Guyana Times, September 21, 2014

Ramjattan: "It's APNU's MPs!!"

1 dead in Queenstown accident

Texila students for quarantine against Ebola

Barama Company celebrates 51st Malaysia Day

Woman raped, man locked in car trunk during robbery

Man shot by Police in Albouystown

Former Worthing Mayor interested in Guyanese politics Industrial Arts Centre handed

Jack Saheid

The 88th Mayor of Borough of Worthing, in the United Kingdom, a Guyanese by birth, has expressed his interest in becoming involved in Guyanese politics, claiming that it is time to give back to his country which he left some 53 years ago.

Jack Saheid, 73, formerly of the Essequibo Coast, served as Mayor from 2005 for a year and has a Degree in Agriculture from Plumpton College along with a certificate in Social Sciences from Northbrook College.

In an exclusive interview, he told Guyana Times that he is seriously thinking about returning to Guyana since he is financially stable and has the time to serve the people of Guyana.

More so, he admitted that he has great respect for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), since his father and entire family have all supported the party. He explained that while growing up, he was fond of the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan who had inspired him to reach for greatness.

The father of four daughters said he has enough experience in the political arena and is willing to share among his political counterparts. He explained that while in England, he was a Conservative Democrat and has been treated with respect and feels that every Guyanese citizen should be treated the same.

However, Saheid left Guyana in 1961 with his family, since at that time he wanted to further his education but there was no university here. It was before Guyana gained its independence, so citizens could have travelled to England without a visa.

There he said it was challenging at first, but he managed. One of those challenges

was to deal with "prejudice".

As a Guyanese, he knew he had to work to be successful. He worked at a train station and after five years he was promoted to Clerical Officer One, which meant that the next promotion would have been to a manager.

While waiting to be promoted, he pooled his money from two jobs and bought a few properties. After four years and no promotion, he made a decision to leave. He invested in several properties including hotels, farms and others in the United Kingdom.

To date, he has a gas and oil field in Louisiana, a hotel in Ohio, a day care centre in Texas, all in the US, among others.

Saheid recalled being in his post office helping people when he was approached by a Conservative agent to join their party and after thinking about the offer, he accepted.

One year after, he ran for a local seat in the council but lost. Not deterred, he tried again two years later, this time in his own area, and won the seat.

As his political life commenced, he ran for Mayor of

his town, Worthing, and was elected after receiving a landslide victory. At that time, he noted that the population of the town was 98,000. After winning and taking into consideration he was Conservative; the Liberals became more open and supportive.

During his tenure, he met many high ranking people including member of the royal families, Head of States from other countries, Lords and Ladies. More memorably, he had the privilege of attending the Queen’s Garden Party, but never had the opportunity to speak with her.

At that party he recalled, the Queen honouring 10 to 15 men who had done exemplary well in their respective districts. It was indeed an honour, he reminisced.

In addition, while in office, companies showed interest to develop the town which was a plus for him as Mayor. His only regret, however, was the fact that he had only one year in office. Initially, he stated that a Mayor ran for two years but due to irregularities unearthed in 1972, the Constitution was amended.

Anew Industrial Arts Centre focused on carpentry and joinery skills was recently handed over by the New Zealand High Commission Head of Mission Fund (HOMF) to the community of Yupukari in North Central Rupununi, Guyana.

The new Industrial Arts Centre boasts a renovated building, new additional wood storage facility and generator house with electrical power tools imported from the USA, as well as other necessary equipment, tools and accessories that will allow the Centre to operate efficiently and competitively with other professional carpentry enterprises in the region, a release said.

The Centre is the second of its kind in the Rupununi, also funded by the New Zealand High Commission Head of Mission Fund (HOMF) and easily accessible to Lethem, where construction activity is booming since the opening of the Takutu Bridge between Brazil and Guyana.

“The community of Yupukari is aware of their unique opportunity to tap into the growing market for the products and services

they have the potential to provide, but had been constrained by the limitations of their existing facility,” the release said.

This project builds on the success of a previous Industrial Arts Centre operating in the village from 2005. It had been a popular and successful operating unit, making furniture for the local community and village nature lodge.

Toshao Rudolph Roberts described Yupukari as a progressive community that is always looking for development opportunities that would benefit its members. “The goal of the project is to try and stop our young people [from] leaving our community,” he said, adding that “The new Centre will provide high quality vocational training and income generation opportunities, but also allow them to participate, and contribute to the development of their own community”.

Project Coordinator Michael Martin explained that the community successfully coordinated this project between several other ongoing initiatives and should feel proud of the achievement.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, September 21 from 14:30h-16:00h

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, September 21 from 15:00h-16:30h

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery showers are expected to give way to heavy rain showers during the morning hours with sunny weather prevailing in the afternoon. Clear skies are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:33h and 14:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.35 metres and 2.40 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:30h and 20:49h reaching minimum heights of 0.82 metre and 0.79 metre respectively.

Ramotar: no shortcuts to building trust

...more dialogue needed to solve political crisis

By Michael younge

President Donald Ramotar has given his Government’s commitment toward working with other stakeholders to find practical solutions to the political impasse that is retarding aspects of Guyana’s growth and development, but insisted that there are no shortcuts to building trust.

Ramotar was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times, on Saturday, where he outlined his perspective on a menu of political issues dominating the corridors of public discussion.

The President said strongly that his Government continues to work to create an environment where “trust is the bedrock” of political negotiations and discussions.

He said this is necessary to move the country past the hurdles presented in Parliament as a result of the posture of the political Opposition.

Ramotar said that, in the long term, the distrust being haboured by key political parties will only serve to cripple development and jeopardise the gains made thus far in the country.

“We need to rely on each other’s words. We need to become predictable to each other,” he rationalised, explaining that his door remains open to exploring all options available to strengthening the country’s modern brand of democracy.

He boasted about the track record of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) as far as sticking to its word and honouring agreements are concerned.

President Ramotar called on all political parties to seriously consider develop-

ing the culture of sticking to agreements arising out of discussions regardless of the outcomes that may be faced.

He recalled the tough decisions taken by the leadership of his own party during the presidency of the late Janet Jagan and the concomitant consequences that could have been faced after certain commitments were made.

“I was General Secretary of the party in 1997 when the PPP/C won the elections but Mrs Jagan agreed to a truncated term.

"The whole leadership of the party was upset about that at the time,” he reported.

Ramotar said Jagan had agreed to the truncated term following an audit of the elections results, while pointing out that the PPP/C had to live with any consequence that flowed from its decision.

He maintained that trust is the most important ingredient in fostering unity among parties competing to occupy the Executive arm of Government.

“Life has proven that our position (on this issue) has been correct,” he noted as he dispelled any suggestions that his party will deviate from advocating the need for trust.

The comments made by President Ramotar are in line with those expressed by PPP/C’s General Secretary Clement Rohee who called for there to be trust before any discussion is had with respect to the establishment of a government of national unity.

Rohee had warned about pursuing the notion of shared governance without first addressing the fundamental issues that have caused deeprooted divisions among key political actors.

1 dead in Queenstown accident

Sixty-two-year-old

Deo Jhablall was struck down and killed on Friday afternoon by a motorcyclist on the Queenstown Public Road, Essequibo Coast, two houses away from his home as he attempted to cross the road.

According to Jhablall’s wife, Ghanashwaree, the incident occurred around 17:30h. She said she was in her kitchen cooking when she received the tragic news of her husband’s accident and rushed to the scene.

She said family and relatives immediately rushed Jhablall to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Jablall was reportedly dragged along the Queenstown Public Road and the motorcyclist was eventually thrown into a nearby trench.

The motorcyclist Erick Tucker, 18, of Albertown, Georgetown

is currently under Police guard at the Suddie Public Hospital being treated for injuries to his face. He was reportedly proceeding North to Anna Regina with his father, who was on another motorcycle. According to reports, Tucker had visited the Essequibo Coast to attend a funeral.

Jhablall was the father of five children.

Editor: Tajeram Mohabir

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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Editorial

The drumbeats of war

While the expression “history matters” might sound trite – everything, after all, is a consequence of historical precedents – the concept “path dependency” proposes that matters are not so simple. As Wikipedia summarises for us, “Path dependence explains how the set of decisions one faces for any given circumstance is limited by the decisions one has made in the past, even though past circumstances may no longer be relevant.”

All of this becomes relevant when one observes the behaviour of the PNC under the present leadership of David Granger. After the elections of 2011, even though he had been considered a “moderate”, Granger insisted that the PNC protest – in front of the homes of the top officials of GECOM –the “slow” count of the ballots. Following the announcement of the results, his supporters insisted that he was “President” and staged a protest at the Cuffy Monument into the heart of Georgetown.

Leading the protest were the immediate past heads of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force. Pellets had to be fired into the mass of protestors when they violated the law – even they vowed their march would be “peaceful”.

Mere months afterwards, Granger led his PNC supporters into another “peaceful protest” against a graduated electricity tariff which he had earlier agreed, was fair. The protests descended into unlawful behaviour – such as the cutting off of all transportation into the interior – and widespread arson, causing billions of dollars of damages.

Within months of this, the PNC supported the “peaceful” protests in Agricola, which resulted in thousands of innocent commuters – including schoolchildren – being stranded far into the night. Vehicles were burnt and several commuters were robbed. We see the role of “path dependence” in Granger being seemingly compelled to repeat the history of the PNC.

Very soon after its launching, the PNC became a willing pawn in the Anglo-American plot to remove the PPP from office. Protests by PNC members – especially in Georgetown –became the mechanism to achieve that end.

Drilled by American labour organisations, through which the CIA operated, the PNC under Forbes Burnham and its affiliated Public Service Workers Union staged “peaceful sitins”, patterned on the US civil-rights model, which paralysed governmental institutions and schools in 1962.

In 1963, the protests turned violent and whole sections of Georgetown were torched and hundreds of PPP supporters were beaten. The overwhelmed PPP had to go along with “fiddled constitutional arrangements” that swept them from office.

In the following 28 years, the PNC obviously had no reason to “protest” – peacefully or otherwise. But as soon as they became the Opposition in 1992, “historical path dependency” kicked in. Desmond Hoyte felt compelled to launch protests against the PPP/C for “ethnic cleansing” and “land grabbing”.

The protests following the 1997 elections were a mirror image of the ones in the 1960s, as sections of Georgetown were set ablaze, PPP supporters were beaten and robbed and the Government, while not removed forcibly, had to make wide-ranging concessions to continue governing after new elections.

The questions that were asked then – and have to be asked now – are whether the actions that imitate those of the 1960s and 1990s PNC are relevant in the present circumstances. In the 1960s, the protests were to serve a foreign cause and resulted in breaking this country and its politics apart in a manner that created and maintained severe ethnic tensions. The politics of Trinidad – a society similar to our own in contrast – never descended into the abyss like ours.

The Hoyte protests of rage, prevented the country from moving its growth rate into double digits that would have brought us up to par with our neighbours. All we can see coming out of Granger’s present calls for “peaceful protests”, when General Elections can be precipitated in months, is a repetition of history.

Violence following the drumbeats of war causing retrogression.

The Scottish vote and Guyana

Dear Editor,

As I wrote in an earlier piece, I expected the Scottish people to reject independence from the UK and so they did – 55 per cent to 45 per cent.

As I penned, voting to sever ties from the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland would be like cutting one’s nose to spoil one’s face – there is not much economic gain from such an act.

In fact, it probably would have led to a slide in the standard of living, as Scotland does not have enough resources to sustain independence (border security, free education, welfare, etc) and improve its quality of life.

Nevertheless, the people of Scotland had/have a right to a vote to determine their status and they exercised it wisely rejecting independence. Other countries, especially Guyana and others in the Caribbean should also give their people the right to a referendum on critical matters, especially on how they should be governed.

In Scotland, polls predicted a close contest and just before the vote, the yes was in the lead. But the

undecided and those who changed their minds tipped the scale in favour of no. It was a close vote demonstrating the level of disenchantment with London exercising almost total control over the affairs of its territories similar to what obtains in Guyana and around the Region.

Caribbean Governments don’t like to devolve power to its regions or Local Governments. Hubristic leaders fear the loss of control should they empower people and yet the people tell them they want to exercise control over their own lives and not be told by Central Government what to do.

On this note, the federalist system, as is going to be put in place for Scotland and the other British territories, should be considered for Guyana to devolve power away from Georgetown that has been neglecting the outer areas.

The three major political parties in Guyana should consider giving the people the vote to choose the kind of Constitution they want, including whether they want a federalist structure with a division of powers as exist in the US.

On breaking ties from a major wealthy country as was involved the Scotland vote, the UK is a global power that influences economic, political and social affairs around the world.

Why would a territory want to sever ties with it when you stand to lose that status? It was a major reason why people rejected independence. The same holds true for France and Holland – these are global players with huge clout in international affairs and providing protection to mini-territories (like Martinique, French Guiana, St Eustatius, etc) in the Pacific and or in the Caribbean.

Besides, they also give a lot of handouts to the territories and treat their people as full citizens with a European passport.

Why would any of these colonies want to vote to cut off one’s own benefits? That is why they also reject independence. I should note that recently, Aruba and Curaçao agreed to sever ties from one another because each saw the other as a burden and feel they don’t get enough of the revenues they provide to the Central Government. They

feel they would be better off separately than as a union. I was in Aruba last week. They told me in no uncertain terms they don’t want independence. St Maarten also wanted to control its own affairs rather than be tied with the other poorer territories. Holland granted them their wish after a vote, while they retain their strong ties with Amsterdam.

This is quite different from breaking from Holland. The important point is the people got the right to vote on their status and the kind of Government they should have.

When will the Guyana Government give its people a vote on the kind of Government they should have?

The Scottish vote should be a wake-up call to arrogant politicians (from central governments) that the people want greater control over their own affairs at the local level and they should decentralise governance rather than hog all the powers for themselves.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Guyana Foundation appoints new member to Board of Trustees

The Guyana Foundation has appointed Vidya Seekwar-Jaisaree to its Board of Trustees.

Seekwar-Jaisaree will serve a two-year term commencing on October 1, bringing a distinguished record of achievement in the education sector in Canada.

