Guyana Times Daily

Guyanese in Venezuela calm amid destructive protests

Guyanese in Venezuela calm amid destructive protests

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The political unrest in Venezuela has created quite a stir, but there is no plan by the government to bring Guyanese in the Spanishspeaking neighbouring country home, as they have made no such request.

Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in a recent interview told Guyana Times that the government is monitoring the situation through its embassy in Caracas.

Some 30,000 Guyanese are living in Venezuela, and their relatives here are concerned about their safety following weeks of opposition-led disturbance.

A few days ago, sister Caribbean Community (Caricom) nation Trinidad and Tobago airlifted its citizens in Venezuela, including embassy staff through Caribbean Airlines (CAL).

More than 50 persons have died in the massive political protests which started about two weeks ago. More than 500 persons have been charged and 50 have been jailed. Also, more than 150 persons have been injured.

The protest action was organised by Maria Corina Machado and Leopoldo López, leaders of Venezuela’s opposition, with support from a number of student movements.

According to reports, violation of civil rights, chronic scar-

city of basic goods, and high levels of criminal violence are among the many reasons for the protests. The inflation rate for 2013 was tallied at 56.2 per cent and the scarcity index was near 20 per cent throughout 2013.

Two Venezuelans in Guyana, Anna Gomez and her 20-year-old daughter Lillian say thee feel the anguish of Venezuelans back home. They have been moving back and forth to Guyana for years. However, since coming here in early January, they have not set foot back to their home country. The truth is, they say, that they will not return until the “storm has passed”.

“Bed of roses”

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, they shared their glory days under the strict socialist ideologies of late President Hugo Chavez, contending that life then was considered “a bed of roses”, when compared to the current state of the country.

The death of Hugo Chavez in March 2013 had opened the door to black market traders and major exploitation. According to Gomez, importers took the opportunity to “rip off the people of Venezuela”.

“There was a little rumbling. The tension was growing; you couldn’t get a toilet paper. Flour which was supposed to be 16 Venezuelan Bolívar a pack was 100 Venezuelan Bolívar. Simple onions went up from 15 to 90 Venezuelan Bolivar, and so it was there… the tension was there and so I was not surprised when it erupted,” Gomez, speaking about the protest, said.

On April 14, 2013, one month after the President died, his former Vice President Nicolás Maduro was declared winner of the general elections; a narrow victory over leader of the main opposition party Henrique Capriles. But soon after, things took a radical turn for the worst. Hearts were

broken and tears flowed. The country was overcast with uncertainty and fear. The women explained that the problem was not in the victory of Maduro, but in the fact that the government does little or nothing to curb the exploitation carried out by the black marketers.

Black market traders

“We’re not saying that the government is causing this problem you know, it is the black marketers causing it. What the people of Venezuela are upset about is that one time the issue was brought to their (the government) attention and they didn’t address it in a way that would have curbed the practice,” she said

The mother added: “The National Guard would go into the streets and take away people’s things, but eventually things will go back to normal... and those were things that caused people to become frustrated, and that is what sparked the protest.”

She continued: “Let me tell you something about Venezuelans, they are very family-oriented and they love to eat,” she said, pointing out that they want things to return to a state of normalcy, mainly the prices for basic commodities to go down. “That’s all we want,” she said with a smile.

But her daughter Lillian said the tension was not just about the lack of food as she accused President Maduro of being too critical of opposition supporters.

The women are in contact with family members in Venezuela, but feel a deep sense of insecurity in their homeland. They pointed out that January before they left for Guyana, robbery and other crimes were escalating.

The Gomezs are hoping that things will get better soon.

The Venezuelan government has accused the U.S. of supporting the unrest, and has suspended three of its diplomats in Caracas.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he is working with Colombia and other countries to form a mediation strategy for Venezuela’s political crisis.

Kerry said it would be “very difficult” for the two sides to come to an agreement without assistance, the BBC reported. The government and opposition accuse each other of not being open to dialogue.

Venezuelan authorities say 27 cases of rights abuses during the protests are being investigated. Student leaders say a fresh mass march will take place today, despite the start of the Carnival holidays.

Sunday Times 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

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Development second chance

The update by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Brazil on proposed infrastructural development should serve as a timely reminder to our political leadership that they have to arrive at some sort of “terms of engagement” sooner rather than later.

The gridlock over the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill has exposed a debilitating partisanship resulting in our developmental drive stagnating.

Every financial institution, from the World Bank to the Caribbean Development Bank, has pointed out the key role infrastructure played in the transformation of formerly poverty-stricken states such as China and India into burgeoning economic powerhouses. Our region was specifically identified as severely lagging in this regard but for Guyana, the lacuna is particularly extreme.

The four projects identified in the MoU – an asphalted highway between Linden and Lethem, a hydro-power facility, transmission lines to conduct its generated power and a deep-water harbour – can definitely be game changers if they are brought to fruition.

While one would have thought the benefits of these projects would be self-evident to even the most blinkered observer of the Guyanese scene, with the attitude adopted by the opposition on the AMLCFT Bill, it might be useful to spell them out. We boast that our country has 83,000 square miles of territory but in reality, for the most part we are as land deficient as any of our fellow West Indian territories.

Ninety per cent of our population are strung along a one-mile deep, 200-mile long strip on the Atlantic Coast that makes us even more densely populated than Trinidad, with twice our population.

The Linden-Lethem Highway, which would connect to the Linden-Georgetown Highway, would finally open up our country for settlement, much as the first railroad connecting the east and west coasts of the U.S.A. did for that country, 150 years ago. One can speculate at the transformative changes that would be wrought just from the transportation of goods from Northern Brazil to the Atlantic Ocean.

This is being quantified before proceeding. But Guyanese would also be facilitated to settle along the Highway, with the knowledge that Georgetown or Lethem would be merely hours away. At the present the treacherous trail scares off all but the intrepid.

While being a separate project, the deep water harbour, most likely in Berbice, is integrally linked with the Highway, since the raisin d’être for the latter would be the transhipment of Brazilian goods to ports in the Caribbean, the U.S., Canada and Europe. The handling and storage facilities to deal with these cargo would definitely provide a large economic boost to our economy.

The financing of these two projects would most likely come from Brazil since they would be the one that would benefit the most through savings generated by cutting in half the time for goods from Manaus to reach the North Atlantic.

The benefits from a massive hydro-electric project in the Upper Mazaruni, has been well rehearsed during the debate on the smaller Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP), no less than by the opposition themselves. The distribution network was also an aspect of the smaller project but since Brazil, in the person of former President Lula da Silva, had indicated their willingness to purchase any excess electricity generated, this would be more extensive and not so incidentally deliver electricity to southern Guyana, including Lethem.

Once again, it would be in Brazil’s interest to provide the funding for these projects or even to stand as guarantor to the China Development Bank or the China Ex-Imp Bank, which have indicated their interest in backing such projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.

We hope the requested feasibility studies will be expedited. But even more critical would be the opposition stop being fetters to the development of our country.

NACTA poll findings on AMLCFT Bill, LEAD project

Dear Editor,

An opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) last week found widespread support for passage of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Amendment Bill that has been stalled in parliament over the last several months.

The poll also found significant support for implementation of the proposed Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project that is funded by the United States International Republican Institute (IRI).

However, many people seem unfamiliar with the project and some respondents expressed concern about (hidden) motif(s) behind it, saying the government should have input in its implementation, including the power to reject it outright as should be its right in a sovereign nation.

The poll also revealed that crime and the economy (high cost of living) are the leading problems impacting on the nation, followed by poor governance and corruption, drug trafficking, and other concerns.

The poll was conducted to determine peoples’ views on current controversial is-

sues that are considered as impediments to development. The survey randomly targeted 450 voters to yield a demographically representative sample (43 per cent Indians, 31 per cent Africans, 16 per cent Mixed, nine per cent Amerindians, and one per cent other races) of the population.

The results of the poll were analysed at a 95 per cent significance level and a statistical sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points was found. Sampling results based on subgroups (such as Indians or Africans alone) have a larger sampling error.

When asked whether they support the AMLCFT Bill, almost everyone answered in the affirmative. But when further queried “should the opposition parties support the bill”, respondents were divided.

Almost every government supporter favours the bill, while those supporting the opposition parties are divided, with some backing AMLCFT and some towing their party line in opposition to the bill.

Also, almost every businessman supports AMLCFT, appealing to the parties to pass the proposed legislation fearing a negative impact on their businesses and

the economy without its passage.

Businesspersons also expressed concern over the opposition’s proposed $2 million limit, as part of the bill, above which people must provide accountability on how the money was obtained.

Overall, 61 per cent of the nation said the opposition should support the government in passing the bill, with 24 per cent saying no and 15 per cent offering a neutral view or no response.

Queried whether they support the U.S.-funded LEAD project, 22 per cent said they don’t know much about it (not sure) to offer a comment, with 55 per cent saying “yes” and 23 per cent “no”.

When asked whether the U.S. Ambassador (D Brent Hardt) should implement the project without obtaining Guyana government’s approval, 50 per cent said “no”, including many opposition supporters, with 29 per cent saying “yes”, including government supporters, and 21 per cent not offering an opinion.

When asked whether the government and the U.S. Ambassador should work out a compromise on

implementation of LEAD, in light of government’s opposition to the project, a whopping 70 per cent said “yes”, with 11 per cent saying “no”, and 19 per cent not offering an opinion.

Asked what is the most important problem confronting the nation, 30 per cent said crime, 28 per cent high cost of living, 13 per cent poor governance issues and corruption, and eight per cent drug trafficking.

The remainder identified health, unemployment, ethnic relations, education, infrastructure (roads, flooding), lack of cooperation among the parties, among others, among the leading issues affecting the nation, with many voters complaining that the political parties don’t really show they have the interests of the people at heart.

Voters were also queried about the ratings of the government, ministers and parliamentarians, as well as support for the parties and their preference for president if a snap election is called.

The findings will be released in a subsequent report.

Respectfully submitted, Vishnu Bisram NACTA

Russia concernedextremely about situation in Ukraine

Dear Editor,

There have been armed confrontations between violent youths, extreme right nationalist organisations and units of law enforcement agencies, who defended peaceful civilians and interests of the state, in the capital and several other cities recently.

The agreement on settlement of this crisis in Ukraine of February 21 is not observed despite the fact that its signature was certified by Foreign Ministers of Germany, Poland and France, as well as the United States, the European Union (EU) and other international bodies welcomed this document.

Militants have not been unarmed, they refuse to leave the streets of cities, which are actually under their control, refuse to free administrative buildings, continue acts of violence.

We are surprised that several European politicians have already sprung to support the announcement of presidential elections in Ukraine this May, although the agreement of the February 21 envisages that these elections should take place only after the completion of the constitutional reform.

It is clear that for this reform to succeed all the Ukrainian political forces and all regions of the country must become its part, but its results should be approved by a nationwide referendum.

We are convinced that

it is necessary to fully take into account concerns of deputies of eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, the Crimea and Sevastopol, which were expressed at the conference in Kharkov on the February 22.

We are deeply concerned about the actions in the Ukrainian Verkhovnarada in terms of their legitimacy. Actually referring to the ‘revolutionary appropriateness’ only, they are stamping ‘decision’ and ‘laws’, including those aimed at deprivation of humanitarian rights of Russians and other minorities living in Ukraine.

There are calls to prohibition the Russian language almost fully, lustration, liquidation of parties and organisations, closing of undesirable mass media, removal of restrictions for propaganda of Neo Nazi ideology.

The course is to suppress those, who do not agree to this, in different Ukrainian regions by dictatorship and even terrorist methods. There are threats to Orthodox sanctities.

National radicals continue to scoff at monuments in different Ukrainian cities, while like-minded persons in some European countries besmear memorials to Soviet warriors. Such development of events disrupts the Agreement of February 22, discredits and guarantors, and create a threat to civil peace, stability in the community

and safety of nationals.

We are forced to note that some of our western partners are not concerned about the fate of Ukraine, but rather their own unilateral geopolitical considerations. There are no principled assessments of criminal actions of extremists, including their Neo-Nazi and antiSemitic manifestations.

All the more so, such actions are intentionally and unintentionally promoted. We cannot but get a sustainable impression that the Agreement of February 21 with silent consent of all its external sponsors is used as a cover only to promote the scenario of change of Ukrainian power by force through the creation of ‘facts on the ground’, without any wish to search for a Ukraine-wide consensus in the interests of national peace.

We are especially worried about the attempts to involve international structures, including the UN secretariat, into the approval of this position. We insistently appeal to all those who are part of this crisis in Ukraine to demonstrate maximum responsibility and to prevent further degradation of the situation, to return it to the ambit of the law, and to decisively stop those extremists, who are seeking power.

Sincerely yours,

Denis Kopyl Press Attache Russian Embassy in Guyana

A forgotten hero

Dear Editor,

It is often said that a sport star will die twice, the first time at retirement. For elite athletes who have dedicated their lives to sport, what happens when your time comes to an end?

