Guyana Times Daily

CFATF says dark future looms for Guyana

Female

drivers

injured in vehicular collision

Anna Regina hot dog vendors want night security

Opposition willing to reinstate funding for UG – Granger, Ramjattan

Reports of Canje River pollution being investigated

Case of slain biker likely to be opened

Dharamlall denies threatening Amerindians −

has no apology for

By Michael younge

Amerindian Affairs

Ministry Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall has strongly denied using any form of coercion against Amerindians who formed part of a meeting organised to discuss cuts to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) and the potential impact.

Dharamlall, speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, poured cold water on some of the concerns raised by the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) and sections of the media following the surfacing of a recording of some of the comments he reportedly made at the meeting.

He said that both the media and the APA were blowing the situation out of proportion and were reading far too much into the “conversa-

protesting disapproval of ADF

elected representatives informing their villages of the setbacks and the hardships they could endure from the actions by the Opposition to stymie their development.

Dharamlall explained that he was also trying to clarify the need for the Amerindians to be told the truth as he sought to end the misinformation and confusion that the Community Development Projects (CDPs) were being funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“This is not true. These projects are being executed and funded by the Government of Guyana. In fact, we are paying a large amount of money to the UNDP to work with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to implement the Projects,” he stated.

So far, the Government has more than 27 projects de-

tion” he had with the elected representatives of several indigenous and hinterland community leaders as well as Amerindian residents.

“I never threatened anyone at the meeting. I never sought to intimidate anyone. I believe the context of my conversation with the audience was lost and taken out of context,” he told Guyana Times

He maintained that he was merely seeking to emphasise the importance of the

signed and implemented in Amerindian communities following detailed consultations with residents. Another 160 projects are in the pipeline.

Clarifications

The Permanent Secretary said this was the context in which he was reprimanding those toshaos and village leaders who were seeking to mislead Amerindians by telling them distorted truths when many of them were

part of these projects from the inception.

“The issue has nothing to do with me threatening anyone, I was emphasising the importance of accountability in the villages,” he said.

He clarified the comments he made with respect to some leaders who continued to misrepresent the truth about the CDPs to their communities, explaining that these individuals could not benefit from his office if they did not provide quality leadership to their constituents.

“Most of my work is in the fields. I am only at my office to achieve agreement on documents and other paper work. If these leaders are not representing their communities and are not doing so in an accountable and transparent manner, then my office cannot be of any benefit to them. I work for the Amerindian people,” he declared.

He maintained that he has never denied any Amerindian or leader access to his office and could not naturally decline to entertain their concerns.

The Permanent Secretary said he was seeking to explain that the leaders needed to act in the interest of the peoples and that was the criterion through which they could maximise the benefits derived from his office.

“When I was speaking, it was in a conversational tone and the recording does not

capture the responses of the people who were in full agreement with me,” Dharamlall said.

No apology

Meanwhile, he said that he would not be offering any apology for the role he played in protesting against the unjust cuts that were made to the ADF and other entitlements.

“I will go out again with our people to protest against any action that hampers their development,” the PS related.

Dharamlall believes that the APA and its political agents are clutching at straws, contending that it was clear that the entity has an agenda to discredit the stellar work being done by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.

He dismissed comments that the Government had organised the meeting with Amerindians staged at the International Conference Centre, while also denying that it had paid or bullied them to protest.

In fact, Dharamlall reported that the Ministry was invited to attend the meeting organised by the National Toshaos Council.

“The APA has an agenda.... They have not done any significant project in any Amerindian community but are now the biggest critics of a project and scope of development that they refused to participate in,” he said as he referred to the APA’s position on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

He insisted that the APA was seeking to distract attention from the real issue at hand, which were the cuts and unjust positions by the political Opposition.

“They want to bring me into the pound,” he said, stating that he will not be the political scapegoat for any organisation which will take anti-nationalistic and anti-developmental positions.

Female drivers injured in vehicular collision

Two female drivers were up to late Saturday afternoon receiving medical attention at private medical facilities following a two-vehicle collision at the corners of Camp and Church Streets, Georgetown.

The accident occurred about 17:00h.

The injured females were identified as Jinhong Cho of Dwarka Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara and Samantha Singh of Lot 42 Lamaha Street, Georgetown.

Information surrounding the accident remains sketch, but Police have suggested that both drivers were in the wrong.

Reports received stated that Singh was driving her black Honda CRV bearing registration number, PLL 7500 and was heading in an eastern direction while the blue Toyota Raum with plates, PNN 3248 was proceeding north.

It was not clear whether the traffic light at the intersection was working, but Cho reportedly jumped the traffic light and slammed into Singh’s vehicle, resulting in it toppling several times before it came to a

halt in a nearby trench. Cho then slammed into a few concrete barriers close by, causing severe damage to the front of the vehicle. Both drivers received bodily injures and were immediately rushed to Woodlands Hospital.

A worker of Singh’s husband, the owner of Best Buy Auto Sales, said he was at work when he received a telephone call, requesting that he remove the damaged vehicle.

He confirmed that Singh would have received injuries to her head, arms and legs, but was out of danger.

An eyewitness told Guyana Times that the Chinese national was driving at a fast rate, and all of a sudden, he heard a loud impact, and as he looked around, he saw the black vehicle in a nearby trench. Several persons, he added, stopped and assisted the two women out of their vehicles. They were rushed separately to private medical facilities.

Earlier in the day, Guyana Times understands that a minibus and motor car collided at the same intersection, but no one was seriously hurt.

If AML Bill not passed

CFATF says dark future looms for Guyana

APNU unmoved on its position

Guyana can be formally and permanently blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) if the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) (AMLCFT) Bill is not passed by the last and final deadline of May 29 given by the regional watchdog.

This was disclosed to media operatives by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament (MPs), Basil Williams and Carl Greenidge, among others at a press conference on Saturday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, following a meeting with the CFATF’s Chairperson Allison Maynard- Gibson.

Maynard-Gibson and CFATF’s Executive Director Calvin Wilson are on a twoday visit to the country to emphasise the need for the passage of the AMLCFT Bill.

Williams disclosed that the Opposition was informed by CFAFT of the “draconian” circumstances which Guyana will face if the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill of 2013 is not passed.

“They have indicated the perils of the non-passage of the Bill to us. The picture

they painted seemed to be very draconian and the future of Guyana is one that is dark,” Williams disclosed.

APNU Co-Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, another member of the coalition, noted that while the CFATF was in Guyana to assist in the passage, much cannot be achieved since the team can only give advice on technical matters.

“The Chairman was careful to maintain that they could only offer advice on technical matters. The fact of the matter is that we are confronted in Guyana with more than technical matters. It is a political matter… and she is not familiar with Guyana’s political environment. A political solution

is needed,” Dr Roopnaraine related.

Asked whether the Opposition will now give in to the Government’s demands to have the amendment passed in its original state to avoid permanent blacklisting, Greenidge and colleague MP Ronald Bulkan stated that the Opposition remains firm on its position, contending that it is now left up to the Government to decide whether they will accept the changes made by the Opposition.

Bulkan said: “We maintain our position. The situation requires the action of both sides and the bill needs to receive the agreement of the majority. If the legislation is deficient, it will serve

Culture Ministry to stage inaugural indigenous song competition

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has said that the administration has set aside the sum of $7 million for the hosting of the first ever indigenous song competition, one of the many Government initiatives to keep native languages alive.

Residents of Lethem, Region Nine, were recently informed of the initiative during the rodeo weekend and were encouraged to participate.

“I know there is lots of talent in the Rupununi so we want to encourage people to get involved and to promote their native language.”

It’s not only language disappearing from Guyana, while they are unique they form a number of languages around the world, and when languages die they are very hard to resuscitate.”

Hence, the Minister said the Government has taken note of this and efforts are being made to protect them, and to encourage people to use them.

no purpose.”

The politicians noted that while there is a possibility that the Bill can be passed before the May 29 deadline, it is very unlikely to happen.

Guyana has thus far failed to meet any of the CFATF deadlines due to the non-passage of AMLCFT Bill.

The passage of the Bill seems to have turned into a political game with the Government laying the blame at the feet of the opposition, saying that the Bill is being held hostage at the level of the parliamentary Special Select Committee with the introduction of proposed amendments to the AMLCFT Act of 2009, while the Opposition is contending that the Government should be blamed if the Bill is not passed as it is not heeding to its amendments.

After approving the Bill laid in the House by the Government in February, the Opposition for the first time formally submitted proposed amendments not to the Bill but the Principal Act at the level of the parliamentary Special Select Committee. As of current, the Opposition is still making changes to its proposed amendments.

The Culture Minister, who officially made the announcement during the 2014 Budget Estimates, explained that the initiative is being undertaken, since it has been found that native languages are becoming endangered.

“If we do not invest in revitalising the language by encouraging persons to speak, sing and utilise it they will disappear.

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

Change in India

The world’s largest democracy is just about halfway through its gargantuan six week polling exercise that is supposed to capture the preferences of its 815 million voters to select their Prime Minister for the next five years. The polls are supposed to close on May 12 and the results declared on May 16. The incumbent Congress Party has been ruling for 10 years but the latest polls show that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or “Indian People’s Party” and its allies are headed for a majority in the 543 member Lok Sabha or “People’s Assembly”.

Over the course of the tumultuous campaign, the elections have been dominated by one man – the candidate of the BJP, Narendra Modi. Even the Congress leaders have had to concede there is now a virtually unstoppable “Modi wave” sweeping the country. Modi has successfully repelled the “Hindu Nationalist” label that Congress and some other regional parties have tried to pin on him.

This was a transparent move to define the cleavage along with the Congress and allies hoped the voters would align themselves when voting. But it only exacerbated the gap between their claims to be “secular” versus their actions that would polarise the nation between Hindu and Muslims. The Congress has also futilely emphasised claims – even though debunked by the respected Supreme Court of India – that Modi was involved in 2002 riots in his native Gujarat against Muslims, in retaliation for an earlier immolation of Hindu pilgrims.

Modi, however, has stuck to the high ground and resolutely pointed to the evidence of the economic development of Gujarat under his two terms as Chief Minister, which surpassed the stellar overall Indian growth rate. Within that developmental framework, he has shown that behind all the rhetoric of Congress, the Muslims of Gujarat have fared better than in other states. Opinion polls show them having fewer fears about their security than in Congress-ruled states. Within Gujarat, there is now substantial support for Modi and the BJP from the Muslim community, which feel that the Congress has exploited their insecurity and used them as a “vote” bank.

The “Modi Wave” has enabled the BJP to make inroads into areas that had become dominated by regional parties, which grew in the post-independence era. Most pollsters predict that it is highly likely that the BJP should be able to secure the 273 seats needed for a majority in the Lok Sabha on its own. India might, in this eventuality, finally have an all-India party that would entrench democracy in the country as a whole.

The growth of the regional parties in the wake of a declining Congress, which appeared incapable of breaking away from the “Nehru dynasty”, had introduced centripetal forces into the Indian body politic. India would become much more stable under a two party system that is the common feature of stable democracies. Another change that should characterise India under a Modi regime, would be a more consistent foreign policy vis a vis the larger powers, the emerging nations and the rest.

In terms of what smaller countries such as Guyana can expect, there would be greater support in multilateral global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and the World Bank, for a more equitable sharing of globalisation. The US can expect a more independent Indian position in the affairs of new Asia, especially as it relates to China. Modi has shown that he recognises from his Gujarat experience that India needs to make dramatic improvement in its infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

What it means, therefore, is that India will be competing much more forcefully for the raw materials such as metal ores and petroleum in the third world. This can only redound to our benefit since this means higher prices for our products such as bauxite.

Whatever the outcome of the elections, there will be change in India.

The City Council of Georgetown has its origin in the Georgetown Town Council Ordinance, 1860

Dear Editor,

As Peeping Tom rests his case, I in response make a no-case submission.