A former student of Bishops’ High School and Queen’s College, SeekwarJaisaree pursued her post-secondary education in Ontario, Canada where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in French and English. She went on to pursue a career in education, holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education, a release from the Guyana Foundation said.

She has worked in the elementary school system in Ontario as a teacher, a Vice Principal and a Principal in both English and French schools. She holds special qualifications in the teaching of French as a second language and children identified as gifted. She is also a trained Reading Recovery Teacher, a programme designed to offer intensive support to young at-risk readers.

Seekwar-Jaisaree’s worked as a Course Director at York University, training prospective teachers in the pre-service education programme and supporting and coaching them as

they practised their craft in various classrooms.

She served as a Programme Officer at the Ontario College of Teachers where she was involved in reviewing and developing the Standards of Practice and Ethical Standards for the teaching profession in Ontario.

In 2013, SeekwarJaisaree was seconded from her position as Principal in a French Immersion school to contribute her expertise as a Student Achievement Officer with the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat at the Ontario Education Ministry.

In her current role, she is engaged with educators across Ontario in raising achievement levels in literacy and numeracy and ensuring equity of outcomes for all students. She offers support to teachers and

Courts celebrating 21st birthday today

Courts Guyana

Limited will be celebrating 21 years of operations in Guyana having commenced operations here in 1993 and in observance of its anniversary the mega-retailer will be having a grand sale at is Main Street office in Georgetown.

A release from the company said that the sale is geared at showing appreciation toward its customers who have supported them throughout the years.

Customers who shop any item today will get 21 per cent off the second item. Shoppers will also get a chance to enter various promotions throughout the store including $21,000 cash just for shopping today and enter to win a $500,000 room make-over.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be making a feature address at today’s event and brief remarks from the Managing Director of Courts, as they reflect on 21 years of service to the Guyanese pub-

lic. The company’s new store front and building banner will also be relieved today.

Refreshments are available for all persons in the store as there will be a surprise staff activity and the official cutting of the cake.

Courts promised to continue bringing the best products, services, value and promotions to Guyanese as they bring value home.

principals, and is a passionate educator who sees education as the single most effective way to allow children to reach their potential, regardless of social or economic circumstances.

She has also worked as a member of a parent and community engagement committee, focused on engaging parents as partners and advocates in their children’s education and making schools safe and inclusive places of learning.

Founder of the Guyana Foundation Supriya SinghBodden said the decline in literacy levels in Guyana has been of tremendous concern.

“We have been actively seeking out like-minded individuals to build and strengthen our work in the area of literacy, and are confident that Vidya’s experiences as an educator in Canada will be invaluable to us.

We are so delighted that she is a part of our team, and look forward to the new programmes that she will help us to develop to bring improvement to the lives of Guyanese,” she said.

First forestry magazine launched in Guyana

The Forest Products Development and Marketing Council Guyana Inc (FPDMC) launched its first forestry related magazine on September 5 at its Incentive and Investment seminar held at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Multiplex in Kingston, Georgetown.

It is the first magazine to be produced in Guyana which is dedicated solely to the timber industry. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud was on hand to receive the first copy.

In keeping with the incentive and investment theme of the seminar, the magazine which is titled, “Guyana Timber Trade and Investment Magazine”, is one of a series of recommendations in a summary report on “Marketing Strategy for Guyana’s Wood Products Industry”, prepared by international Consultant, Dr Kwame Asumadu.

This magazine reflects the thoughts of a number of knowledgeable contributors’ experiences and views on current topics pertaining to forestry in Guyana. The magazine examines the market and investment opportunities for potential buyers and investors in the industry.

The magazine encourages investment that supports innovation and efficiency in the sector as it relates to adding value to timber with a particular emphasis on the lesser used species, while introducing new op-

portunities and markets, a release said.

The magazine covers a range of topics such as analysing the timber industry in Guyana, an overview of the forestry sector, sustainable forestry management as well as the promotion of Guyana’s lesser used species as an alternative solution for processing, just to mention a few.

Additionally, a quick reference guide is included in the layout of the magazine to assist and inform

readers of species and their matching application. One of the magazine’s focuses is the establishment of downstream processing with an emphasis on lesser used species and to widen access to niche markets internationally. Five thousand copies of the magazine have been printed and distribution will include both local and international stakeholders. The FPDMC has acknowledged and thanked all the entities that have contributed to making the production of the magazine possible. The council especially thanked the advertisers and the printers, Global Printing and Graphics Inc.

GCCI to host Entrepreneurship Workshop

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will be hosting a one-day entrepreneurship workshop on September 25 at the Duke Lodge from 08:30h. The event is sponsored by Scotiabank and Republic Bank Guyana Limited.

A release said the GCCI believes strongly in the role entrepreneurship must play in the transformation

and ultimate success of the country’s economy. The aim of the workshop is to provide participants with an understanding of fundamental aspects of entrepreneurship and some practical methods used by entrepreneurs.

The workshop is full and varied and will be an interactive session, as experts share new developments and best practices in the field of entrepreneurship,

the release said. Additionally, the workshop will include a platform of exhibitors, who will display opportunities, resources and services offered by their companies. The workshop caters for 70 persons and registration fee is $2000 per person. To register for this seminar, or for more information, contact the GCCI Secretariat on 226-3519 or 225-5846, or email to gccicommerce2009@gmail.com.

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

Ithink I’d better get down on paper, the memory of my vacation in New York. Even though I’ve been back only some three weeks, things are already beginning to get hazy. With my lecturers insisting they really have to drone on for hours at a stretch, and days on end, I guess there’s only so much the old grey cells can retain!

One thing that struck me in New York City was the sight of so many Chinese tourists. They were everywhere – even upstate New York!!! And it wasn’t by chance. The New York tourism folks are sending all kinds of teams to China to snag a share of their US$100+ billion tourist market.

As one newspaper pointed out, the middle class in China is larger than the ENTIRE population of the US...and they

Tying up history

“Not all those who wander are lost” – JJR Tolkien

have as many billionaires. That’s a lot off dough rolling around!!

Having ploughed through seven years of various courses in high school that bemoaned our (Caribbean) declining tourist trade because of the decline of the West, I wondered why we also haven’t gone after this alternative tourist market. Jeez!! If the Americans can try to lure Chinese tourists to New York – why can’t we?? Even the flyers handed out by the touts on 8th Ave hawking NYC Bus Tours and the Empire State Building, had Chinese calligraphy.

With so many relatives in New York, I had the opportunity to check out their secondary migration. One aunt lives in Poughkeepsie, up the Hudson Valley. Even though I hadn’t visited for nine years, I still remembered the hills and forested areas of that part of the state very fondly.

The streets of Jamaica, Queens can get a bit too much sometimes!! The visit didn’t disappoint. From the famous vaulted ceil-

ing over the great hall of Grand Central Station (where that scene from Madagascar was filmed and from where we took the train up) to visiting the palatial homes of the Vanderbilts and Rooseveldts outside of Poughkeepsie, a different New York presented itself.

I’m not sure many New Yorkers realised that their State was once owned by the Dutch, and in fact only became British after the treaty of Breda back in the 17th Century when it was exchanged for Suriname!! (Who snickered why I had to write WI History? Ha! )

But if one took time to notice, there were signs of the Dutch presence everywhere in upstate New York – from the stone fences, to the houses, to the artefacts – not to mention the names of towns and places. Having coffee and cake in the picturesque Europeanlike village of Rhinebeck was a highlight of the trip.

We also spent a night over in the town of Schenectady, near the state capital of Albany. This also brought back scenes from my books.

This was the landscape that Fenimore Cooper described in (often painstaking) detail in Last of the Mohicans. This was the land of the Mohican Tribe. But today Schenectady can be seen as a snapshot of 21st Century America: its once great factories closed; its products “outsourced” to China; and its cities plunging into ruin.

The population of Schenectady has declined by a third from its heyday when General Electric (GE) produced turbines and generators that lit up the world. My cousin Devi drove me past the gargantuan GE factory – that once employed 40,000 but is now one tenth of that.

The abandoned houses in the city attracted thousands of Guyanese from New York City – and they have done a wonderful job of gentrifying large swathes of what were slums.

10 ideas to create meaningful family moments

BY HOLLY LEBOWITZ ROSSI

When the whole family is involved in planning fun activities, you’ll have more opportunities to experience special moments. “Family glue” is what Pat Tanner Nelson, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at University of Delaware, calls those moments that connect your family and build deep, healthy relationships. “Spending time together as a family takes planning, but it’s a good investment,” Nelson says. “When children feel close to their parents, they try harder to please them and make them proud, which then makes the whole family stronger.” It doesn’t have to be complicated – with a little bit of effort, you can turn bonding into a lifetime of funny, sweet stories and lasting memories.

Conduct family interviews

Members of your family’s older generations, like grandparents, great-aunts, and great-uncles, have many fascinating stories of growing up in different eras. Have your children ask them what life was like in yesteryear and use a tape, digital, or video recorder to capture their tales, voices, and expressions. Then turn the microphone around and encourage older family members to take turns interviewing someone, including the children. By collecting personal anecdotes and memories, you’ll have a time capsule of family history. As children learn about their heritage, they can start thinking about their own legacies. Transcribe the interviews to create a book or a CD of photos for a slide show to accompany the interviews.

Designate a family “holiday”

Surprise family members with “holidays” tailored to each personality. Just like birthdays and conventional holidays, pack these days with unique traditions (like a poem written in someone’s honour) and special foods. The celebrations can also be clever and unexpected ways to honour each person. When I was a child, my mother posted a puzzling note on the fridge that said “5 Days until WAHD.” The countdown continued...four days, then three, then two, then one, and finally the surprise was revealed: It was “We Appreciate Holly Day!” The fun of anticipat-

ing the mystery and guessing what the letters stood for is something I’ll always remember and cherish. The day consisted of my favourite dinner, a fabulous cake, and a poster-size list of all the special things I accomplished at the time, like finishing homework, being kind to my younger sister, and making my bed without being asked.

Plant a family garden

Encourage everyone to get their hands dirty by digging a patch to plant flowers or vegetables in the backyard. Tuck tender seedlings into the ground and watch them grow and blossom – like your children are doing every day. As they witness green shoots turn into stunning plants, your whole family will gain a new respect for the natural world, all while learning patience and perseverance as you divvy up the tasks of keeping the garden weed-free, well-watered, and strong. And if someone squeals upon discovering a squirmy garden worm? That’s a hilarious family moment for the scrapbook!

Cook (and eat) a family meal

The kitchen is the symbolic heart of a home, the place where everyone comes together to smell simmering sauces, listen to natural chit-chat, and of course taste the delicious meals. Eat dinner together at least three to four nights a week, and you’ll be doing your family a favour: Studies show that children who dine frequently with their families eat more fruits and vegetables, are more willing to try new dishes, and are even less likely to experience depression or eating disorders. Regular dinnertime conversations are also linked with more open communication between children and parents.

“The more you can get into the habit of really listening to your children and having these conversations from early ages, the more likely it is that kids are going to talk to their parents in adolescence about issues that are troubling them,” says Richard Weissbourd, a Harvard psychologist and the author of The Parents We Mean to Be Start with a collection of recipes and then assign everyone an age-appropriate job (no knives for toddlers!). Get creative with ingredients and techniques to forge delicious memories. (parents.com)

MPs vote-bribe allegations...

Ramjattan: "It's APNU's MPs!!"

... as Granger denies

By Michael younge

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC)

Khemraj Ramjattan defended the integrity of his parliamentarians as he dismissed claims that they were approached by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) with a $30 million offer to vote against the NoConfidence Motion brought by the party against the Government.

Ramjattan on Thursday told the media that his party has been reliably informed that the PPP/C was trying to bribe three Opposition parliamentarians with millions of dollars in order to defeat the AFC’s No-Confidence Motion which is slated to be discussed when Parliament resumes in October.

On Saturday, he insisted that he was not referring to any of the seven sitting parliamentarians representing the AFC in the 65-seat Legislature.

They are Catherine Hughes, Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan, Valarie

Garrido-Lowe, Trevor Thomas, Dr Verasammy Ramayya and Eula Marcellos.

“No, they are no AFC Members of Parliament,” he asserted when questioned by this newspaper.

Asked whether he was going to apologise or retract the statements he made, given the reaction from the PPP/C and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the AFC Leader became very hostile.

“Tell the PPP to haul their ass,” Ramjattan said, while stating, “I made my statement and I have noth-

ing further to add… They are trying to lie now.”

Ramjattan went further on record as saying that he knows “who they are and who is paying too”. He saidhe has the names of the Members of Parliament who the PPP/C is trying to lure.

Questioned as to when he will make the information public via the media or the Police, he said that he

will not do so. “Are you crazy? Why should I name the MPs? The PPP/C knows who they are,” he said in an angry tone.

The AFC Leader also told this newspaper that he will not be making a Police report, despite mounting pres-

sure to do so. Ramjattan adopted this posture one day after both the PPP/C and APNU denied that their parliamentarians were embroiled in any bribery scandal.

As a result, the AFC is being accused of lying and fabricating the story told by Ramjattan. The party’s reputation is also on the line as Ramjattan’s comments are being seen as the execution of a publicity stunt.

The APNU is also equally angered about the comments Ramjattan made and is expected to express its dissatisfaction over the next few days in a variety of ways.

But President Donald Ramotar is not taking the accusations made by the AFC lightly.

On Saturday, he called on the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman to take action against Ramjattan if he refuses to provide evidence to substantiate the claims made, which he said are damaging to the entire Parliament.

President Ramotar was adamant that the matter is a

very serious one and will not be brushed aside because of the damage it has done to the reputation of the Assembly and the aspersions cast over the integrity of all parliamentarians.

“I am concerned that Ramjattan seems to be in the mode of slandering our country,” the President remarked.

Ramotar condemned what he called the “vicious” attack on the Parliament, while demanding an explanation on behalf of the nation.

He maintained that the accusations made by Ramjattan were “groundless”, as he expressed the view that his behaviour is most reprehensible.

Demerara Bank hosts blood drive

In an effort to assist the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Demerara Bank Limited hosted a blood drive on September 19. Staff, customers and other public-spirited persons donated a total of 34 units of blood.

The drive was held at the Head Office of Demerara Bank on Camp Street, Georgetown. It is the first

time the Bank has hosted such an event and the response from staff and customers was encouraging, a press release said.