Elite athletes train extensively for years, in many cases, consuming the majority of their young lives, often making extensive personal sacrifices in order to pursue their dreams of glory.

However, what happens to these athletes once they leave the days filled with rigorous training, and the buzz and adrenaline of competing?

No doubt, in his prime and time, Moses Dwarka was the best. His dominance as an athlete created an indelible mark on the minds of those who competed with him and the minds of those that just wanted to see him run.

Dwarka’s achievements and accomplishments in representing this nation regionally and internationally are testimony to his greatness.

With the depth of his brilliance, he triumphed over his entire struggle and odds. Dwarka was a well known individual, and his name was a household one, especially on race day. He was well known around the sugar estates and was a household name especially on race day. His competitors respected him and he like-

wise. Dwarka was aware of his running ability, his stamina, his endurance but never boasted any of it. His running did all the talking. He was well known around the sugar estates and was a household name especially on race day. His competitors respected him and he likewise. Dwarka was aware of his running ability, his stamina, his endurance but never boasted any of it. His running did all the talking. Dwarka knew his ability and never boasted his achievements. His running did all the talking.

Lots have dominated throughout their careers, but after their retirements, are brought up very little in sports conversations.

There are so many ath-

letes like this who were all we were talking about at one point in our lives and don’t even get a thought today. None of those athletes experienced a sadder fall from grace than Dwarka. He was well known around the sugar estates and was a household name especially on race day. His competitors respected him and he likewise. Dwarka was aware of his running ability, his stamina, his endurance but never boasted any of it. His running did all the talking.

We have all simply discarded him from our memories to make room for the next phenomenon who will capture our imaginations until he is unable to do so too. It’s appalling that a man of such stature has gone unnoticed. His brilliance as an athlete has long eluded us. Despite all the accolades he has won for this country, he has got nothing in return except for a Medal of Service in 1998, and recently, a stipend of $5000 per month which he is currently receiving.

This little master, who is well known as the “barefoot king” and hails from Better Hope, on the East Coast Demerara is living a simple life in his time of need, trying to make much from a mere National Insurance Scheme (NIS) allowance and an Old Age Pension!

Sincerely, Name withheld by request

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

I’m a big fan of cheesecake – whether it’s my Mom’s homemade cheesecake (well via Junior’s of Brooklyn recipe) or the slices I regularly buy for myself. I’m not that particular – graham cracker crust, sponge cake crust, whipped cream topping, cherry topping – I don’t mind whichever. Throw a slice my way and I’ll work my way through it. Luckily, the Rituals at Mount Hope is always well stocked with the requisite slices and a variety of toppings to meet my needs.

ly manages to cheer me up quite a bit. In all honesty, I’m never out of what I think are very solid reasons for eating cheesecake.

I think it’s important to reward ourselves every now and again even if it’s just with little

things. I mean, it’s not that we should be con -

stantly patting ourselves on the back for every single thing we do. But sometimes it’s nice to give ourselves a little treat for achieving our goals. How’d that sound?

A slice of cheesecake Help your child set goals

semester when the teachers start to pile on those assignments. It gets really easy to lose track of what needs to be done. Taking the time to plan ahead for what needs to be done really saves time in the long run – especially if you’re a serial procrastinator like I am.

I think the worst thing about procrastinating is the regret that comes after you hand in the assignment or write the exam, when you realise that you could have done so much better had you started earlier. It’s a feel-

I usually pick up a slice to reward myself, or as a little pick-me-up when I’m not feeling that upbeat. Usually it’s to reward myself for sur-

Told you I’m good at this!

But seriously, setting goals and specific deadlines for achieving those goals are important towards being efficient and organised so that the goals are realised. Especially for students, nearing the end of the

might make you more amenable to trying harder to meet your goals every time. Those days where nothing seems to go your way and even the skies seem gloomy are the days when you should take some time to listen to a favourite song, look at a funny video, or eat your favourite food. It’s amazing the effect those little things can have in changing your mood. The last are called ‘comfort food’ for a very good reason!

Happy Birthday to You!

ing most people are familiar with, since unfortunately, most people are guilty of procrastination.

But by managing your time better and setting goals and deadlines, you can avoid those last minute frantic allnighters that are most times rather counterproductive. Rewarding yourself for meeting your deadlines just

So what’s your slice of cheesecake? What’s your little thing that can brighten your day? Take some time out of your day or your week to reward yourself or to spoil yourself a little bit – sometimes you really deserve it! I’m back in Guyana for the long weekend to participate in our annual family Puja.

I discovered that even though it’s not public holidays, everything shuts down in Trinidad for their Carnival bacchanalian revelries. Even medical school. Have an enjoyable week, and I hope all of you achieve whatever goals you’ve set yourselves this week! I’ll be scrounging around for some cheesecake.

It can be difficult to reach goals, but for some gifted children, it can be nearly impossible. It’s not that they are incapable of reaching goals; it’s the way they go about setting their goals and working to attain them. One problem is that their goals are unrealistic. For example, a child might want to get a dog, but if he’s allergic to dogs, that’s not a realistic goal. Or the child expects to reach a goal overnight. Learning to play the piano is a great goal, but expecting to reach that goal in a week or two is unrealistic.

Another problem is that while some children may be good at setting a goal, they don’t understand how to reach it. They seem to think that just wanting something will somehow make it happen. This can be especially true of gifted children for whom everything comes easily. They can get discouraged, give up, and turn into underachievers.

Here’s how to help your child set and reach goals.

Determine the goal

The first step in achieving a goal is to identify one. Goals can be short-term or longterm, which means that a goal might be an immediate one or one that is in the future. In either case, all good goals have the same qualities in common:

Good goals are specific

If your child wants to set a goal of becoming a good student, he will have a hard time reaching that goal because it is not specific. Getting all A’s would be a more specific goal. Your child might want to learn to play the piano, but that is a long-term goal. It’s also alittle vague. Learning to play the

piano for personal enjoyment is one thing. Learning to play it to be in a band or orchestra is something else and being a concert pianist is something else yet again. For young children, learning to play the piano might be a sufficient long-term goal. Learning to play the scales on the piano is a specific short-term goal.

Good goals have deadlines Unless a goal has a deadline, it will be too easy to ignore it. If a child has a goal of learning to play the piano, but has no deadline, it may never happen. Long-term goals will have deadlines farther in the future than short-term goals, which is why it’s important to break long-term goals down into small-term goals. Learning to play the scales on the piano in two weeks is a good specific goal with a deadline.

Good goals are sincere

Your child’s goals should be hers, not yours. While you may want your child to get all A’s, that may not be your child’s goal. Unless the goal is one your child wants to reach, she won’t be motivated to reach it. Trying to encourage your child to reach your goals defeats the purpose of helping your child create goals and work to reach them. You may not like your child’s goals, but your job is to help him create and reach his own goals. If your child wants to be an archaeologist and you just want to help him work toward being a doctor, the goals your child is being asked to reach won’t be his and he may not work that hard to reach them. This can be especially important for intrinsically motivated children. (Giftedkids.about.com)

Jeffrey Iqbal to perform at Phagwah Mela and Bazaar

The Guyana International Conference Centre, Lilendaal, East Coast Demerara is the place to be on Saturday, when the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha hosts its spectacular annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar and Folk Dance Festival. Gates open at 16:00h.

A fabulous cultural programme has been planned featuring a star studded line-up of artistes. ZeeTV Saregamapa U.S. finalists and judges of E-Networks new television series “Emerging Voices”, Jeffrey Iqbal and Purnash Durgaprasad will give guest performances backed by the E-Networks Orchestra, which comprises musicians from India and Guyana.

Also singing for the event are Rekha Singh, Sookrane Bookdhoo, Mona Gowkarran, Aarti Sookhai, Govinash, Arisha Pooran and others. In addition, more than 30 dancers from the Sabha’s own Dharmic Nritya Sangh will be presenting several new and exciting choreographies.

A grand feature on the programme will be the much anticipated Folk Dance Festival. The Sabha is very happy with the great interest expressed by dance groups from across Guyana and looks forward to some electrifying performances from groups

beautifully decorated stage area to the bazaar featuring numerous food stalls offering a variety of sumptuous dishes and sweets, mehndi booths, games for all as well as great shopping deals on everything from Indian clothes and jewellery to Phagwah supplies to phones from Digicel,” the Sabha said in a release.

Strictly no alcohol will be allowed. Tickets cost $800 and children under five will be given free admission. Paid parking will be available within the

coming from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara. All of the dancers have been working hard on their performances and are excited to be part of the Folk Dance festival. Keen competition is expected for the top spots. In the past two years since the festival’s inauguration, the top spots were won by the Saraswati Dance Group of Essequibo and the Jewanka Nritya Group of West Coast Demerara.

Prizes

The first prize is $50,000 plus a trophy, second $40,000 plus trophy, third 30,000 plus trophy. Other participating groups will receive cash awards and trophies.

“The grounds of the conference centre will be transformed and patrons can move freely from the

Interview with Cuban anti-terrorist fighter Fernando Gonzalez (Part

1)

Havana – Prensa Latina, the official state news agency of Cuba, recently interviewed Cuban anti-terrorist fighter Fernando Gonzalez, who was on February 26 released from a U.S. prison after completing a long and unjust sentence.

He is the second of a group of spies who became known as the Cuban Five to be freed. They were convicted in 2001 on charges including conspiracy.

Prosecutors said the five had sought to infiltrate U.S. military bases and spied on Cuban exiles in Florida. Gonzalez was originally sentenced to 19 years but his jail term was later reduced. At the time of his release, he had served more than 15 years in prison. Below is an excerpt of the interview.

Prensa Latina: Could you mention the five words you have had on your mind more often in these years you have unjustly spent in prison? If you wish, you can elaborate on one or all of them.

question marks, and a long list of wishes waiting to come true, which makes it difficult to plan right now for a day as distant as February 14, 2015. Even if my answer is not the one you wanted or expected, I know you understand. But since I have a whole year to think about how to celebrate that day, I can assure you that I’ll do my best to make it very special. That I have already decided.

Prensa Latina: If you could talk to President Barack Obama, what would you tell him about your case and that of your comrades’?

compound of the conference centre. Patrons can also choose to park outside for free. The Sabha has expressed gratitude to Digicel, the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI), the National Television Network (NTN), Rent-a-Tent, Radio Guyana INC, TVG, ICEE, Shaline’s Flower Shop and E-Networks for their kind contributions towards the event. Tickets are available at Red Mango, Robb Street; Bhagwan’s, Water Street; E-Networks, Camp Street; and the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar; or call 2276181 or 219-1900.

Gonzalez: Cuba, family, gratitude, struggle, freedom Prensa Latina: This will be your last St Valentine’s Day behind bars and without your [wife] Rosa. What are you planning for the next one, which you will finally be able to spend in the arms of your beloved?

Gonzalez: Thank you very much for your question about one’s human side and feelings, for it will help readers get to know us better as human beings. Now that the day of my release from prison and return to Cuba after being holed up for so many years is just around the corner, it’s hard to think how I would like to spend such a significant date, but that’s still a year away. Many things come to mind in my last hours in prison about the experiences I will live through in the coming days, all of them sure to be quite intense. There are many

Gonzalez: My regards to Iroel Sánchez, whose works and others posted in La Pupila Insomne I read on a regular basis. I think it is very good blog with very good works and an important contribution to the struggle in the field of ideas and information. If I could talk to the President, I would ask him to

take an unprejudiced look, in his capacity as former professor of Constitutional Law, at the evidence in our case and the views that renowned and prestigious U.S. and foreign jurists have expressed about it; to make an unbiased reading of the amicus briefs that more than 10 Nobel prize winners submitted to the Supreme Court; to try to make, as a former community activist, an impartial evaluation of the reality of life in Cuba, where I’m convinced he would see that many problems he worked so hard to solve in the streets of Chicago in his younger days have already been solved. He would see how hard our people work to have an ever more just society and realise that’s what the Five were defending. I would tell him that, as a politician, he should review history, the same history he has oftentimes urged us to forget, and see how Cuba has been forced to deal with over 50 years of aggression, and in many cases violent attacks, organised in Miami with no action whatsoever on the part of the authorities in charge of preventing them. Hence, the need for what the Five were doing.

May he reach his own conclusions after looking at the whole issue from these three angles and, if he manages to do so objectively, I’m sure the four of us would join René in Havana the following day

Eyew tness Bitch-slapped...

...AFC

Some people never learn. They’re “hard ears”. Or could be, they think once they’ve romped in bed with someone, they’ve become so “tight”, they can take liberties. You know...”do what you want with he!!!” Take the AFC. Ever since the two thwarted underlings in the PPP/C and PNC – Ramjattan and Trotman – failed in their power grab in their respective parties, and launched their party, they’ve fawned over the TUC and courted its leader Lincoln “The Loud” Lewis.

