction of any building can lead to ex -

treme hazardous situations. When constructing a building, we must remember that these buildings must be designed in such a way that they offer support to several factors inclusive of people, objects, rain and wind pressure. Ideally, when buildings are being constructed, it is important that they are inspected and scrutinised during their time of construction. This preventative approach will surely help to ensure that quality work is being done and will further allow for any faults to be identified and corrected at once. Additionally, aside from the proper construction of buildings, we also need to

The Jason Thomas missive was filled with falsities

Dear Editor,

Another newspaper facilitated a nasty malicious unverifiable attack (May 14) on me by one Jason Thomas that was replete with inaccuracies and lies. I penned a response and submitted it twice, but it was not carried. Thus, the reason for submitting a response to your paper.

The Jason Thomas missive was filled with falsities, inanities and absurdities. I am rather surprised that such a letter sees the pages of a paper, as it has no truths. But anything goes in that paper.

Normally, I don’t respond to tripe and bile and delusional comments, but Thomas’ claims need correction. Almost the exact same comments (fables) were penned under another name six weeks ago. The writer accused me of being a fibber without providing evidence to support any of his claims. Everything the person penned in his letter is fibs making him a fibber.

Thomas claims I don’t travel anywhere and I never went to India. I did pen I was in India for its elections last month and conducted informal surveys and analyses on the elections. I penned that the BJP, based on my projections, would win the elections and Modi will be the Prime Minister.

I concluded that BJP would win around 240 seats and its allies more than

enough to gain a majority of over 300 seats. I had expected the alliance to win 335 and stated that more parties would join the alliance postelection. That has been the case; the alliance 334. All of my comments were published in Stabroek News, Guyana Times and Kaieteur News. The BJP has actually won 283.

Jason Thomas claims he resides in Region Five, but he uses the words “fib” and “fibber”; those are Region 11’s words, not Region Five’s. I wonder if he were hallucinating when he chose a pseudonym to attack me and was ashamed of himself when he opted for a pseudonym instead of his real name.

Thomas’ comments are fables. They are nonsensical. I never claimed that I studied at any Ivy League Universities. I never claimed I travel to meet heads of states. I never worked for the PPP/C.

Thomas claims that Mike Persaud exposed me. Can he say how and in what context? Can he say how? Mike Persaud claimed that he wrote to one of my Professors and that the Professor told him he does not know me.

When I met the Professor two days after Persaud made the claim, the Professor said no Mike Persaud ever communicated to him and that he never discussed anything about me. The Professor was Chair of my doctoral exam

and was primarily responsible for one of my doctorates. Can Thomas say which one of “my friends” says I am not a pollster. Claims must be supported by evidence. Perhaps he can provide? I never penned anywhere that I raised US$1 million for Obama. It was Thomas who claimed that he spent US$1 million of his personal money to elect Obama, and that Obama disappointed him by not appointing him Undersecretary of State for the Caribbean, or giving him a post at White House. I never claimed I worked for Mitt Romney. But it was Thomas who claimed that he worked for Romney when he was Governor of Massachusetts, serving as an aide to Romney for six years. If Thomas can provide evidence attributing claims to me, I will pay him and pay for six of his drug prescriptions to address his hallucinations.

Thomas finds it incredible that any person would spend his own money to engage in community and humanitarian activities that take up my time. I can understand his position, especially since he believes people should not help anyone in Guyana or America.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram Resident of Region 11 And an expert on the fibs of Jason Thomas

address the matter of unoccupied and dilapidated buildings. Many of these structures encourage the dwelling of vagrants and are considered potential fire hazards.

All buildings should be built in compliance with the safety rules and regulations, and in the event that any contractor defies building codes or laws, it is important that stern legal action be taken against them. Moreover, dilapidated buildings should be addressed before they cause serious harm to people and other nearby buildings.

Sincerely, Bhimsain Rai

Page Foundation

THE “COOL KIDS”:

By Sara Bean, Med

When we think of peer pressure, we typically have a picture in our minds of a child handing our child a cigarette, a joint, or a beer and saying something like, “Come on, just try it”. But at times peer pressure can be felt without a single word being spoken, like when a clique excludes others or rolls their eyes at the (in their opinion) “uncool” children who walk by.

“It’s most helpful to focus on the behaviour of your child’s friends, or more importantly, your child’s behaviour when she is with these friends.”

Here are five of the top peer pressure situations, and ways you can help your child or teen handle them:

Drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and partying

The average age American children take their first drink is 11 for boys and 13 for girls. Drugs are rampant in communities today – not just marijuana, but also meth, K2 (aka “spice” or synthetic marijuana), and prescription medications. This is not to say all children will follow this pattern of alcohol use or get into drugs, but chances are, your child will come into contact with another child who has knowledge of these things and may even be using one or more. As a parent, being involved and communicat-

ing with your child about drugs and alcohol is of vital importance.

What you can do: As a school counsellor, I always say that you really can’t start talking with your chil dren about these things too early. It’s important that you discuss your rules and values pertaining to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, but also help him come up with several options to escape the situation if he’s being pres sured to try something. For example, you might role play with your 10-yearold and teach him to say a strong and direct “No”. He could also suggest a differ ent activity, change the sub ject, or leave the situation by walking away.

I’ve also heard a lot of parents talking about the “no-questions-asked” pickup. That’s when you tell your child that if he calls you to leave a party or a bad situation, you will go and get him with no con sequences and no questions asked. This is something that each parent and family has to decide if it’s right for them. If this works for your family, it can be very effec tive.

How to help your child or teen deal with peer pressure, exclusion and cliques

My child’s personality is changing — for the worse!

Children who hang out together tend to adopt the same types of attitudes, likes, dislikes, and values – and in fact, research has shown

Peer-focused

An important thing to note here is that teens and tweens start to become more peer-focused and less family-focused. They want to spend more time with their friends and might confide in them more often than family. Also, adolescence is where most of the task of “individuation” really takes place: this is the process of coming to understand and know oneself as your own person. This means children start to want more choices, more freedom – and at times more privacy and distance from their family. Peers become the centre of their universe, and with their natural desire for a sense of belonging, teens can be extremely susceptible to peer pressure. Another factor that makes them susceptible is the still-developing teen brain, which has not yet become a master of decision-making and self-management! This means that they don’t always have the thinking skills and self-control skills it takes to resist peer pressure. Note: If your child begins to exhibit behaviour changes that you find worrisome or concerning, it may be helpful to speak with your child’s doctor or another professional about your concerns to rule out any underlying issues that may be affecting your child’s behaviour.

group. This can be distress ing if your formerly sweet child is rolling her eyes at you and responding with, “Whatevers” to everything you say. If she’s becoming defiant, aggressive, or disrespectful, you’ll want to address this behaviour and nip it in the bud before it contin-

What you can do:

When your child’s behaviour is changing as a result of spending time with a new group of friends, start by having a conversation about it with her in a moment when you are both calm. Know beforehand that this is an issue ripe for power

struggles. Your child identifies with these children she’s hanging out with in some way–maybe they have something in common that drew them together, or she feels accepted in this group. If your child feels like you are attacking her friends, she will likely get defensive and dig in her heels –and want to be with them all the more. It’s most helpful to focus on the behaviour of your child’s friends, or more importantly, your child’s behaviour when she is with these friends. You might say something like, “I’ve noticed that you talk back to me a lot since you started hanging out with Courtney. Why do you think that is?” This conversation should be focused on your rules and values, and should reiterate your expectations for behaviour. Rather than trying to forbid your child’s friendship, you

might decide to put some parameters on it if repeated problem-solving discussions don’t help. For example, you might say that she can only see Courtney outside of school once a week, or that she can’t go to Courtney’s house until her behaviour improves, but Courtney can come over to your house so you can get to know her better.

My child is being excluded

It’s so painful for children when they’re excluded from something, whether it’s an event like a birthday party, or a clique or group at school. Many times, there isn’t a clear reason why this happens; it just seems like out of the blue, your child is left out and feeling miserable.

It’s important to know that at some point or another, almost all children feel the pain of being excluded. This could be a result of direct exclusion (another child specifically telling them they aren’t welcome), shifting loyalties among friends, or “fifth wheel” problems. If you’re the parent of a teen, you’ve probably already seen that adolescent friendships can shift and change dramatically in seemingly short periods of time: that girl your daughter used to hang out with all the time might start hanging out with another girl. Even in a group with just two other children, a third can easily feel “lost in the crowd”. What you can do: Try to pinpoint which of these situations is leading to your child’s loneliness and then talk with him or her about some ways to solve the problem. Don’t blame your child for why this is happening, because that won’t be helpful. Often there is no rhyme or reason for why your child is being left out or ostracised. Put on your “coaching hat” and help your child to come up with some strategies to improve the situation. For example, if she’s going to hang out with two other girls and this leaves her feeling left out, perhaps she could invite a fourth so that she will have her own buddy. If her problems centre on the children at school, try to get her involved in a group where she can make friends from other schools who share her interests–and where she can see firsthand that there is a life outside of school.

If she is socially awkward or you notice her doing things that puts others off, (like always needing to get her way or being too clingy) you can coach her on ways to behave socially without making her feel like there’s something wrong with her.

(Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

Special court needed to handle Police misconduct – APNU MP

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) James Bond is calling for the establishment of a special court to handle misconduct by law enforcement officers.

He made the call while lamenting that many Police Officers lack the mental capacity to effectively carry out their mandate and often resort to violence against civilians.

“One thing for sure is that the Police Force lacks the confidence, they lack the self-esteem necessary, to protect and serve the people of this country,” Bond

told reporters during the coalition’s press briefing on Friday.

The Police have been heavily criticised for using excessive force against unarmed citizens.

Bond explained that the lack of confidence he referred to does not mean “bravado or macho”.

“The Police is not equipped with the mental and physical tools to properly execute their duties, hence, their resort to barbaric, unconstitutional and downright wicked methods of harming people left, right and centre”.

He pointed out that some

amount of reform must be undertaken to rectify the worrying state of the Police Force, which has been of concern for some time now.

The APNU PM said the excesses of the Force must be stopped and efforts be made to restore public confidence.

According to him, this can be done though the establishment of a court that deals only with Police misconduct. Some years ago, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was established to investigate alleged misconduct by Police Officers and make recommendations for charg-

es to the Director of Public Prosecution. Errant lawmen are charged through the court system. The PCA is currently headed by retired Justice Cecil Kennard.

Former Police Commissioner Winston Felix also weighed in on the issue, noting that although several reforms have been touted and implemented, the results from them have not been steller.

He is also of the view that though the Government has been partnering with several foreign governments to facilitate meaningful changes in the Police Force, things have not changed much.

New social change group Blue CAPS launched

Anew social change group seeking to shift the way young people think towards the common good of all Guyanese, has been launched.

Speaking with Guyana Times, founder of Blue CAPS Clinton Urling said the organisation’s philosophy is based on the tenets of change, advocacy, policy and service.

The aim, he said, is to provide a platform for young Guyanese to leverage the opportunities available to them, to shape and articulate public policy, and finding solutions for problems affecting their communities and country.

Urling stated that the group realises that while youth make up a significant portion of the population, for many reasons, they are not actively involved in the development and drafting of policies that affect their lives.

As such, he said it is now crucial for young professionals (under 40) to become active participants in the policy development pro-

cess. “For Guyana to realise its full potential, youths must become an integral part of the national conversation and have a voice on all important topical issues facing the country, for example, the AML Bill or Local Government Elections, which they are presently lobbying for, Urling stated. He said they must be involved in making meaningful contributions to this process, have their ideas, thoughts, and actions reflected in the strategic plans and policy framework, which will help to advance Guyana for the benefit of all Guyanese.

As part of its approach, the group aims to create

future leaders by encouraging young people to participate in its signature Building Communities through Leadership Training and Service (BCLTS) Programme and participating in its Youths Experiencing Service (YES) Programme

YES is the service component of the BCLTS Programme to help bring about positive change through active community participation and policy formulation.

The founder noted that those who complete the BCLTS Programme will become Fellows of the Blue CAPS network, spreading the message of change, advocacy, policy and service.

The group, Urling said

GRA Auditors benefit from capacity-building training

Internal Auditors of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently concluded four weeks of theoretical and practical training to develop capacity within a division that is critical to the promotion of transparency and accountability within the organisation.

During the exercise, the Audit Officers undertook classroom and one-on-one mentoring sessions, appraisals of the Information Technology (IT) system and audit reports that were produced.

is objective and impartial, embraces diverse opinions, and cultivates a culture of trust and honesty.

Blue CAPS is currently registering interested persons, and persons wishing to know more of the group can visit their Facebook page, Blue CAPS.