“Our aim was to gather as many units of blood as possible to assist the blood bank in their need,” the release said.

“We know the NBTS relies on voluntary donations of blood from persons to en-

sure safe blood is available when needed to save a life. So we’re doing this as part of our corporate social responsibility and we will host another blood drive in the future,” the release added. The Bank, in the release, also encouraged other corporate entities and individuals to participate in what it described as a “worthwhile” effort.

Palms’ oldest resident celebrates 104th birthday

Ruby Wilkenson, the oldest senior citizen at the Palms, the Government-run home for the elderly, will be celebrating her 104th birthday on Monday.

Born September 22, 1910, Wilkenson, a widow, hails from Linden.

She came to the Palms on May 13, 2005 and fast be -

came a fan of her ward. While she has lost some of her hearing and memories, she is a as a kind, smart and jovial person.

The management and staff of the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry and the Palms have extended best wishes for good health to Wilkenson on her birthday.

Ruby Wilkenson

Pork knocker accused of breaking woman’s leg

stood in the court docks.

Forty-year-old Kevin Cross appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

...by “do nothing” activist

Kevin Cross was taken before Magistrate Fabayo Azore who read his charge which alleged that on Wednesday, September 17, at One Mile, Mahdia with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause actual bodily harm, he inflicted grievous bodily harm to Karen Hope.

Cross denied the allegations laid against him as he

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Seon Blackman did not reveal the details of the case and did not object to bail. He disclosed, however, that one of the victim’s legs is broken since Cross had beaten her with a piece of wood.

Meanwhile, the accused said that he lives with his father in Kitty, Georgetown but works in Mahdia. At the end of the short hearing, bail was granted to him in the sum of $125,000. He is set to appear at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on October 20.

Insurance company settles with policy-holder for full amount

After expressing their public disquiet about an unfair insurance practice, Attorneys Charles Ramson and Sanjeev Datadin have reported that the GTM Insurance Company has settled the lawsuit they had filed on behalf of their client.

Court documents show that after a policy-holder with a comprehensive insurance policy valued at $6 million was involved in an accident, and the subject’s vehicle being “written off” or determined to be a “constructive total loss”, the compa-

ny offered the policy holder $3,120,000 and was told to “sell the wreck” to set-off the amount owed on the policy.

Unhappy with that offer, the policy-holder instructed her attorneys accordingly. In a media report on May 29, the lawyers said that after investigations, it was discovered that this practice is now very common and accused insurance companies of taking advantage of policy-holders. They stated their intention to challenge forthwith in court what they deemed an “unfair practice”.

Shortly thereafter, a lawsuit was filed by Ramson and Datadin and the company was represented by Robin Stoby, Nigel Hughes and Andrew Pollard. After no defence was offered or filed, the company settled for the full amount.

Datadin said that it is good that the insurance company did the right thing in the end and it shows yet another example of the legal system working, especially when regulators are unable to act.

Ramson said that mo-

tor vehicle insurance is by law a state prescribed obligation for motor vehicle users. “I am of the view that the consequence of this means that regulators and legislators have an amplified role of keeping vigil and being active to represent policy-holders,” he said.

Ramson called regulators and legislators to act to correct this unlawful and unfair practice. In addition, he said that the biggest problems in the insurance sector are unequal bargaining power and lack of disclosure.

The word “whinge” mean to complain incessantly and peevishly about something and not doing anything about it. It’s not only very annoying but quite tiresome. This Eyewitness has cited David Hinds as only whingeing about “African marginalisation” in Guyana.

Hinds just fired off a missive (his “missiles”?) to the Opposition press, whingeing this time about the “motives” of those who say Ramjattan dissed AfricanGuyanese by unilaterally changing the AFC’s rule on their foundational “Principle of Rotation of Presidential Candidates”. To paraphrase, Tina Turner, “What’s motive got to do with it??” When white liberals in the US agitate for black rights, are they rejected because they may be doing so from “historical guilt”?

What’s this nonsense?? This shows once again that Hinds isn’t serious about the interests of the people he purports to represent. Any objective action that helps them ought to be accepted. But we aren’t surprised by Hinds pettiness – he represents a “type”. And what’s this “type” you ask, dear reader?? In the struggle for justice for Africans in the New World, following the abolition of slavery – there have been two strategies.

One advocated for African leaders living within their communities and helping them concretely through their own example to organise their lives and achieving economic success. The other insisted that the job of leaders was to agitate and agitate and agitate about storming the citadels of “power”. And Hinds belongs to this latter group. No one disagrees that he’s serious about African Guyanese empowerment.

But you’d think if he was serious about achieving his own stated goals, he’d realise that this agitation through talk can only get a group so far. At the most elementary level, if the group gets power, what then?? Didn’t Lee Kwan Yu compare his performance with that of our own Manley and compare the performance of their two countries??

There’s a time for talk and a time for work. The first is over and the second must begin now. Hinds could take a lesson from his comrade in the 1970s WPA Odaipal Singh, who became Swami Akshwrananda after obtaining his PhD – around the time Hinds earned his. Singh had complained about the “marginalisation” of rural children from top quality secondary education – all in Georgetown.

Rather than only whingeing, he launched a rural school – SVN – which is now challenging Queens for the top spot in Guyana.

C’mon Hinds, start walking the talk!

...by Opposition parties

After two years of whingeing about not being able to wrest Executive power from the PPP/C Government in the Chambers of Parliament, the Opposition – well, the PNC/APNU then – is about to take to the streets. And in that tactical dichotomy between the AFC and PNC/APNU lies a story in political opportunism and ambition.

Old man Marx had always cautioned us to look at the contradictions in any situation. Sooner or later they had to manifest themselves. It was all a matter of the circumstances. While the two parties had seemed to be joined at the hip in the Parliament on issues like AML/ CFT – the AFC was full of ambitious men – who wanted to get their own grubby hands on the levers of power.

While it made rational sense for the AFC to go into a pre-election coalition with the PNC – the ambitions of Nagamootoo and Ramjattan would never permit this move. Wasn’t this the issue that caused Trotman to decamp last time??

So look for the AFC to distance itself from PNC/APNU as the “protests” inevitably turn violent.

...and “trying a thing”

It’s clear Ramjattan and Nagamootoo were “trying a thing” on their “MP buyout” allegations. Even APNU distanced themselves from the ridiculous claim. Question is, how’d they think of this scheme that’s foreign to Guyana since Burnham bought out Saffee in the 1960s?? Ahhh...these fellas always had “mean and hungry looks”. Beware!

Stop illegal dumping of garbage – Natural Resources Minister

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud has urged persons to desist from illegal dumping of garbage, and pointed out Government’s efforts to promote a clean and healthy environment.

He made the remark on Saturday as scores of local and international volunteers turned out to clean the seawalls in observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC).

“Do not leave your garbage behind, use the receptacle or put it in your bag and take it home! Your garbage does not belong in our open space. You have to think about the consequences of your actions,” he said.

The Minister said Guyana has to deal with the critical issue of solid waste management, especially in populated areas. He added that the “Cleanup My Country” campaign under the Local Government Ministry and other such activities, including the Pick It Up Guyana (PIUG) and Litter Wardens Programme are initiatives put in place to bring about greater sanitisation and involvement of all Guyanese, particularly young people, in creating a cleaner environment.

ICC is an annual obser-

vance intended to enhance awareness, as well as action to prevent pollution along coast lines, oceans, rivers and seas. The initial ICC was conducted in Georgetown, in September, 2005, attracting 70 participants. Since then, participation in the activity has grown gradually to an average of about 200 persons in the Georgetown ICC. The activity has also been conducted in other regions of Guyana.

“We are not reaching the level in terms of persons recognising the consequences of their own actions in terms of the wanton indiscriminate disposal of waste, but we are gradually seeing a change in that and people’s involvement in activities such as this shows positivity,” he said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has over the years, collaborated with other partners to mobilise volunteers to participate in the annual ICC exercise to rid the coastline of litter and to encourage positive behavioural change, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

In 2013, following the passage of Litter Enforcement Regulations, the PIUG’s work became integrated into a Litter Wardens Programme under the Environmental Protection Agency and has

engaged 12 wardens for Georgetown. The intention is to increase the number to 30.

Under the programme, the possibility of including current employees of other state agencies as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other citizens who are willing to commit to the solution is being explored.

“I am happy to see so many young people out here today, this is a demonstration of support for this wide initiative even as we narrowly focus on coastal cleanup and preservation of coastline to avoid and prevent pollution,” the Minister said.

In relation to the currently ongoing cleanup efforts, Persaud said “the cleanliness would need to be sustained after they have been made, they can only be sustained by greater efforts of the Local Government authorities but at the end, the commitment of villagers in communities will make that difference.”

He added that it is his hope persons who come out to relax on the seawalls on Sunday see the efforts of the persons involved in the coastal cleanup, and appealed for persons who use the seawall to conduct their activities in a manner to ensure it remains clean.

Dr Misir appointed

Visiting

Professor at Fiji National University

Dr Prem Misir was recently appointed Visiting Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at the Fiji National University (FNU) in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

On a visiting basis, Dr Misir’s main responsibility includes management of the Public Health and Primary Care Programme and consulting in public health. He was also a Professor in Public Health at the University of Central Lancashire in England.

Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), at the Health Ministry here. He is the former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana.

Dr Prem Misir

In addition, he is with the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Guyana, teaching Research Methodology and Biostatistics. He was also Visiting Professor at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and

Anton de Kom University of Suriname.

The University of the West Indies Press recently published his book, HIV and AIDS Knowledge and Stigma in Guyana Dr Misir is the holder of a PhD (University of Hull, England), MPH (University of Manchester, England), MPhil (University of Surrey, England); Post Doctoral Programme in Public Health (Columbia University, New York), and BSSc (Queen’s University of Belfast, United Kingdom).

The Royal Society for Public Health in England recently elected Dr Misir as a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (FRSPH).

Digicel introduces addition to smartphone range

Digicel has launched the DL750 – the next generation in its line of affordable smartphones – which will offer customers the best value as it comes loaded with new features that will suit varying tastes and life -

styles.

Following on from the success of the DL600 and DL700 models, the DL750 offers customers an improved smartphone experience – complete with new colours and a more enticing form.

With the DL750,

Agents for Change host intrapersonal psychology workshop

The Agents for Change 360 Degree organisation launched its inaugural intrapersonal psychology workshop on Friday where persons were treated to lectures on the importance of philosophical thinking and what it could mean for them.

The facilitators of the workshop were Pandit Deodatt Tillack, a Clinical Psychologist and Tariq Dakhil, a Professional Sport Nutritionist. They explained

that the aim of the organisation was to stimulate a paradigm shift in consciousness by inspiring theoretical thinking.

The workshop was focused principally on inner self thinking and realisation geared towards inner revolution, freedom from emotional slavery or oppression, life, liberty and the pursuit for inner peace and happiness.

Pandit Tillack told Guyana Times that humanity has become “neurotic”

and the mass irrational triads are depression, addiction and aggression which serve as the main factors in many of the social ills such as suicide.

It was explained that a change in intrapersonal thinking could lead to a decrease in suicide. Presently

Guyana has the highest suicide rate per capita worldwide.

“For anyone to affirm their psychological life they require the courage and skills to do so for them and that is the main objective of the workshop,” said Tillack. He noted that human

freedom is liberty to accept responsibility for fulfilling meaning within the confines of death and destiny.

The self transcendent in whom people reach out for meaning beyond themselves is essential for them and if not alerted may cause an essential vacuum, he said.

Digicel is giving customers the chance to enter the smartphone world at an affordable price and without sacrificing quality, a release from the cellular company said.

The DL750 has a fivemegapixel camera complete with flash, giving customers a chance to choose their colour with two interchangeable covers. According to Digicel, the smartphone has features that rival any handset on the market, coming with an ample four-inch touchscreen for easy viewing, the latest KitKat Android operating system, and a superfast 1.3 Ghz Dual Core processor.

Texila students for quarantine against Ebola

By Alexis Rodney

With a population of over 80 per cent foreign students in Guyana, including a large number coming out of the West African country of Nigeria, the management of the University of Texila said it is taking every precaution against the spread of the Ebola virus here.

The Ebola virus which has, up to recent media reports, killed some 2630 persons and infected another 5357, is raging through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and has spread into Nigeria and Senegal, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said, with no sign of slowing down.

Texila’s Student Affairs Manager Clairmont Frank, speaking with <<<Guyana Times>>> on Friday, said that, while not seeking to create any form of stigma, they are still working to keep the deadly disease at bay.

Frank said that the University has a high percentage of students coming from Nigeria. Many of these students had gone home during the holiday break and are now returning to classes in Guyana.

To be safe, Frank explained that the University has been carrying out its

own surveillance to ensure that returning students are not infected with the virus.

He explained that the students, upon returning to Guyana, are asked to remain at home for at least one week to make sure they are not infected.

He said the University has also been seeking information from the students on the ports of entries through which they had travelled, explaining that coming from Nigeria, these students would have had connecting flights through Europe and other destinations.

For now, students coming from East and South African countries are safe. Although the possibility of the virus reaching Guyana and other parts of the Caribbean is slim, health officials say all necessary measures are in place to safeguard citizens by conducting surveillance on visitors at ports of entry.

Port Health Officer at the Moleson Creek Ferry Service Stelling Adeola Craig told Guyana Times that the entity has been taking information from passengers coming from Suriname. She explained that if necessary, passengers would be quarantined. Reports on such instances, she said, will be sent to the Health Ministry.

At Lethem, officials

there reported that the Port Health Office there has been carrying out disease surveillance. This newspaper was told that, since some people travel from around the world and pass through Brazil before coming to Guyana via Lethem, no chances are taken.

The officials said information on the recent travel history of the passenger is gathered and sent to the Health Ministry. Similar surveillance activities are being carried out at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as well as Ogle International Airport.

The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) had urged the countries of the Americas to be vigilant and prepared for the eventuality of the Ebola virus reaching the region. The recommendation followed a

statement by WHO Director General, Dr Margaret Chan that the outbreak in West Africa constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). The current Ebola virus disease outbreak started in Guinea in December 2013.