The point, of course, being to weasel their way into the affections of the putatively “mammoth” membership of the labour grouping. That the said membership and its size was a figment of Lewis’ fevered imagination didn’t dampen the AFC’s ardour. So early in the day after the last elections, thinking he’d ingratiate himself into the favours of the bombastic Lewis, Ramjattan used the Tripartite Talks with President Ramotar to discuss salary increases for Public Service workers.

Ramjattan, of course, had long salivated at the thought of getting Public Servants’ votes. This would deliver a double whammy to his pipsqueak outfit – more seats in Parliament, but more importantly to show they were “multi-racial”. But no sooner than he’d opened his mouth and left OP, Lincoln “The Loud” bitch-slapped him mercilessly. “Who the hell were he and the AFC to think they could appropriate the right of trade unionists to bargain for their membership???!!!” the stentorian one screamed.

Never mind that the most savvy detective would’ve been hard pressed to detect any “negotiation” Lewis had conducted. But then again, it could be that he thought his long and tedious letters to the press – which no one could plough through – were “negotiations”. Be as it may, after the bitch-slapping, Ramjattan slunk away with his tail (and any other contiguous organs) between his legs. For good measure, he “wrung his ears” and said “sorry”.

In the following two years the AFC and Ramjattan slavishly curried favour with Lewis – marching up and down in the sun on one or the other political protests. (Ramjattan never dared to tell Lewis, the latter was poaching on his turf. A good bitch-slapping does make one diffident.) So Ramjattan must’ve felt that he and Lewis were “tight” again. Last Thursday, he proposed and got accepted in Parliament, renewal of the subvention for the Lewis-controlled Critchlow Labour Institute.

Only thing was, Ramjattan offered membership on the Board, to FITUG – which, Lewis knows, is the real Labour Umbrella in Guyana. We don’t have to tell you the denouement of this tale, do we?

Another salutary bitch-slapping for Ramjattan, that’s what – as Lewis rejected the move.

...government

But the irony of the whole sordid “sucking up” affair was the role of the government. As we pointed out yesterday, why did the government go along and accept that the opposition could violate an explicit Constitutional stipulation that forbid the latter from moving motions that involved spending? This is a Trojan Horse that they’d better scuttle.

But Lincoln the Loud gave the government another reason for looking stupid. Foaming at the mouth, Lewis thundered that the Critchlow Labour Institute was a “private institution”!! How dare the government or Parliament think they could appoint anyone to its Board? Seems that APNU had already raised this quid pro quo and Lewis had already summarily dismissed it.

The question for the government, of course, is why the heck they would want to give a subvention of $30 million to a private institution? Why can’t they get it through their thick skulls that they have to encourage private initiative? They did the same damned thing when they prevented the people of Linden from rebuilding One-Mile Primary School.

Please, Government, get out of the way of private initiative!!

...educator

Clarence Perry is an old “educator”. Yet the man thinks genetic inheritance of melanin is “social biology”. Hit too much on the head in the old days?

Gunmen terrorise Cummings Lodge family

Gunmen on Friday evening terrorised a family of four after invading their rented apartment at 920 Y, First Field, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Just after 23:30h on the night in question, five men, two of whom were armed with handguns gained entry into the apartment occupied by Pamela Phillips and her three children, demanding money and jewellery.

From all indications, the gunmen thought that Phillips was the owner of the shop in the lower flat of the two-storey building. The men escaped with the jewellery that the occupants were wearing at the time, money and a laptop.

When Guyana Times visited the location on Saturday morning, the still traumatised University of Guyana (UG) student, who hails from North West District, explained that they were preparing to retire to bed when she heard a creaking sound coming from the back of the apartment and asked her 16-year-old son to check.

The son reportedly told her that he saw some shadows by the window, and as he was about to look out, the men made their way into the house.

As they entered, the woman said that one of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it to her and her daughter.

“When I thought was one, the others start coming in the sitting room and hit my son to his head, tied his hands behind his back with the vest he was wearing and put him to lie face down on the ground,” Phillips added.

The robbers focused their attention on her son, striking him in the face.

“One choke him and place a gun to his neck and started to inquire about the money… they started to ransack the whole place, suitcases and so, but I told them that I don’t have money.”

Items taken away

The woman further stated that they relieved her of a ring she was wearing and took her purse and her son’s laptop.

Phillips said that they were instructed not to make any sound and they complied, taking into consideration that the men held them at gun point. At this time, she recalled that the men asked her for the keys to the shop and the sales for the day, but they were a little disappointed when she told them that she was just renting an apartment and neither was she the owner of the shop nor connected in any way.

The men, who she described as very young, then made their way through the window from which they entered, to the upper flat of the house. After a few minutes, she heard screams followed by neighbours running to-

wards the house.

The men, she noted, were subsequently seen scaling the fence as they made good their escape. The woman’s son, Romario Cupido recalled his experience with the gunmen and thought that they would have done something drastic to get money. He explained that he was in the living room when he saw the men coming through the window, but by the time he attempted to move, one of them struck him in the face and ordered him to lie face down.

He said that as he was lying face down, one of the men had a gun to his head while another went into the bedroom demanding money and jewellery from his mother.

He recalled his mother telling them that she was not the owner of the shop and they left the room. As they were heading through the window, he got up and checked on his mother to see if she was okay, and was happy that she was not physically hurt.

Phillips said the faces of two of the robbers were covered while the other two were exposed.

Big reduction in city garbage expected by 2016

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Management and Compliance Department

Director Khemraj Parsram said the immediate aim of the anti-littering regulation is to reduce garbage in the city by at least 50 per cent by 2016.

He made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ consultation on the Environmental Protection (Litter Enforcement) Regulations 2013, towards creating a public-private partnership to ensure proper understanding and enforcement of the regulation.

The consultation which was held at Duke Lodge, Kingston attracted stakeholders from both the private and public sectors. It entailed presentations on the regulation by staff of the EPA, the agency tasked with the responsibility of executing the regulation.

There are five main areas under the Environmental

Protection (Litter Enforcement) Regulations

2013: littering by individuals, litter from vehicles, littering on private premises, local authority and litter prevention, wardens and litter prevention wardens.

Under the category of littering by individuals, which relates to individuals throwing garbage in a public place, the charge under the first offence is $50,000 per person or $100,000 per business.

Litter from vehicles

The same penalty applies for the litter from vehicles component of the regulation, which deals with litter being thrown out of private motor vehicles.

A fine of $30,000 or six months imprisonment will be given to individuals who are found littering another person’s property without consent under the littering on private premises component.

This component also states that if a person is found to have committed the same of-

fence twice, that person will be required to pay double the maximum fine attached to the original offence. If the person fails to do so, then he/ she will be liable to imprisonment of up to five months.

The local authority and litter prevention wardens’ component of the regulation relates to the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and other agencies appointed by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. These agencies will be responsible for the provision of receptacles for litter, and ensuring that public places are kept in a clean and tidy manner.

The litter prevention wardens are individuals who will be certified by the Minister to arrest persons found guilty under the regulations.

EPA legal advisor Richard Layne noted that simplified copies of the regulation will be circulated to educate the public about it.

Chancellor receives revised Laws of Guyana

Alarge component of the Modernisation of the Justice Administration Project has been the revision of the Laws of Guyana and on Friday, copies were presented to the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) representative Sophie Makonnen and acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh.

Upon receipt of her copy from Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Makonnen said she was pleased to see the results of this component of the project. The IDB, country representative added that it is her hope that the bank and the government can continue to work together.

During the ceremony which was held at the Sleep Inn Hotel, copies of the compilation were on display to the gathering which consisted of several top ranking officials from the legal fraternity.

Giving an overview of this component of the project, Project Coordinator Justice Claudette Singh said the laws have been updated as of December 2010, despite

the many challenges faced in making this project a reality and success.

“The protracted delay in the updating exercise was as a result of the gross underestimation of the subsidiary legislation involved with each set of the laws which now consists of 18 volumes of substantive and subsidiary legislation,” she said.

This, Singh said, is a requirement under the Law Revision Act which states that every page of each volume should contain a reference to the Law Revision Order which authorises its inclusion in the laws.

Challenges faced

Speaking of some of the challenges the team faced in conducting the review, Singh noted that there were four attempts to have the laws revised, but each were unsuccessful.

“Prior to this edition updated, there were attempts to have the law revised but all failed, but in 2007, a loan contract was signed with the IDB for this Modernisation of Justice Project and initially it

would have been updated as of 2006, but that eventually changed.”

Meanwhile, Minister Nandlall expressed how pleased he was about this achievement for the judicial sector.

“We are part of a historic exercise as Justice Singh pointed out, it has been a 35 – year hiatus in our law revision exercise and I would like to assure you that we will not wait another 34 years for this to happen.”

To this end, the Minister said a Law Revision Commission has been established within the Legal Affairs Ministry and that commission will begin its work shortly. Employees have already been trained to ensure the continuous exercise of revising the Laws of Guyana.

“Momentous indeed as this occasion is, I ask that it not be looked at in isolation, but be viewed against the backdrop of what we are undertaking and we are executing… to improve the legal architecture and judicial landscape of our country.”

Pointing to several other projects, which have been done in keeping with improving the justice sector, the Minister spoke of new magistrates’ courts that have been built or refurbished, and living quarters for magistrates constructed in interior locations.

While speaking of the administration’s commitment to the sector, the Minister said he was not pleased with some occurrences within the fraternity.

“Only recently we launched the Law Reports. That was another exercise that endured a 30 odd years’ lapse. I said when I launched those reports that that exercise will continue as well. I said then that I would have hoped that the exercise would have been a cost recovery one, and would not have affected the national budget.”

On completion of that project, Minister Nandlall said a price was set after consulting with the bar, a price he said all felt was reasonable in terms of affordability and one which would have captured the cost of production for those reports.

Disappointing response

“Unfortunately, I am to report that the response from the Bar has been disappointing. We have piles and piles of report in stock and not being purchased despite my appeals to members of the practising bar.”

The Minister said he has learnt of the horrendous reality of lawyers actually pirating the reports by way of photocopying and duplicating same, for sale.

“It’s a highly regrettable state of affairs coming from lawyers who are really the targets, the litigants will not buy reports, they were printed for lawyers, and I thought they would have seen this as an initiative they would partner with me on, to ensure that we have a reliable and professional and institutionalised method and system of law reporting.”

The Minister added that it is his hope that this will not be the case for the revised law, as he is still hoping that persons will start purchasing the Law Reports so as to facilitate the commencement of the process for the next set of law reports likewise the revised laws.

Cricket tragic

Satiricus is a “cricket tragic”. Meaning he loves cricket but the sentiment was never reciprocated on the cricket field. But like most unrequited love, the rejection only made the flame of his love for the game burn brighter. And like any self-respecting cricket couch potato, he followed every scrap of news on the game. Even the background stuff.

So his day was made when he read the Guyana Cricket Board had moved to the courts to stop the National Assembly from passing a Motion to have cricket be organised in accordance with the law. What nonsense!!! Who were the government and the opposition to say cricket should be placed under the law? Didn’t they know that cricket was a law unto itself? And if cricket was above the law, shouldn’t the administrators of cricket also be above the law?

Satiricus was no legal whiz – well he wasn’t even a lawyer, to his eternal chagrin – but this didn’t need any legal background, did it? Who the heck were the government and the opposition and all the legislators to think they could poke their noses into the sacred game? What the heck did they ever do for cricket? Build the Stadium at Providence? Jeez, that only cost $4 billion which the government had to borrow from India and all Guyanese had to repay in 20 years.

Up kept grounds all over the country? Well they should be grateful to be given an opportunity to serve cricket and its administrators. After all, the latter had to do the back breaking labour of signing letters that players took to the U.S. Embassy to get visas. It wasn’t their fault that most of the players didn’t return. And look how much “bad name” these administrators got! Satiricus’ blood boiled in anger at the high handedness of the politicians from both sides of the bench to tell these long suffering officials they should get their associations legally incorporated!

“Heck!” Satiricus exclaimed, “Didn’t these stupid politicians realise that cricket was an amateur sport?” It was a game for gentlemen. Look how hardworking these officials were – and without a salary! They jetted off to capitals in first class and had to stay in five star hotels and only get an honorarium of US$5000 per day. This was chicken feed to the gentlemen and forced them to live like peasants. The shame.

It wasn’t their fault that cricket now generated billions of dollars in revenues. That didn’t mean that these gentlemen had to get into the grubby business of getting bookkeepers and auditors to keep accounts, did it? Satiricus fumed, “What’s going on in this world, when a gentleman’s word is not their bond?”

Satiricus hoped the courts would do the right thing and let the game remain in the hands of the honourable gentlemen class. And cricket officials were all honourable, weren’t they?

… expected to assume post on March 15

Portion of T&HD pontoon at Parika Stelling stolen Seelall is next police commissioner – sources

President Donald Ramotar said a pronouncement regarding the post of Police Commissioner is expected to be made this week through the Home Affairs Ministry.

However, information reaching this publication revealed that Deputy Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who is currently the Crime Chief, is expected to assume the top post as soon as March 15.

Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, whose last day on the job was supposed to be Friday, will stay on briefly to facilitate a smooth transition for his successor. He is expected to leave in full in March.

Brumell took up the post as Police Commissioner in October 2013 after acting in the position since

December 19, 2011, when then Police Commissioner Henry Greene became embroiled in controversy. Greene subsequently died in a road accident on West Coast Demerara. Ever since, Brumell has

GRPA launches walk-in clinic, youth movement

The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) on Friday launched its Youth Advocacy Movement and Walk-in Youth Clinic at its Quamina Street, Georgetown office.

GRPA Executive Director

Patricia Sheertan-Bisnauth said the centre caters for anyone who wishes to seek health services, information or guidance on a particular matter.

She stated that with the launch, the association will seek to engage youths to get more involved in their health and well-being and to make healthcare and health services fun and friendly.

Sheertan-Bisnauth said currently, the chief task at hand is to educate, assist and encourage the reduction of teenage pregnancy in Guyana.

It was noted that teenage pregnancy is fast becoming a national dilemma and all parties must take an active interest to reduce it.

“It is time we have an open and frank discussion in a healthy way. Sexual education should not be a hide-

away topic,” she noted.

Sheertan-Bisnauth further encouraged those in attendance to stay in school, not to be easily distracted and to focus on acquiring a sound education. She encouraged teachers to advocate for sex education in school as this can be helpful in solving the problem.

Women Across Differences (WAD) and United Nations Population Fund youth advisors were also at the launch. One youth advisor, who shared her experiences as a teen mom, called on young girls to pay attention to their education and empowering themselves.

In addition to the launch of the youth clinic, the organisation also launched its Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM), which is expected to help raise awareness of teenage pregnancy and mentor youths.

With the launch of the clinic, individuals can access sexual reproduction and orientation education, one-onone counselling, group counselling, blood sugar and pressure testing, among others.

been on top of his game and has implemented a number of plans to tackle crime.

Persaud, 50, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Management and a PostGraduate Diploma in International Studies from

the University of Guyana (UG).

He also holds a Certificate Course for Senior Executives in National and International Security from Harvard University.

Persaud was head of the Police Narcotics Branch, Secretary to the Joint Anti-Narcotic Operations Committee, Chairman of the Caribbean Working Group of the International Drug Conference and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Standing Committee on Intelligence.

Persaud also completed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Standard Officers Course and investigating courses at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Scottish Police College.

Police have launched an investigation into the disappearance of a portion of a pontoon belonging to the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) that was docked at the Parika Ferry Stelling.

According to information received, the discovery was made on Saturday morning by officials when checks were made to the vessel.

Transport and Harbour Minister Robeson Benn told Guyana Times that the pontoon was docked at the Parika Stelling in December and was utilised by the management of the facility.

He said the pontoon was supposed to be brought to the Demerara Harbour

Bridge to be used there. However, he noted that from all indications, the perpetrators loosed off a 4’X8’ portion of the equipment and made good their escape with it. He confirmed that the police have several leads and are working with stelling officials as they continue their investigations.

A police source told Guyana Times that immediately after the matter was brought to their attention on Saturday morning, an investigation was launched.

He said from all indications, the perpetrators used a welding torch to take off the metal plates from one section of the pontoon.

More biased, vindictive reporting

The recent report published by the Kaieteur News relating to the illness of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said can only be described as another example of that news outfit’s obsession with this outstanding Guyanese leader, who has become a target for personal vilification and scurrilous attacks.

In a captioned article on February 24, “Jagdeo airdashed to Florida”, Kaieteur News again gave another abysmal display of unethical and unprofessional journalism, with its inevitable strategy of misrepresentation, and attempt at misleading.

This is best described as insensitive and inhumane, to report on the illness of someone, and at the same time attacking their character.

As in the case of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, the Kaieteur News has demonstrated gross disrespect for his condition, while subtly attacking his stewardship as the paper in the said article mentioned that the President was mired in controversial projects.

Decency would have dictated a courteous get well, from any

professional publication that understands the meaning of protocol, and what ethical reporting is all about. Instead, the publishing house has chosen a most delicate period for another lurid display of dishonesty in its attempt at misleading the public into believing that the four projects mentioned are all that the Jagdeo administration has ever implemented with regards to Guyana’s development. In essence, what this private, daily print has attempted to do, is to narrow the former president’s contribution to Guyana’s inter-

nationally lauded economic success.

Better life In keeping with the mandate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-led administration to modernise Guyana and provide a better life for its people, Jagdeo’s tenure saw an unfolding of a plethora of socioeconomic projects that have irrevocably laid the platform for, thereby setting into motion, the transformative process that is so evident throughout Guyana. Led by this visionary former President, Guyana rose from a state that was once the ‘eye pass’ among its sister Caricom island member states, where Guyanese were painfully disrespected, and the country a virtual pariah in the international community, to one that has been lauded by all the multilateral financial agencies, basking in their fulsome praises for what they have all described as responsible fiscal management of the local economy by the PPP/C government.

The attack by the Kaieteur News on the former President is not only akin to the greatest disservice that could ever have been done to a leader who must

be credited for his selfless devotion to making Guyana what it is today – a middle income state, but a demonstration of the publisher’s relentless personal vendetta. In toto, the remake of Guyana must be credited in many ways to President Jagdeo, and the following projects stand as a monument to his vision for a modern state, underpinned by the information technological revolution that is emerging in all spheres of national life. These include the gradual modernisation of the country’s state health system that has resulted in the building of infrastructure such as hospitals, inclusive of four state-of-the-art diagnostic centres, new in-patient facilities at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, newly-established departments for cardiology and kidney surgical procedures and dialysis, cancer treatment, burns, diabetic foot treatment, health centres, and numerous training programmes for postgraduate medicine and upgrade of medical skills.

Transformational projects

The construction of numerous schools, upgrade of teacher training that now includes teach-

ers from the hinterland; and, other programmes, notably the free uniform and school feeding initiatives, and the Hinterland Scholarship Programme have resulted in an improved delivery of education throughout the nation’s classrooms; the University of Guyana, Tain Campus; the Hinterland Development programmes that are transforming the hinterland communities into self-sustaining socioeconomical units; the National Stadium; the National Aquatic Centre; the Guyana International Conference Centre; the re-building of Guyana’s international image; the realisation of the dream of the Berbice Bridge; the upgrade of major roadways, culverts and bridges; the fibreoptic cable project that is intended to revolutionise the telecommunications sector; the innovative programme of distributing 90,000 laptops to low income families, coupled with the installation of a computer laboratory in every school; the internationally acclaimed Low Carbon Development Strategy with its accent on the development of a green economy, and its development components for Amerindian com-

munities; the ongoing Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project; the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, that when actualised will completely transform Guyana, both socially and economically; and the proposed Specialty Hospital.

A pivotal factor that has been indisputably responsible for the sustained economic development and growth of Guyana has been the prudent management of its fiscal affairs that has been concomitant with its socioeconomic development policies. This astute policy has been responsible for the insula-

2, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

reporting by Kaieteur News

Cheddi Airport

Amaila that when completely transsocially and proposed that has responsieconomgrowth of prudent affairs concomitant with development policy has insula-

tion of Guyana from the severe economic consequences of the international financial meltdown, which effects are still evident, both regionally and internationally.

High praise

Only recently, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr William Warren Smith had this to say: “Guyana is a good example of a country that has done some of the right things….They have come a very, very long distance in terms of their fiscal situation. They have been responsible in terms of ad-

dressing it… generally; there is a lot of vibrancy in the Guyanese economy. Just by casual observation, one can see that there is a lot of construction that is taking place in the country… you can almost see the country changing in front of your eyes, and so is just a casual indication of the extent to which economic activity is vibrant and buoyant in that country.”

Obviously, this is an independent assessment of the nation’s economic growth and development. Such comments could have only been made, because of the numerous growth and development initiatives of the former President overtime and which has continued under the astute stewardship of President Donald Ramotar.

No country that is serious about advancing its development process to modernisation status will implement miniscule programmes of a piecemeal nature, for such will not usher in the development socioeconomic revolution necessary for the qualitative changes in the lives of its citizens. The highly successful housing programme which has afforded tens of thousands of Guyanese of all stra-

ta, affordable homes is a perfect signpost of life-changing projects that has characterised the changing socioeconomic landscape of Guyanese.

Therefore, this further explains why groundbreaking projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydro-electric project, the Marriott Hotel project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project and the Skeldon Modernisation project have been undertaken.

Objective analyses of each of these monumental undertakings, relevant to the nation’s development needs, will explain their entire relevance towards the changes necessary: first, for making the country self-sufficient in energy supply, that will encourage further domestic investment particularly for industrialisation, manufacturing and value added products; secondly, for improving Guyana’s hospitality sector as a genuine locale for tourists; thirdly, as a destination that has been attracting increased tourist arrivals, hosting international conferences, attracting other larger airlines since Guyana can become a hub for flights to Africa and Asia; and, for safeguarding

the future of one of Guyana’s major foreign exchange earners, while concomitantly ensuring the employment security of the thousands that participate in its daily production.

Challenges Of course, there have been challenges with the Skeldon project, but that does not categorise such as a ‘failure’, as is being touted by the Kaieteur News. In fact, it must be emphasised that while many sugar producing countries were forced to close their sugar factories, President Jagdeo and the PPP-led government rose to the challenge of the Skeldon Project, thereby ensuring the continuation of the economic livelihood of the thousands who depend on the industry.

It begs the question as to why should such interventions, with their tremendous transformative potential, that when realised will forever change the lives of its beneficiaries and upgrade the country’s economic standing, must be constantly derided by the Kaieteur News.

No government, that is as responsible as the PPP/C, and has taken its mandate of

providing an improved quality of life for its citizens, irrespective of party support, seriously, will conceive, plan, negotiate for loans/grants, then execute such projects for mere grandiose. It must be emphasised, that governments are rated for their individual competence and ability to govern, among other factors, by how well they understand the development imperatives of their respective states, especially with regards planning and funding for projects.

So much has been written about the well known proclivity of the Kaieteur News to use its media for the unedifying, and slanderous programme of misrepresentation, culture of misleading, and vilification of state functionaries. It is an orchestrated strategy that spearheads its ongoing political vendetta with an administration, which tolerance must be applauded for its overwhelming patience. One would have expected a maturity and respect for an occasion such as the illness of a former Headof State. Instead, it has been met with another show of journalism that belongs to the pits.

Finally, one can judge the vision and soundness of these and other projects that have been conceived and set in motion by the former President Jagdeo administration, by the fact of their seamless transition to, and continuation by, the President Donald Ramotar administration. No amount of misrepresentation or misleading by the likes of unprofessional media, inclusive of the Kaieteur News, will ever be able to refute what is already known and accepted, that Bharrat Jagdeo is the architect of the modern Guyana.

New educational partnership to offer master's in food security

Anew educational partnership will soon be putting knowledge into the hands of thousands of professionals working in food security and nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean. Individuals and institutions will be able to gain access to a broad suite of online courses to develop their capacity to improve policies and programmes.

The initiative will offer a new master’s programme in food security, in addition to e-learning courses currently offered by FAO. The programme partnership will target current and potential policymakers through a vast network of over 220 universities in the region.

With the support of the European Union (EU), FAO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUAL) to develop the education programme.

Rollout of new courses

FAO and UDUAL will work with the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to develop the curricula. Rollout of the new courses is slated for January 2015.

The aim is to further develop the capacities of a wide range of food security professionals, including nutritionists, statisticians, market analysts and others who

work primarily in government ministries and institutions. E-learning tools will also be available to farmers, traders and agriculture workers interested in the subjects covered.

“With this partnership we will make a major contribution to developing the capacity of professionals and practitioners in Latin America and the Caribbean to address food security issues,” FAO’s Office for Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development Director Marcela Villarreal said.

“This is a very cost effective and meaningful way to contribute to the fight against hunger in the region.”

“This new partnership will link regional expertise with FAO’s global per-

spective and knowledge,” said FAO Assistant Director General Maria Helena Semedo.

“It will allow us to reach more people, more quickly, helping them to design effective nutrition and food security policies and programmes, and ultimately, helping them to improve lives. Scaling up food and nutrition policies is crucial if the continent wants to eradicate hunger by 2025.”

“Directly training every policymaker is simply impossible,” IICA Deputy Director General Lloyd Day said, pointing out that “traditional learning requires significant expense in travel, resources and time. But with e-learning we can reach those individuals and trainers of trainers who otherwise could not afford to take advantage of

these courses”.

Day added that the more people reached, the more successful this initiative will be in “developing the capacities of individuals and governments to base decisions on sound science and accepted policy to help provide safe and less expensive food to a hungry world”.

“To me, this agreement is about how knowledge and policy can join together to provide solutions to food insecurity,” UDUAL Secretary General Roberto Escalante said.

Addressing hunger

“Good policies are informed by knowledge. Universities joining forces with organisations, like FAO and IICA, to build knowledge on food security represent a great way to address hunger.”