Reviews of operating manuals in the Internal Audit Division, planning, execution and investigations utilising forensic auditing techniques and the preparation of working paper files to be admissible in the court of law were among the highlights of the training sessions.

At the commencement of the training in April, Sattaur met with the participants and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities available through training. He also elaborated on the importance of internal audit in any organisation the world over.

According to the GRA Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur, “It is envisaged that the participants at the end of the programme, will develop specific skills germane to the field of internal audit inclusive of analytical, interviewing and communica -

tion skills.”

Facilitating the sessions was Bryan Marshman, a volunteer of the Canadian Executive Services Organisation (CESO), a reputable voluntary organisation that has completed several capacity development programmes across Canada and in more than 120 countries.

CESO and the GRA share a longstanding partnership that has supported the local revenue collecting body in numerous areas relevant to its functions.

The GRA’s Internal Audit Division performs a surveillance role over of specific functions within the authority to ensure they are in keeping with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been established over the years.

Teixeira, Ali feel threatened by Opposition MPs’ comments

Government legislators have accused the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament (MPs) of issuing death threats. Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira is among MPs who have said they were threatened by the actions of the Opposition.

The incident occurred while People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) MP Jafar Ally was making his presentation on the controversial Berbice River Bridge Toll Reduction Motion in the National Assembly on Thursday.

The majority Opposition was seen waving portraits of the slain Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, who was brutally murdered along with his siblings and a security guard on April 22, 2006.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali sternly objected, interjecting on a point of order, stating that the waving of Sawh’s pic-

ture was insensitive and a threat to him as a Minister of Government.

“It conveyed to me a threat as a Minister,” Ali said as he complained to the Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman.

The Government’s Chief Whip then sprang to her feet, saying direct threats

were made to her but this allegation was later denied by the Opposition members.

“They kept pointing the picture and pointing to me, so I said ‘Do you want to kill me’ and they kept laughing and saying ‘yes’,” Teixeira said.

The Speaker of the House on his intervention, said 10 minutes before the matter was raised by the Housing and Water Minister, the Government’s Chief Whip was seen waving a portrait of murdered Guyanese historian and political activist, Dr Walter Rodney. Dr Rodney was assassinated in 1980 outside the Georgetown Prison.

A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is being conducted into the death of Dr Rodney. The PNC Government is being accused of assassinating Dr Rodney, an accusation it has denied, but persons who have testified thus far before the commission, have implicated the PNC in the killing. Nevertheless, the Speaker warned that MPs

to desist from such behaviour in the House.

A motion has been tabled in the National Assembly for the establishment of a CoI to investigate the incidence of criminal violence that occurred in Guyana from 2004 to 2010.

The motion sought to address the murders of Minister Sawh, Buxtonians, and the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica.

The motion addresses the “unlawful killing of undetermined numbers of persons – including assassinations, executions, murders, extrajudicial killings by members of the Guyana Police Force Target Special Squad and other forms of criminal violence in Guyana.

Stella Maris PTA hosting fundraiser to support school’s development

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the Stella Maris Primary School will be hosting its Annual Fair on May 26 to raise funds for infrastructural development and the purchase of learning aids.

The fair which will be held in the school’s compound at 120 Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, will feature culture shows, games, horror house, food and variety stalls, among many other activities.

The PTA is hoping to raise $1 million. The money will go towards the payment of security, the purchase of audio and visual aids, furnishings for a new school library and general maintenance of the school.

Eyew tness

Gypsies...

...in law

The gypsies – now insisting they be called “Roma” –wandered all over Europe after leaving India many centuries ago. “Wandering Gypsies”...became a tautological expression. They also developed a reputation for being “light-fingered”...so when a group would enter a village or town, they had to pitch their tent way outside the boundaries. They were considered quite disreputable and not to be trusted.

Well, looks like the graduates of the UG Law Programme are about to become the gypsies of the West Indian legal higher education. Back in the 70s and the 80s, ordinary Guyanese already were so designated in every West Indian island as they traded and higgled their way up and down the archipelago. And our gypsies didn’t “trade and higgle” only their goods in suitcases. They were placed so low on the totem pole that “Guyanese” became a curse word in the islands.

Remnants of this attitude can still be discerned in the treatment of Guyanese – of whatever social background – at West Indian airports. So what’s the story on our Law graduates? Very simply, our LLB grads have to complete two years at one or the other UWI Law Schools before admission to practice. That is – to become a “lawyer”. Now our UG – meaning all its “schools” – is independent of UWI and we (through our Government) don’t pay a cent for the latter’s upkeep. But the St Augustine Campus in TT gave us a “squeeze” and accepted the top 25 of the LLB graduating class.

They said they’ll do it for 10 years. You’d think those responsible for education in this country would’ve made preparations for that expiry date, wouldn’t you? Well, you’d have wasted a thought. When the 10 years were up, and UWI explained they weren’t giving UG grads free passes and would first take care of their grads, the powers-that-be over here huffed and puffed. And ran to Caricom to bail them out!!!

That was like asking the dead to bury the dead. Who’re surprised that Caricom said they’re helpless??? Not this Eyewitness. This newspaper has already said most pellucidly that the Government should resuscitate the plan from the 1990s for our own, complete law school. We have a Medical School at UG and a couple of private ones, and you mean to tell this Eyewitness that we can’t have our own law school?

Poppycock! And bullocks!!! ...while we’re at it. ...and veiled threats

Gypsies don’t like to confront authority directly – but they’d do so surreptitiously. After casting veiled threats even at those whose property they might’ve just filched. The folks in APNU – especially their Leader Granger, are much like gypsies in this regard. With their Muckraker bed-mate’s help – this is their riposte to the rejection of their suicidal motion for the Government to reduce the Berbice Bridge’s tolls: Government will “pay for it”!

Sure, reducing tolls sounds nice. Hell!!! Let’s abolish tolls. The point, however, which most of us learn as children, is you can’t do whatever just pops into your mind. You can’t chop mommy because she didn’t give you both thighs from the chicken, and your brother none. There are consequences. With the bridge, which part of “you can’t expropriate private property” the APNU doesn’t get?

So forget the APNU’s weak allusion to “local government results” with their threat – this veil is so gossamer thin, the threat is practically naked. This is the kind of signals Burnham used to give to his troops when he wanted them to raise hell. “Hell”, to Burnham, meant burning a dozen or so businesses in Georgetown and raising the temperature. In more ways than one.

So will its AFC partner do the burning in Berbice on the tolls?

...returning home

As the race most discriminated against in Europe today, the Roma people might consider returning to India. The fella who just became Prime Minister is from their original homeland.

More airlines coming to Guyana – President Ramotar

The Guyana aviation industry is on the rise with more airlines expected to be launched here.

President Donald Ramotar made this disclosure on Friday night while addressing the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Cocktail Social at the Princess International Hotel.

“I am happy to know that over the last few weeks, we have been having some successes in attracting more airlines… to Guyana,” he told members of the private sector.

Additional airlines in the country would result in greater competition and a likely drop in airfares. This, President Ramotar said will be of great benefit to the tourism industry which continues to play an important role in the country’s economy.

“One of the airlines that

will be coming will have good capacity… to take cargo out of our country which means we can proprably export fresh greens and vegetables, fruits to a widening market, not only the Caribbean but North America,” he added.

From July 11, Panamabased Copa Airlines will commence it services here with flights from Guyana to Panama. The international carrier is positioning itself to provide this service twice weekly. This comes after the Donald Ramotar Administration made a decision to waiver the visa requirements to enter Guyana from Panama, Costa Rica and Peru.

This therefore means that citizens of the listed countries can spend up to 90 days in Guyana without a visa while Guyanese would have an opportunity to access a wide range of connecting flights to the US,

Canada and the UK through Copa Airlines at shorter timeframes.

Additionally, the airline will also play a part in marking Destination Guyana as a major route in South America for persons desirous of travelling within shorter timeframes around the world.

Just four months ago, CONVIASA launched its first commercial flight here. The Venezuelan-based carrier is currently operating flights out of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). After making its inaugural flight to CJIA in November 2013, CONVIASA was brought in and carried out 53 passengers, making Guyana its 10th international destination.

Caribbean Airlines, Fly Jamaica and LIAT are among other airlines operating in Guyana.

Caribbean on cusp of unprecedented growth – CSA President

“The Caribbean is on the cusp of unprecedented growth,” said Grantley Stephenson, Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) President as he opened the 13th Annual Caribbean Shipping Executives Conference in Miami on Monday.

The conference was hosted by the CSA in collaboration with Port Miami.

In addressing the over 230 delegates attending the conference, Stephenson said, “In order for us to realise this promise, our efforts today must be underpinned by bold thinking and an unequivocal acknowledgement of the changing context within which we operate.”

He added: “While we continue to compete among ourselves in the region, we should also begin to grasp important lessons from developments –even within our own marketplace – and unite our efforts to offer even fiercer competition on a global stage.”

Making reference to the recently approval of the P3 Alliance by the US Federal Maritime Commission, the

CSA President said the move represents the intensification of both consolidation and competition.

“It is said that the creation of the alliance by Maersk, CMA-CGM and MSC, is in response to the G6 Alliance of Mitsui OSK, NYK, OOCL, Hapag Lloyd, APL and Hyundai. Some experts have said the alliance is an attempt by the lines to manage the rapid growth of capacity consequent on the growth in the sizes of ships that are being deployed on the Asia/ Europe and Atlantic routes.”

Interesting changes Stephenson said that the Caribbean faces “interesting changes” with respect to cargo and cruise. “Our region is certainly in for some interesting times with the entry of the new Sealand into the Caribbean service.”

On the cruise side, he referred to statements made by non-cruise nations such as the United Arab Emirates that plan to develop into a greater cruise destination than the Caribbean, which

now comprises the world’s biggest ports of call.

“We need to be aware of how we may continue to deepen our competitive advantage as a region,” Stephenson said. He noted that the Caribbean is still recovering from the global recession that ended four years ago. However, the economic outlook continues to be positive with both the Inter-American Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund predicting growth in the region of three per cent for 2014.

The CSA President encouraged delegates to continue to use this recovery phase to make the necessary adjustments to take advantage of the opportunities that are to come – specifically the opening of the wider and deeper locks in the Panama Canal in 2015.

“We are moving into an era more greatly defined by modern technology. As operators of businesses in the maritime sector, we must continue to evolve along with the technology in order to remain in business,” Stephenson said.

Hinds calls for more ‘corporate knights’ – as Guyana Relief Council hosts annual luncheon

Guyana Relief Council (GRC) Chairperson

Yvonne Hinds called on local businesses to be ‘corporate knights’, at the entity’s annual Chinese Food Festival/Luncheon and Auction on Sunday, as the Council celebrated 20 years of providing aid for disaster victims.

The auction saw several items, including pieces of exquisite jewellery and breathtaking paintings, donated from various entities such as the Chinese Embassy and GRC’s corporate sponsors. The luncheon was sponsored in its entirety by GRC’s long-standing corporate sponsor, New Thriving Guyana, at whose Banquet Hall on Lamaha and Camp Streets it was held, with all of the proceeds going to the charitable organisation.

Speaking at the event attended by several dignitaries including her husband, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the GRC Chairperson said the funds donated will “bring

solace in a tangible way” to persons who approach the Council for aid. She indicated that while the entity strives

to achieve its much-needed mandate, it is still in need of help from corporate sponsors. Hinds explained that

while the corporate community would provide funding whenever they were asked, it simply was not enough for the

entity to carry out its mandate fully.

“Our services are always called upon to alleviate the effects of natural disasters... we are putting things together for such undertakings,” Hinds stressed. She pointed out that thus far, for the year, the entity has been able to assist some 89 persons who were victims of natural disasters.

Funds needed

Further lamenting the need for funding, the GRC founder acknowledged that the Council would receive a quarterly donation from the New Building Society, while other corporate sponsors included Trans-Guyana Airways, Demerara Distillers Limited, and the Guyana Defence Force.

Although the Government also provides some assistance to the Council, it was inadequate, merely serving to maintain security at the organisation. Funding to keep the organisation afloat comes

primarily from its overseas chapter in Miami. The chapter would provide approximately $1 million to the Council. On the issue of fundraising, the Chairperson related, that the Council hosts several events annually to help fund its work. In a previous interview with Guyana Times, Hinds pointed out that if persons applied enough empathy to humanitarian work, much could be accomplished, not only in the GRC, but in other humanitarian organisations.

As the Council turns 20, it is expanding its reach and activities. Hinds explained that the Council will be heading into the interiors of Guyana, to provide assistance to residents there.

According to the Chairperson, in the coming week a team from the Council will head to the Rupununi where they will hand over 234 backpacks filled with stationery and reading material to students and teachers.

Region Five Chairman wants power restored to Moraikobai

Residents of Moraikobai have for the past few months been without any source of electricity while Regional Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth says that there is nothing his regional administration can do at present to assist the people.