The WHO said a surge in Ebola in Liberia is being driven primarily by a continued increase in the number of cases reported in the capital, Monrovia, where 1210 bed spaces were needed – five times the current capacity. The world health body said too it hopes to be able to "bend the curve" in the almost exponential increase in cases within three months.

In a separate Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 40 deaths had been reported out of 71 cases by September 15, the WHO said.

Scotiabank launches Business Plan Competition for entrepreneurs

Scotiabank has launched its Business Plan Competition as one of the Bank’s Small Business Week initiatives for 2014, offering a $300,000 business account to the winner of the challenge.

Small Business Week is observed by Scotiabank in Guyana every September. This year, the week runs from September 22-26 and a number of initiatives have been planned to celebrate small businesses, including management tips for owners.

Scotiabank is a major sponsor of and will be a presenter at the Entrepreneurship Workshop organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for September 25 at Duke Lodge, Kingston. The Bank

will have staff present to discuss small business banking needs with interested persons.

The competition is open to Guyanese residents, 18 years and above, who are interested in starting a business, as well as existing small business owners who want to expand.

Eligible persons need to submit a business plan using Scotiabank’s free Business Plan Writer tool which can be accessed at www.guyana.scotiabank.com. Entries must be submitted before October 20.

Judging will be done by an independent panel, comprising successful business owners and Scotiabank’s Business Banking Officers. The winner will be notified by November 1.

Principles

Satiricus was puffing with pride. Here it was his favourite politician Rum Jhaat was proving once again, he was so far ahead of the pack. What a guy!!! Forget that some sniffed it was a "pack of rats" he was ahead of. They were just jealous. Rum Jhaat could out drink them every day of the week, and thrice on Sundays. "A large a day, keeps the doctor away," was his motto.

Most people in the world followed the maxim: "Important principles may, and must, be inflexible." Bah and humbug!!! Not Ramjattan. He was not afraid to say that he was willing to abandon any damn principle. "Now that's the mark of a man who's not afraid to march to the beat of his own drummer," marvelled Satiricus. Was anything ever achieved by fellas who followed the herd? Wimps!!

"But man Sato, dis na none ardinary principle!" objected Cappo. "De difference between de KFC and all dem adda party is dat deh Leadah gon switch between black-man and coolie-man."

"That's right," agreed Suresh. "So no one race gon be pon top all de time!"

"But you chaps don't understand," countered Satiricus. "Things change since Rum Jhaat and Trottie announce the principle."

"Really??" asked Hari, with his eyebrows touching his hair. "And what exactly changed?"

"Budday! You don't hear what everybody talking?" Satiricus sounded agitated. "All them race thing gone!! All awee is one now – so KFC don't have to rotate no more!"

"But if de race thing done, how come KFC not joining up wid Pee an' See??" Cappo wanted to know.

"Listen chaps, that is only because Naga Man still remember GrainJa said that he NagaMan is still "PPEE" replied Satiricus hotly. "Is GrainJa fault."

"So how did the KFC achieve this remarkable feat to solve the race problem in Guyana??" asked Teacher Samad, who'd been listening quietly as usual.

"Well, where you been living, Teacher Boy?" replied Satiricus huffily. "The three top leaders of the AFC show the country that there is no difference between we, the people of this country!"

"How?" asked Samad laconically.

"Well they show the country that all the races in this country thief and have conflicts of interest like one another," said Satiricus with a smirk. "NoGel tek money from Site and didn't tell nobody: NagaMan tek money from NICIL for the Bridge and didn't tell anyone, and Rum Jhaat tek money from Feathers and still didn't tell nobody up to now!"

Barama Company celebrates 51st Malaysia Day

With much pomp and grandeur, Guyanese joined Malaysians as they observed the 51st Malaysia (Independence) Day celebrations at the New Thriving Banquet Hall on Camp and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown on Friday.

The Barama Company Limited (BCL) hosted a reception which saw guests treated to sumptuous Malaysian delicacies and cultural performances, giving them a glimpse of the country’s heritage.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Barama Company

necessary, as with any family, to share in our celebrations and merriment. To share our culture, our cuisine, our arts, our heritage, our similarities, our differences, our diversity and our desire to grow,” he said.

The CEO noted that with the establishment of BCL and Demerara Timbers Limited, the two Malaysian companies have made a positive impact on the development of the country and the lives of the people in Guyana.

“To date we are the largest contributor to FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in the forestry sector, with

Limited Thomas Apun said Guyana and Malaysia, though thousands of miles apart, both gained independence from Britain, adding that the two countries also share diversity in its people, religions and languages.

Apun pointed out that his company has always supported the development of local skills and contributed to economic development of the country as a whole.

“This is why we thought it

Woman

an investment of approximately US$160 million in fully integrated forest and manufacturing operations,” Apun said. He noted that some 85 per cent of the company’s 1000 plus workers are Guyanese, who also hold senior positions in the company.

Additionally, the Apun said BCL has installed more than 3800 kilometres of roads in various interior regions, which are being used by persons in the min-

raped, man locked in car trunk during robbery

A20-year-old woman of Wismar, Linden, was sexually assaulted on Friday evening by a group of masked men, while her male companion (name withheld to protect identity of victim) was locked in the car trunk aback Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

According to information received, the woman and her male companion, 23, of Phase Three, Amelia’s Ward, were sitting in a motor car when they were attacked by three men who were armed with handguns.

During the ordeal, the men relieved him of one mobile phone valued $7000 and $1200 in cash.

They also took away a BlackBerry mobile phone estimated at 42,000 and gold jewellery.

After the robbery, the three masked men locked him in the car trunk and had forceful sexual inter-

ing, forestry and other sectors.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in addressing the gathering said the South Asian country continues to make remarkable strides toward socio-economical de-

velopment in Guyana. He also recognised the fruitful relationship the two countries have shared over the years, which he said continues to grow.

“Both Guyana and Malaysia have shared in-

terests in economic trade and cultural cooperation.

Indeed, one of the hallmarks of our relationship is the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.

Several Guyanese have benefited from various

training programmes and Malaysia continues to offer its experience and expertise through huge scholarship offers,” Hinds stated.

The Prime Minister observed that, on the international level, the two countries enjoy extensive cooperation as members of international bodies such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth, among others.

He said while the country encourages investments in certain key sectors in the economy, Government has acknowledged the contributions made by BCL in the sustainable development in the forestry sector, along with the creation of job opportunities for Guyanese.

In the midst of the celebratory atmosphere, deep sadness was expressed over the still missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. The South Asian country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1957. The 51st Malaysia Day was officially celebrated on August 31.

course with his female friend. They then escaped in the bushes in the area.

When Guyana Times contacted the man's family, his reputed wife claimed that he was at a nearby shop and due to the robbery, he did not have a mobile phone.

She however stated that she does not know the particulars of the incident and did not have a chance to speak with her husband since he was out most of the day.

She nevertheless confirmed that he was not hurt in the entire ordeal which allegedly occurred a short distance from where he resides.

The woman also claimed that she does not know the woman who was with her reputed husband at the time of the robbery. Police are continuing their investigations.

SunDAY, September 21, 2014

PNCR's Linden support dwindles as rifts widen

The Linden arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) continues to remain divided following the party’s Congress held about a month ago.

Guyana Times was reliably informed that the party is moving ahead with its elections campaign in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) with or without the support of the Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon and his supporters.

Trade Unionist Leslie Gonsalves said though the PNCR Linden arm has unresolved issues with the Central Executive Committee (CEC), it remains committed to the party. “It is not in our mind to give up or move away from what we have been taught by Linden Forbes Burnham and so we are prepared to champion the cause that led to the formation of the PNCR,” Gonsalves said.

Under the stewardship of Solomon and Region 10 Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon, Gonsalves said a meeting was convened last Sunday with seven of the nine active PNCR groups in Linden, in which it was decided that a letter would be dispatched to the CEC with the intention of having the issues addressed.

An issue, which was ignited when Party Leader David Granger moved to suspend Kissoon over a heated confrontation with General Secretary Oscar Clarke, exploded during the 18th Biennial Congress when scores of Lindeners protested, contending that those at the helm of the party had breached its Constitution.

Since then, Gonsalves said the CEC has not met with the Linden arm to address the burning issues that were placed on the table prior to the Congress. “We have made several attempts to have these issues addressed,” Gonsalves said, “but to no avail.” However, he remains hopeful that a meeting will be convened soon.

Questioned what are the key matters to be addressed, Gonsalves said one of them is the imposition of Sandra Adams, who was appointed Regional Coordinator by the CEC earlier in the year, much to the dissatisfaction of Solomon and his supporters.

“If a decision is going to be made on the appointment of a Coordinator, as a region we should be a part of the decisionmaking process, it should not be a matter of dictatorship,” said Gonsalves.

He said the issues sur-

rounding Kissoon must be addressed. “As we speak I don’t know where that matter lies, but I am not aware that the suspension has been lifted.”

Subsequent to the Congress, Guyana Times was told that the Disciplinary Committee led by Allan Munroe, recommended that Kissoon issues a written apology to the General Secretary, but the MP has not budged.

Initially, Kissoon was advised by the Linden Committee not to appear before the Disciplinary Committee. Then the Linden Committee had called on Granger to dismantle the Disciplinary Committee.

“The argument by Granger that this issue is serious, as such a decision was taken by him to suspend Kissoon does not apply to her, since she is not an employee. Kissoon is a member of the party and owns a piece of the party just like Granger,” Gonsalves had argued.

He maintained that investigations should have been conducted before any disciplinary action was taken. He said the CEC cannot continue to sideline its supporters in Region 10, particularly Linden.

“The leader of the PNCR needs to come, sit down and talk about the things that are

affecting the people of Linden… The parties must try to reach each other half way,” he said.

But Valerie Adams Patterson, who served as a Councillor under the leadership of former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, had a different story to tell. Patterson is Sandra Adams’ sister.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Patterson said although Solomon and others have been contending that they stand willing to resolve the plethora of issues, they continue to be very abusive and disrespectful to the leadership of the PNCR.

According to Patterson, Solomon should be taught that there should always be separation of duties. “He is the Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and not the Chairman of the PNCR Linden arm. It must be noted that there is no Chairman for the Linden arm because there is no regional structure in place,” she said.

In the lead up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections, she said Solomon was used as the party’s Campaign Manager in the region.

“But now he is operating as though he is the party author-

ity in Linden,” she charged. Patterson claimed that the problem started when Adams returned to Guyana in February of this year. Having served as the last Chairperson of the PNCR Linden arm in 2003, and the only PNCR member in Region 10 to have served as a Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) Councillor, Regional Democratic Council (RDC)

Councillor and MP, Adams visited the Chairman’s Office in Linden, offering her support.

But according to Patterson, Adams’ offer was rejected, forcing her to pay a visit to the party’s headquarters in Sophia, Georgetown. Taking into consideration her track record, Adams was reportedly identified as the most suitably person to rebuild the party’s groups in Region 10.

“Solomon and his group need to put aside their bitterness, anger, resentment and disrespectful behaviour and understand the roles of other party officials in the region,” she said.

Questioned about the work of the party in Linden, Patterson said it is ongoing despite challenges. She explained that on Friday, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Campaign Director Winston Felix convened a meeting in Linden.

Asked whether Solomon was present, Patterson explained that Felix had made it clear that he would not visit the region without advising the Regional Chairman; hence he

was invited to the meeting.

According to her, the PNCR executives have expressed willingness to work with Solomon and his group, but they continue to be disrespectful, thereby creating an unwarranted barrier.

GT&T wants 3G/4G licence to upgrade network

By Jomo Paul

Several years after applying to the Government, and by extension the National Frequency Management Unity (NFMU), for its 3G/4G bandwidth licence, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) is yet to receive any word on the status of the application.

While some Guyanese have access to Wireless Internet (WiFi) and are accustomed to getting high speed Internet connections at home, the office or even the local Internet café, once on the road, those high speeds have to stay behind.

With 3G and 4G bandwidth, the promise is that one can get real mobile broadband service while away from hotspots. Fourth-generation wireless (4G) is the stage of

ing “severely” impacts the company’s roll out of service and development in Guyana.

The CEO said this was the case “given the state of technological advances in the world today, and given Guyana’s size… small population size, population dispersion, and physical characteristics, the populations in various geographical areas of the country can best be served by wireless technologies”.

He noted that communities on the Essequibo Coast and those West of the Demerara River are good examples of areas that would be best served with wireless technologies.

He pointed out too that compared with wire line networks, wireless networks are relatively cheaper and easier to install.

Further, wireless technologies are well advanced and capable of delivering high-

would prefer not to answer directly. However he contended that planning the deployment of 3G and 4G networks requires a lot of work and consumes a significant amount of time.

Sharma remarked, “Fortunately for us, we have completed the planning phase and we own a country-wide tower infrastructure which does not have to be replicated.”

He pointed out too that GT&T has previously identified its ideal wireless technologies and “we have been careful to select technologies which are easily deployable" and which allow for cost reduction, even as they improve the quality of the service offerings.

"The fact that we already have our tower infrastructure throughout Guyana can only serve to fast track our time to market,” he said.

mobile communications that will enable things such as IP-based voice, data, gaming services and high quality streamed multimedia on portable devices with cable modem-like transmission speeds.

It’s a successor to 2G and 3G wireless, whereby the first signified the shift from analog to digital transmissions, bringing data services like SMS and email to mobile phones for the first time, and the second refers to the advent of things like global roaming as well as higher data rates.

The network that Guyana uses today allow for streaming of videos, downloading music and files, and surf the web at average data speeds. With 3G/4G, Guyana will be able to do the same but at much faster rates, while the extra bandwidth opens the door for newer applications.

GT&T’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Radha Krisha Sharma recent told Guyana Times that the delay in the company accessing the licens-

quality voice and very high data speeds when compared to the lesser evolved wire line service.

Sharma said “wireless network deployment is critically dependent on spectrum and despite our best effort over the last six to seven years, we have not managed to persuade Government and the NFMU to assign us the necessary spectrum.

While the appropriate spectrum assignment would aid our efforts to address the telecommunications needs of the communities referred to above, our inability to secure appropriate spectrum also inhibits our network migration and modernisation plans. Especially, it has put our Long-Term Evolution (LTE) plans on hold indefinitely.”