On a previous occasion, I left Peeping Tom’s response alone on the conviction that it was a wide. He has now bowled, according to him, his last ball. I can ill afford to leave a last ball alone, even if wide. Every run counts.

Why the no-case submission? The singular point that I made and hereby reiterate is that no one can justify the action of a Town Clerk by declaring an analogy between a Town Clerk and a Regional Executive Officer. That is what Minister Whittaker sought to do and that is what Pepping Tom failed to do.

In reviewing my letter umpteen times, I cannot find any reference to a contention that the City Hall is autonomous, but since Pepping Tom introduces that point, let me state the following. Both the City Council and a Regional Democratic council are legal personalities and are answerable for actions they undertake on their own behalf.

The City Council of

Georgetown has its origin in the Georgetown Town Council Ordinance, 1860 and was continued by the Georgetown Town Council Ordinance, 1918 and is further continued by Section 3 of the 1969 Municipal and District Council Act.

By virtue of that Act, The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown is constituted and regulated, inclusive of composition, meeting and proceedings, local government officers, finance, rating, contracts, acquisition of and dealing in land, functions, by-laws and most of all, for the purpose of this letter, the relationship between the Town Clerk and the Council. It is from those provisions that the City Council gets its life, powers and functions and by virtue of those provisions may be considered semi/ quasi autonomous.

Note, I am for the first time introducing this argument, although Peeping Tom sought to respond to some unfound postulation about the autonomy of the City Council.

Unlike the City Council, RDCs derive their existence from ministerial or-

ders as provided for in the Local Democratic Organs Act, Act 12 of 1980. This Act provides the parameters for the ministerial order that may be issued for the constituting of a RDC. Such orders have been issued but they have been limited to the creation of the boundaries of the regions and the constituting of the councils. They have never given those councils devolved authority although it is envisaged that they can be bequeathed such authority.

Therein lies the fundamental difference between the City Council and the RDC. The City Council is fulsome. The RDC is a shell and merely carries out delegated functions on behalf of central ministries, one of which is to supervise the work of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs).

This delegation is provided for in section 10 of the Local Democratic Organs Act. It should, however, be noted that the NDCs are far more fulsome and autonomous than the shell (RDC) which superintends their operations.

Hence, my original and unrefuted contention re-

Corruption must be rooted out

Dear Editor,

I am a fan of a local newspaper and its owner. I admire the great position they have taken against corruption in high offices, in particular I note the several public pronouncements of the owner on this matter.

I reside in the USA but I am in Guyana on vacation. I saw both the owner and his wife driving two very expensive American SUV Vehicles.

I would like the Head of the Guyana Revenue Authority to enquire wheth-

mained uncontested. A Town Clerk by virtue of the provisions of the Municipal and District Council Act is behoven to the City Council in a manner in which a REO is not behoven to the RDC, since the RDC presently merely engages in agency and is not constituted or operated in a manner similar to the City Council, while the City Council has its full fledge operations, including its revenue base. The argument about comity therefore does not stand and that of counterbalance is irrelevant to the matter at hand. The attempt to analogise or synonymise Town Clerk and Regional Executive Officer is therefore an equivocation and fallacious.

That a contradiction may exist in principle because of the various caps the REO wears does not negate the fact that he/she wears them, nor does it have any bearing on the issue at hand. My innings is done and Pepping Tom’s last ball has been dispatched where it belongs.

Sincerely,

Vincent Alexander

er those vehicles are registered in the name of those individuals, whether the lawful duties and taxes were paid in respect to those vehicles and if not, in whose names are they registered and why they are not being used by the registered owners?

Of course the owner and his wife can volunteer this information and publish it in the newspaper, but somehow, I doubt that they will.

Yours faithfully, Khemraj Heralall

911 issues must be dealt with based on professionalism, intellectual honesty and facts

Dear Editor, GT&T expresses our appreciation to be afforded an opportunity to respond to Captain Gerry Gouveia’s letter captioned “GTT must fix the 911 system”. Whilst we are not privy to the time, date nor location associated with Mr Gouveia’s reported investigations on behalf of the PSC, none of which were cited in his communiqué, we presume the following:

* That Mr Gouveia’s visit was at Brickdam Police Station.

* That Mr Gouveia’s visit and investigation did not occur in 2014. The Guyana Police Force officially requested in March 2006 that there be four dedicated lines for 911 at Brickdam, hence

Mr Gouveia’s claim of six lines for 911 is not based on current reality at the Brickdam Police Station.

GT&T is of the view that this matter ref. 911 must be dealt with based on principles of professionalism, intellectual honesty and facts. Consequently, we wish to advise that and reiterate the following:

* There are currently four dedicated lines for 911 service at Brickdam Police Station – all are working.

* There are no current fault reports associated with the 911 lines at Brickdam.

As we have indicated, all emergency numbers: 911, 912 and 913 are tested weekly across the country and when faults are detect-

Another indication that the AFC is crumbling

Dear Editor

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has taken note of a call from the leadership of the Alliance for Change for the resignation of its own Regional Councillor in Region Six Haseef Yusuf.

The party wishes to remind the AFC that its own founding members Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman refused to vacate their parliamentary seats when calls were made for their resignations by their respective former parties.

The party believes that this is another indication that the AFC is crumbling internally because of the pervasive corruption within that party and widespread disagreement with the positions taken by several of its leaders, including Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, which appear to be anti-development and anti-nationalistic in nature.

The PPP/C has always

held the view that the AFC was not genuinely interested in developing Guyana and working to redefine the political landscape here. The PPP/C reflects on the idle and irresponsible promises made by the AFC’s leadership with the aim of “buying votes” and “hoodwinking” Guyanese.

Additionally, it is also relevant for the party to examine how the AFC betrayed the same sugar workers whom they have claimed to have supported by supporting a call to shutdown the sugar industry.

It does not therefore come as a surprise and shock to learn that the AFC leadership cabal would seek to undermine dissenting views and or internal challenges to their actions in the National Assembly

Vickram Bharrat PPP/C Freedom House

ed, GT&T treats same as a matter of priority.

* This is without prejudice to the fact that any non-working service that occurs between periods of routine testing by GT&T at any Police facility is reported via established communications’ and operating protocols and are immediately flagged as priority by GT&T.

* There are no such reports currently nor are there any verifiable/substantiated reports emanating from the Guyana Police Force of fault reports year to date of “intermittent” faults associated with public voice access to the four 911 lines at Brickdam Police Station.

We trust that the above clarifies and will not be re-

sponding to any further missives from Captain Gouveia on this subject since we believe that the public interest is best served by GT&T continuing to professionally cooperate with the relevant competent authorities at the appropriate forums with regards to initiatives associated with improving the 911 and indeed the entire First Responders’ infrastructure, and not engaging in such exchanges in the media.

We restate this commitment for the record.

Yours sincerely Russell Davis Director, Technical Operations & Planning Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company, Ltd

GTT must fix the 911 system

Dear Editor, I, personally on behalf of the PSC, investigated this issue. I went into the 911 room and there were six phones and six operators. I witnessed this first hand; the phones would ring and when the operator picks up the handset, there is total silence on the phone.

I then used my cellphone and called 911 while standing right there. It would be ringing in my ears, but not on the desk or it would ring on the desk and again total silence when the operator answers.

This is an intermittent problem. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it does not. This is a tech -

nical problem and GTT NEEDS TO FIX IT. They have the monopoly on land lines. It’s their service and they need to fix it. I believe that we have enough IT technical persons in Guyana who could help solve this issue. We do not need foreign help. I recommend that we organise a meeting with 10 of our top IT persons along with GTT and Digicel. Let them solve the technical problem. This is a life and death issue.

Yours, Captain Gerry Gouveia CEO Roraima Airways

Amerindians must now think seriously of broadening their economic activities

Dear Editor, I believe that Mr Sydney Allicock should be commended that, unlike so many letter writers and feature writers in the press, and despite his obvious disenchantment with the PPP/C, the President and what he said at the opening of the Lethem rodeo, he has offered some concrete proposals (in another section of the press) on what needs to be implemented in the Amerindian communities to achieve their progress in the various aspects of their development.

However, I would like to take issue with his rejection of the component in the Amerindian Development Fund in the budget proposals which is geared to provide entrepreneurial training to young Amerindians, in keeping with similar programmes on the coastland. This programme must have been formulated with the aim of equipping the young

people in our interior locations to advance into the field of business so that they can make themselves and their families and communities somewhat independent.

I must say that Amerindians must now think seriously of broadening their economic activities from the self-sustenance nature of the past, which mostly centred around their homestead agriculture, and think about moving into commerce on a broad scale.

This would enable their communities to become selfsufficient and more able to contribute to the revenues which finance the various governmental institutions in their communities, thus elevating them into a more

respected position among our citizenry. I do hope that Mr Allicock will see the wisdom in this effort and use the broad out-

look he has displayed to institute this programme.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul,

Page Foundation

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”

On the Internet, many people decide to make ‘throwaway accounts’ not connected in any way to their real life identities. They use these accounts to post whatever they feel like: comment whatever they please and without anyone judging them personally about their opinion. And lots of times, this leads to a more honest discussion of issues since people aren’t that obsessed with just mouthing the politically correct thing. They state quite plainly their actual views on the issue.

there was a question on Reddit that asked, ‘What would you do if you had a

“throwaway” for real life?’ And that question got me thinking quite seriously about what I would do if I had this whole separate identity, not at all linked to Anuradha Dev.

The first thing that popped into my mind actually, was that with this new identity, I would tell people exactly what I felt about them – no more holding in my feelings or worrying about stepping on anybody’s toes. I’d make my views known “loud and proud”.

Overall, I’d want to be 100 times more outgoing in this new identity. I’ll talk to more people; be less insecure about whether they’d find me interesting and basically be the opposite of my real life – shy and kind of introverted. But then it dawned on me that I could try to be more outgoing in my ‘real life account’ – I didn’t have to wait for some ‘alternative

identity’. After all, my idea of what I’d do with my throwaway wasn’t something I couldn’t get away with in real life. You know... like robbing a bank or trying all of the drugs I could get my hands on (yes, those were some of the more popular responses to the original question).

The way the question impacted me was to get me thinking about the type of person I wanted to be but somehow felt I couldn’t be in real life. I guess in real life, my natural instinct to be shy is what’s holding me back from being more outgoing. But I’ve decided to start working on that, so I can become a little bit closer to the type of person I want to be. So when I return in two weeks to the old homestead, I’ll be pushing the envelope as far as conviviality and bonhomie are concerned!

So who do you want to be? What type of person have you always envisioned as being the ideal you? And what’s holding you back from being that person? Maybe you don’t need a throwaway to be that person –maybe you can start being that person today.

Is this a scene you can relate to? Your child, with her face puffy red, tears streaming down her cheeks, is holding on to you for dear life because you are leaving her for a night out with your spouse. Or maybe your child is throwing a massive temper tantrum: yelling, screaming that he does not want you to leave him alone when it’s time to go to sleep. For any parent, reactions like these can be pretty upsetting. What to do?

As unsettling as mo-

ments like these can be to parents, we need to remember that it is natural and normal for a young child to be anxious and upset about leaving a parent. There are times when parents and children must separate. By having a better understanding of what is happening, you can develop strategies for coping that can go a long way to easing your child’s discomfort — and your own — at these times.

What is going on?

Even after young children begin to talk, they rarely have the skill to convey fully what they want their parents to know. More often young children use repeated actions to communicate. Over time, parents become experts at reading their children’s cues and are able to meet their needs.

From this give-and-take our children learn they can depend on us and develop an internal sense of well-being. This “internal safety net” enables children to separate and move toward exploring their world. They continue to need their parents to feel secure, and yet they have a strong desire to explore. It is no wonder that childhood separation is so difficult for parents and children alike.

There are periods when heightened separation anxiety is a normal part of development. At seven months, your infant begins to cling to you and becomes fearful of new faces. These feelings peak over the next two to three months. They now know when you are there

and when you are gone, but they become anxious because they don’t know if you will return.