According to Bisnauth, Moraikobai is the only Amerindian village in the region which has for the longest while been without power due to a cut to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s budget.

He noted that this has left the administration helpless and even though he wishes to assist residents of the affected community, there is nothing that he can do at present since the non-approval of funds to the Ministry’s capital budget has severely affected critical developmental projects in not just the village but

in some 187 Amerindian communities around the country.

It was only recently that Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai told media operatives that she was disheartened by the outcome of the recent budget and the stance taken by the Opposition as the disapproval will result in devastating impacts on not only Amerindians, but the country as a whole.

She noted that Moraikobai is one of the communities which will be most affected from those cuts to the Ministry’s budget.

In 2005, the village received its own generator which had supplied electricity on a scheduled basis to residents of the area through funding from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry. However, earlier this year, the power generator went down, throw-

ing the community of over 1400 residents into discomfort.

Bisnauth said that since then, he has been seeking support for the funds to get power back to that community, but to no avail.

Bisnauth lamented that the nonsensical attitude of some members of the

National Assembly, who were placed there to serve the citizens of the country, has now left many residents suffering instead.

It is on this note that Bisnauth is issuing a call on the combined Opposition to reconsider their decision and work with the ruling administration, so that a solution can be found to ease the electricity woes of the villagers.

Moraikobai, which is said to be approximately 123.6 square miles in area, had previously been described as one of the most developed Amerindian villages, with access to basic services such as health care, electricity, water and education. It is said to be more than 100 years old and is inhabited by mostly Arawaks.

Their main sources of livelihood are producing lumber, farming, hunting and handicraft.

When people bad talk good ting, dem need help

Some people just got bad talk whenever dem open dem mouth. Any where dem go, is bad talk. Any ting dem do is bad talk. Any ting dem write is bad talk. Dem talk bout de country, is more bad talk. Dem talk bout people, is even more bad talk.

In some case, dem just can’t get some people outta dem mind. Dem tinkin bout certain people more than dem tinkin bout dem woman, if dem still got. Some a dem dreamin and some a dem schemin. Is only leff to wonder if dem does get wet in dem behind when dem tink bout certain people.

De Bell Crier just got to seh ‘bad talk’ and right away some people name does come to mind. When yuh listen to dem yuh would tink that Guyana ain’t got no good ting. De guvament no good. De roads no good. And business no good.

And talkin bout business, wid all de bad talk, dem is de people along wid plenty other people who openin business. And some a dem already got business. But dem still openin more business. So it look like most people who got one business wanna open another business. And that is good business.

Indeed, that is dem own business, but when dem mek it dem business to bad talk business in Guyana, that is a real business problem, which de other business people should open dem mouth and talk back bout how good is Guyana business.

Well, fuh de people who wanna know what good ting certain people do fuh de country, that is just one a dem. And one good ting does bring another good ting just like how one business does bring another business.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But when good ting bring bad talk, that is when yuh know some people blind or deliberately shut dem eyes. Or as old people seh, dem eyes open but dem still can’t see a ting. Or de more dem look, de less dem see!

Cheap energy needed to springboard manufacturing industry – President Ramotar

One of the major impediments to the manufacturing industry in Guyana is the lack of cheap energy, which is a real challenge that will soon be overcome, President Donald Ramotar pledged on Saturday evening.

President Ramotar revealed that by the end of June, the Government will once again take the Amaila Hydropower Project, whose funding was cut by the Opposition, back to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for funding to complete it – optimistic that this time around, they will be successful.

The President's comment was a clear rejection of the role of the Opposition, supported by Kaieteur News, in killing the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, as he reiterated the need for cheaper electricity and to build the Hydro Project, which would be a plus for

the manufacturing sector.

President Ramotar said if Guyana were to compete with Venezuela, Suriname and Trinidad whose manufacturing sectors depend heavily on cheap energy, it is of vital importance that local manufacturers are likewise equipped.

The President's comment was a clear rebuttal of the

Kaieteur News' role in killing the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, as he reiterated the need for cheaper electricity and to build the Hydro Project, which would be a plus for the manufacturing sector. Ramotar called for the media to be responsible, as they possessed immense power and influence. He was obviously referring to the Kaieteur News.

On this note, the Head of State said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been determined to make hydro-power a reality in Guyana, but, unfortunately, its efforts had been stifled by the Opposition in 2013.

Nevertheless, the President remained resolute, noting that Guyana will continue to pursue this task so that young entrepreneurs expand their businesses, and start new ventures that can benefit Guyanese.

Once the project is com-

Talks on LEAD Project productive – US Ambassador

US Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt on Friday last said that re-engagements with the Guyana Government on the design of the US$1.2 million Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project have been in-depth and very productive so far.

Hardt was at the time responding to questions from reporters at the opening of a media workshop recently hosted by the Embassy. He disclosed that so far there have been three meetings in the first week of the engagement.

“I think we are getting to understand the different perspectives that had been separating us on this and I think we are making excellent progress,” he said, while adding that a lot of efforts are made to understand each other.

The Ambassador stated that both sides still maintain their positions; however, they are trying to understand the goal and purpose of the project. He added that while it will be an intensive engagement, they are committed to find a way forward that would benefit both sides and make everyone happy.

“At the end of the day, I think we both see the potential benefits of such a programme and we now have a path forward to achieve it… we are starting to understand how those benefits can be delivered in a way that the Government would be satisfied and other stakeholders would be satisfied,” the Ambassador noted.

Will be resolved

Questioned about the issue of the Project Head Glenn Bradbury’s work permit being revoked by the Government after the US failed to halt the project while discussion were ongoing, Hardt pointed out that the issue will be resolved during the engagements.

“…discussions are quiet positive and I think we both have a sense of accomplishment that we both will achieve in the outcome and I think that issue will resolve itself in the process,” he stated.

The controversy surrounding the US Agency for International Development (USAID) LEAD Project began in late 2013 when Government rejected the project, stating that it was not consulted when it was being drafted and further when the Washington DCbased International Republican Institute (IRI) began implementing the project here.

Government had subsequently made several calls for the project to be halted; however, that was not done until they revoked the work permit of the project head. Recently, at a joint press conference held by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon and Ambassador Hardt, it was announced that the project will be on hold while re-engagements are ongoing.

The US Ambassador explained that both governments had drafted a framework during their 2009 meeting for assistance in governance and democracy, and as such, USAID was under the impression that the programmes being developed were in accordance with the drafted 2009 framework that was agreed upon.

The USAID LEAD Project seeks to provide opportunities for dialogue and consensus building, facilitating seminars on public events of global and regional interests, and supporting local and national elections.

pleted, he posited that Guyana can benefit from renewable energy which will ultimately put the country in a position to be competitive on the global stage.

Building capacity

In addition, Ramotar said that his administration has been working hard to build human capital, noting that Guyana is the only country in the region that spends more than 30 per cent of the National Budget on the social sector.

He recalled when the ruling PPP/C took office in 1992, only eight per cent of a very small budget was given to the social sector.

“It is true that education is the key to a country’s development and today we have not only accomplished universal primary education, but I hope that if I do complete my five year-term, by the end of that, we will have universal secondary

education in this country,” the President stated.

He further stated that from 1992 to present, a number of schools have been built, along with technical institutes, across the country with the aim of providing an avenue for persons to educate themselves as a stepping stone to become successful businessmen and women.

The Government, he add-

ed, is now providing three meals, uniforms and text books to students of several hinterland schools with the aim of improving education delivery.

The President, who was born in Caria Caria, Essequibo, recalled travelling to Georgetown to gain his education. He is aware of the difficulties involved, and is thus improving access to education.

$200M spent to upgrade roads in Bath Settlement

Several roads in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice have been upgraded under the Community Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP) and handed over to residents.

A total of 16 roads – with a combined length of 7km – have been upgraded to DBST along with the reshaping and regarding of 13km of roadside drains. Additionally four culverts have been constructed.

At the handing over of the streets to residents who will be responsible for taking care of them, Housing and

Water Minister Irfaan Ali urged residents to ensure that the new roads are not abused. “As such, we will not allow roads to be used as race tracks, don’t dump garbage on the road shoulders and don’t allow trucks to drive on the road shoulders.”

To assist with this, speed bumps have been placed on the newly reconstructed roads.

CRIP is a US$18.7 million project, which, when completed, will see the construction of numerous community roads, amounting to 100 kilometres, some of which are funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the remainder by the Government. The project is being implemented by the Housing and Water and Local Government Ministries.

Project Coordinator Karen Roopchand explained that the Ministry has added CRIP to its agenda, to ensure that infrastructure in

have new housing schemes and DBST roads,” he reminded residents, while adding that they have a responsibility to understand and appreciate development.

More than 13,000 residents will directly benefit from the programme. Meanwhile, a further $80 million will be spent on phase two and three of the programme, which will see further development in the community.

existing areas are on par with the new development. The goal of this project is to improve the livelihoods of people living in Regions Three, Four, and Six in selected communities by improving access to housing, education, health and other social infrastructure.

Sustainability is a key consideration under the CRIP; as such, one of its major components is the improvement of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) which are the institutions responsible for maintaining the infrastructure. In that community, $3 million was spent to rehabilitate the Bath/Woodley Park NDC building.

Reflecting on the development in that community over the past 20 years, Minister Ali noted that there were red brick roads and not many houses in the community. “Today we

“It will improve the condition of selected tertiary roads in those regions with the aim of improving the institutional capacity of agencies responsible for maintenance of the roads and to maintain the integrity of the road after rehabilitation,” the Minister told residents.

Under the programme, cemeteries will be cleaned and their physical conditions improved. Minister Ali explained that the community will be responsible for providing the tools while Government will be responsible for paying the labourers.

The Bath Settlement project was part of a US$18.775 million which will see development in several NDC communities. Those targeted areas are Best Klien/Pouderoyen, Stewartville/Cornelia Ida, Tuschen/ Uitvlugt, Unity/Vereeniging, Haslington/Grove, Enmore/Hope, Mon Repos/La Reconaissance, Industry/Plaisance, Grove/Diamond, Rosignol/Zeelust, Bath/Woodley Park and Port Mourant/John.

Times Notebook

Simply scandalous: Caricom food imports

In 2013, Caricom countries food import bill amounted to more than US$5.1 billion. In the last decade, import was more than US$40 billion. At the same time, Caricom’s food export in 2013 amounted to just about US$1.3 billion. It is simply scandalous that Caricom’s food import bill is now about 3.5 times more than its food export.

Since 1990, while food importation was escalating out of control, food export earnings have been almost stagnant. In 1990, food imports amounted to about US$1.4 billion, but has grown phenomenally, particularly in the last decade, and is now more than US$5.1 billion, an increase of almost four times since 1990.

In comparison, food export amounted to about US$0.9 billion in 1990, increased to about US$1.3 billion in 1995 and remains at about that level today. It is an alarming situation for our countries.

The food import bills for three countries; Jamaica, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, amount to approximately US$1 billion each in 2013. In eight countries, per capita import bills amount to more than US$500 per capita, with Suriname, Guyana and Belize at about US$200 per capita at the lower end.

Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Barbados and Haiti account for almost 80 per cent of all food imports into the region. Why are Guyana, Suriname and Belize importing about 15 per cent of Caricom’s food imports?

Here are the top 10 food import products for Caricom: Food preservatives such as ketchup, sauces, soups etc (six per cent), wheat (six per cent), rice (six per cent), meat and chicken (five per cent), non-alcoholic beverages (four per cent), corn (four per cent), soybean (three per cent), refined sugar (three per cent), raw sugar (three per cent), palm oil (three per cent). There are dozens of other items that account for between one and three per cent each of the total food imports. Canned and bottled food items, like ketchup and soups exceed US$300 mil-

lion per year.

We import almost US$300 million of wheat for baking flour each year. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti import about 75 per centof the wheat into the region. But Guyana with a much smaller population account for 10 per cent of the wheat imported into Caricom. That is a whopping US$24 million each year for Guyana.

Caricom imported almost US$300 million of poultry meat last year. Haiti led chicken importation in 2013, accounting for almost 28 per cent of the total Caricom chicken importation from outside the region.

But Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas, each accounted for more than 10 per cent each of chicken imported into Caricom for last year. Only Guyana and Belize did not import chicken in any significant amount.

Milk import was about US$200 million per year.

Guyana accounted for 13 per cent of this milk importation or about US$25 million per year. Trinidad and Tobago imported more than US$42 million of milk per year. Barbados imported as much as Jamaica did, accounting for about US$10 million per year.