When asked whether the GT&T was prepared as far as infrastructure was concerned to deliver such a service to Guyana effectively, bringing the country’s telecoms sector on par with other territories in the world, Sharma said he

Previously Sharma had stated that GT&T and Atlantic Tele-Network in September 2013, again formally submitted an updated request for spectrum allocation to the Government of Guyana. "While discussions are ongoing and we must respect the confidentiality and integrity of the said process, suffice to say that our plan was adjusted and updated based on growth and changes in the industry and market over a three-year period," he said.

The net effect of the impasse due to the foregoing has seen sector stagnation, deferred capital outlays, both of which have a net negative effect on the nation as a whole, Sharma stated.

When contacted by Guyana Times for a comment on the issuance of the licence, Valmiki Singh, Head of the NFMU had said all questions should be forwarded to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon.

JSimply the Truth

Corentyne explodes

ust last week, we discussed some ideas about security and Police training, education, salary, and promotional tracking. These ideas are constructive; they are not meant to simply complain and whine.

As a nation, we have others who scream and shout and whine and complain. Instead, we offer concrete and constructive ideas. These ideas are implementable, costeffective and sustainable, and would lead to better professionalism in all areas, including the Guyana Police Force.

In the final analysis, we can produce better law enforcement. Better law enforcement means that our citizens are more confident and safe.

Now we hear of this explosive incident in Letter Kenny! It is reported in this newspaper that a speeding car was trying to overtake another car. The speeding car hit an 18-year-old girl and killed her. She was at the side of the road waiting to cross to her home.

There were suspicious documents found in the car and people who were in the death-vehicle ran away. The Police came, but could not seem to ameliorate the citizens. The people were angry. A young life was snuffed out for no apparent reason. They burned the car and went to the Whim Police Station where the alleged driver was locked up.

But there are always reasons, if one looks hard enough, if one is capable of fundamental analysis. I have read nothing in Guyana for the last six years that is worthy of being called analysis.

A child of 18 is dead, the only daughter of her father and mother. The community itself is thrown into grief. The subsequent violence is born of pain, bitterness, frustration, and disbelief.

There are no words that can serve as a balm for the wounds suffered by the parents of a child lost under these circumstances. What we can do is offer ways to examine it and prevent it from happening again!

The roads are dangerous because we use vehicles in reckless ways. We are not even aware of our own criminal ways, and any life is cheaply bought or sold or taken. This nation has stopped putting value on life and decency!

This taking the law into our own hands happens when we have no faith in the law at any level. This is why we put forward ideas of a new type of Police training and a reward system. This

is why we put forward concrete ideas of a tracking system that would monitor and re-train our Police.

If citizens feel confident in our law enforcement, this would not happen. Indeed, our own Police – the many good ones – do not believe in themselves. There can be no good law enforcement if our good Policemen and women keep looking over their shoulders. There can be no efficient law enforcement if cops have half of their minds on where the next meal is coming from for their children!

They cannot serve and protect as well as they can (even with our ideas of new training!) if they do not see their futures clearly. This goes for all people, all professions and all personal endeavours.

But when law enforcement falters, people take things into their own hands, as they did in Letter Kenny.

And yet, there is a greater malaise underneath all of this. And that is this deep disbelief in our leaders. If our citizens feel that they could go to a leader with some complaint, some deep concern, and if they are confident that firm and immediate and just action will be taken, then they would not have to resort to burning bridges and cars and meting out their own justice.

We would not need to, however heart-breaking the circumstances. And the murder of this child is heartbreaking. We already know that our leaders do not listen to civilised persuasion.

If 7000 people sign a petition and our leaders promise that action SHALL be taken...and we wait and we wait...and there is no action whatsoever...Letter Kenny happens! Number 56 happens! Linden happens. Violence erupts!

When we have leaders who lead by deed, by action, then we will move forward. For now we don’t see them. I would invite our citizens to see which of our politicians appear at the wake of this child, taken so cruelly and

5 Guyanese on abandoned oil tanker for 19 months

Fcallously.

If you see a politician there, please vote for him. If you hear any of our politicians express outrage at this incident or shed a sincere tear with these grieving parents, vote for them! Dr Jagan would have been there! He would have been outraged and woeful. I am not a politician at all, but I would have been there – as I was at the wake and funeral of Detective Constable Justin Dianand.

For the parents, we grieve! For a life taken so cruelly, we weep. There is little comfort in this, but it is what we have to offer. And then we offer ideas that, if implemented, would prevent this from happening again. Our prayers and thoughts are with Letter Kenny and with all of our nation.

ive Guyanese who have been living for the past 19 months on a Nigerian oil and gas vessel docked in Trinidadian waters, have vowed not to leave the ship unless they are paid US$215,000 in wages.

The M T Tumini has been docked a mile off Trinidad Cement Limited’s jetty with the Guyanese holed up in there since July last year, coming to shore only every three weeks to fetch drinking water and food.

With little funds remaining, however, having been paid July, 2013 wages in January this year, the Guyanese are pleading for intervention by the Trinidad and Tobago Government to seize the ship under International Maritime Law.

Attorney Nyree Alfonso has written to the vessel’s former owner in Nigeria, Petroleum Brokers Shipping Services Limited, threatening to arrest the vessel and sell it in order to meet the

wages of the Guyanese crew.

With the crew running out of funds to even purchase drinking water, the Guyanese made a desperate plea for local intervention on Friday, saying they sought assistance from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in London, who advised them not to leave the vessel, for fear that they would lose their wages.

M T Tumini was first purchased by Petroleum Brokers Limited of Nigeria in 2008, from a Florida-based company which worked the vessel in the Caribbean, transporting fuel. However, after the Nigerian company purchased the vessel, it never sailed due to extensive repairs that were needed.

A Nigerian bank – Eco Bank, took over the mortgage on the vessel and continued to finance its operations in Trinidad.

A five-member crew from Guyana was hired to operate

the vessel. They are Rakesh Jim (Chief Officer), Roy Fredericks (Chief Engineer), Lawrence Daniel (Second Engineer), Mohammed Gadwah (Second Officer), and Neil Rampersad (Assistant Engineer/Oiler).

The men are still aboard the vessel, seeking the Trinidad Government’s intervention, while claiming that it seems Eco-Bank has abandoned the vessel in Trinidad.

The Guyanese crew has not left the vessel since July last year, except to use a dingy to get on shore at Claxton Bay to purchase water and foodstuff to take back to the vessel.

Alfonso’s letter threatened that under Trinidad and Tobago law, if the vessel remains in local waters, judicial arrest proceedings could be taken out to move to the court for an order for sale of the M T Tumini, in order to settle the crew’s wages.

Guyana heads to UN Climate Change Summit

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy says Guyana will be represented at the United Nations Climate Change Summit to be held on September 23.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon had invited world leaders to the Summit a year ago.

The Summit, which will set the pace for the 2015 Paris Conference, where new agreements and decisions will be made regarding climate change, is expected to affect the entire international community and will detail how global warming will affect them.

Ban Ki-moon was adamant that he will not be negotiating on this issue but need announcements on what countries and international organisations intend to do or have done.

According to the Agriculture Minister, Guyana will be represented with delegations from the Office of Climate Change (OCC).

Dr Ramsammy said that Guyana has “one vote” but through the Caribbean Community (Caricom), they should be able to enforce some sort of impact on their concerns.

He echoed similar sen-

timents expressed by the Secretary General at the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer Symposium at Cara Lodge.

He was quite fervent in his call for action and not rhetoric. He said this has been the case with Caricom for some time now as they have signed the Montreal Protocol and other agreements but “implementation” of these agreements has been a problem.

Minister Ramsammy regards the lack of a con-

tribution or an effort to meet the relevant climate change agreements as “recklessness at its very height”.

“The fact that there are developed countries that are not meeting their obligations to the citizens of the world must be dealt with,” the Minister noted.

He said that it is damaging and quite unfair to the states that do contribute to reducing global warming. Dr Ramsammy urged them to re-examine the way they have approached sustain-

able environment and the threat of global warming and climate change.

He remarked that the Government of Guyana is working on mobilising Caricom to become more progressive in reaching their targets and implementing their obligations.

He said that much has been done in bringing awareness, education and reporting on the issue, but said “we are far from reaching a consensus" on what to do about it.

"I believe that after Mexico, Rio and Durban, we still are far from reaching the solidarity and the global unison that we need to fight climate change,” he said.

Shereda Yusuf, from the Office of the President told Guyana Times that the President himself will be going to the Summit on September 23; stating that “Guyana continues to participate in the international negotiations for a global agreement on climate change”.

Yusuf also expressed concern about the recent Greenhouse Gas Bulletin (published this month) that showed long-lived greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) are now at record highs, she stated

Ptolemy Reid Centre to host Walk-a-Thon on October 25

The Ptolemy Reid

Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC) will be hosting a Walk-a-Thon as a part of its fundraising activities this year.

Younge’s Take

The naked truth

ormer United States

FPresident Thomas Jefferson said, “He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and a third time, till at length, it becomes habitual.”

In fact, a famous writer, and sociologist, Otto von Bismarck is quoted as saying, “People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.”

It is therefore not surprising that the Alliance For Change (AFC) this week would continue its culture of distortions, crusade of lies and campaign of misinformation against the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and its Administration.

As a matter of fact, the AFC through its leadership has intensified its calculated attacks ahead of the pending No-Confidence Motion debate in the legislature with the hope of whipping up more civil society support.

So desperate was the party that it moved to the media this week, alleging that it was reliably informed that the PPP/C was attempting to “buy out” three Opposition parliamentarians by offering them $30 million each.

Notwithstanding the team of lawyers and intellectuals within its hierarchy, the party could not provide a single shred of evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, to add credence to its claims.

What further confirms that the charges against the PPP/C may have been concocted, is the fact that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) through its Chairman David Granger has distanced his party from the scandal.

The PRRC is a non-profit organisation which provides rehabilitation services for children with physical and other developmental disabilities as well as persons with amputations.

speech therapy; special education and vocational training; daycare for toddlers with special needs and audio logical services.

high quality service which caters to the needs of their clients.

Its rehabilitation programme is a comprehensive one which includes physical, occupational and

The Centre said that the fundraising activity is necessary in order to continue providing an effective and

The event will be held on Saturday, October 25. The walk begins from the Centre’s ground at 06:00h.

Participation requires a fee of $100.

He even went on record stating that none of his parliamentarians was ever approached by the PPP/C, as he reaffirmed his party’s commitment to supporting the No-Confidence Motion against the Government. Added to that, Granger even hinted that someone may have fabricated the entire scandal.

As a result, the untamed utterances of the AFC have exposed the deep levels of distrust that it still habours for the People’s National Congress (PNC)/ APNU grouping.

It also gives the impression that the party is scared that those MPs who have been allegedly approached do not have the moral ability or integrity to withstand the lure and temptation of any perceived monetary offer.

The AFC’s allegations bring the integrity of all Opposition parliamentarians into disrepute and signal another political victory for the PPP/C.

So, the AFC is in a corner and was outwitted by the APNU and the PPP/C, but there is still a chance for the party to redeem itself. The AFC must now share with the nation the details of those who were approached and who was the person(s) that offered the inducement to break party rank.

If the party cannot do this, then it must follow the advice of sociologist Mark Twain who said, “A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself as a liar.” If it insists on standing by its earlier allegations, then the party must brace itself for a major blow as none of its frontline leaders can ever lecture to the public on any issue bordering integrity, morality, or ethics.

The image of the party locally, regionally and internationally has been dealt a double-whammy in less than 18 months. Telling lies require commitment and one can only imagine what one will deduce from the party’s posture on this matter in the future whether or not it has this commitment.

Youths support "trash run" at International Coastal Cleanup Day

The Police Band stand area was a meeting of environmentalists as persons from various organisations and schools congregated to clean up the shores of Guyana for the annual International Coastal Clean-up campaign.

Members from the Youths For Guyana team were there and came up with a great initiative to clean and still have fun with a "trash run".

This idea involved the participation of all or most of the environmental groups. They were posed in a horizontal line then had to run a distance with trash bags while picking up as much refuse as they could, then run back picking up refuse still.

This activity got the youths quite excited as they strived to be the winner while cleaning up the sea wall from the band stand all the way to Camp Street.

This cleanup campaign is an annual event in Guyana, organised this year by Caribbean Youth

Environment Network (CYEN) in observance of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).

However, this coastal cleanup has been happening around the world since 1986, being established by Ocean Conservancy. It is where the world meets up on their sea shores and waterways and pick up refuse that the water brings in.

Project Coordinator Elun McCurdy, stated that most of the volunteers from the different organisations are young people but she has seen an increase every year of persons in the whole.

Several groups CYEN collaborated with the Natural Resources and the Environmental Ministry’s protection agency who themselves mobilised different groups to get involved; thus the large number of persons at the band stand at 06:00h.

There were representatives from practically every environmental group in the

region if not Guyana; due mostly to McCurdy’s use of social media to get persons actively involved in taking care of the environment.

The International Academy’s Key Club was there with a very determined Jiah, who showed her determination to clean up the environment through her efforts to remove a bag that had rooted itself into the ground.

Aretha Ford, from CYEN, organised the different groups further into subgroups of five then they were given clipboards to record the garbage they collected and also gloves to protect their hands.

A member of Youths for Guyana, Oron Phillips, informed Guyana Times that the record is quite important as it enables the International Ocean Conservancy to hold the relevant businesses, manufacturers or Multinational Corporations accountable for their products that may be polluting the oceans, seas

or land.

Through this, these companies are able to take more responsibility for their products, and countries and the international community can enable certain policies to protect their environment.

Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud stated in his address for the event that “… everything imaginable has been found along the world’s shorelines during ICCs including, cigarette butts, food wrappers, fishing gear and even automobiles and kitchen appliances.

In 2012, more than 500,000 volunteers collected 10 million pounds of trash from coastal beaches and inland waterways in 97 countries and locations around the world… while last year, 648,015 volunteers in 92 countries cleaned up more than 12.3 million pounds of trash on ICC Day.”

Locally the Minister said that they are also taking action against the scourge of littering within communities and villagers.

He mentioned the $ 1 billon Clean-Up My Country Programme that was launched early in the year by the Government of Guyana, where the capital city and other regions will be targeted for cleanup.