For toddlers, separation anxiety is the highest between 18 and 24 months. Physically they are able to get around more easily. Walking and reaching for any new thing they see, they can separate themselves physically from you, but constantly peek over their shoulders to make sure you’re still there.

While separation anxiety is normal during these early years, it does vary from child to child, with some children showing more signs of it than others. How long it lasts varies, depending on the temperament of the child and how the parent responds.

Here are some concrete things you can do to ease the way.

* Play disappearing games such as peek-a-boo and hide and seek when your child is nine months and older.

* Schedule separations after naps and feedings. Children manage stress better after resting and eating.

* Give your child a chance to get to know a new caregiver before being left.

* Children do better with brief separations first.

* Create a “hello-goodbye” book with pictures of mom and dad.

* Never leave without saying good-bye.

* Before leaving make sure your child has a favourite object as a reminder of you.

When is separation anxiety beyond what is expected for a child’s developmental level?

If separation anxiety continues, first make sure that the situation in which your child is being cared for is appropriate. When the anxiety persists for weeks, parents need to consider talking with a mental health professional. If it is necessary to get a professional evaluation, seek a professional who is specifically trained to diagnose and treat emotional problems in children.

(jewishbaltimore.wordpress. com)

Canadian Dream Concert receives high rating Anna Regina hot dog vendors want night security

By IndrawattIe natram

AGuyanese initiative has been recognised abroad, being named among 10 ideas to change Waterloo, a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. Now in its 12th year, the Caribbean Dreams Concert has built its reputation on bringing a little taste of Caribbean life and culture to the Waterloo region in Canada. The ACTIVE VISION-Caribbean Dreams Concert is a performing arts event where new and young artistes get the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent under one roof and at the same time it gives the opportunity to the people of Waterloo region to network, learn more about a different culture and it provides an opportunity to break the barrier between differences.

Organiser Narine Dat Sookram is still happily surprised by the interest the concert generates from all over the region.

“We have people from Cambridge coming who are actually part of the show,” he said. Their website has also been getting over 4000 hits a month from computers all over the world.

“We realised we have something going on,” Sookram said. The community-focused event was created to help expose people to Caribbean culture while also giving the Caribbean community an opportunity to have what Sookram describes as a sense of home. The concert highlights a number of performing arts disciplines, from belly dancing to singing.

The focus is on developing young or untested talent. Many people come to Sookram who want to per-

form but may have a touch of stage fright. He helps them along so that by the day of the concert, they are ready to hop on stage.

The result is that some of the earliest stars of Caribbean Dreams have gone on to have professional entertainment careers. Sookram noted that among his alumni are DJs and rappers. “All of that came through this Caribbean Dreams concert,” said Sookram.

“The idea is to empower them so they can bring their best out of themselves with the performing arts.” He is also turned it into a financially sustainable organisation with a number of high profile sponsors.

Impact

The prestigious Caribbean Dreams Concert is creating a venue that draws people together who would otherwise not be engaged in constructive social activity. It also fosters trust between participants and thereby increasing their generalised trust of others. For example, it provides an experience of

collective efficacy and civic engagement, which spurs participants to further collective action.

The concert also acts as a source of pride for residents of Waterloo increasing their sense of connection to the community and providing an experience for participants to learn technical and interpersonal skills important for collective organising. In addition, it also increases the scope of individuals’ social networks and providing an experience for the organisations involved to enhance their capacities.

Much of this comes when organisations’ establish ties and learn how to work.

This year’s concert takes place on May 31 at the Country Hills Community Centre in Kitchener and admission is free.

This in particular is extremely good news for all attendees, because over the years the cost to get in was Cdn$20.00 but this was gradually cut down to Cdn$15, Cdn$10.00 and last years it was Cdn$5. Sookram said he wanted to break down all of those financial barriers so that people can just come out and celebrate the arts and have fun and not be so isolated at home.

Hot dogs vendors at the Anna Regina Car Park are calling on the Anna Regina Town Council to provide them proper security at nights.

The call comes amid several incidents of robberies in the past few months.

The vendors told Guyana Times that they are paying vending fees to the Council and would expect the Council to protect their interest.

One hot dog vendor, Roland Karim, said his stand was robbed two times already this month.

According to Karim, he lost $20,000 worth in bread, cheese and beverages.

The vendor, who has been selling for the past 10 years, said the situation is getting from bad to worse, pointing out that on one occasion; the robbers were caught red-handed, but were later set free.

“I was told that I have to drop the matter because if it goes through the court, nothing will come out, how is this possible when the persons were caught redhanded?” Karim asked.

Hot dogs sellers usually leave stocks in their refrigerators and padnock it.

stalls are

Another hot dog vendor, Shameer

said something needs to be done about the situation.

This newspaper contacted an officer from the Anna Regina Town Council, who explained that vendors on the Anna Regina Car Park pay their taxes daily and no security is offered at night as vending at night is not allowed. But the vendors are contending that the fees they pay cover for their work the entire day.

PNCR has nothing to hide – Granger

… says Walter Rodney CoI a political prosecution of PNCR

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader David Granger has expressed disagreement with Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who said the party has squandered a golden opportunity by choosing to stay away from the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

According to Granger, the view of the Attorney General does not gel with the leadership of the PNCR, contending that the party does not believe it has to participate in the inquiry, as it is not on trial.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Friday, Granger said he is not bothered by claims made by the Attorney General.

“I don’t care what Mr Nandlall had to say, we have nothing to hide and we don’t have to be exonerated because the People’s National Congress is not on trial and I am not going to sit through a Commission of Inquiry which seeks a political persecution of one party.”

Granger said the PNCR had established from the

inception its reasons for opting out of the inquiry.

“I wrote the President of the country and I wrote the Chairman of the Commission expressing the reasons for PNC’s non-participation, stating clearly that the main reason was embodied in Terms of Reference four…. We felt that this is a prejudicial Terms of Reference and contradicts the first Terms of Reference which seeks to examine the facts and circumstances immediately, prior, at the time of and subsequent to the death of Dr Walter Rodney.”

According to him, ToR Number One is quite clear, and the party would surely support it. However, it could not, under any circumstances, support ToR Number Four.

Party feels targeted Granger said he, neither his party, is going to participate in an inquiry which targets individuals in such a manner. He said, that by having ToR Four, the Government is presuming that the persons in command

and superintendent of certain forces have some culpability. The matter, he said was discussed among the party’s executive and a decision was taken that it will not be participating in the inquiry.

Nandlall had said that the decision by the PNCR not to participate in the inquiry may have been a poor one, since the party has given up an opportunity to prove that the accusations laid against it was false.

The PNC since Rodney’s death in June 1980 has had accusing fingers pointed in its direction, claiming that it was responsible for the death of the historian. The party had always denied the accusation.

Given the widespread assumption that it was the PNCR Government, under the stewardship of then President Forbes Burnham that assassinated Rodney, Nandlall posited that the inquiry would have given the party an opportunity to vindicate itself.

The PNCR had expressed reservation on the appointment of Senior Counsel, Seenath Jairam

as a Commissioner on the three-man panel, a position that was supported by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the party cofounded by Dr Rodney.

“As you must be aware, Mr Jairam was the lead counsel representing the Government of Guyana in the recent budget cut case before the Chief Justice Ian Chang. While Mr Jairam is indisputably a highly placed and respected member of the Trinidad and Tobago Bar whose professionalism is not in question, we are of the view that, in these highly charged political issues, his past representations may not free him from the appearance of bias.”

No ulterior motive

President Donald Ramotar has assured the WPA that the inquiry has no ulterior motive.

“You have my fullest assurance that this Commission of Inquiry is not driven by a political agenda, neither is it inspired by a sinister motive.

Eyew tness Cleaning up...

...police image or actions?

There’s been a flurry of activities by the Police Force in reaction to the rising storm of discontent in the masses of ordinary Guyanese. They’ve really had it with police high-handedness and corruption. What’re their complaints? Let us count the ways. Not responding to calls from residents besieged by bandits; shakedowns at every bend in the road; harassment and leers if a woman is ever to be so bold as to enter a police station; graft; favouring their own buses on the road; turning a blind eye to infractions of “friends”; unable to solve murders; ditto with bringing prosecutions to completion...

We’ll have to stop here ‘cause we’re sure you can continue the litany. But jaded citizens are rightfully sceptical that’s it’s just another case of “new broom sweeping clean”. There is, after all, a new Top Cop. Well an “acting” one at least. Point of the matter is that the Police Force’s been so abused by the British and then the PNC (you’re talking about some 153 years!!!) to serve their own purposes, they wouldn’t know “professionalism” if it crept up and bit them on their khaki behinds.

If you’ve bent even a banyan tree for that long, it’ll be growing sideways like a vine. Ever been harassed by the Police? The British taught the Police to look at Guyanese citizens like potential criminals – and treat them accordingly. They might up and try to overturn the state at the least opportunity – so the police’d better be on guard.

Talking to you like you’re dirt? Well what do you expect from the above conditioning? The question is whether the police have been given a new paradigm to go with its new suggested name “Guyana Police Service”, that orders them to treat citizens like people. Innocent until proven guilty and all that jazz.

So we hear about testing high level officers with polygraphs. OK...what next when you have to probably fire half the top brass? Whenever we talk about the Police and their problems, it’s now obligatory to plead, “we know not all cops are rotten”. Maybe...but we also know that one bad mango can spoil the entire bag. And it’s like that with cops.

Word’s been out for decades that you join the force to shakedown suckers (read “all Guyanese”.) That’s why – as pointed out by a top cop – most recruits request to join customs.

If we want to go beyond image burnishing, we have to implement the Disciplined Forces Recommendations. With some temporary foreigners to ensure the job gets done.

...money laundering

Talk about “having it up to here”. This AML/CFT Bill’s saga’s been going on so long, it could give those now popular Indian soaps, a run for their money. So the top honchos of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force are in town to try convincing the Opposition they ought to sign on the dotted line. It’s for the benefit of Guyana and all that.

Fat lot of good it’ll do them or the country. Truth is, the Opposition’s opposition to the Bill has absolutely nothing to do with its merits or demerits. The wankers shamelessly announced their recalcitrance is merely to force the Government to capitulate to their whims and fancies on some other matters. We have to call it for what it is: “blackmail”, plain and simple.

Maybe Jamaican PM Portia Miller’s offer to assist might be more useful. In their quest to “oppose and depose” the Government, the Opposition might be counting on Caricom’s silence as with Burnham’s rigging. They might understand that “no more” is the cry.

...intellectual pretensions

The foreign fella over at Stabber News with the precious curls, bemoaned our lack of “intellectualism”. He whined: “The University of Guyana looks like a place of the utmost paucity of intellectualism.”

What a wanker, who can’t even construct a proper sentence!

Opposition willing to reinstate funding for UG – Granger, Ramjattan

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger and Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan have said that the voting down of the University of Guyana (UG) Student Loan subvention last week was not a premeditated act.

They have indicated that if the Government brings a Supplementary Bill to the House, they will most willingly reinstatement funding for the university.

The two leaders were responding to questions regarding the $450 million that the Opposition voted against last week in the Committee of Supply, during the 2014 Budget Debates.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger said he would be willing to give an in-depth explanation to the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) concerning the decision which may have left them puzzled.

Rock and a hard place

“On this occasion in the 2014 Budget, the Minister of Finance bunched several items together and in this case under Heading 03, under Capital Expenditure, proposals for student loans of $450 million have been included with other items that A Partnership for National Unity was dissatisfied with.”

According to him, when questioned by the Speaker re-

garding the approval of the expenditure, the party was thrown between a rock and a hard place.

“The result is when the question was posed by the Speaker, we could either approve all or none at all,” he said, noting that the Student Loan, which was not a target of disapproval by APNU, suffered because items such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) were bunched together.

According to him, it was never the party’s intention to trample on students’ education.