Guyana imports about

US$12 million worth of corn each year. Why? Can you fathom that Jamaica imports about US$83 million worth of corn each year? Why is Trinidad and Tobago importing more than US$25 million of corn each year? Barbados imports annually more than US$12 million. Not to be left out, Suriname annually imports about US$7 million of corn.

Caricom countries imported, mainly from the US, almost US$50 million worth of vegetables per year. We import annually more than US$13 million of onion, more than US$8 million of carrots, more than US$5 million of lettuce, more than US$3 million of broccoli and cauliflower, and more than US$3 million of tomatoes.

Why is The Bahamas importing so much rice from the US, when it can import rice from Guyana and other Caricom countries? Guyana and other countries can supply all the vegetables that Caricom needs. Guyana, Suriname and Belize can provide all of Caricom’s milk. Guyana can within a year build up its capacity to supply all of the chicken Caricom now imports.

The Caribbean’s food production presently amounts to about US$200 per capita per year. Not surprisingly, Guyana and

Belize lead the way with just more than US$500 per capita. St Kitts and Nevis at about US$42 and The Bahamas at about US$87 are the worst in annual food production.

Only Guyana, Belize, Cuba, Suriname, Dominica, and The Dominican Republic exceed more than US$200 per capita per year in food production. Only Guyana and The Bahamas have increased their annual per capita food production since 1990. Every country has the potential to at least double its food production.

We spend more per capita to import food than we spend on producing food. As we contemplate the unsustainable gap between food imports and exports, the time is now for us to consider this matter as a crisis and stop this scandal now.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

Regional

Venezuela President urges re-start of political dialogue

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged Opposition leaders to return to political talks intended to stem unrest around the country or face the “repudiation” of the nation.

Moderate leaders of the Democratic Unity (MUD) coalition broke off dialogue this week, saying Government officials were insulting them and rebuffing requests for releases of opposition-linked prisoners.

Unrest has flared again in Caracas in recent days, with more than 100 youths arrested during violent clashes with security forces and attacks on Government buildings.

Since anti-govern -

ment protests began in February, 42 people have been killed, more than 800 injured, and about 3000 arrested, of whom more than

Mexican Opposition holds leadership vote that may impact reforms

Mexico’s biggest Opposition party on Sunday held a leadership election whose outcome could shape how quickly President Enrique Pena Nieto can pass pending legislation to open up the oil industry and increase competition in telecoms.

The centre-right National Action Party (PAN) has been badly divided by a bitter internal power struggle, making it harder for the party to work with Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which has no majority in Congress.

Pena Nieto has relied on PAN votes to help pass

laws, including a reform in December to end Mexico’s 75-year-old oil and gas monopoly, as well as a major overhaul of the telecoms industry dominated by multibillionaire Carlos Slim.

Both reforms still need rules and regulations to be set out in so-called secondary legislation, but disputes in Congress, partly due to PAN infighting, have delayed the approval process.

The centrist PRI had hoped to pass the secondary laws by the end of April at the latest, and now has its sights on June. However, some officials worry it could take longer. (Excerpt from Reuters)

200 remain behind bars.

“We don’t accept blackmail from anyone,” Maduro said during a ceremony with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

in Caracas.

“They (the MUD) say they want immediate results. The dialogue itself is a positive result. What are they looking for? In private, they’ve said things that are impossible.”

The Opposition is particularly pressing for the release of former Caracas Police Commissioner Ivan Simonovis, who is serving a 30-year prison term for his involvement in a 2002 coup that briefly ousted Hugo Chavez.

Foreign Ministers from Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia, who have been mediating the talks, were due to return on Sunday, but may now find themselves shuttling between the two sides. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Legal cartel is crippling Bahamas financial sector, says Senior Counsel

In a move that has prompted a strong backlash from The Bahamas Bar Association, a key advisor to the Government has laid out a vigorous case for the liberalisation of immigration policies for specialist foreign lawyers so that the “closed-shop cartel” that is The Bahamas Bar Association can be “cracked open” to the benefit of the financial services industry.

Sean McWeeney QC, a partner with law firm Graham Thompson and Company, told an international conference that The Bahamas has “been too insular for too long, and way too protectionist in too many ways for too long”.

His recommendation on

opening up the legal profession to foreign practitioners was among eight that he put forward on how The Bahamas must act if it is to survive and prosper as an international financial services centre in an increasingly challenging competitive environment.

Asked to comment on McWeeney’s position, Bahamas Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson hit back, saying that he is “diametrically opposed” to McWeeney’s statements. Johnson said The Bahamas does have the expertise needed by the sector, and if skills gaps exist, training of Bahamian lawyers should be the first priority. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Anguish at baby Jaedon’s funeral

“Why, God? Why? He was innocent, he did not deserve to die like this.” These were the painfilled screams of anguish from Siparia grandfather Winston Jerricho Cudjoe on Saturday upon seeing the body of his grandson, 17-month-old Jaedon Jeremiah Joel Cudjoe, laid in a baby-blue coffin at the family’s Aquat Village, Old Siparia Road, Quinam, home.

Cudjoe, who was charged with manslaughter on Friday evening, was released on $200,000 bail to attend his grandson’s funeral. He is expected to appear before a Siparia Magistrate today to answer the charge. On Saturday, Cudjoe, clutching

her

Gay advocates want UWI Professor sacked

Acoalition of gay advocacy and civil rights groups is pressuring the University of the West Indies (UWI) to fire

Professor Brendan Bain as head of the Caribbean HIV/ AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Initiative, claiming that his expert testimony in a case in Belize represents a conflict of interest and has destroyed their trust in him.

The 33 lobby groups, from a number of Caribbean islands, are also demanding that Professor Bain be removed from all positions of representation of the UWI on HIV and AIDS issues.

They are, as well, insisting that the university drafts and implements a “policy which protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex staff and students from discrimination”.

However, the groups and the UWI Administration, which appears to wilting

under the pressure, are on a collision course with the church as the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals has expressed support for Professor Bain and has asked the UWI to resist the demand to sack him.

The first move against Bain was made in September 2013 when the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) wrote to Ambassador Eric Goosby at the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) expressing concerns about Bain’s expert testimony in the constitutional challenge brought by Belizean gay man Caleb Orozco against Section 53 of Belize’s criminal code in September 2010.

The code states that “every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years”. (Excerpt from

Colombia and FARC rebels agree on drug trade plan

the child’s body as the undertakers wheeled his coffin through the family’s front gate for viewing.

With pain etched on his face, Cudjoe embraced his daughter-in-law Masika Wharwood, sobbing loudly as mourners wailed at the child’s side.

Cudjoe’s son Fergus held his father when he broke down in tears after viewing Jaedon, who was dressed in a white suit.

Sharon Phillandez, Jaedon’s godmother and aunt, delivered the eulogy at the funeral service at St Dominic’s RC Church, Penal. She told Cudjoe that the family knew he was the “most grieved person”.

Colombia’s Government and the FARC, the country’s largest rebel group, have agreed on a plan to deal with the illegal drug trade. Both parties agreed to eliminate all illicit drug production in Colombia should a final deal be reached.

The FARC, which controls large patches of rural Colombia, is believed to be partly funded by money generated by the illegal drug trade. This was the third on a six-point peace agenda being negotiated in Cuba.

The civil war in Colombia has killed an estimated 220,000 people in the last five decades. Last year, Government officials

and the left-wing FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) agreed on land reform and political participation. As with previous agreements, details of the programme to combat the drug trade will need to be discussed further by special commissions. Friday’s agreement marked the end of the last round of the talks initiated by President Juan Manuel Santos, who is seeking a second mandate in next week’s elections.

Earlier, the FARC along with the country’s second largest armed group, ELN, said they would observe a unilateral cease fire for the voting.

Gunfire erupts outside Libyan Parliament

Clashes have erupted outside the Libyan Parliament in the capital, Tripoli, in an attack being claimed by forces loyal to a retired Army General accused of launching a coup attempt.

Forces said to be loyal to a retired Libyan Major General, Khalifa Haftar, stormed the General National Congress on Sunday and challenged the legitimacy of Parliament.

Al Jazeera’s Omar alSaleh, reporting from Tripoli, said the city had “turned into somewhat a battlefield”.

Saleh quoted eyewitnesses as saying a large convoy of vehicles with heavy

machine guns stormed Congress. “There were a few cars set on fire. There was heavy fighting. The situation is very tense.”

At least two people died and as many as 55 were wounded as a result of the violence.

Saleh said a spokeman for Haftar claimed the attackers were affiliated with Haftar’s forces.

A former military police officer, Colonel Mukhtar Fernana, read out a statement on al-Ahrar television on behalf of Haftar. “We announce the freezing of the GNC,” Fernana said, according to Reuters news agency. It is not clear where he gave the address.

also said Parliament should hand power to the 60-member body elected to rewrite Libya’s Constitution.

The Libyan News Agency said the forces attacking Parliament belonged to the Zintan brigade, a rebel group from 170 kilometres south-west of Tripoli, which controls the city’s international airport.

But Zintan forces have not yet said the attack was undertaken for Haftar.

The retired General has been carrying out a military campaign in Benghazi – using Government aircraft and troops without authorisation – against Islamist militias since Friday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China sends ships to evacuate nationals in Vietnam

Cis sending five ships to evacuate Chinese nationals from Vietnam following a wave of anti-Chinese riots.

The Chinese Government has already evacuated more than 3000 people, Chinese state-run media report. The first ship set sail on Sunday, while 16 critically injured Chinese nationals left Vietnam on a chartered flight, Xinhua news agency said.

have been killed and dozens more injured in unrest over a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters. On Saturday, the Vietnamese Government called for an end to the protests.

Officials said “illegal acts” would be stopped as they could damage national stability.

However, dissident groups have urged people to rally again in major cities on Sunday and the authorities broke up some anti-China protests in Hanoi and Ho Chi

Syrian Air Force Chief dies in combat

The chief of Syria’s air defence forces, General Hussein Ishaq, has been killed in combat near Damascus, a security official has told news agencies.

The General died on Saturday of wounds suffered when rebels attacked Syrian air defence headquarters near the town of Mleiha, a key battleground southeast of the capital.

He is one of the few top-ranking officers whose deaths have been announced during Syria’s three-year war.

The army’s entire arsenal and forces are deployed in Damascus’s war against

rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime brands the uprising as a foreign-backed “terrorist” plot.

“The regime’s air defence force is to face a possible US attack, but in this war it is using its firepower against the rebels,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

Abdel Rahman called Ishaq’s death an “important psychological blow” to the regime.

For more than a month, the army backed by the Lebanese Shia group, Hezbollah, has been battling to recapture Mleiha, a stra-

tegic rebel bastion.

Mleiha has been under siege for more than a year, and under near-constant bombardment for more than a month.

The UK-based Observatory, an anti-government monitoring group, said that despite initial regime advances in Mleiha, the rebels have recovered ground, retaking several buildings around the central town hall.

While the army remains in control of Damascus, rebels still hold a number of towns and villages on the outskirts, despite a suffocating blockade and frequent air strikes and shelling. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

S Korea to break up Coast Guard after ferry disaster

South Korea is to break up its Coast Guard in the wake of the ferry disaster in which about 300 people died, says President Park Geun-hye.

Minh City.

In recent days crowds have set fire to at least 15 foreign-owned factories – including Chinese, Taiwanese and South Korean businesses – in several Vietnamese industrial parks.

Correspondents say the attacks appear to have worried authorities, as Hanoi depends heavily on foreign investment for economic growth.

However, China has urged authorities to take tougher measures to punish rioters.

“We are strongly dissatisfied by the Vietnamese side’s failure to respond effectively to curb an escalation,” Xinhua quoted Security Chief Guo Shengkun as saying on Saturday.

The protests have been triggered by China’s decision to move its Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig into contested waters in the South China Sea.

This led to confrontations between Vietnamese and Chinese ships earlier this month, as Vietnam sought to block the move.

In a televised address, she apologised formally for the sinking.

“The ultimate responsibility of the poor response to this accident lies with me,” President Park said, quoted by the AFP news agency.

The ferry captain and

A new safety agency would handle rescue duties, with investigative functions passing to the police, she said. The Sewol ferry disaster on April 16 killed 281 passengers, most of whom were high school students. Another 23 are still missing.

three members of the crew have been charged with manslaughter. Prosecutors have indicted another 11 crew members for negligence.

Only 172 passengers survived the sinking of the ferry, including 22 of the 29 crew members. An interim investigation found that a sharp turn was the main cause of the sinking. (BBC News)

Suicide car bomb kills five in bar district of north Nigeria’s Kano

Asuicide car bomber killed five people on a street of popular bars and restaurants in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on Sunday evening, in an area mostly inhabited by southern Christians, police said.

Kano Police Spokesman Musa Majiya said the bomber struck Gold Coast Street in the Sabon Gari or “foreign quarter” of the North’s biggest city.