“The Pick-it-up Guyana (PIUG) initiative” was also quite instrumental in heightening awareness and educating on the adverse effects of littering; such being the effect it has on our wild life.

He urged everyone to “take bold action, and work to stop the flow of trash… before it has a chance to reach the water to choke and entangle dolphins or endanger sea turtles, or ruin our shorelines, beaches and depress our local economies.”

Fire destroys GNNL bond

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Afire on Saturday has caused major damage to a bond owned by the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) located at Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. The fire reportedly started at about 11:03h after a vagrant was reportedly seen in close proximity to the bond.

While the possibility exists that the man might have purposely set the bond on fire, Police and Fire officials are continuing their investigations.

A part of the bond is being rented by Pavnik Press owned by Toral Kowlessar. The building at the time of the fire had millions of dollars in material belonging to the printing company.

At the scene, GNNL General Manager Michael Gordon told Guyana Times that he received a call and rushed to the scene. When he arrived, fire fighters were already there, but he was informed that smoke was seen emanating from the building and the staff immediately activated their internal emergency response mechanism.

He praised the fire fighters for keeping the blaze under control, noting it was a difficult task, taking into consideration the materials that were stored in the building.

He, however, stated that the board room, which is located in the building with the Sports Complex, was scorched. The fire started on the building adjacent to the Sports Complex. Gordon could not give an estimate with respect to losses.

He said while he does not want to “pin point”

someone, there was a vagrant with whom the company had an issue. He was asked a number of times to leave the area surrounding the building. The building has been renovated several times and is about 40-50 years old. It is predominantly built with wood.

On the other hand, Janet Rameshwar, General Manager of Pavnik Press was counting her company’s losses. She estimated that millions of dollars in materials and equipment have been destroyed by the fire. This, she noted, will definitely affect the company’s operations.

She recalled that she was at home when she received a call from her cleaner telling her that the bond was on fire. As she looked through her windows she saw the heavy black smoke followed by flames. Within a few minutes, she saw the fire tenders.

Compton Sparman, Officer-in-Charge of Operations at the Guyana Fire Service, explained that four tenders – two from Central, and one each from Campbellville and Alberttown – were deployed to the area.

When they arrived, the fire fighters met heavy black smoke emanating from the building but nevertheless, they managed to get into the building and tackle the fire head on. He said they were successful in containing the blaze at one location.

At that point in time, he could not say what started that fire, but while he would have received reports about possible arson, he stated that they will have to complete their investigations before making a public announcement.

Ramotar willing to meet Granger to discuss important matters

President Donald Ramotar has expressed his willingness to meet Opposition Leader David Granger to discuss matters of national importance.

Ramotar in a letter to Granger reiterated his commitment to dialogue while inviting Granger to meet with him at a time convenient to the Opposition Leader.

Nonetheless, Ramotar expressed concern over the new communication posture and policy adopted by the Opposition Leader which sees him, as of late, utilizing the media to send messages to the Executive about the course of action that will be taken following the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the President on Local Government election on September 9.

Granger had threatened to mobilize local and international “action” if the President failed to set a date for local government elections and issue a commencement order for the election to be held by September 15.

The President then wrote Granger seeking clarity and stating that the contents of letter, which contained the ultimatum, were “ambiguous and contradictory” to the utterances made by the APNU in relation to a menu of related issues.

“While awaiting your response, Office of the President has noted your resort to the media, where you have been reported to have agreed to commence protests in support of your demands for Local Government Elections,” the President said.

He noted too the media reports which called for meetings with government on other critical issues affecting Guyana while protesting the use of the media to make these demands.

“I must, for the record, express my deep res-

ervation about this media based communication style you have recently adopted in dealing with my Office. There is nothing that my team and I have done to prompt you to disregard our usual format,” he said.

The Opposition Leader and President will mostly meet in October if at all as the President is out of the country and is not slated to return until September 30 following a series of engagement at t the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting.

“… during which time my team will remain on standby,” the President stated.

This marks the government’s second attempt to discuss and seek clarity from the Opposition Leader about several of his concerns about the actions or non-actions of the government.

President Ramotar had been advised to meet with the Opposition Leader to find common ground following Granger’s threats of protests and other action which could create political instability in the country.

Man shot by Police in Albouystown

B y J omo P aul

Ayoung man was shot dead by a rank of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday around 20:00h at his Hill Street Albouystown, Georgetown home.

Dead is 28-year-old Adrian Bishop, who was killed after ranks from the GPF reportedly arrested him and placed him in a waiting Police vehicle with the intention of taking him to a nearby

Police station.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene of the shooting, several persons had gathered to catch a glimpse of what had transpired.

Speaking to the Guyana Times , Bishop’s reputed wife, Maria (only name given) alleged that Bishop was recently involved in a relationship with a senior officer at the Criminal Investigations Division of the GPF.

The man leaves to mourn his four-year-old daughter.

Shortly after paramedics arrived at the scene pronounced the man dead.

On September 5, Bishop, along with 27-year-old goldsmith Devon Forde, and 23-yearold labourer Junior Nurse all appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman to face a charge of robbery with aggravation and were granted bail.

High-level team heads for UN General Assembly

Ahigh-level team, led by President Donald Ramotar, will attend the United Nations’ General Assembly Meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, New York on September 22.

Accompanying the President will be First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Elisabeth Harper.

Expected to join the delegation is Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who is slated to attend the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. Ambassador George Talbot and other officers from the Guyana Mission in New York will also form part of Guyana’s delegation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Minister RodriguesBirkett during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said apart from the UN General Assembly where the President will make a presentation, there are several other meetings this year. She noted that while the international community is busy discussing the post-2015 development agenda with the deadlines for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) being 2015, the focus now is post- 2015.

The Minister observed that additionally, the climate change agenda is picking up, with an international agenda set for a legally binding agreement for 2015. As such, she pointed out, in the margins of the UN General Assembly there will be a climate change summit to be hosted by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. President Ramotar is slated to make a presentation during this summit.

Minister RodriguesBirkett said the Head of State is expected to speak about promises and commitment for financing, relating to mitigation and adaptation. Guyana, along with other small developing countries, is not pleased with the delivery of those commitments. In fact, there has been little delivery and the Green Climate Fund has not been fully operational, she explained. These facts, she said will be pointed out by President Ramotar in his presentation

In addition, the fact that while the Secretary General has indicated that countries should attend the General Assembly, prepared to make ambitious commitments, countries in the Caribbean have not contributed to the problem of climate change. What Caribbean countries would like to see is the fulfilment of commitments which have been made, the Foreign Affairs Minister

stated. However, the meeting will be compact, with only four minutes per presentation being allowed to heads of delegations, which will see Guyana ensuring that all the topics are covered during that period.

In addition to the Climate Change meeting, the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples will see Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Derrick John participating. Minister RodriguesBirkett added that the head of the NTC and other NGOs have been involved in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples for several years and the Conference actually came about through that forum.

She explained that there are several round-tables slated where Minister Sukhai will make presentations highlighting Guyana experiences where a lot has been done for the development of indigenous people even as there remains a far way to go.

While Guyana is willing to share its experiences, the indigenous component of the delegation will also look at the statistics regarding the issues of indigenous peoples on the international scene. While these figures are not what the world should be proud about, they will be addressed in the international arena.

Lindeners benefit from gender-based violence training

Several Linden men participated in an interactive two-day gender-based violence conference on Thursday and Friday, inside the boardroom of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN).

The conference, which men of all ages attended, was a collaborative effort between the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministries and the Gender-Based Violence Unit of the Health Ministry. Facilitators were drawn from Help and Shelter.

Gender-based violence is violence that targets individuals or groups of individuals on the basis of their gender or sex. It includes any act which is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm. It is typically a result of unequal power relationships.

Administrator of the Men's Affairs Bureau of the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, Pastor Diego Alphonso said similar forums have been conducted in several other regions across the country.

"We have men from the communities coming out and we would have interactive discussions on the whole issue of gender-based violence, men's perspectives, and what are their thoughts as it relates to this whole issue,” explained Alphonso.

"The main aim is to sensitise men about the scourge of gender-based violence and the negative effects on society, but also to hear from them what is it that prompts or provokes them to the con-

clusion that violence is the way for solving problems confronting them in relationships and other issues," he said.

Other issues discussed were causes and effects of domestic violence, anger management, conflict resolution, and how culture, society and myths may affect men's roles in society, among others.

Pastor Alphonso said he was enthused by the turnout, as well as the men's interaction on the various topics, noting that they were frank in relating their thoughts, experiences and ideas. At times, the participants were divided into groups, given exercises on topics discussed, and were given the opportunity to present their findings.

"We understand that in

Deploy more Police –Angoy’s Avenue residents

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

Residents of Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue, a squatting community located on the Eastern fringe of the New Amsterdam township have repeated their call for more Police presence in the community.

The call came on Thursday as Officer-inCharge of Sub Division (East Coast Berbice, East Canje, New Amsterdam and East Bank Berbice) Gay Nurse led a team of Police Officers to the community as part of ongoing outreaches to that community.

“After 11:00PM (22:00h) you will hear people walking and when you look out, you will see that it is a gang,” one female resident said as she made the call.

Another noted that there is a high degree of domestic violence while another resident spoke of noise nuisance as they pushed their request for a Police outpost in the community.

However, one senior Police Officer said that there had not been enough reports coming out of that area to warrant an outpost. “The patrol does hardly come in here,” a female resident said, as she asked the senior officers if they could instruct

the Police Mobile Patrol to make frequent visits to what they call Angoy’s Avenue.

The call for higher Police presence in that part of Mount Sinai was also backed up by numerous reports of the use of illegal drugs in public during daylight hours and gambling by groups of youths.

In August 2013, the then Commander of B Division, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken had promised those residents increased mobile patrols by the Police.

More than a year later, the residents are still repeating the same call they made back then.

$1.8M Batavia Bridge completed

a lot of instances they have valid concerns which do not justify violent actions, but we understand that men are hurting too, just as how women and children are hurting.

So we seized this opportunity to see what it is they are dealing with and in trying to address it, we discussed options and alternatives to violence. We understand they have genuine concerns and we're listening and empathising with them,” said Alphonso.

He said based on the sessions held, men are acknowledging that in many instances they are the main perpetrators of physical violence. However, they are often subjected to psychological and verbal abuse. "They want a level playing field where we can also address how a man can get help in a situation where he is being abused," said Alphonso.

"We're hoping that men will understand that violence is not the solution to a problem, but it actually creates new problems for themselves and society,” he added. “We would also like to see a marked decrease in genderbased violence in our country, we would like men to be more understanding and respectful, and generally we would like to see a change in behavioural patterns of both males and females."

A participant, Lester Glenn, said he benefited meaningfully by attending the sessions. He said the information was well received, adding that the information on anger management was especially helpful.

Residents of Batavia, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have welcomed the completion of a new 100-foot wooden bridge constructed at the Northern end of Arian Island at the cost of $1.8 million, which was made available by the Government of Guyana, through the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.

The Government Information Agency (GINA)

reported Batavia’s Toshao Eyon Boyal as saying the bridge was built over the part of the island that is usually flooded whenever there is high tide. The construction of the bridge is to ensure that students no longer have to walk through swamp water to get to the Batavia Primary School.

“It’s a dream come through for the village, es-

pecially for the children of the primary school who traverse the area on a daily basis. Finally, after 13 years, our dream for a bridge over that specific area is now a reality,” Boyal said. This bridge is only one of several projects being implemented in the Region Seven community by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, according to GINA.

Senior Inter-County 4-day tournament…

Demerara eyeing win; Developmental XI beat Essequibo

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Trevon Griffith struck a classy unbeaten 102 as Demerara did everything right on the third day in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter-County Four-day game to took a stranglehold over Berbice on Saturday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.

The opener displayed remarkable application on the penultimate day, as the hosts, after dismissing the visitors for 218 in the first innings, swelled their overall lead to 410, when the declaration was made in their second innings.

Berbice conceded a huge first innings lead of 224 runs, but Demerara decided against enforcing the follow-on and were successful in their plan to bat Berbice out of the contest, reaching 186-5 before declaring.

Demerara's grip on the proceedings got tighter when Jason Sinclair was run out for four and Devon Clements was bowled for seven when Berbice began the huge chase of 411. Asked to bat ten overs before the close, the Ancient County cricketers reached 33-2, still in search of 378 runs with eight wickets remaining.

Kandasammy Surujnarine and night watchman Keon Joseph will resume today on four and eight respectively.

Earlier in the day, Berbice resumed on 130-5 and badly needed overnight batsman Anthony Bramble and Narsingh

Deonarine, who joined him at the start of play, to show more defiance and they proved to be up to the task for almost two hours.

The Albion duo played watchfully and grew in confidence with the right-hander Bramble bringing up his half-century from 116 balls, finding the ropes seven times.

Demerara looked set for a frustrating day in the field with Bramble and Deonarine finding

the middle of the middle of the bat almost every ball.

However, after the pair put together 58 for the sixth wicket, the hosts got the much needed breakthrough. Zaheer Mohamed (2-29) generated some extra bounce from the pitch to have Bramble caught at forward short leg for 62.

Deonarine (30) followed soon after when Mohamed again generated some extra bounce which

Different format, same result for Shiv

The format and atmosphere were a vast difference from what obtains on the international stage, yet Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s appetite for runs was not diminished as he crafted an entertaining half-century on his debut for the Floodlight Masters team in a feature softball match on Friday night.

Having touched 40 last August, Chanderpaul now qualifies as a Masters player, and he

produced a fine innings to mark his first game, played at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown.

Batting first, Bel Air Rubis made 174 in 20 overs, before Chanderpaul’s brilliant innings, along with 36 from Patrick Khan and 40 not out from Khalid Baksh fired Floodlight Masters to victory.

Chanderpaul is fresh off his record breaking performance

against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Test series where the opposition failed to dismiss him in three innings, which yielded 270 runs, including his 30th Test hundred. In the other match played on Friday night, a female encounter, Mike’s Wellman defeated Parika Defenders by 14 runs. Mike’s Wellman batting first made 198, before limiting Parika Defenders to 185 all out.

took the left-hander by surprise.