Meanwhile, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan told this publication that the Government is “behaving irresponsible now”. In an invited comment, the party leader said the Government was advised to return to the National Assembly with supplementary provisions.

However, nothing has been discussed to this regard. He too declared that there was never any intention to stifle students’ growth. He said the Government made a smart move when it bundled the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and some other items into one.

Last week, the combined parliamentary Opposition voted against funding for several Finance Ministry programmes, including the $450 million allocated to UG for student loans.

Crisis looms

UG Vice Chancellor

Professor Jacob Opadeyi had said that if the decision to axe the budgetary allocation is not soon reversed, a severe crisis would ensue at the country’s premier tertiary institution. Professor Opadeyi had explained that the situation was further complicated, since loans to students are issued on a yearly basis.

He said if the situation is not urgently addressed, some 3500 students will not be able to enrol in the new academic year, which commences in September.

“The university not having this money to cushion our expenditure is a big blow. On the other hand is to know that over 3500 students will be affected by this development… in real terms that is over 50 per cent of our students… If we do not have that income to come in, we’ll have implications”.

Guyana Times spoke to

several UG students, who are currently pursuing studies based on the accessibility of the student loans.

The students related that the move would severely affect the completion of their studies and they are now concerned that their years of studies and financial investment will go in vain, as they may not be able to afford tuition fees this year with the cuts.

No other financial support

Queeda Watson, a fourth year medical student noted that she will be severely affected as she had no sound financial support from her family.

“I am from a poor family and I am the only working person in my family. I was able to start UG because I was able to access student loans. If this has been cut, I do not know what I will do come September because I was in the process of applying for another loan to pay for my final year. Now that it has been cut, what will I do? I can’t find cash money to go and register for classes and then I heard that they will be increasing fees from September which makes it even worse,” Watson cried.

Another student, Amanda Grey said she had to access the facility since the medical programme currently costs some $500,000, exclusive of text books, travelling and other expenses.

Tuition fees for all courses at the university are expected to increase from September.

Bringing citizens, Police together is a work in progress – Rohee

The Golden Grove/ Diamond Station Management Committee on Saturday held a fundraising exercise on the lawns of the Golden Grove Police Station, the proceeds of which will go towards enhancing the station’s infrastructure.

This committee was established in 2008 by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee with the overarching aim of improving the relations between the Police and citizens, since public support is seen as vital in intelligence gathering which will in turn enable the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to be more efficient.

The Committee’s Chairman Sewchand explained that their membership also plays an oversight role in the management of the station, and even acts as an advisory committee from time to time to improve operations.

He added that since 2008 to present, the committee has remained vibrant and has managed to garner the support of surrounding communities; noting that without residents’ support, it would be difficult to accomplish their goals and objectives.

Meanwhile, Minister Rohee who was also present at the event, said activ-

ities such as these help to bring communities together and allow for residents to really understand the role and functions of a Station Management Committee.

The Minister said that these committees, which have been established across the country, allow for a harmonious relationship between the Police and civilians; whereby they assist each other towards the building of safer neighbourhoods.

“To bring the citizens and the stations closer is a continuing exercise and a work in progress… both the Police, as well as residents stand to benefit,” Minister Rohee said.

Subsequent to the Minister’s remarks, a raffle drawing was held for which the prizes included a bicycle, television set, DVD player, blender, and several hampers. Residents were also given sprinkles and other vitamins donated by the Health Ministry.

Station Management Committees were first initiated by the GPF in 1996 by then Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis, comprising police personnel and influential persons in the communities with the initial thrust of assisting with the maintenance infrastructure, equipment and vehicles.

Reports of Canje River pollution being investigated

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said an investigation has been launched into allegation of contamination in some areas of the Canje River, following a visit to the affected locations on Friday.

Ramsammy explained.

He noted that there have been several complaints, mainly of fish dying and muddy water. Residents use the river for bathing and other domestic purposes.

Dr Ramsammy saw firsthand the muddy waters and residents showed him a possible source of the contamination, but he said he is no expert and will get his technical personnel to look into the situation.

Media Messiah

SThe Agriculture Minister during his meeting with residents said systems will be put in place to address the situation.

“One of the issues that have come up over the past several months is a possi-

Resident had complained of getting ill and their livelihoods being at stake as a result of the pollution.

ble concern by some residents that are residing along the bank on both sides of the Canje River: Manarabisi and Yakusari areas etc… where some 18 families have expressed some concern about water that might be coming from rice fields having an impact on their livelihood,” Dr

“At least technical persons have listened to their complaints and we have seen a possible source that they have identified and indeed the place of identity seems to have the capacity to drain water,” he said, while pointing out that it is too early to decide whether the reports from residents are accurate.

“I am in no position to doubt what they are alleging, but I am taking these things seriously and I am looking at that… however, we are in no position to conclude that if fishes died (and I have no reason to doubt) that it is the reason residents are alluding to, we have to verify that,” he stated.

He added: “From a purely scientific perspective, we have to do more studies since that explanation does not seems to explain the problem, but I am assuring the residents that this issue will be looked at and all mechanis will be implemented so as to solve any future issues that may arises.”

He said the drainage of rice fields that are under cultivation will result in muddy waters, noting that the problem has to be fully investigated to determine the real cause.

“By just thinking about it doesn’t seems to be the kind of release of water that correspond to the problem that we are looking at, so it means that what we at our level have to do is real time investigations,” he said, while assuring that the Ministry will be working closely with the communities to put the problem away one and for all.

atiricus was so proud. He knew he was just an ordinary grunge in the news business. But when he saw the news about that fearless leader of the “new news” hounds, Tennis Jabral, he had to wipe away a tear from his eye. Discreetly...since real newsmen don’t cry. Tennis had broken new ground in the business. While Satiricus and his buddies were still hustling to put together ink on paper that smeared on your hands, Tennis had moved on to putting news in hyperspace. He called his spot “Demerara Staves”. Satiricus sighed. He wished he had the brains to understand things like “HTML” and “codes” and such like. He’d also been proud when Tennis was joined in hyperspace by RubBert with his cutting edge “HiNews”. It was such a friendly name...excepting that Satiricus never figured how RubBert got his e-mail address. Now his “inbox” was always filled with the latest gossip about everyone

Satiricus never wanted to know. “But that’s the price for progress,” sighed Satiricus.

But Satiricus came back from his musings to the news that Tennis had been selected by the US Embassy for some special training stateside. Tennis was back and now he would “highlight the role of civil society in political decision making”. Satiricus’ eyes welled with tears again. “A superpower’s job is never done,” he sobbed. Look how the US was running trillions of dollars in debt to China and yet they were spending money to spread democracy here. They were already spending millions of dollars (“US dollars,” Satiricus moaned.) with their LEAD programme to teach us about democracy. And now they had flown Tennis all over the states, putting him up in fancy hotels and eating at gourmet restaurants to get ordinary folks like Satiricus to be involved in “political decision making”.

Satiricus always wanted to make “political decisions”. “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could pick my son to hand out contracts?” he thought. But he’d always been taught that the Constitution specified who could make political decisions. “But hey! If the great US of A says there was a new way to make political decisions,” Satiricus thought, “Well so be it.”

And now Tennis would be teaching everyone how to get power by this new way, on his Demerara Staves. Why just this morning Tennis taught ordinary Amerindians that they had been threatened by some big, bad ones in the Government! The Government was always bad!

But then Satiricus had a thought. “Why did the US Embassy pick Tennis And not RubBert to teach people to make “political decisions”?”

Investigations ongoing into alleged gold scam

Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said investigations into allegations of gold tampering at the Guyana Gold Board, Bartica, Region Seven office is ongoing, noting that it is too early to pronounce on the matter.

The acting Police Commissioner related that although several arrests have already been made, the investigations are in its early stages.

A week ago, the Natural Resources Ministry announced that a forensic audit has been launched into the operations of the Guyana Gold Board office at Bartica.

In a release at that time

Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

from the Gold Board, its Chairman, Dr Gobind Ganga had said the audit will aid the current investigations by the Guyana Police Force.

Dr Ganga also maintained that “all gold purchased by the Guyana Gold Board are first stored under the strictest security systems”, adding that it is virtually “impossible to allow for any tampering”.

Seven employees from the Bartica and Georgetown offices were detained by Police for questioning in the earlier stages of the investigation. It was also reported that one of the employees of the Gold Board has gone into hiding after the scam was brought to light. To date, no information has surfaced about the missing employee.

Criminals will be made uncomfortable – new Crime Chief

Newly-appointed Crime Chief Leslie James has taken over the Criminal Investigations Department at a time when there is a high ratio of unsolved murders, but he is assuring the public that all criminals should be concerned since his team of investigators will be going after them with full force.

James, who has taken over from Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, said with the support of the public for the work of his department, the crime situation will be tackled head on.

He intends to bring to the table new ideas and strategies that will help to reduce the high percentage of unsolved murders, even if it means him going out to hunt the perpetrators.

In an interview with media operatives on Thursday, James said his main focus is to follow the laws that govern the country and is certain that with the relevant training in capacity-building, his team will be more equipped, thus, their expertise will be put into practise.

Recently, the Guyana Police Force indicated that serious crimes for the year has increased by 38 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

James has his work cut out and will have to get on top of several matters which have still not been brought

Shift to more sustainable food system needed – FAO Director General

Cto closure.

Additionally, the reform process is continuing within the Guyana Police Force and there has been talk about the need to reorganise and restructure the Criminal Investigations Department, by increasing staff and their resources.

Recently, the department was able to arrest the two men who robbed and killed a salesman attached to the Patsan Trading.

The men were nabbed at a city hotel with a .38 Revolver and four matching rounds.

Standstill

However, to date, they are at a standstill in the investigations into the killings of designer Trevor Rose and Eccles money changer Bridgelall Persaud.

They have not issued a wanted bulletin for anyone in the matters, which means that they are not in possession of the identities of the suspects. Recently, the Police stated that they were looking for two men for the execution of the Eccles businessman and one for the execution of the designer.

The main witnesses in the Trevor Ross murder reportedly failed to positively identify the shooter during an identification parade at the Police Headquarters, but the Police are optimistic that they will make a breakthrough in the case at some point in time.

Rose was gunned down on the morning of January 26, when a lone gunman opened fire on the car he was in while in the vicinity of the traffic lights at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

On the other hand, on February 20, about 08:10h, Persaud, also called “B Boy” was gunned down in the vicinity of Builder’s Lumber Yard, Lombard Street, Georgetown after he was attacked by two gunmen. The robbers then made good their escape with a bag containing at least $1 million.

ountries need to shift to more sustainable food systems, stepping up action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva told participants at the seventh Forum on Agriculture in the Kingdom of Morocco.

“Everything we do needs to take climate change into consideration,” he stressed. “And the time is now. We cannot afford to wait.”

“Climate change has the potential to reconfigure the planet’s food production scenario,” Graziano da Silva said, adding that it reintroduced “an element of uncertainty” after decades in which hunger was caused more by a lack of access to the means to produce or purchase food, rather than insufficient supplies globally.

“The world’s poorest are particularly vulnerable,” he said. “Not only do they have fewer means to react, but

they also tend to live in already marginal production areas,” where the impact of climate change in agricultural production is felt to an even greater extent.

He pointed to the recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which reflected these concerns and called for urgent action.

The Director General also spoke about family farming as a tool for rural development and stability, pointing out that the United Nations had declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming.

The high-level event included Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea; Ibrahim Keita,

President of Mali; Aziz Akhannouch, Agriculture and Marine Fisheries of Morocco Ministry; and, agriculture ministers from a dozen other countries.

Cross-cutting issue

In his address, Graziano da Silva pointed out that climate change was a challenge that both large, modernised family farms and small-scale family farmers would need to face.

Climate change is an issue that cuts across a broad range of development priorities, including ending hunger, supporting sustainable production, reducing rural poverty, improving food markets and building resilience, Graziano da Silva said.

He noted that some 500 million family farms account for about 80 per cent of the world’s holdings, yet also include many of the most vulnerable families globally.