“I heard a loud blast. And there was a lot of smoke. Soldiers came in to cordon off the place and ambulances were rushing people to hospital,” witness Abdul Dafar,

who lives a block away from the blast, said, adding that he had seen four dead bodies in the aftermath.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but blame was likely to fall on violent Islamist group Boko Haram, whose struggle against the Nigerian state has killed thousands over the last five years.

The militants also operate in neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad, and President Goodluck Jonathan described them as West Africa’s al-Qaeda on Saturday in Paris, where regional leaders met France’s President Francois Hollande

to discuss how to tackle the growing threat posed by the group.

The Islamists grabbed world headlines with abduction of more than 200 school girls a month ago from a remote village in the northeast. Britain, the United States and France have pledged to help rescue them. Boko Haram has frequently attacked Sabon Gari, whose liquor stores are also a cause of friction with Kano’s Islamic police. The area has for decades housed ethnic Igbo traders from the South, who are predominantly Christian. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Multimillion-dollar pump station commissioned at Rose Hall

A$40 million state-ofthe-art pump station was on Sunday Commissioned at Rose Hall, Region Six, as the region puts mechanisms in place to prevent flooding during the upcoming rainy season.

The facility replaces the 19th century pump station in the town which has been inoperable for decades.

Speaking at the commissioning, President Donald Ramotar said while rain plays a vital role in the agricultural sector measures need to be put in place to avert inundation during the rains. On this note, he stressed the importance of making the defunct pump station operational.

“We need the rain, rain is essential and important for us… we need it, but at

the same time we need to have the capacity to drain off the excess water that we constantly have,” he said.

The pump, he noted will allow for an expansion of cultivation, both in the front lands and backlands.

On a different note, the President urged residents to conserve on water and not to tamper with the irrigation system by cutting and destroy dams. This, he said is illegal, and unwise, given the predicted El Nino season.

“Drainage and irrigation infrastructures are being placed countrywide, more particularly because our coastland is below sea level and these types of infrastructures are vital for our country’s well-being, production and productivity.”

Also addressing the gathering, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said during the period 1975-1985, many very important structures for drainage and irrigation were decommissioned for reasons that vary, and it was the onerous responsibility of the Government in the last two decades to put these back into operation.

“We will continue to invest in building our country through large and small infrastructural projects as every day we work to improve the lives of the citizens of our country… and this pump was designed and built specifically from scratch by a contractor and it is a huge investment by the Government of Guyana and other communities across the country will ben-

efit from this initiative,” Dr Ramsammy stated.

He pointed out that Government will continue to make investments that will improve the lives of citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.

Other pump stations

The Minister pointed out that other pump stations are currently being built and some refurbished along the Corentyne Coast.

“As we speak, other stations on the Corentyne Coast are being put in place. We are enhancing the pump capacity in those places, at Bengal, at Number 66, Number 19 and other areas, we are putting in pumps, Gangaram.”

With these much-needed infrastructure in place, the Minister called on res-

Pensioner found dead at Fyrish

An elderly man was on Sunday found dead in his son’s yard by a neighbour and a relative following a dispute over where he would stay. The discovery was made around 14:30h.

Dead is 74-yearold Herbie Hercules of Hampshire Street, Courtland, Fyrish, Berbice.

According to information reaching Guyana Times the man was left outside the yard by a relative and being too weak to stand up, he dragged himself into the yard where he succumbed. It was further disclosed that the man had a wound to his head, which is suspected to be the cause of his death.

Speaking to Guyana Times, a neighbour related that the elderly man was left in the care of his daughter-in-law while his son went to work in the interior; however, she took him to his niece’s house and left him there while the niece was not at home.

When the niece returned on Sunday morning, she found the man in her house with an injury to his head, so she called the Community

Police and confronted the daughter-in-law about leaving the man at her house. The daughter-in-law allegedly said she was “fed up” with the man and given that she was pregnant, she could not take care of him anymore.

Too weak

Apparently worried about the condition of the man, the niece took him back to his son’s house and left him outside the gate, saying that she did not want any problem. Seeing the man sitting there, the neighbour said, she called the Community Police who informed her not to touch the man. The woman then got a piece of bamboo, which she extended to the pensioner for him to grab a hold of and stand, but he was unable to do so, as he was too weak. In light of this, the neighbour returned home to finish her chores, but constantly checked on the man. She noted that the man had a wound on his head with “fresh” stitches. The neighbour recalled that by the time she was

done, the man had managed to drag himself into the yard and was lying there, so she went to him and gave him some water. She continued that she then called one of his great nieces, the health centre and the Police to inform them about the man’s condition which had deteriorated. She noted that the great niece was the first to arrive, but by that time, Hercules was already dead.

This newspaper understands that Hercules’ daughter-in-law had a

friend staying with her, and he reportedly told his niece and the Community Police that the friend was the one who hit him in his head and then she, along with his daughter-in-law, took him to the hospital. After the man’s death, the daughterin-law and her friend could not be located.

Hercules’ body was taken to Ramoo Funeral Parlour to await a post-mortem examination. Investigators are looking for the two women.

idents to play their role in alleviating the effects of flooding and poor drainage and irrigation.

Addressing the issue of garbage build-up in trenches and drains, the Minister called on residents to be more responsible.

“People have a responsibility, we also contribute to the problem. The amount of garbage in communities and drains, somebody puts it there so you need to ask yourselves who put it there... we will continue to work with you in communities, there are machine that are doing their work but it is all our responsibility.”

The commissioning of the pump was also welcomed by the Region Six Chairman who called on residents to be appreciative of the developmental project, from which

the region is benefiting. The resuscitation of the pump station began in February 2013 and, was done by General Engineering and Supplies Services. Work done on the existing structure include the rebuilding of the pump house and installation of a new pump, which has a huge discharge capacity.

Meanwhile, Rose Hall residents welcomed the initiative, saying it was a timely and much needed gesture by the Government. Also present were the commissioning were National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth, Region Six Chairman David Armogan and other top regional and Rice Producer Association officials.

Soldiers stable after Tacama shooting

Two Guyana Defence Force soldiers are now patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital following a shooting incident at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama, East Bank Demerara on Sunday. The incident reportedly occurred about 16:30h.

The injured men who were air-dashed to the city were identified as Lieutenant Othneil Hope, 23, of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara; and RCT Vernon Harding, 21, of Lot 145 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

Hope sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg, while Harding is nursing a wound to his abdomen and was, up to press time, undergoing emergency surgery.

According to information received, the two ranks were at the training school when a gun accidentally went off hitting Hope. Upon hearing

the gunshot, Harding went to assist the Lieutenant, but the gun went off a second time, hitting Harding in the abdomen.

The men were both treated at the base, but due to the severity of Harding’s injuries, a decision was taken to transport the injured soldiers to the Georgetown Public Hospital to be further treated.

The men reportedly arrived at the medical facility about 19:30h and were immediately attended to, with Harding being taken into theatre after he was examined by the doctors on duty.

Hospital officials confirmed that both men are in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Defence Force has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident and indicated that it will release additional information about the incident as it become available.

Investing in human capital vital to development

– President tells NA youths

Youths from New Amsterdam, and surrounding communities will now benefit from a bigger recreational facility as President Donald Ramotar on Sunday commissioned the new Burnham Park Pavilion.

The project was completed under the President Youth Award Republic of Guyana Programme (PYARG).

The President in his remarks to the gathering said he was sure the facility will be of great benefit to residents.

“You would have known over the years we have been building and rebuilding infrastructure so necessary and so indispensable for further social and economic development, and while this is

important we also see the importance of investing in people.”

The President noted that the administration has recognised the need for investing in the human capital as it is an important factor for development.

“We want to enhance the capacity of people, we spoke of lifting the quality of life in society, giving people a higher quality of life, and so too it is true that we have to live by other values and creating other conditions, that is why we have been investing so heavily in the social sector.”

President Ramotar pointed out that more than 30 per cent of the country’s national budget goes to the social sector. The Head of State added that it is for this reason; education continues

to receive a large budgetary allocation yearly.

The President added that the administration has also recognised the importance of investing in youths; hence, these and other such projects.

Change agent

“We believe that sports can make a contribution. We have to increase the capacity to fight crime, and we need to have other methods and we believe sports can contribute in this regard. Sport has rules that if you violate you can be punished, so too in life, there are laws that we have to live by.”

The President also spoke of the spin-off benefits of having youths involved in sports, which include a healthy lifestyle.

Police accused of foot-dragging in investigating alleged rape

AWest Coast Berbice family is of the view that the Police at the Fort Wellington Police Station are dragging their feet on an investigation involving a 15-year-old female student and a 47-year-old man.

The incident, which occurred on Easter Monday, has caused child to leave her home to take up residence at her older sibling’s home, some villages away.

Guyana Times was informed that the 15-year-old secondary school student was allegedly sexually violated by the reputed husband of her aunt, and although reports were made to the Police station, the man remains at large.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Sunday, the child related that she and her aunt, with whom she was living for the last two years had a misunderstanding. According to her, her aunt told her that she did not want her in the house, the teen explained.

“So after that I went to my uncle house to tell him what happened. And he said is what wrong with my aunty, ‘why she put me out’,”

She noted that after she related the incident to the man, he offered her some food. Soon after she was fin-

ished eating, “he said you bathe and brush your teeth already?” to which said responded in the negative, and was offered a new toothbrush and was told to take a bath. “He fetched the water for me and I was bathing.”

Attack

The teen said she was approached while still in the bathroom by the man, who started touching her about her body, and although she refused, she claimed she was too weak to fight him off. She alleged the man had forced sexual intercourse with her.

The teen said she was so afraid, she ran away to Georgetown with the money, the man, a cane harvester gave to her, before allegedly telling her to “get lost”. The child explained that she was shocked and afraid, since she trusted her uncle-in-law and something like that had never happened to her before.

The young lady explained that she has been living with her father’s sister for almost two years, since her mother passed away when she was 10 years old and her father is unable, for some reason, to take care of her.

She said a report was eventually made to the Fort Wellington Police Station, and her statement was taken. However, Police said

“That is why we are building these facilities and we will continue to try to build these facilities.”

Meanwhile, Presidential Advisor Odinga Lumumba in his remarks noted that this initiative shows that the administration has every Guyanese at heart, in terms of development. Lumumba stated that this

tention to the maintenance of the facility, as it will serve the entire community while at the same time it can generate money.

“It can’t be in the hands of one person, it was built for youths and you have to ensure they are protected... we have these facilities throughout the country,” the Government Information

Guyana benefitted last year.

that they are unable to contact the man who is popular in the Hopetown, West Coast Berbice.

Awaiting action

Meanwhile, the child’s aunt told this publication, that she is awaiting actions from the Police since she is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Asked if she believes her husband had committed the act, the woman said “really, I don’t know what to say”. She said she and her reputed husband have been together for a number of years; however, they have not been living together.

Shockingly, while [Police claim that they are unable to locate the man], the woman revealed that he continues to visit her, informing her that there are rumours going around in the village implicating him in the incident. The woman said she has not broken a word on the incident, or what was said by the child at the Police station, since the “Police have to do their work”.

The child said she is hoping to return to school, which she has missed since the incident, and is pleading with the Police to carry out a full investigation into the matter.

initiative should bear testimony to the fact that facilities and developmental projects are not only being built in communities, which support the Government.

“We have spent about $1 billion so far for the past 11 years since the launch of the Youth Choice Project and Berbice has gotten its fair share.”

He, however, called on the residents to pay keen at-

Agency (GINA) reported.

Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman Permaul Armogan, who welcomed the project, noted that it will complement the work of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and other agencies, as sport plays a key role in any community.

He noted that not only Berbice has benefited from this type of investment, but 30 other communities across

“In some instances, $1 million was spent, and in other more than $1 million. These projects are being done because we recognise the importance of taking our youths off the street so that they can make a contribution; that is why we are spending all this money in every play ground in our country.”

He too called on residents to make full use of the facility, and at the same time play their role in safe guarding it for other generations to come.

The facility is fitted with a concrete pavilion and a sanitary block. Plans are already on stream for lights to be installed to facilitate sporting activities in the night.

CJIA investigating alleged 'manhandling' of US citizen

The authorities at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, have launched an investigation into an incident involving a US citizen at Guyana’s main port of entry on Sunday morning.

According to reports, the foreigner was allegedly 'manhandled' by a security personnel.

The woman, whose identity has not been released, is reportedly of unsound mind and might have attacked a security official at the CJIA after she was refused to board a Caribbean Airlines Flight.

According to information received, the woman

in her 50s arrived at the airport, acting in an abnormal manner as she tried to book a ticket to travel to the US.

She did not have a reservation and based on reports, she might have sneaked out of her son’s home, unknowing to him.