Things got worse for Berbice as Veerasammy Permaul (15) was given out caught behind despite the batsman appearing to have missed the ball by a considerable distance.

Wintz (4-54) quickly removed Steven Latcha (4) in controversial fashion, leg before wicket and Raun Johnson (6) to end the innings. Christopher Barnwell (2-65) and Griffith (1-6) were the other successful bowlers.

Demerara lost Robin Bacchus (3) early to off-spinner Deonarine at 8-1 at the interval.

After lunch, Shemroy Barrington (1), who looked horribly out of touch, was dismissed when he edged one from Deonarine to wicketkeeper Bramble.

Griffith and Rajendra Chandrika took the total to 45 before the latter retired hurt on 13. The right-hander Barnwell joined Griffith and the pair of consolidated their team's position with a 62-run stand for the third wicket with Griffith completing his half-century in the process.

Seeking to impose himself on the bowlers, Barnwell attempted to hoist a delivery over midwicket from off-spinner Latcha, but was dismissed in the process for 36, and by the interval, Demerara stretch their overall lead to 331.

Vishal Singh (17) and Zaheer Mohamed (10) played supportive roles to Griffith, who continued to bat with confidence and picked his areas to score.

His ton came off 149 balls and was punctuated with nine fours. At the fall of Mohamed's wicket, Chandrika returned to bat was left unbeaten on 15.

Deonarine (3-43) was the most penetrative bowler for Berbice.

Essequibo lose Meanwhile, the GCB Developmental XI handed Essequibo a crushing six-wicket defeat inside three days at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown.

Resuming at 84 without loss chasing 268, the GCB Development XI openers Shimron Hetmyer and Tagenarine Chanderpaul put on 137 for the first wicket to set up the foundation for the comprehensive victory

Shimron Hetmyer took his overnight 52 not out to 85 (11x4s), while Chanderpaul added 17 to his overnight on 27 before they were dismissed by Anthony Adams and Heimchand Persaud respectively.

Chanderpaul Hemraj 66 (4x4s, 4x6s) and Steven Jacobs 51 (6x4s) then put together 106 for the third wicket, after which both were removed by Ricardo Peters (2-16).

David Latchaya (three not out) and Kemo Paul (six not out) took their team home at ease.

The second round will begin on September 24 when Essequibo take on Berbice at DCC, and the GCB Development XI go up against Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Windies Women cash in against New Zealand

The West Indies has taken full advantage of its home One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand when it surged to the top of the ICC Women’s Championship table and its players making significant movements in the Reliance ICC ODI Women’s Rankings, which were released on Saturday morning.

The West Indies won all four ODIs against New Zealand, with the first three matches counting towards the ICC Women’s Championship. This event has been introduced to create a more extensive and meaningful bilateral playing programme for women’s cricket, with the top four sides from this competition qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.

The victories not only helped the West Indies to draw level with New Zealand at seven-all from 15 ODIs to date, it also put the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013 losing finalist on top of the table on net run-rate. World champion Australia also won its matches against Pakistan and is on six points, but West Indies’ convincing

victories has put it ahead by +0.35 on net run-rate. With six more rounds to be played in the tournament, plenty of movement at the top of the tree is on the cards.

The first round of the ICC Women’s Championship will conclude next month when South Africa will travel to Sri Lanka for a four-ODI series, with the first three to count towards the ICC Women’s Championship. The championship matches will be played in Colombo on October 15, 17 and 19.

Meanwhile, the West Indies’ five wickets, 65 runs, eight wickets and four runs victories in the series have meant its players have also made gains in the player rankings.

Left-arm spinner Anisa Mohammed has led the charge in the bowlers’ rankings when she has jumped seven places to claim a career-high second position. Anisa captured 12 wickets in the four-match series, including eight wickets in the three ICC Women’s Championship matches. Her series best was in the second ODI when she bagged four for 32.

Marsh 6s seal last-gasp...

They put on 55 for the second wicket at close to nine-and-a-half an over, but the partnership had begun with Scorchers on the back foot, having scored only 14 in their first four overs for the loss of Adam Voges. Scorchers were still behind the required rate when Whiteman holed out in the 16th over, and Marsh - on 12 off 14 at that point - and new man Ashton Agar were left needing to score 47 from 25 balls. With a mixture of decent placement down the ground and luck - Agar was dropped in the covers in the 18th over, and he found the third-man boundary via the outside edge off Abbottthey kept Scorchers in the hunt, but it still required a couple of nervy full-tosses and nerveless hits to take them over the line.

Anisa’s rise means the West Indies now boasts the top two-ranked bowlers, with Stafanie Taylor leading the pack. Shanel Daley in fifth position is the other West Indies bowler to feature inside the top 10.

Medium-pacers Tremayne Smartt and Shakera Selman are the other notable West Indies bowlers to head in the right direction. The mediumpacer returned figures of five for 24, one for 40, one for 14 and none for 20, for which he has been rewarded with a jump of 10 places that has put her in 16th position, while Selman’s three wickets in the series has given her a lift of 17 places that has put her in 21st position.

Amongst the batters, Deandra Dottin has returned to the top 10 after a consistent performance in the series in which she aggregated 176 runs in four matches. For this, she has been rewarded with a rise of three places that has put her in ninth position.

Stafanie Taylor has also gained one place and is now in fourth position, following her 159 runs in the four matches.

The good news for New Zealand is its batters Sophie Devine and Rachel Priest have made upward movements. Devine has achieved a career-best 19th position after rising 11 places following her contribution of 161 runs in four matches, while Priest has also achieved a careerhigh 33rd place (up by six places).

The batting table is headed by India captain Mithali Raj, who leads England’s Charlotte Edwards by 12 ratings points. In the all-rounders’ category, Daley has leapfrogged Australia’s Ellyse Perry into second position.

from page 20

Wehby embraces professional First-Class franchise system

Regional business executive and Director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Don Wehby, said on Saturday that the professionalisation of First-Class cricket in the West Indies will revolutionise the game in the region.

The WICB is about to roll out a full professional FirstClass franchise system in which a cadre of 90 players will be engaged in a professional cricket structure on a day-to-day basis, year round.

“This professional structure and environment is geared towards, and certainly will, revolutionise cricket in the region and contribute significantly to the repositioning of the West Indies team in the upper echelons of international cricket,” said Wehby, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaican headquartered multi-national company, GraceKennedy Limited.

“I am excited by the prospects for the success of this professional structure and I urge that it receive the support of regional governments, corporate Caribbean, fans, the tourism sector and all the facets of our society which hold cricket dear,” urged Wehby, a former Minister

in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service in the Jamaican government.

The WICB has committed to partner with the six territorial boards to fund six First-Class Franchises in the region which will compete in the annual Regional FirstClass and Super50 tournaments.

Each franchise will retain 15 players who will work as a unit on a day-to-day basis in each territory under a Head Coach and support staff.

The six franchises will be based in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands.

“I am extremely pleased

that the WICB is about to introduce this historic and long overdue initiative of properly professionalising West Indies First-Class cricket.

"Our regional game has suffered for a protracted period from not having our best players being engaged on a continual basis in fine-tuning and upgrading their skills,” Wehby said while speaking during a break of a WICB Meeting of Board of Directors in Barbados on Saturday.

“This initiative is projected to significantly lend to the improvement of performance of the West Indies team on the international stage as a large cadre of players will now be engaged, on a day-today basis in working as professional cricketers. It is the first time this will be happening in the region,” added Wehby.

“Equally important, is that the profile of regional First-Class cricket will be raised with the overall standards being lifted, increased competitiveness and the parity among teams likely to be much closer,” Wehby concluded.

Wehby was appointed GraceKennedy Group CEO in 2011 and a WICB Director in 2013.

end, while Keshav Maharaj and Daryn Smit played their shots. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Dolphins innings (20 overs maximum)

MN van Wyk*† b Paris 4

CS Delport c †Whiteman b Behrendorff 8

C Chetty b Paris 0 KA Maharaj c Paris b Behrendorff 29

K Zondo not out 63

D Smit lbw b Yasir Arafat 21 VB van Jaarsveld c Paris b Behrendorff 7 AL Phehlukwayo b Yasir Arafat 14

R Frylinck not out 15

Extras (lb-1, w-1, nb-1) 3

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 164

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (van Wyk, 0.4 ov), 2-4 (Chetty, 0.5 ov), 3-12 (Delport, 1.3 ov), 4-45 (Maharaj, 5.5 ov), 5-75 (Smit, 10.2 ov), 6-97 (van Jaarsveld, 14.1 ov), 7-141 (Phehlukwayo, 17.6 ov)

Bowling: JS Paris 4-0-21-2 (1-

Batting first, Dolphins were three down inside two overs, with Morne van Wyk, Cody Chetty and Cameron Delport discovering the pitfalls of slogging across the line against the left-arm swing of Joel Paris and Jason Behrendorff. But they continued to go after the bowling. Khaya Zondo played himself in at one

w), JP Behrendorff 4-0-46-3 (1-nb), Yasir Arafat 4-0-42-2, MR Marsh 3-0-21-0, AC Agar

1-0-7-0, GB Hogg 4-0-26-0

Perth Scorchers innings (target: 165 runs from 20 overs)

CJ Simmons c & b Delport 48

AC Voges* lbw b Abbott 7

SM Whiteman† c Smit b Alexander 45

MR Marsh not out 40

AC Agar c Alexander b Frylinck 15

AJ Turner not out 3

Extras (lb-1, w-6) 7

Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 165

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Voges, 3.6 ov), 2-69 (Simmons, 9.5 ov), 3-118 (Whiteman, 15.5 ov), 4-150 (Agar, 19.2 ov)

Bowling: KJ Abbott 4-0-251, CJ Alexander 4-0-31-1 (2w), R Frylinck 4-0-32-1 (2w), KA Maharaj 3-0-25-0, CS Delport 4-0-36-1 (2-w), D Smit 1-0-15-0

Stokes nerve guides Durham to title Kings XI Punjab trash BarbadosTridents

Durham claimed their second piece of limited-overs silverware to cap another season as county cricket’s magnificent overachievers. Ben Stokes played the pivotal hand, as he had done in the semi-final, though a nuggety, unbeaten 38 was in direct contrast to his 164 against Nottinghamshire. Warwickshire, 20 years on from their glorious treble, will have to make do with just one extra trophy in the cabinet this season.

The Royal London Cup may come to be the proving ground for a generation of England players capable of winning the World Cup but a gloomy day in late September was an occasion for traditional virtues. Varun Chopra and Mark Stoneman struck contrasting half-centuries in a low-octane thriller in which ball dominated bat and the result remained uncertain throughout. Neither side managed a fifty partnership but, even though Lord’s was only half full, tension slowly seeped through the crowd until Gareth Breese signed off his Durham career by edging the winning boundary.

With the ground swaddled in cloud, Warwickshire were suffocated by a blanket of seam, Durham’s bowlers proving adept at utilis-

SCOREBOARD

Warwickshire innings (50 overs maximum)

V Chopra* b Rushworth 64

WTS Porterfield c †Mustard b Rushworth 9

IJL Trott lbw b Collingwood 2

TR Ambrose† c Breese b Collingwood 11

LJ Evans c Breese b Stokes 0 R Clarke b Stokes 2 CR Woakes c MacLeod b Breese 23

A Javid not out 22

JS Patel c Jennings b Breese 14

OJ Hannon-Dalby c Stokes b Breese 6

WB Rankin run out (Borthwick) 1 Extras (lb-4, w-7) 11

Total (all out; 47 overs) 165

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Porterfield, 4.6 ov), 2-29 (Trott, 11.3 ov), 3-63 (Ambrose, 19.2 ov), 4-64 (Evans, 20.2 ov), 5-68 (Clarke, 22.2 ov), 6-115 (Woakes, 33.2 ov), 7-123 (Chopra, 36.3 ov), 8-144 (Patel, 41.4 ov), 9-162 (Hannon-Dalby, 45.3 ov), 10-165 (Rankin, 46.6 ov)

Bowling: C Rushworth 10-224-2, P Coughlin 8-0-30-0 (2w), PD Collingwood 10-0-36-

ing favourable conditions. It was Jeetan Patel, however, who did most to prevent Warwickshire’s double bubble from bursting, a guileful display of off-spin rewarded with figures of 4-25. Patel

2 (2-w), BA Stokes 9-0-25-2 (3-w), GR Breese 7-0-30-3, KK

Jennings 1-0-9-0, SG Borthwick 2-0-7-0

Durham innings (target: 166 runs from 50 overs)

MD Stoneman* lbw b Patel 52

P Mustard† b Clarke 0

CS MacLeod c Chopra b Clarke 0

KK Jennings lbw b Patel 8

SG Borthwick lbw b Patel 12

PD Collingwood c Porterfield

b Hannon-Dalby 21

BA Stokes not out 38

GJ Muchall lbw b Patel 9

GR Breese not out 15

Extras (lb-5, w-6) 11

Total (7 wickets; 40.2 overs) 166

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Mustard, 0.4 ov), 2-12 (MacLeod, 2.5 ov), 3-60 (Jennings, 12.5 ov), 4-74 (Stoneman, 16.5 ov), 5-86 (Borthwick, 20.2 ov), 6-117 (Collingwood, 29.3 ov), 7-130 (Muchall, 32.5 ov)

Bowling: R Clarke 7-3-20-2 (3-w), CR Woakes 7.2-0-500, OJ Hannon-Dalby 7-2-221, JS Patel 10-2-25-4 (1-w), WB Rankin 9-0-44-0 (2-w)

and Rikki Clarke claimed six of the seven wickets and conceded just 45 runs from 17 overs, but the rest of the Warwickshire attack could not quite match those exacting standards. (Cricinfo)

The Kings XI Punjab production line of batsmen was under threat of being shortcircuited, but Akshar Patel strode in at No. 8 and clobbered 20 runs off the penultimate over to script a second successive victory in Mohali. The situation had not been too dire, but that cameo erased all doubts of the outcome of the match. Barbados Tridents, as their coach Desmond Haynes said, fought fire with fire when they amassed 174, but their bowling in the death could not keep to their disciplines.

Things had looked promising for Tridents when they got rid of Virender Sehwag and Glenn Maxwell in the space of 12 balls. Losing that much batting muscle with eight overs left and a run-rate climbing towards nine an over is never healthy. Unless you are Kings XI.