Younge’s take

Evidence based politics

Guyana’s political system is in urgent need of reformation to give rise to a new culture that is based on meritocracy and evidence based research.

For too long, the politics of our society has remained in a state of disrepair and constant conflict. It should be noted that a few of our politicians, perhaps the best of the current lot, are able to practise politics of maturity, consensus and compromise, principle and ethics, and nationalism.

The sad reality is that a majority of them have missed the benchmark as far as the aforementioned forms of politics are concerned. This has resulted in confusion within our political system which is being undermined by the clandestine, but growing, politics of ransom,

race and revenge.

It has not dawned on some of these politicians that by failing to put Guyana first and failing to see beyond their myopic positions on issues that they are raping this country of a bright future and sustainable development.

By refusing to concede and surrender to nationalistic positions, despite how strongly they feel about an issue or person, they are demonstrating the puerile nature of Guyanese politics.

It is astounding that senior politicians are allowed to libel, defame and make false allegations against each other and several state institutions without putting forward one shred of evidence. This is almost criminal when one analyses the damage that could be done by

these spurious accusations.

Additionally, the parliament has become a place where decisions are made on the basis of how one political party feels about an issue or perceives the other side’s intention. There is little sign of any evidence based research or analysis done of any issue engaging the attention of the National Assembly, and even if there was it is certainly not shared to enhance the credibility of the presentation.

This was most evident during the last round of Budget Debates when the Government was accused of this and that, but all politicians on the opposite side failed miserably to expose the Executive’s alleged lawlessness and excess with any proof or sound research findings.

In the end, decisions

are made, even if there is no evidence to support the damning allegations made, which would, and have had in the past, indelible impacts on our society’s morale, perception about government and nationalistic sentiment.

We are slowly becoming a society which acts and takes positions on the basis of gossip, allegations and gaff. Our politicians are contributing to the decay of any sort of objective and independent analyses of issues which confront our country when they spill out untruths, false allegations and defame each other with the aim of scoring cheap political mileage.

That is the power of the political sound bite and the attention seeking syndrome which is plaguing some of our

politicians and forcing them to engage in all manner of publicity stunts. Unless and until the practice of evidence based politics takes centre stage, those guilty of corruption, misuse of office, heinous crimes and any form of excessive actions will go free.

Politicians must premise their actions and comments on the basis of facts, sound rationale and inescapable truths. Their actions must stand the test of scrutiny and must be motivated by more than their personal feelings and perceptions.

More particularly, our Opposition politicians who are usually the ones making allegations and decisions that could redefine the developmental course of this country must come to grips with

evidence based politics. There are those who appear to be at the centre of the gossip and rumour mill as regards everything under the sun. Anyone who wants a career in politics in Guyana may not need to show any evidence when presenting different positions or making allegations, but they would need to at least be a “King Liar” or very theatrical and convincing.

In sharp contrast, those interested in a respected career in politics, and one that is honourable, should let all of their argumentations and public sentiments have at their core evidence based research.

Shift to more sustainable...

Family farmers make up an estimated 70 per cent of all food insecure households in rural areas of developing countries.

“By providing adequate support to family farming we can combat food insecurity by reaching out to a group that is in itself vulnerable, and by increasing food supply where we need it the most,” Graziano da Silva said. He added that linking productive support to social protection would help to jumpstart local and inclusive sustainable development.

Graziano da Silva lauded Morocco’s Government for its Plan Maroc Vert, or Green Morocco Plan, for agricultural development, which he said recognised the distinct needs of both smallscale farmers and larger family farms.

He also credited Morocco with reducing undernourishment among its population to under five per cent,

in keeping with specific targets set by UN Millennium Development Goal One to reduce hunger and poverty by the year 2015.

“We cannot underestimate the importance that agriculture and small-scale production have in creating jobs and generating income,” said the Director General. This would be crucial in Africa, he said, where half the population is under 25.

South-South Cooperation

The Director General and the Moroccan Ministers of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries and of the Economy and Finance signed an agreement to support food security projects elsewhere in Africa through the FAO South-South Cooperation (SSC) programme. The innovative agreement is the first under FAO’s SSC initiative to combine Government and private sector funds in this way.

Truth Simply the

Rum culture

Somebody in parliament went on about the “rum culture” in Guyana. We need to admire such penetrative insight, of course. Finally, light has been shone on that which was already seen. Now we finally know that there is a rum culture, domestic and child abuse, driving under the influence (DUI), and so on. This is the Guyanese version of Revelations! We reveal that which the world has know for decades. We do it in no less a place than parliament too. Hallowed halls and such. Hollow halls in which we find hollow folk. We know all of this. Let’s talk “rum culture”.

Alcohol does not and cannot bring out what is in you already. Liquor simply loosens the inhibitions and turns loose that which is in us anyway. If we are a rotten nation of too many rotten people and we all dive in the bottle, it all comes out.

In fact, too many of us have no composure in the first place. We are violent in words and actions and on all occasions. We listen to the intelligent debate of our “representatives” and they are very much like drunken hooligans. Except they are in some well-appointed building and they have these titles. Their behaviour allows us to justify our own bestial behaviour.

There has been so much babble about domestic violence and child abuse that it is commonplace. There have been so many “workshops” and “seminars” and “conferences” and “meetings” and “consultations” that we now fail to be astonished by our own cruelty and callousness.

We do not understand that domestic violence and child abuse (nice term for the rape and destruction of children!) cannot and will not stop because we sit down in nice rooms and “discuss stuff”. Neither will it stop by those placardcarrying, noise-generating road-side protests. It can only stop when we look at ourselves in calm and cold and honest ways.

The genius VS Naipaul has written that there can be no analysis without self-analysis. Spot on! We do not dare analyse ourselves because we are terrified of the truth we would see. Therefore, we numb ourselves with drugs, drinks, noise, and vulgar pretence. We lie to ourselves and to everyone else.

There is no rum culture! There is a culture of moral decrepitude in which intelligence, imagination, honesty and integrity have no place. The rum thing is just a symptom of the disease. We bury these things beneath the debris of lies, refusing to confess our own panic.

Our male and female citizens go to bars and rum shops, drink up and behave in ways that would land them in prison in other countries. Not here! It is all ordinary, all acceptable, all cool. Even as I am typing this out, there are 19 cars parked along both sides of this ribbon of road in Rose Hall Town.

There are several cars with their trunks open, each playing their own version of hysteria that they call music. The arguments are loud, the violence just beneath the back-slapping camaraderie. The noise rattles the doors and windows of the place where I live. The Police outpost is not far away, but there is no self-respect much less respect for the law.

And each of these drunken people will slither into their cars and drive! Only the heavens can protect any innocent that went out for a fried rice and chicken or to take their babies out for an ice cream.

As it happens, there are only THREE breathanalysers in this country that are in concord with the laws. One is in Linden, one in New Amsterdam, the other in Brickdam. So more liquid than liquor, I can drive. But I read of fanfare at the donation of dozens of breathalysers that have been donated to our Land of Many Waters. Lots of smiles, handshakes, selfcongratulations, pictures. All useless.

In the face of this, I feel sorry for good law enforcement officers. They are in a lose-lose situation. If they enforce the law, they are the bad guys! If they don’t, they

are the bad guys! We do not provide promotional opportunities nor provide opportunities for educational advancement, nor attend to modern training. We give them the worst and expect from them the best.

PNCR has nothing...

It is intended to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of one of Guyana’s brightest stars, a man who has won international acclaim for his prodigious scholarship as well as his social, political and working class activism, and coincidentally but fundamentally, one whom you once embraced as your leader, a brother and a comrade,” Ramotar told the WPA leaders in a letter.

Meanwhile, several top WPA leaders, including

co-chairman of the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and WPA stalwart Eusi Kwayana will testify at the international inquiry which commences on Monday, ending speculation that officials of the party of the late historian would have boycotted the probe.

Dr Roopnaraine, Kwayana, Karen Desouza, Andayie, Father Malcolm Rodrigues, Lincoln Lewis, Nigel Westmaas, Donald Rodney, Edward Rodney, Hubert Rodney and many

from page 8

others are expected to testify, either next week or during the next session commencing at the end of May, attorney for the Commission, Glenn Hanoman has confirmed.

The Public Hearings commence on Monday at 09.00h at the Supreme Court Library Building, Avenue of the Republic and Charlotte Street, Georgetown, and will continue on April 29 and 30, and on May 2. The proceedings will be streamed live on ncnguyana.com, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Afghan election set for Abdullah-Ghani run-off

The Afghan presidential election will go to a second round, after no candidate reached the 50 per cent needed for an outright win, preliminary results show. Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah won most votes with 44.9 per cent. Former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani came second with 31.5 per cent. They are now expected to face a run-off vote on May 28. Final official

results are due to be announced on May 14 after a period for adjudication of complaints.

The BBC’s David Loyn in Kabul says there are increasing claims of fraud. Full preliminary results were due two days ago.

The delay has fuelled allegations on all sides that ballot boxes were stuffed and the count was rigged, our correspondent says. Abdullah and Ghani could now form a power-sharing

deal, or choose to go to a second round.

Before the results were announced, both men promised to fight in a run-off.

“We have not talked or negotiated with anyone about forming a coalition government,” Abdullah told reporters on Thursday.

Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats to take part in the election.

Turnout was double that of the previous presidential election in 2009, despite a number of attacks in the run-up and bad weather on polling day.

Current President Hamid Karzai was constitutionally barred from standing for a third term. The next president will face several challenging issues, including the expected withdrawal of foreign combat troops later this year and attacks by the Taliban.

Around the World

Antigua latest Caribbean island to be hit by chikungunya disease

Less than 24 hours after St Vincent and the Grenadines confirmed an outbreak of the chikungunya virus, another Caribbean Community (Caricom) country is reporting its first case of the mosquito borne disease.

Antigua and Barbuda health officials Friday held a news conference to confirm that an individual in his mid 60’s had become the island’s first case.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Orita Zachariah told reporters that the case had been detected on April

22 and the victim between the ages 60 and 65 works in the capital, St John’s. The health authorities say they are also awaiting results of four other suspected cases from the Trinidadbased Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and causes a dengue-like sickness.

Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Brazilian military rule torturer Paulo Malhaes found dead

ABrazilian former army colonel who admitted torturing and killing political prisoners under military rule up to the 1980s has been found dead. Paulo Malhaes, 76, was killed by three men who entered his home outside Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, police say.

Last month, he said he never regretted killing “as many people as necessary” and tortured “many” prisoners. Almost 500 people disappeared or were killed in Brazil when it was ruled by the army between 1964 and 1985.

three men who broke into their home.

Thousands more were detained and tortured, including current President Dilma Rousseff. According to his wife, Colonel Malhaes was suffocated by

Police say the assailants stole computers and some guns. Prominent Brazilian lawyer Wadih Damous said the intruders may have been after secret files he held.

“He was an important agent of political repression during the dictatorship and held much information about events that occurred behind the scenes at the time,” Damous said. Last month Colonel Malhaes appeared before Brazil’s National Truth Commission, which is investigating past abuses. He gave graphic testimony on how he had tortured many political prisoners. “I did my duty. I have no regrets,” he told the commission. (BBC News)

Govt awaiting Opposition’s support to pass AML Bill – Nandlall

Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the Government has met all the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) amendments in the Anti-

Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) (Amendment) Bill, and is now awaiting the support of the combined Opposition to

pass the critical legislation.

The Attorney General said this position was made clear when CFATF Chairman Allyson MaynardGibson and Executive

Director Calvin Wilson met with President Donald Ramotar; Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; and Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill at the Office of the President, on the way forward for the Bill on Saturday.

He added that the proposed draft amendments made by the parliamentary Opposition do not address the completed Bill, on which there is agreement, observing that it seeks to amend the Principal Act.

Nandlall stated too “we emphasised our concerns that the draft amendments proposed now are unlikely to be found acceptable by CFAFT and, more fundamentally, expose Guyana to becoming non-compliant in areas we are compliant”.