After the ticketing clerk refused to confirm a flight for her, she reportedly attacked the security official, throwing punches at him.

From reports gathered, it was during an attempt to control the woman that she was reportedly ‘manhandled’, and it was not done intentionally.

Immediately after the incident, CJIA staffers

managed to get a contact number of the woman’s son from her.

Contact was made with the son, who turned up at the CJIA a short while after to collect his mother.

A full report of the incident is expected to be submitted to CJIA Chief Executive Office Ramesh Ghir by this morning.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer Aneka Edwards said a release will be issued by the airport authorities today.

She confirmed that there was an incident involving a mentally unstable woman, but was not privileged to divulge details of the matter.

Former policeman dies from Africanised bees attack

Aformer hand-writing expert of the Guyana Police Force was killed after he was stung by Africanised bees at his Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home on Saturday.

Retired Sergeant Ivor Thomas of Lot 1, Fellowship, WCD, died while being treated at the Leonora Diagnostic Centre.

Guyana Times understands that Thomas was in his backyard weeding when his neighbour was burning some bushes.

The smoke apparently disturbed the bees, which were a distance away, and the sound of the weeding machine attracted the insects to Thomas.

The bees reportedly attacked him, covering his en-

tire head. He managed to escape by running inside his house, but his dog could not escape the insects and was fatally stung.

Thomas was rushed to hospital after he fell unconscious, and despite efforts by doctors to maintain his heartbeat, he man succumbed. He leaves to mourn his reputed wife and children.

SUDOKU

You could use a vacation. Make room in your budget for a short getaway. It’s the perfect time to relax and enjoy your own company or that of a loved one.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Don’t keep your opinions bottled up. Your ideas are as important as anyone else’s. You can win over even a stubborn opponent if you make your point persuasively.

You need to take control of your finances and get back on budget. It’s time to clear up any debts and collect any money that is owed to you.

Physical and social activities are highlighted. Mix both by joining a gym or fitness club. You will meet new people and improve your health at the same time.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

You could be in for a rude awakening if you lend money to someone you don’t know that well. Consider the reason behind the request, and don’t be fooled by false flattery.

(March 21-April 19)

Children or elderly relatives will provide a happy diversion from tedious problems. The most meaningful relationships involve common interests.

Increase your circle of friends by participating in many things.

(April 20-May 20)

You will be enticed by the latest gossip, but if you repeat it, you will lose credibility. Don’t waste valuable time on stressful details. Stay focused on what is most important.

(May 21June 20)

Embrace intellectual challenges. If you check out the latest technology, it could help generate some ideas. You can use your quest for knowledge to increase your hiring potential.

Pamper the ones you love. Be considerate and helpful to those in need. Your behaviour toward others will strengthen your ties to them and ensure assistance when you need it.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You can use your discipline and determination to overcome any recently acquired bad habits. By concentrating on a healthy diet and regular exercise, you will soon be back in fighting form.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

There may be some mixed messages coming your way. You should delay making any important decisions. Be wary of anyone who could mislead you or harbour ulterior motives.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Sometimes it is easier to talk with friends than with family. If you are having issues with a loved one, wait until the home situation is more relaxed before making suggestions.

Independence Three-Stage cycling...

Team Coco’s Matthews takes overall honours

By AvenAsh rAmzAn

Team Coco’s Darren Matthews opened a seven- second lead over Guyanese Geron Williams by the end of the final stage on Sunday to win the 32nd annual Independence Three-

Stage cycling meet, sponsored by the National Sports Commission.

A mere two seconds had separated the two heading into the final stage from Linden to Georgetown on Sunday, but Matthews copped his second succes-

sive second -place finish after winning the opening leg on Saturday morning to strengthen his position.

Matthews, who was docked three bonus points for a feeding infringement on the first leg, clocked six hours, 53 minutes, 18 seconds (06h: 53m: 18s), leaving G. Williams, riding for Continental Cycle Club, to settle for the runner-up spot with a time of six hours, 53

minutes, 25 seconds (06h: 53m: 25s).

Guyanese Marlon Williams, riding for Trinidad’s Heat Wave, finished third with six hours, 53 minutes, 30 seconds (06h: 53m: 30s), followed by Alanzo Greaves (06h: 54m: 59s), Orville Hinds (06h: 55m: 22s) and Mauricio Robayo (06h: 56m: 06s).

Meanwhile, Sunday’s final stage which covered 64.5

miles or 103km, was won by Paul de Nobrega in a time of two hours, 46 minutes, 14 seconds (02h: 46m: 14s), joining Matthews and M. Williams as stage winners this year.

Matthews rode in second, followed by Hinds.

Akeem Arthur was the top junior with a time of six hours, 56 minutes, 28 seconds (06h: 56m: 28s), followed by Michael Anthony and Stephano Husbands.

GCB Inter-County One-Day Tournament…..

Robin Persaud emerged as the top veteran rider, clocking six hours, 56 minutes, 20 seconds (06h: 56m: 20s).

Junior Niles and Stephen Fernandes were second and third respectively.

During the two-day activity, the 96 riders who registered covered 171.5 miles or 275.1km of the country’s roadways.

Double success for Demerara

By rAjiv BisnAuth

After retaining the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) threeday title, Demerara comfortably lifted the one-day version of the tournament, whipping the President’s XI by six wickets on Sunday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

Demerara first restricted the President’s XI to 148 in 43 overs and then overhauled the target, reaching 150 with seven balls to spare to lift the GCB trophy. This year’s tournament was not sponsored by the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Company (GTM). This is the first time in 37 years the company has not sponsored the tournament since it began in 1976.

This publication understands that the insurance company ended the partnership with the GCB due to the ongoing off-field conflict that has tarnished the sport

over the past years and more so the charges of lack of accountability and transparency levelled against the GCB.

The competition is of utmost importance to the GCB as it is being used by the junior selectors to pick the Guyana team for the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Regional Under-19 competition later this year.

Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul hit a defiant, unbeaten 77 in Demerara’s reply, hitting back- to- back boundaries to seal victory.

Earlier, opener Sunil Singh provided the backbone in a mediocre President’s XI batting display, hitting four boundaries in 85 balls as he top-scored with a fluent 54.

On a slow pitch, the President’s XI lost Ryan Shun (1) as early as the second over, leg before wicket to off-spinner Malcolm Hubbard.

Sunil Singh and Damian Waldron then orchestrated

a recovery from the dodgy start with a second-wicket stand of 51 in 14.4 overs.

Waldron (23) was then dismissed leg before wicket as he played across the line to a quicker delivery from Hubbard.

Just 5.4 overs later, the President’s XI had slipped to 58-3 when Nick Ramsaroop (1) departed.

Ronaldo Mohamed (23) and Singh made up for the loss of Ramsaroop by mounting a mini-fightback, adding 40 runs with Singh bringing up his half-century in the process.

However, when Mohamed (23) was dismissed, the President’s XI then lost the momentum, creating relentless pres-

sure on the rest of the middle and lower-order batsmen. Mohamed, Singh and Avishkar Sewkarran (7) were dismissed in the space of twelve balls.

The other four batsmen, Vivian Albert (4), Yenkinie Favoratie (2), Michael Shalin (1) and Matthew Shivtahal (2) failed to last much longer, leaving Gavin Moriah unbeaten on 11.

Spinners Malcolm Hubbard, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Steven Sankar and Cleon McEwan claiming two wickets apiece, while Keon Morris had (123).

Demerara’s run chase suffered a serious blow as the hosts lost the dangerous Brian Sattuar (7) in the third over.

Sattaur wasn`t even patient enough to grind it out and once again showed his vulnerability towards keeping the ball on the turf, unlike his opening partner Chanderpaul, who showed

a lot of temperament. Chanderpaul anchored the pursuit after Sattaur’s dismissal, settling in nicely before blossoming with some glorious strokeplay. He and team-mate Ronaldo Renee shared a match-winning second -wicket stand of 77, before Renee (28) was removed. Ramnarine Chatura (7) and Rudolph Singh (13) were the other batsman dismissed, before Chanderpaul and Kemol Savory (2) not out took them home safely.

Chanderpaul’s innings lasted for 154 balls, inclusive of six boundaries. Damian Waldron, Gavin Moriah, Vivian Albert and Ryan Shun were the successful bowlers for the losing team with a wicket apiece.

A 20-man squad is expected to be announced sometime today, according to Chairman of the junior selectors Nazimul Drepaul.

President commissions new recreational facilities In New Amsterdam

One of the oldest grounds in Guyana to host an international football game, the Burnham Park in New Amsterdam, can now once again host games of that nature. This follows the commissioning of a pavilion and washroom facilities on Sunday.

The $6.9 Million project was executed under the President Youth Choice Initiative. A new pavilion with seating capacity for three hundred and washroom facilities were handed over to the Chairperson of the Parks and Playfield Committee ,Winifred Yearwood, before the official cutting of the ribbon to symbolically open the pavilion.

In brief remarks the Head of State noted that efforts are being made to improve both physical and social infrastructure. This is so he added, because his administration is trying to enhance the quality of life of all Guyanese. “We want to invest a lot in sports because it has a lot of indirect benefits.” In doing so, the President added, it could help to fight against the drug trade.

He noted that Government will continue to build facilities and enhance such facilities so that more persons can get involved in sport and live healthier lives. “This is the

Serena

direction in which we are going. We want to be able to expand these facilities on the coastland and in the interior, so that our people can have a better quality of life.”

Chairman of Region Six,

days the whole pavilion will be gone.” Armogan explained that more than 30 community facilities were upgraded last year and many more are expected to be updated in 2014.

However, Presidential

David Armogan, noted that the Burnham Park facility is being preserved to be handed over to another generation and commended the New Amsterdam municipality on its goal of trying to return the town to its former glory.

Armogan explained why the pavilion was built with concrete and not the traditional wood. “Once you make it in wood it will be stolen overnight and within a few

triumphs

Advisor on Community Development ,Odinga Lumumba, in noting that the project was built for young people ,urged them to take care of it. “You have to ensure that persons don’t destroy it. If you don’t see the new facilities that the Regional Chairman was talking about it is because of cuts to the budget.”

The Burnham Park during the 1970s was the premier

against injured Errani to win Italian Open

Serena

won her

title,

The

local fa-

6-3 6-0

number one looked

mering Williams dished out to the Italian in the semi-finals of the French Open last year, when Errani won only one game.

The 27-year-old Errani, who has lost to Serena Williams, 32, in all seven of their meetings, had to leave the court after losing her serve in the eighth game of the first set to get attention for her injury.

outdoor facility in Berbice for athletics and football.

Initial efforts to resuscitate the facility in the late 1990s, was met with resistance from municipal officials who wanted to be a part of the renovation committee. On one occasion, the dilapidated pavilion was considered dangerous to any close by since it was on the verge on collapsing.

A request by the then Berbice Football Association (BFA) to pull it down and reconstruct it at no cost to the municipality was not approved. The then mayor Errol Alphonso explained that an engineer will first have to condemn the structure before permission was given to pull it down.

It eventually fell, but by then the BFA had lost the resources that were available and the project fell through.

Present at Sunday’s commissioning ceremony was Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and several New Amsterdamers, who started their careers at the Burnham Park and later made national football teams.

Several former national athletes’ started their careers at the Burnham Park.

Atletico Madrid win La Liga title after draw

Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin (L) celebrates after scoring against Barcelona during their Spanish first division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 17, 2014.

Credit: Reuters/Marcelo del Pozo

A towering Diego Godin header secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Barcelona and a first La Liga title for 18 years in a thrilling climax to the campaign on Saturday.

Barca needed to beat Atletico in a final-day showdown to snatch the title away and Alexis Sanchez gave the hosts hope when he rifled home from an acute angle after 33 minutes at a packed Nou Camp.

But four minutes after the break Godin powered home from a corner and Atletico defended robustly to earn the draw they needed and claim their first championship since 1995-96.

“This was something unimaginable at the start of

the season but totally deserved,” Atletico captain Gabi told Spanish television as his delirious team mate celebrated on the pitch behind him.

“We always believed in ourselves, even when we fell behind today,” he added.

“It is a honor to be part of this and to be able to compete with the big clubs.

“Let the fans enjoy this now because they deserve it. We will celebrate this great title now and from Monday we will focus on the Champions League which is the priority now.”

Atletico, who contest next Saturday’s European showpiece against Real Madrid in Lisbon, finished with 90 points, with Barca second on 87 and Real, also with 87, in third.

It is the first time in 10 years that either Barca or Real Madrid did not win the league and Barca finished without major silverware for the first time in six years.(Reuters)

KKR make it four wins in a row

Just past the halfway point of the Sunrisers Hyderabad innings, speaking to the TV commentators, Shikhar Dhawan said his team were looking at getting to 180 on what he called a “beautiful batting wicket”. Dhawan’s assessment was probably right, and Sunrisers, at that point, were on course to get to 180, going by their run-rate and by how David Warner was batting.