The EU consistently supports FAO in development of its current roster of e-learning courses on food security. The EU and FAO are partnering under the Improved Global Governance for Hunger Reduction programme, working with countries to improve nutrition, strengthen resilience and enhance food security.

The programme emphasises the value of inclusive dialogue, accurate information and regional and national policy processes in the design of policies and programmes.

Floodaffected Pomeroon farmers receive seedlings

Affected Pomeroon farmers recently received fruit seedlings, compliments of the Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Agriculture Producers Association (GAPA).

The first set of plants was distributed by junior Agriculture Minister Alli Baksh, Permanent Secretary George Jarvis, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud and Regional Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo.

The good gesture is intended to assist farmers to recover from their losses in the January floods.

The orange, lime, tangerine, guava, passion fruit and avocado, among other seedling, were distributed to the thankful farmers

The seedlings were provided by National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute, Charity, Essequibo Coast.

Younge’s take

This ‘new dispensation’ and the ‘control freakism’ syndrome

The “new dispensation”, birthed when Guyanese went to the polls back in 2011, is continuously failing to meet the electorate’s expectations regardless of their socio-political orientation.

This dispensation, widely touted by the opposition political parties that coined the term, has led to gridlock, confusion, betrayal and a heightened lack of trust among the main political actors here. It has led to the usage of the legislature to settle political feuds, engineer personal attacks and, not surprisingly, stymie development across the board.

It is clear that the mandate handed to the representatives in the National Assembly is not being respected or pursued by those duly elected to champion the people’s cause on both sides of the divide.

Or was the mandate given to use the parliament to develop and engineer bills and motions aimed only at getting revenge on former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is one of this country’s longest serving former presidents and still a beacon of hope for the masses?

Was the mandate to go after the ruling administration, its members and their assets? Or did Guyanese ask their representatives to oppose every macro-economic measure presented to the parliament that could fast track development here and improve the country’s socio-economic status?

Rational thinkers may argue differently. They would advance the position that the mandate was to create an atmosphere where the ruling administration would be encouraged through new policies to practice good governance while at the same time improving their administration of public funds.

The mandate, given by the electorate, was for parliamentarians to lobby for measures that would tackle critical bread and butter issues while at the same time dealing with things that would directly impact the quality of life they are enjoying.

The truth is, the 10th Parliament on whose foundation the new dispensation lays, has spent much time fighting Jagdeo, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and some extant Constitutional provisions (which are artefacts of its own creation in the past).

It has achieved little as far as advancing the real interests and mandates given to it by the people are concerned. Sadly it has done irreparable damage to the innards of Guyana’s political system and its future development. It has shown that the form of democracy practised here can easily be undermined by an opposition willing to ignore the constitution.

The new dispensation has led to the development of a bout of the ‘control freakism’ syndrome in the 65-seat Legislature. This term was coined by Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan. Both sides of the House appear bent on having their way with respect to legislation and their respective agendas.

Parliament is no longer a place where rational debates and reason dictate the outcome of legislation and issues deliberated on. It is no longer a caucus where partisan interests are put aside and the national good reigns supreme. Some would even argue that it is no longer the institution that gives examples of working together, achieving compromise and consensus.

It has become a bargain house and a game shop where only the most powerful in number reign supreme. The parliament and new dispensation have been reduced to an arena of ransom politics and political blackmailing.

Almost every parliamentary sitting is marred by unparliamentary behaviour on both sides and infighting. The opposition appears to be sick with the most serious bout of ‘control freakism’ and are unwilling to give the government the benefit of the doubt in any situation. They know best and their way is the only way.

Some would contend that the government to a lesser extent must accept blame for the failure of the new dispensation. When the opposition parties combine their seats, they overpower the vote of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) by one seat. Yet, the PPP/C continues to force legislation and adopt positions which it knows will not find favour with this new breed of opposition regardless of the legitimacy of the policies advanced. Should it not engage in “horse trading”?

The parliamentary parties – AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – have not managed to work together under this new dispensation in the parliament when it matters the most. This same dispensation has killed the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Power Project, crippled the Specialty Hospital Project and the Cheddi Jagan Airport Expansion Project, while undermining the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill.

What will be the next prey for this ever thirsty and ever hungry, as well as over-rated, new dispensation...it has become a case of same script, different cast...or simply put, ‘déjà vu’.

Russian Parliament approves troop deployment in Ukraine

Russia’s upper house of Parliament has approved President Vladimir Putin’s request for Russian forces to be used in Ukraine. He had asked that Russian forces be used “until the normalisation of the political situation in the country”.

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, where many ethnic Russians live. Kiev has reacted angrily to days of military movements in Crimea, accusing Moscow of trying to provoke the new government into an armed conflict.

Interim President Olexander Turchynov has called an emergency session of his security chiefs. Meanwhile, big pro-Russian rallies have been held in several Ukrainian cities outside Crimea:

In Donetsk, Viktor Yanukovych’s traditional stronghold, demonstrators from a crowd of some 7000 tried unsuccessfully to occupy the regional administration building, raising a Russian tricolour on a nearby flag-post.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-biggest city, dozens of people were injured after scuffles between pro- and anti-Russian protesters broke out outside the regional administration building

In Mariupol, in the southeast, hundreds of protesters

Bahamas

carrying Russian flags gathered outside the city council in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin submitted the request for troops “in connection with the extraordinary situation in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of Russian citizens”, the Kremlin said.

The upper house went into a special session almost immediately after Putin made the request, and swiftly approved it. Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said, however, that this “does not mean that this right will be used quickly” to deploy troops.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “deeply concerned” by Moscow’s move and. Ukrainian politician Vitali Klitschko has urged the interim government to declare a “national mobilisation”.

UN emergency session

The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session in the coming hours, and EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the situation. The BBC’s Richard Galpin in Moscow says it is potentially significant that Putin’s request was for deployment in Ukraine as a whole, and not specifically for flashpoints such as Crimea.

Earlier, the Lower House

turns

green with all-electric cars

The Bahamas has joined forces with the Cayman Islands in promoting a greener economy by offering all-electric vehicles (EV’s) for sale and lease.

EASY Eco-Car, a division of EASY Car Sales, one of the most successful and respected pre-owned car dealerships in The Bahamas, established in 2009, will be the first to offer 100 per cent electric vehicles for sale and lease in the country. Vehicles will be distributed by Cayman Automotive Leasing, located in Grand Cayman.

of Parliament had urged the president to take whatever measures were necessary to “stabilise” the situation in Crimea.

During the upper house debate, one legislator accused U.S. President Barack Obama of crossing “a red line” with his comments that there would be costs if Russia intervened militarily in Ukraine. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Around the World

Venezuelan activists urge more protests

Venezuelan activists have called for nationwide protests after 41 people were arrested in street battles between government forces and protesters.

Leaders of the activist wing of the opposition, legislator Maria Corina Machado and members of the Popular Will party, led by jailed exmayor Leopoldo Lopez, called on people to rally on Saturday against what they called “repression, torture and persecution.”

This comes as eight foreigners were arrested during a rally in Caracas on charges of “international terrorism,” state VTV television said.

Popular Will said that an arrest warrant was issued for Carlos Vecchio, the party’s national political coordinator, accused of crimes linked to the protests that include arson and criminal damage.

On Friday, hooded protesters set up barricades and responded with a steady barrage of Molotov cocktails

against the National Guard, as they were fired on with water and tear gas canisters in an attempt to break up the crowd in Caracas’ wealthy district of Chacao.

Venezuela’s journalist association SNTP has said that one of the foreigners arrested was U.S. freelance reporter Andrew Rosati, from the Miami Herald.

Detained

Rosati was detained for half an hour and released after being “struck in the face and his abdomen” by security forces, the SNTP, said on Twitter.

Also detained and released was a team of journalists from the Associated Press, the SNTP said. The SNTP also said that Italian photographer Francesca Commissari, who works for the local daily El Nacional, was being held.

In the past week, the Venezuelan government threatened to expel CNN if it

did not “rectify” its coverage of the unrest. Government officials released no details on the arrest of foreigners.

Angry at the policies of the country’s leftist government, three weeks of violent protests against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government have left 18 dead, with the crisis showing little sign of abating.

Protest organiser Alfredo Romero, president of the Venezuelan Penal Forum, said 33 cases of “cruel and inhuman treatment or torture” have been reported to the public ombudsman.

The Venezuelan government said it was investigating 27 cases of human rights abuses, though it provided no details of possible wrongdoing.

Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz said that the death toll linked to the protests stood at 18, while of the 1044 that had been detained, 72 remain behind bars. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

John Felder, president and CEO of Cayman Automotive Leasing is considered a pioneer when it comes to the marketing and sales of electric vehicles in the Caribbean. Felder confirmed that, with the launch of the Bahamas electric car sales on Thursday, the Wheego LiFe all-electric vehicle will be the first EV available for sale and lease in The Bahamas.

The EV charging station infrastructure will be provided by Sun Country Highway Ltd, the fastest level 2 EV charging network and winner of The New Economy – 2013 Clean Tech Awards for “Best Automotive Solutions” in the world.

“Sun Country Highway will soon have 90 per cent of all Canadian roads, highways and freeways greened by placing well over 1000 EV charging stations across the nation, without requiring government funding,” said Kent Rathwell, president and founder of Sun Country Highway Ltd. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Ryan and Maria victorious in“Race to the Altar”

The “Race to the Altar” concluded Friday evening with mixed emotions at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

Amid the tears and excitement, the journey ended with future couple Mr and Mrs Ryan and Maria Fletcher as the winners of an all inclusive wedding scheduled for later this month.

The other participants of the competition walked away with several prizes, including discounts on items they would need for their wedding.

At the finale on Friday evening, the couples were made to recite a poem or perform a skit that would be dedicated to their partner.

The first couple to take to the podium was Denzil and Felicity. They explained that before they applied to be a part of the “Race to the Altar”, they were on the brink of going to the Guyana Post Office Corporation to make their union legal.

The second couple, Pride and Kamini, approached the podium to much cheer, with Pride performing a rather sincere and heart rendering poem entitled “Race to the Altar” and Kamini responding with a song, confessing her love

and pride in Pride.

Subsequent to the winners being announced, the couple explained that if they did not win, it will not in any way diminish their love for each other.

Kamini explained that as a couple, they like to keep certain things a mystery between them, but noted that as a result of the competition, she learned several things about Pride that she did not know, although they have been together for some 21 years.

In love

With their exit, entered couple number three, Nigel and Fareeda, who took to the stage belting out Whitney Houston’s “Judgment Day” and although they spoiled the song, their message was clear; they were in love and wanted to get married.

When the winning couple of the competition was announced, Fareeda broke down in tears as she expressed her disappointment of not winning. However, Nigel contended that he has Fareeda, and no victory can match that.

The fourth couple Ryan and Maria, who subsequently emerged as the winners of the coveted prize, took centre stage,

thanking the management and staff of Roraima for affording them the opportunity of a lifetime.

Maria performed a song that she dedicated to Ryan, and although her vocal abilities left much to be desired, the message and emotion from the lyrics did not fail to relay her message.

“I just want to say thank you for the many things you’ve done,” sang Maria as she explained her singing the song has been something she wanted to do for Ryan a long time ago. From the onset of the ceremony, they were promoting themselves. The couple had paraded the floors approaching those gathered, urging their support.

Unbroken promise

The last couple to perform was Romel and Nazeema. They reenacted the day that they heard about the competition, and made it clear from the onset, that regardless of the outcome of the competition, they will still marry.

The competition, which started just over a few weeks ago, followed the five couples into their homes as the cameras took a peek into their lives.

turn to page 19

Simply the

Blessings, national harmony, and GPL

Around the world, people have ways of polite greeting. “Good morning” in English. “Subha akhir” in Arabic. “Cha wan” in Mandarin. “Bon jour” in French. “Buenos dias” in Spanish. “Salamat pagi” in Malay, and so on. I may be spelling things wrongly here, so please forgive. The Chinese also greet in this wonderful way: “Ni tsi liau?” or “Have you eaten already?”

The first time I was asked this question, my reaction was quite Guyanese. Why would someone ask me if I have already eaten? Do I look as if I have had nothing to eat? Do I look as if I am hungry? Do I look like some “starving guts”? Very Guyanese reaction.

Mind you, this was in New Brunswick in North East Canada (it was my good fortune to spend most of my time in the Maritimes and away from places like Toronto). But my reaction to the polite question asked by my Chinese brothers betrayed my Guyanese ignorance of cultures.

The idea behind the question, “Have you eaten already?” is that if you have eaten, then you are well. If you have not eaten, then you are not well, and so will be given sustenance. Just wonderful! Such politeness, such ceremony.

We have a chance in Guyana to arrive at a most unique greeting. It would be found nowhere else in the world. Nowhere. When we meet a fellow Guyanese, we could ask: “Do you have lights?” This is not to be mixed up with the Americanoriginal, “You gatta light?” which is to ask for a match or lighter for a cigarette! In other words, our new Guyanese

Professor Daizal Samad

greeting means, “Do you have electricity?”