He added that Government emphasised the importance of passing the Bill, not only for its effect on Guyana and its economy, but the region as a whole.

The Attorney General also stated that the CFATF Chairperson MaynardGibson has indicated that Guyana is the only country yet to implement all of the body’s recommendations. “She made it very clear that the consequences are going to be devastating,” Nandlall said.

The team is also scheduled to meet with Opposition members as a result of their concern over Guyana’s situation on anti-money laundering and its outcomes, and to re-emphasise the importance of a CFATF compliant bill.

Concerns are that the

Bill may not be passed by the time of the CFATF plenary.

APNU’s support is conditional on the President addressing outstanding issues such as the non-assent to Bills passed by the Opposition and the commencement order for the holding of Local Government Elections, among others, while the Alliance for Change (AFC) has called for a Public Procurement Commission (PPC) more recently, it had backed APNU’s demands.

Blacklisted

Guyana has been blacklisted by the CFATF, and when it submitted its report earlier this year, it was documented that the nation was yet to enact the required laws. CFATF will be holding a review next month at which point in time it will refer Guyana to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)/ International Corporation Review Group (ICRG). At the FATF review of Guyana, the nation stands to be blacklisted internationally.

The task force maintains that Guyana must pass the relevant legislation and implement all the outstanding issues within its Action Plan, fully criminalise money laundering and terrorist financing offences, address all the requirements on beneficial ownership, strengthen the requirements for suspicious transaction reporting, improve international cooperation and ensure the freezing and confiscation of all terrorist assets, and implement fully, the Conventions of the United Nations.

Should Guyana be sent

to the ICRG by FATF, the process will be extremely critical. Officials will physically visit Guyana and make more recommendations, all of which will have to be complied with before Guyana can be removed from the blacklist. This process could take an average of four to six years while the country is still being blacklisted. This would cause economic slow-down, and would be a disincentive for anyone wanting to transact business locally. In February, CFATF’s Financial Adviser Roger Hernandez had visited Guyana and met with members of the AML parliamentary committee. He had explained that in order for the Bill to be considered by CFATF’s Plenary in May, it would have had to be passed by February 28.

Hernandez said the regional watchdog body has concerns in relation to the amendments that APNU was proposing to the AML Bill, explaining that some of those put forward deal with previous areas of the Act, an Act that was deemed compliant.

EMD wins CJIA’s inaugural Duck Curry Competition

The winning team of the CJIA inaugural Duck Curry Competition

After more than three hours of teasing and friendly rivalry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Engineering and Maintenance Department (EMD) emerged victorious in the airport’s inaugural Duck Curry Competition on Friday. Apart from a trophy, EMD now has the bragging rights of being called the “Duck Curry Champs” and within a few months will defend their culinary skill in the CJIA’s Inter-Agency Competition.

Meanwhile, the Commercial and Administration and Operations Departments placed second, followed by the Aviation Security Department. The judges focused on taste, flavour, aroma, texture and presentation.

Case of slain biker likely to be reopened

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

Shalimar Ali-Hack has requested an additional statement from the main witness in the case involving Rondy Jagdeo, who was accused of murdering super biker, Kirk Davis.

As such, she added that the file was sent back to the Police to obtain the statement after which she asked that the file be returned to her. The DPP will make her recommendations based on the new evidence garnered. A reliable source told Guyana Times that the matter is likely to be reopened.

The DPP recalled that recently she instructed the preliminary inquiry (PI) of freed murder accused, Carlyle Barton to be reopened after she found sufficient evidence to do so. Similar, she added that if the evidence is overwhelming, the PI into the murder of Davis can be reopened.

Jagdeo, 28, of Lot 159, Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, was freed by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on March 20. All charges against Jagdeo were dropped which stated that he allegedly killed his friend, Kirk Davis on September 3, 2013.

The pre-trial matter engaged the attention of the court for a little over one month and some seven witnesses were called to take the stand on behalf of the Prosecution. On March 20, the Prosecution was ordered to close its case after failing on three occasions to produce its two remaining civilian witnesses to the court.

28 before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell and was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on May 27 at Orange Walk, he murdered Nelson.

The matter was then transferred to another court where the PI commenced. As the PI continued, several prosecution witnesses did not show up to testify, which brought a halt to the proceedings and forced the case to be adjourned.

Production target for turmeric, ginger set at 10,000 tonnes

of these for marketing.

The ultimate goal of the Ministry is to at least by 2020 have minimal importation of these commodities and their value added products.

Overcoming challenges

The Ministry’s central location, with regards to its spice activity in Region One is at Hosororo. There, farmers are engaged in the production of turmeric, and while, the growing of the commodity has not been an issue, constraints with regards to processing have limited farmers’ enthusiasm to the spice's cultivation.

Jagdeo subsequently left the country after the Guyana Police Force alleged that he was the main suspect in the murder. Jagdeo returned home from Holland on October 23, 2013 and submitted himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on October 28, 2013, in the company of his lawyers.

In Commissioner’s court On the other hand, it has been three months since the DPP advised the courts to reopen the case of the freed cricketer, but to date, the accused Carlyle Barton cannot be located. When asked if that is the end of the matter, the DPP suggested that the question with respect to the re-arrest of the accused be thrown at the acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud.

Magistrate Fabayo Azore had announced that she was forced to set Barton free, owing to the lack of evidence since the witnesses failed to show up. Barton made his first court appearance on May

Davis was reportedly killed because the accused had reasons to believe the deceased and his wife were having an affair. He was shot at least 16 times.

The entire shooting incident was captured by surveillance cameras and based on the evidence, the cricketer was charged with the man’s death. The surveillance recording that was collected from a nearby business was reportedly not presented in court.

President Donald Ramotar on Thursday last flayed the Guyana Police Force for its record of weak prosecution, citing the disastrous collapse of the murder case involving Barton and Jagdeo, both due to lack of evidence.

Ramotar noted that the country was heading for a serious crisis since more and more crimes are being committed with fewer convictions being made.

He urged the Police Force to work to tackle this major concern at the earliest opportunity.

“Unsolved crimes and the low rate of convictions can have serious consequences. They will lead to heightened criminal activities in our country. I understand that all the blame should not be placed on the Police Force, and as such, I have spoken to the Minister of Legal Affairs to engage his judicial authorities so that they too can do their part,” he said.

As a component of diversification of the crop sector, the Agriculture Ministry through the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has been focusing on increasing production and productivity of some of the traditional agriculture crops, as well as trying as far as possible to reduce the importation of crops which can be grown locally.

The cultivation of spices is one aspect of diversification, and the Ministry has especially targeted the hinterland communities in this regard.

Commodities like turmeric, ginger, and black pepper have been identified for cultivation in communities in Regions One, Seven, and Eight, but at present, the initial focus is on Region One. Such commodities are responsible for close to US$2 million in importation on an annual basis.

The Agriculture Ministry, however, has developed a strategy of support that will realise increased production with a focus on value added, and in the case of turmeric, and ginger, the production of the powdered form

NAREI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Oudho Homenauth explained that the issue is that farmers are not accustomed to doing the processing, which involves, the boiling, drying and grinding the dry turmeric root into powder. The drying must be carried out for days and can become tedious.

The Agriculture Ministry, taking into consideration these issues, in 2013 invested in mechanical equipment to support the spice's production in Hosororo. Equipment was procured for boiling, and a solar drier was obtained to assist the drying of other produce like black pepper and ginger to some extent.

Focus was also placed, not only on supporting the industry through the introduction of new modernised equipment, but on advancing it through the provision of a technical support officer.

In this regard, a NAREI staff member, who was sent to India to specialise in spice cultivation and processing, and who will return in July, will add impetus to the industry. In 2013, ginger production rose, according to Dr Homenauth. This year, the Ministry is projecting that together with turmeric and ginger the production figure will grow about 10,000 tonnes.

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Pursue some solitary activities today. Relatives and friends will not be sympathetic to your difficulties. Your complaints will fall on deaf ears, so keep personal issues secret.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

It’s time for an excursion. Check out interesting local attractions or go for a short, unplanned adventure. Your wanderlust will take you somewhere interesting.

(Feb.20March 20)

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

Little changes you make at home will prove rewarding. Avoid meddling or picking sides in an argument. Keep your composure and your distance. Look out for your best interests.

(July 23Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

(March 21-April 19)

If financial independence is what you are looking for, you will need to start by investing wisely, setting a budget and reducing spending. Ask an expert for advice regarding money management. You may have a problem avoiding trouble. Burn up all of your excess energy engaging in creative, constructive endeavors. Consider getting rid of stuff you no longer need.

(April 20May 20)

Interaction with people in authoritative or official capacities will lead to problems. Work on solitary projects and choose another time to deal with personal paperwork or governmental agencies.

(May 21June 20)

Get involved in an environmentally or socially conscious group. While your input and enthusiasm are valuable, you must let others have their say as well. Sharing will lead to success.

Your inquisitive nature will result in an interesting travel opportunity. You will be able to learn a great deal about other people and their ways of life by researching different cultures. Keep a close eye on your cash. Charity begins at home, so don’t donate to a cause you know little about. Generosity will impress the wrong person. Avoid being taken for granted.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Now is not the time to bring up past disagreements. You may not see eye-to-eye with someone, but you must at least consider the changes that are suggested.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Collaboration and joint ventures will benefit you. Show how valuable you can be, but be sure to give credit where credit is due. Celebrate victory as a group.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Continue to improve your self-image. Whether it is a fitness programme, diet plan or some other activity, take positive steps toward your chosen goal. Your perseverance will pay off.

Regional Four-day final…

Blackwood, Bonner give Jamaicans early edge

Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner were both dismissed within sight of breakthrough hundreds to give Jamaica early control over Windward Islands in the Headley/Weekes Trophy Final on Saturday.

Blackwood has so far hit the top score of 94 and Bonner supported with 88, as Jamaica, sent in to bat, reached 232-3 in their first innings at the close on the opening day of the finale to the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Blackwood and Bonner shared a Jamaica record for the second wicket against the Windwards of 180 to take the sting out of their opponents’ attack, energised by the sight of a hard, true Beausejour Cricket Ground pitch with several patches of grass and the early scalp of left-handed opener John Campbell.

After an early flurry of strokes, the two young batsmen settled down and batted resolutely through lunch and tea to set up their side, but failed to reward their hard work with career-defining hundreds.

Blackwood was adjudged lbw coming onto the frontfoot and playing across a full-length delivery from Kenroy Peters, one ball after the left-arm mediumfast bowler unsettled him with a rib-tickler. He struck seven fours and one six from 207 balls in four hours.

And Bonner was brilliantly caught at second slip, when he got a thick edge chasing a short, wide delivery from Mervin Mathew for Sunil Ambris to dive to his right and pouch a fine one-handed catch. The Jamaican opener hit 11 fours from 205 balls in 4-½ hours.

They were both dismissed in the first hour after tea, leaving Andre McCarthy, not out on 29, and their captain Tamar Lambert, not out on 14, to bat through the final hour and consolidate the visitors’ position.

Solid start

Earlier, Jamaica reached 94-1 at lunch, after Campbell was caught behind for two in the third

over of the day, playing forward to left-arm fast-medium bowler Delorn Johnson.

The visitors were then seven for one, but Blackwood joined Bonner and batted for the rest of the morning period to give their side a good foundation.

Blackwood reached his 50 from 102 balls, when he drove Sebastien into the offside for a single just prior to lunch.

After the interval, Bonner reached his 50 from 113 balls in streaky fashion, when he edged a delivery from Mervin Mathew between second slip and gully to third man for his seventh boundary. He was, however, fortunate before and after he reached the landmark.

He was on 40 when champion Windwards and West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford failed to hold onto a stinging return catch and only succeeded in damaging his bowling hand, which forced him to leave the field for the rest of the day.