SCOREBOARD

Hyderabad T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

AJ Finch c Morkel b UT Yadav 8

S Dhawan c Gambhir b Narine 19

NV Ojha† c Pathan b Shakib Al Hasan 22

DA Warner c Pathan b UT Yadav 34

KL Rahul lbw b Chawla 14

IK Pathan not out 23

DJG Sammy* c Pandey b Shakib Al Hasan 7

KV Sharma run out (Pathan) 4

DW Steyn b UT Yadav 1

Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 8) 10

Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 142 (7.10 runs per over)

the 10th- seeded Errani, who was cheered on by a passionate home crowd but suffered a thigh injury towards the end of the first set and never recovered.

She was clearly less mobile after that, and the American rattled off seven easy games in a row to finish the match in one hour and 11 minutes, leaving Errani tearful in defeat.

All the action was in the first set, which lasted longer than the 46-minute ham-

“I’m sorry for Sara because she didn’t deserve it to end like this, but I’m very happy for the win,” said Williams in Italian on court.

(Reuters)

But they had lost three wickets at that point, and they lost two more in the next two overs, including that of Warner, for an 18-ball 34. In the 40 balls that remained after Warner’s dismissal, Sunrisers scored just 38 runs. It left Kolkata Knight Riders chasing a target of 143, and they achieved it without too much of a struggle, losing only three wickets, with four of their five batsmen scoring 25 or more.

Did not batA Mishra, B Kumar Fall of wickets 1-14 (Finch, 1.3 ov), 2-41 (Dhawan, 5.4 ov), 3-64 (Ojha, 8.3 ov), 4-98 (Rahul, 12.4 ov), 5-104 (Warner, 13.2 ov), 6-129 (Sammy, 18.1 ov), 7-139 (Sharma, 19.3 ov), 8-142 (Steyn, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O M R W M Morkel 4 0 39 0 UT Yadav 4 0 26 3 SP Narine 4 0 21

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monday, may 19, 2014

Super Kings v Royal Challengers, IPL 2014...

RCB win spinfest to stay alive

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hy did MS Dhoni go with David Hussey for the final over? That’s the question IPL fans will be asking after a gripping low-scoring encounter on a spinning Ranchi track went down to 10 off the final over.

The ball was turning square, and Dhoni had three options: legspinner Samuel Badree, who had figures of 3-0-15-0, Mohit Sharma, who has been one of the standout bowlers of the tournament, and Hussey, who had no playing contract and was part of the IPL commentary team till last week. This was also Hussey’s first game since March, he has bowled more than one over only once in his previous 14 Twenty20 matches, and had conceded 25 in his two overs on the day.

De Villiers was yet to get off the mark then, and the asking-rate was over 10 - perhaps par for the course for Twenty20s, but incredibly tough on this surface. On a track where even Gayle and Virat Kohli struggled to get the ball away, de Villiers was at ease, pummelling the ball to all parts as he scored at a strike-rate of 200. Three sixes in successive overs had brought the asking-rate down to a run-aball, but de Villiers went for another big hit in the 18th to perish and leave Yuvraj the job of hitting 14 off the final two overs.

There was drama as Yuvraj missed three deliveries from Ravindra Jadeja in the 19th, to leave 10 for the final over. Hussey was given the responsibility, but he couldn’t pull it off.

openers. Suresh Raina and Hussey, however, put on 75 for the third wicket as Super Kings seemed set for their patented formula of bludgeoning the bowling in the second half. Though Raina went on to make 62, there was to be no bludgeoning as first the spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Yuzvendra Chahal stifled the batsmen, before Abu Nechim and Mitchell Starc did the same at the death. Dhoni, dismissed only once in his previous seven innings, fell for 7, and there were no boundaries in the final four overs as Starc and Nechim profited by bowling a full length.

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Still, Dhoni went with Hussey, perhaps wanting the ball to turn away from the main remaining threat, Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni has famously made unconventional bowling choices towards the end of an innings to conjure victories, but this was not one of those occasions. Yuvraj mowed the first ball over wide long-on for six, and the game was effectively over. With four needed off five deliveries, it was too little for Super Kings to play with. Abu Nechim clubbed a boundary to long-on to complete the game off the penultimate delivery.

Despite making only 138, Super Kings looked to be in control of the game for most of the chase. R Ashwin was outstanding with the new ball, giving away only three in three overs as he repeatedly made Chris Gayle look clueless. He would have sealed the game in the 15th over had he pouched an overhead chance off AB de Villiers at extra cover.

He hadn’t looked at ease with the bat either, after coming in following a rare early fall of Super Kings’

The result isn’t too much of a blow for Super Kings, who are still almost certain of making the playoffs, but was huge for Royal Challengers as it kept them alive and hoping. (ESPNcricinfo)

Pandey, MM Sharma, S Badree Fall of wickets 1-29 (McCullum, 4.2 ov), 2-29 (Smith, 4.4 ov), 3-104 (Hussey, 14.3 ov), 4-115 (Dhoni, 16.2 ov)

djokovic dominates nadal to win third Rome title

Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat Rafael Nadal for the fourth time in a row and claim his third Italian Open title with an impressive 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory in Rome on Sunday.

World number two Djokovic was broken twice in the first set as Nadal moved towards an eighth Rome title but he came roaring back to dominate the defending champion thereafter.

The Serb finished the match with a flurry of winners, taking 12 of the last 15 points to leave his Spanish rival reeling.

Defeat for Nadal was his third on clay in the season - the first time that has happened in a decade - and raised questions about his form ahead of the French Open which starts next Sunday and where he will be

Novak Djokovic kisses the Italian Open trophy

seeking a ninth title.

Djokovic will arrive at Roland Garros on a high after collecting the 44th title of his career to draw level with former French Open champion Thomas Muster. He has also established something of a psychological hold over Nadal, winning eight of the previous nine

sets he has played against the Mallorcan king of clay. Nadal at Roland Garros is a different proposition altogether but Djokovic will arrive in the French capital arguably favorite to win the only grand slam to elude him after the way he dismantled his rival at the Foro Italico on Sunday. (Reuters)

Thrilling action continues in junior squash tourney Agricola needle Timehri Panthers; Herstelling

Ben Mekdeci secured a huge win in the under-17 category, when the Guyana Squash Association (GSA)/ Digicel junior squash tournament continued on Saturday at the Georgetown Club. The tournament is sponsored by Woodpecker Products Limited.

Mekdeci, who remains undefeated, handed Shemane Griffith his first loss of the tournament by winning the match 3-0.

Mekdeci came out attacking early and raced out to an 8-1 advantage before closing off the first set at 11-4 ,while looking strong in the second set as well to go up 2-0 with an 11-3 win.

Griffith fought in the third and final set as he sensed a bit of fatigue stepping in on Mekdeci ,who held his composure to win a

tough third set at 11-9.

Shomari Wiltshire dominated the day with three victories, especially with an impressive win over Alex Cheeks in the under-15 category.

Wiltshire won the first set at 11-7 before Cheeks took the second set at 11-4. The third set saw Wiltshire prevailing with an 11-8 win.

Cheeks in the fourth set had a 9-7 advantage to force a fifth set; however, Wiltshire held his composure to win the net four points for an 11-9 win.

Sarah Lewis played an excellent all- round game in the girls’ under-17 category against Savannah Mendes to take the match in three straight sets at 11-7, 11 – 6 and 12 – 10.

Taylor Fernandes was clinical in her match against Makeda Harding with a 3-0

win at 11 - 2, 11 - 5, 11 – 9 to bounce back from a tough loss one night ago.

Full results of the morning matches are as follows:

Boys Under 11 Novices: James Mekdeci defeated Liam Carpenter 11/4 11/4, and Kamir Khan defeated Chad DeAbreu 11/5 11/4.

Boys Under 11: Shomari Wiltshire defeated Demetrius DeAbreu 11/5 11/0; Dominic Collins defeated Zachary Persaud 11/6 11/6; Rajiv Lee defeated Gareth DaSilva 11/2 11/0; Gianni Carpenter defeated Dominic Collins 11/8 11/5; Demetrius DeAbreu defeated Nathan Rahaman 11/3 11/2; Ethan Jonas defeated Rajiv Lee 11/3 11/4; Shomari Wiltshire defeated Ethan Jonas 11/0 11/4; Nathan Rahaman defeated Gareth Da Silva 11/3 11/9;

and Zachary Persaud defeated Nathan Rahaman 11/1 11/3.

Girls Under 11: Kirsten Gomes defeated Paige Fernandes 11/4 11/3; Haley Carpenter defeated Aliyah Persaud 11/8 11/9.

Boys Under 13: Daniel Islam defeated Anthony Islam 13/11 11/1 11/8 and Gianni Carpenter defeated Lucas Jonas 8/11 11/7 6/11 14/12 11/9.

Boys Under 15: Shomari Wiltshire defeated Alex Cheeks 11/7 4/11 11/8 11/9.

Girls Under 15: Maya Collins defeated Jamila DaSilva 11/0 11/0 11/0.

Boys Under 17: Alex Cheeks defeated Michael Ramroop 11/2 11/2 11/5; Alec Melville defeated Michael Ramroop 11/5 11/6 11/5; Ben Mekdeci defeated Shemane Griffithe 11/3 11/3 11/9; Matthew Phang defeated Jael Gaskin 11/0 11/2 11/3; Shemane Griffith defeated Jael Gaskin 11/0 11/4 11/5; and Ben Mekdeci defeated Matthew Phang 11/4 11/6 11/7.

Girls Under 17: Larissa Wiltshire defeated Maya Collins 11/1 11/2 11/2; Taylor Fernandes defeated Makeda Harding 11/2 11/5 11/9; and Sarah Lewis defeated Savannah Mendes 11/7 11/6 12/10.

UG routes Plaisance to start their regional campaign

By TreisTon Joseph

The University of Guyana (UG) routed Plaisance Academy 41-21 to start their regional campaign on a high note on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, when the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Regional Conferences sponsored by Digicel, Beharry Group of Companies and Banks DIH continued.

Plaisance came out the gates looking slick with their ball movements and swished the first shot of the game from beyond the arc.

UG then answered with an 11-0 run and never looked back as they were able to constantly penetrate the defence of their smaller Plaisance opponents easily to come out with the blow-out win.

Jonathan Pooran was the top- scorer for UG with 13 points, while Rashawn Hooper had 11. Orin

Thomas fell two points shy of a double as he rebounded the ball well with 15 re-

bounds, while having eight points.

Andrew Johnson was the top- scorer for Plaisance with a team -high score of 11 points in the one- sided loss.

Bishops High School trampled over St. Roses High to win the game 5137 at the end of regulation time.

Marvin Durant was a one- man show for Bishops High, scoring a game- high 22 points in the win to lead his team to victory while no other player was in double figures in the scoring column.

Nathan Saul scored 22 of St. Rose’s 37 points in the loss to a more superior Bishops High School team.

Brickdam Secondary held off a surging Charlestown Secondary in the final minutes for a 2621 win in the Georgetown conference.

Rondel Archer topscored for Brickdam with 10 points as Brickdam had

some late- game errors that allowed Charlestown to cut into their lead that proved futile in the end.

Amoniki John was the game’s leading scorer out of Charlestown with 16 points in the loss.

Earlier in the day, the under-16 category had some exciting action of its own as St. Rose’s topped Marian Academy 41-34.

Shamar Huntley led the way with 14 points to have a team -high for St. Rose’s in the win, while Judah Stephney had a game- high 17 points and 10 rebounds for Marian in the losing effort.

President’s College (PC) was able to secure a win over Plaisance Academy in the under-16 category with a 37-21 win.

Cubator Stephens produced a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds to lead PC to the win, while Kadeem Peterkin had 10 points as well.

Meanwhile, in the one

and Diamond draw

The inaugural CULTsponsored East Bank Football Association Under-17 league got off to an exciting start on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield with two exciting encounters.

In the feature game, Agricola Red Triangle defeated a game Timehri Panthers 1-0, while the opening game saw a determined Herstelling fighting back to earn a draw against Diamond.

The afternoon’s proceedings were witnessed by Company Secretary of the Continental Group of Companies, Mr. Percival Boyce and the Cult Marketing team.

Both Agricola and Timehri are new to this level of competition but displayed a high level of determination as they sought to outdo each other, urged on by their respective supporters. The balance shifted back and forth with the Timerhi boys enjoying the better part of the early exchanges.