David Miller played an innings that didn’t quite exemplify his ‘in the arc out of the park’ though philosophy. He brushed past a few nervous moments against spin when Jeevan Mendis benefitted from uncertain bounce. His timing was inconsistent, but found the boundary when needed most. Ashley Nurse was cracked for a six off the final ball of the 17th over. The equation reduced to 34 off 18. The last ball of the next one hurtled to the midwicket boundary to take it down to 25 off 12. And then Akshar’s carnage began.

Ravi Rampaul was belted to long-on, lofted over cover and hooked over the squareleg boundary. In between there was an outside edge to the third man boundary to add to the excitement. Rampaul, Tridents’ most experienced bowler, had leaked 50 off his four overs. Akshar, the youngest player of the Kings XI side, bashed 23 off only nine balls.

Rayad Emrit, the Tridents captain, had said he would have taken an equation of 20odd in the final two overs. But his bowlers did not log enough time searching for the blockhole. The only potent threat was the leg-spinner Mendis, who got alarming turn on occasion and enjoyed low bounce on others to cede only 18 runs for two key wickets: Sehwag who had fuelled a strong Kings XI start and George Bailey, the captain. Kings XI needed 47 off the final four overs. They got 50 off 3.4.

Marsh 6s seal last-gasp win for Scorchers

On February 7, in the final of the Big Bash League, Mitchell Marsh smashed a 12-ball 37 to take Perth Scorchers from 144-3 in the end of the 17th over to a 20-over total of 191-4. Scorchers won the match by 39 runs. Two days later in the final of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, Robbie Frylinck defended 14 runs off the last over to win the match for Dolphins. When Scorchers met Dolphins in the Champions League, the two match-winners in their respective domestic finals faced off. With

Marsh on strike in the final over Scorchers needed 16 to win. Frylinck, attacking the blockhole remorselessly, had conceded only 16 in his first three overs. For the first four balls, Frylinck’s length was unhittable. Scorchers scored only four runs, and lost Ashton Agar, who simply couldn’t get any elevation on his attempted lap over short fine leg. Fifth ball, the pressure told on the bowler. Marsh came down the track, and out came a waist-high full-toss that disappeared over the leg-side boundary.

It could have been called a no-ball, but the umpires - S Ravi and Rod Tucker - let it go. Six from one, then. Frylinck searched for the yorker, and bowled a low full-toss. Marsh got under it and struck it so cleanly that he was running back to his team’s dugout, bat aloft, even before the ball had cleared the boundary. With a combination of tight bowling from Frylinck and Kyle Abbott and a lack of fluency with the bat, Scorchers had come close to losing the match despite losing only

Bowling had seemed Tridents’ strength coming into the tournament after losing Shoaib Malik, Dwayne Smith and Kieron Pollard. But this game turned that impression topsy-turvy.

Dilshan Munaweera, the Sri Lanka batsman, hammered 50 of his team’s 61 during the Powerplay. There were slugs down the ground, scoops behind the wicket, drills over and through cover to keep up a frenetic pace. He wasn’t able to sustain it past the Powerplay but the foundation had been laid.

Raymon Reifer, the Combined Campuses and Colleges batsman, bashed an

unbeaten 60 off 42 balls. He used his feet well to find his power, coming down the track before muscling the ball. He carted 40 from 26 balls off the spinners, who assisted his strokeplay by resorting to darts whenever they were attacked. Kings XI’s bowling was the weaker link, but they could lay claim to being caught by surprise - Munaweera’s T20 strike rate before this game was 116. Reifer has only played six games across two seasons of CPL. Tridents though knew who they had at the crease and their dug out was buzzing throughout their batting innings. It wasn’t a few hours on (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Tridents innings (20 overs maximum)

EMDY Munaweera c Vohra b Awana 50

WKD Perkins† lbw b Awana 10

RA Reifer not out 60

JL Carter c Miller b Anureet Singh 20

JEC Franklin c Awana b Perera 10

E Chigumbura c Anureet

Singh b Perera 3

JO Holder c Miller b Awana 12

AR Nurse not out 8

Extras (lb-1) 1

Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 174

Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Perkins, 5.1 ov), 2-61 (Munaweera, 5.6 ov), 3-106 (Carter, 12.1 ov), 4-124 (Franklin, 14.4 ov), 5-131 (Chigumbura, 16.2 ov), 6-159 (Holder, 19.1 ov)

Bowling: Anureet Singh 4-032-1, P Awana 4-0-46-3, AR Patel 4-0-42-0, GJ Maxwell 3-0-22-0, V Sehwag 1-0-100, Karanveer Singh 1-0-60, NLTC Perera 3-0-15-2

Kings XI Punjab innings (target: 175 runs from 20 overs) V Sehwag lbw b Mendis 31 M Vohra c Carter b Rampaul 27 WP Saha† c Munaweera b Franklin 14 GJ Maxwell c Nurse b Rampaul 16 DA Miller not out 46 GJ Bailey*

of wickets: 1-41 (Vohra,

16.3 ov) Bowling: JO Holder 3.4-0-380 (3-w), R Rampaul 4-0-50-2 (2-nb, 2-w), RR Emrit 2-0-170, JEC Franklin 2-0-17-1

four wickets in a chase of 165. Thanks to Marsh, they had squeaked over the line in an exciting finish that made up for some fairly tedious cricket till that point. Craig Simmons, opening for Scorchers, had struggled to time his leg-side heaves, but had managed to keep the chase going at a decent run-rate with a 36-ball 48. Sam Whiteman had been a little more fluent on his way to a 32-ball 45, lap-sweeping and driving inside-out through cover.

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Ground today for an intense session of track and field at the Athletics Association of Guyana’s (AAG) annual National Senior Championships from 10:00h, one thing will be proven: Guyana lacks debt in talent at the senior level.

Simply put, Police’s Winston George will dominate the sprint events, whether he runs the 200 and 400 metres alone or he runs from the 100 to 400 metres, while Cleveland Forde will run away with the distance events from the 1500 metres to the 500 metres.

Kevin Bayley and Cleveland ‘Fish’ Thomas will battle for supremacy in the 800 metres, while all the other athletes will seem second tier.

The one other fact that

will be proven is that the meet will depend on the current crop of junior athletes such as Tevin Garraway, Kevin Abbensetts and possibly Jason Yaw, who is still a youth athlete, to add flavour to the meet.

If one were to look at the women side of things, there really isn’t much to talk about, outside of the fact that no one can defeat Alisha Fortune if she runs, since she is currently preparing to represent Guyana at the CAC bodybuilding event.

Again the current crop of female junior athletes will showcase their talent and hopefully add spice to what seems to be a limited senior meet with females.

So those planning to witness the action today are assured of one thing: a George and Forde show, two of the country’s best athletes competing against little or no rivalry.

GCC strong on opening day of Junior hockey tourney

The Hikers junior hockey tournament tipped off with some intense action on Friday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The GCC Women’s team was impressive in their two games, trouncing Old Fort 9-0 and Hikers 3-1 as Ashley DeGroot top flight finishing skills, combined with the pace of Aliyah Gordon, was too much for the teams to handle on the opening night.

Hikers’ Latacia Chung also showcased her prowess on the opening night, scoring twice in her club’s 3-0 defeat of Old Fort.

Meanwhile, on the Boy’s side of things, defending champions, Hikers signalled their intention of keeping their title by routing Old Fort 5-1 and St Stanislaus College 7-1 in their opening games, while GCC put away St Stanislaus with an easy 3-0 win and drew with Old Fort 2-2.

The tournament will conclude today with the very competitive iNet Communication Under-16 categories, followed by the conclusion of the Woodpecker

Products Under-21 category. The tournament is being run by the junior players of the Hikers and Saints Hockey Clubs as part of their junior development programmes, where youngsters learn all the intricacies of pulling off a tournament of this magnitude. In addition to playing in the tournament, junior players are responsible for performing the duties of judges and umpires for all the games in addition to organising and staffing the food and drink bars. The presentation ceremony will take place this evening at 18:45h.

Guyana’s golden girl Aliann Pompey seeing red

− set to coach St John’s University

By TReisTon Joseph

With the passage of time in today’s sporting world, athletes’ age and peak performances are unable to be sustained, thus evolution of an athlete is inevitable.

While some are never able to adapt to what ‘Father Time’ limits their bodies to, some go on to post careers stemming from their success as athletes.

The latter is the case with Guyana’s own golden girl, Aliann Pompey, who has produced countless moments for her nation, none more recognisable than her 2002 Commonwealth Gold medal.

Twelve years after that momentous gold medal run in Manchester, England, in the 400 metres, Pompey has called it quits with competitive running and will now set her sights on coaching.

Yes, you read correctly. Pompey will now coach the women’s sprint team of St John’s University, also known as team ‘Red Storm’, located in Queens, New York. The University has an acclaimed NCAA Division One programme.

With Pompey well versed as an administrator why coaching one might ask. Pompey spoke to Guyana Times and explained her

Aliann Pompey

reason for pursing the opportunity.

“I wanted to stay in the sport and this gives me a chance to do so; I’ve been able to see the sport from different perspectives…as an athlete for many years, as an administrator, as a student, as a mentor, as an official and now as a coach,” Pompey told this publication in an exclusive interview.

However, the 400 metres specialist believes she is more than capable of handling the next chapter of her career in sport.

“It is much different, but I think I’ve developed skills that will make the transfer smoother; not to underestimate any challenges that I will face but I think I’m ready. I’ve worked with a handful of athletes over the years; I’ve coached two athletes that are world masters champs and medalists…

I volunteers coaching at Manhattan College for a few years after I graduated, but I think the key is that I am familiar with what it takes to get to a certain level,” the Guyanese highlighted.

Looking a bit at the challenges of coaching and the fact that not every athlete is made from the same cloth, Pompey who admitted to the diversity of the group at St John’s, believes she can cope with the challenges of coaching different types of athletes.

“I was one of those independent athletes who wanted to figure out why I was being able told to do certain things so I learned a lot; I also made it my business to find out what other people were doing differently… I think I’m a walking encyclopedia of workouts,” Pompey posited.

Further, Pompey gave insight into some of the challenges she believes she might just happen to face. “When you break it down into event groups, 400 metres for example, you have variables to consider…some are speed runners, some are strength runners, some did work over the summer, some haven’t, some are just leaving high school and some have been in college one, two or three years,” she explained.

Pompey continued, “There has to be a lot of communicating; I have Coach John Hurt to guide me, he’s been there for a long long time and he’s made it work. There is a lot I can learn from him and a lot I have to learn in order to succeed… I don’t expect to have all the answers for every situation so I’m trying to make sure at least I know who to go to when I don’t know.”

While sprinting is equally mental as it physical, Pompey highlighted what her approach to that side of the job will be like.

“I am still learning about my team… I’ve only been with them a few days so it’s hard to say what their needs are. This much I can say, to start with they have to be convinced of the team’s goal as well as their personal contributions to make that goal a reality,” Pompey noted.

So what will be Pompey’s main goal with her new team?

“My main aim is to get to Eugene in 2015 where the NCAA Champs are held as I look forward to building the tradition of excellence there,” she concluded.

Despite the limitations put on Pompey’s body by ‘Father Time’, one thing is for sure: Guyana’s golden girl has evolved with the passage of time.

Amerindian Heritage Month sport activities underway

Over 500 athletes flocked the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, on Saturday as the annual Amerindian Heritage Month sport activities got underway with much pomp and ceremony. After Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony observed the March Pass and subsequently declared the two-day event open, the athletes, drawn from 15 communities, began the quest for top honours in male and female cricket, football and volleyball. The teams were drawn from all the administrative regions, with the exception of Region Three. Today, which is deemed ‘finals day’, will see the top two teams from each category contesting the championship game with the winners receiving trophies and one year bragging rights. Our photographer Marceano Narine was at the Everest ground on the opening day to capture the action.

“I was a bit nervous initially”–

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

West Indies 300th Test player Leon Johnson said he was “a bit nervous initially” when he made his debut against Bangladesh in the second and final Test of the short series in St Lucia.

Playing in the West Indies 500th Test match, Johnson had scores of 66 and 41, to help the Caribbean side to a massive 296-run win for a clean sweep of the series, after they also won the opening match in St Vincent by 10 wickets.

During an interview with this publication on Saturday, Johnson, who was called up as a replacement for opener Chris Gayle, who opted out of the match to deal with a personal matter, said he was very enthused when he learnt that he would be playing in the final Test.

“I was very happy when I found out the night before that I would be in the starting XI; I sat in my room playing out several different scenarios in my head before I went to sleep. On the first morning I was a bit nervous initially, but as time went on I became more comfortable at the crease,” the 27-yearold Johnson pointed out.

The left-hander, who previously played three One Day Internationals back in 2008, explained his strategy facing the new ball in his first Test, after batting in

Johnson

the middle-order all his career for Guyana and West Indies A.

“I just wanted to bat pass the first 10 overs and assess [the situation] after that. There was always going to be movement for the bowlers first up because of the wind, the greenness [of the pitch] and the moisture in the wicket,” he stated.

In the first innings, Johnson and Kraigg Brathwaite added 143 to lay the foundation for a winning total of 380, before they consolidated West Indies position in the second innings by adding a solid 76 for the first wicket. Johnson was given out leg before for 66 to Taijul Islam, but was late in asking for the review. As television replays suggested, the umpires erred in the decision, thereby denying Johnson the possibility of scoring a hundred on debut.

“Yes I was disappointed [with the decision]. I was a bit slow in calling for the review because I wasn’t sure about my position,” Johnson said.

The former West Indies Under-19 captain has been a seasoned campaigner for Guyana, appearing in his first First-Class game at the tender age of 16. In 51 games, Johnson has amassed 2,861 runs with two hundreds and 20 fifties at an average of 33.65.

Demerara eyeing win; Developmental

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Trevon Griffith struck a classy unbeaten 102 as Demerara did everything right on the third day in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter-County Fourday game to took a stranglehold over Berbice on Saturday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.

The opener displayed remarkable application on the penultimate day, as the hosts, after dismissing the visitors for 218 in the first innings, swelled their overall lead to 410, when the declaration was made in their second innings.