Bonner was on 57 when substitute fielder Nelon Pascal badly muffed a regulation chance at deep fine leg from a miscued hook, much to the consternation of left-arm fast-medium bowler Delorn Johnson.

The two carried on merrily for the rest of the afternoon period, except for a brief spell when Johnson bent his back and made life uncomfortable for them with a few well-directed short balls, as Jamaica reached 174 for one at tea.

After the break, Blackwood and Bonner both

looked set to cross the century mark but the Windwards created their own success to stop the Jamaicans from running away with the day.

Jamaica played an unchanged 11 while the Windwards brought Shillingford in to replace fast bowler Nelon Pascal.

Jamaica reached the Final following a one-wicket victory in a tense finish against newly-crowned regional champions Barbados at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown in the semi-finals.

The Windwards, meanwhile, crushed Trinidad and Tobago by 234 runs inside three days at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

The Headley/Weekes Trophy was inaugurated five years ago in honour of the late Jamaica and West Indies batting legend George Headley, and living Barbados and West Indies batting legend Sir Everton Weekes.

SCOREBOARD

NAMILCO One Love Classic wraps up tonight

- Slingerz Family to host massive after-party

The teams are ready and so too are the organisers as the curtains come down on the annual NAMILCO One Love Football Classic this evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.

Four of the country’s top teams will be in action, and according Wayne Forde, the president of the organising club, Fruta Conquerors, all systems are in place for an exciting evening of football and after-party.

Speaking to this publication on the eve of the final and third place playoff, Forde indicated that “all systems are a go” for what is anticipated to be a brutal showdown between the four teams.

Defending champions Alpha United, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with three titles (2008, 2010

and 2013), will take on the Guyana Defence Force, who have won the title twice in 2007 and 2012, for the $1.2 million top prize.

Fruta Conquerors and Riddim Squad will contest the third place playoff.

Forde said that apart from the anticipated fiery on-field rivalry, patrons can be assured of added en-

tertainment during and after the games as Slingerz Family has collaborated with Fruta Conquerors and NAMILCO to ensure the paying public has a great time.

The Fruta Conquerors head said they have set the entrance fee at a minimal $1500, inclusive of the two games and after-party by Slingerz.

The champion team will walk away $1.2 million richer, while the runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $600,000, $400,000 and $200,000 respectively. Trophies will also accompany the cash prizes.

NAMILCO has injected $5 million into this year’s competition, a sponsorship package that has steadily increased since the first year when the company had invested $1.6 million.

GFF Congress to reconvene in

45 days

Some of

These associations were the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA), East Coast Football Association (ECFA), National Women’s Football Association (NWFA), Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) and East Demerara Football Association (EDFA).

The associations withdrew after the no-confidence motion against Matthias, which was filed by the EBFA and seconded by the ECFA, was discarded following a 9-9 tie at the voting.

This publication understands that the no-confidence motion did not follow the protocols required for

the filing of such, as it did not state a reason for the motion, nor did it contain a letterhead or returning address.

Among the unfinished business on Saturday were the election of two Vicepresidents and the presentation of the GFF’s forensic audit for the period January 1998 to December 2012.

Royals v Royal Challengers, IPL 2014, Abu Dhabi…

RCB shot out for 70 in big defeat

Two days ago, Virat Kohli conceded Royal Challengers Bangalore blew a winning position against Kolkata Knight Riders. His side were forced into an encore of that performance by Rajasthan Royals Saturday afternoon, minus the winning-position part. Within the first 14 deliveries of the match, they lost four wickets, including those of AB de Villiers and Yuvraj Singh. Just past the halfway stage of their innings, they lost their last realistic hopeKohli. From 46-7, it was somewhat of an achievement to move past the lowest IPL total of 58, but there was no getting back in the game. Royal Challengers posted 70, the third-worst score in the IPL, and Royals completed the formalities for the loss of four wickets.

After Kohli was asked to bat, he said he would have done that anyway had he won the toss. What was to follow, however, wouldn’t have figured even in his worst nightmare. This was a pitch with something for the bowlers. There was some seam and bounce, and also a bit of swing. But considering the kind of shots Royal Challengers played, they would have been in trouble on almost any surface.

A couple of dots in the opening over were enough for Yogesh Takawale to charge out and heave at Stuart Binny, only to edge a gentle outswinger to the keeper. Kohli walked in and took a wicket off his first ball. His call for a single following a push to off was so late Parthiv Patel, not the best of runners, had little chance of making it across.

Yuvraj Singh had a nervy seven-ball stay. He was beaten a couple of times by Tim Southee, and almost yorked himself. Then Kane Richardson trotted in and sent down a 129.6 kph outswinger. And Yuvraj promptly followed it and tickled it to second slip.

At 5 for 3, Royal Challengers had their best

pair in the middle to combat the crisis. Instead, AB de Villiers played on first ball, attempting a half-hearted back-foot punch without having the width. Kohli needed someone to just last for a few overs. But that was asking for too much.

Three quiet overs later, Sachin Rana played on to Shane Watson in the same manner as de Villiers. Albie

Morkel is used to coming in at the death to try and hit his big sixes, but even the Powerplay was not over yet this time. His second ball against spin, Morkel went for a big six, and holed out off a googly from Pravin Tambe.

Kohli must have surely been fuming inside, but the very next ball, he calmly swatted Tambe for four through extra cover. First ball of the next over, he stepped out and lifted Southee over mid-on. That was about as close as Royal Challengers were coming to a fightback. In Tambe’s next over, Kohli received a half-tracker and pulled it straight to midwicket.

Mitchell Starc and Ravi Rampaul helped their side move past 58, before Tambe wrapped up the innings to end with 4-20, his best IPL figures. The RCB pair bowled their hearts out, but by the time Starc reduced Royals to 36-3, they were already more than half way to their target. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Bangalore T20 innings(20 overs maximum)

PA Patel† run out (Rahane/ †Samson) 1

YV Takawale c †Samson b Binny 0

V Kohli* c Southee b Tambe 21

Yuvraj Singh c Smith b Richardson 3

AB de Villiers b Richardson 0

S Rana b Watson 3

JA Morkel c Smith b Tambe 7

MA Starc c Binny b Bhatia 18

R Rampaul c Southee b Tambe 13

AB Dinda lbw b Tambe 0

YS Chahal not out 0

Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 1) 4

Total (all out; 15 overs) 70

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Takawale, 0.4 ov), 2-1 (Patel, 0.5 ov), 3-5 (Yuvraj Singh, 2.1 ov), 4-5 (de Villiers, 2.2 ov), 5-17 (Rana, 5.2 ov), 6-28 (Morkel, 8.4 ov), 7-46 (Kohli, 10.3 ov), 8-62 (Starc, 13.6 ov), 9-70 (Rampaul, 14.3 ov), 10-

70 (Dinda, 14.6 ov)

Bowling: STR Binny 1-0-1-1,

TG Southee 3-0-16-0, KW Richardson 4-0-18-2, SR Watson 2-1-5-1 (1-w), PV Tambe 4-0-204, R Bhatia 1-0-7-1

Rajasthan T20 innings (target: 71 runs from 20 overs)

AM Rahane c †Patel b Starc 23 KK Nair c †Patel b Starc 8

SV Samson† run out (Takawale/ †Patel) 2

AM Nayar not out 11

SR Watson* c de Villiers b Chahal 24

STR Binny not out 0

Extras (lb-1, w-2) 3

Total (4 wickets; 13 overs) 71 Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Rahane, 4.3 ov), 2-35 (Samson, 5.4 ov), 3-36 (Nair, 6.3 ov), 4-68 (Watson, 12.5 ov)

Bowling: MA Starc 4-0-29-2 (1w), R Rampaul 4-0-16-0 (1-w), YS Chahal 3-1-17-1, AB Dinda 2-08-0

McCoon re-elected head of Uitvlugt CC

Bhawan McCoon was re-elected president of the Uitvlugt Cricket Club when the Annual General Meeting and elections were held recently.

Deoraj Singh was elected Vice-president, while Rameez Ally is the Secretary.

Vekash Dhaniram and Nigel Vieira have been elected Treasurer and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer respectively, while the Committee Members are Phillip Persaud, Harnarine Tiwari, Richard Baker and Carlos Guruity.

According to a release from the club, among the plans are the resuscitation of indoor games, especially dominoes, chess and table-tennis and the establishment of a female cricket team.

“The Executive Committee pledged to work along with GuySuCo and the Uitvlugt Community Development Centre Council to upgrade the Uitvlugt pitch and ground.

Towards this end, the Executive Committee dis-

cussed the possibility of purchasing a lawn mower to supplement the work being done by GuySuCo,” the release stated.

It added, “For their present term in office, the Committee will place emphasis on the development of youth cricket, particularly at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels. Meanwhile, the Uitvlugt senior team has begun preparations to participate in the upcoming T20 cricket competition under the auspicies of the West Demerara United Cricket League and sponsored by Barakat and Brothers business firm.”

The release concluded that the focus of the Uitvlugt Cricket Club will be to make a contribution to bring back cricket on West Demerara to its former high standards.

phelps uses heats to practice butterfly

Michael Phelps rounded off his return to competitive swimming by using the 50m freestyle heats of the Arena Grand Prix to practise his butterfly.

The 18-time Olympic champion opted to change strokes while his rivals swam the faster, traditional front crawl stroke at the event in Arizona.

The American finished

seventh in his heat, failing to qualify for the final.

Earlier in the meet, Phelps was second in the 100m butterfly in his first race since coming out of retirement.

The 28-year-old returned to the sport following concerns about weight gain but insisted he is a “long way” from deciding whether to continue or not.

“On the whole, I think it felt pretty good,” said

Phelps. “I was very excited. I felt like a kid again and that was the coolest thing about it.

“I was just kind of literally getting my feet wet again. This is one meet, it’s one race. It’s a long way from whether I decide to continue or not, but this was awesome.

“I’m really excited about how things went and I do know what I need to do if I want to continue and want to swim faster, and obviously I like swimming faster and faster every race.”

Phelps now plans to head to high-altitude training in Colorado next month, with the US national championships to follow in August. They double as the US selection trials for next year’s World Championships and will give a strong indication of his plans for the future.

Phelps’s coach Bob Bowman said: “Let’s just see what’s down the road. He has an opportunity if he wants to take advantage of it.” (BBC Sport)

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Kings XI Punjab maintain winning streak

Glenn Maxwell and David Miller failed for the first time this season, but that didn’t prevent Kings XI Punjab from extending their winning streak to four this year, and seven overall. Sandeep Sharma had the new ball curling around, Akshar Patel showed why he is the most economical left-arm spinner in the tournament, and Rishi Dhawan also kept it tight before the spearhead Mitchell Johnson finished off the job.

It wasn’t a vintage game of Twenty20 cricket, as none of the batsmen could time the ball on a surface on which the heavyweight batting lineup of Royal Challengers Bangalore had been shot out for 70 in the afternoon.

On a green track with plenty of cracks in it, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir had hoped it would be easier to bat under lights, but his decision to bowl first backfired as the ball jagged around after sunset. Set a seemingly straightforward target of 133, Knight Riders lost wickets regularly and, though Suryakumar Yadav briefly threatened to take the game close, wound up well short.

The pillars of the Knight Riders squad when the teams were revamped in 2011, Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan, continued to have miserable seasons. Gambhir pushed himself down to No. 3 after three zeroes in a row, but nearly had a golden duck again, only for Sandeep to put down a difficult, diving return catch. There was further relief for Gambhir as he got a single to fine leg to score his first run of the tournament, but minutes later he handed a catch to short extra cover.

If Gambhir’s IPL troubles have been confined to this season, Yusuf has

struggled to recapture the heights of the first cycle of the tournament. Once again he looked woefully out of touch, lbw for three after being bringing his bat down late on a Rishi Dhawan delivery. He rarely bowls these days and isn’t the quickest in the field either, all of which combine to put his place under serious scrutiny.