But as the game progressed, Agricola came into their own even as goals were hard to come by. Excellent goal- keeping by the Timehri Panthers’ goalie kept Agricola at bay for some time, but they were able to eventually crack Timehri’s defence with a well taken goal late in the second half, which turned out to be the winning goal off the boot of Mario Campbelle.

Opening play between Herstelling and Diamond set the tone for what is anticipated to be an entertaining competition as both teams battled to the end in an energized manner.

Their respective senior teams a few days ago in the Stag Beer division-one league had battled to a 1-1 draw, so the younger stars, some of whom also played at the senior level were out to secure a win but as it turned

under-14 game played, Bishops pulled off a comeback in the second half by holding Marian Academy to one point in the half for a 14-7 win.

Marian held Bishops to two points in the first half as they capitalized with their fast- break points to end the half ahead 6-2.

However, Bishops would return the favour

out, that was not to be.

Unlike the senior game, Diamond it was that took the early lead nine minutes into the game, Nathaniel Paul rocking the back of the nets with a powerful right- foot shot past custodian Quazim Yusuff at the near post, much to the delight of his team-mates. It was hard going thereafter for Herstelling with both teams going hard at each other.

Diamond were able to keep Herstelling at bay and not allow the nippy and multi- talented Rickey Debydial, who also plays cricket, any leverage to unleash his quick plays and spot- on shots. With full time approaching, Diamond looked as if they were on their way to securing full points, but Debydial had different ideas. While his forward runs were being blocked the closer he got to goal, Debydial decided that he was going to take a shot from some distance. He received as well directed pass just inside the area; with the Diamond defenders giving him an opening ,he decided to shoot on the run which caught goalkeeper David Smith off guard in the 66th minute of the 70-minute encounter.

It was a well thought out and directed shot that beat the keeper to his right. Prior to the matches, Mr. Boyce congratulated the teams for being a part of the tournament and challenged them to be good ambassadors while playing fair and respecting each other.

The players and officials observed a minute’s silence for the late Grove Hi Tech player, Delon Barton.

Matches will continue on Saturday with another double- header at the same venue when Soesdyke Falcons come up against Grove Hi Tech at 14:00h, with the feature game between Kuru Kururu Warriors and Diamond United.

in the second half, holding Marian to one point while scoring 12 points in the second half, despite being out- rebounded 30-18 by Marian in the game.

Boyd Embleton had six points in the game to help lead Bishops to the win, while Jahleel Young had five points and 12 rebounds for Marian in the loss.

GABF Inter-Association tourney...

Score’s Even returns to competitive racing next Sunday Linden upstages Georgetown

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Score’s Even will return to competitive racing next Sunday when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will stage a grand horse-race meet at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, its owner Dennis DeRoop confirmed on Saturday.

The animal from the DeRoop’s racing stable was denied entry in last month’s Guyana Cup Fever, which had subsequently led to a legal challenge mounted by its owner Dennis DeRoop.

DeRoop had moved to the courts to challenge a decision made by the Guyana Cup Fever organisers to disqualify Score’s Even from participating in the event, after they had refused to register the horse, claiming that the event is not for ‘A’ Class animals.

More so, the principal concerns that led to the decision to debar Score’s Even from participating in the Guyana Cup Fever, was the fact that other horse owners had threatened to opt out of

the race meet, citing unfair competition, because of the pedigree and experience of Score’s Even.

However, when questioned if similar action could be taken by horse owners for next Sunday’s race meet, organisers of the event indicated that a race for ‘A’ Class animals is listed in the programme.

Programme

Seven races are listed for the day, with competitors set to vie for close to $4M in prize money.

The ‘A’ Class event will be the feature race over 1400 metres and will see the horses gallopping for a first prize of $1M.

There is a newly introduced event for horses classified D3 and Lower nonwinners for 2014, and ‘E’ and Lower for a winning take of $500,000 and trophy over 1400 metres.

The Three-year-old Guyana and West Indiesbred animals will be racing

Fans in Linden left the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court happy on Saturday evening, after both male and female Linden teams had their way with Georgetown in the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation InterAssociation tournament.

The Linden men came out early and got their jumper working from beyond the arc, which gave their “bigs” more space to work it in the post as Chris Williams was stroking it from down in the first quarter, while Dwayne Roberts was aggressive in the post for Linden to end the first quarter 17-11.

for a top prize of $400,000 over 1400 metres.

Incentive for the winner in the F1 and Lower 1400 metres event is also worth $400,000.

The G3 Class 1100 metres race will see the winner taking away the $300,000 first prize and trophy.

Racing fans will see the top ‘I’ Class horses racing over 1100 metrse for a top prize of $200,000 and trophy, while the J1 Class horses will sprint over 1100 metres for a winner’s prize of $180,000 and trophy.

Interested horse owners can have their animals confirmed for participation through Fazal Habibulla on 232-0232 or 6577010, Inshanally Habibulla 6234495 or 232-3295, Donald or Zaleena Lawrie 225-4530, 2254565 or Dennis DeRoop on 609-9143.

Registration closes on Wednesday, with no late entries accepted.

shanghai diamond League: allyson Felix disappoints on return

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix made a disappointing return from injury at the second meeting of the Diamond League season, placing fifth in the 400m in Shanghai.

Jamaican Novlene Williams-Mills ran in 50.31 seconds to edge Botswanan Amantle Montsho, while Felix finished in 50.81.

American Justin Gatlin cruised the 100m in 9.92, the fastest time in the world this year, with Dwain Chambers

seventh.

Chambers’ fellow Briton Phillips Idowu was sixth in the men’s triple jump.

Russian Lyukman Adams claimed first with a jump of 17.10 metres , while Idowu, 35, posted a 16.47.

British record holder Steve Lewis finished eighth in the pole vault, won by Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie with a clearance of 5.92 metres.

American Felix, 28, had targeted a quick return to the

form that saw her crowned 200m Olympic champion in 2012, but was unable to follow the pace in her first race since injuring a hamstring at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow.

Gatlin, Olympic 100m gold medallist in 2004, finished 0.2 seconds ahead of Jamaica’s Nesta Carter, while his compatriot Michael Rodgers was third.

“I know I did a good time but was not thinking 9.92,” he said. “I just wanted to put a good race together. I have much more left in the tank, I felt I made it look easy.”

In the women’s long jump, Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria set a new meeting record of 6.86 metres to claim first, while 25-year-old Briton Shara Proctor finished ninth.

Okagbare, 25, also triumphed in the 200m, setting another new meeting record of 22.36 to edge Anthonique Strachan of Bahamas. (BBC Sport)

Georgetown made a rally to cut the lead to one point mid-way through the second quarter before Linden answered with a rally of their own to end the first half ahead 31-24.

The third quarter started with Georgetown’s Dave Causeway hitting from downtown, while Ryan Stephney was able to grab an offensive board and a tipin to send Georgetown on a small run before Roberts and Orin Rose’s two-way play allowed Linden to open

a double -digit lead as the third quarter ended 49-39.

Williams continued to stroke it from downtown in the fourth with a big three with 5:01 left to play in the final frame to give Linden a 55-43 advantage.

Georgetown would play solid defence, getting out on the break for some easy layins, but would be unable able to come out with the win despite outscoring Linden in the final period 11-9.

Willams was the gamehigh scorer with 13 points for Linden, while Roberts had 12 points and Rose 11 points in the win. Shane Webster also had 10 points for Linden in the balanced offensive attack by the mining town.

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai had a quiet night, but top- scored for Georgetown with nine points, while both Travis Burnett and Jermaine Slater had eight points apiece.

Meanwhile, the women’s Linden side was also able to be victorious over Georgetown with a 59-44 win.

The Linden women got off to a flyer of a start with a

12-0 run before Georgetown could have bought a bucket. Tamika Hunter and Shakeila Sampson were able to penetrate the defence of Georgetown as they looked to push the pace of the game to get the early advantage before Georgetown responded with an 8-0 run to end the first quarter 12-8.

Linden during the third quarter kept up their running game to end the first half still in control with a 25-17 lead.

Georgetown outscored Linden in the third period to close the gap at 35-32 in favour of the Lindeners heading into the final frame.

However, the players from Linden increased their defensive pressure and were able to outrun their rivals from the city to coast to an eventual 59-44 win.

Hunter finished with a game- high 16 points, while Nichola Jacobs had 14 and Sampson 13 in the win.

Georgina Ifill top -scored for Georgetown with 13 points, while Natasha Alder dropped 12 points in the loss.

mistake to award World cup to Qatar, says Blatter

Awarding the 2022 soccer World Cup to Qatar was a ‘mistake’ and the tournament will probably have to be held in the winter because of the heat, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said.

“Of course, it was a mistake. You know, one comes across a lot of mistakes in life,” he told Swiss television station RTS in an interview.

“The Qatar technical report indicated clearly that it is too hot in summer, but the executive committee with quite a big majority decided all the same that the tournament would be in Qatar,” he added.

Asked whether the World Cup was likely to be held in the European winter, the 78-year-old replied: “It’s probable, yes. In fact, it’s more than probable.”

FIFA later issued a ‘media advisory’ noting that Blatter was in no way questioning whether the tournament would be held in Qatar.

“The comment by the FIFA President concerning the organisation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to Swiss TV station RTS is in line with previous comments on this matter,” read the statement.

“As explained in his answer to the journalist, the President reiterated that the decision to organise the World Cup in summer was an “error” based on the technical assessment report of the bid, which had highlighted the extremely hot

temperatures in summer in Qatar. At no stage did he question Qatar as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” the statement concluded.

FIFA launched an investigation last year into alleged corruption surrounding the voting procedure for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

The choice of Qatar was particularly controversial given that the small Arab nation has little footballing culture and summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius).

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said in January that the 2022 World Cup would not be played in the summer months but was likely to be held between November and January.

The soccer body has said no decision will be taken until after this year’s World

Cup finals in Brazil with all stakeholders and commercial partners to be consulted.

Blatter was adamant oil and gas-rich Qatar had not ‘bought’ the World Cup, however, and indicated political pressure from France and Germany had played a part.

“I will never say they (Qatar) bought it,” he said.

“We know full well that big French and German companies work in Qatar, but they don’t just work for the World Cup. The World Cup is only a small part of what is going on in Qatar.”

Asked about his future at the helm of FIFA, Blatter again indicated he would stand for a fifth term in next year’s election.

“At the moment I say I want to finish my mandate well. Of course I am willing to continue,” he said.(Reuters)

Team Coco’s Matthews takes overall honours

Plaisance make successful start to title defence Guinness Street Football, East Coast leg...

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

In front of a large Saturday night crowd at the Haslington Market Square tarmac, Plaisance made a successful start to their title defence by needling Nabaclis in the opening match of the East Coast leg of the annual Guinness Street Football competition.

The reigning champions were indebted to their skipper and marquee player, Warren Gilkes, who once again rose to the occasion.

Gilkes netted the game’s only goal in the fourth minute to ensure Plaisance remain in the 16-team knockout competition.

Gilkes had scored a double in the final last year in Plaisance’s 2-1 win over Victoria Church

Yard United.

In the other games, Edun Fraser was on target twice for Beterverwagting ‘B’ in their 2-0 success over Plaisance ‘B’.

Fraser scored in the 12th and 19th minutes.

Melanie ‘B’ won 2-1 on penalties against Buxton ‘A’ after a nil-all stalemate, while Melanie ‘A’ enjoyed a walkover win over Mahaica, who failed to show.

Last year’s runner up Victoria Church Yard United won 2-0 against Vryheid’s Lust, with Kenroy Johnson and Nicholas Holder scoring in the ninth and 17th minutes respectively.

Kwame Alfred was the goalscorer for Paradise against Ann’s Grove Punters, his seventh minute strike sealing the 1-0 win.

Game seven of the night never got underway as Ann’s Grove Warriors did not show up for their game against Beterverwagting ‘A’, thus handing the latter clear passage to the quarter-finals.

The final match of the night resulted in a 4-3 victory on penalties for Victoria Eagles against Golden Grove Superstars.

The two teams had played to a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time with Kirk Warren scoring for Victoria Eagles in the 15th minute and Michael Evans in the 24th for Golden Grove Superstars.

The competition will continue on Wednesday evening with

the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The final and third- place playoff will be held on Saturday.

All the games are fixed for the Haslington Market Square tarmac.

Meanwhile, the national playoff is billed for early June, with the Caribbean championship fixed for later that month.

The winner of the East Coast zone will advance to the national playoff to face seven other teams from two other zones. The qualifiers for the national playoff from the Georgetown zone are reigning champions Queen Street- Tiger Bay; runner-up Stevedore Housing Scheme; third-place finisher Hope Street- Tiger Bay and fourth- place Albouystown ‘B’. The Linden teams are champions Eagles, runner-up Retrieve Unknowns and winner of the third-place playoff, Scheme.