If your fellow Guyanese says, “Yes”, then you know that person has been blessed by the powers of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). If the answer is no, then you know that we are in the same darkness. It is one Guyanese sharing misery with another Guyanese. Such sharing is good for national harmony. As they say, misery loves company.

If your fellow Guyanese says yes, that he/she has lights, you know that there is at least one person who is okay and you can draw some comfort from that. So even if you are or have been plunged into the usual darkness, if you have not been blessed by GPL, you still know that a few of your fellow Guyanese have been blessed. And that the blessing will one day come round to you!

If your neighbour has been blessed by GPL and has lights, then this is yet another chance to share and to enjoy charity. And we should not be afraid to ask since we are Guyanese together after all. So ask: “Ow neighbour, since you have been blessed by having electricity, then can

I come and charge up me phone?”

Or, “Ow neighbour, can I bring over me children clothes fuh iron dem? Dem pickney get school tomorrow.”

Or, “Ow neighbour, can me pickney dem come over by you fuh study? Dem get test tomorrow.”

And when your neighbour stops being blessed by GPL and is plunged into darkness, and you are blessed with lights, then you return the favour. You know. “Hand wash hand mek hand clean”? We can build a new harmonious Guyana because of GPL, although GPL works in mysterious ways!

There are other benefits to be had if we have this new, unique, Guyanese greeting of, “Do you have lights?”. For instance, let us say that your neighbour has been blessed by having electricity and you ask that neighbour to share his/her blessings (charge phone, iron children’s clothes).

Lights to do schoolwork, freeze your food because your fridge blew up, and so on). If the neighbour says yes, you know that this neighbour is a kind and sharing neighbour. You learn about the neighbour’s character! If the neighbour says no, then you also know the character of that neighbour.

In these ways, we begin to have insight into the psychological and moral make-up of our neighbours. And we can give thanks to GPL for these insights. Of course, you have to pay the bill. But that too is a lesson in civic responsibility – good citizens are expected to pay their bills on time.

One more reason to give thanks to GPL. When you don’t have lights, then you see stars!

Guyanese celebrate Republic Anniversary in South Florida

Some 400 Guyanese gathered last Saturday in South Florida for an evening of cultural entertainment, traditional cuisine and congratulatory messages as they celebrated the 44th anniversary of their homeland becoming a Republic.

The celebration, held at the Walter C Young Performing Arts Centre, was particularly special as the event was graced by Guyana’s Foreign Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett along with her Barbados counterpart, Senator Maxine Mc Clean.

Following a sumptuous dinner of cook-up rice and curry and roti ‘washed down with good old Guyana El Dorado and XM rums’, patrons heard tributes paid to their homeland from a host of officials, including the Barbados Foreign Minister, Florida State representative Hazell Rogers, Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Barrington Russell and Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandria Davis as well as the Consul General of St Lucia, Kent Hippolyte, Dean of the Caricom Consular Corps.

The feature address was delivered by Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, who brought the audience up to date with developments in Guyana and with Guyana’s relationships with Caricom and with the U.S. In outlining developments in Guyana, Minister

Rodrigues-Birkett, said: “I don’t believe there are any differences among the parliamentary parties as to where we need to take Guyana. The difference is how we want to get there.”

The Minister acknowledged the contributions which Guyanese in the diaspora make to their homeland and their sense of patriotism. “I wish to commend you for keeping the spirit of Guyana alive in Florida and for continuing to strive with us at home to uphold our motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny.’” In his message published in the souvenir journal,

President Donald Ramotar said that becoming a Republic has “defined us as a nation and shaped our cultural identity as a people”.

Visit Guyana “I want to say to all that great things are happening in Guyana. You have to see it to believe it! I therefore want to encourage all the Guyanese who reside in Florida to come back home and see for yourself the progress that is being made and to examine how you can be an integral part of taking our country to even greater heights in the future,” the president said.

The diverse cultural entertainment featured Terry Gajraj, Winston Duggin, Harold Caribbean, The Tempets, dance and drumming ensemble with roots from Buxton and The Jaya Devi Dance Company with dances by Shameeza Roshanali, Rehan Ally, Leena Ally, IIlcia Dow, Varuna Ramersaud Singh, Ashley Dindial, Alana Resaul, Hannesa Ramnarine

and Kayla Dean. The event was put together by a committee headed by Wesley Kirton and included Leslie Latchmansingh, Tina Beharry and Larry London. In welcoming guests to the event, Kirton explained that “this is not a fundraiser per se, but surplus funds from last year’s celebration helped finance the participation of a University

of Guyana law student in an important workshop in Washington, DC as well as support the work of the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre”.

The event was sponsored by Laparkan Trading, CGX Energy Inc, Dipcon Engineering, MACORP, Seafreight Agencies, Caribbean Airlines, NEW Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (Limacol), Demerara Distillers, Hab International, Suriname Airways, Banks DIH Limited, Harry Rambarran and Family, Trans Caribbean Shipping and the Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ministries.

Several Guyanese American organisations in Florida, including the Guyana Association of South Florida, the Guyana Nurses Association, the Guyana Relief Council, Bishops’ High School Alumni, South Florida Chapter, the Domino Association of West Palm Beach, the Domino Association of Port Charlotte and the Guyana Cultural Network of Tampa Bay supported the event with a sizeable turn out of their members.

The co-hosts for the night’s proceedings were Dr Kofi Dalrymple and Tasiea Alli.

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Someone you care about will find fault with your actions. You don’t need to be defensive about your feelings. Steer away from unpleasant situations and go quietly about your business until things blow over.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Don’t be influenced or confused by changes made by others. It’s important that you follow your path and maintain your focus. Common sense will help keep you on track.

(Feb.20March 20)

Time spent completing household tasks will be worth the effort. New developments are occurring in your romantic life. You may want to take a current relationship to the next step.

(March 21-April 19)

This is not the day to venture into uncharted waters. Business dealings and other engagements should be put on hold. Spend some time with close friends or family members instead.

(April 20May 20)

No one likes to be taken advantage of. Make your needs a priority. It isn’t selfish to want to spend some time alone. Sit back, relax and enjoy your own company.

(May 21June 20)

Your mind is brimming with ideas to improve efficiency and streamline various procedures. Your cohorts will appreciate your input if you present your theories in a respectful and helpful manner.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

Although you are often reluctant to make changes, it is often necessary for growth. Stop procrastinating and take the first step toward improving your life. Be an active participant in your own future.

(July 23Aug. 22)

Take a break from your everyday routine. Visit an art gallery, museum, or any destination you find stimulating. There are many interesting discoveries to be made.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Spend today focusing on matters of the heart. Resist the impulse to splurge on frivolous, impetuous or unnecessary purchases. Keep strictly within your budget, and leave your credit cards at home.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Try something new. Use your imagination to discover something that brings you pleasure. It may be as simple as a new recipe or as complex as a work of art.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You have the ability to make favourable changes to both your personal and professional lives. State your opinions and expectations with clarity to ensure that you are not misunderstood or misquoted.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Think very carefully before implementing any costly or untried notions. There is no such thing as a foolproof scheme. Acting in haste may cause regret and have dire consequences on your budget.

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Author dedicates Backslider to the voiceless

University of Guyana English lecturer Julia Kanhai has dedicated her first book Backslider to the depressed and voiceless.

The author made the announcement at a book signing at Chetsons Footwear, Wellington Streets, Georgetown on Saturday.

Kanhai said that she always wanted to become a writer and has been writing since the tender age of

eight.

More than that, she pointed out that her aim was to always represent the voices of the depressed, noting that her novel did just that.

The publication touched on themes of abuse and rape, among others.

The main character in the book is Rachael Watts, who has been a Christian from the time that she could walk, which is natural since

she is the daughter of a pastor.

Rachael was born and raised in New Jersey; she spends her entire life caring for the less fortunate youths living in the city of Newark. Her love for helping others also drives her to work as a nurse in busy Manhattan. Despite trying to assert her independence, her overprotective father refuses to relinquish his control and she struggles to create a social life of her own.

She is, therefore, not surprised when her best friend, Jessica Sears, arranges for her to go on a blind date with a colleague named Carl Bart.

But, not even in a lifetime of religious upbringing can prepare Rachael for what happens next, as her faith is placed into the hands of a sexual predator and her future takes a turn for the worse.

Kanhai stated that the process of writing was fun but also tedious; but praised the support of her husband, family and close friends, who made each day memorable when she started the project.

The author is working on her other book titled Dream Guy Copies of Backslider are available for $5000 each at EMTEC, located at 80 Duncan Street, Georgetown.

PPP concerned about political unrest in Ukraine

The

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted with concern the political instability and tension in Ukraine which has resulted in the removal of the democratically-elected President of that country and the loss of scores of innocent lives.

The PPP in a release urged the parties involved to settle their political differences by constitutional means rather than through resort to the streets. This, the ruling party, said could lead to a situation of anar-

chy and a breakdown of law and order.

“The PPP is concerned over the fact that the sovereignty of the country is being undermined by external forces with obvious geopolitical agendas.

“This development bears striking similarity with what is currently taking place in Venezuela where the democratically-elected government of President Nicholas Maduro is under siege by opposition forces with the support from outside forces who clearly have their own ide-

Ryan and Maria

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The PPP said it is painfully aware of the harmful effects of foreign interference in the country’s domestic affairs, particularly during the 1960s when the party was removed from power as a result of the machinations and intrigues of western vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary forces.

It is the hope of the PPP that there would be a return to normalcy and constitutional rule within the shortest possible time.

from page 16

The couples were also taken on several trips, including one to Arrow Point Nature Resort and an overhead tour of the city. They were judged every step of the competition through several mediums, including Facebook and text messaging.

Roraima Group of Companies Inc Chairman, Captain Gerald Gouveia explained that all of the votes would have been tabulated and the persons with the most votes would have been named the winners of the competition.

Gouveia also noted that Wedding Expo and the “Race to the Altar” competition are being used as a catalyst to promote wedding tourism in Guyana.

“We want to make Guyana ... a wedding destination … come to Guyana and get married!” the captain urged.

Gouveia noted that all those who participated in the competition were winners, and disclosed that his team will be fine-tuning the competition next year. The winning couple will tie the knot on March 29 during the annual Wedding Expo.

South Africa crowned Youth World Cup champs

South Africa beat Pakistan by six wickets to win the Under-19 World Cup.

Opener and captain Aiden Markram hit an unbeaten 66 and Greg Oldfield 40 as they reached their modest target of 132 with 7.5 overs to spare in Dubai. Pakistan were all out for 131 from 44.3 overs, Amad Butt top-scoring with an unbeaten 37 at number nine while South Africa seamer Corbin Bosch took 4-15.

It is the first time since the Under-19s World Cup began in 1988 that South Africa have lifted the trophy.

Markram hit six fours in his match-winning innings and shared a 71-run third-

wicket partnership with Oldfield that effectively secured the victory. England, beaten by Pakistan in a dramatic semi-final, finished third in the tournament by beating Australia by one wicket with two balls remaining.

Australia and India have won the competition three times and Pakistan twice, with England’s sole victory coming in 1998 from a side containing future Test players Graeme Swann, Rob Key, Owais Shah and Chris Schofield. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan Under-19s innings (50 overs maximum)

Sami Aslam* c †Fortuin

b Dill 16

Imam-ul-Haq c †Fortuin b Rabada 12

Hasan Raza (2) c †Fortuin

b Dill 15

Saud Shakeel c Bruwer

b Bosch 4

Kamran Ghulam c †Fortuin

b Bosch 0

Ameer Hamza c & b Valli 12

Saifullah Khan† c †Fortuin

b Bosch 1

Zafar Gohar c Bosch b Sigwili 22

Amad Butt not out 37

Karamat Ali c †Fortuin b Valli 1

Zia-ul-Haq b Bosch 0

Extras: (lb-2, w-9) 11

Total: (all out; 44.3 overs) 131

Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Imam-ulHaq, 8.1 ov), 2-39 (Sami Aslam, 11.5 ov), 3-46 (Saud Shakeel, 16.2 ov), 4-46 (Kamran Ghulam, 16.4 ov), 5-56 (Hasan Raza, 19.2 ov), 6-60 (Saifullah Khan, 22.4 ov), 7-72 (Ameer Hamza, 29.1

ov), 8-117 (Zafar Gohar, 41.1 ov), 9-127 (Karamat Ali, 42.4 ov), 10-131 (Zia-ul-Haq, 44.3 ov)

Bowling: K Rabada 10-1-26-1 (5w), N Sigwili 10-1-40-1 (2-w), JG Dill 10-2-29-2, C Bosch 7.3-2-154 (1-w), Y Valli 7-0-19-2 (1-w)

South Africa Under-19s innings (target: 132 runs from 50 overs)

AK Markram* not out 66

C Fortuin† c Hasan Raza

b Amad Butt 1

J Smith lbw b Karamat Ali 9

G Oldfield c †Saifullah Khan

b Karamat Ali 40

Y Valli b Zia-ul-Haq 1

B Dial not out 14

Extras: (w-3) 3

Total: (4 wickets; 42.1 overs) 134 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Fortuin, 3.4 ov), 2-28 (Smith, 11.4 ov), 3-99 (Oldfield, 32.1 ov), 4-100 (Valli, 33.1 ov)

Bowling: Zia-ul-Haq 9-2-271 (1-w), Amad Butt 6-0-30-1 (1-w), Zafar Gohar 10-3-210 (1-w), Karamat Ali 10-0-242, Kamran Ghulam 6-0-230, Saud Shakeel 1.1-0-9-0

Batsmen put Australia on top

Opener David Warner hit a century as Australia shone on day one of the final Test with South Africa in Cape Town.