Knight Riders openers couldn’t get any momentum against Sandeep and Johnson, with both dismissed for single-digit scores. Chris Lynn couldn’t recreate the form that yielded a quickfire 45 in his first game of the season earlier this week, and Knight Riders’ chances were nearly extinguished once Robin Uthappa was run out by a precise throw from George Bailey at cover in the 13th over. Knight Riders were 62 for 6, looking for a miracle. It didn’t arrive.

They wouldn’t have ex-

pected to be in that position after the performance of their bowlers. Knight Riders’ decision to bring in Piyush Chawla for Vinay Kumar, who bowled them to a last-over win two days earlier, paid off as Chawla bamboozled Virender Sehwag with a googly, and benefited from the long boundaries in Abu Dhabi by getting big guns Miller and Bailey caught in the deep.

Chawla’s intervention came after some hostile new-ball bowling from Morne Morkel, who tormented the Indians in the top order with his 145-plus kmph deliveries, and got the prized scalp of Maxwell with a legstump yorker. Kings XI collapsed from 101-4 to 132-9 against the wiles of Chawla and Sunil Narine, who took three in an over. It didn’t matter, though, as Knight Riders’ batting woes continued.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Punjab T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

CA Pujara run out (Pandey) 8

V Sehwag b Chawla 37

WP Saha† lbw b Kallis 14

GJ Maxwell b Morkel 15

DA Miller c Morkel b Chawla 14

GJ Bailey* c Morkel b Chawla 11

R Dhawan not out 19

AR Patel st †Uthappa b Narine 7

MG Johnson b Narine 0

L Balaji lbw b Narine 0 Sandeep Sharma (1) not out 2

Extras (b-1, lb-2, w-1, nb-1) 5

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 132

Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Pujara, 1.4 ov), 2-28 (Saha, 4.1 ov), 3-58 (Maxwell, 7.4 ov), 4-74 (Miller, 9.4 ov), 5-101 (Bailey, 13.4 ov), 6-103 (Sehwag, 13.6 ov), 7-126 (Patel, 18.1 ov), 8-126 (Johnson, 18.2 ov), 9-126 (Balaji, 18.4 ov)

Bowling: UT Yadav 4-0-28-0, M Morkel 4-0-26-1 (1-nb), JH Kallis 4-0-32-1 (1-w), SP Narine 4-0-24-3, PP Chawla 4-0-19-3

Kolkata T20 innings (target: 133 runs from 20 overs) MK Pandey lbw b Sandeep Sharma 8 JH Kallis c Maxwell b Balaji 9 G Gambhir* c Patel b Sandeep Sharma 1 CA Lynn b Patel 13 RV Uthappa† run out (Bailey) 19 YK Pathan lbw b Dhawan 3 SA Yadav c Johnson b Sandeep Sharma 34 PP Chawla st †Saha b Patel 0 SP Narine b Johnson 6 UT Yadav b Johnson 2 M Morkel not out 4 Extras (lb-5, w-5) 10 Total (all out; 18.2 overs)

We must be proud of Carifta Games team

SportS View by Neil Kumar

It is absolutely necessary and imperative that con-

gratulations from the innermost part of the anatomy be extended to the Guyana team which participated in the just concluded Junior Carifta Games, 2014.

There is no doubt that both rising stars, Cassey George and Kadecia Baird, are world-class athletes.

George, a diminutive, but powerful distance runner from the mining town of Linden, continued her unstoppable ways of 2013 and dominated the best the Caribbean had to offer at the recently Games held at Stade Municipal Peirre Aliker in Martinique, winning two gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m, successfully defending her titles. She was just magnificent; more so, she excelled triumphantly against the world’s power houses, the Jamaicans.

Baird, the USA-based athlete who was better prepared this time around, blistered her way to gold in the

400m and by misfortune, had to settle for silver in the 200m, a race which she was about to capture when she unfortunately stumbled and fell just before crossing the line. Baird also was pure class as she was a true champion.

Guyana’s nine-member team finished fourth with four medals behind Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

While the other athletes, some of whom got as far as

the finals, but did not “medal” individually, contributed to the success of Cassey and Kadicia and by extension, Guyana. With the construction of the world-class synthetic track at Leonora and Minister Dr. Frank Anthony promising to recruit a worldclass Track and Field coach, the future of athletics certainly looks good. All the other athletes with better coaching, training and discipline could dominate at the highest level.

The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) must be a proud bunch after having worthy results at the last two Carifta Games.

The AAG however, have their work cut out if our success at this level is to reach higher heights.

Numerous calls at many meetings between the AAG and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for a strategic development plan for our athletes, have not, unto this day, borne fruit. It is inevitable for a workable short, medium and long term plan of action to be implemented by the AAG and presented

for support.

The government cannot give assistance if there is no system for development. The government has developed and continues to develop facilities for athletes, but the encouragement is not forthcoming from the associations/federations.

There are no annual reports, financial statements, criteria for selection of athletes and officials, submission of reports after overseas engagements, etc. The gov-

ernment is willing, but there is need for effective partnering from the associations/ federations.

The corporate community will definitely not come on board if that kind of encouragement is not visible.

The corporate community is an integral part of development in every area. Hence, they must be encouraged to step up to the plate. They will hesitate to commit their monies on unsafe and unaccountable ventures.

Members of the corporate community expect worth and value for their investment. Corporate citizens need accountability, transparency and mileage for their investment in sport.

The time is most opportune when the AAG must wakeup and produce a developmental plan.

The success of our athletes depends heavily on the synergies of all the various organisations/stakeholders and all Guyana.

Our athletes desperately need stronger support. We have the talent and potential, but we need the finish-

ing touches and the motivation and inspiration to win at the highest level.

The success of other countries did not come by the waving of a magic wand, but by way of real commitment, dedication and allout efforts and actions by all concerned. Success will not be realised if it is not preceded by genuine hardwork.

Guyana must focus on preparation and readiness for all world championships. Our athletes need more competitive exposure. However, the experience will have a cost.

This cost will only come with accountability and transparency from the AAG. It is clear that the past is haunting the present executive. However, we must be prepared to work with the present executive and give them our support so that our athletes can receive better support. Congratulations once again to the athletes, officials, the AAG and all Guyana as our Golden Arrowhead continues to fly high.

More should be done for athletes- Dr. Anthony

by treiStoN JoSeph

Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony during a courtesy call by the successful junior Carifta team on Thursday, opined that athletes in Guyana need more support in order to perform at a higher level.

The team that finished fourth, Guyana’s highest placing at the premier junior Caribbean event, prompted Dr. Anthony to stress that more should be done for athletes.

“It’s always a challenge when athletes have to go abroad and they have to mobilise resources, they have to go into training and things like that, it’s an additional stress, so if we can have a collaboration where we can minimise those things…I think that’s the idea for us to aspire to and we are not there yet

but we have a bit more work to do,” Dr. Anthony highlighted.

The minister expounded on the sort of collaboration he would like to see.

“In other countries there is a partnership with the AAG (Athletics Association of Guyana) between businesses and the government and I think with that type of triangular arrangement you would be able to raise enough resources to ensure that those athletes do even better,” Dr. Anthony noted.

However, the minister noted that the government is not in the best position to spend freely on the development of the athletes.

“Right now, and if you look at the structure of our budget that was under a lot of scrutiny and you would see when you analyse the budget structure we really don’t

have discretionary monies where we can just give out to the athletes and so forth, Dr. Anthony explained.

He added, “It is a challenge but we can only work with what we have and right now what we have in the budget is money to really complete the work at Leonora (synthetic track) and to offer jobs to coaches.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony also shared his thoughts on how the athletes can improve and what the Sport Ministry will provide to aid such an improvement.

“To get to the next level I think you need professional coaching and that’s what we’ll be offering with the Cuban coach that will be coming in, someone that will have vast experience in the area of coaching so that’s one of the things we will be doing,” Dr. Anthony promised.

No regrets for Reifer after calling time on outstanding career

The road to success is never straight. Floyd Lamonte Reifer knows this all too well.

The veteran former Barbados and West Indies left-hander brought an end to a long, successful innings when he recently announced his retirement from first-class cricket, following the completion of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional FourDay Championship.

The accomplished stroke-maker, who has been player/coach at the Combined Campuses & Colleges for the last eight years, had said earlier this year while playing the WICB Super50 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, that he intended to call time on his playing career.

CCC failed to make the Final Four of the first class competition and Reifer therefore bid farewell to the regional game as a player. He will continue as coach of CCC.

Full-time coaching

“It’s hard to say goodbye but I have decided the time has come to bring a close to my career as a player and concentrate full time on coaching and look to develop the players we have at the CCC,” Reifer said.

“I enjoyed my playing career and would like to believe I made a contribution to the game in Barbados, at the CCC and overall West Indies cricket. I want to thank everyone who I came into contact with during my time. I started way back in the 90s, when the (Barbados) team included some amazing players – including Malcolm Marshall, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Carlisle Best and Ezra Moseley. That was a great place to learn the game, and as a young man coming into the team I did my best to

listen and learn from these great players.”

Reifer, 41, made his first-class debut for Barbados back in 1992 and in all first class cricket, played 154 matches and made 7641 runs at an average of 30 runs per innings. His highest score was 200 for Barbados against Windward Islands at Kensington Oval back in 1997.

Following an outstanding career for his country, he joined CCC in 2006.

He also played six Test matches for West Indies, spanned over a decade in contrasting circumstances. After an outstanding first class season in 1997 – he played two Tests against Sri Lanka in the Caribbean and then returned to the team in South Africa where he played a Test in late 1998 and another early the following year.

He was called back to service in emergency circumstances in July, 2009 when he was asked to captain the West Indies team in two

Tests against Bangladesh during a full players’ strike. He also took the team to the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2009.

Highlights

Reifer said he had several highlights in his career, but the peak was leading the West Indies team. He also had great memories of the Barbados team, under the captaincy of Courtney Browne, which dominated the regional scene in the late 1990s.

“It was an honour to captain the West Indies. I will always look back at that as the highlight of my playing career. To represent the people of the Caribbean was a dream of mine and to be given the responsibility to lead the team was an even greater honour,” Reifer said.

“I will also remember the time in the Barbados team when we were dominant with Courtney at the helm. We had a really good unit – including Winston Reid, Sherwin Campbell, Philo Wallace, Ian Bradshaw and a young Corey Collymore – and we did some amazing things for Barbados cricket. That was another highlight period.”

Challenges

Reifer did have his setbacks and challenges. The greatest came back in 2005 he collided with team-mate Martin Nurse while attempting a high catch during the WICB 50-over tournament, which was televised to a regional audience. The accident left Reifer with a concussion and led to his hospitalisation.

He was forced to undergo four surgeries and did not play for over a year. This came a week after he played through the pain of a swollen ankle to help Barbados beat Guyana.

“That was a very difficult time in my life. I had an injury leading up to that accident. I ran around to field a ball and my left ankle just dropped into a hole. I heard a cracking sound and I thought my ankle was broken,” Reifer recalled.

“The next game we faced Guyana to qualify for the semis and I played. My foot was swollen so big it could barely fit into the shoe. I played on one foot. I batted well and we eventually went on to win the game.”

He continued: “After that happened we came home and then the accident occurred on the field. It was life-threatening. I was told I was unconscious for 45 seconds to a minute … one minute of my life I will never remember what happened. It was very devastating.

“The doctor said I could have died from neck injuries because of the way the accident happened. It was a very tough period for me being out of cricket for a year, and entire year without income, as a young man … it was very, very difficult.

“It was the grace of God and the inner strength I developed that helped me to make it through and reach the point which I could be able to retire and still look to make a contribution to the game which has given me so much.”

Though his work at CCC is ongoing, his name has already been etched firmly in the history of the university squad – literally. Just last year, the UWI Cave Hill Campus renamed the balcony overlooking the 3Ws Oval the Floyd Reifer Balcony, in honour of his huge contribution to the programme’s development.

In many ways, it appears Reifer is already in the middle of another memorable innings.