Left-hander Warner hit 135 while captain Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 92 as Australia reached 331-3.

The Proteas were hindered by pace spearhead Dale Steyn limping off at lunch after bowling only 10.1 overs.

Warner’s innings came only days after he was fined 15% of his match fee for accusing South Africa wicketkeeper AB de Villiers of balltampering.

He was positive from the start after Australia won

SCORE BOARD

Australia 1st Innings

Rogers c Smith b Steyn 25

Warner c AB de Villiers b Duminy 135

Doolan c Steyn b Philander 20

Clarke not out 92

Smith not out 50

Extras: (4-nb, 5-w) 9

Total: (for 3 wickets; 88 overs) 331

Bowling: Steyn 10.1-044-1, Philander 19-2-661, M Morkel 17.5-2-69-0, Duminy 9-0-37-1, Abbott 17-5-52-0, Elgar 15-0-63-0 Fall of wickets: 65 (Rogers), 138 (Doolan), 217 (Warner)

the toss on a lifeless pitch, even after Steyn had opener Chris Rogers caught at second slip by captain Graeme Smith.

Warner smashed 12 fours and a six in his 152ball stay and reached his seventh Test century before falling to a catch behind by De Villiers off spinner JP Duminy.

But his demise failed to earn any respite for the weary South African attack at Newlands, with Clarke and Steve Smith, who hit 50 not out, forging an unbroken 114-run fourth wicket partnership.

Steyn, who claimed 4-55 at Port Elizabeth to help South Africa level the series with a 231-run second Test victory, complained of a sore right hamstring and will be assessed before the start of the second day to determine whether he can continue bowling.

In his absence, Morne Morkel was South Africa’s most potent threat, hitting Clarke on the elbow, gloves and the back of the helmet during a spell of ferocious fast bowling. But Clarke withstood the barrage and had hit nine fours by the close. (BBC

Jagan memorial cycling pedals off today

All systems are in place for the commencement of the first of three races in memory of former president of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Cheddi Jagan, set to take place today on the West Demerara roadways.

Today’s highly anticipated race will start in front of the Wales Police Station at 08:00 hours, proceed to Bushy Park, Parika, before returning to Schoonard, covering a distance of 50 miles. This is the sixth year the event would be held on the West Demerara roadways.

The veteran, mountain bikers and female cyclists will turn at the Uitvlugt Community Centre on the upward journey and finish at Schoonard.

Cheddi Jagan

As usual, the first six finishers in the Open category, and the first three juniors, veterans and mountain bikers will be rewarded.

Also, the first rider over the age of 60 to cross the line will be given a prize, while eight prime prizes will be at

stake.

The defending champions of the various categories are Robin Persud (Open), Montel Anthony (junior), Kennard Lovell (veteran), Ozia McUally (mountain bike) and Naomi Singh (female). Persaud’s winning time was one hour, 56 minutes, 44.24 seconds (01h: 56m: 44.24s).

The race is being sponsored by Jiffi Auto Sales and Spares and representatives of the company, as well as executives of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) are expected to witness the race and assist in the presentation ceremony. Similar races will be held in Berbice on March 9 and Essequibo on March 23. (Avenash Ramzan)

Gittens’ birthday domino set for

March 15-17

Popular domino promoter Lyall Gittens will observe his birthday this year with a threeday domino competition, set for March 15-17.

Games will be played at Freeman Street, Tucville, with action starting at 15:00 hours.

Registration per team is $9,500 and interested teams can register by calling Gittens on 697-2929.

The champion team will receive $150,000, while the runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will collect $80,000, $40,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Trophies will accompany the cash prizes, while the Most Valuable Player is guaranteed $5,500 cash.

There will also be a take away lunch from 12:30 hours to 18:00 hours on the opening day of the competition.

The activity has received corporate support from Strikers Sports Club, Kaieteur Spring, Boom Town DVD, Gobin and Sons, Becks Lumber Yard, Big Boss Transportation Service, All Season Racing Service, Trophy Stall, Stream Café and HJ Boom Station.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Blue Flame Sound System.

Afghanistan pull off landmark upset

Afghanistan recorded a historic victory as they beat hosts Bangladesh by 32 runs at the Asia Cup in Fatullah.

It was Afghanistan’s first win against a Testplaying nation since the national team was formed in 2001.

Asghar Stanikzai (90 not out) and Samiullah Shenwari (81) added 164 for the sixth wicket as Afghanistan made 254-6 from their 50 overs.

The Tigers lost their openers cheaply and slumped from 161-4 to 1658 before being bowled out for 222.

Bangladesh’s last two wickets added a spirited 57 to earn them a bonus point, with Ziaur Rahman hitting three sixes in his 41 from 22 balls.

said Nabi.

gee camps over the border in Pakistan.

Unable to play at home in war-torn Afghanistan but competing in ICC tournaments around the world, the team’s progress was charted in an award-winning documentary, “Out of the Ashes”, which was shown on BBC Four’s Storyville.

They narrowly failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup but were granted oneday international status for four years.

gained ICC associate status in 2013, and have regularly tasted victory against the other top associate teams such as Kenya, Canada, Scotland and the Netherlands, they had never before beaten a full member in eight attempts (three ODIs and five T20 internationals), despite giving India a scare in 2012.

But Rahman and Rubel Hossain both fell to the off-spin of Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi (3-44) as they were bowled out with 13 balls of the one-day international to spare.

“Fans and the whole country must be celebrating and we will do our best in the remaining matches,”

“It was a good partnership between Stanikzai and Shenwari that lifted us and despite missing some chances in the field we bowled well to achieve this landmark win.”

Bangladesh captain

Mushfiqur Rahim conceded: “We were outplayed in all three departments.”

Afghanistan joined the International Cricket Council as an affiliate member in 2001, after many of the original players had learned the game in refu-

Bounty one-day hockey to open 2014 season today

Defending Men’s champions, Bounty GCC, will today be given a chance to defend their similarly named trophy as the Guyana Hockey Board opens its 2014 season with the annual Bounty one-day hockey competitionat the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. GCC, having lost a few of their senior players since last year’s edition, will need to rely on an emerging crop of talented juniors, including the McKenzie brothers, Keon and Kareem, to keep their record intact.

The Hikers Cadets, boasting the largest presence on the current Men’s national indoor squad, are likely to pose a formidable challenge as the entertaining duo of Jaramj Assanah and Aroydy Branford always produce moments of great entertainment with their speed and dazzling skills. A revamped Old Fort under new leadership has been im-

on the field for Old Fort, the trophy will remain in their grasp and teammates Jason DeSantos and John Abrams will provide the lethal finishing at the goal.

The Men’s tournament will also see Saints making an entrance, being led by the solid midfield play of Joel Hunte, along with veteran sides Hikers Generals and Ol’ Skool, all of whom have the quality to challenge for the gold.

The Ladies competition will see returning champions, the GCC Tigers, lining up as favourites, as sisters, captain Sonia Jardine and Kerensa Fernandes, will lead a potent attack supported by the relentless national sweeper Ulrica Sutherland marshalling the defence. The Hikers Divas are the strongest likely

proving with every showing and is certain to also make a strong challenge for the cup. As long as the incomparable Aderemi “Dove” Simon is

challengers to the Tigers as the forward line of national strikers Janella Munroe and Cora Towler will be fur-

ther boosted by the return of Amanda Garnett. Marisha Rodrigues and Latoya Fordyce will round out their solid defence.

The newly re-organised Old Fort Ladies will be anchored by veterans Sonia Gordon and Carol Caine. The Old Fort side, although new to the game, have already displayed their immense talent in previous outings and hope to create a few upsets in this competition.

Matches will begin at 09:00 hours and run until the evening with the finals set to begin at 17:00 hours.

Since then, they have qualified for four major tournaments - the ICC World Twenty20 events in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and the 2015 World Cup.

Although Afghanistan

And after the recent changes to the ICC’s governance gave hope to the likes of Ireland that top associate nations could play Test cricket in the futurepossibly at the expense of lower-ranked full members such as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - this victory will give Afghanistan hope of an even brighter future. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Afghanistan Innings

Shehzad lbw b Rubel Hossain 2

Sadiq c and b Arafat Sunny 12

N Zadran b Arafat Sunny 21 Stanikzai not out 90

Mangal run out (Naeem Islam) 24

Nabi c Nasir Hossain b M Haque 7 Shenwari run out (A Haque) 81

Ashraf not out 0

Extras: (10-w, 1-b, 6-lb) 17

Total: (for 6 wickets; 50 overs) 254

Bowling: Rubel Hossain 100-61-1, Razzak 10-1-570, Arafat Sunny 10-0-44-2, Gazi 0.3-0-0-0, Nasir Hossain 2.3-0-8-0, M Haque 10-038-1, Rahman 7-0-39-0

Fall of wickets: 6 (Shehzad), 40 (Sadiq), 43 (N Zadran), 74 (Mangal), 90 (Nabi), 254 (Shenwari)

Bangladesh Innings

A Haque lbw b Hassan 1 Rahman b S Zadran 0 M Haque b Shenwari 50

Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Nabi 23

Nasir Hossain c Shenwari b Ashraf 41 Naeem Islam c Mangal b Hassan 35 Rahman b Nabi 41

Razzak run out (N Zadran) 0 Arafat Sunny c Shehzad b S Zadran 0 Rubel Hossain c Mangal b Nabi 17 Gazi not out 2 Extras: (6-w, 4-b, 2-lb) 12 Total: (for 10 wickets; 47.5 overs) 222 Bowling: S Zadran 8-0-392, Hassan 6.1-1-26-2, Sadiq 2-0-9-0, Ashraf 9-0-51-1, Nabi 9.4-0-44-3, Hotak 7-024-0, Shenwari 6-0-23-1 Fall of wickets: 1 (Rahman), 1 (A Haque), 69 (Mushfiqur Rahim), 88 (M Haque), 161 (Nasir Hossain), 165 (Naeem Islam), 165 (Razzak), 165 (Arafat Sunny), 205 (Rahman), 222 (Rubel Hossain)

St Aloysius crowned interschool football champs

St Aloysius Primary emerged champiosn of the Heart of Oak Masters Football Club’s inter-primary school football tournament in Berbice.

The tournament, which marked the start of the 2014 schools football season, was held at the All Saints Scotts School ground on Princess Elizabeth Road in New Amsterdam. Only six of the four schools slated to compete turned up for competition.

In game one, All Saints and St Therese Primary played to a goalless draw in the one-day tournament, while in game two, St Aloysius got the better of New

Amsterdam Primary 3-0. Kelly Amsterdam scored a double and Anthony Williams netted the other goal.

New Amsterdam Primary then went down to All Saints 2-0 in game three. Como Adams and Tyrese Williams scored for All Saints.

Game four saw St Aloysius getting pass St Therese 2-1. Jaden Nedd and Anthony Williams netted for St Aloysius and Shamar Welcome for St Therese.

The penultimate game between All Saints and St Aloysius ended in a nil-all draw.

The final game saw New Amsterdam Primary being

beaten for a third consecutive time as they surrendered to St Therese 1-0.

The youngsters from St Therese were awarded second position.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) was Kelly Amsterdam of St Aloysius and the best goalkeeper award went to Shevwire Duff of All Saints Primary.

Anthony Williams took the most goals award with his two goals, while the best defender award went to Shamar Myers of St Aloysius Primary. He received a pair of hose and a trunk. The event was coordinated by Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey.

Trophy Stall/EBFA U-15 League…

Grove Hi Tech, Soesdyke Falcons off to winning starts

Action in the Trophy Stall sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-15 tournament kicked off at the Grove Community Centre ground on Saturday.

Notching up wins were home team Grove Hi Tech by a 5-1 margin over Diamond United Football Club led by a brace each from Threvon Pluck and Alwyn Haynes, while the opening encounter produced a huge win for Soesdyke Falsons, 10-1 over Herstelling.

Grove, an experienced unit despite their age, controlled the game from the start, but were kept at bay by the young Diamond outfit which improved as the game progressed. Grove took some time to break the deadlock even though play was focused on the Diamond half of the field for the most part.

When the deadlock was eventually broken, three goals came in the space of seven minutes, as Grove Hi Tech raced to a 3-0 advantage.

Breaching the Diamond defense and goalkeeper Brian Chung was Threvon Pluck in the 14th minute, the first of his double.

Two minutes later it was Alwyn Haynes who converted the first of his two. Despite conceding two quick goals the young Diamond team, featuring one female player, Diana Angoy, kept on persever-

ing. Twenty-one minutes on, Grove increased the advantage; Akel Forde hitting the back of the nets to give Grove a 3-0 half-time lead.

Coach of the Diamond team, Orin Angoy, tried his

side of the home team’s goal.

Ixios Da Silva who took care of duties between the uprights in the first half took on the roll of forward in the final half. Initially, he lined up for the kick but decided to give

best to keep his charges focused and his pep talk at the break brought some results as they were able to reduce the lead, five minutes into the second half. It was a well executed goal from a free kick just outside the area on the left

Windies Women lose first T20I

INVERCARGILL, New Zealand – West Indies Women suffered another batting collapse and New Zealand claimed a 32-run victory in the first Twenty20 International on Saturday.

Natasha McLean hit the top score of 22, but the Windies Women failed to successfully chase 121 for victory in the match played at Queen’s Park in one of the game’s southerly-most outposts.

No other batter from the Caribbean side reached 20, as they were dismissed

for 88 in 18.1 overs, with Hayley Jensen grabbing 2-11 from her allotted four overs and Sophie Devine 2-19 from 3.1 overs to lead the New Zelanders’ bowling.

The result meant New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Tremayne Smartt had been the pick of the West Indies Women’s bowlers, taking 3-17 from four overs, but Devine started a memorable match with 40 from 39 balls in an opening stand of 53 with her captain Suzie Bates to lead the home team

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand Women innings

SW Bates c MR Aguilleira

b SC Selman 32 SFM Devine c Kycia A Knight

b TD Smartt 40

SJ McGlashan b TD Smartt 9 RH Priest c SA Campbelle

b VN Watts 1 KT Perkins c MR Aguilleira

b TD Smartt 14

NJ Browne c VN Watts

b A Mohammed 5 KJ Martin run out (TD Smartt/MR Aguilleira) 3

ML Green not out 4 HNK Jensen not out 5

Extras: (lb-1, wd-5, nb-1) 7

Total (for 7 wickets; 20 overs) 120

Fall of wickets: 1-53 (SW Bates, 7.4), 2-85 (SFM Devine, 12.4), 3-85 (SJ McGlashan, 12.6), 4-91 (RH Priest, 14.4), 5-105 (KT Perkins , 16.6), 6-108 (NJ Browne, 17.3), 7-111 (KJ Martin, 18.2)

Bowling: TD Smartt 4-0-173 (1-nb), VN Watts 4-0-221 (1-w), SACA King 1-0-14-0 (1-w), SC Selman 4-0-24-1, SL Quintyne 3-0-21-0 (2-w), A Mohammed 4-0-21-1 (1-w)

handle. Grove kept on the offensive and were rewarded with two more goals, Pluck hitting the network again in the 63rd minute while Haynes completed his double on the stroke of full time, the 70th minute.

Proceedings got underway for the day with the Soesdyke Falcons opposing new kids on the bloc, Herstelling. Like Diamond United FC, Herstelling featured a female player, Indira Amardeo, who took care of duties between the uprights.

The fact that the Herstelling players are now in their learning curve, they looked very enthused to be part of their team and represented to the best of their ability.

Soesdyke, no strangers to competition at this level, made their advantage count for them and were led to a big win on the back of hat-tricks off the boot of Kevin Sobers (15th, 33rd, 43rd) and Tyrone Khan (31st, 53rd, 67th).

that responsibility to Godfrey Williams whose pass to Da Silva was clinically slotted past Shaun Demonick in goal for Grove.

Da Silva tried to take on the Grove defense but found out that it was too much to

Netting twice was Shane Meusa (40th, 46th); Raymond Khan opened the scoring in the ninth minute, with the other goal coming from Shannon Samnauth in the 61st minute. Herstelling’s consolation goal was converted in the 62nd minute by Devon Winter.

The competition will continue on Saturday at the same venue.

West Indies Women innings

Kycia A Knight c KT Perkins b SFM Devine 6 NY McLean c SW Bates b HNK Jensen 22

Kyshona A Knight b HNK Jensen 0 MR Aguilleira lbw b SW Bates 6 SACA King b NJ Browne 10 SA Campbelle st RH Priest b FL Mackay 0 SL Quintyne not out 20 VN Watts c & b SFM Devine 16 TD Smartt c SFM Devine b MJG Nielsen 2 A Mohammed run out (FL Mackay/RH Priest) 0 SC Selman run out (HNK Jensen/SFM Devine) 1 Extras: (lb-1, wd-4) 5 Total: (for 10 wickets; 18.1 overs) 88 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Kycia A Knight, 2.1), 2-21 (Kyshona A Knight, 3.2), 3-32 (MR Aguilleira, 6.1), 4-36 (NY McLean, 7.4), 5-37 (SA Campbelle, 8.2), 6-52 (SACA King, 11.3), 7-76 (VN Watts, 16.2), 8-85 (TD Smartt, 17.2), 9-85 (A Mohammed, 17.3), 10-88 (SC Selman, 18.1) Bowling: SFM Devine 3.1-0-192 (3-w), MJG Nielsen 3-0-19-1, HNK Jensen 4-0-11-2, SW Bates 2-0-7-1, FL Mackay 4-0-181, NJ Browne 2-0-13-1 (1-w)

to 120 for seven from their 20 overs.

No other Windies Women’s bowler was as economical or penetrative as the 28-year-old Smartt, but the New Zealanders inched their way to a respectable total, even though their batting went into a tailspin after Bates was dismissed for 32. McLean held the visitors’ top-order together, and there was some resistance from the lower-order pair of Shaquana Quintyne, with 18, and Vanessa Watts, with 16, but two run-outs late on ended proceedings to give the White Ferns their fourth victory on the trot against the West Indies Women. (WICB Media)

KMTC Phagwah meet still on, says Kennard

Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Cecil Kennard, disclosed on Saturday that the Kennard Memorial Turf Club’s (KMTC) annual Phagwah horse race meet will go ahead as scheduled.

Kennard made the disclosure a day after the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) announced the staging of their grand one-day horse race meet, slated for March 16.

The KMTC season opener is scheduled for March 23 at the club’s track at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne.

“We will go ahead with our race meet, it is an annual event and it will happen,” Kennard assured.

Seven races are slated for the day and as usual, there will be lots of excitement for turfites and big prize monies for top horse owners.

The feature attraction will be the A and Lower Class over a distance of six furlongs. The top prize is $1 million, while the second place finisher will receive

half that amount. Horses that place third and fourth will receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.

The other six furlongs races are the E and Lower, I and Lower and J1 and Lower. The winner of those three races will pocket $400,000, $150,000 and $200,000 respectively.

The G and Lower race offers a first prize of $300,000, while the Three-year-old event for Guyana bred horses has a top prize of $280,000. Both races will last a distance of seven furlongs.

The final race of the day is for J3 and Lower animals for a top prize of $150,000 over five furlongs.

The deadline for registration is March 16 and horse owners can register their animals with Roopnarine Matadial on 325-3192, Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316, Cecil Kennard on 2261399, 225-4818 or 623-7609, Isabella Beaton on 693-7812 or Dennis Deroop on 6099143. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

Lewis elected president of Everest

Everest Cricket Club hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday evening with Stephen Lewis being elected unopposed to head the club for the new term.

Outgoing president Rajesh Singh was elected to the Senior VicePresident post, while the Junior Vice-President is Carmachand Rambarran.

Manichan Rai will serve as the Secretary and Paul Parsram the Assistant Secretary. The Treasurer is Royston Rachpaul and the Assistant Treasurer is Anthony Ramprasad.

Saheed Mohamed will perform duties as the Club Captain, while the Committee Members are Harry Yankana, Mohamed Azeez, Mark Singh and Looknauth Persaud.

Meanwhile, leg-spinner Amir Khan, who was recently called up to the senior national four-day team, won the Cricketer-of-the-Year award when club held its annual awards ceremony after the AGM.

Left-arm spinner Javed Rasheed won the Bowlerof-the-Year prize, while Troy Gonsalves grabbed the Batsman-of-the-Year trophy and Darshan Persaud the Emerging Cricketer-of-theYear accolade.

Johnny Azeez took the Masters Bowler-of-the-Year prize and Hemraj Garbarran the Batsman-of-the-Year award in the said division.

Speaking after the elections, Lewis thanked the members for their confidence and lauded the past president and executive for their stewardship, insight, energies and sound management. He urged his fellow executive members to work as a unit for the development of the club, adding that the organisation will host a number of activities in 2014 to mark its 100th anniversary and called on the members for their support. Singh thanked the members for their support during his tenure as president and advised the cricketers present to take the game seriously.

Goals continue to flow in Milo school tourney

It was another action packed day on Saturday in the Milo Under-20 schools football tourney as goals kept piling up at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The day started with St Mary’s High demolishing

School of the Nations 7-0 in a very strong showing by the team.

St Mary’s wasted little time getting into the attacking third with an opening goal in the fourth minute from Curtez Kellman.

Lennon Cort struck next in the 32nd minute,

while Raphael Charles had a hat-trick, scoring in the 45th, 48th and 56th minutes. Colin Denny also had a double with goals in the 55th and 64th minutes.

North Ruimveldt Secondary then dropped a 7-0 drubbing on Freeburg

Secondary with Jomol Europe picking up a hattrick in the 13th, 40th and 56th minutes, while Jeremy Garrett had a double in the 41st and 53rd minutes. Tyrese Rowly and Carl Griffith were the other two goal scorers in the 33rd and 36th minutes respectively.

South Ruimveldt held off Cummings Lodge 2-1 with their goals coming from Kevin McPherson and Keith Caines in the 16th and 21st minutes respectively.

The feature game saw defending champions St.

George’s Secondary coasting to a comfortable 2-0 win over Charlestown with goals from Jermaine Scott in the 12th and Ozeal Small in the 69th minute. Action will continue today with another four matches at the same venue.

GCF executives pay courtesy call on Sport Minister

The newly elected executive body of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) recently paid a courtesy call on Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony at his Main Street, Georgetown, office.

Led by president Irshad Mohamed, the GCF exectives discussed several issues with the minister, key among them the development of chess in schools.

According to Mohamed, the world governing body for the game- FIDE- is keen on having chess being played

in schools right across the globe, and Guyana is one of the countries looking to comply with that mandate.

The newly elected GCF head also pointed out that the federation is seeking to have a FIDE trainer in Guyana some time this year to work along with GCF trainer Wendell Meusa and other trainers in the country.

Dr Anthony wished the executives well, and promised the ministry’s unflinching support towards the development of chess locally.

Jamaica in control despite Permaul five-for

Jamaica remained in control against Guyana at stumps on day two of their first round West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Fourday competition at Sabina Park, despite a five-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul. Despite Permaul’s fine effort of 5-76 from 28 test-

ing overs, the Jamaicans gained first innings points, being dismissed for 294 in response to Guyana’s meagre first innings 117.

Faced with a huge deficit of 177, Guyana ended the day on 32-1, still 145 runs in arrears. Sewnarine Chattergoon (13) was the batsman dismissed by Jerome Taylor, while Assad

Fudadin and Vishaul Singh remained unbeaten on eight each.

When Jamaica batted, Nkrumah Bonner topscored with 62, John Campbell made 50, Horace Miller 46 and Andre Russell 44. Apart from Permaul, legspinner Devendra Bishoo was the next best bowler with 2-82.

SCOREBOARD

6-200, 7-221, 8-250, 9-289, 10-294 Bowling: R Beaton 11.3-3-40-1, K Joseph 12-4-27-1, C Barnwell 123-37-1, V Permaul 28-10-76-5, D Bishoo 30-9-82-2, A Khan 7-2-250 (1-nb), N Deonarine 1-0-1-0 Guyana 2nd innings

S Chattergoon c Miller b Taylor 13 A Fudadin not out 8 V Singh not out 8

Extras: (3-nb) 3

Total: (for 1 wicket; 18 overs) 32 Fall of wickets: 1-19

Bowling: J Taylor 5-3-7-1 (3nb), A Russell 5-1-13-0, S Cottrell 3-2-1-0, J Merchant 3-0-5-0, T Lambert 2-0-6-0

GMR&SC stages Dexterity Challenge at National Park

exterity Challenge racing made a return to the local scene on Saturday when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosted its Race Challenge Meet at the National Park tarmac. The aim of the Dexterity Challenge is to showcase the skill and adroitness of drivers along an obstacle laden course with the driver to cover the track in the fastest time being declared the winner. The action started at around 16:00 hours and concluded under floodlights. In photo, this driver manouvers his way through the several cones set up on the tarmac.

South Africa crowned Youth World Cup champs